rent result now than on that former
occasion. There were ever so many objections, then. There was no
habit, and Lucy was--or said that she was--afraid; and then, what
would Lady Lufton say? But now Lady Lufton thought it would be quite
right; only were they quite sure about the horse? Was Ludovic certain
that the horse had been ridden by a lady? And Lady Meredith's habits
were dragged out as a matter of course, and one of them chipped and
snipped and altered, without any compunction. And as for fear, there
could be no bolder horsewoman than Lucy Robarts. It was quite clear
to all Framley that riding was the very thing for her. "But I never
shall be happy, Ludovic, till you have got a horse properly suited
for her," said Lady Lufton. And then, also, came the affair of her
wedding garments, of her _trousseau_--as to which I cannot boast
that she showed capacity or steadiness at all equal to that of Lady
Dumbello. Lady Lufton, however, thought it a very serious matter; and
as, in her opinion, Mrs. Robarts did not go about it with sufficient
energy, she took the matter mainly into her own hands, striking Lucy
dumb by her frowns and nods, deciding on everything herself, down to
the very tags of the boot-ties.

"My dear, you really must allow me to know what I am about;" and
Lady Lufton patted her on the arm as she spoke. "I did it all for
Justinia, and she never had reason to regret a single thing that I
bought. If you'll ask her, she'll tell you so." Lucy did not ask
her future sister-in-law, seeing that she had no doubt whatever
as to her future mother-in-law's judgement on the articles in
question. Only the money! And what could she want with six dozen
pocket-handkerchiefs all at once? There was no question of Lord
Lufton's going out as Governor-General to India! But twelve
dozen pocket-handkerchiefs had not been too many for Griselda's
imagination. And Lucy would sit alone in the drawing-room at Framley
Court, filling her heart with thoughts of that evening when she had
first sat there. She had then resolved, painfully, with inward tears,
with groanings of her spirit, that she was wrongly placed in being
in that company. Griselda Grantly had been there, quite at her ease,
petted by Lady Lufton, admired by Lord Lufton; while she had retired
out of sight, sore at heart, because she felt herself to be no fit
companion to those around her. Then he had come to her, making
matters almost worse by talking to her, bringing the