Lord Scroope and the Countess, had they known the priest's views on this matter, would have regarded him as an unscrupulous intriguing ruffian, prepared to destroy the happiness of a noble family by a wicked scheme.

But his views of life, as judged from the other side, admitted of some excuse.

As for a girl breaking her heart, he did not, perhaps, much believe in such a catastrophe.

Of a sore heart a girl must run the chance,--as also must a man.

That young men do go about promising marriage and not keeping their promise, he knew well.