"They're no harder to understand than your errand is to me, sir," I retorted.
He mastered his anger with a strong effort, and in a few words told me his errand, adding that by Carford's advice he came to me.
"For I am told, sir, that you have some power with the lady."
I looked full and intently in his face. He met my gaze unflinchingly. There was a green bank by the roadside; I seated myself; he would not sit, but stood opposite to me.
"I will tell you, sir, the nature of the errand on which you come," said I, and started on the task with all the plainness of language that the matter required and my temper enjoyed.
He heard me without a word, with hardly a movement of his body; his eyes never left mine all the while I was speaking. I think there was a sympathy between us, so that soon I knew that he was honest, while he did not doubt my truth. His face grew hard and stern as he listened; he perceived now the part he had been set to play. He asked me but one question when I had ended:
"My Lord Carford knew all this?"
"Yes, all of it," said I. "He was privy to all that passed."
Engaged in talk, we had not noticed the Vicar's approach. He was at my elbow before I saw him; the large book was under his arm. Fontelles turned to him with a bow.