"It is a comfort to find that _some one_ can consider the feelings of
our poor brother," said Miss Crewys.

"Do give me your arm to the drawing-room, canon," said Lady Belstone,
rightly judging that the canon would reveal the whole contents of
Peter's letter to her more easily in private. "The shock has made me
feel quite faint. You, too, Georgina, are looking pale."

"It is not the shock, but the draught, which is affecting me,
Isabella,--Sir Timothy thoughtlessly keeping the door open so long. I
will accompany you to the drawing-room."

"But Sir Timothy may want me," said the canon, uneasily.

"Bless the man! they've got the letter itself, what can they want with
_you?_" said her ladyship, vigorously propelling her supporter out of
reach of possible interruption. "Close the door behind us, Georgina, I
beg, or that odious doctor will be racing after us."

"He takes far too much upon himself. I have no idea of permitting
country apothecaries to be so familiar," said Miss Crewys.




CHAPTER V


Lady Mary, coming from the library with the letter in her hand, met
her husband in the hall.