n made him so."

"You got no thanks for your trouble?"

"None at all. I thought he would have been kinder when he recovered."

"Then," said the young man, laughing; "the man is not to be cured.
You must leave him."

"I have done so."

"And you are seeking a home and a protector?"

"I want to earn my living somewhere."

"A pretty young thing like you," said the stranger, "cannot fail
to make her way. Come! I have offered you my aid," he put his arm
round her and attempted to snatch a kiss.

"So!" exclaimed Mehetabel, starting to her feet. "This is the
friend and protector you would be! I trusted you with my troubles,
and you have taken advantage of my trust. Let me alone! Wherever
I turn there hell hath opened her mouth! A moment ago I thought of
ending all my troubles in this pond--that a thousand times before
trusting you further."

With beating heart--beating with anger--proudly raising her weary
head, she walked away.

CHAPTER XLI.

WANDERERS.

It occurred to Mehetabel that the rector of Milford had been over
at Thursley several times to do duty when the vicar of Witley was
ill, and she thought that perhaps she might obtain advice from him.

Accordingly she turned in the direction of that village as soon as
she had reached the road. She walked wearily along till she arrived
in this, the adjoining parish, separated from Thursley by a tract
of healthy common. At her request, she was shown into the library,
and she told the parson of her trouble.

He shrugged his shoulders, and read her a lecture on the duties of
wife to husband; and, taking his Bible, provided her with texts to
corroborate what he said.

"Please, sir," she said, "I was married when I did not wish it,
and when I did not know what I could do, and what was impossible.
As the Church married me, can it not undo the marriage, and set me
free again?"

"Certainly not. What has been joined together cannot be put
asunder. It is not impossible to obtain a separation, legally, but
you will have to go before lawyers for that."

Mehetabel flushed. "I will have nothing to do with lawyers," she
said hastily.

"You would be required to show good cause why you desire a
separation, and then it would be expensive. Have you money?"

"Not a penny."

"The law in England--everywhere--is only for the rich."

"Then is there nothing you can advise?"

"Only that you should go home again, and bear what you have to
bear as a cross laid on you