Chaldicotes lay next to the duke’s territory, and the duke had wished to buy Chaldicotes.  When Chaldicotes slipped through the duke’s fingers and went into the hands of Dr Thorne—­or of Dr Thorne’s wife—­the duke had been very angry with Mr Fothergill.  Hence it had come to pass that there had not always been smoothness between the duke’s people and the Chaldicotes people.  It was now rumoured that Dr Thorne intended to stand for the county on the next vacancy, and that did not tend to make things smoother.  On the right hand of Lord Lufton sat Lord George and Mr Fothergill, and beyond Mr Fothergill sat Mr Walker, and beyond Mr Walker sat Mr Walker’s clerk.  On the left hand of the chairman were Dr Tempest and Dr Thorne, and a little lower down was Mr Zachary Winthrop, who held the situation of clerk to the magistrates.  Many people in Silverbridge said that this was all wrong, as Mr Winthrop was partner with Mr Walker, who was always employed before the magistrates if there was any employment going for an attorney.  For this, however, Mr Walker cared very little.  He had so much of his own way in Silverbridge, that he was supposed to care nothing for anybody.

There were many other gentlemen in the room, and some who knew Mr Crawley with more or less intimacy.  He, however, took notice of no one, and when one friend, who had really known him well, came up behind and spoke to him gently leaning over his chair the poor man barely recognised his friend.

‘I’m sure your husband won’t forget me,’ said Mr Robarts, the clergyman at Framley, as he gave his hand to that lady across the back of Mr Crawley’s chair.

’No, Mr Robarts, he does not forget you.  But you must excuse him if at this moment he is not quite himself.  It is a trying situation for a clergyman.’

’I can understand all that; but I’ll tell you why I have come.  I suppose this inquiry will finish the whole affair, and clear up whatever may be the difficulty.  But should it not be so, it may be just possible, Mrs Crawley, that something may be said about bail.  I don’t understand much about it, and I daresay you do not either; but if there should be anything of that sort, let Mr Crawley name me.  A brother clergyman will be best, and I’ll have some other gentleman with me.’  Then he left without waiting for an answer.

At the same time there was a conversation going on between Mr Walker and another attorney standing behind him, Mr Mason.  ‘I’ll go to him,’ said Walker, ‘and try to arrange it.’  So Mr Walker seated himself in the empty chair beside Mr Crawley, and endeavoured to explain to the wretched man, that he would do well to allow Mr Mason to assist him.  Mr Crawley seemed to listen to all that was said, and then turned to the speaker sharply:  ‘I will have no one to assist me,’ he said so loudly that everyone in the room heard the words.  ’I am innocent.  Why should I want assistance?  Nor have I the money to pay for it.’  Mr