She made no mention of father Gilbert; and Lucie, of course, did not feel at liberty to allude to him, though Annette had told her of their conference, and her curiosity and interest were naturally excited to learn the particulars.
It could not but surprise her, that Mad.

de la Tour should have been in earnest conversation with the priest; for she had always shunned him, and ever treated Lucie's fears as some strange deception of the imagination.
M.de la Tour returned late in the evening of that day; but the shock which his lady had received, whether mental or physical, again confined her several days to her apartment.

Lucie was convinced that this renewed indisposition was, in some manner, connected with the appearance of father Gilbert.

She, at length, ventured to speak of him to her aunt; but the subject evidently distressed her, though she confessed his peculiar manners had at first alarmed her; adding, with an attempt at gaiety, that he was probably scandalized at being so abruptly addressed by a female and a heretic.

With apparent indifference, she also asked several questions of Lucie, respecting her accidental interviews with the priest; thus betraying a new and uncommon interest, which strengthened the suspicions of her niece.