frequently grumbled
that it was hard a man should have his trade spoilt by a psalm-singing
missionary, but a wholesome fear of Cargrim's threat to inform Sir Harry
checked him from asking Baltic to leave. Moreover, the man was greatly
liked by Mrs Mosk on account of his religious spirit, and approved of by
Bell from the order he kept in the hotel. Therefore Mosk, being in the
minority, could only stand on one side and grumble, which he did with
true English zeal.

It was while Baltic was thus exciting Beorminster that Sir Harry Brace
came back. Gabriel, in pursuance of his father's wish, had gone over to
Nauheim after a short interview with Bell, in which he had told her of
his father's opposition to the match. Bell was cast down, but did not
despair, as she thought that the bishop might soften towards Gabriel
during his absence; so she sent him abroad with a promise that she would
remain true to him until he returned. When the curate joined Mrs Pendle
and Lucy, Sir Harry, with much regret, had to relinquish his pre-nuptial
honeymoon, and returned to Beorminster in the lowest of spirits. The
bishop did not tell him about Gabriel's infatuation for Bell, nor did he
explain that George had engaged himself secretly to Mab Arden, so Harry
was quite in the dark as regards the domestic dissensions, and,
ascribing the bishop's gloom to the absence of his family, visited him
frequently in order to cheer him up. But the dark hour was on Bishop
Pendle, and notwithstanding the harping of this David, the evil spirit
would not depart.

'What is the matter with the bishop?' asked Harry one evening of
Cargrim. 'He is as glum as an owl.'

'I do not know what ails him,' replied the chaplain, who, for reasons of
his own, was resolved to hold his tongue, 'unless it is that he has been
working too hard of late.'

'It isn't that, Cargrim; all the years I have known him he has never
been so down-in-the-mouth before. I fancy he has something on his mind.'

'If you think so, Sir Harry, why not ask him?'

Brace shook his head. 'That would never do!' he answered. 'The bishop
doesn't like to be asked questions. I wish I could see him livelier; is
there nothing you can suggest to cheer him up?'

'Baltic might deliver another lecture on the South Seas!' said Cargrim,
blandly. 'His lordship was pleased with the last one.'

'Baltic!' repeated Sir Harry, giving a meditative twist to his black
moustache, 'that missionary fellow. I was going to