In a frenzy of rage and despair, he looked round at the persons in the room."I take you all to witness," he cried; "this is an act of madness!""You yourself declared just now," said the lawyer, "that Mr.
Romayne was in perfect possession of his faculties."The baffled Jesuit turned furiously on the dying man.They looked at each other.
For one awful moment Romayne's eyes brightened, Romayne's voice rallied its power, as if life was returning to him.Frowning darkly, the priest put his question.
"What did you do it for?"
Quietly and firmly the answer came:
"Wife and child."
The last long-drawn sigh rose and fell.With those sacred words on his lips, Romayne died.
London, 6th May.--At Stella's request, I have returned to Penrose--with but one fellow-traveler.My dear old companion, the dog, is coiled up, fast asleep at my feet, while I write these lines.Penrose has gained strength enough to keep me company in the sitting-room.In a few days more he will see Stella again.
What instructions reached the Embassy from Rome--whether Romayne received the last sacrament at the earlier period of his illness--we never heard.No objection was made, when Lord Loring proposed to remove the body to England, to be buried in the family vault at Vange Abbey.
I had undertaken to give the necessary directions for the funeral, on my arrival in London.Returning to the hotel, I met Father Benwell in the street.I tried to pass on.He deliberately stopped me.