entioned that she had seen them--i.e., his
son and Miss Fregelius--struggling through the gale the other night.
Then he watched the effect of this shot. Morris moved his chair and
looked uncomfortable; clearly he was a most transparent sinner. But on
Stella it took no effect.

"As usual," reflected the Colonel, "the lady has the most control.
Or perhaps he tried to kiss her and she wouldn't let him, and a
consciousness of virtue gives her strength."

After luncheon the Colonel paid a visit to Mr. Fregelius, ostensibly to
talk to him about the proposed restoration of the chancel, for which
he, as holder of the great tithes, was jointly liable with the rector, a
responsibility that, in the altered circumstances of the family, he now
felt himself able to face. When this subject was exhausted, which did
not take long, as Mr. Fregelius refused to express any positive
opinion until he had inspected the church, the Colonel's manner grew
portentously solemn.

"My dear sir," he said, "there is another matter, a somewhat grave
one, upon which, for both our sakes and the sakes of those immediately
concerned, I feel bound to say a few words."

Mr. Fregelius, who was a timid man, looked very much alarmed. A
conviction that the "grave matter" had something to do with Stella
flashed into his mind, but all he said was:

"I am afraid I don't understand, Colonel Monk."

"No; indeed, how should you? Well, to come to the point, it has to do
with that very charming daughter of yours and my son Morris."

"I feared as much," groaned the clergyman.

"Indeed! I thought you said you did not understand."

"No, but I guessed; wherever Stella goes things seem to happen."

"Exactly; well, things have happened here. To be brief, I mean that a
lot of silly women have got up a scandal about them--no, scandal is too
strong a word--gossip."

"What is alleged?" asked Mr. Fregelius faintly.

"Well, that your daughter threw over that young ass, Stephen Layard,
because--the story seems to me incredible, I admit--she had fallen
violently in love with Morris. Further that she and the said Morris were
seen embracing at night on the Rectory road, which I don't believe, as
the witnesses are Layard, who is prejudiced, and his sister, who is the
most ill-bred, bitter, and disappointed woman in the county. Lastly,
and this is no doubt true, that they are generally on terms of great
intimacy, and we all know where that leads to between a man and
woman-