abright's presence as she was faithful to West Woodlands
in Mr. Braggs's. She had no idea that this was dangerously near to
coquetry. So she said a little archly, "I don't see why YOU don't like
the Mission. You're a missionary yourself. The old padres came here to
spread the Word. So do you."

"But not in that way," he said curtly. "I've seen enough of them when
I was knocking round the world a seafaring man and a sinner. I knew
them--receivers of the ill-gotten gains of adventurers, fools, and
scoundrels. I knew them--enriched by the spoils of persecution and
oppression; gathering under their walls outlaws and fugitives from
justice, and flinging an indulgence here and an absolution there, as
they were paid for it. Don't talk to me of THEM--I know them."

They were passing out of the chapel together, and he made an impatient
gesture as if dismissing the subject. Accustomed though she was to
the sweeping criticism of her Catholic friends by her West Woodlands
associates, she was nevertheless hurt by his brusqueness. She dropped
a little behind, and they separated at the porch. Notwithstanding
her anxiety to see her aunt, she felt she could not now go to Deacon
Shadwell's without seeming to follow him--and after he had assured her
that her help was not required! She turned aside and made her way slowly
towards her home.

There she found that her aunt had not returned, gathering from her uncle
that she was recovering from a fit of "high strikes" (hysterics), and
would be better alone. Whether he underrated her complaint, or had
a consciousness of his masculine helplessness in such disorders, he
evidently made light of it. And when Cissy, afterwards, a little ashamed
that she had allowed her momentary pique against Brother Seabright to
stand in the way of her duty, determined to go to her aunt, instead of
returning to the chapel that evening, he did not oppose it. She learned
also that Mr. Braggs had called in the morning, but, finding that her
aunt Vashti was at chapel, he had followed her there, intending to
return with her. But he had not been seen since the service, and had
evidently returned to the Mission.

But when she reached Deacon Shadwell's house she was received by Mrs.
Shadwell only. Her aunt, said that lady, was physically better, but
Brother Seabright had left "partkler word" that she was to see nobody.
It was an extraordinary case of "findin' the Lord," the like of which
had never been known before in