“Because my successor, or rather Dr. Orton’s successor, is appointed.” “Already!” “Yes, already.” “Upon my word, there has been but little time lost! And you have received notice to quit?” “Yes, in a letter from the new incumbent, which I found lying on my study table when I came in from the church.” “Who is he, then?” “‘Who is he?’ That is the very worst of all. Do you remember that fellow, Cassius Leegh, who used to come to Medge parsonage long ago and fasten on us for weeks?” “I should think so!” “He was the son of a small shopkeeper in the borough, London, studied for the ministry as a matter of pride and ambition; but, morally and spiritually, as unfit for the pulpit as a man can well be! I do not know how he has contrived to get himself inducted into this living, except upon the basis that he and the new squire are birds of a feather!” “Stop!” exclaimed Hetty as a sudden light dawned on her mind—“I understand it all perfectly now! Don’t you know that this man, this so-called new squire of Haymore, married in New York a young lady by the name of Leegh?” “I paid no attention to the name of the lady,” replied the curate. “Well, naturally I did, being a woman, you know. And the bride’s name was Leegh! And surely you have heard Cassius Leegh speak of his beautiful sister Lamia, who was taken up by a wealthy New York family?” “Why—yes—certainly!” “That is it, then. This man Leegh, no doubt, sought out his brother-in-law and put in his plea for the living, even before Dr. Orton was dead, and so he has secured it, and lost no time in warning you out. But I wonder if he happened to mention your name to the ‘squire,’ for if so, the said squire, finding out that you were here, would scarcely venture to set foot within the place until you should be gone.” “No,” said Mr. Campbell emphatically; “knowing the man as well as I do, I can say most positively that he has never mentioned my name to his patron, or even alluded to the fact that the late Dr. Orton left a temporary substitute to fill his pulpit, when he himself went away for his health, lest, you see, the knowledge of this fact should cause the squire to take more time in appointing Dr. Orton’s successor. Don’t you see?” “Yes. To leave the absent squire to believe that the parish of Haymore was entirely destitute of a pastor, would, of course, hasten the patron, who wishes the good opinion of his people, to appoint an incumbent, and the most natural thing would be to appoint his brother-in-law. I wish he were a better man.” “So do I, with all my heart!” “Well! we are in Heaven’s hands. And as we must clear out by the first of January, and get into new lodgings somewhere or other, I will go out the first thing after breakfast to-morrow morning to look them up,” said Hetty cheerfully. “Lodgings in this town!” ruefully grunted the curate.