第2章

\'MrsProudieissoverykindastosaythatshewilltakemein,withmypoodle,parrot,andpetoldwoman.\'

\'ItellMissDunstablethatweshallhavequiteroomforanyofhersuite,\'saidMrsProudie.\'Andthatitwillgiveusnotrouble.\'

\'"Thelabourwedelightinphysicspain"\'saidthegallantbishop,bowinglow,puttinghishanduponhisheart.InthemeantimeMrFothergillhadgotholdofMarkRobarts.MrFothergillwasagentlemanandamagistrateofthecounty,butheoccupiedthepositionofmanagingmanontheDukeofOmnium\'sestate.Hewasnotexactlyhisagent;thatistosay,hedidnotreceivehisrents;buthe\'managed\'forhim,sawpeople,wentaboutthecounty,wroteletters,supportedtheelectioneeringinterest,didpopularitywhenitwastoomuchtroublefortheduketodoithimself,andwas,infact,invaluable.PeopleinWestBarsetshirewouldoftensaythattheydidnotknowwhatonearththedukewoulddo,ifitwerenotforMrFothergill.Indeed,MrFothergillwasusefultotheduke.

\'MrRobarts,\'hesaid,\'Iamveryhappytohavethepleasureofmeetingyou——veryhappyindeed.IhaveoftenheardofyoufromourfriendSowerby.\'Markbowed,andsaidthathewasdelightedtohavethehonourofmakingMrFothergill\'sacquaintance.\'IamcommissionedbytheDukeofOmnium,\'continuedMrFothergill,\'tosayhowgladhewillbeifyouwilljoinhisgrace\'spartyatGatherumCastlenextweek.Thebishopwillbethere,andindeednearlyallthewholesetwhoareherenow.ThedukewouldhavewrittenwhenheheardthatyouweretobeatChaldicotes;butthingswerehardlyquitearrangedthen,sohisgracehasleftitformetotellyouhowhappyhewillbetomakeyouracquaintanceinhisownhouse.IhavespokentoSowerby,\'continuedMrFothergill,\'andheverymuchhopesthatyouwillbeabletojoinus.\'

Markfeltthathisfacebecameredwhenthispropositionwasmadetohim.Thepartyinthecountytowhichheproperlybelonged——heandhiswife,andallthatmadehimhappyandrespectable——lookedupontheDukeofOmniumwithhorrorandamazement;andnowhehadabsolutelyreceivedaninvitationtotheduke\'shouse!A

propositionwasmadetohimthatheshouldbenumberedamongtheduke\'sfriends!

Andthoughinonesensehewassorrythatthepropositionwasmadetohim,yetinanotherhewasproudofit.Itisnoteveryyoungman,lethisprofessionbewhatitmay,whocanreceiveoverturesoffriendshipfromdukeswithoutsomeelation.Mark,too,hadrisenintheworld,asfarashehadyetrisen,byknowinggreatpeople;

andhecertainlyhadanambitiontorisehigher;butheundoubtedlyhadafeelingthatthepathsmostpleasantforaclergyman\'sfeetwerethosewhichweretroddenbythegreatonesoftheearth.

Nevertheless,atthemomenthedeclinedtheduke\'sinvitation.Hewasverymuchflattered,hesaid,butthedutiesoftheparishwouldrequirehimtoreturnfromChaldicotestoFramley.

\'Youneednotgiveananswerto-night,youknow,\'saidMrFothergill.\'Beforetheweekispast,wewilltalkitoverwithSowerbyandthebishop.Itwillbeathousandpities,MrRobarts,ifyouwillallowmetosayso,thatyoushouldneglectsuchanopportunityofknowinghisgrace.\'

WhenMarkwenttobed,hismindwasstillsetagainstgoingtotheduke\'s;but,nevertheless,hedidfeelthatitwasapitythatheshouldnotdoso.Afterall,wasitnecessarythatheshouldobeyLadyLuftoninallthings?

CHAPTERIV

AMATTEROFCONSCIENCE

Itisnodoubtverywrongtolongafteranaughtything.Butneverthelesswealldoso.OnemaysaythathankeringafternaughtythingsistheveryessenceoftheevilintowhichwehavebeenprecipitatedbyAdam\'sfall.Whenweconfessthatweareallsinners,weconfessthatwealllongafternaughtythings.Andambitionisagreatvice——asMarkAntonytoldusalongtimeago——areferencetohisownadvancement,andnottotheadvancementofothers.Butthen,howmanyofusaretherewhoarenotambitiousinthisviciousmanner?Andthereisnothingvilerthanthedesiretoknowgreatpeople——peopleofgreatrank,Ishouldsay;nothingworsethanthehuntingoftitlesandworshippingofwealth.Weallknowthis,andsayiteverydayofourlives.ButpresumingthatawayintothesocietyofParkLanewasopentous,andawayalsointothatofBedfordRow,howmanyofusaretherewhowouldpreferBedfordRow,becauseitissoviletoworshipwealthandtitle?

IamledintotheserathertriteremarksbythenecessityofputtingforwardsomesortofexcuseforthatframeofmindinwhichtheRevMarkRobartsawokeonthemorningafterhisarrivalatChaldicotes.AndItrustthatthefactofhisbeingaclergymanwillnotbeallowedtopressagainsthimunfairly.Clergymenaresubjecttothesamepassionsasothermen;and,asfarasIcansee,givewaytothem,inonelineoranother,almostasfrequently.Everyclergymanshould,bycanonicalrule,feelapersonaldisinclinationtoabishopric;butyetwedonotbelievethatsuchpersonaldisinclinationisgenerallyverystrong.Mark\'sfirstthoughtswhenhewokeonthatmorningflewbacktoMrFothergill\'sinvitation.Thedukehadsentaspecialmessagetosayhowpeculiarlygladhe,theduke,wouldbetomakeacquaintancewithhim,theparson!HowmuchofthismessagehadbeenofMrFothergill\'sownmanufacture,thatMarkRobartsdidnotconsider.

Hehadobtainedalivingatanagewhenotheryoungclergymenarebeginningtothinkofacuracy,andhehadobtainedsuchalivingasmiddle-agedparsonsintheirdreamsregardasapossibleParadisefortheiroldyears.Ofcoursehethoughtthatallthesegoodthingshadbeentheresultsofhisownpeculiarmerits.Ofcoursehefeltthathewasdifferentfromotherparsons——morefittedbynatureforintimacywithgreatpersons,moreurbane,morepolished,andmorerichlyendowedwithmodernclericalwell-to-doaptitudes.HewasgratefultoLadyLuftonforwhatshehaddoneforhim;butperhapsnotsogratefulasheshouldhavebeen.

AtanyratehewasnotLadyLufton\'sservant,norevenherdependant.Somuchhehadrepeatedtohimselfonmanyoccasions,andhadgonesofarastohintthesameideatohiswife.Inhiscareerasparishpriesthemustinmostthingsbethejudgeofhisownactions——andinmanyalsoitwashisdutytobethejudgeofthoseofhispatroness.ThefactofLadyLuftonhavingplacedhimintheliving,couldbynomeansmakehertheproperjudgeofhisactions.Thisheoftensaidtohimself;andhesaidasoftenthatLadyLuftoncertainlyhadahankeringaftersuchajudgement-seat.

Ofwhomgenerallydidprimeministersandofficialbigwigsthinkitexpedienttomakebishopsanddeans?Wasitnot,asarule,ofthoseclergymenwhohadshownthemselvesabletoperformtheirclericaldutiesefficiently,andablealsototaketheirplacewitheaseinsociety?HewasverywelloffcertainlyatFramley;buthecouldneverhopeforanythingbeyondFramley,ifheallowedhimselftoregardLadyLuftonasabugbear.PuttingLadyLuftonandherprejudicesoutofthequestion,wasthereanyreasonwhyheoughtnottoaccepttheduke\'sinvitation?Hecouldnotseethattherewasanysuchreason.Ifanyonecouldbeabetterjudgeonsuchasubjectthanhimself,itmustbehisbishop.AnditwasclearthatthebishopwishedhimtogotoGatherumCastle.

Thematterwasstillleftopentohim.MrFothergillhadespeciallyexplainedthat;andthereforehisultimatedecisionwasasyetwithinhisownpower.Suchavisitwouldcosthimsomemoney,forheknewthatamandoesnotstayatgreathouseswithoutexpense;andthen,inspiteofhisgoodincome,hewasnotveryflushofmoney.HehadbeendownthisyearwithLordLuftoninScotland.Perhapsitmightbemoreprudentforhimtoreturnhome.ButthenanideacametohimthatitbehovedhimaspriesttobreakthroughthatFramleythralldomunderwhichhefeltthathedidtoacertainextentexist.WasitnotthefactthathewasabouttodeclinethisinvitationfromfearofLadyLufton?andifso,wasthatamotivebywhichheoughttobeactuated?Itwasincumbentonhimtoridhimselfofthatfeeling.Andinthisspirithegotupanddressed.

Therewashuntingagainonthatday;andasthehoundsweretomeetnearChaldicotes,andtodrawsomeconvertslyingonthevergeofthechase,theladiesweretogoincarriagesthroughthedrivesoftheforest,andMrRobartswastoescortthemonhorseback.Indeeditwasoneofthosehuntingdaysgotupratherfortheladiesthanforthesport.Greatnuisancestheyaretosteady,middle-agedhuntingmen;buttheyoungfellowslikethembecausetheyhavetherebyanopportunityofshowingalltheirsportingfinery,andofdoingalittleflirtationonhorseback.Thebishop,also,hadbeenmindedtobeoftheparty;so,atleast,hehadsaidonthepreviousevening;andaplaceinoneofthecarriageshadbeensetapartforhim;butsincethat,heandMrsProudiehaddiscussedthematterinprivate,andatbreakfasthislordshipdeclaredthathehadchangedhismind.

MrSowerbywasoneofthosemenwhoareknowntobeverypoor——aspoorasdebtcanmakeaman——butwho,nevertheless,enjoyalltheluxurieswhichmoneycangive.ItwasbelievedthathecouldnotliveinEnglandoutofjailbutforhisprotectionasamemberofParliament;andyetitseemedthattherewasnoendtohishorsesandcarriages,hisservantsandretinue.Hehadbeenatthisworkforagreatmanyyears,andpractice,theysay,makesperfect.Suchcompanionsareverydangerous.Thereisnocholera,noyellow-fever,nosmall-pox,morecontagiousthandebt.Ifoneliveshabituallyamongembarrassedmen,onecatchesittoacertainty.NoonehadinjuredthecommunityinthiswaymorefatallythanMrSowerby.Butstillhecarriedonthegamehimself;

andnow,onthismorning,carriagesandhorsesthrongedathisgate,asthoughhewereassubstantiallyrichashisfriendtheDukeofOmnium.

\'Robarts,mydearfellow,\'saidMrSowerby,whentheywerewellunderwaydownoneofthegladesoftheforest,——fortheplacewherethehoundsmetwassomefourorfivemilesfromthehouseofChaldicotes,——\'rideonwithmeamoment.Iwanttospeaktoyou.

AndifIstaybehindweshallnevergettothehounds.\'SoMark,whohadcomeexpresslytoescorttheladies,rodeonalongsideMrSowerbyinhispinkcoat.

\'Mydearfellow,FothergilltellsmethatyouhavesomehesitationaboutgoingtoGatherumCastle.\'

\'Well,Ididdecline,certainly.YouknowIamnotamanofpleasureasyouare.Ihavesomedutiestoattendto.\'

\'Gammon!\'saidMrSowerby;andashesaidit,helookedwithakindofderisivesmileintotheclergyman\'sface.

\'Itiseasyenoughtosaythat,Sowerby;andperhapsIhavenorighttoexpectthatyoushouldunderstandme.\'

\'Ah,butIdounderstandyou;andIsaythatitisgammon.Iwouldbethelastmanintheworldtoridiculeyourscruplesaboutduty,ifthishesitationonyourpartarosefromanysuchscruple.Butanswermehonestly,doyounotknowthatsuchisnotthecase?\'

\'Iknownothingofthekind.\'

\'Ah,butIthinkyoudo.IfyoupersistinrefusingthisinvitationwillitnotbebecauseyouareafraidofmakingLadyLuftonangry?IdonotknowwhattherecanbeinthatwomanthatsheisabletoholdbothyouandLuftoninleading-strings.\'

Robarts,ofcoursedeniedthecharge,andprotestedthathewasnottobetakenbacktohisparsonagebyanyfearofLadyLufton.Butthoughhemadesuchprotestwithwarmth,heknewthathedidsoineffectually.Sowerbyonlysmiled,andsaidthattheproofofthepuddingwasintheeating.

\'Whatisthegoodofamankeepingacurateifitbenottosavehimfromthatsortofdrudgery?\'heasked.

\'Drudgery!IfIwereadrudgehowcouldIbehereto-day?\'

\'Well,Robarts,lookhere.Iamspeakingnow,perhaps,withmoreoftheenergyofanoldfriendthancircumstancesfullywarrant;butI

amanoldermanthanyou,andasIhavearegardforyouIdonotliketoseeyouthrowupagoodgamewhenitisinyourhands.\'

\'Oh,asfarasthatgoes,Sowerby,IneedhardlytellyouthatI

appreciateyourkindness.\'

\'Ifyouareconstant,\'continuedthemanoftheworld,\'toliveatFramleyallyourlife,andtowarmyourselfinthesunshineofthedowagerthere,why,insuchcase,itmayperhapsbeuselessforyoutoextendthecircleofyourfriends;butifyouhavehigherideasthanthose,youwillbeverywrongtoomitthepresentopportunityofgoingtotheduke\'s.Ineverknewthedukegosomuchoutofhiswaytobeciviltoaclergymanashehasdoneinthisinstance.\'

\'IamsureIamverymuchobligedtohim.\'

\'Thefactis,thatyoumay,ifyouplease,makeyourselfpopularinthecounty;butyoucannotdoitbyobeyingLadyLufton\'sbehest.

Sheisadearoldwoman,Iamsure.\'

\'Sheis,Sowerby;andyouwouldsayso,ifyouknewher.\'

\'Idon\'tdoubtit;butitwouldnotdoforyouormetoliveexactlyaccordingtoherideas.Now,here,inthiscase,thebishopofthedioceseistobeoneoftheparty,andhehas,I

believe,expressedawishthatyoushouldbeanother.\'

\'HeaskedmeifIweregoing.\'

\'Exactly;andArchdeaconGrantlywillalsobethere.\'

\'Willhe?\'askedMark.Now,thatwouldbeagreatpointgained,forArchdeaconGrantlywasaclosefriendofLadyLufton.

\'SoIunderstandfromFothergill.Indeed,itwillbeverywrongofyounottogo,andItellyouplainly;andwhatismore,whenyoutalkaboutyourduty——youhavingacurateasyoudohave——why,itisgammon.\'Theselastwordshespokelookingbackoverhisshoulderashestoodupinhisstirrups,forhehadcaughttheeyeofthehuntsman,whowassurroundedbyhishounds,andwasnowtrottingontojoinhim.Duringagreatportionoftheday,MarkfoundhimselfridingbythesideofMrsProudie,asthatladyleanedbackinhercarriage.AndMrsProudiesmiledonhimgraciously,thoughherdaughterwouldnotdoso.MrsProudiewasfondofhavinganattendantclergyman;andasitwasevidentthatMrRobartslivedamongnicepeople——titleddowagers,membersofParliament,andpeopleofthatsort——shewasquitewillingtoinstallhimasasortofhonorarychaplainprotem.

\'I\'lltellyouwhatwehavesettled,MrsHaroldSmithandI,\'saidMrsProudietohim.\'ThislectureatBarchesterwillbesolateonSaturdayevening,thatyouhadallbettercomeanddinewithus.\'

Markbowedandthankedher,anddeclaredthatheshouldbeveryhappytomakeoneofsuchaparty.EvenLadyLuftoncouldnotobjecttothis,althoughshewasnotespeciallyfondofMrsProudie.

\'Andthentheyaretosleepatthehotel.Itwillreallybetoolateforladiestothinkofgoingbacksofaratthistimeoftheyear.ItoldMrsHaroldSmith,andMissDunstable,too,thatwecouldmanagetomakeroomatanyrateforthem.Buttheywillnotleavetheotherladies;sotheygotothehotelforthenight.But,MrRobarts,thebishopwillneverallowyoutostayattheinn,soofcourseyouwilltakeabedatthepalace.\'

ItimmediatelyoccurredtoMarkthatasthelecturewastobegivenonSaturdayevening,thenextmorningwouldbeSunday;and,onthatSunday,hewouldhavetopreachatChaldicotes.\'Ithoughttheywereallgoingtoreturnthesamenight,\'saidhe.

\'Well,theydidintendit;butyouseeMrsSmithisafraid.\'

\'IshouldhavetobebackhereontheSundaymorning,MrsProudie.\'

\'Ah,yes,thatisbad——verybadindeed.NoonedislikesanyinterferencewiththeSabbathanymorethanIdo.Indeed,ifIamparticularaboutanythingitisaboutthat.Butsomeworksareworksofnecessity,MrRobarts;aretheynot?NowyoumustnecessarilybebackatChaldicotesonSundaymorning!\'Andsothematterwassettled.MrsProudiewasveryfirmingeneralinthematterofSabbath-dayobservances;butwhenshehadtodealwithsuchpersonsasMrsHaroldSmith,itwasexpedientthatsheshouldgivewayalittle.\'Youcanstartatnoonasit\'sdaylight,youknow,ifyoulikeit,MrRobarts,\'shesaid.

Therewasnotmuchtoboastofastothehunting,butitwasaverypleasantdayfortheladies.Themenrodeupanddownthegrassroadsthroughthechase,sometimesinthegreatestpossiblehurryasthoughtheynevercouldgoquickenough;andthenthecoachmenwoulddriveveryfastalso,thoughtheydidnotknowwhy,forafastpaceofmovementisanotherofthosecontagiousdiseases.Andthenagainthesportsmenwouldmoveatanundertaker\'space,whenthefoxhadtraversedandthehoundswouldbeatalosstoknowwhichwasthehuntandwhichwastheheel;andthenthecarriageswouldgoslowly,andtheladieswouldstandupandtalk.Andthenthetimeforlunchcame;andaltogetherthedaywentpleasantlyenough.

\'Andsothat\'shunting,isit?\'saidMissDunstable.

\'Yes,that\'shunting,\'saidMrSowerby.

\'IdidnotseeanygentlemendoanythingthatIcouldnotdomyself,excepttherewasoneyoungmanslippedoffintothemud;

andIshouldn\'tlikethat.\'

\'Buttherewasnobreakingofbones,wasthere,mydear?\'saidMrsHaroldSmith.

\'Andnobodycaughtanyfoxes,\'saidMissDunstable.\'Thefactis,MrsSmith,thatIdon\'tthinkmuchmoreoftheirsportthanIdooftheirbusiness.Ishalltaketohuntingapackofhoundsmyselfafterthis.\'

\'Do,mydear,andI\'llbeyourwhipper-in.IwonderwhetherMrsProudiewouldjoinus.\'

\'Ishallbewritingtotheduketo-night,\'saidMrFothergilltoMark,astheywereallridinguptothestable-yardtogether.\'Youwillletmetellhisgracethatyouwillaccepthisinvitation——willyounot?\'

\'Uponmyword,thedukeisverykind,\'saidMark.

\'Heisveryanxioustoknowyou,Icanassureyou,\'saidFothergill.Whatcouldayoungflatteredfoolofaparsondo,butsaythathewouldgo?Markdidsaythathewouldgo;andinthecourseoftheeveninghisfriendMrSowerbycongratulatedhim,andthebishopjokedwithhimandsaidthatheknewthathewouldnotgiveupgoodcompanysosoon;andMissDunstablesaidshewouldmakehimherchaplainassoonasParliamentwouldallowquackdoctorstohavesucharticles——anallusionwhichMarkdidnotunderstand,tillhelearnedthatMissDunstablewasherselftheproprietressofthecelebratedOilofLebanon,inventedbyherlaterespectedfather,andpatentedbyhimwithsuchwonderfulresultsinthewayofaccumulatedfortune;andMrsProudiemadehimquiteoneoftheirparty,talkingtohimaboutallmannerofChurchsubjects;andthenatlast,evenMissProudiesmiledonhim,whenshelearnedthathehadbeenthoughtworthyofabedattheduke\'scastle.Andalltheworldseemedtobeopentohim.

Buthecouldnotmakehimselfhappythatevening.Onthenextmorninghemustwritetohiswife;andhecouldalreadyseethelookofpainfulsorrowwhichwouldfalluponFanny\'sbrowwhenshelearnedthatherhusbandwasgoingtobeaguestattheDukeofOmnium\'s.Andhemusttellhertosendhimmoney,andmoneywasscarce.Andthen,astoLadyLufton,shouldhesendhersomemessage,orshouldhenot?Ineithercasehemustdeclarewaragainsther.AndthendidhenotoweeverythingtoLadyLufton?

Andthusinspiteofallhistriumphshecouldnotgethimselftobedinahappyframeofmind.

Onthenextday,whichwasFriday,hepostponedthedisagreeabletaskofwriting.Saturdaywoulddowell;andonSaturdaymorning,beforetheyallstartedforBarchester,hedidwrite.Andhisletterranasfollows:-

\'Chaldicotes,November,185-

\'DEARESTLOVE,\'YouwillbeastonishedwhenItellyouhowgayweallarehere,andwhatfurtherdissipationsareinstoreforme.TheArabins,asyousupposed,arenotofourparty;

buttheProudiesare——asyousupposedalso.Yoursuppositionsarealwaysright.AndwhatwillyouthinkwhenItellyouthatIamtosleepatthepalaceonSaturday?YouknowthatthereistobealectureinBarchesteronthatday.Well;wemustallgo,ofcourse,asHaroldSmith,oneofoursethere,istogiveit.Andnowitturnsoutthatwecannotgetbacktothehousethesamenightbecausethereisnomoon;andMrsBishopwouldnotallowthatmyclothshouldbecontaminatedbyanhotel;——verykindandconscientious,isitnot?

\'ButIhaveamoreastoundingpieceofnewsforyouthanthis.ThereistobeaverygreatpartyatGatherumCastlenextweek,andtheyhavetalkedmeoverintoacceptinganinvitationwhichthedukesentexpresslytome.Irefusedatfirst;buteverybodyheresaidthatmydoingsowouldbesostrange;andthentheyallwantedtoknowmyreason.WhenIcametorenderit,IdidnotknowwhatreasonIhadtogive.Thebishopisgoing,andhethoughtitveryoddthatIshouldnotgoalso,seeingthatIwasasked.Iknowthatmyowndarlingwillthink,andIknowthatshewillnotbepleased,andImustputoffmydefencetillIreturntoherfromthisogre-land——ifeverIgetbackalive.Butjokingapart,Fanny,IthinkthatIshouldhavebeenwrongtostandout,whensomuchwassaidaboutit.Ishouldhavebeenseemingtotakeuponmyselftositinjudgementupontheduke.Idoubtiftherebeasingleclergymaninthediocese,underfiftyyearsofage,whowouldhaverefusedtheinvitationundersuchcircumstances——unlessitbeCrawley,whoissomadonthesubjectthathethinksitalmostwrongtotakeawalkoutofhisownparish.I

muststayatGatherumCastleoverSundayweek——indeed,weonlygothereonFriday.IhavewrittentoJonesabouthisduties.Icanmakeituptohim,asIknowhewishestogotoWalesatChristmas.Mywanderingswillallbeoverthen,andhemaygoforacoupleofmonthsifhepleases.IsupposeyouwilltakemyclassesintheschoolonSunday,aswellasyourown;butpraymakethemhaveagoodfire.Ifthisbetoomuchforyou,makeMrsPodgenstaketheboys.IndeedIthinkthatwillbebetter.

\'Ofcourseyouwilltellherladyshipofmywhereabouts.

Tellherfromme,thatasregardsthebishop,aswellasregardinganothergreatpersonage,thecolourhasbeenlaidonperhapsalittletoothickly.NotthatLadyLuftonwouldeverlikehim.Makeherunderstandthatmygoingtotheduke\'shousehasalmostbecomeamatterofconsciencewithme.Ihavenotknownhowtomakeitappearthatitwouldberightformetorefuse,withoutabsolutelymakingapartymatterofit.Isawthatitwouldbesaid,thatI,comingfromLadyLufton\'sparish,couldnotgototheDukeofOmnium\'s.ThisIdidnotchoose.

\'IfindthatIshallwantalittlemoneybeforeIleavehere,fiveortenpounds——saytenpounds.Ifyoucannotspareit,getitfromDavis.Heowesmemorethanthat,agooddeal.Andnow,Godblessandpreserveyou,mylove.Kissmydarlingbairnsforpapa,andgivethemmyblessing.

\'Alwaysandeveryourown,\'M.R.\'

Andthentherewaswritten,onanoutsidescrap,whichwasfoldedroundthefull-writtensheetofpaper.\'MakeitassmoothatFramleyCourtaspossible.\'Howeverstrong,andreasonable,andunanswerablethebodyofMark\'slettermayhavebeen,allhishesitation,weakness,doubt,andfear,wereexpressedinthatshortpostscript.

CHAPTERV

AMANTIUMIRAEAMORISINTERGRATIO

Andnow,withmyreader\'sconsent,IwillfollowthepostmanwiththatlettertoFramley;notbyitsowncircuitousrouteindeed,orbythesamemodeofconveyance;forthatletterwentintoBarchesterbytheCourcynightmail-cart,which,onitsroad,passedthroughthevillagesofUffeyandChaldicotes,reachingBarchesterintimefortheup-mailfromLondon.Bythattrain,theletterwassenttowardsthemetropolisasfarasthejunctionoftheBarsetbranchline,butthereitwasturnedinitscourse,andcamedownagainbythemainlineasfarasSilverbridge;atwhichplace,betweensixandseveninthemorning,itwasshoulderedbytheFramleyfootpostmessenger,andinduecoursedeliveredattheFramleyParsonageexactlyasMrsRobartshadfinishedreadingprayerstothefourservants.Or,Ishouldsayrather,thatsuchwouldinitsusualcoursehavebeenthatletter\'sdestiny.Asitwas,however,itreachedSilverbridgeonSunday,andlaytheretilltheMonday,astheFramleypeoplehavedeclinedtheirSundaypost.

Andthenagain,whentheletterwasdeliveredattheparsonage,onthatwetMondaymorning,MrsRobartswasnotathome.Asweareallaware,shewasstayingwithherladyshipatFramleyCourt.

\'Oh,butit\'smortialwet,\'saidtheshiveringpostmanashehandedinthatandthevicar\'snewspaper.ThevicarwasamanoftheworldandtookTheJupiter.

\'Comein,Robinpostman,andwarmtheeselfawhile,\'saidJemimathecook,pushingastoolalittletooneside,butstillwellinfrontofthebigkitchenfire.

\'Well,Idudnajistknowhowit\'llbe.Thewery\'edges\'aseyesandtellsonmeinSilverbridge,ifIsomuchasstepstopickupablackberry.\'

\'Therehain\'tnohedgesher,mon,noryetnoblackberries;sosittheedownandwarmtheeself.That\'sbetternorblackberries,I\'mthinking,\'andshehandedhimabowlofteawithasliceofbutteredtoast.Robinpostmantooktheprofferedtea,puthisdrippinghatontheground,andthankedJemimacook.\'ButIdudnajistknowhowit\'llbe;\'saidhe,\'onlyitdopoursotarmationheavy.\'Whichamongus,Omyreaders,couldhavewithstoodthattemptation?

SuchwasthecircuitouscourseofMark\'sletter;butasitleftChaldicotesonSaturdayeveningandreachedMrsRobartsonthefollowingmorning,orwouldhavedonebutfortheinterveningSunday,doingallperegrinationsduringthenight,itmaybeheldthatitscourseoftransportwasnotinconvenientlyarranged.We,however,willtravelbyamuchshorterroute.Robin,inthecourseofhisdailytravels,passed,firstthepost-officeatFramley,thenFramleyCourtbackentrance,andthenthevicar\'shouse,sothatonthiswetmorningJemimacookwasnotabletomakeuseofhisservicesintransportingtheletterbacktohermistress;forRobinhadgotanothervillagebeforehim,expectantofhisletters.

\'Whydidn\'ttheeleaveit,mon,withMrApplejohnattheCourt?\'MrApplejohnwasthebutlerwhotooktheletter-bag.\'Theeknow\'stashowmissuswasthere.\'AndthenRobin,mindfuloftheteaandtoast,explainedtohercourteouslyhowthelawmadeitimperativeonhimtobringthelettertotheveryhousethatwasindicated,lettheowneroftheletterbewhereshemight;andhelaiddownthelawverysatisfactorilywithsundrylong-wordedquotations.Nottomucheffect,however,forthehousemaidcalledhimanoaf;andRobinwoulddecidedlyhavehadtheworstofithadnotthegardenercomeinandtakenhispart.\'Theywomanknowsnothin\',andunderstandsnothin\',\'saidthegardener.\'Giveusholdoftheletter.I\'lltakeituptothehouse.It\'sthemaster\'sfist.\'

AndthenRobinpostmanwentononeway,andthegardener,hewenttheother.ThegardenerneverdislikedanexcuseforgoingtotheCourtgardens,evenonsowetadayasthis.

MrsRobartswassittingoverthedrawing-roomfirewithLadyMeredith,whenherhusband\'sletterwasbroughttoher.TheFramleyCourtletter-baghadbeendiscussedatbreakfast;butthatwasnownearlyanhoursince,andLadyLufton,aswasherwont,wasawayinherownroom,writingherownletters,andlookingafterherownmatters:forLadyLuftonwasapersonwhodealtinfiguresherself,andunderstoodbusinessalmostaswellasHaroldSmith.

Andonthatmorningshealsohadreceivedaletterwhichhaddispleasedhernotalittle.WhencearosethedispleasureneitherMrsRobartsnorLadyMeredithknew;butherladyship\'sbrowhadgrownblackatbreakfasttime;shehadbundledupanominous-lookingepistleinherbag,withoutspeakingofit,andhadlefttheroomimmediatelythatbreakfastwasover.

\'There\'ssomethingwrong,\'saidSirGeorge.

\'MammadoesfretherselfsomuchaboutLudovic\'smoneymatters,\'

saidLadyMeredith.LudovicwasLordLufton——LudovicLufton,BaronLuftonofLufton,inthecountyofOxfordshire.

\'AndyetIdon\'tthinkLuftongetsmuchastray,\'saidSirGeorge,ashesaunteredoutoftheroom.\'Well,Justy;we\'llputoffgoingthentillto-morrow;butremember,itmustbethefirsttrain.\'

LadyMeredithsaidshewouldremember,andthentheywentintothedrawing-room,andthereMrsRobartsreceivedherletter.Fanny,whenshereadit,hardlyatfirstrealisedtoherselftheideathatherhusband,theclergymanofFramley,thefamilyclericalfriendofLadyLufton\'sestablishment,wasgoingtostaywiththeDukeofOmnium.ItwassothoroughlyunderstoodatFramleyCourtthatthedukeandallbelongingtohim,wasnoxiousanddamnable.HewasaWhig,hewasabachelor,hewasagambler,hewasimmoralineveryway,hewasamanofnoChurchprinciple,acorrupterofyouth,aswornfoeofyoungwives,aswallowerupofsmallmen\'spatrimonies;amanwhommothersfearedfortheirsons,andsistersfortheirbrothers;andworseagain,whomfathershadcausetofearfortheirdaughters,andbrothersfortheirsisters;——amanwho,withhisbelongings,dwelt,andmustdwell,polesasunderfromLadyLuftonandherbelongings!AnditmustberememberedthatalltheseevilthingswerefullybelievedbyMrsRobarts.CoulditreallybethatherhusbandwasgoingtodwellinthehallsofApollyon,toshelterhimselfbeneaththewingsofthisveryLucifer?Acloudofsorrowsettleduponherface,andthenshereadtheletteragainveryslowly,notomittingthetell-talepostscript.

\'Oh,Justinia!\'atlastshesaid.

\'What,haveyougotbadnews,too?\'

\'Ihardlyknowhowtotellyouwhathasoccurred.There;Isupposeyouhadbetterreadit;\'andshehandedherhusband\'sepistletoLadyMeredith——keepingback,however,thepostscript.

\'Whatonearthwillherladyshipdonow?\'saidLadyMeredith,asshefoldedthepaper,andreplaceditintheenvelope.

\'WhathadIbetterdo,Justinia?howhadIbettertellher?\'Andthenthetwoladiesputtheirheadstogether,bethinkingthemselveshowtheymightbestdeprecatethewrathofLadyLufton.IthadbeenarrangedthatMrsRobartsshouldgobacktotheparsonageafterlunch,andshehadpersistedinherintentionafterithadbeensettledthattheMeredithsweretostayoverthatevening.LadyMeredithnowadvisedherfriendtocarryoutthisdeterminationwithoutsayinganythingaboutherhusband\'siniquities,andthentosendtheletteruptoLadyLuftonassoonasshereachedtheparsonage.\'Mammawillneverknowthatyoureceivedithere,\'saidLadyMeredith.ButMrsRobartswouldnotconsenttothis.Suchacourseseemedtohertobecowardly.Sheknewthatherhusbandwasdoingwrong;shefeltthatheknewithimself;butstillitwasnecessarythatsheshoulddefendhim.Howeverterriblemightbethestorm,itmustbreakuponherownhead.SosheatoncewentandtappedatLadyLufton\'sprivatedoor;andasshedidsoLadyMeredithfollowedher.

\'Comein,\'saidLadyLufton,andthevoicedidnotsoundsoftandpleasant.Whentheyentered,theyfoundhersittingatherlittlewriting-table,withherheadrestingonherarm,andthatletterwhichshehadreceivedthatmorningwaslyingopenonthetablebeforeher.Indeedthereweretwolettersnowthere,onefromaLondonlawyertoherself,andtheotherfromhersontothatLondonlawyer.ItneedsonlytobeexplainedthatthesubjectofthoseletterswastheimmediatesaleofthatoutlyingportionoftheLuftonpropertyinOxfordshire,astowhichMrSowerbyoncespoke.

LordLuftonhadtoldthelawyerthatthethingmustbedoneatonce,addingthathisfriendRobartswouldhaveexplainedthewholeaffairtohismother.AndthenthelawyerhadwrittentoLadyLufton,aswasindeednecessary;butunfortunatelyLadyLuftonhadnothithertoheardawordofthematter.Inhereyesthesaleoffamilypropertywashorrible;thefactthatayoungmanwithsomefifteenortwentythousandayearshouldrequiresubsidiarymoneywashorrible;thatherownsonshouldhavenotwrittentoherhimselfwashorrible;anditwasalsohorriblethatherownpet,theclergymanwhomshehadbroughttheretobeherson\'sfriend,shouldbemixedupinthematter;shouldbecognizantofitwhileshewasnotcognizant;shouldbeemployedinitasago-betweenandagentinherson\'sbadcourses.Itwasallhorrible,andLadyLuftonwassittingtherewithablackbrowandanuneasyheart.Asregardedourpoorparson,wemaysaythatinthismatterhewasblameless,exceptthathehadhithertolackedthecouragetoexecutehisfriend\'scommission.

\'Whatisit,Fanny?\'saidLadyLufton,assoonasthedoorwasopened;\'Ishouldhavebeendowninhalfanhourifyouwantedme,Justinia.\'

\'Fannyhasreceivedaletterwhichmakesherwishtospeaktoyouatonce,\'saidLadyMeredith.

\'Whatletter,Fanny?\'PoorFanny\'sheartwasinhermouth;shehelditinherhand,buthadnotyetquitemadeuphermindwhethershewouldshowitboldlytoLadyLufton.\'FromMrRobarts,\'shesaid.

\'Well;IsupposeheisgoingtostayanotherweekatChaldicotes.

FormypartIshouldbeaswellpleased;\'andLadyLufton\'svoicewasnotfriendly,forshewasthinkingofthefarminOxfordshire.

Theimprudenceoftheyoungisverysoretotheprudenceoftheirelders.Nowomancouldbelesscovetous,lessgraspingthanLadyLufton;butthesaleofaportionoftheoldfamilypropertywastoherasthelossofherownheart\'sblood.

\'Hereistheletter,LadyLufton;perhapsyouhadbetterread;\'andFannyhandedittoher,againkeepingbackthepostscript.Shehadreadandre-readtheletterdownstairs,butcouldnotmakeoutwhetherherhusbandhadintendedhertoshowit.Fromthelineoftheargument,shethoughtthathemusthavedoneso.Atanyratehesaidforhimselfmorethanshecouldsayforhim,andso,probably,itwasbestthatherladyshipshouldseeit.LadyLuftontookit,andreadit,andherfacegrewblackerandblacker.Hermindwassetagainstthewriterbeforeshebeganit,andeverywordinittendedtomakeherfeelmoreestrangedfromhim.\'Oh,heisgoingtothepalace,ishe?well;hemustchoosehisownfriends.

HaroldSmithoneoftheparty!It\'sapity,mydear,hedidnotseeMissProudiebeforehemetyou,hemighthavelivedtobethebishop\'schaplain.GatherumCastle!Youdon\'tmeantotellmethatheisgoingthere?ThenItellyoufairly,Fanny,thatIhavedonewithhim.\'

\'Oh,LadyLufton,don\'tsaythat,\'saidMrsRobarts,withtearsinhereyes.

\'Mamma,mamma,don\'tspeakinthatway,\'saidLadyMeredith.

\'But,mydear,whatamItosay?Imustspeakinthatway.Youwouldnotwishmetospeakfalsehoods,wouldyou?Amanmustchooseforhimself,buthecan\'tlivewithtwodifferentsetsofpeople;atleast,notifIbelongtooneandtheDukeofOmniumtotheother.Thebishopgoingindeed!IftherebeanythingthatI

hateishypocrisy.\'

\'Thereisnohypocrisyinthat,LadyLufton.\'

\'ButIsaythereis,Fanny.Verystrange,indeed!"Putoffhisdefence!"Whyshouldamanneedanydefencetohiswifeifheactsinastraightforwardway?Hisownlanguagecondemnshim."Wrongtostandout!"Now,willeitherofyoutellmethatMrRobartswouldreallyhavethoughtitwrongtorefusethatinvitation?I

saythatishypocrisy.Thereisnootherwordforit.\'Bythistimethepoorwife,whohadbeenintears,waswipingthemawayandpreparingforaction.LadyLufton\'sextremeseveritygavehercourage.Sheknewthatitbehovedhertofightforherhusbandwhenhewasthusattacked.HadLadyLuftonbeenmoderateinherremarks,MrsRobartswouldnothavehadawordtosay.

\'Myhusbandmayhavebeenill-judged,\'shesaid,\'butheisnohypocrite.\'

\'Verywell,mydear,IdaresayyouknowbetterthanI;buttomeitlooksextremelylikehypocrisy;eh,Justinia?\'

\'Oh,mamma,dobemoderate.\'

\'Moderate!That\'sallverywell.Howisonetomoderateone\'sfeelingswhenonehasbeenbetrayed?\'

\'YoudonotmeanthatMrRobartshasbetrayedyou?\'saidthewife.

\'Oh,no;ofcoursenot.\'Andthenshewentonreadingtheletter:

\'"Seemtohavebeenstandinginjudgementupontheduke."Mighthenotusethesameargumentastogoingintoanyhouseinthekingdom,howeverinfamous?Wemustallstandinjudgementoneuponanotherinthatsense."Crawley!"Yes;ifhewerealittlemorelikeMrCrawleyitwouldbeagoodthingforme,andfortheparish,andforyoutoo,mydear.Godforgivemeforbringinghimhere;that\'sall.\'

\'LadyLufton,Imustsaythatyouareveryharduponhim——veryhard.Ididnotexpectitfromsuchafriend.\'

\'Mydear,yououghttoknowmewellenoughtobesurethatIshallspeakmymind."WrittentoJones"——yes;itiseasyenoughtowritetopoorJones.HehadbetterwritetoJones,andbidhimdothewholeduty.Thenhecangoonandbetheduke\'sdomesticchaplain.\'

\'Ibelievemyhusbanddoesasmuchofhisowndutyasanyclergymaninthewholediocese,\'saidMrsRobarts,nowagainintears.

\'Andyouaretotakehisworkintheschool;youandMrsPodgens.

WhatwithhiscurateandhiswifeandMrsPodgens,Idon\'tseewhyheshouldcomebackatall.\'

\'Oh,mamma,\'saidJustinia,\'pray,praydon\'tbesoharshtoher.\'

\'Letmefinishit,mydear;——oh,hereIcome."Tellherladyshipmywhereabouts."Helittlethoughtyou\'dshowmethisletter.\'

\'Didn\'the,\'saidMrsRobarts,puttingoutherhandtogetitback,butinvain.\'Ithoughtitwasforthebest;Ididindeed.\'

\'Ihadbetterfinishitnow,ifyouplease.Whatisthis?Howdoeshedaretosendhisribaldjokestomeinsuchamatter?No,IdonotsupposeIevershalllikeDrProudie;Ihaveneverexpectedit.Amatterofconsciencewithhim!Well——well——well.HadInotreaditmyself,Icouldnothavebelieveditofhim.Iwouldnotpositivelyhavebelievedit."ComingfrommyparishhecouldnotgototheDukeofOmnium!"AnditiswhatIwouldwishtohavesaid.PeoplefitforthisparishshouldnotbefitfortheDukeofOmnium\'shouse.AndIhadtrustedthathewouldhavethisfeelingmorestronglythananyoneelseinit.Ihavebeendeceived——that\'sall.\'

\'Hehasdonenothingtodeceiveyou,LadyLufton.\'

\'Ihopehewillnothavedeceivedyou,mydear."Moremoney."

Thereisyourletter,Fanny.Iamverysorryforit.Icansaynothingmore.\'AndshefoldeduptheletterandgaveitbacktoMrsRobarts.\'Ithoughtitrighttoshowittoyou,\'saidMrsRobarts.

\'Itdidnotmuchmatterwhetheryoudidornot;ofcourseImusthavebeentold.\'

\'Heespeciallybegsmetotellyou.\'

\'Why,yes;hecouldnotverywellhavekeptmeinthedarkonsuchamatter.Hecouldnotneglecthisownwork,andgoandlivewithgamblersandadulterersattheDukeofOmnium\'swithoutmyknowingit.\'AndnowFannyRobarts\'scupwasfull,fulltooverflowing.

WhensheheardthesewordssheforgotallaboutLadyLufton,allaboutLadyMeredith,andrememberedonlyherhusband——thathewasherhusband,and,inspiteofhisfaults,agoodandlovinghusband;——andthatotherfactalsosheremembered,thatshewashiswife.

\'LadyLufton,\'shesaid,\'youforgetyourselfinspeakinginthatwayofmyhusband.\'

\'What!\'saidherladyship;\'youaretoshowmesuchaletterasthat,andIamnottotellyouwhatIthink?\'

\'Notifyouthinksuchhardthingsasthat.Evenyouarenotjustifiedinspeakingtomeinthatway,andIwillnothearit.\'

\'Heighty-tighty!\'saidherladyship.

\'WhetherornoheisrightingoingtotheDukeofOmnium\'s,Iwillnotpretendtojudge.Heisthejudgeofhisownactions,andneitheryounorI.\'

\'Andwhenheleavesyouwiththebutcher\'sbillunpaidandnomoneytobuyshoesforthechildren,whowillbethejudgethen?\'

\'Notyou,LadyLufton.Ifsuchbaddaysshouldevercome——andneitheryounorIhavearighttoexpectthem——Iwillnotcometoyouinmytroubles;notafterthis.\'

\'Verywell,mydear.YoumaygototheDukeofOmniumifthatsuitsyoubetter.\'

\'Fanny,comeaway,\'saidLadyMeredith.\'Whyshouldyoutrytoangermymother?\'

\'Idon\'twanttoangerher;butIwon\'thearhimabusedinthatwaywithoutspeakingupforhim.IfIdon\'tdefendhim,whowill?LadyLuftonhassaidterriblethingsabouthim;andtheyarenottrue.\'

\'Oh,Fanny!\'saidJustinia.

\'Verywell,verywell!\'saidLadyLufton.\'Thisisthesortofreturnonegets.\'

\'Idon\'tknowwhatyoumeanbyreturn,LadyLufton;butwouldyouwishmetostandquietlybyandhearsuchthingssaidofmyhusband?Hedoesnotlivewithsuchpeopleasyouhavenamed.Hedoesnotneglecthisduties.Ifeveryclergymanwereasmuchinhisparish,itwouldbewellforsomeofthem.AndingoingtosuchahouseastheDukeofOmnium\'sitdoesmakeadifferencethathegoesthereincompanywiththebishop.Ican\'texplainwhy,butIknowthatitdoes.\'

\'Especiallywhenthebishopiscoupledwiththedevil,asMrRobartshasdone,\'saidLadyLufton;\'hecanjointhedukewiththemandthenthey\'llstandforthethreeGraces,won\'tthey,Justinia?\'AndLadyLuftonlaughedabitterlittlelaughatherownwit.

\'IsupposeImaygonow,LadyLufton.\'

\'Oh,yes;certainly,mydear.\'

\'IamverysorryifIhavemadeyouangrywithme;butIwillnotallowanyonetospeakagainstMrRobartswithoutansweringthem.

Youhavebeenveryunjusttohim;andeventhoughIdoangeryou,I

mustsayso.\'

\'Come,Fanny,thisistoobad,\'saidLadyLufton.\'Youhavebeenscoldingmeforthelasthalf-hourbecauseIwouldnotcongratulateyouonthisnewfriendthatyourhusbandhasmade,andnowyouaregoingtobeginitalloveragain.ThatismorethanIcanstand.

Ifyouhavenothingelseparticulartosay,youmightaswellleaveme.\'AndLadyLufton\'sfaceasshespokewasunbending,severe,andharsh.MrsRobartshadneverbeforebeensospokentobyheroldfriend;indeed,shehadneverbeensospokentobyanyone,andshehardlyknewhowtobearherself.

\'Verywell,LadyLufton,\'shesaid;\'thenIwillgo.Good-bye.\'

\'Good-bye,\'saidLadyLufton,andturningherselftohertableshebegantoarrangeherpapers.FannyhadneverbeforeleftFramleyCourttogobacktoherownparsonagewithoutawarmembrace.Nowshewastodosowithoutevenhavingherhandshaken.Haditcometothis,thattherewasabsolutelytobeaquarrelbetweenthem——aquarrelforever?\'

\'Fannyisgoing,youknow,mamma,\'saidLadyMeredith.\'Shewillbehomebeforeyouaredownagain.\'

\'Icannothelpit,mydear.Fannymustdoasshepleases.Iamnottobethejudgeofheractions.Shehasjusttoldmeso.\'MrsRobartshadsaidnothingofthekind,butshewasfartooproudtopointthisout.Sowithagentlestepsheretreatedthroughthedoor,andthenLadyMeredith,havingtriedwhataconciliatorywhisperwithhermotherwoulddo,followedher.Alas,theconciliatorywhisperwasaltogetherineffectual.

Thetwoladiessaidnothingastheydescendedthestairs,butwhentheyhadregainedthedrawing-roomtheylookedwithblackhorrorintoeachother\'sfaces.Whatweretheytodonow?Ofsuchatragedyasthistheyhadhadnoremotestpreconception.WasitabsolutelythecasethatFannyRobartswastowalkoutofLadyLufton\'shouseasadeclaredenemy——shewho,beforehermarriageaswellassince,hadbeenalmosttreatedasanadopteddaughterofthefamily?

\'Oh,Fanny,whydidyouanswermymotherinthatway?\'saidLadyMeredith.\'Yousawthatshewasvexed.ShehadotherthingstovexherbesidesthisaboutMrRobarts.\'

\'AndwouldnotyouansweranyonewhoattackedSirGeorge?\'

\'No,notmyownmother.Iwouldlethersaywhatshepleased,andleaveSirGeorgetofighthisownbattles.\'

\'Ah,butitisdifferentwithyou.Youareherdaughter,andSirGeorge——shewouldnotdaretospeakinthatwayastoSirGeorge\'sdoings.\'

\'Indeedshewould,ifitpleasedher.IamsorryIletyougoupthere.\'

\'Itisaswellthatitshouldbeover,Justinia.AsthoseareherthoughtsaboutMrRobarts,itisquiteaswellthatweshouldknowthem.EvenforallthatIowetoher,andalltheloveIbeartoyou,IwillnotcometothishouseifIamtohearmyhusbandabused——notintoanyhouse.\'

\'MydearestFanny,weallknowwhathappenswhentwoangrypeoplegettogether.\'

\'IwasnotangrywhenIwentuptoher;notintheleast.\'

\'Itisnogoodlookingback.Whatarewetodonow?\'

\'IsupposeIhadbettergohome,\'saidMrsRobarts.\'Iwillgoandputmythingsup,andthenIwillsendJamesforthem.\'

\'Waittillafterlunch,andthenyouwillbeabletokissmymotherbeforeyouleaveus.\'

\'No,Justinia;Icannotwait.ImustanswerMrRobartsbythispost,andImustthinkwhatIhavetosaytohim.Icouldnotwritethatletterhere,andthepostgoesatfour.\'AndMrsRobartsgotupfromherchair,preparatorytoherfinaldeparture.

\'Ishallcometoyoubeforedinner,\'saidLadyMeredith;\'andifI

canbringyougoodtidings,Ishallexpectyoutocomebackherewithme.ItisoutofthequestionthatIshouldgoawayfromFramleyleavingyouandmymotherinenmitywitheachother.\'TothisMrsRobartsmadenoanswer;andinaveryfewminutesafterwardsshewasinherownnursery,kissingherchildren,andteachingtheelderonetosaysomethingaboutpapa.But,evenasshetaughthim,thetearsstoodinhereyes,andthelittlefellowknewthateverythingwasnotright.Andthereshesattillabouttwo,doinglittleoddsandendsofthingsforthechildren,andallowingthatoccupationtostandasanexcusetoherfornotcommencingherletter.Butthenthereremainedonlytwohourstoher,anditmightbethattheletterwouldbedifficultinthewriting——wouldrequirethoughtsandchanges,andmustneedsbecopied,perhaps,morethanonce.Astothemoney,thatshehadinthehouse——asmuch,atleast,asMarknowwanted,thoughthesendingofitwouldleavehernearlypenniless.Shecould,however,incaseofpersonalneed,resorttoDavisasdeclaredbyhim.

Soshegotoutherdeskinthedrawing-roomandsatdownandwroteherletter.Itwasdifficultthoughshefoundthatithardlytooksolongassheexpected.Itwasdifficult,forshefeltboundtotellhimthetruth;andyetshewasanxiousnottospoilallhispleasureamonghisfriends.Shetoldhim,however,thatLadyLuftonwasveryangry,\'unreasonablyangry,Imustsay,\'sheputin,inordertoshowthatshehadnotsidedagainsthim.\'And,indeed,wehavequitequarrelled,andthishasmademeunhappy,asitwillyou,dearest;Iknowthat.Butwebothknowhowgoodsheisatheart,andJustiniathinksthatshehadotherthingstotroubleher;andIhopeitwillallbemadeupbeforeyoucomehome;only,dearestMark,praydonotbelongerthanyousaidinyourlastletter.\'Andthentherewerethreeorfourparagraphsaboutthebabies,andtwoabouttheschools,whichImayaswellomit.Shehadjustfinishedherletter,andwascarefullyfoldingitforitsenvelope,withthetwowholefive-poundnotesimprudentlyplacedwithinit,whensheheardafootsteponthegravelpathwhichledupfromasmallwickettothefrontdoor.Thepathrannearthedrawing-roomwindow,andshewasjustintimetocatchaglimpseofthelastfoldofapassingcloak.\'ItisJustinia,\'shesaidtoherself;andherheartbecamedisturbedattheideaofagaindiscussingthemorning\'sadventure.\'WhatamI

todo,\'shehadsaidtoherselfbefore.\'Ifshewantsmetobegherpardon?Iwillnotownbeforeherthatheisinthewrong.\'

Andthenthedooropened——forthevisitormadeherentrancewithouttheaidofanyservant——andLadyLuftonherselfstoodbeforeher.

\'Fanny,\'shesaid,\'Ihavecometobegyourpardon.\'

\'Oh,LadyLufton!\'

\'Iwasverymuchdistressedwhenyoucametomejustnow;——bymorethingsthanone,mydear.But,nevertheless,IshouldnothavespokentoyouofyourhusbandasIdid,andsoIhavecometobegyourpardon.\'MrsRobartswaspastansweringbythetimethatthiswassaid,atleastinwords;soshejumpedup,andwithhereyesfulloftears,threwherselfintoheroldfriend\'sarms.\'Oh,LadyLufton!\'shesobbedforthagain.

\'Youwillforgiveme,won\'tyou?\'saidherladyship,asshereturnedheryoungfriend\'scaress.\'Well,that\'sright.Ihavenotbeenatallhappysinceyouleftmydenthismorning,andI

don\'tsupposeyouhave.But,Fanny,dearest,weloveeachothertoowell,andknoweachothertoothoroughly,tohavealongquarrel,don\'twe?\'

\'Oh,yes,LadyLufton.\'

\'Ofcoursewedo.Friendsarenottobepickedupontheroad-sideeveryday;noraretheytobethrownawaylightly.Andnowsitdown,mylove,andletushavealittletalk.There,Imusttakemybonnetoff.Youhavepulledthestringssothatyouhavealmostchokedme.\'AndLadyLuftondepositedherbonnetonthetable,andseatedherselfcomfortablyinthecornerofthesofa.

\'Mydear,\'shesaid,\'thereisnodutywhichanywomanowestoanyotherhumanbeingatallequaltothatwhichsheowestoherhusband,and,therefore,youwerequiterighttostandupforMrRobartsthismorning.\'UponthisMrsRobartssaidnothing,butshegotherhandwithinthatofherladyship\'s,andgaveitaslightsqueeze.

\'AndIlovedyouforwhatyouweredoing,allthetime.Idid,mydear,thoughyouwerealittlefierce,youknow.EvenJustiniaadmitsthat,andshehasbeenatmeeversinceyouwentaway.And,indeed,Ididnotknowthatitwasinyoutolookinthatwayoutofthoseprettyeyesofyours.\'

\'Oh,LadyLufton!\'

\'ButIlookedfierceenoughmyself,Idaresay,sowe\'llsaynothingmoreaboutthat;willwe?Butnow,aboutthisgoodmanofyours.\'

\'DearLadyLufton,youmustforgivehim.\'

\'Well,asyouaskme,Iwill.We\'llhavenothingmoresaidabouttheduke,eithernoworwhenhecomesback;notaword.Letmesee——he\'stobeback;——whenisit?\'

\'Wednesdayweek,Ithink.\'

\'Ah,Wednesday.Well,tellhimtocomeanddineupatthehouseonWednesday.He\'llbeintime,Isuppose,andthereshan\'tbeawordsaidaboutthishorridduke.\'

\'Iamsomuchobligedtoyou,LadyLufton.\'

\'Butlookhere,mydear;believemehe\'sbetteroffwithoutsuchfriends.\'

\'Oh,Iknowheis;muchbetteroff.\'

\'Well,I\'mgladyouadmitthat,forIthoughtyouseemedtobeinfavouroftheduke.\'

\'Oh,no,LadyLufton.\'

\'That\'sright,then.Andnow,ifyou\'lltakemyadvice,you\'lluseyourinfluence,asgood,dearsweetwife,asyouare,topreventhisgoingthereanymore.I\'manoldwomanandheisayoungman,andit\'sverynaturalthatheshouldthinkmebehindthetimes.I\'mnotangryaboutthat.Buthe\'llfindthatit\'sbetterforhim,betterforhimineveryway,tosticktohisoldfriends.Itwillbebetterforhispeaceofmind,betterforhischaracterasaclergyman,betterforhispocket,betterforhischildren,andforyou——andbetterforhiseternalwelfare.Thedukeisnotsuchacompanionasheshouldseek;——nor,ifheissought,shouldheallowhimselftobeledaway.\'AndthenLadyLuftonceased,andFannyRobartskneelingatherfeetsobbed,withherfacehiddeninherfriend\'sknees.Shehadnotawordnowtosayastoherhusband\'scapabilityofjudgingforhimself.

\'AndnowImustbegoingagain;butJustiniahasmademepromise——promise,mindyou,mostsolemnly,thatIwouldhaveyoubacktodinnerto-night,——byforceifnecessary.ItwastheonlywayIcouldmakemypeacewithher;soyoumustnotleavemeinthelurch.\'OfcourseFannysaidthatshewouldgoanddineatFramleyCourt.

\'Andyoumustnotsendthatletter,byanymeans,\'saidherladyship,asshewasleavingtheroom,pokingwithherumbrellaattheepistle,whichlaydirectedonMrsRobarts\'sdesk.\'Icanunderstandwellwhatitcontains.Youmustalteritaltogether,mydear.\'AndthenLadyLuftonleft.

MrsRobartsinstantlyrushedtoherdeskandtoreopentheletter.

Shelookedatherwatchanditwaspastfour.Shehadhardlybegunwhenthepostmancame.\'Oh,Mary,\'shesaid,\'domakehimwait.Ifhe\'llwaitaquarterofanhour,I\'llgivehimashilling.\'

\'There\'snoneedofthat,ma\'am.Lethimhaveaglassofbeer.\'

\'Verywell,Mary;butdon\'tgivehimtoomuch,forfearheshoulddropthelettersabout.I\'llbereadyintenminutes.\'Andinfiveminutesshehadscrawledaverydifferentsortofletter.Buthemightwantthemoneyimmediately,soshewouldnotdelayitaday.

CHAPTERVI

MRHAROLDSMITH\'SLECTURE

OnthewholethepartyatChaldicoteswasverypleasantandthetimepassedawayquicklyenough.MrRobarts\'schieffriendthere,independentlyofMrSowerby,wasMissDunstable,whoseemedtotakeagreatfancytohim,whereasshewasnotveryaccessibletotheblandishmentsofMrSupplehouse,normoreespeciallycourteoustoherhostthangoodmannersrequiredofher.ButthenMrSupplehouseandMrSowerbywerebothbachelors,whileMarkRobartswasamarriedman.WithMrSowerbyRobartshadmorethanonecommunicationrespectingLordLuftonandhisaffairs,whichhewouldwillinglyhaveavoidedhaditbeenpossible.Sowerbywasoneofthosemenwhoarealwaysmixingupbusinesswithpleasure,andwhohaveusuallysomeschemeintheirmindwhichrequiresforwarding.Menofthisclasshave,asarule,nodailywork,noregularroutineoflabour;butitmaybedoubtedwhethertheydonottoilmuchmoreincessantlythanthosewhohave.

\'Luftonissodilatory,\'MrSowerbysaid.\'Whydidhenotarrangethisatonce,whenhepromisedit?AndthenheisafraidofthatoldwomanatFramleyCourt.Well,mydearfellow,saywhatyouwill;sheisanoldwoman,andshe\'llneverbeyounger.ButdowritetoLufton,andtellhimthatthisdelayisinconvenienttome;he\'lldoanythingforyou,Iknow.\'Marksaidthathewouldwrite,and,indeed,hedidso;buthedidnotatfirstlikethetoneoftheconversationintowhichhewasdragged.ItwasverypainfultohimtohearLadyLuftoncalledanoldwoman,andhardlylesssotodiscusstheproprietyofLordLufton\'spartingwithhisproperty.Thiswasirksometohim,tillhabitmadeiteasy.Butbydegreeshisfeelingsbecamelessacute,andheaccustomedhimselftohisfriendSowerby\'smodeoftalking.

AndthenonSaturdaytheywentovertoBarchester.HaroldSmithduringthelastforty-eighthourshadbecomecrammedtooverflowingwithSarawak,Labuan,NewGuinea,andtheSalomonIslands.Asisthecasewithallmenlabouringundertemporaryspecialities,heforthetimehadfaithinnothingelse,andwasnotcontentthatanyonenearhimshouldhaveanyotherfaith.TheycalledhimViscountPapuaandBaronBorneo;andhiswife,whoheadedthejokeagainsthim,insistedonhavinghertitle.MissDunstablesworethatshewouldwednonebutaSouthSeaIslander;andtoMarkwasofferedtheincomeanddutiesofBishopofSpices.NordidtheProudiefamilysetthemselvesagainsttheselittlesarcasticquipswithanyoverwhelmingseverity.Itissweettounbendoneselfattheproperopportunity,andthiswastheproperopportunityforMrsProudie\'sunbending.Nomortalcanbeseriouslywiseatallhours;andinthesehappyhoursdidthatusuallywisemortal,thebishop,layasideforawhilehisseriouswisdom.

\'Wethinkofdiningatfiveto-morrow,myLadyPapua,\'saidthefacetiousbishop;\'willthatsuithislordshipandtheaffairsofstate?he,he,he!\'Andthegoodprelatelaughedatthefun.Howpleasantlyyoungmenandwomenoffiftyorthereaboutscanjokeandflirtandpoketheirfunabout,laughingandholdingtheirsides,dealinginlittleinnuendoesandrejoicinginnicknames,whentheyhavenoMentorsoftwenty-fiveorthirtyyearsnearthemtokeeptheminorder!ThevicarofFramleymightperhapshavebeenregardedassuchaMentor,wereitnotforthatcapabilityofadaptinghimselftothecompanyimmediatelyaroundhimonwhichhesomuchpiquedhimself.HethereforealsotalkedtomyLadyPapua,andwasjocoseabouttheBaron——notaltogethertothesatisfactionofMrHaroldSmithhimself.ForMrHaroldSmithwasinearnest,anddidnotquiterelishthesejocundities.HehadanideathathecouldinaboutthreeminutestalktheBritishworldintocivilizingNewGuinea,andthattheworldofBarsetshirewouldbemadetogowithhimbyonenight\'sefforts.Hedidnotunderstandwhyothersshouldbelessserious,andwasinclinedtoresentsomewhatstifflytheamenitiesofourfriendMark.

\'WemustnotkeeptheBaronwaiting,\'saidMark,astheywerepreparingtostartforBarchester.

\'Idon\'tknowwhatyoumeanbytheBaron,sir,\'saidHaroldSmith.

\'Butperhapsthejokewillbeagainstyou,whenyouaregettingupinyourpulpitto-morrow,andsendingthehatroundamongtheclod-hoppersofChaldicotes.\'

\'Thosewholiveinglasshousesshouldn\'tthrowstones,eh,Baron?\'

saidMissDunstable.\'MrRobarts\'ssermonwillbetoonearakintoyourlecturetoallowofhislaughing.\'

\'Ifwecandonothingtowardsinstructingtheouterworldtillit\'sdonebytheparsons,\'saidHaroldSmith,\'theouterworldwillhavetowaitalongtime,Ifear.\'

\'NobodycandoanythingofthatkindshortofamemberofParliamentandwould-beminister,\'whisperedMrsHarold.Andsotheywereallverypleasanttogether,inspiteofalittlefencingwithedge-tools,andatthreeo\'clockthecortegeofcarriagesstartedforBarchester,thatofthebishop,ofcourse,leadingtheway.Hislordship,however,wasnotinit.

\'MrsProudie,I\'msureyou\'llletmegowithyou,\'saidMissDunstable,atthelastmoment,asshecamedownthebigstonesteps.\'IwanttoheartherestofthatstoryaboutMrSlope.\'Nowthisupseteverything.Thebishopwastohavegonewithhiswife,MrsSmith,andMarkRobarts;andMrSowerbyhadsoarrangedmattersthathecouldhaveaccompaniedMissDunstableinhisphaeton.ButnooneeverdreamedofdenyingMissDunstableanything.OfcourseMarkgaveway;butitendedinthebishopdeclaringthathehadnospecialpredilectionforhisowncarriage,whichhedidincompliancewithaglancefromhiswife\'seye.Thenotherchangesofcoursefollowed,and,atlast,MrSowerbyandHaroldSmithwerethejointoccupantsofthephaeton.Thepoorlecturer,asheseatedhimselfmadesomeremarksuchasthosehehadbeenmakingforthelasttwodays——foroutofafullheartthemouthspeaketh.

Buthespoketoanimpatientlistener.\'D——theSouthSeaIslanders,\'saidMrSowerby.\'You\'llhaveitallyourownwayinafewmoments,likeabullinachina-shop;butforHeaven\'ssakeletushavealittlepeacetillthattimecomes.\'ItappearedthatMrSowerby\'slittleplanofhavingMissDunstableforhiscompanionwasnotquiteinsignificant;and,indeed,itmaybesaidthatbutfewofhislittleplanswereso.Atthepresentmomentheflunghimselfbackinthecarriageandpreparedforsleep.Hecouldfurthernoplanofhisbyatete-a-teteconversationwithhisbrother-in-law.AndthenMrsProudiebeganherstoryaboutMrSlope,orratherrecommencedit.Shewasveryfondoftalkingaboutthisgentleman,whohadoncebeenherpetchaplain,butwasnowherbitterestfoe;andintellingherstory,shehadsometimestowhispertoMissDunstable,fortherewereoneortwofie-fielittleanecdotesaboutamarriedlady,notaltogetherfitforyoungMrRobarts\'sears.ButMrsHaroldSmithinsistedonhavingthemoutloud,andMissDunstablewouldgratifythatladyinspiteofMrsProudie\'swinks.

\'What,kissingherhand,andheaclergyman!\'saidMissDunstable.

\'Ididnotthinktheyeverdidsuchthings,MrRobarts.\'

\'Stillwatersrundeep,\'saidMrsHaroldSmith.

\'Hush-h-h,\'looked,ratherthanspoke,MrsProudie.\'Thegriefofspiritwhichthatbadmancausedmenearlybrokemyheart,andallthewhile,youknow,hewascourting——\'andthenMrsProudiewhisperedaname.

\'What,thedean\'swife?\'shoutedMissDunstable,inavoicewhichmadethecoachmaninthenextcarriagegiveachucktohishorseasheoverheardher.

\'Thearchdeacon\'ssister-in-law!\'screamedMrsHaroldSmith.

\'Whatmighthehavenotattemptednext?\'saidMissDunstable.

\'Shewasn\'tthedean\'swifethen,youknow,\'saidMrsProudie,explaining.

\'Well,youareagaysetinthechapter,Imustsay,\'saidMissDunstable.\'YououghttomakeoneoftheminBarchester,MrRobarts.\'

\'OnlyperhapsMrsRobartsmightnotlikeit,\'saidMrsHaroldSmith.

\'Andthentheschemeswhichhetriedonwiththebishop!\'saidMrsProudie.

\'It\'sallfairinloveandwar,youknow,\'saidMissDunstable.

\'Buthelittleknewwhomhehadtodealwithwhenhebeganthat,\'

saidMrsProudie.

\'Thebishopwastoomanyforhim,\'suggestedMrsHaroldSmith,verymaliciously.

\'Thebishopwasnot,somebodyelsewas;andhewasobligedtoleaveBarchesterinutterdisgrace.Hehassincemarriedthewifeofsometallow-chandler.\'

\'Thewife!\'saidMissDunstable.\'Whataman!\'

\'Thewidow,Imean;butit\'sallonetohim.\'

\'ThegentlemanwasclearlybornwhenVenuswasintheascendant,\'

saidMrsSmith.\'Youclergymenusuallyare,Ibelieve,MrRobarts.\'SothatMrsProudie\'scarriagewasbynomeansthedullestastheydroveintoBarchesterthatday;andbydegreesourfriendMarkbecameaccustomedtohiscompanions,andbeforetheyreachedthepalaceheacknowledgedtohimselfthatMissDunstablewasverygoodfun.Wecannotlingeroverthebishop\'sdinner,thoughitwasverygoodofitskind;andasMrSowerbycontrivedtositnexttoMissDunstable,therebyoverturningalittleschememadebyMrSupplehouse,heagainshoneforthinuncloudedgoodhumour.ButMrHaroldSmithbecameimpatientimmediatelyonthewithdrawalofthecloth.Thelecturewastobeginatseven,andaccordingtohiswatchthathourhadalreadycome.HedeclaredthatSowerbyandSupplehousewereendeavouringtodelaymattersinorderthattheBarchesteriansmightbecomevexedandimpatient;andsothebishopwasnotallowedtoexercisehishospitalityintrueepiscopalfashion.

\'Youforget,Sowerby,\'saidSupplehouse,\'thattheworldhereforthelastfortnighthasbeenlookingforwardtonothingelse.\'

\'Theworldshallbegratifiedatonce,\'saidMrsHarold,obeyingalittlenodfromMrsProudie.\'Come,mydear,\'andshetookholdofMissDunstable\'sarm,\'don\'tletuskeepBarchesterwaiting.Weshallbereadyinaquarterofanhour,shallwenot,MrsProudie?\'

andsotheysailedoff.

\'Andweshallhavetimeforoneglassofclaret,saidthebishop.

\'There;that\'ssevenbythecathedral,\'saidHaroldSmith,jumpingupfromhischairasheheardtheclock.\'Ifthepeoplehavecomeitwouldnotberightinmetokeepthemwaiting,andIshallgo.\'

\'Justoneglassofclaret,MrSmith,andwe\'llbeoff,\'saidthebishop.

\'Thosewomenwillkeepmehalfanhour,\'saidHarold,fillinghisglass,anddrinkingitstanding.\'Theydoitonpurpose.\'

ItwasratherlatewhentheyallfoundthemselvesinthebigroomoftheMechanic\'sInstitute;butIdonotknowwhetherthisonthewholedidanyharm.MostofMrSmith\'shearers,exceptingthepartyfromthepalace,wereBarchestertradesmenwiththeirwivesandfamilies;andtheywaited,notimpatiently,forthebigpeople.Andthenthelecturewasgratis,afactwhichisalwaysborneinmindbyanEnglishman,whenhecomestoreckonupandcalculatethewayinwhichheistreated.Whenhepayshismoney,thenhetakeshischoice;hemaybeimpatientornotashelikes.

Hissenseofjusticeteacheshimsomuch,andinaccordancewiththatsenseheusuallyacts.Sothepeopleonthebenchesrosegraciouslywhenthepalacepartyenteredtheroom.Seatsforthemhadbeenkeptinthefront.Therewerethreearm-chairs,whichwerefilled,aftersomelittlehesitation,bythebishop,MrsProudie,andMissDunstable——MrsSmithpositivelydecliningtotakeoneofthem;though,assheadmitted,herrankasLadyPapuaoftheislandsdidgivehersomeclaim.Andthisremark,asitwasmadequiteoutloud,reachedMrSmith\'searsashestoodbehindalittletableonasmallraiseddais,holdinghiswhitekidgloves;anditannoyedhimandratherputhimout.HedidnotlikethatjokeaboutLadyPapua.Andthentheothersofthepartysatuponafrontbenchcoveredwithredcloth.\'Weshallfindthisveryhardandverynarrowaboutthesecondhour,\'saidMrSowerby,andMrSmithonhisdaisagainoverheardthewords,anddashedhisglovesdowntothetable.Hefeltthatalltheroomwouldhearit.

Andtherewereoneortwogentlemenonthesecondseatwhoshookhandswithsomeofourparty.TherewasMrThorneofUllathorne,agood-naturedoldbachelor,whoseresidencewasnearenoughtoBarchestertoallowofhiscominginwithoutmuchpersonalinconvenience;andnexttohimwasMrHarding,anoldclergymanofthechapter,withwhomMrsProudieshookhandsverygraciously,makingwayforhimtoseathimselfclosebehindherifhewouldsoplease.ButMrHardingdidnotsoplease.HavingpaidhisrespectstothebishophereturnedquietlytothesideofhisoldfriendMrThorne,therebyangeringMrsProudie,asmighteasilybeseenbyherface.AndMrChadwickalsowasthere,theepiscopalmanofbusinessforthediocese;buthealsoadheredtothetwogentlemenabovenamed.Andnowthatthebishopandtheladieshadtakentheirplace,MrHaroldSmithhummedthreetimesdistinctly,andthenbegan.

\'Itwas,\'hesaid,\'themostpeculiarcharacteristicofthepresenteraintheBritishislandsthatthosewhowerehighplacedbeforetheworldinrank,wealth,andeducationwerewillingtocomeforwardandgivetheirtimeandknowledgewithoutfeeorreward,fortheadvantageandameliorationofthosewhodidnotstandsohighinthesocialscale.\'Andthenhepausedforamoment,duringwhichMrsSmithremarkedtoMissDunstablethatthatwasprettywellforabeginning;andMissDunstablereplied,\'thatasforherselfshefeltverygratefultorank,wealthandeducation.\'MrSowerbywinkedtoMrSupplehouse,whoopenedhiseyesverywideandshruggedhisshoulders.ButtheBarchesterianstookitallingoodpartandgavethelecturertheapplauseoftheirhandsandfeet.

Andthen,wellpleased,herecommenced——\'Idonotmaketheseremarkswithreferencetomyself——\'

\'Ihopehe\'snotgoingtobemodest,\'saidMissDunstable.

\'Itwillbequitenewifheis,\'repliedMrsSmith.

\'——somuchastomanynobleandtalentedlordsandmembersoftheLowerHousewhohavelatelyfromtimetotimedevotedthemselvestothisgoodwork.\'AndthenhewentthroughalonglistofpeersandmembersofParliament,beginning,ofcourse,withLordBoanerges,andendingwithMrGreenWalker,ayounggentlemanwhohadlatelybeenreturnedbyhisuncle\'sinterferencefortheboroughofCreweJunction,andhadimmediatelymadehisentranceintopubliclifebygivingalectureonthegrammariansoftheLatinlanguageasexemplifiedatEtonSchool.\'Onthepresentoccasion,\'MrSmithcontinued,\'ourobjectistolearnsomethingastothosegrandandmagnificentislandswhichliefaraway,beyondtheIndies,intheSouthernOcean;thelandsofwhichproducerichspicesandgloriousfruits,andwhoseseasareembeddedwithpearlsandcorals——PapuaandthePhilippines,BorneoandtheMoluccas.Myfriends,youarefamiliarwithyourmaps,andyouknowthetrackwhichtheequatormakesforitselfthroughthosedistantoceans.\'Andthenmanyheadswereturneddown,andtherewasarustleofleaves;fornotafewofthose\'whostoodnotsohighinthesocialscale\'hadbroughttheirmapswiththem,andrefreshedtheirmemoriesastothewhereaboutsofthosewondrousislands.

AndthenMrSmithalso,withamapinhishand,andpointingoccasionallytoanotherlargemapwhichhungagainstthewall,wentintothegeographyofthematter.\'Wemighthavefoundthatoutfromouratlases,Ithink,withoutcomingallthewaytoBarchester,\'saidthatunsympathetichelpmateMrsHarold,verycruelly——mostillogicallytoo,fortherebesomanythingswhichwecouldfindoutourselvesbysearch,butwhichweneverdofindoutunlesstheybespeciallytoldtous;andwhyshouldnotthislatitudeandlongitudeofLabuanbeone——orrathertwoofthesethings?Andthen,whenhehaddulymarkedthepathofthelinethroughBorneo,Celebes,andGilolo,throughtheMacassarStraitandtheMoluccapassage,MrHaroldSmithrosetoahigherflight.

\'Butwhat,\'saidhe,\'availsallthatGodcangivetoman,unlessmanwillopenhishandtoreceivethegift?Andwhatisthisopeningofthehandbuttheprocessofcivilization——yes,myfriends,theprocessofcivilization?TheseSouthSeaislandershaveallthatakindProvidencecanbestowonthem;butthatallisasnothingwithouteducation.Thateducationandthatcivilizationitisforyoutobestowuponthem——yes,myfriends,foryou;foryou,citizensofBarchesterasyouare.\'Andthenhepausedagain,inorderthatthefeetandhandsmightgotowork.Thefeetandhandsdidgotowork,duringwhichMrSmithtookaslightdrinkofwater.Hewasnowquiteinhiselement,andhadgotintotheproperwayofpunchingthetablewithhisfists.AfewwordsdroppingfromMrSowerbydidnowandagainfindtheirwaytohisears,butthesoundofhisownvoicehadbroughtwithittheaccustomedcharm,andheranonfromplatitudetotruism,andfromtruismbacktoplatitude,withaneloquencethatwascharmingtohimself.

\'Civilization,\'heexclaimed,liftinghiseyesandhishandstotheceiling.\'OCivilization——\'

\'Therewillnotbeachanceforusnowforthenexthourandahalf,\'saidMrSupplehouse,groaning.HaroldSmithcastoneeyedownathim,butitimmediatelyflewbacktotheceiling.