第8章

CHAPTERXVIII

THERIVALS

TheintimacybetweenFrankandMissDunstablegrewandprospered。Thatistosay，itprosperedasanintimacy，thoughperhapshardlyasaloveaffair。Therewasacontinuedsuccessionofjokesbetweenthem，whichnooneelseinthecastleunderstood；buttheveryfactoftherebeingsuchagoodunderstandingbetweenthemratherstoodinthewayof，thanassisted，thatconsummationwhichthecountessdesired。People，whentheyareinlovewitheachother，orevenwhentheypretendtobe，donotgenerallyshowitbyloudlaughter。Norisitfrequentlythecasethatawifewithtwohundredthousandpoundscanbewonwithoutsomelittlepreliminarydespair。

LadydeCourcy，whothoroughlyunderstoodthatportionoftheworldinwhichsheherselflived，sawthatthingswerenotgoingquiteastheyshoulddo，andgavemuchandrepeatedadvicetoFrankonthesubject。

Shewasthemoreeagerindoingthis，becausesheimaginedFrankhaddonewhathecouldtoobeyherfirstprecepts。HehadnotturneduphisnoseatMissDunstable\'scurls，norfoundfaultwithherloudvoice：hehadnotobjectedtoherasugly，norevenshownanydisliketoherage。Ayoungmanwhohadbeensoamenabletoreasonwasworthyoffurtherassistance；andsoLadydeCourcydidwhatshecouldtoassisthim。

\'Frank，mydearboy，\'shewouldsay，\'youarealittletoonoisy，I

think。Idon\'tmeanformyself，youknow；Idon\'tmindit。ButMissDunstablewouldlikeitbetterifyouwerealittlemorequietwithher。\'

\'Wouldshe，aunt？\'saidFrank，lookingdemurelyupintothecountess\'sface。\'Iratherthinkshelikesfunandnoise，andthatsortofthing。Youknowshe\'snotveryquietherself。\'

\'Ah！——but，Frank，therearetimes，youknow，whenthatsortofthingshouldbelaidaside。Fun，asyoucallit，isallverywellinitsplace。Indeed，noonelikesitbetterthanIdo。Butthat\'snotthewaytoshowadmiration。Youngladiesliketobeadmired；andifyou\'llbealittlemoresoft-manneredwithMissDunstable，I\'msureyou\'llfinditwillanswerbetter。\'

Andsotheoldbirdtaughttheyoungbirdhowtofly——veryneedlessly——forinthismatterofflying，Naturegivesherownlessonsthoroughly；andtheducklingswilltakethewater，eventhoughthematernalhenwarnthemagainsttheperfidiouselementneversoloudly。

Soonafterthis，LadydeCourcybegantobenotverywellpleasedinthematter。ShetookitintoherheadthatMissDunstablewassometimesalmostinclinedtolaughather；andononeortwooccasionsitalmostseemedasthoughFrankwasjoiningMissDunstableindoingso。Thefactindeedwas，thatMissDunstablewasfondoffun；and，endowedasshewaswithalltheprivilegeswhichtwohundredthousandpoundsmaybesupposedtogivetoayounglady，didnotverymuchcareatwhomshelaughed。ShewasabletomakeatolerablycorrectguessatLadyDeCourcy\'splantowardsherself；butshedidnotforamomentthinkthatFrankhadanyintentionoffurtheringhisaunt\'sviews。Shewas，therefore，notatallill-inclinedtohaveherrevengeonthecountess。

\'Howveryfondyourauntisofyou！\'shesaidtohimonewetmorning，ashewassaunteringthroughthehouse；nowlaughing，andalmostrompingwithher——thenteasinghissisteraboutMrMoffat——andthenbotheringhislady-cousinsoutofalltheirpropriety。

\'Oh，very！\'saidFrank：\'sheisadear，goodwoman，ismyAuntDeCourcy。\'

\'Ideclareshetakesmorenoticeofyouandyourdoingsthanofanyofyourcousins。Iwondertheyaren\'tjealous。\'

\'Oh！they\'resuchgoodpeople。Blessme，they\'dneverbejealous。\'

\'Youaresomuchyoungerthantheyare，thatIsupposeshethinksyouwantmoreofhercare。\'

\'Yes；that\'sit。Youseesheisfondofhavingababytonurse。\'

\'Tellme，MrGresham，whatwasitshewassayingtoyoulastnight？I

knowwehavebeenmisbehavingourselvesdreadfully。Itwasallyourfault；youwouldmakemelaughso。\'

\'That\'sjustwhatIsaidtoher。\'

\'Shewastalkingaboutit，then？\'

\'Howonearthshouldshetalkofanyoneelseaslongasyouarehere？

Don\'tyouknowthatalltheworldistalkingaboutyou？\'

\'Isit？——dearme，howkind！ButIdon\'tcareastrawaboutanyworldatpresentbutLadydeCourcy\'sworld。Whatdidshesay？\'

\'Shesaidyouwereverybeautiful——\'

\'Didshe？——howgoodofher！\'

\'No；Iforgot。It——itwasIthatsaidthat；andshesaid——whatwasitshesaid？Shesaid，thatafterall，beautywasbutskindeep——andthatshevaluedyouforyourvirtuesandprudenceratherthanyourgoodlooks。\'

\'Virtuesandprudence！ShesaidIwasprudentandvirtuous？\'

\'Yes。\'

\'Andyoutalkedofmybeauty？Thatwassokindofyou。Youdidn\'teitherofyousayanythingaboutothermatters？\'

\'Whatothermatters？\'

\'Oh！Idon\'tknow。Onlysomepeoplearesometimesvaluedratherforwhatthey\'vegotthanforanygoodqualitiesbelongingtothemselvesintrinsically。\'

\'ThatcanneverbethecasewithMissDunstable；especiallynotatCourcyCastle，\'saidFrank，bowingeasilyfromthecornerofthesofaoverwhichhewasleaning。

\'Ofcoursenot，\'saidMissDunstable；andFrankatonceperceivedthatshespokeinatoneofvoicedifferingmuchfromthathalf-bantering，half-good-humouredmannerthatwascustomarywithher。\'Ofcoursenot：

anysuchideawouldbequiteoutofthequestionwithLadydeCourcy。\'

Shepausedforamoment，andthenaddedinatonedifferentagain，andunlikeanythathehadyetheardfromher：——\'Itis，atanyrate，outofthequestionwithMrFrankGresham——ofthatIamquitesure。\'

Frankoughttohaveunderstoodher，andhaveappreciatedthegoodopinionwhichsheintendedtoconvey；buthedidnotentirelydoso。Hewashardlyhonesthimselftowardsher；andhecouldnotatfirstperceivethatsheintendedtosaythatshethoughthimso。Heknewverywellthatshewasalludingtoherownhugefortune，andwasalludingalsotothefactthatpeopleoffashionsoughtherbecauseofit；buthedidnotknowthatsheintendedtoexpressatrueacquittalasregardedhimofanysuchbaseness。

Anddidhedeservetobeacquitted？Yes，uponthewholehedid；——tobeacquittedofthatspecialsin。HisdesiretomakeMissDunstabletemporarilysubjecttohisswayarose，notfromahankeringafterherfortune，butfromanambitiontogetthebetterofacontestinwhichothermenaroundhimseemedtobefailing。

Foritmustnotbeimaginedthat，withsuchaprizetobestruggledfor，allothersstoodaloofandallowedhimtohavehisownwaywiththeheiress，undisputed。Thechanceofawifewithtwohundredthousandpoundsisagodsend，whichcomesinaman\'slifetooseldomtobeneglected，letthatchancebeneversoremote。

Frankwastheheirtoalargeembarrassedproperty；and，therefore，theheadsoffamilies，puttingtheirwisdomstogether，hadthoughtitmostmeetthatthisdaughterofPlutusshould，ifpossible，falltohislot。ButnotsothoughttheHonourableGeorge；andnotsothoughtanothergentlemanwhowasatthattimeaninmateofCourcyCastle。

Thesesuitorsperhapssomewhatdespisedtheiryoungrival\'sefforts。Itmaybethattheyhadsufficientworldlywisdomtoknowthatsoimportantacrisisoflifeisnotsettledamongquipsandjokes，andthatFrankwastoomuchinjesttobeinearnest。Butbethatasitmay，hislove-makingdidnotstandinthewayoftheirlove-making；norhishopes，ifhehadany，inthewayoftheirhopes。

TheHonourableGeorgehaddiscussedthematterwiththeHonourableJohninaproperlyfraternalmanner。ItmaybethatJohnhadalsoaneyetotheheiress；but，ifso，hehadcededhisviewstohisbrother\'ssuperiorclaims；foritcameaboutthattheyunderstoodeachotherverywell，andJohnfavouredGeorgewithsalutaryadviceontheoccasion。

\'Ifitistobedoneatall，itshouldbedoneverysharp，\'saidJohn。

\'Assharpasyoulike，\'saidGeorge。\'I\'mnotthefellowtobestudyingthreemonthsinwhatattitudeI\'llfallatagirl\'sfeet。\'

\'No：andwhenyouarethereyoumustn\'ttakethreemonthsmoretostudyhowyou\'llgetupagain。Ifyoudoitatall，youmustdoitsharp，\'

repeatedJohn，puttinggreatstressonhisadvice。

\'Ihavesaidafewsoftwordstoheralready，andshedidn\'tseemtotakethembadly，\'saidGeorge。

\'She\'snochicken，youknow，\'remarkedJohn；\'andwithawomanlikethat，beatingaboutthebushneverdoesanygood。Thechancesareshewon\'thaveyou——that\'sofcourse；plumslikethatdon\'tfallintoaman\'smouthmerelyforshakingthetree。Butit\'spossibleshemay；andifshewill，she\'saslikelytotakeyouto-dayasthisdaysixmonths。IfIwereyouI\'dwriteheraletter。\'

\'Writeheraletter——eh？\'saidGeorge，whodidnotaltogetherdisliketheadvice，foritseemedtotakefromhisshoulderstheburdenofpreparingaspokenaddress。Thoughhewassoglibinspeakingaboutthefarmers\'daughters，hefeltthatheshouldhavesomelittledifficultyinmakingknownhispassiontoMissDunstable，bywordofmouth。

\'Yes；writealetter。Ifshe\'lltakeyouatall，she\'lltakeyouthatway；halfthematchesgoingaremadeupbywritingletters。Writeheraletterandgetitputonherdressing-table。\'Georgesaidthathewould，andsohedid。

GeorgespokequitetrulywhenhehintedthathehadsaidafewsoftthingstoMissDunstable。MissDunstable，however，wasaccustomedtohearsoftthings。Shehadbeencarriedmuchaboutinsocietyamongfashionablepeoplesince，onthesettlementofherfather\'swill，shehadbeenpronouncedheiresstoalltheointmentofLebanon；andmanymenhadmadecalculationsrespectinghersimilartothosewhichwerenowanimatingthebrainoftheHonourableGeorgedeCourcy。Shewasalreadyquiteaccustomedtobeingatargetatwhichspendthriftsandtheneedyrichmightshoottheirarrows：accustomedtobeingshotat，andtolerablyaccustomedtoprotectherselfwithoutmakingscenesintheworld，orrejectingtheadvantageousestablishmentsofferedtoherwithanyloudexpressionsofdisdain。TheHonourableGeorge，therefore，hadbeenpermittedtosaysoftthingsverymuchasamatterofcourse。

Andverylittlemoreoutwardfracasarosefromthecorrespondencewhichfollowedthanhadarisenfromthesoftthingssosaid。Georgewrotetheletter，andhaditdulyconveyedtoMissDunstable\'sbed-chamber。

MissDunstabledulyreceivedit，andhadheranswerconveyedbackdiscreetlytoGeorge\'shands。Thecorrespondenceranasfollows：——

\'CourcyCastle，Aug-，185。

\'MYDEARESTMISSDUNSTABLE，\'Icannotbutflattermyselfthatyoumusthaveperceivedfrommymannerthatyouarenotindifferenttome。Indeed，indeed，youarenot。Imaytrulysay，andswear\'(theselaststrongwordshadbeenputinbythespecialcounseloftheHonourableJohn)，\'thatifeveramanlovedawomantruly，Itrulyloveyou。YoumaythinkitveryoddthatIshouldsaythisinaletterinsteadofspeakingitoutbeforeyourface；butyourpowersofrailleryaresogreat\'(\'touchherupaboutherwit\'

hadbeentheadviceoftheHonourableJohn)\'thatIamallbutafraidtoencounterthem。Dearest，dearestMartha——ohdonotblamemeforsoaddressingyou！——ifyouwilltrustyourhappinesstomeyoushallneverfindthatyouhavebeendeceived。Myambitionshallbetomakeyoushineinthatcirclewhichyouaresowellqualifiedtoadornandtoseeyoufirmlyfixedinthatsphereoffashionforwhichyourtastesadaptyou。

\'Imaysafelyassert——andIdoassertitwithmyhandonmyheart——thatIamactuatedbynomercenarymotives。Farbeitfrommetomarryanywoman——no，notaprincess——onaccountofhermoney。Nomarriagecanbehappywithoutmutualaffection；

andIdofullytrust——no，nottrust，buthope——thattheremaybesuchbetweenyouandme，dearestMissDunstable。WhateversettlementsyoumightproposeIwouldaccedeto。Itisyou，yoursweetperson，thatIlove，notyourmoney。

\'Formyself，IneednotremindyouthatIamthesecondsonofmyfather；andthat，assuch，Iholdnoinconsiderablestationintheworld。MyintentionistogetintoParliament，andtomakeanameformyself，ifIcan，amongthosewhoshineintheHouseofCommons。Myelderbrother，LordPorlock，is，youareaware，unmarried；andweallfearthatthefamilyhonoursarenotlikelytobeperpetuatedbyhim，ashehasallmanneroftroublesomeliaisonswhichwillprobablypreventhissettlinginlife。Thereisnothingatallofthatkindinmyway。ItwillindeedbeadelighttoplaceacoronetontheheadofmylovelyMartha：acoronetwhichcangivenofreshgracetoher，butwhichwillbesomuchadornedbyherwearingit。

\'Dearest，MissDunstable，Ishallwaitwiththeutmostimpatienceforyouranswer；andnow，burningwithhopethatitmaynotbealtogetherunfavourabletomylove，Ibegpermissiontosignmyself\'Yourownmostdevoted，\'GEORGEDECOURCY\'

Theardentloverhadnottowaitlongforananswerfromhismistress。

Shefoundthisletteronhertoilet-tableonenightasshewenttobed。Thenextmorningshecamedowntobreakfastandmetherswainwiththemostunconcernedairintheworld；somuchsothathebegantothink，ashemunchedhistoastwithratherashamefacedlook，thattheletteronwhichsomuchwastodependhadnotyetcomesafelytohand。

Buthissuspensewasnotofaprolongedduration。Afterbreakfast，aswashiswont，hewentouttothestableswithhisbrotherandFrankGresham；andwhilethere，MissDunstable\'sman，cominguptohim，touchedhishat，andputaletterintohishand。

Frank，whoknewtheman，glancedattheletterandlookedathiscousin；buthesaidnothing。Hewas，however，alittlejealous，andfeltthataninjurywasdonetohimbyanycorrespondencebetweenMissDunstableandhiscousinGeorge。

MissDunstable\'sreplywasasfollows；anditmayberemarkedthatitwaswritteninaveryclearandwell-pennedhand，andonewhichcertainlydidnotbetraymuchemotionoftheheart：-

\'MYDEARMRDECOURCY，\'IamsorrytosaythatIhadnotperceivedfromyourmannerthatyouentertainedanypeculiarfeelingstowardsme；as，hadIdoneso，Ishouldatoncehaveendeavouredtoputanendtothem。Iammuchflatteredbythewayinwhichyouspeakofme；

butIamintoohumbleapositiontoreturnyouraffection；

andcan，therefore，onlyexpressahopethatyoumaybesoonabletoeradicateitfromyourbosom。Aletterisaverygoodwayofmakinganoffer，andassuchIdonotthinkitatallodd；butIcertainlydidnotexpectsuchanhonourlastnight。

Astomyraillery，Itrustithasneveryethurtyou。Icanassureyouthatitnevershall。Ihopeyouwillsoonhaveaworthierambitionthanthattowhichyouallude；forIamwellawarethatnoattemptwillevermakemeshineanywhere。

\'Iamquitesureyouhavehadnomercenarymotives：suchmotivesinmarriageareverybase，andquitebelowyournameandlineage。AnylittlefortunethatImayhavemustbeamatterofindifferencetoonewholooksforward，asyoudo，toputacoronetonhiswife\'sbrow。Nevertheless，forthesakeofthefamily，ItrustthatLordPorlock，inspiteofhisobstacles，maylivetodothesameforawifeofhisownsomeofthesedays。Iamgladtohearthatthereisnothingtointerferewithyourownprospectsofdomesticfelicity。

\'SincerelyhopingthatyoumaybeperfectlysuccessfulinyourproudambitiontoshineinParliament，andregrettingextremelythatIcannotsharethatambitionwithyou，Ibegtosubscribemyself，withverygreatrespect，\'Yoursincerewell-wisher，\'MARTHADUNSTABLE\'

TheHonourableGeorge，withthatmodestywhichsowellbecamehim，acceptedMissDunstable\'sreplyasafinalanswertohislittleproposition，andtroubledherwithnofurthercourtship。AshesaidtohisbrotherJohn，noharmhadbeendone，andhemighthavebetterlucknexttime。ButtherewasanintimateofCourcyCastlewhowassomewhatmorepertinaciousinhissearchafterloveandwealth。ThiswasnootherthanMrMoffat：agentlemanwhoseambitionwasnotsatisfiedbythecaresofhisBarchestercontest，orthepossessionofoneaffiancedbride。

MrMoffatwas，aswehavesaid，amanofwealth；butweallknow，fromthelessonsofearlyyouth，howtheloveofmoneyincreasesandgainsstrengthbyitsownsuccess。Norwasheamanofsomeanaspiritastobesatisfiedwithmerewealth。Hedesiredalsoplaceandstation，andgraciouscountenanceamongthegreatonesoftheearth。HencehadcomehisadherencetotheDeCourcys；hencehisseatinParliament；andhence，also，hisperhapsill-consideredmatchwithMissGresham。

Thereisnodoubtbutthattheprivilegeofmatrimonyoffersopportunitiestomoney-lovingyoungmenwhichoughtnottobelightlyabused。Toomanyyoungmenmarrywithoutgivinganyconsiderationtothematterwhatever。Itisnotthattheyareindifferenttomoney，butthattheyrecklesslymiscalculatetheirownvalue，andomittolookaroundandseehowmuchisdonebythosewhoaremorecareful。Amancanbeyoungbutonce，and，exceptincasesofaspecialinterpositionofProvidence，canmarrybutonce。Thechanceoncethrownawaymaybesaidtobeirrevocable！How，inafter-life，domentoilandturmoilthroughlongyearstoattainsomeprospectofdoubtfuladvancement！

Halfthattrouble，halfthatcare，atitheofthatcircumspectionwould，inearlyyouth，haveprobablysecuredtothemtheenduringcomfortofawife\'swealth。

Youwillseemenlabouringnightanddaytobecomebankdirectors；andevenabankdirectionmayonlybetheroadtoruin。Otherswillspendyearsindegradingsubserviencytoobtainanicheinawill；andtheniche，whenatlastobtainedandenjoyed，isbutasorrypaymentforallthathasbeenendured。Othersagain，struggleharderstill，andgothroughevendeeperwaters：theymakewillsforthemselves，forgestock-shares，andfightwithunremitting，painfullabourtoappeartobethethingtheyarenot。Now，inmanyofthesecases，allthismighthavebeensparedhadthemenmadeadequateuseofthoseopportunitieswhichyouthandyouthfulcharmsaffordonce——andonceonly。Thereisnoroadtowealthsoeasyandrespectableasthatofmatrimony；that，isofcourse，providedthattheaspirantdeclinestheslowcoursetohonestwork。Butthen，wecansoseldomputoldheadsonyoungshoulders！

InthecaseofMrMoffat，wemayperhapssaythataspecimenwasproducedofthisbird，sorareintheland。Hisshoulderswerecertainlyyoung，seeingthathewasnotyetsix-and-twenty；buthisheadhadeverbeenold。Fromthemomentwhenhewasfirstputforthtogoalone——attheageoftwenty-one——hislifehadbeenonecalculationhowhecouldmakethemostofhimself。Hehadallowedhimselftobebetrayedintofollybyanunguardedheart；noyouthfulindiscretionhadmarredhisprospects。Hehadmadethemostofhimself。Withoutwitordepth，oranymentalgift——withouthonestyofpurposeorindustryforgoodwork——hehadbeenfortwoyearssittingmemberforBarchester；wastheguestofLorddeCourcy；wasengagedtotheeldestdaughterofoneofthebestcommoners\'familiesinEngland；andwas，whenhefirstbegantothinkofMissDunstable，sanguinethathisre-electiontoParliamentwassecure。

When，however，atthisperiodhebegantocalculatewhathispositionintheworldreallywas，itoccurredtohimthathewasdoinganill-judgedthinginmarryingMissGresham。Whymarryapennilessgirl——forAugusta\'strifleofafortunewasnotapennyinhisestimation——whiletherewasMissDunstableintheworldtobewon？Hisownsixorseventhousandayear，quiteunembarrassedasitwas，wascertainlyagreatthing；butwhatmighthenotdoiftothathecouldaddthealmostfabulouswealthofthegreatheiress？Wasshenothere，putabsolutelyinhispath？Woulditnotbeawilfulthrowingawayofachancenottoavailhimselfofit？Hemust，tobesure，losetheDeCourcyfriendship；butifheshouldthenhavesecuredhisBarchesterseatfortheusualtermofparliamentarysession，hemightbeabletosparethat。Hewouldalso，perhaps，encountersomeGreshamenmity：

thiswasapointonwhichhedidthinkmorethanonce：butwhatwillamannotencounterforthesakeoftwohundredthousandpounds？

ItwasthusthatMrMoffatarguedwithhimself，withmuchprudence，andbroughthimselftoresolvethathewouldatanyratebecomethecandidateforthegreatprize。Healso，therefore，begantosaysoftthings；anditmustbeadmittedthathesaidthemwithmoreconsiderateproprietythanhadtheHonourableGeorge。MrMoffathadanideathatMissDunstablewasnotafool，andthatinordertocatchherhemustdomorethanendeavourtolaysaltonhertail，intheguiseofflattery。Itwasevidenttohimthatshewasabirdofsomecunning，nottobecaughtbyanordinarygin，suchasthosecommonlyinusewiththeHonourableGeorgesofSociety。

ItseemedtoMrMoffat，thatthoughMissDunstablewassosprightly，sofulloffun，andsoreadytochatteronallsubjects，shewellknewthevalueofherownmoney，andofherpositionasdependentonit：heperceivedthatsheneverflatteredthecountess，andseemedtobenowhitabsorbedbythetitledgrandeurofherhost\'sfamily。Hegavehercredit，therefore，foranindependentspirit：andanindependentspiritinhisestimationwasonethatplaceditssoledependenceonarespectablebalanceatitsbanker\'s。

Workingontheseideas，MrMoffatcommencedoperationsinsuchmannerthathisoverturestotheheiressshouldnot，ifunsuccessful，interferewiththeGreshamsburyengagement。HebeganbymakingcommoncausewithMissDunstable：theirpositionsintheworld，hesaidtoher，werecloselysimilar。Theyhadbothrisenfromthelowerclassesbythestrengthofhonestindustry：theywerebothnowwealthy，andhadbothhithertomadesuchuseoftheirwealthastoinducethehighestaristocracyinEnglandtoadmitthemintotheircircles。

\'Yes，MrMoffat，\'hadMissDunstableremarked；\'andifallthatIhearbetrue，toadmityouintotheirveryfamilies。\'

AtthisMrMoffatslightlydemurred。Hewouldnotaffect，hesaid，tomisunderstandwhatMissDunstablemeant。Therehadbeensomethingsaidontheprobabilityofsuchanevent；buthebeggedMissDunstablenottobelieveallthatsheheardonsuchsubjects。

\'Idonotbelievemuch，\'saidshe；\'butIcertainlydidthinkthatthatmightbecredited。\'

MrMoffatwentontoshowhowitbehovedthemboth，inholdingouttheirhandshalf-waytomeetthearistocraticoverturesthatweremadetothem，nottoallowthemselvestobemadeuseof。Thearistocracy，accordingtoMrMoffat，werepeopleofaverynicesort；thebestacquaintanceintheworld；aportionofmankindtobenoticedbywhomshouldbeoneofthefirstobjectsinthelifeoftheDunstablesandtheMoffats。ButtheDunstablesandMoffatsshouldbeverycarefultogivelittleornothinginreturn。Much，verymuchinreturn，wouldbelookedfor。Thearistocracy，saidMrMoffat，werenotapeopletoallowinthelightoftheircountenancetoshineforthwithoutlookingforaquidproquo，forsomecompensatingvalue。InalltheirintercoursewiththeDunstablesandMoffats，theywouldexpectapayment。ItwasfortheDunstablesandMoffatstoseethat，atanyrate，theydidnotpaymoreforthearticletheygotthanitsmarketvalue。

Theywayinwhichshe，MissDunstable，andhe，MrMoffat，wouldberequiredtopaywouldbebytakingeachofthemsomepoorscionofthearistocracyinmarriage；andthusexpendingtheirhard-earnedwealthinprocuringhigh-pricedpleasuresforsomewell-bornpauper。Againstthis，peculiarcautionwastobeused。Ofcourse，thefurtherinductiontobeshownwasthis：thatpeoplesocircumstancedshouldmarryamongthemselves；theDunstablesandtheMoffatseachwiththeotherandnottumbleintothepitfallspreparedforthem。

WhetherthesegreatlessonshadanylastingeffectonMissDunstable\'smindmaybedoubted。PerhapsshehadalreadymadeuphermindonthesubjectwhichMrMoffatsowelldiscussed。ShewasolderthanMrMoffat，and，inspiteofhistwoyearsofparliamentaryexperience，hadperhapsmoreknowledgeoftheworldwithwhichshehadtodeal。Butshelistenedtowhathesaidwithcomplacency；understoodhisobjectaswellasshehadthatofhisaristocraticrival；wasnowhitoffended；

butgroanedinherspiritasshethoughtofthewrongsofAugustaGresham。

Butallthisgoodadvice，however，wouldnotwinthemoneyforMrMoffatwithoutsomemoredecidedstep；andthatstephesoondecidedontaking，feelingassuredthatwhathehadsaidwouldhaveitsdueweightwiththeheiress。

ThepartyatCourcyCastlewasnowsoonabouttobebrokenup。ThemaleDeCourcysweregoingdowntoaScotchmountain。ThefemaleDeCourcysweretobeshippedofftoanIrishcastle。MrMoffatwastogouptotowntopreparehispetition。MissDunstablewasagainabouttostartonaforeigntourinbehalfofherphysicianandattendants；andFrankGreshamwasatlasttobeallowedtogotoCambridge；thatistosay，unlesshissuccesswithMissDunstableshouldrendersuchasteponhispartquitepreposterous。

\'Ithinkyoumayspeaknow，Frank，\'saidthecountess。\'Ireallythinkyoumay：youhaveknownhernowforaconsiderabletime；and，asfarasIcanjudge，sheisveryfondofyou。\'

\'Nonsense，aunt，\'saidFrank；\'shedoesn\'tcareabuttonforme。\'

\'Ithinkdifferently；andlookers-on，youknow，alwaysunderstandthegamebest。Isupposeyouarenotafraidtoaskher。\'

\'Afraid！\'saidFrank，inatoneofconsiderablescorn。Healmostmadeuphismindthathewouldaskhertoshowthathewasnotafraid。Hisonlyobstacletodoingsowas，thathehadnottheslightestintentionofmarryingher。

Therewastobebutoneothergreateventbeforethepartybrokeup，andthatwasadinnerattheDukeofOmnium\'s。ThedukehadalreadydeclinedtocometoCourcy；buthehadinameasureatonedforthisbyaskingsomeofthegueststojoinagreatdinnerwhichhewasabouttogivetohisneighbours。

MrMoffatwastoleaveCourcyCastlethedayafterthedinner-party，andhethereforedeterminedtomakehisgreatattemptonthemorningofthatday。Itwaswithsomedifficultythathebroughtaboutanopportunity；butatlasthedidso，andfoundhimselfalonewithMissDunstableinthewalksofCourcyPark。

\'Itisastrangething，isitnot，\'saidhe，recurringtohisoldviewofthesamesubject，\'thatIshouldbegoingtodinewiththeDukeofOmnium——therichestman，theysay，amongthewholeEnglisharistocracy？\'

\'Menofthatkindentertaineverybody，Ibelieve，nowandthen，\'saidMissDunstable，notverycivilly。

\'Ibelievetheydo；butIamnotgoingasoneoftheeverybodies。IamgoingfromLorddeCourcy\'shousewithsomeofhisownfamily。Ihavenoprideinthat——nottheleast；Ihavemoreprideinmyfather\'shonestindustry。Butitshowswhatmoneydoesinthiscountryofours。\'

\'Yes，indeed；moneydoesagreatdealmanyqueerthings。\'InsayingthisMissDunstablecouldnotbutthinkthatmoneyhaddoneaveryqueerthingininducingMissGreshamtofallinlovewithMrMoffat。

\'Yes；wealthisverypowerful：hereweare，MissDunstable，themosthonouredguestsinthehouse。\'

\'Oh！Idon\'tknowaboutthat；youmaybe，foryouareamemberofParliament，andallthat——\'

\'No；notamembernow，MissDunstable。\'

\'Well，youwillbe，andthat\'sallthesame；butIhavenosuchtitletohonour，thankGod。\'

Theywalkedoninsilenceforalittlewhile，forMrMoffathardlyknewwhotomanagethebusinesshehadinhand。\'Itisquitedelightfultowatchthesepeople，\'hesaidatlast；\'nowtheyaccuseusofbeingtuft-hunters。\'

\'Dothey？\'saidMissDunstable。\'UponmywordIdidn\'tknowthatanybodyeversoaccusedme。\'

\'Ididn\'tmeanyouandmepersonally。\'

\'Oh！I\'mgladofthat。\'

\'Butthatiswhattheworldsaysofpersonsofourclass。Nowitseemstomethattoadyingisallontheotherside。Thecountessheredoestoadyyou，andsodotheyoungladies。\'

\'Dothey？ifso，uponmywordIdidn\'tknowit。But，totellthetruth，Idon\'tthinkmuchofsuchthings。Ilivemostlytomyself，MrMoffat。\'

\'Iseethatyoudo，andIadmireyouforit；but，MissDunstable，youcannotalwaysliveso，\'andMrMoffatlookedatherinamannerwhichgaveherthefirstintimationofhiscomingburstoftenderness。

\'That\'sasmaybe，MrMoffat，\'saidshe。

Hewentonbeatingaboutthebushforsometime——givinghertounderstandnownecessaryitwasthatpersonssituatedastheywereshouldliveeitherforthemselvesorforeachother，andthat，aboveallthings，theyshouldbewareoffallingintothemouthsofvoraciousaristocraticlionswhogoaboutlookingforprey——tilltheycametoaturninthegrounds；atwhichMissDunstabledeclaredherintentionofgoingin。Shehadwalkedenough，shesaid。AsbythistimeMrMoffat\'simmediateintentionswerebecomingvisibleshethoughtitprudenttoretire。\'Don\'tletmetakeyouin，MrMoffat；butmybootsarealittledamp，andDrEasymanwillneverforgivemeifIdonothurryinasfastasIcan。\'

\'Yourfeetdamp？——Ihopenot：Idohopenot，\'saidhe，withalookofthegreatestsolicitude。

\'Oh！it\'snothingtosignify；butit\'swelltobeprudent，youknow。

Goodmorning，MrMoffat。\'

\'MissDunstable！\'

\'Eh——yes！\'andMissDunstablestoppedinthegrandpath。\'Iwon\'tletyoureturnwithme，MrMoffat，becauseIknowyouwerecominginsosoon。\'

\'MissDunstable；Ishallbeleavinghereto-morrow。\'

\'Yes；andIgomyselfthedayafter。\'

\'Iknowit。Iamgoingtotownandyouaregoingabroad。Itmaybelong——verylong——beforewemeetagain。\'

\'AboutEaster，\'saidMissDunstable；\'thatis，ifthedoctordoesn\'tknownupontheroad。\'

\'AndIhad，hadwishtosaysomethingbeforewepartforsolongatime。MissDunstable——\'

\'Stop！——MrMoffat。Letmeaskyouonequestion。I\'llhearanythingthatyouhavegottosay，butononecondition：thatis，thatMissAugustaGreshamshallbebywhileyousayit。Willyouconsenttothat？\'

\'MissAugustaGresham，\'saidhe，\'hasnorighttolistentomyprivateconversation。\'

\'Hasshenot，MrMoffat？thenIthinksheshouldhave。I，atanyrate，willnotsofarinterferewithwhatIlookonasherundoubtedprivilegesastobeapartytoanysecretinwhichshemaynotparticipate。\'

\'But，MissDunstable——\'

Andtotellyoufairly，MrMoffat，anysecretthatyoudotellme，I

shallmostundoubtedlyrepeattoherbeforedinner。Goodmorning，MrMoffat；myfeetarecertainlyalittledamp，andifIstayamomentlonger，DrEasymanwillputoffmyforeigntripforatleastaweek。\'

Andsoshelefthimstandingaloneinthemiddleofthegravel-walk。

Foramomentortwo，MrMoffatconsoledhimselfinhismisfortunebythinkinghowhemightavengehimselfonMissDunstable。Soon，however，suchfutileideaslefthisbrain。Whyshouldhegiveoverthechasebecausetherichgalleonhadescapedhimonthis，hisfirstcruiseinpursuitofher？Suchprizeswerenottobewonsoeasily。HispresentobjectionclearlyconsistedinhisengagementtoMissGresham，andinthatonly。Letthatengagementbeatanend，notoriouslyandpubliclybrokenoff，andthisobjectionwouldfalltotheground。Yes；shipssorichlyfreightedwerenottoberundowninonesummermorning\'splainsailing。InsteadoflookingforhisrevengeonMissDunstable，itwouldbemoreprudentinhim——moreinkeepingwithhischaracter——topursuehisobject，andovercomesuchdifficultiesashemightfindhisway。

CHAPTERXIX

THEDUKEOFOMNIUM

TheDukeofOmniumwas，aswehavesaid，abachelor。Notthelessonthataccountdidheoncertainraregaladaysentertainthebeautyofthecountyinhismagnificentruralseat，orthefemalefashionofLondoninBelgraveSquare；butonthisoccasionthedinneratGatherumCastle——forsuchwasthenameofhismansion——wastobeconfinedtothelordsofthecreation。Itwastobeoneofthosedaysonwhichhecollectedroundhisboardallthenotablesofthecounty，inorderthathispopularitymightnotwane，ortheestablishedgloryofhishospitablehousebecomedim。

OnsuchanoccasionitwasnotprobablethatLorddeCourcywouldbeoneoftheguests。Theyparty，indeed，whowentfromCourcyCastlewasnotlarge，andconsistedoftheHonourableGeorge，MrMoffat，andFrankGresham。Theywentinatax-cart，withatandemhorse，drivenveryknowinglybyGeorgedeCourcy；andthefourthseatonthebackofthevehiclewasoccupiedbyaservant，whowastolookafterthehorsesatGatherum。

TheHonourableGeorgedroveeitherwellorluckily，forhereachedtheduke\'shouseinsafety；buthedroveveryfast。PoorMissDunstable！

whatwouldhavebeenherlothadanythingbutgoodhappenedtothatvehicle，sorichlyfreightedwithherthreelovers！Theydidnotquarrelastotheprize，andallreachedGatherumCastleingood-humourwitheachother。

Thecastlewasnewbuildingofwhitestone，latelyerectedatanenormouscostbyoneofthefirstarchitectsoftheday。Itwasanimmensepile，andseemedtocovergroundenoughforamoderate-sizedtown。But，nevertheless，reportsaidthatwhenitwascompleted，thenobleownerfoundthathehadnoroomstolivein；andthat，onthisaccount，whendisposedtostudyhisowncomfort，heresidedinahouseofperhapsone-tenthofthesize，builtbyhisgrandfatherinanothercounty。

GatherumCastlewouldprobablybecalledItalianinitsstyleofarchitecture；thoughitmay，Ithink，bedoubtedwhetheranysuchedifice，oranythinglikeit，waseverseeninanypartofItaly。Itwasavastedifice；irregularinheight——oritappearedtobe——havinglongwingsoneachsidetoohightobepassedoverbytheeyeasmereadjunctstothemansion，andaporticosolargeastomakethehousebehinditlooklikeanotherbuildingofagreateraltitude。ThisporticowassupportedbyIoniccolumns，andwasinitselfdoubtlessabeautifulstructure。Itwasapproachedbyaflightofsteps，verybroadandverygrand；but，asanapproach，byaflightofstepshardlysuitsanEnglishman\'shouse，totheimmediateentranceofwhichitisnecessarythathiscarriageshoulddrive，therewasanotherfrontdoorinoneofthewingswhichwascommonlyused。Acarriage，however，couldonverystupendouslygrandoccasions——thevisits，forinstance，ofqueensandkings，androyaldukes——bebroughtupundertheportico；asthestepshadbeensoconstructedastoadmitofaroad，witharatherstiffascent，beingmadecloseinfrontofthewingupintotheveryporch。

0peningfromtheporchwasthegrandhall，whichextendeduptothetopofthehouse。Itwasmagnificent，indeed；beingdecoratedwithmany-colouredmarbles，andhungroundwithvarioustrophiesofthehouseofOmnium；bannerswerethere，andarmour；thesculpturedbustsofmanynobleprogenitors；full-lengthfiguresofmarbleofthosewhohadbeenespeciallyprominent；andeverymonumentofgloryandwealth，longyears，andgreatachievementscouldbringtogether。Ifonlyamancouldbutliveinhishallandbeforeverhappythere！ButtheDukeofOmniumcouldnotlivehappilyinhishall；andthefactwas，thatthearchitect，incontrivingthismagnificententranceforhisownhonourandfame，haddestroyedtheduke\'shouseasregardsmostoftheordinarypurposesofresidence。

Nevertheless，GatherumCastleisaverynoblepile；and，standingasitdoesaneminence，hasaveryfineeffectwhenseenfrommanyadistantknollandverdant-woodedhill。

Atseveno\'clock，MrdeCourcyandhisfriendsgotdownfromtheirdragatthesmallerdoor——forthiswasnodayonwhichtomountupundertheportico；norwasthatanysuitablevehicletohavebeenentitledtosuchhonour。Frankfeltsomeexcitementalittlestrongerthanthatusualtohimatsuchmoments，forhehadneveryetbeenincompanywiththeDukeofOmnium；andheratherpuzzledhimselftothinkonwhatpointshewouldtalktothemanwhowasthelargestlandownerinthatcountyinwhichhehimselfhadsogreataninterest。He，however，madeuphismindthathewouldallowtheduketochoosehisownsubjects；

merelyreservingtohimselftherightofpointingouthowdeficientingorsecoverswasWestBarsetshire——thatbeingtheduke\'sdivision。

Theyweresoondivestedoftheircoatsandhats，and，withoutenteringonthemagnificenceofthegreathall，wereconductedthroughratheranarrowpassageintoratherasmalldrawing-room——small，thatis，inproportiontothenumberofgentlementhereassembled。Theremightbeaboutthirty，andFrankwasinclinedtothinkthattheywerealmostcrowded。Amancameforwardtogreetthemwhentheirnameswereannounced；butourheroatonceknewthathewasnottheduke；forthismanwasfatandshort，whereasthedukewasthinandtall。

Therewasagreathubbubgoingon；foreverybodyseemedtobetalkingtohisneighbour；or，indefaultofaneighbour，tohimself。Itwasclearthattheexaltedrankoftheirhosthadputverylittleconstraintonhisguests\'tongues，fortheychattedawaywithasmuchfreedomasfarmersatanordinary。

\'Whichistheduke？\'atlastFrankcontrivedtowhispertohiscousin。

\'Oh；——he\'snothere，\'saidGeorge；\'Isupposehe\'llbeinpresently。I

believehenevershowstilljustbeforedinner。\'

Frank，ofcourse，hadnothingfurthertosay；buthealreadybegantofeelhimselfalittlesnubbed：hethoughtthattheduke，dukethoughhewas，whenheaskedpeopletodinnershouldbetheretotellthemthathewasgladtoseethem。

Morepeopleflashedintotheroom，andFrankfoundhimselfrathercloselywedgedinwithastoutclergymanofhisacquaintance。Hewasnotbadlyoff，forMrAthillwasafriendofhisown，whohadheldalivingnearGreshamsbury。Lately，however，atthelamenteddeceaseofDrStanhope——whohaddiedofapoplexyathisvillainItaly——MrAthillhadbeenpresentedwiththebetterprefermentofEiderdown，andhad，therefore，removedtoanotherpartofthecounty。Hewassomewhatofabon-vivant，andamanwhothoroughlyunderstooddinner-parties；andwithmuchgoodnaturehetookFrankunderhisspecialprotection。

\'Yousticktome，MrGresham，\'hesaid，\'whenwegointothedining-room。I\'manoldhandattheduke\'sdinners，andknowhowtomakeafriendcomfortableaswellasmyself。\'

\'Butwhydoesn\'tthedukecomein？\'demandedFrank。

\'He\'llbehereassoonasdinnerisready，\'saidMrAthill。\'Or，rather，thedinnerwillbereadyassoonasheishere。Idon\'tcare，therefore，howsoonhecomes。\'

Hewasbeginningtobeimpatient，fortheroomwasnownearlyfull，anditseemedevidentthatnootherguestswerecoming；whensuddenlyabellrang，andagongwassounded，andatthesameinstantadoorthathadnotyetbeenusedflewopen，andaveryplainlydressed，plain，tallmanenteredtheroom。FrankatonceknewthathewasatlastinthepresenceoftheDukeofOmnium。

Buthisgrace，lateashewasincommencingthedutiesashost，seemedinnohurrytomakeupforlosttime。Hequietlystoodontherug，withhisbacktotheemptygrate，andspokeoneortwowordsinaverylowvoicetooneortwogentlemenwhostoodnearesttohim。Thecrowd，inthemeanwhile，becamesuddenlysilent。Frank，whenhefoundthatthedukedidnotcomeandspeaktohim，feltthatheoughttogoandspeaktotheduke；butnooneelsedidso，andwhenhewhisperedhissurprisetoMrAthill，thatgentlemantoldhimthatthiswastheduke\'spracticeonallsuchoccasions。

\'Fothergill，\'saidtheduke——anditwastheonlywordhehadyetspokenoutloud——\'Ibelievewearereadyfordinner。\'NowMrFothergillwastheduke\'sland-agent，andheitwaswhohadgreetedFrankandhisfriendsattheirentrance。

Immediatelythegongwasagainsounded，andanotherdoorleadingoutofthedrawing-roomintothedining-roomwasopened。Thedukeledtheway，andthentheguestsfollowed。\'Stickclosetome，MrGresham，\'

saidAthill，\'we\'llgetaboutthemiddleofthetable，whereweshallbecosy——andontheothersideoftheroom，outofthisdreadfuldraught——Iknowtheplacewell，MrGresham；sticktome。\'

MrAthill，whowasapleasant，chattycompanion，hadhardlyseatedhimself，andwastalkingtoFrankasquicklyashecould，whenMrFothergill，whosatatthebottomofthetable，askedhimtosaygrace。Itseemedtobequiteoutofthequestionthatthedukeshouldtakeanytroubleoverhisguestswhatever。MrAthillconsequentlydroppedthewordhewasspeaking，andutteredaprayer——ifitwasaprayer——thattheymightallhavegratefulheartsforwhichGodwasabouttogivethem。

Ifitwasaprayer！Asfarasmyownexperiencegoes，suchutterancesareseldomprayers，seldomcanbeprayers。Andifnotprayers，whatthen？Tomeitisunintelligiblethatthefulltideofglibbestchattercanbestoppedatamomentinthemidstofprofusegoodliving，andtheGiventhankedbecominglyinwordsofheartfeltpraise。Settingasideforthemomentwhatonedailyhearsandsees，maynotonedeclarethatachangesosuddenisnotwithinthecompassofthehumanmind？Butthen，tosuchreasoningonecannotbutaddwhatonedoeshearandsee；

onecannotbutjudgeoftheceremonybythemannerinwhichoneseesitperformed——uttered，thatis——andlistenedto。Clergymenthereare——onemeetsthemnowandthen——whoendeavourtogivetothedinner-tablegracesomeofthesolemnityofachurchritual，andwhatistheeffect？Muchthesameasthoughoneweretobeinterruptedforaminuteinthemidstofoneofourchurchliturgiestohearadrinking-song。

Anditwillbeargued，thatamanneedbelessthankfulbecause，atthemomentofreceiving，heuttersnotthanksgiving？orwillitbethoughtthatamanismadethankfulbecausewhatiscalledagraceisutteredafterdinner？Itcanhardlybeimaginedthatanyonewillsoargue，orsothink。

Dinner-gracesare，probably，thelastremainingrelicofcertaindailyserviceswhichtheChurchinoldendaysenjoined：nones，complines，andvesperswereothers。Ofthenonesandcomplineswehavehappilygotquit；anditmightbewellifwecouldgetridofthedinner-gracealso。Letanymanaskhimselfwhether，onhisownpart，theyareactsofprayerandthanksgiving——andifnotthat，whatthen？Itis，Iknow，allegedthatgracesaresaidbeforedinner，becauseourSaviourutteredablessingbeforehislastsupper。Icannotsaythattheideaofsuchanalogyispleasingtome。

Whenthelargepartyenteredthedining-roomoneortwogentlemenmightbeseentocomeinfromsomeotherdoorandsetthemselvesatthetableneartotheduke\'schair。Thesewereguestsofhisown，whowerestayinginthehouse，hisparticularfriends，themenwithwhomhelived：theotherswerestrangerswhomhefed，perhapsonceayear，inorderthathisnamemightbeknowninthelandasthatofonewhodistributedfoodandwinehospitablythroughthecounty。Thefoodandwine，theattendancealso，andtheviewofthevastrepositoryofplatehevouchsafedwillinglytohiscountyneighbours；——butitwasbeyondhisgoodnaturetotalktothem。Tojudgebythepresentappearanceofmostofthem，theywerequiteaswellsatisfiedtobeleftalone。

Frankwasaltogetherastrangerthere，butMrAthillkneweveryoneatthetable。

\'That\'sApjohn，\'saidhe：\'don\'tyouknow，MrApjohn，theattorneyfromBarchester？he\'salwayshere；hedoessomeofFothergill\'slawbusiness，andmakeshimselfuseful。Ifanyfellowknowsthevalueofagooddinner，hedoes。You\'llseethattheduke\'shospitalitywillnotbethrownawayonhim。\'

\'It\'sverymuchthrownawayonme，Iknow，\'saidFrank，whocouldnotatallputupwiththeideaofsittingdowntodinnerwithouthavingbeenspokentobyhishost。

\'Oh，nonsense！\'saidhisclericalfriend；\'you\'llenjoyyourselfamazinglybyandby。ThereisnotmuchchampagneinanyotherhouseinBarsetshire；andthentheclaret——\'AndMrAthillpressedhislipstogether，andgentlyshookhishead，meaningtosignifybythemotionthattheclaretofGatherumCastlewassufficientatonementforanypenancewhichamanmighthavetogothroughinhismodeofobtainingit。

\'Whoisthatfunnylittlemansittingthere，nextbutonetoMrdeCourcy？Ineversawsuchaqueerfellowinmylife。\'

\'Don\'tyouknowoldBolus？Well，IthoughteveryoneinBarsetshireknewBolus；youespeciallyshoulddoso，asheissuchadearfriendofDrThorne。\'

\'AdearfriendofDrThorne？\'

\'Yes；hewasapothecaryatScaringtonintheolddays，beforeDrFillgravecameintovogue。IrememberwhenBoluswasthoughttobeaverygoodsortofdoctor。\'

\'Ishe——ishe——\'whisperedFrank，\'ishebywayofagentleman？\'

\'Ha！ha！ha！Well，Isupposewemustbecharitable，andsaythatheisquiteasgood，atanyrate，asmanyotherstherearehere——\'andMrAthill，ashespoke，whisperedintoFrank\'sear，\'Youseethere\'sFinniehere，anotherBarchesterattorney。Now，IreallythinkwhereFinniegoes，Bolusmaygotoo。\'

\'Themorethemerrier，Isuppose，\'saidFrank。

\'Well，somethingalittlelikethat。IwonderwhyThorneisnothere？

I\'msurehewasasked。\'

\'PerhapshedidnotparticularlywishtomeetFinnieandBolus。Doyouknow，MrAthill，Ithinkhewasquiterightnottocome。Asformyself，IwishIwasanywhereelse。\'

\'Ha！ha！ha！Youdon\'tknowtheduke\'swaysyet；andwhat\'smore，you\'reyoung，youhappyfellow！ButThorneshouldhavemoresense；heoughttoshowhimselfhere。\'

Thegormandizingwasnowgoingonatatremendousrate。Thoughthevolubilityoftheirtongueshadbeenforawhilestoppedbythefirstshockoftheduke\'spresence，theguestsseemedtofeelnosuchconstraintupontheirteeth。Theyfed，onemayalmostsay，rabidly，andgavetheirorderstotheservantsinaneagermanner；muchmoreimpressivethanthatusualatsmallerparties。MrApjohn，whosatimmediatelyoppositetoFrank，had，bysomewell-plannedmanoeuvre，contrivedtogetbeforehimthejowlofasalmon；but，unfortunately，hewasnotforawhileequallysuccessfulinthearticleofsauce。A

verylimitedportion——soatleastthoughtMrApjohn——hadbeenputonhisplate；andaservant，withahugesaucetureen，absolutelypassedbehindhisbackinattentivetohisaudiblerequests。PoorMrApjohninhisdespairturnedroundtoarrestthemanbyhiscoat-tails；buthewasamomenttoolate，andallbutfellbackwardsonthefloor。Asherightedhimselfhemutteredananathema，andlookedwithafaceofanguishathisplate。

\'Anythingthematter，Apjohn？\'saidMrFothergill，kindly，seeingtheutterdespairwrittenonthepoorman\'scountenance；\'canIgetanythingforyou？\'

\'Thesauce！\'saidMrApjohn，inavoicethatwouldhavemeltedahermit；andashelookedatMrFothergill，hepointatthenowdistantsinner，whowasdispensinghismeltedambrosiaatleasttenheadsupwards，awayfromtheunfortunatesupplicant。

MrFothergill，however，knewwheretolookforbalmforsuchwounds，andinaminuteortwo，MrApjohnwasemployedquitetohisheart\'scontent。

\'Well，\'saidFranktohisneighbour，\'itmaybeverywellonceinaway；butIthinkthatonthewholeDrThorneisright。\'

\'MydearMrGresham，seetheworldonallsides，\'saidMrAthill，whohadalsobeensomewhatintentonthegratificationofhisownappetite，thoughwithanenergylessevidentthanthatofthegentlemanopposite。\'Seetheworldonallsidesifyouhaveanopportunity；and，believeme，agooddinnernowandthenisaverygoodthing。\'

\'Yes；butIdon\'tlikeeatingwithhogs。\'

\'Whish-h！softly，softly，MrGresham，oryou\'lldisturbMrApjohn\'sdigestion。Uponmyword，he\'llwantitallbeforehehasdone。Now，I

likethiskindofthingonceinaway。\'

\'Doyou？\'saidFrank，inatonethatwasalmostsavage。

\'Yes；indeedIdo。Oneseessomuchcharacter。Andafterall，whatharmdoesitdo？\'

\'Myideaisthatpeopleshouldlivewiththosewhosesocietyispleasanttothem。\'

\'Live——yes，MrGresham——Iagreewithyouthere。Itwouldn\'tdoformetolivewiththeDukeofOmnium；Ishouldn\'tunderstand，orprobablyapprove，hisways。NorshouldI，perhaps，muchliketheconstantpresenceofMrApjohn。Butnowandthen——onceinayearorso——IdoownIliketoseethemboth。Here\'sthecup；now，whateveryoudo，MrGresham，don\'tpassthecupwithouttastingit。\'

Andsothedinnerpassedon，slowlyenoughasFrankthought，butalltooquicklyforMrApjohn。Itpassedaway，andthewinecamecirculatingfreely。Thetonguesagainwereloosed，theteethbeingreleasedfromtheirlabours，andundertheinfluenceoftheclarettheduke\'spresencewasforgotten。

Butveryspeedilythecoffeewasbrought。\'Thiswillsoonbeovernow，\'saidFrank，tohimself，thankfully；for，thoughhebenomeansdespisedgoodclaret，hehadlosthistempertoocompletelytoenjoyitatthepresentmoment。Buthewasmuchmistaken；thefarceasyetwasonlyatitscommencement。Theduketookhiscupofcoffee，andsodidthefewfriendswhosatclosetohim；butthebeveragedidnotseemtobeingreatrequestwiththemajorityoftheguests。Whenthedukehadtakenhismodicum，heroseupandsilentlyretired，sayingnowordandmakingnosign。Andthenthefarcecommenced。

\'Now，gentlemen，\'saidMrFothergill，cheerily，\'weareallright。

Apjohn，isthereclaretthere？MrBolus，IknowyousticktotheMadeira；youarequiteright，forthereisn\'ttoomuchofitleft，andmybeliefisthere\'llneverbemorelikeit。\'

Andsotheduke\'shospitalitywenton，andtheduke\'sguestsdrankmerrilyforthenexttwohours。

\'Shan\'tweseeanymoreofhim？\'askedFrank。

\'Anymoreofwhom？\'saidMrAthill。

\'Oftheduke？\'

\'Oh，no；you\'llseenomoreofhim。Healwaysgoeswhenthecoffeecomes。It\'sbroughtinasanexcuse。We\'vehadenoughofthelightofhiscountenancetolasttillnextyear。ThedukeandIareexcellentfriends；andhavebeensothesefifteenyears；butIneverseemoreofhimthanthat。\'

\'Ishallgoaway，\'saidFrank。

\'Nonsense。MrdeCourcyandyourotherfriendwon\'tstirforthishouryet。\'

\'Idon\'tcare。Ishallwalkon，andtheymaycatchme。Imaybewrong；butitseemstomethatamaninsultsmewhenheasksmetodinewithhimandneverspeakstome。Idon\'tcareifhebetentimesDukeofOmnium；hecan\'tbemorethanagentleman，andassuchIamhisequal。\'Andthen，havingthusgivenventtohisfeelingsinsomewhathigh-flownlanguage，hewalkedforthandtrudgedawayalongtheroadtowardsCourcy。

FrankGreshamhadbeenbornandbredaConservative，whereastheDukeofOmniumwaswellknownasaconsistentWhig。ThereisnoonesodevoutlyresolvedtoadmitofnosuperiorasyourConservative，bornandbred，noonesoinclinedtohighdomesticdespotismasyourthoroughgoingconsistentoldWhig。

Whenhehadproceededaboutsixmiles，Frankwaspickedupbyhisfriends；buteventhenhisangerhadhardlycooled。

\'Wasthedukeascivilaseverwhenyoutookyourleaveofhim？\'saidhetohiscousinGeorge，ashetookhisseatonthedrag。

\'Thejukewasjeucedjudewine——lemmetellyouthat，oldfella，\'

hiccuppedouttheHonourableGeorge，ashetoucheduptheleaderundertheflank。

CHAPTERXX

THEPROPOSAL

AndnowthedeparturefromCourcyCastlecamerapidlyoneaftertheother，andthereremainedbutonemoreeveningbeforeMissDunstable\'scarriagewastobepacked。Thecountess，intheearlymomentsofFrank\'scourtship，hadcontrolledhisardourandcheckedtherapidityofhisamorousprofessions；butasdays，andatlastweeks，woreaway，shefoundthatitwasnecessarytostirthefirewhichshehadbeforeendeavouredtoslacken。

\'Therewillbenobodyhereto-nightbutourowncircle，\'saidshetohim，\'andIreallythinkyoushouldtellMissDunstablewhatyourintentionsare。Shewillhavefairgroundtocomplainofyouifyoudon\'t。\'

Frankbegantofeelthathewasinadilemma。HehadcommencedmakinglovetoMissDunstablepartlybecausehelikedtheamusement，andpartlyfromasatiricalpropensitytoquizhisauntbyappearingtofallintoherscheme。Buthehadovershotthemark，anddidnotknowwhatanswertogivewhenhewasthuscalledupontomakeadownrightproposal。Andthen，althoughhedidnotcaretworushesaboutMissDunstableinthewayoflove，heneverthelessexperiencedasortofjealousywhenhefoundthatsheappearedtobeindifferenttohim，andthatshecorrespondedthemeanwhilewithhiscousinGeorge。Thoughalltheirflirtationshadbeencarriedononbothsidespalpablybywayoffun，thoughFrankhadtoldhimselftentimesadaythathisheartwastruetoMaryThorne，yethehadanundefinedfeelingthatitbehovedMissDunstabletobealittleinlovewithhim。Hewasnotquiteateaseinthatshewasnotalittlemelancholynowthathisdeparturewassonigh；and，aboveall，hewasanxioustoknowwhatweretherealfactsaboutthatletter。HehadinhisownbreastthreatenedMissDunstablewithaheartache；andnow，whenthetimefortheirseparationcame，hefoundthathisownheartwasthemorelikelytoacheofthetwo。

\'IsupposeImustsaysomethingtoher，ormyauntwillneverbesatisfied，\'saidhetohimselfashesaunteredintothelittledrawing-roomonthatlastevening。Butattheverytimehewasashamedofhimself，forheknewhewasgoingtoaskbadly。

Hissisterandoneofhiscousinswereintheroom，buthisaunt，whowasquiteonthealert，soongotthemoutofit，andFrankandMissDunstablewerealone。

\'Soallourfunandallourlaughteriscometoanend，\'saidshe，beginningtheconversation。\'Idon\'tknowhowyoufeel，butformyselfIreallyamalittlemelancholyattheideaofparting；\'andshelookedupathimwithherlaughingblackeyes，asthoughsheneverhad，andnevercouldhaveacareintheworld。

\'Melancholy！oh，yes；youlookso，\'saidFrank，whoreallydidfeelsomewhatlackadaisicallysentimental。

\'Buthowthoroughlygladthecountessmustbethatwearebothgoing，\'

continuedshe。\'Ideclarewehavetreatedhermostinfamously。Eversincewe\'vebeenherewe\'vehadtheamusementtoourselves。I\'vesometimesthoughtshewouldturnmeoutofthehouse。\'

\'Iwishwithallmyheartshehad。\'

\'Oh，youcruelbarbarian！whyonearthshouldyouwishthat？\'

\'ThatImighthavejoinedyouinyourexile。IhateCourcyCastle，andshouldhaverejoicedtoleave——and——and——\'

\'Andwhat？\'

\'AndIloveMissDunstable，andshouldhavedoubly，treblyrejoicedtoleaveitwithher。\'

Frank\'svoicequiveredalittleashemadethisgallantprofession；butstillMissDunstableonlylaughedthelouder。\'Uponmyword，ofallmyknightsyouarebyfarthebestbehaved，\'saidshe，\'andsaymuchtheprettiestthings。\'Frankbecameratherredintheface，andfeltthathedidso。MissDunstablewastreatinghimlikeaboy。Whileshepretendedtobesofondofhimshewasonlylaughingathim，andcorrespondingthewhilewithhiscousinGeorge。NowFrankGreshamalreadyentertainedasortofcontemptforhiscousin，whichincreasedthebitternessofhisfeelings。CoulditreallybepossiblethatGeorgehadsucceededwhilehehadutterlyfailed；thathisstupidcousinhadtouchedtheheartoftheheiresswhileshewasplayingwithhimaswithaboy？

\'Ofallyourknights！Isthatthewayyoutalktomewhenwearegoingtopart？Whenwasit，MissDunstable，thatGeorgedeCourcybecameoneofthem？\'

MissDunstableforawhilelookedseriousenough。\'Whatmakesyouaskthat？\'saidshe。\'WhatmakesyouinquireaboutMrdeCourcy？\'

\'Oh，Ihaveeyes，youknow，andcan\'thelpseeing。NotthatIsee，orhaveseenanythingthatIcouldpossiblyhelp。\'

\'Andwhathaveyouseen，MrGresham？\'

\'Why，Iknowyouhavebeenwritingtohim。\'

\'Didhetellyouso？\'

\'No；hedidnottellme；butIknowit。\'

Foramomentshesatsilent，andthenherfaceagainresumeditsusualhappysmile。\'Come，MrGresham，youarenotgoingtoquarrelwithme，Ihope，evenifIdidwritealettertoyourcousin。WhyshouldInotwritetohim？Icorrespondwithallmannerofpeople。I\'llwritetoyousomeofthesedaysifyou\'llletme，andwillpromisetoanswermyletters。\'

Frankthrewhimselfbackonthesofaonwhichhewassitting，and，indoingso，broughthimselfsomewhatnearertohiscompanionthanhehadbeen；hethendrewhishandslowlyacrosshisforehead，pushingbackhisthickhair，andashedidsohesighedsomewhatplaintively。

\'Idonotcare，\'saidhe，\'fortheprivilegeofcorrespondenceonsuchterms。IfmycousinGeorgeistobeacorrespondentofyoursalso，I

willgiveupmyclaim。\'

Andthenhesighedagain，sothatitwaspiteoustohearhim。Hewascertainlyanarrantpuppy，andanegregiousassintothebargain；butthen，itmustberememberedinhisfavourthathewasonlytwenty-one，andthatmuchhadbeendonetospoilhim。MissDunstabledidrememberthis，andthereforeabstainedfromlaughingathim。

\'Why，MrGresham，whatonearthdoyoumean？InallhumanprobabilityIshallneverwriteanotherlinetoMrdeCourcy；but，ifIdid，whatpossibleharmcoulditdoyou？\'

\'Oh，MissDunstable！youdonotintheleastunderstandwhatmyfeelingsare。\'

\'Don\'tI？ThenIhopeInevershall。IthoughtIdid。Ithoughttheywerethefeelingsofagood，true-heartedfriend；feelingsthatI

couldsometimeslookbackuponwithpleasureasbeinghonestwhensomuchthatonemeetsisfalse。Ihavebecomeveryfondofyou，MrGresham，andIshouldbesorrytothinkthatIdidnotunderstandyourfeelings。\'

Thiswasalmostworseandworse。YoungladieslikeMissDunstable——forshewasstilltobenumberedinthecategoryofyoungladies——donotusuallytellyounggentlementhattheyareveryfondofthem。Toboysandgirlstheymaymakesuchadeclaration。NowFrankGreshamregardedhimselfasonewhohadalreadyfoughthisbattles，andfoughtthemnotwithoutglory；hecouldnotthereforeenduretobethusopenlytoldbyMissDunstablethatshewasveryfondofhim。

\'Fondofme，MissDunstable！Iwishyouwere。\'

\'SoIam——very。\'

\'YoulittleknowhowfondIamofyou，MissDunstable，\'andheputouthishandtotakeholdofhers。Shethenliftedupherown，andslappedhimlightlyontheknuckles。

\'AndwhatcanyouhavetosaytosaytoMissDunstablethatcanmakeitnecessarythatyoushouldpinchherhand？Itellyoufairly，MrGresham，ifyoumakeafoolofyourself，Ishallcometoaconclusionthatyouareallfools，andthatitishopelesstolookoutforanyoneworthcaringfor。\'

Suchadviceasthis，sokindlygiven，sowiselymeant，soclearlyintelligibleheshouldhavetakenandunderstood，youngashewas。butevenyethedidnotdoso。

\'Afoolofmyself！Yes；IsupposeImustbeafoolifIhavesomuchregardforMissDunstableastomakeitpainfulformetoknowthatI

amtoseehernomore：afool：yes，ofcourseIamafool——amanisalwaysafoolwhenheloves。\'

MissDunstablecouldnotpretendtodoubthismeaninganylonger；andwasdeterminedtostophim，letitcostwhatitwould。Shenowputoutherhand，notoverwhite，and，asFranksoonperceived，giftedwithaveryfairallowanceofstrength。

\'Now，MrGresham，\'saidshe，\'beforeyougoanyfurtheryoushalllistentome。Willyoulistentomeforamomentwithoutinterruptingme？\'

Frankwasofcourseobligedtopromisethathewoulddoso。

\'Youaregoing——orratheryouweregoing，forIshallstopyou——tomakeaprofessionoflove。\'

\'Aprofession！\'saidFrankmakingaslightunsuccessfulefforttogethishandfree。

\'Yes；aprofession——afalseprofession，MrGresham，——afalseprofession——

afalseprofession。Lookintoyourheart——intoyourheartofhearts。I

knowyouatanyratehaveaheart；lookintoitclosely。MrGresham，youknowyoudonotloveme；notasamanshouldlovethewomanheswearstolove。\'

Frankwastakenaback。Soappealedtohefoundthathecouldnotanylongersaythathedidloveher。Hecouldonlylookintoherfacewithallhiseyes，andsittherelisteningtoher。

\'Howisitpossiblethatyoushouldloveme？IamHeavenknowshowmanyyearsyoursenior。Iamneitheryoungnorbeautiful，norhaveI

beenbroughtupassheshouldbewhomyouintimewillreallyloveandmakeyourwife。Ihavenothingthatshouldmakeyouloveme；but——butI

amrich。\'

\'Itisnotthat，\'saidFrank，stoutly，feelinghimselfimperativelycalledupontouttersomethinginhisowndefence。

\'Ah，MrGresham，Ifearitisthat。ForwhatotherreasoncanyouhavelaidyourplanstotalkinthiswaytosuchawomanasIam？\'

\'Ihavelaidnoplans，\'saidFrank，nowgettinghishandtohimself。

\'Atanyrate，youwrongmethere，MissDunstable。\'

\'Ilikeyousowell——nay，loveyou，ifawomanmaytalkofloveinthewayoffriendship——thatifmoney，moneyalonewouldmakeyouhappy，youshouldhaveitheapedonyou。Ifyouwantit，MrGresham，youshallhaveit。\'

\'Ihaveneverthoughtofyourmoney，\'saidFrank，surlily。

\'Butitgrievesme，\'continuedshe，\'itdoesgrieveme，tothinkthatyou，you，you——soyoungandgay，sobright——thatyoushouldhavelookedforitinthisway。FromothersIhavetakenitjustasthewindthatwhistles；\'andnowtwobigslowtearsescapedfromhereyes，andwouldhaverolleddownherrosycheekswereitnotthatshebrushedthemoffwiththebackofherhand。

\'Youhaveutterlymistakenme，MissDunstable，\'saidFrank。

\'IfIhave，Iwillhumblybegyourpardon，\'saidshe，\'but——but——but——\'

Frankhadnothingfurthertosayinhisowndefence。HehadnotwantedMissDunstable\'smoney——thatwastrue；buthecouldnotdenythathehadbeenabouttotalkthatabsolutenonsenseofwhichshespokewithsomuchscorn。

\'Youwouldalmostmakemethinkthattherearenonehonestinthisfashionableworldofyours。IwellknowwhyLadydeCourcyhashadmehere：howcouldIhelpknowingit？Shehasbeensofoolishinherplansthattentimesadayshehastoldmeherownsecret。ButIhavesaidtomyselftwentytimes，thatifshewerecrafty，youwerehonest。\'

\'AndamIdishonest？\'

\'Ihavelaughedinmysleevetoseehowsheplayedhergame，andtohearothersaroundplayingtheirs；allofthemthinkingthattheycouldgetthemoneyofthepoorfoolwhohadcomeattheirbeckandcall；butIwasabletolaughatthemaslongasIthoughtthatIhadonetruefriendtolaughwithme。Butonecannotlaughwithalltheworldagainstone。\'

\'Iamnotagainstyou，MissDunstable。\'

\'Sellyourselfformoney！why，ifIwereamanIwouldnotsellonejotoflibertyformountainsofgold。What！tiemyselfintheheydayofmyyouthtoapersonIcouldneverlove，foraprice！perjuremyself，destroymyself——andnotonlymyself，butheralso，inorderthatImightliveidly！Oh，heavens！MrGresham！canitbethatthewordsofsuchawomanasyouraunthavesunksodeeplyinyourheart；haveblackenedyousofoullyasthis？Haveyouforgottenyoursoul，yourspirit，yourman\'senergy，thetreasureofyourheart？Andyou，soyoung！Forshame，MrGresham！forshame——forshame。\'

Frankfoundthetaskbeforehimbynomeansaneasyone。HehadtomakeMissDunstableunderstandthathehadneverhadtheslightestideaofmarryingher，andthathehadmadelovetohermerelywiththeobjectofkeepinghishandinfortheworkasitwere；withthatobject，andtheotherequallylaudableoneofinterferingwithhiscousinGeorge。

Andyettherewasnothingforhimbuttogetthroughthistaskasbesthemight。HewasgoadedtoitbytheaccusationswhichMissDunstablebroughtagainsthim；andhebegantofeel，thatthoughherinvectiveagainsthimmightbebitterwhenhehadtoldthetruth，theycouldnotbesobitterasthoseshenowkepthintingatunderhermistakenimpressionastohisviews。Hehadneverhadanystrongpropensityformoney-hunting；butnowthatoffenceappearedinhiseyesabominable，unmanly，anddisgusting。Anyimputationwouldbebetterthanthat。

\'MissDunstable，Ineverforamomentthoughtofdoingwhatyouaccusemeof；onmyhonour，Ineverdid。Ihavebeenveryfoolish——verywrong——idiotic，Ibelieve；butIhaveneverintendedthat。\'

\'Then，MrGresham，whatdidyouintend？\'