uld be but a delay.

But what was this man? and if it was really he whom Lethierry the night
before had declared should be his son-in-law, what could be the meaning
of his actions? The very obstacle itself had become a providence.
Caudray yielded; but his yielding was only the rapid and tacit assent of
a man who feels himself saved from despair.

The pathway was uneven, and sometimes wet and difficult to pass.
Caudray, absorbed in thought, did not observe the occasional pools of
water or the heaps of shingle. But from time to time Gilliatt turned and
said to him, "Take heed of those stones. Give her your hand."

III

THE FORETHOUGHT OF SELF-SACRIFICE

It struck ten as they entered the church.

By reason of the early hour, and also on account of the desertion of the
town that day, the church was empty.

At the farther end, however, near the table which in the reformed church
fulfils the place of the altar, there were three persons. They were the
Dean, his evangelist, and the registrar. The Dean, who was the Reverend
Jaquemin Herode, was seated; the evangelist and the registrar stood
beside him.

A book was open upon the table.

Beside him, upon a credence-table, was another book. It was the parish
register, and also open; and an attentive eye might have remarked a page
on which was some writing, of which the ink was not yet dry. By the side
of the register were a pen and a writing-desk.

The Reverend Jaquemin Herode rose on perceiving Caudray.

"I have been expecting you," he said. "All is ready."

The Dean, in fact, wore his officiating robes.

Caudray looked towards Gilliatt.

The Reverend Doctor added, "I am at your service, brother;" and he
bowed.

It was a bow which neither turned to right or left. It was evident from
the direction of the Dean's gaze that he did not recognise the existence
of any one but Caudray, for Caudray was a clergyman and a gentleman.
Neither Deruchette, who stood aside, nor Gilliatt, who was in the rear,
were included in the salutation. His look was a sort of parenthesis in
which none but Caudray were admitted. The observance of these little
niceties constitutes an important feature in the maintenance of order
and the preservation of society.

The Dean continued, with a graceful and dignified urbanity:

"I congratulate you, my colleague, from a double point of view. You have
lost your uncle, and are about to take a wife; you are blessed with
riches on the one han