"No, I think that the old licence will serve. There is no prospect yet of making St. Agnes' into a parish, and I would rather take advantage of the technicality, all things being considered. Good-bye, Mr. Rowley. God bless you."
The Bishop raised his thin arm.
"God bless your lordship."
"You are always in my prayers, Mr. Rowley. I think much about you lying here on the threshold of Eternal Life."
The Bishop turned to Mark who knelt beside the bed.
"Young man, I would fain be spared long enough to ordain you to the service of Almighty God, but you are still young and I am very near to death. You could not have before you a better example of a Christian gentleman than your friend and my friend Mr. Rowley. I shall say nothing about his example as a clergyman of the Church of England. Remember me, both of you, in your prayers."
The Bishop sank back exhausted, and his visitors went quietly out of the room.