Rachel was tempted to answer "a great deal more," but forbore, only returning the kiss with warmth. She was getting almost fond of Mrs. Greville. "Well, you see," she said with a smile, "he is my husband." "But that does not always follow I am sorry to say. Wives are generally very quick in seeing and resenting faults in their husbands. And much as I love my dear boy I see a great many in him." "But there are more virtues after all," was Rachel's answer, "and to return to the subject of whist drives, it is perfectly true what Luke quoted to me from some speech yesterday. 'The Church has so little power with the world because the world has so much power over the Church.' Don't you agree?" "Well perhaps it is so. But when a man's bread and butter is concerned and when the Church funds are low, I own I feel it is not the time to be too particular." "I am afraid I don't agree with you a bit." "I don't suppose you do; that is because Luke has imbued you with his ideas of right and wrong." "Luke has a very high ideal," said Rachel, "and I am trying to live up to it." And Mrs. Greville went away thinking to herself, "I only hope that Luke realises what a devoted wife he has. I don't believe he does." [Illustration] CHAPTER XVII. LUKE IS DISCOURAGED. The four members who had left the Church Council when the vote went against Whist Drives for Church purposes, did not leave the Church. They valued their Vicar too much to do so suddenly; but they were thoroughly vexed at the decision arrived at. It had been a blow to Luke to find that he only had a majority of one. He had hoped that his congregation had felt with him in the matter, and finding how strong the stream was towards such means of increasing the popularity of the Church, depressed him not a little. Moreover, he felt bound, greatly against his will, to preach against such methods and to give his reasons for so doing; and though some respected him for his courage, there were others who resented it. To Rachel, the Sunday on which he mentioned the matter was a most painful day; though she was glad that Luke had spoken out on what was much on his mind. "I am beginning to think," he said, on sitting down to dinner after the service, "that my time in the parish is about over. It seems to me my influence for good is not strong enough. It wants a stronger man than I am here." "You are tired," said Rachel. "That's what is making you downhearted. Last week was such a very heavy one for you. In a day or two you will see things differently." Luke smiled unbelievingly. "What I should like, and in fact what I have always longed for," he said, "is a Church in London. Though I doubt if such an honour will ever come my way. I am not a big enough man to be trusted with a London parish."