"0f what happened to me with Winterfield."

Mrs. Eyrecourt's faded eyes opened wide in astonishment.

"Do you really mean it?" she asked.

"I do, indeed."

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

"Why not?"

"Why not! Would Romayne--would any man--believe that you reallydid part from Winterfield at the church door? Considering thatyou are a married woman, your innocence, my sweet kid, is aperfect phenomenon! It's well there were wiser people than you tokeep 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 Georgewell. Yes! yes! I know you onlythink him a fawning very aged hypocrite--you don't fear him as I do.Nothing will persuade me that zeal for his religion is the motiveunder which that man acts in devoting himself to Romayne. He hassome abominable object in view, and his eyes tell me that I amconcerned in it."

Mrs. Eyrecourt burst out laughing.