Mrs Crawley had walked from Hogglestock to Silverbridge on the occasion
of her visit to Mr Walker, the attorney, and had been kindly sent back
by that gentleman in his wife's little open carriage. The tidings which
she brought home with her to her husband were very grievous. The
magistrates would sit on the next Thursday--it was then Friday--and Mr
Crawley had better appear before them to answer the charge made by Mr
Soames. He would be served with a summons, which he would obey of his
own accord. There had been many points very closely discussed between
Walker and Mrs Crawley, as to which there had been great difficulty in
the choice of words which should be tender enough to convey to her the
very facts as they stood. Would Mr Crawley come, or must a policeman be
sent to fetch him? The magistrate had already issued a warrant for his
apprehension. Such in truth was the fact, but they had agreed with Mr
Walker, that as there was no reasonable ground for anticipating any
attempt at escape on the part of the reverend gentleman, the lawyer
might use what gentle means he could for ensuring the clergyman's
attendance. Could Mrs Crawley undertake to say that he would appear? Mrs
Crawley did undertake either that her husband should appear on the
Thursday, or else that she would send over in the early part of the week
and declare her inability to ensure his appearance. In that case it was
understood the policeman must come. Then Mr Walker had suggested that Mr
Crawley had better employ a lawyer. Upon this Mrs Crawley had looked
beseechingly up into Mr Walker's face, and had asked him to undertake
the duty. He was of course obliged to explain that he was already
employed on the other side. Mr Soames had secured his services, and
though he was willing to do all in his power to mitigate the sufferings
of the family, he could not abandon the duty he had undertaken. He named
another attorney, however, and then sent the poor woman home in his
wife's carriage. 'I fear that unfortunate man is guilty. I fear he is,'