"How do you know?"
"Oh, I know! He would like me to talk to you, I'm certain."
"Would you mind talking to Bess about it? She's very sensible."
"I don't think Mr. Challis would like it. I am sure he would not mind you."
The Rector admitted this was possible, in his inner conscience. But he would make another suggestion: "Why not ask Addie what she thinks? She's coming to-morrow, on a visit to Lizarann."
"How is the little girl?"
"Getting on like a house on fire. But you will ask Addie? You needn't answer his letter yet, you know. At least, you needn't write to Mrs. Challis."
"Miss Fossett? Isn't she, though—isn't she somehow some sort of connection of Mrs. Challis?"
"Is she?"
"Or isn't it?... Oh, I know—it was a cousin of hers I met at the play. Mr. Challis hates her—the cousin. I didn't dislike her."