Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1874-08-18
CATHERINE GIUNT.
The Character OF Fiction which 80 Strong
Iy Influenced Mrs. Tilton.

The Character OF Fiction which 80 Strong
Iy Influenced Mrs. Tilton.
That was strange letter which Mrs.
TiIton wrote TO her husband: my dear
Theodore. to-day, TIN oueh the ministry OF
Catherine Gaunt in character OF lction,
my eyes have been opened 10. tho first
time in my experience. So that l clearly
see my sin. 1t was when knew thai
was loved to suffer ii to grow TO apassion'
A vrluous woman should ch, OK instantly
IN absorbing love"
A study Of OF Charles EYade's novel,
Griffith Gaunt," reveals the dual life Of
tho deyout woman ioundering between
her strong love of Der church and her
unconscious love OF her priest. IL is a
sing ularly well drawn picture which tho
novelist paints. Father Fcancis. coatso
and burly ecclosiaslic, yielded place 20
Brother Leonard. "who looked and NOV
ed like bsing who had come down from
some higher sphere TO pay the world
very little visit" Mrs. Gaunt at first
could mako nothing of him, and COM
plained TO hci husband that ho was o
spiritual machino;" while that genial
gentleman answered: well, | am OF
your mind; he is very poor company
compared with that iOyial old blade.
Francls. Bu; why SO many words, Kate?
You didn't use 10 bike twice at cherry;
il The milksop is not 10 your lasio give him
the sack and be id 10 him. But
Brother Leonard was really great
preacher. and the first time she heard
him Mrs. Gaunt "sat thrilled, enraptnred,
melted" She soon became she priests
Madonna, filing his rooml with flowers
when he was absent and caring for him
;n secret. And he. in turn, preached only
.or her. She could not cnly understand
.i, sermons, but The occult sympathy be.
,Uccn .hcm told her ho was preaching to
her and that she was part OF his inspi:a-
lion. But all the time something whis-
pereI to her heart that perhaps Leonard
admired her more than was sale o" pru
dent. The spell WAS on her, however
and il WAS not easy to ioresce the real
danger. His lCrvent eloquence had
appealed ut once to her Imagination and
her religious aspirations, From an inter
est in The preaching it was only step to
an interest in the preacher; but III all
things she treated him simply Hs a holy
man, her spiritual guide. lie was so
dcvout that she forgaye him for keeping
her glove, which he picked up in the wood
and for painting her portrait ior his own
doleclalion. She even obeyed him when
he told her to dismiss her Protestant SER
wants and employ Catholics in their place.
Busy and malicious tongues told part of
this TO her husband, and he. rs matter
of course. was furious. She failed 10
understand the road sho had taken. In
short time she had become so Jealous
in good works that she Withdrew from
society. surrendered her judgment TO her
spiritual director. and no longer took an
interest in her husband or her husbands
affairs. Her husband left her but return
ed some time after, and m explanation
was had through the Intervention OF
Father Francis and from the explanation
between husband and wife the reader
must evolve for himself the effect OF Kate
Gaunt's experience on Elizabeth Tilton,
and conclude what he may of the nature
and extent Of resemblance in the olienses
of Father Leonards and Henry Ward
Boechcr. We give the passage in full
It was Mrs. Gaunt. in full dress. Rich
brocadc that swept tho ground; mangnili-
cent bust, like Parian marble vanished;
and on her brow . diadem OF emeralds
and diamonds that gave her beauty an
imperial stamp. She swept into the room
as only fine women can sweep, made
llllu u $500
lowered her head. and received Father
Francis blessing; then seated herself, and
quietly awaited events.
The brazen jade I" thought Griffith.
"Dut how diyinely beautiful !" And nc
became as agitaled as she was calm in
appearance. For need say her calmnese
was put on ? Defensive armor made for
her by her pride aud her sex. The voice
of Father Francis now rose. solid, grave,
and too impressive 10 be interrupted.
My daughter, and you who are her
husband and my friend. am here to do
Justice between you both, with Gods
help; and to show you both your faults.
Catherine Gaunt, you began the mischief
by encouraging another mau TO interfere
between you and your husband in things (
secular"