\'Nowitain\'tnouseinlife,MrSowerby,\'Tozerhadsaid.\'Iain\'tgotthepapermyself,nordidn\'tholdit,nottwohours.ItwentawaythroughTomTozer;youknowsthat,MrSowerby,aswellasI
do.\'Now,wheneverTozer,MrSowerby\'sTozer,spokeofTomTozer,MrSowerbyknewthatsevendevilswerebeingevoked,eachworsethanthefirstdevil.MrSowerbydidfeelsomethinglikesincereregard,orratherlove,forthatpoorparsonwhomheinveigledintomischief,andwouldfainsavehim,ifitwerepossible,fromtheTozerfang.MrForrest,oftheBarchesterbank,wouldprobablytakeupthatlastfivehundredpoundbill,onbehalfofMrRobarts,——onlyitwouldbeneedfulthathe,Sowerby,shouldrundownandseethatitwasproperlydone.Astotheotherbill——theformerandlesserone——astothat,MrTozerwouldprobablybequietforawhile.SuchhadbeenSowerby\'sprogrammeforthesetwodays;butnow——whatfurtherpossibilitywastherenowthatheshouldcareforRobarts,oranyotherhumanbeing;hethatwastobesweptawayatonceintothedung-heap?InthisframeofmindhewalkedupSouthAudleyStreet,andcrossedonesideofGrosvenorSquare,andwentalmostmechanicallyintoGreenStreet.AtthefartherendofGreenStreet,neartoParkLane,livedMrandMrsHaroldSmith.
CHAPTERXXVIII
DRTHORNE
WhenMissDunstablemetherfriendstheGreshams——youngFrankGreshamandhiswife——atGatherumCastle,sheimmediatelyaskedafteroneDrThorne,whowasMrsGresham\'suncle.DrThornewasanoldbachelor,inwhombothasamanandadoctorMissDunstablewasinclinedtoplacemuchconfidence.NotthatshehadeverentrustedthecureofherbodilyailmentstoDrThorne——forshekeptadoctorofherown,DrEasyman,forthispurpose——anditmaymoreoverbesaidthatsherarelyhadbodilyailmentsrequiringthecareofanydoctor.ButshealwaysspokeofDrThorneamongherfriendsasamanofwonderfuleruditionandjudgement;andhadonceortwiceaskedandactedonhisadviceinmattersofmuchmoment.DrThornewasnotamanaccustomedtotheLondonworld;hekeptnohousethere,andseldomevenvisitedthemetropolis;butMissDunstablehadknownhimatGreshamsbury,wherehelived,andtherehadforsomemonthspastgrownupaconsiderableintimacybetweenthem.Hewasnowstayingatthehouseofhisniece,MrsGresham;butthechiefreasonofhiscominguphadbeenadesireexpressedbyMissDunstable,thatheshoulddoso.Shehadwishedforhisadvice;
andattheinstigationofhisniecehehadvisitedLondonandgivenit.ThespecialpieceofbusinessastowhichDrThornehadthusbeensummonedfromthebedsideofLadyArabellaGresham,towhosesonhisniecewasmarried,relatedtocertainlargemoneyinterests,astowhichonemighthaveimaginedthatDrThorne\'sadvicewouldnotbepeculiarlyvaluable.Hehadneverbeenmuchversedinsuchmattersonhisownaccount,andwasknowingneitherinthewaysofthesharemarket,norinthepricesofland.ButMissDunstablewasaladyaccustomedtohaveherownway,andtobeindulgedinherownwisheswithoutbeingcalledontogiveadequatereasonsforthem.\'Mydear,\'shesaidtoyoungMrsGresham,\'ifyouruncledon\'tcomeuptoLondonnow,whenImakesuchapointofit,Ishallthinkthatheisabearandasavage;andI
certainlywillneverspeaktohimagain,——ortoFrank——ortoyou;
soyouhadbetterseetoit.\'MrsGreshamhadnotprobablytakenherfriend\'sthreatasmeaningquiteallthatitthreatened.MissDunstablehabituallyusedstronglanguage;andthosewhoknewherwell,generallyunderstoodwhenshewastobetakenasexpressingherthoughtsbyfiguresofspeech.Inthisinstanceshehadnotmeantitatall;but,nevertheless,MrsGreshamhadusedviolentinfluenceinbringingthepoordoctoruptoLondon.\'Besides,\'
saidMissDunstable,\'Ihaveresolvedonhavingthedoctoratmyconversazione,andifhewon\'tcomeofhimself,Ishallgodownandfetchhim.IhavesetmyheartontrumpingmydearfriendMrsProudie\'sbestcard;soImeantogeteverybody!\'
Theupshotofallthiswas,thatthedoctordidcomeuptotown,andremainedthebestpartofaweekathisniece\'shouseinPortmanSquare——tothegreatdisgustofLadyArabella,whoconceivedthatshemustdieifneglectedforthreedays.Astothematterofbusiness,Ihavenodoubtbutthathewasofgreatuse.
Hewaspossessedofcommonsenseandanhonestpurpose;andIaminclinedtothinkthattheyareoftenasufficientcounterpoisetoconsiderableamountofworldlyexperiencealso——!True!butthenitisdifficulttogeteverything.Butwiththatspecialmatterofbusinessweneednothaveanyfurtherconcern.Wewillpresumeittohavebeendiscussedandcompleted,andwillnotdressourselvesforMissDunstable\'sconversazione.ButitmustnotbesupposedthatshewassopooringeniusastocallherpartyopenlybyanameborrowedforthenoncefromMrsProudie.Itwasonlyamongherspeciallyintimatefriends,MrsHaroldSmithandsomefewdozenothers,thatsheindulgedinthislittlejoke.Therehadbeennothingintheleastpretentiousaboutthecardwithwhichshesummonedherfriendstoherhouseonthisoccasion.Shehadmerelysignifiedinsomeordinaryway,thatshewouldbegladtoseethemassoonafternineo\'clockonThursdayevening,the——instant,asmightbeconvenient.ButalltheworldunderstoodthatalltheworldwastobegatheredtogetheratMissDunstable\'shouseonthenightinquestion——thataneffortwastobemadetobringtogetherpeopleofallclasses,godsandgiants,saintsandsinners,thoserabidthroughthestrengthoftheirmorality,suchasourdearfriendLadyLufton,andthosewhowererabidintheoppositedirection,suchasLadyHartletop,theDukeofOmnium,andMrSowerby.AnorthodoxmartyrhadbeencaughtfromtheEast,andanoilylatter-dayStPaul,fromtheothersideofthewater——tothehorrorandamazementofArchdeaconGrantly,whohadcomeupallthewayfromPlumsteadtobepresentontheoccasion.MrsGrantlyalsohadhankeredtobethere;butwhensheheardofthepresenceofthelatter-dayStPaul,shetriumphedloudlyoverherhusband,whohadmadenooffertotakeher.ThatLordsBrockandDeTerrierweretobeatthegatheringwasnothing.Thepleasantkingofthegodsandthecourtlychiefofthegiantscouldshakehandswitheachotherinanyhousewiththegreatestpleasure;butmenweretomeetwho,inreferencetoeachother,couldshakenothingbuttheirheadsortheirfists.Supplehousewastobethere,andHaroldSmith,whonowhatedtheenemywithahatredsurpassingthatofwomen——orevenofpoliticians.Theminorgods,itwasthought,wouldcongregatetogetherinoneroom,verybitterintheirpresentstateofbanishment;andtheminorgiantsinanother,terriblyloudintheirtriumph.Thatisthefaultofthegiants,who,otherwise,arenotbadfellows;theyareunabletoenduretheweightofanytemporarysuccess.WhenattemptingOlympus——andthisworkofattemptingisdoubtlesstheirnaturalcondition——theyscratchandscramble,diligentlyusingbothtoesandfingers,withamixtureofgood-humouredvirulenceandself-satisfiedindustrythatisgratifyingtoallparties.But,whenevertheireffortsareunexpectedly,andforthemselvesunfortunatelysuccessful,theyaresotakenabackthattheylosethepowerofbehavingthemselveswithevengigantesquepropriety.
Such,sogreatandsovarious,wastobetheintendedgatheringatMissDunstable\'shouse.Sheherselflaughed,andquizzedherself——speakingoftheaffairtoMrsHaroldSmithasthoughitwereanexcellentjoke,andtoMrsProudieasthoughsheweresimplyemulousofrivallingthoseworld-famousassembliesofGloucesterPlace;butthetownatlargeknewthataneffortwasbeingmade,anditwassupposedthatevenMissDunstablewassomewhatnervous.Inspiteofherexcellentjokingitwaspresumedthatshewouldbeunhappyifshefailed.ToMrsFrankGreshamshedidspeakwithsomelittleseriousness.\'Butwhyonearthshouldyougiveyourselfallthistrouble?\'thatladyhadsaid,whenMissDunstableownedthatshewasdoubtful,andunhappyinherdoubts,astothecomingofoneofthegreatcolleaguesofMrSupplehouse.
\'Whensuchhundredsarecoming,bigwigsandlittlewigsofallshades,whatcanitmatterwhetherMrTowersbethereornot?\'ButMissDunstablehadansweredalmostwithascreech——
\'Mydear,itwillbenothingwithouthim.Youdon\'tunderstand;
butthefactisthatTomTowersiseverybodyandeverythingatpresent.\'Andthen,bynomeansforthefirsttime,MrsGreshambegantolectureherfriendastohervanity;inanswertowhichlectureMissDunstablemysteriouslyhinted,thatifshewereonlyallowedherfullswingonthisoccasion,——ifalltheworldwouldnowindulgeher,shewould——Shedidnotquitesaywhatshewoulddo,buttheinferencedrawnbyMrsGreshamwasthis:thatiftheincensenowofferedonthealtarofFashionwereaccepted,MissDunstablewouldatonceabandonthepompandvanitiesofthiswickedworld,andallthesinfullustsoftheflesh.
\'Butthedoctorwillstay,mydear?IhopeImaylookonthatasfixed.\'MissDunstable,inmakingthisdemandonthedoctor\'stime,showedanenergyquiteequaltothatwithwhichsheinvokedthegodsthatTomTowersmightnotbeabsent.Now,totellthetruth,DrThornehadatfirstthoughtitveryunreasonablethatheshouldbeaskedtoremainupinLondoninorderthathemightbepresentataneveningparty,andhadforawhilepertinaciouslyrefused;butwhenhelearnedthatthreeorfourprimeministerswereexpected,andthatitwaspossiblethatevenTomTowersmightbethereintheflesh,hisphilosophyalsohadbecomeweak,andhehadwrittentoLadyArabellatosaythathisprolongedabsencefortwodaysfurthermustbeendured,andthatthemildtonics,morningandevening,mightbecontinued.ButwhyshouldMissDunstablebesoanxiousthatDrThorneshouldbepresentonthisgrandoccasion?Why,indeed,shouldshebesofrequentlyinclinedtosummonhimawayfromhiscountrypractice,hiscompoundingboard,andhisusefulministrationstoruralailments?Thedoctorwasconnectedwithherbynotiesofblood.Theirfriendship,intimateasitwas,hadasyetbeenbutofshortdate.Shewasaveryrichwoman,capableofpurchasingallmannerofadviceandgoodcounsel,whereashewassofarfrombeingrich,thatanycontinueddisturbancetohispracticemightbeinconvenienttohim.
Nevertheless,MissDunstableseemedtohavenomorecompunctioninmakingcallsuponhistime,thanshemighthavefelthadhebeenherbrother.Noideasonthismattersuggestedthemselvestothedoctorhimself.Hewasasimple-mindedman,takingthingsastheycame,andespeciallysotakingthingsthatcamepleasantly.HelikedMissDunstable,andwasgratifiedbyherfriendship,anddidnotthinkofaskinghimselfwhethershehadarighttoputhimtotroubleandinconvenience.ButsuchideasdidoccurtoMrsGresham,thedoctor\'sniece.HadMissDunstableanyobject,andifso,whatobject?Wasitsimplyvenerationforthedoctor,orwasitcaprice?Wasiteccentricity——orcoulditpossiblybelove?Inspeakingoftheagesofthesetwofriendsitmaybesaidinroundtermsthattheladywaswellpastforty,andthatthegentlemanwaswellpastfifty.Undersuchcircumstancescoulditbelove?Thelady,too,wasonewhohadhadoffersalmostbythedozen,——offersfrommenofrank,frommenoffashion,andfrommenofpower;frommenendowedwithpersonalattractions,withpleasantmanners,withcultivatedtastes,andwitheloquenttongues.Notonlyhadshelovednonesuch,butbynonesuchhadshebeencajoledintoanideathatitwaspossiblethatshecouldlovethem.ThatDrThorne\'stasteswerecultivated,andhismannerspleasant,mightprobablybeadmittedbythreeorfouroldfriendsinthecountrywhovaluedhim;buttheworldinLondon,thatworldtowhichMissDunstablewasaccustomed,andwhichwasapparentlybecomingdearertoherdaybyday,wouldnothaveregardedthedoctorasamanlikelytobecometheobjectofalady\'spassion.ButneverthelesstheideadidoccurtoMrsGresham.Shehadbeenbroughtupattheelbowofthecountrypractitioner;shehadlivedwithhimasthoughshehadbeenhisdaughter;shehadbeenforyearstheministeringangelofhishousehold;and,tillherhearthadopenedtothenaturalloveofwomanhood,allherclosestsympathieshadbeenwithhim.Inhereyesthedoctorwasallbutperfect;anditdidnotseemtohertobeoutofthequestionthatMissDunstableshouldhavefalleninlovewithheruncle.
MissDunstableoncesaidtoMrsHaroldSmiththatitwaspossiblethatshemightmarry,theonlyconditionthenexpressedbeingthis,thatthemanelectedshouldbeonewhowasquiteindifferentastomoney.MrsHaroldSmith,who,byherfriends,waspresumedtoknowtheworldwithtolerableaccuracy,hadrepliedthatsuchamanMissDunstablewouldneverfindinthisworld.Allthishadpassedinthathalf-comicofbanterwhichMissDunstablesocommonlyusedwhenconversingwithsuchfriendsasMrsHaroldSmith;butshehadspokenwordsofthesameimportmorethanoncetoMrsGresham;andMrsGresham,puttingtwoandtwotogetheraswomendo,hadmadefourofthelittlesum;andasthefinalresultofthecalculation,determinedthatMissDunstablewouldmarryDrThorneifDrThornewouldaskher.AndthenMrsGreshambegantorethinkherselfoftwootherquestions.WoulditbewellthatheruncleshouldmarryMissDunstable?andifso,woulditbepossibletoinducehimtomakesuchaproposition?Aftertheconsiderationofmanyprosandcons,andthebalancingofveryvariousarguments,MrsGreshamthoughtthatthearrangementonthewholemightnotbeabadone.
ForMissDunstablesheherselfhadasincereaffection,whichwassharedbyherhusband.ShehadoftengrievedatthesacrificesMissDunstablemadetotheworld,thinkingthatherfriendwasfallingintovanity,indifference,andanillmodeoflife;butsuchamarriageasthiswouldprobablycureallthat.AndthenastoDrThornehimself,towhosebenefitwereofcourseappliedtoMrsGresham\'smostearnestthoughtsinthismatter,shecouldnotbutthinkthathewouldbehappiermarriedthanhewassingle.Inpointoftemper,nowomancouldstandhigherthanMissDunstable;
noonehadeverheardofherbeinginanill-humour;andthenthoughMrsGreshamwasgiftedwithamindwhichwasfarremovedfrombeingmercenary,itwasimpossiblenottofeelthatsomebenefitmustaccruefromthebride\'swealth.MaryThorne,thepresentMrsFrankGresham,hadherselfbeenagreatheiress.
Circumstanceshadweighedherhandwithenormouspossessions,andhithertoshehadnotrealizedthetruthofthatlessonwhichwouldteachustobelievethathappinessandrichesareincompatible.
ThereforesheresolvedthatitmightbewellifthedoctorandMissDunstablewerebroughttogether.Butcouldthedoctorbeinducedtomakesuchanoffer?MrsGreshamacknowledgedaterribledifficultyinlookingatthematterfromthatpointofview.HerunclewasfondofMissDunstable;butshewassurethatanideaofsuchamarriagehadneverenteredhishead;thatitwouldbeverydifficult——almostimpossible——tocreatesuchanidea;andthatiftheideawerethere,thedoctorcouldhardlybeinstigatedtomaketheproposition.Lookingatthematterasawhole,shefearedthatthematchwasnotpracticable.
OnthedayofMissDunstable\'sparty,MrsGreshamandheruncledinedtogetheraloneinPortmanSquare.MrGreshamwasnotyetinParliament,butanalmostimmediatevacancywasexpectedinhisdivisionofthecounty,anditwasknownthatnoonecouldstandagainsthimwithanychanceofsuccess.Thisthrewhimmuchamongthepoliticiansofhisparty——thosegiants,namely,whoitwouldbehisbusinesstosupport——andonthisaccounthewasagooddealawayfromhisownhouseatthepresentmoment.\'Politicsmakeaterribledemandonaman\'stime,\'hesaidtohiswife;andthenwentdowntodineathisclubinPallMall,withsundryotheryoungphilogeants.Onmenofthatclasspoliticsdomakeagreatdemand——atthehourofdinnerandthereabouts.
\'WhatdoyouthinkofMissDunstable?\'saidMrsGreshamtoheruncle,astheysattogetherovertheircoffee.Sheaddednothingtothequestion,butaskeditinallitsbaldness.
\'Thinkabouther!\'saidthedoctor;\'well,Mary,whatdoyouthinkabouther?Idaresaywethinkthesame.\'
\'Butthat\'snotthequestion.Whatdoyouthinkabouther?Doyoufeelshe\'shonest?\'
\'Honest?Oh,yes,certainly——veryhonest,Ishouldsay.\'
\'Andgood-tempered?\'
\'Uncommonlygood-tempered.\'
\'Andaffectionate?\'
\'Well,yes;andaffectionate.Ishouldcertainlysaythatsheisaffectionate.\'
\'I\'msureshe\'sclever.\'
\'Yes,Ithinkshe\'sclever.\'
\'And,and——andwomanlyinherfeelings.\'MrsGreshamfeltthatshecouldnotquitesaylady-like,thoughshewouldfainhavedonesoifshedared.
\'Oh,certainly,\'saidthedoctor.\'But,Mary,whyareyoudissectingMissDunstable\'scharacterwithsomuchingenuity?\'
\'Well,uncle,Iwilltellyouwhy;because——\'andMrsGresham,whileshewasspeaking,gotupfromherchair,andgoingroundthetabletoheruncle\'sside,putherarmroundhisnecktillherfacewasclosetohis,andthencontinuedspeakingasshestoodbehindhimoutofhissight——\'because——IthinkthatMissDunstableis——isveryfondofyou;andthatitwouldmakeherhappyifyouwould——askhertobeyourwife.\'
\'Mary!\'saidthedoctor,turningroundwithanendeavourtolookhisnieceintheface.
\'Iamquiteinearnest,uncle——quiteinearnest.Fromlittlethingsthatshehassaid,andlittlethingsthatIhaveseen,IdobelievewhatInowtellyou.\'
\'Andyouwantmeto——\'
\'Dearuncle;myownonedarlinguncle,Iwantyouonlytodothatwhichwillmakeyou——makeyouhappy.WhatisMissDunstabletomecomparedtoyou?\'Andthenshestoopeddownandkissedhim.Thedoctorwasapparentlytoomuchastoundedbytheintimationgivenhimtomakeanyfurtherimmediatereply.Hisniece,seeingthis,lefthimthatshemightgoanddress;andwhentheymetagaininthedrawing-roomFrankGreshamwaswiththem.
CHAPTERXXIX
MISSDUNSTABLEATHOME
MissDunstabledidnotlooklikealove-lornmaiden,asshestoodinasmallante-chamberatthetopofherdrawing-roomstairs,receivingherguests.Herhousewasoneofthoseabnormalmansions,whicharetobeseenhereandthereinLondon,builtincomplianceratherwiththerulesofruralarchitecture,thanwiththosewhichusuallygoverntheerectionofcitystreetsandtownterraces.Itstoodbackfromitsbrethren,andalone,sothatitsownercouldwalkaroundit.Itwasapproachedbyashortcarriage-way;thechiefdoorwasinthebackofthebuilding;andthefrontofthehouselookedontooneoftheparks.MissDunstableinprocuringithadhadherusualluck.Ithadbeenbuiltbyaneccentricmillionaireatanenormouscost;andtheeccentricmillionaire,afterlivinginitfortwelvemonths,haddeclaredthatitdidnotpossessasinglecomfort,andthatitwasdeficientinmostofthosedetailswhich,inpointofhouseaccommodation,arenecessarytotheveryexistenceofman.
Consequentlythemansionwassold,andMissDunstablewasthepurchaser.CranbournHouseithadbeennamed,anditspresentownerhadmadenochangeinthatrespect;buttheworldatlargeverygenerallycalleditOintmentHall,andMissDunstableherselfasfrequentlyusedthatnameforitasanyother.ItwasimpossibletoquizMissDunstablewithanysuccess,becauseshealwaysjoinedinthejokeherself.NotawordfurtherhadpassedbetweenMrsGreshamandDrThorneonthesubjectoftheirlastconversation;butthedoctor,asheenteredthelady\'sportalsamongstatribeofservantsandinaglareoflight,andsawthecrowdbeforehimandthecrowdbehindhim,feltthatitwasquiteimpossiblethatheshouldeverbeathomethere.ItmightbeallrightthataMissDunstableshouldliveinthisway,butitcouldnotberightthatthewifeofDrThorneshouldsolive.Butallthiswasamatterofthemerestspeculation,forhewaswellaware——ashesaidtohimselfadozentimes——thathisniecehadblunderedstrangelyinherreadingofMissDunstable\'scharacter.
WhentheGreshampartyenteredtheante-roomintowhichthestaircaseopened,theyfoundMissDunstablestandingtheresurroundedbyafewofhermostintimateallies.MrsHaroldSmithwassittingquiteclosetoher;DrEasymanwasrecliningonasofaagainstthewall,andtheladywhohabituallylivedwithMissDunstablewasbyhisside.Oneortwoothersweretherealso,sothatalittlerunningconversationwaskeptupinordertorelieveMissDunstableofthetediumwhichmightotherwisebeengenderedbytheworkshehadinhand.AsMrsGresham,leaningonherhusband\'sarm,enteredtheroom,shesawthebackofMrsProudie,asthatladymadeherwaythroughtheoppositedoor,leaningonthearmofthebishop.MrsHaroldSmithhadapparentlyrecoveredfromtheannoyancewhichshemustnodoubthavefeltwhenMissDunstablesoutterlyrejectedhersuitonbehalfofherbrother.Ifanyfeelinghadexisted,evenforaday,calculatedtoputastoptotheintimacybetweenthetwoladies,thatfeelinghadaltogetherdiedaway,forMrsHaroldSmithwasconversingwithherfriend,quiteintheoldway.Shemadesomeremarkoneachoftheguestsastheypassedby,andapparentlydidsoinamannersatisfactorytotheownerofthehouse,forMissDunstableansweredwithherkindestsmiles,andinthatgenial,happytoneofvoicewhichgaveitspeculiarcharactertohergoodhumour:\'Sheisquiteconvincedthatyouareamereplagiaristinwhatyouaredoing,\'saidMrsHaroldSmith,speakingofMrsProudie.
\'AndsoIam.Idon\'tsupposetherecanbeanythingveryoriginalnowadaysaboutaneveningparty.\'
\'Shethinksyouarecopyingher.\'
\'Andwhynot?IcopyeverybodythatIsee,moreorless.Youdidnotatfirstbegintowearpetticoatsoutofyourownhead?IfMrsProudiehasanysuchprideasthat,praydon\'trobherofit.
Here\'sthedoctorandtheGreshams.Mary,mydarling,howareyou?\'andinspiteofallhergrandeurofapparel,MissDunstabletookholdofMrsGreshamandkissedher——tothedisgustofthedozenandhalfofthedistinguishedfashionableworldwhowerepassingupthestairsbehind.Thedoctorwassomewhatrepressedinhismodeofaddressbythecommunicationwhichhadsolatelybeenmadetohim.MissDunstablewasnowstandingontheverytopofthepinnacleofwealth,andseemedtohimtobenotonlysomuchabovehisreach,butalsosofarremovedfromhistrackoflife,thathecouldnotinanywayputhimselfonalevelwithher.Hecouldneitheraspiresohighnordescendsolow;andthinkingofthishespoketoMissDunstableasthoughthereweresomegreatdistancebetweenthem,——asthoughtherehadbeennohoursofintimatefriendshipdownatGreshambury.Therebeensuchhours,duringwhichMissDunstableandDrThornehadlivedasthoughtheybelongedtothesameworld:andthisatanyratemaybesaidofMissDunstable,thatshehadnoideaofforgettingthem.
DrThornemerelygaveherhishand,andthenpreparedtopasson.
\'Don\'tgo,doctor,\'shesaid;\'forheaven\'ssake,don\'tgoyet.I
don\'tknowwhenImaycatchyouifyougetinthere.Ishan\'tbeabletofollowyouforthenexttwohours.LadyMeredith,Iamsomuchobligedtoyouforcoming——yourmotherwillbehere,Ihope.
Oh,Iamsoglad!Fromheryouknowthatisquiteafavour.You,SirGeorge,arehalfasinneryourself,soIdon\'tthinksomuchaboutit.\'
\'Oh,quiteso,\'saidSirGeorge;\'perhapsratherthelargesthalf.\'
\'Themendividetheworldintogodsandgiants,\'saidMissDunstable.\'Wewomenhaveourdivisionsalso.Wearesaintsorsinnersaccordingtoourparty.Theworstofitis,thatweratalmostasoftenasyoudo.\'WhereuponSirGeorgelaughed,andpassedon.
\'Iknow,doctor,youdon\'tlikethiskindofthing,\'shecontinued,\'butthereisnoreasonwhyyoushouldindulgeyourselfaltogetherinyourway,morethananother,isthere,Frank?\'
\'Iamnotsosurebuthedoeslikeit,\'saidMrGresham.\'Therearesomeofyourreputedfriendswhomheownsthatheisanxioustosee.\'
\'Arethere?Thenthereissomehopeofhisrattingtoo.Buthe\'llnevermakeagoodstaunchsinner;willhe,Mary?You\'retoooldtolearnnewtricks;eh,doctor?\'
\'IamafraidIam,\'saidthedoctorwithafaintlaugh.
\'DoesDrThornerankhimselfamongthearmyofsaints?\'askedMrsHaroldSmith.
\'Decidedly,\'saidMissDunstable.\'Butyoumustalwaysrememberthattherearesaintsofdifferentorders;aretherenot,Mary?andnobodysupposesthattheFranciscansandtheDominicansagreeverywelltogether.DrThornedoesnotbelongtotheschoolofStProudie,ofBarchester;hewouldpreferthepriestesswhomIseecomingroundthecornerofthestaircase,withaveryfamousyoungnoviceatherelbow.\'
\'FromallthatIcanhear,youwillhavetoreckonwithMissGrantlyamongthesinners,\'saidMrsHaroldSmith——seeingthatLadyLuftonwithheryoungfriendwasapproaching——\'unlessindeed,youcanmakeasaintofLadyHartletop.\'AndthenLadyLuftonenteredtheroom,andMissDunstablecameforwardtomeetherwithmorequietrespectinhermannerthanshehadasyetshowntomanyofherguests.\'Iammuchobligedtoyouforcoming,LadyLufton,\'
shesaid,\'andthemoreso,forbringingMissGrantlywithyou.\'
LadyLuftonutteredsomeprettylittlespeech,duringwhichDrThornecameupandshookhandswithher;asdidalsoFrankGreshamandhiswife.TherewasacountyacquaintancebetweentheFramleypeopleandtheGreshamburypeople,andthereforetherewasalittlegeneralconversationbeforeLadyLuftonpassedoutofthesmallroomintowhatMrsProudiewouldhavecalledthenoblesuiteofapartments.\'Papawillbehere,\'saidMissGrantly;\'atleastsoI
understand.Ihavenotseenhimyetmyself.\'
\'Ohyes,hehaspromisedme,\'saidMissDunstable;\'andthearchdeacon,Iknow,willkeephisword.Ishouldbynomeanshavetheproperecclesiasticalbalancewithouthim.\'
\'Papaalwaysdoeskeephisword,\'saidMissGrantly,inatonethatwasalmostsevere.ShehadnotatallunderstoodpoorMissDunstable\'slittlejoke,oratanyrate,shewastoodignifiedtorespondtoit.
\'IunderstandthatoldSirJohnistoaccepttheChilternHundredsatonce,\'saidLadyLufton,inahalfwhispertoFrankGresham.
LadyLuftonhadalwaystakenakeeninterestinthepoliticsofEastBarsetshire,andwasnowdesirousofexpressinghersatisfactionthataGreshamshouldagainsitforthecounty.TheGreshamshadbeenoldcountymembersforBarsetshire,timeoutofmind.
\'Ohyes;Ibelieveso,\'saidFrank,blushing.Hewasstillyoungenoughtofeelmostashamedofputtinghimselfforwardforsuchhonours.
\'Therewillbenocontest,ofcourse,\'saidLadyLufton,confidently.\'ThereseldomisinEastBarsetshire,Iamhappytosay.Butiftherewere,everytenantatFramleywouldvoteontherightside;Icanassureyouofthat.LordLuftonwassayingtomeonlythismorning.\'FrankGreshammadeaprettylittlespeechinreply,suchasyoungsuckingpoliticiansareexpectedtomake;andthis,withsundryothersmallcourteousmurmurings,detainedtheLuftonpartyforaminuteortwointheante-chamber.Inthemeantimetheworldwaspressingonandpassingtothefourorfivelargereception-rooms——thenoblesuitewhichwasalreadypiercingpoorMrsProudie\'sheartwithenvytotheverycore.\'Thesearethesortofrooms,\'shesaidtoherselfunconsciously,\'whichoughttobeprovidedbythecountryfortheuseofthebishops.\'
\'Butthepeoplearenotbroughtenoughtogether,\'shesaidtoherlord.
\'No,no;Idon\'tthinktheyare,\'saidthebishop.
\'Andthatissoessentialforaconversazione,\'continuedMrsProudie.\'NowinGloucesterPlace——\'Butwewillnotrecordallheradversecriticisms,asLadyLuftoniswaitingforusintheante-room.Andnowanotherarrivalofmomenthadtakenplace;——andarrivalindeedofverygreatmoment.Totellthetruth,MissDunstable\'shearthadbeensetuponhavingtwospecialpersons;andthoughnostonehadbeenleftunturned,——nostonewhichcouldbeturnedwithdiscretion,——shewasstillleftindoubtastoboththesetwowondrouspotentates.Attheverymomentofwhichwearenowspeaking,lightandairyassheappearedtobe——foritwashercharactertobelightandairy——hermindwastornwithdoubts.Ifthewished-fortwowouldcome,hereveningwouldbethoroughlysuccessful;butifnot,allhertroublewouldhavebeenthrownaway,andthethingwouldhavebeenafailure;andtherewerecircumstancesconnectedwiththepresentassemblywhichmadeMissDunstableveryanxiousthatsheshouldnotfail.ThatthetwogreatonesoftheearthwereTomTowersoftheJupiter,andtheDukeofOmnium,needhardlybeexpressedinwords.Andnow,atthisverymoment,asLadyLuftonwasmakinghercivilspeechestoyoungGresham,apparentlyinnohurrytomoveon,andwhileMissDunstablewasendeavouringtowhispersomethingintothedoctor\'sear,whichwouldmakehimfeelhimselfathomeinthisnewworld,asoundwasheardwhichmadethatladyknowthathalfherwishhadatanyratebeengrantedtoher.Asoundwasheard——butonlybyherownandoneotherattentivepairofears.MrsHaroldSmithhadalsocaughtthename,andknewthatthedukewasapproaching.Therewasgreatgloryandtriumphinthis;butwhyhadhisgracecomeatsounchancyamoment?MissDunstablehadbeenfullyawareoftheimproprietyofbringingLadyLuftonandtheDukeofOmniumintothesamehouseatthesametime;butwhenshehadaskedLadyLufton,shehadbeenledtobelievethattherewasnohopeofobtainingtheduke;andthen,whenthathopehaddawneduponher,shehadcomfortedherselfwiththereflectionthatthetwosuns,thoughtheymightforsomefewminutesbeinthesamehemisphere,couldhardlybeexpectedtoclash,orcomeacrosseachother\'sorbits.
Herroomswerelargeandwouldbecrowded;thedukewouldprobablydolittlemorethanwalkthroughthemonce,andLadyLuftonwouldcertainlybesurroundedbypersonsofherownclass.ThusMissDunstablehadcomfortedherself.Butnowallthingsweregoingwrong,andLadyLuftonwouldfindherselfinclosecontiguitytothenearestrepresentativeoftheSatanicagency,which,accordingtoherideas,wasallowedtowalkthisnetherEnglishworldofours.Wouldshescream?orindignantlyretreatoutofthehouse?——orwouldsheproudlyraiseherhead,andwithoutstretchedhandandaudiblevoice,boldlydefythedevilandallhisworks?
InthinkingofthesethingsasthedukeapproachedMissDunstablealmostlostherpresenceofmind.ButMrsHaroldSmithdidnotlosehers.\'Sohereatlastistheduke,\'shesaid,inatoneintendedtocatchtheexpressattentionofLadyLufton.
MrsSmithhadcalculatedthattheremightstillbetimeforherladyshiptopassonandavoidtheinterview.ButLadyLufton,ifsheheardthewords,didnotcompletelyunderstandthem.Atanyratetheydidnotconveytohermindatthemomentthemeaningtheywereintendedtoconvey.ShepausedtowhisperalastlittlespeechtoFrankGresham,andthenlookinground,foundthatthegentlemanwhowaspressingagainstherdresswas——theDukeofOmnium!Onthisgreatoccasion,whenthemisfortunecouldnolongerbeavoided,MissDunstablewasbynomeansbeneathherselforhercharacter.Shedeploredthecalamity,butshenowsawthatitwasonlylefttohertomakethebestofit.Thedukehadhonouredherbycomingtoherhouse,andshewasboundtowelcomehim,thoughindoingsosheshouldbringLadyLuftontoherlastgasp.\'Duke,\'shesaid,\'Iamgreatlyhonouredbythiskindnessonthepartofyourgrace.Ihardlyexpectedthatyouwouldbesogoodtome.\'
\'Thegoodnessisallontheotherside,\'saidtheduke,bowingoverherhand.Andthenintheusualcourseofthingsthiswouldhavebeenall.Thedukewouldhavewalkedonandshownhimself,wouldhavesaidawordortwotoLadyHartletop,tothebishop,toMrGresham,andsuchlike,andwouldhavelefttheroomsbyanotherway,andquietlyescaped.Thiswasthedutyexpectedfromhim,andthishewouldhavedone,andthevalueofthepartywouldhavebeenincreasedbythirtypercent.bysuchdoing;butnow,asitwas,thenewsmongersoftheWestEndwerelikelytogetmuchmoreoutofit.
Circumstanceshadsoturnedout,thathehadabsolutelybeenpressedcloseagainstLadyLufton,andshe,whensheheardthevoice,andwasmadepositivelyacquaintedwiththefactofthegreatman\'spresencebyMissDunstable\'swords,turnedroundquickly,butstillwithmuchfemininedignity,removingherdressfromthecontact.Indoingthisshewasbroughtabsolutelyfacetofacewiththeduke,sothateachcouldnotbutlookfullattheother.\'Ibegyourpardon,\'saidtheduke.Theyweretheonlywordsthathadeverpassedbetweenthem,norhavetheyspokentoeachothersince;butsimpleastheywere,accompaniedbythelittleby-playofthespeakers,theygaverisetoaconsiderableamountoffermentinthefashionableworld.LadyLufton,assheretreatedbackontoDrEasyman,curtsiedlow;shecurtsiedlowandslowly,andwithahaughtyarrangementofherdraperythatwasallherown;butthecurtsy,thoughitwaseloquent,didnotsayhalfsomuch,——didnotreprobatethehabitualiniquitiesofthedukewithavoicenearlysopotent,asthatwhichwasexpressedinthegradualfallofhereye,andthegradualpressureofherlips.Whenshecommencedhercurtsyshewaslookingfullinherfoe\'sface.Bythetimethatshehadcompletedithereyeswereturnedupontheground,buttherewasanineffableamountofscornexpressedinthelinesofhermouth.Shespokenowordandretreated,asmodestvirtueandfeminineweaknessmusteverretreat,beforebarefacedviceandvirilepower;butneverthelessshewasheldbyalltheworldtohavehadthebestoftheencounter.Theduke,ashebeggedherpardon,woreinhiscountenancethatexpressionofmodifiedsorrowwhichiscommontoanygentlemanwhoissupposedbyhimselftohaveincommodedalady.Butoverandabovethis,——orratherunderit,——therewasaslightsmileofderision,asthoughitwereimpossibleforhimtolookuponthebearingofLadyLuftonwithoutsomeamountofridicule.AllthiswaslegibletoeyessokeenasthoseofMissDunstableandMrsHaroldSmith,andthedukewasknowntobeamasterofthissilentinwardsarcasm;butevenbythem,——byMissDunstableandMrsHaroldSmith,——itwasadmittedthatLadyLuftonhadconquered.Whenherladyshipagainlookedup,thedukehadpassedon;shethenresumedthecareofMissGrantly\'shand,andfollowedinamongthecompany.
\'ThatiswhatIcallunfortunate,\'saidMissDunstable,assoonasbothbelligerentshaddepartedfromthefieldofbattle.\'TheFatessometimeswillbeagainstme.\'
\'Buttheyhavenotbeenallagainstyouhere,\'saidMrsHaroldSmith.\'Ifyoucouldarriveatherladyship\'sprivatethoughtsto-morrowmorning,youwouldfindhertobequitehappyinhavingmettheduke.Itwillbeyearsbeforeshehasdoneboastingofhertriumph,anditwillbetalkedofbytheyoungladiesofFramleyforthenextthreegenerations.\'
TheGreshamparty,includingDrThorne,hadremainedintheante-chamberduringthebattle.Thewholecombatdidnotoccupyabovetwominutes,andthethreeofthemwerehemmedofffromescapebyLadyLufton\'sretreatintoDrEasyman\'slap;butnowthey,too,essayedtopasson.
\'What,willyoudesertme,\'saidMissDunstable.\'Verywell;butI
shallfindyououtbyandby.Frank,thereistobesomedancinginoneoftherooms,——justtodistinguishtheaffairfromMrsProudie\'sconversazione.Itwouldbestupid,youknow,ifallconversazione\'swerealike;wouldn\'tit?SoIhopeyouwillgoanddance.\'
\'Therewill,Ipresume,beanothervariationatfeedingtime,\'saidMrsHaroldSmith.
\'Oh,yes,certainly;Iamthemostvulgarofallwretchesinthatrespect.Idolovetosetpeopleeatinganddrinking——MrSupplehouse,Iamdelightedtoseeyou;butdotellme——\'andthenshewhisperedwithgreatenergyintotheearofMrSupplehouse,andMrSupplehouseagainwhisperedintoherear.\'Youthinkhewill,then?\'saidMissDunstable.MrSupplehouseassented;hedidthinkso;buthehadnowarrantforstatingthecircumstanceasafact.
Andthenhepassedon,hardlylookingatMrsHaroldSmithashepassed.
\'Whatahang-dogcountenancehehas,\'saidthatlady.
\'Ah,you\'reprejudiced,mydear,andnowonder;asformyself,I
alwayslikedSupplehouse.Hemeansmischief;butthenmischiefishistrade,andhedoesnotconcealit.IfIwereapolitician,I
shouldassoonthinkofbeingangrywithMrSupplehouseforturningagainstmeasIamnowwithapinprickingme.It\'smyownawkwardness,andIoughttohaveknownhowtousethepinmorecraftily.\'
\'Butyoumustdetestamanwhoprofessestostandbyhisparty,andthendoeshisbesttoruinit.\'
\'Somanyhavedonethat,mydear;andwithmuchmoresuccessthanMrSupplehouse!Allisfairinloveandwar,——andwhynotaddpoliticstothelist?Ifwecouldonlyagreetodothat,itwouldsaveusfromsuchadealofheartburning,andwouldmakenoneofusabittheworse.\'
MissDunstable\'srooms,largeastheywere——\'anoblesuiteofroomscertainly,thoughperhapsalittletoo——too——tooscattered,wewillsay,eh,bishop?\'werenownearlyfull,andwouldhavebeeninconvenientlycrowded,wereitnotthatmanywhocameonlyremainedforhalfanhourorso.Space,however,hadbeenkeptforthedancers——muchtoMrsProudie\'sconsternation.NotthatshedisapprovedofdancinginLondon,asarule;butshewasindignantthatthelawsofaconversazioneasre-establishedbyherselfinthefashionableworld,shouldbesoviolentlyinfringed.
\'Conversazioneswillcometomeannothing,\'shesaidtothebishop,puttinggreatstressonthelatterword,\'nothingatall,iftheyaretobetreatedinthisway.\'
\'No,theywon\'t;nothingintheleast,\'saidthebishop.
\'Dancingmaybeverywellinitsplace,\'saidMrsProudie.
\'Ihaveneverobjectedtoitmyself;thatis,forthelaity,\'saidthebishop.
\'Butwhenpeopleprofesstoassembleforhigherobjects,\'saidMrsProudie,\'theyoughttoactuptotheprofessions.\'
\'Otherwisetheyarenobetterthanhypocrites,\'saidthebishop.
\'Aspadeshouldbecalledaspade,\'saidMrsProudie.
\'Decidedly,\'saidthebishop,assenting.
\'AndwhenIundertookthetroubleandexpenseofintroducingconversaziones,\'continuedMrsProudie,withanevidentfeelingthatshehadbeenill-used,\'Ihadnoideaofseeingthewordso——so——somisinterpreted;\'andthenobservingcertaindesirableacquaintancesatthesideoftheroom,shewentacross,leavingthebishoptofendforhimself.
LadyLufton,havingachievedhersuccess,passedontothedancing,whitheritwasnotprobablethatherenemywouldfollowher,andshehadnotbeenthereverylongbeforeshewasjoinedbyherson.
HerheartatthepresentmomentwasnotquitesatisfiedatthestateofaffairswithreferencetoGriselda.Shehadgonesofarastotellheryoungfriendwhatwereherownwishes;shehaddeclaredherdesirethatGriseldashouldbecomeherdaughter-in-law;butinanswertothisGriseldaherselfhaddeclarednothing.Itwas,tobesure,nomorethannaturalthatayoungladysowellbroughtupasMissGrantlyshouldshownosignsofpassiontillshewaswarrantedinshowingthembytheproceedingsofthegentleman;butnotwithstandingthis,fullyawareasshewasoftheproprietyofsuchreticence——LadyLuftondidthinkthattoherGriseldamighthavespokensomewordevincingthatthealliancewouldbesatisfactorytoher.Griselda,however,hadspokennosuchword,norhadsheutteredasyllabletoshowthatshewouldacceptLordLuftonifhedidoffer.Thenagainshehadutterednosyllabletoshowthatshewouldnotaccepthim;but,nevertheless,althoughsheknewthattheworldhadbeentalkingaboutherandLordDumbello,shestooduptodancewiththefuturemarquessoneverypossibleoccasion.AllthisdidgiveannoyancetoLadyLufton,whobegantobethinkherselfthatifshecouldnotquicklybringherlittleplantoafavourableissue,itmightbewellforhertowashherhandsofit.Shewasstillanxiousforthematchonherson\'saccount.Griseldawould,shedidnotdoubt,makeagoodwife;butLadyLuftonwasnotsosureassheoncehadbeenthatsheherselfwouldbeabletokeepupsostrongafeelingforherdaughter-in-lawasshehadhithertohopedtodo.\'Ludovic,haveyoubeenherelong?\'shesaid,smilingasshealwaysdidsmilewhenhereyesfelluponherson\'sface.
\'Thisinstantarrived;andIhurriedonafteryou,asMissDunstabletoldmeyouwerehere.Whatacrowdshehad?DidyouseeLordBrock?\'
\'Ididnotobservehim.\'
\'OrLordDeTerrier?Isawthembothinthecentreroom.\'
\'LordDeTerrierdidmethehonourofshakinghandswithmeasI
passedthrough.\'
\'Ineversawsuchamixtureofpeople.ThereisMrsProudiegoingoutofhermindbecauseyouareallgoingtodance.\'
\'TheMissProudiesdance,\'saidGriseldaGrantly.
\'Butnotattheconversaziones.Youdon\'tseethedifference.AndIsawSpermoilthere,lookingaspleasedasPunch.Hehadquiteacircleofhisownroundhim,andwaschatteringawayasthoughhewerequiteaccustomedtothewickednessoftheworld.\'
\'Therecertainlyarepeopleherewhomonewouldnothavewishedtomeet,hadonethoughtofit,\'saidLadyLufton,mindfulofherlateengagement.
\'Butitmustbeallright,forIwalkedupthestairswiththearchdeacon.Thatisanabsoluteproof,isitnot,MissGrantly?\'
\'Ihavenofears.WhenIamwithyourmotherIknowImustbesafe.\'
\'Iamnotsosureofthat,\'saidLordLufton,laughing.\'Mother,youhardlyknowtheworstofityet.Whoishere,doyouthink?\'
\'Iknowwhomyoumean;Ihaveseenhim,\'saidLadyLufton,veryquietly.
\'Wecameacrosshimjustatthetopofthestairs,\'saidGriselda,withmoreanimationinherfacethaneverLordLuftonhadseentherebefore.
\'What;theduke?\'
\'Yes,theduke,\'saidLadyLufton.\'IcertainlyshouldnothavecomehadIexpectedtobebroughtincontactwiththatman.Butitwasanaccident,andonsuchanoccasionasthisitcouldnotbehelped.\'LordLuftonatonceperceived,bythetoneofhismother\'svoiceandbytheshadesofhercountenance,thatshehadabsolutelyenduredsomepersonalencounterwiththeduke,andalsothatshewasbynomeanssoindignantattheoccurrenceasmighthavebeenexpected.Thereshewas,stillinMissDunstable\'shouse,andexpressingnoangerastoMissDunstable\'sconduct.LordLuftoncouldhardlyhavebeenmoresurprisedhadheseenthedukehandinghismotherdowntosupper;hesaid,however,nothingfurtheronthesubject.
\'Areyougoingtodance,Ludovic?\'saidLadyLufton.
\'Well,IamnotsurethatIdonotagreewithMrsProudieinthinkingthatdancingwouldcontaminateaconversazione.Whatareyourideas,MissGrantly?\'Griseldawasneververygoodatajoke,andimaginedthatLordLuftonwantedtoescapethetroubleofdancingwithher.Thisangeredher.Fortheonlyspeciesoflove-making,orflirtation,orsociabilitybetweenherselfasayounglady,andanyotherselfasayounggentleman,whichrecommendeditselftohertaste,wastobefoundintheamusementofdancing.ShewasaltogetheratvariancewithMrsProudieonthismatter,andgaveMissDunstablegreatcreditforherinnovation.InsocietyGriselda\'stoesweremoreserviceabletoherthanhertongue,andshewastobewonbyarapidtwirlmuchmoreprobablythanbyasoftword.Theofferofwhichshewouldapprovewouldbeconveyedbytwoallbutbreathlesswords,duringaspasmodicpauseinawaltz;andthenassheliftedupherarmtoreceivetheaccustomedsupportatherback,shemightjustfindpowerenoughtosay,\'you——mustask——papa.\'Afterthatshewouldnotcaretohavetheaffairmentionedtilleverythingwasproperlysettled.
\'Ihavenotthoughtaboutit,\'saidGriselda,turningherfaceawayfromLordLufton.
Itmustnot,however,besupposedthatMissGrantlyhadnotthoughtaboutLordLufton,orthatshehadnotconsideredhowgreatmightbetheadvantageofhavingLadyLuftononhersideisshemadeuphermindthatshedidwishtobecomeLordLufton\'swife.Sheknewwellthatnowwashertimeforatriumph,nowinthisveryfirstseasonofheracknowledgedbeauty;andsheknewalsothatyoung,good-lookingbachelorlordsdonotgrowinhedgeslikeblackberries.HadLordLuftonofferedtoher,shewouldhaveacceptedhimatoncewithoutanyremorseastothegreaterglorieswhichmightappertaintoafutureMarchionessofHartletop.Inthatdirectionshewasnotwithoutsufficientwisdom.ButthenLordLuftonhadnotofferedtoher,norgivenanysignsthatheintendedtodoso;andtogiveGriseldaGrantlyherdue,shewasnotagirltomakethefirstoverture.NeitherhadLordDumbellooffered;buthehadgivensigns,——dumbsigns,suchasbirdsgivetoeachother,quiteasintelligibleasverbalsignstoagirlwhopreferredtheuseofhertoestothatofhertongue.\'Ihavenotthoughtaboutit,\'saidGriselda,verycoldly,andatthatmomentagentlemanstoodbeforeherandaskedherhandforthenextdance.
ItwasLordDumbello;andGriselda,makingnoreplyexceptbyaslightbow,gotupandputherhandwithinherpartner\'sarm.
\'ShallIfindyouhere,LadyLufton,whenwehavedone?\'shesaid;
andthenstartedoffamongthedancers.Whentheworkbeforeoneisdancingtheproperthingforagentlemantodois,atanyrate,toaskalady;thisproperthingLordLuftonhadomitted,andnowtheprizewastakenawayfromunderhisverynose.
TherewasclearlyanairoftriumphaboutLordDumbelloashewalkedawaywiththebeauty.TheworldhadbeensayingthatLordLuftonwastomarryher,andtheworldhadalsobeensayingthatLordDumbelloadmiredher.NowthishadangeredLordDumbello,andmakehimfeelasthoughhewalkedabout,amarkofscorn,asadisappointedsuitor.HaditnotbeenforLordLufton,perhapshewouldnothavecaredsomuchforGriseldaGrantly;butcircumstanceshadsoturnedoutthathedidcareforher,andfeltittobeincumbentuponhim,astheheirtoamarquisate,toobtainwhathewanted,letwhowouldhaveahankeringafterthesamearticle.Itisinthiswaythatpicturesaresowellsoldatauctions;andLordDumbelloregardedMissGrantlyasbeingnowsubjecttotheauctioneer\'shammer,andconceivedthatLordLuftonwasbiddingagainsthim.Therewas,therefore,anairoftriumphabouthimasheputhisarmroundGriselda\'swaist,andwhirledherupanddowntheroominobediencetothemusic.LadyLuftonandhersonwerelefttogetherlookingateachother.Ofcourse,hehadintendedtoaskGriseldatodance,butitcannotbesaidthatheverymuchregrettedhisdisappointment.OfcoursealsoLadyLuftonhadexpectedthathersonandGriseldawouldstanduptogether,andshewasalittleinclinedtobeangrywithherprotegee.\'Ithinkshemighthavewaitedaminute,\'saidLadyLufton.
\'Butwhy,mother?Therearecertainthingsforwhichnooneeverwaits:togiveafriend,forinstance,thefirstpassagethroughagateouthuntingandsuchlike.MissGrantlywasquiterighttotakethefirstthatoffered.\'LadyLuftonhaddeterminedtolearnwhatwastobetheendofthisschemeofhers.ShecouldnothaveGriseldaalwayswithher,andifanythingweretobearrangeditmustbearrangednow,whilebothofthemwereinLondon.AtthecloseoftheseasonGriseldawouldreturntoPlumstead,andLordLuftonwouldgo——nobodyasyetknewwhere.Itwouldbeuselesstolookforwardtofurtheropportunities.Iftheydidnotcontrivetoloveeachothernow,theywouldneverdoso.LadyLuftonwasbeginningtofearthatherplanwouldnotwork,butshemadeuphermindthatshewouldlearnthetruththenandthere——atleastasfarashersonwasconcerned.
\'Oh,yes;quiteso;——ifitisequaltoherwithwhichshedances,\'
saidLadyLufton.
\'Quiteequal,Ishouldthink——unlessitbethatDumbelloislonger-windedthanIam.\'
\'Iamsorrytohearyouspeakofherinthatway,Ludovic.\'
\'Whysorry,mother?\'
\'BecauseIhadhoped——thatyouandshewouldhavelikedeachother.\'Thisshesaidinaserioustoneofvoice,tenderandsad,lookingupintohisfacewithaplaintivegaze,asthoughsheknewthatshewereaskingofhimsomegreatfavour.
\'Yes,mother;Ihaveknownthatyouhavewishedthat.\'
\'Youhaveknownit,Ludovic!\'
\'Oh,dear,yes;youarenotatallsharpatkeepingyoursecretsfromme.And,mother,atonetime,foradayorso,IthoughtthatIcouldobligeyou.Youhavebeensogoodtome,thatIwouldalmostdoanythingforyou.\'
\'Oh,no,no,no,\'shesaid,deprecatinghispraise,andthesacrificewhichheseemedtoofferofhisownhopesandaspirations.\'Iwouldnotforworldshaveyoudosoformysake.
Nomothereverhadabetterson,andmyonlyambitionisforyourhappiness.\'
\'But,mother,shewouldnotmakemehappy.Iwasmadenoughforamomenttothinkthatshecoulddoso——foramomentIdidthinkso.
TherewasoneoccasiononwhichIwouldhaveaskedhertotakeme,but——\'
\'Butwhat,Ludovic?\'
\'Nevermind,itpassedaway;andnowIshallneveraskher.IndeedIdonotthinkshewouldhaveme.Sheisambitious,andflyingathighergamethanIam.AndImustsaythisforher,thatsheknowswellwhatsheisdoing,andplayshercardsasthoughshehadbeenbornwiththeminherhand.\'
\'Youwillneveraskher?\'
\'No,mother;hadIdoneso,itwouldhavebeenfortheloveofyou——onlyfortheloveofyou.\'
\'Iwouldnotforworldsthatyoushoulddothat.\'
\'LetherhaveDumbello;shewillmakeanexcellentwifeforhim,justthewifethathewillwant.Andyou,youwillhavebeensogoodtoherinassistinghertosuchamatter.\'
\'But,Ludovic,Iamsoanxioustoseeyousettled.\'
\'Allingoodtime,mother.\'
\'Ah,butthegoodtimeispassingaway.Yearsrunsoveryquickly.Ihopeyouthinkofmarrying,Ludovic.\'
\'But,mother,whatifIbroughtyouawifethatyoudonotapprove?\'
\'Iwillapproveofanyonethatyoulove;thatis——\'
\'Thatis,ifyouloveheralso;eh,mother?\'
\'ButIrelywithsuchconfidenceonyourtaste.Iknowthatyoucanlikenoonethatisnotladylikeandgood.\'
\'Ladylikeandgood;willthatsuffice?\'saidhe,thinkingofLucyRobarts.
\'Yes;itwillsufficeifyouloveher.Idon\'twantyoutocareformoney.Griseldawillhaveafortunethatwouldhavebeenconvenient;butIdonotwishyoutocareforthat.\'Andthus,astheystoodtogetherinMissDunstable\'scrowdedroom,themotherandsonsettledbetweenthemselvesthattheLufton-Grantlyalliancetreatywasnottoberatified.\'IsupposeImustletMrsGrantlyknow,\'saidLadyLuftontoherself,asGriseldareturnedtoherside.TherehadnotbeenaboveadozenwordsspokenbetweenLordDumbelloandhispartner,butthatyoungladyalsohadnowfullymadeuphermindthatthetreatyabovementionedshouldneverbebroughtintooperation.
Wemustgobacktoourhostess,whomweshouldnothaveleftforsolongatime,seeingthatthischapteriswrittentoshowhowwellshecouldconductherselfingreatemergencies.Shehaddeclaredthatafterawhileshewouldbeabletoleaveherpositionneartheentrancedoor,andfindoutherownpeculiarfriendsamongthecrowd;buttheopportunityfordoingsodidnotcometillverylateintheevening.Therewasacontinuationofarrivals;shewasweariedtodeathwithmakinglittlespeeches,andhadmorethanoncedeclaredthatshemustdeputeMrsHaroldSmithtotakeherplace.Thatladystucktoherthroughallherlabourswithadmirableconstancy,andmadetheworkbearable.Withoutsomesuchconstancyonafriend\'spart,itwouldhavebeenunbearable;anditmustbeacknowledgedthatthiswasmuchtothecreditofMrsHaroldSmith.Herownhopeswithreferencetothegreatheiresshadallbeenshattered,andheranswerhadbeengiventoherinveryplainlanguage.But,nevertheless,shewastruetoherfriendship,andwasalmostaswillingtoendurethefatigueonthisoccasionasthoughshehadasister-in-law\'srightinthehouse.Ataboutoneo\'clockherbrothercame.HehadnotyetseenMissDunstablesincetheofferhadbeenmade,andhadnowwithgreatdifficultybeenpersuadedbyhissistertoshowhimself.
\'Whatcanbetheuse?\'saidhe.\'Thegameisupwithmenow;\'——meaning,poorruinedne\'er-do-well,notonlythatthatgamewithMissDunstablewasup,butthatthegreatgameofhiswholelifewasbeingbroughttoanuncomfortabletermination.
\'Nonsense,\'saidhissister;\'doyoumeantodespairbecauseamanliketheDukeofOmniumwantshismoney?Whathasbeengoodsecurityforhimwillbegoodsecurityforanother;\'andthenMrsHaroldSmithmadeherselfmoreagreeablethenevertoMissDunstable.
WhenMissDunstablewasnearlywornout,butwasstillendeavouringtobuoyherselfupbyahopeofthestill-expectedgreatarrival——forsheknewthattheherowouldshowhimselfonlyataverylatehourifitweretobehergoodfortunethatheshowedhimselfatall——MrSowerbywalkedupthestairs.Hehadschooledhimselftogothroughwiththisordealwithallthecooleffronterywhichwasathiscommand;butitwasclearlytobeseenthatallhiseffronterydidnotstandhiminsufficientstead,andthattheinterviewwouldhavebeenembarrassinghaditnotbeenforthegenuinegood-humourofthelady.\'Hereismybrother,\'saidMrsHaroldSmith,showingbythetremulousnessofthewhisperthatshelookedforwardtothemeetingwithsomeamountofapprehension.
\'Howdoyoudo,MrSowerby?\'saidMissDunstable,walkingalmostintothedoorwaytowelcomehim.\'Betterlatethannever.\'
\'IhaveonlyjustgotawayfromtheHouse,\'saidhe,ashegaveherhishand.
\'Oh,Iknowwellthatyouaresansreprocheamongsenators——asMrHaroldSmithissanspeur;——eh,mydear?\'
\'Imustconfessthatyouhavecontrivedtobeuncommonlysevereuponthemboth,\'saidMrsHarold,laughing;\'andasregardspoorHarold,mostundeservedlyso;Nathanielishere,andmaydefendhimself.\'
\'Andnooneisbetterabletodosoonalloccasions.But,mydearMrSowerby,Iamdyingofdespair.Doyouthinkhe\'llcome?\'
\'He?who?\'
\'Youstupidman——asifthereweremorethanonehe!Thereweretwo,buttheotherhasbeen.\'
\'Uponmyword,Idon\'tunderstand,\'saidMrSowerby,nowagainathisease.\'ButcanIdoanything?ShallIgoandfetchanyone?
Oh,TomTowers;IfearIcan\'thelpyou.Buthereheisatthefootofthestairs!\'AndthenMrSowerbystoodbackwithhissistertomakewayforthegreatrepresentativemanoftheage.
\'Angelsandministersofgraceassistme!\'saidMissDunstable.
\'HowonearthamItobehavemyself?MrSowerby,doyouthinkthatIoughttokneeldown?Mydear,willhehaveareporterathisbackintheroyallivery?\'AndthenMissDunstableadvancedtwoorthreesteps——notintothedoorway,asshehaddoneforMrSowerby——putoutherhand,andsmiledhersweetestonMrTowersoftheJupiter.
\'Thehonourdoneisallconferredonme,\'andhebowedandcurtsiedwithverystatelygrace.Eachthoroughlyunderstoodthebadinageoftheother;andthen,inafewmoments,theywereengagedinveryeasyconversation.
\'Bytheby,Sowerby,whatdoyouthinkofthisthreateneddissolution?\'saidTomTowers.
\'WeareallinthehandsofProvidence,\'saidMrSowerby,strivingtotakethematterwithoutanyoutwardshowofemotion.Butthequestionwasoneofterribleimporttohim,anduptothistimehehadheardofnosuchthreat.NorhadMrsHaroldSmith,norMissDunstable,norhadahundredotherswhonoweitherlistenedtothevaticinationsofMrTowers,ortotheimmediatereportmadeofthem.Butitisgiventosomementooriginatesuchtidings,andtheperformanceoftheprophecyisoftenbroughtaboutbytheauthorityoftheprophet.Onthefollowingmorningtherumourthattherewouldbeadissolutionwascurrentinallhighcircles.\'Theyhavenoconscienceinsuchmatters;noconsciencewhatever,\'saidasmallgod,speakingofthegiants——asmallgod,whoseconstituencywasexpensive.MrTowersstoodtherechattingforabouttwentyminutes,andthentookhisdeparturewithoutmakinghiswayintotheroom.Hehadansweredthepurposeforwhichhehadbeeninvited,andleftMissDunstableinahappyframeofmind.
\'Iamverygladhecame,\'saidMrsHaroldSmith,withanairoftriumph.
\'Yes,Iamglad,\'saidMissDunstable,\'thoughIamthoroughlyashamedthatIshouldbeso.Afterall,whatgoodhashedonetomeortoanyone?\'Andhavingutteredthismoralreflection,shemadeherwayintotherooms,andsoondiscoveredDrThornestandingbyhimselfagainstthewall.
\'Well,doctor,\'saidMissDunstable,\'whereareMaryandFrank?Youdonotlookatallcomfortable,standingherebyyourself.\'
\'IamquiteascomfortableasIexpected,thankyou,\'saidhe.
\'Theyareintheroomsomewhere,and,asIbelieve,equallyhappy.\'
\'That\'sspitefulofyou,doctor,tospeakinthatway.WhatwouldyousayifyouwerecalledontoendureallthatIhavegonethroughthisevening?\'
\'Thereisnoaccountingfortastes,butIpresumeyoulikeit?\'
\'Iamnotsosureofthat.Givemeyourarmandletmegetsomesupper.Onealwayslikestheideaofhavingdonehardwork,andonealwayslikestohavebeensuccessful.\'
\'Weallknowthatvirtueisitsownreward,\'saidthedoctor.
\'Well,thatissomethingharduponme,\'saidMissDunstable,asshesatdowntotable.\'Andyoureallythinkthatnogoodofanysortcancomefrommygivingsuchapartyasthis?\'
\'Oh,yes;somepeople,nodoubt,havebeenamused.\'
\'Itisallvanityinyourestimation,\'saidMissDunstable;\'vanityandvexationofspirit.Well;thereisagooddealofthelatter,certainly.Sherry,ifyouplease.Iwouldgiveanythingforaglassofbeer,butthatisoutofthequestion.Vanityandvexationofspirit!AndyetImeanttodogood.\'
\'Pray,donotsupposeIamcondemningyou,MissDunstable.\'
\'Ah,butIdosupposeit.Notonlyyou,butanotheralso,whosejudgementIcarefor,perhaps,morethanyours;andthat,letmetellyou,issayingagreatdeal.Youdocondemnme,DrThorne,andIalsocondemnmyself.ItisnotthatIhavedonewrong,butthegameisnotworththecandle.\'
\'Ah;thatisthequestion.\'
\'Thegameisnotworththecandle.AndyetitwasatriumphtohaveboththedukeandTomTowers.YoumustconfessthatIhavenotmanagedbadly.\'SoonafterthattheGreshamswentaway,andinanhour\'stimeorso,MissDunstablewasallowedtodragherselftoherownbed.
Thatisthegreatquestiontobeaskedonallsuchoccasions,\'Isthegameworththecandle?\'
CHAPTERXXX
THEGRANTLYTRIUMPH
Ithasbeenmentionedcursorily——thereader,nodoubt,willhaveforgottenit——thatMrsGrantlywasnotspeciallyinvitedbyherhusbandtogouptotownwithaviewofbeingpresentatMissDunstable\'sparty.MrsGrantlysaidnothingonthesubject,butshewassomewhatchagrined;notonaccountofthelossshesustainedwithreferencetothatcelebratedassembly,butbecauseshefeltthatherdaughter\'saffairsrequiredthesupervisionofamother\'seye.ShealsodoubtedthefinalratificationofthatLufton-Grantlytreaty,and,doubtingit,shedidnotfeelquitesatisfiedthatherdaughtershouldbeleftinLadyLufton\'shands.
Shehadsaidawordortwotothearchdeaconbeforehewentup,butonlyawordortwo,forshehesitatedtotrusthiminsodelicateamatter.Shewas,therefore,notalittlesurprisedatreceivingaletterfromhimdesiringherimmediatepresenceinLondon.Shewassurprised;butherheartwasfilledratherwithhopethandismay,forshehadfullconfidenceinherdaughter\'sdiscretion.Onthemorningaftertheparty,LadyLuftonandGriseldahadbreakfastedtogetherasusual,buteachfeltthatthemanneroftheotherwasaltered.LadyLuftonthoughtthatheryoungfriendwassomewhatlessattentive,andperhapslessmeekinherdemeanourthanusual;
andGriseldafeltthatLadyLuftonwaslessaffectionate.Verylittle,however,wassaidbetweenthem,andLadyLuftonexpressednosurprisewhenGriseldabeggedtobeleftaloneathome,insteadofaccompanyingherladyshipwhenthecarriagecametothedoor.
NobodycalledinBrutonStreetthatafternoon——noone,atleast,wasletin——exceptthearchdeacon.Hecametherelateintheday,andremainedwithhisdaughtertillLadyLuftonreturned.Thenhetookhisleave,withmoreabruptnessthanwasusualwithhim,andwithoutsayinganythingspecialtoaccountforthedurationofhisvisit.NeitherdidGriseldasayanythingspecial;andsotheeveningworeaway,eachfeelinginsomeunconsciousmannerthatshewasonlessintimatetermswiththeotherthanhadpreviouslybeenthecase.
OnthenextdayGriseldawouldnotgoout,butatfouro\'clockaservantbroughtalettertoherfromMountStreet.HermotherhadarrivedinLondonandwishedtoseeheratonce.MrsGrantlysentherlovetoLadyLufton,andwouldcallathalf-pastfive,oratanylaterhouratwhichitmightbeconvenientforLadyLuftontoseeher.GriseldawastostayanddineinMountStreet;sosaidtheletter.LadyLuftondeclaredthatshewouldbeveryhappytoseeMrsGrantlyatthehournamed;andthen,armedwiththismessage,Griseldastartedforhermother\'slodgings.\'I\'llsendthecarriageforyou,\'saidLadyLufton.\'Isupposeabouttenwilldo.\'
\'Thankyou,\'saidGriselda,\'thatwilldoverynicely;\'andthenshewent.Exactlyathalf-pastfiveMrsGrantlywasshownintoLadyLufton\'sdrawing-room.Herdaughterdidnotcomewithher,andLadyLuftoncouldseebytheexpressionofherfriend\'sfacethatbusinesswastobediscussed.Indeed,itwasnecessarythatsheherselfshoulddiscussbusiness,forMrsGrantlymustnowbetoldthatthefamilytreatycouldnotberatified.Thegentlemandeclinedthealliance,andpoorLadyLuftonwasuneasyinhermindatthenatureofthetaskbeforeher.
\'Yourcominguphasbeenratherunexpected,\'saidLadyLufton,assoonasherfriendwasseatedonthesofa.
\'Yes,indeed;Igotaletterfromthearchdeacononlythismorning,whichmadeitabsolutelynecessarythatIshouldcome.\'
\'Nobadnews,Ihope?\'saidLadyLufton.
\'No;Ican\'tcallitbadnews.But,dearLadyLufton,thingswon\'talwaysturnoutexactlyasonewouldhavethem.\'
\'No,indeed,\'saidherladyship,rememberingthatitwasincumbentonhertoexplaintoMrsGrantlynowatthispresentinterviewthetidingswithwhichhermindwasfraught.Shewould,however,letMrsGrantlyfirsttellherownstory,feeling,perhaps,thattheonemightpossiblybearupontheother.
\'PoordearGriselda!\'saidMrsGrantly,almostwithasigh.\'I
neednottellyou,LadyLufton,whatmyhopeswereregardingher.\'
\'Hasshetoldyouanything——anythingthat——\'
\'Shewouldhavespokentoyouatonce——anditwasduetoyouthatsheshouldhavedoneso——butshewastimid;andnotunnaturallyso.Andthenitwasrightthatsheshouldseeherfatherandmebeforeshequitemadeuphermind.ButImaysaythatitissettlednow.\'
\'Whatissettled?\'askedLadyLufton.
\'Ofcourseitisimpossibleforanyonetotellbeforehandhowthesethingswillturnout,\'continuedMrsGrantly,beatingaboutthebushrathermorethanwasnecessary.\'ThedearestwishofmyheartwastoseehermarriedtoLordLufton.Ishouldsomuchhavewishedtohaveherinthesamecountywithme,andsuchamatchasthatwouldhavefullysatisfiedmyambition.\'
Well,Ishouldthinkitmight!\'LadyLuftondidnotsaythisoutloud,butshethoughtit.MrsGrantlywasabsolutelyspeakingofamatchbetweenherdaughterandLordLuftonasthoughshewouldhavedisplayedsomeChristianmoderationinputtingupwithit!GriseldaGrantlymightbeaverynicegirl;butevenshe——sothoughtLadyLuftonatthemoment——mightpossiblybepricedtoohighly.
\'DearMrsGrantly,\'shesaid,\'Ihaveforeseenforthelastfewdaysthatourmutualhopesinthisrespectwouldnotbegratified.
LordLufton,Ithink;——butperhapsitisnotnecessarytoexplain——Hadyounotcomeuptotown,Ishouldhavewrittentoyou,——probablytoday.WhatevermaybedearGriselda\'sfateinlife,Isincerelyhopethatshemaybehappy.\'
\'Ithinkshewill,\'saidMrsGrantly,inatonethatexpressedmuchsatisfaction.
\'Has——anything——\'
\'LordDumbelloproposedtoGriseldatheothernight,atMissDunstable\'sparty,\'saidMrsGrantly,withhereyesfixeduponthefloor,andassumingonthesuddenmuchmeeknessinhermanner;\'andhislordshipwaswiththearchdeaconyesterday,andagainthismorning.IfancyheisinMountStreetatthepresentmoment.\'
\'Oh,indeed!\'saidLadyLufton.Shewouldhavegivenworldstohavepossessedatthemomentsufficientself-commandtohaveenabledhertoexpressinhertoneandmannerunqualifiedsatisfactionofthetidings.Butshehadnotsuchself-command,andwaspainfullyawareofherowndeficiency.
\'Yes,\'saidMrsGrantly.\'Andasitisallsofarsettled,andasIknowyouaresokindlyanxiousaboutdearGriselda,Ithoughtitrighttoletyouknowatonce.Nothingcanbemoreupright,honourable,andgenerous,thanLordDumbello\'sconduct;and,onthewhole,thematchisonewithwhichIandthearchdeaconcannotbutbecontented.\'
\'Itiscertainlyagreatmatch,\'saidLadyLufton.\'HaveyouseenLadyHartletopyet?\'
NowLadyHartletopcouldnotberegardedasanagreeableconnexion,butthiswastheonlywordwhichescapedfromLadyLuftonthatcouldbeconsideredinanywaydisparaging,and,onthewhole,I
thinkshebehavedwell.
\'LordDumbelloissocompletelyhisownmasterthatthathasnotbeennecessary,\'saidMrsGrantly.\'Themarquesshasbeentold,andthearchdeaconwillseehimeitherto-morroworthedayafter.\'
TherewasnothingleftforLadyLuftonbuttocongratulateherfriend,andthisshedidinwordsperhapsnotverysincere,butwhich,onthewhole,werenotbadlychosen.
\'IamsureIhopeshewillbeveryhappy,\'saidLadyLufton,\'andI
trustthatthealliance\'——thewordwasveryagreeabletoMrsGrantly\'sear——\'willgiveunalloyedgratificationtoyouandherfather.Thepositionwhichsheiscalledtofillisaverysplendidone,butIdonotthinkthatitisabovehermerits.\'Thiswasverygenerous,andsoMrsGrantlyfeltit.Shehadexpectedthathernewswouldbereceivedwiththecoldestshadeofcivility,andshewasquitepreparedtodobattleiftherewasoccasion.Butshehadnowishforwar,andwasalmostgratefultoLadyLuftonforhercordiality.
\'DearLadyLufton,\'shesaid,\'itissokindofyoutosayso.I
havetoldnooneelse,andofcoursewouldtellnoonetillyouknewit.Noonehasknownherandunderstoodhersowellasyouhavedone.AndIcanassureyouofthis,thatthereisnoonetowhosefriendshipshelooksforwardinhernewsphereoflifewithhalfsomuchpleasureasshedoesyours.\'LadyLuftondidnotsaymuchfurther.ShecouldnotdeclarethatsheexpectedmuchgratificationfromanintimacywiththefutureMarchionessofHartletop.TheHartletopsandLuftonsmust,atanyrateforhergeneration,liveinaworldapart,andshehadnotsaidallthatheroldfriendshipwithMrsGrantlyrequired.MrsGrantlyunderstoodallthisquiteaswellasdidLadyLufton;butthenMrsGrantlywasmuchthebetterwomanoftheworld.ItwasarrangedthatGriseldashouldcomebacktoBrutonStreetforthenight,andthathervisitshouldthenbebroughttoaclose.
\'ThearchdeaconthinksthatforthepresentIhadbetterremainintown,\'saidMrsGrantly,\'andundertheverypeculiarcircumstancesGriseldawillbe——perhapsmorecomfortablewithme.\'TothisLadyLuftonentirelyagreed;andsotheyparted,excellentfriends,embracingeachotherinamostaffectionatemanner.ThateveningGriseldadidreturntoBrutonStreet,andLadyLuftonhadtogothroughthefurthertaskofcongratulatingher.Thiswasthemoredisagreeableofthetwo,especiallysoasithadtobethoughtoverbeforehand.Buttheyounglady\'sexcellentgoodsenseandsterlingqualitiesmakethetaskcomparativelyaneasyone.Sheneithercried,norwasimpassioned,norwentintohysterics,norshowedanyemotion.ShedidnoteventalkofhernobleDumbello,——hergenerousDumbello.ShetookLadyLufton\'skissesalmostinsilence,thankedhergentlyforherkindness,andmadenoallusiontoherownfuturegrandeur.
\'IthinkIshouldliketogotobedearly,\'shesaid,\'asImustseetomypackingup.\'
\'Richardswilldoallthatforyou,mydear.\'
\'Oh,yes,thankyou,nothingcanbekinderthanRichards.ButI\'lljustseetomyowndresses.\'Andsoshewenttobedearly.
LadyLuftondidnotseehersonforthenexttwodays,butwhenshedid,ofcourseshesaidawordortwoaboutGriselda.\'Youhaveheardthenews,Ludovic?\'sheasked.
\'Oh,yes;it\'satalltheclubs.Ihavebeenoverwhelmedwithpresentsofwillowbranches.\'
\'You,atanyrate,havenothingtoregret,\'shesaid.
\'Noryoueither,mother.Iamsureyoudonotthinkyouhave.Saythatyoudonotregretit.Dearestmother,saysoformysake.Doyounotknowinyourheartofheartsthatshewasnotsuitedtobehappyasmywife——ortomakemehappy.\'
\'Perhapsnot,\'saidLadyLufton,sighing.Andthenshekissedherson,anddeclaredtoherselfthatnogirlinEnglandcouldbegoodenoughforhim.