he was of course
obliged to answer this. He said, "You are very kind; I would rather not.
Shall we talk of something else, Father Benwell?"

We talked of something else. He was just as amiable as ever--but he was
not in good spirits. "I think I shall run over to Paris before the end
of the month," he said. "To make a long stay?" I asked. "Oh, no! Call in
a week or ten days--and you will find me here again."

When I got up to go, he returned of his own accord to the forbidden
subject. He said, "I must beg you to do me two favors. The first is, not
to let Mr. Romayne know that I am still in London. The second is, not to
ask me for any explanations."

The result of our interview may be stated in very few words. It has
advanced me one step nearer to discovery. Winterfield's voice, look, and
manner satisfied me of this--the true motive for his sudden change
of feeling toward Romayne is jealousy of the man who has married Miss
Eyrecourt. Those compromising circumstances which baffled the inquiries
of my agent are associated, in plain English, with a love affair.
Remember all that I have told you of Romayne's peculiar disposition--and
imagine, if you can, what the consequences of such a disclosure will be
when we are in a position to enlighten the master of Vange Abbey!

As to the present relations between the husband and wife, I have only to
tell you next what passed, when I visited Romayne a day or two later. I
did well to keep Penrose at our disposal. We shall want him again.

*****

On arriving at Ten Acres Lodge, I found Romayne in his study. His
manuscript lay before him--but he was not at work. He looked worn and
haggard. To this day I don't know from what precise nervous malady he
suffers; I could only guess that it had been troubling him again since
he and I last met.

My first conventional civilities were dedicated, of course, to his
wife. She is still in attendance on her mother. Mrs. Eyrecourt is now
considered to be out of danger. But the good lady (who is ready enough
to recommend doctors to other people) persists in thinking that she is
too robust a person to require medical help herself. The physician in
attendance trusts entirely to her daughter to persuade her to persevere
with the necessary course of medicine. Don't suppose that I trouble you
by mentioning these trumpery circumstances without a reason. We shall
have occasion to return to Mrs. Eyrecourt and her doctor.

Before I had been five minute