, and the emotion she had shown to-day did not
change that belief. But he was deeply touched by this manifestation of her
better qualities, and felt that there was a new tie of friendship between them.
That was the brief history Felix would have given of his relation to Esther. And
he was accustomed to observe himself. But very close and diligent looking at
living creatures, even through the best microscope, will leave room for new and
contradictory discoveries.
    Felix found Mr Lyon particularly glad to talk to him. The minister had never
yet disburthened himself about his letter to Mr Philip Debarry concerning the
public conference; and as by this time he had all the heads of his discussion
thoroughly in his mind, it was agreeable to recite them, as well as to express
his regret that time had been lost by Mr Debarry's absence from the Manor, which
had prevented the immediate fulfilment of his pledge.
    »I don't see how he can fulfil it if the rector refuses,« said Felix,
thinking it well to moderate the little man's confidence.
    »The rector is of a spirit that will not incur earthly impeachment, and he
cannot refuse what is necessary to his nephew's honourable discharge of an
obligation,« said Mr Lyon. »My young friend, it is a case wherein the
prearranged conditions tend by such a beautiful fitness to the issue I have
sought, that I should have for ever held myself a traitor to my charge had I
neglected the indication.«
 

                                   Chapter 23

            »I will not excuse you; you shall not be excused; excuses shall not
            be admitted; there's no excuse shall serve; you shall not be
            excused.« -
                                                                       Henry IV.
 
When Philip Debarry had come home that morning and read the letters which had
not been forwarded to him, he laughed so heartily at Mr Lyon's that he
congratulated himself on being in his private room. Otherwise his laughter would
have awakened the curiosity of Sir Maximus, and Philip did not wish to tell any
one the contents of the letter until he had shown them to his uncle. He
determined to ride over to the rectory to lunch; for as Lady Mary was away, he
and his uncle might be tête-à-tête.
    The rectory was on the other side of the river, close to the church of which
it was the fitting companion: a fine old brick-and-stone house, with a great
bow-window opening from the library on to the deep-turfed lawn, one fat dog
sleeping on the door-stone, another fat