‘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.’ ‘Then you deliberately adapt yourself to the prejudices of unintelligent people?’ ‘I do so, deliberately,’ assented the vicar, with one of his fleeting smiles. Richard went away feeling sorry that he had courted this rejection. He would never have thought of inviting a ‘parson’ but for Mrs. Waltham’s suggestion. After all, it it mattered little whether Adela came to the luncheon or not. He had desired her presence because he wished her to see him as an entertainer of guests such as the Westlakes, whom she would perceive to be people of refinement; it occurred to him, too, that such an occasion might aid his snit by exciting her ambition; for he was anything but confident of immediate success with Adela, especially since recent conversations with Mrs. Waltham. But in any case she would attend the afternoon ceremony, when his glory would be proclaimed.