could
be abolished by Act of Parliament.

Mrs. Arnott began to perceive that her nephew was something to be proud
of, and to understand how much was sacrificed, while George Rivers
expressed his opinion to her that Norman would be a crack speaker in the
House, and he hoped she would say everything to hinder his going out,
for it was a regular shame to waste him on the niggers.

Owing to George having constituted himself her squire, Mrs. Arnott had
not arrived at an understanding of the state of affairs at home; but,
as soon as they rose up from luncheon, and she learned the truth from
Richard and Mary, nothing would hinder her from walking home at once to
see whether she could be useful. Mary was easily persuaded to remain,
for she was accustomed to Margaret's having these attacks, and had
always been kept out of her room the while, so she had little uneasiness
to prevent her from being very happy, in receiving in her own simple,
good-humoured way all the attentions that lapsed upon her in the place
of her elder sisters.

"Cocksmoor really has a church!" was note enough of joy for her, and
no one could look at her round face without seeing perfect happiness.
Moreover, when after evening service, the November mist turned into
decided rain, she was as happy as a queen in her foresight, which had
provided what seemed an unlimited supply of cloaks and umbrellas. She
appeared to have an original genius for making the right people give a
lift in their carriages to the distressed; and, regarding the Abbotstoke
britska as her own, packed in Mrs. Anderson and Fanny, in addition
to all their own little ones, Meta thrusting Miss Bracy into the
demi-corner destined for herself at the last minute, and, remaining with
Mary, the only ladies obliged to walk back to Stoneborough. So delighted
were they "at the fun," that it might have been thought the most
charming of adventures, and they laughed all the more at the lack
of umbrellas. They went to Mrs. Elwood's, divested themselves of all
possible finery, and tucked up the rest; Meta was rolled up from head to
foot in a great old plaid shawl of Mrs. Elwood's, and Mary had a cloak
of Richard's, the one took Norman's arm, the other Dr. Spencer's, and
they trudged home through the darkness and the mud in the highest glee,
quite sorry when the carriage met them half-way.

It was the last mirth that they enjoyed for many weeks. When they
reached home, a sense of self-reproach for their g