r's statement when the Perpetual Curate
re-entered. He stood behind her quite quietly, until she had finished,
with a slight smile upon his lips, and the note in his hand. Dr
Marjoribanks was not partial to Miss Sophia Hemmings. She was never
ill herself, and rarely permitted even her sister to enjoy the gentle
satisfaction of a day's sickness. The old Doctor looked instead at the
Perpetual Curate. When Miss Hemmings withdrew, Dr Marjoribanks
interposed. "It appears to me that Mr Wentworth has something to say,"
said the Doctor. "It is quite necessary that he should have a hearing
as well as the rest of us. Let Peter Hayles wait a moment, till we
hear what Mr Wentworth has to say."

"It is not yet time for us to receive Mr Wentworth's statement," said
the Rector. "He shall certainly be heard in his own defence at the
proper time. Mr Waters, call Peter Hayles."

"One moment," said the Curate. "I have no statement to make, and I can
wait till you have heard what everybody has to say, if the Rector
wishes it; but it might save time and trouble to hear me. I have
another witness whom, up to this moment, I have been reluctant to
bring forward--a witness all-important for me, whom I cannot produce
in so public a place, or at an hour when everybody is abroad. If you
will do me the favour to adjourn this inquiry till the evening, and to
meet then in a private house--in my own, or Miss Wentworth's, or
wherever you may appoint--I think I can undertake to make this whole
business perfectly clear."

"Bless me!" said Mr Proctor, suddenly. This unexpected and irrelevant
benediction was the first sound distinctly audible in the little stir
of surprise, expectation, and excitement which followed the Curate's
speech. The Squire let his stick fall out of his hands, and groped
after it to pick it up again. Hope had suddenly all at once come into
possession of the old man's breast. As for the Rector, he was too much
annoyed at the moment to speak.

"You should have thought of this before," said Dr Marjoribanks. "It
would have been just as easy to fix this meeting for the evening, and
in a private house, and would have saved time. You are very welcome to
my dining-room, if you please; but I don't understand why it could not
have been settled so at once, and saved our time," said the Doctor; to
which sentiment there were several murmurs of assent.

"Gentlemen," said the Curate, whose eyes were sparkling with
excitement, "you must all k