下载辰思小说免费APP
\'OCivilization!Thouthatennoblestmankindandmakesthimequaltothegods,whatislikeuntothee?\'HereMrsProudieshowedevidentsignsofdisapprobation,which,nodoubtwouldhavebeensharedbythebishop,hadnotthatworthyprelatebeenasleep.ButMrSmithcontinuedunobservant;oratanyrate,regardless.\'Whatislikeuntothee?Thouarttheirrigatingstreamwhichmakestfertilethebarrenplain.Tillthoucomestallisdarkanddreary;butatthyadventthenoontidesunshinesout,theearthgivesforthherincrease;thedeepbowelsoftherocksrenderuptheirtribute.
Formswhichweredullandhideousbecomeendowedwithgraceandbeauty,andvegetableexistencerisestothescaleofcelestiallife.Then,too,Geniusappearscladinapanoplyoftranslucentarmour,graspinginhishandthewholeterrestrialsurface,andmakingeveryroodofearthsubservienttohispurposes;——Genius,thechildofCivilization,themotheroftheArts!\'Thelastlittlebit,takenfromthe\'PedigreeofProgress\',hadagreatsuccess,andallBarchesterwenttoworkwithitshandsandfeet;——
allBarchester,exceptthatill-naturedaristocraticfrontrowtogetherwiththethreearm-chairsatthecornerofit.Thearistocraticfrontrownowfeltitselftobetoointimatewithcivilizationtocaremuchaboutit;andthethreearm-chairs,orratherthatspecialonewhichcontainedMrsProudie,consideredthattherewasacertainheathenness,apapismsentimentalityalmostamountingtoinfidelity,containedinthelecturer\'sremarks,withwhichshe,apillaroftheChurch,couldnotputup,seatedasshewasnowinpublicconclave.
\'Itistocivilizationthatwemustlook,\'continuedMrHaroldSmith,descendingfrompoetrytoproseasalecturerwellknowshow,andtherebyshowingthevalueofboth——\'foranymaterialprogressintheseislands;and——\'
\'AndtoChristianity,\'shoutedMrsProudie,tothegreatamazementoftheassembledpeople,andtothethoroughwakeningofthebishop,who,jumpingupinhischairatthesoundofthewell-knownvoice,exclaimed,\'Certainly,certainly.\'
\'Hear,hear,hear,\'saidthoseonthebencheswhoparticularlybelongedtoMrsProudie\'sschoolofdivinityinthecity,andamongthevoiceswasdistinctlyheardthatofanewvergerinwhosebehalfshehadgreatlyinterestedherself.
\'Oh,yesChristianity,ofcourse,\'saidHaroldSmith,uponwhomtheinterruptiondidnotseemtohaveoperatedfavourably.
\'ChristianityandSabbath-dayobservation,\'exclaimedMrsProudie,who,nowthatshehadobtainedtheearofthepublic,seemedwellinclinedtokeepit.\'LetusneverforgetthattheseislanderscanneverprosperunlesstheykeeptheSabbathholy.\'PoorMrSmith,havingbeensorudelydraggedfromhishighhorse,wasneverabletomountitagain,andcompletedthelectureinamannernotatallcomfortabletohimself.Hehadthere,onthetablebeforehim,ahugebundleofstatistics,withwhichhehadmeanttoconvincethereasonofhishearers,afterhehadtakenfullpossessionoftheirfeelings.Buttheyfellverydullandflat.Andatthemomentwhenhewasinterrupted,hewasabouttoexplainthatthatmaterialprogresstowhichhehadalludedcouldnotbeattainedwithoutmoney;andthatitbehovedthem,thepeopleofBarchesterbeforehim,tocomeforwardwiththeirpurseslikemenandbrothers.Hedidalsoattemptthis;butfromthemomentofthatfatalonslaughtfromthearm-chair,itwascleartohim,andtoeveryoneelse,thatMrsProudiewasnowtheheroofthehour.Histimehadgoneby,andthepeopleofBarchesterdidnotcareastrawforhisappeal.Fromthesecausesthelecturewasoverafulltwentyminutesearlierthananyonehadexpected,tothegreatdelightofMessrsSowerbyandSupplehouse,who,onthatevening,movedandcarriedavoteofthankstoMrsProudie.Fortheyhadgaydoingsyetbeforetheywenttotheirbeds.
\'Robarts,hereonemoment,\'MrSowerbysaid,astheywerestandingatthedooroftheMechanic\'sInstitute.Don\'tgooffwithMrandMrsBishop.WearegoingtohavealittlesupperattheDragonofWantly,and,afterwhatwehavegonethrough,uponmyword,wewantit.Youcantelloneofthepalaceservantstoletyouin.\'Markconsideredtheproposalwistfully.Hewouldfainhavejoinedthesupperpartyhadhedared,buthe,likemanyothersofhiscloth,hadthefearofMrsProudiebeforehiseyes.Andaverymerrysuppertheyhad;butpoorMrHaroldSmithwasnotthemerriestoftheparty.
CHAPTERVII
SUNDAYMORNING
Itwas,perhaps,quiteaswellonthewholeforMarkRobarts,thathedidnotgotothatsupperparty.Itwaseleveno\'clockbeforetheysatdownandnearlytwobeforethegentlemenwereinbed.Itmustberememberedthathehadtopreach,ontheSundaymorning,acharitysermononbehalfofamissiontoMrHaroldSmith\'sislanders;and,totellthetruth,itwasataskforwhichhehadnowverylittleinclination.Whenfirstinvitedtodothis,hehadregardedthetaskseriouslyenough,ashealwaysdidregardsuchwork,andhecompletedhissermonfortheoccasionbeforeheleftFramley;but,sincethat,anairofridiculehadbeenthrownoverthewholeaffair,inwhichhehadjoinedwithoutmuchthinkingofhisownsermon,andthismadehimnowheartilywishthathecouldchooseadiscourseuponanyothersubject.Heknewwellthattheverypointsonwhichhehadmostinsisted,werethosewhichhaddrawnmostmirthfromMissDunstableandMrsSmith,andhadoftenestprovokedhisownlaughter;andhowwashenowtopreachonthosemattersinafittingmood,knowing,ashewouldknow,thatthesetwoladieswouldbelookingathim,wouldendeavourtocatchhiseye,andwouldturnhimintoridiculeastheyhadalreadyturnedthelecturer?Inthishedidinjusticetooneofthoseladiesunconsciously.MissDunstable,withallheraptitudeformirth,andwemayalmostfairlysayforfrolic,wasinnowayinclinedtoridiculereligionorsayanythingwhichshethoughtappertainedtoit.ItmaybepresumedthatamongsuchthingsshedidnotincludeMrsProudie,asshewaswillingenoughtolaughatthatlady;butMark,hadheknownherbetter,mighthavebeensurethatshewouldhavesatouthissermonwithperfectpropriety.
Asitwas,however,hedidfeelconsiderableuneasiness;andinthemorning,hegotupearly,withtheviewofseeingwhatmightbedoneinthewayofemendation.Hecutoutthosepartswhichreferredmostspeciallytotheislands,——herejectedaltogetherthosenamesoverwhichtheyhadalllaughedtogethersoheartily,——andheinsertedastringofgenialremarks,veryuseful,nodoubt,whichheflatteredhimselfwouldrobhissermonofallsimilaritytoHaroldSmith\'slecture.Hehad,perhaps,hoped,whenwritingit,tocreatesomelittlesensation;butnowhewouldbequitesatisfiedifitpassedwithoutremark.Ithadbeenarrangedthatthepartyatthehotelshouldbreakfastateightandstartathalf-pasteightpunctually,soastoenablethemtoreachChaldicotesinampletimetoarrangetheirdressesbeforetheywenttochurch.Thechurchstoodonthegrounds,closetothatlongformalavenueoflime-trees,butwithinthefrontgate.Theirwalk,therefore,afterreachingMrSowerby\'shouse,wouldnotbelong.
MrsProudie,whowasherselfanearlybody,wouldnothearofherguest——andheaclergyman——goingouttotheinnforhisbreakfastonaSundaymorning.AsregardedthatSabbath-dayjourneytoChaldicotes,tothatshehadgivenherassent,nodoubtwithmuchuneasinessofmind;butletthemhaveaslittledesecrationaspossible.Itwasthereforeanunderstoodthingthathewastoreturnwithhisfriends;butheshouldnotgowithouttheadvantageoffamilyprayersandfamilybreakfast.AndsoMrsProudieonretiringtorestgavethenecessaryorders,tothegreatannoyanceofherhousehold.
Tothegreatannoyance,atleast,ofherservants!Thebishophimselfdidnotmakehisappearancetillamuchlaterhour.Heinallthingsnowsupportedhiswife\'srule;inallthingsnow,Isay;
fortherehadbeenamoment,wheninthefirstflushandprideofhisepiscopacy,otherideashadfilledhismind.Now,however,hegavenooppositiontothatgoodwomanwithwhomProvidencehadblessedhim;andinreturntohislittlepersonalcomforts.Withwhatsurprisedidthebishopnowlookbackuponthatunholywarwhichhehadoncebeentemptedtowageagainstthewifeofhisbosom?
NordidanyoftheMissProudiesshowthemselvesatthatearlyhour.They,perhaps,wereabsentonadifferentground.WiththemMrsProudiehadnotbeensosuccessfulaswiththebishop.Theyhadwillsoftheirownwhichbecamestrongerandstrongereveryday.OfthethreewithwhomMrsProudiewasblessedonewasalreadyinapositiontoexercisethatwillinalegitimatewayoveraveryexcellentyoungclergymaninthediocese,theRev.
OptimusGrey;buttheothertwo,havingasyetnosuchopeningfortheirpowersofcommand,wereperhapsalittletoomuchinclinedtokeepthemselvesinpracticeathome.Butathalf-pastsevenpunctuallyMrsProudiewasthere,andsowasthedomesticchaplain;
sowasMrRobarts,andsowerethehouseholdservants——allexceptingonelazyrecreant.\'WhereisThomas?\'saidsheoftheArguseyes,standingupwithherbookoffamilyprayersinherhand.\'Sopleaseyou,ma\'am,Tummasbebadwiththetooth-ache.\'
\'Tooth-ache!\'exclaimedMrsProudie;buthereyessaidmoreterriblethingsthanthat.\'LetThomascometomebeforechurch.\'
Andthentheyproceededtoprayers.Thesewerereadbythechaplain,asitwasproperanddecentthattheyshouldbe;butI
cannotbutthinkthatMrsProudiealittleexceededherofficeintakinguponherselftopronouncetheblessingwhentheprayerswereover.Shedidit,however,inaclear,sonorousvoice,andperhapswithmorepersonaldignitythanwaswithinthechaplain\'scompass.
MrsProudiewasrathersternatbreakfast,andthevicarofFramleyfeltanunaccountabledesiretogetoutofthehouse.Inthefirstplaceshewasnotdressedwithherusualpunctiliousattentiontotheproprietiesofherhighsituation.Itwasevidentthattherewastobeafurthertoiletbeforeshesailedupthemiddleofthecathedralchoir.Shehadonalargeloosecapwithnootherstringsthanthosewhichwerewantedoftyingitbeneathherchin,acapwithwhichthehouseholdandthechaplainwerewellacquainted,butwhichseemedungraciousintheeyesofMrRobarts,afterallthewell-dressedholidaydoingsofthelastweek.Sheworealsoalarge,loose,dark-colouredwrapper,whichcamewelluproundherneck,andwhichwasnotbuoyedout,aswereherdressesingeneral,withanundermechanismofpetticoats.Itclungtoherclosely,andaddedtotheinflexibilityofhergeneralappearance.
Andthenshehadencasedherfeetinlargecarpetslippers,whichnodoubtwerecomfortable,butwhichstruckhervisitorasbeingstrangeandunsightly.\'Doyoufinddifficultyingettingyourpeopletogetherforearlymorningprayers?\'shesaid,asshecommencedheroperationswiththeteapot.
\'Ican\'tsaythatIdo,\'saidMark.\'Butthenweareseldomsoearlyasthis.\'
\'Parishclergymenshouldbeearly,Ithink,\'saidshe.\'Itsetsagoodexampleinthevillage.\'
\'Iamthinkingofhavingmorningprayersinthechurch,\'saidMrRobarts.
\'That\'snonsense,\'saidMrsProudie,\'andusuallymeansworsethannonsense.Iknowwhatthatcomesto.IfyouhavethreeservicesonaSundayanddomesticprayersathome,youdoverywell.\'Andsosayingshehandedhimhiscup.
\'ButIhavenotthreeservicesonSunday,MrsProudie.\'
\'ThenIthinkyoushouldhave.WherecanthepoorpeoplebesowelloffonSundaysasinchurch?Thebishopintendstoexpressaverystrongopiniononthissubjectinhisnextcharge;andthenI
amsureyouwillattendtohiswishes.\'TothisMarkmadenoanswer,butdevotedhimselftohisegg.
\'IsupposeyouhavenotaverylargeestablishmentatFramley?\'
askedMrsProudie.
\'What,attheparsonage?\'
\'Yes;youliveattheparsonage,don\'tyou?\'
\'Certainly——well;notverylarge,MrsProudie;justenoughtodothework,makethingscomfortable,andlookafterthechildren.\'
\'Itisaveryfineliving,\'saidshe;\'veryfine.Idon\'trememberthatwehaveanythingsogoodourselves,——exceptatPlumstead,thearchdeacon\'splace.Hehasmanagedtobutterhisbreadverywell.\'
\'HisfatherwasbishopofBarchester.\'
\'Oh,yes,Iknowallabouthim.Onlyforthathewouldbarelyhaverisentoarchdeacon,Isuspect.Letmesee;yoursis800pounds,isitnot,MrRobarts?Andyousuchayoungman!Isupposeyouhaveinsuredyourlifehighly.\'
\'Prettywell,MrsProudie.\'
\'Andthen,too,yourwifehadsomelittlefortune,hadshenot?Wecannotallfallonourfeetlikethat;canwe,MrWhite?\'andMrsProudiewasanimperiouswoman;butthensoalsowasLadyLufton;
anditmaythereforebesaidthatMrRobartsoughttohavebeenaccustomedtofemininedomination;butashesattheremunchinghistoasthecouldnotbutmakeacomparisonbetweenthetwo.LadyLuftoninherlittleattemptssometimesangeredhim;buthecertainlythought,comparingthatladyandtheclericaltogether,thattheruleoftheformerwasthelighterandthepleasanter.ButthenLadyLuftonhadgivenhimalivingandawife,andMrsProudiehadgivenhimnothing.ImmediatelyafterbreakfastMrRobartsescapedtotheDragonofWantly,partlybecausehehadhadenoughofthematutinalMrsProudie,andpartlyalsoinorderthathemighthurryhisfriendsthere.Hewasalreadybecomingfidgetyaboutthetime,asHaroldSmithhadbeenontheprecedingevening;
andhedidtogiveMrsSmithcreditformuchpunctuality.Whenhearrivedattheinnheaskediftheyhaddonebreakfast,andwasimmediatelytoldthatnotoneofthemwasyetdown.Itwasalreadyhalf-pasteight,andtheyoughttobenowunderweighontheroad.
HeimmediatelywenttoMrSowerby\'sroom,andfoundthatgentlemanshavinghimself.\'Don\'tbeabituneasy,\'saidMrSowerby.\'YouandSmithshallhavemyphaeton,andthosehorseswilltakeyouthereinanhour.Not,however,butwhatweshallallbeintime.
We\'llsendroundtothewholepartyandferretthemout.\'AndthenMrSowerby,havingevokedmanifoldaidwithvariouspealsofthebell,sentmessengers,maleandfemale,flyingtoallthedifferentrooms.
\'IthinkI\'llhireagigandgooveratonce,\'saidMark.\'Itwouldnotdoformetobelate,youknow.\'
\'Itwon\'tdoforanyofustobelate;andit\'sallnonsenseabouthiringagig.Itwouldbejustthrowingasovereignaway,andweshouldpassyouontheroad.Godownandseethattheteaismade,andallthat;andmakethemhavethebillready;and,Robarts,youmaypayittoo,ifyoulikeit.But,IbelievewemayaswellleavethattoBaronBorneo——eh?\'AndthenMarkdidgodownandmakethetea,andhedidorderthebill;andthenhewalkedabouttheroom,lookingathiswatch,andnervouslywaitingforthefootstepsofhisfriends.Andashewassoemployed,hebethoughthimselfwhetheritwasfitthatheshouldbesodoingonaSundaymorning;whetheritwasgoodthatheshouldbewaitingthere,inpainfulanxiety,togallopoveradozenmilesinorderthathemightnotbetoolatewithhissermon;whetherhisownsnugroomathome,withFannyoppositetohim,andhisbairnscrawlingonthefloor,withhisownpreparationsforhisownquietservice,andthewarmpressureofLadyLufton\'shandwhenthatserviceshouldbeover,wasnotbetterthanallthis.HecouldnotaffordnottoknowHaroldSmith,andMrSowerby,andtheDukeofOmnium,hehadsaidtohimself.Hehadtolooktoriseintheworld,asothermendid.Butwhatpleasurehadcometohimasyetfromtheseintimacies?Howmuchhadhehithertodonetowardshisrising?Tospeakthetruthhewasnotoverwellpleasedwithhimself,ashemadeMrsHaroldSmith\'steaandorderedMrSowerby\'smutton-chopsonthatSundaymorning.
Atalittleafterninetheyallassembled;buteventhenhecouldnotmaketheladiesunderstandthattherewasanycauseforhurry;
atleastMrsSmith,whowastheleaderoftheparty,wouldnotunderstandit.WhenMarkagaintalkedofhiringagig,MissDunstableindeedsaidthatshewouldjoinhim;andseemedtobesofarearnestinthematterthatMrSowerbyhurriedthroughhissecondegginordertopreventsuchacatastrophe.AndthenMarkabsolutelydidorderthegig;whereuponMrsSmithremarkedthatinsuchcasesheneednothurryherself;butthewaiterbroughtupwordthatallthehorsesofthehotelwereout,exceptingonepair,neitherofwhichcouldgoinsingleharness.Indeed,halfoftheirstableestablishmentwasalreadysecuredbyMrSowerby\'sownparty.
\'Thenletmehavethepair,\'saidMark,almostfranticwithdelay.
\'Nonsense,Robarts;wearereadynow.Hewon\'twantthem,James.
Come,Supplehouse,haveyoudone?\'
\'ThenIamtohurrymyself,amI?\'saidMrsHaroldSmith.\'Whatchangeablecreaturesyouare!MayIbeallowedhalfacupoftea,MrRobarts?\'Mark,whowasnowreallyangry,turnedawaytothewindow.Therewasnocharityinthesepeople,hesaidtohimself.
Theyknewthenatureofhisdistress,andyettheyonlylaughedathim.Hedidnot,perhaps,reflectthathehadassistedinthejokeagainstMrHaroldSmithonthepreviousevening.\'James,\'saidheturningtothewaiter,\'letmehavethatpairofhorsesimmediately,ifyouplease.\'
\'Yes,sir,roundinfifteenminutes,sir:onlyNed,sir,thepost-boy,sir;Ifearhe\'sathisbreakfast,sir;butwe\'llhavehimhereinlessthannotime,sir!\'ButbeforeNedandthepairwerethere,MrsSmithhadabsolutelygotherbonneton,andattentheystarted.MarkdidsharethephaetonwithHaroldSmith,butthephaetondidnotgoanyfasterthantheothercarriages.Theyledtheway,indeed,butthatwasall;andwhenthevicar\'swatchtoldhimthatitwaseleven,theywerestillamilefromChaldicotesgate,althoughthehorseswereinlatherofsteam;andtheyhadjustonlyenteredthevillagewhenthechurchbellceasedtobeheard.
\'Come,youareintime,afterall,\'saidHaroldSmith.\'BettertimethanIwaslastnight.\'Robartscouldnotexplaintohimthattheentryofaclergymanintochurch,ofaclergymanwhoisgoingtoassistintheservice,shouldnotbemadeatthelastminute,thatitshouldbestaidanddecorous,andnotdoneinscramblinghaste,withrunningfeetandscantbreath.
\'Isupposewe\'llstophere,sir,\'saidthepostillion,ashepulleduphishorsesshortofthechurch-door,inthemidstofthepeoplewhowerecongregatingtogetherreadyfortheservice.ButMarkhadnotanticipatedbeingsolate,andsaidatfirstthatitwasnecessarythatheshouldgoontothehouse;then,whenthehorseshadagainbeguntomove,herememberedthathecouldsendforhisgown,andashegotoutofthecarriagehegavehisordersaccordingly.Andnowtheothertwocarriageswerethere,andsotherewasanoiseandconfusionatthedoor——veryunseemly,asMarkfeltit;andthegentlemenspokeinloudvoices,andMrsHaroldSmithdeclaredthatshehadnoPrayer-Book,andwasmuchtootiredtogoinatpresent;shewouldgohomeandrestherself,shesaid.
Andtwootherladiesofthepartydidsoalso,leavingMissDunstabletogoalone;——forwhich,however,shedidnotcareonebutton.Andthenoneoftheparty,whohadanastyhabitofswearing,cursedatsomethingashewalkedinclosetoMark\'selbow;andsotheymadetheirwayupthechurchastheAbsolutionwasbeingread,andMarkRobartsfeltthoroughlyashamedofhimself.Ifhisrisingintheworldbroughthimincontactwithsuchthingsasthese,woulditnotbebetterforhimthatheshoulddowithoutrising?Hissermonwentoffwithoutanyspecialnotice.MrsHaroldSmithwasnotthere,muchtohissatisfaction;
andtheotherswhoweredidnotseemtopayanyspecialattentiontoit.Thesubjecthadlostitsnovelty;exceptwiththeordinarychurchcongregation,thefarmersandlabourersoftheparish;andthe\'quality\'inthesquire\'sgreatpewwerecontenttoshowtheirsympathybyamoderatesubscription.MissDunstable,however,gaveaten-poundnote,whichswelledupthesumtotaltoarespectableamount——forsuchaplaceasChaldicotes.
\'AndnowIhopeImayneverhearanotherwordaboutNewGuinea,\'
saidMrSowerby,astheyclusteredroundthedrawing-roomfireafterchurch.\'Thatsubjectmayberegardedaskilled,eh,Harold?\'
\'Certainlymurderedlastnight,\'saidMrsHarold,\'bythatawfulwoman,MrsProudie.\'
\'Iwonderyoudidnotmakeadashatherandpullheroutofthearm-chair,\'saidMissDunstable.\'Iwasexpectingit,andthoughtthatIshouldcometogriefinthescrimmage.\'
\'Ineverknewsuchabrazen-facedthingbefore,\'saidMissKerrigy,atravellingfriendofMissDunstable\'s.
\'NorI——never;inapublicplace,too,\'saidDrEasyman,amedicalgentleman,whoalsooftenaccompaniedher.
\'Asforbrass,\'saidMrSupplehouse,\'shewouldneverstopatanythingforwantofthat.Itiswellthatshehasenough,forthepoorbishopisbutbadlyprovided.\'
\'Ihardlyheardwhatitwasshedidsay,\'saidHaroldSmith;\'soI
couldnotanswerher,youknow.SomethingaboutSundays,Ibelieve.\'
\'ShehopedyouwouldnotputtheSouthSeaIslandersuptoSabbathtravelling,\'saidMrSowerby.
\'AndspeciallybeggedthatyouwouldestablishLord\'s-dayschools,\'
saidMrsSmith;andthentheyallwenttowork,andpickedMrsProudietopiecesfromthetopribbonsofhercapdowntothesoleofherslipper.
\'Andthensheexpectsthepoorparsonstofallinlovewithherdaughters.That\'sthehardestthingofall,\'saidMissDunstable.
But,onthewhole,whenourvicarwenttobed,hedidnotfeelthathehadspentaprofitableSunday.
CHAPTERVIII
GATHERUMCASTLE
OntheTuesdaymorningMarkdidreceivehiswife\'sletter,andtheten-poundnote,wherebyastrongproofwasgivenofthehonestyofthepost-officepeopleinBarsetshire.Thatletter,writtenasithadbeeninahurry,whileRobinpost-boywasdrinkingasinglemugofbeer,——well,whatofitifhehalffilledasecondtime?——wasneverthelesseloquenceofhiswife\'sloveandofhergreattriumph.\'Ihaveonlyhalfamomenttosendthemoney,\'shesaid,\'forthepostmanisherewaiting.WhenIseeyou,I\'llexplainwhyIamsohurried.Letmeknowyougetitsafe.Itisallrightnow,andLadyLuftonwasherenotaminuteago.Shedidnotquitelikeit;aboutGatherumCastle,Imean;butyou\'llhearnothingaboutit.OnlyrememberthatyoumustdineatFramleyCourtonWednesdayweek.Ihavepromisedthatforyou.Youwill,won\'tyou,dearest?Ishallcomeandfetchyouawayifyouattempttostaylongerthanyouhavesaid.ButI\'msureyouwon\'t.Godblessyou,myownone!MrJonesgaveusthesamesermonhepreachedthesecondSundayafterEaster.Twiceinthesameyearistoooften.Godblessyou!Thechildrenarequitewell.Marksendsyouabigkiss——YourownF.\'
Robarts,ashereadthisletterandcrumpledthenoteupintohispocket,feltthatitwasmuchmoresatisfactorythanhedeserved.
Heknewthattheremusthavebeenafight,andthathiswife,fightingloyallyonhisbehalf,hadgotthebestofit;andheknewalsothathervictoryhadnotbeenowingtothegoodnessofhercause.HefrequentlydeclaredtohimselfthathewouldnotbeafraidofLadyLufton;butneverthelessthesetidingsthatnoreproachesweretobemadetohimaffordedhimgreatrelief.OnthefollowingFridaytheyallwenttotheduke\'s,andfoundthatthebishopandMrsProudieweretherebeforethem;aswerealsosundryotherpeople,mostlyofsomenoteeitherintheestimationoftheworldatlargeorthatofWestBarsetshire.LordBoanergeswasthere,anoldmanwhowouldhavehisownwayineverything,andwhowasregardedbyallmen——apparentlyeventhedukehimself——asanintellectualking,bynomeansoftheconstitutionalkind——asanintellectualemperor,rather,whotookuponhimselftoruleallquestionsofmindwithouttheassistanceofanyministerswhatever.AndBaronBrawlwasoftheparty,oneofHerMajesty\'spuisneJudges,asjovialaguestaseverenteredacountyhouse;
butgiventoberathersharpwithalinhisjovialities.AndtherewasMrGreenWalker,ayoungbutrisingman,thesamewholecturednotlongsinceonapopularsubjecttohisconstituentsattheCreweJunction.MrGreenWalkerwasanephewoftheMarchionessofHartletop,andtheMarchionessofHartletopwasafriendoftheDukeofOmnium\'s.MrMarkRobartswascertainlyelatedwhenheascertainedwhocomposedthecompanyofwhichhehadbeensoearnestlypressedtomakeaportion.WouldithavebeenwiseinhimtoforgothisonaccountoftheprejudicesofLadyLufton?
Astheguestsweresomanyandsogreat,thehugefrontportalsofGatherumCastlewerethrownopenandthevasthall,adornedwithtrophies——withmarblebustsfromItalyandarmourfromWardourStreet——wasthrongedwithgentlemenandladies,andgaveforthunwontedechoestomanyafootstep.Hisgracehimself,whenMarkarrivedtherewithSowerbyandMissDunstable——forinthisinstanceMissDunstabledidtravelinthephaeton,whileMarkoccupiedaseatinthedicky——hisgracehimselfwasatthismomentinthedrawing-roomandnothingcouldexceedhisurbanity.
\'Oh,MissDunstable!\'hesaid,takingthatladybythehand,andleadingheruptothefire,\'nowIfeelforthefirsttimethatGatherumCastlehasnotbeenbuiltfornothing.\'
\'Nobodyeversupposeditwas,yourgrace,\'saidMissDunstable.\'I
amsurethearchitectdidnotthinksowhenhisbillwaspaid.\'AndMissDunstableputhertoesonthefendertowarmthemwithasmuchself-possessionasthoughherfatherhadbeenadukealso,insteadofaquackdoctor.
\'Wehavegiventhestrictestordersabouttheparrot——,\'saidtheduke.
\'Ah!butIhavenotbroughthimafterall;\'saidMissDunstable.
\'——andIhavehadanaviarybuiltonpurpose,——justsuchasparrotsareusedtointheirowncountry.Well,MissDunstable,Idocallthatunkind.Isittoolatetosendforhim?\'
\'HeandDrEasymanaretravellingtogether.Thetruthwas,Icouldnotrobthedoctorofhiscompanion.\'
\'Why?Ihavehadanotheraviarybuiltforhim.Ideclare,MissDunstable,thehonouryouaredoingmeisshornofhalfitsglory.
Butthepoodle——Istilltrustinthepoodle.\'
\'Andyourgrace\'strustshallnotinthatrespectbeinvain.
Whereishe,Iwonder?\'AndMissDunstablelookedroundasthoughsheexpectedthatsomebodywouldcertainlyhavebroughtherdoginafterher.\'IdeclareImustgoandlookforhim,——onlythinkiftheyweretoputhimamongyourgrace\'sdogs,——howhismoralswouldbedestroyed!\'
\'MissDunstable,isthatintendedtobepersonal?\'buttheladyhadturnedawayfromthefire,andthedukewasabletowelcomehisotherguests.Thishedidwithmuchcourtesy.\'Sowerby,\'hesaid,\'Iamgladyouhavesurvivedthelecture.IcanassureyouIhadfearsforyou.\'
\'IwasbroughtbacktolifeafterconsiderabledelaybytheadministrationoftonicsattheDragonofWantly.WillyourgraceallowmetopresenttoyouMrRobarts,whoonthatoccasionwasnotsofortunate.Itwasfoundnecessarytocarryhimofftothepalace,wherehewasobligedtoundergoveryvigoroustreatment.\'
AndthenthedukeshookhandswithMrRobarts,assuringhimthathewasmosthappytomakehisacquaintance.Hehadoftenheardofhimsincehecameintothecounty;andthenheaskedafterLordLufton,regrettingthathehadbeenunabletoinducehislordshiptocometoGatherumCastle.
\'Butyouhadadiversionatthelecture,Iamtold,\'continuedtheduke.\'Therewasasecondperformance,wastherenot,whoalmosteclipsedpoorHaroldSmith?\'AndthenMrSowerbygaveanamusingsketchofthelittleProudieepisode.
\'Ithas,ofcourse,ruinedyourbrother-in-lawforeverasalecturer,\'saidtheduke,laughing.
\'Ifso,weshallfeelourselvesunderthedeepestobligationstoMrsProudie,\'saidMrSowerby.AndthenHaroldSmithhimselfcameupandreceivedtheduke\'ssincereandheartycongratulationsonthesuccessofhisexerciseatBarchester.MarkRobartshadnowturnedaway,andhisattentionwassuddenlyarrestedbytheloudvoiceofMissDunstable,whohadstumbledacrosssomeverydearfriendsinherpassagethroughtherooms,andwhobynomeanshidfromthepublicherdelightupontheoccasion.
\'Well——well——well!\'sheexclaimed,andthensheseizeduponaveryquiet-lookingwell-dressed,attractiveyoungwomanwhowaswalkingtowardsher,incompanywithagentleman.Thegentlemanandlady,asitturnedout,werehusbandandwife.\'Well——well——well!I
hardlyhopedforthis.\'Andthenshetookholdoftheladyandkissedherenthusiastically,andafterthatgraspedboththegentleman\'shands,shakingthemstoutly.
\'AndwhatadealIshallhavetosaytoyou!\'shewenton.\'You\'llupsetallmyotherplans.But,Mary,mydear,howlongareyougoingtostayhere?Igo——letmesee——Iforgetwhen,butit\'sallputdowninabookupstairs.ButthenextstageisatMrsProudie\'s.Ishan\'tmeetyouthere,Isuppose.Andnow,Frank,how\'sthegovernor?\'ThegentlemancalledFrankdeclaredthatthegovernorwasallright——\'madaboutthehounds,ofcourse,youknow.\'
\'Well,mydear,that\'sbetterthanthehoundsbeingmadabouthim.
Buttalkingofhounds,Frank,howbadlytheymanagetheirfoxesatChaldicotes!Iwasouthuntingalloneday——\'
\'Yououthunting!\'saidtheladycalledMary.
\'Andwhyshouldn\'tIgoouthunting?I\'lltellyouwhat,MrsProudiewasouthuntingtoo.Buttheydidn\'tcatchasinglefox;
and,ifyoumusthavethetruth,itseemedtometoberatherslow.\'
\'Youwereinthewrongdivisionofthecounty,\'saidthegentlemancalledFrank.
\'OfcourseIwas.WhenIreallywanttopractisehuntingI\'llgotoGreshambury;notadoubtaboutthat.\'
\'OrgotoBoxallHill,\'saidthelady;\'you\'llfindquiteasmuchzealthereasatGreshambury.\'
\'Andmorediscretion,youshouldadd,\'saidthegentleman.
\'Ha!Ha!Ha!,\'laughedMissDunstable;\'yourdiscretionindeed!
ButyouhavenottoldmeawordaboutLadyArabella.\'
\'Mymotherisquitewell,\'saidthegentleman.
\'Andthedoctor?Bytheby,mydear,I\'vehadsuchaletterfromthedoctor;onlytwodaysago.I\'llshowittoyouupstairsto-morrow.But,mind,itmustbeapositivesecret.Ifhegoesoninthiswayhe\'llgethimselfintotheTowerorCoventry,orablue-book,orsomedreadfulplace.\'
\'Why?whathashesaid?\'
\'Nevermind,MasterFrank;Idon\'tmeantoshowyouthisletter,youmaybesureofthat.Butifyourwifewillswearthreetimesonapokerandtongsthatshewon\'treveal,I\'llshowittoher.
AndyouarequitesettledatBoxallHill,areyou?\'
\'Frank\'shorsesaresettled;andthedogsnearlyso,\'saidFrank\'swife;\'butIcan\'tboastmuchofanythingelseyet.\'
\'Well,there\'sagoodthingcoming.Imustgoandchangemythingsnow.But,Mary,mindyougetnearmethisevening;Ihavesuchadealtosaytoyou.\'AndthenMissDunstablemarchedoutoftheroom.
Allthishadbeensaidinsoloudavoicethatitwas,asamatterofcourse,overheardbyMarkRobarts——thatpartoftheconversationofcourseImeanwhichhadcomefromMissDunstable.AndthenMarklearnedthatthiswasyoungFrankGreshamofBoxallHill,sonofoldMrGreshamofGreshambury.Frankhadlatelymarriedagreatheiress;agreaterheiress,mensaid,eventhanMissDunstable;andasthemarriagewashardlyasyetmorethansixmonthsoldtheBarsetshireworldwasstillfullofit.
\'Thetwoheiressesseemtobeveryloving,don\'tthey?\'saidMrSupplehouse.\'Birdsofafeatherflocktogether,youknow.ButtheydidsaysomelittletimeagothatyoungGreshamwastohavemarriedMissDunstableherself.
\'MissDunstable!why,shemightalmostbehismother,\'saidMark.
\'Thatmadelittledifference.Hewasobligedtomarrymoney,andI
believethereisnodoubtthathedidatonetimeproposetoMissDunstable.\'
\'IhavealetterfromLufton,\'MrSowerbysaidtohimthenextmorning.
\'Hedeclaresthatthedelaywasallyourfault.YouweretohavetoldLadyLuftonbeforeyoudidanything,andhewaswaitingtowriteaboutittillheheardfromyou.Itseemsthatyouneversaidawordtoherladyshiponthesubject.\'
\'Ineverdid,certainly.MycommissionfromLuftonwastobreakthemattertoherwhenIfoundherinaproperhumourforreceivingit.IfyouknewLadyLuftonaswellasIdo,youwouldknowthatitisnoteverydaythatshewouldbeinahumourforsuchthings.\'
\'AndsoIwastobekeptwaitingindefinitelybecauseyoutwobetweenyouwereafraidofanoldwoman!However,Ihavenotawordtosayagainsther,andthematterissettlednow.\'
\'Hasthefarmbeensold?\'
\'Notabitofit.ThedowagerwouldnotbringhermindtosuffersuchprofanationfortheLuftonacres,andsoshesoldfivethousandpoundsoutofthefundsandsentthemoneytoLuftonasapresent;——sentittohimwithoutsayingaword,onlyhopingthatitwouldsufficeforhiswants.IwishIhadamother,Iknow.\'
Markfounditimpossibleatthemomenttomakeanyremarkuponwhathadbeentoldhim,buthefeltasuddenqualmofconscienceandawishthathewasbackatFramleyinsteadofGatherumCastleatthepresentmoment.HeknewagooddealrespectingLadyLufton\'sincomeandthemannerinwhichitwasspent.Itwasveryhandsomeforasinglelady,butthenshelivedinafreeandopen-handedstyle;hercharitieswerenoble;therewasnoreasonwhysheshouldsavemoney,andherannualincomewasusuallyspentwithintheyear.Markknewthis,andheknewalsothatnothingshortofanimpossibilitytomaintainthemwouldinducehertolessenhercharities.Shehadnowgivenawayaportionofherprincipaltosavethepropertyofherson——herson,whowassomuchmoreopulentthanherself——uponwhosemeans,too,theworldmadefewereffectualclaims.AndMarkknew,too,somethingofthepurposeforwhichthismoneyhadgone.TherehadbeenunsettledgamblingclaimsbetweenSowerbyandLordLufton,originatinginaffairsoftheturf.Ithadnowbeengoingonforfouryears,almostfromtheperiodwhenLordLuftonhadbecomeofage.HehadbeforenowspokentoRobartsonthematterwithmuchbitteranger,allegingthatMrSowerbywastreatinghimbadly,nay,dishonestly——thathewasclaimingmoneythatwasnotduetohim;andthenhedeclaredmorethanoncethathewouldbringthematterbeforetheJockeyClub.ButMark,knowingthatLordLuftonwasnotclear-sightedinthesematters,andbelievingittobeimpossiblethatMrSowerbyshouldactuallyendeavourtodefraudhisfriend,hadsmootheddowntheyounglord\'sanger,andremonstratedhimtogetthecasereferredtosomeprivatearbiter.AllthishadafterwardsbeendiscussedbetweenRobartsandMrSowerbyhimself,andhencehadoriginatedtheirintimacy.Thematterwassoreferred,MrSowerbynamingthereferee;andLordLuftonwhenthematterwasgivenagainsthim,tookiteasily.Hisangerwasoverbythattime.
\'I\'vebeencleandoneamongthem,\'hesaidtoMark,laughing;\'butitdoesnotsignify;amanmustpayforhisexperience.Ofcourse,Sowerbythinksitallright;Iamboundtosupposeso.\'Andthentherehadbeensomefurtherdelayastotheamount,andpartofthemoneyhadbeenpaidtoathirdperson,andabillhadbeengiven,andHeavenandtheJewsonlyknewhowmuchmoneyLordLuftonhadpaidinall;andnowitwasendedbyhishandingovertosomewretchedvillainofamoney-dealer,onbehalfofMrSowerby,theenormoussumoffivethousandpounds,whichhadbeendeductedfromthemeansofLadyLufton!
Mark,ashethoughtofallthis,couldnotbutfeelacertainanimosityagainstMrSowerby——couldnotbutsuspectthathewasabadman.Nay,musthenothaveknownthat,hewasverybad?Andyethecontinuedwalkingwithhimthroughtheduke\'sgrounds,stilltalkingaboutLordLufton\'saffairs,andstilllisteningwithinteresttowhatSowerbytoldhimofhisown.\'NomanwaseverrobbedasIhavebeen,\'saidhe.\'ButIshallwinthroughyet,inspiteofthemall.ButthoseJews,Mark!\'——hehadbecomeveryintimatewithhimintheselatterdays——\'whateveryoudo,keepclearofthem.Why,Icouldpaperaroomwiththeirsignatures;andyetIneverhadaclaimupononeofthem,thoughtheyalwayshaveclaimsinme!\'
IhavesaidthatthisaffairofLordLufton\'swasended,butitnowappearedtoMarkthatitwasnotquiteended.\'TellLufton,youknow,\'saidSowerby,\'thateverybitofpaperwithhisnamehasbeentakenup,exceptwhatthatruffianTozerhas.Tozermayhaveonebill,Ibelieve,——somethingthatwasnotgivenupwhenitwasrenewed.ButI\'llmakemylawyerGumptiongetthatup.Itmaycosttenpoundsortwentypounds,notmore.You\'llrememberthatwhenyouseeLufton,willyou?\'
\'You\'llseeLufton,inallprobability,beforeIshall.\'
\'Oh,didnotItellyou?He\'sgoingtoFramleyCourtatonce;
you\'llfindhimtherewhenyoureturn.\'
\'FindhimatFramley?\'
\'Yes;thislittlecadeaufromhismotherhastouchedhisfilialheart.HeisrushinghometoFramleytopaybackthedowager\'shardmoidoresinsoftcaresses.IwishIhadamother;Iknowthat.\'AndMarkstillfeltthathefearedMrSowerby,buthecouldnotmakeuphismindtobreakawayfromhim.
Andtherewasmuchtalkofpoliticsjustthenatthecastle.Notthatthedukejoinedinwithanyenthusiasm.HewasaWhig——ahugemountainofacolossalWhig——alltheworldknewthat.NoopponentwouldhavedreamedoftamperingwithhisWhiggery,norwouldanybrotherWhighavedreamedofdoubtingit.ButhewasaWhigwhogaveverylittlepracticalsupporttoanysetofmen,andverylittlepracticaloppositiontoanyotherset.Hewasabovetroublinghimselfwithsuchsublunarmatters.Atelectiontimehesupported,andalwayscarried,Whigcandidates;andinreturnhehadbeenappointedlordlieutenantofthecountybyoneWhigminister,andhadreceivedtheGarterfromanother.ButthesethingswereamatterofcoursetoaDukeofOmnium.HewasborntobealordlieutenantandaKnightoftheGarter.Butnotthelessonaccountofhisapathy,orratherquiescence,wasitthoughtthatGatherumCastlewasafittingplaceinwhichpoliticiansmightexpresstoeachothertheirpresenthopesandfutureaims,andconcocttogetherlittleplotsinahalf-seriousandhalf-mockingway.IndeeditwashintedthatMrSupplehouseandHaroldSmith,withoneortwoothers,wereatGatherumforthisexpresspurpose.
MrFothergill,too,wasanotedpolitician,andwassupposedtoknowtheduke\'smindwell;andMrGreenWalker,thenephewofthemarchioness,wasayoungmanwhomthedukedesiredtohavebroughtforward.MrSowerbyalsowastheduke\'sownmember,andsotheoccasionsuitedwellfortheinterchangeofafewideas.
Thethenprimeminister,angryasmanymenwerewithhim,hadnotbeenaltogetherunsuccessful.HehadbroughttheRussianwartoaclose,which,ifnotglorious,wasatanyratemuchmoresothanEnglishmenatonetimeventuredtohope.AndhehadhadwonderfulluckwiththatIndianMutiny.Itistruethatmanyofthoseevenwhovotedwithhimwoulddeclarethatthiswasinnowayattributabletohim.GreatmenhadriseninIndiaanddoneallthat.Evenhisministerthere,theGovernorwhomhehadsentout,wasnotallowedinthosedaysanycreditforthesuccesswhichwasachievedunderhisorders.Therewasgreatreasontodoubtthemanatthehelm.Butneverthelesshehadbeenlucky.Thereisnomeritinapublicmanlikesuccess!Butnow,whentheevildayswerewellnighover,camethequestionwhetherhehadnotbeentoosuccessful.Whenamanhasnailedfortunetohischariot-wheelsheisapttotravelaboutinratheraproudfashion.Thereareservantswhothinkthattheirmasterscannotdowithoutthem;andthepublicalsomayoccasionallyhavesomesuchservant.Whatifthistoosuccessfulministerwereoneofthem!Andthenadiscreet,commonplace,zealousmemberoftheLowerHousedoesnotliketobejeeredat,whenhedoeshisdutybyhisconstituentsandasksafewquestions.Anall-successfulministerwhocannotkeephistriumphtohimself,butmustneedsdriveaboutinaproudfashion,laughingatcommonplacezealousmembers——laughingevenoccasionallyatmemberswhoarebynomeanscommonplace,whichisoutrageous!——mayitnotbeaswelltoostracizehimforawhile?\'
\'Hadwenotbetterthrowinourshellsagainsthim?\'saysMrHaroldSmith.
\'Letusthrowinourshellsbyallmeans,\'saysMrSupplehouse,mindfuloftheJunoofhisdespisedcharms.AndwhenMrSupplehousedeclareshimselfanenemy,menknowhowmuchitmeans.
Theyknowthatthatmuch-belabouredheadofaffairsmustsuccumbtotheterribleblowswhicharenowinstoreforhim.\'Yes,wewillthrowinourshells.\'AndMrSupplehouserisesfromhischairwithgleamingeyes.\'HasnotGreeceasnobleasonashim?Aye,andmuchnobler,traitorthatheis.Wemustjudgeamanbyhisfriends,\'
saysMrSupplehouse;andhepointsawaytotheEast,whereourdearalliestheFrencharesupposedtolive,andwhereourheadofaffairsissupposedtohavetoocloseintimacy.
Theyallunderstandthis,evenMrGreenWalker.\'Idon\'tknowthatheisanygoodtoanyofusatall,now,\'saysthetalentedmemberfortheCrewe-Junction.\'He\'sagreatdealtoouppishtosuitmybook;andIknowagreatmanypeoplethatthinksotoo.There\'smyuncle——\'
\'He\'sthebestfellowintheworld,\'saidMrFothergill,whofelt,perhaps,thatthatcomingrevelationaboutMrGreenWalker\'sunclemightnotbeofusetothem;\'butthefactisonegetstiredofthesamemanalways.Onedoesnotlikehispartridgeeveryday.Asforme,Ihavenothingtodowithitmyself;butIwouldcertainlyliketochangethedish.\'
\'Ifwe\'remerelytodoaswearebid,andhavenovoiceofourown,Idon\'tseewhat\'sthegoodofgoingtotheshopatall,\'saidMrSowerby.
\'Let\'shaveachange,then,\'saidMrSowerby.\'Thematter\'sprettymuchinourownhands.\'
\'Altogether,\'saidMrGreenWalker.\'That\'swhatmyunclealwayssays.\'
\'TheManchestermenwillonlybetoohappyforthechance,\'saidHaroldSmith.
\'Andasforthehighanddrygentlemen,\'saidMrSowerby,\'it\'snotverylikelythattheywillobjecttopickupthefruitwhenweshakethetree.\'
\'Astopickingupthefruit,that\'sasmaybe,\'saidMrSupplehouse.Washenotthemantosavethenation?andifso,whyshouldhenotpickupthefruithimself?Hadnotthegreatestpowerinthecountrypointedhimoutassuchasaviour?Whatthoughthecountryatthepresentmomentneedednomoresaving,mighttherenot,nevertheless,beagoodtimecoming?Weretherenotrumoursofotherwarsstillprevalent?——ifindeedtheactualwarthengoingonwasbeingbroughttoaclosewithouthisassistancebysomeotherspeciesofsalvation?Hethoughtofthatcountrytowhichhehadpointed,andofthatfriendofhisenemies,andrememberedthattheremightbestillworkforamightysaviour.Thepublicmindwasnowawake,andunderstoodwhatitwasabout.Whenamangetsintohisheadanideathatthepublicvoicecallsforhim,itisastonishinghowgreatbecomeshistrustinthewisdomofthepublic.Voxpopuli,voxDei.\'Hasitnotbeensoalways?\'hesaystohimself,ashegetsupandashegoestobed.
AndthenMrSupplehousefeltthathewasthemastermindthereatGatherumCastle,andthatthosetherewereallpuppetsinhishands.Itissuchapleasantthingtofeelthatone\'sfriendsarepuppets,andthatthestringsareinone\'sownpossession.ButwhatifMrSupplehousehimselfwereapuppet?Somemonthsafterwards,whenthemuch-belabouredheadofaffairswasinverytruthmadetoretire,whenunkindshellswerethrownagainsthimingreatnumbers,whenheexclaimed,\'Ettu,Brute!\'tillthewordswerestereotypeduponhislips,allmeninallplacestalkedmuchaboutthegreatGatherumCastleconfederation.TheDukeofOmnium,theworldsaid,hadtakenintohishighconsiderationthestateofaffairs,andseeingwithhiseagle\'seyethatthewelfareofhiscountrymenatlargerequiredthatsomegreatstepshouldbeinitiated,hehadatoncesummonedtohismansionmanymembersoftheLowerHouse,andsomealsooftheHouseofLords,——mentionwashereespeciallymadeoftheall-venerableandall-wiseLordBoanerges;andmenwentontosaythatthere,indeepconclave,hehadmadeknowntothemhisviews.Itwasthusagreedthattheheadofaffairs,Whigashewas,mustfall.Thecountryrequiredit,andthedukedidhisduty.Thiswasthebeginning,theworldsaid,ofthatcelebratedconfederation,bywhichtheministrywasoverturned,and——astheGoodyTwoshoesadded——thecountrysaved.
ButtheJupiterwasnotfarwrong.AllthecreditwasduetotheJupiter——inthat,asineverythingelse.
InthemeantimetheDukeofOmniumentertainedhisguestsinthequietprincelystyle,butdidnotcondescendtohavemuchconversationonpoliticseitherwithMrSupplehouseorwithMrHaroldSmith.AndasforLordBoanerges,hespentthemorningonwhichtheabove-mentionedconversationtookplaceinteachingMissDunstabletoblowsoap-bubblesonscientificprinciples.
\'Dear,dear!\'saidMissDunstable,assparksofknowledgecameflyinginuponhermind.\'Ialwaysthoughtthatasoap-bubblewasasoap-bubble,andIneveraskedthereasonwhy.Oncedoesn\'t,youknow,mylord.\'
\'Pardonme,MissDunstable,\'saidtheoldlord,\'onedoes;butninehundredandninety-ninedonot.\'
\'Andtheninehundredandninety-ninehavethebestofit,\'saidMissDunstable.\'Whatpleasurecanonehaveinaghostafteronehasseenthephosphorusrubbedon?\'
\'Quitetrue,mydearlady."Ifignorancebebliss,\'tisfollytobewise."Itallliesinthe"if".\'
ThenMissDunstablebegantosing:-
\'"DidInotownJehovah\'spowerHowvainwereallIknow."\'
\'Exactly,exactly,MissDunstable,\'saidhislordship;\'butwhynotownthepowerandtracethefloweraswell?Perhapsonemighthelptheother.\'Uponthewhole,IamafraidthatLordBoanergesgotthebestofit.But,then,thatishisline.Hehasbeengettingthebestofitallhislife.
ItwasobservedbyallthatthedukewasespeciallyattentivetoyoungMrFrankGresham,thegentlemanonwhosewifeMissDunstableseizedsovehemently.ThisMrGreshamwastherichestcommonerinthecounty,anditwasrumouredthatatthenextelectionhewouldbeoneofthemembersfortheEastRiding.NowthedukehadlittleornothingtodowiththeEastRiding,anditwaswellknownthatyoungGreshamwouldbebroughtforwardasastrongConservative.
But,nevertheless,hisacresweresoextensiveandhismoneysoplentifulthathewasworthaduke\'snotice.MrSowerby,also,wasalmostmorethanciviltohim,aswasnatural,seeingthatthisveryyoungmanbyamerescratchofhispencouldturnascrapofpaperintoabanknoteofalmostfabulousvalue.
\'SoyouhavetheEastBarsetshirehoundsatBoxallHill;haveyounot,\'saidtheduke.
\'Thehoundsarethere,\'saidFrank.\'ButIamnotthemaster.\'
\'Oh!Iunderstood——\'
\'Myfatherhasthem.ButhefindsBoxallHillmorecentricalthanGreshambury.Thedogsandhorseshavetogoshorterdistances.\'
\'BoxallHillisverycentrical.\'
\'Oh,exactly!\'
\'Andyouryounggorsecovertsaredoingwell?\'
\'Prettywell——gorsewon\'tthriveeverywhere,Ifind.Iwishitwould.\'
\'That\'sjustwhatIsaytoFothergill;andthenwherethere\'smuchwoodlandyoucan\'tgetthevermintoleaveit.\'
\'Butwehaven\'tatreeatBoxallHill,\'saidMrGresham.
\'Ah,yes;you\'renewthere,certainly;you\'veenoughofitatGreshamburyinallconscience.There\'salargerextentofwoodtherethanwehave;isn\'tthere,Fothergill?\'MrFothergillsaidthattheGreshamburywoodswereveryextensive,butthat,perhaps,hethought——
\'Oh,ah!Iknow,\'saidtheduke.\'TheBlackForestinitsolddayswasnothingtoGatherumwoods,accordingtoFothergill.Andthen,again,nothinginEastBarsetshirecouldbeequaltoanythinginWestBarsetshire.Isn\'tthatit;eh,Fothergill?\'MrFothergillprofessedthathehadbeenbroughtupinthatfaithandintendedtodieinit.
\'YourexoticsatBoxallHillareveryfine,magnificent!\'
\'I\'dsoonerhaveonefull-grownoakstandinginitspridealone,\'
saidyoungGresham,rathergrandiloquently,\'thanalltheexoticsintheworld.\'
\'They\'llcomeinduetime,\'saidtheduke.
\'Buttheduetimewon\'tbeinmydays.Andsothey\'regoingtocutdownChaldicotesForest,arethey,MrSowerby.\'
\'Well,Ican\'ttellyouthat.Theyaregoingtodisforestit.I
havebeenrangersinceIwastwenty-two,andIdon\'tyetknowwhetherthatmeanscuttingdown.\'
\'Notonlycuttingdown,butrootingup,\'saidMrFothergill.
\'It\'samurderousshame,\'saidFrankGresham;\'andIwillsayonething,Idon\'tthinkanybutaWhiggovernmentwoulddoit.\'
\'Ha,ha,ha!\'saidhisgrace.\'Atanyrate,I\'msureofthis,\'hesaid,\'thatifaConservativegovernmentdiddoso,theWhigswouldbejustasindignantasyouarenow.\'
\'I\'lltellyouwhatyououghttodo,MrGresham,\'saidSowerby;
\'putinanofferforthewholeoftheWestBarsetshireCrownproperty;theywillbeverygladtosellit.\'
\'Andweshouldbedelightedtowelcomeyouonthissideoftheborder,\'saidtheduke.YoungGreshamdidfeelratherflattered.
Therewerenotmanymeninthecountytowhomsuchanoffercouldbemadewithoutanabsurdity.ItmightbedoubtedwhetherthedukehimselfcouldpurchasethechaseofChaldicoteswithreadymoney;
butthathe,Gresham,coulddoso——heandhiswifebetweenthem——nomandiddoubt.AndthenMrGreshamthoughtofaformerdaywhenhehadoncebeenatGatherumCastle.Hehadbeenpoorenoughthen,andthedukehadnottreatedhiminthemostcourteousmannerintheworld.Howharditisforarichmannottoleanuponhisriches!harder,indeed,thanforacameltogothroughtheeyeofaneedle.
AllBarsetshireknew——atanyrateallWestBarsetshire——thatMissDunstablehadbeenbroughtdowninthosepartsinorderthatMrSowerbymightmarryher.ItwasnotsurmisedthatMissDunstableherselfhadhadanypreviousnoticeofthisarrangement,butitwassupposedthatthethingwouldturnoutasamatterofcourse.MrSowerbyhadnomoney,butthenhewaswitty,clever,good-looking,andamemberofParliament.Helivedbeforetheworld,representedanoldfamily,andhadanoldplace.HowcouldMissDunstablepossiblydobetter?Shewasnotsoyoungnow,anditwastimethatsheshouldlookabouther.Thesuggestion,asregardedMrSowerby,wascertainlytrue,andwasnotthelesssoasregardedsomeofMrSowerby\'sfriends.Hissister,MrsHaroldSmith,haddevotedherselftothework,andwiththisviewhadrunupadearfriendshipwithMissDunstable.Thebishophadintimated,noddinghisheadknowingly,thatitwouldbeaverygoodthing.MrsProudiehadgivenheradherence.MrSupplehousehadbeenmadetounderstandthatitmustbeacaseof\'Pawnoff\'withhim,aslongasheremainedinthatpartoftheworld;andeventhedukehimselfhaddesiredMrFothergilltomanageit.
\'Heowesmeanenormoussumofmoney,\'saidtheduke,whoheldallMrSowerby\'stitle-deeds,\'andIdoubtwhetherthesecuritywillbesufficient.\'
\'Yourgracewillfindthesecurityquiteinsufficient,\'saidMrFothergill;\'butneverthelessitwouldbeagoodmatch.\'
\'Verygood,\'saidtheduke.AndthenitbecameMrFothergill\'sdutytoseethatMrSowerbyandMissDunstablebecamemanandwifeasspeedilyaspossible.Someoftheparty,whoweremorewideawakethanothers,declaredthathehadmadetheoffer;othersthathewasjustgoingtodoso;andoneveryknowingladywentsofaratonetimeastosaythathewasmakingitthatmoment.Betsalsowerelaidastothelady\'sanswer,astothetermsofthesettlement,andastotheperiodofthemarriage——ofallwhichpoorMissDunstableofcourseknewnothing.MrSowerby,inspiteofthepublicityofhisproceedings,proceededinthismatterverywell.
Hesaidlittleaboutit,tothosewhojokedwithhim,butcarriedonthefightwithwhatbestknowledgehehadinthesematters.Butsomuchitisgiventoustodeclarewithcertainty,thathehadnotproposedontheeveningprevioustothemorningfixedforthedepartureofMarkRobarts.DuringthelasttwodaysMrSowerby\'sintimacywithMarkhadgrownwarmerandwarmer.Hehadtalkedtothevicarconfidentiallyaboutthedoingsofthesebigwigsnowpresentatthecastle,asthoughtherewerenoothergueststherewithwhomhecouldspeakinsofreeamanner.Heconfided,itseemed,muchmoreinMarkthaninhisbrother-in-law,HaroldSmith,orinanyofhisbrothermembersofParliament,andhadaltogetheropenedhishearttohiminthisaffairofhisanticipatedmarriage.NowMrSowerbywasamanofmarkintheworld,andallthisflatteredouryoungclergymannotalittle.OnthateveningbeforeRobartswentawaySowerbyaskedhimtocomeuptohisbedroomwhenthewholepartywasbreakingup,andtheregothimintoaneasychairwhilehe,Sowerby,walkedupanddowntheroom.
\'Youcanhardlytell,mydearfellow,\'saidhe,\'thestateofnervousanxietyinwhichthisputsme.\'
\'Whydon\'tyouaskherandhavedonewithit?Sheseemstometobefondofyoursociety.\'
\'Ah,itisnotthatonly;therearewheelswithinwheels;\'andthenhewalkedonceortwiceupanddowntheroom,duringwhichMarkthoughtthathemightaswellgotobed.
\'NotthatImindtellingyoueverything,\'saidSowerby.\'Iaminfernallyhardupforalittlereadymoney,justatthepresentmoment.Itmaybe,andindeedIthinkitwillbe,thecasethatI
shallberuinedinthismatterforthewantofit.\'
\'CouldnotHaroldSmithgiveittoyou?\'
\'Ha,ha,ha!youdon\'tknowHaroldSmith.Didyoueverhearofhislendingamanashillinginhislife?\'
\'OrSupplehouse?\'
\'Lordloveyou.YouseemeandSupplehousetogetherhere,andhecomesandstaysatmyhouse,andallthat;butSupplehouseandI
arenofriends.Lookyouhere,Mark——Iwoulddomoreforyourlittlefingerthanforhiswholehand,includingthepenwhichheholdsinit.Fothergillindeedmight——butthenIknowFothergillispressedhimselfatthepresentmoment.Itisdeucedhard,isn\'tit?ImustgiveupthewholegameifIcan\'tputmyhanduponL400,withinthenexttwodays.\'
\'Askherforit,herself.\'
\'What,thewomanIwishtomarry!No,Mark,I\'mnotquitecometothat.Iwouldsoonerloseherthanthat.\'Marksatsilent,gazingatthefireandwishingthathewasinhisownbedroom.HehadanideathatMrSowerbywishedhimtoproducetheL400,andheknewalsothathehadnotL400intheworld,andthatifhehadhewouldbeactingveryfoolishlytogiveittoMrSowerby.But,nevertheless,hefelthalffascinatedbytheman,andhalfafraidofhim.
\'Luftonowesittometodomorethanthis,\'continuedMrSowerby,\'butthenLuftonisnothere.\'
\'Why,hehasjustpaidfivethousandpoundstoyou.\'
\'Paidfivethousandpoundstome!Indeedhehasdonenosuchthing;notasixpenceofitcameintomyhands.Believeme,Mark,youdon\'tknowthewholeofthatyet.NotthatImeantosayawordagainstLufton.Heisthesoulofhonour;thoughsodeucedlydilatoryinmoneymatters.Hethoughthewasrightallthroughthataffair,butnomanwaseversoconfoundedlywrong.Why,don\'tyourememberthatthatwastheveryviewyoutookyourself.\'
\'IremembersayingthatIthoughthewasmistaken.\'
\'Ofcoursehewasmistaken.Anddearlythatmistakecostme.I
hadtomakegoodthemoneyfortwoorthreeyears.Andmypropertyisnotlikehis——Iwishitwere.\'
\'MarryMissDunstable,andthatwillsetitallrightforyou.\'
\'Ah!soIwouldifIhadthismoney.AtanyrateIwouldbringittothepoint.Now,Itellyouwhat,Mark,ifyou\'llassistmeatthisstraitI\'llneverforgetit.AndthetimewillcomeroundwhenImaybeabletodosomethingforyou.\'
\'Ihavenotgotahundred,no,notfiftypoundsbymeintheworld.\'
\'Ofcourseyou\'venot.Mendon\'twalkaboutthestreetswithL400
intheirpockets.Idon\'tsupposethereisasinglemanhereinthehousewithsuchasumathisbanker\'s,unlessitistheduke.\'
\'Whatisityouwant,then?\'
\'Why,yourname,tobesure.Believeme,mydearfellow,Iwouldnotaskyoureallytoputyourhandintoyourpockettosuchatuneasthat.Allowmetodrawonyouforthatamountatthreemonths.
LongbeforethattimeIshallbeflushenough.\'Andthen,beforeMarkcouldanswer,hehadabillstampandpenandinkoutonthetablebeforehim,andwasfillinginthebillasthoughhisfriendhadalreadygivenhisconsent.
\'Uponmyword,Sowerby,Ihadrathernotdothat.\'
\'Why?whatareyouafraidof?\'——MrSowerbyaskedthisverysharply.\'Didyoueverhearofmyhavingneglectedtotakeupabillwhenitfelldue?\'Robartsthoughtthathehadheardofsuchathing;butinhisconfusinghewasnotexactlysure,andsohesaidnothing.
\'No,myboy;Ihavenotcometothat.Lookhere:justyouwrite,"Accepted,MarkRobarts,"acrossthat,andthenyoushallneverhearofthetransactionagain;andyouwillhaveobligedmeforever.\'
\'Asaclergymanitwouldbewrongofme,\'saidRobarts.
\'Asaclergyman!Come,Mark.Ifyoudon\'tliketodoasmuchasthatforafriend,sayso;butdon\'tletmehavethatsortofhumbug.Iftherebeoneclassofmenwhosenameswouldbefoundmorefrequentonthebacksofbillsintheprovincialbanksthananother,clergymenarethatclass.Come,oldfellow,youwon\'tthrowmeoverwhenIamsohardpushed.\'MarkRobartstookthepenandsignedthebill.Itwasthefirsttimeinhislifethathehadeverdonesuchanact.Sowerbythenshookhimcordiallybythehand,andhewalkedofftohisownbedroomawretchedman.
CHAPTERIX
THEVICAR\'SRETURN
ThenextmorningMrRobartstookleaveofallhisgrandfriendswithaheavyheart.Hehadlainawakehalfthenightthinkingofwhathehaddoneandtryingtoreconcilehimselftohisposition.
HehadnotwellleftMrSowerby\'sroombeforehefeltcertainthatattheendofthreemonthshewouldagainbetroubledaboutthat400L.Ashewentalongthepassage,alltheman\'sknownantecedentscrowdeduponhimmuchquickerthanhecouldrememberthemwhenseatedinthatarm-chairwiththebillstampbeforehim,andthepenandinkreadytohishand.HerememberedwhatLordLuftonhadtoldhim——howhehadcomplainedofhavingbeenleftinthelurch;hethoughofallthestoriescurrentthroughouttheentirecountryastotheimpossibilityofgettingmoneyfromChaldicotes;hebroughttomindtheknowncharacteroftheman,andthenheknewthathemustpreparehimselftomakegoodaportionatleastofthatheavypayment.Whyhadhecometothishorridplace?HadhenoteverythingathomeatFramleyatwhichtheheartofmancoulddesire?No;theheartofmancandesiredeaneries——theheart,thatis,ofthemanvicar;andtheheartofthemandeancandesirebishoprics;andbeforetheeyesofthemanbishopdoestherenotloomthetranscendentalgloryofLambeth?Hehadownedtohimselfthathewasambitious;buthehadtoowntohimselfnowthathehadhithertotakenbutasorrypathtowardstheobjectofhisambition.
Onthenextmorningatbreakfast-time,beforehishorseandgigarrivedforhim,noonewassobrightashisfriendSowerby.\'Soyouareoff,areyou?\'saidhe.
\'Yes,Ishallgothismorning.\'
\'Sayeverythingthat\'skindfrommetoLufton.Imaypossiblyseehimhunting;otherwiseweshan\'tmeettillthespring.AstomygoingtoFramley,that\'soutofthequestion.Herladyshipwouldlookformytail,andswearthatshesmeltbrimstone.By-bye,oldfellow!\'
TheGermanstudentwhenhefirstmadehisbargainwiththedevilfeltanindescribableattractiontohisnewfriend;andsuchwasthecasenowwithRobarts.HeshookSowerby\'shandverywarmly,saidthathehopedheshouldmeethimsoonsomewhere,andprofessedhimselfspeciallyanxioustohearhowthataffairwiththeladycameoff.Ashehadmadehisbargain——ashehadundertakentopaynearlyhalfayear\'sincomeforhisdearfriend——oughthenottohaveasmuchvalueaspossibleforhismoney?IfthedearfriendshipofthisflashmemberofParliamentdidnotrepresentthatvalue,whatelsedidso?Butthenhefelt,orfanciedthathefelt,thatMrSowerbydidnotcareforhimsomuchthismorningashehaddoneonthepreviousevening.\'By-bye,\'saidMrSowerby,buthespokenowordastosuchfuturemeetings,nordidheevenpromisetowrite.MrSowerbyprobablyhadmanythingsonhismind;
anditmightbethatitbehovedhim,havingfinishedonepieceofbusiness,immediatelytolookforanother.
ThesumforwhichRobartshadmadehimselfresponsible——whichhesomuchfearedthathewouldbecalledupontopay——wasverynearlyhalfayear\'sincome;andasyethehadnotputbyoneshillingsincehehadbeenmarried.Whenhefoundhimselfsettledinhisparsonage,hefoundalsothatalltheworldregardedhimasarichman.Hehadtakenthedictumofalltheworldastrue,andhadsethimselftoworktolivecomfortably.Hehadnoabsoluteneedofacurate;buthecouldaffordthe70L——asLadyLuftonhadsaidratherinjudiciously;andbykeepingJonesintheparishhewouldbeactingcharitablytoabrotherclergyman,andwouldalsoplacehimselfinamoreindependentposition.LadyLuftonhadwishedtoseeherpetclergymanwell-to-doandcomfortable;butnow,asmattershadturnedout,shemuchregrettedthisaffairofthecurate.MrJones,shesaidtoherselfmorethanonce,mustbemadetodepartfromFramley.Hehadgivenhiswifeapony-carriage,andforhimselfhehadasaddle-horse,andasecondhorseforhisgig.Amaninhisposition,well-to-do,ashewas,requiredasmuchasthat.Hehadafootmanalso,andagardenerandagroom.Thetwolatterwereabsolutelynecessary,butabouttheformertherehadbeenaquestion.Hiswifehadbeendecidedlyhostiletothefootman;butinallsuchmattersasthat,todoubtistobelost.Whenthefootmanhadbeendiscussedforaweekitbecamequitecleartothemasterhealsowasanecessity.
Ashedrovehomethatmorninghepronouncedtohimselfthedoomofthatfootman,andthedoomalsoofthatsaddle-horse.Theyatanyrateshouldgo.AndthenhewouldspendnomoremoneyintripstoScotland;andaboveall,hewouldkeepoutofthebedroomsofimpoverishedmembersofParliamentatthewitchinghourofmidnight.Suchresolvesdidhemaketohimselfwearilyhowthat400Lmightbemadetobeforthcoming.AstoanyassistanceinthematterfromSowerby——ofthathegavehimselfnopromise.Buthealmostfelthimselfhappyagainashiswifecameoutintotheporchtomeethimwithasilkshawloverherhead,andpretendingtoshiverasshewatchedhimdescendingfromhisgig.\'Mydearoldman,\'shesaid,assheledhimintothewarmdrawing-roomwithallhiswrappingsstillaroundhim,\'youmustbestarved.\'ButMarkduringthewholedrivehadbeenthinkingtoomuchofthattransactioninMrSowerby\'sbedroomtorememberthathewascold.
NowhehadhisarmsroundhisowndearFanny\'swaist;butwashetotellherofthattransaction?Atanyratehewouldnotdoitnow,whilehistwoboyswereinhisarms,rubbingthemoisturefromhiswhiskerswithhiskisses.Afterall,whatisthereequaltocominghome?
\'AndsoLuftonishere.Isay,Frank,gently,oldboy,\'——Frankwashiseldestson——\'you\'llhavebabyintothefender.\'
\'Letmetakebaby;it\'simpossibletoholdthetwoofthem,theyaresostrong,\'saidtheproudmother.\'Oh,yes,hecamehomeearlyyesterday.\'
\'Haveyouseenhim?\'
\'Hewashereyesterday,withherladyship;andIlunchedthereto-day.Thelettercame,youknow,intimetostoptheMerediths.
Theydon\'tgotillto-morrow,soyouwillmeetthemafterall.SirGeorgeiswildaboutit,butLadyLuftonwouldhaveherway.Youneversawherinsuchastateassheis.\'
\'Goodspirit,eh!\'
\'Ishouldthinkso.AllLordLufton\'shorsesarecoming,andhe\'stobetheretillMarch.\'
\'TillMarch!\'
\'Soherladyshipwhisperedtome.Shecouldnotconcealhertriumphathiscoming.He\'sgoingtogiveupLeicestershirethisyearaltogether.Iwonderwhathasbroughtitallabout?\'Markknewverywellwhathadbroughtitabout;hehadbeenmadeacquainted,asthereaderhasalso,withthepricewhichLadyLuftonhadpurchasedherson\'svisit.ButnoonehadtoldMrsRobartsthatthemotherhadmadehersonapresentoffivethousandpounds.
\'She\'sinagoodhumourabouteverythingnow,\'continuedFanny;\'soyouneedsaynothingatallaboutGatherumCastle.\'
\'Butshewasveryangrywhenshefirstheardit;wasshenot?\'
\'Well,Mark,totellthetruth,shewas;andwehadquiteascenethereupinherownroomupstairs——JustiniaandI.Shehadheardsomethingelsethatshedidnotlikeatthesametime;andthen——butyouknowherway.Sheblazedupquitealot.\'
\'Andsaidallmannerofthingsaboutme.\'
\'Aboutthedukeshedid.Youknowsheneverdidliketheduke;andforthematterofthat,neitherdoI.Itellyouthatfairly,MasterMark.\'
\'Thedukeisnotsobadashe\'spainted.\'
\'Ah,that\'swhatyousayaboutanothergreatperson.However,hewon\'tcomeheretotroubleus,Isuppose.AndthenIlefther,notinthebesttemperintheworld;forIblazeduptoo,youmustknow.\'
\'Iamsureyoudid,\'saidMark,pressinghisarmroundherwaist.
\'Andthenweweregoingtohaveadreadfulwar,Ithought;andI
camehomeandwrotesuchadolefullettertoyou.ButwhatshouldhappenwhenIhadjustclosedit,butincameherladyship——allalone,and——ButIcan\'ttellyouwhatshedidorsaid,onlyshebehavedbeautifully;justlikeherselftoo;sofullofloveandtruthandhonesty.There\'snobodylikeher,Mark;andshe\'sbetterthanallthedukesthateverwore——whateverdukesdowear.\'
\'Hornsandhoofs;that\'stheirusualapparel,accordingtoyouandLadyLufton,\'saidhe,rememberingwhatMrSowerbyhadsaidofhimself.
\'Youmaysaywhatyoulikeaboutme,Mark,butyoushan\'tabuseLadyLufton.Andifhornsandhoofsmeanwickednessanddissipation,Ibelieveit\'snotfarwrong.Butgetoffyourbigcoatandmakeyourselfcomfortable.\'AndthatwasallthescoldingthatMarkRobartsgotfromhiswifeontheoccasionofhisgreatiniquity.
\'Iwillcertainlytellheraboutthisbilltransaction,\'hesaidtohimself;\'butnotto-day;nottillafterIhaveseenLufton.\'ThateveningtheydinedatFramleyCourt,andtheretheymettheyounglord;theyfoundalsoLadyLuftonstillinhighgood-humour.LordLuftonhimselfwasafine,bright-lookingyoungman;notastallasMarkRobarts,andwithperhapslessintelligencemarkedonhisface;buthisfeatureswerefiner,andtherewasinhiscountenanceathoroughappearanceofgood-humourandsweettemper.Itwasindeedapleasantfacetolookupon,anddearlyLadyLuftonlovedtogazeatit.
\'Well,Mark,soyouhavebeenamongthePhilistines?\'thatwashislordship\'sfirstremark.Robartslaughedashetookhisfriend\'shands,andbethoughthimselfhowtrulythatwasthecase;thathewas,inverytruth,already\'himselfinbondsunderPhilistianyoke\'.Alas,alas,itisveryhardtobreakasunderthebondsofthelatter-dayPhilistines.WhenaSamsondoesnowandthenpullatempledownabouttheirears,ishenotsuretobeengulfedintheruinwiththem?Thereisnothorse-leechthatstickssofastasyourlatter-dayPhilistine.
\'SoyouhavecaughtSirGeorge,afterall,\'saidLadyLufton;andthatwasnearlyallshesaidinallusiontohisabsence.Therewasafterwardssomeconversationaboutthelecture,andfromherladyship\'sremarksitcertainlywasapparentthatshedidnotlikethepeopleamongwhomthevicarhadbeenlatelystaying;butshesaidnowordthatwaspersonaltohimhimself,orthatcouldbetakenasareproach.ThelittleepisodeofMrsProudie\'saddressinthelecture-roomhadalreadyreachedFramley,anditwasonlytobeexpectedthatLadyLuftonshouldenjoythejoke.Shewouldaffecttobelievethatthebodyofthelecturehadbeengivenbythebishop\'swife;andafterwards,whenMarkdescribedhercostumeatthatSundaymorningbreakfasttable,LadyLuftonwouldassumethatsuchhadbeenthedressinwhichshehadaddressedherfacultiesinpublic.
\'Iwouldhavegivenafive-poundnotetohaveheardit,\'saidSirGeorge.
\'SowouldnotI,\'saidLadyLufton.\'WhenonehearsofsuchthingsdescribedasgraphicallyasMrRobartsnowtellsit,onecanhardlyhelplaughing.Butitwouldmegreatpaintoseethewifeofoneofourbishopsplaceherselfinsuchasituation.Forheisabishopafterall.\'
\'Well,uponmyword,mylady,IagreewithMeredith,\'saidLordLufton.\'Itmusthavebeengoodfun.Asitdidhappen,youknow,——astheChurchwasdoomedtodisgrace,——Ishouldliketohaveheardit.\'
\'Iknowyouwouldhavebeenshocked,Ludovic.\'
\'Ishouldhavegotoveritintime,mother.Itwouldhavebeenlikeabull-fight,Isuppose——horribletosee,nodoubt,butextremelyinteresting.AndHaroldSmith,Mark;whatdidhedoallthewhile?\'
\'Itdidn\'ttakesoverylong,youknow,\'saidRobarts.
\'Andthepoorbishop,\'saidLadyMeredith;\'howdidhelook?I
reallydopityhim.\'
\'Well,hewasasleep,Ithink.\'
\'What,sleptthroughitall?\'saidSirGeorge.
\'Itawakenedhim;andthenhejumpedupandsaidsomething.\'
\'What,outloud,too?\'
\'Onlyonewordorso.\'
\'Whatadisgracefulscene,\'saidLadyLufton.\'Tothosewhorememberthegoodoldmanwhowasinthediocesebeforehim,itisperfectlyshocking.Heconfirmedyou,Ludovic,andyououghttorememberhim.ItwasoveratBarchester,andyouwentandlunchedwithhimafterwards.\'
\'Idoremember;andespeciallythis,thatIneveratesuchtartsinmylife,beforeorsince.Theoldmanparticularlycalledmyattentiontothem,andseemedremarkablypleasedthatIconcurredinhissentiments.Therearenosuchtartsasthosegoingtothepalacenow,I\'llbebound.\'
\'MrsProudiewillbeveryhappytodoherbestforyouifyouwillgoandtry,\'saidSirGeorge.
\'Ibegthathewilldonosuchthing,\'saidLadyLufton;andthatwastheonlyseverewordshesaidaboutanyofMark\'svisitings.AsSirGeorgeMeredithwasthere,RobartscouldsaynothingthentoLordLuftonaboutMrSowerbyandMrSowerby\'smoneyaffairs;buthedidmakeanappointmentforatete-a-teteonthenextmorning.
\'Youmustcomedownandseemynags,Mark;theycameto-day.TheMeredithswillbeoffattwelve,andthenwecanhaveanhourtogether.\'Marksaidhewould,andthenwenthomewithhiswifeunderhisarm.
\'Wellnow,isnotshekind?\'saidFanny,assoonastheywereoutonthegraveltogether.
\'Sheiskind;kinderthanIcantellyouatpresent.Butdidyoueverknowanythingsobitterassheistothepoorbishop?Andreallythebishopisnotsobad.\'
\'Yes;andIknowsomethingmorebitter;andthatiswhatshethinksofthebishop\'swife.Andyouknow,Mark,itwassounladylike,hergettingupinthatway.WhatmustthepeopleatBarchesterthinkofher?\'
\'AsfarasIcouldsee,thepeopleofBarchesterlikedit.\'
