His tone meant more than his words expressed. Kate’s eyes sought Jack’s in alarm, only to be instantly averted. Though she had the urn before her, she turned red and white, and had to bury her face in her cup to hide her discomposure. Yet she need not have feared. Mr. Bonamy was otherwise engaged, and as for Jack, her embarrassment told him nothing of which he was not already aware. He knew that his service was and must be a thankless and barren service—that to him fell the empty part of the slave in the triumph. Had he not within the last few hours—when the news that the rector had descended the Big Pit to tend the wounded and comfort the dying first reached the town, and a dozen voices were loud in his praise—had he not seen Kate’s face now bright with triumph and now melting with tender anxiety. Had he not felt a bitter pang of jealousy as he listened to his friend’s praises? and had he not crushed down the feeling manfully, bravely, heroically, and spoken as loudly, ay, and as cordially after an instant’s effort, as the most fervent? Yes, he had done all this and suffered all this, being one of those who believe that Loyalty is still the same, Whether it win or lose the game: True as the dial to the sun, Although it be not shone upon. And he was not going to flinch now. He put no more questions to Mr. Bonamy, but, when breakfast was finished, he got up and went out. It needed not the covert glance which he shot at Kate as he disappeared, to assure her that he was going about her unspoken errand. Five minutes saw him face to face with the rector on the latter’s hearth-rug. Or, rather, to be accurate, five minutes saw him staring irate and astonished at his host while Lindo, with one foot on the fender and his eyes on the fire, seemed very willing to avoid his gaze. “You have made up your mind to resign!” Jack exclaimed, in accents almost awe-stricken. “You are joking!” But the rector, still looking down, shook his head. “No, Jack, I am not,” he said slowly. “I am in earnest.” “Then may I ask when you came to this extraordinary resolution?” the barrister retorted. “And why?” “Last night; and because—well, because I thought it right,” was the answer. “You thought it right?” Jack’s tone was a fine mixture of wonder, contempt, and offence. It made Lindo wince, but it did not shake his resolution. “Yes,” he said firmly. “That is so.” “And that is all you are going to tell me, is it? You put yourself in my hands a few days ago. You took my advice and acted upon it, and now, without a word of explanation, you throw me over! Good heavens! I have no patience with you!” Jack added, beginning to walk up and down the room. “Is not the position the same to-day as yesterday? Tell me that.” “Well,” the rector began, turning and speaking slowly, “the truth is——” “No!” cried the barrister, interrupting him ruthlessly. “Tell me this first. Is not the position the same to-day as yesterday?”