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 circumstance 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.
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