Betsy came in to render assistance.

"O dear, Mr Curate, do you think that he'll die ?" "No, no; bring some water, Betsy, and throw it in his face." "Better take him home as he is," replied Betsy, "and say that he is killed; when Missis hears it, she'll be frightened out of her life.

It will keep her quiet for some time at least." "An excellent idea, Betty; we will punish her for her conduct," replied Hilton.

The curate was delighted at the plan.

Mr Spinney was placed in an arm-chair, covered over with a table-cloth, and carried away to the parsonage by two men, who were provided by Betsy before Nicholas or Newton had quitted the room where Mrs Forster lay in a deplorable condition; her sharp nose broken, and twisted on one side; her eyebrow cut open to the bone, and a violent contusion on her forehead.