think, sir, I would for a moment permit such a creature to enter
my door?" she cried again, turning to Frank Wentworth as she leaned
upon his brother's arm.

"I don't know what kind of a creature the poor girl is," said the
Curate; "but I know that if you had taken her in, it would have saved
me much pain and trouble. Tell me, at least, when she came, and who
saw her--or if she left any message? Perhaps Sarah will tell me," he
said, with a sigh of despair, as he saw that handmaiden hovering
behind. Sarah had been a little shy of Mr Wentworth since the night
Wodehouse disappeared. She had betrayed herself to the Curate, and did
not like to remember the fact. Now she came up with a little toss of
her head and a sense of equality, primed and ready with her reply.

"I hope I think more of myself than to take notice of any sich," said
Sarah; but her instincts were more vivid than those of her mistress,
and she could not refrain from particulars. "Them as saw her now,
wouldn't see much in her; I never see such a changed creature," said
Sarah; "not as I ever thought anything of her looks! a bit of a shawl
dragged around her, and her eyes as if they would jump out of her
head. Laws! she didn't get no satisfaction here," said the housemaid,
with a little triumph.

"Silence, Sarah!" said Mrs Hadwin; "that is not a way to speak to your
clergyman. I'll go in, Mr Wentworth, please--I am not equal to so much
agitation. If Mr Frank will come indoors, I should be glad to have an
explanation--for this sort of thing cannot go on," said the old lady.
As for the Curate he did not pay the least attention either to the
disapproval or the impertinence.

"At what time did she come?--which way did she go?--did she leave any
message?" he repeated; "a moment's common-sense will be of more use
than all this indignation. It is of the greatest importance to me to
see Rosa Elsworthy. Here's how it is, Gerald," said the Curate, driven
to his wit's end; "a word from the girl is all I want to make an end
of all this--this disgusting folly--and you see how I am thwarted.
Perhaps they will answer _you_. When did she come?--did she say
anything?" he cried, turning sharply upon Sarah, who, frightened by Mr
Wentworth's look, and dismayed to see her mistress moving away, and to
feel herself alone opposed to him, burst at last into an alarmed
statement.

"Please, sir, it aint no fault of mine," said Sarah; "it was Missis as
saw her. She aint been gone no