no notice of this speech. Wynnette answered:

"Oh, you needn't fret your nerves to fiddle strings about that--I mean you
need not distress yourself, ma'am. She hates him, and so do I. And so does
Elva. In spite of prayer book and catechism, we hate him. We can't help
it."

"Eh? What's that you say?" inquired Mrs. Anglesea. "You hate him? Then
why, in the name o' common sense, did she want to marry, and you all let
her, for?"

"It was Old Scratch's doings--I mean it was Satanic agency," Wynnette
explained.

At this moment Leonidas Force came up, and said to his cousin:

"The carriages are ready sir. I spoke to the rector, sir, and, with his
leave, had them brought around to the vestry door, so that you can all go
out that way, and avoid the crowd."

"Thank you, Le. Dear, kind fellow! It was very good and thoughtful of you.
Come, love. Come, children. Le, give your arm to this lady. Mrs. Anglesea,
let me introduce my relative, Mr. Leonidas Force."

"Oh, Lord! I know the fellow. Knew him before I knew you," said the woman,
very unceremoniously appropriating Le's arm.

Mr. and Mrs. Force led the way, supporting their drooping daughter between
them.

Le followed with the California lady.

And Miss Meeke and the two little girls brought up the rear.

They passed through the chancel into the vestry, where they found the
rector had preceded them, to wait and offer such sympathetic condolence as
he might.

"What do you think of this baseness, reverend sir?" inquired Mr. Force.

"It may be premature to judge before all the evidence is in, but it seems
as if your late guest is an impostor, if not a criminal."

"I feel sure that there can be no doubt upon that subject."

"If I can be of any service, pray command me at any time," said the
rector.

"I thank you very much. I think I will have to trouble you with two
commissions. First, to tell our friends in there that, under existing
circumstances, there can be no reception at our house to-day."

"I will do so."

"And, also, I must ask you to telegraph to St. Sebastian, as the woman
advised, for further proof of her claim. Here is my pocketbook. Don't
spare it in the cause. Could you spare an hour or two to come up to my
house to-morrow?" inquired Mr. Force.

"I will take the time, and make it a point to be there."

"Come to dinner, if you please, sir. You know our hour," said Mrs. Force.

"Thank you, madam," replied the minister, without further committing