browngeldingwarrantedforsaddleorharness！’——Thearchdeaconhimselfhadgiventhebrowngeldingtohisson，asagreattreasure。——’ThreeAlderneycows，twocow—calves，alowphaeton，agig，tworicksofhay。’
Inthisfashionwereproclaimedinodiousdetailsallthosecomfortableadditionstoagentleman’shouseinthecountry，withwhichthearchdeaconwassowellacquainted。OnlylastNovemberhehadrecommendedhissontobuyacertainclod—crusher，andtheclod—crusherhadofcoursebeenbought。Thebrightbluepaintuponithadasyetnotgivenwaytothestainsofordinaryfarmyardmuckandmire；——andherewastheclod—crusheradvertisedforsale！ThearchdeacondidnotwanthissontoleaveCosbyLodge。HeknewwellenoughthathissonneednotleaveCosbyLodge。Whyhadthefoolishfellowbeeninsuchahurrywithhishideousill—conditionedadvertisements？Gentle！Howwasheinsuchcircumstancestobegentle？Heraisedhisumbrellaandpokedangrilyatthedisgustingnotice。Theironferrulecaughtthepaperatachinkinthepost，andtoreitfromthetoptothebottom。Butwhatwastheuse？
Ahorriduglybilllyingtorninsuchaspotwouldattractonlymoreattentionthanonefixedtoapost。Hecouldnotcondescend，however，togiveitfurtherattention，butpassedontotheparsonage。Gentleindeed！
NeverthelessArchdeaconGrantlywasagentleman，andneveryethaddealtmoreharshlywithanywomanthanwehavesometimesseenhimtodowithhiswife——whenhewouldsaytoheranangrywordortwowithagooddealofmaritalauthority。Hiswife，whoknewwellwhathisangrywordswereworth，neverevensuggestedtoherselfthatshehadthecauseforcomplaintonthathead。Hadsheknownthatthearchdeaconwasabouttoundertakesuchamissionasthiswhichhehadnowinhand，shewouldnothavewarnedhimtobegentle。She，indeed，wouldhavestronglyadvisedhimnottoundertakethemission，cautioninghimthattheyoungladywouldprobablygetthebetterofhim。
’Grace，mydear，’saidMrsRobarts，comingupintothenurseryinwhichMissCrawleywassittingwiththechildren，’comeouthereamoment，willyou？’ThenGraceleftthechildrenandwentoutintothepassage。
’Mydear，thereisagentlemaninthedrawing—roomwhoaskstoseeyou。’
’Agentleman，MrsRobarts！Whatgentleman？’ButGrace，thoughsheaskedthequestions，conceivedthatthegentlemanmustbeHenryGrantly。
Herminddidnotsuggesttoherthepossibilityofanyothergentlemancomingtoseeher。
’Youmustnotbesurprised，orallowyourselftobefrightened。’
’Oh，MrsRobarts，whoisit？’
’ItisMajorGrantly’sfather。’
’Thearchdeacon？’
’Yes，dear；ArchdeaconGrantly。Heisinthedrawing—room。’
’MustIseehim，MrsRobarts？’
’Well，Grace——Ithinkyoumust。Ihardlyknowhowyoucanrefuse。HeisanintimatefriendofeverybodyhereatFramley。’
’Whatwillhesaytome？’
’Nay；thatIcannottell。Isupposeyouknow——’
’Hehascome，nodoubt，tobidmehavingnothingtosaytohisson。Heneednothavetroubledhimself。Buthemaysaywhathelikes。Iamnocoward，andIwillgotohim。’
’Stopamoment，Grace。Comeintomyroomforaninstant。Thechildrenhavepulledyourhairabout。’ButGrace，thoughshefollowedMrsRobartsintothebedroom，wouldhavenothingdonetoherhair。Shewastooproudforthat——andwemaysay，also，toolittleconfidentinanygoodwhichsuchresourcesmighteffectonherbehalf。’Nevermindaboutthat，’shesaid。’WhatamItosaytohim？’MrsRobartspausedbeforeshereplied，feelingthatthematterwasonewhichrequiredsomedeliberation。’TellmewhatImustsaytohim？’saidGrace，repeatingherquestion。
’Ihardlyknowwhatyourownfeelingsare，mydear。’
’Yes，youdo。Youdoknow。IfIhadalltheworldtogive，IwouldgiveitalltoMajorGrantly。’
’Tellhimthat，then。’
’No，Iwillnottellhimthat。Nevermindaboutmyfrock，MrsRobarts。
Idonotcareforthat。IwilltellhimthatIlovehissonandhisgranddaughtertoowelltoinjurethem。Iwilltellhimnothingelse。I
mightaswellgonow。’MrsRobarts，asshelookedatGrace，wasastonishedattheserenityofherface。Andyetwhenherhandwasinthedrawing—roomdoorGracehesitated，lookedback，andtrembled。MrsRobartsblewakisstoherfromthestairs；andthenthedoorwasopened，andthegirlfoundherselfinthepresenceofthearchdeacon。Hewasstandingontherug，withhisbacktothefire，andhisheavyecclesiasticalhatwasplacedonthemiddleoftheroundtable。ThehatcaughtGrace’seyesatthemomentofherentrance，andshefeltthatallthethundersoftheChurchwerecontainedwithinit。Andthenthearchdeaconhimselfwassobigandsoclerical，andsoimposing。Herfather’saspectwassevere，buttheseverityofherfather’sfacewasessentiallydifferentfromthatexpressedbythearchdeacon。Whateverimpressioncamefromherfathercamefromthemanhimself。Therewasnooutwardadornmentthere；therewas，sotosay，nowigaboutMrCrawley。
Nowthearchdeaconwasnotexactlyadorned；buthewassothoroughlyimbuedwithhighclericalbelongingsandsacerdotalfitnessesastoappearalwaysasawalking，sitting，orstandingimpersonationofparsondom。TopoorGrace，assheenteredtheroom，heappearedtobeapersonationofparsondominitsseverestaspect。
’MissCrawley，Ibelieve？’saidhe。
’Yes，sir，’saidshe，curtseyingeversoslightly，asshestoodbeforehimatsomeconsiderabledistance。
HisfirstideawasthathissonmustbeindeedafoolifhewasgoingtogiveupCosbyLodgeandallBarsetshire，andretiretoPau，forsoslightandunattractiveacreatureashenowsawbeforehim。Butthisideastayedwithhimonlyforamoment。Ashecontinuedtogazeatherduringtheinterviewhecametoperceivethattherewasverymuchmorethanhehadperceivedatthefirstglance，andthathisson，afterall，hadhadeyestosee，thoughperhapsnotahearttounderstand。
’Willyoutakeachair？’hesaid。ThenGracesatdown，stillatadistancefromthearchdeacon，andhekepthisplaceupontherug。Hefeltthattherewouldbeadifficultyinmakingherfeelthefullforceofhiseloquenceallacrosstheroom；andyethedidnotknowhowtobringhimselfnearertoher。Shebecamesuddenlyveryimportantinhiseyes，andhewastosomeextentafraidofher。Shewassoslight，someek，soyoung；andyettherewasabouthersomethingsobeautifullyfeminine——and，withal，solikealady——thathefeltinstinctivelythathecouldnotattackherwithharshwords。Hadherlipsbeenfull，andhercolourhigh，andhadhereyesrolled，hadsheputforthagainsthimanyofthatordinaryartillerywithwhichyouthfulfemininebatteriesarecharged，hewouldhavebeenreadytorushtocombat。Butthisgirl，aboutwhomhissonhadgonemad，satthereaspassivelyasthoughshewereconsciousofthepossessionofnoartillery。Therewasnotasinglegunfiredfrombeneathhereyelids。Heknewnotwhy，butherespectedhissonnowmorethanhehadrespectedhimforthelasttwomonths；——more，perhaps，thanhehadeverrespectedhimbefore。Hewasaneageraseveragainstthemarriage；——butinthinkingofhissoninwhathesaidanddidafterthesefewmomentsoftheinterview，heceasedtothinkofhimwithcontempt。Thecreaturebeforehimwasawomanwhogrewinhisopiniontillhebegantofeelthatshewasintruthfittobethewifeofhisson——ifonlyshewerenotapauper，andthedaughterofamadcurate，andalas！tooprobably，ofathief。Thoughhisfeelingtowardsthegirlhadchanged，hisdutytohimself，hisfamily，andhisson，wasthesameasever，andthereforehebeganhistask。
’Perhapsyouhadnotexpectedtoseeme？’hesaid。
’No，indeed，sir。’
’NorhadIintendedwhenIcameoverhertocallonmyoldfriend，LadyLufton，tocomeuptothishouse。ButasIknewthatyouwerehere，MissCrawley，IthoughtthatuponthewholeitwouldbebetterthatIshouldseeyou。’ThenhepausedasthoughheexpectedthatGracewouldsaysomething；butGracehadnothingtosay。’Ofcourseyoumustunderstand，MissCrawley，thatIshouldnotventuretospeaktoyouonthissubjectunlessImyselfwereverycloselyinterestedinit。’Hehadnotyetsaidwhatwasthesubject，anditwasnotprobablethatGraceshouldgivehimanyassistancebyaffectingtounderstandthiswithoutdirectexplanationfromhim。Shesatquitemotionless，anddidnotevenaidhimbyshowingbyheralteredcolourthatsheunderstoodhispurpose。’Mysonhastoldme，’saidhe，’thathehasprofessedanattachmentforyou，MissCrawley。’
Thentherewasanotherpause，andGracefeltthatshewascompelledtosaysomething。’MajorGrantlyhasbeenverygoodtome，’shesaid，andthenshehatedherselfforhavingutteredwordswhichweresotameandunwomanlyintheirspirit。Ofcourseherlover’sfatherwoulddespiseherforhavingsospoken。Afterallitdidnotmuchsignify。Ifhewouldonlydespiseherandgoaway，itwouldperhapsbeforthebest。
’Idonotknowaboutbeinggood，’saidthearchdeacon。’Ithinkheisgood。Ithinkhemeanstobegood。’
’Iamsureheisgood，’saidGracewarmly。
’Youknowhehasadaughter，MissCrawley？’
’Oh，yes；IknowEdithwell。’
’Ofcoursehisfirstdutyistoher。Isitnot？andheowesmuchtohisfamily。Doyounotfeelthat？’
’OfcourseIfeelit，sir。’ThepoorgirlhadalwaysheardDrGrantlyspokenofasthearchdeacon，butshedidnotintheleastknowwhatsheoughttocallhim。
’Now，MissCrawley，praylistentome；Iwillspeaktoyouveryopenly。
Imustspeaktoyouopenly，becauseitismydutyonmyson’sbehalf——butIwillendeavourtospeaktoyoukindlyalso。OfyourselfI
haveheardnothingbutwhatisfavourable，andthereisnoreasonasyetwhyIshouldnotrespectandesteemyou。’Gracetoldherselfthatshewoulddonothingwhichoughttoforfeithisrespectandesteem，butthatshedidnotcaretwostrawswhetherhisrespectandesteemwerebestowedonherornot。Shewasstrivingaftersomethingverydifferentfromthat。’Ifmysonweretomarryyou，hewouldgreatlyinjurehimself，andwouldverygreatlyinjurehischild。’Againhepaused。Hehadtoldhertolisten，andshewasresolvedthatshewouldlisten——unlesshewouldsaysomethingwhichmightmakeawordfromhernecessaryatthemoment。
’Idonotknowwhethertheredoesatpresentexistanyengagementbetweenyou。’
’Thereisnoengagement，sir。’
’Iamgladofthat——verygladofit。Idonotknowwhetheryouareawarethatmysonisdependentuponmeforthegreaterpartofhisincome。Itisso，andasIamsocircumstancedwithmyson，ofcourse，I
feeltheclosestpossibleconcerninhisfutureprospects。’Thearchdeacondidnotknowhowtoexplainclearlywhythefactofhismakinghissonanannualallowanceshouldgivehimawarmerinterestinhisson’saffairsthanhemighthavehadhadthemajorbeenaltogetherindependentofhim；buthetrustedthatGracewouldunderstandthisbyherownnaturallights。’Now，MissCrawley，ofcourseIcannotwishtosayawordthatwillhurtyourfeelings。Buttherearereasons——’
’Iknow，’saidshe，interruptinghim。’Papaisaccusedofstealingmoney。Hedidnotstealit，butpeoplethinkhedid。Andthenwearesoverypoor。’
’Youdounderstandmethen——andIfeelgrateful；Idoindeed。’
’Idon’tthinkourbeingpooroughttosignifyabit，’saidGrace。’Papaisagentleman，andaclergyman，andmammaisalady。’
’But，mydear——’
’IknowIoughtnottobeyourson’swifeaslongaspeoplethinkthatpapastolethemoney。Ifhehadstolenit，IoughtnevertobeMajorGrantly’swife——oranybodyelse’s。Iknowthatverywell。AndasforEdith——Iwouldsoonerdiethandoanythingthatwouldbebadtoher。’
Thearchdeaconhadnowlefttherug，andadvancedtillhewasalmostclosetothechaironwhichGracewassitting。’Mydear，’hesaid，’whatyousaydoesyouverymuchhonour——verymuchhonourindeed。’Nowthathewasclosetoher，hecouldlookintohereyes，andhecouldseetheexactformofherfeatures，andcouldunderstand——couldnothelpunderstanding——thecharacterofhercountenance。Itwasanobleface，havinginitnothingthatwaspoor，nothingthatwasmean，nothingthatwasshapeless。Itwasafacethatpromisedinfinitebeauty，withapromisethatwasontheveryvergeoffulfilment。Therewasaplayabouthermouthasshespokeandacurlinhernostrilsastheeagerwordscamefromher，whichalmostmadetheselfishfathergiveway。Whyhadtheynottoldhimthatshewassuchaoneasthis？WhyhadnotHenryhimselfspokenofthespecialityofherbeauty？NomaninEnglandknewbetterthanthearchdeaconthedifferencebetweenbeautyofonekindandbeautyofanotherkindinawoman’sface——theonebeauty，whichcomesfromhealthandyouthandanimalspirits，andwhichbelongstothemiller’sdaughter，andtheotherbeauty，whichshowsitselfinfinelinesandanoblespirit——thebeautywhichcomesfrombreeding。’Whatyousaydoesyouverymuchhonourindeed，’saidthearchdeacon。
’Ishouldnotmindatallaboutbeingpoor，’saidGrace。
’No；no；no，’saidthearchdeacon。
’Poorasweare——andnoclergyman，Ithink，waseversopoor——Ishouldhavedoneasyoursonaskedmeatonce，ifithadbeenonlythat——becauseIlovehim。’
’Ifyoulovehimyouwillnotwishtoinjurehim。’
’Iwillnotinjurehim。Sir，thereismypromise。’Andnowasshespokesherosefromherchair，andstandingclosetothearchdeacon，laidherhandverylightlyonthesleeveofhiscoat。’Thereismypromise。Aslongaspeoplesaythatpapastolethemoney，Iwillnevermarryyourson。There。’
Thearchdeaconwasstilllookingdownather，andfeelingtheslighttouchofherfingers，raisedhisarmalittleasthoughtowelcomethepressure。Helookedintohereyes，whichwereturnedeagerlytowardshis，andwhendoingsowasquitesurethatthepromisewouldbekept。Itwouldhavebeenasacrilege——hefeltthatitwouldhavebeenasacrilege——todoubtsuchapromise。Healmostrelented。Hissoftheart，whichwasneververywellunderhisowncontrol，gavewaysofarthathewasnearlymovedtotellherthat，onhisson’sbehalf，heacquittedherofthepromise。Whatcouldanyman’ssondobetterthanhavesuchawomanforhiswife？Itwouldhavebeenofnoavailhadhemadehersuchoffer。Thepledgeshehadgivenhadnotbeenwrungfromherbyhisinfluence，norcouldhisinfluencehaveavailedaughtwithhertowardsthealterationofherpurpose。Itwasnotthearchdeaconwhohadtaughtherthatitwouldnotbeherdutytotakedisgraceintothehouseofthemansheloved。Ashelookeddownuponherfacetwotearsformedthemselvesinhiseyes，andgraduallytrickleddownhisoldnose。’Mydear，’hesaid，’ifthiscloudpassesawayfromyou，youshallcometousandbeourdaughter。’Andthushealsopledgedhimself。Therewasadashofgenerosityabouttheman，inspiteofhisselfishness，whichalwaysmadehimdesirousofgivinglargelytothosewhogavelargelytohim。Hewouldfainthathisgiftsshouldbebigger，ifitwerepossible。
Helongedatthismomenttotellherthatthedirtychequeshouldgofornothing。Hewouldhavedoneit，Ithink，butthatitwasimpossibleforhimtospeakinherpresenceofthatwhichmovedhersogreatly。
Hehadcontrivedthatherhandshouldfallfromhisarmintohisgrasp，andnowforamomentheheldit。’Youareagoodgirl，’hesaid——’adear，dear，goodgirl。Whenthiscloudhaspassedaway，youshallcometousandbeourdaughter。’
’Butitwillneverpassaway，’saidGrace。
’Letushopethatitmay。Letushopethatitmay。’Thenhestoopedoverandkissedher，andleavingtheroom，gotoutintothehallandthenceintothegarden，andsoaway，withoutsayingawordofadieutoMrsRobarts。
AshewalkedacrosstotheCourt，whitherhewasobligedtogo，becauseofhischaise，hewaslostinsurpriseatwhathadoccurred。Hehadgonetotheparsonagehatingthegirl，anddespisinghisson。Now，asheretracedhissteps，hisfeelingswerealtogetherchanged。Headmiredthegirl——andasforhisson，evenhisangerwasforthemomentaltogethergone。Hewouldwritetohissonatonceandimplorehimtostopthesale。Hewouldtellhissonallthathadoccurred，orratherwouldmakeMrsGrantlydoso。Inrespecttohissonhewasquitesafe。Hethoughtatthatmomentthathewassafe。Therewouldbenouseinhurlingfurtherthreatsathim。IfCrawleywasfoundguiltyofstealingthemoney，therewasthegirl’spromise。Ifhewereacquittedtherewashisownpledge。Herememberedperfectlywellthatthegirlhadsaidmorethanthis——thatshehadnotconfinedherassurancetotheverdictofthejury，thatshehadprotestedthatshewouldnotacceptMajorGrantly’shandaslongaspeoplethoughtthatherfatherhadstolenthecheque；
butthearchdeaconfeltthatitwouldbeignobletoholdhercloselytoherwords。Theevent，accordingtohisideasofthecompact，wastodependontheverdictofthejury。IfthejuryshouldfindMrCrawleynotguilty，allobjectiononhisparttothemarriagewastobewithdrawn。Andhewouldkeephisword！Insuchcaseitshouldbewithdrawn。
Whenhecametotheragsoftheauctioneer’sbill，whichhehadbeforetorndownwithhisumbrella，hestoppedamomenttoconsiderhewouldactatonce。Inthefirstplacehewouldtellhissonthathisthreatswerewithdrawn，andwouldaskhimtoremainatCosbyLodge。HewouldwritetheletterashepassedthroughBarchester，onhiswayhome，sothathissonmightreceiveitonthefollowingmorning；andhewouldreferthemajortohismotherforafullexplanationofthecircumstances。Thoseodiousbillsmustberemovedfromeverybarn—doorandwallinthecounty。Atthepresentmomenthisangeragainsthissonwaschieflydirectedagainsthisill—judgedhasteinhavingputupthoseill—omenedbills。Thenhepausedtoconsiderwhatmustbehiswishastotheverdictofthejury。Hehadpledgedhimselftoabidebytheverdict，andhecouldnotbuthaveawishonthesubject。CouldhedesireinhisheartthatMrCrawleyshouldbefoundguilty？Hestoodstillforamomentthinkingofthis，andthenhewalkedon，shakinghishead。Ifitmightbepossiblehewouldhavenowishonthesubjectwhatsoever。
’Well！’saidLadyLufton，stoppinghiminthepassage——’haveyouseenher？’
’Yes；Ihaveseenher。’
’Well？’
’Sheisagoodgirl——averygoodgirl。Iaminagreathurry，andhardlyknowhowtotellyoumorenow。’
’Yousaythatsheisagoodgirl。’
’Isaythatsheisaverygoodgirl。Anangelcouldnothavebehavedbetter。Iwilltellyousomeday，LadyLufton，butIcanhardlytellyounow。’
WhenthearchdeaconwasgoneoldLadyLuftonconfidedtoyoungLadyLuftonherverystrongopinionthatmanymonthswouldnotbegonebeforeGraceCrawleywouldbethemistressofCosbyLodge。’Itwillbeagreatpromotion，’saidtheoldlady，withalittletossofherhead。WhenGracewasinterrogatedafterwardsbyMrsRobartsastowhathadpassedbetweenherandthearchdeaconshehadverylittletosayastotheinterview。’Nohedidnotscoldme，’sherepliedtoaninquiryfromherfriend。’Thereisnoengagement，’saidGrace。’ButIsupposeyouacknowledged，mydear，thatafutureengagementisquitepossible？’’I
toldhim，MrsRobarts，’Graceanswered，afterhesitatingforamoment，’thatIwouldnevermarryhissonaslongaspapawassuspectedbyanyoneintheworldofbeingathief。AndIwillkeepmyword。’butshesaidnothingtoMrsRobartsofthepledgewhichthearchdeaconhadmadetoher。
CHAPTERLVIII
THECROSS—GRAINEDNESSOFMEN
BythetimethatthearchdeaconreachedPlumsteadhisenthusiasminfavourofGraceCrawleyhadsomewhatcooleditself；andthelanguagewhichfromtimetotimehepreparedforconveyinghisimpressionstohiswife，becamelessfervidasheapproachedhishome。Therewashispledge，andbythathewouldabide；——andsomuchhewouldmakebothhiswifeandsonunderstand。Butanyideawhichhemighthaveentertainedforamomentofextendingthepromisehehadgivenandrelaxingthatgiventohimwasgonebeforehesawhisownchimneys。Indeed，Ifearhehadbythattimebeguntofeelthattheonlysalvationnowopentohimmustcomefromthejury’sverdict。IfthejuryshoulddeclareMrCrawleytobeguilty，then——；hewouldnotsayeventohimselfthatinsuchcaseallwouldberight，buthedidfeelthatmuchashemightregretthefateofthepoorCrawleys，andofthegirlwhominhiswarmthhehaddeclaredtobealmostanangel，neverthelesstohimpersonallysuchaverdictwouldbringconsolatorycomfort。
’IhaveseenMissCrawley，’hesaidtohiswife，assoonashehadclosedthedoorofhisstudy，beforehehadbeentwominutesoutofthechaise。Hehaddeterminedthathewoulddashatthesubjectatonce，andhethuscarriedhisresolutionintoeffect。
’YouhaveseenGraceCrawley？’
’Yes；Iwentuptotheparsonageandcalleduponher。LadyLuftonadvisedmetodoso。’
’AndHenry？’
’Oh，Henryhasgone。Hewasonlythereonenight。Isupposehesawher，butIamnotsure。’
’WouldnotMissCrawleytellyou？’
’Iforgottoaskher。’MrsGrantly，athearingthis，expressedhersurprisebyopeningwidehereyes。HehadgoneallthewayovertoFramleyonpurposetolookafterhisson，andlearnwhatwerehisdoings，andwhentherehehadforgottentoaskthepersonwhocouldhavegivenhimbetterinformationthananyoneelse！’Butitdoesnotsignify，’continuedthearchdeacon；’shesaidenoughtometomakethatofnoimportance。’
’Andwhatdidshesay？’
’ShesaidthatshewouldneverconsenttomarryHenryaslongastherewasanysuspicionabroadastoherfather’sguilt。’
’Andyoubelieveherpromise？’
’CertainlyIdo；Idonotdoubtthatintheleast。Iputimplicitconfidenceinher。AndIhavepromisedherthatifherfatherisacquitted——Iwillwithdrawmyopposition。’
’No！’
’ButIhave。Andyouwouldhavedonethesamehadyoubeenthere。’
’Idoubtthat，mydear。Iamnotsoimpulsiveasyouare。’
’Youcouldnothavehelpedyourself。Youwouldhavefeltyourselfobligedtobeequallygenerouswithher。Shecameuptomeandsheputherhanduponme——’’Psha！’saidMrsGrantly。’Butshedid，mydear，andthenshesaid，\"IpromiseyouthatIwillnotbecomeyourson’swifewhilepeoplethinkpapastolethismoney。\"WhatelsecouldIdo？’
’Andisshepretty？’
’Verypretty；verybeautiful。’
’Andlikealady？’
’Quitelikealady。Thereisnomistakeaboutthat。’
’Andshebehavedwell？’
’Admirably，’saidthearchdeacon，whowasinmeasurecompelledtojustifythegenerosityintowhichhehadbeenbetrayedbyhisfeelings。
’Thensheisaparagon，’saidMrsGrantly。
’Idon’tknowwhatyoumaycallaparagon，mydear。Isaythatsheisalady，andthatsheisextremelygood—looking，andthatshebehavedverywell。Icannotsaylessinherfavour。Iamsureyouwouldnotsaylessyourself，ifyouhadbeenpresent。’
’Shemustbeawonderfulyoungwoman。’
’Idon’tknowanythingaboutherbeingwonderful。’
’Shemustbewonderfulwhenshehassucceededbothwiththesonandwiththefather。’
’Iwishyouhadbeenthereinsteadofme，’saidthearchdeaconangrily。
MrsGrantlyveryprobablywishedsoalso，feelingthatinthatcaseamoreserenemodeofbusinesswouldhavebeenadopted。Howkeenlysusceptiblethearchdeaconstillwastotheinfluencesoffemininecharms，nooneknewbetterthanMrsGrantly，andwhenevershebecameawarethathehadbeeninthiswayseducedfromthewisdomofhiscoolerjudgmentshealwaysfeltsomethingakintoindignationagainsttheseducer。Asforherhusband，sheprobablytoldherselfatsuchmomentsthathewasanoldgoose。’Ifyouhadbeenthere，andHenrywithyou，youwouldhavemadeagreatdealworsejobofitthanIhavedone，’saidthearchdeacon。
’Idon’tsayyouhavemadeabadjobofit，mydear，’saidMrsGrantly。
’Butit’spasteight，andyoumustbeterriblyinwantofyourdinner。
Hadyounotbettergoanddress？’