annot allow such an unjust statement to be made," said
the parson.

"I wish to speak for one moment; and I wish it to be remembered that
I am addressing myself especially to your neighbour, Mr. Gilmore, who
has done me the honour of waiting upon me here at my request. I do
not object to your presence, Mr. Fenwick, or to that of any other
gentleman," and the Marquis bowed to Mr. Puddleham, who had stood by
hitherto without speaking a word; "but, if you please, I must carry
out the purpose that has brought me here. I shall think it very sad
indeed, if this young man be allowed to take up his residence in the
parish after what has taken place."

"His father has a house here," said Mr. Gilmore.

"I am aware of the fact," said the Marquis. "I believe that the young
man's father holds a mill from you, and some few acres of land?"

"He has a very nice farm."

"So be it. We will not quarrel about terms. I believe there is no
lease?--though, of course, that is no business of mine."

"I must say that it is not, my lord," said Mr. Gilmore, who was
waxing wrothy and becoming very black about the brows.

"I have just said so; but I suppose you will admit that I have some
interest in this parish? I presume that these two gentlemen, who are
God's ministers here, will acknowledge that it is my duty, as the
owner of the greater part of the parish, to interfere?"

"Certainly, my lord," said Mr. Puddleham.

Mr. Fenwick said nothing. He sat, or rather leant, against the edge
of a table, and smiled. His brow was not black, like that of his
friend; but Gilmore, who knew him, and who looked into his face,
began to fear that the Marquis would be addressed before long in
terms stronger than he himself, Mr. Gilmore, would approve.

"And when I remember," continued his lordship, "that the unfortunate
man who has fallen a victim had been for nearly half a century a
tenant of myself and of my family, and that he was foully murdered
on my own property,--dragged from his bed in the middle of the night,
and ruthlessly slaughtered in this very house in which I am sitting,
and that this has been done in a parish of which I own, I think,
something over two-thirds--"

"Two thousand and two acres out of two thousand nine hundred and
ten," said Mr. Puddleham.

"I suppose so. Well, Mr. Puddleham, you need not have interrupted
me."

"I beg pardon, my lord."

"What I mean to say is this, Mr. Gilmore,--that you should take steps
to prevent th