The rector of Neverden, to whom homage was agreeable both from constitution and habit, was by this concession of Mr Pringle more softened towards his visitor than he had ever been before. For Mr Darnley had regarded his neighbour of Smatterton, with something of a jealous look, as an unwarrantable encroacher on the clerical dignity and family consequence of the rector of Neverden, who considered himself as a man of family. But now when Mr Pringle paid homage to Mr Darnley’s wisdom and flattered his vanity, the reverend man of family was softened and subdued, and he exercised a more gracious spirit of condescension towards his reverend neighbour of Smatterton. And, in order to exhibit this condescension, Mr Darnley entered most copiously and fully into a narrative of all the particulars of the history of Miss Primrose. To this narrative Mr Pringle listened very attentively, and at the close of it made exactly such comments as Mr Darnley would be most pleased to hear. “And after this,” added the rector of Neverden, “with what propriety can I hold any intercourse with the family of Mr Primrose?” “Most undoubtedly, sir,” replied Mr Pringle, “you have been treated with very great disrespect and inattention, and I am not at all surprised at your reluctance to hold any intercourse with Mr Primrose. But as I had received from my relative in London a letter making a communication of this nature, and urging me as a clergyman to use all means in my power to prevent such a disgraceful step on the part of one of my parishioners, and as being a very young man, and being peculiarly situated with respect to Lord Smatterton’s family, I wished if possible that Mr Primrose should be warned of the danger to which his daughter is exposed through some other channel; and I thought no one so proper as yourself for that task, as any expostulation or information would come with more weight from you than from any one else.” “Very true, Mr Pringle, very true,” replied the rector of Neverden, “I must confess you are right; and the time has been when Mr Primrose might, or Miss Primrose might, have listened to my advice, but I fear that time is gone. But what would you have me to do, Mr Pringle?” “Merely, sir,” replied Mr Pringle, “to inform Mr Primrose by any means you may be pleased to use, that such a negociation is carrying on between Lord Spoonbill and his daughter, and that the lady is deceived by the promise of a private marriage, when no marriage at all is intended.” “Why, if the young woman is deceived, she ought to be undeceived.”