rfection, and I am sure
she has been thinking about it for years. Her great fear
at present is that you and he should go and live at
Lufton. If you have any gratitude in you, either to her or
me, you will not let him do this. I consoled her by saying
that there are not two stones upon one another at Lufton
as yet; and I believe such is the case. Besides, everybody
says that it is the ugliest spot in the world. She went
on to declare, with tears in her eyes, that if you were
content to remain at Framley, she would never interfere in
anything. I do think that she is the best woman that ever
lived.

So much as I have given of this letter formed but a small portion of
it, but it comprises all that it is necessary that we should know.
Exactly at twelve o'clock on that day Puck the pony appeared, with
Mrs. Robarts and Grace Crawley behind him, Grace having been brought
back as being capable of some service in the house. Nothing that was
confidential, and very little that was loving, could be said at the
moment, because Mr. Crawley was there, waiting to bid Miss Robarts
adieu; and he had not as yet been informed of what was to be the
future fate of his visitor. So they could only press each other's
hands and embrace, which to Lucy was almost a relief; for even to
her sister-in-law she hardly as yet knew how to speak openly on this
subject.

"May God Almighty bless you, Miss Robarts," said Mr. Crawley, as
he stood in his dingy sitting-room ready to lead her out to the
pony-carriage. "You have brought sunshine into this house, even in
the time of sickness, when there was no sunshine; and He will bless
you. You have been the Good Samaritan, binding up the wounds of the
afflicted, pouring in oil and balm. To the mother of my children you
have given life, and to me you have brought light, and comfort, and
good words,--making my spirit glad within me as it had not been
gladdened before. All this hath come of charity, which vaunteth not
itself and is not puffed up. Faith and hope are great and beautiful,
but charity exceedeth them all." And having so spoken, instead of
leading her out, he went away and hid himself. How Puck behaved
himself as Fanny drove him back to Framley, and how those two ladies
in the carriage behaved themselves--of that, perhaps, nothing further
need be said.

CHAPTER XLVII

Nemesis

But in spite of all these joyful tidings it must, alas! be remembered
that P