So it came about that she was kept at home.
It was at this juncture that an idea came to Mr.Blake.A few years before, at the very depth of the terrible agricultural depression of the period, he had purchased at a forced sale by the mortgagees, the entire Monk's Acre estate, at about L12 the acre, which was less than the cost of the buildings that stood upon the land.

This, as he explained to all and sundry, he had done at great personal loss in the interest of the tenants and labourers, but as a matter of fact, even at the existing rents, the investment paid him a fair rate of interest, and was one which, as a business man he knew must increase in value when times changed.

With the property went the advowson of Monk's Acre, and it chanced that a year later the living fell vacant through the resignation of the incumbent.

Mr.Blake, now as always seeking popularity, consulted the bishop, consulted the church-wardens, consulted the parishioners, and in the end consulted his own interests by nominating the nephew of a wealthy baronet of his acquaintance whom he was anxious to secure as a director upon the Board of a certain company in which he had large holdings.
"I have never seen this clerical gentleman and know nothing of his views, or anything about him.

But if you recommend him, my dear Sir Samuel, it is enough for me, since I always judge of a man by his friends.