Part 5 (2/2)
Malling went upstairs. Mr. Harding stood watching him from below till he disappeared.
III
When Malling opened the door of the drawing-room Chichester was standing by one of the windows, looking out into Onslow Gardens. He turned round, saw Malling, and uttered an exclamation.
”You are here!”
His light tenor voice sounded almost denunciatory, as if he had a right to demand an explanation of Malling's presence in Mr. Harding's house, and as he came away quickly from the window, he repeated, with still more emphasis:
”You are here!”
”Lunching--yes,” replied Malling, imperturbably.
He looked at Chichester and smiled.
”You have no objection, I hope?”
His words and manner evidently brought the curate to a sense of his own unconventionality. He held out his hand.
”I beg your pardon. Your coming in surprised me. I had no idea”--his blue eyes went searchingly over Malling's calm face--”that you could be here.
I thought you and the rector were complete strangers till I introduced you yesterday.”
”So we were.”
Malling sat down comfortably on a sofa. His action evidently recalled Chichester's mind to the fact that he was to see the rector.
”Isn't the rector coming to see me?” he asked.
”Almost directly. He's busy for a few minutes. We were smoking together in his study.”
”You seem to--you seem to have made great friends!” said Chichester, with a sort of forced jocularity.
”Great friends! They're hardly made in a moment. I happened to be at church this morning--”
”At church--where?” exclaimed the curate.
”At St. Joseph's. And Mr. Harding kindly asked me to lunch.”
”You were at church at St. Joseph's this morning?” said Chichester.
He sat down by Malling and stared into his face.
”Did you--did you stay for the sermon?”
”Certainly. I came for the sermon. I had never heard Mr. Harding preach.”
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