destiny she had regarded the question of
her love as decided against herself. She had found herself unable to
endure the position of being Lady Lufton's daughter-in-law while Lady
Lufton would be scorning her, and therefore she had given up the
game. She had given up the game, sacrificing herself, and, as far as
it might be a sacrifice, sacrificing him also. She had been resolute
to stand to her word in this respect, but she had never allowed
herself to think it possible that Lady Lufton should comply with the
conditions which she, Lucy, had laid upon her. And yet such was the
case, as she so plainly heard. "And now I have come here, Lucy, to
ask you to be his wife." How long they sat together silent, I cannot
say; counted by minutes the time would not probably have amounted
to many, but to each of them the duration seemed considerable. Lady
Lufton, while she was speaking, had contrived to get hold of Lucy's
hand, and she sat, still holding it, trying to look into Lucy's
face,--which, however, she could hardly see, so much was it turned
away. Neither, indeed, were Lady Lufton's eyes perfectly dry. No
answer came to her question, and therefore, after a while, it was
necessary that she should speak again.

"Must I go back to him, Lucy, and tell him that there is some other
objection--something besides a stern old mother; some hindrance,
perhaps, not so easily overcome?"

"No," said Lucy, and it was all which at the moment she could say.

"What shall I tell him then? Shall I say yes--simply yes?"

"Simply yes," said Lucy.

"And as to the stern old mother who thought her only son too precious
to be parted with at the first word--is nothing to be said to her?"

"Oh, Lady Lufton!"

"No forgiveness to be spoken, no sign of affection to be given?
Is she always to be regarded as stern and cross, vexatious and
disagreeable?" Lucy slowly turned round her head and looked up into
her companion's face. Though she had as yet no voice to speak of
affection she could fill her eyes with love, and in that way make to
her future mother all the promises that were needed. "Lucy, dearest
Lucy, you must be very dear to me now." And then they were in each
other's arms, kissing each other. Lady Lufton now desired her
coachman to drive up and down for some little space along the road
while she completed her necessary conversation with Lucy. She wanted
at first to carry her back to Framley that evening, promising to
send her again to Mrs