ays talk about lawyers, and never about attorneys or
barristers.

"And does Mr. Toogood say that Mr. Crawley is innocent?" asked Miss
Prettyman.

"He has heard it by a message from Mrs. Arabin. But you mustn't
mention this. You won't, please, because papa asked me not. I told
him that I should tell you." Then, for the first time, the frown
passed away entirely from Miss Prettyman's face, and the papers and
account books were pushed aside, as being of no moment. The news had
been momentous enough to satisfy her. Mary continued her story almost
in a whisper. "It was Mrs. Arabin who sent the cheque to Mr. Crawley.
She says so herself. So that makes Mr. Crawley quite innocent. I am so
glad."

"But isn't it odd he didn't say so?" said Miss Prettyman.

"Nevertheless, it's true." said Mary.

"Perhaps he forgot," said Anne Prettyman.

"Men don't forget such things as that," said the elder sister.

"I really do think that Mr. Crawley could forget anything," said the
younger sister.

"You may be sure it's true," said Mary Walker, "because papa said
so."

"If he said so, it must be true," said Miss Prettyman; "and I am
rejoiced. I really am rejoiced. Poor man! Poor ill-used man! And
nobody has ever believed that he has really been guilty, even though
they may have thought that he spent the money without any proper
right to it. And now he will get off. But, dear me, Mary, Mr. Smithe
told me yesterday that he had already given up his living, and that
Mr. Spooner, the minor canon, was trying to get it from the dean. But
that was because Mr. Spooner and Mrs. Proudie had quarrelled; and as
Mrs. Proudie is gone, Mr. Spooner very likely won't want to move now."

"They'll never go and put anybody into Hogglestock, Annabella, over
Mr. Crawley's head," said Anne.

"I didn't say that they would. Surely I may be allowed to repeat what
I hear, like another person, without being snapped up."

"I didn't mean to snap you up, Annabella."

"You're always snapping me up. But if this is true, I cannot say
how glad I am. My poor Grace! Now, I suppose, there will be no
difficulty, and Grace will become a great lady." Then they discussed
very minutely the chances of Grace Crawley's promotion.

John Walker, Mr. Winthrop, and several others of the chosen spirits
of Silverbridge, were playing whist at a provincial club, which had
established itself in the town, when the news was brought to them.
Though Mr. Winthrop was the partner of the