'MrsProudieissoverykindastosaythatshewilltakemein,withmypoodle,parrot,andpetoldwoman.'

'ItellMissDunstablethatweshallhavequiteroomforanyofhersuite,'saidMrsProudie.'Andthatitwillgiveusnotrouble.'

'"Thelabourwedelightinphysicspain"'saidthegallantbishop,bowinglow,puttinghishanduponhisheart.InthemeantimeMrFothergillhadgotholdofMarkRobarts.MrFothergillwasagentlemanandamagistrateofthecounty,butheoccupiedthepositionofmanagingmanontheDukeofOmnium'sestate.Hewasnotexactlyhisagent;thatistosay,hedidnotreceivehisrents;buthe'managed'forhim,sawpeople,wentaboutthecounty,wroteletters,supportedtheelectioneeringinterest,didpopularitywhenitwastoomuchtroublefortheduketodoithimself,andwas,infact,invaluable.PeopleinWestBarsetshirewouldoftensaythattheydidnotknowwhatonearththedukewoulddo,ifitwerenotforMrFothergill.Indeed,MrFothergillwasusefultotheduke.

'MrRobarts,'hesaid,'Iamveryhappytohavethepleasureofmeetingyou——veryhappyindeed.IhaveoftenheardofyoufromourfriendSowerby.'Markbowed,andsaidthathewasdelightedtohavethehonourofmakingMrFothergill'sacquaintance.'IamcommissionedbytheDukeofOmnium,'continuedMrFothergill,'tosayhowgladhewillbeifyouwilljoinhisgrace'spartyatGatherumCastlenextweek.Thebishopwillbethere,andindeednearlyallthewholesetwhoareherenow.ThedukewouldhavewrittenwhenheheardthatyouweretobeatChaldicotes;butthingswerehardlyquitearrangedthen,sohisgracehasleftitformetotellyouhowhappyhewillbetomakeyouracquaintanceinhisownhouse.IhavespokentoSowerby,'continuedMrFothergill,'andheverymuchhopesthatyouwillbeabletojoinus.'

Markfeltthathisfacebecameredwhenthispropositionwasmadetohim.Thepartyinthecountytowhichheproperlybelonged——heandhiswife,andallthatmadehimhappyandrespectable——lookedupontheDukeofOmniumwithhorrorandamazement;andnowhehadabsolutelyreceivedaninvitationtotheduke'shouse!A

propositionwasmadetohimthatheshouldbenumberedamongtheduke'sfriends!

Andthoughinonesensehewassorrythatthepropositionwasmadetohim,yetinanotherhewasproudofit.Itisnoteveryyoungman,lethisprofessionbewhatitmay,whocanreceiveoverturesoffriendshipfromdukeswithoutsomeelation.Mark,too,hadrisenintheworld,asfarashehadyetrisen,byknowinggreatpeople;

andhecertainlyhadanambitiontorisehigher;butheundoubtedlyhadafeelingthatthepathsmostpleasantforaclergyman'sfeetwerethosewhichweretroddenbythegreatonesoftheearth.

Nevertheless,atthemomenthedeclinedtheduke'sinvitation.Hewasverymuchflattered,hesaid,butthedutiesoftheparishwouldrequirehimtoreturnfromChaldicotestoFramley.

'Youneednotgiveananswerto-night,youknow,'saidMrFothergill.'Beforetheweekispast,wewilltalkitoverwithSowerbyandthebishop.Itwillbeathousandpities,MrRobarts,ifyouwillallowmetosayso,thatyoushouldneglectsuchanopportunityofknowinghisgrace.'

WhenMarkwenttobed,hismindwasstillsetagainstgoingtotheduke's;but,nevertheless,hedidfeelthatitwasapitythatheshouldnotdoso.Afterall,wasitnecessarythatheshouldobeyLadyLuftoninallthings?

CHAPTERIV

AMATTEROFCONSCIENCE

Itisnodoubtverywrongtolongafteranaughtything.Butneverthelesswealldoso.OnemaysaythathankeringafternaughtythingsistheveryessenceoftheevilintowhichwehavebeenprecipitatedbyAdam'sfall.Whenweconfessthatweareallsinners,weconfessthatwealllongafternaughtythings.Andambitionisagreatvice——asMarkAntonytoldusalongtimeago——areferencetohisownadvancement,andnottotheadvancementofothers.Butthen,howmanyofusaretherewhoarenotambitiousinthisviciousmanner?Andthereisnothingvilerthanthedesiretoknowgreatpeople——peopleofgreatrank,Ishouldsay;nothingworsethanthehuntingoftitlesandworshippingofwealth.Weallknowthis,andsayiteverydayofourlives.ButpresumingthatawayintothesocietyofParkLanewasopentous,andawayalsointothatofBedfordRow,howmanyofusaretherewhowouldpreferBedfordRow,becauseitissoviletoworshipwealthandtitle?

IamledintotheserathertriteremarksbythenecessityofputtingforwardsomesortofexcuseforthatframeofmindinwhichtheRevMarkRobartsawokeonthemorningafterhisarrivalatChaldicotes.AndItrustthatthefactofhisbeingaclergymanwillnotbeallowedtopressagainsthimunfairly.Clergymenaresubjecttothesamepassionsasothermen;and,asfarasIcansee,givewaytothem,inonelineoranother,almostasfrequently.Everyclergymanshould,bycanonicalrule,feelapersonaldisinclinationtoabishopric;butyetwedonotbelievethatsuchpersonaldisinclinationisgenerallyverystrong.Mark'sfirstthoughtswhenhewokeonthatmorningflewbacktoMrFothergill'sinvitation.Thedukehadsentaspecialmessagetosayhowpeculiarlygladhe,theduke,wouldbetomakeacquaintancewithhim,theparson!HowmuchofthismessagehadbeenofMrFothergill'sownmanufacture,thatMarkRobartsdidnotconsider.

Hehadobtainedalivingatanagewhenotheryoungclergymenarebeginningtothinkofacuracy,andhehadobtainedsuchalivingasmiddle-agedparsonsintheirdreamsregardasapossibleParadisefortheiroldyears.Ofcoursehethoughtthatallthesegoodthingshadbeentheresultsofhisownpeculiarmerits.Ofcoursehefeltthathewasdifferentfromotherparsons——morefittedbynatureforintimacywithgreatpersons,moreurbane,morepolished,andmorerichlyendowedwithmodernclericalwell-to-doaptitudes.HewasgratefultoLadyLuftonforwhatshehaddoneforhim;butperhapsnotsogratefulasheshouldhavebeen.

AtanyratehewasnotLadyLufton'sservant,norevenherdependant.Somuchhehadrepeatedtohimselfonmanyoccasions,andhadgonesofarastohintthesameideatohiswife.Inhiscareerasparishpriesthemustinmostthingsbethejudgeofhisownactions——andinmanyalsoitwashisdutytobethejudgeofthoseofhispatroness.ThefactofLadyLuftonhavingplacedhimintheliving,couldbynomeansmakehertheproperjudgeofhisactions.Thisheoftensaidtohimself;andhesaidasoftenthatLadyLuftoncertainlyhadahankeringaftersuchajudgement-seat.

Ofwhomgenerallydidprimeministersandofficialbigwigsthinkitexpedienttomakebishopsanddeans?Wasitnot,asarule,ofthoseclergymenwhohadshownthemselvesabletoperformtheirclericaldutiesefficiently,andablealsototaketheirplacewitheaseinsociety?HewasverywelloffcertainlyatFramley;buthecouldneverhopeforanythingbeyondFramley,ifheallowedhimselftoregardLadyLuftonasabugbear.PuttingLadyLuftonandherprejudicesoutofthequestion,wasthereanyreasonwhyheoughtnottoaccepttheduke'sinvitation?Hecouldnotseethattherewasanysuchreason.Ifanyonecouldbeabetterjudgeonsuchasubjectthanhimself,itmustbehisbishop.AnditwasclearthatthebishopwishedhimtogotoGatherumCastle.

Thematterwasstillleftopentohim.MrFothergillhadespeciallyexplainedthat;andthereforehisultimatedecisionwasasyetwithinhisownpower.Suchavisitwouldcosthimsomemoney,forheknewthatamandoesnotstayatgreathouseswithoutexpense;andthen,inspiteofhisgoodincome,hewasnotveryflushofmoney.HehadbeendownthisyearwithLordLuftoninScotland.Perhapsitmightbemoreprudentforhimtoreturnhome.ButthenanideacametohimthatitbehovedhimaspriesttobreakthroughthatFramleythralldomunderwhichhefeltthathedidtoacertainextentexist.WasitnotthefactthathewasabouttodeclinethisinvitationfromfearofLadyLufton?andifso,wasthatamotivebywhichheoughttobeactuated?Itwasincumbentonhimtoridhimselfofthatfeeling.Andinthisspirithegotupanddressed.

Therewashuntingagainonthatday;andasthehoundsweretomeetnearChaldicotes,andtodrawsomeconvertslyingonthevergeofthechase,theladiesweretogoincarriagesthroughthedrivesoftheforest,andMrRobartswastoescortthemonhorseback.Indeeditwasoneofthosehuntingdaysgotupratherfortheladiesthanforthesport.Greatnuisancestheyaretosteady,middle-agedhuntingmen;buttheyoungfellowslikethembecausetheyhavetherebyanopportunityofshowingalltheirsportingfinery,andofdoingalittleflirtationonhorseback.Thebishop,also,hadbeenmindedtobeoftheparty;so,atleast,hehadsaidonthepreviousevening;andaplaceinoneofthecarriageshadbeensetapartforhim;butsincethat,heandMrsProudiehaddiscussedthematterinprivate,andatbreakfasthislordshipdeclaredthathehadchangedhismind.

MrSowerbywasoneofthosemenwhoareknowntobeverypoor——aspoorasdebtcanmakeaman——butwho,nevertheless,enjoyalltheluxurieswhichmoneycangive.ItwasbelievedthathecouldnotliveinEnglandoutofjailbutforhisprotectionasamemberofParliament;andyetitseemedthattherewasnoendtohishorsesandcarriages,hisservantsandretinue.Hehadbeenatthisworkforagreatmanyyears,andpractice,theysay,makesperfect.Suchcompanionsareverydangerous.Thereisnocholera,noyellow-fever,nosmall-pox,morecontagiousthandebt.Ifoneliveshabituallyamongembarrassedmen,onecatchesittoacertainty.NoonehadinjuredthecommunityinthiswaymorefatallythanMrSowerby.Butstillhecarriedonthegamehimself;

andnow,onthismorning,carriagesandhorsesthrongedathisgate,asthoughhewereassubstantiallyrichashisfriendtheDukeofOmnium.

'Robarts,mydearfellow,'saidMrSowerby,whentheywerewellunderwaydownoneofthegladesoftheforest,——fortheplacewherethehoundsmetwassomefourorfivemilesfromthehouseofChaldicotes,——'rideonwithmeamoment.Iwanttospeaktoyou.

AndifIstaybehindweshallnevergettothehounds.'SoMark,whohadcomeexpresslytoescorttheladies,rodeonalongsideMrSowerbyinhispinkcoat.

'Mydearfellow,FothergilltellsmethatyouhavesomehesitationaboutgoingtoGatherumCastle.'

'Well,Ididdecline,certainly.YouknowIamnotamanofpleasureasyouare.Ihavesomedutiestoattendto.'

'Gammon!'saidMrSowerby;andashesaidit,helookedwithakindofderisivesmileintotheclergyman'sface.

'Itiseasyenoughtosaythat,Sowerby;andperhapsIhavenorighttoexpectthatyoushouldunderstandme.'

'Ah,butIdounderstandyou;andIsaythatitisgammon.Iwouldbethelastmanintheworldtoridiculeyourscruplesaboutduty,ifthishesitationonyourpartarosefromanysuchscruple.Butanswermehonestly,doyounotknowthatsuchisnotthecase?'

'Iknownothingofthekind.'

'Ah,butIthinkyoudo.IfyoupersistinrefusingthisinvitationwillitnotbebecauseyouareafraidofmakingLadyLuftonangry?IdonotknowwhattherecanbeinthatwomanthatsheisabletoholdbothyouandLuftoninleading-strings.'

Robarts,ofcoursedeniedthecharge,andprotestedthathewasnottobetakenbacktohisparsonagebyanyfearofLadyLufton.Butthoughhemadesuchprotestwithwarmth,heknewthathedidsoineffectually.Sowerbyonlysmiled,andsaidthattheproofofthepuddingwasintheeating.

'Whatisthegoodofamankeepingacurateifitbenottosavehimfromthatsortofdrudgery?'heasked.

'Drudgery!IfIwereadrudgehowcouldIbehereto-day?'

'Well,Robarts,lookhere.Iamspeakingnow,perhaps,withmoreoftheenergyofanoldfriendthancircumstancesfullywarrant;butI

amanoldermanthanyou,andasIhavearegardforyouIdonotliketoseeyouthrowupagoodgamewhenitisinyourhands.'

'Oh,asfarasthatgoes,Sowerby,IneedhardlytellyouthatI

appreciateyourkindness.'

'Ifyouareconstant,'continuedthemanoftheworld,'toliveatFramleyallyourlife,andtowarmyourselfinthesunshineofthedowagerthere,why,insuchcase,itmayperhapsbeuselessforyoutoextendthecircleofyourfriends;butifyouhavehigherideasthanthose,youwillbeverywrongtoomitthepresentopportunityofgoingtotheduke's.Ineverknewthedukegosomuchoutofhiswaytobeciviltoaclergymanashehasdoneinthisinstance.'

'IamsureIamverymuchobligedtohim.'

'Thefactis,thatyoumay,ifyouplease,makeyourselfpopularinthecounty;butyoucannotdoitbyobeyingLadyLufton'sbehest.

Sheisadearoldwoman,Iamsure.'

'Sheis,Sowerby;andyouwouldsayso,ifyouknewher.'

'Idon'tdoubtit;butitwouldnotdoforyouormetoliveexactlyaccordingtoherideas.Now,here,inthiscase,thebishopofthedioceseistobeoneoftheparty,andhehas,I

believe,expressedawishthatyoushouldbeanother.'

'HeaskedmeifIweregoing.'

'Exactly;andArchdeaconGrantlywillalsobethere.'

'Willhe?'askedMark.Now,thatwouldbeagreatpointgained,forArchdeaconGrantlywasaclosefriendofLadyLufton.

'SoIunderstandfromFothergill.Indeed,itwillbeverywrongofyounottogo,andItellyouplainly;andwhatismore,whenyoutalkaboutyourduty——youhavingacurateasyoudohave——why,itisgammon.'Theselastwordshespokelookingbackoverhisshoulderashestoodupinhisstirrups,forhehadcaughttheeyeofthehuntsman,whowassurroundedbyhishounds,andwasnowtrottingontojoinhim.Duringagreatportionoftheday,MarkfoundhimselfridingbythesideofMrsProudie,asthatladyleanedbackinhercarriage.AndMrsProudiesmiledonhimgraciously,thoughherdaughterwouldnotdoso.MrsProudiewasfondofhavinganattendantclergyman;andasitwasevidentthatMrRobartslivedamongnicepeople——titleddowagers,membersofParliament,andpeopleofthatsort——shewasquitewillingtoinstallhimasasortofhonorarychaplainprotem.

'I'lltellyouwhatwehavesettled,MrsHaroldSmithandI,'saidMrsProudietohim.'ThislectureatBarchesterwillbesolateonSaturdayevening,thatyouhadallbettercomeanddinewithus.'

Markbowedandthankedher,anddeclaredthatheshouldbeveryhappytomakeoneofsuchaparty.EvenLadyLuftoncouldnotobjecttothis,althoughshewasnotespeciallyfondofMrsProudie.

'Andthentheyaretosleepatthehotel.Itwillreallybetoolateforladiestothinkofgoingbacksofaratthistimeoftheyear.ItoldMrsHaroldSmith,andMissDunstable,too,thatwecouldmanagetomakeroomatanyrateforthem.Buttheywillnotleavetheotherladies;sotheygotothehotelforthenight.But,MrRobarts,thebishopwillneverallowyoutostayattheinn,soofcourseyouwilltakeabedatthepalace.'

ItimmediatelyoccurredtoMarkthatasthelecturewastobegivenonSaturdayevening,thenextmorningwouldbeSunday;and,onthatSunday,hewouldhavetopreachatChaldicotes.'Ithoughttheywereallgoingtoreturnthesamenight,'saidhe.

'Well,theydidintendit;butyouseeMrsSmithisafraid.'

'IshouldhavetobebackhereontheSundaymorning,MrsProudie.'

'Ah,yes,thatisbad——verybadindeed.NoonedislikesanyinterferencewiththeSabbathanymorethanIdo.Indeed,ifIamparticularaboutanythingitisaboutthat.Butsomeworksareworksofnecessity,MrRobarts;aretheynot?NowyoumustnecessarilybebackatChaldicotesonSundaymorning!'Andsothematterwassettled.MrsProudiewasveryfirmingeneralinthematterofSabbath-dayobservances;butwhenshehadtodealwithsuchpersonsasMrsHaroldSmith,itwasexpedientthatsheshouldgivewayalittle.'Youcanstartatnoonasit'sdaylight,youknow,ifyoulikeit,MrRobarts,'shesaid.

Therewasnotmuchtoboastofastothehunting,butitwasaverypleasantdayfortheladies.Themenrodeupanddownthegrassroadsthroughthechase,sometimesinthegreatestpossiblehurryasthoughtheynevercouldgoquickenough;andthenthecoachmenwoulddriveveryfastalso,thoughtheydidnotknowwhy,forafastpaceofmovementisanotherofthosecontagiousdiseases.Andthenagainthesportsmenwouldmoveatanundertaker'space,whenthefoxhadtraversedandthehoundswouldbeatalosstoknowwhichwasthehuntandwhichwastheheel;andthenthecarriageswouldgoslowly,andtheladieswouldstandupandtalk.Andthenthetimeforlunchcame;andaltogetherthedaywentpleasantlyenough.

'Andsothat'shunting,isit?'saidMissDunstable.

'Yes,that'shunting,'saidMrSowerby.

'IdidnotseeanygentlemendoanythingthatIcouldnotdomyself,excepttherewasoneyoungmanslippedoffintothemud;

andIshouldn'tlikethat.'

'Buttherewasnobreakingofbones,wasthere,mydear?'saidMrsHaroldSmith.

'Andnobodycaughtanyfoxes,'saidMissDunstable.'Thefactis,MrsSmith,thatIdon'tthinkmuchmoreoftheirsportthanIdooftheirbusiness.Ishalltaketohuntingapackofhoundsmyselfafterthis.'

'Do,mydear,andI'llbeyourwhipper-in.IwonderwhetherMrsProudiewouldjoinus.'

'Ishallbewritingtotheduketo-night,'saidMrFothergilltoMark,astheywereallridinguptothestable-yardtogether.'Youwillletmetellhisgracethatyouwillaccepthisinvitation——willyounot?'

'Uponmyword,thedukeisverykind,'saidMark.

'Heisveryanxioustoknowyou,Icanassureyou,'saidFothergill.Whatcouldayoungflatteredfoolofaparsondo,butsaythathewouldgo?Markdidsaythathewouldgo;andinthecourseoftheeveninghisfriendMrSowerbycongratulatedhim,andthebishopjokedwithhimandsaidthatheknewthathewouldnotgiveupgoodcompanysosoon;andMissDunstablesaidshewouldmakehimherchaplainassoonasParliamentwouldallowquackdoctorstohavesucharticles——anallusionwhichMarkdidnotunderstand,tillhelearnedthatMissDunstablewasherselftheproprietressofthecelebratedOilofLebanon,inventedbyherlaterespectedfather,andpatentedbyhimwithsuchwonderfulresultsinthewayofaccumulatedfortune;andMrsProudiemadehimquiteoneoftheirparty,talkingtohimaboutallmannerofChurchsubjects;andthenatlast,evenMissProudiesmiledonhim,whenshelearnedthathehadbeenthoughtworthyofabedattheduke'scastle.Andalltheworldseemedtobeopentohim.

Buthecouldnotmakehimselfhappythatevening.Onthenextmorninghemustwritetohiswife;andhecouldalreadyseethelookofpainfulsorrowwhichwouldfalluponFanny'sbrowwhenshelearnedthatherhusbandwasgoingtobeaguestattheDukeofOmnium's.Andhemusttellhertosendhimmoney,andmoneywasscarce.Andthen,astoLadyLufton,shouldhesendhersomemessage,orshouldhenot?Ineithercasehemustdeclarewaragainsther.AndthendidhenotoweeverythingtoLadyLufton?

Andthusinspiteofallhistriumphshecouldnotgethimselftobedinahappyframeofmind.

Onthenextday,whichwasFriday,hepostponedthedisagreeabletaskofwriting.Saturdaywoulddowell;andonSaturdaymorning,beforetheyallstartedforBarchester,hedidwrite.Andhisletterranasfollows:-

'Chaldicotes,November,185-

'DEARESTLOVE,'YouwillbeastonishedwhenItellyouhowgayweallarehere,andwhatfurtherdissipationsareinstoreforme.TheArabins,asyousupposed,arenotofourparty;

buttheProudiesare——asyousupposedalso.Yoursuppositionsarealwaysright.AndwhatwillyouthinkwhenItellyouthatIamtosleepatthepalaceonSaturday?YouknowthatthereistobealectureinBarchesteronthatday.Well;wemustallgo,ofcourse,asHaroldSmith,oneofoursethere,istogiveit.Andnowitturnsoutthatwecannotgetbacktothehousethesamenightbecausethereisnomoon;andMrsBishopwouldnotallowthatmyclothshouldbecontaminatedbyanhotel;——verykindandconscientious,isitnot?

'ButIhaveamoreastoundingpieceofnewsforyouthanthis.ThereistobeaverygreatpartyatGatherumCastlenextweek,andtheyhavetalkedmeoverintoacceptinganinvitationwhichthedukesentexpresslytome.Irefusedatfirst;buteverybodyheresaidthatmydoingsowouldbesostrange;andthentheyallwantedtoknowmyreason.WhenIcametorenderit,IdidnotknowwhatreasonIhadtogive.Thebishopisgoing,andhethoughtitveryoddthatIshouldnotgoalso,seeingthatIwasasked.Iknowthatmyowndarlingwillthink,andIknowthatshewillnotbepleased,andImustputoffmydefencetillIreturntoherfromthisogre-land——ifeverIgetbackalive.Butjokingapart,Fanny,IthinkthatIshouldhavebeenwrongtostandout,whensomuchwassaidaboutit.Ishouldhavebeenseemingtotakeuponmyselftositinjudgementupontheduke.Idoubtiftherebeasingleclergymaninthediocese,underfiftyyearsofage,whowouldhaverefusedtheinvitationundersuchcircumstances——unlessitbeCrawley,whoissomadonthesubjectthathethinksitalmostwrongtotakeawalkoutofhisownparish.I

muststayatGatherumCastleoverSundayweek——indeed,weonlygothereonFriday.IhavewrittentoJonesabouthisduties.Icanmakeituptohim,asIknowhewishestogotoWalesatChristmas.Mywanderingswillallbeoverthen,andhemaygoforacoupleofmonthsifhepleases.IsupposeyouwilltakemyclassesintheschoolonSunday,aswellasyourown;butpraymakethemhaveagoodfire.Ifthisbetoomuchforyou,makeMrsPodgenstaketheboys.IndeedIthinkthatwillbebetter.

'Ofcourseyouwilltellherladyshipofmywhereabouts.

Tellherfromme,thatasregardsthebishop,aswellasregardinganothergreatpersonage,thecolourhasbeenlaidonperhapsalittletoothickly.NotthatLadyLuftonwouldeverlikehim.Makeherunderstandthatmygoingtotheduke'shousehasalmostbecomeamatterofconsciencewithme.Ihavenotknownhowtomakeitappearthatitwouldberightformetorefuse,withoutabsolutelymakingapartymatterofit.Isawthatitwouldbesaid,thatI,comingfromLadyLufton'sparish,couldnotgototheDukeofOmnium's.ThisIdidnotchoose.

'IfindthatIshallwantalittlemoneybeforeIleavehere,fiveortenpounds——saytenpounds.Ifyoucannotspareit,getitfromDavis.Heowesmemorethanthat,agooddeal.Andnow,Godblessandpreserveyou,mylove.Kissmydarlingbairnsforpapa,andgivethemmyblessing.

'Alwaysandeveryourown,'M.R.'

Andthentherewaswritten,onanoutsidescrap,whichwasfoldedroundthefull-writtensheetofpaper.'MakeitassmoothatFramleyCourtaspossible.'Howeverstrong,andreasonable,andunanswerablethebodyofMark'slettermayhavebeen,allhishesitation,weakness,doubt,andfear,wereexpressedinthatshortpostscript.

CHAPTERV

AMANTIUMIRAEAMORISINTERGRATIO

Andnow,withmyreader'sconsent,IwillfollowthepostmanwiththatlettertoFramley;notbyitsowncircuitousrouteindeed,orbythesamemodeofconveyance;forthatletterwentintoBarchesterbytheCourcynightmail-cart,which,onitsroad,passedthroughthevillagesofUffeyandChaldicotes,reachingBarchesterintimefortheup-mailfromLondon.Bythattrain,theletterwassenttowardsthemetropolisasfarasthejunctionoftheBarsetbranchline,butthereitwasturnedinitscourse,andcamedownagainbythemainlineasfarasSilverbridge;atwhichplace,betweensixandseveninthemorning,itwasshoulderedbytheFramleyfootpostmessenger,andinduecoursedeliveredattheFramleyParsonageexactlyasMrsRobartshadfinishedreadingprayerstothefourservants.Or,Ishouldsayrather,thatsuchwouldinitsusualcoursehavebeenthatletter'sdestiny.Asitwas,however,itreachedSilverbridgeonSunday,andlaytheretilltheMonday,astheFramleypeoplehavedeclinedtheirSundaypost.

Andthenagain,whentheletterwasdeliveredattheparsonage,onthatwetMondaymorning,MrsRobartswasnotathome.Asweareallaware,shewasstayingwithherladyshipatFramleyCourt.

'Oh,butit'smortialwet,'saidtheshiveringpostmanashehandedinthatandthevicar'snewspaper.ThevicarwasamanoftheworldandtookTheJupiter.

'Comein,Robinpostman,andwarmtheeselfawhile,'saidJemimathecook,pushingastoolalittletooneside,butstillwellinfrontofthebigkitchenfire.

'Well,Idudnajistknowhowit'llbe.Thewery'edges'aseyesandtellsonmeinSilverbridge,ifIsomuchasstepstopickupablackberry.'

'Therehain'tnohedgesher,mon,noryetnoblackberries;sosittheedownandwarmtheeself.That'sbetternorblackberries,I'mthinking,'andshehandedhimabowlofteawithasliceofbutteredtoast.Robinpostmantooktheprofferedtea,puthisdrippinghatontheground,andthankedJemimacook.'ButIdudnajistknowhowit'llbe;'saidhe,'onlyitdopoursotarmationheavy.'Whichamongus,Omyreaders,couldhavewithstoodthattemptation?

SuchwasthecircuitouscourseofMark'sletter;butasitleftChaldicotesonSaturdayeveningandreachedMrsRobartsonthefollowingmorning,orwouldhavedonebutfortheinterveningSunday,doingallperegrinationsduringthenight,itmaybeheldthatitscourseoftransportwasnotinconvenientlyarranged.We,however,willtravelbyamuchshorterroute.Robin,inthecourseofhisdailytravels,passed,firstthepost-officeatFramley,thenFramleyCourtbackentrance,andthenthevicar'shouse,sothatonthiswetmorningJemimacookwasnotabletomakeuseofhisservicesintransportingtheletterbacktohermistress;forRobinhadgotanothervillagebeforehim,expectantofhisletters.

'Whydidn'ttheeleaveit,mon,withMrApplejohnattheCourt?'MrApplejohnwasthebutlerwhotooktheletter-bag.'Theeknow'stashowmissuswasthere.'AndthenRobin,mindfuloftheteaandtoast,explainedtohercourteouslyhowthelawmadeitimperativeonhimtobringthelettertotheveryhousethatwasindicated,lettheowneroftheletterbewhereshemight;andhelaiddownthelawverysatisfactorilywithsundrylong-wordedquotations.Nottomucheffect,however,forthehousemaidcalledhimanoaf;andRobinwoulddecidedlyhavehadtheworstofithadnotthegardenercomeinandtakenhispart.'Theywomanknowsnothin',andunderstandsnothin','saidthegardener.'Giveusholdoftheletter.I'lltakeituptothehouse.It'sthemaster'sfist.'

AndthenRobinpostmanwentononeway,andthegardener,hewenttheother.ThegardenerneverdislikedanexcuseforgoingtotheCourtgardens,evenonsowetadayasthis.

MrsRobartswassittingoverthedrawing-roomfirewithLadyMeredith,whenherhusband'sletterwasbroughttoher.TheFramleyCourtletter-baghadbeendiscussedatbreakfast;butthatwasnownearlyanhoursince,andLadyLufton,aswasherwont,wasawayinherownroom,writingherownletters,andlookingafterherownmatters:forLadyLuftonwasapersonwhodealtinfiguresherself,andunderstoodbusinessalmostaswellasHaroldSmith.

Andonthatmorningshealsohadreceivedaletterwhichhaddispleasedhernotalittle.WhencearosethedispleasureneitherMrsRobartsnorLadyMeredithknew;butherladyship'sbrowhadgrownblackatbreakfasttime;shehadbundledupanominous-lookingepistleinherbag,withoutspeakingofit,andhadlefttheroomimmediatelythatbreakfastwasover.

'There'ssomethingwrong,'saidSirGeorge.

'MammadoesfretherselfsomuchaboutLudovic'smoneymatters,'

saidLadyMeredith.LudovicwasLordLufton——LudovicLufton,BaronLuftonofLufton,inthecountyofOxfordshire.

'AndyetIdon'tthinkLuftongetsmuchastray,'saidSirGeorge,ashesaunteredoutoftheroom.'Well,Justy;we'llputoffgoingthentillto-morrow;butremember,itmustbethefirsttrain.'

LadyMeredithsaidshewouldremember,andthentheywentintothedrawing-room,andthereMrsRobartsreceivedherletter.Fanny,whenshereadit,hardlyatfirstrealisedtoherselftheideathatherhusband,theclergymanofFramley,thefamilyclericalfriendofLadyLufton'sestablishment,wasgoingtostaywiththeDukeofOmnium.ItwassothoroughlyunderstoodatFramleyCourtthatthedukeandallbelongingtohim,wasnoxiousanddamnable.HewasaWhig,hewasabachelor,hewasagambler,hewasimmoralineveryway,hewasamanofnoChurchprinciple,acorrupterofyouth,aswornfoeofyoungwives,aswallowerupofsmallmen'spatrimonies;amanwhommothersfearedfortheirsons,andsistersfortheirbrothers;andworseagain,whomfathershadcausetofearfortheirdaughters,andbrothersfortheirsisters;——amanwho,withhisbelongings,dwelt,andmustdwell,polesasunderfromLadyLuftonandherbelongings!AnditmustberememberedthatalltheseevilthingswerefullybelievedbyMrsRobarts.CoulditreallybethatherhusbandwasgoingtodwellinthehallsofApollyon,toshelterhimselfbeneaththewingsofthisveryLucifer?Acloudofsorrowsettleduponherface,andthenshereadtheletteragainveryslowly,notomittingthetell-talepostscript.

'Oh,Justinia!'atlastshesaid.

'What,haveyougotbadnews,too?'

'Ihardlyknowhowtotellyouwhathasoccurred.There;Isupposeyouhadbetterreadit;'andshehandedherhusband'sepistletoLadyMeredith——keepingback,however,thepostscript.

'Whatonearthwillherladyshipdonow?'saidLadyMeredith,asshefoldedthepaper,andreplaceditintheenvelope.

'WhathadIbetterdo,Justinia?howhadIbettertellher?'Andthenthetwoladiesputtheirheadstogether,bethinkingthemselveshowtheymightbestdeprecatethewrathofLadyLufton.IthadbeenarrangedthatMrsRobartsshouldgobacktotheparsonageafterlunch,andshehadpersistedinherintentionafterithadbeensettledthattheMeredithsweretostayoverthatevening.LadyMeredithnowadvisedherfriendtocarryoutthisdeterminationwithoutsayinganythingaboutherhusband'siniquities,andthentosendtheletteruptoLadyLuftonassoonasshereachedtheparsonage.'Mammawillneverknowthatyoureceivedithere,'saidLadyMeredith.ButMrsRobartswouldnotconsenttothis.Suchacourseseemedtohertobecowardly.Sheknewthatherhusbandwasdoingwrong;shefeltthatheknewithimself;butstillitwasnecessarythatsheshoulddefendhim.Howeverterriblemightbethestorm,itmustbreakuponherownhead.SosheatoncewentandtappedatLadyLufton'sprivatedoor;andasshedidsoLadyMeredithfollowedher.

'Comein,'saidLadyLufton,andthevoicedidnotsoundsoftandpleasant.Whentheyentered,theyfoundhersittingatherlittlewriting-table,withherheadrestingonherarm,andthatletterwhichshehadreceivedthatmorningwaslyingopenonthetablebeforeher.Indeedthereweretwolettersnowthere,onefromaLondonlawyertoherself,andtheotherfromhersontothatLondonlawyer.ItneedsonlytobeexplainedthatthesubjectofthoseletterswastheimmediatesaleofthatoutlyingportionoftheLuftonpropertyinOxfordshire,astowhichMrSowerbyoncespoke.

LordLuftonhadtoldthelawyerthatthethingmustbedoneatonce,addingthathisfriendRobartswouldhaveexplainedthewholeaffairtohismother.AndthenthelawyerhadwrittentoLadyLufton,aswasindeednecessary;butunfortunatelyLadyLuftonhadnothithertoheardawordofthematter.Inhereyesthesaleoffamilypropertywashorrible;thefactthatayoungmanwithsomefifteenortwentythousandayearshouldrequiresubsidiarymoneywashorrible;thatherownsonshouldhavenotwrittentoherhimselfwashorrible;anditwasalsohorriblethatherownpet,theclergymanwhomshehadbroughttheretobeherson'sfriend,shouldbemixedupinthematter;shouldbecognizantofitwhileshewasnotcognizant;shouldbeemployedinitasago-betweenandagentinherson'sbadcourses.Itwasallhorrible,andLadyLuftonwassittingtherewithablackbrowandanuneasyheart.Asregardedourpoorparson,wemaysaythatinthismatterhewasblameless,exceptthathehadhithertolackedthecouragetoexecutehisfriend'scommission.

'Whatisit,Fanny?'saidLadyLufton,assoonasthedoorwasopened;'Ishouldhavebeendowninhalfanhourifyouwantedme,Justinia.'

'Fannyhasreceivedaletterwhichmakesherwishtospeaktoyouatonce,'saidLadyMeredith.

'Whatletter,Fanny?'PoorFanny'sheartwasinhermouth;shehelditinherhand,buthadnotyetquitemadeuphermindwhethershewouldshowitboldlytoLadyLufton.'FromMrRobarts,'shesaid.

'Well;IsupposeheisgoingtostayanotherweekatChaldicotes.

FormypartIshouldbeaswellpleased;'andLadyLufton'svoicewasnotfriendly,forshewasthinkingofthefarminOxfordshire.

Theimprudenceoftheyoungisverysoretotheprudenceoftheirelders.Nowomancouldbelesscovetous,lessgraspingthanLadyLufton;butthesaleofaportionoftheoldfamilypropertywastoherasthelossofherownheart'sblood.

'Hereistheletter,LadyLufton;perhapsyouhadbetterread;'andFannyhandedittoher,againkeepingbackthepostscript.Shehadreadandre-readtheletterdownstairs,butcouldnotmakeoutwhetherherhusbandhadintendedhertoshowit.Fromthelineoftheargument,shethoughtthathemusthavedoneso.Atanyratehesaidforhimselfmorethanshecouldsayforhim,andso,probably,itwasbestthatherladyshipshouldseeit.LadyLuftontookit,andreadit,andherfacegrewblackerandblacker.Hermindwassetagainstthewriterbeforeshebeganit,andeverywordinittendedtomakeherfeelmoreestrangedfromhim.'Oh,heisgoingtothepalace,ishe?well;hemustchoosehisownfriends.

HaroldSmithoneoftheparty!It'sapity,mydear,hedidnotseeMissProudiebeforehemetyou,hemighthavelivedtobethebishop'schaplain.GatherumCastle!Youdon'tmeantotellmethatheisgoingthere?ThenItellyoufairly,Fanny,thatIhavedonewithhim.'

'Oh,LadyLufton,don'tsaythat,'saidMrsRobarts,withtearsinhereyes.

'Mamma,mamma,don'tspeakinthatway,'saidLadyMeredith.

'But,mydear,whatamItosay?Imustspeakinthatway.Youwouldnotwishmetospeakfalsehoods,wouldyou?Amanmustchooseforhimself,buthecan'tlivewithtwodifferentsetsofpeople;atleast,notifIbelongtooneandtheDukeofOmniumtotheother.Thebishopgoingindeed!IftherebeanythingthatI

hateishypocrisy.'

'Thereisnohypocrisyinthat,LadyLufton.'

'ButIsaythereis,Fanny.Verystrange,indeed!"Putoffhisdefence!"Whyshouldamanneedanydefencetohiswifeifheactsinastraightforwardway?Hisownlanguagecondemnshim."Wrongtostandout!"Now,willeitherofyoutellmethatMrRobartswouldreallyhavethoughtitwrongtorefusethatinvitation?I

saythatishypocrisy.Thereisnootherwordforit.'Bythistimethepoorwife,whohadbeenintears,waswipingthemawayandpreparingforaction.LadyLufton'sextremeseveritygavehercourage.Sheknewthatitbehovedhertofightforherhusbandwhenhewasthusattacked.HadLadyLuftonbeenmoderateinherremarks,MrsRobartswouldnothavehadawordtosay.

'Myhusbandmayhavebeenill-judged,'shesaid,'butheisnohypocrite.'

'Verywell,mydear,IdaresayyouknowbetterthanI;buttomeitlooksextremelylikehypocrisy;eh,Justinia?'

'Oh,mamma,dobemoderate.'

'Moderate!That'sallverywell.Howisonetomoderateone'sfeelingswhenonehasbeenbetrayed?'

'YoudonotmeanthatMrRobartshasbetrayedyou?'saidthewife.

'Oh,no;ofcoursenot.'Andthenshewentonreadingtheletter:

'"Seemtohavebeenstandinginjudgementupontheduke."Mighthenotusethesameargumentastogoingintoanyhouseinthekingdom,howeverinfamous?Wemustallstandinjudgementoneuponanotherinthatsense."Crawley!"Yes;ifhewerealittlemorelikeMrCrawleyitwouldbeagoodthingforme,andfortheparish,andforyoutoo,mydear.Godforgivemeforbringinghimhere;that'sall.'

'LadyLufton,Imustsaythatyouareveryharduponhim——veryhard.Ididnotexpectitfromsuchafriend.'

'Mydear,yououghttoknowmewellenoughtobesurethatIshallspeakmymind."WrittentoJones"——yes;itiseasyenoughtowritetopoorJones.HehadbetterwritetoJones,andbidhimdothewholeduty.Thenhecangoonandbetheduke'sdomesticchaplain.'

'Ibelievemyhusbanddoesasmuchofhisowndutyasanyclergymaninthewholediocese,'saidMrsRobarts,nowagainintears.

'Andyouaretotakehisworkintheschool;youandMrsPodgens.

WhatwithhiscurateandhiswifeandMrsPodgens,Idon'tseewhyheshouldcomebackatall.'

'Oh,mamma,'saidJustinia,'pray,praydon'tbesoharshtoher.'

'Letmefinishit,mydear;——oh,hereIcome."Tellherladyshipmywhereabouts."Helittlethoughtyou'dshowmethisletter.'

'Didn'the,'saidMrsRobarts,puttingoutherhandtogetitback,butinvain.'Ithoughtitwasforthebest;Ididindeed.'

'Ihadbetterfinishitnow,ifyouplease.Whatisthis?Howdoeshedaretosendhisribaldjokestomeinsuchamatter?No,IdonotsupposeIevershalllikeDrProudie;Ihaveneverexpectedit.Amatterofconsciencewithhim!Well——well——well.HadInotreaditmyself,Icouldnothavebelieveditofhim.Iwouldnotpositivelyhavebelievedit."ComingfrommyparishhecouldnotgototheDukeofOmnium!"AnditiswhatIwouldwishtohavesaid.PeoplefitforthisparishshouldnotbefitfortheDukeofOmnium'shouse.AndIhadtrustedthathewouldhavethisfeelingmorestronglythananyoneelseinit.Ihavebeendeceived——that'sall.'

'Hehasdonenothingtodeceiveyou,LadyLufton.'

'Ihopehewillnothavedeceivedyou,mydear."Moremoney."

Thereisyourletter,Fanny.Iamverysorryforit.Icansaynothingmore.'AndshefoldeduptheletterandgaveitbacktoMrsRobarts.'Ithoughtitrighttoshowittoyou,'saidMrsRobarts.

'Itdidnotmuchmatterwhetheryoudidornot;ofcourseImusthavebeentold.'

'Heespeciallybegsmetotellyou.'

'Why,yes;hecouldnotverywellhavekeptmeinthedarkonsuchamatter.Hecouldnotneglecthisownwork,andgoandlivewithgamblersandadulterersattheDukeofOmnium'swithoutmyknowingit.'AndnowFannyRobarts'scupwasfull,fulltooverflowing.

WhensheheardthesewordssheforgotallaboutLadyLufton,allaboutLadyMeredith,andrememberedonlyherhusband——thathewasherhusband,and,inspiteofhisfaults,agoodandlovinghusband;——andthatotherfactalsosheremembered,thatshewashiswife.

'LadyLufton,'shesaid,'youforgetyourselfinspeakinginthatwayofmyhusband.'

'What!'saidherladyship;'youaretoshowmesuchaletterasthat,andIamnottotellyouwhatIthink?'

'Notifyouthinksuchhardthingsasthat.Evenyouarenotjustifiedinspeakingtomeinthatway,andIwillnothearit.'

'Heighty-tighty!'saidherladyship.

'WhetherornoheisrightingoingtotheDukeofOmnium's,Iwillnotpretendtojudge.Heisthejudgeofhisownactions,andneitheryounorI.'

'Andwhenheleavesyouwiththebutcher'sbillunpaidandnomoneytobuyshoesforthechildren,whowillbethejudgethen?'

'Notyou,LadyLufton.Ifsuchbaddaysshouldevercome——andneitheryounorIhavearighttoexpectthem——Iwillnotcometoyouinmytroubles;notafterthis.'

'Verywell,mydear.YoumaygototheDukeofOmniumifthatsuitsyoubetter.'

'Fanny,comeaway,'saidLadyMeredith.'Whyshouldyoutrytoangermymother?'

'Idon'twanttoangerher;butIwon'thearhimabusedinthatwaywithoutspeakingupforhim.IfIdon'tdefendhim,whowill?LadyLuftonhassaidterriblethingsabouthim;andtheyarenottrue.'

'Oh,Fanny!'saidJustinia.

'Verywell,verywell!'saidLadyLufton.'Thisisthesortofreturnonegets.'

'Idon'tknowwhatyoumeanbyreturn,LadyLufton;butwouldyouwishmetostandquietlybyandhearsuchthingssaidofmyhusband?Hedoesnotlivewithsuchpeopleasyouhavenamed.Hedoesnotneglecthisduties.Ifeveryclergymanwereasmuchinhisparish,itwouldbewellforsomeofthem.AndingoingtosuchahouseastheDukeofOmnium'sitdoesmakeadifferencethathegoesthereincompanywiththebishop.Ican'texplainwhy,butIknowthatitdoes.'

'Especiallywhenthebishopiscoupledwiththedevil,asMrRobartshasdone,'saidLadyLufton;'hecanjointhedukewiththemandthenthey'llstandforthethreeGraces,won'tthey,Justinia?'AndLadyLuftonlaughedabitterlittlelaughatherownwit.

'IsupposeImaygonow,LadyLufton.'

'Oh,yes;certainly,mydear.'

'IamverysorryifIhavemadeyouangrywithme;butIwillnotallowanyonetospeakagainstMrRobartswithoutansweringthem.

Youhavebeenveryunjusttohim;andeventhoughIdoangeryou,I

mustsayso.'

'Come,Fanny,thisistoobad,'saidLadyLufton.'Youhavebeenscoldingmeforthelasthalf-hourbecauseIwouldnotcongratulateyouonthisnewfriendthatyourhusbandhasmade,andnowyouaregoingtobeginitalloveragain.ThatismorethanIcanstand.

Ifyouhavenothingelseparticulartosay,youmightaswellleaveme.'AndLadyLufton'sfaceasshespokewasunbending,severe,andharsh.MrsRobartshadneverbeforebeensospokentobyheroldfriend;indeed,shehadneverbeensospokentobyanyone,andshehardlyknewhowtobearherself.

'Verywell,LadyLufton,'shesaid;'thenIwillgo.Good-bye.'

'Good-bye,'saidLadyLufton,andturningherselftohertableshebegantoarrangeherpapers.FannyhadneverbeforeleftFramleyCourttogobacktoherownparsonagewithoutawarmembrace.Nowshewastodosowithoutevenhavingherhandshaken.Haditcometothis,thattherewasabsolutelytobeaquarrelbetweenthem——aquarrelforever?'

'Fannyisgoing,youknow,mamma,'saidLadyMeredith.'Shewillbehomebeforeyouaredownagain.'

'Icannothelpit,mydear.Fannymustdoasshepleases.Iamnottobethejudgeofheractions.Shehasjusttoldmeso.'MrsRobartshadsaidnothingofthekind,butshewasfartooproudtopointthisout.Sowithagentlestepsheretreatedthroughthedoor,andthenLadyMeredith,havingtriedwhataconciliatorywhisperwithhermotherwoulddo,followedher.Alas,theconciliatorywhisperwasaltogetherineffectual.

Thetwoladiessaidnothingastheydescendedthestairs,butwhentheyhadregainedthedrawing-roomtheylookedwithblackhorrorintoeachother'sfaces.Whatweretheytodonow?Ofsuchatragedyasthistheyhadhadnoremotestpreconception.WasitabsolutelythecasethatFannyRobartswastowalkoutofLadyLufton'shouseasadeclaredenemy——shewho,beforehermarriageaswellassince,hadbeenalmosttreatedasanadopteddaughterofthefamily?

'Oh,Fanny,whydidyouanswermymotherinthatway?'saidLadyMeredith.'Yousawthatshewasvexed.ShehadotherthingstovexherbesidesthisaboutMrRobarts.'

'AndwouldnotyouansweranyonewhoattackedSirGeorge?'

'No,notmyownmother.Iwouldlethersaywhatshepleased,andleaveSirGeorgetofighthisownbattles.'

'Ah,butitisdifferentwithyou.Youareherdaughter,andSirGeorge——shewouldnotdaretospeakinthatwayastoSirGeorge'sdoings.'

'Indeedshewould,ifitpleasedher.IamsorryIletyougoupthere.'

'Itisaswellthatitshouldbeover,Justinia.AsthoseareherthoughtsaboutMrRobarts,itisquiteaswellthatweshouldknowthem.EvenforallthatIowetoher,andalltheloveIbeartoyou,IwillnotcometothishouseifIamtohearmyhusbandabused——notintoanyhouse.'

'MydearestFanny,weallknowwhathappenswhentwoangrypeoplegettogether.'

'IwasnotangrywhenIwentuptoher;notintheleast.'

'Itisnogoodlookingback.Whatarewetodonow?'

'IsupposeIhadbettergohome,'saidMrsRobarts.'Iwillgoandputmythingsup,andthenIwillsendJamesforthem.'

'Waittillafterlunch,andthenyouwillbeabletokissmymotherbeforeyouleaveus.'

'No,Justinia;Icannotwait.ImustanswerMrRobartsbythispost,andImustthinkwhatIhavetosaytohim.Icouldnotwritethatletterhere,andthepostgoesatfour.'AndMrsRobartsgotupfromherchair,preparatorytoherfinaldeparture.

'Ishallcometoyoubeforedinner,'saidLadyMeredith;'andifI

canbringyougoodtidings,Ishallexpectyoutocomebackherewithme.ItisoutofthequestionthatIshouldgoawayfromFramleyleavingyouandmymotherinenmitywitheachother.'TothisMrsRobartsmadenoanswer;andinaveryfewminutesafterwardsshewasinherownnursery,kissingherchildren,andteachingtheelderonetosaysomethingaboutpapa.But,evenasshetaughthim,thetearsstoodinhereyes,andthelittlefellowknewthateverythingwasnotright.Andthereshesattillabouttwo,doinglittleoddsandendsofthingsforthechildren,andallowingthatoccupationtostandasanexcusetoherfornotcommencingherletter.Butthenthereremainedonlytwohourstoher,anditmightbethattheletterwouldbedifficultinthewriting——wouldrequirethoughtsandchanges,andmustneedsbecopied,perhaps,morethanonce.Astothemoney,thatshehadinthehouse——asmuch,atleast,asMarknowwanted,thoughthesendingofitwouldleavehernearlypenniless.Shecould,however,incaseofpersonalneed,resorttoDavisasdeclaredbyhim.

Soshegotoutherdeskinthedrawing-roomandsatdownandwroteherletter.Itwasdifficultthoughshefoundthatithardlytooksolongassheexpected.Itwasdifficult,forshefeltboundtotellhimthetruth;andyetshewasanxiousnottospoilallhispleasureamonghisfriends.Shetoldhim,however,thatLadyLuftonwasveryangry,'unreasonablyangry,Imustsay,'sheputin,inordertoshowthatshehadnotsidedagainsthim.'And,indeed,wehavequitequarrelled,andthishasmademeunhappy,asitwillyou,dearest;Iknowthat.Butwebothknowhowgoodsheisatheart,andJustiniathinksthatshehadotherthingstotroubleher;andIhopeitwillallbemadeupbeforeyoucomehome;only,dearestMark,praydonotbelongerthanyousaidinyourlastletter.'Andthentherewerethreeorfourparagraphsaboutthebabies,andtwoabouttheschools,whichImayaswellomit.Shehadjustfinishedherletter,andwascarefullyfoldingitforitsenvelope,withthetwowholefive-poundnotesimprudentlyplacedwithinit,whensheheardafootsteponthegravelpathwhichledupfromasmallwickettothefrontdoor.Thepathrannearthedrawing-roomwindow,andshewasjustintimetocatchaglimpseofthelastfoldofapassingcloak.'ItisJustinia,'shesaidtoherself;andherheartbecamedisturbedattheideaofagaindiscussingthemorning'sadventure.'WhatamI

todo,'shehadsaidtoherselfbefore.'Ifshewantsmetobegherpardon?Iwillnotownbeforeherthatheisinthewrong.'

Andthenthedooropened——forthevisitormadeherentrancewithouttheaidofanyservant——andLadyLuftonherselfstoodbeforeher.

'Fanny,'shesaid,'Ihavecometobegyourpardon.'

'Oh,LadyLufton!'

'Iwasverymuchdistressedwhenyoucametomejustnow;——bymorethingsthanone,mydear.But,nevertheless,IshouldnothavespokentoyouofyourhusbandasIdid,andsoIhavecometobegyourpardon.'MrsRobartswaspastansweringbythetimethatthiswassaid,atleastinwords;soshejumpedup,andwithhereyesfulloftears,threwherselfintoheroldfriend'sarms.'Oh,LadyLufton!'shesobbedforthagain.

'Youwillforgiveme,won'tyou?'saidherladyship,asshereturnedheryoungfriend'scaress.'Well,that'sright.Ihavenotbeenatallhappysinceyouleftmydenthismorning,andI

don'tsupposeyouhave.But,Fanny,dearest,weloveeachothertoowell,andknoweachothertoothoroughly,tohavealongquarrel,don'twe?'

'Oh,yes,LadyLufton.'

'Ofcoursewedo.Friendsarenottobepickedupontheroad-sideeveryday;noraretheytobethrownawaylightly.Andnowsitdown,mylove,andletushavealittletalk.There,Imusttakemybonnetoff.Youhavepulledthestringssothatyouhavealmostchokedme.'AndLadyLuftondepositedherbonnetonthetable,andseatedherselfcomfortablyinthecornerofthesofa.

'Mydear,'shesaid,'thereisnodutywhichanywomanowestoanyotherhumanbeingatallequaltothatwhichsheowestoherhusband,and,therefore,youwerequiterighttostandupforMrRobartsthismorning.'UponthisMrsRobartssaidnothing,butshegotherhandwithinthatofherladyship's,andgaveitaslightsqueeze.

'AndIlovedyouforwhatyouweredoing,allthetime.Idid,mydear,thoughyouwerealittlefierce,youknow.EvenJustiniaadmitsthat,andshehasbeenatmeeversinceyouwentaway.And,indeed,Ididnotknowthatitwasinyoutolookinthatwayoutofthoseprettyeyesofyours.'

'Oh,LadyLufton!'

'ButIlookedfierceenoughmyself,Idaresay,sowe'llsaynothingmoreaboutthat;willwe?Butnow,aboutthisgoodmanofyours.'

'DearLadyLufton,youmustforgivehim.'

'Well,asyouaskme,Iwill.We'llhavenothingmoresaidabouttheduke,eithernoworwhenhecomesback;notaword.Letmesee——he'stobeback;——whenisit?'

'Wednesdayweek,Ithink.'

'Ah,Wednesday.Well,tellhimtocomeanddineupatthehouseonWednesday.He'llbeintime,Isuppose,andthereshan'tbeawordsaidaboutthishorridduke.'

'Iamsomuchobligedtoyou,LadyLufton.'

'Butlookhere,mydear;believemehe'sbetteroffwithoutsuchfriends.'

'Oh,Iknowheis;muchbetteroff.'

'Well,I'mgladyouadmitthat,forIthoughtyouseemedtobeinfavouroftheduke.'

'Oh,no,LadyLufton.'

'That'sright,then.Andnow,ifyou'lltakemyadvice,you'lluseyourinfluence,asgood,dearsweetwife,asyouare,topreventhisgoingthereanymore.I'manoldwomanandheisayoungman,andit'sverynaturalthatheshouldthinkmebehindthetimes.I'mnotangryaboutthat.Buthe'llfindthatit'sbetterforhim,betterforhimineveryway,tosticktohisoldfriends.Itwillbebetterforhispeaceofmind,betterforhischaracterasaclergyman,betterforhispocket,betterforhischildren,andforyou——andbetterforhiseternalwelfare.Thedukeisnotsuchacompanionasheshouldseek;——nor,ifheissought,shouldheallowhimselftobeledaway.'AndthenLadyLuftonceased,andFannyRobartskneelingatherfeetsobbed,withherfacehiddeninherfriend'sknees.Shehadnotawordnowtosayastoherhusband'scapabilityofjudgingforhimself.

'AndnowImustbegoingagain;butJustiniahasmademepromise——promise,mindyou,mostsolemnly,thatIwouldhaveyoubacktodinnerto-night,——byforceifnecessary.ItwastheonlywayIcouldmakemypeacewithher;soyoumustnotleavemeinthelurch.'OfcourseFannysaidthatshewouldgoanddineatFramleyCourt.

'Andyoumustnotsendthatletter,byanymeans,'saidherladyship,asshewasleavingtheroom,pokingwithherumbrellaattheepistle,whichlaydirectedonMrsRobarts'sdesk.'Icanunderstandwellwhatitcontains.Youmustalteritaltogether,mydear.'AndthenLadyLuftonleft.

MrsRobartsinstantlyrushedtoherdeskandtoreopentheletter.

Shelookedatherwatchanditwaspastfour.Shehadhardlybegunwhenthepostmancame.'Oh,Mary,'shesaid,'domakehimwait.Ifhe'llwaitaquarterofanhour,I'llgivehimashilling.'

'There'snoneedofthat,ma'am.Lethimhaveaglassofbeer.'

'Verywell,Mary;butdon'tgivehimtoomuch,forfearheshoulddropthelettersabout.I'llbereadyintenminutes.'Andinfiveminutesshehadscrawledaverydifferentsortofletter.Buthemightwantthemoneyimmediately,soshewouldnotdelayitaday.

CHAPTERVI

MRHAROLDSMITH'SLECTURE

OnthewholethepartyatChaldicoteswasverypleasantandthetimepassedawayquicklyenough.MrRobarts'schieffriendthere,independentlyofMrSowerby,wasMissDunstable,whoseemedtotakeagreatfancytohim,whereasshewasnotveryaccessibletotheblandishmentsofMrSupplehouse,normoreespeciallycourteoustoherhostthangoodmannersrequiredofher.ButthenMrSupplehouseandMrSowerbywerebothbachelors,whileMarkRobartswasamarriedman.WithMrSowerbyRobartshadmorethanonecommunicationrespectingLordLuftonandhisaffairs,whichhewouldwillinglyhaveavoidedhaditbeenpossible.Sowerbywasoneofthosemenwhoarealwaysmixingupbusinesswithpleasure,andwhohaveusuallysomeschemeintheirmindwhichrequiresforwarding.Menofthisclasshave,asarule,nodailywork,noregularroutineoflabour;butitmaybedoubtedwhethertheydonottoilmuchmoreincessantlythanthosewhohave.

'Luftonissodilatory,'MrSowerbysaid.'Whydidhenotarrangethisatonce,whenhepromisedit?AndthenheisafraidofthatoldwomanatFramleyCourt.Well,mydearfellow,saywhatyouwill;sheisanoldwoman,andshe'llneverbeyounger.ButdowritetoLufton,andtellhimthatthisdelayisinconvenienttome;he'lldoanythingforyou,Iknow.'Marksaidthathewouldwrite,and,indeed,hedidso;buthedidnotatfirstlikethetoneoftheconversationintowhichhewasdragged.ItwasverypainfultohimtohearLadyLuftoncalledanoldwoman,andhardlylesssotodiscusstheproprietyofLordLufton'spartingwithhisproperty.Thiswasirksometohim,tillhabitmadeiteasy.Butbydegreeshisfeelingsbecamelessacute,andheaccustomedhimselftohisfriendSowerby'smodeoftalking.

AndthenonSaturdaytheywentovertoBarchester.HaroldSmithduringthelastforty-eighthourshadbecomecrammedtooverflowingwithSarawak,Labuan,NewGuinea,andtheSalomonIslands.Asisthecasewithallmenlabouringundertemporaryspecialities,heforthetimehadfaithinnothingelse,andwasnotcontentthatanyonenearhimshouldhaveanyotherfaith.TheycalledhimViscountPapuaandBaronBorneo;andhiswife,whoheadedthejokeagainsthim,insistedonhavinghertitle.MissDunstablesworethatshewouldwednonebutaSouthSeaIslander;andtoMarkwasofferedtheincomeanddutiesofBishopofSpices.NordidtheProudiefamilysetthemselvesagainsttheselittlesarcasticquipswithanyoverwhelmingseverity.Itissweettounbendoneselfattheproperopportunity,andthiswastheproperopportunityforMrsProudie'sunbending.Nomortalcanbeseriouslywiseatallhours;andinthesehappyhoursdidthatusuallywisemortal,thebishop,layasideforawhilehisseriouswisdom.

'Wethinkofdiningatfiveto-morrow,myLadyPapua,'saidthefacetiousbishop;'willthatsuithislordshipandtheaffairsofstate?he,he,he!'Andthegoodprelatelaughedatthefun.Howpleasantlyyoungmenandwomenoffiftyorthereaboutscanjokeandflirtandpoketheirfunabout,laughingandholdingtheirsides,dealinginlittleinnuendoesandrejoicinginnicknames,whentheyhavenoMentorsoftwenty-fiveorthirtyyearsnearthemtokeeptheminorder!ThevicarofFramleymightperhapshavebeenregardedassuchaMentor,wereitnotforthatcapabilityofadaptinghimselftothecompanyimmediatelyaroundhimonwhichhesomuchpiquedhimself.HethereforealsotalkedtomyLadyPapua,andwasjocoseabouttheBaron——notaltogethertothesatisfactionofMrHaroldSmithhimself.ForMrHaroldSmithwasinearnest,anddidnotquiterelishthesejocundities.HehadanideathathecouldinaboutthreeminutestalktheBritishworldintocivilizingNewGuinea,andthattheworldofBarsetshirewouldbemadetogowithhimbyonenight'sefforts.Hedidnotunderstandwhyothersshouldbelessserious,andwasinclinedtoresentsomewhatstifflytheamenitiesofourfriendMark.

'WemustnotkeeptheBaronwaiting,'saidMark,astheywerepreparingtostartforBarchester.

'Idon'tknowwhatyoumeanbytheBaron,sir,'saidHaroldSmith.

'Butperhapsthejokewillbeagainstyou,whenyouaregettingupinyourpulpitto-morrow,andsendingthehatroundamongtheclod-hoppersofChaldicotes.'

'Thosewholiveinglasshousesshouldn'tthrowstones,eh,Baron?'

saidMissDunstable.'MrRobarts'ssermonwillbetoonearakintoyourlecturetoallowofhislaughing.'

'Ifwecandonothingtowardsinstructingtheouterworldtillit'sdonebytheparsons,'saidHaroldSmith,'theouterworldwillhavetowaitalongtime,Ifear.'

'NobodycandoanythingofthatkindshortofamemberofParliamentandwould-beminister,'whisperedMrsHarold.Andsotheywereallverypleasanttogether,inspiteofalittlefencingwithedge-tools,andatthreeo'clockthecortegeofcarriagesstartedforBarchester,thatofthebishop,ofcourse,leadingtheway.Hislordship,however,wasnotinit.

'MrsProudie,I'msureyou'llletmegowithyou,'saidMissDunstable,atthelastmoment,asshecamedownthebigstonesteps.'IwanttoheartherestofthatstoryaboutMrSlope.'Nowthisupseteverything.Thebishopwastohavegonewithhiswife,MrsSmith,andMarkRobarts;andMrSowerbyhadsoarrangedmattersthathecouldhaveaccompaniedMissDunstableinhisphaeton.ButnooneeverdreamedofdenyingMissDunstableanything.OfcourseMarkgaveway;butitendedinthebishopdeclaringthathehadnospecialpredilectionforhisowncarriage,whichhedidincompliancewithaglancefromhiswife'seye.Thenotherchangesofcoursefollowed,and,atlast,MrSowerbyandHaroldSmithwerethejointoccupantsofthephaeton.Thepoorlecturer,asheseatedhimselfmadesomeremarksuchasthosehehadbeenmakingforthelasttwodays——foroutofafullheartthemouthspeaketh.

Buthespoketoanimpatientlistener.'D——theSouthSeaIslanders,'saidMrSowerby.'You'llhaveitallyourownwayinafewmoments,likeabullinachina-shop;butforHeaven'ssakeletushavealittlepeacetillthattimecomes.'ItappearedthatMrSowerby'slittleplanofhavingMissDunstableforhiscompanionwasnotquiteinsignificant;and,indeed,itmaybesaidthatbutfewofhislittleplanswereso.Atthepresentmomentheflunghimselfbackinthecarriageandpreparedforsleep.Hecouldfurthernoplanofhisbyatete-a-teteconversationwithhisbrother-in-law.AndthenMrsProudiebeganherstoryaboutMrSlope,orratherrecommencedit.Shewasveryfondoftalkingaboutthisgentleman,whohadoncebeenherpetchaplain,butwasnowherbitterestfoe;andintellingherstory,shehadsometimestowhispertoMissDunstable,fortherewereoneortwofie-fielittleanecdotesaboutamarriedlady,notaltogetherfitforyoungMrRobarts'sears.ButMrsHaroldSmithinsistedonhavingthemoutloud,andMissDunstablewouldgratifythatladyinspiteofMrsProudie'swinks.

'What,kissingherhand,andheaclergyman!'saidMissDunstable.

'Ididnotthinktheyeverdidsuchthings,MrRobarts.'

'Stillwatersrundeep,'saidMrsHaroldSmith.

'Hush-h-h,'looked,ratherthanspoke,MrsProudie.'Thegriefofspiritwhichthatbadmancausedmenearlybrokemyheart,andallthewhile,youknow,hewascourting——'andthenMrsProudiewhisperedaname.

'What,thedean'swife?'shoutedMissDunstable,inavoicewhichmadethecoachmaninthenextcarriagegiveachucktohishorseasheoverheardher.

'Thearchdeacon'ssister-in-law!'screamedMrsHaroldSmith.

'Whatmighthehavenotattemptednext?'saidMissDunstable.

'Shewasn'tthedean'swifethen,youknow,'saidMrsProudie,explaining.

'Well,youareagaysetinthechapter,Imustsay,'saidMissDunstable.'YououghttomakeoneoftheminBarchester,MrRobarts.'

'OnlyperhapsMrsRobartsmightnotlikeit,'saidMrsHaroldSmith.

'Andthentheschemeswhichhetriedonwiththebishop!'saidMrsProudie.

'It'sallfairinloveandwar,youknow,'saidMissDunstable.

'Buthelittleknewwhomhehadtodealwithwhenhebeganthat,'

saidMrsProudie.

'Thebishopwastoomanyforhim,'suggestedMrsHaroldSmith,verymaliciously.

'Thebishopwasnot,somebodyelsewas;andhewasobligedtoleaveBarchesterinutterdisgrace.Hehassincemarriedthewifeofsometallow-chandler.'

'Thewife!'saidMissDunstable.'Whataman!'

'Thewidow,Imean;butit'sallonetohim.'

'ThegentlemanwasclearlybornwhenVenuswasintheascendant,'

saidMrsSmith.'Youclergymenusuallyare,Ibelieve,MrRobarts.'SothatMrsProudie'scarriagewasbynomeansthedullestastheydroveintoBarchesterthatday;andbydegreesourfriendMarkbecameaccustomedtohiscompanions,andbeforetheyreachedthepalaceheacknowledgedtohimselfthatMissDunstablewasverygoodfun.Wecannotlingeroverthebishop'sdinner,thoughitwasverygoodofitskind;andasMrSowerbycontrivedtositnexttoMissDunstable,therebyoverturningalittleschememadebyMrSupplehouse,heagainshoneforthinuncloudedgoodhumour.ButMrHaroldSmithbecameimpatientimmediatelyonthewithdrawalofthecloth.Thelecturewastobeginatseven,andaccordingtohiswatchthathourhadalreadycome.HedeclaredthatSowerbyandSupplehousewereendeavouringtodelaymattersinorderthattheBarchesteriansmightbecomevexedandimpatient;andsothebishopwasnotallowedtoexercisehishospitalityintrueepiscopalfashion.

'Youforget,Sowerby,'saidSupplehouse,'thattheworldhereforthelastfortnighthasbeenlookingforwardtonothingelse.'

'Theworldshallbegratifiedatonce,'saidMrsHarold,obeyingalittlenodfromMrsProudie.'Come,mydear,'andshetookholdofMissDunstable'sarm,'don'tletuskeepBarchesterwaiting.Weshallbereadyinaquarterofanhour,shallwenot,MrsProudie?'

andsotheysailedoff.

'Andweshallhavetimeforoneglassofclaret,saidthebishop.

'There;that'ssevenbythecathedral,'saidHaroldSmith,jumpingupfromhischairasheheardtheclock.'Ifthepeoplehavecomeitwouldnotberightinmetokeepthemwaiting,andIshallgo.'

'Justoneglassofclaret,MrSmith,andwe'llbeoff,'saidthebishop.

'Thosewomenwillkeepmehalfanhour,'saidHarold,fillinghisglass,anddrinkingitstanding.'Theydoitonpurpose.'

ItwasratherlatewhentheyallfoundthemselvesinthebigroomoftheMechanic'sInstitute;butIdonotknowwhetherthisonthewholedidanyharm.MostofMrSmith'shearers,exceptingthepartyfromthepalace,wereBarchestertradesmenwiththeirwivesandfamilies;andtheywaited,notimpatiently,forthebigpeople.Andthenthelecturewasgratis,afactwhichisalwaysborneinmindbyanEnglishman,whenhecomestoreckonupandcalculatethewayinwhichheistreated.Whenhepayshismoney,thenhetakeshischoice;hemaybeimpatientornotashelikes.

Hissenseofjusticeteacheshimsomuch,andinaccordancewiththatsenseheusuallyacts.Sothepeopleonthebenchesrosegraciouslywhenthepalacepartyenteredtheroom.Seatsforthemhadbeenkeptinthefront.Therewerethreearm-chairs,whichwerefilled,aftersomelittlehesitation,bythebishop,MrsProudie,andMissDunstable——MrsSmithpositivelydecliningtotakeoneofthem;though,assheadmitted,herrankasLadyPapuaoftheislandsdidgivehersomeclaim.Andthisremark,asitwasmadequiteoutloud,reachedMrSmith'searsashestoodbehindalittletableonasmallraiseddais,holdinghiswhitekidgloves;anditannoyedhimandratherputhimout.HedidnotlikethatjokeaboutLadyPapua.Andthentheothersofthepartysatuponafrontbenchcoveredwithredcloth.'Weshallfindthisveryhardandverynarrowaboutthesecondhour,'saidMrSowerby,andMrSmithonhisdaisagainoverheardthewords,anddashedhisglovesdowntothetable.Hefeltthatalltheroomwouldhearit.

Andtherewereoneortwogentlemenonthesecondseatwhoshookhandswithsomeofourparty.TherewasMrThorneofUllathorne,agood-naturedoldbachelor,whoseresidencewasnearenoughtoBarchestertoallowofhiscominginwithoutmuchpersonalinconvenience;andnexttohimwasMrHarding,anoldclergymanofthechapter,withwhomMrsProudieshookhandsverygraciously,makingwayforhimtoseathimselfclosebehindherifhewouldsoplease.ButMrHardingdidnotsoplease.HavingpaidhisrespectstothebishophereturnedquietlytothesideofhisoldfriendMrThorne,therebyangeringMrsProudie,asmighteasilybeseenbyherface.AndMrChadwickalsowasthere,theepiscopalmanofbusinessforthediocese;buthealsoadheredtothetwogentlemenabovenamed.Andnowthatthebishopandtheladieshadtakentheirplace,MrHaroldSmithhummedthreetimesdistinctly,andthenbegan.

'Itwas,'hesaid,'themostpeculiarcharacteristicofthepresenteraintheBritishislandsthatthosewhowerehighplacedbeforetheworldinrank,wealth,andeducationwerewillingtocomeforwardandgivetheirtimeandknowledgewithoutfeeorreward,fortheadvantageandameliorationofthosewhodidnotstandsohighinthesocialscale.'Andthenhepausedforamoment,duringwhichMrsSmithremarkedtoMissDunstablethatthatwasprettywellforabeginning;andMissDunstablereplied,'thatasforherselfshefeltverygratefultorank,wealthandeducation.'MrSowerbywinkedtoMrSupplehouse,whoopenedhiseyesverywideandshruggedhisshoulders.ButtheBarchesterianstookitallingoodpartandgavethelecturertheapplauseoftheirhandsandfeet.

Andthen,wellpleased,herecommenced——'Idonotmaketheseremarkswithreferencetomyself——'

'Ihopehe'snotgoingtobemodest,'saidMissDunstable.

'Itwillbequitenewifheis,'repliedMrsSmith.

'——somuchastomanynobleandtalentedlordsandmembersoftheLowerHousewhohavelatelyfromtimetotimedevotedthemselvestothisgoodwork.'AndthenhewentthroughalonglistofpeersandmembersofParliament,beginning,ofcourse,withLordBoanerges,andendingwithMrGreenWalker,ayounggentlemanwhohadlatelybeenreturnedbyhisuncle'sinterferencefortheboroughofCreweJunction,andhadimmediatelymadehisentranceintopubliclifebygivingalectureonthegrammariansoftheLatinlanguageasexemplifiedatEtonSchool.'Onthepresentoccasion,'MrSmithcontinued,'ourobjectistolearnsomethingastothosegrandandmagnificentislandswhichliefaraway,beyondtheIndies,intheSouthernOcean;thelandsofwhichproducerichspicesandgloriousfruits,andwhoseseasareembeddedwithpearlsandcorals——PapuaandthePhilippines,BorneoandtheMoluccas.Myfriends,youarefamiliarwithyourmaps,andyouknowthetrackwhichtheequatormakesforitselfthroughthosedistantoceans.'Andthenmanyheadswereturneddown,andtherewasarustleofleaves;fornotafewofthose'whostoodnotsohighinthesocialscale'hadbroughttheirmapswiththem,andrefreshedtheirmemoriesastothewhereaboutsofthosewondrousislands.

AndthenMrSmithalso,withamapinhishand,andpointingoccasionallytoanotherlargemapwhichhungagainstthewall,wentintothegeographyofthematter.'Wemighthavefoundthatoutfromouratlases,Ithink,withoutcomingallthewaytoBarchester,'saidthatunsympathetichelpmateMrsHarold,verycruelly——mostillogicallytoo,fortherebesomanythingswhichwecouldfindoutourselvesbysearch,butwhichweneverdofindoutunlesstheybespeciallytoldtous;andwhyshouldnotthislatitudeandlongitudeofLabuanbeone——orrathertwoofthesethings?Andthen,whenhehaddulymarkedthepathofthelinethroughBorneo,Celebes,andGilolo,throughtheMacassarStraitandtheMoluccapassage,MrHaroldSmithrosetoahigherflight.

'Butwhat,'saidhe,'availsallthatGodcangivetoman,unlessmanwillopenhishandtoreceivethegift?Andwhatisthisopeningofthehandbuttheprocessofcivilization——yes,myfriends,theprocessofcivilization?TheseSouthSeaislandershaveallthatakindProvidencecanbestowonthem;butthatallisasnothingwithouteducation.Thateducationandthatcivilizationitisforyoutobestowuponthem——yes,myfriends,foryou;foryou,citizensofBarchesterasyouare.'Andthenhepausedagain,inorderthatthefeetandhandsmightgotowork.Thefeetandhandsdidgotowork,duringwhichMrSmithtookaslightdrinkofwater.Hewasnowquiteinhiselement,andhadgotintotheproperwayofpunchingthetablewithhisfists.AfewwordsdroppingfromMrSowerbydidnowandagainfindtheirwaytohisears,butthesoundofhisownvoicehadbroughtwithittheaccustomedcharm,andheranonfromplatitudetotruism,andfromtruismbacktoplatitude,withaneloquencethatwascharmingtohimself.

'Civilization,'heexclaimed,liftinghiseyesandhishandstotheceiling.'OCivilization——'

'Therewillnotbeachanceforusnowforthenexthourandahalf,'saidMrSupplehouse,groaning.HaroldSmithcastoneeyedownathim,butitimmediatelyflewbacktotheceiling.

【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