第4章

\'Nonsense,Mark;theycouldnot.Butnevermindthatnow.Iwantyoutoownthatsheisgood.\'AndthenMrsRobartswentonwithanotherlongeulogyonthedowager.Sincethataffairofthepardon-beggingattheparsonage,MrsRobartshardlyknewhowtothinkwellenoughofherfriend.Andtheeveninghadbeensopleasantafterthatdreadfulstormandthreateningsofhurricanes;

herhusbandhadbeensowellreceivedafterhislapseofjudgement;

thewoundsthathadlookedsosorehadbeensothoroughlyhealed,andeverythingwassopleasant.Howallofthiswouldhavebeenchangedhadsheknownofthatlittlebill!AttwelvethenextmorningthelordandthevicarwerewalkingthroughtheFramleystablestogether.Quiteacommotionhadbeenmadethere,forthelargerportionofthosebuildingshadbeenoflateyearsseldombeenused.Butnowallwascrowdingandactivity.SevenoreightpreciousanimalshadfollowedLordLuftonfromLeicestershire,andallofthemrequireddimensionsthatwerethoughttoberatherexcessivebytheFramleyold-fashionedgroom.Mylord,however,hadaheadmanofhisownwhotookthematterquiteintohisownhands.Mark,priestashewas,wasquiteworldlyenoughtobefondofagoodhorse;andforsomelittletimeallowedLordLuftontodecantonthemeritofthisfour-year-oldfilly,andthatmagnificentRattlebonescolt,outofaMousetrapmare;buthehadotherthingsthatlayheavyonhismind,andafterbestowinghalfanhouronthestud,hecontrivedtogethisfriendawaytotheshrubberywalks.

\'SoyouhavesettledwitholdSowerby,\'Robartsbeganbysaying.

\'Settledwithhim;yes,butdoyouknowtheprice?\'

\'Ibelievethatyouhavepaidfivethousandpounds.\'

\'Yes,andaboutthreebefore;andthatisamatterinwhichIdidnotreallyoweoneshilling.WhateverIdoinfuture,I\'llkeepoutofSowerby\'sgrip.\'

Butyoudon\'tthinkhewasunfairtoyou.\'

\'Mark,totellyouthetruth,Ihavebanishedtheaffairfrommymind,anddon\'twishtotakeitupagain.Mymotherhaspaidthemoneytosavetheproperty,andofcourseImustpayherback.ButIthinkImaypromisethatIwillnothaveanymoremoneydealingswithSowerby.Iwillnotsaythatheisdishonest,butatanyrateheissharp.\'

\'Well,Lufton;whatwillyousaywhenItellyouthatIhaveputmynametoabillforhim,forfourhundredpounds?\'

\'Say;whyIshouldsay——;butyou\'rejoking;amaninyourpositionwouldneverdosuchathing.\'

\'ButIhavedoneit.\'LordLuftongavealonglowwhistle.

\'HeaskedmethelastnightthatIwasthere,makingagreatfavourofit,anddeclaringthatnobillofhishadeverbeendishonoured.\'

LordLuftonwhistledagain.\'Nobillofhisdishonoured!Why,thepocket-booksoftheJewsarestuffedfullofhisdishonouredpapers!Andyouhavereallygivenhimyournameforfourhundredpounds?\'

\'Ihavecertainly.\'

\'Atwhatdate?\'

\'Threemonths.\'

\'Andhaveyouthoughtwhereyouaretogetthemoney?\'

\'IknowverywellthatIcan\'tgetit,notatleastbythattime.

Thebankersmustrenewitforme,andImustpayitbedegrees.

Thatis,ifSowerbyreallydoesnottakeitup.\'

\'ItisjustaslikelyhewilltakeuptheNationalDebt.\'RobartsthentoldhimabouttheprojectedmarriagewithMissDunstable,givingitashisopinionthattheladywouldprobablyacceptthegentleman.

\'Notatallimprobable,\'saidhislordship,\'forSowerbyisanagreeablefellow;andifitbeso,hewillhaveallthathewantsforlife.Buthiscreditorswillgainnothing.Theduke,whohashistitle-deeds,willdoubtlessgethismoney,andtheestatewillinfactbelongtothewife.Butthesmallfry,suchasyou,willnotgetashilling.\'PoorMark!Hehadaninklingofthisbefore;

butithadhardlypresenteditselftohiminsuchcertainterms.Itwasthen,apositivefact,thatinpunishmentforhisweaknessinhavingsignedthebillhewouldhavetopay,notonlyfourhundredpounds,butfourhundredpoundswithinterest,andexpensesofrenewal,andcommissionandbillstamps.Yes;hehadcertainlygotamongthePhilistinesduringhisvisittotheduke.ItbegantoappeartohimprettyclearlythatitwouldhavebeenbetterforhimtohaverelinquishedaltogetherthegloriesofChaldicotesandGatherumCastle.

Andnow,howwashetotellhiswife?

CHAPTERX

LUCYROBARTS

Andnow,howwashegoingtotellhiswife?ThatwastheconsiderationheavyonMarkRobarts\'smindwhenlastwelefthim;

andheturnedthematteroverinhisthoughtsbeforehecouldbringhimselftoaresolution.Atlasthedidso,andonemaysaythatitwasnotaltogetherabadone,ifonlyhecouldcarryitout.Hewouldascertaininwhatbankthatbillofhishadbeendiscounted.

HewouldaskSowerby,andifhecouldnotlearnfromhim,hewouldgotothethreebanksinBarchester.Thatithadbeentakentooneofthemhefelttolerablycertain.Hewouldexplaintothemanagerhisconvictionthathewouldhavetomakegoodtheamount,hisinabilitytodosoattheendofthreemonths,andthewholestateofhisincome;andthenthebankerwouldexplaintohimhowthemattermightbearranged.Hethoughtthathecouldpay50Leverythreemonthswithinterest.Assoonasthisshouldhavebeenconcertedwiththebanker,hewouldletiswifeknowallaboutit.

Werehetotellheratthepresentmoment,whilethematterwasallunsettled,theintelligencewouldfrightenherintoillness.ButonthenextmorningtherecametohimtidingsbythehandsofRobinpostman,whichforalongwhileupsetallhisplans.TheletterwasfromExeter.Hisfatherhadbeentakenill,andhadveryquicklybeenpronouncedtobeindanger.Thatevening——theeveningonwhichhissisterwrote——theoldmanwasmuchworse,anditwasdesirablethatMarkshouldgoofftoExeterasquicklyaspossible.OfcoursehewenttoExeter——againleavingtheFramleysoulsatthemercyoftheWelshLowChurchman.FramleyisonlyfourmilesfromSilverbridge,andatSilverbridgehewasonthedirectroadtotheWest.Hewas,therefore,atExeterbeforenightfallonthatday.But,nevertheless,hearrivedtheretoolatetoseehisfatheragainalive.Theoldman\'sillnesshadbeensuddenandrapid,andheexpiredwithoutagainseeinghiseldestson.Markarrivedatthehouseofmourningjustastheywerelearningtorealizethefullchangeintheirposition.

Thedoctor\'scareerhadbeenonthewholesuccessful,butnevertheless,hedidnotleavebehindhimasmuchmoneyastheworldhadgivenhimcreditforpossessing.Whoeverdoes?DrRobartshadeducatedalargefamily,hadalwayslivedwitheverycomfort,andhadneverpossessedashillingbutwhathehadearnedhimself.Aphysician\'sfeescomein,nodoubt,withcomfortablerapidityassoonasricholdgentlemenandmiddle-agedladiesbegintoputtheirfaithinhim;butfeesrunoutalmostwithequalrapiditywhenawifeandsevenchildrenaretreatedtoeverythingthattheworldconsidersmostdesirable.Mark,aswehaveseen,hadbeeneducatedatHarrowandOxford,anditmaybesaid,therefore,thathehadreceivedhispatrimonyearlyinlife.ForGeraldRobarts,thesecondbrother,acommissionhadbeenboughtinacrackregiment.Healsohadbeenlucky,havinglivedandbecomeacaptainintheCrimea;andthepurchase-moneywaslodgedforhismajority.AndJohnRobarts,theyoungestwasclerkinthePettyBagOffice,andwasalreadyassistantprivatesecretarytoLordPettyBaghimself——aplaceofconsiderabletrust,ifnothithertooflargeemolument:andonhiseducationmoneyhadbeenspentfreely,forinthesedaysayoungmancannotgetintothePettyBagOfficewithoutknowingatleastthreemodernlanguages;andhemustbewellupintrigonometrytoo,inBibletheology,orinonedeadlanguage——athisoption.Andthedoctorhadfourdaughters.Thetwoelderweremarried,includingthatBlanchewithwhomLordLuftonwastohavefalleninloveatthevicar\'swedding.A

Devonshiresquirehaddonethisinthelord\'splace;butonmarryingheritwasnecessarythatheshouldhaveafewthousandpounds,twoorthreeperhaps,andtheolddoctorhadmanagedthattheyshouldbeforthcoming.Theeldersisterhadnotbeensentawayfromthepaternalmansionsquiteemptyhanded.Therewere,therefore,atthetimeofthedoctor\'sdeath,twochildrenleftathome,ofwhomoneonly,Lucy,theyoungerwillcomemuchacrossusinthecourseofourstory.

MarkstayedfortendaysatExeter,heandtheDevonshiresquirehavingbeennamedasexecutorsinthewill.Inthisdocumentitwasexplainedthatthedoctortrustedthatprovidencehadbeenmadeformostofhischildren.AsforhisdearsonMark,hesaid,hewasawarethatheneedbeundernouneasiness.OnhearingthisreadMarksmiledsweetly,andlookedverygracious;but,nevertheless,hisheartdidsinksomewhatwithinhim,fortherehadbeenahopethatasmallwindfall,comingnowsoopportunely,mightenablehimtoridhimselfatonceofthatdreadfulSowerbyincubus.AndthenthewillwentontodeclarethatMary,andGerald,andBlanche,hadalso,byGod\'sprovidence,beenplacedbeyondwant.Andhere,lookingintothesquire\'sface,onemighthavethoughtthathisheartfellalittlealso;forhehadnotsofullacommandofhisfeelingsashisbrother-in-law,whohadbeensomuchmorebeforetheworld.ToJohn,theassistantprivatesecretary,wasleftalegacyofathousandpounds;andtoJaneandLucycertainsumsincertainfourpercents.,whichwerequitesufficienttoaddanefficientvaluetothehandsofthoseyoungladiesintheeyesofthemostprudentyoungwouldbeBenedicts.

Overandbeyondthistherewasnothingbutthefurniture,whichhedesiredmightbesold,andtheproceedsdividedamongthemall.Itmightcometosixtyorseventypoundsapiece,andpaytheexpensesincidentalonisdeath.AndthenallmenandwomenthereandthereaboutssaidthatoldDrRobartshaddonewell.Hislifehadbeengoodandprosperous,andhiswillwasjust.AndMark,amongothers,sodeclared——andwassoconvincedinspiteofhisownlittledisappointment.AndonthethirdmorningafterthereadingofthewillSquireCrowdy,ofCreamclottedHall,altogethergotoverhisgrief,andsaidthatitwasallright.AndthenitwasdecidedthatJaneshouldgohomewithhim——fortherewasabrothersquirewho,itwasthought,mighthaveaneyetoJane;——andLucy,theyounger,shouldbetakentoFramleyParsonage.Inafortnightfromthereceiptofthatletter,MarkarrivedathisownhousewithhissisterLucyunderhiswing.

AllthisinterferedgreatlywithMark\'swiseresolutionastotheSowerbyincubus.Inthefirstplace,hecouldnotgettoBarchesterassoonashehadintended,andthenanideacameacrosshimthatpossiblyitmightbewellthatheshouldborrowthemoneyofhisbrotherJohn,explainingthecircumstances,ofcourse,andpayinghimdueinterest.ButhehadnotlikedtobroachthesubjectwhentheywerethereinExeter,standing,asitwere,overtheirfather\'sgrave,andsothematterwaspostponed.Therewasstillampletimeforarrangementbeforethebillwouldcomedue,andhewouldnottellFannytillhehadmadeuphismindwhatthatarrangementwouldbe.Itwouldkillher,hesaidtohimselfoverandoveragain,werehetotellherofitwithoutbeingabletotellheralsothatthemeansofliquidatingthedebtweretobeforthcoming.

AndnowImustsayawordaboutLucyRobarts.Ifonemightonlygoonwithoutthosedescriptionshowpleasantitwouldbe!ButLucyRobartshastoplayaforwardpartinthislittledrama,andthosewhocareforsuchmattersmustbemadetounderstandsomethingofherformandlikeness.Whenlastwementionedherasappearing,thoughnotinanypromisingposition,atherbrother\'swedding,shewasonlysixteen;butnow,atthetimeofherfather\'sdeath,somewhatovertwoyearshavingsinceelapsed,shewasnearlynineteen.Layingasideforthesakeofclearnessthatindefinitetermofgirl——forgirlsaregirlsfromtheageofthreeuptoforty-three,ifnotpreviouslymarried——droppingthatgenericword,wemaysaythatthen,atthatweddingofherbrother,shewasachild;andnow,atthedeathofherfather,shewasawoman.

Nothing,perhaps,addssomuchtowomanhood,turnsthechildsoquicklyintoawoman,assuchdeath-bedscenesasthese.HithertobutlittlehasfallentoLucytodointhewayofwoman\'sduties.

Ofmoneytransactionsshehadknownnothing,beyondajocoseattempttomakeherannualallowanceoftwenty-fivepoundscoverallherpersonalwants——anattemptwhichwasmadjocosebythelovingbountyofherfather.Hersister,whowasthreeyearsherelder——forJohncameinbetweenthem——hadmanagedthehouse;thatis,shehadmadetheteaandtalkedtothehousekeeperaboutthedinners.ButLucyhadsatatherfather\'selbow,hadreadtohimofeveningswhenhewenttosleep,hadbroughthimhisslippersandlookedafterthecomfortsofhiseasychair.Allthisshehaddoneasachild;butwhenshestoodatthecoffinhead,andkneltatthecoffinside,thenshewasawoman.

Shewassmallerinstaturethaneitherofherthreesisters,toallofwhomhadbeenaccededthepraiseofbeingfinewoman——aeulogywhichthepeopleofExeter,lookingbackattheeldersisters,andthegeneralremembranceofthemwhichpervadedthecity,werenotwillingtoextendtoLucy.\'Dear——dear!\'hadbeensaidofher;

\'poorLucyisnotlikeaRobartsatall;isshe,now,MrsPole?\'——forasthedaughtershadbecomefinewomen,sohadthesonsgrownintostalwartmen.AndthenMrsPolehadanswered:\'Notabit;isshe,now?OnlythinkwhatBlanchewasatherage.Butshehasfineeyes,forallthat;andtheydosaysheisthecleverestofthemall.\'Andthat,too,issotrueadescriptionofherthatIdoknowthatIcanaddmuchtoit.ShewasnotlikeBlanche;forBlanchehadbrightcomplexion,andafineneck,andanoblebust,etveraincessupatuitDea——atruegoddess,thatis,asfarastheeyewent.Shehadagrandidea,moreover,ofanapple-pie,andhadnotreignedeighteenmonthsatCreamclottedHallbeforesheknewallthemysteriesofpigsandmilk,andmostofthoseappertainingtociderandgreencheese.

Lucyhadnoneckatallworthspeakingof,——noneck,Imean,thateverproducedeloquence;shewasbrown,too,andhadaddictedherselfinnowise,assheundoubtedlyshouldhavedone,tolarderutility.Inregardtotheneckandcolour,poorgirl,shecouldnothelpherself;butinthatotherrespectshemustbeheldashavingwastedheropportunities.Butthenwhateyesshehad!MrsPolewasrightthere.Theyflasheduponyou,notalwayssoftly;

indeednotoftensoftlyifyouwereastrangertoher;butwhethersoftlyorsavagely,withabrilliancythatdazzledyouasyoulookedatthem.Andwhoshallsayofwhatcolourtheywere?Green,probably,formosteyesaregreen——greenorgrey,ifgreenbethoughtuncomelyforaneye-colour.Butitwasnottheircolour,buttheirfire,whichstruckonewithsuchsurprise.

LucyRobartswasthoroughlyabrunette.Sometimesthedarktintofhercheekwasexquisitelyrichandlovely,andthefringesofhereyeswerelongandsoft,andhersmallteeth,whichonesoseldomsaw,werewhiteaspearls,andherhair,thoughshort,wasbeautifullysoft——bynomeansblack,butyetofsodarkashadeofbrown.Blanche,too,wasnotedforfineteeth.TheywerewhiteandregularandloftyasanewrowofhousesinaFrenchcity.Butthenwhenshelaughedshewasallteeth;asshewasallneckwhenshesatatthepiano.ButLucy\'steeth!——itwasonlynowandagain,wheninsomesuddenburstofwondershewouldsitforamomentwithherlipsapart,thatthefinefinishedlinesanddaintypearl-whitecolourofthatperfectsetofivorycouldbeseen.MrsPolewouldhavesaidawordofherteethalso,butthattohertheyhadneverbeenmadevisible.\'Buttheydosaythatsheisthecleverestofthemall,\'MrsPolehadadded,veryproperly.ThepeopleofExeterhadexpressedsuchanopinion,andhadbeenquitejustindoingso.Idonotknowhowithappens,butitalwaysdoeshappen,thateverybodyineverysmalltownknowswhichisthebrightest-wittedineveryfamily.InthatrespectMrsPolehadonlyexpressedpublicopinion,andpublicopinionwasright.LucyRobartswasblessedwithanintelligencekeenerthanthatofherbrothersandsisters.

\'Totellthetruth,Mark,IadmireLucymorethanIdoBlanche.\'

ThishadbeensaidbyMrsRobartswithinafewhoursofherhavingassumedthatname.\'She\'snotabeauty,Iknow,butyetIdo.\'

\'MydearestFanny!\'Markhadansweredinatoneofsurprise.

\'Idothen;ofcoursepeoplewon\'tthinkso;butIneverseemtocareaboutregularbeauties.PerhapsIenvythemtoomuch.\'WhatMarksaidnextneednotberepeated,buteverybodymaybesurethatitcontainedmoregrossflatteryforhisyoungbride.Herememberedthis,however,andhadalwayscalledLucyhiswife\'spet.NeitherofthesistershadsincebeenatFramley;andthoughFannyhadspentaweekatExeterontheoccasionofBlanche\'smarriage,itcouldhardlybesaidthatshewasveryintimatewiththem.Nevertheless,whenitbecameexpedientthatoneofthemshoudgotoFramley,theremembranceofwhathiswifehadsaidimmediatelyinducedMarktomaketheoffertoLucy;andJane,whowasofakindredsoulwithBlanche,wasdelightedtogotoCreamclottedHall.TheacresofHeavybedHouse,downinthatfatTotnescountry,adjoinedthoseofCreamclottedHall,andHeavybedHousestillwantedamistress.

Fannywasdelightedwhenthenewsreachedher.ItwouldofcoursebeproperthatoneofhissistersshouldlivewithMarkundertheirpresentcircumstances,andshewashappytothinkthatthatquietlittlebright-eyedcreaturewastocomeandnestlewithherunderthesameroof.Thechildrenshouldsoloveher——onlynotquitesomuchastheylovedmamma;andthesnuglittleroomthatlooksoutovertheporch,inwhichthechimneyneversmokes,shouldbemadereadyforher;andsheshouldbeallowedhershareofdrivingthepony——whichwasagreatsacrificeofselfonthepartofMrsRobarts——andLadyLufton\'sbestgood-willshouldbebespoken.Infact,Lucywasnotunfortunateinthedestinationthatwaslaidoutforher.LadyLuftonhadofcourseheardofthedoctor\'sdeath,andhadsentallmannerofkindmessagestoMark,advisinghimnottohurryhomebyanymeansuntileverythingwassettledatExeter.

Andthenshewastoldofthenew-comerthatwasexpectedintheparish.WhensheheardthatitwasLucy,theyounger,shewassatisfied;forBlanche\'scharms,thoughindisputable,hadnotbeenaltogethertohertaste.IfasecondBlancheweretoarrivetherewhatdangermighttherenotbeforyoungLordLufton!\'Quiteright,\'saidherladyship,\'justwhatheoughttodo.IthinkI

remembertheyounglady;rathersmall,isshenot,andveryretiring?\'

\'Rathersmallandveryretiring.Whatadescription!\'

\'Nevermind,Ludovic;someyoungladiesmustbesmall,andsomeatleastoughttoberetiring.Weshallbedelightedtomakeheracquaintance.\'

\'Irememberyourothersister-in-lawverywell,\'saidLordLufton.

\'Shewasabeautifulwoman.\'

\'Idon\'tthinkyouwillconsiderLucyabeauty,\'saidMrsRobarts.

\'Small,retiring,and——\'sofarLordLuftonhadgone,whenMrsRobartsfinishedbythework\'plain\'.ShehadlikedLucy\'sface,butshehadthoughtthatothersprobablydidnotthinkso.

\'Uponmyword,\'saidLadyLufton,\'youdon\'tdeservetohaveasister-in-law.Irememberherverywell,andcansaythatsheisnotplain.Iwasverymuchtakenwithhermanneratyourwedding,mydear,andthoughtmoreofherthanIdidofthebeauty,Icantellyou.\'

\'ImustconfessIdonotrememberheratall,\'saidhislordship.

Andsotheconversationended.AndthenattheendofthefortnightMarkarrivedwithhissister.TheydidnotreachFramleytilllongafterdark——somewherebetweensixandseven——andbythistimeitwasDecember.Therewassnowontheground,andfrostintheair,andnomoon,andcautiousmenwhentheywentontheroadshadtheirhorses\'shoessocked.Suchbeingthestateoftheweather,Mark\'sgighadbeennearlyfilledwithcloaksandshawlswhenitwassentovertoSilverbridge.AndacartwassentforLucy\'sluggage,andallmannerofpreparationshadbeenmade.ThreetimeshadFannygoneherselftoseethatthefireburnedbrightlyinthelittleroomovertheporch,andatthemomentthatthesoundofthewheelswasheardshewasengagedinopeningherson\'smindastothenatureofanaunt.HithertopapaandmammaandLadyLuftonwereallthathehadknown,excepting,ofcourse,thesatellitesofthenursery.AndtheninthreeminutesLucywasstandingbythefire.Thosethreeminuteshadbeentakenupbyembracesbetweenthehusbandandwife.Letwhowouldbebroughtasavisitortothehouse,afterafortnight\'sabsence,shewouldkisshimbeforeshewouldwelcomeanyoneelse.ButthensheturnedtoLucy,andbegantoassistherwithhercloaks.

\'Oh,thankyou,\'saidLucy;\'I\'mnotcold,——notveryatleast.

Don\'ttroubleyourself:Icandoit.\'Buthereshehadmadeafalseboast,forherfingershadbeensonumbedthatshecouldnotdoorundoanything.Theywereallinblack,ofcourse;butthesombrenessofLucy\'sclothesstruckFannymuchmorethanherown.

Theyseemedtohaveswallowedherupintheirblackness,andtohavemadeheralmostanemblemofdeath.Shedidnotlookup,butkeptherfaceturnedtowardsthefire,andseemedalmostafraidofherposition.

\'Shemaysaywhatshelikes,Fanny,\'saidMark,\'butsheisverycold.AndsoamI,——coldenough.Youhadbettergoupwithhertoherroom.Wewon\'tdomuchinthedressingwayto-night;eh,Lucy?\'InthebedroomLucythawedalittle,andFanny,asshekissedher,saidtoherselfthatshehadbeenwrongastothatwork\'plain\'.Lucy,atanyrate,wasnotplain.

\'You\'llbeusedtoussoon,\'saidFanny,\'andthenIhopeweshallmakeyoucomfortable.\'Andshetookhersister-in-law\'shandandpressedit.Lucylookedupather,andhereyeswerethentenderenough.\'IamsureIshallbehappyhere,\'shesaid,\'withyou.

But——but——dearpapa!\'Andthentheygotintoeachother\'sarms,andhadagreatboutofkissingandcrying.\'Plain,\'saidFannytoherself,asatlastshegotherguest\'shairsmoothed,andthetearswashedfromhereyes——\'plain!ShehastheloveliestcountenancethatIeverlookedatinmylife!\'

\'Yoursisterisquitebeautiful,\'shesaidtoMark,astheytalkedheroveralonebeforetheywenttosleepthatnight.

\'No,she\'snotbeautiful;butshe\'saverygoodgirl,andcleverenough,too,inhersortofway.\'

\'Ithinkherperfectlylovely.Ineversucheyesinmylifebefore.\'

\'I\'llleaveherinyourhands,then;youshallgetherahusband.\'

\'Thatmayn\'tbesoeasy.Idon\'tthinkshe\'dmarryanybody.\'

\'Well,Ihopenot.Butsheseemstometobeexactlycutoutforanoldmaid;——tobeAuntLucyforeverandevertoyourbairns.\'

\'Andsosheshall,withallmyheart.ButIdon\'tthinkshewill,verylong.Ihavenodoubtshewillbehardtoplease;butifI

wereamanIshouldfallinlovewithheratonce.Didyoueverobserveherteeth,Mark?\'

\'Idon\'tthinkIeverdid.\'

\'Youwouldn\'tknowwhetheranyonehadatoothintheirhead,I

believe.\'

\'Nooneexceptyou,mydear;andIknowallyoursbyheart.\'

\'Youareagoose.\'

\'Andaverysleepyone;so,ifyouplease,I\'llgotoroost.\'AndthustherewasnothingmoresaidaboutLucy\'sbeautyonthatoccasion.

ForthefirsttwodaysMrsRobartsdidnotmakemuchofhersister-in-law.Lucy,indeed,wasnotdemonstrative;andshewas,moreover,oneofthosefewpersons——fortheyareveryfew——whoarecontentedtogoonwiththeirexistencewithoutmakingthemselvesthecentreofanyspecialoutwardcircle.Totheordinaryrunofmindsitisimpossiblenottodothis.Aman\'sowndinneristohimselfsoimportantthathecannotbringhimselftobelievethatitisamatterutterlyindifferenttoeveryoneelse.Alady\'scollectionofbaby-clothes,inearlyyears,andofhouselinenandcurtain-fringesinlaterlife,issoveryinterestingtoherowneyes,thatshecannotbelievebutwhatotherpeoplewillrejoicetobeholdit.Iwouldnot,however,beheldtoregardingthistendencyasevil.Itleadstoconversationofsomesortamongpeople,andperhapstoakindofsympathy.MrsJoneswilllookatMrsWhite\'slinenchest,hopingthatMrsWhitemaybeinducedtolookathers.Onecanonlypouroutofajugthatwhichisinit.

Forthemostofus,ifwedonottalkofourselves,oratanyrateoftheindividualcirclesofwhichwearethecentre,wecantalkofnothing.Icannotholdwiththosewhowishtoputdowntheinsignificantchatteroftheworld.Asformyself,IamalwayshappytolookatMrsJones\'slinen,andneveromitanopportunityofgivingherthedetailsofmyowndinners.ButLucyRobartshadnotthisgift.Shehadcomethereasastrangerintohersister-in-law\'shouse,andatfirstseemedasthoughshewouldbecontentedinsimplyhavinghercornerinthedrawing-roomandherplaceattheparlourtable.Shedidnotseemtoneedthecomfortsofcondolencesandopen-heartedtalking.Idonotmeantosaythatshewasmoody,thatshedidnotanswerwhenshewasspokento,orthatshetooknonoticeofthechildren;butshedidnotatoncethrowherselfandallherhopesandsorrowsintoFanny\'sheart,Fannywouldhavehadherdo.

MrsRobartsherselfwaswhatwecalldemonstrative.WhenshewasangrywithLadyLuftonsheshowedit.AndassincethattimeherloveandadmirationforLadyLuftonhadincreased,sheshowedthatalso.Whenshewasinanywaydispleasedwithherhusband,shecouldnothideit,eventhoughshetriedtodoso,andfanciedherselfsuccessful;——nomorethanshecouldhideherwarm,constant,overflowingwoman\'slove.Shecouldnotwalkthrougharoomlaughingonherhusband\'sarmwithoutseemingtoproclaimtoeveryonetherethatshethoughthimthebestmaninit.Shewasdemonstrative,andthereforeshewasthemoredisappointedinthatLucydidnotrushatoncewithallhercaresintoheropenheart.

\'Sheissoquiet,\'Fannysaidtoherhusband.

\'That\'shernature,\'saidMark.\'Shealwayswasquietasachild.

Whileweweresmashingeverything,shewouldnevercrackateacup.\'

\'Iwishshewouldbreaksomethingnow,\'saidFanny,\'andthenperhapsweshouldgettotalkaboutit.\'Butshedidnotonthisaccountgiveoverlovinghersister-in-law.Sheprobablyvaluedherthemore,unconsciously,fornothavingthoseaptitudeswithwhichsheherselfwasendowed.Andthenaftertwodays,LadyLuftoncalled;ofcourseitmaybesupposedthatFannyhadsaidagooddealtohernewinmateaboutLadyLufton.Aneighbourofthatkindinthecountryexercisessolargeaninfluenceuponthewholetenorofone\'slife,thattoabstainfromsuchtalkisoutofthequestion.MrsRobartshadbeenbroughtupalmostunderthedowager\'swing,andofcoursesheregardedherasbeingworthyofmuchtalking.DonotletpersonsonthisaccountsupposethatMrsRobartswasatuft-hunter,oratoad-eater.Iftheydonotseethedifference,theyhaveyetgottostudytheearliestprinciplesofhumannature.

LadyLuftoncalled,andLucywasstruckdumb.Fannywasparticularlyanxiousthatherladyship\'sfirstimpressionshouldbefavourable,andtoeffectthis,sheespeciallyendeavouredtothrowthetwotogetherduringthatvisit.Butinthisshewasunwise.

LadyLufton,however,hadwoman-craftenoughnottobeledintoanyegregiouserrorbyLucy\'ssilence.\'Andwhatdaywillyoucomeanddinewithus?\'saidLadyLufton,turningexpresslytoheroldfriendFanny.

\'Oh,doyounametheday.Weneverhavemanyengagements,youknow.\'

\'WillThursday,doMissRobarts?Youwillmeetnobodyyouknow,onlymyson;soyouneednotregarditasgoingout.FannyherewilltellyouthatsteppingovertoFramleyCourtisnomoregoingout,thanwhenyougofromoneroomtoanotherintheparsonage.Isit,Fanny?\'Fannylaughed,andsaidthatsteppingovertoFramleyCourtcertainlywasdonesooftenthatperhapstheydidnotthinksomuchaboutitastheyoughttodo.

\'Weconsiderourselvesasasortofhappyfamilyhere,MissRobarts,andaredelightedtohavetheopportunityofincludingyouinthemenage.\'Lucygaveherladyshiponeofhersweetestsmiles,butwhatshesaidatthatmomentwasinaudible.Itwasplain,however,thatshecouldnotbringherselfeventogoasfarasFramleyCourtforherdinneratpresent.\'ItwasverykindofladyLufton,\'shesaidtoFanny;\'butitwassoverysoon,and——andiftheywouldonlygowithouther,shewouldbesohappy.\'Butastheobjectwastogowithher——expresslytotakeherthere——thedinnerwasadjournedforashorttime——sinedie.

CHAPTERXI

GRISELDAGRANTLY

ItwasnearlyamonthafterthisthatLucywasfirstintroducedtoLordLufton,andthenitwasbroughtaboutonlybyaccident.DuringthattimeLadyLuftonhadbeenoftenattheparsonage,andhadinacertaindegreelearnedtoknowLucy;butthestrangerintheparishhadneveryetpluckedupcouragetoacceptoneofthenumerousinvitationsthathadreachedher.MrRobartsandhiswifehadfrequentlybeenatFramleyCourt,butthedreadeddayofLucy\'sinitiationhadnotyetarrived.ShehadseenLordLuftoninchurch,buthardlyastoknowhim,andbeyondthatshehadnotseemhimatall.Oneday,however,——orrather,oneevening,foritwasalreadydusk——heovertookherandMrsRobartsontheroadwalkingtowardsthevicarage.Hehadhisgunonhisshoulder,threepointerswereathisheels,andagame-keeperfollowedalittleintherear.

\'HowareyouMrsRobarts?\'hesaid,almostbeforehehadovertakenthem.\'Ihavebeenchasingyoualongtheroadforthelasthalf-mile.Ineverknewladieswalksofast.\'

\'Weshouldbefrozenifweweretodawdleaboutasyougentlemendo,\'andthenshestoppedandshookhandswithhim.SheforgotatthemomentthatLucyandhehadnotmet,andthereforeshedidnotintroducethem.

\'Won\'tyoumakemeknowntoyoursister-in-law!\'saidhetakingoffhishat,andbowingtoLucy.\'Ihaveneveryethadthepleasureofmeetingher,thoughwehavebeenneighboursforamonthormore.\'

Fannymadeherexcusesandintroducedthem,andthentheywentontilltheycametoFramleyGate,LordLuftontalkingtothemboth,andFannyansweringforthetwo,andtheretheystoppedforamoment.

\'Iamsurprisedtoseeyoualone,\'MrsRobartshadjustsaid;\'I

thoughtthatCaptainCulpepperwaswithyou.\'

\'Thecaptainhasleftmeforthisoneday.Ifyou\'llwhisper,I\'lltellyouwherehehasgone.Idarenotspeakitoutloud,eventothewoods.\'

\'Towhatterribleplacecanhehavetakenhimself?I\'llhavenowhisperingaboutsuchhorrors.\'

\'Hehasgoneto——to——butyou\'llpromisenottotellmymother?\'

\'Doyoupromisethen?\'

\'Oh,yes!Iwillpromise,becauseIamsureLadyLuftonwon\'taskmeastoCaptainCulpepper\'swhereabouts.Wewon\'ttell;willweLucy?\'

\'HehasgonetoGatherumCastleforaday\'speasant-shooting.Now,mindyoumustnotbetrayus.Herladyshipsupposesthatheisshutupinhisroomwithatoothache.Wedidnotdaretomentionthenametoher.\'andthenitappearedthatMrsRobartshadsomeengagementwhichmadeitnecessarythatsheshouldgoupandseeLadyLufton,whereasLucywasintendingtowalkontotheparsonagealone.

\'AndIhavepromisedtogotoyourhusband,\'saidLordLufton;\'orrathertoyourhusband\'sdog,Ponto.AndIwilldotwoothergoodthings——Iwillcarryabraceofpheasantswithme,andprotectMissRobartsfromtheevilspiritsoftheFramleyroads.\'AndsoMrsRobartsturnedatthegate,andLucyandhislordshipwalkedofftogether.LordLufton,thoughhehadneverbeforespokentoMissRobarts,hadalreadyfoundoutthatshewasbynomeansplain.

Thoughhehadhardlyseenherexceptatchurch,hehadalreadymadehimselfcertainthattheownerofthatfacemustbeworthknowing,andwasnotsorrytohavethepresentopportunityofspeakingtoher.\'Soyouhaveanunknowndamselshutupinyourcastle,\'hehadoncesaidtoMrsRobarts.\'Ifshebekeptaprisonermuchlonger,Ishallfinditmydutytocomeandreleaseherbyforceofarms.\'Hehadbeentheretwicewiththeobjectofseeingher,butonbothoccasionsLucyhadmanagedtoescape.Nowwemaysayshewasfairlycaught,andLordLufton,takingapairofpheasantsfromthegamekeeper,andswingingthemoverhisshoulder,walkedoffwithhisprey.\'Youhavebeenherealongtime,\'hesaid,\'withoutourhavinghadthepleasureofseeingyou.\'

\'Yes,mylord,\'saidLucy.Lordshadnotbeenfrequentamongheracquaintancehereto.

\'IwilltellMrsRobartsthatshehasbeenconfiningyouillegally,andthatweshallreleaseyoubyforceorstratagem.\'

\'I-I-Ihavehadagreatsorrowlately.\'

\'Yes,MissRobarts;Iknowyouhave;andIamonlyjoking,youknow.ButIdohopethatnowyouwillbeabletocomeamongus.Mymotherissoanxiousthatyoushoulddoso.\'

\'Iamsuresheisverykind,andyoualso——mylord.\'

\'Ineverknewmyownfather,\'saidLordLufton,speakinggravely.

\'ButIcanwellunderstandswhatalossyouhavehad.\'Andthen,afterpausingamoment,hecontinued,\'IrememberDrRobartswell.\'

\'Doyou,indeed?\'saidLucy,turningsharplytowardshim,andspeakingnowwithsomeanimationinhervoice.NobodyhadyetspokentoheraboutherfathersinceshehadbeenatFramley.Ithadbeenasthoughthesubjectwasaforbiddenone.Andhowfrequentlyisthisthecase?Whenthosewelovearedead,ourfriendsdreadtomentionthem,thoughtouswhoarebereavednosubjectwouldbesopleasantastheirnames.Butwerarelyunderstandhowtotreatourownsorroworthoseofothers.

Therewasonceapeopleinsomeland——andtheymaybestillthereforwhatIknow——whothoughtitsacrilegioustostaythecourseofaragingfire.Ifahousewerebeingburned,burnitmust,eventhoughtherewerefacilitiesforsavingit.Forwhowoulddaretointerferewiththecourseofthegod?Ourideaofsorrowismuchthesame.Wethinkitwicked,oratanyrateheartless,toputitout.Ifaman\'swifebedead,heshouldgoaboutlugubriouswithlongface,foratleasttwoyears,orperhapswithfulllengthforeighteenmonths,decreasinggraduallyduringtheothersix.Ifhebeamanwhocanquenchhissorrow——putouthisfireasitwere——inlesstimethanthat,lethimatanyratenotshowhispower!

\'Yes,Irememberhim,\'continuedLordLufton.\'HecametwicetoFramley,whileIwasstillaboy,consultingwithmymotheraboutMarkandmyself——whethertheEtonfloggingswerenotmoreefficaciousthanthoseofHarrow.Hewasverykindtome,forebodingallmannerofgoodthingsonmybehalf.\'

\'Hewasverykindtoeveryone,\'saidLucy.

\'Ishouldthinkhewouldhavebeen——akind,good,genialman——justthemantobeadoredbyhisownfamily.\'

\'Exactly;andsohewas.IdonotrememberthatIeverheardanunkindwordfromhim.Therewasnotahardtoneinhisvoice.Andhewasgenerousastheday.\'Lucy,wehavesaid,wasnotgenerallydemonstrative,butnow,onthissubject,andwiththisabsolutestranger,shebecamealmosteloquent.

\'Idonotwonderthatyoushouldfeelhisloss,MissRobarts.\'

\'Oh,Idofeelit.Markisthebestofbrothers,and,asforFanny,sheistookindandtoogoodtome.ButIhadalwaysbeenspeciallymyfather\'sfriend.Forthelastyearortwowehadlivedsomuchtogether!\'

\'Hewasanoldmanwhenhedied,washenot?\'

\'Justseventy,mylord.\'

\'Ah,thenhewasold.Mymotherisonlyfifty,andwesometimescallheranoldwoman.Doyouthinkshelooksolderthanthat?Weallsaythatshemakesherselfouttobesomuchmoreancientthansheneeddo.\'

\'LadyLuftondoesnotdressyoung.\'

\'Thatisit.Sheneverhas,inmymemory.ShealwaysusedtowearblackwhenIfirstrecollecther.Shehasgiventhatupnow;butsheisstillverysombre;isshenot?\'

\'Idonotlikeladiestodressveryyoung,thatis,ladiesof——of——\'

\'Ladiesoffifty,shallwesay?\'

\'Verywell;ladiesoffifty,ifyoulikeit.\'

\'ThenIamsureyouwilllikemymother.\'

Theyhadnowturnedupthroughtheparsonagewicket,alittlegatethatopenedintothegardenatapointontheroadnearerthanthechiefentrance.\'IsupposeIshallfindMarkupatthehouse?\'

saidhe.

\'Idaresayyouwill,mylord.\'

\'Well,I\'llgoroundthisway,formybusinessispartlyinthestable.YouseeIamquiteathomehere,thoughyouneverhaveseenmebefore.ButMissRobarts,nowthattheiceisbroken,I

hopethatwemaybefriends.\'Hethenputouthishand,andwhenshegavehimhershepresseditalmostasanoldfriendmighthavedone.And,indeed,Lucyhadtalkedtohimalmostasthoughhewereanoldfriend.Foraminuteortwoshehadforgottenthathewasalordandastranger——hadforgottenalsotobestillandguardedaswasherwont.LordLuftonhadspokentoherasthoughhehadreallycaredtoknowher;andshe,unconsciously,hadbeentakenbythecompliment.LordLufton,indeed,hadnotthoughtmuchaboutit——exceptingasthus,thathelikedtheglanceofapairofbrighteyes,asmostothermendolikeit.But,onthisoccasion,theeveninghadbeensodark,thathehadhardlyseenLucy\'seyesatall.

\'Well,Lucy,Ihopeyoulikedyourcompanion,\'MrsRobartssaid,asthethreeofthemclusteredroundthedrawing-roomfirebeforedinner.

\'Ohyes;prettywell,\'saidLucy.

\'Thatisnotatallcomplimentarytohislordship.\'

\'Ididnotmeantobecomplimentary,Fanny.\'

\'Lucyisagreatdealtoomatter-of-factforcompliments,\'saidMark.

\'WhatImeantwas,thatIhadnogreatopportunityforjudging,seeingthatIwasonlywithLordLuftonforabouttenminutes.\'

\'Ah!buttherearegirlsherewhowouldgivetheireyesfortenminutesofLordLuftontothemselves.Youdonotknowhowhe\'svalued.Hehasthecharacterofbeingalwaysabletomakehimselfagreeabletoladiesathalfaminute\'swarning.\'

\'Perhapshehadnotthehalf-minute\'swarninginthiscase,\'saidLucy,——hypocritethatshewas.

\'PoorLucy,\'saidherbrother;\'hewascominguptoseePonto\'sshoulder,andIamafraidhewasthinkingmoreaboutthedogthanyou.\'

\'Verylikely,\'saidLucy;andthentheywentintodinner.Lucyhadbeenahypocrite,forshehadconfessedtoherself,whiledressing,thatLordLuftonhadbeenverypleasant;butthenitisallowedtoyoungladiestobehypocriteswhenthesubjectunderdiscussionisthecharacterofayounggentleman.

SoonafterthatLucydiddineatFramleyCourt.CaptainCulpepper,inspiteofhisenormitywithreferencetoGatherumCastle,wasstillstayingthere,aswasalsoaclergymanfromtheneighbourhoodofBarchesterwithhiswifeanddaughter.ThiswasArchdeaconGrantly,agentlemanwhomwehavementionedbefore,andwhowasaswellknowninthedioceseasthebishophimself,andmorethoughtofbymanyclergymenthaneventhatillustriousprelate.MissGrantlywasayoungladynotmucholderthanLucyRobarts,andshealsowasquiet,andnotgiventomuchtalkinginopencompany.Shewasdecidedlyabeauty;butsomewhatstatuesqueinherloveliness.

Herforeheadwashighandwhit,butperhapstoolikemarbletogratifythetasteofthosewhoarefondoffleshandblood.Hereyeswerelargeandexquisitelyformed,buttheyseldomshowedmuchemotion.She,indeed,wasimpassibleherself,andbetrayedbutlittleofherfeelings.HernosewasnearlyGrecian,notcomingabsolutelyinastraightlinefromherforehead,butdoingsonearlyenoughtoentitleittobeconsideredasclassical.Hermouth,too,wasveryfine——artists,atleast,saidso,andconnoisseursinbeauty;buttomeshealwaysseemedasthoughshewantedfulnessoflip.Buttheexquisitesymmetryofhercheekandchinandlowerfacenomancoulddeny.Herhairwaslight,andbeingalwaysdressedwithconsiderablecare,didnotdetractfromherappearance;butitlackedthatrichnesswhichgivessuchluxuriancetofeminineloveliness.Shewastallandslight,andverygracefulinhermovements;buttherewerethosewhothoughtthatshewantedtheeaseandabandonofyouth.Theysaidthatshewastoocomposedandstiffforherage,andthatshegavebutlittletosocietybeyondthebeautyofherformandface.Therecanbenodoubt,however,thatshewasconsideredbymostmenandwomentobethebeautyofBarsetshire,andthatgentlemenfromneighbouringcountieswouldcomemanymilesthroughdirtyroadsonthemerehopeofbeingabletodancewithher.Whateverattractionsshemayhavelacked,shehadatanyratecreatedforherselfagreatreputation.ShehadspenttwomonthsofthelastspringinLondon,andeventhereshehadmadeasensation;andpeoplehadsaidthatLordDumbello,LadyHartletop\'seldestson,hadbeenpeculiarlystruckwithher.

Itmaybeimaginedthatthearchdeaconwasproudofher,andso,indeed,wasMrsGrantly——moreproud,perhaps,ofherdaughter\'sbeauty,thansoexcellentawomanshouldhaveallowedherselftobeofsuchanattribute.Griselda——thatwashername——wasnowanonlydaughter.Onesistershehadhad,butthatsisterhaddied.Thereweretwobrothersalsoleft,oneintheChurch,andtheotherintheArmy.Thatwastheextentofthearchdeacon\'sfamily,andasthearchdeaconwasaveryrichman——hewastheonlychildofhisfather,whohadbeenBishopofBarchesterforagreatmanyyears;

andinthoseyearsithadbeenworthaman\'swhiletobeBishopofBarchester——itwassupposedthatMissGrantlywouldhavealargefortune.MrsGrantly,however,hadbeenheardtosay,thatshewasinnohurrytoseeherdaughterestablishedintheworld;——ordinaryyoungladiesaremerelymarried,butthoseofrealimportanceareestablished;——andthis,ifanything,addedtothevalueoftheprize.Motherssometimesdepreciatetheirwaresbyanunduesolicitudetodisposeofthem.Buttotellthetruthopenlyandatonce——avirtueforwhichanovelistdoesnotreceiveverymuchcommendation——GriseldaGrantlywas,toacertainextent,alreadygivenaway.Notthatshe,Griselda,knewanythingaboutit,orthatthethricehappygentlemanhadbeenmadeawareofhisgoodfortune;norevenhadthearchdeaconbeentold.ButMrsGrantlyandLadyLuftonhadbeenclosetedtogethermorethanonce,andtermshadbeensignedandsealedbetweenthem.Notsignedonparchment,andsealedwithwax,asisthecasewithtreatiesmadebykingsanddiplomats——tobebrokenbythesame;butsignedwithlittlewords,andsealedwithcertainpressingsofthehand——atreatywhichbetweentwosuchcontractingpartieswouldbebindingenough.AndbythetermsofthistreatyGriseldaGrantlywastobecomeLadyLufton.LadyLuftonhadhithertobeenfortunedinhermatrimonialspeculations.ShehadselectedSirGeorgeforherdaughter,andSirGeorge,withtheutmostgoodnature,hadfalleninwithherviews.ShehadselectedFannyMonsellforMrRobarts,andFannyMonsellhadnotrebelledagainstherforamoment.Therewasaprestigeofsuccessaboutherdoings,andshefeltalmostconfidentthatherdearsonLudovicmustfallinlovewithGriselda.Astotheladyherself,nothing,LadyLuftonthought,couldbemuchbetterthansuchamatchforherson.LadyLufton,I

havesaid,wasagoodChurchwoman,andthearchdeaconwastheverytypeofthatbranchoftheChurchwhichshevenerated.TheGrantlys,too,wereofagoodfamily——notnoble,indeed;butinsuchmattersLadyLuftondidnotwanteverything.Shewasoneofthosepersonswho,inplacingtheirhopesatamoderatepitch,mayfairlytrusttoseethemrealized.Shewouldfainthatherson\'swifeshouldbehandsome;thisshewishedforhissake,thathemightbeproudofhiswife,andbecausemenlovetolookonbeauty.Butshewasafraidofvivaciousbeauty,ofthosesoft,sparklingfemininecharmswhichspreadoutasluresforalltheworld,softdimples,laughingeyes,lusciouslips,conscioussmiles,andeasywhispers.Whatifhersonshouldbringherhomearattling,rapid-spoken,paintedpieceofEve\'sfleshsuchasthis?

Wouldnotthegloryandjoyofherlifebeover,eventhoughsuchchildoftheirfirstmothershouldhavecomeforthtothepresentdayennobledbythebloodoftwodozensuccessiveBritishpeers?

Andthen,too,Griselda\'smoneywouldnotbeuseless.LadyLufton,withallherhighflownideas,wasnotanimprudentwoman.Sheknewthathersonhadbeenextravagant,thoughshedidnotbelievethathehadbeenreckless;andshewaswellcontenttothinkthatsomebalsamfromtheoldbishop\'scoffersshouldbemadetocuretheslightwoundswhichhisearlyimprudencemighthaveinflictedonthecarcassofthefamilyproperty.Andthus,inthisway,andforthesereasons,GriseldaGrantlyhadbeenchosenoutfromalltheworldtobethefutureLadyLufton.LordLuftonhadmetGriseldamorethanoncealready;hadmetherbeforethesehighcontractingpartieshadcometoanytermswhatsoever,andhadevidentlyadmiredher.LordDumbellohadremainedsilentonewholeeveninginLondonwitheffabledisgust,becauseLordLuftonhadbeenratherparticularinhisattentions;butthenLordDumbello\'smutenesswashismosteloquentmodeofexpression.BothLadyHartletopandMrsGrantly,whentheysawhim,knewverywellwhathemeant.ButthatmatchwouldnotexactlyhavesuitedMrsGrantly\'sviews.TheHartletoppeoplewerenotinherline.Theybelongedaltogethertoanotherset,beingconnected,aswehaveheardbefore,withtheOmniuminterest——\'thosehorridGatherumpeople\',asLadyLuftonwouldsaytoher,raisingherhandsandeyebrows,andshakingherhead.LadyLuftonprobablythoughtthattheyatebabiesinpiesduringtheirmidnightorgiesatGatherumCastle;andthatwidowswerekeptincells,andoccasionallyputonracksfortheamusementoftheduke\'sguests.

WhentheRobarts\'spartyenteredthedrawing-roomtheGrantlyswerealreadythere,andthearchdeacon\'svoicesoundedloudandimposinginLucy\'sears,assheheardhimspeakingwhileshewasyetonthethresholdofthedoor.\'MydearLadyLufton,Iwouldbelieveanythingonearthabouther——anything.Thereisnothingtoooutrageousforher.Hadsheinsistedongoingtherewiththebishop\'sapronon,Ishouldnothavebeensurprised.\'AndthentheyallknewthatthearchdeaconwastalkingaboutMrsProudie,forMrsProudiewashisbugbear.

LadyLuftonafterreceivingherguestsintroducedLucytoGriseldaGrantly.MissGrantlysmiledgraciously,bowedslightly,andthenremarkedinthelowestvoicepossiblethatitwasexceedinglycold.Alowvoice,weknow,isanexcellentthinginawoman.

Lucy,whothoughtthatshewasboundtospeak,saidthatitwascold,butthatshedidnotminditwhenshewaswalking.AndthenGriseldasmiledagain,somewhatlessgraciouslythanbefore,andsotheconversationended.MissGrantlywastheelderofthetwo,andhavingseemmostoftheworld,shouldhavebeenthebestabletotalk,butperhapsshewasnotveryanxiousforaconversationwithMissRobarts.

\'So,Robarts,IhearthatyouhavebeenpreachingatChaldicotes,\'

saidthearchdeacon,stillratherloudly.\'IsawSowerbytheotherday,andhetoldmethatyougavethemthefagendofMrsProudie\'slecture.\'

\'Itwasill-naturedofSowerbytosaythefagend,\'saidRobarts.

\'Wedividedthematterintothirds.HaroldSmithtookthefirstpart,Ithelast——\'

\'Andtheladytheinterveningportion.Youhaveelectrifiedthecountybetweenyou;butIamtoldthatshehadthebestofit.\'

\'IwassosorrythatMrRobartswentthere,\'saidLadyLufton,asshewalkedintothedining-roomleaningonthearchdeacon\'sarm.

\'Iaminclinedtothinkhecouldnotverywellhavehelpedhimself,\'saidthearchdeacon,whowasneverwillingtoleanheavilyonabrotherparson,unlessononewhohadutterlyandirrevocablygoneawayfromhissideoftheChurch.

\'Doyouthinknot,archdeacon?\'

\'Why,no;SowerbyisafriendofLufton\'s——\'

\'Notparticularly,\'saidpoorLadyLufton,inadeprecatingtone.

\'Well,theyhavebeenintimate;\'andRobarts,whenhewasaskedtopreachatChaldicotes,couldnotwellrefuse.\'

\'ButthenhewentafterwardstoGatherumCastle.NotthatIamvexedwithhimatallnow,youunderstand.Butitisauchadangeroushouse,youknow.\'

\'Soitis——Buttheveryfactoftheduke\'swishingtohaveaclergymanthere,shouldalwaysbetakenasasignofgrace,LadyLufton.Theairwasimpure,nodoubt;butitwaslessimpurewithRobartstherethanitwouldhavebeenwithouthim.But,graciousheavens!whatblasphemyhaveIbeensayingaboutimpureair?Why,thebishopwasthere!\'

\'Yes,thebishopwasthere,\'saidLadyLufton,andtheybothunderstoodeachotherthoroughly.

LordLuftontookoutMrsGrantlytodinner,andmattersweresoarrangedthatMissGrantlysatonisotherside.Therewasnomanagementapparentinthistoanybody;butthereshewas,whileLucywasplacedbetweenherbrotherandCaptainCulpepper.CaptainCulpepperwasamanwithanenormousmoustache,andagreataptitudeforslaughteringgame;butashehadnootherstrongcharacteristicsitwasnotprobablethathewouldmakehimselfveryagreeabletopoorLucy.ShehadseenLordLuftononce,fortwominutes,sincethedayofthatwalk,andthenhehadaddressedherquitelikeanoldfriend.Ithadbeenintheparsonagedrawing-room,andFannyhadbeenthere.Fannywasnowsowellaccustomedtohislordship,thatshethoughtbutlittleofthis,buttoLucyithadbeenverypleasant.Hewasnotforwardorfamiliar,butkindandgentle,andpleasant;andLucydidfeelthatshelikedhim.Now,onthisevening,hehadhithertohardlyspokentoher;butthensheknewthattherewereotherpeopleinthecompanytowhomhewasboundtospeak.Shewasnotexactlyhumble-mindedintheusualsenseoftheword;butshedidrecognisethefactthatherpositionwaslessimportantthanthatofotherpeoplethere,andthatthereforeitwasprobablethattoacertainextentshewouldbeoverlooked.ButnotthelesswouldshehavelikedtooccupytheseattowhichMissGrantlyhadfoundherway.

ShedidnotwanttoflirtwithLordLufton;shewasnotsuchafoolasthat;butshewouldhavelikedtohaveheardthesoundofhisvoiceclosetoherear,insteadofthatofCaptainCulpepper\'sknifeandfork.Thiswasthefirstoccasiononwhichshehadendeavouredtodressherselfwithcaresinceherfatherhaddied;

andnow,sombrethoughshewasinherdeepmourning,shedidlookverywell.

\'Thereisanexpressionaboutherforeheadthatisfullofpoetry,\'

saidFannytoherhusband.

\'Don\'tyouturnherhead,Fanny,andmakeherbelievethatsheisabeauty,\'Markhadanswered.

\'Idoubtitisnotsoeasytoturnherhead,Mark.ThereismoreinLucythanyouimagine,andsoyouwillfindoutbeforelong.\'SoitwasthusthatMrsRobartsprophesiedabouthersister-in-law.

HadshebeenaskedshemightperhapshavesaidthatLucy\'spresencewouldbedangeroustotheGrantlyinterestatFramleyCourt.

LordLufton\'svoicewasaudibleenoughashewentontalkingtoMissGrantly——hisvoice,butnothiswords.Hetalkedinsuchawaythattherewasnoappearanceofwhispering,andyetthepersontowhomhespoke,andsheonly,couldhearwhathesaid.MrsGrantlythewhileconversedconstantlywithLucy\'sbrother,whosatatLucy\'slefthand.Sheneverlackedforsubjectsonwhichtospeaktoacountryclergymanoftherightsort,andthusGriseldawasleftquiteuninterrupted.ButLucycouldnotbutobservethatGriseldaherselfseemedtohaveverylittletosay——oratanyratetosayverylittle.Everynowandthenshedidopenhermouth,andsomewordorbraceofwordswouldfallfromit.ButforthemostpartsheseemedtobecontentinthefactthatLordLuftonwaspayingherattention.Sheshowednoanimation,butsattherestillandgraceful,composedandclassical,asshealwayswas.Lucy,whocouldnotkeepherearsfromlisteningorhereyesfromlooking,thoughtthathadshebeenthereshewouldhaveendeavouredtotakeamoreprominentpartintheconversation.ButthenGriseldaGrantlyprobablyknowmuchbetterthanLucydidhowtocomportherselfinsuchasituation.PerhapsitmightbethatyoungmensuchasLordLufton,likedtohearthesoundoftheirownvoices.

\'Immensedealofgameabouthere,\'CaptainCulpeppersaidtohertowardstheendofdinner.Itwasthesecondattempthehadmade;

ontheformerhehadaskedherwhethersheknewanyfellowsofthe9th.

\'Isthere?\'saidLucy.\'Oh!IsawLordLuftontheotherdaywithagreatarmfulofpheasants.\'

\'Anarmful!WhywehadsevencartloadstheotherdayatGatherum.\'

\'Sevencartloadsofpheasants!\'saidLucy,amazed.

\'That\'snotsomuch.Wehadeightguns,youknow.Eightgunswilldoadealofworkwhenthegamehasbeenwellgottogether.TheymanageallthatcapitallyatGatherum.Beenattheduke\'s,eh?\'

LucyhadheardtheFramleyreportastoGatherumCastle,andsaidwithasortofshudderthatshehadneverbeenatthatplace.Afterthis,CaptainCulpeppertroubledhernofurther.

Whentheladieshadtakenthemselvestothedrawing-roomLucyfoundherselfhardlybetteroffthanshehadbeenatthedinner-table.

LadyLuftonandMrsGrantlygotthemselvesontoasofatogether,andtherechattedconfidentlyintoeachother\'sears.HerladyshiphadintroducedLucytoMissGrantly,andthenshenaturallythoughtthattheyoungpeoplemightdoverywelltogether.MrsRobartsdidattempttobringaboutajointconversation,whichshouldincludethethree,andfortenminutesorsosheworkedhardatit.Butitdidnotthrive.MissGrantlywasmonosyllabic,smiling,however,ateverymonosyllable;andLucyfoundthatnothingwouldoccurtoheratthatmomentworthyofbeingspoken.Thereshesat,stillandmotionless,afraidtotakeupabook,andthinkinginherhearthowmuchhappiershewouldhavebeenathomeattheparsonage.Shewasnotmadeforsociety;shefeltsureofthat;andanothertimeshewouldletMarkandFannycometoFramleyCourtbythemselves.Andthenthegentlemencamein,andtherewasanotherstirintheroom.LadyLuftongotupandbustledabout;shepokedthefireandshiftedthecandles,spokeafewwordstoDrGrantly,whisperedsomethingtoherson,pattedLucyonthecheek,toldFanny,whowasamusician,thattheywouldhavealittlemusic,andendedbyputtinghertwohandsonGriselda\'sshouldersandtellingherthatthefitofherfrockwasperfect.ForLadyLufton,thoughshediddressoldherself,asLucyhadsaid,delightedtoseethosearoundherneatandpretty,jauntyandgraceful.\'DearLadyLufton!\'saidGriselda,puttingupherhandsoastopresstheendofherladyship\'sfingers.Itwasthefirstpieceofanimationshehadshown,andLucyRobartswatcheditall.Andthentherewasmusic,Lucyneitherplayednorsang;Fannydidboth,andforanamateurshedidbothwell.Griseldadidnotsing,butsheplayed;anddidsoinamannerthatshowedthatneitherherownlabournorherfather\'smoneyhadbeensparedinherinstruction.LordLuftonsangalso,alittle,andCaptainCulpepperaverylittle;sothattheygotupaconcertamongthem.InthemeantimethedoctorandMarkstoodtalkingtogetherontherugbeforethefire;thetwomotherssatcontented,watchingthebillingsandthecooingsoftheiroffspring——andLucysatalone,turningovertheleavesofabookofpictures.Shemadeuphermindfully,thenandthere,thatshewasquiteunfittedbydispositionforsuchworkasthis.Shecaredfornoone,andnoonecaredforher.Well,shemustgothroughwithitnow;butanothertimeshewouldknowbetter.Withherownbookandafiresidesheneverfeltherselftobemiserableasshewasnow.ShehadturnedherbacktothemusicforshewassickofseeingLordLuftonwatchtheartisticmotionofMissGrantly\'sfingers,andwassittingatasmalltableasfarawayfromthepianoasalongroomwouldpermit,whenshewassuddenlyrousedfromherreverieofself-reproachbyavoiceclosebehindher:\'MissRobarts,\'saidthevoice,\'whyhaveyoucutusall?\'AndLucyfeltthat,thoughsheheardthevoiceplainly,nobodyelsedid.LordLuftonwasnowspeakingtoherashehadbeforespokentoMissGrantly.

\'Idon\'tplay,mylord,\'saidLucy,\'noryetsing.\'

\'Thatwouldhavemadeyourcompanysomuchmorevaluabletous,forweareterriblybadlyoffforlisteners.Perhapsyoudon\'tlikethemusic?\'

\'Idolikeit,——sometimesverymuch.\'

\'Andwhenarethesometimes?Butweshallfinditalloutintime.Weshallhaveunravelledallyoumysteries,andreadallyourriddlesby——whenshallIsay?——bytheendofwinter.\'

\'IdonotknowthatIhavegotanymysteries.\'

\'Oh,butyouhave!Itisverymysteriousinyoutocomeandsithere——withyoubacktousall——\'

\'Oh,LordLufton;ifIhavedonewrong——!\'andpoorLucyalmoststartedfromherchair,andadeepflushcameacrossherdarkneck.

\'No——no;youhavedonenowrong.Iwasonlyjoking.Itiswewhohavedoneyouwronginleavingyoutoyourself——youwhoarethegreateststrangeramongus.\'

\'Ihavebeenverywell,thankyou.Idon\'tcareaboutbeingleftalone.Ihavealwaysbeenusedtoit.\'

\'Ah!butwemustbreakyouofthehabit.Wewon\'tallowyoutomakeahermitofyourself.Butthetruthis,MissRobarts,youdon\'tknowusyet,andthereforeyouarenotquitehappyamongus.\'

\'Oh!YesIam;youareallverygoodtome.\'

\'Youmustletusbegoodtoyou.Atanyrate,youmustletmedoso.Youknow,don\'tyou,thatMarkandIhavebeendearfriendssinceweweresevenyearsold.Hiswifehasbeenmysister\'sdearestfriendalmostaslong;andnowthatyouarewiththem,youmustbeadearfriendtoo.Youwon\'trefusetheoffer,willyou?\'

\'Oh,no\'shesaidquiteinawhisper;and,indeed,shecouldhardlyraisehervoiceaboveawhisper,fearingthattearswouldfallfromhertell-taleeyes.

\'DrandMrsGrantlywillhavegoneinacoupleofdays,andthenwemustgetyoudownhere.MissGrantlyistoremainforChristmas,andyoutwomustbecomebosomfriends.\'Lucysmiled,andtriedtolookpleased,butshefeltthatsheandGriseldaGrantlycouldneverbebosomfriends——couldneverhaveanythingincommonbetweenthem.ShefeltsurethatGriseldadespisedher,little,brown,plain,andunimportantasshewas.SheherselfcouldnotdespiseGriseldainturn;indeedshecouldnotbutadmireMissGrantly\'sgreatbeautyanddignityofdemeanour;butsheknewthatshecouldneverloveher.Itishardlypossiblethattheproud-heartedshouldlovethosewhodespisethem;andLucyRobartswasveryproud-hearted.

\'Don\'tyouthinksheisveryhandsome?\'saidLordLufton.

\'Oh,very,\'saidLucy.\'Nobodycandoubtthat.\'

\'Ludovic,\'saidLadyLufton——notquiteapprovingofherson\'sremainingsolongatthebackofLucy\'schair——\'won\'tyougiveusanothersong?MrsRobartsandMissGrantlyarestillatthepiano.\'

\'IhavesungawayallthatIknow,mother.There\'sCulpepperhasnothadachanceyet.Hehasgottogiveushisdreams——howhe"dreamtthathedweltinmarblehalls"!\'

\'Isungthatanhourago,\'saidthecaptain,notover-pleased.

\'Butyoucertainlyhavenottoldushow"yourlittleloverscame"!\'Thecaptain,however,wouldnotsinganymore.Andthenthepartywasbrokenup,andtheRobartseswenthometotheirparsonage.

CHAPTERXII

THELITTLEBILL

Lucy,duringthoselastfifteenminutesofhersojournintheFramleyCourtdrawing-room,somewhatmodifiedtheverystrongopinionshehadbeforeformedastoherunfitnessforsuchsociety.Itwasverypleasantsittingthere,inthateasychair,whileLordLuftonstoodatthebackofitsayingnice,soft,good-naturedwordstoher.Shewassurethatinalittletimeshecouldfeelatruefriendshipforhim,andthatshecoulddosowithoutanyriskoffallinginlovewithhim.Butthenshehadaglimmeringofanideathatsuchafriendshipwouldbeopentoallmannerofremarks,andwouldhardlybecompatiblewiththeworld\'sordinaryways.AtanyrateitwouldbepleasanttobeatFramleyCourt,ifhewouldcomeandoccasionallynoticeher.ButshedidnotadmittoherselfthatsuchavisitwouldbeintolerableifhiswholetimewasdevotedtoGriseldaGrantly.Sheneitheradmittedit,northoughtit;butnevertheless,inastrangeunconsciousway,suchafeelingdidfindentranceinherbosom.AndthentheChristmasholidayspassedaway.Howmuchofthisenjoymentfelltohershare,andhowmuchofthissufferingsheendured,wewillnotattemptaccuratelytodescribe.MissGrantlyremainedatFramleyCourtuptoTwelfthNight,andtheRobartsesalsospentmostoftheseasonatthehouse.LadyLufton,nodoubt,hadhopedthateverythingmighthavebeenarrangedonthisoccasioninaccordancewithherwishes,butsuchhadnotbeenthecase.LordLuftonhadevidentlyadmiredMissGrantlyverymuch:indeed,hehadsaidsotohismotherhalfadozentimes;butitmayalmostbequestionedwhetherthepleasureLadyLuftonderivedfromthiswasnotmorethanneutralizedbyanopinionheonceputforwardthatGriseldaGrantlywantedsomeofthefireofLucyRobarts.

\'Surely,Ludovic,youwouldnevercomparethetwogirls\'saidLadyLufton.

\'Ofcoursenot.Theyaretheveryantipodestoeachother.MissGrantlywouldprobablybemoretomytaste;butthenIamwiseenoughtoknowthatitissobecausemytasteisabadtaste.\'

\'Iknownomanwithamoreaccurateorrefinedtasteinsuchmatters,\'saidLadyLufton.Beyondthisshedidnotdaretogo.

Sheknewverywellthatherstrategywouldbevainshouldhersonlearnthatshehadastrategy.Totellthetruth,LadyLuftonwasbecomingsomewhatindifferenttoLucyRobarts.Shehadbeenverykindtothelittlegirl;butthelittlegirlseemedhardlytoappreciatethekindnessassheshoulddo——andthenLordLuftonwouldtalktoLucy,\'whichwassounnecessary,youknow;\'andLucy,hadgotintoawayoftalkingquitefreelywithLordLufton,havingcompletelydroppedthatshort,spasmodic,uglyexclamationof\'mylord\'.AndsotheChristmasfestivitieswereatanend,andJanuaryworeitselfaway.DuringthegreaterpartofthismonthLordLuftondidnotremainatFramley,butwasneverthelessinthecounty,huntingwiththehoundsofbothdivisions,andstayingatvarioushouses.TwoorthreenightshespentatChaldicotes;andone——letitonlybetoldinanundervoice——atGatherumCastle!OfthishesaidnothingtoLadyLufton.\'Whymakeherunhappy?\'ashesaidtoMark.ButLadyLuftonknewit,thoughshesaidnotawordtohim——knewit,andwasunhappy.\'IfhewouldonlymarryGriselda,therewouldbeanendofthatdanger,\'shesaidtoherself.

Andnowwemustgobackawhiletothevicarandhislittlebill.

Itwillberemembered,thathisfirstideawithreferencetothattrouble,afterthereadingofhisfather\'swill,wastoborrowthemoneyfromhisbrotherJohn.JohnwasdownatExeteratthetime,andwastostayonenightattheparsonageonhiswaytoLondon.

Markwouldbroachthemattertohimonthejourney,painfulthoughitwouldbetohimtotellthestoryofhisownfollytoabrothermuchyoungerthanhimself,andwhohadalwayslookeduptohim,clergymanandfull-blownvicarashewas,withadeferencegreaterthanthatwhichsuchdifferenceinagerequired.Thestorywastold,however;butwastoldinvain,asMarkfoundoutbeforehereachedFramley.HisbrotherJohnimmediatelydeclaredthathewouldlendhimthemoney,ofcourse——eighthundred,ifhisbrotherwantedit.He,John,confessedthat,asregardedtheremainingtwo,heshouldliketofeelthepleasureofimmediatepossession.

Asforinterest,hewouldnottakeany——takeinterestfromabrother;ofcoursenot.Well,ifMarkmadesuchafussaboutithesupposedhemusttakeit;butwouldrathernot.Markshouldhavehisownway,anddojustwhatheliked.

Thiswasallverywell,andMarkhadfullymadeuphismindthathisbrothershouldnotbekeptlongoutofhisagony.Butthenarosethequestionhowwasthatmoneytobereached?He,Mark,wasexecutor,oroneoftheexecutorsunderhisfather\'swill,and,therefore,nodoubt,couldputhishanduponit;buthisbrotherwantedfivemonthsofbeingofage,andcouldnotthereforeasyetbeputlegallyinpossessionofhislegacy.\'Thatisabore,\'saidtheassistantprivatesecretarytotheLordPettyBag,thinking,perhaps,asmuchofhisownimmediatewishforreadycastashedidofhisbrother\'snecessities.Markfeltthatitwasabore,buttherewasnothingmoretobedoneinthatdirection.Hemustnowfindoutfarthebankerswouldassisthim.

SomeweekortwoafterhisreturntoFramleyhewentovertoBarchester,andcalledthereonacertainMrForrest,themanagerofoneofthebanks,withwhomheasacquainted;andwithmanyinjunctionsastosecrecytoldthismanagerthewholeofhisstory.AtfirstheconcealedthenameofhisfriendSowerby,butitsoonappearedthatnosuchconcealmentwastoanyavail.\'ThatSowerby,ofcourse,\'saidMrForrest.\'Iknowyouareintimatewithhim;andallhisfriendsgothroughthat,soonerorlater.\'ItseemedtoMarkasthoughMrForrestmadeverylightofthewholetransaction.

\'Icannotpaythebillwhenitisdue,\'saidMark.

\'Oh,no,ofcoursenot,\'saidMrForrest.\'It\'sneververyconvenienttohandoutfourhundredpoundsatablow.Nobodywillexpectyoutopayit.\'

\'ButIsupposeIshallhavetodoitsoonerorlater.\'

\'Well,that\'sasmaybe.ItwilldependpartlyonhowyoumanagewithSowerby,andpartlyonthehandsitgoesinto.Asthebillhasyournameonit,they\'llhavepatienceaslongastheinterestispaid,andthecommissionsonrenewal.\'MrForrestsaidthathewassurethatthebillwasnotinBarchester;MrSowerbywouldnot,hethought,havebroughtittoaBarchesterbank.ThebillwasprobablyinLondon,butdoubtlesswouldbesenttoBarchesterforcollection.\'Ifitcomesinmyway,\'saidMrForrest,\'Iwillgiveyouplentyoftime,sothatyoumaymanageabouttherenewalwithSowerby.Isupposehe\'llpaytheexpenseofdoingthat.\'

Mark\'sheartwassomewhatlighterasheleftthebank.MrForresthadmadesolittleofthewholetransactionthathefelthimselfjustifiedinmakinglittleofitalso.\'Itmaybeaswell,\'saidhetohimself,ashedrovehome,\'nottotellFannyanythingaboutittillthethreemonthshaverunround.Imustmakesomearrangementthen.\'Andinthiswayhismindwaseasierduringthelastofthosethreemonthsthanhehadbeenduringthetwoformer.Thatfeelingofover-duebills,ofbillscomingdue,ofaccountsoverdrawn,oftradesmenunpaid,ofgeneralmoneycares,isverydreadfulatfirst;butitisastonishinghowsoonmengetusedtoit.Aloadwhichwouldcrashamanatfirstbecomes,byhabit,notonlyendurable,buteasyandcomfortabletothebearer.Thehabitualdebtorgoesalongjauntyandwithelasticstep,almostenjoyingtheexcitementofhisembarrassments.TherewasMrSowerbyhimself;whoeversawacloudonhisbrow?Itmadeonealmostinlovewithruintobeinhiscompany.Andevennow,already,MarkRobartswasthinkingtohimselfquitecomfortablyaboutthisbill;——howverypleasantlythosebankermanagedthesethings.Payit!No;noonewillbesounreasonableastoexpectyoutodothat!AndthenMrSowerbycertainlywasapleasantfellow,andgaveamansomethinginreturnforhismoney.ItwasstillaquestionwithMarkwhetherLordLuftonhadnotbeentoohardonSowerby.Hadthatgentlemanfallenacrosshisclericalfriendatthepresentmoment,hemightnodoubtgottenfromhimanacceptanceforanotherfourhundredpounds.

Oneisalmostinclinedtobelievethatthereissomethingpleasurableintheexcitementofsuchembarrassments,asthereisalsointheexcitementofdrink.Butthen,atlast,thetimedoescomewhentheexcitementisover,andwhennothingbutthemiseryisleft.Iftherebeanexistenceofwretchednessonearthitmustbethatoftheelderly,worn-outroue,whohasrunthisraceofdebtandbillsofaccommodationandacceptances——ofwhat,ifwewerenotinthesedayssomewhatafraidofgoodbroadEnglish,wemightcalllyingandswindling,falsehoodandfraud——andwho,havingruinedallwhomheshouldhaveloved,havingburntupeveryonewhowouldtrusthimmuch,andscorchedallwhowouldtrusthimalittle,isatlastlefttofinishhislifewithsuchbreadandwaterasthesemenget,withoutonehonestthoughttostrengthenhissinkingheart,oronehonestfriendtoholdhisshiveringhand!Ifamancouldonlythinkofthat,asheputshisnametothefirstlittlebill,astowhichheissogood-naturedlyassuredthatitcaneasilyberenewed.

Whenthethreemonthshadnearlyrunout,itsohappenedthatRobartsmetisfriendSowerby.MarkhadoncetotwiceriddenwithLordLuftonasfarasthemeetofthehounds,andmay,perhaps,havegoneafieldortwofartheronsomeoccasions.Thereadermustnotthinkthathehadtakentohunting,assomeparsonsdo;

anditissingularenoughthatwhatevertheydosotheyalwaysshowaspecialaptitudeforthepursuit,asthoughhuntingwereanemploymentpeculiarlycongenialwiththecareofsoulsinthecountry.Suchathoughtwoulddoourvicarjustice.ButwhenLordLuftonwouldaskhimwhatonearthcouldbetheharmofridingalongtheroadstolookatthehounds,hehardlyknewwhatsensibleanswertogivehislordship.Itwouldbeabsurdtosaythathistimewouldbebetteremployedathomeinclericalmatters,foritwasnotoriousthathehadnotclericalpursuitsfortheemploymentofhalfhistime.Inthisway,therefore,hehadgotintothehabitoflookingatthehounds,andkeepinguphisacquaintanceinthecounty,meetingLordDumbello,MrGreenWalker,HaroldSmith,andothersuchlikesinners;andononesuchoccasion,asthethreemonthswerenearlyclosing,hedidmeetMrSowerby.\'Lookhere,Sowerby,Iwanttospeaktoyouforhalfamoment.Whatareyoudoingaboutthatbill?\'

\'Bill——bill?whatbill?——whichbill?Thewholebill,andnothingbutthebill.Thatseemstobetheconversationnowadaysofallmen,noonandnight?\'

\'Don\'tyouknowthebillIsignedforyouforfourhundredpounds?\'

\'Didyouthough?Wasnotthatrathergreenofyou?\'ThisdidseemstrangetoMark.CoulditreallybethefactthatMrSowerbyhadsomanybillsflyingaboutthathehadabsolutelyforgottenthatoccurrenceintheGatherumCastlebedroom?Andthentobecalledgreenbybytheverymanwhomhehadobliged!

\'PerhapsIwas,\'saidMark,inatonethatshowedthathewassomewhatpiqued.\'ButallthesameIshouldbegladtoknowhowitwillbetakenup?\'

\'Oh,Mark,whataruffianyouaretospoilmyday\'ssportinthisway.AnymanbutaparsonwouldbetoogoodaChristianforsuchintensecruelty.Butletmesee——fourhundredpounds?Oh,yes——Tozerhasit.\'

\'AndwhatwillTozerdowithit?\'

\'Makemoneyofit;whateverwayhemaygotoworkhewilldothat.\'

\'ButwillTozerbringittomeonthe20th?\'

\'Oh,Lord,no!Uponmywork,Mark,youaredeliciouslygreen.A

catwouldassoonthinkofkillingamousedirectlyshegotitintoherclaws.But,jokingapart,youneednottroubleyourself.Maybeyouwillhearnomoreaboutit;or,perhaps,whichnodoubtismoreprobable,Imayhavetosendittoyoutoberenewed.Butyouneeddonothingtillyouhearfrommeorsomebodyelse.\'

\'Onlydonotletanyonecomedownuponmeforthemoney.\'

\'Thereisnottheslightestfearofthat.Tally-ho,oldfellow!