ure, sir; is it?"

"It is very hard to know what is human nature," said the squire.

"It's the general opinion down in Barsetshire that he did steal it,"
said Bernard. "Dr. Thorne was one of the magistrates who committed
him, and I know he thinks so."

"I don't blame the magistrates in the least," said Johnny.

"That's kind of you," said the squire.

"Of course you'll laugh at me, sir; but you'll see that we shall come
out right. There's some mystery in it of which we haven't got at the
bottom as yet; and if there is anybody that can help us it's the
dean."

"If the dean knows anything, why has he not written and told what he
knows?" said the squire.

"That's what I can't say. The dean has not had an opportunity of
writing since he heard,--even if he has yet heard,--that Mr. Crawley
is to be tried. And then he and Mrs. Arabin are not together. It's a
long story, and I will not trouble you with it all; but at any rate
I'm going off to-morrow. Lily, can I do anything for you in
Florence?"

"In Florence?" said Lily; "and are you really going to Florence? How
I envy you."

"And who pays your expenses?" said the squire.

"Well;--as to my expenses, they are to be paid by a person who won't
raise any unpleasant questions about the amount."

"I don't know what you mean," said the squire.

"He means himself," said Lily.

"I'm going to have a trip for my own fun," said Johnny, "and I shall
pick up evidence on the road, as I'm going;--that's all."

Then Lily began to take an active part in the conversation, and a
great deal was said about Mr. Crawley, and about Grace, and Lily
declared that she would be very anxious to hear any news which John
Eames might be able to send. "You know, John, how fond we are of your
cousin Grace, at Allington? Are we not, uncle?"

"Yes, indeed," said the squire. "I thought her a very nice girl."

"If you should be able to learn anything that may be of use, John,
how happy you will be."

"Yes, I shall," said Johnny.

"And I think it is so good of you to go, John. But it is just like
you. You were always generous." Soon after that he got up and went.
It was very clear to him that he would have no moment in which to say
a word alone to Lily; and if he could find such a moment, what good
would such a word do him? It was as yet but a few weeks since she had
positively refused him. And he too remembered very well those two
words which she had told him she would write in her book. As