said all that was necessary.

At the entrance to John's grounds Lugur turned to the railway station
and John walked slowly onward through the wooded park till he came to
the main entrance of the house. There were few lights in the front rooms
and when the door was opened to him he was painfully conscious of a
great silence. He had expected the want of company and light, for Jane
had told him she would not return until the following day; but even if
we expect unpleasant conditions, the realized expectation does not
console us for them. But his dinner was immediately served and he ate it
with leisurely enjoyment, letting his thoughts drift calmly with his
physical rest and refreshment.

After dinner he was quickly absorbed in a variety of calculations and,
lost in this arbitrary occupation, forgot all else until the clock
chimed ten. Then with a sigh he folded away a note of results and
ordered the closing of the house. A new light was immediately on his
face, and he went upstairs like a man who has a purpose. This purpose
took him to little Martha's sleeping-room. He opened the door gently.
There was only a rush light burning, but its faint beams showed him the
soft white bed on which his darling lay sleeping. Noiselessly he stepped
to her side and for a few moments stood in silent prayer, looking at the
lovely sleeper. No one saw him, no one heard him, and he left the little
sanctuary unnoticed by any human eye.

Then he went to his own room, turned the key in his chamber door, and
walked straight to the Bible lying open on its stand; and as he read, a
glory seemed to shine over its pages and his face reflected the comfort
and joy he found there. And afterwards as he stood before the Book with
lifted eyes and clasped hands, he was a visible incarnation of that
beautiful manliness which is the outcome and result of nearly two
thousand years of Christian thought and feeling.

[Illustration: "Noiselessly he stepped to her side and ... stood in
silent prayer."]

He had not permitted himself to think of his wife. His calculations had
demanded his whole mind and intellect and he had purposely occupied
himself with subjects that would not permit wandering thought. For he
was aware that he had once been jealous of Lord Thirsk and he knew that
it was not pleasant for him to think of Jane brightening with her
beauty Lord Thirsk's mansion while he sat lonely in his own silent home.

But he soon put all such reveries vigorou