ds, but
took the carriage road down to the lodge, and from thence crossed the
stile that led into the path down to the mill. This was on the 15th
of August, a Wednesday, and Carry was summoned to be at Salisbury on
that day week. As the day drew near she became very nervous. At the
Vicar's instance Fanny had written to her brother George, asking him
whether he would be good to his poor sister, and take her under his
charge. He had written back,--or rather his wife had written for
him,--sending Carry a note for L20 as a present, but declining, on
the score of his own children, to be seen with her in Salisbury on
the occasion. "I shall go with her myself, Mr. Fenwick," Fanny had
said to the Vicar; "it'll just be better than nobody at all to be
along with her." The Vicar was now going down to the mill to give his
assent to this. He could see nothing better. Fanny at any rate would
be firm; would not be prevented by false shame from being a very
sister to her sister; and would perhaps be admitted where a brother's
attendance might be refused. He had promised to see the women at the
mill as early in the week as he could, and now he went thither intent
on giving them advice as to their proceedings at Salisbury. It would
doubtless be necessary that they should sleep there, and he hoped
that they might be accommodated by Mrs. Stiggs.

As he stepped out from the field path on to the lane, almost
immediately in front of the mill, he came directly upon the miller.
It was between twelve and one o'clock, and old Brattle was wandering
about for a minute or two waiting for his dinner. The two men met
so that it was impossible that they should not speak; and on this
occasion the miller did not seem to avoid his visitor. "Muster
Fenwick," said he, as he took the Vicar's hand, "I am bound to say
as I'm much obliged to ye for all y' have done for that poor lass in
there."

"Don't say a word about that, Mr. Brattle."

"But I must say a word. There's money owing as I knows. There was ten
shilling a week for her keep all that time she was at Salsbry
yonder."

"I will not hear a word as to any money."

"Her brother George has sent her a gift, Muster Fenwick,--twenty
pound."

"I am very glad to hear it."

"George is a well-to-do man, they tell me," continued the father,
"and can afford to part with his money. But he won't come forward to
help the girl any other gait. I'll thank you just to take what's due,
Muster Fenwick, and you ca