angerous, and worse since he has taken to
drinking."

"I suppose he did not take to drinking till he lost his wits for Jessie
Wiles?"

"No, I don't think he did."

"But, Mr. Lethbridge, have you never used your influence over this
dangerous man?"

"Of course, I did try, but I only got insulted. He is a godless animal,
and has not been inside a church for years. He seems to have got
a smattering of such vile learning as may be found in infidel
publications, and I doubt if he has any religion at all."

"Poor Polyphemus! no wonder his Galatea shuns him."

"Old Wiles is terribly frightened, and asked my wife to find Jessie a
place as servant at a distance. But Jessie can't bear the thoughts of
leaving."

"For the same reason which attaches Will Somers to the native soil?"

"My wife thinks so."

"Do you believe that if Tom Bowles were out of the way, and Jessie
and Will were man and wife, they could earn a sufficient livelihood as
successors to Mrs. Bawtrey, Will adding the profits of his basket-work
to those of the shop and land?"

"A sufficient livelihood! of course. They would be quite rich. I know
the shop used to turn a great deal of money. The old woman, to be sure,
is no longer up to the business, but still she retains a good custom."

"Will Somers seems in delicate health. Perhaps if he had a less weary
struggle for a livelihood, and no fear of losing Jessie, his health
would improve."

"His life would be saved, sir."

"Then," said Kenelm, with a heavy sigh and a face as long as an
undertaker's, "though I myself entertain a profound compassion for that
disturbance to our mental equilibrium which goes by the name of 'love,'
and I am the last person who ought to add to the cares and sorrows which
marriage entails upon its victims,--I say nothing of the woes
destined to those whom marriage usually adds to a population already
overcrowded,--I fear that I must be the means of bringing these two
love-birds into the same cage. I am ready to purchase the shop and its
appurtenances on their behalf, on the condition that you will kindly
obtain the consent of Jessie's father to their union. As for my brave
friend Tom Bowles, I undertake to deliver them and the village from that
exuberant nature, which requires a larger field for its energies. Pardon
me for not letting you interrupt me. I have not yet finished what I have
to say. Allow me to ask if Mrs. Grundy resides in this village."

"Mrs. Grundy! Oh, I und