下载辰思小说免费APP
Markknewthatthebeastwasgood,andashewalkedtohislodgingswashalfproudofhisnewpossession.Butthen,howwouldhejustifyittohiswife,orhowintroducetheanimalintohisstableswithoutattemptinganyjustificationinthematter?Andyet,lookingtotheabsoluteamountofhisincome,surelyhemightfeelhimselfentitledtobuyanewhorsewhenitsuitedhim.HewonderedwhatMrCrawleywouldsaywhenheheardofthenewpurchase.Hehadlatelyfallenintoastateofmuchwonderingastowhathisfriendsandneighbourswouldsayabouthim.Hehadnowbeentwodaysintown,andwastogodownafterbreakfastonthefollowingmorningsothathemightreachhomebyFridayafternoon.
Butonthatevening,justashewasgoingtobed,hewassurprisedbyLordLuftoncomingintothecoffeeroomathishotel.Hewalkedinwithahurriedstep,hisfacewasred,anditwasclearthathewasveryangry.\'Robarts,\'saidhe,walkinguptohisfriendandtakingthehandthatwasextendedtohim,\'doyouknowanythingaboutthismanTozer?\'
\'Tozer——whatTozer.IhaveheardSowerbyspeakofsuchaman.\'
\'Ofcourseyouhave.IfIdonotmistakeyouhavewrittentomeabouthimyourself.\'
\'Veryprobably.IrememberSowerbymentioningthemanwithreferencetoyouraffairs.Butwhydoyouaskme?\'
\'Thismanhasnotonlywrittentome,buthasabsolutelyforcedhiswayintomyroomswhenIwasdressingfordinner;andabsolutelyhadtheimpudencetotellmethatifIdidnothonoursomebillwhichheholdsforeighthundredpoundshewouldproceedagainstme.\'
\'ButyousettledallthatmatterwithSowerby?\'
\'Ididsettleitatverygreatcosttome.Soonerthanhaveafuss,Ipaidhimthroughthenose——likeafoolthatI
was——everythingthatheclaimed.Thisisanabsoluteswindle,andifitgoesonIwillexposeitassuch.\'Robartslookedroundtheroom,butluckilytherewasnotasoulinitbutthemselves.\'YoudonotmeanthatSowerbyisswindlingyou?\'saidtheclergyman.
\'Itlooksverylikeit,\'saidLordLufton;\'andItellyoufairlythatIamnotinahumourtoendureanymoreofthissortofthing.SomeyearsagoImadeanassofmyselfthroughthatman\'sfault.ButfourthousandpoundsshouldhavecoveredthewholeofwhatIreallylost.Ihavenowpaidmorethanthreetimesthatsum;and,byheavens!Iwillnotpaymorewithoutexposingthewholeaffair.\'
\'But,Lufton,Idonotunderstand.Whatisthisbill?——hasityournameonit?\'
\'Yes,ithas:I\'llnotdenymyname,andiftherebeabsoluteneed,Iwillpayit;but,ifIdoso,mylawyerwillsiftit,anditshallgobeforeajury.\'
\'ButIthoughtallthosebillswerepaid.\'
\'IleftittoSowerbytogetuptheoldbillswhentheywererenewed,andnowoneofthemhasintruthbeenalreadyhonouredisbroughtagainstme.\'Markcouldnotbutthinkofthetwodocumentswhichhehimselfhadsigned,andbothofwhichwerenowundoubtedlyinthehandsofTozer,orofsomeothergentlemanofthesameprofession;——whichbothmightbebroughtagainsthim,thesecondassoonasheshouldhavesatisfiedthefirst.AndthenherememberedthatSowerbyhadsaidsomethingtohimaboutanoutstandingbill,forthefillingupofwhichsometriflemustbepaid,andofthisheremindedLordLufton.
\'Anddoyoucalleighthundredpoundsatrifle?Ifso,Idonot.\'
\'Theywillprobablymakenosuchdemandasthat.\'
\'ButItellyoutheydomakesuchademand,andhavemadeit.ThemanwhomIsaw,andwhotoldmethathewasTozer\'sfriend,butwhowasprobablyTozerhimself,positivelysworetomethathewouldbeobligedtotakelegalproceedingsifthemoneywerenotforthcomingwithinaweekortendays.WhenIexplainedtohimthatitwasanoldbillthathadbeenrenewed,hedeclaredthathisfriendshadgivenfullvalueforit.\'
\'Sowerbysaidthatyouwouldprobablyhavetopaytenpoundstoredeemit.Ishouldofferthemansomesuchsumasthat.\'
\'Myintentionistoofferthemannothing,buttoleavetheaffairinthehandsofmylawyerwithinstructionstohimtosparenone;
neithermyselfnoranyoneelse.IamnotgoingtoallowsuchamanasSowerbytosqueezemelikeanorange.\'
\'But,Lufton,youseemasthoughyouwereangrywithme.\'
\'No,Iamnot.ButIthinkitisaswelltocautionyouaboutthisman;mytransactionswithhimlatelyhavechieflybeenthroughyou,andtherefore——\'
\'Buttheyhaveonlybeensothroughhisandyourwish:becauseI
havebeenanxioustoobligeyouboth.Ihopeyoudon\'tmeantosaythatIamconcernedinthesebills.\'
\'Iknowthatyouareconcernedinbillswithhim.\'
\'Why,Lufton,amItounderstandthen,thatyouareaccusingmeofhavinganyinterestinthesetransactionswhichyouhavecalledswindling?\'
\'AsfarasIamconcernedtherehasbeenswindling,andthereisswindlinggoingonnow.\'
\'Butyoudonotanswermyquestion.Doyoubringanyaccusationagainstme?Ifso,Iagreewithyouthatyouhadbettergotoyourlawyer.\'
\'IthinkthatiswhatIshalldo.\'
\'Verywell.But,uponthewhole,Ineverheardofamoreunreasonableman,orofonewhosethoughtsaremoreunjustthanyours.Solelywiththeviewofassistingyou,andsolelyatyourrequest,IspoketoSowerbyaboutthesemoneytransactionsofyours.Then,athisrequest,whichoriginatedoutofyourrequest,heusingmeashisambassadortoyou,asyouhadusedmeasyourstohim,Iwroteandspoketoyou.Andnowthisistheupshot.\'
\'Ibringnoaccusationagainstyou,Robarts;butIknowyouhavedealingswiththisman.Youhavetoldmesoyourself.\'
\'Yes,athisrequesttoaccommodatehim.Ihaveputmynametoabill.\'
\'Onlytoone?\'
\'Onlytoone;andthentothatsamerenewed,ornotexactlythesame,buttoonewhichstandsforit.Thefirstwasforfourhundredpounds;thelastforfivehundred.\'
\'Allwhichyouwillhavetomakegood,andtheworldwillofcoursetellyouthatyouhavepaidthatpriceforthisstallatBarchester.\'Thiswasterribletobeborne.Hehadheardmuchlatelywhichhadfrightenedandscaredhim,butnothingsoterribleasthis;nothingwhichsostunnedhim,orconveyedtohismindsofrightfularealityofmiseryandruin.Hemadenoimmediateanswer,butstandingonthehearth-rugwithhisbacktothefire,lookedupthewholelengthoftheroom.HithertohiseyeshadbeenfixeduponLordLufton\'sface,butnowitseemedtohimasthoughhehadbutlittlemoretodowithLordLufton.LordLuftonandLordLufton\'smotherwereneithertobecountedamongthosewhowishedhimwell.Uponwhomindeedcouldhenowcount,exceptthatwifeofhisbosomuponwhomhewasbringingallthiswretchedness?
Inthatmomentofagonyideasranquicklythroughhisbrain.HewouldimmediatelyabandonhisprefermentatBarchester,ofwhichitmightbesaidwithsomuchcolourthathehadboughtit.HewouldgotoHaroldSmith,andsaypositivelythathedeclinedit.Thenhewouldreturnhomeandtellhiswifeallthathadoccurred;——tellthewholealsotoLadyLufton,ifthatmightstillbeofservice.
Hewouldmakearrangementforthepaymentofboththosebillsastheymightbepresented,askingnoquestionsastothejusticeoftheclaim,makingnocomplainttoanyone,noteventoSowerby.Hewouldputhalfhisincome,ifhalfwerenecessary,intothehandsofForrestthebanker,tillallwaspaid.Hewouldselleveryhorsehehad.Hewouldpartwithhisfootmanandgroom,andatanyratestrivelikeamantogetagainafirmfootingongoodground.
Then,atthatmoment,heloathedwithhiswholesoulthepositioninwhichhehadfoundhimselfplaced,andhisownfollywhichhadplacedhimthere.HowcouldhereconcileittohisconsciencethathewasthereinLondonwithSowerbyandHaroldSmith,petitioningforChurchprefermenttoamanwhoshouldhavebeenaltogetherpowerlessinsuchamatter,buyinghorses,andarrangingaboutpastduebills?Hedidnotreconcileittohisconscience.MrCrawleyhadbeenrightwhenhetoldhimthathewasacastaway.
LordLuftonwhoseangerduringthewholeinterviewhadbeenextreme,andwhohadbecomemoreangrythemorehetalked,hadnowwalkedonceortwiceupanddowntheroom;andashesowalkedtheideadidoccurtohimthathehadbeenunjust.HehadcometherewiththeintentionofexclaimingagainstSowerby,andofinducingRobartstoconveytothatgentleman,thatifhe,LordLufton,weremadetoundergoanyfurtherannoyanceaboutthisbill,thewholeaffairshouldbethrownintothelawyer\'shands;butinsteadofdoingthis,hehadbroughtanaccusationagainstRobarts.ThatRobartshadlatterlybecomeSowerby\'sfriendratherthanhisowninallthesehorridmoneydealings,hadgalledhim;andnowhehadexpressedhimselfintermsmuchstrongerthanhehadintendedtouse.\'Astoyoupersonally,Mark,\'hesaid,comingbacktothespotonwhichRobartswasstanding,\'Idonotwishtosayanythingthatshallannoyyou.\'
\'Youhavesaidquiteenough,Lufton.\'
\'YoucannotbesurprisedthatIshouldbeangryandindignantatthetreatmentIhavereceived.\'
\'Youmight,Ithink,haveseparatedinyourmindthosewhohavewrongedyou,iftherehasbeensuchwrong,fromthosewhohaveonlyendeavouredtodoyourwillandpleasureforyou.ThatI,asaclergyman,havebeenverywrongintakinganypartwhatsoeverinthesematters,Iamwellaware.ThatasamanIhavebeenoutrageouslyfoolishinlendingmynametoMrSowerby,Ialsoknowwellenough;itis,perhaps,aswellthatIshouldbetoldofthissomewhatrudely;butIcertainlydidnotexpectthelessontocomefromyou.\'
\'Well,therehasbeenmischiefenough.Thequestionis,whatwehadbetternowbothdo?\'
\'Youhavesaidwhatyoumeantodo.Youwillputtheaffairinthehandsofyourlawyer.\'
\'Notwithanyobjectofexposingyou.\'
\'Exposingme,LordLufton!Why,onewouldthinkthatIhadhadthehandlingofyourmoney.\'
\'Youwillmisunderstandme.Ithinknosuchthing.Butdoyounotknowyourselfthatiflegalstepsbetakeninthiswretchedaffair,yourarrangementswithSowerbywillbebroughttolight?\'
\'MyarrangementswithSowerbywillconsistinpayingorhavingtopay,onhisaccount,alargesumofmoney,forwhichIhaveneverhadandshallneverhaveanyconsiderationwhatever.\'
\'AndwhatwillbesaidaboutthisstallatBarchester?\'
\'Afterthechargewhichyoubroughtagainstmejustnow,Ishalldeclinetoacceptit.\'Atthismomentthreeorfourothergentlemenenteredtheroom,andtheconversationbetweenthetwofriendswasstopped.Theystillremainedstandingnearthefire,butforafewminutesneitherofthemsaidanything.RobartswaswaitingtillLordLuftonshouldgoaway,andLordLuftonhadnotyetsaidthatwhichhehadcometosay.Atlasthespokeagain,almostinawhisper:\'IthinkitwillbebesttoaskSowerbytocometomyroomsto-morrow,andIthinkalsothatyoushouldmeethimthere.\'
\'Idonotseeanynecessityformypresence,\'saidRobarts.\'ItseemsprobablethatIshallsufferenoughformeddlingwithyouraffairs,andIwilldosonomore.\'
\'Ofcourse,Icannotmakeyoucome;butIthinkitwillbeonlyjusttoSowerby,anditwillbeafavourtome.\'Robartsagainwalkedupanddowntheroomforhalfadozentimes,tryingtoresolvewhatitwouldmostbecomehimtodointhepresentemergency.Ifhisnameweredraggedbeforethecourts;——ifheshouldbeshownupinthepublicpapersashavingbeenengagedinaccommodationbills,thatwouldcertainlyberuinoustohim.HehadalreadylearnedfromLordLufton\'sinnuendoeswhathemightexpecttohearasthepublicversionofhisshareinthesetransactions!Andthenhiswife,——howwouldshebearsuchexposure?\'IwillmeetMrSowerbyatyourroomsto-morrow,ononecondition,\'heatlastsaid.
\'Andwhatisthat?\'
\'ThatIreceiveyoupositiveassurancethatIamnotsuspectedbyyouofhavinghadanypecuniaryinterestwhateverinanymatterswithMrSowerby,eitherasconcernsyouraffairsofthoseofanybodyelse.\'
\'Ihaveneversuspectedyouofanysuchthing.ButIhavethoughtthatyouwerecompromisedwithhim.\'
\'AndsoIam——Iamliableforthesebills.Butyououghttohaveknown,anddoknow,thatIhaveneverreceivedashillingonaccountofsuchliability.IhaveendeavouredtoobligeamanwhomIregardedfirstasyourfriend,andthenasmyown;andthishasbeentheresult.\'LordLuftondidatlastgivehimtheassurancethathedesired,astheysatwiththeirheadstogetheroveroneofthecoffee-roomtables;andthenRobartspromisedthathewouldpostponehisreturntoFramleytilltheSaturday,sothathemightmeetSowerbyatLordLufton\'schambersintheAlbanyonthefollowingafternoon.Assoonasthiswasarranged,LordLuftontookhisleaveandwenthisway.
AfterthispoorMarkhadaveryuneasynightofit.ItwasclearenoughthatLordLuftonhadthought,ifhedidnotstillthink,thatthestallatBarchesterwastobegivenaspecuniaryrecompenseinreturnforcertainmoneyaccommodationtobeaffordedbythenomineetothedispenserofthispatronage.Nothingonearthcouldbeworsethanthis.Inthefirstplaceitwouldbesimony;andthenitwouldbesimonybeyondalldescriptionmeanandsimoniacal.TheverythoughtofitfilledMark\'ssoulwithhorroranddismay.ItmightbethatLordLufton\'ssuspicionswerenowatrest;butotherswouldthinkthesamething,andtheirsuspicionsitwouldbeimpossibletoallay;thoseotherswouldconsistoftheouterworld,whichisalwayseagertogloatoverthedetectedviceofaclergyman.Andthatwretchedhorsewhichhehadpurchased,andthepurchaseofwhichshouldhaveprohibitedhimfromsayingthatnothingofvaluehadaccruedtohiminthesetransactionswithMrSowerby!whatwashetodoaboutthat?Andthenoflatehehadbeenspending,andhadcontinuedtospend,moremoneythanhecouldafford.ThisveryjourneyofhisuptoLondonwouldbemostimprudent,ifitshouldbecomenecessaryforhimtogiveupallhopeofholdingtheprebend.Astothathehadmadeuphismind;
butthenagainheunmadeit,asmenalwaysdoinsuchtroubles.
ThatlineofconductwhichhehadlaiddownforhimselfinthefirstmomentsofhisindignationagainstLordLufton,byadoptingwhichhewouldhavetoencounterpoverty,andridicule,anddiscomfort,theannihilationofhishighhopes,andtheruinofhisambition——that,hesaidtohimselfoverandoveragain,wouldnowbethebestforhim.Butitissohardforustogiveupourhighhopes,andwillinglyencounterpoverty,ridiculeanddiscomfort!
Onthefollowingmorning,however,heboldlywalkeddowntothePettyBagOffice,determinedtoletHaroldSmithknowthathewasnolongerdesirousoftheBarchesterstall.Hefoundhisbrotherthere,stillwritingartisticnotestoanxiouspeeressesonthesubjectofBuggins\'snon-vacantsituation;butthegreatmanoftheplace,theLordPettyBaghimself,wasnotthere.HemightprobablylookinwhentheHousewasbeginningtosit,perhapsatfouroralittleafter;buthecertainlywouldnotbeattheofficeinthemorning.ThefunctionsoftheLordPettyBaghewasnodoubtperformingelsewhere.Perhapshehadcarriedhisworkhomewithhim——apracticewhichtheworldshouldknowisnotuncommonwithcivilservantsofexceedingzeal.Markdidthinkofopeninghishearttohisbrother,andofleavingamessagewithhim.Buthiscouragefailedhim,orperhapsitmightbemorecorrecttosaythathisprudencepreventedhim.Itwouldbebetterforhim,hethought,totellhiswifebeforehetoldanyoneelse.Sohemerelychattedwithhisbrotherforhalfanhourandthenlefthim.ThedaywasverytedioustillthehourcameatwhichhewastoattendatLordLufton\'srooms;butatlastitdidcome,andjustastheclockstruckheturnedoutofPiccadillyintoAlbany.Ashewasgoingacrossthecourtbeforeheenteredthebuilding,hewasgreetedbyavoicejustbehindhim.\'AspunctualasthebigclockonBarchestertower,\'saidMrSowerby.\'Seewhatitistohaveasummonsfromagreatman,MrPrebendary.\'HeturnedroundandextendedhishandmechanicallytoMrSowerby,andashelookedathimhethoughthehadneverbeforeseenhimsopleasantinappearance,sofreefromcare,andsojoyousindemeanour.
\'YouhaveheardfromLordLufton,\'saidMark,inavoicethatwascertainlyverylugubrious.
\'Heardfromhim!oh,yes,ofcourseIhaveheardfromhim.I\'lltellyouwhatitis,Mark,\'andhenowspokealmostinawhisperastheywalkedtogetheralongtheAlbanypassage,\'Luftonisachildinmoneymatters——aperfectchild.Thedearestfinestfellowintheworld,youknow;butaperfectbabyinmoneymatters.\'Andthentheyenteredhislordship\'srooms.LordLufton\'scountenancealsowaslugubriousenough,butthisdidnotintheleastabashSowerby,whowalkedquicklyuptotheyounglordwithhisgaitperfectlyself-possessedandhisfaceradiantwithsatisfaction.
\'Well,Lufton,howareyou?\'saidhe.\'ItseemsthatmyworthyfriendTozerhasbeengivingyousometrouble?\'ThenLordLuftonwithafacebynomeansradiantwithsatisfactionagainbeganthestoryofTozer\'sfraudulentdemanduponhim.Sowerbydidnotinterrupthim,butlistenedpatientlytotheend;——quitepatiently,althoughLordLufton,ashemadehimselfmoreandmoreangrybythehistoryofhisownwrongs,didnothesitatetopronouncecertainthreatsagainstMrSowerby,ashehadpronouncedthembeforeMarkRobarts.Hewouldnot,hesaid,payashilling,exceptthroughhislawyer;andhewouldinstructhislawyer,thatbeforehepaidanything,thewholemattershouldbeexposedopenlyincourt.Hedidnotcare,hesaid,whatmightbetheeffectonhimselforonanyoneelse.Hewasdeterminedthatthewholecaseshouldgotoajury.\'Tograndjury,andspecialjury,andcommonjury,andOldJewry,ifyoulike,\'saidSowerby.\'Thetruthis,Lufton,youlostsomemoney,andastherewassomedelayinpayingit,youhavebeenharassed.\'
\'IhavepaidmorethatIlostthreetimesover,\'saidLordLufton,stampinghisfoot.
\'Iwillnotgointothatquestionnow.ItwassettledasIthoughtsometimeagobypersonstowhomyouyourselfreferredit.Butwillyoutellmethis:whyonearthshouldRobartsbetroubledinthismatter?Whathashedone?\'
\'Well,Idon\'tknow.Hearrangedthematterwithyou.\'
\'Nosuchthing.Hewaskindenoughtocarryamessagefromyoutome,andtoconveyareturnmessagefrommetoyou.Thathasbeenhispartinit.\'
\'Youdon\'tsupposethatIwanttoimplicatehim:doyou?\'
\'Idon\'tthinkyouwanttoimplicateanyone,butyouarehot-headedanddifficulttodealwith,andveryirrationalintothebargain.And,whatisworse,Imustsayyouarealittlesuspicious.InallthismatterIhaveharassedmyselfgreatlytoobligeyou,andinreturnIhavegotmorekicksthanhalfpence.\'
\'DidyounotgivethisbilltoTozer——thebillwhichhenowholds?\'
\'Inthefirstplacehedoesnotholdit;andinthenextplaceI
didnotgiveittohim.Thesethingspassthroughscoresofhandsbeforetheyreachthemanwhomakestheapplicationforpayment.\'
\'Andwhocametometheotherday?\'
\'That,Itakeit,wasTomTozer,abrotherofourTozer\'s.\'
\'Thenheholdsthebill,forIsawitwithhim.\'
\'Waitamoment;thatisverylikely.Isentyouwordthatyouwouldhavetopayfortakingitup.Ofcoursetheydon\'tabandonthosesortofthingswithoutsomeconsideration.\'
\'Tenpounds,yousaid,\'observedMark.
\'Tenortwenty;somesuchsumasthat.Butyouwerehardlysosoftastosupposethatthemanwouldaskforsuchasum.Ofcoursehewoulddemandthefullpayment.Thereisthebill,LordLufton,\'
andSowerby,producingadocument,handeditacrossthetabletohislordship.\'Igavefive-and-twentypoundsforitthismorning.\'
LordLuftontookthepaperandlookedatit.
\'Yes,\'saidhe,\'that\'sthebill.WhatamItodowithitnow?\'
\'Putitwiththefamilyarchives,\'saidSowerby,——\'orbehindthefire,justwhichyouplease.\'
\'Andthisisthelastofthem?Cannootherbebroughtup?\'
\'YouknowbetterthanIdowhatpaperyoumayhaveputyourhandto.Aknowofnoother.AtthelastrenewalthatwastheonlyoutstandingbillofwhichIwasaware.\'
\'Andyouhavepaidfive-and-twentypoundsforit?\'
\'Ihave.Onlythatyouhavebeeninsuchatantrumaboutit,andwouldhavemadesuchanoisethisafternoonifIhadnotbroughtit,Imighthavehaditforfifteenortwenty.Inthreeorfourdaystheywouldhavetakenfifteen.\'
\'Theoddtenpoundsdoesnotsignify,andI\'llpayyouthetwenty-fiveofcourse,\'saidLordLufton,whonowbegantofeelalittleashamedofhimself.
\'Youmaydoasyoupleaseaboutthat.\'
\'Oh!it\'smyaffair,asamatterofcourse.AnyamountofthatkindIdon\'tmind,\'andhesatdowntofillinachequeforthemoney.
\'Well,now,Lufton,letmesayafewwordstoyou,\'saidSowerby,standingwithhisbackagainstthefireplace,andplayingwithasmallcanewhichheheldinhishand.\'Forheaven\'ssaketryandbealittlemorecharitabletothosearoundyou.Whenyoubecomefidgetyaboutanything,youindulgeinlanguagewhichtheworldwon\'tstand,thoughmenwhoknowyouaswellasRobartsandImayconsenttoputupwithit.Youhaveaccusedme,sinceIhavebeenhere,ofallmannerofiniquity——\'
\'Now,Sowerby——\'
\'Mydearfellow,letmehavemysayout.Youhaveaccusedme,I
say,andIbelievethatyouhaveaccusedhim.Butithasneveroccurredtoyou,Idaresay,toaccuseyourself.\'
\'Indeedithas.\'
\'OfcourseyouhavebeenwronginhavingtodowithsuchmenasTozer.Ihavealsobeenverywrong.Itwantsnogreatmoralauthoritytotellusthat.Patterngentlemendon\'thavedealingswithTozer,andverymuchthebettertheyarefornothavingthem.
Butamanshouldhavebackenoughtobeartheweightwhichhehimselfputsonit.KeepawayfromTozer,ifyoucan,forthefuture;butifyoudodealwithhim,forheaven\'ssakekeepyourtemper.\'
\'That\'sallveryfine,Sowerby;butyouknowaswellasIdo——\'
\'Iknowthis,\'saidthedevil,quotingScripture,ashefoldedupthechequefortwenty-fivepounds,andputitinhispocket,\'thatwhenamansowstares,hewon\'treapwheat,andit\'snousetoexpectit.Iamtoughinthesematters,andcanbearagreatdeal——thatis,ifIbenotpushedtoofar,\'andhelookedfullintoLordLufton\'sfaceashespoke;\'butIthinkyouhavebeenveryharduponRobarts.\'
\'Nevermindme,Sowerby;LordLuftonandIareveryoldfriends.\'
\'Andmaythereforetakealibertywitheachother.Verywell.AndnowI\'vedonemysermon.Mydeardignitary,allowmetocongratulateyou.IhearfromFothergillthatthatlittleaffairofyourshasbeendefinitelysettled.\'Mark\'sfaceagainbecameclouded.\'Iratherthink,\'saidhe,\'thatIshalldeclinethepresentation.\'
\'Declineit!\'saidSowerby,who,havingusedhisutmosteffortstoobtainit,wouldhavebeenmoreabsolutelyoffendedbysuchvacillationonthevicar\'spartthanbyanypersonalabusewhicheitherheorLordLuftoncouldheapuponhim.
\'IthinkIshall,\'saidMark.
\'Andwhy?\'MarklookedupatLordLufton,andthenremainedsilentforamoment.
\'Therecanbenooccasionforsuchasacrificeunderthepresentcircumstances,\'saidhislordship.
\'Andunderwhatcircumstancescouldtherebeoccasionforit?\'
askedSowerby.\'TheDukeofOmniumhasusedsomelittleinfluencetogettheplaceforyouasaparishclergymanbelongingtohiscounty,andIshouldthinkitmonstrousifyouweretorejectit.\'
AndthenRobartsopenlystatedthewholereasons,explainingexactlywhatLordLuftonhadsaidwithreferencetothebilltransactions,andtotheallegationwhichwouldbemadeastothestallhavingbeengiveninpaymentfortheaccommodation.
\'Uponmywordthat\'stoobad,\'saidSowerby.
\'Now,Sowerby,Iwon\'tbelectured,\'saidLordLufton.
\'Ihavedonemylecture,\'saidhe,aware,perhaps,thatitwouldnotdoforhimtopushhisfriendtoofar,\'andIshallnotgiveasecond.But,Robarts,letmetellyouthis:asfarasIknow,HaroldSmithhashadlittleornothingtodowiththeappointment.
ThedukehastoldthePrimeMinisterthathewasveryanxiousthataparishclergymanfromthecountyshouldgotothechapter,andthen,atLordBrock\'srequest,henamedyou.Ifunderthosecircumstancesyoutalkofgivingitup,Ishallbelieveyoutobeinsane.Asforthebillwhichyouacceptedforme,youneedhavenouneasinessaboutit.Themoneywillbeready;butofcourse,whenthattimecomes,youwillletmehavethehundredandthirtyfor——\'AndthenMrSowerbytookhisleave,havingcertainlymadehimselfmasteroftheoccasion.Ifamanoffiftyhavehiswitsabouthim,andbenottooprosy,hecangenerallymakehimselfmasteroftheoccasion,whenhiscompanionsareunderthirty.
RobartsdidnotstayattheAlbanylongafterhim,buttookhisleave,havingreceivedsomeassurancesofLordLufton\'sregretforwhathadpassedandmanypromisesofhisfriendshipforthefuture.IndeedLordLuftonwasalittleashamedofhimself.\'Andasfortheprebend,afterwhathaspassed,ofcourseyoumustacceptit.\'NeverthelesshislordshiphadnotomittedtonoticeMrSowerby\'shintaboutthehorseandthehundredandthirtypounds.
Robarts,ashewalkedbacktohishotel,thoughtthathecertainlywouldaccepttheBarchesterpromotion,andwasverygladthathehadsaidnothingonthesubjecttohisbrother.Onthewholehisspiritsweremuchraised.ThatassuranceofSowerby\'saboutthebillwasverycomfortingtohim;and,strangetosay,heabsolutelybelievedit.Intruth,Sowerbyhadbeencompletelythewinninghorseatthelatemeeting,thatbothLordLuftonandRobartswereinclinedtobelievealmostanythinghesaid;——whichwasnotalwaysthecasewitheitherofthem.
CHAPTERXX
HAROLDSMITHINCABINET
ForafewdaysthewholeHaroldSmithpartyheldtheirheadsveryhigh.ItwasnotonlythattheirmanhadbeenmadeaCabinetminister;butarumourhadgotabroadthatLordBrock,inselectinghim,hadamazinglystrengthenedhisparty,anddonemuchtocurethewoundswhichhisownarroganceandlackofjudgementhadinflictedonthebodypoliticofhisGovernment.SosaidtheHarold-Smithians,muchelated.AndwhenweconsiderwhatHaroldhadhimselfachieved,weneednotbesurprisedthathehimselfwassomewhatelatedalso.ItmustbeaprouddayforanymanwhenhefirstwalksintoaCabinet.Butwhenahumble-mindedmanthinksofsuchaphaseoflife,hismindbecomeslostinwonderingwhataCabinetis.Aretheygodsthatattendthereormen?Dotheysitonchairs,orhangaboutonclouds?Whentheyspeak,isthemusicofthespheresaudibleintheirOlympianmansion,makingheavendrowsywithitsharmony?Inwhatwaydotheycongregate?Inwhatorderdotheyaddresseachother?Arethevoicesofallthedeitiesfreeandequal?IfploddingThemisfromtheHomeDepartment,orCeresfromtheColonies,heardwithasraptattentionaspowerfulPallasoftheForeignOffice,thegoddessthatisneverseenwithoutherlanceandhelmet?DoesourWhitehallMarsmakeeyesthereatbrightyoungVenusofthePrivySeal,disgustingthatquainttinkeringVulcan,whoisblowinghisbellowsatourExchequer,notaltogetherunsuccessfully?OldSaturnoftheWoolsacksitstheremute,wewillsay,arelicofotherdays,asseatedinthisdivan.Thehallinwhichherulesisnowelsewhere.IsourMercuryofthePostOfficeeverreadytoflynimblyfromglobetoglobe,asgreatJovemayorderhim,whileNeptune,unaccustomedtothewaves,offersneedfulassistancetotheApollooftheIndiaBoard?HowJunositsapart,glumandhuffy,uncaredfor,CouncilPresidentthoughshebe,greatinname,butdespisedamonggods——thatwecanguess.IfBacchusandCupidshareTradeandtheBoardofWordsbetweenthem,thefitnessofthingswillhavebeenasfullyconsultedasisusual.AndmodestDianaofthePettyBag,latestsummonedtothesebanquetsofambrosia,——doesshenotclingretiringnearthedoors,hardlyableasyettomakeherlowvoiceheardamongherbrotherdeities?ButJove,greatJove——oldJove,theKingofOlympus,heroamonggodsandmen,howdoeshecarryhimselfinthesecouncilssummonedbyhisvoice?Doesheliethereathisease,withhispurplecloakcutfromthefirmamentroundhisshoulders?Ishisthunderbolteverathishandtoreducearecreantgodtoorder?Canheproclaimsilenceinthatimmortalhall?Isitnotthere,aselsewhere,inallplaces,andamongallnations,thatakingofgodsandakingofmenisandwillbeking,rulesandwillrule,overthosewhoaresmallerthanhimself?
HaroldSmith,whenhewassummonedtotheaugusthallofdivinecouncils,didfeelhimselftobeaproudman;butwemayperhapsconcludethatatthefirstmeetingortwohedidnotattempttotakeaveryleadingpart.Someofmyreadersmayhavesatatvestries,andwillrememberhowmild,and,forthemostpart,muteisanew-comerattheirboard.Heagreesgenerally,withabatedenthusiasm;butshouldhediffer,heapologizesfortheliberty.
Butanon,whenthevoicesofhiscolleagueshavebecomehabitualinhisears——whenthestrangenessoftheroomisgone,andthetablebeforehimisknownandtrusted——hethrowsoffhisaweanddismay,andelectrifieshisbrotherhoodbythevehemenceofhisdeclamationandtheviolenceofhisthumping.SoletussupposeitwillbewithHaroldSmith,perhapsinthesecondorthirdseasonofhisCabinetpractice.Alas!alas!thatsuchpleasuresshouldbesofleeting!Andthen,too,therecameuponhimablowwhichsomewhatmodifiedhistriumph——acruel,dastardblow,fromahandwhichshouldhavebeenfriendlytohim,fromonetowhomhehadfondlylookedtobuoyhimupinthegreatcoursethatwasbeforehim.IthadbeensaidbyhisfriendsthatinobtainingHaroldSmith\'sservicesthePrimeMinisterhadinfusednewyounghealthybloodintohisbody.Haroldhimselfhadlikedthephrase,andhadseenataglancehowitmighthavebeenmadetotellbysomefriendlySupplehouseorthelike.ButwhyshouldaSupplehouseoutofElysiumbefriendlytoaHaroldSmithwithinit?MenlappedinElysium,steepedtotheneckinbliss,mustexpecttoseetheirfriendsfallofffromthem.Humannaturecannotstandit.IfI
wanttogetanythingfrommyoldfriendJones,Iliketoseehimshovedupintoahighplace.ButifJones,eveninhishighplace,candonothingforme,thenhisexaltationabovemyheadisaninsultandaninjury.Whoeverbelieveshisowndearintimatecompaniontobefitforthehighestpromotion?MrSupplehousehadknownMrSmithtoocloselytothinkmuchofhisyoungblood.
Consequently,thereappearedanarticleintheJupiter,whichwasbynomeanscomplimentarytotheministryingeneral.Itharpedagooddealontheyoung-bloodviewofthequestion,andseemedtoinsinuatethatHaroldSmithwasnotmuchbetterthandilutedwater.\'ThePrimeMinister,\'thearticlesaid,\'havinglatelyrecruitedhisimpairedvigourbyanewinfusionofaristocraticinfluenceofthehighestmoraltone,hadagainaddedtohimselfanothertowerofstrengthchosenfromamongthepeople.Whatmighthenothope,nowthathepossessedtheservicesofLordBrittlebackandMrHaroldSmith!RevotedinaMedea\'scauldronofsuchpotency,allhiseffetelimbs——anditmustbeacknowledgedthatsomeofthemhadbecomeveryeffete——wouldcomeforthyoungandroundandrobust.Anewenergywoulddiffuseitselfthrougheverydepartment;Indiawouldbesavedandquieted;theambitionofFrancewouldbetamed;evenhandedreformwouldremodelourcourtsoflawandparliamentaryelections;andUtopiawouldberealized.
Such,itseems,istheresultexpectedintheministryfromMrHaroldSmith\'syoungblood!\'
Thiswascruelenough,buteventhiswashardlysocruelasthewordswithwhichthearticleended.Bythattimeironyhadbeendropped,andthewriterspokeoutearnestlyhisopiniononthematter.\'WebegtoassureLordBrock,\'saidthearticle,\'thatsuchalliancesasthesewillnotsavehimfromthespeedyfallwithwhichhisarroganceandwantofjudgementthreatentooverwhelmit.Asregardshimselfweshallbesorrytohearofhisresignation.Heisinmanyrespectsthebeststatesmanthatwepossessfortheemergenciesofthepresentperiod.Butifhebesoill-judgedastorestonsuchmenasMrHaroldSmithandLordBrittlebackforhisassistantsintheworkwhichisbeforehim,hemustnotexpectthatthecountrywillsupporthim.MrHaroldSmithisnotmadeofthestufffromwhichCabinetministersshouldbeformed.\'MrHaroldSmith,ashereadthis,seatedathisbreakfast-table,recognized,orsaidthatherecognized,thehandofMrSupplehouseineverytouch.ThatphraseabouttheeffetelimbswasSupplehouseallover,aswasalsotherealizationofUtopia.\'Whenhewantstobewitty,healwaystalksaboutUtopia,\'
saidMrHaroldSmith——tohimself:forMrsHaroldSmithwasnotusuallypresentinthefleshatthesematutinalmeals.Andthenhewentdowntohisoffice,andsawintheglanceofeverymanthathemetanannouncementthatthatarticleintheJupiterhadbeenread.
Hisprivatesecretarytitteredinevidentallusiontothearticle,andthewayinwhichBugginstookhiscoatmadeitclearthatitwaswellknowninthemessengers\'lobby.\'Hewon\'thavetofillupmyvacancywhenIgo,\'Bugginswassayingtohimself.AndtheninthecourseofthemorningcametheCabinetcouncil,thesecondthathehadattended,andhereadinthecountenanceofeverygodandgoddessthereassembledthattheirchiefwasthoughttohavemadeanothermistake.IfMrSupplehousecouldhavebeeninducedtowriteinanotherstrain,thenindeedthatnewbloodmighthavebeenfelttohavebeenefficacious.
Allthiswasagreatdrawbacktohishappiness,butstillitcouldnotrobhimofthefactofhisposition.LordBrockcouldnotaskhimtoresignbecausetheJupiterhadbeenwrittenagainsthim;norwasLordBrockthemantodesertanewcolleagueforsuchareason.SoHaroldSmithgirdedhisloins,andwentabouthisdutiesofthePettyBagwithanewzeal.\'Uponmyword,theJupiterisright,\'saidyoungRobartstohimself,ashefinishedhisfourthdozenofprivatenotesexplanatoryofeverythinginandaboutthePettyBagOffice.HaroldSmithrequiredthathisprivatesecretary\'snotesshouldbesoterriblyprecise.Butnevertheless,inspiteofhisdrawbacks,HaroldSmithwashappyinhisnewhonours,andMrsHaroldSmithenjoyedthemalso.Shecertainly,amongheracquaintances,didquizthenewCabinetministernotalittle,anditmaybeaquestionwhethershewasnotasharduponhimasthewriterintheJupiter.ShewhisperedagreatdealtoMissDunstableaboutnewblood,andtalkedofgoingdowntoWestminsterBridgetoseewhethertheThameswerereallyonfire.
Butthoughshelaughed,shetriumphed,andthoughsheflatteredherselfthatsheboreherhonourswithoutanyoutwardsign,theworldknewthatshewastriumphing,andridiculedherelation.
Aboutthistimeshealsogaveaparty——notapure-mindedconversazionelikeMrsProudie,butadownrightwickedworldlydance,atwhichtherewerefiddles,ices,andchampagnesufficienttorunawaywiththefirstquarter\'ssalaryaccruingtoHaroldSmithfromthePettyBagOffice.TousthisballischieflymemorablefromthefactthatLadyLuftonwasamongtheguests.
ImmediatelyonherarrivalintownshereceivedcardsfromMrsH
SmithforherselfandGriselda,andwasabouttosendbackareplyatoncedecliningthehonour.WhathadshetodoatthehouseofMrSowerby\'ssister?Butitsohappenedthatatthatmomenthersonwaswithher,andasheexpressedawishthatsheshouldgo,sheyielded.Hadtherebeennothinginhistoneofpersuasionmorethanordinary,——haditmerelyhadreferencetoherself——shewouldhavesmiledonhimforhiskindsolicitude,havemadeoutsomeoccasionforkissinghisforeheadasshethankedhim,andwouldstillhavedeclined.ButhehadremindedherbothofhimselfandGriselda.\'Youmightaswellgo,mother,forthesakeofmeetingme,\'hesaid;\'MrsHaroldSmithcaughtmetheotherday,andwouldnotliberatemetillIhadgivenherapromise.\'
\'Thatisanattraction,certainly,\'saidLadyLufton.\'IdolikegoingtoahousewhenIknowthatyouwillbethere.\'
\'AndnowthatMissGrantlyiswithyou——youoweittohertodothebestyoucanforher.\'
\'Icertainlydo,Ludovic;andIhavetothankyouforremindingmeofmydutysogallantly.\'AndsoshesaidthatshewouldgotoMrsHaroldSmith\'s.Poorlady!ShegavemuchmoreweighttothosefewwordsaboutMissGrantlythantheydeserved.ItrejoicedherhearttothinkthathersonwasanxioustomeetGriselda——thatheshouldperpetratethislittleruseinordertogainhiswish.Buthehadspokenoutofthemereemptinessofhismind,withoutthoughtofwhathewassaying,exceptingthathewishedtopleasehismother.
ButneverthelesshewenttoMrsHaroldSmith\'s,andwhentherehediddancemorethanoncewithGriseldaGrantly——tothemanifestdiscomfitureofLordDumbello.Hecameinlate,andatthemomentLordDumbellowasmovingslowlyuptheroom,withGriseldaonhisarm,whileLadyLuftonwassittingnearlookingonwithunhappyeyes.AndthenGriseldasatdown,withLordDumbellostoodmuteatherelbow.
\'Ludovic,\'whisperedhismother,\'Griseldaisabsolutelyboredbythatman,whofollowslikeaghost.Dogoandrescueher.\'Hedidgoandrescueher,andafterwardsdancedwithherforthebestpartofanhourconsequently.HeknewthattheworldgaveLordDumbellothecreditofadmiringtheyounglady,andwasquitealivetothepleasureoffillinghisbrothernobleman\'sheartwithjealousyandanger.Moreover,Griseldawasinhiseyesverybeautiful,andhadshebeenonewhitmoreanimated,orhadhismother\'stacticsbeenbutathoughtbetterconcealed,GriseldamighthavebeenaskedthatnighttosharethevacantthroneatLufton,inspiteofallthathadbeensaidandsworninthedrawing-roomofFramleyparsonage.
Itmustberememberedthatourgallant,gayLothariohadpassedsomeconsiderablenumberofdayswithMissGrantlyinhismother\'shouse,andthedangerofsuchcontiguitymustberememberedalso.
LordLuftonwasbynomeansamancapableofseeingbeautyunmovedorofspendinghourswithayoungladywithoutsomeapproachtotenderness.HadtherebeennosuchapproachitisprobablethatLadyLuftonwouldnothavepursuedthematter.But,accordingtoherideasonsuchsubjects,hersonLudovichadonsomeoccasionsshownquitesufficientpartialityforMissGrantlytojustifyherinherhopes,andtoleadhertothinkthatnothingbutopportunitywaswanted.Now,atthisballofMrsSmith\'s,hedid,forawhile,seemtobetakingadvantageofsuchopportunity,andhismother\'sheartwasglad.IfthingsshouldturnoutwellonthiseveningshewouldforgiveMrsHaroldSmithallhersins.Andforawhileitlookedasthoughthingswouldturnoutwell.NotthatitmustbesupposedthatLordLuftonhadcometherewithanyintentionofmakinglovetoGriselda,orthatheeverhadanyfixedthoughtthathewasdoingso.Youngmeninsuchmattersaresooftenwithoutanyfixedthoughts!Theyaresuchabsolutemoths.Theyamusethemselveswiththelightofthebeautifulcandle,flutteringabout,onandoff,inandoutoftheflamewithdazzledeyes,tillinarashmomenttheyrushintoonearthewick,andthenfallwithsingedwingsandcrippledlegs,burntupandreducedtotinderbytheconsumingfireofmatrimony.Happymarriages,mensay,aremadeinheaven,andIbelieveit.Mostmarriagesarefairlyhappy,inspiteofSirCresswellCresswell;andyethowlittlecareistakenonearthtowardssucharesult!——\'Ihopemymotherisusingyouwell?\'saidLordLuftontoGriselda,astheywerestandingtogetherinadoorwaybetweenthedances.
\'Oh,yes;sheisverykind.\'
\'Youhavebeenrashtotrustyourselfinthehandsofsoverystaidanddemureaperson.And,indeed,youoweyourpresencetoMrsHaroldSmith\'sfirstCabinetballaltogethertome.Idon\'tknowwhetheryouareawareofthat.\'
\'Oh,yes;LadyLuftontoldme.\'
\'Andareyougratefulorotherwise?HaveIdoneyouaninjuryorabenefit?Whichdoyoufindbest,sittingwithanovelinthecornerofasofainBrutonStreet,orpretendingtodancepolkasherewithLordDumbello?\'
\'Idon\'tknowwhatyoumean.Ihaven\'tstoodupwithLordDumbelloalltheevening.Weweregoingtodanceaquadrille,butwedidn\'t.\'
\'Exactly;justwhatIsay;——pretendingtodoit.Eventhat\'sagooddealforLordDumbello,isn\'tit?\'AndthenLordLufton,notbeingapretenderhimself,puthisarmroundherwaist,andawaytheywentupanddowntheroom,andacrossandabout,withanenergywhichshowedthatwhatGriseldalackedinhertongue,shemadeupwithherfeet.LordDumbello,inthemeantime,stoodby,observant,thinkingtohimselfthatLordLuftonwasaglib-tongued,empty-headedass,andreflectingthatifhisrivalweretobreakthetendonsofhisleginoneofthoserapidevolutions,orsuddenlycomebyanyotherdreadfulmisfortune,suchasthelossofallhisproperty,absoluteblindness,orchroniclumbago,itwouldonlyservehimright.Andinthatframeofmindhewenttobed,inspiteoftheprayerwhichnodoubthesaidastohisforgivenessofotherpeople\'strespasses.Andthen,whentheywereagainstanding,LordLufton,inthelittleintervalsbetweenhisviolentgaspsforfreshbreath,askedGriseldaifshelikedLondon.\'Prettywell,\'saidGriselda,gaspingalsoalittleherself.
\'Iamafraid——youwereverydull——downatFramley.\'
\'Oh,no;——Ilikeditparticularly.\'
\'Itwasagreatborewhenyouwent——away,Iknow.Therewasn\'tasoul——aboutthehouseworthspeakingto.\'Andtheyremainedsilentforaminutetilltheirlungshadbecomequiescent.
\'Notasoul,\'hecontinued——notoffalsehoodprepense,forhewasnotinfactthinkingofwhathewassaying.ItdidnotoccurtohimatthemomentthathehadtrulyfoundGriselda\'sgoingagreatrelief,andthathehadbeenabletodomoreinthewayofconversationwithLucyRobartsinonehourthanwithMissGrantlyduringamonthofintercourseinthesamehouse.But,nevertheless,weshouldnotbeharduponhim.Allisfairinloveandwar;andifthiswasnotlove,itwastheusualthingthatstandsincounterpartforit.
\'Notasoul,\'saidLordLufton.\'IwasverynearlyhangingmyselfintheParknextmorning——onlyitrained.\'
\'Whatnonsense!Youhadyourmothertotalkto.\'
\'Oh,mymother,——yes;andyoumaytellmetoo,ifyouplease,thatCaptainCulpepperwasthere.Idolovemymotherdearly;butdoyouthinkthatshecouldmakeupforyourabsence?\'Andthenhisvoicewasverytender,andsowerehiseyes.
\'AndMissRobarts;Ithoughtyouadmiredherverymuch?\'
\'What,LucyRobarts?\'saidLordLufton,feelingthatLucy\'snamewasmorethanheatpresentknewhowtomanage.Indeedthatnamedestroyedallthelifetherewasinthatlittleflirtation.\'IdolikeLucyRobarts,certainly.Sheisveryclever;butitsohappenedthatIsawlittleornothingofherafteryouweregone.\'
TothisGriseldamadenoanswer,butdrewherselfup,andlookedascoldasDianawhenshefrozeOrioninthecave.NorcouldshebegottogivemorethenmonosyllabicanswerstothethreeorfoursucceedingattemptsatconversationwhichLordLuftonmade.Andthentheydancedagain,butGriselda\'sstepswerebynomeanssolivelyasbefore.Whattookplacebetweenthemonthatoccasionwasverylittlemorethanwhathasbeenhererelated.Theremayhavebeenaniceoraglassoflemonadeintothebargain,andperhapsthefaintestpossibleattemptathand-pressing.Butifso,itwasallononeside.TosuchoverturesasthatGriseldaGrantlywasascoldasanyDiana.Butlittleasallthiswas,itwassufficienttofillLadyLufton\'smindandheart.Nomotherwithsixdaughterswasevermoreanxioustogetthemoffherhands,thanLadyLuftonwastoseehersonmarried,——married,thatis,tosomegirloftherightsort.Andnowitreallydidseemasthoughhewereactuallygoingtocomplywithherwishes.Shehadwatchedhimduringthewholeevening,painfullyendeavouringnottobeobservedindoingso.ShehadseenLordDumbello\'sfailureandwrath,andshehadseenherson\'svictoryandpride.Coulditbethecasethathehadalreadysaidsomething,whichwasstillallowedtobeindecisiveonlythroughGriselda\'scoldness?Mightitnotbethecase,thatbysomejudiciousaidonherpart,thatindecisionmightbeturnedintocertainty,andthatcoldnessintowarmth?Butthenanysuchinterferencerequiressodelicateatouch,——asLadyLuftonwaswellaware——\'Haveyouhadapleasantevening?\'LadyLuftonsaid,whensheandGriseldawereseatedtogetherwiththeirfeetonthefenderofherladyship\'sdressing-room.LadyLuftonhadespeciallyinvitedherguestintothis,hermostprivatesanctum,towhichasarulenonehadadmittancebutherdaughter,andsometimesFannyRobarts.Buttowhatsanctummightnotsuchadaughter-in-lawasGriseldahaveadmittance?\'Oh,yes——very,\'saidGriselda.
\'ItseemedtomethatyoubestowedmostofyoursmilesuponLudovic.\'AndLadyLuftonputonalookofgoodpleasurethatsuchshouldhavebeenthecase.
\'Oh!Idon\'tknow,\'saidGriselda;\'Ididdancewithhimtwoorthreetimes.\'
\'Notoncetoooftentopleaseme,mydear.IliketoseeLudovicdancingwithmyfriends.\'
\'IamsureIamverymuchobligedtoyou,LadyLufton.\'
\'Notatall,mydear.Idon\'tknowwherehecouldgetsoniceapartner.\'Andthenshepausedamoment,notfeelinghowfarshemightgo.InthemeantimeGriseldasatstill,staringatthehotcoals.\'Indeed,Iknowthatheadmiresyouverymuch,\'continuedLadyLufton——\'Oh!no,Iamsurehedoesn\'t,\'saidGriselda;andthentherewasanotherpause.
\'Icanonlysaythis,\'saidLadyLufton,\'thatifhedoesdoso——andIbelievehedoes——itwouldgivemeverygreatpleasure.
Foryouknow,mydear,thatIamveryfondofyoumyself.\'
\'Oh!thankyou,\'saidGriselda,andstaredatthecoalsmoreperseveringlythanbefore.
\'Heisayoungmanofamostexcellentdisposition——thoughheismyownson,Iwillsaythat——andifthereshouldbeanythingbetweenyouandhim——\'
\'Thereisn\'t,indeed,LadyLufton.\'
\'Butifthereshouldbe,IshouldbedelightedtothinkthatLudovichadmadesogoodachoice.\'
\'Buttherewillneverbeanythingofthesort,I\'msure,LadyLufton.Heisnotthinkingofsuchathingintheleast.\'
\'Well,perhapshemay,someday.Andnow,goodnight,mydear.\'
\'Goodnight,LadyLufton.\'AndGriseldakissedwiththeutmostcomposure,andbetookherselftoherownbedroom.Beforesheretiredtosleepshelookedcarefullytoherdifferentarticlesofdress,discoveringwhatamountofdamagetheevening\'swearandtearmighthaveinflicted.
CHAPTERXXI
WHYPUCK,THEPONY,WASBEATEN
MarkRobartsreturnedhomethedayafterthesceneattheAlbany,considerablyrelievedinspirit.Henowfeltthathemightacceptthestallwithoutdiscredittohimselfasaclergymanindoingso.
Indeed,afterwhatMrSowerbyhadsaid,andafterLordLufton\'sassenttoit,itwouldhavebeenmadness,heconsidered,todeclineit.Andthen,too,MrSowerby\'spromiseaboutthebillswasverycomfortabletohim.Afterall,mightitnotbepossiblethathemightgetridofallthesetroubleswithnootherdrawbackthanthatofhavingtopayL130forahorsethatwaswellworththemoney?
Onthedayafterhisreturnhereceivedproperauthentictidingsofhispresentationtotheprebend.Hewas,infact,alreadyprebendary,orwouldbeassoonasthedeanandchapterhadgonethroughtheformofinstitutinghiminhisstall.Theincomewasalreadyhisown;andthehousealsowouldbegivenuptohiminaweek\'stime——apartofthearrangementwithwhichhewouldmostwillinglyhavedispensedhaditbeenatallpossibletodo.Hiswifecongratulatedhimnicely,withopenaffection,andapparentsatisfactionatthearrangement.Theenjoymentofone\'sownhappinessatsuchwindfallsdependssomuchonthefreeandfreelyexpressedenjoymentofothers!LadyLufton\'scongratulationshadnearlymadehimthrowupthewholething;buthiswife\'ssmilesre-encouragedhim;andLucy\'swarmandeagerjoymadehimfeelquitedelightedwithMrSowerbyandtheDukeofOmnium.Andthenthatsplendidanimal,Dandy,camehometotheparsonagestables,muchtothedelightofthegroomandgardener,andoftheassistantstableboywhohadbeenallowedtocreepintotheestablishment,unawares,asitwere,since\'master\'hadtakensokeenlytohunting.Butthissatisfactionwasnotsharedinthedrawing-room.Thehorsewasseenonhisfirstjourneyroundtothestablegate,andquestionswereimmediatelyasked.Itwasahorse,Marksaid,\'whichhehadboughtfromMrSowerbysomelittletimesince,withtheobjectofobliginghim.He,Mark,intendedtoseehimagain,assoonashecoulddosojudiciously.\'This,asIhavesaidabovewasnotsatisfactory.NeitherofthetwoladiesatFramleyparsonageknewmuchabouthorses,orofthemannerinwhichonegentlemanmightthinkitpropertoobligeanotherbypurchasingthesuperfluitiesofhisstable;buttheydidbothfeelthattherewerehorsesenoughintheparsonagestablewithoutDandy,andthatthepurchasingofahunterwithaviewofimmediatelysellinghimagain,was,tosaytheleastofit,anoperationhardlycongenialwiththeusualtastesandpursuitsofaclergyman.\'Ihopeyoudidnotgiveverymuchmoneyforhim,Mark,\'saidFanny.
\'NotmorethanIshallgetagain,\'saidMark;andFannysawfromtheformofhiscountenancethatshehadbetternotpursuethesubjectanyfurtheratthatmoment.
\'IsupposeIshallhavetogointoresidencealmostimmediately,\'
saidMark,recurringtothemoreagreeablesubjectofthestall.
\'AndshallweallhavetogoandliveatBarchesteratonce?\'askedLucy.
\'Thehousewillnotbefurnished,willit,Mark?\'saidhiswife.\'I
don\'tknowhowweshallgeton.\'
\'Don\'tfrightenyourselves.IshalltakelodgingsinBarchester.\'
\'Andweshallnotseeyouallthetime,\'saidMrsRobartswithdismay.ButtheprebendaryexplainedthathewouldbebackwardsandforwardsatFramleyeveryweek,andthatinallprobabilityhewouldonlysleepatBarchesterontheSaturdays,andSundays——and,perhaps,notalwaysthen.
\'Itdoesnotseemveryhardwork,thatofaprebendary,\'saidLucy.
\'Butitisverydignified,\'saidFanny.\'PrebendariesaredignitariesoftheChurch——aretheynot,Mark?\'
\'Decidedly,\'saidhe;\'andtheirwivesalso,byspecialcanonlaw.
Theworstofitisthatbothofthemareobligedtowearwigs.\'
\'Shallyouhaveahat,Mark,withcurlythingsattheside,andstringsthroughtoholdthemup?\'askedLucy.
\'Ifearthatdoesnotcomewithinmyperquisites.\'
\'Norarosette?ThenIshallneverbelievethatyouareadignitary.Doyoumeantosaythatyouwillwearahatlikeacommonparson——likeMrCrawley,forinstance?\'
\'Well——IbelieveImaygiveatwisttotheleaf;butIambynomeanssuretillIshallhaveconsultedthedeaninchapter.\'
Andthusattheparsonagetheytalkedoverthegoodthingsthatwerecomingtothem,andendeavouredtoforgetthenewhorse,andthehuntingbootsthathadbeenusedsooftenduringthelastwinter,andLadyLufton\'salteredcountenance.Itmightbethattheevilswouldvanishaway,andthegoodthingsaloneremaintothem.ItwasnowthemonthofApril,andthefieldswerebeginningtolookgreen,andthewindhadgotitselfoutoftheeastandwassoftandgenial,andtheearlyspringflowerswereshowingtheirbrightcoloursintheparsonagegarden,andallthingsweresweetandpleasant.ThiswasaperiodoftheyearthatwasusuallydeartoMrsRobarts.Herhusbandwasalwaysabetterparsonwhenthewarmmonthscamethanhehadbeenduringthewinter.Thedistantcountyfriendswhomshedidnotknowandofwhomshedidnotapprove,wentawaywhenthespringcame,leavingtheirhousesinnocentandempty.Theparishdutywasbetterattendedto,andperhapsdomesticdutiesalso.Atsuchperiodhewasapatternparsonandapatternhusband,atoningtohisownconscienceforpastshortcomingsbypresentzeal.Andthen,thoughshehadneveracknowledgedittoherself,theabsenceofherdearfriendLadyLuftonwasperhapsinitselfnotdisagreeable.MrsRobartsdidloveLadyLuftonheartily;butitmustbeacknowledgedofherladyship,thatwithallhergoodqualities,shewasinclinedtobemasterful.Shelikedtorule,andshemadepeoplefeelthatshelikedit.MrsRobartswouldneverhaveconfessedthatshelabouredunderasenseofthraldom;butperhapsshewasmouseenoughtoenjoythetemporaryabsenceofherkind-heartedcat.WhenLadyLuftonwasawayMrsRobartsherselfhadmoreplayintheparish.AndMarkalsowasnotunhappy,thoughhedidnotfinditpracticableimmediatelytoturnDandyintomoney.Indeed,justatthismoment,whenhewasagooddealoveratBarchester,goingthroughthosedeepmysteriesbeforeaclergymancanbecomeoneofthechapter,Dandywasratherathorninhisside.ThosewretchedbillsweretocomedueearlyinMay,andbeforetheendofAprilSowerbywrotetohimsayingthathewasdoinghisutmosttoprovidefortheevilday;butthatifthepriceofDandycouldberemittedtohimatonce,itwouldgreatlyfacilitatehisobject.NothingcouldbemoredifferentthanMrSowerby\'stoneaboutmoneyatdifferenttimes.Whenhewantedtoraisethewind,everythingwassoimportant;hasteandsuperhumaneffortsandmenrunningtoandfrowithblankacceptancesintheirhands,couldalonestaveoffthecrackofdoom;butatothertimes,whenretaliatoryapplicationsweremadetohim,hecouldprovewiththeeasiestvoiceandmostjauntymannerthateverythingwasquiteserene.Now,atthisperiod,hewasinthatmoodofsuperhumanefforts,andhecalledloudlyforthehundredandthirtypoundsforDandy.Afterwhathadpassed,Markcouldnotbringhimselftosaythathewouldpaynothingtillthebillsweresafe;andthereforewiththeassistanceofMrForrestoftheBank,hedidremitthepriceofDandytohisfriendSowerbyinLondon.
AndLucyRobarts——wemustnowsayawordofher.Wehaveseenhow,onthatoccasion,whentheworldwasatherfeet,shehadsenthernoblesuitoraway,notonlydismissed,butsodismissedthathemightbetaughtneveragaintooffertoherthesweetincenseofhisvows.Shehaddeclaredtohimplainlythatshedidnotlovehimandcouldnotlovehim,andhadthusthrownawaynotonlyrichesandhonourandhighstation,butmorethanthat——muchworsethanthat——shehadflungawayfromherthelovertowhoseloveherwarmheartclung.Thatherlovedidclingtohim,shekneweventhen,andownedmorethoroughlyassoonashewasgone.Somuchofherpridehaddoneforher,andthatstrongresolvethatLadyLuftonshouldnotscowlonherandtellherthatshehadentrappedherson.IknowitwillbesaidofLordLuftonhimselfthat,puttingasidehispeerageandbroadacres,andhandsome,sonsyface,hewasnotworthagirl\'scareandlove.Thatwillbesaidbecausepeoplethinkthatheroesinbooksshouldbesomuchbetterthanheroesgotupfortheworld\'scommonwearandtear.Imayaswellconfessthatofabsolute,trueheroismtherewasonlyamoderateadmixtureinLordLufton\'scomposition;butwhatwouldtheworldcometoifnonebutabsolutetrueheroesweretobethoughtworthyofwoman\'slove?Whatwouldthemendo?LucyRobartsinherheartdidnotgiveherdismissedlovercreditformuchmoreheroismthandidtrulyappertaintohim;——didnot,perhaps,givehimfullcreditforacertainamountofheroismwhichdidreallyappertaintohim;but,nevertheless,shewouldhavebeenverygladtotakehimcouldshehavedonesowithoutwoundingherpride.
Thatgirlsshouldnotmarryformoneyweareallagreed.Aladywhocansellherselfforatitleoranestate,foranincomeorasetoffamilydiamonds,treatsherselfasafarmertreatshissheepandoxen——makeshardlymoreofherself,ofherowninnerself,inwhicharecomprisedamindandsoul,thanthepoorwretchofherownsexwhoearnsherbreadintheloweststageofdegradation.Butatitle,andanestate,andanincome,arematterswhichwillweighinthebalancewithallEve\'sdaughters——astheydowithallAdam\'ssons.Prideofplace,andthepoweroflivingwellinfrontoftheworld\'seye,aredeartousall;——are,doubtless,intendedtobedear.Onlyinacknowledgingsomuch,letusrememberthattherearepricesatwhichthesegoodthingsmaybetoocostly.Therefore,beingdesirous,too,oftellingthetruthinthismatter,ImustconfessthatLucydidspeculatewithsomeregretonwhatitwouldhavebeentobeLadyLufton.Tohavebeenthewifeofsuchaman,theownerofsuchaheart,themistressofsuchadestiny——whatmoreorwhatbettercouldtheworldhavedoneforher?AndnowshehadthrownallthatasidebecauseshewouldnotendurethatLadyLuftonshouldcallherascheming,artfulgirl!Actuatedbythatfearshehadrepulsedhimwithafalsehood,thoughthematterwasoneonwhichitwassoterriblyexpedientthatsheshouldtellthetruth.Andyetshewascheerfulwithherbrotherandsister-in-law.Itwaswhenshewasquitealone,atnightinherownroom,orinhersolitarywalks,thatasinglesilenttearwouldgatherinthecornerofhereyeandgraduallymoistenhereyelids.
\'Shenevertoldherlove,\'nordidsheallowconcealmentto\'feedonherdamaskcheek\'.Inallheremployments,inherwaysaboutthehouse,andheraccustomedquietmirth,shewasthesameasever.InthissheshowedthepeculiarstrengthwhichGodhadgivenher.Butnotthelessdidsheintruthmournforherlostloveandspoiledambition.\'WearegoingtodriveovertoHogglestockthismorning,\'Fannysaidonedayatbreakfast.\'Isuppose,Mark,youwon\'tgowithme?\'
\'Well,no;Ithinknot.Theponycarriageiswretchedforthree.\'
\'Oh,asforthat,Ishouldhavethoughtthenewhorsemighthavebeenabletocarryyouasfarasthat.IheardyousayyouwantedtoseeMrCrawley.\'
\'SoIdo;andthenewhorse,asyoucallhim,shallcarrymethereto-morrow.WillyousaythatI\'llbeoverabouttwelveo\'clock?\'
\'Youhadbettersayearlier,asheisalwaysoutabouttheparish.\'
\'Verywell,sayeleven.ItisparishbusinessaboutwhichIamgoing,soitneednotirkhisconsciencetostayinforme.\'
\'Well,Lucy,wemustdriveourselves,that\'sall.Youshallbecharioteergoing,andthenwe\'llchangecomingback.\'ToallwhichLucyagreed,andassoonastheirworkintheschoolwasovertheystarted.NotawordhadbeenspokenbetweenthemaboutLordLuftonsincethatevening,nowmorethanamonthago,onwhichtheyhadbeenwalkingtogetherinthegarden.Lucyhadsodemeanedherselfonthatoccasiontomakehersister-in-lawquitesurethattherehadbeennolovepassagesuptothattime;andnothinghadsinceoccurredwhichhadcreatedanysuspicioninMrsRobarts\'smind.Shehadseenatoncethatallthecloseintimacybetweenthemwasover,andthoughtthateverythingwasasitshouldbe.
\'Doyouknow,Ihaveanidea,\'shesaidintheponycarriagethatday,\'thatLordLuftonwillmarryGriseldaGrantly.\'Lucycouldnotrefrainfromgivingalittlecheckatthereinswhichshewasholding,andshefeltthatthebloodrushedquicklytoherheart.
Butshedidnotbetrayherself.\'Perhapshemay,\'shesaid,andthengavetheponyalittletouchwithherwhip.
\'Oh,Lucy,Iwon\'thavePuckbeaten.Hewasgoingverynicely.\'
\'IbegPuck\'spardon.Butyouseewhenoneistrustedwithawhiponefeelssuchalongingtouseit.\'
\'Oh,butyoushouldkeepitstill.IfeelalmostcertainthatLadyLuftonwouldlikesuchamatch.\'
\'Idaresayshemight.MissGrantlywillhavealargefortune,I
believe.\'
\'Itisnotthataltogether:butsheisthesortofyoungladythatLadyLuftonlikes.Sheisladylikeandverybeautiful——\'
\'Come,Fanny!\'
\'Ireallythinksheis;notwhatIwouldcalllovely,youknow,butverybeautiful.Andthensheisquietandreserved;shedoesnotrequireexcitement,andIamsureisconscientiousintheperformanceofherduties.\'
\'Veryconscientious,Ihavenodoubt,\'saidLucy,withsomethinglikeasneerinhertone.\'Butthequestion,Isuppose,is,whether,LordLuftonlikesher.\'
\'Ithinkhedoes,——inasortofway.Hedidnottalktohersomuchashedidtoyou——\'
\'Ah!thatwasallLadyLufton\'sfault,becauseshedidn\'thavehimproperlylabelled.\'
\'Theredoesnotseemtohavebeenmuchharmdone?\'
\'Oh!byGod\'smercy,verylittle.Asforme,IshallgetoveritinthreeorfouryearsIdon\'tdoubt——that\'sifIcangetass\'smilkandachangeofair.\'
\'We\'lltakeyoutoBarchesterforthat.ButasIwassaying,IreallydothinkthatLordLuftonlikesGriseldaGrantly.\'
\'ThenIreallydothinkthathehasuncommonbadtaste,\'saidLucy,witharealityinhervoicedifferingmuchfromthetoneofbantershehadhithertoused.
\'What,Lucy!\'saidhersister-in-law,lookingather.\'ThenIfearweshallreallywanttheass\'smilk.\'
\'Perhaps,consideringmyposition,IoughttoknownothingofLordLufton,foryousaythatitisverydangerousforyoungladiestoknowyounggentlemen.ButIdoknowenoughofhimtounderstandthatheoughtnottolikesuchagirlasGriseldaGrantly.Heoughttoknowthatsheisamereautomaton,cold,lifeless,spiritless,andevenvapid.Thereis,Ibelieve,nothinginhermentally,whatevermaybehermoralexcellences.TomesheismoreabsolutelylikeastatuethananyotherhumanbeingIeversaw.Tositstillandbeadmiredisallthatshedesires;andifshecannotgetthat,tositstillandnotbeadmiredwouldalmostsufficeforher.IdonotworshipLadyLuftonasyoudo;butIthinkquitewellenoughofhertowonderthatshecouldchoosesuchagirlasthatforherson\'swife.ThatshedoeswishitIdonotdoubt.ButIshallindeedbesurprisedifhewishesitalso.\'Andthenasshefinishedherspeech,Lucyagainfloggedthepony.Thisshedidinvexation,becauseshefeltthatthetell-talebloodhadsuffusedherface.
\'Why,Lucy,ifhewereyourbrotheryoucouldnotbemoreeageraboutit.\'
\'No,Icouldnot.HeistheonlymanfriendwithwhomIwaseverintimate,andIcannotbeartothinkthatheshouldthrowhimselfaway.It\'shorridlyimpropertocareaboutsuchathing,Ihavenodoubt.\'
\'Ithinkwemightacknowledgethatifheandhismotherarebothsatisfied,wemaybesatisfiedalso.\'
\'Ishallnotbesatisfied.It\'snouseyourlookingatme,Fanny.
Youwillmakemetalkofit,andIwon\'ttellalieonthesubject.IdolikeLordLuftonverymuch;andIdodislikeGriseldaGrantlyalmostasmuch.ThereforeIshallnotbesatisfiediftheybecomemanandwife.However,Idonotsupposethateitherofthemwillaskmyconsent;norisitprobablethatLadyLuftonwilldoso.\'Andthentheywentonforperhapsaquarterofamilewithoutspeaking.
\'PoorPuck!\'Lucyatlastsaid.\'Heshan\'tbewhippedanymore,shallhe,becauseMissGrantlylookslikeastatue?And,Fanny,don\'ttellMarktoputmeintoalunaticasylum.Ialsoknowahawkfromaheron,andthat\'swhyIdon\'tliketoseesuchaveryunfittingmarriage.\'Therewasthennothingmoresaidonthesubject,andintwominutestheyarrivedatthehouseoftheHogglestockclergyman.MrsCrawleyhadbroughttwoofthechildrenwithherwhenshecamefromtheCornishcuracytoHogglestock,andtwootherbabieshadbeenaddedtohercaressincethen.Oneofthesewasnowillwithcroup,anditwaswiththeobjectofofferingtothemothersomecomfortandsolace,thatthepresentvisitwasmade.Thetwoladiesgotdownfromtheircarriage,havingobtainedtheservicesofaboytoholdPuck,andsoonfoundthemselvesinMrsCrawley\'ssinglesitting-room.Shewassittingtherewithherfootontheboardofachild\'scradle,rockingit,whileaninfantaboutthreemonthsoldwaslyinginherlap.Fortheelderone,whowasthesufferer,hadinherillnessusurpedthebaby\'splace.Twootherchildren,considerablyolder,werealsointheroom.Theeldestwasagirlperhapsnineyearsofage,andtheotheraboythreeyearsherjunior.Thesewerestandingattheirfather\'selbow,whowasstudiouslyendeavouringtoinitiatethemintheearlymysteriesofgrammar.Totellthetruth,MrsRobartswouldmuchpreferredthatMrCrawleyhadnotbeenthere,forshehadwithherandabouthercertaincontrabandarticles,presentsforthechildren,astheyweretobecalled,butintruthreliefforthatpoor,much-taskedmother,whichtheyknewitwouldbeimpossibletointroduceinMrCrawley\'spresence.She,aswehavesaid,wasnotquitesogaunt,notaltogethersohaggardasinthelatterofthosedreadfulCornishdays.LadyLuftonandMrsArabinbetweenthem,andthescantycomfortoftheirimproved,thoughstillwretched,income,haddonesomethingtowardsbringingherbacktotheworldinwhichshehadlivedinthesoftdaysofherchildhood.Buteventheliberalstipendofahundredandthirtypoundsayear——liberalaccordingtothescalebywhichtheincomesofclergymeninournewdistrictsarenowapportioned——wouldnotadmitofagentlemanwithhiswifeandfourchildrenlivingwiththeordinarycomfortsofanartisan\'sfamily.Asregardsthemereeatinganddrinking,theamountofbutcher\'smeatandteaandbutter,theyofcoursewereusedinquantitieswhichanyartisanwouldhaveregardedascompatibleonlywithdemi-starvation.
Betterclothingforherchildrenwasnecessary,andbetterclothingforhim.Asforherownraiment,thewivesofartisanswouldhavebeencontenttoputupwithMrsCrawley\'sbestgown.Thestuffofwhichitwasmadehadbeenpaidforbyhermotherwhenshewithmuchdifficultybestoweduponherdaughterhermodestweddingtrousseau.
LucyhadneverseenMrsCrawley.ThesevisitstoHogglestockwerenotfrequent,andhadgenerallybeenmadebyLadyLuftonandMrsRobartstogether.ItwasknownthattheyweredistastefultoMrCrawley,whofeltasavagesatisfactioninbeinglefttohimself.
Itmayalmostbesaidofhimthathefeltangrywiththosewhorelievedhim,andhehadcertainlyneverasyetforgiventheDeanofBarchesterforpayinghisdebts.Thedeanhadalsogivenhimhispresentliving;andconsequentlyhisoldfriendwasnotnowsodeartohimaswheninolddayshecouldcomedowntothatfarm-house,almostaspennilessasthecuratehimself.Thentheywouldwalktogetherforhoursalongtherock-boundshore,listeningtothewaves,discussingdeeppolemicalmysteries,sometimeswithhotfury,thenagainwithtender,lovingcharity,butalwayswithamutualacknowledgementofeachother\'struth.Nowtheylivedcomparativelyneartogether,butnoopportunitiesaroseforsuchdiscussions.AtanyrateonceaquarterMrCrawleywaspressedbyhisoldfriendtovisithimatthedeanery,andDrArabinhadpromisedthatnooneelseshouldbeinthehouseifMrCrawleyobjectedtosociety.Butthiswasnotwhathewanted.Thefineryandgrandeurofthedeanery,thecomfortofthatwarm,snug,library,wouldsilencehimatonce.WhydidnotDrArabincomeouttheretoHogglestock,andtrampwithhimthroughthedirtylanesastheyusedtotramp?Thenhecouldhaveenjoyedhimself;thenhecouldhavetalked;thenolddayswouldhavecomebacktothem.Butnow!——\'Arabinalwaysridesonasleek,finehorse,nowadays,\'heoncesaidtohiswifewithasneer.Hispovertyhadbeensoterribletohimselfthatitwasnotinhishearttolovearichfriend.
CHAPTERXXII
HOGGLESTOCKPARSONAGE
Attheendofthelastchapter,weleftLucyRobartswaitingforanintroductiontoMrsCrawley,whowassittingwithonebabyinherlapwhileshewasrockinganotherwholayinacradleatherfeet.
MrCrawley,inthemeanwhile,hadrisenfromhisseatwithhisfingerbetweentheleavesofanoldgrammaroutofwhichhehadbeenteachinghistwoelderchildren.ThewholeCrawleyfamilywasthusbeforethemwhenMrsRobartsandLucyenteredthesitting-room.\'Thisismysister-in-law,Lucy,\'saidMrsRobarts.
\'Praydon\'tmovenow,MrsCrawley;orifyoudo,letmetakebaby.\'Andsheputoutherarmsandtooktheinfantintothem,makinghimquiteathomethere;forshehadworkofthiskindofherown,athome,whichshebynomeansneglected,thoughtheattendanceofnurseswasmoreplentifulwithherthanatHogglestock.MrsCrawleydidgetupandtoldLucythatshewasgladtoseeher,andMrCrawleycameforward,grammarinhand,lookinghumbleandmeek.Couldwehavelookedintotheinnermostspiritofhimandhislife\'spartner,weshouldhaveseenthatmixedwiththeprideofhispovertytherewassomefeelingofdisgracethathewaspoor,butthatwithher,regardingthismatter,therewasneitherpridenorshame.Therealitiesoflifehadbecomesosterntoherthattheoutwardaspectsofthemwereasnothing.Shewouldhavelikedanewgownbecauseitwouldhavebeenuseful;butitwouldhavebeennothingtoherifallthecountyknewthattheoneinwhichshewenttochurchhadbeenturnedthreetimes.Itgalledhim,however,tothinkthatheandhisweresopoorlydressed.\'Iamafraidyoucanhardlyfindachair,MissRobarts,\'saidMrCrawley.
\'Oh,yes,thereisnothingherebutthisyounggentleman\'slibrary,\'saidLucy,movingapileofragged,coverlessbooksontothetable.\'Ihopehe\'llforgivemeformovingthem.\'
\'TheyarenotBob\'s,——atleast,notthemostofthem,——butmine,\'
saidthegirl.
\'Butsomeofthemaremine,\'saidtheboy;\'ain\'tthey,Grace?\'
\'Andareyouagreatscholar?\'askedLucy,drawingthechildtoher.
\'Idon\'tknow,\'saidGrace,withasheepishface.\'IaminGreekDelectusandtheirregularverbs.\'
\'GreekDelectusandtheirregularverbs!\'AndLucyputupherhandswithastonishment.
\'AndsheknowsanodeofHoraceallbyheart,\'saidBob.
\'AnodeofHorace!\'saidLucy,stillholdingtheyoungshamefacedprodigyclosetoherknees.
\'ItisallthatIcangivethem,\'saidMrCrawley,apologetically.
\'Alittlescholarshipistheonlyfortunethathascomemyway,andIendeavourtosharethatwithmychildren.\'
\'Ibelievemenmaysaythatitisthebestfortuneanyofuscanhave,\'saidLucy,thinking,however,inherownmind,thatHoraceandtheirregularGreekverbssavouredtoomuchofprecociousforcinginayoungladyofnineyearsold.But,nevertheless,Gracewasapretty,simple-lookinggirl,andclungtoherallyclosely,andseemedtolikebeingfondled.SothatLucyanxiouslywishedthatMrCrawleycouldbegotridofandthepresentsproduced.
\'IhopeyouhaveleftMrRobartsquitewell,\'saidMrCrawley,withastiff,ceremonialvoice,differingverymuchfromthatinwhichhehadsoenergeticallyaddressedhisbrotherclergymanwhentheywerealonetogetherinthestudyatFramley.\'Heisquitewell,thankyou.Isupposeyouhaveheardofhisgoodfortune?\'
\'Yes;Ihaveheardofit,\'saidMrCrawley,gravely.\'Ihopethathispromotionmaytendineverywaytohisadvantagehereandhereafter.\'Itseemed,however,tobemanifestfromthemannerinwhichheexpressedhiskindwishesthathishopesandexpectationdidnotgohandinhandtogether.
\'Bytheby,hedesiredustosaythathewillcallhereto-morrow;
atabouteleven,didn\'thesay,Fanny?\'
\'Yes;hewishestoseeyouaboutsomeparishbusiness,Ithink,\'
saidMrsRobarts,lookingupforamomentfromtheanxiousdiscussioninwhichshewasalreadyengagedwithMrsCrawleyonnurserymatters.
\'Praytellhim,\'saidMrCrawley,\'thatIshallbehappytoseehim;though,perhaps,nowthatnewdutieshavebeenthrownuponhim,itwillbebetterthatIshouldvisithimatFramley.\'
\'Hisnewdutiesdonotdisturbhimmuchasyet,\'saidLucy.\'Andhisridingoverherewillbenotroubletohim.\'
\'Yes;therehehastheadvantageoverme.Iunfortunatelyhavenohorse.\'AndthenLucybeganpettingthelittleboy,andbydegreesslippedasmallbagofgingerbread-nutsoutofhermuffintohishands.Shehadnotthepatiencenecessaryforwaiting,ashadhersister-in-law.Theboytookthebag,peepedintoit,andthenlookedupintoherface.
\'Whatisthat,Bob?\'saidMrCrawley.
\'Gingerbread,\'falteredBobby,feelingthatasinhadbeencommitted,though,probablyfeelingalsothathehimselfcouldhardlyasyetbeaccountedasdeeplyguilty.
\'MissRobarts,\'saidthefather,\'weareverymuchobligedtoyou;
butourchildrenarehardlyusedtosuchthings.\'
\'Iamaladywithaweakmind,MrCrawley,andalwayscarrythingsofthissortaboutwithmewhenIgotovisitchildren;soyoumustforgiveme,andallowyourlittleboytoacceptthem.\'
\'Oh,certainly,Bob,mychild,givethebagtoyourmamma,andshewillletyouandGracehavethem,oneatatime.\'Andthenthebaginasolemnmannerwascarriedovertotheirmother,who,takingitfromherson\'shands,laidithighonabookshelf.
