scussion seems quite unnecessary," said Mr Wentworth, with
some haughtiness. "I shall certainly do in the mean time what has been
intrusted to me. At present we are simply losing time."

"But--" said the Rector. The word was not of importance nor uttered
with much resolution, but it arrested Mr Wentworth more surely than
the shout of a multitude. He turned sharp round upon his adversary,
and said "Well?" with an air of exasperation; while Wodehouse, who had
been lounging about the room in a discomfited condition, drew near to
listen.

"I am comparatively a stranger to the Miss Wodehouses," said Mr
Morgan; "still I am their clergyman; and I think with Dr Marjoribanks,
that a young man like Mr Wentworth, especially a man so seriously
compromised--"

"Oh, stop! I do think you are all a great deal too hard upon Mr
Wentworth," said the lawyer, with a laugh of toleration, which
Wodehouse echoed behind him with a sense of temerity that made his
laughter all the louder. He was frightened, but he was glad to make
himself offensive, according to his nature. Mr Wentworth stood alone,
for his part, and had to put up with the laugh as he best could.

"If any one here wishes to injure me with the Miss Wodehouses, an
opportunity may easily be found," said the Curate, with as much
composure as he could muster; "and I am ready to relinquish my charge
when they call on me to do so. In the mean time, this is not the place
to investigate my conduct. Sit down, sir, and let us be free of your
interference for this moment at least," he said, fiercely, turning to
the new heir. "I warn you again, you have nothing but justice to expect
at my hands. Mr Waters, we wait your explanations." He was the tallest
man in the room, which perhaps had something to do with it; the
youngest, best born, and best endowed. That he would have carried the
day triumphantly in the opinion of any popular audience, there could be
no kind of doubt. Even in this middle-aged unimpressionable assembly,
his indignant self-control had a certain influence. When he drew a chair
towards the table and seated himself, the others sat down unawares, and
the lawyer began his story without any further interruption. The
explanation of all was, that Mr Wodehouse, like so many men, had an
ambition to end his days as a country gentleman. He had set his heart
for years on an estate in the neighbourhood of Carlingford, and had just
completed his long-contemplated purchase at the momen