rother Timothy had not been mad enough to go to London, he would have
been alive at this moment. I have never heard of Dr. Blundell finding
it necessary--much as I detest the man--to perform an operation on
anybody."

"Apart from this painful subject, my dear lady," murmured the canon,
"I presume it is only a furnished house that Lady Mary contemplates?"

"During all the years of his married life Sir Timothy never hired a
furnished house," said Miss Crewys. "The home of his fathers sufficed
him."

"She may want a change?" suggested the canon.

Miss Crewys interpreted him literally. "No; she is in the best of
health."

"Better than I have ever seen her, and--and _gayer_" said Lady
Belstone, with emphasis.

"People who are gay and bright in disposition are the very ones
who--who pine for a little excitement at times," said the courageous
canon. "There is so much to be seen and done and heard in London. For
instance, as you say--she is passionately fond of music."

"She gets plenty. _We_ get more than enough," said Miss Crewys,
grimly.

"I mean _good_ music;" then he recollected himself in alarm. "No,
no; I don't mean hers is not charming, and Mr. John's playing is
delightful, but--"

"There is an organ in the parish church," said Miss Crewys, crocheting
more busily than ever. "I have heard no complaints of the choir. Have
you?"

"No, no; but--besides music, there are so many other things," he said
dismally. "She likes pictures, too."

"It does not look like it, canon," said Lady Belstone, sorrowfully.
She waved her handkerchief towards the panelled walls. "She has
removed the family portraits to the lumber-room."

"At least the Vandyck has never been seen to greater advantage,"
said the canon, hopefully; "and I hear the gallery upstairs has been
restored and supported, to render it safe to walk upon, which will
enable you to take pleasure in the fine pictures there."

"I am sadly afraid that it is not pictures that poor Mary hankers
after, but _theatres_," said Miss Crewys. "John has persuaded her,
if persuasion was needed, which I take leave to doubt, that there is
nothing improper in visiting such places. My dear brother thought
otherwise."

"You know I do not share your opinions on that point," said the canon.
"Though not much of a theatre-goer myself, still--"

"A widow at the theatre!" said Lady Belstone. "Even in the admiral's
lifetime I did not go. Being a sailor, and _not_ a clergyman," she
a