pose I obtained, for
instance, a less favorable, or even an unfavorable impression of him
now? You are his rector. I hardly think--"

The rector interrupted him.

"I'll leave it to you," he said. "Do just as you please. But, believe me,
I have a very strong reason for wishing to know your opinion. I need it.
I need it."

There was a lamentable sound in his voice.

"If I feel it is right I will give it to you," said Malling.

The rector opened the door of the study.

"You know your way?"

"Yes."

Malling went upstairs. Mr. Harding stood watching him from below till he
disappeared.

III

When Malling opened the door of the drawing-room Chichester was standing
by one of the windows, looking out into Onslow Gardens. He turned round,
saw Malling, and uttered an exclamation.

"You are here!"

His light tenor voice sounded almost denunciatory, as if he had a right
to demand an explanation of Malling's presence in Mr. Harding's house,
and as he came away quickly from the window, he repeated, with still more
emphasis:

"You are here!"

"Lunching--yes," replied Malling, imperturbably.

He looked at Chichester and smiled.

"You have no objection, I hope?"

His words and manner evidently brought the curate to a sense of his own
unconventionality. He held out his hand.

"I beg your pardon. Your coming in surprised me. I had no idea"--his blue
eyes went searchingly over Malling's calm face--"that you could be here.
I thought you and the rector were complete strangers till I introduced
you yesterday."

"So we were."

Malling sat down comfortably on a sofa. His action evidently recalled
Chichester's mind to the fact that he was to see the rector.

"Isn't the rector coming to see me?" he asked.

"Almost directly. He's busy for a few minutes. We were smoking together
in his study."

"You seem to--you seem to have made great friends!" said Chichester, with
a sort of forced jocularity.

"Great friends! They're hardly made in a moment. I happened to be at
church this morning--"

"At church--where?" exclaimed the curate.

"At St. Joseph's. And Mr. Harding kindly asked me to lunch."

"You were at church at St. Joseph's this morning?" said Chichester.

He sat down by Malling and stared into his face.

"Did you--did you stay for the sermon?"

"Certainly. I came for the sermon. I had never heard Mr. Harding preach."

"No? No? Well, what did you think of it? What did you think of it?"

The cura