Unheard, Mr. Aylmer had joined the party. Kate was talking so loudly–for loud talking was one of her accomplishments–that she had not heard the door gently opened and closed again, nor was she at all aware that the rector was quietly listening to her flippant tirade. She looked up when she ceased speaking, and Mw Mr. Aylmer’s tall, erect figure before her, and noticed his grave, sad looks.