don't admire anybody who can come to out to a dinner party with a
head and neck like that," retorted Eliza.

"Why not? You can't burn, and that should make you more charitable. And
I tie myself up in veils and umbrellas, which is absurd. Besides, what
does it matter? You see, it is different with most of us; Miss Rose is
so good-looking that she can afford herself these little luxuries."

"That is a matter of opinion," replied Miss Layard.

"Oh! I don't think so; at least, the opinion is all one way. Don't
you think Miss Rose beautiful, Mr. Layard?" she said, turning to her
companion.

"Ripping," said that gentleman, with emphasis. "But I wish she wouldn't
beat one at tennis; it is an insult to the stronger sex."

Mary looked at him reflectively. His sister looked at him also.

"And I am sure that you think her beautiful, don't you, Morris?" went on
the imperturbable Mary.

"Certainly, of course; lovely," he replied, with a vacuous stare at the
elderly wife of the baronet.

"There, Miss Layard, now you collect the opinions of the gentlemen
all along your side." And Mary turned away, ostensibly to talk to her
cavalier; but really to find out what could possibly interest Morris so
deeply in the person or conversation of Lady Jones.

Lady Jones was talking across the table to Mr. Tomley, the departing
rector, a benevolent-looking person, with a broad forehead adorned like
that of Father Time by a single lock of snowy hair.

"And so you are really going to the far coast of Northumberland, Mr.
Tomley, to exchange livings with the gentleman with the odd name? How
brave of you!"

Mr. Tomley smiled assent, adding: "You can imagine what a blow it is
to me, Lady Jones, to separate myself from my dear parishioners and
friends"--here he eyed the Colonel, with whom he had waged a continual
war during his five years of residence in the parish, and added: "But
we must all give way to the cause of duty and the necessities of health.
Mrs. Tomley says that this part of the country does not agree with
her, and is quite convinced that unless she is taken back to her native
Northumberland air the worst may be expected."

"I fancy that it has arrived in that poor man's case," thought Mary
to herself. Lady Jones, who also knew Mrs. Tomley and the power of her
tongue, nodded her head sympathetically and said:

"Of course, of course. A wife's health must be the first consideration
of every good man. But isn't it rather lonely up