Chapter 18
In another part of the mansion…
Just before retiring for the night, Father Jon sat on the bed with his head in his hands, guilty tears trickling down his face. Today he’d been called an old man, and he was. The years had crept by before he realized it, and with all that had happened to him, he felt as if he’d hit bottom. Lifting his head, he gazed into a distant past. He saw himself with his collar on. It was a holy vestment he had no right wearing.
How much longer could he go on fooling people? His faith had fled a long time ago. These past few years had been more habit than faith. Evening prayers, the lighting of candles, he knew how to go through the motions. He knew all the right words, how to put on the mask of a gentle smile, say the words of assurance as if he were rea
