justly remarked."

"I thought Mr Leeson must have something to do with it," said the
Rector's wife. "What has Mr Wentworth been doing? When you keep a
Low-Church Curate, you never can tell what he may say. If he had known
of the All-Souls pudding he would have come to dinner, and we should
have had it at first-hand," said Mrs Morgan, severely. She put away
her peach in her resentment, and went to a side-table for her work,
which she always kept handy for emergencies. Like her husband, Mrs
Morgan had acquired some little "ways" in the long ten years of their
engagement, one of which was a confirmed habit of needlework at all
kinds of unnecessary moments, which much disturbed the Rector when he
had anything particular to say.

"My dear, I am very sorry to see you so much the victim of prejudice,"
said Mr Morgan. "I had hoped that all our long experiences--" and here
the Rector stopped short, troubled to see the rising colour in his
wife's face. "I don't mean to blame you, my dear," said the perplexed
man; "I know you were always very patient;" and he paused, not knowing
what more to say, comforting himself with the thought that women were
incomprehensible creatures, as so many men have done before.

"I am not patient," said the Rector's wife; "it never was my nature. I
can't help thinking sometimes that our long experiences have done us
more harm than good; but I hope nothing will ever make me put up with
a Curate who tells tales about other people, and flatters one's self,
and comes to dinner without being asked. Perhaps Mr Wentworth is very
sinful, but at least he is a gentleman," said Mrs Morgan; and she bent
her head over her work, and drove her needle so fast through the
muslin she was at work upon, that it glimmered and sparkled like
summer lightning before the spectator's dazzled eyes.

"I am sorry you are so prejudiced," said the Rector. "It is a very
unbecoming spirit, my dear, though I am grieved to say so much to you.
Mr Leeson is a very good young man, and he has nothing to do with this
terrible story about Mr Wentworth. I don't wish to shock your
feelings--but there are a great many things in the world that one
can't explain to ladies. He has got himself into a most distressing
position, and a public inquiry will be necessary. One can't help
seeing the hand of Providence in it," said the Rector, playing
reflectively with the peach on his plate.

It was at this moment that Thomas appeared at the door to a