Ella held it very firmly in her hand.

"Dunk came to me in great distress. He said you were insensible and
breathing heavily. I came. I realized. I told him to say nothing to any
one, but to fetch me a tray with your breakfast. I have kept all the
other servants away and I have waited here by you.... Dunk I think
is safe.... You have been muttering and moving your head from side to
side...."

The bishop's mind was confused. He felt as though God must be standing
just outside the room. "I have failed in my duty," he said. "But I am
very near to God." He laid his hand on her arm. "You know, Ella, He is
very close to us...."

She looked perplexed.

He sat up in his chair.

"For some months now," he said, "there have been new forces at work
in my mind. I have been invaded by strange doubts and still stranger
realizations. This old church of ours is an empty mask. God is not
specially concerned in it."

"Edward!" she cried, "what are you saying?"

"I have been hesitating to tell you. But I see now I must tell you
plainly. Our church is a cast hull. It is like the empty skin of a
snake. God has gone out of it."

She rose to her feet. She was so horrified that she staggered backward,
pushing her chair behind her. "But you are mad," she said.

He was astonished at her distress. He stood up also.

"My dear," he said, "I can assure you I am not mad. I should have
prepared you, I know...."

She looked at him wild-eyed. Then she glanced at the phial, gripped in
her hand.

"Oh!" she exclaimed, and going swiftly to the window emptied out the
contents of the little bottle. He realized what she was doing too late
to prevent her.

"Don't waste that!" he cried, and stepping forward caught hold of her
wrist. The phial fell from her white fingers, and crashed upon the rough
paved garden path below.

"My dear," he cried, "my dear. You do not understand."

They stood face to face. "It was a tonic," he said. "I have been ill. I
need it."

"It is a drug," she answered. "You have been uttering blasphemies."

He dropped her arm and walked half-way across the room. Then he turned
and faced her.

"They are not blasphemies," he said. "But I ought not to have surprised
you and shocked you as I have done. I want to tell you of changes that
have happened to my mind."

"Now!" she exclaimed, and then: "I will not hear them now. Until you are
better. Until these fumes--"

Her manner changed. "Oh, Edward!" she cried, "why have