Part 48 (2/2)

He hesitated to don again the dress of a deacon, but he reflected that to do otherwise would be to expose himself to the curiosity and comment of his fellows. With a smile and a sigh he put on for the last time the ca.s.sock, recalling the contemptuous terms in which at the time of the accident Mehitabel Durgin had referred to the garment. He wondered at himself for ever finding it possible to appear before the eyes of men in such a dress, and blushed to think how incongruous the clerical livery must have looked in the ballroom.

Breakfast was already half over when he appeared, and the reading of Lamentations was accompanying the frugal meal. He sank into his seat in silence, casting his eyes down upon his plate lest they should betray the joy he felt. He knew that he could have no talk with Philip until after nones, and he was not willing to leave the house without bidding his friend good-by. While he went on with his breakfast he was busy planning what he would do when he had left the routine of the Clergy House behind him. He determined to go to Mrs. Staggchase for advice, and to ask her to direct him to some quiet boarding-place where he might reorganize his scheme of life.

In the study hour which followed breakfast Wynne went boldly to the room of Father Frontford, and knocked at the door. When he heard the voice of the Father Superior bidding him enter he was for the first time seized with an unpleasant doubt. The long habit of obedience half a.s.serted itself, so that for an instant he was almost minded to turn back. With a smile of self-scorn he shook off the feeling, and opened the door.

The Father looked up in evident surprise at sight of the deacon who came unsummoned at such an hour. He was alone, a fact which Maurice noted with satisfaction.

”Good morning, Wynne,” he said. ”Did you wish to see me?”

”Yes, sir,” Maurice answered, closing the door, and standing before it.

”I came to tell you that I have decided to leave the Clergy House.”

The abruptness of the communication evidently startled the Superior.

Wynne watched him as he laid down his pen, the lines about his thin lips growing tense.

”Sit down,” he said gravely.

Maurice obeyed unwillingly. He would have been glad to retreat at once, his errand being done; but he knew this to be of course impossible. He sat down facing the other, meeting with steadfast eyes the searching look fastened upon him.

”Since when,” Father Frontford asked, ”have you held this determination?”

”Since last night.”

”Is it founded upon any especial circ.u.mstance connected with your going with Mrs. Wilson to midnight service?”

Maurice looked down for a moment in thought, then he met the eyes of the other frankly.

”Father,” he said, ”I don't think that I could tell you all that has led to this decision if I would; and I do not see that it would be wise for us to go into the matter in any case. It seems to me that the fact that I have decided, and decided absolutely, is enough.”

The face before him grew a shade sterner.

”You seem to forget that you are speaking to your Superior.”

”Perhaps,” the young man returned with calmness, ”it is you who forget that I have ended that relation.”

Father Frontford's face darkened.

”I do not recognize that you have authority to end it.”

Maurice tried to repress the irritation which he could not but feel; and forced himself to speak as civilly as before.

”Will you pardon me,” he said; ”I do not wish that our last talk should be bitter. I owe you much, and I shall never cease to respect the unselfishness with which you have tried to help me. That I cannot follow your path does not blind me to the fact that you have worked so untiringly to make the way plain and attractive to me.”

He was not without a secret feeling that he was speaking with some magnanimity, yet he was entirely sincere. He realized with thorough respect, even at the moment of breaking away, how complete was the devotion of the Father. There was in his mind, too, some satisfaction at the tone he had unconsciously adopted. It flattered him to find that he should be almost patronizing his Superior.

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