Malling's first meeting with the clergyman took place upon Westminster
Bridge on an afternoon in early May, when London seemed, almost like
a spirited child, to be flinging itself with abandon into the first
gaieties of the season. Malling was alone, coming on foot from Waterloo.
Mr. Harding was also on foot, with his senior curate, the Rev. Henry
Chichester, who was an acquaintance of Malling, but whom Malling had
not seen for a considerable period of time, having been out on his estate
in Ceylon. At the moment when Malling arrived upon the bridge the two
clergymen were standing by the parapet on the Parliament side, looking
out over the river. As he drew near to them the curate glanced suddenly
round, saw him, and uttered an involuntary exclamation which attracted
Mr. Harding's attention.

"Telepathy!" said Chichester, shaking Malling by the hand. "I believe I
looked round because I knew I should see you. Yet I supposed you to be
still in Ceylon." He glanced at the rector rather doubtfully, seemed to
take a resolution, and with an air almost of doggedness added, "May I?"
and introduced the two men to one another.

Mr. Harding observed the new-comer with an interest that was
unmistakable.

"You are the Mr. Malling of whom Professor Stepton has spoken to me," he
said,--"who has done so much experimental work for him?"

"Yes."

"The professor comes to my church now and then."