"You see I am here to welcome you; I made myself at home and came here immediately at the close of even-song."
"We feel complimented that you prefer our society to those very ecclesiastical looking quarters of yours," said Lady Esmondet.
"And where the ancient fathers look from the walls in wonderment at the priest of to-day, as he pores over printed records of their bygone lives."
"Why, Vaura, how did you know that the pictured fathers grace the walls of my humble retreat?"
"From Isabel."
"Ah, I wondered, for my study is never entered by a strange foot, it is my rest."
"Is not your rest a misnomer, Robert? for from all I hear, you literally rest nowhere," inquired Lady Esmondet.
"In my opinion, Lady Esmondet, a priest of the church should never rest, but always have his armour on, for there is 'so little done, so much to do.' Thank God we are waking up at last; look at the priest of to-day (I say it in all humility) as compared with the priest of fifty years ago."
"True, true," answered Lady Esmondet, "but, don't you think that the zealous Low Church clergy are doing as much for the human race as you are?"
"Undoubtedly, for the human race; but not for the church, for their people often lapse into dissent."