little humbled moreover. Instead of walking erect, and taking bow and
courtesy as a matter of course, and of no meaning, he hung his head
somewhat, and there was a slight blush on his cheek; and as he glanced
upward and round him--shyly, as it were--and his eye met those friendly
looks, it returned them with an earnestness that had in it something
touching as well as cordial,--an eye that said, as well as eye could say,
"I don't quite deserve it, I fear, neighbours; but I thank you for your
good-will with my whole heart." And so readily was that glance of the
eye understood, that I think, if that scene had taken place out of doors
instead of in the church, there would have been a hurrah as the squire
passed out of sight.

Scarcely had Mr. Hazeldean got clear of the churchyard, ere Mr. Stirn was
whispering in his ear. As Stirn whispered, the squire's face grew long,
and his colour rose. The congregation, now flocking out of the church,
exchanged looks with each other; that ominous conjunction between squire
and man chilled back all the effects of the parson's sermon. The
squire struck his cane violently into the ground. "I would rather you
had told me Black Bess had got the glanders. A young gentleman, coming
to visit my son, struck and insulted in Hazeldean; a young gentleman,--
's death, sir, a relation--his grandmother was a Hazeldean. I do believe
Jemima's right, and the world's coming to an end! But Leonard Fairfield
in the stocks! What will the parson say? and after such a sermon!
'Rich man, respect the poor!' And the good widow too; and poor Mark, who
almost died in my arms! Stirn, you have a heart of stone! You
confounded, lawless, merciless miscreant, who the deuce gave you the
right to imprison man or boy in my parish of Hazeldean without trial,
sentence, or warrant? Run and let the boy out before any one sees him:
run, or I shall--"