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I ask what you think of the neighbourhood ?"

"It appears to be rather sterile in parts," I replied, "but the bold outline of the country pleases me, there is an openness and freshness about the scenery which is very charming."

"I suppose you don't know much of our good neighbours in these parts ?" he said half interrogatively.

"No, this is the only opportunity I have had of seeing any of them."

"You will not care to have another, if I judge you rightly," he remarked, "such canaille!" I was somewhat surprised at hearing him express himself thus, but only smiled, and encouraged, I suppose, by my seeming concur rence with his opinion, he continued.

"It is a strange life for a man like me to lead, but I'm contented to exist here for a time." You would not wish to remain here then ?" "Remain here, my dear Miss Brand! how can you imagine that a man still young would

sacrifice himself in such cruel fashion? for what end? The duty here, requires neither talent, energy, nor anything else; no, no, between ourselves a little rural affair like this, is

merely a stepping-stone to something betterI mean to a more enlarged sphere of usefulness, which, longing for, as I do, is only right; when such presents itself, I shall consider it my duty, to embrace it at any sacrifice."

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What is that, Mr. Twig?" called out Miss Townsend Tomkins at the top of her voice.

"I was merely saying, my dear Madam, that if, as is very probable, I should have a call to more extended duties, I shall consider myself bound to embrace that call."

"And leave us? that's not handsome, Mr. Twig, I thought you said you should like that little living in my brother Sir John's gift; and I promised you my matter."

interest in the

"You are very kind, I'm sure, very goodnothing could be kinder; but I've an objection to pluralities, I object to them for several reasons, and should I get the nomination, which I am now expecting, to a living in the North, I fear I must decline your proffered recommendation."

"You don't say so," cried Miss Tomkins, astonished at the beautiful disinterestedness of the young clergyman, "you surprise me-ex

pecting another living? why, I'd made up my mind that you should have that living of my brother's, and you must, too; I know he'll give it to you if I press the matter again, and I'm determined to do it the very first opportunity."

The Reverend Septimus Twig looked resigned to the honour which was thus to be "thrust" upon him, and I fancied I perceived a little playful twitching about the corners of the mouth, which gave me a slight insight into the jeu, and the suspicion that the "living in the North" was a myth.

CHAPTER XIV.

. . Though mean and mighty, rotting

Together have one dust: yet reverence

(That angel of the world) doth make distinction

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WHEN the ladies adjourned to the drawingroom, the countess seemed to have conceived a sudden feeling of confidential leaning towards

me.

66

'Well, my dear," she said in a low_tone, "what do you think of this? don't you call this martyrdom? I do. Pray help me, like a good soul, and do the talking for me, I'm really unable to exert myself to the required extent― I must be spared this in future, I'll take care not to have such an infliction again."

"What subscription's that you're talking

you

about ?" cried the quick-eared Miss Tomkins, "don't spend all your money, ladies, if please, till I make my claims known-I've a sad case for your ladyship's consideration."

Spare me!" said the young Countess imploringly, "you've so many cases, Miss Tomkins, it is quite impossible I can relieve all, and my nerves not being strong, these dreadful cases of distress are very harrowing to hear about, and affect me very painfully; I'll give them something at Christmas."

"But they'll starve before then, something must be done at once," continued the pertinacious Miss Tomkins, "and the rich people in the parish are those who should do it-Mrs. Oxenford, may I hope for your co-operation ?"

Mrs. Oxenford thus addressed, looked very uncomfortable; she was at all times an uncomfortable looking person, and her present perturbation was caused by two opposing wishes the one of appearing grand in "the parish" by relieving its distresses, the other of currying favour with the countess by chiming in with all her ladyship's views; after reddening therefore, and smiling a great deal, she said:

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But why should we trouble Lady

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