ch elevated
delights 'a deux' are apt to be misinterpreted by the vulgar. And now,
there's enough of this chaff and nonsense. I want to speak to you about
the executorship and matters connected with the property generally."

Half an hour later, when the Colonel appeared in the drawing-room,
the violin was fetched, and Stella played it and sang afterwards to a
piano-forte accompaniment. The performance was not of the same standard,
by any means, as that which had delighted Thomas, for Stella did not
feel the surroundings quite propitious. Still, with her voice and touch
she could not fail, and the result was that before she had done the
Colonel grew truly enthusiastic.

"I know a little of music," he said, "and I have heard most of the best
singers and violinists during the last forty years; but in the face of
all those memories I hope you will allow me to congratulate you, Miss
Fregelius. There are some notes in your voice which really reduce me
to the condition of peeping Thomas, and, hardened old fellow that I am,
almost make me feel inclined to cry."

CHAPTER XV

THREE INTERVIEWS

The next day was a Sunday, and the Colonel went to church, wearing a
hat-band four inches deep. Morris, however, declined to accompany him,
saying that he had a letter to write to Mary; whereon his father, who
at first was inclined to be vexed, replied that he could not be better
employed, and that he was to give her his love. Then he asked if Miss
Fregelius was coming, but somewhat to his disappointment, was informed
that she wished to stay with her father.

"I wonder," thought the Colonel to himself as he strolled to the church,
now and again acknowledging greetings or stopping to chat with one of
the villagers--"I wonder if they are going to have a little sacred music
together in the chapel. If so, upon my soul, I should like to make
the congregation. And that pious fellow Morris, too--the blameless
Morris--to go philandering about in this fashion. I hope it won't come
to Mary's ears; but if it does, luckily, with all her temper, she is a
sensible woman, and knows that even Jove nods at times."

After the service the Colonel spoke to various friends, accepted their
condolences upon the death of Mr. Porson, and finally walked down the
road with Eliza Layard.

"You must have found that all sorts of strange things have happened at
the Abbey since you have been away, Colonel Monk," she said presently in
a sprightly voice.

"W