Morgan, and even Mrs
Morgan, had suffered a great and unexplainable diminution of enthusiasm.
And then Mr Leeson, who was quite unaware of the turn that things had
taken, and who was much too obtuse to understand how the Rector could be
anything but exasperated against the Perpetual Curate by the failure of
the investigation, did all that he could to make himself disagreeable,
which was saying a good deal. When Mrs Morgan came into the
drawing-room, and found this obnoxious individual occupying the most
comfortable easy-chair, and turning over at his ease the great book of
ferns, nature-printed, which was the pet decoration of the table, her
feelings may be conceived by any lady who has gone through a similar
trial; for Mr Leeson's hands were not of the irreproachable purity which
becomes the fingers of a gentleman when he goes out to dinner. "I know
some people who always wear gloves when they turn over a portfolio of
prints," Mrs Morgan said, coming to the Curate's side to protect her
book if possible, "and these require quite as much care;" and she had to
endure a discussion upon the subject, which was still more trying to her
feelings, for Mr Leeson pretended to know about ferns on the score of
having a Wardian case in his lodgings (which belonged to his landlady),
though in reality he could scarcely tell the commonest spleenwort from a
lycopodium. While Mrs Morgan went through this trial, it is not to be
wondered at if she hugged to her heart the new idea of leaving
Carlingford, and thought to herself that whatever might be the character
of the curate (if there was one) at Scarsfield, any change from Mr
Leeson must be for the better. And then the unfortunate man, as if he
was not disagreeable enough already, began to entertain his unwilling
hostess with the latest news.

"There is quite a commotion in Grange Lane," said Mr Leeson. "Such
constant disturbances must deteriorate the property, you know. Of
course, whatever one's opinion may be, one must keep it to one's self,
after the result of the investigation; though I can't say _I_ have
unbounded confidence in trial by jury," said the disagreeable young
man.

"I am afraid I am very slow of comprehension," said the Rector's wife.
"I don't know in the least what you mean about trial by jury. Perhaps
it would be best to put the book back on the table; it is too heavy
for you to hold."

"Oh, it doesn't matter," said Mr Leeson--"I mean about Wentworth, of
course. Wh