Danger in the Dark - ZseZse

CHAPTER III.
Anna Maria Gerard - The bereavement - Graveyard scene - The
intruder -J esuitical artifice - Conversion to Romanism - The
engagement-Disclosure in the confessional-Priestly stratagem.
ANNAMARIAGERARD,whose name has already been
incidentally mentioned, was a most interesting girlbright
as a sunbeam, and sweet as a peach blossom;
and was just budding into womanhood. She had
from childhood manifested rare amiability of dispoaition,
and more than ordinary intelligence. It was
quite impossible not to love her-so angelic was the
temper of her mind, and so soft, so gentle, so winning,
her manner. And how perfect in form I beautiful
in feature I and graceful in action I But I will
not say Anna Maria was faultless: conscious of pos:
sessing rare personal charms, she grew a little vain,
Bought admiration, and delighted to mingle in the
gay circles of fashion. She was an only child, and
had been from infancy the cherished object of parental
affection. Though not trained to piety, Anna
Maria was by nature devotional; nevertheless, generally
volatile and fond of pleasure. Her parents
being of no religious persuasion, their associations
were chiefly with the people of the world, and when
they attended church, it was only as a matter of form.
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