On its weaker side, her
character was represented by the wearing of a youthful wig, and the
erroneous conviction that she still possessed a fine figure. The ruling
idea in her narrow little mind was the idea of her own dignity.
Any offense offered in this direction oppressed her memory for days
together, and found its way outward in speech to any human being whose
attention she could secure.
At five o'clock, on the day which followed his introduction to Romayne,
Father Benwell sat drinking his coffee in the housekeeper's room--to all
appearance as much at his ease as if he had known Miss Notman from the
remote days of her childhood. A new contribution to the housekeeper's
little library of devotional works lay on the table; and bore silent
witness to the means by which he had made those first advances which had
won him his present position. Miss Notman's sense of dignity was doubly
flattered. She had a priest for her guest, and a new book with the
reverend gentleman's autograph inscribed on the title-page.
"Is your coffee to your liking, Father?"
"A little more sugar, if you please.
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