For the wind passeth over it, and it is gone; and the place thereof shall know it no more'-- no more.

That is the wonder of it! How strange it is; and I had such plans for life, now! Well, it is better thus, no doubt,--no doubt." After a while he touched the little oval velvet case which lay on the table beside him, and, taking it up, looked long and earnestly at the childish face inside the rim of blackened pearls.
"I wonder"-- he said, and then stopped, laying it down again, with a little sigh.

"Ah, well, I shall know.

It is only to wait." He did not seem to want any answer; it was enough to ramble on, filled with placid content, between dreams and waking, his hand held firm in that of his old friend.

Afterwards, when Gifford came in, he scarcely noticed that the rector slipped away.