"I would as soon abandon the great design itself," returned Catesby, moodily.
"If you persist in this, you will ruin it," rejoined Garnet. "Think of her no more. Bend your thoughts exclusively on the one grand object, and be what you are chosen to be, the defender and deliverer of our holy Church."
"I would gladly act as you advise me, father," replied Catesby; "but I am spell-bound by this maiden."
"This is idle from you, my son," replied Garnet, reproachfully. "Separate yourself from her, and you will soon regain your former mastery over yourself."
"Well, well, father," rejoined Catesby, "the effort, at least, shall be made. But her large possessions, which would be so useful to our cause, and which, if I wedded her, would be wholly devoted to it,--think of what we lose, father."
"I _have_ thought of it, my son," replied Garnet; "but the consideration does not alter my opinion: and if I possess any authority over you, I strictly enjoin you not to proceed farther in the matter. Viviana never can be yours."
"She _shall_ be, nevertheless," muttered Catesby, "and before many hours have elapsed,--if not by her own free will, by force. I have ever shown myself obedient to your commands, father," he added aloud, "and I shall not transgress them now."
"Heaven keep you in this disposition, my dear son!" exclaimed Garnet, with a look of distrust: "and let me recommend you to remove yourself as soon as possible out of the way of temptation."
Catesby muttered an affirmative, and taking Garnet in his arms, conveyed him carefully to his own chamber, and placing him on a couch, examined his wounds, which were not so serious as either he or the sufferer imagined, and with no despicable skill--for the experiences of a soldier's life had given him some practice--bandaged his broken arm, and fomented his bruises.
This done, Garnet felt so much easier, that he entreated Catesby to send Viviana to him, and to make preparations for his own immediate departure. Feigning acquiescence, Catesby quitted the room, but with no intention of complying with the request. Not a moment he felt must be lost if he would execute his dark design, and, after revolving many wild expedients, an idea occurred to him. It was to lure Viviana to the cave where Father Oldcorne was concealed; and he knew enough of the pliant disposition of the latter to be certain he would assent to his scheme. No sooner did this plan occur to him than he hurried to the cell, and found the priest, as Chetham had stated. As he had foreseen, it required little persuasion to induce Oldcorne to lend his assistance to the forced marriage, and he only feared the decided opposition they should encounter from Viviana.