"
"Very well. You must use your influence (when you are quite sure that it
_is_ an influence) to keep Mr. Romayne away from Miss Eyrecourt."
Penrose looked embarrassed. "I am afraid I should hardly know how to do
that," he said "But I should naturally, as his assistant, encourage him
to keep to his studies."
Whatever Arthur's superior might privately think of Arthur's reply, he
received it with outward indulgence. "That will come to the same thing,"
he said. "Besides, when I get the information I want--this is strictly
between ourselves--I may be of some use in placing obstacles in the
lady's way."
Penrose started. "Information!" he repeated. "What information?"
"Tell me something before I answer you," said Father Benwell. "How old
do you take Miss Eyrecourt to be?"
"I am not a good judge in such matters. Between twenty and twenty-five,
perhaps?"
"We will take her age at that estimate, Arthur. In former years, I have
had opportunities of studying women's characters in the confessional.
Can you guess what my experience tells me of Miss Eyrecourt?"
"No, indeed!"
"A lady is not in love for the first time when she is between twenty and
twenty-five years old--that is my experience," said Father Benwell.
Pages:
89
90
91
92
93
94
95
96
97
98
99
100
101
102
103
104
105
106
107
108
109
110
111
112
113