I must go down to Framley before I start--about
my horses: and therefore I came to tell you that I shall be there
to-morrow."
"At Framley to-morrow! If you could put it off for three days I
should be going myself." But Lord Lufton could not put it off for
three days. It may be that on this occasion he did not wish for his
mother's presence at Framley while he was there; that he conceived
that he should be more at his ease in giving orders about his stable
if he were alone while so employed. At any rate he declined her
company, and on the following morning did go down to Framley by
himself.
"Mark," said Mrs. Robarts, hurrying into her husband's book-room
about the middle of the day, "Lord Lufton is at home. Have you heard
it?"
"What! here at Framley?"
"He is over at Framley Court; so the servants say. Carson saw him in
the paddock with some of the horses. Won't you go and see him?"
"Of course I will," said Mark, shutting up his papers. "Lady Lufton
can't be here, and if he is alone he will probably come and dine."
"I don't know about that," said Mrs. Robarts, thinking of poor Lucy.
"He is not in the least particular. What does for us will do for
him. I shall ask him, at any rate." And without further parley the
clergyman took up his hat and went off in search of his friend.
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