Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1881-05-21


asked, Mrs. Eyrecourt, painted and
robed for the morning, waiting perfumes
as she moved, appeared in the study.
She looked at the priest, and lifted her
many-ringed hands with a gesture OF
coquettish terror.
"Oh, dear me? l had no idea you
were here, Father Benwell. l ask ten
thousand pardons. Dear and admirable
Romayne, you don't look as if you were
pleased to see me. Good gracious l
am not interrupting a confession,
am ?"
Father Benwell with his patenal
smile in perfect order) resigned his
chair to Mrs. Eyrecourt. The traces OF
her illness still showed themselves in an
intermittent trembling of her head amp
her hands. She had entered the room,
strongly suspecting that the process of
conversion might be proceeding in the
absence of Penrose, and determined to
interrupt it. Guided by his subtle in
telligencc, Father Benwell penetrated
her motive as soon as she opened the
door. Mrs. Eyrecourt bowed glaciously
and took the offered chair. Father
Benwell sweetcned his paternal smile,
and offered to get a footstool.
GLOW glad am," he said, "to SEQ
you in your customary good spirits
But wasn't it just little malicious to
talk of interrupting confession? As
II Mr.. Romayne was one Of us Queen
Elizabeth herself could scarcely have
said sharper thing to poor Catholic
priest!"
"You clever creature" said Mrs.
Eyrecourt. "How easily you see
through a simple woman like me !
There-I give you my hand to kiss; we
will make it up as the children say. Do
you know, Father Benwell, most eX-
traordnary wish has suddenly come to
me. Please don't be offended. l wish
Nou were Il jew"
MAY l ask why?" Father Benwcll
inquired.
Mrs. Eyrecourt explained herself with
the modest self-distrust of maiden of
fifteen. 81 am really so ignorant l
scarcely know how to put it. But
learned persons have told me that it is
the peculiarity of the Jews-may l say
the amiable peculiarly ?-never to
make converts. 1t would be so nice if
you would take leaf out of their book
when we have the happiness of receiving
you here. My lively imagination pic
lures you in a double character.
Father Benwell everywhere else, an -
say, the patriarch Abraham at Ten Acres
Lodge"
Father Bepwell lifed his persuasive
hands in courteous protest. "My dear
lady pray make your mind easy. Not
one word on the subject of religion has
passed between Mr.. Romayne and my
self"
81 beg your pardon" Mrs. Eyrecourt
interrupted; "I am afraid I fail to fol-
low you. My silent son-in-law looks as
if he longed to smother me, and my at
tention is naturally distracted You
were about to say"
81 was about to say, dear Mrs. Eyre
court, that you are alarming yourself
without any reason. Not one word
on any controversial subject has
passed"
Mrs. Eyrecourt cooked her head with
tho artless vivacity of bird, "Ah,
but it might, though |" she suggested,
slyly.
Father Benwell once more remon-
strated in dumb show, and Romayne lost
his temper.
"NIrs. Eyrecourt" he cried, sternly.
Mrs. Eyrecourt screamed and lifted
her hands to her ears.
az am not deaf, dear Romayne-and
| AN not to be put down by any ill
timed exhibition of what may call do
mestic ferocity. Father Bonwcll sets
you an example Of Christian moderation
Do, please, follow it,"
Romayne refused to follow it.
"Talk on any other topic that you
like, Mrs. Eyrecourt 1 request YOU
don't oblige me to use harder word-I
request you to spare Father Benwcll and
myself any further expression of your
opinion on controversial subjects"
A son-in law may make request, and
mother-in-law may decline to comply.
Mrs. Eyrecourt declined to comply.
"No, Romayne, il won't do. | may
lament your unhappy temper, for my
daughters sake--but I know what | an,
about, and you can't provoke me. Our
reverend friend and understand each
other He will make allowances for
sensitive woman, who has had sad ex-
perience of conversions in her own
household. Ny eldest daughter, Father
Benwell- poor, foolish creature-was
converted into nunnery. The last
time I saw her (she used to be sweetly
pretty; my dear husband quite adored
her)-the last time I saw her,