cussed their plans; what mode of escape
they might have out of this terrible money difficulty. Like a true
woman, Mrs. Robarts proposed at once to abandon all superfluities.
They would sell all their horses; they would not sell their cows,
but would sell the butter that came from them; they would sell the
pony-carriage, and get rid of the groom. That the footman must go was
so much a matter of course, that it was hardly mentioned. But then,
as to that house at Barchester, the dignified prebendal mansion in
the close--might they not be allowed to leave it unoccupied for one
year longer--perhaps to let it? The world of course must know of
their misfortune; but if that misfortune was faced bravely, the world
would be less bitter in its condemnation. And then, above all things,
everything must be told to Lady Lufton.

"You may, at any rate, believe this, Fanny," said he, "that for no
consideration which can be offered to me will I ever put my name to
another bill." The kiss with which she thanked him for this was as
warm and generous as though he had brought to her that day news of
the brightest; and when he sat, as he did that evening, discussing it
all, not only with his wife, but with Lucy, he wondered how it was
that his troubles were now so light. Whether or no a man should have
his own private pleasures, I will not now say; but it never can be
worth his while to keep his sorrows private.

CHAPTER XXXIV

Lady Lufton Is Taken by Surprise

Lord Lufton, as he returned to town, found some difficulty in
resolving what step he would next take. Sometimes, for a minute or
two, he was half inclined to think--or rather to say to himself--that
Lucy was perhaps not worth the trouble which she threw in his way.
He loved her very dearly, and would willingly make her his wife, he
thought or said at such moments; but-- Such moments, however, were
only moments. A man in love seldom loves less because his love
becomes difficult. And thus, when those moments were over, he would
determine to tell his mother at once, and urge her to signify her
consent to Miss Robarts. That she would not be quite pleased he knew;
but if he were firm enough to show that he had a will of his own in
this matter, she would probably not gainsay him. He would not ask
this humbly, as a favour, but request her ladyship to go through the
ceremony as though it were one of those motherly duties which she as
a good mother could not hesitate to perform on