“Is the Rector in?” he asked the servant who opened to him.
“Chisely,” said Joyce, instinctively, then he coloured. It was odd that he should have been taken off his guard.
The servant showed him into the library. A glance proved that Everard no longer inhabited it. No trace of the dilettante was visible in its homely comfort. Presently the door opened, and the Rector, a kindly grey-bearded man, entered the room. Joyce made his apology for intrusion.
“I came down expecting to find Canon Chisely. I am a distant relation of his, not long come from abroad.”
“I fear you have come on a vain errand,” said the Rector with a smile. “He took over his diocese in New Zealand some months ago.”
“Dear me, have n’t you heard? Canon Chisely accepted the bishopric of Taroofa at the beginning of the year.”
“How very extraordinary!” said Joyce, nonplussed. But the other took his remark literally.
“Yes, it is singular. Most people think he has thrown himself away. A very able man, you know--quite young. He might have had an English bishopric if he had waited.”
“And Mrs. Chisely?” asked Joyce, interrogatively.
“That’s where the whole trouble came in, apparently. It weighed on his mind--a very proud man. He took the first chance that offered.”
“Pardon my questioning you,” said Joyce, “but I am quite in the dark as to what you are referring to. The last letter, two years back, that I received from Mrs. Chisely was dated from here. She was happily married and all that. I am an old friend of hers. What has happened?”
“I can only repeat the gossip, Mr. Chisely. It seems that just about then some misfortune arose--a first husband of Mrs. Chisely’s, supposed dead, turned up, and so there was a separation.”
“That’s more than I can say. A lady--a great friend of mine--also I believe a connexion of your own--”
“The same. I see you know her. She may be able to inform you. I believe she has said authoritatively that the late Mrs. Chisely went back to her former husband.”
“That I can’t believe,” said Joyce, indignantly.
“I can only give you what I hear,” said the Rector, placidly. “I know Bishop Chisely went to Paris, where they were supposed to be, before starting for New Zealand. But Mrs. Winstanley will tell you.”