"His poor rector's gone, sir, what used to come here to visit him so regular. I never see a gentleman in such a way. Why, he's so changed I don't hardly know him."
"Have you been here long?" said Mailing, abruptly.
"Only six months, sir."
The maid began to look rather astonished.
"And so Mr. Chichester is quite altered by his grief?"
"You never did, sir! He was so firm, wasn't he, above every one! Even his rector used to look to him and be guided by him. And now he's as gentle and weak almost as a new-born child, as they say."
Malling thought of Stepton. Had he looked forward to some such change?
"Perhaps I could console Mr. Chichester in his grief," he said. "Will you take him this card and ask if I can see him? I knew Mr. Harding, too. I might be of use, possibly."
"I'll ask him, sir. He's laying down on the bed, I do believe."
Ellen hurried up-stairs with the card. It seemed to Malling that she was away for a long time. At last she returned.