heartless in his dealings with his flock, and particularly
with his under-shepherds."

Mark did not know what to answer, but he wanted to help the Bishop
understand his own feelings.

"I like Father Murray very much, my dear Lord--or rather my dear
Bishop."

It was the Bishop's turn to smile. "You are getting our ways fast, Mr.
Griffin. When we part, I suppose you'll slap me on the back and say
'Bish.'"

"The Lord forbid."

"For my back's sake," the Bishop was looking at Mark's strong
shoulders, "for my back's sake I hope the Lord does forbid. But to
your question. I must get at the answer in a round-about way. Father
Murray, or Monsignore Murray, for he is a prelate, was one of my
dearest friends. For no man had I a greater regard. He was the soul
of generosity, earnest, zealous, kind, and--I believed then--a saint."

"_Then_?"

"_Then_. I am going to confide in you, and for a good purpose. You
like him. His people in Sihasset adore him, as did his curates and his
people at the Cathedral. I expected, as did others, that he would be
in the place I occupy to-day." The Bishop broke off to look fixedly at
Mark for a moment. "Mr. Griffin, may I trust you to do your friend a
service?"

"Yes, Bishop, you may."

"Then I will. I have no other way to do this thing. I cannot do it
through another priest. They are all of one mind except a few of the
younger ones who might make matters worse. You can help Monsignore
Murray, if you will. Now, listen well. You heard the conversation
between my secretary and myself at the rectory, did you not? You were
in the next room, I know."

"Yes; I could not help hearing it, and there was no way of escape."

"I know there was no escape. You heard it all?"

"All."

"That decides me to tell you more. It may be providential that you
heard. A woman's name was mentioned?"

"No name, only a reference to a woman, but I think I know who was
meant."

"Exactly." The Bishop's voice took on even a graver tone. "What I am
going to say to you is given into your confidence for a stronger reason
than to have you think more charitably of a bishop in his dealings with
his priests. I am taking you into my confidence chiefly for Monsignore
Murray's sake. He is a _different_ sort of man from the ordinary type.
He has few intimate friends because his charity is very wide. You seem
to be one of the rare beings he regards with special favor. You like
him in return. T