She drove off, and I waited at the vestry door for my father. He came out with half-closed eyes, and seemed scarcely to see me. I walked by his side, and repeated what Lady Naselton had told me. Contrary to my expectations, the news was sufficient to rouse him from his apathy. “The Bishop here to-night!” he repeated, thoughtfully. “You are quite sure that there is no mistake? It is the Bishop of Exchester?” I nodded assent. “So Lady Naselton assured me. I have heard her say more than once that they knew him very well indeed. She is most anxious that you should do your very best. It seems that there are two stalls vacant at the cathedral.” The light flashed into his eyes for a moment, and then died out. “If only it had been a week ago,” he said. “I have other things in my mind now. I am not in the mood to prepare anything worth listening to.” “Those other things, father,” I said, softly. “Are we to remain wholly ignorant of them? If there is any trouble to be faced, we are ready to take our share.” He shook his head, and a wan smile flickered for a moment upon his pale lips. He looked at me not unkindly. “It may come, Kate,” he said, softly. “Till then, be patient and ask no questions.” We had reached the house, and I said no more. Directly after luncheon, at which he ate scarcely anything, he went into his study. We hoped, Alice and I, that he had gone to work. But in less than half an hour he came out. I met him in the hall. “My hat and stick, Kate,” he said. “I am going for a walk.” His manner forbade questions, but as he was leaving the house an impulse came to me. “May I come with you, father?” I asked. “I was going for a walk too.” He hesitated for a moment, and seemed about to refuse. What made him change his mind I could never tell. But he did change it. “Yes, you can come,” he said, shortly. “I am starting now, though. I cannot wait for a moment.” “I am quite ready,” I answered, taking my hat and gloves from the stand. So we passed out of the house together. At the gate he paused for a moment, and I thought that he was going to take the road which led to the Yellow House and Deville Court. Apparently he changed his mind, however. “We will take the footpath to Bromilow Downs,” he said. “I have never been there.”