him to come back, and saying that he should not lose his situation or his friends. But Catherick had too much pride and spirit, as some people said—too much feeling, as I think, sir—to face his neighbours again, and try to live down the memory of his disgrace. My husband heard from him when he had left England, and heard a second time, when he was settled and doing well in America. He is alive there now, as far as I know, but none of us in the old country—his wicked wife least of all—are ever likely to set eyes on him again.”
“What became of Sir Percival?” I inquired. “Did he stay in the neighbourhood?”
“Not he, sir. The place was too hot to hold him. He was heard at high words with Mrs. Catherick the same night when the scandal broke out, and the next morning he took himself off.”
“And Mrs. Catherick? Surely she never remained in the village among the people who knew of her disgrace?”
“She did, sir. She was hard enough and heartless enough to set the opinions of all her neighbours at flat defiance.