Then, in answer to inquiries about himself, he fell to describing St. Anselm's with enthusiasm,--its growth, its Provost, its effectiveness as a great educational machine, the impression it had made on Oxford and the country. This led him naturally to talk of Mr. Grey, then, next to the Provost, the most prominent figure in the college; and once embarked on this theme he became more eloquent and interesting than ever. The circle of women listened to him as to a voice from the large world. He made them feel the beat of the great currents of English life and thought; he seemed to bring the stir and rush of our central English society into the deep quiet of their valley. Even the bright-haired Rose, idly swinging her pretty foot, with a head full of dreams and discontent, was beguiled, and for the moment seemed to lose her restless self in listening. He told an exciting story of a bad election riot in Oxford which had been quelled at considerable personal risk by Mr. Grey, who had gained his influence in the town by a devotion of years to the policy of breaking down as far as possible the old venomous feud between city and university. When he paused, Mrs. Leyburn said, vaguely, 'Did you say he was a canon of somewhere?' 'Oh no,' said Robert, smiling, 'he is not a clergyman.' 'But you said he preached,' said Agnes. 'Yes--but lay sermons--addresses. He is not one of us even, according to your standard and mine.' 'A Nonconformist?' sighed Mrs. Leyburn. 'Oh, I know they have let in everybody now.' 'Well, if you like,' said Robert. 'What I meant was that his opinions are not orthodox. He could not be a clergyman, but he is one of the noblest of men!' He spoke with affectionate warmth. Then suddenly Catherine's eyes met his, and he felt an involuntary start. A veil had fallen over them; her sweet moved sympathy was gone; she seemed to have shrunk into herself. She turned to Mrs. Leyburn. 'Mother, do you know, I have all sorts of messages from Aunt Ellen'--and in an under-voice she began to give Mrs. Leyburn the news of her afternoon expedition. Rose and Agnes soon plunged young Elsmere into another stream of talk. But he kept his feeling of perplexity. His experience of other women seemed to give him nothing to go upon with regard to Miss Leyburn. Presently Catherine got up and drew her plain little black cape round her again. 'My dear!' remonstrated Mrs. Leyburn. 'Where are you off to now?' 'To the Backhouses, mother,' she said in a low voice; 'I have not been there for two days. I must go this evening.' Mrs. Leyburn said no more. Catherine's 'musts' were never disputed. She moved towards Elsmere with outstretched hand. But he also sprang up. 'I, too, must be going,' he said; 'I have paid you an unconscionable visit. If you are going past the vicarage, Miss Leyburn, may I escort you so far?'