“By the by, that reminds me of a letter I got this evening. I put it in my pocket without reading. Is n't that Vickars' hand?” “Yes; it is his reply, perhaps, to my letter. He is too correct and too prudent to write to myself, and sends the answer to you.” “As our distinguished guest is not here to be shocked, Julia, let us hear what Vickars says.” “'My dear Mr. L'Estrange, I have before me a letter from your sister, expressing a wish that I should consent to the withdrawal of the sum of two thousand pounds, now vested in consols under my trusteeship, and employ these moneys in a certain enterprise which she designates as the coal-mines of Lisconnor. Before acceding to the grave responsibility which this change of investment would impose upon me, even supposing that the Master'--who is the Master, George?” “Go on; read further,” said he, curtly. “'--that the Master would concur with such a procedure, I am desirous of hearing what you yourself know of the speculation in question. Have you seen and conversed with the engineers who have made the surveys? Have you heard from competent and unconcerned parties--?' Oh, George, it 's so like the way he talks. I can't read on.” L'Estrange took the letter from her and glanced rapidly over the lines; and then turning to the last page read aloud: “'How will the recommendation of the Ecclesiastical Commissioners affect you touching the union of Portshandon with Kilmullock? Do they simply extinguish you, or have you a claim for compensation?'” “What does he mean, George?” cried she, as she gazed at the pale face and agitated expression of her brother as he laid down the letter before her. “It is just extinguishment; that's the word for it,” muttered he. “When they unite the parishes, they suppress me.” “Oh, George, don't say that; it has not surely come to this?” “There 's no help for it,” said he, putting away his glass, and leaning his head on his hand. “I was often told they 'd do something like this; and when Grimsby was here to examine the books and make notes,--you remember it was a wet Sunday, and nobody came but the clerk's mother,--he said, as we left the church, 'The congregation is orderly and attentive, but not numerous. '” “I told you, George, I detested that man. I said at the time he was no friend to _you_.” “If he felt it his duty--” “Duty, indeed! I never heard of a cruelty yet that had n't the plea of a duty. I 'm sure Captain Craufurd comes to church, and Mrs. Bayley comes, and as to the great house, there 's a family there of not less than thirty persons.” “When Grimsby was here Castello was not occupied.” “Well, it is occupied now; and if Colonel Bramleigh be a person of the influence he assumes to be, and if he cares--as I take it he must care--not to live like a heathen, he 'll prevent this cruel wrong. I 'm not sure that Nelly has much weight; but she would do anything in the world for us, and I think Augustus, too, would befriend us.”