CHAPTER IX.
The Vicar's Return The next morning Mr.Robarts took leave of all his grand friends with a heavy heart.

He had lain awake half the night thinking of what he had done and trying to reconcile himself to his position.

He had not well left Mr.Sowerby's room before he felt certain that at the end of three months he would again be troubled about that L400.

As he went along the passage, all the man's known antecedents crowded upon him much quicker than he could remember them when seated in that arm-chair with the bill stamp before him, and the pen and ink ready to his hand.

He remembered what Lord Lufton had told him--how he had complained of having been left in the lurch; he thought of all the stories current through the entire country as to the impossibility of getting money from Chaldicotes; he brought to mind the known character of the man, and then he knew that he must prepare himself to make good a portion at least of that heavy payment.