'OMNESOMNIABONADICERE'

WhenyoungMarkRobartswasleavingcollege,hisfathermightwelldeclarethatallmenbegantosayallgoodthingstohim,andtoextolhisfortuneinthathehadasonblessedwithanexcellentdisposition.ThisfatherwasaphysicianlivingatExeter.Hewasagentlemanpossessedofnoprivatemeans,butenjoyingalucrativepractice,whichhadenabledhimtomaintainandeducateafamilywithalltheadvantageswhichmoneycangiveinthiscountry.Markwashiseldestsonandsecondchild;andthefirstpageortwoofthisnarrativemustbeconsumedingivingacatalogueofthegoodthingswhichchanceandconducttogetherhadheapeduponthisyoungman'shead.

Hisfirststepforwardinlifehadarisenfromhishavingbeensent,whilestillveryyoung,asaprivatepupiltothehouseofaclergyman,whowasanoldfriendandintimatefriendofhisfather's.

Thisclergymanhadoneother,andonlyoneother,pupil——theyoungLordLufton;andbetweenthetwoboys,therehadsprungupaclosealliance.Whiletheywerebothsoplaced,LadyLuftonhadvisitedherson,andtheninvitedyoungRobartstopasshisnextholidaysatFramleyCourt.Thisvisitwasmade;anditendedinMarkgoingbacktoExeterwithaletterfullofpraisefromthewidowedpeeress.Shehadbeendelighted,shesaid,inhavingsuchacompanionforherson,andexpressedahopethattheboysmightremaintogetherduringthecourseoftheireducation.

DrRobartswasamanwhothoughtmuchofthebreathofpeersandpeeresses,andwasbynomeansinclinedtothrowawayanyadvantagewhichmightarisetohischildfromsuchafriendship.When,therefore,theyounglordwassenttoHarrow,MarkRobartswenttherealso.

Thatthelordandhisfriendoftenquarrelled,andoccasionallyfought,——thefacteventhatforaperiodofthreemonthstheyneverspoketoeachother——bynomeansinterferedwiththedoctor'shopes.MarkagainandagainstayedafortnightatFramleyCourt,andLadyLuftonalwayswroteabouthiminthehighestterms.AndthentheladswenttogethertoOxford,andhereMark'sgoodfortunefollowedhim,consistingratherinthehighlyrespectablemannerinwhichhelived,thaninanywonderfulcareerofcollegiatesuccess.Hisfamilywasproudofhim,andthedoctorwasalwaysreadytotalkofhimtohispatients;notbecausehewasaprize-man,andhadgottenascholarship,butonaccountoftheexcellenceofhisgeneralconduct.Helivedwiththebestset——heincurrednodebts——hewasfondofsociety,butabletoavoidlowsociety——likedhisglassofwine,butwasneverknowntobedrunk;

andaboveallthings,wasoneofthemostpopularmenintheUniversity.ThencamethequestionofaprofessionfortheyoungHyperion,andonthissubjectDrRobartswasinvitedhimselftogoovertoFramleyCourttodiscussthematterwithLadyLufton.

DrRobartsreturnedwithaverystrongconceptionthattheChurchwastheprofessionbestsuitedtohisson.

LadyLuftonhadnotsentforDrRobartsallthewayfromExeterfornothing.ThelivingofFramleywasinthegiftofLadyLufton'sfamily,andthenextpresentationwouldbeinLadyLufton'shands,ifitshouldfallvacantbeforetheyounglordwastwenty-fiveyearsofage,andintheyounglord'shandsifitshouldfallafterwards.ButthemotherandtheheirconsentedtogiveajointpromisetoDrRobarts.Now,asthepresentincumbentwasoverseventy,andasthelivingwasworth900poundsayear,therecouldbenodoubtastotheeligibilityoftheclericalprofession.AndImustfurthersay,thatthedowagerandthedoctorwerejustifiedintheirchoicebythelifeandprinciplesoftheyoungman——asfarasanyfathercanbejustifiedinchoosingsuchaprofessionforhisson,andasfarasanylayimpropriatorcanbejustifiedinmakingsuchapromise.HadLadyLuftonhadasecondson,thatsecondsonwouldprobablyhavehadtheliving,andnoonewouldhavethoughtitwrong;——certainlynotifthatsecondsonhadbeensuchaoneasMarkRobarts.

LadyLuftonherselfwasawomanwhothoughtmuchonreligiousmatters,andwouldbynomeanshavebeendisposedtoplaceanyoneinaliving,merelybecausesuchaonehadbeenherson'sfriend.

HertendencieswereHighChurch,andshewasenabledtoperceivethatthoseofyoungMarkRobartsraninthesamedirection.Shewasverydesirousthathersonshouldmakeanassociateofhisclergyman,andbythisstepshewouldensure,atanyrate,that.

Shewasanxiousthattheparishvicarshouldbeonewithwhomshecouldherselffullyco-operate,andwasperhapsunconsciouslywishfulthathemightinsomemeasurebesubjecttoherinfluence.

Shouldsheappointanelderman,thismightprobablynotbethecasetothesameextent;andshouldhersonhavethegift,itmightprobablynotbethecaseatall.And,therefore,itwasresolvedthatthelivingshouldbegiventoyoungRobarts.

Hetookhisdegree——notwithanybrilliancy,butquiteinthemannerthathisfatherdesired;hethentravelledforeightortenmonthswithLordLuftonandacollegedon,andalmostimmediatelyafterhisreturnhomewasordained.

ThelivingofFramleyisinthedioceseofBarchester;and,seeingwhatwereMark'shopeswithreferencetothatdiocese,itwasbynomeansdifficulttogethimacuracywithinit.Butthiscuracyhewasnotallowedlongtofill.Hehadnotbeeninitaboveatwelvemonth,whenpooroldDrStopford,thethenvicarofFramley,wasgatheredtohisfathers,andthefullfruitionofhisrichhopesfelluponhisshoulders.

Butevenyetmoremustbetoldofhisgoodfortunebeforewecancometotheactualincidentsofourstory.LadyLufton,who,asI

havesaid,thoughtmuchofclericalmatters,didnotcarryherHighChurchprinciplessofarastoadvocatecelibacyfortheclergy.Onthecontrary,shehadanideathatamancouldnotbeagoodparishparsonwithoutawife.So,havinggiventoherfavouriteapositionintheworld,andanincomesufficientforagentleman'swants,shesetherselftoworktofindhimapartnerinthoseblessings.Andherealso,asinothermatters,hefellinwiththeviewsofhispatroness——not,however,thattheyweredeclaredtohiminthatmarkedmannerinwhichtheaffairofthelivinghadbeenbroached.LadyLuftonwasmuchtoohighlygiftedwithwoman'scraftforthat.ShenevertoldtheyoungvicarthatMissMonsellaccompaniedherladyship'smarrieddaughtertoFramleyCourtexpresslythathe,Mark,mightfallinlovewithher;butsuchwasintruththecase.

LadyLuftonhadbuttwochildren.Theeldest,adaughter,hadbeenmarriedsomefourorfiveyearstoSirGeorgeMeredith,andthisMissMonsellwasadearfriendofhers.Andhowloomsbeforemethenovelist'sgreatdifficulty.MissMonsell——orrather,MrsMarkRobarts——mustbedescribed.AsMissMonsell,ourtalewillhavetotakenoprolongednoteofher.AndyetwewillcallherFannyMonsell,whenwedeclarethatshewasoneofthemostpleasantcompanionsthatcouldbebroughtneartoaman,asthefuturepartnerofhishome,andownerofhisheart.Andifhighprincipleswithoutasperity,femalegentlenesswithoutweakness,aloveoflaughterwithoutmalice,andatruelovingheart,canqualifyawomantobeaparson'swife,thenFannyMonsellqualifiedtofillthatstation.Inpersonshewassomewhatlargerthancommon.Herfacewouldhavebeenbeautifulbutthathermouthwaslarge.Herhair,whichwascopious,wasofabrightbrown;hereyesalsowerebrown,and,beingso,werethedistinctivefeatureofherface,forbrowneyesarenotcommon.Theywereliquid,large,andfulleitheroftendernessorofmirth.MarkRobartsstillhadhisaccustomedluck,whensuchagirlasthiswasbroughttoFramleyforhiswooing.Andhedidwooher——andwonher.ForMarkhimselfwasahandsomefellow.Atthistimethevicarwasabouttwenty-fiveyearsofage,andthefutureMrsRobartswastwoorthreeyearsyounger.Nordidshecomequiteempty-handedtothevicarage.ItcannotbesaidthatFannyMonsellwasanheiress,butshehadbeenleftwithaprovisionofsomefewthousandpounds.

Thiswassosettled,thattheinterestofhiswife'smoneypaidtheheavyinsuranceonhislifewhichyoungRobartseffected,andtherewaslefttohim,overandabove,sufficienttofurnishhisparsonageintheverybeststyleofclericalcomfort,andtostarthimontheroadofliferejoicing.

SomuchdidLadyLuftondoforherprotege,anditmaywellbeimaginedthattheDevonshirephysician,sittingmeditativeoverhisparlourfire,lookingback,asmenwilllookbackontheupshotoftheirlife,waswellcontentedwiththatupshot,asregardedhiseldestoffshoot,theRev.MarkRobarts,thevicarofFramley.

Butlittlehasbeensaid,personally,astoourherohimself,andperhapsitmaynotbenecessarytosaymuch.Letushopethatbydegreeshemaycomeforthuponthecanvas,showingtothebeholderthenatureofthemaninwardlyandoutwardly.Hereitmaysufficetosaythathewasnotbornheaven'scherub,neitherwashebornafallendevil'sspirit.Suchashistrainingmadehim,suchhewas.Hehadlargecapabilitiesforgood——andaptitudealsoforevil,quiteenough;quiteenoughtomakeitneedfulthatheshouldrepeltemptationsastemptationonlycanberepelled.Muchhadbeendonetospoilhim,butintheordinaryacceptationofthewordhewasnotspoiled.Hehadtoomuchtact,toomuchcommonsense,tobelievehimselftobetheparagonwhichhismotherthoughthim.

Self-conceitwasnot,perhaps,hisgreatestdanger.Hadhepossessedmoreofit,hemighthavebeenalessagreeableman,buthiscoursebeforehimmightonthataccounthavebeenthesafer.Inpersonhewasmanlytall,andfair-haired,withasquareforehead,denotingintelligenceratherthanthought,withclear,whitehands,filbertnails,andapowerofdressinghimselfinsuchamannerthatnooneshouldeverobserveofhimthathisclotheswereeithergoodorbad,shabbyorsmart.

SuchwasMarkRobartswhenattheageoftwenty-five,oralittlemore,hemarriedFannyMonsell.Themarriagewascelebratedinhisownchurch,forMissMonsellhadnohomeofherown,andhadbeenstayingforthelastthreemonthsatFramleyCourt.ShewasgivenawaybySirGeorgeMeredith,andLadyLuftonherselfsawthattheweddingwaswhatitshouldbe,withalmostasmuchcareasshehadbestowedonthatofherowndaughter.Thedeedofmarrying,theabsolutetyingoftheknot,wasperformedbytheVeryReverendtheDeanofBarchester,anesteemedfriendofLadyLufton's.AndMrsArabin,thedean'swife,wasoftheparty,thoughthedistancefromBarchestertoFramleyislong,andtheroadsdeep,andnorailwaylendsitsassistance.AndLordLuftonwasthereofcourse;andpeopleprotestedthathewouldsurelyfallinlovewithoneofthefourbeautifulbridesmaids,ofwhomBlancheRobarts,thevicar'ssecondsister,wasbycommonacknowledgementbyfarthemostbeautiful.AndtherewasthereanotherandayoungersisterofMark's——whodidnotofficiateattheceremony,thoughshewaspresent——andofwhomnopredictionwasmade,seeingthatshewasthenonlysixteen,butofwhommentionismadehere,asitwillcometopassthatmyreaderswillknowherhereafter.HernamewasLucyRobarts.Andthenthevicarandhiswifeontheirweddingtour,theoldcuratetakingcareoftheFramleysoulsthewhile.Andinduetimetheyreturned;andafterafurtherinterval,induecourseachildwasborntothem;andthenanother;andafterthatcameaperiodatwhichwewillbeginourstory.Butbeforedoingso,mayInotassertthatallmenwererightinsayingallmannerofgoodthingsastotheDevonshirephysician,andinpraisinghisluckinhavingsuchason?

'Youwereupatthehouseto-day,Isuppose,'saidMarktohiswife,ashesatstretchinghimselfinaneasychairinthedrawing-room,beforethefire,previouslytohisdressingfordinner.ItwasaNovemberevening,andhehadbeenoutallday,andonsuchoccasionstheaptitudefordelayindressingisverypowerful.Astrong-mindedmangoesdirectfromthehalldoortohischamberwithoutencounteringthetemptationofthedrawing-roomfire.

'No;butLadyLuftonwasdownhere.'

'FullofsuggestionsinfavourofSarahThompson?'

'Exactlyso,Mark.'

'AndwhatdidyousayaboutSarahThompson?'

'Verylittleascomingfrommyself:butIdidhintthatyouthought,orthatIthoughtyouthought,thatoneoftheregulartrainedschoolmistresseswouldbebetter.'

'Butherladyshipdidnotagree?'

'Well,Iwon'texactlysaythat;——thoughIthinkthatperhapsshedidnot.'

'Iamsureshedidnot.Whenshehasapointtocarry,sheisveryfondofcarryingit.'

'But,yousee,inthisaffairoftheschoolsheisthinkingmoreofherprotegethanshedoesofthechildren.'

'Tellherthat,andIamsureshewillgiveway.'Andthenagaintheywerebothsilent.Andthevicarhavingthoroughlywarmedhimself,asfarasthismightbedonebyfacingthefire,turnedroundandbegantheoperationatergo.

'Come,Mark,itistwentyminutespastsix.Willyougoanddress?'

'I'lltellyouwhat,Fanny:shemusthaveherwayaboutSarahThompson.Youcanseeherto-morrowandtellherso.'

'Iamsure,Mark,Iwouldnotgiveway,ifIthoughtitwrong.Norwouldsheexpectit.'

'IfIpersistthistime,Ishallcertainlyhavetoyieldthenext;

andthenthenextmayprobablybemoreimportant.'

'Butifit'swrong,Mark?'

'Ididn'tsayitwaswrong.Besides,ifitiswrong,wronginsomeinfinitesimaldegree,onemustputupwithit.SarahThompsonisveryrespectable;theonlyquestioniswhethershecanteach.'

Theyoungwife,thoughshedidnotsayso,hadsomeideaherhusbandwasinerror.Itistruethatonemustputupwithwrong,withagreatdealofwrong.Butnooneneedputupwithwrongthathecanremedy.Whyshouldhe,thevicar,consenttoreceiveanincompetentteacherfortheparishchildren,whenhewasabletoprocureonethatwascompetent?Insuchacase——sothoughtMrsRobartstoherself——shewouldhavefoughtthematteroutwithLadyLufton.Onthenextmorning,however,shedidasshewasbid,andsignifiedtothedowagerthatallobjectionstoSarahThompsonwouldbewithdrawn.

'Ah!Iwassurehewouldagreewithme,'saidherladyship,'whenhelearnedwhatsortofpersonsheis.IknowIhadonlytoexplain;'——andthensheplumedherfeathers,andwasverygracious;

fortotellthetruth,LadyLuftondidnotliketobeopposedinthingswhichconcernedtheparishnearly.

'And,Fanny,'saidLadyLufton,inherkindestmanner,'youarenotgoinganywhereonSaturday,areyou?'

'No,Ithinknot.'

'Thenyoumustcometous.Justiniaistobehere,youknow,'LadyMeredithwasnamedJustinia——'andyouandMrRobartshadbetterstaywithustillMonday.Hecanhavethelittlebook-roomalltohimselfonSunday.TheMeredithsgoonMonday;andJustiniawon'tbehappyifyouarenotwithher.'ItwouldbeunjusttosaythatLadyLuftonhaddeterminednottoinvitetheRobartsesifshewerenotallowedtohaveherownwayaboutSarahThompson.Butsuchwouldhavebeentheresult.Asitwas,however,shewasallkindness;andwhenMrsRobartsmadesomelittleexcuse,sayingthatshewasafraidshemustreturnhomeintheevening,becauseofthechildren,LadyLuftondeclaredthattherewasroomenoughatFramleyCourtforbabyandnurse,andsosettledthematterinherownway,withacoupleofnodsandthreetapsofherumbrella.ThiswasonaTuesdaymorning,andonthesameevening,beforedinner,thevicaragainseatedhimselfinthesamechairbeforethedrawing-roomfire,assoonashehadseenhishorseledintothestable.

'Mark,'saidhiswife,'theMeredithsaretobeatFramleyonSaturdayandSunday;andIhavepromisedthatwewillgoupandstayovertillMonday.'

'Youdon'tmeanit!Goodnessgracious,howprovoking!'

'Why?Ithoughtyouwouldn'tmindit.AndJustiniawouldthinkitunkindifIwerenotthere.'

'Youcango,mydear,andofcoursewillgo.Butasforme,it'simpossible.'

'Butwhy,love?'

'Why?Justnow,attheschool-house,IansweredaletterthatwasbroughttomefromChaldicotes.Sowerbyinsistsonmygoingoverthereforaweekorso;andIhavesaidthatIwould.'

'GotoChaldicotesforaweek,Mark?'

'IbelieveIhaveevenconsentedtotendays.'

'AndbeawaytwoSundays?'

'No,Fanny,onlyone.Don'tbesocensorious.'

'Don'tcallmecensorious,Mark;youknowIamnotso.ButIamsosorry.ItisjustwhatLadyLuftonwon'tlike.Besides,youwereawayinScotlandtwoSundayslastmonth.'

'InSeptember,Fanny.Andthatisbeingcensorious.'

'On,butMark,dearMark;don'tsayso.YouknowIdon'tmeanit.

ButLadyLuftondoesnotlikethoseChaldicotespeople.YouknowLordLuftonwaswithyouthelasttimeyouwerethere;andhowannoyedshewas!'

'LordLuftonwon'tbetherewithmenow,forheisstillinScotland.AndthereasonwhyIamgoingisthis;HaroldSmithandhiswifewillbethere,andIamveryanxioustoknowmoreofthem.IhavenodoubtthatHaroldSmithwillbeinthegovernmentsomeday,andIcannotaffordtoneglectsuchaman'sacquaintance.'

'But,Mark,whatdoyouwantofanygovernment?'

'Well,Fanny,ofcourseIamboundtosaythatIwantnothing;

neitherinoncesensedoI;but,nevertheless,IshallgoandmeetHaroldSmith.'

'CouldyounotbebackbeforeSunday?'

'IhavepromisedtopreachatChaldicotes.HaroldSmith'sgoingtolectureatBarchester,abouttheAustralasianarchipelago,andIamtopreachacharitysermononthesamesubject.Theywanttosendoutmoremissionaries.'

'AcharitysermonatChaldicotes!'

'Andwhynot?Thehousewillbequitefull,youknow!AndIdaresaythattheArabinswillbethere.'

'Ithinknot;MrsArabinmaygetonwellwithMrsHaroldSmith,thoughIdoubtthat;butI'msureshe'snotfondofMrSmith'sbrother.Idon'tthinkshewouldstayatChaldicotes.'

'Andthebishopwillprobablybethereforadayortwo.'

'Thatismuchmorelikely,Mark.IfthepleasureofmeetingMrsProudieistakingyoutoChaldicotes,Ihavenotawordmoretosay.'

'IamnotabitmorefondofMrsProudiethanyouare,Fanny,'saidthevicar,withsomethinglikevexationinthetoneofhisvoice,forhethoughtthathiswifewasharduponhim.'Butitisgenerallythoughtthataparishclergymandoeswelltomeethisbishopnowandthen.AndasIwasinvitedthere,especiallytopreachwhileallthesepeoplearestayingattheplace,Icouldnotwellrefuse.'Andthenhegotup,andtakinghiscandlestick,escapedtohisdressing-room.

'ButwhatamItosaytoLadyLufton?'hiswifesaidtohiminthecourseoftheevening.

'Justwriteheranote,andtellherthatyoufindIhadpromisedtopreachatChaldicotesnextSunday.You'llgoofcourse?'

'Yes;butIknowshe'llbeannoyed.Youwereawaythelasttimeshehadpeoplethere.'

'Itcan'tbehelped.ShemustputitdownagainstSarahThompson.

Sheoughtnottoexpecttowinalways.'

'Ishouldnothavemindedit,ifshehadlost,asyoucallit,aboutSarahThompson.Thatwasacaseinwhichyououghttohavehadyourownway.'

'Andthisotherisacase,inwhichIshallhaveit.It'sapitythatthereshouldbesuchadifference;isn'tit?'

Thenhiswifeperceivedthat,vexedasshewas,itwouldbebetterthatsheshouldsaynothingfurther;andbeforeshewenttobed,shewrotethenotetoLadyLufton,asherhusbandrecommended.

CHAPTERII

THEFRAMLEYSET,ANDTHECHALDICOTESSET

ItwillbenecessarythatIshouldsayawordortwoofsomeofthepeoplenamedinthefewprecedingpages,andalsoofthelocalitiesinwhichtheylived.OfLadyLuftonherselfenough,perhaps,hasbeenwrittentointroducehertomyreaders.TheFramleypropertybelongedtoherson;butasLuftonPark——anancientramshackleplaceinanothercounty——hadheretoforebeenthefamilyresidenceoftheLuftonfamily,FramleyCourthadbeenapportionedtoherforherresidenceforlife.LordLuftonhimselfwasstillunmarried;

andashehadnoestablishmentatLuftonPark——whichindeedhadnotbeeninhabitedsincehisgrandfatherdied——helivedwithhismotherwhenitsuitedhimtoliveanywhereinthatneighbourhood.Thewidowwouldfainhaveseenmoreofhimthanheallowedhertodo.

HehadashootinglodgeinScotland,andapartmentsinLondon,andastringofhorsesinLeicestershire——muchtothedisgustofthecountrygentryaroundhim,whoheldthattheirownhuntingwasasgoodasanythatEnglandcouldafford.Hislordship,however,paidhissubscriptiontotheEastBarsetshirepark,andthenthoughthimselfatlibertytofollowhisownpleasureastohisownamusement.

Framleyitselfwasapleasantcountryplace,havingaboutitnothingofseigneurialdignityorgrandeur,butpossessingeverythingnecessaryforthecomfortofcountrylife.Thehousewasalowbuildingoftwostories,builtatdifferentperiods,anddevoidofallpretensionstoanystyleofarchitecture;buttherooms,thoughnotlofty,werewarmandcomfortable,andthegardensweretrimandneatbeyondallothersinthecounty.Indeed,itwasforitsgardensonlythatFramleyCourtwascelebrated.Villagetherewasnone,properlyspeaking.ThehighroadwentwindingaboutthroughtheFramleypaddocks,shrubberies,andwood-skirtedhomefields,foramileandahalf,nottwohundredyardsofwhichraninastraightline;andtherewasacross-roadwhichpasseddownthroughthedomain,wherebytherecametobealocalitycalledFramleyCross.Herestoodthe'LuftonArms',andhereatFramleyCross,thehoundsoccasionallywouldmeet;fortheFramleywoodsweredrawninspiteoftheyounglord'struantdisposition;andthen,attheCrossalso,livedtheshoemaker,whokeptthepost-office.

Framleychurchwasdistantfromthisjustaquarterofamile,andstoodimmediatelyoppositetothechiefentrancetoFramleyCourt.

Itwasbutamean,uglybuilding,havingbeenerectedaboutahundredyearssince,whenallchurchesthenbuiltweremadetobemeanandugly;norwasitlargeenoughforthecongregation,someofwhomwerethusdriventothedissentingchapels,theSionsandEbenezers,whichhadgotthemselvesestablishedoneachsideoftheparish,inputtingdownwhichLadyLuftonthoughtthatherparsonwashardlyasenergeticashemightbe.Itwas,therefore,amatterneartoLadyLufton'shearttoseeanewchurchbuilt,andshewasurgentinhereloquencebothwithhersonandwiththevicar,tohavethisgoodworkcommenced.

Beyondthechurch,butclosetoit,weretheboy'sschoolandgirl'sschool,twodistinctbuildings,whichowedtheirerectiontoLadyLufton'senergy;thencameaneatlittlegrocer'sshop,theneatgrocerbeingtheclerkandthesexton,andtheneatgrocer'swifethepew-openerinthechurch.Podgenswastheirname,andtheyweregreatfavouriteswithherladyship,bothhavingbeenservantsupatthehouse.Andheretheroadtookasuddenturntotheleft,turning,asitwere,awayfromFramleyCourt;andjustbeyondtheturnwasthevicarage,sothattherewasalittlegardenpathrunningfromthebackofthevicaragegroundsintothechurchyard,cuttingthePodgensintoanisolatedcorneroftheirown;——fromwhence,totellthetruth,thevicarwouldhavebeengladtobanishthemandtheircabbages,couldhehavehadthepowertodoso.ForhasnotthesmallvineyardofNabothbeenalwaysaneyesoretoneighbouringpotentates?

ThepotentateinthiscasehadaslittleexcuseasAhab,fornothingintheparsonagewaycouldbemoreperfectthanhisparsonage.Ithadallthedetailsrequisiteforthehouseofamoderategentlemanwithmoderatemeans,andnoneofthoseexpensivesuperfluitieswhichimmoderategentlemendemand,orwhichthemselvesdemandimmoderatemeans.Andthenthegardensandpaddockswereexactlysuitedtoit;andeverythingwasingoodorder;——notexactlynew,soastoberawanduncovered,andredolentofworkmen;butjustatthateraoftheirexistenceinwhichnewnessgiveswaytocomfortablehomeliness.

OthervillageatFramleytherewasnone.AtthebackoftheCourt,uponeofthosecross-roads,therewasanothersmallshoportwo,andtherewasaveryneatcottageresidence,inwhichlivedthewidowofaformercurate,anotherprotegeofLadyLufton's;andtherewasabig,staring,brickhouse,inwhichthepresentcuratelived;butthiswasafullmiledistantfromthechurch,andfartherfromFramleyCourt,standingonthatcross-roadwhichrunsfromFramleyCrossinadirectionawayfromthemansion.Thisgentleman,theRevEvanJones,mightfromhisage,havebeenthevicar'sfather;buthehadbeenformanyyearscurateatFramley;

andthoughhewaspersonallydislikedbyLadyLufton,asbeingLowChurchinhisprinciples,andunsightlyinhisappearance,nevertheless,shewouldnoturgehisremoval.Hehadtwoorthreepupilsinthatlargebrickhouse,and,ifturnedoutfromtheseandfromhiscuracy,mightfinditdifficulttoestablishhimselfelsewhere.OnthisaccountmercywasextendedtotheRevEJones,and,inspiteofhisredfaceandawkwardbigfeet,hewasinvitedtodineatFramleyCourt,withhisplaindaughter,onceineverythreemonths.

Overandabovethese,therewashardlyahouseintheparishofFramley,outsidetheboundsofFramleyCourt,exceptthoseoffarmersandfarmlabourers;andyettheparishwasoflargeextent.

FramleyisintheeasterndivisionofthecountyofBarsetshire,which,asalltheworldknows,is,politicallyspeaking,astrueblueacountyasanyinEngland.Therehavebeenbackslidingsevenhere,itistrue;butthen,inwhatcountyhavetherenotbeensuchbackslidings?Where,inthesepinchbeckdays,canwehopetofindtheoldagriculturalvirtueinallitspurity?Butamongthesebacksliders,Iregrettosay,thatmennowreckonLordLufton.NotthatheisaviolentWhig,orperhapsthatisaWhigatall.Buthejeersandsneersattheoldcountydoings;declares,whensolicitedonthesubject,that,asfarasheisconcerned,MrBrightmaysitforthecounty,ifhepleases;andalleges,thatbeingunfortunatelyapeer,hehasnorightevertointeresthimselfinthequestion.Allthisisdeeplyregretted,for,intheolddays,therewasnoportionofthecountymoredecidedlytruebluethantheFramleydistrict;and,indeed,uptothepresentday,thedowagerisabletogiveanoccasionalhelpinghand.

ChaldicotesistheseatofNathanielSowerby,Esq,who,atthemomentsupposedtobenowpresent,isoneofthemembersfortheWesternDivisionofBarsetshire.ButthisWesternDivisioncanboastnoneofthefinepoliticalattributeswhichgraceitstwinbrother.ItisdecidedlyWhig,andisalmostgovernedinitspoliticsbyoneortwogreatWhigfamilies.IthasbeensaidthatMarkRobartswasabouttopayavisittoChaldicotes,andithasbeenhintedthathiswifewouldhavebeenaswellpleasedhadthisnotbeenthecase.Suchwascertainlythefact;forshe,dear,prudent,excellentwifeasshewas,knewthatMrSowerbywasnotthemosteligiblefriendintheworldforayoungclergyman,andknew,also,thattherewasbutoneotherhouseinthewholecountythenameofwhichwassodistastefultoLadyLufton.Thereasonsforthiswere,Imaysay,manifold.Inthefirstplace,MrSowerbywasaWhig,andwasseatedinParliamentmainlybythatgreatWhigautocrattheDukeofOmnium,whoseresidencewasmoredangerouseventhanthatofMrSowerby,andwhomLadyLuftonregardedasanimpersonationofLuciferuponearth.MrSowerby,too,wasunmarried——asindeed,also,wasLordLufton,muchtohismother'sgrief.MrSowerby,itistrue,wasfifty,whereastheyounglordwasasyetonlytwenty-five,but,nevertheless,herladyshipwasbecominganxiousonthesubject.Inhermindeverymanwasboundtomarryassoonashecouldmaintainawife;andsheheldanidea——aquiteprivatetenet,ofwhichshewasherselfbutimperfectlyconscious——thatmeningeneralwereinclinedtoneglectthisdutyfortheirownselfishgratifications,thatthewickedonesencouragedthemoreinnocentinthisneglect,andthatmanywouldnotmarryatall,werenotunseenexercisedagainstthembytheothersex.TheDukeofOmniumwastheheadofallsuchsinners,andLadyLuftongreatlyfearedthathersonmightbemadesubjecttothebanefulOmniuminfluence,bymeansofMrSowerbyandChaldicotes.AndthenMrSowerbywasknowntobeaverypoorman,withaverylargeestate.Hehadwasted,mensaid,muchonelectioneering,andmoreongambling.Aconsiderableportionofhispropertyhadgoneintothehandsoftheduke,who,asarule,boughtupeverythingaroundhimthatwastobepurchased.Indeed,itwassaidofhimbyhisenemies,thatsocovetouswasheofBarsetshireproperty,thathewouldleadayoungneighbourontohisruin,thathemightgethisland.What——oh!whatifheshouldcometobepossessedinthiswayofanyofthefairacresofFramleyCourt?Whatifheshouldbecomepossessedofthemall?ItcanhardlybewonderedatthatLadyLuftonshouldnotlikeChaldicotes.

TheChaldicotesset,asLadyLuftoncalledthem,wereineverywayopposedtowhatasetshouldbeaccordingtoherideas.Shelikedcheerful,quiet,well-to-dopeaple,wholovedtheirChurch,theircountry,andtheirQueen,andwhowerenottooanxioustomakenoiseintheworld.Shedesiredthatallthefarmersroundhershouldbeabletopaytheirrentswithouttrouble,thatalltheoldwomenshouldhavewarmflannelpetticoats,thattheworkingmenshouldbesavedfromrheumatismbyhealthyfoodanddryhouses,thattheyshouldallbeobedienttotheirpastorsandmasters——

temporalaswellasspiritual.Thatwasherideaoflovinghercountry.Shedesiredalsothatthecopsesshouldbefullofpheasants,thestubble-fieldofpartridges,andthegorsecoversoffoxes;inthatway,also,shelovedhercountry.Shehadardentlylonged,duringtheCrimeanWar,thattheRussiansmightbebeaten——butnotbytheFrench,totheexclusionoftheEnglish,ashadseemedtohertobetoomuchthecase;andhardlybytheEnglishunderthedictatorshipofLordPalmerston.Indeed,shehadhadbutlittlefaithinthatwarafterLordAberdeenhadbeenexpelled.If,indeed,LordDerbycouldhavecomein!ButnowastothisChaldicotesset.Afterall,therewasnothingsoverydangerousaboutthem;foritwasinLondon,notinthecountry,thatMrSowerbyindulged,ifhedidsoindulge,hisbachelormalpractices.Speakingofthemasaset,thechiefoffenderwasMrHaroldSmith,orperhapshiswife.HealsowasamemberofParliament,and,asmanythought,arisingman.HisfatherhadbeenformanyyearsadebaterintheHouse,andhadheldhighoffice.Harold,inearlylife,hadintendedhimselffortheCabinet;andifworkinghardathistradecouldensuresuccess,heoughttoobtainitsoonerorlater.Hehadalreadyfilledmorethanonesubordinatestation,hadbeenattheTreasury,andforamonthortwo,attheAdmiralty,astonishingofficialmankindbyhisdiligence.Thoselast-namedfewmonthshadbeenunderLordAberdeen,withwhomhehadbeenforcedtoretire.Hewasayoungerson,andnotpossessedofanylargefortune.Politics,asaprofession,was,therefore,ofimportancetohim.HehadinearlylifemarriedasisterofMrSowerby;andastheladywassomesixorsevenyearsolderthanhimself,andhadbroughtwithherbutascantydowry,peoplethoughtthatinthismatterMrHaroldSmithhadnotbeenperspicacious.MrHaroldSmithwasnotpersonallyapopularmanwithanyparty,thoughsomejudgedhimtobeeminentlyuseful.Hewaslaborious,well-informed,and,onthewhole,honest;buthewasconceited,long-winded,andpompous.

MrsHaroldSmithwastheveryoppositeofherlord.Shewasaclever,brightwoman,good-lookingforhertimeoflife——andshewasnowoverforty——withakeensenseofalltheworld'spleasures.Shewasneitherlaborious,norwell-informed,norperhapsaltogetherhonest——whatwomaneverunderstoodthenecessityorrecognisedtheadvantageofpoliticalhonesty?Butthenshewasneitherdullnorpompous,andifshewasconceited,shedidnotshowit.Shewasadisappointedwoman,asregardsherhusband;seeingthatshehadmarriedhimonthespeculationthathewouldatoncebecomepoliticallyimportant;andasyetMrSmithhadnotquitefulfilledthepropheciesofhisearlylife.

AndLadyLufton,whenshespokeoftheChaldicotesset,distinctlyincluded,inherownmind,theBishopofBarchester,andhiswifeanddaughter.SeeingthatBishopProudiewas,ofcourse,muchamanaddictedtoreligionandtoreligiousthinking,andthatMrSowerbyhimselfhadnoparticularreligioussentimentswhatever,therewouldnotatfirstsightappeartobegroundformuchintercourse,andperhapstherewasnotmuchofsuchintercourse;

butMrsProudieandMrsHaroldSmithwerefirmfriendsoffourorfiveyearsstanding——eversincetheProudiescameintothedioceseforthebishopwasusuallytakentoChaldicoteswheneverMrsSmithpaidherbrotheravisit.NowBishopProudiewasbynomeansaHighChurchdignitary,andLadyLuftonhadneverforgivenhimforcomingintothatdiocese.Shehad,instinctively,ahighrespectfortheepiscopaloffice;butofBishopProudiehimselfshehardlythoughtbetterthanshedidofMrSowerby,orofthatfabricatorofevil,theDukeofOmnium.WheneverMrRobartswouldpleadthatingoinganywherehewouldhavethebenefitofmeetingthebishop,LadyLuftonwouldslightlycurlherupperlip.ShecouldnotsayinwordsthatBishopProudie——bishopashecertainlymustbecalled——wasnobetterthanheoughttobe;butbythatcurlofherlipshedidexplaintothosewhoknewherthatsuchwasthefeelingofherheart.

Andthenitwasunderstood——MarkRobarts,atleast,hadsoheard,andtheinformationsoonreachedFramleyCourt——thatMrSupplehousewastomakeoneoftheChaldicotesparty.NowMrSupplehousewasaworsecompanionforagentleman,young,HighChurch,conservativecountyparsonthanevenHaroldSmith.HealsowasinParliament,andhadbeenextolledduringtheearlydaysoftheRussianWarbysomeportionofthemetropolitandailypress,astheonlymanwhocouldsavethecountry.Lethimbeintheministry,theJupiterhadsaid,andtherewouldbesomehopeofreform,somechancethatEngland'sancientglorywouldnotbeallowedintheseperiloustimestogoheadlongintooblivion.Anduponthistheministry,notanticipatingmuchsalvationfromMrSupplehouse,butwillingastheyusuallyare,tohavetheJupiterattheirback,didsendforthatgentleman,andgavehimsomefootingamongthem.Buthowcanamantosaveanation,andtoleadapeople,becontenttofillthechairofanunder-secretary?Supplehousewasnotcontent,andsoongaveittobeunderstoodthathisplacewasmuchhigherthananyyettenderedtohim.Thesealsofhighoffice,orwartotheknife,wasthealternativewhichheofferedtoamuch-belabouredHeadofAffairs——nothingdoubtingthattheHeadofAffairswouldrecognizetheclaimant'svalue,andwouldhavebeforehiseyesawholesomefearoftheJupiter.ButtheHeadofAffairs,muchbelabouredashewas,knewthathemightswinghistomahawk.Sincethattimehehadbeenswinginghistomahawk,butnotwithsomucheffectashadbeenanticipated.HealsowasveryintimatewithMrSowerby,andwasdecidedlyoneoftheChaldecotesset.Andthereweremanyothersincludedinthestigmawhosesinswerepoliticalorreligiousthanmoral.ButtheyweregallandwormwoodtoLadyLufton,whoregardedthemaschildrenoftheLostOne,andgrievedwithamother'sgriefwhensheknewthathersonwasamongthem,andfeltallapatron'sangerwhensheheardthatherclericalprotegewasabouttoseeksuchsociety.MrsRobartsmightwellsaythatLadyLuftonwouldbeannoyed.

'Youwon'tcallatthehousebeforeyougo,willyou?'thewifeaskedonthefollowingmorning.Hewastostartafterlunchonthatday,drivinghimselfinhisowngig,soastoreachChaldicotes,sometwenty-fourmilesdistant,beforedinner.

'No,Ithinknot.Whatgoodshoulditdo?'

'Well,Ican'texplain;butIthinkIshouldcall;partly,perhaps,toshowherthat,asIhaddeterminedtogo,Iwasnotafraidoftellingherso.'

'Afraid!That'snonsense,Fanny.I'mnotafraidofher.ButI

don'tseewhyIshouldbringdownuponmyselfthedisagreeablethingsshewillsay.Besides,Ihavenottime.ImustwalkupandseeJonesabouthisduties;andthen,whatwithgettingready,I

shallhaveenoughtodotogetoffintime.'

HepaidhisvisittoMrJones,thecurate,feelingnoqualmsofconsciencethere,asheratherboastedofallthemembersofParliamenthewasgoingtomeet,andofthebishopwhowouldbewiththem.MrEvanJoneswasonlyhiscurate,andinspeakingtohimonthematterhecouldtalkasthoughitwerequitetheproperthingforavicartomeethisbishopatthehouseofacountymember.Andonewouldbeinclinedtosayitwasproper:onlywhycouldhenottalkofitinthesametonetoLadyLufton?Andthen,havingkissedhiswifeandchildren,hedroveoff,wellpleasedwithhisprospectforthecomingtendays,butalreadyanticipatingsomediscomfortonhisreturn.

Onthethreefollowingdays,MrsRobartsdidnotmeetherladyship.Shedidnotexactlytakeanystepstoavoidsuchameeting,butshedidnotpurposelygouptothebighouse.Shewenttoherschoolasusual,andmadeoneortwocallsamongthefarmers'wives,butputnofootwithintheFramleyCourtgrounds.

Shewasbraverthanherhusband,butevenshedidnotwishtoanticipatetheevilday.OntheSaturday,justbeforeitbegantogetdusk,shewasthinkingofpreparingforthefatalplunge,herfriend,LadyMeredith,cametoher.

'So,Fanny,weshallagainbesounfortunatetomissMrRobarts,'

saidherladyship.

'Yes.Didyoueverknowanythingsounlucky?ButhehadpromisedMrSowerbybeforeheheardyouwerecoming.Praydonotthinkthathewouldhavegoneawayhadheknownit.'

'Weshouldhavebeensorrytokeephimfromsomuchmoreamusingparty.'

'Now,Justinia,youareunfair.YouintendtoimplythathehasgonetoChaldicotes,becausehelikesitbetterthanFramleyCourt;

butthatisnotthecase.IhopeLadyLuftondoesnotthinkthatitis.'

LadyMeredithlaughedatsheputherarmroundherfriend'swaist.

'Don'tloseyoureloquenceindefendinghimtome,'shesaid.

'You'llwantallthatformymother.'

'Butisyourmotherangry?'askedMrsRobarts,showingbyhercountenancehoweagershewasfortruetidingsonthesubject.

'Well,Fanny,youknowherladyshipaswellasIdo.ShethinkssoveryhighlyofthevicarofFramley,thatshedoesbegrudgehimtothosepoliticiansatChaldicotes.'

'But,Justinia,thebishopwillbethere,youknow.'

'Idon'tthinkthatthatconsiderationwillreconcilemymothertothegentleman'sabsence.Heoughttobeveryproud,Iknow,tofindthatheissomuchthoughtof.Butcome,Fanny,Iwantyoutowalkbackwithme,andyoucandressatthehouse.Andnowwe'llgoandlookatthechildren.'

Afterthat,astheywalkedtogethertoFramleyCourt,MrsRobartsmadeherfriendpromisethatshewouldstandbyherifanyseriousattackweremadeontheabsentclergyman.

'Areyougoinguptoyourroomtodress?'saidthevicar'swife,assoonastheywereinsidetheporchleadingintothehall.LadyMeredithimmediatelyknewwhatherfriendmeant,anddecidedthattheevildayshouldnotbepostponed.'Wehadbettergoinandhaveitover,'shesaid,'andthenweshallbecomfortablefortheevening.'

Sothedrawing-roomdoorwasopened,andtherewasLadyLuftonaloneonthesofa.

'Now,mamma,'saidthedaughter,'youmustn'tscoldFannymuchaboutMrRobarts.Hehasgonetopreachacharitysermonbeforethebishop,andunderthosecircumstances,perhaps,hecouldnotrefuse.'ThiswasastretchonthepartofLadyMeredith——putinwithmuchgood-nature,nodoubt;butstillastretch;fornoonehadsupposedthatthebishopwouldremainatChaldicotesfortheSunday.

'Howdoyoudo,Fanny?'saidLadyLufton,gettingup.'Iamnotgoingtoscoldher;andIdon'tknowhowyoucantalknonsense,Justinia.OfcourseweareverysorrynottohaveMrRobarts;moreespeciallyashewasnotherethelastSundaythatSirGeorgewaswithus.IdoliketoseeMrRobartsinhisownchurch,certainly;

andIdon'tlikeanyotherclergymanthereaswell.IfFannytakesthatforscolding,why——'

'Oh!no,LadyLufton;andit'ssokindofyoutosayso.ButMrRobartswassosorrythathehadacceptedthisinvitationtoChaldicotes,beforeheheardthatSirGeorgewascoming,and——'

'Oh,IknowthatChaldicoteshasgreatattractionswhichwecannotoffer,'saidLadyLufton.

'Indeed,itwasnotthat.Buthewasaskedtopreach,you,know;

andMrHaroldSmith——'PoorFannywasonlymakingitworse.Hadshebeenworldlywise,shewouldhaveacceptedthelittlecomplimentimpliedinLadyLufton'sfirstrebuke,andthenhaveheldherpeace.

'Oh,yes!TheHaroldSmiths!Theyareirresistible,Iknow.Howcouldanymanrefusetojoinaparty,gracedbothbyMrsHaroldSmithandMrsProudie——eventhoughhisdutyshouldrequirehimtostayaway?'

'Now,mamma——'

'Well,mydear,whatamItosay?Youwouldnotwishmetotellafib.Idon'tlikeMrsHaroldSmith——atleast,whatIknowofher;

forithasnotbeenmyfortunetomeethersincehermarriage.Itmaybeconceited;buttoownthetruth,IthinkthatMrRobartswouldbebetteroffwithusatFramleythanwiththeHaroldSmithsatChaldicotes——eventhoughMrsProudiebethrownintothebargain.'

Itwasnearlydark,andthereforetherisingcolourinthefaceofMrsRobartscouldnotbeseen.She,however,wastoogoodawifetohearthesethingssaidwithoutsomeangerwithinherbosom.Shecouldblameherhusbandinherownmind;butitwasintolerabletoherthatothersshouldblamehiminherhearing.

'Hewouldundoubtedlybebetteroff,'shesaid;'butthen,LadyLufton,peoplecan'talwaysgoexactlywheretheywillbebestoff.Gentlemensometimesthink——'

'Well——well,mydear,thatwilldo.Hehasnottakenyou,atanyrate;andsowewillforgivehim.'AndLadyLuftonkissedher.'Asitis,'andsheaffectedalowwhisperbetweenthetwoyoungwives'asitis,wemuste'enputupwithpoorEvanJones.Heistobehereto-night,andwemustgoanddresstoreceivehim.'

Andsotheywentoff.LadyLuftonwasquiteenoughathearttolikeMrsRobartsallthebetterforstandingupforherabsentlord.

CHAPTERIII

CHALDICOTES

ChaldicotesisahouseofmuchmorepretensionthanFramleyCourt.

Indeed,ifonelooksattheancientmarksaboutit,ratherthanatthoseofthepresentday,itisaplaceofveryconsiderablepretension.Thereisanoldforest,notaltogetherbelongingtotheproperty,butattachedtoit,calledtheChaseofChaldicotes.

Aportionofthisforestcomesupclosebehindthemansion,andofitselfgivesacharacterandcelebritytotheplace.TheChaseofChaldicotes——thegreaterpartofit,atleast——is,asalltheworldknows,Crownproperty,andnow,intheseutilitariandays,istobedeforested.Informertimesitwasagreatforest,stretchinghalfacrossthecountry,almostasfarasSilverbridge;andtherearebitsofit,hereandthere,stilltobeseenatintervalsthroughoutthewholedistance;butthelargerremainingportion,consistingofagedhollowoaks,centuriesold,andwide-spreadingwitheredbeeches,standsinthetwoparishesofChaldicotesandUffley.PeoplestillcomefromafartoseetheoaksofChaldicotesandtoheartheirfeetrustleamongthethickautumnleaves.Buttheywillsooncomenolonger.Thegiantsofpastagesaretogivewaytowheatandturnips;aruthlessChancelloroftheExchequer,disregardingoldassociationsandruralbeauty,requiresmoneyreturnsfromthelands;andtheCloseofChaldicotesistovanishfromtheearth'ssurface.

Somepartofit,however,istheprivatepropertyofMrSowerby,whohitherto,throughallhispecuniarydistresses,hasmanagedtosavefromtheaxeandtheauction-martthatportionofhispaternalheritage.ThehouseofChaldicotesisalargestonebuilding,probablyofthetimeofCharlestheSecond.Itisapproachedonbothfrontsbyaheavydoubleflightofstonesteps.Inthefrontofthehousealong,solemn,straightavenuethroughadoublerowoflime-trees,leadsawaytolodge-gates,whichstandinthecentreofthevillageofChaldicotes;buttotherearthewindowsopenuponfourdifferentvistas,whichrundownthroughtheforest:

fouropengreenrides,whichallconvergetogetheratalargeirongateway,thebarrierwhichdividestheprivategroundsfromtheChase.TheSowerbys,formanygenerations,havebeenrangersoftheChaseofChaldicotes,thushavingalmostaswideanauthorityovertheCrownforestasovertheirown.Butnowallthisistoceasefortheforestwillbedisforested.

ItwasnearlydarkwhenMarkRobartsdroveupthroughtheavenueoflime-treestothehall-door;butitwaseasytoseethatthehouse,whichwasdeadandsilentasthegravethroughninemonthsoftheyear,wasnowaliveinallitsparts.Therewerelightsinmanyofthewindows,andanoiseofvoicescamefromthestablesandservantsweremovingabout,anddogsbarked,andthedarkgravelbeforethefrontstepswascutupwithmanyacoach-wheel.

'Oh,isthatyou,sir,MrRobarts?'saidagroom,takingtheparson'shorsebythehead,andtouchinghisownhat.'IhopeI

seeyourreverencewell?'

'Quitewell,Bob,thankyou.AllwellatChaldicotes?'

'Prettybobbish,MrRobarts.Dealoflifegoingonherenow,sir.

Thebishopandhisladycamethismorning.'

'Oh——ah——yes!Iunderstandtheyweretobehere.Anyoftheyoungladies?'

'Oneyounglady.MissOlivia,Ithinktheycallher,yourreverence.'

'Andhow'sMrSowerby?'

'Verywell,yourreverence.He,andMrHaroldSmith,andMrFothergill——that'stheduke'smanofbusiness,youknow——isgettingofftheirhorsesnowinthestable-yardthere.'

'Homefromhunting——eh,Bob?'

'Yes,sir,justhome,thisminute.'AndthenMrRobartswalkedintothehouse,hisportmanteaufollowingonafoot-boy'sshoulder.

ItwillbeseenthatouryoungvicarwasveryintimateatChaldicotes;somuchsothatthegroomknewhim,andtalkedtohimaboutthepeopleinthehouse.Yes;hewasintimatethere;muchmorethanhehadgiventheFramleypeopletounderstand.Notthathehadwilfullyandovertlydeceivedanyone;notthathehadeverspokenafalsewordaboutChaldicotes.ButhehadneverboastedathomethatheandSowerbywerenearallies.NeitherhadhetoldthemhowoftenMrSowerbyandLordLuftonweretogetherinLondon.

Whytroublewomenwithsuchmatters?WhyannoysoexcellentawomanasLadyLufton?AndthenMrSowerbywasonewhoseintimacyfewyoungmenwouldwishtoreject.Hewasfifty,andhadlived,perhaps,notthemostsalutarylife;buthedressedyoung,andusuallylookedwell.Hewasbald,withagoodforehead,andsparklingmoisteyes.Hewasacleverman,andapleasantcompanion,andalwaysgood-humouredwhenitsosuitedhim.Hewasagentleman,too,ofhighbreedingandgoodbirth,whoseancestorshadbeenknowninthatcounty——longer,thefarmersaroundwouldboast,thanthoseofanyotherlandownerinit,unlessitbetheThornesofUllathorne,orperhapstheGreshamsofGreshambury——muchlongerthantheDeCourcysofDeCourcyCastle.AsfortheDukeofOmnium,he,comparativelyspeaking,wasanewman.AndthenhewasamemberofParliament,afriendofsomemeninpower,andofotherswhomightbethere;amanwhocouldtalkabouttheworldasoneknowingthematterofwhichhetalked.Andmoreover,whatevermightbehiswaysoflifeatothertimes,wheninthepresenceofaclergymanherarelymadehimselfoffensivetoclericaltastes.Heneitherswore,norbroughthisvicesonthecarpet,norsneeredatthefaithoftheChurch.IfhewasnoChurchmanhimself,heatleastknewhowtolivewiththosewhowere.

HowwasitpossiblethatsuchaoneasourvicarshouldnotrelishtheintimacyofMrSowerby?Itmightbeverywell,hewouldsaytohimself,forawomanlikeLadyLuftontoturnuphernoseathim——forLadyLufton,whospenttenmonthsoftheyearatFramleyCourt,andwhoduringthosetenmonths,andforthematterofthat,duringthetwomonthsalsowhichshespentinLondon,sawnooneoutofherownset.Womendidnotunderstandsuchthings,thevicarsaidtohimself;evenhisownwife——good,andnice,andsensible,andintelligentasshewas——evenshedidnotunderstandthatamanintheworldmustmeetallsortsofmen;andthatinthesedaysitdidnotdoforaclergymantobeahermit.'TwasthusthatMarkRobartsarguedwhenhefoundhimselfcalledupontodefendhimselfbeforethebarofhisownconscienceforgoingtoChaldicotesandincreasinghisintimacywithMrSowerby.HedidknowthatMrSowerbywasadangerousman;hewasawarethathewasoverheadandearsindebt;andthathehadalreadyentangledyoungLordLuftoninsomepecuniaryembarrassment;hisconsciencedidtellhimthatitwouldbewellforhim,asoneofChrist'ssoldiers,tolookoutforcompanionsofadifferentstamp.But,nevertheless,hewenttoChaldicotes,notsatisfiedwithhimselfindeed,butrepeatingtohimselfagreatmanyargumentswhyheshouldbesosatisfied.

Hewasshownintothedrawing-roomatonce,andtherehefoundMrsHaroldSmith,withMrsandMissProudie,andaladywhomhehadneverbeforeseen,andwhosenamehedidnotatfirsthearmentioned.

'IsthatMrRobarts?'saidMrsHaroldSmith,gettinguptogreethim,andscreeningherpretendedignoranceundertheveilofdarkness.'Andhaveyoureallydrivenoverfour-and-twentymilesofBarsetshireroadsonsuchadayasthistoassistusinourlittledifficulties?Well,wecanpromiseyougratitudeatanyrate.'AndthenthevicarshookhandswithMrsProudie,inthatdeferentialmannerwhichisduefromavicartohisbishop'swife;

andMrsProudiereturnedthegreetingwithallthatsmilingcondescensionwhichabishop'swifeshouldshowtoavicar.MissProudiewasnotquitesocivil.HadMrRobartsbeenstillunmarried,shealsowouldhavesmiledsweetly;butshehadbeenexercisinghersmilesonclergymentoolongtowastethemnowonamarriedparishparson.

'Andwhatarethedifficulties,MrsSmith,inwhichIamtoassistyou?'

'Wehavesixorsevengentlemenhere,MrRobarts,andtheyalwaysgohuntingbeforebreakfast,andtheynevercomeback——Iwasgoingtosay——tillafterdinner.Iwishitwereso,forthenweshouldnothavetowaitforthem.'

'ExceptingMrSupplehouse,youknow,'saidtheunknownlady,inaloudvoice.

'Andheisgenerallyshutupinthelibrary,writingarticles.'

'He'dbebetteremployedifheweretryingtobreakhisneckliketheothers,'saidtheunknownlady.

'Onlyhewouldneversucceed,'saysMrsHaroldSmith.'Butperhaps,MrRobarts,youareasbadastherest;perhapsyoutoo,willbehuntingto-morrow.'

'MydearMrsSmith!'saidMrsProudie,inatonedenotingslightreproach,andmodifiedhorror.

'Oh!Iforgot.No,ofcourse,youwon'tbehunting,MrRobarts;

you'llonlybewishingthatyoucould.'

'Whycan'the?'saidtheladywithaloudvoice.

'MydearMissDunstable!Aclergymanhunt,whileheisstayinginthesamehousewiththebishop?Thinkoftheproprieties!'

'Oh——ah!Thebishopwouldn'tlikeit——wouldn'the?Now,dotellme,sir,whatwouldthebishopdotoyouifyoudidhunt?'

'Itwoulddependonhismoodatthetime,madam,'saidMrRobarts.

'Ifthatwereverystern,hemightperhapshavemebeheadedbeforethepalacegates.'

MrsProudiedrewherselfupinherchair,showingthatshedidnotlikethetoneoftheconversation;andMissProudiefixedhereyesvehementlyonherbook,showingthatMissDunstableandherconversationwerebothbeneathhernotice.

'Ifthesegentlemendonotmeantobreaktheirnecksto-night,'

saidMrsHaroldSmith,'Iwishthey'dletusknowit.It'shalf-pastsixalready.'AndthenMrRobartsgavethemtounderstandthatnosuchcatastrophewouldbelookedforthatday,asMrSowerbyandtheothersportsmenwerewithinthestable-yardwhenheenteredthedoor.

'Then,ladies,wemayaswelldress,'saidMrsHaroldSmith.Butasshemovedtowardsthedoor,itopened,andashortgentleman,withaslow,quietstep,enteredtheroom;butwasnotyettobedistinguishedthroughtheduskbytheeyesofMrRobarts.'Oh!

bishop,isthatyou?'saidMrsSmith.'Hereisoneoftheluminariesofyourdiocese.'Andthenthebishop,feelingthroughthedark,madehiswayuptothevicarandshookhimcordiallybythehand.HewasdelightedtomeetMrRobartsatChaldicotes,hesaid,quitedelighted.WashenotgoingtopreachonbehalfofthePapuanMissionnextSunday?Ah!sohewas,thebishophadheard.Itwasagoodwork,anexcellentwork!'AndthenDrProudieexpressedhimselfasmuchgrievedthatheshouldnotremainatChaldicotes,andhearthesermon.ItwasplainthatthebishopthoughtnoillofhimonaccountofhisintimacywithMrSowerby.Butthenhefeltinhisownheartthathedidnotmuchregardthebishop'sopinion.

'Ah,Robarts,I'mdelightedtoseeyou,'saidMrSowerby,whentheymetonthedrawing-roomrugbeforedinner.'YouknowHaroldSmith?Yes,ofcourseyoudo.Well,whoelseisthere?Oh!

Supplehouse.MrSupplehouse,allowmetointroducetoyoumyfriendMrRobarts.Itishewhowillextractthefive-poundnoteoutofyourpocketnextSundayforthesepoorPapuanswhomwearegoingtoChristianize.Thatis,ifHaroldSmithdoesnotfinishtheworkoutofhandathisSundaylecture.And,Robarts,youhaveseenthebishop,ofcourse:'thishesaidinawhisper.'Afinethingtobeabishop,isn'tit?IwishIhadhalfyourchance.

But,mydearfellow,I'vemadesuchamistake.Ihaven'tgotabachelorparsonforMissProudie.Youmusthelpmeout,andtakeherintodinner.'Andthenthegreatgongsounded,andofftheywentinpairs.

AtdinnerMarkfoundhimselfseatedbetweenMissProudieandtheladywhomhehadheardnamedasMissDunstable.Oftheformerhewasnotveryfond,and,inspiteofhishost'spetition,wasnotinclinedtoplaybachelorparsonforherbenefit.Withtheotherladyhewouldwillinglyhavechattedduringthedinner,onlythateverybodyelseattableseemedtobeintentondoingthesamething.Shewasneitheryoung,norbeautiful,norpeculiarlyladylike;yetsheseemedtoenjoyapopularitywhichmusthaveexcitedtheenvyofMrSupplehouse,andwhichcertainlywasnotaltogethertothetasteofMrsProudie——who,however,fetedherasmuchasdidtheothers.Sothatourclergymanfoundhimselfunabletoobtainmorethananinconsiderableshareofthelady'sattention.

'Bishop,'saidshe,speakingacrossthetable,'wehavemissedyouallday!wehavehadnooneonearthtosayawordtous.'

'MydearMissDunstable,hadIknownthat——ButIreallywasengagedonbusinessofsomeimportance.'

'Idon'tbelieveinbusinessofimportance;doyou,MrsSmith?'

'DoInot?'saidMrsSmith.'IfyouweremarriedtoMrHaroldSmithforoneweek,you'dbelieveinit.'

'ShouldI,now?WhatapityIcan'thavethatchanceofimprovingmyfaith!Butyouareamanofbusinessalso,MrSupplehouse;dotheytellme.'Andsheturnedtoherneighbouronherrighthand.

'IcannotcomparemyselftoMrHaroldSmith,'saidhe.'ButperhapsImayequalthebishop.'

'Whatdoesamando,now,whenhesitshimselfdowntobusiness?

Howdoeshesetaboutit?Whatarehistools?Aquireofblottingpaper,Isuppose,tobeginwith?'

'Thatdepends,Ishouldsay,onhistrade.Ashoemakerbeginsbywaxinghisthread.'

'AndMrHaroldSmith——?'

'Bycountinguphisyesterday'sfigures,generally,Ishouldsay;

orelsebyunrollingaballofredtape.Well-docketedpapersandstatisticalfactsarehisforte.'

'Andwhatdoesabishopdo?Canyoutellmethat?'

'Hesendsforthtohisclergyeitherblessingsorblowings-up,accordingtothestateofhisdigestiveorgans.ButMrsProudiecanexplainallthattoyouwiththegreatestaccuracy.'

'Canshenow?Iunderstandwhatyoumean,butIdon'tbelieveawordofit.Thebishopmanageshisownaffairshimself,quiteasmuchasyoudo,orMrHaroldSmith.'

'I,MissDunstable?'

'Yes,you.'

'ButI,unluckily,havenotawifetomanagethemforme.'

'Thenyoushouldnotlaughatthosewhohave,foryoudon'tknowwhatyoumaycometoyourself,whenyou'remarried.'

MrSupplehousebegantomakeaprettyspeech,sayingthathewouldbedelightedtoincuranydangerinthatrespecttowhichhemightbesubjectedbythecompanionshipofMissDunstable.Butbeforehewashalfthroughit,shehadturnedherbackuponhim,andbeganaconversationwithMarkRobarts.

'Haveyoumuchworkinyourparish,MrRobarts?'sheasked.Now,Markwasnotawarethatsheknewhisnameorthefactofhishavingaparish,andwasrathersurprisedbythequestion.Andhehadnotquitelikedthetoneinwhichshehadseemedtospeakofthebishopandhiswork.Hisdesireforherfurtheracquaintancewasthereforesomewhatmoderated,andhewasnotpreparedtoanswerherquestionwithmuchzeal.

'Allparishclergymenhaveplentyofwork,iftheychoosetodoit.'

'Ah,thatisit;isitnot,MrRobarts?Iftheychoosetodoit?A

greatmanydo——manythatIknow,do;andseewhataresulttheyhave.Butmanyneglectit——andseewhataresulttheyhave.I

thinkitoughttobethehappiestlifethatamancanlead,thatofaparishclergyman,withawifeandfamilyandasufficientincome.'

'Ithinkitis,'saidMarkRobarts,askinghimselfwhetherthecontentmentaccruingtohimfromsuchblessingshadmadehimsatisfiedonallpoints.HehadallthesethingsofwhichMissDunstablespoke,andyethehadtoldhiswife,theotherday,thathecouldnotaffordtoneglecttheacquaintanceofarisingpoliticianlikeHaroldSmith.

'WhatIfindfaultwithisthis,'continuedMissDunstable,'thatweexpectclergymentodotheirduty,anddon'tgivethemasufficientincome——givethemhardlyanyincomeatall.Isitnotascandalthataneducatedgentlemanwithafamilyshouldbemadetoworkhalfhislife,andperhapsthewhole,forapittanceofseventypoundsayear!'Marksaidthatitwasascandal,andthoughtofMrEvanJonesandhisdaughter;andthoughtalsoofhisownworth,andhisownhouse,andhisownninehundredayear.

'Andyetclergymenaresoproud——aristocraticwouldbeagenteelword,Iknow——thatyouwon'ttakethemoneyofcommon,ordinarypeople.Youmustbepaidfromlandandendowments,fromtitheandchurchproperty.Youcan'tbringyourselftoworkforwhatyouearn,aslawyersanddoctorsdo.Itisbetterthatcuratesshouldstarvethanundergosuchignominyasthat.'

'Itisalongsubject,MissDunstable.'

'Averylongone;andthatmeansthatIamnottotalkanymoreaboutit.'

'Ididnotmeanthatexactly.'

'Oh,butyoudid,thoughMrRobarts.AndIcantakeahintofthatkindwhenIgetit.Youclergymenliketokeepthoselongsubjectsforyoursermons,whennoonecanansweryou.NowifIhavealongingheart'sdesireforanythingatallinthisworld,itistobeabletogetupintoapulpit,andpreachasermon.'

'Youcan'tconceivehowsoonthatappetitewouldpalluponyou,afteritsfirstindulgence.'

'ThatwoulddependuponwhetherIcouldgetpeopletolistentome.ItdoesnotpalluponMrSpurgeon,Isuppose.'ThenherattentionwascalledawaybysomequestionfromMrSowerby,andMarkRobartsfoundhimselfboundtoaddresshisconversationtoMissProudie.MissProudie,however,wasnotthankful,andgavehimlittlebutmonosyllablesforhispains.

'OfcourseyouknowHaroldSmithisgoingtogiveusalectureabouttheseislanders.'MrSowerbysaidtohim,astheysatroundthefireovertheirwineafterdinner.Marksaidthathehadbeensoinformed,andshouldbedelightedtobeoneofthelisteners.

'Youareboundtodothat,asheisgoingtolistentoyouthedayafterwards——or,atanyrate,topretendtodoso,whichisasmuchasyouwilldoforhim.It'llbeaterriblebore——thelecture,I

mean,notthesermon.'Andhespokeverylowinhisfriend'sear.

'Fancyhavingtodrivetenmilesafterdusk,andtenmilesback,tohearHaroldSmithtalkfortwohoursaboutBorneo!Onemustdoit,youknow.'

'Idaresayitwillbeveryinteresting.'

'Mydearfellow,youhaven'tundergonesomanyofthesethingsasI

have.Buthe'srighttodoit.It'shislineoflife;andwhenamanbeginsathingheoughttogoonwithit.Where'sLuftonthistime?'

'InScotland,whenIlastheardfromhim;buthe'sprobablyatMeltonnow.'

'It'sdeucedshabbyofhim,nothuntinghereinhisowncounty.Heescapesalltheboreofgoingtolectures,andgivingfeedstotheneighbours;that'swhyhetreatsusso.Hehasnoideaofhisduty,hashe?'

'LadyLuftondoesallthat,youknow.'

'IwishI'daMrsSowerbyheretodoitforme.ButthenLuftonhasnoconstituentstolookafter——luckydog!Bytheby,hashespokentoyouaboutsellingthatoutlyingbitoflandofhisinOxfordshire?ItbelongstotheLuftonproperty,andyetitdoesn't.Inmyminditgivesmoretroublethanit'sworth.'LordLuftonhadspokentoMarkaboutthissaleandhadexplainedtohimthatsuchasacrificewasabsolutelynecessary,inconsequenceofcertainpecuniarytransactionsbetweenhim,LordLuftonandMrSowerby.ButitwasfoundimpracticabletocompletethebusinesswithoutLadyLufton'sknowledge,andhersonhadcommissionedMrRobartsnotonlytoinformherladyship,buttotalkheroverandtoappeaseherwrath.Thiscommissionhehadnotyetattemptedtoexercise,anditwasprobablethatthisvisittoChaldicoteswouldnotdomuchtofacilitatethebusiness.

'Theyarethemostmagnificentislandsunderthesun,'saidHaroldSmithtothebishop.

'Arethey,indeed!'saidthebishop,openinghiseyeswide,andassumingalookofintenseinterest.

'Andthemostintelligentpeople.'

'Dearme!'saidthebishop.

'Alltheywantisguidance,encouragement,instruction——'

'AndChristianity,'suggestedthebishop.

'AndChristianity,ofcourse,'saidMrSmith,rememberingthathewasspeakingtoadignitaryoftheChurch.Itwaswelltohumoursuchpeople,MrSmiththought.ButtheChristianitywastobedoneintheSundaysermon,andwasnotpartofhiswork.

'Andhowdoyouintendtobeginwiththem?'askedMrSupplehouse,thebusinessofwhoselifeithadbeentosuggestdifficulties.

'Beginwiththem——oh——whyit'sveryeasytobeginwiththem.Thedifficultyistogoonwiththem,afterthemoneyisallspent.

We'llbeginbyexplainingtothemthebenefitsofcivilization.'

'Capitalplan!'saidMrSupplehouse.'Buthowdoyousetaboutit,Smith?'

'Howdowesetaboutit?HowdidwesetaboutitwithAustraliaandAmerica?Itisveryeasytocriticize;butinsuchmattersthegreatthingistoputone'sshouldertothewheel.'

'WesentourfelonstoAustralia,'saidSupplehouse,'andtheybegantoworkforus.AndastoAmerica,weexterminatedthepeopleinsteadofcivilizingthem.'

'WedidnotexterminatetheinhabitantsofIndia,'saidHaroldSmith,angrily.

'NorhaveweattemptedtoChristianizethem,asthebishopsoproperlywishestodowithyourislanders.'

'Supplehouse,youarenotfair,'saidMrSowerby,'neithertoHaroldSmithnortous——youaremakinghimrehearsehislecture,whichisbadforhim;andmakingusheartherehearsal,whichisbadforus.'

'SupplehousebelongstoacliquewhichmonopolisesthewisdomofEngland,'saidHaroldSmith,'or,atanyrate,thinksthatitdoes.Buttheworstofthemisthattheyaregiventotalkleadingarticles.'

'Betterthat,thantalkarticleswhicharenotleading,'saidMrSupplehouse.'Somefirst-classofficialmendothat.'

'ShallImeetyouattheduke'snextweek,MrRobarts?'saidthebishoptohim,soonaftertheyhadgoneintothedrawing-room.

Meethimattheduke's!——theestablishedenemyofBarsetshiremankind,asLadyLuftonregardedhisgrace!Noideaofgoingtotheduke'shadeverenteredourhero'smind;norhadhebeenawarethatthedukewasabouttoentertainanyone.

'No,mylord,Ithinknot.Indeed,Ihavenoacquaintancewithhisgrace.'

'Oh——ah!Ididnotknow.BecauseMrSowerbyisgoing;andsoaretheHaroldSmiths,andIthink,MrSupplehouse.Anexcellentmanistheduke;——thatis,asregardsthecountyinterests,'addedthebishop,rememberingthatthemoralcharacterofhisbachelorgracewasnottheverybestintheworld.AndthenhislordshipbegantoasksomequestionsaboutthechurchaffairsofFramley,inwhichalittleinterestastoFramleyCourtwasalsomixedup,whenhewasinterruptedbyarathersharpvoice,towhichheinstantlyattended.

'Bishop,'saidtherathersharpvoice;andthebishoptrottedacrosstheroomtothebackofthesofa,onwhichhiswifewassitting.'MissDunstablethinksthatshewillbeabletocometousforacoupleofdays,afterweleavetheduke's.'

'Ishallbedelightedaboveallthings,'saidthebishop,bowinglowtothedominantladyoftheday.Forbeitknowntoallmen,thatMissDunstablewasthegreatheiressofthatname.

【推荐阅读】幽幽深宫，醒来一梦似千年，重生于下堂妃身躯中的她，将如何手刃仇人? 点击阅读