accustomed to be overridden; he was an elderly
widower, left solitary in his old age, and of depressed spirits and
manner. However, Frank had been used to intercourse with clergy, though
his relations with them seemed reversed, and instead of being patronised,
he had to take the initiative; or rather, they touched each other's cold,
shy, limp hands, and sat upright in their chairs, and observed upon the
appropriate topic of early frosts, which really seemed to be affecting
themselves.

There was a little thaw when Lord Northmoor asked about the population,
larger, alas, than the congregation might have seemed to show, and Mary
asked if there were much poverty, and was answered that there was much
suffering in the winter, there was not much done for the poor except by
Lady Adela.

'You must tell us how we can assist in any way.'

The poor man began to brighten. 'It will be a great comfort to have some
interest in the welfare of the parish taken here, my Lord. The influence
hitherto has not been fortunate. Miss Morton, indeed--latterly--but,
poor thing, if I may be allowed to say so, she is flighty--and
uncertain--no wonder--'

At that moment Lady Adela was ushered in, and the Vicar looked as if
caught in talking treason, while a fresh nip of frost descended on the
party.

Not that the lady was by any means on stiff terms with the Vicar, whom,
indeed, she daily consulted on parochial subjects, and she had the
gracious, hereditary courtesy of high breeding; but she always averred
that this same drawing-room chilled her, and she was fully persuaded that
any advance towards familiarity would lead to something obnoxious on the
part of the newcomers, so that the proper relations between herself and
them could only be preserved by a judicious entrenchment of courtesy.
Still, it was more the manner of the Vicar than of herself that gave the
impression of her being a formidable autocrat. After the frost had been
again languidly discussed, Mr. Woodman faltered out, 'His Lordship was
asking--was so good as to ask--how to assist in the parish.'

Lady Adela knew how scarce money must be, so she hesitated to mention
subscriptions, and only said, 'Thank you--very kind.'

'Is there any one I could read to?' ventured Mary.

'Have you been used to the kind of thing?' asked Lady Adela, not
unkindly, but in a doubting tone.

'No, I never could before; but I do wish to try to do something.'

The earnest humility of the tone