he was in a position to do, live in the country and as much in the open
air as possible, spending the worst months of the winter either in the
South of England or in some warmer land. These grave and learned men
told him outright that his lungs were seriously attacked, and that he
must choose between following their advice and a speedy departure from
the world.

Anthony would have defied them, for that was his nature. He wished to
go on with his work and take the risk. But Barbara persuaded him to
obedience. She said she agreed with him that the matter of his health
was greatly exaggerated. At the same time, she pointed out that as they
were now very well off she saw no reason why he should continue to slave
at a profession which might or might not bring him an adequate return
fifteen or twenty years later. She added that personally she detested
London, and would like nothing better than to live at Eastwich near her
own people. Also she showed him that his rather extensive estate needed
personal attention, and could be much improved in value if he were there
to care for it.

The end may be guessed; Anthony gave up the Bar and the house in
Chelsea. After staying at Torquay for a few of the winter months,
where his health improved enormously, they moved to Eastwich during the
following May. Here their welcome was warm indeed, not only from the
Rectory party, who rejoiced to have Barbara back among them, but from
the entire neighbourhood, including the tenants and labourers on the
property.

The ensuing summer was one of the happiest of their married life.
Anthony became so much better that Barbara began to believe he had
thrown off his lung weakness. Certain repairs and rearrangements of