"She ought to be very proud of such constancy on your part, Mr. Saul, and I have no doubt she will be." Mr. Saul did not understand this, and made no reply to it. "I don't know whether you have heard that Mr. Clavering intends to—give up the living."
"I have not heard it. I have thought it probable that he would do so."
"He has made up his mind that he will. The fact is, that if he held it, he must neglect either that or the property." We will not stop at this moment to examine what Mr. Saul's ideas must have been as to the exigencies of the property, which would leave no time for the performance of such clerical duties as had fallen for some years past to the share of the rector himself. "He hopes that he may be allowed to take some part in the services,—but he means to resign the living."
"I suppose that will not much affect me for the little time that I have to remain."
"We think it will affect you,—and hope that it may. Mr. Clavering wishes you to accept the living."
"To accept the living?" And for a moment even Mr. Saul looked as though he were surprised.
"Yes, Mr. Saul."
"To be rector of Clavering?"
"If you see no objection to such an arrangement."
"It is a most munificent offer,—but as strange as it is munificent. Unless indeed—" And then some glimpse of the truth made its way into the chinks of Mr. Saul's mind.