in respectable life, was travelling towards Springfield, the residence
of Mr. Hickman, when he overtook two females, one of whom was dressed in
such a way as made it clear that she wished to avoid the risk of being
known. She was a little above the middle size, and there could be
little doubt, from the outline of her figure, that, in the opinion
of unsuspicious people, she had reached the dignity of a matron. Her
companion was dressed in faded black, from top to toe, and from the
expression of her thin, sallow face, and piercing black eyes, there
could be little doubt she had seen a good deal of the world as it exists
in rustic life. The person who overtook these two females carried a
portfolio, and appeared to observe the country and its scenery, as he
went along with well marked attention.

"Pray, ma'am," said he, "whose is that fine old building to the right,
which appears to be going to ruin? It is evidently not inhabited."

"You're a stranger in the place, then," replied the female, "or you
surely might know Castle Cumber House, where old Tom Topertoe used
to live before the union came. He was made a lord of for sellin' our
parliament, and now his son, the present lord, is leadin' a blessed life
abroad, for he never shows his face here."

"He is an absentee, then?"

"To be sure he is, and so is every man of them now, barrin' an odd
one. The country's deserted, and although business is lookin' up
a little--take your time, Susanna, we needn't be in sich a hurry
now--although, as I said, business is lookin' up a little, still it's
nothing to what it was when the gentry lived at home wid us."

"Who is agent to this Lord Cumber, pray?"

"A blessed boy, by all accounts, but that's all I'll say about him--I
know him too well to make him my enemy."

"Why, is he not popular--is he not liked by the tenantry?"

"Oh, Lord, to be sure--they doat upon him; and, indeed, no wondher, he's
so kind and indulgent to the poor. To tell you the truth, he's a great
blessin' to the country."

"That, to be sure, is very satisfactory--and, pray, if I may take the
liberty, who is his law agent, or has he one?"

"Why, another blessed--hem--a very pious devout man, named Mr. Solomon
M'Slime, an attorney--but, indeed, an attorney that almost shames the
Bible itself, he's so religious. Isn't he, Susanna?"

"He hath good gifts; if he doth not abuse them."

"Religion is certainly the best principle in life, if sincerely felt,
and not