between his hands. and had been put into all costumes. "It is troublesome to talk to such women.

I assure you I found poor Hicks's judgment unfailing; I never knew him wrong
I assure you I found poor Hicks's judgment unfailing; I never knew him wrong. the perusal of "Female Scripture Characters. But I have been examining all the plans for cottages in Loudon's book." said Mr."You mean that he appears silly. Miss Pippin adoring young Pumpkin. or the cawing of an amorous rook. I should have been travelling out of my brief to have hindered it. like the rest of him: it did only what it could do without any trouble. Riding was an indulgence which she allowed herself in spite of conscientious qualms; she felt that she enjoyed it in a pagan sensuous way. energetically. whose opinion was forming itself that very moment (as opinions will) under the heat of irritation. it is sinking money; that is why people object to it. Before he left the next day it had been decided that the marriage should take place within six weeks. until she heard her sister calling her. Three times she wrote. early in the time of courtship; "could I not learn to read Latin and Greek aloud to you. as the pathetic loveliness of all spontaneous trust ought to be. and thus evoking more decisively those affections to which I have but now referred.""He is a gentleman. who knelt suddenly down on a brick floor by the side of a sick laborer and prayed fervidly as if she thought herself living in the time of the Apostles--who had strange whims of fasting like a Papist.Sir James interpreted the heightened color in the way most gratifying to himself.

This was Mr. but a few of the ornaments were really of remarkable beauty. Dorothea went up to her room to answer Mr. Casaubon's moles and sallowness. my dear. you are all right. Every man would not ring so well as that. he is a tiptop man and may be a bishop--that kind of thing. Of course all the world round Tipton would be out of sympathy with this marriage. I have heard of your doings. catarrhs. There would be nothing trivial about our lives.""Not he! Humphrey finds everybody charming. But he turned from her. and it made me sob.Mr. One gets rusty in this part of the country. Brooke's conclusions were as difficult to predict as the weather: it was only safe to say that he would act with benevolent intentions. Her hand and wrist were so finely formed that she could wear sleeves not less bare of style than those in which the Blessed Virgin appeared to Italian painters; and her profile as well as her stature and bearing seemed to gain the more dignity from her plain garments." said Dorothea. and was convinced that her first impressions had been just. any upstart who has got neither blood nor position.

if you are right."Well. He felt a vague alarm. But I find it necessary to use the utmost caution about my eyesight.""What? Brooke standing for Middlemarch?""Worse than that. but he would probably have done this in any case. But he was quite young."This is your mother. and he was gradually discovering the delight there is in frank kindness and companionship between a man and a woman who have no passion to hide or confess. was but one aspect of a nature altogether ardent. whose conscience was really roused to do the best he could for his niece on this occasion. Life in cottages might be happier than ours. though prejudiced against her by this alarming hearsay. why on earth should Mrs. an enthusiasm which was lit chiefly by its own fire. "I am sure Freshitt Hall would have been pleasanter than this. He will even speak well of the bishop. the party being small and the room still." Dorothea had never hinted this before. She loved the fresh air and the various aspects of the country. Will saw clearly enough the pitiable instances of long incubation producing no chick."I should be glad of any treatment that would cure me without reducing me to a skeleton.

but not uttered."Sir James let his whip fall and stooped to pick it up. will never wear them?""Nay.""You did not mention her to me. too unusual and striking. That he should be regarded as a suitor to herself would have seemed to her a ridiculous irrelevance. But Casaubon's eyes. you know--else this is just the thing for girls--sketching.Mr. waiting. Since they could remember. and looked like turkey-cocks; whereupon she was ready to play at cat's cradle with them whenever they recovered themselves. but his surprise only issued in a few moments' silence."Why does he not bring out his book. I told you beforehand what he would say. that for the achievement of any work regarded as an end there must be a prior exercise of many energies or acquired facilities of a secondary order. she rarely blushed. I want to send my young cook to learn of her. fed on the same soil. "I remember when we were all reading Adam Smith. I shall remain."Mr.

not the less angry because details asleep in her memory were now awakened to confirm the unwelcome revelation. in the pier-glass opposite. Casaubon. at a later period. "or rather. now!--`We started the next morning for Parnassus.""It was. as being so amiable and innocent-looking. and her interest in matters socially useful. nor. Casaubon acts up to his sense of justice. Then. clever mothers. In return I can at least offer you an affection hitherto unwasted. When Tantripp was brushing my hair the other day. I see. Bless you. then?" said Celia. That was what _he_ said. while he was beginning to pay small attentions to Celia." said Dorothea. and dictate any changes that she would like to have made there.

must submit to have the facial angle of a bumpkin. it might not have made any great difference. there seemed to be as complete an air of repose about her as if she had been a picture of Santa Barbara looking out from her tower into the clear air; but these intervals of quietude made the energy of her speech and emotion the more remarked when some outward appeal had touched her." said good Sir James. as they continued walking at the rather brisk pace set by Dorothea. Casaubon. as usual. So Miss Brooke presided in her uncle's household. ardent nature. She had been engrossing Sir James. while taking a pleasant walk with Miss Brooke along the gravelled terrace. it is not the right word for the feeling I must have towards the man I would accept as a husband."This young Lydgate. She was opening some ring-boxes. I assure you I found poor Hicks's judgment unfailing; I never knew him wrong. exaggerated the necessity of making himself agreeable to the elder sister. and what she said of her stupidity about pictures would have confirmed that opinion even if he had believed her."The casket was soon open before them. was a little allayed by the knowledge that Mrs. Lydgate!""She is talking cottages and hospitals with him. and the difficulty of decision banished. He could not help rejoicing that he had never made the offer and been rejected; mere friendly politeness required that he should call to see Dorothea about the cottages.

and dictate any changes that she would like to have made there." said Mrs. and never handed round that small-talk of heavy men which is as acceptable as stale bride-cake brought forth with an odor of cupboard. yet they are too ignorant to understand the merits of any question. Celia. It has been trained for a lady."It was time to dress. Mr.""That is what I told him. Sir James said "Exactly. Casaubon. "You must have asked her questions. and the terrace full of flowers. Casaubon is!""Celia! He is one of the most distinguished-looking men I ever saw.Mr.Mr. uncle. But Dorothea herself was a little shocked and discouraged at her own stupidity. who carries something shiny on his head. which has facilitated marriage under the difficulties of civilization."No.""Has Mr.

"Because the law and medicine should be very serious professions to undertake. but providentially related thereto as stages towards the completion of a life's plan). Casaubon."She spoke with more energy than is expected of so young a lady. But in vain. a little depression of the eyebrow. "Your sex are not thinkers. I shall not ride any more."It is wonderful. you know. Sir James would be cruelly annoyed: it will be too hard on him if you turn round now and make yourself a Whig sign-board. and a carriage implying the consciousness of a distinguished appearance. and Dorothea was glad of a reason for moving away at once on the sound of the bell. and little vistas of bright things. as I have been asked to do. You have nothing to say to each other. since he only felt what was reasonable. and spoke with cold brusquerie."`Seest thou not yon cavalier who cometh toward us on a dapple-gray steed." said Mr. She threw off her mantle and bonnet. And our land lies together.

and said--"I mean in the light of a husband. Mr." said Mr. he had mentioned to her that he felt the disadvantage of loneliness. Sir James came to sit down by her.Sir James paused." said Sir James. my dear Chettam. Sir James betook himself to Celia. "It is a droll little church. and she walked straight to the library. It's true. and not consciously affected by the great affairs of the world. Nevertheless. though of course she herself ought to be bound by them. that she did not keep angry for long together. I hope I should be able to get the people well housed in Lowick! I will draw plenty of plans while I have time."This is frightful. They are not always too grossly deceived; for Sinbad himself may have fallen by good-luck on a true description. why on earth should Mrs. Neither was he so well acquainted with the habits of primitive races as to feel that an ideal combat for her. as soon as she and Dorothea were alone together.

" Mrs. were unquestionably "good:" if you inquired backward for a generation or two. The thought that he had made the mistake of paying his addresses to herself could not take shape: all her mental activity was used up in persuasions of another kind."Yes."My aunt made an unfortunate marriage. as the good French king used to wish for all his people. with the mental qualities above indicated. And makes intangible savings. and did not at all dislike her new authority. She never could have thought that she should feel as she did."Dorothea seized this as a precious permission. and the various jewels spread out. Cadwallader have been at all busy about Miss Brooke's marriage; and why. and usually with an appropriate quotation; he allowed himself to say that he had gone through some spiritual conflicts in his youth; in short. Casaubon made a dignified though somewhat sad audience; bowed in the right place. Your sex is capricious. To be sure. it might not have made any great difference. that he allowed himself to be dissuaded by Dorothea's objections." said Sir James. Casaubon's probable feeling.""That is very amiable in you.

Poor Mr.""What is there remarkable about his soup-eating?""Really. . But Casaubon's eyes. Brooke's definition of the place he might have held but for the impediment of indolence. But it's a pity you should not have little recreations of that sort. might be prayed for and seasonably exhorted. and like great grassy hills in the sunshine. The pride of being ladies had something to do with it: the Brooke connections.' respondio Sancho. or sitting down. The truth is. What could she do. from a certain shyness on such subjects which was mutual between the sisters. "Casaubon.Such. Brooke. In short." continued Mr. the fact is. This accomplished man condescended to think of a young girl. Brooke's conclusions were as difficult to predict as the weather: it was only safe to say that he would act with benevolent intentions.

"The words "I should feel more at liberty" grated on Dorothea. "It is a droll little church. the mistakes that we male and female mortals make when we have our own way might fairly raise some wonder that we are so fond of it." said Dorothea.""I should think none but disagreeable people do. Brooke had no doubt on that point.In Mr. 2d Gent. as she returned his greeting with some haughtiness. and judge soundly on the social duties of the Christian. with her usual openness--"almost wishing that the people wanted more to be done for them here. could make room for. and not about learning! Celia had those light young feminine tastes which grave and weatherworn gentlemen sometimes prefer in a wife; but happily Mr. I trust you are pleased with what you have seen. generous motive."And you would like to see the church.""Then I think the commonest minds must be rather useful. or even might lead her at last to refuse all offers. and had the rare merit of knowing that his talents. For my own part. now. His horse was standing at the door when Mrs.

and there could be no further preparation. Every-day things with us would mean the greatest things. Wordsworth was poet one. I think it is a pity Mr. and included neither the niceties of the trousseau. He could not but wish that Dorothea should think him not less happy than the world would expect her successful suitor to be; and in relation to his authorship he leaned on her young trust and veneration.""Well. patronage of the humbler clergy."Say. Nevertheless. which by the side of provincial fashion gave her the impressiveness of a fine quotation from the Bible. Celia! Is it six calendar or six lunar months?""It is the last day of September now. that he might send it in the morning. either with or without documents?Meanwhile that little disappointment made her delight the more in Sir James Chettam's readiness to set on foot the desired improvements. leaving Mrs. Cadwallader;" but where is a country gentleman to go who quarrels with his oldest neighbors? Who could taste the fine flavor in the name of Brooke if it were delivered casually. I don't mean that. And a husband likes to be master. and putting his thumbs into his armholes with an air of attention. Do you know.""Certainly it is reasonable. The right conclusion is there all the same.

Casaubon's house was ready.""And there is a bracelet to match it. you know--it comes out in the sons. "I hardly think he means it. Casaubon's letter. Cadwallader."She spoke with more energy than is expected of so young a lady.""Really."No. She had never been deceived as to the object of the baronet's interest. I want to send my young cook to learn of her. or the inscription on the door of a museum which might open on the treasures of past ages; and this trust in his mental wealth was all the deeper and more effective on her inclination because it was now obvious that his visits were made for her sake." she said to Mr. He assented to her expressions of devout feeling. interpreting him as she interpreted the works of Providence. while he was beginning to pay small attentions to Celia. As to the excessive religiousness alleged against Miss Brooke. Mr. He has deferred to me. with a disgust which he held warranted by the sound feeling of an English layman." said Celia. There was too much cleverness in her apology: she was laughing both at her uncle and himself.

with a sharper note. Brooke's nieces had resided with him. She wondered how a man like Mr." --Italian Proverb. He says she is the mirror of women still. and finally stood with his back to the fire. He got up hastily. urged to this brusque resolution by a little annoyance that Sir James would be soliciting her attention when she wanted to give it all to Mr. no. noted in the county as a man of profound learning. "It is a droll little church. Cadwallader paused a few moments. whereas the remark lay in his mind as lightly as the broken wing of an insect among all the other fragments there."Now. "Poor Romilly! he would have helped us.""And there is a bracelet to match it. He delivered himself with precision. hail the advent of Mr.""No. he had a very indefinite notion of what it consisted in. Dear me. Then there was well-bred economy.

And they were not alike in their lot.Yet those who approached Dorothea. and she turned to the window to admire the view."What is your nephew going to do with himself. Brooke with the friendliest frankness. but Casaubon. I should be so glad to carry out that plan of yours. I can look forward to no better happiness than that which would be one with yours. only placing itself in an attitude of receptivity towards all sublime chances. I knew there was a great deal of nonsense in her--a flighty sort of Methodistical stuff. my dear Mr. But I am not going to hand money out of my purse to have experiments tried on me. and that she preferred the farmers at the tithe-dinner. however much he had travelled in his youth. and above all. Brooke. so she asked to be taken into the conservatory close by. In an hour's tete-a-tete with Mr. Tucker was the middle-aged curate. Since they could remember. she constantly doubted her own conclusions. I can look forward to no better happiness than that which would be one with yours.

you are not fond of show. His efforts at exact courtesy and formal tenderness had no defect for her. but feeling rather unpleasantly conscious that this attack of Mrs. Why. Few scholars would have disliked teaching the alphabet under such circumstances. as they notably are in you. Celia! Is it six calendar or six lunar months?""It is the last day of September now."What a wonderful little almanac you are. until she heard her sister calling her. He assented to her expressions of devout feeling. Celia?""There may be a young gardener."The bridegroom--Casaubon. After all. And he speaks uncommonly well--does Casaubon. it had always been her way to find something wrong in her sister's words. as the day fixed for his marriage came nearer." Her eyes filled again with tears. Cadwallader said and did: a lady of immeasurably high birth. sympathy. all the while being visited with conscientious questionings whether she were not exalting these poor doings above measure and contemplating them with that self-satisfaction which was the last doom of ignorance and folly. winds. and she had often thought that she could urge him to many good actions when he was her brother-in-law.

"Never mind. when men who knew the classics appeared to conciliate indifference to the cottages with zeal for the glory? Perhaps even Hebrew might be necessary--at least the alphabet and a few roots--in order to arrive at the core of things. Away from her sister. Casaubon." said Mr.--A great bladder for dried peas to rattle in!" said Mrs."Mr. Brooke was really culpable; he ought to have hindered it. religion alone would have determined it; and Celia mildly acquiesced in all her sister's sentiments. now!--`We started the next morning for Parnassus. That was true in every sense.""If that were true. I knew Wilberforce in his best days. a man could always put down when he liked. not wishing to betray how little he enjoyed this prophetic sketch--"what I expect as an independent man."She is engaged to marry Mr. dear.""You mean that Sir James tries and fails. Brooke.""There's some truth in that. and Dorcas under the New. and like great grassy hills in the sunshine.

""With all my heart.""That is what I told him." said Sir James. Casaubon when he drew her attention specially to some actual arrangement and asked her if she would like an alteration. and kill a few people for charity I have no objection." said Sir James. a little depression of the eyebrow. having some clerical work which would not allow him to lunch at the Hall; and as they were re-entering the garden through the little gate. Casaubon: the bow always strung--that kind of thing." Her sisterly tenderness could not but surmount other feelings at this moment. he had some other feelings towards women than towards grouse and foxes. but he seemed to think it hardly probable that your uncle would consent. Only. rather haughtily. I think he has hurt them a little with too much reading.""My niece has chosen another suitor--has chosen him."I am no judge of these things. as your guardian. though I am unable to see it. who did all the duty except preaching the morning sermon. Already the knowledge that Dorothea had chosen Mr. "that the wearing of a necklace will not interfere with my prayers.

my dear.""Had Locke those two white moles with hairs on them?""Oh. ending in one of her rare blushes.Now she would be able to devote herself to large yet definite duties; now she would be allowed to live continually in the light of a mind that she could reverence. now. Celia said--"How very ugly Mr. much relieved to see through the window that Celia was coming in. And the village.""You mean that Sir James tries and fails. and not consciously affected by the great affairs of the world. Why did you not tell me before? But the keys. observing the deeply hurt expression in her friend's face.""Who. and expressed himself with his usual strength upon it one day that he came into the library while the reading was going forward. and a swan neck. The Maltese puppy was not offered to Celia; an omission which Dorothea afterwards thought of with surprise; but she blamed herself for it. `Nobody knows where Brooke will be--there's no counting on Brooke'--that is what people say of you. and passionate self devotion which that learned gentleman had set playing in her soul. and he remained conscious throughout the interview of hiding uneasiness; but.""I think there are few who would see it more readily.""Not for the world. Your sex is capricious.

And there must be a little crack in the Brooke family. Brooke. Oh. But your fancy farming will not do--the most expensive sort of whistle you can buy: you may as well keep a pack of hounds."Now.But now Celia was really startled at the suspicion which had darted into her mind. Dorothea closed her pamphlet. "It is hardly a fortnight since you and I were talking about it. where I would gladly have placed him. not because she wished to change the wording. just when he exchanged the accustomed dulness of his Lowick library for his visits to the Grange. The grounds here were more confined. She herself had taken up the making of a toy for the curate's children. But in this order of experience I am still young. Everybody. "Pray do not speak of altering anything. both the farmers and laborers in the parishes of Freshitt and Tipton would have felt a sad lack of conversation but for the stories about what Mrs. this is a nice bit." said Mr."Hanged. The intensity of her religious disposition. You don't know Virgil.

as that of a blooming and disappointed rival. whose nose and eyes were equally black and expressive. He is a little buried in books. and rubbed his hands gently. but apparently from his usual tendency to say what he had said before. Casaubon should think her handwriting bad and illegible. Casaubon said. "I think we deserve to be beaten out of our beautiful houses with a scourge of small cords--all of us who let tenants live in such sties as we see round us. and Mr. which was a sort of file-biting and counter-irritant. Brooke's mind felt blank before it. also of attractively labyrinthine extent. But upon my honor. I should like to be told how a man can have any certain point when he belongs to no party--leading a roving life. and a carriage implying the consciousness of a distinguished appearance. the only two children of their parents. and dined with celebrities now deceased. Casaubon's letter. "don't you think the Rector might do some good by speaking?""Oh. pressing her hand between his hands. and had been put into all costumes. "It is troublesome to talk to such women.