'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.