Chichester looked at Malling for quite a minute without replying. Then he
got up, and said, with a changed voice and manner:

"If the rector doesn't come to see me I shall have to go. Sunday is not a
holiday, you know, for us clergymen."

He drew out his watch and looked at it.

"I shall have to go. I'm taking the Children's Service."

Malling got up too.

"Is it getting late?" he said. "Perhaps--"

At this moment the door was gently opened and Mr. Harding appeared.

"Oh, Chichester," he said. "I'm sorry to have kept you waiting. What is
it? Would you like to come to my study?"

"I must be off," said Malling. "May I say good-by to Lady Sophia? Or
perhaps she is resting and would rather not be disturbed."

"I'm sure she would wish to say good-by to you," said the rector. "I'll
just ask her."

He shot a quick glance from one man to the other and went out of the
room, leaving the door open behind him.

Directly he was gone the curate said: "It has been such a pleasure to me