myself with perspicuity, and I trust that I may have succeeded." At
that time Hoggett was altogether in the ascendant; but now, as he
started on his walk, his mind was somewhat perturbed by the contrary
advice of one, who after all, might be as wise as Hoggett. There
would be nothing dogged in the conduct recommended to him by Dr
Tempest. Were he to follow the doctor's advice, he would be trimming
his sails, so as to catch any slant of a breeze that might be
favourable to him. There could be no doggedness in a character that
would submit to such trimming.

The postman came to Hogglestock but once a day, so that he could not
despatch his letter till the next morning,--unless, indeed, he chose
to send it a distance of four miles to the nearest post-office.
As there was nothing to justify this, there was another night for
the copying of his letter,--should he at last determine to send
it. He had declared to Dr. Tempest that he would send it. He had
sworn to his wife that it should go. He had taken much trouble with
it. He believed in Hoggett. But, nevertheless, this incumbency of
Hogglestock was his all in the world. It might be that he could still
hold it, and have bread at least for his wife to eat. Dr. Tempest had
told him that he would be probably acquitted. Dr. Tempest knew as much
of all the circumstances as he did himself, and had told him that he
was not guilty. After all, Dr. Tempest knew more about it than Hoggett
knew.

If he resigned the living, what would become of him,--of him,--of him
and of his wife? Whither would they first go when they turned their
back upon the door inside which there had at any rate been shelter
for them for so many years? He calculated everything that he had, and
found that at the end of April, even when he should have received his
rent-charge, there would not be five pounds in hand among them. As
for his furniture, he still owed enough to make it impossible that he
should get anything out of that. And these thoughts all had reference
to his position if he should be acquitted. What would become of his
wife if he should be convicted? And as for himself, whither should he
go when he came out of prison?

He had completely realised the idea that Hoggett's counsel was
opposed to that given to him by Dr. Tempest; but then it might
certainly be the case that Hoggett had not known all the facts. A man
should, no doubt, be dogged when the evils of life are insuperable;
but need he be so whe