Lady Lufton would do much, very much, indeed, for her friends at the parsonage; but not even for them could she permit her son's prospects in life to be endangered.

There was nothing more said between them, and Mrs.Robarts got up to take her leave, having promised to speak to Lucy.
"You manage everything so perfectly," said Lady Lufton, as she pressed Mrs.Robarts's hand, "that I am quite at ease now that I find you will agree with me." Mrs.Robarts did not exactly agree with her ladyship, but she hardly thought it worth her while to say so.

Mrs.
Robarts immediately started off on her walk to her own home, and when she had got out of the grounds into the road, where it makes a turn towards the parsonage, nearly opposite to Podgens' shop, she saw Lord Lufton on horseback, and Lucy standing beside him.

It was already nearly five o'clock, and it was getting dusk; but as she approached, or rather as she came suddenly within sight of them, she could see that they were in close conversation.

Lord Lufton's face was towards her, and his horse was standing still; he was leaning over towards his companion, and the whip, which he held in his right hand, hung almost over her arm and down her back, as though his hand had touched and perhaps rested on her shoulder.