turned from habit to the offing.

The two men paced slowly up and down. And again Malling was aware of
words trembling upon the rector's lips--words which he could not yet
resolve frankly to utter. Whether it was the influence of the faintly
sighing sea, of the almost sharply pure air, of the distant lights
gleaming patiently, or whether an influence came out from the man beside
him and moved him, Malling did not know; but he resolved to do a thing
quite contrary to his usual practice. He resolved to try to force a
thing on, instead of waiting till it came to him naturally. He became
impatient, he who was generally a patient seeker.

"You remember our former conversations with regard to Henry Chichester?"
he said abruptly, changing the subject of their discourse.

"Chichester? Yes--yes. What of him?"

"I wish to tell you that I think you are right, that I think there is an
extraordinary, even an amazing, change in Chichester."

"There is, indeed," said Mr. Harding. "And--and it will increase."

He spoke with a sort of despairing conviction.

"What makes you think so?"

"It must. It cannot be otherwise--unless--"

He paused.

"Yes," said Malling; "unless--"

"A thing almost impossible were to happen."

"May I, without indiscretion, ask what that is?"

"Unless he were to leave St. Joseph's, to go quite away."

"Surely that would not be impossible!"

"I often think it is. Chichester will not wish to go."

"Are you certain of that?" asked Malling, remembering the curate's remark
in Horton Street, that perhaps he would not remain at St. Joseph's much
longer.

The rector turned his head and fixed his eyes upon Malling.

"Has he said anything to you about leaving?" he asked, suddenly raising
his voice, as if under the influence of excitement. "But of course he
has not."

"Surely it is probable that such a man may be offered a living."

"He would not take it."

They walked on a few steps in silence, turned, and strolled back. It was
now growing dark. Their faces were set toward the distant gleam of the
Herne Bay lights.

"I am not so sure," at length dropped out Malling.

"Why are you not so sure?"

"Why do you think Chichester's departure from St. Joseph's impossible?"

Malling spoke strongly to determine, if possible, the rector to speak, to
say out all that was in his heart.

"Can I tell you?" Mr. Harding almost murmured. "Can I tell you?"

"I think you asked me here that you might tell me