Hubert's hand and held it paternally in both his own. Eldon
seemed affected with a sudden surprise; as he met the large gaze his
look showed embarrassment.

'You remember me?' Mr. Wyvern remarked, his wonted solemnity lightened
by the gleam of a brief smile. Looking closely into his face was like
examining a map in relief; you saw heights and plains, the intersection
of multitudinous valleys, river-courses with their tributaries. It was
the visage of a man of thought and character. His eyes spoke of late
hours and the lamp; beneath each was a heavy pocket of skin, wrinkling
at its juncture with the cheek. His teeth were those of an incessant
smoker, and, in truth, you could seldom come near him without detecting
the odour of tobacco. Despite the amplitude of his proportions, there
was nothing ponderous about him; the great head was finely formed, and
his limbs must at one time have been as graceful as they were muscular.

'Is this accident,' Hubert asked; 'or did you know me at the time?'

'Accident, pure accident. Will you walk to the vicarage with me?'

They paced side by side.

'Mrs. Eldon profits by the pleasant weather, I trust?' the vicar
observed, with grave courtesy.

'Thank you, I think she does. I shall be glad when she is settled in her
new home.'

They approached the door of the vicarage in silence. Entering Mr. Wyvern
led the way to his study. When he had taken a seat, he appeared to
forget himself for a moment, and played with the end of his bean.

Hubert showed impatient curiosity.

'You found me there by chance that morning?' he began.

The clergyman returned to the present. His elbows on either arm of
his round chair, he sat leaning forward, thoughtfully gazing at his
companion.

'By chance,' he replied. 'I sleep badly; so it happened that I was
abroad shortly after daybreak. I was near the edge of the wood when I
heard a pistol-shot. I waited for the second.'

'We fired together,' Hubert remarked.

'Ah! It seemed to me one report. Well, as I stood listening, there came
out from among the trees a man who seemed in a hurry. He was startled at
finding himself face to face with me, but didn't stop; he said something
rapidly in French that I failed to catch, pointed back into the wood,
and hastened off.'

'We had no witnesses,' put in Hubert; 'and both aimed our best. I wonder
he sent you to look for me.'

'A momentary weakness, no doubt,' rejoined the vicar drily. I made my
way among th