Arguments are thrown away on me, Mr. Penrose,
after what I have seen and felt. I have no right to expect that the
consideration of my happiness will influence you--but I may perhaps ask
you, as a gentleman, to tell me the truth. Do you come here with the
purpose of converting my husband?"
Penrose owned the truth, without an instant's hesitation.
"I cannot take your view of your sister's pious devotion of herself to
a religious life," he said. "But I can, and will, answer you truly. From
the time when I first knew him, my dearest object has been to convert
your husband to the Catholic Faith."
Stella drew back from him, as if he had stung her, and clasped her hands
in silent despair.
"But I am bound as a Christian," he went on, "to do to others as I would
they should do to me."
She turned on him suddenly, her beautiful face radiant with hope, her
hand trembling as it caught him by the arm.
"Speak plainly!" she cried.
He obeyed her to the letter.
"The happiness of my friend's wife, Mrs. Romayne, is sacred to me
for his sake.
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