The canon turned rather pale. "There can be no question of censure," he said. "Lady Mary is a very charming and beautiful woman. Who could dare to blame her if she contemplated such a step as—as a second marriage?"
"A second marriage! We said nothing of a second marriage," said Lady Belstone, sharply. "You go a great deal too fast, canon. Luckily, our poor Mary is debarred from any such act of folly. I have no patience with widows who re-marry."
"Debarred from a second marriage!"
"Is it possible you don't know?"
The sisters exchanged meaning glances.
He looked from one to the other in bewilderment.
"If our sister-in-law remarries," said Miss Crewys, "she forfeits the whole of her jointure."
"Is that all?" he cried.
"Is that all!" echoed Miss Crewys, much offended. "It is no less than two thousand a year. In my opinion, far too heavy a charge on poor Peter's estate."
"No man with any self-respect," said Lady Belstone, "would desire to marry a widow without a jointure. I should have formed a low opinion, indeed, of any gentleman who asked me to marry him without first making sure that the admiral had provided for me as he ought, and as he has."