The Black Robe

om. "I won't be more than ten minutes," he

rnment of any sort. Even the brooch which fastened her lace pelerine was of plain gold only. Conscious that she was showing her beauty to the greatest advantage in the eyes of a man of taste, s

of them in a thousand sees anything objectionable in the gloomy and hideous evening costume of a gentleman in the nineteenth century. A handsome man is, to their eyes, more seductive than ever in the contemptible black coa

intolerable to her. Rather than let it continue, she impulsively

I came in," she said. "Were you

hesitation that they h

es ever act as a restraint on a woman's curiosity? The words passed he

ly without entering into explanations

re talking of my faults." She paused, and stole another look at him.

der certain reserves. "Indeed you are wrong," he said. "We were ta

nce on Me?"

ich You might exercis

king of himself. But she was determined

ce as you describe," she be

nly for

as positively - only that can hardly be -

had been content with merely saying this. But she

t?" he said. "I was thinking o

impossible," she rejoined, softly. There was

me. But for that look, I don't thi

on a sudden, and drew her

ot so poor an opinion of me as

an earnestness that in

I could own to you the new hope for myself that has brought me here - you would feel, as I feel, that I have been only speaking the truth. I daren't s

bout me, M

er bell rang. Lord and Lady Lori

ccasionally flagging. The burden of the talk had been mainly borne by my lord and my lady, Mr. Romayne and Miss Eyrecourt contributing but little to the social enjoyment of the evening. Receiving this information without much appearance of interest, the housekeeper put another question, to which, judging by her manner, she attached a certain importance. She wished to know if the oyster-omelet (accompanying the cheese) had been received as a welcome dish, and treated with a just recognition of its merits. The answer to

ady Loring sat down at the piano, and played as admirably as usual. At the other end of the room Romayne and Stella were together, listening to the music. Lord Loring, walking backward and fo

y Loring asked in a whisper, without

uite easy,

the music.

Adelaide, wha

hat is i

companion. "They don't seem to get on t

re walking about and disturbing

am I t

laying? Lis

t understand mod

the eveni

s attractions. Lord Lori

la justified Lady Loring's belief in the result of reducing her husband to

of your evenings a

. I have the com

he companions tha

return. They have broken down my health, and have made me, I am afraid, a very unsocial man." He seemed about to say more, and suddenly checked th

ayety. Stella made no effort, on her

some influence over you,"

hy

r books, and choose some living companion

d Romayne; "I have a new

friend - is he not - of the priest h

es

ike Father

on for dislikin

ly, "because he is Fa

ecretary, and I have already had reason to think highly of him. Many men, after that experience of

Were you angry with Mr. Penrose?" she asked innocently. "Is it poss

ject to attacks - to sudden attacks of illness. I am sorry I ala

away again. "Would you be angry with me i

ble I can be a

t your secretary saw. I know how you

he ex

iced me! You never knew how I pitied you. And afterward, when you moved away by yourself, and stood

! n

went to your friend and took it on myself to say th

istrust. Had she put indiscreet questions to his traveling companion; and had the Major, under the pers

I was afraid you were very ill. We were in the confusion of arriving at Folkest

You have a generous nature," he said earnestly. "Among the few peopl

kinder friend than the gentleman who took care of

N

u ought to have some devot

ered lightly. "You go almost as far as my good friend there reading the newspaper," he said. "Lord Loring doesn't scruple to

ld he dis

dreary life as mine? It would be selfish, it would be cruel; I should deservedly pay the penalty of

he said softly. "Perhaps some day a woman may induce you to change your opinion." She crossed the room to the pi

u sing,

ned away. "Not to-n

to get away. Lord Loring accompanied his guest to the door. "You look sad and care

sently, and answered

Stella, Lord Loring found the drawing-room empty. Eager for a

as they sat together over

d, "which made him say that he would be selfish and cruel if he expected a woman to marry him? It must be something

omised my husband to keep it a s

rading, Adelaide -

pped and looked earnestly at Stella. "They say," she went on, "the love that lasts longest is the love of slowest growth. This fe

love him," said

t seem as yet to love

ashamed to make the confession to any one but

ly called her back. Stella returned unwillingly and wearily. "My h

f your own happiness, you ought to judge for yourself if this devoted love of yours may ever hope to win its reward. It is time,

nvinced that it o

person - I can never look, as you can, to consequences. You won't betray me, Stella? If I am doing wrong in telling a secret which has b

terrible story of the duel, a

. Can any woman hope to release him from the torment that he suf

nswered

ine to be

g woman was not more resolved to give her whole life to him, than the fanatical man was resolved to convert him. On the