perpetuity for life.

I have the honour to be, reverend and dear sir,
Your most humble and faithful servant,

JOSIAH CRAWLEY.

"Psha!" said the archdeacon, who professed that he did not at all
like the letter. "I wonder what he would say if I sent him a month's
notice at next Michaelmas?"

"I'm sure he would go," said Mrs. Grantly.

"The more fool he," said the archdeacon.

At this time Grace was at the parsonage in a seventh heaven of
happiness. The archdeacon was never rough to her, nor did he make any
of his harsh remarks about her father in her presence. Before her St
Ewold's was spoken of as the home that was to belong to the Crawleys
for the next twenty years. Mrs. Grantly was very loving with her,
lavishing upon her pretty presents, and words that were prettier than
the presents. Grace's life had hitherto been so destitute of those
prettinesses and softnesses, which can hardly be had without money
though money alone will not purchase them, that it seemed to her now
that the heavens rained graciousness upon her. It was not that the
archdeacon's watch or her lover's chain, or Mrs. Grantly's locket, or
the little toy from Italy which Mrs. Arabin brought to her from the
treasures of the deanery, filled her heart with undue exultation.
It was not that she revelled in her new delights of silver and gold
and shining gems; but that the silver and gold and shining gems were
constant indications to her that things had changed, not only for
her, but for her father and mother, and brother and sister. She felt
now more sure than ever that she could not have enjoyed her love had
she accepted her lover while the disgrace of the accusation against
her father remained. But now,--having waited till that had passed
away, everything was a new happiness to her.

At last it was settled that Mr. and Mrs. Crawley were to come to
Plumstead,--and they came. It would be too long to tell now how
gradually had come about that changed state of things which made such
a visit possible. Mr. Crawley had at first declared that such a thing
was quite out of the question. If St Ewold's was to depend upon it
St Ewold's must be given up. And I think that it would have been
impossible for him to go direct from Hogglestock to Plumstead. But it
fell out after this wise.

Mr. Harding's curate at St Ewold's was nominated to Hogglestock, and
the dean urged upon his friend Crawley the expediency of giving up
the house as quickly as he c