His library was well furnished, but he rarely read much else than novels and poetry; and of late years the reading even of poetry had given way to the reading of novels.

Till within ten years of the hour of which I speak, he had been a hunting parson--not hunting loudly, but following his sport as it is followed by moderate sportsmen.

Then there had come a new bishop, and the new bishop had sent for him--nay, finally had come to him, and had lectured him with blatant authority.

"My lord," said the parson of Clavering, plucking up something of his past energy, as the color rose to his face, "I think you are wrong in this.

I think you are especially wrong to interfere with me in this way on your first coming among us.