Nothing that was
confidential, and very little that was loving, could be said at the
moment, because Mr. Crawley was there, waiting to bid Miss Robarts
adieu; and he had not as yet been informed of what was to be the
future fate of his visitor. So they could only press each other's
hands and embrace, which to Lucy was almost a relief; for even to
her sister-in-law she hardly as yet knew how to speak openly on this
subject.
"May God Almighty bless you, Miss Robarts," said Mr. Crawley, as
he stood in his dingy sitting-room ready to lead her out to the
pony-carriage. "You have brought sunshine into this house, even in
the time of sickness, when there was no sunshine; and He will bless
you. You have been the Good Samaritan, binding up the wounds of the
afflicted, pouring in oil and balm. To the mother of my children you
have given life, and to me you have brought light, and comfort, and
good words,--making my spirit glad within me as it had not been
gladdened before. All this hath come of charity, which vaunteth not
itself and is not puffed up. Faith and hope are great and beautiful,
but charity exceedeth them all." And having so spoken, instead of
leading her out, he went away and hid himself. How Puck behaved
himself as Fanny drove him back to Framley, and how those two ladies
in the carriage behaved themselves--of that, perhaps, nothing further
need be said.
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