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“A bit too sentimental for my taste”, said Diana Bryce-Atkinson, when they all emerged into pale sunlight. “Especially that last part. He can certainly preach, though. And what a marvellous memory he must have. That was Tennyson, wasn’t it?”

“The dedication to the Idylls.” Camilla answered the question. “I suppose he was rather sentimental today. But I just loved it. Didn’t you?”

She looked at Rockingham. Another spark of understanding leaped between them.

“I’m afraid I did too”, he said, struggling with a mixture of emotions he could not understand.

His host’s eyes quizzed him once more.

“Falling for her?” the Hawk asked himself.

Aloud he cut in, “That sort of thing does a lot of good. The padre ought to be out in a minute. I think I’ll invite him back to lunch. Wonder why he hasn’t called on us yet”.

“He has”, said Camilla. “Only we were both out.”

Almost at once, the Reverend Lionel Beresford emerged from his vestry, but only to refuse the feudal command.

“I’m afraid I can’t manage it”, he said in the same unaffected voice he had used from the pulpit. “This is my busy day.”

Introduced to Diana, he continued, “I believe I knew your father. We were in the same regiment. Before I ... changed uniforms”.

The Hawk cut in again, “So you’ve been a soldier, Beresford. Temporary commission, I suppose?”

Told, “Oh, no”, and the number of a cavalry regiment, he stared.

“I sent in my papers after the war.” It was obvious to Rockingham that the stare had not gone unnoticed. “And took to the ministry instead. No honour and glory, of course. But one flatters oneself one is of some use.”

After a few more sentences, the vicar took off his hat, said goodbye, and removed himself with long easy strides.

“Nice man”, commented Diana; and Hawk Wethered, looking at that straight back in the clerical clothes, “Rummy idea. Hope he isn’t one of these socialists.”

Camilla said, with a touch of sarcasm, “He doesn’t preach like one. But of course he may be. What’ll you do in that case, Guy? Order your guns out?”

Willy nilly, Rockingham laughed.