I can remember that the dark-browed Nicholas, who was but little loved at our house, took some heed to this girl, greatly younger than himself, though herself of ripening age when she let herself be persuaded into that loveless wedlock.
It was whispered that he had made a convert of her; the Jesuits and seminary priests were hard at work, striving to win back their lost power by increasing the number of their flock and recruiting from all classes of the people.

Nicholas was then a blind tool in the hands of these men, and I always suspected that this was one of his chief motives for so ill judged a step.

At any rate, Bridget pronounced herself a Romanist, and was married by a priest of that Church according to its laws.

Her family cast her off, and Nicholas would let us have no dealings with her.

Poor Bridget! I trow she lived to rue the day; and the change of her faith was but a passing thing, for I know she returned to her old beliefs when time had allowed her to see things more clearly.
"But to return to the beginning.