"Have I not said a kind word?"
"Not as yet, mother."
"I would not for worlds speak unkindly to you. If it were not for your father I would bid you bring whom you pleased home to me as your wife; and I would be as a mother to her. And if this girl should become your wife—"
"It shall not be my fault if she does not."
"I will try to love her—some day."
Then the major went, leaving Edith at the rectory, as requested by his mother. His own dog-cart and his servant were at Plumstead, and he drove himself home to Cosby Lodge.
When the archdeacon returned the news was told to him at once. "Henry has gone to Allington to propose to Miss Crawley," said Mrs. Grantly.
"Gone,—without speaking to me!"
"He left his love, and said that it was useless his remaining, as he knew he should only offend you."
"He has made his bed, and he must lie upon it," said the archdeacon. And then there was not another word said about Grace Crawley on that occasion.