he said.

"So it is," said Mrs. Cornbury, interrupting him. She knew that her
chance was gone if the man were allowed to get himself mentally upon
his legs. "It is very serious; but the fact that you are still in
doubt shows that you have been thinking of it. We all know how good
a churchman you are, and that you would not willingly send a Jew to
Parliament."

"I don't know," said Tappitt. "I'm not for persecuting even the
Jews;--not when they pay their way and push themselves honourably in
commerce."

"Oh, yes; commerce! There is nobody who has shown himself more
devoted to the commercial interests than Mr. Cornbury. We buy
everything in Baslehurst. Unfortunately our people won't drink beer
because of the cider."

"Tappitt doesn't think a bit about that, Mrs. Cornbury."

"I'm afraid I shall be called upon in honour to support my party,"
said Tappitt.

"Exactly; but which is your party? Isn't the Protestant religion of
your country your party? These people are creeping down into all
parts of the kingdom, and where shall we be if leading men like you
think more of shades of difference between liberal and conservative
than of the fundamental truths of the Church of England? Would you
depute a Jew to get up and speak your own opinions in your own
vestry-room?"

"That you wouldn't, T.," said Mrs. Tappitt, who was rather carried
away by Mrs. Cornbury's eloquence.

"Not in a vestry, because it's joined on to a church," said Tappitt.

"Or would you like a Jew to be mayor in Baslehurst;--a Jew in the
chair where you yourself were sitting only three years ago?"

"That wouldn't be seemly, because our mayor is expected to attend
in church on Roundabout Sunday." Roundabout Sunday, so called for
certain local reasons which it would be long to explain, followed
immediately on the day of the mayor's inauguration.

"Would you like to have a Jew partner in your own business?"

Mrs. Butler Cornbury should have said nothing to Mr. Tappitt as to
any partner in the brewery, Jew or Christian.

"I don't want any partner, and what's more, I don't mean to have
any."

"Mrs. Cornbury is in favour of Luke Rowan; she takes his side," said
Mrs. Tappitt, some portion of her courage returning to her as this
opportunity opened upon her. Mr. Tappitt turned his head full round
and looked upon Mrs. Cornbury with an evil eye. That lady knew that
the vote was lost, lost unless she would denounce the man whom Rachel
loved; and she determ