CHAPTER VII.
THE INFLUENCE OF STELLA.
ENTERING the hall, Father Benwell heard a knock at the house door.
The servants appeared to recognize the knock--the porter admitted Lord Loring.
Father Benwell advanced and made his bow.

It was a perfect obeisance of its kind--respect for Lord Loring, unobtrusively accompanied by respect for himself.

"Has your lordship been walking in the park ?" he inquired.
"I have been out on business," Lord Loring answered; "and I should like to tell you about it.

If you can spare me a few minutes, come into the library.

Some time since," he resumed, when the door was closed, "I think I mentioned that my friends had been speaking to me on a subject of some importance--the subject of opening my picture gallery occasionally to the public." "I remember," said Father Benwell.