第4章

wouldfainpersuademyselfwererathertheeffectofhereducationthanherdisposition:shehadneverbeenperfectlytaughtthedistinctionbetweenrightandwrong；shehad，likeherbrothersandsisters，beensuffered，frominfancy，totyrannizeovernurses，governesses，andservants；shehadnotbeentaughttomoderateherdesires，tocontrolhertemperorbridleherwill，ortosacrificeherownpleasureforthegoodofothers。Hertemperbeingnaturallygood，shewasneverviolentormorose，butfromconstantindulgence，andhabitualscornofreason，shewasoftentestyandcapricious；hermindhadneverbeencultivated:herintellect，atbest，wassomewhatshallow；shepossessedconsiderablevivacity，somequicknessofperception，andsometalentformusicandtheacquisitionoflanguages，buttillfifteenshehadtroubledherselftoacquirenothing；-thentheloveofdisplayhadrousedherfaculties，andinducedhertoapplyherself，butonlytothemoreshowyaccomplishments。AndwhenIcameitwasthesame:

everythingwasneglectedbutFrench，German，music，singing，dancing，fancy-work，andalittledrawing-suchdrawingasmightproducethegreatestshowwiththesmallestlabour，andtheprincipalpartsofwhichweregenerallydonebyme。Formusicandsinging，besidesmyoccasionalinstructions，shehadtheattendanceofthebestmasterthecountryafforded；andintheseaccomplishments，aswellasindancing，shecertainlyattainedgreatproficiency。Tomusic，indeed，shedevotedtoomuchofhertime，as，governessthoughIwas，Ifrequentlytoldher；buthermotherthoughtthatifSHElikedit，sheCOULDnotgivetoomuchtimetotheacquisitionofsoattractiveanart。Offancy-workI

knewnothingbutwhatIgatheredfrommypupilandmyownobservation；butnosoonerwasIinitiated，thanshemademeusefulintwentydifferentways:allthetediouspartsofherworkwereshiftedontomyshoulders；suchasstretchingtheframes，stitchinginthecanvas，sortingthewoolsandsilks，puttinginthegrounds，countingthestitches，rectifyingmistakes，andfinishingthepiecesshewastiredof。

Atsixteen，MissMurraywassomethingofaromp，yetnotmoresothanisnaturalandallowableforagirlofthatage，butatseventeen，thatpropensity，likeallotherthings，begantogivewaytotherulingpassion，andsoonwasswallowedupintheall-

absorbingambitiontoattractanddazzletheothersex。Butenoughofher:nowletusturntohersister。

MissMatildaMurraywasaveritablehoyden，ofwhomlittleneedbesaid。Shewasabouttwoyearsandahalfyoungerthanhersister；

herfeatureswerelarger，hercomplexionmuchdarker。Shemightpossiblymakeahandsomewoman；butshewasfartoobig-bonedandawkwardevertobecalledaprettygirl，andatpresentshecaredlittleaboutit。Rosalieknewallhercharms，andthoughtthemevengreaterthantheywere，andvaluedthemmorehighlythansheoughttohavedone，hadtheybeenthreetimesasgreat；Matildathoughtshewaswellenough，butcaredlittleaboutthematter；

stilllessdidshecareaboutthecultivationofhermind，andtheacquisitionofornamentalaccomplishments。Themannerinwhichshelearntherlessonsandpractisedhermusicwascalculatedtodriveanygovernesstodespair。Shortandeasyashertaskswere，ifdoneatall，theywereslurredover，atanytimeandinanyway；

butgenerallyattheleastconvenienttimes，andinthewayleastbeneficialtoherself，andleastsatisfactorytome:theshorthalf-hourofpractisingwashorriblystrummedthrough；she，meantime，unsparinglyabusingme，eitherforinterruptingherwithcorrections，orfornotrectifyinghermistakesbeforetheyweremade，orsomethingequallyunreasonable。Onceortwice，Iventuredtoremonstratewithherseriouslyforsuchirrationalconduct；butoneachofthoseoccasions，Ireceivedsuchreprehensiveexpostulationsfromhermother，asconvincedmethat，ifIwishedtokeepthesituation，ImustevenletMissMatildagooninherownway。

Whenherlessonswereover，however，herill-humourwasgenerallyovertoo:whileridingherspiritedpony，orrompingwiththedogsorherbrothersandsister，butespeciallywithherdearbrotherJohn，shewasashappyasalark。Asananimal，Matildawasallright，fulloflife，vigour，andactivity；asanintelligentbeing，shewasbarbarouslyignorant，indocile，carelessandirrational；

and，consequently，verydistressingtoonewhohadthetaskofcultivatingherunderstanding，reforminghermanners，andaidinghertoacquirethoseornamentalattainmentswhich，unlikehersister，shedespisedasmuchastherest。Hermotherwaspartlyawareofherdeficiencies，andgavememanyalectureastohowI

shouldtrytoformhertastes，andendeavourtorouseandcherishherdormantvanity；and，byinsinuating，skilfulflattery，towinherattentiontothedesiredobjects-whichIwouldnotdo；andhowIshouldprepareandsmooththepathoflearningtillshecouldglidealongitwithouttheleastexertiontoherself:whichI

couldnot，fornothingcanbetaughttoanypurposewithoutsomelittleexertiononthepartofthelearner。

Asamoralagent，Matildawasreckless，headstrong，violent，andunamenabletoreason。Oneproofofthedeplorablestateofhermindwas，thatfromherfather"sexampleshehadlearnedtoswearlikeatrooper。Hermotherwasgreatlyshockedatthe"unlady-liketrick，"andwondered"howshehadpickeditup。""Butyoucansoonbreakherofit，MissGrey，"saidshe:"itisonlyahabit；andifyouwilljustgentlyremindhereverytimeshedoesso，Iamsureshewillsoonlayitaside。"Inotonly"gentlyreminded"her，I

triedtoimpressuponherhowwrongitwas，andhowdistressingtotheearsofdecentpeople:butallinvain:Iwasonlyansweredbyacarelesslaugh，and，"Oh，MissGrey，howshockedyouare!

I"msoglad!"or，"Well!Ican"thelpit；papashouldn"thavetaughtme:Ilearneditallfromhim；andmaybeabitfromthecoachman。"

HerbrotherJohn，ALIASMasterMurray，wasaboutelevenwhenI

came:afine，stout，healthyboy，frankandgood-naturedinthemain，andmighthavebeenadecentladhadhebeenproperlyeducated；butnowhewasasroughasayoungbear，boisterous，unruly，unprincipled，untaught，unteachable-atleast，foragovernessunderhismother"seye。Hismastersatschoolmightbeabletomanagehimbetter-fortoschoolhewassent，greatlytomyrelief，inthecourseofayear；inastate，itistrue，ofscandalousignoranceastoLatin，aswellasthemoreusefulthoughmoreneglectedthings:andthis，doubtless，wouldallbelaidtotheaccountofhiseducationhavingbeenentrustedtoanignorantfemaleteacher，whohadpresumedtotakeinhandwhatshewaswhollyincompetenttoperform。Iwasnotdeliveredfromhisbrothertillfulltwelvemonthsafter，whenhealsowasdespatchedinthesamestateofdisgracefulignoranceastheformer。

MasterCharleswashismother"speculiardarling。HewaslittlemorethanayearyoungerthanJohn，butmuchsmaller，paler，andlessactiveandrobust；apettish，cowardly，capricious，selfishlittlefellow，onlyactiveindoingmischief，andonlycleverininventingfalsehoods:notsimplytohidehisfaults，but，inmeremaliciouswantonness，tobringodiumuponothers。Infact，MasterCharleswasaverygreatnuisancetome:itwasatrialofpatiencetolivewithhimpeaceably；towatchoverhimwasworse；

andtoteachhim，orpretendtoteachhim，wasinconceivable。

Attenyearsold，hecouldnotreadcorrectlytheeasiestlineinthesimplestbook；andas，accordingtohismother"sprinciple，hewastobetoldeveryword，beforehehadtimetohesitateorexamineitsorthography，andnevereventobeinformed，asastimulanttoexertion，thatotherboysweremoreforwardthanhe，itisnotsurprisingthathemadebutlittleprogressduringthetwoyearsI

hadchargeofhiseducation。HisminuteportionsofLatingrammar，&；c。，weretoberepeatedovertohim，tillhechosetosayheknewthem，andthenhewastobehelpedtosaythem；ifhemademistakesinhislittleeasysumsinarithmetic，theyweretobeshownhimatonce，andthesumdoneforhim，insteadofhisbeinglefttoexercisehisfacultiesinfindingthemouthimself；sothat，ofcourse，hetooknopainstoavoidmistakes，butfrequentlysetdownhisfiguresatrandom，withoutanycalculationatall。

Ididnotinvariablyconfinemyselftotheserules:itwasagainstmyconsciencetodoso；butIseldomcouldventuretodeviatefromthemintheslightestdegree，withoutincurringthewrathofmylittlepupil，andsubsequentlyofhismamma；towhomhewouldrelatemytransgressionsmaliciouslyexaggerated，oradornedwithembellishmentsofhisown；andoften，inconsequence，wasIonthepointoflosingorresigningmysituation。But，fortheirsakesathome，Ismotheredmyprideandsuppressedmyindignation，andmanagedtostruggleontillmylittletormentorwasdespatchedtoschool；hisfatherdeclaringthathomeeducationwas"nogo；forhim，itwasplain；hismotherspoiledhimoutrageously，andhisgovernesscouldmakenohandofhimatall。"

AfewmoreobservationsaboutHortonLodgeanditsongoings，andI

havedonewithdrydescriptionforthepresent。Thehousewasaveryrespectableone；superiortoMr。Bloomfield"s，bothinage，size，andmagnificence:thegardenwasnotsotastefullylaidout；

butinsteadofthesmooth-shavenlawn，theyoungtreesguardedbypalings，thegroveofupstartpoplars，andtheplantationoffirs，therewasawidepark，stockedwithdeer，andbeautifiedbyfineoldtrees。Thesurroundingcountryitselfwaspleasant，asfarasfertilefields，flourishingtrees，quietgreenlanes，andsmilinghedgeswithwild-flowersscatteredalongtheirbanks，couldmakeit；butitwasdepressinglyflattoonebornandnurturedamongtheruggedhillsof。

Weweresituatednearlytwomilesfromthevillagechurch，and，consequently，thefamilycarriagewasputinrequisitioneverySundaymorning，andsometimesoftener。Mr。andMrs。Murraygenerallythoughtitsufficienttoshowthemselvesatchurchonceinthecourseoftheday；butfrequentlythechildrenpreferredgoingasecondtimetowanderingaboutthegroundsallthedaywithnothingtodo。Ifsomeofmypupilschosetowalkandtakemewiththem，itwaswellforme；forotherwisemypositioninthecarriagewastobecrushedintothecornerfarthestfromtheopenwindow，andwithmybacktothehorses:apositionwhichinvariablymademesick；andifIwerenotactuallyobligedtoleavethechurchinthemiddleoftheservice，mydevotionsweredisturbedwithafeelingoflanguorandsickliness，andthetormentingfearofitsbecomingworse:andadepressingheadachewasgenerallymycompanionthroughouttheday，whichwouldotherwisehavebeenoneofwelcomerest，andholy，calmenjoyment。

"It"sveryodd，MissGrey，thatthecarriageshouldalwaysmakeyousick:itnevermakesME，"remarkedMissMatilda，"Normeeither，"saidhersister；"butIdaresayitwould，ifI

satwhereshedoes-suchanasty，horridplace，MissGrey；I

wonderhowyoucanbearit!"

"Iamobligedtobearit，sincenochoiceisleftme，"-Imighthaveanswered；butintendernessfortheirfeelingsIonlyreplied，-"Oh!itisbutashortway，andifIamnotsickinchurch，I

don"tmindit。"

IfIwerecalledupontogiveadescriptionoftheusualdivisionsandarrangementsoftheday，Ishouldfinditaverydifficultmatter。Ihadallmymealsintheschoolroomwithmypupils，atsuchtimesassuitedtheirfancy:sometimestheywouldringfordinnerbeforeitwashalfcooked；sometimestheywouldkeepitwaitingonthetableforaboveanhour，andthenbeoutofhumourbecausethepotatoeswerecold，andthegravycoveredwithcakesofsolidfat；sometimestheywouldhaveteaatfour；frequently，theywouldstormattheservantsbecauseitwasnotinpreciselyatfive；andwhentheseorderswereobeyed，bywayofencouragementtopunctuality，theywouldkeepitonthetabletillsevenoreight。

Theirhoursofstudyweremanagedinmuchthesameway；myjudgmentorconveniencewasneveronceconsulted。SometimesMatildaandJohnwoulddetermine"togetalltheplaguybusinessoverbeforebreakfast，"andsendthemaidtocallmeupathalf-pastfive，withoutanyscrupleorapology；sometimes，Iwastoldtobereadypreciselyatsix，and，havingdressedinahurry，camedowntoanemptyroom，andafterwaitingalongtimeinsuspense，discoveredthattheyhadchangedtheirminds，andwerestillinbed；or，perhaps，ifitwereafinesummermorning，Brownwouldcometotellmethattheyoungladiesandgentlemenhadtakenaholiday，andweregoneout；andthenIwaskeptwaitingforbreakfasttillIwasalmostreadytofaint:theyhavingfortifiedthemselveswithsomethingbeforetheywent。

Oftentheywoulddotheirlessonsintheopenair；whichIhadnothingtosayagainst:exceptthatIfrequentlycaughtcoldbysittingonthedampgrass，orfromexposuretotheeveningdew，orsomeinsidiousdraught，whichseemedtohavenoinjuriouseffectonthem。Itwasquiterightthattheyshouldbehardy；yet，surely，theymighthavebeentaughtsomeconsiderationforotherswhowerelessso。ButImustnotblamethemforwhatwas，perhaps，myownfault；forInevermadeanyparticularobjectionstosittingwheretheypleased；foolishlychoosingtorisktheconsequences，ratherthantroublethemformyconvenience。Theirindecorousmannerofdoingtheirlessonswasquiteasremarkableasthecapricedisplayedintheirchoiceoftimeandplace。Whilereceivingmyinstructions，orrepeatingwhattheyhadlearned，theywouldloungeuponthesofa，lieontherug，stretch，yawn，talktoeachother，orlookoutofthewindow；whereas，Icouldnotsomuchasstirthefire，orpickupthehandkerchiefIhaddropped，withoutbeingrebukedforinattentionbyoneofmypupils，ortoldthat"mammawouldnotlikemetobesocareless。"

Theservants，seeinginwhatlittleestimationthegovernesswasheldbybothparentsandchildren，regulatedtheirbehaviourbythesamestandard。Ihavefrequentlystoodupforthem，attheriskofsomeinjurytomyself，againstthetyrannyandinjusticeoftheiryoungmastersandmistresses；andIalwaysendeavouredtogivethemaslittletroubleaspossible:buttheyentirelyneglectedmycomfort，despisedmyrequests，andslightedmydirections。Allservants，Iamconvinced，wouldnothavedoneso；butdomesticsingeneral，beingignorantandlittleaccustomedtoreasonandreflection，aretooeasilycorruptedbythecarelessnessandbadexampleofthoseabovethem；andthese，Ithink，werenotofthebestordertobeginwith。

IsometimesfeltmyselfdegradedbythelifeIled，andashamedofsubmittingtosomanyindignities；andsometimesIthoughtmyselfafoolforcaringsomuchaboutthem，andfearedImustbesadlywantinginChristianhumility，orthatcharitywhich"sufferethlongandiskind，seekethnotherown，isnoteasilyprovoked，bearethallthings，endurethallthings。"

But，withtimeandpatience，mattersbegantobeslightlyameliorated:slowly，itistrue，andalmostimperceptibly；butI

gotridofmymalepupils(thatwasnotriflingadvantage)，andthegirls，asIintimatedbeforeconcerningoneofthem，becamealittlelessinsolent，andbegantoshowsomesymptomsofesteem。

"MissGreywasaqueercreature:sheneverflattered，anddidnotpraisethemhalfenough；butwhenevershedidspeakfavourablyofthem，oranythingbelongingtothem，theycouldbequitesureherapprobationwassincere。Shewasveryobliging，quiet，andpeaceableinthemain，butthereweresomethingsthatputheroutoftemper:theydidnotmuchcareforthat，tobesure，butstillitwasbettertokeepherintune；aswhenshewasinagoodhumourshewouldtalktothem，andbeveryagreeableandamusingsometimes，inherway；whichwasquitedifferenttomamma"s，butstillverywellforachange。Shehadherownopinionsoneverysubject，andkeptsteadilytothem-verytiresomeopinionstheyoftenwere；asshewasalwaysthinkingofwhatwasrightandwhatwaswrong，andhadastrangereverenceformattersconnectedwithreligion，andanunaccountablelikingtogoodpeople。"

chapter08

CHAPTERVIII-THE"COMINGOUT"

ATeighteen，MissMurraywastoemergefromthequietobscurityoftheschoolroomintothefullblazeofthefashionableworld-asmuchofit，atleast，ascouldbehadoutofLondon；forherpapacouldnotbepersuadedtoleavehisruralpleasuresandpursuits，evenforafewweeks"residenceintown。ShewastomakeherdebutonthethirdofJanuary，atamagnificentball，whichhermammaproposedtogivetoallthenobilityandchoicegentryofO-anditsneighbourhoodfortwentymilesround。Ofcourse，shelookedforwardtoitwiththewildestimpatience，andthemostextravagantanticipationsofdelight。

"MissGrey，"saidshe，oneevening，amonthbeforetheall-

importantday，asIwasperusingalongandextremelyinterestingletterofmysister"s-whichIhadjustglancedatinthemorningtoseethatitcontainednoverybadnews，andkepttillnow，unablebeforetofindaquietmomentforreadingit，-"MissGrey，doputawaythatdull，stupidletter，andlistentome!I"msuremytalkmustbefarmoreamusingthanthat。"

Sheseatedherselfonthelowstoolatmyfeet；andI，suppressingasighofvexation，begantofolduptheepistle。

"Youshouldtellthegoodpeopleathomenottoboreyouwithsuchlongletters，"saidshe；"and，aboveall，dobidthemwriteonpropernote-paper，andnotonthosegreatvulgarsheets。Youshouldseethecharminglittlelady-likenotesmammawritestoherfriends。"

"Thegoodpeopleathome，"repliedI，"knowverywellthatthelongertheirlettersare，thebetterIlikethem。Ishouldbeverysorrytoreceiveacharminglittlelady-likenotefromanyofthem；

andIthoughtyouweretoomuchofaladyyourself，MissMurray，totalkaboutthe"vulgarity"ofwritingonalargesheetofpaper。"

"Well，Ionlysaidittoteaseyou。ButnowIwanttotalkabouttheball；andtotellyouthatyoupositivelymustputoffyourholidaystillitisover。"

"Whyso？-Ishallnotbepresentattheball。"

"No，butyouwillseetheroomsdeckedoutbeforeitbegins，andhearthemusic，and，aboveall，seemeinmysplendidnewdress。

I

shallbesocharming，you"llbereadytoworshipme-youreallymuststay。"

"Ishouldliketoseeyouverymuch；butIshallhavemanyopportunitiesofseeingyouequallycharming，ontheoccasionofsomeofthenumberlessballsandpartiesthataretobe，andI

cannotdisappointmyfriendsbypostponingmyreturnsolong。"

"Oh，nevermindyourfriends!Tellthemwewon"tletyougo。"

"But，tosaythetruth，itwouldbeadisappointmenttomyself:

I

longtoseethemasmuchastheytoseeme-perhapsmore。"

"Well，butitissuchashorttime。"

"Nearlyafortnightbymycomputation；and，besides，IcannotbearthethoughtsofaChristmasspentfromhome:and，moreover，mysisterisgoingtobemarried。"

"Isshe-when？"

"Nottillnextmonth；butIwanttobetheretoassistherinmakingpreparations，andtomakethebestofhercompanywhilewehaveher。"

"Whydidn"tyoutellmebefore？"

"I"veonlygotthenewsinthisletter，whichyoustigmatizeasdullandstupid，andwon"tletmeread。"

"Towhomisshetobemarried？"

"ToMr。Richardson，thevicarofaneighbouringparish。"

"Isherich？"

"No；onlycomfortable。"

"Ishehandsome？"

"No；onlydecent。"

"Young？"

"No；onlymiddling。"

"Oh，mercy!whatawretch!Whatsortofahouseisit？"

"Aquietlittlevicarage，withanivy-cladporch，anold-fashionedgarden，and-"

"Oh，stop!-you"llmakemesick。HowCANshebearit？"

"Iexpectshe"llnotonlybeabletobearit，buttobeveryhappy。

YoudidnotaskmeifMr。Richardsonwereagood，wise，oramiableman；IcouldhaveansweredYes，toallthesequestions-atleastsoMarythinks，andIhopeshewillnotfindherselfmistaken。"

"But-miserablecreature!howcanshethinkofspendingherlifethere，coopedupwiththatnastyoldman；andnohopeofchange？"

"Heisnotold:he"sonlysixorsevenandthirty；andsheherselfistwenty-eight，andassoberasifshewerefifty。"

"Oh!that"sbetterthen-they"rewellmatched；butdotheycallhimthe"worthyvicar"？"

"Idon"tknow；butiftheydo，Ibelievehemeritstheepithet。"

"Mercy，howshocking!andwillshewearawhiteapronandmakepiesandpuddings？"

"Idon"tknowaboutthewhiteapron，butIdaresayshewillmakepiesandpuddingsnowandthen；butthatwillbenogreathardship，asshehasdoneitbefore。"

"Andwillshegoaboutinaplainshawl，andalargestrawbonnet，carryingtractsandbonesouptoherhusband"spoorparishioners？"

"I"mnotclearaboutthat；butIdaresayshewilldoherbesttomakethemcomfortableinbodyandmind，inaccordancewithourmother"sexample。"

chapter09

CHAPTERIX-THEBALL

"NOW，MissGrey，"exclaimedMissMurray，immediatelyIenteredtheschoolroom，afterhavingtakenoffmyoutdoorgarments，uponreturningfrommyfourweeks"recreation，"Now-shutthedoor，andsitdown，andI"lltellyouallabouttheball。"

"No-damnit，no!"shoutedMissMatilda。"Holdyourtongue，can"tye？andletmetellheraboutmynewmare-SUCHasplendour，MissGrey!afinebloodmare-"

"Dobequiet，Matilda；andletmetellmynewsfirst。"

"No，no，Rosalie；you"llbesuchadamnedlongtimeoverit-sheshallhearmefirst-I"llbehangedifshedoesn"t!"

"I"msorrytohear，MissMatilda，thatyou"venotgotridofthatshockinghabityet。"

"Well，Ican"thelpit:butI"llneversayawickedwordagain，ifyou"llonlylistentome，andtellRosalietoholdherconfoundedtongue。"

Rosalieremonstrated，andIthoughtIshouldhavebeentorninpiecesbetweenthem；butMissMatildahavingtheloudestvoice，hersisteratlengthgavein，andsufferedhertotellherstoryfirst:

soIwasdoomedtohearalongaccountofhersplendidmare，itsbreedingandpedigree，itspaces，itsaction，itsspirit，&；c。，andofherownamazingskillandcourageinridingit；concludingwithanassertionthatshecouldclearafive-barredgate"likewinking，"thatpapasaidshemighthuntthenexttimethehoundsmet，andmammahadorderedabrightscarlethunting-habitforher。

"Oh，Matilda!whatstoriesyouaretelling!"exclaimedhersister。

"Well，"answeredshe，nowhitabashed，"IknowICOULDclearafive-barredgate，ifItried，andpapaWILLsayImayhunt，andmammaWILLorderthehabitwhenIaskit。"

"Well，nowgetalong，"repliedMissMurray；"anddo，dearMatilda，trytobealittlemorelady-like。MissGrey，Iwishyouwouldtellhernottousesuchshockingwords；shewillcallherhorseamare:itissoinconceivablyshocking!andthensheusessuchdreadfulexpressionsindescribingit:shemusthavelearneditfromthegrooms。Itnearlyputsmeintofitswhenshebegins。"

"Ilearneditfrompapa，youass!andhisjollyfriends，"saidtheyounglady，vigorouslycrackingahunting-whip，whichshehabituallycarriedinherhand。"I"masgoodjudgeofhorsefleshasthebestof"m。"

"Well，nowgetalong，youshockinggirl!Ireallyshalltakeafitifyougooninsuchaway。Andnow，MissGrey，attendtome；

I"mgoingtotellyouabouttheball。Youmustbedyingtohearaboutit，Iknow。Oh，SUCHaball!Youneversaworheard，orread，ordreamtofanythinglikeitinallyourlife。Thedecorations，theentertainment，thesupper，themusicwereindescribable!andthentheguests!Thereweretwonoblemen，threebaronets，andfivetitledladies，andotherladiesandgentlemeninnumerable。Theladies，ofcourse，wereofnoconsequencetome，excepttoputmeinagoodhumourwithmyself，byshowinghowuglyandawkwardmostofthemwere；andthebest，mammatoldme，-themosttranscendentbeautiesamongthem，werenothingtome。Asforme，MissGrey-

I"msoSORRYyoudidn"tseeme!IwasCHARMING-wasn"tI，Matilda？"

"Middling。"

"No，butIreallywas-atleastsomammasaid-andBrownandWilliamson。Brownsaidshewassurenogentlemancouldseteyesonmewithoutfallinginlovethatminute；andsoImaybeallowedtobealittlevain。Iknowyouthinkmeashocking，conceited，frivolousgirl；butthen，youknow，Idon"tattributeitALLtomypersonalattractions:Igivesomepraisetothehairdresser，andsometomyexquisitelylovelydress-youmustseeitto-morrow-

whitegauzeoverpinksatin-andsoSWEETLYmade!andanecklaceandbraceletofbeautiful，largepearls!"

"Ihavenodoubtyoulookedverycharming:butshouldthatdelightyousoverymuch？"

"Oh，no!-notthatalone:but，then，Iwassomuchadmired；andI

madesoMANYconquestsinthatonenight-you"dbeastonishedtohear-"

"Butwhatgoodwilltheydoyou？"

"Whatgood!Thinkofanywomanaskingthat!"

"Well，Ishouldthinkoneconquestwouldbeenough；andtoomuch，unlessthesubjugationweremutual。"

"Oh，butyouknowIneveragreewithyouonthosepoints。Now，waitabit，andI"lltellyoumyprincipaladmirers-thosewhomadethemselvesveryconspicuousthatnightandafter:forI"vebeentotwopartiessince。Unfortunatelythetwonoblemen，LordG-

andLordF-，weremarried，orImighthavecondescendedtobeparticularlygracioustoTHEM；asitwas，Ididnot:thoughLordF-，whohateshiswife，wasevidentlymuchstruckwithme。Heaskedmetodancewithhimtwice-heisacharmingdancer，by-the-

by，andsoamI:youcan"tthinkhowwellIdid-Iwasastonishedatmyself。Mylordwasverycomplimentarytoo-rathertoomuchsoinfact-andIthoughtpropertobealittlehaughtyandrepellent；butIhadthepleasureofseeinghisnasty，crosswifereadytoperishwithspiteandvexation-"

"Oh，MissMurray!youdon"tmeantosaythatsuchathingcouldreallygiveyoupleasure？Howevercrossor-"

"Well，Iknowit"sverywrong；-butnevermind!Imeantobegoodsometime-onlydon"tpreachnow，there"sagoodcreature。I

haven"ttoldyouhalfyet。Letmesee。Oh!IwasgoingtotellyouhowmanyunmistakeableadmirersIhad:-SirThomasAshbywasone，-SirHughMelthamandSirBroadleyWilsonareoldcodgers，onlyfitcompanionsforpapaandmamma。SirThomasisyoung，rich，andgay；butanuglybeast，nevertheless:however，mammasaysI

shouldnotmindthatafterafewmonths"acquaintance。Then，therewasHenryMeltham，SirHugh"syoungerson；rathergood-looking，andapleasantfellowtoflirtwith:butBEINGayoungerson，thatisallheisgoodfor；thentherewasyoungMr。Green，richenough，butofnofamily，andagreatstupidfellow，amerecountrybooby!

andthen，ourgoodrector，Mr。Hatfield:anHUMBLEadmirerheoughttoconsiderhimself；butIfearhehasforgottentonumberhumilityamonghisstockofChristianvirtues。"

"WasMr。Hatfieldattheball？"

"Yes，tohesure。Didyouthinkhewastoogoodtogo？"

"Ithoughtbemightconsideritunclerical。"

"Bynomeans。Hedidnotprofanehisclothbydancing；butitwaswithdifficultyhecouldrefrain，poorman:helookedasifheweredyingtoaskmyhandjustforONEset；and-oh!by-the-by-

he"sgotanewcurate:thatseedyoldfellowMr。Blighhasgothislong-wished-forlivingatlast，andisgone。"

"Andwhatisthenewonelike？"

"Oh，SUCHabeast!Westonhisnameis。Icangiveyouhisdescriptioninthreewords-aninsensate，ugly，stupidblockhead。

That"sfour，butnomatter-enoughofHIMnow。"

Thenshereturnedtotheball，andgavemeafurtheraccountofherdeportmentthere，andattheseveralpartiesshehadsinceattended；andfurtherparticularsrespectingSirThomasAshbyandMessrs。Meltham，Green，andHatfield，andtheineffaceableimpressionshehadwroughtuponeachofthem。

"Well，whichofthefourdoyoulikebest？"saidI，suppressingmythirdorfourthyawn。

"Idetestthemall!"repliedshe，shakingherbrightringletsinvivaciousscorn。

"Thatmeans，Isuppose，"Ilikethemall"-butwhichmost？"

"No，Ireallydetestthemall；butHarryMelthamisthehandsomestandmostamusing，andMr。Hatfieldthecleverest，SirThomasthewickedest，andMr。Greenthemoststupid。ButtheoneI"mtohave，Isuppose，ifI"mdoomedtohaveanyofthem，isSirThomasAshby。"

"Surelynot，ifhe"ssowicked，andifyoudislikehim？"

"Oh，Idon"tmindhisbeingwicked:he"sallthebetterforthat；

andasfordislikinghim-Ishouldn"tgreatlyobjecttobeingLadyAshbyofAshbyPark，ifImustmarry。ButifIcouldbealwaysyoung，Iwouldbealwayssingle。Ishouldliketoenjoymyselfthoroughly，andcoquetwithalltheworld，tillIamonthevergeofbeingcalledanoldmaid；andthen，toescapetheinfamyofthat，afterhavingmadetenthousandconquests，tobreakalltheirheartssaveone，bymarryingsomehigh-born，rich，indulgenthusband，whom，ontheotherhand，fiftyladiesweredyingtohave。"

"Well，aslongasyouentertaintheseviews，keepsinglebyallmeans，andnevermarryatall:noteventoescapetheinfamyofold-maidenhood。"

chapter10

CHAPTERX-THECHURCH

"WELL，MissGrey，whatdoyouthinkofthenewcurate？"askedMissMurray，onourreturnfromchurchtheSundayaftertherecommencementofourduties。

"Icanscarcelytell，"wasmyreply:"Ihavenotevenheardhimpreach。"

"Well，butyousawhim，didn"tyou？"

"Yes，butIcannotpretendtojudgeofaman"scharacterbyasinglecursoryglanceathisface。"

"Butisn"theugly？"

"Hedidnotstrikemeasbeingparticularlyso；Idon"tdislikethatcastofcountenance:buttheonlythingIparticularlynoticedabouthimwashisstyleofreading；whichappearedtomegood-infinitelybetter，atleast，thanMr。Hatfield"s。HereadtheLessonsasifhewerebentongivingfulleffecttoeverypassage；itseemedasifthemostcarelesspersoncouldnothavehelpedattending，northemostignoranthavefailedtounderstand；

andtheprayershereadasifhewerenotreadingatall，butprayingearnestlyandsincerelyfromhisownheart。"

"Oh，yes，that"sallheisgoodfor:hecanplodthroughtheservicewellenough；buthehasnotasingleideabeyondit。"

"Howdoyouknow？"

"Oh!Iknowperfectlywell；Iamanexcellentjudgeinsuchmatters。Didyouseehowhewentoutofchurch？stumpingalong-

asiftherewerenobodytherebuthimself-neverlookingtotherighthandortheleft，andevidentlythinkingofnothingbutjustgettingoutofthechurch，and，perhaps，hometohisdinner:hisgreatstupidheadcouldcontainnootheridea。"

"Isupposeyouwouldhavehadhimcastaglanceintothesquire"spew，"saidI，laughingatthevehemenceofherhostility。

"Indeed!Ishouldhavebeenhighlyindignantifhehaddaredtodosuchathing!"repliedshe，haughtilytossingherhead；then，afteramoment"sreflection，sheadded-"Well，well!Isupposehe"sgoodenoughforhisplace:butI"mgladI"mnotdependentonHIM

foramusement-that"sall。DidyouseehowMr。Hatfieldhurriedouttogetabowfromme，andbeintimetoputusintothecarriage？"

"Yes，"answeredI；internallyadding，"andIthoughtitsomewhatderogatorytohisdignityasaclergymantocomeflyingfromthepulpitinsucheagerhastetoshakehandswiththesquire，andhandhiswifeanddaughtersintotheircarriage:and，moreover，Iowehimagrudgefornearlyshuttingmeoutofit"；for，infact，thoughIwasstandingbeforehisface，closebesidethecarriagesteps，waitingtogetin，hewouldpersistinputtingthemupandclosingthedoor，tilloneofthefamilystoppedhimbycallingoutthatthegovernesswasnotinyet；then，withoutawordofapology，hedeparted，wishingthemgood-morning，andleavingthefootmantofinishthebusiness。

NOTABENE-Mr。Hatfieldneverspoketome，neitherdidSirHughorLadyMeltham，norMr。HarryorMissMeltham，norMr。Greenorhissisters，noranyotherladyorgentlemanwhofrequentedthatchurch:nor，infact，anyonethatvisitedatHortonLodge。

MissMurrayorderedthecarriageagain，intheafternoon，forherselfandhersister:shesaiditwastoocoldforthemtoenjoythemselvesinthegarden；andbesides，shebelievedHarryMelthamwouldbeatchurch。"For，"saidshe，smilingslylyatherownfairimageintheglass，"hehasbeenamostexemplaryattendantatchurchtheselastfewSundays:youwouldthinkhewasquiteagoodChristian。Andyoumaygowithus，MissGrey:Iwantyoutoseehim；heissogreatlyimprovedsincehereturnedfromabroad-youcan"tthink!Andbesides，thenyouwillhaveanopportunityofseeingthebeautifulMr。Westonagain，andofhearinghimpreach。"

Ididhearhimpreach，andwasdecidedlypleasedwiththeevangelicaltruthofhisdoctrine，aswellastheearnestsimplicityofhismanner，andtheclearnessandforceofhisstyle。

Itwastrulyrefreshingtohearsuchasermon，afterbeingsolongaccustomedtothedry，prosydiscoursesoftheformercurate，andthestilllessedifyingharanguesoftherector。Mr。Hatfieldwouldcomesailinguptheaisle，orrathersweepingalonglikeawhirlwind，withhisrichsilkgownflyingbehindhimandrustlingagainstthepewdoors，mountthepulpitlikeaconquerorascendinghistriumphalcar；then，sinkingonthevelvetcushioninanattitudeofstudiedgrace，remaininsilentprostrationforacertaintime；thenmutteroveraCollect，andgabblethroughtheLord"sPrayer，rise，drawoffonebrightlavenderglove，togivethecongregationthebenefitofhissparklingrings，lightlypasshisfingersthroughhiswell-curledhair，flourishacambrichandkerchief，reciteaveryshortpassage，or，perhaps，amerephraseofScripture，asahead-piecetohisdiscourse，and，finally，deliveracompositionwhich，asacomposition，mightbeconsideredgood，thoughfartoostudiedandtooartificialtobepleasingtome:thepropositionswerewelllaiddown，theargumentslogicallyconducted；andyet，itwassometimeshardtolistenquietlythroughout，withoutsomeslightdemonstrationsofdisapprovalorimpatience。

Hisfavouritesubjectswerechurchdiscipline，ritesandceremonies，apostolicalsuccession，thedutyofreverenceandobediencetotheclergy，theatrociouscriminalityofdissent，theabsolutenecessityofobservingalltheformsofgodliness，thereprehensiblepresumptionofindividualswhoattemptedtothinkforthemselvesinmattersconnectedwithreligion，ortobeguidedbytheirowninterpretationsofScripture，and，occasionally(topleasehiswealthyparishioners)thenecessityofdeferentialobediencefromthepoortotherich-supportinghismaximsandexhortationsthroughoutwithquotationsfromtheFathers:withwhomheappearedtobefarbetteracquaintedthanwiththeApostlesandEvangelists，andwhoseimportanceheseemedtoconsideratleastequaltotheirs。Butnowandthenhegaveusasermonofadifferentorder-whatsomewouldcallaverygoodone；butsunlessandsevere:representingtheDeityasaterribletaskmasterratherthanabenevolentfather。Yet，asIlistened，Ifeltinclinedtothinkthemanwassincereinallhesaid:hemusthavechangedhisviews，andbecomedecidedlyreligious，gloomyandaustere，yetstilldevout。Butsuchillusionswereusuallydissipated，oncomingoutofchurch，byhearinghisvoiceinjocundcolloquywithsomeoftheMelthamsorGreens，or，perhaps，theMurraysthemselves；probablylaughingathisownsermon，andhopingthathehadgiventherascallypeoplesomethingtothinkabout；perchance，exultinginthethoughtthatoldBettyHolmeswouldnowlayasidethesinfulindulgenceofherpipe，whichhadbeenherdailysolaceforupwardsofthirtyyears:thatGeorgeHigginswouldbefrightenedoutofhisSabbatheveningwalks，andThomasJacksonwouldbesorelytroubledinhisconscience，andshakeninhissureandcertainhopeofajoyfulresurrectionatthelastday。

Thus，IcouldnotbutconcludethatMr。Hatfieldwasoneofthosewho"bindheavyburdens，andgrievoustobeborne，andlaythemuponmen"sshoulders，whiletheythemselveswillnotmovethemwithoneoftheirfingers"；andwho"makethewordofGodofnoneeffectbytheirtraditions，teachingfordoctrinesthecommandmentsofmen。"Iwaswellpleasedtoobservethatthenewcurateresembledhim，asfarasIcouldsee，innoneoftheseparticulars。

"Well，MissGrey，whatdoyouthinkofhimnow？"saidMissMurray，aswetookourplacesinthecarriageafterservice。

"Noharmstill，"repliedI。

"Noharm!"repeatedsheinamazement。"Whatdoyoumean？"

"Imean，IthinknoworseofhimthanIdidbefore。"

"Noworse!Ishouldthinknotindeed-quitethecontrary!

Ishenotgreatlyimproved？"

"Oh，yes；verymuchindeed，"repliedI；forIhadnowdiscoveredthatitwasHarryMelthamshemeant，notMr。Weston。Thatgentlemanhadeagerlycomeforwardtospeaktotheyoungladies:

athinghewouldhardlyhaveventuredtodohadtheirmotherbeenpresent；hehadlikewisepolitelyhandedthemintothecarriage。

Hehadnotattemptedtoshutmeout，likeMr。Hatfield；neither，ofcourse，hadheofferedmehisassistance(Ishouldnothaveacceptedit，ifhehad)，butaslongasthedoorremainedopenhehadstoodsmirkingandchattingwiththem，andthenliftedhishatanddepartedtohisownabode:butIhadscarcelynoticedhimallthetime。Mycompanions，however，hadbeenmoreobservant；and，aswerolledalong，theydiscussedbetweenthemnotonlyhislooks，words，andactions，buteveryfeatureofhisface，andeveryarticleofhisapparel。

"Youshan"thavehimalltoyourself，Rosalie，"saidMissMatildaatthecloseofthisdiscussion；"Ilikehim:Iknowhe"dmakeanice，jollycompanionforme。"

"Well，you"requitewelcometohim，Matilda，"repliedhersister，inatoneofaffectedindifference。

"AndI"msure，"continuedtheother，"headmiresmequiteasmuchashedoesyou；doesn"the，MissGrey？"

"Idon"tknow；I"mnotacquaintedwithhissentiments。"

"Well，butheDOESthough。"

"MyDEARMatilda!nobodywilleveradmireyoutillyougetridofyourrough，awkwardmanners。"

"Oh，stuff!HarryMelthamlikessuchmanners；andsodopapa"sfriends。"

"Well，youMAYcaptivateoldmen，andyoungersons；butnobodyelse，Iamsure，willevertakeafancytoyou。"

"Idon"tcare:I"mnotalwaysgrabbingaftermoney，likeyouandmamma。Ifmyhusbandisabletokeepafewgoodhorsesanddogs，I

shallbequitesatisfied；andalltherestmaygotothedevil!"

"Well，ifyouusesuchshockingexpressions，I"msurenorealgentlemanwilleverventuretocomenearyou。Really，MissGrey，youshouldnotletherdoso。"

"Ican"tpossiblypreventit，MissMurray。"

"Andyou"requitemistaken，Matilda，insupposingthatHarryMelthamadmiresyou:Iassureyouhedoesnothingofthekind。"

Matildawasbeginninganangryreply；but，happily，ourjourneywasnowatanend；andthecontentionwascutshortbythefootmanopeningthecarriage-door，andlettingdownthestepsforourdescent。

chapter11

CHAPTERXI-THECOTTAGERS

ASIhadnowonlyoneregularpupil-thoughshecontrivedtogivemeasmuchtroubleasthreeorfourordinaryones，andthoughhersisterstilltooklessonsinGermananddrawing-IhadconsiderablymoretimeatmyowndisposalthanIhadeverbeenblessedwithbefore，sinceIhadtakenuponmethegoverness"syoke；whichtimeIdevotedpartlytocorrespondencewithmyfriends，partlytoreading，study，andthepracticeofmusic，singing，&；c。，partlytowanderinginthegroundsoradjacentfields，withmypupilsiftheywantedme，aloneiftheydidnot。