He had remembered John Avenel the comeliest, the most active, and the most cheerful man in Lansmere; great at glee club and cricket (though then somewhat stricken in years), greater in vestries; reputed greatest in elections.
"Last scene of all," murmured the parson; "and oh, well, turning from the poet, may we cry with the disbelieving philosopher, 'Poor, poor humanity!'" In a few minutes Mrs.Avenel returned.

She took a chair at some distance from the parson's, and resting one hand on the elbow of the chair, while with the other she stiffly smoothed the stiff gown, she said,-- "Now, sir." That "Now, sir," had in its sound something sinister and warlike.

This the shrewd parson recognized with his usual tact.

He edged his chair nearer to Mrs.Avenel, and placing his hand on hers,-- "Yes, now then, and as friend to friend.".