"'Doctor,' he said, 'I wish you would make her listen. I feel much
better to-day--altogether a different man. If this improvement
continues, I shall start in a week at the farthest. And I was trying
to tell her--Doctor, you can have no notion of her goodness.
'I was a stranger and she took me in'--'

"Miss Montmorency, with her hand on the door, turned sharply round at
this, and shot a queer sort of look at me. I thought she was going
to speak; but she didn't.

"'Excuse me,' I said to the Bishop, as the door closed, 'but that's
your Bible, I take it, on the table yonder. May I have it for a
moment?'

"I picked it up and followed Miss Montmorency, whom I found just
outside on the landing.

"'What's the meaning of it?' she demanded, very low and fierce.

"'I guessed that text had jerked you a bit. No, I haven't given you
away. He was talking out of the Bible.' I found the place for her.
'You'd better take it to your room and read the whole passage,' said
I, and went back to the parlour.

"'I have lent your Bible to Miss Montmorency,' I said.

"The Bishop seemed lost in thought, but made no remark until we were
outside the house and starting for our short walk. Then he laid a
hand on my arm. 'Forgive me,' he said; 'I had no idea you were
earnest in these matters.'