not return to-night. Bid them
saddle my white palfrey, Icon. I shall be ready to start within an
hour. But first I must despatch to Worcester, a packet of importance.
Bid two of the men, who rode with us from Worcester, prepare to mount
and return thither. If they start in an hour's time, they can be well
on their way, and make a safe lodging, before nightfall."

She passed into the library, laid the cross before her on the table,
and began her letter to the Bishop.

Straight from her hand to his, that letter went; straight from her
heart to his, that letter spoke; and Symon's comfort in it, lies
largely in the knowledge that she was alone when she wrote it, alone
when she sealed it, and that none in this world, saving they two, will
ever know exactly what the woman, whom he had loved so purely and
served so faithfully, said to him in this letter.

Bare facts, however, may be given.

She told him, as briefly as might be, of that morning's great
experience; of Hugh's return, and noble self-effacement; of the clear
light she had received, and the decision to which she had come; and of
how she was now going forward, with a free heart, to her great
happiness.

And then, in glowing words, she told him all she owed to his faithful,
patient friendship, to the teaching of long years, the trend of which
had always been life, light, liberty; a wider outlook, a fearless
judgment, a clear knowledge of God, based on inspired writings; and,
above all, belief in those words, often on his lips, always in his
heart: "Love never faileth."

"Truly, my dear lord," she wrote, "your love----" Nay, it may not be
quoted!

She told him how his teaching, following along the same lines as that
of Father Gervaise years before, had prepared her mind for this
revelation of the ever-living Saviour.

"Now the mystery is unveiled to me also," she wrote, "I realise that
you knew it all along; and that, had I but been more teachable,
Reverend Father, you could have taught me more. Oh, I pray you, take
heart of grace, and teach these great truths to others."

She blessed him for his faithfulness in striving to make her see her
duty to Hugh, and her life's true vocation.

She blessed him for her great happiness, yet thanked him for his care
in sending her cross of office, thus making all easy in order that, had
her conscience so required, she could have safely returned. She
herewith sent him the cross, and begged that he would keep it,