and much feared by poachers. He held
the reactionary views already mentioned, being a little afraid of Lady
Malden.

Beyond Miss Pendyce sat the Reverend Hussell Barter, who would shoot
to-morrow, but would not attend the race-meeting on Wednesday.

The Rector of Worsted Skeynes was not tall, and his head had been
rendered somewhat bald by thought. His broad face, of very straight
build from the top of the forehead to the base of the chin, was
well-coloured, clean-shaven, and of a shape that may be seen in
portraits of the Georgian era. His cheeks were full and folded, his
lower lip had a habit of protruding, and his eyebrows jutted out above
his full, light eyes. His manner was authoritative, and he articulated
his words in a voice to which long service in the pulpit had
imparted remarkable carrying-power--in fact, when engaged in private
conversation, it was with difficulty that he was not overheard. Perhaps
even in confidential matters he was not unwilling that what he said
should bear fruit. In some ways, indeed, he was typical. Uncertainty,
hesitation, toleration--except of such opinions as he held--he did not
like. Imagination he distrusted. He found his duty in life very clear,
and other people's perhaps clearer, and he did not encourage his
parishioners to think for themselves. The habit seemed to him a
dangerous one. He was outspoken in his opinions, and when he had
occasion to find fault, spoke of the offender as "a man of no
character," "a fellow like that," with such a ring of conviction that
his audience could not but be convinced of the immorality of that
person. He had a bluff jolly way of speaking, and was popular in his
parish--a good cricketer, a still better fisherman, a fair shot,
though, as he said, he could not really afford time for shooting. While
disclaiming interference in secular matters, he watched the tendencies
of his flock from a sound point of view, and especially encouraged them
to support the existing order of things--the British Empire and the
English Church. His cure was hereditary, and he fortunately possessed
some private means, for he had a large family. His partner at dinner was
Norah, the younger of the two Pendyce girls, who had a round, open face,
and a more decided manner than her sister Bee.

Her brother George, the eldest son, sat on her right. George was of
middle height, with a red-brown, clean-shaved face and solid jaw. His
eyes were grey; he had firm lips, and darkish