Out of
respect for myself, I made no reply. As a Christian, I can forgive; as a
wounded gentlewoman, I may not find it so easy to forget."

Miss Notman laid herself back in her easy chair--she looked as if
she had suffered martyrdom, and only regretted having been obliged to
mention it. Father Benwell surprised the wounded gentlewoman by rising
to his feet.

"You are not going away already, Father?"

"Time flies fast in your society, dear Miss Notman. I have an
engagement--and I am late for it already."

The housekeeper smiled sadly. "At least let me hear that you don't
disapprove of my conduct under trying circumstances," she said.

Father Benwell took her hand. "A true Christian only feels offenses to
pardon them," he remarked, in his priestly and paternal character. "You
have shown me, Miss Notman, that _you_ are a true Christian. My evening
has indeed been well spent. God bless you!"

He pressed her hand; he shed on her the light of his fatherly smile;
he sighed, and took his leave. Miss Notman's eyes followed him out with
devotional admiration.

Father Benwell still preserved his serenity of temper when he was out of
the housekeeper's sight. One important discovery he had made, in spite
of the difficulties placed in his way. A compromising circumstance had
unquestionably occurred in Stella's past life; and, in all probability,
a man was in some way connected with it. "My evening has not been
entirely thrown away," he thought, as he ascended the stairs which led
from the housekeeper's room to the hall.

CHAPTER VII.

THE INFLUENCE OF STELLA.

ENTERING the hall, Father Benwell heard a knock at the house door.
The servants appeared to recognize the knock--the porter admitted Lord
Loring.

Father Benwell advanced and made his bow. It was a perfect obeisance of
its kind--respect for Lord Loring, unobtrusively accompanied by respect
for himself. "Has your lordship been walking in the park?" he inquired.

"I have been out on business," Lord Loring answered; "and I should like
to tell you about it. If you can spare me a few minutes, come into the
library. Some time since," he resumed, when the door was closed, "I
think I mentioned that my friends had been speaking to me on a
subject of some importance--the subject of opening my picture gallery
occasionally to the public."

"I remember," said Father Benwell. "Has your lordship decided what to
do?"

"Yes. I have decided (as the phrase is) to 'go with