don't see why you should be so surprised. I'm good enough for
him, I hope?'

'You're good-lookin', I dessay, Bell, but he's gentry.'

'I'm going to be gentry too, and I'll hold my own with the best of them.
As Bishop Pendle's daughter-in-law, I'll scratch the eyes out of any of
'em as doesn't give me my place.'

Mosk drew a long breath. 'Bishop Pendle's daughter-in-law,' he repeated,
looking at his daughter with admiration. 'My stars! you are a clever
girl, Bell.'

'I'm clever enough to get what I want, father, so long as you don't put
your foot into it. Hold your tongue until I tell you when to speak. If
the bishop knew of this now, he'd cut Gabriel off with a shilling.'

'Oh, he would, would he?' said Mosk, in so strange a tone that Bell
looked at him with some wonder.

'Of course he would,' said she, quietly; 'but when Gabriel is rector of
Heathcroft it won't matter. We'll then have money enough to do without
his consent.'

'Give me a kiss, my girl,' cried Mosk, clasping her to his breast,
'You're a credit to me, that you are. Oh, curse it! Bell, think of old
Mother Pansey!'

Father and daughter looked at one another and burst out laughing.

CHAPTER XV

THE GIPSY RING

Almost at the very time Mosk was congratulating his daughter on the
conquest of the curate, Captain Pendle was paying a visit to the Jenny
Wren nest. He had only succeeded in obtaining a Saturday to Monday leave
from his colonel, who did not approve of young officers being too long
or too often absent from their duties, and was rejoining his regiment
that very evening. As soon as he could get away from the palace he had
left his portmanteau at the station and had come up to the Cathedral
Close to see Mab. Much to his gratification he found her alone in the
quaint old drawing-room, and blessed the Providence which had sent him
thither at so propitious an hour.

'Aunty is lying down,' explained Mab, who looked rather worried and
pale; 'she has been so upset over this horrid murder.'

'Egad! it has upset everyone,' said George, throwing himself into a
chair. 'My father is so annoyed at such a thing happening in his diocese
that he has retreated to his library and shut himself up. I could hardly
get him to say good-bye. Though, upon my word,' added George, waxing
warm, 'I don't see that the death of a wretched tramp is of such moment;
yet it seems to have annoyed everyone.'

'Including yourself,' said Mab, remarking how worried h