him to take up a burden he disliked and sooner or later he would hear
the voice and recognise the authority to which he had been taught to
bow his own will. Yet both of them, without consultation or any word,
knew it was not for them to interpret the call for him. Their work was
over now. If they had taught him to set no value on the prizes of the
world and to regard the means as of equal importance to the end, they
had also taught him that duty may come in many disguises, but once
recognised, her sway must be absolute. Christopher would discover her
in time, but they must hold their peace lest conflicting motives
should hamper his surrender to her call.

"I'm going to meet Mr. Saunderson in town to-morrow," Christopher went
on, "I am not quite clear yet how it's to be worked. I am only clear I
won't touch money of that sort. It costs too much. I feel pretty
certain Mr. Saunderson _has_ instructions what to do, if I refuse
it."

He looked at Mr. Aston with an unusual desire for confirmation of his
hope and his decision. A strong inclination to appeal for such support
pressed him sorely. But he knew it was only confirmation of his own
determination he sought, and his ingrained independence of mind shrank
from such a proceeding.

"If you know what you want to do and what you ought to do, why appeal
to me?" Caesar had repeatedly told the small boy he was fitting out for
life: yet who so kind or patient when the decision still hung in the
balance and uncertainty held the scales? There was no uncertainty now,
Christopher told himself, and allowed none either to himself or to
them. One concession only did he permit himself. He turned to Mr.
Aston a little shyly.

"Would you go with me, St. Michael? I am afraid of Mr. Saunderson's
wrath if I am unprotected."

Mr. Aston gravely expressed his willingness to hold his hand and see
him through. After which Christopher went out to fetch Patricia. He
found her sitting on the floor at Renata's feet, the latter fussing
over her with matronly joy and sisterly love, and talking
inconsequently between times of Charlotte, with what would appear to
an outsider irrelevance of the first order.

"Charlotte will be a most desirable bridesmaid," Christopher remarked
after he had listened a moment, whereupon Renata became greatly
confused and Patricia laughed without any embarrassment whatever.

"Charlotte has not yet had time to signify her approval," she said. "I
rely on her judgment