"Mrs. Greville brought round some eggs, Sir," answered Polly.
"Good, we'll have them. And I suppose there is jam?"
"There's a pot of plum jam, Sir."
"Bring that then and be as quick as you can Polly as I have to go out in half an hour."
"Go out!" exclaimed Rachel.
"Yes, I'm sorry to have to leave you your first evening," he answered, "but it's the Church Council and I must be there. I got it postponed till to-day as it should have been last Thursday. I am sorry dear."
Rachel smiled. She would not let him see her keen disappointment, nor know that the fear she had expressed to him the evening before gained ground by his words.
"I suppose," she said laughing, "that this is what I must expect, having married a clergyman."
"I am afraid it is! But we shall soon be working side by side and going about together. I shall want you with me. My only fear is that you will work too hard."
The picture he had drawn of them working together had cheered her.