"There is, and there always will be, a certain number of people, not only among the clergy," she went on, "who, as somebody says, 'put the church clock back,' and are unable to see that they cannot alter the time of day for all that; only they can and do prevent many well-intentioned people from trusting to it any longer. But there are others here and there whom a dogmatic form of religion has been quite unable to spoil, whose more simple turn of mind draws out of the very system that appears to you so lifeless and effete, a real faith, a personal possession, which no one can take from them." Her eyes sparkled as she spoke, and Charles saw that she was thinking of Mr. Alwynn. "He has got it," he said, slowly, "this something which we all want, and for the greater part never find. He has got it. To see and recognize it early is a great thing," he continued, earnestly. "To disbelieve in it in early life, and cavil at all the caricatures and imitations, and only come to find out its reality comparatively later on, is a great misfortune--a great misfortune." She felt that he was speaking of himself, and they rode on in silence, each grave with a sense of mutual understanding and companionship. They forded the stream, and trotted up the little village street, the cottagers gazing admiringly after them till they disappeared within the great arched gate-way. And Charles looked at his old house as they paced up the wide drive, and wondered whether it were indeed possible that the lonely years he had spent in it had come to an end at last--at last. Ruth had noticed that he had lost no opportunity of talking to her, and when she heard him conversing with Lady Grace, or plunging into fashionable slang with Miss Wyndham, found herself admiring the facility with which he adapted himself to different people. The following afternoon, as she was writing in the library, she was amused to see that he found it incumbent on him to write too, even going so far as to produce a letter from Molly, whose correspondence he said he invariably answered by return. "You seem very fond of giving Molly pleasure," said Ruth. "I am glad to see, Miss Deyncourt, that you are beginning to estimate me at my true worth." "You have it in your power just now to give a great pleasure," said Ruth, earnestly, laying down the pen which she had taken up. "How?" "It seems so absurd when it is put into words, but--by asking Mrs. Alwynn some time to stay here. She has always longed to see Stoke Moreton, because--well, because Mrs. Thursby has; and real, positive, actual tears were shed that she could not come when you asked us." "Is it possible?" said Charles. "It is the first time that any letter of mine has caused emotion of that description."