said Lady Tyrrell. "I am sure there is nothing I wish more than
that we had any power of improvement of the cottages here; but
influence is our only weapon."

"By the bye, Mrs. Poynsett," continued Mrs. Duncombe, "will you give
a hint to Mrs. Miles Charnock that it will never do to preach to the
women at the working-room? I don't mean holding forth," she added,
seeing Cecil's look of amazement; "but improving the occasion,
talking piously, giving tracts, and so forth."

"I thought you gave sanitary tracts!" said Lady Tyrrell.

"That is quite different."

"I doubt whether the women would see the distinction. A little book
_is_ a tract to them."

"I would abstain rather than let our work get a goody reputation for
indoctrinating sectarianism. It would be all up with us; we might
as well keep a charity school."

"I don't think the women dislike it," said Cecil.

"Most likely they think it the correct thing, the grain which they
must swallow with our benefits; but for that very reason it injures
the whole tone, and prevents them learning independence. Put it in
that light; I know you can."

"I don't think Anne would understand," said Cecil, somewhat
flattered.

"I doubt whether there are three women in the neighbourhood who
would," said Lady Tyrrell.

"People always think charity--how I hate the word!--a means of
forcing their own tenets down the throats of the poor," said Mrs.
Duncombe. "And certainly this neighbourhood is as narrow as any I
ever saw. Nobody but you and--shall I say the present company?--has
any ideas. I wonder how they will receive Clio Tallboys and her
husband?"

"Ah! you have not heard about them," said Lady Tyrrell. "Most
delightful people, whom Mrs. Duncombe met on the Righi. He is a
Cambridge professor."

"Taillebois--I don't remember the name," said Cecil, "and we know a
great many Cambridge men. We went to a Commencement there."

"Oh, not Cambridge on the Cam! the American Cambridge," said Mrs.
Duncombe. "He is a quiet, inoffensive man, great on political
economy; but his wife is the character. Wonderfully brilliant and
original, and such a lecturer!"

"Ladies' lectures _would_ startle the natives," said Lady Tyrrell.

"Besides, the town-hall is lacking," said Mrs. Duncombe; "but when
the Tallboys come we might arrange a succession of soirees, where
she might gather her audience."

"But where?" said Lady Tyrrell. "It would be great fun, and you
might reckon on