softness and brilliancy, and Howard liked to feel them dwelling
upon him. As they sat at tea she suddenly put her hand on his and
said, "My dear boy, how you remind me of your mother! I suppose you
hardly even remember her as a young woman; but though you are half
hidden in that beard of yours, you are somehow just like her, and I
feel as if I were in the schoolroom again at Hunsdon in the old
days. No, I am not sentimental. I don't want it back again, and I
don't hate the death that parts us. One can't go back, one must go
forward--and, after all, hearts were made to love with, and not to
break!"

They spent a quiet evening in the still house. Mrs. Graves said to
Howard, "I know that men always want to go and do something
mysterious after tea; but to-night you must just sit here and get
used to me. You needn't be afraid of having to see too much of me.
I don't appear before luncheon, and Jane looks after me; and you
must get some exercise in the afternoons. I don't go further than
the village. I expect you have lectures to write; and you must do
exactly what you like." They sat there, in the low panelled room,
and talked easily about old recollections. They dined in simple
state in the big hall with its little gallery, at a round table in
the centre, lighted by candles. The food was simple, the wine was
good.

"Marengo chicken," said Mrs. Graves as a dish was handed round.
"That's one of Jane's historical allusions. If you don't know why
it is called Marengo, Jane will rejoice to enlighten you." After
the meal she begged him to smoke. "I like it," said Mrs. Graves; "I
have even smoked myself in seclusion, but now I dare not--it would
be all over the parish to-morrow."