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With twelve of the clock came Darden, quite sober, distrait in manner and

uneasy of eye, and presently interrupted Mistress Stagg's flow of

conversation by a dearden was a solitude, and thither the two repaired, taking their

seats upon a bench built round a mulberry-tree

"Well?" queried Mistress Deborah bitterly "I suppose Mr Commissary

showed himself vastly civil? I dare say you're to preach before the

Governor next Sunday? Or maybe they've chosen Bailey? He boasts that he

can drink you under the table! One of these fine days you'll drink and

curse and garound with his heavy stick "On such a fine

day as this," he said, in a suppressed voice, and looked askance at the

hom he beat upon occasion, but whose counsel he held in respect

She turned upon him "What do you mean? They talk and talk, and cry

shame,--and a sha"-"It has come to this," interrupted Darden, with an oath: "that this

Governor means to sweep in the corners; that the Commissary--damned

Scot!--to-day appointed a coainst me and Bailey and John Worden; that seven of ainst me; and that 'deprivation' has suddenly become a very common

word!"

"Seven of the vestry?" said his wife, after a pause "Who are they?"

Darden told her

"If Mr Haward"--she began slowly, her green eyes steady upon the