" And then Lady Lufton entered the room, and
Miss Dunstable came forward to meet her with more quiet respect in
her manner than she had as yet shown to many of her guests. "I am
much obliged to you for coming, Lady Lufton," she said, "and the more
so, for bringing Miss Grantly with you." Lady Lufton uttered some
pretty little speech, during which Dr. Thorne came up and shook hands
with her; as did also Frank Gresham and his wife. There was a county
acquaintance between the Framley people and the Greshamsbury people,
and therefore there was a little general conversation before Lady
Lufton passed out of the small room into what Mrs. Proudie would have
called the noble suite of apartments. "Papa will be here," said Miss
Grantly; "at least so I understand. I have not seen him yet myself."
"Oh, yes, he has promised me," said Miss Dunstable; "and the
archdeacon, I know, will keep his word. I should by no means have the
proper ecclesiastical balance without him."
"Papa always does keep his word," said Miss Grantly, in a tone that
was almost severe. She had not at all understood poor Miss
Dunstable's little joke, or at any rate she was too dignified to
respond to it.
"I understand that old Sir John is to accept the Chiltern Hundreds at
once," said Lady Lufton, in a half whisper to Frank Gresham.
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