is roguish, at least so I would hold it, to deal
willingly with rogues; and Mr. Sowerby had been constant in such
dealings. I do not know whether he had not at times fallen even into
more palpable roguery than is proved by such practices as those
enumerated. Though I have for him some tender feeling, knowing that
there was still a touch of gentle bearing round his heart, an abiding
taste for better things within him, I cannot acquit him from the
great accusation. But, for all that, in spite of his acknowledged
roguery, Lord Lufton was too hard upon him in his judgement.
There was yet within him the means of repentance, could a _locus
penitentiae_ have been supplied to him. He grieved bitterly over
his own ill-doings, and knew well what changes gentlehood would
have demanded from him. Whether or no he had gone too far for
all changes--whether the _locus penitentiae_ was for him still a
possibility--that was between him and a higher power.

"I have no one to blame but myself," said Mark, still speaking in the
same heart-broken tone and with his face averted from his friend.

The debt would now be paid, and the bailiffs would be expelled; but
that would not set him right before the world. It would be known to
all men--to all clergymen in the diocese, that the sheriff's officers
had been in charge of Framley parsonage, and he could never again
hold up his head in the close of Barchester. "My dear fellow, if we
were all to make ourselves miserable for such a trifle as this,--"
said Lord Lufton, putting his arm affectionately on his friend's
shoulder.

"But we are not all clergymen," said Mark, and as he spoke he turned
away to the window and Lord Lufton know that the tears were on his
cheek.

Nothing was then said between them for some moments, after which Lord
Lufton again spoke,--

"Mark, my dear fellow!"

"Well," said Mark, with his face still turned towards the window.

"You must remember one thing; in helping you over this stile, which
will be really a matter of no inconvenience to me, I have a better
right than that even of an old friend; I look upon you now as my
brother-in-law." Mark turned slowly round, plainly showing the tears
upon his face.

"Do you mean," said he, "that anything more has taken place?"

"I mean to make your sister my wife; she sent me word by you to say
that she loved me, and I am not going to stand upon any nonsense
after that, If she and I are both willing no one alive has a right