第1章

Inthecountytownofacertainshiretherelived(aboutfortyyearsago)oneMr.Wilkins,aconveyancingattorneyofconsiderablestanding.

Thecertainshirewasbutasmallcounty,andtheprincipaltowninitcontainedonlyaboutfourthousandinhabitants;soinsayingthatMr.WilkinswastheprincipallawyerinHamley,Isayverylittle,unlessIaddthathetransactedallthelegalbusinessofthegentryfortwentymilesround.Hisgrandfatherhadestablishedtheconnection;hisfatherhadconsolidatedandstrengthenedit,and,indeed,byhiswiseanduprightconduct,aswellasbyhisprofessionalskill,hadobtainedforhimselfthepositionofconfidentialfriendtomanyofthesurroundingfamiliesofdistinction.Hevisitedamongtheminawaywhichnomerelawyerhadeverdonebefore;dinedattheirtables——healone,notaccompaniedbyhiswife,beitobserved;rodetothemeetoccasionallyasifbyaccident,althoughhewasaswellmountedasanysquireamongthem,andwasoftenpersuaded(afteralittlecoquettingabout"professionalengagements,"and"beingwantedattheoffice")tohavearunwithhisclients;nay,onceortwiceheforgothisusualcaution,wasfirstinatthedeath,androdehomewiththebrush.

Butingeneralheknewhisplace;ashisplacewasheldtobeinthataristocraticcounty,andinthosedays.Norletbesupposedthathewasinanywayatoadeater.Herespectedhimselftoomuchforthat.

Hewouldgivethemostunpalatableadvice,ifneedwere;wouldcounselanunsparingreductionofexpendituretoanextravagantman;

wouldrecommendsuchanabatementoffamilyprideaspavedthewayforoneortwohappymarriagesinsomeinstances;nay,whatwasthemostlikelypieceofconductofalltogiveoffencefortyyearsago,hewouldspeakupforanunjustly-usedtenant;andthatwithsomuchtemperateandwell-timedwisdomandgoodfeeling,thathemorethanoncegainedhispoint.Hehadoneson,Edward.Thisboywasthesecretjoyandprideofhisfather"sheart.Forhimselfhewasnotintheleastambitious,butitdidcosthimahardstruggletoacknowledgethathisownbusinesswastoolucrative,andbroughtintoolargeanincome,topassawayintothehandsofastranger,asitwoulddoifheindulgedhisambitionforhissonbygivinghimacollegeeducationandmakinghimintoabarrister.ThisdeterminationonthemoreprudentsideoftheargumenttookplacewhileEdwardwasatEton.Theladhad,perhaps,thelargestallowanceofpocket-moneyofanyboyatschool;andhehadalwayslookedforwardtogoingtoChristChurchalongwithhisfellows,thesonsofthesquires,hisfather"semployers.Itwasaseveremortificationtohimtofindthathisdestinywaschanged,andthathehadtoreturntoHamleytobearticledtohisfather,andtoassumethehereditarysubservientpositiontoladswhomhehadlickedintheplay-ground,andbeatenatlearning.

Hisfathertriedtocompensatehimforthedisappointmentbyeveryindulgencewhichmoneycouldpurchase.Edward"shorseswereevenfinerthanthoseofhisfather;hisliterarytasteswerekeptupandfostered,byhisfather"spermissiontoformanextensivelibrary,forwhichpurposeanobleroomwasaddedtoMr.Wilkins"salreadyextensivehouseinthesuburbsofHamley.AndafterhisyearoflegalstudyinLondonhisfathersenthimtomakethegrandtour,withsomethingverylikecarteblancheastoexpenditure,tojudgefromthepackageswhichweresenthomefromvariouspartsoftheContinent.

Atlasthecamehome——camebacktosettleashisfather"spartneratHamley.Hewasasontobeproudof,andrightdownproudwasoldMr.Wilkinsofhishandsome,accomplished,gentlemanlylad.ForEdwardwasnotonetobespoiltbythecourseofindulgencehehadpassedthrough;atleast,ifithaddonehimaninjury,theeffectswereatpresenthiddenfromview.Hehadnovulgarvices;hewas,indeed,rathertoorefinedforthesocietyhewaslikelytobethrowninto,evensupposingthatsocietytoconsistofthehighestofhisfather"semployers.Hewaswellread,andanartistofnomeanpretensions.Aboveall,"hisheartwasintherightplace,"ashisfatherusedtoobserve.Nothingcouldexceedthedeferencehealwaysshowedtohim.Hismotherhadlongbeendead.

IdonotknowwhetheritwasEdward"sownambitionorhisproudfather"swishesthathadledhimtoattendtheHamleyassemblies.I

shouldconjecturethelatter,forEdwardhadofhimselftoomuchgoodtastetowishtointrudeintoanysociety.Intheopinionofalltheshire,nosocietyhadmorereasontoconsideritselfselectthanthatwhichmetateveryfullmoonintheHamleyassembly-room,anexcrescencebuiltontotheprincipalinninthetownbythejointsubscriptionofallthecountyfamilies.Intothosechoiceandmysteriousprecinctsnotownspersonwaseverallowedtoenter;noprofessionalmanmightsethisfoottherein;noinfantryofficersawtheinteriorofthatball,orthatcard-room.Theoldoriginalsubscriberswouldfainhavehadamanprovehissixteenquarteringsbeforehemightmakehisbowtothequeenofthenight;buttheoldoriginalfoundersoftheHamleyassembliesweredroppingoff;minuetshadvanishedwiththem,countrydanceshaddiedaway;quadrilleswereinhighvogue——nay,oneortwoofthehighmagnatesof——shireweretryingtointroducewaltzing,astheyhadseenitinLondon,whereithadcomeinwiththevisitofthealliedsovereigns,whenEdwardWilkinsmadehisdebutontheseboards.Hehadbeenatmanysplendidassembliesabroad,butstillthelittleoldballroomattachedtotheGeorgeInninhisnativetownwastohimaplacegranderandmoreawfulthanthemostmagnificentsaloonshehadseeninParisorRome.

Helaughedathimselfforthisunreasonablefeelingofawe;butthereitwasnotwithstanding.Hehadbeendiningatthehouseofoneofthelessergentry,whowasunderconsiderableobligationstohisfather,andwhowastheparentofeight"muckle-mou"ed"daughters,sohardlylikelytoopposemucharistocraticresistancetotheelderMr.

Wilkins"sclearlyimpliedwishthatEdwardshouldbepresentedattheHamleyassembly-rooms.ButmanyasquiregloweredandlookedblackattheintroductionofWilkinstheattorney"ssonintothesacredprecincts;andperhapstherewouldhavebeenmuchmoremortificationthanpleasureinthisassemblytotheyoungman,haditnotbeenforanincidentthatoccurredprettylateintheevening.Thelord-

lieutenantofthecountyusuallycamewithalargepartytotheHamleyassembliesonceinaseason;andthisnighthewasexpected,andwithhimafashionableduchessandherdaughters.Buttimeworeon,andtheydidnotmaketheirappearance.Atlasttherewasarustlingandabustling,andinsailedthesuperbparty.Forafewminutesdancingwasstopped;theearlledtheduchesstoasofa;someoftheiracquaintancescameuptospeaktothem;andthenthequadrilleswerefinishedinratheraflatmanner.Acountrydancefollowed,inwhichnoneofthelord-lieutenant"spartyjoined;thentherewasaconsultation,arequest,aninspectionofthedancers,amessagetotheorchestra,andthebandstruckupawaltz;theduchess"sdaughtersflewofftothemusic,andsomemoreyoungladiesseemedreadytofollow,but,alas!therewasalackofgentlemenacquaintedwiththenew-fashioneddance.OneofthestewardsbethoughthimofyoungWilkins,onlyjustreturnedfromtheContinent.Edwardwasabeautifuldancer,andwaltzedtoadmiration.

ForhisnextpartnerhehadoneoftheLady——s;fortheduchess,towhomthe——shiresquiresandtheirlittlecountypoliticsandcontemptswerealikeunknown,sawnoreasonwhyherlovelyLadySophyshouldnothaveagoodpartner,whateverhispedigreemightbe,andbeggedthestewardstointroduceMr.Wilkinstoher.AfterthisnighthisfortunewasmadewiththeyoungladiesoftheHamleyassemblies.Hewasnotunpopularwiththemammas;buttheheavysquiresstilllookedathimaskance,andtheheirs(whomhehadlickedatEton)calledhimanupstartbehindhisback.

CHAPTERII.

Itwasnotasatisfactorysituation.Mr.Wilkinshadgivenhissonaneducationandtastesbeyondhisposition.HecouldnotassociatewitheitherprofitorpleasurewiththedoctororthebrewerofHamley;thevicarwasoldanddeaf,thecuratearawyoungman,halffrightenedatthesoundofhisownvoice.Then,astomatrimony——fortheideaofhismarriagewashardlymorepresentinEdward"smindthaninthatofhisfather——hecouldscarcelyfancybringinghomeanyoneoftheyoungladiesofHamleytotheelegantmansion,sofullofsuggestionandassociationtoaneducatedperson,soinappropriateadwellingforanignorant,uncouth,ill-brought-upgirl.YetEdwardwasfullyaware,ifhisfondfatherwasnot,thatofalltheyoungladieswhoweregladenoughofhimasapartnerattheHamleyassemblies,therewasnotofthembutwouldhaveconsideredherselfaffrontedbyanofferofmarriagefromanattorney,thesonandgrandsonofattorneys.Theyoungmanhadperhapsreceivedmanyaslightandmortificationprettyquietlyduringtheseyears,whichyettolduponhischaracterinafterlife.Evenatthisverytimetheywerehavingtheireffect.Hewasoftoosweetadispositiontoshowresentment,asmanymenwouldhavedone.Butneverthelesshetookasecretpleasureinthepowerwhichhisfather"smoneygavehim.Hewouldbuyanexpensivehorseafterfiveminutes"conversationastotheprice,aboutwhichaneedyheirofoneoftheproudcountyfamilieshadbeenhagglingforthreeweeks.HisdogswerefromthebestkennelsinEngland,nomatteratwhatcost;hisgunswerethenewestandmostimprovedmake;andallthesewereexpensesonobjectswhichwereamongthoseofdailyenvytothesquiresandsquires"sonsaround.Theydidnotmuchcareforthetreasuresofart,whichreportsaidwerebeingaccumulatedinMr.Wilkins"shouse.Buttheydidcovetthehorsesandhoundshepossessed,andtheyoungmanknewthattheycoveted,andrejoicedinit.

By-and-byheformedamarriage,whichwentasnearasmarriageseverdotowardspleasingeverybody.HewasdesperatelyinlovewithMissLamotte,sohewasdelightedwhensheconsentedtobehiswife.Hisfatherwasdelightedinhisdelight,and,besides,wascharmedtorememberthatMissLamotte"smotherhadbeenSirFrankHolster"syoungersister,andthat,althoughhermarriagehadbeendisownedbyherfamily,asbeneathherinrank,yetnoonecouldeffacehernameoutoftheBaronetage,whereLettice,youngestdaughterofSirMarkHolster,born1772,marriedH.Lamotte,1799,died1810,wasdulychronicled.Shehadlefttwochildren,aboyandagirl,ofwhomtheiruncle,SirFrank,tookcharge,astheirfatherwasworsethandead——anoutlawwhosenamewasnevermentioned.MarkLamottewasinthearmy;Letticehadadependentpositioninheruncle"sfamily;notintentionallymademoredependentthanwasrenderednecessarybycircumstances,butstilldependentenoughtograteonthefeelingsofasensitivegirl,whosenaturalsusceptibiltytoslightswasredoubledbytheconstantrecollectionofherfather"sdisgrace.AsMr.Wilkinswellknew,SirFrankwasconsiderablyinvolved;butitwaswithverymixedfeelingsthathelistenedtothesuitwhichwouldprovidehispennilessniecewithacomfortable,nottosayluxurious,home,andwithahandsome,accomplishedyoungmanofunblemishedcharacterforahusband.HesaidoneortwobitterandinsolentthingstoMr.Wilkins,evenwhilehewasgivinghisconsenttothematch;thatwashistemper,hisproud,eviltemper;buthereallyandpermanentlywassatisfiedwiththeconnection,thoughhewouldoccasionallyturnroundonhisnephew-in-law,andstinghimwithacovertinsult,astohiswantofbirth,andtheinferiorpositionwhichheheld,forgetting,apparently,thathisownbrother-in-lawandLettice"sfathermightbeatanymomentbroughttothebarofjusticeifheattemptedtore-enterhisnativecountry.

Edwardwasannoyedatallthis;Letticeresentedit.Shelovedherhusbanddearly,andwasproudofhim,forshehaddiscernmentenoughtoseehowsuperiorhewasineverywaytohercousins,theyoungHolsters,whoborrowedhishorses,drankhiswines,andyethadcaughttheirfather"shabitofsneeringathisprofession.LetticewishedthatEdwardwouldcontenthimselfwithapurelydomesticlife,wouldlethimselfdropoutofthecompanyofthe——shiresquirearchy,andfindhisrelaxationwithher,intheirluxuriouslibrary,orlovelydrawing-room,sofullofwhitegleamingstatues,andgemsofpictures.But,perhaps,thiswastoomuchtoexpectofanyman,especiallyofonewhofelthimselffittedinmanywaystoshineinsociety,andwhowassocialbynature.Socialityinthatcountyatthattimemeantconviviality.Edwarddidnotcareforwine,andyethewasobligedtodrink——andby-and-byhegrewtopiquehimselfonhischaracterasajudgeofwine.Hisfatherbythistimewasdead;

dead,happyoldman,withacontentedheart——hisaffairsflourishing,hispoorerneighbourslovinghim,hisricherrespectinghim,hissonanddaughter-in-law,themostaffectionateanddevotedthatevermanhad,andhishealthyconscienceatpeacewithhisGod.

Letticecouldhavelivedtoherselfandherhusbandandchildren.

Edwarddailyrequiredmoreandmorethestimulusofsociety.Hiswifewonderedhowhecouldcaretoacceptdinnerinvitationsfrompeoplewhotreatedhimas"Wilkinstheattorney,averygoodsortoffellow,"astheyintroducedhimtostrangerswhomightbestayinginthecountry,butwhohadnopowertoappreciatethetaste,thetalents,theimpulsiveartisticnaturewhichsheheldsodear.SheforgotthatbyacceptingsuchinvitationsEdwardwasoccasionallybroughtintocontactwithpeoplenotmerelyofhighconventional,butofhighintellectualrank;thatwhenacertainamountofwinehaddissipatedhissenseofinferiorityofrankandposition,hewasabrillianttalker,amantobelistenedtoandadmiredevenbywanderingLondonstatesmen,professionaldiners-out,oranygreatauthorswhomightfindthemselvesvisitorsina——shirecountry-

house.Whatshewouldhavehadhimsharefromtheprideofherheart,sheshouldhavewarnedhimtoavoidfromthetemptationstosinfulextravagancewhichitledhiminto.Hehadbeguntospendmorethanheought,notinintellectual——thoughthatwouldhavebeenwrong——butinpurelysensualthings.Hiswines,histable,shouldbesuchasnosquire"spurseorpalatecouldcommand.Hisdinner-

parties——smallinnumber,theviandsrareanddelicateinquality,andsentuptotablebyanItaliancook——shouldbesuchaseventheLondonstarsshouldnoticewithadmiration.HewouldhaveLetticedressedintherichestmaterials,themostdelicatelace;jewellery,hesaid,wasbeyondtheirmeans;glancingwithproudhumilityatthediamondsoftheelderladies,andthealloyedgoldoftheyounger.

Buthemanagedtospendasmuchonhiswife"slaceaswouldhaveboughtmanyasetofinferiorjewellery.Letticewellbecameitall.

Ifaspeoplesaid,herfatherhadbeennothingbutaFrenchadventurer,sheboretracesofhernatureinhergrace,herdelicacy,herfascinatingandelegantwaysofdoingallthings.Shewasmadeforsociety;andyetshehatedit.Andonedayshewentoutofitaltogetherandforevermore.ShehadbeenwellinthemorningwhenEdwardwentdowntohisofficeinHamley.Atnoonhewassentforbyhurriedtremblingmessengers.Whenhegothomebreathlessanduncomprehending,shewaspastspeech.Oneglancefromherlovelylovingblackeyesshowedthatsherecognisedhimwiththepassionateyearningthathadbeenoneofthecharacteristicsofherlovethroughlife.Therewasnowordpassedbetweenthem.Hecouldnotspeak,anymorethancouldshe.Hekneltdownbyher.Shewasdying;shewasdead;andhekneltonimmovable.Theybroughthimhiseldestchild,Ellinor,inutterdespairwhattodoinordertorousehim.

Theyhadnothoughtastotheeffectonher,hithertoshutupinthenurseryduringthisbusydayofconfusionandalarm.Thechildhadnoideaofdeath,andherfather,kneelingandtearless,wasfarlessanobjectofsurpriseorinteresttoherthanhermother,lyingstillandwhite,andnotturningherheadtosmileatherdarling.

"Mamma!mamma!"criedthechild,inshapelessterror.Butthemotherneverstirred;andthefatherhidhisfaceyetdeeperinthebedclothes,tostifleacryasifasharpknifehadpiercedhisheart.Thechildforcedherimpetuouswayfromherattendants,andrushedtothebed.Undeterredbydeadlycoldorstonyimmobility,shekissedthelipsandstrokedtheglossyravenhair,murmuringsweetwordsofwildlove,suchashadpassedbetweenthemotherandchildoftenandoftenwhennowitnesseswereby;andaltogetherseemedsonearlybesideherselfinanagonyofloveandterror,thatEdwardarose,andsoftlytakingherinhisarms,boreheraway,lyingbacklikeonedead(soexhaustedwasshebytheterribleemotiontheyhadforcedonherchildishheart),intohisstudy,alittleroomopeningoutofthegrandlibrary,whereonhappyevenings,nevertocomeagain,heandhiswifewerewonttoretiretohavecoffeetogether,andthenperhapsstrolloutoftheglass-doorintotheopenair,theshrubbery,thefields——nevermoretobetroddenbythosedearfeet.Whatpassedbetweenfatherandchildinthisseclusionnonecouldtell.LateintheeveningEllinor"ssupperwassentfor,andtheservantwhobroughtitinsawthechildlyingasonedeadinherfather"sarms,andbeforehelefttheroomwatchedhismasterfeedingher,thegirlofsixyearsofage,withastendercareasifshehadbeenababyofsixmonths.

CHAPTERIII.

Fromthattimethetiebetweenfatheranddaughtergrewverystrongandtenderindeed.Ellinor,itistrue,dividedheraffectionbetweenherbabysisterandherpapa;buthe,caringlittleforbabies,hadonlyatheoreticregardforhisyoungerchild,whiletheelderabsorbedallhislove.EverydaythathedinedathomeEllinorwasplacedoppositetohimwhileheatehislatedinner;shesatwherehermotherhaddoneduringthemeal,althoughshehaddinedandevensuppedsometimebeforeonthemoreprimitivenurseryfare.Itwashalfpitiful,halfamusing,toseethelittlegirl"sgrave,thoughtfulwaysandmodesofspeech,asiftryingtoactuptothedignityofherplaceasherfather"scompanion,tillsometimesthelittleheadnoddedofftoslumberinthemiddleoflispingsomewiselittlespeech."Old-fashioned,"thenursescalledher,andprophesiedthatshewouldnotlivelonginconsequenceofherold-

fashionedness.Butinsteadofthefulfilmentofthisprophecy,thefatbrightbabywasseizedwithfits,andwaswell,ill,anddeadinaday!Ellinor"sgriefwassomethingalarming,fromitsquietnessandconcealment.Shewaitedtillshewasleft——asshethought——aloneatnights,andthensobbedandcriedherpassionatecryfor"Baby,baby,comebacktome——comeback;"tilleveryonefearedforthehealthofthefraillittlegirlwhosechildishaffectionshadhadtostandtwosuchshocks.Herfatherputasideallbusiness,allpleasureofeverykind,towinhisdarlingfromhergrief.Nomothercouldhavedonemore,notenderestnursedonehalfsomuchasMr.

WilkinsthendidforEllinor.

Ifithadnotbeenforhimshewouldhavejustdiedofhergrief.Asitwas,sheovercameit——butslowly,wearily——hardlylettingherselfloveanyoneforsometime,asifsheinstinctivelyfearedlestallherstrongattachmentsshouldfindasuddenendindeath.Herlove——

thusdammedupintoasmallspace——atlastburstitsbanks,andoverflowedonherfather.Itwasarichrewardtohimforallhiscareofher,andhetookdelight——perhapsaselfishdelight——inallthemanyprettywayssheperpetuallyfoundofconvincinghim,ifhehadneededconviction,thathewaseverthefirstobjectwithher.

Thenursetoldhimthathalfanhourorsobeforetheearliesttimeatwhichhecouldbeexpectedhomeintheevenings,MissEllinorbegantofoldupherdoll"sthingsandlulltheinanimatetreasuretosleep.Thenshewouldsitandlistenwithanintensityofattentionforhisfootstep.OncethenursehadexpressedsomewonderatthedistanceatwhichEllinorcouldhearherfather"sapproach,sayingthatshehadlistenedandcouldnothearasound,towhichEllinorhadreplied:

"Ofcourseyoucannot;heisnotyourpapa!"

Then,whenhewentawayinthemorning,afterhehadkissedher,Ellinorwouldruntoacertainwindowfromwhichshecouldwatchhimupthelane,nowhiddenbehindahedge,nowreappearingthroughanopenspace,againoutofsight,tillhereachedagreatoldbeech-

tree,whereforaninstantmoreshesawhim.Andthenshewouldturnawaywithasigh,sometimesreassuringherunspokenfearsbysayingsoftlytoherself,"Hewillcomeagainto-night."

Mr.Wilkinslikedtofeelhischilddependentonhimforallherpleasures.Hewasevenalittlejealousofanyonewhodevisedatreatorconferredapresent,thefirstnewsofwhichdidnotcomefromorthroughhim.

AtlastitwasnecessarythatEllinorshouldhavesomemoreinstructionthanhergoodoldnursecouldgive.Herfatherdidnotcaretotakeuponhimselftheofficeofteacher,whichhethoughtheforesawwouldnecessitateoccasionalblame,anoccasionalexerciseofauthority,whichmightpossiblyrenderhimlessidolizedbyhislittlegirl;sohecommissionedLadyHolstertochooseoutoneamonghermanyprotegeesforagovernesstohisdaughter.Now,LadyHolster,whokeptasortofamateurcountyregister-office,wasonlytoogladtobemadeofuseinthisway;butwhensheinquiredalittlefurtherastothesortofpersonrequired,allshecouldextractfromMr.Wilkinswas:

"Youknowthekindofeducationaladyshouldhave,andwill,Iamsure,chooseagovernessforEllinorbetterthanIcoulddirectyou.

Only,please,choosesomeonewhowillnotmarryme,andwhowillletEllinorgoonmakingmytea,anddoingprettymuchwhatshelikes,forsheissogoodtheyneednottrytomakeherbetter,onlytoteachherwhataladyshouldknow."

MissMonrowasselected——aplain,intelligent,quietwomanofforty——

anditwasdifficulttodecidewhethersheorMr.Wilkinstookthemostpainstoavoideachother,actingwithregardtoEllinor,prettymuchlikethefamousAdamandEveintheweather-glass:whentheonecameouttheotherwentin.MissMonrohadbeentossedaboutandoverworkedquiteenoughinherlifenottovaluetheprivilegeandindulgenceofhereveningstoherself,hercomfortableschoolroom,herquietcozyteas,herbook,orherletter-writingafterwards.BymutualagreementshedidnotinterferewithEllinorandherwaysandoccupationsontheeveningswhenthegirlhadnotherfatherforcompanion;andtheseoccasionsbecamemoreandmorefrequentasyearspassedon,andthedeepshadowwaslightenedwhichthesuddendeaththathadvisitedhishouseholdhadcastoverhim.AsIhavesaidbefore,hewasalwaysapopularmanatdinner-parties.Hisamountofintelligenceandaccomplishmentwasrarein——shire,andifitrequiredmorewinethanformerlytobringhisconversationuptothedesiredpointofrangeandbrilliancy,winewasnotanarticlesparedorgrudgedatthecountydinner-tables.OccasionallyhisbusinesstookhimuptoLondon.Hurriedasthesejourneysmightbe,heneverreturnedwithoutanewgame,anewtoyofsomekind,to"makehomepleasanttohislittlemaid,"asheexpressedhimself.

Heliked,too,toseewhatwasdoinginart,orinliterature;andashegaveprettyextensiveordersforanythingheadmired,hewasalmostsuretobefolloweddowntoHamleybyoneortwopackagesorparcels,thearrivalandopeningofwhichbegansoontoformthepleasantepochsinEllinor"sgravethoughhappylife.

TheonlypersonofhisownstandingwithwhomMr.WilkinskeptupanyintercourseinHamleywasthenewclergyman,abachelor,abouthisownage,alearnedman,afellowofhiscollege,whosefirstclaimonMr.Wilkins"sattentionwasthefactthathehadbeentravelling-

bachelorforhisuniversity,andhadconsequentlybeenontheContinentabouttheverysametwoyearsthatMr.Wilkinshadbeenthere;andalthoughtheyhadnevermet,yettheyhadmanycommonacquaintancesandcommonrecollectionstotalkoverofthisperiod,which,afterall,hadbeenaboutthemostbrightandhopefulofMr.

Wilkins"slife.

Mr.Nesshadanoccasionalpupil;thatistosay,heneverputhimselfoutofthewaytoobtainpupils,butdidnotrefusetheentreatiessometimesmadetohimthathewouldprepareayoungmanforcollege,byallowingthesaidyoungmantoresideandreadwithhim."Ness"smen"tookratherhighhonours,forthetutor,tooindolenttofindoutworkforhimself,hadacertainprideindoingwelltheworkthatwasfoundforhim.

WhenEllinorwassomewhereaboutfourteen,ayoungMr.CorbetcametobepupiltoMr.Ness.Herfatheralwayscalledontheyoungmenreadingwiththeclergyman,andaskedthemtohishouse.Hishospitalityhadincourseoftimelostitsrechercheandelegantcharacter,butwasalwaysgenerous,andoftenprofuse.Besides,itwasinhischaractertolikethejoyous,thoughtlesscompanyoftheyoungbetterthanthatoftheold——giventhesameamountofrefinementandeducationinboth.

Mr.Corbetwasayoungmanofverygoodfamily,fromadistantcounty.Ifhischaracterhadnotbeensograveanddeliberate,hisyearswouldonlyhaveentitledhimtobecalledaboy,forhewasbuteighteenatthetimewhenhecametoreadwithMr.Ness.Butmanymenoffive-and-twentyhavenotreflectedsodeeplyasthisyoungMr.

Corbetalreadyhad.Hehadconsideredandalmostmaturedhisplanforlife;hadascertainedwhatobjectshedesiredmosttoaccomplishinthedimfuture,whichistomanyathisageonlyashapelessmist;

andhadresolvedoncertainsteadycoursesofactionbywhichsuchobjectsweremostlikelytobesecured.Ayoungerson,hisfamilyconnectionsandfamilyinterestpre-arrangedalegalcareerforhim;

anditwasinaccordancewithhisowntastesandtalents.All,however,whichhisfatherhopedforhimwas,thathemightbeabletomakeanincomesufficientforagentlemantoliveon.OldMr.Corbetwashardlytobecalledambitious,or,ifhewere,hisambitionwaslimitedtoviewsfortheeldestson.ButRalphintendedtobeadistinguishedlawyer,notsomuchforthevisionofthewoolsack,whichIsupposedancesbeforetheimaginationofeveryyounglawyer,asforthegrandintellectualexercise,andconsequentpowerovermankind,thatdistinguishedlawyersmayalwayspossessiftheychoose.AseatinParliament,statesmanship,andallthegreatscopeforapowerfulandactivemindthatlayoneachsideofsuchacareer——theseweretheobjectswhichRalphCorbetsetbeforehimself.

Totakehighhonoursatcollegewasthefirststeptobeaccomplished;andinordertoachievethisRalphhad,notpersuaded——

persuasionwasaweakinstrumentwhichhedespised——butgravelyreasonedhisfatherintoconsentingtopaythelargesumwhichMr.

Nessexpectedwithapupil.Thegood-naturedoldsquirewasratherpressedforreadymoney,butsoonerthanlistentoanargumentinsteadoftakinghisnapafterdinnerhewouldhaveyieldedanything.ButthisdidnotsatisfyRalph;hisfather"sreasonmustbeconvincedofthedesirabilityofthestep,aswellashisweakwillgiveway.Thesquirelistened,lookedwise,sighed;spokeofEdward"sextravaganceandthegirls"expenses,grewsleepy,andsaid,"Verytrue,""Thatisbutreasonable,certainly,"glancedatthedoor,andwonderedwhenhissonwouldhaveendedhistalkingandgointothedrawing-room;andatlengthfoundhimselfwritingthedesiredlettertoMr.Ness,consentingtoeverything,termsandall.

Mr.Nessneverhadamoresatisfactorypupil;onewhomhecouldtreatmoreasanintellectualequal.

Mr.Corbet,asRalphwasalwayscalledinHamley,wasresoluteinhiscultivationofhimself,evenexceedingwhathistutordemandedofhim.Hewasgreedyofinformationinthehoursnotdevotedtoabsolutestudy.Mr.Nessenjoyedgivinginformation,butmostofallhelikedthehardtoughargumentsonallmetaphysicalandethicalquestionsinwhichMr.Corbetdelightedtoengagehim.Theylivedtogetherontermsofhappyequality,havingthusmuchincommon.

Theywereessentiallydifferent,however,althoughthereweresomanypointsofresemblance.Mr.Nesswasunworldlyasfarastheideaofrealunworldlinessiscompatiblewithaturnforself-indulgenceandindolence;whileMr.Corbetwasdeeply,radicallyworldly,yetfortheaccomplishmentofhisobjectcoulddenyhimselfallthecarelesspleasuresnaturaltohisage.Thetutorandpupilallowedthemselvesonefrequentrelaxation,thatofMr.Wilkins"scompany.Mr.Nesswouldstrolltotheofficeafterthesixhours"hardreadingwereover——leavingMr.Corbetstillbentoverthetable,bookbestrewn——

andseewhatMr.Wilkins"sengagementswere.Ifhehadnothingbettertodothatevening,hewaseitheraskedtodineattheparsonage,orhe,inhiscarelesshospitableway,invitedtheothertwotodinewithhim,Ellinorformingthefourthattable,asfarasseatswent,althoughherdinnerhadbeeneatenearlywithMissMonro.

Shewaslittleandslightofherage,andherfatherneverseemedtounderstandhowshewaspassingoutofchildhood.Yetwhileinstatureshewaslikeachild;inintellect,inforceofcharacter,instrengthofclingingaffection,shewasawoman.Theremightbemuchofthesimplicityofachildabouther,therewaslittleoftheundevelopedgirl,varyingfromdaytodaylikeanAprilsky,carelessastowhichwayherowncharacteristending.Sothetwoyoungpeoplesatwiththeirelders,andbothrelishedthecompanytheywerethusprematurelythrowninto.Mr.Corbettalkedasmuchaseitheroftheothertwogentlemen;opposinganddisputingonanyside,asiftofindouthowmuchhecouldurgeagainstreceivedopinions.Ellinorsatsilent;herdarkeyesflashingfromtimetotimeinvehementinterest——sometimesinvehementindignationifMr.Corbet,ridinga-

tiltateveryone,venturedtoattackherfather.Hesawhowthiscourseexcitedher,andratherlikedpursuingitinconsequence;hethoughtitonlyamusedhim.

AnotherwayinwhichEllinorandMr.Corbetwerethrowntogetheroccasionallywasthis:Mr.NessandMr.WilkinssharedthesameTimesbetweenthem;anditwasEllinor"sdutytoseethatthepaperwasregularlytakenfromherfather"shousetotheparsonage.Herfatherlikedtodawdleoverit.UntilMr.Corbethadcometolivewithhim,Mr.Nesshadnotmuchcaredatwhattimeitwaspassedontohim;buttheyoungmantookastronginterestinallpublicevents,andespeciallyinallthatwassaidaboutthem.Hegrewimpatientifthepaperwasnotforthcoming,andwouldsetoffhimselftogoforit,sometimesmeetingthepenitentbreathlessEllinorinthelonglanewhichledfromHamleytoMr.Wilkins"shouse.Atfirstheusedtoreceivehereager"Oh!Iamsosorry,Mr.Corbet,butpapahasonlyjustdonewithit,"rathergruffly.Afteratimehehadthegracetotellheritdidnotsignify;andby-and-byhewouldturnbackwithhertogivehersomeadviceabouthergarden,orherplants——forhismotherandsisterswerefirst-ratepracticalgardeners,andhehimselfwas,asheexpressedit,"acapitalconsultingphysicianforasicklyplant."

Allthistimehisvoice,hisstep,neverraisedthechild"scolouroneshadethehigher,nevermadeherheartbeattheleastquicker,astheslightestsignofherfather"sapproachwaswonttodo.ShelearnttorelyonMr.Corbetforadvice,foralittleoccasionalsympathy,andformuchcondescendingattention.Healsogavehermorefault-findingthanalltherestoftheworldputtogether;and,curiouslyenough,shewasgratefultohimforit,forshereallywashumbleandwishedtoimprove.Helikedtheattitudeofsuperioritywhichthisimpliedandexercisedrightgavehim.Theywereverygoodfriendsatpresent.Nothingmore.

AllthistimeIhavespokenonlyofMr.Wilkins"slifeashestoodinrelationtohisdaughter.Butthereisfarmoretobesaidaboutit.

Afterhiswife"sdeath,hewithdrewhimselffromsocietyforayearortwoinamorepositiveanddecidedmannerthaniscommonwithwidowers.Itwasduringthisretirementofhisthatherivetedhislittledaughter"sheartinsuchawayastoinfluenceallherfuturelife.

Whenhebegantogooutagain,itmighthavebeenperceived——hadanyonecaredtonotice——howmuchthedifferentcharactersofhisfatherandwifehadinfluencedhimandkepthimsteady.Notthathebrokeoutintoanyimmoralconduct,buthegaveuptimetopleasure,whichbotholdMr.WilkinsandLetticewouldhavequietlyinducedhimtospendintheoffice,superintendinghisbusiness.Hisindulgenceinhunting,andallfieldsports,hadhithertobeenonlyoccasional;

theynowbecamehabitual,asfarastheseasonspermitted.HesharedamoorinScotlandwithoneoftheHolstersoneyear,persuadinghimselfthatthebracingairwasgoodforEllinor"shealth.Buttheyearafterwardshetookanother,thistimejoiningwithacomparativestranger;andonthismoortherewasnohousetowhichitwasfittobringachildandherattendants.HepersuadedhimselfthatbyfrequentjourneyshecouldmakeupforhisabsencesfromHamley.Butjourneyscostmoney;andhewasoftenawayfromhisofficewhenimportantbusinessrequiredattendingto.TherewassometalkofanewattorneysettingupinHamley,tobesupportedbyoneortwoofthemoreinfluentialcountyfamilies,whohadfoundWilkinsnotsoattentiveashisfather.SirFrankHolstersentforhisrelation,andtoldhimofthisproject,speakingtohim,atthesametime,inprettyroundtermsonthefollyofthelifehewasleading.Foolishitcertainlywas,andassuchMr.Wilkinswassecretlyacknowledgingit;butwhenSirFrank,lashinghimself,begantotalkofhishearer"spresumptioninjoiningthehunt,inapingthemodeoflifeandamusementsofthelandedgentry,Edwardfiredup.HeknewhowmuchSirFrankwasdipped,andcomparingitwiththeroundsumhisownfatherhadlefthim,hesaidsomeplaintruthstoSirFrankwhichthelatterneverforgave,andhenceforththerewasnointercoursebetweenHolsterCourtandFordBank,asMr.EdwardWilkinshadchristenedhisfather"shouseonhisfirstreturnfromtheContinent.

Theconversationhadtwoconsequencesbesidestheimmediateoneofthequarrel.Mr.Wilkinsadvertisedforaresponsibleandconfidentialclerktoconductthebusinessunderhisownsuperintendence;andhealsowrotetotheHeralds"CollegetoaskifhedidnotbelongtothefamilybearingthesamenameinSouthWales——

thosewhohavesincereassumedtheirancientnameofDeWinton.

Bothapplicationswerefavorablyanswered.Askilful,experienced,middle-agedclerkwasrecommendedtohimbyoneoftheprincipallegalfirmsinLondon,andimmediatelyengagedtocometoHamleyathisownterms;whichwereprettyhigh.But,asMr.Wilkinssaiditwasworthanymoneytopayfortherelieffromconstantresponsibilitywhichsuchabusinessashisinvolved,somepeopleremarkedthathehadneverappearedtofeeltheresponsibilityverymuchhitherto,aswitnesshisabsencesinScotland,andhisvarioussocialengagementswhenathome;ithadbeenverydifferent(theysaid)inhisfather"sday.TheHeralds"CollegeheldouthopesofaffiliatinghimtotheSouthWalesfamily,butitwouldrequiretimeandmoneytomaketherequisiteinquiriesandsubstantiatetheclaim.

Now,inmanyaplacetherewouldbenonetocontesttherightamanmighthavetoassertthathebelongedtosuchandsuchafamily,oreventoassumetheirarms.Butitwasotherwisein——shire.

Everyonewasupingenealogyandheraldry,andconsideredfilchinganameandapedigreeafarworsesinthananyofthosementionedontheCommandments.TherewerethoseamongthemwhowoulddoubtanddisputeeventhedecisionoftheHeralds"College;butwithit,ifinhisfavour,Mr.Wilkinsintendedtobesatisfied,andaccordinglyhewroteinreplytotheirlettertosay,thatofcoursehewasawaresuchinquirieswouldtakeaconsiderablesumofmoney,butstillhewishedthemtobemade,andthatspeedily.

BeforetheendoftheyearhewentuptoLondontoorderabroughamtobebuilt(forEllinortodriveoutinwetweather,hesaid;butasgoinginaclosedcarriagealwaysmadeherill,heuseditprincipallyhimselfindrivingtodinner-parties),withtheDeWintonWilkinses"armsneatlyemblazonedonpanelandharness.Hithertohehadalwaysgoneaboutinadog-cart——theimmediatedescendantofhisfather"sold-fashionedgig.

Forallthis,thesquires,hisemployers,onlylaughedathimanddidnottreathimwithonewhitmorerespect.

Mr.Dunster,thenewclerk,wasaquiet,respectable-lookingman;youcouldnotcallhimagentlemaninmanner,andyetnoonecouldsayhewasvulgar.Hehadnotmuchvaryingexpressiononhisface,butapermanentoneofthoughtfulconsiderationofthesubjectinhand,whateveritmightbe,thatwouldhavefittedaswellwiththeprofessionofmedicineaswiththatoflaw,andwasquitetherightlookforeither.Occasionallyabrightflashofsuddenintelligencelighteneduphisdeep-sunkeyes,buteventhiswasquicklyextinguishedasbysomeinwardrepression,andthehabituallyreflective,subduedexpressionreturnedtotheface.Assoonashecameintohissituation,hefirstbeganquietlytoarrangethepapers,andnextthebusinessofwhichtheyweretheoutersign,intomoremethodicalorderthantheyhadbeeninsinceoldMr.Wilkins"sdeath.Punctualtoamomenthimself,helookedhisdispleasedsurprisewhentheinferiorclerkscametumblinginhalfanhourafterthetimeinthemorning;andhislookwasmoreeffectivethanmanymen"swords;henceforwardthesubordinateswerewithinfiveminutesoftheappointedhourforopeningtheoffice;butstillhewasalwaystherebeforethem.Mr.Wilkinshimselfwincedunderhisnewclerk"sorderandpunctuality;Mr.Dunster"sraisedeyebrowandcontractionofthelipsatsomewoefulconfusioninthebusinessoftheoffice,chafedMr.Wilkinsmore,farmorethananyopenexpressionofopinionwouldhavedone;forthathecouldhavemet,andexplainedawayashefancied.AsecretrespectfuldislikegrewupinhisbosomagainstMr.Dunster.Heesteemedhim,hevaluedhim,andhecouldnotbearhim.YearafteryearMr.Wilkinshadbecomemoreundertheinfluenceofhisfeelings,andlessunderthecommandofhisreason.HerathercherishedthanrepressedhisnervousrepugnancetotheharshmeasuredtonesofMr.Dunster"svoice;thelatterspokewithaprovincialtwangwhichgratedonhisemployer"ssensitiveear.Hewasannoyedatacertaingreencoatwhichhisnewclerkbroughtwithhim,andhewatcheditsincreasingshabbinesswithasortofchildishpleasure.

Butby-and-byMr.Wilkinsfoundoutthat,fromsomeperversityoftaste,Mr.Dunsteralwayshadhiscoats,Sundayandworking-day,madeofthisobnoxiouscolour;andthisknowledgedidnotdiminishhissecretirritation.Theworstofall,perhaps,was,thatMr.Dunsterwasreallyinvaluableinmanyways;"aperfecttreasure,"asMr.

Wilkinsusedtotermhiminspeakingofhimafterdinner;but,forallthat,hecametohatehis"perfecttreasure,"ashegraduallyfeltthatDunsterhadbecomesoindispensabletothebusinessthathischiefcouldnotdowithouthim.

Theclientsre-echoedMr.Wilkins"swords,andspokeofMr.Dunsterasinvaluabletohismaster;athoroughtreasure,theverysavingofthebusiness.Theyhadnotbeenbetterattendedto,noteveninoldMr.Wilkins"sdays;suchaclearhead,suchaknowledgeoflaw,suchasteady,uprightfellow,alwaysathispost.Thegratingvoice,thedrawlingaccent,thebottle-greencoat,werenothingtothem;farlessnoticed,infact,thanWilkins"sexpensivehabits,themoneyhepaidforhiswineandhorses,andthenonsenseofclaimingkinwiththeWelshWilkinses,andsettinguphisbroughamtodriveabout——

shirelanes,andbeknockedtopiecesovertheroughroundpaving-

stonesthereof.

AlltheseremarksdidnotcomenearEllinortotroubleherlife.Toher,herdearfatherwasthefirstofhumanbeings;sosweet,sogood,sokind,socharminginconversation,sofullofaccomplishmentandinformation!Toherhealthy,happymindeveryoneturnedtheirbrightside.ShelovedMissMonro——alltheservants——especiallyDixon,thecoachman.Hehadbeenherfather"splayfellowasaboy,and,withallhisrespectandadmirationforhismaster,thefreedomofintercoursethathadbeenestablishedbetweenthemthenhadneverbeenquitelost.Dixonwasafine,stalwartoldfellow,andwasasharmoniousinhiswayswithhismasterasMr.Dunsterwasdiscordant;

>###第2章

accordinglyhewasagreatfavourite,andcouldsaymanyathingwhichmighthavebeentakenasimpertinentfromanotherservant.

HewasEllinor"sgreatconfidantaboutmanyofherlittleplansandprojects;thingsthatshedarednotspeakoftoMr.Corbet,who,afterherfatherandDixon,washernextbestfriend.ThisintimacywithDixondispleasedMr.Corbet.HeonceortwiceinsinuatedthathedidnotthinkitwaswelltotalksofamiliarlyasEllinordidwithaservant——oneoutofacompletelydifferentclass——suchasDixon.Ellinordidnoteasilytakehints;everyonehadspokenplainouttoherhitherto;soMr.Corbethadtosayhismeaningplainoutatlast.Then,forthefirsttime,hesawherangry;butshewastooyoung,toochildish,tohavewordsatwilltoexpressherfeelings;

sheonlycouldsaybrokenbeginningsofsentences,suchas"Whatashame!Good,dearDixon,whoisasloyalandtrueandkindasanynobleman.Ilikehimfarbetterthanyou,Mr.Corbet,andIshalltalktohim."Andthensheburstintotearsandranaway,andwouldnotcometowishMr.Corbetgood-bye,thoughsheknewsheshouldnotseehimagainforalongtime,ashewasreturningthenextdaytohisfather"shouse,fromwhencehewouldgotoCambridge.

Hewasannoyedatthisresultofthegoodadvicehehadthoughthimselfboundtogivetoamotherlessgirl,whohadnoonetoinstructherintheproprietiesinwhichhisownsisterswerebroughtup;heleftHamleybothsorryanddispleased.AsforEllinor,whenshefoundoutthenextdaythathereallywasgone——gonewithoutevencomingtoFordBankagaintoseeifshewerenotpenitentforherangrywords——gonewithoutsayingorhearingawordofgood-bye——sheshutherselfupinherroom,andcriedmorebitterlythanever,becauseangeragainstherselfwasmixedwithherregretforhisloss.

Luckily,herfatherwasdiningout,orhewouldhaveinquiredwhatwasthematterwithhisdarling;andshewouldhavehadtotrytoexplainwhatcouldnotbeexplained.Asitwas,shesatwithherbacktothelightduringtheschoolroomtea,andafterwards,whenMissMonrohadsettleddowntoherstudyoftheSpanishlanguage,Ellinorstoleoutintothegarden,meaningtohaveafreshcryoverherownnaughtinessandMr.Corbet"sdeparture;buttheAugusteveningwasstillandcalm,andputherpassionategrieftoshame,hushingherup,asitwere,withtheotheryoungcreatures,whowerebeingsoothedtorestbytheserenetimeofday,andthesubduedlightofthetwilightsky.

Therewasapieceofgroundsurroundingtheflower-garden,whichwasnotshrubbery,norwood,norkitchengarden——onlyagrassybit,outofwhichagroupofoldforesttreessprang.Theirrootswereheavedaboveground;theirleavesfellinautumnsoprofuselythattheturfwasraggedandbareinspring;but,tomakeupforthis,thereneverwassuchaplaceforsnowdrops.

TherootsoftheseoldtreeswereEllinor"sfavouriteplay-place;

thisspacebetweenthesetwowasherdoll"skitchen,thatitsdrawing-room,andsoon.Mr.Corbetratherdespisedhercontrivancesfordoll"sfurniture,soshehadnotoftenbroughthimhere;butDixondelightedinthem,andcontrivedandplannedwiththeeagernessofsixyearsoldratherthanforty.To-nightEllinorwenttothisplace,andtherewereallanewcollectionofornamentsforMissDolly"ssitting-roommadeoutoffir-bobs,intheprettiestandmostingeniousway.SheknewitwasDixon"sdoingandrushedoffinsearchofhimtothankhim.

"What"sthematterwithmypretty?"askedDixon,assoonasthepleasantexcitementofthankingandbeingthankedwasover,andhehadleisuretolookathertear-stainedface.

"Oh,Idon"tknow!Nevermind,"saidshe,reddening.

Dixonwassilentforaminuteortwo,whileshetriedtoturnoffhisattentionbyherhurriedprattle.

"There"snotroubleafootthatIcanmend?"askedhe,inaminuteortwo.

"Oh,no!It"sreallynothing——nothingatall,"saidshe."It"sonlythatMr.Corbetwentawaywithoutsayinggood-byetome,that"sall."

Andshelookedasifsheshouldhavelikedtocryagain.

"Thatwasnotmanners,"saidDixon,decisively.

"Butitwasmyfault,"repliedEllinor,pleadingagainstthecondemnation.

Dixonlookedatherprettysharplyfromunderhisraggedbushyeyebrows.

"Hehadbeengivingmealecture,andsayingIdidn"tdowhathissistersdid——justasifIweretobealwaystryingtobelikesomebodyelse——andIwascrossandranaway."

"ThenitwasMissywhowouldn"tsaygood-bye.ThatwasnotmannersinMissy."

"But,Dixon,Idon"tlikebeinglectured!"

"Ireckonyoudon"tgetmuchofit.But,indeed,mypretty,I

daresayMr.Corbetwasintheright;for,yousee,masterisbusy,andMissMonroissodreadfullearned,andyourpoormotherisdeadandgone,andyouhavenoonetoteachyouhowyoungladiesgoon;

andbyallaccountsMr.Corbetcomesofagoodfamily.I"veheardsayhisfatherhadthebeststud-farminallShropshire,andsparednomoneyuponit;andtheyoungladieshissisterswillhavebeentaughtthebestofmanners;itmightbewellformyprettytohearhowtheygoon."

"YoudearoldDixon,youdon"tknowanythingaboutmylecture,andI"mnotgoingtotellyou.OnlyIdaresayMr.Corbetmightbealittlebitright,thoughI"msurehewasagreatdealwrong."

"Butyou"llnotgoona-fretting——youwon"tnow,there"sagoodyounglady——formasterwon"tlikeit,andit"llmakehimuneasy,andhe"senoughoftroublewithoutyourredeyes,blessthem."

"Trouble——papa,trouble!Oh,Dixon!whatdoyoumean?"exclaimedEllinor,herfacetakingallawoman"sintensityofexpressioninaminute.

"Nay,Iknownought,"saidDixon,evasively."OnlythatDunsterfellowisnottomymind,andIthinkhepottersthemastersadlywithhisfid-fadways."

"IhateMr.Dunster!"saidEllinor,vehemently."Iwon"tspeakawordtohimthenexttimehecomestodinewithpapa."

"Missywilldowhatpapalikesbest,"saidDixon,admonishingly;andwiththisthepairof"friends"parted,CHAPTERIV.

ThesummerafterwardsMr.CorbetcameagaintoreadwithMr.Ness.

Hedidnotperceiveanyalterationinhimself,andindeedhisearly-

maturedcharacterhadhardlymadeprogressduringthelasttwelvemonthswhateverintellectualacquirementshemighthavemade.

ThereforeitwasastonishingtohimtoseethealterationinEllinorWilkins.Shehadshotupfromaratherpunygirltoatall,slightyounglady,withpromiseofgreatbeautyintheface,whichayearagohadonlybeenremarkableforthefinenessoftheeyes.Hercomplexionwasclearnow,althoughcolourless——twelvemonthsagohewouldhavecalleditsallow——herdelicatecheekwassmoothasmarble,herteethwereevenandwhite,andherraresmilescalledoutalovelydimple.

Shemetherformerfriendandlecturerwithagraveshyness,forsherememberedwellhowtheyhadparted,andthoughthecouldhardlyhaveforgiven,muchlessforgotten,herpassionateflingingawayfromhim.

Butthetruthwas,afterthefirstfewhoursofoffendeddispleasure,hehadceasedtothinkofitatall.She,poorchild,bywayofprovingherrepentance,hadtriedhardtoreformherboisteroustom-

boymanners,inordertoshowhimthat,althoughshewouldnotgiveupherdearoldfriendDixon,athisoranyone"sbidding,shewouldstrivetoprofitbyhislecturesinallthingsreasonable.Theconsequencewas,thatshesuddenlyappearedtohimasanelegantdignifiedyounglady,insteadoftheroughlittlegirlheremembered.

Stillbelowhersomewhatformalmannerstherelurkedtheoldwildspirit,ashecouldplainlyseeafteralittlemorewatching;andhebegantowishtocallthisout,andtostrive,byremindingherofolddays,andallherchildishfrolics,toflavourhersubduedmannersandspeechwithalittleoftheformeroriginality.

Inthishesucceeded.Noone,neitherMr.Wilkins,norMissMonro,norMr.Ness,sawwhatthisyoungcouplewereabout——theydidnotknowitthemselves;butbeforethesummerwasovertheyweredesperatelyinlovewitheachother,orperhapsIshouldrathersay,Ellinorwasdesperatelyinlovewithhim——he,aspassionatelyashecouldbewithanyone;butinhimtheintellectwassuperiorinstrengthtoeitheraffectionsorpassions.

Thecausesoftheblindnessofthosearoundthemwerethese:Mr.

WilkinsstillconsideredEllinorasalittlegirl,ashisownpet,hisdarling,butnothingmore.MissMonrowasanxiousaboutherownimprovement.Mr.Nesswasdeepinaneweditionof"Horace,"whichhewasgoingtobringoutwithnotes.IbelieveDixonwouldhavebeenkeenersighted,butEllinorkeptMr.CorbetandDixonapartforobviousreasons——theywereeachherdearfriends,butsheknewthatMr.CorbetdidnotlikeDixon,andsuspectedthatthefeelingwasmutual.

Theonlychangeofcircumstancesbetweenthisyearandthepreviousoneconsistedinthisdevelopmentofattachmentbetweentheyoungpeople.Otherwise,everythingwentonapparentlyasusual.WithEllinorthecourseofthedaywassomethinglikethis:upearlyandintothegardenuntilbreakfasttime,whenshemadeteaforherfatherandMissMonrointhedining-room,alwaystakingcaretolayalittlenosegayoffreshly-gatheredflowersbyherfather"splate.

Afterbreakfast,whentheconversationhadbeenongeneralandindifferentsubjects,Mr.Wilkinswithdrewintothelittlestudysooftenmentioned.Itopenedoutofapassagethatranbetweenthedining-roomandthekitchen,onthelefthandofthehall.

Correspondingtothedining-roomontheothersideofthehallwasthedrawing-room,withitsside-windowservingasadoorintoaconservatory,andthisagainopenedintothelibrary.OldMr.

Wilkinshadaddedasemicircularprojectiontothelibrary,whichwaslightedbyadomeabove,andshowedoffhisson"sItalianpurchasesofsculpture.Thelibrarywasbyfarthemoststrikingandagreeableroominthehouse;andtheconsequencewasthatthedrawing-roomwasseldomused,andhadtheaspectofcolddiscomfortcommontoapartmentsrarelyoccupied.Mr.Wilkins"sstudy,ontheothersideofthehouse,wasalsoanafterthought,builtonlyafewyearsago,andprojectingfromtheregularityoftheoutsidewall;alittlestonepassageledtoitfromthehall,small,narrow,anddark,andoutofwhichnootherdooropened.

Thestudyitselfwasahexagon,onesidewindow,onefireplace,andtheremainingfoursidesoccupiedwithdoors,twoofwhichhavebeenalreadymentioned,anotheratthefootofthenarrowwindingstairswhichledstraightintoMr.Wilkins"sbedroomoverthedining-room,andthefourthopeningintoapaththroughtheshrubberytotherightoftheflower-gardenasyoulookedfromthehouse.Thispathledthroughthestable-yard,andthenbyashortcutrightintoHamley,andbroughtyououtclosetoMr.Wilkins"soffice;itwasbythiswayhealwayswentandreturnedtohisbusiness.Heusedthestudyforasmokingandloungingroomprincipally,althoughhealwaysspokeofitasaconvenientplaceforholdingconfidentialcommunicationswithsuchofhisclientsasdidnotlikediscussingtheirbusinesswithinthepossiblehearingofalltheclerksinhisoffice.Bytheouterdoorhecouldalsopasstothestables,andseethatpropercarewastakenatalltimesofhisfavouriteandvaluablehorses.IntothisstudyEllinorwouldfollowhimofamorning,helpinghimonwithhisgreat-coat,mendinghisgloves,talkinganinfinitedealofmerryfondnothing;andthen,clingingtohisarm,shewouldaccompanyhiminhisvisitstothestables,goinguptotheshyesthorses,andpettingthem,andpattingthem,andfeedingthemwithbreadallthetimethatherfatherheldconversewithDixon.Whenhewasfinallygone——andsometimesitwasalongtimefirst——shereturnedtotheschoolroomtoMissMonro,andtriedtosetherselfhardatworkonherlessons.Butshehadnotmuchtimeforsteadyapplication;ifherfatherhadcaredforherprogressinanything,shewouldandcouldhaveworkedhardatthatstudyoraccomplishment;butMr.

Wilkins,theeaseandpleasurelovingman,didnotwishtomakehimselfintothepedagogue,ashewouldhaveconsideredit,ifhehadeverquestionedEllinorwitharealsteadypurposeofascertainingherintellectualprogress.Itwasquiteenoughforhimthathergeneralintelligenceandvarietyofdesultoryandmiscellaneousreadingmadeherapleasantandagreeablecompanionforhishoursofrelaxation.

Attwelveo"clock,Ellinorputawayherbookswithjoyfuleagerness,kissedMissMonro,askedheriftheyshouldgoaregularwalk,andwasalwaysratherthankfulwhenitwasdecidedthatitwouldbebettertostrollinthegarden——adecisionveryoftencometo,forMissMonrohatedfatigue,hateddirt,hatedscrambling,anddreadedrain;allofwhichareevils,thechancesofwhichareneverfardistantfromcountrywalks.SoEllinordancedoutintothegarden,workedawayamongherflowers,playedattheoldgamesamongtherootsofthetrees,and,whenshecould,seducedDixonintotheflower-gardentohavealittleconsultationastothehorsesanddogs.Foritwasoneofherfather"sfewstrictrulesthatEllinorwasnevertogointothestable-yardunlesshewerewithher;sothesetete-a-teteswithDixonwerealwaysheldintheflower-garden,orbitofforestgroundsurroundingit.MissMonrosatandbaskedinthesun,closetothedial,whichmadethecentreofthegayflower-

beds,uponwhichthedining-roomandstudywindowslooked.

Atoneo"clock,EllinorandMissMonrodined.AnhourwasallowedforMissMonro"sdigestion,whichEllinoragainspentoutofdoors,andatthree,lessonsbeganagainandlastedtillfive.Atthattimetheywenttodresspreparatoryfortheschoolroomteaathalf-pastfive.AfterteaEllinortriedtoprepareherlessonsforthenextday;butallthetimeshewaslisteningforherfather"sfootstep——

themomentsheheardthat,shedasheddownherbook,andflewoutoftheroomtowelcomeandkisshim.Sevenwashisdinner-hour;hehardlyeverdinedalone;indeed,heoftendinedfromhomefourdaysoutofseven,andwhenhehadnoengagementtotakehimouthelikedtohavesomeonetokeephimcompany:Mr.Nessveryoften,Mr.

CorbetalongwithhimifhewasinHamley,astrangerfriend,oroneofhisclients.Sometimes,reluctantly,andwhenhefanciedhecouldnotavoidtheattentionwithoutgivingoffence,Mr.WilkinswouldaskMr.Dunster,andthenthetwowouldalwaysfollowEllinorintothelibraryataveryearlyhour,asiftheirsubjectsfortete-a-teteconversationwerequiteexhausted.Withallhisothervisitors,Mr.

Wilkinssatlong——yes,andyearlylonger;withMr.Ness,becausetheybecameinterestedineachother"sconversation;withsomeoftheothers,becausethewinewasgood,andthehosthatedtospareit.

Mr.CorbetusedtoleavehistutorandMr.Wilkinsandsaunterintothelibrary.TheresatEllinorandMissMonro,eachbusywiththeirembroidery.HewouldbringastooltoEllinor"sside,questionandteaseher,interesther,andtheywouldbecomeentirelyabsorbedineachother,MissMonro"ssenseofproprietybeingentirelysetatrestbytheconsiderationthatMr.Wilkinsmustknowwhathewasaboutinallowingayoungmantobecomethusintimatewithhisdaughter,who,afterall,wasbutachild.

Mr.CorbethadlatelyfallenintothehabitofwalkinguptoFordBankforTheTimeseveryday,neartwelveo"clock,andloungingaboutinthegardenuntilone;notexactlywitheitherEllinororMissMonro,butcertainlyfarmoreatthebeckandcalloftheonethanoftheother.

MissMonrousedtothinkhewouldhavebeengladtostayandlunchattheirearlydinner,butshenevergavetheinvitation,andhecouldnotwellstaywithoutherexpressedsanction.HetoldEllinorallabouthismotherandsisters,andtheirwaysofgoingon,andspokeofthemandofhisfatherasofpeopleshewasonedaycertaintoknow,andtoknowintimately;andshedidnotquestionordoubtthisviewofthings;shesimplyacquiesced.

Hehadsomediscussionwithhimselfastowhetherheshouldspeaktoher,andsosecureherpromisetobehisbeforereturningtoCambridgeornot.HedidnotliketheformalityofanapplicationtoMr.Wilkins,whichwould,afterall,havebeentheproperandstraightforwardcoursetopursuewithagirlofherage——shewasbarelysixteen.NotthatheanticipatedanydifficultyonMr.

>###第3章

Wilkins"spart;hisapprovaloftheintimacywhichattheirrespectiveageswasprettysuretoleadtoanattachment,wasmadeasevidentascouldbebyactionswithoutwords.Buttherewouldhavetobereferencetohisownfather,whohadnonotionofthewholeaffair,andwouldbesuretotreatitasaboyishfancy;asifattwenty-oneRalphwasnotaman,asclearanddeliberativeinknowinghisownmind,asresoluteasheeverwouldbeindecidinguponthecourseofexertionthatshouldleadhimtoindependenceandfame,ifsuchweretobeattainedbyclearintellectandastrongwill.

No;toMr.Wilkinshewouldnotspeakforanotheryearortwo.

ButshouldhetellEllinorindirecttermsofhislove——hisintentiontomarryher?

Againheinclinedtothemoreprudentcourseofsilence.Hewasnotafraidofanychangeinhisowninclinations:ofthemhewassure.

Buthelookeduponitinthisway:Ifhemadearegulardeclarationtohershewouldbeboundtotellittoherfather.Heshouldnotrespectherorlikehersomuchifshedidnot.Andyetthiscoursewouldleadtoalltheconversations,anddiscussions,andreferencestohisownfather,whichmadehisowndirectappealtoMr.Wilkinsappearaprematuresteptohim.

WhereashewasassureofEllinor"sloveforhimasifshehadutteredallthevowsthatwomeneverspoke;heknewevenbetterthanshedidhowfullyandentirelythatinnocentgirlishheartwashisown.Hewastooproudtodreadherinconstancyforaninstant;

"besides,"ashewentontohimself,asiftomakeassurancedoublysure,"whomdoesshesee?ThosestupidHolsters,whooughttobeonlytooproudofhavingsuchagirlfortheircousin,ignoreherexistence,andspokeslightinglyofherfatheronlytheverylasttimeIdinedthere.ThecountrypeopleinthispreciselyBoeotian——

shireclutchatmebecausemyfathergoesuptothePlantagenetsforhispedigree——notonewhitformyself——andneglectEllinor;andonlycondescendtoherfatherbecauseoldWilkinswasnobody-knows-who"sson.Somuchtheworseforthem,butsomuchthebetterformeinthiscase.I"mabovetheirsillyantiquatedprejudices,andshallbeonlytoogladwhenthefittingtimecomestomakeEllinormywife.

Afterall,aprosperousattorney"sdaughtermaynotbeconsideredanunsuitablematchforme——youngersonasIam.Ellinorwillmakeagloriouswomanthreeorfouryearshence;justthestylemyfatheradmires——suchafigure,suchlimbs.I"llbepatient,andbidemytime,andwatchmyopportunities,andallwillcomeright."

SohebadeEllinorfarewellinamostreluctantandaffectionatemanner,althoughhiswordsmighthavebeenspokenoutinHamleymarket-place,andwerelittledifferentfromwhathesaidtoMissMonro.Mr.Wilkinshalfexpectedadisclosuretohimselfofthelovewhichhesuspectedintheyoungman;andwhenthatdidnotcome,hepreparedhimselfforaconfidencefromEllinor.Butshehadnothingtotellhim,asheverywellperceivedfromthechild"sopenunembarrassedmannerwhentheywereleftalonetogetherafterdinner.

Hehadrefusedaninvitation,andshakenoffMr.Ness,inordertohavethisconfidentialtete-a-tetewithhismotherlessgirl;andtherewasnothingtomakeconfidenceof.Hewashalfinclinedtobeangry;butthenhesawthat,althoughsad,shewassomuchatpeacewithherselfandwiththeworld,thathe,alwaysanoptimist,begantothinktheyoungmanhaddonewiselyinnottearingopentherosebudofherfeelingstooprematurely.

Thenexttwoyearspassedoverinmuchthesameway——oracarelessspectatormighthavethoughtso.Ihaveheardpeoplesay,thatifyoulookataregimentadvancingwithsteadystepoveraplainonareview-day,youcanhardlytellthattheyarenotmerelymarkingtimeononespotofground,unlessyoucomparetheirpositionwithsomeotherobjectbywhichtomarktheirprogress,soevenistherepetitionofthemovement.Andthusthesadeventsofthefuturelifeofthisfatheranddaughterwerehardlyperceivedintheirsteadyadvance,andyetoverthemonotonyandflatuniformityoftheirdayssorrowcamemarchingdownuponthemlikeanarmedman.

LongbeforeMr.Wilkinshadrecogniseditsshape,itwasapproachinghiminthedistance——as,infact,itisapproachingallofusatthisverytime;you,reader,I,writer,haveeachourgreatsorrowbearingdownuponus.Itmaybeyetbeyondthedimmestpointofourhorizon,butinthestillnessofthenightourheartsshrinkatthesoundofitscomingfootstep.WellisitforthosewhofallintothehandsoftheLordratherthanintothehandsofmen;butworstofallisitforhimwhohashereaftertominglethegallofremorsewiththecupheldouttohimbyhisdoom.

Mr.Wilkinstookhiseaseandhispleasureyetmoreandmoreeveryyearofhislife;nordidthequalityofhiseaseandhispleasureimprove;itseldomdoeswithself-indulgentpeople.Hecaredlessforanybooksthatstrainedhisfacultiesalittle——lessforengravingsandsculptures——perhapsmoreforpictures.Hespentextravagantlyonhishorses;"thoughtofeatinganddrinking."Therewasnoopenviceinallthis,sothatanyawfultemptationtocrimeshouldcomedownuponhim,andstartlehimoutofhismodeofthinkingandliving;halfthepeopleabouthimdidmuchthesame,asfarastheirliveswerepatenttohisunreflectingobservation.Butmostofhisassociateshadtheirdutiestodo,anddidthemwithaheartandawill,inthehourswhenhewasnotintheircompany.

Yes!Icallthemduties,thoughsomeofthemmightbeself-imposedandpurelysocial;theywereengagementstheyhadenteredinto,eithertacitlyorwithwords,andthattheyfulfilled.FromMr.

Hetherington,theMasteroftheHounds,whowasupat——nooneknowswhathour,togodowntothekennelandseethatthemendidtheirworkwellandthoroughly,tosternoldSirLionelPlayfair,theuprightmagistrate,thethoughtful,conscientiouslandlord——theydidtheirworkaccordingtotheirlights;therewerefewlaggardsamongthosewithwhomMr.Wilkinsassociatedinthefieldoratthedinner-

table.Mr.Ness——thoughasaclergymanhewasnotsoactiveashemighthavebeen——yetevenMr.Nessfaggedawaywithhispupilsandhisneweditionofoneoftheclassics.OnlyMr.Wilkins,dissatisfiedwithhisposition,neglectedtofulfilthedutiesthereof.Heimitatedthepleasures,andlongedforthefanciedleisureofthoseabouthim;leisurethatheimaginedwouldbesomuchmorevaluableinthehandsofamanlikehimself,fullofintellectualtastesandaccomplishments,thanfritteredawaybydullboorsofuntravelled,uncultivatedsquires——whosecompany,however,beitsaidbytheway,heneverrefused.

AndyetdailyMr.Wilkinswassinkingfromtheintellectuallytothesensuallyself-indulgentman.Helaylateinbed,andhatedMr.

Dunsterforhissignificantglanceattheoffice-clockwhenheannouncedtohismasterthatsuchandsuchaclienthadbeenwaitingmorethananhourtokeepanappointment."Whydidn"tyouseehimyourself,Dunster?I"msureyouwouldhavedonequiteaswellasme,"Mr.Wilkinssometimesreplied,partlywithaviewofsayingsomethingpleasanttothemanwhomhedislikedandfeared.Mr.

Dunsteralwaysreplied,inameekmatter-of-facttone,"Oh,sir,theywouldn"tliketotalkovertheiraffairswithasubordinate."

Andeverytimehesaidthis,orsomespeechofthesamekind,theideacamemoreandmoreclearlyintoMr.Wilkins"shead,ofhowpleasantitwouldbetohimselftotakeDunsterintopartnership,andthusthrowalltheresponsibilityoftherealworkanddrudgeryuponhisclerk"sshoulders.Importunateclients,whowouldmakeappointmentsatunseasonablehoursandwouldkeeptothem,mightconfideinthepartner,thoughtheywouldnotintheclerk.Thegreatobjectionstothiscoursewere,firstandforemost,Mr.

Wilkins"sstrongdisliketoMr.Dunster——hisrepugnancetohiscompany,hisdress,hisvoice,hisways——allofwhichirritatedhisemployer,tillhisstateoffeelingtowardsDunstermightbecalledantipathy;next,Mr.WilkinswasfullyawareofthefactthatallMr.

Dunster"sactionsandwordswerecarefullyandthoughtfullypre-

arrangedtofurtherthegreatunspokendesireofhislife——thatofbeingmadeapartnerwherehenowwasonlyaservant.Mr.WilkinstookamaliciouspleasureintantalizingMr.DunsterbysuchspeechesastheoneIhavejustmentioned,whichalwaysseemedlikeanopeningtothedesiredend,butstillforalongtimeneverledanyfurther.

Yetallthewhilethatendwasbecomingmoreandmorecertain,andatlastitwasreached.

Mr.Dunsteralwayssuspectedthatthefinalpushwasgivenbysomecircumstancefromwithout;somereprimandforneglect——somethreatofwithdrawalofbusinesswhichhisemployerhadreceived;butofthishecouldnotbecertain;allheknewwas,thatMr.Wilkinsproposedthepartnershiptohiminaboutasungraciousawayassuchanoffercouldbemade;anungraciousnesswhich,afterall,hadsolittleeffectontherealmatterinhand,thatMr.Dunstercouldpassoveritwithaprivatesneer,whiletakingallpossibleadvantageofthetangiblebenefititwasnowinhispowertoaccept.

Mr.Corbet"sattachmenttoEllinorhadbeenformallydisclosedtoherjustbeforethistime.Hehadleftcollege,enteredattheMiddleTemple,andwasfaggingawayatlaw,andfeelingsuccessinhisownpower;Ellinorwasto"comeout"atthenextHamleyassemblies;andherloverbegantobejealousofthepossibleadmirersherstrikingappearanceandpiquantconversationmightattract,andthoughtitagoodtimetomakethesuccessofhissuitcertainbyspokenwordsandpromises.

Heneedednothavealarmedhimselfevenenoughtomakehimtakethisstep,ifhehadbeencapableofunderstandingEllinor"sheartasfullyashedidherappearanceandconversation.Shenevermissedtheabsenceofformalwordsandpromises.Sheconsideredherselfasfullyengagedtohim,asmuchpledgedtomarryhimandnooneelse,beforehehadaskedthefinalquestion,asafterwards.Shewasrathersurprisedatthenecessityforthosedecisivewords,"Ellinor,dearest,willyou——canyoumarryme?"andherreplywas——

givenwithadeepblushImustrecord,andinasoftmurmuringtone-

"Yes——oh,yes——Ineverthoughtofanythingelse."

"ThenImayspeaktoyourfather,maynotI,darling?"

"Heknows;Iamsureheknows;andhelikesyousomuch.Oh,howhappyIam!"

"ButstillImustspeaktohimbeforeIgo.WhencanIseehim,myEllinor?Imustgobacktotownatfouro"clock."

"Iheardhisvoiceinthestable-yardonlyjustbeforeyoucame.Letmegoandfindoutifheisgonetotheofficeyet."

No!tobesurehewasnotgone.Hewasquietlysmokingacigarinhisstudy,sittinginaneasy-chairneartheopenwindow,andleisurelyglancingatalltheadvertisementsinTheTimes.HehatedgoingtotheofficemoreandmoresinceDunsterhadbecomeapartner;

thatfellowgavehimselfsuchairsofinvestigationandreprehension.

Hegotup,tookthecigaroutofhismouth,andplacedachairforMr.Corbet,knowingwellwhyhehadthusformallyprefacedhisentranceintotheroomwitha-

"CanIhaveafewminutes"conversationwithyou,Mr.Wilkins?"

"Certainly,mydearfellow.Sitdown.Willyouhaveacigar?"

"No!Ineversmoke."Mr.Corbetdespisedallthesekindsofindulgences,andputalittleseverityintohisrefusal,butquiteunintentionally;forthoughhewasthankfulhewasnotasothermen,hewasnotatallthepersontotroublehimselfunnecessarilywiththeirreformation.

"IwanttospeaktoyouaboutEllinor.Shesaysshethinksyoumustbeawareofourmutualattachment."

"Well,"saidMr.Wilkins——hehadresumedhiscigar,partlytoconcealhisagitationatwhatheknewwascoming——"IbelieveIhavehadmysuspicions.ItisnotverylongsinceIwasyoungmyself."AndhesighedovertherecollectionofLettice,andhisfresh,hopefulyouth.

"AndIhope,sir,asyouhavebeenawareofit,andhavenevermanifestedanydisapprobationofit,thatyouwillnotrefuseyourconsent——aconsentInowaskyoufor——toourmarriage."

Mr.Wilkinsdidnotspeakforalittlewhile——atouch,athought,awordmorewouldhavebroughthimtotears;foratthelasthefoundithardtogivetheconsentwhichwouldparthimfromhisonlychild.

Suddenlyhegotup,andputtinghishandintothatoftheanxiouslover(forhissilencehadrenderedMr.Corbetanxiousuptoacertainpointofperplexity——hecouldnotunderstandtheimpliedhewouldandhewouldnot),Mr.Wilkinssaid,"Yes!Godblessyouboth!Iwillgivehertoyou,someday——onlyitmustbealongtimefirst.Andnowgoaway——gobacktoher——forI

can"tstandthismuchlonger."

Mr.CorbetreturnedtoEllinor.Mr.Wilkinssatdownandburiedhisheadinhishands,thenwenttohisstable,andhadWildfiresaddledforagoodgallopoverthecountry.Mr.Dunsterwaitedforhiminvainattheoffice,whereanobstinateoldcountrygentlemanfromadistantpartoftheshirewouldignoreDunster"sexistenceasapartner,andpertinaciouslydemandedtoseeMr.Wilkinsonimportantbusiness.

CHAPTERV.

Afewdaysafterwards,Ellinor"sfatherbethoughthimselfthatsamefurthercommunicationoughttotakeplacebetweenhimandhisdaughter"sloverregardingtheapprovalofthefamilyofthelattertotheyoungman"sengagement,andheaccordinglywroteaverygentlemanlyletter,sayingthatofcoursehetrustedthatRalphhadinformedhisfatherofhisengagement;thatMr.CorbetwaswellknowntoMr.Wilkinsbyreputation,holdingthepositionwhichhedidinShropshire,butthatasMr.Wilkinsdidnotpretendtobeinthesamestationoflife,Mr.Corbetmightpossiblyneverevenhaveheardofhisname,althoughinhisowncountyitwaswellknownashavingbeenforgenerationsthatoftheprincipalconveyancerandland-agentof——

shire;thathiswifehadbeenamemberoftheoldknightlyfamilyofHolsters,andthathehimselfwasdescendedfromayoungerbranchoftheSouthWalesDeWintons,orWilkins;thatEllinor,ashisonlychild,wouldnaturallyinheritallhisproperty,butthatinthemeantime,ofcourse,somesettlementuponherwouldhemade,thenatureofwhichmightbedecidednearerthetimeofthemarriage.

ItwasaverygoodstraightforwardletterandwellfittedforthepurposetowhichMr.Wilkinsknewitwouldbeapplied——ofbeingforwardedtotheyoungman"sfather.Onewouldhavethoughtthatitwasnotanengagementsodisproportionateinpointofstationastocauseanygreatoppositiononthatscore;but,unluckily,CaptainCorbet,theheirandeldestson,hadjustformedasimilarengagementwithLadyMariaBrabant,thedaughterofoneoftheproudestearlsin——shire,whohadalwaysresentedMr.Wilkins"sappearanceonthefieldasaninsulttothecounty,andignoredhispresenceateverydinner-tablewheretheymet.LadyMariawasvisitingtheCorbetsattheverytimewhenRalph"sletter,enclosingMr.Wilkins"s,reachedthepaternalhalls,andshemerelyrepeatedherfather"sopinionswhenMrs.CorbetandherdaughtersnaturallyquestionedherastowhotheseWilkinseswere;theyrememberedthenameinRalph"slettersformerly;thefatherwassomefriendofMr.Ness"s,theclergymanwithwhomRalphhadread;theybelievedRalphusedtodinewiththeseWilkinsessometimes,alongwithMr.Ness.

LadyMariawasagoodnaturedgirl,andmeantnoharminrepeatingherfather"swords;touchedup,itistrue,bysomeofthedislikesheherselffelttotheintimateallianceproposed,whichwouldmakehersister-in-lawtothedaughterofan"upstartattorney,""notreceivedinthecounty,""alwaystryingtopushhiswayintothesetabovehim,""claimingconnectionwiththeDeWintonsof——Castle,who,asshewellknew,onlylaughedwhenhewasspokenof,andsaidtheyweremorerichinrelationsthantheywereawareof"——"notpeoplepapawouldeverlikehertoknow,whatevermightbethefamilyconnection."

Theselittlespeechestoldinawaywhichthegirlwhoutteredthemdidnotintendtheyshould.Mrs.CorbetandherdaughterssetthemselvesviolentlyagainstthisfoolishentanglementofRalph"s;

theywouldnotcallitanengagement.Theyargued,andtheyurged,andtheypleaded,tillthesquire,anxiousforpeaceatanyprice,andalwaysmoreundertheswayofthepeoplewhowerewithhim,howeverunreasonabletheymightbe,thanoftheabsent,eventhoughthesehadthewisdomofSolomonortheprudenceandsagacityofhissonRalph,wroteanangryletter,sayingthat,asRalphwasofage,ofcoursehehadarighttopleasehimself,thereforeallhisfathercouldsaywas,thattheengagementwasnotatallwhateitherheorRalph"smotherhadexpectedorhoped;thatitwasadegradationtothefamilyjustgoingtoallythemselveswithapeerofJamestheFirst"screation;thatofcourseRalphmustdowhatheliked,butthatifhemarriedthisgirlhemustneverexpecttohaveherreceivedbytheCorbetsofCorbetHallasadaughter.Thesquirewasrathersatisfiedwithhisproduction,andtookittoshowittohiswife;butshedidnotthinkitwasstrongenough,andaddedalittlepostscript"DEARRALPH,"Though,assecondson,youareentitledtoBromleyatmydeath,yetIcandomuchtomaketheestateworthless.Hitherto,regardforyouhaspreventedmytakingstepsastosaleoftimber,&c.,whichwouldmateriallyincreaseyoursisters"portions;thisjustmeasureIshallinfalliblytakeifIfindyoupersevereinkeepingtothissillyengagement.Yourfather"sdisapprovalisalwaysasufficientreasontoallege."

Ralphwasannoyedatthereceiptoftheseletters,thoughheonlysmiledashelockedthemupinhisdesk.

"Dearoldfather!howheblusters!Astomymother,sheisreasonablewhenItalktoher.OncegiveheradefiniteideaofwhatEllinor"sfortunewillbe,andlether,ifshechooses,cutdownhertimber——athreatshehasheldovermeeversinceIknewwhatarocking-horsewas,andwhichIhaveknowntobeillegalthesetenyearspast——andshe"llcomeround.IknowbetterthantheydohowReginaldhasrunuppost-obits,andasforthatvulgarhigh-bornLadyMariatheyareallsofullof,why,sheisaFlandersmaretomyEllinor,andhasnotasilverpennytocrossherselfwith,besides!

Ibidemytime,youdeargoodpeople!"

Hedidnotthinkitnecessarytoreplytotheselettersimmediately,nordidheevenalludetotheircontentsinhistoEllinor.Mr.

Wilkins,whohadbeenverywellsatisfiedwithhisownlettertotheyoungman,andhadthoughtthatitmustbeequallyagreeabletoeveryone,wasnotatallsuspiciousofanydisapproval,becausethefactofadistinctsanctiononthepartofMr.RalphCorbet"sfriendstohisengagementwasnotcommunicatedtohim.

AsforEllinor,shetrembledalloverwithhappiness.Suchasummerfortheblossomingofflowersandripeningoffruithadnotbeenknownforyears;itseemedtoherasifbountifullovingNaturewantedtofillthecupofEllinor"sjoytooverflowing,andasifeverything,animateandinanimate,sympathisedwithherhappiness.