gentleman and a landlord.

He did not answer the letter for some time; but he saw Packer, saw
his head agent, and got out the map of the property. The map of
the property was not very clear in the matter, but he remembered
the space well, and convinced himself that no other place in all
Bullhampton could be so appropriate for a Methodist chapel. At the
end of a week he caused a reply to be written to Mr. Fenwick. He
would not demean himself by writing with his own hand, but he gave
his orders to the head agent. The head agent merely informed the
Vicar that it was considered that the spot of ground in question was
the most appropriate in the village for the purpose in hand.

Mrs. Fenwick when she heard the reply burst out into tears. She was a
woman by no means over devoted to things of this world, who thought
much of her duties and did them, who would have sacrificed anything
for her husband and children, who had learned the fact that both
little troubles and great, if borne with patience, may be borne with
ease; but she did think much of her house, was proud of her garden,
and rejoiced in the external prettiness of her surroundings. It was
gall to her that this hideous building should be so placed as to
destroy the comeliness of that side of her abode. "We shall hear
their singing and ranting whenever we open our front windows," she
said.

"Then we won't open them," said the Vicar.

"We can't help ourselves. Just see what it will be whenever we go in
and out. We might just as well have it inside the house at once."

"You speak as though Mr. Puddleham were always in his pulpit."

"They're always doing something,--and then the building will be there
whether it's open or shut. It will alter the parish altogether, and I
really think it will be better that you should get an exchange."

"And run away from my enemy?"

"It would be running away from an intolerable nuisance."

"I won't do that," said the Vicar. "If there were no other reason for
staying, I won't put it in the power of the Marquis of Trowbridge
to say that he has turned me out of my parish, and so punished me
because I have not submitted myself to him. I have not sought the
quarrel. He has been overbearing and insolent, and now is meanly
desirous to injure me because I will not suffer his insolence. No
doubt, placed as he is, he can do much; but he cannot turn me out of
Bullhampton."

"What is the good of staying, Frank, if we are to be made wretched