But, nevertheless, Grace was a pretty,
simple-looking girl, and clung to her ally closely, and seemed to
like being fondled. So that Lucy anxiously wished that Mr. Crawley
could be got rid of and the presents produced.
"I hope you have left Mr. Robarts quite well," said Mr. Crawley, with
a stiff, ceremonial voice, differing very much from that in which he
had so energetically addressed his brother clergyman when they were
alone together in the study at Framley. "He is quite well, thank you.
I suppose you have heard of his good fortune?"
"Yes; I have heard of it," said Mr. Crawley, gravely. "I hope that
his promotion may tend in every way to his advantage here and
hereafter." It seemed, however, to be manifest from the manner in
which he expressed his kind wishes, that his hopes and expectations
did not go hand-in-hand together.
"By the by, he desired us to say that he will call here to-morrow; at
about eleven, didn't he say, Fanny?"
"Yes; he wishes to see you about some parish business, I think," said
Mrs. Robarts, looking up for a moment from the anxious discussion in
which she was already engaged with Mrs. Crawley on nursery matters.
"Pray tell him," said Mr. Crawley, "that I shall be happy to see him;
though, perhaps, now that new duties have been thrown upon him, it
will be better that I should visit him at Framley.
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