issioned me to say that it is most heartily at your service. He
begs that in such a case you will occupy it. And I beg the same. And
your old friend Lucy has desired me also to ask you in her name."

"Lady Lufton, I could not do that," said Mrs. Crawley through her
tears.

"You must think better of it, my dear. I do not scruple to advise
you, because I am older than you, and have experience of the world."
This, I think, taken in the ordinary sense of the words, was a boast
on the part of Lady Lufton, for which but little true pretence
existed. Lady Lufton's experience of the world at large was not
perhaps extensive. Nevertheless she knew what one woman might offer
to another, and what one woman might receive from another. "You would
be better over with me, my dear, than you could be elsewhere. You
will not misunderstand me if I say that, under such circumstances, it
would do your husband good that you and your children should be under
our protection during his period of temporary seclusion. We stand
well in the county. Perhaps I ought not to say so, but I do not know
how otherwise to explain myself; and when it is known, by the bishop
and others, that you have come to us during that sad time, it will be
understood that we think well of Mr. Crawley, in spite of anything a
jury may say of him. Do you see that, my dear? And we do think well
of him. I have known of your husband for many years, though I have
not personally had the pleasure of much acquaintance with him. He was
over at Framley once at my request, and I had great occasion then to
respect him. I do respect him; and I shall feel grateful to him if
he will allow you to put yourself and your children under my wing,
as being an old woman, should this misfortune fall upon him. We hope
that it will not fall upon him; but it is always well to be provided
for the worst."

In this way Lady Lufton at last made her speech and opened out the
proposal with which she had come laden to Hogglestock. While she was
speaking Mrs. Crawley's shoulder was still turned to her; but the
speaker could see that the quick tears were pouring themselves down
the cheeks of the woman whom she addressed. There was a downright
honesty of thorough-going well-wishing charity about the proposition
which overcame Mrs. Crawley altogether. She did not feel for a
moment that it would be possible for her to go to Framley in such
circumstances as those which had been suggested. As she thought of it