Page:Lesbia Newman - Dalton - 1889.djvu/301

 wealthy people. I heard by a side wind that Dr Fairfax, the ex-Bishop of London, sent a cheque for one hundred pounds towards the expenses of the choir.’ And there he is, sure enough! on the north side of the chancel boxes. And who’s the lady he’s worshipping?’ she added, raising her operaglass, which she had had the forethought to bring with her. ‘Yes, upon my life! Rose Lockstable! Oh, Rose, the proper and pious Rose Lockstable, a Mylittist! Won't I roast her!’

‘The Lord gave the Establishment, and our Lady Mylitta hath taken it away, and its priests bear rule by their means,’ said Mr Bristley, loud enough to be heard by all his neighbours in the gallery, which in a few minutes was cleared, and some of the visitors waited in a shelter outside the church to see the Mylittists come out, which they did in about three-quarters of an hour, the ladies coming in a body and the gentlemen dispersing to their homes.

‘Good-morning, Rose the Mylittist!’ said Lesbia, shaking hands with her cordially. ‘I hope you have thoroughly enjoyed yourself?’

‘And I trust,’ added Mr Bristley, ‘that his disestablished and disendowed lordship has been established in the skies and endowed with your grace, Mrs Lockstable?’

Rose did not at first know what to answer; after a few seconds, she said,—

‘There’s no denying that Mr Mountjoy has succeeded in converting both me and Dr Fairfax to his views, so far as to acknowledge that religious men ought to be made the confidants of religious women. They call it here shriving, but it is rather—a—’

‘Yes, yes, we quite understand,’ said Mr Bristley, bowing to her, while he rubbed his hands over one another.

‘You're incorrigible, Mr Bristley,’ said Rose, biting her lips.