It's not my doing; that's all." That evening Miss Stanbury and Dorothy went out to tea at the house of Mrs.MacHugh, and there the matter was very much discussed.

The family of the Trevelyans was known by name in these parts, and the fact of Mrs.Trevelyan having been sent to live in a Devonshire village, with Devonshire ladies who had a relation in Exeter so well esteemed as Miss Stanbury of the Close, were circumstances of themselves sufficient to ensure a considerable amount of prestige at the city tea-table for the tidings of this unfortunate family quarrel.

Some reticence was of course necessary because of the presence of Miss Stanbury and of Dorothy.

To Miss Stanbury herself Mrs.MacHugh and Mrs.Crumbie, of Cronstadt House, did not scruple to express themselves very plainly, and to whisper a question as to what was to be done should the lover make his appearance at Nuncombe Putney; but they who spoke of the matter before Dorothy, were at first more charitable, or, at least, more forbearing.

Mr.Gibson, who was one of the minor canons, and the two Miss Frenches from Heavitree, who had the reputation of hunting unmarried clergymen in couples, seemed to have heard all about it.