The impulse was strong in him to read those
words, and think over them again.
He trimmed his lamp, and bent his mind on his book. While he was still
reading, the ball at Lord Loring's house came to its end. Stella and
Lady Loring were alone together, talking of him, before they retired to
their rooms.
"Forgive me for owning it plainly," said Lady Loring--"I think you and
your mother are a little too ready to suspect Father Benwell without
any discoverable cause. Thousands of people go to Clovelly, and Beaupark
House is one of the show-places in the neighborhood. Is there a little
Protestant prejudice in this new idea of yours?"
Stella made no reply; she seemed to be lost in her own thoughts.
Lady Loring went on.
"I am open to conviction, my dear. If you will only tell me what
interest Father Benwell can have in knowing about you and Winterfield--"
Stella suddenly looked up. "Let us speak of another person," she said;
"I own I don't like Father Benwell. As you know, Romayne has concealed
nothing from me. Ought I to have any concealments from _him?_ Ought I
not to tell him about Winterfield?"
Lady Loring started.
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