The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1881-03-11
cu,pTKR ". FATHER nESwELL HITS,

Litst htNs
CujpTER w. FATHER BESwELL HTS.
Art has its trials as we'll as its tli-
umphs. 1t is powerless to assert itself
against the sordid interests of every day
life. The greatest book ever written,
the finest picture ever painted, appeals
in vain to minds prcoccupied by selfish
and secret cares. On entering Lord
Loring's gallery Father Benwell found
but one person who was not looking st
the pictures undor false pretenses.
Innocent OF nll suspicion of the con
flicting interests whose struggle now
oentered in himself, Romnync was care
fully studying the pictures which had
been made the pretext for inviting
him to the house. He had bowed to
Stella, with a tranquil admiration of her
beauty he had shaken hands with Pen
rose, and had said some kind words to
his future secretary and then he had
turned to the picture as il Stella and
Penrose had ceased from that moment
to occupy his mimi
SIN your place. he said. quietly,
to Lord Loiing. "L should not huy This
work."
ait seems to me to have the serious
defect of the modern English school OF
painting. A total want of thought in
the rendering OF the subject, disguised
under dexterous technical tricks of til,
brush. When You have seen one OF
that mans pictures, You have seen all.
He manufactures--he doesn't paint"
Father Benwell came in while Ro-
mayne was speaking. He went through
the ceremony of introduction TO the
master of Vange Abbey with perfect
politeness, but little absently. His
mind was bent on putting his suspicion
of Stella to the tcst of confirmation.
Not waiting to be presented, he turned
to her with the air of f-thcrly interest
and chastened admiration which he
we'll knew how to assume in his inter
course with women.
"May ask il you agree with Mr..
Romayne's estimate of the picture" lie
said, in his gentlest tones.
She had heard of him and bis posi-
tion in the house. 1t was quite need
less for Lady Loring to whisper TO her,
"Father Benwell my dear!' Her an
tipathy identified him as readily as her
sympathy might have identified man
who had produced favorable impress
sion on her. al have no prctentisn to
be critic" she answered, with frigid
politeness. 81 only know what per-
sonally like or dislike"
The reply exactly answered Father
Benwell's purpose. 1t diverted Ro.
mayne's attention from the picture to
Stella. The priest had secured his op-
portunity of reading their faces while
they were looking at each other.
az think you have Just stated tho
true motive for all criticism Romayne
said to Stella. Whether we only ex-
press our opinions of pictures or books
in the course of conversation, or whether
We assert them at full length, with all
the authority of print, wo are really
speaking, in either case, of what per-
sonally ploases or repels us. Ny poor
, opinion of that picture means that it
says nothing to me. Does it say any
thing to you?
He smiled gently as lie put the ques.
non to hor but there was no betrayal
of emotion in his eyes OF in his voice.
Believed of anxiety, SO far as Romayne
was concerned, Father Benwell looked
at Stella.
Steadily as she controlled herself, the
confession of her hearts secret found its
way into her face. The coldly compos-
ed expression which had confronted the
priest when she spoke to him melted
away softly under the influence of Ro-
mayne's voice and Romayne's look.
Without any positive change Of color
her delicate skin glowed family, as il il
felt some animating inner warmth. Her
eyes and lips frightened with new
vitality her frail, elegant figure seem.
cd insensibly to strengthen and expand
like the leaf Of q flower under favor
ing sunny air. When she answered Ro
mayne agreeing with him, it is needless
to say there was tender persuasive
ness in her tones, shyly inviting hin
still to speak to her and still to look n
her, which would in itself have told
Father Benwcll the truth, even ii h,
had not been III a position to see ne
face. Confirmed in his doubts OF lie
he looked with concealed suspicion a
Lady LoIing next. sympathy witt
Stella was nndisguisedly expressed I
him in the honest blue eJes Of Stella
faithful friend.
The discussion ON the subject Of tn
unfortunate picture was resumed h
Lord Loring, who thought the opinion
of Romayno and Stella needlessl
severe. Lady Loring, as usual, agree
with her husband. While the geneu
attention was occupied in this wa,
Father Benwell said word to Penrose-
= thus far silent listener to the di
course on art.
"Haye you seen the famous portra
Of the first Lady Loring. by Gain
borough" he asked. Without waitin
/ for reply he took Penrose by the ar
i and led him away to the picture, whic
| had the additional merit, under presei
circunstancaa of banoi,io of the oth