all at the present moment, it seemed to her that her only appropriate
home during the terrible period which was coming upon her, would
be under the walls of the prison in which her husband would be
incarcerated. But she fully appreciated the kindness which had
suggested a measure, which, if carried into execution, would make
the outside world feel that her husband was respected in the county,
despite the degradation to which he was subjected. She felt all this,
but her heart was too full to speak.

"Say that it shall be so, my dear," continued Lady Lufton. "Just give
me one nod of assent, and the cottage shall be ready for you should
it so chance that you should require it."

But Mrs. Crawley did not give the nod of assent. With her face still
averted, while the tears were still running down her cheeks, she
muttered but a word or two. "I could not do that, Lady Lufton; I
could not do that."

"You know at any rate what my wishes are, and as you become calmer
you will think of it. There is quite time enough, and I am speaking
of an alternative which may never happen. My dear friend Mrs. Robarts,
who is now with your daughter, wishes Miss Crawley to go over to
Framley Parsonage while this inquiry among the clergymen is going
on. They all say it is the most ridiculous thing in the world,--this
inquiry. But the bishop you know is so silly! We all think that if
Miss Crawley would go for a week or so to Framley Parsonage, that it
will show how happy we all are to receive her. It should be while Mr
Robarts is employed in his part of the work. What do you say, Mrs
Crawley? We at Framley are all clearly of opinion that it will be
best that it should be known that the people in the county uphold
your husband. Miss Crawley would be back, you know, before the trial
comes on. I hope you will let her come, Mrs. Crawley?"

But even to this proposition Mrs. Crawley could give no assent, though
she expressed no direct dissent. As regarded her own feelings,
she would much preferred to have been left to live through her
misery alone; but she could not but appreciate the kindness which
endeavoured to throw over her and hers in their trouble the aegis of
first-rate county respectability. She was saved from the necessity
of giving a direct answer to this suggestion by the return of Mrs
Robarts and Grace herself. The door was opened slowly, and they crept
into the room as though they were aware that their presence would be
hardly welcomed