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she had now discoveredto respect the confidence placed in her；
and this at the time when she had betrayed herself to Stella！
With a woman's feline fineness of perception； in all cases of
subterfuge and concealment； she picked a part of the truth out of
the whole； and answered harmlessly without a moment's hesitation。
〃I have certainly seen him；〃 she said〃probably at some party。
But I see so many people； and I go to so many places； that I must
ask for time to consult my memory。 My husband might help me； if
you don't object to my asking him；〃 she added slyly。
Stella snatched the drawing away from her； in terror。 〃You don't
mean that you will tell Lord Loring？〃 she said。
〃My dear child！ how can you be so foolish？ Can't I show him the
drawing without mentioning who it was done by？ His memory is a
much better one than mine。 If I say to him； 'Where did we meet
that man？'he may tell me at oncehe may even remember the
name。 Of course； if you like to be kept in suspense； you have
only to say so。 It rests with you to decide。〃
Poor Stella gave way directly。 She returned the drawing； and
affectionately kissed her artful friend。 Having now secured the
means of consulting her husband without exciting suspicion； Lady
Loring left the room。
At that time in the morning； Lord Loring was generally to be
found either in the library or the picture gallery。 His wife
tried the library first。 On entering the room； she found but one
person in itnot the person of whom she was in search。 There；
buttoned up in his long frock coat； and surrounded by books of
all sorts and sizes； sat the plump elderly priest who had been
the especial object of Major Hynd's aversion。
〃I beg your pardon； Father Benwell；〃 said Lady Loring； 〃I hope I
don't interrupt your studies？〃
Father Benwell rose and bowed with a pleasant paternal smile。 〃I
am only trying to organize an improved arrangement of the
library；〃 he said； simply。 〃Books are companionable
creaturesmembers； as it were； of his family； to a lonely old
priest like myself。 Can I be of any service to your ladyship？〃
〃Thank you； Father。 If you can kindly tell me where Lord Loring
is〃
〃To be sure！ His lordship was here five minutes sincehe is now
in the picture gallery。 Pray permit me！〃
With a remarkably light and easy step for a man of his age and
size； he advanced to the further end of the library； and opened a
door which led into the gallery。
〃Lord Loring is among the pictures；〃 he announced。 〃And alone。〃
He laid a certain emphasis on the last word； which might or might
not （in the case of a spiritual director of the household） invite
a word of explanation。
Lady Loring merely said； 〃Just what I wanted； thank you once
more； Father Benwell〃and passed into the picture gallery。
Left by himself again in the library； the priest walked slowly to
and fro； thinking。 His latent power and resolution began to show
themselves darkly in his face。 A skilled observer would now have
seen plainly revealed in him the habit of command； and the
capacity for insisting on his right to be obeyed。 From head to
foot； Father Benwell was one of those valuable soldiers of the
Church who acknowledge no defeat； and who improve every victory。
After a while； he returned to the table at which he had been
writing when Lady Loring entered the room。 An unfinished letter
lay open on the desk。 He took up his pen and completed it in
these words： 〃I have therefore decided on trusting this serious
matter in the hands of Arthur Penrose。 I know he is youngbut we
have to set against the drawback of his youth； the counter…merits
of his incorruptible honesty and his true religious zeal。 No
better man is just now within my reachand there is no time to
lose。 Romayne has recently inherited a large increase of fortune。
He will be the object of the basest conspiraciesconspiracies of
men to win his money； and （worse still） of women to marry him。
Even these contemptible efforts may be obstacles in the way of
our righteous purpose； unless we are first in the field。 Penrose
left Oxford last week。 I expect him here this morning； by my
invitation。 When I have given him the necessary instructions； and
have found the means of favorably introducing him to Romayne； I
shall have the honor of forwarding a statement of our prospects
so far。〃
Having signed these lines； he addressed the letter to 〃The
Reverend the Secretary； Society of Jesus； Rome。〃 As he closed and
sealed the envelope； a servant opened the door communicating with
the hall； and announced：
〃Mr。 Arthur Penrose。〃
CHAPTER II。
THE JESUITS。
FATHER BENWELL rose； and welcomed the visitor with his paternal
smile。 〃I am heartily glad to see you；〃 he saidand held out his
hand with a becoming mixture of dignity and cordiality。 Penrose
lifted the offered hand respectfully to his lips。 As one of the
〃Provincials〃 of the Order； Father Benwell occupied a high place
among the English Jesuits。 He was accustomed to acts of homage
offered by his younger brethren to their spiritual chief。 〃I fear
you are not well；〃 he proceeded gently。 〃Your hand is feverish；
Arthur。〃
〃Thank you； FatherI am as well as usual。〃
〃Depression of spirits； perhaps？〃 Father Benwell persisted。
Penrose admitted it with a passing smile。 〃My spirits are never
very lively；〃 he said。
Father Benwell shook his head in gentle disapproval of a
depressed state of spirits in a young man。 〃This must be
corrected；〃 he remarked。 〃Cultivate cheerfulness； Arthur。 I am
myself； thank God； a naturally cheerful man。 My mind reflects； in
some degree （and reflects gratefully）； the brightness and beauty
which are part of the great scheme of creation。 A similar
disposition is to be cultivatedI know instances of it in my own
experience。 Add one more instance； and you will really gratify
me。 In its seasons of rejoicing； our Church is eminently
cheerful。 Shall I add another encouragement？ A great trust is
about to be placed in you。 Be socially agreeable； or you will
fail to justify the trust。 This is Father Benwell's little
sermon。 I think it has a merit； Arthurit is a sermon soon
over。〃
Penrose looked up at his superior； eager to hear more。
He was a very young man。 His large； thoughtful； well…opened gray
eyes； and his habitual refinement and modesty of manner； gave a
certain attraction to his personal appearance； of which it stood