Mrs.Petulengro, however, appeared to feel not the least embarrassment, but tripped along the aisle with the greatest nonchalance.

We passed under the pulpit, in which stood the clergyman in his white surplice, and reached the middle of the church, where we were confronted by the sexton dressed in long blue coat, and holding in his hand a wand.

This functionary motioned towards the lower end of the church where were certain benches, partly occupied by poor people and boys.

Mrs.Petulengro, however, with a toss of her head, directed her course to a magnificent pew, which was unoccupied, which she opened and entered, followed closely by Tawno Chikno, Mr.Petulengro, and myself.

The sexton did not appear by any means to approve of the arrangement, and as I stood next the door laid his finger on my arm, as if to intimate that myself and companions must quit our aristocratical location.