very highly of the vicar of Framley, that she does begrudge him to
those politicians at Chaldicotes.'

'But, Justinia, the bishop will be there, you know.'

'I don't think that that consideration will reconcile my mother to
the gentleman's absence. He ought to be very proud, I know, to find
that he is so much thought of. But come, Fanny, I want you to walk
back with me, and you can dress at the house. And now we'll go and
look at the children.'

After that, as they walked together to Framley Court, Mrs Robarts
made her friend promise that she would stand by her if any serious
attack were made on the absent clergyman.

'Are you going up to your room to dress?' said the vicar's wife, as
soon as they were inside the porch leading into the hall. Lady
Meredith immediately knew what her friend meant, and decided that
the evil day should not be postponed. 'We had better go in and
have it over,' she said, 'and then we shall be comfortable for the
evening.'

So the drawing-room door was opened, and there was Lady Lufton
alone on the sofa.

'Now, mamma,' said the daughter, 'you mustn't scold Fanny much
about Mr Robarts. He has gone to preach a charity sermon before
the bishop, and under those circumstances, perhaps, he could not
refuse.' This was a stretch on the part of Lady Meredith--put in
with much good-nature, no doubt; but still a stretch; for no one