it, and though Coryndon was of all the invited guests the one who
found least favour in the eyes of his hostess, he was the only one who
felt glad that he had come, and was perfectly convinced that it had been
worth it.

The Rev. Francis Heath rose early to take his leave; and there was a
distinct impression of relief when he had gone.

"That Padre is like wet blotting-paper," said Wilder, when he came back
into the drawing-room. "No more duty invitations, Clarice, or else wait
until I am out in camp."

"He is a bore," said Mrs. Wilder, throwing her late guest to the sharks
without remorse. "But I suppose he can't help it. He may have something
to worry him." She just indicated her point with a glance at Hartley,
who murmured incoherently and became interested in his drink.

"Parsons are all alike," said Wilder, who fully believed that he stated
an obvious fact. "I feel as if I ought to apologize for not going to
church whenever I meet one."

"He _is_ a bore," repeated Mrs. Wilder. "But he is finished with for the
present."

Coryndon looked up.

"I suppose one is inclined to mix up a man with his profession, as
people often mix up nationalities with races, forgetting that they are
absolutely apart. Heath is not my idea of a clergyman."

"And what is your idea?" asked Mrs. Wilder, with a smile that was
slightly encouraging.

"A man with less temperament," said Coryndon slowly. "Heath lacks a
certain commonplace courage, because he feels things too much. He is not
altogether honest with himself or his congregation, because he has the
protective instinct over-developed. If I had a secret I should feel that
it was perfectly safe with Heath."

A slow red stain showed itself on Mrs. Wilder's cheek, and she gave a
hard, mechanical laugh.

"Are these the deductions of one evening? No wonder you are a silent
man, Mr. Coryndon."

If Coryndon had been a cross-examining counsel instead of a guest at a
dinner-party, he would have thanked Mrs. Wilder politely and told her
that she might "step down." As it was, he assured her that he was only
attracted by certain personalities, and that, usually speaking, he did
not analyse his impressions.

"He is a bore," said Mrs. Wilder, making the statement for the third
time that evening, and thus disposing of Heath definitely.

"It wasn't up to the usual mark," said Hartley, half-apologetically as
he and Coryndon walked home together. "I felt so awkward about meeting
Heath."