charm which put him at once at his ease and made him feel that
understanding and sympathy were here.

"And I have done the impossible," he said. "I have ventured to come to
talk with you about the celibacy of the clergy."

He saw the face of the other change with a curious expression, and then
melt into a smile.

"And what am I, a married clergyman, expected to say on such a topic?"

Maurice smiled at the absurdity of his own words, and then with sudden
gravity broke out earnestly:--

"I am completely at sea. All things I have believed seem to be failing
me. I don't even know what I believe."

"Will you pardon me," Strathmore asked, "if I ask why you consult me
rather than your Superior?"

Maurice flushed and hesitated: yet he felt that nothing would do but
absolute frankness.

"I will tell you!" he returned. "I was to be a priest. I went into the
Clergy House supposing that that was settled. I see now that I really
followed a friend. If he went, I couldn't be shut out. Now I have been
among men, and"--

He hesitated, but the friendly smile of the other reassured him.