“Since I saw you this morning,” he said, “I find that I shall not be here next Sunday.”

He looked about the circle at his wife and Malling.

“The doctor has ordered me away for a week, and I’ve decided to go.”

His introduction of the subject had been abrupt.  As if almost in despite of themselves, Lady Sophia and Malling exchanged glances.  Chichester said nothing.

“You can get on without me quite well, of course,” continued the rector.

“Are you going to be away long?” said Chichester.

“No; I think only for a week or so.  The doctor says I absolutely need a breath of fresh air.”

Malling got up to go.

“I hope you’ll enjoy your little holiday,” he said.  “Are you going far?”

“Oh, dear, no.  My doctor recommends Tankerton on the Kentish coast.  It seems the air there is extraordinary.  When the tide is down it comes off the mud flats.  A kind parishioner of mine—­” he turned slightly toward his wife:  “Mrs. Amherst, Sophy—­has a cottage there and has often offered me the use of it.  I hope to accept her offer now.”

Lady Sophia expressed no surprise at the project, and did not inquire whether her husband wished her to accompany him.

But when she shook hands with Malling, her dark eyes seemed to say to him, “I was wrong.”

And he thought she looked humbled.

VIII

"Could you come down stay with me Saturday till Monday all alone air delicious feel rather solitary glad of your company Marcus Harding Minors Tankerton Kent."

Such was the telegram which Evelyn Malling was considering on the following Friday afternoon.  The sender had paid an answer.  The telegraph-boy was waiting in the hall.  Malling only kept him five minutes.  He went away with this reply: 

"Accept with pleasure will take four twenty train at Victoria Saturday Malling."

Malling could not have said with truth that he had expected a summons from Mr. Harding, yet he found that he was not surprised to get it.  The man was in a bad way.  He needed sympathy, he needed help.  That was certain.  But whether he could help him was more than doubtful, Malling thought.  Perhaps, really, a doctor and the wonderful air from the mud flats of Tankerton!  But here Malling found that a strong incredulity checked him.  He did not believe that the rector would be restored by a doctor’s advice and a visit to the sea.

That afternoon he went to Westminster, and asked for Professor Stepton.

“He is away, sir,” said the fair Scotch parlormaid.

“For long?”

“We don’t know, sir.  He has gone into Kent, on research business, I believe.”

Agnes had been for a long time in the professor’s service, and was greatly trusted.  The professor had come upon her originally when making investigations into “second sight,” a faculty which she claimed to possess.  By the way she was also an efficient parlor-maid.