content with the domestic croquet and the
mild gratification of walks, in present circumstances. Has Theo come to
any decision about the improvements? I suppose you will not begin to cut
down till the autumn?"

"Everything is at a standstill, Mr. Wilberforce."

"Well," said Theo, almost angrily, turning to the rector, "there is
no hurry, I hope. One need not start, axe in hand, as if one had been
waiting for that. There is time enough, in autumn or in spring, or when
it happens to be convenient. I am in no haste, for my part."

There was again a little pause, for there had been temper in Theo's
tones. And then it was that the rector distinguished himself by the
most ill-timed question,--a question which startled even Chatty, who
was coming in at the moment with a bowl full of roses, carried in both
hands. Yet it was a very innocent-seeming question, and Cavendish was
not aware of any significance in it till he saw the effect it produced.
"How," said Mr. Wilberforce very distinctly, "is Lady Markland?" He was
looking straight at Theo, but as the words came out of his mouth, struck
too late by their inappropriateness, turned and looked Mrs. Warrender
somewhat severely in the face.

"Oh!" she said, as if some one had struck her; and as for Warrender, he
sprang to his feet, and walked across the room to one of the windows,
where he stood pulling to pieces one of Chatty's bouquets. She put down
her roses, and stood with her hands dropped and her mouth a little open,
a picture of innocent consternation, which, however, was caused more by
the effect upon the others than by any clear perception in herself. All
this took place in a moment, and then Mrs. Warrender replied sedately,
"The last time I saw her she was well enough in health. Sor--trouble,"
she added, changing the word, "does not always affect the health."

"And does she mean to stay _there_?" the rector said, feeling it necessary
to follow up his first question. Mrs. Warrender hesitated, and began to
reply that she did not know, that she believed nothing was settled,
that--when Theodore suddenly turned and replied:--

"Why shouldn't she stay? The reason is just the same for her as for us.
Death changes little except to the person immediately concerned. It is
her home: why shouldn't she stay?"

"Really," said the rector, "you take it so seriously I--when you put the
question to me, I---- As a matter of fact," he added, "I did not mean
anything, if I must tell th