"They haven't told you, then ?" "What ?" "That your father is going to be married!" Her heart stood still; the room seemed to swim around in the suddenness of the shock.
"Father Francis!" "You have not been told?
Are you surprised?
I have been expecting as much as this for some time." "You are jesting, Father Francis," she said, finding voice, which for a moment had failed her; "it cannot be true!" "It is quite true.

I saw your father yesterday, and he told me himself." "And to whom-- ?" She tried to finish the sentence, but her rebellious tongue would not.
"To Grace! I am surprised that your father has not told you.

If I had dreamed it was in the slightest degree a secret, I certainly would not have spoken." She did not answer.
He glanced at her, and saw that her cheeks and lips had turned ashen white, as she gazed steadfastly out of the window.
"My child," said the priest, "you do not speak.

You are not disappointed--you are not grieved ?" She arose to go, still pale with the great and sudden surprise.
"You have given me a great shock in telling me this.

I never dreamed of another taking my dear dead mother's place.