“Then the sooner we go, the better,” said Marian.
“I do not care to have the whole argument over again with George.”
As they passed through the hall on their way out they met the clergyman.
“Well, George,” said Elinor, “how are the heathen getting on in Belgravia? You look lively.”
“Are you going out, Marian,” he said, solemnly, disregarding his cousin’s banter.
“We are going to engage a couple of rooms for some errant members of the family,” said Elinor. “May we give you as a reference?”
“Certainly. I may want to speak to you before I go, Marian. When will you return?”
“I do not know. Probably we shall not be long. You will have plenty of opportunities, in any case.”
“Will you walk into the study, please, sir,” said the parlormaid.
The Rev. George was closeted with his father for an hour. When he came out, he left the house, and travelled by omnibus to Westbourne Grove, whence he walked to a house in Uxbridge Road. Here he inquired for Mr. Conolly, and, learning that he had just come in, sent up a card. He was presently ushered into a comfortable room, with a pleasant view of the garden. A meal of tea, wheatcakes, and fruit was ready on the table. Conolly greeted his visitor cordially, and rang for another cup. The Rev. George silently noted that his host dined in the middle of the day and had tea in the evening. Afraid though as he was of Conolly, he felt strengthened in his mission by these habits, quite out of the question for Marian. The tea also screwed up his courage a little; but he talked about the electro-motor in spite of himself until the cloth was removed, when Conolly placed two easy chairs opposite one another at the window; put a box of cigarets on a little table close at hand; and invited his visitor to smoke. But as it was now clearly time to come to business, the cigaret was declined solemnly. So Conolly, having settled himself in an easy attitude, waited for the clergyman to begin. The Rev. George seemed at a loss.