s. He
told them that it was Wodehouse, and not himself, whom Rosa had met in
the garden, and whom she had no doubt come to seek at this crisis of
their fortunes. There was not the least doubt in his own mind that
Wodehouse had carried her away, and hidden her somewhere close at
hand; and when he had given them all his reasons for thinking so, his
hearers were of the same opinion; but Mr Proctor continued very
doubtful and perplexed, clear though the story was. He sat silent,
brooding over the new mystery, while the brothers discussed the
original questions.

"I cannot think why you did not go to the Rector at once and tell him
all this," said Gerald. "It is always best to put a stop to gossip. At
least you will see him to-morrow, or let me see him--"

"The Rector is deeply prejudiced against me," said the Perpetual Curate,
"for a very unworthy reason, if he has any reason at all. He has never
asked me to explain. I shall not interfere with his investigation," said
the young man, haughtily; "let it go on. I have been working here for
five years, and the Carlingford people ought to know better. As for the
Rector, I will make no explanations to him."

"It is not for the Rector, it is for yourself," said Gerald; "and this
fellow Wodehouse surely has no claim--"

But at the sound of this name, Mr Proctor roused himself from his
pause of bewilderment, and took the words out of Mr Wentworth's mouth.

"He has been here since Easter; but why?" said the late Rector. "I
cannot fancy why Mr Wodehouse's son should come to you when his
father's house was so near. In hiding? why was he in hiding? He is
evidently a scamp," said Mr Proctor, growing red; "but that is not so
unusual. I don't understand--I am bound to say I don't understand it.
He may be the culprit, as you say; but what was he doing here?"

"I took him in at Miss Wodehouse's request. I cannot explain
why--_she_ will tell you," said the Curate. "As for Wodehouse, I have
given him another chance till twelve o'clock to-morrow: if he does not
make his appearance then--"

Mr Proctor had listened only to the first words; he kept moving
uneasily in his seat while the Curate spoke. Then he broke in, "It
appears I cannot see Miss Wodehouse," he said, with an injured tone;
"she does not see any one. I cannot ask for any explanation; but it
seems to me most extraordinary. It is three months since Easter. If he
had been living with you all the time, there must have been some