Sympathy with Stella was undisguisedly expressed to him in the honest blue eyes of Stella's faithful friend.
The discussion on the subject of the unfortunate picture was resumed by Lord Loring, who thought the opinions of Romayne and Stella needlessly severe.

Lady Loring, as usual, agreed with her husband.

While the general attention was occupied in this way, Father Benwell said a word to Penrose--thus far, a silent listener to the discourse on Art.
"Have you seen the famous portrait of the first Lady Loring, by Gainsborough ?" he asked.

Without waiting for a reply, he took Penrose by the arm, and led him away to the picture--which had the additional merit, under present circumstances, of hanging at the other end of the gallery.
"How do you like Romayne ?" Father Benwell put the question in low peremptory tones, evidently impatient for a reply.
"He interests me already," said Penrose.

"He looks so ill and so sad, and he spoke to me so kindly--" "In short," Father Benwell interposed, "Romayne has produced a favorable impression on you.