description," Cardington declared. "I could no more make the subject
clear to you than you could explain to me the _n_th degree of _x+z_, if
there is any such expression in algebra, which I should n't be
surprised to discover is the case."

"Then I shall have to possess my soul in patience," Leigh answered,
with apparent indifference.

When they emerged from the shadow of the Hall, and plunged between the
lines of maples, they were obliged to go in single file, for the
narrowness of the way. The young mathematician glanced at the last
melancholy glow of the sunset which spread out in a faint, fan-shaped
aurora above a dun rampart of clouds. His love of nature was no less
keen than his appreciation of people and events. The mathematician and
the poet held alternate sway over him. This di-psychic quality was
evidenced by the rapidity with which the expression of his eye would
frequently change from cold calculation to a certain rapt observation,
as if he looked up from a complicated problem to contemplate a glimpse
of blue distance. Thus it was that he appreciated to the full the
panorama spread out before him, though his mind was intent upon another
subject; or rather, it might be said that the sight gave warmth and
colouring to his thought. He had passed the place of that first
meeting several times during the week, and never without a vivid
remembrance of it. If the young woman who had made such an impression
upon him were the bishop's daughter, why had he not seen her in the
interim, at the initial service in the chapel when visitors were
present, upon the grounds, or in the streets of the city? Perhaps she
had been away, and had just returned. At all events, he should know
before long.