enty-five years old--that is my experience," said Father Benwell. "If
I can find a person capable of informing me, I may make some valuable
discoveries in the earlier history of Miss Eyrecourt's life. No more,
now. We had better return to our friends."

CHAPTER V.

FATHER BENWELL MISSES.

THE group before the picture which had been the subject of dispute
was broken up. In one part of the gallery, Lady Loring and Stella were
whispering together on a sofa. In another part, Lord Loring was speaking
privately to Romayne.

"Do you think you will like Mr. Penrose?" his lordship asked.

"Yes--so far as I can tell at present. He seems to be modest and
intelligent."

"You are looking ill, my dear Romayne. Have you again heard the voice
that haunts you?"

Romayne answered with evident reluctance. "I don't know why," he
said--"but the dread of hearing it again has oppressed me all this
morning. To tell you the truth, I came here in the hope that the change
might relieve me."

"Has it done so?"

"Yes--thus far."

"Doesn't that suggest, my friend, that a greater change might be of use
to you?"

"Don't ask me about it, Loring! I can go through my ordeal--but I hate
speaking of it."

"Let us speak of something else then," said Lord Loring. "What do you
think of Miss Eyrecourt?"

"A very striking face; full of expression and character. Leonardo would
have painted a noble portrait of her. But there is something in her
manner--" He stopped, unwilling or unable to finish the sentence.

"Something you don't like?" Lord Loring suggested.

"No; something I don't quite understand. One doesn't expect to find any
embarrassment in the manner of a well-bred woman. And yet she seemed to
be embarrassed when she spoke to me. Perhaps I produced an unfortunate
impression on her."

Lord Loring laughed. "In any man but you, Romayne, I should call that
affectation."

"Why?" Romayne asked, sharply.

Lord Loring looked unfeignedly surprised. "My dear fellow, do you really
think you are the sort of man who impresses a woman unfavorably at first
sight? For once in your life, indulge in the amiable weakness of
doing yourself justice--and find a better reason for Miss Eyrecourt's
embarrassment."

For the first time since he and his friend had been talking together,
Romayne turned toward Stella. He innocently caught her in the act of
looking at him. A younger woman, or a woman of weaker character, would
have looked away again. St