"Ah, ma'am, you know I mean the original. There's two baptisms to-day,
sir," he added, turning away; "two, and one churching. Mrs. Luttrell and
her child, and the poor little baby whose mother died."

"Mrs. Luttrell!" repeated the Rector. "It's soon for her, is it not?"

"They want to go away to the seaside," replied the clerk. "What about
that notice, sir?"

"I'll see to it before Sunday, Jabez. Any news?"

"No, sir; not that I've heard of. My wife wanted to persuade me she
saw--"

At this moment a white-haired old serving-man entered the room with
a note, claiming the Rector's attention. "The man's to take back the
answer, sir, if you please."

"Wait then, Simon."

Old Simon stood aside, and the clerk, turning to Mrs. Ashton, continued
his unfinished sentence.

"She wanted to persuade me she saw young Lord Hartledon pass at six
o'clock this morning. A very likely tale that, ma'am."

"Perhaps she dreamt it, Jabez," said Mrs. Ashton, quietly.

Jabez chuckled; but what he would have answered was interrupted by the