or
most of his children. As for his dear son Mark, he said, he was aware
that he need be under no uneasiness. On hearing this read Mark smiled
sweetly, and looked very gracious; but, nevertheless, his heart did
sink somewhat within him, for there had been a hope that a small
windfall, coming now so opportunely, might enable him to rid himself
at once of that dreadful Sowerby incubus. And then the will went on
to declare that Mary, and Gerald, and Blanche, had also, by God's
providence, been placed beyond want. And here, looking into the
squire's face, one might have thought that his heart fell a little
also; for he had not so full a command of his feelings as his
brother-in-law, who had been so much more before the world. To John,
the assistant private secretary, was left a legacy of a thousand
pounds; and to Jane and Lucy certain sums in certain four per cents.,
which were quite sufficient to add an efficient value to the hands
of those young ladies in the eyes of most prudent young would-be
Benedicts. Over and beyond this there was nothing but the furniture,
which he desired might be sold, and the proceeds divided among them
all. It might come to sixty or seventy pounds a piece, and pay the
expenses incidental on his death. And then all men and women there
and thereabouts said that old Dr. Robarts had done well. His life
had been good and prosperous, and his will was just. And Mark, among
others, so declared--and was so convinced in spite of his own little
disappointment. And on the third morning after the reading of the
will Squire Crowdy, of Creamclotted Hall, altogether got over his
grief, and said that it was all right. And then it was decided that
Jane should go home with him--for there was a brother squire who,
it was thought, might have an eye to Jane;--and Lucy, the younger,
should be taken to Framley parsonage. In a fortnight from the receipt
of that letter Mark arrived at his own house with his sister Lucy
under his wing.

All this interfered greatly with Mark's wise resolution as to the
Sowerby-bill incubus. In the first place, he could not get to
Barchester as soon as he had intended, and then an idea came across
him that possibly it might be well that he should borrow the money of
his brother John, explaining the circumstances, of course, and paying
him due interest. But he had not liked to broach the subject when
they were there in Exeter, standing, as it were, over their father's
grave, and so the mat