There was a silence after this.  Paul Colbert was suddenly realizing that he also had no reason to think her unwilling; but this did not comfort him or change his feeling.  It is the delight and misery of love never to have anything to do with reason.

“It is not likely that Alston would approve anything that he did not believe was for her happiness,” Father Orin went on after a brief silence.  “But there may have been other inducements.  With the judge’s nephew under his thumb, he need not have much fear of the law or the court.  That was the reason most generally assigned for his patronage of William Pressley in the first place, before there was any engagement between the young man and Ruth.  But that will, as a matter of course, bind him closer to Alston’s interests, through her fondness for him.  And on yesterday I heard of a scheme to put Pressley in Joe Daviess’ place.  It has been kept quiet, but is said to be well on foot, and I should not be surprised if it were true.  Pressley is politically ambitious above anything, so that there are several reasons why he and Alston should hold together.  In the event of Pressley’s securing the appointment, there would not be much danger of the law’s interference with any unlawful plans that Alston might have.  Mind you, I don’t say that he has any.  I don’t know that he has, and I am not even sure that I am right in telling you these things, which are merely rumor, after all.  Well, at all events he has his good points.  He is very generous, and always ready, open-handed, to help any good work of the Sisters.  I have had scruples about letting them accept his gifts, but I have hesitated to speak for they know nothing against him, and there is always danger of doing injustice.  We have no right to accuse anyone of anything that we cannot prove.”

Paul was not listening to his friend’s scruples.  He had risen from his chair, and was walking up and down the room.  Presently he paused and faced the priest with the air of a man who sees his way and has made up his mind.  His voice rang clear with decision.

“Then this is the net that has been woven about her—­the innocent, helpless little thing!  She is to be made a victim through her tenderest and most natural affections.  It’s like seething a kid in its mother’s milk.  And how utterly unprotected she is!  Think of her father!  Look at the judge—­for all his kindness!  What is there to expect from him?  And Philip Alston, who pretends to love her?  He is using her affection for himself to bring about this marriage, so that she may bind this dull tool—­this pompous fool, Pressley—­to the service of an organized band of robbers and assassins.”

“You are rushing to conclusions, my son.  There is no reason, is there, to think that she doesn’t love the young man?  We haven’t the slightest right to assume that.  I certainly have not—­have you?”

Father Orin spoke with a keen look at the pale, agitated young face, which flushed painfully.  Seeing this the priest went on more gently without waiting for any reply.