When she had finished her tale, he said, "What you have told me is a very sad story, and makes my heart ache for you. You can rely on me, I will be your friend and protector. We have had a case on lately, of a woman who was equally unhappy in her married life; her name was Jane Summers. You may have seen it in the papers." "I'll never see the papers. How did Jane Summers manage?" "She had a crabbed, ill-conditioned husband, and she was a fine, handsome, lusty woman. He fell ill, and she did not afford him all that care and attention which was requisite in his condition. She went out amusing herself, and left him at home with no one to see to his necessities. The consequence was that he died, and she was tried for it, but the case against her broke down. It could not be proved that had she been devoted to him in his sickness he would have recovered. The law takes cognizance of commission of a crime, and not of neglect of duty." Mehetabel opened her eyes. "If Jonas were ill I would attend him day and night," she said. "But he is not ill--never was, till the shot entered his arm, and then I was with him all day and all night." "How did he receive your ministry?" "He was very irritable. I suppose the pain made him so." "You got no thanks for your trouble?" "None at all. I thought he would have been kinder when he recovered." "Then," said the young man, laughing; "the man is not to be cured. You must leave him." "I have done so." "And you are seeking a home and a protector?" "I want to earn my living somewhere." "A pretty young thing like you," said the stranger, "cannot fail to make her way. Come! I have offered you my aid," he put his arm round her and attempted to snatch a kiss. "So!" exclaimed Mehetabel, starting to her feet. "This is the friend and protector you would be! I trusted you with my troubles, and you have taken advantage of my trust. Let me alone! Wherever I turn there hell hath opened her mouth! A moment ago I thought of ending all my troubles in this pond--that a thousand times before trusting you further." With beating heart--beating with anger--proudly raising her weary head, she walked away. CHAPTER XLI. WANDERERS. It occurred to Mehetabel that the rector of Milford had been over at Thursley several times to do duty when the vicar of Witley was ill, and she thought that perhaps she might obtain advice from him. Accordingly she turned in the direction of that village as soon as she had reached the road. She walked wearily along till she arrived in this, the adjoining parish, separated from Thursley by a tract of healthy common. At her request, she was shown into the library, and she told the parson of her trouble. He shrugged his shoulders, and read her a lecture on the duties of wife to husband; and, taking his Bible, provided her with texts to corroborate what he said.