s much as that. Good morning, Mr. Fenwick."

In the yard, standing close by the gig, he met the farmer again.

"You didn't find she'd be of your way of thinking, Muster Fenwick?"

"Not exactly, Mr. Brattle."

"I know'd she wouldn't. The truth is, Muster Fenwick, that young
women as goes astray after that fashion is just like any sick animal,
as all the animals as ain't comes and sets upon immediately. It's
just as well, too. They knows it beforehand, and it keeps 'em
straight."

"It didn't keep poor Carry straight."

"And, by the same token, she must suffer, and so must we all. But,
Muster Fenwick, as far as ten or fifteen pounds goes, if it can be of
use--"

But the Vicar, in his indignation, repudiated the offer of money, and
drove himself back to Salisbury with his heart full of sorrow at the
hardness of the world. What this woman had been saying to him was
only what the world had said to her,--the world that knows so much
better how to treat an erring sinner than did Our Saviour when on
earth.

He went with his sad news to Mrs. Stiggs's house, and then made terms
for Carry's board and lodging, at any rate, for a fortnight. And he
said much to the girl as to the disposition of her time. He would
send her books, and she was to be diligent in needle-work on behalf
of the Stiggs family. And then he begged her to go to the daily
service in the cathedral,--not so much because he thought that the
public worship was necessary for her, as that thus she would be
provided with a salutary employment for a portion of her day. Carry,
as she bade him farewell, said very little. Yes; she would stay with
Mrs. Stiggs. That was all that she did say.

CHAPTER XLII.

MR. QUICKENHAM, Q.C.

[Illustration]

On the Thursday in Passion week, which fell on the 6th of April, Mr.
and Mrs. Quickenham came to Bullhampton Vicarage. The lawyer intended
to take a long holiday,--four entire days,--and to return to London
on the following Tuesday; and Mrs. Quickenham meant to be very happy
with her sister.

"It is such a comfort to get him out of town, if it's only for two
days," said Mrs. Quickenham; "and I do believe he has run away this
time without any papers in his portmanteau."

Mrs. Fenwick, with something of apology in her tone, explained to her
sister that she was especially desirous of getting a legal opinion on
this occasion from her brother-in-law.

"That's mere holiday work," said the barrister's anxious wife.