'You must think better of it, my dear. I do not scruple to advise you, because I am older than you, and have experience of the world.' This, Ithink, taken in the ordinary sense of the words, was a boast on the part of Lady Lufton, for which but little true pretence existed. Lady Lufton's experience of the world at large was not perhaps extensive.
Nevertheless she knew what one women might offer to another, and what one woman might receive from another. 'You would be better over with me, my dear, than you could be elsewhere. You will not misunderstand me if Isay that, under such circumstances, it would do your husband good that you and your children should be under our protection during his period of temporary seclusion. We stand well in the county. Perhaps I ought not to say so, but I do not know how otherwise to explain myself; and when it is known, by the bishop and others, that you have come to us during that sad time, it will be understood that we think well of Mr Crawley, in spite of anything a jury may say of him. Do you see that, my dear?
And we do think well of him. I have known of your husband for many years, though I have not personally had the pleasure of much acquaintance with him. He was over at Framley once at my request, and Ihad great occasion to respect him. I do respect him; and I shall feel grateful to him if he will allow you to put yourself and your children under my wing, as being an old woman, should this misfortune fall upon him. We hope that it will not fall upon him; but it is always well to be provided for the worst.'
In this way Lady Lufton at last made her speech and opened out the proposal with which she had come laden to Hogglestock. While she was speaking Mrs Crawley's shoulder was still turned to her; but the speaker could see that the quick tears were pouring themselves down the cheeks of the woman whom she addressed. There was a downright honesty of thorough-going well-wishing charity about the proposition which overcame Mrs Crawley altogether. She did not feel for a moment that it would be possible for her to go to Framley in such circumstances as those which had been suggested. As she thought of it all at the present moment, it seemed to her that her only appropriate home during the terrible period which was coming upon her, would be under the walls of the prison in which her husband would be incarcerated. But she fully appreciated the kindness which had suggested a measure, which, if carried into execution, would make the outside world feel that her husband was respected in the county, despite the degradation to which he was subjected. She felt all this, but her heart was too full to speak.
'Say that it shall be so, my dear,' continued Lady Lufton. 'Just give me one nod of assent, and the cottage shall be ready for you should it so chance that you should require it.'
But Mrs Crawley did not give the nod of assent. With her face still averted, while the tears were still running down her cheeks, she muttered but a word or two. 'I could not do that, Lady Lufton; I could not do that.'
'You know at any rate what my wishes are, and as you become calmer you will think of it. There is quite time enough, and I am speaking of an alternative which may never happen. My dear friend Mrs Robarts, who is now with your daughter, wishes Miss Crawley to go over to Framley Parsonage while this inquiry among the clergymen is going on. They all say it is the most ridiculous thing in the world--this inquiry. But the bishop you know is so silly! We all think that if Miss Crawley would go for a week or so to Framley Parsonage, that it will show how happy we all are to receive her. It should be while Mr Robarts is employed in his part of the work. What do you say, Mrs Crawley? We at Framley are all clearly of the opinion that it will be best that it should be known that the people in the county uphold your husband. Miss Crawley would be back, you know, before the trial comes on. I hope you will let her come, Mrs Crawley?'
But even to this proposition Mrs Crawley could give no assent, though she expressed no direct dissent. As regarded her own feelings, she would much preferred to have been left to live through her misery alone; but she could not but appreciate the kindness which endeavoured to throw over and hers in their trouble the aegis of first-rate county respectability. She was saved from the necessity of giving a direct answer to this suggestion by the return of Mrs Robarts and Grace herself. The door was opened slowly, and they crept into the room as though they were aware that their presence would be hardly welcomed.
'Is the carriage there, Fanny?' said Lady Lufton. 'It is almost time for us to think of returning home.'
Mrs Robarts said that the carriage was standing within twenty yards of the door.
'Then I think we will make a start,' said Lady Lufton. 'Have you succeeded in persuading Miss Crawley to come over to Framley in April?'
Mrs Robarts made no answer to this, but looked at Grace; and Grace looked down upon the ground.
'I have spoken to Mrs Crawley,' said Lady Lufton, 'and they will think of it.' Then the two ladies took their leave, and walked out to their carriage.
'What does she say about your plan?' Mrs Robarts asked.
'She is too broken-hearted to say anything.' Lady Lufton answered.
'Should it happen that he is convicted, we must come over and take her.
She will have no power to resist us in anything.'