It so happened that he encountered the younger Miss Prettyman in the hall.  It would not at all have suited him to reveal to her the purport of his visit, or ask her to assist his suit or receive his apologies.  Miss Anne Prettyman was too common a personage in the Silverbridge world to be fit for such employment.  Miss Anne Prettyman was, indeed, herself submissive to him, and treated him with the courtesy which is due to a superior being.  He therefore simply asked her whether he could be allowed to see her sister.

’Surely, Major Grantly;—­that is, I think so.  It is a little early, but I think she can receive you.’

‘It is early, I know; but as I want to say a word or two on business—­’

’Oh, on business.  I am sure she will see you on business; she will only be too proud.  If you will be kind enough to step in here for two minutes.’  Then Miss Anne, having deposited the major in the little parlour, ran upstairs with her message to her sister.  ’Of course it’s about Grace Crawley’ she said to herself as she went.  ’It can’t be about anything else.  I wonder what he’s going to say.  If he’s going to pop, and the father in all this trouble, he’s the finest fellow that ever trod.’  Such were her thoughts as she tapped at the door and announced in the presence of Grace that there was somebody in the hall.

‘It’s Major Grantly,’ whispered Anne, as soon as Grace had shut the door behind her.

’So I suppose by your telling her not to go into the hall.  What has he come to say?’

’How on earth can I tell you that, Annabella?  But I suppose he can have only one thing to say after all that has come and gone.  He can only have come with one object.’

’He wouldn’t have come to me for that.  He would have asked to see herself.’

‘She never goes out now, and he can’t see her.’

‘Or he would have gone to them over at Hogglestock,’ said Miss Prettyman.  ’But of course he must come up now he is here.  Would you mind telling him?  Of shall I ring the bell?’

’I’ll tell him.  We need not make more fuss than necessary, with the servants, you know.  I suppose I’d better not come back with him?’

There was a tone of supplication in the younger sister’s voice as she made the last suggestion, which ought to have melted the heart of the elder; but it was unavailing.  ’As he has asked to see me, I think you had better not,’ said Annabella.  Miss Anne Prettyman bore her cross meekly, offered no argument on the subject, and returning to the little parlour where she had left the major, brought him upstairs, and ushered him into her sister’s room without even entering it again, herself.