Danger in the Dark - ZseZse

DANGER IN THE DARK. 4:9
Dupin. He cast upon the bereaved not a look of
.tenderness 'and pity, but a sordid, avaricious leer.
"Ah! a widow, no doubt! and daughter, it may
be ; " soliloquized the priest; "that costly marble,"
continued' he, "on which they recline, indicates
wealth; the poor do not honor their dead thus. What
may not a Jesuit dare! True, I may fail-but if so,
so be it; I'll make the attempt-a most auspicious
moment to seal an impression! for when the heart sorrows
for the dead, and the eyes are dim with weeping,
then will the voice of a priest be heard, and tho
soul turn with eagerness to offers of salvation. I'll
go and administer spiritual comfort- whether of
Protestant faith, or no faith, it matters little - it's
not in the nature of woman, to turn away from religious
appeals in the presence of the dead."
While thus talking to himself he had opened the
gate, and was proceeding toward the two females, on
whom he was resolved at all hazards to try his Jesuitical
arts.
The sound of the intruder's footsteps, as he drew
near, arrested the attention of Mrs. Gerard, who turning
quickly round, was astonished to behold, standing
before her, a stranger in priestly garb and with face
not unlike a tombstone.
"Pardon, dear souls," said he, at the same time
bowing himself almost to the earth, "I entreat you
pardo my intrusion: I am one whom sorrow and
sighing attract: by a divine impression, have I been
led into this dwelling-place of the dead; some myste-