and the crisis
was approaching. As he walked rapidly home, he concluded within
himself to have a conversation with the Rector next day after Mr
Wodehouse's funeral, and to ask for an investigation into the whole
matter. When he had come to this conclusion, he dismissed the subject
from his mind as far as was possible, and took to thinking of the
other matters which disturbed his repose, in which, indeed, it was
very easy to get perplexed and bewildered to his heart's content.
Anyhow, one way and another, the day of poor Mr Wodehouse's funeral
must necessarily be an exciting and momentous day.

Mr Wentworth had, however, no idea that its interest was to begin so
early. When he was seated at breakfast reading his letters, a note was
brought to him, which, coming in the midst of a lively chronicle of
home news from his sister Letty, almost stopped for the moment the
beating of the Curate's heart. It took him so utterly by surprise,
that more violent sentiments were lost for the moment in mere wonder.
He read it over twice before he could make it out. It was from the
Rector, and notwithstanding his wife's remonstrances, and his own
qualms of doubt and uncertainty, this was what Mr Morgan said:--

"DEAR SIR,--It is my painful duty to let you know that certain rumours
have reached my ears very prejudicial to your character as a
clergyman, and which I understand to be very generally current in
Carlingford. Such a scandal, if not properly dealt with, is certain to
have an unfavourable effect upon the popular mind, and injure the
clergy in the general estimation--while it is, as I need not point
out to you, quite destructive of your own usefulness. Under the
circumstances, I have thought it my duty, as Rector of the parish,
to take steps for investigating these reports. Of course I do not
pretend to any authority over you, nor can I enforce in any way your
participation in the inquiry or consent to it; but I beg to urge upon
you strongly, as a friend, the advantage of assenting freely, that
your innocence (if possible) may be made apparent, and your character
cleared. I enclose the names of the gentlemen whose assistance I
intend to request for this painful duty, in case you should object to
any of them; and would again urge you, _for your own sake_, the
expediency of concurrence. I regret to say that, though I would not
willingly prejudge any man, much less a brother clergyman, I do not
feel that it woul