V.

MR. PUDDLEHAM'S NEW CHAPEL.

[Illustration]

The Vicar devoted a week to the consideration of his grievance about
the chapel, and then did write to the Marquis. Indeed, there was no
time to be lost if he intended to do anything, as on the second day
after his interview with Mr. Grimes, Grimes himself, with two men to
assist him, began their measuring on the devoted spot, sticking in
little marks for the corners of the projected building, and turning
up a sod here and there. Mr. Grimes was a staunch Churchman; and
though in the way of business he was very glad to have the building
of a Methodist chapel,--or of a Pagan temple, if such might come in
his way,--yet, even though he possibly might give some offence to
the great man's shadow in Bullhampton, he was willing to postpone
his work for two or three days at the Vicar's request. "Grimes," the
Vicar said, "I'm not quite sure that I like this."

[Illustration: Site of Mr. Puddleham's new chapel.]

"Well, sir;--no, sir. I was thinking myself, sir, that maybe you
might take it unkind in the Marquis."

"I think I shall write to him. Perhaps you wouldn't mind giving over
for a day or two." Grimes yielded at once, and took his spade and
measurements away, although Mr. Puddleham fretted a good deal. Mr.
Puddleham had been much elated by the prospect of his new Bethel, and
had, it must be confessed, received into his mind an idea that it
would be a good thing to quarrel with the Vicar under the auspices of
the landlord. Fenwick's character had hitherto been too strong for
him, and he had been forced into parochial quiescence and religious
amity almost in spite of his conscience. He was a much older man than
Mr. Fenwick, having been for thirty years in the ministry, and he had
always previously enjoyed the privilege of being on bad terms with
the clergyman of the Establishment. It had been his glory to be a
poacher on another man's manor, to filch souls, as it were, out of
the keeping of a pastor of a higher grade than himself, to say severe
things of the short comings of an endowed clergyman, and to obtain
recognition of his position by the activity of his operations in the
guise of a blister. Our Vicar, understanding something of this, had,
with some malice towards the gentleman himself, determined to rob
Mr. Puddleham of his blistering powers. There is no doubt a certain
pleasure in poaching which does not belong to the licit following of
game; but a man can