Major Grantly walked from Mrs Dale's house to the inn and ordered his gig, and drove himself out of Allington, almost without remembering where he was or whither he was going. He was thinking solely of what had just occurred, and of what, on his part, should follow as the result of that meeting. Half at least of the noble deeds done in this world are due to emulation, rather than to the native nobility of the actors. Ayoung man leads a forlorn hope because another young man has offered to do so. Jones in the hunting-field rides at an impracticable fence because he is told Smith took it three years ago. And Walker puts his name down for ten guineas at a charitable dinner when he hears Thompson's read out for five. And in this case the generosity and self-denial shown by Grace warmed and cherished similar virtues within her lover's breast. Some few weeks ago Major Grantly had been in doubt as to what his duty required of him in reference to Grace Crawley; but he had no doubt whatsoever now. In the fervour of his admiration he would have gone straight to the archdeacon, had it been possible, and have told him what he had done and what he intended to do. Nothing now should stop him;--no consideration, that is, either as regarded money or position. He had pledged himself solemnly, and he was very glad that he had pledged himself. He would write to Grace and explain to her that he trusted altogether in her father's honour and innocence, but that no consideration as to that ought to influence either him or her in any way. If, independently of her father, she could bring herself to come to him and be his wife, she was bound to do so now, let the position of her father be what it might. And thus, as he drove his gig back towards Guestwick, he composed a very pretty letter to the lady of his love.
And as he went, at the corner of the lane which led from the main road up to Guestwick cottage, he again came upon John Eames, who was also returning to Guestwick. There had been a few words spoken between Lady Julia and Johnny respecting Major Grantly after the girls had left the cottage, and Johnny had been persuaded that the strange visitor to Allington could have no connexion with his arch-enemy. 'And why has he gone to Allington,' John demanded, somewhat sternly, of his hostess.
'Well; if you ask me, I think he has gone there to see your cousin, Grace Crawley.'
'He told me that he knew Grace,' said John, looking as though he were conscious of his own ingenuity in putting two and two together very cleverly.
'Your cousin Grace is a very pretty girl,' said Lady Julia.
'It's a long time since I've seen her,' said Johnny.
'Why, you saw her just this last minute,' said Lady Julia.
'I didn't look at her,' said Johnny. Therefore, when he again met Major Grantly, having continued to put two and two together with great ingenuity, he felt quite sure that the man had nothing to do with the arch-enemy, and he determined to be gracious. 'Did you find them at home at Allington,' he said, raising his hat.
'How do you do again?' said the major. 'Yes, I found your friend Mrs Dale at home.'
'But not her daughter, or my cousin? They were up there;--where I've come from. But, perhaps, they had got back before you left.'
'I saw them both. They found me on the road with Mr Dale.'
'What--the squire? Then you have seen everybody.'
'Everybody I wished to see at Allington.'
'But you wouldn't stay at the "Red Lion"?'
'Well, no. I remembered that I wanted to get back to London; and as Ihad seen my friends, I thought I might as well hurry away.'
'You knew Mrs Dale before, then?'
'No, I didn't. I never saw her in my life before. But I knew the old squire when I was a boy. However, I should have said friend. I went to see one friend, and I saw her.'
John Eames perceived that his companion put a strong emphasis on the word 'her', as though he were determined to declare boldly that he had gone to Allington solely to see Grace Crawley. He had not the slightest objection to recognising in Major Grantly a suitor for his cousin's hand. He could only reflect what an unusually fortunate girl Grace must be if such a thing could be true. Of those poor Crawleys he had only heard from time to time that their misfortunes were as numerous as the sands on the sea-shore, and as unsusceptible of any fixed and permanent arrangement. But, as regarded Grace, there would be a very permanent arrangement. Tidings had reached him that Grace was a great scholar, but he had never heard much of her beauty. It must probably be the case that Major Grantly was fond of Greek. There was, he reminded himself, no accounting for tastes; but as nothing could be more respectable than such an alliance, he thought that it would become him to be civil to the major.
'I hope you found her quite well. I had barely time to speak to her myself.'
'Yes, she was very well. This is a sad thing about her father.'
'Very sad,' said Johnny. Perhaps the major had heard about the accusation for the first time today, and was going to find an escape on that plea. If such was the case, it would not be so well to be particularly civil.
'I believe Mr Crawley is a cousin of yours?' said the major.
'His wife is my mother's first-cousin. There mothers were sisters.'
'She is an excellent woman.'
'I believe so. I don't know much about them myself--that is, personally. Of course I have heard of this charge that has been made against him. It seems to me to be a great shame.'
'Well, I can't exactly say that it is a shame. I do not know that there has been anything done with a feeling of persecution or of cruelty. It is a great mystery, and we must have it cleared up if we can.'
'I don't suppose he can have been guilty,' said John.
'Certainly not in the ordinary sense of the word. I heard all the evidence against him.'
'Oh, you did?'
'Yes,' said the major. 'I live near them in Barsetshire, and I am one of his bailsmen.'
'Then you are an old friend, I suppose?'
'Not exactly that; but circumstances made me very much interested about them. I fancy that the cheque was left in his house by accident, and that it got into his hands he didn't know how, and that when he used it he thought it was his.'
'That's queer,' said Johnny.
'He is very odd, you know.'
'But it's a kind of oddity that they don't like at assizes.'
'The great cruelty is,' said the major, 'that whatever may be the result, the punishment will fall so heavily upon his wife and daughters.
I think the whole county ought to come forward and take them by the hand. Well, good-bye. I'll drive on, as I'm a little in a hurry.'
'Good-bye,' said Johnny. 'I'm very glad to have had the pleasure of meeting you.' 'He's a good sort of fellow after all,' he said to himself when the gig had passed on. 'He wouldn't have talked in that way if he meant to hang back.'