CHAPTERXVIII
THERIVALS
TheintimacybetweenFrankandMissDunstablegrewandprospered。Thatistosay，itprosperedasanintimacy，thoughperhapshardlyasaloveaffair。Therewasacontinuedsuccessionofjokesbetweenthem，whichnooneelseinthecastleunderstood；buttheveryfactoftherebeingsuchagoodunderstandingbetweenthemratherstoodinthewayof，thanassisted，thatconsummationwhichthecountessdesired。People，whentheyareinlovewitheachother，orevenwhentheypretendtobe，donotgenerallyshowitbyloudlaughter。Norisitfrequentlythecasethatawifewithtwohundredthousandpoundscanbewonwithoutsomelittlepreliminarydespair。
LadydeCourcy，whothoroughlyunderstoodthatportionoftheworldinwhichsheherselflived，sawthatthingswerenotgoingquiteastheyshoulddo，andgavemuchandrepeatedadvicetoFrankonthesubject。
Shewasthemoreeagerindoingthis，becausesheimaginedFrankhaddonewhathecouldtoobeyherfirstprecepts。HehadnotturneduphisnoseatMissDunstable\'scurls，norfoundfaultwithherloudvoice：hehadnotobjectedtoherasugly，norevenshownanydisliketoherage。Ayoungmanwhohadbeensoamenabletoreasonwasworthyoffurtherassistance；andsoLadydeCourcydidwhatshecouldtoassisthim。
\'Frank，mydearboy，\'shewouldsay，\'youarealittletoonoisy，I
think。Idon\'tmeanformyself，youknow；Idon\'tmindit。ButMissDunstablewouldlikeitbetterifyouwerealittlemorequietwithher。\'
\'Wouldshe，aunt？\'saidFrank，lookingdemurelyupintothecountess\'sface。\'Iratherthinkshelikesfunandnoise，andthatsortofthing。Youknowshe\'snotveryquietherself。\'
\'Ah！——but，Frank，therearetimes，youknow，whenthatsortofthingshouldbelaidaside。Fun，asyoucallit，isallverywellinitsplace。Indeed，noonelikesitbetterthanIdo。Butthat\'snotthewaytoshowadmiration。Youngladiesliketobeadmired；andifyou\'llbealittlemoresoft-manneredwithMissDunstable，I\'msureyou\'llfinditwillanswerbetter。\'
Andsotheoldbirdtaughttheyoungbirdhowtofly——veryneedlessly——forinthismatterofflying，Naturegivesherownlessonsthoroughly；andtheducklingswilltakethewater，eventhoughthematernalhenwarnthemagainsttheperfidiouselementneversoloudly。
Soonafterthis，LadydeCourcybegantobenotverywellpleasedinthematter。ShetookitintoherheadthatMissDunstablewassometimesalmostinclinedtolaughather；andononeortwooccasionsitalmostseemedasthoughFrankwasjoiningMissDunstableindoingso。Thefactindeedwas，thatMissDunstablewasfondoffun；and，endowedasshewaswithalltheprivilegeswhichtwohundredthousandpoundsmaybesupposedtogivetoayounglady，didnotverymuchcareatwhomshelaughed。ShewasabletomakeatolerablycorrectguessatLadyDeCourcy\'splantowardsherself；butshedidnotforamomentthinkthatFrankhadanyintentionoffurtheringhisaunt\'sviews。Shewas，therefore，notatallill-inclinedtohaveherrevengeonthecountess。
\'Howveryfondyourauntisofyou！\'shesaidtohimonewetmorning，ashewassaunteringthroughthehouse；nowlaughing，andalmostrompingwithher——thenteasinghissisteraboutMrMoffat——andthenbotheringhislady-cousinsoutofalltheirpropriety。
\'Oh，very！\'saidFrank：\'sheisadear，goodwoman，ismyAuntDeCourcy。\'
\'Ideclareshetakesmorenoticeofyouandyourdoingsthanofanyofyourcousins。Iwondertheyaren\'tjealous。\'
\'Oh！they\'resuchgoodpeople。Blessme，they\'dneverbejealous。\'
\'Youaresomuchyoungerthantheyare，thatIsupposeshethinksyouwantmoreofhercare。\'
\'Yes；that\'sit。Youseesheisfondofhavingababytonurse。\'
\'Tellme，MrGresham，whatwasitshewassayingtoyoulastnight？I
knowwehavebeenmisbehavingourselvesdreadfully。Itwasallyourfault；youwouldmakemelaughso。\'
\'That\'sjustwhatIsaidtoher。\'
\'Shewastalkingaboutit，then？\'
\'Howonearthshouldshetalkofanyoneelseaslongasyouarehere？
Don\'tyouknowthatalltheworldistalkingaboutyou？\'
\'Isit？——dearme，howkind！ButIdon\'tcareastrawaboutanyworldatpresentbutLadydeCourcy\'sworld。Whatdidshesay？\'
\'Shesaidyouwereverybeautiful——\'
\'Didshe？——howgoodofher！\'
\'No；Iforgot。It——itwasIthatsaidthat；andshesaid——whatwasitshesaid？Shesaid，thatafterall，beautywasbutskindeep——andthatshevaluedyouforyourvirtuesandprudenceratherthanyourgoodlooks。\'
\'Virtuesandprudence！ShesaidIwasprudentandvirtuous？\'
\'Yes。\'
\'Andyoutalkedofmybeauty？Thatwassokindofyou。Youdidn\'teitherofyousayanythingaboutothermatters？\'
\'Whatothermatters？\'
\'Oh！Idon\'tknow。Onlysomepeoplearesometimesvaluedratherforwhatthey\'vegotthanforanygoodqualitiesbelongingtothemselvesintrinsically。\'
\'ThatcanneverbethecasewithMissDunstable；especiallynotatCourcyCastle，\'saidFrank，bowingeasilyfromthecornerofthesofaoverwhichhewasleaning。
\'Ofcoursenot，\'saidMissDunstable；andFrankatonceperceivedthatshespokeinatoneofvoicedifferingmuchfromthathalf-bantering，half-good-humouredmannerthatwascustomarywithher。\'Ofcoursenot：
anysuchideawouldbequiteoutofthequestionwithLadydeCourcy。\'
Shepausedforamoment，andthenaddedinatonedifferentagain，andunlikeanythathehadyetheardfromher：——\'Itis，atanyrate，outofthequestionwithMrFrankGresham——ofthatIamquitesure。\'
Frankoughttohaveunderstoodher，andhaveappreciatedthegoodopinionwhichsheintendedtoconvey；buthedidnotentirelydoso。Hewashardlyhonesthimselftowardsher；andhecouldnotatfirstperceivethatsheintendedtosaythatshethoughthimso。Heknewverywellthatshewasalludingtoherownhugefortune，andwasalludingalsotothefactthatpeopleoffashionsoughtherbecauseofit；buthedidnotknowthatsheintendedtoexpressatrueacquittalasregardedhimofanysuchbaseness。
Anddidhedeservetobeacquitted？Yes，uponthewholehedid；——tobeacquittedofthatspecialsin。HisdesiretomakeMissDunstabletemporarilysubjecttohisswayarose，notfromahankeringafterherfortune，butfromanambitiontogetthebetterofacontestinwhichothermenaroundhimseemedtobefailing。
Foritmustnotbeimaginedthat，withsuchaprizetobestruggledfor，allothersstoodaloofandallowedhimtohavehisownwaywiththeheiress，undisputed。Thechanceofawifewithtwohundredthousandpoundsisagodsend，whichcomesinaman\'slifetooseldomtobeneglected，letthatchancebeneversoremote。
Frankwastheheirtoalargeembarrassedproperty；and，therefore，theheadsoffamilies，puttingtheirwisdomstogether，hadthoughtitmostmeetthatthisdaughterofPlutusshould，ifpossible，falltohislot。ButnotsothoughttheHonourableGeorge；andnotsothoughtanothergentlemanwhowasatthattimeaninmateofCourcyCastle。
Thesesuitorsperhapssomewhatdespisedtheiryoungrival\'sefforts。Itmaybethattheyhadsufficientworldlywisdomtoknowthatsoimportantacrisisoflifeisnotsettledamongquipsandjokes，andthatFrankwastoomuchinjesttobeinearnest。Butbethatasitmay，hislove-makingdidnotstandinthewayoftheirlove-making；norhishopes，ifhehadany，inthewayoftheirhopes。
TheHonourableGeorgehaddiscussedthematterwiththeHonourableJohninaproperlyfraternalmanner。ItmaybethatJohnhadalsoaneyetotheheiress；but，ifso，hehadcededhisviewstohisbrother\'ssuperiorclaims；foritcameaboutthattheyunderstoodeachotherverywell，andJohnfavouredGeorgewithsalutaryadviceontheoccasion。
\'Ifitistobedoneatall，itshouldbedoneverysharp，\'saidJohn。
\'Assharpasyoulike，\'saidGeorge。\'I\'mnotthefellowtobestudyingthreemonthsinwhatattitudeI\'llfallatagirl\'sfeet。\'
\'No：andwhenyouarethereyoumustn\'ttakethreemonthsmoretostudyhowyou\'llgetupagain。Ifyoudoitatall，youmustdoitsharp，\'
repeatedJohn，puttinggreatstressonhisadvice。
\'Ihavesaidafewsoftwordstoheralready，andshedidn\'tseemtotakethembadly，\'saidGeorge。
\'She\'snochicken，youknow，\'remarkedJohn；\'andwithawomanlikethat，beatingaboutthebushneverdoesanygood。Thechancesareshewon\'thaveyou——that\'sofcourse；plumslikethatdon\'tfallintoaman\'smouthmerelyforshakingthetree。Butit\'spossibleshemay；andifshewill，she\'saslikelytotakeyouto-dayasthisdaysixmonths。IfIwereyouI\'dwriteheraletter。\'
\'Writeheraletter——eh？\'saidGeorge，whodidnotaltogetherdisliketheadvice，foritseemedtotakefromhisshoulderstheburdenofpreparingaspokenaddress。Thoughhewassoglibinspeakingaboutthefarmers\'daughters，hefeltthatheshouldhavesomelittledifficultyinmakingknownhispassiontoMissDunstable，bywordofmouth。
\'Yes；writealetter。Ifshe\'lltakeyouatall，she\'lltakeyouthatway；halfthematchesgoingaremadeupbywritingletters。Writeheraletterandgetitputonherdressing-table。\'Georgesaidthathewould，andsohedid。
GeorgespokequitetrulywhenhehintedthathehadsaidafewsoftthingstoMissDunstable。MissDunstable，however，wasaccustomedtohearsoftthings。Shehadbeencarriedmuchaboutinsocietyamongfashionablepeoplesince，onthesettlementofherfather\'swill，shehadbeenpronouncedheiresstoalltheointmentofLebanon；andmanymenhadmadecalculationsrespectinghersimilartothosewhichwerenowanimatingthebrainoftheHonourableGeorgedeCourcy。Shewasalreadyquiteaccustomedtobeingatargetatwhichspendthriftsandtheneedyrichmightshoottheirarrows：accustomedtobeingshotat，andtolerablyaccustomedtoprotectherselfwithoutmakingscenesintheworld，orrejectingtheadvantageousestablishmentsofferedtoherwithanyloudexpressionsofdisdain。TheHonourableGeorge，therefore，hadbeenpermittedtosaysoftthingsverymuchasamatterofcourse。
Andverylittlemoreoutwardfracasarosefromthecorrespondencewhichfollowedthanhadarisenfromthesoftthingssosaid。Georgewrotetheletter，andhaditdulyconveyedtoMissDunstable\'sbed-chamber。
MissDunstabledulyreceivedit，andhadheranswerconveyedbackdiscreetlytoGeorge\'shands。Thecorrespondenceranasfollows：——
\'CourcyCastle，Aug-，185。
\'MYDEARESTMISSDUNSTABLE，\'Icannotbutflattermyselfthatyoumusthaveperceivedfrommymannerthatyouarenotindifferenttome。Indeed，indeed，youarenot。Imaytrulysay，andswear\'theselaststrongwordshadbeenputinbythespecialcounseloftheHonourableJohn，\'thatifeveramanlovedawomantruly，Itrulyloveyou。YoumaythinkitveryoddthatIshouldsaythisinaletterinsteadofspeakingitoutbeforeyourface；butyourpowersofrailleryaresogreat\'\'touchherupaboutherwit\'
hadbeentheadviceoftheHonourableJohn\'thatIamallbutafraidtoencounterthem。Dearest，dearestMartha——ohdonotblamemeforsoaddressingyou！——ifyouwilltrustyourhappinesstomeyoushallneverfindthatyouhavebeendeceived。Myambitionshallbetomakeyoushineinthatcirclewhichyouaresowellqualifiedtoadornandtoseeyoufirmlyfixedinthatsphereoffashionforwhichyourtastesadaptyou。
\'Imaysafelyassert——andIdoassertitwithmyhandonmyheart——thatIamactuatedbynomercenarymotives。Farbeitfrommetomarryanywoman——no，notaprincess——onaccountofhermoney。Nomarriagecanbehappywithoutmutualaffection；
andIdofullytrust——no，nottrust，buthope——thattheremaybesuchbetweenyouandme，dearestMissDunstable。WhateversettlementsyoumightproposeIwouldaccedeto。Itisyou，yoursweetperson，thatIlove，notyourmoney。
\'Formyself，IneednotremindyouthatIamthesecondsonofmyfather；andthat，assuch，Iholdnoinconsiderablestationintheworld。MyintentionistogetintoParliament，andtomakeanameformyself，ifIcan，amongthosewhoshineintheHouseofCommons。Myelderbrother，LordPorlock，is，youareaware，unmarried；andweallfearthatthefamilyhonoursarenotlikelytobeperpetuatedbyhim，ashehasallmanneroftroublesomeliaisonswhichwillprobablypreventhissettlinginlife。Thereisnothingatallofthatkindinmyway。ItwillindeedbeadelighttoplaceacoronetontheheadofmylovelyMartha：acoronetwhichcangivenofreshgracetoher，butwhichwillbesomuchadornedbyherwearingit。
\'Dearest，MissDunstable，Ishallwaitwiththeutmostimpatienceforyouranswer；andnow，burningwithhopethatitmaynotbealtogetherunfavourabletomylove，Ibegpermissiontosignmyself\'Yourownmostdevoted，\'GEORGEDECOURCY\'
Theardentloverhadnottowaitlongforananswerfromhismistress。
Shefoundthisletteronhertoilet-tableonenightasshewenttobed。Thenextmorningshecamedowntobreakfastandmetherswainwiththemostunconcernedairintheworld；somuchsothathebegantothink，ashemunchedhistoastwithratherashamefacedlook，thattheletteronwhichsomuchwastodependhadnotyetcomesafelytohand。
Buthissuspensewasnotofaprolongedduration。Afterbreakfast，aswashiswont，hewentouttothestableswithhisbrotherandFrankGresham；andwhilethere，MissDunstable\'sman，cominguptohim，touchedhishat，andputaletterintohishand。
Frank，whoknewtheman，glancedattheletterandlookedathiscousin；buthesaidnothing。Hewas，however，alittlejealous，andfeltthataninjurywasdonetohimbyanycorrespondencebetweenMissDunstableandhiscousinGeorge。
MissDunstable\'sreplywasasfollows；anditmayberemarkedthatitwaswritteninaveryclearandwell-pennedhand，andonewhichcertainlydidnotbetraymuchemotionoftheheart：-
\'MYDEARMRDECOURCY，\'IamsorrytosaythatIhadnotperceivedfromyourmannerthatyouentertainedanypeculiarfeelingstowardsme；as，hadIdoneso，Ishouldatoncehaveendeavouredtoputanendtothem。Iammuchflatteredbythewayinwhichyouspeakofme；
butIamintoohumbleapositiontoreturnyouraffection；
andcan，therefore，onlyexpressahopethatyoumaybesoonabletoeradicateitfromyourbosom。Aletterisaverygoodwayofmakinganoffer，andassuchIdonotthinkitatallodd；butIcertainlydidnotexpectsuchanhonourlastnight。
Astomyraillery，Itrustithasneveryethurtyou。Icanassureyouthatitnevershall。Ihopeyouwillsoonhaveaworthierambitionthanthattowhichyouallude；forIamwellawarethatnoattemptwillevermakemeshineanywhere。
\'Iamquitesureyouhavehadnomercenarymotives：suchmotivesinmarriageareverybase，andquitebelowyournameandlineage。AnylittlefortunethatImayhavemustbeamatterofindifferencetoonewholooksforward，asyoudo，toputacoronetonhiswife\'sbrow。Nevertheless，forthesakeofthefamily，ItrustthatLordPorlock，inspiteofhisobstacles，maylivetodothesameforawifeofhisownsomeofthesedays。Iamgladtohearthatthereisnothingtointerferewithyourownprospectsofdomesticfelicity。
\'SincerelyhopingthatyoumaybeperfectlysuccessfulinyourproudambitiontoshineinParliament，andregrettingextremelythatIcannotsharethatambitionwithyou，Ibegtosubscribemyself，withverygreatrespect，\'Yoursincerewell-wisher，\'MARTHADUNSTABLE\'
TheHonourableGeorge，withthatmodestywhichsowellbecamehim，acceptedMissDunstable\'sreplyasafinalanswertohislittleproposition，andtroubledherwithnofurthercourtship。AshesaidtohisbrotherJohn，noharmhadbeendone，andhemighthavebetterlucknexttime。ButtherewasanintimateofCourcyCastlewhowassomewhatmorepertinaciousinhissearchafterloveandwealth。ThiswasnootherthanMrMoffat：agentlemanwhoseambitionwasnotsatisfiedbythecaresofhisBarchestercontest，orthepossessionofoneaffiancedbride。
MrMoffatwas，aswehavesaid，amanofwealth；butweallknow，fromthelessonsofearlyyouth，howtheloveofmoneyincreasesandgainsstrengthbyitsownsuccess。Norwasheamanofsomeanaspiritastobesatisfiedwithmerewealth。Hedesiredalsoplaceandstation，andgraciouscountenanceamongthegreatonesoftheearth。HencehadcomehisadherencetotheDeCourcys；hencehisseatinParliament；andhence，also，hisperhapsill-consideredmatchwithMissGresham。
Thereisnodoubtbutthattheprivilegeofmatrimonyoffersopportunitiestomoney-lovingyoungmenwhichoughtnottobelightlyabused。Toomanyyoungmenmarrywithoutgivinganyconsiderationtothematterwhatever。Itisnotthattheyareindifferenttomoney，butthattheyrecklesslymiscalculatetheirownvalue，andomittolookaroundandseehowmuchisdonebythosewhoaremorecareful。Amancanbeyoungbutonce，and，exceptincasesofaspecialinterpositionofProvidence，canmarrybutonce。Thechanceoncethrownawaymaybesaidtobeirrevocable！How，inafter-life，domentoilandturmoilthroughlongyearstoattainsomeprospectofdoubtfuladvancement！
Halfthattrouble，halfthatcare，atitheofthatcircumspectionwould，inearlyyouth，haveprobablysecuredtothemtheenduringcomfortofawife\'swealth。
Youwillseemenlabouringnightanddaytobecomebankdirectors；andevenabankdirectionmayonlybetheroadtoruin。Otherswillspendyearsindegradingsubserviencytoobtainanicheinawill；andtheniche，whenatlastobtainedandenjoyed，isbutasorrypaymentforallthathasbeenendured。Othersagain，struggleharderstill，andgothroughevendeeperwaters：theymakewillsforthemselves，forgestock-shares，andfightwithunremitting，painfullabourtoappeartobethethingtheyarenot。Now，inmanyofthesecases，allthismighthavebeensparedhadthemenmadeadequateuseofthoseopportunitieswhichyouthandyouthfulcharmsaffordonce——andonceonly。Thereisnoroadtowealthsoeasyandrespectableasthatofmatrimony；that，isofcourse，providedthattheaspirantdeclinestheslowcoursetohonestwork。Butthen，wecansoseldomputoldheadsonyoungshoulders！
InthecaseofMrMoffat，wemayperhapssaythataspecimenwasproducedofthisbird，sorareintheland。Hisshoulderswerecertainlyyoung，seeingthathewasnotyetsix-and-twenty；buthisheadhadeverbeenold。Fromthemomentwhenhewasfirstputforthtogoalone——attheageoftwenty-one——hislifehadbeenonecalculationhowhecouldmakethemostofhimself。Hehadallowedhimselftobebetrayedintofollybyanunguardedheart；noyouthfulindiscretionhadmarredhisprospects。Hehadmadethemostofhimself。Withoutwitordepth，oranymentalgift——withouthonestyofpurposeorindustryforgoodwork——hehadbeenfortwoyearssittingmemberforBarchester；wastheguestofLorddeCourcy；wasengagedtotheeldestdaughterofoneofthebestcommoners\'familiesinEngland；andwas，whenhefirstbegantothinkofMissDunstable，sanguinethathisre-electiontoParliamentwassecure。
When，however，atthisperiodhebegantocalculatewhathispositionintheworldreallywas，itoccurredtohimthathewasdoinganill-judgedthinginmarryingMissGresham。Whymarryapennilessgirl——forAugusta\'strifleofafortunewasnotapennyinhisestimation——whiletherewasMissDunstableintheworldtobewon？Hisownsixorseventhousandayear，quiteunembarrassedasitwas，wascertainlyagreatthing；butwhatmighthenotdoiftothathecouldaddthealmostfabulouswealthofthegreatheiress？Wasshenothere，putabsolutelyinhispath？Woulditnotbeawilfulthrowingawayofachancenottoavailhimselfofit？Hemust，tobesure，losetheDeCourcyfriendship；butifheshouldthenhavesecuredhisBarchesterseatfortheusualtermofparliamentarysession，hemightbeabletosparethat。Hewouldalso，perhaps，encountersomeGreshamenmity：
thiswasapointonwhichhedidthinkmorethanonce：butwhatwillamannotencounterforthesakeoftwohundredthousandpounds？
ItwasthusthatMrMoffatarguedwithhimself，withmuchprudence，andbroughthimselftoresolvethathewouldatanyratebecomethecandidateforthegreatprize。Healso，therefore，begantosaysoftthings；anditmustbeadmittedthathesaidthemwithmoreconsiderateproprietythanhadtheHonourableGeorge。MrMoffathadanideathatMissDunstablewasnotafool，andthatinordertocatchherhemustdomorethanendeavourtolaysaltonhertail，intheguiseofflattery。Itwasevidenttohimthatshewasabirdofsomecunning，nottobecaughtbyanordinarygin，suchasthosecommonlyinusewiththeHonourableGeorgesofSociety。
ItseemedtoMrMoffat，thatthoughMissDunstablewassosprightly，sofulloffun，andsoreadytochatteronallsubjects，shewellknewthevalueofherownmoney，andofherpositionasdependentonit：heperceivedthatsheneverflatteredthecountess，andseemedtobenowhitabsorbedbythetitledgrandeurofherhost\'sfamily。Hegavehercredit，therefore，foranindependentspirit：andanindependentspiritinhisestimationwasonethatplaceditssoledependenceonarespectablebalanceatitsbanker\'s。
Workingontheseideas，MrMoffatcommencedoperationsinsuchmannerthathisoverturestotheheiressshouldnot，ifunsuccessful，interferewiththeGreshamsburyengagement。HebeganbymakingcommoncausewithMissDunstable：theirpositionsintheworld，hesaidtoher，werecloselysimilar。Theyhadbothrisenfromthelowerclassesbythestrengthofhonestindustry：theywerebothnowwealthy，andhadbothhithertomadesuchuseoftheirwealthastoinducethehighestaristocracyinEnglandtoadmitthemintotheircircles。
\'Yes，MrMoffat，\'hadMissDunstableremarked；\'andifallthatIhearbetrue，toadmityouintotheirveryfamilies。\'
AtthisMrMoffatslightlydemurred。Hewouldnotaffect，hesaid，tomisunderstandwhatMissDunstablemeant。Therehadbeensomethingsaidontheprobabilityofsuchanevent；buthebeggedMissDunstablenottobelieveallthatsheheardonsuchsubjects。
\'Idonotbelievemuch，\'saidshe；\'butIcertainlydidthinkthatthatmightbecredited。\'
MrMoffatwentontoshowhowitbehovedthemboth，inholdingouttheirhandshalf-waytomeetthearistocraticoverturesthatweremadetothem，nottoallowthemselvestobemadeuseof。Thearistocracy，accordingtoMrMoffat，werepeopleofaverynicesort；thebestacquaintanceintheworld；aportionofmankindtobenoticedbywhomshouldbeoneofthefirstobjectsinthelifeoftheDunstablesandtheMoffats。ButtheDunstablesandMoffatsshouldbeverycarefultogivelittleornothinginreturn。Much，verymuchinreturn，wouldbelookedfor。Thearistocracy，saidMrMoffat，werenotapeopletoallowinthelightoftheircountenancetoshineforthwithoutlookingforaquidproquo，forsomecompensatingvalue。InalltheirintercoursewiththeDunstablesandMoffats，theywouldexpectapayment。ItwasfortheDunstablesandMoffatstoseethat，atanyrate，theydidnotpaymoreforthearticletheygotthanitsmarketvalue。
Theywayinwhichshe，MissDunstable，andhe，MrMoffat，wouldberequiredtopaywouldbebytakingeachofthemsomepoorscionofthearistocracyinmarriage；andthusexpendingtheirhard-earnedwealthinprocuringhigh-pricedpleasuresforsomewell-bornpauper。Againstthis，peculiarcautionwastobeused。Ofcourse，thefurtherinductiontobeshownwasthis：thatpeoplesocircumstancedshouldmarryamongthemselves；theDunstablesandtheMoffatseachwiththeotherandnottumbleintothepitfallspreparedforthem。
WhetherthesegreatlessonshadanylastingeffectonMissDunstable\'smindmaybedoubted。PerhapsshehadalreadymadeuphermindonthesubjectwhichMrMoffatsowelldiscussed。ShewasolderthanMrMoffat，and，inspiteofhistwoyearsofparliamentaryexperience，hadperhapsmoreknowledgeoftheworldwithwhichshehadtodeal。Butshelistenedtowhathesaidwithcomplacency；understoodhisobjectaswellasshehadthatofhisaristocraticrival；wasnowhitoffended；
butgroanedinherspiritasshethoughtofthewrongsofAugustaGresham。
Butallthisgoodadvice，however，wouldnotwinthemoneyforMrMoffatwithoutsomemoredecidedstep；andthatstephesoondecidedontaking，feelingassuredthatwhathehadsaidwouldhaveitsdueweightwiththeheiress。
ThepartyatCourcyCastlewasnowsoonabouttobebrokenup。ThemaleDeCourcysweregoingdowntoaScotchmountain。ThefemaleDeCourcysweretobeshippedofftoanIrishcastle。MrMoffatwastogouptotowntopreparehispetition。MissDunstablewasagainabouttostartonaforeigntourinbehalfofherphysicianandattendants；andFrankGreshamwasatlasttobeallowedtogotoCambridge；thatistosay，unlesshissuccesswithMissDunstableshouldrendersuchasteponhispartquitepreposterous。
\'Ithinkyoumayspeaknow，Frank，\'saidthecountess。\'Ireallythinkyoumay：youhaveknownhernowforaconsiderabletime；and，asfarasIcanjudge，sheisveryfondofyou。\'
\'Nonsense，aunt，\'saidFrank；\'shedoesn\'tcareabuttonforme。\'
\'Ithinkdifferently；andlookers-on，youknow，alwaysunderstandthegamebest。Isupposeyouarenotafraidtoaskher。\'
\'Afraid！\'saidFrank，inatoneofconsiderablescorn。Healmostmadeuphismindthathewouldaskhertoshowthathewasnotafraid。Hisonlyobstacletodoingsowas，thathehadnottheslightestintentionofmarryingher。
Therewastobebutoneothergreateventbeforethepartybrokeup，andthatwasadinnerattheDukeofOmnium\'s。ThedukehadalreadydeclinedtocometoCourcy；buthehadinameasureatonedforthisbyaskingsomeofthegueststojoinagreatdinnerwhichhewasabouttogivetohisneighbours。
MrMoffatwastoleaveCourcyCastlethedayafterthedinner-party，andhethereforedeterminedtomakehisgreatattemptonthemorningofthatday。Itwaswithsomedifficultythathebroughtaboutanopportunity；butatlasthedidso，andfoundhimselfalonewithMissDunstableinthewalksofCourcyPark。
\'Itisastrangething，isitnot，\'saidhe，recurringtohisoldviewofthesamesubject，\'thatIshouldbegoingtodinewiththeDukeofOmnium——therichestman，theysay，amongthewholeEnglisharistocracy？\'
\'Menofthatkindentertaineverybody，Ibelieve，nowandthen，\'saidMissDunstable，notverycivilly。
\'Ibelievetheydo；butIamnotgoingasoneoftheeverybodies。IamgoingfromLorddeCourcy\'shousewithsomeofhisownfamily。Ihavenoprideinthat——nottheleast；Ihavemoreprideinmyfather\'shonestindustry。Butitshowswhatmoneydoesinthiscountryofours。\'
\'Yes，indeed；moneydoesagreatdealmanyqueerthings。\'InsayingthisMissDunstablecouldnotbutthinkthatmoneyhaddoneaveryqueerthingininducingMissGreshamtofallinlovewithMrMoffat。
\'Yes；wealthisverypowerful：hereweare，MissDunstable，themosthonouredguestsinthehouse。\'
\'Oh！Idon\'tknowaboutthat；youmaybe，foryouareamemberofParliament，andallthat——\'
\'No；notamembernow，MissDunstable。\'
\'Well，youwillbe，andthat\'sallthesame；butIhavenosuchtitletohonour，thankGod。\'
Theywalkedoninsilenceforalittlewhile，forMrMoffathardlyknewwhotomanagethebusinesshehadinhand。\'Itisquitedelightfultowatchthesepeople，\'hesaidatlast；\'nowtheyaccuseusofbeingtuft-hunters。\'
\'Dothey？\'saidMissDunstable。\'UponmywordIdidn\'tknowthatanybodyeversoaccusedme。\'
\'Ididn\'tmeanyouandmepersonally。\'
\'Oh！I\'mgladofthat。\'
\'Butthatiswhattheworldsaysofpersonsofourclass。Nowitseemstomethattoadyingisallontheotherside。Thecountessheredoestoadyyou，andsodotheyoungladies。\'
\'Dothey？ifso，uponmywordIdidn\'tknowit。But，totellthetruth，Idon\'tthinkmuchofsuchthings。Ilivemostlytomyself，MrMoffat。\'
\'Iseethatyoudo，andIadmireyouforit；but，MissDunstable，youcannotalwaysliveso，\'andMrMoffatlookedatherinamannerwhichgaveherthefirstintimationofhiscomingburstoftenderness。
\'That\'sasmaybe，MrMoffat，\'saidshe。
Hewentonbeatingaboutthebushforsometime——givinghertounderstandnownecessaryitwasthatpersonssituatedastheywereshouldliveeitherforthemselvesorforeachother，andthat，aboveallthings，theyshouldbewareoffallingintothemouthsofvoraciousaristocraticlionswhogoaboutlookingforprey——tilltheycametoaturninthegrounds；atwhichMissDunstabledeclaredherintentionofgoingin。Shehadwalkedenough，shesaid。AsbythistimeMrMoffat\'simmediateintentionswerebecomingvisibleshethoughtitprudenttoretire。\'Don\'tletmetakeyouin，MrMoffat；butmybootsarealittledamp，andDrEasymanwillneverforgivemeifIdonothurryinasfastasIcan。\'
\'Yourfeetdamp？——Ihopenot：Idohopenot，\'saidhe，withalookofthegreatestsolicitude。
\'Oh！it\'snothingtosignify；butit\'swelltobeprudent，youknow。
Goodmorning，MrMoffat。\'
\'MissDunstable！\'
\'Eh——yes！\'andMissDunstablestoppedinthegrandpath。\'Iwon\'tletyoureturnwithme，MrMoffat，becauseIknowyouwerecominginsosoon。\'
\'MissDunstable；Ishallbeleavinghereto-morrow。\'
\'Yes；andIgomyselfthedayafter。\'
\'Iknowit。Iamgoingtotownandyouaregoingabroad。Itmaybelong——verylong——beforewemeetagain。\'
\'AboutEaster，\'saidMissDunstable；\'thatis，ifthedoctordoesn\'tknownupontheroad。\'
\'AndIhad，hadwishtosaysomethingbeforewepartforsolongatime。MissDunstable——\'
\'Stop！——MrMoffat。Letmeaskyouonequestion。I\'llhearanythingthatyouhavegottosay，butononecondition：thatis，thatMissAugustaGreshamshallbebywhileyousayit。Willyouconsenttothat？\'
\'MissAugustaGresham，\'saidhe，\'hasnorighttolistentomyprivateconversation。\'
\'Hasshenot，MrMoffat？thenIthinksheshouldhave。I，atanyrate，willnotsofarinterferewithwhatIlookonasherundoubtedprivilegesastobeapartytoanysecretinwhichshemaynotparticipate。\'
\'But，MissDunstable——\'
Andtotellyoufairly，MrMoffat，anysecretthatyoudotellme，I
shallmostundoubtedlyrepeattoherbeforedinner。Goodmorning，MrMoffat；myfeetarecertainlyalittledamp，andifIstayamomentlonger，DrEasymanwillputoffmyforeigntripforatleastaweek。\'
Andsoshelefthimstandingaloneinthemiddleofthegravel-walk。
Foramomentortwo，MrMoffatconsoledhimselfinhismisfortunebythinkinghowhemightavengehimselfonMissDunstable。Soon，however，suchfutileideaslefthisbrain。Whyshouldhegiveoverthechasebecausetherichgalleonhadescapedhimonthis，hisfirstcruiseinpursuitofher？Suchprizeswerenottobewonsoeasily。HispresentobjectionclearlyconsistedinhisengagementtoMissGresham，andinthatonly。Letthatengagementbeatanend，notoriouslyandpubliclybrokenoff，andthisobjectionwouldfalltotheground。Yes；shipssorichlyfreightedwerenottoberundowninonesummermorning\'splainsailing。InsteadoflookingforhisrevengeonMissDunstable，itwouldbemoreprudentinhim——moreinkeepingwithhischaracter——topursuehisobject，andovercomesuchdifficultiesashemightfindhisway。
CHAPTERXIX
THEDUKEOFOMNIUM
TheDukeofOmniumwas，aswehavesaid，abachelor。Notthelessonthataccountdidheoncertainraregaladaysentertainthebeautyofthecountyinhismagnificentruralseat，orthefemalefashionofLondoninBelgraveSquare；butonthisoccasionthedinneratGatherumCastle——forsuchwasthenameofhismansion——wastobeconfinedtothelordsofthecreation。Itwastobeoneofthosedaysonwhichhecollectedroundhisboardallthenotablesofthecounty，inorderthathispopularitymightnotwane，ortheestablishedgloryofhishospitablehousebecomedim。
OnsuchanoccasionitwasnotprobablethatLorddeCourcywouldbeoneoftheguests。Theyparty，indeed，whowentfromCourcyCastlewasnotlarge，andconsistedoftheHonourableGeorge，MrMoffat，andFrankGresham。Theywentinatax-cart，withatandemhorse，drivenveryknowinglybyGeorgedeCourcy；andthefourthseatonthebackofthevehiclewasoccupiedbyaservant，whowastolookafterthehorsesatGatherum。
TheHonourableGeorgedroveeitherwellorluckily，forhereachedtheduke\'shouseinsafety；buthedroveveryfast。PoorMissDunstable！
whatwouldhavebeenherlothadanythingbutgoodhappenedtothatvehicle，sorichlyfreightedwithherthreelovers！Theydidnotquarrelastotheprize，andallreachedGatherumCastleingood-humourwitheachother。
Thecastlewasnewbuildingofwhitestone，latelyerectedatanenormouscostbyoneofthefirstarchitectsoftheday。Itwasanimmensepile，andseemedtocovergroundenoughforamoderate-sizedtown。But，nevertheless，reportsaidthatwhenitwascompleted，thenobleownerfoundthathehadnoroomstolivein；andthat，onthisaccount，whendisposedtostudyhisowncomfort，heresidedinahouseofperhapsone-tenthofthesize，builtbyhisgrandfatherinanothercounty。
GatherumCastlewouldprobablybecalledItalianinitsstyleofarchitecture；thoughitmay，Ithink，bedoubtedwhetheranysuchedifice，oranythinglikeit，waseverseeninanypartofItaly。Itwasavastedifice；irregularinheight——oritappearedtobe——havinglongwingsoneachsidetoohightobepassedoverbytheeyeasmereadjunctstothemansion，andaporticosolargeastomakethehousebehinditlooklikeanotherbuildingofagreateraltitude。ThisporticowassupportedbyIoniccolumns，andwasinitselfdoubtlessabeautifulstructure。Itwasapproachedbyaflightofsteps，verybroadandverygrand；but，asanapproach，byaflightofstepshardlysuitsanEnglishman\'shouse，totheimmediateentranceofwhichitisnecessarythathiscarriageshoulddrive，therewasanotherfrontdoorinoneofthewingswhichwascommonlyused。Acarriage，however，couldonverystupendouslygrandoccasions——thevisits，forinstance，ofqueensandkings，androyaldukes——bebroughtupundertheportico；asthestepshadbeensoconstructedastoadmitofaroad，witharatherstiffascent，beingmadecloseinfrontofthewingupintotheveryporch。
0peningfromtheporchwasthegrandhall，whichextendeduptothetopofthehouse。Itwasmagnificent，indeed；beingdecoratedwithmany-colouredmarbles，andhungroundwithvarioustrophiesofthehouseofOmnium；bannerswerethere，andarmour；thesculpturedbustsofmanynobleprogenitors；full-lengthfiguresofmarbleofthosewhohadbeenespeciallyprominent；andeverymonumentofgloryandwealth，longyears，andgreatachievementscouldbringtogether。Ifonlyamancouldbutliveinhishallandbeforeverhappythere！ButtheDukeofOmniumcouldnotlivehappilyinhishall；andthefactwas，thatthearchitect，incontrivingthismagnificententranceforhisownhonourandfame，haddestroyedtheduke\'shouseasregardsmostoftheordinarypurposesofresidence。
Nevertheless，GatherumCastleisaverynoblepile；and，standingasitdoesaneminence，hasaveryfineeffectwhenseenfrommanyadistantknollandverdant-woodedhill。
Atseveno\'clock，MrdeCourcyandhisfriendsgotdownfromtheirdragatthesmallerdoor——forthiswasnodayonwhichtomountupundertheportico；norwasthatanysuitablevehicletohavebeenentitledtosuchhonour。Frankfeltsomeexcitementalittlestrongerthanthatusualtohimatsuchmoments，forhehadneveryetbeenincompanywiththeDukeofOmnium；andheratherpuzzledhimselftothinkonwhatpointshewouldtalktothemanwhowasthelargestlandownerinthatcountyinwhichhehimselfhadsogreataninterest。He，however，madeuphismindthathewouldallowtheduketochoosehisownsubjects；
merelyreservingtohimselftherightofpointingouthowdeficientingorsecoverswasWestBarsetshire——thatbeingtheduke\'sdivision。
Theyweresoondivestedoftheircoatsandhats，and，withoutenteringonthemagnificenceofthegreathall，wereconductedthroughratheranarrowpassageintoratherasmalldrawing-room——small，thatis，inproportiontothenumberofgentlementhereassembled。Theremightbeaboutthirty，andFrankwasinclinedtothinkthattheywerealmostcrowded。Amancameforwardtogreetthemwhentheirnameswereannounced；butourheroatonceknewthathewasnottheduke；forthismanwasfatandshort，whereasthedukewasthinandtall。
Therewasagreathubbubgoingon；foreverybodyseemedtobetalkingtohisneighbour；or，indefaultofaneighbour，tohimself。Itwasclearthattheexaltedrankoftheirhosthadputverylittleconstraintonhisguests\'tongues，fortheychattedawaywithasmuchfreedomasfarmersatanordinary。
\'Whichistheduke？\'atlastFrankcontrivedtowhispertohiscousin。
\'Oh；——he\'snothere，\'saidGeorge；\'Isupposehe\'llbeinpresently。I
believehenevershowstilljustbeforedinner。\'
Frank，ofcourse，hadnothingfurthertosay；buthealreadybegantofeelhimselfalittlesnubbed：hethoughtthattheduke，dukethoughhewas，whenheaskedpeopletodinnershouldbetheretotellthemthathewasgladtoseethem。
Morepeopleflashedintotheroom，andFrankfoundhimselfrathercloselywedgedinwithastoutclergymanofhisacquaintance。Hewasnotbadlyoff，forMrAthillwasafriendofhisown，whohadheldalivingnearGreshamsbury。Lately，however，atthelamenteddeceaseofDrStanhope——whohaddiedofapoplexyathisvillainItaly——MrAthillhadbeenpresentedwiththebetterprefermentofEiderdown，andhad，therefore，removedtoanotherpartofthecounty。Hewassomewhatofabon-vivant，andamanwhothoroughlyunderstooddinner-parties；andwithmuchgoodnaturehetookFrankunderhisspecialprotection。
\'Yousticktome，MrGresham，\'hesaid，\'whenwegointothedining-room。I\'manoldhandattheduke\'sdinners，andknowhowtomakeafriendcomfortableaswellasmyself。\'
\'Butwhydoesn\'tthedukecomein？\'demandedFrank。
\'He\'llbehereassoonasdinnerisready，\'saidMrAthill。\'Or，rather，thedinnerwillbereadyassoonasheishere。Idon\'tcare，therefore，howsoonhecomes。\'
Hewasbeginningtobeimpatient，fortheroomwasnownearlyfull，anditseemedevidentthatnootherguestswerecoming；whensuddenlyabellrang，andagongwassounded，andatthesameinstantadoorthathadnotyetbeenusedflewopen，andaveryplainlydressed，plain，tallmanenteredtheroom。FrankatonceknewthathewasatlastinthepresenceoftheDukeofOmnium。
Buthisgrace，lateashewasincommencingthedutiesashost，seemedinnohurrytomakeupforlosttime。Hequietlystoodontherug，withhisbacktotheemptygrate，andspokeoneortwowordsinaverylowvoicetooneortwogentlemenwhostoodnearesttohim。Thecrowd，inthemeanwhile，becamesuddenlysilent。Frank，whenhefoundthatthedukedidnotcomeandspeaktohim，feltthatheoughttogoandspeaktotheduke；butnooneelsedidso，andwhenhewhisperedhissurprisetoMrAthill，thatgentlemantoldhimthatthiswastheduke\'spracticeonallsuchoccasions。
\'Fothergill，\'saidtheduke——anditwastheonlywordhehadyetspokenoutloud——\'Ibelievewearereadyfordinner。\'NowMrFothergillwastheduke\'sland-agent，andheitwaswhohadgreetedFrankandhisfriendsattheirentrance。
Immediatelythegongwasagainsounded，andanotherdoorleadingoutofthedrawing-roomintothedining-roomwasopened。Thedukeledtheway，andthentheguestsfollowed。\'Stickclosetome，MrGresham，\'
saidAthill，\'we\'llgetaboutthemiddleofthetable，whereweshallbecosy——andontheothersideoftheroom，outofthisdreadfuldraught——Iknowtheplacewell，MrGresham；sticktome。\'
MrAthill，whowasapleasant，chattycompanion，hadhardlyseatedhimself，andwastalkingtoFrankasquicklyashecould，whenMrFothergill，whosatatthebottomofthetable，askedhimtosaygrace。Itseemedtobequiteoutofthequestionthatthedukeshouldtakeanytroubleoverhisguestswhatever。MrAthillconsequentlydroppedthewordhewasspeaking，andutteredaprayer——ifitwasaprayer——thattheymightallhavegratefulheartsforwhichGodwasabouttogivethem。
Ifitwasaprayer！Asfarasmyownexperiencegoes，suchutterancesareseldomprayers，seldomcanbeprayers。Andifnotprayers，whatthen？Tomeitisunintelligiblethatthefulltideofglibbestchattercanbestoppedatamomentinthemidstofprofusegoodliving，andtheGiventhankedbecominglyinwordsofheartfeltpraise。Settingasideforthemomentwhatonedailyhearsandsees，maynotonedeclarethatachangesosuddenisnotwithinthecompassofthehumanmind？Butthen，tosuchreasoningonecannotbutaddwhatonedoeshearandsee；
onecannotbutjudgeoftheceremonybythemannerinwhichoneseesitperformed——uttered，thatis——andlistenedto。Clergymenthereare——onemeetsthemnowandthen——whoendeavourtogivetothedinner-tablegracesomeofthesolemnityofachurchritual，andwhatistheeffect？Muchthesameasthoughoneweretobeinterruptedforaminuteinthemidstofoneofourchurchliturgiestohearadrinking-song。
Anditwillbeargued，thatamanneedbelessthankfulbecause，atthemomentofreceiving，heuttersnotthanksgiving？orwillitbethoughtthatamanismadethankfulbecausewhatiscalledagraceisutteredafterdinner？Itcanhardlybeimaginedthatanyonewillsoargue，orsothink。
Dinner-gracesare，probably，thelastremainingrelicofcertaindailyserviceswhichtheChurchinoldendaysenjoined：nones，complines，andvesperswereothers。Ofthenonesandcomplineswehavehappilygotquit；anditmightbewellifwecouldgetridofthedinner-gracealso。Letanymanaskhimselfwhether，onhisownpart，theyareactsofprayerandthanksgiving——andifnotthat，whatthen？Itis，Iknow，allegedthatgracesaresaidbeforedinner，becauseourSaviourutteredablessingbeforehislastsupper。Icannotsaythattheideaofsuchanalogyispleasingtome。
Whenthelargepartyenteredthedining-roomoneortwogentlemenmightbeseentocomeinfromsomeotherdoorandsetthemselvesatthetableneartotheduke\'schair。Thesewereguestsofhisown，whowerestayinginthehouse，hisparticularfriends，themenwithwhomhelived：theotherswerestrangerswhomhefed，perhapsonceayear，inorderthathisnamemightbeknowninthelandasthatofonewhodistributedfoodandwinehospitablythroughthecounty。Thefoodandwine，theattendancealso，andtheviewofthevastrepositoryofplatehevouchsafedwillinglytohiscountyneighbours；——butitwasbeyondhisgoodnaturetotalktothem。Tojudgebythepresentappearanceofmostofthem，theywerequiteaswellsatisfiedtobeleftalone。
Frankwasaltogetherastrangerthere，butMrAthillkneweveryoneatthetable。
\'That\'sApjohn，\'saidhe：\'don\'tyouknow，MrApjohn，theattorneyfromBarchester？he\'salwayshere；hedoessomeofFothergill\'slawbusiness，andmakeshimselfuseful。Ifanyfellowknowsthevalueofagooddinner，hedoes。You\'llseethattheduke\'shospitalitywillnotbethrownawayonhim。\'
\'It\'sverymuchthrownawayonme，Iknow，\'saidFrank，whocouldnotatallputupwiththeideaofsittingdowntodinnerwithouthavingbeenspokentobyhishost。
\'Oh，nonsense！\'saidhisclericalfriend；\'you\'llenjoyyourselfamazinglybyandby。ThereisnotmuchchampagneinanyotherhouseinBarsetshire；andthentheclaret——\'AndMrAthillpressedhislipstogether，andgentlyshookhishead，meaningtosignifybythemotionthattheclaretofGatherumCastlewassufficientatonementforanypenancewhichamanmighthavetogothroughinhismodeofobtainingit。
\'Whoisthatfunnylittlemansittingthere，nextbutonetoMrdeCourcy？Ineversawsuchaqueerfellowinmylife。\'
\'Don\'tyouknowoldBolus？Well，IthoughteveryoneinBarsetshireknewBolus；youespeciallyshoulddoso，asheissuchadearfriendofDrThorne。\'
\'AdearfriendofDrThorne？\'
\'Yes；hewasapothecaryatScaringtonintheolddays，beforeDrFillgravecameintovogue。IrememberwhenBoluswasthoughttobeaverygoodsortofdoctor。\'
\'Ishe——ishe——\'whisperedFrank，\'ishebywayofagentleman？\'
\'Ha！ha！ha！Well，Isupposewemustbecharitable，andsaythatheisquiteasgood，atanyrate，asmanyotherstherearehere——\'andMrAthill，ashespoke，whisperedintoFrank\'sear，\'Youseethere\'sFinniehere，anotherBarchesterattorney。Now，IreallythinkwhereFinniegoes，Bolusmaygotoo。\'
\'Themorethemerrier，Isuppose，\'saidFrank。
\'Well，somethingalittlelikethat。IwonderwhyThorneisnothere？
I\'msurehewasasked。\'
\'PerhapshedidnotparticularlywishtomeetFinnieandBolus。Doyouknow，MrAthill，Ithinkhewasquiterightnottocome。Asformyself，IwishIwasanywhereelse。\'
\'Ha！ha！ha！Youdon\'tknowtheduke\'swaysyet；andwhat\'smore，you\'reyoung，youhappyfellow！ButThorneshouldhavemoresense；heoughttoshowhimselfhere。\'
Thegormandizingwasnowgoingonatatremendousrate。Thoughthevolubilityoftheirtongueshadbeenforawhilestoppedbythefirstshockoftheduke\'spresence，theguestsseemedtofeelnosuchconstraintupontheirteeth。Theyfed，onemayalmostsay，rabidly，andgavetheirorderstotheservantsinaneagermanner；muchmoreimpressivethanthatusualatsmallerparties。MrApjohn，whosatimmediatelyoppositetoFrank，had，bysomewell-plannedmanoeuvre，contrivedtogetbeforehimthejowlofasalmon；but，unfortunately，hewasnotforawhileequallysuccessfulinthearticleofsauce。A
verylimitedportion——soatleastthoughtMrApjohn——hadbeenputonhisplate；andaservant，withahugesaucetureen，absolutelypassedbehindhisbackinattentivetohisaudiblerequests。PoorMrApjohninhisdespairturnedroundtoarrestthemanbyhiscoat-tails；buthewasamomenttoolate，andallbutfellbackwardsonthefloor。Asherightedhimselfhemutteredananathema，andlookedwithafaceofanguishathisplate。
\'Anythingthematter，Apjohn？\'saidMrFothergill，kindly，seeingtheutterdespairwrittenonthepoorman\'scountenance；\'canIgetanythingforyou？\'
\'Thesauce！\'saidMrApjohn，inavoicethatwouldhavemeltedahermit；andashelookedatMrFothergill，hepointatthenowdistantsinner，whowasdispensinghismeltedambrosiaatleasttenheadsupwards，awayfromtheunfortunatesupplicant。
MrFothergill，however，knewwheretolookforbalmforsuchwounds，andinaminuteortwo，MrApjohnwasemployedquitetohisheart\'scontent。
\'Well，\'saidFranktohisneighbour，\'itmaybeverywellonceinaway；butIthinkthatonthewholeDrThorneisright。\'
\'MydearMrGresham，seetheworldonallsides，\'saidMrAthill，whohadalsobeensomewhatintentonthegratificationofhisownappetite，thoughwithanenergylessevidentthanthatofthegentlemanopposite。\'Seetheworldonallsidesifyouhaveanopportunity；and，believeme，agooddinnernowandthenisaverygoodthing。\'
\'Yes；butIdon\'tlikeeatingwithhogs。\'
\'Whish-h！softly，softly，MrGresham，oryou\'lldisturbMrApjohn\'sdigestion。Uponmyword，he\'llwantitallbeforehehasdone。Now，I
likethiskindofthingonceinaway。\'
\'Doyou？\'saidFrank，inatonethatwasalmostsavage。
\'Yes；indeedIdo。Oneseessomuchcharacter。Andafterall，whatharmdoesitdo？\'
\'Myideaisthatpeopleshouldlivewiththosewhosesocietyispleasanttothem。\'
\'Live——yes，MrGresham——Iagreewithyouthere。Itwouldn\'tdoformetolivewiththeDukeofOmnium；Ishouldn\'tunderstand，orprobablyapprove，hisways。NorshouldI，perhaps，muchliketheconstantpresenceofMrApjohn。Butnowandthen——onceinayearorso——IdoownIliketoseethemboth。Here\'sthecup；now，whateveryoudo，MrGresham，don\'tpassthecupwithouttastingit。\'
Andsothedinnerpassedon，slowlyenoughasFrankthought，butalltooquicklyforMrApjohn。Itpassedaway，andthewinecamecirculatingfreely。Thetonguesagainwereloosed，theteethbeingreleasedfromtheirlabours，andundertheinfluenceoftheclarettheduke\'spresencewasforgotten。
Butveryspeedilythecoffeewasbrought。\'Thiswillsoonbeovernow，\'saidFrank，tohimself，thankfully；for，thoughhebenomeansdespisedgoodclaret，hehadlosthistempertoocompletelytoenjoyitatthepresentmoment。Buthewasmuchmistaken；thefarceasyetwasonlyatitscommencement。Theduketookhiscupofcoffee，andsodidthefewfriendswhosatclosetohim；butthebeveragedidnotseemtobeingreatrequestwiththemajorityoftheguests。Whenthedukehadtakenhismodicum，heroseupandsilentlyretired，sayingnowordandmakingnosign。Andthenthefarcecommenced。
\'Now，gentlemen，\'saidMrFothergill，cheerily，\'weareallright。
Apjohn，isthereclaretthere？MrBolus，IknowyousticktotheMadeira；youarequiteright，forthereisn\'ttoomuchofitleft，andmybeliefisthere\'llneverbemorelikeit。\'
Andsotheduke\'shospitalitywenton，andtheduke\'sguestsdrankmerrilyforthenexttwohours。
\'Shan\'tweseeanymoreofhim？\'askedFrank。
\'Anymoreofwhom？\'saidMrAthill。
\'Oftheduke？\'
\'Oh，no；you\'llseenomoreofhim。Healwaysgoeswhenthecoffeecomes。It\'sbroughtinasanexcuse。We\'vehadenoughofthelightofhiscountenancetolasttillnextyear。ThedukeandIareexcellentfriends；andhavebeensothesefifteenyears；butIneverseemoreofhimthanthat。\'
\'Ishallgoaway，\'saidFrank。
\'Nonsense。MrdeCourcyandyourotherfriendwon\'tstirforthishouryet。\'
\'Idon\'tcare。Ishallwalkon，andtheymaycatchme。Imaybewrong；butitseemstomethatamaninsultsmewhenheasksmetodinewithhimandneverspeakstome。Idon\'tcareifhebetentimesDukeofOmnium；hecan\'tbemorethanagentleman，andassuchIamhisequal。\'Andthen，havingthusgivenventtohisfeelingsinsomewhathigh-flownlanguage，hewalkedforthandtrudgedawayalongtheroadtowardsCourcy。
FrankGreshamhadbeenbornandbredaConservative，whereastheDukeofOmniumwaswellknownasaconsistentWhig。ThereisnoonesodevoutlyresolvedtoadmitofnosuperiorasyourConservative，bornandbred，noonesoinclinedtohighdomesticdespotismasyourthoroughgoingconsistentoldWhig。
Whenhehadproceededaboutsixmiles，Frankwaspickedupbyhisfriends；buteventhenhisangerhadhardlycooled。
\'Wasthedukeascivilaseverwhenyoutookyourleaveofhim？\'saidhetohiscousinGeorge，ashetookhisseatonthedrag。
\'Thejukewasjeucedjudewine——lemmetellyouthat，oldfella，\'
hiccuppedouttheHonourableGeorge，ashetoucheduptheleaderundertheflank。
CHAPTERXX
THEPROPOSAL
AndnowthedeparturefromCourcyCastlecamerapidlyoneaftertheother，andthereremainedbutonemoreeveningbeforeMissDunstable\'scarriagewastobepacked。Thecountess，intheearlymomentsofFrank\'scourtship，hadcontrolledhisardourandcheckedtherapidityofhisamorousprofessions；butasdays，andatlastweeks，woreaway，shefoundthatitwasnecessarytostirthefirewhichshehadbeforeendeavouredtoslacken。
\'Therewillbenobodyhereto-nightbutourowncircle，\'saidshetohim，\'andIreallythinkyoushouldtellMissDunstablewhatyourintentionsare。Shewillhavefairgroundtocomplainofyouifyoudon\'t。\'
Frankbegantofeelthathewasinadilemma。HehadcommencedmakinglovetoMissDunstablepartlybecausehelikedtheamusement，andpartlyfromasatiricalpropensitytoquizhisauntbyappearingtofallintoherscheme。Buthehadovershotthemark，anddidnotknowwhatanswertogivewhenhewasthuscalledupontomakeadownrightproposal。Andthen，althoughhedidnotcaretworushesaboutMissDunstableinthewayoflove，heneverthelessexperiencedasortofjealousywhenhefoundthatsheappearedtobeindifferenttohim，andthatshecorrespondedthemeanwhilewithhiscousinGeorge。Thoughalltheirflirtationshadbeencarriedononbothsidespalpablybywayoffun，thoughFrankhadtoldhimselftentimesadaythathisheartwastruetoMaryThorne，yethehadanundefinedfeelingthatitbehovedMissDunstabletobealittleinlovewithhim。Hewasnotquiteateaseinthatshewasnotalittlemelancholynowthathisdeparturewassonigh；and，aboveall，hewasanxioustoknowwhatweretherealfactsaboutthatletter。HehadinhisownbreastthreatenedMissDunstablewithaheartache；andnow，whenthetimefortheirseparationcame，hefoundthathisownheartwasthemorelikelytoacheofthetwo。
\'IsupposeImustsaysomethingtoher，ormyauntwillneverbesatisfied，\'saidhetohimselfashesaunteredintothelittledrawing-roomonthatlastevening。Butattheverytimehewasashamedofhimself，forheknewhewasgoingtoaskbadly。
Hissisterandoneofhiscousinswereintheroom，buthisaunt，whowasquiteonthealert，soongotthemoutofit，andFrankandMissDunstablewerealone。
\'Soallourfunandallourlaughteriscometoanend，\'saidshe，beginningtheconversation。\'Idon\'tknowhowyoufeel，butformyselfIreallyamalittlemelancholyattheideaofparting；\'andshelookedupathimwithherlaughingblackeyes，asthoughsheneverhad，andnevercouldhaveacareintheworld。
\'Melancholy！oh，yes；youlookso，\'saidFrank，whoreallydidfeelsomewhatlackadaisicallysentimental。
\'Buthowthoroughlygladthecountessmustbethatwearebothgoing，\'
continuedshe。\'Ideclarewehavetreatedhermostinfamously。Eversincewe\'vebeenherewe\'vehadtheamusementtoourselves。I\'vesometimesthoughtshewouldturnmeoutofthehouse。\'
\'Iwishwithallmyheartshehad。\'
\'Oh，youcruelbarbarian！whyonearthshouldyouwishthat？\'
\'ThatImighthavejoinedyouinyourexile。IhateCourcyCastle，andshouldhaverejoicedtoleave——and——and——\'
\'Andwhat？\'
\'AndIloveMissDunstable，andshouldhavedoubly，treblyrejoicedtoleaveitwithher。\'
Frank\'svoicequiveredalittleashemadethisgallantprofession；butstillMissDunstableonlylaughedthelouder。\'Uponmyword，ofallmyknightsyouarebyfarthebestbehaved，\'saidshe，\'andsaymuchtheprettiestthings。\'Frankbecameratherredintheface，andfeltthathedidso。MissDunstablewastreatinghimlikeaboy。Whileshepretendedtobesofondofhimshewasonlylaughingathim，andcorrespondingthewhilewithhiscousinGeorge。NowFrankGreshamalreadyentertainedasortofcontemptforhiscousin，whichincreasedthebitternessofhisfeelings。CoulditreallybepossiblethatGeorgehadsucceededwhilehehadutterlyfailed；thathisstupidcousinhadtouchedtheheartoftheheiresswhileshewasplayingwithhimaswithaboy？
\'Ofallyourknights！Isthatthewayyoutalktomewhenwearegoingtopart？Whenwasit，MissDunstable，thatGeorgedeCourcybecameoneofthem？\'
MissDunstableforawhilelookedseriousenough。\'Whatmakesyouaskthat？\'saidshe。\'WhatmakesyouinquireaboutMrdeCourcy？\'
\'Oh，Ihaveeyes，youknow，andcan\'thelpseeing。NotthatIsee，orhaveseenanythingthatIcouldpossiblyhelp。\'
\'Andwhathaveyouseen，MrGresham？\'
\'Why，Iknowyouhavebeenwritingtohim。\'
\'Didhetellyouso？\'
\'No；hedidnottellme；butIknowit。\'
Foramomentshesatsilent，andthenherfaceagainresumeditsusualhappysmile。\'Come，MrGresham，youarenotgoingtoquarrelwithme，Ihope，evenifIdidwritealettertoyourcousin。WhyshouldInotwritetohim？Icorrespondwithallmannerofpeople。I\'llwritetoyousomeofthesedaysifyou\'llletme，andwillpromisetoanswermyletters。\'
Frankthrewhimselfbackonthesofaonwhichhewassitting，and，indoingso，broughthimselfsomewhatnearertohiscompanionthanhehadbeen；hethendrewhishandslowlyacrosshisforehead，pushingbackhisthickhair，andashedidsohesighedsomewhatplaintively。
\'Idonotcare，\'saidhe，\'fortheprivilegeofcorrespondenceonsuchterms。IfmycousinGeorgeistobeacorrespondentofyoursalso，I
willgiveupmyclaim。\'
Andthenhesighedagain，sothatitwaspiteoustohearhim。Hewascertainlyanarrantpuppy，andanegregiousassintothebargain；butthen，itmustberememberedinhisfavourthathewasonlytwenty-one，andthatmuchhadbeendonetospoilhim。MissDunstabledidrememberthis，andthereforeabstainedfromlaughingathim。
\'Why，MrGresham，whatonearthdoyoumean？InallhumanprobabilityIshallneverwriteanotherlinetoMrdeCourcy；but，ifIdid，whatpossibleharmcoulditdoyou？\'
\'Oh，MissDunstable！youdonotintheleastunderstandwhatmyfeelingsare。\'
\'Don\'tI？ThenIhopeInevershall。IthoughtIdid。Ithoughttheywerethefeelingsofagood，true-heartedfriend；feelingsthatI
couldsometimeslookbackuponwithpleasureasbeinghonestwhensomuchthatonemeetsisfalse。Ihavebecomeveryfondofyou，MrGresham，andIshouldbesorrytothinkthatIdidnotunderstandyourfeelings。\'
Thiswasalmostworseandworse。YoungladieslikeMissDunstable——forshewasstilltobenumberedinthecategoryofyoungladies——donotusuallytellyounggentlementhattheyareveryfondofthem。Toboysandgirlstheymaymakesuchadeclaration。NowFrankGreshamregardedhimselfasonewhohadalreadyfoughthisbattles，andfoughtthemnotwithoutglory；hecouldnotthereforeenduretobethusopenlytoldbyMissDunstablethatshewasveryfondofhim。
\'Fondofme，MissDunstable！Iwishyouwere。\'
\'SoIam——very。\'
\'YoulittleknowhowfondIamofyou，MissDunstable，\'andheputouthishandtotakeholdofhers。Shethenliftedupherown，andslappedhimlightlyontheknuckles。
\'AndwhatcanyouhavetosaytosaytoMissDunstablethatcanmakeitnecessarythatyoushouldpinchherhand？Itellyoufairly，MrGresham，ifyoumakeafoolofyourself，Ishallcometoaconclusionthatyouareallfools，andthatitishopelesstolookoutforanyoneworthcaringfor。\'
Suchadviceasthis，sokindlygiven，sowiselymeant，soclearlyintelligibleheshouldhavetakenandunderstood，youngashewas。butevenyethedidnotdoso。
\'Afoolofmyself！Yes；IsupposeImustbeafoolifIhavesomuchregardforMissDunstableastomakeitpainfulformetoknowthatI
amtoseehernomore：afool：yes，ofcourseIamafool——amanisalwaysafoolwhenheloves。\'
MissDunstablecouldnotpretendtodoubthismeaninganylonger；andwasdeterminedtostophim，letitcostwhatitwould。Shenowputoutherhand，notoverwhite，and，asFranksoonperceived，giftedwithaveryfairallowanceofstrength。
\'Now，MrGresham，\'saidshe，\'beforeyougoanyfurtheryoushalllistentome。Willyoulistentomeforamomentwithoutinterruptingme？\'
Frankwasofcourseobligedtopromisethathewoulddoso。
\'Youaregoing——orratheryouweregoing，forIshallstopyou——tomakeaprofessionoflove。\'
\'Aprofession！\'saidFrankmakingaslightunsuccessfulefforttogethishandfree。
\'Yes；aprofession——afalseprofession，MrGresham，——afalseprofession——
afalseprofession。Lookintoyourheart——intoyourheartofhearts。I
knowyouatanyratehaveaheart；lookintoitclosely。MrGresham，youknowyoudonotloveme；notasamanshouldlovethewomanheswearstolove。\'
Frankwastakenaback。Soappealedtohefoundthathecouldnotanylongersaythathedidloveher。Hecouldonlylookintoherfacewithallhiseyes，andsittherelisteningtoher。
\'Howisitpossiblethatyoushouldloveme？IamHeavenknowshowmanyyearsyoursenior。Iamneitheryoungnorbeautiful，norhaveI
beenbroughtupassheshouldbewhomyouintimewillreallyloveandmakeyourwife。Ihavenothingthatshouldmakeyouloveme；but——butI
amrich。\'
\'Itisnotthat，\'saidFrank，stoutly，feelinghimselfimperativelycalledupontouttersomethinginhisowndefence。
\'Ah，MrGresham，Ifearitisthat。ForwhatotherreasoncanyouhavelaidyourplanstotalkinthiswaytosuchawomanasIam？\'
\'Ihavelaidnoplans，\'saidFrank，nowgettinghishandtohimself。
\'Atanyrate，youwrongmethere，MissDunstable。\'
\'Ilikeyousowell——nay，loveyou，ifawomanmaytalkofloveinthewayoffriendship——thatifmoney，moneyalonewouldmakeyouhappy，youshouldhaveitheapedonyou。Ifyouwantit，MrGresham，youshallhaveit。\'
\'Ihaveneverthoughtofyourmoney，\'saidFrank，surlily。
\'Butitgrievesme，\'continuedshe，\'itdoesgrieveme，tothinkthatyou，you，you——soyoungandgay，sobright——thatyoushouldhavelookedforitinthisway。FromothersIhavetakenitjustasthewindthatwhistles；\'andnowtwobigslowtearsescapedfromhereyes，andwouldhaverolleddownherrosycheekswereitnotthatshebrushedthemoffwiththebackofherhand。
\'Youhaveutterlymistakenme，MissDunstable，\'saidFrank。
\'IfIhave，Iwillhumblybegyourpardon，\'saidshe，\'but——but——but——\'
Frankhadnothingfurthertosayinhisowndefence。HehadnotwantedMissDunstable\'smoney——thatwastrue；buthecouldnotdenythathehadbeenabouttotalkthatabsolutenonsenseofwhichshespokewithsomuchscorn。
\'Youwouldalmostmakemethinkthattherearenonehonestinthisfashionableworldofyours。IwellknowwhyLadydeCourcyhashadmehere：howcouldIhelpknowingit？Shehasbeensofoolishinherplansthattentimesadayshehastoldmeherownsecret。ButIhavesaidtomyselftwentytimes，thatifshewerecrafty，youwerehonest。\'
\'AndamIdishonest？\'
\'Ihavelaughedinmysleevetoseehowsheplayedhergame，andtohearothersaroundplayingtheirs；allofthemthinkingthattheycouldgetthemoneyofthepoorfoolwhohadcomeattheirbeckandcall；butIwasabletolaughatthemaslongasIthoughtthatIhadonetruefriendtolaughwithme。Butonecannotlaughwithalltheworldagainstone。\'
\'Iamnotagainstyou，MissDunstable。\'
\'Sellyourselfformoney！why，ifIwereamanIwouldnotsellonejotoflibertyformountainsofgold。What！tiemyselfintheheydayofmyyouthtoapersonIcouldneverlove，foraprice！perjuremyself，destroymyself——andnotonlymyself，butheralso，inorderthatImightliveidly！Oh，heavens！MrGresham！canitbethatthewordsofsuchawomanasyouraunthavesunksodeeplyinyourheart；haveblackenedyousofoullyasthis？Haveyouforgottenyoursoul，yourspirit，yourman\'senergy，thetreasureofyourheart？Andyou，soyoung！Forshame，MrGresham！forshame——forshame。\'
Frankfoundthetaskbeforehimbynomeansaneasyone。HehadtomakeMissDunstableunderstandthathehadneverhadtheslightestideaofmarryingher，andthathehadmadelovetohermerelywiththeobjectofkeepinghishandinfortheworkasitwere；withthatobject，andtheotherequallylaudableoneofinterferingwithhiscousinGeorge。
Andyettherewasnothingforhimbuttogetthroughthistaskasbesthemight。HewasgoadedtoitbytheaccusationswhichMissDunstablebroughtagainsthim；andhebegantofeel，thatthoughherinvectiveagainsthimmightbebitterwhenhehadtoldthetruth，theycouldnotbesobitterasthoseshenowkepthintingatunderhermistakenimpressionastohisviews。Hehadneverhadanystrongpropensityformoney-hunting；butnowthatoffenceappearedinhiseyesabominable，unmanly，anddisgusting。Anyimputationwouldbebetterthanthat。
\'MissDunstable，Ineverforamomentthoughtofdoingwhatyouaccusemeof；onmyhonour，Ineverdid。Ihavebeenveryfoolish——verywrong——idiotic，Ibelieve；butIhaveneverintendedthat。\'
\'Then，MrGresham，whatdidyouintend？\'