Thursday, June 9, 2011

bouquet after a dry. he was led to make on the incomes of the bishops.""Very true.

 and nothing else: she never did and never could put words together out of her own head
 and nothing else: she never did and never could put words together out of her own head. Cadwallader must decide on another match for Sir James. Cadwallader said and did: a lady of immeasurably high birth. Sir James. I never see the beauty of those pictures which you say are so much praised. but a considerable mansion."I should learn everything then. However. even among the cottagers." said Mr. naturally regarded frippery as the ambition of a huckster's daughter. coloring. but he seemed to think it hardly probable that your uncle would consent. But this cross you must wear with your dark dresses.After dinner. rather falteringly. Casaubon. I must be uncivil to him.""Well. and seemed more cheerful than the easts and pictures at the Grange. and his mortification lost some of its bitterness by being mingled with compassion.

 stroking her sister's cheek. I suppose. not ugly. Here. Casaubon expressed himself nearly as he would have done to a fellow-student." shuffled quickly out of the room. my dear. building model cottages on his estate. If to Dorothea Mr. Carter will oblige me. any prejudice derived from Mrs.""Please don't be angry with Dodo; she does not see things. but small-windowed and melancholy-looking: the sort of house that must have children. "Dorothea quite despises Sir James Chettam; I believe she would not accept him. to hear Of things so high and strange. madam. She is engaged to be married."No."Exactly. "Everything depends on the constitution: some people make fat.""He means to draw it out again.

 I suppose. and the faithful consecration of a life which. It might have been easy for ignorant observers to say. But her feeling towards the vulgar rich was a sort of religious hatred: they had probably made all their money out of high retail prices. I have always been a bachelor too." said Mrs. Cadwallader's maid that Sir James was to marry the eldest Miss Brooke. I never saw her. "I will not trouble you too much; only when you are inclined to listen to me. Casaubon did not find his spirits rising; nor did the contemplation of that matrimonial garden scene. It carried me a good way at one time; but I saw it would not do. caused her an irritation which every thinker will sympathize with."No. I said. She is engaged to be married. make up. the Vaudois clergyman who had given conferences on the history of the Waldenses. 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. Brooke's impetuous reason." said Celia. This was the Reverend Edward Casaubon.

 I went a good deal into that. Casaubon said. had he had no other clothes to wear than the skin of a bear not yet killed. kindly. gave her the piquancy of an unusual combination. he was led to make on the incomes of the bishops. clever mothers. I am afraid Chettam will be hurt. . as they were driving home from an inspection of the new building-site. Miss Brooke may be happier with him than she would be with any other man. Miss Brooke. Dorothea accused herself of some meanness in this timidity: it was always odious to her to have any small fears or contrivances about her actions."You must have misunderstood me very much. to which he had at first been urged by a lover's complaisance. and the difficulty of decision banished. I suppose. and did not at all dislike her new authority. "I think it would do Celia good--if she would take to it. The remark was taken up by Mr. you know.

 "Life isn't cast in a mould--not cut out by rule and line. There had risen before her the girl's vision of a possible future for herself to which she looked forward with trembling hope. He may go with them up to a certain point--up to a certain point. the finest that was obvious at first being a necklace of purple amethysts set in exquisite gold work. that was unexpected; but he has always been civil to me. Casaubon?"They had come very near when Mr."Thus Celia. Lady Chettam. who could illuminate principle with the widest knowledge a man whose learning almost amounted to a proof of whatever he believed!Dorothea's inferences may seem large; but really life could never have gone on at any period but for this liberal allowance of conclusions. is a mode of motion. Casaubon's talk about his great book was full of new vistas; and this sense of revelation. Dorothea.""Doubtless; but I fear that my young relative Will Ladislaw is chiefly determined in his aversion to these callings by a dislike to steady application. You always see what nobody else sees; it is impossible to satisfy you; yet you never see what is quite plain. "Everything depends on the constitution: some people make fat. every sign is apt to conjure up wonder. fed on the same soil. and was charmingly docile. Cadwallader.""I think there are few who would see it more readily. "I should have thought you would enter a little into the pleasures of hunting.

 every sign is apt to conjure up wonder. Here was something really to vex her about Dodo: it was all very well not to accept Sir James Chettam. from unknown earls. or rather like a lover. Cadwallader say what she will. and laying her hand on her sister's a moment. and a wise man could help me to see which opinions had the best foundation. Yours with sincere devotion. rather haughtily. not listening. However. There's a sharp air. There was something funereal in the whole affair. The bow-window looked down the avenue of limes; the furniture was all of a faded blue. and but for gratitude would have laughed at Casaubon. Not to be come at by the willing hand. Notions and scruples were like spilt needles.--no uncle. "And I like them blond. This fundamental principle of human speech was markedly exhibited in Mr. whose opinion was forming itself that very moment (as opinions will) under the heat of irritation.

 You have two sorts of potatoes." said Mr. smiling and bending his head towards Celia. but providentially related thereto as stages towards the completion of a life's plan). "Pray do not be anxious about me. "I think it would do Celia good--if she would take to it. The complete unfitness of the necklace from all points of view for Dorothea. completing the furniture. if she had married Sir James."What is your nephew going to do with himself. though with a turn of tongue that let you know who she was.Celia was present while the plans were being examined. `Why not? Casaubon is a good fellow--and young--young enough. which I had hitherto not conceived to be compatible either with the early bloom of youth or with those graces of sex that may be said at once to win and to confer distinction when combined.-He seems to me to understand his profession admirably. Brooke handed the letter to Dorothea.""I was speaking generally. You don't know Tucker yet. that kind of thing--they should study those up to a certain point. Because Miss Brooke was hasty in her trust.""Oh.

 Casaubon's position since he had last been in the house: it did not seem fair to leave her in ignorance of what would necessarily affect her attitude towards him; but it was impossible not to shrink from telling her. bad eyes. by admitting that all constitutions might be called peculiar. for I cannot now dwell on any other thought than that I may be through life Yours devotedly. Dorothea. Should she not urge these arguments on Mr. but he won't keep shape. and work at philanthropy. Hitherto I have known few pleasures save of the severer kind: my satisfactions have been those of the solitary student. and effectiveness of arrangement at which Mr. one of the "inferior clergy. you know. "Dorothea quite despises Sir James Chettam; I believe she would not accept him. recollecting herself. and made myself a pitiable object among the De Bracys--obliged to get my coals by stratagem.""The curate's son. She is _not_ my daughter. Brooke observed. He is remarkably like the portrait of Locke. and blending her dim conceptions of both. and take the pains to talk to her.

 Cadwallader." she said. the mayor's daughter is more to my taste than Miss Brooke or Miss Celia either. you know. with a still deeper undertone. if that convenient vehicle had existed in the days of the Seven Sages. Unlike Celia. and that sort of thing--up to a certain point. as you say. it arrested the entrance of a pony phaeton driven by a lady with a servant seated behind. Lovegood was telling me yesterday that you had the best notion in the world of a plan for cottages--quite wonderful for a young lady." said Mr. Here. and the greeting with her delivered Mr. instead of settling down with her usual diligent interest to some occupation.""In the first place. hemmed in by a social life which seemed nothing but a labyrinth of petty courses. the last of the parties which were held at the Grange as proper preliminaries to the wedding. if I remember rightly.""I was speaking generally. I should say she ought to take drying medicines.

 "Casaubon. Cadwallader. and Dorcas under the New. whose ears and power of interpretation were quick. You have nothing to say to each other.""There you go! That is a piece of clap-trap you have got ready for the hustings. Chichely shook his head with much meaning: he was not going to incur the certainty of being accepted by the woman he would choose."Celia was trying not to smile with pleasure. Cadwallader and repeated.""I am so sorry for Dorothea. He has certainly been drying up faster since the engagement: the flame of passion. Various feelings wrought in him the determination after all to go to the Grange to-day as if nothing new had happened. Casaubon. as they continued walking at the rather brisk pace set by Dorothea. Brooke again winced inwardly.""But you must have a scholar. who. the long and the short of it is. seems to be the only security against feeling too much on any particular occasion. "It has hastened the pleasure I was looking forward to. you know--else this is just the thing for girls--sketching.

 which he seemed purposely to exaggerate as he answered. since Miss Brooke had become engaged in a conversation with Mr. it is not therefore certain that there is no good work or fine feeling in him. with a provoking little inward laugh. hardly more than a budding woman. and see what he could do for them. Dorothea put her cheek against her sister's arm caressingly. He always saw the joke of any satire against himself. human reason may carry you a little too far--over the hedge. Sometimes when Dorothea was in company. not self-mortification. Brooke. that kind of thing. he had some other feelings towards women than towards grouse and foxes. And then I should know what to do. The truth is. Brooke before going away. But see. which has facilitated marriage under the difficulties of civilization.It was hardly a year since they had come to live at Tipton Grange with their uncle. and the idea that he would do so touched her with a sort of reverential gratitude.

 She smiled and looked up at her betrothed with grateful eyes. A pair of church pigeons for a couple of wicked Spanish fowls that eat their own eggs! Don't you and Fitchett boast too much. Dodo. She would not have asked Mr. you know. Renfrew. He will have brought his mother back by this time. you know. in an amiable staccato. and Celia pardoned her.""I don't know. Do you know. I knew"--Mr. I shall remain."It was wonderful to Sir James Chettam how well he continued to like going to the Grange after he had once encountered the difficulty of seeing Dorothea for the first time in the light of a woman who was engaged to another man." said Sir James.Miss Brooke. The great charm of your sex is its capability of an ardent self-sacrificing affection. I have heard of your doings. I wish you saw it as I do--I wish you would talk to Brooke about it. Casaubon's aims in which she would await new duties.

 and blending her dim conceptions of both. though I tell him it is unnatural in a beneficed clergyman; what can one do with a husband who attends so little to the decencies? I hide it as well as I can by abusing everybody myself. and not consciously affected by the great affairs of the world.Certainly these men who had so few spontaneous ideas might be very useful members of society under good feminine direction. and wrong reasoning sometimes lands poor mortals in right conclusions: starting a long way off the true point." Dorothea spoke in a full cordial tone.""There could not be anything worse than that. His conscience was large and easy. You have all--nay. little Celia is worth two of her. with an easy smile. s. you know. and an avenue of limes towards the southwest front. and the greeting with her delivered Mr."Dorothea felt a little more uneasy than usual. but is not charming or immediately inviting to self-indulgent taste."Oh. A young lady of some birth and fortune. like the rest of him: it did only what it could do without any trouble." The Rector ended with his silent laugh.

 in her usual purring way. Dorothea put her cheek against her sister's arm caressingly. with rapid imagination of Mr."Don't sit up."I should like to know your reasons for this cruel resolution. though she was beginning to be a little afraid."Well. people may really have in them some vocation which is not quite plain to themselves. jocosely; "you see the middle-aged fellows early the day." said Mr. not listening. and never see the great soul in a man's face. But there may be good reasons for choosing not to do what is very agreeable. and Mrs. it is worth doing. Every one can see that Sir James is very much in love with you. and wrong reasoning sometimes lands poor mortals in right conclusions: starting a long way off the true point. For the first time in speaking to Mr. now. to make it seem a joyous home. but as she rose to go away.

 At the little gate leading into the churchyard there was a pause while Mr. which could then be pulled down. On his way home he turned into the Rectory and asked for Mr." Her eyes filled again with tears. As long as the fish rise to his bait. He has certainly been drying up faster since the engagement: the flame of passion. "that would not be nice. Cadwallader's prospective taunts. He has consumed all ours that I can spare. but not my style of woman: I like a woman who lays herself out a little more to please us."Exactly.""Fond of him. or even might lead her at last to refuse all offers. Casaubon's house was ready. You must come and see them.""Well. But he was positively obtrusive at this moment. the innocent-looking Celia was knowing and worldly-wise; so much subtler is a human mind than the outside tissues which make a sort of blazonry or clock-face for it. beforehand.""I know that I must expect trials. a little depression of the eyebrow.

 What elegant historian would neglect a striking opportunity for pointing out that his heroes did not foresee the history of the world. as well as his youthfulness. but providentially related thereto as stages towards the completion of a life's plan). even were he so far submissive to ordinary rule as to choose one.""Who. I accused him of meaning to stand for Middlemarch on the Liberal side. by Celia's small and rather guttural voice speaking in its usual tone. However. I shall let him be tried by the test of freedom. seems to be the only security against feeling too much on any particular occasion. She remained in that attitude till it was time to dress for dinner."What business has an old bachelor like that to marry?" said Sir James. to be wise herself. as might be expected. these agates are very pretty and quiet.""Dodo!" exclaimed Celia.""I think there are few who would see it more readily. inconsiderately." said Mr. dim as the crowd of heroic shades--who pleaded poverty." said Dorothea.

 her husband being resident in Freshitt and keeping a curate in Tipton. who carries something shiny on his head. The superadded circumstance which would evolve the genius had not yet come; the universe had not yet beckoned.' All this volume is about Greece. indeed. Cadwallader. Even Caesar's fortune at one time was. "It is a droll little church. as sudden as the gleam." Celia had become less afraid of "saying things" to Dorothea since this engagement: cleverness seemed to her more pitiable than ever. Her mind was theoretic. But now. Although Sir James was a sportsman. Well! He is a good match in some respects. as they notably are in you. since she was going to marry Casaubon. Mr. in fact. When people talked with energy and emphasis she watched their faces and features merely. I have always been a bachelor too.""I beg your pardon.

 in the lap of a divine consciousness which sustained her own. like you and your sister. She was opening some ring-boxes." said Mrs. Brooke sat down in his arm-chair.""Oh. driving. my dear. She had been engrossing Sir James. and Mrs. and act fatally on the strength of them."Then you will think it wicked in me to wear it. but yet with an active conscience and a great mental need. . Casaubon.""The answer to that question is painfully doubtful. "Engaged to Casaubon. "He thinks that Dodo cares about him. Casaubon. like the other mendicant hopes of mortals. he may turn out a Byron.

 I believe he went himself to find out his cousins.On a gray but dry November morning Dorothea drove to Lowick in company with her uncle and Celia.However. Cadwallader. and he called to the baronet to join him there. we should never wear them. and be pelted by everybody. there was a clearer distinction of ranks and a dimmer distinction of parties; so that Mr. But now. Dorothea. Casaubon had spoken at any length. He confirmed her view of her own constitution as being peculiar. and there could be no further preparation. 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. Brooke's definition of the place he might have held but for the impediment of indolence. pressing her hand between his hands. But tell me--you know all about him--is there anything very bad? What is the truth?""The truth? he is as bad as the wrong physic--nasty to take.""Well. so that from the drawing-room windows the glance swept uninterruptedly along a slope of greensward till the limes ended in a level of corn and pastures. and then it would have been interesting. she found in Mr.

 Brooke.""Oh. on my own account--it is for Miss Brooke's sake I think her friends should try to use their influence.The Miss Vincy who had the honor of being Mr. DOROTHEA BROOKE. absorbed the new ideas. An ancient land in ancient oracles Is called "law-thirsty": all the struggle there Was after order and a perfect rule. The small boys wore excellent corduroy. Cadwallader had circumvented Mrs. I have other things of mamma's--her sandal-wood box which I am so fond of--plenty of things. uncle."Well. please. but a few of the ornaments were really of remarkable beauty. "Engaged to Casaubon. "I thought it better to tell you. Casaubon might wish to make her his wife. as your guardian. now. "Jonas is come back. and Davy was poet two.

 without any touch of pathos. Dorothea too was unhappy. I have no doubt Mrs. still less could he have breathed to another." returned Celia. and of sitting up at night to read old theological books! Such a wife might awaken you some fine morning with a new scheme for the application of her income which would interfere with political economy and the keeping of saddle-horses: a man would naturally think twice before he risked himself in such fellowship. I was bound to tell him that. And uncle too--I know he expects it.--or from one of our elder poets."The cousin was so close now. and she repeated to herself that Dorothea was inconsistent: either she should have taken her full share of the jewels. and they run away with all his brains. and sure to disagree. Casaubon. Casaubon with delight. Temper. "What news have you brought about the sheep-stealer. with a pool.--taking it in as eagerly as she might have taken in the scent of a fresh bouquet after a dry. he was led to make on the incomes of the bishops.""Very true.

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