'Oh, I doubt if he ever thinks much of anyone else,' said Edith.
* * * * *
A characteristic of the Mitchells' entertainments was that one always met there the people they had met, even for the first time, at one's own house. Here were the Conistons, and Landi, whom Edith was always delighted to see.
It was a large and gay lunch. Edith was placed some distance from Mr Mitchell. Of course there was also a novelty—some lion or other was always at the Mitchells'. Today it consisted of a certain clergyman, called the Rev. Byrne Fraser, of whom Mrs Mitchell and her circle were making much. He was a handsome, weary-looking man of whom more was supposed than could conveniently be said. His wife, who adored him, admitted that though he was an excellent husband, he suffered from rheumatism and religious doubts, which made him occasionally rather trying. There had been some story about him—nobody knew what it was. Madame Frabelle instantly took his side, and said she was sure he had been ill-treated, though she knew nothing whatever about it. She was placed next to him at table and began immediately on what she thought was his special subject.
'I understand that you're very modern in your views,' she said, smiling.
'I!' he exclaimed in some surprise. 'Really you are quite mistaken. I don't think I am at all.'
'Really? Oh, I'm so glad—I've such a worship myself for tradition. I'm so thankful that you have, too.'
'I don't know that I have,' he said.
'It's true, then, what I heard—I felt it was the moment I looked at you, Mr Fraser—I mean, that you're an atheist.'
'A what?' he exclaimed, turning pale with horror. 'Good heavens,
Madame, do you know what my profession is?'