re, but I really
was so agitated by such a very unexpected visit that I scarcely took in
all he said. Yet he was so careful all the time to put me at my ease
that at last I ventured to ask him if he would take some light
refreshment. `My lord,' I said, `may I be so bold as to offer your
lordship a cup of tea? It would be a great honour if you would partake
of our humble hospitality.' And what _do_ you think he answered, my
dear? `Miss Joliffe'--and he had such a winning look--`there is nothing
I should like better. I am very tired with walking about in the church,
and have still some little time to wait, for I am going to London by the
evening train.' Poor young man! (for Lord Blandamer was still young in
Cullerne, which had only known his octogenarian predecessor) he is no
doubt called to London on some public business--the House of Lords, or
the Court, or something like that. I wish he would take as much care of
himself as he seems to take for others. He looks so very tired, and a
sad face too, Anastasia, and yet is most considerate. `I should like a
cup of tea very much'--those were his exact words--`but you must not
trouble to come all the way upstairs again to bring it to me. Let me
come down and take it with you.'

"`Forgive me, my lord,' was my answer, `but I could not permit that.
Our establishment is much too homely, and I shall feel it a privilege to
wait on you, if you will kindly excuse my walking-clothes, as I have
just come back from an afternoon meeting. My niece often wishes to
relieve me, but I tell her my old legs are more active than her young
ones even still.'"

Anastasia's cheeks were red, but she said nothing, and her aunt went on:
"So I will take him some tea at once. You can make it, my dear, if you
like, but put a great deal more in than we use ourselves. The upper
classes have no call to practise economy in such matters, and he is no
doubt used to take his tea very strong. I think Mr Sharnall's teapot
is the best, and I will get out the silver sugar-tongs and one of the
spoons with the `J' on them."

As Miss Joliffe was taking up the tea, she met Westray in the hall. He
had just come back from the church, and was not a little concerned at
his landlady's greeting. She put down her tray, and, with a fateful
gesture and an "Oh, Mr Westray, what do you think?" beckoned him aside
into Mr Sharnall's room. His first impression was that some grave
accident had happened, that the o