“Was it Mr. Scarlett?” said Rachel, feeling Dick’s lynx eye upon her.  “I was at Wilderleigh when the accident happened.”

“That’s the man.  He got out at Southminster, and asked me which was the best hotel.  No, I won’t have any more, thanks.  I’ll go up and see Miss Gresley at once.”

Rachel followed the Bishop into the library.  They generally waited there together till the doctor came down.

“I don’t know many young men I like better than Dick,” said the Bishop.  “I should marry him if I were a young woman.  I admire the way he acts up to his principles.  Very few of us do.  Until he has a further light on the subject, he is right to, knock a man down who insults him.  And from his point of view he was justified in speaking to Mr. Gresley as he did.  I was sorely tempted to say something of that kind to him myself, but as one grows gray one realizes that one can only speak in a spirit of love.  A man of Dick’s stamp will always be respected, because he does not assume virtues which belong to a higher grade than he is on at present.  But when he reaches that higher grade he will act as thoroughly upon the convictions that accompany it as he does now on his present convictions.”

“He certainly would not turn the other cheek to the smiter.”

“I should not advise the smiter to reckon on it.  And unless it is turned from that rare sense of spiritual brotherhood it would be unmanly to turn it.  To imitate the outward appearance of certain virtues is like imitating the clothes of a certain class.  It does not make us belong to the class to dress like it.  The true foundation for the spiritual life, as far as I can see it, is in the full development of our human nature with all its simple trusts and aspirations.  I admire Dick’s solid foundation.  It will carry a building worthy of him some day.  But my words of wisdom appear to be thrown away upon you.  You are thinking of something else.”

“I was thinking that I ought to tell you that I am engaged to be married.”

The Bishop’s face lit up.

“I am engaged to Mr. Scarlett.  That is why he has come down here.”

The Bishop’s face fell.  Rachel had been three days at the Palace.  Dick had not allowed the grass to grow under his feet.  “That admirable promptitude,” the Bishop had remarked to himself, “deserves success.”

“Poor, dear Dick,” he said, softly.

“That is what Hester says.  I told her yesterday.”

“I really have a very high opinion of Dick,” said the Bishop.

“So have I. If I might have two I would certainly choose him second.”

“But this superfluous Mr. Scarlett comes first, eh?”

“I am afraid he does.”

“Well,” said the Bishop, with a sigh, “if you are so ungrateful as to marry to please yourself, instead of to please me, there is nothing more to be said.  I will have a look at your Mr. Scarlett when he comes to tea.  I suppose he will come to tea.  I notice the most farouche men do when they are engaged.  It is the first step in the turning process.  I shall, of course, bring an entirely unprejudiced mind to bear upon him, as I always make a point of doing, but I warn you beforehand I shan’t like him.”