下载辰思小说免费APP
ButasregardsMrsGrantlyitmaybesaidthatshemovedinanunendingprocessionofstatelyovation.ItmustnotbesupposedthatshecontinuallytalkedtoherfriendsandneighboursofLordDumbelloandthemarchioness.Shewasbyfartoowiseforsuchfollyasthat.Thecomingalliancehavingbeenonceannounced,thenameofHartletopwashardlymentionedbyheroutofherowndomesticcircle.Butsheassumed,withaneasethatwassurprisingeventoherself,theairsandgracesofamightywoman.Shewentthroughherworkofmorningcallsasthoughitwereherbusinesstobeaffabletothecountrygentry.Sheastonishedhersister,thedean\'swife,bythesimplicityofhergrandeur;andcondescendedtoMrsProudieinamannerwhichnearlybrokethatlady\'sheart.\'I
shallbeevenwithheryet,\'saidMrsProudietoherself,whohadcontrivedtolearnvariousverydeleteriouscircumstancesrespectingtheHartletopfamilysincethenewsaboutLordDumbelloandGriseldahadbecomeknowntoher.Griseldaherselfwascarriedaboutintheprocession,takingbutlittlepartinitofherown,likeanEasterngod.Shesufferedhermother\'scaressesandsmiledinhermother\'sfaceasshelistenedtoherownpraises,buthertriumphwasapparentlywithin.Tonoonedidshesaymuchonthesubject,andgreatlydisgustedtheoldfamilyhousekeeperbydecliningaltogethertodiscussthefutureDumbellomenage.Toheraunt,MrsArabin,whostrovehardtoleadherintosomeopen-heartedspeechastoherfutureaspirations,shewasperfectlyimpassive.\'Oh,yes,aunt,ofcourse,\'and\'I\'llthinkaboutit,AuntEleanor,\'or\'OfcourseIshalldothatifLordDumbellowishesit.\'Nothingbeyondthiscouldbegotfromher;andso,afterahalfdozenineffectualattempts,MrsArabinabandonedthematter.
Butthentherearosethesubjectofclothes——oftheweddingtrousseau!Sarcasticpeoplearewonttosaythatthetailormakestheman.WereIsuchaone,Imightcertainlyassertthatthemillinermakesthebride.Asregardingherbridehood,indistinctioneithertohergirlhoodorwifehood——asbeingalineofplaindemarcationbetweenthosetwoperiodsofawoman\'slife——themillinerdoesdomuchtomakeher.Shewouldbehardlyabrideifthetrousseauwerenotthere.Agirlmarriedwithoutsomesuchappendagewouldseemtopassintotheconditionofawifewithoutanysuchlineofdemarcation.Inthatmomentinwhichshefindsherselfinthefirstfruitionofhermarriagefineryshebecomesabride;andinthatothermomentwhenshebeginstoactuponthefinestofthesethingsasclothestobepackedup,shebecomesawife.WhenthissubjectwasdiscussedGriseldadisplayednolackofbecominginterest.Shewenttoworksteadily,slowly,andalmostwithsolemnity,asthoughthebusinessinhandwereonewhichitwouldbewickedtotreatwithimpatience.Sheevenstruckhermotherwithawebythegrandeurofherideasandthedepthofhertheories.Norletitbesupposedthatsherushedawayatoncetotheconsiderationofthegreatfabricwhichwastobetheultimatesignandmarkofherstatus,thequintessenceofherbriding,theouterveil,asitwere,ofthetabernacle——namely,herwedding-dress.Asagreatpoetworkshimselfupbydegreestothatinspirationwhichisnecessaryforthegrandturning-pointofhisepic,sodidsheslowlyapproachthehallowedgroundonwhichshewouldsit,withherministersaroundher,whenabouttodiscussthenature,theextent,thedesign,thecolouring,thestructure,andtheornamentationofthatmomentouspieceofapparel.No;
therewasmuchindeedtobedonebeforeshecametothis:andasthepoet,towhomIhavealreadyalluded,firstinvokeshismuse,andthenbringshissmallereventsgraduallyoutuponhisstage,sodidMissGrantlywithsacredfervouraskhermother\'said,andthenprepareherlistofallthosearticlesofunderclothingwhichmustbethesubstratumforthevisiblemagnificenceofhertrousseau.
Moneywasnoobject.Weallknowwhatthatmeans;andfrequentlyunderstand,whenthewordsareused,thatablazeofsplendouristobeattainedatthecheapestpossibleprice.But,inthisinstance,moneywasnoobject;——suchanamountofmoney,atleast,ascouldbyanypossibilitybespentonalady\'sclothes,independentlyofherjewels.Withreferencetodiamondsandsuchlike,thearchdeaconatoncedeclaredhisintentionoftakingthematterintohisownhands——exceptasinsofarasLordDumbello,ortheHartletopinterest,mightbepleasedtoparticipateintheselection.NorwasMrsGrantlysorryforsuchadecision.Shewasnotanimprudentwoman,andwouldhavedreadedtheresponsibilityoftrustingherselfonsuchanoccasionamongthedangeroustemptationsofajeweller\'sshop.Butasfarassilksandsatinswent——inthematterofFrenchbonnets,muslins,velvets,hats,riding-habits,artificialflowers,head-gilding,curiousnettings,enamelledbuckles,goldentaggedbobbins,andmechanicalpetticoats——asregardedshoes,andgloves,andcorsets,andstockings,andlinen,andflannel,andcalico——money,Imayconscientiouslyassert,wasnoobject.And,underthesecircumstances,GriseldaGrantlywenttoworkwithasolemnindustryandasteadyperseverancethatwasbeyondallpraise.\'Ihopeshewillbehappy,\'MrsArabinsaidtohersister,asthetwoweresittingtogetherinthedean\'sdrawing-room.
\'Oh,yes;Ithinkshewill.Whyshouldshenot?\'
\'Oh,no;Iknowofnoreason.Butsheisgoingupintoastationsomuchaboveherownintheeyesoftheworldthatonecannotbutfeelanxiousforher.\'
\'Ishouldfeelmuchmoreanxiousifsheweregoingtomarryapoorman,\'saidMrsGrantly.\'IthasalwaysseemedtomethatGriseldawasfittedforahighposition;thatnatureintendedherforrankandstate.Youseethatsheisnotabitelated.Shetakesitallasifitwereherownbyright.Idonotthinkthatthereisanydangerthatherheadwillbeturned,ifyoumeanthat.\'
\'Iwasthinkingratherofherheart,\'saidMrsArabin.
\'SheneverwouldhavetakenLordDumbellowithoutlovinghim,\'saidMrsGrantly,speakingratherquickly.
\'ThatisnotquitewhatImeant,Susan.Iamsureshewouldnothaveacceptedhimhadshenotlovedhim.Butitissohardtokeeptheheartfreshamongallthegrandeursofhighrank;anditisharderforagirltodosowhohasnotbeenborntoit,thanforonewhohasenjoyeditasherbirthright.\'
\'Idon\'tquiteunderstandaboutfreshhearts,\'saidMrsGrantly,pettishly.\'Ifshedoesherduty,andlovesherhusband,andfillsthepositioninwhichGodhasplacedherwithpropriety,Idon\'tknowthatweneedlookforanythingmore.Idon\'tatallapproveoftheplanoffrighteningayounggirlwhensheismakingherfirstoutsetintotheworld.\'
\'No;Iwouldnotfrightenher.IthinkitwouldbealmostdifficulttofrightenGriselda.\'
\'Ihopeitwould.Thegreatmatterwithagirliswhethershehasbeenbroughtupwithpropernotionsastoawoman\'sduty.Ofcourseitisnotformetoboastonthissubject.Suchassheis,I,ofcourse,amresponsible.ButImustownthatIdonotseeoccasiontowishforanychange.\'andthenthesubjectwasallowedtodrop.
Amongthoseofherrelationswhowonderedmuchatthegirl\'sfortune,butallowedthemselvestosaybutlittle,washergrandfather,MrHarding.Hewasanoldclergyman,plainandsimpleinhismanners,andnotoccupyingaveryprominentposition,seeingthathewasonlyprecentortothechapter.Hewaslovedbyhisdaughter,MrsGrantly,andwastreatedbythearchdeacon,ifnotinvariablywiththehighestrespect,atleastalwayswithconsiderationandregard.But,oldandplainashewas,theyoungpeopleatPlumsteaddidnotholdhiminanyreverence.Hewaspoorerthantheirotherrelatives,andmadenoattempttoholdhisheadhighinBarsetshirecircles.Moreover,intheselatterdays,thehomeofhishearthadbeenatthedeanery.Hehad,indeed,alodgingofhisowninthecity,butwasgraduallyallowinghimselftobeweanedawayfromit.Hehadhisownbedroominthedean\'shouse,andhisownarm-chairinthedean\'slibrary,andhisowncorneronasofainMrsDean\'sdrawing-room.Itwasnot,therefore,necessarythatheshouldinterferegreatlyinthiscomingmarriage;butstillitbecamehisdutytosayawordofcongratulationtohisgranddaughter——andperhapstosayawordofadvice.
\'Grizzy,mydear,\'hesaidtoher——healwayscalledherGrizzy,buttheendearmentoftheappellationhadneverbeenappreciatedbytheyounglady——\'comeandkissme,andletmecongratulateyouonyourgreatpromotion.Idosoveryheartily.\'
\'Thankyou,grandpapa,\'shesaidtouchinghisforeheadwithherlips,thusbeing,asitwere,verysparingwithherkiss.Butthoselipsnowwereaugustandreservedfornoblerforeheadsthanthatofanoldcathedralhack.ForMrHardingstillchantedtheLitanyfromSundaytoSundayunceasingly,standingatthatwell-knowndeskinthecathedralchoir;andGriseldahadthoughtinhermindthatwhentheHartletoppeopleshouldhearofthepracticetheyshouldnotbedelighted.Deanandarchdeaconmightbeverywell,andifhergrandfatherhadevenbeenaprebendary,shemighthaveputupwithhim.Buthehad,shethought,almostdisgracedhisfamilyinbeing,athisoldage,oneoftheworkingmenialclergyofthecathedral.Shekissedhim,therefore,sparingly,andresolvedthatherwordswithhimshouldbefew.
\'Youaregoingtobeagreatlady,Grizzy,\'saidhe.
\'Umph!\'saidshe.
Whatwasshetosaywhensoaddressed?
\'AndIhopeyouwillbehappy——andmakeothershappy.\'
\'IhopeIshall,\'saidshe.
\'Butalwaysthinkmostaboutthelatter,mydear.Thinkaboutthehappinessofthosearoundyou,andyourownwillcomewithoutthinking.Youunderstandthat;doyounot?\'
\'Oh,yes,Iunderstand,\'shesaid.AstheywerespeakingMrHardingstillheldherhand,butGriseldaleftitwithhimunwillingly,andthereforeungraciously,lookingasthoughsheweredraggingitfromhim.
\'AndGrizzy——Ibelieveitisquiteeasyforarichcountesstobehappy,asforadairymaid——\'Griseldagaveherheadalittlechuckwhichwasproducedbytwodifferentoperationsofhermind.Thefirstwasareflectionthathergrandpapawasrobbingherofherrank.Shewastobearichmarchioness.Andthesecondwasafeelingofangerattheoldmanforcomparingherlottothatofadairymaid.
\'Quiteaseasy,Ibelieve,\'continuedhe;\'thoughotherswilltellyouthatitnotso.Butwiththecountessaswiththedairymaid,itmustdependonthewomanherself.Beingacountess——thatfactalonewon\'tmakeyouhappy.\'
\'LordDumbelloatpresentisonlyaviscount,\'saidGriselda.
\'Thereisnoearl\'stitleinthefamily.\'
\'Oh!Ididnotknow,\'saidMrHarding,relinquishinghisgranddaughter\'shand;and,afterthat,hetroubledherwithnofurtheradvice.BothMrsProudieandthebishophadcalledatPlumsteadsinceMrsGrantlyhadcomebackfromLondon,andtheladiesfromPlumstead,ofcourse,returnedthevisit.ItwasnaturalthattheGrantlysandtheProudiesshouldhateeachother.
TheywereessentiallyChurchpeople,andtheirviewsonChurchmatterswereantagonistic.Theyhadbeencompelledtofightforsupremacyinthediocese,andneitherfamilyhadsoconqueredtheothertobecomecapableofmagnanimityandgood-humour.Theydidhateeachother,andthishatredhad,atonetime,almostproducedanabsolutedisseveranceofeventhecourtesieswhicharesonecessarybetweenthebishopandhisclergy.Butthebitternessofthisrancourhadbeenovercome,andtheladiesofthefamilieshadcontinuedonvisitingterms.ButnowthismatchwasalmostmorethanMrsProudiecouldbear.Thegreatdisappointmentwhich,asshewellknew,theGrantlyshadencounteredinthatmatteroftheproposednewbishoprichadforthemomentmollifiedher.ShehadbeenabletotalkofpoordearMrsGrantly!
\'Sheisheartbroken,youknow,inthismatter,andtherepetitionofsuchmisfortunesishardtobear,\'shewasheardtosay,withacomplacencywhichhadbeenquitebecomingtoher.Butnowthatcomplacencywasatanend.OliviaProudiehadjustacceptedawidowedpreacheratadistrictchurchinBethnalGreen——amanwiththreechildren,whowasdependentonpew-rents;andGriseldaGrantlywasengagedtotheeldestsonoftheMarquessofHartletop!Whenwomenareenjoinedtoforgivetheirenemiesitcannotbeintendedthatsuchwrongsastheseshouldbeincluded.
ButMrsProudie\'scouragewasnothingdaunted.Itmaybeboastedofherthatnothingcoulddaunthercourage.SoonafterherreturntoBarchester,sheandOlivia——Oliviabeingveryunwilling——haddrivenovertoPlumstead,and,notfindingtheGrantlysathome,hadlefttheircards;andnow,ataproperinterval,MrsGrantlyandGriseldareturnedthevisit.ItwasthefirsttimethatMissGrantlyhadbeenseenbytheProudieladiessincethefactofherengagementhadbecomeknown.
Thefirstbevyofcomplimentsthatpassedmightbelikenedtoacrowdofflowersonahedgeofarose-bush.Theywerebeautifultotheeye,butweresocloselyenvironedbythornsthattheycouldnotbepluckedwithoutgreatdanger.Aslongasthecomplimentswereallowedtoremainonthehedge——whilenoattemptwasmadetogarnerthenandrealizetheirfruitsforenjoyment——theydidnomischief;butthefirstfingerthatwasputforthforsuchapurposewassoondrawnback,markedwithspotsofblood.\'OfcourseitisagreatmatchforGriselda,\'saidMrsGrantly,inawhisperofmeeknessofwhichwouldhavedisarmedanenemywhoseweaponswerelessfirmlyclutchedthanthoseofMrsProudie;\'but,independentlyofthattheconnexionisonewhichisgratifyinginmanyways.\'
\'Oh,nodoubt,\'saidMrsProudie.
\'LordDumbelloissocompletelyhisownmaster,\'continuedMrsGrantly,andaslight,unintendedsemi-toneoftriumphmingleditselfwiththemeeknessofthatwhisper.
\'Andislikelytoremainso,fromallIhear,\'saidMrsProudie,andthescratchedhandwasatoncedrawnback.
\'Ofcoursetheestab-,\'andthenMrsProudie,whowasblandlycontinuingherlistofcongratulations,whisperedhersentencecloseintotheearofMrsGrantly,sothatnotawordofwhatshesaidmightbeaudiblebytheyoungpeople.
\'Ineverheardawordofit,\'saidMrsGrantly,gatheringherselfup,\'andIdon\'tbelieveit.\'
\'Oh,Imaybewrong;andI\'msureIhopeso.Butyoungmenwillbeyoungmen,youknow;——andchildrenwilltakeaftertheirparents.I
supposeyouwillseeagreatdealoftheDukeofOmniumnow.\'ButMrsGrantlywasnotawomantobeknockeddownandtrampledonwithoutresistance;andthoughshehadbeenlaceratedbytherose-bushshewasnotasyetplacedaltogetherhorsdecombat.ShesaidsomewordabouttheDukeofOmniumverytranquilly,speakingofhimmerelyasaBarsetshireproprietor,andthen,smilingwithhersweetestsmile,expressedahopethatshemightsoonhavethepleasureofbecomingacquaintedwithMrTickler;andasshespokeshemadeaprettylittlebowtowardsOliviaProudie.NowMrTicklerwastheworthyclergymanattachedtothedistrictchurchatBethnalGreen.
\'He\'llbedownhereinAugust,\'saidOlivia,boldly,determinednottobeshamefacedaboutherloveaffairs.
\'You\'llbestarringabouttheContinentbythattime,mydear,\'
saidMrsProudietoGriselda.\'LordDumbelloiswellknownatHamburgandEms,andplacesofthatsort;soyouwillfindyourselfquiteathome.\'
\'WearegoingtoRome,\'saidGriseldamajestically.
\'IsupposeMrTicklerwillcometothediocesesoon,\'saidMrsGrantly.\'IrememberhearinghimveryfavourablyspokenofbyMrSlope,whowasafriendofhis.\'NothingshortofafixedresolveonthepartofMrsGrantlythatthetimehadnowcomeinwhichshemustthrowawayhershieldandstandbehindhersword,declarewartotheknife,andneithergivenortakequarter,couldhavejustifiedsuchaspeechasthis.AnyallusiontoMrSlopeactedonMrsProudieasaredclothissupposedtoactonabull;butwhenthatallusionconnectedthenameofMrSlopeinafriendlybracketwiththatofMrsProudie\'sfutureson-in-lawitmightbecertainthattheeffectwouldbeterrific.Andtherewasmorethanthis;
forthatveryMrSlopehadonceentertainedaudacioushopes——hopesnotthoughtoftobeaudaciousbytheyoungladyherself——withreferencetoMissOliviaProudie.AllthisMrsGrantlyknew,and,knowingit,stilldaredtomentionhisname.
ThecountenanceofMrsProudiebecamedarkenedwithblackanger,andthepolishedsmileofhercompanymannersgaveplacebeforetheoutragedfeelingsofhernature.\'ThemanyouspeakofMrsGrantly,\'saidshe,\'wasneverknownasafriendbyMrTickler.\'
\'Oh,indeed,\'saidMrsGrantly.\'PerhapsIhavemadeamistake.I
amsureIhaveheardMrSlopementionhim.\'
\'WhenMrSlopewasrunningafteryoursister,MrsGrantly,andwasencouragedbyherashewas,youperhapssawmoreofhimthanI
did.\'
\'MrsProudie,thatwasneverthecase.\'
\'Ihavereasontoknowthatthearchdeaconconceivedittobeso,andthathewasveryunhappyaboutit.\'Nowthis,unfortunately,wasafactwhichMrsGrantlycouldnotdeny.
\'ThearchdeaconmayhavebeenmistakenaboutMrSlope,\'shesaid,\'asweresomeotherpeopleatBarchester.Butitwasyou,Ithink,MrsProudie,whowasresponsibleforbringinghimhere.\'MrsGrantly,atthisperiodoftheengagementmighthaveinflictedafatalwoundbyreferringtopoorOlivia\'sloveaffairs,butshewasnotdestituteofgenerosity.Evenintheextremestheatofthebattlesheknewhowtosparetheyoungandtender.
\'WhenIcamehere,MrsGrantly,Ilittledreamedofwhatadepthofwickednessmightbefoundintheverycloseofacathedralcity,\'
saidMrsProudie.
\'Then,fordearOlivia\'ssake,praydonotbringpoorMrTicklertoBarchester.\'
\'MrTickler,MrsGrantly,isamanofassuredmoralsandofahighlyreligioustoneofthinking.Iwisheveryonecouldbesosafeasregardstheirdaughters\'futureprospectsasIam.\'
\'Yes,Iknowhehastheadvantageofbeingafamilyman,\'saidMrsGrantly,gettingup.\'Goodmorning,MrsProudie;Goodday,Olivia.\'
\'Agreatdealbetterthan——\'Buttheblowfellupontheemptyair;forMrsGrantlyhadalreadyescapedontothestaircasewhileOliviawasringingthebellfortheservanttoattendtothefront-door.
MrsGrantly,asshegotintothecarriage,smiledslightly,thinkingofthebattle,andasshesatdownshegentlypressedherdaughter\'shand.ButMrsProudie\'sfacewasstilldarkasAcheronwhenherenemywithdrew,andwithangrytoneshesentherdaughtertoherwork.\'MrTicklerwillhavegreatreasontocomplain,if,inyourposition,youindulgeinsuchhabitsofidleness,\'shesaid.ThereforeIconceivethatIamjustifiedinsayingthatinthatencounterMrsGrantlywastheconqueror.
CHAPTERXLI
DONQUIXOTE
OnthedayonwhichLucyhadherinterviewwithLadyLuftonthedeandinedatFramleyparsonage.HeandRobartshadknowneachothersincethelatterhadbeeninthediocese,andnow,owingtoMark\'sprefermentinthechapter,hadbecomealmostintimate.ThedeanwasgreatlypleasedwiththemannerinwhichpoorMrCrawley\'schildrenhadbeenconveyedawayfromHogglestock,andwasinclinedtoopenhishearttothewholeFramleyhousehold.Ashestillhadtoridehomehecouldonlyallowhimselftoremainahalfanhourafterdinner,butinthathalf-hourhesaidagreatdealaboutCrawley,complimentedRobartsonthemannerinwhichhewasplayingthepartoftheGoodSamaritan,andthenbydegreesinformedhimthatithadcometohis,thedean\'s,ears,beforeheleftBarchester,thatawritwasinthehandsofcertainpersonsinthecity,enablingthemtoseize——hedidnotknowwhetheritwasthepersonorthepropertyofthevicarofFramley.
ThefactwasthatthesetidingshadbeenconveyedtothedeanwiththeexpressintentthathemightputRobartsonhisguard;butthetaskofspeakingonsuchasubjecttoabrotherclergymanhadbeensounpleasanttohimthathehadbeenunabletointroduceittillthelastfiveminutesbeforehisdeparture.\'Ihopeyouwillnotputitdownasanimpertinentinterference,\'saidthedean,apologizing.
\'No,\'saidMark;\'no,Idonotthinkthat.\'Hewassosadatheartthathehardlyknewhowtospeakofit.
\'Idonotunderstandmuchaboutsuchmatters,\'saidthedean;\'butIthink,ifIwereyou,Ishouldgotoalawyer.Ishouldimaginethatanythingsoterriblydisagreeableasanarrestmightbeavoided.\'
\'Itisahardcase,\'saidMark,pleadinghisowncause.\'Thoughthesemenhavethisclaimagainstme,Ihaveneverreceivedashillingeitherinmoneyormoney\'sworth.\'
\'Andyetyournameistothebills!\'saidthedean.
\'Yes,mynameistothebills,certainly,butitwastoobligeafriend.\'
Andthenthedean,havinggivenhisadvice,rodeaway.Hecouldnotunderstandhowaclergyman,situatedaswasMrRobarts,couldfindhimselfcalleduponbyfriendshiptoattachhisnametoaccommodationbillswhichhehadnotthepowerofliquidatingwhendue!Onthateveningtheywerebothwretchedenoughattheparsonage.HithertoMarkhadhopedthatperhaps,afterall,noabsolutelyhostilestepswouldbetakenagainsthimwithreferencetothesebills.Someunforeseenchancemightoccurinhisfavour,orthepersonsholdingthemmightconsenttotakesmallinstalmentsofpaymentfromtimetotime;butnowitseemedthattheevildaywasactuallycominguponhimatablow.Hehadnolongeranysecretsfromhiswife.Shouldhegotoalawyer?andifso,towhatlawyer?Andwhenhehadfoundhislawyer,whatshouldhesaytohim?MrsRobartsatonetimesuggestedthateverythingshouldbetoldtoLadyLufton.Mark,however,couldnotbringhimselftodothat.\'Itwouldseem,\'hesaid,\'asthoughIwantedhertolendmethemoney.\'
OnthefollowingmorningMarkdidrideintoBarchester,dreading,however,lestheshouldbearrestedonhisjourney,andhedidseealawyer.Duringhisabsencetwocallsweremadeattheparsonage——onebyaveryrough-lookingindividual,wholeftasuspiciousdocumentinthehandsoftheservant,purportingtobeaninvitation——nottodinner——fromoneoftheJudgesoftheland;
andtheotherwasmadebyLadyLuftoninperson.
MrsRobartshaddeterminedtogodowntoFramleyCourtonthatday.InaccordancewithherusualcustomshewouldhavebeentherewithinanhourortwoofLadyLufton\'sreturnfromLondon,butthingsbetweenthemwerenotnowastheyusuallyhadbeen.ThisaffairofLucy\'smustmakeadifference,letthembothresolvetothecontraryastheymight.And,indeed,MrsRobartshadfoundthattheclosenessofherintimacywithFramleyCourthadbeendiminishingfromdaytodaysinceLucyhadfirstbeguntobeonfriendlytermswithLordLufton.SincethatshehadbeenlessatFramleyCourtthanusual;shehadheardfromLadyLuftonlessfrequentlybyletterduringherabsencethanshehaddoneinformeryears,andwasawarethatshewaslessimplicitlytrustedwithalltheaffairsoftheparish.Thishadnotmadeherangry,forshewasinamannerconsciousthatitmustbeso.Itmadeherunhappy,butwhatcouldshedo?ShecouldnotblameLucy,norcouldsheblameLadyLufton.LordLuftonshedidblame,butshedidsointhehearingofnoonebutherhusband.Hermind,however,wasmadeuptogooverandbearthefirstbruntofherladyship\'sarrival.
IfitwerenotforthisterriblematterofLucy\'slove——amatteronwhichtheycouldnotnowbesilentwhentheymet——therewouldbetwentysubjectsofpleasant,or,atanyrate,notunpleasantconversation.Buteventhentherewouldbethoseterriblebillshangingoverherconscience,andalmostcrushingherbytheirweight.AtthemomentinwhichLadyLuftonwalkeduptothedrawing-roomwindow,MrsRobartsheldinherhandthatominousinvitationfromtheJudge.Woulditnotbewellthatsheshouldmakeacleanbreastofitall,disregardingwhatherhusbandhadsaid?Itmightbewell:onlythis——shehadneverdoneanythinginoppositiontoherhusband\'swishes.Soshehidtheslipwithinherdesk,andleftthematteropentoconsideration.Theinterviewcommencedwithanaffectionateembrace,aswasamatterofcourse.
\'DearFanny,\'and\'DearLadyLufton\'wassaidbetweenthemwithalltheusualwarmth.Andthenthefirstinquirywasmadeaboutthechildren,andthesecondabouttheschool.Foraminuteortwo,MrsRobartsthoughtthat,perhaps,nothingwouldbesaidaboutLucy.IfitpleasedLadyLuftontobesilent,she,atleast,wouldnotcommencethesubject.ThentherewasawordortwospokenaboutMrsPodgens\'sbaby,afterwhichLadyLuftonaskedwhetherFannywerealone.\'Yes,\'saidMrsRobarts.\'MarkhasgonetoBarchester.\'
\'Ihopehewillnotbelongbeforeheletsmeseehim.Perhapshecancallto-morrow.Wouldyoubothcomeanddineto-morrow?\'
\'Notto-morrow,Ithink,LadyLufton;butMark,Iamsure,willgooverandcall.\'
\'Andwhynotcometodinner?Ihopethereistobenochangeamongus,eh,Fanny?\'AndLadyLufton,asshespoke,lookedintotheother\'sfaceinamannerwhichalmostmadeMrsRobartsgetupandthrowherselfonheroldfriend\'sneck.WherewasshetofindafriendwhowouldgivehersuchconstantloveasshehadreceivedfromLadyLufton?Andwhowaskinder,better,morehonestthanshe?
\'Change!no,IhopenotLadyLufton;\'andasshespokethetearsstoodinhereyes.
\'Ah,butIshallthinkthereisifyouwillnotcometomeasyousuedtodo.YoualwaysusedtocomeindinewithmethedayIcamehomeasamatterofcourse.\'Whatcouldshesay,poorwoman,tothis?
\'WewereinconfusionyesterdayaboutpoorMrsCrawley,andthedeandinedhere;hehadbeenoveratHogglestocktoseehisfriend.\'
\'Ihaveheardofherillness,andwillgooverandseewhatoughttobedone.Don\'tyougo,doyouhear,Fanny?Youwithyouryoungchildren!Ishouldneverforgiveyouifyoudid.\'AndthenMrsRobartsexplainedhowLucyhadgonethere,hadsentthefourchildrenbacktoFramley,andwasherselfnowstayingatHogglestockwiththeobjectofnursingMrsCrawley.IntellingthestorysheabstainedfrompraisingLucywithallthestronglanguagewhichsheshouldhaveusedhadnotLucy\'snameandcharacterbeenatthepresentmomentbeenofpeculiarimporttoLadyLufton;butneverthelessshecouldtellitwithoutdwellingmuchonLucy\'skindness.ItwouldhavebeenungeneroustoLadyLuftontomakemuchofLucy\'svirtueatthispresentmoment,butunjusttoLucytomakenothingofit.\'
\'AndsheisactuallywithMrsCrawleynow?\'askedLadyLufton.
\'Oh,yes;Markleftherthereyesterdayafternoon.\'
\'Andthefourchildrenareallhereinthehouse?\'
\'Notexactlyinthehouse——thatis,notasyet.Wehavearrangedasortofquarantinehospitaloverthecoachhouse.\'
\'What,whereStubbslives?\'
\'Yes;Stubbsandhiswifehavecomeintothehouse,andthechildrenaretoremaintheretillthedoctorsaysthatthereisnodangerofinfection.Ihavenotevenseenmyvisitorsmyselfasyet,\'
saidMrsRobartswithaslightlaugh.
\'Dearme!\'saidLadyLufton.\'Ideclareyouhavebeenveryprompt.AndsoMissRobartsisoverthere!IshouldhavethoughtMrCrawleywouldhavemadeadifficultyaboutthechildren.\'
\'Well,hedid;buttheykidnappedthem——thatis,LucyandMarkdid.Thedeangavemesuchanaccountofit.Lucybroughtthemoutbytwosandpackedtheminthepony-carriage,andthenMarkdroveoffatagallopwhileMrCrawleystoodcallingtothemintheroad.Thedeanwasthereatthetimeandsawitall.\'
\'ThatMissLucyofyoursseemstobeaverydeterminedyoungladywhenshetakesathingintoherhead,\'saidLadyLufton,nowsittingdownforfirsttime.
\'Yes,sheis,\'saidMrsRobarts,havinglaidasideallherpleasantanimation,forthediscussionwhichshehaddreadedwasnotathand.
\'Averydeterminedyounglady,\'continuedLadyLufton.\'Ofcourse,mydearFanny,youknowallthisaboutLudovicandyoursister-in-law?\'
\'Yes,shehastoldmeaboutit.\'
\'Itisveryunfortunate——very.\'
\'IdonotthinkLucyhasbeentoblame,\'saidMrsRobarts;andasshespokethebloodwasalreadymountingtohercheeks.
\'Donotbetooanxioustodefendher,mydear,beforeanyoneaccusesher.Wheneverapersondoesthatitlooksasthoughtheircauseisweak.\'
\'ButmycauseisnotweakasfarasLucyisconcerned;Ifeelquitesurethatshehasnotbeentoblame.\'
\'Iknowhowobstinateyoucanbe,Fanny,whenyouthinkitnecessarytodubyourselfanyone\'schampion.DonQuixotewasnotabetterknight-errantthanyouare.Butisitnotapitytotakeupyourlanceandshieldbeforeanenemyiswithinsightorhearing?ButthatwaseverthewaywithyourDonQuixote.\'
\'Perhapstheremaybeanenemyinambush.\'ThatwasMrsRobarts\'sthoughttoherself,butshedidnotdaretoexpressit,sosheremainedsilent.
\'Myonlyhopeis,\'continuedLadyLufton,\'thatwhenmybackisturnedyoufightasgallantlyforme.\'
\'Ah,youareneverunderacloudlikepoorLucy.\'
\'AmInot?But,Fanny,youdonotseealltheclouds.Thesundoesnotalwaysshineforanyofus,andthedown-pouringrainandtheheavywindscatteralsomyfairestflowers——astheyhaddoneherspoorgirl.DearFanny,Ihopeitmaybelongbeforeanycloudcomesacrossthebrightnessofyourheaven.OfallthecreaturesI
knowyouaretheonemostfittedforquietcontinuedsunshine.\'AndthenMrsRobartsdidgetupandembraceherfriend,thushidingthetearswhichwererunningdownherface.Continuedsunshineindeed!
Adarkspothadalreadygatheredonherhorizon,whichwaslikelytofallinaverywaterspoutofrain.WhatwastocomeofthatterriblenoticewhichwaslyinginthedeskunderLadyLufton\'sveryarm?
\'ButIamnotcomeheretocroaklikeanoldraven,\'continuedLadyLufton,whenshehadbroughtthisembracetoanend.\'Itisprobablethatweallmayhaveoursorrows;butIamquitesureofthis——thatifweendeavourtodoourdutieshonestly,weshallallfindourconsolationandallhaveourjoysalso.Andnow,mydear,letyouandIhaveafewwordsaboutthisunfortunateaffair.Itwouldnotbenaturalifweweretoholdourtonguestoeachother,wouldit?\'
\'Isupposenot,\'saidMrsRobarts.
\'Weshouldalwaysbeconceivingworsethanthetruth——eachastotheother\'sthoughts.Now,sometimeago,whenIspoketoyouaboutyoursister-in-lawandLudovic——Idaresayyouremember——\'
\'Oh,yes;Iremember.\'
\'Weboththoughtthenthattherewouldreallybenodanger.TotellyoutheplaintruthIfancied,andindeedhoped,thathisaffectionswereengagedelsewhere;butIwasaltogetherwrongthen;
wronginthinkingit,andwronginhopingit.\'MrsRobartsknewwellthatLadyLuftonwasalludingtoGriseldaGrantly,butsheconceivedthatitwouldbediscreettosaynothingherselfonthatsubjectatpresent.Sheremembered,however,Lucy\'sflashingeyewhenthepossibilityofLordLuftonmakingsuchamarriagewasspokenofinthepony-carriageandcouldnotbutfeelgladthatLadyLuftonhadbeendisappointed.
\'IdonotatallimputeblametoMissRobartsforwhathasoccurredsince,\'continuedherladyship.\'Iwishyoudistinctlytounderstandthat.\'
\'Idonotseehowanyonecouldblameher.Shehasbehavedsonobly.\'
\'Itisofnouseinquiringwhetheranyonecan.ItissufficientthatIdonot.\'
\'ButIthinkthatishardlysufficient,\'saidMrsRobarts,pertinaciously.
\'Isitnot?,\'askedherladyship,raisinghereyebrows.
\'No.OnlythinkwhatLucyhasdoneandisdoing.IfshehadchosentosaythatshewouldacceptyoursonIreallydonotknowhowyoucouldhavejustlyblamedher.IdonotbyanymeanssaythatIwouldhaveadvisedsuchathing.\'
\'Iamgladofthat,Fanny.\'
\'Ihavenotgivenanyadvice;norisitneeded.IknownoonemoreablethanLucytoseeclearly,byherownjudgement,whatcoursesheoughttopursue.Ishouldbeafraidtoadviceonewhosemindissostrong,andwho,ofherownnature,issoself-denyingassheis.Sheissacrificingherselfnow,becauseshewillnotbethemeansofbringingtroubleanddissensionbetweenyouandyourson.
Ifyouaskme,LadyLufton,Ithinkyouoweheradeepdebtofgratitude.Ido,indeed.Andasforblamingher——whathasshedonethatyoucouldpossiblyblame?\'
\'DonQuixoteonhorseback!\'saidLadyLufton.\'Fanny,IshallalwayscallyouDonQuixote,andsomedayorotherIwillgetsomebodytowriteyouradventures.Butthetruthisthis,mydear;
therehasbeenimprudence.Youmaycallitmine,ifyouwill——thoughIreallyhardlyseehowIamtotaketheblame.I
couldnotdootherthanaskMissRobartstomyhouse,andIcouldnotverywellturnmysonoutofit.Inpointoffact,ithasbeentheoldstory.\'
\'Exactly;thestoryisasoldastheworld,andwhichwillcontinueaslongaspeoplearebornintoit.ItisastoryofGod\'sowntelling.\'
\'But,mydearchild,youdonotmeanthateveryyounggentlemanandeveryyoungladyshouldfallinlovewitheachotherdirectlytheymeet!Suchadoctrinewouldbeveryinconvenient.\'
\'No,Idonotmeanthat.LordLuftonandMissGrantlydidnotfallinlovewitheachother,thoughyoumeantthemtodoso.ButwasitnotquiteasnaturalthatLordLuftonandLucyshoulddosoinstead?\'
\'Itisgenerallythought,Fanny,thatyoungladiesshouldnotgiveloosetotheiraffectionsuntiltheyhavebeencertifiedoftheirfriends\'approval.\'
\'Andthatyounggentlemenoffortunemayamusethemselvesastheyplease!Iknowthatiswhattheworldteaches,butIcannotagreetothejusticeofit.TheterriblesufferingwhichLucyhastoenduremakesmecryoutagainstit.Shedidnotseekyourson.Themomentshebegantosuspectthattheremightbedangersheavoidedhimscrupulously.ShewouldnotgodowntoFramleyCourtthoughhernotdoingsowasremarkedbyyourself.Shewouldhardlygoabouttheplacelestsheshouldmeethim.Shewascontentedtoputherselfaltogetherinthebackgroundtillheshouldhavepleasedtoleavetheplace.Buthe——hecametoherhere,andinsistedonseeingher.Whatwasshetodo?Shedidtrytoescape,buthestoppedheratthedoor.Wasitherfaultthathemadeheranoffer?\'
\'Mydear,noonehassaidso.\'
\'Yes,butyoudosaysowhenyoutellmethatyoungladiesshouldnotgiveplaytotheiraffectionswithoutpermission.Hepersistedinsayingtoher,here,allthatitpleasedhim,thoughsheimploredhimtobesilent.Icannottellthewordssheused,butshedidimplorehim.\'
\'Idonotdoubtthatshebehavedwell.\'
\'Buthe——hepersisted,andbeggedhertoaccepthishand.Sherefusedhimthen,LadyLufton——notassomegirlsdo,withamockreserve,notintendingtobetakenattheirwords,——butsteadily,and,Godforgiveher,untruly.Knowingwhatyourfeelingswouldbe,andacknowledgingwhattheworldwouldsay,shedeclaredtohimthathewasindifferenttoher.Whatmorecouldshedoinyourbehalf?\'AndthenMrsRobartspaused.
\'Ishallwaittillyouhavedone,Fanny.\'
\'Youspokeofgirlsgivingloosetotheiraffections.Shedidnotdoso.Shewentaboutherworkexactlyasshehaddonebefore.Shedidnotevenspeaktomeofwhathadpassed——notthen,atleast.
Shedeterminedthatitshouldallbeasthoughithadneverbeen.
Shehadlearnedtoloveyourson;butthatwashermisfortune,andshewouldgetoveritasshemight.Tidingscametousherethathewasengaged,orabouttobeengagedhimself,toMissGrantly.\'
\'Thosetidingswereuntrue.\'
\'Yes,weknowthatnow;butshedidnotknowitthen.Ofcourseshecouldnotbutsuffer;butshesufferedwithinherself.\'MrsRobarts,asshesaidthis,rememberedthepony-carriageandhowPuckhadbeenbeaten.\'Shemadenocomplaintthathehadill-treatedher——noteventoherself.Shehadthoughtitrighttorejecthisoffer;and,there,asfarasshewasconcerned,wastobetheendofit.\'
\'Thatwouldbeamatterofcourse,Ishouldsuppose.\'
\'Butitwasnotamatterofcourse,LadyLufton.HereturnedfromLondontoFramleyonpurposetorepeathisoffer.Hesentforherbrother——Youtalkofayoungladywaitingforherfriends\'
approval.InthismatterwhowouldbeLucy\'sfriends?\'
\'YouandMrRobarts,ofcourse.\'
\'Exactly;heronlyfriends.Well,LordLuftonsentforMarkandrepeatedhisoffertohim.Mindyou,Markhadneverheardawordofthisbefore,andyoumayguesswhetherornohewassurprised.
LordLuftonrepeatedhisofferinthemostformalmanner,andclaimedpermissiontoseeLucy.Sherefusedtoseehim.Shehasneverseenhimsincethatday,wheninoppositiontoallherefforts,hemadehiswayintothisroom.Mark——asIthinkveryproperly——wouldhaveallowedLordLuftontocomeuphere.Lookingatboththeiragesandpositionhecouldhavehadnorighttoforbidit.ButLucypositivelyrefusedtoseeyourson,andsenthimamessageinstead,ofthepurportofwhichyouarenowaware——
thatshewouldneveraccepthimunlessshedidsoatyourrequest.\'
\'Itwasaverypropermessage.\'
\'Isaynothingaboutthat.HadsheacceptedhimIwouldnothaveblamedher;andsoItoldher,LadyLufton.\'
\'Icannotunderstandyoursayingthat,Fanny.\'
\'Well;Ididsayso.Idon\'twanttoarguenowaboutmyself——whetherIwasrightorwrong,butIdidsayso.WhateversanctionIcouldgiveshewouldhavehad.Butsheagainchosetosacrificeherself,althoughIbelievesheregardshimwithastruealoveaseveragirlfeltforaman.Uponmyword,Idon\'tknowthatsheisright.Thoseconsiderationsfortheworldmayperhapsbecarriedtoofar.\'
\'Ithinkthatshewasperfectlyright.\'
\'Verywell,LadyLufton;Icanunderstandthat.Butaftersuchsacrificeonherpart——asacrificemadeentirelytoyou——howcanyoutalkof"notblamingher"?Isthatthelanguageinwhichyouspeakofthosewhoseconductfromthefirsttolasthasbeensuperlativelyexcellent?Ifsheisopentoblameatall,itis——itis——\'ButhereMrsRobartsstoppedherself.Indefendinghersistershehadworkedherselfalmostintoapassion;butsuchastateoffeelingwasnotcustomarytoher,andnowthatshehadspokenhermindshesanksuddenlyintosilence.
\'Itseemstome,Fanny,thatyoualmostregretMissRobarts\'sdecision,\'saidLadyLufton.
\'Mywishinthismatterisforherhappiness,andIregretanythingthatmaymarit.\'
\'Youthinknothingthenofourwelfare,andyetIdonotknowtowhomImighthavelookedforheartyfriendshipandforsympathyindifficulties,ifnotforyou?\'PoorMrsRobartswasalmostupsetbythis.Afewmonthsago,beforeLucy\'sarrival,shewouldhavedeclaredthattheinterestofLadyLufton\'sfamilywouldhavebeenparamounttoher,afterandnexttoherownhusband.Andevennow,itseemedtoarguesoblackaningratitudeonherpart——thisaccusationthatshewassoindifferenttothem!FromherchildhoodupwardsshehadreveredandlovedLadyLufton,andforyearshadtaughtherselftoregardherastheepitomeofallthatwasgoodandgraciousinwoman.LadyLufton\'stheoriesoflifehadbeenacceptedbyherastherighttheories,andthosewhomLadyLuftonhadlikedshehadliked.Butnowitseemedthatalltheseideaswhichithadtakenalifetobuildupweretobethrowntotheground,becauseshewasboundtodefendhersister-in-lawwhomshehadonlyknownforthelasteightmonths.ItwasnotthatsheregrettedawordthatshehadspokenonLucy\'sbehalf.ChancehadthrownherandLucytogether,and,asLucywashersister,sheshouldreceivefromherasister\'streatment.ButshedidnotthelessfeelhowterriblewouldbetheeffectofanydisseverancefromLadyLufton.\'Oh,LadyLufton,\'shesaid,\'donotsaythat.\'
\'But,Fannydear,ImustspeakasIfind.Youweretalkingaboutcloudsjustnow,anddoyouthinkthatallthisisnotacloudinmysky?LudovictellsmethatheisattachedtoMissRobarts,andyoutellmethatsheisattachedtohim;andIamcalledupontodecidebetweenthem.Herveryactobligesmetodoso.\'
\'DearLadyLufton,\'saidMrsRobarts,springingfromherseat.Itseemedtoheratthemomentasthoughthewholedifficultyweretobesolvedbyanactofgraceonthepartofherfriend.
\'AndyetIcannotapproveofsuchamarriage,\'saidLadyLufton.
MrsRobartsreturnedtoherseatsayingnothingfurther.
\'Isnotthatacloudonone\'shorizon?\'continuedherladyship.\'DoyouthinkthatIcanbebaskinginthesunshinewhileIhavesuchaweightuponmyheartasthat?Ludovicwillsoonbehome,butinsteadoflookingtohisreturnwithpleasureIdreadit.IwouldpreferthathewouldremaininNorway.Iwouldwishthatheshouldstayawayformonths.And,Fanny,itisagreatadditiontomymisfortunetofeelthatyoudonotsympathizewithme.\'Havingsaidthis,inaslow,sorrowful,andseveretone,LadyLuftongotupandtookherdeparture.OfcourseMrsRobartsdidnotlethergowithoutassuringherthatshedidsympathizewithher,——didloveherassheeverhadlovedher.Butwoundscannotbecuredaseasilyastheymaybeinflicted,andLadyLuftonwentherwaywithmuchrealsorrowatherheart.Shewasproudandmasterful,fondofherownway,andmuchtoocarefuloftheworldlydignitiestowhichherlothadcalledher;butshewasawomanwhocouldcausenosorrowtothoseshelovedwithoutdeepsorrowtoherself.
CHAPTERXLII
TOUCHINGPITCH
Inthesehotmidsummerdays,theendofJuneandthebeginningofJuly,MrSowerbyhadbutanuneasytimeofit.Athissister\'sinstance,hehadhurrieduptoLondonandtherehadremainedfordaysinattendanceonthelawyers.Hehadtoseenewlawyers,MissDunstable\'smenofbusiness,quietoldcautiousgentlemenwhoseplaceofbusinesswasinadarkalleybehindthebank,MessrsSlow&Bideawhilebyname,whohadnoscrupleindetaininghimforhourswhiletheyortheirclerkstalkedtohimaboutanythingoraboutnothing.ItwasofvitalconsequencetoMrSowerbythatthisbusinessofhisshouldbesettledwithoutdelay,andyetthesemen,towhosecarethissettlingwasnowconfided,wentonasthoughlawprocesseswereasunnybankonwhichmendelightedtobaskeasily.
Andthen,too,hehadtogomorethanoncetoSouthAudleyStreet,whichwasaworseinfliction;forthemeninSouthAudleyStreetwerelesscivilnowthanhadbeentheirwont.ItwaswellunderstoodtherethatMrSowerbywasnolongeraclientoftheduke\'sbuthisopponent;nolongerhisnomineeanddependant,buthisenemyinthecounty.\'Chaldicotes,\'asoldMrGumptionremarkedtoyoungMrGagebee;\'Chaldicotes,Gagebee,isacookedgoose,asfarasSowerbyisconcerned.AndwhatdifferencecoulditmaketohimwhetherthedukeistoownitorMissDunstable?FormypartIcannotunderstandhowagentlemanlikeSowerbycanliketoseehispropertygointothehandsofagallipotwenchwhosemoneysmellsofbaddrugs.Andnothingcanbemoreungrateful,\'hesaid,\'thanSowerby\'sconduct.Hehasheldthecountyfive-and-twentyyearswithoutexpense;andnowthatthetimeforpaymenthascome,hebegrudgestheprice.\'Hecalleditnobetterthancheating,hedidnot——he,MrGumption.AccordingtohisideasSowerbywasattemptingtocheattheduke.Itmaybeimagined,therefore,thatMrSowerbydidnotfeelanygreatdelightinattendingatSouthAudleyStreet.Andthenrumourwasspreadaboutamongallthebill-discountingleechesthatbloodwasoncemoretobesuckedfromtheSowerbycarcass.TherichMissDunstablehadtakenuphisaffairs;somuchasthatbecameknowninthepurlieusoftheGoatandCompasses.TomTozer\'sbrotherdeclaredthatsheandSowerbyweregoingtomakeamatchofit,andthatanyscrapofpaperwithSowerby\'snameonit,wouldbecomeworthitsweightinbank-notes;
butTomTozerhimself——Tom,whowastherealheroofthefamily——
pooh-poohedatthis,screwinguphisnose,andalludinginmostcontemptuoustermstohisbrother\'ssoftness.Heknewbetter——aswasindeedthefact.MissDunstablewasbuyingupthesquire,andbyJingosheshouldbuythemup——them,theTozersaswellasothers!Theyknewtheirvalue,theTozersdid;——whereupontheybecamemorethanordinarilyactive.FromthemandalltheirbrethrenMrSowerbyatthistimeendeavouredtokeephisdistance,buthisendeavourswerenotaltogethereffectual.WheneverhecouldescapeforadayortwofromthelawyersherandowntoChaldicotes;butTomTozerinhisperseverancefollowedhimthere,andboldlysentinhisnamebytheservantatthefrontdoor.
\'MrSowerbyisnotjustathomeatthepresentmoment,\'saidthewell-traineddomestic.
\'I\'llwaitabout,then,\'saidTom,seatinghimselfonanheraldicgriffinwhichflankedthebigstonestepsbeforethehouse.AndinthiswayMrTozergainedhispurpose.Sowerbywasstillcontestingthecounty,anditbehovedhimnottolethisenemiessaythathewashidinghimself.IthadbeenapartofhisbargainwithMissDunstablethatheshouldcontestthecounty.Shehadtakenitintoherheadthatthedukehadbehavedbadly,andshehadresolvedthatheshouldbemadetopayforit.\'Theduke,\'shesaid,\'hadmeddledlongenough;\'shewouldnowseewhethertheChaldicotesinterestwouldnotsufficeofitselftoreturnamemberforthecounty,eveninoppositiontotheduke.MrSowerbyhimselfwassoharrassedatthetime,thathewouldhavegivenwayonthispointifhehadhadthepower;butMissDunstablewasdetermined,andhewasobligedtoyieldtoher.InthismannerMrTomTozersucceededanddidmakehiswayintoMrSowerby\'spresence——ofwhichintrusiononeeffectwasthefollowingletterfromMrSowerbytohisfriendMarkRobarts:——
\'Chaldicotes,July,185-
\'MYDEARROBARTS,\'IamsoharrassedatthepresentmomentbyaninfinityoftroublesofmyownthatIamalmostcalloustothoseofotherpeople.Theysaythatprosperitymakesamanselfish.Ihavenevertriedthat,butIamquitesurethatadversitydoesso.NeverthelessIamanxiousaboutthesebillsofyours,\'
\'Billsofmine!\'saidRobartstohimself,ashewalkedupanddowntheshrubberypathattheparsonage,readingthisletter.ThishappenedadayortwoafterhisvisittothelawyeratBarchester.
\'——andwouldrejoicegreatlyifIthoughtthatIcouldsaveyoufromanyfurtherannoyanceaboutthem.Thatkite,TomTozer,hasjustbeenwithme,andinsiststhatbothofthemshallbepaid.Heknows——noonebetter——thatnoconsiderationwasgivenforthelatter.
Butheknowsalsothatthedealingwasnotwithhim,norevenwithhisbrotherandhewillbepreparedtoswearthathegavevalueforboth.Hewouldswearanythingforfivehundredpounds——orforhalfthemoney,forthatmatter.IdonotthinkthatthefatherofmischiefeverletlooseupontheworldagreaterrascalthanTomTozer.
\'Hedeclaresthatnothingshallinducehimtotakeoneshillinglessthanthewholesumofninehundredpounds.
Hehasbeenbroughttothisbyhearingthatmydebtsareabouttobepaid.Heavenhelpme!Themeaningofthatisthatthesewretchedacres,whicharenowmortgagedtoonemillionaire,aretochangehandsandbemortgagedtoanotherinstead.BythisexchangeImaypossiblyobtainthebenefitofhavingahousetoliveinforthenexttwelvemonths,butnoother.Tozer,however,isaltogetherwronginhisscent;andtheworstofitisthathismalicewillfallonyouratherthanonme.
\'WhatIwantyoutodoisthis:letuspayhimonehundredpoundsbetweenus.ThoughIsellthelastsorryjadeofahorseIhave,Iwillmakeupfifty;andIknowyoucan,atanyrate,doasmuchasthat.Thendoyouacceptabillconjointlywithme,foreighthundred.ItshallbedoneinForrest\'spresence,andhandedtohim;
andyoushallreceivebackthetwooldbillsintoyourownhandsatthesametime.Thisnewbillshouldbetimedtorunninetydays;andIwillmoveheavenandearth,duringthattime,tohaveitincludedinthegeneralscheduleofmydebtswhicharetobesecuredontheChaldicotesproperty.
ThemeaningofwhichwasthatMissDunstablewastobecozenedintopayingthemoneyunderanideathatitwasapartofthesumcoveredbytheexistingmortgage.
\'WhatyousaidtheotherdayatBarchester,astoneverexecutinganotherbill,isverywellregardsfuturetransactions.Nothingcanbewiserthansucharesolution.Butitwouldbefolly——worsethanfolly——ifyouweretoallowyourfurnituretobeseizedwhenthemeansofpreventingitaresoreadytoyourhand.ByleavingthenewbillinForrest\'shandsyoumaybesurethatyouaresafefromtheclawsofsuchbirdsofpreyastheTozers.EvenifIcannotgetitsettledwhenthethreemonthsareover,Forrestwillenableyoutomakeanyarrangementthatmaybemostconvenient.
\'ForHeaven\'ssake,mydearfellow,donotrefusethis.
Youcanhardlyconceivehowitweighsuponme,thisfearthatbailiffsshouldmaketheirwayintoyourwife\'sdrawing-room.Iknowyouthinkillofme,andIdonotwonderatit.ButyouwouldbelessinclinedtodosoifyouknewhowterriblyIampunished.PrayletmehearthatyouwilldoasIcounselyou.
\'Yoursalwaysfaithfully,\'N.SOWERBY\'
Inanswertowhichtheparsonwroteaveryshortreply:-
\'Framley,July185-
\'MYDEARSOWERBY,\'Iwillsignnomorebillsonanyconsideration.
\'Yourstruly,MARKROBARTS\'
Andthenhavingwrittenthis,andhavingshownittohiswife,hereturnedtotheshrubberywalkandpaceditupanddown,lookingeverynowandthentoSowerby\'sletterashethoughtoverallthepastcircumstancesofhisfriendshipwiththatgentleman.Thatthemanwhohadwrittenthislettershouldbehisfriend——thatveryfactwasadisgracetohim.Sowerbysowellknewhimselfandhisownreputation,thathedidnotdaretosupposethathisownwordwouldbetakenforanything,——notevenwhenthethingpromisedwasanactofthecommonesthonesty.\'Theoldbillsshallbegivenbackintoyourownhands\',hehaddeclaredwithenergy,knowingthathisfriendandcorrespondentwouldnotfeelhimselfsecureagainstfurtherfraudunderlessstringentguarantee.Thisgentleman,thiscountymember,theownerofChaldicotes,withwhomMarkRobartshadbeensoanxioustobeontermsofintimacy,hadnowcometosuchaphaseoflifethathehadgivenoverspeakingofhimselfasanhonestman.Hehadbecomesousedtosuspicionthathearguedofitasofathingofcourse.Heknewthatnoonecouldtrusteitherhisspokenorwrittenword,andhewascontenttospeakandtowritewithoutattempttohidethisconviction.Andthiswasthemanwhomhehadbeensogladtocallhisfriend;forwhosesakehehadbeenwillingtoquarrelwithLadyLufton,andatwhoseinstancehehadunconsciouslyabandonedsomanyofthebestresolutionsofhislife.Helookedbacknow,ashewalkedthereslowly,stillholdingtheletterinhishand,tothedaywhenhehadstoppedattheschool-houseandwrittenhislettertoMrSowerby,promisingtojointhepartyatChaldicotes.Hehadbeensoeagerthentohavehisownway,thathewouldnotpermithimselftogohomeandtalkthematteroverwithhiswife.HethoughtalsoofthemannerinwhichhehadbeentemptedtothehouseoftheDukeofOmnium,andtheconvictiononhismindatthetimeofgivingwaytothattemptationwouldsurelybringhimnoevil.AndthenherememberedtheeveninginSowerby\'sbed-room,whenthebillhadbeenbroughtout,andhehadallowedhimselftobepersuadedtoputhisnameuponit——notbecausehewaswillinginthiswaytoassisthisfriend,butbecausehewasunabletorefuse.Hehadlackedthecouragetosay\'No,\'thoughheknewatthetimehowgrosswastheerrorwhichhewascommitting.Hehadlackedthecouragetosay,\'No\',andhencehadcomeuponhimandonhishouseholdallthismiseryandcauseforbitterrepentance.
Ihavewrittenmuchofclergymen,butindoingso,Ihaveendeavouredtoportraythemastheybearonoursocialliferatherthantodescribethemodeandworkingoftheirprofessionalcareers.HadIdonethelatterIcouldhardlyhavesteeredclearofsubjectsonwhichithasnotbeenmyintentiontopronounceanopinion,andIshouldeitherhaveladenmyfictionwithsermonsorIshouldhavedegradedmysermonsintofiction.ThereforeIhavesaidbutlittleinmynarrativeofthisman\'sfeelingsordoingsasaclergyman.ButImustprotestagainstitsbeingonthisaccountconsideredthatMrRobartswasindifferenttothedutiesofhisclericalposition.Hehadbeenfondofpleasureandhadgivenwaytotemptation,——asissocustomarilydonebyyoungmenofsix-and-twenty,whoareplacedbeyondcontrolandwhohavemeansatcommand.Hadheremainedasacuratestillatthatage,subjectinallhismovementstotheeyeofasuperior,hewould,wemaysay,haveputhisnametonobills,haveriddenafternohounds,haveseennothingoftheiniquitiesofGatherumCastle.Therearemenoftwenty-sixasfittostandaloneasevertheywillbe——fittobeprimeministers,headsofschools,JudgesontheBench——almostfittobebishops;butMarkRobartshadnotbeenoneofthem.Hehadwithinhimmanyaptitudesforgood,butnotthestrengthenedcourageofamantoactuptothem.Thestuffofwhichhismanhoodwastobeformedhadbeenslowofgrowth,asitiswithmanymen;
and,consequently,whentemptationwasofferedtohim,hehadfallen.Buthedeeplygrievedoverhisownstumbling,andfromtimetotime,ashisperiodsofpenitencecameuponhim,heresolvedthathewouldoncemoreputhisshouldertothewheelasbecameonewhofightsuponearththatbattleforwhichhehadputonthearmour.Overandoveragain,didhethinkofthosewordsofMrCrawley,andnowashewalkedupanddownthepathcrumplingMrSowerby\'sletterinhishand,hethoughtofthemagain——\'itisaterriblefallingoff;terribleinthefall,butdoublyterriblethroughthatdifficultyofreturning.\'Yes;thatisadifficultywhichmultipliesitselfinafearfulratioasonegoesonpleasantlyrunningdownthepath——witherward?Haditcometothatwithhimthathecouldnotreturn——thathecouldneveragainholduphisheadwithasafeconscienceasthepastorofhisparish!ItwasSowerbywhohadledhimintothismisery,whohadbroughtonhimthisruin?ButthenhadnotSowerbypaidhim?HadnotthatstallwhichhenowheldinBarchesterbeenSowerby\'sgift?Hewasapoormannow——adistressed,poverty-strickenman;butneverthelesshewishedwithallhisheartthathehadneverbecomeasharerinthegoodthingsoftheBarchesterchapter.\'Ishallresignthestall,\'hesaidtohiswifethatnight.\'IthinkImaysaythatIhavemadeupmymindastothat.\'
\'But,Mark,willnotpeoplesaythatitisodd?\'
\'Icannothelpit——theymustsayit.Fanny,Ifearthatweshallhavetobearthesayingofharderwordsthanthat.\'
\'Nobodycaneversaythatyouhavedoneanythingthatisunjustordishonourable.IftherearesuchmenasMrSowerby——\'
\'Theblacknessofhisfaultwillnotexcusemine.\'Andthenagainhesatsilent,hidinghiseyes,whilehiswife,sittingbyhim,heldhishand.
\'Don\'tmakeyourselfwretched,Mark.Matterswillallcomerightyet.Itcannotbethatthelossofafewhundredpoundsshouldruinyou.\'
\'Itisnotthemoney——itisnotthemoney.\'
\'Butyouhavedonenothingwrong,Mark.\'
\'HowamItogointothechurchandtakemyplacebeforethemall,wheneveryonewillknowthatbailiffsareinthehouse?\'Andthen,droppinghisheadontothetable,hesobbedaloud.
MarkRobarts\'smistakehadbeenmainlythis,——hehadthoughttotouchpitchandnottobedefiled.He,lookingoutfromhispleasantparsonageintothepleasantupperranksoftheworldaroundhim,hadseenthatmenandthingsinthosequarterswereveryengaging.Hisownparsonage,withhissweetwife,wereexceedinglydeartohim,andLadyLufton\'saffectionatefriendshiphaditsvalue;butwerenotthesethingsratherdullforonewhohadlivedwiththebestsetsatHarrowandOxford;——unless,indeed,hecouldsupplementthemwithsomeoccasionalburstsofmorelivelylife?Cakesandalewereaspleasanttohispalateastothepalatesofthosewithwhomhehadformerlylivedatcollege.Hehadthesameeyetolookatahorse,andthesamehearttomakehimgoacrossacountry,asthey.Andthen,too,hefoundthatmenlikedhim,——menandwomenalso;menandwomenwhowerehighinworldlystanding.Hisass\'searsweretickled,andhelearnedtofancythathewasintendedbynatureforthesocietyofhighpeople.Itseemedasthoughhewerefollowinghisappointedcourseinmeetingmenandwomenoftheworldatthehousesofthefashionableandrich.Hewasnotthefirstclergymanthathadsolivedandhadsoprospered.Yes,clergymenhadsolived,andhaddonetheirdutiesinthesphereoflifealtogethertothesatisfactionoftheircountrymen——andoftheirsovereigns.ThusMarkRobartshaddeterminedthathewouldtouchpitch,andescapedefilementifthatwerepossible.Withwhatresultthosewhohavereadsofarwillhaveperceived.LateonthefollowingafternoonwhoshoulddriveuptotheparsonagedoorbutMrForrest,thebankmanagerfromBarchester——MrForrest,towhomSowerbyhadalwayspointedastheDeusexmachinawho,ifdulyinvoked,couldrelievethemallfromtheirpresenttroubles,anddismissthewholeTozerfamily——nothowlingintothewilderness,asonewouldhavewishedtodowiththatbroodofTozers,butsogorgedwithpreythatfromthemnofurtherannoyanceneedbedreaded?AllthisMrForrestcoulddo;nay,more,mostwillinglywoulddo!OnlyletMarkRobartsputhimselfintothebanker\'shand,andblandlysignwhatdocumentationthebankermightdesire.\'Thisisaveryunpleasantaffair,\'saidMrForrestassoonastheywereclosetedtogetherinMark\'sbook-room.Inanswertowhichobservationtheparsonacknowledgedthatitwasaveryunpleasantaffair.
\'MrSowerbyhasmanagedtoputyouintothehandsofabouttheworstsetofroguesnowexistingintheirlineofbusinessinLondon.\'
\'SoIsuppose;Curlingtoldmethesame.\'CurlingwastheBarchesterattorneywhoseaidhehadlatelyinvoked.
\'Curlinghasthreatenedthemthathewillexposetheirwholetrade;
butoneofthemwasdownhere,amannamedTozer,replied,thatyouhadmuchmoretolosebyexposurethanhehad.Hewentfurther,anddeclaredthathewoulddefyanyjuryinEnglandtorefusehimhismoney.Hesworethathediscountedbothbillsintheregularwayofbusiness;and,thoughthisisofcoursefalse,Ifearthatitwillbeimpossibletoproveitso.Hewellknowsthatyouareaclergyman,andthat,therefore,hehasastrongerholdonyouthanonothermen.\'
\'ThedisgraceshallfallonSowerby,\'saidRobartshardlyactuatedatthemomentbyanystrongfeelingofChristianforgiveness.
\'Ifear,MrRobarts,thatheissomewhatintheconditionoftheTozers.Hewillnotfeelitasyoudo.\'
\'Imustbearit,MrForrest,asbestImay.\'
\'Willyouallowme,MrRobarts,togiveyoumyadvice?PerhapsI
oughttoapologizeforintrudingituponyou;butasthebillshavebeenpresentedanddishonouredacrossmycounter,Ihave,ofnecessity,becomeacquaintedwiththecircumstances.\'
\'Iamverymuchobligedtoyou,\'saidMark.
\'Youmustpaythismoney,atanyrate,themostconsiderableportionofit;——thewholeofit,indeed,withsuchdeductionasalawyermaybeabletoinducethesehawkstomakeonthesightofreadymoney.Perhaps750Lor800Lmayseeyouclearofthewholeaffair.\'
\'ButIhavenotaquarterofthatsumlyingbyme.\'
\'No;Isupposenot;butwhatIwouldrecommendisthis:thatyoushouldborrowthemoneyfromthebank,onyourownresponsibility,——withthejointsecurityofsomefriendwhomaybewillingtoassistyouwithhisname.LordLuftonwouldprobablydoit.\'
\'No,MrForrest.\'
\'Listentomefirst,beforeyoumakeupyourmind.Ifyoutookthisstep,ofcourseyouwoulddosowiththefixedintentionofpayingthemoneyyourself,——withoutanyfurtherrelianceonSowerbyoronanyoneelse.\'
\'IshallnotrelyonMrSowerbyagain;youmaybesureofthat.\'
\'WhatImeanisthatyoumustteachyourselftorecognizethedebtasyourown.Ifyoucandothat,withyourincomeyoucansurelypayit,withinterest,intwoyears.IfLordLuftonwillassistyouwithhisname,Iwillsoarrangethebillsthatthepaymentsshallbemadetofallequallyoverthatperiod.Inthatwaytheworldwillknownothingaboutit,andintwoyears\'timeyouwilloncemorebeafreeman.Manymen,MrRobarts,haveboughttheirexperiencemuchdearerthanthat,Icanassureyou.\'
\'MrForrest,itisquiteoutofthequestion.\'
\'YoumeanthatLordLuftonwillnotgiveyouhisname.\'
\'Icertainlyshallnotaskhim;butthatisnotall.Inthefirstplace,myincomewillnotbewhatyouthinkit,forIshallprobablygiveuptheprebendatBarchester.\'
\'Giveuptheprebend!Giveupsixhundredayear!\'
\'And,beyondthis,IthinkImaysaythatnothingshalltemptmetoputmynametoanotherbill.IhavelearnedalessonwhichIhopeImayneverforget.\'
\'Thenwhatdoyouintendtodo?\'
\'Nothing!\'
\'Thenthosemenwillselleverystickoffurnitureabouttheplace.Theyknowthatyourpropertyhereisenoughtosecurealltheyclaim.\'
\'Iftheyhavethepower,theymustsellit.\'
\'Andalltheworldwillknowthefacts.\'
\'Soitmustbe.Ofthefaultswhichamancommitshemustbearthepunishment.Ifitwereonlymyself!\'
\'That\'swhereitis,MrRobarts.Thinkofwhatyouwifewillhavetosufferingoingthroughsuchmiseryasthat!Youhadbettertakemyadvice.LordLufton,Iamsure——\'ButtheverynameofLordLufton,hissister\'slover,againgavehimcourage.Hethought,too,oftheaccusationswhichLordLuftonhadbroughtagainsthimonthatnight,whenhehadcometohiminthecoffee-roomofthehotel,andhefeltthatitwasimpossiblethatheshouldapplytohimforsuchaid.ItwouldbebettertotellalltoLadyLufton!Thatshewouldrelievehim,letthecosttoherselfbewhatitmight,hewasverysure.Onlythis;——thatinlookingtoherforassistancehewouldbeforcedtobitethedustintheverydeed.
\'Thankyou,MrForrest,butIhavemadeupmymind.DonotthinkthatIamthelessobligedtoyouonyourdisinterestedkindness,——forIknowthatitisdisinterested;butthisIthinkI
mayconfidentlysay,thatnoteventoavertsoterribleacalamitywillIagainputmynametoanybill.Evenifyoucouldtakemyownpromisetopaywithouttheadditionofanysecondname,Iwouldnotdoit.\'TherewasnothingforMrForresttodoundersuchcircumstancesbutsimplytodrivebacktoBarchester.Hehaddonethebestfortheyoungclergymanaccordingtohislights,and,perhaps,inaworldlyview,hisadvicehadnotbeenbad.ButMarkdreadedtheverynameofabill.Hewasasadogthathadbeenterriblyscorched,andnothingwouldagaininducehimtogonearthefire.
\'Wasnotthemanfromthebank?\'saidFanny,comingintotheroomwhenthesoundofthewheelshaddiedaway.
\'Yes;MrForrest.\'
\'Well,dearest?\'
\'Wemustprepareourselvesfortheworst.\'
\'Youwillnotsignanymorepapers,ehMark?\'
\'No;Ihavejustnowpositivelyrefusedtodoso.\'
\'ThenIcanbearanything.But,dearest,dearestMark,willyounotletmetellLadyLufton?\'
Letthemlookatthematterinanywaythepunishmentwasveryheavy.
CHAPTERXLIII
ISSHENOTINSIGNIFICANT?
AndnowamonthwentbyatFramleywithoutanyincreaseofcomforttoourfriendsthere,andalsowithoutanyabsolutedevelopmentoftheruinwhichhadbeendailyexpectedattheparsonage.SundrylettershadreachedMrRobartsfromvariouspersonagesactingintheTozerinterest,allofwhichhereferredtoMrCurling,ofBarchester.Someoftheseletterscontainedprayersforthemoney,pointingouthowaninnocentwidowladyhadbeeninducedtoinvestherallinthefaithofMrRobarts\'sname,andwasnowstarvinginagarret,withherthreechildren,becauseMrRobartswouldnotmakegoodhisownundertakings.Butthemajorityofthemwerefilledwiththreats;——onlytwodayslongerwouldbeallowed;andthenthesheriff\'sofficerswouldbeenjoinedtodotheirwork;
thenonedayofgracewouldbeadded,attheexpirationofwhichthedogsofwarwouldbeunloosed.These,asfastastheycame,weresenttoMrCurling,whotooknonoticeofthemindividually,butcontinuedhisendeavourtopreventtheevilday.Thesecondbill,MrRobartswouldtakeup——suchwasMrCurling\'sproposition;
andwouldpaybytwoinstalmentsof250Leach,thefirstintwomonths,andthesecondinfour.IfthiswereacceptabletotheTozerinterest——well;ifitwerenot,thesheriff\'sofficersmustdotheirworstandtheTozerinterestmustlookforwhatitcouldget.TheTozerinterestwouldnotdeclareitselfsatisfiedwiththesetermssothematterwenton.DuringwhichtherosesfadedfromdaytodayonthecheeksofMrsRobarts,asunderthecircumstancesmayeasilybeconceived.InthemeantimeLucystillremainedatHogglestock,andhadtherebecomeabsolutemistressofthehouse.PoorMrsCrawleyhadbeenatdeath\'sdoor;forsomedaysshewasdelirious,andafterwardsremainedsoweakastobealmostunconscious;butnowtheworstwasover,andMrCrawleyhadbeeninformed,thatasfarashumanjudgementmightpronounce,hischildrenwouldnotbecomeorphansnorwouldhebecomeawidower.
DuringtheseweeksLucyhadnotoncebeenhomenorhadsheseenanyoftheFramleypeople.\'Whyshouldsheincurtheriskofconveyinginfectionforsosmallanobject?\'assheherselfargued,bywritingletters,whichweredulyfumigatedbeforetheywereopenedattheparsonage.SosheremainedatHogglestock,andtheCrawleychildren,nowadmittedtoallthehonoursofthenursery,werekeptatFramley.TheywerekeptatFramley,althoughitwasexpectedfromdaytodaythatthebedsonwhichtheylaywouldbeseizedforthepaymentofMrSowerby\'sdebts.Lucy,asIhavesaid,becamemistressofthehouseatHogglestock,andmadeherselfabsolutelyascendantoverMrCrawley.Jellies,andbroth,andfruit,andevenbutter,camefromLuftonCourt,whichshedisplayedonthetable,absolutelyontheclothbeforehim,andyetheboreit.Icannotsaythathepartookofthesedelicacieswithanyfreedomhimself,buthediddrinkhisteawhenitwasgiventohimalthoughitcontainedFramleycream;——and,hadheknownit,BoheaitselffromtheFramleychest.Intruth,thesedays,hehadgivenhimselfovertothedominionofthisstranger;andhesaidnothingbeyond,\'Well,well\',withtwoupliftedhands,whenhecameuponherasshewassewingthebuttonsofhisownshirts——sewingonthebuttonsandperhapsoccasionallyapplyingherneedleelsewhere,——notwithoututility.Hesaidtoheratthisperiodverylittleinthewayofthanks.
Someprotractedconversationstheydidhave,nowandagain,duringthelongevenings;buteveninthesehedidnotuttermanywordsastotheirpresentstateoflife.Itwasonreligionchieflythathespoke,notlecturingherindividually,butlayingdownhisideasastowhatthelifeofaChristianshouldbe,andespeciallywhatshouldbethelifeofaminister.\'ButthoughIcanseethis,MissRobarts,\'hesaid,\'Iamboundtosaythatnoonehasfallenoffsofrequentlyasmyself.Ihaverenouncedthedevilandallhisworks;butitisbywordofmouthonly——bywordofmouthonly.HowshallamancrucifytheoldAdamthatiswithinhim,unlesshethrowhimselfprostrateinthedustandacknowledgethatallhisstrengthisweakerthanwater?\'Tothis,oftenasitmightberepeated,shewouldlistenpatiently,comfortinghimbysuchwordsashertheologywouldsupply;butthen,whenthiswasover,shewouldagainresumehercommandandenforcefromhimacloseobediencetoherdomesticbehests.
AttheendofthemonthLordLuftoncamebacktoFramleyCourt.Hisarrivaltherewasquiteunexpected;thoughashepointedoutwhenhismotherexpressedsomesurprise,hehadreturnedexactlyatthetimenamedbyhimbeforehestarted.
\'Ineednotsay,Ludovic,howgladIamtohaveyou,\'saidshe,lookingintohisfaceandpressinghisarm;\'themoreso,indeed,seeingthatIhardlyexpectedit.\'
HesaidnothingtohismotheraboutLucythefirstevening,althoughtherewassomeconversationrespectingtheRobartsfamily.
\'IamafraidthatMrRobartshasembarrassedhimself,\'saidLadyLufton,lookingveryseriously.\'Rumoursreachmewhicharemostdistressing.Ihavesaidnothingfurthertoanybodyasyet——noteventoFanny;butIcanseeinherface,andhearinthetonesofhervoice,thatsheissufferingsomegreatsorrow.\'
\'Iknowallaboutit,\'saidLordLufton.
\'Youknowallaboutit,Ludovic?\'
\'Yes;itisthroughthatpreciousfriendofmine,MrSowerby,ofChaldicotes.HehasacceptedbillsforSowerby;indeedhetoldme.\'
\'WhatbusinesshadheatChaldicotes?Whathadhetodowithsuchfriendsasthat?IdonotknowhowIamtoforgivehim.\'
\'ItwasthroughmethathebecameacquaintedwithSowerby.Youmustrememberthat,mother.\'
\'Idonotseethatasanyexcuse.Ishetoconsiderthatyouracquaintancesmustnecessarilybehisfriendsalso?Itisreasonabletosupposethatyouinyourpositionmustliveoccasionallywithagreatmanypeoplewhoarealtogetherunfitcompanionsforhimasaparishclergyman.Hewillnotrememberthis,andhemustbetaughtit.WhatbusinesshadhetogotoGatherumCastle?\'
\'HegothisstallatBarchesterbygoingthere.\'
\'Hewouldbemuchbetterwithouthisstall,andFannyhasthesensetoknowthis.Whatdoeshewantwithtwohouses?Prebendalstallsareforoldermenthanhe——formenwhohaveearnedthem,andwhoattheendoftheirliveswantsomeease.Iwishwithallmyheartthathehadnevertakenit.\'
\'Sixhundredayearhasitscharmsallthesame,\'saidLufton,gettingupandstrollingoutoftheroom.
\'IfMarkreallybeinanydifficulty,\'hesaid,laterintheevening,\'wemustputhimonhislegs.\'
\'Youmean,payhisdebts?\'
\'Yes;hehasnodebtsexcepttheseacceptancesofSowerby\'s.\'
\'Howmuchwillitbe,Ludovic?\'
\'Athousandpounds,perhaps,moreorless.I\'llfindthemoney,mother;onlyIshan\'tbeabletopayyouquiteassoonasI
intended.\'Whereuponhismothergotup,andthrowingherarmsroundhisneckdeclaredthatshewouldneverforgivehimifheeversaidawordmoreaboutherlittlepresenttohim.Isupposethereisnopleasureamothercanhavemoreattractivethangivingawayhermoneytoanonlyson.
Lucy\'snamewasfirstmentionedatbreakfastthenextmorning.LordLuftonhadmadeuphismindtoattackhismotheronthesubjectearlyinthemorning——beforehewentuptotheparsonage;butasmattersturnedout,MissRobarts\'sdoingswerenecessarilybroughtunderdiscussionwithoutreferencetoLordLufton\'sspecialaspirationsregardingher.ThefactofMrsCrawley\'sillnesshadbeenmentioned,andLadyLuftonhadstatedhowithadcometopassthatalltheCrawleychildrenwereattheparsonage.
\'ImustsayFannyhasbehavedexcellently,\'saidLadyLufton.\'Itwasjustwhatmighthavebeenexpectedfromher.Andindeed,\'sheadded,speakinginanembarrassedtone,\'sohasMissRobarts.MissRobartshasremainedatHogglestockandnursedMrsCrawleythroughthewhole.\'
\'RemainedatHogglestock——throughthefever!\'exclaimedhislordship.
