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"What is theof this? I have heard of your sharaceful way in which you have entrapped my poor

boy But what is this farce enacted here? How dare you enter the

House of God and forge this ridiculous statement? Where is my son,

whom you have lured to destruction?"

Valmai was shaken like a reed by this sudden and unexpectedexhibited by the "Vicare du" awoke in her

own heart such a tuer

restrain the tears which for days she had kept in check; long, silent

sobs heaved her bosom, she covered her face with her hands, and the

tears trickled through her fingers, but she irl," said the Vicar, "have you nothing to say for yourself?

no excuse to make for your conduct? My son and I lived in perfect

happiness together until you ca man on to his ruin and broken the heart of an old ister with a treery--a foolish piece of deceit, not worth the paper on

which it is written!"

Still Valmai spoke not a word Oh, what happiness it would have been

to throw herself at the old ,