At its conclusion, the assemblage separated in little groups; and she perceived, with great uneasiness, that Father Garnet passed his arm through that of her father, and led him away.

Some time elapsed, and neither of them re-appeared.
"My warning was in vain; he _has_ joined them!" she exclaimed.
"No, Viviana!" cried her father's voice behind her.

"I have _not_ joined them.

Nor _shall_ I do so." "Heaven be praised!" she exclaimed, flinging her arms around his neck.
Neither of them were aware that they were overheard by Garnet, who had noiselessly followed Sir William into the room, and muttered to himself, "For all this, he _shall_ join the plot, and she _shall_ wed Catesby." He then coughed slightly, to announce his presence; and, apologizing to Viviana for the intrusion, told her he came to confess her previously to the celebration of mass, which would take place that evening, in a small chapel in the house.

Wholly obedient to the command of her spiritual advisers, Viviana instantly signified her assent; and, her father having withdrawn, she laid open the inmost secrets of her heart to the Jesuit.
Severely reprobating her love for a heretic, before he would give her absolution, Garnet enjoined her, as a penance, to walk barefoot to the holy well on the morrow, and to make a costly offering at the shrine of the saint.