第6章

\'Dorothy——wherewouldyouratherlive，always；withme，orwithher?\'

Thelittlegirllookedtroubled。\'Iamsorry，mamma；Idon\'tmeantobeunkind；butIwouldratherlivewithher；Imean，ifImightwithouttrouble，andyoudidnotmind，anditcouldbejustthesametousall，youknow。\'

\'Hassheeveraskedyouthesamequestion?\'

\'Never，mamma。\'

Therelaythestingofit:theCountessseemedthesoulofhonourandfairnessinthismatter，testherasshemight。ThatafternoonLadyMottisfontwenttoherhusbandwithsingularfirmnessuponhergentleface。

\'Ashley，wehavebeenmarriednearlyfiveyears，andIhaveneverchallengedyouwithwhatIknowperfectlywell——theparentageofDorothy。\'

\'Neverhaveyou，Philippadear。ThoughIhaveseenthatyouknewfromthefirst。\'

\'Fromthefirstastoherfather，notastohermother。HerIdidnotknowforsometime；butIknownow。\'

\'Ah!youhavediscoveredthattoo?\'sayshe，withoutmuchsurprise。

\'CouldIhelpit?Verywell，thatbeingso，Ihavethoughtitover；

andIhavespokentoDorothy。Iagreetohergoing。IcandonolessthangranttotheCountessherwish，afterherkindnesstomy——

your——her——child。\'

Thenthisself-sacrificingwomanwenthastilyawaythathemightnotseethatherheartwasbursting；andthereupon，beforetheyleftthecity，Dorothychangedhermotherandherhome。Afterthis，theCountesswentawaytoLondonforawhile，takingDorothywithher；

andthebaronetandhiswifereturnedtotheirlonelyplaceatDeansleighParkwithouther。

TorenounceDorothyinthebustleofBathwasadifferentthingfromlivingwithoutherinthisquiethome。OneeveningSirAshleymissedhiswifefromthesupper-table；hermannerhadbeensopensiveandwoefuloflatethatheimmediatelybecamealarmed。Hesaidnothing，butlookedaboutoutsidethehousenarrowly，anddiscernedherforminthepark，whererecentlyshehadbeenaccustomedtowalkalone。Initslowerlevelstherewasapoolfedbyatricklingbrook，andhereachedthisspotintimetohearasplash。Runningforward，hedimlyperceivedherlightgownfloatinginthewater。Topullheroutwastheworkofafewinstants，andbearingherindoorstoherroom，heundressedher，nobodyinthehouseknowingoftheincidentbuthimself。Shehadnotbeenimmersedlongenoughtolosehersenses，andsoonrecovered。SheownedthatshehaddoneitbecausetheContessahadtakenawayherchild，asshepersistedincallingDorothy。Herhusbandspokesternlytoher，andimpresseduponhertheweaknessofgivingwaythus，whenallthathadhappenedwasforthebest。Shetookhisreproofmeekly，andadmittedherfault。

Afterthatshebecamemoreresigned，butheoftencaughtherintearsoversomedoll，shoe，orribbonofDorothy\'s，anddecidedtotakehertotheNorthofEnglandforchangeofairandscene。Thiswasnotwithoutitsbeneficialeffect，corporeallynolessthanmentally，aslatereventsshowed，butshestillevincedapreternaturalsharpnessofearatthemostcasualmentionofthechild。Whentheyreachedhome，theCountessandDorothywerestillabsentfromtheneighbouringFernellHall，butinamonthortwotheyreturned，andalittlelaterSirAshleyMottisfontcameintohiswife\'sroomfullofnews。

\'Well——wouldyouthinkit，Philippa!Afterbeingsodesperate，too，aboutgettingDorothytobewithher!\'

\'Ah——what?\'

\'Ourneighbour，theCountess，isgoingtobemarriedagain!ItistosomebodyshehasmetinLondon。\'

LadyMottisfontwasmuchsurprised；shehadneverdreamtofsuchanevent。TheconflictforthepossessionofDorothy\'spersonhadobscuredthepossibilityofit；yetwhatmorelikely，theCountessbeingstillunderthirty，andsogood-looking?

\'Whatisofstillmoreinteresttous，ortoyou，\'continuedherhusband，\'isakindoffershehasmade。SheiswillingthatyoushouldhaveDorothybackagain。Seeingwhatagriefthelossofherhasbeentoyou，shewilltrytodowithouther。\'

\'Itisnotforthat；itisnottoobligeme，\'saidLadyMottisfontquickly。\'Onecanseewellenoughwhatitisfor!\'

\'Well，nevermind；beggarsmustn\'tbechoosers。Thereasonormotiveisnothingtous，sothatyouobtainyourdesire。\'

\'Iamnotabeggaranylonger，\'saidLadyMottisfont，withproudmystery。

\'Whatdoyoumeanbythat?\'

LadyMottisfonthesitated。However，itwasonlytooplainthatshedidnotnowjumpatarestitutionofoneforwhomsomemonthsbeforeshehadbeenbreakingherheart。

Theexplanationofthischangeofmoodbecameapparentsomelittletimefartheron。LadyMottisfont，afterfiveyearsofweddedlife，wasexpectingtobecomeamother，andtheaspectofmanythingswasgreatlyalteredinherview。AmongthemoreimportantchangeswasthatofnolongerfeelingDorothytobeabsolutelyindispensabletoherexistence。

Meanwhile，inviewofhercomingmarriage，theCountessdecidedtoabandontheremainderofhertermatFernellHall，andreturntoherprettylittlehouseintown。Butshecouldnotdothisquitesoquicklyasshehadexpected，andhalfayearormoreelapsedbeforeshefinallyquittedtheneighbourhood，theintervalbeingpassedinalternationsbetweenthecountryandLondon。PriortoherlastdepartureshehadaninterviewwithSirAshleyMottisfont，anditoccurredthreedaysafterhiswifehadpresentedhimwithasonandheir。

\'Iwantedtospeaktoyou，\'saidtheCountess，lookinghimluminouslyintheface，\'aboutthedearfoundlingIhaveadoptedtemporarily，andthoughttohaveadoptedpermanently。Butmymarriagemakesittoorisky!\'

\'Ithoughtitmightbethat，\'heanswered，regardinghersteadfastlybackagain，andobservingtwotearscomeslowlyintohereyesassheheardherownvoicedescribeDorothyinthosewords。

\'Don\'tcriticizeme，\'shesaidhastily；andrecoveringherself，wenton。\'IfLadyMottisfontcouldtakeherbackagain，asIsuggested，itwouldbebetterforme，andcertainlynoworseforDorothy。ToeveryonebutourselvessheisbutachildIhavetakenafancyto，andLadyMottisfontcovetedhersomuch，andwasveryreluctanttolethergo……Iamsureshewilladoptheragain?\'sheaddedanxiously。

\'Iwillsoundherafresh，\'saidthebaronet。\'YouleaveDorothybehindforthepresent?\'

\'Yes；althoughIgoaway，Idonotgiveupthehouseforanothermonth。\'

Hedidnotspeaktohiswifeabouttheproposaltillsomefewdaysafter，whenLadyMottisfonthadnearlyrecovered，andnewsoftheCountess\'smarriageinLondonhadjustreachedthem。HehadnosoonermentionedDorothy\'snamethanLadyMottisfontshowedsymptomsofdisquietude。

\'IhavenotacquiredanydislikeofDorothy，\'shesaid，\'butIfeelthatthereisonenearertomenow。DorothychosethealternativeofgoingtotheCountess，youmustremember，whenIputittoherasbetweentheCountessandmyself。\'

\'But，mydearPhilippa，howcanyouarguethusaboutachild，andthatchildourDorothy?\'

\'NotOURS，\'saidhiswife，pointingtothecot。\'Oursishere。\'

\'What，then，Philippa，\'hesaid，surprised，\'youwon\'thaveherback，afternearlydyingofgriefatthelossofher?\'

\'Icannotargue，dearAshley。IshouldprefernottohavetheresponsibilityofDorothyagain。Herplaceisfillednow。\'

Herhusbandsighed，andwentoutofthechamber。TherehadbeenapreviousarrangementthatDorothyshouldbebroughttothehouseonavisitthatday，butinsteadoftakingheruptohiswife，hedidnotinformLadyMottisfontofthechild\'spresence。Heentertainedherhimselfaswellashecould，andaccompaniedherintothepark，wheretheyhadarambletogether。Presentlyhesatdownontherootofanelmandtookheruponhisknee。

\'Betweenthishusbandandthisbaby，littleDorothy，youwhohadtwohomesareleftoutinthecold，\'hesaid。

\'Can\'tIgotoLondonwithmyprettymamma?\'saidDorothy，perceivingfromhismannerthattherewasahitchsomewhere。

\'Iamafraidnot，mychild。Sheonlytookyoutolivewithherbecauseshewaslonely，youknow。\'

\'Thencan\'tIstayatDeansleighParkwithmyothermammaandyou?\'

\'Iamafraidthatcannotbedoneeither，\'saidhesadly。\'Wehaveababyinthehousenow。\'Heclosedthereplybystoopingdownandkissingher，therebeingatearinhiseye。

\'Thennobodywantsme!\'saidDorothypathetically。

\'Ohyes，somebodywantsyou，\'heassuredher。\'Wherewouldyouliketolivebesides?\'

Dorothy\'sexperiencesbeingratherlimited，shementionedtheonlyotherplaceintheworldthatshewasacquaintedwith，thecottageofthevillagerwhohadtakencareofherbeforeLadyMottisfonthadremovedhertotheManorHouse。

\'Yes；that\'swhereyou\'llbebestoffandmostindependent，\'heanswered。\'AndI\'llcometoseeyou，mydeargirl，andbringyouprettythings；andperhapsyou\'llbejustashappythere。\'

Nevertheless，whenthechangecame，andDorothywashandedovertothekindcottage-woman，thepoorchildmissedtheluxuriousroominessofFernellHallandDeansleigh；andforalongtimeherlittlefeet，whichhadbeenaccustomedtocarpetsandoakfloors，sufferedfromthecoldofthestoneflagsonwhichitwasnowherlottoliveandtoplay；whilechilblainscameuponherfingerswithwashingatthepump。Butthickershoeswithnailsinthemsomewhatremediedthecoldfeet，andhercomplaintsandtearsonthisandotherscoresdiminishedtosilenceasshebecameinuredanewtothehardshipsofthefarm-cottage，andshegrewuprobustifnothandsome。ShewasneveraltogetherlostsightofbySirAshley，thoughshewasdeprivedofthesystematiceducationwhichhadbeendevisedandbegunforherbyLadyMottisfont，aswellasbyherothermamma，theenthusiasticCountess。ThelattersoonhadotherDorothystothinkof，whooccupiedhertimeandaffectionasfullyasLadyMottisfont\'swereoccupiedbyherpreciousboy。Inthecourseoftimethedoubly-desiredanddoubly-rejectedDorothymarried，Ibelieve，arespectableroad-contractor——thesame，ifI

mistakenot，whorepairedandimprovedtheoldhighwayrunningfromWintoncestersouth-westerlythroughtheNewForest——andintheheartofthisworthymanofbusinessthepoorgirlfoundthenestwhichhadbeendeniedherbyherownfleshandbloodofhigherdegree。

Severalofthelistenerswishedtohearanotherstoryfromthesentimentalmemberafterthis，buthesaidthathecouldrecallnothingelseatthemoment，andthatitseemedtohimasifhisfriendontheothersideofthefireplacehadsomethingtosayfromthelookofhisface。

Thememberalludedtowasarespectablechurchwarden，withaslychinktooneeyelid——possiblytheresultofanaccident——andaregularattendantattheClubmeetings。Herepliedthathislookshadbeenmainlycausedbyhisinterestinthetwoladiesofthelaststory，apparentlywomenofstrongmotherlyinstincts，eventhoughtheywerenotgenuinelystaunchintheirtenderness。Thetalehadbroughttohismindaninstanceofafirmeraffectionofthatsortonthepaternalside，inanatureotherwiseculpable。Asfortellingthestory，hismannerwasmuchagainsthim，hefeared；buthewoulddohisbest，iftheywished。

HerethePresidentinterposedwithasuggestionthatasitwasgettinglateintheafternoonitwouldbeaswelltoadjourntotheirrespectiveinnsandlodgingsfordinner，afterwhichthosewhocaredtodosocouldreturnandresumethesecuriousdomestictraditionsfortheremainderoftheevening，whichmightotherwiseproveirksomeenough。Thecuratorhadtoldhimthattheroomwasattheirservice。Thechurchwarden，whowasbeginningtofeelhungryhimself，readilyacquiesced，andtheClubseparatedforanhourandahalf。Thenthefaithfulonesbegantodropinagain——amongwhomwerenotthePresident；neithercametheruraldean，northetwocurates，thoughtheColonel，andthemanoffamily，cigarsinmouth，weregoodenoughtoreturn，havingfoundtheirhoteldreary。Themuseumhadnoregularmeansofillumination，andasolitarycandle，lesspowerfulthantheraysofthefire，wasplacedonthetable；

alsobottlesandglasses，providedbysomethoughtfulmember。Thechink-eyedchurchwarden，nowthoroughlyprimed，proceededtorelateinhisowntermswhatwasinsubstanceasfollows，whilemanyofhislistenerssmoked。

DAMETHEFIFTHTHELADYICENWAY

BytheChurchwardenInthereignofHisMostExcellentMajestyKingGeorgetheThird，DefenderoftheFaithandoftheAmericanColonies，therelivedin\'afairemaner-place\'(soLelandcalleditinhisday，asIhavebeentold)，inoneo\'thegreenestbitsofwoodlandbetweenBristolandthecityofExonbury，ayoungladywhoresembledsomeaforesaidonesinhavingmanytalentsandexceedinggreatbeauty。Withthesegiftsshecombinedasomewhatimperioustemperandarbitrarymind，thoughherexperienceoftheworldwasnotactuallysolargeasherconclusivemannerwouldhaveledthestrangertosuppose。Beinganorphan，sheresidedwithheruncle，who，thoughhewasfairlyconsiderateastoherwelfare，leftherprettymuchtoherself。

Nowitchancedthatwhenthislovelyyoungladywasaboutnineteen，she(beingafearlesshorsewoman)wasriding，withonlyayoungladasanattendant，inoneo\'thewoodsnearheruncle\'shouse，and，introttingalong，herhorsestumbledovertherootofafelledtree。

Sheslippedtotheground，notseriouslyhurt，andwasassistedhomebyagentlemanwhocameinviewatthemomentofhermishap。Itturnedoutthatthisgentleman，atotalstrangertoher，wasonavisitatthehouseofaneighbouringlandowner。HewasofDutchextraction，andoccasionallycametoEnglandonbusinessorpleasurefromhisplantationsinGuiana，onthenorthcoastofSouthAmerica，whereheusuallyresided。

OnthisaccounthewasnaturallybutlittleknowninWessex，andwasbutaslightacquaintanceofthegentlemanatwhosemansionhewasaguest。However，thefriendshipbetweenhimandtheHeymeres——astheuncleandniecewerenamed——warmedandwarmedbydegrees，therebeingbutfewfolko\'noteinthevicinityatthattime，whichmadeanewcomer，ifhewereatallsociableandofgoodcredit，alwayssureofawelcome。Atenderfeeling(asitiscalledbytheromantic)sprangupbetweenthetwoyoungpeople，whichripenedintointimacy。Anderling，theforeigngentleman，wasofanamoroustemperament；and，thoughheendeavouredtoconcealhisfeeling，itcouldbeseenthatMissMariaHeymerehadimpressedhimrathermoredeeplythanwouldberepresentedbyascratchuponastone。Heseemedabsolutelyunabletofreehimselffromherfascination；andhisinabilitytodoso，muchashetried——evidentlythinkinghehadnottheghostofachancewithher——gaveherthepleasureofpower；

thoughshemorethansympathizedwhensheoverheardhimheavinghisdeepdrawnsighs——privatelytohimself，ashesupposed。

Afterprolonginghisvisitbyeveryconceivableexcuseinhispower，hesummonedcourage，andofferedherhishandandhisheart。Beinginnowaydisinclinedtohim，thoughnotsofervidashe，andherunclemakingnoobjectiontothematch，sheconsentedtosharehisfate，forbetterorotherwise，inthedistantcolonywhere，asheassuredher，hisrice，andcoffee，andmaize，andtimber，producedhimamplemeans——astatementwhichwasborneoutbyhisfriend，heruncle\'sneighbour。Inshort，adayfortheirmarriagewasfixed，earlierintheengagementthanisusualordesirablebetweencomparativestrangers，byreasonofthenecessityhewasunderofreturningtolookafterhisproperties。

Theweddingtookplace，andMarialeftheruncle\'smansionwithherhusband，goinginthefirstplacetoLondon，andaboutafortnightaftersailingwithhimacrossthegreatoceanfortheirdistanthome——which，however，heassuredher，shouldnotbeherhomeforlong，itbeinghisintentiontodisposeofhisinterestsinthispartoftheworldassoonasthewarwasover，andhecoulddosoadvantageously；whentheycouldcometoEurope，andresideinsomefavouritecapital。

Astheyadvancedonthevoyagesheobservedthathegrewmoreandmoreconstrained；and，bythetimetheyhadcrossedtheLine，hewasquitedepressed，justashehadbeenbeforeproposingtoher。AdayortwobeforelandingatParamaribo，heembracedherinaverytearfulandpassionatemanner，andsaidhewishedtomakeaconfession。Ithadbeenhismisfortune，hesaid，tomarryatQuebecinearlylifeawomanwhosereputationprovedtobeineverywaybadandscandalous。Thediscoveryhadnearlykilledhim；buthehadultimatelyseparatedfromher，andhadneverseenhersince。Hehadhopedandprayedshemightbedead；butrecentlyinLondon，whentheywerestartingonthisjourney，hehaddiscoveredthatshewasstillalive。Atfirsthehaddecidedtokeepthisdarkintelligencefromherbelovedears；buthehadfeltthathecouldnotdoit。Allhehopedwasthatsuchaconditionofthingswouldmakenodifferenceinherfeelingsforhim，asitneedmakenodifferenceinthecourseoftheirlives。

Thereuponthespiritofthisproudandmasterfulladyshoweditselfinviolentturmoil，liketheragingofanor\'-westthunderstorm——aswellitmight，Godknows。Butshewasoftoostoutanaturetobebrokendownbyhisrevelation，asmanyladiesofmyacquaintancewouldhavebeen——sofarfromhome，andrightundertheLineintheblazeo\'thesun。Ofthetwo，indeed，hewasthemorewretchedandshatteredinspirit，forhelovedherdeeply，and(therebeingaforeigntwistinhismake)hadbeentemptedtothiscrimebyherexceedingbeauty，againstwhichhehadstruggleddayandnight，tillhehadnofurtherresistanceleftinhim。Itwasshewhocamefirsttoadecisionastowhatshouldbedone——whetherawiseoneIdonotattempttojudge。

\'Iputittoyou，\'saysshe，whenmanyuselessself-reproachesandprotestationsonhisparthadbeenuttered——\'Iputittoyouwhether，ifanymanlinessisleftinyou，yououghtnottodoexactlywhatIconsiderthebestthingformeinthisstraittowhichyouhavereducedme?\'

Hepromisedtodoanythinginthewholeworld。Shethenrequestedhimtoallowhertoreturn，andannouncehimashavingdiedofmalignantagueimmediatelyontheirarrivalatParamaribo；thatsheshouldconsequentlyappearinweedsashiswidowinhernativeplace；andthathewouldnevermolesther，orcomeagaintothatpartoftheworldduringthewholecourseofhislife——agoodreasonforwhichwouldbethatthelegalconsequencesmightbeserious。

Hereadilyacquiescedinthis，ashewouldhaveacquiescedinanythingfortherestitutionofoneheadoredsodeeply——eventotheyieldingoflifeitself。Toputherinanimmediatestateofindependencehegaveher，inbondsandjewels，aconsiderablesum(forhisworldlymeanshadbeeninnowayexaggerated)；andbythenextshipshesailedagainforEngland，havingtravellednofartherthantoParamaribo。Atpartinghedeclaredittobehisintentiontoturnallhislandedpossessionsintopersonalproperty，andtobeawandereronthefaceoftheearthinremorseforhisconducttowardsher。

MariadulyarrivedinEngland，andimmediatelyonlandingapprisedheruncleofherreturn，dulyappearingathishouseinthegarbofawidow。Shewascommiseratedbyalltheneighboursassoonasherstorywastold；butonlytoheruncledidsherevealtherealstateofaffairs，andherreasonforconcealingit。For，thoughshehadbeeninnocentofwrong，Maria\'spridewasofthatgrainwhichcouldnotbrooktheleastappearanceofhavingbeenfooled，ordeluded，ornonplussedinherworldlyaims。

Forsometimesheledaquietlifewithherrelative，andinduecourseasonwasborntoher。Shewasmuchrespectedforherdignityandreserve，andtheportablewealthwhichhertemporaryhusbandhadmadeovertoherenabledhertoliveincomfortinawingofthemansion，withoutassistancefromheruncleatall。But，knowingthatshewasnotwhatsheseemedtobe，herlifewasanuneasyone，andsheoftensaidtoherself:\'Supposehiscontinuedexistenceshouldbecomeknownhere，andpeopleshoulddiscerntheprideofmymotiveinhidingmyhumiliation?ItwouldbeworsethanifIhadbeenfrankatfirst，whichIshouldhavebeenbutforthecreditofthischild。\'

Suchgravereflectionsastheseoccupiedherwithincreasingforce；

andduringtheircontinuancesheencounteredaworthymanofnoblebirthandtitle——LordIcenwayhisname——whoseseatwasbeyondWintoncester，quiteatt\'otherendofWessex。Hebeinganxioustopayhisaddressestoher，Mariawillinglyacceptedthem，thoughhewasaplainman，olderthanherself；forshediscernedinare-

marriageamethodoffortifyingherpositionagainstmortifyingdiscoveries。Inafewmonthstheiruniontookplace，andMarialiftedherheadasLadyIcenway，andleftwithherhusbandandchildforhishomeasaforesaid，whereshewasquiteunknown。

Ajustification，oracondemnation，ofherstep(accordingasyouviewit)wasseenwhen，notlongafter，shereceivedanotefromherformerhusbandAnderling。Itwasahastyandtenderepistle，andperhapsitwasfortunatethatitarrivedduringthetemporaryabsenceofLordIcenway。Hisworthlesswife，saidAnderling，hadjustdiedinQuebec；hehadgonetheretoascertainparticulars，andhadseentheunfortunatewomanburied。HenowwashasteningtoEnglandtorepairthewronghehaddonehisMaria。HeaskedhertomeethimatSouthampton，hisportofarrival；whichsheneedbeinnofearofdoing，ashehadchangedhisname，andwasalmostabsolutelyunknowninEurope。Hewouldremarryherimmediately，andlivewithherinanypartoftheContinent，astheyhadoriginallyintended，where，forthegreatlovehestillboreher，hewoulddevotehimselftoherservicefortherestofhisdays。

LadyIcenway，self-possessedasitwashernaturetobe，wasyetmuchdisturbedatthisnews，andsetofftomeethim，unattended，assoonassheheardthattheshipwasinsight。Assoonastheystoodfacetofaceshefoundthatshestillpossessedallheroldinfluenceoverhim，thoughhispowertofascinateherhadquitedeparted。Inhissorrowforhisoffenceagainsther，hehadbecomeamanofstrictreligioushabits，self-denyingasalentensaint，thoughformerlyhehadbeenafreeandjoyousliver。Havingfirstgothimtosweartomakeheranyamendssheshouldchoose(whichhewasimaginingmustbebyatruemarriage)，sheinformedhimthatshehadalreadyweddedanotherhusband，anexcellentmanofancientfamilyandpossessions，whohadgivenheratitle，inwhichshemuchrejoiced。

Atthisthecountenanceofthepoorforeigngentlemanbecamecoldasclay，andhisheartwitheredwithinhim；forasithadbeenherbeautyandbearingwhichhadledhimtosintoobtainher，so，nowthatherbeautywasinfullerbloom，andhermannermorehaughtybyhersuccess，didhefeelherfascinationtobealmostmorethanhecouldbear。Nevertheless，havingswornhisword，heundertooktoobeyhercommands，whichweresimplyarenewalofheroldrequest——

thathewoulddepartforsomeforeigncountry，andneverrevealhisexistencetoherfriends，orhusband，oranypersoninEngland；

nevertroublehermore，seeinghowgreataharmitwoulddoherinthehighpositionwhichsheatpresentoccupied。

Hebowedhishead。\'Andthechild——ourchild?\'hesaid。

\'Heiswell，\'saysshe。\'Quitewell。\'

Withthistheunhappygentlemandeparted，muchsadderinhisheartthanonhisvoyagetoEngland；forithadneveroccurredtohimthatawomanwhoratedherhonoursohighlyasMariahaddone，andwhowasthemotherofachildofhis，wouldhaveadoptedsuchmeansasthisfortherestorationofthathonour，andatsosurprisinglyearlyadate。Hehadfullycalculatedonmakingherhiswifeinlawandtruth，andoflivingincheerfulunitywithherandhisoffspring，forwhomhefeltadeepandgrowingtenderness，thoughhehadneveronceseenthechild。

TheladyreturnedtohermansionbeyondWintoncester，andtoldnothingoftheinterviewtohernoblehusband，whohadfortunatelygonethatdaytodoalittlecockingandrattingoutbyWeydonPriors，andknewnothingofhermovements。ShehaddismissedherpoorAnderlingperemptorilyenough；yetshewouldoftenafterthislookinthefaceofthechildofherso-calledwidowhood，todiscoverwhatandhowmanytraitsofhisfatherweretobeseeninhislineaments。Forthisshehadampleopportunityduringthefollowingautumnandwintermonths，herhusbandbeingamatter-of-

factnobleman，whospentthegreaterpartofhistimeinfield-

sportsandagriculture。

Onewinterday，whenhehadstartedforameetofthehoundsalongwayfromthehouse——itbeinghiscustomtohuntthreeorfourtimesaweekatthisseasonoftheyear——shehadwalkedintothesunshineupontheterracebeforethewindows，wheretherefellatherfeetsomelittlewhiteobjectthathadcomeoveraboundarywallhardby。

Itprovedtobeatinynotewrappedroundastone。LadyIcenwayopeneditandreadit，andimmediately(nodoubt，withasternfixtureofherqueenlycountenance)walkedhastilyalongtheterrace，andthroughthedoorintotheshrubbery，whencethenotehadcome。Themanwhohadfirstmarriedherstoodunderthebushesbeforeher。Itwasplainfromhisappearancethatsomethinghadgonewrongwithhim。

\'Younoticeachangeinme，mybest-beloved，\'hesaid。\'Yes，Maria——

IhavelostallthewealthIoncepossessed——mainlybyrecklessgamblingintheContinentalhellstowhichyoubanishedme。Butonethingintheworldremainstome——thechild——anditisforhimthatIhaveintrudedhere。Don\'tfearme，darling!Ishallnotinconvenienceyoulong；Iloveyoutoowell!ButIthinkoftheboydayandnight——Icannothelpit——Icannotkeepmyfeelingforhimdown；andIlongtoseehim，andspeakawordtohimonceinmylifetime!\'

\'Butyouroath?\'saysshe。\'Youpromisednevertorevealbywordorsign——\'

\'Iwillrevealnothing。Onlyletmeseethechild。IknowwhatI

havesworntoyou，cruelmistress，andIrespectmyoath。OtherwiseImighthaveseenhimbysomesubterfuge。ButIpreferredthefrankcourseofaskingyourpermission。\'

Shedemurred，withthehaughtyseveritywhichhadgrownpartofhercharacter，andwhichherelevationtotherankofapeeresshadratherintensifiedthandiminished。Shesaidthatshewouldconsider，andwouldgivehimananswerthedayafterthenext，atthesamehourandplace，whenherhusbandwouldagainbeabsentwithhispackofhounds。

Thegentlemanwaitedpatiently。LadyIcenway，whohadnownoconsciousloveleftforhim，wellconsideredthematter，andfeltthatitwouldbeadvisablenottopushtoextremesamanofsopassionateaheart。Onthedayandhourshemethimasshehadpromisedtodo。

\'Youshallseehim，\'shesaid，\'ofcourseonthestrictconditionthatyoudonotrevealyourself，andhence，thoughyouseehim，hemustnotseeyou，oryourmannermightbetrayyouandme。Iwilllullhimintoanapintheafternoon，andthenIwillcometoyouhere，andfetchyouindoorsbyaprivateway。\'

Theunfortunatefather，whosemisdemeanourhadrecoileduponhisownheadinawayhecouldnothaveforeseen，promisedtoadheretoherinstructions，andwaitedintheshrubberiestillthemomentwhensheshouldcallhim。Thisshedulydidaboutthreeo\'clockthatday，leadinghiminbyagardendoor，andupstairstothenurserywherethechildlay。Hewasinhislittlecot，breathingcalmly，hisarmthrownoverhishead，andhissilkencurlscrushedintothepillow。

Hisfather，nowalmosttobepitied，bentoverhim，andatearfromhiseyewettedthecoverlet。

Sheheldupawarningfingerasheloweredhismouthtothelipsoftheboy。

\'Butoh，whynot?\'imploredhe。

\'Verywell，then，\'saidshe，relenting。\'Butasgentlyaspossible。\'

Hekissedthechildwithoutwakinghim，turned，gavehimalastlook，andfollowedheroutofthechamber，whensheconductedhimoffthepremisesbythewayhehadcome。

Butthisremedyforhissadnessofheartatbeingastrangertohisownson，hadtheeffectofintensifyingthemalady；forwhileoriginally，notknowingorhavingeverseentheboy，hehadlovedhimvaguelyandimaginativelyonly，henowbecameattachedtohiminfleshandbone，asanyparentmight；andthefeelingthathecouldatbestonlyseehischildattherarestandmostcursorymoments，ifatall，drovehimintoastateofdistractionwhichthreatenedtooverthrowhispromisetotheboy\'smothertokeepoutofhissight。

ButsuchwashischivalrousrespectforLadyIcenway，andhisregretathavingeverdeceivedher，thatheschooledhispoorheartintosubmission。Owingtohisloneliness，allthefervourofwhichhewascapable——andthatwasmuch——flowednowinthechannelofparentalandmaritallove——forachildwhodidnotknowhim，andawomanwhohadceasedtolovehim。

Atlengththissingularpunishmentbecamesuchatorturetothepoorforeignerthatheresolvedtolessenitatallhazards，compatiblewithpunctiliouscareforthenameoftheladyhisformerwife，towhomhisattachmentseemedtoincreaseinproportiontoherpunitivetreatmentofhim。Atonetimeofhislifehehadtakengreatinterestintulip-culture，aswellasgardeningingeneral；andsincetheruinofhisfortunes，andhisarrivalinEngland，hehadmadeofhisknowledgeaprecariousincomeinthehot-housesofnurserymenandothers。Withthenewideainhisheadheappliedhimselfzealouslytothebusiness，tillheacquiredinafewmonthsgreatskillinhorticulture。Waitingtillthenoblelord，hislady\'shusband，hadroomforanunder-gardenerofageneralsort，heofferedhimselffortheplace，andwasengagedimmediatelybyreasonofhiscivilityandintelligence，beforeLadyIcenwayknewanythingofthematter。Muchthereforedidhesurpriseherwhenshefoundhimintheconservatoriesofhermansionaweekortwoafterhisarrival。Thepunishmentofinstantdismissal，withwhichatfirstshehaughtilythreatenedhim，myladythoughtfit，onreflection，nottoenforce。Whileheservedherthussheknewhewouldnotharmherbyaword，while，ifhewereexpelled，chagrinmightinducehimtorevealinamomentofexasperationwhatkindtreatmentwouldassisthimtoconceal。

Sohewasallowedtoremainonthepremises，andhadforhisresidencealittlecottagebythegarden-wallwhichhadbeenthedomicileofsomeofhispredecessorsinthesameoccupation。Herehelivedabsolutelyalone，andspentmuchofhisleisureinreading，butthegreaterpartinwatchingthewindowsandlawnsofhislady\'shouseforglimpsesoftheformofthechild。Itwasforthatchild\'ssakethatheabandonedthetenetsoftheRomanCatholicChurchinwhichhehadbeenreared，andbecamethemostregularattendantattheservicesintheparishplaceofworshiphardby，where，sittingbehindthepewofmylady，mylord，andhisstepson，thegardenercouldpensivelystudythetraitsandmovementsoftheyoungsteratonlyafewfeetdistance，withoutsuspicionorhindrance。

Hefilledhispostformorethantwoyearswithapleasuretohimselfwhich，thoughmournful，wassoothing，hisladyneverforgivinghim，orallowinghimtobeanythingmorethan\'thegardener\'toherchild，thoughonceortwicetheboysaid，\'Thatgardener\'seyesaresosad!Whydoeshelooksosadlyatme?\'Hesunnedhimselfinherscornfulnessasifitwerelove，andhisearsdrankinhercurtmonosyllablesasthoughtheywererhapsodiesofendearment。Strangelyenough，thecoldnesswithwhichshetreatedherforeignerbegantobetheconductofLordIcenwaytowardsherself。Itwasamatterofgreatanxietytohimthatthereshouldbealinealsuccessortothetitle，yetnosignofthatsuccessorappeared。Onedayhecomplainedtoherquiteroughlyofhisfate。

\'Allwillgotothatdoltofacousin!\'hecried。\'I\'dsoonerseemynameandplaceatthebottomofthesea!\'

Theladysoothedhimandfellintothought，anddidnotrecriminate。

Butoneday，soonafter，shewentdowntothecottageofthegardenertoinquirehowhewasgettingon，forhehadbeenailingoflate，though，aswassupposed，notseriously。Thoughsheoftenvisitedthepoor，shehadneverenteredherunder-gardener\'shomebefore，andwasmuchsurprised——evengrievedanddismayed——tofindthathewastooilltorisefromhisbed。Shewentbacktohermansionandreturnedwithsomedelicatesoup，thatshemighthaveareasonforseeinghim。

Hisconditionwassofeebleandalarming，andhisfacesothin，thatitquiteshockedhersofteningheart，andgazinguponhimshesaid，\'Youmustgetwell——youmust!Ihavebeenhardwithyou——Iknowit。

Iwillnotbesoagain。\'

Thesickanddyingman——forhewasdyingindeed——tookherhandandpressedittohislips。\'Toolate，mydarling，toolate!\'hemurmured。

\'ButyouMUSTNOTdie!Oh，youmustnot!\'shesaid。Andonanimpulseshebentdownandwhisperedsomewordstohim，blushingasshehadblushedinhermaidendays。

Herepliedbyafaintwansmile。\'Timewas!……butthat\'spast!\'

hesaid，\'Imustdie!\'

Anddiehedid，afewdayslater，asthesunwasgoingdownbehindthegarden-wall。Herharshnessseemedtocometreblyhometoherthen，andsheremorsefullyexclaimedagainstherselfinsecretandalone。Heronedesirenowwastoerectsometributetohismemory，withoutitsbeingrecognizedasherhandiwork。Inthecompletionofthisschemetherearrivedafewmonthslaterahandsomestained-

glasswindowforthechurch；andwhenitwasunpackedandincourseoferectionLordIcenwaystrolledintothebuildingwithhiswife。

\'"Erectedtohismemorybyhisgrievingwidow，"\'hesaid，readingthelegendontheglass。\'Ididn\'tknowthathehadawife；I\'veneverseenher。\'

\'Ohyes，youmusthave，Icenway；onlyyouforget，\'repliedhisladyblandly。\'Butshedidn\'tlivewithhim，andwasseldomseenvisitinghim，becausethereweredifferencesbetweenthem；which，asisusuallythecase，makesherallthemoresorrynow。\'

\'Andgoruiningherselfbythisexpensiveruby-and-azureglass-

design。\'

\'Sheisnotpoor，theysay。\'

AsLordIcenwaygrewolderhebecamecrustierandcrustier，andwheneverheseteyesonhiswife\'sboybyherotherhusbandhewouldburstoutmorosely，saying，\'\'Tisaveryoddthing，mylady，thatyoucouldobligeyourfirsthusband，andcouldn\'tobligeme。\'

\'Ah!ifIhadonlythoughtofitsooner!\'shemurmured。

\'What?\'saidhe。

\'Nothing，dearest，\'repliedLadyIcenway。

TheColonelwasthefirsttocommentupontheChurchwarden\'stale，bysayingthatthefateofthepoorfellowwasratherahardone。

Thegentleman-tradesmancouldnotseethathisfatewasatalltoohardforhim。Hewaslegallynothingtoher，andhehadservedhershamefully。Ifhehadbeenreallyherhusbanditwouldhavestooddifferently。

TheBookwormremarkedthatLordIcenwayseemedtohavebeenaveryunsuspiciousman，withwhichviewafatmemberwithacrimsonfaceagreed。Itwastruehiswifewasaveryclose-mouthedpersonage，whichmadeadifference。Ifshehadspokenoutrecklesslyherlordmighthavebeensuspiciousenough，asinthecaseofthatladywholivedatStaplefordParkintheirgreat-grandfathers\'time。Thoughthere，tobesure，considerationsarosewhichmadeherhusbandviewmatterswithmuchphilosophy。

Afewofthemembersdoubtedthepossibilityofthis。

Thecrimsonman，whowasaretiredmaltsterofcomfortablemeans，ventru，andshortinstature，clearedhisthroat，blewoffhissuperfluousbreath，andproceededtogivetheinstancebeforealludedtoofsuchpossibility，firstapologizingforhisheroine\'slackofatitle，itneverhavingbeenhisgoodfortunetoknowmanyofthenobility。Tohisstyleofnarrativethefollowingisonlyanapproximation。

DAMETHESIXTH:SQUIREPETRICK\'SLADY

BytheCrimsonMaltsterFolkwhoareatallacquaintedwiththetraditionsofStaplefordParkwillnotneedtobetoldthatinthemiddleofthelastcenturyitwasownedbythattrumpofmortgagees，TimothyPetrick，whoseskillingainingpossessionoffairestatesbygrantingsumsofmoneyontheirtitle-deedshasseldomifeverbeenequalledinourpartofEngland。Timothywasalawyerbyprofession，andagenttoseveralnoblemen，bywhichmeanshisspeciallineofbusinessbecameopenedtohimbyasortofrevelation。Itissaidthatarelativeofhis，averydeepthinker，whoafterwardshadthemisfortunetobetransportedforlifeformistakennotionsonthesigningofawill，taughthimconsiderablelegallore，whichhecreditablyresolvednevertothrowawayforthebenefitofotherpeople，buttoreserveitentirelyforhisown。

However，Ihavenothinginparticulartosayabouthisearlyandactivedays，butratherofthetimewhen，anoldman，hehadbecometheownerofvastestatesbythemeansIhavesignified——amongthemthegreatmanorofStapleford，onwhichhelived，inthesplendidoldmansionnowpulleddown；likewiseestatesatMarlott，estatesnearShertonAbbas，nearlyalltheboroughofMillpool，andmanypropertiesnearIvell。Indeed，Ican\'tcalltomindhalfhislandedpossessions，andIdon\'tknowthatitmattersmuchatthistimeofday，seeingthathe\'sbeendeadandgonemanyyears。Itissaidthatwhenheboughtanestatehewouldnotdecidetopaythepricetillhehadwalkedovereverysingleacrewithhisowntwofeet，andproddedthesoilateverypointwithhisownspud，totestitsquality，which，ifweregardtheextentofhisproperties，musthavebeenastiffbusinessforhim。

AtthetimeIamspeakingofhewasamanovereighty，andhissonwasdead；buthehadtwograndsons，theeldestofwhom，hisnamesake，wasmarried，andwasshortlyexpectingissue。Justthenthegrandfatherwastakenill，fordeath，asitseemed，consideringhisage。Byhiswilltheoldmanhadcreatedanentail(asI

believethelawyerscallit)，devisingthewholeoftheestatestohiseldergrandsonandhisissuemale，failingwhich，tohisyoungergrandsonandhisissuemale，failingwhich，toremoterrelatives，whoneednotbementionednow。

WhileoldTimothyPetrickwaslyingill，hiseldergrandson\'swife，Annetta，gavebirthtoherexpectedchild，who，asfortunewouldhaveit，wasason。Timothy，herhusband，throughsprungofaschemingfamily，wasnogreatschemerhimself；hewasthesingleoneofthePetricksthenlivingwhosehearthadeverbeengreatlymovedbysentimentswhichdidnotruninthegrooveofambition；andonthisaccounthehadnotmarriedwell，asthesayingis；hiswifehavingbeenthedaughterofafamilyofnobetterbeginningsthanhisown；thatistosay，herfatherwasacountrytownsmanoftheprofessionalclass。Butshewasaveryprettywoman，byallaccounts，andherhusbandhadseen，courted，andmarriedherinahightideofinfatuation，afteraveryshortacquaintance，andwithverylittleknowledgeofherheart\'shistory。Hehadneverfoundreasontoregrethischoiceasyet，andhisanxietyforherrecoverywasgreat。

Shewassupposedtobeoutofdanger，andherselfandthechildprogressingwell，whentherewasachangefortheworse，andshesanksorapidlythatshewassoongivenover。Whenshefeltthatshewasabouttoleavehim，Annettasentforherhusband，and，onhisspeedyentryandassurancethattheywerealone，shemadehimsolemnlyvowtogivethechildeverycareinanycircumstancesthatmightarise，ifitshouldpleaseHeaventotakeher。This，ofcourse，hereadilypromised。Then，aftersomehesitation，shetoldhimthatshecouldnotdiewithafalsehooduponhersoul，anddiredeceitinherlife；shemustmakeaterribleconfessiontohimbeforeherlipsweresealedforever。Shethereuponrelatedanincidentconcerningthebaby\'sparentage，whichwasnotashesupposed。

TimothyPetrick，thoughaquick-feelingman，wasnotofasorttoshownervesoutwardly；andheborehimselfasheroicallyashepossiblycoulddointhistryingmomentofhislife。Thatsamenighthiswifedied；andwhileshelaydead，andbeforeherfuneral，hehastenedtothebedsideofhissickgrandfather，andrevealedtohimallthathadhappened:thebaby\'sbirth，hiswife\'sconfession，andherdeath，beseechingtheagedman，ashelovedhim，tobestirhimselfnow，attheeleventhhour，andalterhiswillsoastodishtheintruder。OldTimothy，seeingmattersinthesamelightashisgrandson，requirednourgingagainstallowinganythingtostandinthewayoflegitimateinheritance；heexecutedanotherwill，limitingtheentailtoTimothyhisgrandson，forlife，andhismaleheirsthereaftertobeborn；afterthemtohisothergrandsonEdward，andEdward\'sheirs。Thusthenewly-borninfant，whohadbeenthecentreofsomanyhopes，wascutoffandscornedasnoneoftheelect。

Theoldmortgageelivedbutashorttimeafterthis，theexcitementofthediscoveryhavingtolduponhimconsiderably，andhewasgatheredtohisfatherslikethemostcharitablemaninhisneighbourhood。Bothwifeandgrandparentbeingburied，Timothysettleddowntohisusuallifeaswellashewasable，mentallysatisfiedthathehadbypromptactiondefeatedtheconsequencesofsuchdiredomestictreacheryashadbeenshowntowardshim，andresolvingtomarryasecondtimeassoonashecouldsatisfyhimselfinthechoiceofawife。

Butmendonotalwaysknowthemselves。TheembitteredstateofTimothyPetrick\'smindbredinhimbydegreessuchahatredandmistrustofwomankindthat，thoughseveralspecimensofhighattractivenesscameunderhiseyes，hecouldnotbringhimselftothepointofproposingmarriage。Hedreadedtotakeupthepositionofhusbandasecondtime，discerningatrapineverypetticoat，andaSloughofDespondinpossibleheirs。\'Whathashappenedonce，whenallseemedsofair，mayhappenagain，\'hesaidtohimself。

\'I\'llriskmynamenomore。\'Soheabstainedfrommarriage，andovercamehiswishforalinealdescendanttofollowhimintheownershipofStapleford。

Timothyhadscarcelynoticedtheunfortunatechildthathiswifehadborne，afterarrangingforameagrefulfilmentofhispromisetohertotakecareoftheboy，byhavinghimbroughtupinhishouse。

Occasionally，rememberingthispromise，hewentandglancedatthechild，sawthathewasdoingwell，gaveafewspecialdirections，andagainwenthissolitaryway。ThusheandthechildlivedonintheStaplefordmansion-housetilltwoorthreeyearshadpassedby。

Onedayhewaswalkinginthegarden，andbysomeaccidentlefthissnuff-boxonabench。Whenhecamebacktofindithesawthelittleboystandingthere；hehadescapedhisnurse，andwasmakingaplaythingofthebox，inspiteoftheconvulsivesneezingswhichthegamebroughtinitstrain。Thenthemanwiththeencrustedheartbecameinterestedinthelittlefellow\'spersistenceinhisplayundersuchdiscomforts；helookedinthechild\'sface，sawtherehiswife\'scountenance，thoughhedidnotseehisown，andfellintothoughtonthepiteousnessofchildhood——particularlyofdespisedandrejectedchildhood，likethisbeforehim。

Fromthathour，tryashewouldtocounteractthefeeling，thehumannecessitytolovesomethingorothergotthebetterofwhathehadcalledhiswisdom，andshapeditselfinatenderanxietyfortheyoungsterRupert。Thisnamehadbeengivenhimbyhisdyingmotherwhen，atherrequest，thechildwasbaptizedinherchamber，lestheshouldnotsurviveforpublicbaptism；andherhusbandhadneverthoughtofitasanameofanysignificancetill，aboutthistime，helearntbyaccidentthatitwasthenameoftheyoungMarquisofChristminster，sonoftheDukeofSouthwesterland，forwhomAnnettahadcherishedwarmfeelingsbeforehermarriage。Recollectingsomewanderingphrasesinhiswife\'slastwords，whichhehadnotunderstoodatthetime，heperceivedatlastthatthiswasthepersontowhomshehadalludedwhenaffordinghimacluetolittleRupert\'shistory。

Hewouldsitinsilenceforhourswiththechild，beingnogreatspeakeratthebestoftimes；buttheboy，onhispart，wastooreadywithhistongueforanybreakindiscoursetoarisebecauseTimothyPetrickhadnothingtosay。Afteridlingawayhismorningsinthismanner，Petrickwouldgotohisownroomandswearinlongloudwhispers，andwalkupanddown，callinghimselfthemostridiculousdoltthateverlived，anddeclaringthathewouldnevergonearthelittlefellowagain；towhichresolvehewouldadhereforthespaceperhapsofaday。Suchcasesarehappilynotnewtohumannature，butthereneverwasacaseinwhichamanmorecompletelybefocledhisformerselfthaninthis。

Asthechildgrewup，Timothy\'sattachmenttohimgrewdeeper，tillRupertbecamealmostthesoleobjectforwhichhelived。TherehadbeenenoughofthefamilyambitionlatentinhimforTimothyPetricktofeelalittleenvywhen，sometimebeforethisdate，hisbrotherEdwardhadbeenacceptedbytheHonourableHarrietMountclere，daughterofthesecondViscountofthatnameandtitle；buthavingdiscovered，asIhavebeforestated，thepaternityofhisboyRuperttolurkinevenahigherstratumofsociety，thoseenviousfeelingsspeedilydispersed。Indeed，themorehereflectedthereon，afterhisbrother\'saristocraticmarriage，themorecontentdidhebecome。

Hislatewifetooksofteroutlineinhismemory，ashethoughtoftheloftytasteshehaddisplayed，thoughonlyaplainburgher\'sdaughter，andthejustificationforhisweaknessinlovingthechild——thejustificationthathehadlongedfor——wasaffordednowintheknowledgethattheboywasbynature，ifnotbyname，arepresentativeofoneofthenoblesthousesinEngland。

\'Shewasawomanofgrandinstincts，afterall，\'hesaidtohimselfproudly。\'Tofixherchoiceupontheimmediatesuccessorinthatducalline——itwasfinelyconceived!HadhebeenoflowbloodlikemyselformyrelationsshewouldscarcehavedeservedtheharshmeasurethatIhavedealtouttoherandheroffspring。Howmuchless，then，whensuchgrovellingtasteswerefarthestfromhersoul!

ThemanAnnettalovedwasnoble，andmyboyisnobleinspiteofme。\'

Theafterclapwasinevitable，anditsooncame。\'Sofar，\'hereasoned，\'fromcuttingoffthischildfrominheritanceofmyestates，asIhavedone，Ishouldhaverejoicedinthepossessionofhim!Heisofpurestockononesideatleast，whilstintheordinaryrunofaffairshewouldhavebeenacommonertothebone。\'

Beingaman，whateverhisfaults，ofgoodoldbeliefsinthedivinityofkingsandthoseabout\'em，themoreheoverhauledthecaseinthislight，themorestronglydidhispoorwife\'sconductinimprovingthebloodandbreedofthePetrickfamilywinhisheart。

Heconsideredwhatugly，idle，hard-drinkingscampsmanyofhisownrelationshadbeen；themiserablescriveners，usurers，andpawnbrokersthathehadnumberedamonghisforefathers，andtheprobabilitythatsomeoftheirbadqualitieswouldhavecomeoutinamerelycorporealchild，togivehimsorrowinhisoldage，turnhisblackhairsgray，hisgrayhairswhite，cutdowneverystickoftimber，andHeavenknowswhatall，hadhenot，likeaskilfulgardener，mindedhisgraftingandchangedthesort；tillatlengththisright-mindedmanfelldownonhiskneeseverynightandmorningandthankedGodthathewasnotasothermeanlydescendedfathersinsuchmatters。

ItwasinthepeculiardispositionofthePetrickfamilythatthesatisfactionwhichultimatelysettledinTimothy\'sbreastfoundnourishment。ThePetrickshadadoredthenobility，andpluckedthematthesametime。ThatexcellentmanIzaakWalton\'sfeelingsaboutfishweremuchakintothoseofoldTimothyPetrick，andofhisdescendantsinalesserdegree，concerningthelandedaristocracy。

Totortureandtolovesimultaneouslyisaproceedingstrangetoreason，butpossibletopractice，astheseinstancesshow。

Hence，whenTimothy\'sbrotherEdwardsaidslightinglyonedaythatTimothy\'ssonwaswellenough，butthathehadnothingbutshopsandofficesinhisbackwardperspective，whilehisownchildren，shouldhehaveany，wouldbefardifferent，inpossessingsuchamotherastheHonourableHarriet，Timothyfeltaboundoftriumphwithinhimatthepowerhepossessedofcontradictingthatstatementifhechose。

SomuchwasheinterestedinhisboyinthisnewaspectthathenowbegantoreadupchroniclesoftheillustrioushouseennobledastheDukesofSouthwesterland，fromtheirverybeginninginthegloriesoftheRestorationoftheblessedCharlestilltheyearofhisowntime。Hementallynotedtheirgiftsfromroyalty，grantsoflands，purchases，intermarriages，plantingsandbuildings；moreparticularlytheirpoliticalandmilitaryachievements，whichhadbeengreat，andtheirperformancesinartandletters，whichhadbeenbynomeanscontemptible。Hestudiedprintsoftheportraitsofthatfamily，andthen，likeachemistwatchingacrystallization，begantoexamineyoungRupert\'sfacefortheunfoldingofthosehistoriccurvesandshadesthatthepaintersVandykeandLelyhadperpetuatedoncanvas。