e his
induction to the living of Welland, but he had never as yet found means
to establish that reciprocity with Lady Constantine which usually grows
up, in the course of time, between parsonage and manor-house,--unless,
indeed, either side should surprise the other by showing respectively a
weakness for awkward modern ideas on landownership, or on church
formulas, which had not been the case here. The present meeting,
however, seemed likely to initiate such a reciprocity.

There was an appearance of confidence on Lady Constantine's face; she
said she was so very glad that he had come, and looking down at the
letter in her hand was on the point of pulling it from its envelope; but
she did not. After a moment she went on more quickly: 'I wanted your
advice, or rather your opinion, on a serious matter,--on a point of
conscience.' Saying which she laid down the letter and looked at the
cards.

It might have been apparent to a more penetrating eye than the vicar's
that Lady Constantine, either from timidity, misgiving, or reconviction,
had swerved from her intended communication, or perhaps decided to begin
at the other end.

The parson, who had been expecting a question on some local business or
intelligence, at the tenor of her words altered his face to the higher
branch of his profession.

'I hope I may find myself of service, on that or any other question,' he
said gently.

'I hope so. You may possibly be aware, Mr. Torkingham, that my husband,
Sir Blount Constantine, was, not to mince matters, a mistaken--somewhat
jealous man. Yet you may hardly have discerned it in the short time you
knew him.'

'I had some little knowledge of Sir Blount's character in that respect.'

'Well, on this account my married life with him was not of the most
comfortable kind.' (Lady Constantine's voice dropped to a more pathetic
note.) 'I am sure I gave him no cause for suspicion; though had I known
his disposition sooner I should hardly have dared to marry him. But his
jealousy and doubt of me were not so strong as to divert him from a
purpose of his,--a mania for African lion-hunting, which he dignified by
calling it a scheme of geographical discovery; for he was inordinately
anxious to make a name for himself in that field. It was the one passion
that was stronger than his mistrust of me. Before going away he sat down
with me in this room, and read me a lecture, which resulted in a very
rash offer on my part. When I te