‘That’s sheer nonsense,’ said the archdeacon.

‘It’s not nonsense at all,’ said Mrs Grantly.

‘Then I suppose I was to hold my tongue and say nothing?’ said the archdeacon; and as he spoke he banged the door between his dressing-room and Mrs Grantly’s bedroom.

On the first day of the new year Major Grantly spoke his mind to his mother.  The archdeacon had gone into Barchester, having in vain attempted to induce his son to go with him.  Mr Harding was in the library reading a little and sleeping a little, and dreaming of old days and old friends, and perhaps sometimes, of the old wine.  Mrs Grantly was alone in a small sitting-room which she frequented upstairs, when suddenly her son entered the room.  ‘Mother,’ he said, ’I think it better to tell you that I am going to Allington.’

‘To Allington, Henry?’ She knew very well who was at Allington, and what must be the business which would take him there.

’Yes, mother.  Miss Crawley is there, and there are circumstances which make it incumbent on me to see her without delay.’

‘What circumstances, Henry?’

’As I intend to ask her to be my wife, I think it best to do so now.  I owe it to her and to myself that she should not think I am deterred by her father’s position.’

’But would it not be reasonable that you should be deterred by her father’s position?’

’No, I think not.  I think it would be dishonest as well as ungenerous.  I cannot bring myself to brook such delay.  Of course I am alive to the misfortune which has fallen upon her—­upon her and me, too, should she ever become my wife.  But it is one of those burdens which a man should have shoulders broad enough to bear.’

’Quite so, if she were your wife, or even if you were engaged to her.  Then honour would require it of you, as well as affection.  As it is, your honour does not require it, and I think you should hesitate, for all our sakes, and especially for Edith’s.’

’It will do Edith no harm; and, mother, if you alone were concerned, I think you would feel that it would not hurt you.’

‘I was not thinking of myself, Henry.’

’As for my father, the very threats which he has made make me conscious that I have only to measure the price.  He has told me that he will stop my allowance.’

’But that may not be the worst.  Think how you are situated.  You are the younger son of a man who will be held to be justified in making an elder son, if he thinks fit to do so.’

’I can only hope that he will be fair to Edith.  If you will tell him that from me, it is all that I wish you to do.’

‘But you will see him yourself?’

’No, mother; not till I have been to Allington.  Then I will see him again or not, just as he pleases.  I shall stop at Guestwick, and will write to you a line from thence.  If my father decides on doing anything, let me know at once, as it will be necessary that I should get rid of the lease of my house.’