istoun. "They sometimes come this way on
the road to Portsmouth, and give little representations in all the
villages, to the great excitement of the country folk."

"We are the country folk, and I feel quite excited," said Phil, dropping
his glass. "Nell, if there's a representation, you and I will go
to-night."

"Oh, Phil, what----" Elinor was about to say folly: but she paused,
seeing a look in his eye which she had already learned to know, and
added "fun," in a voice which sounded almost like an echo of his own.

"There is nothing like being out in the wilderness like this to make one
relish a little fun, eh? I daresay you always go. The Jew is the one for
every village fair within ten miles when she is in the country. She says
they're better than any play. Hallo! what is that?"

"It is some one coming round the gravel path."

A more simple statement could not be, but it made Compton strangely
uneasy. He rose up hastily from the table. "It is, perhaps, the man I am
looking for. If you'll permit me, I'll go and see."

He went out of the room, calling Elinor by a look and slight movement of
his head, but when he came out into the hall was met by a trim clerical
figure and genial countenance, the benign yet self-assured looks of the
Rector of the Parish: none other could this smiling yet important
personage be.

CHAPTER X.

The Rector came in with his smiling and rosy face. He was, as many of
his parishioners thought, a picture of a country clergyman. Such a
healthy colour, as clear as a girl's, limpid blue eyes, with very light
eyelashes and eyebrows; a nice round face, "beautifully modelled,"
according to Miss Sarah Hill, who did a little in that way herself, and
knew how to approve of a Higher Sculptor's work. And then the neatest
and blackest of coats, and the whitest and stiffest of collars. Mr.
Hudson, I need scarcely say, was not so left to himself as to permit his
clerical character to be divined by means of a white tie. He came in, as
was natural among country neighbours, without thinking of any bell or
knocker on the easily opened door, and was about to peep into the
drawing-room with "Anybody in?" upon his smiling lips, when he saw a
gentleman approaching, picking up his hat as he advanced. Mr. Hudson
paused a moment in uncertainty. "Mr. Compton, I am sure," he said,
holding out both of his plump pink hands. "Ah, Elinor too! I was
sure I could not be mistaken. And I am exceedingly glad to mak