midday
` Then I 'll leave it so , ' said Richard , more cheerfully . Mrs. Waltham could see that his nerves were in a dancing state . Really , he had much fine feeling . It being only midday , Richard directed his steps at once to the Vicarage , and had the good fortune to find Mr. Wyvern within . ` Be seated , Mr. Mutimer ; I 'm glad to see you , ' was the vicar 's greeting . Their mutual intercourse had as yet been limited to an exchange of courtesies in public , and one or two casual meetings at the Walthams ' house . Richard had felt shy of the vicar , whom he perceived to be a clergyman of other than the weak-brained type , and the circumstances of the case would not allow Mr. Wyvern to make advances .