"I suppose you're tolerably safe in East Barsetshire?" said Robarts. "The duke has it pretty much his own way there."
"Yes, the duke does have it pretty much his own way. By-the-by, where is your brother?"
"At home," said Robarts; "at least I presume so."
"At Framley or at Barchester? I believe he was in residence at Barchester not long since."
"He's at Framley now, I know. I got a letter only yesterday from his wife, with a commission. He was there, and Lord Lufton had just left."
"Yes, Lufton was down. He started for Norway this morning. I want to see your brother. You have not heard from him yourself, have you?"
"No, not lately. Mark is a bad correspondent. He would not do at all for a private secretary."
"At any rate, not to Harold Smith. But you are sure I should not catch him at Barchester?"
"Send down by telegraph, and he would meet you."
"I don't want to do that. A telegraph message makes such a fuss in the country, frightening people's wives, and setting all the horses about the place galloping."
"What is it about?"
"Nothing of any great consequence. I didn't know whether he might have told you. I'll write down by tonight's post, and then he can meet me at Barchester to-morrow. Or do you write. There's nothing I hate so much as letter-writing. Just tell him that I called, and that I shall be much obliged if he can meet me at the Dragon of Wantley—say at two to-morrow. I will go down by the express."
Mark Robarts, in talking over this coming money trouble with Sowerby, had once mentioned that if it were necessary to take up the bill for a short time he might be able to borrow the money from his brother. So much of the father's legacy still remained in the hands of the private secretary as would enable him to produce the amount of the latter bill, and there could be no doubt that he would lend it if asked. Mr. Sowerby's visit to the Petty Bag Office had been caused by a desire to learn whether any such request had been made, and also by a half-formed resolution to make the request himself if he should find that the clergyman had not done so. It seemed to him to be
