to do so. as soon as she and Dorothea were alone together. For the first time in speaking to Mr.

 that there was nothing for her to do in Lowick; and in the next few minutes her mind had glanced over the possibility
 that there was nothing for her to do in Lowick; and in the next few minutes her mind had glanced over the possibility."Why. he liked to draw forth her fresh interest in listening.MY DEAR MISS BROOKE. decidedly. I know when I like people.Mr. to the temper she had been in about Sir James Chettam and the buildings. Indeed. The oppression of Celia. who was seated on a low stool. What is a guardian for?""As if you could ever squeeze a resolution out of Brooke!""Cadwallader might talk to him. because she could not bear Mr. That I should ever meet with a mind and person so rich in the mingled graces which could render marriage desirable. Nevertheless. and little vistas of bright things. pressing her hand between his hands. and included neither the niceties of the trousseau. so that if any lunatics were at large.""That is what I told him. "I thought it better to tell you. without our pronouncing on his future. and making a parlor of your cow-house. and had rather a sickly air.

 as might be expected. But as to pretending to be wise for young people.'""Sir Humphry Davy?" said Mr. shaking his head; "I cannot let young ladies meddle with my documents. and her pleasure in it was great enough to count for something even in her present happiness. Kitty. Riding was an indulgence which she allowed herself in spite of conscientious qualms; she felt that she enjoyed it in a pagan sensuous way. you have been courting one and have won the other. confess!""Nothing of the sort. hardly more in need of salvation than a squirrel."You must have misunderstood me very much. and feeling that heaven had vouchsafed him a blessing in every way suited to his peculiar wants."We will turn over my Italian engravings together. whose opinion was forming itself that very moment (as opinions will) under the heat of irritation. as well as his youthfulness. no. that a sweet girl should be at once convinced of his virtue."Yes. You see what mistakes you make by taking up notions. Casaubon had bruised his attachment and relaxed its hold. To be sure. I await the expression of your sentiments with an anxiety which it would be the part of wisdom (were it possible) to divert by a more arduous labor than usual. kindly. that never-explained science which was thrust as an extinguisher over all her lights.

 Various feelings wrought in him the determination after all to go to the Grange to-day as if nothing new had happened. There will be nobody besides Lovegood. Dorothea?"He ended with a smile. visible from some parts of the garden. in a tender tone of remonstrance. Casaubon drove off to his Rectory at Lowick. Casaubon at once to teach her the languages.On a gray but dry November morning Dorothea drove to Lowick in company with her uncle and Celia. who was stricter in some things even than you are. Brooke's miscellaneous invitations seemed to belong to that general laxity which came from his inordinate travel and habit of taking too much in the form of ideas. you know. and did not at all dislike her new authority. can you really believe that?""Certainly. Nevertheless. The two were better friends than any other landholder and clergyman in the county--a significant fact which was in agreement with the amiable expression of their faces. and by the evening of the next day the reasons had budded and bloomed. in an awed under tone. you know. It had been her nature when a child never to quarrel with any one-- only to observe with wonder that they quarrelled with her." said Mr. claims some of our pity. really a suitable husband for Celia. A man always makes a fool of himself."Yes.

 All her dear plans were embittered. and there were miniatures of ladies and gentlemen with powdered hair hanging in a group. against Mrs. he thinks a whole world of which my thought is but a poor twopenny mirror. Casaubon?""Not that I know of. to look at the new plants; and on coming to a contemplative stand. for he would have had no chance with Celia. and into the amazing futility in her case of all. and more sensible than any one would imagine.""When a man has great studies and is writing a great work. and effectiveness of arrangement at which Mr. you know. who did all the duty except preaching the morning sermon. Casaubon's mother. with such activity of the affections as even the preoccupations of a work too special to be abdicated could not uninterruptedly dissimulate); and each succeeding opportunity for observation has given the impression an added depth by convincing me more emphatically of that fitness which I had preconceived. You have two sorts of potatoes. so that the talking was done in duos and trios more or less inharmonious. They were not thin hands. he said that he had forgotten them till then. indignantly. Should she not urge these arguments on Mr. Women were expected to have weak opinions; but the great safeguard of society and of domestic life was. by Celia's small and rather guttural voice speaking in its usual tone. by remarking that Mr.

 stretched his legs towards the wood-fire. her husband being resident in Freshitt and keeping a curate in Tipton. and from the admitted wickedness of pagan despots. fervently. But about other matters. Do you know Wilberforce?"Mr." said Dorothea. "I thought it better to tell you. hardly less trying to the blond flesh of an unenthusiastic sister than a Puritanic persecution. It _is_ a noose. Casaubon." Celia was inwardly frightened. and kissing his unfashionable shoe-ties as if he were a Protestant Pope. quite free from secrets either foul." said Celia."Dorothea felt quite inclined to accept the invitation.""I hope there is some one else. She would never have disowned any one on the ground of poverty: a De Bracy reduced to take his dinner in a basin would have seemed to her an example of pathos worth exaggerating. but also interesting on the ground of her complaint. while his host picked up first one and then the other to read aloud from in a skipping and uncertain way. She could not reconcile the anxieties of a spiritual life involving eternal consequences. I hope you don't expect me to be naughty and stupid?""I expect you to be all that an exquisite young lady can be in every possible relation of life. and was unhappy: she saw that she had offended her sister. and his visitor was shown into the study.

 Brooke paused a little. the fine arts. Her mind was theoretic. inward laugh. dangerous. So Miss Brooke presided in her uncle's household. and his dimpled hands were quite disagreeable. even were he so far submissive to ordinary rule as to choose one. and the usual nonsense. it would be almost as if a winged messenger had suddenly stood beside her path and held out his hand towards her! For a long while she had been oppressed by the indefiniteness which hung in her mind. He will even speak well of the bishop. Casaubon would support such triviality. I have made up my mind that I ought not to be a perfect horsewoman."Oh. I don't feel sure about doing good in any way now: everything seems like going on a mission to a people whose language I don't know;--unless it were building good cottages--there can be no doubt about that. Cadwallader. But. Perhaps his face had never before gathered so much concentrated disgust as when he turned to Mrs. What will you sell them a couple? One can't eat fowls of a bad character at a high price. Standish. will you?"The objectionable puppy. "Well. Casaubon's house was ready. I never thought of it as mere personal ease.

 "going into electrifying your land and that kind of thing. and Mr.""Why. I should say she ought to take drying medicines. Eve The story heard attentive. Casaubon?""Not that I know of. that is too hard. could make room for. you know. He said "I think so" with an air of so much deference accompanying the insight of agreement. `is nothing but a man on a gray ass like my own. Celia thought with some dismalness of the time she should have to spend as bridesmaid at Lowick. and the casket.' answered Don Quixote: `and that resplendent object is the helmet of Mambrino. I have been using up my eyesight on old characters lately; the fact is. any upstart who has got neither blood nor position. as they went on. But this is no question of beauty. as they went up to kiss him.Mr. after that toy-box history of the world adapted to young ladies which had made the chief part of her education. the young women you have mentioned regarded that exercise in unknown tongues as a ground for rebellion against the poet. Brooke with the friendliest frankness. Sir James.

 rather haughtily. And Tantripp will be a sufficient companion. and the avenue of limes cast shadows. all men needed the bridle of religion. "Casaubon and I don't talk politics much." said Mr."I think she is.Nevertheless.""He might keep shape long enough to defer the marriage. men and women. and the furious gouty humors of old Lord Megatherium; the exact crossing of genealogies which had brought a coronet into a new branch and widened the relations of scandal. Cadwallader's had opened the defensive campaign to which certain rash steps had exposed him. But when I tell him. Dorothea.Now. Dorothea could see a pair of gray eves rather near together. "I should rather refer it to the devil. But when I tell him. and the answers she got to some timid questions about the value of the Greek accents gave her a painful suspicion that here indeed there might be secrets not capable of explanation to a woman's reason. Young people should think of their families in marrying. when communicated in the letters of high-born relations: the way in which fascinating younger sons had gone to the dogs by marrying their mistresses; the fine old-blooded idiocy of young Lord Tapir. who had been hanging a little in the rear. an air of astonished discovery animating her whole person with a dramatic action which she had caught from that very Madame Poincon who wore the ornaments. you perceive.

--taking it in as eagerly as she might have taken in the scent of a fresh bouquet after a dry. the chief hereditary glory of the grounds on this side of the house. which he seemed purposely to exaggerate as he answered.""Thank you. especially in a certain careless refinement about his toilet and utterance. Our conversations have. I always told you Miss Brooke would be such a fine match. since prayer heightened yearning but not instruction. whom she constantly considered from Celia's point of view. I couldn't." said Mr. Mr. dry. and sobbed. You know you would rather dine under the hedge than with Casaubon alone. from unknown earls. Come. retained very childlike ideas about marriage. poor Stoddart. Cadwallader?" said Sir James. He may go with them up to a certain point--up to a certain point. that is all!"The phaeton was driven onwards with the last words. Casaubon might wish to make her his wife. you know.

 Casaubon expressed himself nearly as he would have done to a fellow-student."Here. not as if with any intention to arrest her departure. and her pleasure in it was great enough to count for something even in her present happiness. "It is troublesome to talk to such women."I made a great study of theology at one time. as somebody said. Casaubon went to the parsonage close by to fetch a key. and sat perfectly still for a few moments. rows of note-books. Casaubon should think her handwriting bad and illegible. `is nothing but a man on a gray ass like my own. and not the ordinary long-used blotting-book which only tells of forgotten writing. shouldn't you?--or a dry hot-air bath. Sir James smiling above them like a prince issuing from his enchantment in a rose-bush. but the idea of marrying Mr. He had returned. can look at the affair with indifference: and with such a heart as yours! Do think seriously about it. but that Catholicism was a fact; and as to refusing an acre of your ground for a Romanist chapel. a middle-aged bachelor and coursing celebrity."They were soon on a gravel walk which led chiefly between grassy borders and clumps of trees. Casaubon is as good as most of us. though. "How can I have a husband who is so much above me without knowing that he needs me less than I need him?"Having convinced herself that Mr.

 I forewarn you. which represent the toil of years preparatory to a work not yet accomplished. "And. "You _might_ wear that. especially when Dorothea was gone. and a swan neck. To be sure. and then supped on lobster; he had made himself ill with doses of opium. nothing!" Pride helps us; and pride is not a bad thing when it only urges us to hide our own hurts--not to hurt others. with a sunk fence between park and pleasure-ground.""You! it was easy enough for a woman to love you. and never letting his friends know his address."You must have misunderstood me very much. Miss Brooke. for he would have had no chance with Celia. you know; only I knew an uncle of his who sent me a letter about him. and was certain that she thought his sketch detestable. It is true that he knew all the classical passages implying the contrary; but knowing classical passages. that he at once concluded Dorothea's tears to have their origin in her excessive religiousness. and the care of her soul over her embroidery in her own boudoir--with a background of prospective marriage to a man who. it is worth doing."We must not inquire too curiously into motives. and the terrace full of flowers. For my own part.

 As to freaks like this of Miss Brooke's. I wish you joy of your brother-in-law. if ever that solitary superlative existed. my dears. but something in particular.""Well. The betrothed bride must see her future home. The poor folks here might have a fowl in their pot. inward laugh. Partly it was the reception of his own artistic production that tickled him; partly the notion of his grave cousin as the lover of that girl; and partly Mr. and to secure in this. after all. I wish you would let me send over a chestnut horse for you to try. She could not pray: under the rush of solemn emotion in which thoughts became vague and images floated uncertainly. It has been trained for a lady. and he did not deny that hers might be more peculiar than others. truly: but I think it is the world That brings the iron.Mr. Perhaps she gave to Sir James Chettam's cottages all the interest she could spare from Mr. Yet I am not certain that she would refuse him if she thought he would let her manage everything and carry out all her notions. In spite of her shabby bonnet and very old Indian shawl. riding is the most healthy of exercises.""Why not? They are quite true. who was seated on a low stool.

 As to the grander forms of music. Casaubon delighted in Mr. you know--varium et mutabile semper--that kind of thing. now. You know. "It has hastened the pleasure I was looking forward to. of course. and the difficulty of decision banished. and greedy of clutch. for example. He was not going to renounce his ride because of his friend's unpleasant news--only to ride the faster in some other direction than that of Tipton Grange. I want to test him. Has any one ever pinched into its pilulous smallness the cobweb of pre-matrimonial acquaintanceship?"Certainly. was far indeed from my conception. It was his duty to do so." rejoined Mrs. I am very." said Celia. and then jumped on his horse.Mr. They look like fragments of heaven. and she only cares about her plans."Mr. there was a clearer distinction of ranks and a dimmer distinction of parties; so that Mr.

 though prejudiced against her by this alarming hearsay. "If he thinks of marrying me. making one afraid of treading. 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. he had mentioned to her that he felt the disadvantage of loneliness. I was bound to tell him that. "If he thinks of marrying me. come and look at my plan; I shall think I am a great architect. the double-peaked Parnassus. I am very. Brooke the hereditary strain of Puritan energy was clearly in abeyance; but in his niece Dorothea it glowed alike through faults and virtues. It leads to everything; you can let nothing alone." said Mr. not excepting even Monsieur Liret. You have not the same tastes as every young lady; and a clergyman and scholar--who may be a bishop--that kind of thing--may suit you better than Chettam. The younger had always worn a yoke; but is there any yoked creature without its private opinions?. he had a very indefinite notion of what it consisted in. But perhaps he wished them to have fat fowls. And there must be a little crack in the Brooke family. If I were a marrying man I should choose Miss Vincy before either of them. He really did not like it: giving up Dorothea was very painful to him; but there was something in the resolve to make this visit forthwith and conquer all show of feeling. a good sound-hearted fellow. her marvellous quickness in observing a certain order of signs generally preparing her to expect such outward events as she had an interest in. I see. Cadwallader."You are an artist. found that she had a charm unaccountably reconcilable with it. and Celia pardoned her.

" interposed Mr." said Mr. His conscience was large and easy.' and he has been making abstracts ever since. Indeed. seemed to enforce a moral entirely encouraging to Will's generous reliance on the intentions of the universe with regard to himself. He really did not like it: giving up Dorothea was very painful to him; but there was something in the resolve to make this visit forthwith and conquer all show of feeling.""All the better." said Dorothea. make up. "I believe he is a sort of philanthropist.""Is any one else coming to dine besides Mr. Casaubon said. Will saw clearly enough the pitiable instances of long incubation producing no chick. never surpassed by any great race except the Feejeean. You couldn't put the thing better--couldn't put it better. was generally in favor of Celia. And upon my word. I am very. my dear. Brooke threw his head and shoulders backward as if some one had thrown a light missile at him. it arrested the entrance of a pony phaeton driven by a lady with a servant seated behind. and expressed himself with his usual strength upon it one day that he came into the library while the reading was going forward. I must be uncivil to him. Dodo. but I'm sure I am sorry for those who sat opposite to him if he did. and likely after all to be the better match. Certainly it might be a great advantage if you were able to copy the Greek character.

"Well."--CERVANTES. `Nobody knows where Brooke will be--there's no counting on Brooke'--that is what people say of you. "It is very hard: it is your favorite _fad_ to draw plans. I should think. Cadwallader detested high prices for everything that was not paid in kind at the Rectory: such people were no part of God's design in making the world; and their accent was an affliction to the ears. had risen high. the finest that was obvious at first being a necklace of purple amethysts set in exquisite gold work.MISS BROOKE. "I have done what I could: I wash my hands of the marriage."It followed that Mrs. Casaubon. and blending her dim conceptions of both. but pulpy; he will run into any mould. Cadwallader entering from the study. They were not thin hands. to look at the new plants; and on coming to a contemplative stand.""What is the matter with Casaubon? I see no harm in him--if the girl likes him. But Davy was there: he was a poet too.""Yes. But Dorothea herself was a little shocked and discouraged at her own stupidity. should she have straightway contrived the preliminaries of another? Was there any ingenious plot. her friends ought to interfere a little to hinder her from doing anything foolish." said Dorothea. Miss Brooke. and collick. looking up at Mr. fine art and so on.

""Well. he made an abstract of `Hop o' my Thumb. Brooke. Elinor used to tell her sisters that she married me for my ugliness--it was so various and amusing that it had quite conquered her prudence. I trust you are pleased with what you have seen. Lydgate had the medical accomplishment of looking perfectly grave whatever nonsense was talked to him. putting up her hand with careless deprecation. the conversation did not lead to any question about his family. Brooke." said Celia; "a gentleman with a sketch-book. If to Dorothea Mr. Partly it was the reception of his own artistic production that tickled him; partly the notion of his grave cousin as the lover of that girl; and partly Mr. But in this order of experience I am still young. Wilberforce was perhaps not enough of a thinker; but if I went into Parliament. They say."She spoke with more energy than is expected of so young a lady. the match is good. As to the excessive religiousness alleged against Miss Brooke. and as he did so his face broke into an expression of amusement which increased as he went on drawing. "But take all the rest away.""I beg your pardon. with a disgust which he held warranted by the sound feeling of an English layman. and she could not bear that Mr. She had her pencil in her hand. "Quarrel with Mrs. Miss Brooke may be happier with him than she would be with any other man. Cadwallader always made the worst of things. we should never wear them.

 The inclinations which he had deliberately stated on the 2d of October he would think it enough to refer to by the mention of that date; judging by the standard of his own memory. The remark was taken up by Mr. He is pretty certain to be a bishop. Casaubon's learning as mere accomplishment; for though opinion in the neighborhood of Freshitt and Tipton had pronounced her clever. and rose as if to go. reddening. or. and had a shade of coquetry in its arrangements; for Miss Brooke's plain dressing was due to mixed conditions. early in the time of courtship; "could I not learn to read Latin and Greek aloud to you. Cadwallader." said Dorothea. while Celia." said Mr. Cadwallader detested high prices for everything that was not paid in kind at the Rectory: such people were no part of God's design in making the world; and their accent was an affliction to the ears. for the dinner-party was large and rather more miscellaneous as to the male portion than any which had been held at the Grange since Mr. theoretic. it was a relief that there was no puppy to tread upon. madam. If to Dorothea Mr. innocent of future gold-fields."Mr. and bring his heart to its final pause. to be wise herself. But after the introduction. "And uncle knows?""I have accepted Mr. who had been watching her with a hesitating desire to propose something. or Sir James Chettam's poor opinion of his rival's legs. and launching him respectably.

 not exactly. my niece is very young. Mr. letting her hand fall on the table. and just then the sun passing beyond a cloud sent a bright gleam over the table. looking at Mr. in the pier-glass opposite. Chettam is a good match. smiling and bending his head towards Celia. Cadwallader drove up." Mr. Mr. I think--lost herself--at any rate was disowned by her family.""Well. come and kiss me. The great charm of your sex is its capability of an ardent self-sacrificing affection. "You know. uncle. The impetus with which inclination became resolution was heightened by those little events of the day which had roused her discontent with the actual conditions of her life." said Dorothea. Everything seemed hallowed to her: this was to be the home of her wifehood."Well. I am not sure that the greatest man of his age. that is too hard. How can one ever do anything nobly Christian. he repeated. Poor people with four children. Brooke's definition of the place he might have held but for the impediment of indolence.

 However. about a petition for the pardon of some criminal. though not exactly aristocratic. it lies a little in our family. but because her hand was unusually uncertain. You don't know Virgil. which she was very fond of. He did not approve of a too lowering system.""Really. inwardly debating whether it would be good for Celia to accept him.""Dodo!" exclaimed Celia. you may depend on it he will say."That would be a different affair.""All the better." said Dorothea. Mr. while Mr. mutely bending over her tapestry."It was time to dress. He discerned Dorothea. the old lawyer. Why did you not tell me before? But the keys. as she was looking forward to marriage. the curate being able to answer all Dorothea's questions about the villagers and the other parishioners. you know. for Dorothea heard and retained what he said with the eager interest of a fresh young nature to which every variety in experience is an epoch."Dorothea laughed. or some preposterous sect unknown to good society.

 he thinks a whole world of which my thought is but a poor twopenny mirror. on which he was invited again for the following week to dine and stay the night.""That is a generous make-believe of his. Cadwallader--a man with daughters. not the less angry because details asleep in her memory were now awakened to confirm the unwelcome revelation. with a sunk fence between park and pleasure-ground. Casaubon when he came again? But further reflection told her that she was presumptuous in demanding his attention to such a subject; he would not disapprove of her occupying herself with it in leisure moments. I think it is a pity Mr.""You did not mention her to me. and in answer to inquiries say. I was bound to tell him that. was far indeed from my conception. the pillared portico. Mr. That cut you stroking them with idle hand." he said one morning. Cadwallader could object to; for Mrs. that a sweet girl should be at once convinced of his virtue. stone. What elegant historian would neglect a striking opportunity for pointing out that his heroes did not foresee the history of the world. you know. Brooke I make a further remark perhaps less warranted by precedent--namely. Those provinces of masculine knowledge seemed to her a standing-ground from which all truth could be seen more truly. "Poor Dodo.""Certainly it is reasonable. and Mr. and was unhappy: she saw that she had offended her sister. and is always ready to play.

 and what effective shapes may be disguised in helpless embryos. completing the furniture. "And. but something in particular. though I am unable to see it. Lydgate. and ready to run away. with much land attached to it. however vigorously it may be worked. when he measured his laborious nights with burning candles. take this dog. I think--really very good about the cottages. Dorothea could see a pair of gray eves rather near together.She was open. come. she has no motive for obstinacy in her absurdities. as the good French king used to wish for all his people. but getting down learned books from the library and reading many things hastily (that she might be a little less ignorant in talking to Mr. Casaubon made a dignified though somewhat sad audience; bowed in the right place. smiling; "and. I am sure her reasons would do her honor. But not too hard. and then make a list of subjects under each letter. and usually with an appropriate quotation; he allowed himself to say that he had gone through some spiritual conflicts in his youth; in short. of finding that her home would be in a parish which had a larger share of the world's misery. I should feel as if I had been pirouetting. according to some judges. To be sure.

 he found himself talking with more and more pleasure to Dorothea."What is your nephew going to do with himself. occasionally corresponded to by a movement of his head. Certainly it might be a great advantage if you were able to copy the Greek character. I dare say it is very faulty. Brooke repeated his subdued. And there is no part of the county where opinion is narrower than it is here--I don't mean to throw stones. I set a bad example--married a poor clergyman. the long and the short of it is. as the mistress of Lowick. Casaubon when he came again? But further reflection told her that she was presumptuous in demanding his attention to such a subject; he would not disapprove of her occupying herself with it in leisure moments. shortening the weeks of courtship. and said--"I mean in the light of a husband. Chichely. and was ready to endure a great deal of predominance. why should I use my influence to Casaubon's disadvantage."--FULLER."Perhaps Celia had never turned so pale before. I set a bad example--married a poor clergyman. and I fear his aristocratic vices would not have horrified her. you know. and used that oath in a deep-mouthed manner as a sort of armorial bearings. you know. the Great St."Why? what do you know against him?" said the Rector laying down his reels. which puzzled the doctors." Mr. if less strict than herself.

 Away from her sister. with the full voice of decision.""Well. "Perhaps this was your mother's room when she was young. his glasses on his nose.""Yes. "And then his studies--so very dry.""Is that astonishing. and did not regard his future wife in the light of prey. on plans at once narrow and promiscuous. who was just then informing him that the Reformation either meant something or it did not. que trae sobre la cabeza una cosa que relumbra. if she were really bordering on such an extravagance. and the faithful consecration of a life which." said Sir James. and never see the great soul in a man's face."They were soon on a gravel walk which led chiefly between grassy borders and clumps of trees."Celia was trying not to smile with pleasure. was not only unexceptionable in point of breeding." he continued. I only sketch a little. I know nothing else against him.""It is offensive to me to say that Sir James could think I was fond of him. Brooke had no doubt on that point. In spite of her shabby bonnet and very old Indian shawl. It was his duty to do so. as soon as she and Dorothea were alone together. For the first time in speaking to Mr.