than of himself. Supremely indifferent he had been to
the opinion of the world around him, but he had never run counter to his
own conscience. For the conventionalities of the law he entertained a
supreme contempt, but he did wish so to arrange matters with which he
was himself concerned as to do what justice demanded. Whether he
succeeded in the last year of his life the reader may judge. But
certainly the three persons who were assembled around his death-bed did
respect him, and had been made to love him by what he had done.

Merton wrote the next morning to his friend Henry Annesley respecting
the scene. "The poor old boy has gone at last, and, in spite of all his
faults, I feel as though I had lost an old friend. To me he has been
most kind, and did I not know of all his sins I should say that he had
been always loyal and always charitable. Mr. Grey condemns him, and all
the world must condemn him. One cannot make an apology for him without
being ready to throw all truth and all morality to the dogs. But if you
can imagine for yourself a state of things in which neither truth nor
morality shall be thought essential, then old Mr. Scarborough would be
your hero. He was the bravest man I ever knew. He was ready to look all
opposition in the face, and prepared to bear it down. And whatever he
did, he did with the view of accomplishing what he thought to be right
for other people. Between him and his God I cannot judge, but he
believed in an Almighty One, and certainly went forth to meet him
without a fear in his heart."

CHAPTER LIX.

JOE THOROUGHBUNG'S WEDDING.

While some men die others are marrying. While the funeral dirge was
pealing sadly at Tretton, the joyful marriage-bells were ringing both at
Buntingford and Buston. Joe Thoroughbung, dressed all in his best, was
about to carry off Molly Annesley to Rome previous to settling down to a
comfortable life of hunting and brewing in his native town. Miss
Thoroughbung sent her compliments to Mrs. Annesley. Would her brother be
there? She thought it probable that Mr. Prosper would not be glad to see
her. She longed to substitute "Peter" for Mr. Prosper, but abstained. In
such case she would deny herself the pleasure of "seeing Joe turned
off." Then there was an embassy sent to the Hall. The two younger girls
went with the object of inviting Uncle Prosper, but with a desire at
their hearts that Uncle Prosper might not come. "I presume the family at
Buntingfor