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But, as she knew very well, Miss Whichello was too nervous and too much of a lady to give her opinion on questions unasked, and therefore, banishing the defiant look which had begun to harden her face, she waited to hear if it was any other reason than bestowing the jelly which had brought the little old spinster to so disreputable a quarter of the town at so untoward an hour.
As this was precisely what the archdeacon's widow had done, Cargrim felt horribly uncomfortable under the scorn of Miss Whichello's justifiable indignation. He grew red, and smiled feebly, and murmured weak apologies; all of which Miss Whichello saw and heard with supreme contempt.
The prospect cheered her greatly, for Mrs Pansey hated Miss Whichello as much as a certain personage she quoted on occasions is said to hate holy water. 'You are quite an Ear of Dionysius, said the chaplain, with a complimentary smirk; 'everything seems to come to you.
'You may well say that, Mr Cargrim, replied the old lady, with a nervous movement, for the sound of his voice and the sudden view of his face startled her not a little. 'It is not often I am out at this hour, but I have been taking some jelly to Mrs Mosk. 'You are a good Samaritan, Miss Whichello. I hope she is better? 'I think so, but I did not see her, as she is asleep.
'I'm an old woman, my dear, and you must allow me to speak my mind. I'm sure Mrs Pansey always does. 'You need not be so very unpleasant! No, really! 'The truth is always unpleasant, said Mrs Pansey, who could not forbear a thrust even at her own guest, 'but Miss Whichello doesn't often hear it, with a dig at her rival. 'Come away, Daisy.
'This must be looked into. 'Thank you, Mrs Pansey, I have looked into it myself, said Miss Whichello. 'Captain Pendle, come home with me to luncheon and tell me all about it; Mr Cargrim, you come also. Both gentlemen bowed and accepted, the former because he wished to see Mab, the latter because he knew that Captain Pendle did not want him to come.
With much interest the bishop examined the two certificates of birth and marriage which Miss Whichello placed before him. They were both legally perfect, and he saw plainly that however badly Bosvile might have behaved afterwards to Ann Bosvile she was undoubtedly his wife.
Fortunately, there was no need for her to proceed to such extremes. At the door of The Derby Winner she was rather surprised to find Miss Whichello waiting for her. The little old lady wore her poke bonnet and old-fashioned black silk cloak, and appeared anxious and nervous, and altogether unlike her usual cheery self.
'It is better now, my dear, replied the old lady, who really looked very ill. 'How do you do, Captain Pendle? 'Hadn't you better call me George, Miss Whichello? 'No, I hadn't, my dear man; at least, not until your engagement with Mab is an accomplished fact. 'But it is an accomplished fact now, aunty, said Mab, showing the ring. 'Here is the visible sign of our engagement.
As the chaplain, with three of four young ladies, including Miss Norsham, was bearing down on the bishop, Miss Whichello recognised the justice of his speech, and not feeling equal to talk frivolity, she hastily retreated and ran into the house to fight down her emotion.
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