all to my
rector's self-sacrificing endeavors on my behalf--of course, through
God's blessing."

"Then," said Malling, "you think that Mr. Harding changed you by his
influence?"

"He helped me to develop, he brought me on. Jealousy was unknown to him.
I was a very poor preacher. He taught me how to hold people's attention.
When I knew he was near me I sometimes seemed almost inspired. I was
inspired by him. I preached almost as if out of his mouth. And now!"

He made a despairing gesture.

"Now it will all be different!" he exclaimed.

And almost involuntarily Malling found himself echoing:

"Yes, now it will all be different."

He had seen, he had heard, enough to make his report to the professor,
and he resolved to go. He held out his hand.

"Oh, but," said Chichester, pressing one hand to his forehead, "I'm so
selfish, so forgetful in my great grief! Surely you said you had come
on some matter of importance."

"It will wait," said Malling. "Another day. Go and rest now. You need
rest. Any one can see that."

"Thank you, thank you," said Chichester, with quivering lips. "You are
very thoughtful, very good."

Malling took his hand in farewell. As he did so there was a sharp knock
at the front door. Chichester started violently.

"Oh, I do hope it is no one for me!" he cried out. "I cannot--"

He opened the door of the sitting-room a little way and listened. Voices
were audible below, Ellen's voice and another woman's.

"You, ma'am! Oh, of course he will see you!"

"Of course."

"I didn't know who it was, ma'am."

"Is it this way?"

"Yes, ma'am. I'll show you. We do feel it, ma'am. The poor gentleman used
to come here so often of nights."

"Did he? I didn't know that."

Malling recognized the second voice as Lady Sophia's. A moment, and she
was ushered into the room. She was dressed in black, but not in widow's
weeds, and wore a veil which she pushed hastily up as she came in almost
with a rush. When she saw Malling, for a moment she looked disconcerted.

"Oh, I thought--" she began. She stood still. Chichester said nothing,
and did not move. Malling went toward her.

"I was very much grieved," he said, "at the news I heard to-day."

She gave him her hand. He knew his words were conventional. How could
they be anything else? But Lady Sophia's manner in giving him her hand
was not conventional. She stretched it out without even looking at him.
She said nothing. Her eyes were fixed upon Chich