CHAPTER XLIV 

The Philistines at the Parsonage 

It has been already told how things went on between the Tozers, Mr. Curling, and Mark Robarts during that month. Mr. Forrest had drifted out of the business altogether, as also had Mr. Sowerby, as far as any active participation in it went. Letters came frequently from Mr. Curling to the parsonage, and at last came a message by special mission to say that the evil day was at hand. As far as Mr. Curling's professional experience would enable him to anticipate or foretell the proceedings of such a man as Tom Tozer, he thought that the sheriff's officers would be at Framley parsonage on the following morning. Mr. Curling's experience did not mislead him in this respect. "And what will you do, Mark?" said Fanny, speaking through her tears, after she had read the letter which her husband handed to her. 

"Nothing. What can I do? They must come." 

"Lord Lufton came to-day. Will you not go to him?" 

"No. If I were to do so it would be the same as asking him for the money." 

"Why not borrow it of him, dearest? Surely it would not be so much for him to lend." 

"I could not do it. Think of Lucy, and how she stands with him. Besides, I have already had words with Lufton about Sowerby and his money matters. He thinks that I am to blame, and he would tell me so; and then there would be sharp things said between us. He would advance me the money if I pressed for it, but he would do so in a way that would make it impossible that I should take it." 
Who thinks he should take it?
Why not borrow it of him, dearest? Surely it would not be so much for him to lend." 