‘Lady Lufton, I could not do that,’ said Mrs Crawley through her tears.

’You must think better of it, my dear.  I do not scruple to advise you, because I am older than you, and have experience of the world.’  This, I think, taken in the ordinary sense of the words, was a boast on the part of Lady Lufton, for which but little true pretence existed.  Lady Lufton’s experience of the world at large was not perhaps extensive.  Nevertheless she knew what one women might offer to another, and what one woman might receive from another.  ’You would be better over with me, my dear, than you could be elsewhere.  You will not misunderstand me if I say that, under such circumstances, it would do your husband good that you and your children should be under our protection during his period of temporary seclusion.  We stand well in the county.  Perhaps I ought not to say so, but I do not know how otherwise to explain myself; and when it is known, by the bishop and others, that you have come to us during that sad time, it will be understood that we think well of Mr Crawley, in spite of anything a jury may say of him.  Do you see that, my dear?  And we do think well of him.  I have known of your husband for many years, though I have not personally had the pleasure of much acquaintance with him.  He was over at Framley once at my request, and I had great occasion to respect him.  I do respect him; and I shall feel grateful to him if he will allow you to put yourself and your children under my wing, as being an old woman, should this misfortune fall upon him.  We hope that it will not fall upon him; but it is always well to be provided for the worst.’

In this way Lady Lufton at last made her speech and opened out the proposal with which she had come laden to Hogglestock.  While she was speaking Mrs Crawley’s shoulder was still turned to her; but the speaker could see that the quick tears were pouring themselves down the cheeks of the woman whom she addressed.  There was a downright honesty of thorough-going well-wishing charity about the proposition which overcame Mrs Crawley altogether.  She did not feel for a moment that it would be possible for her to go to Framley in such circumstances as those which had been suggested.  As she thought of it all at the present moment, it seemed to her that her only appropriate home during the terrible period which was coming upon her, would be under the walls of the prison in which her husband would be incarcerated.  But she fully appreciated the kindness which had suggested a measure, which, if carried into execution, would make the outside world feel that her husband was respected in the county, despite the degradation to which he was subjected.  She felt all this, but her heart was too full to speak.

‘Say that it shall be so, my dear,’ continued Lady Lufton.  ’Just give me one nod of assent, and the cottage shall be ready for you should it so chance that you should require it.’