Sir Jasper closed the door and bowed.
"I think," said he, "I ought to crave pardon for this intrusion."
"Oh Jasper!" cried my lady.
Her husband turned towards her for a second. She wilted beneath his eye and sank into a chair.
"Oh, Sir Jasper," said she, floundering. "The Bishop has been very kind. I have been so unhappy about you."
"I see," said Sir Jasper, "that his lordship has been very kind. His lordship, as I said, has been administering consolation."
Here all at once his stoniness gave way. He walked towards the Bishop and bent a ghastly face close to the florid uneasily smiling countenance.
"My Lord," said Sir Jasper, "your cloth will not protect you."
"Sir!" ejaculated the divine.
"Your cloth will not protect you!" repeated Sir Jasper in that voice of strenuous composure that seems to tremble on a shriek. "Oh, shepherd, you!"