In the spring of 1831, more than five
years after Theobald had first walked over to Crampsford, one of the best
livings in the gift of the College unexpectedly fell vacant, and was for
various reasons declined by the two fellows senior to Theobald, who might
each have been expected to take it. The living was then offered to and
of course accepted by Theobald, being in value not less than 500 pounds a
year with a suitable house and garden. Old Mr Pontifex then came down
more handsomely than was expected and settled 10,000 pounds on his son
and daughter-in-law for life with remainder to such of their issue as
they might appoint. In the month of July, 1831 Theobald and Christina
became man and wife.
CHAPTER XIII
A due number of old shoes had been thrown at the carriage in which the
happy pair departed from the Rectory, and it had turned the corner at the
bottom of the village. It could then be seen for two or three hundred
yards creeping past a fir coppice, and after this was lost to view.
"John," said Mr Allaby to his man-servant, "shut the gate;" and he went
indoors with a sigh of relief which seemed to say: "I have done it, and I
am alive.
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