Lady Constantine, if narrowly observed at this time, would have seemed to
be deeply troubled in conscience, and particularly after the interview
above described. Ash Wednesday occurred in the calendar a few days
later, and she went to morning service with a look of genuine contrition
on her emotional and yearning countenance.

Besides herself the congregation consisted only of the parson, clerk,
school-children, and three old people living on alms, who sat under the
reading-desk; and thus, when Mr. Torkingham blazed forth the denunciatory
sentences of the Commination, nearly the whole force of them seemed to
descend upon her own shoulders. Looking across the empty pews she saw
through the one or two clear panes of the window opposite a youthful
figure in the churchyard, and the very feeling against which she had
tried to pray returned again irresistibly.

When she came out and had crossed into the private walk, Swithin came
forward to speak to her. This was a most unusual circumstance, and
argued a matter of importance.

'I have made an amazing discovery in connexion with the variable stars,'
he exclaimed. 'It will excite the whole astronomical world, and the
world outside but little less. I had long suspected the true secret of
their variability; but it was by the merest chance on earth that I hit
upon a proof of my guess. Your equatorial has done it, my good, kind
Lady Constantine, and our fame is established for ever!' He sprang into the air, and waved his hat in his triumph.