while you go in and see your friends." Toogood lit his cigar, and
the major, getting down from the carriage, entered the parsonage. It
was his fortune to find Grace alone. Robarts was in Barchester, and
Mrs. Robarts was across the road, at Lufton Court. "Miss Crawley was
certainly in," the servant told him, and he soon found himself in
Miss Crawley's presence.

"I have only called to tell you the news about your father," said he.

"What news?"

"We have just come from Hogglestock,--your cousin Mr. Toogood, that
is, and myself. They have found out all about the cheque. My aunt,
Mrs. Arabin, the dean's wife, you know,--she gave it to your father."

"Oh, Major Grantly!"

"It seems so easily settled, does it not?"

"And is it settled?"

"Yes; everything. Everything about that." Now he had hold of her hand
as if he were going. "Good-by. I told your father that I would just
call and tell you."

"It seems almost more than I can believe."

"You may believe it; indeed you may." He still held her hand. "You
will write to your mother I daresay to-night. Tell her I was here.
Good-by now."

"Good-by," she said. Her hand was still in his, as she looked up into
his face.

"Dear, dear, dearest Grace! My darling Grace!" Then he took her into
his arms and kissed her, and went his way without another word,
feeling that he had kept his word to her father like a gentleman.
Grace, when she was left alone, thought that she was the happiest
girl in Christendom. If she could only get to her mother, and tell
everything, and be told everything! She had no idea of any promise
that her lover might have made to her father, nor did she make
inquiry of her own thoughts as to his reasons for staying with her so
short a time; but looking back at it all she thought his conduct had
been perfect.

In the meantime the major, with Mr. Toogood, was driven home to dinner
at Plumstead.

CHAPTER LXXV

Madalina's Heart Is Bleeding

John Eames, as soon as he had left Mrs. Arabin at the hotel and had
taken his travelling-bag to his own lodgings, started off for his
uncle Toogood's house. There he found Mrs. Toogood, not in the most
serene state of mind as to her husband's absence. Mr. Toogood had now
been at Barchester for the best part of a week,--spending a good deal
of money at the inn. Mrs. Toogood was quite sure that he must be doing
that. Indeed, how could he help himself? Johnny remarked that he did
not see how in such circums