“I beg your pardon!” he cried, drawing back.
“Ah, parson! Don’t go!” cried the Captain, as Mrs Otway started up, and, in spite of her ordinary aplomb, looked disturbed. “Bad habit of ours acquired since marriage. We don’t mind you.”
Mrs Otway held out her hand to their visitor.
“Why, it is nearly a fortnight since you have been to see us. We were just talking about your friends—the Hallams.”
“Have you been to see them lately?” said Bayle, eagerly.
“I was there yesterday. Quite well; but Mrs Hallam looks worried and ill. Julia is charming, only she too is not as I should like to see her.”
She watched Bayle keenly, and saw his countenance change as she spoke.
“I am very glad they are well,” he said.
“Yes, I know you are; but why don’t you go more often?”
He looked at her rather wistfully, and made no reply. “Look here, Mr Bayle,” she said, “I don’t think you mind my speaking plainly, now do you? Come, that’s frank.”