The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1881-05-20

cites, and some sympathy was claimed
by the state of her health. Although
her husband shrank from distressing hel
by any immediate reference to her re
ception Of his friend, he could not dis
guise from himself that she lad disap-
pointed him. When he went back tc
the room Stella was lying on the sofa
with her face turned toward che wall
She was in tears, and she was afraid tc
let him see it. "I won't disturb you.'
he said, and Withdrew to his study. The
precious volume which Winterfield had
so kindly placed at his disposal was on
the table waiting for him.
Father Benwell had lost nothing b,
not being present at the presentation Of
Winterfeld to Stella. He had witnessed
a palmer betrayal of emotion when they
met Unexpectedly in Lord Loring'l
picture-gallery. But IL he had seen
Romayne reading in his study and Stells
crying secretly on the sofa he nigh,
have written to Rome by that days
post, and might have announced that he
had sown the first seeds of disunion be.
tween husband and wife.
CHAPTER v.-FATHER BENwELL's ooRRE-
sPoNDENcH.
TO the Secretary s. j., Rome.
"In my last few hssty lines I was only
able to inform you of the unexpected
arrival of Mrs. Romayne while Winter
field was visiting her husband. II you
remember, warned you not to attach
any undue Importance to my absence on
that occasion. Ny present report will
satisfy my reverend brethren that the
interests committed to me are as safe as
ever in my hands.
81 have paid three visits, at certain
intervals. The first to Winterfeld
torieny mentioned In my last letter. !;
the second to Romayne the third to the
invalid lady, Mrs. Eyrecourt. In every
case have been rewarded by important
results.
"We will revert to Winte~field first.
l found him at his hotel enveloped in
clouds of tobacco smoke, and looking
like gloomy and dissatisfied man. As
suming not to notice this 1 asked him
how he liked Romayne's pictures.
"' envy him his pictures That was
the only answer.
"'And how do you like Mrs. Ro-
mayneY inquired next.
"He laid down his pipe and looked at
me attentively. My face II Aatter my.
self defed discovery. He inhaled
another mouthful Of tobacco and began
to play with his dog. IF must an.
swer your question: he burst out sud.
denly, I didn't get very gracious re.
ception from Mrs. Romayne.' There hs
abruptly stopped. He is a thoroughly
transparent man; you see straight into
his mind, through his eyes. I perceived
that he was only telling me part (per-
haps small part) of the truth.
"Oan you account for such recep.
tion as you describe?' asked. He an.
swered, shortly, NO
"'A lady's prejudices,' proceeded,
in the friendliest way, ARE never taken
seriously by sensible man. You have
placed Mr.. Romayne under obligations
to your kindness-he is eager to i'm.
prove his acquaintance with you. You
will go again to Ten Acres LodgeY
He gave me another short answer.
. 1 think not
81 said l was sorry to hear it. How
ever 1 added, you can always see him
here, when you are in London
"He puffed big volume Of smoke
and made no remark. declined to be
put down by silence and smoke. 'OI
perhaps l persisted, you will honor
me by meeting him at simple little
dinner at my lodgingsY Being o gen.
tleman, he was of course obliged to an
swer this. He said: You are very
kind; would rather not. Shall we talk
of something else. Father BenwellY
"We talked of something else. He
was just as amiable as ever, but he was
not in good spirits.
"'I think 1 shall run over to Paris
before the end OF the month, lie said.
"'To make long stay 2 1 asked.
"Oh, no. Call in week or ten
days, and you will find me here again.
"When 1 got up to go he returned
with his own accord to the forbidden
subject He said; Il must beg you to
do me two favors. The first is, not to
let Mr.. Romayne know that am still in
London. The second is, not to ask me
for any explanations
"The result of our interview may be
stated in very few words. 1t has ad-
vanced me one step nearer to discovery.
Winterfeld's voice, look and manner
satisfied me of this-the true motive OF
his sudden change of feeling toward
Romayne is jealousy of the man who
has married Miss EyrecouIt. Those
compromising circumstances which
baffled the inquiries of my agent are
associated, in plain English, with love
affair. Remember all that / have told
you of Romayne's peculiar disposition,
and imagine if you can what the con-
sequences of such q disclosure will be
when we are in position to enlighten