driven from college
after burning his master's dwelling-house. Yet light dawned for this
young man and he ended his days as Bishop of Ely. Titus Vespasianus
emulated Nero in his early rascalities; but having donned the imperial
purple, he cast away his evil companions and was accounted good as well
as great. Henry V. of England was another such man, who reformed himself
to admiration. Augustine began badly, and declared as a jest that he
would rather have his lust satisfied than extinguished. Yet this man
ended as a Saint of Christ. I could give you many other examples, Levi."

"Then we'll hope for the best," said John.

But Mr. Baggs only sneered.

"We hear of the converted sinners," he said; "but we don't hear of the
victims that suffered their wickedness before they turned into saints.
Let Raymond Ironsyde be twenty saints rolled into one, that won't make
Sabina Dinnett an honest woman, or her child a lawful child."

"Never jump to conclusions," advised Ernest. "Even that may come right.
Nothing is impossible."

"That's a great thought--that nothing's impossible," declared Mr. Best.

They argued, each according to his character and bent of mind, and,
while the meliorists cheered each other, Mr. Baggs laughed at them and
held their aspirations vain.

CHAPTER XXVII

THE MASTER OF THE MILL

Raymond Ironsyde came to Bridetown. He rode in from Bridport, and met
John Best by appointment early on a March morning.

With the words of Ernest Churchouse still in his ears, the foreman felt
profound interest to learn what might be learned considering the changes
in his master's character.

He found a new Raymond, yet as the older writing of a parchment
palimpsest will sometimes make itself apparent behind the new, glimpses
of his earlier self did not lack. The things many remembered and hoped
that Ironsyde would remember were not forgotten by him. But instead of
the old, vague generalities and misty assurance of goodwill, he now
declared definite plans based on knowledge. He came armed with figures
and facts, and his method of expression had changed from ideas to
intentions. His very manner chimed with his new power. He was decisive,
and quite devoid of sentimentality. He feared none, but his attitude to
all had changed.

They spoke in Mr. Best's office and he marked how the works came first
in Raymond's regard.

"I've been putting in a lot of time on the machine question," he said.
"As you know, that alw