"No; so far as I am aware, at least, you retain your right to reside there; but I can hardly think that it would be expedient." "And the church! They must have their church back again. Who is going to rebuild it for them?" Carlton was on his feet in the last excitement. The bishop regarded him with puzzled eyebrows. "I have heard nothing on that subject as yet; it is a little early, is it not? But I have no doubt that it will be a matter for subscription among themselves." "Among my poor people?" "With substantial aid, I should hope, from men of substance in the neighbourhood." "But why should they pay?" cried Carlton, impetuously. "The church was not burnt down for my neighbours' sins, nor for the sins of the parish, but for mine alone . . . Oh, my lord, if I could but go back among my people, and be their servant, I who was too much their master before! I was not quite dependent--thank God, I had a little of my own--but every penny should be theirs!" And the profligate priest stood upright before his bishop--his white hands clasped, his white face shining, his burning eyes moist--zealot and suppliant in one. "You desire to spend your income----" "No, no, my capital!" "On the poor of your parish? I--I fail to understand." "And I scarcely dare make you!" confessed Carlton, his full voice failing him. "I so fear your disapproval; and I could set my face against all the world, but against you never, much less after this morning . . . Oh, my lord, I have set my poor people a dastardly example, and brought cruel shame upon my cloth; for its sake and for theirs, if not for my own, let me at least leave among them a tangible sign and symbol of my true repentance. I have the chance! I have such a chance as God alone in His infinite mercy could vouchsafe to a miserable sinner. My church at Long Stow has been burnt down through me--through my sin--to punish me----" "Are you sure of that, Mr. Carlton?" "I know it, my lord. And I want to do what only seems to me my bounden and my obvious duty, and to do it soon." The bishop looked enlightened but amazed. "You would rebuild the church out of your own pocket? Is that really your wish?" "It is my prayer!" VIII THE LORD OF THE MANOR.