ft Framley
Court to go back to her own parsonage without a warm embrace. Now she
was to do so without even having her hand taken. Had it come to this,
that there was absolutely to be a quarrel between them--a quarrel for
ever?

"Fanny is going, you know, mamma," said Lady Meredith. "She will be
home before you are down again."

"I cannot help it, my dear. Fanny must do as she pleases. I am not to
be the judge of her actions. She has just told me so." Mrs. Robarts
had said nothing of the kind, but she was far too proud to point this
out. So with a gentle step she retreated through the door, and then
Lady Meredith, having tried what a conciliatory whisper with her
mother would do, followed her. Alas, the conciliatory whisper was
altogether ineffectual.

The two ladies said nothing as they descended the stairs, but when
they had regained the drawing-room they looked with blank horror into
each other's faces. What were they to do now? Of such a tragedy as
this they had had no remotest preconception. Was it absolutely the
case that Fanny Robarts was to walk out of Lady Lufton's house as a
declared enemy--she who, before her marriage as well as since, had
been almost treated as an adopted daughter of the family?

"Oh, Fanny, why did you answer my mother in that way?" said Lady
Meredith. "You saw that she was vexed, She had other things to vex
her besides this about Mr. Robarts."

"And would not you answer any one who attacked Sir George?"

"No, not my own mother. I would let her say what she pleased, and
leave Sir George to fight his own battles."

"Ah, but it is different with you. You are her daughter, and Sir
George--she would not dare to speak in that way as to Sir George's
doings."

"Indeed she would, if it pleased her. I am sorry I let you go up to
her."

"It is as well that it should be over, Justinia. As those are her
thoughts about Mr. Robarts, it is quite as well that we should know
them. Even for all that I owe to her, and all the love I bear to you,
I will not come to this house if I am to hear my husband abused--not
into any house."

"My dearest Fanny, we all know what happens when two angry people get
together."

"I was not angry when I went up to her; not in the least."

"It is no good looking back. What are we to do now, Fanny?"

"I suppose I had better go home," said Mrs. Robarts. "I will go and
put my things up, and then I will send James for them."

"Wait till after lunch, and then you w