she always is:
as dear to me as she ever was. But I wish her to go away for a time, and
I desire Lucy to accompany her. Yesterday I suggested that they should
take a trip to Nauheim, but both of them seemed unwilling to go. Yet
they must go!' cried the bishop, vehemently; 'and you must help me in my
trouble by insisting upon their immediate departure.'

Graham was more perplexed than ever. 'Has your secret trouble anything
to do with Mrs Pendle?' he demanded, hardly knowing what to say.

'It has everything to do with her!'

'Does she know that it has?'

'No, she knows nothing--not even that I am keeping a secret from her;
doctor,' said Pendle, rising, 'if I could tell you my trouble I would,
but I cannot; I dare not! If you help me, you must do so with implicit
confidence in me, knowing that I am acting for the best.'

'Well, bishop, you place me rather in a cleft stick,' said the doctor,
looking at the agitated face of the man with his shrewd little eyes. 'I
don't like acting in the dark. One should always look before he leaps,
you know.'

'But, good heavens, man! I am not asking you to do anything wrong. My
request is a perfectly reasonable one. I want my wife and daughter to
leave England for a time, and you can induce them to take the journey.'

'Well,' said Graham, calmly, 'I shall do so.'

'Thank you, Graham. It is good of you to accede to my request.'

'I wouldn't do it for everyone,' said Graham, sharply. 'And although I
do not like being shut out from your confidence, I know you well enough
to trust you thoroughly. A couple of months at Nauheim may do your wife
good, and--as you tell me--will relieve your mind.'

'It will certainly relieve my mind,' said the bishop, very emphatically.

'Very good, my lord. I'll do my very best to persuade Mrs Pendle and
your daughter to undertake the journey.'

'Of course,' said Pendle, anxiously, 'you won't tell them all I have
told you! I do not wish to explain myself too minutely to them.'

'I am not quite so indiscreet as you think, my lord,' replied Graham,
with some dryness. 'Your wife shall leave Beorminster for Nauheim
thinking that your desire for her departure is entirely on account of
her health.'

'Thank you again, doctor!' and the bishop held out his hand.

'Come,' said Graham to himself as he took it, 'this secret can't be
anything very dreadful if he gives me his hand. My lord!' he added
aloud, 'I shall see Mrs Pendle at once. But before closing