‘It would be a great thing!’ he replied, with subdued feeling.  He seldom allowed his stronger emotions to find high utterance; that moderated voice was symbol of the suppression to which his life had trained itself.

‘A free library,’ Egremont went on, ‘with a good reading-room.’

It was an extension of his scheme, and delighted him with its prospect of possibilities.  It would be preparing the ground upon which he and his adherents might subsequently work.  Could be undertake to found a library at his own expense?  It was not beyond his means, at all events a beginning on a moderate scale.  His eyes sparkled, as they always did when a thought burst blossom-like within him.

‘Mr. Grail, I have a mind to try if I can’t work on that idea.’

Gilbert was stirred.  This interchange of words had strengthened his personal liking for Egremont, and his own idealism took fire from that of the other.  He regarded the young man with admiration and with noble envy.  To be able to devise such things and straightway say ‘It shall be done!’ How blest beyond all utterance was the man to whom fortune had given such power!  He reverenced Egremont profoundly.  It was the man’s nature to worship, to bend with singleness of heart before whatsoever seemed to him high and beautiful.

‘Yes,’ the latter continued, ’I will think it out.  We might begin with a moderate supply of books; we might find some building that would do at first; a real library could be built when the people had begun to appreciate what was offered them.  Better, no doubt, if they would tax themselves for the purpose, but they have burdens enough.’

‘They won’t give a farthing towards a library,’ said Grail, ’until they know its value; and that they can’t do until they have learnt it from books.’

‘True.  We’ll break the circle.’

He pondered again, then added cheerfully: 

’I say we.  I mean you and the others who come to my lecture.  I want, if possible, to make this class permanent, to make it the beginning of a society for purposes I have in my mind.  I must tell you something of this, for I know you will feel with me, Mr. Grail.’

The reply was a look of quiet trust.  Egremont had not thought to get so far as this to-night, but Grail’s personality wrought upon him, even as his on Grail.  He felt a desire to open his mind, as he had done that evening in the garden by Ullswater.  This man was of those whom he would benefit, but, if he mistook not, far unlike the crowd; Grail could understand as few of his class could be expected to.