The port arrived and in a minute or two the experienced damsel saw that her patroness was settling down for a long and confidential chat. The moment promised a golden opportunity, of which she meant to take advantage if she possibly could. She had a big scheme in hand; she was primed with it by minds more subtle than her own. The image of Sam Hamlyn was before her and she burned to deserve that gentleman's commendation. "Yes," said Miss Pritchett, "as a girl, when I used to go to the Lord Mayor's balls at the Mansion House with papa and mamma, I saw what society really was. And it's worse now! That abandoned hussy at the vicarage is an example of what I mean. I must not go into details before you, child, but I know what I know!" "How _awful_, Miss Pritchett! I saw her making eyes at all the gentlemen before you went up to her." "All's fish that comes to the net of such," replied Miss Pritchett. "An earl's toy, the giddy bubble floating on the open sewer of a London season, or the sly allurer of an honest young city gentleman. Anything in trousers, child, is like herrings to a cat!" "How _awful_! Miss Pritchett," repeated Gussie, wondering what it would be like to be an earl's toy, and rather thinking she would enjoy it. "I suppose you'll go to the vicarage just as usual, though,--on parish business, I mean." This, as the girl expected, provoked a storm, which she patiently endured, certain that she was in a way to gain her ends. At length, the flow of voluble and angry words grew less. Miss Pritchett was enjoying herself too much to risk the girl's non-compliance with her mood. "There, there," she said eventually, "it's only your ignorance I know, Gussie, but you do aggravate me. You don't understand society. Never shall I set foot in that man's house again!" Gussie gasped. Her face expressed fervent admiration at such a daring resolve, but slight incredulity as well. The bait took again. "Never, as I'm a living lady!" said Miss Pritchett, "and I don't know as I shall ever drive up to the church doors in my carriage on a Sunday morning more! Opinions may change. I _may_ have been--I don't say I _have_ been, yet, mind you--I _may_ have been led away by the false glitter of Roman doctrine and goings on." The idea seemed to please the lady. She saw herself picturesque in such a situation. Gussie started suddenly. "What's the matter, child?" she was asked tartly; "do you think no one's got any nerves? Keep still, do!" "I'm very sorry, Miss Pritchett, but when you said that, I remembered something I was reading last night in the _Hornham Observer_." "I was keeping it for Sunday afternoon," said Miss Pritchett. "I did mean to go to morning service and then read Mr. Hamlyn's side of last Sunday's proceedings at home, comfortable like. But what's in the paper?" "A great deal that will interest you, dear Miss Pritchett, though I do not know if you will be pleased." "Pleased? What do you mean?" "Your name is mentioned several times."