ng with conciliatory softness; "me and
her aunt, sir, loves her dearly, but we're not the folks to stand in
her way, if a gentleman was to take a fancy to Rosa. If you'll give me
your word to make her your wife honourable, and tell me where she is,
tortures wouldn't draw no complaints from me. One moment, sir; it aint
only that she's pretty, but she's good as well--she won't do you no
discredit, Mr Wentworth. Put her to school, or what you please, sir,"
said Rosa's uncle; "me and my wife will never interfere, so be as you
make her your wife honourable; but I aint a worm to be trampled on,"
cried Elsworthy, as the Curate, finding him approach very closely,
thrust him away with vehement indignation; "I aint a slave to be
pushed about. Them as brings Rosa to shame shall come to shame by me;
I'll ruin the man as ruins that child. You may turn me out," he cried,
as the Curate laid his powerful hand upon his shoulder and forced him
towards the door, "but I'll come back, and I'll bring all Carlingford.
There shan't be a soul in the town as doesn't know. Oh, you young
viper, as I thought was a pious clergyman! you aint got rid of me. My
child--where's my child?" cried the infuriated clerk, as he found
himself ejected into the road outside, and the door suddenly closed
upon him. He turned round to beat upon it in blind fury, and kept
calling upon Rosa, and wasting his threats and arguments upon the calm
air outside. Some of the maid-servants in the other houses came out,
broom in hand, to the green doors, to see what was the matter, but
they were not near enough to hear distinctly, and no early wayfarers
had as yet invaded the morning quiet of Grange Lane.

Mr Wentworth, white with excitement, and terribly calm and self-possessed,
turned to the amazed and trembling druggist, who still stood inside.
"Look here, Hayles," said the Curate; "I have never seen Rosa Elsworthy
since I closed this door upon her last night. What had brought her here
I don't know--at least she came with no intention of seeing me--and I
reproved her sharply for being out so late. This is all I know about the
affair, and all I intend to say to any one. If that idiot outside
intends to make a disturbance, he must do it; I shall take no further
trouble to clear myself of such an insane accusation. I think it right
to say as much to you, because you seem to have your senses about you,"
said the Curate, pausing, out of breath. He was perfectly calm, but it
was i