to hear that you contemplated taking Orders. Of course we knew Mr.
Chilvers by reputation, but my husband had no idea that he was coming to Exeter.
What an energetic man he is! In a few hours he seemed to have met everyone, and
to have learnt everything. My husband says he felt quite rebuked by such a
display of vigour!«
    Even in his discomposure, graver than any that had affected him since his
talks with Buckland Warricombe, Peak was able to notice that the Rev. Bruno had
not made a wholly favourable impression upon the Lilywhites. There was an
amiable causticity in that mention of his display of vigour, such as did not
often characterise Mrs. Lilywhite's comments. Finding that the vicar would be
away till evening, Godwin stayed for only a quarter of an hour, and when he had
escaped it irritated and alarmed him to reflect how unusual his behaviour must
have appeared to the good lady.
    The blow was aimed at his self-possession from such an unlikely quarter. In
Church papers he had frequently come across Chilvers' name, and the sight of it
caused him a twofold disturbance: it was hateful to have memories of humiliation
revived, and perhaps still more harassing to be forced upon acknowledgment of
the fact that he stood as an obscure aspirant at the foot of the ladder which
his old rival was triumphantly ascending. Bad enough to be classed in any way
with such a man as Chilvers; but to be regarded as at one with him in religious
faith, to be forbidden the utterance of scorn when Chilvers was extolled, stung
him so keenly that he rushed into any distraction to elude the thought. When he
was suffering shame under the gaze of Buckland Warricombe he remembered
Chilvers, and shrank as before a merited scoff. But the sensation had not been
abiding enough to affect his conduct. He had said to himself that he should
never come in contact with the fellow, and that, after all, community of
religious profession meant no more, under their respective circumstances, than
if both were following law or physic.
    But the unforeseen had happened. In a few months, the Rev. Bruno Chilvers
would be a prominent figure about the streets of Exeter; would be frequently
seen at the Warricombes', at the Lilywhites', at the houses of their friends.
His sermons at St. Margaret's would doubtless attract, and form a staple topic
of conversation. Worse than all, his expressions of interest and delight made it
probable that he would seek out his College competitor and offer the hand of
brotherhood. These things were not to be