"
Having completed his report in these terms, Father Benwell reverted to
the consideration of his proposed inquiries into the past history of
Stella's life.
Reflection convinced him that it would be unwise to attempt, no matter
how guardedly, to obtain the necessary information from Lord Loring
or his wife. If he assumed, at his age, to take a strong interest in
a Protestant young lady, who had notoriously avoided him, they
would certainly feel surprise--and surprise might, in due course of
development, turn to suspicion.
There was but one other person under Lord Loring's roof to whom he could
address himself--and that person was the housekeeper. As an old servant,
possessing Lady Loring's confidence, she might prove a source of
information on the subject of Lady Loring's fair friend; and, as a
good Catholic, she would feel flattered by the notice of the spiritual
director of the household.
"It may not be amiss," thought Father Benwell, "if I try the
housekeeper."
CHAPTER VI.
THE ORDER OF THE DISHES.
WHEN Miss Notman assumed the post of housekeeper in Lady Loring's
service, she was accurately described as "a competent and respectable
person"; and was praised, with perfect truth, for her incorruptible
devotion to the interests of her employers.
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