open, so they went in, and, though plain and rather bare in
appearance, it possessed a beautiful stained window at the east end,
several old tombs, and a handsome-looking organ. Elfie pressed forward
eagerly to look at the latter, and found to her delight that it was
open. Music was her passion, and she was almost as skilful at the
organ as at her piano or with her violin.

'I must try it,' she whispered; 'do blow for me, one of you!'

Gwen complied with her request immediately, and strains of Mendelssohn
and Handel were soon filling the church. Clare was wandering dreamily
round listening and enjoying it, when suddenly a harsh voice behind her
startled her.

'And may I ask who has given you permission to touch the organ?'

'I am not touching it,' Clare responded, coolly, gazing in astonishment
at the apparition before her.

An old lady with a cap awry on her head, green spectacles, and a large
shawl flung round her, stood tapping the ground impatiently with a
walking-stick.

'I don't wish to meet with impertinence; your party are taking an
unwarrantable liberty. I wish, if my brother persists in keeping the
church doors open, that he would keep a chained bulldog inside!
Nothing else will keep you tourists in your place. And here am I
without a bonnet, defying St. Paul's command, and getting a fresh
attack of rheumatism, and perhaps palpitation of the heart, by my haste
and exposure! Will you have the goodness to tell your friends to leave
that organ alone?'

Elfie, hearing voices, now turned round and left her seat at once.

Clare was not trying to soothe the old lady, but rather seemed to enjoy
her irascibility.

'No, madam, we are not tourists. Are you the verger's wife? You must
excuse my ignorance, but we are strangers in this part. Perhaps you
can tell us a little about the church; it seems a very old one. How
many years has it been standing?'

For answer the old lady raised her stick and tapped her slightly on the
shoulder with it.

'Leave the church, young woman, and don't try to make me violent in the
house of God!'

They were in the porch by this time, and Elfie and Gwen joined them.
Elfie at once tried to make peace.

'I am very sorry,' she said contritely. 'I am so fond of the organ
that I could not resist trying it. Please forgive me; I will not do it
again unless I have permission.'

She smiled so sweetly as she spoke that the old lady seemed a little
softened.

'You will n