\'Dorothy——wherewouldyouratherlive，always；withme，orwithher?\'
Thelittlegirllookedtroubled。\'Iamsorry，mamma；Idon\'tmeantobeunkind；butIwouldratherlivewithher；Imean，ifImightwithouttrouble，andyoudidnotmind，anditcouldbejustthesametousall，youknow。\'
\'Hassheeveraskedyouthesamequestion?\'
\'Never，mamma。\'
Therelaythestingofit:theCountessseemedthesoulofhonourandfairnessinthismatter，testherasshemight。ThatafternoonLadyMottisfontwenttoherhusbandwithsingularfirmnessuponhergentleface。
\'Ashley，wehavebeenmarriednearlyfiveyears，andIhaveneverchallengedyouwithwhatIknowperfectlywell——theparentageofDorothy。\'
\'Neverhaveyou，Philippadear。ThoughIhaveseenthatyouknewfromthefirst。\'
\'Fromthefirstastoherfather，notastohermother。HerIdidnotknowforsometime；butIknownow。\'
\'Ah!youhavediscoveredthattoo?\'sayshe，withoutmuchsurprise。
\'CouldIhelpit?Verywell，thatbeingso，Ihavethoughtitover；
andIhavespokentoDorothy。Iagreetohergoing。IcandonolessthangranttotheCountessherwish，afterherkindnesstomy——
your——her——child。\'
Thenthisself-sacrificingwomanwenthastilyawaythathemightnotseethatherheartwasbursting；andthereupon，beforetheyleftthecity，Dorothychangedhermotherandherhome。Afterthis，theCountesswentawaytoLondonforawhile，takingDorothywithher；
andthebaronetandhiswifereturnedtotheirlonelyplaceatDeansleighParkwithouther。
TorenounceDorothyinthebustleofBathwasadifferentthingfromlivingwithoutherinthisquiethome。OneeveningSirAshleymissedhiswifefromthesupper-table；hermannerhadbeensopensiveandwoefuloflatethatheimmediatelybecamealarmed。Hesaidnothing，butlookedaboutoutsidethehousenarrowly，anddiscernedherforminthepark，whererecentlyshehadbeenaccustomedtowalkalone。Initslowerlevelstherewasapoolfedbyatricklingbrook，andhereachedthisspotintimetohearasplash。Runningforward，hedimlyperceivedherlightgownfloatinginthewater。Topullheroutwastheworkofafewinstants，andbearingherindoorstoherroom，heundressedher，nobodyinthehouseknowingoftheincidentbuthimself。Shehadnotbeenimmersedlongenoughtolosehersenses，andsoonrecovered。SheownedthatshehaddoneitbecausetheContessahadtakenawayherchild，asshepersistedincallingDorothy。Herhusbandspokesternlytoher，andimpresseduponhertheweaknessofgivingwaythus，whenallthathadhappenedwasforthebest。Shetookhisreproofmeekly，andadmittedherfault。
Afterthatshebecamemoreresigned，butheoftencaughtherintearsoversomedoll，shoe，orribbonofDorothy\'s，anddecidedtotakehertotheNorthofEnglandforchangeofairandscene。Thiswasnotwithoutitsbeneficialeffect，corporeallynolessthanmentally，aslatereventsshowed，butshestillevincedapreternaturalsharpnessofearatthemostcasualmentionofthechild。Whentheyreachedhome，theCountessandDorothywerestillabsentfromtheneighbouringFernellHall，butinamonthortwotheyreturned，andalittlelaterSirAshleyMottisfontcameintohiswife\'sroomfullofnews。
\'Well——wouldyouthinkit，Philippa!Afterbeingsodesperate，too，aboutgettingDorothytobewithher!\'
\'Ah——what?\'
\'Ourneighbour，theCountess，isgoingtobemarriedagain!ItistosomebodyshehasmetinLondon。\'
LadyMottisfontwasmuchsurprised；shehadneverdreamtofsuchanevent。TheconflictforthepossessionofDorothy\'spersonhadobscuredthepossibilityofit；yetwhatmorelikely，theCountessbeingstillunderthirty，andsogood-looking?
\'Whatisofstillmoreinteresttous，ortoyou，\'continuedherhusband，\'isakindoffershehasmade。SheiswillingthatyoushouldhaveDorothybackagain。Seeingwhatagriefthelossofherhasbeentoyou，shewilltrytodowithouther。\'
\'Itisnotforthat；itisnottoobligeme，\'saidLadyMottisfontquickly。\'Onecanseewellenoughwhatitisfor!\'
\'Well，nevermind；beggarsmustn\'tbechoosers。Thereasonormotiveisnothingtous，sothatyouobtainyourdesire。\'
\'Iamnotabeggaranylonger，\'saidLadyMottisfont，withproudmystery。
\'Whatdoyoumeanbythat?\'
LadyMottisfonthesitated。However，itwasonlytooplainthatshedidnotnowjumpatarestitutionofoneforwhomsomemonthsbeforeshehadbeenbreakingherheart。
Theexplanationofthischangeofmoodbecameapparentsomelittletimefartheron。LadyMottisfont，afterfiveyearsofweddedlife，wasexpectingtobecomeamother，andtheaspectofmanythingswasgreatlyalteredinherview。AmongthemoreimportantchangeswasthatofnolongerfeelingDorothytobeabsolutelyindispensabletoherexistence。
Meanwhile，inviewofhercomingmarriage，theCountessdecidedtoabandontheremainderofhertermatFernellHall，andreturntoherprettylittlehouseintown。Butshecouldnotdothisquitesoquicklyasshehadexpected，andhalfayearormoreelapsedbeforeshefinallyquittedtheneighbourhood，theintervalbeingpassedinalternationsbetweenthecountryandLondon。PriortoherlastdepartureshehadaninterviewwithSirAshleyMottisfont，anditoccurredthreedaysafterhiswifehadpresentedhimwithasonandheir。
\'Iwantedtospeaktoyou，\'saidtheCountess，lookinghimluminouslyintheface，\'aboutthedearfoundlingIhaveadoptedtemporarily，andthoughttohaveadoptedpermanently。Butmymarriagemakesittoorisky!\'
\'Ithoughtitmightbethat，\'heanswered，regardinghersteadfastlybackagain，andobservingtwotearscomeslowlyintohereyesassheheardherownvoicedescribeDorothyinthosewords。
\'Don\'tcriticizeme，\'shesaidhastily；andrecoveringherself，wenton。\'IfLadyMottisfontcouldtakeherbackagain，asIsuggested，itwouldbebetterforme，andcertainlynoworseforDorothy。ToeveryonebutourselvessheisbutachildIhavetakenafancyto，andLadyMottisfontcovetedhersomuch，andwasveryreluctanttolethergo……Iamsureshewilladoptheragain?\'sheaddedanxiously。
\'Iwillsoundherafresh，\'saidthebaronet。\'YouleaveDorothybehindforthepresent?\'
\'Yes；althoughIgoaway，Idonotgiveupthehouseforanothermonth。\'
Hedidnotspeaktohiswifeabouttheproposaltillsomefewdaysafter，whenLadyMottisfonthadnearlyrecovered，andnewsoftheCountess\'smarriageinLondonhadjustreachedthem。HehadnosoonermentionedDorothy\'snamethanLadyMottisfontshowedsymptomsofdisquietude。
\'IhavenotacquiredanydislikeofDorothy，\'shesaid，\'butIfeelthatthereisonenearertomenow。DorothychosethealternativeofgoingtotheCountess，youmustremember，whenIputittoherasbetweentheCountessandmyself。\'
\'But，mydearPhilippa，howcanyouarguethusaboutachild，andthatchildourDorothy?\'
\'NotOURS，\'saidhiswife，pointingtothecot。\'Oursishere。\'
\'What，then，Philippa，\'hesaid，surprised，\'youwon\'thaveherback，afternearlydyingofgriefatthelossofher?\'
\'Icannotargue，dearAshley。IshouldprefernottohavetheresponsibilityofDorothyagain。Herplaceisfillednow。\'
Herhusbandsighed，andwentoutofthechamber。TherehadbeenapreviousarrangementthatDorothyshouldbebroughttothehouseonavisitthatday，butinsteadoftakingheruptohiswife，hedidnotinformLadyMottisfontofthechild\'spresence。Heentertainedherhimselfaswellashecould，andaccompaniedherintothepark，wheretheyhadarambletogether。Presentlyhesatdownontherootofanelmandtookheruponhisknee。
\'Betweenthishusbandandthisbaby，littleDorothy，youwhohadtwohomesareleftoutinthecold，\'hesaid。
\'Can\'tIgotoLondonwithmyprettymamma?\'saidDorothy，perceivingfromhismannerthattherewasahitchsomewhere。
\'Iamafraidnot，mychild。Sheonlytookyoutolivewithherbecauseshewaslonely，youknow。\'
\'Thencan\'tIstayatDeansleighParkwithmyothermammaandyou?\'
\'Iamafraidthatcannotbedoneeither，\'saidhesadly。\'Wehaveababyinthehousenow。\'Heclosedthereplybystoopingdownandkissingher，therebeingatearinhiseye。
\'Thennobodywantsme!\'saidDorothypathetically。
\'Ohyes，somebodywantsyou，\'heassuredher。\'Wherewouldyouliketolivebesides?\'
Dorothy\'sexperiencesbeingratherlimited，shementionedtheonlyotherplaceintheworldthatshewasacquaintedwith，thecottageofthevillagerwhohadtakencareofherbeforeLadyMottisfonthadremovedhertotheManorHouse。
\'Yes；that\'swhereyou\'llbebestoffandmostindependent，\'heanswered。\'AndI\'llcometoseeyou，mydeargirl，andbringyouprettythings；andperhapsyou\'llbejustashappythere。\'
Nevertheless，whenthechangecame，andDorothywashandedovertothekindcottage-woman，thepoorchildmissedtheluxuriousroominessofFernellHallandDeansleigh；andforalongtimeherlittlefeet，whichhadbeenaccustomedtocarpetsandoakfloors，sufferedfromthecoldofthestoneflagsonwhichitwasnowherlottoliveandtoplay；whilechilblainscameuponherfingerswithwashingatthepump。Butthickershoeswithnailsinthemsomewhatremediedthecoldfeet，andhercomplaintsandtearsonthisandotherscoresdiminishedtosilenceasshebecameinuredanewtothehardshipsofthefarm-cottage，andshegrewuprobustifnothandsome。ShewasneveraltogetherlostsightofbySirAshley，thoughshewasdeprivedofthesystematiceducationwhichhadbeendevisedandbegunforherbyLadyMottisfont，aswellasbyherothermamma，theenthusiasticCountess。ThelattersoonhadotherDorothystothinkof，whooccupiedhertimeandaffectionasfullyasLadyMottisfont\'swereoccupiedbyherpreciousboy。Inthecourseoftimethedoubly-desiredanddoubly-rejectedDorothymarried，Ibelieve，arespectableroad-contractor——thesame，ifI
mistakenot，whorepairedandimprovedtheoldhighwayrunningfromWintoncestersouth-westerlythroughtheNewForest——andintheheartofthisworthymanofbusinessthepoorgirlfoundthenestwhichhadbeendeniedherbyherownfleshandbloodofhigherdegree。
Severalofthelistenerswishedtohearanotherstoryfromthesentimentalmemberafterthis，buthesaidthathecouldrecallnothingelseatthemoment，andthatitseemedtohimasifhisfriendontheothersideofthefireplacehadsomethingtosayfromthelookofhisface。
Thememberalludedtowasarespectablechurchwarden，withaslychinktooneeyelid——possiblytheresultofanaccident——andaregularattendantattheClubmeetings。Herepliedthathislookshadbeenmainlycausedbyhisinterestinthetwoladiesofthelaststory，apparentlywomenofstrongmotherlyinstincts，eventhoughtheywerenotgenuinelystaunchintheirtenderness。Thetalehadbroughttohismindaninstanceofafirmeraffectionofthatsortonthepaternalside，inanatureotherwiseculpable。Asfortellingthestory，hismannerwasmuchagainsthim，hefeared；buthewoulddohisbest，iftheywished。
HerethePresidentinterposedwithasuggestionthatasitwasgettinglateintheafternoonitwouldbeaswelltoadjourntotheirrespectiveinnsandlodgingsfordinner，afterwhichthosewhocaredtodosocouldreturnandresumethesecuriousdomestictraditionsfortheremainderoftheevening，whichmightotherwiseproveirksomeenough。Thecuratorhadtoldhimthattheroomwasattheirservice。Thechurchwarden，whowasbeginningtofeelhungryhimself，readilyacquiesced，andtheClubseparatedforanhourandahalf。Thenthefaithfulonesbegantodropinagain——amongwhomwerenotthePresident；neithercametheruraldean，northetwocurates，thoughtheColonel，andthemanoffamily，cigarsinmouth，weregoodenoughtoreturn，havingfoundtheirhoteldreary。Themuseumhadnoregularmeansofillumination，andasolitarycandle，lesspowerfulthantheraysofthefire，wasplacedonthetable；
alsobottlesandglasses，providedbysomethoughtfulmember。Thechink-eyedchurchwarden，nowthoroughlyprimed，proceededtorelateinhisowntermswhatwasinsubstanceasfollows，whilemanyofhislistenerssmoked。
DAMETHEFIFTHTHELADYICENWAY
BytheChurchwardenInthereignofHisMostExcellentMajestyKingGeorgetheThird，DefenderoftheFaithandoftheAmericanColonies，therelivedin\'afairemaner-place\'soLelandcalleditinhisday，asIhavebeentold，inoneo\'thegreenestbitsofwoodlandbetweenBristolandthecityofExonbury，ayoungladywhoresembledsomeaforesaidonesinhavingmanytalentsandexceedinggreatbeauty。Withthesegiftsshecombinedasomewhatimperioustemperandarbitrarymind，thoughherexperienceoftheworldwasnotactuallysolargeasherconclusivemannerwouldhaveledthestrangertosuppose。Beinganorphan，sheresidedwithheruncle，who，thoughhewasfairlyconsiderateastoherwelfare，leftherprettymuchtoherself。
Nowitchancedthatwhenthislovelyyoungladywasaboutnineteen，shebeingafearlesshorsewomanwasriding，withonlyayoungladasanattendant，inoneo\'thewoodsnearheruncle\'shouse，and，introttingalong，herhorsestumbledovertherootofafelledtree。
Sheslippedtotheground，notseriouslyhurt，andwasassistedhomebyagentlemanwhocameinviewatthemomentofhermishap。Itturnedoutthatthisgentleman，atotalstrangertoher，wasonavisitatthehouseofaneighbouringlandowner。HewasofDutchextraction，andoccasionallycametoEnglandonbusinessorpleasurefromhisplantationsinGuiana，onthenorthcoastofSouthAmerica，whereheusuallyresided。
OnthisaccounthewasnaturallybutlittleknowninWessex，andwasbutaslightacquaintanceofthegentlemanatwhosemansionhewasaguest。However，thefriendshipbetweenhimandtheHeymeres——astheuncleandniecewerenamed——warmedandwarmedbydegrees，therebeingbutfewfolko\'noteinthevicinityatthattime，whichmadeanewcomer，ifhewereatallsociableandofgoodcredit，alwayssureofawelcome。Atenderfeelingasitiscalledbytheromanticsprangupbetweenthetwoyoungpeople，whichripenedintointimacy。Anderling，theforeigngentleman，wasofanamoroustemperament；and，thoughheendeavouredtoconcealhisfeeling，itcouldbeseenthatMissMariaHeymerehadimpressedhimrathermoredeeplythanwouldberepresentedbyascratchuponastone。Heseemedabsolutelyunabletofreehimselffromherfascination；andhisinabilitytodoso，muchashetried——evidentlythinkinghehadnottheghostofachancewithher——gaveherthepleasureofpower；
thoughshemorethansympathizedwhensheoverheardhimheavinghisdeepdrawnsighs——privatelytohimself，ashesupposed。
Afterprolonginghisvisitbyeveryconceivableexcuseinhispower，hesummonedcourage，andofferedherhishandandhisheart。Beinginnowaydisinclinedtohim，thoughnotsofervidashe，andherunclemakingnoobjectiontothematch，sheconsentedtosharehisfate，forbetterorotherwise，inthedistantcolonywhere，asheassuredher，hisrice，andcoffee，andmaize，andtimber，producedhimamplemeans——astatementwhichwasborneoutbyhisfriend，heruncle\'sneighbour。Inshort，adayfortheirmarriagewasfixed，earlierintheengagementthanisusualordesirablebetweencomparativestrangers，byreasonofthenecessityhewasunderofreturningtolookafterhisproperties。
Theweddingtookplace，andMarialeftheruncle\'smansionwithherhusband，goinginthefirstplacetoLondon，andaboutafortnightaftersailingwithhimacrossthegreatoceanfortheirdistanthome——which，however，heassuredher，shouldnotbeherhomeforlong，itbeinghisintentiontodisposeofhisinterestsinthispartoftheworldassoonasthewarwasover，andhecoulddosoadvantageously；whentheycouldcometoEurope，andresideinsomefavouritecapital。
Astheyadvancedonthevoyagesheobservedthathegrewmoreandmoreconstrained；and，bythetimetheyhadcrossedtheLine，hewasquitedepressed，justashehadbeenbeforeproposingtoher。AdayortwobeforelandingatParamaribo，heembracedherinaverytearfulandpassionatemanner，andsaidhewishedtomakeaconfession。Ithadbeenhismisfortune，hesaid，tomarryatQuebecinearlylifeawomanwhosereputationprovedtobeineverywaybadandscandalous。Thediscoveryhadnearlykilledhim；buthehadultimatelyseparatedfromher，andhadneverseenhersince。Hehadhopedandprayedshemightbedead；butrecentlyinLondon，whentheywerestartingonthisjourney，hehaddiscoveredthatshewasstillalive。Atfirsthehaddecidedtokeepthisdarkintelligencefromherbelovedears；buthehadfeltthathecouldnotdoit。Allhehopedwasthatsuchaconditionofthingswouldmakenodifferenceinherfeelingsforhim，asitneedmakenodifferenceinthecourseoftheirlives。
Thereuponthespiritofthisproudandmasterfulladyshoweditselfinviolentturmoil，liketheragingofanor\'-westthunderstorm——aswellitmight，Godknows。Butshewasoftoostoutanaturetobebrokendownbyhisrevelation，asmanyladiesofmyacquaintancewouldhavebeen——sofarfromhome，andrightundertheLineintheblazeo\'thesun。Ofthetwo，indeed，hewasthemorewretchedandshatteredinspirit，forhelovedherdeeply，andtherebeingaforeigntwistinhismakehadbeentemptedtothiscrimebyherexceedingbeauty，againstwhichhehadstruggleddayandnight，tillhehadnofurtherresistanceleftinhim。Itwasshewhocamefirsttoadecisionastowhatshouldbedone——whetherawiseoneIdonotattempttojudge。
\'Iputittoyou，\'saysshe，whenmanyuselessself-reproachesandprotestationsonhisparthadbeenuttered——\'Iputittoyouwhether，ifanymanlinessisleftinyou，yououghtnottodoexactlywhatIconsiderthebestthingformeinthisstraittowhichyouhavereducedme?\'
Hepromisedtodoanythinginthewholeworld。Shethenrequestedhimtoallowhertoreturn，andannouncehimashavingdiedofmalignantagueimmediatelyontheirarrivalatParamaribo；thatsheshouldconsequentlyappearinweedsashiswidowinhernativeplace；andthathewouldnevermolesther，orcomeagaintothatpartoftheworldduringthewholecourseofhislife——agoodreasonforwhichwouldbethatthelegalconsequencesmightbeserious。
Hereadilyacquiescedinthis，ashewouldhaveacquiescedinanythingfortherestitutionofoneheadoredsodeeply——eventotheyieldingoflifeitself。Toputherinanimmediatestateofindependencehegaveher，inbondsandjewels，aconsiderablesumforhisworldlymeanshadbeeninnowayexaggerated；andbythenextshipshesailedagainforEngland，havingtravellednofartherthantoParamaribo。Atpartinghedeclaredittobehisintentiontoturnallhislandedpossessionsintopersonalproperty，andtobeawandereronthefaceoftheearthinremorseforhisconducttowardsher。
MariadulyarrivedinEngland，andimmediatelyonlandingapprisedheruncleofherreturn，dulyappearingathishouseinthegarbofawidow。Shewascommiseratedbyalltheneighboursassoonasherstorywastold；butonlytoheruncledidsherevealtherealstateofaffairs，andherreasonforconcealingit。For，thoughshehadbeeninnocentofwrong，Maria\'spridewasofthatgrainwhichcouldnotbrooktheleastappearanceofhavingbeenfooled，ordeluded，ornonplussedinherworldlyaims。
Forsometimesheledaquietlifewithherrelative，andinduecourseasonwasborntoher。Shewasmuchrespectedforherdignityandreserve，andtheportablewealthwhichhertemporaryhusbandhadmadeovertoherenabledhertoliveincomfortinawingofthemansion，withoutassistancefromheruncleatall。But，knowingthatshewasnotwhatsheseemedtobe，herlifewasanuneasyone，andsheoftensaidtoherself:\'Supposehiscontinuedexistenceshouldbecomeknownhere，andpeopleshoulddiscerntheprideofmymotiveinhidingmyhumiliation?ItwouldbeworsethanifIhadbeenfrankatfirst，whichIshouldhavebeenbutforthecreditofthischild。\'
Suchgravereflectionsastheseoccupiedherwithincreasingforce；
andduringtheircontinuancesheencounteredaworthymanofnoblebirthandtitle——LordIcenwayhisname——whoseseatwasbeyondWintoncester，quiteatt\'otherendofWessex。Hebeinganxioustopayhisaddressestoher，Mariawillinglyacceptedthem，thoughhewasaplainman，olderthanherself；forshediscernedinare-
marriageamethodoffortifyingherpositionagainstmortifyingdiscoveries。Inafewmonthstheiruniontookplace，andMarialiftedherheadasLadyIcenway，andleftwithherhusbandandchildforhishomeasaforesaid，whereshewasquiteunknown。
Ajustification，oracondemnation，ofherstepaccordingasyouviewitwasseenwhen，notlongafter，shereceivedanotefromherformerhusbandAnderling。Itwasahastyandtenderepistle，andperhapsitwasfortunatethatitarrivedduringthetemporaryabsenceofLordIcenway。Hisworthlesswife，saidAnderling，hadjustdiedinQuebec；hehadgonetheretoascertainparticulars，andhadseentheunfortunatewomanburied。HenowwashasteningtoEnglandtorepairthewronghehaddonehisMaria。HeaskedhertomeethimatSouthampton，hisportofarrival；whichsheneedbeinnofearofdoing，ashehadchangedhisname，andwasalmostabsolutelyunknowninEurope。Hewouldremarryherimmediately，andlivewithherinanypartoftheContinent，astheyhadoriginallyintended，where，forthegreatlovehestillboreher，hewoulddevotehimselftoherservicefortherestofhisdays。
LadyIcenway，self-possessedasitwashernaturetobe，wasyetmuchdisturbedatthisnews，andsetofftomeethim，unattended，assoonassheheardthattheshipwasinsight。Assoonastheystoodfacetofaceshefoundthatshestillpossessedallheroldinfluenceoverhim，thoughhispowertofascinateherhadquitedeparted。Inhissorrowforhisoffenceagainsther，hehadbecomeamanofstrictreligioushabits，self-denyingasalentensaint，thoughformerlyhehadbeenafreeandjoyousliver。Havingfirstgothimtosweartomakeheranyamendssheshouldchoosewhichhewasimaginingmustbebyatruemarriage，sheinformedhimthatshehadalreadyweddedanotherhusband，anexcellentmanofancientfamilyandpossessions，whohadgivenheratitle，inwhichshemuchrejoiced。
Atthisthecountenanceofthepoorforeigngentlemanbecamecoldasclay，andhisheartwitheredwithinhim；forasithadbeenherbeautyandbearingwhichhadledhimtosintoobtainher，so，nowthatherbeautywasinfullerbloom，andhermannermorehaughtybyhersuccess，didhefeelherfascinationtobealmostmorethanhecouldbear。Nevertheless，havingswornhisword，heundertooktoobeyhercommands，whichweresimplyarenewalofheroldrequest——
thathewoulddepartforsomeforeigncountry，andneverrevealhisexistencetoherfriends，orhusband，oranypersoninEngland；
nevertroublehermore，seeinghowgreataharmitwoulddoherinthehighpositionwhichsheatpresentoccupied。
Hebowedhishead。\'Andthechild——ourchild?\'hesaid。
\'Heiswell，\'saysshe。\'Quitewell。\'
Withthistheunhappygentlemandeparted，muchsadderinhisheartthanonhisvoyagetoEngland；forithadneveroccurredtohimthatawomanwhoratedherhonoursohighlyasMariahaddone，andwhowasthemotherofachildofhis，wouldhaveadoptedsuchmeansasthisfortherestorationofthathonour，andatsosurprisinglyearlyadate。Hehadfullycalculatedonmakingherhiswifeinlawandtruth，andoflivingincheerfulunitywithherandhisoffspring，forwhomhefeltadeepandgrowingtenderness，thoughhehadneveronceseenthechild。
TheladyreturnedtohermansionbeyondWintoncester，andtoldnothingoftheinterviewtohernoblehusband，whohadfortunatelygonethatdaytodoalittlecockingandrattingoutbyWeydonPriors，andknewnothingofhermovements。ShehaddismissedherpoorAnderlingperemptorilyenough；yetshewouldoftenafterthislookinthefaceofthechildofherso-calledwidowhood，todiscoverwhatandhowmanytraitsofhisfatherweretobeseeninhislineaments。Forthisshehadampleopportunityduringthefollowingautumnandwintermonths，herhusbandbeingamatter-of-
factnobleman，whospentthegreaterpartofhistimeinfield-
sportsandagriculture。
Onewinterday，whenhehadstartedforameetofthehoundsalongwayfromthehouse——itbeinghiscustomtohuntthreeorfourtimesaweekatthisseasonoftheyear——shehadwalkedintothesunshineupontheterracebeforethewindows，wheretherefellatherfeetsomelittlewhiteobjectthathadcomeoveraboundarywallhardby。
Itprovedtobeatinynotewrappedroundastone。LadyIcenwayopeneditandreadit，andimmediatelynodoubt，withasternfixtureofherqueenlycountenancewalkedhastilyalongtheterrace，andthroughthedoorintotheshrubbery，whencethenotehadcome。Themanwhohadfirstmarriedherstoodunderthebushesbeforeher。Itwasplainfromhisappearancethatsomethinghadgonewrongwithhim。
\'Younoticeachangeinme，mybest-beloved，\'hesaid。\'Yes，Maria——
IhavelostallthewealthIoncepossessed——mainlybyrecklessgamblingintheContinentalhellstowhichyoubanishedme。Butonethingintheworldremainstome——thechild——anditisforhimthatIhaveintrudedhere。Don\'tfearme，darling!Ishallnotinconvenienceyoulong；Iloveyoutoowell!ButIthinkoftheboydayandnight——Icannothelpit——Icannotkeepmyfeelingforhimdown；andIlongtoseehim，andspeakawordtohimonceinmylifetime!\'
\'Butyouroath?\'saysshe。\'Youpromisednevertorevealbywordorsign——\'
\'Iwillrevealnothing。Onlyletmeseethechild。IknowwhatI
havesworntoyou，cruelmistress，andIrespectmyoath。OtherwiseImighthaveseenhimbysomesubterfuge。ButIpreferredthefrankcourseofaskingyourpermission。\'
Shedemurred，withthehaughtyseveritywhichhadgrownpartofhercharacter，andwhichherelevationtotherankofapeeresshadratherintensifiedthandiminished。Shesaidthatshewouldconsider，andwouldgivehimananswerthedayafterthenext，atthesamehourandplace，whenherhusbandwouldagainbeabsentwithhispackofhounds。
Thegentlemanwaitedpatiently。LadyIcenway，whohadnownoconsciousloveleftforhim，wellconsideredthematter，andfeltthatitwouldbeadvisablenottopushtoextremesamanofsopassionateaheart。Onthedayandhourshemethimasshehadpromisedtodo。
\'Youshallseehim，\'shesaid，\'ofcourseonthestrictconditionthatyoudonotrevealyourself，andhence，thoughyouseehim，hemustnotseeyou，oryourmannermightbetrayyouandme。Iwilllullhimintoanapintheafternoon，andthenIwillcometoyouhere，andfetchyouindoorsbyaprivateway。\'
Theunfortunatefather，whosemisdemeanourhadrecoileduponhisownheadinawayhecouldnothaveforeseen，promisedtoadheretoherinstructions，andwaitedintheshrubberiestillthemomentwhensheshouldcallhim。Thisshedulydidaboutthreeo\'clockthatday，leadinghiminbyagardendoor，andupstairstothenurserywherethechildlay。Hewasinhislittlecot，breathingcalmly，hisarmthrownoverhishead，andhissilkencurlscrushedintothepillow。
Hisfather，nowalmosttobepitied，bentoverhim，andatearfromhiseyewettedthecoverlet。
Sheheldupawarningfingerasheloweredhismouthtothelipsoftheboy。
\'Butoh，whynot?\'imploredhe。
\'Verywell，then，\'saidshe，relenting。\'Butasgentlyaspossible。\'
Hekissedthechildwithoutwakinghim，turned，gavehimalastlook，andfollowedheroutofthechamber，whensheconductedhimoffthepremisesbythewayhehadcome。
Butthisremedyforhissadnessofheartatbeingastrangertohisownson，hadtheeffectofintensifyingthemalady；forwhileoriginally，notknowingorhavingeverseentheboy，hehadlovedhimvaguelyandimaginativelyonly，henowbecameattachedtohiminfleshandbone，asanyparentmight；andthefeelingthathecouldatbestonlyseehischildattherarestandmostcursorymoments，ifatall，drovehimintoastateofdistractionwhichthreatenedtooverthrowhispromisetotheboy\'smothertokeepoutofhissight。
ButsuchwashischivalrousrespectforLadyIcenway，andhisregretathavingeverdeceivedher，thatheschooledhispoorheartintosubmission。Owingtohisloneliness，allthefervourofwhichhewascapable——andthatwasmuch——flowednowinthechannelofparentalandmaritallove——forachildwhodidnotknowhim，andawomanwhohadceasedtolovehim。
Atlengththissingularpunishmentbecamesuchatorturetothepoorforeignerthatheresolvedtolessenitatallhazards，compatiblewithpunctiliouscareforthenameoftheladyhisformerwife，towhomhisattachmentseemedtoincreaseinproportiontoherpunitivetreatmentofhim。Atonetimeofhislifehehadtakengreatinterestintulip-culture，aswellasgardeningingeneral；andsincetheruinofhisfortunes，andhisarrivalinEngland，hehadmadeofhisknowledgeaprecariousincomeinthehot-housesofnurserymenandothers。Withthenewideainhisheadheappliedhimselfzealouslytothebusiness，tillheacquiredinafewmonthsgreatskillinhorticulture。Waitingtillthenoblelord，hislady\'shusband，hadroomforanunder-gardenerofageneralsort，heofferedhimselffortheplace，andwasengagedimmediatelybyreasonofhiscivilityandintelligence，beforeLadyIcenwayknewanythingofthematter。Muchthereforedidhesurpriseherwhenshefoundhimintheconservatoriesofhermansionaweekortwoafterhisarrival。Thepunishmentofinstantdismissal，withwhichatfirstshehaughtilythreatenedhim，myladythoughtfit，onreflection，nottoenforce。Whileheservedherthussheknewhewouldnotharmherbyaword，while，ifhewereexpelled，chagrinmightinducehimtorevealinamomentofexasperationwhatkindtreatmentwouldassisthimtoconceal。
Sohewasallowedtoremainonthepremises，andhadforhisresidencealittlecottagebythegarden-wallwhichhadbeenthedomicileofsomeofhispredecessorsinthesameoccupation。Herehelivedabsolutelyalone，andspentmuchofhisleisureinreading，butthegreaterpartinwatchingthewindowsandlawnsofhislady\'shouseforglimpsesoftheformofthechild。Itwasforthatchild\'ssakethatheabandonedthetenetsoftheRomanCatholicChurchinwhichhehadbeenreared，andbecamethemostregularattendantattheservicesintheparishplaceofworshiphardby，where，sittingbehindthepewofmylady，mylord，andhisstepson，thegardenercouldpensivelystudythetraitsandmovementsoftheyoungsteratonlyafewfeetdistance，withoutsuspicionorhindrance。
Hefilledhispostformorethantwoyearswithapleasuretohimselfwhich，thoughmournful，wassoothing，hisladyneverforgivinghim，orallowinghimtobeanythingmorethan\'thegardener\'toherchild，thoughonceortwicetheboysaid，\'Thatgardener\'seyesaresosad!Whydoeshelooksosadlyatme?\'Hesunnedhimselfinherscornfulnessasifitwerelove，andhisearsdrankinhercurtmonosyllablesasthoughtheywererhapsodiesofendearment。Strangelyenough，thecoldnesswithwhichshetreatedherforeignerbegantobetheconductofLordIcenwaytowardsherself。Itwasamatterofgreatanxietytohimthatthereshouldbealinealsuccessortothetitle，yetnosignofthatsuccessorappeared。Onedayhecomplainedtoherquiteroughlyofhisfate。
\'Allwillgotothatdoltofacousin!\'hecried。\'I\'dsoonerseemynameandplaceatthebottomofthesea!\'
Theladysoothedhimandfellintothought，anddidnotrecriminate。
Butoneday，soonafter，shewentdowntothecottageofthegardenertoinquirehowhewasgettingon，forhehadbeenailingoflate，though，aswassupposed，notseriously。Thoughsheoftenvisitedthepoor，shehadneverenteredherunder-gardener\'shomebefore，andwasmuchsurprised——evengrievedanddismayed——tofindthathewastooilltorisefromhisbed。Shewentbacktohermansionandreturnedwithsomedelicatesoup，thatshemighthaveareasonforseeinghim。
Hisconditionwassofeebleandalarming，andhisfacesothin，thatitquiteshockedhersofteningheart，andgazinguponhimshesaid，\'Youmustgetwell——youmust!Ihavebeenhardwithyou——Iknowit。
Iwillnotbesoagain。\'
Thesickanddyingman——forhewasdyingindeed——tookherhandandpressedittohislips。\'Toolate，mydarling，toolate!\'hemurmured。
\'ButyouMUSTNOTdie!Oh，youmustnot!\'shesaid。Andonanimpulseshebentdownandwhisperedsomewordstohim，blushingasshehadblushedinhermaidendays。
Herepliedbyafaintwansmile。\'Timewas!……butthat\'spast!\'
hesaid，\'Imustdie!\'
Anddiehedid，afewdayslater，asthesunwasgoingdownbehindthegarden-wall。Herharshnessseemedtocometreblyhometoherthen，andsheremorsefullyexclaimedagainstherselfinsecretandalone。Heronedesirenowwastoerectsometributetohismemory，withoutitsbeingrecognizedasherhandiwork。Inthecompletionofthisschemetherearrivedafewmonthslaterahandsomestained-
glasswindowforthechurch；andwhenitwasunpackedandincourseoferectionLordIcenwaystrolledintothebuildingwithhiswife。
\'\"Erectedtohismemorybyhisgrievingwidow，\"\'hesaid，readingthelegendontheglass。\'Ididn\'tknowthathehadawife；I\'veneverseenher。\'
\'Ohyes，youmusthave，Icenway；onlyyouforget，\'repliedhisladyblandly。\'Butshedidn\'tlivewithhim，andwasseldomseenvisitinghim，becausethereweredifferencesbetweenthem；which，asisusuallythecase，makesherallthemoresorrynow。\'
\'Andgoruiningherselfbythisexpensiveruby-and-azureglass-
design。\'
\'Sheisnotpoor，theysay。\'
AsLordIcenwaygrewolderhebecamecrustierandcrustier，andwheneverheseteyesonhiswife\'sboybyherotherhusbandhewouldburstoutmorosely，saying，\'\'Tisaveryoddthing，mylady，thatyoucouldobligeyourfirsthusband，andcouldn\'tobligeme。\'
\'Ah!ifIhadonlythoughtofitsooner!\'shemurmured。
\'What?\'saidhe。
\'Nothing，dearest，\'repliedLadyIcenway。
TheColonelwasthefirsttocommentupontheChurchwarden\'stale，bysayingthatthefateofthepoorfellowwasratherahardone。
Thegentleman-tradesmancouldnotseethathisfatewasatalltoohardforhim。Hewaslegallynothingtoher，andhehadservedhershamefully。Ifhehadbeenreallyherhusbanditwouldhavestooddifferently。
TheBookwormremarkedthatLordIcenwayseemedtohavebeenaveryunsuspiciousman，withwhichviewafatmemberwithacrimsonfaceagreed。Itwastruehiswifewasaveryclose-mouthedpersonage，whichmadeadifference。Ifshehadspokenoutrecklesslyherlordmighthavebeensuspiciousenough，asinthecaseofthatladywholivedatStaplefordParkintheirgreat-grandfathers\'time。Thoughthere，tobesure，considerationsarosewhichmadeherhusbandviewmatterswithmuchphilosophy。
Afewofthemembersdoubtedthepossibilityofthis。
Thecrimsonman，whowasaretiredmaltsterofcomfortablemeans，ventru，andshortinstature，clearedhisthroat，blewoffhissuperfluousbreath，andproceededtogivetheinstancebeforealludedtoofsuchpossibility，firstapologizingforhisheroine\'slackofatitle，itneverhavingbeenhisgoodfortunetoknowmanyofthenobility。Tohisstyleofnarrativethefollowingisonlyanapproximation。
DAMETHESIXTH:SQUIREPETRICK\'SLADY
BytheCrimsonMaltsterFolkwhoareatallacquaintedwiththetraditionsofStaplefordParkwillnotneedtobetoldthatinthemiddleofthelastcenturyitwasownedbythattrumpofmortgagees，TimothyPetrick，whoseskillingainingpossessionoffairestatesbygrantingsumsofmoneyontheirtitle-deedshasseldomifeverbeenequalledinourpartofEngland。Timothywasalawyerbyprofession，andagenttoseveralnoblemen，bywhichmeanshisspeciallineofbusinessbecameopenedtohimbyasortofrevelation。Itissaidthatarelativeofhis，averydeepthinker，whoafterwardshadthemisfortunetobetransportedforlifeformistakennotionsonthesigningofawill，taughthimconsiderablelegallore，whichhecreditablyresolvednevertothrowawayforthebenefitofotherpeople，buttoreserveitentirelyforhisown。
However，Ihavenothinginparticulartosayabouthisearlyandactivedays，butratherofthetimewhen，anoldman，hehadbecometheownerofvastestatesbythemeansIhavesignified——amongthemthegreatmanorofStapleford，onwhichhelived，inthesplendidoldmansionnowpulleddown；likewiseestatesatMarlott，estatesnearShertonAbbas，nearlyalltheboroughofMillpool，andmanypropertiesnearIvell。Indeed，Ican\'tcalltomindhalfhislandedpossessions，andIdon\'tknowthatitmattersmuchatthistimeofday，seeingthathe\'sbeendeadandgonemanyyears。Itissaidthatwhenheboughtanestatehewouldnotdecidetopaythepricetillhehadwalkedovereverysingleacrewithhisowntwofeet，andproddedthesoilateverypointwithhisownspud，totestitsquality，which，ifweregardtheextentofhisproperties，musthavebeenastiffbusinessforhim。
AtthetimeIamspeakingofhewasamanovereighty，andhissonwasdead；buthehadtwograndsons，theeldestofwhom，hisnamesake，wasmarried，andwasshortlyexpectingissue。Justthenthegrandfatherwastakenill，fordeath，asitseemed，consideringhisage。ByhiswilltheoldmanhadcreatedanentailasI
believethelawyerscallit，devisingthewholeoftheestatestohiseldergrandsonandhisissuemale，failingwhich，tohisyoungergrandsonandhisissuemale，failingwhich，toremoterrelatives，whoneednotbementionednow。
WhileoldTimothyPetrickwaslyingill，hiseldergrandson\'swife，Annetta，gavebirthtoherexpectedchild，who，asfortunewouldhaveit，wasason。Timothy，herhusband，throughsprungofaschemingfamily，wasnogreatschemerhimself；hewasthesingleoneofthePetricksthenlivingwhosehearthadeverbeengreatlymovedbysentimentswhichdidnotruninthegrooveofambition；andonthisaccounthehadnotmarriedwell，asthesayingis；hiswifehavingbeenthedaughterofafamilyofnobetterbeginningsthanhisown；thatistosay，herfatherwasacountrytownsmanoftheprofessionalclass。Butshewasaveryprettywoman，byallaccounts，andherhusbandhadseen，courted，andmarriedherinahightideofinfatuation，afteraveryshortacquaintance，andwithverylittleknowledgeofherheart\'shistory。Hehadneverfoundreasontoregrethischoiceasyet，andhisanxietyforherrecoverywasgreat。
Shewassupposedtobeoutofdanger，andherselfandthechildprogressingwell，whentherewasachangefortheworse，andshesanksorapidlythatshewassoongivenover。Whenshefeltthatshewasabouttoleavehim，Annettasentforherhusband，and，onhisspeedyentryandassurancethattheywerealone，shemadehimsolemnlyvowtogivethechildeverycareinanycircumstancesthatmightarise，ifitshouldpleaseHeaventotakeher。This，ofcourse，hereadilypromised。Then，aftersomehesitation，shetoldhimthatshecouldnotdiewithafalsehooduponhersoul，anddiredeceitinherlife；shemustmakeaterribleconfessiontohimbeforeherlipsweresealedforever。Shethereuponrelatedanincidentconcerningthebaby\'sparentage，whichwasnotashesupposed。
TimothyPetrick，thoughaquick-feelingman，wasnotofasorttoshownervesoutwardly；andheborehimselfasheroicallyashepossiblycoulddointhistryingmomentofhislife。Thatsamenighthiswifedied；andwhileshelaydead，andbeforeherfuneral，hehastenedtothebedsideofhissickgrandfather，andrevealedtohimallthathadhappened:thebaby\'sbirth，hiswife\'sconfession，andherdeath，beseechingtheagedman，ashelovedhim，tobestirhimselfnow，attheeleventhhour，andalterhiswillsoastodishtheintruder。OldTimothy，seeingmattersinthesamelightashisgrandson，requirednourgingagainstallowinganythingtostandinthewayoflegitimateinheritance；heexecutedanotherwill，limitingtheentailtoTimothyhisgrandson，forlife，andhismaleheirsthereaftertobeborn；afterthemtohisothergrandsonEdward，andEdward\'sheirs。Thusthenewly-borninfant，whohadbeenthecentreofsomanyhopes，wascutoffandscornedasnoneoftheelect。
Theoldmortgageelivedbutashorttimeafterthis，theexcitementofthediscoveryhavingtolduponhimconsiderably，andhewasgatheredtohisfatherslikethemostcharitablemaninhisneighbourhood。Bothwifeandgrandparentbeingburied，Timothysettleddowntohisusuallifeaswellashewasable，mentallysatisfiedthathehadbypromptactiondefeatedtheconsequencesofsuchdiredomestictreacheryashadbeenshowntowardshim，andresolvingtomarryasecondtimeassoonashecouldsatisfyhimselfinthechoiceofawife。
Butmendonotalwaysknowthemselves。TheembitteredstateofTimothyPetrick\'smindbredinhimbydegreessuchahatredandmistrustofwomankindthat，thoughseveralspecimensofhighattractivenesscameunderhiseyes，hecouldnotbringhimselftothepointofproposingmarriage。Hedreadedtotakeupthepositionofhusbandasecondtime，discerningatrapineverypetticoat，andaSloughofDespondinpossibleheirs。\'Whathashappenedonce，whenallseemedsofair，mayhappenagain，\'hesaidtohimself。
\'I\'llriskmynamenomore。\'Soheabstainedfrommarriage，andovercamehiswishforalinealdescendanttofollowhimintheownershipofStapleford。
Timothyhadscarcelynoticedtheunfortunatechildthathiswifehadborne，afterarrangingforameagrefulfilmentofhispromisetohertotakecareoftheboy，byhavinghimbroughtupinhishouse。
Occasionally，rememberingthispromise，hewentandglancedatthechild，sawthathewasdoingwell，gaveafewspecialdirections，andagainwenthissolitaryway。ThusheandthechildlivedonintheStaplefordmansion-housetilltwoorthreeyearshadpassedby。
Onedayhewaswalkinginthegarden，andbysomeaccidentlefthissnuff-boxonabench。Whenhecamebacktofindithesawthelittleboystandingthere；hehadescapedhisnurse，andwasmakingaplaythingofthebox，inspiteoftheconvulsivesneezingswhichthegamebroughtinitstrain。Thenthemanwiththeencrustedheartbecameinterestedinthelittlefellow\'spersistenceinhisplayundersuchdiscomforts；helookedinthechild\'sface，sawtherehiswife\'scountenance，thoughhedidnotseehisown，andfellintothoughtonthepiteousnessofchildhood——particularlyofdespisedandrejectedchildhood，likethisbeforehim。
Fromthathour，tryashewouldtocounteractthefeeling，thehumannecessitytolovesomethingorothergotthebetterofwhathehadcalledhiswisdom，andshapeditselfinatenderanxietyfortheyoungsterRupert。Thisnamehadbeengivenhimbyhisdyingmotherwhen，atherrequest，thechildwasbaptizedinherchamber，lestheshouldnotsurviveforpublicbaptism；andherhusbandhadneverthoughtofitasanameofanysignificancetill，aboutthistime，helearntbyaccidentthatitwasthenameoftheyoungMarquisofChristminster，sonoftheDukeofSouthwesterland，forwhomAnnettahadcherishedwarmfeelingsbeforehermarriage。Recollectingsomewanderingphrasesinhiswife\'slastwords，whichhehadnotunderstoodatthetime，heperceivedatlastthatthiswasthepersontowhomshehadalludedwhenaffordinghimacluetolittleRupert\'shistory。
Hewouldsitinsilenceforhourswiththechild，beingnogreatspeakeratthebestoftimes；buttheboy，onhispart，wastooreadywithhistongueforanybreakindiscoursetoarisebecauseTimothyPetrickhadnothingtosay。Afteridlingawayhismorningsinthismanner，Petrickwouldgotohisownroomandswearinlongloudwhispers，andwalkupanddown，callinghimselfthemostridiculousdoltthateverlived，anddeclaringthathewouldnevergonearthelittlefellowagain；towhichresolvehewouldadhereforthespaceperhapsofaday。Suchcasesarehappilynotnewtohumannature，butthereneverwasacaseinwhichamanmorecompletelybefocledhisformerselfthaninthis。
Asthechildgrewup，Timothy\'sattachmenttohimgrewdeeper，tillRupertbecamealmostthesoleobjectforwhichhelived。TherehadbeenenoughofthefamilyambitionlatentinhimforTimothyPetricktofeelalittleenvywhen，sometimebeforethisdate，hisbrotherEdwardhadbeenacceptedbytheHonourableHarrietMountclere，daughterofthesecondViscountofthatnameandtitle；buthavingdiscovered，asIhavebeforestated，thepaternityofhisboyRuperttolurkinevenahigherstratumofsociety，thoseenviousfeelingsspeedilydispersed。Indeed，themorehereflectedthereon，afterhisbrother\'saristocraticmarriage，themorecontentdidhebecome。
Hislatewifetooksofteroutlineinhismemory，ashethoughtoftheloftytasteshehaddisplayed，thoughonlyaplainburgher\'sdaughter，andthejustificationforhisweaknessinlovingthechild——thejustificationthathehadlongedfor——wasaffordednowintheknowledgethattheboywasbynature，ifnotbyname，arepresentativeofoneofthenoblesthousesinEngland。
\'Shewasawomanofgrandinstincts，afterall，\'hesaidtohimselfproudly。\'Tofixherchoiceupontheimmediatesuccessorinthatducalline——itwasfinelyconceived!HadhebeenoflowbloodlikemyselformyrelationsshewouldscarcehavedeservedtheharshmeasurethatIhavedealtouttoherandheroffspring。Howmuchless，then，whensuchgrovellingtasteswerefarthestfromhersoul!
ThemanAnnettalovedwasnoble，andmyboyisnobleinspiteofme。\'
Theafterclapwasinevitable，anditsooncame。\'Sofar，\'hereasoned，\'fromcuttingoffthischildfrominheritanceofmyestates，asIhavedone，Ishouldhaverejoicedinthepossessionofhim!Heisofpurestockononesideatleast，whilstintheordinaryrunofaffairshewouldhavebeenacommonertothebone。\'
Beingaman，whateverhisfaults，ofgoodoldbeliefsinthedivinityofkingsandthoseabout\'em，themoreheoverhauledthecaseinthislight，themorestronglydidhispoorwife\'sconductinimprovingthebloodandbreedofthePetrickfamilywinhisheart。
Heconsideredwhatugly，idle，hard-drinkingscampsmanyofhisownrelationshadbeen；themiserablescriveners，usurers，andpawnbrokersthathehadnumberedamonghisforefathers，andtheprobabilitythatsomeoftheirbadqualitieswouldhavecomeoutinamerelycorporealchild，togivehimsorrowinhisoldage，turnhisblackhairsgray，hisgrayhairswhite，cutdowneverystickoftimber，andHeavenknowswhatall，hadhenot，likeaskilfulgardener，mindedhisgraftingandchangedthesort；tillatlengththisright-mindedmanfelldownonhiskneeseverynightandmorningandthankedGodthathewasnotasothermeanlydescendedfathersinsuchmatters。
ItwasinthepeculiardispositionofthePetrickfamilythatthesatisfactionwhichultimatelysettledinTimothy\'sbreastfoundnourishment。ThePetrickshadadoredthenobility，andpluckedthematthesametime。ThatexcellentmanIzaakWalton\'sfeelingsaboutfishweremuchakintothoseofoldTimothyPetrick，andofhisdescendantsinalesserdegree，concerningthelandedaristocracy。
Totortureandtolovesimultaneouslyisaproceedingstrangetoreason，butpossibletopractice，astheseinstancesshow。
Hence，whenTimothy\'sbrotherEdwardsaidslightinglyonedaythatTimothy\'ssonwaswellenough，butthathehadnothingbutshopsandofficesinhisbackwardperspective，whilehisownchildren，shouldhehaveany，wouldbefardifferent，inpossessingsuchamotherastheHonourableHarriet，Timothyfeltaboundoftriumphwithinhimatthepowerhepossessedofcontradictingthatstatementifhechose。
SomuchwasheinterestedinhisboyinthisnewaspectthathenowbegantoreadupchroniclesoftheillustrioushouseennobledastheDukesofSouthwesterland，fromtheirverybeginninginthegloriesoftheRestorationoftheblessedCharlestilltheyearofhisowntime。Hementallynotedtheirgiftsfromroyalty，grantsoflands，purchases，intermarriages，plantingsandbuildings；moreparticularlytheirpoliticalandmilitaryachievements，whichhadbeengreat，andtheirperformancesinartandletters，whichhadbeenbynomeanscontemptible。Hestudiedprintsoftheportraitsofthatfamily，andthen，likeachemistwatchingacrystallization，begantoexamineyoungRupert\'sfacefortheunfoldingofthosehistoriccurvesandshadesthatthepaintersVandykeandLelyhadperpetuatedoncanvas。