way in which Lady Sophia greeted him was a revelation to Malling, and
a curious exhibition of feminine psychology.

She looked up at him from the low chair in which she was sitting, gave
him her left hand, and said, "Are you very tired?" That was all. Yet
it would have been impossible to express more clearly a woman's mental,
not affectional, subjugation by a man, her instinctive yielding to power,
her respect for authority, her recognition that the master of her master
had come into the room.

Her "_Vive le roi!_" was said.

Chichester accepted Lady Sophia's subtle homage with an air of
unconsciousness. His interior melancholy seemed to lift him above the
small things that flatter small men. He acknowledged that he was tired,
and would be glad of tea. He had been down in the East End. The rector
had asked him to talk over something with Mr. Carlile of the Church Army.

"You mean that you suggested to the rector that it would be wise to see
Mr. Carlile," said Lady Sophia.

"Is the rector coming in to tea?" asked Chichester.

"Possibly he may," she replied. "He knew Mr. Malling was to be here. Did
you tell him you were coming?"

"No. I was not certain I should get away in time."

"I think he will probably turn up."