There were to be no bonfires, and no eating and drinking at Sir Hugh's expense--no comforts provided for any of the poor by Lady Clavering on that special occasion.

Indeed, there was never much of such kindnesses between the lord of the soil and his dependants.

A certain stipulated dole was given at Christmas for coals and blankets; but even for that there was generally some wrangle between the rector and the steward.

"If there's to be all this row about it," the rector had said to the steward, "I'll never ask for it again." "I wish my uncle would only be as good as his word," Sir Hugh had said, when the rector's speech was repeated to him.

Therefore, there was not much of real rejoicing in the parish on this occasion, though the bells were rung loudly, and though the people, young and old, did cluster round the churchyard to see the lord lead his bride out of the church.