it to himself. It might be
in the teeth of nineteenth-century morality, but what matter about that?
It was on the lines of Christ's teaching when he forgave the woman and
shamed the hypocrites. He would borrow for it, beg for it, and there
might be conditions under which he would steal for it too.

Mrs. Callender shook her head.

"I much misdoubt there'll be scandal, laddie. It's a woman's work, I'm
thinking."

"'Be thou as chaste as ice,' auntie, 'as pure as snow'... but no matter!
I intend to call out the full power of a united Church into the warfare
against this high wickedness. Talk of the union of Christendom! If we are
in earnest about it we'll unite to protect and liberate our women."

"But where's the siller to come frae, laddie?"

"Anywhere--everywhere! Besides, I have a bank I can always draw on,
auntie."

"You're no meaning the Prime Minister again, surely?"

"I mean the King of Kings. God will provide for me, in this, as in
everything."

Thus his reckless enthusiasm bore down everything, and at the back of all
his thoughts was the thought of Glory. He was preparing a way for her;
she was coming back to a great career, a glorious mission; her bright
soul would shine like a star; she would see that he had been right, and
faithful, and then--then----But it was like wine coursing through his
veins--he could not think of it.

Three thousand pounds had to be found to buy or build homes with, and he
set out to beg for the money. His first call was at Mrs. Macrae's. Going
up to the house, he met the lady's poodle in a fawn-coloured wrap coming
out in charge of a footman for its daily walk round the square.

He gave the name of "Father Storm," and after some minutes of waiting he
was told that the lady had a headache and was not receiving that day.

"Say the nephew of the Prime Minister wishes to see her," said John.

Before the footman had returned again there was the gentle rustle of a
dress on the stairs, and the lady herself was saying: "Dear Mr. Storm,
come up. My servants are real tiresome, they are always confusing names."

Time had told on her; she was looking elderly, and the wrinkles about her
eyes could no longer be smoothed out. But her "front" was curled, and she
was still saturated in perfume.

"I heard of your return, dear Mr. Storm," she said, in the languid voice
of the great lady, but the accent of St. Louis, as she led the way to the
drawing-room. "My daughter told me about it. Sh