the black robe-第57节
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Inside The Retreat； the paternal care of the Church took
possession of him； surrounded him with monastic simplicity in his
neat little bedroom； and dazzled him with devotional splendor
when his religious duties called him into the chapel。 The perfect
tasteso seldom found in the modern arrangement and decoration
of convents and churches in southern countriesshowed itself
here； pressed into the service of religion； in every part of the
house。 The severest discipline had no sordid and hideous side to
it in The Retreat。 The inmates fasted on spotless tablecloths；
and handled knives and forks （the humble servants of half…filled
stomachs） without a speck on their decent brightness。 Penitents
who kissed the steps of the altar （to use the expressive Oriental
phrase）； 〃eat no dirt。〃 Friends； liberal friends； permitted to
visit the inmates on stated days； saw copies of famous Holy
Families in the reception…room which were really works of Art；
and trod on a carpet of studiously modest pretensions； exhibiting
pious emblems beyond reproach in color and design。 The Retreat
had its own artesian well； not a person in the house drank
impurity in his water。 A faint perfume of incense was perceptible
in the corridors。 The soothing and mysterious silence of the
place was intensified rather than disturbed by soft footsteps；
and gentle opening and closing of doors。 Animal life was not even
represented by a cat in the kitchen。 And yet； pervaded by some
inscrutable influence； the house was not dull。 Heretics； with
lively imaginations； might have not inappropriately likened it to
an enchanted castle。 In one word； the Catholic system here showed
to perfection its masterly knowledge of the weakness of human
nature； and its inexhaustible dexterity in adapting the means to
the end。
On the morning when Mrs。 Eyrecourt and her daughter held their
memorable interview by the fireside at Ten Acres； Father Benwell
entered one of the private rooms at The Retreat； devoted to the
use of the priesthood。 The demure attendant； waiting humbly for
instructions； was sent to request the presence of
one of the inmates of the house； named Mortleman。
Father Benwell's customary serenity was a little ruffled； on this
occasion； by an appearance of anxiety。 More than once he looked
impatiently toward the door； and he never even noticed the last
new devotional publications laid invitingly on the table。
Mr。 Mortleman made his appearancea young man and a promising
convert。 The wild brightness of his eyes revealed that incipient
form of brain disease which begins in fanaticism； and ends not
infrequently in religious madness。 His manner of greeting the
priest was absolutely servile。 He cringed before the illustrious
Jesuit。
Father Benwell took no notice of these demonstrations of
humility。 〃Be seated； my son；〃 he said。 Mr。 Mortleman looked as
if he would have preferred going down on his knees； but he
yielded； and took a chair。
〃I think you have been Mr。 Romayne's companion for a few days； in
the hours of recreation？〃 the priest began。
〃Yes； Father。〃
〃Does he appear to be at all weary of his residence in this
house？〃
〃Oh； far from it！ He feels the benign influence of The Retreat；
we have had some delightful hours together。〃
〃Have you anything to report？〃
Mr。 Mortleman crossed his hands on his breast and bowed
profoundly。 〃I have to report of myself； Father； that I have
committed the sin of presumption。 I presumed that Mr。 Romayne
was； like myself； not married。〃
〃Have I spoken to you on that subject？〃
〃No； Father。〃
〃Then you have committed no sin。 You have only made an excusable
mistake。 How were you led into error？〃
〃In this way； Father。 Mr。 Romayne had been speaking to me of a
book which you had been so good as to send to him。 He had been
especially interested by the memoir therein contained of the
illustrious Englishman； Cardinal Acton。 The degrees by which his
Eminence rose to the rank of a Prince of the Church seemed； as I
thought； to have aroused in my friend a new sense of vocation。 He
asked me if I myself aspired to belong to the holy priesthood。 I
answered that this was indeed my aspiration； if I might hope to
be found worthy。 He appeared to be deeply affected。 I ventured to
ask if he too had the same prospect before him。 He grieved me
indescribably。 He sighed and said； 'I have no such hope； I am
married。' Tell me Father； I entreat you； have I done wrong？〃
Father Benwell considered for a moment。 〃Did Mr。 Romayne say
anything more？〃 he asked。
〃No； Father。〃
〃Did you attempt to return to the subject？〃
〃I thought it best to be silent。〃
Father Benwell held out his hand。 〃My young friend； you have not
only done no wrongyou have shown the most commendable
discretion。 I will detain you no longer from your duties。 Go to
Mr。 Romayne； and say that I wish to speak with him。〃
Mr。 Mortleman dropped on one knee； and begged for a blessing。
Father Benwell lifted the traditional two fingers； and gave the
blessing。 The conditions of human happiness are easily fulfilled
if we rightly understand them。 Mr。 Mortleman retired perfectly
happy。
Left by himself again； Father Benwell paced the room rapidly from
end to end。 The disturbing influence visible in his face had now
changed from anxiety to excitement。 〃I'll try it to…day！〃 he said
to himselfand stopped； and looked round him doubtfully。 〃No；
not here；〃 he decided； 〃it may get talked about too soon。 It will
be safer in every way at my lodgings。〃 He recovered his
composure； and returned to his chair。
Romayne opened the door。
The double influence of the conversion； and of the life in The
Retreat； had already changed him。 His customary keenness and
excitability of look had subsided； and had left nothing in their
place but an expression of suave and meditative repose。 All his
troubles were now in the hands of his priest。 There was a passive
regularity in his bodily movements and a beatific serenity in his
smile。
〃My dear friend；〃 said Father Benwell； cordially shaking hands；
〃you were good enough to be guided by my advice in entering this
house。 Be guided by me again； when I say that you have been here
long enough。 You can return； after an interval； if you wish it。
But I have something to say to you firstand I beg to offer the
hospitality of my lodgings。〃
The time had been when Romayne would have asked for some
explanation of this abrupt notice of removal。 Now； he passively
accepted the advice of his spiritual director。 Father Benwell
made the necessary communication to the authorities； and Romayne
took leave of his friends in The Retreat。 The great Jesuit and
the great landowner left the place； with becoming humility； in a
cab。
〃I hope I have not disappointed you？〃 said Father Benwell。
〃I am only anxious；〃 Romayne answered； 〃to hear what you have to
say。〃
CHAPTER III。
THE HARVEST IS REAPED。
ON their way through the streets； Father Benwell talked as
persistently of the news of the day as if he had nothing else in
his thoughts。 To keep his companion's mind in a state of suspense
was； in certain emergencies； to exert a useful preparatory
influence over a man of Romayne's character。 Even when they
reached his lodgings； the priest still hesitated to approach the
object that he had in view。 He made considerate inquiries； in the
character of a hospitable man。
〃They breakfast early at The Retreat；〃 he said。 〃What may I offer
you？〃
〃I want nothing； thank you；〃 Romayne answered； with an effort to
control his habitual impatience of needless delay。
〃Pardon mewe have a long interview before us； I fear。 Our
bodily necessities； Romayne （excuse me if I take the friendly
liberty of suppressing the formal 'Mr。'）our bodily necessities
are not to be trifled with。 A bottle of my famous claret； and a
few biscuits； will not hurt either of us。〃 He rang the bell； and
gave the necessary directions 〃Another damp day！〃 he went on
cheerfully。 〃I hope you don't pay the rheumatic penalties of a
winter residence in England？ Ah； this glorious country would be
too perfect if it possessed the delicious climate of Rome！〃
The win
