ing such a promise, and he felt that at any rate the
arrangement would be an improper one.

"If you knew," said he, at last, "the terms on which my mother and I
live together, you would perceive that such a promise is not needed."

"I shall not the less think it necessary to exact it. I am putting
great trust in you as it is, very great trust; more so perhaps than
I am justified in doing." His lordship here alluded merely to the
disposition of the vicarial tithes, and not at all to the care of
souls which he was going to put into the young man's hands.

Arthur Wilkinson again sat silent for awhile.

"One would think," said his lordship, "that you would be glad to
have the means of securing your mother from beggary. I imagined that
you would have been in some measure gratified by my--my--my good
intentions towards your family."

"So I am, my lord; so I am. But I doubt whether I should be justified
in giving such a pledge."

"Justified! you will make me almost doubt, Mr. Wilkinson, whether I
shall be justified in putting the living into your hands; but, at any
rate, I must have an answer."

"What time can you allow me to consider my answer?"

"What time! It never struck me that you could require time. Well;
you can let me have your decision to-morrow morning. Send it me in
writing, so that I may have it before ten. The post goes out at
twelve. If I do not hear from you before ten, I shall conclude that
you have refused my offer." And so speaking the marquis got up from
his chair.

Arthur also got up, and promised that he would send a letter over
from Bowes the first thing on the following morning.

"And tell the messenger to wait for an answer," said his lordship;
"and pray express yourself definitely, so that there may be no
doubt." And then, muttering something as to his hope that the inn was
comfortable, and saying that the state of his health prohibited him
from entertaining visitors, the marquis again put out his fingers,
and Arthur soon found himself in the gig on his journey to Bowes.

He intended returning to town on the following day by the
twelve-o'clock mail, of which Lord Stapledean had spoken. But before
that he had a difficult task to perform. He had no friend to consult,
no one of whom he could ask advice, nothing to rely on but his own
head and his own heart. That suggestion as to simony perplexed him.
Had he the right, or could he have it, to appropriate the income of
the living according to