第62章

FATHER BENWELL AND THE BOOK.

R OMAYNE'S first errand in London was to see his wife, and to make inquiries at Mrs.Eyrecourt's house.The report was more favorable than usual.Stella whispered, as she kissed him, "Ishall soon come back to you, I hope!"

Leaving the horses to rest for a while, he proceeded to Lord Loring's residence on foot.As he crossed a street in the neighborhood, he was nearly run over by a cab, carrying a gentleman and his luggage.The gentleman was Mr.Winterfield, on his way to Derwent's Hotel.

Lady Loring very kindly searched her card-basket, as the readiest means of assisting Romayne.Penrose had left his card, on his departure from London, but no address was written on it.Lord Loring, unable himself to give the required information, suggested the right person to consult.

"Father Benwell will be here later in the day," he said."If you will write to Penrose at once, he will add the address.Are you sure, before the letter goes, that the book you want is not in my library?""I think not," Romayne answered; "but I will write down the title, and leave it here with my letter."The same evening he received a polite note from Father Benwell, informing him that the letter was forwarded, and that the book he wanted was not in Lord Loring's library."If there should be any delay or difficulty in obtaining this rare volume," the priest added, "I only wait the expression of your wishes, to borrow it from the library of a friend of mine, residing in the country."By return of post the answer, affectionately and gratefully written, arrived from Penrose.He regretted that he was not able to assist Romayne personally.But it was out of his power (in plain words, he had been expressly forbidden by Father Benwell)to leave the service on which he was then engaged.In reference to the book that was wanted, it was quite likely that a search in the catalogues of the British Museum might discover it.He had only met with it himself in the National Library at Paris.

This information led Romayne to London again, immediately.For the first time he called at Father Benwell's lodgings.The priest was at home, expecting the visit.His welcome was the perfection of unassuming politeness.He asked for the last news of "poor Mrs.Eyrecourt's health," with the sympathy of a true friend.

"I had the honor of drinking tea with Mrs.Eyrecourt, some little time since," he said."Her flow of conversation was never more delightful--it seemed impossible to associate the idea of illness with so bright a creature.And how well she kept the secret of your contemplated marriage! May I offer my humble congratulations and good wishes?"Romayne thought it needless to say that Mrs.Eyrecourt had not been trusted with the secret until the wedding day was close at hand."My wife and I agreed in wishing to be married as quietly as possible," he answered, after making the customary acknowledgments.

"And Mrs.Romayne?" pursued Father Benwell."This is a sad trial for her.She is in attendance on her mother, I suppose?""In constant attendance; I am quite alone now.To change the subject, may I ask you to look at the reply which I have received from Penrose? It is my excuse for troubling you with this visit."Father Benwell read the letter with the closest attention.In spite of his habitual self-control, his vigilant eyes brightened as he handed it back.

Thus far, the priest's well-planned scheme, (like Mr.Bitrake's clever inquiries) had failed.He had not even entrapped Mrs.

Eyrecourt into revealing the marriage engagement.Her unconquerable small-talk had foiled him at every point.Even when he had deliberately kept his seat after the other guests at the tea-table had taken their departure, she rose with the most imperturbable coolness, and left him."I have a dinner and two parties to-night, and this is just the time when I take my little restorative nap.Forgive me--and do come again!" When he sent the fatal announcement of the marriage to Rome, he had been obliged to confess that he was indebted for the discovery to the newspaper.He had accepted the humiliation; he had accepted the defeat--but he was not beaten yet."I counted on Romayne's weakness; and Miss Eyrecourt counted on Romayne's weakness; and Miss Eyrecourt has won.So let it be.My turn will come." In that manner he had reconciled himself to his position.And now--he knew it when he handed back the letter to Romayne--his turn _had_come!

"You can hardly go to Paris to consult the book," he said, "in the present state of Mrs.Eyrecourt's health?""Certainly not!"

"Perhaps you will send somebody to search the catalogue at the British Museum?""I should have done that already, Father Benwell, but for the very kind allusion in your note to your friend in the country.

Even if the book is in the Museum Library, I shall be obliged to go to the Reading Room to get my information.It would be far more convenient to me to have the volume at home to consult, if you think your friend will trust me with it.""I am certain he will trust you with it.My friend is Mr.

Winterfield, of Beaupark House, North Devon.Perhaps you may have heard of him?""No; the name is quite new to me."

"Then come and see the man himself.He is now in London--and I am entirely at your service."In half an hour more, Romayne was presented to a well-bred, amiable gentleman in the prime of life, smoking, and reading the newspaper.The bowl of his long pipe rested on the floor, on one side of him, and a handsome red and white spaniel reposed on the other.Before his visitors had been two minutes in the room, he understood the motive which had brought them to consult him, and sent for a telegraphic form.

"My steward will find the book and forward it to your address by passenger train this afternoon," he said."I will tell him to put my printed catalogue of the library into the parcel, in case Ihave any other books which may be of use to you."With those words, he dispatched the telegram to the office.