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There was but one other person under Lord Loring's roof to whom
he could address himselfand that person was the housekeeper。 As
an old servant； possessing Lady Loring's confidence； she might
prove a source of information on the subject of Lady Loring's
fair friend； and； as a good Catholic； she would feel flattered by
the notice of the spiritual director of the household。
〃It may not be amiss；〃 thought Father Benwell； 〃if I try the
housekeeper。〃
CHAPTER VI。
THE ORDER OF THE DISHES。
WHEN Miss Notman assumed the post of housekeeper in Lady Loring's
service； she was accurately described as 〃a competent and
respectable person〃； and was praised； with perfect truth； for her
incorruptible devotion to the interests of her employers。 On its
weaker side； her character was represented by the wearing of a
youthful wig； and the erroneous conviction that she still
possessed a fine figure。 The ruling idea in her narrow little
mind was the idea of her own dignity。 Any offense offered in this
direction oppressed her memory for days together； and found its
way outward in speech to any human being whose attention she
could secure。
At five o'clock； on the day which followed his introduction to
Romayne； Father Benwell sat drinking his coffee in the
housekeeper's roomto all appearance as much at his ease as if
he had known Miss Notman from the remote days of her childhood。 A
new contribution to the housekeeper's little library of
devotional works lay on the table； and bore silent witness to the
means by which he had made those first advances which had won him
his present position。 Miss Notman's sense of dignity was doubly
flattered。 She had a priest for her guest； and a new book with
the reverend gentleman's autograph inscribed on the title…page。
〃Is your coffee to your liking； Father？〃
〃A little more sugar； if you please。〃
Miss Notman was proud of her hand； viewed as one of the
meritorious details of her figure。 She took up the sugar…tongs
with suavity and grace； she dropped the sugar into the cup with a
youthful pleasure in ministering to the minor desires of her
illustrious guest。 〃It is so good of you； Father； to honor me in
this way；〃 she saidwith the appearance of sixteen super…induced
upon the reality of sixty。
Father Benwell was an adept at moral disguises of all kinds。 On
this occasion he wore the disguise of pastoral simplicity。 〃I am
an idle old man at this hour of the afternoon；〃 he said。 〃I hope
I am not keeping you from any household duties？〃
〃I generally enjoy my duties；〃 Miss Notman answered。 〃To…day；
they have not been so agreeable as usual； it is a relief to me to
have done with them。 Even my humble position has its trials。〃
Persons acquainted with Miss Notman's character； hearing these
last words； would have at once changed the subject。 When she
spoke of 〃her humble position；〃 she invariably referred to some
offense offered to her dignity； and she was invariably ready to
state the grievance at full length。 Ignorant of this peculiarity；
Father Benwell committed a fatal error。 He inquired； with
courteous interest； what the housekeeper's 〃trials〃 might be。
〃Oh； sir； they are beneath your notice！〃 said Miss Notman
modestly。 〃At the same time； I should feel it an honor to have
the benefit of your opinionI should so like to know that you do
not altogether disapprove of my conduct； under some provocation。
You see； Father； the whole responsibility of ordering the dinners
falls on me。 And； when there is company； as there is this
evening； the responsibility is particularly trying to a timid
person like myself。〃
〃A large dinner party； Miss Notman？〃
〃Oh； dear； no！ Quite the reverse。 Only one gentlemanMr。
Romayne。〃
Father Benwell set down his cup of coffee； half way to his lips。
He at once drew the correct conclusion that the invitation to
Romayne must have been given and accepted after he had left the
picture gallery。 That the object was to bring Romayne and Stella
together； under circumstances which would rapidly improve their
acquaintance； was as plain to him as if he had heard it confessed
in so many words。 If he had only remained in the gallery； he
might have become acquainted with the form of persuasion used to
induce a man so unsocial as Romayne to accept an invitation。 〃I
have myself to blame；〃 he thought bitterly； 〃for being left in
the dark。〃
〃Anything wrong with the coffee？〃 Miss Notman asked anxiously。
He rushed on his fate。 He said； 〃Nothing whatever。 Pray go on。〃
Miss Notman went on。
〃You see； Father； Lady Loring was unusually particular about the
dinner on this occasion。 She said； 'Lord Loring reminds me that
Mr。 Romayne is a very little eater； and yet very difficult to
please in what he does eat。' Of course I consulted my experience；
and suggested exactly the sort of dinner that was wanted under
the circumstances。 I wish to do her ladyship the utmost justice。
She made no objection to the dinner in itself。 On the contrary；
she complimented me on what she was pleased to call my ready
invention。 But when we came next to the order in which the dishes
were to be served〃 Miss Notman paused in the middle of the
sentence； and shuddered over the private and poignant
recollections which the order of the dishes called up。
By this time Father Benwell had discovered his mistake。 He took a
mean advantage of Miss Notman's susceptibilities to slip his own
private inquiries into the interval of silence。
〃Pardon my ignorance；〃 he said； 〃my own poor dinner is a matter
of ten minutes and one dish。 I don't understand a difference of
opinion on a dinner for three people only； Lord and Lady Loring；
two； Mr。 Romayne； threeoh！ perhaps I am mistaken？ Perhaps Miss
Eyrecourt makes a fourth？〃
〃Certainly； Father！〃
〃A very charming person； Miss Notman。 I only speak as a stranger。
You； no doubt； are much better acquainted with Miss Eyrecourt？〃
〃Much better； indeedif I may presume to say so；〃 Miss Notman
replied。 〃She is my lady's intimate friend； we have often talked
of Miss Eyrecourt during the many years of my residence in this
house。 On such subjects； her ladyship treats me quite on the
footing of a humble friend。 A complete co ntrast to the tone she
took； Father； when we came to the order of the dishes。 We agreed；
of course； about the soup and the fish； but we had a little； a
very little； divergence of opini