\'MrsProudieissoverykindastosaythatshewilltakemein,withmypoodle,parrot,andpetoldwoman.\'
\'ItellMissDunstablethatweshallhavequiteroomforanyofhersuite,\'saidMrsProudie.\'Andthatitwillgiveusnotrouble.\'
\'\"Thelabourwedelightinphysicspain\"\'saidthegallantbishop,bowinglow,puttinghishanduponhisheart.InthemeantimeMrFothergillhadgotholdofMarkRobarts.MrFothergillwasagentlemanandamagistrateofthecounty,butheoccupiedthepositionofmanagingmanontheDukeofOmnium\'sestate.Hewasnotexactlyhisagent;thatistosay,hedidnotreceivehisrents;buthe\'managed\'forhim,sawpeople,wentaboutthecounty,wroteletters,supportedtheelectioneeringinterest,didpopularitywhenitwastoomuchtroublefortheduketodoithimself,andwas,infact,invaluable.PeopleinWestBarsetshirewouldoftensaythattheydidnotknowwhatonearththedukewoulddo,ifitwerenotforMrFothergill.Indeed,MrFothergillwasusefultotheduke.
\'MrRobarts,\'hesaid,\'Iamveryhappytohavethepleasureofmeetingyou——veryhappyindeed.IhaveoftenheardofyoufromourfriendSowerby.\'Markbowed,andsaidthathewasdelightedtohavethehonourofmakingMrFothergill\'sacquaintance.\'IamcommissionedbytheDukeofOmnium,\'continuedMrFothergill,\'tosayhowgladhewillbeifyouwilljoinhisgrace\'spartyatGatherumCastlenextweek.Thebishopwillbethere,andindeednearlyallthewholesetwhoareherenow.ThedukewouldhavewrittenwhenheheardthatyouweretobeatChaldicotes;butthingswerehardlyquitearrangedthen,sohisgracehasleftitformetotellyouhowhappyhewillbetomakeyouracquaintanceinhisownhouse.IhavespokentoSowerby,\'continuedMrFothergill,\'andheverymuchhopesthatyouwillbeabletojoinus.\'
Markfeltthathisfacebecameredwhenthispropositionwasmadetohim.Thepartyinthecountytowhichheproperlybelonged——heandhiswife,andallthatmadehimhappyandrespectable——lookedupontheDukeofOmniumwithhorrorandamazement;andnowhehadabsolutelyreceivedaninvitationtotheduke\'shouse!A
propositionwasmadetohimthatheshouldbenumberedamongtheduke\'sfriends!
Andthoughinonesensehewassorrythatthepropositionwasmadetohim,yetinanotherhewasproudofit.Itisnoteveryyoungman,lethisprofessionbewhatitmay,whocanreceiveoverturesoffriendshipfromdukeswithoutsomeelation.Mark,too,hadrisenintheworld,asfarashehadyetrisen,byknowinggreatpeople;
andhecertainlyhadanambitiontorisehigher;butheundoubtedlyhadafeelingthatthepathsmostpleasantforaclergyman\'sfeetwerethosewhichweretroddenbythegreatonesoftheearth.
Nevertheless,atthemomenthedeclinedtheduke\'sinvitation.Hewasverymuchflattered,hesaid,butthedutiesoftheparishwouldrequirehimtoreturnfromChaldicotestoFramley.
\'Youneednotgiveananswerto-night,youknow,\'saidMrFothergill.\'Beforetheweekispast,wewilltalkitoverwithSowerbyandthebishop.Itwillbeathousandpities,MrRobarts,ifyouwillallowmetosayso,thatyoushouldneglectsuchanopportunityofknowinghisgrace.\'
WhenMarkwenttobed,hismindwasstillsetagainstgoingtotheduke\'s;but,nevertheless,hedidfeelthatitwasapitythatheshouldnotdoso.Afterall,wasitnecessarythatheshouldobeyLadyLuftoninallthings?
CHAPTERIV
AMATTEROFCONSCIENCE
Itisnodoubtverywrongtolongafteranaughtything.Butneverthelesswealldoso.OnemaysaythathankeringafternaughtythingsistheveryessenceoftheevilintowhichwehavebeenprecipitatedbyAdam\'sfall.Whenweconfessthatweareallsinners,weconfessthatwealllongafternaughtythings.Andambitionisagreatvice——asMarkAntonytoldusalongtimeago——areferencetohisownadvancement,andnottotheadvancementofothers.Butthen,howmanyofusaretherewhoarenotambitiousinthisviciousmanner?Andthereisnothingvilerthanthedesiretoknowgreatpeople——peopleofgreatrank,Ishouldsay;nothingworsethanthehuntingoftitlesandworshippingofwealth.Weallknowthis,andsayiteverydayofourlives.ButpresumingthatawayintothesocietyofParkLanewasopentous,andawayalsointothatofBedfordRow,howmanyofusaretherewhowouldpreferBedfordRow,becauseitissoviletoworshipwealthandtitle?
IamledintotheserathertriteremarksbythenecessityofputtingforwardsomesortofexcuseforthatframeofmindinwhichtheRevMarkRobartsawokeonthemorningafterhisarrivalatChaldicotes.AndItrustthatthefactofhisbeingaclergymanwillnotbeallowedtopressagainsthimunfairly.Clergymenaresubjecttothesamepassionsasothermen;and,asfarasIcansee,givewaytothem,inonelineoranother,almostasfrequently.Everyclergymanshould,bycanonicalrule,feelapersonaldisinclinationtoabishopric;butyetwedonotbelievethatsuchpersonaldisinclinationisgenerallyverystrong.Mark\'sfirstthoughtswhenhewokeonthatmorningflewbacktoMrFothergill\'sinvitation.Thedukehadsentaspecialmessagetosayhowpeculiarlygladhe,theduke,wouldbetomakeacquaintancewithhim,theparson!HowmuchofthismessagehadbeenofMrFothergill\'sownmanufacture,thatMarkRobartsdidnotconsider.
Hehadobtainedalivingatanagewhenotheryoungclergymenarebeginningtothinkofacuracy,andhehadobtainedsuchalivingasmiddle-agedparsonsintheirdreamsregardasapossibleParadisefortheiroldyears.Ofcoursehethoughtthatallthesegoodthingshadbeentheresultsofhisownpeculiarmerits.Ofcoursehefeltthathewasdifferentfromotherparsons——morefittedbynatureforintimacywithgreatpersons,moreurbane,morepolished,andmorerichlyendowedwithmodernclericalwell-to-doaptitudes.HewasgratefultoLadyLuftonforwhatshehaddoneforhim;butperhapsnotsogratefulasheshouldhavebeen.
AtanyratehewasnotLadyLufton\'sservant,norevenherdependant.Somuchhehadrepeatedtohimselfonmanyoccasions,andhadgonesofarastohintthesameideatohiswife.Inhiscareerasparishpriesthemustinmostthingsbethejudgeofhisownactions——andinmanyalsoitwashisdutytobethejudgeofthoseofhispatroness.ThefactofLadyLuftonhavingplacedhimintheliving,couldbynomeansmakehertheproperjudgeofhisactions.Thisheoftensaidtohimself;andhesaidasoftenthatLadyLuftoncertainlyhadahankeringaftersuchajudgement-seat.
Ofwhomgenerallydidprimeministersandofficialbigwigsthinkitexpedienttomakebishopsanddeans?Wasitnot,asarule,ofthoseclergymenwhohadshownthemselvesabletoperformtheirclericaldutiesefficiently,andablealsototaketheirplacewitheaseinsociety?HewasverywelloffcertainlyatFramley;buthecouldneverhopeforanythingbeyondFramley,ifheallowedhimselftoregardLadyLuftonasabugbear.PuttingLadyLuftonandherprejudicesoutofthequestion,wasthereanyreasonwhyheoughtnottoaccepttheduke\'sinvitation?Hecouldnotseethattherewasanysuchreason.Ifanyonecouldbeabetterjudgeonsuchasubjectthanhimself,itmustbehisbishop.AnditwasclearthatthebishopwishedhimtogotoGatherumCastle.
Thematterwasstillleftopentohim.MrFothergillhadespeciallyexplainedthat;andthereforehisultimatedecisionwasasyetwithinhisownpower.Suchavisitwouldcosthimsomemoney,forheknewthatamandoesnotstayatgreathouseswithoutexpense;andthen,inspiteofhisgoodincome,hewasnotveryflushofmoney.HehadbeendownthisyearwithLordLuftoninScotland.Perhapsitmightbemoreprudentforhimtoreturnhome.ButthenanideacametohimthatitbehovedhimaspriesttobreakthroughthatFramleythralldomunderwhichhefeltthathedidtoacertainextentexist.WasitnotthefactthathewasabouttodeclinethisinvitationfromfearofLadyLufton?andifso,wasthatamotivebywhichheoughttobeactuated?Itwasincumbentonhimtoridhimselfofthatfeeling.Andinthisspirithegotupanddressed.
Therewashuntingagainonthatday;andasthehoundsweretomeetnearChaldicotes,andtodrawsomeconvertslyingonthevergeofthechase,theladiesweretogoincarriagesthroughthedrivesoftheforest,andMrRobartswastoescortthemonhorseback.Indeeditwasoneofthosehuntingdaysgotupratherfortheladiesthanforthesport.Greatnuisancestheyaretosteady,middle-agedhuntingmen;buttheyoungfellowslikethembecausetheyhavetherebyanopportunityofshowingalltheirsportingfinery,andofdoingalittleflirtationonhorseback.Thebishop,also,hadbeenmindedtobeoftheparty;so,atleast,hehadsaidonthepreviousevening;andaplaceinoneofthecarriageshadbeensetapartforhim;butsincethat,heandMrsProudiehaddiscussedthematterinprivate,andatbreakfasthislordshipdeclaredthathehadchangedhismind.
MrSowerbywasoneofthosemenwhoareknowntobeverypoor——aspoorasdebtcanmakeaman——butwho,nevertheless,enjoyalltheluxurieswhichmoneycangive.ItwasbelievedthathecouldnotliveinEnglandoutofjailbutforhisprotectionasamemberofParliament;andyetitseemedthattherewasnoendtohishorsesandcarriages,hisservantsandretinue.Hehadbeenatthisworkforagreatmanyyears,andpractice,theysay,makesperfect.Suchcompanionsareverydangerous.Thereisnocholera,noyellow-fever,nosmall-pox,morecontagiousthandebt.Ifoneliveshabituallyamongembarrassedmen,onecatchesittoacertainty.NoonehadinjuredthecommunityinthiswaymorefatallythanMrSowerby.Butstillhecarriedonthegamehimself;
andnow,onthismorning,carriagesandhorsesthrongedathisgate,asthoughhewereassubstantiallyrichashisfriendtheDukeofOmnium.
\'Robarts,mydearfellow,\'saidMrSowerby,whentheywerewellunderwaydownoneofthegladesoftheforest,——fortheplacewherethehoundsmetwassomefourorfivemilesfromthehouseofChaldicotes,——\'rideonwithmeamoment.Iwanttospeaktoyou.
AndifIstaybehindweshallnevergettothehounds.\'SoMark,whohadcomeexpresslytoescorttheladies,rodeonalongsideMrSowerbyinhispinkcoat.
\'Mydearfellow,FothergilltellsmethatyouhavesomehesitationaboutgoingtoGatherumCastle.\'
\'Well,Ididdecline,certainly.YouknowIamnotamanofpleasureasyouare.Ihavesomedutiestoattendto.\'
\'Gammon!\'saidMrSowerby;andashesaidit,helookedwithakindofderisivesmileintotheclergyman\'sface.
\'Itiseasyenoughtosaythat,Sowerby;andperhapsIhavenorighttoexpectthatyoushouldunderstandme.\'
\'Ah,butIdounderstandyou;andIsaythatitisgammon.Iwouldbethelastmanintheworldtoridiculeyourscruplesaboutduty,ifthishesitationonyourpartarosefromanysuchscruple.Butanswermehonestly,doyounotknowthatsuchisnotthecase?\'
\'Iknownothingofthekind.\'
\'Ah,butIthinkyoudo.IfyoupersistinrefusingthisinvitationwillitnotbebecauseyouareafraidofmakingLadyLuftonangry?IdonotknowwhattherecanbeinthatwomanthatsheisabletoholdbothyouandLuftoninleading-strings.\'
Robarts,ofcoursedeniedthecharge,andprotestedthathewasnottobetakenbacktohisparsonagebyanyfearofLadyLufton.Butthoughhemadesuchprotestwithwarmth,heknewthathedidsoineffectually.Sowerbyonlysmiled,andsaidthattheproofofthepuddingwasintheeating.
\'Whatisthegoodofamankeepingacurateifitbenottosavehimfromthatsortofdrudgery?\'heasked.
\'Drudgery!IfIwereadrudgehowcouldIbehereto-day?\'
\'Well,Robarts,lookhere.Iamspeakingnow,perhaps,withmoreoftheenergyofanoldfriendthancircumstancesfullywarrant;butI
amanoldermanthanyou,andasIhavearegardforyouIdonotliketoseeyouthrowupagoodgamewhenitisinyourhands.\'
\'Oh,asfarasthatgoes,Sowerby,IneedhardlytellyouthatI
appreciateyourkindness.\'
\'Ifyouareconstant,\'continuedthemanoftheworld,\'toliveatFramleyallyourlife,andtowarmyourselfinthesunshineofthedowagerthere,why,insuchcase,itmayperhapsbeuselessforyoutoextendthecircleofyourfriends;butifyouhavehigherideasthanthose,youwillbeverywrongtoomitthepresentopportunityofgoingtotheduke\'s.Ineverknewthedukegosomuchoutofhiswaytobeciviltoaclergymanashehasdoneinthisinstance.\'
\'IamsureIamverymuchobligedtohim.\'
\'Thefactis,thatyoumay,ifyouplease,makeyourselfpopularinthecounty;butyoucannotdoitbyobeyingLadyLufton\'sbehest.
Sheisadearoldwoman,Iamsure.\'
\'Sheis,Sowerby;andyouwouldsayso,ifyouknewher.\'
\'Idon\'tdoubtit;butitwouldnotdoforyouormetoliveexactlyaccordingtoherideas.Now,here,inthiscase,thebishopofthedioceseistobeoneoftheparty,andhehas,I
believe,expressedawishthatyoushouldbeanother.\'
\'HeaskedmeifIweregoing.\'
\'Exactly;andArchdeaconGrantlywillalsobethere.\'
\'Willhe?\'askedMark.Now,thatwouldbeagreatpointgained,forArchdeaconGrantlywasaclosefriendofLadyLufton.
\'SoIunderstandfromFothergill.Indeed,itwillbeverywrongofyounottogo,andItellyouplainly;andwhatismore,whenyoutalkaboutyourduty——youhavingacurateasyoudohave——why,itisgammon.\'Theselastwordshespokelookingbackoverhisshoulderashestoodupinhisstirrups,forhehadcaughttheeyeofthehuntsman,whowassurroundedbyhishounds,andwasnowtrottingontojoinhim.Duringagreatportionoftheday,MarkfoundhimselfridingbythesideofMrsProudie,asthatladyleanedbackinhercarriage.AndMrsProudiesmiledonhimgraciously,thoughherdaughterwouldnotdoso.MrsProudiewasfondofhavinganattendantclergyman;andasitwasevidentthatMrRobartslivedamongnicepeople——titleddowagers,membersofParliament,andpeopleofthatsort——shewasquitewillingtoinstallhimasasortofhonorarychaplainprotem.
\'I\'lltellyouwhatwehavesettled,MrsHaroldSmithandI,\'saidMrsProudietohim.\'ThislectureatBarchesterwillbesolateonSaturdayevening,thatyouhadallbettercomeanddinewithus.\'
Markbowedandthankedher,anddeclaredthatheshouldbeveryhappytomakeoneofsuchaparty.EvenLadyLuftoncouldnotobjecttothis,althoughshewasnotespeciallyfondofMrsProudie.
\'Andthentheyaretosleepatthehotel.Itwillreallybetoolateforladiestothinkofgoingbacksofaratthistimeoftheyear.ItoldMrsHaroldSmith,andMissDunstable,too,thatwecouldmanagetomakeroomatanyrateforthem.Buttheywillnotleavetheotherladies;sotheygotothehotelforthenight.But,MrRobarts,thebishopwillneverallowyoutostayattheinn,soofcourseyouwilltakeabedatthepalace.\'
ItimmediatelyoccurredtoMarkthatasthelecturewastobegivenonSaturdayevening,thenextmorningwouldbeSunday;and,onthatSunday,hewouldhavetopreachatChaldicotes.\'Ithoughttheywereallgoingtoreturnthesamenight,\'saidhe.
\'Well,theydidintendit;butyouseeMrsSmithisafraid.\'
\'IshouldhavetobebackhereontheSundaymorning,MrsProudie.\'
\'Ah,yes,thatisbad——verybadindeed.NoonedislikesanyinterferencewiththeSabbathanymorethanIdo.Indeed,ifIamparticularaboutanythingitisaboutthat.Butsomeworksareworksofnecessity,MrRobarts;aretheynot?NowyoumustnecessarilybebackatChaldicotesonSundaymorning!\'Andsothematterwassettled.MrsProudiewasveryfirmingeneralinthematterofSabbath-dayobservances;butwhenshehadtodealwithsuchpersonsasMrsHaroldSmith,itwasexpedientthatsheshouldgivewayalittle.\'Youcanstartatnoonasit\'sdaylight,youknow,ifyoulikeit,MrRobarts,\'shesaid.
Therewasnotmuchtoboastofastothehunting,butitwasaverypleasantdayfortheladies.Themenrodeupanddownthegrassroadsthroughthechase,sometimesinthegreatestpossiblehurryasthoughtheynevercouldgoquickenough;andthenthecoachmenwoulddriveveryfastalso,thoughtheydidnotknowwhy,forafastpaceofmovementisanotherofthosecontagiousdiseases.Andthenagainthesportsmenwouldmoveatanundertaker\'space,whenthefoxhadtraversedandthehoundswouldbeatalosstoknowwhichwasthehuntandwhichwastheheel;andthenthecarriageswouldgoslowly,andtheladieswouldstandupandtalk.Andthenthetimeforlunchcame;andaltogetherthedaywentpleasantlyenough.
\'Andsothat\'shunting,isit?\'saidMissDunstable.
\'Yes,that\'shunting,\'saidMrSowerby.
\'IdidnotseeanygentlemendoanythingthatIcouldnotdomyself,excepttherewasoneyoungmanslippedoffintothemud;
andIshouldn\'tlikethat.\'
\'Buttherewasnobreakingofbones,wasthere,mydear?\'saidMrsHaroldSmith.
\'Andnobodycaughtanyfoxes,\'saidMissDunstable.\'Thefactis,MrsSmith,thatIdon\'tthinkmuchmoreoftheirsportthanIdooftheirbusiness.Ishalltaketohuntingapackofhoundsmyselfafterthis.\'
\'Do,mydear,andI\'llbeyourwhipper-in.IwonderwhetherMrsProudiewouldjoinus.\'
\'Ishallbewritingtotheduketo-night,\'saidMrFothergilltoMark,astheywereallridinguptothestable-yardtogether.\'Youwillletmetellhisgracethatyouwillaccepthisinvitation——willyounot?\'
\'Uponmyword,thedukeisverykind,\'saidMark.
\'Heisveryanxioustoknowyou,Icanassureyou,\'saidFothergill.Whatcouldayoungflatteredfoolofaparsondo,butsaythathewouldgo?Markdidsaythathewouldgo;andinthecourseoftheeveninghisfriendMrSowerbycongratulatedhim,andthebishopjokedwithhimandsaidthatheknewthathewouldnotgiveupgoodcompanysosoon;andMissDunstablesaidshewouldmakehimherchaplainassoonasParliamentwouldallowquackdoctorstohavesucharticles——anallusionwhichMarkdidnotunderstand,tillhelearnedthatMissDunstablewasherselftheproprietressofthecelebratedOilofLebanon,inventedbyherlaterespectedfather,andpatentedbyhimwithsuchwonderfulresultsinthewayofaccumulatedfortune;andMrsProudiemadehimquiteoneoftheirparty,talkingtohimaboutallmannerofChurchsubjects;andthenatlast,evenMissProudiesmiledonhim,whenshelearnedthathehadbeenthoughtworthyofabedattheduke\'scastle.Andalltheworldseemedtobeopentohim.
Buthecouldnotmakehimselfhappythatevening.Onthenextmorninghemustwritetohiswife;andhecouldalreadyseethelookofpainfulsorrowwhichwouldfalluponFanny\'sbrowwhenshelearnedthatherhusbandwasgoingtobeaguestattheDukeofOmnium\'s.Andhemusttellhertosendhimmoney,andmoneywasscarce.Andthen,astoLadyLufton,shouldhesendhersomemessage,orshouldhenot?Ineithercasehemustdeclarewaragainsther.AndthendidhenotoweeverythingtoLadyLufton?
Andthusinspiteofallhistriumphshecouldnotgethimselftobedinahappyframeofmind.
Onthenextday,whichwasFriday,hepostponedthedisagreeabletaskofwriting.Saturdaywoulddowell;andonSaturdaymorning,beforetheyallstartedforBarchester,hedidwrite.Andhisletterranasfollows:-
\'Chaldicotes,November,185-
\'DEARESTLOVE,\'YouwillbeastonishedwhenItellyouhowgayweallarehere,andwhatfurtherdissipationsareinstoreforme.TheArabins,asyousupposed,arenotofourparty;
buttheProudiesare——asyousupposedalso.Yoursuppositionsarealwaysright.AndwhatwillyouthinkwhenItellyouthatIamtosleepatthepalaceonSaturday?YouknowthatthereistobealectureinBarchesteronthatday.Well;wemustallgo,ofcourse,asHaroldSmith,oneofoursethere,istogiveit.Andnowitturnsoutthatwecannotgetbacktothehousethesamenightbecausethereisnomoon;andMrsBishopwouldnotallowthatmyclothshouldbecontaminatedbyanhotel;——verykindandconscientious,isitnot?
\'ButIhaveamoreastoundingpieceofnewsforyouthanthis.ThereistobeaverygreatpartyatGatherumCastlenextweek,andtheyhavetalkedmeoverintoacceptinganinvitationwhichthedukesentexpresslytome.Irefusedatfirst;buteverybodyheresaidthatmydoingsowouldbesostrange;andthentheyallwantedtoknowmyreason.WhenIcametorenderit,IdidnotknowwhatreasonIhadtogive.Thebishopisgoing,andhethoughtitveryoddthatIshouldnotgoalso,seeingthatIwasasked.Iknowthatmyowndarlingwillthink,andIknowthatshewillnotbepleased,andImustputoffmydefencetillIreturntoherfromthisogre-land——ifeverIgetbackalive.Butjokingapart,Fanny,IthinkthatIshouldhavebeenwrongtostandout,whensomuchwassaidaboutit.Ishouldhavebeenseemingtotakeuponmyselftositinjudgementupontheduke.Idoubtiftherebeasingleclergymaninthediocese,underfiftyyearsofage,whowouldhaverefusedtheinvitationundersuchcircumstances——unlessitbeCrawley,whoissomadonthesubjectthathethinksitalmostwrongtotakeawalkoutofhisownparish.I
muststayatGatherumCastleoverSundayweek——indeed,weonlygothereonFriday.IhavewrittentoJonesabouthisduties.Icanmakeituptohim,asIknowhewishestogotoWalesatChristmas.Mywanderingswillallbeoverthen,andhemaygoforacoupleofmonthsifhepleases.IsupposeyouwilltakemyclassesintheschoolonSunday,aswellasyourown;butpraymakethemhaveagoodfire.Ifthisbetoomuchforyou,makeMrsPodgenstaketheboys.IndeedIthinkthatwillbebetter.
\'Ofcourseyouwilltellherladyshipofmywhereabouts.
Tellherfromme,thatasregardsthebishop,aswellasregardinganothergreatpersonage,thecolourhasbeenlaidonperhapsalittletoothickly.NotthatLadyLuftonwouldeverlikehim.Makeherunderstandthatmygoingtotheduke\'shousehasalmostbecomeamatterofconsciencewithme.Ihavenotknownhowtomakeitappearthatitwouldberightformetorefuse,withoutabsolutelymakingapartymatterofit.Isawthatitwouldbesaid,thatI,comingfromLadyLufton\'sparish,couldnotgototheDukeofOmnium\'s.ThisIdidnotchoose.
\'IfindthatIshallwantalittlemoneybeforeIleavehere,fiveortenpounds——saytenpounds.Ifyoucannotspareit,getitfromDavis.Heowesmemorethanthat,agooddeal.Andnow,Godblessandpreserveyou,mylove.Kissmydarlingbairnsforpapa,andgivethemmyblessing.
\'Alwaysandeveryourown,\'M.R.\'
Andthentherewaswritten,onanoutsidescrap,whichwasfoldedroundthefull-writtensheetofpaper.\'MakeitassmoothatFramleyCourtaspossible.\'Howeverstrong,andreasonable,andunanswerablethebodyofMark\'slettermayhavebeen,allhishesitation,weakness,doubt,andfear,wereexpressedinthatshortpostscript.
CHAPTERV
AMANTIUMIRAEAMORISINTERGRATIO
Andnow,withmyreader\'sconsent,IwillfollowthepostmanwiththatlettertoFramley;notbyitsowncircuitousrouteindeed,orbythesamemodeofconveyance;forthatletterwentintoBarchesterbytheCourcynightmail-cart,which,onitsroad,passedthroughthevillagesofUffeyandChaldicotes,reachingBarchesterintimefortheup-mailfromLondon.Bythattrain,theletterwassenttowardsthemetropolisasfarasthejunctionoftheBarsetbranchline,butthereitwasturnedinitscourse,andcamedownagainbythemainlineasfarasSilverbridge;atwhichplace,betweensixandseveninthemorning,itwasshoulderedbytheFramleyfootpostmessenger,andinduecoursedeliveredattheFramleyParsonageexactlyasMrsRobartshadfinishedreadingprayerstothefourservants.Or,Ishouldsayrather,thatsuchwouldinitsusualcoursehavebeenthatletter\'sdestiny.Asitwas,however,itreachedSilverbridgeonSunday,andlaytheretilltheMonday,astheFramleypeoplehavedeclinedtheirSundaypost.
Andthenagain,whentheletterwasdeliveredattheparsonage,onthatwetMondaymorning,MrsRobartswasnotathome.Asweareallaware,shewasstayingwithherladyshipatFramleyCourt.
\'Oh,butit\'smortialwet,\'saidtheshiveringpostmanashehandedinthatandthevicar\'snewspaper.ThevicarwasamanoftheworldandtookTheJupiter.
\'Comein,Robinpostman,andwarmtheeselfawhile,\'saidJemimathecook,pushingastoolalittletooneside,butstillwellinfrontofthebigkitchenfire.
\'Well,Idudnajistknowhowit\'llbe.Thewery\'edges\'aseyesandtellsonmeinSilverbridge,ifIsomuchasstepstopickupablackberry.\'
\'Therehain\'tnohedgesher,mon,noryetnoblackberries;sosittheedownandwarmtheeself.That\'sbetternorblackberries,I\'mthinking,\'andshehandedhimabowlofteawithasliceofbutteredtoast.Robinpostmantooktheprofferedtea,puthisdrippinghatontheground,andthankedJemimacook.\'ButIdudnajistknowhowit\'llbe;\'saidhe,\'onlyitdopoursotarmationheavy.\'Whichamongus,Omyreaders,couldhavewithstoodthattemptation?
SuchwasthecircuitouscourseofMark\'sletter;butasitleftChaldicotesonSaturdayeveningandreachedMrsRobartsonthefollowingmorning,orwouldhavedonebutfortheinterveningSunday,doingallperegrinationsduringthenight,itmaybeheldthatitscourseoftransportwasnotinconvenientlyarranged.We,however,willtravelbyamuchshorterroute.Robin,inthecourseofhisdailytravels,passed,firstthepost-officeatFramley,thenFramleyCourtbackentrance,andthenthevicar\'shouse,sothatonthiswetmorningJemimacookwasnotabletomakeuseofhisservicesintransportingtheletterbacktohermistress;forRobinhadgotanothervillagebeforehim,expectantofhisletters.
\'Whydidn\'ttheeleaveit,mon,withMrApplejohnattheCourt?\'MrApplejohnwasthebutlerwhotooktheletter-bag.\'Theeknow\'stashowmissuswasthere.\'AndthenRobin,mindfuloftheteaandtoast,explainedtohercourteouslyhowthelawmadeitimperativeonhimtobringthelettertotheveryhousethatwasindicated,lettheowneroftheletterbewhereshemight;andhelaiddownthelawverysatisfactorilywithsundrylong-wordedquotations.Nottomucheffect,however,forthehousemaidcalledhimanoaf;andRobinwoulddecidedlyhavehadtheworstofithadnotthegardenercomeinandtakenhispart.\'Theywomanknowsnothin\',andunderstandsnothin\',\'saidthegardener.\'Giveusholdoftheletter.I\'lltakeituptothehouse.It\'sthemaster\'sfist.\'
AndthenRobinpostmanwentononeway,andthegardener,hewenttheother.ThegardenerneverdislikedanexcuseforgoingtotheCourtgardens,evenonsowetadayasthis.
MrsRobartswassittingoverthedrawing-roomfirewithLadyMeredith,whenherhusband\'sletterwasbroughttoher.TheFramleyCourtletter-baghadbeendiscussedatbreakfast;butthatwasnownearlyanhoursince,andLadyLufton,aswasherwont,wasawayinherownroom,writingherownletters,andlookingafterherownmatters:forLadyLuftonwasapersonwhodealtinfiguresherself,andunderstoodbusinessalmostaswellasHaroldSmith.
Andonthatmorningshealsohadreceivedaletterwhichhaddispleasedhernotalittle.WhencearosethedispleasureneitherMrsRobartsnorLadyMeredithknew;butherladyship\'sbrowhadgrownblackatbreakfasttime;shehadbundledupanominous-lookingepistleinherbag,withoutspeakingofit,andhadlefttheroomimmediatelythatbreakfastwasover.
\'There\'ssomethingwrong,\'saidSirGeorge.
\'MammadoesfretherselfsomuchaboutLudovic\'smoneymatters,\'
saidLadyMeredith.LudovicwasLordLufton——LudovicLufton,BaronLuftonofLufton,inthecountyofOxfordshire.
\'AndyetIdon\'tthinkLuftongetsmuchastray,\'saidSirGeorge,ashesaunteredoutoftheroom.\'Well,Justy;we\'llputoffgoingthentillto-morrow;butremember,itmustbethefirsttrain.\'
LadyMeredithsaidshewouldremember,andthentheywentintothedrawing-room,andthereMrsRobartsreceivedherletter.Fanny,whenshereadit,hardlyatfirstrealisedtoherselftheideathatherhusband,theclergymanofFramley,thefamilyclericalfriendofLadyLufton\'sestablishment,wasgoingtostaywiththeDukeofOmnium.ItwassothoroughlyunderstoodatFramleyCourtthatthedukeandallbelongingtohim,wasnoxiousanddamnable.HewasaWhig,hewasabachelor,hewasagambler,hewasimmoralineveryway,hewasamanofnoChurchprinciple,acorrupterofyouth,aswornfoeofyoungwives,aswallowerupofsmallmen\'spatrimonies;amanwhommothersfearedfortheirsons,andsistersfortheirbrothers;andworseagain,whomfathershadcausetofearfortheirdaughters,andbrothersfortheirsisters;——amanwho,withhisbelongings,dwelt,andmustdwell,polesasunderfromLadyLuftonandherbelongings!AnditmustberememberedthatalltheseevilthingswerefullybelievedbyMrsRobarts.CoulditreallybethatherhusbandwasgoingtodwellinthehallsofApollyon,toshelterhimselfbeneaththewingsofthisveryLucifer?Acloudofsorrowsettleduponherface,andthenshereadtheletteragainveryslowly,notomittingthetell-talepostscript.
\'Oh,Justinia!\'atlastshesaid.
\'What,haveyougotbadnews,too?\'
\'Ihardlyknowhowtotellyouwhathasoccurred.There;Isupposeyouhadbetterreadit;\'andshehandedherhusband\'sepistletoLadyMeredith——keepingback,however,thepostscript.
\'Whatonearthwillherladyshipdonow?\'saidLadyMeredith,asshefoldedthepaper,andreplaceditintheenvelope.
\'WhathadIbetterdo,Justinia?howhadIbettertellher?\'Andthenthetwoladiesputtheirheadstogether,bethinkingthemselveshowtheymightbestdeprecatethewrathofLadyLufton.IthadbeenarrangedthatMrsRobartsshouldgobacktotheparsonageafterlunch,andshehadpersistedinherintentionafterithadbeensettledthattheMeredithsweretostayoverthatevening.LadyMeredithnowadvisedherfriendtocarryoutthisdeterminationwithoutsayinganythingaboutherhusband\'siniquities,andthentosendtheletteruptoLadyLuftonassoonasshereachedtheparsonage.\'Mammawillneverknowthatyoureceivedithere,\'saidLadyMeredith.ButMrsRobartswouldnotconsenttothis.Suchacourseseemedtohertobecowardly.Sheknewthatherhusbandwasdoingwrong;shefeltthatheknewithimself;butstillitwasnecessarythatsheshoulddefendhim.Howeverterriblemightbethestorm,itmustbreakuponherownhead.SosheatoncewentandtappedatLadyLufton\'sprivatedoor;andasshedidsoLadyMeredithfollowedher.
\'Comein,\'saidLadyLufton,andthevoicedidnotsoundsoftandpleasant.Whentheyentered,theyfoundhersittingatherlittlewriting-table,withherheadrestingonherarm,andthatletterwhichshehadreceivedthatmorningwaslyingopenonthetablebeforeher.Indeedthereweretwolettersnowthere,onefromaLondonlawyertoherself,andtheotherfromhersontothatLondonlawyer.ItneedsonlytobeexplainedthatthesubjectofthoseletterswastheimmediatesaleofthatoutlyingportionoftheLuftonpropertyinOxfordshire,astowhichMrSowerbyoncespoke.
LordLuftonhadtoldthelawyerthatthethingmustbedoneatonce,addingthathisfriendRobartswouldhaveexplainedthewholeaffairtohismother.AndthenthelawyerhadwrittentoLadyLufton,aswasindeednecessary;butunfortunatelyLadyLuftonhadnothithertoheardawordofthematter.Inhereyesthesaleoffamilypropertywashorrible;thefactthatayoungmanwithsomefifteenortwentythousandayearshouldrequiresubsidiarymoneywashorrible;thatherownsonshouldhavenotwrittentoherhimselfwashorrible;anditwasalsohorriblethatherownpet,theclergymanwhomshehadbroughttheretobeherson\'sfriend,shouldbemixedupinthematter;shouldbecognizantofitwhileshewasnotcognizant;shouldbeemployedinitasago-betweenandagentinherson\'sbadcourses.Itwasallhorrible,andLadyLuftonwassittingtherewithablackbrowandanuneasyheart.Asregardedourpoorparson,wemaysaythatinthismatterhewasblameless,exceptthathehadhithertolackedthecouragetoexecutehisfriend\'scommission.
\'Whatisit,Fanny?\'saidLadyLufton,assoonasthedoorwasopened;\'Ishouldhavebeendowninhalfanhourifyouwantedme,Justinia.\'
\'Fannyhasreceivedaletterwhichmakesherwishtospeaktoyouatonce,\'saidLadyMeredith.
\'Whatletter,Fanny?\'PoorFanny\'sheartwasinhermouth;shehelditinherhand,buthadnotyetquitemadeuphermindwhethershewouldshowitboldlytoLadyLufton.\'FromMrRobarts,\'shesaid.
\'Well;IsupposeheisgoingtostayanotherweekatChaldicotes.
FormypartIshouldbeaswellpleased;\'andLadyLufton\'svoicewasnotfriendly,forshewasthinkingofthefarminOxfordshire.
Theimprudenceoftheyoungisverysoretotheprudenceoftheirelders.Nowomancouldbelesscovetous,lessgraspingthanLadyLufton;butthesaleofaportionoftheoldfamilypropertywastoherasthelossofherownheart\'sblood.
\'Hereistheletter,LadyLufton;perhapsyouhadbetterread;\'andFannyhandedittoher,againkeepingbackthepostscript.Shehadreadandre-readtheletterdownstairs,butcouldnotmakeoutwhetherherhusbandhadintendedhertoshowit.Fromthelineoftheargument,shethoughtthathemusthavedoneso.Atanyratehesaidforhimselfmorethanshecouldsayforhim,andso,probably,itwasbestthatherladyshipshouldseeit.LadyLuftontookit,andreadit,andherfacegrewblackerandblacker.Hermindwassetagainstthewriterbeforeshebeganit,andeverywordinittendedtomakeherfeelmoreestrangedfromhim.\'Oh,heisgoingtothepalace,ishe?well;hemustchoosehisownfriends.
HaroldSmithoneoftheparty!It\'sapity,mydear,hedidnotseeMissProudiebeforehemetyou,hemighthavelivedtobethebishop\'schaplain.GatherumCastle!Youdon\'tmeantotellmethatheisgoingthere?ThenItellyoufairly,Fanny,thatIhavedonewithhim.\'
\'Oh,LadyLufton,don\'tsaythat,\'saidMrsRobarts,withtearsinhereyes.
\'Mamma,mamma,don\'tspeakinthatway,\'saidLadyMeredith.
\'But,mydear,whatamItosay?Imustspeakinthatway.Youwouldnotwishmetospeakfalsehoods,wouldyou?Amanmustchooseforhimself,buthecan\'tlivewithtwodifferentsetsofpeople;atleast,notifIbelongtooneandtheDukeofOmniumtotheother.Thebishopgoingindeed!IftherebeanythingthatI
hateishypocrisy.\'
\'Thereisnohypocrisyinthat,LadyLufton.\'
\'ButIsaythereis,Fanny.Verystrange,indeed!\"Putoffhisdefence!\"Whyshouldamanneedanydefencetohiswifeifheactsinastraightforwardway?Hisownlanguagecondemnshim.\"Wrongtostandout!\"Now,willeitherofyoutellmethatMrRobartswouldreallyhavethoughtitwrongtorefusethatinvitation?I
saythatishypocrisy.Thereisnootherwordforit.\'Bythistimethepoorwife,whohadbeenintears,waswipingthemawayandpreparingforaction.LadyLufton\'sextremeseveritygavehercourage.Sheknewthatitbehovedhertofightforherhusbandwhenhewasthusattacked.HadLadyLuftonbeenmoderateinherremarks,MrsRobartswouldnothavehadawordtosay.
\'Myhusbandmayhavebeenill-judged,\'shesaid,\'butheisnohypocrite.\'
\'Verywell,mydear,IdaresayyouknowbetterthanI;buttomeitlooksextremelylikehypocrisy;eh,Justinia?\'
\'Oh,mamma,dobemoderate.\'
\'Moderate!That\'sallverywell.Howisonetomoderateone\'sfeelingswhenonehasbeenbetrayed?\'
\'YoudonotmeanthatMrRobartshasbetrayedyou?\'saidthewife.
\'Oh,no;ofcoursenot.\'Andthenshewentonreadingtheletter:
\'\"Seemtohavebeenstandinginjudgementupontheduke.\"Mighthenotusethesameargumentastogoingintoanyhouseinthekingdom,howeverinfamous?Wemustallstandinjudgementoneuponanotherinthatsense.\"Crawley!\"Yes;ifhewerealittlemorelikeMrCrawleyitwouldbeagoodthingforme,andfortheparish,andforyoutoo,mydear.Godforgivemeforbringinghimhere;that\'sall.\'
\'LadyLufton,Imustsaythatyouareveryharduponhim——veryhard.Ididnotexpectitfromsuchafriend.\'
\'Mydear,yououghttoknowmewellenoughtobesurethatIshallspeakmymind.\"WrittentoJones\"——yes;itiseasyenoughtowritetopoorJones.HehadbetterwritetoJones,andbidhimdothewholeduty.Thenhecangoonandbetheduke\'sdomesticchaplain.\'
\'Ibelievemyhusbanddoesasmuchofhisowndutyasanyclergymaninthewholediocese,\'saidMrsRobarts,nowagainintears.
\'Andyouaretotakehisworkintheschool;youandMrsPodgens.
WhatwithhiscurateandhiswifeandMrsPodgens,Idon\'tseewhyheshouldcomebackatall.\'
\'Oh,mamma,\'saidJustinia,\'pray,praydon\'tbesoharshtoher.\'
\'Letmefinishit,mydear;——oh,hereIcome.\"Tellherladyshipmywhereabouts.\"Helittlethoughtyou\'dshowmethisletter.\'
\'Didn\'the,\'saidMrsRobarts,puttingoutherhandtogetitback,butinvain.\'Ithoughtitwasforthebest;Ididindeed.\'
\'Ihadbetterfinishitnow,ifyouplease.Whatisthis?Howdoeshedaretosendhisribaldjokestomeinsuchamatter?No,IdonotsupposeIevershalllikeDrProudie;Ihaveneverexpectedit.Amatterofconsciencewithhim!Well——well——well.HadInotreaditmyself,Icouldnothavebelieveditofhim.Iwouldnotpositivelyhavebelievedit.\"ComingfrommyparishhecouldnotgototheDukeofOmnium!\"AnditiswhatIwouldwishtohavesaid.PeoplefitforthisparishshouldnotbefitfortheDukeofOmnium\'shouse.AndIhadtrustedthathewouldhavethisfeelingmorestronglythananyoneelseinit.Ihavebeendeceived——that\'sall.\'
\'Hehasdonenothingtodeceiveyou,LadyLufton.\'
\'Ihopehewillnothavedeceivedyou,mydear.\"Moremoney.\"
Thereisyourletter,Fanny.Iamverysorryforit.Icansaynothingmore.\'AndshefoldeduptheletterandgaveitbacktoMrsRobarts.\'Ithoughtitrighttoshowittoyou,\'saidMrsRobarts.
\'Itdidnotmuchmatterwhetheryoudidornot;ofcourseImusthavebeentold.\'
\'Heespeciallybegsmetotellyou.\'
\'Why,yes;hecouldnotverywellhavekeptmeinthedarkonsuchamatter.Hecouldnotneglecthisownwork,andgoandlivewithgamblersandadulterersattheDukeofOmnium\'swithoutmyknowingit.\'AndnowFannyRobarts\'scupwasfull,fulltooverflowing.
WhensheheardthesewordssheforgotallaboutLadyLufton,allaboutLadyMeredith,andrememberedonlyherhusband——thathewasherhusband,and,inspiteofhisfaults,agoodandlovinghusband;——andthatotherfactalsosheremembered,thatshewashiswife.
\'LadyLufton,\'shesaid,\'youforgetyourselfinspeakinginthatwayofmyhusband.\'
\'What!\'saidherladyship;\'youaretoshowmesuchaletterasthat,andIamnottotellyouwhatIthink?\'
\'Notifyouthinksuchhardthingsasthat.Evenyouarenotjustifiedinspeakingtomeinthatway,andIwillnothearit.\'
\'Heighty-tighty!\'saidherladyship.
\'WhetherornoheisrightingoingtotheDukeofOmnium\'s,Iwillnotpretendtojudge.Heisthejudgeofhisownactions,andneitheryounorI.\'
\'Andwhenheleavesyouwiththebutcher\'sbillunpaidandnomoneytobuyshoesforthechildren,whowillbethejudgethen?\'
\'Notyou,LadyLufton.Ifsuchbaddaysshouldevercome——andneitheryounorIhavearighttoexpectthem——Iwillnotcometoyouinmytroubles;notafterthis.\'
\'Verywell,mydear.YoumaygototheDukeofOmniumifthatsuitsyoubetter.\'
\'Fanny,comeaway,\'saidLadyMeredith.\'Whyshouldyoutrytoangermymother?\'
\'Idon\'twanttoangerher;butIwon\'thearhimabusedinthatwaywithoutspeakingupforhim.IfIdon\'tdefendhim,whowill?LadyLuftonhassaidterriblethingsabouthim;andtheyarenottrue.\'
\'Oh,Fanny!\'saidJustinia.
\'Verywell,verywell!\'saidLadyLufton.\'Thisisthesortofreturnonegets.\'
\'Idon\'tknowwhatyoumeanbyreturn,LadyLufton;butwouldyouwishmetostandquietlybyandhearsuchthingssaidofmyhusband?Hedoesnotlivewithsuchpeopleasyouhavenamed.Hedoesnotneglecthisduties.Ifeveryclergymanwereasmuchinhisparish,itwouldbewellforsomeofthem.AndingoingtosuchahouseastheDukeofOmnium\'sitdoesmakeadifferencethathegoesthereincompanywiththebishop.Ican\'texplainwhy,butIknowthatitdoes.\'
\'Especiallywhenthebishopiscoupledwiththedevil,asMrRobartshasdone,\'saidLadyLufton;\'hecanjointhedukewiththemandthenthey\'llstandforthethreeGraces,won\'tthey,Justinia?\'AndLadyLuftonlaughedabitterlittlelaughatherownwit.
\'IsupposeImaygonow,LadyLufton.\'
\'Oh,yes;certainly,mydear.\'
\'IamverysorryifIhavemadeyouangrywithme;butIwillnotallowanyonetospeakagainstMrRobartswithoutansweringthem.
Youhavebeenveryunjusttohim;andeventhoughIdoangeryou,I
mustsayso.\'
\'Come,Fanny,thisistoobad,\'saidLadyLufton.\'Youhavebeenscoldingmeforthelasthalf-hourbecauseIwouldnotcongratulateyouonthisnewfriendthatyourhusbandhasmade,andnowyouaregoingtobeginitalloveragain.ThatismorethanIcanstand.
Ifyouhavenothingelseparticulartosay,youmightaswellleaveme.\'AndLadyLufton\'sfaceasshespokewasunbending,severe,andharsh.MrsRobartshadneverbeforebeensospokentobyheroldfriend;indeed,shehadneverbeensospokentobyanyone,andshehardlyknewhowtobearherself.
\'Verywell,LadyLufton,\'shesaid;\'thenIwillgo.Good-bye.\'
\'Good-bye,\'saidLadyLufton,andturningherselftohertableshebegantoarrangeherpapers.FannyhadneverbeforeleftFramleyCourttogobacktoherownparsonagewithoutawarmembrace.Nowshewastodosowithoutevenhavingherhandshaken.Haditcometothis,thattherewasabsolutelytobeaquarrelbetweenthem——aquarrelforever?\'
\'Fannyisgoing,youknow,mamma,\'saidLadyMeredith.\'Shewillbehomebeforeyouaredownagain.\'
\'Icannothelpit,mydear.Fannymustdoasshepleases.Iamnottobethejudgeofheractions.Shehasjusttoldmeso.\'MrsRobartshadsaidnothingofthekind,butshewasfartooproudtopointthisout.Sowithagentlestepsheretreatedthroughthedoor,andthenLadyMeredith,havingtriedwhataconciliatorywhisperwithhermotherwoulddo,followedher.Alas,theconciliatorywhisperwasaltogetherineffectual.
Thetwoladiessaidnothingastheydescendedthestairs,butwhentheyhadregainedthedrawing-roomtheylookedwithblackhorrorintoeachother\'sfaces.Whatweretheytodonow?Ofsuchatragedyasthistheyhadhadnoremotestpreconception.WasitabsolutelythecasethatFannyRobartswastowalkoutofLadyLufton\'shouseasadeclaredenemy——shewho,beforehermarriageaswellassince,hadbeenalmosttreatedasanadopteddaughterofthefamily?
\'Oh,Fanny,whydidyouanswermymotherinthatway?\'saidLadyMeredith.\'Yousawthatshewasvexed.ShehadotherthingstovexherbesidesthisaboutMrRobarts.\'
\'AndwouldnotyouansweranyonewhoattackedSirGeorge?\'
\'No,notmyownmother.Iwouldlethersaywhatshepleased,andleaveSirGeorgetofighthisownbattles.\'
\'Ah,butitisdifferentwithyou.Youareherdaughter,andSirGeorge——shewouldnotdaretospeakinthatwayastoSirGeorge\'sdoings.\'
\'Indeedshewould,ifitpleasedher.IamsorryIletyougoupthere.\'
\'Itisaswellthatitshouldbeover,Justinia.AsthoseareherthoughtsaboutMrRobarts,itisquiteaswellthatweshouldknowthem.EvenforallthatIowetoher,andalltheloveIbeartoyou,IwillnotcometothishouseifIamtohearmyhusbandabused——notintoanyhouse.\'
\'MydearestFanny,weallknowwhathappenswhentwoangrypeoplegettogether.\'
\'IwasnotangrywhenIwentuptoher;notintheleast.\'
\'Itisnogoodlookingback.Whatarewetodonow?\'
\'IsupposeIhadbettergohome,\'saidMrsRobarts.\'Iwillgoandputmythingsup,andthenIwillsendJamesforthem.\'
\'Waittillafterlunch,andthenyouwillbeabletokissmymotherbeforeyouleaveus.\'
\'No,Justinia;Icannotwait.ImustanswerMrRobartsbythispost,andImustthinkwhatIhavetosaytohim.Icouldnotwritethatletterhere,andthepostgoesatfour.\'AndMrsRobartsgotupfromherchair,preparatorytoherfinaldeparture.
\'Ishallcometoyoubeforedinner,\'saidLadyMeredith;\'andifI
canbringyougoodtidings,Ishallexpectyoutocomebackherewithme.ItisoutofthequestionthatIshouldgoawayfromFramleyleavingyouandmymotherinenmitywitheachother.\'TothisMrsRobartsmadenoanswer;andinaveryfewminutesafterwardsshewasinherownnursery,kissingherchildren,andteachingtheelderonetosaysomethingaboutpapa.But,evenasshetaughthim,thetearsstoodinhereyes,andthelittlefellowknewthateverythingwasnotright.Andthereshesattillabouttwo,doinglittleoddsandendsofthingsforthechildren,andallowingthatoccupationtostandasanexcusetoherfornotcommencingherletter.Butthenthereremainedonlytwohourstoher,anditmightbethattheletterwouldbedifficultinthewriting——wouldrequirethoughtsandchanges,andmustneedsbecopied,perhaps,morethanonce.Astothemoney,thatshehadinthehouse——asmuch,atleast,asMarknowwanted,thoughthesendingofitwouldleavehernearlypenniless.Shecould,however,incaseofpersonalneed,resorttoDavisasdeclaredbyhim.
Soshegotoutherdeskinthedrawing-roomandsatdownandwroteherletter.Itwasdifficultthoughshefoundthatithardlytooksolongassheexpected.Itwasdifficult,forshefeltboundtotellhimthetruth;andyetshewasanxiousnottospoilallhispleasureamonghisfriends.Shetoldhim,however,thatLadyLuftonwasveryangry,\'unreasonablyangry,Imustsay,\'sheputin,inordertoshowthatshehadnotsidedagainsthim.\'And,indeed,wehavequitequarrelled,andthishasmademeunhappy,asitwillyou,dearest;Iknowthat.Butwebothknowhowgoodsheisatheart,andJustiniathinksthatshehadotherthingstotroubleher;andIhopeitwillallbemadeupbeforeyoucomehome;only,dearestMark,praydonotbelongerthanyousaidinyourlastletter.\'Andthentherewerethreeorfourparagraphsaboutthebabies,andtwoabouttheschools,whichImayaswellomit.Shehadjustfinishedherletter,andwascarefullyfoldingitforitsenvelope,withthetwowholefive-poundnotesimprudentlyplacedwithinit,whensheheardafootsteponthegravelpathwhichledupfromasmallwickettothefrontdoor.Thepathrannearthedrawing-roomwindow,andshewasjustintimetocatchaglimpseofthelastfoldofapassingcloak.\'ItisJustinia,\'shesaidtoherself;andherheartbecamedisturbedattheideaofagaindiscussingthemorning\'sadventure.\'WhatamI
todo,\'shehadsaidtoherselfbefore.\'Ifshewantsmetobegherpardon?Iwillnotownbeforeherthatheisinthewrong.\'
Andthenthedooropened——forthevisitormadeherentrancewithouttheaidofanyservant——andLadyLuftonherselfstoodbeforeher.
\'Fanny,\'shesaid,\'Ihavecometobegyourpardon.\'
\'Oh,LadyLufton!\'
\'Iwasverymuchdistressedwhenyoucametomejustnow;——bymorethingsthanone,mydear.But,nevertheless,IshouldnothavespokentoyouofyourhusbandasIdid,andsoIhavecometobegyourpardon.\'MrsRobartswaspastansweringbythetimethatthiswassaid,atleastinwords;soshejumpedup,andwithhereyesfulloftears,threwherselfintoheroldfriend\'sarms.\'Oh,LadyLufton!\'shesobbedforthagain.
\'Youwillforgiveme,won\'tyou?\'saidherladyship,asshereturnedheryoungfriend\'scaress.\'Well,that\'sright.Ihavenotbeenatallhappysinceyouleftmydenthismorning,andI
don\'tsupposeyouhave.But,Fanny,dearest,weloveeachothertoowell,andknoweachothertoothoroughly,tohavealongquarrel,don\'twe?\'
\'Oh,yes,LadyLufton.\'
\'Ofcoursewedo.Friendsarenottobepickedupontheroad-sideeveryday;noraretheytobethrownawaylightly.Andnowsitdown,mylove,andletushavealittletalk.There,Imusttakemybonnetoff.Youhavepulledthestringssothatyouhavealmostchokedme.\'AndLadyLuftondepositedherbonnetonthetable,andseatedherselfcomfortablyinthecornerofthesofa.
\'Mydear,\'shesaid,\'thereisnodutywhichanywomanowestoanyotherhumanbeingatallequaltothatwhichsheowestoherhusband,and,therefore,youwerequiterighttostandupforMrRobartsthismorning.\'UponthisMrsRobartssaidnothing,butshegotherhandwithinthatofherladyship\'s,andgaveitaslightsqueeze.
\'AndIlovedyouforwhatyouweredoing,allthetime.Idid,mydear,thoughyouwerealittlefierce,youknow.EvenJustiniaadmitsthat,andshehasbeenatmeeversinceyouwentaway.And,indeed,Ididnotknowthatitwasinyoutolookinthatwayoutofthoseprettyeyesofyours.\'
\'Oh,LadyLufton!\'
\'ButIlookedfierceenoughmyself,Idaresay,sowe\'llsaynothingmoreaboutthat;willwe?Butnow,aboutthisgoodmanofyours.\'
\'DearLadyLufton,youmustforgivehim.\'
\'Well,asyouaskme,Iwill.We\'llhavenothingmoresaidabouttheduke,eithernoworwhenhecomesback;notaword.Letmesee——he\'stobeback;——whenisit?\'
\'Wednesdayweek,Ithink.\'
\'Ah,Wednesday.Well,tellhimtocomeanddineupatthehouseonWednesday.He\'llbeintime,Isuppose,andthereshan\'tbeawordsaidaboutthishorridduke.\'
\'Iamsomuchobligedtoyou,LadyLufton.\'
\'Butlookhere,mydear;believemehe\'sbetteroffwithoutsuchfriends.\'
\'Oh,Iknowheis;muchbetteroff.\'
\'Well,I\'mgladyouadmitthat,forIthoughtyouseemedtobeinfavouroftheduke.\'
\'Oh,no,LadyLufton.\'
\'That\'sright,then.Andnow,ifyou\'lltakemyadvice,you\'lluseyourinfluence,asgood,dearsweetwife,asyouare,topreventhisgoingthereanymore.I\'manoldwomanandheisayoungman,andit\'sverynaturalthatheshouldthinkmebehindthetimes.I\'mnotangryaboutthat.Buthe\'llfindthatit\'sbetterforhim,betterforhimineveryway,tosticktohisoldfriends.Itwillbebetterforhispeaceofmind,betterforhischaracterasaclergyman,betterforhispocket,betterforhischildren,andforyou——andbetterforhiseternalwelfare.Thedukeisnotsuchacompanionasheshouldseek;——nor,ifheissought,shouldheallowhimselftobeledaway.\'AndthenLadyLuftonceased,andFannyRobartskneelingatherfeetsobbed,withherfacehiddeninherfriend\'sknees.Shehadnotawordnowtosayastoherhusband\'scapabilityofjudgingforhimself.
\'AndnowImustbegoingagain;butJustiniahasmademepromise——promise,mindyou,mostsolemnly,thatIwouldhaveyoubacktodinnerto-night,——byforceifnecessary.ItwastheonlywayIcouldmakemypeacewithher;soyoumustnotleavemeinthelurch.\'OfcourseFannysaidthatshewouldgoanddineatFramleyCourt.
\'Andyoumustnotsendthatletter,byanymeans,\'saidherladyship,asshewasleavingtheroom,pokingwithherumbrellaattheepistle,whichlaydirectedonMrsRobarts\'sdesk.\'Icanunderstandwellwhatitcontains.Youmustalteritaltogether,mydear.\'AndthenLadyLuftonleft.
MrsRobartsinstantlyrushedtoherdeskandtoreopentheletter.
Shelookedatherwatchanditwaspastfour.Shehadhardlybegunwhenthepostmancame.\'Oh,Mary,\'shesaid,\'domakehimwait.Ifhe\'llwaitaquarterofanhour,I\'llgivehimashilling.\'
\'There\'snoneedofthat,ma\'am.Lethimhaveaglassofbeer.\'
\'Verywell,Mary;butdon\'tgivehimtoomuch,forfearheshoulddropthelettersabout.I\'llbereadyintenminutes.\'Andinfiveminutesshehadscrawledaverydifferentsortofletter.Buthemightwantthemoneyimmediately,soshewouldnotdelayitaday.
CHAPTERVI
MRHAROLDSMITH\'SLECTURE
OnthewholethepartyatChaldicoteswasverypleasantandthetimepassedawayquicklyenough.MrRobarts\'schieffriendthere,independentlyofMrSowerby,wasMissDunstable,whoseemedtotakeagreatfancytohim,whereasshewasnotveryaccessibletotheblandishmentsofMrSupplehouse,normoreespeciallycourteoustoherhostthangoodmannersrequiredofher.ButthenMrSupplehouseandMrSowerbywerebothbachelors,whileMarkRobartswasamarriedman.WithMrSowerbyRobartshadmorethanonecommunicationrespectingLordLuftonandhisaffairs,whichhewouldwillinglyhaveavoidedhaditbeenpossible.Sowerbywasoneofthosemenwhoarealwaysmixingupbusinesswithpleasure,andwhohaveusuallysomeschemeintheirmindwhichrequiresforwarding.Menofthisclasshave,asarule,nodailywork,noregularroutineoflabour;butitmaybedoubtedwhethertheydonottoilmuchmoreincessantlythanthosewhohave.
\'Luftonissodilatory,\'MrSowerbysaid.\'Whydidhenotarrangethisatonce,whenhepromisedit?AndthenheisafraidofthatoldwomanatFramleyCourt.Well,mydearfellow,saywhatyouwill;sheisanoldwoman,andshe\'llneverbeyounger.ButdowritetoLufton,andtellhimthatthisdelayisinconvenienttome;he\'lldoanythingforyou,Iknow.\'Marksaidthathewouldwrite,and,indeed,hedidso;buthedidnotatfirstlikethetoneoftheconversationintowhichhewasdragged.ItwasverypainfultohimtohearLadyLuftoncalledanoldwoman,andhardlylesssotodiscusstheproprietyofLordLufton\'spartingwithhisproperty.Thiswasirksometohim,tillhabitmadeiteasy.Butbydegreeshisfeelingsbecamelessacute,andheaccustomedhimselftohisfriendSowerby\'smodeoftalking.
AndthenonSaturdaytheywentovertoBarchester.HaroldSmithduringthelastforty-eighthourshadbecomecrammedtooverflowingwithSarawak,Labuan,NewGuinea,andtheSalomonIslands.Asisthecasewithallmenlabouringundertemporaryspecialities,heforthetimehadfaithinnothingelse,andwasnotcontentthatanyonenearhimshouldhaveanyotherfaith.TheycalledhimViscountPapuaandBaronBorneo;andhiswife,whoheadedthejokeagainsthim,insistedonhavinghertitle.MissDunstablesworethatshewouldwednonebutaSouthSeaIslander;andtoMarkwasofferedtheincomeanddutiesofBishopofSpices.NordidtheProudiefamilysetthemselvesagainsttheselittlesarcasticquipswithanyoverwhelmingseverity.Itissweettounbendoneselfattheproperopportunity,andthiswastheproperopportunityforMrsProudie\'sunbending.Nomortalcanbeseriouslywiseatallhours;andinthesehappyhoursdidthatusuallywisemortal,thebishop,layasideforawhilehisseriouswisdom.
\'Wethinkofdiningatfiveto-morrow,myLadyPapua,\'saidthefacetiousbishop;\'willthatsuithislordshipandtheaffairsofstate?he,he,he!\'Andthegoodprelatelaughedatthefun.Howpleasantlyyoungmenandwomenoffiftyorthereaboutscanjokeandflirtandpoketheirfunabout,laughingandholdingtheirsides,dealinginlittleinnuendoesandrejoicinginnicknames,whentheyhavenoMentorsoftwenty-fiveorthirtyyearsnearthemtokeeptheminorder!ThevicarofFramleymightperhapshavebeenregardedassuchaMentor,wereitnotforthatcapabilityofadaptinghimselftothecompanyimmediatelyaroundhimonwhichhesomuchpiquedhimself.HethereforealsotalkedtomyLadyPapua,andwasjocoseabouttheBaron——notaltogethertothesatisfactionofMrHaroldSmithhimself.ForMrHaroldSmithwasinearnest,anddidnotquiterelishthesejocundities.HehadanideathathecouldinaboutthreeminutestalktheBritishworldintocivilizingNewGuinea,andthattheworldofBarsetshirewouldbemadetogowithhimbyonenight\'sefforts.Hedidnotunderstandwhyothersshouldbelessserious,andwasinclinedtoresentsomewhatstifflytheamenitiesofourfriendMark.
\'WemustnotkeeptheBaronwaiting,\'saidMark,astheywerepreparingtostartforBarchester.
\'Idon\'tknowwhatyoumeanbytheBaron,sir,\'saidHaroldSmith.
\'Butperhapsthejokewillbeagainstyou,whenyouaregettingupinyourpulpitto-morrow,andsendingthehatroundamongtheclod-hoppersofChaldicotes.\'
\'Thosewholiveinglasshousesshouldn\'tthrowstones,eh,Baron?\'
saidMissDunstable.\'MrRobarts\'ssermonwillbetoonearakintoyourlecturetoallowofhislaughing.\'
\'Ifwecandonothingtowardsinstructingtheouterworldtillit\'sdonebytheparsons,\'saidHaroldSmith,\'theouterworldwillhavetowaitalongtime,Ifear.\'
\'NobodycandoanythingofthatkindshortofamemberofParliamentandwould-beminister,\'whisperedMrsHarold.Andsotheywereallverypleasanttogether,inspiteofalittlefencingwithedge-tools,andatthreeo\'clockthecortegeofcarriagesstartedforBarchester,thatofthebishop,ofcourse,leadingtheway.Hislordship,however,wasnotinit.
\'MrsProudie,I\'msureyou\'llletmegowithyou,\'saidMissDunstable,atthelastmoment,asshecamedownthebigstonesteps.\'IwanttoheartherestofthatstoryaboutMrSlope.\'Nowthisupseteverything.Thebishopwastohavegonewithhiswife,MrsSmith,andMarkRobarts;andMrSowerbyhadsoarrangedmattersthathecouldhaveaccompaniedMissDunstableinhisphaeton.ButnooneeverdreamedofdenyingMissDunstableanything.OfcourseMarkgaveway;butitendedinthebishopdeclaringthathehadnospecialpredilectionforhisowncarriage,whichhedidincompliancewithaglancefromhiswife\'seye.Thenotherchangesofcoursefollowed,and,atlast,MrSowerbyandHaroldSmithwerethejointoccupantsofthephaeton.Thepoorlecturer,asheseatedhimselfmadesomeremarksuchasthosehehadbeenmakingforthelasttwodays——foroutofafullheartthemouthspeaketh.
Buthespoketoanimpatientlistener.\'D——theSouthSeaIslanders,\'saidMrSowerby.\'You\'llhaveitallyourownwayinafewmoments,likeabullinachina-shop;butforHeaven\'ssakeletushavealittlepeacetillthattimecomes.\'ItappearedthatMrSowerby\'slittleplanofhavingMissDunstableforhiscompanionwasnotquiteinsignificant;and,indeed,itmaybesaidthatbutfewofhislittleplanswereso.Atthepresentmomentheflunghimselfbackinthecarriageandpreparedforsleep.Hecouldfurthernoplanofhisbyatete-a-teteconversationwithhisbrother-in-law.AndthenMrsProudiebeganherstoryaboutMrSlope,orratherrecommencedit.Shewasveryfondoftalkingaboutthisgentleman,whohadoncebeenherpetchaplain,butwasnowherbitterestfoe;andintellingherstory,shehadsometimestowhispertoMissDunstable,fortherewereoneortwofie-fielittleanecdotesaboutamarriedlady,notaltogetherfitforyoungMrRobarts\'sears.ButMrsHaroldSmithinsistedonhavingthemoutloud,andMissDunstablewouldgratifythatladyinspiteofMrsProudie\'swinks.
\'What,kissingherhand,andheaclergyman!\'saidMissDunstable.
\'Ididnotthinktheyeverdidsuchthings,MrRobarts.\'
\'Stillwatersrundeep,\'saidMrsHaroldSmith.
\'Hush-h-h,\'looked,ratherthanspoke,MrsProudie.\'Thegriefofspiritwhichthatbadmancausedmenearlybrokemyheart,andallthewhile,youknow,hewascourting——\'andthenMrsProudiewhisperedaname.
\'What,thedean\'swife?\'shoutedMissDunstable,inavoicewhichmadethecoachmaninthenextcarriagegiveachucktohishorseasheoverheardher.
\'Thearchdeacon\'ssister-in-law!\'screamedMrsHaroldSmith.
\'Whatmighthehavenotattemptednext?\'saidMissDunstable.
\'Shewasn\'tthedean\'swifethen,youknow,\'saidMrsProudie,explaining.
\'Well,youareagaysetinthechapter,Imustsay,\'saidMissDunstable.\'YououghttomakeoneoftheminBarchester,MrRobarts.\'
\'OnlyperhapsMrsRobartsmightnotlikeit,\'saidMrsHaroldSmith.
\'Andthentheschemeswhichhetriedonwiththebishop!\'saidMrsProudie.
\'It\'sallfairinloveandwar,youknow,\'saidMissDunstable.
\'Buthelittleknewwhomhehadtodealwithwhenhebeganthat,\'
saidMrsProudie.
\'Thebishopwastoomanyforhim,\'suggestedMrsHaroldSmith,verymaliciously.
\'Thebishopwasnot,somebodyelsewas;andhewasobligedtoleaveBarchesterinutterdisgrace.Hehassincemarriedthewifeofsometallow-chandler.\'
\'Thewife!\'saidMissDunstable.\'Whataman!\'
\'Thewidow,Imean;butit\'sallonetohim.\'
\'ThegentlemanwasclearlybornwhenVenuswasintheascendant,\'
saidMrsSmith.\'Youclergymenusuallyare,Ibelieve,MrRobarts.\'SothatMrsProudie\'scarriagewasbynomeansthedullestastheydroveintoBarchesterthatday;andbydegreesourfriendMarkbecameaccustomedtohiscompanions,andbeforetheyreachedthepalaceheacknowledgedtohimselfthatMissDunstablewasverygoodfun.Wecannotlingeroverthebishop\'sdinner,thoughitwasverygoodofitskind;andasMrSowerbycontrivedtositnexttoMissDunstable,therebyoverturningalittleschememadebyMrSupplehouse,heagainshoneforthinuncloudedgoodhumour.ButMrHaroldSmithbecameimpatientimmediatelyonthewithdrawalofthecloth.Thelecturewastobeginatseven,andaccordingtohiswatchthathourhadalreadycome.HedeclaredthatSowerbyandSupplehousewereendeavouringtodelaymattersinorderthattheBarchesteriansmightbecomevexedandimpatient;andsothebishopwasnotallowedtoexercisehishospitalityintrueepiscopalfashion.
\'Youforget,Sowerby,\'saidSupplehouse,\'thattheworldhereforthelastfortnighthasbeenlookingforwardtonothingelse.\'
\'Theworldshallbegratifiedatonce,\'saidMrsHarold,obeyingalittlenodfromMrsProudie.\'Come,mydear,\'andshetookholdofMissDunstable\'sarm,\'don\'tletuskeepBarchesterwaiting.Weshallbereadyinaquarterofanhour,shallwenot,MrsProudie?\'
andsotheysailedoff.
\'Andweshallhavetimeforoneglassofclaret,saidthebishop.
\'There;that\'ssevenbythecathedral,\'saidHaroldSmith,jumpingupfromhischairasheheardtheclock.\'Ifthepeoplehavecomeitwouldnotberightinmetokeepthemwaiting,andIshallgo.\'
\'Justoneglassofclaret,MrSmith,andwe\'llbeoff,\'saidthebishop.
\'Thosewomenwillkeepmehalfanhour,\'saidHarold,fillinghisglass,anddrinkingitstanding.\'Theydoitonpurpose.\'
ItwasratherlatewhentheyallfoundthemselvesinthebigroomoftheMechanic\'sInstitute;butIdonotknowwhetherthisonthewholedidanyharm.MostofMrSmith\'shearers,exceptingthepartyfromthepalace,wereBarchestertradesmenwiththeirwivesandfamilies;andtheywaited,notimpatiently,forthebigpeople.Andthenthelecturewasgratis,afactwhichisalwaysborneinmindbyanEnglishman,whenhecomestoreckonupandcalculatethewayinwhichheistreated.Whenhepayshismoney,thenhetakeshischoice;hemaybeimpatientornotashelikes.
Hissenseofjusticeteacheshimsomuch,andinaccordancewiththatsenseheusuallyacts.Sothepeopleonthebenchesrosegraciouslywhenthepalacepartyenteredtheroom.Seatsforthemhadbeenkeptinthefront.Therewerethreearm-chairs,whichwerefilled,aftersomelittlehesitation,bythebishop,MrsProudie,andMissDunstable——MrsSmithpositivelydecliningtotakeoneofthem;though,assheadmitted,herrankasLadyPapuaoftheislandsdidgivehersomeclaim.Andthisremark,asitwasmadequiteoutloud,reachedMrSmith\'searsashestoodbehindalittletableonasmallraiseddais,holdinghiswhitekidgloves;anditannoyedhimandratherputhimout.HedidnotlikethatjokeaboutLadyPapua.Andthentheothersofthepartysatuponafrontbenchcoveredwithredcloth.\'Weshallfindthisveryhardandverynarrowaboutthesecondhour,\'saidMrSowerby,andMrSmithonhisdaisagainoverheardthewords,anddashedhisglovesdowntothetable.Hefeltthatalltheroomwouldhearit.
Andtherewereoneortwogentlemenonthesecondseatwhoshookhandswithsomeofourparty.TherewasMrThorneofUllathorne,agood-naturedoldbachelor,whoseresidencewasnearenoughtoBarchestertoallowofhiscominginwithoutmuchpersonalinconvenience;andnexttohimwasMrHarding,anoldclergymanofthechapter,withwhomMrsProudieshookhandsverygraciously,makingwayforhimtoseathimselfclosebehindherifhewouldsoplease.ButMrHardingdidnotsoplease.HavingpaidhisrespectstothebishophereturnedquietlytothesideofhisoldfriendMrThorne,therebyangeringMrsProudie,asmighteasilybeseenbyherface.AndMrChadwickalsowasthere,theepiscopalmanofbusinessforthediocese;buthealsoadheredtothetwogentlemenabovenamed.Andnowthatthebishopandtheladieshadtakentheirplace,MrHaroldSmithhummedthreetimesdistinctly,andthenbegan.
\'Itwas,\'hesaid,\'themostpeculiarcharacteristicofthepresenteraintheBritishislandsthatthosewhowerehighplacedbeforetheworldinrank,wealth,andeducationwerewillingtocomeforwardandgivetheirtimeandknowledgewithoutfeeorreward,fortheadvantageandameliorationofthosewhodidnotstandsohighinthesocialscale.\'Andthenhepausedforamoment,duringwhichMrsSmithremarkedtoMissDunstablethatthatwasprettywellforabeginning;andMissDunstablereplied,\'thatasforherselfshefeltverygratefultorank,wealthandeducation.\'MrSowerbywinkedtoMrSupplehouse,whoopenedhiseyesverywideandshruggedhisshoulders.ButtheBarchesterianstookitallingoodpartandgavethelecturertheapplauseoftheirhandsandfeet.
Andthen,wellpleased,herecommenced——\'Idonotmaketheseremarkswithreferencetomyself——\'
\'Ihopehe\'snotgoingtobemodest,\'saidMissDunstable.
\'Itwillbequitenewifheis,\'repliedMrsSmith.
\'——somuchastomanynobleandtalentedlordsandmembersoftheLowerHousewhohavelatelyfromtimetotimedevotedthemselvestothisgoodwork.\'AndthenhewentthroughalonglistofpeersandmembersofParliament,beginning,ofcourse,withLordBoanerges,andendingwithMrGreenWalker,ayounggentlemanwhohadlatelybeenreturnedbyhisuncle\'sinterferencefortheboroughofCreweJunction,andhadimmediatelymadehisentranceintopubliclifebygivingalectureonthegrammariansoftheLatinlanguageasexemplifiedatEtonSchool.\'Onthepresentoccasion,\'MrSmithcontinued,\'ourobjectistolearnsomethingastothosegrandandmagnificentislandswhichliefaraway,beyondtheIndies,intheSouthernOcean;thelandsofwhichproducerichspicesandgloriousfruits,andwhoseseasareembeddedwithpearlsandcorals——PapuaandthePhilippines,BorneoandtheMoluccas.Myfriends,youarefamiliarwithyourmaps,andyouknowthetrackwhichtheequatormakesforitselfthroughthosedistantoceans.\'Andthenmanyheadswereturneddown,andtherewasarustleofleaves;fornotafewofthose\'whostoodnotsohighinthesocialscale\'hadbroughttheirmapswiththem,andrefreshedtheirmemoriesastothewhereaboutsofthosewondrousislands.
AndthenMrSmithalso,withamapinhishand,andpointingoccasionallytoanotherlargemapwhichhungagainstthewall,wentintothegeographyofthematter.\'Wemighthavefoundthatoutfromouratlases,Ithink,withoutcomingallthewaytoBarchester,\'saidthatunsympathetichelpmateMrsHarold,verycruelly——mostillogicallytoo,fortherebesomanythingswhichwecouldfindoutourselvesbysearch,butwhichweneverdofindoutunlesstheybespeciallytoldtous;andwhyshouldnotthislatitudeandlongitudeofLabuanbeone——orrathertwoofthesethings?Andthen,whenhehaddulymarkedthepathofthelinethroughBorneo,Celebes,andGilolo,throughtheMacassarStraitandtheMoluccapassage,MrHaroldSmithrosetoahigherflight.
\'Butwhat,\'saidhe,\'availsallthatGodcangivetoman,unlessmanwillopenhishandtoreceivethegift?Andwhatisthisopeningofthehandbuttheprocessofcivilization——yes,myfriends,theprocessofcivilization?TheseSouthSeaislandershaveallthatakindProvidencecanbestowonthem;butthatallisasnothingwithouteducation.Thateducationandthatcivilizationitisforyoutobestowuponthem——yes,myfriends,foryou;foryou,citizensofBarchesterasyouare.\'Andthenhepausedagain,inorderthatthefeetandhandsmightgotowork.Thefeetandhandsdidgotowork,duringwhichMrSmithtookaslightdrinkofwater.Hewasnowquiteinhiselement,andhadgotintotheproperwayofpunchingthetablewithhisfists.AfewwordsdroppingfromMrSowerbydidnowandagainfindtheirwaytohisears,butthesoundofhisownvoicehadbroughtwithittheaccustomedcharm,andheranonfromplatitudetotruism,andfromtruismbacktoplatitude,withaneloquencethatwascharmingtohimself.
\'Civilization,\'heexclaimed,liftinghiseyesandhishandstotheceiling.\'OCivilization——\'
\'Therewillnotbeachanceforusnowforthenexthourandahalf,\'saidMrSupplehouse,groaning.HaroldSmithcastoneeyedownathim,butitimmediatelyflewbacktotheceiling.