HUMPHRIES REAPPEARS. 427 



to live with me at Stansted, saying that I had 

 done well there, and he was going to see if he 

 couldn't do as well, winding up by informing 

 her that he would have my place before long. 

 He tried to work me out, as he did Watts at 

 Chute Lodge, and with the same result, for he 

 only got himself out. 



One Sunday morning, soon after he had 

 come there, he came to my house, and said, in 

 a bouncing way : — ^" Mr. Maitland looked in 

 on me this morning on his way from church, 

 and asked me a great many questions about 

 you." 



"Oh! did he, Mr. Humphries?" said I. 

 ''And pray what did he ask you about me ? " 



*' He asked me if you had taken out that 

 young dog, yet." 



The next Sunday 1 went up near the church, 

 and stood under a bunch of firs, where I could 

 see all the people coming out of church. 

 Presently I saw Mr. Humphries come out of 

 his cottage, which was close to the church, and 

 saunter about the corner, gazing furtively to- 

 wards the church door, and being evidently on 



