‘I never took him for a fool.’

’I have no doubt all his own people do;—­or they will, when they hear of it.  But, mamma, she will grow to be big enough to walk atop all the Lady Hartletops in England.  It will all come right at last.’

‘You think it will?’

’Oh, yes.  Why should it not?  If he is worth having, it will;—­and I think he is worth having.  He must wait till this horrid trial is over.  It is clear to me that Grace thinks her father will be convicted.’

‘But he cannot have taken the money.’

’I think he took it, and I think it wasn’t his.  But I don’t think he stole it.  I don’t know whether you can understand the difference.’

‘I am afraid a jury won’t understand it.’

’A jury of men will not.  I wish they could put you and me on it, mamma.  I would take my best boots and eat them down to the heels, for Grace’s sake, and for Major Grantly’s.  What a good-looking man he is!’

‘Yes, he is.’

’And so like a gentleman!  I’ll tell you what, mamma; we won’t say anything to her about him for the present.  Her heart will be so full she will be driven to talk, and we can comfort her better in that way.’  The mother and daughter agreed to act upon these tactics and nothing more was said to Grace about her lover on that evening.

Major Grantly walked from Mrs Dale’s house to the inn and ordered his gig, and drove himself out of Allington, almost without remembering where he was or whither he was going.  He was thinking solely of what had just occurred, and of what, on his part, should follow as the result of that meeting.  Half at least of the noble deeds done in this world are due to emulation, rather than to the native nobility of the actors.  A young man leads a forlorn hope because another young man has offered to do so.  Jones in the hunting-field rides at an impracticable fence because he is told Smith took it three years ago.  And Walker puts his name down for ten guineas at a charitable dinner when he hears Thompson’s read out for five.  And in this case the generosity and self-denial shown by Grace warmed and cherished similar virtues within her lover’s breast.  Some few weeks ago Major Grantly had been in doubt as to what his duty required of him in reference to Grace Crawley; but he had no doubt whatsoever now.  In the fervour of his admiration he would have gone straight to the archdeacon, had it been possible, and have told him what he had done and what he intended to do.  Nothing now should stop him;—­no consideration, that is, either as regarded money or position.  He had pledged himself solemnly, and he was very glad that he had pledged himself.  He would write to Grace and explain to her that he trusted altogether in her father’s honour and innocence, but that no consideration as to that ought to influence either him or her in any way.  If, independently of her father, she could bring herself to come to him and be his wife, she was bound to do so now, let the position of her father be what it might.  And thus, as he drove his gig back towards Guestwick, he composed a very pretty letter to the lady of his love.