leave, her face immediately changed to its usual indifferent expression; and when both gentlemen lifted their hats she bowed as stiffly as the most formal politeness demanded.
The bishop and Emanuel went through the garden, and out into the fields by the little gate at the further end. The bishop lighted his cigar and threw open his coat, he blew thick clouds of smoke into the air like a man absorbed in his thoughts; now and then he made a passing remark about something which caught his eye.
Emanuel walked by his side in silence. He had seen at once that the bishop had a serious object in this walk, and he made up his mind to seize the opportunity and give him a full and clear explanation of his position and his relations with the congregation.
When they reached the top of the "Parsonage Hill," the bishop stopped and looked absently at the view; asking the names of some of the many churches whose towers shone like beacons in the hazy sunlight. He said a few words on the effect of the beauties of nature on the human mind, and the dreariness of a town life, and at last began to talk about the drought and the harvest prospects.
