第6章

"Dorothy——wherewouldyouratherlive，always；withme，orwithher?"

Thelittlegirllookedtroubled。"Iamsorry，mamma；Idon"tmeantobeunkind；butIwouldratherlivewithher；Imean，ifImightwithouttrouble，andyoudidnotmind，anditcouldbejustthesametousall，youknow。"

"Hassheeveraskedyouthesamequestion?"

"Never，mamma。"

Therelaythestingofit:theCountessseemedthesoulofhonourandfairnessinthismatter，testherasshemight。ThatafternoonLadyMottisfontwenttoherhusbandwithsingularfirmnessuponhergentleface。

"Ashley，wehavebeenmarriednearlyfiveyears，andIhaveneverchallengedyouwithwhatIknowperfectlywell——theparentageofDorothy。"

"Neverhaveyou，Philippadear。ThoughIhaveseenthatyouknewfromthefirst。"

"Fromthefirstastoherfather，notastohermother。HerIdidnotknowforsometime；butIknownow。"

"Ah!youhavediscoveredthattoo?"sayshe，withoutmuchsurprise。

"CouldIhelpit?Verywell，thatbeingso，Ihavethoughtitover；

andIhavespokentoDorothy。Iagreetohergoing。IcandonolessthangranttotheCountessherwish，afterherkindnesstomy——

your——her——child。"

Thenthisself-sacrificingwomanwenthastilyawaythathemightnotseethatherheartwasbursting；andthereupon，beforetheyleftthecity，Dorothychangedhermotherandherhome。Afterthis，theCountesswentawaytoLondonforawhile，takingDorothywithher；

andthebaronetandhiswifereturnedtotheirlonelyplaceatDeansleighParkwithouther。

TorenounceDorothyinthebustleofBathwasadifferentthingfromlivingwithoutherinthisquiethome。OneeveningSirAshleymissedhiswifefromthesupper-table；hermannerhadbeensopensiveandwoefuloflatethatheimmediatelybecamealarmed。Hesaidnothing，butlookedaboutoutsidethehousenarrowly，anddiscernedherforminthepark，whererecentlyshehadbeenaccustomedtowalkalone。Initslowerlevelstherewasapoolfedbyatricklingbrook，andhereachedthisspotintimetohearasplash。Runningforward，hedimlyperceivedherlightgownfloatinginthewater。Topullheroutwastheworkofafewinstants，andbearingherindoorstoherroom，heundressedher，nobodyinthehouseknowingoftheincidentbuthimself。Shehadnotbeenimmersedlongenoughtolosehersenses，andsoonrecovered。SheownedthatshehaddoneitbecausetheContessahadtakenawayherchild，asshepersistedincallingDorothy。Herhusbandspokesternlytoher，andimpresseduponhertheweaknessofgivingwaythus，whenallthathadhappenedwasforthebest。Shetookhisreproofmeekly，andadmittedherfault。

Afterthatshebecamemoreresigned，butheoftencaughtherintearsoversomedoll，shoe，orribbonofDorothy"s，anddecidedtotakehertotheNorthofEnglandforchangeofairandscene。Thiswasnotwithoutitsbeneficialeffect，corporeallynolessthanmentally，aslatereventsshowed，butshestillevincedapreternaturalsharpnessofearatthemostcasualmentionofthechild。Whentheyreachedhome，theCountessandDorothywerestillabsentfromtheneighbouringFernellHall，butinamonthortwotheyreturned，andalittlelaterSirAshleyMottisfontcameintohiswife"sroomfullofnews。

"Well——wouldyouthinkit，Philippa!Afterbeingsodesperate，too，aboutgettingDorothytobewithher!"

"Ah——what?"

"Ourneighbour，theCountess，isgoingtobemarriedagain!ItistosomebodyshehasmetinLondon。"

LadyMottisfontwasmuchsurprised；shehadneverdreamtofsuchanevent。TheconflictforthepossessionofDorothy"spersonhadobscuredthepossibilityofit；yetwhatmorelikely，theCountessbeingstillunderthirty，andsogood-looking?

"Whatisofstillmoreinteresttous，ortoyou，"continuedherhusband，"isakindoffershehasmade。SheiswillingthatyoushouldhaveDorothybackagain。Seeingwhatagriefthelossofherhasbeentoyou，shewilltrytodowithouther。"

"Itisnotforthat；itisnottoobligeme，"saidLadyMottisfontquickly。"Onecanseewellenoughwhatitisfor!"

"Well，nevermind；beggarsmustn"tbechoosers。Thereasonormotiveisnothingtous，sothatyouobtainyourdesire。"

"Iamnotabeggaranylonger，"saidLadyMottisfont，withproudmystery。

"Whatdoyoumeanbythat?"

LadyMottisfonthesitated。However，itwasonlytooplainthatshedidnotnowjumpatarestitutionofoneforwhomsomemonthsbeforeshehadbeenbreakingherheart。

Theexplanationofthischangeofmoodbecameapparentsomelittletimefartheron。LadyMottisfont，afterfiveyearsofweddedlife，wasexpectingtobecomeamother，andtheaspectofmanythingswasgreatlyalteredinherview。AmongthemoreimportantchangeswasthatofnolongerfeelingDorothytobeabsolutelyindispensabletoherexistence。

Meanwhile，inviewofhercomingmarriage，theCountessdecidedtoabandontheremainderofhertermatFernellHall，andreturntoherprettylittlehouseintown。Butshecouldnotdothisquitesoquicklyasshehadexpected，andhalfayearormoreelapsedbeforeshefinallyquittedtheneighbourhood，theintervalbeingpassedinalternationsbetweenthecountryandLondon。PriortoherlastdepartureshehadaninterviewwithSirAshleyMottisfont，anditoccurredthreedaysafterhiswifehadpresentedhimwithasonandheir。

"Iwantedtospeaktoyou，"saidtheCountess，lookinghimluminouslyintheface，"aboutthedearfoundlingIhaveadoptedtemporarily，andthoughttohaveadoptedpermanently。Butmymarriagemakesittoorisky!"

"Ithoughtitmightbethat，"heanswered，regardinghersteadfastlybackagain，andobservingtwotearscomeslowlyintohereyesassheheardherownvoicedescribeDorothyinthosewords。

"Don"tcriticizeme，"shesaidhastily；andrecoveringherself，wenton。"IfLadyMottisfontcouldtakeherbackagain，asIsuggested，itwouldbebetterforme，andcertainlynoworseforDorothy。ToeveryonebutourselvessheisbutachildIhavetakenafancyto，andLadyMottisfontcovetedhersomuch，andwasveryreluctanttolethergo……Iamsureshewilladoptheragain?"sheaddedanxiously。

"Iwillsoundherafresh，"saidthebaronet。"YouleaveDorothybehindforthepresent?"

"Yes；althoughIgoaway，Idonotgiveupthehouseforanothermonth。"

Hedidnotspeaktohiswifeabouttheproposaltillsomefewdaysafter，whenLadyMottisfonthadnearlyrecovered，andnewsoftheCountess"smarriageinLondonhadjustreachedthem。HehadnosoonermentionedDorothy"snamethanLadyMottisfontshowedsymptomsofdisquietude。

"IhavenotacquiredanydislikeofDorothy，"shesaid，"butIfeelthatthereisonenearertomenow。DorothychosethealternativeofgoingtotheCountess，youmustremember，whenIputittoherasbetweentheCountessandmyself。"

"But，mydearPhilippa，howcanyouarguethusaboutachild，andthatchildourDorothy?"

"NotOURS，"saidhiswife，pointingtothecot。"Oursishere。"

"What，then，Philippa，"hesaid，surprised，"youwon"thaveherback，afternearlydyingofgriefatthelossofher?"

"Icannotargue，dearAshley。IshouldprefernottohavetheresponsibilityofDorothyagain。Herplaceisfillednow。"

Herhusbandsighed，andwentoutofthechamber。TherehadbeenapreviousarrangementthatDorothyshouldbebroughttothehouseonavisitthatday，butinsteadoftakingheruptohiswife，hedidnotinformLadyMottisfontofthechild"spresence。Heentertainedherhimselfaswellashecould，andaccompaniedherintothepark，wheretheyhadarambletogether。Presentlyhesatdownontherootofanelmandtookheruponhisknee。

"Betweenthishusbandandthisbaby，littleDorothy，youwhohadtwohomesareleftoutinthecold，"hesaid。

"Can"tIgotoLondonwithmyprettymamma?"saidDorothy，perceivingfromhismannerthattherewasahitchsomewhere。

"Iamafraidnot，mychild。Sheonlytookyoutolivewithherbecauseshewaslonely，youknow。"

"Thencan"tIstayatDeansleighParkwithmyothermammaandyou?"

"Iamafraidthatcannotbedoneeither，"saidhesadly。"Wehaveababyinthehousenow。"Heclosedthereplybystoopingdownandkissingher，therebeingatearinhiseye。

"Thennobodywantsme!"saidDorothypathetically。

"Ohyes，somebodywantsyou，"heassuredher。"Wherewouldyouliketolivebesides?"

Dorothy"sexperiencesbeingratherlimited，shementionedtheonlyotherplaceintheworldthatshewasacquaintedwith，thecottageofthevillagerwhohadtakencareofherbeforeLadyMottisfonthadremovedhertotheManorHouse。

"Yes；that"swhereyou"llbebestoffandmostindependent，"heanswered。"AndI"llcometoseeyou，mydeargirl，andbringyouprettythings；andperhapsyou"llbejustashappythere。"

Nevertheless，whenthechangecame，andDorothywashandedovertothekindcottage-woman，thepoorchildmissedtheluxuriousroominessofFernellHallandDeansleigh；andforalongtimeherlittlefeet，whichhadbeenaccustomedtocarpetsandoakfloors，sufferedfromthecoldofthestoneflagsonwhichitwasnowherlottoliveandtoplay；whilechilblainscameuponherfingerswithwashingatthepump。Butthickershoeswithnailsinthemsomewhatremediedthecoldfeet，andhercomplaintsandtearsonthisandotherscoresdiminishedtosilenceasshebecameinuredanewtothehardshipsofthefarm-cottage，andshegrewuprobustifnothandsome。ShewasneveraltogetherlostsightofbySirAshley，thoughshewasdeprivedofthesystematiceducationwhichhadbeendevisedandbegunforherbyLadyMottisfont，aswellasbyherothermamma，theenthusiasticCountess。ThelattersoonhadotherDorothystothinkof，whooccupiedhertimeandaffectionasfullyasLadyMottisfont"swereoccupiedbyherpreciousboy。Inthecourseoftimethedoubly-desiredanddoubly-rejectedDorothymarried，Ibelieve，arespectableroad-contractor——thesame，ifI

mistakenot，whorepairedandimprovedtheoldhighwayrunningfromWintoncestersouth-westerlythroughtheNewForest——andintheheartofthisworthymanofbusinessthepoorgirlfoundthenestwhichhadbeendeniedherbyherownfleshandbloodofhigherdegree。

Severalofthelistenerswishedtohearanotherstoryfromthesentimentalmemberafterthis，buthesaidthathecouldrecallnothingelseatthemoment，andthatitseemedtohimasifhisfriendontheothersideofthefireplacehadsomethingtosayfromthelookofhisface。

Thememberalludedtowasarespectablechurchwarden，withaslychinktooneeyelid——possiblytheresultofanaccident——andaregularattendantattheClubmeetings。Herepliedthathislookshadbeenmainlycausedbyhisinterestinthetwoladiesofthelaststory，apparentlywomenofstrongmotherlyinstincts，eventhoughtheywerenotgenuinelystaunchintheirtenderness。Thetalehadbroughttohismindaninstanceofafirmeraffectionofthatsortonthepaternalside，inanatureotherwiseculpable。Asfortellingthestory，hismannerwasmuchagainsthim，hefeared；buthewoulddohisbest，iftheywished。

HerethePresidentinterposedwithasuggestionthatasitwasgettinglateintheafternoonitwouldbeaswelltoadjourntotheirrespectiveinnsandlodgingsfordinner，afterwhichthosewhocaredtodosocouldreturnandresumethesecuriousdomestictraditionsfortheremainderoftheevening，whichmightotherwiseproveirksomeenough。Thecuratorhadtoldhimthattheroomwasattheirservice。Thechurchwarden，whowasbeginningtofeelhungryhimself，readilyacquiesced，andtheClubseparatedforanhourandahalf。Thenthefaithfulonesbegantodropinagain——amongwhomwerenotthePresident；neithercametheruraldean，northetwocurates，thoughtheColonel，andthemanoffamily，cigarsinmouth，weregoodenoughtoreturn，havingfoundtheirhoteldreary。Themuseumhadnoregularmeansofillumination，andasolitarycandle，lesspowerfulthantheraysofthefire，wasplacedonthetable；

alsobottlesandglasses，providedbysomethoughtfulmember。Thechink-eyedchurchwarden，nowthoroughlyprimed，proceededtorelateinhisowntermswhatwasinsubstanceasfollows，whilemanyofhislistenerssmoked。

DAMETHEFIFTHTHELADYICENWAY

BytheChurchwardenInthereignofHisMostExcellentMajestyKingGeorgetheThird，DefenderoftheFaithandoftheAmericanColonies，therelivedin"afairemaner-place"(soLelandcalleditinhisday，asIhavebeentold)，inoneo"thegreenestbitsofwoodlandbetweenBristolandthecityofExonbury，ayoungladywhoresembledsomeaforesaidonesinhavingmanytalentsandexceedinggreatbeauty。Withthesegiftsshecombinedasomewhatimperioustemperandarbitrarymind，thoughherexperienceoftheworldwasnotactuallysolargeasherconclusivemannerwouldhaveledthestrangertosuppose。Beinganorphan，sheresidedwithheruncle，who，thoughhewasfairlyconsiderateastoherwelfare，leftherprettymuchtoherself。

Nowitchancedthatwhenthislovelyyoungladywasaboutnineteen，she(beingafearlesshorsewoman)wasriding，withonlyayoungladasanattendant，inoneo"thewoodsnearheruncle"shouse，and，introttingalong，herhorsestumbledovertherootofafelledtree。

Sheslippedtotheground，notseriouslyhurt，andwasassistedhomebyagentlemanwhocameinviewatthemomentofhermishap。Itturnedoutthatthisgentleman，atotalstrangertoher，wasonavisitatthehouseofaneighbouringlandowner。HewasofDutchextraction，andoccasionallycametoEnglandonbusinessorpleasurefromhisplantationsinGuiana，onthenorthcoastofSouthAmerica，whereheusuallyresided。

OnthisaccounthewasnaturallybutlittleknowninWessex，andwasbutaslightacquaintanceofthegentlemanatwhosemansionhewasaguest。However，thefriendshipbetweenhimandtheHeymeres——astheuncleandniecewerenamed——warmedandwarmedbydegrees，therebeingbutfewfolko"noteinthevicinityatthattime，whichmadeanewcomer，ifhewereatallsociableandofgoodcredit，alwayssureofawelcome。Atenderfeeling(asitiscalledbytheromantic)sprangupbetweenthetwoyoungpeople，whichripenedintointimacy。Anderling，theforeigngentleman，wasofanamoroustemperament；and，thoughheendeavouredtoconcealhisfeeling，itcouldbeseenthatMissMariaHeymerehadimpressedhimrathermoredeeplythanwouldberepresentedbyascratchuponastone。Heseemedabsolutelyunabletofreehimselffromherfascination；andhisinabilitytodoso，muchashetried——evidentlythinkinghehadnottheghostofachancewithher——gaveherthepleasureofpower；

thoughshemorethansympathizedwhensheoverheardhimheavinghisdeepdrawnsighs——privatelytohimself，ashesupposed。

Afterprolonginghisvisitbyeveryconceivableexcuseinhispower，hesummonedcourage，andofferedherhishandandhisheart。Beinginnowaydisinclinedtohim，thoughnotsofervidashe，andherunclemakingnoobjectiontothematch，sheconsentedtosharehisfate，forbetterorotherwise，inthedistantcolonywhere，asheassuredher，hisrice，andcoffee，andmaize，andtimber，producedhimamplemeans——astatementwhichwasborneoutbyhisfriend，heruncle"sneighbour。Inshort，adayfortheirmarriagewasfixed，earlierintheengagementthanisusualordesirablebetweencomparativestrangers，byreasonofthenecessityhewasunderofreturningtolookafterhisproperties。

Theweddingtookplace，andMarialeftheruncle"smansionwithherhusband，goinginthefirstplacetoLondon，andaboutafortnightaftersailingwithhimacrossthegreatoceanfortheirdistanthome——which，however，heassuredher，shouldnotbeherhomeforlong，itbeinghisintentiontodisposeofhisinterestsinthispartoftheworldassoonasthewarwasover，andhecoulddosoadvantageously；whentheycouldcometoEurope，andresideinsomefavouritecapital。

Astheyadvancedonthevoyagesheobservedthathegrewmoreandmoreconstrained；and，bythetimetheyhadcrossedtheLine，hewasquitedepressed，justashehadbeenbeforeproposingtoher。AdayortwobeforelandingatParamaribo，heembracedherinaverytearfulandpassionatemanner，andsaidhewishedtomakeaconfession。Ithadbeenhismisfortune，hesaid，tomarryatQuebecinearlylifeawomanwhosereputationprovedtobeineverywaybadandscandalous。Thediscoveryhadnearlykilledhim；buthehadultimatelyseparatedfromher，andhadneverseenhersince。Hehadhopedandprayedshemightbedead；butrecentlyinLondon，whentheywerestartingonthisjourney，hehaddiscoveredthatshewasstillalive。Atfirsthehaddecidedtokeepthisdarkintelligencefromherbelovedears；buthehadfeltthathecouldnotdoit。Allhehopedwasthatsuchaconditionofthingswouldmakenodifferenceinherfeelingsforhim，asitneedmakenodifferenceinthecourseoftheirlives。

Thereuponthespiritofthisproudandmasterfulladyshoweditselfinviolentturmoil，liketheragingofanor"-westthunderstorm——aswellitmight，Godknows。Butshewasoftoostoutanaturetobebrokendownbyhisrevelation，asmanyladiesofmyacquaintancewouldhavebeen——sofarfromhome，andrightundertheLineintheblazeo"thesun。Ofthetwo，indeed，hewasthemorewretchedandshatteredinspirit，forhelovedherdeeply，and(therebeingaforeigntwistinhismake)hadbeentemptedtothiscrimebyherexceedingbeauty，againstwhichhehadstruggleddayandnight，tillhehadnofurtherresistanceleftinhim。Itwasshewhocamefirsttoadecisionastowhatshouldbedone——whetherawiseoneIdonotattempttojudge。

"Iputittoyou，"saysshe，whenmanyuselessself-reproachesandprotestationsonhisparthadbeenuttered——"Iputittoyouwhether，ifanymanlinessisleftinyou，yououghtnottodoexactlywhatIconsiderthebestthingformeinthisstraittowhichyouhavereducedme?"

Hepromisedtodoanythinginthewholeworld。Shethenrequestedhimtoallowhertoreturn，andannouncehimashavingdiedofmalignantagueimmediatelyontheirarrivalatParamaribo；thatsheshouldconsequentlyappearinweedsashiswidowinhernativeplace；andthathewouldnevermolesther，orcomeagaintothatpartoftheworldduringthewholecourseofhislife——agoodreasonforwhichwouldbethatthelegalconsequencesmightbeserious。

Hereadilyacquiescedinthis，ashewouldhaveacquiescedinanythingfortherestitutionofoneheadoredsodeeply——eventotheyieldingoflifeitself。Toputherinanimmediatestateofindependencehegaveher，inbondsandjewels，aconsiderablesum(forhisworldlymeanshadbeeninnowayexaggerated)；andbythenextshipshesailedagainforEngland，havingtravellednofartherthantoParamaribo。Atpartinghedeclaredittobehisintentiontoturnallhislandedpossessionsintopersonalproperty，andtobeawandereronthefaceoftheearthinremorseforhisconducttowardsher。

MariadulyarrivedinEngland，andimmediatelyonlandingapprisedheruncleofherreturn，dulyappearingathishouseinthegarbofawidow。Shewascommiseratedbyalltheneighboursassoonasherstorywastold；butonlytoheruncledidsherevealtherealstateofaffairs，andherreasonforconcealingit。For，thoughshehadbeeninnocentofwrong，Maria"spridewasofthatgrainwhichcouldnotbrooktheleastappearanceofhavingbeenfooled，ordeluded，ornonplussedinherworldlyaims。

Forsometimesheledaquietlifewithherrelative，andinduecourseasonwasborntoher。Shewasmuchrespectedforherdignityandreserve，andtheportablewealthwhichhertemporaryhusbandhadmadeovertoherenabledhertoliveincomfortinawingofthemansion，withoutassistancefromheruncleatall。But，knowingthatshewasnotwhatsheseemedtobe，herlifewasanuneasyone，andsheoftensaidtoherself:"Supposehiscontinuedexistenceshouldbecomeknownhere，andpeopleshoulddiscerntheprideofmymotiveinhidingmyhumiliation?ItwouldbeworsethanifIhadbeenfrankatfirst，whichIshouldhavebeenbutforthecreditofthischild。"

Suchgravereflectionsastheseoccupiedherwithincreasingforce；

andduringtheircontinuancesheencounteredaworthymanofnoblebirthandtitle——LordIcenwayhisname——whoseseatwasbeyondWintoncester，quiteatt"otherendofWessex。Hebeinganxioustopayhisaddressestoher，Mariawillinglyacceptedthem，thoughhewasaplainman，olderthanherself；forshediscernedinare-

marriageamethodoffortifyingherpositionagainstmortifyingdiscoveries。Inafewmonthstheiruniontookplace，andMarialiftedherheadasLadyIcenway，andleftwithherhusbandandchildforhishomeasaforesaid，whereshewasquiteunknown。

Ajustification，oracondemnation，ofherstep(accordingasyouviewit)wasseenwhen，notlongafter，shereceivedanotefromherformerhusbandAnderling。Itwasahastyandtenderepistle，andperhapsitwasfortunatethatitarrivedduringthetemporaryabsenceofLordIcenway。Hisworthlesswife，saidAnderling，hadjustdiedinQuebec；hehadgonetheretoascertainparticulars，andhadseentheunfortunatewomanburied。HenowwashasteningtoEnglandtorepairthewronghehaddonehisMaria。HeaskedhertomeethimatSouthampton，hisportofarrival；whichsheneedbeinnofearofdoing，ashehadchangedhisname，andwasalmostabsolutelyunknowninEurope。Hewouldremarryherimmediately，andlivewithherinanypartoftheContinent，astheyhadoriginallyintended，where，forthegreatlovehestillboreher，hewoulddevotehimselftoherservicefortherestofhisdays。

LadyIcenway，self-possessedasitwashernaturetobe，wasyetmuchdisturbedatthisnews，andsetofftomeethim，unattended，assoonassheheardthattheshipwasinsight。Assoonastheystoodfacetofaceshefoundthatshestillpossessedallheroldinfluenceoverhim，thoughhispowertofascinateherhadquitedeparted。Inhissorrowforhisoffenceagainsther，hehadbecomeamanofstrictreligioushabits，self-denyingasalentensaint，thoughformerlyhehadbeenafreeandjoyousliver。Havingfirstgothimtosweartomakeheranyamendssheshouldchoose(whichhewasimaginingmustbebyatruemarriage)，sheinformedhimthatshehadalreadyweddedanotherhusband，anexcellentmanofancientfamilyandpossessions，whohadgivenheratitle，inwhichshemuchrejoiced。

Atthisthecountenanceofthepoorforeigngentlemanbecamecoldasclay，andhisheartwitheredwithinhim；forasithadbeenherbeautyandbearingwhichhadledhimtosintoobtainher，so，nowthatherbeautywasinfullerbloom，andhermannermorehaughtybyhersuccess，didhefeelherfascinationtobealmostmorethanhecouldbear。Nevertheless，havingswornhisword，heundertooktoobeyhercommands，whichweresimplyarenewalofheroldrequest——

thathewoulddepartforsomeforeigncountry，andneverrevealhisexistencetoherfriends，orhusband，oranypersoninEngland；

nevertroublehermore，seeinghowgreataharmitwoulddoherinthehighpositionwhichsheatpresentoccupied。

Hebowedhishead。"Andthechild——ourchild?"hesaid。

"Heiswell，"saysshe。"Quitewell。"

Withthistheunhappygentlemandeparted，muchsadderinhisheartthanonhisvoyagetoEngland；forithadneveroccurredtohimthatawomanwhoratedherhonoursohighlyasMariahaddone，andwhowasthemotherofachildofhis，wouldhaveadoptedsuchmeansasthisfortherestorationofthathonour，andatsosurprisinglyearlyadate。Hehadfullycalculatedonmakingherhiswifeinlawandtruth，andoflivingincheerfulunitywithherandhisoffspring，forwhomhefeltadeepandgrowingtenderness，thoughhehadneveronceseenthechild。

TheladyreturnedtohermansionbeyondWintoncester，andtoldnothingoftheinterviewtohernoblehusband，whohadfortunatelygonethatdaytodoalittlecockingandrattingoutbyWeydonPriors，andknewnothingofhermovements。ShehaddismissedherpoorAnderlingperemptorilyenough；yetshewouldoftenafterthislookinthefaceofthechildofherso-calledwidowhood，todiscoverwhatandhowmanytraitsofhisfatherweretobeseeninhislineaments。Forthisshehadampleopportunityduringthefollowingautumnandwintermonths，herhusbandbeingamatter-of-

factnobleman，whospentthegreaterpartofhistimeinfield-

sportsandagriculture。

Onewinterday，whenhehadstartedforameetofthehoundsalongwayfromthehouse——itbeinghiscustomtohuntthreeorfourtimesaweekatthisseasonoftheyear——shehadwalkedintothesunshineupontheterracebeforethewindows，wheretherefellatherfeetsomelittlewhiteobjectthathadcomeoveraboundarywallhardby。

Itprovedtobeatinynotewrappedroundastone。LadyIcenwayopeneditandreadit，andimmediately(nodoubt，withasternfixtureofherqueenlycountenance)walkedhastilyalongtheterrace，andthroughthedoorintotheshrubbery，whencethenotehadcome。Themanwhohadfirstmarriedherstoodunderthebushesbeforeher。Itwasplainfromhisappearancethatsomethinghadgonewrongwithhim。

"Younoticeachangeinme，mybest-beloved，"hesaid。"Yes，Maria——

IhavelostallthewealthIoncepossessed——mainlybyrecklessgamblingintheContinentalhellstowhichyoubanishedme。Butonethingintheworldremainstome——thechild——anditisforhimthatIhaveintrudedhere。Don"tfearme，darling!Ishallnotinconvenienceyoulong；Iloveyoutoowell!ButIthinkoftheboydayandnight——Icannothelpit——Icannotkeepmyfeelingforhimdown；andIlongtoseehim，andspeakawordtohimonceinmylifetime!"

"Butyouroath?"saysshe。"Youpromisednevertorevealbywordorsign——"

"Iwillrevealnothing。Onlyletmeseethechild。IknowwhatI

havesworntoyou，cruelmistress，andIrespectmyoath。OtherwiseImighthaveseenhimbysomesubterfuge。ButIpreferredthefrankcourseofaskingyourpermission。"

Shedemurred，withthehaughtyseveritywhichhadgrownpartofhercharacter，andwhichherelevationtotherankofapeeresshadratherintensifiedthandiminished。Shesaidthatshewouldconsider，andwouldgivehimananswerthedayafterthenext，atthesamehourandplace，whenherhusbandwouldagainbeabsentwithhispackofhounds。

Thegentlemanwaitedpatiently。LadyIcenway，whohadnownoconsciousloveleftforhim，wellconsideredthematter，andfeltthatitwouldbeadvisablenottopushtoextremesamanofsopassionateaheart。Onthedayandhourshemethimasshehadpromisedtodo。

"Youshallseehim，"shesaid，"ofcourseonthestrictconditionthatyoudonotrevealyourself，andhence，thoughyouseehim，hemustnotseeyou，oryourmannermightbetrayyouandme。Iwilllullhimintoanapintheafternoon，andthenIwillcometoyouhere，andfetchyouindoorsbyaprivateway。"

Theunfortunatefather，whosemisdemeanourhadrecoileduponhisownheadinawayhecouldnothaveforeseen，promisedtoadheretoherinstructions，andwaitedintheshrubberiestillthemomentwhensheshouldcallhim。Thisshedulydidaboutthreeo"clockthatday，leadinghiminbyagardendoor，andupstairstothenurserywherethechildlay。Hewasinhislittlecot，breathingcalmly，hisarmthrownoverhishead，andhissilkencurlscrushedintothepillow。

Hisfather，nowalmosttobepitied，bentoverhim，andatearfromhiseyewettedthecoverlet。

Sheheldupawarningfingerasheloweredhismouthtothelipsoftheboy。

"Butoh，whynot?"imploredhe。

"Verywell，then，"saidshe，relenting。"Butasgentlyaspossible。"

Hekissedthechildwithoutwakinghim，turned，gavehimalastlook，andfollowedheroutofthechamber，whensheconductedhimoffthepremisesbythewayhehadcome。

Butthisremedyforhissadnessofheartatbeingastrangertohisownson，hadtheeffectofintensifyingthemalady；forwhileoriginally，notknowingorhavingeverseentheboy，hehadlovedhimvaguelyandimaginativelyonly，henowbecameattachedtohiminfleshandbone，asanyparentmight；andthefeelingthathecouldatbestonlyseehischildattherarestandmostcursorymoments，ifatall，drovehimintoastateofdistractionwhichthreatenedtooverthrowhispromisetotheboy"smothertokeepoutofhissight。

ButsuchwashischivalrousrespectforLadyIcenway，andhisregretathavingeverdeceivedher，thatheschooledhispoorheartintosubmission。Owingtohisloneliness，allthefervourofwhichhewascapable——andthatwasmuch——flowednowinthechannelofparentalandmaritallove——forachildwhodidnotknowhim，andawomanwhohadceasedtolovehim。

Atlengththissingularpunishmentbecamesuchatorturetothepoorforeignerthatheresolvedtolessenitatallhazards，compatiblewithpunctiliouscareforthenameoftheladyhisformerwife，towhomhisattachmentseemedtoincreaseinproportiontoherpunitivetreatmentofhim。Atonetimeofhislifehehadtakengreatinterestintulip-culture，aswellasgardeningingeneral；andsincetheruinofhisfortunes，andhisarrivalinEngland，hehadmadeofhisknowledgeaprecariousincomeinthehot-housesofnurserymenandothers。Withthenewideainhisheadheappliedhimselfzealouslytothebusiness，tillheacquiredinafewmonthsgreatskillinhorticulture。Waitingtillthenoblelord，hislady"shusband，hadroomforanunder-gardenerofageneralsort，heofferedhimselffortheplace，andwasengagedimmediatelybyreasonofhiscivilityandintelligence，beforeLadyIcenwayknewanythingofthematter。Muchthereforedidhesurpriseherwhenshefoundhimintheconservatoriesofhermansionaweekortwoafterhisarrival。Thepunishmentofinstantdismissal，withwhichatfirstshehaughtilythreatenedhim，myladythoughtfit，onreflection，nottoenforce。Whileheservedherthussheknewhewouldnotharmherbyaword，while，ifhewereexpelled，chagrinmightinducehimtorevealinamomentofexasperationwhatkindtreatmentwouldassisthimtoconceal。

Sohewasallowedtoremainonthepremises，andhadforhisresidencealittlecottagebythegarden-wallwhichhadbeenthedomicileofsomeofhispredecessorsinthesameoccupation。Herehelivedabsolutelyalone，andspentmuchofhisleisureinreading，butthegreaterpartinwatchingthewindowsandlawnsofhislady"shouseforglimpsesoftheformofthechild。Itwasforthatchild"ssakethatheabandonedthetenetsoftheRomanCatholicChurchinwhichhehadbeenreared，andbecamethemostregularattendantattheservicesintheparishplaceofworshiphardby，where，sittingbehindthepewofmylady，mylord，andhisstepson，thegardenercouldpensivelystudythetraitsandmovementsoftheyoungsteratonlyafewfeetdistance，withoutsuspicionorhindrance。

Hefilledhispostformorethantwoyearswithapleasuretohimselfwhich，thoughmournful，wassoothing，hisladyneverforgivinghim，orallowinghimtobeanythingmorethan"thegardener"toherchild，thoughonceortwicetheboysaid，"Thatgardener"seyesaresosad!Whydoeshelooksosadlyatme?"Hesunnedhimselfinherscornfulnessasifitwerelove，andhisearsdrankinhercurtmonosyllablesasthoughtheywererhapsodiesofendearment。Strangelyenough，thecoldnesswithwhichshetreatedherforeignerbegantobetheconductofLordIcenwaytowardsherself。Itwasamatterofgreatanxietytohimthatthereshouldbealinealsuccessortothetitle，yetnosignofthatsuccessorappeared。Onedayhecomplainedtoherquiteroughlyofhisfate。

"Allwillgotothatdoltofacousin!"hecried。"I"dsoonerseemynameandplaceatthebottomofthesea!"

Theladysoothedhimandfellintothought，anddidnotrecriminate。

Butoneday，soonafter，shewentdowntothecottageofthegardenertoinquirehowhewasgettingon，forhehadbeenailingoflate，though，aswassupposed，notseriously。Thoughsheoftenvisitedthepoor，shehadneverenteredherunder-gardener"shomebefore，andwasmuchsurprised——evengrievedanddismayed——tofindthathewastooilltorisefromhisbed。Shewentbacktohermansionandreturnedwithsomedelicatesoup，thatshemighthaveareasonforseeinghim。

Hisconditionwassofeebleandalarming，andhisfacesothin，thatitquiteshockedhersofteningheart，andgazinguponhimshesaid，"Youmustgetwell——youmust!Ihavebeenhardwithyou——Iknowit。

Iwillnotbesoagain。"

Thesickanddyingman——forhewasdyingindeed——tookherhandandpressedittohislips。"Toolate，mydarling，toolate!"hemurmured。

"ButyouMUSTNOTdie!Oh，youmustnot!"shesaid。Andonanimpulseshebentdownandwhisperedsomewordstohim，blushingasshehadblushedinhermaidendays。

Herepliedbyafaintwansmile。"Timewas!……butthat"spast!"

hesaid，"Imustdie!"

Anddiehedid，afewdayslater，asthesunwasgoingdownbehindthegarden-wall。Herharshnessseemedtocometreblyhometoherthen，andsheremorsefullyexclaimedagainstherselfinsecretandalone。Heronedesirenowwastoerectsometributetohismemory，withoutitsbeingrecognizedasherhandiwork。Inthecompletionofthisschemetherearrivedafewmonthslaterahandsomestained-

glasswindowforthechurch；andwhenitwasunpackedandincourseoferectionLordIcenwaystrolledintothebuildingwithhiswife。

""Erectedtohismemorybyhisgrievingwidow，""hesaid，readingthelegendontheglass。"Ididn"tknowthathehadawife；I"veneverseenher。"

"Ohyes，youmusthave，Icenway；onlyyouforget，"repliedhisladyblandly。"Butshedidn"tlivewithhim，andwasseldomseenvisitinghim，becausethereweredifferencesbetweenthem；which，asisusuallythecase，makesherallthemoresorrynow。"

"Andgoruiningherselfbythisexpensiveruby-and-azureglass-

design。"

"Sheisnotpoor，theysay。"

AsLordIcenwaygrewolderhebecamecrustierandcrustier，andwheneverheseteyesonhiswife"sboybyherotherhusbandhewouldburstoutmorosely，saying，""Tisaveryoddthing，mylady，thatyoucouldobligeyourfirsthusband，andcouldn"tobligeme。"

"Ah!ifIhadonlythoughtofitsooner!"shemurmured。

"What?"saidhe。

"Nothing，dearest，"repliedLadyIcenway。

TheColonelwasthefirsttocommentupontheChurchwarden"stale，bysayingthatthefateofthepoorfellowwasratherahardone。

Thegentleman-tradesmancouldnotseethathisfatewasatalltoohardforhim。Hewaslegallynothingtoher，andhehadservedhershamefully。Ifhehadbeenreallyherhusbanditwouldhavestooddifferently。

TheBookwormremarkedthatLordIcenwayseemedtohavebeenaveryunsuspiciousman，withwhichviewafatmemberwithacrimsonfaceagreed。Itwastruehiswifewasaveryclose-mouthedpersonage，whichmadeadifference。Ifshehadspokenoutrecklesslyherlordmighthavebeensuspiciousenough，asinthecaseofthatladywholivedatStaplefordParkintheirgreat-grandfathers"time。Thoughthere，tobesure，considerationsarosewhichmadeherhusbandviewmatterswithmuchphilosophy。

Afewofthemembersdoubtedthepossibilityofthis。

Thecrimsonman，whowasaretiredmaltsterofcomfortablemeans，ventru，andshortinstature，clearedhisthroat，blewoffhissuperfluousbreath，andproceededtogivetheinstancebeforealludedtoofsuchpossibility，firstapologizingforhisheroine"slackofatitle，itneverhavingbeenhisgoodfortunetoknowmanyofthenobility。Tohisstyleofnarrativethefollowingisonlyanapproximation。

DAMETHESIXTH:SQUIREPETRICK"SLADY

BytheCrimsonMaltsterFolkwhoareatallacquaintedwiththetraditionsofStaplefordParkwillnotneedtobetoldthatinthemiddleofthelastcenturyitwasownedbythattrumpofmortgagees，TimothyPetrick，whoseskillingainingpossessionoffairestatesbygrantingsumsofmoneyontheirtitle-deedshasseldomifeverbeenequalledinourpartofEngland。Timothywasalawyerbyprofession，andagenttoseveralnoblemen，bywhichmeanshisspeciallineofbusinessbecameopenedtohimbyasortofrevelation。Itissaidthatarelativeofhis，averydeepthinker，whoafterwardshadthemisfortunetobetransportedforlifeformistakennotionsonthesigningofawill，taughthimconsiderablelegallore，whichhecreditablyresolvednevertothrowawayforthebenefitofotherpeople，buttoreserveitentirelyforhisown。

However，Ihavenothinginparticulartosayabouthisearlyandactivedays，butratherofthetimewhen，anoldman，hehadbecometheownerofvastestatesbythemeansIhavesignified——amongthemthegreatmanorofStapleford，onwhichhelived，inthesplendidoldmansionnowpulleddown；likewiseestatesatMarlott，estatesnearShertonAbbas，nearlyalltheboroughofMillpool，andmanypropertiesnearIvell。Indeed，Ican"tcalltomindhalfhislandedpossessions，andIdon"tknowthatitmattersmuchatthistimeofday，seeingthathe"sbeendeadandgonemanyyears。Itissaidthatwhenheboughtanestatehewouldnotdecidetopaythepricetillhehadwalkedovereverysingleacrewithhisowntwofeet，andproddedthesoilateverypointwithhisownspud，totestitsquality，which，ifweregardtheextentofhisproperties，musthavebeenastiffbusinessforhim。

AtthetimeIamspeakingofhewasamanovereighty，andhissonwasdead；buthehadtwograndsons，theeldestofwhom，hisnamesake，wasmarried，andwasshortlyexpectingissue。Justthenthegrandfatherwastakenill，fordeath，asitseemed，consideringhisage。Byhiswilltheoldmanhadcreatedanentail(asI

believethelawyerscallit)，devisingthewholeoftheestatestohiseldergrandsonandhisissuemale，failingwhich，tohisyoungergrandsonandhisissuemale，failingwhich，toremoterrelatives，whoneednotbementionednow。

WhileoldTimothyPetrickwaslyingill，hiseldergrandson"swife，Annetta，gavebirthtoherexpectedchild，who，asfortunewouldhaveit，wasason。Timothy，herhusband，throughsprungofaschemingfamily，wasnogreatschemerhimself；hewasthesingleoneofthePetricksthenlivingwhosehearthadeverbeengreatlymovedbysentimentswhichdidnotruninthegrooveofambition；andonthisaccounthehadnotmarriedwell，asthesayingis；hiswifehavingbeenthedaughterofafamilyofnobetterbeginningsthanhisown；thatistosay，herfatherwasacountrytownsmanoftheprofessionalclass。Butshewasaveryprettywoman，byallaccounts，andherhusbandhadseen，courted，andmarriedherinahightideofinfatuation，afteraveryshortacquaintance，andwithverylittleknowledgeofherheart"shistory。Hehadneverfoundreasontoregrethischoiceasyet，andhisanxietyforherrecoverywasgreat。

Shewassupposedtobeoutofdanger，andherselfandthechildprogressingwell，whentherewasachangefortheworse，andshesanksorapidlythatshewassoongivenover。Whenshefeltthatshewasabouttoleavehim，Annettasentforherhusband，and，onhisspeedyentryandassurancethattheywerealone，shemadehimsolemnlyvowtogivethechildeverycareinanycircumstancesthatmightarise，ifitshouldpleaseHeaventotakeher。This，ofcourse，hereadilypromised。Then，aftersomehesitation，shetoldhimthatshecouldnotdiewithafalsehooduponhersoul，anddiredeceitinherlife；shemustmakeaterribleconfessiontohimbeforeherlipsweresealedforever。Shethereuponrelatedanincidentconcerningthebaby"sparentage，whichwasnotashesupposed。

TimothyPetrick，thoughaquick-feelingman，wasnotofasorttoshownervesoutwardly；andheborehimselfasheroicallyashepossiblycoulddointhistryingmomentofhislife。Thatsamenighthiswifedied；andwhileshelaydead，andbeforeherfuneral，hehastenedtothebedsideofhissickgrandfather，andrevealedtohimallthathadhappened:thebaby"sbirth，hiswife"sconfession，andherdeath，beseechingtheagedman，ashelovedhim，tobestirhimselfnow，attheeleventhhour，andalterhiswillsoastodishtheintruder。OldTimothy，seeingmattersinthesamelightashisgrandson，requirednourgingagainstallowinganythingtostandinthewayoflegitimateinheritance；heexecutedanotherwill，limitingtheentailtoTimothyhisgrandson，forlife，andhismaleheirsthereaftertobeborn；afterthemtohisothergrandsonEdward，andEdward"sheirs。Thusthenewly-borninfant，whohadbeenthecentreofsomanyhopes，wascutoffandscornedasnoneoftheelect。

Theoldmortgageelivedbutashorttimeafterthis，theexcitementofthediscoveryhavingtolduponhimconsiderably，andhewasgatheredtohisfatherslikethemostcharitablemaninhisneighbourhood。Bothwifeandgrandparentbeingburied，Timothysettleddowntohisusuallifeaswellashewasable，mentallysatisfiedthathehadbypromptactiondefeatedtheconsequencesofsuchdiredomestictreacheryashadbeenshowntowardshim，andresolvingtomarryasecondtimeassoonashecouldsatisfyhimselfinthechoiceofawife。

Butmendonotalwaysknowthemselves。TheembitteredstateofTimothyPetrick"smindbredinhimbydegreessuchahatredandmistrustofwomankindthat，thoughseveralspecimensofhighattractivenesscameunderhiseyes，hecouldnotbringhimselftothepointofproposingmarriage。Hedreadedtotakeupthepositionofhusbandasecondtime，discerningatrapineverypetticoat，andaSloughofDespondinpossibleheirs。"Whathashappenedonce，whenallseemedsofair，mayhappenagain，"hesaidtohimself。

"I"llriskmynamenomore。"Soheabstainedfrommarriage，andovercamehiswishforalinealdescendanttofollowhimintheownershipofStapleford。

Timothyhadscarcelynoticedtheunfortunatechildthathiswifehadborne，afterarrangingforameagrefulfilmentofhispromisetohertotakecareoftheboy，byhavinghimbroughtupinhishouse。

Occasionally，rememberingthispromise，hewentandglancedatthechild，sawthathewasdoingwell，gaveafewspecialdirections，andagainwenthissolitaryway。ThusheandthechildlivedonintheStaplefordmansion-housetilltwoorthreeyearshadpassedby。

Onedayhewaswalkinginthegarden，andbysomeaccidentlefthissnuff-boxonabench。Whenhecamebacktofindithesawthelittleboystandingthere；hehadescapedhisnurse，andwasmakingaplaythingofthebox，inspiteoftheconvulsivesneezingswhichthegamebroughtinitstrain。Thenthemanwiththeencrustedheartbecameinterestedinthelittlefellow"spersistenceinhisplayundersuchdiscomforts；helookedinthechild"sface，sawtherehiswife"scountenance，thoughhedidnotseehisown，andfellintothoughtonthepiteousnessofchildhood——particularlyofdespisedandrejectedchildhood，likethisbeforehim。

Fromthathour，tryashewouldtocounteractthefeeling，thehumannecessitytolovesomethingorothergotthebetterofwhathehadcalledhiswisdom，andshapeditselfinatenderanxietyfortheyoungsterRupert。Thisnamehadbeengivenhimbyhisdyingmotherwhen，atherrequest，thechildwasbaptizedinherchamber，lestheshouldnotsurviveforpublicbaptism；andherhusbandhadneverthoughtofitasanameofanysignificancetill，aboutthistime，helearntbyaccidentthatitwasthenameoftheyoungMarquisofChristminster，sonoftheDukeofSouthwesterland，forwhomAnnettahadcherishedwarmfeelingsbeforehermarriage。Recollectingsomewanderingphrasesinhiswife"slastwords，whichhehadnotunderstoodatthetime，heperceivedatlastthatthiswasthepersontowhomshehadalludedwhenaffordinghimacluetolittleRupert"shistory。

Hewouldsitinsilenceforhourswiththechild，beingnogreatspeakeratthebestoftimes；buttheboy，onhispart，wastooreadywithhistongueforanybreakindiscoursetoarisebecauseTimothyPetrickhadnothingtosay。Afteridlingawayhismorningsinthismanner，Petrickwouldgotohisownroomandswearinlongloudwhispers，andwalkupanddown，callinghimselfthemostridiculousdoltthateverlived，anddeclaringthathewouldnevergonearthelittlefellowagain；towhichresolvehewouldadhereforthespaceperhapsofaday。Suchcasesarehappilynotnewtohumannature，butthereneverwasacaseinwhichamanmorecompletelybefocledhisformerselfthaninthis。

Asthechildgrewup，Timothy"sattachmenttohimgrewdeeper，tillRupertbecamealmostthesoleobjectforwhichhelived。TherehadbeenenoughofthefamilyambitionlatentinhimforTimothyPetricktofeelalittleenvywhen，sometimebeforethisdate，hisbrotherEdwardhadbeenacceptedbytheHonourableHarrietMountclere，daughterofthesecondViscountofthatnameandtitle；buthavingdiscovered，asIhavebeforestated，thepaternityofhisboyRuperttolurkinevenahigherstratumofsociety，thoseenviousfeelingsspeedilydispersed。Indeed，themorehereflectedthereon，afterhisbrother"saristocraticmarriage，themorecontentdidhebecome。

Hislatewifetooksofteroutlineinhismemory，ashethoughtoftheloftytasteshehaddisplayed，thoughonlyaplainburgher"sdaughter，andthejustificationforhisweaknessinlovingthechild——thejustificationthathehadlongedfor——wasaffordednowintheknowledgethattheboywasbynature，ifnotbyname，arepresentativeofoneofthenoblesthousesinEngland。

"Shewasawomanofgrandinstincts，afterall，"hesaidtohimselfproudly。"Tofixherchoiceupontheimmediatesuccessorinthatducalline——itwasfinelyconceived!HadhebeenoflowbloodlikemyselformyrelationsshewouldscarcehavedeservedtheharshmeasurethatIhavedealtouttoherandheroffspring。Howmuchless，then，whensuchgrovellingtasteswerefarthestfromhersoul!

ThemanAnnettalovedwasnoble，andmyboyisnobleinspiteofme。"

Theafterclapwasinevitable，anditsooncame。"Sofar，"hereasoned，"fromcuttingoffthischildfrominheritanceofmyestates，asIhavedone，Ishouldhaverejoicedinthepossessionofhim!Heisofpurestockononesideatleast，whilstintheordinaryrunofaffairshewouldhavebeenacommonertothebone。"

Beingaman，whateverhisfaults，ofgoodoldbeliefsinthedivinityofkingsandthoseabout"em，themoreheoverhauledthecaseinthislight，themorestronglydidhispoorwife"sconductinimprovingthebloodandbreedofthePetrickfamilywinhisheart。

Heconsideredwhatugly，idle，hard-drinkingscampsmanyofhisownrelationshadbeen；themiserablescriveners，usurers，andpawnbrokersthathehadnumberedamonghisforefathers，andtheprobabilitythatsomeoftheirbadqualitieswouldhavecomeoutinamerelycorporealchild，togivehimsorrowinhisoldage，turnhisblackhairsgray，hisgrayhairswhite，cutdowneverystickoftimber，andHeavenknowswhatall，hadhenot，likeaskilfulgardener，mindedhisgraftingandchangedthesort；tillatlengththisright-mindedmanfelldownonhiskneeseverynightandmorningandthankedGodthathewasnotasothermeanlydescendedfathersinsuchmatters。

ItwasinthepeculiardispositionofthePetrickfamilythatthesatisfactionwhichultimatelysettledinTimothy"sbreastfoundnourishment。ThePetrickshadadoredthenobility，andpluckedthematthesametime。ThatexcellentmanIzaakWalton"sfeelingsaboutfishweremuchakintothoseofoldTimothyPetrick，andofhisdescendantsinalesserdegree，concerningthelandedaristocracy。

Totortureandtolovesimultaneouslyisaproceedingstrangetoreason，butpossibletopractice，astheseinstancesshow。

Hence，whenTimothy"sbrotherEdwardsaidslightinglyonedaythatTimothy"ssonwaswellenough，butthathehadnothingbutshopsandofficesinhisbackwardperspective，whilehisownchildren，shouldhehaveany，wouldbefardifferent，inpossessingsuchamotherastheHonourableHarriet，Timothyfeltaboundoftriumphwithinhimatthepowerhepossessedofcontradictingthatstatementifhechose。

SomuchwasheinterestedinhisboyinthisnewaspectthathenowbegantoreadupchroniclesoftheillustrioushouseennobledastheDukesofSouthwesterland，fromtheirverybeginninginthegloriesoftheRestorationoftheblessedCharlestilltheyearofhisowntime。Hementallynotedtheirgiftsfromroyalty，grantsoflands，purchases，intermarriages，plantingsandbuildings；moreparticularlytheirpoliticalandmilitaryachievements，whichhadbeengreat，andtheirperformancesinartandletters，whichhadbeenbynomeanscontemptible。Hestudiedprintsoftheportraitsofthatfamily，andthen，likeachemistwatchingacrystallization，begantoexamineyoungRupert"sfacefortheunfoldingofthosehistoriccurvesandshadesthatthepaintersVandykeandLelyhadperpetuatedoncanvas。