greatest book ever written, the finest picture ever painted, appeals in vain to minds preoccupied by selfish and secret cares. O

de 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 Penrose, and had s

uietly to Lord Loring, "I

y n

thought in the rendering of the subject, disguised under dexterous technical tricks of the brush. W

oliteness, but a little absently. His mind was bent on putting his suspicion of Stella to the test of confirmation. Not waiting to be present

Romayne's estimate of the picture

dear!" Her antipathy identified him as readily as her sympathy might have identified a man who had produced a favorable impression

e's attention from the picture to Stella. The priest had secured his op

books in the course of conversation or whether we assert them at full length, with all the authority of print, we are really speaking, in eithe

etrayal of emotion in his eyes or in his voice. Relieved of anxiet

t some animating inner warmth. Her eyes and lips brightened with a new vitality; her frail elegant figure seemed insensibly to strengthen and expand, like the leaf of a flower under a favoring sunny air. When she answered Romayne (agreeing with him, it is needless to say), there was a tender persuasiveness in her tones, shyly inviting him still to

mayne and Stella needlessly severe. Lady Loring, as usual, agreed with her husband. While the general attention was

ut waiting for a reply, he took Penrose by the arm, and led him away to the picture - which ha

ell put the question in low peremptory

enrose. "He looks so ill and so s

d a favorable impression on you. Let us get on to the next

said, "I don't always succeed. They used to tell me at Oxford that I was shy - and I a

Are they still talki

es

to say to you. Have you

utiful - but she l

ill not believe in appearances where women are concerned. Do you know

us! In w

Loring - unless I am entirely mistaken in what I observed - knows it and favors it. The beau

ich surprised Penrose. His superior's equanimity was not easily

- or I should n

r. Romayne retu

first friendly influence over him - w

Miss Stell

you are quite sure that it is an influence)

know how to do that," he said "But I should naturally,

ulgence. "That will come to the same thing," he said. "Besides, when I get the information I want -

ormation!" he repeate

you," said Father Benwell. "How old

uch matters. Between twenty

have had opportunities of studying women's characters in the confes

ind

xperience," said Father Benwell. "If I can find a person capable of informing me, I may make some valuable di