The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1881-03-25
CHAPTER ym.-THR PRIEST on THE
WOMAN?

CHAPTER ym.-THs PRIEST on THE
WOMAN?
Lord Loring hurried away to his
dressing-room. 81 won't be more than
ten minutes" he said, and left Romsyne
and Stella together.
She was attired with her customary
love of simplicity. White lace was tho
only ornament on her dress of delicate
silvery gray. Her magnificent hair was
left to plead its own merits, without
ornament Of any sort. Even the brooch
which fastened her lace pelerine was of
plain gold only. Conscious that she
was showing her beauty to the greatest
advantage in the eyes Of man Of taste
she betrayed little OF the embarmss-
ment which Romayne had already no
ticed at the moment when she gave
him her hand. They were alone; and
it was the frst time she had seen him
in evening dress.
It may be that women have no posi-
tive appreciation Of what is beautiful
in form and color, or it may be that
they have no opinions of their own
when the laws of fashion have spoken.
This at least is certain, that not one
Of them in Q thousand sees anything
Objectionable in the gloomy and hideous
evening costume of q gentleman in the
nineteenth century. A handsome man
is, to their eyes, more seductive than
ever in the contemplate black coat and
the stiff white cravat which he wears in
common with the servant who waits on
him at table. After stolen glance al
Romsyne, Stella lost all confidence in
herself-she began turning over the
photographs ON the table.
The momentary silence which fol-
lowed their first greeting became in.
tolerable to her. Rather. than let it
continue, she impulsively confessed the
uppermost idea in her mind when she
entered the room.
II thought I heard my name when I
came In" she said. "Were you and
Lord I.oring speaking Of mef"
Romayne owned without hesitation
that they had been speaking Of her.
She smiled, and turned over another
photograph. But when did sun-pio-
tu-ss -,,vs 80 - :. rcstraint ON y wvmau's
curiosityf The words passed her lips in
spite Of her. "l suppose mustn't ask
what You were sayingT
It was impossible to answer this
plainly without entering into explana-
tions from which Romayne shrank. he
hesitated- 4 ,-,.- s-a ~. .., d.. ..
She turned over another photograph.
"I understand" she said. "You
wers talking Of my faults" She paused,
and stole another look at him. az will
try to correct my faults if you will tell
me what they are."
Rvmayne felt that he had no alterna-
tive but to tell the truth---under certain
reserves. "Indeed you are wrong" he
said. "We were talking Of the influ-
ence OF tone. or look, on sensitive
person"
"The influence on me 2" she asked.
"No. The influence which you
might exercise on another person."
She knew perfectly we'll that he was
speaking of himself. But she was de-
termined to feel the pleasure OF making
him own it. .sll
"If have any such influence as you
describe" she began. II hope it is fol
goodT
"Certainly for good"
"You speak positively, Mr.. Romayne,
Almost as positively-only that can
scarcely be-as il you were speaking
from experience"
He might still have evaded direct
reply, il she had been content with
merely saying this. But she looked ai
him while she spoke. He answered the
look.
"ShAll own that you are right3" he
said. "I was thinking of my own eI
perience yesterday"
She returns TO the photographs. "I
sounds impossible" she rejoined. softly
There was q pause. "Was it anything
saidY" she asked.
"No. 1t was only when you looked
ct me. But for that look don't thinl
I should have been here to-day"
She shnt up the photographs on I
sudden, and drew her chair little ava,
from him.
"I hope" she said, you have not 8
poor an opinion OF me as L think
like to be fAttered ?"
RomAyne answered with an earnest
ness that instantly satisfied her.
at should think il an act of insolenc
10 fattsr you," he said. eff you kne'
the true reason why ! hesitated 10 AZ
ospt Lady Lorings invitation-if
could own 10 you the new hope for my
self that has brought me here-yo
would feel, as feel. that have bee
only speaking the truth I darsn't sa
yet that I owe you debt Of gratitud
for such little thing as alook. Imui
wait till time puts certain strange far
ciss Of mine TO Che proof"
"fancies about me, Mr.. RomaynsY
Before he eosld snswer the dinner
ball rang. Lord and Lady Loring &c
tered the library together.
The dinner having pursued its ~
pointed course always excepting tn
case Of the cmeletts), the head servAn
who had waited - the tshls was gracioua
Iy invited TO rsst, after his lsbors. In th
houseksepers room. Having addition
Sly ooneiliatod him by means Of glss
of rare liqueur. Miss hoffman, still feel
ing hsr. grievance as soutely Is svel