ael; what is it?'

'I have some business to transact in London, my lord; and I should like,
with your permission, to be absent from my duties for a few days.'

'With pleasure,' assented the bishop; 'go when you like, Cargrim. I am
only too pleased that you should ask me for a holiday.'

'Many thanks, your lordship,' said Cargrim, rising. 'Then I shall leave
the palace to-morrow morning, and will return towards the end of the
week. As there is nothing of particular importance to attend to, I trust
your lordship will be able to dispense with my services during my few
days' absence without trouble to yourself.'

'Set your mind at rest, Cargrim; you can take your holiday.'

'I again thank your lordship. It only remains for me to say that if--as
I have heard--your lordship intends to make Mr Gabriel rector of
Heathcroft, I trust he will be as earnest and devout there as he has
been in Beorminster.'

'I have not yet decided how to fill up the vacancy,' said the bishop,
coldly, 'and let me remind you, Mr Cargrim, that as yet the present
rector of Heathcroft still holds the living.'

'I do but anticipate the inevitable, my lord,' said Cargrim, preparing
to drive his sting into the bishop, 'and certainly, the sooner Mr
Gabriel is advanced to the living the better it will be for his
matrimonial prospects.'

Dr Pendle stared. 'I don't understand you!' he said stiffly.

'What!' Mr Cargrim threw up his hands in astonishment. 'Has not Mr
Gabriel informed your lordship of his engagement?'

'Engagement!' echoed the bishop, half rising, 'do you mean to tell me
that Gabriel is engaged, and without my knowledge!'

'Oh, your lordship!--I thought you knew--most indiscreet of me,'
murmured Cargrim, in pretended confusion.

'To whom is my son engaged?' asked the bishop, sharply.

'To--to--really, I feel most embarrassed,' said the chaplain. 'I should
not have taken--'

'Answer at once, sir,' cried Dr Pendle, irritably. 'To whom is my son
Gabriel engaged? I insist upon knowing.'

'In that case, I must tell your lordship that Mr Gabriel is engaged to
marry Miss Bell Mosk!'

The bishop bounded out of his chair. 'Bell Mosk! the daughter of the
landlord of The Derby Winner?'

'Yes, your lordship.'

'The--the--the--barmaid! My son!--oh, it is--it is impossible!'

'I had it from the lips of the young lady herself,' said Cargrim,
delighted at the bishop's annoyance. 'Certainly Miss Mosk is hardly
fitted to be the wife of a fut