before his sister's words could reach him.

'You know, mamma, it is quite impossible not to help thinking of it,'
said Mary.

'I daresay it is, my dear.'

'And when one knows the people it does make it so dreadful.'

'But do you know them? I never spoke to Mr Crawley in my life, and I do
not think I ever saw her.'

'I knew Grace very well--when she used to come first to Miss Prettyman's
school.'

'Poor girl. I pity her.'

'Pity her! Pity is no word for it, mamma. My heart bleeds for them.
And yet I do not believe for a moment that he stole the cheque. How can
it be possible? For though he may have been in debt because they have
been so very, very, poor, yet we all know that he has been an excellent
clergyman. When the Robartses were dining here last, I heard Mrs Robarts
say that for piety and devotion to his duties she had hardly ever seen
anyone equal to him. And the Robartses know more of them than anybody.'

'They say that the dean is his great friend.'

'What a pity it is that the Arabins should be away just now when he is
in such trouble.' And in this way the mother and daughter went on
discussing the question of the clergyman's guilt in spite of Mrs