第10章

\'Nowitain\'tnouseinlife,MrSowerby,\'Tozerhadsaid.\'Iain\'tgotthepapermyself,nordidn\'tholdit,nottwohours.ItwentawaythroughTomTozer;youknowsthat,MrSowerby,aswellasI

do.\'Now,wheneverTozer,MrSowerby\'sTozer,spokeofTomTozer,MrSowerbyknewthatsevendevilswerebeingevoked,eachworsethanthefirstdevil.MrSowerbydidfeelsomethinglikesincereregard,orratherlove,forthatpoorparsonwhomheinveigledintomischief,andwouldfainsavehim,ifitwerepossible,fromtheTozerfang.MrForrest,oftheBarchesterbank,wouldprobablytakeupthatlastfivehundredpoundbill,onbehalfofMrRobarts,——onlyitwouldbeneedfulthathe,Sowerby,shouldrundownandseethatitwasproperlydone.Astotheotherbill——theformerandlesserone——astothat,MrTozerwouldprobablybequietforawhile.SuchhadbeenSowerby\'sprogrammeforthesetwodays;butnow——whatfurtherpossibilitywastherenowthatheshouldcareforRobarts,oranyotherhumanbeing;hethatwastobesweptawayatonceintothedung-heap?InthisframeofmindhewalkedupSouthAudleyStreet,andcrossedonesideofGrosvenorSquare,andwentalmostmechanicallyintoGreenStreet.AtthefartherendofGreenStreet,neartoParkLane,livedMrandMrsHaroldSmith.

CHAPTERXXVIII

DRTHORNE

WhenMissDunstablemetherfriendstheGreshams——youngFrankGreshamandhiswife——atGatherumCastle,sheimmediatelyaskedafteroneDrThorne,whowasMrsGresham\'suncle.DrThornewasanoldbachelor,inwhombothasamanandadoctorMissDunstablewasinclinedtoplacemuchconfidence.NotthatshehadeverentrustedthecureofherbodilyailmentstoDrThorne——forshekeptadoctorofherown,DrEasyman,forthispurpose——anditmaymoreoverbesaidthatsherarelyhadbodilyailmentsrequiringthecareofanydoctor.ButshealwaysspokeofDrThorneamongherfriendsasamanofwonderfuleruditionandjudgement;andhadonceortwiceaskedandactedonhisadviceinmattersofmuchmoment.DrThornewasnotamanaccustomedtotheLondonworld;hekeptnohousethere,andseldomevenvisitedthemetropolis;butMissDunstablehadknownhimatGreshamsbury,wherehelived,andtherehadforsomemonthspastgrownupaconsiderableintimacybetweenthem.Hewasnowstayingatthehouseofhisniece,MrsGresham;butthechiefreasonofhiscominguphadbeenadesireexpressedbyMissDunstable,thatheshoulddoso.Shehadwishedforhisadvice;

andattheinstigationofhisniecehehadvisitedLondonandgivenit.ThespecialpieceofbusinessastowhichDrThornehadthusbeensummonedfromthebedsideofLadyArabellaGresham,towhosesonhisniecewasmarried,relatedtocertainlargemoneyinterests,astowhichonemighthaveimaginedthatDrThorne\'sadvicewouldnotbepeculiarlyvaluable.Hehadneverbeenmuchversedinsuchmattersonhisownaccount,andwasknowingneitherinthewaysofthesharemarket,norinthepricesofland.ButMissDunstablewasaladyaccustomedtohaveherownway,andtobeindulgedinherownwisheswithoutbeingcalledontogiveadequatereasonsforthem.\'Mydear,\'shesaidtoyoungMrsGresham,\'ifyouruncledon\'tcomeuptoLondonnow,whenImakesuchapointofit,Ishallthinkthatheisabearandasavage;andI

certainlywillneverspeaktohimagain,——ortoFrank——ortoyou;

soyouhadbetterseetoit.\'MrsGreshamhadnotprobablytakenherfriend\'sthreatasmeaningquiteallthatitthreatened.MissDunstablehabituallyusedstronglanguage;andthosewhoknewherwell,generallyunderstoodwhenshewastobetakenasexpressingherthoughtsbyfiguresofspeech.Inthisinstanceshehadnotmeantitatall;but,nevertheless,MrsGreshamhadusedviolentinfluenceinbringingthepoordoctoruptoLondon.\'Besides,\'

saidMissDunstable,\'Ihaveresolvedonhavingthedoctoratmyconversazione,andifhewon\'tcomeofhimself,Ishallgodownandfetchhim.IhavesetmyheartontrumpingmydearfriendMrsProudie\'sbestcard;soImeantogeteverybody!\'

Theupshotofallthiswas,thatthedoctordidcomeuptotown,andremainedthebestpartofaweekathisniece\'shouseinPortmanSquare——tothegreatdisgustofLadyArabella,whoconceivedthatshemustdieifneglectedforthreedays.Astothematterofbusiness,Ihavenodoubtbutthathewasofgreatuse.

Hewaspossessedofcommonsenseandanhonestpurpose;andIaminclinedtothinkthattheyareoftenasufficientcounterpoisetoconsiderableamountofworldlyexperiencealso——!True!butthenitisdifficulttogeteverything.Butwiththatspecialmatterofbusinessweneednothaveanyfurtherconcern.Wewillpresumeittohavebeendiscussedandcompleted,andwillnotdressourselvesforMissDunstable\'sconversazione.ButitmustnotbesupposedthatshewassopooringeniusastocallherpartyopenlybyanameborrowedforthenoncefromMrsProudie.Itwasonlyamongherspeciallyintimatefriends,MrsHaroldSmithandsomefewdozenothers,thatsheindulgedinthislittlejoke.Therehadbeennothingintheleastpretentiousaboutthecardwithwhichshesummonedherfriendstoherhouseonthisoccasion.Shehadmerelysignifiedinsomeordinaryway,thatshewouldbegladtoseethemassoonafternineo\'clockonThursdayevening,the——instant,asmightbeconvenient.ButalltheworldunderstoodthatalltheworldwastobegatheredtogetheratMissDunstable\'shouseonthenightinquestion——thataneffortwastobemadetobringtogetherpeopleofallclasses,godsandgiants,saintsandsinners,thoserabidthroughthestrengthoftheirmorality,suchasourdearfriendLadyLufton,andthosewhowererabidintheoppositedirection,suchasLadyHartletop,theDukeofOmnium,andMrSowerby.AnorthodoxmartyrhadbeencaughtfromtheEast,andanoilylatter-dayStPaul,fromtheothersideofthewater——tothehorrorandamazementofArchdeaconGrantly,whohadcomeupallthewayfromPlumsteadtobepresentontheoccasion.MrsGrantlyalsohadhankeredtobethere;butwhensheheardofthepresenceofthelatter-dayStPaul,shetriumphedloudlyoverherhusband,whohadmadenooffertotakeher.ThatLordsBrockandDeTerrierweretobeatthegatheringwasnothing.Thepleasantkingofthegodsandthecourtlychiefofthegiantscouldshakehandswitheachotherinanyhousewiththegreatestpleasure;butmenweretomeetwho,inreferencetoeachother,couldshakenothingbuttheirheadsortheirfists.Supplehousewastobethere,andHaroldSmith,whonowhatedtheenemywithahatredsurpassingthatofwomen——orevenofpoliticians.Theminorgods,itwasthought,wouldcongregatetogetherinoneroom,verybitterintheirpresentstateofbanishment;andtheminorgiantsinanother,terriblyloudintheirtriumph.Thatisthefaultofthegiants,who,otherwise,arenotbadfellows;theyareunabletoenduretheweightofanytemporarysuccess.WhenattemptingOlympus——andthisworkofattemptingisdoubtlesstheirnaturalcondition——theyscratchandscramble,diligentlyusingbothtoesandfingers,withamixtureofgood-humouredvirulenceandself-satisfiedindustrythatisgratifyingtoallparties.But,whenevertheireffortsareunexpectedly,andforthemselvesunfortunatelysuccessful,theyaresotakenabackthattheylosethepowerofbehavingthemselveswithevengigantesquepropriety.

Such,sogreatandsovarious,wastobetheintendedgatheringatMissDunstable\'shouse.Sheherselflaughed,andquizzedherself——speakingoftheaffairtoMrsHaroldSmithasthoughitwereanexcellentjoke,andtoMrsProudieasthoughsheweresimplyemulousofrivallingthoseworld-famousassembliesofGloucesterPlace;butthetownatlargeknewthataneffortwasbeingmade,anditwassupposedthatevenMissDunstablewassomewhatnervous.Inspiteofherexcellentjokingitwaspresumedthatshewouldbeunhappyifshefailed.ToMrsFrankGreshamshedidspeakwithsomelittleseriousness.\'Butwhyonearthshouldyougiveyourselfallthistrouble?\'thatladyhadsaid,whenMissDunstableownedthatshewasdoubtful,andunhappyinherdoubts,astothecomingofoneofthegreatcolleaguesofMrSupplehouse.

\'Whensuchhundredsarecoming,bigwigsandlittlewigsofallshades,whatcanitmatterwhetherMrTowersbethereornot?\'ButMissDunstablehadansweredalmostwithascreech——

\'Mydear,itwillbenothingwithouthim.Youdon\'tunderstand;

butthefactisthatTomTowersiseverybodyandeverythingatpresent.\'Andthen,bynomeansforthefirsttime,MrsGreshambegantolectureherfriendastohervanity;inanswertowhichlectureMissDunstablemysteriouslyhinted,thatifshewereonlyallowedherfullswingonthisoccasion,——ifalltheworldwouldnowindulgeher,shewould——Shedidnotquitesaywhatshewoulddo,buttheinferencedrawnbyMrsGreshamwasthis:thatiftheincensenowofferedonthealtarofFashionwereaccepted,MissDunstablewouldatonceabandonthepompandvanitiesofthiswickedworld,andallthesinfullustsoftheflesh.

\'Butthedoctorwillstay,mydear?IhopeImaylookonthatasfixed.\'MissDunstable,inmakingthisdemandonthedoctor\'stime,showedanenergyquiteequaltothatwithwhichsheinvokedthegodsthatTomTowersmightnotbeabsent.Now,totellthetruth,DrThornehadatfirstthoughtitveryunreasonablethatheshouldbeaskedtoremainupinLondoninorderthathemightbepresentataneveningparty,andhadforawhilepertinaciouslyrefused;butwhenhelearnedthatthreeorfourprimeministerswereexpected,andthatitwaspossiblethatevenTomTowersmightbethereintheflesh,hisphilosophyalsohadbecomeweak,andhehadwrittentoLadyArabellatosaythathisprolongedabsencefortwodaysfurthermustbeendured,andthatthemildtonics,morningandevening,mightbecontinued.ButwhyshouldMissDunstablebesoanxiousthatDrThorneshouldbepresentonthisgrandoccasion?Why,indeed,shouldshebesofrequentlyinclinedtosummonhimawayfromhiscountrypractice,hiscompoundingboard,andhisusefulministrationstoruralailments?Thedoctorwasconnectedwithherbynotiesofblood.Theirfriendship,intimateasitwas,hadasyetbeenbutofshortdate.Shewasaveryrichwoman,capableofpurchasingallmannerofadviceandgoodcounsel,whereashewassofarfrombeingrich,thatanycontinueddisturbancetohispracticemightbeinconvenienttohim.

Nevertheless,MissDunstableseemedtohavenomorecompunctioninmakingcallsuponhistime,thanshemighthavefelthadhebeenherbrother.Noideasonthismattersuggestedthemselvestothedoctorhimself.Hewasasimple-mindedman,takingthingsastheycame,andespeciallysotakingthingsthatcamepleasantly.HelikedMissDunstable,andwasgratifiedbyherfriendship,anddidnotthinkofaskinghimselfwhethershehadarighttoputhimtotroubleandinconvenience.ButsuchideasdidoccurtoMrsGresham,thedoctor\'sniece.HadMissDunstableanyobject,andifso,whatobject?Wasitsimplyvenerationforthedoctor,orwasitcaprice?Wasiteccentricity——orcoulditpossiblybelove?Inspeakingoftheagesofthesetwofriendsitmaybesaidinroundtermsthattheladywaswellpastforty,andthatthegentlemanwaswellpastfifty.Undersuchcircumstancescoulditbelove?Thelady,too,wasonewhohadhadoffersalmostbythedozen,——offersfrommenofrank,frommenoffashion,andfrommenofpower;frommenendowedwithpersonalattractions,withpleasantmanners,withcultivatedtastes,andwitheloquenttongues.Notonlyhadshelovednonesuch,butbynonesuchhadshebeencajoledintoanideathatitwaspossiblethatshecouldlovethem.ThatDrThorne\'stasteswerecultivated,andhismannerspleasant,mightprobablybeadmittedbythreeorfouroldfriendsinthecountrywhovaluedhim;buttheworldinLondon,thatworldtowhichMissDunstablewasaccustomed,andwhichwasapparentlybecomingdearertoherdaybyday,wouldnothaveregardedthedoctorasamanlikelytobecometheobjectofalady\'spassion.ButneverthelesstheideadidoccurtoMrsGresham.Shehadbeenbroughtupattheelbowofthecountrypractitioner;shehadlivedwithhimasthoughshehadbeenhisdaughter;shehadbeenforyearstheministeringangelofhishousehold;and,tillherhearthadopenedtothenaturalloveofwomanhood,allherclosestsympathieshadbeenwithhim.Inhereyesthedoctorwasallbutperfect;anditdidnotseemtohertobeoutofthequestionthatMissDunstableshouldhavefalleninlovewithheruncle.

MissDunstableoncesaidtoMrsHaroldSmiththatitwaspossiblethatshemightmarry,theonlyconditionthenexpressedbeingthis,thatthemanelectedshouldbeonewhowasquiteindifferentastomoney.MrsHaroldSmith,who,byherfriends,waspresumedtoknowtheworldwithtolerableaccuracy,hadrepliedthatsuchamanMissDunstablewouldneverfindinthisworld.Allthishadpassedinthathalf-comicofbanterwhichMissDunstablesocommonlyusedwhenconversingwithsuchfriendsasMrsHaroldSmith;butshehadspokenwordsofthesameimportmorethanoncetoMrsGresham;andMrsGresham,puttingtwoandtwotogetheraswomendo,hadmadefourofthelittlesum;andasthefinalresultofthecalculation,determinedthatMissDunstablewouldmarryDrThorneifDrThornewouldaskher.AndthenMrsGreshambegantorethinkherselfoftwootherquestions.WoulditbewellthatheruncleshouldmarryMissDunstable?andifso,woulditbepossibletoinducehimtomakesuchaproposition?Aftertheconsiderationofmanyprosandcons,andthebalancingofveryvariousarguments,MrsGreshamthoughtthatthearrangementonthewholemightnotbeabadone.

ForMissDunstablesheherselfhadasincereaffection,whichwassharedbyherhusband.ShehadoftengrievedatthesacrificesMissDunstablemadetotheworld,thinkingthatherfriendwasfallingintovanity,indifference,andanillmodeoflife;butsuchamarriageasthiswouldprobablycureallthat.AndthenastoDrThornehimself,towhosebenefitwereofcourseappliedtoMrsGresham\'smostearnestthoughtsinthismatter,shecouldnotbutthinkthathewouldbehappiermarriedthanhewassingle.Inpointoftemper,nowomancouldstandhigherthanMissDunstable;

noonehadeverheardofherbeinginanill-humour;andthenthoughMrsGreshamwasgiftedwithamindwhichwasfarremovedfrombeingmercenary,itwasimpossiblenottofeelthatsomebenefitmustaccruefromthebride\'swealth.MaryThorne,thepresentMrsFrankGresham,hadherselfbeenagreatheiress.

Circumstanceshadweighedherhandwithenormouspossessions,andhithertoshehadnotrealizedthetruthofthatlessonwhichwouldteachustobelievethathappinessandrichesareincompatible.

ThereforesheresolvedthatitmightbewellifthedoctorandMissDunstablewerebroughttogether.Butcouldthedoctorbeinducedtomakesuchanoffer?MrsGreshamacknowledgedaterribledifficultyinlookingatthematterfromthatpointofview.HerunclewasfondofMissDunstable;butshewassurethatanideaofsuchamarriagehadneverenteredhishead;thatitwouldbeverydifficult——almostimpossible——tocreatesuchanidea;andthatiftheideawerethere,thedoctorcouldhardlybeinstigatedtomaketheproposition.Lookingatthematterasawhole,shefearedthatthematchwasnotpracticable.

OnthedayofMissDunstable\'sparty,MrsGreshamandheruncledinedtogetheraloneinPortmanSquare.MrGreshamwasnotyetinParliament,butanalmostimmediatevacancywasexpectedinhisdivisionofthecounty,anditwasknownthatnoonecouldstandagainsthimwithanychanceofsuccess.Thisthrewhimmuchamongthepoliticiansofhisparty——thosegiants,namely,whoitwouldbehisbusinesstosupport——andonthisaccounthewasagooddealawayfromhisownhouseatthepresentmoment.\'Politicsmakeaterribledemandonaman\'stime,\'hesaidtohiswife;andthenwentdowntodineathisclubinPallMall,withsundryotheryoungphilogeants.Onmenofthatclasspoliticsdomakeagreatdemand——atthehourofdinnerandthereabouts.

\'WhatdoyouthinkofMissDunstable?\'saidMrsGreshamtoheruncle,astheysattogetherovertheircoffee.Sheaddednothingtothequestion,butaskeditinallitsbaldness.

\'Thinkabouther!\'saidthedoctor;\'well,Mary,whatdoyouthinkabouther?Idaresaywethinkthesame.\'

\'Butthat\'snotthequestion.Whatdoyouthinkabouther?Doyoufeelshe\'shonest?\'

\'Honest?Oh,yes,certainly——veryhonest,Ishouldsay.\'

\'Andgood-tempered?\'

\'Uncommonlygood-tempered.\'

\'Andaffectionate?\'

\'Well,yes;andaffectionate.Ishouldcertainlysaythatsheisaffectionate.\'

\'I\'msureshe\'sclever.\'

\'Yes,Ithinkshe\'sclever.\'

\'And,and——andwomanlyinherfeelings.\'MrsGreshamfeltthatshecouldnotquitesaylady-like,thoughshewouldfainhavedonesoifshedared.

\'Oh,certainly,\'saidthedoctor.\'But,Mary,whyareyoudissectingMissDunstable\'scharacterwithsomuchingenuity?\'

\'Well,uncle,Iwilltellyouwhy;because——\'andMrsGresham,whileshewasspeaking,gotupfromherchair,andgoingroundthetabletoheruncle\'sside,putherarmroundhisnecktillherfacewasclosetohis,andthencontinuedspeakingasshestoodbehindhimoutofhissight——\'because——IthinkthatMissDunstableis——isveryfondofyou;andthatitwouldmakeherhappyifyouwould——askhertobeyourwife.\'

\'Mary!\'saidthedoctor,turningroundwithanendeavourtolookhisnieceintheface.

\'Iamquiteinearnest,uncle——quiteinearnest.Fromlittlethingsthatshehassaid,andlittlethingsthatIhaveseen,IdobelievewhatInowtellyou.\'

\'Andyouwantmeto——\'

\'Dearuncle;myownonedarlinguncle,Iwantyouonlytodothatwhichwillmakeyou——makeyouhappy.WhatisMissDunstabletomecomparedtoyou?\'Andthenshestoopeddownandkissedhim.Thedoctorwasapparentlytoomuchastoundedbytheintimationgivenhimtomakeanyfurtherimmediatereply.Hisniece,seeingthis,lefthimthatshemightgoanddress;andwhentheymetagaininthedrawing-roomFrankGreshamwaswiththem.

CHAPTERXXIX

MISSDUNSTABLEATHOME

MissDunstabledidnotlooklikealove-lornmaiden,asshestoodinasmallante-chamberatthetopofherdrawing-roomstairs,receivingherguests.Herhousewasoneofthoseabnormalmansions,whicharetobeseenhereandthereinLondon,builtincomplianceratherwiththerulesofruralarchitecture,thanwiththosewhichusuallygoverntheerectionofcitystreetsandtownterraces.Itstoodbackfromitsbrethren,andalone,sothatitsownercouldwalkaroundit.Itwasapproachedbyashortcarriage-way;thechiefdoorwasinthebackofthebuilding;andthefrontofthehouselookedontooneoftheparks.MissDunstableinprocuringithadhadherusualluck.Ithadbeenbuiltbyaneccentricmillionaireatanenormouscost;andtheeccentricmillionaire,afterlivinginitfortwelvemonths,haddeclaredthatitdidnotpossessasinglecomfort,andthatitwasdeficientinmostofthosedetailswhich,inpointofhouseaccommodation,arenecessarytotheveryexistenceofman.

Consequentlythemansionwassold,andMissDunstablewasthepurchaser.CranbournHouseithadbeennamed,anditspresentownerhadmadenochangeinthatrespect;buttheworldatlargeverygenerallycalleditOintmentHall,andMissDunstableherselfasfrequentlyusedthatnameforitasanyother.ItwasimpossibletoquizMissDunstablewithanysuccess,becauseshealwaysjoinedinthejokeherself.NotawordfurtherhadpassedbetweenMrsGreshamandDrThorneonthesubjectoftheirlastconversation;butthedoctor,asheenteredthelady\'sportalsamongstatribeofservantsandinaglareoflight,andsawthecrowdbeforehimandthecrowdbehindhim,feltthatitwasquiteimpossiblethatheshouldeverbeathomethere.ItmightbeallrightthataMissDunstableshouldliveinthisway,butitcouldnotberightthatthewifeofDrThorneshouldsolive.Butallthiswasamatterofthemerestspeculation,forhewaswellaware——ashesaidtohimselfadozentimes——thathisniecehadblunderedstrangelyinherreadingofMissDunstable\'scharacter.

WhentheGreshampartyenteredtheante-roomintowhichthestaircaseopened,theyfoundMissDunstablestandingtheresurroundedbyafewofhermostintimateallies.MrsHaroldSmithwassittingquiteclosetoher;DrEasymanwasrecliningonasofaagainstthewall,andtheladywhohabituallylivedwithMissDunstablewasbyhisside.Oneortwoothersweretherealso,sothatalittlerunningconversationwaskeptupinordertorelieveMissDunstableofthetediumwhichmightotherwisebeengenderedbytheworkshehadinhand.AsMrsGresham,leaningonherhusband\'sarm,enteredtheroom,shesawthebackofMrsProudie,asthatladymadeherwaythroughtheoppositedoor,leaningonthearmofthebishop.MrsHaroldSmithhadapparentlyrecoveredfromtheannoyancewhichshemustnodoubthavefeltwhenMissDunstablesoutterlyrejectedhersuitonbehalfofherbrother.Ifanyfeelinghadexisted,evenforaday,calculatedtoputastoptotheintimacybetweenthetwoladies,thatfeelinghadaltogetherdiedaway,forMrsHaroldSmithwasconversingwithherfriend,quiteintheoldway.Shemadesomeremarkoneachoftheguestsastheypassedby,andapparentlydidsoinamannersatisfactorytotheownerofthehouse,forMissDunstableansweredwithherkindestsmiles,andinthatgenial,happytoneofvoicewhichgaveitspeculiarcharactertohergoodhumour:\'Sheisquiteconvincedthatyouareamereplagiaristinwhatyouaredoing,\'saidMrsHaroldSmith,speakingofMrsProudie.

\'AndsoIam.Idon\'tsupposetherecanbeanythingveryoriginalnowadaysaboutaneveningparty.\'

\'Shethinksyouarecopyingher.\'

\'Andwhynot?IcopyeverybodythatIsee,moreorless.Youdidnotatfirstbegintowearpetticoatsoutofyourownhead?IfMrsProudiehasanysuchprideasthat,praydon\'trobherofit.

Here\'sthedoctorandtheGreshams.Mary,mydarling,howareyou?\'andinspiteofallhergrandeurofapparel,MissDunstabletookholdofMrsGreshamandkissedher——tothedisgustofthedozenandhalfofthedistinguishedfashionableworldwhowerepassingupthestairsbehind.Thedoctorwassomewhatrepressedinhismodeofaddressbythecommunicationwhichhadsolatelybeenmadetohim.MissDunstablewasnowstandingontheverytopofthepinnacleofwealth,andseemedtohimtobenotonlysomuchabovehisreach,butalsosofarremovedfromhistrackoflife,thathecouldnotinanywayputhimselfonalevelwithher.Hecouldneitheraspiresohighnordescendsolow;andthinkingofthishespoketoMissDunstableasthoughthereweresomegreatdistancebetweenthem,——asthoughtherehadbeennohoursofintimatefriendshipdownatGreshambury.Therebeensuchhours,duringwhichMissDunstableandDrThornehadlivedasthoughtheybelongedtothesameworld:andthisatanyratemaybesaidofMissDunstable,thatshehadnoideaofforgettingthem.

DrThornemerelygaveherhishand,andthenpreparedtopasson.

\'Don\'tgo,doctor,\'shesaid;\'forheaven\'ssake,don\'tgoyet.I

don\'tknowwhenImaycatchyouifyougetinthere.Ishan\'tbeabletofollowyouforthenexttwohours.LadyMeredith,Iamsomuchobligedtoyouforcoming——yourmotherwillbehere,Ihope.

Oh,Iamsoglad!Fromheryouknowthatisquiteafavour.You,SirGeorge,arehalfasinneryourself,soIdon\'tthinksomuchaboutit.\'

\'Oh,quiteso,\'saidSirGeorge;\'perhapsratherthelargesthalf.\'

\'Themendividetheworldintogodsandgiants,\'saidMissDunstable.\'Wewomenhaveourdivisionsalso.Wearesaintsorsinnersaccordingtoourparty.Theworstofitis,thatweratalmostasoftenasyoudo.\'WhereuponSirGeorgelaughed,andpassedon.

\'Iknow,doctor,youdon\'tlikethiskindofthing,\'shecontinued,\'butthereisnoreasonwhyyoushouldindulgeyourselfaltogetherinyourway,morethananother,isthere,Frank?\'

\'Iamnotsosurebuthedoeslikeit,\'saidMrGresham.\'Therearesomeofyourreputedfriendswhomheownsthatheisanxioustosee.\'

\'Arethere?Thenthereissomehopeofhisrattingtoo.Buthe\'llnevermakeagoodstaunchsinner;willhe,Mary?You\'retoooldtolearnnewtricks;eh,doctor?\'

\'IamafraidIam,\'saidthedoctorwithafaintlaugh.

\'DoesDrThornerankhimselfamongthearmyofsaints?\'askedMrsHaroldSmith.

\'Decidedly,\'saidMissDunstable.\'Butyoumustalwaysrememberthattherearesaintsofdifferentorders;aretherenot,Mary?andnobodysupposesthattheFranciscansandtheDominicansagreeverywelltogether.DrThornedoesnotbelongtotheschoolofStProudie,ofBarchester;hewouldpreferthepriestesswhomIseecomingroundthecornerofthestaircase,withaveryfamousyoungnoviceatherelbow.\'

\'FromallthatIcanhear,youwillhavetoreckonwithMissGrantlyamongthesinners,\'saidMrsHaroldSmith——seeingthatLadyLuftonwithheryoungfriendwasapproaching——\'unlessindeed,youcanmakeasaintofLadyHartletop.\'AndthenLadyLuftonenteredtheroom,andMissDunstablecameforwardtomeetherwithmorequietrespectinhermannerthanshehadasyetshowntomanyofherguests.\'Iammuchobligedtoyouforcoming,LadyLufton,\'

shesaid,\'andthemoreso,forbringingMissGrantlywithyou.\'

LadyLuftonutteredsomeprettylittlespeech,duringwhichDrThornecameupandshookhandswithher;asdidalsoFrankGreshamandhiswife.TherewasacountyacquaintancebetweentheFramleypeopleandtheGreshamburypeople,andthereforetherewasalittlegeneralconversationbeforeLadyLuftonpassedoutofthesmallroomintowhatMrsProudiewouldhavecalledthenoblesuiteofapartments.\'Papawillbehere,\'saidMissGrantly;\'atleastsoI

understand.Ihavenotseenhimyetmyself.\'

\'Ohyes,hehaspromisedme,\'saidMissDunstable;\'andthearchdeacon,Iknow,willkeephisword.Ishouldbynomeanshavetheproperecclesiasticalbalancewithouthim.\'

\'Papaalwaysdoeskeephisword,\'saidMissGrantly,inatonethatwasalmostsevere.ShehadnotatallunderstoodpoorMissDunstable\'slittlejoke,oratanyrate,shewastoodignifiedtorespondtoit.

\'IunderstandthatoldSirJohnistoaccepttheChilternHundredsatonce,\'saidLadyLufton,inahalfwhispertoFrankGresham.

LadyLuftonhadalwaystakenakeeninterestinthepoliticsofEastBarsetshire,andwasnowdesirousofexpressinghersatisfactionthataGreshamshouldagainsitforthecounty.TheGreshamshadbeenoldcountymembersforBarsetshire,timeoutofmind.

\'Ohyes;Ibelieveso,\'saidFrank,blushing.Hewasstillyoungenoughtofeelmostashamedofputtinghimselfforwardforsuchhonours.

\'Therewillbenocontest,ofcourse,\'saidLadyLufton,confidently.\'ThereseldomisinEastBarsetshire,Iamhappytosay.Butiftherewere,everytenantatFramleywouldvoteontherightside;Icanassureyouofthat.LordLuftonwassayingtomeonlythismorning.\'FrankGreshammadeaprettylittlespeechinreply,suchasyoungsuckingpoliticiansareexpectedtomake;andthis,withsundryothersmallcourteousmurmurings,detainedtheLuftonpartyforaminuteortwointheante-chamber.Inthemeantimetheworldwaspressingonandpassingtothefourorfivelargereception-rooms——thenoblesuitewhichwasalreadypiercingpoorMrsProudie\'sheartwithenvytotheverycore.\'Thesearethesortofrooms,\'shesaidtoherselfunconsciously,\'whichoughttobeprovidedbythecountryfortheuseofthebishops.\'

\'Butthepeoplearenotbroughtenoughtogether,\'shesaidtoherlord.

\'No,no;Idon\'tthinktheyare,\'saidthebishop.

\'Andthatissoessentialforaconversazione,\'continuedMrsProudie.\'NowinGloucesterPlace——\'Butwewillnotrecordallheradversecriticisms,asLadyLuftoniswaitingforusintheante-room.Andnowanotherarrivalofmomenthadtakenplace;——andarrivalindeedofverygreatmoment.Totellthetruth,MissDunstable\'shearthadbeensetuponhavingtwospecialpersons;andthoughnostonehadbeenleftunturned,——nostonewhichcouldbeturnedwithdiscretion,——shewasstillleftindoubtastoboththesetwowondrouspotentates.Attheverymomentofwhichwearenowspeaking,lightandairyassheappearedtobe——foritwashercharactertobelightandairy——hermindwastornwithdoubts.Ifthewished-fortwowouldcome,hereveningwouldbethoroughlysuccessful;butifnot,allhertroublewouldhavebeenthrownaway,andthethingwouldhavebeenafailure;andtherewerecircumstancesconnectedwiththepresentassemblywhichmadeMissDunstableveryanxiousthatsheshouldnotfail.ThatthetwogreatonesoftheearthwereTomTowersoftheJupiter,andtheDukeofOmnium,needhardlybeexpressedinwords.Andnow,atthisverymoment,asLadyLuftonwasmakinghercivilspeechestoyoungGresham,apparentlyinnohurrytomoveon,andwhileMissDunstablewasendeavouringtowhispersomethingintothedoctor\'sear,whichwouldmakehimfeelhimselfathomeinthisnewworld,asoundwasheardwhichmadethatladyknowthathalfherwishhadatanyratebeengrantedtoher.Asoundwasheard——butonlybyherownandoneotherattentivepairofears.MrsHaroldSmithhadalsocaughtthename,andknewthatthedukewasapproaching.Therewasgreatgloryandtriumphinthis;butwhyhadhisgracecomeatsounchancyamoment?MissDunstablehadbeenfullyawareoftheimproprietyofbringingLadyLuftonandtheDukeofOmniumintothesamehouseatthesametime;butwhenshehadaskedLadyLufton,shehadbeenledtobelievethattherewasnohopeofobtainingtheduke;andthen,whenthathopehaddawneduponher,shehadcomfortedherselfwiththereflectionthatthetwosuns,thoughtheymightforsomefewminutesbeinthesamehemisphere,couldhardlybeexpectedtoclash,orcomeacrosseachother\'sorbits.

Herroomswerelargeandwouldbecrowded;thedukewouldprobablydolittlemorethanwalkthroughthemonce,andLadyLuftonwouldcertainlybesurroundedbypersonsofherownclass.ThusMissDunstablehadcomfortedherself.Butnowallthingsweregoingwrong,andLadyLuftonwouldfindherselfinclosecontiguitytothenearestrepresentativeoftheSatanicagency,which,accordingtoherideas,wasallowedtowalkthisnetherEnglishworldofours.Wouldshescream?orindignantlyretreatoutofthehouse?——orwouldsheproudlyraiseherhead,andwithoutstretchedhandandaudiblevoice,boldlydefythedevilandallhisworks?

InthinkingofthesethingsasthedukeapproachedMissDunstablealmostlostherpresenceofmind.ButMrsHaroldSmithdidnotlosehers.\'Sohereatlastistheduke,\'shesaid,inatoneintendedtocatchtheexpressattentionofLadyLufton.

MrsSmithhadcalculatedthattheremightstillbetimeforherladyshiptopassonandavoidtheinterview.ButLadyLufton,ifsheheardthewords,didnotcompletelyunderstandthem.Atanyratetheydidnotconveytohermindatthemomentthemeaningtheywereintendedtoconvey.ShepausedtowhisperalastlittlespeechtoFrankGresham,andthenlookinground,foundthatthegentlemanwhowaspressingagainstherdresswas——theDukeofOmnium!Onthisgreatoccasion,whenthemisfortunecouldnolongerbeavoided,MissDunstablewasbynomeansbeneathherselforhercharacter.Shedeploredthecalamity,butshenowsawthatitwasonlylefttohertomakethebestofit.Thedukehadhonouredherbycomingtoherhouse,andshewasboundtowelcomehim,thoughindoingsosheshouldbringLadyLuftontoherlastgasp.\'Duke,\'shesaid,\'Iamgreatlyhonouredbythiskindnessonthepartofyourgrace.Ihardlyexpectedthatyouwouldbesogoodtome.\'

\'Thegoodnessisallontheotherside,\'saidtheduke,bowingoverherhand.Andthenintheusualcourseofthingsthiswouldhavebeenall.Thedukewouldhavewalkedonandshownhimself,wouldhavesaidawordortwotoLadyHartletop,tothebishop,toMrGresham,andsuchlike,andwouldhavelefttheroomsbyanotherway,andquietlyescaped.Thiswasthedutyexpectedfromhim,andthishewouldhavedone,andthevalueofthepartywouldhavebeenincreasedbythirtypercent.bysuchdoing;butnow,asitwas,thenewsmongersoftheWestEndwerelikelytogetmuchmoreoutofit.

Circumstanceshadsoturnedout,thathehadabsolutelybeenpressedcloseagainstLadyLufton,andshe,whensheheardthevoice,andwasmadepositivelyacquaintedwiththefactofthegreatman\'spresencebyMissDunstable\'swords,turnedroundquickly,butstillwithmuchfemininedignity,removingherdressfromthecontact.Indoingthisshewasbroughtabsolutelyfacetofacewiththeduke,sothateachcouldnotbutlookfullattheother.\'Ibegyourpardon,\'saidtheduke.Theyweretheonlywordsthathadeverpassedbetweenthem,norhavetheyspokentoeachothersince;butsimpleastheywere,accompaniedbythelittleby-playofthespeakers,theygaverisetoaconsiderableamountoffermentinthefashionableworld.LadyLufton,assheretreatedbackontoDrEasyman,curtsiedlow;shecurtsiedlowandslowly,andwithahaughtyarrangementofherdraperythatwasallherown;butthecurtsy,thoughitwaseloquent,didnotsayhalfsomuch,——didnotreprobatethehabitualiniquitiesofthedukewithavoicenearlysopotent,asthatwhichwasexpressedinthegradualfallofhereye,andthegradualpressureofherlips.Whenshecommencedhercurtsyshewaslookingfullinherfoe\'sface.Bythetimethatshehadcompletedithereyeswereturnedupontheground,buttherewasanineffableamountofscornexpressedinthelinesofhermouth.Shespokenowordandretreated,asmodestvirtueandfeminineweaknessmusteverretreat,beforebarefacedviceandvirilepower;butneverthelessshewasheldbyalltheworldtohavehadthebestoftheencounter.Theduke,ashebeggedherpardon,woreinhiscountenancethatexpressionofmodifiedsorrowwhichiscommontoanygentlemanwhoissupposedbyhimselftohaveincommodedalady.Butoverandabovethis,——orratherunderit,——therewasaslightsmileofderision,asthoughitwereimpossibleforhimtolookuponthebearingofLadyLuftonwithoutsomeamountofridicule.AllthiswaslegibletoeyessokeenasthoseofMissDunstableandMrsHaroldSmith,andthedukewasknowntobeamasterofthissilentinwardsarcasm;butevenbythem,——byMissDunstableandMrsHaroldSmith,——itwasadmittedthatLadyLuftonhadconquered.Whenherladyshipagainlookedup,thedukehadpassedon;shethenresumedthecareofMissGrantly\'shand,andfollowedinamongthecompany.

\'ThatiswhatIcallunfortunate,\'saidMissDunstable,assoonasbothbelligerentshaddepartedfromthefieldofbattle.\'TheFatessometimeswillbeagainstme.\'

\'Buttheyhavenotbeenallagainstyouhere,\'saidMrsHaroldSmith.\'Ifyoucouldarriveatherladyship\'sprivatethoughtsto-morrowmorning,youwouldfindhertobequitehappyinhavingmettheduke.Itwillbeyearsbeforeshehasdoneboastingofhertriumph,anditwillbetalkedofbytheyoungladiesofFramleyforthenextthreegenerations.\'

TheGreshamparty,includingDrThorne,hadremainedintheante-chamberduringthebattle.Thewholecombatdidnotoccupyabovetwominutes,andthethreeofthemwerehemmedofffromescapebyLadyLufton\'sretreatintoDrEasyman\'slap;butnowthey,too,essayedtopasson.

\'What,willyoudesertme,\'saidMissDunstable.\'Verywell;butI

shallfindyououtbyandby.Frank,thereistobesomedancinginoneoftherooms,——justtodistinguishtheaffairfromMrsProudie\'sconversazione.Itwouldbestupid,youknow,ifallconversazione\'swerealike;wouldn\'tit?SoIhopeyouwillgoanddance.\'

\'Therewill,Ipresume,beanothervariationatfeedingtime,\'saidMrsHaroldSmith.

\'Oh,yes,certainly;Iamthemostvulgarofallwretchesinthatrespect.Idolovetosetpeopleeatinganddrinking——MrSupplehouse,Iamdelightedtoseeyou;butdotellme——\'andthenshewhisperedwithgreatenergyintotheearofMrSupplehouse,andMrSupplehouseagainwhisperedintoherear.\'Youthinkhewill,then?\'saidMissDunstable.MrSupplehouseassented;hedidthinkso;buthehadnowarrantforstatingthecircumstanceasafact.

Andthenhepassedon,hardlylookingatMrsHaroldSmithashepassed.

\'Whatahang-dogcountenancehehas,\'saidthatlady.

\'Ah,you\'reprejudiced,mydear,andnowonder;asformyself,I

alwayslikedSupplehouse.Hemeansmischief;butthenmischiefishistrade,andhedoesnotconcealit.IfIwereapolitician,I

shouldassoonthinkofbeingangrywithMrSupplehouseforturningagainstmeasIamnowwithapinprickingme.It\'smyownawkwardness,andIoughttohaveknownhowtousethepinmorecraftily.\'

\'Butyoumustdetestamanwhoprofessestostandbyhisparty,andthendoeshisbesttoruinit.\'

\'Somanyhavedonethat,mydear;andwithmuchmoresuccessthanMrSupplehouse!Allisfairinloveandwar,——andwhynotaddpoliticstothelist?Ifwecouldonlyagreetodothat,itwouldsaveusfromsuchadealofheartburning,andwouldmakenoneofusabittheworse.\'

MissDunstable\'srooms,largeastheywere——\'anoblesuiteofroomscertainly,thoughperhapsalittletoo——too——tooscattered,wewillsay,eh,bishop?\'werenownearlyfull,andwouldhavebeeninconvenientlycrowded,wereitnotthatmanywhocameonlyremainedforhalfanhourorso.Space,however,hadbeenkeptforthedancers——muchtoMrsProudie\'sconsternation.NotthatshedisapprovedofdancinginLondon,asarule;butshewasindignantthatthelawsofaconversazioneasre-establishedbyherselfinthefashionableworld,shouldbesoviolentlyinfringed.

\'Conversazioneswillcometomeannothing,\'shesaidtothebishop,puttinggreatstressonthelatterword,\'nothingatall,iftheyaretobetreatedinthisway.\'

\'No,theywon\'t;nothingintheleast,\'saidthebishop.

\'Dancingmaybeverywellinitsplace,\'saidMrsProudie.

\'Ihaveneverobjectedtoitmyself;thatis,forthelaity,\'saidthebishop.

\'Butwhenpeopleprofesstoassembleforhigherobjects,\'saidMrsProudie,\'theyoughttoactuptotheprofessions.\'

\'Otherwisetheyarenobetterthanhypocrites,\'saidthebishop.

\'Aspadeshouldbecalledaspade,\'saidMrsProudie.

\'Decidedly,\'saidthebishop,assenting.

\'AndwhenIundertookthetroubleandexpenseofintroducingconversaziones,\'continuedMrsProudie,withanevidentfeelingthatshehadbeenill-used,\'Ihadnoideaofseeingthewordso——so——somisinterpreted;\'andthenobservingcertaindesirableacquaintancesatthesideoftheroom,shewentacross,leavingthebishoptofendforhimself.

LadyLufton,havingachievedhersuccess,passedontothedancing,whitheritwasnotprobablethatherenemywouldfollowher,andshehadnotbeenthereverylongbeforeshewasjoinedbyherson.

HerheartatthepresentmomentwasnotquitesatisfiedatthestateofaffairswithreferencetoGriselda.Shehadgonesofarastotellheryoungfriendwhatwereherownwishes;shehaddeclaredherdesirethatGriseldashouldbecomeherdaughter-in-law;butinanswertothisGriseldaherselfhaddeclarednothing.Itwas,tobesure,nomorethannaturalthatayoungladysowellbroughtupasMissGrantlyshouldshownosignsofpassiontillshewaswarrantedinshowingthembytheproceedingsofthegentleman;butnotwithstandingthis,fullyawareasshewasoftheproprietyofsuchreticence——LadyLuftondidthinkthattoherGriseldamighthavespokensomewordevincingthatthealliancewouldbesatisfactorytoher.Griselda,however,hadspokennosuchword,norhadsheutteredasyllabletoshowthatshewouldacceptLordLuftonifhedidoffer.Thenagainshehadutterednosyllabletoshowthatshewouldnotaccepthim;but,nevertheless,althoughsheknewthattheworldhadbeentalkingaboutherandLordDumbello,shestooduptodancewiththefuturemarquessoneverypossibleoccasion.AllthisdidgiveannoyancetoLadyLufton,whobegantobethinkherselfthatifshecouldnotquicklybringherlittleplantoafavourableissue,itmightbewellforhertowashherhandsofit.Shewasstillanxiousforthematchonherson\'saccount.Griseldawould,shedidnotdoubt,makeagoodwife;butLadyLuftonwasnotsosureassheoncehadbeenthatsheherselfwouldbeabletokeepupsostrongafeelingforherdaughter-in-lawasshehadhithertohopedtodo.\'Ludovic,haveyoubeenherelong?\'shesaid,smilingasshealwaysdidsmilewhenhereyesfelluponherson\'sface.

\'Thisinstantarrived;andIhurriedonafteryou,asMissDunstabletoldmeyouwerehere.Whatacrowdshehad?DidyouseeLordBrock?\'

\'Ididnotobservehim.\'

\'OrLordDeTerrier?Isawthembothinthecentreroom.\'

\'LordDeTerrierdidmethehonourofshakinghandswithmeasI

passedthrough.\'

\'Ineversawsuchamixtureofpeople.ThereisMrsProudiegoingoutofhermindbecauseyouareallgoingtodance.\'

\'TheMissProudiesdance,\'saidGriseldaGrantly.

\'Butnotattheconversaziones.Youdon\'tseethedifference.AndIsawSpermoilthere,lookingaspleasedasPunch.Hehadquiteacircleofhisownroundhim,andwaschatteringawayasthoughhewerequiteaccustomedtothewickednessoftheworld.\'

\'Therecertainlyarepeopleherewhomonewouldnothavewishedtomeet,hadonethoughtofit,\'saidLadyLufton,mindfulofherlateengagement.

\'Butitmustbeallright,forIwalkedupthestairswiththearchdeacon.Thatisanabsoluteproof,isitnot,MissGrantly?\'

\'Ihavenofears.WhenIamwithyourmotherIknowImustbesafe.\'

\'Iamnotsosureofthat,\'saidLordLufton,laughing.\'Mother,youhardlyknowtheworstofityet.Whoishere,doyouthink?\'

\'Iknowwhomyoumean;Ihaveseenhim,\'saidLadyLufton,veryquietly.

\'Wecameacrosshimjustatthetopofthestairs,\'saidGriselda,withmoreanimationinherfacethaneverLordLuftonhadseentherebefore.

\'What;theduke?\'

\'Yes,theduke,\'saidLadyLufton.\'IcertainlyshouldnothavecomehadIexpectedtobebroughtincontactwiththatman.Butitwasanaccident,andonsuchanoccasionasthisitcouldnotbehelped.\'LordLuftonatonceperceived,bythetoneofhismother\'svoiceandbytheshadesofhercountenance,thatshehadabsolutelyenduredsomepersonalencounterwiththeduke,andalsothatshewasbynomeanssoindignantattheoccurrenceasmighthavebeenexpected.Thereshewas,stillinMissDunstable\'shouse,andexpressingnoangerastoMissDunstable\'sconduct.LordLuftoncouldhardlyhavebeenmoresurprisedhadheseenthedukehandinghismotherdowntosupper;hesaid,however,nothingfurtheronthesubject.

\'Areyougoingtodance,Ludovic?\'saidLadyLufton.

\'Well,IamnotsurethatIdonotagreewithMrsProudieinthinkingthatdancingwouldcontaminateaconversazione.Whatareyourideas,MissGrantly?\'Griseldawasneververygoodatajoke,andimaginedthatLordLuftonwantedtoescapethetroubleofdancingwithher.Thisangeredher.Fortheonlyspeciesoflove-making,orflirtation,orsociabilitybetweenherselfasayounglady,andanyotherselfasayounggentleman,whichrecommendeditselftohertaste,wastobefoundintheamusementofdancing.ShewasaltogetheratvariancewithMrsProudieonthismatter,andgaveMissDunstablegreatcreditforherinnovation.InsocietyGriselda\'stoesweremoreserviceabletoherthanhertongue,andshewastobewonbyarapidtwirlmuchmoreprobablythanbyasoftword.Theofferofwhichshewouldapprovewouldbeconveyedbytwoallbutbreathlesswords,duringaspasmodicpauseinawaltz;andthenassheliftedupherarmtoreceivetheaccustomedsupportatherback,shemightjustfindpowerenoughtosay,\'you——mustask——papa.\'Afterthatshewouldnotcaretohavetheaffairmentionedtilleverythingwasproperlysettled.

\'Ihavenotthoughtaboutit,\'saidGriselda,turningherfaceawayfromLordLufton.

Itmustnot,however,besupposedthatMissGrantlyhadnotthoughtaboutLordLufton,orthatshehadnotconsideredhowgreatmightbetheadvantageofhavingLadyLuftononhersideisshemadeuphermindthatshedidwishtobecomeLordLufton\'swife.Sheknewwellthatnowwashertimeforatriumph,nowinthisveryfirstseasonofheracknowledgedbeauty;andsheknewalsothatyoung,good-lookingbachelorlordsdonotgrowinhedgeslikeblackberries.HadLordLuftonofferedtoher,shewouldhaveacceptedhimatoncewithoutanyremorseastothegreaterglorieswhichmightappertaintoafutureMarchionessofHartletop.Inthatdirectionshewasnotwithoutsufficientwisdom.ButthenLordLuftonhadnotofferedtoher,norgivenanysignsthatheintendedtodoso;andtogiveGriseldaGrantlyherdue,shewasnotagirltomakethefirstoverture.NeitherhadLordDumbellooffered;buthehadgivensigns,——dumbsigns,suchasbirdsgivetoeachother,quiteasintelligibleasverbalsignstoagirlwhopreferredtheuseofhertoestothatofhertongue.\'Ihavenotthoughtaboutit,\'saidGriselda,verycoldly,andatthatmomentagentlemanstoodbeforeherandaskedherhandforthenextdance.

ItwasLordDumbello;andGriselda,makingnoreplyexceptbyaslightbow,gotupandputherhandwithinherpartner\'sarm.

\'ShallIfindyouhere,LadyLufton,whenwehavedone?\'shesaid;

andthenstartedoffamongthedancers.Whentheworkbeforeoneisdancingtheproperthingforagentlemantodois,atanyrate,toaskalady;thisproperthingLordLuftonhadomitted,andnowtheprizewastakenawayfromunderhisverynose.

TherewasclearlyanairoftriumphaboutLordDumbelloashewalkedawaywiththebeauty.TheworldhadbeensayingthatLordLuftonwastomarryher,andtheworldhadalsobeensayingthatLordDumbelloadmiredher.NowthishadangeredLordDumbello,andmakehimfeelasthoughhewalkedabout,amarkofscorn,asadisappointedsuitor.HaditnotbeenforLordLufton,perhapshewouldnothavecaredsomuchforGriseldaGrantly;butcircumstanceshadsoturnedoutthathedidcareforher,andfeltittobeincumbentuponhim,astheheirtoamarquisate,toobtainwhathewanted,letwhowouldhaveahankeringafterthesamearticle.Itisinthiswaythatpicturesaresowellsoldatauctions;andLordDumbelloregardedMissGrantlyasbeingnowsubjecttotheauctioneer\'shammer,andconceivedthatLordLuftonwasbiddingagainsthim.Therewas,therefore,anairoftriumphabouthimasheputhisarmroundGriselda\'swaist,andwhirledherupanddowntheroominobediencetothemusic.LadyLuftonandhersonwerelefttogetherlookingateachother.Ofcourse,hehadintendedtoaskGriseldatodance,butitcannotbesaidthatheverymuchregrettedhisdisappointment.OfcoursealsoLadyLuftonhadexpectedthathersonandGriseldawouldstanduptogether,andshewasalittleinclinedtobeangrywithherprotegee.\'Ithinkshemighthavewaitedaminute,\'saidLadyLufton.

\'Butwhy,mother?Therearecertainthingsforwhichnooneeverwaits:togiveafriend,forinstance,thefirstpassagethroughagateouthuntingandsuchlike.MissGrantlywasquiterighttotakethefirstthatoffered.\'LadyLuftonhaddeterminedtolearnwhatwastobetheendofthisschemeofhers.ShecouldnothaveGriseldaalwayswithher,andifanythingweretobearrangeditmustbearrangednow,whilebothofthemwereinLondon.AtthecloseoftheseasonGriseldawouldreturntoPlumstead,andLordLuftonwouldgo——nobodyasyetknewwhere.Itwouldbeuselesstolookforwardtofurtheropportunities.Iftheydidnotcontrivetoloveeachothernow,theywouldneverdoso.LadyLuftonwasbeginningtofearthatherplanwouldnotwork,butshemadeuphermindthatshewouldlearnthetruththenandthere——atleastasfarashersonwasconcerned.

\'Oh,yes;quiteso;——ifitisequaltoherwithwhichshedances,\'

saidLadyLufton.

\'Quiteequal,Ishouldthink——unlessitbethatDumbelloislonger-windedthanIam.\'

\'Iamsorrytohearyouspeakofherinthatway,Ludovic.\'

\'Whysorry,mother?\'

\'BecauseIhadhoped——thatyouandshewouldhavelikedeachother.\'Thisshesaidinaserioustoneofvoice,tenderandsad,lookingupintohisfacewithaplaintivegaze,asthoughsheknewthatshewereaskingofhimsomegreatfavour.

\'Yes,mother;Ihaveknownthatyouhavewishedthat.\'

\'Youhaveknownit,Ludovic!\'

\'Oh,dear,yes;youarenotatallsharpatkeepingyoursecretsfromme.And,mother,atonetime,foradayorso,IthoughtthatIcouldobligeyou.Youhavebeensogoodtome,thatIwouldalmostdoanythingforyou.\'

\'Oh,no,no,no,\'shesaid,deprecatinghispraise,andthesacrificewhichheseemedtoofferofhisownhopesandaspirations.\'Iwouldnotforworldshaveyoudosoformysake.

Nomothereverhadabetterson,andmyonlyambitionisforyourhappiness.\'

\'But,mother,shewouldnotmakemehappy.Iwasmadenoughforamomenttothinkthatshecoulddoso——foramomentIdidthinkso.

TherewasoneoccasiononwhichIwouldhaveaskedhertotakeme,but——\'

\'Butwhat,Ludovic?\'

\'Nevermind,itpassedaway;andnowIshallneveraskher.IndeedIdonotthinkshewouldhaveme.Sheisambitious,andflyingathighergamethanIam.AndImustsaythisforher,thatsheknowswellwhatsheisdoing,andplayshercardsasthoughshehadbeenbornwiththeminherhand.\'

\'Youwillneveraskher?\'

\'No,mother;hadIdoneso,itwouldhavebeenfortheloveofyou——onlyfortheloveofyou.\'

\'Iwouldnotforworldsthatyoushoulddothat.\'

\'LetherhaveDumbello;shewillmakeanexcellentwifeforhim,justthewifethathewillwant.Andyou,youwillhavebeensogoodtoherinassistinghertosuchamatter.\'

\'But,Ludovic,Iamsoanxioustoseeyousettled.\'

\'Allingoodtime,mother.\'

\'Ah,butthegoodtimeispassingaway.Yearsrunsoveryquickly.Ihopeyouthinkofmarrying,Ludovic.\'

\'But,mother,whatifIbroughtyouawifethatyoudonotapprove?\'

\'Iwillapproveofanyonethatyoulove;thatis——\'

\'Thatis,ifyouloveheralso;eh,mother?\'

\'ButIrelywithsuchconfidenceonyourtaste.Iknowthatyoucanlikenoonethatisnotladylikeandgood.\'

\'Ladylikeandgood;willthatsuffice?\'saidhe,thinkingofLucyRobarts.

\'Yes;itwillsufficeifyouloveher.Idon\'twantyoutocareformoney.Griseldawillhaveafortunethatwouldhavebeenconvenient;butIdonotwishyoutocareforthat.\'Andthus,astheystoodtogetherinMissDunstable\'scrowdedroom,themotherandsonsettledbetweenthemselvesthattheLufton-Grantlyalliancetreatywasnottoberatified.\'IsupposeImustletMrsGrantlyknow,\'saidLadyLuftontoherself,asGriseldareturnedtoherside.TherehadnotbeenaboveadozenwordsspokenbetweenLordDumbelloandhispartner,butthatyoungladyalsohadnowfullymadeuphermindthatthetreatyabovementionedshouldneverbebroughtintooperation.

Wemustgobacktoourhostess,whomweshouldnothaveleftforsolongatime,seeingthatthischapteriswrittentoshowhowwellshecouldconductherselfingreatemergencies.Shehaddeclaredthatafterawhileshewouldbeabletoleaveherpositionneartheentrancedoor,andfindoutherownpeculiarfriendsamongthecrowd;buttheopportunityfordoingsodidnotcometillverylateintheevening.Therewasacontinuationofarrivals;shewasweariedtodeathwithmakinglittlespeeches,andhadmorethanoncedeclaredthatshemustdeputeMrsHaroldSmithtotakeherplace.Thatladystucktoherthroughallherlabourswithadmirableconstancy,andmadetheworkbearable.Withoutsomesuchconstancyonafriend\'spart,itwouldhavebeenunbearable;anditmustbeacknowledgedthatthiswasmuchtothecreditofMrsHaroldSmith.Herownhopeswithreferencetothegreatheiresshadallbeenshattered,andheranswerhadbeengiventoherinveryplainlanguage.But,nevertheless,shewastruetoherfriendship,andwasalmostaswillingtoendurethefatigueonthisoccasionasthoughshehadasister-in-law\'srightinthehouse.Ataboutoneo\'clockherbrothercame.HehadnotyetseenMissDunstablesincetheofferhadbeenmade,andhadnowwithgreatdifficultybeenpersuadedbyhissistertoshowhimself.

\'Whatcanbetheuse?\'saidhe.\'Thegameisupwithmenow;\'——meaning,poorruinedne\'er-do-well,notonlythatthatgamewithMissDunstablewasup,butthatthegreatgameofhiswholelifewasbeingbroughttoanuncomfortabletermination.

\'Nonsense,\'saidhissister;\'doyoumeantodespairbecauseamanliketheDukeofOmniumwantshismoney?Whathasbeengoodsecurityforhimwillbegoodsecurityforanother;\'andthenMrsHaroldSmithmadeherselfmoreagreeablethenevertoMissDunstable.

WhenMissDunstablewasnearlywornout,butwasstillendeavouringtobuoyherselfupbyahopeofthestill-expectedgreatarrival——forsheknewthattheherowouldshowhimselfonlyataverylatehourifitweretobehergoodfortunethatheshowedhimselfatall——MrSowerbywalkedupthestairs.Hehadschooledhimselftogothroughwiththisordealwithallthecooleffronterywhichwasathiscommand;butitwasclearlytobeseenthatallhiseffronterydidnotstandhiminsufficientstead,andthattheinterviewwouldhavebeenembarrassinghaditnotbeenforthegenuinegood-humourofthelady.\'Hereismybrother,\'saidMrsHaroldSmith,showingbythetremulousnessofthewhisperthatshelookedforwardtothemeetingwithsomeamountofapprehension.

\'Howdoyoudo,MrSowerby?\'saidMissDunstable,walkingalmostintothedoorwaytowelcomehim.\'Betterlatethannever.\'

\'IhaveonlyjustgotawayfromtheHouse,\'saidhe,ashegaveherhishand.

\'Oh,Iknowwellthatyouaresansreprocheamongsenators——asMrHaroldSmithissanspeur;——eh,mydear?\'

\'Imustconfessthatyouhavecontrivedtobeuncommonlysevereuponthemboth,\'saidMrsHarold,laughing;\'andasregardspoorHarold,mostundeservedlyso;Nathanielishere,andmaydefendhimself.\'

\'Andnooneisbetterabletodosoonalloccasions.But,mydearMrSowerby,Iamdyingofdespair.Doyouthinkhe\'llcome?\'

\'He?who?\'

\'Youstupidman——asifthereweremorethanonehe!Thereweretwo,buttheotherhasbeen.\'

\'Uponmyword,Idon\'tunderstand,\'saidMrSowerby,nowagainathisease.\'ButcanIdoanything?ShallIgoandfetchanyone?

Oh,TomTowers;IfearIcan\'thelpyou.Buthereheisatthefootofthestairs!\'AndthenMrSowerbystoodbackwithhissistertomakewayforthegreatrepresentativemanoftheage.

\'Angelsandministersofgraceassistme!\'saidMissDunstable.

\'HowonearthamItobehavemyself?MrSowerby,doyouthinkthatIoughttokneeldown?Mydear,willhehaveareporterathisbackintheroyallivery?\'AndthenMissDunstableadvancedtwoorthreesteps——notintothedoorway,asshehaddoneforMrSowerby——putoutherhand,andsmiledhersweetestonMrTowersoftheJupiter.

\'Thehonourdoneisallconferredonme,\'andhebowedandcurtsiedwithverystatelygrace.Eachthoroughlyunderstoodthebadinageoftheother;andthen,inafewmoments,theywereengagedinveryeasyconversation.

\'Bytheby,Sowerby,whatdoyouthinkofthisthreateneddissolution?\'saidTomTowers.

\'WeareallinthehandsofProvidence,\'saidMrSowerby,strivingtotakethematterwithoutanyoutwardshowofemotion.Butthequestionwasoneofterribleimporttohim,anduptothistimehehadheardofnosuchthreat.NorhadMrsHaroldSmith,norMissDunstable,norhadahundredotherswhonoweitherlistenedtothevaticinationsofMrTowers,ortotheimmediatereportmadeofthem.Butitisgiventosomementooriginatesuchtidings,andtheperformanceoftheprophecyisoftenbroughtaboutbytheauthorityoftheprophet.Onthefollowingmorningtherumourthattherewouldbeadissolutionwascurrentinallhighcircles.\'Theyhavenoconscienceinsuchmatters;noconsciencewhatever,\'saidasmallgod,speakingofthegiants——asmallgod,whoseconstituencywasexpensive.MrTowersstoodtherechattingforabouttwentyminutes,andthentookhisdeparturewithoutmakinghiswayintotheroom.Hehadansweredthepurposeforwhichhehadbeeninvited,andleftMissDunstableinahappyframeofmind.

\'Iamverygladhecame,\'saidMrsHaroldSmith,withanairoftriumph.

\'Yes,Iamglad,\'saidMissDunstable,\'thoughIamthoroughlyashamedthatIshouldbeso.Afterall,whatgoodhashedonetomeortoanyone?\'Andhavingutteredthismoralreflection,shemadeherwayintotherooms,andsoondiscoveredDrThornestandingbyhimselfagainstthewall.

\'Well,doctor,\'saidMissDunstable,\'whereareMaryandFrank?Youdonotlookatallcomfortable,standingherebyyourself.\'

\'IamquiteascomfortableasIexpected,thankyou,\'saidhe.

\'Theyareintheroomsomewhere,and,asIbelieve,equallyhappy.\'

\'That\'sspitefulofyou,doctor,tospeakinthatway.WhatwouldyousayifyouwerecalledontoendureallthatIhavegonethroughthisevening?\'

\'Thereisnoaccountingfortastes,butIpresumeyoulikeit?\'

\'Iamnotsosureofthat.Givemeyourarmandletmegetsomesupper.Onealwayslikestheideaofhavingdonehardwork,andonealwayslikestohavebeensuccessful.\'

\'Weallknowthatvirtueisitsownreward,\'saidthedoctor.

\'Well,thatissomethingharduponme,\'saidMissDunstable,asshesatdowntotable.\'Andyoureallythinkthatnogoodofanysortcancomefrommygivingsuchapartyasthis?\'

\'Oh,yes;somepeople,nodoubt,havebeenamused.\'

\'Itisallvanityinyourestimation,\'saidMissDunstable;\'vanityandvexationofspirit.Well;thereisagooddealofthelatter,certainly.Sherry,ifyouplease.Iwouldgiveanythingforaglassofbeer,butthatisoutofthequestion.Vanityandvexationofspirit!AndyetImeanttodogood.\'

\'Pray,donotsupposeIamcondemningyou,MissDunstable.\'

\'Ah,butIdosupposeit.Notonlyyou,butanotheralso,whosejudgementIcarefor,perhaps,morethanyours;andthat,letmetellyou,issayingagreatdeal.Youdocondemnme,DrThorne,andIalsocondemnmyself.ItisnotthatIhavedonewrong,butthegameisnotworththecandle.\'

\'Ah;thatisthequestion.\'

\'Thegameisnotworththecandle.AndyetitwasatriumphtohaveboththedukeandTomTowers.YoumustconfessthatIhavenotmanagedbadly.\'SoonafterthattheGreshamswentaway,andinanhour\'stimeorso,MissDunstablewasallowedtodragherselftoherownbed.

Thatisthegreatquestiontobeaskedonallsuchoccasions,\'Isthegameworththecandle?\'

CHAPTERXXX

THEGRANTLYTRIUMPH

Ithasbeenmentionedcursorily——thereader,nodoubt,willhaveforgottenit——thatMrsGrantlywasnotspeciallyinvitedbyherhusbandtogouptotownwithaviewofbeingpresentatMissDunstable\'sparty.MrsGrantlysaidnothingonthesubject,butshewassomewhatchagrined;notonaccountofthelossshesustainedwithreferencetothatcelebratedassembly,butbecauseshefeltthatherdaughter\'saffairsrequiredthesupervisionofamother\'seye.ShealsodoubtedthefinalratificationofthatLufton-Grantlytreaty,and,doubtingit,shedidnotfeelquitesatisfiedthatherdaughtershouldbeleftinLadyLufton\'shands.

Shehadsaidawordortwotothearchdeaconbeforehewentup,butonlyawordortwo,forshehesitatedtotrusthiminsodelicateamatter.Shewas,therefore,notalittlesurprisedatreceivingaletterfromhimdesiringherimmediatepresenceinLondon.Shewassurprised;butherheartwasfilledratherwithhopethandismay,forshehadfullconfidenceinherdaughter\'sdiscretion.Onthemorningaftertheparty,LadyLuftonandGriseldahadbreakfastedtogetherasusual,buteachfeltthatthemanneroftheotherwasaltered.LadyLuftonthoughtthatheryoungfriendwassomewhatlessattentive,andperhapslessmeekinherdemeanourthanusual;

andGriseldafeltthatLadyLuftonwaslessaffectionate.Verylittle,however,wassaidbetweenthem,andLadyLuftonexpressednosurprisewhenGriseldabeggedtobeleftaloneathome,insteadofaccompanyingherladyshipwhenthecarriagecametothedoor.

NobodycalledinBrutonStreetthatafternoon——noone,atleast,wasletin——exceptthearchdeacon.Hecametherelateintheday,andremainedwithhisdaughtertillLadyLuftonreturned.Thenhetookhisleave,withmoreabruptnessthanwasusualwithhim,andwithoutsayinganythingspecialtoaccountforthedurationofhisvisit.NeitherdidGriseldasayanythingspecial;andsotheeveningworeaway,eachfeelinginsomeunconsciousmannerthatshewasonlessintimatetermswiththeotherthanhadpreviouslybeenthecase.

OnthenextdayGriseldawouldnotgoout,butatfouro\'clockaservantbroughtalettertoherfromMountStreet.HermotherhadarrivedinLondonandwishedtoseeheratonce.MrsGrantlysentherlovetoLadyLufton,andwouldcallathalf-pastfive,oratanylaterhouratwhichitmightbeconvenientforLadyLuftontoseeher.GriseldawastostayanddineinMountStreet;sosaidtheletter.LadyLuftondeclaredthatshewouldbeveryhappytoseeMrsGrantlyatthehournamed;andthen,armedwiththismessage,Griseldastartedforhermother\'slodgings.\'I\'llsendthecarriageforyou,\'saidLadyLufton.\'Isupposeabouttenwilldo.\'

\'Thankyou,\'saidGriselda,\'thatwilldoverynicely;\'andthenshewent.Exactlyathalf-pastfiveMrsGrantlywasshownintoLadyLufton\'sdrawing-room.Herdaughterdidnotcomewithher,andLadyLuftoncouldseebytheexpressionofherfriend\'sfacethatbusinesswastobediscussed.Indeed,itwasnecessarythatsheherselfshoulddiscussbusiness,forMrsGrantlymustnowbetoldthatthefamilytreatycouldnotberatified.Thegentlemandeclinedthealliance,andpoorLadyLuftonwasuneasyinhermindatthenatureofthetaskbeforeher.

\'Yourcominguphasbeenratherunexpected,\'saidLadyLufton,assoonasherfriendwasseatedonthesofa.

\'Yes,indeed;Igotaletterfromthearchdeacononlythismorning,whichmadeitabsolutelynecessarythatIshouldcome.\'

\'Nobadnews,Ihope?\'saidLadyLufton.

\'No;Ican\'tcallitbadnews.But,dearLadyLufton,thingswon\'talwaysturnoutexactlyasonewouldhavethem.\'

\'No,indeed,\'saidherladyship,rememberingthatitwasincumbentonhertoexplaintoMrsGrantlynowatthispresentinterviewthetidingswithwhichhermindwasfraught.Shewould,however,letMrsGrantlyfirsttellherownstory,feeling,perhaps,thattheonemightpossiblybearupontheother.

\'PoordearGriselda!\'saidMrsGrantly,almostwithasigh.\'I

neednottellyou,LadyLufton,whatmyhopeswereregardingher.\'

\'Hasshetoldyouanything——anythingthat——\'

\'Shewouldhavespokentoyouatonce——anditwasduetoyouthatsheshouldhavedoneso——butshewastimid;andnotunnaturallyso.Andthenitwasrightthatsheshouldseeherfatherandmebeforeshequitemadeuphermind.ButImaysaythatitissettlednow.\'

\'Whatissettled?\'askedLadyLufton.

\'Ofcourseitisimpossibleforanyonetotellbeforehandhowthesethingswillturnout,\'continuedMrsGrantly,beatingaboutthebushrathermorethanwasnecessary.\'ThedearestwishofmyheartwastoseehermarriedtoLordLufton.Ishouldsomuchhavewishedtohaveherinthesamecountywithme,andsuchamatchasthatwouldhavefullysatisfiedmyambition.\'

Well,Ishouldthinkitmight!\'LadyLuftondidnotsaythisoutloud,butshethoughtit.MrsGrantlywasabsolutelyspeakingofamatchbetweenherdaughterandLordLuftonasthoughshewouldhavedisplayedsomeChristianmoderationinputtingupwithit!GriseldaGrantlymightbeaverynicegirl;butevenshe——sothoughtLadyLuftonatthemoment——mightpossiblybepricedtoohighly.

\'DearMrsGrantly,\'shesaid,\'Ihaveforeseenforthelastfewdaysthatourmutualhopesinthisrespectwouldnotbegratified.

LordLufton,Ithink;——butperhapsitisnotnecessarytoexplain——Hadyounotcomeuptotown,Ishouldhavewrittentoyou,——probablytoday.WhatevermaybedearGriselda\'sfateinlife,Isincerelyhopethatshemaybehappy.\'

\'Ithinkshewill,\'saidMrsGrantly,inatonethatexpressedmuchsatisfaction.

\'Has——anything——\'

\'LordDumbelloproposedtoGriseldatheothernight,atMissDunstable\'sparty,\'saidMrsGrantly,withhereyesfixeduponthefloor,andassumingonthesuddenmuchmeeknessinhermanner;\'andhislordshipwaswiththearchdeaconyesterday,andagainthismorning.IfancyheisinMountStreetatthepresentmoment.\'

\'Oh,indeed!\'saidLadyLufton.Shewouldhavegivenworldstohavepossessedatthemomentsufficientself-commandtohaveenabledhertoexpressinhertoneandmannerunqualifiedsatisfactionofthetidings.Butshehadnotsuchself-command,andwaspainfullyawareofherowndeficiency.

\'Yes,\'saidMrsGrantly.\'Andasitisallsofarsettled,andasIknowyouaresokindlyanxiousaboutdearGriselda,Ithoughtitrighttoletyouknowatonce.Nothingcanbemoreupright,honourable,andgenerous,thanLordDumbello\'sconduct;and,onthewhole,thematchisonewithwhichIandthearchdeaconcannotbutbecontented.\'

\'Itiscertainlyagreatmatch,\'saidLadyLufton.\'HaveyouseenLadyHartletopyet?\'

NowLadyHartletopcouldnotberegardedasanagreeableconnexion,butthiswastheonlywordwhichescapedfromLadyLuftonthatcouldbeconsideredinanywaydisparaging,and,onthewhole,I

thinkshebehavedwell.

\'LordDumbelloissocompletelyhisownmasterthatthathasnotbeennecessary,\'saidMrsGrantly.\'Themarquesshasbeentold,andthearchdeaconwillseehimeitherto-morroworthedayafter.\'

TherewasnothingleftforLadyLuftonbuttocongratulateherfriend,andthisshedidinwordsperhapsnotverysincere,butwhich,onthewhole,werenotbadlychosen.

\'IamsureIhopeshewillbeveryhappy,\'saidLadyLufton,\'andI

trustthatthealliance\'——thewordwasveryagreeabletoMrsGrantly\'sear——\'willgiveunalloyedgratificationtoyouandherfather.Thepositionwhichsheiscalledtofillisaverysplendidone,butIdonotthinkthatitisabovehermerits.\'Thiswasverygenerous,andsoMrsGrantlyfeltit.Shehadexpectedthathernewswouldbereceivedwiththecoldestshadeofcivility,andshewasquitepreparedtodobattleiftherewasoccasion.Butshehadnowishforwar,andwasalmostgratefultoLadyLuftonforhercordiality.

\'DearLadyLufton,\'shesaid,\'itissokindofyoutosayso.I

havetoldnooneelse,andofcoursewouldtellnoonetillyouknewit.Noonehasknownherandunderstoodhersowellasyouhavedone.AndIcanassureyouofthis,thatthereisnoonetowhosefriendshipshelooksforwardinhernewsphereoflifewithhalfsomuchpleasureasshedoesyours.\'LadyLuftondidnotsaymuchfurther.ShecouldnotdeclarethatsheexpectedmuchgratificationfromanintimacywiththefutureMarchionessofHartletop.TheHartletopsandLuftonsmust,atanyrateforhergeneration,liveinaworldapart,andshehadnotsaidallthatheroldfriendshipwithMrsGrantlyrequired.MrsGrantlyunderstoodallthisquiteaswellasdidLadyLufton;butthenMrsGrantlywasmuchthebetterwomanoftheworld.ItwasarrangedthatGriseldashouldcomebacktoBrutonStreetforthenight,andthathervisitshouldthenbebroughttoaclose.

\'ThearchdeaconthinksthatforthepresentIhadbetterremainintown,\'saidMrsGrantly,\'andundertheverypeculiarcircumstancesGriseldawillbe——perhapsmorecomfortablewithme.\'TothisLadyLuftonentirelyagreed;andsotheyparted,excellentfriends,embracingeachotherinamostaffectionatemanner.ThateveningGriseldadidreturntoBrutonStreet,andLadyLuftonhadtogothroughthefurthertaskofcongratulatingher.Thiswasthemoredisagreeableofthetwo,especiallysoasithadtobethoughtoverbeforehand.Buttheyounglady\'sexcellentgoodsenseandsterlingqualitiesmakethetaskcomparativelyaneasyone.Sheneithercried,norwasimpassioned,norwentintohysterics,norshowedanyemotion.ShedidnoteventalkofhernobleDumbello,——hergenerousDumbello.ShetookLadyLufton\'skissesalmostinsilence,thankedhergentlyforherkindness,andmadenoallusiontoherownfuturegrandeur.

\'IthinkIshouldliketogotobedearly,\'shesaid,\'asImustseetomypackingup.\'

\'Richardswilldoallthatforyou,mydear.\'

\'Oh,yes,thankyou,nothingcanbekinderthanRichards.ButI\'lljustseetomyowndresses.\'Andsoshewenttobedearly.

LadyLuftondidnotseehersonforthenexttwodays,butwhenshedid,ofcourseshesaidawordortwoaboutGriselda.\'Youhaveheardthenews,Ludovic?\'sheasked.

\'Oh,yes;it\'satalltheclubs.Ihavebeenoverwhelmedwithpresentsofwillowbranches.\'

\'You,atanyrate,havenothingtoregret,\'shesaid.

\'Noryoueither,mother.Iamsureyoudonotthinkyouhave.Saythatyoudonotregretit.Dearestmother,saysoformysake.Doyounotknowinyourheartofheartsthatshewasnotsuitedtobehappyasmywife——ortomakemehappy.\'

\'Perhapsnot,\'saidLadyLufton,sighing.Andthenshekissedherson,anddeclaredtoherselfthatnogirlinEnglandcouldbegoodenoughforhim.