"Yes, I think so."

"Well, then, a little more application and energy now may perhaps make
up for lost time. I suppose you will go to the Temple in October?"

Frank looked at him pensively a moment.

"No, Mr. Mackintosh," he said suddenly; "I'm going on the roads. I mean
it, quite seriously. My father's disowned me. I'm starting out to-morrow
to make my own living."

There was dead silence for an instant. The Dean's face was stricken, as
though by horror. Yet Frank saw he had not in the least taken it in.

"Yes; that's really so," he said. "Please don't argue with me about it.
I'm perfectly determined."

"Your father ... Lord Talgarth ... the roads ... your own living ... the
college authorities ... responsibility!"

Words of this sort burst from Mr. Mackintosh's mouth.

"Yes ... it's because I've become a Catholic! I expect you've heard
that, sir."

Mr. Mackintosh threw himself back (if so fierce a word may be used of so
mild a manner)--threw himself back in his chair.

"Mr. Guiseley, kindly tell me all about it. I had not heard one
word--not one word."