Constantine
upon one occasion. A temporary self-surrender to the sophism that if Mr.
Louis Glanville chose to give away anything belonging to his sister, she,
Tabitha, had a right to take it without question, was soon checked by a
resolve to carry the tempting strings of coral to her ladyship that
evening, and inquire the truth about them. This decided on she slipped
the bracelet into her pocket, and played her voluntaries with a light
heart.

* * * * *

Bishop Helmsdale did not tear himself away from Welland till about two
o'clock that afternoon, which was three hours later than he had intended
to leave. It was with a feeling of relief that Swithin, looking from the
top of the tower, saw the carriage drive out from the vicarage into the
turnpike road, and whirl the right reverend gentleman again towards
Warborne. The coast being now clear of him Swithin meditated how to see
Viviette, and explain what had happened. With this in view he waited
where he was till evening came on.

Meanwhile Lady Constantine and her brother dined by themselves at Welland
House. They had not met since the morning, and as soon as they were left
alone Louis said, 'You have done very well so far; but you might have
been a little warmer.'

'Done well?' she asked, with surprise.

'Yes, with the Bishop. The difficult question is how to follow up our
advantage. How are you to keep yourself in sight of him?'

'Heavens, Louis! You don't seriously mean that the Bishop of Melchester
has any feelings for me other than friendly?'

'Viviette, this is affectation. You know he has as well as I do.'

She sighed. 'Yes,' she said. 'I own I had a suspicion of the same
thing. What a misfortune!'

'A misfortune? Surely the world is turned upside down! You will drive
me to despair about our future if you see things so awry. Exert yourself
to do something, so as to make of this accident a stepping-stone to
higher things. The gentleman will give us the slip if we don't pursue
the friendship at once.'

'I cannot have you talk like this,' she cried impatiently. 'I have no
more thought of the Bishop than I have of the Pope. I would much rather
not have had him here to lunch at all. You said it would be necessary to
do it, and an opportunity, and I thought it my duty to show some
hospitality when he was coming so near, Mr. Torkingham's house being so
small. But of course I understood that the opportunity would be one for
you in getting