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"Shall I tell you the history of her marriage?" said Lady Mary. Her pretty laugh rang out softly in the darkness, and thrilled John's heart, and shocked yet further the old ladies who sat within, straining their ears for the sound of returning footsteps. "It took place about forty years ago or less. A cousin of her mother's, Sir William Belstone, came to spend a few days here.
"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.
"Leave it to me, Georgina," said Lady Belstone, with the air of a diplomat. "Mary, my love!" Lady Mary started. "Yes, Isabella." "Georgina has very properly recalled to me that candles and lamps make a very poor light for viewing the family portraits. You know, my love, the Vandyck is so very dark and black.
Crewys has given us carte blanche for fireworks and flags; and they are to have a fine bean-feast." "Our cousin John takes a great deal upon himself, and has made uncommonly free with Peter's money," said Lady Belstone, shaking her head. "I wish he may not find himself pretty nigh ruined when he comes to look into his own affairs. In my opinion, Fred Crawley is little better than a fool."
This John had said with quite unruffled good humour, and with a smile on his face, as though such an upheaval of domestic politics were the simplest thing in the world. Though for years the insolence and the idleness of Ash had been favourite grievances with Lady Belstone and Miss Crewys, they were speechlessly indignant with young John.
"If you please, my dear," said Sir Timothy, dropping his letters into the box. "I am afraid the tea will be little better than poison, brother," said Lady Belstone, in warning tones; "it has stood so long." "Perhaps dear Mary intends to order fresh tea, Isabella," said Miss Crewys.
"Is it possible?" "Why, he's grown into a man," said Miss Crewys, showing symptoms of an inclination to become hysterical. Peter was aghast at the commotion, and came hurriedly forward to soothe his agitated relatives. "Is this your boasted self-command, Georgina?" said Lady Belstone, weeping. "We cannot always be consistent, Isabella. It was the unexpected joy," sobbed Miss Crewys.
"I, for one, should walk out of this house the day that girl entered it as mistress, let Peter say what he would to prevent me," said Lady Belstone, reddening with indignation. "I wonder where you would go to?" said Lady Mary, with some curiosity. "Of course," she added, hastily, "there is the Dower House."
"We both make the rule, John," said Lady Belstone, mournfully, "or, of course, as the elder sister, I should naturally pour out the tea in our dear Lady Mary's absence." "Of course, of course," said John Crewys. "Forgive me, Isabella, but we have discussed this point before," said Miss Crewys. "Though I cannot deny, our cousin being, as he is, a lawyer, his opinion would carry weight.
"Never shall it be said that dear Timothy's sisters ousted his wife from her proper place, because she did not happen to be present to occupy it." "Besides," said Lady Belstone, "you have, no doubt, some excellent reason, my love, for the delay."
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