y would have had no opportunity to take your place."

"She is such an interfering woman. Her fingers are in everyone's way and
really, John, she has got the charitable affairs of Hatton town in her
hands. The girls' clubs rely on her for everything, and she gives
without any consideration, John. How much is her husband worth? Is he
very rich? She appears to have no end of money--and John, dear, she is
always in my way. I don't know how she manages it, but she is. I wish
you would get them out of our town, dear."

"I cannot, Jane. Levy is a large property-owner. He is not indigent. He
is not lazy. He is not in any way immoral. He has become a large
taxpayer, and has of late political aspirations. He annoys me
frequently, but money is now everything. And he has money--plenty of it.
Until he came, we were the richest family in Hatton. Father and I have
really built Hatton. We have spent thousands of pounds in making it a
model community, but we have received little gratitude. I think, Jane,
that men have more respect for those who _make_ money, than for those
who _give it away_."

"You don't like Mr. Levy, do you, John?"

"He annoys me very frequently. It is not easy to like people who do
that."

"His wife annoys me. Cannot we make up some plan to put them down a peg
or two?"

"We can do nothing against them, my dear."

"Why, John?"

"Because 'God beholdeth mischief and spite to requite it.' And after
all, these Levys are only trying to win public respect and that by
perfectly honorable means. True they are pushing, but no one can push
Yorkshire men and women beyond their own opinions and their own
interests. In the meantime, they are helpful to the town."

"Mrs. Swale, of Woodleigh, told me she had heard that Mrs. Levy came
from the Lake District and is a Christian. Do you believe that, John?"

"Not for a minute. Mr. Levy is a Hebrew of long and honorable descent.
His family came from Spain to England in the time of Henry the Seventh.
Such Jews never marry Christian women. I do not believe either love or
money could make them do it. I have no doubt that Mrs. Levy has a family
record as ancient and as honorable as her husband's. She is a
kind-hearted woman and really handsome. She has four beautiful sons. I
tell you, Jane, when she stands in the midst of them she is a sight
worth looking at."

Jane laughed scornfully, and Jane's husband continued with decided
emotion, "Yes, indeed, when you see Mrs. Levy with