Everything at last seemed to be working out to advantage.

He could not but remember how so very few weeks ago he had been urgent that Richard should spend his summer at Little Beeding and lend a hand in the noble work of defending Stella Ballantyne against ignorance and unreason.

But the twinge only lasted a moment.

He had made a mistake, as all men occasionally do--yes, even sagacious and thoughtful people like himself.

And the mistake was already being repaired.