"That's the word!" he said gratefully. Then he added--hesitating--"I ought perhaps to tell you that I have written to Meynell--I wrote when the first report of the thing reached me. And I am sure that he can have no possible objection to my showing you his reply!" He put his hand into his pocket. "By all means, my dear Dornal!" cried the Bishop with a brightening countenance. "We are both his friends, in spite of all that has happened and may happen. By all means, show me the letter." Dornal handed it over. It ran as follows: "MY DEAR DORNAL: It was like you to write to me, and with such kindness and delicacy. But even to you I can only say what I say to other questioners of a very different sort. The story to which you refer is untrue. But owing to peculiar circumstances it is impossible for me to defend myself in the ordinary way, and my lips are sealed with regard to it. I stand upon my character as known to my neighbours and the diocese for nearly twenty years. If that is not enough, I cannot help it. "Thank you always for the goodness and gentleness of your letter. I wish with all my heart I could give you more satisfaction." The two men looked at each other, the same conjectures passing through both minds. "I hear the Fox-Wiltons and Miss Puttenham have all gone abroad," said the Bishop thoughtfully. "Poor things! I begin to see a glimmer. It seems to me that Meynell has been the repository of some story he feels he cannot honourably divulge. And then you tell me the letters show the handiwork of some one intimately acquainted with the local circumstances, who seems to have watched Meynell's daily life. It is of course possible that he may have been imprudent with regard to this poor lady. Let us assume that he knew her story and advised her. He may not have been sufficiently careful. Further, there is that striking and unfortunate likeness of which Barron of course makes the most. I noticed it myself, on an evening when I happened, at Maudeley, to see that handsome girl and Meynell in the same room. It is difficult to say in what it consists, but it must occur to many people who see them together." There was silence a moment. Then Dornal said: "How will it all affect the trial?" "In the Court of Arches? Technically of course--not at all. But it will make all the difference to the atmosphere in which it is conducted. One can imagine how certain persons are already gloating over it--what use they will make of it--how they will magnify and embroider everything. And such an odious story! It is the degradation of a great issue!"