up with the crowing, and to have disregarded altogether
the words of a man so weak and insignificant! But the evil was done,
and he must make some arrangement for poor Lucy's comfort. Had he
known exactly how matters stood, that the proposition as to Lucy's
departure had come wholly from herself, and that at the present time
all the ladies at Fawn Court,--of course, in the absence of Lord
Fawn,--were quite disposed to forgive Lucy if Lucy would only be
forgiven, and hide herself when Lord Fawn should come;--had Frank
known all this, he might, perhaps, have counselled her to remain
at Richmond. But he believed that Lady Fawn had insisted on Lucy's
departure; and of course, in such a case, Lucy must depart. He showed
the letter to his sister, and asked for advice. "How very
unfortunate!" said Ellinor.

"Yes; is it not?"

"I wonder what she said to Lord Fawn?"

"She would speak out very plainly."

"I suppose she has spoken out plainly, or otherwise they would never
have told her to go away. It seems so unlike what I have always heard
of Lady Fawn."

"Lucy can be very headstrong if she pleases," said Lucy's lover.
"What on earth had I better do for her? I don't suppose she can get
another place that would suit."

"If she is to be your wife, I don't think she should go into another
place. If it is quite fixed,--" she said, and then she looked into
her brother's face.

"Well; what then?"

"If you are sure you mean it--"

"Of course I mean it."

"Then she had better come here. As for her going out as a governess,
and telling the people that she is to be your wife in a few months,
that is out of the question. And it would, I think, be equally so
that she should go into any house and not tell the truth. Of course,
this would be the place for her." It was at last decided that Ellinor
should discuss the matter with her mother.

When the whole matter was unfolded to Mrs. Greystock, that lady was
more troubled than ever. If Lucy were to come to the deanery, she
must come as Frank's affianced bride, and must be treated as such by
all Bobsborough. The dean would be giving his express sanction to the
marriage, and so would Mrs. Greystock herself. She knew well that she
had no power of refusing her sanction. Frank must do as he pleased
about marrying. Were Lucy once his wife, of course she would be made
welcome to the best the deanery could give her. There was no doubt
about Lucy being as good as gold;--only that real g