The Black Robe

ed, with perfect truth, for her incorruptible devotion to the interests of her employers. On its weaker side, her character was represented by the wearing of

ory for days together, and found its way outward in spe

rom 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

ee to your li

re sugar, if

d grace; she dropped the sugar into the cup with a youthful pleasure in ministering to the minor desires of her illustrious guest. "It

wore the disguise of pastoral simplicity. "I am an idle old man at this hour of

hey have not been so agreeable as usual; it is a relief to me t

position," she invariably referred to some offense offered to her dignity, and she was invariably ready to state the grievance at full length. Ig

should so like to know that you do not altogether disapprove of my conduct, under some provocation. You see, Father, the whole responsibility of ordering

ner party, M

he reverse. Only one g

object was to bring Romayne and Stella together, under circumstances which would rapidly improve their acquaintance, was as plain to him as if he had heard it confessed in so many words. If he had only remained in t

the coffee?" Miss N

. He said, "Nothing w

otman

erience, and suggested exactly the sort of dinner that was wanted under the circumstances. I wish to do her ladyship the utmost justice. She made no objection to the dinner in itself. On the contrary, she complimented me on what she was pleased to

took a mean advantage of Miss Notman's susceptibilities to

don't understand a difference of opinion on a dinner for three people only; Lord and Lady Lorin

inly,

y speak as a stranger. You, no doubt, are m

the tone she took, Father, when we came to the order of the dishes. We agreed, of course, about the soup and the fish; but we had a little, a very little, divergence of opinion, as I may call it, on the subject of the dishes to follow. Her ladyship said, 'First the sweetbreads, and then the cutlets.' I

tress of an art which is quite beyond poor me. Was

to her presence; I should have said she

d. Is Miss Eyreco

Father Benwell. One of

ind

other i

ther and mother

mother, no doubt. The

, the mother? At least,

y of any one," she said; "but when you talk of 'a sweet woman,' you imply (as it se

and not disposed to be reticent in keeping secrets. Father Benwell began to see his way

. She would know nothing of the order of the dishes! Lady Loring, I should have told you, gave way in the matter of the sweetbread. It was only at quite the latter part of my 'Menoo' (as

be served than Mrs. Eyrecourt herself! It must be very pleasant, to a lady of her way of thinking, to enjoy the beauties of Nature inexpensively - as s

yond doubt. "Consult your own taste, Father. After eating jelly, cream, and ice-pudding, could you even look at an oyster-omelet without shudder

ne more question before he submitted to defeat. "That must be you

"You confuse me, Fat

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 t

nticipate that Miss Notman would walk into it. The disconcerting housek

e remark myself to L

ken its beat. "Yes?" he murmured, in

my husband to give him an oyster-omelet after his puddings and his pies, I should not be surprised if he said to me, 'My dear, have you taken leave of your senses?' I reminded Lady Loring (most respectfully) that a cheese-omelette might be in its proper place if it followed the sweets. 'An oyster-omelet,' I suggested, 'surely comes after the birds?' I should be sorry to say that her ladyship lost her temper - I will only mention that

d suffered martyrdom, and only regretted having been obliged to mention i

going away al

ear Miss Notman. I have an engageme

me hear that you don't disapprove of my co

he remarked, in his priestly and paternal character. "You have shown me, Miss Notman,

atherly smile; he sighed, and took his leave. Miss Not

ficulties placed in his way. A compromising circumstance had unquestionably occurred in Stella's past life; and, in all probability, a man was in some way