下载辰思小说免费APP
\'Andnotonenow?\'saidLucyRobarts,verypiteously.\'Don\'tbesohard,MrCrawley,——notuponthem,butuponme.MayInotlearnwhethertheyaregoodoftheirkind?\'
\'Iamsuretheyareverygood;butIthinktheirmammawillprefertheirbeingputbyforthepresent.\'ThiswasverydiscouragingtoLucy.Ifonesmallbagofgingerbread-nutscreatedsogreatadifficulty,howwasshetodisposeofthepotofguavajellyandaboxofbonbons,whichwerestillinhermuff;orhowdistributethepacketoforangeswithwhichtheponycarriagewasladen?Andtherewasjellyforthesickchild,andchickenbroth,whichwas,indeed,anotherjelly;and,totellthetruthopenly,therewasalsoajointoffreshporkandabasketofeggsfromtheFramleyparsonagefarmyard,whichMrsRobartswastointroduce,shouldshefindherselfcapableofdoingso;butwhichwouldcertainlybecastoutwithutterscornbyMrCrawley,iftenderedinhisimmediatepresence.Therehadalsobeenasuggestionastoaddingtwoorthreebottlesofport:butthecourageoftheladieshadfailedthemonthathead,andthewinewasnotnowaddedtotheirdifficulties.LucyfounditverydifficulttokeepupaconversationwithMrCrawley——themoresoasMrsRobartsandMrsCrawleypresentlywithdrewintoabedroom,takingthetwoyoungerchildrenwiththem.\'Howunlucky,\'thoughtLucy,\'thatshehasnotgotmymuffwithher!\'Butthemufflayinherlap,ponderouswithitsrichenclosures.
\'IsupposeyouwillliveinBarchesterforaportionoftheyearnow,\'saidMrCrawley.
\'Ireallydonotknowasyet;Marktalksoftakinglodgingsforhisfirstmonth\'sresidence.\'
\'Buthewillhavethehouse,willhenot?\'
\'Oh,yes;Isupposeso.\'
\'Ifearhewillfinditinterferewithhisownparish——withhisgeneralutilitythere:theschools,forinstance.\'
\'Markthinksthat,asheissonear,heneednotbemuchabsentfromFramley,evenduringhisresidence.AndthenLadyLuftonissogoodabouttheschools.\'
\'Ah!yes:butLadyLuftonisnotaclergyman,MissRobarts.\'ItwasonLucy\'stonguetosaythatherladyshipwasprettynearlyasbad,butshestoppedherself.AtthismomentProvidencesentgreatrelieftoMissRobartsintheshapeofMrsCrawley\'sred-armedmaid-of-all-work,who,walkinguptohermaster,whisperedintohisearthathewaswanted.Itwasthetimeofdayatwhichhisattendancewasalwaysrequiredinhisparishschool;andthatattendancebeingsopunctuallygiven,thosewhowantedhimlookedforhimthereatthishour,andifhewereabsent,didnotscrupletosendforhim.\'MissRobarts,Iamafraidyoumustexcuseme,\'
saidhe,gettingupandtakinghishatandstick.Lucybeggedthatshemightnotbeatallintheway,andalreadybegantospeculatehowshemightbestunloadhertreasures.\'WillyoumakemycomplimentstoMrsRobarts,andsaythatIamsorrytomissthepleasureofwishinghergood-bye?ButIshallprobablyseeherasshepassestheschool-house.\'Andthen,stickinhand,hewalkedforth,andLucyfanciedthatBobby\'seyesimmediatelyrestedonthebagofgingerbread-nuts.
\'Bob,\'saidshe,almostinawhisper,\'doyoulikesugar-plumbs?\'
\'Verymuch,indeed,\'saidBob,withexceedinggravity,andwithhiseyeuponthewindowtoseewhetherhisfatherhadpassed.
\'Thencomehere,\'saidLucy.Butasshespokethedooragainopened,andMrCrawleyreappeared.\'Ihaveleftabookbehindme,\'
hesaid;andcomingbackthroughtheroom,hetookupthewell-wornPrayerBookwhichaccompaniedhiminallhiswanderingsthroughtheparish.Bobby,whenhesawhisfather,hadretreatedafewstepsback,asalsodidGrace,who,toconfessthetruth,hadbeenattractedbythesoundofsugar-plumbs,inspiteoftheirregularverbs.AndLucywithdrewherhandfromthemuffandlookedguilty.Wasshenotdeceivingthegoodman——nay,teachinghisownchildrentodeceivehim?Buttherearemenmadeofsuchstuffthatanangelcouldhardlylivewiththemwithoutsomedeceit.\'Papa\'sgonenow,\'whisperedBobby;\'Isawhimturnroundthecorner.\'He,atanyrate,hadlearnedhislesson——asitwasnaturalthatheshoulddo.Someoneelse,also,hadlearnedthatpapawasgone;
forwhileBobandGracewerestillcountingthebiglumpsofsugar-candy,eachemployedthewhileforinwardsolacewithaninchofbarley-sugar,thefront-dooropened,andabigbasket,andabundledoneupinkitchencloth,madesurreptitiousentranceintothehouse,andwerequicklyunpackedbyMrsRobartsherselfonthetableinMrsCrawley\'sbedroom.
\'Ididventuretobringthem,\'saidFanny,withalookofshame,\'forIknowhowasickchildoccupiesthewholehouse.\'
\'Ah!myfriend,\'saidMrsCrawley,takingholdofMrsRobarts\'sarmandlookingintoherface,\'thatsortofshameisoverwithme.Godhastrieduswithwant,andformychildren\'ssakeIamgladofsuchrelief.\'
\'Butwillhebeangry?\'
\'Iwillmanageit.DearMrsRobarts,youmustnotbesurprisedathim.Hislotissometimesveryhardtobear;suchthingsaresomuchworseforamanthanforawoman.\'Fannywasnotquitepreparedtoadmitthisinherownheart,butshemadenoreplyonthathead.\'IamsureIhopewemaybeabletobeofusetoyou,\'
shesaid,\'ifyouwillonlylookuponmeasanoldfriend,andwritetomeifyouwantme.IhesitatetocomefrequentlyforfearthatIshouldoffendhim.\'Andthen,bydegrees,therewasconfidencebetweenthem,andthepoverty-strickenhelpmateoftheperpetualcuratewasabletospeakoftheweightofherburdentothewell-to-doyoungwifeoftheBarchesterprebendary.Itwashard,theformersaid,tofeelherselfsodifferentfromthewivesofotherclergymenaroundher——toknowthattheylivedsoftly,whileshe,withalltheworkofherhands,andunceasingstruggleofherenergies,couldhardlymanagetoplacewholesomefoodbeforeherhusbandandchildren.Itwasaterriblething——agrievousthingtothinkof,thatalltheworkofhermindshouldbegivenuptosuchsubjectsasthese.But,nevertheless,shecouldbearit,shesaid,aslonghewouldcarryhimselflikeaman,andfacehislotboldlybeforetheworld.AndthenshetoldhowhehadbeenbetterthereatHogglestockthanintheirformerresidencedowninCornwall,andinwarmlanguagesheexpressedherthankstothefriendwhohaddonesomuchforthem.\'MrsArabintoldmethatshewassoanxiousyoushouldgotothem,\'saidMrsRobarts.
\'Ah,yes;butthat,Ifear,isimpossible.Thechildren,youknow,MrsRobarts.\'
\'Iwouldtakecareoftwoofthemforyou.\'
\'Oh,no;Icouldnotpunishyouforyourgoodnessinthatway.Buthewouldnotgo.Hecouldgoandleavemeathome.SometimesI
havethoughtthatitmightbeso,andIhavedoneallinmypowertopersuadehim.Ihavetoldhimthatifhecouldmixoncemorewiththeworld,withtheclericalworld,youknow,thathewouldbebetterfittedfortheperformanceofhisownduties.Butheanswersmeangrily,thatitisimpossible——thathiscoatisnotfitforthedean\'stable,\'andMrsCrawleyalmostblushedasshespokeofsuchareason.
\'What!withanoldfriendlikeDrArabin?Surelythatmustbenonsense.\'
\'Iknowthatitis.Thedeanwouldbegladtoseehimwithanycoat.Butthefactisthathecannotbeartoenterthehouseofarichmanunlesshisdutycallshimthere.\'
\'Butsurelythatisamistake?\'
\'Itisamistake.ButwhatcanIdo?Ifearthatheregardstherichashisenemies.Heispiningforthesolaceofsomefriendtowhomhecouldtalk——forsomeequalwithamindeducatedlikehisown,towhosethoughtshecouldlisten,andtowhomhecouldspeakhisownthoughts.Butsuchafriendmustbeequal,notonlyinmind,butinpurse;andwherecanheeverfindsuchamanasthat?\'
\'Butyoumaygetbetterpreferment.\'
\'Ah,no;andifhedid,wearehardlyfitforitnow.IfIcouldthinkthatIcouldeducatemychildren;ifIcouldonlydosomethingformypoorGrace——\'InanswertothisMrsRobartssaidawordortwo,butnotmuch.Sheresolved,however,thatifshecouldgetherhusband\'sleave,somethingshouldbedoneforGrace.
Woulditnotbeagoodwork?andwasitnotincumbentonhertomakesomekindlyuseofallthegoodswithwhichProvidencehadblessedherself?Andthentheywentbacktothesitting-room,eachagainwithayoungchildinherarms.MrsCrawleyhavingstowedawayinthekitchenthechickenbrothandthelegofporkandthesupplyofeggs.Lucyhadbeenengagedthewhilewiththechildren,andwhenthetwomarriedladiesentered,theyfoundthatashophadbeenopenedatwhichallmannerofluxurieswerebeingreadilysoldandpurchasedatmarvellouslyeasyprices;theguavajellywasthere,andtheoranges,andthesugar-plums,redandyellowandstriped;and,moreover,thegingerbreadhadbeentakendownintheaudacityoftheircommercialspeculations,andthenutswerespreadoutuponaboard,behindwhichLucystoodasshop-girl,disposingofthemforkisses.\'Mamma,mamma,\'saidBobby,runninguptohismother,\'youmustbuysomethingofher,\'andhepointedwithhisfingerstotheshop-girl.\'Youmustgivehertwokissesforthatheapofbarley-sugar.\'LookingatBobby\'smouthatthetime,onewouldhavesaidthathiskissesmightbedispensedwith.
WhentheywereagainintheponycarriagebehindtheimpatientPuck,andwerewellawayfromthedoor,Fannywasthefirsttospeak.\'Howverydifferentthosetwoare,\'shesaid;\'differentintheirminds,andhowfalseishisshame!\'
\'Buthowmuchhighertonedishermindthanhis!Howweakheisinmanythings,andhowstrongsheisineverything!Howfalseishispride,andhowfalsehisshame!\'
\'Butwemustrememberwhathehastobear.Itisnoteveryonethatcanenduresuchalifeashiswithoutfalseprideandfalseshame.\'
\'Butshehasneither,\'saidLucy.
\'Becauseyouhaveoneheroinafamily,doesthatgiveyouarighttoexpectanother?\'saidMrsRobarts.\'Ofallmyownacquaintance,MrsCrawley,Ithink,comesnearesttoheroism.\'AndthentheypassedbytheHogglestockSchool,andMrCrawley,whenheheardthenoiseofthewheels,cameout.\'Youhavebeenverykind,\'saidhe,\'toremainsolongwithmypoorwife.\'
\'Wehadagreatmanythingstotalkabout,afteryouwent.\'
\'Itisverykindofyou,forshedoesnotoftenseeafriendnowadays.WillyouhavethegoodnesstotellMrRobartsthatIshallbehereattheschool,ateleveno\'clockto-morrow?\'Andthenhebowed,takingoffhishattothem,andtheydroveon.
\'Ifhereallydoescareabouthercomfort,Ishallnotthinksobadlyofhim,\'saidLucy.
CHAPTERXXIII
THETRIUMPHOFTHEGIANTS
AndnowabouttheendofAprilnewsarrivedalmostsimultaneouslyinallquartersofthehabitableglobethatwasterribleinitsimporttooneofthechiefpersonsofourhistory;——somemaythinktothechiefpersonofit.Allhighparliamentarypeoplewilldoubtlesssothink,andthewivesanddaughtersofsuch.TheTitanswarringagainstthegodshadbeenforawhilesuccessful.
ThyphoeusandMimas,PorphyrionandRhoecus,thegiantbroodofold,steepedinignoranceandweddedtocorruption,hadscaledtheheightsofOlympus,assistedbythataudaciousflingerofdeadlyponderousmissiles,whostandseverreadywithhisterrificsling——Supplehouse,theEnceladusofthepress.Andinthisuniversalcataclysmofthestarrycouncils,whatcouldapoorDianado,DianaofthePettyBag,butabandonherprideofplacetosomerudeOrion?Inotherwords,theministryhadbeencompelledtoresign,andwiththemMrHaroldSmith.\'AndsopoorHaroldisout,beforehehaswelltastedthesweetsofoffice,\'saidSowerby,writingtohisfriendtheparson;\'andasfarasIknow,theonlypieceofChurchpatronagewhichhasfalleninthewayoftheministrysincehejoinedit,hasmadeitswaydowntoFramley——tomygreatjoyandcontentment.\'ButithardlytendedtoMark\'sjoyandcontentmentonthesamesubjectthatheshouldbesooftenremindedofthebenefitconferreduponhim.
Terriblewasthisbreak-downoftheministry,andespeciallytoHaroldSmith,whotothelasthadhadconfidenceinthattheoryofnewblood.HecouldhardlybelievethatalargemajorityoftheHouseshouldvoteagainstaGovernmentwhichhehadonlyjustjoined.\'Ifwearetogointhisway,\'hesaidtohisyoungfriendGreenWalker,\'theQueen\'sGovernmentcannotbecarriedon.\'ThatallegeddifficultyastocarryingontheQueen\'sGovernmenthasbeenfrequentlymootedinlateyearssinceacertaingreatmanfirstintroducedtheidea.Nevertheless,theQueen\'sGovernmentiscarriedon,andthepropensityandaptitudeofmenforthisworkseemstobenotatallonthedecrease.Ifwehavebutfewyoungstatesmen,itisbecausetheoldstagersaresofondoftherattleoftheirharness.
\'IreallydonotseehowtheQueen\'sGovernmentistobecarriedon,\'saidHaroldSmithtoGreenWalker,standinginacornerofoneofthelobbiesoftheHouseofCommonsonthefirstofthosedaysofawfulinterest,inwhichtheQueenwassendingforonecrackstatesmanafteranother;andsomeanxiousmenwerebeginningtodoubtwhetherornoweshould,intruth,beabletoobtaintheblessingofanotherCabinet.Thegodshadallvanishedfromtheirplaces.Wouldthegiantsbegoodenoughtodoanythingforusorno?Thereweremenwhoseemedtothinkthatthegiantswouldrefusetodoanythingforus.\'TheHousewillnowbeadjournedovertillMonday,andIwouldnotbeinHerMajesty\'sshoesforsomething,\'saidMrHaroldSmith.
\'ByJove!no,\'saidGreenWalker,whointhesedayswasastaunchHaroldSmithian,havingfeltaprideinjoininghimselfonasasubstantialsupportofaCabinetminister.HadhecontentedhimselfwithbeingmerelyaBrockite,hewouldhavecountedasnobody.\'ByJove!no,\'andGreenWalkeropenedhiseyesandshookhisheadashethoughtoftheperilousconditioninwhichHerMajestymustbeplaced.\'IhappentoknowthatLord——won\'tjointhemunlesshehastheForeignOffice,\'andhementionedsomehundred-handedGyassupposedtobeoftheutmostimportancetothecounselsoftheTitans.
\'Andthat,ofcourse,isimpossible.Idon\'tseewhatonearththeyaretodo.There\'sSidonia;theydosaythathe\'smakingsomedifficultynow.\'NowSidoniawasanothergiant,supposedtobeverypowerful.
\'WeallknowthattheQueenwon\'tseehim,\'saidGreenWalker,who,beingamemberofparliamentfortheCreweJunction,andnephewtoLordHartletop,ofcoursehadperfectlycorrectmeansofascertainingwhattheQueenwoulddo,andwhatshewouldnot.
\'Thefactis,\'saidHaroldSmith,recurringagaintohisownsituationasanejectedgod,\'thattheHousedoesnotintheleastunderstandwhatitisabout;——doesn\'tknowwhatitwants.ThequestionIwouldliketoaskthemisthis:dotheyintendthattheQueenshallhaveaGovernment,ordotheynot?AretheypreparedtosupportsuchmenasSidoniaandLordDeTerrier?Ifso,Iamtheirobedienthumbleservant;butIshallbeverymuchsurprised,that\'sall.\'LordDeTerrierwasatthistimerecognizedbyallmenastheleaderofthegiants.
\'AndsoshallI,deucedlysurprised.Theycan\'tdoit,youknow.
TherearetheManchestermen.Ioughttoknowsomethingaboutthemdowninmycountry;andIsaytheycan\'tsupportLordDeTerrier.
Itwouldn\'tbenatural.\'
\'Natural!Humannaturehascometoanend,Ithink,\'saidHaroldSmith,whocouldhardlyunderstandthattheworldshouldconspiretothrowoveraGovernmentwhichhehadjoined,andthat,too,beforetheworldhadwaitedtoseehowmuchhewoulddoforit;
\'thefactis,Walker,wehavenolongeramongusanystrongfeelingofparty.\'
\'No,notad-,\'saidGreenWalker,whowasveryenergeticinhispresentpoliticalaspirations.
\'Andtillwecanrecoverthat,weshallneverbeabletohaveaGovernmentfirm-seatedandsure-handed.Nobodycancountonmenfromoneweektoanother.Theverymemberswhoinonemonthplaceaministerinpower,aretheveryfirsttovoteagainsthiminthenext.\'
\'Wemustputastoptothatsortofthing,otherwiseweshallneverdoanygood.\'
\'Idon\'tmeantodenythatBrockwaswrongwithreferencetoLordBrittleback.Ithinkhewaswrong,andIsaidsoallthrough.But,heavensonearth——!\'andinsteadofcompletinghisspeech,HaroldSmithturnedawayhishead,andstruckhishandstogetherintokenofhisastonishmentatthefatuityoftheage.Whatheprobablymeanttoexpresswasthis:thatifsuchagooddeedasthatlateappointmentmadeatthePettyBagOfficewerenotheldsufficienttoatoneforthatotherevildeedtowhichhehadalluded,therewouldbeanendofjusticeinsublunarymatters.Wasnooffencetobeforgiven,evenwhensogreatvirtuehadbeendisplayed?\'I
attributeitalltoSupplehouse,\'saidGreenWalker,tryingtoconsolehisfriend.
\'Yes,\'saidHaroldSmith,nowvergingontheboundsofparliamentaryeloquence,althoughhestillspokewithbatedbreath,andtoonesolitaryhearer.\'Yes;wearebecomingtheslavesofamercenaryandirresponsiblepress——ofonesinglenewspaper.Thereisamanendowedwithnogreattalent,enjoyingnopublicconfidence,untrustedasapolitician,andunheardofevenasawriterbytheworldatlarge,andyet,becauseheisonthestaffoftheJupiter,heisabletooverturnaGovernmentandthrowthewholecountryintodismay.ItisastonishingtomethatamanlikeLordBrockshouldallowhimselftobesotimid.\'AndneverthelessitwasnotyetamonthsinceHaroldSmithhadbeencounsellingwithSupplehousehowaseriesofstrongarticlesintheJupiter,togetherwiththeexpectedsupportoftheManchestermen,mightprobablybeeffectiveinhurlingtheministerfromhisseat.Butatthattimetheministerhadnotrevigoratedhimselfwithyoungblood.\'HowtheQueen\'sGovernmentistobecarriedon,thatisthequestionnow,\'HaroldSmithrepeated.Adifficultywhichhadnotcausedhimmuchdismayatthatperiod,aboutamonthsince,towhichwehavealluded.AtthismomentSowerbyandSupplehousetogetherjoinedthem,havingcomeoutoftheHouse,inwhichsomeunimportantbusinesshadbeencompleted,aftertheminister\'snoticeofadjournment.
\'Well,Harold,\'saidSowerby,\'whatdoyousaytoyourgovernor\'sstatement?\'
\'Ihavenothingtosaytoit,\'saidHaroldSmith,lookingupverysolemnlyfromunderthepenthouseofhishat,and,perhapsrathersavagely.SowerbyhadsupportedtheGovernmentinthelatecrisis;
butwhywashenowseenherdingwithsuchaoneasSupplehouse?
\'Hediditprettywell,Ithink,\'saidSowerby.
\'Verywell,indeed,\'saidSupplehouse;\'ashealwaysdoesthosesortofthings.Nomanmakessogoodanexplanationofcircumstances,orcomesoutwithsotellingapersonalstatement.
Heoughttokeephimselfinreserveforthosesortofthings.\'
\'AndwhointhemeantimeistocarryontheQueen\'sGovernment?\'
saidHaroldSmith,lookingverystern.
\'Thatshouldbelefttomenoflessermark,\'saidheoftheJupiter.\'Thepointsastowhichonereallylistenstoaminister,thesubjectsaboutwhichmenreallycare,arealwayspersonal.HowmanyofusaretrulyinterestedastothebestmodeofgoverningIndia?Butinaquestiontouchingthecharacterofaprimeministerweallmustertogetherlikebeesroundasoundingcymbal.\'
\'Thatarisesfromenvy,malice,andalluncharitableness,\'saidHaroldSmith.
\'Yes;andfrompickingandstealing,evilspeaking,lying,andslandering,\'saidMrSowerby.
\'Wearesopronetodesireandcovetothermen\'splaces,\'saidSupplehouse.
\'Somemenareso,\'saidSowerby;\'butitistheevilspeaking,lying,andslandering,whichdoesthemischief.Isitnot,Harold?\'
\'Andinthemeantime,howistheQueen\'sGovernmenttobecarriedon?\'saidMrGreenWalker.OnthefollowingmorningitwasknownthatLordDeTerrierwaswiththeQueenatBuckinghamPalace,andatabouttwelvealistofthenewministrywaspublished,whichmusthavebeeninthehighestdegreesatisfactorytothewholebroodofgiants.EverysonofTelluswasincludedinit,aswerealsoverymanyofthedaughters.Butthen,lateintheafternoon,LordBrockwasagainsummonedtothepalace,anditwasthoughtintheWestEndamongtheclubsthatthegodshadagainachance.\'Ifonly,\'saidthePurist,aneveningpaperwhichwassupposedtobeverymuchintheinterestofMrHaroldSmith,\'ifonlyLordBrockcanhavethewisdomtoplacetherightmenintherightplaces.ItwasonlytheotherdaythatheintroducedMrSmithintohisGovernment.Thatthiswasastepintherightdirectioneveryoneacknowledged,thoughunfortunatelyitwasmadetoolatetopreventthedisturbancewhichhassinceoccurred.ItnowappearsprobablethathislordshipwillagainhaveanopportunityofselectingalistofstatesmenwithaviewofcarryingontheQueen\'sGovernment;anditistobehopedthatsuchmenasMrSmithmaybeplacedinsituationsinwhichtheirtalents,industry,andacknowledgedofficialaptitudes,maybeofpermanentservicetothecountry.\'Supplehouse,whenhereadthisattheclubwithMrSowerbyathiselbow,declaredthatthestylewastoowellmarkedtoleaveanydoubtastotheauthor;butweourselvesarenotinclinedtothinkthatMrHaroldSmithwrotethearticlehimself,althoughitmaybeprobablethathesawitintype.ButtheJupiterthenextmorningsettledthewholequestion,andmadeitknowntotheworldthat,inspiteofallthesendingsandresendings,LordBrockandthegodswerepermanentlyout,andLordDeTerrierandthegiantspermanentlyin.ThatfractiousgiantwhowouldonlygototheForeignOffice,had,infact,gonetosomesphereofmuchlessimportantduty,andSidonia,inspiteofthewhispereddislikeofanillustriouspersonage,openedthecampaignwithallthefullappanagesofagiantofthehigheststanding.\'Wehope,\'saidtheJupiter,\'thatLordBrockmaynotyetbetoooldtotakealesson.Ifso,thepresentdecisionoftheHouseofCommons,andwemaysayofthecountryalso,mayteachhimnottoputhistrustinsuchprincesasLordBrittleback,orsuchbrokenreedsasMrHaroldSmith.\'Nowthispartingblowwealwaysthoughttobeexceedinglyunkind,andaltogetherunnecessary,onthepartofMrSupplehouse.
\'Mydear,\'saidMrsHaroldSmith,whenshefirstmetMissDunstableafterthecatastrophewasknown,\'howamIpossiblytoendurethisdegradation?\'Andsheputherdeeplylacedhandkerchieftohereyes.
\'Christianresignation,\'suggestedMissDunstable.
\'Fiddlestick!\'saidMrsHaroldSmith.\'YoumillionairesalwaystalkofChristianresignation,becauseyouneverarecalledontoresignanything.IfIhadanyChristianresignation,Ishouldn\'thavecaredforsuchpompsandvanities.Thinkofit,mydear;aCabinetminister\'swifeforonlythreeweeks!\'
\'HowdoespoorMrSmithendureit?\'
\'What?Harold?Heonlylivesonthehopeofvengeance.WhenhehasputanendtoMrSupplehousehewillbecontenttodie.\'AndthentherewerefurtherexplanationsinbothHousesofParliament,whichwerealtogethersatisfactory.Thehigh-bred,courteousgiantsassuredthegodsthattheyhadpiledPeliononOssaandthusclimbedupintopower,verymuchinoppositiontotheirgood-wills;
forthey,thegiantsthemselves,preferredthesweetsofdignifiedretirement.Butthevoiceofthepeoplehadbeentoostrongforthem;theefforthadbeenmade,notbythemselves,butbyothers,whoweredeterminedthatthegiantsshouldbeattheheadofaffairs.Indeed,thespiritofthetimeswassoclearlyinfavourofgiantsthattherehadbeennoalternative.SosaidBriareustotheLordsandOriontotheCommons.Andthenthegodswereabsolutelyhappyincedingtheirplaces;andsofarweretheyfromanyuncelestialenvyormalicewhichmightnotbedivine,thattheypromisedtogivethegiantsalltheassistanceintheirpowerincarryingontheworkofthegovernment;uponwhichthegiantsdeclaredhowdeeplyindebtedtheywouldbeforsuchvaluablecounselandfriendlyassistance.Allthiswasdelightfulintheextreme;butnotthelessdidordinarymenseemtoexpectthattheusualbattlewouldgoonintheoldcustomaryway.Itiseasytoloveone\'senemywhenoneismakingfinespeeches;butsodifficulttodosointheactualeverydayworkoflife.Buttherewasandalwayshasbeenthispeculiargoodpointaboutthegiants,thattheyarenevertooproudtofollowinthefootstepsofthegods.
Ifthegods,deliberatingpainfullytogether,haveelaboratedanyskilfulproject,thegiantsarealwayswillingtoadoptitastheirown,nottreatingthebantlingasafosterchild,butpraisingitandpushingitsothatmenshouldregarditastheundoubtedoffspringoftheirownbrains.Nowjustatthistimetherehadbeenaplanmuchthoughtofforincreasingthenumberofbishops.
Goodactivebishopswereverydesirable,andtherewasastrongfeelingamongcertainexcellentChurchmenthattherecouldhardlybetoomanyofthem.LordBrockhadhismeasurescutanddry.
ThereshouldbeaBishopofWestminstertosharetheHerculeantoilsofthemetropolitanprelate,andanotherupintheNorthtoChristianizethemininginterestsandwashwhitetheblackamoorsofNewcastle:BishopofBeverleyheshouldbecalled.But,inoppositiontothis,thegiants,itwasknown,hadintendedtoputforththewholemeasureoftheirbruteforce.Morecurates,theysaid,werewanting,anddistrictincumbents;notmorebishopsrollingincarriages.Thatbishopsshouldrollincarriageswasverygood;butofsuchblessingstheEnglishworldforthepresenthadenough.AndthereforeLordBrockandthegodshadhadmuchfearastotheirlittleproject.Butnow,immediatelyontheaccessionofthegiants,itwasknownthatthebishopbillwastobegoneonwithimmediately.Somesmallchangeswouldbeeffectedsothatthebillshouldbegiganticratherthandivine;buttheresultwouldbealtogetherthesame.Itmust,however,beadmittedthatbishopsappointedbyourselvesmaybeverygoodthings,whereasthoseappointedbyouradversarieswillbeanythingbutgood.And,nodoubt,thisfeelingwentalongwaywiththegiants.Bethatasitmay,thenewbishopbillwastobetheirfirstworkofgovernment,anditwastobebroughtforwardandcarried,andthenewprelatesselectedandputintotheirchairsallatonce,——beforethegrouseshouldbegintocrowandputanendtothedoingsofgodsaswellasgiants.Amongotherminoreffectsarisingfromthisdecisionwasthefollowing,thatArchdeaconandMrsGrantlyreturnedtoLondon,andagaintookthelodgingsinwhichtheyhadbeenstaying.Onvariousoccasionsalsoduringthefirstweekofthissecondsojourn,DrGrantlymightbeseenenteringtheofficialchambersoftheFirstLordoftheTreasury.
MuchcounselwasnecessaryamongHigh-Churchmenofgreatreputebeforeanyfixedresolutioncouldwiselybemadeinsuchamatterasthis;andfewChurchmenstoodinhigherreputethantheArchdeaconofBarchester.AndthenitbegantoberumouredintheworldthattheministerhaddisposedatanyrateoftheseeofWestminster.ThispresenttimewasaverynervousoneforMrsGrantly.Whatmightbetheaspirationsofthearchdeaconhimself,wewillnotstoptoinquire.Itmaybethattimeandexperiencehadtaughthimthefutilityofearthlyhonours,andmadehimcontentwiththecomfortableopulenceofhisBarsetshirerectory.
ButthereisnotheoryofChurchdisciplinewhichmakesitnecessarythataclergyman\'swifeshouldhaveanobjectiontoabishopric.Thearchdeaconprobablywasonlyanxioustogiveadisinterestedaidtotheminister,butMrsGrantlydidlongtositinhighplaces,andbeatanyrateequaltoMrsProudie.Itwasforherchildren,shesaidtoherself,thatshewasthusanxious——
thattheyshouldhaveagoodpositionbeforetheworldandthemeansofmakingthebestofthemselves.\'Oneisabletodonothing,youknow,shutupthere,downatPlumstead,\'shehadremarkedtoLadyLuftonontheoccasionofherfirstvisittoLondon,andyetthetimewasnotlongpastwhenshehadthoughtthatrectoryhouseatPlumsteadtobebynomeansinsufficientorcontemptible.AndthentherecamethequestionwhetherornoGriseldashouldgobacktohermother;butthisideawasverystronglyopposedbyLadyLufton,andultimatelywithsuccess.
\'Ireallythinkthedeargirlisveryhappywithme,\'saidLadyLufton;\'andifeversheistobelongtomemoreclosely,itwillbesowellthatweshouldknowandloveoneanother.\'
Totellthetruth,LadyLuftonhadbeentryinghardtoknowandloveGriselda,buthithertoshehadscarcelysucceededtothefullextentofherwishes.ThatshelovedGriseldawascertain,——withthatsortoflovewhichspringsfromaperson\'svolitionandnotfromthejudgement.ShehadsaidallalongtoherselfandothersthatshedidloveGriseldaGrantly.Shehadadmiredtheyounglady\'sface,likedhermanner,approvedofherfortuneandfamily,andhadselectedherforadaughter-in-lawinasomewhatimpetuousmanner.Thereforeshelovedher.ButitwasbynomeanscleartoLadyLuftonthatshedidasyetknowheryoungfriend.Thematchwasaplanofherown,andthereforeshestucktoitaswarmlyasever,butshebegantohavesomemisgivingswhetherornothedeargirlwouldbetoherherselfallthatshehaddreamedofinadaughter-in-law.\'But,dearLadyLufton,\'saidMrsGrantly,\'isitnotpossiblethatwemayputheraffectionstotoosevereatest?
What,ifsheshouldlearntoregardhim,andthen——\'
\'Ah!ifshedid,Ishouldhavenofearoftheresult.IfsheshowedanythinglikeloveforLudovic,hewouldbeatherfeetinamoment.Heisimpulsive,butsheisnot.\'
\'Exactly,LadyLufton.Itishisprivilegetobeimpulsiveandtosueforheraffection,andherstohaveherlovesoughtforwithoutmakinganydemonstration.Itisperhapsthefaultofyoungladiesofthepresentdaythattheyaretooimpulsive.Theyassumeprivilegeswhicharenottheirown,andthuslosethosewhichare.\'
\'Quitetrue!Iquiteagreewithyou.ItisprobablythatveryfeelingthathasmademethinksohighlyofGriselda.Butthen——\'
Butthenayounglady,thoughsheneednotjumpdownagentleman\'sthroat,orthrowherselfintohisface,maygivesomesignsthatsheismadeoffleshandblood;especiallywhenherpapaandmammaallbelongingtoheraresoanxioustomakethatpathofherloverunsmooth.ThatwaswhatwaspassingthroughLadyLufton\'smind;
butshedidnotsayitall;shemerelylookedit.
\'Idon\'tthinkshewilleverallowherselftoindulgeinanunauthorizedpassion,\'saidMrsGrantly.
\'Iamsureshewillnot,\'saidLadyLufton,withreadyagreement,fearingperhapsinherheartthatGriseldawouldneverindulgeinanypassionauthorizedorunauthorized.
\'Idon\'tknowwhetherLordLuftonseesmuchofhernow,\'saidMrsGrantly,thinkingperhapsofthatpromiseofLadyLufton\'swithreferencetohislordship\'ssparetime.
\'Justlately,duringthesechanges,youknow,everybodyhasbeensomuchengaged.LudovichasbeenconstantlyattheHouse,andthenmenfinditsonecessarytobeattheirclubsjustnow.\'
\'Yes,yes,ofcourse,\'saidMrsGrantly,whowasnotatalldisposedtothinklittleoftheimportanceofthepresentcrisis,ortowonderthatmenshouldcongregatetogetherwhensuchdeedsweretobedoneasthosewhichnowoccupiedthebreastsoftheQueen\'sadvisers.Atlast,however,thetwomothersperfectlyunderstoodeachother.GriseldawasstilltoremainwithLadyLufton;andwastoacceptherladyship\'sson,ifhecouldonlybeinducedtoexercisehisprivilegeofaskingher;butinthemeantime,asthisseemedtobedoubtful,Griseldawasnottobedebarredfromherprivilegeofmakingwhatuseshecouldofanyotherstringwhichshemighthavetoherbow.
\'But,mamma,\'saidGriselda,inamomentofunwatchedintercoursebetweenthemotheranddaughter,\'isitreallytruethattheyaregoingtomakepapaabishop?\'
\'Wecantellnothingasyet,mydear.Peopleintheworldaretalkingaboutit.YourpapahasbeenagooddealwithLordDeTerrier.\'
\'Andisn\'thePrimeMinister?\'
\'Oh,yes;Iamhappytosaythatheis.\'
\'IthoughtthePrimeMinistercouldmakeanyoneabishopthathechooses,——anyclergyman,thatis.\'
\'Butthereisnoseevacant,\'saidMrsGrantly.
\'Thenthereisn\'tanychance,\'saidGriselda,lookingveryglum.
\'TheyaregoingtohaveanActofParliamentformakingtwomorebishops.That\'swhattheyaretalkingaboutatleast.Andiftheydo——\'
\'PapawillbemadeBishopofWestminster——won\'the?AndweshallliveinLondon.\'
\'Butyoumustnottalkaboutit,mydear.\'
\'No,Iwon\'t.But,mamma,aBishopofWestminsterwillbehigherthanaBishopofBarchester,won\'the?IshallsoliketobeabletosnubtheMissProudies.\'ItwillthereforebeseenthatthereweremattersonwhichevenGriseldaGrantlycouldbeanimated.LiketherestofherfamilyshewasdevotedtotheChurch.LateonthatafternoonthearchdeaconreturnedhometodineinMountStreet,havingspentthewholeofthedaybetweentheTreasurychambers,ameetingofConvocation,andhisclub.Andwhenhedidgethomeitwassoonmanifesttohiswifethathewasnotladenwithgoodnews.\'Itisalmostincredible,\'hesaid,standingwithhisbacktothedrawing-roomfire.
\'Whatisincredible?\'saidhiswife,sharingherhusband\'sanxietytothefull.
\'IfIhadnotlearneditasafact,Iwouldnothavebelievedit,evenofLordBrock,\'saidthearchdeacon.
\'Learnedwhat?\'saidtheanxiouswife.
\'Afterall,theyaregoingtoopposethebill.\'
\'Impossible!\'saidMrsGrantly.
\'Buttheyare.\'
\'Thebillforthetwonewbishops,archdeacon?Opposetheirownbill?\'
\'Yes——opposetheirownbill.Itisalmostincredible;butsoitis.Somechangeshavebeenforceduponus;littlethingswhichtheyhadforgotten——quiteminormatters;andtheynowsaythattheywillbeobligedtodivideagainstusonthesetwopenny-halfpenny,hair-splittingpoints.ItisLordBrock\'sowndoingtoo,afterallthathehassaidaboutabstainingfromfactiousoppositiontotheGovernment.\'
\'Ibelievethereisnothingtoobadortoofalseforthatman,\'
saidMrsGrantly.
\'Afteralltheysaid,too,whentheywereinpowerthemselves,astothepresentGovernmentopposingthecauseofreligion!TheydeclarenowthatLordDeTerriercannotbeveryanxiousaboutit,ashehadsomanygoodreasonsagainstitafewweeksago.Isitnotdreadfulthatthereshouldbesuchdouble-dealinginmeninsuchpositions?\'
\'Itissickening,\'saidMrsGrantly.Andthentherewasapausebetweenthemasthethoughtoftheinjurythatwasdonetothem.
\'But,archdeacon——\'
\'Well?\'
\'Couldyounotgiveupthosesmallpointsandshamethemintocompliance?\'
\'Nothingwouldshamethem.\'
\'Butwoulditnotbewelltotry?\'Thegamewassogoodaone,andthestakesoimportant,thatMrsGrantlyfeltthatitwouldbeworthplayingfortothelast.
\'Itisnogood.\'
\'ButIcertainlywouldsuggestittoLordDeTerrier.Iamsurethecountrywouldgoalongwithhim;atanyratetheChurchwould.\'
\'Itisimpossible,\'saidthearchdeacon.\'Totellthetruth,itdidoccurtome.Butsomeofthemdownthereseemedtothinkthatitwouldnotdo.\'MrsGrantlysatawhileonthesofa,stillmeditatinginhermindwhethertheremightnotyetbesomeescapefromsoterribleadownfall.
\'But,archdeacon——\'
\'I\'llgoupstairsanddress,\'saidhe,indespondency.
\'But,archdeacon,surelythepresentministrymayhaveamajorityonsuchasubjectasthat;Ithoughttheyweresureofamajoritynow.\'
\'No;notsure.\'
\'Butatanyratethechancesareintheirfavour?Idohopethey\'lldotheirduty,andexertthemselvestokeeptheirmemberstogether.\'Andthenthearchdeacontoldoutthewholetruth.
\'LordDeTerriersaysthatunderthepresentcircumstanceshewillnotbringthematterforwardthissessionatall.SowehadbettergobacktoPlumstead.\'MrsGrantlythenfeltthattherewasnothingfurthertobesaid,anditwillbeproperthatthehistorianshoulddropaveilovertheirsufferings.
CHAPTERXXIV
MAGNAESTVERITAS
ItwasmadeknowntothereaderthatintheearlypartofthewinterMrSowerbyhadaschemeforretrievinghislostfortunes,andsettinghimselfrightintheworld,bymarryingthatrichheiress,MissDunstable.IfearmyfriendSowerbydoesnot,atpresent,standhighintheestimationofthosewhohavecomewithmethusfarinthisnarrative.Hehasbeendescribedasaspendthriftandgambler,andasonescarcelyhonestinhisextravaganceandgambling.ButneverthelessthereareworsementhanMrSowerby,andIamnotpreparedtosaythat,shouldhebesuccessfulwithMissDunstable,thatladywouldchoosebyanymeanstheworstofthesuitorswhoarecontinuallythrowingthemselvesatherfeet.Recklessasthismanalwaysappearedtobe,recklessasheabsolutelywas,therewasstillwithinhisheartadesireforbetterthings,andinhismindanunderstandingthathehadhithertomissedthecareerofanhonestEnglishgentleman.Hewasproudofhispositionasamemberforhiscounty,thoughhithertohehaddonesolittletograceit;hewasproudofhisdomainatChaldicotes,thoughthepossessionofithadsonearlypassedoutofhisownhands;hewasproudoftheoldbloodthatflowedinhisveins;andhewasproudalsoofthateasy,comfortable,gaymanner,whichwentsofarintheworld\'sjudgementtoatoneforhisextravaganceandevilpractices.Ifonlyhecouldgetanotherchance,ashenowsaidtohimself,thingsshouldgoverydifferentlywithhim.HewouldutterlyforswearthewholecompanyofTozers.Hewouldceasetodealinbills,andtopayHeavenonlyknowshowmanyhundredpercentumforhismoneys.Hewouldnolongerpreyuponhisfriends,andwouldredeemhistitle-deedsfromtheDukeofOmnium.Ifonlyhecouldgetanotherchance!MissDunstable\'sfortunewoulddoallthisandeversomuchmore,andthen,moreover,MissDunstablewasawomanwhomhereallyliked.
Shewasnotsoft,feminine,orpretty,norwassheveryyoung;butshewasclever,self-possessed,andquiteabletoholdherowninanyclass;andastoage,MrSowerbywasnotveryyounghimself.
Inmakingsuchamatchhewouldhavenocauseofshame.Hecouldspeakofitbeforehisfriendswithoutanyfearoftheirgrimaces,andaskthemtohishouse,withthefullassurancethattheheadofhistablewouldnotdisgracehim.Andthenastheschemegrewclearerandclearertohim,hedeclaredtohimselfthatifheshouldbesuccessful,hewoulduseherwell,andnotrobherofhermoney——beyondwhatwasabsolutelynecessary.HehadintendedtohavelaidhisfortunesatherfeetatChaldicotes;buttheladyhadbeencoy.ThenthedeedwastohavebeendoneatGatherumCastle,buttheladyranawayfromGatherumCastlejustatthetimeonwhichhehadfixed.Andsincethat,onecircumstanceafteranotherhadpostponedtheaffairinLondon,tillnowatlasthewasresolvedthathewouldknowhisfate,letitbewhatitmight.
Ifhecouldnotcontrivethatthingsshouldspeedilybearranged,itmightcometopassthathewouldbealtogetherdebarredfrompresentinghimselftotheladyasMrSowerbyofChaldicotes.
Tidingshadreachedhim,throughMrFothergill,thatthedukewouldbegladtohavemattersarranged;andMrSowerbywellknewthemeaningofthatmessage.
MrSowerbywasnotfightingthiscampaignalone,withouttheaidofanally.Indeed,nomaneverhadamoretrustyallyinanycampaignthanhehadinthis.Anditwasthisally,theonlyfaithfulcomradethatclungtohimthroughgoodandillduringhiswholelife,whofirstputitintohisheadthatMissDunstablewasawomanandmightbemarried.\'Ahundredneedyadventurershaveattemptedit,andfailedalready,\'MrSowerbyhadsaid,whentheplanwasfirstproposedtohim.
\'But,nevertheless,shewillsomedaymarrysomeone;andwhynotyouaswellasanother?\'hissisterhadanswered.ForMrsHaroldSmithwastheallyofwhomIhavespoken.MrsHaroldSmith,whatevermayhavebeenherfaults,couldboastofthisvirtue——thatshelovedherbrother.Hewasprobablytheonlyhumanbeingthatshedidlove.Childrenshehadnone;andasforherhusband,ithadneveroccurredtohertolovehim.Shehadmarriedhimforaposition;andbeingacleverwoman,withagooddigestionandcommandofhertemper,hadmanagedtogetthroughtheworldwithoutmuchofthatunhappinesswhichusuallyfollowsill-assortedmarriages.Athomeshemanagedtokeeptheupperhand,butshedidsoinaneasy,good-humouredwaythatmadeherrulebearable;andawayfromhomesheassistedherlord\'spoliticalstanding,thoughshelaughedmorekeenlythananyoneelseathisfoibles.Butthelordofherheartwasherbrother;andinallhisscrapes,allhisextravagances,andallhisrecklessness,shehadeverbeenwillingtoassisthim.WiththeviewofdoingthisshehadsoughttheintimacyofMissDunstable,andforthelastyearpasthadindulgedeverycapriceofthatlady.Orrather,shehadhadthewittolearnthatMissDunstablewastobewon,notbytheindulgenceofcaprice,butbyfreeandeasyintercourse,withadashoffun,and,atanyrate,asemblanceofhonesty.MrsHaroldSmithwasnot,perhaps,herselfveryhonestbydisposition;butintheselatterdaysshehadtakenupatheoryofhonestyforthesakeofMissDunstable——notaltogetherinvain,forMissDunstableandMrsHaroldSmithwereveryintimate.
\'IfIamtodoitatall,Imustnotwaitanylonger,\'saidMrSowerbytohissisteradayortwoafterthefinalbreakdownofthegods.Theaffectionofthesisterforthebrothermaybeimaginedfromthefactthatatsuchatimeshecouldgiveuphermindtosuchasubject.But,intruth,herhusband\'spositionasCabinetministerwasasnothingascomparedwithherbrother\'spositionasacountygentleman.\'Onetimeisasgoodasanother.\'
\'Youmeanthatyouwouldadvisemetoaskheratonce.\'
\'Certainly.Butyoumustremember,Nat,thatyouwillhavenoeasytask.Itwillnotdoforyoutokneeldownandswearthatyouloveher.\'
\'IfIdoitatall,Ishallcertainlydoitwithoutkneeling——youmaybesureofthat,Harriet.\'
\'Yes,andwithoutswearingthatyouloveher.ThereisonlyonewayinwhichyoucanbesuccessfulwithMissDunstable——youmusttellherthetruth.\'
\'What!tellherthatIamruined,horse,foot,anddragoons,andthenbidherhelpmeoutofthemire?\'
\'Exactly:thatwillbeyouronlychance,strangeasitmayappear.\'
\'Thisisverydifferentfromwhatyouusedtosay,downatChaldicotes.\'
\'Soitis;butIknowhermuchbetterthanIdidwhenwewerethere.SincethenIhavedonebutlittleelsethanstudythefreaksofhercharacter.Ifshereallylikesyou——andIthinkshedoes——shecouldforgiveyouanyothercrimebutthatofswearingthatyoulovedher.\'
\'Ishouldhardlyknowhowtoproposewithoutsayingsomethingaboutit.\'
\'Butyoumustsaynothing——notaword;youmusttellherthatyouareagentlemanofgoodbloodandhighstation,butsadlyoutatelbows.\'
\'Sheknowsthatalready.\'
\'Ofcourseshedoes;butshemustknowitascomingdirectlyfromyourmouth.Andthentellherthatyouproposetosetyourselfrightbymarryingher——bymarryingherforthesakeofhermoney.\'
\'Thatwillhardlywinher,Ishouldsay.\'
\'Ifitdoesnot,nootherway,thatIknowof,willdoso.AsI
toldyoubefore,itwillbenoeasytask.Ofcourseyoumustmakeherunderstandthatherhappinessshallbecaredfor;butthatmustnotbeputprominentlyforwardasyourobject.Yourfirstobjectishermoney,andyouronlychanceforsuccessisintellingthetruth.\'
\'Itisveryseldomthatamanfindshimselfinsuchapositionasthat,\'saidSowerby,walkingupanddownhissister\'sroom;\'and,uponmyword,Idon\'tthinkthatIamuptothetask.Ishouldcertainlybreakdown.Idon\'tbelievethere\'samaninLondoncouldgotoawomanwithsuchastoryasthat,andthenaskhertomarryhim.\'
\'Ifyoucannot,youmayaswellgiveitup,\'saidMrsHaroldSmith.\'Butifyoucandoit——ifyoucangothroughwithitinthatmanner——myownopinionisthatyourchanceofsuccesswouldnotbebad.Thefactis,\'addedthesisterafterawhile,duringwhichherbrotherwascontinuinghiswalkandmeditatingonthedifficultiesofhisposition——\'thefactis,youmenneverunderstandawoman;yougivehercreditneitherforherstrength,norforherweakness.Youaretoobold,andtootimid:youthinksheisafoolandtellherso,andyetnevercantrusthertodoakindaction.Whyshouldshenotmarryyouwiththeintentionofdoingyouagoodturn?Afterall,shewouldloseverylittle:
thereistheestate,andifsheredeemedit,itwouldbelongtoheraswellasyou.\'
\'Itwouldbeagoodturn,indeed.IfearIshouldbetoomodesttoputittoherinthatway.\'
\'Herpositionwouldbemuchbetterasyourwifethanitisatpresent.Youaregood-humouredandgood-tempered,youwouldintendtotreatherwell,and,onthewhole,shewouldbemuchhappierasMrsSowerby,ofChaldicotes,thanshecanbeinherpresentposition.\'
\'Ifshecaredaboutbeingmarried,Isupposeshecouldbeapeer\'swifeto-morrow.\'
\'ButIdon\'tthinkshecaresaboutbeingapeer\'swife.AneedypeermightperhapswinherinthewaythatIproposetoyou;butthenaneedypeerwouldnotknowhowtosetaboutit.Needypeershavetried——halfadozenIhavenodoubt——andhavefailed,becausetheyhavepretendedthattheywereinlovewithher.Itmaybedifficult,butyouronlychanceistotellherthetruth.\'
\'AndwhereshallIdoit?\'
\'Hereifyouchoose;butherownhousewillbebetter.\'
\'ButInevercanseeherthere——atleast,notalone.Ibelievesheisneveralone.Shealwayskeepsalotofpeopleroundherinordertostaveoffherlovers.Uponmyword,Harriet,IthinkI\'llgiveitup.ItisimpossiblethatIshouldmakesuchadeclarationtoherasthatyoupropose.\'
\'Faintheart,Nat——youknowtherest.\'
\'Butthepoetneveralludedtosuchawooingasthatyouhavesuggested.IsupposeIhadbetterbeginwithascheduleofmydebts,andmakereference,ifshedoubtsme,toFothergill,thesheriff\'sofficers,andtheTozerfamily.\'
\'Shewillnotdoubtyou,onthathead;norwillshebeabitsurprised.\'Thentherewasagainapause,duringwhichMrSowerbystillwalkedupanddowntheroom,thinkingwhetherornohemightpossiblyhaveanychanceofsuccessinsohazardousanenterprise.
\'Itellyouwhat,Harriet,\'atlasthesaid;\'Iwishyou\'ddoitforme.\'
\'Well,\'saidshe,\'ifyoureallymeanit,Iwillmaketheattempt.\'
\'Iamsureofthis,thatIshallnevermakeitmyself.I
positivelyshouldnothavethecouragetotellherinsomanywords,thatIwantedtomarryherforhermoney.\'
\'Well,Nat,Iwillattemptit.Atanyrate,Iamnotafraidofher.SheandIareexcellentfriends,and,totellthetruth,I
thinkIlikeherbetterthananyotherwomanthatIknow;butI
nevershouldhavebeenintimatewithher,haditnotbeenforyoursake.\'
\'Andnowyouwillhavetoquarrelwithher,alsoformysake?\'
\'Notatall.You\'llfindthatwhethersheaccedestomypropositionornot,weshallcontinuetobefriends.Idonotthinkthatshewoulddieforme——norIforher.Butastheworldgoeswesuiteachother.Suchalittletrifleasthiswillnotbreakourloves.\'Andsoitwassettled.OnthefollowingdayMrsHaroldSmithwastofindanopportunityofexplainingthewholemattertoMissDunstable,andwastoaskthatladytoshareherfortune——someincrediblenumberofthousandsofpounds——withthebankruptmemberforWestBarsetshire,whoinreturnwastobestowonher——himselfandhisdebts.MrsHaroldSmithhadspokennomorethanthetruthinsayingthatsheandMissDunstablesuitedoneanother.Andshehadnotimproperlydescribedtheirfriendship.
Theywerenotpreparedtodie,oneforthesakeoftheother.Theyhadsaidnothingtoeachotherofmutualloveandaffection.Theyneverkissed,orcried,ormadespeeches,whentheymetorwhentheyparted.Therewasnogreatbenefitforwhicheitherhadtobegratefultotheother;noterribleinjurywhicheitherhadforgiven.Buttheysuitedeachother;andthis,Itakeit,isthesecretofmostofpleasantestintercourseintheworld.Anditwasalmostgrievousthattheyshouldsuiteachother,forMissDunstablewasmuchtheworthierofthetwo,hadshebutknownitherself.ItwasalmosttobelamentedthatsheshouldhavefoundherselfabletolivewithMrsHaroldSmithontermsthatwereperfectlysatisfactorytoherself.MrsHaroldSmithwasworldly,heartless——toalltheworldbutherbrother——and,ashasbeenabovehinted,almostdishonest.MissDunstablewasnotworldly,thoughitwaspossiblethatherpresentstyleoflifemightmakeherso;
shewasaffectionate,fondoftruth,andpronetohonesty,ifthosearoundwouldbutallowhertoexerciseit.Butshewasfondofeaseandhumour,sometimesofwitthatmightalmostbecalledbroad,andshehadathoroughloveofridiculingtheworld\'shumbugs.InallthepropensitiesMrsHaroldSmithindulgedher.
Underthesecircumstancestheywerenowtogetheralmosteveryday.
IthadbecomequiteahabitwithMrsHaroldSmithtohaveherselfdrivenearlyintheforenoontoMissDunstable\'shouse;andthatlady,thoughshecouldneverbefoundalonebyMrSowerby,washabituallysofoundbyhissister.Andafterthattheywouldgoouttogether,oreachseparatelyasfancyorthebusinessofthedaymightdirectthem.Eachwaseasytotheotherinthisalliance,andtheysomanagedthattheynevertrodoneachother\'scorns.OnthedayfollowingtheagreementmadebetweenMrSowerbyandMrsHaroldSmith,thatladyasusualcalledonMissDunstable,andsoonfoundherselfalonewithherfriendinasmallroomwhichtheheiresskeptsolelyforherownpurposes.Onspecialoccasionspersonsofvarioussortswerethereadmitted;occasionallyaparsonwhohadachurchtobuild,oradowagerladenwiththelastmorseloftownslander,orapoorauthorwhocouldnotgetduepaymentfortheeffortsofhisbrain,orapoorgovernessonwhosefeeblestaminatheweightoftheworldhadbornetoohardly.Butmenwhobypossibilitycouldbeloversdidnotmaketheirwaythither,norwomenwhocouldbebores.Intheselatterdays,thatis,duringthepresentLondonseason,thedoorsofithadbeenofteneropentoMrsHaroldSmiththantoanyotherperson.Andnowtheeffortwastobemadewiththeobjectofwhichallthisintimacyhadbeeneffected.Asshecamethitherinhercarriage,MrsHaroldSmithherselfwasnotaltogetherdevoidofthatsinkingoftheheartwhichissofrequentlytheforerunnerofanydifficultandhazardousundertaking.Shehaddeclaredthatshewouldfeelnofearinmakingthelittleproposition.Butshedidfeelsomethingverylikeit:andwhenshemadeherentranceintothelittleroomshecertainlywishedthattheworkwasdoneandover.
\'HowispoorMrSmithto-day?\'askedMissDunstable,withanairofmockcondolence,asherfriendseatedherselfinheraccustomedeasychair.Thedownfallofthegodswasasyetahistoryhardlythreedaysold,anditmightwellbesupposedthatthelateofthePettyBaghadhardlyrecoveredfromhismisfortune.\'Well,heisbetter,Ithink,thismorning;atleastIshouldjudgesofromthemannerinwhichheconfrontedhiseggs.ButstillIdon\'tlikethewayhehandlesthecarving-knife.IamsureheisalwaysthinkingofMrSupplehouseatthosemoments.\'
\'Poorman!ImeanSupplehouse.Afterall,whyshouldn\'thefollowhistradeaswellasanother?Liveandletlive,that\'swhatI
say.\'
\'Aye,butit\'skillandletkillwithhim.ThatiswhatHoracesays.However,Iamtiredofallthatnow,andIcamehereto-daytotalkaboutsomethingelse.\'
\'IratherlikeMrSupplehousemyself,\'exclaimedMissDunstable.
\'Henevermakesanybonesaboutthematter.Hehasacertainworktodo,andacertaincausetoserve——namely,hisown;andinordertodothatwork,andservethatcause,heusessuchweaponsasGodhasplacedinhishands.\'
\'That\'swhatthewildbeastsdo.\'
\'Andwherewillyoufindmenhonesterthanthey?Thetigertearsyouupbecauseheishungryandwantstoeatyou.That\'swhatSupplehousedoes.Buttherearesomanyamongustearinguponeanotherwithoutanyexcuseofhunger.Themerepleasureofdestroyingisreasonenough.
\'Well,mydear,mymissiontoyouto-dayiscertainlynotoneofdestruction,asyouwilladmitwhenyouhearit.Itisone,rather,veryabsolutelyofsalvation.Ihavecometomakelovetoyou.\'
\'Thenthesalvation,Isuppose,isnotformyself,\'saidMissDunstable.ItwasquitecleartoMrsHaroldSmiththatMissDunstablehadimmediatelyunderstoodthewholepurportofthisvisit,andthatshewasnotinanygreatmeasuresurprised.Itdidnotseemfromthetoneoftheheiress\'svoice,orfromtheseriouslookwhichatoncesettledonherface,thatshewouldbepreparedtogiveveryreadycompliance.Butthengreatobjectscanonlybewonwithgreatefforts.
\'That\'sasmaybe,\'saidMrsHaroldSmith.\'Foryouandanotheralso,Ihope.ButItrust,atanyrate,thatImaynotoffendyou?\'
\'Oh,laws,no;nothingofthatkindeveroffendsmenow.\'
\'Well,Isupposeyou\'reusedtoit.\'
\'Liketheeels,mydear.Idon\'tmindittheleastintheworld——onlysometimes,youknow,itisalittletedious.\'
\'I\'llendeavourtoavoidthat,soImayaswellbreaktheiceatonce.YouknowenoughofNathaniel\'saffairstobeawarethatheisnotaveryrichman.\'
\'Sinceyoudoaskmeaboutit,Isupposethere\'snoharminsayingthatIbelievehimtobeaverypoorman.\'
\'Nottheleastharmintheworld,butjustthereverse.Whatevermaycomeofthis,mywishisthatthetruthshouldbetoldscrupulouslyonallsides;thetruth,thewholetruth,andnothingbutthetruth.\'
\'Magnaestveritas,\'saidMissDunstable.\'TheBishopofBarchestertaughtmeasmuchLatinasthatatChaldicotes;andhedidaddsomemore,buttherewasalongword,andIforgotit.\'
\'Thebishopwasquiteright,mydear,I\'msure.ButifyougotoyourLatin,I\'mlost.Aswewerejustnowsaying,mybrother\'specuniaryaffairsareinaverybadstate.Hehasabeautifulpropertyofhisown,whichhasbeeninthefamilyforIcan\'tsayhowmanycenturies——longbeforetheConquest,Iknow.\'
\'Iwonderwhatmyancestorswerethen?\'
\'Itdoesnotmuchsignifytoanyofus,\'saidMrsHaroldSmith,withamoralshakeofherhead,\'whatourancestorswere;butit\'sasadthingtoseeanoldpropertygotoruin.\'
\'Yes,indeed;wenoneofusliketoseeourpropertygoingtoruin,whetheritbeoldornew.Ihavesomeofthatsortoffeelingalready,althoughminewasonlymadetheotherdayoutofanapothecary\'sshop.\'
\'GodforbidthatIshouldeverhelpyouruinit,\'saidMrsHaroldSmith.\'Ishouldbesorrytobethemeansofyourlosingaten-poundnote.\'
\'Magnaestveritas,asthedearbishopsaid,\'exclaimedMissDunstable.\'Letushavethetruth,thewholetruth,andnothingbutthetruth,asweagreedjustnow.\'MrsHaroldSmithdidbegintofindthatthetaskbeforeherwasdifficult.TherewasahardnessaboutMissDunstablewhenmattersofbusinesswereconcernedonwhichitseemedalmostimpossibletomakeanyimpression.ItwasnotthatshehadevincedanydeterminationtorefusethetenderofMrSowerby\'shand;butshewassopainfullyresolutenottohavedustthrowninhereyes!MrsHaroldSmithhadcommencedwithamindfixeduponavoidingwhatshecalledhumbug;
butthissortofhumbughadbecomesoprominentapartofherusualrhetoric,thatshefounditveryhardtoabandonit.\'Andthat\'swhatIwish,\'saidshe.\'Ofcoursemychiefobjectistosecuremybrother\'shappiness.\'
\'That\'sveryunkindtopoorMrHaroldSmith.\'
\'Well,well,well——youknowwhatImean.\'
\'Yes,IthinkIdoknowwhatyoumean.Yourbrotherisagentlemanofgoodfamily,butofnomeans.\'
\'Notquiteasbadasthat.\'
\'Ofembarrassedmeans,then,oranythingthatyouwill;whereasI
amaladyofnofamily,butofsufficientwealth.Youthinkthatifyoubroughtustogetherandmadeamatchofit,itwouldbeaverygoodthingfor——forwhom?\'saidMissDunstable.
\'Yes,exactly,\'saidMrsHaroldSmith.
\'Forwhichofus?RememberthebishopnowandhisnicelittlebitofLatin.\'
\'ForNathanielthen,\'saidMrsHaroldSmith,boldly.\'Itwouldbeaverygoodthingforhim.\'Andaslightsmilecameacrossherfaceasshesaidit.\'Nowthat\'shonest,orthemischiefisinit.\'
\'Yes,that\'shonestenough.Anddidhesendyouheretotellmethis?\'
\'Well,hedidthat,andsomethingelse.\'
\'Andnowlet\'shavethesomethingelse.Thereallyimportantpart,Ihavenodoubt,hasbeenspoken.\'
\'No,bynomeans,bynomeansallofit.Butyouaresohardonone,mydear,withyourrunningafterhonesty,thatoneisnotabletotelltherealfactsastheyare.Youmakeonespeakinsuchabald,nakedway.\'
\'Ah,youthinkthatanythingnakedmustbeindecent;eventruth.\'
\'Ithinkitismoreproper-looking,andbettersuited,too,fortheworld\'swork,whenitgoesaboutwithsomesortofgarmentonit.
Wearesousedtoaleavenoffalsehoodinallwehearandsay,nowadays,thatnothingismorelikelytodeceiveusthantheabsolutetruth.Ifashopkeepertoldmethathiswaresweresimplymiddling,ofcourse,Ishouldthinkthattheywerenotworthafarthing.Butallthathasnothingtodowithmypoorbrother.
Well,whatwasIsaying?\'
\'Youweregoingtotellmehowwellhewilluseme,nodoubt.\'
\'Somethingofthatkind.\'
\'Thathewouldn\'tbeatme;orspendallmymoneyifImanagedtohaveittiedupoutofhispower;orlookdownonmewithcontemptbecausemyfatherwasanapothecary!Wasnotthatwhatyouweregoingtosay?\'
\'IwasgoingtotellyouthatyoumightbemorehappyasMrsSowerbyofChaldicotesthanyoucanbeasMissDunstable——\'
\'OfMountLebanon.AndhadMrSowerbynoothermessagetosend?——nothingaboutlove,oranythingofthatsort?Ishouldlike,youknow,tounderstandwhathisfeelingsarebeforeItakesuchaleap.\'
\'Idobelievehehasastruearegardforyouasanymanofhisagedoeshave——\'
\'Foranywomanofmine.Thatisnotputtingitinaverydevotedwaycertainly;butIamgladtoseethatyourememberthebishop\'smaxim.\'
\'Whatwouldyouhavemesay?IfItoldyouthathewasdyingforlove,youwouldsay,Iwastryingtocheatyou;andnowbecauseI
don\'ttellyouso,yousaythatheiswantingofdevotion.Imustsayyouarehardtoplease.\'
\'PerhapsIam,andveryunreasonableintothebargain.Ioughttoasknoquestionsofthekindwhenyourbrotherproposestodomesomuchhonour.Asformyexpectingtheloveofamanwhocondescendstowishtobemyhusband,that,ofcourse,wouldbemonstrous.WhatrightcanIhavetothinkthatanymanshouldloveme?ItoughttobeenoughformetoknowthatasIamrich,Icangetahusband.
WhatbusinesscansuchasIhavetoinquirewhetherthegentlemanwhowouldsohonourmereallywouldlikemycompany,orwouldonlydeigntoputupwithmypresenceinthehousehold?\'
\'Now,mydearMissDunstable——\'
\'OfcourseIamnotsomuchanasstoexpectthatanygentlemanshouldloveme;andIfeelthatIoughttobeobligedtoyourbrotherforsparingmethestringofcomplimentarydeclarationswhichareusualonsuchoccasions.He,atanyrate,isnottedious——orratheryouonhisbehalf;fornodoubthisowntimeissooccupiedwithhisparliamentarydutiesthathecannotattendtothislittlematterhimself.Idofeelgratefultohim;andperhapsnothingmorewillbenecessarythantogivehimascheduleoftheproperty,andnameanearlydayforputtinghimpossession.\'MrsSmithdidfeelthatshewasratherbadlyused.ThisMissDunstable,intheirmutualconfidences,hadsooftenridiculedthelove-makinggrimacesofhermercenarysuitors——hadspokensofiercelyagainstthosewhohadpersecutedher,notbecausetheyhaddesiredhermoney,butonaccountoftheirill-judgementinthinkinghertobeafool——thatMrsSmithhadarighttoexpectthatthemethodshehadadoptedforopeningthenegotiationwouldbetakeninabetterspirit.Coulditbepossible,afterall,thoughtMrsSmithtoherself,thatMissDunstablewaslikeotherwomen,andthatshedidliketohavemenkneelingatherfeet?Coulditbethecasethatshehadadvisedherbrotherbadly,andthatitwouldhavebeenbetterforhimtohavegoneabouthisworkintheold-fashionedway?\'Theyareveryhardtomanage,\'saidMrsHaroldSmithtoherself,thinkingofherownsex.
\'Hewascomingherehimself,\'saidshe,\'butIadvisedhimnottodoso.\'
\'Thatwaskindofyou.\'
\'IthoughtthatIcouldexplaintoyoumoreopenlyandmorefreely,whathisintentionsreallyare.\'
\'Oh!Ihavenodoubtthattheyarehonourable,\'saidMissDunstable.\'Hedoesnotwanttodeceivemeinthatway,Iamsure.\'Itwasimpossibletohelplaughing,andMrsHaroldSmithdidlaugh.\'Uponmyword,youwouldprovokeasaint,\'saidshe.
\'Iamnotlikelytogetintosuchcompanybythealliancethatyouaresuggestingtome.TherearenotmanysaintsusuallyatChaldicotes,Ibelieve;——alwaysexceptingthedearbishopandhiswife.\'
\'But,mydear,whatamItosaytoNathaniel?\'
\'Tellhim,ofcourse,howmuchobligedtohimIam.\'
\'Dolistentomeonemoment.IdaresaythatIhavedonewrongtospeaktoyouinsuchabold,unromanticway.\'
\'Notatall.Thetruth,thewholetruth,andnothingbutthetruth.That\'swhatweagreedupon.Butone\'sfirsteffortsinanylinearealwaysapttobealittleuncouth.\'
\'IwillsendNathanieltoyouhimself.\'
\'No,donotdoso.Whytormenteitherhimorme?Idolikeyourbrother;inacertainway,Ilikehimmuch.Butnoearthlyconsiderationwouldinducemetomarryhim.Isitnotsoglaringlyplainthathewouldmarrymeformymoneyonly,thatyouhavenotevendaredtosuggestanyotherreason?\'
\'Ofcourseitwouldhavebeennonsensetosaythathehadnoregardwhatevertowardsyourmoney.\'
\'Ofcourseitwould——absolutenonsense.Heisapoormanwithagoodposition,andhewantstomarrymebecauseIhavegotthatwhichhewants.But,mydear,Idonotwantthatwhichhehasgot,andthereforethebargainwouldnotbeafairone.\'
\'Buthewoulddohisbesttomakeyouhappy.\'
\'Iamsomuchobligedtohim;butyousee,IamveryhappyasI
am.WhatshouldIgain?\'
\'Acompanionwhomyouconfessyoulike.\'
\'Ah!butIdon\'tknowthatIshouldliketoomuchevenofsuchacompanionasyourbrother.No,mydear——itwon\'tdo.BelievemewhenItellyou,onceforall,thatitwon\'tdo.\'
\'Do,youmean,then,MissDunstable,thatyou\'llnevermarry?\'
\'To-morrow——ifImetanyonethatIfancied,andhewouldhaveme.
ButIratherthinkthatanythatImayfancywon\'thaveme.Inthefirstplace,ifImarryanyone,themanmustbequiteindifferenttomymoney.\'
\'Thenyou\'llnotfindhimintheworld,mydear.\'
\'Verypossiblynot,\'saidMissDunstable.Allthatwasfurthersaiduponthesubjectneednotbehererepeated.MrsHaroldSmithdidnotgiveuphercausequiteatonce,althoughMissDunstablehadspokensoplainly.Shetriedtoexplainhoweligiblewouldbeherfriend\'ssituationasmistressofChaldicotes,whenChaldicotesshouldowenopennytoanyman;andwentsofarastohintthatthemasterofChaldicotes,ifrelievedofhisembarrassmentsandknownasarichman,mightinallprobabilitybefoundworthyofapeeragewhenthegodsshouldreturntoOlympus.MrHaroldSmith,asaCabinetminister,would,ofcourse,dohisbest.Butitwasallofnouse.\'It\'snotmydestiny,\'saidMissDunstable,\'andthereforedonotpressitanylonger.\'
\'Butweshallnotquarrel,\'saidMrsHaroldSmith,almosttenderly.
\'Oh,no——whyshouldwequarrel?\'
\'Andyouwon\'tlookglumatmybrother?\'
\'WhyshouldIlookglumathim?But,MrsSmith,I\'lldomorethannotlookingglumathim.Idolikeyou,andIdolikeyourbrother,andifIcaninanymoderatewayassisthiminhisdifficulties,lethimtellmeso.\'Soonafterthis,MrsHaroldSmithwentherway.Ofcourse,shedeclaredinaverystrongmannerthatherbrothercouldnotthinkofacceptingfromMissDunstableanysuchpecuniaryassistanceasthatoffered——and,togiveherherdue,suchwasthefeelingofhermindatthemoment;
butasshewenttomeetherbrotherandgavehimanaccountofthisinterview,itdidoccurtoherthatpossiblyMissDunstablemightbeabettercreditorthantheDukeofOmniumfortheChaldicotesproperty.
CHAPTERXXV
NON-IMPULSIVE
Itcannotbeheldasastonishing,thatthatlastdecisiononthepartofthegiantsinthematterofthetwobishopricsshouldhavedisgustedArchdeaconGrantly.Hewasapolitician,butnotapoliticianastheywere.Asisthecasewithallexotericmen,hispoliticaleyessawashortwayonly,andhispoliticalaspirationswereaslimited.Whenhisfriendscameintooffice,thatbishopbill,whichastheoriginalproductofhisenemieshadbeenregardedbyhimasbeingsopernicious——forwasitnotabouttobemadelawinorderthatotherProudiesandsuchlikemightbehoistedupintohighplacesandlargeincomes,totheterribledetrimentoftheChurch?——thatbishopbill,Isay,inthehandsofhisfriends,hadappearedtohimtobeameansofalmostnationalsalvation.Andthen,howgreathadbeenthegoodfortuneofthegiantsinthismatter!Hadtheybeentheoriginatorsofsuchameasuretheywouldnothavehadachanceofsuccess;butnow——nowthatthetwobishopswerefallingintotheirmouthsoutoftheweakhandsofthegods,wasnottheirsuccessensured?SoDrGrantlyhadgirdeduphisloinsandmarcheduptothefight,almostregrettingthatthetriumphwouldbesoeasy.Thesubsequentfailurewasverytryingtohistemperasapartyman.ItalwaysstrikesmethatthesupportersoftheTitansareinthisrespectmuchtobepitied.Thegiantsthemselves,thosewhoareactuallyhandlingPelionandbreakingtheirshinsoverthelowerrocksofOssa,arealwaysadvancinginsomesorttowardsthecouncilsofOlympus.Theirhighestpolicyistosnatchsomerayfromheaven.
WhyelseputPeliononOssa,unlessitbethatafurtivehand,makingitswaythroughJove\'swindows,maypluckforthathunderboltortwo,orsomearticlelessdestructive,butofmanufactureequallydivine?Andinthisconsiststhewisdomofhighergiants——that,inspiteoftheirmundaneantecedents,theoriesandpredilections,theycanseethatarticlesofdivinemanufacturearenecessary.Butthentheynevercarrytheirsupporterswiththem.Theirwholearmyisanarmyofmartyrs.
\'FortwentyyearsIhavestucktothem,andseehowtheyhavetreatedme!\'Isnotthatalwaystheplaintofanoldgiant-slave?\'Ihavebeentruetomypartyallmylife,andwhereamInow?\'hesays.
