下载辰思小说免费APP
He\'saway.Tally-ho,rightoverbyGossetts\'barn.Comealong,andnevermindTozer——"Sufficientforthedayistheevilthereof."\'Andawaytheybothwenttogether,parsonandmemberofParliament.AndthenagainonthatoccasionMarkwenthomewithasortoffeelingthatthebilldidnotmatter.Tozerwouldmanageitsomehow;anditwasquiteclearthatitwouldnotdototellhiswifeofitjustatpresent.
Onthe21stofthatmonthofFebruary,however,hedidreceiveareminderthatthebillandallconcerningithadnotmerelybeenafarce.ThiswasaletterfromMrSowerby,datedfromChaldicotes,thoughnotbearingtheBarchesterpost-mark,inwhichthatgentlemansuggestedarenewal——notexactlyoftheoldbill,butofanewone.ItseemedtoMarkthattheletterhadbeenpostedinLondon.IfIgiveitentire,Ishall,perhaps,mostquicklyexplainitsimport:
\'Chaldicotes,——20thFebruary,185.
\'MYDEARMARK,\'"Lendnotthynametomoneydealers,forthesameisthedestructionandasnare."IfthatbenotintheProverbs,itoughttobe.Tozerhasgivenmecertainsignsofhisbeingaliveandstrongthiscoldweather.Aswecanneitherofustakeupthatbillfor400Latthemoment,wemustrenewit,andpayhimhiscommissionandinterest,withalltherestofhisperquisites,andpickings,andstealings——fromallwhich,Icanassureyou,Tozerdoesnotkeephishandsasheshoulddo.Tocoverthisandsomeotherlittleoutstandingtrifles,Ihavefilledinthenewbillfor500L,makingitdue23rdMaynext.Beforethattime,acertainaccidentwill,Itrust,haveoccurredtoyourimprovidentfriend.Bytheby,I
nevertoldyouhowshewentofffromGatherumCastle,themorningafteryouleftus,withtheGreshams.Cart-ropeswouldnotholdher,eventhoughthedukeheldthem;whichhedid,withallthestrengthofhisducalhands.Shewouldgomeetsomedoctoroftheirs,andsoIwasputoffforthattime;butIthinkthatthematterstandsinagoodtrain.
\'Donotloseapostinsendingbackthebillaccepted,asTozercanannoyyou——nay,undoubtedlywill,ifthematterbenotinhishand,dulysignedbybothofus,thedayafterto-morrow.Heisanungratefulbrute;hehaslivedonmefortheseeightyearsandwouldnotletmeoffasinglesqueezenowtosavemylife.ButI
amspeciallyanxioustosaveyoufromtheannoyanceandcostoflawyers\'letters;andifdelayed,itmightgettothepapers.Putitundercovertome,atNo7,DukeStreet,StJames\'s.I
shallbeintownbythattime.
\'Good-bye,oldfellow.ThatwasadecentbrushwehadtheotherdayfromCobbold\'sAshes.I
wishIcouldgetthatbrownhorsefromyou.I
wouldnotmindgoingtoahundredandthirty.
Yoursever,\'N.SOWERBY\'
WhenMarkhadreaditthroughhelookeddownonhistabletoseewhethertheoldbillhadfallenfromtheletter;butno,therewasnoenclosure,andhadbeennoenclosurebutthenewbill.Andthenhereadtheletterthroughagain,andfoundthattherewasnowordabouttheoldbill——notasyllable,atleast,astoitswhereabouts.Sowerbydidnotevensaythatitwouldremaininhisownhands.Markdidnotintruthknowmuchaboutsuchthings.Itmightbethattheveryfactofhissigningthisseconddocumentwouldrenderthatfirstdocumentnullandvoid;andfromSowerby\'ssilenceonthesubject,itmightbearguedthatthiswassowellknowntobethecase,thathehadnotthoughtofexplainingit.ButyetMarkcouldnotseehowthiscouldbeso.Butwhatwashetodo?Thatthreatofcostandlawyers,andspeciallyofthenewspapers,didhaveitseffectonhim——asnodoubtitwasintendedtodo.AndthenhewasutterlydumbfoundedbySowerby\'simpudenceinddrawingonhimfor500Linsteadof400L,\'covering,\'asSowerbysogood-humouredlysaid,\'sundrylittleoutstandingtrifles\'.
But,atlast,hedidsignthebill,andsentitoff,asSowerbyhaddirected.Whatelsewashetodo?Foolthathewas.Amanalwayscandoright,eventhoughhehasdonewrongbefore.Butthatpreviouswrongaddssomuchdifficultytothepath——adifficultywhichincreasesintremendousratio,tillamanatlastischokedinhisstruggling,andisdrownedbeneaththewaters.AndthenheputawaySowerby\'slettercarefully,lockingitupfromhiswife\'ssight.Itwasaletterthatnoparishclergymanshouldhavereceived.Somuchheacknowledgedtohimself.Butneverthelessitwasnecessarythatheshouldkeepit.Andnowagainforafewhoursthisaffairmadehimverymiserable.
CHAPTERXIII
DELICATEHINTS
LadyLuftonhadbeengreatlyrejoicedatthatgooddeedwhichhersondidingivinguphisLeicestershirehunting,andcomingtoresideforthewinteratFramley.Itwasproper,andbecoming,andcomfortableintheextreme.AnEnglishnoblemanoughttohuntinthecountywherehehimselfownsthefieldsoverwhichherides;heoughttoreceivetherespectandhonourduetohimfromhisowntenants;heoughttosleepunderaroofofhisown,andheoughtalso——soLadyLuftonthought——tofallinlovewithayoungembryobrideofhismother\'schoosing.Andthenitwassopleasanttohavehimthereinthehouse.LadyLuftonwasnotawomanwhoallowedherlifetobewhatpeopleincommonparlancecalldull.
Shehadtoomanyduties,andthoughttoomuchofthem,toallowofhersufferingfromtediumandennui.Butneverthelessthehousewasmorejoyoustoherwhenhewasthere.Therewasareasonforsomelittlegaiety,whichwouldneverhavebeenattractedthitherbyherself,butbywhich,nevertheless,shedidenjoywhenitwasbroughtaboutbyhispresence.Shewasyoungerandbrighterwhenhewasthere,thinkingmoreofthefutureandlessofthepast.Shecouldlookathim,andthatalonewashappinesstoher.Andthenhewaspleasant-manneredwithher;jokingwithheronherlittleold-worldprejudicesinatonethatwasmusicaltoherearascomingfromhim;smilingonher,remindingherofthosesmileswhichshehadlovedsodearlywhenasyethewasstillherown,lyingthereinhislittlebedbesideherchair.Hewaskindandgracioustoher,behavinglikeagoodson,atanyratewhilehewasthereinherpresence.Whenweaddtothis,herfearsthathemightnotbesoperfectinhisconductwhenabsent,wemaywellimaginethatLadyLuftonwaspleasedtohavehimatFramleyCourt.
Shehadhardlysaidawordtohimasthatfivethousandpounds.
Manyanight,asshelaythinkingonherpillow,shesaidtoherselfthatnomoneyhadeverbeenbetterexpended,sinceithadbroughthimbacktohisownhome.Hehadthankedherforitinhisownopenway,declaringthathewouldpayitbacktoherduringthecomingyear,andcomfortingherheartbyhisrejoicingthatthepropertyhadnotbeensold.\'Idon\'tliketheideaofpartingwithanacreofit,\'hehadsaid.
\'Ofcoursenot,Ludovic.Neverlettheestatedecreaseinyourhands.ItisonlybysuchresolutionsasthatthatEnglishnoblemenandEnglishgentlemencanpreservetheircountry.I
cannotbeartoseepropertychanginghands.\'
\'Well,Isupposeit\'sagoodthingtohavelandinthemarketsometimes,sothatthemillionairesmayknowwhattodowiththeirmoney.\'
\'Godforbidthatyoursshouldbethere!\'Andthewidowmadealittlementalprayerthatherson\'sacresmightbeprotectedfromthemillionairesandotherPhilistines.
\'Why,yes;Idon\'texactlywanttoseeaJewtailorinvestinghisearningsatLufton.\'saidthelord.
\'Heavenforbid!\'saidthewidow.Allthis,asIhavesaid,wasverynice.Itwasmanifesttoherladyship,fromhislordship\'swayoftalking,thatnovitalinjuryhadasyetbeendone:hehadnocaresonhismind,andspokefreelyabouttheproperty:butneverthelesstherewerecloudsevennow,atthisperiodofbliss,whichsomewhatobscuredthebrilliancyofLadyLufton\'ssky.WhywasLudovicsoslowinthataffairofGriseldaGrantly?Whysooftenintheselatterwinterdaysdidhesaunterovertotheparsonage?AndthenthatterriblevisittoGatherumCastle!WhatactuallydidhappenatGatherumCastle,sheneverknew.We,however,aremoreintrusive,lessdelicateinourenquiries,andwecansay.Hehadaverybadday\'ssportwiththeWestBarsetshire.
Thecountyisaltogethershortoffoxes,andsomeonewhounderstandsthemattermusttakethatpointupbeforetheycandoanygood.Andafterthathehadhadratheradulldinnerwiththeduke.Sowerbyhadbeenthere,andintheeveningheandSowerbyhadplayedbilliards.Sowerbyhadwonapoundortwo,andthathadbeentheextentofthedamagedone.Butthosesaunteringsovertotheparsonagemightbemoredangerous.NotthatiteveroccurredtoLadyLuftonaspossiblethathersonshouldfallinlovewithLucyRobarts.Lucy\'spersonalattractionwerenotofanaturetogivegroundsforsuchafearasthat.Buthemightturnthegirl\'sheadwithhischatter;shemightbefoolenoughtofancyanyfolly;
and,moreover,peoplewouldtalk.WhyshouldhegototheparsonagenowmorefrequentlythanhehadeverdonebeforeLucycamethere?
Andthenherladyship,inreferencetothesametrouble,hardlyknewhowtomanageherinvitationstotheparsonage.Thesehithertohadbeenveryfrequent,andshehadbeeninthehabitofthinkingthattheycouldhardlybetoomuchso;butnowshewasalmostafraidtocontinuethecustom.ShecouldnotasktheparsonandhiswifewithoutLucy;andwhenLucywasthere,hersonwouldpassthegreaterpartoftheeveningintalkingtoher,orplayingchesswithher.NowthisdiddisturbLadyLuftonnotalittle.AndthenLucytookitallsoquietly.OnherfirstarrivalatFramleyshehadbeensoshy,sosilent,andsomuchawestruckbythegrandeurofFramleyCourt,thatLadyLuftonhadsympathizedwithherandencouragedher.Shehadendeavouredtomoderatetheblazeofherownsplendour,inorderthatLucy\'sunaccustomedeyesmightnotbedazzled.Butallthiswaschangednow.Lucycouldlistentotheyounglord\'svoicebythehourtogether——withoutbeingdazzledintheleast.Underthesecircumstancestwothingsoccurredtoher.ShewouldspeakeithertohersonortoFannyRobarts,andbyalittlediplomacyhavethisevilremedied.Andthenshehadtodetermineonwhichstepshewouldtake.\'NothingcouldbemorereasonablethanLudovic.\'Soatleastshesaidtoherselfoverandoveragain.ButthenLudovicunderstoodnothingaboutsuchmatters;andhad,moreover,ahabit,inheritedfromhisfather,oftakingthebitbetweenhisteethwheneverhesuspectedinterference.Drivehimgentlywithoutpullinghismouthabout,andyoumighttakehimanywhere,almostatanypace;butasmarttouch,letitbeeversoslight,wouldbringhimonhishaunches,andthenitmightbeaquestionwhetheryoucouldgethimanothermilethatday.SothatonthewholeLadyLuftonthoughtthattheotherplanwouldbethebest.IhavenodoubtthatLadyLuftonwasright.
ShegotFannyupintoherowndenoneafternoon,andseatedherdiscreetlyinaneasyarm-chair,makingherguesttakeoffherbonnet,andshowingbyvarioussignsthathervisitwasregardedasoneofgreatmoment.\'Fanny,\'shesaid,\'Iwanttospeaktoyouaboutsomethingthatisimportantandnecessarytomention,andyetitisaverydelicateaffairtospeakof.\'Fannyopenedhereyesandsaidthatshehopedthatnothingwaswrong.\'No,mydear,I
thinknothingiswrong:Ihopeso,andIthinkImaysayI\'msureofit;butthenit\'salwayswelltobeonone\'sguard.\'
\'Yes,itis,\'saidFanny,whoknewthatsomethingunpleasantwascoming——somethingastowhichshemightbecalledupontodifferfromherladyship.MrsRobarts\'sownfears,however,wererunningentirelyinthedirectionofherhusband;——and,indeed,LadyLuftonhadawordtotwotosayonthatsubjectalso,onlynotexactlynow.Ahuntingparsonwasnotatalltohertaste;butthatmattermightbeallowedtoremaininabeyanceforafewdays.
\'Now,Fanny,youknowthatwehavealllikedyoursister-in-law,Lucy,verymuch.\'AndthenMrsRobarts\'smindwasimmediatelyopened,andsheknewtherestaswellasthoughithadbeenallspoken.\'Ineedhardlytellyouthat,forIansurewehaveshownit.\'
\'Youhaveindeed,asyoualwaysdo.\'
\'AndyoumustnotthinkthatIamgoingtocomplain,\'continuedLadyLufton.
\'Ihopethereisnothingtocomplainof,\'saidFanny,speakingbynomeansinadefianttone,buthumblyasitwere,anddeprecatingherladyship\'swrath.FannyhadgainedonesignalvictoryoverLadyLufton,andonthataccount,withaprudenceequaltohergenerosity,feltthatshecouldaffordtobesubmissive.Itmight,perhaps,notbelongbeforeshewouldbeequallyanxioustoconqueragain.
\'Well,no;Idon\'tthinkthereis,\'saidLadyLufton.\'Nothingtocomplainof;butalittlechatbetweenyouandmemay,perhaps,setmattersright,which,otherwise,mightbecometroublesome.\'
\'IsitaboutLucy?\'
\'Yes,mydear——aboutLucy.Sheisaverynice,goodgirl,andacredittoherfather——\'
\'Andagreatcomforttous,\'saidFanny.
\'Iamsuresheis;shemustbeaverypleasantcompaniontoyou,andsousefulaboutthechildren;but——\'AndthenLadyLuftonpausedformoment;forshe,eloquentanddiscreetasshealwayswas,feltherselfratheratalossforwordstoexpressherexactmeaning.
\'Idon\'tknowwhatIshoulddowithouther,\'saidFanny,speakingwiththeobjectofassistingherladyshipinherembarrassment.
\'Butthetruthisthis:sheandLordLuftonaregettinginthewayofbeingtoomuchtogether——oftalkingtoeachothertooexclusively.Iamsureyoumusthavenoticedit,Fanny.ItisnotthatIsuspectanyevil.Idon\'tthinkthatIamsuspiciousbynature.\'
\'Oh!no,\'saidFanny.
\'Buttheywilleachofthemgetwrongideasabouttheother,andaboutthemselves.Lucywill,perhaps,thinkthatLudovicmeansmorethanhedoes,andLudovicwill——\'ButitwasnotquitesoeasytosaywhatLudovicmightdoorthink;butLadyLuftonwenton:
\'Iamsurethatyouunderstandme,Fanny,withyourexcellentsenseandtact.Lucyisclever,andamusing,andallthat;andLudovic,likeallyoungmen,isperhapsignorantthathisattentionsmaybetakentomeanmorethanheintends——\'
\'Youdon\'tthinkthatLucyisinlovewithhim?\'
\'On,dearno——nothingofthekind.IfIthoughtithadcometothat,Ishouldrecommendthatsheshouldbesentawayaltogether.I
amsuresheisnotsofoolishasthat.\'
\'Idon\'tthinkthereisanythinginitatall,LadyLufton.\'
\'Idon\'tthinkthereis,mydear,andthereforeIwouldnotforworldsmakeanysuggestionaboutittoLordLufton.IwouldnotlethimsupposethatIsuspectedLucyofbeingsoimprudent.Butstill,itmaybewellthatyoushouldjustsayawordtoher.A
littlemanagementnowandthen,insuchmattersissouseful.\'
\'ButwhatshallIsaytoher?\'
\'Justexplaintoherthatanyyoungladywhotalkssomuchtothesameyounggentlemanwillcertainlybeobserved——thatpeoplewillaccuseherofsettinghercapatLordLufton.NotthatIsuspecther——Igivehercreditfortoomuchproperbreeding:Iknowhereducationhasbeengood,andherprinciplesareupright.Butpeoplewilltalkofher.Youmustunderstandthat,Fanny,aswellasIdo.\'Fannycouldnothelpmeditatingwhetherproperfeeling,education,anduprightprinciplesdidforbidLucyRobartstofallinlovewithLordLufton;butherdoubtsonthissubject,ifsheheldany,werenotcommunicatedtoherladyship.IthadneverenteredintohermindthatamatchwaspossiblebetweenLordLuftonandLucyRobarts,norhadshetheslightestwishtoencourageitnowthattheideawassuggestedtoher.OnsuchamattershewouldsympathizewithLadyLufton,thoughshedidnotcompletelyagreewithherastotheexpediencyofanyinterference.Nevertheless,sheatonceofferedtospeaktoLucy.\'Idon\'tthinkthatLucyhasanyideainherheaduponthesubject,\'saidMrsRobarts.
\'Idaresaynot——Idon\'tsupposeshehas.Butyoungladiessometimesallowthemselvestofallinlove,andthentothinkthemselvesveryill-usedjustbecausetheyhavehadnoideaintheirhead.\'
\'Iwillputheronherguardifyouwishit,LadyLufton.\'
\'Exactly,mydear;thatisjustit.Putheronherguard——thatisallthatisnecessary.Sheisadear,good,clevergirl,anditwouldbeverysadifanythingweretointerruptourcomfortablewayofgettingonwithher.\'MrsRobartsknewtoanicetytheexactmeaningofthisthreat.IfLucyshouldpersistinsecuringtoherselfsomuchofLordLufton\'stimeandattention,hervisitstoFramleyCourtmustbecomelessfrequent.LadyLuftonwoulddomuch,verymuchindeed,forherfriendsattheparsonage;butnotevenforthemcouldshepermitherson\'sprospectsinlifetobesoendangered.Therewasnothingmoresaidbetweenthem,andMrsRobartsgotuptotakeherleave,havingpromisedtospeaktoLucy.
\'Youmanageeverythingsoperfectly,\'saidLadyLufton,asshepressedMrsRobarts\'shand,\'thatIamquiteateasenowthatI
findyouwillagreewithme.\'MrsRobartsdidnotexactlyagreewithherladyship,butshehardlythoughtitworthherwhiletosayso.MrsRobartsimmediatelystartedoffonherwalktoherwonhome,andwhenshehadgotoutofthegroundsintotheroad,whereitmakesaturntowardstheparsonage,nearlyoppositetoPodgens\'
shop,shesawLordLuftononhorseback,andLucystandingbesidehim.Itwasalreadyfiveo\'clock,anditwasgettingdusk;butassheapproached,orratherasshecamesuddenlywithinsightofthem,shecouldseethattheywereincloseconversation.LordLufton\'sfacewastowardsher,andhishorsewasstandingstill;hewasleaningovertowardshiscompanion,andthewhip,whichheheldinhisrighthand,hungalmostoverherarmanddownherback,asthoughhishandhadtouchedandperhapsrestedonhershoulder.Shewasstandingbyhisside,lookingupintohisface,withoneglovedhandrestingonthehorse\'sneck.MrsRobarts,asshesawthem,couldnotbutownthattheremightbecauseforLadyLufton\'sfears.ButthenLucy\'smanner,asMrsRobartsapproached,wascalculatedtodissipateanysuchfearsandtoprovethattherewasnogroundforthem.Shedidnotmovefromherposition,orallowherhandtodrop,orshowthatshewasinanywayeitherconfusedorconscious.Shestoodherground,andwhenhersister-in-lawcameupwassmilingandatherease.\'LordLuftonwantsmetolearntoride,\'saidshe.
\'Tolearntoride!\'saidFanny,notknowingwhatanswertomaketosuchaproposition.
\'Yes,\'saidhe.\'Thishorsewouldcarryherbeautifully:heisasquietasalamb,andImadeGregorygooutwithhimyesterdaywithasheethangingoverhimlikealady\'shabit,andthemangotupintoalady\'ssaddle.\'
\'IthinkGregorywouldmakeabetterhandofitthanLucy.\'
\'Thehorsecanteredwithhimasthoughhehadcarriedaladyallhislife,andhismouthislikevelvet;indeed,thatishisfault——heistoosoft-mouthed.\'
\'Isupposethat\'sthesamesortofthingasamanbeingsoft-
hearted,\'saidLucy.
\'Exactly;yououghttoridethembothwithaverylighthand.Theyaredifficultcattletomanage,butverypleasantwhenyouknowhowtodoit.\'
\'ButyouseeIdon\'tknowhowtodoit,\'saidLucy.
\'Asregardsthehorse,youwilllearnintwodays,andIdohopeyouwilltry.Don\'tyouthinkitwillbeanexcellentthingforher,MrsRobarts?\'
\'Lucyhasgotnohabit,\'saidMrsRobarts,makinguseoftheexcusecommononallsuchoccasions.
\'ThereisoneofJustinia\'sinthehouse,Iknow.Shealwaysleavesonehere,inorderthatshemaybeabletoridewhenshecomes.\'
\'ShewouldnotthinkoftakingsuchalibertywithLadyMeredith\'sthings,\'saidFanny,almostfrightenedattheproposal.
\'Ofcourseitisoutofthequestion,Fanny,\'saidLucy,nowspeakingratherseriously.\'Inthefirstplace,IwouldnottakeLordLufton\'shorse;inthesecondplace,IwouldnottakeLadyMeredith\'shabit;inthethirdplace,Ishouldbeagreatdealtoomuchfrightened;and,lastly,itisquiteoutofthequestionforagreatmanyotherverygoodreasons.\'
\'Nonsense,\'saidLordLufton.
\'Agreatdealofnonsense,\'saidLucy,laughing,\'butallofitofLordLufton\'stalking.Butwearegettingcold——arewenot,Fanny?——sowewillwishyougood-night.\'Andthenthetwoladiesshookhandswithhim,andwalkedontowardstheparsonage.ThatwhichastonishedMrsRobartsthemostinallthiswastheperfectlycollectedmannerinwhichLucyspokeandconductedherself.This,connected,asshecouldnotbutconnect,withtheairofchagrinwithwhichLordLuftonreceivedLucy\'sdecision,madeitmanifesttoMrsRobartsthatLordLuftonwasannoyedbecauseLucywouldnotconsenttolearntoride;whereasshe,Lucyherself,hadgivenherrefusalinafirmanddecidedtone,asthoughresolvedthatnothingmoreshouldbesaidaboutit.Theywalkedoninsilenceforaminuteortwo,tilltheyreachedtheparsonagegates,andthenLucysaid,laughing,\'Can\'tyoufancymesittingonthatgreatbighorse?IwonderwhatLadyLuftonwouldsayifshesawmethere,andhislordshipgivingmemyfirstlesson?\'
\'Idon\'tthinkshewouldlikeit,\'saidFanny.
\'I\'msureshewouldnot.ButIwillnottryhertemperinthatrespect.SometimesIfancyshedoestoevenlikeseeingLordLuftontalkingtome.\'
\'Shedoesnotlikeit,Lucy,whensheseeshimflirtingwithyou.\'
ThisMrsRobartssaidrathergravely,whereasLucyhadbeenspeakinginahalf-banteringtone.AssoonaseventhewordflirtingwasoutofFanny\'smouth,shewasconsciousthatshehadbeenguiltyofaninjusticeinusingit.Shehadwishedtosaysomethingwhichwouldconveytohersister-in-lawanideaofwhatLadyLuftonwoulddislike;butindoingso,shehadunintentionallybroughtagainstheranaccusation.
\'Flirting,Fanny!\'saidLucy,standingstillinthepath,andlookingupintohercompanion\'sfacewithallhereyes.\'DoyoumeantosaythatIhavebeenflirtingwithLordLufton?\'
\'Ididnotsaythat.\'
\'OrthatIhaveallowedhimtoflirtwithme?\'
\'Ididnotmeantoshockyou,Lucy.\'
\'Whatdidyoumean,Fanny?\'
\'Why,justthis:thatLadyLuftonwouldnotbepleasedifhepaidyoumarkedattentions,andifyoureceivedthem;justlikethataffairofriding;itwasbettertodeclineit.\'
\'OfcourseIdeclinedit;ofcourseIneverdreamtofacceptingsuchanoffer.Goridingaboutthecountryonhishorses!WhathaveIdone,Fanny,thatyoushouldsupposesuchathing?\'
\'Youhavedonenothing,dearest.\'
\'Thenwhydidyouspeakasyoudidjustnow?\'
\'BecauseIwishedtoputyouonyourguard.Youknow,Lucy,thatI
donotintendtofindfaultwithyou;butyoumaybesure,asarule,thatintimatefriendshipsbetweenyounggentlemenandyoungladiesaredangerousthings.\'Theythenwalkeduptothehall-doorinsilence.Whentheyreachedit,Lucystoodinthedoorwayinsteadofenteringit,andsaid,\'Fanny,letustakeanotherturntogetherifyouarenottired.\'
\'No,I\'mnottired.\'
\'ItwillbebetterthatIshouldunderstandyouatonce,\'——andthentheyagainmovedawayfromthehouse.\'Tellmetrulynow,doyouthinkthatLordLuftonandIhavebeenflirting?\'
\'Idothinkheisalittleinclinedtoflirtwithyou.\'
\'AndLadyLuftonhasbeenaskingyoutolecturemeaboutit?\'PoorMrsRobartshardlyknewwhattosay.Shethoughtwellofallthepersonsconcerned;andwasveryanxioustobehavewellbyallofthem;——wasparticularlyanxioustocreatenoillfeeling,andwishedthateverybodywouldbecomfortable,andongoodtermswitheverybodyelse.Butyetthetruthwasforcedoutofherwhenthisquestionwasaskedsosuddenly.\'Nottolectureyou,Lucy,\'shesaidatlast.
\'Well,topreachtome,ortotalktome,ortogivemealesson;
tosaysomethingthatshalldrivemetoputmybackupagainstLordLufton?\'
\'Tocautionyou,dearest.Hadyouheardwhatshesaid,youwouldhardlyhavefeltangrywithLadyLufton.\'
\'Well,tocautionme.Itissuchapleasantthingforagirltobecautionedagainstfallinginlovewithagentleman,especiallywhenthegentlemanisveryrich,andalord,andallthatsortofthing.\'
\'Nobodyforamomentattributesanythingwrongtoyou,Lucy.\'
\'Anythingwrong——no.Idon\'tknowwhetheritwouldbeanythingwrong,evenifIweretofallinlovewithhim.IwonderwhethertheycautionedGriseldaGrantlywhenshewashere?Isupposewhenyounglordsgoabout,allthegirlsarecautionedasamatterofcourse.Whydotheynotlabelhim"dangerous"?\'Andthentheywereagainsilentforamoment,asMrsRobartsdidnotfeelthatshehadanythingfurthertosayonthematter.
\'"Poison"shouldbethewordwithanyonesofatalasLordLufton;
andheoughttobemadeupofsomeparticularcolour;forfearheshouldbeswallowedbymistake.\'
\'Youwillbesafe,yousee,\'saidFannylaughing,\'asyouhavebeenspeciallycautionedastothisindividualbottle.\'
\'Ah!butwhat\'stheuseofthatafterIhavehadsomanydoses?Itisnogoodtellingmeaboutitnow;whenthemischiefisdone,——afterIhavebeentakingitforIdon\'tknowhowlong.
Dear!Dear!Dear!AndIregardeditasamorecommonplacepowder,goodforthecomplexion.Iwonderwhetherit\'stoolate,orwhetherthere\'sanyantidote?\'MrsRobartsdidnotalwaysquiteunderstandhersister-in-law,andnowshewasalittleataloss.
\'Idon\'tthinkthere\'muchharmdoneyetoneitherside,\'saidshe,cheerily.
\'Ah!youdon\'tknow,Fanny.ButIdothinkthatifIdie——asI
shall——IfeelIshall;——andifso,IdothinkitoughttogoveryhardwithLadyLufton.Whydidn\'tshelabelhim"dangerous"intime?\'Andthentheywentintothehouseanduptotheirownrooms.ItwasdifficultforanyonetounderstandLucy\'sstateofmindatpresent,anditcanhardlybesaidthatsheunderstooditherself.ShefeltthatshehadreceivedasevereblowinhavingbeenthusmadethesubjectofremarkwithreferencetoLordLufton.SheknewthatherpleasanteveningsatFramleyCourtwerenowover,andthatshecouldnotagaintalktohiminanunrestrainedtoneandwithoutembarrassment.Shehadfelttheairofthewholeplacetobeverycoldbeforeherintimacywithhim,andnowitmustbecoldagain.Twohomeshadbeenopentoher;
FramleyCourtandtheparsonage;andno,asfarascomfortwasconcerned,shemustconfineherselftothelatter.ShecouldnotagainbecomfortableinLadyLufton\'sdrawing-room.ButthenshecouldnothelpaskingherselfwhetherLadyLuftonwasnotright.
Shehadhadcourageenough,andpresenceofmind,tojokeaboutthematterwhenhersister-in-lawspoketoher,andyetshewasquiteawarethatitwasnojokingmatter.LordLuftonhadnotabsolutelymadelovetoher,buthadlatterlyspokentoherinamannerwhichsheknewwasnotcompatiblewiththatordinarycomfortablemasculinefriendshipwiththeideaofwhichshehadoncesatisfiedherself.WasnotFannyrightwhenshesaidthatintimatefriendshipsofthatnatureweredangerousthings?
Yes,Lucy,verydangerous.Lucy,beforeshewenttobedthatnight,hadownedtoherselfthattheywereso;andlyingtherewithsleeplesseyesandamoistpillow,shewasdriventoconfessthatthelabelwouldintruthbenowtoolate,thatthecautionhadcometoherafterthepoisonhadbeenswallowed.Wasthereanyantidote?Thatwasallthatwasleftforhertoconsider.But,nevertheless,onthefollowingmorningshecouldappearquiteatherease.AndwhenMarkhadleftthehouseafterbreakfast,shecouldstilljokewithFannyastoLadyLufton\'spoisonedcupboard.
CHAPTERXIV
MRCRAWLEYOFHOGGLESTOCK
AndthentherewasthatothertroubleinLadyLufton\'smind,thesins,namely,ofherselectedparson.Shehadselectedhim,andshewasbynomeansinclinedtogivehimup,eventhoughhissinsagainstparsondomweregrievous.Indeedshewasawomannotpronetogiveupanything,andofallthingsnotpronetogiveupaprotege.Theveryfactthatsheherselfhadselectedhimwasthestrongestargumentinhisfavour.Buthissinsagainstparsondomwerebecomingverygrievousinhereyes,andshewasatalosstoknowwhatstepstotake.Shehardlydaredtotakehimtotask,himhimself.Wereshetodoso,andshouldhethentellhertomindherownbusiness——asheprobablymightdo,thoughnotinthosewords——therewouldbeaschismintheparish;andalmostanythingwouldbebetterthanthat.Thewholeworkofherlifewouldbeupset,alltheoutletsofherenergywouldbeimpeded,ifnotabsolutelyclosed,ifastateofthingsweretocometopassinwhichsheandtheparsonofherparishshouldnotbeongoodterms.
Butwhatwastobedone?EarlyinthewinterhehadgonetoChaldicotesandtoGatherumCastle,consortingwithgamblers,Whigs,atheists,menofloosepleasure,andProudieites.Thatshehadcondoned;andnowhewasturningoutahuntingparsononherhands.ItwasallverywellforFannytosaythathemerelylookedatthehoundsashemadeabouthisparish.Fannymightbedeceived.Beinghiswife,itmightbeherdutynottoseeherhusband\'siniquities.ButLadyLuftoncouldnotbedeceived.SheknewverywellinwhatpartofthecountyCobbold\'sAsheslay.ItwasnotinFramleyparish,norinthenextparishtoit.Itwashalf-wayacrosstoChaldicotes——tothewesterndivision;andshehadheardofthatruninwhichtwohorseshadbeenkilled,andinwhichParsonRobartshadwonimmortalgloryamongWestBarsetshiresportsmen.ItwasnoteasytokeepLadyLuftoninthedarkastomattersoccurringinherowncounty.
Allthosethingssheknew,butasyethadnotnoticed,grievingovertheminherownheartthemoreonthataccount.Spokengriefrelievesitself;andwhenonecangivecounsel,onealwayshopesatleastthatthatcounselwillbeeffective.Tohersonshehadsaid,morethanonce,thatitwasapitythatMrRobartsshouldfollowthehounds——\'Theworldhasagreedthatitisunbecominginaclergyman,\'shewouldurge,inherdeprecatorytone.Buthersonwouldbynomeansgiveheranycomfort.\'Hedoesn\'thunt,youknow——notasIdo,\'hewouldsay.\'Andifhedid,Ireallydon\'tseetheharmofit.Amanmusthavesomeamusement,evenifheisanarchbishop.\'\'Hehasamusementathome,\'LadyLuftonwouldanswer.\'Whatdoeshiswifedo——andhissister?\'ThisallusiontoLucy,however,wasverysoondropped.
LordLuftonwouldinnowisehelpher.Hewouldnotevenpassivelydiscouragethevicar,orrefrainfromofferingtogivehimaseatingoingtothemeets.MarkandLordLuftonhadbeenboystogether,andhislordshipknewthatMarkinhisheartwouldenjoyabrushacrossthecountryquiteaswellhimself;andthenwhatwastheharmofit?LadyLufton\'sbestaidhadbeeninMark\'sownconscience.Hehadtakenhimselftotaskmorethanonce,andhadpromisedhimselfthathewouldnotbecomeasportingparson.
Indeed,wherewouldbehishopesofulteriorpromotion,ifheallowedhimselftodegeneratesofarasthat?Ithadbeenhisintention,inreviewingwhatheconsideredtobethenecessaryproprietiesofclericallife,inlayingouthisownfuturemodeofliving,toassumenopeculiarsacerdotalstrictness;hewouldnotbeknownasadenouncerofdancingorofcard-tables,oftheatresorofnovel-reading;hewouldtaketheworldaroundhim,ashefoundit,endeavouringbypreceptandpracticetolendahandtothegradualameliorationwhichChristianityisproducing;buthewouldattemptnosuddenormajesticreforms.Cakeandalewouldstillbepopular,andgingerbehotinthemouth,lethimpreacheverso——lethimbeneversosolemnasahermit;butabrightface,atruetrustingheart,anstrongarm,andanhumblemind,mightdomuchinteachingthosearoundhimthatmenmaybegayandyetnotprofligate,thatwomenmaybedevoutandyetnotbedeadtotheworld.
Suchhadbeenhisideasastohisownfuturelife;andthoughmanywouldthinkthat,asaclergyman,heshouldhavegoneabouthisworkwithmoreseriousdevotionofthought,neverthelesstherewassomewisdominthem;——somefollyalsoundoubtedly,asappearedbythetroublesintowhichtheyhadledhim.\'Iwillnotaffecttothinkthattobebad,\'saidhetohimself,\'whichinmyheartofheartsdoesnotseemtobebad.\'Andthusheresolvedthathemightlivewithoutcontaminationamonghuntingsquires.Andthen,beingamanonlytopronebynaturetodoasotherdidaroundhim,hefoundbydegreesthatthatcouldhardlybewrongforhimwhichheadmittedtoberightforothers.
Butstillhisconscienceupbraidedhim,andhedeclaredtohimselfmorethanoncethatafterthisyearhewouldhuntnomore.AndthenhisownFannywouldlookathimonhisreturnhomeonthosedaysinamannerthatwouldcuthimtotheheart.Shewouldsaynothingtohim.Sheneverinquiredinasneeringtone;andwithangryeyes,whetherhehadenjoyedhisday\'ssport;butwhenhespokeofit,shecouldnotanswerwithenthusiasm;andinothermatterswhichconcernedhimshewasalwaysenthusiastic.Afterawhile,too,hemademattersworse,forabouttheendofMarch,hedidanotherveryfoolishthing.HealmostconsentedtobuyanexpensivehorsefromSowerby——ananimalwhichhebynomeanswanted,andwhich,ifoncepossessed,wouldcertainlyleadhimintofurthertrouble.Agentleman,whenhehasagoodhorseinhisstable,doesnotliketoleavehimthereeatinghisheadoff.Ifhebeagig-horse,theownerofhimwillbekeentodriveagig;ifahunter,thehappypossessorwillwishtobewithapackofhounds.
\'Mark,\'Sowerbysaidtohimoneday,whentheywereouttogether,\'thisbruteofmineissofresh,Icanhardlyridehim;youareyoungandstrong;changewithmeforanhourorso.\'Andthentheydidchange,andthehorseonwhichRobartsfoundhimselfmountedwentawaywithhimbeautifully.
\'He\'sasplendidanimal,\'saidMark,whentheyagainmet.
\'Yes,foramanofyourweight.He\'sthrownawayuponme;——toomuchofahorseformypurposes.Idon\'tgetalongnowquiteaswellasIusedtodo.Heisanicesortofhunter;justrisingsix,youknow.\'Howitcametopassthatthepriceofthesplendidanimalwasmentionedbetweenthem,Ineednotdescribewithexactness.ButitdidcometopassthatMrSowerbytoldtheparsonthatthehorsecouldbehisforonehundredandthirtypounds.\'AndIreallywishyou\'dtakehim,\'saidSowerby.\'Itwouldbethemeansofpartiallyrelievingmymindofagreatweight.\'Marklookedupintohisfriend\'sfacewithanairofsurprise,forhedidnotatthemomentunderstandhowthisshouldbethecase.
\'I\'mafraid,youknow,thatyouwillhavetoputyourhandintoyourpocketsoonerorlaterforthataccursedbill\'——Markshrankastheprofanewordsstruckhisears——\'andIshouldbegladtothinkthatyouhadgotsomethinginhandinthewayofvalue.\'
\'DoyoumeanthatIshallhavetopaythewholesumoffivehundredpounds?\'
\'Oh!dear,no;nothingofthekind.ButsomethingIdaresayyouwillhavetopay:ifyouliketotakeDandyforahundredandthirty,youcanbepreparedforthatamountwhenTozercomestoyou.Thehorseisdogcheap,andyouwillhavealongdayforyoumoney.\'Mark,atfirst,declared,inaquietdeterminedtone,thathedidnotwantthehorse;butitafterwardsappearedtohimthatifheweresofatedthathemustpayaportionofMrSowerby\'sdebts,hemightasrepayhimselftoanyextentwithinhispower.Itwouldbeaswellperhapsthatheshouldtakethehorseandsellhim.ItdidnotoccurtohimthatbysodoinghewouldputitinMrSowerby\'spowertosaythatsomevaluableconsiderationhadpassedbetweenthemwithreferencetothisbill,andthathewouldbeaidingthatgentlemaninpreparinganinextricableconfusioninmoneymattersbetweenthem.MrSowerbywellknewthevalueofthis.Itwouldenablehimtomakeaplausiblestory,ashehaddoneinthatothercaseofLordLufton.\'AreyougoingtohaveDandy?\'Sowerbysaidtohimagain.
\'Ican\'tsaythatIwilljustatpresent,\'saidtheparson.\'WhatshouldIdowithhimnowtheseason\'sover?\'
\'Exactly,mydearfellow;andwhatdoIdowantofhimnowtheseason\'sover?IfitwerethebeginningofOctoberinsteadoftheendofMarch,Dandywouldbeupattwohundredandthirtyinsteadofone:insixmonths\'timethathorsewouldbeworthanythingyouliketoaskforhim.Lookathisbone.\'Thevicardidlookathisbones,examiningthebrutewithaveryknowingandunclericalmanner.Heliftedtheanimal\'sfourfeet,oneafteranother,handlingthefrogs,andmeasuringwithhiseyetheproportionofhisparts;hepassedhishandupanddownhislegs,spanningthebonesofthelowerjoint;hepeeredintohiseyes,tookintoconsiderationthewidthofhischest,thedipofhisback,theformofhisribs,thecurveofhishaunches,andthecapabilitiesforbreathingwhenpressedbywork.Andthenhestoodawayalittle,eyeinghimfromtheside,andtakinginageneralideaoftheformandmakeofthewhole.\'Heseemstostandoveralittle,Ithink,\'
saidtheparson.
\'It\'sthelieoftheground.Movehimabout,Bob.Therenow,lethimstandthere.\'
\'He\'snotperfect,\'saidMark.\'Idon\'tquitelikehisheels;butnodoubthe\'saniceishcutofhorse.\'
\'Iratherthinkheis.Ifhewereperfect,asyousay,hewouldnotbegoingintoyourstablesforahundredandthirty.Doyoueverremembertohaveseenaperfecthorse?\'
\'YourmareMrsGampwasasnearlyperfectaspossible.\'
\'EvenMrsGamphadherfaults.Inthefirstplaceshewasabadfeeder.Butonecertainlydoesn\'toftencomeacrossanythingmuchbetterthanMrsGamp.\'Andthusthematterwastalkedoverbetweenthemwithmuchstableconversation,allofwhichtendedtomakeSowerbymoreandmoreobliviousofhisfriend\'ssacredprofession,andperhapstomakethevicarhimselftoofrequentlyobliviousofitalso.Butno;hewasnotobliviousofit.Hewasevenmindfulofit;butmindfulofitinsuchamannerthathisthoughtsonthesubjectwerenowadaysalwayspainful.
ThereisaparishcalledHogglestocklyingawayquiteinthenorthernextremityoftheeasterndivisionofthecounty——lyingalsoonthebordersofthewesterndivision.Ialmostfearthatitwillbecomenecessary,beforethishistorybecompleted,toprovideamapofBarsetshireforthedueexplanationofalltheselocalities.Framleyisalsointhenorthernportionofthecounty,butjusttothesouthofthegrandtrunklineofrailwayfromwhichthebranchtoBarchesterstrikesoffatapointsomethirtymilesnearertoLondon.ThestationforFramleyCourtisSilverbridge,whichis,however,inthewesterndivisionofthecounty.
Hogglesockistothenorthoftherailway,thelineofwhich,however,runsthroughaportionoftheparish,anditadjoinsFramley,thoughthechurchesareasmuchassevenmilesapart.
Barsetshire,takenaltogether,isapleasantgreentree-becrowdedcounty,withlargehuskyhedges,prettydampdeeplanes,androadswithbroadgrassmarginsrunningalongthem.Suchisthegeneralnatureofthecounty;butjustupinitsnorthernextremitythisnaturealters.Thereitisbleakandugly,withlowartificialhedges,andwithoutwood;notuncultivated,asitisallportionedoutintonew-lookinglargefields,bearingturnips,andwheat,andmangel,allinduecourseofagriculturalrotation;butithasnoneofthespecialbeautiesofEnglishcultivation.Thereisnotagentleman\'shouseintheparishofHogglestockbesidesthatoftheclergyman;andthis,thoughitiscertainlythehouseofagentleman,canhardlybesaidtobefittobeso.Itisugly,andstraight,andsmall.Itproducescabbages,butnotrees:potatoesof,Ibelieve,anexcellentdescription,buthardlyanyflowers,andnothingworthyofthenameofashrub.IndeedthewholeparishofHogglestockshouldhavebeenintheadjoiningcounty,whichisbynomeanssoattractiveasBarsetshire;——afactwellknowntothosefewofmyreaderswhoarewellacquaintedwiththeirowncountry.
MrCrawley,whosenamehasbeenmentionedinthesepages,wastheincumbentofHogglestock.Onwhatprincipletheremunerationofourparishclergymenwassettledwhentheoriginalsettlementwasmade,nodeepest,keenest,loverofmiddle-agedecclesiasticalblack-letterlearningcan,Itakeit,nowsay.Thatpriestsweretobepaidfromtithesoftheparishproduce,outofwhichtithescertainothergoodthingsweretobeboughtandpaidfor,suchaschurchrepairsandeducation,ofsomuchthemosthaveaninkling.
Thatarector,beingabigsortofparson,ownedthetithesofhisparishinfull,——oratanyratethatpartofthemintendedfortheclergyman,——andthatavicarwassomebody\'sdeputy,andthereforeentitledonlytolittletithes,asbeingofalittlebody:ofsomuchwethataresimpleinsuchmattershaveageneralidea.Butonecannotconceivethateveninthiswayanyapproximationcouldhavebeenmade,evenintheseoldmedievaldays,towardsafairproportioningofthepaytothework.Atanyrate,itisclearenoughthatthereisnosuchapproximationnow.AndwhatascreechwouldtherenotbeamongtheclergyoftheChurch,eveninthesereformingdays,ifanyover-boldreformerweretosuggestthatsuchanapproximationshouldbeattempted?Letthosewhoknowclergymen,andlikethem,andhavelivedwiththem,onlyfancyit!
Clergymentobepaid,notaccordingtothetemporalitiesofanylivingwhichtheymayhaveacquired,eitherbymeritorfavour,butinaccordancewiththeworktobedone!ODoddington!AndO
Stanhope,thinkofthis,ifanideasosacrilegiouscanfindentranceintoyourwarmecclesiasticalbosoms!Ecclesiasticalworktobeboughtandpaidofaccordingtoitsquantityandquality!
But,nevertheless,onemayprophesythatweEnglishmenmustcometothis,disagreeableastheideaundoubtedlyis.Mostpleasant-mindedChurchmenfeel,Ithink,onthissubjectprettymuchinthesameway.Ourpresentarrangementofparochialincomesisbelovedasbeingtime-honoured,gentlemanlike,English,andpicturesque.Wewouldfainadheretoitcloselyaslongaswecan,butweknowthatwedosobytheforceofourprejudice,andnotbythatofourjudgement.Atime-honoured,gentlemanlike,English,picturesquearrangementissofarverydelightful.Butaretherenototherattributesverydesirable——nay,absolutelynecessary——inrespecttowhichthistime-honoured,picturesquearrangementissoverydeficient?
Howpleasantitwas,too,thatonebishopshouldbegettingfifteenthousandayear,andanotherwithanequalcareofparsonsonlyfour?Thatacertainprelatecouldgettwentythousandoneyearandhissuccessorinthesamedioceseonlyfivethenext?Therewassomethinginitpleasantandpicturesque;itwasanarrangementendowedwithfeudalcharms,andthechangewhichtheyhadmadewasdistastefultomanyofus.Abishopwitharegularsalary,andnoappanageoflandandland-bailiffs,isonlyhalfabishop.Letanymanprovetomethecontraryeversothoroughly——meproveittomyownselfeversooften——myheartinthismatterisnottherebyawhitaltered.Onelikedtoknowthattherewasadeanortwowhogothisthreethousandayear,andthatoldDrPurpleheldfourstalls,oneofwhichwasgolden,andtheotherthreesilver-gilt!
Suchknowledgewasalwayssopleasanttome!Agoldenstall!Howsweetisthegroundthereoftochurch-lovingears!Butbishopshavebeenshornoftheirbeauty,anddeansareintheirdecadence.
Autilitarianagerequiresthefatnessoftheecclesiasticalland,inorderthatitmaybedividedoutintosmallportionsofprovender,onwhichnecessaryworkingclergymenmaylive,——intoportionssoinfinitelysmallthatworkingclergymancanhardlylive.Andthefull-blownrectorsandvicars,withfull-blowntithes——withtitheswhentoofull-blownforstrictutilitarianprinciples——willnecessarilyfollow.StanhopeandDoddingtonmustbowtheirheads,withsuchcompensationfortemporalrightsasmaybeextracted,——butinothertrades,professions,andlinesoflife,menarepaidaccordingtotheirwork.LetitbesointheChurch.
Suchwillsoonerorlaterbetheedictofautilitarian,reforming,matter-of-factHouseofParliament.
Ihaveaschemeofmyownonthesubject,whichIwillnotintroducehere,seeingthatneithermennorwomenwouldreadit.
Andwithreferencetothismatter,Iwillonlyherefurtherexplainthatallthesewordshavebeenbroughtaboutbythefact,necessarytobeherestated,thatMrCrawleyonlyreceivedonehundredandthirtypoundsayearforperformingthewholeparochialdutyoftheparishofHogglestock.AndHogglestockisalargeparish.Itincludestwopopulousvillages,aboundinginbrickmakers,araceofmenverytroublesometoazealousparsonwhowon\'tletmengorollickingtothedevilwithoutinterference.Hogglestockhasfullworkfortwomen;andyetallthefundsthereinapplicabletoparson\'sworkisthismiserablestipendofonehundredandthirtypoundsayear.Itisastipendneitherpicturesquenortime-honoured,norfeudal,forHogglestocktakesrankonlyasaperpetualcuracy.
MrCrawleyhasbeenmentionedbeforeasaclergymanofwhomMrRobartssaid,thathealmostthoughtitwrongtotakeawalkoutofhisownparish.InsosayingMarkRobartsofcourseburlesquedhisbrotherparson;buttherecanbenodoubtthatMrCrawleywasastrictman,——astrict,stern,unpleasantman,andonewhofearedGodandhisownconscience.WemustsayawordortwoofMrCrawleyandhisconcerns.Hewasnowsomefortyyearsofage,butofthesehehadnotbeeninpossessionevenofhispresentbeneficeformorethanfourorfive.Thefirsttenyearsofhislifeasaclergymanhadbeenpassedinperformingthedutiesandstrugglingthroughthelifeofacurateinableak,ugly,coldparishonthenortherncoastofCornwall.Ithadbeenawearylifeandafearfulstruggle,madeupofdutiesillrequitedandnotalwayssatisfactorilyperformed,ofloveandpoverty,ofincreasingcares,ofsickness,debt,anddeath.ForMrCrawleyhadmarriedalmostassoonashewasordained,andchildrenhadbeenborntohiminthatchill,comfortlessCornishvillage.Hehadmarriedaladywell-educatedandsoftlynurtured,butnotdoweredwithworldlywealth.Theytwohadgoneforthdeterminedtofightbravelytogether;todisregardtheworldandtheworld\'sways,lookingonlytoGodandtoeachotherfortheircomfort.Theywouldgiveupideasofgentleliving,ofsoftraiment,anddelicatefeeding.
Others,——thosethatworkwiththeirhands,eventhebettermentofsuchworkers——couldliveindecencyandhealthuponevensuchprovisionsashecouldearnasaclergyman.Insuchmannerwouldtheylive,sopoorlyandsodecently,workingouttheirwork,notwiththeirhandsbutwiththeirhearts.
Andsotheyhadestablishedthemselves,beginningtheworldwithbare-footedlittlegirloffourteentoaidtheminthesmallhouseholdmatters;andforawhiletheyhadbothkeptheart,lovingeachotherdearly,andprosperingsomewhatintheirwork.Butamanwhohasoncewalkedtheworldasagentlemanknowstowhatitistochangehisposition,andplacehimselflowerdowninthesocialrank.Muchlesscanheknowwhatitistoputdownthewomanheloves.Thereareathousandthings,meanandtriflinginthemselves,whichamandespiseswhenhethinksoftheminhisphilosophy,buttodispensewithwhichputsisphilosophytososternaproof.Letanyplainestmanwhoreadsthisthinkofhisusualmodeofgettinghimselfintoismatutinalgarments,andconfesshowmuchsuchastrugglewouldcosthim.Andthenchildrenhadcome.Thewifeofthelabouringmandoesrearherchildren,andoftenrearstheminhealth,withoutevensomayappliancesofcomfortasfoundtheirwayintoMrsCrawley\'scottage;butthetasktoherwasalmostmorethanshecouldaccomplish.Notthatsheeverfainted,orgaveway:shewasmadeofthesternermetalofthetwo,andcouldlastonwhilehewasprostrate.
Andsometimeshewasprostrate——prostrateinsoulandspirit.Thenwouldhecomplainwithbittervoice,cryingoutthattheworldwastoohardforhim,thathisbackwasbrokenwithhisburden,thathisGodhaddesertedhim.Fordaysanddays,insuchmoods,hewouldstaywithinhiscottage,neverdarkeningthedoororseeingotherfacethanthoseofhisowninmates.Thosedayswereterriblebothtohimandher.Hewouldsitthereunwashed,withhisunshornfacerestingonhishand,withanolddressing-gownhanginglooseabouthim,hardlytastingfood,seldomspeaking,strivingtopray,butstrivingsofrequentlyinvain.Andthenhewouldrisefromhischair,and,withaburstoffrenzy,calluponhisCreatortoremovehimfromthismisery.Inthesemomentssheneverdesertedhim.Atoneperiodtheyhadhadfourchildren,andthoughthewholeweightofthisyoungbroodrestedonherarms,onhermuscles,onherstrengthofmindandbody,sheneverceasedinhereffortstocomforthim.Then,atlength,fallingutterlyupontheground,hewouldpourforthpiteousprayersformercy,andafteranightofsleepwouldoncemoregoforthtohiswork.
Butsheneveryieldedtodespair:thestrugglewasneverbeyondherpowersofendurance.Shehadpossessedhershareofwoman\'sloveliness,butthatwasnowallgone.Hercolourquicklyfaded,andthefresh,softtintssoondesertedherfaceandforehead.Shebecamethin,andrough,andalmosthaggard;thintillhercheek-boneswerenearlypressingthroughherskin,tillherelbowsweresharp,andherfinger-bonesasthoseofaskeleton.Hereyedidnotloseitslustre,butitbecameunnaturallybright,prominent,andtoolargeforherwanface.Thesoftbrownlocks,whichshehadoncelovedtobrushback,scorning,asshewouldboasttoherself,tocarethattheyshouldbeseen,werenowsparseenoughandalluntidyandunclean.Itwasmatteroflittlethoughtnowwhethertheywereseenornot.Whetherhecouldbemadefittogointohispulpit——whethertheymightbefed——thosefourinnocents——andtheirbackskeptfromthecoldwind——thatwasnowthematterofherthought.Andthentwoofthemdied,andshewentforthherselftoseethemlaidunderthefrost-boundsod,lestheshouldfaintinhisworkovertheirgraves.Forhewouldaskaidfromnoman——suchatleastwashisboastthroughall.Twoofthemdied,buttheirillnesshadbeenlong;andthendebtscameuponthem.Debt,indeed,hadbeencreepingonthemwithslowbutsurefeetduringthelastfiveyears.Whocanseehischildrenhungry,andnottakebreadifitbeoffered?Whocanseehiswifelyinginsharpestwant,andnotseekaremedyiftherebearemedywithinreach?Sodebthadcomeuponthem,andrudemenpressedforsmallsumsofmoney——forsumssmalltotheworld,butimpossiblylargetothem.Andhewouldhidehimselfwithinthere,inthatcrannyofaninnerchamber——hidehimselfwithdeepshamefromtheworld,withshameandasinkingheart,andabrokenspirit.
Buthadsuchamannofriend?itwillbesaid.Suchmen,Itakeit,donotmakemanyfriends.Butthismanwasnotutterlyfriendless.AlmosteveryyearonevisitwaspaidtohiminhisCornishcuracy,byabrotherclergyman,anoldcollegefriend,who,asfarasmightinhimlie,didgiveaidtothecurateandhiswife.Thisgentlemanwouldtakeuphisabodeforaweekatafarmer\'sintheneighbourhood,andthoughhefoundMrCrawleyindespair,hewouldleavehimwithsomedropsofcomfortinhissoul.Norwerethebenefitsinthisrespectalononeside.MrCrawley,thoughatsomeperiodsweakenoughhimself,couldbestrongforothers;and,morethanonce,wasstrongtothegreatadvantageofthismanwhomheloved.Andthen,too,pecuniaryassistancewasforthcoming——inthoseearlieryearsnotingreatamount,forthisfriendwasnotthenamongtherichonesoftheearth——butinamountsufficientforthatmoderatehearth,ifonlyitsacceptancecouldhavebeenmanaged.Butinthatmatterthereweredifficultieswithoutend.OfabsolutemoneytendersMrCrawleywouldacceptnone.Butabillhereandtherewaspaid,thewifeassisting;andshoescameforKate——tillKatewasplacedbeyondtheneedofshoes;andclothforHarryandFrank,founditswaysurreptitiouslyinbeneaththecoverofthatwife\'ssolitarytrunk——clothwithwhichthoseleanfingersworkedgarmentsforthetwoboys,tobeworn——suchwasGod\'swill——onlybytheone.
SuchwereMrandMrsCrawleyintheirCornishcuracy,andduringtheirsevereststruggles.Toonewhothinksthatafairday\'sworkisworthafairday\'swages,itseemshardenoughthatamanshouldworksohardandreceivesolittle.Therewillbethosewhothinkthatthefaultwasallhisowninmarryingsoyoung.Butstillthereremainsthatquestion,Isnotafairday\'sworkworthafairday\'swages?Thismandidworkhard——atataskperhapsthehardestofanythatamanmaydo;andfortenyearsheearnedsomeseventypoundsayear.Willanyonesaythathereceivedfairwagesforhisfairwork,lethimbemarriedorsingle?Andyet,therearesomanywhowouldfainpaytheirclergy,iftheyonlyknewhowtoapplytheirmoney!Butthatisalongsubject,asMrRobartshadtoldMissDunstable.SuchwasMrCrawleyinhisCornishcuracy.
CHAPTERXV
LADYLUFTON\'SAMBASSADOR
Andthen,inthedayswhichfollowed,thatfriendofMrCrawley\'s,whosename,bytheby,isyettobementioned,receivedquickandgreatpromotion.MrArabinbynamehewasthen;DrArabinafterwards,whenthatquickandgreatpromotionreacheditsclimax.HehadbeensimplyaFellowofLazarusinthoseformeryears.ThenhebecamevicarofStEwold\'s,inEastBarsetshire,andhadnotyetgothimselfsettledtherewhenhemarriedthewidowBold,awidowwithbelongingsinlandandfundedmoney,andwithbutonesmallbabyasanencumbrance.Norhadheevenyetmarriedher,hadonlyengagedhimselfsotodo,whentheymadehimDeanofBarchester——allofwhichmaybereadinthediocesanandcountychronicles.Andnowthathewaswealthy,thenewdeaddidcontrivetopaythedebtsofhispoorfriend,somelawyerofCamelfordassistinghim.Itwasbutapaltryscheduleafterall,amountinginthetotaltosomethingnotmuchaboveahundredpounds.Andthen,inthecourseofeighteenmonths,thispoorpieceofprefermentfellthedean\'sway,thisincumbencyofHogglestockwithitsstipendreachingonehundredandthirtypoundsayear.EventhatwasworthdoubletheCornishcuracy,andtherewas,moreover,ahouseattachedtoit.PoorMrsCrawley,whensheheardofit,thoughtthattheirstrugglesofpovertywerenowwell-nighover.
Whatmightnotbedonewithahundredandthirtypoundsbypeoplewhohadlivedfortenyearsonseventy?
Andsotheymovedawayoutofthatcold,bleakcountry,carryingwiththemtheirhumblehouseholdgoods,andsettledthemselvesinanothercountry,coldandbleakalso,butlessterriblysothantheformer.Theysettledthemselves,andagainbegantheirstrugglesagainstman\'shardnessandthedevil\'szeal.IhavesaidthatMrCrawleywasastern,unpleasantman;anditcertainlywasso.Themanmustbemadeofverysterlingstuff,whomcontinuedandundeservedmisfortunedoesnotmakeunpleasant.Thismanhadsofarsuccumbedtogrief,thatithadleftuponhimitsmarks,palpableandnottobeeffaced.Hecaredlittleforsociety,judgingmentobedoingevilwhodidcareforit.Heknewasafact,andbelievedwithallhisheart,thatthesesorrowshadcometohimfromthehandofGod,andthattheywouldworkforhiswealinthelongrun;butnotthelessdidtheymakehimmorose,silentanddogged.Hehadalwaysathisheartafeelingthatheandhishadbeenill-used,andtoooftensolacedhimself,atthedevil\'sbidding,withtheconvictionthateternitywouldmakeequalthatwhichlifeinthisworldhadmadesounequal;thelastbaitthatwithwhichthedevilanglesafterthosewhoarestrugglingtoeludehisrodandline.
TheFramleypropertydidnotrunintotheparishofHogglestock;
butneverthelessLadyLuftondidwhatshecouldinthewayofkindnesstothesenew-comers.ProvidencehadnotsuppliedHogglestockwithaLadyLufton,orwithanysubstituteintheshapeoflordorlady,squireorsquiress.TheHogglestockfarmers,maleandfemale,werearude,roughset,notborderingintheirsocialrankonthefarmergentle;andLadyLufton,knowingthis,andhearingsomethingoftheseCrawleysfromMrsArabinthedean\'swife,trimmedherlamps,sothattheyshouldshedawiderlight,andpourforthsomeoftheirinfluenceonthatforlornhousehold.
AndasregardsMrsCrawley,LadyLuftonbynomeansfoundthatherworkwasthrownaway.MrsCrawleyacceptedherkindnesswiththankfulness,andreturnedtosomeofthesoftnessoflifeunderherhand.AsfordiningatFramleyCourt,thatwasoutofthequestion.MrCrawley,sheknew,wouldnothearofit,evenifotherthingswerefittingandapplianceswereatcommand.IndeedMrsCrawleyatoncesaidthatshefeltherselfunfittogothroughsuchaceremonywithanythinglikecomfort.Thedean,shesaid,wouldtalkoftheirgoingtostayatthedeanery;butshethoughtitquiteimpossiblethateitherofthemshouldendureeventhat.
But,allthesame,LadyLuftonwasacomforttoher;andthepoorwomanfeltthatitwaswelltohavealadynearherincaseofneed.
ThetaskwasmuchharderwithMrCrawley,butevenwithhimitwasnotaltogetherunsuccessful.LadyLuftontalkedtohimofhisparishandofherown;madeMarkRobartsgotohim,andbydegreesdidsomethingtowardscivilizinghim.BetweenhimandRobartstootheregrewupanintimacyratherthanafriendship.Robartswouldsubmithisopiniononmattersofecclesiasticalandeventheologicallaw,wouldlistentohimwithpatience,wouldagreewithhimwherehecould,anddifferwithhimmildlywhenhecouldnot.ForRobartswasamanwhomadehimselfpleasanttoallmen.
Andthus,underLadyLufton\'swing,theregrewupaconnexionbetweenFramleyandHogglestock,inwhichMrsRobartsalsoassisted.AndnowthatLadyLuftonwaslookingabouther,toseehowshemightbestbringproperclericalinfluencetobearuponherownrecreantfox-huntingparson,itoccurredtoherthatshemightuseMrCrawleyinthematter.MrCrawleywouldcertainlybeonhersideasfarasopinionwent,andwouldhavenofearinexpressinghisopiniontohisbrotherclergyman.SoshesentforMrCrawley.
InappearancehewastheveryoppositeofMarkRobarts.Hewasalean,slim,meagreman,withshouldersslightlycurved,andpale,lanklocksofraggedhair;hisforeheadwashigh,buthisfacewasnarrow;hissmallgreyeyesweredeeplysunkeninhishead,hisnosewaswell-formed,hislipsthin,andhismouthexpressive.
Nobodycouldlookathimwithoutseeingthattherewasapurposeandameaninginhiscountenance.Healwayswore,insummerandwinter,alongduskygreycoat,whichbuttonedcloseuptohisneckanddescendedalmosttohisheels.Hewasfullsixfeethigh,butbeingsoslightinbuild,helookedasthoughheweretaller.HecameatonceatLadyLufton\'sbidding,puttinghimselfintothegigbesidetheservant,towhomhespokenosinglewordduringthejourney.Andtheman,lookingintohisface,wasstruckwithtaciturnity.NowMarkRobartswouldhavetalkedwithhimthewholewayfromHogglestocktoFramleyCourt;discoursingpartlyastohorsesandland,butpartlyalsoastohigherthings.AndthenLadyLuftonopenedhermindandtoldhergriefstoMrCrawley,urging,however,throughthewholelengthofhernarrative,thatMrRobartswasanexcellentparishclergyman,——\'justsuchaclergymaninhischurchasIwouldwishhimtobe,\'sheexplained,withtheviewofsavingherselffromanexpressionofanyofMrCrawley\'sspecialideasastochurchteaching,andofconfininghimtotheonesubject-matterinhand;\'buthegothislivingsoyoung,MrCrawley,thatheishardlyquiteassteadyasIshouldwishhimtobe.Ithasbeenasmuchmyfaultashisowninplacinghiminsuchapositionsoearlyinlife.\'
\'Ithinkithas,\'saidMrCrawley,whomightperhapsbealittlesoreonthesubject.
\'Quiteso,quiteso,\'continuedherladyship,swallowingdownacertainsenseofanger.\'Butthatisdonenow,andispastcure.
ThatMrRobartswillbecomeacredittohisprofession,Idonotdoubt,forhisheartisintherightplaceandhissentimentsaregood;butIfearthatatpresentheissuccumbingtotemptation.\'
\'Iamtoldthathehuntstwoorthreetimesaweek.Everybodyistalkingaboutit.\'
\'No,MrCrawley;nottwoorthreetimesaweek;veryseldomaboveonce,Ithink.AndthenIdobelievehedoesitmorewiththeviewofbeingwithLordLuftonthananythingelse.\'
\'Icannotseethatthatwouldmakethematterbetter,\'saidMrCrawley.
\'ItwouldshowthathewasnotstronglyimbuedwithatastewhichI
cannotbutregardasviciousinaclergyman.\'
\'Itmustbeviciousinallmen,\'saidMrCrawley.\'Itisinitselfcruel,andleadstoidlenessandprofligacy.\'AgainLadyLuftonmadeagulp.ShehadcalledMrCrawleythithertoheraid,andfeltthatitwouldbeinexpedienttoquarrelwithhim.Butshedidnotliketobetoldthatherson\'samusementwasidleandprofligate.Shehadalwaysregardedhuntingasaproperpursuitforacountrygentleman.Itwas,indeed,inhereyesoneofthepeculiarinstitutionsofcountrylifeinEngland,anditmaybealmostsaidthatshelookedupontheBarsetshireHuntassomethingsacred.Shecouldnotenduretohearthatafoxwastrapped,andallowedherturkeystobepurloinedwithoutagroan.Suchbeingthecase,shedidnotlikebeingtoldthatitwasvicious,andhadbynomeanswishedtoconsultMrCrawleyonthatmatter.Butneverthelesssheswallowedherwrath.
\'Itisatanyrateunbecominginaclergyman,\'shesaid;\'andasI
knowthatMrRobartsplacesahighvalueonyouropinion,perhapsyouwillnotobjecttoadvisehimtodiscontinueit.HemightpossiblyfeelaggrievedwereItointerferepersonallyonsuchaquestion.\'
\'Ihavenodoubthewould,\'saidMrCrawley.\'Itisnotwithinawoman\'sprovincetogivecounseltoaclergymanonsuchasubject,unlessshebeverynearandverydeartohim——hiswife,ormother,orsister.\'
\'Aslivinginthesameparish,youknow,andbeing,perhaps——\'theleadingpersoninit,andtheonewhonaturallyrulestheothers.
Thosewouldhavebeenthefittingwordsfortheexpressionofherladyship\'sideas;butsherememberedherself,anddidnotusethem.Shehadmadeuphermindthat,greatasherinfluenceoughttobe,shewasnottheproperpersontospeaktoMrRobartsastohispernicious,unclericalhabits,andshewouldnotnowdepartfromherresolvebyattemptingtoprovethatshewastheproperperson.
\'Yes,\'saidMrCrawley,\'justso.Allthatwouldentitlehimtoofferyouhiscounselifhethoughtthatyourmodeoflifewassuchastorequireit,butcouldbynomeansjustifyinaddressingyourselftohim.\'ThiswasveryharduponLadyLufton.Shewasendeavouringwithallherwoman\'sstrengthtodoherbest,andendeavouringsotodoitthatthefeelingsofthesinnermightbespared;andyettheghostlycomforterwhomshehadevokedtoheraid,treatedherasthoughshewerearrogantandoverbearing.SheacknowledgedtheweaknessofherownpositionwithreferencetoherparishclergymanbycallingintheaidofMrCrawley;and,undersuchcircumstances,hemight,atanyrate,haveabstainedfromthrowingherweaknessinherteeth.
\'Well,sir;Ihopemymodeoflifemaynotrequireit;butthatisnotexactlytothepoint;whatIwishtoknowis,whetheryouwillspeaktoMrRobarts?\'
\'CertainlyIwill\',saidhe.
\'ThenIshallbemuchobligedtoyou.But,MrCrawley,pray——pray,rememberthis:Iwouldnotonanyaccountwishthatyoushouldbeharshwithhim.Heisanexcellentyoungman,and——\'
\'LadyLufton,ifIdothis,Icanonlydoitinmyownway,asbestImay,usingsuchwordsasGodmaygivemeatthetime.IhopethatIamharshtonoman;butitisworsethanuseless,inallcases,tospeakanythingbutthetruth.\'
\'Ofcourse——ofcourse.\'
\'Iftheearsbetoodelicatetohearthetruth,themindwillbetooperversetoprofitbyit.\'AndthenMrCrawleygotuptotakehisleave.ButLadyLuftoninsistedthatheshouldgowithhertoluncheon.Hehummedandha\'dandwouldfainhaverefused,butonthissubjectshewasperemptory.Itmightbethatshewasunfittoadviseaclergymanastohisduties,butinamatterofhospitalityshedidknowwhatshewasabout.MrCrawleyshouldnotleavethehousewithoutrefreshment.Astothis,shecarriedherpoint;andMrCrawley,——whenthematterbeforehimwascoldroastbeefandhotpotatoes,insteadoftherelativepositionofaparishpriestandhisparishioner——becamehumble,submissive,andalmosttimid.LadyLuftonrecommendedMadeirainsteadofsherry,andMrCrawleyobeyedatonce,andwas,indeed,perfectlyunconsciousofthedifference.
ThentherewasabasketofseakaleinthegigforMrsCrawley;thathewouldhaveleftbehindhadhedared,buthedidnotdare.Notawordwassaidtohimastothemarmaladeforthechildrenwhichwashiddenundertheseakale,LadyLuftonfeelingwellawarethatthatwouldfinditswaytoitsproperdestinationwithoutanynecessityforhisco-operation.AndthenMrCrawleyreturnedhomeintheFramleyCourtgig.
ThreeorfourdaysafterthishewalkedovertoFramleyparsonage.
ThishedidonaSaturday,havinglearnedthatthehoundsneverhuntedonthatday;andhestartedearly,sothathemightbesuretocatchMrRobartsbeforehewentoutonhisparishbusiness.Hewasquiteearlyenoughtoattainthisobject,forwhenhereachedtheparsonagedooratabouthalf-pastnine,thevicar,withhiswifeandsister,werejustsittingdowntobreakfast.\'Oh,Crawley,\'saidRobarts,beforetheotherhadwellspoken,\'youareacapitalfellow;\'andthenhegothimachair,andMrsRobartshadpouredhimouttea,andLucyhadsurrenderedtohimaknifeandplate,beforeheknewunderwhatguisetoexcusehiscomingamongthem.
\'Ihopeyouwillexcusethisintrusion,\'atlasthemuttered;\'butIhaveafewwordsofbusinesstowhichIwillrequestyourattentionpresently.\'
\'Certainly,\'saidRobarts,conveyingabroiledkidneyontotheplatebeforeMrCrawley;\'butthereisnopreparationforbusinesslikeagoodbreakfast.Lucy,wherearetheeggs?\'Andthen,John,inlivery,broughtinthefresheggs.\'Now,weshalldo.Ialwayseatmyeggswhilethey\'rehot,Crawley,andIadviseyoutodothesame.\'Toallthis,MrCrawleysaidverylittle,andhewasnotatallhomeunderthecircumstances.Perhapsathoughtdidpassacrosshisbrain,astothedifferencebetweenthemealwhichhehadleftonhisowntable,andthatwhichhenowsawbeforehim;
andastoanycausewhichmightexistforsuchdifference.But,ifso,itwasaveryfleetingthought,forhehadfarothermatter,nowfullyoccupyinghismind.Andthenthebreakfastwasover,andinafewminutesthetwoclergymenfoundthemselvestogetherintheparsonagestudy.\'
\'MrRobarts,\'beganthesenior,whenhehadseatedhimselfuncomfortablyononeoftheordinarychairsatthefarthersideofthewell-storedlibrarytable,whileMarkwassittingathiseaseinhisownarm-chairbythefire.\'Ihavecalleduponyouonanunpleasantbusiness.\'Mark\'smindimmediatelyflewofftoMrSowerby\'sbill,buthecouldnotthinkitpossiblethatMrCrawleycouldhavehadanythingtodowiththat.
\'Butasabrotherclergyman,andasonewhoesteemsyoumuchandwishesyouwell,Ihavethoughtmyselfboundtotakethismatterinhand.\'
\'WhatmatterisitCrawley?\'
\'MrRobarts,mensaythatyourpresentmodeoflifeisonenotbefittingasoldierinChrist\'sarmy.\'
\'Mensayso?Whatmen?\'
\'Themenaroundyou,ofyourownneighbourhood;thosewhowatchyourlife,andknowallyourdoings;thosewholooktoseeyouwalkingasalamptoguidetheirfeet,butfindyouconsortingwithhorse-jockeysandhunters,gallopingafterhounds,andtakingyourplaceamongthevainestofworldlypleasure-seekers.Thosewhohavearighttoexpectanexampleofgoodliving,andthinktheydonotseeit.\'MrCrawleyhadgoneatoncetotherootofthematter,andindoingsohadcertainlymadehisowntaskmuchtheeasier.Thereisnothinglikegoingtotherootofthematteratoncewhenonehasonhandanunpleasantpieceofbusiness.
\'Andhavesuchmendeputedyoutocomehere?\'
\'Noonehasorcoulddeputeme.Ihavecometospeakmyownmind,notthatofanyother.ButIrefertowhatthosearoundyouthinkandsay,becauseitistothemthatyourdutiesaredue.Youoweittothosearoundyoutoliveagodly,cleanlylife;——asyouoweitalso,inamuchhigherway,toyourFatherwhoisinheaven.Inowmakeboldtoaskyouwhetheryouaredoingyourbesttoleadsuchalifeasthat?\'Andthenheremainedsilent,waitingforananswer.
Hewasasingularman;sohumbleandmeek,sounutterablyinefficientandawkwardintheordinaryintercourseoflife,butonesoboldandenterprising,almosteloquent,ontheonesubjectwhichwastheworkofhismind!Ashesatthere,helookedintohiscompanion\'sfacefromouthissunkengreyeyeswithagazewhichmadehisvictimquail.Andthenherepeatedhiswords:\'Inowmakeboldtoaskyou,MrRobarts,whetheryouaredoingyourbesttoleadsuchalifeasmaybecomeaparishclergymanamonghisparishioners?\'Andagainhepausedforananswer.
\'Therearebutfewofus,\'saidMark,inalowtone,\'whocouldsafelyanswerthatquestionintheaffirmative.\'
\'Butaretheremany,thinkyou,amonguswhowouldfindthequestionsounanswerableasyourself?Andevenweretheremany,wouldyou,young,enterprising,andtalentedasyouare,becontenttobenumberedamongthem?AreyousatisfiedtobeacastawayafteryouhavetakenuponyourselfChrist\'sarmour?Ifyouwillsayso,Iammistakeninyou,andwillgomyway.\'Therewasagainapause,andthenhewenton.\'Speaktome,mybrother,andopenyourheart,ifitbepossible.\'Andrisingfromhischair,hewalkedacrosstheroom,andlaidhishandtenderlyuponMark\'sshoulder.Markhadbeensittinglounginginhischair,andhadatfirst,foramomentonly,thoughttobrazenitout.Butallideaofbrazeninghadnowlefthim.Hehadraisedhimselffromhiscomfortableease,andwasleaningforwardwithhiselbowonthetable;butnow,whenheheardthesewords,heallowedhisheadtosinkuponhisarms,andheburiedhisfacebetweenhishands.
\'Itisaterriblefallingoff,\'continuedCrawley:\'terribleinthefall,butdoublyterriblethroughthatdifficultyofreturning.Butitcannotbethatitshouldcontentyoutoplaceyourselfasoneamongthosethoughtlesssinners,forthecrushingofwhosesinyouhavebeenplacedamongthem.Youbecomeahuntingparson,andridewithahappymindamongblasphemersandmockingdevils——you,whoseaspirationsweresohigh,whohavespokensooftenandsowellofthedutiesofaministerofChrist;you,whocanargueinyourprideastothepettydetailsofyourChurch,asthoughthebroadteachingsofitsgreatandsimplelessonswerenotenoughforyourenergies!ItcannotbethatIhaveahypocritebesidemeinallthoseeagercontroversies!\'
\'Notahypocrite——notahypocrite,\'saidMark,inatonewhichwasalmostreducedtosobbing.
\'Butacastaway!IsitsoImustcallyou?No,MrRobarts,notacastaway;neitherahypocrite,noracastaway;butonewhoinwalkinghasstumbledinthedark,andbruisedhisfeetamongthestones.Henceforthlethimtakealanterninhishand,andlookwarilytohispath,andwalkcautiouslyamongthethornsandrocks——cautiously,butyetboldly,withmanlycourage,butChristianmeekness,asallmenshouldwalkontheirpilgrimagethroughthisvaleoftears.\'Andthen,withoutgivinghiscompaniontimetostophimhehurriedoutoftheroom,andfromthehouse,andwithoutagainseeinganyoftheothersofthefamily,stalkedbackonhisroadtoHogglestock,thustramplingfourteenmilesthroughthedeepmudinperformanceofthemissiononwhichhehadbeensent.
ItwassomehoursbeforeMrRobartslefthisroom.AssoonashefoundthatCrawleywasreallygone,andthatheshouldseehimnomore,heturnedthelockofhisdoor,andsathimselfdowntothinkofhispresentlife.Ataboutelevenhiswifeknocked,notknowingwhetherthatotherstrangeclergymanwerethereorno,fornonehadseenhisdeparture.ButMark,answeringcheerily,desiredthathemightbelefttohisstudies.Letushopethathisthoughtsandmentalresolveswerethenofservicetohim.
