'OCivilization!Thouthatennoblestmankindandmakesthimequaltothegods,whatislikeuntothee?'HereMrsProudieshowedevidentsignsofdisapprobation,which,nodoubtwouldhavebeensharedbythebishop,hadnotthatworthyprelatebeenasleep.ButMrSmithcontinuedunobservant;oratanyrate,regardless.'Whatislikeuntothee?Thouarttheirrigatingstreamwhichmakestfertilethebarrenplain.Tillthoucomestallisdarkanddreary;butatthyadventthenoontidesunshinesout,theearthgivesforthherincrease;thedeepbowelsoftherocksrenderuptheirtribute.

Formswhichweredullandhideousbecomeendowedwithgraceandbeauty,andvegetableexistencerisestothescaleofcelestiallife.Then,too,Geniusappearscladinapanoplyoftranslucentarmour,graspinginhishandthewholeterrestrialsurface,andmakingeveryroodofearthsubservienttohispurposes;——Genius,thechildofCivilization,themotheroftheArts!'Thelastlittlebit,takenfromthe'PedigreeofProgress',hadagreatsuccess,andallBarchesterwenttoworkwithitshandsandfeet;——

allBarchester,exceptthatill-naturedaristocraticfrontrowtogetherwiththethreearm-chairsatthecornerofit.Thearistocraticfrontrownowfeltitselftobetoointimatewithcivilizationtocaremuchaboutit;andthethreearm-chairs,orratherthatspecialonewhichcontainedMrsProudie,consideredthattherewasacertainheathenness,apapismsentimentalityalmostamountingtoinfidelity,containedinthelecturer'sremarks,withwhichshe,apillaroftheChurch,couldnotputup,seatedasshewasnowinpublicconclave.

'Itistocivilizationthatwemustlook,'continuedMrHaroldSmith,descendingfrompoetrytoproseasalecturerwellknowshow,andtherebyshowingthevalueofboth——'foranymaterialprogressintheseislands;and——'

'AndtoChristianity,'shoutedMrsProudie,tothegreatamazementoftheassembledpeople,andtothethoroughwakeningofthebishop,who,jumpingupinhischairatthesoundofthewell-knownvoice,exclaimed,'Certainly,certainly.'

'Hear,hear,hear,'saidthoseonthebencheswhoparticularlybelongedtoMrsProudie'sschoolofdivinityinthecity,andamongthevoiceswasdistinctlyheardthatofanewvergerinwhosebehalfshehadgreatlyinterestedherself.

'Oh,yesChristianity,ofcourse,'saidHaroldSmith,uponwhomtheinterruptiondidnotseemtohaveoperatedfavourably.

'ChristianityandSabbath-dayobservation,'exclaimedMrsProudie,who,nowthatshehadobtainedtheearofthepublic,seemedwellinclinedtokeepit.'LetusneverforgetthattheseislanderscanneverprosperunlesstheykeeptheSabbathholy.'PoorMrSmith,havingbeensorudelydraggedfromhishighhorse,wasneverabletomountitagain,andcompletedthelectureinamannernotatallcomfortabletohimself.Hehadthere,onthetablebeforehim,ahugebundleofstatistics,withwhichhehadmeanttoconvincethereasonofhishearers,afterhehadtakenfullpossessionoftheirfeelings.Buttheyfellverydullandflat.Andatthemomentwhenhewasinterrupted,hewasabouttoexplainthatthatmaterialprogresstowhichhehadalludedcouldnotbeattainedwithoutmoney;andthatitbehovedthem,thepeopleofBarchesterbeforehim,tocomeforwardwiththeirpurseslikemenandbrothers.Hedidalsoattemptthis;butfromthemomentofthatfatalonslaughtfromthearm-chair,itwascleartohim,andtoeveryoneelse,thatMrsProudiewasnowtheheroofthehour.Histimehadgoneby,andthepeopleofBarchesterdidnotcareastrawforhisappeal.Fromthesecausesthelecturewasoverafulltwentyminutesearlierthananyonehadexpected,tothegreatdelightofMessrsSowerbyandSupplehouse,who,onthatevening,movedandcarriedavoteofthankstoMrsProudie.Fortheyhadgaydoingsyetbeforetheywenttotheirbeds.

'Robarts,hereonemoment,'MrSowerbysaid,astheywerestandingatthedooroftheMechanic'sInstitute.Don'tgooffwithMrandMrsBishop.WearegoingtohavealittlesupperattheDragonofWantly,and,afterwhatwehavegonethrough,uponmyword,wewantit.Youcantelloneofthepalaceservantstoletyouin.'Markconsideredtheproposalwistfully.Hewouldfainhavejoinedthesupperpartyhadhedared,buthe,likemanyothersofhiscloth,hadthefearofMrsProudiebeforehiseyes.Andaverymerrysuppertheyhad;butpoorMrHaroldSmithwasnotthemerriestoftheparty.

CHAPTERVII

SUNDAYMORNING

Itwas,perhaps,quiteaswellonthewholeforMarkRobarts,thathedidnotgotothatsupperparty.Itwaseleveno'clockbeforetheysatdownandnearlytwobeforethegentlemenwereinbed.Itmustberememberedthathehadtopreach,ontheSundaymorning,acharitysermononbehalfofamissiontoMrHaroldSmith'sislanders;and,totellthetruth,itwasataskforwhichhehadnowverylittleinclination.Whenfirstinvitedtodothis,hehadregardedthetaskseriouslyenough,ashealwaysdidregardsuchwork,andhecompletedhissermonfortheoccasionbeforeheleftFramley;but,sincethat,anairofridiculehadbeenthrownoverthewholeaffair,inwhichhehadjoinedwithoutmuchthinkingofhisownsermon,andthismadehimnowheartilywishthathecouldchooseadiscourseuponanyothersubject.Heknewwellthattheverypointsonwhichhehadmostinsisted,werethosewhichhaddrawnmostmirthfromMissDunstableandMrsSmith,andhadoftenestprovokedhisownlaughter;andhowwashenowtopreachonthosemattersinafittingmood,knowing,ashewouldknow,thatthesetwoladieswouldbelookingathim,wouldendeavourtocatchhiseye,andwouldturnhimintoridiculeastheyhadalreadyturnedthelecturer?Inthishedidinjusticetooneofthoseladiesunconsciously.MissDunstable,withallheraptitudeformirth,andwemayalmostfairlysayforfrolic,wasinnowayinclinedtoridiculereligionorsayanythingwhichshethoughtappertainedtoit.ItmaybepresumedthatamongsuchthingsshedidnotincludeMrsProudie,asshewaswillingenoughtolaughatthatlady;butMark,hadheknownherbetter,mighthavebeensurethatshewouldhavesatouthissermonwithperfectpropriety.

Asitwas,however,hedidfeelconsiderableuneasiness;andinthemorning,hegotupearly,withtheviewofseeingwhatmightbedoneinthewayofemendation.Hecutoutthosepartswhichreferredmostspeciallytotheislands,——herejectedaltogetherthosenamesoverwhichtheyhadalllaughedtogethersoheartily,——andheinsertedastringofgenialremarks,veryuseful,nodoubt,whichheflatteredhimselfwouldrobhissermonofallsimilaritytoHaroldSmith'slecture.Hehad,perhaps,hoped,whenwritingit,tocreatesomelittlesensation;butnowhewouldbequitesatisfiedifitpassedwithoutremark.Ithadbeenarrangedthatthepartyatthehotelshouldbreakfastateightandstartathalf-pasteightpunctually,soastoenablethemtoreachChaldicotesinampletimetoarrangetheirdressesbeforetheywenttochurch.Thechurchstoodonthegrounds,closetothatlongformalavenueoflime-trees,butwithinthefrontgate.Theirwalk,therefore,afterreachingMrSowerby'shouse,wouldnotbelong.

MrsProudie,whowasherselfanearlybody,wouldnothearofherguest——andheaclergyman——goingouttotheinnforhisbreakfastonaSundaymorning.AsregardedthatSabbath-dayjourneytoChaldicotes,tothatshehadgivenherassent,nodoubtwithmuchuneasinessofmind;butletthemhaveaslittledesecrationaspossible.Itwasthereforeanunderstoodthingthathewastoreturnwithhisfriends;butheshouldnotgowithouttheadvantageoffamilyprayersandfamilybreakfast.AndsoMrsProudieonretiringtorestgavethenecessaryorders,tothegreatannoyanceofherhousehold.

Tothegreatannoyance,atleast,ofherservants!Thebishophimselfdidnotmakehisappearancetillamuchlaterhour.Heinallthingsnowsupportedhiswife'srule;inallthingsnow,Isay;

fortherehadbeenamoment,wheninthefirstflushandprideofhisepiscopacy,otherideashadfilledhismind.Now,however,hegavenooppositiontothatgoodwomanwithwhomProvidencehadblessedhim;andinreturntohislittlepersonalcomforts.Withwhatsurprisedidthebishopnowlookbackuponthatunholywarwhichhehadoncebeentemptedtowageagainstthewifeofhisbosom?

NordidanyoftheMissProudiesshowthemselvesatthatearlyhour.They,perhaps,wereabsentonadifferentground.WiththemMrsProudiehadnotbeensosuccessfulaswiththebishop.Theyhadwillsoftheirownwhichbecamestrongerandstrongereveryday.OfthethreewithwhomMrsProudiewasblessedonewasalreadyinapositiontoexercisethatwillinalegitimatewayoveraveryexcellentyoungclergymaninthediocese,theRev.

OptimusGrey;buttheothertwo,havingasyetnosuchopeningfortheirpowersofcommand,wereperhapsalittletoomuchinclinedtokeepthemselvesinpracticeathome.Butathalf-pastsevenpunctuallyMrsProudiewasthere,andsowasthedomesticchaplain;

sowasMrRobarts,andsowerethehouseholdservants——allexceptingonelazyrecreant.'WhereisThomas?'saidsheoftheArguseyes,standingupwithherbookoffamilyprayersinherhand.'Sopleaseyou,ma'am,Tummasbebadwiththetooth-ache.'

'Tooth-ache!'exclaimedMrsProudie;buthereyessaidmoreterriblethingsthanthat.'LetThomascometomebeforechurch.'

Andthentheyproceededtoprayers.Thesewerereadbythechaplain,asitwasproperanddecentthattheyshouldbe;butI

cannotbutthinkthatMrsProudiealittleexceededherofficeintakinguponherselftopronouncetheblessingwhentheprayerswereover.Shedidit,however,inaclear,sonorousvoice,andperhapswithmorepersonaldignitythanwaswithinthechaplain'scompass.

MrsProudiewasrathersternatbreakfast,andthevicarofFramleyfeltanunaccountabledesiretogetoutofthehouse.Inthefirstplaceshewasnotdressedwithherusualpunctiliousattentiontotheproprietiesofherhighsituation.Itwasevidentthattherewastobeafurthertoiletbeforeshesailedupthemiddleofthecathedralchoir.Shehadonalargeloosecapwithnootherstringsthanthosewhichwerewantedoftyingitbeneathherchin,acapwithwhichthehouseholdandthechaplainwerewellacquainted,butwhichseemedungraciousintheeyesofMrRobarts,afterallthewell-dressedholidaydoingsofthelastweek.Sheworealsoalarge,loose,dark-colouredwrapper,whichcamewelluproundherneck,andwhichwasnotbuoyedout,aswereherdressesingeneral,withanundermechanismofpetticoats.Itclungtoherclosely,andaddedtotheinflexibilityofhergeneralappearance.

Andthenshehadencasedherfeetinlargecarpetslippers,whichnodoubtwerecomfortable,butwhichstruckhervisitorasbeingstrangeandunsightly.'Doyoufinddifficultyingettingyourpeopletogetherforearlymorningprayers?'shesaid,asshecommencedheroperationswiththeteapot.

'Ican'tsaythatIdo,'saidMark.'Butthenweareseldomsoearlyasthis.'

'Parishclergymenshouldbeearly,Ithink,'saidshe.'Itsetsagoodexampleinthevillage.'

'Iamthinkingofhavingmorningprayersinthechurch,'saidMrRobarts.

'That'snonsense,'saidMrsProudie,'andusuallymeansworsethannonsense.Iknowwhatthatcomesto.IfyouhavethreeservicesonaSundayanddomesticprayersathome,youdoverywell.'Andsosayingshehandedhimhiscup.

'ButIhavenotthreeservicesonSunday,MrsProudie.'

'ThenIthinkyoushouldhave.WherecanthepoorpeoplebesowelloffonSundaysasinchurch?Thebishopintendstoexpressaverystrongopiniononthissubjectinhisnextcharge;andthenI

amsureyouwillattendtohiswishes.'TothisMarkmadenoanswer,butdevotedhimselftohisegg.

'IsupposeyouhavenotaverylargeestablishmentatFramley?'

askedMrsProudie.

'What,attheparsonage?'

'Yes;youliveattheparsonage,don'tyou?'

'Certainly——well;notverylarge,MrsProudie;justenoughtodothework,makethingscomfortable,andlookafterthechildren.'

'Itisaveryfineliving,'saidshe;'veryfine.Idon'trememberthatwehaveanythingsogoodourselves,——exceptatPlumstead,thearchdeacon'splace.Hehasmanagedtobutterhisbreadverywell.'

'HisfatherwasbishopofBarchester.'

'Oh,yes,Iknowallabouthim.Onlyforthathewouldbarelyhaverisentoarchdeacon,Isuspect.Letmesee;yoursis800pounds,isitnot,MrRobarts?Andyousuchayoungman!Isupposeyouhaveinsuredyourlifehighly.'

'Prettywell,MrsProudie.'

'Andthen,too,yourwifehadsomelittlefortune,hadshenot?Wecannotallfallonourfeetlikethat;canwe,MrWhite?'andMrsProudiewasanimperiouswoman;butthensoalsowasLadyLufton;

anditmaythereforebesaidthatMrRobartsoughttohavebeenaccustomedtofemininedomination;butashesattheremunchinghistoasthecouldnotbutmakeacomparisonbetweenthetwo.LadyLuftoninherlittleattemptssometimesangeredhim;buthecertainlythought,comparingthatladyandtheclericaltogether,thattheruleoftheformerwasthelighterandthepleasanter.ButthenLadyLuftonhadgivenhimalivingandawife,andMrsProudiehadgivenhimnothing.ImmediatelyafterbreakfastMrRobartsescapedtotheDragonofWantly,partlybecausehehadhadenoughofthematutinalMrsProudie,andpartlyalsoinorderthathemighthurryhisfriendsthere.Hewasalreadybecomingfidgetyaboutthetime,asHaroldSmithhadbeenontheprecedingevening;

andhedidtogiveMrsSmithcreditformuchpunctuality.Whenhearrivedattheinnheaskediftheyhaddonebreakfast,andwasimmediatelytoldthatnotoneofthemwasyetdown.Itwasalreadyhalf-pasteight,andtheyoughttobenowunderweighontheroad.

HeimmediatelywenttoMrSowerby'sroom,andfoundthatgentlemanshavinghimself.'Don'tbeabituneasy,'saidMrSowerby.'YouandSmithshallhavemyphaeton,andthosehorseswilltakeyouthereinanhour.Not,however,butwhatweshallallbeintime.

We'llsendroundtothewholepartyandferretthemout.'AndthenMrSowerby,havingevokedmanifoldaidwithvariouspealsofthebell,sentmessengers,maleandfemale,flyingtoallthedifferentrooms.

'IthinkI'llhireagigandgooveratonce,'saidMark.'Itwouldnotdoformetobelate,youknow.'

'Itwon'tdoforanyofustobelate;andit'sallnonsenseabouthiringagig.Itwouldbejustthrowingasovereignaway,andweshouldpassyouontheroad.Godownandseethattheteaismade,andallthat;andmakethemhavethebillready;and,Robarts,youmaypayittoo,ifyoulikeit.But,IbelievewemayaswellleavethattoBaronBorneo——eh?'AndthenMarkdidgodownandmakethetea,andhedidorderthebill;andthenhewalkedabouttheroom,lookingathiswatch,andnervouslywaitingforthefootstepsofhisfriends.Andashewassoemployed,hebethoughthimselfwhetheritwasfitthatheshouldbesodoingonaSundaymorning;whetheritwasgoodthatheshouldbewaitingthere,inpainfulanxiety,togallopoveradozenmilesinorderthathemightnotbetoolatewithhissermon;whetherhisownsnugroomathome,withFannyoppositetohim,andhisbairnscrawlingonthefloor,withhisownpreparationsforhisownquietservice,andthewarmpressureofLadyLufton'shandwhenthatserviceshouldbeover,wasnotbetterthanallthis.HecouldnotaffordnottoknowHaroldSmith,andMrSowerby,andtheDukeofOmnium,hehadsaidtohimself.Hehadtolooktoriseintheworld,asothermendid.Butwhatpleasurehadcometohimasyetfromtheseintimacies?Howmuchhadhehithertodonetowardshisrising?Tospeakthetruthhewasnotoverwellpleasedwithhimself,ashemadeMrsHaroldSmith'steaandorderedMrSowerby'smutton-chopsonthatSundaymorning.

Atalittleafterninetheyallassembled;buteventhenhecouldnotmaketheladiesunderstandthattherewasanycauseforhurry;

atleastMrsSmith,whowastheleaderoftheparty,wouldnotunderstandit.WhenMarkagaintalkedofhiringagig,MissDunstableindeedsaidthatshewouldjoinhim;andseemedtobesofarearnestinthematterthatMrSowerbyhurriedthroughhissecondegginordertopreventsuchacatastrophe.AndthenMarkabsolutelydidorderthegig;whereuponMrsSmithremarkedthatinsuchcasesheneednothurryherself;butthewaiterbroughtupwordthatallthehorsesofthehotelwereout,exceptingonepair,neitherofwhichcouldgoinsingleharness.Indeed,halfoftheirstableestablishmentwasalreadysecuredbyMrSowerby'sownparty.

'Thenletmehavethepair,'saidMark,almostfranticwithdelay.

'Nonsense,Robarts;wearereadynow.Hewon'twantthem,James.

Come,Supplehouse,haveyoudone?'

'ThenIamtohurrymyself,amI?'saidMrsHaroldSmith.'Whatchangeablecreaturesyouare!MayIbeallowedhalfacupoftea,MrRobarts?'Mark,whowasnowreallyangry,turnedawaytothewindow.Therewasnocharityinthesepeople,hesaidtohimself.

Theyknewthenatureofhisdistress,andyettheyonlylaughedathim.Hedidnot,perhaps,reflectthathehadassistedinthejokeagainstMrHaroldSmithonthepreviousevening.'James,'saidheturningtothewaiter,'letmehavethatpairofhorsesimmediately,ifyouplease.'

'Yes,sir,roundinfifteenminutes,sir:onlyNed,sir,thepost-boy,sir;Ifearhe'sathisbreakfast,sir;butwe'llhavehimhereinlessthannotime,sir!'ButbeforeNedandthepairwerethere,MrsSmithhadabsolutelygotherbonneton,andattentheystarted.MarkdidsharethephaetonwithHaroldSmith,butthephaetondidnotgoanyfasterthantheothercarriages.Theyledtheway,indeed,butthatwasall;andwhenthevicar'swatchtoldhimthatitwaseleven,theywerestillamilefromChaldicotesgate,althoughthehorseswereinlatherofsteam;andtheyhadjustonlyenteredthevillagewhenthechurchbellceasedtobeheard.

'Come,youareintime,afterall,'saidHaroldSmith.'BettertimethanIwaslastnight.'Robartscouldnotexplaintohimthattheentryofaclergymanintochurch,ofaclergymanwhoisgoingtoassistintheservice,shouldnotbemadeatthelastminute,thatitshouldbestaidanddecorous,andnotdoneinscramblinghaste,withrunningfeetandscantbreath.

'Isupposewe'llstophere,sir,'saidthepostillion,ashepulleduphishorsesshortofthechurch-door,inthemidstofthepeoplewhowerecongregatingtogetherreadyfortheservice.ButMarkhadnotanticipatedbeingsolate,andsaidatfirstthatitwasnecessarythatheshouldgoontothehouse;then,whenthehorseshadagainbeguntomove,herememberedthathecouldsendforhisgown,andashegotoutofthecarriagehegavehisordersaccordingly.Andnowtheothertwocarriageswerethere,andsotherewasanoiseandconfusionatthedoor——veryunseemly,asMarkfeltit;andthegentlemenspokeinloudvoices,andMrsHaroldSmithdeclaredthatshehadnoPrayer-Book,andwasmuchtootiredtogoinatpresent;shewouldgohomeandrestherself,shesaid.

Andtwootherladiesofthepartydidsoalso,leavingMissDunstabletogoalone;——forwhich,however,shedidnotcareonebutton.Andthenoneoftheparty,whohadanastyhabitofswearing,cursedatsomethingashewalkedinclosetoMark'selbow;andsotheymadetheirwayupthechurchastheAbsolutionwasbeingread,andMarkRobartsfeltthoroughlyashamedofhimself.Ifhisrisingintheworldbroughthimincontactwithsuchthingsasthese,woulditnotbebetterforhimthatheshoulddowithoutrising?Hissermonwentoffwithoutanyspecialnotice.MrsHaroldSmithwasnotthere,muchtohissatisfaction;

andtheotherswhoweredidnotseemtopayanyspecialattentiontoit.Thesubjecthadlostitsnovelty;exceptwiththeordinarychurchcongregation,thefarmersandlabourersoftheparish;andthe'quality'inthesquire'sgreatpewwerecontenttoshowtheirsympathybyamoderatesubscription.MissDunstable,however,gaveaten-poundnote,whichswelledupthesumtotaltoarespectableamount——forsuchaplaceasChaldicotes.

'AndnowIhopeImayneverhearanotherwordaboutNewGuinea,'

saidMrSowerby,astheyclusteredroundthedrawing-roomfireafterchurch.'Thatsubjectmayberegardedaskilled,eh,Harold?'

'Certainlymurderedlastnight,'saidMrsHarold,'bythatawfulwoman,MrsProudie.'

'Iwonderyoudidnotmakeadashatherandpullheroutofthearm-chair,'saidMissDunstable.'Iwasexpectingit,andthoughtthatIshouldcometogriefinthescrimmage.'

'Ineverknewsuchabrazen-facedthingbefore,'saidMissKerrigy,atravellingfriendofMissDunstable's.

'NorI——never;inapublicplace,too,'saidDrEasyman,amedicalgentleman,whoalsooftenaccompaniedher.

'Asforbrass,'saidMrSupplehouse,'shewouldneverstopatanythingforwantofthat.Itiswellthatshehasenough,forthepoorbishopisbutbadlyprovided.'

'Ihardlyheardwhatitwasshedidsay,'saidHaroldSmith;'soI

couldnotanswerher,youknow.SomethingaboutSundays,Ibelieve.'

'ShehopedyouwouldnotputtheSouthSeaIslandersuptoSabbathtravelling,'saidMrSowerby.

'AndspeciallybeggedthatyouwouldestablishLord's-dayschools,'

saidMrsSmith;andthentheyallwenttowork,andpickedMrsProudietopiecesfromthetopribbonsofhercapdowntothesoleofherslipper.

'Andthensheexpectsthepoorparsonstofallinlovewithherdaughters.That'sthehardestthingofall,'saidMissDunstable.

But,onthewhole,whenourvicarwenttobed,hedidnotfeelthathehadspentaprofitableSunday.

CHAPTERVIII

GATHERUMCASTLE

OntheTuesdaymorningMarkdidreceivehiswife'sletter,andtheten-poundnote,wherebyastrongproofwasgivenofthehonestyofthepost-officepeopleinBarsetshire.Thatletter,writtenasithadbeeninahurry,whileRobinpost-boywasdrinkingasinglemugofbeer,——well,whatofitifhehalffilledasecondtime?——wasneverthelesseloquenceofhiswife'sloveandofhergreattriumph.'Ihaveonlyhalfamomenttosendthemoney,'shesaid,'forthepostmanisherewaiting.WhenIseeyou,I'llexplainwhyIamsohurried.Letmeknowyougetitsafe.Itisallrightnow,andLadyLuftonwasherenotaminuteago.Shedidnotquitelikeit;aboutGatherumCastle,Imean;butyou'llhearnothingaboutit.OnlyrememberthatyoumustdineatFramleyCourtonWednesdayweek.Ihavepromisedthatforyou.Youwill,won'tyou,dearest?Ishallcomeandfetchyouawayifyouattempttostaylongerthanyouhavesaid.ButI'msureyouwon't.Godblessyou,myownone!MrJonesgaveusthesamesermonhepreachedthesecondSundayafterEaster.Twiceinthesameyearistoooften.Godblessyou!Thechildrenarequitewell.Marksendsyouabigkiss——YourownF.'

Robarts,ashereadthisletterandcrumpledthenoteupintohispocket,feltthatitwasmuchmoresatisfactorythanhedeserved.

Heknewthattheremusthavebeenafight,andthathiswife,fightingloyallyonhisbehalf,hadgotthebestofit;andheknewalsothathervictoryhadnotbeenowingtothegoodnessofhercause.HefrequentlydeclaredtohimselfthathewouldnotbeafraidofLadyLufton;butneverthelessthesetidingsthatnoreproachesweretobemadetohimaffordedhimgreatrelief.OnthefollowingFridaytheyallwenttotheduke's,andfoundthatthebishopandMrsProudieweretherebeforethem;aswerealsosundryotherpeople,mostlyofsomenoteeitherintheestimationoftheworldatlargeorthatofWestBarsetshire.LordBoanergeswasthere,anoldmanwhowouldhavehisownwayineverything,andwhowasregardedbyallmen——apparentlyeventhedukehimself——asanintellectualking,bynomeansoftheconstitutionalkind——asanintellectualemperor,rather,whotookuponhimselftoruleallquestionsofmindwithouttheassistanceofanyministerswhatever.AndBaronBrawlwasoftheparty,oneofHerMajesty'spuisneJudges,asjovialaguestaseverenteredacountyhouse;

butgiventoberathersharpwithalinhisjovialities.AndtherewasMrGreenWalker,ayoungbutrisingman,thesamewholecturednotlongsinceonapopularsubjecttohisconstituentsattheCreweJunction.MrGreenWalkerwasanephewoftheMarchionessofHartletop,andtheMarchionessofHartletopwasafriendoftheDukeofOmnium's.MrMarkRobartswascertainlyelatedwhenheascertainedwhocomposedthecompanyofwhichhehadbeensoearnestlypressedtomakeaportion.WouldithavebeenwiseinhimtoforgothisonaccountoftheprejudicesofLadyLufton?

Astheguestsweresomanyandsogreat,thehugefrontportalsofGatherumCastlewerethrownopenandthevasthall,adornedwithtrophies——withmarblebustsfromItalyandarmourfromWardourStreet——wasthrongedwithgentlemenandladies,andgaveforthunwontedechoestomanyafootstep.Hisgracehimself,whenMarkarrivedtherewithSowerbyandMissDunstable——forinthisinstanceMissDunstabledidtravelinthephaeton,whileMarkoccupiedaseatinthedicky——hisgracehimselfwasatthismomentinthedrawing-roomandnothingcouldexceedhisurbanity.

'Oh,MissDunstable!'hesaid,takingthatladybythehand,andleadingheruptothefire,'nowIfeelforthefirsttimethatGatherumCastlehasnotbeenbuiltfornothing.'

'Nobodyeversupposeditwas,yourgrace,'saidMissDunstable.'I

amsurethearchitectdidnotthinksowhenhisbillwaspaid.'AndMissDunstableputhertoesonthefendertowarmthemwithasmuchself-possessionasthoughherfatherhadbeenadukealso,insteadofaquackdoctor.

'Wehavegiventhestrictestordersabouttheparrot——,'saidtheduke.

'Ah!butIhavenotbroughthimafterall;'saidMissDunstable.

'——andIhavehadanaviarybuiltonpurpose,——justsuchasparrotsareusedtointheirowncountry.Well,MissDunstable,Idocallthatunkind.Isittoolatetosendforhim?'

'HeandDrEasymanaretravellingtogether.Thetruthwas,Icouldnotrobthedoctorofhiscompanion.'

'Why?Ihavehadanotheraviarybuiltforhim.Ideclare,MissDunstable,thehonouryouaredoingmeisshornofhalfitsglory.

Butthepoodle——Istilltrustinthepoodle.'

'Andyourgrace'strustshallnotinthatrespectbeinvain.

Whereishe,Iwonder?'AndMissDunstablelookedroundasthoughsheexpectedthatsomebodywouldcertainlyhavebroughtherdoginafterher.'IdeclareImustgoandlookforhim,——onlythinkiftheyweretoputhimamongyourgrace'sdogs,——howhismoralswouldbedestroyed!'

'MissDunstable,isthatintendedtobepersonal?'buttheladyhadturnedawayfromthefire,andthedukewasabletowelcomehisotherguests.Thishedidwithmuchcourtesy.'Sowerby,'hesaid,'Iamgladyouhavesurvivedthelecture.IcanassureyouIhadfearsforyou.'

'IwasbroughtbacktolifeafterconsiderabledelaybytheadministrationoftonicsattheDragonofWantly.WillyourgraceallowmetopresenttoyouMrRobarts,whoonthatoccasionwasnotsofortunate.Itwasfoundnecessarytocarryhimofftothepalace,wherehewasobligedtoundergoveryvigoroustreatment.'

AndthenthedukeshookhandswithMrRobarts,assuringhimthathewasmosthappytomakehisacquaintance.Hehadoftenheardofhimsincehecameintothecounty;andthenheaskedafterLordLufton,regrettingthathehadbeenunabletoinducehislordshiptocometoGatherumCastle.

'Butyouhadadiversionatthelecture,Iamtold,'continuedtheduke.'Therewasasecondperformance,wastherenot,whoalmosteclipsedpoorHaroldSmith?'AndthenMrSowerbygaveanamusingsketchofthelittleProudieepisode.

'Ithas,ofcourse,ruinedyourbrother-in-lawforeverasalecturer,'saidtheduke,laughing.

'Ifso,weshallfeelourselvesunderthedeepestobligationstoMrsProudie,'saidMrSowerby.AndthenHaroldSmithhimselfcameupandreceivedtheduke'ssincereandheartycongratulationsonthesuccessofhisexerciseatBarchester.MarkRobartshadnowturnedaway,andhisattentionwassuddenlyarrestedbytheloudvoiceofMissDunstable,whohadstumbledacrosssomeverydearfriendsinherpassagethroughtherooms,andwhobynomeanshidfromthepublicherdelightupontheoccasion.

'Well——well——well!'sheexclaimed,andthensheseizeduponaveryquiet-lookingwell-dressed,attractiveyoungwomanwhowaswalkingtowardsher,incompanywithagentleman.Thegentlemanandlady,asitturnedout,werehusbandandwife.'Well——well——well!I

hardlyhopedforthis.'Andthenshetookholdoftheladyandkissedherenthusiastically,andafterthatgraspedboththegentleman'shands,shakingthemstoutly.

'AndwhatadealIshallhavetosaytoyou!'shewenton.'You'llupsetallmyotherplans.But,Mary,mydear,howlongareyougoingtostayhere?Igo——letmesee——Iforgetwhen,butit'sallputdowninabookupstairs.ButthenextstageisatMrsProudie's.Ishan'tmeetyouthere,Isuppose.Andnow,Frank,how'sthegovernor?'ThegentlemancalledFrankdeclaredthatthegovernorwasallright——'madaboutthehounds,ofcourse,youknow.'

'Well,mydear,that'sbetterthanthehoundsbeingmadabouthim.

Buttalkingofhounds,Frank,howbadlytheymanagetheirfoxesatChaldicotes!Iwasouthuntingalloneday——'

'Yououthunting!'saidtheladycalledMary.

'Andwhyshouldn'tIgoouthunting?I'lltellyouwhat,MrsProudiewasouthuntingtoo.Buttheydidn'tcatchasinglefox;

and,ifyoumusthavethetruth,itseemedtometoberatherslow.'

'Youwereinthewrongdivisionofthecounty,'saidthegentlemancalledFrank.

'OfcourseIwas.WhenIreallywanttopractisehuntingI'llgotoGreshambury;notadoubtaboutthat.'

'OrgotoBoxallHill,'saidthelady;'you'llfindquiteasmuchzealthereasatGreshambury.'

'Andmorediscretion,youshouldadd,'saidthegentleman.

'Ha!Ha!Ha!,'laughedMissDunstable;'yourdiscretionindeed!

ButyouhavenottoldmeawordaboutLadyArabella.'

'Mymotherisquitewell,'saidthegentleman.

'Andthedoctor?Bytheby,mydear,I'vehadsuchaletterfromthedoctor;onlytwodaysago.I'llshowittoyouupstairsto-morrow.But,mind,itmustbeapositivesecret.Ifhegoesoninthiswayhe'llgethimselfintotheTowerorCoventry,orablue-book,orsomedreadfulplace.'

'Why?whathashesaid?'

'Nevermind,MasterFrank;Idon'tmeantoshowyouthisletter,youmaybesureofthat.Butifyourwifewillswearthreetimesonapokerandtongsthatshewon'treveal,I'llshowittoher.

AndyouarequitesettledatBoxallHill,areyou?'

'Frank'shorsesaresettled;andthedogsnearlyso,'saidFrank'swife;'butIcan'tboastmuchofanythingelseyet.'

'Well,there'sagoodthingcoming.Imustgoandchangemythingsnow.But,Mary,mindyougetnearmethisevening;Ihavesuchadealtosaytoyou.'AndthenMissDunstablemarchedoutoftheroom.

Allthishadbeensaidinsoloudavoicethatitwas,asamatterofcourse,overheardbyMarkRobarts——thatpartoftheconversationofcourseImeanwhichhadcomefromMissDunstable.AndthenMarklearnedthatthiswasyoungFrankGreshamofBoxallHill,sonofoldMrGreshamofGreshambury.Frankhadlatelymarriedagreatheiress;agreaterheiress,mensaid,eventhanMissDunstable;andasthemarriagewashardlyasyetmorethansixmonthsoldtheBarsetshireworldwasstillfullofit.

'Thetwoheiressesseemtobeveryloving,don'tthey?'saidMrSupplehouse.'Birdsofafeatherflocktogether,youknow.ButtheydidsaysomelittletimeagothatyoungGreshamwastohavemarriedMissDunstableherself.

'MissDunstable!why,shemightalmostbehismother,'saidMark.

'Thatmadelittledifference.Hewasobligedtomarrymoney,andI

believethereisnodoubtthathedidatonetimeproposetoMissDunstable.'

'IhavealetterfromLufton,'MrSowerbysaidtohimthenextmorning.

'Hedeclaresthatthedelaywasallyourfault.YouweretohavetoldLadyLuftonbeforeyoudidanything,andhewaswaitingtowriteaboutittillheheardfromyou.Itseemsthatyouneversaidawordtoherladyshiponthesubject.'

'Ineverdid,certainly.MycommissionfromLuftonwastobreakthemattertoherwhenIfoundherinaproperhumourforreceivingit.IfyouknewLadyLuftonaswellasIdo,youwouldknowthatitisnoteverydaythatshewouldbeinahumourforsuchthings.'

'AndsoIwastobekeptwaitingindefinitelybecauseyoutwobetweenyouwereafraidofanoldwoman!However,Ihavenotawordtosayagainsther,andthematterissettlednow.'

'Hasthefarmbeensold?'

'Notabitofit.ThedowagerwouldnotbringhermindtosuffersuchprofanationfortheLuftonacres,andsoshesoldfivethousandpoundsoutofthefundsandsentthemoneytoLuftonasapresent;——sentittohimwithoutsayingaword,onlyhopingthatitwouldsufficeforhiswants.IwishIhadamother,Iknow.'

Markfounditimpossibleatthemomenttomakeanyremarkuponwhathadbeentoldhim,buthefeltasuddenqualmofconscienceandawishthathewasbackatFramleyinsteadofGatherumCastleatthepresentmoment.HeknewagooddealrespectingLadyLufton'sincomeandthemannerinwhichitwasspent.Itwasveryhandsomeforasinglelady,butthenshelivedinafreeandopen-handedstyle;hercharitieswerenoble;therewasnoreasonwhysheshouldsavemoney,andherannualincomewasusuallyspentwithintheyear.Markknewthis,andheknewalsothatnothingshortofanimpossibilitytomaintainthemwouldinducehertolessenhercharities.Shehadnowgivenawayaportionofherprincipaltosavethepropertyofherson——herson,whowassomuchmoreopulentthanherself——uponwhosemeans,too,theworldmadefewereffectualclaims.AndMarkknew,too,somethingofthepurposeforwhichthismoneyhadgone.TherehadbeenunsettledgamblingclaimsbetweenSowerbyandLordLufton,originatinginaffairsoftheturf.Ithadnowbeengoingonforfouryears,almostfromtheperiodwhenLordLuftonhadbecomeofage.HehadbeforenowspokentoRobartsonthematterwithmuchbitteranger,allegingthatMrSowerbywastreatinghimbadly,nay,dishonestly——thathewasclaimingmoneythatwasnotduetohim;andthenhedeclaredmorethanoncethathewouldbringthematterbeforetheJockeyClub.ButMark,knowingthatLordLuftonwasnotclear-sightedinthesematters,andbelievingittobeimpossiblethatMrSowerbyshouldactuallyendeavourtodefraudhisfriend,hadsmootheddowntheyounglord'sanger,andremonstratedhimtogetthecasereferredtosomeprivatearbiter.AllthishadafterwardsbeendiscussedbetweenRobartsandMrSowerbyhimself,andhencehadoriginatedtheirintimacy.Thematterwassoreferred,MrSowerbynamingthereferee;andLordLuftonwhenthematterwasgivenagainsthim,tookiteasily.Hisangerwasoverbythattime.

'I'vebeencleandoneamongthem,'hesaidtoMark,laughing;'butitdoesnotsignify;amanmustpayforhisexperience.Ofcourse,Sowerbythinksitallright;Iamboundtosupposeso.'Andthentherehadbeensomefurtherdelayastotheamount,andpartofthemoneyhadbeenpaidtoathirdperson,andabillhadbeengiven,andHeavenandtheJewsonlyknewhowmuchmoneyLordLuftonhadpaidinall;andnowitwasendedbyhishandingovertosomewretchedvillainofamoney-dealer,onbehalfofMrSowerby,theenormoussumoffivethousandpounds,whichhadbeendeductedfromthemeansofLadyLufton!

Mark,ashethoughtofallthis,couldnotbutfeelacertainanimosityagainstMrSowerby——couldnotbutsuspectthathewasabadman.Nay,musthenothaveknownthat,hewasverybad?Andyethecontinuedwalkingwithhimthroughtheduke'sgrounds,stilltalkingaboutLordLufton'saffairs,andstilllisteningwithinteresttowhatSowerbytoldhimofhisown.'NomanwaseverrobbedasIhavebeen,'saidhe.'ButIshallwinthroughyet,inspiteofthemall.ButthoseJews,Mark!'——hehadbecomeveryintimatewithhimintheselatterdays——'whateveryoudo,keepclearofthem.Why,Icouldpaperaroomwiththeirsignatures;andyetIneverhadaclaimupononeofthem,thoughtheyalwayshaveclaimsinme!'

IhavesaidthatthisaffairofLordLufton'swasended,butitnowappearedtoMarkthatitwasnotquiteended.'TellLufton,youknow,'saidSowerby,'thateverybitofpaperwithhisnamehasbeentakenup,exceptwhatthatruffianTozerhas.Tozermayhaveonebill,Ibelieve,——somethingthatwasnotgivenupwhenitwasrenewed.ButI'llmakemylawyerGumptiongetthatup.Itmaycosttenpoundsortwentypounds,notmore.You'llrememberthatwhenyouseeLufton,willyou?'

'You'llseeLufton,inallprobability,beforeIshall.'

'Oh,didnotItellyou?He'sgoingtoFramleyCourtatonce;

you'llfindhimtherewhenyoureturn.'

'FindhimatFramley?'

'Yes;thislittlecadeaufromhismotherhastouchedhisfilialheart.HeisrushinghometoFramleytopaybackthedowager'shardmoidoresinsoftcaresses.IwishIhadamother;Iknowthat.'AndMarkstillfeltthathefearedMrSowerby,buthecouldnotmakeuphismindtobreakawayfromhim.

Andtherewasmuchtalkofpoliticsjustthenatthecastle.Notthatthedukejoinedinwithanyenthusiasm.HewasaWhig——ahugemountainofacolossalWhig——alltheworldknewthat.NoopponentwouldhavedreamedoftamperingwithhisWhiggery,norwouldanybrotherWhighavedreamedofdoubtingit.ButhewasaWhigwhogaveverylittlepracticalsupporttoanysetofmen,andverylittlepracticaloppositiontoanyotherset.Hewasabovetroublinghimselfwithsuchsublunarmatters.Atelectiontimehesupported,andalwayscarried,Whigcandidates;andinreturnhehadbeenappointedlordlieutenantofthecountybyoneWhigminister,andhadreceivedtheGarterfromanother.ButthesethingswereamatterofcoursetoaDukeofOmnium.HewasborntobealordlieutenantandaKnightoftheGarter.Butnotthelessonaccountofhisapathy,orratherquiescence,wasitthoughtthatGatherumCastlewasafittingplaceinwhichpoliticiansmightexpresstoeachothertheirpresenthopesandfutureaims,andconcocttogetherlittleplotsinahalf-seriousandhalf-mockingway.IndeeditwashintedthatMrSupplehouseandHaroldSmith,withoneortwoothers,wereatGatherumforthisexpresspurpose.

MrFothergill,too,wasanotedpolitician,andwassupposedtoknowtheduke'smindwell;andMrGreenWalker,thenephewofthemarchioness,wasayoungmanwhomthedukedesiredtohavebroughtforward.MrSowerbyalsowastheduke'sownmember,andsotheoccasionsuitedwellfortheinterchangeofafewideas.

Thethenprimeminister,angryasmanymenwerewithhim,hadnotbeenaltogetherunsuccessful.HehadbroughttheRussianwartoaclose,which,ifnotglorious,wasatanyratemuchmoresothanEnglishmenatonetimeventuredtohope.AndhehadhadwonderfulluckwiththatIndianMutiny.Itistruethatmanyofthoseevenwhovotedwithhimwoulddeclarethatthiswasinnowayattributabletohim.GreatmenhadriseninIndiaanddoneallthat.Evenhisministerthere,theGovernorwhomhehadsentout,wasnotallowedinthosedaysanycreditforthesuccesswhichwasachievedunderhisorders.Therewasgreatreasontodoubtthemanatthehelm.Butneverthelesshehadbeenlucky.Thereisnomeritinapublicmanlikesuccess!Butnow,whentheevildayswerewellnighover,camethequestionwhetherhehadnotbeentoosuccessful.Whenamanhasnailedfortunetohischariot-wheelsheisapttotravelaboutinratheraproudfashion.Thereareservantswhothinkthattheirmasterscannotdowithoutthem;andthepublicalsomayoccasionallyhavesomesuchservant.Whatifthistoosuccessfulministerwereoneofthem!Andthenadiscreet,commonplace,zealousmemberoftheLowerHousedoesnotliketobejeeredat,whenhedoeshisdutybyhisconstituentsandasksafewquestions.Anall-successfulministerwhocannotkeephistriumphtohimself,butmustneedsdriveaboutinaproudfashion,laughingatcommonplacezealousmembers——laughingevenoccasionallyatmemberswhoarebynomeanscommonplace,whichisoutrageous!——mayitnotbeaswelltoostracizehimforawhile?'

'Hadwenotbetterthrowinourshellsagainsthim?'saysMrHaroldSmith.

'Letusthrowinourshellsbyallmeans,'saysMrSupplehouse,mindfuloftheJunoofhisdespisedcharms.AndwhenMrSupplehousedeclareshimselfanenemy,menknowhowmuchitmeans.

Theyknowthatthatmuch-belabouredheadofaffairsmustsuccumbtotheterribleblowswhicharenowinstoreforhim.'Yes,wewillthrowinourshells.'AndMrSupplehouserisesfromhischairwithgleamingeyes.'HasnotGreeceasnobleasonashim?Aye,andmuchnobler,traitorthatheis.Wemustjudgeamanbyhisfriends,'

saysMrSupplehouse;andhepointsawaytotheEast,whereourdearalliestheFrencharesupposedtolive,andwhereourheadofaffairsissupposedtohavetoocloseintimacy.

Theyallunderstandthis,evenMrGreenWalker.'Idon'tknowthatheisanygoodtoanyofusatall,now,'saysthetalentedmemberfortheCrewe-Junction.'He'sagreatdealtoouppishtosuitmybook;andIknowagreatmanypeoplethatthinksotoo.There'smyuncle——'

'He'sthebestfellowintheworld,'saidMrFothergill,whofelt,perhaps,thatthatcomingrevelationaboutMrGreenWalker'sunclemightnotbeofusetothem;'butthefactisonegetstiredofthesamemanalways.Onedoesnotlikehispartridgeeveryday.Asforme,Ihavenothingtodowithitmyself;butIwouldcertainlyliketochangethedish.'

'Ifwe'remerelytodoaswearebid,andhavenovoiceofourown,Idon'tseewhat'sthegoodofgoingtotheshopatall,'saidMrSowerby.

'Let'shaveachange,then,'saidMrSowerby.'Thematter'sprettymuchinourownhands.'

'Altogether,'saidMrGreenWalker.'That'swhatmyunclealwayssays.'

'TheManchestermenwillonlybetoohappyforthechance,'saidHaroldSmith.

'Andasforthehighanddrygentlemen,'saidMrSowerby,'it'snotverylikelythattheywillobjecttopickupthefruitwhenweshakethetree.'

'Astopickingupthefruit,that'sasmaybe,'saidMrSupplehouse.Washenotthemantosavethenation?andifso,whyshouldhenotpickupthefruithimself?Hadnotthegreatestpowerinthecountrypointedhimoutassuchasaviour?Whatthoughthecountryatthepresentmomentneedednomoresaving,mighttherenot,nevertheless,beagoodtimecoming?Weretherenotrumoursofotherwarsstillprevalent?——ifindeedtheactualwarthengoingonwasbeingbroughttoaclosewithouthisassistancebysomeotherspeciesofsalvation?Hethoughtofthatcountrytowhichhehadpointed,andofthatfriendofhisenemies,andrememberedthattheremightbestillworkforamightysaviour.Thepublicmindwasnowawake,andunderstoodwhatitwasabout.Whenamangetsintohisheadanideathatthepublicvoicecallsforhim,itisastonishinghowgreatbecomeshistrustinthewisdomofthepublic.Voxpopuli,voxDei.'Hasitnotbeensoalways?'hesaystohimself,ashegetsupandashegoestobed.

AndthenMrSupplehousefeltthathewasthemastermindthereatGatherumCastle,andthatthosetherewereallpuppetsinhishands.Itissuchapleasantthingtofeelthatone'sfriendsarepuppets,andthatthestringsareinone'sownpossession.ButwhatifMrSupplehousehimselfwereapuppet?Somemonthsafterwards,whenthemuch-belabouredheadofaffairswasinverytruthmadetoretire,whenunkindshellswerethrownagainsthimingreatnumbers,whenheexclaimed,'Ettu,Brute!'tillthewordswerestereotypeduponhislips,allmeninallplacestalkedmuchaboutthegreatGatherumCastleconfederation.TheDukeofOmnium,theworldsaid,hadtakenintohishighconsiderationthestateofaffairs,andseeingwithhiseagle'seyethatthewelfareofhiscountrymenatlargerequiredthatsomegreatstepshouldbeinitiated,hehadatoncesummonedtohismansionmanymembersoftheLowerHouse,andsomealsooftheHouseofLords,——mentionwashereespeciallymadeoftheall-venerableandall-wiseLordBoanerges;andmenwentontosaythatthere,indeepconclave,hehadmadeknowntothemhisviews.Itwasthusagreedthattheheadofaffairs,Whigashewas,mustfall.Thecountryrequiredit,andthedukedidhisduty.Thiswasthebeginning,theworldsaid,ofthatcelebratedconfederation,bywhichtheministrywasoverturned,and——astheGoodyTwoshoesadded——thecountrysaved.

ButtheJupiterwasnotfarwrong.AllthecreditwasduetotheJupiter——inthat,asineverythingelse.

InthemeantimetheDukeofOmniumentertainedhisguestsinthequietprincelystyle,butdidnotcondescendtohavemuchconversationonpoliticseitherwithMrSupplehouseorwithMrHaroldSmith.AndasforLordBoanerges,hespentthemorningonwhichtheabove-mentionedconversationtookplaceinteachingMissDunstabletoblowsoap-bubblesonscientificprinciples.

'Dear,dear!'saidMissDunstable,assparksofknowledgecameflyinginuponhermind.'Ialwaysthoughtthatasoap-bubblewasasoap-bubble,andIneveraskedthereasonwhy.Oncedoesn't,youknow,mylord.'

'Pardonme,MissDunstable,'saidtheoldlord,'onedoes;butninehundredandninety-ninedonot.'

'Andtheninehundredandninety-ninehavethebestofit,'saidMissDunstable.'Whatpleasurecanonehaveinaghostafteronehasseenthephosphorusrubbedon?'

'Quitetrue,mydearlady."Ifignorancebebliss,'tisfollytobewise."Itallliesinthe"if".'

ThenMissDunstablebegantosing:-

'"DidInotownJehovah'spowerHowvainwereallIknow."'

'Exactly,exactly,MissDunstable,'saidhislordship;'butwhynotownthepowerandtracethefloweraswell?Perhapsonemighthelptheother.'Uponthewhole,IamafraidthatLordBoanergesgotthebestofit.But,then,thatishisline.Hehasbeengettingthebestofitallhislife.

ItwasobservedbyallthatthedukewasespeciallyattentivetoyoungMrFrankGresham,thegentlemanonwhosewifeMissDunstableseizedsovehemently.ThisMrGreshamwastherichestcommonerinthecounty,anditwasrumouredthatatthenextelectionhewouldbeoneofthemembersfortheEastRiding.NowthedukehadlittleornothingtodowiththeEastRiding,anditwaswellknownthatyoungGreshamwouldbebroughtforwardasastrongConservative.

But,nevertheless,hisacresweresoextensiveandhismoneysoplentifulthathewasworthaduke'snotice.MrSowerby,also,wasalmostmorethanciviltohim,aswasnatural,seeingthatthisveryyoungmanbyamerescratchofhispencouldturnascrapofpaperintoabanknoteofalmostfabulousvalue.

'SoyouhavetheEastBarsetshirehoundsatBoxallHill;haveyounot,'saidtheduke.

'Thehoundsarethere,'saidFrank.'ButIamnotthemaster.'

'Oh!Iunderstood——'

'Myfatherhasthem.ButhefindsBoxallHillmorecentricalthanGreshambury.Thedogsandhorseshavetogoshorterdistances.'

'BoxallHillisverycentrical.'

'Oh,exactly!'

'Andyouryounggorsecovertsaredoingwell?'

'Prettywell——gorsewon'tthriveeverywhere,Ifind.Iwishitwould.'

'That'sjustwhatIsaytoFothergill;andthenwherethere'smuchwoodlandyoucan'tgetthevermintoleaveit.'

'Butwehaven'tatreeatBoxallHill,'saidMrGresham.

'Ah,yes;you'renewthere,certainly;you'veenoughofitatGreshamburyinallconscience.There'salargerextentofwoodtherethanwehave;isn'tthere,Fothergill?'MrFothergillsaidthattheGreshamburywoodswereveryextensive,butthat,perhaps,hethought——

'Oh,ah!Iknow,'saidtheduke.'TheBlackForestinitsolddayswasnothingtoGatherumwoods,accordingtoFothergill.Andthen,again,nothinginEastBarsetshirecouldbeequaltoanythinginWestBarsetshire.Isn'tthatit;eh,Fothergill?'MrFothergillprofessedthathehadbeenbroughtupinthatfaithandintendedtodieinit.

'YourexoticsatBoxallHillareveryfine,magnificent!'

'I'dsoonerhaveonefull-grownoakstandinginitspridealone,'

saidyoungGresham,rathergrandiloquently,'thanalltheexoticsintheworld.'

'They'llcomeinduetime,'saidtheduke.

'Buttheduetimewon'tbeinmydays.Andsothey'regoingtocutdownChaldicotesForest,arethey,MrSowerby.'

'Well,Ican'ttellyouthat.Theyaregoingtodisforestit.I

havebeenrangersinceIwastwenty-two,andIdon'tyetknowwhetherthatmeanscuttingdown.'

'Notonlycuttingdown,butrootingup,'saidMrFothergill.

'It'samurderousshame,'saidFrankGresham;'andIwillsayonething,Idon'tthinkanybutaWhiggovernmentwoulddoit.'

'Ha,ha,ha!'saidhisgrace.'Atanyrate,I'msureofthis,'hesaid,'thatifaConservativegovernmentdiddoso,theWhigswouldbejustasindignantasyouarenow.'

'I'lltellyouwhatyououghttodo,MrGresham,'saidSowerby;

'putinanofferforthewholeoftheWestBarsetshireCrownproperty;theywillbeverygladtosellit.'

'Andweshouldbedelightedtowelcomeyouonthissideoftheborder,'saidtheduke.YoungGreshamdidfeelratherflattered.

Therewerenotmanymeninthecountytowhomsuchanoffercouldbemadewithoutanabsurdity.ItmightbedoubtedwhetherthedukehimselfcouldpurchasethechaseofChaldicoteswithreadymoney;

butthathe,Gresham,coulddoso——heandhiswifebetweenthem——nomandiddoubt.AndthenMrGreshamthoughtofaformerdaywhenhehadoncebeenatGatherumCastle.Hehadbeenpoorenoughthen,andthedukehadnottreatedhiminthemostcourteousmannerintheworld.Howharditisforarichmannottoleanuponhisriches!harder,indeed,thanforacameltogothroughtheeyeofaneedle.

AllBarsetshireknew——atanyrateallWestBarsetshire——thatMissDunstablehadbeenbroughtdowninthosepartsinorderthatMrSowerbymightmarryher.ItwasnotsurmisedthatMissDunstableherselfhadhadanypreviousnoticeofthisarrangement,butitwassupposedthatthethingwouldturnoutasamatterofcourse.MrSowerbyhadnomoney,butthenhewaswitty,clever,good-looking,andamemberofParliament.Helivedbeforetheworld,representedanoldfamily,andhadanoldplace.HowcouldMissDunstablepossiblydobetter?Shewasnotsoyoungnow,anditwastimethatsheshouldlookabouther.Thesuggestion,asregardedMrSowerby,wascertainlytrue,andwasnotthelesssoasregardedsomeofMrSowerby'sfriends.Hissister,MrsHaroldSmith,haddevotedherselftothework,andwiththisviewhadrunupadearfriendshipwithMissDunstable.Thebishophadintimated,noddinghisheadknowingly,thatitwouldbeaverygoodthing.MrsProudiehadgivenheradherence.MrSupplehousehadbeenmadetounderstandthatitmustbeacaseof'Pawnoff'withhim,aslongasheremainedinthatpartoftheworld;andeventhedukehimselfhaddesiredMrFothergilltomanageit.

'Heowesmeanenormoussumofmoney,'saidtheduke,whoheldallMrSowerby'stitle-deeds,'andIdoubtwhetherthesecuritywillbesufficient.'

'Yourgracewillfindthesecurityquiteinsufficient,'saidMrFothergill;'butneverthelessitwouldbeagoodmatch.'

'Verygood,'saidtheduke.AndthenitbecameMrFothergill'sdutytoseethatMrSowerbyandMissDunstablebecamemanandwifeasspeedilyaspossible.Someoftheparty,whoweremorewideawakethanothers,declaredthathehadmadetheoffer;othersthathewasjustgoingtodoso;andoneveryknowingladywentsofaratonetimeastosaythathewasmakingitthatmoment.Betsalsowerelaidastothelady'sanswer,astothetermsofthesettlement,andastotheperiodofthemarriage——ofallwhichpoorMissDunstableofcourseknewnothing.MrSowerby,inspiteofthepublicityofhisproceedings,proceededinthismatterverywell.

Hesaidlittleaboutit,tothosewhojokedwithhim,butcarriedonthefightwithwhatbestknowledgehehadinthesematters.Butsomuchitisgiventoustodeclarewithcertainty,thathehadnotproposedontheeveningprevioustothemorningfixedforthedepartureofMarkRobarts.DuringthelasttwodaysMrSowerby'sintimacywithMarkhadgrownwarmerandwarmer.Hehadtalkedtothevicarconfidentiallyaboutthedoingsofthesebigwigsnowpresentatthecastle,asthoughtherewerenoothergueststherewithwhomhecouldspeakinsofreeamanner.Heconfided,itseemed,muchmoreinMarkthaninhisbrother-in-law,HaroldSmith,orinanyofhisbrothermembersofParliament,andhadaltogetheropenedhishearttohiminthisaffairofhisanticipatedmarriage.NowMrSowerbywasamanofmarkintheworld,andallthisflatteredouryoungclergymannotalittle.OnthateveningbeforeRobartswentawaySowerbyaskedhimtocomeuptohisbedroomwhenthewholepartywasbreakingup,andtheregothimintoaneasychairwhilehe,Sowerby,walkedupanddowntheroom.

'Youcanhardlytell,mydearfellow,'saidhe,'thestateofnervousanxietyinwhichthisputsme.'

'Whydon'tyouaskherandhavedonewithit?Sheseemstometobefondofyoursociety.'

'Ah,itisnotthatonly;therearewheelswithinwheels;'andthenhewalkedonceortwiceupanddowntheroom,duringwhichMarkthoughtthathemightaswellgotobed.

'NotthatImindtellingyoueverything,'saidSowerby.'Iaminfernallyhardupforalittlereadymoney,justatthepresentmoment.Itmaybe,andindeedIthinkitwillbe,thecasethatI

shallberuinedinthismatterforthewantofit.'

'CouldnotHaroldSmithgiveittoyou?'

'Ha,ha,ha!youdon'tknowHaroldSmith.Didyoueverhearofhislendingamanashillinginhislife?'

'OrSupplehouse?'

'Lordloveyou.YouseemeandSupplehousetogetherhere,andhecomesandstaysatmyhouse,andallthat;butSupplehouseandI

arenofriends.Lookyouhere,Mark——Iwoulddomoreforyourlittlefingerthanforhiswholehand,includingthepenwhichheholdsinit.Fothergillindeedmight——butthenIknowFothergillispressedhimselfatthepresentmoment.Itisdeucedhard,isn'tit?ImustgiveupthewholegameifIcan'tputmyhanduponL400,withinthenexttwodays.'

'Askherforit,herself.'

'What,thewomanIwishtomarry!No,Mark,I'mnotquitecometothat.Iwouldsoonerloseherthanthat.'Marksatsilent,gazingatthefireandwishingthathewasinhisownbedroom.HehadanideathatMrSowerbywishedhimtoproducetheL400,andheknewalsothathehadnotL400intheworld,andthatifhehadhewouldbeactingveryfoolishlytogiveittoMrSowerby.But,nevertheless,hefelthalffascinatedbytheman,andhalfafraidofhim.

'Luftonowesittometodomorethanthis,'continuedMrSowerby,'butthenLuftonisnothere.'

'Why,hehasjustpaidfivethousandpoundstoyou.'

'Paidfivethousandpoundstome!Indeedhehasdonenosuchthing;notasixpenceofitcameintomyhands.Believeme,Mark,youdon'tknowthewholeofthatyet.NotthatImeantosayawordagainstLufton.Heisthesoulofhonour;thoughsodeucedlydilatoryinmoneymatters.Hethoughthewasrightallthroughthataffair,butnomanwaseversoconfoundedlywrong.Why,don'tyourememberthatthatwastheveryviewyoutookyourself.'

'IremembersayingthatIthoughthewasmistaken.'

'Ofcoursehewasmistaken.Anddearlythatmistakecostme.I

hadtomakegoodthemoneyfortwoorthreeyears.Andmypropertyisnotlikehis——Iwishitwere.'

'MarryMissDunstable,andthatwillsetitallrightforyou.'

'Ah!soIwouldifIhadthismoney.AtanyrateIwouldbringittothepoint.Now,Itellyouwhat,Mark,ifyou'llassistmeatthisstraitI'llneverforgetit.AndthetimewillcomeroundwhenImaybeabletodosomethingforyou.'

'Ihavenotgotahundred,no,notfiftypoundsbymeintheworld.'

'Ofcourseyou'venot.Mendon'twalkaboutthestreetswithL400

intheirpockets.Idon'tsupposethereisasinglemanhereinthehousewithsuchasumathisbanker's,unlessitistheduke.'

'Whatisityouwant,then?'

'Why,yourname,tobesure.Believeme,mydearfellow,Iwouldnotaskyoureallytoputyourhandintoyourpockettosuchatuneasthat.Allowmetodrawonyouforthatamountatthreemonths.

LongbeforethattimeIshallbeflushenough.'Andthen,beforeMarkcouldanswer,hehadabillstampandpenandinkoutonthetablebeforehim,andwasfillinginthebillasthoughhisfriendhadalreadygivenhisconsent.

'Uponmyword,Sowerby,Ihadrathernotdothat.'

'Why?whatareyouafraidof?'——MrSowerbyaskedthisverysharply.'Didyoueverhearofmyhavingneglectedtotakeupabillwhenitfelldue?'Robartsthoughtthathehadheardofsuchathing;butinhisconfusinghewasnotexactlysure,andsohesaidnothing.

'No,myboy;Ihavenotcometothat.Lookhere:justyouwrite,"Accepted,MarkRobarts,"acrossthat,andthenyoushallneverhearofthetransactionagain;andyouwillhaveobligedmeforever.'

'Asaclergymanitwouldbewrongofme,'saidRobarts.

'Asaclergyman!Come,Mark.Ifyoudon'tliketodoasmuchasthatforafriend,sayso;butdon'tletmehavethatsortofhumbug.Iftherebeoneclassofmenwhosenameswouldbefoundmorefrequentonthebacksofbillsintheprovincialbanksthananother,clergymenarethatclass.Come,oldfellow,youwon'tthrowmeoverwhenIamsohardpushed.'MarkRobartstookthepenandsignedthebill.Itwasthefirsttimeinhislifethathehadeverdonesuchanact.Sowerbythenshookhimcordiallybythehand,andhewalkedofftohisownbedroomawretchedman.

CHAPTERIX

THEVICAR'SRETURN

ThenextmorningMrRobartstookleaveofallhisgrandfriendswithaheavyheart.Hehadlainawakehalfthenightthinkingofwhathehaddoneandtryingtoreconcilehimselftohisposition.

HehadnotwellleftMrSowerby'sroombeforehefeltcertainthatattheendofthreemonthshewouldagainbetroubledaboutthat400L.Ashewentalongthepassage,alltheman'sknownantecedentscrowdeduponhimmuchquickerthanhecouldrememberthemwhenseatedinthatarm-chairwiththebillstampbeforehim,andthepenandinkreadytohishand.HerememberedwhatLordLuftonhadtoldhim——howhehadcomplainedofhavingbeenleftinthelurch;hethoughofallthestoriescurrentthroughouttheentirecountryastotheimpossibilityofgettingmoneyfromChaldicotes;hebroughttomindtheknowncharacteroftheman,andthenheknewthathemustpreparehimselftomakegoodaportionatleastofthatheavypayment.Whyhadhecometothishorridplace?HadhenoteverythingathomeatFramleyatwhichtheheartofmancoulddesire?No;theheartofmancandesiredeaneries——theheart,thatis,ofthemanvicar;andtheheartofthemandeancandesirebishoprics;andbeforetheeyesofthemanbishopdoestherenotloomthetranscendentalgloryofLambeth?Hehadownedtohimselfthathewasambitious;buthehadtoowntohimselfnowthathehadhithertotakenbutasorrypathtowardstheobjectofhisambition.

Onthenextmorningatbreakfast-time,beforehishorseandgigarrivedforhim,noonewassobrightashisfriendSowerby.'Soyouareoff,areyou?'saidhe.

'Yes,Ishallgothismorning.'

'Sayeverythingthat'skindfrommetoLufton.Imaypossiblyseehimhunting;otherwiseweshan'tmeettillthespring.AstomygoingtoFramley,that'soutofthequestion.Herladyshipwouldlookformytail,andswearthatshesmeltbrimstone.By-bye,oldfellow!'

TheGermanstudentwhenhefirstmadehisbargainwiththedevilfeltanindescribableattractiontohisnewfriend;andsuchwasthecasenowwithRobarts.HeshookSowerby'shandverywarmly,saidthathehopedheshouldmeethimsoonsomewhere,andprofessedhimselfspeciallyanxioustohearhowthataffairwiththeladycameoff.Ashehadmadehisbargain——ashehadundertakentopaynearlyhalfayear'sincomeforhisdearfriend——oughthenottohaveasmuchvalueaspossibleforhismoney?IfthedearfriendshipofthisflashmemberofParliamentdidnotrepresentthatvalue,whatelsedidso?Butthenhefelt,orfanciedthathefelt,thatMrSowerbydidnotcareforhimsomuchthismorningashehaddoneonthepreviousevening.'By-bye,'saidMrSowerby,buthespokenowordastosuchfuturemeetings,nordidheevenpromisetowrite.MrSowerbyprobablyhadmanythingsonhismind;

anditmightbethatitbehovedhim,havingfinishedonepieceofbusiness,immediatelytolookforanother.

ThesumforwhichRobartshadmadehimselfresponsible——whichhesomuchfearedthathewouldbecalledupontopay——wasverynearlyhalfayear'sincome;andasyethehadnotputbyoneshillingsincehehadbeenmarried.Whenhefoundhimselfsettledinhisparsonage,hefoundalsothatalltheworldregardedhimasarichman.Hehadtakenthedictumofalltheworldastrue,andhadsethimselftoworktolivecomfortably.Hehadnoabsoluteneedofacurate;buthecouldaffordthe70L——asLadyLuftonhadsaidratherinjudiciously;andbykeepingJonesintheparishhewouldbeactingcharitablytoabrotherclergyman,andwouldalsoplacehimselfinamoreindependentposition.LadyLuftonhadwishedtoseeherpetclergymanwell-to-doandcomfortable;butnow,asmattershadturnedout,shemuchregrettedthisaffairofthecurate.MrJones,shesaidtoherselfmorethanonce,mustbemadetodepartfromFramley.Hehadgivenhiswifeapony-carriage,andforhimselfhehadasaddle-horse,andasecondhorseforhisgig.Amaninhisposition,well-to-do,ashewas,requiredasmuchasthat.Hehadafootmanalso,andagardenerandagroom.Thetwolatterwereabsolutelynecessary,butabouttheformertherehadbeenaquestion.Hiswifehadbeendecidedlyhostiletothefootman;butinallsuchmattersasthat,todoubtistobelost.Whenthefootmanhadbeendiscussedforaweekitbecamequitecleartothemasterhealsowasanecessity.

Ashedrovehomethatmorninghepronouncedtohimselfthedoomofthatfootman,andthedoomalsoofthatsaddle-horse.Theyatanyrateshouldgo.AndthenhewouldspendnomoremoneyintripstoScotland;andaboveall,hewouldkeepoutofthebedroomsofimpoverishedmembersofParliamentatthewitchinghourofmidnight.Suchresolvesdidhemaketohimselfwearilyhowthat400Lmightbemadetobeforthcoming.AstoanyassistanceinthematterfromSowerby——ofthathegavehimselfnopromise.Buthealmostfelthimselfhappyagainashiswifecameoutintotheporchtomeethimwithasilkshawloverherhead,andpretendingtoshiverasshewatchedhimdescendingfromhisgig.'Mydearoldman,'shesaid,assheledhimintothewarmdrawing-roomwithallhiswrappingsstillaroundhim,'youmustbestarved.'ButMarkduringthewholedrivehadbeenthinkingtoomuchofthattransactioninMrSowerby'sbedroomtorememberthathewascold.

NowhehadhisarmsroundhisowndearFanny'swaist;butwashetotellherofthattransaction?Atanyratehewouldnotdoitnow,whilehistwoboyswereinhisarms,rubbingthemoisturefromhiswhiskerswithhiskisses.Afterall,whatisthereequaltocominghome?

'AndsoLuftonishere.Isay,Frank,gently,oldboy,'——Frankwashiseldestson——'you'llhavebabyintothefender.'

'Letmetakebaby;it'simpossibletoholdthetwoofthem,theyaresostrong,'saidtheproudmother.'Oh,yes,hecamehomeearlyyesterday.'

'Haveyouseenhim?'

'Hewashereyesterday,withherladyship;andIlunchedthereto-day.Thelettercame,youknow,intimetostoptheMerediths.

Theydon'tgotillto-morrow,soyouwillmeetthemafterall.SirGeorgeiswildaboutit,butLadyLuftonwouldhaveherway.Youneversawherinsuchastateassheis.'

'Goodspirit,eh!'

'Ishouldthinkso.AllLordLufton'shorsesarecoming,andhe'stobetheretillMarch.'

'TillMarch!'

'Soherladyshipwhisperedtome.Shecouldnotconcealhertriumphathiscoming.He'sgoingtogiveupLeicestershirethisyearaltogether.Iwonderwhathasbroughtitallabout?'Markknewverywellwhathadbroughtitabout;hehadbeenmadeacquainted,asthereaderhasalso,withthepricewhichLadyLuftonhadpurchasedherson'svisit.ButnoonehadtoldMrsRobartsthatthemotherhadmadehersonapresentoffivethousandpounds.

'She'sinagoodhumourabouteverythingnow,'continuedFanny;'soyouneedsaynothingatallaboutGatherumCastle.'

'Butshewasveryangrywhenshefirstheardit;wasshenot?'

'Well,Mark,totellthetruth,shewas;andwehadquiteascenethereupinherownroomupstairs——JustiniaandI.Shehadheardsomethingelsethatshedidnotlikeatthesametime;andthen——butyouknowherway.Sheblazedupquitealot.'

'Andsaidallmannerofthingsaboutme.'

'Aboutthedukeshedid.Youknowsheneverdidliketheduke;andforthematterofthat,neitherdoI.Itellyouthatfairly,MasterMark.'

'Thedukeisnotsobadashe'spainted.'

'Ah,that'swhatyousayaboutanothergreatperson.However,hewon'tcomeheretotroubleus,Isuppose.AndthenIlefther,notinthebesttemperintheworld;forIblazeduptoo,youmustknow.'

'Iamsureyoudid,'saidMark,pressinghisarmroundherwaist.

'Andthenweweregoingtohaveadreadfulwar,Ithought;andI

camehomeandwrotesuchadolefullettertoyou.ButwhatshouldhappenwhenIhadjustclosedit,butincameherladyship——allalone,and——ButIcan'ttellyouwhatshedidorsaid,onlyshebehavedbeautifully;justlikeherselftoo;sofullofloveandtruthandhonesty.There'snobodylikeher,Mark;andshe'sbetterthanallthedukesthateverwore——whateverdukesdowear.'

'Hornsandhoofs;that'stheirusualapparel,accordingtoyouandLadyLufton,'saidhe,rememberingwhatMrSowerbyhadsaidofhimself.

'Youmaysaywhatyoulikeaboutme,Mark,butyoushan'tabuseLadyLufton.Andifhornsandhoofsmeanwickednessanddissipation,Ibelieveit'snotfarwrong.Butgetoffyourbigcoatandmakeyourselfcomfortable.'AndthatwasallthescoldingthatMarkRobartsgotfromhiswifeontheoccasionofhisgreatiniquity.

'Iwillcertainlytellheraboutthisbilltransaction,'hesaidtohimself;'butnotto-day;nottillafterIhaveseenLufton.'ThateveningtheydinedatFramleyCourt,andtheretheymettheyounglord;theyfoundalsoLadyLuftonstillinhighgood-humour.LordLuftonhimselfwasafine,bright-lookingyoungman;notastallasMarkRobarts,andwithperhapslessintelligencemarkedonhisface;buthisfeatureswerefiner,andtherewasinhiscountenanceathoroughappearanceofgood-humourandsweettemper.Itwasindeedapleasantfacetolookupon,anddearlyLadyLuftonlovedtogazeatit.

'Well,Mark,soyouhavebeenamongthePhilistines?'thatwashislordship'sfirstremark.Robartslaughedashetookhisfriend'shands,andbethoughthimselfhowtrulythatwasthecase;thathewas,inverytruth,already'himselfinbondsunderPhilistianyoke'.Alas,alas,itisveryhardtobreakasunderthebondsofthelatter-dayPhilistines.WhenaSamsondoesnowandthenpullatempledownabouttheirears,ishenotsuretobeengulfedintheruinwiththem?Thereisnothorse-leechthatstickssofastasyourlatter-dayPhilistine.

'SoyouhavecaughtSirGeorge,afterall,'saidLadyLufton;andthatwasnearlyallshesaidinallusiontohisabsence.Therewasafterwardssomeconversationaboutthelecture,andfromherladyship'sremarksitcertainlywasapparentthatshedidnotlikethepeopleamongwhomthevicarhadbeenlatelystaying;butshesaidnowordthatwaspersonaltohimhimself,orthatcouldbetakenasareproach.ThelittleepisodeofMrsProudie'saddressinthelecture-roomhadalreadyreachedFramley,anditwasonlytobeexpectedthatLadyLuftonshouldenjoythejoke.Shewouldaffecttobelievethatthebodyofthelecturehadbeengivenbythebishop'swife;andafterwards,whenMarkdescribedhercostumeatthatSundaymorningbreakfasttable,LadyLuftonwouldassumethatsuchhadbeenthedressinwhichshehadaddressedherfacultiesinpublic.

'Iwouldhavegivenafive-poundnotetohaveheardit,'saidSirGeorge.

'SowouldnotI,'saidLadyLufton.'WhenonehearsofsuchthingsdescribedasgraphicallyasMrRobartsnowtellsit,onecanhardlyhelplaughing.Butitwouldmegreatpaintoseethewifeofoneofourbishopsplaceherselfinsuchasituation.Forheisabishopafterall.'

'Well,uponmyword,mylady,IagreewithMeredith,'saidLordLufton.'Itmusthavebeengoodfun.Asitdidhappen,youknow,——astheChurchwasdoomedtodisgrace,——Ishouldliketohaveheardit.'

'Iknowyouwouldhavebeenshocked,Ludovic.'

'Ishouldhavegotoveritintime,mother.Itwouldhavebeenlikeabull-fight,Isuppose——horribletosee,nodoubt,butextremelyinteresting.AndHaroldSmith,Mark;whatdidhedoallthewhile?'

'Itdidn'ttakesoverylong,youknow,'saidRobarts.

'Andthepoorbishop,'saidLadyMeredith;'howdidhelook?I

reallydopityhim.'

'Well,hewasasleep,Ithink.'

'What,sleptthroughitall?'saidSirGeorge.

'Itawakenedhim;andthenhejumpedupandsaidsomething.'

'What,outloud,too?'

'Onlyonewordorso.'

'Whatadisgracefulscene,'saidLadyLufton.'Tothosewhorememberthegoodoldmanwhowasinthediocesebeforehim,itisperfectlyshocking.Heconfirmedyou,Ludovic,andyououghttorememberhim.ItwasoveratBarchester,andyouwentandlunchedwithhimafterwards.'

'Idoremember;andespeciallythis,thatIneveratesuchtartsinmylife,beforeorsince.Theoldmanparticularlycalledmyattentiontothem,andseemedremarkablypleasedthatIconcurredinhissentiments.Therearenosuchtartsasthosegoingtothepalacenow,I'llbebound.'

'MrsProudiewillbeveryhappytodoherbestforyouifyouwillgoandtry,'saidSirGeorge.

'Ibegthathewilldonosuchthing,'saidLadyLufton;andthatwastheonlyseverewordshesaidaboutanyofMark'svisitings.AsSirGeorgeMeredithwasthere,RobartscouldsaynothingthentoLordLuftonaboutMrSowerbyandMrSowerby'smoneyaffairs;buthedidmakeanappointmentforatete-a-teteonthenextmorning.

'Youmustcomedownandseemynags,Mark;theycameto-day.TheMeredithswillbeoffattwelve,andthenwecanhaveanhourtogether.'Marksaidhewould,andthenwenthomewithhiswifeunderhisarm.

'Wellnow,isnotshekind?'saidFanny,assoonastheywereoutonthegraveltogether.

'Sheiskind;kinderthanIcantellyouatpresent.Butdidyoueverknowanythingsobitterassheistothepoorbishop?Andreallythebishopisnotsobad.'

'Yes;andIknowsomethingmorebitter;andthatiswhatshethinksofthebishop'swife.Andyouknow,Mark,itwassounladylike,hergettingupinthatway.WhatmustthepeopleatBarchesterthinkofher?'

'AsfarasIcouldsee,thepeopleofBarchesterlikedit.'

【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