"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. 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."