"Oh, you needn't fret your nerves to fiddle strings about that--I mean you need not distress yourself, ma'am. She hates him, and so do I. And so does Elva. In spite of prayer book and catechism, we hate him. We can't help it." "Eh? What's that you say?" inquired Mrs. Anglesea. "You hate him? Then why, in the name o' common sense, did she want to marry, and you all let her, for?" "It was Old Scratch's doings--I mean it was Satanic agency," Wynnette explained. At this moment Leonidas Force came up, and said to his cousin: "The carriages are ready sir. I spoke to the rector, sir, and, with his leave, had them brought around to the vestry door, so that you can all go out that way, and avoid the crowd." "Thank you, Le. Dear, kind fellow! It was very good and thoughtful of you. Come, love. Come, children. Le, give your arm to this lady. Mrs. Anglesea, let me introduce my relative, Mr. Leonidas Force." "Oh, Lord! I know the fellow. Knew him before I knew you," said the woman, very unceremoniously appropriating Le's arm. Mr. and Mrs. Force led the way, supporting their drooping daughter between them. Le followed with the California lady. And Miss Meeke and the two little girls brought up the rear. They passed through the chancel into the vestry, where they found the rector had preceded them, to wait and offer such sympathetic condolence as he might. "What do you think of this baseness, reverend sir?" inquired Mr. Force. "It may be premature to judge before all the evidence is in, but it seems as if your late guest is an impostor, if not a criminal." "I feel sure that there can be no doubt upon that subject." "If I can be of any service, pray command me at any time," said the rector. "I thank you very much. I think I will have to trouble you with two commissions. First, to tell our friends in there that, under existing circumstances, there can be no reception at our house to-day." "I will do so." "And, also, I must ask you to telegraph to St. Sebastian, as the woman advised, for further proof of her claim. Here is my pocketbook. Don't spare it in the cause. Could you spare an hour or two to come up to my house to-morrow?" inquired Mr. Force. "I will take the time, and make it a point to be there." "Come to dinner, if you please, sir. You know our hour," said Mrs. Force. "Thank you, madam," replied the minister, without further committing himself. Then the party took leave of their pastor, and went out by the back door to enter their carriage. Abel Force handed his wife, his eldest daughter and their guest into the first carriage, which he entered after them, the party of four filling the interior. Le handed Miss Meeke and his two young cousins into the second carriage, and followed them. And the little procession left the churchyard, and took their way through the grove to the turnpike road leading to Mondreer.