The new squire was seen in his pew every Sunday morning, and often entertained the parson at the house.

The rumour of this change was indeed so great that more than the truth reached the ears of some of the Boltons, and advantage was taken of it by those who desired to prove to Mrs.Bolton that the man was not a goat.

What more would she have?
He went regularly to morning and evening service,--here it was that rumour exaggerated our hero's virtues,--did all his duty as a country gentleman, and was kind to his wife.

The Daniels, who were but lukewarm people, thought that Mrs.Bolton was bound to give way.

Mrs.Robert declared among her friends that the poor woman was becoming mad from religion, and the old banker himself was driven very hard for a reply when Robert asked him whether such a son-in-law as John Caldigate ought to be kept at arms' length.