t Gatherum Castle! He had then done a silly thing, and was he
now to rue it by almost total ruin? He was sickened also with all
these lies. His very soul was dismayed by the dirt through which he
was forced to wade. He had become unconsciously connected with the
lowest dregs of mankind, and would have to see his name mingled with
theirs in the daily newspapers. And for what had he done this? Why
had he thus filed his mind and made himself a disgrace to his cloth?
In order that he might befriend such a one as Mr. Sowerby!

"Well," continued Sowerby, "I did get the money, but you would
hardly believe the rigour of the pledge which was exacted from me
for repayment. I got it from Harold Smith, and never, in my worst
straits, will I again look to him for assistance. I borrowed it only
for a fortnight; and in order that I might repay it, I was obliged to
ask you for the price of the horse. Mark, it was on your behalf that
I did all this,--indeed it was."

"And now I am to repay you for your kindness by the loss of all that
I have in the world."

"If you will put the affair into the hands of Mr. Forrest, nothing
need be touched,--not a hair of a horse's back; no, not though you
should be obliged to pay the whole amount yourself gradually out
of your income. You must execute a series of bills, falling due
quarterly, and then--"

"I will execute no bill, I will put my name to no paper in the
matter; as to that my mind is fully made up. They may come and do
their worst." Mr. Sowerby persevered for a long time, but he was
quite unable to move the parson from this position. He would do
nothing towards making what Mr. Sowerby called an arrangement, but
persisted that he would remain at home at Framley, and that any one
who had a claim upon him might take legal steps. "I shall do nothing
myself," he said; "but if proceedings against me be taken, I shall
prove that I have never had a shilling of the money." And in this
resolution he quitted the Dragon of Wantly. Mr. Sowerby at one time
said a word as to the expediency of borrowing that sum of money from
John Robarts; but as to this Mark would say nothing. Mr. Sowerby was
not the friend with whom he now intended to hold consultation in such
matters. "I am not at present prepared," he said, "to declare what
I may do; I must first see what steps others take." And then he
took his hat and went off; and mounting his horse in the yard of the
Dragon of Wantly--that horse which he had n