Stephen crossed the room to fetch them, and the vicar seemed to
notice more particularly the slim figure of his visitor.

'I suppose you are quite competent?' he said.

'Quite,' said the young man, colouring slightly.

'You are very young, I fancy--I should say you are not more than
nineteen?'

I am nearly twenty-one.'

'Exactly half my age; I am forty-two.'

'By the way,' said Mr. Swancourt, after some conversation, 'you
said your whole name was Stephen Fitzmaurice, and that your
grandfather came originally from Caxbury. Since I have been
speaking, it has occurred to me that I know something of you. You
belong to a well-known ancient county family--not ordinary Smiths
in the least.'

'I don't think we have any of their blood in our veins.'

'Nonsense! you must. Hand me the "Landed Gentry." Now, let me
see. There, Stephen Fitzmaurice Smith--he lies in St. Mary's
Church, doesn't he? Well, out of that family Sprang the
Leaseworthy Smiths, and collaterally came General Sir Stephen
Fitzmaurice Smith of Caxbury----'