Oh, Mr. Vincent, how very clever and wicked of you! cried Lady Western. I am so horrified, and charmed. To think of you attacking the poor dear old Church, that we all ought to support through everything! And I am such a stanch churchwoman, and so shocked to hear all this; but you wont do it any more.
Saying this, Lady Western leaned her beautiful hand upon Mr. Vincents table, and looked in his face with a beseeching insinuating smile. The poor minister did all he could to preserve his virtue. He looked aside at Lady Westerns companion to fortify himself, and escape the enervating influence of that smile.
I cannot pretend to yield the matter to your ladyship, said Vincent, for it had been previously arranged that this was to be the last of my lectures at present. I am sorry it did not please you.
But it did please me, said the young Dowager; only that it was so very wicked and wrong. Where did you learn such dreadful sentiments? I am so sorry I shant hear you again, and so glad you are finished. You never came to see me after my little fête. I am afraid you thought us stupid. Good-night: but you really must come to me, and I shall convert you. I am sure you never
them sort of folks would be out o nature. My boy shall never make no such acquaintances as long as Im here.
I saw her a-speaking to the minister, said Mrs. Pigeon, and the thought crossed my mind as it wasnt just what I expected of Mr. Vincent. Painted ladies, that come out of a night with low necks and flowers in their hair, to have all Carlingford a-staring at them, aint fit company for a good pastor. Thems not the lambs of the flock not so far as I understand; theyre not friends as Salem folks would approve of, Mr. Vincent. Im always known for a plain speaker, and I dont deceive you. Its a deal better to draw back in time.
I have not the least reason to believe that Lady Western means to honour me with her friendship, said Vincent, haughtily so it is premature to discuss the matter. As I feel rather tired, perhaps youll excuse me to-night. Come over to my rooms, Mr. Tozer, to-morrow, if you can spare a little time and we will discuss our business there. I hope Mrs. Tozer will pardon me withdrawing so early, but I am not very well rather tired out of sorts a little to-night.
So saying, the young pastor extricated himself from the table, shook hands, regardless of all remonstrances, and made his way out with some difficulty from the little room, which was choke-full, and scarcely permitted egress. When he was gone, the three ladies looked at each other in dumb amazement. Phœbe, who felt herself aggrieved, was the first to break silence.
Ma and Mrs. Pigeon, cried the aggravated girl, youve been and hurt his feelings. I knew you would. Hes gone home angry and disappointed; he thinks none of us understand him; he thinks were trying to humble him and keep him down, when, to tell the truth
Here Phœbe burst into tears.
Upon my word, said Mrs. Pigeon, dear, deary me! Its just what I said whenever I knew you had made up your minds to a young minister. Hell come a-dangling after our girls, says I, and a-trifling with their affections. Bless my heart, Phœbe! if it had been my Maria now thats always a-crying about something but you! Dont take on, dear frettings no good itll spoil your colour and take away your appetite, and that aint the way to mend matters: and to think of his lifting his eyes to my Lady Dowager! Upon my word! but there aint no accounting for young mens ways no more than for girls and being a minister dont make a bit of difference, so far as I can see.
Why, whats the matter? cried Tozer: the pastors gone off in a huff, and Phœbe crying. Whats wrong? Youve been saying somethin you women with your sharp tongues.
Its Phœbe and Mr. Vincent have had some words. Be quiet, Tozer dont you see the childs hurt in her feelings? said his wife.
Mr. and Mrs. Pigeon exchanged looks. Ill tell you what it is, said the latter lady, solemnly. Its turned his head. I never approved of the Music Hall myself. Its a deal of money to throw away, and its not like as if it was mercy to poor souls. And such a crush, and the cheering, and my Lady Western to shake hands with him, has turned the ministers head. Now, just you mark my words. He hasnt been here three month yet, and hes a-getting high already. You menll have your own adoes with him. Afore a years over our heads, hell be a deal too high for Salem. His heads turned thats what it is.
Oh, Mrs. Pigeon, how unkind of you! cried Phœbe, when hes as good as good and not a bit proud, nor ever was and always such a gentleman! and never neglects the very poorest whenever hes sent for oh, its so unkind of you.
I cant see as his head isnt straight enough on his shoulders, said Tozer himself, with authority. Hes tired, thats what it is and excited a bit, I shouldnt wonder: a man cant study like he does, and make hisself agreeable at the same time no, no by a years time hell be settling down, and well know where we are; and as for Salem and our connection, they never had a chance, I can tell you, like what theyre a-going to have now.