annually imported back with her into the country somewhat of the passing civilization of the times—may we not say an idea that certainly was not erroneous? for how otherwise is it that the forms of new caps and remodeled shapes for women's waists find their way down into agricultural parts, and that the rural eye learns to appreciate grace and beauty? There are those who think that remodeled waists and new caps had better be kept to the towns; but such people, if they would follow out their own argument, would wish to see plowboys painted with ruddle and milkmaids covered with skins.
For these and other reasons Lady Lufton always went to London in April, and staid there till the beginning of June. But for her this was usually a period of penance. In London she was no very great personage. She had never laid herself out for greatness of that sort, and did not shine as a lady-patroness or state secretary in the female cabinet of fashion. She was dull and listless, and without congenial pursuits in London, and spent her happiest moments in reading accounts of what was being done at Framley, and in writing orders for farther local information of the same kind.
But on this occasion there was a matter of vital import to give an interest of its own to her visit to town. She was to entertain Griselda Grantly, and, as far as might be possible, to induce her son to remain in Griselda's society. The plan of the campaign was to be as follows. Mrs. Grantly and the archdeacon were in the first place to go up to London for a month, taking Griselda with them; and then, when they returned to Plumpstead, Griselda was to go to Lady Lufton. This arrangement was not at all points agreeable to Lady Lufton, for she knew that Mrs. Grantly did not turn her back on the Hartletop people quite as cordially as she should do, considering the terms of the Lufton-Grantly family treaty. But then Mrs. Grantly might have alleged in excuse the slow manner in which Lord Lufton proceeded in the making and declaring of his love, and the absolute necessity which there is for two strings to one's bow when one string may be in any way doubtful. Could it be possible that Mrs. Grantly had heard any thing of that unfortunate Platonic friendship with Lucy Robarts?
There came a letter from Mrs. Grantly just about the end of March which added much to Lady Lufton's uneasiness,
