第6章

CHAPTERXVI

MRSPODGENS\'BABY

Thehuntingseasonhadnownearlypassedaway,andthegreatonesoftheBarsetshireworldwerethinkingofthegloriesofLondon.OfthesegloriesLadyLuftonalwaysthoughtwithmuchinquietudeofmind.ShewouldfainhaveremainedthroughoutthewholeyearatFramleyCourt,didnotcertaingraveconsiderationsrendersuchacourseonherpartimproperinherownestimation.AlltheLadyLuftonsofwhomshehadheard,dowagerandante-dowager,hadalwayshadtheirseasonsinLondon,tilloldagehadincapacitatedthemforsuchdoings——sometimesforclearlylongafterthearrivalofsuchperiod.Andthenshehadanidea,perhapsnotaltogethererroneous,thatsheannuallyimportedbackwithherintothecountrysomewhatofthepassingcivilizationofthetimes:——maywenotsayanideathatcertainlywasnoterroneous?Forhowotherwiseisitthattheformsofnewcapsandremodelledshapesforwomen\'swaistsfindtheirwaydownintoagriculturalparts,andthattheruraleyelearnstoappreciategraceandbeauty?Therearethosewhothinkthatremodelledwaistsandnewcapshadbetterbekepttothetowns;butsuchpeople,iftheywouldfollowouttheirownargument,wouldwishtoseeplough-boyspaintedwithruddleandmilkmaidscoveredwithskins.ForthoseandotherreasonsLadyLuftonalwayswenttoLondoninApril,andstayedtheretillthebeginningofJune.Butforherthiswasusuallyaperiodofpenance.InLondonshewasnoverygreatpersonage.Shehadneverlaidherselfoutforgreatnessofthatsort,anddidnotshineaslady-patronessorstatesecretaryinthefemalecabinetoffashion.Shewasdullandlistless,andwithoutcongenialpursuitsinLondon,andspentherhappiestmomentsinreadingaccountsofwhatwasbeingdoneatFramley,andinwritingordersforfurtherlocalinformationofthesamekind.Butonthisoccasiontherewasamatterofvitalimporttogiveaninterestofitsowntohervisittotown.ShewastoentertainGriseldaGrantly,and,asfarasmightbepossible,toinducehersontoremaininGriselda\'ssociety.Theplanofthecampaignwastobeasfollows:——MrsGrantlyandthearchdeaconwereinthefirstplacetogouptoLondonforamonth,takingGriseldawiththem;andthen,whentheyreturnedtoPlumstead,GriseldawastogotoLadyLufton.ThisarrangementwasnotatallpointsagreeabletoLadyLufton,forsheknewthatMrsGrantlydidnotturnherbackontheHartletoppeoplequiteascordiallyassheshoulddo,consideringthetermsoftheLufton-Grantlyfamilytreaty.ButthenMrsGrantlymighthaveallegedinexcusetheslowmannerinwhichLordLuftonwasproceedinginthemakinganddeclaringofhislove,andtheabsolutenecessitywhichthereisfortwostringstoonebow,whenonestringmaybeinanywaydoubtful.CoulditbepossiblethatMrsGrantlyhadheardanythingofthatunfortunatePlatonicfriendshipwithLucyRobarts?

TherecamealetterfromMrsGrantlyjustabouttheendofMarch,whichaddedmuchtoLadyLufton\'suneasiness,andmadehermorethaneveranxioustobeherselfonthesceneofaction,andtohaveGriseldainherownhands.AftersomecommunicationsofmereordinaryimportancewithreferencetotheLondonworldingeneralandtheLufton-Grantlyworldinparticular,MrsGrantlywroteconfidentiallyaboutherdaughter:——\'Itwouldbeuselesstodeny,\'

shesaid,withamother\'sprideandamother\'shumility,\'thatsheisverymuchadmired.SheisaskedoutagreatdealmorethanI

cantakeher,andtohousestowhichImyselfbynomeanswishtogo.IcouldnotrefuseherastoLadyHartletop\'sfirstball,fortherewillbenothingelseyealikethem;andofcoursewhenwithyou,dearLadyLufton,thathousewillbeoutofthequestion.Soindeedwoulditbewithme,wereImyselfonlyconcerned.Thedukewasthere,ofcourse,andIreallywonderLadyHartletopshouldnotbemorediscreetinherowndrawing-roomwhenalltheworldisthere.ItiscleartomethatLordDumbelloadmiresGriseldamuchmorethanIcouldwish.She,deargirl,hassuchexcellentsensethatIdonotthinkitlikelythatherheadshouldbeturnedbyit;

butwithhowmanygirlswouldnottheadmirationofsuchamanbeirresistible?Themarquis,youknow,isveryfeeble,andIamtoldthatsincethisrageforbuildinghascomeon,theLancashirepropertyisovertwohundredthousandayear!IdonotthinkthatLordDumbellohassaidmuchtoher.Indeeditseemstomethatheneverdoessaymuchtoanyone.Buthealwaysstandstodancewithher,andIseethatheisuneasyandfidgetywhenshestandsupwithanyotherpartnerwhomhecouldcareabout.ItwasreallyembarrassingtoseehimtheothernightatMissDunstable\'s,whenGriseldawasdancingwithacertainfriendofours.Butshedidlookverywellthatevening,andIhaveseldomseenhermoreanimated!\'

Allthis,andagreatdealmoreofthesamesortinthesamelatter,tendedtomakeLadyLuftonanxioustobeinLondon.Itwasquitecertain——therewasnodoubtofthat,atanyrate——thatGriseldawouldseenomoreofLadyHartletop\'smeretriciousgrandeurwhenshehadbeentransferredtoLadyLufton\'sguardianship.Andshe,LadyLufton,didwonderthatMrsGrantlyshouldhavetakenherdaughtertosuchahouse.AllaboutLadyHartletopwasknowntotheworld.ItwasknownthatitwasalmosttheonlyhouseinLondonatwhichtheDukeofOmniumwasconstantlytobemet.LadyLuftonherselfwouldalmostassoonthinkoftakingayounggirltoGatherumCastle;andontheseaccountsshedidfeelratherangrywithherfriendMrsGrantly.ButthenperhapsshedidnotsufficientlycalculatethatMrsGrantly\'sletterhadbeenwrittenpurposelytoproducesuchfeelings——withtheexpressviewofawakeningherladyshiptothenecessityofaction.Indeed,insuchamatterasthis,MrsGrantlywasamoreablewomanthanLadyLufton——moreabletoseeherwayandtofollowitout.TheLufton-Grantlyalliancewasinhermindthebest,seeingthatshedidnotregardmoneyaseverything.Butfailingthat,theHartletop-Grantlyalliancewasnotbad.Regardingitasasecondstringtoherbow,shethoughtthatitwasnotatallbad.LadyLufton\'sreplywasveryaffectionate.ShedeclaredhowhappyshewastoknowthatGriseldawasenjoyingherself;sheinsinuatedthatLordDumbellowasknowntotheworldasafool,andhismotheras——beingnotabitbetterthansheoughttobe;andthensheaddedthatcircumstanceswouldbringherselfuptotownfourdayssoonerthanshehadexpected,andthatshehopedherdearGriseldawouldcometoheratonce.LordLufton,shesaid,thoughhewouldnotsleepinBrutonStreet——LadyLuftonlivedinBrutonStreet——hadpromisedtopassthereasmuchofhistimeashisparliamentarydutieswouldpermit.

OLadyLufton!LadyLufton!didnotitoccurtoyouwhenyouwrotethoselastwordsintendingthattheyshouldhavesostronganeffectonthemindofyourcorrespondentthatyouweretellinga——tarradiddle?Wasitnotthecasethatyouhadsaidtoyourson,inyourowndear,kind,motherlyway:\'Ludovic,weshallseesomethingofyouinBrutonStreetthisyear,shallwenot?GriseldaGrantlywillbewithme,andwemustnotletherbedull——mustwe?\'Andthenhadhenotanswered,\'Oh,ofcourse,mother,\'andsaunteredoutoftheroom,notaltogethergraciously?Hadhe,oryou,saidawordabouthisparliamentaryduties?Notaword!O

LadyLufton!haveyounotwrittenatarradiddletoyourfriend?Inthesedayswearebecomingverystrictabouttruthwithourchildren;terriblystrictoccasionally,whenweconsiderthenaturalweaknessofthemoralcourageattheagesoften,twelve,andfourteen.ButIdonotknowthatweareatallincreasingthemeasureofstrictnesswithwhichwe,grown-uppeople,regulateourowntruthandfalsehood.HeavenforbidthatIshouldbethoughttoadvocatefalsehoodinchildren;butanuntruthismorepardonableinthemthaninparents.LadyLufton\'starradiddlewasofanaturethatisusuallyconsideredexcusable——atleastwithgrown-uppeople;but,nevertheless,shewouldhavebeennearertoperfectioncouldshehaveconfinedherselftothetruth.Letussupposethataboyweretowritehomefromschool,sayingthatanotherboyhadpromisedtocomeandstaywithhim,thatotherhavinggivennosuchpromise——whataverynaughtyboywouldthatfirstboybeintheeyesofhispastorsandmasters!

ThatlittleconversationbetweenLordLuftonandhismother——inwhichnothingwassaidabouthislordship\'sparliamentaryduties——tookplaceontheeveningbeforehestartedforLondon.Onthatoccasionhecertainlywasnotinthebesthumour,nordidhebehavetohismotherinthekindestmanner.HehadthenlefttheroomwhenshebegantotalkaboutMissGrantly;andonceagaininthecourseoftheevening,whenhismother,notveryjudiciously,saidawordortwoaboutGriselda\'sbeauty;hehadremarkedthatshewasnoconjurer,andwouldhardlysettheThamesonfire.\'Ifshewereaconjurer,\'saidLadyLufton,ratherpiqued,\'IshouldnotnowbegoingtotakeheroutinLondon.Iknowmanyofthosesortofgirlswhomyoucallconjurers;theycantalkforever,andalwaystalkloudlyorinawhisper.Idon\'tlikethem,andIamsurethatyoudonotinyourheart.\'

\'Oh,astolikingtheminmyheart——thatisbeingveryparticular.\'

\'GriseldaGrantlyisalady,andassuchIshallbehappytohaveherwithmeintown.SheisjustthegirlthatJustiniawillliketohavewithher.\'

\'Exactly,\'saidLordLufton.\'ShewilldoexceedinglywellforJustinia.\'Nowthiswasnotgood-naturedonthepartofLordLufton;andhismotherfeltitthemorestrongly,inasmuchasitseemedtosignifythathewassettinghisbackupagainsttheLufton-Grantlyalliance.Shehadbeenprettysurethathewoulddosointheeventofhissuspectingthataplotwasbeinglaidtocatchhim;andnowitalmostappearedthathedidsuspectsuchaplot.WhyelsesarcasmastoGriseldadoingverywellforhissister?

AndnowwemustgobackanddescribealittlesceneatFramley,whichwillaccountforhisLordship\'sill-humourandsuspicions,andexplainhowitcametopassthathesosnubbedhismother.ThisscenetookplaceabouttendaysaftertheeveningonwhichMrsRobartsandLucywerewalkingtogetherintheparsonagegarden,andduringthosetendaysLucyhadnotonceallowedherselftobeentrappedintoanyspecialconversationwiththeyoungpeer.ShehaddinedatFramleyCourtduringthatinterval,andhadspentasecondeveningthere;LordLuftonhadalsobeenupattheparsonageonthreeorfouroccasions,andhadlookedforherinherusualwalks;but,nevertheless,theyhadnevercometogetherintheiroldfamiliarway,sincethedayonwhichLadyLuftonhadhintedherfearstoMrsRobarts.

LordLuftonhadverymuchmissedher.Atfirsthehadnotattributedthischangetoapurposedschemeofactiononthepartofanyone;nor,indeed,hadhemuchthoughtaboutit,althoughhehadfelthimselftobeannoyed.Butastheperiodfixedforhisdeparturegrewnear,itdidoccurtohimasveryoddthatheshouldneverhearLucy\'svoiceunlesswhenshesaidafewwordstohismother,ortohersister-in-law.Andthenhemadeuphismindthathewouldspeaktoherbeforehewent,andthatthemysteryshouldbeexplainedtohim.Andhecarriedouthispurpose,callingattheparsonageononespecialafternoon;anditwasontheeveningofthesamedaythathismothersangthepraisesofGriseldaGrantlysoinopportunely.Robarts,heknew,wasthenabsentfromhome,andMrsRobartswaswithhismotherdownatthehouse,preparinglistsofthepoorpeopletobespeciallyattendedtoinLadyLufton\'sapproachingabsence.Takingadvantageofthis,hewalkedboldlyinthroughtheparsonagegarden;askedthegardener,withanindifferentvoice,whethereitheroftheladieswereathome,andthencaughtpoorLucyexactlyonthedoorstepofthehouse.

\'Wereyougoinginorout,MissRobarts?\'

\'Well,Iwasgoingout,\'saidLucy;andshebegantoconsiderhowbestshemightgetquitofanyprolongedencounter.

\'Oh,goingout,wereyou?Idon\'tknowwhetherImayofferto——\'

\'Well,LordLufton,notexactly,seeingthatIamabouttopayavisittoournearneighbour,MrsPodgens.Perhaps,youhavenoparticularcalltowardsMrsPodgens\'sjustatpresent,ortohernewbaby?\'

\'Andhaveyouanyparticularcallthatway?\'

\'Yes,andespeciallytoBabyPodgens.BabyPodgensisareallittleduck——onlyjusttwodaysold.\'AndLucy,asshespoke,progressedasteportwo,asthoughsheweredeterminednottoremaintheretalkingonthedoorstep.Aslightcloudcameacrosshisbrowashesawthis,andmadehimresolvethatsheshouldnotgainherpurpose.HewasnotgoingtobefoiledinthatwaybysuchagirlasLucyRobarts.Hehadcometheretospeaktoher,andspeaktoherhewould.Therehadbeenenoughofintimacybetweenthemtojustifyhimindemanding,atanyrate,asmuchasthat.

\'MissRobarts,\'hesaid,\'IamstartingforLondonto-morrow,andifIdonotsaygood-byetoyounow,Ishallnotbeabletodosoatall.\'

\'Good-bye,LordLufton,\'shesaid,givinghimherhand,andsmilingonhimwithheroldgenial,good-humoured,racysmile.\'AndmindyoubringintoParliamentthatlawwhichyoupromisedmefordefendingmyyoungchickens.\'

Hetookherhand,butthatwasnotallhewanted.\'SurelyMrsPodgensandherbabycanwaittenminutes.Ishallnotseeyouagainformonthstocome,andyetyouseemtobegrudgemetwowords.\'

\'Nottwohundrediftheycanbeofanyservicetoyou,\'saidshe,walkingcheerilybackintothedrawing-room;\'onlyIdidnotthinkitworthwhiletowasteyourtime,asFannyisnothere.\'Shewasinfinitelymorecollected,moremasterofherselfthanhewas.

Inwardly,shedidtrembleattheideaofwhatwascoming,butoutwardlysheshowednoagitation——noneasyet;ifonlyshecouldsopossessherselfastorefrainfromdoingso,whensheheardwhathemighthavetosaytoher.

Hehardlyknewwhatitwasforthesayingofwhichhehadsoresolutelycomehither.HehadbynomeansmadeuphismindthathelovedLucyRobarts;norhadhemadeuphismindthat,lovingher,hewould,orthat,lovingher,hewouldnot,makeherhiswife.Hehadneverusedhismindinthematterinanyway,eitherforgoodorevil.Hehadlearnedtolikeherandtothinkthatshewasverypretty.Hehadfoundoutthatitwasverypleasanttotalktoher;whereas,talkingtoGriseldaGrantly,and,indeed,tosomeotheryoungladiesofhisacquaintance,wasoftenhardwork.

Thehalf-hourswhichhehadspentwithLucyhadalwaysbeensatisfactorytohim.Hehadfoundhimselftobemorebrightwithherthanwithotherpeople,andmoreapttodiscusssubjectsworthdiscussing;andthusithadcomeaboutthathethoroughlylikedLucyRobarts.AstowhetherhisaffectionwasPlatonicoranti-Platonichehadneveraskedhimself;buthehadspokenwordstoher,shortlybeforethatsuddencessationoftheirintimacy,whichmighthavebeentakenasanti-Platonicbyanygirlsodisposedtoregardthem.Hehadnotthrownhimselfatherfeet,anddeclaredhimselftobedevouredbyaconsumingpassion;buthehadtouchedherhandasloverstouchthoseofwomenwhomtheylove;

hehadhadhisconfidenceswithher,talkingtoherofhisownmother,ofhissister,andofhisfriends;andhehadcalledherhisowndearfriendLucy.Allthishadbeenverysweettoher,butverypoisonousalso.Shehaddeclaredtoherselfveryfrequentlythatherlikingforthisyoungnoblemanwaspurelyafeelingofmerefriendshipaswasthatofherbrother;andshehadprofessedtoherselfthatshewouldgivethelietotheworld\'scoldsarcasmsonsuchsubjects.Butshehadnowacknowledgedthatthesarcasmsoftheworldonthatmatter,coldthoughtheymaybe,arenotthelesstrue;andhavingsoacknowledged,shehadresolvedthatallclosealliancebetweenherselfandLordLuftonmustbeatanend.

Shehadcometoaconclusion,buthehadcometonone;andinthisframeofmindhewasnowtherewiththeobjectofreopeningthatdangerousfriendshipwhichshehadhadthesensetoclose.

\'Andsoyouaregoingto-morrow?\'shesaid,assoonastheywerebothwithinthedrawing-room.

\'Yes:I\'moffbytheearlytrainto-morrowmorning,andHeavenknowswhenwemaymeetagain.\'

\'Nextwinter,shallwenot?\'

\'Yes,foradayortwo,Isuppose.IdonotknowwhetherIshallpassanotherwinterhere.Indeed,onecanneversaywhereonewillbe.\'

\'No,onecan\'t;suchasyou,atleast,cannot.Iamnotofamigratorytribemyself.\'

\'Iwishyouwere.\'

\'I\'mnotabitobligedtoyou.Yournomadlifedoesnotagreewithyoungladies.\'

\'Ithinktheyaretakingtoitprettyfreelythen.Wehaveunprotectedyoungwomenallabouttheworld.\'

\'Andgreatboresyoufindthem,Isuppose?\'

\'No;Ilikeit.Themorewecangetoutofold-fashionedgroovesthebetterIampleased.IshouldbeaRadicalto-morrow——aregularmanofthepeople——onlyIshouldbreakmymother\'sheart.\'

\'Whateveryoudo,LordLufton,donotdothat.\'

\'ThatiswhyIlikeyousomuch,\'hecontinued,\'becauseyougetoutofthegrooves.\'

\'DoI?\'

\'Yes;andgoalongbyyourself,guidingyourownfootsteps;notcarriedhitherandthither,justasyourgrandmother\'soldtramwaymaychancetotakeyou.\'

\'DoyouknowIhaveastrongideathatmygrandmother\'soldtramwaywillbethesafestandthebestafterall?Ihavenotleftitveryfar,andIcertainlymeantogobacktoit.\'

\'That\'simpossible!Anarmyofoldwomen,withcoilsofropemadeoutoftime-honouredprejudices,couldnotdrawyouback.\'

\'No,LordLufton,thatistrue.Butone——\'andthenshestoppedherself.Shecouldnottellhimthatonelovingmother,anxiousforheronlyson,hadsufficedtodoit.Shecouldnotexplaintohimthatthisdeparturefromtheestablishedtramwayhadalreadybrokenherownrest,andturnedherpeacefulhappylifeintoagrievousbattle.

\'Iknowyouaretryingtogoback,\'hesaid.\'DoyouthinkthatI

haveeyesandcannotsee?Come,Lucy,youandIhavebeenfriends,andwemustnotpartinthisway.Mymotherisaparagonamongwomen.Isayitinearnest;——aparagonamongwomen:andherloveformeistheperfectionofmotherlylove.\'

\'Itis,itis;andIamsogladthatyouacknowledgeit.\'

\'IshouldbeworsethanabrutedidInotdoso;but,nevertheless,Icannotallowhertoleadmeinallthings.WereItodoso,I

shouldceasetobeaman.\'

\'Wherecanyoufindanyonewhowillcounselyousotruly?\'

\'But,nevertheless,Imustrulemyself.Idonotknowwhethermysuspicionsmaybeperfectlyjust,butIfancythatshehascreatedthisestrangementbetweenyouandme.Hasitnotbeenso?\'

\'Certainlynotbyspeakingtome,\'saidLucy,blushingruby-redthrougheveryveinofherdeep-tintedface.Butthoughshecouldnotcommandherblood,hervoicewasstillunderhercontrol——hervoiceandhermanner.

\'Buthasshenotdoneso?You,Iknow,willtellmenothingbutthetruth.\'

\'Iwilltellyounothingonthismatter,LordLufton,whethertrueorfalse.Itisasubjectonwhichitdoesnotconcernmetospeak.\'

\'Ah!Iunderstand,\'hesaid;andrisingfromhischair,hestoodagainstthechimney-piecewithhisbacktothefire.\'Shecannotleavemealonetochooseformyself,myfriends,andmyown——;\'buthedidnotfillupthevoid.

\'Butwhytellmethis,LordLufton?\'

\'No!Iamnottochoosemyownfriends,thoughtheybeamongstthebestandpurestofGod\'screatures.Lucy,Icannotthinkthatyouhaveceasedtohavearegardforme.Thatyouhadaregardforme,Iamsure.\'Shefeltthatitwasmostunmanlyofhimtoseekherout,andhuntherdown,andthenthrowuponherthewholeweightoftheexplanationthathiscomingthithermadenecessary.But,nevertheless,thetruthmustbetold,andwithGod\'shelpshewouldfindstrengthforthetellingofit.

\'Yes,LordLufton,Ihadaregardforyou——andhave.Bythatwordyoumeansomethingmorethanthecustomaryfeelingofacquaintancewhichmayordinarilyprevailbetweenagentlemanandaladyofdifferentfamilies,whohaveknowneachothersoshortatimeaswehavedone.\'

\'Yes,somethingmuchmore,\'saidhewithenergy.

\'Well,Iwillnotdefinethemuch——somethingcloserthanthat?\'

\'Yes,andwarmer,anddearer,andmoreworthyoftwohumancreatureswhovalueeachother\'smindsandhearts.\'

\'SomesuchcloserregardIhavefeltforyou——veryfoolishly.

Stop!Youhavemademespeak,anddonotinterruptmenow.DoesnotyourconsciencetellyouthatindoingsoIhaveunwiselydesertedthosewiseoldgrandmother\'stramwaysofwhichyouspokejustnow?Ithasbeenpleasanttometodoso.IhavelikedthefeelingofindependencewithwhichIthoughtthatImightindulgeinanopenfriendshipwithsuchasyouare.Andyourrank,sodifferentfrommyown,hasdoubtlessmadethismoreattractive.\'

\'Nonsense!\'

\'Ah!butithas.Iknowitnow.Butwhatwilltheworldsayofmeastosuchanalliance?\'

\'Theworld!\'

\'Yes,theworld.Iamnotsuchaphilosopherastodisregardit,thoughyoumayaffordtodoso.Theworldwillsaythat,I,theparson\'ssister,setmycapattheyounglord,andthattheyounglordhasmadeafoolofme.\'

\'Theworldshallsaynosuchthing!\'saidLordLufton,veryimperiously.

\'Ah!butitwill.Youcannomorestopit,thanKingCanutecouldthewaters.Yourmotherhasinterferedwiselytosparemefromthis;andtheonlyfavourthatIcanaskyouis,thatyouwillsparemealso.\'Andthenshegotup,asthoughsheintendedatoncetowalkforthtohervisittoMrsPodgens\'sbaby.

\'Stop,Lucy!\'hesaid,puttinghimselfbetweenherandthedoor.

\'ItmustnotbeLucyanylonger,LordLufton;IwasmadlyfoolishwhenIfirstallowedit.\'

\'Byheavens!ButitshallbeLucy——Lucybeforealltheworld.MyLucy,myownLucy——myheart\'sbestfriend,andchosenlove.Lucy,thereismyhand.Howlongyoumayhavehadmyheartitmattersnottosaynow.\'Thegamewasatherfeetnow,andnodoubtshefelthertriumph.Herreadywitandspeakinglip,notherbeauty,hadbroughthimtoherside;andnowhewasforcedtoacknowledgethatherpoweroverhimhadbeensupreme.Soonerthanleaveherhewouldriskall.Shedidfeelhertriumph;buttherewasnothinginherfacetotellhimthatshedidso.Astowhatshewouldnowdoshedidnotforamomentdoubt.Hehadbeenprecipitatedintothedeclarationhehadmadenotbyhislove,butbyhisembarrassment.

Shehadthrowninhisteeththeinjurywhichhehaddoneher,andhehadthenbeenmovedbyhisgenerositytorepairthatinjurybythenoblestsacrificewhichhecouldmake.ButLucyRobartswasnotthegirltoacceptasacrifice.Hehadsteppedforward,asthoughheweregoingtoclaspherroundthewaist,butshereceded,andgotbeyondthereachofhishand.\'LordLufton!\'shesaid,\'whenyouaremorecoolyouwillknowthatthisiswrong.Thebestforbothofusnowistopart.\'

\'Notthebestthing,buttheveryworst,tillweperfectlyunderstandeachother.\'

\'Thenperfectlyunderstandme,thatIcannotbeyourwife.\'

\'Lucy!doyoumeanthatyoucannotlearntoloveme?\'

\'ImeanthatIshallnottry.Donotpersevereinthis,oryouwillhavetohateyourselfforyourownfolly.\'

\'ButIwillperseveretillyouacceptmylove,orsaywithyourhandonyourheartthatyoucannotandwillnotloveme.\'

\'ThenImustbegyoutoletmego,\'andhavingsosaid,shepausedwhilehewalkedonceortwicehurriedlyupanddowntheroom.\'AndLordLufton,\'shecontinued,\'ifyouwillleavemenow,thewordsyouhavespokenshallbeasthoughtheyhadneverbeenuttered.\'

\'Icarenotwhoknowstheyhavebeenuttered.ThesoonerthattheyareknowntoalltheworldthebetterIshallbepleased,unlessindeed——\'

\'Thinkofyourmother,LordLufton.\'

\'WhatcanIdobetterthangiveherasadaughterthebestandsweetestgirlIhaveevermet?Whenmymotherreallyknowsyou,shewillloveyouasIdo.Lucy,sayonewordtomeofcomfort.\'

\'Iwillsaynowordthatshallinjureyourfuturecomfort.ItisimpossiblethatIshouldbeyourwife.\'

\'Doyoumeanthatyoucannotloveme?\'

\'Youhavenorighttopressmeanyfurther,\'shesaid;andsatdownuponthesofa,withanangryfrownuponherforehead.

\'Byheavens,\'hesaid,\'Iwilltakenosuchanswerfromyoutillyouputyourhanduponyourheart,andsaythatyoucannotloveme.\'

\'Oh,whyshouldyoupressmeso,LordLufton?\'

\'Why,becausemyhappinessdependsuponit;becauseitbehovesmetoknowtheverytruth.Ithascometothis,thatIloveyouwithmywholeheart,andImustknowhowyourheartstandstowardsme.\'

Shehadnowagainrisenfromthesofa,andwaslookingsteadilyinhisface.

\'LordLufton,\'shesaid,\'Icannotloveyou,\'andasshespokeshedidputherhand,ashehaddesired,uponherheart.

\'ThenGodhelpme!forIamwretched.Good-bye,Lucy,\'andhestretchedhishandtoher.

\'Good-bye,mylord.Donotbeangrywithme.\'

\'No,no,no!\'andwithoutfurtherspeechhelefttheroom,andthehouseandhurriedhome.ItwashardlysurprisingthatheshouldthateveningtellhismotherthatGriseldaGrantlywouldbeacompanionsufficientlygoodforhissister.Hewantednosuchcompanion.

Andwhenhewaswellgone——absolutelyoutofsightfromthewindow——Lucywalkedsteadilyuptoherroom,lockedthedoor,andthenthrewherselfonthebed.Why——oh!whyhadshetoldsuchafalsehood?Couldanythingjustifyherinalie?wasitnotalie——knowingasshedidthatshelovedhimwithallherlovingheart?But,then,hismother!andthesneersoftheworld,whichwouldhavedeclaredthatshehadsethertrap,andcaughtthefoolishyounglord!Herpridewouldnothavesubmittedtothat.

Strongasherlovewas,yetherpridewas,perhapsstronger——

strongeratanyrateduringthatinterview.Buthowwasshetoforgiveherselfthefalsehoodshehadtold?

CHAPTERXVII

MRSPROUDIE\'SCONVERSAZIONE

ItwasgrievoustothinkofthemischiefanddangerintowhichGriseldaGrantlywasbroughtbytheworldlinessofhermotherinthosefewweeksprevioustoLadyLufton\'sarrivalintown——verygrievous,atleast,toherladyship,asfromtimetotimesheheardofwhatwasdoneinLondon.LadyHartletop\'swasnottheonlyobjectionablehouseatwhichGriseldawasallowedtoreapfreshfashionablelaurels.IthadbeenstatedopenlyintheMorningPostthatthatyoungladyhadbeenthemostadmiredamongthebeautifulatoneofMissDunstable\'scelebratedsoireesandthenshewasheardofasgracingthedrawing-roomatMrsProudie\'sconversazione.

OfMissDunstableherselfLadyLuftonwasnotableopenlytoallegeanyevil.Shewasacquainted,LadyLuftonknew,withverymanypeopleoftherightsort,andwasthedearfriendofLadyLufton\'shighlyconservativeandnotverydistantneighbours,theGreshams.

Butthenshewasalsoacquaintedwithsomanypeopleofthebadsort.Indeed,shewasintimatewitheverybody,fromtheDukeofOmniumtooldDowagerLadyGoodgaffer,whohadrepresentedallthecardinalvirtuesofthelastquarterofacentury.Shesmiledwithequalsweetnessontreacleandonbrimstone;wasquiteathomeatExeterHall,havingbeenconsulted——sotheworldsaid,probablynotwithexacttruth——astotheselectionofmorethanonedisagreeableLowChurchbishop;andwasnotlessfrequentinherattendanceattheecclesiasticaldoingsofacertainterribleprelateintheMidlandcounties,whowassupposedtofavourstolesandvespers,andtohavenoproperProtestanthatredforauricularconfessionandfishonFridays.LadyLufton,whowasverystaunch,didnotlikethis,andwouldsayofMissDunstablethatitwasimpossibletoservebothGodandMammon.ButMrsProudiewasmuchmoreobjectionabletoher.SeeinghowsharpwasthefeudbetweentheProudiesandtheGrantlysdowninBarsetshire,howabsolutelyunabletheyhadalwaysbeentocarryadecentfacetowardseachotherinChurchmatters,howtheyheadedtwopartiesinthediocese,whichwere,whenbroughttogether,asoilandvinegar,inwhichbattlesthewholeLuftoninfluencehadalwaysbeenbroughttobearontheGrantlyside;——seeingallthis,Isay,LadyLuftonwassurprisedtohearthatGriseldahadbeentakentoMrsProudie\'seveningexhibition.\'Hadthearchdeaconbeenconsultedaboutit,\'

shesaidtoherself,\'thiswouldneverhavehappened.\'Butthereshewaswrong,forinmattersconcerninghisdaughter\'sintroductiontotheworldthearchdeaconneverinterfered.

Onthewhole,IaminclinedtothinkthatMrsGrantlyunderstoodtheworldbetterthandidLadyLufton.InherheartofheartsMrsGrantlyhatedMrsProudie——thatis,withthatsortofhatredoneChristianladyallowsherselftofeeltowardsanother.OfcourseMrsGrantlyforgaveMrsProudieallheroffences,andwishedherwell,andwasatpeacewithher,intheChristiansenseoftheword,aswithallotherwomen.Butunderthisforbearanceandmeekness,andperhaps,wemaysay,whollyunconnectedwithit,therewascertainlyacurrentofantagonisticfeelingwhich,intheordinaryunconsideredlanguageofeveryday,menandwomendocallhatred.Thisragedbeforetheeyesofallmankind.But,nevertheless,MrsGrantlytookGriseldatoMrsProudie\'seveningpartiesinLondon.InthesedaysMrsProudieconsideredherselftobebynomeanstheleastamongbishop\'swives.ShehadopenedtheseasonthisyearinanewhouseinGloucesterPlace,atwhichthereceptionrooms,atanyrate,wereallthataladybishopcoulddesire.Hereshehadafrontdrawing-roomofverynobledimensions,aseconddrawing-roomrathernoblealso,thoughithadlostoneofitsbackcornersawkwardlyenough,apparentlyinajostlewiththeneighbouringhouse;andthentherewasathird——shallwesaydrawing-room,orcloset?——inwhichMrsProudiedelightedtobeseensitting,inorderthattheworldmightknowthattherewasathirdroom;altogetheranoblesuite,asMrsProudieherselfsaidinconfidencetomorethanoneclergyman\'swifefromBarsetshire.\'Anoblesuite,indeedMrsProudie!\'theclergymen\'swivesfromBarsetshirewouldusuallyanswer.

ForsometimeMrsProudiewasmuchatalosstoknowbywhatsortofpartyorentertainmentshewouldmakeherselffamous.Ballsandsupperswereofcourseoutofthequestion.Shedidnotobjecttoherdaughtersdancingallnightatotherhouses——atleast,oflateshehadnotobjected,forthefashionableworldrequiredit,andtheyoungladieshadperhapsawilloftheirown——butdancingatherhouse——absolutelyundertheshadeofthebishop\'sapron——wouldbeasinandascandal.Andthenastosuppers——ofallmodesinwhichonemayextendone\'shospitalitytoalargeacquaintance,theyarethemostcostly.\'Itishorridtothinkthatweshouldgooutamongourfriendsforthemeresakeofeatinganddrinking,\'

MrsProudiewouldsaytotheclergymen\'swivesfromBarsetshire.

\'Itshowssuchasenseofsensualpropensity.\'

\'Indeeditdoes,MrsProudie;andissovulgartoo!\'thoseladieswouldreply.Buttheelderamongthemwouldrememberwithregret,theunsparing,open-handedhospitalityofBarchesterPalaceinthegoodolddaysofBishopGrantly——Godresthissoul!Oneoldvicar\'swifetherewaswhoseanswerhadnotbeensocourteous——

\'Whenwearehungry,MrsProudie,\'shehadsaid,\'wedoallhavesensualpropensities.\'

\'Itwouldbemuchbetter,MrsAthill,iftheworldwouldprovideforallthatathome,\'MrsProudiehadrapidlyreplied;withwhichopinionImustherprofessthatIcannotbyanymeansbringmyselftocoincide.Butaconversazionewouldgiveplaytonosensualpropensity,noroccasionthatintolerableexpensewhichthegratificationofsensualpropensitiestoooftenproduce.MrsProudiefeltthatthewordwasnotatallthatshecouldhavedesired.Itwasalittlefadedbyolduseandpresentoblivion,andseemedtoaddressitselftothatportionoftheLondonworldthatisconsideredblue,ratherthanfashionable.But,nevertheless,therewasaspiritualityaboutitwhichsuitedher,andonemayalsosayaneconomy.Andthenasregardedfashion,itmightperhapsnotbebeyondthepowerofaMrsProudietobegildthewordwithanewlyburnishedgilding.Someleadingpersonmustproducefashionatfirsthand,andwhynotMrsProudie?

Herplanwastosetthepeoplebytheearstalking,iftalktheywould,ortoinducethemtoshowthemselvesthereinertifnomorebecouldgotfromthem.Toaccommodatewithchairsandsofasasmanyasthefurnitureofhernoblesuiteofroomswouldallow,especiallywiththetwochairsandpaddedbenchagainstthewallsinthebackcloset——thesmallinnerdrawing-room,asshewouldcallittotheclergymen\'swivesfromBarsetshire——andtolettheothersstandaboutupright,or\'groupthemselves\'asshedescribedit.Thenfourtimesduringthetwohours\'periodofherconversazioneteaandcakeweretobehandedaroundonsalvers.Itisastonishinghowfaraverylittlecakewillgointhisway,particularlyifadministeredtolerablyearlyafterdinner.Themencan\'teatit,andthewomen,havingnoplatesandnotable,areobligedtoabstain.MrsJonesknowsshecannotholdapieceofcrumblycakeinherhandtillitbeconsumedwithoutdoingseriousinjurytoherbestdress.WhenMrsProudie,withherweeklybooksbeforeher,lookedintothefinancialupshotofherconversazione,herconsciencetoldherthatshehaddonetherightthing.Goingouttoteaisnotabadthing,ifonecancontrivetodineearly,andthenbeallowedtositroundabigtablewithateaurninthemiddle.Iwould,however,suggestthatbreakfastcupsshouldalwaysbeprovidedforthegentlemen.Andthenwithpleasantneighbours,——ormoreespeciallywithapleasantneighbour,——theaffairisnot,accordingtomytaste,byanymeanstheworstphaseofsociety.ButIdodislikethathandinground,unlessitbeofasubsidiarythimblefulwhenthebusinessofthesocialintercoursehasbeendinner.

Andindeedthishandingroundhasbecomeavulgarandanintolerablenuisanceamongussecond-classgentrywithoureighthundredayear——thereorthereabouts;——doublyintolerableasbeingdestructiveofournaturalcomforts,andawretchedlyvulgarapingofmenwithlargeincomes.TheDukeofOmniumandLadyHartletopareundoubtedlywisetohaveeverythinghandedround.Friendsofminewhooccasionallydineatsuchhousestellmethattheygettheirwinequiteasquicklyastheycandrinkit,thattheirmuttonisbroughttothemwithoutdelay,andthatthepotatobearerfollowsquickupontheheelsofcarnifer.Nothingcanbemorecomfortable,andwemaynodoubtacknowledgethatthesefirst-classgrandeesdounderstandtheirmaterialcomforts.Butweoftheeighthundredcannomorecomeuptotheminthisthanwecanintheiropera-boxesandequipages.MayInotsaythattheusualtetherofthisclass,inthewayofcarnifers,cupbearers,andtherest,doesnotreachbeyondneat-handedPhyllisandthegreengrocer?andthatPhyllis,neat-handedassheprobablyis,andthegreengrocer,thoughhebeeversoactive,cannotadministeradinnertotwelvepeoplewhoareprohibitedbyaMedo-Persianlawfromallself-administrationwhatever?AndmayInotfurthersaythatthelamentableconsequencetouseighthundreders,diningoutamongeachotheristhis,thatwetoooftengetnodinneratall.

Phyllis,withthepotatoes,cannotreachustillourmuttonisdevoured,orinalukewarmstatepastourpowerofmanaging;andGanymede,thegreengrocer,thoughweadmiretheskillofhisnecktieandthewhitenessofhisunexceptionablegloves,failstokeepusgoinginsherry.Seeingaladytheotherdayinthisstrait,leftwithoutasmallmodicumofstimuluswhichwasnodoubtnecessaryforhergooddigestion.Iventuredtoaskhertodrinkwinewithme.ButwhenIbowedmyheadather,shelookedatmewithallhereyes,struckwithamazement.HadIsuggestedthatsheshouldjoinmeinawildIndianwar-dance,withnothingonbutpaint,herfacecouldnothaveshowngreaterastonishment.AndyetIshouldhavethoughtshemighthaverememberedthedayswhenChristianmenandwomenusedtodrinkwinewitheachother.GodbewiththegoodolddayswhenIcouldhob-nobwithmyfriendoverthetableasoftenasIwasinclinedtoliftmyglasstomylips,andmakealongarmforthehot-potatowhenevertheexigenciesofmyplaterequiredit.

Ithinkitmaybelaiddownasaruleinaffairsofhospitality,thatwhateverextraluxuryorgrandeurweintroduceatourtableswhenguestsarewithus,shouldbeintroducedfortheadvantageoftheguestandnotforourown.If,forinstance,ourdinnerbeservedinamannerdifferentfromthatusualtous,itshouldbesoservedinorderthatourfriendsmaywithmoresatisfactioneatourrepastthanoureverydaypracticewouldproduceonthem.Butthechangeshouldbynomeansbemadetotheirmaterialdetrimentinorderthatourfashionmaybeacknowledged.Again,ifIdecoratemysideboardandtable,wishingthattheeyesofmyvisitorsmayrestonthatwhichiselegantandpleasanttothesight,Iactinthatmatterwithabecomingsenseofhospitality;butifmyobjectbetokillMrsJoneswithenvyatthesightofallmysilvertrinkets,I

amaverymean-spiritedfellow.This,inabroadway,willbeacknowledged;butifwewouldbearinmindthesameideaatalltimes,——onoccasionswhenthewayperhapsmaynotbesobroad,whenmorethinkingmayberequiredtoascertainwhatistruehospitality,——Ithinkweoftheeighthundredwouldmakeagreateradvancetowardsreallyentertainingourownfriendsthanbyanyrearrangementoftheactualmeatsanddisheswhichwesetbeforethem.

Knowingaswedo,thatthetermsoftheLufton-Grantlyalliancehadbeensosolemnlyratifiedbetweenthetwomothers,itisperhapshardlyopentoustosupposethatMrsGrantlywasinducedtotakeherdaughtertoMrsProudie\'sbyanyknowledgewhichshemayhaveacquiredthatLordDumbellohadpromisedtogracethebishop\'sassembly.Itiscertainlythefactthathighcontractingpartiesdosometimesallowthemselvesalatitudewhichwouldbeconsidereddishonestbycontractorsofalowersort;anditmaybepossiblethatthearchdeacon\'swifedidthinkofthatsecondstringwithwhichherbowwasfurnished.Bethatasitmay,LordDumbellowasatMrsProudie\'s,anditdidsocometopassthatGriseldawasseatedatacornerofasofaclosetowhichavacantspaceinwhichhislordshipcould——"grouphimself".TheyhadnotbeenlongtherebeforeLordDumbellodidgrouphimself.\'Fineday,\'hesaid,comingupandoccupyingthevacantpositionbyMissGrantly\'selbow.

\'Wearedrivingto-day,andwethoughtitrathercold,\'saidGriselda.

\'Deucedcold,\'saidLordDumbello,andthenheadjustedhiswhitecravatandtoucheduphiswhiskers.Havinggotsofar,hedidnotproceedtoanyimmediateconversationalefforts;nordidGriselda.

Buthegroupedhimselfagainasbecameamarquis,andgaveveryintensesatisfactiontoMrsProudie.

\'Thisissokindofyou,LordDumbello,\'saidthatlady,cominguptohimandshakinghishandwarmly;\'soverykindofyoutocometomypoorlittletea-party.\'

\'Uncommonlypleasant,Icallit,\'saidhislordship.\'Ilikethissortofthing——notrouble,youknow.\'

\'No;thatisthecharmofit;isn\'tit?notrouble,orfuss,orparade.That\'swhatIalwayssay.Accordingtomyideas,societyconsistsingivingpeoplefacilityforaninterchangeofthoughts——whatwecallconversation.\'

\'Aw,yes,exactly.\'

\'Notineatinganddrinkingtogether——eh,LordDumbello?Andyetthepracticeofourliveswouldseemtoshowthattheindulgenceofthisanimalpropensitiescanalonesufficetobringpeopletogether.Theworldinthishassurelymadeagreatmistake.\'

\'Ilikeagooddinnerallthesame,\'saidLordDumbello.

\'Oh,yes,ofcourse——ofcourse.Iambynomeansoneofthosewhowouldpretendtopreachthatourtasteshavenotbeengiventousforourenjoyment.Whyshouldthingsbeniceifwearenottolikethem?\'

\'Amanwhocanreallygiveagooddinnerhaslearnedagreatdeal,\'

saidLordDumbello,withunusualanimation.

\'Animmensedeal.Itisquiteanartinitself:andonewhichI,atanyrate,bynomeansdespise.Butwecannotalwaysbeeating——canwe?\'

\'No,\'saidLordDumbello,\'notalways.\'Andhelookedasthoughhelamentedthathispowersshouldbesocircumscribed.AndthenMrsProudiepassedontoMrsGrantly.ThetwoladieswerequitefriendlyinLondon;thoughdownintheirownneighbourhoodtheywagedawarsointernecineinitsnature.ButneverthelessMrsProudie\'smannermighthaveshowedtoaverycloseobserverthatsheknewthedifferencebetweenabishopandanarchdeacon.\'Iamdelightedtoseeyou,\'saidshe.\'No,don\'tmindmoving;Iwon\'tsitdownjustatpresent.Butwhydidn\'tthearchdeaconcome?\'

\'Itwasquiteimpossible;itwasindeed,\'saidMrsGrantly.\'ThearchdeaconneverhasamomentinLondonthathecancallhisown.\'

\'Youdon\'tstayupverylong,Ibelieve.\'

\'Agooddeallongerthaneitherofuslike,Icanassureyou.

Londonlifeisaperfectnuisancetome.\'

\'Butpeopleinacertainpositionmustgothroughwithit,youknow,\'saidMrsProudie.\'Thebishop,forinstance,mustattendtheHouse.\'

\'Musthe?\'askedMrsGrantly,asthoughshewerenotatallwellinformedwithreferencetothisbranchofabishop\'sbusiness.\'I

amverygladthatarchdeaconsareundernosuchliability.\'

\'Oh,no;there\'snothingofthatsort,\'saidMrsProudie,veryseriously.\'ButhowuncommonlywellMissGrantlyislooking!Idohearthatshehasquitebeenadmired.\'Thisphrasecertainlywasalittlehardforthemothertobear.Alltheworldhadacknowledged,soMrsGrantlyhadtaughtherselftobelieve,thatGriseldawasundoubtedlythebeautyoftheseason.Marquisesandlordswerealreadycontendingforhersmiles,andparagraphshadbeenwritteninnewspapersastoherprofile.Itwastoohardtobetold,afterthat,thatherdaughterhadbeen\'quiteadmired.\'Suchaphrasemightsuitaprettylittlered-cheekedmilkmaidofagirl.

\'Shecannot,ofcourse,comenearyourgirlsinthatrespect,\'saidMrsGrantly,veryquietly.NowtheMissProudieshadnotelicitedfromthefashionableworldanyveryloudencomiumsontheirbeauty.Theirmotherfeltthetauntinitsfullestforce,butshewouldnotessaytodobattleonthepresentarena.Shejotteddowntheiteminhermind,andkeptitoverforBarchesterandthechapter.Suchdebtsasthosesheusuallypaidonsomeday,ifthemeansofdoingsowereatallwithinherpower.\'ButthereisMissDunstable,Ideclare,\'shesaid,seeingthatthatladyhadenteredtheroom;andawaywentMrsProudietowelcomeherdistinguishedguest.

\'Andsothisisaconversazione,isit,\'saidthatlady,speaking,asusual,notinasuppressedvoice.\'Well,Ideclare,it\'sverynice.Itmeansconversation,don\'tit,MrsProudie?\'

\'Ha,ha,ha!MissDunstable,thereisnobodylikeyou,Ideclare.\'

\'Well,butdon\'tit?andteaandcake?andthen,whenwe\'retiredoftalking,wegoaway,isn\'tthatit?\'

\'Butyoumustnotbetiredforthesethreehoursyet.\'

\'Oh,Iamnevertiredoftalking;alltheworldknowsthat.Howdo,bishop?Averynicesortofthingthisconversazione,isn\'titnow?\'Thebishoprubbedhishandstogetherandsmiled,andsaidthathethoughtitwasrathernice.

\'MrsProudieissofortunateinallherlittlearrangements,\'saidMissDunstable.

\'Yes,yes,\'saidthebishop.\'Ithinksheishappyinthesematters.Idoflattermyselfthatsheisso.Ofcourse,MissDunstable,youareaccustomedtothingsonamuchgranderscale.\'

\'I!Lordblessyou,no!NobodyhatesgrandeursomuchasIdo.

OfcourseImustdoasIamtold.Imustliveinabighouse,andhavethreefootmensixfeethigh.Imusthaveacoachmanwithatop-heavywig,andhorsessobigthattheyfrightenme.IfIdidnot,Ishouldbemadeoutalunaticanddeclaredunabletomanagemyownaffairs.Butasforgrandeur,Ihateit.IcertainlythinkthatIshallhavesomeoftheseconversaziones.IwonderwhetherMrsProudiewillcomeandputmeuptoawrinkleortwo.\'Thebishopagainrubbedhishands,andsaidthathewassureshewould.

HeneverfeltquiteathiseasewithMissDunstable,asherarelycouldascertainwhetherornoshewasearnestinwhatshewassaying.Sohetrottedoff,mutteringsomeexcuseashewent,andMissDunstablechuckledwithaninwardchuckleathistooevidentbewilderment.MissDunstablewasbynaturekind,generous,andopen-hearted;butshewaslivingnowverymuchwithpeoplewho,kindness,generosity,andopen-heartednesswerethrownaway.Shewascleveralso,andcouldbesarcastic;andshefoundthatthosequalitiestoldbetterintheworldaroundherthangenerosityandanopenheart.Andsoshewentonfrommonthtomonth,andyeartoyear,notprogressinginagoodspiritasshemighthavedone,butstillcarryingwithinherbosomawarmaffectionforthoseshecouldreallylove.Andsheknewthatshewashardlylivingassheshouldlive,——thatthewealthwhichsheaffectedtodespisewaseatingintothesoundnessofhercharacter,notbyitssplendour,butbythestyleoflifewhichithadseemedtoproduceasanecessity.Sheknewthatshewasgraduallybecomingirreverent,scornful,andpronetoridicule;butyet,knowingthis,andhatingit,shehardlyknewhowtobreakfromit.Shehadseensomuchoftheblackersideofhumannaturethatblacknessnolongerstartledherasitshoulddo.Shehadbeentheprizeatwhichsomanyruinedspendthriftshadaimed;somanypirateshadendeavouredtorunherdownwhilesailingintheopenwatersoflife,thatshehadceasedtoregardsuchattemptsonhermoney-bagsasunmanlyorover-covetous.Shewascontenttofightherownbattlewithherownweapons,feelingsecureinherownstrengthofpurposeandstrengthofwit.

Somefewfriendsshehadwhomshereallyloved,——amongwhomherinnerselfcouldcomeoutandspeakboldlywhatithadtosaywithitsowntruevoice.AndthewomanwhothussospokewasverydifferentfromthatMissDunstablewhomMrsProudiecourted,andtheDukeofOmniumfeted,andMrsHaroldSmithclaimedasherbosomfriend.Ifonlyshecouldfindamongsuchonespecialcompaniononwhomherheartmightrest,whowouldhelphertobeartheheavyburdensofherworld!Butwherewasshetofindsuchafriend?——shewithherkeenwit,heruntoldmoney,andloudlaughingvoice.Everythingaboutherwascalculatedtoattractthosewhomshecouldnotvalue,andtoscarefromherthesortoffriendtowhomshewouldfainhavelinkedherlot.AndthenshemetMrsHaroldSmith,whohadtakenMrsProudie\'snoblesuiteofroomsinhertouroftheevening,andwasdevotingtothemaperiodoftwentyminutes.\'AndsoImaycongratulateyou,\'MissDunstablesaideagerlytoherfriend.

\'No,inmercy\'sname,donosuchthing,oryoumaytooprobablyhavetouncongratulatemeagain;andthatwillbesounpleasant.\'

\'ButtheytoldmethatLordBrockhadsentforhimyesterday.\'NowatthisperiodLordBrockwasPrimeMinister.

\'Sohedid,andHaroldwaswithhimbackwardsandforwardsalltheday.Buthecan\'tshuthiseyesandopenhismouth,andseewhatGodwillsendhim,asawiseandprudentmanshoulddo.Heisalwaysforbargaining,andnoPrimeMinisterlikesthat.\'

\'Iwouldnotbeinhisshoesif,afterall,hehastocomehomeandsaythatthebargainisoff.\'

\'Ha,ha,ha!WellIshouldnottakeitveryquietly.Butwhatcanwepoorwomendo,youknow?Whenitissettled,mydear,I\'llsendyoualineatonce.\'AndthenMrsHaroldSmithfinishedhercourseroundtherooms,andregainedhercarriagewithinthetwentyminutes.

\'Beautifulprofile,hasshenot?\'saidMissDunstable,somewhatlaterintheevening,toMrsProudie.Ofcourse,theprofilespokenofbelongedtoMissGrantly.

\'Yes,itisbeautiful,certainly,\'saidMrsProudie.\'Thepityisthatitmeansnothing.\'

\'Thegentlemenseemtothinkthatitmeansagooddeal.\'

\'Iamnotsureofthat.Shehasnoconversation,yousee;notaword.ShehasbeensittingtherewithLordDumbelloatherelbowforthelasthour,andyetshehashardlyopenedhermouththreetimes.\'

\'But,mydearMrsProudie,whoonearthcouldtalktoLordDumbello?\'MrsProudiethoughtthatherowndaughterOliviawouldundoubtedlybeabletodoso,ifonlyshecouldgettheopportunity.But,then,Oliviahadsomuchconversation.Andwhilethetwoladieswereyetlookingattheyouthfulpair,LordDumbellodidspeakagain.\'IthinkIhavehadenoughofthisnow,\'saidhe,addressinghimselftoGriselda.

\'Isupposeyouhaveotherengagements,\'saidshe.

\'Oh,yes;andIbelieveIshallgotoLadyClantelbrocks.\'Andthenhetookhisdeparture.NootherwordwasspokenthateveningbetweenhimandMissGrantlybeyondthosegiveninthischronicle,andyettheworlddeclaredthatheandthatyoungladyhadpassedtheeveninginsocloseaflirtationastomakethemattermorethanordinarilyparticular;andMrsGrantly,asshewasdrivenhometoherlodgings,begantohavedoubtsinhermindwhetheritwouldbewisetodiscountenancesogreatanallianceasthatwhichtheheadofthegreatHartletopfamilynowseemedsodesiroustoestablish.Theprudentmotherhadnotyetspokenawordtoherdaughteronthesesubjects,butitmightsoonbecomenecessarytodoso.ItwasallverywellforLadyLuftontohurryuptotown,butofwhatservicewouldthatbe,ifLordLuftonwerenottobefoundinBrutonStreet?

CHAPTERXVIII

THENEWMINISTER\'SPATRONAGE

Atthattime,justasLadyLuftonwasabouttoleaveFramleyforLondon,MarkRobartsreceivedapressingletter,invitinghimalsotogouptothemetropolisforadayortwo——notforpleasure,butonbusiness.TheletterwasfromhisindefatigablefriendSowerby.\'MydearRobarts,\'theletterran:——\'IhavejustheardthatpoorlittleBurslem,theBarsetshireprebendary,isdead.Wemustalldiesomeday,youknow——asyouhavetoldyourparishionersfromtheFramleypulpitmorethanonce,nodoubt.Thestallmustbefilledup,andwhyshouldnotyouhaveitaswellasanother?

Itissixhundredayearandahouse.LittleBurslemhadnine,butthegoodoldtimesaregone.Whetherthehouseislettableornotunderthepresentecclesiasticalregime,Idonotknow.Itusedtobeso,forIrememberMrsWiggins,thetallow-chandler\'swidow,livinginoldStanhope\'shouse.

\'HaroldSmithhasjustjoinedtheGovernmentasLordPettyBag,andcould,Ithink,atthepresentmoment,getthisforasking.Hecannotwellrefuseme,and,ifyouwillsaytheword,Iwillspeaktohim.Youhadbettercomeupyourself;butsaytheword"Yes"or"No"bythewires.

\'Ifyousay"Yes",asofcourseyouwill,donotfailtocomeup.

Youwillfindmeatthe"Travellers",orattheHouse.Thestallwilljustsuityou,——willgiveyounotrouble,improveyourposition,andgivesomelittleassistancetowardsbedandboard,andrackandmanger——Yourseverfaithfully,N.SOWERBY,\'Singularlyenough,IhearyourbrotherisprivatesecretarytothenewLordPettyBag.Iamtoldthathischiefdutywillconsistindesiringtheservantstocallmysister\'scarriage.IhaveonlyseenHaroldoncesinceheacceptedoffice;butmyLadyPettyBagsaysthathehascertainlygrownaninchsincethatoccurrence.\'

Thiswascertainlyverygood-naturedonthepartofMrSowerby,andshowedthathehadafeelingwithinhisbosomthatheowedsomethingtohisfriendtheparsonfortheinjuryhehaddonehim.

Andsuchwasintruththecase.AmorerecklessbeingthanthememberforWestBarsetshirecouldnotexist.Hewasrecklessforhimself,andrecklessforallotherswithwhomhemightbeconcerned.Hecouldruinhisfriendswithaslittleremorsehehadruinedhimself.Allwasfairgamethatcameinthewayofhisnet.

But,nevertheless,hewasgood-natured,andwillingtomoveheavenandearthtodoafriendagoodturn,ifitcameinhiswaytodoso.HedidreallyloveMarkRobartsasmuchasitwasgiventohimtoloveanyamonghisacquaintance.Heknewthathehadalreadydonehimanalmostirreparableinjury,andmightveryprobablyinjurehimstilldeeperbeforehehaddonewithhim.Thathewouldundoubtedlydoso,ifitcameinhisway,wasverycertain.Butthen,ifitalsocameinhiswaytorepayhisfriendbyanysideblowhewouldalsoundoubtedlydothat.Suchanoccasionhadnowcome,andhehaddesiredhissistertogivethenewLordPettyBagnoresttillheshouldhavepromisedtouseallhisinfluenceingettingthevacantprebendforMarkRobarts.

ThisletterofSowerby\'sMarkimmediatelyshowedtohiswife.Howlucky,thoughthetohimself,thatnotawordwassaidinitaboutthoseaccursedmoneytransactions!HadheunderstoodSowerbybetterhewouldhaveknownthatthatgentlemanneversaidanythingaboutmoneytransactionsuntilitbecameabsolutelynecessary.\'I

knowyoudon\'tlikeMrSowerby,\'hesaid;\'butyoumustownthatthisisverygoodnatured.\'

\'ItisthecharacterIhearofhimthatIdon\'tlike,\'saidMrsRobarts.

\'ButwhatshallIdonow,Fanny?Ashesays,whyshouldnotIhavethestallaswellasanother?\'

\'Isupposeitwouldnotinterferewithyourparish?\'

\'Notintheleast,atthedistanceweare.IdidthinkofgivingupoldJones;butifItakethis,ofcourseImustkeepthecurate.\'Hiswifecouldnotfinditinherhearttodissuadehimfromacceptingpromotionwhenitcameinhisway——whatvicar\'swifewouldhavesopersuadedherhusband?Butyetshedidnotaltogetherlikeit.ShefearedthatGreekfromChaldicotes,evenwhenhecamewiththepresentofaprebendalstallinhishands.

AndthenwhatwouldLadyLuftonsay?

\'AnddoyouthinkthatyoumustgouptoLondon,Mark?\'

\'Oh,certainly;thatis,ifIintendtoacceptHaroldSmith\'skindofficesinthematter.\'

\'Isupposeitwillbebettertoacceptthem,\'saidFanny,feelingperhapsthatitwouldbeuselessinhertohopethattheyshouldnotbeaccepted.

\'Prebendalstalls,Fanny,don\'tgenerallygobegginglongamongclergymen.HowcouldIreconcileittothedutyIowemychildrentorefusesuchanincreasetomyincome?\'AndsoitwassettledthatheshouldatoncedrivetoSilverbridgeandsendoffamessagebytelegraph,andthatheshouldhimselfproceedtoLondononthefollowingday.\'ButyoumustseeLadyLuftonfirst,ofcourse,\'

saidFanny,assoonasallthiswassettled.Markwouldhaveavoidedthisifhecouldhavedecentlydoneso,buthefeltthatitwouldbeimpolite,aswellasindecent.AndwhyshouldhebeafraidtotellLadyLuftonthathehopedtoreceivethispieceofpromotionfromthepresentGovernment?TherewasnothingdisgracefulinaclergymanbecomingaprebendaryofBarchester.

LadyLuftonherselfhadalwaysbeenveryciviltotheprebendaries,andespeciallytolittleDrBurslem,themeagrelittlemanwhohadjustnowpaidthedebtofnature.Shehadalwaysbeenveryfondofthechapter,andheroriginaldisliketoBishopProudiehadbeenchieflyonhisinterference,oronthatofhiswifeorchaplain.

ConsideringthesethingsMarkRobartstriedtomakehimselfbelievethatLadyLuftonwouldbedelightedathisgoodfortune.Butyethedidnotbelieveit.SheatanyratewouldrevoltfromthegiftoftheGreekofChaldicotes.\'Oh,indeed,\'shesaid,whenthevicarhadwithsomedifficultyexplainedtoherallthecircumstancesofthecase.\'Well,Icongratulateyou,MrRobarts,onyourpowerfulnewpatron.\'

\'Youwillprobablyfeelwithme,LadyLufton,thatthebeneficeisonewhichIcanholdwithoutanydetrimenttomeinmypositionhereatFramley,\'saidhe,prudentlyresolvingtoletthesluruponhisfriendspassbyunheeded.

\'Well,Ihopeso.Ofcourse,youareaveryyoungman,MrRobarts,andthesethingshavegenerallybeengiventoclergymenmoreadvancedinlife.\'

\'ButyoudonotmeantosaythatyouthinkIoughttorefuseit?\'

\'Whatmyadvicetoyoumightbeifyoureallycametomeforadvice,Iamhardlypreparedtosayatsoveryshortanotice.Youseemtohavemadeupyourmind,andthereforeIneednotconsiderit.Asitis,Iwishyoujoy,andhopethatitmayturnouttoyouradvantageineveryway.\'

\'Youunderstand,LadyLufton,thatIhavebynomeansgotityet.\'

\'Oh,Ithoughtithadbeenofferedtoyou:Ithoughtyouspokeofthisnewministerashavingallthatinhisownhand.\'

\'Ohdearno.WhatmaybetheamountofhisinfluenceinthatrespectIdonotatallknow.Butmycorrespondentassuresme——\'

\'MrSowerby,youmean.Whydon\'tyoucallhimbyhisname?\'

\'MrSowerbyassuresmethatMrSmithwillaskforit;andthinksitmostprobablethathisrequestwillbesuccessful.\'

\'Oh,ofcourse.MrSowerbyandMrHaroldSmithtogetherwouldnodoubtbesuccessfulinanything.Theyarethesortofmenwhoaresuccessfulnowadays.Well,MrRobarts,Iwishyoujoy.\'Andshegavehimherhandintokenofhersincerity.Marktookherhand,resolvingtosaynothingfurtheronthatoccasion.ThatLadyLuftonwasnotnowcordialwithhim,assheusedtobe,hewaswellaware;andsoonerorlaterhewasdeterminedtohavethematteroutwithher.Hewouldaskherwhyshesoconstantlymetwithhiminataunt,andsoseldomgreetedhimwiththatkindoldaffectionatesmilewhichheknewandappreciatedsowell.Thatshewashonestandtruehewasquitesure.Ifheaskedherthequestionplainly,shewouldanswerhimopenly.Andifhecouldinducehertosaythatshewouldreturntoheroldways,returntothemshewouldinaheartymanner.Buthecouldnotdothisjustatpresent.ItwasbutadayortwosinceMrCrawleyhadbeenwithhim;andwasitnotprobablethatMrCrawleyhadbeensenthitherbyLadyLufton?Hisownhandswerenotcleanenoughforaremonstranceatthepresentmoment.Hewouldcleansethem,andthenhewouldremonstrate.

\'WouldyouliketolivepartoftheyearinBarchester?\'hesaidtohiswifeandsisterthatevening.

\'Ithinkthatthetwohousesareonlyatrouble,\'saidhiswife.

\'Andwehavebeenhappyhere.\'

\'Ihavealwayslikedacathedraltown,\'saidLucy;\'andIamparticularlyfondoftheclose.\'

\'AndBarchesterCloseistheclosestofallcloses,\'saidMark.

\'Thereisnotasinglehousewithinthegatewaysthatdoesnotbelongtothechapter.\'

\'Butifwearetokeepuptwohouses,theadditionalincomewillsoonbewasted,\'saidFanny,prudently.

\'Thethingwouldbetoletthehousefurnishedeverysummer,\'saidLucy.

\'ButImusttakemyresidenceasthetermscome,\'saidthevicar;

\'andIcertainlyshouldnotliketobeawayfromFramleyallthewinter;IshouldneverseeanythingofLufton.\'Andperhapshethoughtofhishuntingandthenthoughtagainofthecleansingofhishands.

\'Ishouldnotabitmindbeingawayduringwinter,\'saidLucy,thinkingofwhatthelastwinterhaddoneforher.

\'Butwhereonearthshouldwefindmoneytofurnishoneofthoselarge,old-fashionedhouses?Pray,Mark,donotdoanythingrash.\'Andthewifelaidherhandaffectionatelyonherhusband\'sarm.InthismannerthequestionoftheprebendwasdiscussedbetweenthemontheeveningbeforehestartedforLondon.SuccesshadatlastcrownedtheearnesteffortwithwhichHaroldSmithhadcarriedonthepoliticalbattleofhislifeforthelasttenyears.ThelateLordPettyBaghadresignedindisgust,havingbeenunabletodigestthePrimeMinister\'sideasonIndianReform,andMrHaroldSmith,aftersundryhitchesinthebusiness,wasinstalledinhisplace.ItwassaidthatHaroldSmithwasnotexactlythemanwhomthePremierwouldhimselfhavechosenforthathighoffice;butthePremier\'shandswereagooddealtiedbycircumstances.Thelastgreatappointmenthehadmadehadbeenterriblyunpopular,——somuchsoastosubjecthim,popularasheundoubtedlywashimself,toascreechfromthewholenation.TheJupiter,withwitheringscorn,hadaskedwhetherviceofeverykindwastobeconsidered,inthesedaysofQueenVictoria,asapassporttotheCabinet.AdversemembersofbothHouseshadarrayedthemselvesinapurepanoplyofmorality,andthunderedforththeirsarcasmswiththeindignantvirtueandkeendiscontentofpoliticalJuvenals;andevenhisownfriendshadhelduptheirhandsindismay.Underthesecircumstanceshehadthoughthimselfobligedinthepresentinstancetoselectamanwhowouldnotbeespeciallyobjectionabletoanyparty.NowHaroldSmithlivedwithhiswife,andhiscircumstanceswerenotmorethanordinarilyembarrassed.Hekeptnoracehorses;and,asLordBrocknowheardforthefirsttime,gavelecturesinprovincialtownsonpopularsubjects.Hehadaseatwhichwastolerablysecure,andcouldtalktotheHousebytheyardifrequiredtodoso.Moreover,LordBrockhadagreatideathatthewholemachineryofhisownministrywouldbreaktopiecesveryspeedily.Hisownreputationwasnotbad,butitwasinsufficientforhimselfandlatelyforthatselectedfriendofhis.Underallthecircumstancescombined,hechoseHaroldSmithtofillthevacantofficeofLordPettyBag;andveryproudtheLordPettyBagwas.Forthelastthreeorfourmonths,heandMrSupplehousehadbeenagreeingtoconsigntheministrytospeedyperdition.\'Thissortofdictatorshipwillneverdo,\'HaroldSmithhadhimselfsaid,justifyingthatfuturevoteofhisastowantofconfidenceintheQueen\'sGovernment.AndMrSupplehouseinthismatterhadfullyagreedwithhim.HewasaJunowhoseformthatwickedoldParishadutterlydespised,andhe,too,hadquitemadeuphismindastothelobbyinwhichhewouldbefoundwhenthatdayofvengeanceshouldarrive.ButnowthingsweremuchalteredinHaroldSmith\'sviews.ThePremierhadshownhiswisdominseekingfornewstrengthwherestrengthoughttobesought,andintroducingnewbloodintothebodyofhisministry.

Thepeoplewouldnowfeelfreshconfidence,andprobablytheHousealso.AstoMrSupplehouse——hewoulduseallhisinfluenceonSupplehouse.Butafterall,MrSupplehousewasnoteverything.

Onthemorningafterthevicar\'sarrivalinLondonheattendedatthePettyBagOffice.ItwassituatedinthecloseneighbourhoodofDowningStreetandthehighergovernmentalgods;andthoughthebuildingitselfwasnotmuch,seeingthatitwasshoredupononeside,thatitbulgedoutonthefront,wasfoulwithsmoke,dingywithdirt,andwasdevoidofanysinglearchitecturalgraceormodernscientificimprovement,neverthelessitspositiongaveitastatusintheworldwhichmadetheclerksintheLordPettyBag\'sofficequiterespectableintheirwalkoflife.MarkhadseenhisfriendSowerbyonthepreviousevening,andhadthenmadeanappointmentwithhimforthefollowingmorning,atthenewminister\'soffice.Andnowhewastherealittlebeforehistime,inorderthathemighthaveafewmoments\'chatwithhisbrother.

WhenMarkfoundhimselfintheprivatesecretary\'sroomhewasquiteastonishedtoseethechangeinhisbrother\'sappearancewhichthechangeinhisofficialrankhadproduced.JackRobartshadbeenawell-built,straight-legged,lissomyoungfellow,pleasanttotheeyebecauseofhisnaturaladvantages,butrathergiventoaharum-scarumstyleofgait,andoccasionallycareless,nottosayslovenly,ofdress.Butnowhewastheverypinkofperfection.Hisjauntyfrock-coatfittedhimtoperfection;notahairofhisheadwasoutofplace;hiswaistcoatandtrouserswereglossyandnew,andhisumbrella,whichstoodintheumbrella-standinthecorner,wastightandneat,andsmallandnatty.\'Well,John,you\'vebecomequiteagreatman,\'saidhisbrother.

\'Idon\'tknowmuchaboutthat,\'saidJohn;\'butIfindthatIhaveanenormousdealoffaggingtogothrough.\'

\'Doyoumeanwork?IthoughtyouhadabouttheeasiestberthinthewholeCivilService.\'

\'Ah!that\'sjustthemistakepeoplemake.Becausewedon\'tcoverwholereamsoffoolscappaperattherateoffifteenlinestoapage,andfivewordstoaline,peoplethinkthatweprivatesecretarieshavegotnothingtodo.Lookhere,\'andhetossedoverscornfullyadozenorsooflittlenotes.\'Itellyouwhat,Mark;

itisnoeasymattertomanagethepatronageofaCabinetminister.NowIamboundtowritetoeveryoneofthesefellowsaletterthatwillpleasehim;andyetIshallrefusetoeveryoneofthemtherequestwhichheasks.\'

\'Thatmustbedifficult.\'

\'Difficultisnowordforit.But,afterall,itconsistschieflyintheknackofthething.Onemusthavethewit"fromsuchasharpandwaspishwordasNotopluckthesting".Idoiteveryday,andIreallythinkthatthepeoplelikeit.\'

\'Perhapsyourrefusalsarebetterthanpeople\'sacquiescences.\'

\'Idon\'tmeanthatatall.Weprivatesecretarieshavealltodothesamething.Now,wouldyoubelieveit?IhaveusedupthreeliftsofnotepaperalreadyintellingpeoplethatthereisnovacancyforalobbymessengerinthePettyBagOffice.Sevenpeeresseshaveaskedforitfortheirfavouritefootmen.Butthere——there\'stheLordPettyBag!\'Abellrangandtheprivatesecretary,jumpingupfromhisnotepaper,trippedawayquicklytothegreatman\'sroom.\'He\'llseeyouatonce,\'saidhe,returning.

\'Buggins,showtheReverendMrRobartstotheLordPettyBag.\'

Bugginswasthemessengerforwhosevacantplaceallthepeeresseswerestrivingwithsomuchanimation.AndthenMark,followingBugginsfortwosteps,wasusheredintothenextroom.

Ifamanbealteredbybecomingaprivatesecretary,heismuchmorealteredbybeingmadeaCabinetminister.Robarts,asheenteredtheroom,couldhardlybelievethatthiswasthesameHaroldSmithwhomMrsProudiebotheredsocruellyinthelecture-roomatBarchester.Thenhewascross,andtouchy,anduneasy,andinsignificant.Now,ashestoodsmilingonthehearth-rugofhisofficialfire-place,itwasquitepleasanttoseethekind,patronizingsmilewhichlighteduphisfeatures.Hedelightedtostandthere,withhishandsinhistrousers\'pocket,thegreatmanoftheplace,consciousofhislordship,andfeelinghimselfeveryinchaminister.Sowerbyhadcomewithhim,andwasstandingalittleinthebackground,fromwhichpositionhewinkedoccasionallyattheparsonovertheminister\'sshoulder.\'Ah,Robarts,delightedtoseeyou.Howodd,bytheby,thatyourbrothershouldbemyprivatesecretary!\'Marksaidthatitwasasingularcoincidence.

\'Averysmartyoungfellow,and,ifhemindshimself,he\'lldowell.\'

\'I\'mquitesurehe\'lldowell,\'saidMark.

\'Ah!well,yes;Ithinkhewill.Andnow,whatcanIdoforyou,Robarts?\'HereuponMrSowerbystruckin,makingitapparentbyhisexplanationthatMrRobartshimselfbynomeansintendedtoaskforanything;butthat,ashisfriendshadthoughtthatthisstallatBarchestermightbeputintohishandswithmorefitnessthaninthoseofanyotherclergymanoftheday,hewaswillingtoacceptapieceofprefermentfromamanwhomherespectedsomuchashedidthenewLordPettyBag.Theministerdidnotquitelikethis,asitrestrictedhimfrommuchofhiscondescension,androbbedhimoftheincenseofapetitionwhichhehadexpectedMarkRobartswouldmaketohim.But,nevertheless,hewasverygracious.\'Hecouldnottakeituponhimselftodeclare,\'hesaid,\'whatmightbeLordBrock\'spleasurewithreferencetotheprefermentatBarchesterwhichwasvacant.Hehadcertainlyalreadyspokentohislordshiponthesubject,andhadperhapssomereasontobelievethathisownwisheswouldbeconsulted.Nodistinctpromisehadbeenmade,buthemightperhapsgosofarastosaythatheexpectedsuchresult.

Ifso,itwouldgivehimthegreatestpleasureintheworldtocongratulateMrRobartsonthepossessionofthestall——astallwhichhewassureMrRobartswouldfillwithdignity,piety,andbrotherlylove.\'Andthen,whenhehadfinished,MrSowerbygaveafinalwink,andsaidthatheregardedthematterassettled.

\'No,notsettled,Nathaniel,\'saidthecautiousminister.

\'It\'sthesamething,\'rejoinedSowerby.\'Weallknowwhatallthatflummerymeans.Meninoffice,Mark,neverdomakeadistinctpromise,——noteventothemselvesofthelegofmuttonwhichisroastingbeforetheirkitchenfires.Itissonecessaryinthesedaystobesafe;isitnot,Harold?\'

\'Mostexpedient,\'saidHaroldSmith,shakinghisheadwisely.

\'Well,Robarts,whoisitnow?\'Thishehadsaidtohisprivatesecretary,whocametonoticethearrivalofsomebigwig.\'Well,yes.Iwillsaygoodmorning,withyourleave,forIamalittlehurried.Andremember,MrRobarts,IwilldowhatIcanforyou;

butyoumustdistinctlyunderstandthatthereisnopromise.\'

\'Oh,nopromiseatall,\'saidSowerby——\'ofcoursenot.\'Andthen,ashesaunteredupWhitehalltowardsCharingCross,withRobartsonhisarm,heagainpresseduponhimthesaleofthatinvaluablehunter,whowaseatinghisheadoffhisshouldersinthestableatChaldicotes.

CHAPTERXIX

MONEYDEALINGS

MrSowerby,inhisresolutiontoobtainthisgoodgiftforthevicarofFramley,didnotdependquitealoneontheinfluenceofhisnearconnexionwiththeLordPettyBag.Hefelttheoccasiontobeoneonwhichhemightendeavourtomoveevenhigherpowersthanthat,andthereforehehadopenedthemattertotheduke——notbydirectapplication,butthroughMrFothergill.Nomanwhounderstoodmatterseverthoughtofgoingdirecttothedukeinsuchanaffairasthat.Ifonewantedtospeakaboutawomanorahorseorapicturethedukecould,onoccasions,beaffableenough.ButthroughMrFothergillthedukewasapproached.Itwasrepresented,withsomecunning,thatthisbuyingoveroftheFramleyclergymanfromtheLuftonsidewouldbeapraiseworthyspoilingoftheAmalekites.ThedoingsowouldgivetheOmniuminterestaholdeveninthecathedralclose.AndthenitwasknowntoallmenthatMrRobartshadconsiderableinfluenceoverLordLuftonhimself.Soguided,theDukeofOmniumdidsaytwowordstothePrimeMinister,andtwowordsfromthedukewentagreatway,evenwithLordBrock.Theupshotofallthiswas,thatMarkRobartsdidgetthestall;abuthedidnothearthetidingsofhissuccesstillsomedaysafterhisreturntoFramley.

MrSowerbydidnotforgettotellhimofthegreateffort——theunusualeffort,asheofChaldicotescalledit——whichthedukehadmadeonthesubject.\'Idon\'tknowwhenhehasdonesuchathingbefore,\'saidSowerby;\'andyoumaybequitesureofthis,hewouldnothavedoneitnow,hadyounotgonetoGatherumCastlewhenheaskedyou:indeed,Fothergillwouldhaveknownthatitwasvaintoattemptit.AndI\'lltellyouwhat,Mark——itdoesnotdoformetomakelittleofmyownnest,butItrulybelievetheduke\'swordwillbemoreefficaciousthantheLordPettyBag\'ssolemnadjuration.\'Mark,ofcourse,expressedhisgratitudeinproperterms,anddidbuythehorseforahundredandthirtypounds.\'He\'saswellworthit,\'saidSowerby,\'asanyanimalthateverstoodonfourlegs;andmyonlyreasonforpressinghimonyouis,thatwhenTozer\'sdaydoescomeround,Iknowyouwillhavetostandustosomethingaboutthattune.\'ItdidnotoccurtoMarktoaskhimwhythehorseshouldnotbesoldtosomeoneelse,andthemoneyforthcomingintheregularway.ButthiswouldnothavesuitedMrSowerby.