'I have never noticed anything of the sort,' said Mr. Torkingham.

'It would be a matter for regret,' said the Bishop, 'if he should follow

his father in forming an attachment that would be a hindrance to him in

any honourable career; though perhaps an early marriage, intrinsically

considered, would not be bad for him. A youth who looks as if he had

come straight from old Greece may be exposed to many temptations, should

he go out into the world without a friend or counsellor to guide him.' Despite her sudden jealousy Viviette's eyes grew moist at the picture of

her innocent Swithin going into the world without a friend or counsellor.

But she was sick in soul and disquieted still by Louis's dreadful

remarks, who, unbeliever as he was in human virtue, could have no reason

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whatever for representing Swithin as engaged in a private love affair if

such were not his honest impression.

She was so absorbed during the remainder of the luncheon that she did not

even observe the kindly light that her presence was shedding on the right

reverend ecclesiastic by her side. He reflected it back in tones duly

mellowed by his position; the minor clergy caught up the rays thereof,

and so the gentle influence played down the table.

The company soon departed when luncheon was over, and the remainder of

the day passed in quietness, the Bishop being occupied in his room at the

vicarage with writing letters or a sermon. Having a long journey before

him the next day he had expressed a wish to be housed for the night

without ceremony, and would have dined alone with Mr. Torkingham but

that, by a happy thought, Lady Constantine and her brother were asked to

join them.

However, when Louis crossed the churchyard and entered the vicarage

drawing-room at seven o'clock, his sister was not in his company. She

was, he said, suffering from a slight headache, and much regretted that

she was on that account unable to come. At this intelligence the social

sparkle disappeared from the Bishop's eye, and he sat down to table,

endeavouring to mould into the form of episcopal serenity an expression

which was really one of common human disappointment.

In his simple statement Louis Glanville had by no means expressed all the

circumstances which accompanied his sister's refusal, at the last moment,

to dine at her neighbour's house. Louis had strongly urged her to bear

up against her slight indisposition--if it were that, and not

disinclination--and come along with him on just this one occasion,

perhaps a more important episode in her life than she was aware of.

Viviette thereupon knew quite well that he alluded to the favourable

impression she was producing on the Bishop, notwithstanding that neither

of them mentioned the Bishop's name. But she did not give way, though

the argument waxed strong between them; and Louis left her in no very

amiable mood, saying, 'I don't believe you have any more headache than I

have, Viviette. It is some provoking whim of yours--nothing more.' In this there was a substratum of truth. When her brother had left her,

and she had seen him from the window entering the vicarage gate, Viviette

seemed to be much relieved, and sat down in her bedroom till the evening

grew dark, and only the lights shining through the trees from the

parsonage dining-room revealed to the eye where that dwelling stood.




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