‘Indeed he did; and Miss Mary told me the same this moment.’

’If master said so, then there ain’t a doubt as they’ll find him innocent.  And who took’d, Jane?’

‘Miss Mary says as nobody didn’t steal it.’

’That’s nonsense, Jane.  It stands to reason as somebody had it as hadn’t ought to have had it.  But I’m glad as anything as how the poor reverend gent’ll come off;—­I am.  They tells me it’s weeks sometimes before a bit of butcher’s meat finds its way into his house.’  Then the groom and the housemaid and the cook, one after another, took occasion to slip out of the back-door, and poor Jane, who had really been the owner of the news, was left to answer the bell.

Miss Walker found the two Miss Prettymans sitting together over their accounts in the elder Miss Prettyman’s private room.  And she could see at once by signs which were not unfamiliar to her that Miss Anne Prettyman was being scolded.  It often happened that Miss Anne Prettyman was scolded, especially when the accounts were brought out upon the table.  ‘Sister, they are illegible,’ Mary Walker heard, as the servant opened the door for her.

‘I don’t think it’s quite so bad as that,’ said Miss Anne, unable to restrain her defence.  Then, as Mary entered the room, Miss Prettyman the elder laid her hands down on certain books and papers as though to hide them from profane eyes.

‘I am glad to see you, Mary,’ said Miss Prettyman gravely.

‘I’ve brought such a piece of news,’ said Mary.  ’I knew you’d be glad to hear it, so I ventured to disturb you.’

‘Is it good news?’ said Anne Prettyman.

‘Very good news.  Mr Crawley is innocent.’

Both the ladies sprang on to their legs.  Even Miss Prettyman herself jumped up on to her legs.  ‘No!’ said Anne.  ’Your father has discovered it?’ said Miss Prettyman.

’Not exactly that.  Mr Toogood has come down from London to tell him.  Mr Toogood, you know, is Mr Crawley’s cousin; and he is a lawyer, like papa.’  It may be observed that ladies belonging to the families of solicitors always talk about lawyers, and never about attorneys or barristers.

‘And does Mr Toogood say that Mr Crawley is innocent?’ asked Miss Prettyman.

’He has heard it by a message from Mrs Arabin.  But you mustn’t mention this.  You won’t, please, because papa asked me not.  I told him that I should tell you.’  Then, for the first time, the frown passed away entirely from Miss Prettyman’s face, and the papers and account books were pushed aside, as being of no moment.  Mary continued her story almost in a whisper.  ’It was Mrs Arabin who sent the cheque to Mr Crawley.  She says so herself.  So that makes Mr Crawley quite innocent.  I am so glad.’

‘But isn’t it odd he didn’t say so?’ said Miss Prettyman.

‘Nevertheless, it’s true.’ said Mary.

‘Perhaps he forgot,’ said Anne Prettyman.

‘Men don’t forget such things as that,’ said the elder sister.