第12章

CHAPTERXXXIV

LADYLUFTONISTAKENBYSURPRISE

LordLufton,ashereturnedtotown,foundsomedifficultyinresolvingwhatstephewouldnexttake.Sometimes,foraminuteortwo,hewashalfinclinedtothink——orrathertosaytohimself——thatLucywasperhapsnotworththetroublewhichshethrewinhisway.Helovedherverydearly,andwouldwillinglymakeherhiswife,hethoughtorsaidatsuchmoments;but——Suchmoments,however,wereonlymoments.Amaninloveseldomloveslessbecausehislovebecomesdifficult.Andthus,whenthosemomentswereover,hewoulddeterminetotellhismotheratonce,andurgehertosignifyherconsenttoMissRobarts.Thatshewouldnotbequitepleasedheknew;butifhewerefirmenoughtoshowthathehadawillofhisowninthismatter,shewouldprobablynotgainsayhim.Hewouldnotaskthishumbly,asafavour,butrequestherladyshiptogothroughtheceremonyasthoughitwereoneofthosemotherlydutieswhichsheasagoodmothercouldnothesitatetoperformonbehalfofherson.SuchwasthefinalresolvewithwhichhereachedhischambersintheAlbany.Onthenextdayhedidnotseehismother.Itwouldbewell,hethought,tohavehisinterviewwithherimmediatelybeforehestartedforNorway,sothattheremightbenorepetitionofit;

anditwasonthedaybeforehedidstartthathemadehiscommunication,havinginvitedhimselftobreakfastinBrookStreetontheoccasion.

\'Mother,\'hesaid,quiteabruptly,throwinghimselfintooneofthedining-roomchairs.\'Ihaveathingtotellyou.\'Hismotheratonceknewthatthethingwasimportant,andwithherownpeculiarmotherlyinstinctimaginedthatthequestiontobediscussedhadreferencetomatrimony.Hadhersondesiredtospeaktoheraboutmoney,histoneandlookwouldhavebeendifferent;aswouldalsohavebeenthecase——inadifferentway——hadheentertainedanythoughtofapilgrimagetoPeking,oraprolongedfishingexcursiontotheHudsonBayTerritories.

\'Athing,Ludovic!well,Iamquiteatliberty.\'

\'IwanttoknowwhatyouthinkofLucyRobarts?\'LadyLuftonbecamepaleandfrightened,andthebloodrancoldtoherheart.

Shehadfearedmorethanrejoicedinconceivingthathersonwasabouttotalkoflove,butshehadfearednothingsobadasthis.

\'WhatdoIthinkofLucyRobarts?\'shesaid,repeatingherson\'swordsinatoneofevidentdismay.

\'Yes,mother;youhavesaidonceortwicelatelythatyouthoughtI

oughttomarry,andIambeginningtothinksotoo.Youselectedoneclergyman\'sdaughterforme,butthatladyisgoingtodomuchbetterwithherself——\'

\'Indeedsheisnot,\'saidLadyLuftonsharply.

\'AndthereforeIratherthinkIshallselectformyselfanotherclergyman\'ssister.Youdon\'tdislikeMissRobarts,Ihope?\'

\'Oh,Ludovic!\'ItwasallthatLadyLuftoncouldsayatthespurofthemoment.

\'Isthereanyharminher!Haveyouanyobjectiontoher?Isthereanythingaboutherthatmakesherunfittobemywife?\'

ForamomentortwoLadyLuftonsatsilent,collectingherthoughts.ShethoughtthattherewasaverygreatobjectiontoLucyRobarts,regardingherasthepossiblefutureLadyLufton.Shecouldhardlyhavestatedallherreasons,buttheywereverycogent.LucyRobartshad,inhereyes,neitherbeauty,norstyle,normanner,noreventheeducationwhichwasdesirable.Shewasalmostasfarremovedfrombeingsoasawomancouldbeinherposition.But,nevertheless,therewerecertainworldlyattributeswhichsheregardedasessentialtothecharacterofanyyoungladywhomightbeconsideredfittotaketheplacewhichsheherselfhadsolongfilled.Itwasherdesireinlookingforawifeforhersontocombinethesewithcertainmoralexcellenceswhichsheregardedasequallyessential.LucyRobartsmighthavethemoralexcellences,orshemightnot;butastotheotherattributesLadyLuftonregardedherasaltogetherdeficient.ShecouldneverlooklikeaLadyLufton,orcarryherselfinthecountyasaLadyLuftonshoulddo.Shehadnotthatquietpersonaldemeanour——thatdignityofrepose——whichLadyLuftonlovedtolookuponinayoungmarriedwomanofrank.Lucy,shewouldhavesaid,couldbenobodyinaroomexceptbydintofhertongue,whereasGriseldaGrantlywouldhaveheldherpeaceforawholeevening,andyetwouldhaveimpressedeverybodybythemajestyofherpresence.Thenagain,Lucyhadnomoney——and,againLucywasonlythesisterofherownparishclergyman.Peoplearerarelyprophetsintheirowncountry,andLucywasnoprophetatFramley;shewasnone,atleast,intheeyesofLadyLufton.Oncebefore,asmayberemembered,shehadhadfearsonthissubject——fears,notsomuchforherson,whomshecouldhardlybringherselftosuspectofsuchafolly,butforLucy,whomightbefoolishenoughtofancythatthelordwasinlovewithher.Alas!alas!Herson\'squestionfelluponthepoorwomanatthepresentmomentwiththeweightofaterribleblow.\'Isthereanythingaboutherwhichmakesherunfittobemywife?\'

Thosewereherson\'slastwords.

\'DearestLudovic,dearestLudovic!\'andshegotupandcameovertohim,\'Idothinkso;Ido,indeed.\'

\'Thinkwhat?\'saidhe,inatonethatwasalmostangry.

\'Idothinkthatsheisunfittobeyourwife.SheisnotofthatclassfromwhichIwouldwishtoseeyouchoose.\'

\'SheisofthesameclassasGriseldaGrantly.\'

\'No,dearest.Ithinkyouareinerrorthere.TheGrantlyshavemovedinadifferentsphereoflife.Ithinkyoumustfeelthattheyare——\'

\'Uponmyword,mother,Idon\'t.OnemanisRectorofPlumstead,andtheotherisVicarofFramley.Butitisnogoodarguingthat.IwantyoutotaketoLucyRobarts.Ihavecometoyouonpurposetoaskitofyouasafavour.\'

\'Doyoumeanasyourwife,Ludovic?\'

\'Yes;asmywife.\'

\'AmItounderstandthatyouare——areengagedtoher?\'

\'Well,IcannotsaythatIam——notactuallyengagedtoher.Butyoumaytakethisforgrantedthat,asfarasitliesinmypower,Iintendtobecomeso.Mymindismadeup,andIcertainlyshallnotalterit.\'

\'Andtheyoungladyknowsallthis?\'

\'Certainly.\'

\'Horrid,sly,detestable,underhandgirl,\'LadyLuftonsaidtoherself,notbeingbyanymeansbraveenoughtospeakoutsuchlanguagebeforeherson.WhathopecouldtherebeifLordLuftonhadalreadycommittedhimselfbyapositiveoffer?\'Andherbrother,andMrsRobarts;aretheyawareofit?\'

\'Yes;bothofthem.\'

\'Andbothapproveofit?\'

\'Well,Icannotsaythat.IhavenotseenMrsRobarts,anddonotknowwhatmaybeheropinion.TospeakmymindhonestlyaboutMark,Idonotthinkhedoescordiallyapprove.Heisafraidofyou,andwouldbedesirousofknowingwhatyouthink.\'

\'Iamglad,atanyrate,tohearthat,\'saidLadyLufton,gravely.

\'Hadhedoneanythingtoencouragethis,itwouldhavebeenverybase.\'Andthentherewasanothershortperiodofsilence.LordLuftonhaddeterminednottoexplaintohismotherthewholestateofthecase.Hewouldnottellherthateverythingdependedonherword——thatLucywasreadytomarryhimonlyonconditionthatshe,LadyLufton,woulddesirehertodoso.Hewouldnotletherknowthateverythingdependedonher——accordingtoLucy\'spresentverdict.Hehadastrongdisinclinationtoaskhismother\'spermissiontogetmarried;andhewouldhavetoaskitwerehetotellherthewholetruth.HisobjectwastomakeherthinkwellofLucy,andtoinducehertobekind,andgenerous,andaffectionatedownatFramley.Thenthingswouldallturnoutcomfortablywhenheagainvisitedthatplace,asheintendedtodoonhisreturnfromNorway.Somuchhethoughtitpossiblehemighteffect,relyingonhismother\'sprobablecalculationthatitwouldbeuselessforhertoopposeameasurewhichshehadnopowerofstoppingbyherauthority.Butwerehetotellherthatshewastobethefinaljudge,thateverythingwastodependonherwill,then,sothoughtLordLufton,thatpermissionwouldinallprobabilityberefused.

\'Well,mother,whatanswerdoyouintendtogiveme?\'hesaid.\'Mymindispositivelymadeup.Ishouldnothavecometoyouhadnotthatbeenthecase.Youwillnowbegoingdownhome,andIwouldwishyoutotreatLucyasyouyourselfwouldwishtotreatanygirltowhomyouknewthatIwasengaged.\'

\'Butyousaythatyouarenotengaged.\'

\'No,Iamnot;butIhavemademyoffertoher,andIhavenotbeenrejected.Shewasconfessedthatshe——lovesme,——nottomyself,buttoherbrother.Underthesecircumstances,mayIcountuponyourobligingme?\'Therewassomethinginhismannerwhichalmostfrightenedhismother,andmadeherthinkthattherewasmorebehindthisthanwastoldtoher.Generallyspeaking,hismannerwasopen,gentle,andunguarded;butnowhespokeasthoughhehadpreparedhiswords,andwasresolvedonbeingharshaswellasobstinate.

\'Iamsomuchtakenbysurprise,Ludovic,thatIcanhardlygiveyouananswer.IfyouaskwhetherIapproveofsuchamarriage,I

mustsaythatIdonot;IthinkthatyouwouldbethrowingyourselfawaymarryingMissRobarts.\'

\'Thatisbecauseyoudonotknowher.\'

\'MayitnotbepossiblethatIknowherbetterthanyoudo,dearLudovic?Youhavebeenflirtingwithher——\'

\'Ihatethatword;italwayssoundstometobevulgar.\'

\'Iwillsaymakinglovetoher,ifyoulikeitbetter;andgentlemenunderthesecircumstanceswillsometimesbecomeinfatuated.\'

\'Youwouldnothaveamanmarryagirlwithoutmakinglovetoher.

Thefactis,mother,thatyourtastesandminearenotexactlythesame;youlikesilentbeauty,whereasIliketalkingbeauty,andthen——\'

\'DoyoucallMissRobartsbeautiful?\'

\'Yes,Ido;verybeautiful;shehasthebeautythatIadmire.

Good-byenow,mother;IshallnotseeyouagainbeforeIstart.Itwillbenousewriting,asIshallbeawayforsoshortatime,andIdon\'tquiteknowwhereweshallbe.IshallcomedowntoFramleyimmediatelyIreturn,andshalllearnfromyouhowthelandlies.I

havetoldyoumywishes,andyouwillconsiderhowfaryouthinkitrighttofallinwiththem.\'Hethenkissedher,andwithoutwaitingforareply,hetookhisleave.PoorLadyLufton,whenshewaslefttoherself,feltthatherheadwasgoingroundandround.

Wasthistobetheendofallherambition,——ofallherloveforherson?andwasthistheresultofallherkindnesstotheRobarts\'s?ShealmosthatedMarkRobartsasshereflectedthatshehadbeenthemeansofbringinghimandhissistertoFramley.Shethoughtoverallhissins,hisabsencesfromtheparish,hisvisittoGatherumCastle,hisdealingswithreferencetothatfarmwhichwastohavebeensold,hishunting,andthenhisacceptanceofthatstall,given,asshehadbeentold,throughtheOmniuminterest.

Howcouldshelovehimatsuchamomentasthis?Andthenshethoughtofhiswife.CoulditbepossiblethatFannyRobarts,herownfriendFanny,wouldbesountruetoherastolendanyassistancetosuchamarriageasthis;asnottouseallherpowerinpreventingit?ShehadspokentoFannyonthisverysubject——notfearingforherson,butwithageneralideaoftheimproprietyofintimaciesbetweensuchgirlsasLucy,andsuchmenasLordLufton,andthenFannyhadagreedwithher.Coulditbepossiblethatevenshemustberegardedasanenemy?AndthenbydegreesLadyLuftonbegantoreflectwhatstepsshehadbettertake.Inthefirstplace,shouldshegiveinatonce,andconsenttothemarriage?Theonlythingquitecertaintoherwasthis,thatlifewouldbenotworthhavingifshewereforcedintoapermanentquarrelwithherson.Suchaneventwouldprobablykillher.Whenshereadofquarrelsinothernoblefamilies——andtheaccountsofsuchquarrelswillsometimes,unfortunately,forcethemselvesupontheattentionofmyunwillingreaders——shewouldhugherself,withaspiritthatwasalmostpharisaical,reflectingthatherdestinywasnotlikethatofothers.Suchquarrelsandhatredsbetweenfathersanddaughters,andmothersandsons,wereinhereyesdisreputabletoallthepersonsconcerned.Shehadlivedhappilywithherhusband,comfortablywithherneighbours,respectablywiththeworld,and,aboveallthings,affectionatelywithherchildren.ShespokeeverywhereofLordLuftonasthoughhewerenearlyperfect,——andinsospeaking,shehadnotbeliedherconvictions.Underthesecircumstances,wouldnotanymarriagebebetterthanaquarrel?But,then,again,howmuchoftheprideofherdailylifewouldbedestroyedbysuchamatchasthat!Andmightitnotbewithinherpowertopreventitwithoutanyquarrel?ThathersonwouldbesickofsuchachitasLucybeforehehadbeenmarriedtohersixmonths——ofthatLadyLuftonentertainednodoubt,andthereforeherconsciencewouldnotbedisquietedindisturbingtheconsummationofanarrangementsopernicious.Itwasevidentthatthematterwasnotconsideredassettledevenbyherson;andalsoevidentthatheregardedthematterasbeinginsomewaydependentonhismother\'sconsent.Onthewhole,mightitnotbebetterforher——betterforthemall——thatsheshouldthinkwhollyofherduty,andnotofthedisagreeableresultstowhichthatdutymightpossiblylead?Itcouldnotbeherdutytoaccedetosuchanalliance;andthereforeshewoulddoherbesttopreventit.Such,atleast,shouldbeherattemptinthefirstinstance.

Havingsodecided,shenextresolvedonhercourseofaction.

ImmediatelyonherarrivalatFramley,shewouldsendforLucyRobarts,anduseallhereloquence——andperhapsalsoalittleofthatsterndignityforwhichshewassoremarkable——inexplainingtothatyoungladyhowverywickeditwasonherparttothinkofforcingherselfonsuchafamilyasthatoftheLuftons.ShewouldexplaintoLucythatnohappinesscouldcomeofit,thatpeopleplacedbymisfortuneabovetheirspherearealwaysmiserable;and,inshort,makeuseofallthoseexcellentmorallessonswhicharesocustomaryonsuchoccasions.Themoralitymightperhapsbethrownaway;butLadyLuftondependedmuchonherdignifiedsternness.Andthen,havingsoresolved,shepreparedforherjourneyhome.VerylittlehadbeensaidatFramleyparsonageaboutLordLufton\'sofferafterthedepartureofthatgentleman;verylittle,atleast,inLucy\'spresence.Thattheparsonandhiswifeshouldtalkaboutitbetweenthemselveswasamatterofcourse;butveryfewwordswerespokenonthemattereitherbyortoLucy.Shewaslefttoherownthoughts,andpossiblytoherownhopes.AndthenothermatterscameupatFramleywhichturnedthecurrentofinterestintoothertracks.InthefirstplacetherewasthevisitmadebyMrSowerbytotheDragonofWantly,andtheconsequentrevelationmadebyMarkRobartstohiswife.Andwhilethatlattersubjectwasyetnew,beforeFannyandLucyhadasyetmadeuptheirmindsastoallthelittleeconomieswhichmightbepractisedinthehouseholdwithoutseriousdetrimenttotheirmaster\'scomfort,newsreachedthemthatMrsCrawleyofHogglestockhadbeenstrickenwithfever.Nothingofthekindcouldwellbemoredreadfulthanthis.Tothosewhoknewthefamilyitseemedimpossiblethattheirmostordinarywantscouldbesuppliedifthatcourageousheadwereevenforadaylaidlow;andthenthepovertyofpoorMrCrawleywassuchthatthesadnecessitiesofasickbedcouldhardlybesuppliedwithoutassistance.\'Iwillgooveratonce,\'saidFanny.

\'Mydear!\'saidherhusband,\'itistyphus,andyoumustthinkofthechildren.Iwillgo.\'

\'Whatonearthcouldyoudo,Mark?\'saidhiswife.\'Menonsuchoccasionsarealmostworsethanuseless;andthentheyaresomuchmoreliabletoinfection.\'

\'Ihavenochildren,noramIaman,\'saidLucy,smiling;\'forbothofwhichexemptionsIamthankful.Iwillgo,andwhenIcomebackIwillkeepclearofthebairns.\'

Soitwassettled,andLucystartedinthepony-carriage,carryingwithhersuchthingsfromtheparsonagestorehouseaswerethoughttobesuitabletothewantsofthesickladyatHogglestock.Whenshearrivedthere,shemadeherwayintothehouse,findingthedooropen,andnotbeingabletoobtaintheassistanceoftheservantgirlinusheringherin.IntheparlourshefoundGraceCrawley,theeldestchild,sittingdemurelyinhermother\'schairnursinganinfant.She,Graceherself,wasstillayoungchild,butnottheless,onthisoccasionofwell-understoodsorrow,didshegothroughhertaskwithzealbutalmostwithsolemnity.Herbrother,aboyofsixyearsold,waswithher,andhehadthecareofanotherbaby.Theretheysatinacluster,quiet,grave,andsilent,attendingonthemselves,becauseithadbeenwilledbyfatethatnooneelseshouldattendthem.\'Howisyourmamma,dearGrace?\'saidLucy,walkinguptoherandholdingoutherhand.

\'Poormammaisveryillindeed,\'saidGrace.

\'Andpapaisveryunhappy,\'saidBobby,theboy.

\'Ican\'tgetupbecauseofbaby,\'saidGrace;\'butBobbycangoandcallpapaout.\'

\'Iwillknockatthedoor,\'saidLucy;andsosayingshewalkeduptothebedroomdoor,andtappedagainstitlightly.Sherepeatedthisforthethirdtimebeforeshewassummonedinbyalowhoarsevoice,andthenonenteringshesawMrCrawleystandingbythebedsidewithabookinhishand.Helookedatheruncomfortably,inamannerwhichseemedtoshowthathewasannoyedbythisintrusion,andLucywasawarethatshehaddisturbedhimwhileatprayersbythebedsideofhiswife.Hecameacrosstheroom,however,andshookhandswithher,andansweredherinquiriesinhisordinarygraveandsolemnvoice.\'MrsCrawleyisveryill,\'hesaid——\'veryill.Godhasstrickenusheavily,butHiswillbedone.Butyouhadbetternotgotoher,MissRobarts.Itistyphus.\'

Thecaution,however,wastoolate;forLucywasalreadyatthebedside,andhadtakenthehandofthesickwoman,whichhadbeenextendedonthecoverlidtogreether.\'DearMissRobarts,\'saidaweakvoice;\'thisisverygoodofyou;butitmakesmeunhappytoseeyouhere.\'Lucylostnotimeintakingsundrymattersintoherownhands,andascertainingwhatwasmostwantedinthatwretchedhousehold.Foritwaswretchedenough.Theironlyservant,agirlofsixteen,hadbeentakenawaybyhermotherassoonasitbecameknownthatMrsCrawleywasillwithfever.Thepoormother,togiveherherdue,hadpromisedtocomedownmorningandeveningherself,todosuchworkasmightbedoneinanhourorso;butshecouldnot,shesaid,leaveherchildtocatchthefever.Andnow,attheperiodofLucy\'svisit,nostephadbeentakentoprocureanurse,MrCrawleyhavingresolvedtotakeuponhimselfthedutiesofthatposition.Inhisabsoluteignoranceofallsanitarymeasures,hehadthrownhimselfonhiskneestopray;andifprayers——trueprayers——mightsuccourhispoorwife,ofsuchsuccourshemightbeconfident.Lucy,however,thoughtthatotheraidwaswantingtoher.\'Ifyoucandoanythingforus,\'saidMrsCrawley,\'letitbeforthepoorchildren.\'

\'Iwillhavethemallmovedfromthistillyouarebetter,\'saidLucyboldly.

\'Moved!\'saidMrCrawley,whoevennow——eveninhispresentstrait——feltarepugnancetotheideathatanyoneshouldrelievehimofanyportionofhisburden.

\'Yes,\'saidLucy;\'Iamsureitwillbebetterthatyoushouldlosethemforaweekortwo,tillMrsCrawleymaybeabletoleavetheroom.\'

\'Butwherearetheytogo?\'saidhe,verygloomily.AstothisLucywasnotasyetabletosayanything.IndeedwhensheleftFramleyparsonagetherehadbeennotimefordiscussion.ShewouldgobackandtalkitoverwithFanny,andfindoutinwhatwaythechildrenmightbebestputoutofdanger.Whyshouldtheynotallbeharbouredattheparsonage,assoonasassurancecouldbefeltthattheywerenottaintedwiththepoisonofthefever?AnEnglishladyoftherightsortwilldoallthingsbutoneforasickneighbour;butfornoneighbourwillshewittinglyadmitcontagioussicknesswithintheprecinctsofherownnursery.Lucyunloadedherjelliesandherfebrifuges,MrCrawleyfrowningatherbitterlythewhile.Ithadcometothiswithhim,thatfoodhadbeenbroughtintohishouse,asanactofcharity,inhisverypresence,andinhisheartofheartshedislikedLucyRobartsinthatshehadbroughtit.Hecouldnotcausethejarsandthepotstobereplacedinthepony-carriage,ashewouldhavedonehadthepositionofhiswifebeendifferent.Inherstateitwouldhavebeenbarbaroustorefusethem,andbarbarousalsotohavecreatedthefracasofarefusal;buteachparcelthatwasintroducedwasanadditionalweightlaidonthesorewithersofhispride,tillthetotalburdenbecamealmostunbearable.Allthishiswifesawandrecognizedeveninherillness,anddidmakesomelightineffectualeffortstogivehimease;butLucyinhernewpowerwasruthless,andthechickentomakethechicken-brothwastakenoutofthebasketunderhisverynose.ButLucydidnotremainlong.Shehadmadeuphermindwhatitbehovedhertodoherself,andshewassoonreadytoreturntoFramley.\'Ishallbebackagain,MrCrawley,\'shesaid,\'probablythisevening,andIshallstaywithhertillsheisbetter.\'\'Nursesdon\'twantrooms,\'shewentontosay,whenMrCrawleymutteredsomethingabouttherebeingnobed-

chamber.\'Ishallmakeupsomesortoflitternearher;you\'llseethatIshallbeverysnug.\'Andthenshegotintothepony-chaise,anddroveherselfhome.

CHAPTERXXXV

THESTORYOFKINGCOPHETUA

Lucy,asshedroveherselfhome,hadmuchastowhichitwasnecessarythatsheshouldarouseherthoughts.ThatshewouldgobackandnurseMrsCrawleythroughherfevershewasresolved.Shewasfreeagentenoughtotakesomuchonherself,andtofeelsurethatshecouldcarryitthrough.Buthowwasshetoredeemherpromiseaboutthechildren?Twentyplansranthroughhermind,astofarm-housesinwhichtheymightbeplaced,orcottageswhichmightbehiredforthem;butalltheseentailedthewantofmoney;

andatthepresentmoment,werenotalltheinhabitantsoftheparsonagepledgedtoadireeconomy?Thisuseofthepony-carriagewouldhavebeenillicitunderanycircumstanceslesspressingthanthepresent,forithadbeendecidedthatthecarriage,andevenpoorPuckhimself,shouldbesold.Shehad,however,givenherpromiseaboutthechildren,andthoughherownstockofmoneywasverylow,thatpromiseshouldberedeemed.

Whenshereachedtheparsonageshewasofcoursefullofherschemes,butshefoundthatanothersubjectofinteresthadcomeupinherabsence,whichpreventedherfromobtainingtheundividedattentionofhersister-in-lawtoherpresentplans.LadyLuftonhadreturnedthatday,andimmediatelyonherreturnhadsentupanoteaddressedtoMissLucyRobarts,whichnotewasinFanny\'shandswhenLucysteppedoutofthepony-carriage.Theservantwhobroughtithadaskedforananswer,andaverbalanswerhadbeensent,sayingthatMissRobartswasawayfromhome,andwouldherselfsendareplywhenshereturned.ItcannotbedeniedthatthecolourcametoLucy\'sface,andthatherhandtrembledwhenshetookthenotefromFannyinthedrawing-room.Everythingintheworldtohermightdependonwhatthatnotecontained;andyetshedidnotopenitatonce,butstoodwithitinherhand,andwhenFannypressedheronthesubject,stillendeavouredtobringbacktheconversationtothesubjectofMrsCrawley.Butyethermindwasintentonthatletter,andshehadalreadyauguredillfromthehandwritingandevenfromthewordsoftheaddress.HadLadyLuftonintendedtobepropitious,shewouldhavedirectedherlettertoMissRobarts,withouttheChristianname;soatleastarguedLucy——quiteunconsciously,asonedoesargueinsuchmatters.Oneformshalftheconclusionsofone\'slifewithoutanydistinctknowledgethatthepremiseshaveevenpassedthroughone\'smind.Theywerenowalonetogether,asMarkwasout.\'Won\'tyouopentheletter?\'saidMrsRobarts.

\'Yes,immediately;but,Fanny,ImustspeaktoyouaboutMrsCrawleyfirst.Imustgobacktherethisevening,andstaythere;

Ihavepromisedtodoso,andshallcertainlykeepmypromise.I

havepromisedalsothatthechildrenshallbetakenaway,andwemustarrangeaboutthat.Itisdreadful,thestatesheisin.

ThereisnoonetoseetoherbutMrCrawley,andthechildrenaretogetherleftbythemselves.\'

\'Doyoumeanthatyouaregoingbacktheretostay?\'

\'Yes,certainly;IhavemadeadistinctpromisethatIwoulddoso.Andaboutthechildren;couldnotyoumanageforthechildren,Fanny——notperhapsinthehouse;atleastnotatfirst,perhaps?\'

AndyetduringallthetimethatshewasthusspeakingandpleadingfortheCrawleys,shewasendeavouringtoimaginewhatmightbethecontentsofthatletterwhichshehadbetweenherfingers.

\'Andisshesoveryill?\'askedMrsRobarts.

\'Icannotsayhowillshemaybe,exceptthis,thatshecertainlyhastyphusfever.Theyhadsomedoctorordoctor\'sassistantfromSilverbridge;butitseemstomethattheyaregreatlyinwantofbetteradvice.\'

\'But,Lucy,willyounotreadyourletter?Itisastonishingtomethatyoushouldbesoindifferentaboutit.\'Lucywasanythingbutindifferent,andnowdidproceedtoteartheenvelope.Thenotewasveryshort,andraninthesewords——

"MYDEARMISSROBARTS,"Iamparticularlyanxioustoseeyou,andshallfeelmuchobligedtoyouifyoucanstepovertomehere,atFramleyCourt.Imustapologizefortakingthislibertywithyou,butyouwillprobablyfeelthataninterviewherewouldsuitusbothbetterthanattheparsonage.

"Trulyyours"M.LUFTON"

\'There;Iaminforitnow,\'saidLucy,handingthenoteovertoMrsRobarts.\'Ishallhavetobetalkedtoasneverpoorgirlwastalkedtobefore:andwhenonethinksofwhatIhavedone,itishard.\'

\'Yes;andofwhatyouhavenotdone.\'

\'Exactly;andofwhatIhavenotdone.ButIsupposeImustgo,\'

andsheproceededtore-tiethestringsofherbonnet,whichshehadloosened.

\'Doyoumeanthatyouaregoingoveratonce?\'

\'Yes;immediately.Whynot?itwillbebettertohaveitover,andthenIcangototheCrawleys.But,Fanny,thepityofitisthatIknowitallaswellasthoughithadbeenalreadyspoken;

andwhatgoodcantherebeinmyhavingtoendureit?Can\'tyoufancythetoneinwhichshewillexplainittome,theconventionalinconvenienceswhicharosewhenKingCophetuawouldmarrythebeggar\'sdaughter?howshewillexplainwhatGriseldawentthrough;——notthearchdeacon\'sdaughter,buttheotherGriselda?\'

\'Butitcamerightwithher.\'

\'Yes;butthenIamnotGriselda,andshewillexplainhowitwouldcertainlyallgowrongwithme.Butwhat\'sthegoodwhenIknowitallbeforehand?HaveInotdesiredKingCophetuatotakehimselfandsceptreelsewhere?\'Andthenshestarted,havingfirstsaidanotherwordortwoabouttheCrawleychildren,andobtainedapromiseofPuckandthepony-carriagefortheafternoon.ItwasalmostagreedthatPuckonhisreturntoFramleyshouldbringbackthefourchildrenwithhim;butonthissubjectitwasnecessarythatMarkshouldbeconsulted.Thepresentschemewastoprepareforthemaroomoutsidethehouse,oncethedairy,atpresentoccupiedbythegroomandhiswife;andtobringthemintothehouseassoonasitwasmanifestthattherewasnodangerfrominfection.Butallthiswastobematterfordeliberation.Fannywantedhertosendoveranote,inreplytoLadyLufton\'s,asharbingerofhercoming;butLucymarchedoff,hardlyansweringthisproposition.

\'What\'stheuseofsuchadealofceremony?\'shesaid.\'Iknowshe\'sathome;andifsheisnot,Ishallonlylosetenminutesingoing.\'Andsoshewent,andonreachingthedooratFramleyCourthousefoundthatherladyshipwasathome.Herheartalmostcametohermouthasshewastoldso,andthen,intwominutes\'time,shefoundherselfinthelittleroomupstairs.Inthatlittleroomwefoundourselvesoncebefore——butLucyhadneverbeforevisitedthathallowedprecinct.TherewassomethinginitsaircalculatedtoinspireaweinthosewhofirstsawLadyLuftonsittingboltuprightinthecane-bottomedarm-chair,whichshealwaysoccupiedwhenatworkatherbooksandpapers;andthissheknewwhenshedeterminedtoreceiveLucyinthatapartment.Buttherewasanotherarm-chair,aneasy,cosychair,whichstoodbythefireside;andforthosewhohadcaughtLadyLuftonnappinginthatchairofanafternoon,someofthisawehadperhapsbeendissipated.\'MissRobarts,\'shesaid,notrisingfromherchair,butholdingoutherhandtohervisitor,\'Iammuchobligedtoyouforhavingcomeovertomehere.You,nodoubt,areawareofthesubjectonwhichIwishtospeaktoyou,andwillagreewithmethatitisbetterthatweshouldmeetherethanoverattheparsonage.\'InanswertowhichLucymerelybowedherhead,andtookherseatonthechairwhichhadbeenpreparedforher.\'Myson,\'

continuedherladyship,\'hasspokentomeonthesubjectof——I

thinkIunderstand,MissRobarts,thattherehasbeennoengagementbetweenyouandhim?\'

\'Nonewhatever,\'saidLucy.\'HemademeanofferandIrefusedhim.\'Thisshesaidverysharply;——moresoundoubtedlythanthecircumstancesrequired;andwithabrusquenessthatwasinjudiciousaswellasuncourteous.Butatthemoment,shewasthinkingofherownpositionwithreferencetoLadyLufton——nottoLordLufton;andofherfeelingswithreferencetothelady——nottothegentleman.

\'Oh,\'saidLadyLufton,alittlestartledbythemannerofthecommunication.\'ThenIamtounderstandthatthereisnothingnowgoingonbetweenyouandmyson;thatthewholeaffairisover?\'

\'Thatdependsentirelyuponyou.\'

\'Onme;doesit?\'

\'Idonotknowwhatyoursonmayhavetoldyou,LadyLufton.FormyselfIdonotcaretohaveanysecretsfromyouinthismatter;

andashehasspokentoyouaboutit,Isupposethatsuchishiswishalso.AmIrightinpresumingthathehasspokentoyouonthesubject?\'

\'Yes,hehas;anditisforthatreasonthatIhavetakenthelibertyofsendingforyou.\'

\'AndmayIaskwhathehastoldyou?Imean,ofcourse,asregardsmyself,\'saidLucy.LadyLuftonbeforesheansweredthisquestion,begantoreflectthattheyoungladywastakingtoomuchoftheinitiativeinthisconversation,andwas,infact,playingthegameinherownfashion,whichwasnotatallinaccordancewiththosemotiveswhichhadinducedLadyLuftontosendforher.\'Hehastoldmethathehasmadeyouanofferofmarriage,\'repliedLadyLufton:\'amatterwhich,ofcourse,isveryserioustome,ashismother;andIhavethought,therefore,thatIhadbetterseeyou,andappealtoyourowngoodsenseandjudgementandhighfeelings.

Ofcourseyouareaware——\'

NowwascomingthelecturetobeillustratedbyKingCophetuaandGriselda,asLucyhadsuggestedtoMrsRobarts;butshesucceededinstoppingitforawhile.\'AnddidLordLuftontellyouwhatwasmyanswer?\'

\'Notinwords.Butyouyourselfnowsaythatyourefusedhim;andImustexpressmyadmirationforyourgood——\'

\'Waithalfamoment,LadyLufton.Yoursondidmakemeanoffer.

Hemadeittomeinperson,upattheparsonage,andIthenrefusedhim;——foolishly,asInowbelieve,forIdearlylovehim.ButI

didsofromamixtureoffeelingswhichIneednot,perhaps,explain;thatmostprominent,nodoubt,wasafearofyourdispleasure.Andthenhecameagain,nottome,buttomybrother,andurgedhissuittohim.Nothingcanhavebeenkindertome,morenoble,moreloving,moregenerous,thanhisconduct.AtfirstIthought,whenhewasspeakingtomyself,thathewasledonthoughtlesslytosayallthathedidsay.Ididnottrusthislove,thoughIsawthathedidtrustithimself.ButIcouldnotbuttrustitwhenhecameagain——tomybrother,andmadehisproposaltohim.Idon\'tknowwhetheryouwillunderstandme,LadyLufton;butagirlplacedasIamfeelstentimesmoreassuranceinsuchatenderofaffectionasthat,thaninonemadetoherself,atthespurofthemoment,perhaps.AndthenyourememberthatI——I

myself——Ilovedhimfromthefirst.IwasfoolishenoughtothinkthatIcouldknowhimandnotlovehim.\'

\'Isawwhatwasgoingon,\'saidLadyLufton,withacertainassumptionofwisdomabouther;\'andtookstepswhichIhopedwouldhaveputastoptoitintime.\'

\'Everybodysawit.Itwasamatterofcourse,\'saidLucy,destroyingherladyship\'swisdomatablow.\'Well;Ididlearntolovehim,notmeaningtodoso;andIdolovehimwithallmyheart.ItisnousemystrivingtothinkthatIdonot;andI

couldstandwithhimatthealtarto-morrowandgivehimmyhand,feelingthatIwasdoingmydutybyhim,asawomanshoulddo.Andnowhehastoldyouofhislove,andIbelieveinthatasIdoinmyown——\'Andthenforamomentshepaused.

\'But,mydearMissRobarts——\'beganLadyLufton.Lucy,however,hadnotworkedherselfupintoaconditionofpower,andwouldnotallowherladyshiptointerruptherinherspeech.\'Ibegyourpardon,LadyLufton;Ishallhavedonedirectly,andthenIwillhearyou.Andsomybrothercametome,noturgingthissuit,expressingnowishforsuchamarriage,butallowingmetojudgeformyself,andproposingthatIshouldseeyoursonagainonthefollowingmorning.HadIdoneso,Icouldnotbuthaveacceptedhim.Thinkofit,LadyLufton.HowcouldIhavedoneeitherthanaccepthim,seeingthatinmyheartIhadacceptedhislovealready?\'

\'Well?\'saidLadyLufton,notwishingnowtoputinanyspeechofherown.

\'Ididnotseehim——Irefusedtodoso——becauseIwasacoward.I

couldnotenduretocomeintothishouseasyourson\'swife,andbecoldlylookedonbyyourson\'smother.MuchasIlovedhim,muchasIdolovehim,dearlyasIprizethegenerousofferwhichhecamedownheretorepeattome,Icouldnotlivewithhimtobemadetheobjectofyourscorn.Isenthimword,therefore,thatIwouldhavehimwhenyouwouldaskme,andnotbefore.\'And,then,havingthuspleadedhercause——andpleaded,asshebelieved,thecauseofherloveralso——sheceasedfromspeaking,andpreparedherselftolistentothestoryofKingCophetua.ButLadyLuftonfeltconsiderabledifficultyincommencingherspeech.Inthefirstplaceshewasbynomeansahard-heartedoraselfishwoman;andwereitnotthatherownsonwasconcerned,andalltheglorywhichwasreflecteduponherfromherson,hersympathieswouldhavebeengiventoLucyRobarts.Asitwas,shedidsympathizewithher,andadmireher,andtoacertainextentlikeher.Shebeganalsotounderstandwhatitwasthathadbroughtaboutherson\'slove,andtofeelthatbutforcertainunfortunateconcomitantcircumstancesthegirlbeforehermighthavemadeafittingLadyLufton.Lucyhadgrownbiggerinhereyeswhilesittingthereandtalking,andhadlostmuchofthatmissishwantofimportance——thatlackofsocialweight——whichLadyLuftoninherownopinionhadalwaysimputedtoher.Agirlthatcouldthusspeakupandexplainherownpositionnow,wouldbeabletospeakupandexplainherown,andperhapssomeotherpositionsatanyfuturetime.ButnotforalloranyofthesereasonsdidLadyLuftonthinkofgivingway.

Thepowerofmakingormarringthismarriagewasplacedinherhands,aswasveryfitting,andthatpoweritbehovedhertouse,asbestshemightuseit,toherson\'sadvantage.MuchasshemightadmireLucy,shecouldnotsacrificehersontothatadmiration.Theunfortunateconcomitantcircumstancesstillremained,andwereofsufficientforce,asshethought,tomakesuchamarriageinexpedient.Lucywasthesisterofagentleman,whobyhispeculiarpositionasparishclergymanofFramleywasunfittedtobethebrother-in-lawoftheownerofFramley.NobodylikedclergymenbetterthanLadyLuftonorwasmorewillingtolivewiththemontermsofaffectionateintimacy,butshecouldnotgetoverthefeelingthattheclergymanofherownparish,——orofherson\'s,——wasapartofherownestablishment,ofherownappanage——orofhis,——andthatitcouldnotbewellthatLordLuftonshouldmarryamonghisowndependants.LadyLuftonwouldnothaveusedtheword,butshedidthinkit.Andthen,too,Lucy\'seducationhadbeensodeficient.Shehadhadnooneaboutherinearlylifeaccustomedtothewaysof,——ofwhatshallIsaywithoutmakingLadyLuftonappearmoreworldlythanshewas?Lucy\'swantsinthisrespect,nottobedefinedinwords,hadbeenexemplifiedbytheverywayinwhichshehadjustnowstatedhercase.Shehadshowntalent,goodtemper,andsoundjudgement;buttherehadbeennoquiet,noreposeabouther.ThespeciesofpowerinyoungladieswhichLadyLuftonmostadmiredwasthevisinertiaebelongingtobeautifulanddignifiedreticence;ofthispoorLucyhadnone.Then,too,shehadnotfortune,whichthoughaminorevil,wasanevil;andshehadnobirth,inthehighsenseoftheword,whichwasthegreaterevil.Andthen,thoughhereyeshadsparkledwhensheconfessedherlove,LadyLuftonwasnotpreparedtoadmitthatshewaspossessedofpositivebeauty.SuchweretheunfortunateconcomitantcircumstanceswhichstillinducedLadyLuftontoresolvethatthematchmustbemarred.

Buttheperformanceonherpartinthisplaywasmuchmoredifficultthanshehadimagined,andshefoundherselfobligedtositsilentforaminuteortwo,duringwhich,however,MissRobartsmadenoattemptatfurtherspeech.\'Iamgreatlystruck,\'LadyLuftonsaidatlast,\'bytheexcellentsenseyouhavedisplayedinthewholeofthisaffair;andyoumustallowmetosay,MissRobarts,thatInowregardyouwithverydifferentfeelingsfromthosewhichIentertainedwhenIleftLondon.\'UponthisLucybowedherhead,slightlybutverystiffly;acknowledgingrathertheformercensureimpliedthanthepresenteulogiumexpressed.

\'Butmyfeelings,\'continuedLadyLufton,\'mystrongestfeelingsinthismatter,mustbethoseofamother.Whatmightbemyconductifsuchamarriagedidtakeplace,Ineednotnowconsider.ButI

mustconfessthatIshouldthinksuchamarriagevery——veryill-judged.Abetter-heartedyoungmanthanLordLuftondoesnotexist,noronewithbetterprinciples,oradeeperregardforhisword;butheisexactlythemantobemistakenonanyhurriedoutlookastohisfuturelife.Wereyouandhetobecomemanandwife,suchamarriagewouldtendtothehappinessneitherofhimorofyou.\'Itwasclearthatthewholelecturewascoming;andasLucyhadopenlydeclaredherownweakness,andthrownallthepowerofdecisionintothehandsofLadyLufton,shedidnotseewhysheshouldendurethis.

\'Weneednotargueaboutthat,LadyLufton,\'shesaid.\'IhavetoldyoutheonlycircumstancesunderwhichIwouldmarryyourson;

andyou,atanyrate,aresafe.\'

\'No;Iwasnotwishingtoargue,\'answeredLadyLufton,almosthumbly;\'butIwasdesirousofexcusingmyselftoyou,sothatyoushouldnotthinkmecruelinwithholdingmyconsent.IwishedtomakeyoubelievethatIwasdoingthebestformyson.\'

\'Iamsurethatyouthinkyouare,andthereforenoexcuseisnecessary.\'

\'No,exactly;ofcourseitisamatterofopinion,andIdothinkso.Icannotbelievethatthismarriagewouldmakeeitherofyouhappy,andthereforeIshouldbeverywrongtoexpressmyconsent.\'

\'Then,LadyLufton,\'saidLucy,risingfromherchair,\'Isupposewehavebothnowsaidwhatisnecessary,andIwillthereforewishyougood-bye.\'

\'Good-bye,MissRobarts.IwishIcouldmakeyouunderstandhowveryhighlyIregardyourconductinthismatter.Ithasbeenaboveallpraise,andsoIshallnothesitatetosaywhenspeakingofittoyourrelatives.\'ThiswasdisagreeableenoughtoLucy,whocaredbutlittleforanypraisewhichLadyLuftonmightexpresstoherrelativesinthismatter.\'Andpray,\'continuedLadyLufton,\'givemybestlovetoMrsRobarts,andtellherthatI

shallhopetoseeheroverhereverysoon,andMrRobartsalso.I

wouldnameadayforyoualltodine;butperhapsitwillbebetterthatIshouldhavealittletalkwithFannyfirst.\'

Lucymutteredsomething,whichwasintendedtosignifythatanysuchdinnerpartyhadbetternotbemadeupwiththeintentionofincludingher,andthentookherleave.Shehaddecidedlyhadthebestoftheinterview,andtherewasaconsciousnessofthisinherheartassheallowedLadyLuftontoshakehandswithher.Shehadstoppedherantagonistshortoneachoccasiononwhichanattempthadbeenmadetoproducethehomilywhichhadbeenprepared,andduringtheinterviewhadspokenprobablythreewordsforeveryonewhichherladyshiphadbeenabletoutter.But,nevertheless,therewasabitterfeelingofdisappointmentaboutherheartasshewalkedbackhome;andafeeling,also,thatsheherselfhadcausedherownunhappiness.Whyshouldshehavebeensoromanticandchivalrousandself-sacrificing,seeingthatherromanceandchivalryhadallbeentohisdetrimentaswellashers,——seeingthatshesacrificedhimaswellasherself?WhyshouldshehavebeensoanxioustoplayintoLadyLufton\'shands?Itwasnotbecauseshethoughtitright,asageneralsocialrule,thataladyshouldrefuseagentleman\'shand,unlessthegentleman\'smotherwereaconsentingpartytothemarriage.Shewouldhaveheldanysuchdoctrineasabsurd.Thelady,shewouldhavesaid,wouldhavehadtolooktoherownfamilyandnofurther.Itwasnotvirtuebutcowardicewhichhadinfluencedher,andshehadnoneofthatsolacewhichmaycometousinmisfortunefromaconsciousnessthatourownconducthasbeenblameless.LadyLuftonhadinspiredherwithawe,andanysuchfeelingonherpartwasmean,ignoble,andunbecomingthespiritwithwhichshewishedtothinkthatshewasendowed.Thatwastheaccusationwhichshehadbroughtagainstherself,anditforbadehertofeelanytriumphastotheresultoftheinterview.Whenshereachedtheparsonage,Markwasthere,andtheywereofcourseexpectingher.\'Well,\'saidshe,inhershorthurriedmanner,\'isPuckreadyagain?Ihavenotimetolose,andImustgoandpackupafewthings.Haveyousettledaboutthechildren,Fanny?\'

\'Yes;Iwilltellyoudirectly;butyouhaveseenLadyLufton?\'

\'Seenher!Oh,yes,ofcourseIhaveseenher.Didshenotsendforme?andinthatcaseitwasnotonthecardsthatIwoulddisobeyher.\'

\'Andwhatdidshesay?\'

\'Howgreenyouare,Mark;andnotonlygreen,butimpolitealso,tomakemerepeatthestoryofmyowndisgrace.OfcourseshetoldmethatshedidnotintendthatIshouldmarrymylord,herson;andofcourseIsaidthatunderthosecircumstancesIshouldnotthinkofdoingsuchathing.\'

\'Lucy,Icannotunderstandyou,\'saidFanny,verygravely.\'Iamsometimesinclinedtodoubtwhetheryouhaveanydeepfeelinginthematterornot.Ifyouhave,howcanyoubringyourselftojokeaboutit?\'

\'Well,itissingular;andsometimesIdoubtmyselfwhetherI

have.Ioughttobepale,oughtInot?andverythin,andtogomadbydegrees?Ihavenottheleastintentionofdoinganythingofthekind,and,therefore,thematterisnotworthanyfurthernotice.\'

\'Butwassheciviltoyou,Lucy?\'askedMark:\'civilinhermanner,youknow?\'

\'Oh,uncommonlyso.Youwillhardlybelieveit,butsheactuallyaskedmetodine.Shealwaysdoes,youknow,whenshewantstoshowhergoodhumour.Ifyou\'dbrokenyourleg,andshewishedtocommiserateyou,she\'daskyoutodinner.\'

\'Isupposeshemeanttobekind,\'saidFanny,whowasnotdisposedtogiveupheroldfriend,thoughshewasquitereadytofightLucy\'sbattle,iftherewereanyoccasionforabattletobefought.

\'Lucyissoperverse,\'saidMark,\'thatitisimpossibletolearnfromherwhatreallyhastakenplace.\'

\'Uponmyword,then,youknowitallaswellasIcantellyou.SheaskedmeifLordLuftonhadmademeanoffer.Isaid,yes.Sheaskednext,ifImeanttoacceptit.Notwithoutherapproval,I

said.Andthensheaskedustodinner.Thatisexactlywhattookplace,andIcannotseethatIhavebeenperverseatall.\'Afterthatshethrewherselfintoachair,andMarkandFannystoodlookingateachother.

\'Mark,\'shesaid,afterawhile,\'don\'tbeunkindtome.ImakeaslittleofitasIcan,foralloursakes.Itisbetterso,Fanny,thanthatIshouldgoaboutmoaning,likeasickcow;\'andthentheylookedather,andsawthattearswerealreadybrimmingoverfromhereyes.

\'Dearest,dearestLucy,\'saidFanny,immediatelygoingdownonherkneesbeforeher,\'Iwon\'tbeunkindtoyouagain.\'Andthentheyhadagreatcrytogether.

CHAPTERXXXVI

KIDNAPPINGATHOGGLESTOCK

Thegreatcry,however,didnottakelong,andLucywassooninthepony-carriageagain.Onthisoccasionherbrothervolunteeredtodriveher,anditwasnotunderstoodthathewastobringbackwithhimalltheCrawleychildren.Thewholethinghadbeenarranged;

thegroomandhiswifeweretobetakenintothehouse,andthebigbedroomacrosstheyard,usuallyoccupiedbythem,wastobeconvertedintoaquarantinehospitaluntilsuchtimeasitmightbesafetopulldowntheyellowflag.Theywereabouthalf-wayontheirroadtoHogglestock,whentheywereovertakenbyamanonhorseback,whom,whenhecameupbesidethem,MrRobartsrecognizedasDrArabin,DeanofBarchester,andheadofthechaptertowhichhehimselfbelonged.ItimmediatelyappearedthatthedeanwasalsogoingtoHogglestock,havingheardofthemisfortunethathadbefallenhisfriendsthere;hehad,hesaid,startedassoonthenewsreachedhim,inorderthathemightascertainhowbesthemightrenderassistance.Toeffectthishehadundertakenarideofnearlyfortymiles,andexplainedthathedidnotexpecttoreachhomeagainmuchbeforemidnight.\'YoupassbyFramley?\'

askedRobarts.

\'Yes,Ido,\'saidthedean.

\'Thenofcourseyouwilldinewithusasyougohome;youandyourhorsealso,whichwillbequiteasimportant.\'Thishavingbeendulysettled,andtheproperceremonyofintroductionhavingtakenplacebetweenthedeanandLucy,theyproceededtodiscussthecharacterofMrCrawley.

\'Ihaveknownhimallmylife,\'saidthedean,\'havingbeenatschoolandcollegewithhim,andforyearssincethatIwasontermsoftheclosestintimacywithhim;butinspiteofthat,Idonotknowhowtohelphiminhisneed.Aprouder-heartedmanI

nevermet,oronelesswillingtosharehissorrowswithhisfriends.\'

\'Ihaveoftenheardhimspeakofyou,\'saidMark.

\'OneofthebitterestfeelingsIhaveisthatamansodeartomeshouldlivesoneartome,andthatIshouldseesolittleofhim.

ButwhatcanIdo?Hewillnotcometomyhouse;andwhenIgotohisheisangrywithmebecauseIwearashovelhatandrideonhorseback.\'

\'Ishouldleavemyhatandmyhorseatthebordersofthelastparish,\'saidLucy,timidly.

\'Well;yes,certainly;oneoughtnottogiveoffenceeveninsuchmattersasthat;butmycoatandwaistcoatwouldthenbeequallyobjectionable.Ihavechanged,——inoutwardmattersImean,——andhehasnot.Thatirritateshim,andunlessIcouldbewhatIwasintheolddays,hewillnotlookatmewiththesameeyes;\'andthenherodeon,inorder,ashesaid,thatthefirstpangoftheinterviewmightbeoverbeforeRobartsandhissistercameuponthescene.MrCrawleywasstandingbeforehisdoor,leaningoverthelittlewoodenrailing,whenthedeantrotteduponhishorse.Hehadcomeoutafterhoursofclosewatchingtogetafewmouthfulsofthesweetsummerair,andashestoodthereheheldtheyoungestofhischildreninhisarms.Thepoorlittlebabysatthere,quietindeed,buthardlyhappy.Thisfather,thoughhelovedhisoffspringwithanaffectionasintenseasthatwhichhumannaturecansupply,wasnotgiftedwiththeknackofmakingchildrenfondofhim;foritishardlymorethanaknack,thataptitudewhichsomemenhaveofgainingthegoodgracesoftheyoung.Suchmenarenotalwaysthebestfathersorthesafestguardians;buttheycarryaboutwiththemacertainducadmewhichchildrenrecognize,andwhichinthreeminutesupsetsallthebarriersbetweenfiveandfive-and-forty.ButMrCrawleywasasternman,thinkingeverofthesoulsandmindsofhisbairns——asafathershoulddo;andthinkingalsothateveryseasonwasfittedforoperatingonthesesoulsandminds——as,perhaps,heshouldnothavedoneasafatherorasateacher.Andconsequentlyhischildrenavoidedhimwhenthechoicewasgiventhem,therebyaddingfreshwoundstohistornheart,butbynomeansquenchinganyofthegreatlovewithwhichheregardedthem.

Hewasstandingtherethuswiththeplacidlittlebabyinhisarms——ababyplacidenough,butonethatwouldnotkisshimeagerly,andstrokehisfacewithhersoftlittlehands,ashewouldhavehadherdo——whenhesawthedeancomingtowardshim.Hewassharp-sightedasalynxoutintheopenair,thoughnowobligedtoporeoverhiswell-fingeredbookswithspectaclesonhisnose;

andthusheknewhisfriendfromalongdistance,andhadtimetomeditateonthemodeofhisgreeting.Hetoodoubtlesshadcome,ifnotwithjellyandchicken,thenwithmoneyandadvice;——withmoneyandadvicesuchasathrivingdeanmightoffertoapoorbrotherclergyman;andMrCrawley,thoughnohusbandcouldbemoreanxiousforawife\'ssafetythanhewas,immediatelyputhisbackupandbegantobethinkhimselfhowthesetendersmightberejected.

\'Howisshe?\'werethefirstwordswhichthedeanspokeashepulleduphishorseclosetothelittlegate,andputouthishandtotakethatofhisfriend.

\'Howareyou,Arabin?\'saidhe.\'Itisverykindofyoutocomesofar,seeinghowmuchthereistokeepyouatBarchester.Icannotsaythatsheisanybetter,butIdonotknowthatsheisworse.

SometimesIfancysheisdelirious,thoughIhardlyknow.Atanyratehermindwanders,andthenafterthatshesleeps.\'

\'Butisthefeverless?\'

\'Sometimesless,andsometimesmore,Iimagine.\'

\'Andthechildren?\'

\'Poorthings;theyarewellasyet.\'

\'Theymustbetakenfromthis,Crawley,asamatterofcourse.\'

MrCrawleyfanciedthattherewasatoneofauthorityinthedean\'sadvice,andimmediatelyputhimselfintoopposition.

\'Idonotknowhowthatmaybe;Ihavenotyetmadeupmymind.\'

\'But,mydearCrawley——\'

\'Providencedoesnotadmitofsuchremovalsinallcases,\'saidhe.\'Amongthepoorerclassesthechildrenmustenduresuchperils.\'

\'Inmanycasesitisso,\'saidthedean,bynomeansinclinedtomakeanargumentofitatthepresentmoment;\'butinthiscasetheyneednot.Youmustallowmetomakearrangementsforsendingforthem,asofcourseyourtimeisoccupiedhere.\'MissRobarts,thoughshehadmentionedherintentionofstayingwithMrsCrawley,hadsaidnothingoftheFramleyplanwithreferencetothechildren.

\'Whatyoumeanisthatyouintendtotaketheburdenoffmyshoulders——infact,payforthem.Icannotallowthat,Arabin.

Theymusttakethelotoftheirfatherandtheirmother,asitisproperthattheyshoulddo.\'Againthedeanhadnoinclinationforarguing,andthoughtitmightbewelltoletthequestionofthechildrendropforalittlewhile.

\'Andthereisnonursewithher?\'saidhe.

\'No,no;Iamseeingtohermyselfatthepresentmoment.Awomanwillbeherejustnow.\'

\'Whatwoman?\'

\'Well;hernameisMrsStubbs;shelivesintheparish.Shewillputheryoungerchildrentobed,and——and——butit\'snousetroublingyouwithallthat.Therewasayoungladytalkedofcoming,butnodoubtshehasfoundittooinconvenient.Itwillbebetterasitis.\'

\'YoumeanMissRobarts;shewillbeheredirectly;IpassedherasIcamehere;\'andasDrArabinwasyetspeaking,thenoiseofthecarriagewheelswasheardupontheroad.

\'Iwillgoinnow;\'saidMrCrawley,\'andseeifshestillsleeps;\'

andthenheenteredthehouse,leavingthedeanatthedoorstillseateduponhishorse.\'Hewillbeafraidoftheinfection,andI

willnotaskhimtocomein,\'saidMrCrawleytohimself.

\'Ishallseemtobepryingintohispoverty,ifIenterunasked,\'

saidthedeantohimself.AndsoheremainedtheretillPuck,nowacquaintedwiththelocality,stoppedatthedoor.

\'Haveyounotbeenin?\'saidRobarts.

\'No;Crawleyhasbeenatthedoortalkingtome;hewillbeheredirectly,Isuppose;\'andthenMarkRobartsalsopreparedhimselftowaittillthemasterofthehouseshouldreappear.ButLucyhadnotsuchpunctiliousmisgivings;shedidnotmuchcarenowwhethersheoffendedMrCrawleyorno.Herideawastoplaceherselfbythesickwoman\'sbedside,andtosendthefourchildrenaway;——withtheirfather\'sconsentifitmightbe;butcertainlywithoutitifthatconsentwerewithheld.Soshegotdownfromthecarriage,andtakingcertainpackagesinherhandmadeherwaydirectintothehouse.

\'There\'sabigbundleundertheseat,Mark,\'shesaid;\'I\'llcomeandfetchitdirectly,ifyou\'lldragitout.\'ForsomefiveminutesthetwodignitariesoftheChurchremainedatthedoor,oneonhiscob,andtheotherinhislowcarriage,sayingafewwordstoeachotherandwaitingtillsomeoneshouldagainappearfromthehouse.\'Itisallarranged,indeeditis,\'werethefirstwordswhichreachedtheirears,andthesecamefromLucy.\'Therewillbenotroubleatall,andnoexpense,andtheyshallallcomebackassoonasMrsCrawleyisabletogetoutofbed.\'

\'But,MissRobarts,Icanassure——\'ThatwasMrCrawley\'svoice,heardfromhimashefollowedMissRobartstothedoor;butoneoftheelderchildrenhadthencalledhimbackintothesickroom,andLucywaslefttodoherworst.

\'Areyougoingtotakethechildrenbackwithyou?\'saidthedean.

\'Yes;MrsRobartshaspreparedforthem.\'

\'YoucantakegreaterlibertieswithmyfriendherethanIcan.\'

\'Itisallmysister\'sdoing,\'saidRobarts.\'Womanarealwaysbolderinsuchmattersthanmen.\'AndthenLucyreappeared,bringingBobbywithher,andoneoftheyoungerchildren.

\'Donotmindwhathesays,\'saidshe,\'butdriveawaywhenyouhavegotthemall.TellFannyIhaveputintothebasketwhatthingsI

couldfind,buttheyareveryfew.ShemustborrowthingsforGracefromMrsGranger\'slittlegirl\'——(MrsGrangerwasthewifeofaFramleyfarmer);——\'and,Mark,turnPuck\'sheadroundsothatyoumaybeoffinamoment.I\'llhaveGraceandtheotheroneheredirectly.\'Andthen,leavingherbrothertopackBobbyandhislittlesisteronthebackpartofthevehicle,shereturnedtoherbusinessinthehouse.ShehadjustlookedinatMrsCrawley\'sbed,andfindingherawake,hadsmiledonher,anddepositedherbundleintokenofherintendedstay,andthen,withoutspeakingaword,hadgoneonhererrandaboutthechildren.ShehadcalledtoGracetoshowherwhereshemightfindsuchthingsasweretobetakentoFramley,andhavingexplainedtothebairns,aswellasshemight,thedestinywhichimmediatelyawaitedthem,preparedthemfortheirdeparturewithoutsayingawordtoMrCrawleyonthesubject.Bobbyandtheelderofthetwoinfantswerestowedawaysafelyinthebackpartofthecarriage,wheretheyallowedthemselvestobeplacedwithoutsayingaword.Theyopenedtheireyesandstaredatthedean,whosatbyonhishorse,andassentedtosuchordersasMrRobartsgavethem,——nodoubtwithmuchsurprise,butneverthelessinabsolutesilence.

\'Now,Grace,bequick,there\'sadear,\'saidLucy,returningwiththeinfantinherarms.\'And,Grace,mindyouareverycarefulaboutthebaby;andbringthebasket;I\'llgiveityouwhenyouarein.\'Graceandtheotherchildwerepackedontotheotherseat,andabasketwiththechildren\'sclothesputinontopofthem.

\'That\'lldo,Mark;good-bye;tellFannytobesureandsendthedayafterto-morrow,andnottoforget——\'andthenshewhisperedintoherbrother\'searaninjunctionaboutcertaindairycomfortswhichmightnotbespokenofinthehearingofMrCrawley.\'Good-bye,dears;mindyouaregoodchildren;youshallhearaboutmammathedayafterto-morrow,\'saidLucy;andPuck,admonishedbyasoundfromhismaster\'svoice,begantomovejustasMrCrawleyreappearedatthehousedoor.

\'Oh,oh,stop!\'hesaid.\'MissRobarts,youreallyhadbetternot——\'

\'Goon,Mark,\'saidLucy,inawhisper,which,whetheraudibleornottoMrCrawley,washeardveryplainlybythedean.AndMark,whohadslightlyarrestedPuckbythereinsontheappearanceofMrCrawley,nowtouchedtheimpatientlittlebeastwithhiswhip;andthevehiclewithitsfreightdartedoffrapidly,Puckshakinghisheadandgoingawaywithatremendouslyquickshorttrot,whichsoonseparatedMrCrawleyfromhisfamily.

\'MissRobarts,\'hebegan,\'thisstephasbeentakenaltogetherwithout——\'

\'Yes,\'saidshe,interruptinghim.\'Mybrotherwasobligedtoreturnatonce.Thechildren,youknow,willremainalltogetherattheparsonage;andthat,Ithink,iswhatMrsCrawleywillbestlike.InadayortwotheywillbeunderMrsRobarts\'sowncharge.\'

\'But,mydearMissRobarts,Ihadnointentionwhateverofputtingtheburdenofmyfamilyontheshouldersofanotherperson.Theymustreturntotheirownhomeimmediately——thatis,assoonastheycanbebroughtback.\'

\'IreallythinkMissRobartshasmanagedverywell,\'saidthedean.\'MrsCrawleymustbesomuchmorecomfortabletothinkthattheyareoutofdanger.\'

\'Andtheywillbequitecomfortableattheparsonage.\'saidLucy.

\'Idonotatalldoubtthat,\'saidMrCrawley;\'buttoomuchofsuchcomfortswillunfitthemfortheirhome;and——andIcouldhavewishedthatIhadbeenconsultedmoreatleisurebeforetheproceedingshadbeentaken.\'

\'Itwasarranged,MrCrawley,whenIwasherebefore,thatthechildrenhadbettergoaway,\'pleadedLucy.

\'Idonotrememberagreeingtosuchameasure,MissRobarts;

however——Isupposetheycannotbehadbackto-night?\'

\'No,notto-night,\'saidLucy.\'AndnowIwillgotoyourwife.\'

Andthenshereturnedtothehouse,leavingthetwogentlemenatthedoor.Atthismomentalabourer\'sboycamesaunteringby,andthedean,obtainingpossessionofhisservicesforthecustodyofhishorse,wasabletodismountandputhimselfonamoreequalfootingforconversationwithhisfriend.

\'Crawley,\'saidhe,puttinghishandaffectionatelyonhisfriend\'sshoulder,astheybothstoodleaningonthelittlerailbeforethedoor,\'thatisagoodgirl——averygoodgirl.\'

\'Yes,\'hesaidslowly;\'shemeanswell.\'

\'Nay,butshedoeswell.Shedoesexcellently.Whatcanbebetterthanherconductnow?WhileIwasmeditatinghowImightpossibleassistyourwifeinthisstrait——\'

\'Iwantnoassistance;none,atleast,fromman,\'saidCrawley,bitterly.

\'Oh,myfriend,thinkofwhatyouaresaying!Thinkofthewickednesswhichmustaccompanysuchastateofmind!Haveyoueverknownanymanabletowalkalone,withoutassistancefromhisbrotherman?\'MrCrawleydidnotmakeanyimmediateanswer,butputtinghisarmsbehindhisbackandclosinghishands,aswashiswontwhenhewalkedalonethinkingofthegeneralbitternessofhislotinlife,begantomoveslowlyalongtheroadinthefrontofhishouse.Hedidnotinvitetheothertowalkwithhim,butneitherwasthereanythinginhismannerwhichseemedtoindicatethatheintendedtobeleftbyhimself.Itwasabeautifulsummerafternoon,atthatdeliciousperiodoftheyearwhensummerhasjustburstforthfromthegrowthofspring;whenthesummerisyetbutthreedaysold,andallthevariousshadesofgreenwhichnaturecanputfortharestillintheirunsoiledpurityoffreshness.Theappleblossomswereonthetrees,andthehedgesweresweetwithMay.Thecuckooatfiveo\'clockwasstillsoundinghissoftsummercallwithunabatedenergy,andeventhecommongrassesofthehedgerowsweresweetwiththefragranceoftheirnewgrowth.Thefoliageoftheoakswascomplete,sothateveryboughandtwigwasclothed;buttheleavesdidnotyethandheavyinmasses,andthebendofeveryboughandthetaperingcurveofeverytwigwerevisiblethroughlightgreencovering.Thereisnottimeoftheyearequalinbeautytothefirstweekofsummer:andnocolourwhichnaturegives,noteventhegorgeoushuesofautumn,whichcanequaltheverdureproducedbythefirstwarmsunsofMay.

Hogglestock,ashasbeenexplained,haslittletoofferinthewayoflandskipbeauty,andtheclergyman\'shouseatHogglestockwasnotplacedonagreenslopybankofland,retiredfromtheroad,withitswindowsopeningontoalawn,surroundedbyshrubs,withaviewofthesmallchurchtowerseenthroughthem;ithadnoneofthatbeautywhichissocommontothecosyhousesofourspiritualpastorsintheagriculturalpartsofEngland.Hogglestockparsonagestoodbleakbesidetheroad,withnoprettypalinglinedinsidebyholliesandlaburnum,Portugallaurelsandrose-trees.

But,nevertheless,evenHogglestockwasprettynow.Therewereapple-treestherecoveredwithblossom,andthehedgerowswereinfullflower.Therewerethrushessinging,andhereandthereanoak-treestoodintheroadside,perfectinitssolitarybeauty.

\'Letuswalkonalittle,\'saidthedean.\'MissRobartsiswithhernow,andyouwillbebetterforleavingtheroomforafewminutes.\'

\'No,\'saidhe;\'Imustgoback;Icannotleavethatyoungladytodomywork.\'

\'Stop,Crawley!\'Andthedean,puttinghishanduponhim,stayedhimintheroad.\'Sheisdoingherownwork,andifyouwerespeakingofherwithreferencetoanyotherhouseholdthanyourown,youwouldsayso.Isitnotacomforttoyoutoknowthatyourwifehasawomannearheratsuchatimeasthis;andawoman,too,whocanspeaktoherasoneladydoestoanother?\'

\'Thesearecomfortswhichwehavenorighttoexpect.IcouldhavedonemuchforpoorMary;butwhatamancouldhavedoneshouldnothavebeenwanting.\'

\'Iamsureofit;Iknowitwell.Whatanymancoulddobyhimselfyouwoulddo——exceptingonething.\'Andthedeanashespokelookedfullintotheother\'sface.

\'AndwhatisthereIwouldnotdo?\'saidCrawley.

\'Sacrificeyouownpride.\'

\'Mypride!\'

\'Yes;yourownpride.\'

\'Ihavehadbutlittlepridethismanyaday.Arabin,youdonotknowwhatmylifehasbeen.Howisamantobeproudwho——\'Andthenhestoppedhimself,notwishingtogothroughthecatalogueofthosegrievances,which,ashethought,hadkilledtheverygermsofpridewithinhim,ortoinsistbyspokenwordsonhispoverty,hiswants,andtheinjusticeofhisposition.\'No;IwishIcouldbeproud;buttheworldhasbeentooheavytome,andIhaveforgottenallthat.\'

\'HowlongIhaveknownyou,Crawley?\'

\'Howlong?Ahdear!alifetimenearly,now.\'

\'Andwewerelikebrothersonce.\'

\'Yes;wewereequalasbrothersthen——inourfortunes,ourtastes,andourmodesoflife.\'

\'Andyetyouwouldbegrudgemethepleasureofputtingmyhandinmypocket,andrelievingtheinconvenienceswhichhavebeenthrownuponyou,andthoseyoulovebetterthanyourself,bythechancesofthefateinyourlife.\'

\'Iwillliveonnoman\'scharity,\'saidCrawley,withanabruptnesswhichamountedalmosttoanexpressionofanger.

\'Andisthatnotpride?\'

\'No——yes;——itisaspeciesofpride,butnotthatprideofwhichyouspoke.Amancannotbehonestifhehavenotsomepride.Youyourself;wouldyounotratherstarvethanbecomeabeggar?\'

\'Iwouldratherbegthanseemywifestarve,\'saidArabin.

Crawleywhenheheardthesewordsturnedsharplyround,andstoodwithhisbacktothedean,withhishandsstillbehindhim,andwithhiseyesfixedupontheground.

\'Butinthiscasethereisnoquestionofbegging,\'continuedthedean.\'I,outofthosesuperfluitieswhichithaspleasedGodtoputatmydisposal,amanxioustoassisttheneedsofthosewhomI

love.\'

\'Sheisnotstarving,\'saidCrawley,inavoiceverybitter,butstillintendedtobeexculpatoryofhimself.

\'No,mydearfriend;Iknowsheisnot,anddonotyoubeangrywithmebecauseIhaveendeavouredtoputthemattertoyouinthestrongestlanguageIcoulduse.\'

\'Youlookatit,Arabin,fromonesideonly;Icanonlylookatitfromtheother.Itisverysweettogive;Idonotdoubtthat.Butthetakingofwhatisgivenisverybitter.Giftbreadchokesinaman\'sthroatandpoisonshisblood,andsitslikeleadupontheheart.Youhavenevertriedit.\'

\'ButthatistheveryfaultofwhichIblameyou.ThatisthepridewhichIsayyououghttosacrifice.\'

\'AndwhyshouldIbecalledupontodoso?Isnotthelabourerworthyofhishire?AmInotabletowork,andwilling?HaveI

notalwayshadmyshouldertothecollar,andisitrightthatI

shouldnowbecontentedwiththescrapsfromarichman\'skitchen?

Arabin,youandIwereequalonceandwewerethenfriends,understandingeachother\'sthoughtsandsympathizingwitheachother\'ssorrows.Butitcannotbesonow.\'

\'Iftherebesuchinability,itisallwithyou.\'

\'Itisallwithme,——becauseinourconnexionthepainwouldallbeonmyside.Itwouldnothurtyoutoseemeatyourtablewithwornshoesandaraggedshirt.Idonotthinksomeanlyofyouasthat.YouwouldgivemeyourfeasttoeatthoughIwerenotcladatitheaswellasthemenialbehindyourchair.Butitwouldhurtmetoknowthattherewerethoselookingatmewhothoughtmeunfittositinyourpresence.\'

\'ThatistheprideofwhichIspeak;——falsepride.\'

\'Callitsoifyouwill;but,Arabin,nopreachingofyourscanalterit.Itisallthatislefttomeofmymanliness.Thatpoorbrokenreedwhoislyingtheresick,——whohassacrificedalltheworldtoherloveforme,——whoisthemotherofmychildren,andthepartnerofmysorrowsandthewifeofmybosom,——evenshecannotchangemeinthis,thoughshepleadswiththeeloquenceofallherwants.NotevenforhercanIholdoutmyhandforadole.\'Theyhadnowcomebacktothedoorofthehouse,andMrCrawley,hardlyconsciousofwhathewasdoing,waspreparingtoenter.

\'WillMrsCrawleybeabletoseemeifIcomein?\'

\'Oh,stop,no;youhadbetternotdoso,\'saidMrCrawley.\'You,nodoubt,mightbesubjecttoinfection,andthenMrsArabinwouldbefrightened.\'

\'Idonotcareaboutitintheleast,\'saidthedean.

\'Butitisofnouse;youhadbetternot.Herroom,Ifear,isquiteunfitforyoutosee;andthewholehouse,youknow,maybeinfected.\'DrArabin,bythistimewasinthesitting-room;butseeingthathisfriendwasreallyanxiousthatheshouldnotgofarther,hedidnotpersist.

\'Itwillbeacomforttous,atanyrate,toknowthatMissRobartsiswithher.\'

\'Theyoungladyisverygood——verygoodindeed,\'saidCrawley;\'butItrustshewillreturntoherhometo-morrow.Itisimpossiblethatsheshouldremaininsopoorahouseasmine.Therewillbenothinghereofallthethingsshewillwant.\'ThedeanthoughtthatLucyRobarts\'swantsduringherpresentoccupationofnursingwouldnotbesonumerousastomakehercontinuedsojourninMrsCrawley\'ssick-roomimpossible,andthereforetookhisleavewithasatisfiedconvictionthatthepoorladywouldnotbeleftwhollytothesomewhatunskillednursingofherhusband.

CHAPTERXXXVII

MRSOWERBYWITHOUTCOMPANY

AndnowthereweregoingtobewondrousdoingsinWestBarsetshire,andmen\'smindsweremuchdisturbed.Thefiathadgoneforthfromthehighplaces,andtheQueenhaddissolvedherfaithfulCommons.

Thegiants,findingthattheycouldeffectlittleornothingwiththeoldHouse,hadresolvedtotrywhatanewventurewoulddoforthem,andthehubbubofageneralelectionwastopervadethecountry.Thisproducednoinconsiderableirritationandannoyance,fortheHousewasnotasyetquitethreeyearsold;andmembersofParliament,thoughtheynaturallyfeelaconstitutionalpleasureinmeetingtheirfriendsandinpressingthehandsoftheirconstituents,are,nevertheless,sofarakintothelowerorderofhumanitythattheyappreciatethedangeroflosingtheirseats;andthecertaintyofaconsiderableoutlayintheirendeavourstoretainthemisnotagreeabletothelegislativemind.Neverdidtheoldfamilyfurybetweenthegodsandgiantsragehigherthanatthepresentmoment.Thegiantsdeclaredthateveryturnwhichtheyattemptedtotakeintheircountry\'sservicehadbeenthwartedbyfaction,inspiteofthosebenignpromisesofassistancemadetothemonlyafewweekssincebytheiropponents;andthegodsansweredbyassertingthattheyweredriventothisoppositionbytheBoeotianfatuityofthegiants.Theyhadnodoubtpromisedtheiraid,andwerereadytogiveittomeasuresthatweredecentlyprudent;butnottoabillenablingGovernmentatitswilltopensionagedbishops!No;theremustbesomelimittotheirtolerance,andwhensuchattemptsastheseweremadethatlimithadbeenclearlypassed.AllthishadtakenplaceopenlyonlyadayortwoafterthatcasualwhisperdroppedbyTomTowersatMissDunstable\'sparty——byTomTowers,thatmostpleasantofallpleasantfellows.Andhowshouldhehaveknowit,——hewhofluttersfromonesweetestflowerofthegardentoanother,\'Addingsugartothepink,andhoneytotherose,Solovedforwhathegives,buttakingnothingashegoes\'?

Butthewhisperhadgrownintoarumour,andtherumourintoafact,andthepoliticalworldwasinaferment.Thegiants,furiousabouttheirbishops\'pensionbill,threatenedtheHouse——mostinjudiciously;andthenitwasbeautifultoseehowindignantmembersgotup,glowingwithhonesty,anddeclaredthatitwasbasetoconceivethatanygentlemaninthatHousecouldbeactuatedinhisvotebyanyhopesorfearswithreferencetohisseat.Andsomattersgrewfrombadtoworse,andthesecontendingpartiesneverhitateachotherwithsomevenomedwrathastheydidnow;——havingenteredtheringtogethersolatelywithsuchmanifoldpromisesofgood-will,respect,andforbearance!

Butgoingfromthegeneraltotheparticular,wemaysaythatnowherewasadeeperconsternationspreadthanintheelectoraldivisionofWestBarsetshire.Nosoonerhadthetidingsofthedissolutionreachedthecountythanitwasknownthatthedukeintendedtochangehisnominee.MrSowerbyhadnowsatforthedivisionsincetheReformBill!Hehadbecomeoneofthecounty\'sinstitutions,andbythedintofcustomandlongestablishmenthadbeenbornewithandevenlikedbythecountygentlemen,inspiteofhiswell-knownpecuniaryirregularities.Nowallthiswastobechanged.Noreasonhadasyetbeenpubliclygiven,butitwasunderstoodthatLordDumbellowastobereturned,althoughhedidnotownanacreoflandinthecounty.ItistruethatrumourwentontosaythatLordDumbellowasabouttoformcloseconnexionswithBarsetshire.Hewasontheeveofmarryingayounglady,fromtheotherdivisionindeed,andwasnowengaged,soitwassaid,incompletingarrangementswiththeGovernmentforthepurchaseofthatnobleCrownpropertyusuallyknownastheChaseofChaldicotes.Itwasalsostated——thisstatement,however,hadhithertobeenonlyannouncedinconfidentialwhispers——thatChaldicotesHouseitselfwouldsoonbecometheresidenceofthemarquis.Thedukewasclaimingitashisown——wouldveryshortlyhavecompletedhisclaimsandtakenpossession:——andthen,bysomearrangementbetweenthem,itwastobemadeovertoLordDumbello.

Butverycontraryrumourstothesegotabroadalso.Mensaid——suchasdaredtoopposetheduke,andsomefewalso,whodidnotdaretoopposehimwhenthedayofbattlecame——thatitwasbeyondhisgrace\'spowertoturnLordDumbellointoaBarsetshiremagnate.TheCrownproperty——suchmensaid——wastofallintothehandsofyoungMrGresham,ofBoxallHill,intheotherdivision,andthatthetermsofpurchasehadbeenalreadysettled.AndastoMrSowerby\'spropertyandthehouseofChaldicotes——theseopponentsoftheOmniuminterestwentontoexplain——itwasbynomeansasyetsocertainthatthedukewouldbeabletoenteritandtotakepossession.Theplacewasnottobegivenuptohimquietly.第一章

A

greatfightwouldbemade,anditwasbeginningtobebelievedthattheenormousmortgageswouldbepaidoffbyaladyofimmensewealth.Andthenadashofromancewasnotwantingtomakethesestoriespalatable.ThisladyofimmensewealthhadbeencourtedbyMrSowerby,hadacknowledgedherlove,——buthadrefusedtomarryhimonaccountofhischaracter.Intestimonyofherlove,however,shewasabouttopayallhisdebts.

Itwassoonputbeyondarumour,andbecamemanifestenough,thatMrSowerbydidnotintendtoretirefromthecountyinobediencetotheduke\'sbehest.Aplacardwaspostedthroughthewholedivisioninwhichnoallusionwasmadebynametotheduke,butinwhichMrSowerbywarnedhisfriendsnottobeledawaybyanyreportthatheintendedtoretirefromtherepresentationofWestBarsetshire.\'Hehadsat,\'theplacardsaid,\'forthesamecountyduringthefullperiodofaquarterofacentury,andhewouldnotlightlygiveupanhonourthathadbeenextendedtohimsooftenandwhichheprizedsodearly.TherewerebutfewmennowintheHousewhoseconnexionwiththesamebodyofconstituentshadremainedunbrokensolongashadthatwhichhadboundhimtoWestBarsetshire;andheconfidentlyhopedthattheconnexionmightbecontinuedthroughanotherperiodofcomingyears,tillhemightfindhimselfinthegloriouspositionofbeingthefatherofthecountymembersoftheHouseofCommons.\'Theplacardsaidmuchmorethanthis,andhintedatsundryandvariousquestions,allofgreatinteresttothecounty;butitdidnotsayonewordoftheDukeofOmnium,thougheveryoneknewwhatthedukewassupposedtobedoinginthematter.Hewas,asitwere,agreatLlama,shutupinaholyofholies,inscrutable,invisible,inexorable,——nottobeseenbymen\'seyesorheardbytheirears,hardlytobementionedbyordinarymenatsuchperiodsasthesewithoutaninwardquaking.

But,nevertheless,itwashewhowassupposedtorulethem.

Euphemismrequiredthathisnameshouldbementionedatnopublicmeetingsinconnexionwiththecomingelection;but,nevertheless,mostmeninthecountybelievedthathecouldsendhisdoguptotheHouseofCommonsasmemberforWestBarsetshireifitsopleasedhim.

Itwassupposed,therefore,thatourfriendSowerbywouldhavenochance;buthewasluckyinfindingassistanceinaquarterfromwhichhecertainlyhadnotdeservedit.Hehadbeenastaunchfriendofthegodsduringthewholeofhispoliticallife,——as,indeed,wastobeexpected,seeingthathehadbeentheduke\'snominee;but,nevertheless,onthepresentoccasion,allthegiantsconnectedwiththecountycameforwardtohisrescue.Theydidtodothiswiththeacknowledgedpurposeofopposingtheduke;theydeclaredthattheywereactuatedbyagenerousdisinclinationtoseeanoldcountymemberputfromhisseat;buttheworldknewthatthebattlewastobewagedagainstthegreatLlama.Itwastobeacontestbetweenthepowersofaristocracyandthepowersofoligarchy,asthosepowersexistedinWestBarsetshire,——anditmaybeadded,thatdemocracywouldhaveverylittletosaytoit,ononesideorontheother.Thelowerorderofvoters,thesmallfarmersandtradesmen,wouldnodoubtrangethemselvesonthesideoftheduke,andwouldendeavourtoflatterthemselvesthattheyweretherebyfurtheringtheviewsoftheLiberalside;buttheywouldinfactbeledtothepollbyanold-fashioned,time-honouredadherencetothewilloftheirgreatLlama;andbyanapprehensionofevilifthatLlamashouldariseandshakehimselfinhiswrath.

WhatmightnotcometothecountyiftheLlamaweretowalkhimselfoff,hewithhissatellitesandarmiesandcourtiers?Therehewas,agreatLlama;andthoughhecameamongthembutseldom,andwasscarcelyseenwhenhedidcome,nevertheless——andnotthelessbutratherthemore——wasobediencetohimconsideredassalutaryandoppositionregardedasdangerous.AgreatruralLlamaisstillsufficientlymightyinruralEngland.Butthepriestofthetemple,MrFothergill,wasfrequentenoughinmen\'seyes,anditwasbeautifultohearwithhowvariedavoicehealludedtothethingsaroundhimandtothechangeswhichwerecoming.Tothesmallfarmers,notonlyontheGatherumproperty,butonothersalso,hespokeofthedukeasabeneficentinfluence,sheddingprosperityonallaroundhim,keepinguppricesbyhispresence,andinforbiddingthepoorratestoriseaboveoneandfourpenceinthepoundbythegeneralemploymentwhichheoccasioned.Menmustbemad,hethought,whowouldwillinglyflyintheduke\'sface.Tothesquirefromadistancehedeclaredthatnoonehadarighttochargethedukewithanyinterference;asfar,atleast,asheknewtheduke\'smind.Peoplewouldtalkofthingsofwhichtheyunderstoodnothing.Couldanyonesaythathehadtracedasinglerequestforavotehometotheduke?Allthisdidnotalterthesettledconvictiononmen\'sminds;butithadtheeffect,andtendedtoincreasethemysteryinwhichtheduke\'sdoingswereenveloped.Buttohisownfamiliars,tothegentryimmediatelyaroundhim,MrFothergillmerelywinkedhiseye.Theyknewwhatwaswhat,andsodidhe.Thedukehadneverbeenbityetinsuchmatters,andMrFothergilldidnotthinkthathewouldnowsubmithimselftoanysuchoperation.

IneverheardinwhatmannerandatwhatrateMrFothergillreceivedremunerationforthevariousservicesperformedbyhimwithreferencetotheduke\'spropertyinBarsetshire;butIamverysurethat,whatevermightbetheamount,heearneditthoroughly.

Neverwasthereamorefaithfulpartisan,oronewho,inhispartisanship,wasmorediscreet.Inthismatterofthecomingelectionhedeclaredthathehimself——personally,onhisownhook——didintendtobestirhimselfactivelyonbehalfofLordDumbello.MrSowerbywasanoldfriendofhis,andaverygoodfellow.Thatwastrue.ButalltheworldmustadmitthatSowerbywasnotinthepositionwhichacountymemberoughttooccupy.Hewasaruinedman,anditwouldnotbeforhisownadvantagethatheshouldbemaintainedinapositionwhichwasfitonlyforamanofproperty.Heknew——he,Fothergill——thatMrSowerbymustabandonallrightandclaimtoChaldicotes;andifso,whatwouldbemoreabsurdthantoacknowledgethathehadarightandclaimfortheseatinParliament?AstoLordDumbello,itwasprobablethathewouldsoonbecomethelargestlandownerinthecounty;and,assuch,whowouldbemorefitfortherepresentation?Beyondthis,MrFothergillwasnotashamedtoconfess——sohesaid——thathehopedtoholdLordDumbello\'sagency.Itwouldbecompatiblewithhisotherduties,andtherefore,asamatterofcourse,heintendedtosupportLordDumbello;hehimself,thatis.Astotheduke\'smindinthematter——!ButIhavealreadyexplainedhowMrFothergilldisposedofthat.

InthesedaysMrSowerbycamedowntohisownhouse——forostensiblyitwasstillhisownhouse——buthecameveryquietly,andhisarrivalwashardlyknowninhisownvillage.Thoughhisplacardwasstuckupsowidely,hehimselftooknoelectioneeringsteps;

none,atleast,asyet.TheprotectionagainstarrestwhichhederivedfromParliamentwouldsoonbeover,andthosewhoweremostbitteragainstthedukeaverredthatstepswouldbetakentoarresthim,shouldhegivesufficientopportunitytothemyrmidonsofthelaw.Thathewould,insuchcase,bearrestedwasverylikely;butitwasnotlikelythatthiswouldbedoneinanywayattheduke\'sinstance.MrFothergilldeclaredindignantlythatthisinsinuationmadehimveryangry;buthewastooprudentamantobeveryangryatanything,andheknewhowtomakecapitalonhisownsideofchargessuchasthesewhichovershottheirownmark.MrSowerbycamedownveryquietlytoChaldicotes,andthereheremainedforacoupleofdays,quitealone.TheplaceboreaverydifferentaspectnowtothatwhichwenoticedwhenMarkRobartsdroveuptoit,intheearlypagesofthisnarrative.Therewerenolightsinthewindowsnow,andnovoicescamefromthestables;nodogsbarked,andallwasdeadandsilentasthegrave.Duringthegreaterportionofthosetwodayshesatalonewithinthehouse,almostunoccupied.Hedidnotevenopenhisletters,whichlaypiledonacrowdedtableinthesmallbreakfastparlourinwhichhesat;forthelettersofsuchmencomeinpiles,andtherearefewofthemwhicharepleasantinthereading.Therehesat,troubledwiththoughtswhichweresadenough,nowandthenmovingtoandfrothehouse,butforthemostpartoccupiedinthinkingoverthepositiontowhichhehadbroughthimself.Whatwouldhebeintheworld\'seye,ifheceasedtobetheownerofChaldicotes,andceasedalsotobethememberforthecounty?Hehadlivedeverbeforetheworld,and,thoughalwaysharassedbyencumbrances,hadbeensustainedandcomfortedbytheexcitementofaprominentposition.Hisdebtsanddifficultieshadhithertobeenbearable,andhehadbornethemwitheasesolongthathehadalmosttaughthimselftothinkthattheywouldneverbeunendurable.Butnow——

Theorderforforeclosinghadgoneforth,andtheharpiesofthelaw,bytheirpresentspeedinstickingtheirclawsintothecarcassofhisproperty,wereatoningtothemselvesforthedelaywithwhichtheyhadhithertobeencompelledtoapproachtheirprey.Andtheorderastohisseathadgoneforthalso.Thatplacardhadbeendrawnupbythecombinedeffortsofhissister,MissDunstable,andacertainwell-knownelectioneeringagent,namedCloserstill,presumedtobeintheinterestofthegiants.

ButpoorSowerbyhadbutlittleconfidenceintheplacard.Nooneknewbetterthanhehowgreatwastheduke\'spower.Hewashopeless,therefore,ashewalkedaboutthroughthoseemptyrooms,thinkingofhispastlifeandofthatlifewhichwastocome.Woulditnotbewellforhimthatheweredead,nowthathewasdyingtoallthathadmadetheworldpleasant?WeseeandhearofsuchmenasMrSowerby,andareapttothinkthattheyenjoythatallwithoutpaymenteitherincareorlabour;butIdoubtthat,witheventhemostcallousofthem,theirperiodsofwretchednessmustbefrequent,andthatwretchednessveryintense.SalmonandlambinFebruary,andgreenpeaseandnewpotatoesinMarch,canhardlymakeamanhappy,eventhoughnobodypaysforthem;andthefeelingthatoneisantecedumscelestumafterwhomasure,thoughlame,Nemesisishobbling,mustsometimesdisturbone\'sslumbers.OnthepresentoccasionScelestusfeltthathisNemesishadovertakenhim.Lameashehadbeen,andswiftashehadrun,shehadmouthedhimatlast,andtherewasnothingleftforhimbuttolistentothe\'whoop\'setupatthesightofhisowndeath-throes.

Itwasamelancholy,drearyplacenow,thatbighouseofChaldicotes;andthoughthewoodswereallgreenwiththeirearlyleaves,andthegardenthickwithflowers,theywerealsomelancholyanddreary.Thelawnswereuntrimmedandweedsweregrowingthroughthegravel,andhereandthereacrackedDryad,tumbledfromherpedestalandsprawlinginthegrass,gavealookofdisordertothewholeplace.Thewoodentrellis-workwasshatteredhereandbendingthere,thestandardrose-treeswerestoopingtotheground,andtheleavesofthewinterstillencumberedtheborders.OfalltheinanimatethingsoftheworldthiswoodofChaldicoteswasthedearesttohim.Hewasnotamantowhomhiscompanionsgavemuchcreditforfeelingsorthoughtsakintopoetry,buthere,outintheChace,hismindwouldbealmostpoetical.Whilewanderingamongtheforesttrees,hebecamesusceptibleofthetendernessofhumannature:hewouldlistentothebirdssinging,andpickhereandthereawildfloweronhispath.Hewouldwatchthedecayoftheoldtreesandtheprogressoftheyoung,andmakepicturesinhiseyesofeveryturninthewood.Hewouldmarkthecolourofabitofroadasitdippedintoadell,andthen,passingthroughawater-course,rosebrown,rough,irregular,andbeautifulagainstthebankontheotherside.Andthenhewouldsitandthinkofhisoldfamily:howtheyhadroamedtheretimeoutofmindinthoseChaldicoteswoods,fatherandsonandgrandsoninregularsuccession,eachgivingthemover,withoutblemishordecrease,tohissuccessor.Sohewouldsit;andsodidhesitevennow,and,thinkingofthesethings,wishedthathehadneverbeen.

Itwasdarknightwhenhereturnedtothehouse,andashedidsoheresolvedthathewouldquittheplacealtogether,andgiveupthebattleaslost.Thedukeshouldtakeitanddoashepleasedwithit;andasfortheseatinParliament,LordDumbello,oranyotherequallygiftedyoungpatrician,mightholditforhim.Hewouldvanishfromthesceneandbetakehimselftosomelandwhencehewouldbeneitherheardnorseen,andthere——starve.Suchwerenowhisfutureoutlooksintotheworld;andyet,asregardshealthandallphysicalcapacities,heknewthathewasstillintheprimeofhislife.Yes;intheprimeofhislife!Butwhatcouldhedowithwhatremainedtohimofsuchprime?Howcouldheturneitherhismindorhisstrengthtosuchaccountasmightnowbeserviceable?Howcouldhe,inhissoreneed,earnforhimselfeventhebarestbread?Woulditnotbebetterforhimthatheshoulddie?Letnotanyonecovetthelotofaspendthrift,eventhoughthedaysofhisearlypeaseandchampagneseemtobeunnumbered;

forthatlameNemesiswillsurelybeupbeforethegamehasbeenplayedallout.WhenMrSowerbyreachedhishousehefoundthatamessagebytelegraphhadarrivedforhiminhisabsence.Itwasfromhissister,anditinformedhimthatshewouldbewithhimthatnight.Shewascomingdownbythemailtrain,hadtelegraphedtoBarchesterforpost-horses,andwouldbeatChaldicotesabouttwohoursaftermidnight.Itwasthereforemanifestenoughthatherbusinesswasofimportance.ExactlyattwotheBarchesterpost-chaisedidarrive,andMrsHaroldSmith,beforesheretiredtoherbed,wasclosetedforaboutanhourwithherbrother.\'Well,\'

shesaid,thefollowingmorning,astheysattogetheratthebreakfast-table,\'whatdoyousaytoitnow?Ifyouacceptherofferyoushouldbewithherlawyerthisafternoon.\'

\'IsupposeImustacceptit,\'saidhe.

\'Certainly,Ithinkso.Nodoubtitwilltakethepropertyoutofyourownhandsascompletelyasthoughthedukehadit,butitwillleaveyouthehouse,atanyrate,foryourlife.\'

\'Whatgoodwillthehousebe,whenIcan\'tkeepit?\'

\'ButIamnotsosureofthat.Shewillnotwantmorethanherfairinterest;andasitwillbethoroughlywellmanaged,Ishouldthinkthattherewouldbesomethingover——somethingenoughtokeepupthehouse.Andthen,youknow,wemusthavesomeplaceinthecountry.\'

\'Itellyoufairly,Harriet,thatIwillhavenothingfurthertodowithHaroldinthewayofmoney.\'

\'Ah!thatwasbecauseyouwouldgotohim.Whydidyounotcometome?Andthen,Nathaniel,itistheonlywayinwhichyoucanhaveachanceofkeepingtheseat.SheisthequeerestwomanI

evermet,butsheseemsresolvedonbeatingtheduke.\'

\'Idonotquiteunderstandit,butIhavenottheslightestobjection.\'

\'ShethinksthatheisinterferingwithyoungGreshamabouttheCrownproperty.Ihavenoideathatshehadsomuchbusinessatherfingers\'ends.WhenIfirstproposedthemattershetookitupquiteasalawyermight,andseemedtohaveforgottenaltogetherwhatoccurredabouttheothermatter.\'

\'IwishIcouldforgetitalso,\'saidMrSowerby.

\'Ireallythinkthatshedoes.WhenIwasobligedtomakesomeallusiontoit——atleastIfeltmyselfobliged,andwasverysorryafterwardsthatIdid——shemerelylaughed——agreatloudlaughasshealwaysdoes,andthenwentonaboutthebusiness.However,shewasclearaboutthis,thatallexpensesoftheelectionshouldbeaddedtothesumtobeadvancedbyher,andthatthehouseshouldbelefttoyouwithoutrent.Ifyouchoosetotakethelandroundthehouseyoumustpayforit,bytheacre,asthetenantsdo.Shewasclearaboutitallasthoughshehadpassedherlifeinalawyer\'soffice.\'

Myreaderswillnowprettywellunderstandwhatlaststepthatexcellentsister,MrsHaroldSmith,hadtakenonherbrother\'sbehalf,norwilltheybesurprisedtolearnthatinthecourseoftheday,MrSowerbyhurriedbacktotownandputhimselfintocommunicationwithMissDunstable\'slawyer.

CHAPTERXXXVIII

ISTHERECAUSEORJUSTIMPEDIMENT?

InowpurposetovisitanothercountryhouseinBarsetshire,butonthisoccasionoursojournshallbeintheeasterndivision,inwhich,aseveryothercountyinEngland,electioneeringmattersareparamountatthepresentmoment.IthasbeenmentionedthatMrGresham,junior,youngFrankGreshamashewasalwayscalled,livedataplacecalledBoxallHill.Thispropertyhadcometohiswifebywill,andhewasnowsettledthere,——seeingthathisfatherstillheldthefamilyseatoftheGreshamsatGreshambury.AtthepresentmomentMissDunstablewasstayingatBoxallHillwithMrsFrankGresham.TheyhadleftLondon,asindeed,alltheworldhaddone,totheterribledismayoftheLondontradesmen.ThisdissolutionofParliamentwasruiningeverybodyexceptthecountrypublicans,andhadofcoursedestroyedtheLondonseasonamongotherthings.

MrsHaroldSmithhadonlyjustmanagedtocatchMissDunstablebeforesheleftLondon;butshediddoso,andthegreatheiresshadatonceseenherlawyers,andinstructedthemhowtoactwithreferencetothemortgagesontheChaldicotesproperty.MissDunstablewasinthehabitofspeakingofherselfandherownpecuniaryconcernsasthoughsheherselfwasrarelyallowedtomeddleintheirmanagement;butthiswasoneofthosesmalljokeswhichsheordinarilyperpetrated;forintruthfewladies,andperhapsnotmanygentlemen,haveamorethoroughknowledgeoftheirownconcernsoramorepotentvoiceintheirownaffairs,thanwaspossessedbyMissDunstable.CircumstanceshadlatelybroughthermuchintoBarsetshire,andshehadtherecontractedveryintimatefriendships.Shewasnowdisposedtobecome,ifpossible,aBarsetshireproprietor,andwiththisviewhadlatelyagreedwithyoungMrGreshamthatshewouldbecomethepurchaseroftheCrownproperty.As,however,thepurchasehadbeencommencedinhisname,itwassotobecontinued;butnow,asweareaware,itwasrumouredthat,afterall,theduke,or,ifnottheduke,thentheMarquisofDumbello,wastobethefutureowneroftheChace.MissDunstable,however,wasnotapersontogiveupherobjectifshecouldattainit,nor,underthecircumstances,wassheatalldispleasedatfindingherselfendowedwiththepowerofrescuingtheSowerbyportionoftheChaldicotespropertyfromtheduke\'sclutches.Whyhadthedukemeddledwithherorwithherfriends,astotheotherproperty?Thereforeitwasarrangedthatthefullamountduetothedukeonthemortgageshouldbereadyforimmediatepayment;butitwasarrangedalsothatthesecurityasheldbyMissDunstableshouldbeveryvalid.

MissDunstable,atBoxallHilloratGreshambury,wasaverydifferentpersonfromMissDunstableinLondon;anditwasthisdifferencewhichsomuchvexedMrsGresham;notthatherfriendomittedtobringwithherintothecountryherLondonwitandaptitudeforfun,butthatshedidnottakewithheruptotownthegenuinegoodnessandloveofhonestywhichmadeherlovableinthecountry.Shewas,asitwere,twopersons,andMrsGreshamcouldnotunderstandthatanyladyshouldpermitherselftobemoreworldlyatonetimeoftheyearthanatanother——orinoneplacethaninanyother.\'Well,mydear,Iamheartilygladwe\'vedonewiththat,\'MissDunstablesaidtoher,asshesatherselfdowntoherdeskinthedrawing-roomonthefirstmorningafterherarrivalatBoxallHill.

\'Whatdoes"that"mean?\'saidMrsGresham.

\'Why,Londonandsmokeandlatehours,andstandingonone\'slegsforfourhoursatastretchonthetopofone\'sownstaircase,tobebowedatbyanyonewhochoosestocome.That\'salldone——foroneyear,atanyrate.\'

\'Youknowyoulikeit.\'

\'No,Mary;that\'sjustwhatIdon\'tknow.Idon\'tknowwhetherI

likeitornot.Sometimes,whenthespiritofthatdearestofallwomen,MrsHaroldSmith,isuponme,IthinkIdolikeit.Butthen,again,whenotherspiritsareonme,IthinkthatIdon\'t.\'

\'Andwhoaretheownersoftheotherspirits?\'

\'Oh,youareone,ofcourse.Butyouareaweaklittlething,bynomeansabletocontendwithsuchaSamsonasMrsHarold.Andthenyouarealittlegiventowickednessyourself,youknow.You\'velearnedtolikeLondonwellenoughsinceyousatdowntothetableofDives.Youruncle——he\'sthereal,impracticable,unapproachableLazaruswhodeclaresthathecan\'tcomedownbecauseofthebiggulf.Iwonderhowhe\'dbehave,ifsomebodylefthimtenthousandayear.\'

\'Uncommonlywell,Iamsure.\'

\'Oh,yes;heisaLazarusnow,soofcourseweareboundtospeakwellofhim;butIshouldliketoseehimtried.Idon\'tdoubtbutwhathe\'dhaveahouseinBelgraveSquare,andbecomenotedforhislittledinnersbeforethefirstyearofhistrialwasover.\'

\'Well,andwhynot?Youwouldnotwishhimtobeananchorite?\'

\'Iamtoldthatheisgoingtotryhisluck——notwithtenthousandayear,butwithoneortwo.\'

\'Whatdoyoumean?\'

\'JanetellsmethattheyallsayatGreshamburythatheisgoingtomarryLadyScatcherd.\'NowLadyScatcherdwasawidowlivinginthoseparts;anexcellentwoman,butnotoneformedbynaturetogracesocietyofthehighestorder.

\'What!\'exclaimedMrsGresham,risingupfromherchair,whilehereyesflashedwithangeratsucharumour.

\'Well,mydear,don\'teatme.Idon\'tsayitisso;IonlysaythatJanesaidso.\'

\'ThenyououghttosendJaneoutofthehouse.\'

\'Youmaybesureofthis,mydear:Janewouldnothavetoldmeifsomebodyhadnottoldher.\'

\'Andyoubelievedit?\'

\'Ihavesaidnothingaboutthat.\'

\'Butyoulookasifyoubelievedit.\'

\'DoI?Letusseewhatsortoflookitis,thislookoffaith.\'

AndMissDunstablegotupandwenttotheglassoverthefireplace.\'But,Mary,mydear,ain\'tyouoldenoughtoknowthatyoushouldnotcreditotherpeople\'slooks?Youshouldbelievenothingnowadays;andIdidnotbelievethestoryaboutpoorLadyScatcherd.Iknowthedoctorwellenoughtobesurethatheisnotamarryingman.\'

\'Whatanasty,hackneyed,falsephrasethatis——thatofamarryingman!Itsoundsasthoughsomemenwereinthehabitofgettingmarriedthreeorfourtimesamonth.\'

\'Itmeansagreatdealallthesame.Onecantellverysoonwhetheramanislikelytomarryornot.\'

\'Andcanonetellthesameofawoman?\'

\'Thethingissodifferent.Allunmarriedwomenarenecessarilyinthemarket;butiftheybehavethemselvesproperlyandmakenosigns.NowtherewasGriseldaGrantly;ofcoursesheintendedtogetherselfahusband,andaverygrandoneshehasgot:butshealwayslookedasthoughbutterwouldnotmeltinhermouth.Itwouldhavebeenverywrongtocallheramarryinggirl.\'

\'Oh,ofcourseshewas,\'saysMrsGresham,withthatsortofacrimonywhichoneprettyyoungwomansofrequentlyexpresseswithreferencetoanother.\'Butifonecouldalwaystellofawoman,asyousayyoucanofaman,Ishouldbeabletotellofyou.Now,I

wonderwhetheryouareamarryingwoman?Ihaveneverbeenabletomakeupmymindyet.\'

MissDunstableremainedsilentforafewmoments,asthoughshewereatfirstmindedtotakethequestionasbeing,insomesort,onemadeinearnest;butthensheattemptedtolaughitoff.\'Well,Iwonderatthat,\'saidshe,\'asitwasonlytheotherdayItoldyouhowmanyoffersIhadrefused.\'

\'Yes;butyoudidnottellmewhetheranyhadbeenmadethatyoumeanttoaccept.\'

\'Nonesuchwasevermadetome.Talkingofthat,Ishallneverforgetyourcousin,theHonourableGeorge.\'

\'Heisnotmycousin.\'

\'Well,yourhusband\'s.Itwouldnotbefairtoshowaman\'sletter;butIshouldliketoshowyouhis.\'

\'Youaredetermined,then,toremainsingle?\'

\'Ididn\'tsaythat.Butwhydoyoucross-questionmeso?\'

\'BecauseIthinksomuchaboutyou.Iamafraidthatyouwillbecomesoafraidofmen\'smotivesastodoubtthatanyonecanbehonest.AndyetsometimesIthinkyouwouldbeahappierwomanandabetterwoman,ifyouweremarried.\'

\'TosuchaoneastheHonourableGeorge,forinstance?\'

\'No,nottosuchaoneashim;youhaveprobablypickedouttheworst.\'

\'OrtoMrSowerby?\'

\'Well,no;nottoMrSowerbyeither.Iwouldnothaveyoumarryanymanthatlookedtoyouforyourmoneyprincipally.\'

\'AndhowisitpossiblethatIshouldexpectanyonetolookatmeprincipallyforanythingelse?Youdon\'tseemydifficulty,mydear?IfIhadonlyfivehundredayear,Imightcomeacrosssomedecentmiddle-agedpersonage,likemyself,whowouldlikeme,myself,prettywell,andwouldlikemylittleincome——prettywellalso.Hewouldnottellmeanyviolentlie,andperhapsnolieatall.Ishouldtaketohiminthesamesortofway,andwemightdoverywell.But,asitis,howisitpossiblethatanydisinterestedpersonshouldlearntolikeme?Howcouldsuchamansetaboutit?Ifasheephavetwoheads,isnotthefactofthetwoheadsthefirstand,indeed,onlythingwhichtheworldregardsinthatsheep?Mustitnotbesoasamatterofcourse?Iamasheepwithtwoheads.Allthismoneywhichmyfatherputtogether,andwhichhasbeengrowingsincelikegrassunderMayshowers,hasturnedmeintoanabortion.Iamnotthegiantesseightfeethigh,orthedwarfthatstandsintheman\'shand——\'

\'Orthetwo-headedsheep——\'

\'ButIamtheunmarriedwomanwith——halfadozenmillionsofmoney——asIbelievesomepeoplethink.UndersuchcircumstanceshaveIafairchanceofgettingmyownsweetbitofgrasstonibble,likeanyordinaryanimalwithonehead?Ineverwasverybeautiful,andIamnotmoresothanIwasfifteenyearsago.\'

\'Iamquitesureitisnotthatwhichhindersit.Youwouldnotcallyourselfplain;andevenplainwomenaremarriedeveryday,andarelovedtoo,aswellasprettywomen.\'

\'Arethey?Well,wewon\'tsayanymoreaboutthat;butIdon\'texpectagreatmanyloversonaccountofmybeauty.Ifeveryouhearofsuchanone,mindyoutellme.\'ItwasalmostonMrsGresham\'stonguetosaythatshedidknowofonesuch——meaningheruncle.But,intruth,shedidnotknowanysuchthing;norcouldsheboasttoherselfthatshehadgoodgroundsforfeelingthatitwasso——certainlynonesufficienttojustifyherinspeakingofit.Herunclehadsaidnowordtoheronthematter,andhadbeenconfusedandembarrassedwhentheideaofsuchamarriagewashintedtohim.But,nevertheless,MrsGreshamdidthinkthateachofthesetwowaswellinclinedtolovetheother,andthattheywouldbehappiertogetherthantheywouldbesingle.Thedifficulty,however,wasverygreat,forthedoctorwouldbeterriblyafraidofbeingthoughtcovetousinregardtoMissDunstable\'smoney;anditwouldhardlybeexpectedthatsheshouldbeinducedtomakethefirstoverturetothedoctor.

\'MyunclewouldbetheonlymanthatIcanthinkofthatwouldbeatallfitforyou,\'saidMrsGresham,boldly.

\'What,androbpoorLadyScatcherd!\'saidMissDunstable.

\'Oh,verywell.Ifyouchoosetomakeajokeofhisnameinthatway,Ihavedone.\'

\'Why,Godblessthegirl,whatdoesshewantmetosay?Andasforjoking,surelythatisinnocentenough.You\'reastenderaboutthedoctorasthoughhewereagirlofseventeen.\'

\'It\'snotabouthim;butit\'ssuchashametolaughatpoordearLadyScatcherd.Ifsheweretohearitshe\'dloseallcomfortinhavingmyunclenearher.\'

\'AndI\'mtomarryhim,sothatshemaybesafewithherfriend.\'

\'Verywell.Ihavedone.\'AndMrsGresham,whohadalreadygotupfromherseat,employedherselfverysedulouslyinarrangingflowerswhichhadbeenbroughtinforthedrawing-roomtables.

Thustheyremainedsilentforaminuteortwo,duringwhichshebegantoreflectthat,afterall,itmightprobablybethoughtthatshewasalsoendeavouringtocatchthegreatheiressforheruncle.

\'Andnowyouareangrywithme,\'saidMissDunstable.

\'No,Iamnot.\'

\'Oh,butyouare.DoyouthinkI\'msuchafoolasnottoseewhenaperson\'svexed?Youwouldn\'thavetwitchedthatgeranium\'sheadifyouhadbeeninaproperframeofmind.\'

\'Idon\'tlikethatjokeaboutLadyScatcherd.\'

\'Andisthatall,Mary?Nowdotryandbetrue,ifyoucan.Yourememberthebishop.Magnaistveritas.\'

\'Thefactisyou\'vegotyourselfintosuchawayofbeingsharp,andsayingsharpthingsamongyourfriendsinLondon,thatyoucanhardlyanswerapersonwithoutit.\'

\'Can\'tI?Dear,dear,whataMentoryouare,Mary!NopoorladthateverranupfromOxfordforaspreeintowngotsolecturedforhisdissipationandiniquitiesasIdo.Well,IbegDoctorThorne\'spardon,andLadyScatcherd\'s,andIwon\'tbesharpanymore;andIwill——letmesee,whatwasitIwastodo?Marryhimmyself,Ibelieve;wasnotthatit?\'

\'No;you\'renothalfgoodenoughforhim.\'

\'Iknowthat.I\'mquitesureofthat.ThoughIamsosharp,I\'mveryhumble.Youcan\'taccusemeofputtinganyverygreatvalueonmyself.\'

\'Perhapsnotasmuchasyououghttodo——onyourself.\'

\'Nowwhatdoyoumean,Mary?Iwon\'tbebulliedandteased,andhaveinnuendoesthrownoutatme,becauseyou\'vesomethingonyourmind,anddon\'tquitedaretospeakitout.Ifyouhavegotanythingtosay,sayit.\'ButMrsGreshamdidnotchoosetosayitatthatmoment.Sheheldherpeace,andwentonarrangingherflowers——nowwithamoresatisfiedair,andwithoutdestructiontothegeraniums.Andwhenshehadgroupedherbunchesproperlyshecarriedthejarfromonepartoftheroomtotheother,backwardsandforwards,tryingtheeffectofthecolours,asthoughhermindwasquiteintentuponherflowers,andwasthemomentwhollyunoccupiedwithanyothersubject.ButMissDunstablewasnotawomantoputupwiththis.Shesatsilentinherplace,whileherfriendmadeoneortwoturnsabouttheroom;andthenshegotupfromherseatalso,\'Mary,\'shesaid,\'giveoveraboutthosewretchedbitsofgreenbranches,andleavethejarswheretheyare.You\'retryingtofidgetmeintoapassion.\'

\'AmI?\'saidMrsGresham,standingoppositetoabigbowl,andputtingherheadalittleononeside,asthoughshecouldbetterlookatherhandiworkinthatposition.

\'Youknowyouare;andit\'sallbecauseyoulackcouragetospeakout.Youdidn\'tbeginatmeinthiswayfornothing.\'

\'Idolackcourage.That\'sjustit,\'saidMrsGresham,stillgivingatwisthereandasettheretosomeofthesmallsprigswhichconstitutedthebackgroundofherbouquet.\'Idolackcourage——tohaveillmotivesimputedtome,thereforeIwillnotsayit.Andnow,ifyoulike,Iwillbereadytotakeyououtintenminutes.\'ButMissDunstablewasnotgoingtobeputoffinthisway.Andtotellthetruth,ImustadmitthatherfriendMrsGreshamwasnotusingheraltogetherwell.Sheshouldeitherhaveheldherpeaceonthematteraltogether——whichwouldprobablyhavebeenthewisercourse——orsheshouldhavedeclaredherownideasboldly,feelingsecureinherownconscienceastoherownmotives.\'Ishallnotstirfromthisroom,\'saidMissDunstable,\'tillIhavehadthismatteroutwithyou.Asforimputations——myimputingbadmotivestoyou——Idon\'tknowhowfaryoumaybejoking,andsayingwhatyoucallsharpthingstome;butyouhavenorighttothinkthatIshouldthinkevilofyou.Ifyoureallythinkso,itistreasontotheloveIhaveforyou.IfIthoughtthatyouthoughtso,Icouldnotremaininthehousewithyou.

What,youarenotabletoknowthedifferencewhichonemakesbetweenone\'srealfriendsandone\'smockfriends!Idon\'tbelieveitofyou,andIknowyouareonlystrivingtobullyme.\'AndMissDunstablenowtookherturnofwalkingupanddowntheroom.

\'Well,sheshan\'tbebullied,\'saidMrsGresham,leavingherflowers,andputtingherarmroundherfriend\'swaist;——\'atleast,nothere,inthishouse,althoughsheissometimessuchabullyherself.\'

\'Mary,youhavegonetoofaraboutthistogoback.Tellmewhatitisthatwasonyourmind,andasfarasitconcernsme,Iwillansweryouhonestly.\'MrsGreshamnowbegantorepentthatshehadmadeherlittleattempt.Thatutteringofhintsinahalf-jokingwaywasallverywell,andmightpossiblybringaboutthedesiredresults,withoutthenecessityofanyformalsuggestiononherpart;butnowshewassobroughttobookthatshemustsaysomethingformal.Shemustcommitherselftotheexpressionofherownwishes,andtoanexpressionalsoofanopinionastowhathadbeenthewishesofherfriend;andthisshemustdowithoutbeingabletosayanythingofthewishesofathirdperson.\'Well,\'shesaid,\'IsupposeyouknowwhatImeant.\'

\'IsupposeIdid,\'saidMissDunstable;\'butitisnotatthelessnecessarythatyoushouldsayitout.Iamnottocommitmyselfbymyinterpretationofyourthoughts,whileyouremainperfectlysecureinhavingonlyhintedyourown.Ihatehints,asIdo——themischief.Igoinforthebishop\'sdoctrine.Magnaistveritas.\'

\'Well,Idon\'tknow,\'saidMrsGresham.

\'Ah!butIdo,\'saidMissDunstable.\'Andthereforegoon,orforeverholdyourpeace.\'

\'ThequotationoutofthePrayerBookwhichyoufinishedjustnow.

"Ifanyofyouknowcauseorjustimpedimentwhythesetwopersonsshouldnotbejoinedtogetherinholymatrimony,yearetodeclareit.Thisisthefirsttimeofasking."Doyouknowanycause,MissDunstable?\'

\'Doyouknowany,MrsGresham?\'

\'None,uponmyhonour!\'saidtheyoungerlady,puttingherhanduponherbreast.

\'Ah!butyoudonot?\'andMissDunstablecaughtholdofherarm,andspokealmostabruptlyinherenergy.

\'No,certainlynot.Whatimpediment?IfIdid,Ishouldnothavebroachedthesubject.IdeclareIthinkyouwouldbeveryhappytogether.Ofcourse,thereisoneimpediment;weallknowthat.

Thatmustbeyourlookout.\'

\'Whatdoyoumean?Whatimpediment?\'

\'Yourownmoney.\'

\'Psha!DidyoufindthatanimpedimentinmarryingFrankGresham?\'

\'Ah!thematterwassodifferentthere.HehadmuchmoretogivethanIhad,whenallwascounted.AndIhadnomoneywhenwe——whenwewerefirstengaged.\'Andthetearscameintohereyesasshethoughtofthecircumstancesofherearlylove;——allofwhichhavebeennarratedinthecountychroniclesofBarsetshire,andmaynowbereadbymenandwomeninterestedtherein.

\'Yes;yourswasalovematch.Ideclare,Mary,IoftenthinkthatyouarethehappiestwomanofwhomIhaveeverheard;tohaveitalltogive,whenyouweresosurethatyouwerelovedwhileyouhadnothing.\'

\'Yes;Iwassure,\'andshewipedthesweettearsfromhereyes,assherememberedacertaindaywhenacertainyouthhadcometoher,claimingallkindsofprivilegesinaverydeterminedmanner.Shehadbeennoheiressthen.\'Yes;Iwassure.Butnowwithyou,mydear,youcan\'tmakeyourselfpooragain.Ifyoucantrustnoone——\'

\'Ican.Icantrusthim.AsregardsthatIdotrusthimaltogether.ButhowcanItellthathewouldcareforme?\'

\'Doyounotknowthathelikesyou?\'

\'Ah,yes;andsohedoesLadyScatcherd.\'

\'MissDunstable!\'

\'AndwhynotLadyScatcherd,aswellasme?Weareofthesamekind——comefromthesameclass.\'

\'Notquitethat,Ithink.\'

\'Yes,fromthesameclass;onlyIhavemanagedtopokemyselfupamongdukesandduchesses,whereasshehasbeencontenttoremainwhereGodhasplacedher.WhereIbeatherinart,shebeatsmeinnature.\'

\'Youknowyouaretalkingnonsense.\'

\'Ithinkthatwearebothdoingthat——absolutenonsense;suchasschoolgirlsofeighteentalktoeachother.Butthereisareliefinit;istherenot?Itwouldbeaterriblecursetohavetotalksensealways.Well,that\'sdone;andnowletusgoout.\'MrsGreshamwassureafterthisthatMissDunstablewouldbeaconsentingpartytothelittlearrangementwhichshecontemplated.

Butofthatshehadfeltbutlittledoubtforsomeconsiderabletimepast.Thedifficultylayontheotherside,andallthatshehadasyetdonewastoconvinceherselfthatshewouldbesafeinassuringheruncleofsuccessifhecouldbeinducedtotaketheenterpriseinhand.HewastocometoBoxallHillthatevening,andtoremainthereforadayortwo.Ifanythingcouldbedoneinthematter,nowwouldbethetimefordoingit.SoatleastthoughtMrsGresham.

Thedoctordidcome,anddidremainfortheallottedtimeatBoxallHill;butwhenheleft,MrsGreshamhadnotbeensuccessful.

Indeed,hedidnotseemtoenjoyhisvisitaswasusualwithhim;

andtherewasverylittleofthatpleasantfriendlyintercoursewhichforsometimepasthadbeencustomarybetweenhimandMissDunstable.Therewerenopassagesofarmsbetweenthem;noabusefromthedoctoragainstthelady\'sLondongaiety;norailleryfromtheladyastothedoctor\'scountryhabits.Theywereverycourteoustoeachother,and,asMrsGreshamthought,toocivilbyhalf;nor,asfarasshecouldsee,didtheyeverremainaloneineachother\'scompanyforfiveminutesatatimeduringthewholeperiodofthedoctor\'svisit.What,thoughtMrsGreshamtoherself,——whatifshehadsetthesetwofriendsatvariancewitheachother,insteadofbindingthemtogetherintheclosestandmostdurablefriendship!Butstillshehadanideathat,asshehadbeguntoplaythisgame,shemustplayitout.Shefeltconsciousthatwhatshehaddonemustdoevil,unlessshecouldsocarryitonastomakeitresultingood.Indeed,unlessshecouldsomanage,shewouldhavedoneamanifestinjurytoMissDunstableinforcinghertodeclareherthoughtsandfeelings.ShehadalreadyspokentoheruncleinLondon,andthoughhehadsaidnothingtoshowthatheapprovedofherplan,neitherhadhesaidanythingtoshowthathedisapprovedofit.Thereforeshehadhopedthroughthewholeofthosethreedaysthathewouldmakesomesign,——atanyratetoher;thathewouldinsomewaydeclarewhatwerehisownthoughtsonthismatter.Butthemorningofhisdeparturecame,andhehaddeclarednothing.\'Uncle,\'shesaid,inthelastfiveminutesofhissojournthere,afterhehadalreadytakenleaveofMissDunstableandshakenhandswithMrsGresham\'haveyoueverthoughtofwhatIsaidtoyouupinLondon?\'

\'Yes,Mary;ofcourseIhavethoughtaboutit.Suchanideaasthat,whenputintoaman\'shead,willmakeitselfthoughtabout.\'

\'Well;andwhatnext?Dotalktomeaboutit.Donotbesohardandunlikeyourself.\'

\'Ihaveverylittletosayaboutit.\'

\'Icantellyouthisforcertain,youmayifyoulike.\'

\'Mary!Mary!\'

\'IwouldnotsaysoifIwerenotsurethatIshouldnotleadyouintotrouble.\'

\'Youarefoolishinwishingthis,mydear;foolishintryingtotemptanoldmanintofolly.\'

\'NotfoolishifIknowthatitwillmakeyoubothhappier.\'Hemadenofurtherreply,butstoopingdownthatshemightkisshim,aswashiswont,wenthisway,leavingheralmostmiserableinthethoughtthatshehadtroubledallthesewatersfornopurpose.WhatwouldMissDunstablethinkofher?ButonthatafternoonMissDunstableseemedtobeashappyandeven-temperedasever.

CHAPTERXXXIX

HOWTOWRITEALOVELETTER

DrThorne,inthefewwordswhichhespoketohisniecebeforeheleftBoxallHill,hadcalledhimselfanoldman;buthewasasyetontherightsideofsixtybyfivegoodyears,andboreaboutwithhimlessofthemarksofagethanmostmenoffifty-fivedobear.

Onewouldhavesaid,inlookingathim,thattherewasnoreasonwhyheshouldnotmarryifhefoundthatsuchastepseemedgoodtohim;and,lookingattheageoftheproposedbride,therewasnothingunsuitableinthatrespect.Butneverthelesshefeltalmostashamedofhimself,inthatheallowedhimselfeventothinkofthepropositionwhichhisniecehadmade.HemountedhishorsethatdayatBoxallHill——forhemadeallhisjourneysaboutthecountyonhorseback——androdeslowlyhometoGreshambury,thinkingnotsomuchofthesuggestedmarriageasofhisownfollyinthinkingofit.Howcouldhebesuchanassatthistimeoflifeastoallowtheevencourseofhiswaytobedisturbedbyanysuchideas?OfcoursehecouldnotproposetohimselfsuchawifeasMissDunstablewithouthavingsomethoughtsaboutherwealth;andithadbeentheprideofhislifesotolivethattheworldmightknowthathewasindifferentaboutmoney.Hisprofessionwasallinalltohim;theairwhichhebreathedaswellasthebreadwhichheate;andhowcouldhefollowhisprofessionifhemadesuchamarriageasthis?ShewouldexpecthimtogotoLondonwithher;

andwhatwouldhebecome,danglingatherheelsthere,knownonlytotheworldasthehusbandoftherichestwomaninthetown?Thekindoflifewasonewhichwouldbeunsuitabletohim;andyet,asherodehome,hecouldnotresolvetoridhimselfoftheidea.Hewentonthinkingofit,thoughhestillcontinuedtocondemnhimselfforkeepingitinhisthoughts.Thatnightathomehewouldmakeuphismind,sohedeclaredtohimself;andwouldthenwritetohisniecebegginghertodropthesubject.HavingsofarcometoaresolutionhewentonmeditatingwhatcourseoflifeitmightbewellforhimtopursueifheandMissDunstableshouldafterallbecomemanandwife.

Thereweretwoladieswhomitbehovedhimtoseeonthedayofhisarrival——whom,indeed,hegenerallysaweverydayexceptwhenabsentfromGreshambury.Thefirstofthese——firstinthegeneralconsiderationofthepeopleoftheplace——wasthewifeofthesquire,LadyArabellaGresham,averyoldpatientofthedoctor\'s.

Heritwashiscustomtovisitearlyintheafternoon;andthen,ifhewereabletoescapethesquire\'sdailyinvitationtodinner,hecustomarilywenttoseetheother,LadyScatcherd,whentherapidmealinhisownhousewasover.Such,atleast,washissummerpractice.\'Well,doctor,howaretheyallatBoxallHill?\'saidthesquire,waylayinghimonthegravelsweepbeforethedoor.Thesquirewasveryhardsetforoccupationinthesesummermonths.

\'Quitewell,Ibelieve.\'

\'Idon\'tknowwhat\'scometoFrank.Ithinkhehatesthisplacenow.He\'sfulloftheelection,Isuppose.\'

\'Oh,yes;hetoldmetosaythatheshouldbeoverheresoon.Ofcoursethere\'llbenocontest,soheneednottroublehimself.\'

\'Happydog,isn\'the,doctor?tohaveitallbeforehiminsteadofbehindhim.Well,well;he\'sasgoodaladaseverlived——aseverlived.Andletmesee;Mary\'stime——\'Andthentherewereafewveryimportantwordsspokenonthatsubject.

\'I\'lljuststepuptoLadyArabellanow,\'saidthedoctor.

\'She\'sasfretfulaspossible,\'saidthesquire.\'I\'vejustlefther.\'

\'Nothingspecialthematter,Ihope?\'

\'No,Ithinknot;nothinginyourway,thatis;onlyspeciallycross,whichalwayscomesinmyway.You\'llstopanddineto-day,ofcourse?\'

\'Notto-day,squire.\'

\'Nonsense;youwill.Ihavebeenquitecountingonyou.Ihaveaparticularreasonforwantingtohaveyouto-day——amostparticularreason.\'Butthesquirealwayshadhisparticularreasons.

\'I\'mverysorry,butitisimpossibleto-day.IshallhavealettertowritethatImustsitdowntoseriously.ShallIseeyouwhenIcomedownfromherladyship?\'Thesquireturnedawaysulkily,almostwithoutansweringhim,forhenowhadnoprospectofanyalleviationtothetediumoftheevening;andthedoctorwentupstairstohispatient.ForLadyArabella,thoughitcannotbesaidthatshewasill,wasalwaysapatient.Itmustnotbesupposedthatshekeptherbedandswalloweddailydoses,orwaspreventedfromtakinghershareinsuchprosygaietiesascamefromtimetotimeinthewayofherprosylife;butitsuitedherturnofmindtobeaninvalidandtohaveadoctor;andasthedoctorwhomhergoodfateshadplacedatherelbowthoroughlyunderstoodhercase,nogreatharmwasdone.

\'ItfretsmedreadfullythatIcannotgettoseeMary,\'LadyArabellasaid,assoonasthefirstordinaryquestionastoherailmentshadbeenaskedandanswered.

\'She\'squitewell,andwillbeovertoseeyoubeforelong.\'

\'NowIbegthatshewon\'t.Sheneverthinksofcomingwhentherecanbenopossibleobjection,andtravellingatthepresentmoment,wouldbe——\'WhereupontheLadyArabellashookherheadverygravely.\'Onlythinkoftheimportanceofit,doctor,\'shesaid.

\'Remembertheenormousstakethereistobeconsidered.

\'Itwouldnottoheraha\'porthofharmifthestakeweretwiceaslarge.\'

\'Nonsense,doctor,don\'ttellme;asifIdidn\'tknowmyself.I

wasverymuchagainsthergoingtoLondonthisspring,butofcoursewhatIsaidwasoverruled.Italwaysis.IdobelieveMrGreshamwentovertoBoxallHillonpurposetoinducehertogo.

Butwhatdoeshecare?He\'sfondofFrank;butheneverthinksoflookingbeyondthepresentday.Heneverdid,asyouknowwellenough,doctor.\'

\'Thetripdidherallthegoodintheworld,\'saidDrThorne,preferringanythingtoaconversationrespectingthesquire\'ssins.

\'IverywellrememberthatwhenIwasinthatwayitwasn\'tthoughtthatsuchtripswoulddomeanygood.But,perhaps,thingsarealteredsincethen.\'

\'Yes,theyare,\'saidthedoctor.\'Wedon\'tinterferesomuchnowadays.\'

\'IknowIneveraskedforsuchamusementswhensomuchdependedonquietness.IrememberbeforeFrankwasborn——andindeed,whenallofthemwereborn——But,asyousay,thingsweredifferentthen;andIcaneasilybelievethatMaryisapersonquitedeterminedtohaveherownway.\'

\'Why,LadyArabella,shewouldhavestayedathomewithoutwishingtostirifFrankhaddonesomuchasholdupalittlefinger.\'

\'SodidIalways.IfMrGreshammadetheslightesthintIgaveway.ButIreallydon\'tseewhatonegetsinreturnforsuchimplicitobedience.Nowthisyear,doctor,ofcourseIshouldhavelikedtobeenupinLondonforaweekortwo.YouseemedtothinkyourselfthatImightaswellseeSirOmicron.\'

\'Therecouldbenopossibleobjection,Isaid.\'

\'Well;no;exactly;andasMrGreshamknewIwishedit,Ithinkhemightaswellhaveofferedit.Isupposetherecanbenoreasonnowaboutmoney.\'

\'ButIunderstoodthatMaryspeciallyaskedyouandAugusta.\'

\'Yes;Marywasverygood.Shedidaskme.ButIknowverywellthatMarywantsalltheroomshehasgotinLondon.Thehouseisnotatalltoolargeforherself.And,forthematterofthat,mysister,thecountess,wasveryanxiousthatIshouldbewithher.

Butonedoesliketobeindependentifonecan,andforonefortnightIdothinkthatMrsGreshammighthavemanagedit.WhenIknewthathewassodreadfullyoutatelbowsInevertroubledhimaboutit,——thoughgoodnessknows,allthatwasnevermyfault.\'

\'ThesquirehatesLondon.Afortnightthereinwarmweatherwouldnearlybethedeathofhim.\'

\'Hemightatanyratehavepaidmethecomplimentofaskingme.ThechancesaretentooneIshouldnothavegone.Itisthatindifferencethatcutsmeso.Hewasherejustnow,andwouldyoubelieveit?——\'

Butthedoctorwasdeterminedtoavoidfurthercomplaintforthepresentday.\'Iwonderwhatyouwouldfeel,LadyArabella,ifthesquireweretotakeitintohisheadtogoawayandamusehimself,leavingyouathome.ThereareworsementhanMrGresham,ifyouwillbelieveme.\'AllthiswasanallusiontoEarldeCourcy,herladyship\'sbrother,asLadyArabellaverywellunderstood;andtheargumentwasonewhichwasveryoftenusedtosilenceher.

\'Uponmyword,then,Ishouldlikeitbetterthanhishangingaboutheredoingnothingbutattendtothosenastydogs.Ireallysometimesthinkthathehasnospiritleft.\'

\'Youaremistakenthere,LadyArabella,\'saidthedoctor,risingwithhishatinhishand,andmakinghisescapewithoutfurtherparley.Ashewenthomehecouldnotbutthinkthatthatphaseofmarriedlifewasnotaverypleasantone.MrGreshamandhiswifeweresupposedbytheworldtoliveonthebestofterms.Theyalwaysinhabitedthesamehouse,wentouttogetherwhentheydidgoout,alwayssatintheirrespectivecornersinthefamilypew,andintheirwildestdreamsafterthehappinessofnoveltyneverthoughtofSirCresswellCresswell.Insomerespect——withregardforinstance,tothecontinueddurationoftheirjointdomesticityatthefamilymansionatGreshambury——theymighthavebeentakenforapatterncouple.Butyet,asfarasthedoctorcouldsee,theydidnotseemtoaddmuchtothehappinessofeachother.Theylovedoneanother,doubtless,andhadeitherofthembeeninrealdanger,thatdangerwouldhavemadetheothermiserable;butyetitmightwellbeaquestionwhethereitherwouldnotbemorecomfortablewithouttheother.

Thedoctor,aswashiscustom,dinedatfive,andatseven,wentuptothecottageofhisoldfriendLadyScatcherd.LadyScatcherdwasnotarefinedwoman,havinginherearlydaysbeenalabourer\'sdaughter,andhavingthenmarriedalabourer.Butherhusbandhadrisenintheworld——ashasbeentoldinthesechroniclesbeforementioned——andhiswidowwasnowLadyScatcherdwithaprettycottageandagoodjointure.ShewasinallthingstheveryoppositeofLadyArabellaGresham;neverthelessunderthedoctor\'sauspices,thetwoladieswereinsomemeasureacquaintedwitheachother.Ofhermarriedlife,also,DrThornehadseensomething,anditmaybequestionedwhetherthememoryofthatwasmorealluringthantherealitynowexistingatGreshambury.OfthetwowomenDrThornemuchpreferredhishumblerfriend,andtoherhemadehisvisitsnotintheguiseofadoctor,butasaneighbour.

\'Well,mylady,\'hesaid,ashesatdownbyheronabroadgardenseat——alltheworldcalledLadyScatcherd\'mylady,\'——\'andhowdotheselongsummerdaysagreewithyou?YourrosesaretwicebetteroutthananyIseeupinthebighouse.\'

\'Youmaywellcallthemlong,doctor.They\'relongenoughsurely.\'

\'Butnottoolong.Come,now,Iwon\'thaveyoucomplaining.Youdon\'tmeantotellmethatyouhaveanythingtomakeyouwretched?

Youhadbetternot,forIwon\'tbelieveyou.\'

\'Eh;well;wretched!Idon\'tknowasI\'mwretched.It\'dbewickedtosaythat,andIwithsuchcomfortsaboutme.\'

\'Ithinkitwould,almost.\'Thedoctordidnotsaythisharshly,butinasoft,friendly,tone,andpressingherhandgentlyashespoke.

\'AndIdidn\'tmeantobewicked.I\'mverythankfulforeverything——leastways,Ialwaystrytobe.But,doctor,itissolonelylike.\'

\'Lonely!NotmorelonelythanIam.\'

\'Oh,yes;you\'redifferent.Youcangoeverywheres.Butwhatcanalonewomando?I\'lltellyouwhat,doctor;I\'dgiveitalluptohaveRogerbackwithhisaprononandhispickinhishand.HowwellImindhislookwhenhe\'dcomehomeo\'nights!\'

\'Andyetitwasahardlifeyouhadthen,eh,oldwoman?Itwouldbebetterforyoutobethankfulforwhatyou\'vegot.\'

\'Iamthankful.Didn\'tItellyousobefore?\'saidshe,somewhatcrossly.\'Butit\'sasadlife,thislivingalone.IdeclaresI

envyHannah,\'causeshe\'sgotJemimatositinthekitchenwithher.Iwanthertositwithmesometimes,butshewon\'t.\'

\'Ah!butyoushouldn\'taskher.It\'slettingyourselfdown.\'

\'WhatdoIcareaboutdownorup?Itmakesnodifference,ashe\'sgone.Ifhehadlivedonemighthavecaredaboutbeingup,asyoucallit.Eh,deary;I\'llbegoingafterhimbeforelong,anditwillbenomatterthen.\'

\'Weshallallbegoingafterhim,soonerorlater;that\'ssureenough.\'

\'Eh,dear,that\'struesurely.It\'sonlyaspanlong,asParsonOrieltellsus,whenhegetsromanticinhissermons.Butit\'sahardthing,doctor,whentwoismarried,astheycan\'thavetheirspan,ashecallsit,outtogether.Well,Imustonlyputupwithit,Isuppose,asothersdoes.Now,you\'renotgoing,doctor?

You\'llstopandhaveadishofteawithme.YouneverseesuchcreamasHannahhasfromtheAlderneycow.Do\'eynow,doctor.\'Butthedoctorhadhislettertowrite,andwouldnotallowhimselftobetemptedevenbythepromiseofHannah\'scream.Sohewenthisway,angeringLadyScatcherdbyhisdepartureashehadbeforeangeredthesquire,andthinkingashewentwhichwasmostunreasonableinherwretchedness,hisfriendLadyArabellaorhisfriendLadyScatcherd.Theformerwasalwayscomplainingofanexistinghusbandwhoneverrefusedheranymoderaterequest;andtheotherpassedherdaysinmurmuringatthelossofadeadhusband,whoinhislifehadeverbeentoherimperiousandharsh,andhadsometimesbeencruelandunjust.

Thedoctorhadhislettertowrite,butevenyethehadnotquitemadeuphismindwhathewouldputinit;indeed,hehadnothithertoresolvedtowhomitshouldbewritten.Lookingatthematterashehadendeavouredtolookatit,hisniece,MrsGresham,wouldbehiscorrespondent;butifhebroughthimselftotakethisjumpinthedark,inthatcasehewouldaddresshimselfdirecttoMissDunstable.Hewalkedhome,notbythestraightestroad,buttakingaconsiderablecurve,roundbynarrowlanes,andthroughthickflower-ladenhedges,——verythoughtful.Hewastoldthatshewishedtomarryhim;andwashetothinkonlyofhimself?Andastothatprideofhisaboutmoney,wasitintruthahearty,manlyfeeling;orwasitafalsepride,ofwhichitbehovedhimtobeashamedasitdidofmanycognatefeelings?Ifheactedrightlyinthismatter,whyshouldhebeafraidofthethoughtsofanyone?A

lifeofsolitudewasbitterenoughaspoorLadyScatcherdhadcomplained.Butthen,lookingatLadyScatcherd,andlookingalsoathisothernearneighbour,hisfriendthesquire,therewaslittlethereaboutstoleadhimontomatrimony.Sohewalkedhomeslowlythroughthelanes,verymeditative,withhishandsbehindhisback.Norwhenhegothomewashemuchmoreinclinedtoanyresolutelineofaction.HemighthavedrunkhisteawithLadyScatcherd,aswellashavesatthereinhisowndrawing-room,drinkingitalone;forhegotnopenandpaper,andhedawdledoverhisteacupwiththeutmostdilatoriness,puttingoff,asitwere,theevilday.Toonlyonethingwashefixed——tothis,namely,thatthatlettershouldbewrittenbeforehewenttobed.

Havingfinishedhistea,whichdidnottakeplacetillneareleven,hewentdownstairstoanuntidylittleroomwhichlaybehindhisdepotofmedicines,andinwhichhewaswonttodohiswriting;andhereinhedidatlastsethimselfdowntohiswork.Evenatthatmomenthewasindoubt.ButhewouldwritehislettertoMissDunstableandseehowitlooked.Hewasalmostdeterminednottosendit;so,atleast,hesaidtohimself:buthecoulddonoharmbywritingit.Sohedidwriteit,asfollows:——\'Greshambury,June185.MydearMissDunstable——\'Whenhehadgotsofar,heleanedbackinhischairandlookedatthepaper.Howonearthwashetofindwordstosaythatwhichhenowwishedtohavesaid?Hehadneverwrittensuchaletterinhislife,oranythingapproachingtoit,andnowfoundhimselfoverwhelmedwithadifficultyofwhichhehadnotpreviouslythought.Hespentanotherhalf-hourinlookingatthepaper,andwasatlastnearlydeterredbythisnewdifficulty.Hewouldusethesimplest,plainestlanguage,hesaidtohimselfoverandoveragain;butitisnotalwayseasytousesimple,plainlanguage,——bynomeanssoeasyastomountonstilts,andtomarchalongwithsesquipedalianwords,withpathos,spasms,andnotesofinterjection.Buttheletterdidatlastgetitselfwritten,andtherewasnotanoteofinterjectioninit.

\'MYDEARMISSDUNSTABLE,\'IthinkitrighttoconfessthatIshouldnotnowbewritingthislettertoyou,hadInotbeenledtobelievebyotherjudgementthanmyownthatthepropositionwhichIamgoingtomakewouldberegardedbyyouwithfavour.WithoutsuchotherjudgementIshould,Iown,havefearedthatthegreatdisparitybetweenyouandmeinregardtomoneywouldhavegiventosuchapropositionanappearanceofbeingfalseandmercenary.AllIaskofyounow,withconfidence,istoacquitmeofsuchfaultasthat.

\'WhenyouhavereadsofaryouwillunderstandwhatImean.Wehaveknowneachothernowsomewhatintimately,thoughindeednotverylong,andIhavesometimesfanciedthatyouwerealmostaswellpleasedtobewithmeasIhavebeentobewithyou.IfIhavebeenwronginthis,tellmesosimply,andIwillendeavourtoletourfriendshiprunonasthoughthisletterhadnotbeenwritten.ButifIhavebeenright,andifitbepossiblethatyoucanthinkofaunionbetweenuswillmakeusbothhappierthanwearesingle,Iwillplightyoumywordandtrothwithgoodfaith,andwilldowhatanoldmanmaydotomaketheburdenoftheworldlielightonyourshoulders.LookingatmyageIcanhardlykeepmyselffromthinkingthatIamanoldfool;butItrytoreconcilemyselftothatbyrememberingthatyouyourselfarenolongeragirl.YouseethatIpayyounocompliments,andthatyouneedexpectnonefromme.

\'IdonotknowthatIcouldaddanythingtothetruthofthis,ifIweretowritethreetimesasmuch.Allthatisnecessaryis,thatyoushouldknowwhatImean.Ifyoudonotbelievemetobetrueandhonestalready,nothingthatI

canwritewillmakeyoubelieveit.

\'Godblessyou.Iknowyouwillnotkeepmelonginsuspenseforananswer.

\'Affectionatelyyourfriend\'THOMASTHORNE\'

Whenhehadfinishedhemeditatedagainforanotherhalf-hourwhetheritwouldnotberightthatheshouldaddsomethingabouthermoney.Woulditnotbewellforhimtotellher——itmightbesaidinapostscript——thatwithregardtoallherwealthshewouldbefreetodowhatshechose?Atanyrateheowednodebtsforhertopay,andwouldstillhavehisownincome,sufficientforhisownpurposes.Butaboutoneo\'clockhecametotheconclusionthatitwouldbebettertoleavethematteralone.Ifshecaredforhim,andcouldtrusthim,andwasworthyalsothatheshouldtrusther,noomissionofsuchstatementwoulddeterherfromcomingtohim:

andiftherewerenosuchtrust,itwouldnotbecreatedbyanysuchassuranceonhispart.Sohereadtheletterovertwice,sealedit,andtookitup,togetherwithhisbedcandle,intohisbedroom.Nowthattheletterwaswrittenitseemedtobeathingfixedbyfatethatitmustgo.Hehadwrittenitthathemightseehowitlookedwhenwritten;butnowthatitwaswritten,thereremainednodoubtthatitmustbesent.Sohewenttobed,withtheletteronthetoilette-tablebesidehim;andearlyinthemorning——soearlyastomakeitseemthattheimportanceoftheletterhaddisturbedhisrest——hesentitoffbyaspecialmessengertoBoxallHill.\'I\'sewaitforananswer?\'saidtheboy.

\'No,\'saidthedoctor:\'leavetheletterandcomeaway.\'

ThebreakfasthourwasnotveryearlyatBoxallHillinthesesummermonths.FrankGresham,nodoubt,wentroundhisfarmbeforehecameinforprayers,andhiswifewasprobablylookingtothebutterinthedairy.Atanyrate,theydidnotmeettillnearten,andtherefore,thoughtheridefromGreshamburytoBoxallHillwasnearlytwohours\'work,MissDunstablehadherletterinherownroombeforeshecamedown.Shereaditinsilenceasshewasdressing,whilethemaidwaswithherintheroom;butshemadenosignwhichcouldinduceherAbigailtothinkthattheepistlewasmorethanordinarilyimportant.Shereadit,andthenquietlyrefoldingitandplacingitintheenvelope,sheputitdownonthetableatwhichshewassitting.ItwasfullfifteenminutesafterwardsthatshebeggedherservanttoseeifMrsGreshamwerestillinherownroom.\'BecauseIwanttoseeherforfiveminutes,alone,beforebreakfast,\'saidMissDunstable.

\'Youtraitor;youfalse,blacktraitor!\'werethefirstwordswhichMissDunstablespokewhenshefoundherselfalonewithherfriend.

\'Why,whatisthematter?\'

\'Ididnotthinktherewassomuchmischiefinyou,norsokeenandcommonplaceadesireformatch-making.Lookhere.Readthefirstfourlines;notmore,ifyouplease;therestisprivate.Whoseistheotherjudgementofwhomyourunclespeaksinhisletter?\'

\'Oh,MissDunstable!Imustreaditall.\'

\'Indeedyou\'lldonosuchthing.Youthinkit\'salove-letter,I

daresay;butindeedthere\'snotawordaboutloveinit.\'

\'Iknowhehasoffered.Ishallbeglad,forIknowyoulikehim.\'

\'HetellsmethatIamanoldwoman,andinsinuatesthatImayprobablybeanoldfool.\'

\'Iamsurehedoesnotsaythat.\'

\'Ah!butI\'msurethathedoes.Theformeristrueenough,andI

nevercomplainofthetruth.Butastothelatter,Iambynomeanscertainthatitistrue——notinthesensethathemeansit.\'

\'Dear,dearestwoman,don\'tgooninthatwaynow.Dospeakouttome,andspeakwithoutjesting.\'

\'Whosewastheotherjudgementtowhomhetrustssoimplicitly?

Tellmethat.\'

\'Mine,mine,ofcourse.Nooneelsecanhavespokentohimaboutit.OfcourseItalkedtohim.\'

\'Andwhatdidyoutellhim?\'

\'Itoldhim——\'

\'Well,outwithit.Letmehavetherealfacts.Mind,Itellyoufairlythatyouhadnorighttotellhimanything.Whatpassedbetweenus,passedinconfidence.Butletushearwhatyoudidsay.\'

\'Itoldhimthatyouwouldhavehimifheoffered.\'AndMrsGresham,asshespoke,lookedintoherfriend\'sfacedoubtingly,notknowingwhetherinverytruthMissDunstablewerepleasedordispleased.Ifsheweredispleased,thenhowhadherunclebeendeceived!\'

\'Youtoldhimthatasafact?\'

\'ItoldhimthatIthoughtso.\'

\'Then,IsupposeIamboundtohavehim,\'saidMissDunstable,droppingtheletterontothefloorinmockdespair.

\'Mydear,dear,dearestwoman!\'saidMrsGresham,burstingintotears,andthrowingherselfontoherfriend\'sneck.

\'Mindyouareadutifulniece,\'saidMissDunstable.\'Andletmegoandfinishdressing.\'

Inthecourseoftheafternoon,ananswerwassentbacktoGreshambury,inthesewords.

\'DEARDRTHORNE,Idoandwilltrustyouineverything;anditshallbeasyouwouldhaveit.Marywritestoyou;butdonotbelieveawordshesays.Ineverwillagain,forshehasbehavedsobadinthismatter.\'Yoursveryaffectionatelyandverytruly,\'MARTHADUNSTABLE.

\'AndsoIamgoingtomarrytherichestwomaninEngland,\'saidDrThornetohimself,ashesatdownthatdaytohismutton-chop.

CHAPTERXL

INTERNECINE

ItmustbeconceivedthattherewassomefeelingoftriumphatPlumsteadEpiscopi,whenthewifeoftherectorreturnedhomewithherdaughter,thebrideelectoftheLordDumbello.TheheirtotheMarquessofHartletopwas,inwealth,themostconsiderableyoungnoblemanoftheday;hewasnoted,too,asamandifficulttobepleased,asonewhowasveryfineandwhogavehimselfairs;andtohavebeenselectedasthewifeofsuchamanasthiswasagreatthingforthedaughterofaparishclergyman.Wehaveseeninwhatmannerthehappygirl\'smothercommunicatedthefacttoLadyLufton,hiding,asitwere,herprideunderaveil;andwehaveseenalsohowmeeklythehappygirlboreherowngreatfortune,applyingherselfhumblytothepackingofherclothes,asthoughsheignoredherownglory.ButneverthelesstherewastriumphatPlumsteadEpiscopi.Themother,whenshereturnedhome,begantofeelthatshehadbeenthoroughlysuccessfulinthegreatobjectofherlife.WhileshewasyetinLondonshehadhardlyrealizedhersatisfaction,andthereweredoubtsthenwhetherthecupmightnotbedashedfromherlipsbeforeitwastasted.ItmightbethateventhesonoftheMarquessofHartletopwassubjecttoparentalauthority,andthatbarriersshouldspringupbetweenGriseldaandhercoronet;buttherehadbeennothingofthekind.Thearchdeaconhadbeenclosetedwiththemarquess,andMrsGrantlyhadbeenclosetedwiththemarchioness;andthoughneitherofthosenoblepersonshadexpressedthemselvesgratifiedbytheirson\'sproposedmarriage,soalsoneitherofthemhadmadeanyattempttopreventit.LordDumbellowasamanwhohadawillofhisown——astheGrantlysboastedamongstthemselves.PoorGriselda!thedaymayperhapscomewhenthisfactofherlord\'smasterfulwillmaynottoherbeamatterofmuchboasting.ButinLondon,asIwassaying,therehadbeennotimeforanappreciationofthefamilyjoy.Theworktobedonewasnervousinitsnature,andself-

glorificationmighthavebeenfatal;butnow,whentheyweresafeatPlumstead,thegreattruthburstupontheminallitssplendour.

MrsGrantlyhadbutonedaughter,andtheformationofthatchild\'scharacterandherestablishmentintheworldhadbeentheonemainobjectofthemother\'slife.OfGriselda\'sgreatbeautythePlumsteadhouseholdhadlongbeenconscious;ofherdiscretionalso,ofherconduct,andofherdemeanourtherehadbeennodoubt.ButthefatherhadsometimeshintedtothemotherthathedidnotthinkthatGrizzywasquitesocleverasherbrothers.\'I

don\'tagreewithyouatall,\'MrsGrantlyhadanswered.\'Besideswhatyoucallclevernessisnotatallnecessaryinagirl;sheisperfectlylady-like;evenyouwon\'tdenythat.\'Thearchdeaconhadneverwishedtodenyit,andwasnowfaintoadmitthatwhathehadcalledclevernesswasnotnecessaryinayounglady.Atthisperiodofthefamilyglorythearchdeaconhimselfwaskeptalittleinabeyance,andwashardlyallowedfreeintercoursewithhisownmagnificentchild.Indeed,togivehimhisdue,itmustbesaidofhimthathewouldnotconsenttowalkinthetriumphalprocessionwhichmovedwithstatelystep,toandfro,throughtheBarchesterregions.Hekissedhisdaughterandblessedher,andbadeherloveherhusbandandbeagoodwife;butsuchinjunctionsasthese,seeinghowsplendidlyshehaddoneherdutyinsecuringforherselfamarquess,seemedoutofplaceandalmostvulgar.GirlsabouttomarrycuratesorsuckingbarristersshouldbetoldtodotheirdutyinthatstationoflifetowhichGodmightbecallingthem;butitseemedtobealmostanimpertinenceinafathertogivesuchaninjunctiontoafuturemarchioness.

\'Idonotthinkthatyouhaveanygroundforfearonherbehalf,\'

saidMrsGrantly,\'seeinginwhatwayshehashithertoconductedherself.\'

\'Shehasbeenagoodgirl,\'saidthearchdeacon,\'butsheisabouttobeplacedinapositionofgreattemptation.\'

\'Shehasthestrengthofmindsuitedforanyposition,\'repliedMrsGrantly,vaingloriously.ButneverthelesseventhearchdeaconmovedaboutthroughthecloseatBarchesterwithasomewhatprouderstepsincethetidingsofthisalliancehadbecomeknownthere.Thetimehadbeen——inthelatterdaysofhisfather\'slifetime——whenhewasthegreatestmanoftheclose.Thedeanhadbeenoldandinfirm,andDrGrantlyhadwieldedthebishop\'sauthority.Butsincethenthingshadaltered.Anewbishophadcomethere,absolutelyhostiletohim.Anewdeanhadalsocome,whowasnotonlyhisfriend,butthebrother-in-lawofhiswife;buteventhisadventhadlessenedtheauthorityofthearchdeacon.Thevicarschoraldidnothanguponhiswordsastheyhadbeenwonttodo,andtheminorcanonssmiledinreturntohissmilelessobsequiouslywhentheymethimintheclericalcirclesofBarchester.Butnowitseemedthathisoldsupremacywasrestoredtohim.Inthemindsofmanymenanarchdeacon,whowasthefather-in-lawofamarquess,washimselfasgoodasanybishop.Hedidnotsaymuchofhisnewconnexiontoothersbesidesthedean,buthewasconsciousofthefact,andconsciousalsoofthereflectedglorywhichshonearoundhishead.