that well
enough. Why should she answer any such question? There was a way of
answering it indeed which might serve her turn,--or rather serve his,
of which she was thinking more than of her own. She might say that
she did not love him. It would be a lie, and he would know that
it would be a lie. But still it might serve the turn. She did not
like the idea of writing such a lie as that, but nevertheless she
considered the matter. It would be very wicked; but still, if it
would serve the turn, might it not be well to write it? But at last
she reflected that, after all, the doing of the thing was in her
own hands. She could refuse to marry this man without burdening her
conscience with any lie about it. It only required that she should
be firm. She abstained, therefore, from the falsehood, and left her
lover's question unanswered. So she put up her letter and directed
it, and carried it herself to the village post-office.

On the day after this she got the second letter, and that she showed
immediately to Mrs. Dale. It was from her mother, and was written to
tell that her father was seriously ill. "He went up to London to see
a lawyer about this weary work of the trial," said Mrs. Crawley. "The
fatigue was very great, and on the next day he was so weak that he
could not leave his bed. Dr. Turner, who has been very kind, says that
we need not frighten ourselves, but he thinks it must be some time
before he can leave the house. He has a low fever on him, and wants
nourishment. His mind has wandered once or twice, and he has asked
for you, and I think it will be best, love, that you should come
home. I know you will not mind it when I say that I think he would
like to have you here. Dr. Turner says that the illness is chiefly
owing to his not having proper food."

Of course she would go at once. "Dear Mrs. Dale," she said; "I must go
home. Can you send me to the station?" Then Mrs. Dale read the letter.
Of course they would send her. Would she go on that day, or on the
next? Might it not be better to write first, and say that she was
going? But Grace would go at once. "I know it will be a comfort to
mamma; and I know that he is worse than mamma says." Of course there
was no more to be said, and she was despatched to the station. Before
she went Mrs. Dale asked after her purse. "If there is any trouble
about money,--for your journey, or anything, you will not scruple to
come to me as to an old friend." But Grace assured he