s in presuming that you as a landlord knew the
limits of your own rights, and that you would not trespass
beyond them. I should have made my inquiry more urgently.
I have made it now, and your lordship may satisfy yourself
by referring to the maps of the parish lands, which are to
be found in the bishop's chancery, and also at St. John's,
Oxford, if you cannot do so by any survey of the estate in
your own possession. I enclose a sketch showing the exact
limits of the glebe in respect to the vicarage entrance
and the patch of ground in question. The fact is, that the
chapel in question has been built on the glebe land by
authority--illegally and unjustly given by your lordship.

The chapel is there, and though it is a pity that it
should have been built, it would be a greater pity that it
should be pulled down. It is my purpose to offer to the
persons concerned a lease of the ground for the term of my
incumbency at a nominal rent. I presume that a lease may
be so framed as to protect the rights of my successor.

I will not conclude this letter without expressing my
opinion that gross as has been your lordship's ignorance
in giving away land which did not belong to you, your
fault in that respect has been very trifling in comparison
with the malice you have shown to a clergyman of your own
church, settled in a parish partly belonging to yourself,
in having caused the erection of this chapel on the
special spot selected with no other object than that of
destroying my personal comfort and that of my wife.

I have the honour to be
Your lordship's most obedient servant,

FRANCIS FENWICK.

When he had finished his epistle he read it over more than once, and
was satisfied that it would be vexatious to the Marquis. It was his
direct object to vex the Marquis, and he had set about it with all
his vigour. "I would skin him if I knew how," he had said to Gilmore.
"He has done that to me which no man should forgive. He has spoken
ill of me, and calumniated me, not because he has thought ill of me,
but because he has had a spite against me. They may keep their chapel
as far as I am concerned. But as for his lordship, I should think ill
of myself if I spared him." He had his lordship on the hip, and he
did not spare him. He showed the letter to his wife.

"Isn't malice a very strong word?" she said.

"I hope so," answered the Vicar.