"My dear, don't speak of it in that way!"
"That's all very well. I suppose I ought to say that I like it. There has been a policeman here who is going to bring an action against me."
"A policeman!"
"Some one that her husband has sent for the child."
"The boy must not be given up, Oliphant."
"It's all very well to say that, but I suppose we must obey the law. The parsonage of St. Diddulph's isn't a castle in the Apennines. When it comes to this, that a policeman is sent here to fetch any man's child, and threatens me with an action because I tell him to leave my house, it is very hard upon me, seeing how very little I've had to do with it. It's all over the parish now that my niece is kept here away from her husband, and that a lover comes to see her. This about the policeman will be known now, of course. I only say it is hard; that's all." The wife did all that she could to comfort him, reminding him that Sir Marmaduke would be home soon, and that then the burden would be taken from his shoulders. But she was forced to admit that it was very hard.
CHAPTER LIII.
HUGH STANBURY IS SHEWN TO BE NO CONJUROR.
