With all her fear of him, the exasperating influence of his tone and his
look was more than Stella could endure. Before she could restrain them,
the rash words flew out of her lips.

"I am not sufficiently well acquainted with you, Father Benwell, to
express an opinion."

With that answer, she took her mother's arm and left the room.

The moment they were alone, Romayne turned to the priest, trembling
with anger. Father Benwell, smiling indulgently at the lady's little
outbreak, took him by the hand, with peace-making intentions, "Now
don't--pray don't excite yourself!"

Romayne was not to be pacified in that way. His anger was trebly
intensified by the long-continued strain on his nerves of the effort to
control himself.

"I must, and will, speak out at last!" he said. "Father Benwell, the
ladies of my household have inexcusably presumed on the consideration
which is due to women. No words can say how ashamed I am of what has
happened. I can only appeal to your admirable moderation and patience to
accept my apologies, and the most sincere expression of my regret."

"No more, Mr. Romayne! As a favor to Me, I beg and entreat you will say
no more. Sit down and compose yourself."

But Romayne was impenetrable to the influence of friendly and forgiving
demonstrations. "I can never expect you to enter my house again!" he