"To be what?" I shrieked. "Are these people Papists, then?"
"Not to acknowledge it. I had not an idea when we came--nor the
Bracewells, I am sure."
"And did they want all three of you to be nuns?"
"No--only me, I believe. I heard Father Godfrey saying to the Mother
that neither Charlotte nor Amelia would answer the purpose: but what the
purpose was, I don't know."
"Who are you talking about? Who is Father Godfrey?--Mr Crossland?"
"Yes. He is a Jesuit priest."
"You mean his mother, then, by `_the_ Mother'?"
"Oh, she is not his mother. I don't think they are related."
"What is she?"
"The Abbess of a convent of English nuns at Bruges."
"And is that poor little girl, Miss Annabella, one of the conspirators?"
"She is the decoy. I think her wits have been terrified out of her; she
only does as she is told."
"Hatty," I said, "you do not believe the doctrines of Popery?"
"I don't know what I believe, or don't believe," she sobbed. "If you
can get me out of here and back home, I shall think there is a God
again. I was beginning to doubt that and everything else."
A voice came up the stairs, raised rather loudly.
"You must pardon me, Madam, but I am quite sure both my nieces are
here," said my Uncle Charles's welcome tones.