troubles me very much--very much indeed.'

'Anything that I can do, Major Grantly--'

'Thank you, yes. I know that you are very good, or I should not have
ventured to come and see you. Indeed I shouldn't trouble you now, of
course, if it was only about myself. I know very well what a great
friend you are to Miss Crawley.'

'Yes, I am. We love Grace dearly here.'

'So do I,' said the major bluntly; 'I love her dearly, too.' Then he
paused, as though he thought that Miss Prettyman ought to take up the
speech. But Miss Prettyman seemed to think quite differently, and he was
obliged to go on. 'I don't know whether you have ever heard about it or
noticed it, or--or--or--' He felt that he was very awkward, and he
blushed. Major as he was, he blushed as he sat before the woman, trying
to tell his story, but not knowing how to tell it. 'The truth is, Miss
Prettyman, I have done all but ask her to be my wife, and now has come
this terrible affair about her father.'

'It is a terrible affair, Major Grantly; very terrible.'

'By Jove, you may say that!'

'Of course, Mr Crawley is as innocent in the matter as you or I are.'

'You think so, Miss Prettyman?'

'Think so! I feel sure of it. What; a clergyman of the Church of