Cecil was silenced for the moment, but not daunted; for was it not
the foremost duty of the lady of the manor to keep the clergyman in
order, more especially when he was her own husband's younger
brother? so she met her brother-in-law with "Julius, when I
undertook that notice, I had no notion you were going to have so
many services."

"Is there more than you have time to paint? Then Bindon can do it,
or Jenny Bowater."

"No! it is not time or trouble; but I do not think such a number of
services desirable."

"Indeed!" said he, looking amused.

"Yes. An over number of services frequented by no one only brings
the Church into contempt. I heard papa say so. We only had regular
Sunday and Saint's Day services, and I am sure Dunstone was quite as
religious a place as there is any need to be."

"I am glad to hear it," said Julius, an odd look flickering about
his face; "but as I am afraid Compton is not as religious a place as
there is need to be, I must try, by your leave, all means of making
it so. Good night."

He was gone, and Cecil was not sure that he had not presumed to
laugh at her.