‘May I advise you, Mr. Mutimer?’ she said, in a lowered voice, bending forward.  ’Let me deliver the invitation.  I think it would be better, really.  We shall see whether you can persuade Mr. Wyvern to be present.  I promise you to—–­n fact, not to interpose any obstacle if Adela thinks she can be present at the lunch.’

‘Then I’ll leave it so,’ said Richard, more cheerfully.  Mrs. Waltham could see that his nerves were in a dancing state.  Really, he had much fine feeling.

CHAPTER XI

It being only midday, Richard directed his steps at once to the Vicarage, and had the good fortune to find Mr. Wyvern within.

‘Be seated, Mr. Mutimer; I’m, glad to see you,’ was the vicar’s greeting.

Their mutual intercourse had as yet been limited to an exchange of courtesies in public, and one or two casual meetings at the Walthams’ house.  Richard had felt shy of the vicar, whom he perceived to be a clergyman of other than the weak-brained type, and the circumstances of the case would not allow Mr. Wyvern to make advances.  The latter proceeded with friendliness of tone, speaking of the progress of New Wanley.

‘That’s what I’ve come to see you about,’ said Richard, trying to put himself at ease by mentally comparing his own worldly estate with that of his interlocutor, yet failing as often as he felt the scrutiny of the vicar’s dark-gleaming eye.  ’We are going to open the Hall.’  He added details.  ’I shall have a number of friends who are interested in our undertaking to lunch with me on that day.  I wish to ask if you will give us the pleasure of your company.’

Mr. Wyvern reflected for a moment.

‘Why, no, sir,’ he replied at length, using the Johnsonian phrase with grave courtesy.  ’I’m afraid I cannot acknowledge your kindness as I should wish to.  Personally, I would accept your hospitality with pleasure, but my position here, as I understand it, forbids me to join you on that particular occasion.’

‘Then personally you are not hostile to me, Mr. Wyvern?’

‘To you personally, by no means.’

‘But you don’t like the movement?’

’In so far as it has the good of men in view it interests me, and I respect its supporters.’

‘But you think we go the wrong way to work?’

‘That is my opinion, Mr. Mutimer.’

‘What would you have us do?’

’To see faults is a much easier thing than to originate a sound scheme.  I am far from prepared with any plan of social reconstruction.’

Nor could Mr. Wyvern be moved from the negative attitude, though Mutimer pressed him.

‘Well, I’m sorry you won’t come,’ Richard said as he rose to take his leave.  ‘It didn’t strike me that you would feel out of place.’

’Nor should I. But you will understand that my opportunities of being useful in the village depend on the existence of sympathetic feeling in my parishioners.  It is my duty to avoid any behaviour which could be misinterpreted.’