as seated alone. John Brown, who was
altogether a different type of man from Mr Waters, held out his hand to
his visitor, and did not look at all surprised to see him. "I have
expected a call from you," he said, "now that your old friend is gone,
from whom you would naturally have sought advice in the circumstances.
Tell me what I can do for you;" and it became apparent to Mr Wentworth
that it was his own affairs which were supposed to be the cause of his
application. It may be supposed after this that the Curate stated his
real object very curtly and clearly without any unnecessary words, to
the unbounded amazement of the lawyer, who, being a busy man, and not a
friend of the Wodehouses, had as yet heard nothing of the matter. Mr
Brown, however, could only confirm what had been already said. "If it is
really freehold property, and no settlement made, there cannot be any
question about it," he said; "but I will see Waters to-morrow and make
all sure, if you wish it; though he dares not mislead you on such a
point. I am very sorry for the ladies, but I don't see what can be done
for them," said Mr Brown; "and about yourself, Mr Wentworth?" Perhaps it
was because of a certain look of genuine confidence and solicitude in
John Brown's honest face that the Curate's heart was moved. For the
first time he condescended to discuss the matter--to tell the lawyer,
with whom indeed he had but a very slight acquaintance (for John Brown
lived at the other end of Carlingford, and could not be said to be in
society), all he knew about Rosa Elsworthy, and something of his
suspicions. Mr Brown, for his part, knew little of the Perpetual Curate
in his social capacity, but he knew about Wharfside, which was more to
the purpose; and having himself been truly in love once in his life,
commonplace as he looked, this honest man did not believe it possible
that Lucy Wodehouse's representative could be Rosa Elsworthy's
seducer--the two things looked incompatible to the straightforward
vision of John Brown.

"I'll attend at their investigation," he said, with a smile, "which,
if you were not particularly interested, you'd find not bad fun, Mr
Wentworth. These private attempts at law are generally very amusing.
I'll attend and look after your interests; but you had better see that
this Tom Wodehouse,--I remember the scamp--he used to be bad enough
for anything,--don't give you the slip and get out of the way. Find
out if you can where he has been