'Andnotonenow?'saidLucyRobarts,verypiteously.'Don'tbesohard,MrCrawley,——notuponthem,butuponme.MayInotlearnwhethertheyaregoodoftheirkind?'
　　'Iamsuretheyareverygood;butIthinktheirmammawillprefertheirbeingputbyforthepresent.'ThiswasverydiscouragingtoLucy.Ifonesmallbagofgingerbread-nutscreatedsogreatadifficulty,howwasshetodisposeofthepotofguavajellyandaboxofbonbons,whichwerestillinhermuff;orhowdistributethepacketoforangeswithwhichtheponycarriagewasladen?Andtherewasjellyforthesickchild,andchickenbroth,whichwas,indeed,anotherjelly;and,totellthetruthopenly,therewasalsoajointoffreshporkandabasketofeggsfromtheFramleyparsonagefarmyard,whichMrsRobartswastointroduce,shouldshefindherselfcapableofdoingso;butwhichwouldcertainlybecastoutwithutterscornbyMrCrawley,iftenderedinhisimmediatepresence.Therehadalsobeenasuggestionastoaddingtwoorthreebottlesofport:butthecourageoftheladieshadfailedthemonthathead,andthewinewasnotnowaddedtotheirdifficulties.LucyfounditverydifficulttokeepupaconversationwithMrCrawley——themoresoasMrsRobartsandMrsCrawleypresentlywithdrewintoabedroom,takingthetwoyoungerchildrenwiththem.'Howunlucky,'thoughtLucy,'thatshehasnotgotmymuffwithher!'Butthemufflayinherlap,ponderouswithitsrichenclosures.
　　'IsupposeyouwillliveinBarchesterforaportionoftheyearnow,'saidMrCrawley.
　　'Ireallydonotknowasyet;Marktalksoftakinglodgingsforhisfirstmonth'sresidence.'
　　'Buthewillhavethehouse,willhenot?'
　　'Oh,yes;Isupposeso.'
　　'Ifearhewillfinditinterferewithhisownparish——withhisgeneralutilitythere:theschools,forinstance.'
　　'Markthinksthat,asheissonear,heneednotbemuchabsentfromFramley,evenduringhisresidence.AndthenLadyLuftonissogoodabouttheschools.'
　　'Ah!yes:butLadyLuftonisnotaclergyman,MissRobarts.'ItwasonLucy'stonguetosaythatherladyshipwasprettynearlyasbad,butshestoppedherself.AtthismomentProvidencesentgreatrelieftoMissRobartsintheshapeofMrsCrawley'sred-armedmaid-of-all-work,who,walkinguptohermaster,whisperedintohisearthathewaswanted.Itwasthetimeofdayatwhichhisattendancewasalwaysrequiredinhisparishschool;andthatattendancebeingsopunctuallygiven,thosewhowantedhimlookedforhimthereatthishour,andifhewereabsent,didnotscrupletosendforhim.'MissRobarts,Iamafraidyoumustexcuseme,'
　　saidhe,gettingupandtakinghishatandstick.Lucybeggedthatshemightnotbeatallintheway,andalreadybegantospeculatehowshemightbestunloadhertreasures.'WillyoumakemycomplimentstoMrsRobarts,andsaythatIamsorrytomissthepleasureofwishinghergood-bye?ButIshallprobablyseeherasshepassestheschool-house.'Andthen,stickinhand,hewalkedforth,andLucyfanciedthatBobby'seyesimmediatelyrestedonthebagofgingerbread-nuts.
　　'Bob,'saidshe,almostinawhisper,'doyoulikesugar-plumbs?'
　　'Verymuch,indeed,'saidBob,withexceedinggravity,andwithhiseyeuponthewindowtoseewhetherhisfatherhadpassed.
　　'Thencomehere,'saidLucy.Butasshespokethedooragainopened,andMrCrawleyreappeared.'Ihaveleftabookbehindme,'
　　hesaid;andcomingbackthroughtheroom,hetookupthewell-wornPrayerBookwhichaccompaniedhiminallhiswanderingsthroughtheparish.Bobby,whenhesawhisfather,hadretreatedafewstepsback,asalsodidGrace,who,toconfessthetruth,hadbeenattractedbythesoundofsugar-plumbs,inspiteoftheirregularverbs.AndLucywithdrewherhandfromthemuffandlookedguilty.Wasshenotdeceivingthegoodman——nay,teachinghisownchildrentodeceivehim?Buttherearemenmadeofsuchstuffthatanangelcouldhardlylivewiththemwithoutsomedeceit.'Papa'sgonenow,'whisperedBobby;'Isawhimturnroundthecorner.'He,atanyrate,hadlearnedhislesson——asitwasnaturalthatheshoulddo.Someoneelse,also,hadlearnedthatpapawasgone;
　　forwhileBobandGracewerestillcountingthebiglumpsofsugar-candy,eachemployedthewhileforinwardsolacewithaninchofbarley-sugar,thefront-dooropened,andabigbasket,andabundledoneupinkitchencloth,madesurreptitiousentranceintothehouse,andwerequicklyunpackedbyMrsRobartsherselfonthetableinMrsCrawley'sbedroom.
　　'Ididventuretobringthem,'saidFanny,withalookofshame,'forIknowhowasickchildoccupiesthewholehouse.'
　　'Ah!myfriend,'saidMrsCrawley,takingholdofMrsRobarts'sarmandlookingintoherface,'thatsortofshameisoverwithme.Godhastrieduswithwant,andformychildren'ssakeIamgladofsuchrelief.'
　　'Butwillhebeangry?'
　　'Iwillmanageit.DearMrsRobarts,youmustnotbesurprisedathim.Hislotissometimesveryhardtobear;suchthingsaresomuchworseforamanthanforawoman.'Fannywasnotquitepreparedtoadmitthisinherownheart,butshemadenoreplyonthathead.'IamsureIhopewemaybeabletobeofusetoyou,'
　　shesaid,'ifyouwillonlylookuponmeasanoldfriend,andwritetomeifyouwantme.IhesitatetocomefrequentlyforfearthatIshouldoffendhim.'Andthen,bydegrees,therewasconfidencebetweenthem,andthepoverty-strickenhelpmateoftheperpetualcuratewasabletospeakoftheweightofherburdentothewell-to-doyoungwifeoftheBarchesterprebendary.Itwashard,theformersaid,tofeelherselfsodifferentfromthewivesofotherclergymenaroundher——toknowthattheylivedsoftly,whileshe,withalltheworkofherhands,andunceasingstruggleofherenergies,couldhardlymanagetoplacewholesomefoodbeforeherhusbandandchildren.Itwasaterriblething——agrievousthingtothinkof,thatalltheworkofhermindshouldbegivenuptosuchsubjectsasthese.But,nevertheless,shecouldbearit,shesaid,aslonghewouldcarryhimselflikeaman,andfacehislotboldlybeforetheworld.AndthenshetoldhowhehadbeenbetterthereatHogglestockthanintheirformerresidencedowninCornwall,andinwarmlanguagesheexpressedherthankstothefriendwhohaddonesomuchforthem.'MrsArabintoldmethatshewassoanxiousyoushouldgotothem,'saidMrsRobarts.
　　'Ah,yes;butthat,Ifear,isimpossible.Thechildren,youknow,MrsRobarts.'
　　'Iwouldtakecareoftwoofthemforyou.'
　　'Oh,no;Icouldnotpunishyouforyourgoodnessinthatway.Buthewouldnotgo.Hecouldgoandleavemeathome.SometimesI
　　havethoughtthatitmightbeso,andIhavedoneallinmypowertopersuadehim.Ihavetoldhimthatifhecouldmixoncemorewiththeworld,withtheclericalworld,youknow,thathewouldbebetterfittedfortheperformanceofhisownduties.Butheanswersmeangrily,thatitisimpossible——thathiscoatisnotfitforthedean'stable,'andMrsCrawleyalmostblushedasshespokeofsuchareason.
　　'What!withanoldfriendlikeDrArabin?Surelythatmustbenonsense.'
　　'Iknowthatitis.Thedeanwouldbegladtoseehimwithanycoat.Butthefactisthathecannotbeartoenterthehouseofarichmanunlesshisdutycallshimthere.'
　　'Butsurelythatisamistake?'
　　'Itisamistake.ButwhatcanIdo?Ifearthatheregardstherichashisenemies.Heispiningforthesolaceofsomefriendtowhomhecouldtalk——forsomeequalwithamindeducatedlikehisown,towhosethoughtshecouldlisten,andtowhomhecouldspeakhisownthoughts.Butsuchafriendmustbeequal,notonlyinmind,butinpurse;andwherecanheeverfindsuchamanasthat?'
　　'Butyoumaygetbetterpreferment.'
　　'Ah,no;andifhedid,wearehardlyfitforitnow.IfIcouldthinkthatIcouldeducatemychildren;ifIcouldonlydosomethingformypoorGrace——'InanswertothisMrsRobartssaidawordortwo,butnotmuch.Sheresolved,however,thatifshecouldgetherhusband'sleave,somethingshouldbedoneforGrace.
　　Woulditnotbeagoodwork?andwasitnotincumbentonhertomakesomekindlyuseofallthegoodswithwhichProvidencehadblessedherself?Andthentheywentbacktothesitting-room,eachagainwithayoungchildinherarms.MrsCrawleyhavingstowedawayinthekitchenthechickenbrothandthelegofporkandthesupplyofeggs.Lucyhadbeenengagedthewhilewiththechildren,andwhenthetwomarriedladiesentered,theyfoundthatashophadbeenopenedatwhichallmannerofluxurieswerebeingreadilysoldandpurchasedatmarvellouslyeasyprices;theguavajellywasthere,andtheoranges,andthesugar-plums,redandyellowandstriped;and,moreover,thegingerbreadhadbeentakendownintheaudacityoftheircommercialspeculations,andthenutswerespreadoutuponaboard,behindwhichLucystoodasshop-girl,disposingofthemforkisses.'Mamma,mamma,'saidBobby,runninguptohismother,'youmustbuysomethingofher,'andhepointedwithhisfingerstotheshop-girl.'Youmustgivehertwokissesforthatheapofbarley-sugar.'LookingatBobby'smouthatthetime,onewouldhavesaidthathiskissesmightbedispensedwith.
　　WhentheywereagainintheponycarriagebehindtheimpatientPuck,andwerewellawayfromthedoor,Fannywasthefirsttospeak.'Howverydifferentthosetwoare,'shesaid;'differentintheirminds,andhowfalseishisshame!'
　　'Buthowmuchhighertonedishermindthanhis!Howweakheisinmanythings,andhowstrongsheisineverything!Howfalseishispride,andhowfalsehisshame!'
　　'Butwemustrememberwhathehastobear.Itisnoteveryonethatcanenduresuchalifeashiswithoutfalseprideandfalseshame.'
　　'Butshehasneither,'saidLucy.
　　'Becauseyouhaveoneheroinafamily,doesthatgiveyouarighttoexpectanother?'saidMrsRobarts.'Ofallmyownacquaintance,MrsCrawley,Ithink,comesnearesttoheroism.'AndthentheypassedbytheHogglestockSchool,andMrCrawley,whenheheardthenoiseofthewheels,cameout.'Youhavebeenverykind,'saidhe,'toremainsolongwithmypoorwife.'
　　'Wehadagreatmanythingstotalkabout,afteryouwent.'
　　'Itisverykindofyou,forshedoesnotoftenseeafriendnowadays.WillyouhavethegoodnesstotellMrRobartsthatIshallbehereattheschool,ateleveno'clockto-morrow?'Andthenhebowed,takingoffhishattothem,andtheydroveon.
　　'Ifhereallydoescareabouthercomfort,Ishallnotthinksobadlyofhim,'saidLucy.
　　CHAPTERXXIII
　　THETRIUMPHOFTHEGIANTS
　　AndnowabouttheendofAprilnewsarrivedalmostsimultaneouslyinallquartersofthehabitableglobethatwasterribleinitsimporttooneofthechiefpersonsofourhistory;——somemaythinktothechiefpersonofit.Allhighparliamentarypeoplewilldoubtlesssothink,andthewivesanddaughtersofsuch.TheTitanswarringagainstthegodshadbeenforawhilesuccessful.
　　ThyphoeusandMimas,PorphyrionandRhoecus,thegiantbroodofold,steepedinignoranceandweddedtocorruption,hadscaledtheheightsofOlympus,assistedbythataudaciousflingerofdeadlyponderousmissiles,whostandseverreadywithhisterrificsling——Supplehouse,theEnceladusofthepress.Andinthisuniversalcataclysmofthestarrycouncils,whatcouldapoorDianado,DianaofthePettyBag,butabandonherprideofplacetosomerudeOrion?Inotherwords,theministryhadbeencompelledtoresign,andwiththemMrHaroldSmith.'AndsopoorHaroldisout,beforehehaswelltastedthesweetsofoffice,'saidSowerby,writingtohisfriendtheparson;'andasfarasIknow,theonlypieceofChurchpatronagewhichhasfalleninthewayoftheministrysincehejoinedit,hasmadeitswaydowntoFramley——tomygreatjoyandcontentment.'ButithardlytendedtoMark'sjoyandcontentmentonthesamesubjectthatheshouldbesooftenremindedofthebenefitconferreduponhim.
　　Terriblewasthisbreak-downoftheministry,andespeciallytoHaroldSmith,whotothelasthadhadconfidenceinthattheoryofnewblood.HecouldhardlybelievethatalargemajorityoftheHouseshouldvoteagainstaGovernmentwhichhehadonlyjustjoined.'Ifwearetogointhisway,'hesaidtohisyoungfriendGreenWalker,'theQueen'sGovernmentcannotbecarriedon.'ThatallegeddifficultyastocarryingontheQueen'sGovernmenthasbeenfrequentlymootedinlateyearssinceacertaingreatmanfirstintroducedtheidea.Nevertheless,theQueen'sGovernmentiscarriedon,andthepropensityandaptitudeofmenforthisworkseemstobenotatallonthedecrease.Ifwehavebutfewyoungstatesmen,itisbecausetheoldstagersaresofondoftherattleoftheirharness.
　　'IreallydonotseehowtheQueen'sGovernmentistobecarriedon,'saidHaroldSmithtoGreenWalker,standinginacornerofoneofthelobbiesoftheHouseofCommonsonthefirstofthosedaysofawfulinterest,inwhichtheQueenwassendingforonecrackstatesmanafteranother;andsomeanxiousmenwerebeginningtodoubtwhetherornoweshould,intruth,beabletoobtaintheblessingofanotherCabinet.Thegodshadallvanishedfromtheirplaces.Wouldthegiantsbegoodenoughtodoanythingforusorno?Thereweremenwhoseemedtothinkthatthegiantswouldrefusetodoanythingforus.'TheHousewillnowbeadjournedovertillMonday,andIwouldnotbeinHerMajesty'sshoesforsomething,'saidMrHaroldSmith.
　　'ByJove!no,'saidGreenWalker,whointhesedayswasastaunchHaroldSmithian,havingfeltaprideinjoininghimselfonasasubstantialsupportofaCabinetminister.HadhecontentedhimselfwithbeingmerelyaBrockite,hewouldhavecountedasnobody.'ByJove!no,'andGreenWalkeropenedhiseyesandshookhisheadashethoughtoftheperilousconditioninwhichHerMajestymustbeplaced.'IhappentoknowthatLord——won'tjointhemunlesshehastheForeignOffice,'andhementionedsomehundred-handedGyassupposedtobeoftheutmostimportancetothecounselsoftheTitans.
　　'Andthat,ofcourse,isimpossible.Idon'tseewhatonearththeyaretodo.There'sSidonia;theydosaythathe'smakingsomedifficultynow.'NowSidoniawasanothergiant,supposedtobeverypowerful.
　　'WeallknowthattheQueenwon'tseehim,'saidGreenWalker,who,beingamemberofparliamentfortheCreweJunction,andnephewtoLordHartletop,ofcoursehadperfectlycorrectmeansofascertainingwhattheQueenwoulddo,andwhatshewouldnot.
　　'Thefactis,'saidHaroldSmith,recurringagaintohisownsituationasanejectedgod,'thattheHousedoesnotintheleastunderstandwhatitisabout;——doesn'tknowwhatitwants.ThequestionIwouldliketoaskthemisthis:dotheyintendthattheQueenshallhaveaGovernment,ordotheynot?AretheypreparedtosupportsuchmenasSidoniaandLordDeTerrier?Ifso,Iamtheirobedienthumbleservant;butIshallbeverymuchsurprised,that'sall.'LordDeTerrierwasatthistimerecognizedbyallmenastheleaderofthegiants.
　　'AndsoshallI,deucedlysurprised.Theycan'tdoit,youknow.
　　TherearetheManchestermen.Ioughttoknowsomethingaboutthemdowninmycountry;andIsaytheycan'tsupportLordDeTerrier.
　　Itwouldn'tbenatural.'
　　'Natural!Humannaturehascometoanend,Ithink,'saidHaroldSmith,whocouldhardlyunderstandthattheworldshouldconspiretothrowoveraGovernmentwhichhehadjoined,andthat,too,beforetheworldhadwaitedtoseehowmuchhewoulddoforit;
　　'thefactis,Walker,wehavenolongeramongusanystrongfeelingofparty.'
　　'No,notad-,'saidGreenWalker,whowasveryenergeticinhispresentpoliticalaspirations.
　　'Andtillwecanrecoverthat,weshallneverbeabletohaveaGovernmentfirm-seatedandsure-handed.Nobodycancountonmenfromoneweektoanother.Theverymemberswhoinonemonthplaceaministerinpower,aretheveryfirsttovoteagainsthiminthenext.'
　　'Wemustputastoptothatsortofthing,otherwiseweshallneverdoanygood.'
　　'Idon'tmeantodenythatBrockwaswrongwithreferencetoLordBrittleback.Ithinkhewaswrong,andIsaidsoallthrough.But,heavensonearth——!'andinsteadofcompletinghisspeech,HaroldSmithturnedawayhishead,andstruckhishandstogetherintokenofhisastonishmentatthefatuityoftheage.Whatheprobablymeanttoexpresswasthis:thatifsuchagooddeedasthatlateappointmentmadeatthePettyBagOfficewerenotheldsufficienttoatoneforthatotherevildeedtowhichhehadalluded,therewouldbeanendofjusticeinsublunarymatters.Wasnooffencetobeforgiven,evenwhensogreatvirtuehadbeendisplayed?'I
　　attributeitalltoSupplehouse,'saidGreenWalker,tryingtoconsolehisfriend.
　　'Yes,'saidHaroldSmith,nowvergingontheboundsofparliamentaryeloquence,althoughhestillspokewithbatedbreath,andtoonesolitaryhearer.'Yes;wearebecomingtheslavesofamercenaryandirresponsiblepress——ofonesinglenewspaper.Thereisamanendowedwithnogreattalent,enjoyingnopublicconfidence,untrustedasapolitician,andunheardofevenasawriterbytheworldatlarge,andyet,becauseheisonthestaffoftheJupiter,heisabletooverturnaGovernmentandthrowthewholecountryintodismay.ItisastonishingtomethatamanlikeLordBrockshouldallowhimselftobesotimid.'AndneverthelessitwasnotyetamonthsinceHaroldSmithhadbeencounsellingwithSupplehousehowaseriesofstrongarticlesintheJupiter,togetherwiththeexpectedsupportoftheManchestermen,mightprobablybeeffectiveinhurlingtheministerfromhisseat.Butatthattimetheministerhadnotrevigoratedhimselfwithyoungblood.'HowtheQueen'sGovernmentistobecarriedon,thatisthequestionnow,'HaroldSmithrepeated.Adifficultywhichhadnotcausedhimmuchdismayatthatperiod,aboutamonthsince,towhichwehavealluded.AtthismomentSowerbyandSupplehousetogetherjoinedthem,havingcomeoutoftheHouse,inwhichsomeunimportantbusinesshadbeencompleted,aftertheminister'snoticeofadjournment.
　　'Well,Harold,'saidSowerby,'whatdoyousaytoyourgovernor'sstatement?'
　　'Ihavenothingtosaytoit,'saidHaroldSmith,lookingupverysolemnlyfromunderthepenthouseofhishat,and,perhapsrathersavagely.SowerbyhadsupportedtheGovernmentinthelatecrisis;
　　butwhywashenowseenherdingwithsuchaoneasSupplehouse?
　　'Hediditprettywell,Ithink,'saidSowerby.
　　'Verywell,indeed,'saidSupplehouse;'ashealwaysdoesthosesortofthings.Nomanmakessogoodanexplanationofcircumstances,orcomesoutwithsotellingapersonalstatement.
　　Heoughttokeephimselfinreserveforthosesortofthings.'
　　'AndwhointhemeantimeistocarryontheQueen'sGovernment?'
　　saidHaroldSmith,lookingverystern.
　　'Thatshouldbelefttomenoflessermark,'saidheoftheJupiter.'Thepointsastowhichonereallylistenstoaminister,thesubjectsaboutwhichmenreallycare,arealwayspersonal.HowmanyofusaretrulyinterestedastothebestmodeofgoverningIndia?Butinaquestiontouchingthecharacterofaprimeministerweallmustertogetherlikebeesroundasoundingcymbal.'
　　'Thatarisesfromenvy,malice,andalluncharitableness,'saidHaroldSmith.
　　'Yes;andfrompickingandstealing,evilspeaking,lying,andslandering,'saidMrSowerby.
　　'Wearesopronetodesireandcovetothermen'splaces,'saidSupplehouse.
　　'Somemenareso,'saidSowerby;'butitistheevilspeaking,lying,andslandering,whichdoesthemischief.Isitnot,Harold?'
　　'Andinthemeantime,howistheQueen'sGovernmenttobecarriedon?'saidMrGreenWalker.OnthefollowingmorningitwasknownthatLordDeTerrierwaswiththeQueenatBuckinghamPalace,andatabouttwelvealistofthenewministrywaspublished,whichmusthavebeeninthehighestdegreesatisfactorytothewholebroodofgiants.EverysonofTelluswasincludedinit,aswerealsoverymanyofthedaughters.Butthen,lateintheafternoon,LordBrockwasagainsummonedtothepalace,anditwasthoughtintheWestEndamongtheclubsthatthegodshadagainachance.'Ifonly,'saidthePurist,aneveningpaperwhichwassupposedtobeverymuchintheinterestofMrHaroldSmith,'ifonlyLordBrockcanhavethewisdomtoplacetherightmenintherightplaces.ItwasonlytheotherdaythatheintroducedMrSmithintohisGovernment.Thatthiswasastepintherightdirectioneveryoneacknowledged,thoughunfortunatelyitwasmadetoolatetopreventthedisturbancewhichhassinceoccurred.ItnowappearsprobablethathislordshipwillagainhaveanopportunityofselectingalistofstatesmenwithaviewofcarryingontheQueen'sGovernment;anditistobehopedthatsuchmenasMrSmithmaybeplacedinsituationsinwhichtheirtalents,industry,andacknowledgedofficialaptitudes,maybeofpermanentservicetothecountry.'Supplehouse,whenhereadthisattheclubwithMrSowerbyathiselbow,declaredthatthestylewastoowellmarkedtoleaveanydoubtastotheauthor;butweourselvesarenotinclinedtothinkthatMrHaroldSmithwrotethearticlehimself,althoughitmaybeprobablethathesawitintype.ButtheJupiterthenextmorningsettledthewholequestion,andmadeitknowntotheworldthat,inspiteofallthesendingsandresendings,LordBrockandthegodswerepermanentlyout,andLordDeTerrierandthegiantspermanentlyin.ThatfractiousgiantwhowouldonlygototheForeignOffice,had,infact,gonetosomesphereofmuchlessimportantduty,andSidonia,inspiteofthewhispereddislikeofanillustriouspersonage,openedthecampaignwithallthefullappanagesofagiantofthehigheststanding.'Wehope,'saidtheJupiter,'thatLordBrockmaynotyetbetoooldtotakealesson.Ifso,thepresentdecisionoftheHouseofCommons,andwemaysayofthecountryalso,mayteachhimnottoputhistrustinsuchprincesasLordBrittleback,orsuchbrokenreedsasMrHaroldSmith.'Nowthispartingblowwealwaysthoughttobeexceedinglyunkind,andaltogetherunnecessary,onthepartofMrSupplehouse.
　　'Mydear,'saidMrsHaroldSmith,whenshefirstmetMissDunstableafterthecatastrophewasknown,'howamIpossiblytoendurethisdegradation?'Andsheputherdeeplylacedhandkerchieftohereyes.
　　'Christianresignation,'suggestedMissDunstable.
　　'Fiddlestick!'saidMrsHaroldSmith.'YoumillionairesalwaystalkofChristianresignation,becauseyouneverarecalledontoresignanything.IfIhadanyChristianresignation,Ishouldn'thavecaredforsuchpompsandvanities.Thinkofit,mydear;aCabinetminister'swifeforonlythreeweeks!'
　　'HowdoespoorMrSmithendureit?'
　　'What?Harold?Heonlylivesonthehopeofvengeance.WhenhehasputanendtoMrSupplehousehewillbecontenttodie.'AndthentherewerefurtherexplanationsinbothHousesofParliament,whichwerealtogethersatisfactory.Thehigh-bred,courteousgiantsassuredthegodsthattheyhadpiledPeliononOssaandthusclimbedupintopower,verymuchinoppositiontotheirgood-wills;
　　forthey,thegiantsthemselves,preferredthesweetsofdignifiedretirement.Butthevoiceofthepeoplehadbeentoostrongforthem;theefforthadbeenmade,notbythemselves,butbyothers,whoweredeterminedthatthegiantsshouldbeattheheadofaffairs.Indeed,thespiritofthetimeswassoclearlyinfavourofgiantsthattherehadbeennoalternative.SosaidBriareustotheLordsandOriontotheCommons.Andthenthegodswereabsolutelyhappyincedingtheirplaces;andsofarweretheyfromanyuncelestialenvyormalicewhichmightnotbedivine,thattheypromisedtogivethegiantsalltheassistanceintheirpowerincarryingontheworkofthegovernment;uponwhichthegiantsdeclaredhowdeeplyindebtedtheywouldbeforsuchvaluablecounselandfriendlyassistance.Allthiswasdelightfulintheextreme;butnotthelessdidordinarymenseemtoexpectthattheusualbattlewouldgoonintheoldcustomaryway.Itiseasytoloveone'senemywhenoneismakingfinespeeches;butsodifficulttodosointheactualeverydayworkoflife.Buttherewasandalwayshasbeenthispeculiargoodpointaboutthegiants,thattheyarenevertooproudtofollowinthefootstepsofthegods.
　　Ifthegods,deliberatingpainfullytogether,haveelaboratedanyskilfulproject,thegiantsarealwayswillingtoadoptitastheirown,nottreatingthebantlingasafosterchild,butpraisingitandpushingitsothatmenshouldregarditastheundoubtedoffspringoftheirownbrains.Nowjustatthistimetherehadbeenaplanmuchthoughtofforincreasingthenumberofbishops.
　　Goodactivebishopswereverydesirable,andtherewasastrongfeelingamongcertainexcellentChurchmenthattherecouldhardlybetoomanyofthem.LordBrockhadhismeasurescutanddry.
　　ThereshouldbeaBishopofWestminstertosharetheHerculeantoilsofthemetropolitanprelate,andanotherupintheNorthtoChristianizethemininginterestsandwashwhitetheblackamoorsofNewcastle:BishopofBeverleyheshouldbecalled.But,inoppositiontothis,thegiants,itwasknown,hadintendedtoputforththewholemeasureoftheirbruteforce.Morecurates,theysaid,werewanting,anddistrictincumbents;notmorebishopsrollingincarriages.Thatbishopsshouldrollincarriageswasverygood;butofsuchblessingstheEnglishworldforthepresenthadenough.AndthereforeLordBrockandthegodshadhadmuchfearastotheirlittleproject.Butnow,immediatelyontheaccessionofthegiants,itwasknownthatthebishopbillwastobegoneonwithimmediately.Somesmallchangeswouldbeeffectedsothatthebillshouldbegiganticratherthandivine;buttheresultwouldbealtogetherthesame.Itmust,however,beadmittedthatbishopsappointedbyourselvesmaybeverygoodthings,whereasthoseappointedbyouradversarieswillbeanythingbutgood.And,nodoubt,thisfeelingwentalongwaywiththegiants.Bethatasitmay,thenewbishopbillwastobetheirfirstworkofgovernment,anditwastobebroughtforwardandcarried,andthenewprelatesselectedandputintotheirchairsallatonce,——beforethegrouseshouldbegintocrowandputanendtothedoingsofgodsaswellasgiants.Amongotherminoreffectsarisingfromthisdecisionwasthefollowing,thatArchdeaconandMrsGrantlyreturnedtoLondon,andagaintookthelodgingsinwhichtheyhadbeenstaying.Onvariousoccasionsalsoduringthefirstweekofthissecondsojourn,DrGrantlymightbeseenenteringtheofficialchambersoftheFirstLordoftheTreasury.
　　MuchcounselwasnecessaryamongHigh-Churchmenofgreatreputebeforeanyfixedresolutioncouldwiselybemadeinsuchamatterasthis;andfewChurchmenstoodinhigherreputethantheArchdeaconofBarchester.AndthenitbegantoberumouredintheworldthattheministerhaddisposedatanyrateoftheseeofWestminster.ThispresenttimewasaverynervousoneforMrsGrantly.Whatmightbetheaspirationsofthearchdeaconhimself,wewillnotstoptoinquire.Itmaybethattimeandexperiencehadtaughthimthefutilityofearthlyhonours,andmadehimcontentwiththecomfortableopulenceofhisBarsetshirerectory.
　　ButthereisnotheoryofChurchdisciplinewhichmakesitnecessarythataclergyman'swifeshouldhaveanobjectiontoabishopric.Thearchdeaconprobablywasonlyanxioustogiveadisinterestedaidtotheminister,butMrsGrantlydidlongtositinhighplaces,andbeatanyrateequaltoMrsProudie.Itwasforherchildren,shesaidtoherself,thatshewasthusanxious——
　　thattheyshouldhaveagoodpositionbeforetheworldandthemeansofmakingthebestofthemselves.'Oneisabletodonothing,youknow,shutupthere,downatPlumstead,'shehadremarkedtoLadyLuftonontheoccasionofherfirstvisittoLondon,andyetthetimewasnotlongpastwhenshehadthoughtthatrectoryhouseatPlumsteadtobebynomeansinsufficientorcontemptible.AndthentherecamethequestionwhetherornoGriseldashouldgobacktohermother;butthisideawasverystronglyopposedbyLadyLufton,andultimatelywithsuccess.
　　'Ireallythinkthedeargirlisveryhappywithme,'saidLadyLufton;'andifeversheistobelongtomemoreclosely,itwillbesowellthatweshouldknowandloveoneanother.'
　　Totellthetruth,LadyLuftonhadbeentryinghardtoknowandloveGriselda,buthithertoshehadscarcelysucceededtothefullextentofherwishes.ThatshelovedGriseldawascertain,——withthatsortoflovewhichspringsfromaperson'svolitionandnotfromthejudgement.ShehadsaidallalongtoherselfandothersthatshedidloveGriseldaGrantly.Shehadadmiredtheyounglady'sface,likedhermanner,approvedofherfortuneandfamily,andhadselectedherforadaughter-in-lawinasomewhatimpetuousmanner.Thereforeshelovedher.ButitwasbynomeanscleartoLadyLuftonthatshedidasyetknowheryoungfriend.Thematchwasaplanofherown,andthereforeshestucktoitaswarmlyasever,butshebegantohavesomemisgivingswhetherornothedeargirlwouldbetoherherselfallthatshehaddreamedofinadaughter-in-law.'But,dearLadyLufton,'saidMrsGrantly,'isitnotpossiblethatwemayputheraffectionstotoosevereatest?
　　What,ifsheshouldlearntoregardhim,andthen——'
　　'Ah!ifshedid,Ishouldhavenofearoftheresult.IfsheshowedanythinglikeloveforLudovic,hewouldbeatherfeetinamoment.Heisimpulsive,butsheisnot.'
　　'Exactly,LadyLufton.Itishisprivilegetobeimpulsiveandtosueforheraffection,andherstohaveherlovesoughtforwithoutmakinganydemonstration.Itisperhapsthefaultofyoungladiesofthepresentdaythattheyaretooimpulsive.Theyassumeprivilegeswhicharenottheirown,andthuslosethosewhichare.'
　　'Quitetrue!Iquiteagreewithyou.ItisprobablythatveryfeelingthathasmademethinksohighlyofGriselda.Butthen——'
　　Butthenayounglady,thoughsheneednotjumpdownagentleman'sthroat,orthrowherselfintohisface,maygivesomesignsthatsheismadeoffleshandblood;especiallywhenherpapaandmammaallbelongingtoheraresoanxioustomakethatpathofherloverunsmooth.ThatwaswhatwaspassingthroughLadyLufton'smind;
　　butshedidnotsayitall;shemerelylookedit.
　　'Idon'tthinkshewilleverallowherselftoindulgeinanunauthorizedpassion,'saidMrsGrantly.
　　'Iamsureshewillnot,'saidLadyLufton,withreadyagreement,fearingperhapsinherheartthatGriseldawouldneverindulgeinanypassionauthorizedorunauthorized.
　　'Idon'tknowwhetherLordLuftonseesmuchofhernow,'saidMrsGrantly,thinkingperhapsofthatpromiseofLadyLufton'swithreferencetohislordship'ssparetime.
　　'Justlately,duringthesechanges,youknow,everybodyhasbeensomuchengaged.LudovichasbeenconstantlyattheHouse,andthenmenfinditsonecessarytobeattheirclubsjustnow.'
　　'Yes,yes,ofcourse,'saidMrsGrantly,whowasnotatalldisposedtothinklittleoftheimportanceofthepresentcrisis,ortowonderthatmenshouldcongregatetogetherwhensuchdeedsweretobedoneasthosewhichnowoccupiedthebreastsoftheQueen'sadvisers.Atlast,however,thetwomothersperfectlyunderstoodeachother.GriseldawasstilltoremainwithLadyLufton;andwastoacceptherladyship'sson,ifhecouldonlybeinducedtoexercisehisprivilegeofaskingher;butinthemeantime,asthisseemedtobedoubtful,Griseldawasnottobedebarredfromherprivilegeofmakingwhatuseshecouldofanyotherstringwhichshemighthavetoherbow.
　　'But,mamma,'saidGriselda,inamomentofunwatchedintercoursebetweenthemotheranddaughter,'isitreallytruethattheyaregoingtomakepapaabishop?'
　　'Wecantellnothingasyet,mydear.Peopleintheworldaretalkingaboutit.YourpapahasbeenagooddealwithLordDeTerrier.'
　　'Andisn'thePrimeMinister?'
　　'Oh,yes;Iamhappytosaythatheis.'
　　'IthoughtthePrimeMinistercouldmakeanyoneabishopthathechooses,——anyclergyman,thatis.'
　　'Butthereisnoseevacant,'saidMrsGrantly.
　　'Thenthereisn'tanychance,'saidGriselda,lookingveryglum.
　　'TheyaregoingtohaveanActofParliamentformakingtwomorebishops.That'swhattheyaretalkingaboutatleast.Andiftheydo——'
　　'PapawillbemadeBishopofWestminster——won'the?AndweshallliveinLondon.'
　　'Butyoumustnottalkaboutit,mydear.'
　　'No,Iwon't.But,mamma,aBishopofWestminsterwillbehigherthanaBishopofBarchester,won'the?IshallsoliketobeabletosnubtheMissProudies.'ItwillthereforebeseenthatthereweremattersonwhichevenGriseldaGrantlycouldbeanimated.LiketherestofherfamilyshewasdevotedtotheChurch.LateonthatafternoonthearchdeaconreturnedhometodineinMountStreet,havingspentthewholeofthedaybetweentheTreasurychambers,ameetingofConvocation,andhisclub.Andwhenhedidgethomeitwassoonmanifesttohiswifethathewasnotladenwithgoodnews.'Itisalmostincredible,'hesaid,standingwithhisbacktothedrawing-roomfire.
　　'Whatisincredible?'saidhiswife,sharingherhusband'sanxietytothefull.
　　'IfIhadnotlearneditasafact,Iwouldnothavebelievedit,evenofLordBrock,'saidthearchdeacon.
　　'Learnedwhat?'saidtheanxiouswife.
　　'Afterall,theyaregoingtoopposethebill.'
　　'Impossible!'saidMrsGrantly.
　　'Buttheyare.'
　　'Thebillforthetwonewbishops,archdeacon?Opposetheirownbill?'
　　'Yes——opposetheirownbill.Itisalmostincredible;butsoitis.Somechangeshavebeenforceduponus;littlethingswhichtheyhadforgotten——quiteminormatters;andtheynowsaythattheywillbeobligedtodivideagainstusonthesetwopenny-halfpenny,hair-splittingpoints.ItisLordBrock'sowndoingtoo,afterallthathehassaidaboutabstainingfromfactiousoppositiontotheGovernment.'
　　'Ibelievethereisnothingtoobadortoofalseforthatman,'
　　saidMrsGrantly.
　　'Afteralltheysaid,too,whentheywereinpowerthemselves,astothepresentGovernmentopposingthecauseofreligion!TheydeclarenowthatLordDeTerriercannotbeveryanxiousaboutit,ashehadsomanygoodreasonsagainstitafewweeksago.Isitnotdreadfulthatthereshouldbesuchdouble-dealinginmeninsuchpositions?'
　　'Itissickening,'saidMrsGrantly.Andthentherewasapausebetweenthemasthethoughtoftheinjurythatwasdonetothem.
　　'But,archdeacon——'
　　'Well?'
　　'Couldyounotgiveupthosesmallpointsandshamethemintocompliance?'
　　'Nothingwouldshamethem.'
　　'Butwoulditnotbewelltotry?'Thegamewassogoodaone,andthestakesoimportant,thatMrsGrantlyfeltthatitwouldbeworthplayingfortothelast.
　　'Itisnogood.'
　　'ButIcertainlywouldsuggestittoLordDeTerrier.Iamsurethecountrywouldgoalongwithhim;atanyratetheChurchwould.'
　　'Itisimpossible,'saidthearchdeacon.'Totellthetruth,itdidoccurtome.Butsomeofthemdownthereseemedtothinkthatitwouldnotdo.'MrsGrantlysatawhileonthesofa,stillmeditatinginhermindwhethertheremightnotyetbesomeescapefromsoterribleadownfall.
　　'But,archdeacon——'
　　'I'llgoupstairsanddress,'saidhe,indespondency.
　　'But,archdeacon,surelythepresentministrymayhaveamajorityonsuchasubjectasthat;Ithoughttheyweresureofamajoritynow.'
　　'No;notsure.'
　　'Butatanyratethechancesareintheirfavour?Idohopethey'lldotheirduty,andexertthemselvestokeeptheirmemberstogether.'Andthenthearchdeacontoldoutthewholetruth.
　　'LordDeTerriersaysthatunderthepresentcircumstanceshewillnotbringthematterforwardthissessionatall.SowehadbettergobacktoPlumstead.'MrsGrantlythenfeltthattherewasnothingfurthertobesaid,anditwillbeproperthatthehistorianshoulddropaveilovertheirsufferings.
　　CHAPTERXXIV
　　MAGNAESTVERITAS
　　ItwasmadeknowntothereaderthatintheearlypartofthewinterMrSowerbyhadaschemeforretrievinghislostfortunes,andsettinghimselfrightintheworld,bymarryingthatrichheiress,MissDunstable.IfearmyfriendSowerbydoesnot,atpresent,standhighintheestimationofthosewhohavecomewithmethusfarinthisnarrative.Hehasbeendescribedasaspendthriftandgambler,andasonescarcelyhonestinhisextravaganceandgambling.ButneverthelessthereareworsementhanMrSowerby,andIamnotpreparedtosaythat,shouldhebesuccessfulwithMissDunstable,thatladywouldchoosebyanymeanstheworstofthesuitorswhoarecontinuallythrowingthemselvesatherfeet.Recklessasthismanalwaysappearedtobe,recklessasheabsolutelywas,therewasstillwithinhisheartadesireforbetterthings,andinhismindanunderstandingthathehadhithertomissedthecareerofanhonestEnglishgentleman.Hewasproudofhispositionasamemberforhiscounty,thoughhithertohehaddonesolittletograceit;hewasproudofhisdomainatChaldicotes,thoughthepossessionofithadsonearlypassedoutofhisownhands;hewasproudoftheoldbloodthatflowedinhisveins;andhewasproudalsoofthateasy,comfortable,gaymanner,whichwentsofarintheworld'sjudgementtoatoneforhisextravaganceandevilpractices.Ifonlyhecouldgetanotherchance,ashenowsaidtohimself,thingsshouldgoverydifferentlywithhim.HewouldutterlyforswearthewholecompanyofTozers.Hewouldceasetodealinbills,andtopayHeavenonlyknowshowmanyhundredpercentumforhismoneys.Hewouldnolongerpreyuponhisfriends,andwouldredeemhistitle-deedsfromtheDukeofOmnium.Ifonlyhecouldgetanotherchance!MissDunstable'sfortunewoulddoallthisandeversomuchmore,andthen,moreover,MissDunstablewasawomanwhomhereallyliked.
　　Shewasnotsoft,feminine,orpretty,norwassheveryyoung;butshewasclever,self-possessed,andquiteabletoholdherowninanyclass;andastoage,MrSowerbywasnotveryyounghimself.
　　Inmakingsuchamatchhewouldhavenocauseofshame.Hecouldspeakofitbeforehisfriendswithoutanyfearoftheirgrimaces,andaskthemtohishouse,withthefullassurancethattheheadofhistablewouldnotdisgracehim.Andthenastheschemegrewclearerandclearertohim,hedeclaredtohimselfthatifheshouldbesuccessful,hewoulduseherwell,andnotrobherofhermoney——beyondwhatwasabsolutelynecessary.HehadintendedtohavelaidhisfortunesatherfeetatChaldicotes;buttheladyhadbeencoy.ThenthedeedwastohavebeendoneatGatherumCastle,buttheladyranawayfromGatherumCastlejustatthetimeonwhichhehadfixed.Andsincethat,onecircumstanceafteranotherhadpostponedtheaffairinLondon,tillnowatlasthewasresolvedthathewouldknowhisfate,letitbewhatitmight.
　　Ifhecouldnotcontrivethatthingsshouldspeedilybearranged,itmightcometopassthathewouldbealtogetherdebarredfrompresentinghimselftotheladyasMrSowerbyofChaldicotes.
　　Tidingshadreachedhim,throughMrFothergill,thatthedukewouldbegladtohavemattersarranged;andMrSowerbywellknewthemeaningofthatmessage.
　　MrSowerbywasnotfightingthiscampaignalone,withouttheaidofanally.Indeed,nomaneverhadamoretrustyallyinanycampaignthanhehadinthis.Anditwasthisally,theonlyfaithfulcomradethatclungtohimthroughgoodandillduringhiswholelife,whofirstputitintohisheadthatMissDunstablewasawomanandmightbemarried.'Ahundredneedyadventurershaveattemptedit,andfailedalready,'MrSowerbyhadsaid,whentheplanwasfirstproposedtohim.
　　'But,nevertheless,shewillsomedaymarrysomeone;andwhynotyouaswellasanother?'hissisterhadanswered.ForMrsHaroldSmithwastheallyofwhomIhavespoken.MrsHaroldSmith,whatevermayhavebeenherfaults,couldboastofthisvirtue——thatshelovedherbrother.Hewasprobablytheonlyhumanbeingthatshedidlove.Childrenshehadnone;andasforherhusband,ithadneveroccurredtohertolovehim.Shehadmarriedhimforaposition;andbeingacleverwoman,withagooddigestionandcommandofhertemper,hadmanagedtogetthroughtheworldwithoutmuchofthatunhappinesswhichusuallyfollowsill-assortedmarriages.Athomeshemanagedtokeeptheupperhand,butshedidsoinaneasy,good-humouredwaythatmadeherrulebearable;andawayfromhomesheassistedherlord'spoliticalstanding,thoughshelaughedmorekeenlythananyoneelseathisfoibles.Butthelordofherheartwasherbrother;andinallhisscrapes,allhisextravagances,andallhisrecklessness,shehadeverbeenwillingtoassisthim.WiththeviewofdoingthisshehadsoughttheintimacyofMissDunstable,andforthelastyearpasthadindulgedeverycapriceofthatlady.Orrather,shehadhadthewittolearnthatMissDunstablewastobewon,notbytheindulgenceofcaprice,butbyfreeandeasyintercourse,withadashoffun,and,atanyrate,asemblanceofhonesty.MrsHaroldSmithwasnot,perhaps,herselfveryhonestbydisposition;butintheselatterdaysshehadtakenupatheoryofhonestyforthesakeofMissDunstable——notaltogetherinvain,forMissDunstableandMrsHaroldSmithwereveryintimate.
　　'IfIamtodoitatall,Imustnotwaitanylonger,'saidMrSowerbytohissisteradayortwoafterthefinalbreakdownofthegods.Theaffectionofthesisterforthebrothermaybeimaginedfromthefactthatatsuchatimeshecouldgiveuphermindtosuchasubject.But,intruth,herhusband'spositionasCabinetministerwasasnothingascomparedwithherbrother'spositionasacountygentleman.'Onetimeisasgoodasanother.'
　　'Youmeanthatyouwouldadvisemetoaskheratonce.'
　　'Certainly.Butyoumustremember,Nat,thatyouwillhavenoeasytask.Itwillnotdoforyoutokneeldownandswearthatyouloveher.'
　　'IfIdoitatall,Ishallcertainlydoitwithoutkneeling——youmaybesureofthat,Harriet.'
　　'Yes,andwithoutswearingthatyouloveher.ThereisonlyonewayinwhichyoucanbesuccessfulwithMissDunstable——youmusttellherthetruth.'
　　'What!tellherthatIamruined,horse,foot,anddragoons,andthenbidherhelpmeoutofthemire?'
　　'Exactly:thatwillbeyouronlychance,strangeasitmayappear.'
　　'Thisisverydifferentfromwhatyouusedtosay,downatChaldicotes.'
　　'Soitis;butIknowhermuchbetterthanIdidwhenwewerethere.SincethenIhavedonebutlittleelsethanstudythefreaksofhercharacter.Ifshereallylikesyou——andIthinkshedoes——shecouldforgiveyouanyothercrimebutthatofswearingthatyoulovedher.'
　　'Ishouldhardlyknowhowtoproposewithoutsayingsomethingaboutit.'
　　'Butyoumustsaynothing——notaword;youmusttellherthatyouareagentlemanofgoodbloodandhighstation,butsadlyoutatelbows.'
　　'Sheknowsthatalready.'
　　'Ofcourseshedoes;butshemustknowitascomingdirectlyfromyourmouth.Andthentellherthatyouproposetosetyourselfrightbymarryingher——bymarryingherforthesakeofhermoney.'
　　'Thatwillhardlywinher,Ishouldsay.'
　　'Ifitdoesnot,nootherway,thatIknowof,willdoso.AsI
　　toldyoubefore,itwillbenoeasytask.Ofcourseyoumustmakeherunderstandthatherhappinessshallbecaredfor;butthatmustnotbeputprominentlyforwardasyourobject.Yourfirstobjectishermoney,andyouronlychanceforsuccessisintellingthetruth.'
　　'Itisveryseldomthatamanfindshimselfinsuchapositionasthat,'saidSowerby,walkingupanddownhissister'sroom;'and,uponmyword,Idon'tthinkthatIamuptothetask.Ishouldcertainlybreakdown.Idon'tbelievethere'samaninLondoncouldgotoawomanwithsuchastoryasthat,andthenaskhertomarryhim.'
　　'Ifyoucannot,youmayaswellgiveitup,'saidMrsHaroldSmith.'Butifyoucandoit——ifyoucangothroughwithitinthatmanner——myownopinionisthatyourchanceofsuccesswouldnotbebad.Thefactis,'addedthesisterafterawhile,duringwhichherbrotherwascontinuinghiswalkandmeditatingonthedifficultiesofhisposition——'thefactis,youmenneverunderstandawoman;yougivehercreditneitherforherstrength,norforherweakness.Youaretoobold,andtootimid:youthinksheisafoolandtellherso,andyetnevercantrusthertodoakindaction.Whyshouldshenotmarryyouwiththeintentionofdoingyouagoodturn?Afterall,shewouldloseverylittle:
　　thereistheestate,andifsheredeemedit,itwouldbelongtoheraswellasyou.'
　　'Itwouldbeagoodturn,indeed.IfearIshouldbetoomodesttoputittoherinthatway.'
　　'Herpositionwouldbemuchbetterasyourwifethanitisatpresent.Youaregood-humouredandgood-tempered,youwouldintendtotreatherwell,and,onthewhole,shewouldbemuchhappierasMrsSowerby,ofChaldicotes,thanshecanbeinherpresentposition.'
　　'Ifshecaredaboutbeingmarried,Isupposeshecouldbeapeer'swifeto-morrow.'
　　'ButIdon'tthinkshecaresaboutbeingapeer'swife.AneedypeermightperhapswinherinthewaythatIproposetoyou;butthenaneedypeerwouldnotknowhowtosetaboutit.Needypeershavetried——halfadozenIhavenodoubt——andhavefailed,becausetheyhavepretendedthattheywereinlovewithher.Itmaybedifficult,butyouronlychanceistotellherthetruth.'
　　'AndwhereshallIdoit?'
　　'Hereifyouchoose;butherownhousewillbebetter.'
　　'ButInevercanseeherthere——atleast,notalone.Ibelievesheisneveralone.Shealwayskeepsalotofpeopleroundherinordertostaveoffherlovers.Uponmyword,Harriet,IthinkI'llgiveitup.ItisimpossiblethatIshouldmakesuchadeclarationtoherasthatyoupropose.'
　　'Faintheart,Nat——youknowtherest.'
　　'Butthepoetneveralludedtosuchawooingasthatyouhavesuggested.IsupposeIhadbetterbeginwithascheduleofmydebts,andmakereference,ifshedoubtsme,toFothergill,thesheriff'sofficers,andtheTozerfamily.'
　　'Shewillnotdoubtyou,onthathead;norwillshebeabitsurprised.'Thentherewasagainapause,duringwhichMrSowerbystillwalkedupanddowntheroom,thinkingwhetherornohemightpossiblyhaveanychanceofsuccessinsohazardousanenterprise.
　　'Itellyouwhat,Harriet,'atlasthesaid;'Iwishyou'ddoitforme.'
　　'Well,'saidshe,'ifyoureallymeanit,Iwillmaketheattempt.'
　　'Iamsureofthis,thatIshallnevermakeitmyself.I
　　positivelyshouldnothavethecouragetotellherinsomanywords,thatIwantedtomarryherforhermoney.'
　　'Well,Nat,Iwillattemptit.Atanyrate,Iamnotafraidofher.SheandIareexcellentfriends,and,totellthetruth,I
　　thinkIlikeherbetterthananyotherwomanthatIknow;butI
　　nevershouldhavebeenintimatewithher,haditnotbeenforyoursake.'
　　'Andnowyouwillhavetoquarrelwithher,alsoformysake?'
　　'Notatall.You'llfindthatwhethersheaccedestomypropositionornot,weshallcontinuetobefriends.Idonotthinkthatshewoulddieforme——norIforher.Butastheworldgoeswesuiteachother.Suchalittletrifleasthiswillnotbreakourloves.'Andsoitwassettled.OnthefollowingdayMrsHaroldSmithwastofindanopportunityofexplainingthewholemattertoMissDunstable,andwastoaskthatladytoshareherfortune——someincrediblenumberofthousandsofpounds——withthebankruptmemberforWestBarsetshire,whoinreturnwastobestowonher——himselfandhisdebts.MrsHaroldSmithhadspokennomorethanthetruthinsayingthatsheandMissDunstablesuitedoneanother.Andshehadnotimproperlydescribedtheirfriendship.
　　Theywerenotpreparedtodie,oneforthesakeoftheother.Theyhadsaidnothingtoeachotherofmutualloveandaffection.Theyneverkissed,orcried,ormadespeeches,whentheymetorwhentheyparted.Therewasnogreatbenefitforwhicheitherhadtobegratefultotheother;noterribleinjurywhicheitherhadforgiven.Buttheysuitedeachother;andthis,Itakeit,isthesecretofmostofpleasantestintercourseintheworld.Anditwasalmostgrievousthattheyshouldsuiteachother,forMissDunstablewasmuchtheworthierofthetwo,hadshebutknownitherself.ItwasalmosttobelamentedthatsheshouldhavefoundherselfabletolivewithMrsHaroldSmithontermsthatwereperfectlysatisfactorytoherself.MrsHaroldSmithwasworldly,heartless——toalltheworldbutherbrother——and,ashasbeenabovehinted,almostdishonest.MissDunstablewasnotworldly,thoughitwaspossiblethatherpresentstyleoflifemightmakeherso;
　　shewasaffectionate,fondoftruth,andpronetohonesty,ifthosearoundwouldbutallowhertoexerciseit.Butshewasfondofeaseandhumour,sometimesofwitthatmightalmostbecalledbroad,andshehadathoroughloveofridiculingtheworld'shumbugs.InallthepropensitiesMrsHaroldSmithindulgedher.
　　Underthesecircumstancestheywerenowtogetheralmosteveryday.
　　IthadbecomequiteahabitwithMrsHaroldSmithtohaveherselfdrivenearlyintheforenoontoMissDunstable'shouse;andthatlady,thoughshecouldneverbefoundalonebyMrSowerby,washabituallysofoundbyhissister.Andafterthattheywouldgoouttogether,oreachseparatelyasfancyorthebusinessofthedaymightdirectthem.Eachwaseasytotheotherinthisalliance,andtheysomanagedthattheynevertrodoneachother'scorns.OnthedayfollowingtheagreementmadebetweenMrSowerbyandMrsHaroldSmith,thatladyasusualcalledonMissDunstable,andsoonfoundherselfalonewithherfriendinasmallroomwhichtheheiresskeptsolelyforherownpurposes.Onspecialoccasionspersonsofvarioussortswerethereadmitted;occasionallyaparsonwhohadachurchtobuild,oradowagerladenwiththelastmorseloftownslander,orapoorauthorwhocouldnotgetduepaymentfortheeffortsofhisbrain,orapoorgovernessonwhosefeeblestaminatheweightoftheworldhadbornetoohardly.Butmenwhobypossibilitycouldbeloversdidnotmaketheirwaythither,norwomenwhocouldbebores.Intheselatterdays,thatis,duringthepresentLondonseason,thedoorsofithadbeenofteneropentoMrsHaroldSmiththantoanyotherperson.Andnowtheeffortwastobemadewiththeobjectofwhichallthisintimacyhadbeeneffected.Asshecamethitherinhercarriage,MrsHaroldSmithherselfwasnotaltogetherdevoidofthatsinkingoftheheartwhichissofrequentlytheforerunnerofanydifficultandhazardousundertaking.Shehaddeclaredthatshewouldfeelnofearinmakingthelittleproposition.Butshedidfeelsomethingverylikeit:andwhenshemadeherentranceintothelittleroomshecertainlywishedthattheworkwasdoneandover.
　　'HowispoorMrSmithto-day?'askedMissDunstable,withanairofmockcondolence,asherfriendseatedherselfinheraccustomedeasychair.Thedownfallofthegodswasasyetahistoryhardlythreedaysold,anditmightwellbesupposedthatthelateofthePettyBaghadhardlyrecoveredfromhismisfortune.'Well,heisbetter,Ithink,thismorning;atleastIshouldjudgesofromthemannerinwhichheconfrontedhiseggs.ButstillIdon'tlikethewayhehandlesthecarving-knife.IamsureheisalwaysthinkingofMrSupplehouseatthosemoments.'
　　'Poorman!ImeanSupplehouse.Afterall,whyshouldn'thefollowhistradeaswellasanother?Liveandletlive,that'swhatI
　　say.'
　　'Aye,butit'skillandletkillwithhim.ThatiswhatHoracesays.However,Iamtiredofallthatnow,andIcamehereto-daytotalkaboutsomethingelse.'
　　'IratherlikeMrSupplehousemyself,'exclaimedMissDunstable.
　　'Henevermakesanybonesaboutthematter.Hehasacertainworktodo,andacertaincausetoserve——namely,hisown;andinordertodothatwork,andservethatcause,heusessuchweaponsasGodhasplacedinhishands.'
　　'That'swhatthewildbeastsdo.'
　　'Andwherewillyoufindmenhonesterthanthey?Thetigertearsyouupbecauseheishungryandwantstoeatyou.That'swhatSupplehousedoes.Buttherearesomanyamongustearinguponeanotherwithoutanyexcuseofhunger.Themerepleasureofdestroyingisreasonenough.
　　'Well,mydear,mymissiontoyouto-dayiscertainlynotoneofdestruction,asyouwilladmitwhenyouhearit.Itisone,rather,veryabsolutelyofsalvation.Ihavecometomakelovetoyou.'
　　'Thenthesalvation,Isuppose,isnotformyself,'saidMissDunstable.ItwasquitecleartoMrsHaroldSmiththatMissDunstablehadimmediatelyunderstoodthewholepurportofthisvisit,andthatshewasnotinanygreatmeasuresurprised.Itdidnotseemfromthetoneoftheheiress'svoice,orfromtheseriouslookwhichatoncesettledonherface,thatshewouldbepreparedtogiveveryreadycompliance.Butthengreatobjectscanonlybewonwithgreatefforts.
　　'That'sasmaybe,'saidMrsHaroldSmith.'Foryouandanotheralso,Ihope.ButItrust,atanyrate,thatImaynotoffendyou?'
　　'Oh,laws,no;nothingofthatkindeveroffendsmenow.'
　　'Well,Isupposeyou'reusedtoit.'
　　'Liketheeels,mydear.Idon'tmindittheleastintheworld——onlysometimes,youknow,itisalittletedious.'
　　'I'llendeavourtoavoidthat,soImayaswellbreaktheiceatonce.YouknowenoughofNathaniel'saffairstobeawarethatheisnotaveryrichman.'
　　'Sinceyoudoaskmeaboutit,Isupposethere'snoharminsayingthatIbelievehimtobeaverypoorman.'
　　'Nottheleastharmintheworld,butjustthereverse.Whatevermaycomeofthis,mywishisthatthetruthshouldbetoldscrupulouslyonallsides;thetruth,thewholetruth,andnothingbutthetruth.'
　　'Magnaestveritas,'saidMissDunstable.'TheBishopofBarchestertaughtmeasmuchLatinasthatatChaldicotes;andhedidaddsomemore,buttherewasalongword,andIforgotit.'
　　'Thebishopwasquiteright,mydear,I'msure.ButifyougotoyourLatin,I'mlost.Aswewerejustnowsaying,mybrother'specuniaryaffairsareinaverybadstate.Hehasabeautifulpropertyofhisown,whichhasbeeninthefamilyforIcan'tsayhowmanycenturies——longbeforetheConquest,Iknow.'
　　'Iwonderwhatmyancestorswerethen?'
　　'Itdoesnotmuchsignifytoanyofus,'saidMrsHaroldSmith,withamoralshakeofherhead,'whatourancestorswere;butit'sasadthingtoseeanoldpropertygotoruin.'
　　'Yes,indeed;wenoneofusliketoseeourpropertygoingtoruin,whetheritbeoldornew.Ihavesomeofthatsortoffeelingalready,althoughminewasonlymadetheotherdayoutofanapothecary'sshop.'
　　'GodforbidthatIshouldeverhelpyouruinit,'saidMrsHaroldSmith.'Ishouldbesorrytobethemeansofyourlosingaten-poundnote.'
　　'Magnaestveritas,asthedearbishopsaid,'exclaimedMissDunstable.'Letushavethetruth,thewholetruth,andnothingbutthetruth,asweagreedjustnow.'MrsHaroldSmithdidbegintofindthatthetaskbeforeherwasdifficult.TherewasahardnessaboutMissDunstablewhenmattersofbusinesswereconcernedonwhichitseemedalmostimpossibletomakeanyimpression.ItwasnotthatshehadevincedanydeterminationtorefusethetenderofMrSowerby'shand;butshewassopainfullyresolutenottohavedustthrowninhereyes!MrsHaroldSmithhadcommencedwithamindfixeduponavoidingwhatshecalledhumbug;
　　butthissortofhumbughadbecomesoprominentapartofherusualrhetoric,thatshefounditveryhardtoabandonit.'Andthat'swhatIwish,'saidshe.'Ofcoursemychiefobjectistosecuremybrother'shappiness.'
　　'That'sveryunkindtopoorMrHaroldSmith.'
　　'Well,well,well——youknowwhatImean.'
　　'Yes,IthinkIdoknowwhatyoumean.Yourbrotherisagentlemanofgoodfamily,butofnomeans.'
　　'Notquiteasbadasthat.'
　　'Ofembarrassedmeans,then,oranythingthatyouwill;whereasI
　　amaladyofnofamily,butofsufficientwealth.Youthinkthatifyoubroughtustogetherandmadeamatchofit,itwouldbeaverygoodthingfor——forwhom?'saidMissDunstable.
　　'Yes,exactly,'saidMrsHaroldSmith.
　　'Forwhichofus?RememberthebishopnowandhisnicelittlebitofLatin.'
　　'ForNathanielthen,'saidMrsHaroldSmith,boldly.'Itwouldbeaverygoodthingforhim.'Andaslightsmilecameacrossherfaceasshesaidit.'Nowthat'shonest,orthemischiefisinit.'
　　'Yes,that'shonestenough.Anddidhesendyouheretotellmethis?'
　　'Well,hedidthat,andsomethingelse.'
　　'Andnowlet'shavethesomethingelse.Thereallyimportantpart,Ihavenodoubt,hasbeenspoken.'
　　'No,bynomeans,bynomeansallofit.Butyouaresohardonone,mydear,withyourrunningafterhonesty,thatoneisnotabletotelltherealfactsastheyare.Youmakeonespeakinsuchabald,nakedway.'
　　'Ah,youthinkthatanythingnakedmustbeindecent;eventruth.'
　　'Ithinkitismoreproper-looking,andbettersuited,too,fortheworld'swork,whenitgoesaboutwithsomesortofgarmentonit.
　　Wearesousedtoaleavenoffalsehoodinallwehearandsay,nowadays,thatnothingismorelikelytodeceiveusthantheabsolutetruth.Ifashopkeepertoldmethathiswaresweresimplymiddling,ofcourse,Ishouldthinkthattheywerenotworthafarthing.Butallthathasnothingtodowithmypoorbrother.
　　Well,whatwasIsaying?'
　　'Youweregoingtotellmehowwellhewilluseme,nodoubt.'
　　'Somethingofthatkind.'
　　'Thathewouldn'tbeatme;orspendallmymoneyifImanagedtohaveittiedupoutofhispower;orlookdownonmewithcontemptbecausemyfatherwasanapothecary!Wasnotthatwhatyouweregoingtosay?'
　　'IwasgoingtotellyouthatyoumightbemorehappyasMrsSowerbyofChaldicotesthanyoucanbeasMissDunstable——'
　　'OfMountLebanon.AndhadMrSowerbynoothermessagetosend?——nothingaboutlove,oranythingofthatsort?Ishouldlike,youknow,tounderstandwhathisfeelingsarebeforeItakesuchaleap.'
　　'Idobelievehehasastruearegardforyouasanymanofhisagedoeshave——'
　　'Foranywomanofmine.Thatisnotputtingitinaverydevotedwaycertainly;butIamgladtoseethatyourememberthebishop'smaxim.'
　　'Whatwouldyouhavemesay?IfItoldyouthathewasdyingforlove,youwouldsay,Iwastryingtocheatyou;andnowbecauseI
　　don'ttellyouso,yousaythatheiswantingofdevotion.Imustsayyouarehardtoplease.'
　　'PerhapsIam,andveryunreasonableintothebargain.Ioughttoasknoquestionsofthekindwhenyourbrotherproposestodomesomuchhonour.Asformyexpectingtheloveofamanwhocondescendstowishtobemyhusband,that,ofcourse,wouldbemonstrous.WhatrightcanIhavetothinkthatanymanshouldloveme?ItoughttobeenoughformetoknowthatasIamrich,Icangetahusband.
　　WhatbusinesscansuchasIhavetoinquirewhetherthegentlemanwhowouldsohonourmereallywouldlikemycompany,orwouldonlydeigntoputupwithmypresenceinthehousehold?'
　　'Now,mydearMissDunstable——'
　　'OfcourseIamnotsomuchanasstoexpectthatanygentlemanshouldloveme;andIfeelthatIoughttobeobligedtoyourbrotherforsparingmethestringofcomplimentarydeclarationswhichareusualonsuchoccasions.He,atanyrate,isnottedious——orratheryouonhisbehalf;fornodoubthisowntimeissooccupiedwithhisparliamentarydutiesthathecannotattendtothislittlematterhimself.Idofeelgratefultohim;andperhapsnothingmorewillbenecessarythantogivehimascheduleoftheproperty,andnameanearlydayforputtinghimpossession.'MrsSmithdidfeelthatshewasratherbadlyused.ThisMissDunstable,intheirmutualconfidences,hadsooftenridiculedthelove-makinggrimacesofhermercenarysuitors——hadspokensofiercelyagainstthosewhohadpersecutedher,notbecausetheyhaddesiredhermoney,butonaccountoftheirill-judgementinthinkinghertobeafool——thatMrsSmithhadarighttoexpectthatthemethodshehadadoptedforopeningthenegotiationwouldbetakeninabetterspirit.Coulditbepossible,afterall,thoughtMrsSmithtoherself,thatMissDunstablewaslikeotherwomen,andthatshedidliketohavemenkneelingatherfeet?Coulditbethecasethatshehadadvisedherbrotherbadly,andthatitwouldhavebeenbetterforhimtohavegoneabouthisworkintheold-fashionedway?'Theyareveryhardtomanage,'saidMrsHaroldSmithtoherself,thinkingofherownsex.
　　'Hewascomingherehimself,'saidshe,'butIadvisedhimnottodoso.'
　　'Thatwaskindofyou.'
　　'IthoughtthatIcouldexplaintoyoumoreopenlyandmorefreely,whathisintentionsreallyare.'
　　'Oh!Ihavenodoubtthattheyarehonourable,'saidMissDunstable.'Hedoesnotwanttodeceivemeinthatway,Iamsure.'Itwasimpossibletohelplaughing,andMrsHaroldSmithdidlaugh.'Uponmyword,youwouldprovokeasaint,'saidshe.
　　'Iamnotlikelytogetintosuchcompanybythealliancethatyouaresuggestingtome.TherearenotmanysaintsusuallyatChaldicotes,Ibelieve;——alwaysexceptingthedearbishopandhiswife.'
　　'But,mydear,whatamItosaytoNathaniel?'
　　'Tellhim,ofcourse,howmuchobligedtohimIam.'
　　'Dolistentomeonemoment.IdaresaythatIhavedonewrongtospeaktoyouinsuchabold,unromanticway.'
　　'Notatall.Thetruth,thewholetruth,andnothingbutthetruth.That'swhatweagreedupon.Butone'sfirsteffortsinanylinearealwaysapttobealittleuncouth.'
　　'IwillsendNathanieltoyouhimself.'
　　'No,donotdoso.Whytormenteitherhimorme?Idolikeyourbrother;inacertainway,Ilikehimmuch.Butnoearthlyconsiderationwouldinducemetomarryhim.Isitnotsoglaringlyplainthathewouldmarrymeformymoneyonly,thatyouhavenotevendaredtosuggestanyotherreason?'
　　'Ofcourseitwouldhavebeennonsensetosaythathehadnoregardwhatevertowardsyourmoney.'
　　'Ofcourseitwould——absolutenonsense.Heisapoormanwithagoodposition,andhewantstomarrymebecauseIhavegotthatwhichhewants.But,mydear,Idonotwantthatwhichhehasgot,andthereforethebargainwouldnotbeafairone.'
　　'Buthewoulddohisbesttomakeyouhappy.'
　　'Iamsomuchobligedtohim;butyousee,IamveryhappyasI
　　am.WhatshouldIgain?'
　　'Acompanionwhomyouconfessyoulike.'
　　'Ah!butIdon'tknowthatIshouldliketoomuchevenofsuchacompanionasyourbrother.No,mydear——itwon'tdo.BelievemewhenItellyou,onceforall,thatitwon'tdo.'
　　'Do,youmean,then,MissDunstable,thatyou'llnevermarry?'
　　'To-morrow——ifImetanyonethatIfancied,andhewouldhaveme.
　　ButIratherthinkthatanythatImayfancywon'thaveme.Inthefirstplace,ifImarryanyone,themanmustbequiteindifferenttomymoney.'
　　'Thenyou'llnotfindhimintheworld,mydear.'
　　'Verypossiblynot,'saidMissDunstable.Allthatwasfurthersaiduponthesubjectneednotbehererepeated.MrsHaroldSmithdidnotgiveuphercausequiteatonce,althoughMissDunstablehadspokensoplainly.Shetriedtoexplainhoweligiblewouldbeherfriend'ssituationasmistressofChaldicotes,whenChaldicotesshouldowenopennytoanyman;andwentsofarastohintthatthemasterofChaldicotes,ifrelievedofhisembarrassmentsandknownasarichman,mightinallprobabilitybefoundworthyofapeeragewhenthegodsshouldreturntoOlympus.MrHaroldSmith,asaCabinetminister,would,ofcourse,dohisbest.Butitwasallofnouse.'It'snotmydestiny,'saidMissDunstable,'andthereforedonotpressitanylonger.'
　　'Butweshallnotquarrel,'saidMrsHaroldSmith,almosttenderly.
　　'Oh,no——whyshouldwequarrel?'
　　'Andyouwon'tlookglumatmybrother?'
　　'WhyshouldIlookglumathim?But,MrsSmith,I'lldomorethannotlookingglumathim.Idolikeyou,andIdolikeyourbrother,andifIcaninanymoderatewayassisthiminhisdifficulties,lethimtellmeso.'Soonafterthis,MrsHaroldSmithwentherway.Ofcourse,shedeclaredinaverystrongmannerthatherbrothercouldnotthinkofacceptingfromMissDunstableanysuchpecuniaryassistanceasthatoffered——and,togiveherherdue,suchwasthefeelingofhermindatthemoment;
　　butasshewenttomeetherbrotherandgavehimanaccountofthisinterview,itdidoccurtoherthatpossiblyMissDunstablemightbeabettercreditorthantheDukeofOmniumfortheChaldicotesproperty.
　　CHAPTERXXV
　　NON-IMPULSIVE
　　Itcannotbeheldasastonishing,thatthatlastdecisiononthepartofthegiantsinthematterofthetwobishopricsshouldhavedisgustedArchdeaconGrantly.Hewasapolitician,butnotapoliticianastheywere.Asisthecasewithallexotericmen,hispoliticaleyessawashortwayonly,andhispoliticalaspirationswereaslimited.Whenhisfriendscameintooffice,thatbishopbill,whichastheoriginalproductofhisenemieshadbeenregardedbyhimasbeingsopernicious——forwasitnotabouttobemadelawinorderthatotherProudiesandsuchlikemightbehoistedupintohighplacesandlargeincomes,totheterribledetrimentoftheChurch?——thatbishopbill,Isay,inthehandsofhisfriends,hadappearedtohimtobeameansofalmostnationalsalvation.Andthen,howgreathadbeenthegoodfortuneofthegiantsinthismatter!Hadtheybeentheoriginatorsofsuchameasuretheywouldnothavehadachanceofsuccess;butnow——nowthatthetwobishopswerefallingintotheirmouthsoutoftheweakhandsofthegods,wasnottheirsuccessensured?SoDrGrantlyhadgirdeduphisloinsandmarcheduptothefight,almostregrettingthatthetriumphwouldbesoeasy.Thesubsequentfailurewasverytryingtohistemperasapartyman.ItalwaysstrikesmethatthesupportersoftheTitansareinthisrespectmuchtobepitied.Thegiantsthemselves,thosewhoareactuallyhandlingPelionandbreakingtheirshinsoverthelowerrocksofOssa,arealwaysadvancinginsomesorttowardsthecouncilsofOlympus.Theirhighestpolicyistosnatchsomerayfromheaven.
　　WhyelseputPeliononOssa,unlessitbethatafurtivehand,makingitswaythroughJove'swindows,maypluckforthathunderboltortwo,orsomearticlelessdestructive,butofmanufactureequallydivine?Andinthisconsiststhewisdomofhighergiants——that,inspiteoftheirmundaneantecedents,theoriesandpredilections,theycanseethatarticlesofdivinemanufacturearenecessary.Butthentheynevercarrytheirsupporterswiththem.Theirwholearmyisanarmyofmartyrs.
　　'FortwentyyearsIhavestucktothem,andseehowtheyhavetreatedme!'Isnotthatalwaystheplaintofanoldgiant-slave?'Ihavebeentruetomypartyallmylife,andwhereamInow?'hesays.