remarks.
    »My wife tells me - and I can trust her judgment in such things - that his
sole object just now is to make a good marriage. Rather disagreeable stories
seem to have followed him from the other side of England. He makes love to all
unmarried women - never going beyond what is thought permissible, but doing a
good deal of mischief, I fancy. One lady in Exeter - I won't mention names - has
already pulled him up with a direct inquiry as to his intentions; at her house,
I imagine, he will no more be seen.«
    The genial parson chuckled over his narrative, and Martin, by no means
predisposed in the Rev. Bruno's favour, took care to report these matters to his
wife.
    »I don't believe a word of it!« exclaimed Mrs. Warricombe. »All the clergy
are jealous of Mr. Chilvers.«
    »What? Of his success with ladies?«
    »Martin! It is something new for you to be profane! - They are jealous of
his high reputation.«
    »Rather a serious charge against our respectable friends.«
    »And the stories are all nonsense,« pursued Mrs. Warricombe. »It's very
wrong of Mr. Lilywhite to report such things. I don't believe any other
clergyman would have done so.«
    Martin smiled - as he had been accustomed to do all through his married life
- and let the discussion rest there. On the next occasion of Mr. Chilvers being
at the house, he observed the reverend man's behaviour with Sidwell, and was not
at all pleased. Bruno had a way of addressing women which certainly went beyond
the ordinary limits of courtesy. At a little distance, anyone would have
concluded that he was doing his best to excite Sidwell's affectionate interest.
The matter of his discourse might be unobjectionable, but the manner of it was
not in good taste.
    Mrs. Warricombe was likewise observant, but with other emotions. To her it
seemed a subject for pleasurable reflection, that Mr. Chilvers should show
interest in Sidwell. The Rev. Bruno had bright prospects. With the colour of his
orthodoxy she did not concern herself. He was ticketed broad, a term which
carried with it no disparagement; and Sidwell's sympathies were altogether with
the men of breadth. The time drew near when Sidwell must marry, if she ever
meant to do so, and in comparison with such candidates as Mr. Walsh and Godwin
Peak, the Rector of St. Margaret's would be an ideal