The four or five soldiers of the village--a couple of billmen and pikemen and a real gunner--stood apart in an official group, but did not salute him.

He did not speak of that which was in the minds of all, but he waved a hand to this man, bid a happy Easter to another, and disappeared within his lodgings leaving a wake of excitement behind him.
By a quarter before nine the three bells had begun to jangle from the tower; and the crowd had increased largely, when Mr.Barton once more passed to the church in the spring sunshine, followed by the more devout who wished to pray, and the more timid who feared a disturbance.

For sentiments were not wholly on the squire's side.

There was first a number of Catholics, openly confessed or at least secretly Catholic, though these were not in full force since most were gone to Padley before dawn; and there was next a certain sentiment abroad, even amongst those who conformed, in favour of tradition.

That the squire of Matstead should be a Catholic was at least as fundamental an article of faith as that the minister should be a Protestant.