He
lost little time, however, in going to communicate his daughter's
determination to that young man. It so happened, however, that,
notwithstanding three several journeys made for the purpose, he could
not see him; the fact being that Bryan always happened to be from
home when he went. Then came the denouncing scene which we have just
described, when his illness put it out of his power, without danger to
himself, to undergo anything calculated to discompose or disturb him.
The popular feeling, however, was fearfully high and indignant against
him. The report went that he had called Father M'Pepper, the senior
curate, a liar upon the very altar; and the commencement of
his explanation with respect to the fifty-pound note, was, not
unnaturally--since they would not permit him to speak--construed into an
open admission of his having been bribed.
This was severe and trying enough, but it was not all. Chevydale, whom
he unseated by his vote, after having incurred several thousand pounds
of expense, was resolved to make him suffer for the loss of his seat, as
well as for having dared to vote against him--a purpose in which he was
strongly supported, or into which, we should rather say, he was urged by
Fethertonge, who, in point of fact, now that the leases had dropped, was
negotiating a beneficial bargain with the gauger, apart from Chevydale's
knowledge, who was a feeble, weak-minded man, without experience or a
proper knowledge of his duties.
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