is not
this intimate sympathy between us--forgive me if I say it plainly--I
implore you to pass me over, and to commit the task to the hands of
another man."

His voice trembled; his eyes moistened. Father Benwell handled his young
friend's rising emotion with the dexterity of a skilled angler humoring
the struggles of a lively fish.

"Good Arthur!" he said. "I see much--too much, dear boy--of self-seeking
people. It is as refreshing to me to hear you, as a draught of water to
a thirsty man. At the same time, let me suggest that you are innocently
raising difficulties, where no difficulties exist. I have already
mentioned as one of the necessities of the case that you and Romayne
should be friends. How can that be, unless there is precisely that
sympathy between you which you have so well described? I am a sanguine
man, and I believe you will like each other. Wait till you see him."

As the words passed his lips, the door that led to the picture gallery
was opened. Lord Loring entered the library.

He looked quickly round him--apparently in search of some person who
might, perhaps, be found in the room. A shade of annoyance showed itself
in his face, and disappeared again, as he bowed to the two Jesuits.

"Don't let me disturb you," he said, looking at Penrose. "Is this the
gentleman who is to assist Mr. Romayne?"

Father Benwell presented his young friend. "Arthur Penrose, my lord. I
ventured to suggest that he should call here to-day, in case you wished
to put any questions to him."

"Quite needless, after your recommendation," Lord Loring answered,
graciously. "Mr. Penrose could not have come here at a more appropriate
time. As it happens, Mr. Romayne has paid us a visit today--he is now in
the picture gallery."

The priests looked at each other. Lord Loring left them as he spoke. He
walked to the opposite door of the library--opened it--glanced round the
hall, and at the stairs--and returned again, with the passing
expression of annoyance visible once more. "Come with me to the gallery,
gentlemen," he said; "I shall be happy to introduce you to Mr. Romayne."

Penrose accepted the proposal. Father Benwell pointed with a smile to
the books scattered about him. "With permission, I will follow your
lordship," he said.

"Who was my lord looking for?" That was the question in Father Benwell's
mind, while he put some of the books away on the shelves, and collected
the scattered papers on the table, relating to