or followed him. When they entered
the front door they saw the skirt of a woman's dress flitting away
through the door at the end of the passage, and on entering the room
to the left they found Mr. Crawley alone. "She has fled, as though
from an enemy," he said, with a little attempt at a laugh; "but I
will pursue her, and bring her back."

"No, Crawley, no," said the lawyer. "She's a little upset, and all
that kind of thing. We know what women are. Let her alone."

"Nay, Mr. Toogood; but then she would be angered with herself
afterwards, and would lack the comfort of having spoken a word of
gratitude. Pardon me, Major Grantly; but I would not have you leave
us till she has seen you. It is as her cousin says. She is somewhat
over-excited. But still it will be best that she should see you.
Gentlemen, you will excuse me."

Then he went out to fetch his wife, and while he was away not a word
was spoken. The major looked out of one window and Mr. Toogood out
of the other, and they waited patiently till they heard the coming
steps of the husband and wife. When the door was opened, Mr. Crawley
appeared, leading his wife by the hand. "My dear," he said, "you know
Major Grantly. This is your cousin, Mr. Toogood. It is well that you
know him too, and remember his great kindness to us." But Mrs. Crawley
could not speak. She could only sink on the sofa, and hide her face,
while she strove in vain to repress her sobs. She had been very
strong through all her husband's troubles,--very strong in bearing
for him what he could not bear for himself, and in fighting on his
behalf battles in which he was altogether unable to couch a lance;
but the endurance of so many troubles, and the great overwhelming
sorrow at last, had so nearly overpowered her, that she could not
sustain the shock of this turn in their fortunes. "She was never like
this, sirs, when ill news came to us," said Mr. Crawley, standing
somewhat apart from her.

The major sat himself by her side, and put his hand upon hers, and
whispered some word to her about her daughter. Upon this she threw
her arms around him, and kissed his face, and then his hands, and
then looked up into his face through her tears. She murmured some few
words, or attempted to do so. I doubt whether the major understood
their meaning, but he knew very well what was in her heart.

"And now I think we might as well be moving," said Mr. Toogood. "I'll
see about having the indictment quashed. I'll