The Church,
I know, exalts the single life to the highest place. But even the Church
allows exceptions to its rule. Under this roof, for example, I think I
see two exceptions. One of them my unfeigned respect" (he bowed to Miss
Notman) "forbids me to indicate more particularly. The other seems, to
my humble view, to be the young lady of whom we have been speaking. Is
it not strange that Miss Eyrecourt has never been married?"
The trap had been elaborately set; Father Benwell had every reason
to anticipate that Miss Notman would walk into it. The disconcerting
housekeeper walked up to it--and then proved unable to advance a step
further.
"I once made the same remark myself to Lady Loring," she said.
Father Benwell's pulse began to quicken its beat. "Yes?" he murmured, in
tones of the gentlest encouragement.
"And her ladyship," Miss Notman proceeded, "did not encourage me to
go on. 'There are reasons for not pursuing that subject,' she said;
'reasons into which, I am sure, you will not expect me to enter.'
She spoke with a flattering confidence in my prudence, which I felt
gratefully.
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