I, too, believe he will succeed.
"To turn for a moment to another subject.

You are already informed that there is a woman in our way.

I have my own idea of the right method of dealing with this obstacle when it shows itself more plainly.

For the present, I need only assure you that neither this woman nor any woman shall succeed in her designs on Romayne, if I can prevent it." Having completed his report in these terms, Father Benwell reverted to the consideration of his proposed inquiries into the past history of Stella's life.
Reflection convinced him that it would be unwise to attempt, no matter how guardedly, to obtain the necessary information from Lord Loring or his wife.

If he assumed, at his age, to take a strong interest in a Protestant young lady, who had notoriously avoided him, they would certainly feel surprise--and surprise might, in due course of development, turn to suspicion.
There was but one other person under Lord Loring's roof to whom he could address himself--and that person was the housekeeper.