The neighbourhood was certainly not alluring.

Of visiting society within a distance of three or four miles there was none but what was afforded by the families of other East-end clergymen.

And then Mr.Outhouse himself was a somewhat singular man.

He was very religious, devoted to his work, most kind to the poor; but he was unfortunately a strongly-biased man, and at the same time very obstinate withal.

He had never allied himself very cordially with his wife's brother, Sir Marmaduke, allowing himself to be carried away by a prejudice that people living at the West-end, who frequented clubs, and were connected in any way with fashion, could not be appropriate companions for himself.