THE VICARAGE. 299 



to our small inn ; but then how shall we let 

 Mama know the* cause of our detention she 

 will be alarmed for our safety." 



" I can easily cross the river below the cascade/ 3 

 replied Henry, " by means of a little swimming 

 and wading, and I will be with my mother in less 

 than an hour and a half." 



The Vicar, who knew the activity of his son, 

 and that he was an excellent swimmer, accom- 

 panied him to the stream, saw him safely land on 

 the opposite bank, and left him making the best 

 of his way to the Vicarage. On rejoining his 

 daughters, Mary repeated* her request of returning 

 to the inn, but this was strongly opposed by the 

 stranger. 



" It is quite impossible that I can allow it," 

 added he " my grandfather, Mr. Neville, resides 

 at a short distance, and both he and my aunt, to 

 say nothing of myself, would be much hurt if they 

 were denied the pleasure of shewing you a trifling 

 hospitality. The old mansion is not now what it 

 once was, but still we have the means left of 

 making you all comfortable, which you would 

 not be under the roof of my old acquaintance, 

 Mrs. Tucker." 



Thus pressed, the Vicar accepted the invitation, 

 and two countrymen having arrived to secure the 

 bridge from the chance of any accident, they pro- 



