igest, and publish them, for which purpose a return to England
was indispensable.

So the equatorial was unscrewed, and the stand taken down; the
astronomer's barrow-load of precious memoranda, and rolls upon rolls of
diagrams, representing three years of continuous labour, were safely
packed; and Swithin departed for good and all from the shores of Cape
Town.

He had long before informed his grandmother of the date at which she
might expect him; and in a reply from her, which reached him just
previous to sailing, she casually mentioned that she frequently saw Lady
Constantine; that on the last occasion her ladyship had shown great
interest in the information that Swithin was coming home, and had
inquired the time of his return.

* * * * *

On a late summer day Swithin stepped from the train at Warborne, and,
directing his baggage to be sent on after him, set out on foot for old
Welland once again.

It seemed but the day after his departure, so little had the scene
changed. True, there was that change which is always the first to arrest
attention in places that are conventionally called unchanging--a higher
and broader vegetation at every familiar corner than at the former time.

He had not gone a mile when he saw walking before him a clergyman whose
form, after consideration, he recognized, in spite of a novel whiteness
in that part of his hair that showed below the brim of his hat. Swithin
walked much faster than this gentleman, and soon was at his side.

'Mr. Torkingham! I knew it was,' said Swithin.

Mr. Torkingham was slower in recognizing the astronomer, but in a moment
had greeted him with a warm shake of the hand.

'I have been to the station on purpose to meet you!' cried Mr.
Torkingham, 'and was returning with the idea that you had not come. I am
your grandmother's emissary. She could not come herself, and as she was
anxious, and nobody else could be spared, I came for her.'

Then they walked on together. The parson told Swithin all about his
grandmother, the parish, and his endeavours to enlighten it; and in due
course said, 'You are no doubt aware that Lady Constantine is living
again at Welland?'

Swithin said he had heard as much, and added, what was far within the
truth, that the news of the Bishop's death had been a great surprise to
him.

'Yes,' said Mr. Torkingham, with nine thoughts to one word. 'One might
have prophesied, to look at him, that Melchester would not lack a bishop