Arthur looked at him, wondering.
“You had something to tell me?” he said.
“No, no; nothing more—nothing of any consequence.” There was a startled, almost terrified look in his face.
A few days after Montanelli's departure Arthur went to fetch a book from the seminary library, and met Father Cardi on the stairs.
“Ah, Mr. Burton!” exclaimed the Director; “the very person I wanted. Please come in and help me out of a difficulty.”
He opened the study door, and Arthur followed him into the room with a foolish, secret sense of resentment. It seemed hard to see this dear study, the Padre's own private sanctum, invaded by a stranger.
“I am a terrible book-worm,” said the Director; “and my first act when I got here was to examine the library. It seems very interesting, but I do not understand the system by which it is catalogued.”
“The catalogue is imperfect; many of the best books have been added to the collection lately.”
“Can you spare half an hour to explain the arrangement to me?”
They went into the library, and Arthur carefully explained the catalogue. When he rose to take his hat, the Director interfered, laughing.