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           AstheycameoutofthedrawingroomPaddystoppedFatherRalphandheldouthishand,infullviewofthefascinatedmournersclusteringinthediningroomdoorway.

           "Father,pleasedon’tthinkthereareanyhardfeelingsonourside.Marywasneverswayedbyanotherhumanbeinginallherlife,priestorbrotherorhusband.Youtakeitfromme,shedidwhatshewantedtodo.Youweremightygoodtoher,andyou’vebeenmightygoodtous.We’llneverforgetit."

           Theguilt.Theburden.AlmostFatherRalphdidnotmovetotakethatgnarledstainedhand,butthecardinal’sbrainwon;hegrippeditfeverishlyandsmiled,agonized.

           "Thankyou,Paddy.YoumayrestassuredI’llseeyouneverwantforathing."

           Withintheweekhewasgone,nothavingappearedonDroghedaagain.Hespentthefewdayspackinghisscantbelongings,andtouringeverystationinthedistrictwheretherewereCatholicfamilies;saveDrogheda.

           FatherWatkinThomas,lateofWales,arrivedtoassumethedutiesofparishpriesttotheGillanbonedistrict,whileFatherRalphdeBricassartbecameprivatesecretarytoArchbishopClunyDark.Buthisworkloadwaslight;hehadtwoundersecretaries.ForthemostparthewasoccupiedindiscoveringjustwhatandhowmuchMaryCarsonhadowned,andingatheringthereinsofgovernmenttogetheronbehalfoftheChurch.