manage that by standing up when you meet him," said
Mr. Quickenham. Mr. Quickenham could be very funny at times, but
those who knew him would remark that whenever he was funny he had
something to hide. His wife as she heard his wit was quite sure that
he had some plan in his head about the chapel.

At half-past six there came Mr. Chamberlaine and his nephew. The
conversation about the chapel was still continued, and the canon from
Salisbury was very eloquent, and learned also, upon the subject. His
eloquence was brightest while the ladies were still in the room,
but his learning was brought forth most manifestly after they had
retired. He was very clear in his opinion that the Marquis had the
law on his side in giving the land for the purpose in question, even
if it could be shown that he was simply the lord of the manor, and
not so possessed of the spot as to do what he liked in it for his own
purposes. Mr. Chamberlaine expressed his opinion that, although he
himself might think otherwise, it would be held to be for the benefit
of the community that the chapel should be built, and in no court
could an injunction against the building be obtained.

"But he couldn't give leave to have it put on another man's ground,"
said the Queen's Counsel.

"There is no question of another man's ground here," said the member
of the Chapter.

"I'm not so sure of that," continued Mr. Quickenham. "It may not
be the ground of any one man, but if it's the ground of any ten or
twenty it's the same thing."

"But then there would be a lawsuit," said the Vicar.

"It might come to that," said the Queen's Counsel.

"I'm sure you wouldn't have a leg to stand upon," said the member of
the Chapter.

"I don't see that at all," said Gilmore. "If the land is common to
the parish, the Marquis of Trowbridge cannot give it to a part of the
parishioners because he is Lord of the Manor."

"For such a purpose I should think he can," said Mr. Chamberlaine.

"And I'm quite sure he can't," said Mr. Quickenham. "All the same, it
may be very difficult to prove that he hasn't the right; and in the
meantime there stands the chapel, a fact accomplished. If the ground
had been bought and the purchasers had wanted a title, I think it
probable the Marquis would never have got his money."

"There can be no doubt that it is very ungentlemanlike," said Mr.
Chamberlaine.

"There I'm afraid I can't help you," said Mr. Quickenham. "Good law
is not defined ver