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"The Reverend Bernard Vane, at present vicar of St. Cyprian's, somewhere in the west end of London -- that is Redding's description of him," Mr. Fairchild replied. "I don't know how a fashionable London clergyman will settle down at Seacove, nor what his reasons are for coming here, I'm sure. I hope the change will be for good."
But his tone showed that he was not at all certain that it would prove so.
"Is he married?" asked Celestina's mother. "Oh yes, by the bye, I remember Mr. Redding spoke of children, but old Captain Deal came in just as he was telling more and I could not hear the rest."
"There are several children and Mrs. Vane a youngish lady still, he said. The old Rectory will want some overhauling before they come to it, I should say," remarked Mr. Fairchild. "It must be nigh upon forty years since Dr. Bunton came there, and there's not much been done in the way of repairs, save a little whitewashing now and then. The doctor and Mrs. Bunton haven't needed much just by themselves -- but a family's different; they'll be needing nurseries and schoolrooms and what not, especially if they have been used to grand London ways." |
