n
servility. About the time the Church Commission issued, the congregation
of Mowbray was approaching zero. There was an idea afloat for a time of
making it the seat of a new bishopric; the cathedral was ready; another
instance of the influence of fine art. But there was no residence for
the projected prelate, and a jobbing bishop on the commission was afraid
that he might have to contribute to building one. So the idea died away;
and the living having become vacant at this moment, instead of a bishop,
Mowbray received a humble vicar in the shape of Aubrey St Lys, who came
among a hundred thousand heathens to preach "the Unknown God."

Book 2 Chapter 12

"And how do you find the people about you, Marney?" said Lord de Mowbray
seating himself on a sofa by his guest.

"All very well, my lord," replied the earl, who ever treated Lord
de Mowbray with a certain degree of ceremony, especially when the
descendant of the crusaders affected the familiar. There was something
of a Puck-like malignity in the temperament of Lord Marney, which
exhibited itself in a remarkable talent for mortifying persons in a
small way; by a gesture, an expression, a look, cloaked too very often
with all the character of profound deference. The old nobility of
Spain delighted to address each other only by their names, when in the
presence of a spick-and-span grandee; calling each other, "Infantado,"
"Sidonia," "Ossuna," and then turning round with the most distinguished
consideration, and appealing to the Most Noble Marquis of Ensenada.

"They begin to get a little uneasy here," said Lord de Mowbray.

"We have nothing to complain of," said Lord Marney. "We continue
reducing the rates, and as long as we do that the country must improve.
The workhouse test tells. We had the other day a case of incendiarism,
which frightened some people: but I inquired into it, and am quite
satisfied it originated in purely accidental circumstances; at least
nothing to do with wages. I ought to be a judge, for it was on my own
property."

"And what is the rate of wages, in your part of the world, Lord Marney?"
inquired Mr St Lys who was standing by.

"Oh! good enough: not like your manufacturing districts; but people
who work in the open air, instead of a furnace, can't expect, and
don't require such. They get their eight shillings a week; at least
generally."

"Eight shillings a week!" said Mr St Lys. "Can a labouring man with a
family, perhaps of