ye-lashes, insignificant in feature, pert and perking in expression,
and in figure so dwarfed and stunted, that though in point of age he had
evidently attained his full growth, (if one may use the expression to
such a he-doll,) Robert at fifteen would have made two of him,--such was
the new favourite. So far as appearance went, for certain Mrs. Deborah
had not changed for the better.

Gradually it oozed out, as, somehow or other, news, like water, will
find a vent, however small the cranny,--by slow degrees it came to
be understood that Mrs. Deborah's visiter was a certain Mr. Adolphus
Lynfield, clerk to an attorney of no great note in the good town of
Belford Regis, and nearly related, as he affirmed, to the Thornby
family.

Upon hearing these tidings, John Stokes, the son of old Simon Thornly's
sister, marched across the road, and finding the door upon the latch,
entered unannounced into the presence of his enemy.

"I think it my duty to let you know, cousin Deborah, that this
here chap's an impostor--a sham--and that you are a fool," was his
conciliatory opening. "Search the register. The Thornlys have been
yeomen of this parish ever since the time of Elizabeth--more shame to
you for forcing the last of the race to seek his bread elsewhere; and if
you can find such a name as Lynfield amongst 'em, I'll give you leave
to turn me into a pettifogging lawyer--that's all. Saunderses, and
Symondses, and Stokeses, and Mays, you'll find in plenty, but never
a Lynfield. Lynfield, quotha! it sounds like a made-up name in a
story-book! And as for 'Dolphus, why there never was anything like it in
all the generation, except my good old great aunt Dolly, and that stood
for Dorothy. All our names have been christian-like and English, Toms,
and Jacks, and Jems, and Bills, and Sims, and Neds--poor fellow! None of
your outlandish 'Dolphuses. Dang it, I believe the foolish woman likes
the chap the better for having a name she can't speak! Remember, I warn
you he's a sham!" And off strode the honest miller, leaving Mrs.
Deborah too angry for reply, and confirmed both in her prejudice and
prepossession by the natural effect of that spirit of contradiction
which formed so large an ingredient in her composition, and was not
wholly wanting in that of John Stokes.

Years passed away, and in spite of frequent ebbs and flows, the tide of
Mrs. Deborah's favour continued to set towards Mr. Adolphus Lynfield.
Once or twice indeed, report had