Black Robe, The

humming a tune." <SPAN name="linkCH0030" id="linkCH0030"></SPAN></p> <div style="height: 4em;"> <br/> <br/> <br/> <br/></div> <h2> CHAPTER VIII. </h2> <h3> FATHER BENWELL'S CORRESPONDENCE </h3> <p><i>To the Secretary, S. J., Rome.</i></p> <p class="center"> I.</p> <p>I BEG to acknowledge the receipt of your letter. You mention that our Reverend Fathers are discouraged at not having heard from me for more than six weeks, since I reported the little dinner given to Romayne at my lodgings.</p> <p>I am sorry for this, and more than sorry to hear that my venerated brethren are beginning to despair of Romayne's conversion. Grant me a delay of another week&mdash;and, if the prospects of the conversion have not sensibly improved in that time, I will confess myself defeated. Meanwhile, I bow to superior wisdom, without venturing to add a word in my own defense.</p> <p class="center"> II.</p> <p>The week's grace granted to me has elapsed. I write with humility. At the same time I have something to say for myself.</p> <p>Yesterday, Mr. Lewis Romayne, of Vange Abbey, was received into the community of the Holy Catholic Church. I inclose an accurate newspaper report of the ceremonies which attended the conversion.</p> <p>Be pleased to inform me, by telegraph, whether our Reverend Fathers wish <div style="break-after:column;"></div><br />