"You are an angel!" he said, hoarsely, lifted her hand, kissed it, and rushed away.
She was shaken by the scene, and had hardly composed herself again to a weary grappling with business when the front door bell rang once more, and the butler appeared.
"Mr. Lavery wishes to know, miss, if you will see him."
The Vicar! Diana's heart sank. Must she? But some deep instinct--some yearning--interfered, and she bade him be admitted.
Then she stood waiting, dreading some onslaught on the secrets of her mind and heart--some presumption in the name of religion.
The tall form entered, in the close-buttoned coat, the gaunt oblong of the face poked forward, between the large protruding ears, the spectacled eyes blinking.
"May I come in? I will only keep you a few minutes."
She came forward and gave him her hand. The door shut behind him.
"Won't you sit down?"
"I think not. You must be very busy. I only came to say a few words. Miss Mallory!"