A shadow went over her face; Ralph saw she did not like the allusion.
“Besides,” he went on again, “they need intelligent men, not ecclesiastics, for this business.”
“But Dr. Layton?” questioned Beatrice.
“Well, you might call him an ecclesiastic; but you would scarcely guess it from himself. And no man could call him a partisan on that side.”
“He would do better in one of his rectories, I should think,” said Beatrice.
“Well, that is not my business,” observed Ralph.
“And what is your business?”
“Well, to ride round the country; examine the Religious, and make enquiries of the country folk.”
Beatrice began to tap her foot very softly. Ralph glanced down at the bright buckle and smiled in spite of himself.
The girl went on.