‘Of course we know that it is possible,’ said Mrs Crawley.  Her voice was stern, and there was in it a tone almost of offence.  As she spoke she did not look at her visitor, but sat with her face averted and her arms akimbo on the table.

‘Yes;—­it is possible,’ said Lady Lufton.  ’I suppose there is not one in the county who does not truly wish it may not be so.  But it is right to be prepared for all alternatives.  In such case have you thought what you will do?’

‘I do not know what they would do to him,’ said she.

‘I suppose that for some time he would be—­’

‘Put in prison,’ said Mrs Crawley, speaking very quickly, bringing out the words with a sharp eagerness that was quite unusual to her.  ’They will send him to gaol.  Is it not so, Lady Lufton?’

’I suppose it would be so; not for long I should hope; but I presume that such would be the sentence for some short period.’

‘And I might not go with him?’

‘No, that would be impossible.’

’And the house, and the living; would they let him have them again when he came out?’

’Ah; that I cannot say.  That will depend much, probably, in what these clergymen will report.  I hope he will not put himself in opposition to them.’

’I do not know.  I cannot say.  It is probable that he may do so.  It is not easy for a man so injured as he has been, and one at the same time so great in intelligence, to submit himself gently to such inquiries.  When ill is being done to himself or others he is very prone to oppose it.’

‘But these gentlemen do not wish to do him ill, Mrs Crawley.’

’I cannot say.  I do not know.  When I think of it I see that there is nothing but ruin on every side.  What is the use of talking of it?  Do not be angry, Lady Lufton, if I say that it is of no use.’

’But I desire to be of use—­of real use.  If it should be the case, Mrs Crawley, that your husband should be—­detained at Barchester—­’

‘You mean imprisoned, Lady Lufton.’

’Yes, I mean imprisoned.  If it should be so, then do you bring yourself and your children—­all of them—­over to Framley, and I will find a home for you while he is lost to you.’

‘Oh, Lady Lufton, I could not do that.’

’Yes, you can.  You have not heard me yet.  It would not be a comfort to you in such a home as that to sit at table with people who are partly strangers to you.  But there is a cottage nearly adjoining to the house, which you shall have all to yourself.  The bailiff lived in it once, and others have lived in it who belong to the place; but it is empty now and it shall be made comfortable.’  The tears were now running down Mrs Crawley’s face, so that she could not answer a word.  ’Of course it is my son’s property, and not mine, but he has commissioned me to say that it is most heartily at your service.  He begs that in such a case you will occupy it.  And I beg the same.  And your old friend Lucy has desired me also to ask you in her name.’