第14章

\'Yes,indeed,\'saidLadyLufton.

\'Andisshetherenow?\'

\'Oh,yes;Iamnotawarethatshethinksofleavingjustyet.\'

\'ThenIsayitisagreatshame——ascandalousshame!\'

\'But,Ludovic,itwasherowndoing.\'

\'Oh,yes;Iunderstand.Butwhyshouldshebesacrificed?Weretherenonursesinthecountrytobehired,butthatshemustgoandremainthereforamonthatthebedsideofapestilentfever?

Thereisnojusticeinit.\'

\'Justice,Ludovic?Idon\'tknowaboutjustice,buttherewasgreatChristiancharity.MrsCrawleyhasprobablyowedherlifetoMissRobarts.\'

\'Hasshebeenill?Issheill?Iinsistuponknowingwhethersheisill.IshallgoovertoHogglestockmyselfimmediatelyafterbreakfast.\'TothisLadyLuftonmadenoreply.IfLordLuftonchosetogotoHogglestockshecouldnotpreventhim.Shethought,however,thatitwouldbemuchbetterthatheshouldstayaway.HewouldbequiteasopentotheinfectionasLucyRobarts;and,moreover,MrsCrawley\'sbedsidewouldbeasinconvenientaplaceasmightbeselectedforanyinterviewbetweentwolovers.LadyLuftonfeltatthepresentmomentthatshewascruellytreatedbycircumstanceswithreferencetotheMissRobarts.Ofcourseitwouldhavebeenherparttolessen,ifshecoulddosowithoutinjustice,thathighideawhichhersonentertainedofthebeautyandworthoftheyounglady;but,unfortunately,shehadbeencompelledtopraiseherandtoloadhernamewithallmannerofeulogy.LadyLuftonwasessentiallyatruewoman,andnotevenwiththeobjectofcarryingoutherownviewsinsoimportantamatterwouldshebeguiltyofsuchdeceptionasshemighthavepractisedbysimplyholdinghertongue;butneverthelessshecouldhardlyreconcileherselftothenecessityofsingingLucy\'spraises.

AfterbreakfastLadyLuftongotupfromherchair,buthungabouttheroomwithoutmakinganyshowofleaving.Inaccordancewithherusualcustomshewouldhaveaskedhersonwhathewasgoingtodo;butshedidnotdaresotoinquirenow.Hadhenotdeclared,onlyafewminutessince,whitherhewouldgo?\'IsupposeIshallseeyouatlunch?\'atlastshesaid.

\'Atlunch?Well,Idon\'tknow.Lookhere,mother.WhatamItosaytoMissRobartswhenIseeher?\'andheleanedwithhisbackagainstthechimney-pieceasheinterrogatedhismother.

\'Whatareyougoingtosaytoher,Ludovic?\'

\'Yes,whatamItosay,——ascomingfromyou?AmItotellherthatyouwillreceiveherasyourdaughter-in-law?\'

\'Ludovic,IhaveexplainedallthattoMissRobartsherself.\'

\'Explainedwhat?\'

\'IhavetoldherthatIdidnotthinkthatsuchamarriagewouldmakeeitheryouorherhappy.\'

\'Andwhyhaveyoutoldherso?Whyhaveyoutakenuponyourselftojudgeformeinsuchamatter,asthoughIwereachild?Mother,youmustunsaywhatyouhavesaid.\'LordLufton,ashespoke,lookedfullintohismother\'sface;andhedidso,notasthoughhewerebeggingfromherafavour,butissuingtoheracommand.Shestoodnearhim,withonehandonthebreakfast-table,gazingathimalmostfurtively,notquitedaringtomeetthefullviewofhiseye.TherewasonlyonethingonearthwhichLadyLuftonfeared,andthatwasherson\'sdispleasure.Thesunofherearthlyheavenshoneuponherthroughthemediumofhisexistence.Ifsheweredriventoquarrelwithhim,assomeladiesofheracquaintanceweredriventoquarrelwiththeirsons,theworldforherwouldbeover.Notbutwhatfactsmightbesostrongastomakeitabsolutelynecessarythatsheshoulddothis.Assomepeoplemightresolvethat,undercertaincircumstances,theywillcommitsuicide,soshecouldseethat,undercertaincircumstances,shemustconsenteventobeseparatedfromhim.Shewouldnotdowrong,——notthatwhichsheknewtobewrong,——evenforhissake.Ifitwerenecessarythatallherhappinessshouldcollapseandbecrushedinruinaroundher,shemustendureit,andwaitGod\'stimetorelieveherfromsodarkaworld.Thelightofthesunwasverydeartoher,buteventhatmightbepurchasedattoodearacost.

\'Itoldyoubefore,mother,thatmychoicewasmade,andIaskedyouthentogiveyourconsent;youhavenowhadtimetothinkaboutit,andthereforeIhavecometoaskyouagain.IhavereasontoknowthattherewillbenoimpedimenttomymarriageifyouwillfranklyholdoutyourhandtoLucy.\'

ThematterwasaltogetherinLadyLufton\'shands,but,fondasshewasofpower,sheabsolutelywishedthatitwerenotso.Hadhersonmarriedwithoutaskingher,andthenbroughtLucyhomeashiswife,shewouldundoubtedlywouldhaveforgivenhim;andmuchasshemighthavedislikedthematch,shewould,ultimately,haveembracedthebride.Butnowshewascompelledtoexerciseherjudgement.Ifhemarriedimprudently,itwouldbeherdoing.Howwasshetogiveherexpressedconsenttothatwhichshebelievedtobewrong?\'Doyouknowanythingagainsther;anyreasonwhysheshouldnotbemywife?\'continuedhe.

\'Ifyoumeanasregardshermoralconduct,certainlynot,\'saidLadyLufton.\'ButIcouldsayasmuchasthatinfavourofagreatmanyyoungladieswhomIshouldregardasveryill-suitedforsuchamarriage.\'

\'Yes;somemightbevulgar,somemightbeill-tempered,somemightbeugly;othersmightbeburdenedwithdisagreeableconnexions.I

canunderstandthatyoushouldobjecttoadaughter-in-lawunderanyofthesecircumstances.ButnonetothesethingscanbesaidofMissRobarts.Idefyyoutosaythatsheisnotallrespectswhataladyshouldbe.\'

Butherfatherwasadoctorofmedicine,sheisthesisteroftheparishclergyman,sheisonlyfivefeettwoinheight,andissouncommonlybrown.HadLadyLuftondaredtogivehercatalogueofherobjections,suchwouldhavebeenitsextentandnature.Butshedidnotdaredothis.

\'Icannotsay,Ludovic,thatsheispossessedofallthatyoushouldseekinawife.\'Suchwasheranswer.

\'Doyoumeanthatshehasnotgotmoney?\'

\'No,notthat;Ishouldbeverysorrytoseeyoumakingmoneyyourchiefobject,orindeedanyessentialobject.Ifitchancedthatyourwifedidhavemoney,nodoubtyouwouldfinditaconvenience.Butprayunderstandme,Ludovic;Iwouldnotforamomentadviseyoutosubjectyourhappinesstosuchanecessityasthat.Itisnotbecausesheiswithoutfortune——\'

\'Thenwhyisit?Atbreakfastyouweresingingherpraises,andsayinghowexcellentshewas.\'

\'IfIwereforcedtoputmyobjectionintooneword,Ishouldsay——\'andthenshepaused,hardlydaringtoencounterthefrownwhichwasalreadygatheringitselfonherson\'sbrow.

\'Youwouldsaywhat?\'saidLordLufton,almostroughly.

\'Don\'tbeangrywithme,Ludovic;allthatIthink,andallthatI

sayonthissubject,Ithinkandsaywithonlyoneobject——thatofyourhappiness.WhatothermotivecanIhaveforanythinginthisworld?\'Andthenshecameclosetohimandkissedhim.

\'Buttellme,mother,whatisthisobjection;whatisthisterriblewordthatistosumupthelistofallpoorLucy\'ssins,andprovethatsheisunfitformarriedlife?\'

\'Ludovic,Ididnotsaythat.YouknowthatIdidnot.\'

\'Whatisthatword,mother?\'

AndthenatlastLadyLuftonspokeitout.\'Sheis——insignificant.

Ibelievehertobeaverygoodgirl,butsheisnotqualifiedtofillthehighpositiontowhichyouwouldexalther.\'

\'Insignificant!\'

\'Yes,Ludovic,Ithinkso.\'

\'Then,mother,youdonotknowher.Youmustpermitmetosaythatyouaretalkingofagirlwhomyoudonotknow.OfalltheepithetsofopprobriumwhichtheEnglishlanguagecouldgiveyou,thatwouldnearlybethelastshewoulddeserve.\'

\'Ihavenotintendedanyopprobrium.\'

\'Insignificant!\'

\'Perhapsyoudonotquiteunderstandme,Ludovic.\'

\'Iknowwhatinsignificantmeans,mother.\'

\'Ithinkthatshewouldnotworthilyfillthepositionwhichyourwifeshouldtakeintheworld.\'

\'Iunderstandwhatyousay.\'

\'Shewouldnotdoyouhonourattheheadofyourtable.\'

\'Ah,Iunderstand.YouwantmetomarrysomebouncingAmazon,somepinkandwhitegiantessoffashionwhowouldfrightenthelittlepeopleintotheirproprieties.\'

\'Oh,Ludovic!Youareintendingtolaughatmenow.\'

\'Iwasneverlessinclinedtolaughinmylife——never,Icanassureyou.AndnowIammorecertainthaneverthatyourobjectiontoMissRobartsarisesfromyournotknowingher.Youwillfind,I

think,whenyoudoknowher,thatsheisaswellabletoholdherownasanyladyofyouracquaintance——aye,andtomaintainherhusband\'spositiontoo.IcanassureyouthatIshallhavenofearofheronthatscore.\'

\'Ithink,dearest,thatperhapsyouhardly——\'

\'Ithinkthis,mother,thatinsuchamatterasthisImustchooseformyself.Ihavechosen;andnowIaskyou,asmymother,togotoherandbidherwelcome.Dearmother,Iwillownthis,thatI

shouldnotbehappyifIthoughtthatyoudidnotlovemywife.\'

Theselastwordshesaidinatoneofaffectionthatwenttohismother\'sheart,andthenhelefttheroom.

PoorLadyLufton,whenshewasalone,waitedtillsheheardherson\'sstepsretreatingthroughthehall,andthenbetookherselfupstairstohercustomarymorningwork.Shesatdownatlastasthoughabouttooccupyherself;buthermindwastoofulltoallowofhertakingupherpen.Shehadoftensaidtoherself,indayswhichtoherwerenotasyetlonggoneby,thatshewouldchooseabrideforherson,andthatthenshewouldlovethechosenonewithallherheart.Shewoulddethroneherselfinfavourofthisnewqueen,sinkingwithjoyintoherdowagerstate,inorderthatherson\'swifemightshinewiththegreatersplendour.Thefondestday-dreamsofherlifehadallhadreferencetothetimewhenhersonshouldbringhomeanewLadyLufton,selectedbyherselffromthefemaleexcellenceofEngland,andinwhichshemightbethefirsttoworshiphernewidol.ButcouldshedethroneherselfforLucyRobarts?Couldshegiveupherchairofstateinordertoplacethereonthelittlegirlfromtheparsonage?Couldshetaketoherheart,andtreatwithabsolutelovingconfidence,withtheconfidenceofanalmostidolatrousmother,thatlittlechitwho,afewmonthssince,hadsatawkwardlyinonecornerofherdrawing-room,afraidtospeaktoanyone?Andyetitseemedthatitmustcometothis——tothis——orelsethoseday-dreamsofherswouldinnowisecometopass.Shesatherselfdown,tryingtothinkwhetheritwerepossiblethatLucymightfillthethrone;forshehadbeguntorecognizeitasprobablethatherson\'swillwouldbetoostrongforher;butherthoughtswouldflyawaytoGriseldaGrantly.Inherfirstandonlymaturedattempttorealizeherday-dreams,shehadchosenGriseldaforherqueen.Shehadfailedthere,seeingthatFateshaddestinedMissGrantlyforanotherthrone;foranotherandhigherone,asfarastheworldgoes.ShewouldhavemadeGriseldathewifeofabaron,butfatewasabouttomakethatyoungladythewifeofamarquis.Wastherecauseforgriefinthis?DidshereallyregretthatMissGrantly,withallhervirtues,shouldbemadeovertothehouseofHartletop?LadyLuftonwasawomanwhodidnotbeardisappointmentlightly;butneverthelessshedidalmostfeelherselftohavebeenrelievedfromaburdenwhenshethoughtoftheterminationoftheLufton-Grantlymarriagetreaty.Whatifshehadbeensuccessful,and,afterall,theprizehadbeenotherthanshehadexpected?Shewassometimespronetothinkthatthatprizewasnotexactlyallthatshehadoncehoped.GriseldalookedtheverythingthatLadyLuftonwantedforaqueen;buthowwouldaqueenreignwhotrustedonlytoherlooks?Inthatrespectitwasperhapswellforherthatdestinyhadinterposed.Griselda,shewasdriventoadmit,wasbettersuitedtoLordDumbellothantoherson.Butstill——suchaqueenasLucy!Coulditevercometopassthattheliegesofthekingdomwouldbowthekneeinproperrespectbeforesopunyasovereign?

Andthentherewasthatfeelingwhich,instillhigherquarters,preventsthemarriageofprinceswiththemostnobleoftheirpeople.Isitnotarecognizedruleoftheserealmsthatnoneofthebloodroyalshallraisetoroyalhonoursthoseofthesubjectswhoarebybirthun-royal?LucywasasubjectofthehouseofLuftoninthatshewasthesisteroftheparsonandaresidentdenizenoftheparsonage.PresumingthatLucyherselfmightdoforaqueen——grantingthatshemighthavesomefacultytoreign,thecrownhavingbeendulyplacedonherbrow——how,then,aboutthatclericalbrothernearthethrone?Woulditnotcometothis,thattherewouldnolongerbeaqueenatFramley?Andyetsheknewthatshemustyield.Shedidnotsaysotoherself.ShedidnotasyetacknowledgethatshemustputoutherhandtoLucy,callingherbynameasherdaughter.Shedidnotabsolutelysayasmuchtoherownheart——notasyet.ButshedidbegintobethinkherselfofLucy\'shighqualities,andtodeclaretoherselfthatthegirl,ifnotfittobeaqueen,wasatanyratefittobeawoman.Thattherewasaspiritwithinthatbody,insignificantthoughthebodymightbe,LadyLuftonwaspreparedtoadmit.Thatshehadacquiredthepower——thechiefofallpowersinthisworld——ofsacrificingherselfforthesakeofothers;that,too,wasevidentenough.Thatshewasagoodgirl,intheusualacceptationofthewordgood,LadyLuftonneverdoubted.Shewasready-witted,too,promptinaction,giftedwithacertainfire.Itwasthatgiftoffirewhichhadwonforher,sounfortunately,LordLufton\'slove.ItwasquitepossibleforheralsotoloveLucyRobarts;LadyLuftonadmittedthattoherself;butthenwhocouldbowthekneebeforeher,andserveherasaqueen?Wasitnotapitythatsheshouldbesoinsignificant?

But,nevertheless,wemaysaythatasLadyLuftonsatethatmorninginherownroomfortwohourswithoutemployment,thestarofLucyRobartswasgraduallyrisinginthefirmament.Afterall,lovewasthefoodchieflynecessaryforthenourishmentofLadyLufton——theonlyfoodnecessary.Shewasnotawareofthisherself,norprobablywouldthosewhoknewherbesthavesospokenofher.Theywouldhavedeclaredthatfamilypridewasherdailypabulum,andsheherselfwouldhavesaidsotoo,callingit,however,bysomelessoffensivename.Herson\'shonour,andthehonourofherhouse!——ofthoseshewouldhavespokenasthethingsdearesttoherinthisworld.Andthiswaspartlytrue,forhadhersonbeendishonoured,shewouldhavesunkwithsorrowtothegrave.Buttheonethingnecessarytoherdailylifewasthepoweroflovingthosewhoweredeartoher.LordLufton,whenheleftthedining-room,intendedatoncetogouptotheparsonage,buthefirststrolledroundthegardeninorderthathemightmakeuphismindwhathewouldsaythere.Hewasangrywithhismother,havingnothadthewittoseethatshewasabouttogivewayandyieldtohim,andhewasdeterminedtomakeitunderstoodthatinthismatterhewouldhavehisownway.HehadlearnedthatwhichitwasnecessarythatheshouldknowastoLucy\'sheart,andsuchbeingthecasehewouldnotconceiveitpossiblethatheshouldbedebarredbyhismother\'sopposition.\'ThereisnosoninEnglandloveshismotherbetterthanIdo,\'hesaidtohimself;\'buttherearesomethingswhichamancannotstand.ShewouldhavemarriedmetothatblockofstoneifIwouldhavelether;andnow,becausesheisdisappointedthere——Insignificant!Ineverinmylifeheardanythingsoabsurd,sountrue,souncharitable,so——She\'dlikemetobringadragonhome,Isuppose.ItwouldserveherrightifIdid——somecreaturethatwouldmakethehouseintolerabletoher.\'\'Shemustdoitthough,\'hesaidagain,\'orsheandIwillquarrel,\'andthenheturnedofftowardsthegate,preparingtogototheparsonage.

\'Mylordhaveyouheardwhathashappened?\'saidthegardener,comingtohimatthegate.Themanwasoutofbreath,andalmostoverwhelmedbythegreatnessofhisowntidings.

\'No;Ihaveheardnothing.Whatisit?\'

\'Thebailiffshavetakenpossessionofeverythingattheparsonage.\'

CHAPTERXLIV

THEPHILISTINESATTHEPARSONAGE

IthasalreadybeentoldhowthingswentonbetweentheTozers,MrCurling,andMarkRobartsduringthatmonth.MrForresthaddriftedoutofthebusinessaltogether,asalsohadMrSowerby,asfarasanyactiveparticipationinitwent.LetterscamefrequentlyfromMrCurlingtotheparsonage,andatlastcameamessagebyspecialmissiontosaythattheevildaywasathand.AsfarasMrCurling\'sprofessionalexperiencewouldenablehimtoanticipateorforetelltheproceedingsofsuchamanasTomTozerhethoughtthatthesheriff\'sofficerswouldbeatFramleyparsonageonthefollowingmorning.MrCurling\'sexperiencedidnotmisleadhiminthisrespect.\'Andwhatwillyoudo,Mark?\'

saidFanny,speakingthroughhertears,aftershehadreadtheletterwhichherhusbandhandedtoher.

\'Nothing.WhatcanIdo?Theymustcome.\'

\'LordLuftoncameto-day.Willyougotohim?\'

\'No.IfIweretodosoitwouldbethesamethingasaskinghimforthemoney.\'

\'Whynotborrowitofhim,dearest?Surelyitwouldnotbesomuchforhimtolend?\'

\'Icouldnotdoit.ThinkofLucy,andhowshestandswithhim.

Besides,IhavealreadyhadwordswithLuftonaboutSowerbyandhismoneymatters.HethinksthatIamtoblame,andhewouldtellmeso;andthentherewouldsharpthingssaidbetweenus.HewouldadvancemethemoneyifIpressedhimforit,buthewoulddosoinawaythatwouldmakeitimpossiblethatIshouldtakeit.\'

Therewasnothingmore,then,tobesaid.Ifshehadhadherownway,MrsRobartswouldhavegoneatoncetoLadyLufton,butshecouldnotinduceherhusbandtosanctionsuchaproceeding.Theobjectiontoseekingassistancefromherladyshipwasasstrongasthatwhichprevailedastoherson.Therehadalreadybeensomelittlebeginningofill-feeling,andundersuchcircumstancesitwasimpossibletoaskforpecuniaryassistance.Fanny,however,hadapropheticassurancethatassistanceoutofthesedifficultiesmustintheendcometothemfromthatquarter,ornotatall;andshewouldfain,hadshebeenallowed,makeeverythingknownatthebighouse.Onthefollowingmorningtheybreakfastedattheusualhour,butingreatsadness.Amaid-servantwhomMrsRobartshadbroughtwithherwhenshemarried,toldthatarumourofwhatwastohappenhadreachedthekitchen.Stubbs,thegroom,hadbeeninBarchesterontheprecedingday,and,accordingtohisaccount——sosaidMary——everybodyinthecitywastalkingaboutit.\'Nevermind,Mary,\'saidMrsRobarts,andMaryreplied,\'Oh,no,ofcoursenot,ma\'am.\'InthesedaysMrsRobartswasordinarilyverybusy,seeingthatthereweresixchildreninthehouse,fourofwhomhadcometoherbutillsuppliedwithinfantinebelongings;andnow,asusual,shewentaboutherworkimmediatelyafterbreakfast.Butshemovedaboutthehouseveryslowly,andwasalmostunabletogiveherorderstotheservants,andspokesadlytothechildrenwhohungaboutherwonderingwhatwasthematter.Herhusbandatthesametimetookhimselftohisbook-room,butwhentheredidnotattemptanyemployment.Hethrusthishandsintohispockets,and,leaningagainstthefire-place,fixedhiseyesuponthetablebeforehimwithoutlookingatanythingthatwasonit;itwasimpossibleforhimtobetakehimselftohiswork.Rememberwhatistheordinarylabourofaclergymaninhisstudy,andthinkhowfithemusthavebeenforsuchemployment!Whatwouldhavebeenthenatureofasermoncomposedatsuchamoment,andwithwhatsatisfactioncouldhehaveusedthesacredvolumeinreferringtoitforarguments?He,inthisrespect,wasworseoffthanhiswife;shedidemployherself,buthestoodtherewithoutmoving,doingnothing,withfixedeyesthinkingofwhatmenwouldsayofhim.Luckilyforhim,thisstateofsuspensewasnotlong,forwithinhalfanhourofhisleavingthebreakfast-table,thefootmanknockedathisdoor——thatfootmanwithwhom,atthebeginningofhisdifficulties,hehadmadeuphismindtodispense,butwhohadbeenkeptonbecauseoftheBarchesterprebend.

\'Ifitpleaseyoureverence,therearetwomenoutside,\'saidthefootman.Twomen!Markknewwellenoughwhatmentheywere,buthecouldhardlytakethecomingoftwosuchmentohisquietcountryparsonagequiteasamatterofcourse.

\'Whoarethey,John?\'saidhe,notwishinganyanswer,butbecausethequestionwasforceduponhim.

\'I\'mafeardthey\'re——bailiffs,sir.\'

\'Verywell,John;thatwilldo;ofcoursetheymustdowhattheypleaseabouttheplace.\'Andthenwhentheservantlefthim,hestillstoodwithoutmoving,exactlyashestoodbefore.Thereheremainedfortenminutes,butthetimewentbyveryslowly.Whenaboutnoonsomecircumstancestoldhimwhatwasthehour,hewasastonishedtofindthatthedayhadnotnearlypassedaway.Andthenanothertapwasstruckonthedoor——asoundwhichhewellrecognized——andhiswifecreptsilentlyintotheroom.Shecamecloseuptohimbeforeshespoke,andputherarmwithinhis.\'

\'Mark,\'shesaid,\'themenarehere;theyareintheyard.\'

\'Iknowit,\'heansweredgruffly.

\'Willitbebetterthatyoushouldseethem,dearest?\'

\'Seethem;no;whatgoodcanIdobyseeingthem?ButIshallseethemsoonenough;theywillbehere,Isuppose,inafewminutes.\'

\'Theyaretakinganinventory,cooksays;theyareinthestablenow.\'

\'Verywell;theymustdoastheyplease;Icannothelpthem.\'

\'Cooksaysthatiftheyareallowedtheirmealsandsomebeer,andifnobodytakesanythingaway,theywillbequitecivil.\'

\'Civil!Butwhatdoesitmatter!Letthemeatanddrinkwhattheyplease,aslongasthefoodlasts.Idon\'tsupposethebutcherwillsendyoumore.\'

\'But,Mark,there\'snothingduetothebutcher,——onlytheregularmonthlybill.\'

\'Verywell;you\'llsee.\'

\'Oh,Mark,don\'tlookatmeinthatway.Donotturnawayfromme.Whatistocomfortusifwedonotclingtoeachothernow?\'

\'Comfortus!Godhelpyou!Iwonder,Fanny,thatyoucanbeartostayintheroomwithme.\'

\'Mark,dearestMark,myowndear,dearesthusband!Whoistobetruetoyou,ifIamnot?Youshallnotturnfromme.Howcananythinglikethismakeadifferencebetweenyouandme?\'Andthenshethrewherarmsroundhisneckandembracedhim.Itwasaterriblemorningtohim,andoneofwhicheveryincidentwilldwellinhismemorytothelastdayofhislife.Hehadbeensoproudinhisposition——hadassumedtohimselfsoprominentastanding——hadcontrived,bysometrickwhichhehadacquired,tocarryhisheadsohighabovetheheadsofneighbouringparsons.Itwasthisthathadtakenhimamonggreatpeople,hadintroducedhimtotheDukeofOmnium,hadprocuredforhimthestallatBarchester.Buthowwashetocarryhisheadnow?WhatwouldtheArabinsandGrantlyssay?

Howwouldthebishopsneerathim,andMrsProudieandherdaughterstellofhiminalltheirquarters?HowwouldCrawleylookathim——Crawley,whohadalreadyoncehadhimonthehip?ThesternseverityofCrawley\'sfaceloomeduponhimnow.Crawley,withhischildrenhalfnaked,andhiswifeadrudge,andhimselfhalfstarved,hadneverhadabailiffinhishouseatHogglestock.

Andthenhisowncurate,Evans,whomhehadpatronized,andtreatedalmostasadependant——howwashetolookathiscurateinthefaceandarrangewithhimforthesacreddutiesofthenextSunday?Hiswifestillstoodbyhim,gazingintohisface;andashelookedatherandthoughtofhermisery,hecouldnotcontrolhisheartwithreferencetothewrongswhichSowerbyhadheapedonhim.ItwasSowerby\'sfalsehoodandSowerby\'sfraudwhichhadbroughtuponhimandhiswifethisterribleanguish.

\'Iftherebejusticeonearthhewillsufferforityet,\'hesaidatlast,notspeakingintentionallytohiswife,butunabletorepresshisfeelings.

\'Donotwishhimevil,Mark;youmaybesurehehashisownsorrows.\'

\'Hisownsorrows!No;heiscalloustosuchmiseryasthis.

Hehasbecomesohardenedbydishonestythatallthisismirthtohim.Iftherebepunishmentinheavenforfalsehood——\'

\'Oh,Mark,donotcursehim!\'

\'HowamItokeepmyselffromcursingwhenIseewhathehasbroughtuponyou?\'

\'"Vengeanceismine,saiththeLord,"\'answeredtheyoungwife,notwithsolemn,preachingaccent,asthoughbentonreproof,butwiththesoftestwhisperintohisear.\'LeavethattoHim,Mark;andforus,letuspraythatHemaysoftentheheartsofusall;——ofhimwhohascausedustosuffer,andofourown.\'Markwasnotcalledupontoreplytothis,forhewasagaindisturbedbyaservantatthedoor.Itwasthecookthistimeherself,whohadcomewithamessagefromthemenofthelaw.Andshehadcome,beitremembered,notfromanynecessitythatsheascookshoulddothislineofwork;forthefootman,orMrsRobarts\'smaid,mighthavecomeaswellasshe.Butwhenthingsareoutofcourseservantsarealwaysoutofcoursealso.Asarule,nothingwillinduceabutlertogointoastable,orpersuadeahousemaidtoputherhandtoafrying-pan.Butnowthatthisnewexcitementhadcomeuponthehousehold——seeingthatthebailiffswereinpossession,andthatthechattelswerebeingenteredintoacatalogue,everybodywaswillingtodoeverything——everythingbuthisorherownwork.Thegardenerwaslookingafterthedearchildren;thenursewasdoingtheroomsbeforethebailiffscouldreachthem;thegroomhadgoneintothekitchentogettheirlunchreadyforthem;andthecookwaswalkingaboutwithaninkstand,obeyingalltheordersofthegreatpotentates.Asfarastheservantswereconcerned,itmaybeaquestionwhetherthecomingofthebailiffshadnothithertobeenregardedasatreat.

\'Ifyouplease,ma\'am,\'saidJemimacook,\'theywishestoknowinwhichroomyou\'dbepleasedtohavetheinmin-torytookfust.

\'Causema\'am,theywouldn\'tdisturbyounormastermorethancanbeavoided.Fortheirlineoflife,ma\'am,theyisverycivil——verycivilindeed.\'

\'Isupposetheymaygointothedrawing-room,\'saidMrsRobarts,inasadlowvoice.Allnicewomenareproudoftheirdrawing-rooms,andshewasveryproudofhers.Ithadbeenfurnishedwhenmoneywasplentywiththem,immediatelyaftertheirmarriage,andeverythinginitwaspretty,good,anddeartoher.O,ladies,whohavedrawing-roomsinwhichthethingsarepretty,good,anddeartoyou,thinkofwhatitwouldbetohavetwobailiffsrummagingamongthemwithpenandink-horn,makingacataloguepreparatorytoasheriff\'sauction;andallwithoutfaultorextravaganceofyourown!TherewerethingstherethathadbeengiventoherbyLadyLufton,byLadyMeredith,andotherfriends,andtheideadidoccurtoherthatitmightbepossibletosavethemfromcontamination;

butshewouldnotsayaword,lestbysosayingshemightaddtoMark\'smisery.

\'Andthenthedining-room,\'saidJemimacook,inatonealmostofelation.

\'Yes;iftheyplease.\'

\'Andthenmaster\'sbook-roomhere;orperhapsthebedrooms,ifyouandmasterbestillhere.\'

\'Anywaytheyplease,cook;itdoesnotmuchsignify,\'saidMrsRobarts.ButforsomedaysafterthatJemimawasbynomeansafavouritewithher.

Thecookwashardlyoutoftheroombeforeaquickfootstepwasheardonthegravelbeforethewindow,andthehalldoorwasimmediatelyopened.

\'Whereisyourmaster?\'saidthewell-knownvoiceofLordLufton;

andtheninhalfaminutehealsowasinthebook-room.

\'Mark,mydearfellow,what\'sallthis?\'saidhe,inacheerytoneandwithapleasantface.\'DidyounotknowthatIwashere?I

camedownyesterday;landedfromHamburgonlyyesterdaymorning.

Howdoyoudo,MrsRobarts?Thisisaterriblebore,isn\'tit?\'

Robarts,atthefirstmoment,hardlyknewhowtospeaktohisoldfriend.Hewasstruckdumbbythedisgraceofhisposition;themoresoashismisfortunewasonewhichitwaspartlyinthepowerofLordLuftontoremedy.Hehadneveryetborrowedmoneysincehehadfilledaman\'sposition,buthehadhadwordsaboutmoneywiththeyoungpeer,inwhichheknewthathisfriendhadwrongedhim;

andforthisdoublereasonhewasnowspeechless.

\'MrSowerbyhasbetrayedhim,\'saidMrsRobarts,wipingthetearsfromhereyes.HithertoshehadsaidnowordagainstSowerby,butnowitwasnecessarytodefendherhusband.

\'Nodoubtaboutit.Ibelievehehasalwaysbetrayedeveryonewhohasevertrustedhim.Itoldyouwhathewassometimesince;didInot?But,Mark,whyonearthhaveyouletitgosofarasthis?

WouldnotForresthelpyou?\'

\'MrForrestwantedhimtosignmorebills,andhewouldnotdothat,\'saidMrsRobarts,sobbing.

\'Billsarelikedram-drinking,\'saidthediscreetyounglord:

\'whenoneoncebegins,itisveryhardtoleaveoff.Isittruethatthemenareherenow,Mark?\'

\'Yes,theyareinthenextroom.\'

\'What,inthedrawing-room?\'

\'Theyaremakingoutalistofthethings,\'saidMrsRobarts.

\'Wemuststopthatatanyrate,\'saidhislordship,walkingofftowardsthesceneofoperations;andashelefttheroomMrsRobartsfollowedhim,leavingherhusbandbyhimself.

\'Whydidyounotsenddowntomymother?\'saidhe,speakinghardlyaboveawhisper,astheystoodtogetherinthehall.

\'Hewouldnotletme.\'

\'Butwhynotgoyourself?orwhynothavewrittentome,——

consideringhowintimateweare!\'MrsRobartscouldnotexplaintohimthatthepeculiarintimacybetweenhimandLucymusthavehinderedherfromdoingso,evenifotherwiseitmighthavebeenpossible;butshefeltthatsuchwasthecase.

\'Well,mymen,thisisbadworkyou\'redoinghere,\'saidhe,walkingintothedrawing-room.Whereuponthecookcurtsiedlow,andthebailiffs,knowinghislordship,stoppedfromtheirbusinessandputtheirhandstotheirforeheads.\'Youmuststopthis,ifyouplease,——atonce.Comelet\'sgooutintothekitchen,orsomeplaceoutside.Idon\'tliketoseeyouherewithyourbigbootsandthepenandinkamongthefurniture.\'

\'Weain\'ta-donenoharm,mylord,sopleaseyourlordship,\'saidJemimacook.

\'Andweisonlya-doingourboundendooties,\'saidoneofthebailiffs.

\'Asweissworntodo,sopleaseyourlordship,\'saidtheother.

\'Andiswerysorrytobeunconwenient,mylord,toanygen\'lemanorladyasisagen\'lemanorlady.Butaccidentswillhappen,andthenwhatcanthelikesofusdo?\'saidthefirst.

\'Becauseweissworn,mylord,\'saidthesecond.But,nevertheless,inspiteoftheiroaths,andinspitealsoofthesternnecessitywhichtheypleaded,theyceasedtheiroperationsattheinstanceofthepeer.ForthenameofalordisstillgreatinEngland.

\'Andnowleavethis,andletMrsRobartsgointoherdrawing-room.\'

\'And,pleaseyourlordship,whatiswetodo?Whoiswetolookto?\'InsatisfyingthemabsolutelyonthispointLordLuftonhadtousemorethanhisinfluenceasapeer.Itwasnecessarythatheshouldhavepenandpaper.Butwithpenandpaperhedidsatisfythem;——satisfythemsofarthattheyagreedtoreturntoStubbs\'sroom,theformerhospital,duestipulationhavingbeenmadeforthemealsandbeer,andthereawaittheordertoevacuatethepremiseswhichwouldnodoubt,underhislordship\'sinfluence,reachthemonthefollowingday.ThemeaningofallwhichwasthatLordLuftonhadundertakentobearuponhisownshoulderthewholedebtduebyMrRobarts.Andthenhereturnedtothebook-roomwhereMarkwasstillstandingalmostonthespotinwhichhehadplacedhimselfimmediatelyafterbreakfast.MrsRobartsdidnotreturn,butwentupamongthechildrentocounter-ordersuchdirectionsasshehadgivenforthepreparationofthenurseryforthePhilistines.

\'Mark,\'hesaid,\'donottroubleyourselfaboutthismorethanyoucanhelp.Themenhaveceaseddoinganything,andtheyshallleavetheplaceto-morrowmorning.\'

\'Andhowwillthemoney——bepaid?\'saidthepoorclergyman.

\'Donotbotheryourselfaboutthatatpresent.Itshallbesomanagedthattheburdenshallfallultimatelyonyourself——notonanyoneelse.ButIamsureitmustbeacomforttoyoutoknowthatyourwifeneednotbedrivenoutofherdrawing-room.\'

\'But,Lufton,Icannotallowyou——afterwhathaspassed——andatthepresentmoment——\'

\'Mydearfellow,Iknowallaboutit,andIamcomingtothatjustnow.YouhaveemployedCurling,andheshallsettleit;anduponmyword,Mark,youshallpaythebill.But,forthepresentemergency,themoneyisatmybanker\'s.\'

\'But,Lufton——\'

\'Andtodealhonestly,aboutCurling\'sbillImean,itoughttobeasmuchmyaffairasyourown.ItwasIthatbroughtyouintothismesswithSowerby,andIknownowhowunjustaboutitIwastoyouupinLondon.ButthetruthisthatSowerby\'streacheryhasnearlydrivenmewild.Ithasdonethesametoyousince,nodoubt.\'

\'Hehasruinedme,\'saidRobarts.

\'No,hehasnotdonethat.Nothankstohimthough;hewouldnothavescrupledtodoithaditcomeinhisway.Thefactis,Mark,thatyouandIcannotconceivethedepthoffraudinsuchamanasthat.Heisalwayslookingformoney;Ibelievethatinallhishoursofmostfriendlyintercourse,——whenheissittingwithyouoveryourwine,andridingbesideyouinthefield,——heisstillthinkinghowhecanmakeuseofyoutotidehimoversomedifficulty.Hehaslivedinthatwaytillhehasapleasureincheating,andhasbecomesocleverinhislineoflifethatifyouorIwerewithhimagainto-morrowhewouldagaingetthebetterofus.Heisamanthatmustbeabsolutelyavoided;I,atanyrate,havelearnedtoknowsomuch.\'IntheexpressionofwhichopinionLordLuftonwastooharduponpoorSowerby;asindeedweareallapttobetoohardinforminganopinionupontheroguesoftheworld.ThatMrSowerbyhadbeenarogue,Icannotdeny.Itisroguishtolie,andhehadbeenagreatliar.Itisroguishtomakepromiseswhichthepromiserknowhecannotperform,andsuchhadbeenMrSowerby\'sdailypractice.Itisroguishtoliveonothermen\'smoney,andMrSowerbyhadlongbeendoingdo.Itisroguish,atleast,soIwouldholdit,todealwillinglywithrogues;andMrSowerbyhadbeenconstantinsuchdealings.Idonotknowwhetherhehadnotattimesfallenevenintomorepalpableroguerythanisprovedbysuchpracticesasthoseenumerated.ThoughIhaveforhimsometenderfeeling,knowingthattherewasstillatouchofgentlebearingroundhisheart,anabidingtasteforbetterthingswithinhim,Icannotacquithimfromthegreataccusation.But,forallthat,inspiteofhisacknowledgedroguery,LordLuftonwastooharduponhiminhisjudgement.Therewasyetwithinhimthemeansofrepentance,couldalocuspenitentiaehavebeensuppliedtohim.Hegrievedbitterlyoverhisownill-doings,andknewwellwhatchangesgentlehoodwouldhavedemandedfromhim.Whetherornohehadgonetoofarforallchanges——whetherthelocuspenitentiaewasforhimstillapossibility——thatwasbetweenhimandthehigherpower.

\'Ihavenoonetoblamebutmyself,\'saidMark,stillspeakinginthesameheart-brokentoneandwithhisfaceavertedfromhisfriend.

Thedebtwouldnowbepaid,andthebailiffswouldbeexpelled;butthatwouldnotsethimrightbeforetheworld.Itwouldbeknowntoallmen——toallclergymeninthediocese,thatthesheriff\'sofficershadbeeninchargeofFramleyparsonage,andhecouldneveragainholduphisheadinthecloseofBarchester.\'Mydearfellow,ifwewerealltomakeourselvesmiserableforsuchatrifleasthis,——\'saidLordLufton,puttinghisarmaffectionatelyonhisfriend\'sshoulder.

\'Butwearenotallclergymen,\'saidMark,andashespokeheturnedawaytothewindowandLordLuftonknewthatthetearswereonhischeek.

Nothingwasthensaidbetweenthemforsomemoments,afterwhichLordLuftonagainspoke,——

\'Mark,mydearfellow!\'

\'Well,\'saidMark,withhisfacestillturnedtowardsthewindow.

\'Youmustrememberonething;inhelpingyouoverthistrifle,whichwillreallybeamatterofnoinconveniencetome.Ihaveabetterrightthanthatevenofanoldfriend;Ilookuponyouasmybrother-in-law.\'Markturnedslowlyround,plainlyshowingthetearsuponhisface.

\'Doyoumean,\'saidhe,\'thatanythingmorehastakenplace?\'

\'Imeantomakeyoursistermywife;shesentmewordbyyoutosaythatshelovedme,andIamnotgoingtostanduponanynonsenseafterthat.IfsheandIarebothwillingnoonealivehasarighttostandbetweenus,and,byheavens,nooneshall.Iwilldonothingsecretly,soItellyouthat,exactlyasIhavetoldherladyship.\'

\'Butwhatdoesshesay?\'

\'Shesaysnothing;butitcannotgoonlikethat.MymotherandI

cannotliveheretogetherifsheopposesmeinthisway.IdonotwanttofrightenyoursisterbygoingovertoheratHogglestock,butIexpectyoutotellhersomuchasInowtellyou,ascomingfromme;otherwiseshewillthinkIhaveforgottenher.\'

\'Shewillnotthinkthat.\'

\'Sheneednot;good-bye,oldfellow.I\'llmakeitallrightbetweenyouandherladyshipaboutthisaffairofSowerby\'s.\'Andthenhetookhisleaveandwalkedofftosettleaboutthepaymentofthemoney.

\'Mother,\'saidhetoLadyLuftonthatevening,\'youmustnotbringthisaffairofthebailiffsupagainstRobarts.Ithasbeenmoremyfaultthanhis.\'

HithertonotawordhadbeenspokenbetweenLadyLuftonandhersononthesubject.Shehadheardwithterribledismayofwhathadhappened,andhadheardalsothatLordLuftonhadimmediatelygonetotheparsonage.Itwasimpossible,therefore,thatsheshouldnowinterfere.Thatthenecessarymoneywouldbeforthcomingshewasaware,butthatwouldnotwipeouttheterribledisgraceattachedtoanexecutioninaclergyman\'shouse.Andthen,too,hewasherclergyman,——herownclergyman,selectedandappointed,andbroughttoFramleybyherself,endowedwithawifeofherownchoosing,filledwithgoodthingsbyherownhand!Itwasaterriblemisadventure,andshehadbeguntorepentthatshehadeverheardofthenameofRobarts.Shewouldnot,however,havebeenslowtoputforththehandtolessentheevilbygivingherownmoney,hadthisbeeneithernecessaryorpossible.ButhowcouldsheinterferebetweenRobartsandherson,especiallywhensherememberedtheproposedconnexionbetweenLucyandLordLufton?

\'Yourfault,Ludovic?\'

\'Yes,mother.ItwasIwhointroducedhimtoMrSowerby;and,totellthetruth,IdonotthinkhewouldeverhavebeenintimatewithSowerbyifIhadnotgivenhimsomesortofcommissionwithreferencetomoneymattersthenpendingbetweenMrSowerbyandme.

Theyareallovernow,——thankstoyou,indeed.\'

\'MrRobarts\'scharacterasaclergymanshouldhavekepthimfromsuchtroubles,ifnootherfeelingdidso.\'

\'Atanyrate,mother,obligemebylettingitpassby.\'

\'Oh,Ishallsaynothingtohim.\'

\'Youhadbettersaysomethingtoher,orotherwiseitwillbestrange;andeventohimIwouldsayawordoftwo,——awordinkindness,asyousowellknowhow.Itwillbeeasierforhiminthatway,thanifyouwerealtogethersilent.\'

Nofurtherconversationtookplacebetweenthematthetime,butlaterintheeveningshebrushedherhandacrossherson\'sforehead,sweepingthelongsilkenhairsintotheirplace,asshewaswonttodowhenmovedbyanyspecialfeelingoflove.

\'Ludovic,\'shesaid,\'noone,Ithink,hassogoodaheartasyou.

IwilldoexactlyasyouwouldhavemeaboutthisaffairofMrRobartsandthemoney.\'Andthentherewasnothingmoresaidaboutit.

CHAPTERXLV

PALACEBLESSINGS

Andnow,atthisperiod,terriblerumoursfoundtheirwayintoBarchester,andflewaboutthecathedraltowersandroundthecathedraldoor;aye,andintothecanons\'housesandthehumblersitting-roomsofthevicarschoral.Whethertheymadetheirwaythenceuptothebishop\'spalace,orwhethertheydescendedfromthepalacetotheclose,Iwillnotpretendtosay.Buttheywereshocking,unnatural,andnodoubtgrievoustoallthoseexcellentecclesiasticalheartswhichclustersothicklyinthosequarters.

Thefirstofthesehadreferencetothenewprebendary,andtothedisgracewhichhehadbroughtonthechapter;adisgrace,assomeofthemboasted,whichBarchesterhadneverknownbefore.This,however,likemostotherboasts,washardlytrue;forwithinbutaveryfewyearstherehadbeenanexecutioninthehouseofalateprebendary,oldDrStanhope;andonthatoccasionthedoctorhimselfhadbeenforcedtoflyawaytoItaly,startinginthenight,lesthealsoshouldfallintothehandsofthePhilistines,aswellashischairsandtables.\'Itisascandalousshame,\'saidMrsProudie,speakingnotoftheolddoctor,butofthenewoffender;\'ascandalousshame:anditwouldonlyservehimrightifthegownwerestrippedfromhisback.\'

\'Isupposehislivingwillbesequestered,\'saidayoungminorcanonwhoattendedmuchtotheecclesiasticalinjunctionsoftheladyofthediocese,andwasdeservedlyheldinhighfavour.IfFramleyweresequestered,whyshouldnothe,aswellasanother,undertaketheduty——withsuchstipendasthebishopmightaward?

\'Iamtoldthatheisoverhisheadandearsindebt,\'saidthefutureMrsTickler,\'andchieflyforhorseswhichhehasboughtandnotpaidfor.\'

\'Iseehimridingverysplendidanimalswhenhecomesoverforthecathedralduties,\'saidaminorcanon.

\'Thesheriff\'sofficersareinthehouseatpresent,Iamtold,\'

saidMrsProudie.

\'Andishenotinjail?\'saidMrsTickler.

\'Ifnot,heoughttobe,\'saidMrsTickler\'smother.

\'Andnodoubtsoonwillbe,\'saidtheminorcanon;\'forIhearthatheislinkedupwiththemostdiscreditablegangofpersons.\'

Thiswaswhatwassaidinthepalaceonthatheading;andthough,nodoubt,morespiritandpoetrywasdisplayedtherethaninthehousesofthelessgiftedclergy,thisshowsthemannerinwhichthemisfortuneofMrRobartswasgenerallydiscussed.Nor,indeed,hadhedeservedanybettertreatmentattheirhands.Buthisnamedidnotrunthegauntletfortheusualninedays;nor,indeed,didhisfameendureatitsheightformorethantwo.Thissuddenfallwasoccasionedbyothertidingsofastillmoredepressingnature;

byarumourwhichsoaffectedMrsProudiethatitcaused,asshesaid,herbloodtocreep.Andshewasverycarefulthatthebloodofothersshouldcreepalso,ifthebloodofotherswasequallysensitive.ItwassaidthatLordDumbellohadjiltedMissGrantly.FromwhatadversespotintheworldthesecrueltidingsfelluponBarchesterIhaveneverbeenabletodiscover.Weknowhowquicklyrumourflies,makingherselfcommonthroughallthecities.ThatMrsProudieshouldhaveknownmoreofthefactsconnectedwiththeHartletopfamilythananyoneelseinBarchesterwasnotsurprising,seeingthatshewassomuchmoreconversantwiththegreatworldinwhichsuchpeoplelived.Sheknew,andwasthereforecorrectenoughindeclaring,thatLordDumbellohadalreadyjiltedoneotheryounglady——theLadyJuliaMacMull,towhomhehadbeenengagedthreeseasonsback,andthatthereforehischaracterinsuchmatterswasnottobetrusted.ThatLadyJuliahadbeenaterribleflirtandgreatlygiventowaltzingwithacertainGermancount,withwhomshehadsincegoneoff——that,I

suppose,MrsProudiedidnotknow,muchasshewasconversantwiththegreatworld,——seeingthatshesaidnothingaboutittoanyofherecclesiasticallistenersonthepresentoccasion.

\'Itwillbeaterriblewarning,MrsQuiverful,tousall;amostusefulwarningtous——nottotrusttothethingsofthisworld.I

feartheymadenoinquiryaboutthisyoungnoblemanbeforetheyagreedthathisnameshouldbelinkedwiththatoftheirdaughter.\'ThisshesaidtothewifeofthepresentwardenofHiram\'sHospital,aladywhohadreceivedfavoursfromher,andwasthereforeboundtolistenattentivelytohervoice.

\'ButIhopeitmaynotbetrue,\'saidMrsQuiverful,who,inspiteoftheallegianceduebyhertoMrsProudie,hadreasonsofherownforwishingwelltotheGrantlyfamily.

\'Ihopeso,indeed,\'saidMrsProudie,withaslighttingeofangerinhervoice;\'butIfearthatthereisnodoubt.AndImustconfessthatitisnomorethanwehadarighttoexpect.Ihopethatitmaybetakenbyallofusasalesson,andanensample,andateachingoftheLord\'smercy.AndIwishyouwouldrequestyourhusband——fromme,MrsQuiverful——todwellonthissubjectinmorningandeveninglectureatthehospitalonSabbathnext,showinghowfalseisthetrustwhichweputinthegoodthingsofthisworld;\'whichbehest,toacertainextent,MrQuiverfuldidobey,feelingthataquietlifeatBarchesterwasofgreatvaluetohim;buthedidnotgosofarastocautionhishearers,whoconsistedoftheagedbedesmenofthehospital,againstmatrimonialprojectsofanambitiousnature.Inthiscase,asinallothersofthekind,thereportwasknowntoallthechapterbeforeithadbeenheardbythearchdeaconorhiswife.Thedeanheardit,anddisregardedit;asdidalsothedean\'swife——atfirst;andthosewhogenerallysidedwiththeGrantlysinthediocesanbattlespooh-poohedthetidings,sayingtoeachotherthatboththearchdeaconandMrsGrantlywereverywellabletotakecareoftheirownaffairs.Butdrippingwaterhollowsastone;andatlastitwasadmittedonallsidesthattherewasgroundforfear,——onallsides,exceptatPlumstead.

\'Iamsurethereisnothinginit;Ireallyamsureofit,\'saidMrsArabin,whisperingtohersister;\'butafterturningitoverinmymind,Ithoughtitrighttotellyou.AndyetIdon\'tknownowbutIamwrong.\'

\'Quiteright,dearestEleanor,\'saidMrsGrantly.\'AndIammuchobligedtoyou.Butweunderstandit,youknow.Itcomes,ofcourse,likeallotherChristianblessings,fromthepalace.\'AndthentherewasnothingmoresaidonitbetweenMrsGrantlyandhersister.Butonthefollowingmorningtherearrivedaletterbypost,addressedtoMrsGrantly,bearingthepostmarkofLittlebath.Theletterran:-

\'MADAM,\'ItisknowntothewriterthatLordDumbellohasarrangedwithcertainfriendshowhemayescapefromhispresentengagement.Ithink,therefore,thatitismydutyasaChristiantowarnyouofthis.

\'Yourstruly,\'AWELLWISHER\'

NowithadhappenedthattheembryoMrsTickler\'smostintimatebosomfriendandconfidantewasknownatPlumsteadtoliveatLittlebath,andithadalsohappened——mostunfortunately——thattheembryoMrsTickler,inthewarmthofherneighbourlyregard,hadwrittenafriendlylinetoherfriendGriseldaGrantly,congratulatingherwithallthefemalesincerityonhersplendidnuptialswiththeLordDumbello.

\'Itisnothernaturalhand,\'saidMrsGrantly,talkingthematteroverwithherhusband,\'butyoumaybesureithascomefromher.

ItispartofthenewChristianitywhichwelearndaybydayfromthepalaceteaching.\'Butthesethingshadsomeeffectonthearchdeacon\'smind.HehadlearnedlatelythestoryofLadyJuliaMacMull,andwasnotsurethathisson-in-law——asoughttobeabouttobe——hadbeenentirelyblamelessinthatmatter.AndtheninthesedaysLordDumbellomadenogreatsign.ImmediatelyonGriselda\'sreturnhehadsentheramagnificentpresentofemeralds,which,however,hadcometoherdirectfromthejewellers,andmighthavebeen——andprobablywas——orderedbyhismanofbusiness.Sincethathehadneithercome,norsent,norwritten.Griseldadidnotseemtobeinanywayannoyedbythisabsenceoftheusualsignoflove,andwentonsteadilywithhergreatduties.Nothing,asshetoldhermother,hadbeensaidaboutwriting,and,therefore,shedidnotexpectit.Butthearchdeaconwasnotquiteathisease.\'KeepDumbellouptohisp\'sandq\'s,youknow,\'afriendofhishadwhisperedtohimathisclub.Byheavens,yes.Thearchdeaconwasnotamantobearwithindifferenceawronginsuchaquarter.Inspiteofhisclericalprofession,fewmenweremoreinclinedtofightagainstpersonalwrongs——andfewmenmoreable.

\'Cantherebyanythingwrong,Iwonder?\'saidhetohiswife.\'IsitworthwhilethatIshouldgouptoLondon?\'ButMrsGrantlyattributeditalltothepalacedoctrine.Whatcouldbemorenatural,lookingatallthecircumstancesoftheTicklerengagement?Shethereforegavehervoiceagainstanystepsbeingtakenbythearchdeacon.AdayortwoafterthatMrsProudiemetMrsArabininthecloseandcondoledwithheropenlyontheterminationofthemarriagetreaty;——quiteopenly,forMrsTickler——asshewastobe——waswithhermother,andMrsArabinwasaccompaniedbyhersister-in-law,MaryBold.

\'ItmustbeverygrievoustoMrsGrantly,verygrievousindeed,\'

saidMrsProudie,\'andIsincerelyfeelforher.But,MrsArabin,alltheselessonsaresenttousforoureternalwelfare.\'

\'Ofcourse,\'saidMrsArabin.\'Butastothisspeciallesson,Iaminclinedtodoubtthatit——\'

\'Ah-h!Ifearitistootrue.Ifearthatthereisnoroomfordoubt.OfcourseyouareawarethatLordDumbelloisofffortheContinent.\'MrsArabinwasnotawareofitandshewasobligedtoadmitasmuch.

\'Hestartedfourdaysago,bywayofBoulogne,\'saidMrsTickler,whoseemedtobeverywellupinthewholeaffair.\'IamsosorryforpoordearGriselda.Iamtoldshehasgotallherthings.Itissuchapity,youknow.\'

\'ButwhyshouldnotLordDumbellocomebackfromtheContinent?\'

saidMissBold,veryquietly.

\'Whynot,indeed?I\'msureIhopehemay,\'saidMrsProudie.\'Andnodoubthewillsomeday.Butifhebesuchamanastheysayheis,itisreallywellforGriseldathatsheshouldberelievedfromsuchamarriage.For,afterall,MrsArabin,whatarethethingsofthisworld?——dustbeneathourfeet,ashesbetweenourteeth,grasscutfortheoven,vanity,vexation,andnothingmore!\'——wellpleasedwithwhichvarietyofChristianmetaphors,MrsProudiewalkedon,stillmuttering,however,somethingaboutwormsandgrubs,bywhichsheintendedtosignifyherownspeciesandtheDumbelloandGrantlysectsofitinparticular.ThisnowhadgonesofarthatMrsArabinconceivedherselfboundindutytoseehersister,anditwasthensettledinconsultationatPlumsteadthatthearchdeaconshouldcallofficiallyatthepalaceandbegthattherumourmightbecontradicted.Thishedidearlyonthenextmorning,andwasshownintothebishop\'sstudy,inwhichhefoundbothhislordshipandMrsProudie.Thebishoprosetogreethimwithspecialcivility,smilinghisverysweetestsmileonhim,asthoughofallhisclergythearchdeaconwerethefavourite;butMrsProudieworesomethingofagloomyaspect,asthoughsheknewthatsuchavisitatsuchanhourmusthavereferencetosomespecialbusiness.Themorningcallsmadebythearchdeaconatthepalaceinthewayofordinarycivilitywerenotnumerous.Onthepresentoccasionhedashedatonceintohissubject.\'Ihavecalledthismorning,MrsProudie,\'saidhe,\'becauseIwishtoaskafavourfromyou.\'WhereuponMrsProudiebowed.

\'MrsProudiewillbemosthappy,Iamsure,\'saidthebishop.

\'IfindthatsomefoolishpeoplehavebeentalkinginBarchesteraboutmydaughter,\'saidthearchdeacon;\'andIwishtoaskMrsProudie——\'

Mostwomenundersuchcircumstanceswouldhavefelttheawkwardnessoftheirsituation,andwouldhavepreparedtoeattheirpastwordswithwryfaces.ButnotsoMrsProudie.MrsGrantlyhadtheimprudencetothrowMrSlopeinherface——there,inherowndrawing-room,andshewasresolvedtoberevenged.MrsGrantly,too,hadridiculedtheTicklermatch,andnotoogreatnicenessshouldnowpreventMrsProudiefromspeakinghermindabouttheDumbellomatch.

\'Agreatmanypeoplearetalkingabouther,Iamsorrytosay,\'

saidMrsProudie;\'but,poordear,itisnotherfault.Itmighthavehappenedtoanygirl;only,perhapsalittlemorecare——;

you\'llexcuseme,DrGrantly.\'

\'IhavecomeheretoalludetoareportwhichhasbeenspreadaboutinBarchester,thatthematchbetweenLordDumbelloandmydaughterhasbeenbrokenoffand——\'

\'EverybodyinBarchesterknowsit,Ibelieve,\'saidMrsProudie.