y and yield to him, and he was
determined to make it understood that in this matter he would have
his own way. He had learned that which it was necessary that he
should know as to Lucy's heart, and such being the case he would
not conceive it possible that he should be debarred by his mother's
opposition. "There is no son in England loves his mother better than
I do," he said to himself; "but there are some things which a man
cannot stand. She would have married me to that block of stone if
I would have let her; and now, because she is disappointed there--
Insignificant! I never in my life heard anything so absurd, so
untrue, so uncharitable, so-- She'd like me to bring a dragon home, I
suppose. It would serve her right if I did--some creature that would
make the house intolerable to her." "She must do it though," he said
again, "or she and I will quarrel," and then he turned off towards
the gate, preparing to go to the parsonage.

"My lord, have you heard what has happened? said the gardener, coming
to him at the gate. The man was out of breath and almost overwhelmed
by the greatness of his own tidings.

"No; I have heard nothing. What is it?"

"The bailiffs have taken possession of everything at the parsonage."

CHAPTER XLIV

The Philistines at the Parsonage

It has been already told how things went on between the Tozers, Mr.
Curling, and Mark Robarts during that month. Mr. Forrest had drifted
out of the business altogether, as also had Mr. Sowerby, as far as
any active participation in it went. Letters came frequently from
Mr. Curling to the parsonage, and at last came a message by special
mission to say that the evil day was at hand. As far as Mr. Curling's
professional experience would enable him to anticipate or foretell
the proceedings of such a man as Tom Tozer, he thought that the
sheriff's officers would be at Framley parsonage on the following
morning. Mr. Curling's experience did not mislead him in this
respect. "And what will you do, Mark?" said Fanny, speaking through
her tears, after she had read the letter which her husband handed to
her.

"Nothing. What can I do? They must come."

"Lord Lufton came to-day. Will you not go to him?"

"No. If I were to do so it would be the same as asking him for the
money."

"Why not borrow it of him, dearest? Surely it would not be so much
for him to lend."

"I could not do it. Think of Lucy, and how she stands with him.
Besides, I have already ha