第15章

——\'and,\'continuedthearchdeacon,\'torequestthatthatreportmaybecontradicted.\'

\'Contradicted!Why,hehasgonerightaway,——outofthecountry!\'

\'Nevermindwherehehasgoneto,MrsProudie;Ibegthatthatreportmaybecontradicted.\'

\'You\'llhavetogoroundtoeveryhouseinBarchesterthen,\'saidshe.

\'Bynomeans,\'repliedthearchdeacon.\'And,perhaps,itmayberightthatIshouldexplaintothebishopthatIcameherebecause——\'

\'Thebishopknowsnothingaboutit,\'saidMrsProudie.

\'Nothingintheworld,\'saidhislordship.\'AndIamsureIhopethattheyoungladymaynotbedisappointed.\'——

\'becausethematterwassodistinctlymentionedtoMrsArabinbyyourselfyesterday.\'

\'Distinctlymentioned!Ofcourseitwasdistinctlymentioned.

Therearesomethingswhichcan\'tbekeptunderabushel,DrGrantly;andthisseemstobeoneofthem.Yourgoingaboutinthiswaywon\'tmakeLordDumbellomarrytheyounglady.\'Thatwastrue;norwoulditmakeMrsProudieholdhertongue.Perhapsthearchdeaconwaswronginhispresenterrand,andsonowhebegantobethinkhimself.\'Atanyrate,\'saidhe,\'whenItellyouthatthereisnogroundwhateverforsuchareportyouwilldomethekindnesstosaythat,asfarasyouareconcerned,itshallgonofurther.Ithink,mylord,Iamnotaskingtoomuchinaskingthat.\'

\'Thebishopknowsnothingaboutit,\'saidMrsProudieagain.

\'Nothingatall,\'saidthebishop.

\'AndasImustprotestthatIbelievetheinformationwhichhasreachedmeonthishead,\'saidMrsProudie,\'IdonotseehowitispossiblethatIshouldcontradictit.Icanunderstandyourfeelings,DrGrantly.Consideringyourdaughter\'spositionthematch,asregardsearthlywealth,isaverygreatone.Idonotwonderthatyoushouldbegrievedatitsbeingbrokenoff;butI

trustthatthissorrowmayeventuateinablessingtoyouandtoMissGriselda.Theseworldlydisappointmentsarepreciousbalms,andItrustyouknowhowtoacceptthemassuch.\'ThefactwasthatDrGrantlyhaddonealtogetherwrongincomingtothepalace.

HiswifemighthavesomechancewithMrsProudie,buthehadnone.

SinceshehadcometoBarchesterhehadhadonlytwoorthreeencounterswithher,andinallofthesecaseshehadgonetothewall.Hisvisitstothepalacehavealwaysresultedinhisleavingthepresenceoftheinhabitantsinaframeofmindbynomeansdesirable,andhenowfoundthathehadtodoitonceagain.HecouldnotcompelMrsProudietosaythatthereportwasuntrue;norcouldhecondescendtomakecounterhitsatheraboutherowndaughter,ashiswifewouldhavedone.Andthushavingutterlyfailed,hegotupandtookhisleave.Buttheworstofthematterwas,that,ingoinghome,hecouldnotdivesthismindoftheideathattheremightbesometruthinthereport.WhatifLordDumbellohadgonetotheContinentresolvedtosendbackfromthencesomereasonwhyitwasimpossiblethatheshouldmakeMissGrantlyhiswife?Suchthingshadbeendonebeforenowbymeninhisrank.WhetherornoMrsTicklerhadbeentheletter-writingwellwisherfromLittlebath,orhadinducedherfriendtodoso,itdidseemmanifesttohim,DrGrantly,thatMrsProudieabsolutelybelievedthereportwhichshepromulgatedsodiligently.Thewishmightbefathertothethought,nodoubt;butthatthethoughtwastrulythere,DrGrantlycouldnotinducehimselftodisbelieve.Hiswifewaslesscredulous,andtoacertaindegreecomfortedhim;

butthateveninghereceivedaletterwhichgreatlyconfirmedthesuspicionssetonfootbyMrsProudie,andevenshookhiswife\'sfaithinLordDumbello.Itwasfromamereacquaintance,whointheordinarycourseofthingswouldnothavewrittentohim.Andthebulkoftheletterreferredtoordinarythings,astowhichthegentlemaninquestionwouldhardlyhavethoughtofgivinghimselfthetroubleofwritingaletter.Butattheendofthenotehesaid,——\'OfcourseyouareawarethatDumbelloisofftoParis;I

havenotheardwhethertheexactdayofhisreturnisfixed.\'

\'Itistrue,then,\'saidthearchdeacon,strikingthelibrarytablewithhishand,andbecomingabsolutelywhiteaboutthemouthandjaws.

\'Itcannotbe,\'saidMrsGrantly;butevenshewasnowtrembling.

\'Ifitbeso,I\'lldraghimbacktoEnglandbythecollarofhiscoat,anddisgracehimbeforethestepsofhisfather\'shall.\'AndthearchdeaconasheutteredthethreatlookedhischaracterasanirateBritishfathermuchbetterthanhedidhisothercharacterasaclergymanoftheChurchofEngland.ThearchdeaconhadbeengreatlyworstedbyMrsProudie,buthewasamanwhoknewhowtofighthisbattlesamongmen——sometimeswithouttooclosearegardtohiscloth.

\'HadLordDumbellointendedanysuchthinghewouldhavewrittenorgotsomefriendtowritebythistime,\'saidMrsGrantly.\'Itisquitepossiblethathemightwishtobeoff,buthewouldbetoocharyofhisnamenottoendeavourtodosowithdecency.\'

Thusthematterwasdiscussed,anditappearedtothembothtobesoseriousthatthearchdeaconresolvedtogoatoncetoLondon.

ThatLordDumbellohadgonetoFrancehedidnotdoubt;buthewouldfindsomeoneintownacquaintedwiththeyoungman\'sintentions,andhewould,nodoubt,beabletohearwhenhisreturnwasexpected.IftherewererealreasonforapprehensionhewouldfollowtherunagatetotheContinent,buthewouldnotdothiswithoutabsoluteknowledge.AccordingtoLordDumbello\'spresentengagementshewasboundtopresenthimselfinAugustnextatPlumsteadEpiscopi,withtheviewthenandtheretakingGriseldaGrantlyinmarriage;butifhekepthiswordinthisrespectnoonehadarighttoquarrelwithhimforgoingtoParisinthemeantime.Mostexpectantbridegroomswould,nodoubt,undersuchcircumstances,havedeclaredtheirintelligencetofuturebrides;

butifLordDumbelloweredifferentfromothers,whohadarightonthataccounttobeindignantwithhim?Hewasunlikeothermeninotherthings;andespeciallyunlikeothermeninbeingtheeldestsonoftheMarquessofHartletop.ItwouldbeallverywellforTicklertoproclaimhiswhereaboutsfromweektoweek;buttheeldestsonofamarquessmightfinditinconvenienttobeprecise!

NeverthelessthearchdeaconthoughtitonlyprudenttogouptoLondon.\'Susan,\'saidthearchdeacontohiswife,justashewasstarting;——atthismomentneitherofthemwereinthehappiestofspirits——\'IthinkIwouldsayawordofcautiontoGriselda.\'

\'Doyoufeelsomuchdoubtaboutitasthat?\'saidMrsGrantly.Butevenshedidnotdaretoputadirectnegativetothisproposal,somuchhadshebeenmovedbywhatshehadheard!

\'IthinkIwoulddoso,notfrighteninghermorethanIcouldhelp.Itwilllessentheblowifitbethattheblowistofall.\'

\'Itwillkillme,\'saidMrsGrantly;\'butIthinkthatshewillbeabletobearit.\'OnthenextmorningMrsGrantly,withmuchcunningpreparation,wentaboutthetaskthatherhusbandhadlefthertoperform.Ittookherlongtodo,forshewasverycunninginthedoingofit;butatlastitdroppedforminwordsthattherewasapossibility——abarepossibility——thatsomedisappointmentmightevenyetbeinstoreforthem.

\'Doyoumean,mamma,thatthemarriagewillbeputoff?\'

\'Idon\'tmeantosaythatIthinkitwill;Godforbid!butitisjustpossible.IdaresaythatIamverywrongtotellyouthis,butIknowyouhavesenseenoughtobearit.PapahasgonetoLondon,andweshallhearfromhimsoon.\'

\'Then,mamma,Ihadbettergivethemordersnottogoonwiththemarking.\'

CHAPTERXLVI

LADYLUFTON\'SREQUEST

Thebailiffsonthatdayhadtheirmealsregular——andtheirbeer,whichstateofthings,togetherwithanabsenceofalldutyinthewayofmakinginventoriesandthelike,Itaketobetheearthlyparadiseofbailiffs;andonthenextmorningtheywalkedoffwithcivilspeechesandmanyapologiesastotheirintrusion.\'Theywasverysorry,\'theysaid,\'tohavetroubledagen\'lemanaswereagen\'leman,butintheirwayofbusinesswhatcouldtheydo?\'Towhichoneofthemaddedaremarkthat,\'businessisbusiness.\'ThisstatementIamnotpreparedtocontradict,butIwouldrecommendallmeninchoosingaprofessiontoavoidanythatmayrequireanapologyateveryturn;eitheranapologyorelseasomewhatviolentassertionofright.Eachyoungermalereadermay,perhaps,replythathehasnothoughtofbecomingasheriff\'sofficer;butthenaretherenotothercognatelinesoflifetowhich,perhaps,theattentionofsomesuchmaybeattracted?OntheeveningofthedayonwhichtheywentMarkreceivedanotefromLadyLuftonbegginghimtocallearlyonthefollowingmorning,andimmediatelyafterbreakfasthewentacrosstoFramleyCourt.Itmaybeimaginedthathewasnotinaveryhappyframeofmind,buthefeltthetruthofhiswife\'sremarkthatthefirstplungeintocoldwaterwasalwaystheworst.LadyLuftonwasnotawomanwhowouldcontinuallythrowhisdisgraceintohisteeth,howeverterriblycoldmightbethefirstwordswithwhichshespokeofit.Hestrovehardasheenteredherroomtocarryhisusuallookandbearing,andtoputouthishandtogreetherwithhiscustomaryfreedom,butheknewthathefailed.Anditmaybesaidthatnogoodmanwhohasbrokendowninthisgoodnesscancarrythedisgraceofhisfallwithoutsomelookofshame.Whenamanisabletodothat,heceasestobeinanywaygood.

\'Thishasbeenadistressingaffair,\'saidLadyLufton,afterherfirstsalutation.

\'Yes,indeed,\'saidhe.\'IthasbeenverysadforpoorFanny.\'

\'Well;wemustallhaveourlittleperiodsofgrief;anditmayperhapsbefortunateifnoneofushaveworsethanthis.Shewillnotcomplainherself,Iamsure.\'

\'Shecomplain!\'

\'No,Iamsureshewillnot.AndnowallI\'vegottosay,MrRobartsisthis:IhopeyouandLuftonhavehadenoughtodowithblacksheeptolastyouyourlives;forImustprotestthatyourlatefriendMrSowerbyisablacksheep.\'InnopossiblewaycouldLadyLuftonhavealludedtothematterwithgreaterkindnessthanthusjoiningMark\'snamewiththatofherson.Ittookawayallthebitternessoftherebuke,andmadethesubjectoneonwhichevenhemighthavespokenwithoutdifficulty.Butnow,seeingthatshewassogentletohim,hecouldnotbutleanthemorehardlyonhimself.

\'Ihavebeenveryfoolish,\'saidhe,\'veryfoolish,andverywrong,andverywicked.\'

\'Veryfoolish,Ibelieve,MrRobarts——tospeakfranklyandonceforall;but,asIalsobelieve,nothingworse.Ithoughtitbestforbothofusthatweshouldhavejustonewordaboutit,andnowI

recommendthatthematterbenevermentionedbetweenusagain.\'

\'Godblessyou,LadyLufton,\'hesaid,\'Ithinknomaneverhadsuchafriendasyouare.\'Shehadbeenveryquietduringtheinterview,andalmostsubdued,notspeakingwiththeanimationthatwasusualtoher;forthisaffairwithMrRobartswasnottheonlyoneshehadtocompletethatday,nor,perhaps,theonemostdifficultofcompletion.Butshecheeredupalittleunderthepraisenowbestowedonher,foritwasthesortofpraiseshelovedbest.Shedidhope,andperhapsflatterherself,thatshewasagoodfriend.

\'Youmustbegoodenough,then,togratifymyfriendshipbycomingtodinnerthisevening;andFanny,too,ofcourse.Icannottakeanyexcuses,forthematteriscompletelyarranged;Ihaveaparticularreasonforwishingit.\'TheselastviolentinjunctionshadbeenaddedbecauseLadyLuftonhadseenarefusalrisingintheparson\'sface.PoorLadyLufton!Herenemies——forevenshehadenemies——usedtodeclareofher,thataninvitationtodinnerwastheonlymethodofshowingitselfofwhichhergood-humourwascognizant.Butletmeaskofherenemieswhetheritisnotasgoodamethodasanyotherknowntobeextant?Undersuchordersastheseobediencewasofcourseanecessity,andhepromisedthathe,withhiswife,wouldcomeacrosstodinner.Andthen,whenhewentaway,LadyLuftonorderedhercarriage.

DuringthesedoingsatFramley,LucyRobartsstillremainedatHogglestock,nursingMrsCrawley.NothingoccurredtotakeherbacktoFramley,forthesamenotefromFannywhichgaveherthefirsttidingsofthearrivalofthePhilistinestoldheralsooftheirdeparture——andalsoofthesourcewhencereliefhadreachedthem.\'Don\'tcome,therefore,forthatreason,\'saidthenote,\'but,nevertheless,docomeasquicklyasyoucan,forthewholehouseissadwithoutyou.\'

OnthemorningafterthereceiptofthisnoteLucywassitting,aswasnowusualwithher,besideanoldarm-chairtowhichherpatienthadbeenlatelypromoted.Thefeverhadgone,andMrsCrawleywasslowlyregainingherstrength——veryslowly,andwithfrequentcautionfromtheSilverbridgedoctorthatanyattemptatbeingwelltoofastmightagainprecipitateherintoanabyssofillnessanddomesticinefficiency.

\'IreallythinkIcangetaboutto-morrow,\'saidshe;\'andthen,dearLucy,Ineednotkeepyoulongerfromyourhome.\'

\'Youareinagreathurrytogetridofme,Ithink.IsupposeMrCrawleyhasbeencomplainingaboutthecreaminhistea.\'

MrCrawleyhadononeoccasionstatedhisassuredconvictionthatsurreptitiousdailysupplieswerebeingbroughttothehouse,becausehehaddetectedthepresenceofcreaminsteadofmilkinhisowncup.As,however,thecreamhadbeengoingforsundrydaysbeforethis,MissRobartshadnotthoughtmuchofhisingenuityinmakingthediscovery.

\'Ah,youdonotknowhowhespeaksofyouwhenyourbackisturned.\'

\'Andhowdoeshespeakofme?Iknowyouwouldnothavethecouragetotellmethewhole.\'

\'No,Ihavenot;foryouwouldthinkitabsurdcomingfromonewholookslikehim.Hesaysthatifheweretowriteapoemaboutwomanhood,hewouldmakeyoutheheroine.\'

\'Withacream-juginmyhand,orelsesewingbuttonsontoashirt-collar.Butheneverforgavemeaboutthemutton-broth.Hetoldme,insomanywords,thatIwasa——story-teller.Andforthematterofthat,mydear,soIwas.\'

\'Hetoldmeyouwereanangel.\'

\'Goodnessgracious!\'

\'Aministeringangel.Andsoyouhavebeen.IcanalmostfeelitinmyhearttobegladthatIhavebeenill,seeingthatIhavehadyouformyfriend.\'

\'Butyoumighthavehadthatgoodfortunewithoutthefever.\'

\'No,Ishouldnot.InmymarriedlifeIhavemadenofriendstillmyillnessbroughtyoutome;norshouldIeverreallyknownyoubutforthat.HowshouldIgettoknowanyone?\'

\'Youwillnow,MrsCrawley;willyounot?Promisethatyouwill.

YouwillcometousatFramleywhenyouarewell?Youhavepromisedalready,youknow.\'

\'YoumademedosowhenIwastooweaktorefuse.\'

\'AndIshallmakeyoukeepyourpromise,too.Heshallcomealso,ifhelikes;butyoushallcomewhetherhelikesorno,andI

won\'thearawordaboutyourolddresses.OlddresseswillwearaswellatFramleyasatHogglestock.\'FromallwhichitwillappearthatMrsCrawleyandLucyRobartshadbecomeveryintimateduringtheperiodofthenursing;astwowomenalwayswill,or,atleast,shoulddo,whenshutupforweekstogetherinthesamesickroom.

Theconversationwasstillgoingonbetweenthemwhenthesoundofwheelswasheardupontheroad.Itwasnohighwaythatpassedbeforethehouse,andcarriagesofanysortwerenotfrequentthere.

\'ItisFanny,Iamsure,\'saidLucy,risingfromherchair.

\'Therearetwohorses,\'saidMrsCrawley,distinguishingthenoisewiththeaccuratesenseofhearingwhichisalwaysattachedtosickness;\'anditisnotthenoiseofthepony-carriage.\'

\'Itisaregularcarriage,\'saidLucy,speakingfromthewindow,\'andstoppinghere.ItissomebodyfromFramleyCourt,forIknowtheservant.\'Andasshespokeablushcametoherforehead.MightitnotbeLordLufton,shethoughttoherself——forgetting,atthemoment,thatLordLuftondidnotgoaboutthecountryinaclosechariotwithafatfootman.IntimateasshehadbecomewithMrsCrawleyshehadsaidnothingtohernewfriendonthesubjectofherloveaffair.Thecarriagestopped,anddowncamethefootman,butnobodyspoketohimfromtheinside.

\'HehasprobablybroughtsomethingfromFramley,\'saidLucy,havingcreamandsuch-likemattersinhermind;forcreamandsuch-likemattershadcomefromFramleyCourtmorethanonceduringhersojournthere.\'Andthecarriage,probably,happenedtobecomingthisway.\'Butthemysterysoonelucidateditselfpartially,or,perhaps,becamemoremysteriousinanotherway.Thered-armedlittlegirlwhohadbeentakenawaybyherfrightenedmotherinthefirstburstoffeverhadnowreturnedtoherplace,andatthepresentmomententeredtheroom,withawe-struckface,declaringthatMissRobartswastogoatoncetothebigladyinthecarriage.

\'Isupposeit\'sLadyLufton,\'saidMrsCrawley.Lucy\'sheartwassoabsolutelyinhermouththatanykindofspeechwasatthemomentimpossibletoher.WhyshouldLadyLuftonhavecomehithertoHogglestock,andwhyshouldshewanttoseeher,LucyRobarts,inthecarriage?Hadnoteverythingbetweenthembeensettled?Andyet——!Lucy,inthemomentforthoughtthatwasallowedtoher,couldnotdeterminewhatmightbetheprobableupshotofsuchaninterview.Herchieffeelingwasadesiretopostponeitforthepresentinstant.Butthered-armedlittlegirlwouldnotallowthat.

\'Youaretocomeatonce,\'saidshe.

AndthenLucy,withouthavingspokenaword,gotupandlefttheroom.Shewalkeddownstairs,alongthelittlepassage,andoutthroughthesmallgarden,withfirmsteps,buthardlyknowingwhithershewentorwhy.Herpresenceofmindandself-possessionhadalldesertedher.Sheknewthatshewasunabletospeakassheshoulddo;shefeltthatshewouldhavetoregretherpresentbehaviour,butyetshecouldnothelpherself.WhyshouldLadyLuftonhavecometoherhere?Shewenton,andthebigfootmanstoodwiththecarriagedooropen.Shesteppedupalmostunconsciously,and,withoutknowinghowshegotthere,shefoundherselfseatedbyLadyLufton.Totellthetruthherladyshipalsowasalittleatalosstoknowhowshewastocarrythroughherpresentplanofoperations.Thedutyofbeginning,however,wasclearlywithher,andtherefore,havingtakenLucybythehand,shespoke.\'MissRobarts,\'shesaid,\'mysonhascomehome.Idon\'tknowwhetheryouareawareofit.\'Shespokewithalowgentlevoice,notquitelikeherself,butLucywasmuchtooconfusedtonoticethis.

\'Iwasnotawareofit,\'saidLucy.Shehad,however,beensoinformedinFanny\'sletter,butallthathadgoneoutofherhead.

\'Yes;hehascomeback.HehasbeeninNorway,youknow——

fishing.\'

\'Yes,\'saidLucy.

\'Iamsureyouwillrememberallthattookplacewhenyoucametome,notlongago,inmylittleroomupstairsatFramleyCourt.\'Inanswertowhich,Lucy,quiveringineverynerve,andwronglythinkingthatshewasvisiblyshakingineverylimb,timidlyansweredthatshedidremember.Whywasitthatshehadthenbeensobold,andnowwassopooracoward?

\'Well,mydear,allthatIsaidtoyouthenIsaidtoyouthinkingthatitwasforthebest.You,atanyrate,willnotbeangrywithmeforlovingmysonbetterthanIloveanyoneelse.\'

\'Oh,no,\'saidLucy.

\'Heisthebestofsons,andthebestofmen,andIamsurethathewillbethebestofhusbands.\'

Lucyhadanidea,byinstinct,however,ratherthanbysight,thatLadyLufton\'seyeswerefulloftearsasshespoke.Asforherselfshewasaltogetherblinded,anddidnotdareliftherfaceortoturnherhead.Asfortheutterancesofanysound,thatwasquiteoutofthequestion.\'Andnow,Ihavecomehere,Lucy,toaskyoutobehiswife.\'

Shewasquitesurethatsheheardthewords.Theycameplainlytoherears,leavingonherbraintheirpropersense,butyetshecouldnotmoveormakeanysignthatshehadunderstoodthem.Itseemedasthoughitwouldbeungenerousinhertotakeadvantageofsuchconductandtoacceptanoffermadewithsomuchself-sacrifice.Shehadnottimeatthefirstmomenttothinkevenofhishappiness,letaloneherown,butshethoughtonlyofthemagnitudeoftheconcessionwhichhadbeenmadetoher.WhenshehadconstitutedLadyLuftonasthearbiterofherdestinyshehadregardedthequestionofherloveasdecidedagainstherself.

ShehadfoundherselfunabletoendurethepositionofbeingLadyLufton\'sdaughter-in-lawwhileLadyLuftonwouldbescorningher,andthereforeshehadgivenupthegame.Shehadgivenupthegame,sacrificingherself,and,asfarasitmightbeasacrifice,sacrificinghimalso.Shehadbeenresolutetostandtoherwordinthisrespect,butshehadneverallowedherselftothinkitpossiblethatLadyLuftonshouldcomplywiththeconditionswhichshe,Lucy,hadlaiduponher.Andyetsuchwasthecase,asshesoplainlyheard.\'AndnowIhavecomehere,Lucy,toaskyoutobehiswife.\'Howlongtheysattogethersilent,Icannotsay;

countedbyminutesthetimewouldnotprobablyhaveamountedtomany,buttoeachofthemthedurationseemedconsiderable.LadyLufton,whileshewasspeaking,hadcontrivedtogetholdofLucy\'shand,andshesat,stillholdingit,tryingtolookintoLucy\'sface,——which,however,shecouldhardlysee,somuchofitwasturnedaway.Neither,indeed,wereLadyLufton\'seyesperfectlydry.

Noanswercametoherquestion,andtherefore,afterawhile,itwasnecessarythatsheshouldspeakagain.

\'MustIgobacktohim,Lucy,andtellhimthatthereissomeotherobjection——somethingbesidesasternoldmother;somehindrance,perhaps,notsoeasilyovercome?\'

\'No,\'saidLucy,anditwasallwhichatthemomentshecouldsay.

\'WhatshallItellhimthen?ShallIsayyes——simplyyes?\'

\'Simplyyes,\'saidLucy.

\'Andastothesternoldmotherwhothoughtheronlysontooprecioustobepartedwithatthefirstword——isnothingtobesaidtoher?\'

\'Oh,LadyLufton!\'

\'Noforgivenesstobespoken,nosignofaffectiontobegiven?Isshealwaystoberegardedassternandcross,vexatiousanddisagreeable?\'Lucyslowlyturnedroundherheadandlookedupintohercompanion\'sface.Thoughshehadasyetnovoicetospeakofaffectionshecouldfillhereyeswithlove,andinthatwaymaketoherfuturemotherallthepromisesthatwereneeded.\'Lucy,dearestLucy,youmustbeverydeartomenow.\'Andthentheywereineachother\'sarms,kissingeachother.LadyLuftonnowdesiredhercoachmantodriveupanddownforsomelittlespacealongtheroadwhileshecompletedhernecessaryconversationwithLucy.ShewantedatfirsttocarryherbacktoFramleythatevening,promisingtosendheragaintoMrsCrawleyonthefollowingmorning——\'tillsomepermanentarrangementcouldbemade,\'bywhichLadyLuftonintendedthesubstitutionofaregularnurseforherfuturedaughter-in-law,seeingthatLucyRobartswasnowinvestedinhereyeswithattributeswhichmadeitunbecomingthatsheshouldsitinattendanceatMrsCrawley\'sbedside.ButLucywouldnotgobacktoFramleyonthatevening;no,noronthenextmorning.ShewouldbesogladifFannywouldcometoherthere,andthenshewouldarrangeaboutgoinghome.\'But,Lucy,dear,whatamItosaytoLudovic?Perhapsyouwouldfeelitawkwardifheweretocometoseeyouhere.\'

\'Oh,yes,LadyLufton;praytellhimnottodothat.\'

\'AndisthatallthatIamtotellhim?\'

\'Tellhim——tellhim——hewon\'twantyoutotellhimanything;——onlyIshouldliketobequietforaday,LadyLufton.\'

\'Well,dearest,youshallbequiet;thedayafterto-morrowthen——Mind,wemustnotspareyouanylonger,becauseitwillberightthatyoushouldbeathomenow.Hewouldthinkitveryhardifyouweretobesonear,andhewasnottobeallowedtoseeyou.Andtherewillbesomeoneelsewhowillwanttoseeyou.I

shallwanttohaveyouveryneartome,forIshallbewretched,Lucy,ifIcannotteachyoutoloveme.\'InanswertowhichLucydidfindvoiceenoughtomakesundrypromises.Andthenshewasputoutofthecarriageatthelittlewicketgate,andLadyLuftonwasdrivenbacktoFramley.IwonderwhethertheservantwhenheheldthedoorforMissRobartswasconsciousthathewaswaitingonhisfuturemistress.Ifancythathewas,forthesesortofpeoplealwaysknoweverything,andthepeculiarcourtesyofhisdemeanourasheletdownthecarriagewasveryobservable.

Lucyfeltalmostbesideherselfasshereturnedupstairs,notknowingwhattodoorhowtolook,andwithwhatwordstospeak.ItbehovedhertogoatoncetoMrsCrawley\'sroom,andyetshelongedtobealone.Sheknewthatshewasquiteunableeithertoconcealherthoughtsorexpressthem;nordidsheatthepresentmomentwanttotalktoanyoneaboutherhappiness,——seeingthatshecouldnotatthepresentmomenttalktoFannyRobarts.Shewent,however,withoutdelayintoMrsCrawley\'sroom,andwiththatlittleeagerwayofspeakingquicklywhichissocommonwithpeoplewhoknowthattheyareconfused,saidthatshefearedshehadbeenaverylongtimeaway.\'AndwasitLadyLufton?\'

\'Yes;itwasLadyLufton.\'

\'Why,Lucy;Ididnotknowthatyouandherladyshipweresuchfriends.\'

\'Shehadsomethingparticularshewantedtosay,\'saidLucy,avoidingthequestion,andavoidingalsoMrsCrawley\'seyes;andthenshesatdowninherusualchair.

\'Itwasnothingunpleasant,Ihope.\'

\'No,nothingatallunpleasant;nothingofthatkind——Oh,MrsCrawley,I\'lltellyousomeothertime,butpraydonotaskmenow.\'Andthenshegotupandescaped,foritwasabsolutelynecessarythatsheshouldbealone.

Whenshereachedherownroom——thatinwhichthechildrenalwaysslept——shemadeagreatefforttocomposeherself,butnotaltogethersuccessfully.Shegotoutherpaperandblottingbook,intending,asshesaidtoherself,towritetoFanny,knowing,however,thattheletterwhenwrittenwouldbedestroyed;butshewasnotableeventoformaword.Herhandwasunsteadyandhereyesweredimandherthoughtswereincapableofbeingfixed.Shecouldonlysit,andthink,andwonderandhope;occasionallywipingthetearsfromhereyes,andaskingherselfwhyherpresentframeofmindwassopainfultoher?DuringthelasttwoorthreemonthsshehadfeltnofearofLordLufton,hadalwayscarriedherselfbeforehimonequalterms,andhadbeensignallycapableofdoingsowhenhemadehisdeclarationtoherattheparsonage;butnowshelookedforwardwithanundefineddreadtothefirstmomentinwhichsheshouldseehim.AndthenshethoughtofacertaineveningshehadpassedatFramleyCourt,andacknowledgedtoherselfthattherewassomepleasureinlookingbacktothat.

GriseldaGrantlyhadbeenthere,andalltheconstitutionalpowersofthetwofamilieshadbeenatworktorendereasyaprocessoflove-makingbetweenherandLordLufton.Lucyhadseenandunderstooditall,withoutknowingthatsheunderstoodit,andhad,inacertaindegree,sufferedfrombeholdingit.Shehadplacedherselfapart,notcomplaining——painfullyconsciousofsomeinferiority,but,atthesametime,almostboastingtoherselfthatinherownwayshewasthesuperior.Andthenhehadcomebehindherchair,whisperingtoher,speakingtoherhisfirstwordsofkindnessandgood-nature,andshehadresolvedthatshewouldbehisfriend——hisfriend,eventhoughGriseldaGrantlymightbehiswife.Whatthoseresolutionswereworthhadsoonbecomemanifesttoher.Shehadsoonconfessedtoherselftheresultofthatfriendship,andhaddeterminedtobearthepunishmentwithcourage.Butnow——

Shesatesoforaboutanhour,andwouldfainhavesosatouttheday.Butasthiscouldnotbe,shegotup,andhavingwashedherfaceandeyesreturnedtoMrsCrawley\'sroom.ThereshefoundMrCrawleyalso,tohergreatjoy,forsheknewthatwhilehewastherenoquestionswouldbeaskedofher.Hewasalwaysverygentlewithher,treatingherwithanold-fashioned,polishedrespect——exceptwhencompelledonthatoneoccasionbyhissenseofdutytoaccuseherofmendacityrespectingthepurveyingofvictuals——,buthehadneverbecomeabsolutelyfamiliarwithherashiswifehaddone;anditwaswellforhernowthathehadnotdoneso,forshecouldnothavetalkedaboutLadyLufton.Intheevening,whenthethreewerepresent,shedidmanagetosaythatsheexpectedMrsRobartswouldcomeoveronthefollowingday.\'Weshallpartwithyou,MissRobarts,withthedeepestregret,\'saidMrCrawley;\'butwewouldnotonanyaccountkeepyoulonger.MrsCrawleycandowithoutyounow.Whatshewouldhavedone,hadyounotcome,Iamalosstothink.\'

\'IdidnotsaythatIshouldgo,\'saidLucy.

\'Butyouwill,\'saidMrCrawley.\'Yes,dearyouwill.Iknowthatitispropernowthatyoushouldreturn.Nay,butwewillnothaveyouanylonger.Andthepoordearchildren,too,——theymayreturn.HowamItothankMrsRobartsforwhatshehasdoneforus?\'ItwassettledthatifMrsRobartscameonthefollowingdayLucyshouldgobacktoher;andthen,duringthelongwatchesofthenight——foronthislastnightLucywouldnotleavethebedsideofhernewfriendtilllongafterthedawnhadbroken,shedidtellMrsCrawleywhatwastobeherdestinyinlife.Toherselfthereseemednothingstrangeinhernewposition;buttoMrsCrawleyitwaswonderfulthatshe——she,poorasshewas,——shouldhaveanembryopeeressatherbedside,handingherhercuptodrink,andsmoothingherpillowthatshemightbeatrest.Itwasstrange,andshecouldhardlymaintainheraccustomedfamiliarity.Lucyfeltthisatthemoment.

\'Itmustmakenodifference,youknow,\'saidshe,eagerly;\'noneatallbetweenyouandme.Promisemethatitwillmakenodifference.\'Thepromisewas,ofcourse,exacted;butitwasnotpossiblethatsuchapromiseshouldbekept.Veryearlyonthefollowingmorning——soearlythatitwokeherwhilestillonherfirstsleep——therecamealetterforherfromtheparsonage.MrsRobartshadwrittenit,afterherreturnhomefromLadyLufton\'sdinner.Thelettersaid:-

\'MYOWNDEARDARLING,\'HowamItocongratulateyou,andbeeagerenoughinwishingyoujoy?Idowishyoujoy,andamsoveryhappy.IwritenowchieflytosaythatI

shallbeoverwithyouabouttwelveto-morrow,andthatImustbringyouawaywithme.IfIdidnotsomeoneelse,bynomeanssotrustworthy,wouldinsistondoingit.\'

Butthis,thoughitwasthusstatedtobethechiefpartoftheletter,andthoughitmightbesoinmatter,wasbynomeanssoinspace.Itwasverylong,forMrsRobartshadsatinwritingittillpastmidnight.Shewentontosay,aftertwopageshadbeenfilledwithhisname:-

\'Iwillnotsayanythingabouthim,butImusttellyouhowbeautifullyshehasbehaved.Youwillownthatsheisadearwoman;willyounot?\'

Lucyhadalreadyowneditmanytimessincethevisitofyesterday,andhaddeclaredtoherself,asshehascontinuedtodeclareeversince,thatsheneverdoubtedit.

\'Shetookusbysurprisewhenwegotintothedrawing-

roombeforedinner,andshetoldusfirstofallthatshehadbeentoseeyouatHogglestock.LordLufton,ofcourse,couldnotkeepthesecret,butbroughtitoutinstantly.Ican\'ttellyounowhowhetolditall,butIamsureyouwillbelievethathediditinthebestpossiblemanner.Hetookmyhandandpressedithalfadozentimes,andIthoughthewasgoingtodosomethingelse;buthedidnot,soyouneednotbejealous.AndshewassonicetoMark,sayingsuchthingsinpraiseofyou,andpayingallmannerofcomplimentstoyourfather.ButLordLuftonscoldedherimmediatelyfornotbringingyou.Hesaiditwaslackadaisicalandnonsensical;butIcouldseehowmuchhelovedherforwhatshehaddone;andshecouldseeittoo,forIknowherways,andknowthatshewasdelightedwithhim.Shecouldnotkeephereyesoffhimalltheevening,andcertainlyIneverdidseehimsowell.

\'AndthenwhileLordLuftonandMarkwereinthedining-room,wheretheyremainedaterriblylongtime,shewouldmakemegothroughthehousethatshemightshowmeyourrooms,andexplainhowyouweretobethemistressthere.Shehasgotitallarrangedtoperfection,andIamsureshehasbeenthinkingaboutitforyears.HergreatfearatpresentisthatyouandheshouldgoandliveatLufton.Ifyouhaveanygratitudeinyou,eithertoherortome,youwillnotlethimdothis.IconsoledherbysayingthattherearenottwostonesupononeanotheratLuftonasyet;

andIbelievesuchisthecase.Besides,everybodysaysthatitistheugliestspotintheworld.Shewentontodeclare,withtearsinhereyes,thatifyouwerecontenttoremainatFramley,shewouldneverinterfereinanything.Idothinkthatsheisthebestwomanthateverlived.\'

SomuchhaveIgivenofthisletterformedbutasmallportionofit,butitcomprisesallthatitisnecessarythatweshouldknow.

Exactlyattwelveo\'clockonthatdayPucktheponyappeared,withMrsRobartsandGraceCrawleybehindhim,Gracehavingbeenbroughtbackasbeingcapableofsomeserviceinthehouse.Nothingthatwasconfidential,andverylittlethatwasloving,couldbesaidatthemoment,becauseMrCrawleywasthere,waitingtobidMissRobartsadieu;andhehadnotasyetbeeninformedofwhatwastobethefuturefateofhisvisitor.Sotheycouldonlypresseachother\'shandsandembrace,whichtoLucywasalmostarelief;foreventohersister-in-lawshehardlyasyetknewhowtospeakopenlyonthissubject.

\'MayGodAlmightyblessyou,MissRobarts,\'saidMrCrawley,ashestoodinhisdingysitting-roomreadytoleadherouttothepony-carriage.\'Youhavebroughtsunshineintothishouse,eveninthetimeofsickness,whentherewasnosunshine;andHewillblessyou.YouhavebeentheGoodSamaritan,bindingupthewoundsoftheafflicted,pouringinoilandbalm.Tothemotherofmychildrenyouhavegivenlife,andtomeyouhavebroughtlight,andcomfortandgoodwords,——makingmyspiritgladwithinmeasithadnotbeengladdenedbefore.Allthishathcomeofcharity,whichvauntethnotitselfandisnotpuffedup.Faithandhopearegreatandbeautiful,butcharityexceedeththemall.\'Andhavingsospoken,insteadofleadingherhewentawayandhidhimself.HowPuckbehavedhimselfasFannydrovehimbacktoFramley,andhowthosetwoladiesinthecarriagebehavedthemselves——ofthat,perhaps,nothingneedbesaid.

CHAPTERXLVII

NEMESIS

Butinspiteofthesejoyfultidingsitmust,alas!berememberedthatPoena,thatjustbutRhadamanthinegoddess,whommodernsordinarilycallPunishment,orNemesiswhenwewishtospeakofhergoddess-ship,veryseldomfailstocatchawickedmanthoughshehavesometimesalamefootofherown,andthoughthewickedmanmaypossiblygetastartofher.InthisinstancethewickedmanhadbeenourunfortunateMarkRobarts;wickedinthathehadunwittinglytouchedpitch,gonetoGatherumCastle,riddenfastmaresacrossthecountrytoCobbold\'sAshes,andfallenveryimprudentlyamongtheTozers;andtheinstrumentusedbyNemesiswasMrTomTowersoftheJupiter,thanwhom,intheseourdays,thereisnodeadlierscourgeinthehandsofthatgoddess.Inthefirstinstance,however,Imustmention,thoughIwillnotrelate,alittleconversationthattookplacebetweenLadyLuftonandMrRobarts.Thatgentlemanthoughtitrighttosayafewwordsmoretoherladyshiprespectingthosemoneytransactions.Hecouldnotbutfeel,hesaid,thathehadreceivedtheprebendalstallfromthehandsofMrSowerby;andundersuchcircumstances,consideringallthathadhappened,hecouldnotbeeasyinhismindaslongasheheldit.Whathewasabouttodowould,hewasaware,delayconsiderablyhisfinalsettlementwithLordLufton;butLufton,hehoped,wouldpardonthat,andagreewithhimastotheproprietyofwhathewasabouttodo.

OnthefirstblushofthethingLadyLuftondidnotquitegoalongwithhim.NowthatLordLuftonwastomarrytheparson\'ssisteritmightbewellthattheparsonshouldbeadignitaryoftheChurch;

anditmightbewell,also,thatonesonearlyconnectedwithhersonshouldbecomfortableinmoneymatters.Thereloomed,also,inthefuture,somedistantpossibilityofhigherclericalhonoursforapeer\'sbrother-in-law;andthetoprungoftheladderisalwaysmoreeasilyattainedwhenamanhasalreadyascendedasteportwo.But,nevertheless,whenthemattercametobefullyexplainedtoher,whenshesawclearlythecircumstancesunderwhichthestallhadbeenconferred,shedidagreethatithadbetterbegivenup.Andwellforbothofthemthatitwas——wellforthemallatFramley——thatthisconclusionhadbeenreachedbeforethescourgeofNemesishadfallen.Nemesis,ofcourse,declaredthatherscourgehadproducedtheresignation;butitwasgenerallyunderstoodthatthiswasafalseboast,forallclericalmenatBarchesterknewthatthestallhadbeenrestoredtothechapter,or,inotherwords,intothehandsoftheGovernment,beforeTomTowershadtwirledthefatallashabovehishead.Butthemannerofthetwirlingwasasfollows:-

\'Itiswithdifficultyenough,\'saidthearticleintheJupiter,\'thattheChurchofEnglandmaintainsatthepresentmomentthatascendancyamongthereligioussectsofthiscountrywhichitsoloudlyclaims.Andperhapsitisratherfromanold-fashionedandtime-honouredaffectionforitsstandingthanfromanyintrinsicmeritsofitsownthatsomesuchgeneralacknowledgementofitsascendancyisstillallowedtoprevail.If,however,thepatronsandclericalmembersofthisChurchareboldenoughtodisregardallgeneralrulesofdecentbehaviour,wethinkwemaypredictthatthischivalrousfeelingwillbefoundtogiveway.Fromtimetotimewehearofinstancesofsuchimprudence,andaremadetowonderatthefollyofthosewhoaresupposedtoholdtheStateChurchinthegreatestreverence.

\'Amongthosepositionsofdignifiedeasetowhichfortunateclergymenmaybepromotedarethestallsofthecanonsorprebendariesinourcathedrals.Someofthese,asiswellknown,carrylittleornoemolumentwiththem,butsomearerichinthegoodthingsoftheworld.Excellentfamilyhousesareattachedtothem,withwehardlyknowwhatdomesticprivileges,andclericalincomes,moreover,ofanamountwhich,ifdivided,wouldmakegladtheheartsofmanyahard-workingclericalslave.Reformhasbeenbusyevenamongthesestalls,attachingsomeamountofworktothepay,andparingoffsomesuperfluouswealthfromsuchofthemaswereoverfull;butreformhasbeenlenientwiththem,acknowledgingthatitwaswelltohavesomesuchplacesofcomfortableanddignifiedretirementforthosewhohavewornthemselvesoutinthehardworkoftheirprofession.Therehasoflateprevailedatastefortheappointmentofyoungbishops,producednodoubtafeelingthatbishopsshouldbemenfittedtogetthroughreallyhardwork;butwehaveneverheardthatyoungprebendarieswereconsidereddesirable.Aclergymanselectedforsuchapositionshould,wehavealwaysthought,haveearnedaneveningofeasebyalongdayofwork,andshould,aboveallthings,beonewhoselifehasbeen,andthereforeinhumanprobabilitywillbe,sodecorousastobehonourabletothecathedralofhisadoption.

\'Wewere,however,theotherdaygiventounderstandthatoneoftheseluxuriousbeneficesbelongingtothecathedralofBarchester,hadbeenbestowedintheRevMarkRobarts,thevicarofaneighbouringparish,ontheunderstandingthatheshouldholdthelivingandthestalltogether;andonmakingfurtherinquiryweweresurprisedtolearnthatthisfortunategentlemanisasyetunderthirtyyearsofage.Weweredesirous,howeverofbelievingthathislearning,hispiety,andhisconduct,mightbeofanaturetoaddpeculiargracetohischapter,andtherefore,thoughalmostunwillingly,weweresilent.Butnowithascometoourears,and,indeed,totheearsofalltheworld,thatthispietyandconductaresadlywanting;andjudgingofMrRobartsbyhislifeandassociates,weareinclinedtodoubtevenhislearning.Hehasatthismoment,oratanyratehadbutafewdayssince,anexecutioninhisparsonagehouseatFramley,onthesuitofcertainmostdisreputablebilldiscountersinLondon;andprobablywouldhaveanotherexecutioninhisotherhouseinBarchesterclose,butforthefactthathehasneverthoughtitnecessarytogointoresidence.\'

Thenfollowedsomeverystringent,and,nodoubt,much-neededadvicetothoseclericalmembersoftheChurchofEnglandwhoaresupposedtobemainlyresponsiblefortheconductoftheirbrethren;andthearticleendedasfollows:-

\'Manyofthesestallsareinthegiftoftherespectivedeansandchapters,andinsuchcasesthedeanandchaptersareboundtoseethatproperpersonsareappointed;butinotherinstancesthepowerofselectionisvestedintheCrown,andthenanequalresponsibilityrestsontheGovernmentoftheday.MrRobarts,welearn,wasappointedtothestallinBarchesterbythelatePrimeMinister,andwereallythinkthatagravecensurerestsonhimforthemannerinwhichhispatronagehasbeenexercised.Itmaybeimpossiblethatheshouldhimselfinallsuchcasessatisfyhimselfbypersonalinquiry.ButourGovernmentisaltogetherconductedonthefootingofvicarialresponsibility.Quodfacitperalium,facitperse,isaspecialmannertrueofourministers,andanymanwhorisestohighpositionamongthemmustabidebythedangertherebyincurred.InthispeculiarcaseweareinformedthattherecommendationwasmadebyaveryrecentlyadmittedmemberoftheCabinet,towhoseappointmentwealludedatthetimeasagreatmistake.Thegentlemaninquestionheldnohighindividualofficeofhisown;butevilsuchasthiswhichhasnowbeendoneatBarchester,isexactlythesortofmischiefwhichfollowstheexaltationofunfitmentohighpositions,eventhoughnogreathopeofexecutivefailuremaybeplacedwithintheirreach.

\'IfMrRobartswillallowustotendertohimouradvicehewilllosenotimeingoingthroughsuchceremonyasmaybenecessaryagaintoplacethestallatthedisposaloftheCrown!\'

ImayobservethatpoorHaroldSmith,whenhereadthis,writhinginagony,declaredittobethehandiworkofhishatedenemy,MrSupplehouse.Heknewthemark;so,atleast,hesaid;butImyselfaminclinedtobelievethathisanimositymisledhim.IthinkthatonegreaterthanMrSupplehousehadtakenuponhimselfthepunishmentofourpoorvicar.ThiswasverydreadfultothemallatFramley,and,whenfirstread,seemedtocrushthemtoatoms.

PoorMrsRobarts,whensheheardit,seemedtothinkthatforthemtheworldwasover.Anattempthadbeenmadetokeepitfromher,butsuchattemptsalwaysfail,asdidthis.Thearticlewascopiedintoallthegood-naturedlocalnewspapersandshesoondiscoveredthatsomethingwasbeinghidden.Atlastitwasshowntoherbyherhusband,andthenforafewhoursshewasannihilated;forafewdaysshewasunwillingtoshowherself;andforafewweeksshewasverysad.Butafterthattheworldseemedtogoonmuchasithaddonebefore;thesunshoneuponthemaswarmlyasthoughthearticlehadnotbeenwritten;andnotonlythesunofheaven,which,asarule,isnotlimitedinhisshininginanydisplayofpaganthunder,butalsothegenialsunoftheirownsphere,thewarmthandlightofwhichweresoessentiallynecessarytotheirhappiness.Neighbouringrectorsdidnotlookglum,nordidtherectors\'wivesrefusetocall.ThepeopleintheshopsatBarchesterdidnotregardherasthoughshewereadisgracedwoman,thoughitmustbeacknowledgedthatMrsProudiepassedherintheclosewiththecoldestnodofrecognition.

OnMrsProudie\'smindalonedidthearticleseemtohaveanyenduringeffect.Inonerespectitwas,perhaps,beneficial;LadyLuftonwasatonceinducedbyittomakecommoncausewithherownclergyman,andthustheremembranceofMrRobarts\'ssinspassedawaythequickerfromthemindsofthewholeFramleyCourthousehold.And,indeed,thecountyatlargewasnotabletogivetothematterthatundividedattentionwhichwouldhavebeenconsidereditsdueatperiodsofnomorethanordinaryinterest.

Atthepresentmomentpreparationswerebeingmadeforageneralelection,andalthoughnocontestwastotakeplaceintheeasterndivision,averyviolentfightwasbeingcarriedoninthewest;

andthecircumstancesofthatfightweresoexcitingthatMrRobartsandhisarticlewereforgottenbeforetheirtime.AnedicthadgoneforthfromGatherumCastledirectingthatMrSowerbyshouldbeturnedout,andanansweringnoteofdefiancehadbeensoundedfromChaldicotes,protestingonbehalfofMrSowerby,thattheduke\'sbehestwouldnotbeobeyed.

TherearetwoclassesofpersonsinthisrealmwhoareconstitutionallyinefficienttotakeanypartinreturningmembersofParliament——peers,namelyandwomen;andyetitwassoonknownthroughthewholelengthandbreadthofthecountythatthepresentelectioneeringfightwasbeingcarriedonbetweenapeerandawoman.MissDunstablehadbeendeclaredthepurchaseroftheChaceofChaldicotes,asitwere,justintheverynickoftime;whichpurchase——someninBarsetshiredeclared,notknowinganythingofthefacts,——wouldhavegonealtogethertheotherway,hadnotthegiantsobtainedtemporarysupremacyoverthegods.Thedukewasasupporterofthegods,andtherefore,soMrFothergillhinted,hismoneyhadbeenrefused.MissDunstablewaspreparedtobeardthisducalfriendofthegodsinhisowncounty,andthereforehermoneyhadbeentaken.Iaminclined,however,tothinkthatMrFothergillknewnothingaboutit,andtoopinethatMissDunstable,inhereagernessforvictory,offeredtotheCrownmoremoneythanthepropertywasworthintheduke\'sopinion,andthattheCrowntookadvantageofheranxiety,tothemanifestprofitofthepublicatlarge.AnditsoonbecameknownalsothatMissDunstablewas,infact,theproprietorofthewholeChaldicotesestate,andthatinpromotingthesuccessofMrSowerbyasacandidateforthecounty,shewasstandingbyherowntenant.Italsobecameknown,inthecourseofthebattle,thatMissDunstablehadherselfatlastsuccumbed,andthatshewasabouttomarryDrThorneofGreshambury,orthe"Greshamburyapothecary",astheadversepartynowdelightedtocallhim.\'Hehasbeenlittlebetterthanaquackallhislife,\'saidDrFillgrave,theeminentphysicianofBarchester,\'andnowheisgoingtomarryaquack\'sdaughter.\'Bywhich,andtheliketowhich,DrThornedidnotallowhimselftobemuchannoyed.ButallthisgaverisetoaverypettyseriesofsquibsarrangedbetweenMrFothergillandMrCloserstill,theelectioneeringagent.MrSowerbywasnamed\'thelady\'spet\',anddescriptionsweregivenoftheladywhokeptthispet,whichwerebynomeansflatteringtoMissDunstable\'sappearance,ormanners,orage.Andthenthewesterndivisionofthecountywasaskedinagravetone——ascountiesandboroughsareaskedbymeansofadvertisementsstuckuponblindwallsandbarndoors——whetheritwasfittingandproperthatitshouldberepresentedbyawoman.

Uponwhichthecountywasagainaskedwhetheritwasfittingandproperthatitshouldberepresentedbyaduke.AndthenthequestionbecamemorepersonalasagainstMissDunstable,andinquirywasurgedwhetherthecountywouldnotbeindeliblydisgracedifitwerenotonlyhandedovertoawoman,buthandedovertoawomanwhosoldtheoilofLebanon.Butlittlewasgotbythismove,foranansweringplacardexplainedtotheunfortunatecountyhowdeepwouldbeitsshame,ifitalloweditselftobecametheappanageofanypeer,butmoreespeciallyofapeerwhowasknowntobethemostimmorallordthateverdisgracedthebenchesoftheUpperHouse.Andsothebattlewentonveryprettily,and,asmoneywasallowedtoflowfreely,theWestBarsetshireworldatlargewasnotillsatisfied.Itiswonderfulhowmuchdisgraceofthatkindaboroughorcountycanendurewithoutflinching;andwonderful,also,seeinghowsupremeisthevalueattachedtotheConstitutionbytherealmatlarge,howverylittletheprinciplesofthatConstitutionarevaluedbythepeopleindetail.Theduke,ofcourse,didnotshowhimself.Herarelydidonanyoccasion,andneveronsuchoccasionsasthis;butMrFothergillwastobeseeneverywhere.MissDunstable,also,didnothideherlightunderabushel;thoughhereIdeclare,onthefaithofanhistorian,thattherumourspreadabroadofherhavingmadeaspeechtotheelectorsfromthetopoftheporchoverthehotel-dooratCourcywasnotfoundedonfact.NodoubtshewasatCourcy,andhercarriagestoppedatthehotel;butneithertherenorelsewheredidshemakeanypublicexhibition.\'TheymusthavemistakenmeforMrsProudie,\'shesaid,whentherumourreachedherears.Buttherewas,alas!onegreatelementoffailureonMissDunstable\'ssideofthebattle.MrSowerbyhimselfcouldnotbeinducedtofightitasbecameaman.Anypositiveinjunctionsthatwerelaiduponhimhedid,inasort,obey.Ithadbeenapartofthebargainthatheshouldstandthecontest,andfromthatbargainhecouldnotwellgoback.Buthehadnotthespiritlefttohimforanytruefightingonhisownpart.Hecouldnotgouponthehustings,andtheredefytheduke.EarlyintheaffairMrFothergillchallengedhimtodoso,andMrSowerbynevertookupthegauntlet.

\'Wehaveheard,\'saidMrFothergill,inthatgreatspeechwhichhemadeattheOmniumarmsatSilverbridge——\'wehaveheardmuchduringthiselectionoftheDukeofOmnium,oftheinjurieswhichheissupposedtohaveinflictedononeofthecandidates.Theduke\'snameisveryfrequentinthemouthsofthegentlemen——andofthelady——whosupportMrSowerby\'sclaims.ButIdonotthinkthatMrSowerbyhimselfhasdaredtosaymuchabouttheduke.IdefyMrSowerbytomentiontheduke\'snameuponthehustings.\'AnditsohappenedthatMrSowerbyneverdidmentiontheduke\'sname.

Itisillfightingwhenthespirititgone,andMrSowerby\'sspiritforsuchthingswasnotwellnighbroken.Itistruethathehadescapedfromthenetinwhichtheduke,byMrFothergill\'said,hadentangledhim;buthehadonlybrokenoutofonecaptivityintoanother.Moneyisaseriousthing;andwhengonecannotbehadbackbyashuffleinthegame,orafortunateblowwiththebattledore,asmaypoliticalpower,orreputation,orfashion.Onehundredthousandpoundsgone,mustremainasgone,letthepersonwhoclaimstohavehadthehonourofadvancingitbeMrsBormyLordC.Noluckydodgecanerasesuchaclaimfromthethingsthatbe——unless,indeed,suchdodgebepossibleasMrSowerbytriedwithMissDunstable.Itwasbetterforhim,undoubtedly,tohavetheladyforacreditorthantheduke,seeingthatitwaspossibleforhimtoliveasatenantinhisownoldhouseunderthelady\'sreign.Butthishefoundtobeasadenoughlife,afterallthatwascomeandgone.

TheelectiononMissDunstable\'spartwaslost.Shecarriedonthecontestnobly,fightingittothelastmoment,andsparingneitherherownmoneynorthatofherantagonist;butshecarrieditonunsuccessfully.ManygentlemendidsupportMrSowerbybecausetheywerewillingenoughtoemancipatetheircountyfromtheduke\'sthraldom;butMrSowerbywasfelttobeablacksheep,asLadyLuftonhadcalledhim,andatthecloseoftheelectionhefoundhimselfbanishedfromtherepresentationofWestBarsetshire;——

banishedforever,afterhavingheldthecountyforfive-and-twentyyears.UnfortunateMrSowerby!Icannottakeleaveofhimherewithoutsomefeelingofregret,knowingthattherewasthatwithinhimwhichmight,underbetterguidance,haveproducedbetterthings.Therearemen,evenofhighbirth,whoseemasthoughtheywereborntoberogues;butMrSowerbywas,tomythinking,borntobeagentleman.Thathehadnotbeenagentleman——thathehadboltedfromhisappointedcourse,goingterriblyonthewrongsideoftheposts——letusallacknowledge.

Itisnotagentlemanlikedeed,butaveryblackguardaction,toobtainafriend\'sacceptancetoabillinanunguardedhourofsocialintercourse.Thatandothersimilardoingshavestampedhischaractertooplainly.But,nevertheless,IclaimatearofMrSowerby,andlamentthathehasfailedtorunhisracediscreetly,inaccordancewiththerulesoftheJockeyClub.HeattemptedthatplanoflivingasatenantinhisoldhouseatChaldicotes,andofmakingalivingoutofthelandwhichhefarmed;buthesoonabandonedit.Hehadnoaptitudeforsuchindustry,andhecouldnotendurehisalteredpositioninthecounty.HesoonrelinquishedChaldicotesofhisownaccord,andhasvanishedaway,assuchmendovanish——notaltogetherwithoutnecessaryincome;towhichpointinthefinalarrangementoftheirjointaffairs,MrsThorne\'smanofbusiness——ifImaybeallowedsofartoanticipate——paidspecialattention.AndthusLordDumbello,theduke\'snominee,gotin,astheduke\'snomineehaddoneforverymanyyearspast.TherewasnoNemesishere——noneasyet.

Nevertheless,shewiththelamefootwillassuredlycatchhim,theduke,ifitbethathedeservetobecaught.Withushisgrace\'sappearancehasbeensounfrequentthatIthinkwemayomittomakeanyfurtherinquiryastohisconcerns.

Onepoint,however,isworthyofnotice,asshowingthegoodsensewithwhichwemanageouraffairshereinEngland.InanearlyportionofthisstorythereaderwasintroducedtotheinteriorofGatherumCastle,andtheresawMissDunstableentertainedbythedukeinthemostfriendlymanner.Sincethosedaystheladyhasbecometheduke\'sneighbour,andhaswagedawarwithhim,whichheprobablyfelttobeveryvexatious.But,nevertheless,onthenextgreatoccasionatGatherumCastle,DoctorandMrsThornewereamongthevisitors,andtonoonewasthedukemorepersonallycourteousthantohisopulentneighbour,thelateMissDunstable.

CHAPTERXLVIII

HOWTHEYWEREALLMARRIED,HADTWOCHILDREN,ANDLIVEDHAPPYEVER

AFTER

Dearaffectionate,sympatheticreaders,wehavefourcoupleofsighingloverswithwhomtodealinthisourlastchapter,andI,asleaderofthechorus,disdaintopressyoufurtherwithdoubtsastothehappinessofanyofthatquadrille.Theywereallmadehappy,inspiteofthatlittleepisodewhichsolatelytookplaceatBarchester;andintellingoftheirhappiness——shortly,asisnownecessary——wewilltakethemchronologically,givingprecedencetothosewhofirstappearedatthehymenealaltar.InJuly,then,atthecathedral,bythefatherofthebride,assistedbyhisexaminingchaplain,OliviaProudie,theeldestdaughteroftheBishopofBarchester,wasjoinedinmarriagetotheRevTobiasTickler,incumbentoftheTrinitydistrictchurchinBethnalGreen.Ofthebridegroominthisinstance,ouracquaintancehasbeensoshort,thatitisnot,perhaps,necessarytosaymuch.Whencomingtotheweddingheproposedtobringhisthreedarlingchildrenwithhim;butinthismeasurehewas,Ithinkprudently,stoppedbytheadvice,ratherstronglyworded,fromhisfuturevaluedmother-in-law.MrTicklerwasnotanopulentman,norhadhehithertoattainedanygreatfameinhisprofession;but,attheageofforty-threehestillhadsufficientopportunitybeforehim,andnowthathismerithasbeenproperlyviewedbyhighecclesiasticaleyestherefreshingdewofdeservedpromotionwillnodoubtfalluponhim.Themarriagewasverysmart,andOliviacarriedherselfthroughthetryingordealwithanexcellentproprietyofconduct.Uptothattime,andevenforafewdayslonger,therewasdoubtatBarchesterastothatstrangejourneywhichLordDumbellodidtaketoFrance.WhenamansocircumstancedwillsuddenlygotoParis,withoutnoticegiveneventohisfuturebride,peoplemustdoubt;andgraveweretheapprehensionsexpressedonthisoccasionbyMrsProudie,evenatherchild\'sweddingbreakfast.\'Godblessyou,mydearchildren,\'

shesaid,standingupattheheadofhertableassheaddressedMrTicklerandhiswife;\'whenIseeyourperfecthappiness——perfect,thatis,asfarahumanhappinesscanbemadeperfectinthisvaleoftears——andthinkoftheterriblecalamitywhichhasfallenonourunfortunateneighbours,IcannotbutacknowledgeHisinfinitemercyandgoodness.TheLordgivethandtheLordtakethaway.\'Bywhichsheintended,nodoubt,tosignifythatwhereasMrTicklerhadbeengiventoherOlivia,LordDumbellohadbeentakenawayfromthearchdeacon\'sGriselda.ThehappycouplethenwentinMrsProudie\'scarriagetothenearestrailwaystationbutone,andfromthenceproceededtoMalvern,andtherespenttheirhoneymoon.Andagreatcomfortitwas,Iamsure,toMrsProudiewhenauthenticatedtidingsreachedBarchesterthatLordDumbellohadreturnedfromParisandthattheHartletop-Grantlyalliancewastobecarriedtoitscompletion.Shestill,however,heldheropinion——whethercorrectlyornotwhoshallsay?——thattheyounglordhadintendedtoescape.\'Thearchdeaconhasshowngreatfirmnessinthewayinwhichhehasdoneit,\'saidMrsProudie;\'butwhetherhehasconsultedthechild\'sbestinterestsinforcingherintoamarriagewithanunwillinghusband,Iforonemusttakeleavetodoubt.Butthen,unfortunately,weallknowhowcompletelythearchdeaconisdevotedtoworldlymatters.\'

Inthisinstancethearchdeacon\'sdevotiontoworldlymatterswasrewardedbythatsuccesswhichhenodoubtdesired.HedidgouptoLondon,anddidseeoneortwoofLordDumbello\'sfriends.Thishedid,notobtrusively,asthoughinfearofanyfalsehoodorvacillationonthepartoftheviscount,butwiththatdiscretionandtactforwhichhehasbeensolongnoted.MrsProudiedeclaresthatduringthefewdaysofhisabsencefromBarsetshirehehimselfcrossedtoFranceandhunteddownLordDumbelloatParis.AstothisIamnotpreparedtosayanything;butIamquitesure,aswillbeallthosewhoknewthearchdeacon,thathewasnotamantoseehisdaughterwrongedaslongasanymeasureremainedbywhichsuchwrongmightbeavoided.But,bethatasitmay——thatmootedquestionastothearchdeacon\'sjourneytoParis——LordDumbellowasforthcomingatPlumsteadonthe5thAugust,andwentthroughhisworklikeaman.TheHartletopfamily,whenthealliancewasfoundtobeinevitable,endeavouredtoarrangethattheweddingshouldbeheldatHartletopPriory,inorderthattheclericaldustanddinginessofBarchesterClosemightnotsoilthesplendourofthemarriagegaladoings;for,totellthetruth,theHartletopians,asarule,werenotproudoftheirnewclericalconnexions.ButonthissubjectMrsGrantlywasveryproperlyinexorable;norwhenanattemptwasmadeonthebridetoinducehertothrowoverhermammaatthelastmomentandpronounceforherselfthatshewouldbemarriedatthepriory,wasitattendedwithanysuccess.TheHartletopsknewnothingoftheGrantlyfibreandcalibre,ortheywouldhavemadenosuchattempt.ThemarriagetookplaceatPlumstead,andonthemorningofthedayLordDumbellopostedoverfromBarchestertotherectory.Theceremonywasperformedbythearchdeacon,withoutassistance,althoughthedean,andtheprecentor,andtwootherclergymen,wereattheceremony.

Griselda\'sproprietyofconductwasquiteequaltothatofOliviaProudie;indeed,nothingcouldexceedthestatuesquegraceandfinearistocraticbearingwithwhichshecarriedherselfontheoccasion.Thethreeorfourwordswhichtheservicerequiredofhershesaidwitheaseanddignity;therewasneithersobbingnorcryingtodisturbtheworkorembarrassherfriends,andshesignedhernameinthechurchbooksas"GriseldaGrantly"withoutatremor——andwithoutaregret.

MrsGrantlykissedherandblessedherinthehallsasshewasabouttostepforwardtohertravellingcarriageleaningonherfather\'sarm,andthechildputupherfacetohermotherforalastwhisper.\'Mamma,\'shesaid,\'IsupposeJanecanputoutherhandatonceonthemoireantiquewhenwereachDover?\'MrsGrantlysmiledandnodded,andagainblessedthechild.Therewasnotatearshed——atleast,notthen——norasignofsorrowtocloudforamomentthegaysplendouroftheday.Butthemotherdidbethinkherself,inthesolitudeofherownroom,ofthoselastwords,anddidacknowledgealackofsomethingforwhichherhearthadsighed.Shehadboastedtohersisterthatshehadnothingtoregretastoherdaughter\'seducation;butnow,whenshewasaloneafterhersuccess,didshefeelthatshecouldstillsupportherselfwiththatboast?For,beitknown,MrsGrantlyhadaheartwithinherbosomandafaithwithinherheart.Theworld,itistrue,hadpresseduponhersorelywithallitsweightofaccumulatedclericalwealth,butithadnotutterlycrushedher——nother,butonlyherchild.Forthesinsofthefather,aretheynotvisitedonthethirdandfourthgeneration?ButifanysuchfeelingofremorsedidforawhilemarthefullnessofMrsGrantly\'sjoy,itwassoondispelledbytheperfectsuccessofherdaughter\'smarriedlife.Attheendoftheautumnthebrideandbridegroomreturnedfromtheirtour,anditwasevidenttoallthecircleatHartletopPriorythatLordDumbellowasbynomeansdissatisfiedwithhisbargain.Hiswifehadbeenadmiredeverywheretothetopofhisbent.AlltheworldatEms,andBaden,andatNice,hadbeenstrickenbythestatelybeautyoftheyoungcountess.Andthen,too,hermanner,style,andhighdignityofdemeanouraltogethersupportedthereverentialfeelingwhichhergraceandformfirstinspired.Sheneverderogatedfromherhusband\'shonourbythefictitiouslivelinessofgossip,orallowedanyonetoforgetthepeeressinthewoman.LordDumbellosoonfoundthathisreputationfordiscretionwasquitesafeinherhands,andthattherewerenolessonsastoconductinwhichitwasnecessarythatheshouldgiveinstruction.BeforethewinterwasovershehadequallywontheheartsofallthecircleatHartletopPriory.ThedukewasthereanddeclaredtothemarchionessthatDumbellocouldnotpossiblyhavedonebetter.\'Indeed,Idothinkhecould,\'saidthehappymother.\'Sheseesallthatsheoughttosee,andnothingthatsheoughtnot.\'

Andthen,inLondon,whentheseasoncame,allmensangallmannerofpraisesinherfavourandLordDumbellowasmadeawarethathewasreckonedamongthewisestofhisage.Hewasmarriedawifewhomanagedeverythingforhim,whonevertroubledhim,whomnowomandisliked,andwhomeverymanadmired.Asforfeastofreasonandforflowofsoul,isnotaquestionwhetheranysuchflowsandfeastsarenecessarybetweenamanandhiswife?Howmanymencantrulyassertthattheyeverenjoyconnubialflowsofsoul,orthatconnubialfeastsofreasonareintheirnatureenjoyable?Butahandsomewomanattheheadofyourtable,whoknowshowtodress,andhowtosit,andhowtogetinandoutofhercarriage——whowillnotdisgraceherlordbyherignorance,orfrethimbyhercoquetry,ordisparagehimbyhertalent——howbeautifulathingitis!FormyownpartIthinkthatGriseldaGrantlywasborntobethewifeofagreatEnglishpeer.

\'Afterall,then,\'saidMissDunstable,speakingofLadyDumbello——shewasMrsThorneatthistime——\'afterall,thereissometruthinwhatourquaintlatter-dayphilosopherstellus——"Greatarethypowers,OSilence!"\'Themarriageofourfriends,DrThorneandMissDunstable,wasthethirdonthelist,butthatdidnottakeplacetilltheendofSeptember.Thelawyersonsuchanoccasionhadnoinconsiderableworktoaccomplish,andthoughtheladywasnotcoy,northegentlemanslow,itwasnotfoundpracticabletoarrangeanearlierwedding.TheceremonywasperformedatStGeorge\'s,HanoverSquare,andwasnotbrilliantinanyspecialdegree.Londonatthetimewasempty,andthefewpersonswhosepresencewasactuallynecessarywereimportedfromthecountryfortheoccasion.ThebridewasgivenawaybyDrEasyman,andthetwobridesmaidswereladieswhohadlivedwithMissDunstableascompanions.YoungMrGreshamandhiswifewerethere,aswasalsoMrsHaroldSmith,whowasnotatallpreparedtodropherownfriendinhernewsphereoflife.\'WeshallcallherMrsThorneinsteadofMissDunstable,andIreallythinkthatwillbeallthedifference,\'saidMrsHaroldSmith.ToMrsHaroldSmiththatprobablywasallthedifference,butitwasnotsotothepersonsmostconcerned.

AccordingtotheplanoflifearrangedbetweenthedoctorandhiswifeshewasstilltokeepupherhouseinLondon,remainingthereduringsuchperiodoftheseasonasshemightchoose,andreceivinghimwhenitmightappeargoodtohimtovisither;buthewastobethemasterinthecountry.AmansionattheChacewastobebuilt,andtillsuchtimeasthatwascompleted,theywouldkeeptheoldhouseatGreshambury.Intothis,smallasitwas,MrsThorne,——inspiteofhergreatwealth,——didnotdisdaintoenter.Butsubsequentcircumstanceschangedtheirplans.ItwasfoundthatMrSowerbycouldnotorwouldnotliveatChaldicotes;and,therefore,inthesecondyearoftheirmarriage,thatplacewaspreparedforthem.TheyarenowwellknowntothewholecountyasDrandMrsThorneofChaldicotes,——ofChaldicotes,indistinctiontothewell-knownThornesofUllathorneintheeasterndivision.Heretheyliverespectedbytheirneighbours,andontermsofalliancebothwiththeDukeofOmniumandwithLadyLufton.\'Ofcoursethosedearoldavenueswillbeverysadtome,\'saidMrsHaroldSmith,whenattheendofaLondonseasonshewasinviteddowntoChaldicotes;andasshespokesheputherhandkerchiefuptohereyes.

\'Well,dear,whatcanIdo?\'saidMrsThorne.\'Ican\'tcutthemdown;thedoctorwouldnotletme.\'

\'Oh,no,\'saidMrsHaroldSmith,sighing;andinspiteofherfeelingshedidvisitChaldicotes.

ButitwasOctoberbeforeLordLuftonwasmadeahappyman;——thatis,ifthefruitionofhishappinesswasagreaterjoythantheanticipationofit.IwillnotsaythatthehappinessofmarriageisliketheDeadSeafruit——anapplewhich,wheneaten,turnstobitterashesinthemouth.Suchpretendedsarcasmwouldbeveryfalse.Nevertheless,isitnotafactthatthesweetestmorseloflove\'sfeasthasbeeneaten,thatthefreshest,fairestblushoftheflowerhasbeensnatchedandhaspassedaway,whentheceremonyatthealtarhasbeenperformed,andlegalpossessionhasbeengiven?Thereisanaromaoflove,anundefinabledelicacyofflavour,whichescapesandisgonebeforethechurchportalisleft,vanishingwiththemaidenname,andincompatiblewiththesolidcomfortappertainingtotherankofwife.Toloveone\'sownspouse,andtobelovedbyher,istheordinarylotofman,andisadutyexactedunderpenalties.Buttobeallowedtoloveyouthandbeautythatisnotone\'sown——toknowthatoneislovedbyasoftbeingwhostillhangscoweringfromtheeyeoftheworldasthoughherlovewereallbutillicit——canitbethatamanismadehappywhenastateofanticipationsuchasthisisbroughttoaclose?

No;whenthehusbandwalksbackfromthealtar,hehasalreadyswallowedthechoicestdaintiesofhisbanquet.Thebeefandpuddingofmarriedlifearetheninstoreforhim;——orperhapsonlythebreadofcheese.Lethimtakecarelesthardlyacrustremain——orperhapsnotacrust.Butbeforewefinish,letusgobackforonemomenttothedainties——tothetimebeforethebeefandpuddingwereserved——whileLucywasstillattheparsonage,andLordLuftonstillstayingatFramleyCourt.Hehadcomeuponemorning,aswasnowfrequentlyhiswont,and,afterafewminutes\'

conversation,MrsRobartshadlefttheroom——asnotunfrequentlyonsuchoccasionswasherwont.Lucywasworkingandcontinuedherwork,andLordLuftonforamomentortwosatlookingather;thenhegotupabruptly,and,standingbeforeher,thusquestionedher:-

\'Lucy,\'saidhe.

\'Well,whatofLucynow?Anyparticularfaultthismorning?\'

\'Yes,amostparticularfault.WhenIaskedyou,here,inthisroom,onthisveryspot,whetheritwaspossiblethatyoushouldloveme——whydidyousaythatitwasimpossible?\'

Lucy,insteadofansweringatthemoment,lookeddownuponthecarpet,toseeifhismemorywasasgoodashers.Yes;hewasstandingontheexactspotwherehehadstoodbefore.Nospotinalltheworldwasmorefrequentlyclearbeforehereyes.

\'Doyourememberthatday,Lucy?\'hesaidagain.

\'Yes,Irememberit,\'shesaid.

\'Whydidyousayitwasimpossible?\'

\'DidIsayimpossible?\'Sheknewthatshehadsaidso.Sherememberedhowshehadwaitedtillhehadgone,andthatthen,goingtoherownroom,shehadreproachedherselfwiththecowardiceofthefalsehood.Shehadliedtohimthen;andnow——howwasshepunishedforit?

\'Well,Isupposeitwaspossible,\'shesaid.

\'Butwhydidyousaysowhenyouknewitwouldmakemesomiserable?\'

\'Miserable!nay,butyouwentawayhappyenough!IthoughtIhadneverseenyoulookbettersatisfied.\'

\'Lucy!\'

\'Youhaddoneyourduty,andhadhadsuchaluckyescape!Whatastonishesmeisthatyoushouldhaveevercomebackagain.Butthepitchermaygotothewelloncetoooften,LordLufton.\'

\'Butwillyoutellmethetruthnow?\'

\'Whattruth?\'

\'Thatday,whenIcametoyou——didyoulovemeatallthen?\'

\'We\'llletbygonesbebygones,ifyouplease.\'

\'ButIswearyoushalltellme.Itwassuchacruelthingtoanswermeasyoudid,unlessyoumeantit.AndyetyouneversawmeagaintillaftermymotherhadbeenoverforyoutoMrsCrawley\'s.\'

\'Itwasabsencethatmademe——careforyou.\'

\'Lucy,IswearIbelieveyoulovedmethen.\'

\'Ludovic,someconjurermusthavetoldyouthat.\'Shewasstandingasshespoke,and,laughingathim,sheheldupherhandsandshookherhead.Butshewasnowinhispower,andhehadhisrevenge——hisrevengeforherpastfalsehoodandherpresentjoke.

Howcouldhebemorehappywhenhewasmadehappybyhavingallhisown,thanhewasnow?Andinthesedaysthereagaincameupthatpetitionastoherriding——withverydifferentresultnowthanonthatformeroccasion.Thereweresomanyobjections,then.Therewasnohabit,andLucywas——orsaidshewas——afraid;andthen,whatwouldLadyLuftonsay?ButnowLadyLuftonthoughtitwouldbequiteright;onlyweretheyquitesureaboutthehorse?WasLudoviccertainthatthehorsehadbeenriddenbyalady?AndLadyMeredith\'shabitsweredraggedoutasamatterofcourse,andoneofthemchippedandsnippedandaltered,withoutanycompunction.

Andasforfear,therecouldbenobolderhorsewomanthanLucyRobarts.ItwasquitecleartoallFramleythatridingwastheverythingforher.\'ButInevershallbehappy,Ludovic,tillyouhavegotahorseproperlysuitedforher,\'saidLadyLufton.Andthen,also,cametheaffairofherweddinggarments,ofhertrousseau——astowhichIcannotboastthatsheshowedcapacityorsteadinessatallequaltothatofLadyDumbello.LadyLufton,however,thoughtitaveryseriousmatter;andas,inheropinion,MrsRobartsdidnotgoaboutitwithsufficientenergy,shetookthemattermainlyintoherownhands,strikingLucydumbbyherfrownsandnods,decidingoneverythingherself,downtotheverytagsoftheboot-ties.

\'Mydear,youreallymustallowmetoknowwhatIamabout;\'andLadyLuftonpattedheronthearmasshespoke.\'IdiditallforJustinia,andsheneverhadreasontoregretasinglethingthatI

bought.Ifyou\'llaskher,she\'lltellyouso.\'Lucydidnotaskherfuturesister-in-law,seeingthatshehadnodoubtwhateverastoherfuturemother-in-law\'sjudgementonthearticlesinquestion.Onlythemoney!Andwhatcouldshewantwithsixdozenpocket-handkerchiefsallatonce?TherewasnoquestionofLordLufton\'sgoingoutasGovernor-GeneraltoIndia!Buttwelvedozenpocket-handkerchiefshadnotbeentoomanyforGriselda\'simagination.AndLucywouldsitaloneinthedrawing-roomatFramleyCourt,fillingherheartwiththoughtsofthateveningwhenshehadfirstsatthere.Shehadthenresolved,painfully,withinwardtears,withgroaningsofherspirit,thatshewaswronglyplacedinbeinginthatcompany.GriseldaGrantlyhadbeenthere,quiteatherease,pettedbyLadyLufton,admiredbyLordLufton;

whileshehadretiredoutofsight,soreatheart,becauseshefeltherselftobenofitcompaniontothosearoundher.Thenhehadcometoher,makingmattersalmostworstbytalkingtoher,bringingthetearsintohereyesbyhisgood-nature,butstillwoundingherbythefeelingthatshecouldnotspeaktohimatherease.Butthingswereatadifferentpasswithhernow.Hehadchosenher——heroutofalltheworld,andbroughthertheretosharewithhimhisownhome,hisownhonours,andallthathehadtogive.Shewastheappleofhiseye,andtheprideofhisheart.Andthesternmother,ofwhomshehadstoodinsomuchawe,whoatfirsthadpassedherbyasathingnottobenoticed,andhadthensentouttoherthatshemightbewarnedtokeepherselfaloof,nowhardlyknewinwhatwayshemightsufficientlyshowherlove,regardandsolicitude.

ImustnotsaythatLucywasnotproudinthesemoments——thatherheartwasnotelatedatthesethoughts.Successdoesbegetpride,asfailurebegetsshame.Butherpridewasofthatsortwhichisnowaydisgracefultoeithermanorwoman,andwasaccompaniedbypuretruelove,andafullresolutiontodoherdutyinthatstateoflifetowhichithadpleasedherGodtocallher.Shedidrejoicegreatlytothinkthatshehadbeenchosen,andnotGriselda.Wasitpossiblethathavinglovedsheshouldnotsorejoice,orthat,rejoicing,sheshouldnotbeproudofherlove?

Theyspentthewholewinterabroad,leavingthedowagerLadyLuftontoherplansandpreparationsfortheirreceptionatFramleyCourt;

andinthefollowingspringtheyappearedinLondon,andtheresetuptheirstaff.Lucyhadsometremblingsofthespirit,andquiveringsabouttheheart,atthusbeginningherdutybeforethegreatworld,butshesaidlittleornothingtoherhusbandonthematter.Otherwomenhaddoneasmuchbeforehertime,andbycouragehadgonethroughwithit.Itwouldbedreadfulenough,thatpositioninherownhousewithlordsandladiesbowingtoher,andstiffmembersofParliamentforwhomitwouldbenecessarytomakesmalltalk;but,nevertheless,itwastobeendured.Thetimecame,andshedidendureit.Thetimecame,andbeforethefirstsixweekswereovershefoundthatitwaseasyenough.Thelordsandladiesgotintotheirproperplacesandtalkedtoheraboutordinarymattersinawaythatmadenoeffortnecessary,andthemembersofParliamentwerehardlymorestiffthantheclergymenshehadknownintheneighbourhoodofFramley.ShehadnotbeenlongintownbeforeshemetLadyDumbello.Atthisinterviewalsoshehadtoovercomesomelittleinwardemotion.OnthefewoccasionsonwhichshehadmetGriseldaGrantlyatFramleytheyhadnotmuchprogressedinfriendship,andLucyhadfeltthatshehadbeendespisedbytherichbeauty.Shealsoinherturnhaddisliked,ifshehadnotdespised,herrival.Buthowwoulditbenow?LadyDumbellocouldhardlydespiseher,andyetitdidnotseempossiblethattheyshouldmeetasfriends.Theydidmeet,andLucycameforwardwithaprettyeagernesstogiveherhandtoLadyLufton\'slatefavourite.LadyDumbellosmiledslightly——thesamesmilewhichhadcomeacrossherfacewhentheytwohadbeenfirstintroducedintheFramleydrawing-room;thesamesmilewithoutthevariationofaline,——tooktheofferedhand,mutteredawordortwo,andthenreceded.Itwasexactlyasshehaddonebefore.ShehadneverdespisedLucyRobarts.Shehadaccordedtotheparson\'ssistertheamountofcordialitywithwhichsheusuallyreceivedheracquaintance;andnowshecoulddonomoreforthepeer\'swife.

LadyDumbelloandLadyLuftonhaveknowneachothereversince,andhaveoccasionallyvisitedeachother\'shouses,buttheintimacybetweenthemhasnevergonebeyondthis.

Thedowagercameuptotownforaboutamonth,andwhiletherecontentedtofillasecondplace.ShehadnodesiretobethegreatladyinLondon.ButthencamethetryingperiodwhentheycommencedtheirlifetogetheratFramleyCourt.Theelderladyformallyrenouncedherplaceatthetopofthetable——formallypersistedinrenouncingitthoughLucywithtearsimploredhertoresumeit.Shesaidalso,withequalformality——repeatingherdeterminationoverandoveragaintoMrsRobartswithgreatenergy,——thatshewouldinnorespectdetractbyinterferenceofherownfromtheauthorityofthepropermistressofthehouse;

but,nevertheless,itiswellknowntoeveryoneatFramleythatoldLadyLuftonstillreignsparamountintheparish.

\'Yes,mydear;thebigroomlookingintothelittlegardentothesouthwasalwaysthenursery;andifyouaskmyadvice,itwillremainso.But,ofcourse,anyroomyouplease——\'

AndthebigroomlookingintothelittlegardentothesouthisstillthenurseryatFramleyCourt.

End