Westminster, and raising there a temple to the living God, which might
influence the future welfare of millions, and even effect the salvation
of his country, he began to ask himself whether he could incur the
responsibility of shrinking from the fulfilment of this great duty.

Lothair could not have a better adviser on the subject of the influence
of architecture on religion than Monsignore Catesby. Monsignore Catesby
had been a pupil of Pugin; his knowledge of ecclesiastical architecture
was only equalled by his exquisite taste. To hear him expound the
mysteries of symbolical art, and expatiate on the hidden revelations of
its beauteous forms, reached even to ecstasy. Lothair hung upon his
accents like a neophyte. Conferences with Father Coleman on those
points of faith on which they did not differ, followed up by desultory
remarks on those points of faith on which they ought not to differ --
critical discussions with Monsignore Catesby on cathedrals, their forms,
their purposes, and the instances in several countries in which those
forms were most perfect and those purposes best secured -- occupied a
good deal of time; and yet these engaging pursuits were secondary in
real emotion to his frequent conversations with Miss Arundel in whose
society every day he took a strange and deeper interest.

She did not extend to him that ready sympathy which was supplied by the
two priests. On the contrary, when he was apt to indulge in those
speculations which they always encouraged, and rewarded by adroit
applause, she was often silent, throwing on him only the scrutiny of
those violet yes, whose glance was rather fascinating than apt to
captivate. And yet he was irresistibly drawn to her, and, once recalling
the portrait in the gallery, he ventured to murmur that they were
kinsfolk.