"
It had been decided between the squire and Mrs Dale that the removal
from the Small House to Guestwick was not to take place till the
first of May. When he had been made to understand that Dr Crofts had
thought it injudicious that Lily should be taken out of their present
house in March, he had used all the eloquence of which he was master
to induce Mrs Dale to consent to abandon her project. He had told her
that he had always considered that house as belonging, of right, to
some other of the family than himself; that it had always been so
inhabited, and that no squire of Allington had for years past taken
rent for it. "There is no favour conferred,--none at all," he had
said; but speaking nevertheless in his usual sharp, ungenial tone.
"There is a favour, a great favour, and great generosity," Mrs Dale
had replied. "And I have never been too proud to accept it; but when
I tell you that we think we shall be happier at Guestwick, you will
not refuse to let us go. Lily has had a great blow in that house,
and Bell feels that she is running counter to your wishes on her
behalf,--wishes that are so very kind!"
"No more need be said about that.
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