\'OMNESOMNIABONADICERE\'
WhenyoungMarkRobartswasleavingcollege,hisfathermightwelldeclarethatallmenbegantosayallgoodthingstohim,andtoextolhisfortuneinthathehadasonblessedwithanexcellentdisposition.ThisfatherwasaphysicianlivingatExeter.Hewasagentlemanpossessedofnoprivatemeans,butenjoyingalucrativepractice,whichhadenabledhimtomaintainandeducateafamilywithalltheadvantageswhichmoneycangiveinthiscountry.Markwashiseldestsonandsecondchild;andthefirstpageortwoofthisnarrativemustbeconsumedingivingacatalogueofthegoodthingswhichchanceandconducttogetherhadheapeduponthisyoungman\'shead.
Hisfirststepforwardinlifehadarisenfromhishavingbeensent,whilestillveryyoung,asaprivatepupiltothehouseofaclergyman,whowasanoldfriendandintimatefriendofhisfather\'s.
Thisclergymanhadoneother,andonlyoneother,pupil——theyoungLordLufton;andbetweenthetwoboys,therehadsprungupaclosealliance.Whiletheywerebothsoplaced,LadyLuftonhadvisitedherson,andtheninvitedyoungRobartstopasshisnextholidaysatFramleyCourt.Thisvisitwasmade;anditendedinMarkgoingbacktoExeterwithaletterfullofpraisefromthewidowedpeeress.Shehadbeendelighted,shesaid,inhavingsuchacompanionforherson,andexpressedahopethattheboysmightremaintogetherduringthecourseoftheireducation.
DrRobartswasamanwhothoughtmuchofthebreathofpeersandpeeresses,andwasbynomeansinclinedtothrowawayanyadvantagewhichmightarisetohischildfromsuchafriendship.When,therefore,theyounglordwassenttoHarrow,MarkRobartswenttherealso.
Thatthelordandhisfriendoftenquarrelled,andoccasionallyfought,——thefacteventhatforaperiodofthreemonthstheyneverspoketoeachother——bynomeansinterferedwiththedoctor\'shopes.MarkagainandagainstayedafortnightatFramleyCourt,andLadyLuftonalwayswroteabouthiminthehighestterms.AndthentheladswenttogethertoOxford,andhereMark\'sgoodfortunefollowedhim,consistingratherinthehighlyrespectablemannerinwhichhelived,thaninanywonderfulcareerofcollegiatesuccess.Hisfamilywasproudofhim,andthedoctorwasalwaysreadytotalkofhimtohispatients;notbecausehewasaprize-man,andhadgottenascholarship,butonaccountoftheexcellenceofhisgeneralconduct.Helivedwiththebestset——heincurrednodebts——hewasfondofsociety,butabletoavoidlowsociety——likedhisglassofwine,butwasneverknowntobedrunk;
andaboveallthings,wasoneofthemostpopularmenintheUniversity.ThencamethequestionofaprofessionfortheyoungHyperion,andonthissubjectDrRobartswasinvitedhimselftogoovertoFramleyCourttodiscussthematterwithLadyLufton.
DrRobartsreturnedwithaverystrongconceptionthattheChurchwastheprofessionbestsuitedtohisson.
LadyLuftonhadnotsentforDrRobartsallthewayfromExeterfornothing.ThelivingofFramleywasinthegiftofLadyLufton\'sfamily,andthenextpresentationwouldbeinLadyLufton\'shands,ifitshouldfallvacantbeforetheyounglordwastwenty-fiveyearsofage,andintheyounglord\'shandsifitshouldfallafterwards.ButthemotherandtheheirconsentedtogiveajointpromisetoDrRobarts.Now,asthepresentincumbentwasoverseventy,andasthelivingwasworth900poundsayear,therecouldbenodoubtastotheeligibilityoftheclericalprofession.AndImustfurthersay,thatthedowagerandthedoctorwerejustifiedintheirchoicebythelifeandprinciplesoftheyoungman——asfarasanyfathercanbejustifiedinchoosingsuchaprofessionforhisson,andasfarasanylayimpropriatorcanbejustifiedinmakingsuchapromise.HadLadyLuftonhadasecondson,thatsecondsonwouldprobablyhavehadtheliving,andnoonewouldhavethoughtitwrong;——certainlynotifthatsecondsonhadbeensuchaoneasMarkRobarts.
LadyLuftonherselfwasawomanwhothoughtmuchonreligiousmatters,andwouldbynomeanshavebeendisposedtoplaceanyoneinaliving,merelybecausesuchaonehadbeenherson\'sfriend.
HertendencieswereHighChurch,andshewasenabledtoperceivethatthoseofyoungMarkRobartsraninthesamedirection.Shewasverydesirousthathersonshouldmakeanassociateofhisclergyman,andbythisstepshewouldensure,atanyrate,that.
Shewasanxiousthattheparishvicarshouldbeonewithwhomshecouldherselffullyco-operate,andwasperhapsunconsciouslywishfulthathemightinsomemeasurebesubjecttoherinfluence.
Shouldsheappointanelderman,thismightprobablynotbethecasetothesameextent;andshouldhersonhavethegift,itmightprobablynotbethecaseatall.And,therefore,itwasresolvedthatthelivingshouldbegiventoyoungRobarts.
Hetookhisdegree——notwithanybrilliancy,butquiteinthemannerthathisfatherdesired;hethentravelledforeightortenmonthswithLordLuftonandacollegedon,andalmostimmediatelyafterhisreturnhomewasordained.
ThelivingofFramleyisinthedioceseofBarchester;and,seeingwhatwereMark\'shopeswithreferencetothatdiocese,itwasbynomeansdifficulttogethimacuracywithinit.Butthiscuracyhewasnotallowedlongtofill.Hehadnotbeeninitaboveatwelvemonth,whenpooroldDrStopford,thethenvicarofFramley,wasgatheredtohisfathers,andthefullfruitionofhisrichhopesfelluponhisshoulders.
Butevenyetmoremustbetoldofhisgoodfortunebeforewecancometotheactualincidentsofourstory.LadyLufton,who,asI
havesaid,thoughtmuchofclericalmatters,didnotcarryherHighChurchprinciplessofarastoadvocatecelibacyfortheclergy.Onthecontrary,shehadanideathatamancouldnotbeagoodparishparsonwithoutawife.So,havinggiventoherfavouriteapositionintheworld,andanincomesufficientforagentleman\'swants,shesetherselftoworktofindhimapartnerinthoseblessings.Andherealso,asinothermatters,hefellinwiththeviewsofhispatroness——not,however,thattheyweredeclaredtohiminthatmarkedmannerinwhichtheaffairofthelivinghadbeenbroached.LadyLuftonwasmuchtoohighlygiftedwithwoman\'scraftforthat.ShenevertoldtheyoungvicarthatMissMonsellaccompaniedherladyship\'smarrieddaughtertoFramleyCourtexpresslythathe,Mark,mightfallinlovewithher;butsuchwasintruththecase.
LadyLuftonhadbuttwochildren.Theeldest,adaughter,hadbeenmarriedsomefourorfiveyearstoSirGeorgeMeredith,andthisMissMonsellwasadearfriendofhers.Andhowloomsbeforemethenovelist\'sgreatdifficulty.MissMonsell——orrather,MrsMarkRobarts——mustbedescribed.AsMissMonsell,ourtalewillhavetotakenoprolongednoteofher.AndyetwewillcallherFannyMonsell,whenwedeclarethatshewasoneofthemostpleasantcompanionsthatcouldbebroughtneartoaman,asthefuturepartnerofhishome,andownerofhisheart.Andifhighprincipleswithoutasperity,femalegentlenesswithoutweakness,aloveoflaughterwithoutmalice,andatruelovingheart,canqualifyawomantobeaparson\'swife,thenFannyMonsellqualifiedtofillthatstation.Inpersonshewassomewhatlargerthancommon.Herfacewouldhavebeenbeautifulbutthathermouthwaslarge.Herhair,whichwascopious,wasofabrightbrown;hereyesalsowerebrown,and,beingso,werethedistinctivefeatureofherface,forbrowneyesarenotcommon.Theywereliquid,large,andfulleitheroftendernessorofmirth.MarkRobartsstillhadhisaccustomedluck,whensuchagirlasthiswasbroughttoFramleyforhiswooing.Andhedidwooher——andwonher.ForMarkhimselfwasahandsomefellow.Atthistimethevicarwasabouttwenty-fiveyearsofage,andthefutureMrsRobartswastwoorthreeyearsyounger.Nordidshecomequiteempty-handedtothevicarage.ItcannotbesaidthatFannyMonsellwasanheiress,butshehadbeenleftwithaprovisionofsomefewthousandpounds.
Thiswassosettled,thattheinterestofhiswife\'smoneypaidtheheavyinsuranceonhislifewhichyoungRobartseffected,andtherewaslefttohim,overandabove,sufficienttofurnishhisparsonageintheverybeststyleofclericalcomfort,andtostarthimontheroadofliferejoicing.
SomuchdidLadyLuftondoforherprotege,anditmaywellbeimaginedthattheDevonshirephysician,sittingmeditativeoverhisparlourfire,lookingback,asmenwilllookbackontheupshotoftheirlife,waswellcontentedwiththatupshot,asregardedhiseldestoffshoot,theRev.MarkRobarts,thevicarofFramley.
Butlittlehasbeensaid,personally,astoourherohimself,andperhapsitmaynotbenecessarytosaymuch.Letushopethatbydegreeshemaycomeforthuponthecanvas,showingtothebeholderthenatureofthemaninwardlyandoutwardly.Hereitmaysufficetosaythathewasnotbornheaven\'scherub,neitherwashebornafallendevil\'sspirit.Suchashistrainingmadehim,suchhewas.Hehadlargecapabilitiesforgood——andaptitudealsoforevil,quiteenough;quiteenoughtomakeitneedfulthatheshouldrepeltemptationsastemptationonlycanberepelled.Muchhadbeendonetospoilhim,butintheordinaryacceptationofthewordhewasnotspoiled.Hehadtoomuchtact,toomuchcommonsense,tobelievehimselftobetheparagonwhichhismotherthoughthim.
Self-conceitwasnot,perhaps,hisgreatestdanger.Hadhepossessedmoreofit,hemighthavebeenalessagreeableman,buthiscoursebeforehimmightonthataccounthavebeenthesafer.Inpersonhewasmanlytall,andfair-haired,withasquareforehead,denotingintelligenceratherthanthought,withclear,whitehands,filbertnails,andapowerofdressinghimselfinsuchamannerthatnooneshouldeverobserveofhimthathisclotheswereeithergoodorbad,shabbyorsmart.
SuchwasMarkRobartswhenattheageoftwenty-five,oralittlemore,hemarriedFannyMonsell.Themarriagewascelebratedinhisownchurch,forMissMonsellhadnohomeofherown,andhadbeenstayingforthelastthreemonthsatFramleyCourt.ShewasgivenawaybySirGeorgeMeredith,andLadyLuftonherselfsawthattheweddingwaswhatitshouldbe,withalmostasmuchcareasshehadbestowedonthatofherowndaughter.Thedeedofmarrying,theabsolutetyingoftheknot,wasperformedbytheVeryReverendtheDeanofBarchester,anesteemedfriendofLadyLufton\'s.AndMrsArabin,thedean\'swife,wasoftheparty,thoughthedistancefromBarchestertoFramleyislong,andtheroadsdeep,andnorailwaylendsitsassistance.AndLordLuftonwasthereofcourse;andpeopleprotestedthathewouldsurelyfallinlovewithoneofthefourbeautifulbridesmaids,ofwhomBlancheRobarts,thevicar\'ssecondsister,wasbycommonacknowledgementbyfarthemostbeautiful.AndtherewasthereanotherandayoungersisterofMark\'s——whodidnotofficiateattheceremony,thoughshewaspresent——andofwhomnopredictionwasmade,seeingthatshewasthenonlysixteen,butofwhommentionismadehere,asitwillcometopassthatmyreaderswillknowherhereafter.HernamewasLucyRobarts.Andthenthevicarandhiswifeontheirweddingtour,theoldcuratetakingcareoftheFramleysoulsthewhile.Andinduetimetheyreturned;andafterafurtherinterval,induecourseachildwasborntothem;andthenanother;andafterthatcameaperiodatwhichwewillbeginourstory.Butbeforedoingso,mayInotassertthatallmenwererightinsayingallmannerofgoodthingsastotheDevonshirephysician,andinpraisinghisluckinhavingsuchason?
\'Youwereupatthehouseto-day,Isuppose,\'saidMarktohiswife,ashesatstretchinghimselfinaneasychairinthedrawing-room,beforethefire,previouslytohisdressingfordinner.ItwasaNovemberevening,andhehadbeenoutallday,andonsuchoccasionstheaptitudefordelayindressingisverypowerful.Astrong-mindedmangoesdirectfromthehalldoortohischamberwithoutencounteringthetemptationofthedrawing-roomfire.
\'No;butLadyLuftonwasdownhere.\'
\'FullofsuggestionsinfavourofSarahThompson?\'
\'Exactlyso,Mark.\'
\'AndwhatdidyousayaboutSarahThompson?\'
\'Verylittleascomingfrommyself:butIdidhintthatyouthought,orthatIthoughtyouthought,thatoneoftheregulartrainedschoolmistresseswouldbebetter.\'
\'Butherladyshipdidnotagree?\'
\'Well,Iwon\'texactlysaythat;——thoughIthinkthatperhapsshedidnot.\'
\'Iamsureshedidnot.Whenshehasapointtocarry,sheisveryfondofcarryingit.\'
\'But,yousee,inthisaffairoftheschoolsheisthinkingmoreofherprotegethanshedoesofthechildren.\'
\'Tellherthat,andIamsureshewillgiveway.\'Andthenagaintheywerebothsilent.Andthevicarhavingthoroughlywarmedhimself,asfarasthismightbedonebyfacingthefire,turnedroundandbegantheoperationatergo.
\'Come,Mark,itistwentyminutespastsix.Willyougoanddress?\'
\'I\'lltellyouwhat,Fanny:shemusthaveherwayaboutSarahThompson.Youcanseeherto-morrowandtellherso.\'
\'Iamsure,Mark,Iwouldnotgiveway,ifIthoughtitwrong.Norwouldsheexpectit.\'
\'IfIpersistthistime,Ishallcertainlyhavetoyieldthenext;
andthenthenextmayprobablybemoreimportant.\'
\'Butifit\'swrong,Mark?\'
\'Ididn\'tsayitwaswrong.Besides,ifitiswrong,wronginsomeinfinitesimaldegree,onemustputupwithit.SarahThompsonisveryrespectable;theonlyquestioniswhethershecanteach.\'
Theyoungwife,thoughshedidnotsayso,hadsomeideaherhusbandwasinerror.Itistruethatonemustputupwithwrong,withagreatdealofwrong.Butnooneneedputupwithwrongthathecanremedy.Whyshouldhe,thevicar,consenttoreceiveanincompetentteacherfortheparishchildren,whenhewasabletoprocureonethatwascompetent?Insuchacase——sothoughtMrsRobartstoherself——shewouldhavefoughtthematteroutwithLadyLufton.Onthenextmorning,however,shedidasshewasbid,andsignifiedtothedowagerthatallobjectionstoSarahThompsonwouldbewithdrawn.
\'Ah!Iwassurehewouldagreewithme,\'saidherladyship,\'whenhelearnedwhatsortofpersonsheis.IknowIhadonlytoexplain;\'——andthensheplumedherfeathers,andwasverygracious;
fortotellthetruth,LadyLuftondidnotliketobeopposedinthingswhichconcernedtheparishnearly.
\'And,Fanny,\'saidLadyLufton,inherkindestmanner,\'youarenotgoinganywhereonSaturday,areyou?\'
\'No,Ithinknot.\'
\'Thenyoumustcometous.Justiniaistobehere,youknow,\'LadyMeredithwasnamedJustinia——\'andyouandMrRobartshadbetterstaywithustillMonday.Hecanhavethelittlebook-roomalltohimselfonSunday.TheMeredithsgoonMonday;andJustiniawon\'tbehappyifyouarenotwithher.\'ItwouldbeunjusttosaythatLadyLuftonhaddeterminednottoinvitetheRobartsesifshewerenotallowedtohaveherownwayaboutSarahThompson.Butsuchwouldhavebeentheresult.Asitwas,however,shewasallkindness;andwhenMrsRobartsmadesomelittleexcuse,sayingthatshewasafraidshemustreturnhomeintheevening,becauseofthechildren,LadyLuftondeclaredthattherewasroomenoughatFramleyCourtforbabyandnurse,andsosettledthematterinherownway,withacoupleofnodsandthreetapsofherumbrella.ThiswasonaTuesdaymorning,andonthesameevening,beforedinner,thevicaragainseatedhimselfinthesamechairbeforethedrawing-roomfire,assoonashehadseenhishorseledintothestable.
\'Mark,\'saidhiswife,\'theMeredithsaretobeatFramleyonSaturdayandSunday;andIhavepromisedthatwewillgoupandstayovertillMonday.\'
\'Youdon\'tmeanit!Goodnessgracious,howprovoking!\'
\'Why?Ithoughtyouwouldn\'tmindit.AndJustiniawouldthinkitunkindifIwerenotthere.\'
\'Youcango,mydear,andofcoursewillgo.Butasforme,it\'simpossible.\'
\'Butwhy,love?\'
\'Why?Justnow,attheschool-house,IansweredaletterthatwasbroughttomefromChaldicotes.Sowerbyinsistsonmygoingoverthereforaweekorso;andIhavesaidthatIwould.\'
\'GotoChaldicotesforaweek,Mark?\'
\'IbelieveIhaveevenconsentedtotendays.\'
\'AndbeawaytwoSundays?\'
\'No,Fanny,onlyone.Don\'tbesocensorious.\'
\'Don\'tcallmecensorious,Mark;youknowIamnotso.ButIamsosorry.ItisjustwhatLadyLuftonwon\'tlike.Besides,youwereawayinScotlandtwoSundayslastmonth.\'
\'InSeptember,Fanny.Andthatisbeingcensorious.\'
\'On,butMark,dearMark;don\'tsayso.YouknowIdon\'tmeanit.
ButLadyLuftondoesnotlikethoseChaldicotespeople.YouknowLordLuftonwaswithyouthelasttimeyouwerethere;andhowannoyedshewas!\'
\'LordLuftonwon\'tbetherewithmenow,forheisstillinScotland.AndthereasonwhyIamgoingisthis;HaroldSmithandhiswifewillbethere,andIamveryanxioustoknowmoreofthem.IhavenodoubtthatHaroldSmithwillbeinthegovernmentsomeday,andIcannotaffordtoneglectsuchaman\'sacquaintance.\'
\'But,Mark,whatdoyouwantofanygovernment?\'
\'Well,Fanny,ofcourseIamboundtosaythatIwantnothing;
neitherinoncesensedoI;but,nevertheless,IshallgoandmeetHaroldSmith.\'
\'CouldyounotbebackbeforeSunday?\'
\'IhavepromisedtopreachatChaldicotes.HaroldSmith\'sgoingtolectureatBarchester,abouttheAustralasianarchipelago,andIamtopreachacharitysermononthesamesubject.Theywanttosendoutmoremissionaries.\'
\'AcharitysermonatChaldicotes!\'
\'Andwhynot?Thehousewillbequitefull,youknow!AndIdaresaythattheArabinswillbethere.\'
\'Ithinknot;MrsArabinmaygetonwellwithMrsHaroldSmith,thoughIdoubtthat;butI\'msureshe\'snotfondofMrSmith\'sbrother.Idon\'tthinkshewouldstayatChaldicotes.\'
\'Andthebishopwillprobablybethereforadayortwo.\'
\'Thatismuchmorelikely,Mark.IfthepleasureofmeetingMrsProudieistakingyoutoChaldicotes,Ihavenotawordmoretosay.\'
\'IamnotabitmorefondofMrsProudiethanyouare,Fanny,\'saidthevicar,withsomethinglikevexationinthetoneofhisvoice,forhethoughtthathiswifewasharduponhim.\'Butitisgenerallythoughtthataparishclergymandoeswelltomeethisbishopnowandthen.AndasIwasinvitedthere,especiallytopreachwhileallthesepeoplearestayingattheplace,Icouldnotwellrefuse.\'Andthenhegotup,andtakinghiscandlestick,escapedtohisdressing-room.
\'ButwhatamItosaytoLadyLufton?\'hiswifesaidtohiminthecourseoftheevening.
\'Justwriteheranote,andtellherthatyoufindIhadpromisedtopreachatChaldicotesnextSunday.You\'llgoofcourse?\'
\'Yes;butIknowshe\'llbeannoyed.Youwereawaythelasttimeshehadpeoplethere.\'
\'Itcan\'tbehelped.ShemustputitdownagainstSarahThompson.
Sheoughtnottoexpecttowinalways.\'
\'Ishouldnothavemindedit,ifshehadlost,asyoucallit,aboutSarahThompson.Thatwasacaseinwhichyououghttohavehadyourownway.\'
\'Andthisotherisacase,inwhichIshallhaveit.It\'sapitythatthereshouldbesuchadifference;isn\'tit?\'
Thenhiswifeperceivedthat,vexedasshewas,itwouldbebetterthatsheshouldsaynothingfurther;andbeforeshewenttobed,shewrotethenotetoLadyLufton,asherhusbandrecommended.
CHAPTERII
THEFRAMLEYSET,ANDTHECHALDICOTESSET
ItwillbenecessarythatIshouldsayawordortwoofsomeofthepeoplenamedinthefewprecedingpages,andalsoofthelocalitiesinwhichtheylived.OfLadyLuftonherselfenough,perhaps,hasbeenwrittentointroducehertomyreaders.TheFramleypropertybelongedtoherson;butasLuftonPark——anancientramshackleplaceinanothercounty——hadheretoforebeenthefamilyresidenceoftheLuftonfamily,FramleyCourthadbeenapportionedtoherforherresidenceforlife.LordLuftonhimselfwasstillunmarried;
andashehadnoestablishmentatLuftonPark——whichindeedhadnotbeeninhabitedsincehisgrandfatherdied——helivedwithhismotherwhenitsuitedhimtoliveanywhereinthatneighbourhood.Thewidowwouldfainhaveseenmoreofhimthanheallowedhertodo.
HehadashootinglodgeinScotland,andapartmentsinLondon,andastringofhorsesinLeicestershire——muchtothedisgustofthecountrygentryaroundhim,whoheldthattheirownhuntingwasasgoodasanythatEnglandcouldafford.Hislordship,however,paidhissubscriptiontotheEastBarsetshirepark,andthenthoughthimselfatlibertytofollowhisownpleasureastohisownamusement.
Framleyitselfwasapleasantcountryplace,havingaboutitnothingofseigneurialdignityorgrandeur,butpossessingeverythingnecessaryforthecomfortofcountrylife.Thehousewasalowbuildingoftwostories,builtatdifferentperiods,anddevoidofallpretensionstoanystyleofarchitecture;buttherooms,thoughnotlofty,werewarmandcomfortable,andthegardensweretrimandneatbeyondallothersinthecounty.Indeed,itwasforitsgardensonlythatFramleyCourtwascelebrated.Villagetherewasnone,properlyspeaking.ThehighroadwentwindingaboutthroughtheFramleypaddocks,shrubberies,andwood-skirtedhomefields,foramileandahalf,nottwohundredyardsofwhichraninastraightline;andtherewasacross-roadwhichpasseddownthroughthedomain,wherebytherecametobealocalitycalledFramleyCross.Herestoodthe\'LuftonArms\',andhereatFramleyCross,thehoundsoccasionallywouldmeet;fortheFramleywoodsweredrawninspiteoftheyounglord\'struantdisposition;andthen,attheCrossalso,livedtheshoemaker,whokeptthepost-office.
Framleychurchwasdistantfromthisjustaquarterofamile,andstoodimmediatelyoppositetothechiefentrancetoFramleyCourt.
Itwasbutamean,uglybuilding,havingbeenerectedaboutahundredyearssince,whenallchurchesthenbuiltweremadetobemeanandugly;norwasitlargeenoughforthecongregation,someofwhomwerethusdriventothedissentingchapels,theSionsandEbenezers,whichhadgotthemselvesestablishedoneachsideoftheparish,inputtingdownwhichLadyLuftonthoughtthatherparsonwashardlyasenergeticashemightbe.Itwas,therefore,amatterneartoLadyLufton\'shearttoseeanewchurchbuilt,andshewasurgentinhereloquencebothwithhersonandwiththevicar,tohavethisgoodworkcommenced.
Beyondthechurch,butclosetoit,weretheboy\'sschoolandgirl\'sschool,twodistinctbuildings,whichowedtheirerectiontoLadyLufton\'senergy;thencameaneatlittlegrocer\'sshop,theneatgrocerbeingtheclerkandthesexton,andtheneatgrocer\'swifethepew-openerinthechurch.Podgenswastheirname,andtheyweregreatfavouriteswithherladyship,bothhavingbeenservantsupatthehouse.Andheretheroadtookasuddenturntotheleft,turning,asitwere,awayfromFramleyCourt;andjustbeyondtheturnwasthevicarage,sothattherewasalittlegardenpathrunningfromthebackofthevicaragegroundsintothechurchyard,cuttingthePodgensintoanisolatedcorneroftheirown;——fromwhence,totellthetruth,thevicarwouldhavebeengladtobanishthemandtheircabbages,couldhehavehadthepowertodoso.ForhasnotthesmallvineyardofNabothbeenalwaysaneyesoretoneighbouringpotentates?
ThepotentateinthiscasehadaslittleexcuseasAhab,fornothingintheparsonagewaycouldbemoreperfectthanhisparsonage.Ithadallthedetailsrequisiteforthehouseofamoderategentlemanwithmoderatemeans,andnoneofthoseexpensivesuperfluitieswhichimmoderategentlemendemand,orwhichthemselvesdemandimmoderatemeans.Andthenthegardensandpaddockswereexactlysuitedtoit;andeverythingwasingoodorder;——notexactlynew,soastoberawanduncovered,andredolentofworkmen;butjustatthateraoftheirexistenceinwhichnewnessgiveswaytocomfortablehomeliness.
OthervillageatFramleytherewasnone.AtthebackoftheCourt,uponeofthosecross-roads,therewasanothersmallshoportwo,andtherewasaveryneatcottageresidence,inwhichlivedthewidowofaformercurate,anotherprotegeofLadyLufton\'s;andtherewasabig,staring,brickhouse,inwhichthepresentcuratelived;butthiswasafullmiledistantfromthechurch,andfartherfromFramleyCourt,standingonthatcross-roadwhichrunsfromFramleyCrossinadirectionawayfromthemansion.Thisgentleman,theRevEvanJones,mightfromhisage,havebeenthevicar\'sfather;buthehadbeenformanyyearscurateatFramley;
andthoughhewaspersonallydislikedbyLadyLufton,asbeingLowChurchinhisprinciples,andunsightlyinhisappearance,nevertheless,shewouldnoturgehisremoval.Hehadtwoorthreepupilsinthatlargebrickhouse,and,ifturnedoutfromtheseandfromhiscuracy,mightfinditdifficulttoestablishhimselfelsewhere.OnthisaccountmercywasextendedtotheRevEJones,and,inspiteofhisredfaceandawkwardbigfeet,hewasinvitedtodineatFramleyCourt,withhisplaindaughter,onceineverythreemonths.
Overandabovethese,therewashardlyahouseintheparishofFramley,outsidetheboundsofFramleyCourt,exceptthoseoffarmersandfarmlabourers;andyettheparishwasoflargeextent.
FramleyisintheeasterndivisionofthecountyofBarsetshire,which,asalltheworldknows,is,politicallyspeaking,astrueblueacountyasanyinEngland.Therehavebeenbackslidingsevenhere,itistrue;butthen,inwhatcountyhavetherenotbeensuchbackslidings?Where,inthesepinchbeckdays,canwehopetofindtheoldagriculturalvirtueinallitspurity?Butamongthesebacksliders,Iregrettosay,thatmennowreckonLordLufton.NotthatheisaviolentWhig,orperhapsthatisaWhigatall.Buthejeersandsneersattheoldcountydoings;declares,whensolicitedonthesubject,that,asfarasheisconcerned,MrBrightmaysitforthecounty,ifhepleases;andalleges,thatbeingunfortunatelyapeer,hehasnorightevertointeresthimselfinthequestion.Allthisisdeeplyregretted,for,intheolddays,therewasnoportionofthecountymoredecidedlytruebluethantheFramleydistrict;and,indeed,uptothepresentday,thedowagerisabletogiveanoccasionalhelpinghand.
ChaldicotesistheseatofNathanielSowerby,Esq,who,atthemomentsupposedtobenowpresent,isoneofthemembersfortheWesternDivisionofBarsetshire.ButthisWesternDivisioncanboastnoneofthefinepoliticalattributeswhichgraceitstwinbrother.ItisdecidedlyWhig,andisalmostgovernedinitspoliticsbyoneortwogreatWhigfamilies.IthasbeensaidthatMarkRobartswasabouttopayavisittoChaldicotes,andithasbeenhintedthathiswifewouldhavebeenaswellpleasedhadthisnotbeenthecase.Suchwascertainlythefact;forshe,dear,prudent,excellentwifeasshewas,knewthatMrSowerbywasnotthemosteligiblefriendintheworldforayoungclergyman,andknew,also,thattherewasbutoneotherhouseinthewholecountythenameofwhichwassodistastefultoLadyLufton.Thereasonsforthiswere,Imaysay,manifold.Inthefirstplace,MrSowerbywasaWhig,andwasseatedinParliamentmainlybythatgreatWhigautocrattheDukeofOmnium,whoseresidencewasmoredangerouseventhanthatofMrSowerby,andwhomLadyLuftonregardedasanimpersonationofLuciferuponearth.MrSowerby,too,wasunmarried——asindeed,also,wasLordLufton,muchtohismother\'sgrief.MrSowerby,itistrue,wasfifty,whereastheyounglordwasasyetonlytwenty-five,but,nevertheless,herladyshipwasbecominganxiousonthesubject.Inhermindeverymanwasboundtomarryassoonashecouldmaintainawife;andsheheldanidea——aquiteprivatetenet,ofwhichshewasherselfbutimperfectlyconscious——thatmeningeneralwereinclinedtoneglectthisdutyfortheirownselfishgratifications,thatthewickedonesencouragedthemoreinnocentinthisneglect,andthatmanywouldnotmarryatall,werenotunseenexercisedagainstthembytheothersex.TheDukeofOmniumwastheheadofallsuchsinners,andLadyLuftongreatlyfearedthathersonmightbemadesubjecttothebanefulOmniuminfluence,bymeansofMrSowerbyandChaldicotes.AndthenMrSowerbywasknowntobeaverypoorman,withaverylargeestate.Hehadwasted,mensaid,muchonelectioneering,andmoreongambling.Aconsiderableportionofhispropertyhadgoneintothehandsoftheduke,who,asarule,boughtupeverythingaroundhimthatwastobepurchased.Indeed,itwassaidofhimbyhisenemies,thatsocovetouswasheofBarsetshireproperty,thathewouldleadayoungneighbourontohisruin,thathemightgethisland.What——oh!whatifheshouldcometobepossessedinthiswayofanyofthefairacresofFramleyCourt?Whatifheshouldbecomepossessedofthemall?ItcanhardlybewonderedatthatLadyLuftonshouldnotlikeChaldicotes.
TheChaldicotesset,asLadyLuftoncalledthem,wereineverywayopposedtowhatasetshouldbeaccordingtoherideas.Shelikedcheerful,quiet,well-to-dopeaple,wholovedtheirChurch,theircountry,andtheirQueen,andwhowerenottooanxioustomakenoiseintheworld.Shedesiredthatallthefarmersroundhershouldbeabletopaytheirrentswithouttrouble,thatalltheoldwomenshouldhavewarmflannelpetticoats,thattheworkingmenshouldbesavedfromrheumatismbyhealthyfoodanddryhouses,thattheyshouldallbeobedienttotheirpastorsandmasters——
temporalaswellasspiritual.Thatwasherideaoflovinghercountry.Shedesiredalsothatthecopsesshouldbefullofpheasants,thestubble-fieldofpartridges,andthegorsecoversoffoxes;inthatway,also,shelovedhercountry.Shehadardentlylonged,duringtheCrimeanWar,thattheRussiansmightbebeaten——butnotbytheFrench,totheexclusionoftheEnglish,ashadseemedtohertobetoomuchthecase;andhardlybytheEnglishunderthedictatorshipofLordPalmerston.Indeed,shehadhadbutlittlefaithinthatwarafterLordAberdeenhadbeenexpelled.If,indeed,LordDerbycouldhavecomein!ButnowastothisChaldicotesset.Afterall,therewasnothingsoverydangerousaboutthem;foritwasinLondon,notinthecountry,thatMrSowerbyindulged,ifhedidsoindulge,hisbachelormalpractices.Speakingofthemasaset,thechiefoffenderwasMrHaroldSmith,orperhapshiswife.HealsowasamemberofParliament,and,asmanythought,arisingman.HisfatherhadbeenformanyyearsadebaterintheHouse,andhadheldhighoffice.Harold,inearlylife,hadintendedhimselffortheCabinet;andifworkinghardathistradecouldensuresuccess,heoughttoobtainitsoonerorlater.Hehadalreadyfilledmorethanonesubordinatestation,hadbeenattheTreasury,andforamonthortwo,attheAdmiralty,astonishingofficialmankindbyhisdiligence.Thoselast-namedfewmonthshadbeenunderLordAberdeen,withwhomhehadbeenforcedtoretire.Hewasayoungerson,andnotpossessedofanylargefortune.Politics,asaprofession,was,therefore,ofimportancetohim.HehadinearlylifemarriedasisterofMrSowerby;andastheladywassomesixorsevenyearsolderthanhimself,andhadbroughtwithherbutascantydowry,peoplethoughtthatinthismatterMrHaroldSmithhadnotbeenperspicacious.MrHaroldSmithwasnotpersonallyapopularmanwithanyparty,thoughsomejudgedhimtobeeminentlyuseful.Hewaslaborious,well-informed,and,onthewhole,honest;buthewasconceited,long-winded,andpompous.
MrsHaroldSmithwastheveryoppositeofherlord.Shewasaclever,brightwoman,good-lookingforhertimeoflife——andshewasnowoverforty——withakeensenseofalltheworld\'spleasures.Shewasneitherlaborious,norwell-informed,norperhapsaltogetherhonest——whatwomaneverunderstoodthenecessityorrecognisedtheadvantageofpoliticalhonesty?Butthenshewasneitherdullnorpompous,andifshewasconceited,shedidnotshowit.Shewasadisappointedwoman,asregardsherhusband;seeingthatshehadmarriedhimonthespeculationthathewouldatoncebecomepoliticallyimportant;andasyetMrSmithhadnotquitefulfilledthepropheciesofhisearlylife.
AndLadyLufton,whenshespokeoftheChaldicotesset,distinctlyincluded,inherownmind,theBishopofBarchester,andhiswifeanddaughter.SeeingthatBishopProudiewas,ofcourse,muchamanaddictedtoreligionandtoreligiousthinking,andthatMrSowerbyhimselfhadnoparticularreligioussentimentswhatever,therewouldnotatfirstsightappeartobegroundformuchintercourse,andperhapstherewasnotmuchofsuchintercourse;
butMrsProudieandMrsHaroldSmithwerefirmfriendsoffourorfiveyearsstanding——eversincetheProudiescameintothedioceseforthebishopwasusuallytakentoChaldicoteswheneverMrsSmithpaidherbrotheravisit.NowBishopProudiewasbynomeansaHighChurchdignitary,andLadyLuftonhadneverforgivenhimforcomingintothatdiocese.Shehad,instinctively,ahighrespectfortheepiscopaloffice;butofBishopProudiehimselfshehardlythoughtbetterthanshedidofMrSowerby,orofthatfabricatorofevil,theDukeofOmnium.WheneverMrRobartswouldpleadthatingoinganywherehewouldhavethebenefitofmeetingthebishop,LadyLuftonwouldslightlycurlherupperlip.ShecouldnotsayinwordsthatBishopProudie——bishopashecertainlymustbecalled——wasnobetterthanheoughttobe;butbythatcurlofherlipshedidexplaintothosewhoknewherthatsuchwasthefeelingofherheart.
Andthenitwasunderstood——MarkRobarts,atleast,hadsoheard,andtheinformationsoonreachedFramleyCourt——thatMrSupplehousewastomakeoneoftheChaldicotesparty.NowMrSupplehousewasaworsecompanionforagentleman,young,HighChurch,conservativecountyparsonthanevenHaroldSmith.HealsowasinParliament,andhadbeenextolledduringtheearlydaysoftheRussianWarbysomeportionofthemetropolitandailypress,astheonlymanwhocouldsavethecountry.Lethimbeintheministry,theJupiterhadsaid,andtherewouldbesomehopeofreform,somechancethatEngland\'sancientglorywouldnotbeallowedintheseperiloustimestogoheadlongintooblivion.Anduponthistheministry,notanticipatingmuchsalvationfromMrSupplehouse,butwillingastheyusuallyare,tohavetheJupiterattheirback,didsendforthatgentleman,andgavehimsomefootingamongthem.Buthowcanamantosaveanation,andtoleadapeople,becontenttofillthechairofanunder-secretary?Supplehousewasnotcontent,andsoongaveittobeunderstoodthathisplacewasmuchhigherthananyyettenderedtohim.Thesealsofhighoffice,orwartotheknife,wasthealternativewhichheofferedtoamuch-belabouredHeadofAffairs——nothingdoubtingthattheHeadofAffairswouldrecognizetheclaimant\'svalue,andwouldhavebeforehiseyesawholesomefearoftheJupiter.ButtheHeadofAffairs,muchbelabouredashewas,knewthathemightswinghistomahawk.Sincethattimehehadbeenswinginghistomahawk,butnotwithsomucheffectashadbeenanticipated.HealsowasveryintimatewithMrSowerby,andwasdecidedlyoneoftheChaldecotesset.Andthereweremanyothersincludedinthestigmawhosesinswerepoliticalorreligiousthanmoral.ButtheyweregallandwormwoodtoLadyLufton,whoregardedthemaschildrenoftheLostOne,andgrievedwithamother\'sgriefwhensheknewthathersonwasamongthem,andfeltallapatron\'sangerwhensheheardthatherclericalprotegewasabouttoseeksuchsociety.MrsRobartsmightwellsaythatLadyLuftonwouldbeannoyed.
\'Youwon\'tcallatthehousebeforeyougo,willyou?\'thewifeaskedonthefollowingmorning.Hewastostartafterlunchonthatday,drivinghimselfinhisowngig,soastoreachChaldicotes,sometwenty-fourmilesdistant,beforedinner.
\'No,Ithinknot.Whatgoodshoulditdo?\'
\'Well,Ican\'texplain;butIthinkIshouldcall;partly,perhaps,toshowherthat,asIhaddeterminedtogo,Iwasnotafraidoftellingherso.\'
\'Afraid!That\'snonsense,Fanny.I\'mnotafraidofher.ButI
don\'tseewhyIshouldbringdownuponmyselfthedisagreeablethingsshewillsay.Besides,Ihavenottime.ImustwalkupandseeJonesabouthisduties;andthen,whatwithgettingready,I
shallhaveenoughtodotogetoffintime.\'
HepaidhisvisittoMrJones,thecurate,feelingnoqualmsofconsciencethere,asheratherboastedofallthemembersofParliamenthewasgoingtomeet,andofthebishopwhowouldbewiththem.MrEvanJoneswasonlyhiscurate,andinspeakingtohimonthematterhecouldtalkasthoughitwerequitetheproperthingforavicartomeethisbishopatthehouseofacountymember.Andonewouldbeinclinedtosayitwasproper:onlywhycouldhenottalkofitinthesametonetoLadyLufton?Andthen,havingkissedhiswifeandchildren,hedroveoff,wellpleasedwithhisprospectforthecomingtendays,butalreadyanticipatingsomediscomfortonhisreturn.
Onthethreefollowingdays,MrsRobartsdidnotmeetherladyship.Shedidnotexactlytakeanystepstoavoidsuchameeting,butshedidnotpurposelygouptothebighouse.Shewenttoherschoolasusual,andmadeoneortwocallsamongthefarmers\'wives,butputnofootwithintheFramleyCourtgrounds.
Shewasbraverthanherhusband,butevenshedidnotwishtoanticipatetheevilday.OntheSaturday,justbeforeitbegantogetdusk,shewasthinkingofpreparingforthefatalplunge,herfriend,LadyMeredith,cametoher.
\'So,Fanny,weshallagainbesounfortunatetomissMrRobarts,\'
saidherladyship.
\'Yes.Didyoueverknowanythingsounlucky?ButhehadpromisedMrSowerbybeforeheheardyouwerecoming.Praydonotthinkthathewouldhavegoneawayhadheknownit.\'
\'Weshouldhavebeensorrytokeephimfromsomuchmoreamusingparty.\'
\'Now,Justinia,youareunfair.YouintendtoimplythathehasgonetoChaldicotes,becausehelikesitbetterthanFramleyCourt;
butthatisnotthecase.IhopeLadyLuftondoesnotthinkthatitis.\'
LadyMeredithlaughedatsheputherarmroundherfriend\'swaist.
\'Don\'tloseyoureloquenceindefendinghimtome,\'shesaid.
\'You\'llwantallthatformymother.\'
\'Butisyourmotherangry?\'askedMrsRobarts,showingbyhercountenancehoweagershewasfortruetidingsonthesubject.
\'Well,Fanny,youknowherladyshipaswellasIdo.ShethinkssoveryhighlyofthevicarofFramley,thatshedoesbegrudgehimtothosepoliticiansatChaldicotes.\'
\'But,Justinia,thebishopwillbethere,youknow.\'
\'Idon\'tthinkthatthatconsiderationwillreconcilemymothertothegentleman\'sabsence.Heoughttobeveryproud,Iknow,tofindthatheissomuchthoughtof.Butcome,Fanny,Iwantyoutowalkbackwithme,andyoucandressatthehouse.Andnowwe\'llgoandlookatthechildren.\'
Afterthat,astheywalkedtogethertoFramleyCourt,MrsRobartsmadeherfriendpromisethatshewouldstandbyherifanyseriousattackweremadeontheabsentclergyman.
\'Areyougoinguptoyourroomtodress?\'saidthevicar\'swife,assoonastheywereinsidetheporchleadingintothehall.LadyMeredithimmediatelyknewwhatherfriendmeant,anddecidedthattheevildayshouldnotbepostponed.\'Wehadbettergoinandhaveitover,\'shesaid,\'andthenweshallbecomfortablefortheevening.\'
Sothedrawing-roomdoorwasopened,andtherewasLadyLuftonaloneonthesofa.
\'Now,mamma,\'saidthedaughter,\'youmustn\'tscoldFannymuchaboutMrRobarts.Hehasgonetopreachacharitysermonbeforethebishop,andunderthosecircumstances,perhaps,hecouldnotrefuse.\'ThiswasastretchonthepartofLadyMeredith——putinwithmuchgood-nature,nodoubt;butstillastretch;fornoonehadsupposedthatthebishopwouldremainatChaldicotesfortheSunday.
\'Howdoyoudo,Fanny?\'saidLadyLufton,gettingup.\'Iamnotgoingtoscoldher;andIdon\'tknowhowyoucantalknonsense,Justinia.OfcourseweareverysorrynottohaveMrRobarts;moreespeciallyashewasnotherethelastSundaythatSirGeorgewaswithus.IdoliketoseeMrRobartsinhisownchurch,certainly;
andIdon\'tlikeanyotherclergymanthereaswell.IfFannytakesthatforscolding,why——\'
\'Oh!no,LadyLufton;andit\'ssokindofyoutosayso.ButMrRobartswassosorrythathehadacceptedthisinvitationtoChaldicotes,beforeheheardthatSirGeorgewascoming,and——\'
\'Oh,IknowthatChaldicoteshasgreatattractionswhichwecannotoffer,\'saidLadyLufton.
\'Indeed,itwasnotthat.Buthewasaskedtopreach,you,know;
andMrHaroldSmith——\'PoorFannywasonlymakingitworse.Hadshebeenworldlywise,shewouldhaveacceptedthelittlecomplimentimpliedinLadyLufton\'sfirstrebuke,andthenhaveheldherpeace.
\'Oh,yes!TheHaroldSmiths!Theyareirresistible,Iknow.Howcouldanymanrefusetojoinaparty,gracedbothbyMrsHaroldSmithandMrsProudie——eventhoughhisdutyshouldrequirehimtostayaway?\'
\'Now,mamma——\'
\'Well,mydear,whatamItosay?Youwouldnotwishmetotellafib.Idon\'tlikeMrsHaroldSmith——atleast,whatIknowofher;
forithasnotbeenmyfortunetomeethersincehermarriage.Itmaybeconceited;buttoownthetruth,IthinkthatMrRobartswouldbebetteroffwithusatFramleythanwiththeHaroldSmithsatChaldicotes——eventhoughMrsProudiebethrownintothebargain.\'
Itwasnearlydark,andthereforetherisingcolourinthefaceofMrsRobartscouldnotbeseen.She,however,wastoogoodawifetohearthesethingssaidwithoutsomeangerwithinherbosom.Shecouldblameherhusbandinherownmind;butitwasintolerabletoherthatothersshouldblamehiminherhearing.
\'Hewouldundoubtedlybebetteroff,\'shesaid;\'butthen,LadyLufton,peoplecan\'talwaysgoexactlywheretheywillbebestoff.Gentlemensometimesthink——\'
\'Well——well,mydear,thatwilldo.Hehasnottakenyou,atanyrate;andsowewillforgivehim.\'AndLadyLuftonkissedher.\'Asitis,\'andsheaffectedalowwhisperbetweenthetwoyoungwives\'asitis,wemuste\'enputupwithpoorEvanJones.Heistobehereto-night,andwemustgoanddresstoreceivehim.\'
Andsotheywentoff.LadyLuftonwasquiteenoughathearttolikeMrsRobartsallthebetterforstandingupforherabsentlord.
CHAPTERIII
CHALDICOTES
ChaldicotesisahouseofmuchmorepretensionthanFramleyCourt.
Indeed,ifonelooksattheancientmarksaboutit,ratherthanatthoseofthepresentday,itisaplaceofveryconsiderablepretension.Thereisanoldforest,notaltogetherbelongingtotheproperty,butattachedtoit,calledtheChaseofChaldicotes.
Aportionofthisforestcomesupclosebehindthemansion,andofitselfgivesacharacterandcelebritytotheplace.TheChaseofChaldicotes——thegreaterpartofit,atleast——is,asalltheworldknows,Crownproperty,andnow,intheseutilitariandays,istobedeforested.Informertimesitwasagreatforest,stretchinghalfacrossthecountry,almostasfarasSilverbridge;andtherearebitsofit,hereandthere,stilltobeseenatintervalsthroughoutthewholedistance;butthelargerremainingportion,consistingofagedhollowoaks,centuriesold,andwide-spreadingwitheredbeeches,standsinthetwoparishesofChaldicotesandUffley.PeoplestillcomefromafartoseetheoaksofChaldicotesandtoheartheirfeetrustleamongthethickautumnleaves.Buttheywillsooncomenolonger.Thegiantsofpastagesaretogivewaytowheatandturnips;aruthlessChancelloroftheExchequer,disregardingoldassociationsandruralbeauty,requiresmoneyreturnsfromthelands;andtheCloseofChaldicotesistovanishfromtheearth\'ssurface.
Somepartofit,however,istheprivatepropertyofMrSowerby,whohitherto,throughallhispecuniarydistresses,hasmanagedtosavefromtheaxeandtheauction-martthatportionofhispaternalheritage.ThehouseofChaldicotesisalargestonebuilding,probablyofthetimeofCharlestheSecond.Itisapproachedonbothfrontsbyaheavydoubleflightofstonesteps.Inthefrontofthehousealong,solemn,straightavenuethroughadoublerowoflime-trees,leadsawaytolodge-gates,whichstandinthecentreofthevillageofChaldicotes;buttotherearthewindowsopenuponfourdifferentvistas,whichrundownthroughtheforest:
fouropengreenrides,whichallconvergetogetheratalargeirongateway,thebarrierwhichdividestheprivategroundsfromtheChase.TheSowerbys,formanygenerations,havebeenrangersoftheChaseofChaldicotes,thushavingalmostaswideanauthorityovertheCrownforestasovertheirown.Butnowallthisistoceasefortheforestwillbedisforested.
ItwasnearlydarkwhenMarkRobartsdroveupthroughtheavenueoflime-treestothehall-door;butitwaseasytoseethatthehouse,whichwasdeadandsilentasthegravethroughninemonthsoftheyear,wasnowaliveinallitsparts.Therewerelightsinmanyofthewindows,andanoiseofvoicescamefromthestablesandservantsweremovingabout,anddogsbarked,andthedarkgravelbeforethefrontstepswascutupwithmanyacoach-wheel.
\'Oh,isthatyou,sir,MrRobarts?\'saidagroom,takingtheparson\'shorsebythehead,andtouchinghisownhat.\'IhopeI
seeyourreverencewell?\'
\'Quitewell,Bob,thankyou.AllwellatChaldicotes?\'
\'Prettybobbish,MrRobarts.Dealoflifegoingonherenow,sir.
Thebishopandhisladycamethismorning.\'
\'Oh——ah——yes!Iunderstandtheyweretobehere.Anyoftheyoungladies?\'
\'Oneyounglady.MissOlivia,Ithinktheycallher,yourreverence.\'
\'Andhow\'sMrSowerby?\'
\'Verywell,yourreverence.He,andMrHaroldSmith,andMrFothergill——that\'stheduke\'smanofbusiness,youknow——isgettingofftheirhorsesnowinthestable-yardthere.\'
\'Homefromhunting——eh,Bob?\'
\'Yes,sir,justhome,thisminute.\'AndthenMrRobartswalkedintothehouse,hisportmanteaufollowingonafoot-boy\'sshoulder.
ItwillbeseenthatouryoungvicarwasveryintimateatChaldicotes;somuchsothatthegroomknewhim,andtalkedtohimaboutthepeopleinthehouse.Yes;hewasintimatethere;muchmorethanhehadgiventheFramleypeopletounderstand.Notthathehadwilfullyandovertlydeceivedanyone;notthathehadeverspokenafalsewordaboutChaldicotes.ButhehadneverboastedathomethatheandSowerbywerenearallies.NeitherhadhetoldthemhowoftenMrSowerbyandLordLuftonweretogetherinLondon.
Whytroublewomenwithsuchmatters?WhyannoysoexcellentawomanasLadyLufton?AndthenMrSowerbywasonewhoseintimacyfewyoungmenwouldwishtoreject.Hewasfifty,andhadlived,perhaps,notthemostsalutarylife;buthedressedyoung,andusuallylookedwell.Hewasbald,withagoodforehead,andsparklingmoisteyes.Hewasacleverman,andapleasantcompanion,andalwaysgood-humouredwhenitsosuitedhim.Hewasagentleman,too,ofhighbreedingandgoodbirth,whoseancestorshadbeenknowninthatcounty——longer,thefarmersaroundwouldboast,thanthoseofanyotherlandownerinit,unlessitbetheThornesofUllathorne,orperhapstheGreshamsofGreshambury——muchlongerthantheDeCourcysofDeCourcyCastle.AsfortheDukeofOmnium,he,comparativelyspeaking,wasanewman.AndthenhewasamemberofParliament,afriendofsomemeninpower,andofotherswhomightbethere;amanwhocouldtalkabouttheworldasoneknowingthematterofwhichhetalked.Andmoreover,whatevermightbehiswaysoflifeatothertimes,wheninthepresenceofaclergymanherarelymadehimselfoffensivetoclericaltastes.Heneitherswore,norbroughthisvicesonthecarpet,norsneeredatthefaithoftheChurch.IfhewasnoChurchmanhimself,heatleastknewhowtolivewiththosewhowere.
HowwasitpossiblethatsuchaoneasourvicarshouldnotrelishtheintimacyofMrSowerby?Itmightbeverywell,hewouldsaytohimself,forawomanlikeLadyLuftontoturnuphernoseathim——forLadyLufton,whospenttenmonthsoftheyearatFramleyCourt,andwhoduringthosetenmonths,andforthematterofthat,duringthetwomonthsalsowhichshespentinLondon,sawnooneoutofherownset.Womendidnotunderstandsuchthings,thevicarsaidtohimself;evenhisownwife——good,andnice,andsensible,andintelligentasshewas——evenshedidnotunderstandthatamanintheworldmustmeetallsortsofmen;andthatinthesedaysitdidnotdoforaclergymantobeahermit.\'TwasthusthatMarkRobartsarguedwhenhefoundhimselfcalledupontodefendhimselfbeforethebarofhisownconscienceforgoingtoChaldicotesandincreasinghisintimacywithMrSowerby.HedidknowthatMrSowerbywasadangerousman;hewasawarethathewasoverheadandearsindebt;andthathehadalreadyentangledyoungLordLuftoninsomepecuniaryembarrassment;hisconsciencedidtellhimthatitwouldbewellforhim,asoneofChrist\'ssoldiers,tolookoutforcompanionsofadifferentstamp.But,nevertheless,hewenttoChaldicotes,notsatisfiedwithhimselfindeed,butrepeatingtohimselfagreatmanyargumentswhyheshouldbesosatisfied.
Hewasshownintothedrawing-roomatonce,andtherehefoundMrsHaroldSmith,withMrsandMissProudie,andaladywhomhehadneverbeforeseen,andwhosenamehedidnotatfirsthearmentioned.
\'IsthatMrRobarts?\'saidMrsHaroldSmith,gettinguptogreethim,andscreeningherpretendedignoranceundertheveilofdarkness.\'Andhaveyoureallydrivenoverfour-and-twentymilesofBarsetshireroadsonsuchadayasthistoassistusinourlittledifficulties?Well,wecanpromiseyougratitudeatanyrate.\'AndthenthevicarshookhandswithMrsProudie,inthatdeferentialmannerwhichisduefromavicartohisbishop\'swife;
andMrsProudiereturnedthegreetingwithallthatsmilingcondescensionwhichabishop\'swifeshouldshowtoavicar.MissProudiewasnotquitesocivil.HadMrRobartsbeenstillunmarried,shealsowouldhavesmiledsweetly;butshehadbeenexercisinghersmilesonclergymentoolongtowastethemnowonamarriedparishparson.
\'Andwhatarethedifficulties,MrsSmith,inwhichIamtoassistyou?\'
\'Wehavesixorsevengentlemenhere,MrRobarts,andtheyalwaysgohuntingbeforebreakfast,andtheynevercomeback——Iwasgoingtosay——tillafterdinner.Iwishitwereso,forthenweshouldnothavetowaitforthem.\'
\'ExceptingMrSupplehouse,youknow,\'saidtheunknownlady,inaloudvoice.
\'Andheisgenerallyshutupinthelibrary,writingarticles.\'
\'He\'dbebetteremployedifheweretryingtobreakhisneckliketheothers,\'saidtheunknownlady.
\'Onlyhewouldneversucceed,\'saysMrsHaroldSmith.\'Butperhaps,MrRobarts,youareasbadastherest;perhapsyoutoo,willbehuntingto-morrow.\'
\'MydearMrsSmith!\'saidMrsProudie,inatonedenotingslightreproach,andmodifiedhorror.
\'Oh!Iforgot.No,ofcourse,youwon\'tbehunting,MrRobarts;
you\'llonlybewishingthatyoucould.\'
\'Whycan\'the?\'saidtheladywithaloudvoice.
\'MydearMissDunstable!Aclergymanhunt,whileheisstayinginthesamehousewiththebishop?Thinkoftheproprieties!\'
\'Oh——ah!Thebishopwouldn\'tlikeit——wouldn\'the?Now,dotellme,sir,whatwouldthebishopdotoyouifyoudidhunt?\'
\'Itwoulddependonhismoodatthetime,madam,\'saidMrRobarts.
\'Ifthatwereverystern,hemightperhapshavemebeheadedbeforethepalacegates.\'
MrsProudiedrewherselfupinherchair,showingthatshedidnotlikethetoneoftheconversation;andMissProudiefixedhereyesvehementlyonherbook,showingthatMissDunstableandherconversationwerebothbeneathhernotice.
\'Ifthesegentlemendonotmeantobreaktheirnecksto-night,\'
saidMrsHaroldSmith,\'Iwishthey\'dletusknowit.It\'shalf-pastsixalready.\'AndthenMrRobartsgavethemtounderstandthatnosuchcatastrophewouldbelookedforthatday,asMrSowerbyandtheothersportsmenwerewithinthestable-yardwhenheenteredthedoor.
\'Then,ladies,wemayaswelldress,\'saidMrsHaroldSmith.Butasshemovedtowardsthedoor,itopened,andashortgentleman,withaslow,quietstep,enteredtheroom;butwasnotyettobedistinguishedthroughtheduskbytheeyesofMrRobarts.\'Oh!
bishop,isthatyou?\'saidMrsSmith.\'Hereisoneoftheluminariesofyourdiocese.\'Andthenthebishop,feelingthroughthedark,madehiswayuptothevicarandshookhimcordiallybythehand.HewasdelightedtomeetMrRobartsatChaldicotes,hesaid,quitedelighted.WashenotgoingtopreachonbehalfofthePapuanMissionnextSunday?Ah!sohewas,thebishophadheard.Itwasagoodwork,anexcellentwork!\'AndthenDrProudieexpressedhimselfasmuchgrievedthatheshouldnotremainatChaldicotes,andhearthesermon.ItwasplainthatthebishopthoughtnoillofhimonaccountofhisintimacywithMrSowerby.Butthenhefeltinhisownheartthathedidnotmuchregardthebishop\'sopinion.
\'Ah,Robarts,I\'mdelightedtoseeyou,\'saidMrSowerby,whentheymetonthedrawing-roomrugbeforedinner.\'YouknowHaroldSmith?Yes,ofcourseyoudo.Well,whoelseisthere?Oh!
Supplehouse.MrSupplehouse,allowmetointroducetoyoumyfriendMrRobarts.Itishewhowillextractthefive-poundnoteoutofyourpocketnextSundayforthesepoorPapuanswhomwearegoingtoChristianize.Thatis,ifHaroldSmithdoesnotfinishtheworkoutofhandathisSundaylecture.And,Robarts,youhaveseenthebishop,ofcourse:\'thishesaidinawhisper.\'Afinethingtobeabishop,isn\'tit?IwishIhadhalfyourchance.
But,mydearfellow,I\'vemadesuchamistake.Ihaven\'tgotabachelorparsonforMissProudie.Youmusthelpmeout,andtakeherintodinner.\'Andthenthegreatgongsounded,andofftheywentinpairs.
AtdinnerMarkfoundhimselfseatedbetweenMissProudieandtheladywhomhehadheardnamedasMissDunstable.Oftheformerhewasnotveryfond,and,inspiteofhishost\'spetition,wasnotinclinedtoplaybachelorparsonforherbenefit.Withtheotherladyhewouldwillinglyhavechattedduringthedinner,onlythateverybodyelseattableseemedtobeintentondoingthesamething.Shewasneitheryoung,norbeautiful,norpeculiarlyladylike;yetsheseemedtoenjoyapopularitywhichmusthaveexcitedtheenvyofMrSupplehouse,andwhichcertainlywasnotaltogethertothetasteofMrsProudie——who,however,fetedherasmuchasdidtheothers.Sothatourclergymanfoundhimselfunabletoobtainmorethananinconsiderableshareofthelady\'sattention.
\'Bishop,\'saidshe,speakingacrossthetable,\'wehavemissedyouallday!wehavehadnooneonearthtosayawordtous.\'
\'MydearMissDunstable,hadIknownthat——ButIreallywasengagedonbusinessofsomeimportance.\'
\'Idon\'tbelieveinbusinessofimportance;doyou,MrsSmith?\'
\'DoInot?\'saidMrsSmith.\'IfyouweremarriedtoMrHaroldSmithforoneweek,you\'dbelieveinit.\'
\'ShouldI,now?WhatapityIcan\'thavethatchanceofimprovingmyfaith!Butyouareamanofbusinessalso,MrSupplehouse;dotheytellme.\'Andsheturnedtoherneighbouronherrighthand.
\'IcannotcomparemyselftoMrHaroldSmith,\'saidhe.\'ButperhapsImayequalthebishop.\'
\'Whatdoesamando,now,whenhesitshimselfdowntobusiness?
Howdoeshesetaboutit?Whatarehistools?Aquireofblottingpaper,Isuppose,tobeginwith?\'
\'Thatdepends,Ishouldsay,onhistrade.Ashoemakerbeginsbywaxinghisthread.\'
\'AndMrHaroldSmith——?\'
\'Bycountinguphisyesterday\'sfigures,generally,Ishouldsay;
orelsebyunrollingaballofredtape.Well-docketedpapersandstatisticalfactsarehisforte.\'
\'Andwhatdoesabishopdo?Canyoutellmethat?\'
\'Hesendsforthtohisclergyeitherblessingsorblowings-up,accordingtothestateofhisdigestiveorgans.ButMrsProudiecanexplainallthattoyouwiththegreatestaccuracy.\'
\'Canshenow?Iunderstandwhatyoumean,butIdon\'tbelieveawordofit.Thebishopmanageshisownaffairshimself,quiteasmuchasyoudo,orMrHaroldSmith.\'
\'I,MissDunstable?\'
\'Yes,you.\'
\'ButI,unluckily,havenotawifetomanagethemforme.\'
\'Thenyoushouldnotlaughatthosewhohave,foryoudon\'tknowwhatyoumaycometoyourself,whenyou\'remarried.\'
MrSupplehousebegantomakeaprettyspeech,sayingthathewouldbedelightedtoincuranydangerinthatrespecttowhichhemightbesubjectedbythecompanionshipofMissDunstable.Butbeforehewashalfthroughit,shehadturnedherbackuponhim,andbeganaconversationwithMarkRobarts.
\'Haveyoumuchworkinyourparish,MrRobarts?\'sheasked.Now,Markwasnotawarethatsheknewhisnameorthefactofhishavingaparish,andwasrathersurprisedbythequestion.Andhehadnotquitelikedthetoneinwhichshehadseemedtospeakofthebishopandhiswork.Hisdesireforherfurtheracquaintancewasthereforesomewhatmoderated,andhewasnotpreparedtoanswerherquestionwithmuchzeal.
\'Allparishclergymenhaveplentyofwork,iftheychoosetodoit.\'
\'Ah,thatisit;isitnot,MrRobarts?Iftheychoosetodoit?A
greatmanydo——manythatIknow,do;andseewhataresulttheyhave.Butmanyneglectit——andseewhataresulttheyhave.I
thinkitoughttobethehappiestlifethatamancanlead,thatofaparishclergyman,withawifeandfamilyandasufficientincome.\'
\'Ithinkitis,\'saidMarkRobarts,askinghimselfwhetherthecontentmentaccruingtohimfromsuchblessingshadmadehimsatisfiedonallpoints.HehadallthesethingsofwhichMissDunstablespoke,andyethehadtoldhiswife,theotherday,thathecouldnotaffordtoneglecttheacquaintanceofarisingpoliticianlikeHaroldSmith.
\'WhatIfindfaultwithisthis,\'continuedMissDunstable,\'thatweexpectclergymentodotheirduty,anddon\'tgivethemasufficientincome——givethemhardlyanyincomeatall.Isitnotascandalthataneducatedgentlemanwithafamilyshouldbemadetoworkhalfhislife,andperhapsthewhole,forapittanceofseventypoundsayear!\'Marksaidthatitwasascandal,andthoughtofMrEvanJonesandhisdaughter;andthoughtalsoofhisownworth,andhisownhouse,andhisownninehundredayear.
\'Andyetclergymenaresoproud——aristocraticwouldbeagenteelword,Iknow——thatyouwon\'ttakethemoneyofcommon,ordinarypeople.Youmustbepaidfromlandandendowments,fromtitheandchurchproperty.Youcan\'tbringyourselftoworkforwhatyouearn,aslawyersanddoctorsdo.Itisbetterthatcuratesshouldstarvethanundergosuchignominyasthat.\'
\'Itisalongsubject,MissDunstable.\'
\'Averylongone;andthatmeansthatIamnottotalkanymoreaboutit.\'
\'Ididnotmeanthatexactly.\'
\'Oh,butyoudid,thoughMrRobarts.AndIcantakeahintofthatkindwhenIgetit.Youclergymenliketokeepthoselongsubjectsforyoursermons,whennoonecanansweryou.NowifIhavealongingheart\'sdesireforanythingatallinthisworld,itistobeabletogetupintoapulpit,andpreachasermon.\'
\'Youcan\'tconceivehowsoonthatappetitewouldpalluponyou,afteritsfirstindulgence.\'
\'ThatwoulddependuponwhetherIcouldgetpeopletolistentome.ItdoesnotpalluponMrSpurgeon,Isuppose.\'ThenherattentionwascalledawaybysomequestionfromMrSowerby,andMarkRobartsfoundhimselfboundtoaddresshisconversationtoMissProudie.MissProudie,however,wasnotthankful,andgavehimlittlebutmonosyllablesforhispains.
\'OfcourseyouknowHaroldSmithisgoingtogiveusalectureabouttheseislanders.\'MrSowerbysaidtohim,astheysatroundthefireovertheirwineafterdinner.Marksaidthathehadbeensoinformed,andshouldbedelightedtobeoneofthelisteners.
\'Youareboundtodothat,asheisgoingtolistentoyouthedayafterwards——or,atanyrate,topretendtodoso,whichisasmuchasyouwilldoforhim.It\'llbeaterriblebore——thelecture,I
mean,notthesermon.\'Andhespokeverylowinhisfriend\'sear.
\'Fancyhavingtodrivetenmilesafterdusk,andtenmilesback,tohearHaroldSmithtalkfortwohoursaboutBorneo!Onemustdoit,youknow.\'
\'Idaresayitwillbeveryinteresting.\'
\'Mydearfellow,youhaven\'tundergonesomanyofthesethingsasI
have.Buthe\'srighttodoit.It\'shislineoflife;andwhenamanbeginsathingheoughttogoonwithit.Where\'sLuftonthistime?\'
\'InScotland,whenIlastheardfromhim;buthe\'sprobablyatMeltonnow.\'
\'It\'sdeucedshabbyofhim,nothuntinghereinhisowncounty.Heescapesalltheboreofgoingtolectures,andgivingfeedstotheneighbours;that\'swhyhetreatsusso.Hehasnoideaofhisduty,hashe?\'
\'LadyLuftondoesallthat,youknow.\'
\'IwishI\'daMrsSowerbyheretodoitforme.ButthenLuftonhasnoconstituentstolookafter——luckydog!Bytheby,hashespokentoyouaboutsellingthatoutlyingbitoflandofhisinOxfordshire?ItbelongstotheLuftonproperty,andyetitdoesn\'t.Inmyminditgivesmoretroublethanit\'sworth.\'LordLuftonhadspokentoMarkaboutthissaleandhadexplainedtohimthatsuchasacrificewasabsolutelynecessary,inconsequenceofcertainpecuniarytransactionsbetweenhim,LordLuftonandMrSowerby.ButitwasfoundimpracticabletocompletethebusinesswithoutLadyLufton\'sknowledge,andhersonhadcommissionedMrRobartsnotonlytoinformherladyship,buttotalkheroverandtoappeaseherwrath.Thiscommissionhehadnotyetattemptedtoexercise,anditwasprobablethatthisvisittoChaldicoteswouldnotdomuchtofacilitatethebusiness.
\'Theyarethemostmagnificentislandsunderthesun,\'saidHaroldSmithtothebishop.
\'Arethey,indeed!\'saidthebishop,openinghiseyeswide,andassumingalookofintenseinterest.
\'Andthemostintelligentpeople.\'
\'Dearme!\'saidthebishop.
\'Alltheywantisguidance,encouragement,instruction——\'
\'AndChristianity,\'suggestedthebishop.
\'AndChristianity,ofcourse,\'saidMrSmith,rememberingthathewasspeakingtoadignitaryoftheChurch.Itwaswelltohumoursuchpeople,MrSmiththought.ButtheChristianitywastobedoneintheSundaysermon,andwasnotpartofhiswork.
\'Andhowdoyouintendtobeginwiththem?\'askedMrSupplehouse,thebusinessofwhoselifeithadbeentosuggestdifficulties.
\'Beginwiththem——oh——whyit\'sveryeasytobeginwiththem.Thedifficultyistogoonwiththem,afterthemoneyisallspent.
We\'llbeginbyexplainingtothemthebenefitsofcivilization.\'
\'Capitalplan!\'saidMrSupplehouse.\'Buthowdoyousetaboutit,Smith?\'
\'Howdowesetaboutit?HowdidwesetaboutitwithAustraliaandAmerica?Itisveryeasytocriticize;butinsuchmattersthegreatthingistoputone\'sshouldertothewheel.\'
\'WesentourfelonstoAustralia,\'saidSupplehouse,\'andtheybegantoworkforus.AndastoAmerica,weexterminatedthepeopleinsteadofcivilizingthem.\'
\'WedidnotexterminatetheinhabitantsofIndia,\'saidHaroldSmith,angrily.
\'NorhaveweattemptedtoChristianizethem,asthebishopsoproperlywishestodowithyourislanders.\'
\'Supplehouse,youarenotfair,\'saidMrSowerby,\'neithertoHaroldSmithnortous——youaremakinghimrehearsehislecture,whichisbadforhim;andmakingusheartherehearsal,whichisbadforus.\'
\'SupplehousebelongstoacliquewhichmonopolisesthewisdomofEngland,\'saidHaroldSmith,\'or,atanyrate,thinksthatitdoes.Buttheworstofthemisthattheyaregiventotalkleadingarticles.\'
\'Betterthat,thantalkarticleswhicharenotleading,\'saidMrSupplehouse.\'Somefirst-classofficialmendothat.\'
\'ShallImeetyouattheduke\'snextweek,MrRobarts?\'saidthebishoptohim,soonaftertheyhadgoneintothedrawing-room.
Meethimattheduke\'s!——theestablishedenemyofBarsetshiremankind,asLadyLuftonregardedhisgrace!Noideaofgoingtotheduke\'shadeverenteredourhero\'smind;norhadhebeenawarethatthedukewasabouttoentertainanyone.
\'No,mylord,Ithinknot.Indeed,Ihavenoacquaintancewithhisgrace.\'
\'Oh——ah!Ididnotknow.BecauseMrSowerbyisgoing;andsoaretheHaroldSmiths,andIthink,MrSupplehouse.Anexcellentmanistheduke;——thatis,asregardsthecountyinterests,\'addedthebishop,rememberingthatthemoralcharacterofhisbachelorgracewasnottheverybestintheworld.AndthenhislordshipbegantoasksomequestionsaboutthechurchaffairsofFramley,inwhichalittleinterestastoFramleyCourtwasalsomixedup,whenhewasinterruptedbyarathersharpvoice,towhichheinstantlyattended.
\'Bishop,\'saidtherathersharpvoice;andthebishoptrottedacrosstheroomtothebackofthesofa,onwhichhiswifewassitting.\'MissDunstablethinksthatshewillbeabletocometousforacoupleofdays,afterweleavetheduke\'s.\'
\'Ishallbedelightedaboveallthings,\'saidthebishop,bowinglowtothedominantladyoftheday.Forbeitknowntoallmen,thatMissDunstablewasthegreatheiressofthatname.