leaving the neighborhood. No matter at what inconvenience
to herself, she would remain long enough at Thorpe Ambrose to await
any more definitely expressed imputations that might be made on her
character, and to repel them publicly the instant they assumed a
tangible form.

"Such is the position which this high-minded lady has taken up, with an
excellent effect on the public mind in these parts. It is clearly her
interest, for some reason, to leave her situation, without leaving the
neighborhood. On Monday last she established herself in a cheap lodging
on the outskirts of the town. And on the same day she probably wrote to
her reference, for yesterday there came a letter from that lady to Major
Milroy, full of virtuous indignation, and courting the fullest inquiry.
The letter has been shown publicly, and has immensely strengthened
Miss Gwilt's position. She is now considered to be quite a heroine. The
_Thorpe Ambrose Mercury_ has got a leading article about her, comparing
her to Joan of Arc. It is considered probable that she will be referred
to in the sermon next Sunday. We reckon five strong-minded single ladies
in this neighborhood--and all five have called on her. A testimonial was
suggested; but it has been given up at Miss Gwilt's own request, and a
general movement is now on foot to get her employment as a teacher of
music. Lastly, I have had the honor of a visit from the lady herself,
in her capacity of martyr, to tell me, in the sweetest manner, that she
doesn't blame Mr. Armadale, and that she considers him to be an innocent
instrument in the hands of other and more designing people. I was
carefully on my guard with her; for I don't altogether believe in Miss
Gwilt, and I have my lawyer's suspicions of the motive that is at the
bottom of her present proceedings.

"I have written thus far, my dear sir, with little hesitation or
embarrassment. But there is unfortunately a serious side to this
business as well as a ridiculous side; and I must unwillingly come to it
before I close my letter.

"It is, I think, quite impossible that you can permit yourself to be
spoken of as you are spoken of now, without stirring personally in the
matter. You have unluckily made many enemies here, and foremost among
them is my colleague, Mr. Darch. He has been showing everywhere a
somewhat rashly expressed letter you wrote to him on the subject of
letting the cottage to Major Milroy instead of to himself, and it has
helped to e