To tame and break the evil spirit in the reputed witch; to convert her to the holy and edifying Lutheran faith; to save her soul for the Lord, and take her beautiful body for himself; these were Mr.
Dyceworthy's laudable ambitions.

There was no rival to oppose him, and he had plenty of time to mature his plans.

So he had thought.

He had not bargained for the appearance of Sir Philip Bruce Errington on the scene,--a man, young, handsome, and well-bred, with vast wealth to back up his pretensions, should he make any.
"How did he find her out ?" thought the Reverend Charles, as he dolefully pulled his craft along.

"And that brutal pagan Gueldmar, too, who pretends he cannot endure strangers!" And as he meditated, a flush of righteous indignation crimsoned his flabby features.
"Let her take care," he half muttered, with a smile that was not pleasant; "let her take care! There are more ways than one to bring down her pride! Sir Philip Errington must be too rich and popular in his own country to think of wishing to marry a girl who is only a farmer's daughter after all.