"I remember very well, sir, that a gentleman did accompany Mr. Verney; and I remember the marriage extremely well, because there occurred very distressing circumstances respecting that Mr. Verney not very long after, which fixed that marriage in my mind; but having seen you once only, sir, I can't pretend to recollect your face." "There has been some time, too, sir, since then," said Mr. Dingwell, with a cynical sneer, and a shrug. "But I think I should have recognized you; that's perhaps owing to my having a remarkably retentive memory for faces; however it's of no great consequence here. It isn't a matter of identification at all. I only want to know, as Verney's dead, whether you can tell what has become of that poor lady, or can find any clue to her whereabouts--there was a baby--a little child--if they are still living." "She did write to me twice, sir, within a few years after the marriage. He treated her very ill, sir," said the clergyman. "Infamously, I fancy," said Dingwell; "and how long ago was that, sir?" "Oh! a long time; twenty--ay, five--ay, eight-and-twenty years since," said the old gentleman. Dingwell laughed. His visitor stared. "Yes, it's a good while," said Mr. Dingwell; "and looking over that gulf, sir, you may fill your glass, and sing-- "'Many a lad I liked is dead, And many a lass grown old.' Eight-and-twenty years! Gad, sir, she's had time to grow gray; and to be dead and buried; and to serve a handsome period of her term in purgatory. I forgot, though; _you_ don't follow me there. I was thinking of the French curé, who made part of my journey here with me." "No, sir; Church of England, thank God; the purest faith; the most scriptural, I believe, on earth. You, sir, I assume, are of the same Church," said he. "Well, I can't say I am, sir; nor a Catholic, nor a Quaker," said the invalid. "I hope, sir, there's no tendency to rationalism?" "No, sir, I thank you; to no ism whatsoever invented by any other man; Dingwellism for Dingwell; Smithism for Smith. Every man has a right to his opinion, in my poor judgment." "And pray, sir, if neither Romanist nor Protestant, what _are_ you?" inquired the clergyman, as having a right to ask. "_Porcus de gruge epicuri_, at your service," said the sick man, with a feeble smirk. "I had hoped, sir, it might have been for some profitable purpose you had sent for me," said the disappointed pastor. "Well, sir, I was baptized in the Church of England, although I don't subscribe the Articles; so I served in your regiment, you see, though I don't wear the uniform any longer." "I thought, sir, you might have wished some conversation upon religious subjects." "And haven't we had it, sir?--sorry we don't agree. I'm too old to turn out of my own way; but, though I can't learn yours, I shall be happy to teach you something of mine, if you wish it."