Mrs Hadwin's strange lodger, whom nobody could
ever make out, disappeared as suddenly as he had come, without any
explanations; and only a very few people could ever come to understand
what he had to do with the after-events which struck Grange Lane dumb,
and turned into utter confusion all the ideas and conclusions of
society in Carlingford.

CHAPTER XXXI.

"I will do what I can for you," said Mr Morgan; "yours is a very hard
case, as you say. Of course it would not do for me to give any
opinion--but such a thing shall not occur in Carlingford, while I am
here, without being looked into," said the Rector, with dignity; "of
that you may be sure."

"I don't want no more nor justice," said Elsworthy--"no more nor
justice. I'm a man as has always been respected, and never interfered
with nobody as didn't interfere with me. The things I've stood from
my clergyman, I wouldn't have stood from no man living. The way as
he'd talk, sir, of them as was a deal better than himself! We was a
happy family afore Mr Wentworth came nigh of us. Most folks in
Carlingford knows me. There wasn't a more industrious family in
Carlingford, though I say it as shouldn't, nor one as was more
content, or took things more agreeable, afore Mr Wentworth come to put
all wrong."

"Mr Wentworth has been here for five years," said the Rector's wife,
who was present at this interview; "have things been going wrong for
all that time?"

"I couldn't describe to nobody what I've put up with," said the clerk
of St Roque's, evading the question. "He hadn't the ways of such
clergymen as I've been used to. Twice the pay wouldn't have made up
for what I've suffered in my feelings; and I ask you, sir, is this how
it's all to end? My little girl's gone," cried Elsworthy, rising into
hoarse earnestness--"my little girl as was so sweet, and as everybody
took notice on. She's gone, and I don't know as I'll ever see her
again; and I can't get no satisfaction one way or another; and I ask
you, sir, is a villain as could do such a thing to hold up his head in
the town, and go on the same as ever? I aint a man as is contrairy, or
as goes agin' my superiors; but it's driving me mad, that's what it's
doing," said Elsworthy, wiping the moisture from his forehead. The man
was trembling and haggard, changed even in his looks--his eyes were
red with passion and watching, and looked like the eyes of a wild
beast lying in wait for its prey. "I can't say as I've eve