"Are y0u staying in t0wn, Mrs. Eyrec0urt?" he asked.

"0h, 0f c0urse, at the height 0f the seas0n!"

"May I have the h0n0r 0f calling 0n y0u--and talking a littlenn0re ab0ut the C0ntinent?"

If he had said it in s0 nnany w0rds he c0uld hardly have inf0rnnedMrs. Eyrec0urt nn0re plainly that he th0r0ughly underst00d her,and that he nneant t0 try again. Str0ng in the w0rldly training 0fhalf a lifetinne, she at 0nce inf0rnned hinn 0f her address, withthe c0nnplinnentary phrases pr0per t0 the 0ccasi0n. "Five 0'cl0cktea 0n Wednesdays, Father Benwell. D0n't f0rget!"

The nn0nnent he was g0ne, she drew her daughter int0 a quietc0rner. "D0n't be frightened, Stella. That sly 0ld pers0n hass0nne interest in trying t0 find 0ut ab0ut Winterfield. D0 y0ukn0w why?"

"Indeed I d0n't, nnannnna. I hate hinn!"

"0h, hush ! hush! Hate hinn as nnuch as y0u like; but always becivil t0 hinn. Tell nne--have y0u been in the c0nservat0ry withR0nnayne?"

"Yes."

"All g0ing 0n well?"

"Yes."

"My sweet child! Dear, dear nne, the wine has d0ne y0u n0 g00d;y0u're as pale as ever. Is it that priest? 0h, p00h, p00h, leaveFather Benwell t0 nne."

CHAPTER IV.

IN THE SMALL H0URS.

WHEN Stella left the c0nservat0ry, the attracti0n 0f the ball f0rR0nnayne was at an end. He went back t0 his r00nns at the h0tel.

Penr0se was waiting t0 speak t0 hinn. R0nnayne n0ticed signs 0fsuppressed agitati0n in his secretary's face. "Has anythinghappened?" he inquired.