CHAPTER II.
THE SEED IS SOWN.
SITUATED in a distant quarter of the vast western suburb of London,
the house called The Retreat stood in the midst of a well-kept garden,
protected on all sides by a high brick wall. Excepting the grand
gilt cross on the roof of the chapel, nothing revealed externally the
devotional purpose to which the Roman Catholic priesthood (assisted by
the liberality of "the Faithful") had dedicated the building.
But the convert privileged to pass the gates left Protestant England
outside, and found himself, as it were, in a new country. Inside
The Retreat, the paternal care of the Church took possession of him;
surrounded him with monastic simplicity in his neat little bedroom; and
dazzled him with devotional splendor when his religious duties called
him into the chapel. The perfect taste--so seldom found in the modern
arrangement and decoration of convents and churches in southern
countries--showed itself here, pressed into the service of religion,
in every part of the house. The severest discipline had no sordid
and hideous side to it in The Retreat. The inmates fasted on spotless
tablecloths, and handled knives and forks (the humble servants of
half-filled stomachs) without a speck on their decent brightness.
Penitents who kissed the steps of the altar (to use the expressive
Oriental phrase), "eat no dirt." Friends, liberal friends, permitted to
visit the inmates on stated days, saw copies of famous Holy Families in
the reception-room which were really works of Art; and trod on a carpet
of studiously modest pretensions, exhibiting pious emblems beyond
reproach in color and design. The Retreat had its own artesian well; not
a person in the house drank impurity in his water. A faint perfume of
incense was perceptible in the corridors. The soothing and mysterious
silence of the place was intensified rather than disturbed by soft
footsteps, and gentle opening and closing of doors. Animal life was
not even represented by a cat in the kitchen. And yet, pervaded by some
inscrutable influence, the house was not dull. Heretics, with lively
imaginations, might have not inappropriately likened it to an enchanted
castle. In one word, the Catholic system here showed to perfection
its masterly knowledge of the weakness of human nature, and its
inexhaustible dexterity in adapting the means to the end.
On the morning when Mrs. Eyrecourt and her daughter held their memorable
interview by the fireside at Ten Acres, Father Benwell entered one of
the private rooms at The Retreat, devoted to the use of the priesthood.
The demure attendant, waiting humbly for instructions, was sent
to request the presence of one of the inmates of the house, named
Mortleman.
Father Benwell's customary serenity was a little ruffled, on this
occasion, by an appearance of anxiety. More than once he looked
impatiently toward the door, and he never even noticed the last new
devotional publications laid invitingly on the table.
Mr. Mortleman made his appearance--a young man and a promising convert.
The wild brightness of his eyes revealed that incipient form of brain
disease which begins in fanaticism, and ends not infrequently in
religious madness. His manner of greeting the priest was absolutely
servile. He cringed before the illustrious Jesuit.
Father Benwell took no notice of these demonstrations of humility.
"Be seated, my son," he said. Mr. Mortleman looked as if he would have
preferred going down on his knees, but he yielded, and took a chair.
"I think you have been Mr. Romayne's companion for a few days, in the
hours of recreation?" the priest began.
"Yes, Father."
"Does he appear to be at all weary of his residence in this house?"
"Oh, far from it! He feels the benign influence of The Retreat; we have
had some delightful hours together."
"Have you anything to report?"
Mr. Mortleman crossed his hands on his breast and bowed profoundly.
"I have to report of myself, Father, that I have committed the sin of
presumption. I presumed that Mr. Romayne was, like myself, not married."
"Have I spoken to you on that subject?"
"No, Father."
"Then you have committed no sin. You have only made an excusable
mistake. How were you led into error?"
"In this way, Father. Mr. Romayne had been speaking to me of a book
which you had been so good as to send to him. He had been especially
interested by the memoir therein contained of the illustrious
Englishman, Cardinal Acton. The degrees by which his Eminence rose to
the rank of a Prince of the Church seemed, as I thought, to have aroused
in my friend a new sense of vocation. He asked me if I myself aspired
to belong to the holy priesthood. I answered that this was indeed my
aspiration, if I might hope to be found worthy. He appeared to be deeply
affected. I ventured to ask if he too had the same prospect before him.
He grieved me indescribably. He sighed and said, 'I have no such hope; I
am married.' Tell me Father, I entreat you, have I done wrong?"
Father Benwell considered for a moment. "Did Mr. Romayne say anything
more?" he asked.
"No, Father."
"Did you attempt to return to the subject?"
"I thought it best to be silent."
Father Benwell held out his hand. "My young friend, you have not only
done no wrong--you have shown the most commendable discretion. I will
detain you no longer from your duties. Go to Mr. Romayne, and say that I
wish to speak with him."
Mr. Mortleman dropped on one knee, and begged for a blessing. Father
Benwell lifted the traditional two fingers, and gave the blessing.
The conditions of human happiness are easily fulfilled if we rightly
understand them. Mr. Mortleman retired perfectly happy.
Left by himself again, Father Benwell paced the room rapidly from end to
end. The disturbing influence visible in his face had now changed from
anxiety to excitement. "I'll try it to-day!" he said to himself--and
stopped, and looked round him doubtfully. "No, not here," he decided;
"it may get talked about too soon. It will be safer in every way at my
lodgings." He recovered his composure, and returned to his chair.
Romayne opened the door.
The double influence of the conversion, and of the life in The Retreat,
had already changed him. His customary keenness and excitability of look
had subsided, and had left nothing in their place but an expression of
suave and meditative repose. All his troubles were now in the hands of
his priest. There was a passive regularity in his bodily movements and a
beatific serenity in his smile.
"My dear friend," said Father Benwell, cordially shaking hands, "you
were good enough to be guided by my advice in entering this house. Be
guided by me again, when I say that you have been here long enough. You
can return, after an interval, if you wish it. But I have something to
say to you first--and I beg to offer the hospitality of my lodgings."
The time had been when Romayne would have asked for some explanation of
this abrupt notice of removal. Now, he passively accepted the advice of
his spiritual director. Father Benwell made the necessary communication
to the authorities, and Romayne took leave of his friends in The
Retreat. The great Jesuit and the great landowner left the place, with
becoming humility, in a cab.
"I hope I have not disappointed you?" said Father Benwell.
"I am only anxious," Romayne answered, "to hear what you have to say."