"Now," said the Bishop, "I want to know all about your dear mother, and about your new life. We will go towards the nut walk where we shall not be interrupted. I also want to show you the Palace. I promised to do that in the old days I remember."
"It's perfectly delightful to talk to anyone who remembers those old days," said Rachel, with a slight catch in her voice, "and specially with you of all people. How father loved you."
"He was my best friend," said the Bishop, "and the world for me is the poorer for his absence. But tell me about your new life. Are you getting used to it?"
A slight cloud crossed Rachel's face which was not unnoticed by the Bishop.
"It's just a little difficult," she answered. "Luke's parishioners are quite different from any people I have met; some of them are nice, and they adore Luke. But oh they are so funny! They take offence at such small things. I don't think they like me much. You see I was labelled as young and incompetent before they saw me. But after all it does not much matter, as I have Luke. Perhaps if it were not for a few worries I should be almost too happy."
"You have a good husband in Greville."
Rachel looked up into the Bishop's face. Her look was enough to convince him of her happiness.
"He's much too good for me," she said, "I'm not half worthy of him, and of course his people can't help seeing that, specially his mother."
"She does not live with you, does she?"
"No. She turned out for me, but she lives very near."