It was, therefore, a source of surprise and great grief to me when on the Sunday after his return my brother omitted all religious observances, and did not once attend the parish church.

He was not present with us at breakfast, ordering coffee and a roll to be taken to his private sitting-room.

At the hour at which we usually set out for church I went to his room to tell him that we were all dressed and waiting for him.

I tapped at the door, but on trying to enter found it locked.

In reply to my message he did not open the door, but merely begged us to go on to church, saying he would possibly follow us later.
We went alone, and I sat anxiously in our seat with my eyes fixed on the door, hoping against hope that each late comer might be John, but he never came.