With trembling steps and downcast eyes the frightened girl presented herself at the porch and knocked. The door was opened and the Father appeared upon the threshold. At a sign Bella entered and stood before the stately presence of the holy man. An embarrassing silence of some seconds followed. Father Ambrose was the first to break the spell. "You have done right, my daughter, to come to me so punctually; the ready obedience of the penitent is the first sign of the spirit within which obtains the Divine forgiveness. " At these gracious words Bella took courage, and already a load seemed to fall from her heart. Father Ambrose continued, seating himself at the same time upon the long-cushioned seat which covered a huge oak chest: "I have thought much, and prayed much on your account, my daughter. For some time there appeared no way in which I could absolve my conscience otherwise than to go to your natural protector and lay before him the dreadful secret of which I have become the unhappy possessor. " Here he paused, and Bella, who knew well the severe character of her uncle, on whom she was entirely dependent, trembled at his words.

Taking her hand in his, and gently drawing the girl to the same seat, so that she found herself kneeling before him, while his right hand pressed her rounded shoulder, he went on:

"But I am wounded to think of the dreadful results which would follow such a disclosure, and I have asked for assistance from the Blessed Virgin in my trouble. She has pointed out a way which, while it also serves the ends of our holy church, likely prevents the consequences of your offence from being known to your uncle. The first necessity which this course imposes is, however, implicit obedience. "

Bella, only too rejoiced to hear of a way out of her trouble, readily promised the most blind obedience to the command of her spiritual Father.

The young girl was kneeling at his feet.