the black robe-第51节
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customary false position of a mother…in…law。 I was mistaken。 He
was not thinking of his wife's motherhe was thinking of his
wife。
〃I suppose you know that Penrose had an idea of converting me?〃
he said; suddenly。
I was perfectly candid with himI said I knew it; and approved
of it。 〃May I hope that Arthur has succeeded in convincing you?〃
I ventured to add。
〃He might have succeeded; Father Benwell; if he had chosen to go
on。〃
This reply; as you may easily imagine; took me by surprise。
〃Are you really so obdurate that Arthur despairs of your
conversion?〃 I asked。
〃Nothing of the sort! I have thought and thought of itand I can
tell you I was more than ready to meet him half way。〃
〃Then where is the obstacle?〃 I exclaimed。
He pointed thro ugh the window to his wife。 〃There is the
obstacle;〃 he said; in a tone of ironical resignation。
Knowing Arthur's character as I knew it; I at last understood
what had happened。 For a moment I felt really angry。 Under these
circumstances; the wise course was to say nothing; until I could
be sure of speaking with exemplary moderation。 It doesn't do for
a man in my position to show anger。
Romayne went on。
〃We talked of my wife; Father Benwell; the last time you were
here。 You only knew; then; that her reception of Mr。 Winterfield
had determined him never to enter my house again。 By way of
adding to your information on the subject of 'petticoat
government;' I may now tell you that Mrs。 Romayne has forbidden
Penrose to proceed with the attempt to convert me。 By common
consent; the subject is never mentioned between us。〃 The bitter
irony of his tone; thus far; suddenly disappeared。 He spoke
eagerly and anxiously。 〃I hope you are not angry with Arthur?〃 he
said。
By this time my little fit of ill…temper was at an end。 I
answeredand it was really in a certain sense true〃I know
Arthur too well to be angry with him。〃
Romayne seemed to be relieved。 〃I only troubled you with this
last domestic incident;〃 he resumed; 〃to bespeak your indulgence
for Penrose。 I am getting learned in the hierarchy of the Church;
Father Benwell! You are the superior of my dear little friend;
and you exercise authority over him。 Oh; he is the kindest and
best of men! It is not his fault。 He submits to Mrs。
Romayneagainst his own better convictionin the honest belief
that he consults the interests of our married life。〃
I don't think I misinterpret the state of Romayne's mind; and
mislead you; when I express my belief that this second indiscreet
interference of his wife between his friend and himself will
produce the very result which she dreads。 Mark my words; written
after the closest observation of himthis new irritation of
Romayne's sensitive self…respect will hasten his conversion。
You will understand that the one alternative before me; after
what has happened; is to fill the place from which Penrose has
withdrawn。 I abstained from breathing a word of this to Romayne。
It is he; if I can manage it; who must invite me to complete the
work of conversionand; besides; nothing can be done until the
visit of Penrose has come to an end。 Romayne's secret sense of
irritation may be safely left to develop itself; with time to
help it。
I changed the conversation to the subject of his literary labors。
The present state of his mind is not favorable to work of that
exacting kind。 Even with the help of Penrose to encourage him; he
does not get on to his satisfactionand yet; as I could plainly
perceive; the ambition to make a name in the world exercises a
stronger influence over him than ever。 All in our favor; my
reverend friendall in our favor!
I took the liberty of asking to see Penrose alone for a moment;
and; this request granted; Romayne and I parted cordially。 I can
make most people like me; when I choose to try。 The master of
Vange Abbey is no exception to the rule。 Did I tell you;
by…the…by; that the property has a little declined of late in
value? It is now not worth more than six thousand a year。 _We_
will improve it when it returns to the Church。
My interview with Penrose was over in two minutes。 Dispensing
with formality; I took his arm; and led him into the front
garden。
〃I have heard all about it;〃 I said; 〃and I must not deny that
you have disappointed me。 But I know your disposition; and I make
allowances。 You have qualities; dear Arthur; which perhaps put
you a little out of place among us。 I shall be obliged to report
what you have donebut you may trust me to put it favorably。
Shake hands; my son; and; while we are still together; let us be
as good friends as ever。〃
You may think that I spoke in this way with a view to my
indulgent language being repeated to Romayne; and so improving
the position which I have already gained in his estimation。 Do
you know; I really believe I meant it at the time! The poor
fellow gratefully kissed my hand when I offered it to himhe was
not able to speak。 I wonder whether I am weak about Arthur? Say a
kind word for him; when his conduct comes under noticebut pray
don't mention this little frailty of mine; and don't suppose I
have any sympathy with his weak…minded submission to Mrs。
Romayne's prejudices。 If I ever felt the smallest consideration
for _her_ (and I cannot call to mind any amiable emotion of that
sort); her letter to Winterfield would have effectually
extinguished it。 There is something quite revolting to me in a
deceitful woman。
In closing this letter; I may quiet the minds of our reverend
brethren; if I assure them that my former objection to
associating myself directly with the conversion of Romayne no
longer exists。
Yes! even at my age; and with my habits; I am now resigned to
hearing; and confuting; the trivial arguments of a man who is
young enough to be my son。 I shall write a carefully…guarded
letter to Romayne; on the departure of Penrose; and I shall send
him a book to read; from the influence of which I expect
gratifying results。 It is not a controversial work (Arthur has
been beforehand with me there)it is Wiseman's 〃Recollections of
the Popes。〃 I look to that essentially readable book to excite
Romayne's imagination; by vivid descriptions of the splendors of
the Church; and the vast influence and power of the higher
priesthood。 Does this sudden enthusiasm of mine surprise you? And
are you altogether at a loss to know what it means?
It means; my friend; that I see our position toward Romayne in a
new light。 Forgive me; if I say no more for the present。 I prefer
to be silent; until my audacity is justified by events。
… * Father Benwell's experience had; in this case; not misled
him。 If Stella had remained unmarried; Winterfield might have
justified himself。 But he was honorably unwilling to disturb her
relations with her husband; by satisfying her that he had never
been unworthy of the affection which had once united them。
CHAPTER V。
BERNARD WINTERFIELD'S CORRESPONDENCE。
I。
_From Mrs。 Romayne to Mr。 Winterfield。_
HAS my letter failed to reach you? I directed it (as I direct
this) to Beaupark; not knowing your London address。
Yesterday; Father Benwell called at Ten Acres Lodge。 He first saw
my mother and myself and he contrived to mention your name。 It
was done with his usual adroitness; and I might perhaps have
passed it over if he had not looked at me。 I hope and pray it may
be only my fancybut I thought I saw; in his eyes; that he was
conscious of having me in his power; and that he might betray me
to my husband at any moment。
I have no sort of claim on you。 And; Heaven knows; I have little
reason to trust you。 But I thought you meant fairly by me when we
spoke together at this house。 In that belief; I entreat you to
tell me if Father Benwell has intruded himself into your
confidenceor even if you have hinted anything to him which
gives him a hold over me。
II。
_From Mr。 Winterfield to Mrs。 Romayne。_
Both your letters have reached me。
I have good reason for believing that you are entirely mistaken
in your estimate of Father Benwell's character。 But I know; by
sad experience; how you hold to your opin