“Your defeat is a public loss. I feel that very strongly. After your diplomatic experience and with your knowledge of foreign affairs your advice would have been invaluable in all questions of imperial policy.”
“I’m greatly gratified to hear you say that. I was afraid you thought I had taken to drink.”
“My dear boy,” said the Archdeacon with pained surprise, “what can have put such an idea into your head?”
“I couldn’t help knowing what was in your mind that day in Dublin when I spoke to you about Lalage’s Jun. Soph. Ord.”
I could see that the Archdeacon was uncomfortable. He had certainly entertained suspicions when we parted in St. Stephen’s Green, though he might now pretend to have forgotten them.
“You thought so then,” I went on, “though it was quite early in the day.”
“Not at all. I happened to be in a hurry. That is all. I knew perfectly well it was only your manner.”
“I don’t blame you in the least. Anybody might have thought just as you did.”
“But I didn’t. I knew you were upset at the time. You were anxious about Lalage Beresford. She’s a charming girl, with a very good heart, but——”
The Archdeacon hesitated.