Gabriel had no idea what she was trying to say. It didn't matter. She left. And though he felt bad, he was also relieved.

Was he?

He realized he was trembling and he felt feverish. He needed time to think, but thinking seemed impossible. He got up to go to his room, but fainted instead.

Alas, the presbytery was deserted and his sister not sister but sort of sister in Christ had just left. Sorry Gabe.