He would be sorry, too, not to see more of Mr. Wingfold. He was a clergyman, it was true, but not the least like any other clergyman he had seen! Richard had indeed known nothing of any other clergyman out of the pulpit, and I fear most clergymen are less human, therefore less divine, in the pulpit than out of it! Many who out of the pulpit appear men, are in it little better than hawkers of old garments, the worse for their new patches. Of the forces in action for the renovation of the world, the sale of such old clothes is one of the least potent. They do, however, serve a little, I think, even as the rags of a Neapolitan for the olives of Italy, as a sort of manure for the young olives of the garden of God.

But his far worse sorrow was leaving Miss Wylder. The thought brought a keen pain to his heart. That she was miles above him was no reason why he should not love her. His low position, in fact, and the absence of any thought in the direction of marriage left but the wider room for the love infinite. In a man capable of loving in such fashion, there is no limit to the growth of love. Richard thought his soul was full, but a live soul can never be full. It is always growing larger and always being filled.

Almost like one stunned, he went about his preparations for departure.

“You will go by the first train in the morning,” said Arthur, happening to meet him in the stable yard, where Richard had gone to see if Miss Brown was in her usual stall. “I have told Robert to take you and your tools to the station in the spring cart.”

“Thank you,” returned Richard. “I shall not require the cart. I will leave the house tonight and shall send for my things tomorrow morning. I have them almost ready now.”

“You cannot go to London tonight!”

“I am aware of that, sir.”

“Then where are you going? I wish to know.”

“That is my business, sir.”

“You have no cause to show temper,” said Arthur coldly.

“I should not have shown it, sir, had you not presumed to give me orders after dismissing me,” answered Richard.

“I have not dismissed you. I mean to employ you still, only in London instead of here,” said Arthur.

“That is a matter for fresh arrangement with my father,” rejoined Richard, and left him.