show. There wasn't a woman to touch her in the place; she had held her
own with them; she had spent his money as he had told her to spend it.
Like a lady. "I like that; how much? Here's your money!" That was what
he had told her to say, and she had said it all right. No damned
huxterings. And those women whom he wished her to get on with, she
_had_ got on with. They liked her. It was easy to see that; and
Lady Isabel had often come in to see her since the show, and had
stayed for tea, as friendly as you please. Annie was all right.

The gossip of Cluhir had been as mistaken in the matter of the Mangans
as gossip often is. Francis Mangan had married his wife for the
entirely unjudicious reason that her beauty had mastered his common
sense. After his marriage his common sense, having regained the upper
hand, was satisfied that, even though her

"Charms were to change by to-morrow
And fleet in his arms,"

she would still be the only wife in the world for him. None the less
he did not pretend indifference to the knowledge that his wife was the
handsomest woman in Cluhir, and there was, indeed, no reason why he
should do so. And thus the Big Doctor had a double triumph.

There came a fumbling tap on the door, it opened a little, and
Hannah's head came twisting round it.

"Docthor!" spoke the head, like a Teraph, "the Misthress says to have
ye come in. The supper's ready, and the priest is in it."

This remarkable statement was accepted by the Doctor with composure,