"Do you really mean it?" she asked.

"I do, indeed."

"Are you actually simple enough, Stella, to think that a man of
Romayne's temper would have made you his wife if you had told him of the
Brussels marriage?"

"Why not?"

"Why not! Would Romayne--would any man--believe that you really did part
from Winterfield at the church door? Considering that you are a married
woman, your innocence, my sweet child, is a perfect phenomenon! It's
well there were wiser people than you to keep your secret."

"Don't speak too positively, mama. Lewis may find it out yet."

"Is that one of your presentiments?"

"Yes."

"How is he to find it out, if you please?"

"I am afraid, through Father Benwell. Yes! yes! I know you only think
him a fawning old hypocrite--you don't fear him as I do. Nothing will
persuade me that zeal for his religion is the motive under which that
man acts in devoting himself to Romayne. He has some abominable object
in view, and his eyes tell me that I am concerned in it."

Mrs. Eyrecourt burst out laughing.