eir bitterness. Since that time Major Grantly
had renewed his assurance that he would marry Grace Crawley if Grace
Crawley would accept him,--writing on this occasion direct to his
father,--and had asked his father whether, in such a case, he was
to look forward to be disinherited. "It is essential that I should
know," the major had said, "because in such case I must make
immediate measures for leaving this place." His father had sent back
his letter, writing a few words at the bottom of it. "If you do as
you propose above, you must expect nothing from me." The words were
written in large round handwriting, very hurriedly, and the son when
he received them perfectly understood the mood of his father's mind
when he wrote them.

Then there came tidings, addressed on this occasion to Mrs. Grantly,
that Cosby Lodge was to be given up. Lady-day had come, and the
notice, necessarily to be given at that period, was so given. "I know
this will grieve you," Major Grantly had said, "but my father has
driven me to it." This, in itself, was a cause of great sorrow, both
to the archdeacon and to Mrs. Grantly, as there were circumstances
connected with Cosby Lodge which made them think that it was a very
desirable residence for their son. "I shall sell everything about the
place and go abroad at once," he said in a subsequent letter. "My
present idea is that I shall settle myself at Pau, as my income will
suffice for me to live there, and education for Edith will be cheap.
At any rate I will not continue in England. I could never be happy
here in circumstances so altered. Of course I should not have left my
profession, unless I had understood from my father that the income
arising from it would not be necessary to me. I do not, however, mean
to complain, but simply tell you that I shall go." There were many
letters between the mother and son in those days. "I shall stay till
after the trial," he said. "If she will then go with me, well and
good; but whether she will or not, I shall not remain here." All this
seemed to Mrs. Grantly to be peculiarly unfortunate, for had he not
resolved to go, things might even yet have righted themselves. From
what she could now understand of the character of Miss Crawley, whom
she did not know personally, she thought it probable that Grace,
in the event of her father being found guilty by the jury, would
absolutely and persistently refuse the offer made to her. She would
be too good, as Mrs. Grantly