The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1881-07-08
CHATTER 1.-THE SEED Is sowN.

Situated in distant quarter of the
vast western suburb of London. the
house called the Retreat. stood in the
midst of well-kept garden, protected
on all sides by high brick wall. Ex
cepting the grand gilt cross on the rool
of the chapel nothing revealed exter.
nally the devotional purpose to which
.'.~ n-->~- Cats,oiic ps;aatlood had
dedicated the building.
But the convert privileged to pass the
gates left Protestant England outside,
and found himself, as it were, in new
country. Inside the Retreat the pater-
nal care Of the church took possession
of him; surrounded him with monastic
simplicity in his neat little bedroom.
and dazzled him with devotional splen
dor when his religious duties called him
into the chapel. The perfect taste-so
seldom found in the modern arrange
ment and decoration of converts and
churches in southern countries showed
itself here, pressed into the service OF
religion in every part of the house. The
severest discipline had no sordid and
hidcous side to it in the Retreat. The
inmates tasted on spotlcss table-cloths,
and handled knives and forks (the hum.
bic esewants sofhalf-illed stomachs) with.
out speck ON their decent brightness.
Ponitents who kissed the steps of the
altar Ito use the expressive Orient
phrase), "eat no dirt" Friends, liberal
friends, permitted to visit the inmates
on stated days, saw copies of famous
Holy Families in the reception-ro
which were really works of art, and trod
carpet of studiously modest preten
tioDs, exhibiting pious emblems beyond
reproach in color and design. The Re.
treat had its own artesian we'll; not
person in the house drank impurity il
his water. A faint perfume of incense
was perceptible in the corridors. The
soothing and mysterious silence of the
place was intensified rather than dis.
turbed by soft footsteps, and gentle
opening and closing of doors. Animal
life was not even represented by y cat
in the kitchen. And yet, pervaded by
some inscrutable influence, the house
was not dull.
On the morning when Mrs. Eyrecourt
and her daughter held their memorable
interview by the fireside ut Ten Acres,
Father Benwell entered one of the pri
vate rooms at the Retreat devoted to
the use of the priesthood. The demure
attendant, waiting humbly for instruc-
tions, was sent to request the presence
of one of the inmates of the house
named Mortleman.
Father Benwelrs customary serenity
was little ruflled on this oscasion by
an appearance OF anxiety. More than
once he looked impatiently toward the
door; and he never even noticed the
last new devotional publications laid
invitingly ON tho table.
DIR. Mortleman made his appearance
"a young man and promising convert.
"Be seated, my son." Father Benwell
said. Mr.. Mortleman looked as il he
would have preferred going down on
his knees, but he yielded and took
chair
az think you have been Mr.. Ro-
mayne's companion for few days, in
the hours of recreation ?" the priest be-
gan.
"Yes, Father"
"Does he appear to bs at all weary
of his residence in this house?" -
"Oh. far from it He feels the be-
nign influence of the Retreat; we have
had some delightful hours together"
"IIave you anything TO reporta"
Mr.. Mortleman crossed his hands on
his breast, and bowed profoundly.