'
KEBLE.
That dying request could not but be held sacred, and overtures were
made to Griffith, who returned an odd sort of answer, friendly and
affectionate, but rather as if my father were the offending party in
need of forgiveness. He and his wife were obliged for the
invitation, but could not accept it, as they had taken a house near
Melton-Mowbray for the hunting season, and were entertaining
friends.
In some ways it was disappointing, in others it was a relief, not to
have the restraint of Lady Peacock's presence during the last days
we were to have with the Fordyces. For a fresh loss came upon us.
Beachharbour was a fishing-village on the north-western coast,
which, within the previous decade, had sprung into importance, on
the one hand as a fashionable resort, on the other as a minor port
for colliers. The living was wretchedly poor, and had been held for
many years by one of the old inferior stamp of clergy, scarcely
superior in habits or breeding to the farmers, and only outliving
the scandals of his youth to fall into a state of indolent
carelessness. It was in the gift of a child, for whom Sir Horace
Lester was trustee, and that gentleman had written, about a
fortnight before Ellen's death, to consult Mr. Fordyce on its
disposal, declaring the great difficulties and deficiencies of the
place, which made it impossible to offer it to any one without
considerable private means, and also able to attract and improve the
utterly demoralised population.
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