CHAPTER III.
THE INTRODUCTION TO ROMAYNE.
"EXCEPTING my employment here in the library," Father Benwell began, "and some interesting conversation with Lord Loring, to which I shall presently allude, I am almost as great a stranger in this house, Arthur, as yourself.

When the object which we now have in view was first taken seriously into consideration, I had the honor of being personally acquainted with Lord Loring.

I was also aware that he was an intimate and trusted friend of Romayne.

Under these circumstances, his lordship presented himself to our point of view as a means of approaching the owner of Vange Abbey without exciting distrust.

I was charged accordingly with the duty of establishing myself on terms of intimacy in this house.