Page:Village curate (1).pdf/22

 gallant stranger to his heart by the endearing name of Son.

The return of the worthy pastor was celebrated by the inhabitants of the parish as a sort of jubilee. Every one strove to excel his neighbour in acts of courtesy. Stores of viands were conveyed from all parts of the village; and while, by the pale light of the moon, sprightly youth led up the merry dance, cheerful age sat and quaffed the nut-brown ale talked over the feats of former days, and in thought grew young again.

Every transaction that had occurred since Lord Belfont’s arrival in the village, he had transmitted to Bremere ; and on confirmation of the oppression his steward had exercised, enclosed the discharge of that wretch; with an order to deliver his accounts to Mr Benley whom he appointed his successor.

A letter announcing to this gentleman his appointment, which Bremere forwarded from London, in the manner his friend had directed. By this time Bremere had refuted the opinion of the derangement of his Lordship’s finances. Declaring the whole to he a feint.

The sensations of Sandford, on reading his Lordship’s letter, were such as are familiar only to the guilty. And brought on a violent fever which soon I terminated his miserable existence.

Far different were the feelings of Mr Benley— who informed Trueman of the contents of the