been of a different character, or had he perceived any suggestion of a
romantic mood in the woman at his side. Quick to feel an atmosphere,
he found that he had caught from her a sombre view. How deeply she
thought or felt he could only guess, but hers was a personality that
suggested depth, and the far sadness of her gaze shut the door between
them which he had supposed about to open wider. The bishop turned
unexpectedly.

"The groom has forgotten the ring," he said to his daughter. "Will you
lend him yours?"

She glanced quickly at her hands, and a delicate colour crept into her
face.

"I must have left it in my room," she answered. She made no motion to
go for it, and, turning from her with a hint of impatience, he drew his
seal ring from his finger.

The incident, slight as it was, assumed unusual significance in the
minds of the spectators, and gave the ceremony a tone akin to comedy.
Perhaps they enjoyed the bishop's impatience, the sight of the
episcopal ring upon the girl's finger; or it may be that these things
reminded them of the portentous solemnity into which they had sunk.
Miss Wycliffe especially seemed to welcome the diversion, and showed an
ebullient vivacity when she offered her congratulations, which Leigh
had not previously observed in her.

It was the bishop, however, and not his daughter, who saved the
situation for the embarrassed couple he had just made man and wife. It
was he who ordered wine and cake, and drank their happiness with a