And I had gathered from little things he said, how much his heart was set upon this new scheme.

I liked him so much, and I loved and respected my lady so well, that I could not bear them to be on the cool terms to which they were constantly getting.
Yet I could do nothing but keep silence.
I suppose my lady understood something of what was passing in my mind; for, after a minute or two, she went on:-- "If Mr.Gray knew all I know,--if he had my experience, he would not be so ready to speak of setting up his new plans in opposition to my judgment.

Indeed," she continued, lashing herself up with her own recollections, "times are changed when the parson of a village comes to beard the liege lady in her own house.

Why, in my grandfather's days, the parson was family chaplain too, and dined at the Hall every Sunday.
He was helped last, and expected to have done first.

I remember seeing him take up his plate and knife and fork, and say with his mouth full all the time he was speaking: 'If you please, Sir Urian, and my lady, I'll follow the beef into the housekeeper's room;' for you see, unless he did so, he stood no chance of a second helping.