rt of despair.

"It is very difficult to know what to do," said the Rector, shifting
uneasily upon the hearthrug, and plunging his hands into the depths of
his pockets. "If you could name anybody you would like to refer it
to--but being a brother clergyman--"

"A man as conducts himself like that, didn't ought to be a clergyman,
sir," cried Elsworthy. "I'm one as listened to him preaching on Sunday,
and could have jumped up and dragged him out of the pulpit, to hear him
a-discoursing as if he wasn't a bigger sinner nor any there. I aint safe
to stand it another Sunday. I'd do something as I should be sorry for
after. I'm asking justice, and no more." With these words Elsworthy got
up again, still turning round in his hands the unlucky hat, and turned
his person, though not his eyes, towards Mrs Morgan. "No man could be
more partial to his clergyman nor I was," he said hoarsely. "There was
never a time as I wasn't glad to see him. He came in and out as if it
belonged to him, and I had no more thought as he was meaning any harm
than the babe unborn; but a man as meddles with an innocent girl aint
nothing but a black-hearted villain!" cried Elsworthy, with a gleam out
of his red eyes; "and I don't believe as anybody would take his part as
knew all. I put my confidence in the Rector, as is responsible for the
parish," he went on, facing round again: "not to say but what it's
natural for them as are Mr Wentworth's friends to take his part--but
I'll have justice, wherever it comes from. It's hard work to go again'
any lady as I've a great respect for, and wouldn't cross for the world;
but it aint in reason that I should be asked to bear it and not say
nothing; and I'll have justice, if I should die for it," said Elsworthy.
He turned from one to another as he spoke, but kept his eyes upon his
hat, which he smoothed and smoothed as if his life depended on it. But
for the reality of his excitement, his red eyes, and hoarse voice, he
would have been a ludicrous figure, standing as he did in the middle of
Mr Morgan's library, veering round, first to one side and then to the
other, with his stooping head and ungainly person. As for the Rector, he
too kept looking at his wife with a very troubled face.

"It is difficult for me to act against a brother clergyman," said Mr
Morgan; "but I am very sorry for you, Elsworthy--very sorry; if you
could name, say, half-a-dozen gentlemen--"

"But don't you think," said the Rector's wife, in