第11章

CHAPTERXXXI

SALMONFISHINGINNORWAY

LordDumbello\'sengagementwithGriseldaGrantlywasthetalkofthetownforthenexttendays.Itformed,atleast,oneoftwosubjectswhichmonopolizedattention,theotherbeingthatdreadfulrumour,firstputinmotionbyTomTowersatMissDunstable\'sparty,astoathreateneddissolutionofParliament.\'Perhapsafterall,itwillbethebestthingforus,\'saidMrGreenWalker,whofelthimselftobetolerablysafeatCreweJunction.

\'Iregarditasamostwickedattempt,\'saidHaroldSmith,whowasnotequallysecureinhisownborough,andtowhomtheexpenseofanelectionwasdisagreeable.\'Itisdoneinorderthattheymaygetthetimetotideovertheautumn.Theywon\'tgaintenvotesbyadissolution,andlessthanfortywouldhardlygivethemamajority.Buttheyhavenosenseofpublicduty——nonewhatever.

IndeedIdon\'tknowwhohas.\'

\'No,byJove;that\'sjustit.That\'swhatmyauntLadyHartletopsays;thereisnosenseofdutyleftintheworld.Bytheby,whatanuncommonfoolDumbelloismakinghimself!\'Andthentheconversationwentofftothatothertopic.

LordLufton\'sjokeagainsthimselfaboutthewillowbrancheswasallverywell,andnobodydreamedthathisheartwassoreinthatmatter.TheworldwaslaughingatLordDumbelloforwhatitchosetocallafoolishmatch,andLordLufton\'sfriendstalkedtohimaboutitasthoughtheyhadneversuspectedthathecouldhavemadeanassofhimselfinthesamedirection;but,nevertheless,hewasnotaltogethercontented.HebynomeanswishedtomarryGriselda;

hehaddeclaredhimselfadozentimessincehehadfirstsuspectedhismother\'smanoeuvresthatnoconsiderationonearthshouldinducehimtodoso;hehadpronouncedhertobecold,insipid,andunattractiveinspiteofherbeauty:andyethefeltalmostangrythatLordDumbelloshouldhavebeensuccessful.Andthis,too,wasthemoreinexcusable,seeingthathehadneverforgottenLucyRobarts,hadneverceasedtoloveher,andthat,inholdingthosevariousconversationswithinhisownbosom,hewasasloudinLucy\'sfavourashewasindispraiseofGriselda.

\'Yourhero,then,\'Ihearsomewell-balancedcriticsay,\'isnotworthverymuch.\'InthefirstplaceLordLuftonisnotmyhero;

andinthenextplace,amanmaybeveryimperfectandyetworthagreatdeal.AmanmaybeasimperfectasLordLufton,andyetworthyofagoodmotherandagoodwife.Ifnot,howmanyofusareunworthyofthemothersandwiveswehave!Itismybeliefthatfewyoungmensettlethemselvesdowntotheworkoftheworld,tothebegettingofchildren,andcarvingandpayingandstrugglingandfrettingforthesame,withouthavingfirstbeeninlovewithfourorfivepossiblemothersforthem,andprobablywithtwoorthreeatthesametime.Andyetthesemenare,asarule,worthyoftheexcellentwivesthatultimatelyfalltotheirlot.Inthisway,LordLuftonhad,toacertainextent,beeninlovewithGriselda.Therehadbeenonemomentinhislifeinwhichhewouldhaveofferedherhishand,hadnotherdiscretionbeensoexcellent;andthoughthatmomentneverreturned,stillhesufferedfromsomefeelingakintodisappointmentwhenhelearnedthatGriseldahadbeenwonandwastobeworn.Hewas,then,adoginamanger,youwillsay.Well;andarewenotalldogsinthemangermoreorlessactively?Isnotthatmanger-doggishnessoneofthemostcommonphasesofthehumanheart?ButnotthelesswasLordLuftontrulyinlovewithLucyRobarts.HadhefanciedthatanyDumbellowascarryingonasiegebeforethatfortress,hisvexationwouldhavemanifesteditselfinaverydifferentmanner.HecouldjokeaboutGriseldaGrantlywithafrankfaceandahappytoneofvoice;buthadheheardofanytidingsofasimilarimportwithreferencetoLucy,hewouldhavebeenpastalljoking,andImustdoubtwhetheritwouldnotevenhaveaffectedhisappetite.

\'Mother,\'hesaidtoLadyLufton,adayortwoafterthedeclarationofGriselda\'sengagement,\'IamgoingtoNorwaytofish.\'

\'ToNorway,——tofish?\'

\'Yes.We\'vegotaratherniceparty.Clontarfisgoing,andCulpepper——\'

\'What——thathorridman!\'

\'He\'sanexcellenthandatfishing;andHaddingtonPeebles,and——and——there\'llbesixofusaltogether;andwestartthisdayweek.\'

\'That\'srathersudden,Ludovic.\'

\'Yes,itissudden;butwe\'resickofLondon.Ishouldnotcaretogososoonmyself,butClontarfandCulpeppersaythattheseasonisearlythisyear.ImustgodowntoFramleybeforeI

start——aboutmyhorses:andthereforeIcametotellyouthatI

shallbethereto-morrow.\'

\'AtFramleyto-morrow?IfyoucouldputitoffforthreedaysI

shouldbegoingmyself.\'ButLordLuftoncouldnotputitoffforthreedays.Itmaybethatonthisoccasionhedidnotwishforhismother\'spresenceatFramleywhilehewasthere;thatheconceivedthatheshouldbemoreathiseaseingivingordersabouthisstableifhewerealonewhilesoemployed.Atanyratehedeclinedhercompany,andonthefollowingmorningdidgodowntoFramleybyhimself.

\'Mark,\'saidMrsRobarts,hurryingintoherhusband\'sbook-roomaboutthemiddleoftheday,\'LordLuftonisathome.Haveyouheardit?\'

\'What!HereatFramley?\'

\'HeisoveratFramleyCourt;sotheservantssay.Carsonsawhiminthepaddockwithsomeofthehorses.Won\'tyougoandseehim?\'

\'OfcourseIwill,\'saidMark,shuttinguphispapers.\'LadyLuftoncan\'tbehere,andifheisalonehewillprobablycomeanddine.\'

\'Idon\'tknowaboutthat,\'saidMrsRobarts,thinkingofpoorLucy.

\'Heisnotintheleastparticular.Whatdoesforuswilldoforhim.Ishallaskhim,atanyrate.\'Andwithoutfurtherparleytheclergymantookuphishatandwentoffinsearchofhisfriend.LucyRobartshadbeenpresentwhenthegardenerbroughtintidingsofLordLufton\'sarrivalatFramley,andwasawarethatFannyhadgonetotellherhusband.

\'Hewon\'tcomehere,willhe?\'shesaid,assoonasMrsRobartshadreturned.

\'Ican\'tsay,\'saidFanny.\'Ihopenot.Heoughtnottodoso,andIdon\'tthinkhewill.ButMarksaysthathewillaskhimtodinner.\'

\'Then,Fanny,Imustbetakenill.Thereisnothingelseforit.\'

\'Idon\'tthinkhewillcome.Idon\'tthinkhecanbesocruel.

Indeed,Ifeelsurethathewon\'t;butIthoughtitrighttotellyou.\'LucyalsoconceivedthatitwasimprobablethatLordLuftonshouldcometotheparsonageunderthepresentcircumstances;andshedeclaredtoherselfthatitwouldnotbepossiblethatsheshouldappearattableifhedidso;but,nevertheless,theideaofhisbeingatFramleywas,perhaps,notaltogetherpainfultoher.

Shedidnotrecognizeanypleasureascomingtoherfromhisarrival,butstilltherewassomethinginhispresencewhichwas,unconsciouslytoherself,soothingtoherfeelings.Butthatterriblequestionremained;——Howwasshetoactifitshouldturnoutthathewascomingtodinner?

\'Ifhedoescome,Fanny,\'shesaidsolemnly,afterapause,\'Imustkeeptomyownroom,andleaveMarktothinkwhathepleases.Itwillbebetterformetomakeafoolofmyselfthere,thaninhispresenceinthedrawing-room.\'

MarkRobartstookhishatandstickandwentoveratoncetothehomepaddock,inwhichheknewthatLordLuftonwasengagedwiththehorsesandgrooms.HealsowasinnosupremelyhappyframeofmindforhiscorrespondencewithMrTozerwasontheincrease.Hehadreceivednoticefromthatindefatigablegentlemanthatcertain\'overduebills\'werenowlyingatthebankinBarchester,andwereverydesirousofhis,MrRobarts\'s,notice.AconcatenationofcertainpeculiarlyunfortunatecircumstancesmadeitindispensablynecessarythatMrTozershouldberepaid,withoutfurtherlossoftime,thevarioussumsofmoneywhichhehadadvancedonthecreditofMrRobarts\'sname,&c,&c,&c.Noabsolutethreatwasputforth,and,singulartosay,noactualamountwasnamed.MrRobarts,however,couldnotbutobserve,withamostpainfullyaccurateattention,thatmentionwasmade,notofanoverduebill,butofoverduebills.WhatifMrTozerweretodemandfromhimtheinstantrepaymentofninehundredpounds?HithertohehadmerelywrittentoMrSowerby,andhemighthavehadananswerfromthatgentlemanthismorning,butnosuchanswerhadasyetreachedhim.

Consequentlyhewasnot,atthepresentmoment,inaveryhappyframeofmind.

HesoonfoundhimselfwithLordLuftonandthehorses.Fourorfiveofthemwerebeingwalkedslowlyaboutthepaddockinthecareofasmanymenorboys,andthesheetswerebeingtakenoffthem——offoneafteranother,sothattheirmastermightlookatthemwiththemoreaccuracyandsatisfaction.ButthoughLordLuftonwasthusdoinghisduty,andgoingthroughhiswork,hewasnotdoingitwithhiswholeheart,——astheheadgroomperceivedverywell.Hewasfretfulaboutthenags,andseemedanxioustogetthemoutofhiswholesightassoonashehadmadeadecentpretextoflookingatthem.\'Howareyou,Lufton?\'saidRobarts,comingforward.\'Theytoldmethatyouweredown,andsoIcameacrossatonce.\'

\'Yes;Ionlygotherethismorning,andshouldhavebeenoverwithyoudirectly.IamgoingtoNorwayforsixweeksorso,anditseemsthatthefisharesoearlythisyearthatwemuststartatonce.IhaveamatteronwhichIwanttospeaktoyoubeforeI

leave;and,indeed,itwasthatwhichbroughtmedownmorethananythingelse.\'Therewassomethinghurriedandnotaltogethereasyabouthismannerashespoke,whichstruckRobarts,andmadehimthinkthatthispromisedmattertobespokenwouldnotbeagreeableindiscussion.HedidnotknowwhetherLordLuftonmightnotagainbemixedupwithTozerandthebills.

\'Youwilldinewithusto-day?\'hesaid,\'if,asIsuppose,youareallalone.\'

\'Yes,Iamallalone.\'

\'Thenyouwillcome?\'

\'Well,Idon\'tquiteknow.No,Idon\'tthinkIcangoovertodinner.Don\'tlooksodisgusted.I\'llexplainitalltoyoujustnow.\'Whatcouldtherebeinthewind;andhowwasitpossiblethatTozer\'sbillshouldmakeitinexpedientforLordLuftontodineattheparsonage?Robarts,however,saidnothingfurtheraboutitatthemoment,butturnedofftolookatthehorses.

\'Theyareanuncommonlynicesetofanimals,\'saidhe.

\'Well,yes;Idon\'tknow.Whenamanhasfourorfivehorsestolookat,somehoworotherheneverhasonefittogo.Thatchestnutmareisapicture,nowthatnobodywantsher;butshewasn\'tabletocarrymewelltohoundsasingledaylastwinter.Takethemin,Pounce;that\'lldo.\'

\'Won\'tyourlordshiprunyoureyeovertheoldblack\'oss?\'saidPounce,theheadgroom,inamelancholytone;\'he\'sasfine,sir——asfineasastag.\'

\'Totellyouthetruth,Ithinkthey\'retoofine;butthat\'lldo;

takethemin.Andnow,Mark,ifyou\'reatleisure,we\'lltakeaturnroundtheplace.\'Mark,ofcourse,wasatleisure,andsotheystartedontheirwalk.

\'You\'retoodifficulttopleaseaboutyourstable,\'Robartsbegan.

\'Nevermindaboutthestablenow,\'saidLordLufton.\'Thetruthis,Iamnotthinkingaboutit.Mark,\'hethensaid,veryabruptly,\'Iwantyoutobefrankwithme.Hasyoursistereverspokentoyouaboutme?\'

\'Mysister;Lucy?\'

\'Yes;yoursisterLucy.\'

\'No,never;atleastnothingspecial;nothingthatIcanrememberatthemoment.\'

\'Noryourwife?\'

\'Spokenaboutyou!——Fanny?Ofcourseshehas,intheordinaryway.Itwouldbeimpossiblethatsheshouldnot.Butwhatdoyoumean?\'

\'HaveeitherofthemtoldyouthatImadeanoffertoyoursister?\'

\'ThatyoumadeanoffertoLucy?\'

\'Yes,thatImadeanoffertoLucy.\'

\'No;nobodyhastoldmeso.Ihaveneverdreamedofsuchathing;

nor,asfarasIbelieve,havethey.Ifanybodyhasspreadsuchareport,orsaidthateitherofthemhavehintedatsuchathing,itisabaselie.Goodheavens!Lufton,forwhatdoyoutakethem?\'

\'ButIdid,\'saidhislordship.

\'Didwhat?\'saidtheparson.

\'Ididmakeyoursisteranoffer.\'

\'YoumadeLucyanofferofmarriage?\'

\'Yes,Idid;——inasplainlanguageasagentlemancouldusetoalady.\'

\'Andwhatanswerdidshemake?\'

\'Sherefusedme.Andnow,Mark,Ihavecomedownherewiththeexpresspurposeofmakingthatofferagain.Nothingcouldbemoredecidedthanyoursister\'sanswer.Itstruckmeasbeingalmostuncourteouslydecided.Butstillitispossiblethatcircumstancesmayhaveweighedwithherwhichoughtnottoweighwithher.Ifherlovebenotgiventoanyoneelse,Imaystillhaveachanceofit.It\'stheoldstoryoffaintheart,youknow;atanyrate,I

meantotrymyluckagain;andthinkingoveritwithdeliberatepurpose,IhavecometotheconclusionthatIoughttotellyoubeforeIseeher.\'

LordLuftoninlovewithLucy!AsthesewordsrepeatedthemselvesoverandoveragainwithinMarkRobarts\'smind,hismindaddedtothemnotesofsurprisewithoutend.Howhaditcomeabout——andwhy?InhisestimationhissisterLucywasaverysimplegirl——notplainindeed,butbynomeansbeautiful;certainlynotstupid,butbynomeansbrilliant.Andthen,hewouldhavesaid,thatofallthemenheknew,LordLuftonwouldhavebeenthelasttofallinlovewithsuchagirlashissister.Andnow,whatwashetosayordo?Whatviewswasheboundtohold?Inwhatdirectionshouldheact?TherewasLadyLuftonontheoneside,towhomheowedeverything.Howwouldlifebepossibletohiminthatparsonage——withinafewyardsofherelbow——ifheconsenttoreceiveLordLuftonastheacknowledgedsuitorofhissister?ItwouldbeagreatmatchforLucy,doubtless;but.IndeedhecouldnotbringhimselftobelievethatLucycouldintruthbecometheabsolutereigningqueenofFramleyCourt.

\'DoyouthinkthatFannyknowsanythingofallthis?\'hesaidafteramomentortwo.

\'Icannotpossiblytell.Ifshedoesitisnotwithmyknowledge.

Ishouldhavethoughtthatyoucouldbestanswerthat.\'

\'Icannotansweritatall,\'saidMark.\'I,atleast,havehadnoremotestideaofsuchathing.\'

\'Yourideasofitnowneednotbeatallremote,\'saidLordLufton,withafaintsmile;\'andyoumayknowitasafact.Ididmakeheranofferofmarriage;Iwasrefused;Iamgoingtorepeatit;andI

amnowtakingyouintomyconfidence,inorderthat,asherbrother,andasmyfriend,youmaygivemesuchassistanceasyoucan.\'Theythenwalkedoninsilenceforsomeyards,afterwhichLordLuftonadded:\'AndnowI\'lldinewithyouto-dayifyouwishit.\'MrRobartsdidnotknowwhattosay;hecouldnotbethinkhimselfwhatanswerdutyrequiredofhim.Hehadnorighttointerferebetweenhissisterandsuchamarriageifsheherselfshouldwishit;butstilltherewassomethingterribleinthethoughtofit!Hehadavagueconceptionthatitmustcometoevil;thattheprojectwasadangerousone;andthatitcouldnotfinallyresulthappilyforanyofthem.WhatwouldLadyLuftonsay?Thatundoubtedlywasthechiefsourceofhisdismay.

\'Haveyouspokentoyourmotheraboutthis?\'hesaid.

\'Mymother?No;whyspeaktohertillIknowmyfate?Amandoesnotliketospeakmuchofsuchmattersiftherebeaprobabilityofitsbeingrejected.ItellyoubecauseIdonotliketomakemywayintoyourhouseunderafalsepretence.\'

\'ButwhatwouldLadyLuftonsay?\'

\'Ithinkitprobablethatshewouldbedispleasedonthefirsthearingofit;thatinfour-and-twentyhoursshewouldbereconciled;andthatafteraweekorsoLucywouldbeherdearestfavouriteandthePrimeMinisterofallhermachinations.Youdon\'tknowmymotheraswellasIdo.Shewouldgiveherheadoffhershoulderstodomeapleasure.\'

\'Andforthatreason,\'saidMarkRobarts,\'youought,ifpossible,todoherpleasure.\'

\'Icannotabsolutelymarrythewifeofherchoosing,ifyoumeanthat,\'saidLordLufton.Theywentonwalkingaboutthegardenforanhour,buttheyhardlygotanyfartherthanthepointtowhichwehavenowbroughtthem.MarkRobartscouldnotmakeuphismindonthespurofthemoment;nor,ashesaidmorethanoncetoLordLufton,couldhebeatallsurethatLucywouldinanywaybeguidedbyhim.Itwas,therefore,atlastsettledbetweenthemthatLordLuftonshouldcometotheparsonageimmediatelyafterbreakfastonthefollowingmorning.Itwasagreedalsothatthedinnerhadbetternotcomeoff,andRobartspromisedthathewould,ifpossible,havedeterminedbythemorningastowhatadvicehewouldgivehissister.HewentdirectlyhometotheparsonagefromFramleyCourt,feelingthathewasaltogetherinthedarktillheshouldhaveconsultedwithhiswife.HowwouldhefeelifLucyweretobecomeLadyLufton?AndhowwouldhelookLadyLuftoninthefaceintellingherthatsuchwastobehissister\'sdestiny?

Onreturninghomeheimmediatelyfoundhiswife,andhadnotbeenclosetedwithherfiveminutesbeforeheknew,atanyrate,allthatsheknew.\'Andyoumeantosaythatshedoeslovehim?\'saidMark.

\'Indeedshedoes;andisitnotnaturalthatsheshould?WhenIsawthemsomuchtogetherIfearedthatshewould.ButIneverthoughtthathewouldcareforher.\'EvenFannydidnotasyetgiveLucycreditforhalfherattractiveness.Afteranhour\'stalkingtheinterviewbetweenthehusbandandwifeendedinamessagetoLucy,begginghertojointhembothinthebook-room.

\'AuntyLucy,\'saidachubbylittledarling,whowastakenupintohisaunt\'sarmsashespoke,\'PapaandMamma\'ant\'oo\'intetuddy,andImustgowis\'oo.\'Lucy,asshekissedtheboyandpressedhisfaceagainstherown,feltthatherbloodwasrunningquicktoherheart.

\'Mustn\'too\'gowisme,myownone?\'shesaidassheputherplayfellowdown;butsheplayedwiththechildonlybecauseshedidnotwishtobetray,eventohim,thatshewashardlymistressofherself.SheknewthatLordLuftonwasatFramley;sheknewthatherbrotherhadbeentohim;sheknewthataproposalhadbeenmadethatheshouldcometheretodinner.Mustitnot,therefore,bethecasethatthiscalltoameetinginthestudyhadarisenoutofLordLufton\'sarrivalatFramley?Andyet,howcouldithavedoneso?HadFannybetrayedherinordertopreventthedinnerinvitation?ItcouldnotbepossiblethatLordLuftonhimselfshouldhavespokenonthesubject!Andthenagainshestoopedtokissthechild,rubbedherhandsacrossherforeheadtosmoothherhair,anderase,ifthatmightbepossible,thelookofcarewhichshewore,andthendescendedslowlytoherbrother\'ssitting-room.

Herhandpausedforasecondonthedooreresheopenedit,butshehadresolvedthat,comewhatmight,shewouldbebrave.Shepusheditopenandwalkedinwithaboldfront,witheyeswideopen,andaslowstep.\'Franksaysthatyouwantme,\'shesaid.MrRobartsandFannywerebothstandingupbythefireplace,andeachwaitedasecondfortheothertospeak,whenLucyenteredtheroom,andthenFannybegan,——

\'LordLuftonishere,Lucy.\'

\'Here!Where?Attheparsonage?\'

\'No,notattheparsonage;butoveratFramleyCourt,\'saidMark.

\'Andhepromisestocallhereafterbreakfastto-morrow\'saidFanny.Andthenagaintherewasapause.MrsRobartshardlydaredtolookLucyintheface.Shehadnotbetrayedhertrust,seeingthatthesecrethadbeentoldtoMark,notbyher,butbyLordLufton;butshecouldnotbutfeelthatLucywouldthinkthatshehadbetrayedit.

\'Verywell,\'saidLucy,tryingtosmile;\'Ihavenoobjectioninlife.\'

\'But,Lucy,dear,\'——andnowMrsRobartsputherarmroundhersister-in-law\'swaist——\'heiscominghereespeciallytoseeyou.\'

\'Oh;thatmakesadifference.IamafraidthatIshallbe——

engaged.\'

\'HehastoldeverythingtoMark,\'saidMrsRobarts.Lucynowfeltthatherbraverywasalmostdesertingher.Shehardlyknewwhichwaytolookorhowtostand.HadFannytoldeverythingalso?TherewassomuchthatFannyknewthatLordLuftoncouldnothaveknown.

But,intruth,Fannyhadtoldall——thewholestoryofLucy\'slove,andhaddescribedthereasonswhichhadinducedhertorejecthersuitor;andhaddonesoinwordswhich,hadLordLuftonheardthem,wouldhavemadehimtwiceaspassionateinhislove.AndthenitcertainlydidoccurtoLucytothinkwhyLordLuftonshouldhavecometoFramleyandtoldallofhisstorytoherbrother.Sheattemptedforamomenttomakeherselfbelievethatshewasangrywithhimfordoingso.Butshewasnotangry.Shehadnottimetoarguemuchaboutit,buttherecameuponheragratifiedsensationofhavingbeenremembered,andthoughtof,and——loved.Mustitnotbeso?Coulditbepossiblethathehimselfwouldhavetoldthistaletoherbrother,ifhedidnotstillloveher?Fiftytimesshehadsaidtoherselfthathisofferhadbeenanaffairofthemoment,andfiftytimesshehadbeenunhappyinsosaying.Butthisnewcomingofhiscouldnotbeanaffairofthemoment.Shehadbeenthedupe,shehadthought,ofanabsurdpassiononherownpart;butnow——howwasitnow?ShedidnotbringherselftothinkthatsheshouldeverbeLadyLufton.Shehadstill,insomeperverselyobstinatemanner,madeuphermindagainstthatresult.

Butyet,nevertheless,itdidinsomeunaccountablemannersatisfyhertofeelthatLordLuftonhadhimselfcomedowntoFramleyandhimselftoldhisstory.\'HehastoldeverythingtoMark,\'saidMrsRobarts;andthenagaintherewasapauseforamoment,duringwhichthesethoughtspassedthroughLucy\'smind.

\'Yes,\'saidMark,\'hehastoldmeall,andheiscominghereto-morrowmorningthathemayreceiveananswerfromyourself.\'

\'Whatanswer?\'saidLucy,trembling.

\'Nay,dearest;whocansaythatbutyourself?\'andhersister-in-law,asshespoke,pressedagainsther.\'Youmustsaythatyourself.\'MrsRobartsinherlongconversationwithherhusband,hadpleadedstronglyonLucy\'sbehalf,takingasitwereapartagainstLadyLufton.ShehadsaidthatifLordLuftonperseveredinhissuit,theyattheparsonagecouldnotbejustifiedinrobbingLucyofallthatshehadwonforherself,inordertodoLadyLufton\'spleasure.

\'Butshewillthink,\'saidMark,\'thatwehaveplottedandintriguedforthis.Shewillcallusungrateful,andwillmakeLucy\'slifewretched.\'Towhichhiswifehadanswered,thatallmustbeleftinGod\'shands.Theyhadnotplottedorintrigued.

Lucy,thoughlovingthemaninherheartofhearts,hadalreadyoncerefusedhim,becauseshewouldnotbethoughttohavesnatchedatsogreataprize.ButifLordLuftonlovedhersowarmlythathehadcomedownthereinthismanner,onpurpose,ashehimselfhadputit,thathemightlearnhisfate,then——soarguedMrsRobarts——theytwo,lettheirloyaltytoLadyLuftonbeeversostrong,couldnotjustifyittotheirconsciencestostandbetweenLucyandherlover.Markhadstillsomewhatdemurredtothis,suggestinghowterriblewouldbetheirplightiftheyshouldnowencourageLordLufton,andifhe,aftersuchencouragement,whentheyshouldhavequarrelledwithLadyLufton,shouldallowhimselftoledawayfromhisengagementbyhismother.TowhichFannyhadansweredthatjusticewasjustice,andthatrightwasright.

EverythingmustbetoldtoLucy,andshemustjudgeforherself.

\'ButIdonotknowwhatLordLuftonwants,\'saidLucy,withhereyesfixedupontheground,andnowtremblingmorethanever.\'Hedidcometome,andIdidgivehimananswer.\'

\'Andisthatanswertobefinal?\'saidMark——somewhatcruelly,forLucyhadnotyetbeentoldthatherloverhadmadeanyrepetitionofhisproposal.Fanny,however,determinedthatnoinjusticeshouldbedone,andthereforesheatlastcontinuedthestory.

\'Weknowthatyoudidgivehimananswer,dearest;butgentlemensometimeswillnotputupwithoneansweronsuchasubject.LordLuftonhasdeclaredtoMarkthathemeanstoaskagain.Hehascomedownhereonpurposetodoso.\'

\'AndLadyLufton——\'saidLucy,speakinghardlyaboveawhisper,andstillhidingherfaceassheleanedagainsthersister\'sshoulder.

\'LordLuftonhasnotspokentohismotheraboutit,\'saidMark;anditimmediatelybecamecleartoLucy,fromthetoneofherbrother\'svoice,thathe,atleast,wouldnotbepleased,shouldsheacceptherlover\'svow.

\'Youmustdecideoutofyourownheart,dear,\'saidFanny,generously.\'MarkandIknowhowwellyouhavebehaved,forIhavetoldhimeverything.\'Lucyshudderedandleanedcloseragainsthersisterasthiswassaidtoher.\'Ihadnoalternative,dearest,buttotellhim.Itwasbestso;wasitnot?ButnothinghasbeentoldtoLordLufton.Markwouldnotlethimcomehereto-daybecauseitwouldhaveflurriedyou,andhewishedtogiveyoutimetothink.Butyoucanseehimto-morrowmorning——canyounot?——andthenanswerhim.\'

Lucynowstoodperfectlysilent,feelingthatshedearlylovedhersister-in-law\'sforhersisterlykindness——forthatsisterlywishtopromotehersister\'slove;butstilltherewasinhermindastrongresolvenottoallowLordLuftontocomethereundertheideathathewouldbereceivedasafavouredlover.Herlovewaspowerful,butsoalsowasherpride;andshecouldnotbringherselftobearthescornwhichwouldlayinLadyLufton\'seyes.\'Hismotherwilldespiseme,andthenhewilldespisemetoo,\'shesaidtoherself;andwithastronggulpofdisappointedloveandambitionshedeterminedtopersist.\'Shallweleaveyounow,dear;

andspeakofitagainto-morrowmorningbeforehecomes?\'saidFanny.

\'Thatwillbethebest,\'saidMark.\'Turnitinyourmindeverywayto-night.Thinkofitwhenyouhavesaidyourprayers——and,Lucy,comeheretome;\'——then,takingherinhisarms,hekissedherwithatendernessthatwasnotcustomarywithhimtowardsher.

\'Itisfair,\'saidhe,\'thatIshouldtellyouthis:thatIhaveperfectconfidenceinyourjudgementandfeeling;andthatIwillstandbyyouasyourbrotherinwhateverdecisionyoumaycometo.

FannyandIboththinkthatyouhavebehavedexcellently,andarebothofussurethatyouwilldowhatisbest.WhateveryoudoI

willsticktoyou;——andsowillFanny.\'

\'Dearest,dearestMark!\'

\'Andnowwewillsaynothingmoreaboutittillto-morrowmorning,\'

saidFanny.ButLucyfeltthatthissayingnothingmoreaboutittillto-morrowmorningwouldbetantamounttoanacceptanceonherpartofLordLufton\'soffer.MrsRobartsknew,andMrRobartsalsonowknew,thesecretofherheart;andif,suchbeingthecase,sheallowedLordLuftontocometherewiththeacknowledgedpurposeofpleadinghisownsuit,itwouldbeimpossibleforhernottoyield.Ifshewereresolvedthatshewouldnotyield,nowwasthetimeforhertostandhergroundandmakeherfight.\'Donotgo,Fanny;atleastnotquiteyet,\'shesaid.

\'Well,dear?\'

\'IwantyoutostaywhileItellMark.HemustnotletLordLuftoncomehereto-morrow.\'

\'Notlethim!\'saidMrsRobarts.MrRobartssaidnothing,buthefelthissisterrisinginhisesteemfromminutetominute.

\'No;Markmustbidhimnotcome.Hewillnotwishtopainmewhenitwilldonogood.Lookhere,Mark;\'andshewalkedovertoherbrother,andputbothherhandsuponhisarm.\'IdoloveLordLufton.IhadnotsuchmeaningorthoughtwhenIfirstknewhim.

ButIdolovehim——Ilovehimdearly;——almostaswellasFannylovesyou,Isuppose.Youmaytellhimsoifyouthinkproper——nay,youmusttellhimso,orhewillnotunderstandme.Buttellhimthis,ascomingfromme:thatIwillnevermarryhim,unlesshismotherasksme.\'

\'Shewillnotdothat,Ifear,\'saidMark,sorrowfully.

\'No;Isupposenot,\'saidLucy,nowregaininghercourage.\'IfI

thoughtitprobablethatsheshouldwishmetobeherdaughter-in-law,itwouldnotbenecessarythatIshouldmakesuchastipulation.Itisbecauseshewillnotwishit;becauseshewouldregardmeasunfitto——to——matewithherson.Shewouldhateme,andperhapswouldceasetoloveme.Icouldnotbearhereyeuponme,ifshethoughtthatIhadinjuredherson.Mark,youwillgotohimnow;willyounot?andexplainthistohim;——asmuchofitasnecessary.Tellhim,thatifhismotherasksme,I

will——consent.ButthatasIknowthatsheneverwill,heistolookuponallthathehassaidasforgotten.Withmeitshallbethesameasthoughitwereforgotten.\'Suchwasherverdict,andsoconfidentweretheybothofherfirmness——ofherobstinacyMarkwouldhavecalleditonanyotheroccasion,——thattheyneitherofthemsoughttomakeheralterit.

\'Youwillgotohimnow——thisafternoon;willyounot?\'shesaid;

andMarkpromisedthathewould.Hecouldnotbutfeelthathehimselfwasgreatlyrelieved.LadyLuftonmight,probably,hearthathersonhadbeenfoolenoughtofallinlovewiththeparson\'ssister;butunderexistingcircumstancesshecouldnotconsiderherselfaggrievedeitherbytheparsonorbyhissister.Lucywasbehavingwell,andMarkwasproudofher.Lucywasbehavingwithfiercespirit,andFannywasgrievingforher.

\'I\'dratherbebymyselftilldinner-time,\'saidLucy,asMrsRobartspreparedtogowithheroutoftheroom.\'DearFanny,don\'tlooksounhappy;there\'snothingtomakeusunhappy.ItoldyouIshouldwantgoat\'smilk,andthatwillbeall.\'Robarts,aftersittingforanhourwithhiswife,didreturnagaintoFramleyCourt;and,afteraconsiderablesearch,foundLordLuftonreturninghometoalatedinner.

\'Unlessmymotherasksher,\'saidhe,whenthestoryhadbeentoldhim.\'Thatisnonsense.Surelyyoutoldherthatsuchisnotthewayoftheworld.\'RobartsendeavouredtoexplaintohimthatLucycouldnotenduretothinkthatherhusband\'smothershouldlookonherwithdisfavour.

\'Doesshethinkthatmymotherdislikesher;herspecially?\'askedLordLufton.No;Robartscouldnotsupposethatsuchwasthecase;

butLadyLuftonmightprobablythinkthatamarriagewithaclergyman\'ssisterwouldbeamesalliance.

\'Thatisoutofthequestion,\'saidLordLufton;\'asshehasspeciallywantedmetomarryaclergyman\'sdaughterforsometimepast.But,Mark,thatisabsurdtalkingaboutmymother.Amaninthesedaysisnottomarryashismotherbidshim.\'Markcouldonlyassurehim,inanswertoallthis,thatLucywasveryfirminwhatshewasdoing,thatshehadquitemadeuphermind,andthatshealtogetherabsolvedLordLuftonfromanynecessitytospeaktohismother,ifhedidnotthinkwellofdoingso.Butallthiswastoverylittlepurpose.\'Shedoeslovemethen,\'saidLordLufton.

\'Well,\'saidMark,\'Iwillnotsaywhethershedoesordoesnot.I

canonlyrepeatherownmessage.Shecannotacceptyou,unlessshedoessoatyourmother\'srequest.\'Andhavingsaidthatagain,hetookhisleave,andwentbacktotheparsonage.PoorLucy,havingfinishedherinterviewwithsomuchdignity,havingfullysatisfiedherbrother,anddeclinedanyimmediateconsolationfromhersister-in-law,betookherselftoherownbedroom.Shehadtothinkoverwhathadbeensaidanddone,anditwasnecessarythatsheshouldbealonetodoso.Itmightbethat,whenshecametoreconsiderthematter,shewouldnotbequitesowellsatisfiedaswasherbrother.Hergrandeurofdemeanourandslowproprietyofcarriagelastedhertillshewaswellintoherownroom.Thereareanimalswho,whentheyareailinginanyway,contrivetohidethemselves,ashamed,asitwere,thattheweaknessoftheirsuffering,shouldbewitnessed.Indeed,Iamnotsurewhetheralldumbanimalsdonotdosomoreorless;andinthisrespectLucywaslikeadumbanimal.EveninherconfidenceswithFannyshemadeajokeofherownmisfortunes,andspokeofherheartailmentswithself-ridicule.Butnow,havingwalkedupthestaircasewithnohurriedstep,andhavingdeliberatelylockedthedoor,sheturnedherselfroundtosufferinsilenceandsolitude——asdothebeastsandbirds.Shesatherselfdownonalowchair,whichstoodatthefootofherbed,and,throwingbackherhead,heldherhandkerchiefacrosshereyesandforehead,holdingittightinbothherhands;andthenshebegantothink.Shebegantothinkandalsotocry,forthetearscamerunningdownfrombeneathherhandkerchief;andlowsobsweretobeheard——onlythattheanimalhadtakenitselfoff,tosufferinsolitude.Hadshenotthrownfromherallherchancesofhappiness?Wasitpossiblethatheshouldcometoheryetagain——athirdtime?No;itwasnotpossible.Theverymodeandprideofthis,hersecondrejectionofhim,madeitimpossible.Incomingtoherdetermination,andmakingheravowal,shehadbeenactuatedbytheknowledgethatLadyLuftonwouldregardsuchamarriagewithabhorrence.LadyLuftonwouldnotandcouldnotaskhertocondescendtobeherson\'sbride.Herchanceofhappiness,ofglory,ofambition,oflove,wasallgone.Shehadsacrificednotonlyherself,buthim.Whenfirsthecamethere——whenshehadmeditatedoverhisfirstvisit——shehadhardlygivenhimmuchcreditfordeeplove;butnow——therecouldbenodoubtthathelovedhernow.AfterhisseasoninLondon,hisdaysandnightswerepassedwithallthatwasbeautiful,hehadreturnedthere,tothatlittlecountryparsonage,thathemightagainthrowhimselfatherfeet.Andshe——shehadrefusedtoseehim,thoughshelovedhimwithallherheart,shehadrefusedtoseehimbecauseshewassovileacowardthatshecouldnotbearthesourlooksofanoldwoman!\'Iwillcomedowndirectly,\'shesaid,whenFannyatlastknockedatthedoor,beggingtobeadmitted.\'Iwon\'topenit,love,butIwillbewithyouintenminutes;Iwill,indeed.\'Andsoshewas,notperhaps,withouttracesoftears,discerniblebytheexperiencedeyeofMrsRobarts,butyetwithasmoothbrow,andvoiceunderherowncommand.

\'Iwonderwhethershereallyloveshim,\'Marksaidtohiswifethatnight.

\'Lovehim!\'hiswifehadanswered:\'indeedshedoes;and,Mark,donotbeledawaybethestern-quietofherdemeanour.Tomythinkingsheisagirlwhomightalmostdieforherlove.

OnthenextdayLordLuftonleftFramley;andstarted,accordingtohisarrangements,fortheNorwaysalmonfishing.

CHAPTERXXXII

THEGOATANDCOMPASSES

HaroldSmithhadbeenmadeunhappybythatrumourofadissolution;

butthemisfortunetohimwouldbeasnothingcomparedtotheseveritywithwhichitwouldfallonMrSowerby.HaroldSmithmightormightnotlosehisborough;butMrSowerbywouldundoubtedlylosehiscounty;and,inlosingthat,hewouldloseeverything.Hefeltverycertainthatthedukewouldnotsupporthimagain,letwhowouldbemasterofChaldicotes;andashereflectedonthesethingshefounditveryhardtokeepuphisspirits.TomTowers,itseems,hadknownallaboutit,ashealwaysdoes.ThelittleremarkwhichhaddroppedfromhimatMissDunstable\'s,made,nodoubt,aftermaturedeliberation,andwithprofoundpoliticalmotives,wastheforerunner,onlybytwelvehours,ofaverygeneralreportthatthegiantshadnotamajorityinParliament,generousashadbeenthepromisesofsupportdisinterestedlymadetothembythegods.Thisindeedwasmanifest,andthereforetheyweregoingtothecountry,althoughtheyhadbeendeliberatelywarnedbyaveryprominentscionofOlympusthatiftheydiddosothatdisinterestedsupportmustbewithdrawn.Thisthreatdidnotseemtoweighmuch,andbytwoo\'clockonthedayfollowingMissDunstable\'sparty,thefiatwaspresumedtohavegoneforth.TherumourhadbegunwithTomTowers,butbythattimeithadreachedBugginsatthePettyBagOffice.

\'Itwon\'tmakenodifferencetohus,sir;willit,MrRobarts?\'

saidBuggins,asheleanedrespectfullyagainstthewallnearthedoor,intheroomoftheprivatesecretaryatthatestablishment.

Agooddealofconversation,miscellaneous,special,andpolitical,wentonbetweenyoungRobartsandBugginsinthecourseoftheday;

aswasnatural,seeingthattheywerethrownintheseeviltimesverymuchuponeachother.TheLordPettyBagofthepresentministrywasnotsuchaoneasHaroldSmith.Hewasagiantindifferenttohisprivatenotes,andcarelessofthedutiesevenofpatronage;herarelyvisitedtheoffice,andastherewerenootherclerksintheestablishment——owingtoarootandbranchreformcarriedoutintheshortreignofHaroldSmith——towhomcouldyoungRobartstalk,ifnottoBuggins?\'No;Isupposenot,\'saidRobarts,ashecompletedonhisblotting-paperanelaboratepictureofaTurkseatedonadivan.

\'\'Cause,yousee,sir,we\'reintheUpper\'Ouse,now——asIalwaysthinksweoughttobe.Idon\'tthinkitain\'tconstitutionalforthePettyBagtobeintheCommons,MrRobarts.Hanyways,itneverusen\'t.\'

\'They\'rechangingallthosesortofthingsnowadays,Buggins,\'saidRobarts,givingthefinaltouchtotheTurk\'ssmoke.

\'Well;I\'lltellyouwhat,MrRobarts:IthinkI\'llgo.Ican\'tstandallthesechanges.I\'mturnedofsixtynow,anddon\'twantany\'stifficates.IthinkI\'lltakemypensionandwalk.Thehofficeain\'tthesameplaceatallsinceitcomedownamongtheCommons.\'AndthenBugginsretiredsighing,toconsolehimselfwithapotofporterbehindalargeopenofficeledger,setuponendonasmalltableinthelittlelobbyoutsidetheprivatesecretary\'sroom.Bugginssighedagainashesawthatthedatemadevisibleontheopenbookwasalmostasoldashisownappointment;

forsuchabookasthislastedlonginthePettyBagOffice.A

peerofhighdegreehadbeenLordPettyBaginthosedays;onewhomamessenger\'sheartcouldrespectwithinfiniteveneration,ashemadehisunaccustomedvisitstotheofficewithmuchsolemnity——perhapsfourtimesduringtheseason.TheLordPettyBagthenwashighlyregardedbyhisstaff,andhiscomingamongthemwastalkedaboutforsomehourspreviouslyandforsomedaysafterwards;butHaroldSmithhadbustledinandoutlikethemanagingclerkinaManchesterhouse.\'Theserviceisgoingtothedogs,\'saidBugginstohimself,asheputdowntheporterpot,andlookedupoverthebookatagentlemanwhopresentedhimselfatthedoor.\'MrRobartsinhisroom?\'saidBuggins,repeatingthegentleman\'swords.\'Yes,MrSowerby;you\'llfindhimthere——firstdoortotheleft.\'Andthen,rememberingthatthevisitorwasacountymember——apositionwhichBugginsregardedasnexttothatofapeer——hegotup,andopeningtheprivatesecretary\'sdoor,usheredinthevisitor.

YoungRobartsandSowerbyhad,ofcourse,becomeacquaintedinthedaysofHaroldSmith\'sreign.DuringthatshorttimethememberforEastBarsethadonmostdaysdroppedinatthePettyBagOfficeforaminuteortwo,findingoutwhattheenergeticCabinetministerwasdoing,chattingonsemi-officialsubjects,andteachingtheprivatesecretarytolaughathismaster.Therewasnothing,therefore,inhispresentvisitwhichneedappeartobesingular,orwhichrequiredanyimmediatespecialexplanation.Hesathimselfdowninhisordinaryway,andbegantospeakofthesubjectoftheday.\'We\'realltogo,\'saidSowerby.

\'SoIhear,\'saidtheprivatesecretary.\'Itwillgivemenotrouble,for,astherespectableBugginssays,we\'reintheUpperHousenow.\'

\'Whatadelightfultimethoseluckydogsoflordsdohave!\'saidSowerby.\'Noconstituents,noturningout,nofighting,nonecessityforpoliticalopinions;and,asarule,nosuchopinionsatall!\'

\'Isupposeyou\'retolerablysafeinEastBarsetshire?\'saidRobarts.\'Thedukehasitprettymuchhisownwaythere.\'

\'Yes;thedukedoeshaveitprettymuchhisownway.Bytheby,whereisyourbrother?\'

\'Athome,\'saidRobarts;\'atleastIpresumeso.\'

\'AtFramleyoratBarchester?IbelievehewasinresidenceatBarchesternotlongsince.\'

\'He\'satFramleynow,Iknow.Igotaletteronlyyesterdayfromhiswife,withacommission.Hewasthere,andLordLuftonhadjustleft.\'

\'Yes;Luftonwasdown.HestartedforNorwaythismorning.Iwanttoseeyourbrother.Youhavenotheardfromhimyourself,haveyou?\'

\'No;notlately.Markisabadcorrespondent.Hewouldnotdoatallforaprivatesecretary.\'

\'Atanyrate,nottoHaroldSmith.ButyouaresureIshouldnotcatchhimatBarchester?\'

\'Senddownbytelegraph,andhewouldmeetyou.\'

\'Idon\'twanttodothat.Atelegraphmessagemakessuchafussinthecountry,frighteningpeople\'swives,andsettingallthehorsesabouttheplacegalloping.\'

\'Whatisitabout?\'

\'Nothingofanygreatconsequence.Ididn\'tknowwhetherhemighthavetoldyou.I\'llwritedownbyto-night\'spost,andthenhecanmeetmeatBarchesterto-morrow.Ordoyouwrite.There\'snothingIhatesomuchasletter-writing;justtellhimthatIcalled,andthatIshallbemuchobligedifhecanmeetmeattheDragonofWantly——sayattwoto-morrow.Iwillgodownbytheexpress.\'

MarkRobarts,intalkingoverthiscomingmoneytroublewithSowerby,hadoncementionedthatifitwerenecessarytotakeupthebillforashorttimehemightbeabletoborrowthemoneyfromhisbrother.Somuchofthefather\'slegacystillremainedinthehandsoftheprivatesecretaryaswouldenablehimtoproducetheamountofthelatterbill,andtherecouldbenodoubtthathewouldlenditifasked.MrSowerby\'svisittothePettyBagOfficehadbeencausedbyadesiretolearnwhetheranysuchrequesthadbeenmade——andalsobyahalf-formedresolutiontomaketherequesthimselfifheshouldfindthattheclergymanhadnotdoneso.Itseemedtohimtobeapitythatsuchasumshouldbelyingabout,asitwere,withinreach,andthatheshouldnotstooptoputhishandsonit.Suchabstinencewouldbesocontrarytohimasitisforasportsmantoletpassacock-pheasant.Butyetsomethinglikeremorsetouchedhisheartashesattherebalancinghimselfonhischairintheprivatesecretary\'sroom,andlookingattheyoungman\'sopenface.

\'Yes;I\'llwritetohim,\'saidJohnRobarts;\'buthehasn\'tsaidanythingtomeaboutanythingparticular.\'

\'Hasn\'the?Itdoesnotmuchsignify.IonlymentioneditbecauseIthoughtIunderstoodhimtosaythathewould.\'AndthenMrSowerbywentonswinginghimself.Howwasitthathefeltsoaversetomentionthatlittlesumof500LtoayoungmanlikeJohnRobarts,afellowwithoutwifeorchildrenorcallsonhimofanysort,whowouldnotevenbyinjuredbythelossofthemoney,seeingthathehadanamplesalaryonwhichtolive?Hewonderedathisownweakness.Thewantofthemoneywasurgentonhimintheextreme.HehadreasonsforsupposingthatMarkwouldfinditverydifficulttorenewthebills,buthe,Sowerby,couldstoptheirpresentationifhecouldgetthismoneyatonceintohisownhands.

\'CanIdoanythingforyou?\'saidtheinnocentlamb,offeringhisthroattothebutcher.Butsomeunwontedfeelingnumbedthebutcher\'sfingers,andbluntedhisknife.Hesatstillforhalfaminuteafterthequestion,andthenjumpingfromhisseat,declinedtheoffer.\'No,no;nothing,thankyou.OnlywritetoMark,andsaythatIshallbethereto-morrow,\'andthen,takinghishat,hehurriedoutoftheoffice.\'WhatanassIam,\'hesaidtohimselfashewent:\'asifitwereofanyusenowtobeparticular.\'

Hethengotintoacabandhadhimselfdrivenhalf-wayupPortmanStreettowardstheNewRoad,andwalkingfromthenceafewhundredyardsdownacross-streethecametoapublic-house.Itwascalledthe\'GoatandCompasses\',——averymeaninglessname,onewouldsay;butthehouseboastedofbeingaplaceofpublicentertainmentverylongestablishedonthatsite,havingbeenatavernoutinthecountryinthedaysofCromwell.Atthattimethepiouslandlord,puttingupapiouslegendforthebenefitofhispiouscustomers,haddeclaredthat——\'Godencompassethus.\'The\'GoatandCompasses\'inthesedaysdoesquiteaswell;and,consideringthepresentcharacterofthehouse,wasperhapslessunsuitablethantheoldlegend.\'IsMrAustenhere?\'askedMrSowerbyofthemanatthebar.

\'Whichon\'em?NotMrJohn;heain\'there.MrTomisin——thelittleroomontheleft-handside.\'ThemanwhomMrSowerbywouldhavepreferredtoseewastheelderbrotherJohn;butashewasnottobefound,hedidgointothatlittleroom.Inthatroomhefound——MrAusten,junior,accordingtoonearrangementofnomenclature,andMrTomTozeraccordingtoanother.TogentlemenofthelegalprofessionhegenerallychosetointroducehimselfasbelongingtotherespectablefamilyoftheAustens;butamonghisintimateshehadalwaysbeen——Tozer.MrSowerby,thoughhewasintimatewiththefamily,didnotlovetheTozers:butheespeciallyhatedTomTozer.TomTozerwasabull-necked,beetle-browedfellow,theexpressionofwhosefacewaseloquentwithacknowledgedroguery.\'Iamarogue,\'itseemedtosay.\'I

knowit;alltheworldknowsit:butyou\'reanother.Alltheworlddon\'tknowthat,butIdo.Menareallrogues,prettynigh.Somearesoftrogues,andsomeare\'cuterogues.Iama\'cuteone;somindyoureye.\'ItwaswithsuchwordsthatTomTozer\'sfacespokeout;andthoughathoroughliarinhisheart,hewasnotaliarinhisface.\'Well,Tozer,\'saidMrSowerby,absolutelyshakinghishandswiththedirtymiscreant.\'Iwantedtoseeyourbrother.\'

\'Johnain\'there,andain\'tlike;butit\'sallasone.\'

\'Yes,yes;Isupposeitis.Iknowyoutwohuntincouples.\'

\'Idon\'tknowwhatyoumeanabouthunting,MrSowerby.Yougents\'asallthehunting,andwepoorfolk\'asallthework.Ihopeyou\'regoingtomakeupthistrifleofmoneywe\'reoutofsolong.\'

\'It\'saboutthatI\'vecalled.Idon\'tknowwhatyoucalllong,Tozer;butthelastbillwasonlydatedinFebruary.\'

\'It\'soverdue;ain\'tit?\'

\'Oh,yes;it\'soverdue.There\'snodoubtaboutthat.\'

\'Well;whenabitofpaperiscomeround,thenextthingistotakeitup.Them\'smyideas.Andtotellyouthetruth,MrSowerby,wedon\'tthinkas\'owyou\'vebeentreatingusjustonthesquarelately.InthatmatterofLordLufton\'syouwasdownonusuncommon.\'

\'YouknowIcouldn\'thelpmyself.\'

\'Well,andwecan\'thelpourselvesnow.That\'swhereitis,MrSowerby.Lordloveyou;weknowwhat\'swhat,wedo.Andso,thefactiswe\'reuncommonlowastothereadyjustatpresent,andwemusthavethemfewhundredpounds.Wemusthavethematonce,orwemustsellupthatclericalgent.I\'mdashedifitain\'tashardtogetmoneyfromaparsonasitistotakeabonefromadog.\'E\'s\'ad\'isaccount,nodoubt,andwhydon\'thepay?\'MrSowerbyhadcalledwiththeintentionofexplainingthathewasabouttoproceedtoBarchesteronthefollowingdaywiththeexpressviewof\'makingarrangements\'aboutthisbill;andhadheseenJohnTozer,Johnwouldhavebeencompelledtoaccordtohimsomelittleextensionoftime.BothTomandJohnknewthis;and,therefore,John——thesoft-heartedone——keptoutoftheway.TherewasnodangerthatTomwouldbeweak;and,aftersomehalf-hourofparley,hewasagainleftbyMrSowerby,withouthavingevincedanysymptomofweakness.

\'It\'sthedibsaswewant,MrSowerby,that\'sall,\'werethelastwordswhichhespokeasthememberofParliamentlefttheroom.MrSowerbythengotintoanothercab,andhadhimselfdriventohissister\'shouse.Itisaremarkablethingwithreferencetomenwhoaredistressedformoney——distressedaswasnowthecasewithMrSowerby——thattheyneverseematalossfortheluxurieswhichsmallsumspurchase.Cabs,dinners,wine,theatres,andnewglovesarealwaysatthecommandofmenwhoaredrownedinpecuniaryembarrassments,whereasthosewhodon\'toweashillingaresofrequentlyobligedtogowithoutthem!Itwouldseemthatthereisnogratificationsocostlyasthatofkeepingoutofdebt.Butthenitisonlyfairthat,ifamanhasahobby,heshouldpayforit.Anyoneelsewouldhavesavedashilling,asMrsHaroldSmith\'shousewasonlyjustacrossfromOxfordStreet,intheneighbourhoodofHanoverSquare;butMrSowerbyneverthoughtofthis.Hehadneversavedashillinginhislife,anditdidnotoccurtohimtobeginnow.Hehadsentwordtohertoremainathomeforhim,andhenowfoundherwaiting.\'Harriet,\'saidhe,throwinghimselfbackintoaneasychair,\'thegameisprettywellupatlast.\'

\'Nonsense,\'saidshe.\'Thegameisnotupatallifyouhavethespirittocarryiton.\'

\'IcanonlysaythatIgotformalnoticethismorningfromtheduke\'slawyer,sayingthathemeanttoforecloseatonce;——notfromFothergill,butfromthosepeopleinSouthAudleyStreet.\'

\'Youexpectedthat,\'saidhissister.

\'Idon\'tseehowthatmakesitanybetter;besides,IamnotquitesurethatIdidexpectit;atanyrateIdidnotfeelcertain.

Thereisnodoubtnow.\'

\'Itisbetterthatthereshouldbenodoubt.Itismuchbetterthatyoushouldknowonwhatgroundyouhavetostand.\'

\'Ishallsoonhavenogroundtostandon,noneatleastofmyown——notanacre,\'saidtheunhappyman,withgreatbitternessinhistone.

\'Youcan\'tinrealitybepoorernowthanyouwerelastyear.Youhavenotspentanythingtospeakof.TherecanbenodoubtthatChaldicoteswillbeampletopayallyouowetheduke.\'

\'It\'sasmuchasitwill;andwhatamItodothen?IalmostthinkmoreoftheseatthanIdoofChaldicotes.\'

\'YouknowwhatIadvise,\'saidMrsSmith.\'AskMissDunstabletoadvancethemoneyonthesamesecuritywhichthedukeholds.Shewillbeassafethenasheisnow.Andifyoucanarrangethat,standforthecountyagainsthim;perhapsyoumaybebeaten.\'

\'Ishouldn\'thaveachance.\'

\'Butitwouldshowthatyouarenotacreatureintheduke\'shands.That\'smyadvice,\'saidMrsSmith,withmuchspirit;\'andifyouwish,I\'llbroachittoMissDunstable,andaskhertogetherlawyertolookintoit.\'

\'IfIhaddonethisbeforeIhadrunmyheadintothatotherabsurdity!\'

\'Don\'tfretyourselfaboutthat;shewilllosenothingbysuchaninvestment,andthereforeyouarenotaskinganyfavourofher.

Besides,didshenotmaketheoffer?andsheisjustthewomantodothisforyounow,becausesherefusedtodothatthingforyouyesterday.Youunderstandmostthings,Nathaniel;butIamnotsurethatyouunderstandwomen;not,atanyrate,suchawomanasher.\'ItwentagainstthegrainwithMrSowerby,thisseekingofpecuniaryassistancefromtheverywomanwhosehandhehadattemptedtogainaboutafortnightsince;butheallowedhissistertoprevail.Whatcouldanymandoinsuchstraitsthatwouldnotgoagainstthegrain?Atthepresentmomenthefeltinhismindaninfinitehatredagainsttheduke,MrFothergill,Gumption&Gagebee,andallthetribesofGatherumCastleandSouthAudleyStreet;theywantedtorobofthatwhichhadbelongedtotheSowerbysbeforethenameofOmniumhadbeenheardofinthecounty,orinEngland!Thegreatleviathanofthedeepwasanxioustoswallowhimupasprey!Hewastobeswallowedup,andmadeawaywith,andputoutofsight,withoutapangofremorse.Anymeasurewhichcouldnotpresentitselfasameansofstavingoffsoeviladaywouldbeacceptable;andthereforehegavehissisterthecommissionofmakingthissecondproposaltoMissDunstable.Incursingtheduke——forhedidcursethedukelustily——ithardlyoccurredtohimtothinkthat,afterall,thedukeonlyaskedforhisown.AsforMrsHaroldSmith,whatevermaybetheviewtakenofhergeneralcharacterasawifeandamemberofsociety,itmustbeadmittedthatasasistershehadvirtues.

CHAPTERXXXIII

CONSOLATION

Onthenextdayattwoo\'clockpunctually,MarkRobartswasatthe"DragonofWantly"walkingupanddowntheveryroominwhichthepartyhadbreakfastedafterHaroldSmith\'slecture,andwaitingforthearrivalofMrSowerby.Hehadbeenverywellabletodivinewhatwasthebusinessonwhichhisfriendwishedtoseehim,andhehadbeenrathergladthanotherwisetoreceivethesummons.Judgingofhisfriend\'scharacterbywhathehadhithertohadseen,hethoughtthatMrSowerbywouldhavekeptoutoftheway,unlesshehaditinhispowertomakesomeprovisionfortheseterriblebills.Sohewalkedupanddownthedingyroom,impatientfortheexpectedarrival,andthoughthimselfwickedlyill-usedinthatMrSowerbywasnottherewhentheclockstruckaquartertothree.Butwhentheclockstruckthree,MrSowerbywasthere,andMarkRobarts\'shopeswerenearlyatanend.

\'Doyoumeanthattheywilldemandninehundredpounds?\'saidRobarts,standingupandglaringangrilyatthememberofParliament.

\'Ifeartheywill,\'saidSowerby.\'Ithinkitisbesttotellyoutheworst,inorderthatwemayseewhatcanbedone.\'

\'Icandonothing,andwilldonothing,\'saidRobarts.\'Theymaydowhattheychoose——whatthelawallowsthem.\'AndthenhethoughtofFannyandhisnursery,andLucyrefusinginherprideLordLufton\'soffer,andheturnedawayhisfacethatthehardmanoftheworldbeforehimmightnotseetheteargatheringinhiseye.

\'But,Mark,mydearfellow——\'saidSowerby,tryingtohaverecoursetothepowerofhiscajolingvoice.Robarts,however,wouldnotlisten.

\'MrSowerby,\'saidhe,withanattemptatcalmnesswhichbetrayeditselfateverysyllable,\'itseemstomethatyouhaverobbedme.

ThatIhavebeenafool,andworsethanafool,Iknowwell;

but——but——butIthoughtthatyourpositionintheworldwouldguaranteemefromsuchtreatmentasthis.\'MrSowerbywasbynomeanswithoutfeeling,andthewordswhichhenowheardcuthimverydeeply——themoresobecauseitwasimpossiblethatheshouldanswerthemwithanattemptatindignation.Hehadrobbedhisfriend,and,withallhiswit,knewnowordsatthepresentmomentsufficientlywittytomakeitseemthathehadnotdoneso.

\'Robarts,\'saidhe,\'youmaysaywhatyouliketomenow;Ishallnotresentit.\'

\'Whowouldcareforyourresentment?\'saidtheclergyman,turningonhimwithferocity.\'Theresentmentofagentlemanisterribletoagentleman;andtheresentmentofonejustmanisterribletoanother.Yourresentment!\'——andthenhewalkedtwicethelengthoftheroom,leavingSowerbydumbinhisseat.\'Iwonderwhetheryoueverthoughtofmywifeandchildrenwhenyouwereplottingthisruinforme!\'Andthenagainhewalkedtheroom.

\'Isupposeyouwillbecalmenoughpresentlytospeakofthiswithsomeattempttomakeasettlement?\'

\'No;Iwillmakenosuchattempt.Thesefriendsofyours,youtellme,haveaclaimonmeforninehundredpounds,ofwhichtheydemandimmediatepayment.YoushallbeaskedinacourtoflawhowmuchofthatmoneyIhavehandled.YouknowthatIhavenevertouched——haveneverwantedtotouch——oneshilling.Iwillmakenoattemptatanysettlement.Mypersonishere,andthereismyhouse.Letthemdotheirworst.\'

\'But,Mark——\'

\'Callmebymyname,sir,anddropthataffectationofregard.WhatanassIhavebeentobesocozenedbyasharper!\'Sowerbyhadbynomeansexpectedthis.HehadalwaysknownthatRobartspossessedwhathe,Sowerby,wouldhavecalledthespiritofagentleman.Hehadregardedhimasabold,open,generousfellow,abletotakehisownpartwhencalledontodoso,andbynomeansdisinclinedtospeakhisownmind;buthehadnotexpectedfromhimsuchatorrentofindignation,orthoughtthathewascapableofsuchadepthofanger.\'Ifyouusesuchlanguage,Robarts,Icanonlyleaveyou.\'

\'Youarewelcome.Go.Youtellmethatyouarethemessengerofthesemenwhointendtoworkninehundredpoundsoutofme.Youhavedoneyourpartintheplot,andhavenowbroughttheirmessage.Itseemstomethatyouhadbettergobacktothem.Asforme,Iwantmytimetopreparemywifeforthedestinybeforeher.\'

\'Robarts,youwillbesorrysomedayforthecrueltyofyourwords.\'

\'Iwonderwhetheryouwilleverbesorryforthecrueltyofyourdoings,orwhetherthesethingsarereallyajoketoyou.\'

\'Iamatthismomentaruinedman,\'saidSowerby.\'Everythingisgoingfromme,——myplaceintheworld,theestateofmyfamily,myfather\'shouse,myseatinParliament,thepoweroflivingamongmycountrymen,or,indeed,oflivinganywhere;——butallthisdoesnotoppressmenowsomuchasthemiserywhichIhavebroughtuponyou.\'

AndthenSowerbyalsoturnedawayhisface,andwipedfromhiseyestearswhichwerenotartificial.Robartswasstillwalkingupanddowntheroom,butitwasnotpossibleforhimtocontinuehisreproachesafterthis.Thisisalwaysthecase.Letamanenduretoheapcontumelyonhisownhead,andhewillsilencethecontumelyofothers——forthemoment.Sowerby,withoutmeditatingonthematter,hadhadsomeinklingofthis,andimmediatelysawthattherewasatlastanopeningforconversation.\'Youareunjusttome,\'saidhe,\'insupposingthatIhavenownowishtosaveyou.ItissolelyinthehopeofdoingsothatIhavecomehere.\'

\'Andwhatisyourhope?ThatIshouldacceptanotherbraceofbills,Isuppose.\'

\'Notabrace;butonerenewedbillfor——\'

\'Lookhere,MrSowerby.OnnoearthlyconsiderationthatcanbeputbeforemewillIagainsignmynametoanybillintheguiseofanacceptance.Ihavebeenveryweak,andamashamedofmyweakness;butsomuchstrengthasthat,Ihope,islefttome.I

havebeenverywicked,andamashamedofmywickedness;butsomuchrightprincipleasthat,Ihope,remains.Iwillputmynametonootherbill;notforyou,notevenformyself.\'

\'But,Robarts,underyourpresentcircumstancesthatwillbemadness.\'

\'ThenIwillbemad.\'

\'HaveyouseenForrest?Ifyouwillspeaktohim,Ithinkyouwillfindthateverythingcanbeaccommodated.\'

\'IalreadyoweMrForrestahundredandfiftypounds,whichI

obtainedfromhimwhenyoupressedmeforthepriceofthathorse,andIwillnotincreasethedebt.WhatafoolIwasagainthere!

Perhapsyoudonotrememberthat,whenIagreedtobuythehorse,thepricewastobemycontributiontotheliquidationofthosebills.\'

\'Idorememberit;butIwilltellyouhowthatwas.\'

\'Itdoesnotsignify.Ithasbeenallofapiece.\'

\'Butlistentome.IthinkyouwouldfeelformeifyouknewallthatIhavegonethrough.IpledgeyoumysolemnwordthatIhadnointentionofaskingyouforthemoneywhenyoutookthehorse;——indeedIhadnot.ButyourememberthataffairofLufton\'s,whenhecametoyouatyourhotelinLondonandwassoangryaboutanoutstandingbill.\'

\'IknowthathewasveryunreasonableasfarasIwasconcerned.\'

\'Hewasso;butthatmakesnodifference.Hewasresolved,inhisrage,toexposethewholeaffair;andIsawthat,ifhedidso,itwouldbemostinjurioustoyou,seeingthatyouhadjustacceptedyourstallatBarchester.\'Herethepoorprebendarywincedterribly.\'Imovedheavenandearthtogetupthatbill.ThosevulturesstucktotheirpreywhentheyfoundthevaluewhichI

attachedtoit,andIwasforcedtoraiseaboveahundredpoundsatthemomenttoobtainpossessionofit,althougheveryshillingabsolutelydueonithadnotlongsincebeenpaid.NeverinmylifedidIwishtogetmoneyasIdidtoraisethathundredandtwentypounds:andasIhopeformercyinmylastmoments,Ididthatforyoursake.Luftoncouldnothaveinjuredmeinthatmatter.\'

\'Butyoutoldhimthatyougotitfortwenty-fivepounds.\'

\'Yes,Itoldhimso.Iwasobligedtotellhimthat,orIshouldhaveapparentlycondemnedmyselfbyshowinghowanxiousIwastogetit.AndyouknowthatIcouldnothaveexplainedallthisbeforehimandyou.Youwouldhavethrownupthestallindisgust.\'Wouldthathehad!ThatwasMark\'swishnow,——hisfutilewish.InwhatasloughofdespondhadhecometowallowinconsequenceofhisfollyonthatnightatGatherumCastle!Hehaddoneasillything,andwashenowtorueitbyalmosttotalruin?

Hewassickenedalsowithallthoselies.Hisverysoulwasdismayedbythedirtthroughwhichhewasforcedtowade.Hehadbecomeunconsciouslyconnectedwiththelowestdregsofmankind,andwouldhavetoseehisnamemingledwiththeirsinthedailynewspapers.Andforwhathadhedonethis?Whyhadhethusfiledhismindandmadehimselfadisgracetohiscloth?InorderthathemightbefriendsuchaoneasMrSowerby!

\'Well,\'continuedSowerby,\'Ididgetthemoney,butyouwouldhardlybelievetherigourofthepledgewhichwasexactedfrommeforrepayment.IgotitfromHaroldSmith,andneverinmyworststraits,willIagainlooktohimforassistance.Iborroweditonlyforafortnight;andinorderthatImightrepayit,Iwasobligedtoaskyouforthepriceofthehorse.Mark,itwasonyourbehalfthatIdidallthis,——indeeditwas.\'

\'AndnowIamtorepayyouforyourkindnessbythelossofallthatIhaveintheworld.\'

\'IfyouwillputtheaffairintothehandsofMrForrest,nothingneedbetouched,——notahairofahorse\'sback;no,notthoughyoushouldbeobligedtopaythewholeamountyourselfgraduallyoutofyourincome.Youmustexecuteaseriesofbills,fallingduequarterly,andthen——\'

\'Iwillexecutenobill,Iwillputmynametonopaperinthematter;astothatmymindisfullymadeup.Theymaycomeanddotheirworst.\'MrSowerbyperseveredforalongtime,buthewasquiteunabletomovetheparsonfromhisposition.HewoulddonothingtowardsmakingwhatMrSowerbycalledanarrangement,butpersistedthathewouldremainathomeatFramley,andthatanyonewhohadaclaimuponhimmighttakelegalsteps.\'Ishalldonothingmyself,\'hesaid;\'butifproceedingsagainstmebetaken,IshallprovethatIhaveneverhadashillingofthemoney.\'AndwiththisresolutionhequittedtheDragonofWantly.MrSowerbyatonetimesaidawordastotheexpediencyofborrowingthatsumofmoneyfromJohnRobarts;butastothisMarkwouldsaynothing.

MrSowerbywasnotthefriendwithwhomhenowintendedtoholdconsultationinsuchmatters.\'Iamnotatpresentprepared,\'hesaid,\'todeclarewhatImaydo;Imustfirstseewhatstepsotherstake.\'Andthenhetookhishatandwentoff;andmountinghishorseintheyardoftheDragonofWantly——thathorsewhichhehadnowsomanyreasonstodislike——heslowlyrodebackhome.

Manythoughtspassedthroughhismindduringthatride,butonlyoneresolutionobtaineditselfafixturethere.Hemustnowtellhiswifeeverything.Hewouldnotbesocruelastoletitremainuntolduntilabailiffwereatthedoor,readytowalkhimofftothecountyjail,oruntilthebedonwhichtheysleptwastobesoldfromunderthem.Yes,hewouldtellhereverything,——immediately,beforehisresolutioncouldagainhavefadedaway.Hegotoffhishorseintheyard,andseeinghiswife\'smaidatthekitchendoor,desiredhertobeghermistresstocometohiminthebook-room.Hewouldnotallowonehalf-hourtopasstowardsthewaningofhispurpose.Ifitbeordainedthatamanshalldrown,hadhenotbetterdrownandhavedonewithit?MrsRobartscametohiminhisroom,reachinghimintimetotouchhisarmasheenteredit.\'Marysaysyouwantme.Ihavebeengardening,andshecaughtmejustasIcamein.\'

\'Yes,Fanny,Idowantyou.Sitdownforamoment.\'Andwalkingacrosstheroom,heplacedhiswhipinitsproperplace.

\'Oh,Mark,isthereanythingthematter?\'

\'Yes,dearest;yes.Sitdown,Fanny:Icantalktoyoubetterifyouwillsit.\'Butshe,poorlady,didnotwishtosit.Hehadhintedatsomemisfortune,andthereforeshefeltalongingtostandbyhimandclingtohim.

\'Well,there;IwillifImust;but,Mark,donotfrightenme.Whyisyourfacesoverywretched?\'

\'Fanny,Ihavedoneverywrong,\'hesaid.\'Ihavebeenveryfoolish.IfearthatIhavebroughtuponyougreatsorrowandtrouble.\'Andthenheleanedhisheaduponhishandsandturnedhisfaceawayfromher.

\'Oh,Mark,dearestMark,myownMark!Whatisit?\'Andthenshewasquicklyupfromherchair,andwentdownonherkneesbeforehim.\'Donotturnfromme.Tellme,Mark!tellme,thatwemayshareit.\'

\'Yes,Fanny,Imusttellyounow;butIhardlyknowwhatyouwillthinkofmewhenyouhaveheardit.\'

\'Iwillthinkthatyouaremyownhusband,Mark;Iwillthinkthat——thatchiefly,whateveritmaybe.\'Andthenshecaressedhisknees,andlookedupinhisface,and,gettingholdofoneofhishands,presseditbetweenherown.\'Evenifyouhavebeenfoolish,whoshouldforgiveyouifIcannot?\'Andthenhetoldherall,beginningfromthateveningwhenMrSowerbyhadgothimintohisbedroom,andgoingongradually,nowaboutthebills,andnowaboutthehorses,tillhispoorwifewasutterlylostinthecomplexityoftheaccounts.Shecouldbynomeansfollowhiminthedetailsofhisstory;norcouldshequitesympathizewithhiminhisindignationagainstMrSowerby,seeingthatshedidnotcomprehendatallthenatureoftherenewingofabill.Theonlyparttoherofimportanceinthematterwasthemoneywhichherhusbandwouldbecalledupontopay;that,andherstronghope,whichwasalreadyaconviction,thathewouldneveragainincursuchdebts.

\'Andhowmuchisit,dearest,altogether?\'

\'Thesemenclaimninehundredpoundsofme.\'

\'Ohdear!thatisaterriblesum.\'

\'AndthenthereisthehundredandfiftywhichIhaveborrowedfromthebank——thepriceofthehorse,youknow;andtherearesomeotherdebts,——notagreatdeal,Ithink;butpeoplewillnowlookforeveryshillingthatisduetothem.IfIhavetopayitall,itwillbetwelveorthirteenhundredpounds.\'

\'Thatwillbeasmuchasayear\'sincome,Mark;evenwiththestall.\'Thatwastheonlywordofreproachshesaid——ifthatcouldbecalledareproach.

\'Yes,\'hesaid;\'anditisclaimedbymenwhowillhavenopityinexactingitatanysacrifice,iftheyhavethepower.AndtothinkthatIshouldhaveincurredallthisdebt,withouthavingreceivedanythingforit.Oh,Fanny,whatwillyouthinkofme!\'Butshesworetohimthatshewouldthinknothingofit——thatshewouldneverbearitinhermindagainsthim——thatitcouldhavenoeffectinlesseninghertrustinhim.Washenotherhusband?Shewassogladsheknewit,thatshemightcomforthim.Andshedidcomforthim,makingtheweightseemlighterandlighteronhisshouldersashetalkedofit.Andsuchweightsdothusbecomelighter.A

burdenthatwillcrushasinglepairofshoulderswill,whenequallydivided,——whensharedbytwo,eachofwhomiswillingtotaketheheavierpart——becomelightasafeather.Isnotthatsharingofthemind\'sburdensoneofthechiefpurposesforwhichamanwantsawife?Forthereisnofollysogreataskeepingone\'ssorrowshidden.Andthiswifecheerfully,gladly,thankfullytookhershare.Toendurewithherlordallherlord\'stroubleswaseasytoher;itwastheworktowhichshehadpledgedherself.Buttohavethoughtthatherlordhadtroublesnotcommunicatedtoher,——thatwouldhavebeentohertheonethingnottobeborne.

Andthentheydiscussedtheirplans;whatmodeofescapetheymighthaveoutofthisterriblemoneydifficulty.Likeatruewoman,MrsRobartsproposedatoncetoabandonallsuperfluities.Theywouldsellalltheirhorses;theywouldnotselltheircows,butwouldsellthebutterthatcamefromthem;theywouldsellthepony-carriage,andgetridofthegroom.Thatthefootmanmustgowassomuchamatterofcourse,thatitwashardlymentioned.Butthen,astothathouseatBarchester,thedignifiedprebendalmansionintheclose——mighttheynotbeallowedtoleaveitunoccupiedforoneyearlonger——perhapstoletit?Theworldofcoursemustknowoftheirmisfortune;butifthatmisfortunewasfacedbravely,theworldwouldbelessbitterinitscondemnation.

Andthen,aboveallthings,everythingmustbetoldtoLadyLufton.

\'Youmay,atanyrate,believethis,Fanny,\'saidhe,\'thatfornoconsiderationwhichcanbeofferedtomewillIeverputmynametoanotherbill.\'Thekisswithwhichshethankedhimforthiswasaswarmandgenerousasthoughhehadbroughttoherthatdaynewsofthebrightest;andwhenhesat,ashedidthatevening,discussingitall,notonlywithhiswife,butwithLucy,hewonderedhowitwasthathistroubleswerenowsolight.Whetherornoamanshouldhavehisownprivatepleasures,Iwillnotnowsay;butitnevercanbeworthhiswhiletokeephissorrowsprivate.