But however devoted to his flock might have been the Vicar of
Marney, his exertions for their well being, under any
circumstances, must have been mainly limited to spiritual
consolation. Married and a father he received for his labours
the small tithes of the parish, which secured to him an income
by no means equal to that of a superior banker's clerk, or the
cook of a great loanmonger. The great tithes of Marney, which
might he counted by thousands, swelled the vast rental which
was drawn from this district by the fortunate earls that bore
its name.
The morning after the arrival of Egremont at the Abbey, an
unusual stir might have been observed in the high Street of
the town. Round the portico of the Green Dragon hotel and
commercial inn, a knot of principal personages, the chief
lawyer, the brewer, the vicar himself, and several of those
easy quidnuncs who abound in country towns, and who rank under
the designation of retired gentlemen, were in close and very
earnest converse. In a short time a servant on horseback in
the Abbey livery galloped up to the portico, and delivered a
letter to the vicar. The excitement apparently had now
greatly increased. On the opposite side of the way to the
important group, a knot, larger in numbers but very deficient
in quality, had formed themselves, and remained transfixed
with gaping mouths and a Curious not to say alarmed air.
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