She returned the drawing, and affectionately kissed her artful friend.

Having now secured the means of consulting her husband without exciting suspicion, Lady Loring left the room.
At that time in the morning, Lord Loring was generally to be found either in the library or the picture gallery.

His wife tried the library first.

On entering the room, she found but one person in it--not the person of whom she was in search.

There, buttoned up in his long frock coat, and surrounded by books of all sorts and sizes, sat the plump elderly priest who had been the especial object of Major Hynd's aversion.
"I beg your pardon, Father Benwell," said Lady Loring; "I hope I don't interrupt your studies ?" Father Benwell rose and bowed with a pleasant paternal smile.