even yet so wretched but what I shall rejoice to be
told good news of you. If it only could be as John
wishes it! And why should it not? It seems to me
that nobody has a right or a reason to by unhappy
except us. Good-bye, dearest Lily.
'Your affectionate friend,
'GRACE CRAWLEY'

'P.S.--I think I have made up my mind that I will go
back to Hogglestock at once if the magistrates decide
against papa. I think I should be doing the school
harm if I were to stay here.'

The answer to this letter did not reach Miss Crawley till after the
magistrate's hearing on the Thursday, but it will be better for our
story that it should be given here than postponed until the result of
that meeting shall have been told. Miss Dale's answer was as follows:-

'ALLINGTON,--December, 186-
'DEAR GRACE,
'Your letter has made me very unhappy. If it
can at all comfort you to know that mamma and I
sympathise with you altogether, in that you may at any
rate be sure. But in such troubles nothing will give
comfort. They must be borne, till the fire of
misfortune burns itself out.

'I had heard about the affair a day or two
before I got your note. Our clergyman, Mr Boyce, told
us of it. Of course we all know that the charge must