hink of leaving us."

The overture was practically an admission of his own responsibility in
the matter, but the astronomer was only impressed by the fact that for
some reason the bishop had ceased to regard him with disfavour. Could it
be that he had discovered Felicity's secret at last? A study of the
haggard record in the old man's face made the conjecture almost a
certainty. Leigh felt that the bishop would now make amends to him for
suspecting him falsely in connection with his daughter, and reflected
guiltily that the suspicion was not as false as the bishop supposed.

"I have been thinking of leaving--naturally," he answered, hesitating,
"but my plans are not yet matured."

The bishop nodded understandingly. He appreciated the fact that the
other's sensitiveness and resentment could not be put aside at once, and
that his own change of front could not draw forth immediate confidences.
The subject was a delicate one to both, and they were mutually anxious to
separate.

"I hope you will let me know, then," he said courteously, "whether you
decide that your best interests call you elsewhere, but I hope not--I
hope not."

He turned his face once more toward the Hall, his sagacious mind already
grappling with another possibility. If Felicity must marry after getting
her divorce,--and it now seemed wiser that she should,--let her marry
this young professor, who was, after all, of her own class. Her fortune
would not be wholly alienated from the college interests, should Leigh
continue in his professorship. The young man might be made president
after Dr. Renshaw's impending retirement. He could take orders to
conform with the traditions of the place; and men had taken orders for
smaller rewards. His pride in the institution, which his wife must then
share, would influence them much in the direction of giving.

Leigh's first words upon coming down the hill had betrayed his growing
appreciation of the Hall, his gradual conversion to the ideal of the
church college. Though a scientist, he had taken the degree of bachelor
of arts, and he was an inheritor of church traditions. As for
Felicity--the bishop recalled the times he had seen her with Leigh, and
especially at the lecture at Littleford's. He had divined their mutual
attraction from the first, though he credited them both with more
conscience in the matter than they had shown.

Leigh reached the street and turned southward, following the course that