arrange all that with
Walker. It may be necessary that you should go into Barchester the
first day the judges sit; and if so, I'll come and fetch you. You may
be sure I won't leave the place till it's all square."

As they were going, Grantly,--speaking now altogether with
indifference as to Toogood's presence,--asked Mr. Crawley's leave to
be the bearer of these tidings to his daughter.

"She can hear it in no tones that can be more grateful to her," said
Mr. Crawley.

"I shall ask her for nothing for myself now," said Grantly. "It would
be ungenerous. But hereafter,--in a few days,--when she shall be more
at ease, may I then use your permission--?"

"Major Grantly," said Mr. Crawley solemnly. "I respect you so highly,
and esteem you so thoroughly, that I give willingly that which you
ask. If my daughter can bring herself to regard you, as a woman
should regard her husband, with the love that can worship and cling
and be constant, she will, I think, have a fair promise of worldly
happiness. And for you, sir, in giving you my girl,--if so be it that
she is given to you,--I shall bestow upon you a great treasure." Had
Grace been a king's daughter, with a queen's dowry, the permission
to address her could not have been imparted to her lover with a more
thorough appreciation of the value of the privilege conferred.

"He is a rum 'un," said Mr. Toogood, as they got into the carriage
together; "but they say he's a very good 'un to go."

After their departure Jane was sent for, that she might hear the
family news; and when she expressed some feeling not altogether in
favour of Mr. Toogood, Mr. Crawley thus strove to correct her views.
"He is a man, my dear, who conceals a warm heart, and an active
spirit, and healthy sympathies, under an affected jocularity of
manner, and almost with a touch of vulgarity. But when the jewel
itself is good, any fault in the casket may be forgiven."

"Then, papa, the next time I see him I'll like him,--if I can," said
Jane.

The village of Framley lies slightly off the road from Hogglestock
to Barchester,--so much so as to add perhaps a mile to the journey
if the traveller goes by the parsonage gate. On their route to
Hogglestock our two travellers had passed Framley without visiting
the village, but on the return journey the major asked Mr. Toogood's
permission to make the deviation. "I'm not in a hurry," said Toogood.
"I never was more comfortable in my life. I'll just light a cigar