he did not believe that Mary had done anything to merit
expulsion from the family; but she did think that her return to it
should be accompanied by sackcloth and ashes. Mary had been pert to
her, and she was not prone to forgive. Lady Alice had no
opinion,--could say nothing about it; but would be happy if, by her
services, she could assuage matters.

"Does she ever talk of him," Lady Susanna asked.

"Not to me; I don't think she dares. But whenever he goes there she is
delighted to see him."

"He has not been for the last ten days," said Lady Sarah.

"I don't think he will ever go again,--unless it be to fetch her," said
Lady Susanna. "I don't see how he can keep on going there, when she
won't do as he bids her. I never heard of such a thing! Why should she
choose to live with her father when she is his wife? I can't understand
it at all."

"There has been some provocation," said Lady Sarah.

"What provocation? I don't know of any. Just to please her fancy,
George had to take a house in London, and live there against his own
wishes."

"It was natural that she should go to the deanery for a few days; but
when she was there no one went to see her."

"Why did she not come here first?" said Lady Susanna. "Why did she take
upon herself to say where she would go, instead of leaving it to her
husband. Of course it was the Dean. How can any man be expected to
endure that his wife should be governed by her father instead of by
himself? I think George has been very forbearing."

"You have hardly told the whole story," said Lady Sarah. "Nor do I wish
to tell it. Things were said which never should have been spoken. If
you will have me, Alice, I will go to Brotherton for a day or two, and
I will then go and see her."

And so it was arranged. No one in the house was told of the new plan,
Lady Susanna having with difficulty been brought to promise silence.
Lady Sarah's visit was of course announced, and that alone created
great surprise, as Lady Sarah very rarely left home. The Marchioness
had two or three floods of tears over it, and suggested that the
carriage would be wanted for the entire day. This evil, however, was
altogether escaped, as Lady Alice had a carriage of her own. "I'm sure
I don't know who is to look after Mrs. Green," said the Marchioness.
Mrs. Green was an old woman of ninety who was supported by Germain
charity and was visited almost daily by Lady Sarah. But Lady Amelia
promised that she would under