CHAPTER XIII.
Whatever, may be the ultimate success of Miss Jemima Hazeldean's designs upon Dr.Riccabocca, the Machiavellian sagacity with which the Italian had counted upon securing the services of Lenny Fairfield was speedily and triumphantly established by the result.

No voice of the parson's, charmed he ever so wisely, could persuade the peasant-boy to go and ask pardon of the young gentleman, to whom, because he had done as he was bid, he owed an agonizing defeat and a shameful incarceration; and, to Mrs.Dale's vexation, the widow took the boy's part.

She was deeply offended at the unjust disgrace Lenny had undergone in being put in the stocks; she shared his pride, and openly approved his spirit.

Nor was it without great difficulty that Lenny could be induced to resume his lessons at school,--nay, even to set foot beyond the precincts of his mother's holding.

The point of the school at last he yielded, though sullenly; and the parson thought it better to temporize as to the more unpalatable demand.