“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. [ [!-- H2 anchor --] ]
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.