The Bishop's Secret

famous drop of water and would wear away any human stone, however hard it might be. Again and again, when baffled, he returned with gentle persistence to the objec

e in spite of Bell's refusal. However, he had no time to waste on the persuasive method, as he wished t

to be disobeyed, she would retire, leaving the evidence of her trail behind her in the shape of a nauseous little tract with an abusive title. It was no use any poor creature refusing to see Mrs Pansey, for she forced herself into the most private chambers, and never would retire unless she thought fit to do so of her own will. It was

e as a mule, was not likely to tell Cargrim anything he desired to learn. Bell, detesting the chaplain, as she took no pains to conceal, would probably refuse to hold a conversation with him; but Mrs Mosk, being weak-minded and ill, might be led by dexterous questioning to tell all she knew. And what she did know

er he had introduced the subject, 'and I fear that her daught

Pansey. 'What can you expec

rs Pansey, and I expect

a pelican to pluck her breast for the benefit of her mother? No, indeed! I daresay she pass

ng to bring the girl to

it is my duty to reprove her and warn her mother of such goings-on. As for that weak-minded young Pendle,' cried Mrs Pansey, shaking

find the young woman d

im. I'll tell her the truth for once in her life. Marry you

grim, who wished his visit to be less

eye-sore to Beorminster-a curse to the place. It ought to be pulled down and the site ploughed up and sown with

in, when they fell into more general conv

er the tombs in the cathedral. Tombs, ind

the dean is too

she'd marry Methuselah to take away the shame of being single. Not that t

Mr Dean had an eye

ith dieting people to think of marrying them. She actually weighs out the

er height, Mrs Pansey. She se

direct reply. 'She wore a low-necked dress which made me blush. I don't kno

onstrated the chaplai

it, man? You aren't going to say

I am, I must say that there are parts of

e Articles and speak becomingly of holy things. However, let that pass,' added Mrs Pansey, in livelier

the passers-by. When she saw Mrs Pansey and the chaplain stalking along in black garments, and looking like two birds of pr

have come to see your mother,' and she cast

o see either you or Mr Ca

grim, as a clergyman, should loo

Mr Pendle is

then, combines bus

he did not wish to draw forth remarks from Mrs Pansey about Gabriel in his hearing, she discreetly held her tongue. However, as Mrs Pansey swept by in triumph, followed by Cargrim, s

st other people, detested her with all his heart; but she was, as he thought, a great friend of Sir Harr

grim to see your wife, M

lied Mosk, who had a husky voice suggestive of beer. 'S

in, as they followed Mosk to the back

an't say as she's dying. We d

our daughter acts towards her mo

' cried Mr Mosk, with sudden anger. 'I'd knock

g that something was wrong. If the man had a tender spot in his heart it was for his handsome daughter; and it was with a vague fear that

uffly, 'what's that

r head till all her ornaments jingle

don't think I sh

w!' cried Bell, getting as red as a peony. 'I've neve

napped her father; 'b

se I'm young and good-looking she wants to take

od-looking to escape folks' talking; and I hear

her? It's to see mother;

oo. I won't have him pa

es,' flashed out Bell. 'I can

to you I'll choke him in his own collar,' cr

enough for you to interfere when there's cause. N

f beer, went away to look into his betting-book with some horsey pals. In the meantime, Mrs Pansey was persecuting his wife, a meek, ner

itor, in loud tones. 'If you are, what right have yo

id Mrs Mosk, weakly. 'S

y. 'I tell you what, my good woman, you o

in't nothing wrong,

shouldn't have young ge

el, isn't it? and Mosk's a pop'lar character, ain't he? I'm sure it's hard enough to make ends meet as it is; we o

inflint, woman, w

e, mum, as Mosk 'av

sadly afraid your husband is a son of perdition

, anyhow,' cried Mrs M

tending not to hear this feeble defiance. 'Wha

characters,' put in Car

osk, with energy. 'May I beg of

haplain, softly. 'Who

nd I did see him twice afore my back got so bad as to force me to

y, 'is it the chief end

ekly; 'there ain't no denying of it. And Mr

is he?' said Ca

he goes sometimes to that camp

he get his

that, Mr Cargrim,' said

oney. Indeed, I don't know where he ain't been, sir. The four pints of the compass is all plain sa

he doin

now what kind. Oh, he knows 'ow

o one knows where he comes from,' summed up Cargrim. 'I think

hing about the man. 'Well, Mrs Mosk, I hope we've cheered you up. I'll go now. Read t

said poor Mrs Mosk;

bishop to the rescue. Besides, Mrs Pansey had no evidence to bring forward to prove that Gabriel was in love with Bell Mosk. Therefore she said not

ing at the door. 'When you are low-s

sy, an adventurer-what had such a creature in common with Bishop Pendle? To Mr Cargrim's eye the affair of the visit began to assume the proportions of a criminal case. But all the information he had gathered proved nothing, so it only remained to wait for the bishop's return and see what discoveries he could make in that direction. If Jentham's nam

d a little tract on the counter. No sooner had she left the house than Bell

do,' she cried, and bou

aplain. She was almost past speech, but with some difficulty

hook her skirts as if to rid herself of