Dorothy saw that a wonderful change, such as had been incredible upon any but the witness of her own eyes and ears, had passed on her old playmate.  He was in truth a boy no longer.  Their relative position was no more what she had been of late accustomed to consider it.  But with the change a gulf had begun to yawn between them.

‘Alas, Richard!’ she said, mistaking what he meant by the signs of the times, ’those who arrogate the gift of the Holy Ghost, while their sole inspiration is the presumption of their own hearts and an overweening contempt of authority, may well mistake signs of their own causing for signs from heaven.  I but repeat the very words of good master Herbert.’

’I thought such swelling words hardly sounded like your own, Dorothy.  But tell me, why should the persuasion of man or woman hang upon the words of a fellow-mortal?  Is not the gift of the Spirit free to each who asks it?  And are we not told that each must be fully persuaded in his own mind?’

’Nay, Richard, now I have thee!  Hang you not by the word of your father, who is one, and despise the authority of the true church, which is many?’

’The true church were indeed an authority, but where shall we find it?  Anyhow, the true church is one thing, and prelatical episcopacy another.  But I have yet to learn what authority even the true church could have over a man’s conscience.’

’You need to be reminded, Richard, that the Lord of the church gave power to his apostles to bind or loose.’

’I do not need to be so reminded, Dorothy, but I do not need to be shown first that that power was over men’s consciences; and second, that it was transmitted to others by the apostles waiving the question as to the doubtful ordination of English prelates.’

Fire flashed from Dorothy’s eyes.

‘Richard Heywood,’ she said, ’the demon of spiritual pride has already entered into you, and blown you up with a self-sufficiency which I never saw in you before, or I would never, never have companied with you, as I am now ashamed to think I have done so long, even to the danger of my soul’s health.’

‘In that case I may comfort myself, mistress Dorothy Vaughan,’ said Richard, ’that you will no longer count me a boy!  But do you then no longer desire that I should take one part or the other and show myself a man?  Am I man enough yet for the woman thou art, Dorothy?  —­But, Dorothy,’ he added, with sudden change of tone, for she had in anger turned to leave him, ’I love you dearly, and I am truly sorry if I have spoken so as to offend you.  I came hither eager to share with you the great things I have learned since you left me with just contempt a fortnight ago.’

’Then it is I whose foolish words have cast you into the seat of the scorner!  Alas! alas! my poor Richard!  Never, never more, while you thus rebel against authority and revile sacred things, will I hold counsel with you.’