Superior left the room, still holding fast to Clara's hand.

"Had I expected to be so treated, I should not have come," exclaimed
Mrs Lerew, as the door closed. "If these are conventual manners, I
hope that Clara may not adopt them. What caused the Lady Superior to
act as she did?"

"If you insist on knowing, you must understand that she probably
considers priests ought to be celibates, and therefore looks upon you in
no favourable light," answered the vicar, with some acerbity in his
tone.

Mrs Lerew was about to retort, when the door opened, and the spiritual
adviser of the establishment, Dr Catton, entered. He was a small thin
man, with sallow complexion, and that peculiar pucker about the mouth
which seems a characteristic of those who hold his views. The two
gentlemen were well known to each other.

"I am anxious, my dear Doctor, to obtain your further advice regarding
my new female college," said Mr Lerew, "as I hope in a short time it
will be in a sufficient state of advancement to receive pupils."

"I would gladly afford you my assistance in so holy a work," answered
Dr Catton, "as I consider it will tend greatly to the advancement of
the Church; but--" and he looked at Mrs Lerew.

"She is discreet, and takes a deep interest in the institution," said
the vicar.

Dr Catton looked as if he considered women were better out of the way
when any matter of importance was to be discussed. However, as the
vicar did not tell his wife to retire, he entered into the subject,
speaking more cautiously perhaps than he otherwise would have done.
Mrs Lerew sat on, her countenance expressing her dissatisfaction at the
want of confidence the Doctor placed in her. The rules and regulations
of the new college were discussed, as well as the means for obtaining
the necessary funds. "You will understand that the young lady who is
about to enter into this institution has a considerable fortune at her
disposal, with which I have every hope she will endow our college. It
must be a point of honour between us that she does not bestow it on the
convent, and I beg that you will impress that on the mind of the Lady
Superior. You will remember that I induced her to come here for that
important object, for she will not be of age for upwards of two years,
and she might in the meantime, were she to remain in the world, change
her mind and marry, and her property would be lost to the Church."

"Of course," said Dr Catton, "I am eq