at as long as
fighting continued, it would all evaporate and leave him harmless
as a dove at the first glimpse of an olive-branch. He knew this so
well of himself, that it would sometimes be a regret to him in the
culmination of his wrath that he would not be able to maintain it
till the hour of his revenge should come. On receiving Lord St.
George's letter, he at once sat down and wrote to that nobleman,
telling him that he would be happy to see him at lunch on the Monday
at two o'clock. Then there came a rejoinder from Lord St. George,
saying that he would be at the vicarage at the hour named.

Mrs. Fenwick was of course there to entertain the nobleman, whom she
had never seen before, and during the lunch very little was said
about the chapel, and not a word was said about other causes of
complaint.

"That is a terrible building, Mrs. Fenwick," Lord St. George had
remarked.

"We're getting used to it now," Mrs. Fenwick had replied; "and Mr.
Fenwick thinks it good for purposes of mortification."

"We must see and move the sackcloth and ashes a little further off,"
said his lordship.

Then they ate their lunch, and talked about the parish, and expressed
a joint hope that the Grinder would be hung at Salisbury.

"Now let us go and see the corpus delicti," said the Vicar as soon as
they had drawn their chairs from the table.

The two men went out and walked round the chapel, and, finding it
open, walked into it. Of course there were remarks made by both of
them. It was acknowledged that it was ugly, misplaced, uncomfortable,
detestable to the eye, and ear, and general feeling,--except in so
far as it might suit the wants of people who were not sufficiently
educated to enjoy the higher tone, and more elaborate language of
the Church of England services. It was thus that they spoke to each
other, quite in an aesthetic manner.

Lord St. George had said as he entered the chapel, that it must come
down as a matter of course; and the Vicar had suggested that there
need be no hurry.

"They tell me that it must be removed some day," said the Vicar, "but
as I am not likely to leave the parish, nobody need start the matter
for a year or two." Lord St. George was declaring that advantage
could not be taken of such a concession on Mr. Fenwick's part, when
a third person entered the building, and walked towards them with a
quick step.

"Here is Mr. Puddleham, the minister," said Mr. Fenwick; and the
future lord of Bullh