“Oh, it's not the first time I've spoken to a clergyman, ma'am. I'm the daughter of a clergyman, and the granddaughter of a clergyman, and I know what a clergyman is when he is brave and good, and gentle and merciful to all women, and when he is a man and a gentleman--not a Pharisee and a crocodile!” “Please take that girl away,” said the chairman. But John Storm was by her side in a moment. “No, sir,” he said, “nobody shall do that.” But now Glory had broken down too, and the girls, like two lost children, were crying on each other's breasts. John opened the door and led them up to it. “Take your friend to her room, nurse: I shall be with you presently.” Then he turned back to the chairman, still holding the crumpled pamphlet in his hand, and said calmly and respectfully: “And now that you have finished with the woman, sir, may I ask what you intend to do with the man?” “What man?” “Though I did not feel myself qualified to sit in judgment on the broken heart of a fallen girl, I happen to know the name which she was forbidden to mention, and I find it here, sir--here in your list of subscribers and governors.” “Well, what of it?” “You have wiped the girl out of your books, sir. Now I ask you to wipe the man out also.” “Gentlemen,” said the chairman, rising, “the business of the board is at an end.” XVIII. John Storm wrote a letter to Mrs. Callender explaining Polly Love's situation and asking her to call on the girl immediately, and then he went out in search of Lord Robert Ure at the address he had discovered in the report. He found the man alone on his arrival, but Drake came in soon afterward. Lord Robert received him with a chilly bow; Drake offered his hand coldly; neither of them requested him to sit. “You are surprised at my visit, gentlemen,” said John, “but I have just now been present at a painful scene, and I thought it necessary that you should know something about it.” Then he described what had occurred in the board room, and in doing so dwelt chiefly on the abjectness of the girl's humiliation. Lord Robert stood by the window rapping a tune on the window pane, and Drake sat in a low chair with his legs stretched out and his hands in his trousers pockets. “But I am at a loss to understand why you have thought it necessary to come here to tell that story,” said Lord Robert. “Lord Robert,” said John, “you understand me perfectly.” “Excuse me, Mr. Storm, I do not understand you in the least.” “Then I will not ask you if you are responsible for the girl's position.” “Don't.” “But I will ask you a simpler and easier question.” “What is it?” “When are you going to marry her?” Lord Robert burst into ironical laughter and faced round to Drake. “Well, these men--these curates--their assurance, don't you know... May I ask your reverence what is _your_ position in this matter--your standing, don't you know?” “That of chaplain of the hospital.” “But you say she has been, turned out of it.”