The explosion was sharp, and it roared through the galleries, but the rush of water seemed to drown it, so that the noise which reached dead Lannoe's mate did not startle his drink-confused brain. He only wondered why Lannoe was so long; and at last, when quite wearied out, he saw Geoffrey Trethick and Pengelly come, he thought it was a good excuse for going, and he ran away. CHAPTER FORTY TWO. AN UNKINDLY STROKE. Rhoda Penwynn felt suspicious of Miss Pavey as she entered her room, blowing her nose very loudly, and then holding her handkerchief to her face, where one of her teeth was supposed to ache. There was a great change in Miss Pavey's personal appearance, and her bright colours had given place to quite a sister-of-mercy style of garb, including a black crape veil, through which, on entering, she had given Rhoda quite a funereal kiss, as if to prepare her for her adverse news-- news which she dreaded to communicate, for she felt afraid of how Rhoda might compose herself under such a trial. "Why, Martha," said Rhoda, smiling, "surely there is nothing wrong--you are not in mourning?" "Oh dear, no, love. It is the festival of Saint Minima, virgin and martyr." Here Miss Pavey sighed. "Oh!" ejaculated Rhoda, quietly. "How is Mr Lee?" she added, after an awkward pause. "Not well, dear--not well. He works too hard, and troubles himself too much about the wicked people here. Poor fellow! how saintly are his efforts for their good. But what do you think, Rhoda, dear?" "I don't know." "He has taken to calling me Sister Martha!" "Well," said Rhoda, smiling, "as you are working so hard with him now in the parish, it is very kindly and nice, even if it does sound formal or ceremonial--Sister Martha." "I must confess," said Miss Pavey, "that I don't like it. Of course we work together--like brother and sister. But I don't think it was necessary." "Neither do I," said Rhoda, smiling. "I do not agree with Mr Lee, of course, in all things," continued Miss Pavey, "but he is very good." "Most energetic," assented Rhoda. "You know, I suppose, that we are to have a new harmonium?" "I did not know it," said Rhoda, looking curiously at her visitor, who kept down her veil, and whose conscious manner indicated that she had something particular to say--something unpleasant, Rhoda was sure. "Oh, yes; a new and expensive one; and I am to play it," continued Miss Pavey. "We disputed rather as to where it should stand. Mr Lee wished it to be in the north-east end, but I told him that it would be so much out of sight there that I was sure it would not be heard, so it is to be on the south side of the little chancel." "Yes," said Rhoda, who was waiting for the object of Miss Pavey's visit; "that seems to be a good place." "Yes, dear, he willingly gave way; but he would not about the babies." "About the babies?" exclaimed Rhoda.