Audley had thought it
fittest not to swell the numbers unnecessarily, and had kept himself
out of the way, and tried to keep his fellow-curate.
So he had seen no more of the Bishop, until, some little time after
he and Fernan had lunched, and were, it must be confessed, making up
for their unrestful nights by having both dropped asleep, one on his
chair, the other on the sofa, there came a ring to the door, and
Lance, who had a strong turn for opening it, found himself face to
face with the same tall gray-haired gentleman at whom he had gazed in
the rochet and lawn-sleeves. He stood gazing up open-mouthed.
'I think I have seen you in the choir, and heard you too,' said the
Bishop, kindly taking Lance's paw, which might have been cleaner, had
he known what awaited it. 'Mr. Audley lives here, I think.'
Lance was for once without a word to say for himself, though his
mouth remained open. All he did was unceremoniously to throw wide Mr.
Audley's door, and bolt upstairs, leaving his Lordship to usher
himself in, while Mr. Audley started up, and Ferdinand would have
done the same, had he been able, before he was forbidden.
There was a kindly talk upon his health and plans, how he was to
remain at Bexley till after Easter and his first Communion, and then
Mr.
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