xpectations of finding in the Perpetual Curate an ingenuous young
heart, open to sympathy and criticism, she now discovered her mistake.

"If I run the risk, perhaps you will forgive me," said Mrs Morgan. "I
have just been hearing a dreadful story about you; and I don't believe
it in the least, Mr Wentworth," she continued, with a little effusion;
for though she was very sensible, she was only a woman, and did not
realise the possibility of having her sympathy rejected, and her
favourable judgment received with indifference.

"I am much flattered by your good opinion. What was the dreadful
story?" asked Mr Wentworth, looking at her with careless eyes. They
were just opposite Elsworthy's shop, and could almost hear what he was
saying, as he stood in the midst of his little group of listeners,
talking loud and vehemently. The Perpetual Curate looked calmly at him
across the road, and turned again to Mrs Morgan, repeating his
question, "What was the dreadful story?--one gets used to romances,"
he said, with a composure too elaborate to be real; but Mrs Morgan did
not think of that.

"If you don't care about it, I need not say anything," said the
Rector's wife, who could not help feeling affronted. "But I am so
sorry that Mr Morgan and you don't get on," she continued, after a
little pause. "I have no right to speak; but I take an interest in
everything that belongs to the parish. If you would put a little
confidence in my husband, things might go on better; but, in the mean
time, I thought I might say to you, on my own account, that I had
heard this scandal, and that I don't believe in it. If you do not
understand my motive I can't help it," said the Rector's wife, who was
now equally ready for friendship or for battle.

"Thanks; I understand what you mean," said Mr Wentworth, who had come
to himself. "But will you tell me what it is you don't believe in?" he
asked, with a smile which Mrs Morgan did not quite comprehend.

"I will tell you," she said, with a little quiet exasperation. "I
don't think you would risk your prospects, and get yourself into
trouble, and damage your entire life, for the sake of any girl,
however pretty she might be. Men don't do such things for women
nowadays, even when it is a worthy object," said the disappointed
optimist. "And I believe you are a great deal more sensible, Mr
Wentworth." There was just that tone of mingled approval and contempt
in this speech which a woman knows how to deli