'Yes,indeed,'saidLadyLufton.
　　'Andisshetherenow?'
　　'Oh,yes;Iamnotawarethatshethinksofleavingjustyet.'
　　'ThenIsayitisagreatshame——ascandalousshame!'
　　'But,Ludovic,itwasherowndoing.'
　　'Oh,yes;Iunderstand.Butwhyshouldshebesacrificed?Weretherenonursesinthecountrytobehired,butthatshemustgoandremainthereforamonthatthebedsideofapestilentfever?
　　Thereisnojusticeinit.'
　　'Justice,Ludovic?Idon'tknowaboutjustice,buttherewasgreatChristiancharity.MrsCrawleyhasprobablyowedherlifetoMissRobarts.'
　　'Hasshebeenill?Issheill?Iinsistuponknowingwhethersheisill.IshallgoovertoHogglestockmyselfimmediatelyafterbreakfast.'TothisLadyLuftonmadenoreply.IfLordLuftonchosetogotoHogglestockshecouldnotpreventhim.Shethought,however,thatitwouldbemuchbetterthatheshouldstayaway.HewouldbequiteasopentotheinfectionasLucyRobarts;and,moreover,MrsCrawley'sbedsidewouldbeasinconvenientaplaceasmightbeselectedforanyinterviewbetweentwolovers.LadyLuftonfeltatthepresentmomentthatshewascruellytreatedbycircumstanceswithreferencetotheMissRobarts.Ofcourseitwouldhavebeenherparttolessen,ifshecoulddosowithoutinjustice,thathighideawhichhersonentertainedofthebeautyandworthoftheyounglady;but,unfortunately,shehadbeencompelledtopraiseherandtoloadhernamewithallmannerofeulogy.LadyLuftonwasessentiallyatruewoman,andnotevenwiththeobjectofcarryingoutherownviewsinsoimportantamatterwouldshebeguiltyofsuchdeceptionasshemighthavepractisedbysimplyholdinghertongue;butneverthelessshecouldhardlyreconcileherselftothenecessityofsingingLucy'spraises.
　　AfterbreakfastLadyLuftongotupfromherchair,buthungabouttheroomwithoutmakinganyshowofleaving.Inaccordancewithherusualcustomshewouldhaveaskedhersonwhathewasgoingtodo;butshedidnotdaresotoinquirenow.Hadhenotdeclared,onlyafewminutessince,whitherhewouldgo?'IsupposeIshallseeyouatlunch?'atlastshesaid.
　　'Atlunch?Well,Idon'tknow.Lookhere,mother.WhatamItosaytoMissRobartswhenIseeher?'andheleanedwithhisbackagainstthechimney-pieceasheinterrogatedhismother.
　　'Whatareyougoingtosaytoher,Ludovic?'
　　'Yes,whatamItosay,——ascomingfromyou?AmItotellherthatyouwillreceiveherasyourdaughter-in-law?'
　　'Ludovic,IhaveexplainedallthattoMissRobartsherself.'
　　'Explainedwhat?'
　　'IhavetoldherthatIdidnotthinkthatsuchamarriagewouldmakeeitheryouorherhappy.'
　　'Andwhyhaveyoutoldherso?Whyhaveyoutakenuponyourselftojudgeformeinsuchamatter,asthoughIwereachild?Mother,youmustunsaywhatyouhavesaid.'LordLufton,ashespoke,lookedfullintohismother'sface;andhedidso,notasthoughhewerebeggingfromherafavour,butissuingtoheracommand.Shestoodnearhim,withonehandonthebreakfast-table,gazingathimalmostfurtively,notquitedaringtomeetthefullviewofhiseye.TherewasonlyonethingonearthwhichLadyLuftonfeared,andthatwasherson'sdispleasure.Thesunofherearthlyheavenshoneuponherthroughthemediumofhisexistence.Ifsheweredriventoquarrelwithhim,assomeladiesofheracquaintanceweredriventoquarrelwiththeirsons,theworldforherwouldbeover.Notbutwhatfactsmightbesostrongastomakeitabsolutelynecessarythatsheshoulddothis.Assomepeoplemightresolvethat,undercertaincircumstances,theywillcommitsuicide,soshecouldseethat,undercertaincircumstances,shemustconsenteventobeseparatedfromhim.Shewouldnotdowrong,——notthatwhichsheknewtobewrong,——evenforhissake.Ifitwerenecessarythatallherhappinessshouldcollapseandbecrushedinruinaroundher,shemustendureit,andwaitGod'stimetorelieveherfromsodarkaworld.Thelightofthesunwasverydeartoher,buteventhatmightbepurchasedattoodearacost.
　　'Itoldyoubefore,mother,thatmychoicewasmade,andIaskedyouthentogiveyourconsent;youhavenowhadtimetothinkaboutit,andthereforeIhavecometoaskyouagain.IhavereasontoknowthattherewillbenoimpedimenttomymarriageifyouwillfranklyholdoutyourhandtoLucy.'
　　ThematterwasaltogetherinLadyLufton'shands,but,fondasshewasofpower,sheabsolutelywishedthatitwerenotso.Hadhersonmarriedwithoutaskingher,andthenbroughtLucyhomeashiswife,shewouldundoubtedlywouldhaveforgivenhim;andmuchasshemighthavedislikedthematch,shewould,ultimately,haveembracedthebride.Butnowshewascompelledtoexerciseherjudgement.Ifhemarriedimprudently,itwouldbeherdoing.Howwasshetogiveherexpressedconsenttothatwhichshebelievedtobewrong?'Doyouknowanythingagainsther;anyreasonwhysheshouldnotbemywife?'continuedhe.
　　'Ifyoumeanasregardshermoralconduct,certainlynot,'saidLadyLufton.'ButIcouldsayasmuchasthatinfavourofagreatmanyyoungladieswhomIshouldregardasveryill-suitedforsuchamarriage.'
　　'Yes;somemightbevulgar,somemightbeill-tempered,somemightbeugly;othersmightbeburdenedwithdisagreeableconnexions.I
　　canunderstandthatyoushouldobjecttoadaughter-in-lawunderanyofthesecircumstances.ButnonetothesethingscanbesaidofMissRobarts.Idefyyoutosaythatsheisnotallrespectswhataladyshouldbe.'
　　Butherfatherwasadoctorofmedicine,sheisthesisteroftheparishclergyman,sheisonlyfivefeettwoinheight,andissouncommonlybrown.HadLadyLuftondaredtogivehercatalogueofherobjections,suchwouldhavebeenitsextentandnature.Butshedidnotdaredothis.
　　'Icannotsay,Ludovic,thatsheispossessedofallthatyoushouldseekinawife.'Suchwasheranswer.
　　'Doyoumeanthatshehasnotgotmoney?'
　　'No,notthat;Ishouldbeverysorrytoseeyoumakingmoneyyourchiefobject,orindeedanyessentialobject.Ifitchancedthatyourwifedidhavemoney,nodoubtyouwouldfinditaconvenience.Butprayunderstandme,Ludovic;Iwouldnotforamomentadviseyoutosubjectyourhappinesstosuchanecessityasthat.Itisnotbecausesheiswithoutfortune——'
　　'Thenwhyisit?Atbreakfastyouweresingingherpraises,andsayinghowexcellentshewas.'
　　'IfIwereforcedtoputmyobjectionintooneword,Ishouldsay——'andthenshepaused,hardlydaringtoencounterthefrownwhichwasalreadygatheringitselfonherson'sbrow.
　　'Youwouldsaywhat?'saidLordLufton,almostroughly.
　　'Don'tbeangrywithme,Ludovic;allthatIthink,andallthatI
　　sayonthissubject,Ithinkandsaywithonlyoneobject——thatofyourhappiness.WhatothermotivecanIhaveforanythinginthisworld?'Andthenshecameclosetohimandkissedhim.
　　'Buttellme,mother,whatisthisobjection;whatisthisterriblewordthatistosumupthelistofallpoorLucy'ssins,andprovethatsheisunfitformarriedlife?'
　　'Ludovic,Ididnotsaythat.YouknowthatIdidnot.'
　　'Whatisthatword,mother?'
　　AndthenatlastLadyLuftonspokeitout.'Sheis——insignificant.
　　Ibelievehertobeaverygoodgirl,butsheisnotqualifiedtofillthehighpositiontowhichyouwouldexalther.'
　　'Insignificant!'
　　'Yes,Ludovic,Ithinkso.'
　　'Then,mother,youdonotknowher.Youmustpermitmetosaythatyouaretalkingofagirlwhomyoudonotknow.OfalltheepithetsofopprobriumwhichtheEnglishlanguagecouldgiveyou,thatwouldnearlybethelastshewoulddeserve.'
　　'Ihavenotintendedanyopprobrium.'
　　'Insignificant!'
　　'Perhapsyoudonotquiteunderstandme,Ludovic.'
　　'Iknowwhatinsignificantmeans,mother.'
　　'Ithinkthatshewouldnotworthilyfillthepositionwhichyourwifeshouldtakeintheworld.'
　　'Iunderstandwhatyousay.'
　　'Shewouldnotdoyouhonourattheheadofyourtable.'
　　'Ah,Iunderstand.YouwantmetomarrysomebouncingAmazon,somepinkandwhitegiantessoffashionwhowouldfrightenthelittlepeopleintotheirproprieties.'
　　'Oh,Ludovic!Youareintendingtolaughatmenow.'
　　'Iwasneverlessinclinedtolaughinmylife——never,Icanassureyou.AndnowIammorecertainthaneverthatyourobjectiontoMissRobartsarisesfromyournotknowingher.Youwillfind,I
　　think,whenyoudoknowher,thatsheisaswellabletoholdherownasanyladyofyouracquaintance——aye,andtomaintainherhusband'spositiontoo.IcanassureyouthatIshallhavenofearofheronthatscore.'
　　'Ithink,dearest,thatperhapsyouhardly——'
　　'Ithinkthis,mother,thatinsuchamatterasthisImustchooseformyself.Ihavechosen;andnowIaskyou,asmymother,togotoherandbidherwelcome.Dearmother,Iwillownthis,thatI
　　shouldnotbehappyifIthoughtthatyoudidnotlovemywife.'
　　Theselastwordshesaidinatoneofaffectionthatwenttohismother'sheart,andthenhelefttheroom.
　　PoorLadyLufton,whenshewasalone,waitedtillsheheardherson'sstepsretreatingthroughthehall,andthenbetookherselfupstairstohercustomarymorningwork.Shesatdownatlastasthoughabouttooccupyherself;buthermindwastoofulltoallowofhertakingupherpen.Shehadoftensaidtoherself,indayswhichtoherwerenotasyetlonggoneby,thatshewouldchooseabrideforherson,andthatthenshewouldlovethechosenonewithallherheart.Shewoulddethroneherselfinfavourofthisnewqueen,sinkingwithjoyintoherdowagerstate,inorderthatherson'swifemightshinewiththegreatersplendour.Thefondestday-dreamsofherlifehadallhadreferencetothetimewhenhersonshouldbringhomeanewLadyLufton,selectedbyherselffromthefemaleexcellenceofEngland,andinwhichshemightbethefirsttoworshiphernewidol.ButcouldshedethroneherselfforLucyRobarts?Couldshegiveupherchairofstateinordertoplacethereonthelittlegirlfromtheparsonage?Couldshetaketoherheart,andtreatwithabsolutelovingconfidence,withtheconfidenceofanalmostidolatrousmother,thatlittlechitwho,afewmonthssince,hadsatawkwardlyinonecornerofherdrawing-room,afraidtospeaktoanyone?Andyetitseemedthatitmustcometothis——tothis——orelsethoseday-dreamsofherswouldinnowisecometopass.Shesatherselfdown,tryingtothinkwhetheritwerepossiblethatLucymightfillthethrone;forshehadbeguntorecognizeitasprobablethatherson'swillwouldbetoostrongforher;butherthoughtswouldflyawaytoGriseldaGrantly.Inherfirstandonlymaturedattempttorealizeherday-dreams,shehadchosenGriseldaforherqueen.Shehadfailedthere,seeingthatFateshaddestinedMissGrantlyforanotherthrone;foranotherandhigherone,asfarastheworldgoes.ShewouldhavemadeGriseldathewifeofabaron,butfatewasabouttomakethatyoungladythewifeofamarquis.Wastherecauseforgriefinthis?DidshereallyregretthatMissGrantly,withallhervirtues,shouldbemadeovertothehouseofHartletop?LadyLuftonwasawomanwhodidnotbeardisappointmentlightly;butneverthelessshedidalmostfeelherselftohavebeenrelievedfromaburdenwhenshethoughtoftheterminationoftheLufton-Grantlymarriagetreaty.Whatifshehadbeensuccessful,and,afterall,theprizehadbeenotherthanshehadexpected?Shewassometimespronetothinkthatthatprizewasnotexactlyallthatshehadoncehoped.GriseldalookedtheverythingthatLadyLuftonwantedforaqueen;buthowwouldaqueenreignwhotrustedonlytoherlooks?Inthatrespectitwasperhapswellforherthatdestinyhadinterposed.Griselda,shewasdriventoadmit,wasbettersuitedtoLordDumbellothantoherson.Butstill——suchaqueenasLucy!Coulditevercometopassthattheliegesofthekingdomwouldbowthekneeinproperrespectbeforesopunyasovereign?
　　Andthentherewasthatfeelingwhich,instillhigherquarters,preventsthemarriageofprinceswiththemostnobleoftheirpeople.Isitnotarecognizedruleoftheserealmsthatnoneofthebloodroyalshallraisetoroyalhonoursthoseofthesubjectswhoarebybirthun-royal?LucywasasubjectofthehouseofLuftoninthatshewasthesisteroftheparsonandaresidentdenizenoftheparsonage.PresumingthatLucyherselfmightdoforaqueen——grantingthatshemighthavesomefacultytoreign,thecrownhavingbeendulyplacedonherbrow——how,then,aboutthatclericalbrothernearthethrone?Woulditnotcometothis,thattherewouldnolongerbeaqueenatFramley?Andyetsheknewthatshemustyield.Shedidnotsaysotoherself.ShedidnotasyetacknowledgethatshemustputoutherhandtoLucy,callingherbynameasherdaughter.Shedidnotabsolutelysayasmuchtoherownheart——notasyet.ButshedidbegintobethinkherselfofLucy'shighqualities,andtodeclaretoherselfthatthegirl,ifnotfittobeaqueen,wasatanyratefittobeawoman.Thattherewasaspiritwithinthatbody,insignificantthoughthebodymightbe,LadyLuftonwaspreparedtoadmit.Thatshehadacquiredthepower——thechiefofallpowersinthisworld——ofsacrificingherselfforthesakeofothers;that,too,wasevidentenough.Thatshewasagoodgirl,intheusualacceptationofthewordgood,LadyLuftonneverdoubted.Shewasready-witted,too,promptinaction,giftedwithacertainfire.Itwasthatgiftoffirewhichhadwonforher,sounfortunately,LordLufton'slove.ItwasquitepossibleforheralsotoloveLucyRobarts;LadyLuftonadmittedthattoherself;butthenwhocouldbowthekneebeforeher,andserveherasaqueen?Wasitnotapitythatsheshouldbesoinsignificant?
　　But,nevertheless,wemaysaythatasLadyLuftonsatethatmorninginherownroomfortwohourswithoutemployment,thestarofLucyRobartswasgraduallyrisinginthefirmament.Afterall,lovewasthefoodchieflynecessaryforthenourishmentofLadyLufton——theonlyfoodnecessary.Shewasnotawareofthisherself,norprobablywouldthosewhoknewherbesthavesospokenofher.Theywouldhavedeclaredthatfamilypridewasherdailypabulum,andsheherselfwouldhavesaidsotoo,callingit,however,bysomelessoffensivename.Herson'shonour,andthehonourofherhouse!——ofthoseshewouldhavespokenasthethingsdearesttoherinthisworld.Andthiswaspartlytrue,forhadhersonbeendishonoured,shewouldhavesunkwithsorrowtothegrave.Buttheonethingnecessarytoherdailylifewasthepoweroflovingthosewhoweredeartoher.LordLufton,whenheleftthedining-room,intendedatoncetogouptotheparsonage,buthefirststrolledroundthegardeninorderthathemightmakeuphismindwhathewouldsaythere.Hewasangrywithhismother,havingnothadthewittoseethatshewasabouttogivewayandyieldtohim,andhewasdeterminedtomakeitunderstoodthatinthismatterhewouldhavehisownway.HehadlearnedthatwhichitwasnecessarythatheshouldknowastoLucy'sheart,andsuchbeingthecasehewouldnotconceiveitpossiblethatheshouldbedebarredbyhismother'sopposition.'ThereisnosoninEnglandloveshismotherbetterthanIdo,'hesaidtohimself;'buttherearesomethingswhichamancannotstand.ShewouldhavemarriedmetothatblockofstoneifIwouldhavelether;andnow,becausesheisdisappointedthere——Insignificant!Ineverinmylifeheardanythingsoabsurd,sountrue,souncharitable,so——She'dlikemetobringadragonhome,Isuppose.ItwouldserveherrightifIdid——somecreaturethatwouldmakethehouseintolerabletoher.''Shemustdoitthough,'hesaidagain,'orsheandIwillquarrel,'andthenheturnedofftowardsthegate,preparingtogototheparsonage.
　　'Mylordhaveyouheardwhathashappened?'saidthegardener,comingtohimatthegate.Themanwasoutofbreath,andalmostoverwhelmedbythegreatnessofhisowntidings.
　　'No;Ihaveheardnothing.Whatisit?'
　　'Thebailiffshavetakenpossessionofeverythingattheparsonage.'
　　CHAPTERXLIV
　　THEPHILISTINESATTHEPARSONAGE
　　IthasalreadybeentoldhowthingswentonbetweentheTozers,MrCurling,andMarkRobartsduringthatmonth.MrForresthaddriftedoutofthebusinessaltogether,asalsohadMrSowerby,asfarasanyactiveparticipationinitwent.LetterscamefrequentlyfromMrCurlingtotheparsonage,andatlastcameamessagebyspecialmissiontosaythattheevildaywasathand.AsfarasMrCurling'sprofessionalexperiencewouldenablehimtoanticipateorforetelltheproceedingsofsuchamanasTomTozerhethoughtthatthesheriff'sofficerswouldbeatFramleyparsonageonthefollowingmorning.MrCurling'sexperiencedidnotmisleadhiminthisrespect.'Andwhatwillyoudo,Mark?'
　　saidFanny,speakingthroughhertears,aftershehadreadtheletterwhichherhusbandhandedtoher.
　　'Nothing.WhatcanIdo?Theymustcome.'
　　'LordLuftoncameto-day.Willyougotohim?'
　　'No.IfIweretodosoitwouldbethesamethingasaskinghimforthemoney.'
　　'Whynotborrowitofhim,dearest?Surelyitwouldnotbesomuchforhimtolend?'
　　'Icouldnotdoit.ThinkofLucy,andhowshestandswithhim.
　　Besides,IhavealreadyhadwordswithLuftonaboutSowerbyandhismoneymatters.HethinksthatIamtoblame,andhewouldtellmeso;andthentherewouldsharpthingssaidbetweenus.HewouldadvancemethemoneyifIpressedhimforit,buthewoulddosoinawaythatwouldmakeitimpossiblethatIshouldtakeit.'
　　Therewasnothingmore,then,tobesaid.Ifshehadhadherownway,MrsRobartswouldhavegoneatoncetoLadyLufton,butshecouldnotinduceherhusbandtosanctionsuchaproceeding.Theobjectiontoseekingassistancefromherladyshipwasasstrongasthatwhichprevailedastoherson.Therehadalreadybeensomelittlebeginningofill-feeling,andundersuchcircumstancesitwasimpossibletoaskforpecuniaryassistance.Fanny,however,hadapropheticassurancethatassistanceoutofthesedifficultiesmustintheendcometothemfromthatquarter,ornotatall;andshewouldfain,hadshebeenallowed,makeeverythingknownatthebighouse.Onthefollowingmorningtheybreakfastedattheusualhour,butingreatsadness.Amaid-servantwhomMrsRobartshadbroughtwithherwhenshemarried,toldthatarumourofwhatwastohappenhadreachedthekitchen.Stubbs,thegroom,hadbeeninBarchesterontheprecedingday,and,accordingtohisaccount——sosaidMary——everybodyinthecitywastalkingaboutit.'Nevermind,Mary,'saidMrsRobarts,andMaryreplied,'Oh,no,ofcoursenot,ma'am.'InthesedaysMrsRobartswasordinarilyverybusy,seeingthatthereweresixchildreninthehouse,fourofwhomhadcometoherbutillsuppliedwithinfantinebelongings;andnow,asusual,shewentaboutherworkimmediatelyafterbreakfast.Butshemovedaboutthehouseveryslowly,andwasalmostunabletogiveherorderstotheservants,andspokesadlytothechildrenwhohungaboutherwonderingwhatwasthematter.Herhusbandatthesametimetookhimselftohisbook-room,butwhentheredidnotattemptanyemployment.Hethrusthishandsintohispockets,and,leaningagainstthefire-place,fixedhiseyesuponthetablebeforehimwithoutlookingatanythingthatwasonit;itwasimpossibleforhimtobetakehimselftohiswork.Rememberwhatistheordinarylabourofaclergymaninhisstudy,andthinkhowfithemusthavebeenforsuchemployment!Whatwouldhavebeenthenatureofasermoncomposedatsuchamoment,andwithwhatsatisfactioncouldhehaveusedthesacredvolumeinreferringtoitforarguments?He,inthisrespect,wasworseoffthanhiswife;shedidemployherself,buthestoodtherewithoutmoving,doingnothing,withfixedeyesthinkingofwhatmenwouldsayofhim.Luckilyforhim,thisstateofsuspensewasnotlong,forwithinhalfanhourofhisleavingthebreakfast-table,thefootmanknockedathisdoor——thatfootmanwithwhom,atthebeginningofhisdifficulties,hehadmadeuphismindtodispense,butwhohadbeenkeptonbecauseoftheBarchesterprebend.
　　'Ifitpleaseyoureverence,therearetwomenoutside,'saidthefootman.Twomen!Markknewwellenoughwhatmentheywere,buthecouldhardlytakethecomingoftwosuchmentohisquietcountryparsonagequiteasamatterofcourse.
　　'Whoarethey,John?'saidhe,notwishinganyanswer,butbecausethequestionwasforceduponhim.
　　'I'mafeardthey're——bailiffs,sir.'
　　'Verywell,John;thatwilldo;ofcoursetheymustdowhattheypleaseabouttheplace.'Andthenwhentheservantlefthim,hestillstoodwithoutmoving,exactlyashestoodbefore.Thereheremainedfortenminutes,butthetimewentbyveryslowly.Whenaboutnoonsomecircumstancestoldhimwhatwasthehour,hewasastonishedtofindthatthedayhadnotnearlypassedaway.Andthenanothertapwasstruckonthedoor——asoundwhichhewellrecognized——andhiswifecreptsilentlyintotheroom.Shecamecloseuptohimbeforeshespoke,andputherarmwithinhis.'
　　'Mark,'shesaid,'themenarehere;theyareintheyard.'
　　'Iknowit,'heansweredgruffly.
　　'Willitbebetterthatyoushouldseethem,dearest?'
　　'Seethem;no;whatgoodcanIdobyseeingthem?ButIshallseethemsoonenough;theywillbehere,Isuppose,inafewminutes.'
　　'Theyaretakinganinventory,cooksays;theyareinthestablenow.'
　　'Verywell;theymustdoastheyplease;Icannothelpthem.'
　　'Cooksaysthatiftheyareallowedtheirmealsandsomebeer,andifnobodytakesanythingaway,theywillbequitecivil.'
　　'Civil!Butwhatdoesitmatter!Letthemeatanddrinkwhattheyplease,aslongasthefoodlasts.Idon'tsupposethebutcherwillsendyoumore.'
　　'But,Mark,there'snothingduetothebutcher,——onlytheregularmonthlybill.'
　　'Verywell;you'llsee.'
　　'Oh,Mark,don'tlookatmeinthatway.Donotturnawayfromme.Whatistocomfortusifwedonotclingtoeachothernow?'
　　'Comfortus!Godhelpyou!Iwonder,Fanny,thatyoucanbeartostayintheroomwithme.'
　　'Mark,dearestMark,myowndear,dearesthusband!Whoistobetruetoyou,ifIamnot?Youshallnotturnfromme.Howcananythinglikethismakeadifferencebetweenyouandme?'Andthenshethrewherarmsroundhisneckandembracedhim.Itwasaterriblemorningtohim,andoneofwhicheveryincidentwilldwellinhismemorytothelastdayofhislife.Hehadbeensoproudinhisposition——hadassumedtohimselfsoprominentastanding——hadcontrived,bysometrickwhichhehadacquired,tocarryhisheadsohighabovetheheadsofneighbouringparsons.Itwasthisthathadtakenhimamonggreatpeople,hadintroducedhimtotheDukeofOmnium,hadprocuredforhimthestallatBarchester.Buthowwashetocarryhisheadnow?WhatwouldtheArabinsandGrantlyssay?
　　Howwouldthebishopsneerathim,andMrsProudieandherdaughterstellofhiminalltheirquarters?HowwouldCrawleylookathim——Crawley,whohadalreadyoncehadhimonthehip?ThesternseverityofCrawley'sfaceloomeduponhimnow.Crawley,withhischildrenhalfnaked,andhiswifeadrudge,andhimselfhalfstarved,hadneverhadabailiffinhishouseatHogglestock.
　　Andthenhisowncurate,Evans,whomhehadpatronized,andtreatedalmostasadependant——howwashetolookathiscurateinthefaceandarrangewithhimforthesacreddutiesofthenextSunday?Hiswifestillstoodbyhim,gazingintohisface;andashelookedatherandthoughtofhermisery,hecouldnotcontrolhisheartwithreferencetothewrongswhichSowerbyhadheapedonhim.ItwasSowerby'sfalsehoodandSowerby'sfraudwhichhadbroughtuponhimandhiswifethisterribleanguish.
　　'Iftherebejusticeonearthhewillsufferforityet,'hesaidatlast,notspeakingintentionallytohiswife,butunabletorepresshisfeelings.
　　'Donotwishhimevil,Mark;youmaybesurehehashisownsorrows.'
　　'Hisownsorrows!No;heiscalloustosuchmiseryasthis.
　　Hehasbecomesohardenedbydishonestythatallthisismirthtohim.Iftherebepunishmentinheavenforfalsehood——'
　　'Oh,Mark,donotcursehim!'
　　'HowamItokeepmyselffromcursingwhenIseewhathehasbroughtuponyou?'
　　'"Vengeanceismine,saiththeLord,"'answeredtheyoungwife,notwithsolemn,preachingaccent,asthoughbentonreproof,butwiththesoftestwhisperintohisear.'LeavethattoHim,Mark;andforus,letuspraythatHemaysoftentheheartsofusall;——ofhimwhohascausedustosuffer,andofourown.'Markwasnotcalledupontoreplytothis,forhewasagaindisturbedbyaservantatthedoor.Itwasthecookthistimeherself,whohadcomewithamessagefromthemenofthelaw.Andshehadcome,beitremembered,notfromanynecessitythatsheascookshoulddothislineofwork;forthefootman,orMrsRobarts'smaid,mighthavecomeaswellasshe.Butwhenthingsareoutofcourseservantsarealwaysoutofcoursealso.Asarule,nothingwillinduceabutlertogointoastable,orpersuadeahousemaidtoputherhandtoafrying-pan.Butnowthatthisnewexcitementhadcomeuponthehousehold——seeingthatthebailiffswereinpossession,andthatthechattelswerebeingenteredintoacatalogue,everybodywaswillingtodoeverything——everythingbuthisorherownwork.Thegardenerwaslookingafterthedearchildren;thenursewasdoingtheroomsbeforethebailiffscouldreachthem;thegroomhadgoneintothekitchentogettheirlunchreadyforthem;andthecookwaswalkingaboutwithaninkstand,obeyingalltheordersofthegreatpotentates.Asfarastheservantswereconcerned,itmaybeaquestionwhetherthecomingofthebailiffshadnothithertobeenregardedasatreat.
　　'Ifyouplease,ma'am,'saidJemimacook,'theywishestoknowinwhichroomyou'dbepleasedtohavetheinmin-torytookfust.
　　'Causema'am,theywouldn'tdisturbyounormastermorethancanbeavoided.Fortheirlineoflife,ma'am,theyisverycivil——verycivilindeed.'
　　'Isupposetheymaygointothedrawing-room,'saidMrsRobarts,inasadlowvoice.Allnicewomenareproudoftheirdrawing-rooms,andshewasveryproudofhers.Ithadbeenfurnishedwhenmoneywasplentywiththem,immediatelyaftertheirmarriage,andeverythinginitwaspretty,good,anddeartoher.O,ladies,whohavedrawing-roomsinwhichthethingsarepretty,good,anddeartoyou,thinkofwhatitwouldbetohavetwobailiffsrummagingamongthemwithpenandink-horn,makingacataloguepreparatorytoasheriff'sauction;andallwithoutfaultorextravaganceofyourown!TherewerethingstherethathadbeengiventoherbyLadyLufton,byLadyMeredith,andotherfriends,andtheideadidoccurtoherthatitmightbepossibletosavethemfromcontamination;
　　butshewouldnotsayaword,lestbysosayingshemightaddtoMark'smisery.
　　'Andthenthedining-room,'saidJemimacook,inatonealmostofelation.
　　'Yes;iftheyplease.'
　　'Andthenmaster'sbook-roomhere;orperhapsthebedrooms,ifyouandmasterbestillhere.'
　　'Anywaytheyplease,cook;itdoesnotmuchsignify,'saidMrsRobarts.ButforsomedaysafterthatJemimawasbynomeansafavouritewithher.
　　Thecookwashardlyoutoftheroombeforeaquickfootstepwasheardonthegravelbeforethewindow,andthehalldoorwasimmediatelyopened.
　　'Whereisyourmaster?'saidthewell-knownvoiceofLordLufton;
　　andtheninhalfaminutehealsowasinthebook-room.
　　'Mark,mydearfellow,what'sallthis?'saidhe,inacheerytoneandwithapleasantface.'DidyounotknowthatIwashere?I
　　camedownyesterday;landedfromHamburgonlyyesterdaymorning.
　　Howdoyoudo,MrsRobarts?Thisisaterriblebore,isn'tit?'
　　Robarts,atthefirstmoment,hardlyknewhowtospeaktohisoldfriend.Hewasstruckdumbbythedisgraceofhisposition;themoresoashismisfortunewasonewhichitwaspartlyinthepowerofLordLuftontoremedy.Hehadneveryetborrowedmoneysincehehadfilledaman'sposition,buthehadhadwordsaboutmoneywiththeyoungpeer,inwhichheknewthathisfriendhadwrongedhim;
　　andforthisdoublereasonhewasnowspeechless.
　　'MrSowerbyhasbetrayedhim,'saidMrsRobarts,wipingthetearsfromhereyes.HithertoshehadsaidnowordagainstSowerby,butnowitwasnecessarytodefendherhusband.
　　'Nodoubtaboutit.Ibelievehehasalwaysbetrayedeveryonewhohasevertrustedhim.Itoldyouwhathewassometimesince;didInot?But,Mark,whyonearthhaveyouletitgosofarasthis?
　　WouldnotForresthelpyou?'
　　'MrForrestwantedhimtosignmorebills,andhewouldnotdothat,'saidMrsRobarts,sobbing.
　　'Billsarelikedram-drinking,'saidthediscreetyounglord:
　　'whenoneoncebegins,itisveryhardtoleaveoff.Isittruethatthemenareherenow,Mark?'
　　'Yes,theyareinthenextroom.'
　　'What,inthedrawing-room?'
　　'Theyaremakingoutalistofthethings,'saidMrsRobarts.
　　'Wemuststopthatatanyrate,'saidhislordship,walkingofftowardsthesceneofoperations;andashelefttheroomMrsRobartsfollowedhim,leavingherhusbandbyhimself.
　　'Whydidyounotsenddowntomymother?'saidhe,speakinghardlyaboveawhisper,astheystoodtogetherinthehall.
　　'Hewouldnotletme.'
　　'Butwhynotgoyourself?orwhynothavewrittentome,——
　　consideringhowintimateweare!'MrsRobartscouldnotexplaintohimthatthepeculiarintimacybetweenhimandLucymusthavehinderedherfromdoingso,evenifotherwiseitmighthavebeenpossible;butshefeltthatsuchwasthecase.
　　'Well,mymen,thisisbadworkyou'redoinghere,'saidhe,walkingintothedrawing-room.Whereuponthecookcurtsiedlow,andthebailiffs,knowinghislordship,stoppedfromtheirbusinessandputtheirhandstotheirforeheads.'Youmuststopthis,ifyouplease,——atonce.Comelet'sgooutintothekitchen,orsomeplaceoutside.Idon'tliketoseeyouherewithyourbigbootsandthepenandinkamongthefurniture.'
　　'Weain'ta-donenoharm,mylord,sopleaseyourlordship,'saidJemimacook.
　　'Andweisonlya-doingourboundendooties,'saidoneofthebailiffs.
　　'Asweissworntodo,sopleaseyourlordship,'saidtheother.
　　'Andiswerysorrytobeunconwenient,mylord,toanygen'lemanorladyasisagen'lemanorlady.Butaccidentswillhappen,andthenwhatcanthelikesofusdo?'saidthefirst.
　　'Becauseweissworn,mylord,'saidthesecond.But,nevertheless,inspiteoftheiroaths,andinspitealsoofthesternnecessitywhichtheypleaded,theyceasedtheiroperationsattheinstanceofthepeer.ForthenameofalordisstillgreatinEngland.
　　'Andnowleavethis,andletMrsRobartsgointoherdrawing-room.'
　　'And,pleaseyourlordship,whatiswetodo?Whoiswetolookto?'InsatisfyingthemabsolutelyonthispointLordLuftonhadtousemorethanhisinfluenceasapeer.Itwasnecessarythatheshouldhavepenandpaper.Butwithpenandpaperhedidsatisfythem;——satisfythemsofarthattheyagreedtoreturntoStubbs'sroom,theformerhospital,duestipulationhavingbeenmadeforthemealsandbeer,andthereawaittheordertoevacuatethepremiseswhichwouldnodoubt,underhislordship'sinfluence,reachthemonthefollowingday.ThemeaningofallwhichwasthatLordLuftonhadundertakentobearuponhisownshoulderthewholedebtduebyMrRobarts.Andthenhereturnedtothebook-roomwhereMarkwasstillstandingalmostonthespotinwhichhehadplacedhimselfimmediatelyafterbreakfast.MrsRobartsdidnotreturn,butwentupamongthechildrentocounter-ordersuchdirectionsasshehadgivenforthepreparationofthenurseryforthePhilistines.
　　'Mark,'hesaid,'donottroubleyourselfaboutthismorethanyoucanhelp.Themenhaveceaseddoinganything,andtheyshallleavetheplaceto-morrowmorning.'
　　'Andhowwillthemoney——bepaid?'saidthepoorclergyman.
　　'Donotbotheryourselfaboutthatatpresent.Itshallbesomanagedthattheburdenshallfallultimatelyonyourself——notonanyoneelse.ButIamsureitmustbeacomforttoyoutoknowthatyourwifeneednotbedrivenoutofherdrawing-room.'
　　'But,Lufton,Icannotallowyou——afterwhathaspassed——andatthepresentmoment——'
　　'Mydearfellow,Iknowallaboutit,andIamcomingtothatjustnow.YouhaveemployedCurling,andheshallsettleit;anduponmyword,Mark,youshallpaythebill.But,forthepresentemergency,themoneyisatmybanker's.'
　　'But,Lufton——'
　　'Andtodealhonestly,aboutCurling'sbillImean,itoughttobeasmuchmyaffairasyourown.ItwasIthatbroughtyouintothismesswithSowerby,andIknownowhowunjustaboutitIwastoyouupinLondon.ButthetruthisthatSowerby'streacheryhasnearlydrivenmewild.Ithasdonethesametoyousince,nodoubt.'
　　'Hehasruinedme,'saidRobarts.
　　'No,hehasnotdonethat.Nothankstohimthough;hewouldnothavescrupledtodoithaditcomeinhisway.Thefactis,Mark,thatyouandIcannotconceivethedepthoffraudinsuchamanasthat.Heisalwayslookingformoney;Ibelievethatinallhishoursofmostfriendlyintercourse,——whenheissittingwithyouoveryourwine,andridingbesideyouinthefield,——heisstillthinkinghowhecanmakeuseofyoutotidehimoversomedifficulty.Hehaslivedinthatwaytillhehasapleasureincheating,andhasbecomesocleverinhislineoflifethatifyouorIwerewithhimagainto-morrowhewouldagaingetthebetterofus.Heisamanthatmustbeabsolutelyavoided;I,atanyrate,havelearnedtoknowsomuch.'IntheexpressionofwhichopinionLordLuftonwastooharduponpoorSowerby;asindeedweareallapttobetoohardinforminganopinionupontheroguesoftheworld.ThatMrSowerbyhadbeenarogue,Icannotdeny.Itisroguishtolie,andhehadbeenagreatliar.Itisroguishtomakepromiseswhichthepromiserknowhecannotperform,andsuchhadbeenMrSowerby'sdailypractice.Itisroguishtoliveonothermen'smoney,andMrSowerbyhadlongbeendoingdo.Itisroguish,atleast,soIwouldholdit,todealwillinglywithrogues;andMrSowerbyhadbeenconstantinsuchdealings.Idonotknowwhetherhehadnotattimesfallenevenintomorepalpableroguerythanisprovedbysuchpracticesasthoseenumerated.ThoughIhaveforhimsometenderfeeling,knowingthattherewasstillatouchofgentlebearingroundhisheart,anabidingtasteforbetterthingswithinhim,Icannotacquithimfromthegreataccusation.But,forallthat,inspiteofhisacknowledgedroguery,LordLuftonwastooharduponhiminhisjudgement.Therewasyetwithinhimthemeansofrepentance,couldalocuspenitentiaehavebeensuppliedtohim.Hegrievedbitterlyoverhisownill-doings,andknewwellwhatchangesgentlehoodwouldhavedemandedfromhim.Whetherornohehadgonetoofarforallchanges——whetherthelocuspenitentiaewasforhimstillapossibility——thatwasbetweenhimandthehigherpower.
　　'Ihavenoonetoblamebutmyself,'saidMark,stillspeakinginthesameheart-brokentoneandwithhisfaceavertedfromhisfriend.
　　Thedebtwouldnowbepaid,andthebailiffswouldbeexpelled;butthatwouldnotsethimrightbeforetheworld.Itwouldbeknowntoallmen——toallclergymeninthediocese,thatthesheriff'sofficershadbeeninchargeofFramleyparsonage,andhecouldneveragainholduphisheadinthecloseofBarchester.'Mydearfellow,ifwewerealltomakeourselvesmiserableforsuchatrifleasthis,——'saidLordLufton,puttinghisarmaffectionatelyonhisfriend'sshoulder.
　　'Butwearenotallclergymen,'saidMark,andashespokeheturnedawaytothewindowandLordLuftonknewthatthetearswereonhischeek.
　　Nothingwasthensaidbetweenthemforsomemoments,afterwhichLordLuftonagainspoke,——
　　'Mark,mydearfellow!'
　　'Well,'saidMark,withhisfacestillturnedtowardsthewindow.
　　'Youmustrememberonething;inhelpingyouoverthistrifle,whichwillreallybeamatterofnoinconveniencetome.Ihaveabetterrightthanthatevenofanoldfriend;Ilookuponyouasmybrother-in-law.'Markturnedslowlyround,plainlyshowingthetearsuponhisface.
　　'Doyoumean,'saidhe,'thatanythingmorehastakenplace?'
　　'Imeantomakeyoursistermywife;shesentmewordbyyoutosaythatshelovedme,andIamnotgoingtostanduponanynonsenseafterthat.IfsheandIarebothwillingnoonealivehasarighttostandbetweenus,and,byheavens,nooneshall.Iwilldonothingsecretly,soItellyouthat,exactlyasIhavetoldherladyship.'
　　'Butwhatdoesshesay?'
　　'Shesaysnothing;butitcannotgoonlikethat.MymotherandI
　　cannotliveheretogetherifsheopposesmeinthisway.IdonotwanttofrightenyoursisterbygoingovertoheratHogglestock,butIexpectyoutotellhersomuchasInowtellyou,ascomingfromme;otherwiseshewillthinkIhaveforgottenher.'
　　'Shewillnotthinkthat.'
　　'Sheneednot;good-bye,oldfellow.I'llmakeitallrightbetweenyouandherladyshipaboutthisaffairofSowerby's.'Andthenhetookhisleaveandwalkedofftosettleaboutthepaymentofthemoney.
　　'Mother,'saidhetoLadyLuftonthatevening,'youmustnotbringthisaffairofthebailiffsupagainstRobarts.Ithasbeenmoremyfaultthanhis.'
　　HithertonotawordhadbeenspokenbetweenLadyLuftonandhersononthesubject.Shehadheardwithterribledismayofwhathadhappened,andhadheardalsothatLordLuftonhadimmediatelygonetotheparsonage.Itwasimpossible,therefore,thatsheshouldnowinterfere.Thatthenecessarymoneywouldbeforthcomingshewasaware,butthatwouldnotwipeouttheterribledisgraceattachedtoanexecutioninaclergyman'shouse.Andthen,too,hewasherclergyman,——herownclergyman,selectedandappointed,andbroughttoFramleybyherself,endowedwithawifeofherownchoosing,filledwithgoodthingsbyherownhand!Itwasaterriblemisadventure,andshehadbeguntorepentthatshehadeverheardofthenameofRobarts.Shewouldnot,however,havebeenslowtoputforththehandtolessentheevilbygivingherownmoney,hadthisbeeneithernecessaryorpossible.ButhowcouldsheinterferebetweenRobartsandherson,especiallywhensherememberedtheproposedconnexionbetweenLucyandLordLufton?
　　'Yourfault,Ludovic?'
　　'Yes,mother.ItwasIwhointroducedhimtoMrSowerby;and,totellthetruth,IdonotthinkhewouldeverhavebeenintimatewithSowerbyifIhadnotgivenhimsomesortofcommissionwithreferencetomoneymattersthenpendingbetweenMrSowerbyandme.
　　Theyareallovernow,——thankstoyou,indeed.'
　　'MrRobarts'scharacterasaclergymanshouldhavekepthimfromsuchtroubles,ifnootherfeelingdidso.'
　　'Atanyrate,mother,obligemebylettingitpassby.'
　　'Oh,Ishallsaynothingtohim.'
　　'Youhadbettersaysomethingtoher,orotherwiseitwillbestrange;andeventohimIwouldsayawordoftwo,——awordinkindness,asyousowellknowhow.Itwillbeeasierforhiminthatway,thanifyouwerealtogethersilent.'
　　Nofurtherconversationtookplacebetweenthematthetime,butlaterintheeveningshebrushedherhandacrossherson'sforehead,sweepingthelongsilkenhairsintotheirplace,asshewaswonttodowhenmovedbyanyspecialfeelingoflove.
　　'Ludovic,'shesaid,'noone,Ithink,hassogoodaheartasyou.
　　IwilldoexactlyasyouwouldhavemeaboutthisaffairofMrRobartsandthemoney.'Andthentherewasnothingmoresaidaboutit.
　　CHAPTERXLV
　　PALACEBLESSINGS
　　Andnow,atthisperiod,terriblerumoursfoundtheirwayintoBarchester,andflewaboutthecathedraltowersandroundthecathedraldoor;aye,andintothecanons'housesandthehumblersitting-roomsofthevicarschoral.Whethertheymadetheirwaythenceuptothebishop'spalace,orwhethertheydescendedfromthepalacetotheclose,Iwillnotpretendtosay.Buttheywereshocking,unnatural,andnodoubtgrievoustoallthoseexcellentecclesiasticalheartswhichclustersothicklyinthosequarters.
　　Thefirstofthesehadreferencetothenewprebendary,andtothedisgracewhichhehadbroughtonthechapter;adisgrace,assomeofthemboasted,whichBarchesterhadneverknownbefore.This,however,likemostotherboasts,washardlytrue;forwithinbutaveryfewyearstherehadbeenanexecutioninthehouseofalateprebendary,oldDrStanhope;andonthatoccasionthedoctorhimselfhadbeenforcedtoflyawaytoItaly,startinginthenight,lesthealsoshouldfallintothehandsofthePhilistines,aswellashischairsandtables.'Itisascandalousshame,'saidMrsProudie,speakingnotoftheolddoctor,butofthenewoffender;'ascandalousshame:anditwouldonlyservehimrightifthegownwerestrippedfromhisback.'
　　'Isupposehislivingwillbesequestered,'saidayoungminorcanonwhoattendedmuchtotheecclesiasticalinjunctionsoftheladyofthediocese,andwasdeservedlyheldinhighfavour.IfFramleyweresequestered,whyshouldnothe,aswellasanother,undertaketheduty——withsuchstipendasthebishopmightaward?
　　'Iamtoldthatheisoverhisheadandearsindebt,'saidthefutureMrsTickler,'andchieflyforhorseswhichhehasboughtandnotpaidfor.'
　　'Iseehimridingverysplendidanimalswhenhecomesoverforthecathedralduties,'saidaminorcanon.
　　'Thesheriff'sofficersareinthehouseatpresent,Iamtold,'
　　saidMrsProudie.
　　'Andishenotinjail?'saidMrsTickler.
　　'Ifnot,heoughttobe,'saidMrsTickler'smother.
　　'Andnodoubtsoonwillbe,'saidtheminorcanon;'forIhearthatheislinkedupwiththemostdiscreditablegangofpersons.'
　　Thiswaswhatwassaidinthepalaceonthatheading;andthough,nodoubt,morespiritandpoetrywasdisplayedtherethaninthehousesofthelessgiftedclergy,thisshowsthemannerinwhichthemisfortuneofMrRobartswasgenerallydiscussed.Nor,indeed,hadhedeservedanybettertreatmentattheirhands.Buthisnamedidnotrunthegauntletfortheusualninedays;nor,indeed,didhisfameendureatitsheightformorethantwo.Thissuddenfallwasoccasionedbyothertidingsofastillmoredepressingnature;
　　byarumourwhichsoaffectedMrsProudiethatitcaused,asshesaid,herbloodtocreep.Andshewasverycarefulthatthebloodofothersshouldcreepalso,ifthebloodofotherswasequallysensitive.ItwassaidthatLordDumbellohadjiltedMissGrantly.FromwhatadversespotintheworldthesecrueltidingsfelluponBarchesterIhaveneverbeenabletodiscover.Weknowhowquicklyrumourflies,makingherselfcommonthroughallthecities.ThatMrsProudieshouldhaveknownmoreofthefactsconnectedwiththeHartletopfamilythananyoneelseinBarchesterwasnotsurprising,seeingthatshewassomuchmoreconversantwiththegreatworldinwhichsuchpeoplelived.Sheknew,andwasthereforecorrectenoughindeclaring,thatLordDumbellohadalreadyjiltedoneotheryounglady——theLadyJuliaMacMull,towhomhehadbeenengagedthreeseasonsback,andthatthereforehischaracterinsuchmatterswasnottobetrusted.ThatLadyJuliahadbeenaterribleflirtandgreatlygiventowaltzingwithacertainGermancount,withwhomshehadsincegoneoff——that,I
　　suppose,MrsProudiedidnotknow,muchasshewasconversantwiththegreatworld,——seeingthatshesaidnothingaboutittoanyofherecclesiasticallistenersonthepresentoccasion.
　　'Itwillbeaterriblewarning,MrsQuiverful,tousall;amostusefulwarningtous——nottotrusttothethingsofthisworld.I
　　feartheymadenoinquiryaboutthisyoungnoblemanbeforetheyagreedthathisnameshouldbelinkedwiththatoftheirdaughter.'ThisshesaidtothewifeofthepresentwardenofHiram'sHospital,aladywhohadreceivedfavoursfromher,andwasthereforeboundtolistenattentivelytohervoice.
　　'ButIhopeitmaynotbetrue,'saidMrsQuiverful,who,inspiteoftheallegianceduebyhertoMrsProudie,hadreasonsofherownforwishingwelltotheGrantlyfamily.
　　'Ihopeso,indeed,'saidMrsProudie,withaslighttingeofangerinhervoice;'butIfearthatthereisnodoubt.AndImustconfessthatitisnomorethanwehadarighttoexpect.Ihopethatitmaybetakenbyallofusasalesson,andanensample,andateachingoftheLord'smercy.AndIwishyouwouldrequestyourhusband——fromme,MrsQuiverful——todwellonthissubjectinmorningandeveninglectureatthehospitalonSabbathnext,showinghowfalseisthetrustwhichweputinthegoodthingsofthisworld;'whichbehest,toacertainextent,MrQuiverfuldidobey,feelingthataquietlifeatBarchesterwasofgreatvaluetohim;buthedidnotgosofarastocautionhishearers,whoconsistedoftheagedbedesmenofthehospital,againstmatrimonialprojectsofanambitiousnature.Inthiscase,asinallothersofthekind,thereportwasknowntoallthechapterbeforeithadbeenheardbythearchdeaconorhiswife.Thedeanheardit,anddisregardedit;asdidalsothedean'swife——atfirst;andthosewhogenerallysidedwiththeGrantlysinthediocesanbattlespooh-poohedthetidings,sayingtoeachotherthatboththearchdeaconandMrsGrantlywereverywellabletotakecareoftheirownaffairs.Butdrippingwaterhollowsastone;andatlastitwasadmittedonallsidesthattherewasgroundforfear,——onallsides,exceptatPlumstead.
　　'Iamsurethereisnothinginit;Ireallyamsureofit,'saidMrsArabin,whisperingtohersister;'butafterturningitoverinmymind,Ithoughtitrighttotellyou.AndyetIdon'tknownowbutIamwrong.'
　　'Quiteright,dearestEleanor,'saidMrsGrantly.'AndIammuchobligedtoyou.Butweunderstandit,youknow.Itcomes,ofcourse,likeallotherChristianblessings,fromthepalace.'AndthentherewasnothingmoresaidonitbetweenMrsGrantlyandhersister.Butonthefollowingmorningtherearrivedaletterbypost,addressedtoMrsGrantly,bearingthepostmarkofLittlebath.Theletterran:-
　　'MADAM,'ItisknowntothewriterthatLordDumbellohasarrangedwithcertainfriendshowhemayescapefromhispresentengagement.Ithink,therefore,thatitismydutyasaChristiantowarnyouofthis.
　　'Yourstruly,'AWELLWISHER'
　　NowithadhappenedthattheembryoMrsTickler'smostintimatebosomfriendandconfidantewasknownatPlumsteadtoliveatLittlebath,andithadalsohappened——mostunfortunately——thattheembryoMrsTickler,inthewarmthofherneighbourlyregard,hadwrittenafriendlylinetoherfriendGriseldaGrantly,congratulatingherwithallthefemalesincerityonhersplendidnuptialswiththeLordDumbello.
　　'Itisnothernaturalhand,'saidMrsGrantly,talkingthematteroverwithherhusband,'butyoumaybesureithascomefromher.
　　ItispartofthenewChristianitywhichwelearndaybydayfromthepalaceteaching.'Butthesethingshadsomeeffectonthearchdeacon'smind.HehadlearnedlatelythestoryofLadyJuliaMacMull,andwasnotsurethathisson-in-law——asoughttobeabouttobe——hadbeenentirelyblamelessinthatmatter.AndtheninthesedaysLordDumbellomadenogreatsign.ImmediatelyonGriselda'sreturnhehadsentheramagnificentpresentofemeralds,which,however,hadcometoherdirectfromthejewellers,andmighthavebeen——andprobablywas——orderedbyhismanofbusiness.Sincethathehadneithercome,norsent,norwritten.Griseldadidnotseemtobeinanywayannoyedbythisabsenceoftheusualsignoflove,andwentonsteadilywithhergreatduties.Nothing,asshetoldhermother,hadbeensaidaboutwriting,and,therefore,shedidnotexpectit.Butthearchdeaconwasnotquiteathisease.'KeepDumbellouptohisp'sandq's,youknow,'afriendofhishadwhisperedtohimathisclub.Byheavens,yes.Thearchdeaconwasnotamantobearwithindifferenceawronginsuchaquarter.Inspiteofhisclericalprofession,fewmenweremoreinclinedtofightagainstpersonalwrongs——andfewmenmoreable.
　　'Cantherebyanythingwrong,Iwonder?'saidhetohiswife.'IsitworthwhilethatIshouldgouptoLondon?'ButMrsGrantlyattributeditalltothepalacedoctrine.Whatcouldbemorenatural,lookingatallthecircumstancesoftheTicklerengagement?Shethereforegavehervoiceagainstanystepsbeingtakenbythearchdeacon.AdayortwoafterthatMrsProudiemetMrsArabininthecloseandcondoledwithheropenlyontheterminationofthemarriagetreaty;——quiteopenly,forMrsTickler——asshewastobe——waswithhermother,andMrsArabinwasaccompaniedbyhersister-in-law,MaryBold.
　　'ItmustbeverygrievoustoMrsGrantly,verygrievousindeed,'
　　saidMrsProudie,'andIsincerelyfeelforher.But,MrsArabin,alltheselessonsaresenttousforoureternalwelfare.'
　　'Ofcourse,'saidMrsArabin.'Butastothisspeciallesson,Iaminclinedtodoubtthatit——'
　　'Ah-h!Ifearitistootrue.Ifearthatthereisnoroomfordoubt.OfcourseyouareawarethatLordDumbelloisofffortheContinent.'MrsArabinwasnotawareofitandshewasobligedtoadmitasmuch.
　　'Hestartedfourdaysago,bywayofBoulogne,'saidMrsTickler,whoseemedtobeverywellupinthewholeaffair.'IamsosorryforpoordearGriselda.Iamtoldshehasgotallherthings.Itissuchapity,youknow.'
　　'ButwhyshouldnotLordDumbellocomebackfromtheContinent?'
　　saidMissBold,veryquietly.
　　'Whynot,indeed?I'msureIhopehemay,'saidMrsProudie.'Andnodoubthewillsomeday.Butifhebesuchamanastheysayheis,itisreallywellforGriseldathatsheshouldberelievedfromsuchamarriage.For,afterall,MrsArabin,whatarethethingsofthisworld?——dustbeneathourfeet,ashesbetweenourteeth,grasscutfortheoven,vanity,vexation,andnothingmore!'——wellpleasedwithwhichvarietyofChristianmetaphors,MrsProudiewalkedon,stillmuttering,however,somethingaboutwormsandgrubs,bywhichsheintendedtosignifyherownspeciesandtheDumbelloandGrantlysectsofitinparticular.ThisnowhadgonesofarthatMrsArabinconceivedherselfboundindutytoseehersister,anditwasthensettledinconsultationatPlumsteadthatthearchdeaconshouldcallofficiallyatthepalaceandbegthattherumourmightbecontradicted.Thishedidearlyonthenextmorning,andwasshownintothebishop'sstudy,inwhichhefoundbothhislordshipandMrsProudie.Thebishoprosetogreethimwithspecialcivility,smilinghisverysweetestsmileonhim,asthoughofallhisclergythearchdeaconwerethefavourite;butMrsProudieworesomethingofagloomyaspect,asthoughsheknewthatsuchavisitatsuchanhourmusthavereferencetosomespecialbusiness.Themorningcallsmadebythearchdeaconatthepalaceinthewayofordinarycivilitywerenotnumerous.Onthepresentoccasionhedashedatonceintohissubject.'Ihavecalledthismorning,MrsProudie,'saidhe,'becauseIwishtoaskafavourfromyou.'WhereuponMrsProudiebowed.
　　'MrsProudiewillbemosthappy,Iamsure,'saidthebishop.
　　'IfindthatsomefoolishpeoplehavebeentalkinginBarchesteraboutmydaughter,'saidthearchdeacon;'andIwishtoaskMrsProudie——'
　　Mostwomenundersuchcircumstanceswouldhavefelttheawkwardnessoftheirsituation,andwouldhavepreparedtoeattheirpastwordswithwryfaces.ButnotsoMrsProudie.MrsGrantlyhadtheimprudencetothrowMrSlopeinherface——there,inherowndrawing-room,andshewasresolvedtoberevenged.MrsGrantly,too,hadridiculedtheTicklermatch,andnotoogreatnicenessshouldnowpreventMrsProudiefromspeakinghermindabouttheDumbellomatch.
　　'Agreatmanypeoplearetalkingabouther,Iamsorrytosay,'
　　saidMrsProudie;'but,poordear,itisnotherfault.Itmighthavehappenedtoanygirl;only,perhapsalittlemorecare——;
　　you'llexcuseme,DrGrantly.'
　　'IhavecomeheretoalludetoareportwhichhasbeenspreadaboutinBarchester,thatthematchbetweenLordDumbelloandmydaughterhasbeenbrokenoffand——'
　　'EverybodyinBarchesterknowsit,Ibelieve,'saidMrsProudie.