now in your hearts that this trial ought
never to have taken place. I have lived among you for five years, and
you ought to have known me by this time. I have never been asked for
an explanation, neither could any explanation which it was possible
for me to make have convinced a mind prejudiced against me," he said,
after a moment's pause, with a meaning which everybody understood. "It
is only now that I feel myself able to clear up the whole matter, and
it is for this reason alone that I ask you to put off your inquiry
till to-night."

"I don't feel inclined to consent to any adjournment," said Mr Morgan;
"it looks like an attempt to defeat the ends of justice." The Rector was
very much annoyed--more than he dared confess to himself. He believed in
his heart that young Wentworth was guilty, and he felt equally convinced
that here was some unexpected loophole through which he would escape.
But public opinion was strong in Grange Lane--stronger than a new
Rector. The Banker and the Doctor and the Indian Colonel, not to speak
of old Mr Western, were disposed to grant the request of the Curate; and
when even Mr Proctor forsook his side, the Rector himself yielded.
"Though it is against my judgment," he said, "and I see no advantage to
be gained by it, the meeting had better be held in the Rectory, this
evening at seven o'clock."

"Most of us dine at seven o'clock," said Dr Marjoribanks.

"This evening at eight o'clock," said the Rector, severely. "I will
request all the witnesses to be in attendance, and we must hope to
find Mr Wentworth's witness of sufficient importance to justify the
change. At eight o'clock this evening, in my house, gentlemen," said
the Rector. He collected his notes and went outside, and began talking
to his witnesses, while the others collected together round the table
to consult over this new phase of the affair. The three Mr Wentworths
went out together, the father between his two tall sons. The Squire's
strength was much shaken, both in mind and body. When they were out of
the shadow of the church, he looked up in Frank's face.

"I hope you consider me entitled to an immediate explanation," said Mr
Wentworth. "When I read that anonymous letter, it went a long way
towards breaking my heart, sir; I can tell you it did. Jack here too,
and your brother making up his mind as he has done, Frank. I am not a
man to complain. If it were all over with me to-morrow, I shouldn't be
sorry, so far as I am