Robarts was not the only one she
had to complete that day, nor, perhaps, the one most difficult of
completion. But she cheered up a little under the praise now bestowed
on her, for it was the sort of praise she loved best. She did hope,
and perhaps flatter herself, that she was a good friend.
"You must be good enough, then, to gratify my friendship by coming up
to dinner this evening; and Fanny, too, of course. I cannot take any
excuse, for the matter is completely arranged. I have a particular
reason for wishing it." These last violent injunctions had been added
because Lady Lufton had seen a refusal rising in the parson's face.
Poor Lady Lufton! Her enemies--for even she had enemies--used to
declare of her, that an invitation to dinner was the only method of
showing itself of which her good-humour was cognizant. But let me ask
of her enemies whether it is not as good a method as any other known
to be extant? Under such orders as these obedience was of course a
necessity, and he promised that he, with his wife, would come across
to dinner. And then, when he went away, Lady Lufton ordered her
carriage.
During these doings at Framley, Lucy Robarts still remained at
Hogglestock, nursing Mrs. Crawley. Nothing occurred to take her back
to Framley, for the same note from Fanny which gave her the first
tidings of the arrival of the Philistines told her also of their
departure--and also of the source from whence relief had reached
them.
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