of tea. As I have
already remarked, there are muffins in the grate."

Teresa dosed the discussion, having deftly conveyed the impression that
she considered the mother of the gardener's boy had shown a far more
reasonable spirit than the parents of other elk-assaulted victims.

"Teresa is devoid of feeling," said Mrs. Yonelet afterwards to the
vicar's wife; "to sit there, talking of muffins, with an appalling
tragedy only narrowly averted--"

"Of course you know whom she really intends Bertie to marry?" asked the
vicar's wife; "I've noticed it for some time. The Bickelbys' German
governess."

"A German governess! What an idea!" gasped Mrs. Yonelet.

"She's of quite good family, I believe," said the vicar's wife, "and not
at all the mouse-in-the-back-ground sort of person that governesses are
usually supposed to be. In fact, next to Teresa, she's about the most
assertive and combative personality in the neighbourhood. She's pointed
out to my husband all sorts of errors in his sermons, and she gave Sir
Laurence a public lecture on how he ought to handle the hounds. You know
how sensitive Sir Laurence is about any criticism of his Mastership, and
to have a governess laying down the law to him nearly drove him into a
fit. She's behaved like that to every one, except, of course, Teresa,
and every one has been defensively rude to her in return. The Bickelbys
are simply too afraid of her to get rid of her. Now isn't that exactly
the sort of woman whom Teresa would take a delight in installing as her
successor? Imagine the discomfort and awkwardness in the county if we
suddenly found that she was to be the future hostess at the Hall.
Teresa's only regret will be that she won't be alive to see it."

"But," objected Mrs. Yonelet, "surely Bertie hasn't shown the least sign
of being attracted in that quarter?"

"Oh, she's quite nice-looking in a way, and dresses well, and plays a
good game of tennis. She often comes across the park with messages from
the Bickelby mansion, and one of these days Bertie will rescue her from
the elk, which has become almost a habit with him, and Teresa will say
that Fate has consecrated them to one another. Bertie might not be
disposed to pay much attention to the consecrations of Fate, but he would
not dream of opposing his grandmother."

The vicar's wife spoke with the quiet authority of one who has intuitive
knowledge, and in her heart of hearts Mrs. Yonelet believed her.

Six