But she was not anxious to speak to Paul, and every one else was. By Maud, as was natural, he was chiefly appropriated, but he listened to every remark that was made, and without opening his lips took as it were a leading part in the conversation. General Boldero was eager to describe his shooting; he had planned how to put its best side forward, and, while deprecating its merits as superlative, to leave no doubt as to its being superior to that of his neighbours. He hoped Paul would not expect too much; on the other hand, such as it was, and it was not--hum, ha--to be exactly despised, it had been carefully saved up for him. "You are very good, sir," said Paul, gratefully. "I was coming home from church last Sunday morning," continued the general--and stopped, apparently to pick up his stick which slipped, but in reality to let the words sink in--"we walk across the fields from church, it cuts off a mile--and I marked a covey of sixteen. That's not a bad covey, is it?" "It is so long since I shot in England, sir, that I am afraid I hardly know a large covey from a small one." "You have been tracking bigger game. I envy you that. But we poor stay-at-homes must be content with what we can get. Valentine Purcell--that's a young neighbour of ours--walked home from church with me on Sunday, and he was astonished at the size of our coveys. We are to shoot his, later on in the week." Having thus twice brought in that he had been at church, though the tenor of his speech was partridge-shooting, the general felt that he had acquitted himself to admiration, and cast a glance of triumph at Maud. Maud had been apprehensive of his manners forsooth? He hoped he knew better than to tread on any one's toes; and a man who could afford to give his daughter a handsome establishment and was on the look-out for a house with a private chapel attached, had every right to his consideration. He had decreed that no official mention should be made of the family party having been augmented at dinner. "It's the custom in French houses for the abbe to appear without invitation when he pleases. A very good custom; I wish it prevailed in England," he alleged unblushingly. "As it doesn't, it is not our fault if Custance only comes when he's asked; and I should certainly--Paul would certainly, eh, Maud?--You needn't look stupid, my dear," with a sudden touch of irritation. "You know very well what I mean." And as she did and the rest did likewise, it was left to himself to say easily as the party broke up: "We have only our good rector to meet you to-night; he is quite _l'ami intime_ here, as I am sure you will agree with me the clergyman of the parish ought to be. Squire and parson hand in hand, eh?" "And now I think I have settled that," quoth General Boldero to himself.