Dan held his face very low, and clasped his hands in front of him.
"The censure is that on the next Sabbath morning following, in the presence of the congregation, you shall walk up the aisle of the parish church from the porch to the communion behind the minister, who shall read the 51st Psalm meantime."
The Bishop's deep tones and quiet manner concealed his strong emotion, and Dan went out without another word.
This was Friday, and on the evening of the same day Ewan heard what had passed between Dan and the Deemster and between Dan and the Bishop, and with a great lump in his throat he went across to Bishop's Court to pray that the censure might be taken off.
"The provocation was mine, and he is penitent," said Ewan; and with heaving breast the Bishop heard him out, and then shook his head.
"The censures of the Church were never meant to pass by the house of the Bishop," he said.
"But he is too deeply abased already," said Ewan.
"The offense was committed in public, and before the eyes of all men the expiation must be made."
"But I, too, am ashamed—think of it, and remove the censure," said Ewan, and his voice trembled and broke.
The Bishop gazed out at the window with blurred eyes that saw nothing. "Ewan," he said, "it is God's hand on the lad. Let it be; let it be."