The Nebuly Coat | Page 6

lights were filled with strong browns and purples of the
seventeenth century. Here and there in the rich colour were introduced
medallions, representing apparently scriptural scenes, and at the top of
each light, under the cusping, was a coat of arms. The head of the
middle division formed the centre of the whole scheme, and seemed to
represent a shield of silver-white crossed by waving sea-green bars.
Westray's attention was attracted by the unusual colouring, and by the
transparency of the glass, which shone as with some innate radiance
where all was dim. He turned almost unconsciously to ask whose arms

were thus represented, but the Rector had left him for a minute, and he
heard an irritating "Ha, ha, ha!" at some distance down the nave, that
convinced him that the story of Sir George Farquhar and the postponed
fees was being retold in the dusk to a new victim.
Someone, however, had evidently read the architect's thoughts, for a
sharp voice said:
"That is the coat of the Blandamers--barry nebuly of six, argent and
vert." It was the organist who stood near him in the deepening shadows.
"I forgot that such jargon probably conveys no meaning to you, and,
indeed, I know no heraldry myself excepting only this one coat of arms,
and sometimes wish," he said with a sigh, "that I knew nothing of that
either. There have been queer tales told of that shield, and maybe there
are queerer yet to be told. It has been stamped for good or evil on this
church, and on this town, for centuries, and every tavern loafer will talk
to you about the `nebuly coat' as if it was a thing he wore. You will be
familiar enough with it before you have been a week at Cullerne."
There was in the voice something of melancholy, and an earnestness
that the occasion scarcely warranted. It produced a curious effect on
Westray, and led him to look closely at the organist; but it was too dark
to read any emotion in his companion's face, and at this moment the
Rector rejoined them.
"Eh, what? Ah, yes; the nebuly coat. Nebuly, you know, from the Latin
nebulum, nebulus I should say, a cloud, referring to the wavy outline of
the bars, which are supposed to represent cumulus clouds. Well, well, it
is too dark to pursue our studies further this evening, but to-morrow I
can accompany you the whole day, and shall be able to tell you much
that will interest you."
Westray was not sorry that the darkness had put a stop to further
investigations. The air in the church grew every moment more clammy
and chill, and he was tired, hungry, and very cold. He was anxious, if
possible, to find lodgings at once, and so avoid the expense of an hotel,
for his salary was modest, and Farquhar and Farquhar were not more
liberal than other firms in the travelling allowances which they granted

their subordinates.
He asked if anyone could tell him of suitable rooms.
"I am sorry," the Rector said, "not to be able to offer you the hospitality
of my own house, but the indisposition of my wife unfortunately makes
that impossible. I have naturally but a very slight acquaintance with
lodging-houses or lodging-house keepers; but Mr Sharnall, I dare say,
may be able to give you some advice. Perhaps there may be a spare
room in the house where Mr Sharnall lodges. I think your landlady is a
relation of our worthy friend Joliffe, is she not, Mr Sharnall? And no
doubt herself a most worthy woman."
"Pardon, Mr Rector," said the churchwarden, in as offended a tone as
he dared to employ in addressing so superior a dignitary--"pardon, no
relation at all, I assure you. A namesake, or, at the nearest, a very
distant connection of whom--I speak with all Christian forbearance--my
branch of the family have no cause to be proud."
The organist had scowled when the Rector was proposing Westray as a
fellow-lodger, but Joliffe's disclaimer of the landlady seemed to pique
him.
"If no branch of your family brings you more discredit than my
landlady, you may hold your head high enough. And if all the pork you
sell is as good as her lodgings, your business will thrive. Come along,"
he said, taking Westray by the arm; "I have no wife to be indisposed, so
I can offer you the hospitality of my house; and we will stop at Mr
Joliffe's shop on our way, and buy a pound of sausages for tea."
CHAPTER TWO.
There was a rush of outer air into the building as they opened the door.
The rain still fell heavily, but the wind was rising, and had in it a clean
salt smell, that contrasted with