For a few minutes they spoke on indifferent subjects, and then the young man said suddenly:
"You are making quite a long stay in Devon?"
There was a sort of questioning note in his voice, and Everest, not having spoken to anyone yet of his resolved departure, merely answered:
"Yes; it is very lovely here."
There was a silence, in which Everest felt sure the curate was gathering strength to address him on some subject of special import, and his mind went immediately to village schools, the poor and subscriptions, but, to his amaze, when the curate spoke, it was of—Regina!
"I expect you have great opportunities of talking with her, have you not?"
To which Everest replied frankly, wondering what was coming:
"Yes, we have talked a great deal."
"Has she ever," the curate coughed nervously, "told you about me?" he said at last.
Everest's surprise grew.