'Nowitain'tnouseinlife,MrSowerby,'Tozerhadsaid.'Iain'tgotthepapermyself,nordidn'tholdit,nottwohours.ItwentawaythroughTomTozer;youknowsthat,MrSowerby,aswellasI
　　do.'Now,wheneverTozer,MrSowerby'sTozer,spokeofTomTozer,MrSowerbyknewthatsevendevilswerebeingevoked,eachworsethanthefirstdevil.MrSowerbydidfeelsomethinglikesincereregard,orratherlove,forthatpoorparsonwhomheinveigledintomischief,andwouldfainsavehim,ifitwerepossible,fromtheTozerfang.MrForrest,oftheBarchesterbank,wouldprobablytakeupthatlastfivehundredpoundbill,onbehalfofMrRobarts,——onlyitwouldbeneedfulthathe,Sowerby,shouldrundownandseethatitwasproperlydone.Astotheotherbill——theformerandlesserone——astothat,MrTozerwouldprobablybequietforawhile.SuchhadbeenSowerby'sprogrammeforthesetwodays;butnow——whatfurtherpossibilitywastherenowthatheshouldcareforRobarts,oranyotherhumanbeing;hethatwastobesweptawayatonceintothedung-heap?InthisframeofmindhewalkedupSouthAudleyStreet,andcrossedonesideofGrosvenorSquare,andwentalmostmechanicallyintoGreenStreet.AtthefartherendofGreenStreet,neartoParkLane,livedMrandMrsHaroldSmith.
　　CHAPTERXXVIII
　　DRTHORNE
　　WhenMissDunstablemetherfriendstheGreshams——youngFrankGreshamandhiswife——atGatherumCastle,sheimmediatelyaskedafteroneDrThorne,whowasMrsGresham'suncle.DrThornewasanoldbachelor,inwhombothasamanandadoctorMissDunstablewasinclinedtoplacemuchconfidence.NotthatshehadeverentrustedthecureofherbodilyailmentstoDrThorne——forshekeptadoctorofherown,DrEasyman,forthispurpose——anditmaymoreoverbesaidthatsherarelyhadbodilyailmentsrequiringthecareofanydoctor.ButshealwaysspokeofDrThorneamongherfriendsasamanofwonderfuleruditionandjudgement;andhadonceortwiceaskedandactedonhisadviceinmattersofmuchmoment.DrThornewasnotamanaccustomedtotheLondonworld;hekeptnohousethere,andseldomevenvisitedthemetropolis;butMissDunstablehadknownhimatGreshamsbury,wherehelived,andtherehadforsomemonthspastgrownupaconsiderableintimacybetweenthem.Hewasnowstayingatthehouseofhisniece,MrsGresham;butthechiefreasonofhiscominguphadbeenadesireexpressedbyMissDunstable,thatheshoulddoso.Shehadwishedforhisadvice;
　　andattheinstigationofhisniecehehadvisitedLondonandgivenit.ThespecialpieceofbusinessastowhichDrThornehadthusbeensummonedfromthebedsideofLadyArabellaGresham,towhosesonhisniecewasmarried,relatedtocertainlargemoneyinterests,astowhichonemighthaveimaginedthatDrThorne'sadvicewouldnotbepeculiarlyvaluable.Hehadneverbeenmuchversedinsuchmattersonhisownaccount,andwasknowingneitherinthewaysofthesharemarket,norinthepricesofland.ButMissDunstablewasaladyaccustomedtohaveherownway,andtobeindulgedinherownwisheswithoutbeingcalledontogiveadequatereasonsforthem.'Mydear,'shesaidtoyoungMrsGresham,'ifyouruncledon'tcomeuptoLondonnow,whenImakesuchapointofit,Ishallthinkthatheisabearandasavage;andI
　　certainlywillneverspeaktohimagain,——ortoFrank——ortoyou;
　　soyouhadbetterseetoit.'MrsGreshamhadnotprobablytakenherfriend'sthreatasmeaningquiteallthatitthreatened.MissDunstablehabituallyusedstronglanguage;andthosewhoknewherwell,generallyunderstoodwhenshewastobetakenasexpressingherthoughtsbyfiguresofspeech.Inthisinstanceshehadnotmeantitatall;but,nevertheless,MrsGreshamhadusedviolentinfluenceinbringingthepoordoctoruptoLondon.'Besides,'
　　saidMissDunstable,'Ihaveresolvedonhavingthedoctoratmyconversazione,andifhewon'tcomeofhimself,Ishallgodownandfetchhim.IhavesetmyheartontrumpingmydearfriendMrsProudie'sbestcard;soImeantogeteverybody!'
　　Theupshotofallthiswas,thatthedoctordidcomeuptotown,andremainedthebestpartofaweekathisniece'shouseinPortmanSquare——tothegreatdisgustofLadyArabella,whoconceivedthatshemustdieifneglectedforthreedays.Astothematterofbusiness,Ihavenodoubtbutthathewasofgreatuse.
　　Hewaspossessedofcommonsenseandanhonestpurpose;andIaminclinedtothinkthattheyareoftenasufficientcounterpoisetoconsiderableamountofworldlyexperiencealso——!True!butthenitisdifficulttogeteverything.Butwiththatspecialmatterofbusinessweneednothaveanyfurtherconcern.Wewillpresumeittohavebeendiscussedandcompleted,andwillnotdressourselvesforMissDunstable'sconversazione.ButitmustnotbesupposedthatshewassopooringeniusastocallherpartyopenlybyanameborrowedforthenoncefromMrsProudie.Itwasonlyamongherspeciallyintimatefriends,MrsHaroldSmithandsomefewdozenothers,thatsheindulgedinthislittlejoke.Therehadbeennothingintheleastpretentiousaboutthecardwithwhichshesummonedherfriendstoherhouseonthisoccasion.Shehadmerelysignifiedinsomeordinaryway,thatshewouldbegladtoseethemassoonafternineo'clockonThursdayevening,the——instant,asmightbeconvenient.ButalltheworldunderstoodthatalltheworldwastobegatheredtogetheratMissDunstable'shouseonthenightinquestion——thataneffortwastobemadetobringtogetherpeopleofallclasses,godsandgiants,saintsandsinners,thoserabidthroughthestrengthoftheirmorality,suchasourdearfriendLadyLufton,andthosewhowererabidintheoppositedirection,suchasLadyHartletop,theDukeofOmnium,andMrSowerby.AnorthodoxmartyrhadbeencaughtfromtheEast,andanoilylatter-dayStPaul,fromtheothersideofthewater——tothehorrorandamazementofArchdeaconGrantly,whohadcomeupallthewayfromPlumsteadtobepresentontheoccasion.MrsGrantlyalsohadhankeredtobethere;butwhensheheardofthepresenceofthelatter-dayStPaul,shetriumphedloudlyoverherhusband,whohadmadenooffertotakeher.ThatLordsBrockandDeTerrierweretobeatthegatheringwasnothing.Thepleasantkingofthegodsandthecourtlychiefofthegiantscouldshakehandswitheachotherinanyhousewiththegreatestpleasure;butmenweretomeetwho,inreferencetoeachother,couldshakenothingbuttheirheadsortheirfists.Supplehousewastobethere,andHaroldSmith,whonowhatedtheenemywithahatredsurpassingthatofwomen——orevenofpoliticians.Theminorgods,itwasthought,wouldcongregatetogetherinoneroom,verybitterintheirpresentstateofbanishment;andtheminorgiantsinanother,terriblyloudintheirtriumph.Thatisthefaultofthegiants,who,otherwise,arenotbadfellows;theyareunabletoenduretheweightofanytemporarysuccess.WhenattemptingOlympus——andthisworkofattemptingisdoubtlesstheirnaturalcondition——theyscratchandscramble,diligentlyusingbothtoesandfingers,withamixtureofgood-humouredvirulenceandself-satisfiedindustrythatisgratifyingtoallparties.But,whenevertheireffortsareunexpectedly,andforthemselvesunfortunatelysuccessful,theyaresotakenabackthattheylosethepowerofbehavingthemselveswithevengigantesquepropriety.
　　Such,sogreatandsovarious,wastobetheintendedgatheringatMissDunstable'shouse.Sheherselflaughed,andquizzedherself——speakingoftheaffairtoMrsHaroldSmithasthoughitwereanexcellentjoke,andtoMrsProudieasthoughsheweresimplyemulousofrivallingthoseworld-famousassembliesofGloucesterPlace;butthetownatlargeknewthataneffortwasbeingmade,anditwassupposedthatevenMissDunstablewassomewhatnervous.Inspiteofherexcellentjokingitwaspresumedthatshewouldbeunhappyifshefailed.ToMrsFrankGreshamshedidspeakwithsomelittleseriousness.'Butwhyonearthshouldyougiveyourselfallthistrouble?'thatladyhadsaid,whenMissDunstableownedthatshewasdoubtful,andunhappyinherdoubts,astothecomingofoneofthegreatcolleaguesofMrSupplehouse.
　　'Whensuchhundredsarecoming,bigwigsandlittlewigsofallshades,whatcanitmatterwhetherMrTowersbethereornot?'ButMissDunstablehadansweredalmostwithascreech——
　　'Mydear,itwillbenothingwithouthim.Youdon'tunderstand;
　　butthefactisthatTomTowersiseverybodyandeverythingatpresent.'Andthen,bynomeansforthefirsttime,MrsGreshambegantolectureherfriendastohervanity;inanswertowhichlectureMissDunstablemysteriouslyhinted,thatifshewereonlyallowedherfullswingonthisoccasion,——ifalltheworldwouldnowindulgeher,shewould——Shedidnotquitesaywhatshewoulddo,buttheinferencedrawnbyMrsGreshamwasthis:thatiftheincensenowofferedonthealtarofFashionwereaccepted,MissDunstablewouldatonceabandonthepompandvanitiesofthiswickedworld,andallthesinfullustsoftheflesh.
　　'Butthedoctorwillstay,mydear?IhopeImaylookonthatasfixed.'MissDunstable,inmakingthisdemandonthedoctor'stime,showedanenergyquiteequaltothatwithwhichsheinvokedthegodsthatTomTowersmightnotbeabsent.Now,totellthetruth,DrThornehadatfirstthoughtitveryunreasonablethatheshouldbeaskedtoremainupinLondoninorderthathemightbepresentataneveningparty,andhadforawhilepertinaciouslyrefused;butwhenhelearnedthatthreeorfourprimeministerswereexpected,andthatitwaspossiblethatevenTomTowersmightbethereintheflesh,hisphilosophyalsohadbecomeweak,andhehadwrittentoLadyArabellatosaythathisprolongedabsencefortwodaysfurthermustbeendured,andthatthemildtonics,morningandevening,mightbecontinued.ButwhyshouldMissDunstablebesoanxiousthatDrThorneshouldbepresentonthisgrandoccasion?Why,indeed,shouldshebesofrequentlyinclinedtosummonhimawayfromhiscountrypractice,hiscompoundingboard,andhisusefulministrationstoruralailments?Thedoctorwasconnectedwithherbynotiesofblood.Theirfriendship,intimateasitwas,hadasyetbeenbutofshortdate.Shewasaveryrichwoman,capableofpurchasingallmannerofadviceandgoodcounsel,whereashewassofarfrombeingrich,thatanycontinueddisturbancetohispracticemightbeinconvenienttohim.
　　Nevertheless,MissDunstableseemedtohavenomorecompunctioninmakingcallsuponhistime,thanshemighthavefelthadhebeenherbrother.Noideasonthismattersuggestedthemselvestothedoctorhimself.Hewasasimple-mindedman,takingthingsastheycame,andespeciallysotakingthingsthatcamepleasantly.HelikedMissDunstable,andwasgratifiedbyherfriendship,anddidnotthinkofaskinghimselfwhethershehadarighttoputhimtotroubleandinconvenience.ButsuchideasdidoccurtoMrsGresham,thedoctor'sniece.HadMissDunstableanyobject,andifso,whatobject?Wasitsimplyvenerationforthedoctor,orwasitcaprice?Wasiteccentricity——orcoulditpossiblybelove?Inspeakingoftheagesofthesetwofriendsitmaybesaidinroundtermsthattheladywaswellpastforty,andthatthegentlemanwaswellpastfifty.Undersuchcircumstancescoulditbelove?Thelady,too,wasonewhohadhadoffersalmostbythedozen,——offersfrommenofrank,frommenoffashion,andfrommenofpower;frommenendowedwithpersonalattractions,withpleasantmanners,withcultivatedtastes,andwitheloquenttongues.Notonlyhadshelovednonesuch,butbynonesuchhadshebeencajoledintoanideathatitwaspossiblethatshecouldlovethem.ThatDrThorne'stasteswerecultivated,andhismannerspleasant,mightprobablybeadmittedbythreeorfouroldfriendsinthecountrywhovaluedhim;buttheworldinLondon,thatworldtowhichMissDunstablewasaccustomed,andwhichwasapparentlybecomingdearertoherdaybyday,wouldnothaveregardedthedoctorasamanlikelytobecometheobjectofalady'spassion.ButneverthelesstheideadidoccurtoMrsGresham.Shehadbeenbroughtupattheelbowofthecountrypractitioner;shehadlivedwithhimasthoughshehadbeenhisdaughter;shehadbeenforyearstheministeringangelofhishousehold;and,tillherhearthadopenedtothenaturalloveofwomanhood,allherclosestsympathieshadbeenwithhim.Inhereyesthedoctorwasallbutperfect;anditdidnotseemtohertobeoutofthequestionthatMissDunstableshouldhavefalleninlovewithheruncle.
　　MissDunstableoncesaidtoMrsHaroldSmiththatitwaspossiblethatshemightmarry,theonlyconditionthenexpressedbeingthis,thatthemanelectedshouldbeonewhowasquiteindifferentastomoney.MrsHaroldSmith,who,byherfriends,waspresumedtoknowtheworldwithtolerableaccuracy,hadrepliedthatsuchamanMissDunstablewouldneverfindinthisworld.Allthishadpassedinthathalf-comicofbanterwhichMissDunstablesocommonlyusedwhenconversingwithsuchfriendsasMrsHaroldSmith;butshehadspokenwordsofthesameimportmorethanoncetoMrsGresham;andMrsGresham,puttingtwoandtwotogetheraswomendo,hadmadefourofthelittlesum;andasthefinalresultofthecalculation,determinedthatMissDunstablewouldmarryDrThorneifDrThornewouldaskher.AndthenMrsGreshambegantorethinkherselfoftwootherquestions.WoulditbewellthatheruncleshouldmarryMissDunstable?andifso,woulditbepossibletoinducehimtomakesuchaproposition?Aftertheconsiderationofmanyprosandcons,andthebalancingofveryvariousarguments,MrsGreshamthoughtthatthearrangementonthewholemightnotbeabadone.
　　ForMissDunstablesheherselfhadasincereaffection,whichwassharedbyherhusband.ShehadoftengrievedatthesacrificesMissDunstablemadetotheworld,thinkingthatherfriendwasfallingintovanity,indifference,andanillmodeoflife;butsuchamarriageasthiswouldprobablycureallthat.AndthenastoDrThornehimself,towhosebenefitwereofcourseappliedtoMrsGresham'smostearnestthoughtsinthismatter,shecouldnotbutthinkthathewouldbehappiermarriedthanhewassingle.Inpointoftemper,nowomancouldstandhigherthanMissDunstable;
　　noonehadeverheardofherbeinginanill-humour;andthenthoughMrsGreshamwasgiftedwithamindwhichwasfarremovedfrombeingmercenary,itwasimpossiblenottofeelthatsomebenefitmustaccruefromthebride'swealth.MaryThorne,thepresentMrsFrankGresham,hadherselfbeenagreatheiress.
　　Circumstanceshadweighedherhandwithenormouspossessions,andhithertoshehadnotrealizedthetruthofthatlessonwhichwouldteachustobelievethathappinessandrichesareincompatible.
　　ThereforesheresolvedthatitmightbewellifthedoctorandMissDunstablewerebroughttogether.Butcouldthedoctorbeinducedtomakesuchanoffer?MrsGreshamacknowledgedaterribledifficultyinlookingatthematterfromthatpointofview.HerunclewasfondofMissDunstable;butshewassurethatanideaofsuchamarriagehadneverenteredhishead;thatitwouldbeverydifficult——almostimpossible——tocreatesuchanidea;andthatiftheideawerethere,thedoctorcouldhardlybeinstigatedtomaketheproposition.Lookingatthematterasawhole,shefearedthatthematchwasnotpracticable.
　　OnthedayofMissDunstable'sparty,MrsGreshamandheruncledinedtogetheraloneinPortmanSquare.MrGreshamwasnotyetinParliament,butanalmostimmediatevacancywasexpectedinhisdivisionofthecounty,anditwasknownthatnoonecouldstandagainsthimwithanychanceofsuccess.Thisthrewhimmuchamongthepoliticiansofhisparty——thosegiants,namely,whoitwouldbehisbusinesstosupport——andonthisaccounthewasagooddealawayfromhisownhouseatthepresentmoment.'Politicsmakeaterribledemandonaman'stime,'hesaidtohiswife;andthenwentdowntodineathisclubinPallMall,withsundryotheryoungphilogeants.Onmenofthatclasspoliticsdomakeagreatdemand——atthehourofdinnerandthereabouts.
　　'WhatdoyouthinkofMissDunstable?'saidMrsGreshamtoheruncle,astheysattogetherovertheircoffee.Sheaddednothingtothequestion,butaskeditinallitsbaldness.
　　'Thinkabouther!'saidthedoctor;'well,Mary,whatdoyouthinkabouther?Idaresaywethinkthesame.'
　　'Butthat'snotthequestion.Whatdoyouthinkabouther?Doyoufeelshe'shonest?'
　　'Honest?Oh,yes,certainly——veryhonest,Ishouldsay.'
　　'Andgood-tempered?'
　　'Uncommonlygood-tempered.'
　　'Andaffectionate?'
　　'Well,yes;andaffectionate.Ishouldcertainlysaythatsheisaffectionate.'
　　'I'msureshe'sclever.'
　　'Yes,Ithinkshe'sclever.'
　　'And,and——andwomanlyinherfeelings.'MrsGreshamfeltthatshecouldnotquitesaylady-like,thoughshewouldfainhavedonesoifshedared.
　　'Oh,certainly,'saidthedoctor.'But,Mary,whyareyoudissectingMissDunstable'scharacterwithsomuchingenuity?'
　　'Well,uncle,Iwilltellyouwhy;because——'andMrsGresham,whileshewasspeaking,gotupfromherchair,andgoingroundthetabletoheruncle'sside,putherarmroundhisnecktillherfacewasclosetohis,andthencontinuedspeakingasshestoodbehindhimoutofhissight——'because——IthinkthatMissDunstableis——isveryfondofyou;andthatitwouldmakeherhappyifyouwould——askhertobeyourwife.'
　　'Mary!'saidthedoctor,turningroundwithanendeavourtolookhisnieceintheface.
　　'Iamquiteinearnest,uncle——quiteinearnest.Fromlittlethingsthatshehassaid,andlittlethingsthatIhaveseen,IdobelievewhatInowtellyou.'
　　'Andyouwantmeto——'
　　'Dearuncle;myownonedarlinguncle,Iwantyouonlytodothatwhichwillmakeyou——makeyouhappy.WhatisMissDunstabletomecomparedtoyou?'Andthenshestoopeddownandkissedhim.Thedoctorwasapparentlytoomuchastoundedbytheintimationgivenhimtomakeanyfurtherimmediatereply.Hisniece,seeingthis,lefthimthatshemightgoanddress;andwhentheymetagaininthedrawing-roomFrankGreshamwaswiththem.
　　CHAPTERXXIX
　　MISSDUNSTABLEATHOME
　　MissDunstabledidnotlooklikealove-lornmaiden,asshestoodinasmallante-chamberatthetopofherdrawing-roomstairs,receivingherguests.Herhousewasoneofthoseabnormalmansions,whicharetobeseenhereandthereinLondon,builtincomplianceratherwiththerulesofruralarchitecture,thanwiththosewhichusuallygoverntheerectionofcitystreetsandtownterraces.Itstoodbackfromitsbrethren,andalone,sothatitsownercouldwalkaroundit.Itwasapproachedbyashortcarriage-way;thechiefdoorwasinthebackofthebuilding;andthefrontofthehouselookedontooneoftheparks.MissDunstableinprocuringithadhadherusualluck.Ithadbeenbuiltbyaneccentricmillionaireatanenormouscost;andtheeccentricmillionaire,afterlivinginitfortwelvemonths,haddeclaredthatitdidnotpossessasinglecomfort,andthatitwasdeficientinmostofthosedetailswhich,inpointofhouseaccommodation,arenecessarytotheveryexistenceofman.
　　Consequentlythemansionwassold,andMissDunstablewasthepurchaser.CranbournHouseithadbeennamed,anditspresentownerhadmadenochangeinthatrespect;buttheworldatlargeverygenerallycalleditOintmentHall,andMissDunstableherselfasfrequentlyusedthatnameforitasanyother.ItwasimpossibletoquizMissDunstablewithanysuccess,becauseshealwaysjoinedinthejokeherself.NotawordfurtherhadpassedbetweenMrsGreshamandDrThorneonthesubjectoftheirlastconversation;butthedoctor,asheenteredthelady'sportalsamongstatribeofservantsandinaglareoflight,andsawthecrowdbeforehimandthecrowdbehindhim,feltthatitwasquiteimpossiblethatheshouldeverbeathomethere.ItmightbeallrightthataMissDunstableshouldliveinthisway,butitcouldnotberightthatthewifeofDrThorneshouldsolive.Butallthiswasamatterofthemerestspeculation,forhewaswellaware——ashesaidtohimselfadozentimes——thathisniecehadblunderedstrangelyinherreadingofMissDunstable'scharacter.
　　WhentheGreshampartyenteredtheante-roomintowhichthestaircaseopened,theyfoundMissDunstablestandingtheresurroundedbyafewofhermostintimateallies.MrsHaroldSmithwassittingquiteclosetoher;DrEasymanwasrecliningonasofaagainstthewall,andtheladywhohabituallylivedwithMissDunstablewasbyhisside.Oneortwoothersweretherealso,sothatalittlerunningconversationwaskeptupinordertorelieveMissDunstableofthetediumwhichmightotherwisebeengenderedbytheworkshehadinhand.AsMrsGresham,leaningonherhusband'sarm,enteredtheroom,shesawthebackofMrsProudie,asthatladymadeherwaythroughtheoppositedoor,leaningonthearmofthebishop.MrsHaroldSmithhadapparentlyrecoveredfromtheannoyancewhichshemustnodoubthavefeltwhenMissDunstablesoutterlyrejectedhersuitonbehalfofherbrother.Ifanyfeelinghadexisted,evenforaday,calculatedtoputastoptotheintimacybetweenthetwoladies,thatfeelinghadaltogetherdiedaway,forMrsHaroldSmithwasconversingwithherfriend,quiteintheoldway.Shemadesomeremarkoneachoftheguestsastheypassedby,andapparentlydidsoinamannersatisfactorytotheownerofthehouse,forMissDunstableansweredwithherkindestsmiles,andinthatgenial,happytoneofvoicewhichgaveitspeculiarcharactertohergoodhumour:'Sheisquiteconvincedthatyouareamereplagiaristinwhatyouaredoing,'saidMrsHaroldSmith,speakingofMrsProudie.
　　'AndsoIam.Idon'tsupposetherecanbeanythingveryoriginalnowadaysaboutaneveningparty.'
　　'Shethinksyouarecopyingher.'
　　'Andwhynot?IcopyeverybodythatIsee,moreorless.Youdidnotatfirstbegintowearpetticoatsoutofyourownhead?IfMrsProudiehasanysuchprideasthat,praydon'trobherofit.
　　Here'sthedoctorandtheGreshams.Mary,mydarling,howareyou?'andinspiteofallhergrandeurofapparel,MissDunstabletookholdofMrsGreshamandkissedher——tothedisgustofthedozenandhalfofthedistinguishedfashionableworldwhowerepassingupthestairsbehind.Thedoctorwassomewhatrepressedinhismodeofaddressbythecommunicationwhichhadsolatelybeenmadetohim.MissDunstablewasnowstandingontheverytopofthepinnacleofwealth,andseemedtohimtobenotonlysomuchabovehisreach,butalsosofarremovedfromhistrackoflife,thathecouldnotinanywayputhimselfonalevelwithher.Hecouldneitheraspiresohighnordescendsolow;andthinkingofthishespoketoMissDunstableasthoughthereweresomegreatdistancebetweenthem,——asthoughtherehadbeennohoursofintimatefriendshipdownatGreshambury.Therebeensuchhours,duringwhichMissDunstableandDrThornehadlivedasthoughtheybelongedtothesameworld:andthisatanyratemaybesaidofMissDunstable,thatshehadnoideaofforgettingthem.
　　DrThornemerelygaveherhishand,andthenpreparedtopasson.
　　'Don'tgo,doctor,'shesaid;'forheaven'ssake,don'tgoyet.I
　　don'tknowwhenImaycatchyouifyougetinthere.Ishan'tbeabletofollowyouforthenexttwohours.LadyMeredith,Iamsomuchobligedtoyouforcoming——yourmotherwillbehere,Ihope.
　　Oh,Iamsoglad!Fromheryouknowthatisquiteafavour.You,SirGeorge,arehalfasinneryourself,soIdon'tthinksomuchaboutit.'
　　'Oh,quiteso,'saidSirGeorge;'perhapsratherthelargesthalf.'
　　'Themendividetheworldintogodsandgiants,'saidMissDunstable.'Wewomenhaveourdivisionsalso.Wearesaintsorsinnersaccordingtoourparty.Theworstofitis,thatweratalmostasoftenasyoudo.'WhereuponSirGeorgelaughed,andpassedon.
　　'Iknow,doctor,youdon'tlikethiskindofthing,'shecontinued,'butthereisnoreasonwhyyoushouldindulgeyourselfaltogetherinyourway,morethananother,isthere,Frank?'
　　'Iamnotsosurebuthedoeslikeit,'saidMrGresham.'Therearesomeofyourreputedfriendswhomheownsthatheisanxioustosee.'
　　'Arethere?Thenthereissomehopeofhisrattingtoo.Buthe'llnevermakeagoodstaunchsinner;willhe,Mary?You'retoooldtolearnnewtricks;eh,doctor?'
　　'IamafraidIam,'saidthedoctorwithafaintlaugh.
　　'DoesDrThornerankhimselfamongthearmyofsaints?'askedMrsHaroldSmith.
　　'Decidedly,'saidMissDunstable.'Butyoumustalwaysrememberthattherearesaintsofdifferentorders;aretherenot,Mary?andnobodysupposesthattheFranciscansandtheDominicansagreeverywelltogether.DrThornedoesnotbelongtotheschoolofStProudie,ofBarchester;hewouldpreferthepriestesswhomIseecomingroundthecornerofthestaircase,withaveryfamousyoungnoviceatherelbow.'
　　'FromallthatIcanhear,youwillhavetoreckonwithMissGrantlyamongthesinners,'saidMrsHaroldSmith——seeingthatLadyLuftonwithheryoungfriendwasapproaching——'unlessindeed,youcanmakeasaintofLadyHartletop.'AndthenLadyLuftonenteredtheroom,andMissDunstablecameforwardtomeetherwithmorequietrespectinhermannerthanshehadasyetshowntomanyofherguests.'Iammuchobligedtoyouforcoming,LadyLufton,'
　　shesaid,'andthemoreso,forbringingMissGrantlywithyou.'
　　LadyLuftonutteredsomeprettylittlespeech,duringwhichDrThornecameupandshookhandswithher;asdidalsoFrankGreshamandhiswife.TherewasacountyacquaintancebetweentheFramleypeopleandtheGreshamburypeople,andthereforetherewasalittlegeneralconversationbeforeLadyLuftonpassedoutofthesmallroomintowhatMrsProudiewouldhavecalledthenoblesuiteofapartments.'Papawillbehere,'saidMissGrantly;'atleastsoI
　　understand.Ihavenotseenhimyetmyself.'
　　'Ohyes,hehaspromisedme,'saidMissDunstable;'andthearchdeacon,Iknow,willkeephisword.Ishouldbynomeanshavetheproperecclesiasticalbalancewithouthim.'
　　'Papaalwaysdoeskeephisword,'saidMissGrantly,inatonethatwasalmostsevere.ShehadnotatallunderstoodpoorMissDunstable'slittlejoke,oratanyrate,shewastoodignifiedtorespondtoit.
　　'IunderstandthatoldSirJohnistoaccepttheChilternHundredsatonce,'saidLadyLufton,inahalfwhispertoFrankGresham.
　　LadyLuftonhadalwaystakenakeeninterestinthepoliticsofEastBarsetshire,andwasnowdesirousofexpressinghersatisfactionthataGreshamshouldagainsitforthecounty.TheGreshamshadbeenoldcountymembersforBarsetshire,timeoutofmind.
　　'Ohyes;Ibelieveso,'saidFrank,blushing.Hewasstillyoungenoughtofeelmostashamedofputtinghimselfforwardforsuchhonours.
　　'Therewillbenocontest,ofcourse,'saidLadyLufton,confidently.'ThereseldomisinEastBarsetshire,Iamhappytosay.Butiftherewere,everytenantatFramleywouldvoteontherightside;Icanassureyouofthat.LordLuftonwassayingtomeonlythismorning.'FrankGreshammadeaprettylittlespeechinreply,suchasyoungsuckingpoliticiansareexpectedtomake;andthis,withsundryothersmallcourteousmurmurings,detainedtheLuftonpartyforaminuteortwointheante-chamber.Inthemeantimetheworldwaspressingonandpassingtothefourorfivelargereception-rooms——thenoblesuitewhichwasalreadypiercingpoorMrsProudie'sheartwithenvytotheverycore.'Thesearethesortofrooms,'shesaidtoherselfunconsciously,'whichoughttobeprovidedbythecountryfortheuseofthebishops.'
　　'Butthepeoplearenotbroughtenoughtogether,'shesaidtoherlord.
　　'No,no;Idon'tthinktheyare,'saidthebishop.
　　'Andthatissoessentialforaconversazione,'continuedMrsProudie.'NowinGloucesterPlace——'Butwewillnotrecordallheradversecriticisms,asLadyLuftoniswaitingforusintheante-room.Andnowanotherarrivalofmomenthadtakenplace;——andarrivalindeedofverygreatmoment.Totellthetruth,MissDunstable'shearthadbeensetuponhavingtwospecialpersons;andthoughnostonehadbeenleftunturned,——nostonewhichcouldbeturnedwithdiscretion,——shewasstillleftindoubtastoboththesetwowondrouspotentates.Attheverymomentofwhichwearenowspeaking,lightandairyassheappearedtobe——foritwashercharactertobelightandairy——hermindwastornwithdoubts.Ifthewished-fortwowouldcome,hereveningwouldbethoroughlysuccessful;butifnot,allhertroublewouldhavebeenthrownaway,andthethingwouldhavebeenafailure;andtherewerecircumstancesconnectedwiththepresentassemblywhichmadeMissDunstableveryanxiousthatsheshouldnotfail.ThatthetwogreatonesoftheearthwereTomTowersoftheJupiter,andtheDukeofOmnium,needhardlybeexpressedinwords.Andnow,atthisverymoment,asLadyLuftonwasmakinghercivilspeechestoyoungGresham,apparentlyinnohurrytomoveon,andwhileMissDunstablewasendeavouringtowhispersomethingintothedoctor'sear,whichwouldmakehimfeelhimselfathomeinthisnewworld,asoundwasheardwhichmadethatladyknowthathalfherwishhadatanyratebeengrantedtoher.Asoundwasheard——butonlybyherownandoneotherattentivepairofears.MrsHaroldSmithhadalsocaughtthename,andknewthatthedukewasapproaching.Therewasgreatgloryandtriumphinthis;butwhyhadhisgracecomeatsounchancyamoment?MissDunstablehadbeenfullyawareoftheimproprietyofbringingLadyLuftonandtheDukeofOmniumintothesamehouseatthesametime;butwhenshehadaskedLadyLufton,shehadbeenledtobelievethattherewasnohopeofobtainingtheduke;andthen,whenthathopehaddawneduponher,shehadcomfortedherselfwiththereflectionthatthetwosuns,thoughtheymightforsomefewminutesbeinthesamehemisphere,couldhardlybeexpectedtoclash,orcomeacrosseachother'sorbits.
　　Herroomswerelargeandwouldbecrowded;thedukewouldprobablydolittlemorethanwalkthroughthemonce,andLadyLuftonwouldcertainlybesurroundedbypersonsofherownclass.ThusMissDunstablehadcomfortedherself.Butnowallthingsweregoingwrong,andLadyLuftonwouldfindherselfinclosecontiguitytothenearestrepresentativeoftheSatanicagency,which,accordingtoherideas,wasallowedtowalkthisnetherEnglishworldofours.Wouldshescream?orindignantlyretreatoutofthehouse?——orwouldsheproudlyraiseherhead,andwithoutstretchedhandandaudiblevoice,boldlydefythedevilandallhisworks?
　　InthinkingofthesethingsasthedukeapproachedMissDunstablealmostlostherpresenceofmind.ButMrsHaroldSmithdidnotlosehers.'Sohereatlastistheduke,'shesaid,inatoneintendedtocatchtheexpressattentionofLadyLufton.
　　MrsSmithhadcalculatedthattheremightstillbetimeforherladyshiptopassonandavoidtheinterview.ButLadyLufton,ifsheheardthewords,didnotcompletelyunderstandthem.Atanyratetheydidnotconveytohermindatthemomentthemeaningtheywereintendedtoconvey.ShepausedtowhisperalastlittlespeechtoFrankGresham,andthenlookinground,foundthatthegentlemanwhowaspressingagainstherdresswas——theDukeofOmnium!Onthisgreatoccasion,whenthemisfortunecouldnolongerbeavoided,MissDunstablewasbynomeansbeneathherselforhercharacter.Shedeploredthecalamity,butshenowsawthatitwasonlylefttohertomakethebestofit.Thedukehadhonouredherbycomingtoherhouse,andshewasboundtowelcomehim,thoughindoingsosheshouldbringLadyLuftontoherlastgasp.'Duke,'shesaid,'Iamgreatlyhonouredbythiskindnessonthepartofyourgrace.Ihardlyexpectedthatyouwouldbesogoodtome.'
　　'Thegoodnessisallontheotherside,'saidtheduke,bowingoverherhand.Andthenintheusualcourseofthingsthiswouldhavebeenall.Thedukewouldhavewalkedonandshownhimself,wouldhavesaidawordortwotoLadyHartletop,tothebishop,toMrGresham,andsuchlike,andwouldhavelefttheroomsbyanotherway,andquietlyescaped.Thiswasthedutyexpectedfromhim,andthishewouldhavedone,andthevalueofthepartywouldhavebeenincreasedbythirtypercent.bysuchdoing;butnow,asitwas,thenewsmongersoftheWestEndwerelikelytogetmuchmoreoutofit.
　　Circumstanceshadsoturnedout,thathehadabsolutelybeenpressedcloseagainstLadyLufton,andshe,whensheheardthevoice,andwasmadepositivelyacquaintedwiththefactofthegreatman'spresencebyMissDunstable'swords,turnedroundquickly,butstillwithmuchfemininedignity,removingherdressfromthecontact.Indoingthisshewasbroughtabsolutelyfacetofacewiththeduke,sothateachcouldnotbutlookfullattheother.'Ibegyourpardon,'saidtheduke.Theyweretheonlywordsthathadeverpassedbetweenthem,norhavetheyspokentoeachothersince;butsimpleastheywere,accompaniedbythelittleby-playofthespeakers,theygaverisetoaconsiderableamountoffermentinthefashionableworld.LadyLufton,assheretreatedbackontoDrEasyman,curtsiedlow;shecurtsiedlowandslowly,andwithahaughtyarrangementofherdraperythatwasallherown;butthecurtsy,thoughitwaseloquent,didnotsayhalfsomuch,——didnotreprobatethehabitualiniquitiesofthedukewithavoicenearlysopotent,asthatwhichwasexpressedinthegradualfallofhereye,andthegradualpressureofherlips.Whenshecommencedhercurtsyshewaslookingfullinherfoe'sface.Bythetimethatshehadcompletedithereyeswereturnedupontheground,buttherewasanineffableamountofscornexpressedinthelinesofhermouth.Shespokenowordandretreated,asmodestvirtueandfeminineweaknessmusteverretreat,beforebarefacedviceandvirilepower;butneverthelessshewasheldbyalltheworldtohavehadthebestoftheencounter.Theduke,ashebeggedherpardon,woreinhiscountenancethatexpressionofmodifiedsorrowwhichiscommontoanygentlemanwhoissupposedbyhimselftohaveincommodedalady.Butoverandabovethis,——orratherunderit,——therewasaslightsmileofderision,asthoughitwereimpossibleforhimtolookuponthebearingofLadyLuftonwithoutsomeamountofridicule.AllthiswaslegibletoeyessokeenasthoseofMissDunstableandMrsHaroldSmith,andthedukewasknowntobeamasterofthissilentinwardsarcasm;butevenbythem,——byMissDunstableandMrsHaroldSmith,——itwasadmittedthatLadyLuftonhadconquered.Whenherladyshipagainlookedup,thedukehadpassedon;shethenresumedthecareofMissGrantly'shand,andfollowedinamongthecompany.
　　'ThatiswhatIcallunfortunate,'saidMissDunstable,assoonasbothbelligerentshaddepartedfromthefieldofbattle.'TheFatessometimeswillbeagainstme.'
　　'Buttheyhavenotbeenallagainstyouhere,'saidMrsHaroldSmith.'Ifyoucouldarriveatherladyship'sprivatethoughtsto-morrowmorning,youwouldfindhertobequitehappyinhavingmettheduke.Itwillbeyearsbeforeshehasdoneboastingofhertriumph,anditwillbetalkedofbytheyoungladiesofFramleyforthenextthreegenerations.'
　　TheGreshamparty,includingDrThorne,hadremainedintheante-chamberduringthebattle.Thewholecombatdidnotoccupyabovetwominutes,andthethreeofthemwerehemmedofffromescapebyLadyLufton'sretreatintoDrEasyman'slap;butnowthey,too,essayedtopasson.
　　'What,willyoudesertme,'saidMissDunstable.'Verywell;butI
　　shallfindyououtbyandby.Frank,thereistobesomedancinginoneoftherooms,——justtodistinguishtheaffairfromMrsProudie'sconversazione.Itwouldbestupid,youknow,ifallconversazione'swerealike;wouldn'tit?SoIhopeyouwillgoanddance.'
　　'Therewill,Ipresume,beanothervariationatfeedingtime,'saidMrsHaroldSmith.
　　'Oh,yes,certainly;Iamthemostvulgarofallwretchesinthatrespect.Idolovetosetpeopleeatinganddrinking——MrSupplehouse,Iamdelightedtoseeyou;butdotellme——'andthenshewhisperedwithgreatenergyintotheearofMrSupplehouse,andMrSupplehouseagainwhisperedintoherear.'Youthinkhewill,then?'saidMissDunstable.MrSupplehouseassented;hedidthinkso;buthehadnowarrantforstatingthecircumstanceasafact.
　　Andthenhepassedon,hardlylookingatMrsHaroldSmithashepassed.
　　'Whatahang-dogcountenancehehas,'saidthatlady.
　　'Ah,you'reprejudiced,mydear,andnowonder;asformyself,I
　　alwayslikedSupplehouse.Hemeansmischief;butthenmischiefishistrade,andhedoesnotconcealit.IfIwereapolitician,I
　　shouldassoonthinkofbeingangrywithMrSupplehouseforturningagainstmeasIamnowwithapinprickingme.It'smyownawkwardness,andIoughttohaveknownhowtousethepinmorecraftily.'
　　'Butyoumustdetestamanwhoprofessestostandbyhisparty,andthendoeshisbesttoruinit.'
　　'Somanyhavedonethat,mydear;andwithmuchmoresuccessthanMrSupplehouse!Allisfairinloveandwar,——andwhynotaddpoliticstothelist?Ifwecouldonlyagreetodothat,itwouldsaveusfromsuchadealofheartburning,andwouldmakenoneofusabittheworse.'
　　MissDunstable'srooms,largeastheywere——'anoblesuiteofroomscertainly,thoughperhapsalittletoo——too——tooscattered,wewillsay,eh,bishop?'werenownearlyfull,andwouldhavebeeninconvenientlycrowded,wereitnotthatmanywhocameonlyremainedforhalfanhourorso.Space,however,hadbeenkeptforthedancers——muchtoMrsProudie'sconsternation.NotthatshedisapprovedofdancinginLondon,asarule;butshewasindignantthatthelawsofaconversazioneasre-establishedbyherselfinthefashionableworld,shouldbesoviolentlyinfringed.
　　'Conversazioneswillcometomeannothing,'shesaidtothebishop,puttinggreatstressonthelatterword,'nothingatall,iftheyaretobetreatedinthisway.'
　　'No,theywon't;nothingintheleast,'saidthebishop.
　　'Dancingmaybeverywellinitsplace,'saidMrsProudie.
　　'Ihaveneverobjectedtoitmyself;thatis,forthelaity,'saidthebishop.
　　'Butwhenpeopleprofesstoassembleforhigherobjects,'saidMrsProudie,'theyoughttoactuptotheprofessions.'
　　'Otherwisetheyarenobetterthanhypocrites,'saidthebishop.
　　'Aspadeshouldbecalledaspade,'saidMrsProudie.
　　'Decidedly,'saidthebishop,assenting.
　　'AndwhenIundertookthetroubleandexpenseofintroducingconversaziones,'continuedMrsProudie,withanevidentfeelingthatshehadbeenill-used,'Ihadnoideaofseeingthewordso——so——somisinterpreted;'andthenobservingcertaindesirableacquaintancesatthesideoftheroom,shewentacross,leavingthebishoptofendforhimself.
　　LadyLufton,havingachievedhersuccess,passedontothedancing,whitheritwasnotprobablethatherenemywouldfollowher,andshehadnotbeenthereverylongbeforeshewasjoinedbyherson.
　　HerheartatthepresentmomentwasnotquitesatisfiedatthestateofaffairswithreferencetoGriselda.Shehadgonesofarastotellheryoungfriendwhatwereherownwishes;shehaddeclaredherdesirethatGriseldashouldbecomeherdaughter-in-law;butinanswertothisGriseldaherselfhaddeclarednothing.Itwas,tobesure,nomorethannaturalthatayoungladysowellbroughtupasMissGrantlyshouldshownosignsofpassiontillshewaswarrantedinshowingthembytheproceedingsofthegentleman;butnotwithstandingthis,fullyawareasshewasoftheproprietyofsuchreticence——LadyLuftondidthinkthattoherGriseldamighthavespokensomewordevincingthatthealliancewouldbesatisfactorytoher.Griselda,however,hadspokennosuchword,norhadsheutteredasyllabletoshowthatshewouldacceptLordLuftonifhedidoffer.Thenagainshehadutterednosyllabletoshowthatshewouldnotaccepthim;but,nevertheless,althoughsheknewthattheworldhadbeentalkingaboutherandLordDumbello,shestooduptodancewiththefuturemarquessoneverypossibleoccasion.AllthisdidgiveannoyancetoLadyLufton,whobegantobethinkherselfthatifshecouldnotquicklybringherlittleplantoafavourableissue,itmightbewellforhertowashherhandsofit.Shewasstillanxiousforthematchonherson'saccount.Griseldawould,shedidnotdoubt,makeagoodwife;butLadyLuftonwasnotsosureassheoncehadbeenthatsheherselfwouldbeabletokeepupsostrongafeelingforherdaughter-in-lawasshehadhithertohopedtodo.'Ludovic,haveyoubeenherelong?'shesaid,smilingasshealwaysdidsmilewhenhereyesfelluponherson'sface.
　　'Thisinstantarrived;andIhurriedonafteryou,asMissDunstabletoldmeyouwerehere.Whatacrowdshehad?DidyouseeLordBrock?'
　　'Ididnotobservehim.'
　　'OrLordDeTerrier?Isawthembothinthecentreroom.'
　　'LordDeTerrierdidmethehonourofshakinghandswithmeasI
　　passedthrough.'
　　'Ineversawsuchamixtureofpeople.ThereisMrsProudiegoingoutofhermindbecauseyouareallgoingtodance.'
　　'TheMissProudiesdance,'saidGriseldaGrantly.
　　'Butnotattheconversaziones.Youdon'tseethedifference.AndIsawSpermoilthere,lookingaspleasedasPunch.Hehadquiteacircleofhisownroundhim,andwaschatteringawayasthoughhewerequiteaccustomedtothewickednessoftheworld.'
　　'Therecertainlyarepeopleherewhomonewouldnothavewishedtomeet,hadonethoughtofit,'saidLadyLufton,mindfulofherlateengagement.
　　'Butitmustbeallright,forIwalkedupthestairswiththearchdeacon.Thatisanabsoluteproof,isitnot,MissGrantly?'
　　'Ihavenofears.WhenIamwithyourmotherIknowImustbesafe.'
　　'Iamnotsosureofthat,'saidLordLufton,laughing.'Mother,youhardlyknowtheworstofityet.Whoishere,doyouthink?'
　　'Iknowwhomyoumean;Ihaveseenhim,'saidLadyLufton,veryquietly.
　　'Wecameacrosshimjustatthetopofthestairs,'saidGriselda,withmoreanimationinherfacethaneverLordLuftonhadseentherebefore.
　　'What;theduke?'
　　'Yes,theduke,'saidLadyLufton.'IcertainlyshouldnothavecomehadIexpectedtobebroughtincontactwiththatman.Butitwasanaccident,andonsuchanoccasionasthisitcouldnotbehelped.'LordLuftonatonceperceived,bythetoneofhismother'svoiceandbytheshadesofhercountenance,thatshehadabsolutelyenduredsomepersonalencounterwiththeduke,andalsothatshewasbynomeanssoindignantattheoccurrenceasmighthavebeenexpected.Thereshewas,stillinMissDunstable'shouse,andexpressingnoangerastoMissDunstable'sconduct.LordLuftoncouldhardlyhavebeenmoresurprisedhadheseenthedukehandinghismotherdowntosupper;hesaid,however,nothingfurtheronthesubject.
　　'Areyougoingtodance,Ludovic?'saidLadyLufton.
　　'Well,IamnotsurethatIdonotagreewithMrsProudieinthinkingthatdancingwouldcontaminateaconversazione.Whatareyourideas,MissGrantly?'Griseldawasneververygoodatajoke,andimaginedthatLordLuftonwantedtoescapethetroubleofdancingwithher.Thisangeredher.Fortheonlyspeciesoflove-making,orflirtation,orsociabilitybetweenherselfasayounglady,andanyotherselfasayounggentleman,whichrecommendeditselftohertaste,wastobefoundintheamusementofdancing.ShewasaltogetheratvariancewithMrsProudieonthismatter,andgaveMissDunstablegreatcreditforherinnovation.InsocietyGriselda'stoesweremoreserviceabletoherthanhertongue,andshewastobewonbyarapidtwirlmuchmoreprobablythanbyasoftword.Theofferofwhichshewouldapprovewouldbeconveyedbytwoallbutbreathlesswords,duringaspasmodicpauseinawaltz;andthenassheliftedupherarmtoreceivetheaccustomedsupportatherback,shemightjustfindpowerenoughtosay,'you——mustask——papa.'Afterthatshewouldnotcaretohavetheaffairmentionedtilleverythingwasproperlysettled.
　　'Ihavenotthoughtaboutit,'saidGriselda,turningherfaceawayfromLordLufton.
　　Itmustnot,however,besupposedthatMissGrantlyhadnotthoughtaboutLordLufton,orthatshehadnotconsideredhowgreatmightbetheadvantageofhavingLadyLuftononhersideisshemadeuphermindthatshedidwishtobecomeLordLufton'swife.Sheknewwellthatnowwashertimeforatriumph,nowinthisveryfirstseasonofheracknowledgedbeauty;andsheknewalsothatyoung,good-lookingbachelorlordsdonotgrowinhedgeslikeblackberries.HadLordLuftonofferedtoher,shewouldhaveacceptedhimatoncewithoutanyremorseastothegreaterglorieswhichmightappertaintoafutureMarchionessofHartletop.Inthatdirectionshewasnotwithoutsufficientwisdom.ButthenLordLuftonhadnotofferedtoher,norgivenanysignsthatheintendedtodoso;andtogiveGriseldaGrantlyherdue,shewasnotagirltomakethefirstoverture.NeitherhadLordDumbellooffered;buthehadgivensigns,——dumbsigns,suchasbirdsgivetoeachother,quiteasintelligibleasverbalsignstoagirlwhopreferredtheuseofhertoestothatofhertongue.'Ihavenotthoughtaboutit,'saidGriselda,verycoldly,andatthatmomentagentlemanstoodbeforeherandaskedherhandforthenextdance.
　　ItwasLordDumbello;andGriselda,makingnoreplyexceptbyaslightbow,gotupandputherhandwithinherpartner'sarm.
　　'ShallIfindyouhere,LadyLufton,whenwehavedone?'shesaid;
　　andthenstartedoffamongthedancers.Whentheworkbeforeoneisdancingtheproperthingforagentlemantodois,atanyrate,toaskalady;thisproperthingLordLuftonhadomitted,andnowtheprizewastakenawayfromunderhisverynose.
　　TherewasclearlyanairoftriumphaboutLordDumbelloashewalkedawaywiththebeauty.TheworldhadbeensayingthatLordLuftonwastomarryher,andtheworldhadalsobeensayingthatLordDumbelloadmiredher.NowthishadangeredLordDumbello,andmakehimfeelasthoughhewalkedabout,amarkofscorn,asadisappointedsuitor.HaditnotbeenforLordLufton,perhapshewouldnothavecaredsomuchforGriseldaGrantly;butcircumstanceshadsoturnedoutthathedidcareforher,andfeltittobeincumbentuponhim,astheheirtoamarquisate,toobtainwhathewanted,letwhowouldhaveahankeringafterthesamearticle.Itisinthiswaythatpicturesaresowellsoldatauctions;andLordDumbelloregardedMissGrantlyasbeingnowsubjecttotheauctioneer'shammer,andconceivedthatLordLuftonwasbiddingagainsthim.Therewas,therefore,anairoftriumphabouthimasheputhisarmroundGriselda'swaist,andwhirledherupanddowntheroominobediencetothemusic.LadyLuftonandhersonwerelefttogetherlookingateachother.Ofcourse,hehadintendedtoaskGriseldatodance,butitcannotbesaidthatheverymuchregrettedhisdisappointment.OfcoursealsoLadyLuftonhadexpectedthathersonandGriseldawouldstanduptogether,andshewasalittleinclinedtobeangrywithherprotegee.'Ithinkshemighthavewaitedaminute,'saidLadyLufton.
　　'Butwhy,mother?Therearecertainthingsforwhichnooneeverwaits:togiveafriend,forinstance,thefirstpassagethroughagateouthuntingandsuchlike.MissGrantlywasquiterighttotakethefirstthatoffered.'LadyLuftonhaddeterminedtolearnwhatwastobetheendofthisschemeofhers.ShecouldnothaveGriseldaalwayswithher,andifanythingweretobearrangeditmustbearrangednow,whilebothofthemwereinLondon.AtthecloseoftheseasonGriseldawouldreturntoPlumstead,andLordLuftonwouldgo——nobodyasyetknewwhere.Itwouldbeuselesstolookforwardtofurtheropportunities.Iftheydidnotcontrivetoloveeachothernow,theywouldneverdoso.LadyLuftonwasbeginningtofearthatherplanwouldnotwork,butshemadeuphermindthatshewouldlearnthetruththenandthere——atleastasfarashersonwasconcerned.
　　'Oh,yes;quiteso;——ifitisequaltoherwithwhichshedances,'
　　saidLadyLufton.
　　'Quiteequal,Ishouldthink——unlessitbethatDumbelloislonger-windedthanIam.'
　　'Iamsorrytohearyouspeakofherinthatway,Ludovic.'
　　'Whysorry,mother?'
　　'BecauseIhadhoped——thatyouandshewouldhavelikedeachother.'Thisshesaidinaserioustoneofvoice,tenderandsad,lookingupintohisfacewithaplaintivegaze,asthoughsheknewthatshewereaskingofhimsomegreatfavour.
　　'Yes,mother;Ihaveknownthatyouhavewishedthat.'
　　'Youhaveknownit,Ludovic!'
　　'Oh,dear,yes;youarenotatallsharpatkeepingyoursecretsfromme.And,mother,atonetime,foradayorso,IthoughtthatIcouldobligeyou.Youhavebeensogoodtome,thatIwouldalmostdoanythingforyou.'
　　'Oh,no,no,no,'shesaid,deprecatinghispraise,andthesacrificewhichheseemedtoofferofhisownhopesandaspirations.'Iwouldnotforworldshaveyoudosoformysake.
　　Nomothereverhadabetterson,andmyonlyambitionisforyourhappiness.'
　　'But,mother,shewouldnotmakemehappy.Iwasmadenoughforamomenttothinkthatshecoulddoso——foramomentIdidthinkso.
　　TherewasoneoccasiononwhichIwouldhaveaskedhertotakeme,but——'
　　'Butwhat,Ludovic?'
　　'Nevermind,itpassedaway;andnowIshallneveraskher.IndeedIdonotthinkshewouldhaveme.Sheisambitious,andflyingathighergamethanIam.AndImustsaythisforher,thatsheknowswellwhatsheisdoing,andplayshercardsasthoughshehadbeenbornwiththeminherhand.'
　　'Youwillneveraskher?'
　　'No,mother;hadIdoneso,itwouldhavebeenfortheloveofyou——onlyfortheloveofyou.'
　　'Iwouldnotforworldsthatyoushoulddothat.'
　　'LetherhaveDumbello;shewillmakeanexcellentwifeforhim,justthewifethathewillwant.Andyou,youwillhavebeensogoodtoherinassistinghertosuchamatter.'
　　'But,Ludovic,Iamsoanxioustoseeyousettled.'
　　'Allingoodtime,mother.'
　　'Ah,butthegoodtimeispassingaway.Yearsrunsoveryquickly.Ihopeyouthinkofmarrying,Ludovic.'
　　'But,mother,whatifIbroughtyouawifethatyoudonotapprove?'
　　'Iwillapproveofanyonethatyoulove;thatis——'
　　'Thatis,ifyouloveheralso;eh,mother?'
　　'ButIrelywithsuchconfidenceonyourtaste.Iknowthatyoucanlikenoonethatisnotladylikeandgood.'
　　'Ladylikeandgood;willthatsuffice?'saidhe,thinkingofLucyRobarts.
　　'Yes;itwillsufficeifyouloveher.Idon'twantyoutocareformoney.Griseldawillhaveafortunethatwouldhavebeenconvenient;butIdonotwishyoutocareforthat.'Andthus,astheystoodtogetherinMissDunstable'scrowdedroom,themotherandsonsettledbetweenthemselvesthattheLufton-Grantlyalliancetreatywasnottoberatified.'IsupposeImustletMrsGrantlyknow,'saidLadyLuftontoherself,asGriseldareturnedtoherside.TherehadnotbeenaboveadozenwordsspokenbetweenLordDumbelloandhispartner,butthatyoungladyalsohadnowfullymadeuphermindthatthetreatyabovementionedshouldneverbebroughtintooperation.
　　Wemustgobacktoourhostess,whomweshouldnothaveleftforsolongatime,seeingthatthischapteriswrittentoshowhowwellshecouldconductherselfingreatemergencies.Shehaddeclaredthatafterawhileshewouldbeabletoleaveherpositionneartheentrancedoor,andfindoutherownpeculiarfriendsamongthecrowd;buttheopportunityfordoingsodidnotcometillverylateintheevening.Therewasacontinuationofarrivals;shewasweariedtodeathwithmakinglittlespeeches,andhadmorethanoncedeclaredthatshemustdeputeMrsHaroldSmithtotakeherplace.Thatladystucktoherthroughallherlabourswithadmirableconstancy,andmadetheworkbearable.Withoutsomesuchconstancyonafriend'spart,itwouldhavebeenunbearable;anditmustbeacknowledgedthatthiswasmuchtothecreditofMrsHaroldSmith.Herownhopeswithreferencetothegreatheiresshadallbeenshattered,andheranswerhadbeengiventoherinveryplainlanguage.But,nevertheless,shewastruetoherfriendship,andwasalmostaswillingtoendurethefatigueonthisoccasionasthoughshehadasister-in-law'srightinthehouse.Ataboutoneo'clockherbrothercame.HehadnotyetseenMissDunstablesincetheofferhadbeenmade,andhadnowwithgreatdifficultybeenpersuadedbyhissistertoshowhimself.
　　'Whatcanbetheuse?'saidhe.'Thegameisupwithmenow;'——meaning,poorruinedne'er-do-well,notonlythatthatgamewithMissDunstablewasup,butthatthegreatgameofhiswholelifewasbeingbroughttoanuncomfortabletermination.
　　'Nonsense,'saidhissister;'doyoumeantodespairbecauseamanliketheDukeofOmniumwantshismoney?Whathasbeengoodsecurityforhimwillbegoodsecurityforanother;'andthenMrsHaroldSmithmadeherselfmoreagreeablethenevertoMissDunstable.
　　WhenMissDunstablewasnearlywornout,butwasstillendeavouringtobuoyherselfupbyahopeofthestill-expectedgreatarrival——forsheknewthattheherowouldshowhimselfonlyataverylatehourifitweretobehergoodfortunethatheshowedhimselfatall——MrSowerbywalkedupthestairs.Hehadschooledhimselftogothroughwiththisordealwithallthecooleffronterywhichwasathiscommand;butitwasclearlytobeseenthatallhiseffronterydidnotstandhiminsufficientstead,andthattheinterviewwouldhavebeenembarrassinghaditnotbeenforthegenuinegood-humourofthelady.'Hereismybrother,'saidMrsHaroldSmith,showingbythetremulousnessofthewhisperthatshelookedforwardtothemeetingwithsomeamountofapprehension.
　　'Howdoyoudo,MrSowerby?'saidMissDunstable,walkingalmostintothedoorwaytowelcomehim.'Betterlatethannever.'
　　'IhaveonlyjustgotawayfromtheHouse,'saidhe,ashegaveherhishand.
　　'Oh,Iknowwellthatyouaresansreprocheamongsenators——asMrHaroldSmithissanspeur;——eh,mydear?'
　　'Imustconfessthatyouhavecontrivedtobeuncommonlysevereuponthemboth,'saidMrsHarold,laughing;'andasregardspoorHarold,mostundeservedlyso;Nathanielishere,andmaydefendhimself.'
　　'Andnooneisbetterabletodosoonalloccasions.But,mydearMrSowerby,Iamdyingofdespair.Doyouthinkhe'llcome?'
　　'He?who?'
　　'Youstupidman——asifthereweremorethanonehe!Thereweretwo,buttheotherhasbeen.'
　　'Uponmyword,Idon'tunderstand,'saidMrSowerby,nowagainathisease.'ButcanIdoanything?ShallIgoandfetchanyone?
　　Oh,TomTowers;IfearIcan'thelpyou.Buthereheisatthefootofthestairs!'AndthenMrSowerbystoodbackwithhissistertomakewayforthegreatrepresentativemanoftheage.
　　'Angelsandministersofgraceassistme!'saidMissDunstable.
　　'HowonearthamItobehavemyself?MrSowerby,doyouthinkthatIoughttokneeldown?Mydear,willhehaveareporterathisbackintheroyallivery?'AndthenMissDunstableadvancedtwoorthreesteps——notintothedoorway,asshehaddoneforMrSowerby——putoutherhand,andsmiledhersweetestonMrTowersoftheJupiter.
　　'Thehonourdoneisallconferredonme,'andhebowedandcurtsiedwithverystatelygrace.Eachthoroughlyunderstoodthebadinageoftheother;andthen,inafewmoments,theywereengagedinveryeasyconversation.
　　'Bytheby,Sowerby,whatdoyouthinkofthisthreateneddissolution?'saidTomTowers.
　　'WeareallinthehandsofProvidence,'saidMrSowerby,strivingtotakethematterwithoutanyoutwardshowofemotion.Butthequestionwasoneofterribleimporttohim,anduptothistimehehadheardofnosuchthreat.NorhadMrsHaroldSmith,norMissDunstable,norhadahundredotherswhonoweitherlistenedtothevaticinationsofMrTowers,ortotheimmediatereportmadeofthem.Butitisgiventosomementooriginatesuchtidings,andtheperformanceoftheprophecyisoftenbroughtaboutbytheauthorityoftheprophet.Onthefollowingmorningtherumourthattherewouldbeadissolutionwascurrentinallhighcircles.'Theyhavenoconscienceinsuchmatters;noconsciencewhatever,'saidasmallgod,speakingofthegiants——asmallgod,whoseconstituencywasexpensive.MrTowersstoodtherechattingforabouttwentyminutes,andthentookhisdeparturewithoutmakinghiswayintotheroom.Hehadansweredthepurposeforwhichhehadbeeninvited,andleftMissDunstableinahappyframeofmind.
　　'Iamverygladhecame,'saidMrsHaroldSmith,withanairoftriumph.
　　'Yes,Iamglad,'saidMissDunstable,'thoughIamthoroughlyashamedthatIshouldbeso.Afterall,whatgoodhashedonetomeortoanyone?'Andhavingutteredthismoralreflection,shemadeherwayintotherooms,andsoondiscoveredDrThornestandingbyhimselfagainstthewall.
　　'Well,doctor,'saidMissDunstable,'whereareMaryandFrank?Youdonotlookatallcomfortable,standingherebyyourself.'
　　'IamquiteascomfortableasIexpected,thankyou,'saidhe.
　　'Theyareintheroomsomewhere,and,asIbelieve,equallyhappy.'
　　'That'sspitefulofyou,doctor,tospeakinthatway.WhatwouldyousayifyouwerecalledontoendureallthatIhavegonethroughthisevening?'
　　'Thereisnoaccountingfortastes,butIpresumeyoulikeit?'
　　'Iamnotsosureofthat.Givemeyourarmandletmegetsomesupper.Onealwayslikestheideaofhavingdonehardwork,andonealwayslikestohavebeensuccessful.'
　　'Weallknowthatvirtueisitsownreward,'saidthedoctor.
　　'Well,thatissomethingharduponme,'saidMissDunstable,asshesatdowntotable.'Andyoureallythinkthatnogoodofanysortcancomefrommygivingsuchapartyasthis?'
　　'Oh,yes;somepeople,nodoubt,havebeenamused.'
　　'Itisallvanityinyourestimation,'saidMissDunstable;'vanityandvexationofspirit.Well;thereisagooddealofthelatter,certainly.Sherry,ifyouplease.Iwouldgiveanythingforaglassofbeer,butthatisoutofthequestion.Vanityandvexationofspirit!AndyetImeanttodogood.'
　　'Pray,donotsupposeIamcondemningyou,MissDunstable.'
　　'Ah,butIdosupposeit.Notonlyyou,butanotheralso,whosejudgementIcarefor,perhaps,morethanyours;andthat,letmetellyou,issayingagreatdeal.Youdocondemnme,DrThorne,andIalsocondemnmyself.ItisnotthatIhavedonewrong,butthegameisnotworththecandle.'
　　'Ah;thatisthequestion.'
　　'Thegameisnotworththecandle.AndyetitwasatriumphtohaveboththedukeandTomTowers.YoumustconfessthatIhavenotmanagedbadly.'SoonafterthattheGreshamswentaway,andinanhour'stimeorso,MissDunstablewasallowedtodragherselftoherownbed.
　　Thatisthegreatquestiontobeaskedonallsuchoccasions,'Isthegameworththecandle?'
　　CHAPTERXXX
　　THEGRANTLYTRIUMPH
　　Ithasbeenmentionedcursorily——thereader,nodoubt,willhaveforgottenit——thatMrsGrantlywasnotspeciallyinvitedbyherhusbandtogouptotownwithaviewofbeingpresentatMissDunstable'sparty.MrsGrantlysaidnothingonthesubject,butshewassomewhatchagrined;notonaccountofthelossshesustainedwithreferencetothatcelebratedassembly,butbecauseshefeltthatherdaughter'saffairsrequiredthesupervisionofamother'seye.ShealsodoubtedthefinalratificationofthatLufton-Grantlytreaty,and,doubtingit,shedidnotfeelquitesatisfiedthatherdaughtershouldbeleftinLadyLufton'shands.
　　Shehadsaidawordortwotothearchdeaconbeforehewentup,butonlyawordortwo,forshehesitatedtotrusthiminsodelicateamatter.Shewas,therefore,notalittlesurprisedatreceivingaletterfromhimdesiringherimmediatepresenceinLondon.Shewassurprised;butherheartwasfilledratherwithhopethandismay,forshehadfullconfidenceinherdaughter'sdiscretion.Onthemorningaftertheparty,LadyLuftonandGriseldahadbreakfastedtogetherasusual,buteachfeltthatthemanneroftheotherwasaltered.LadyLuftonthoughtthatheryoungfriendwassomewhatlessattentive,andperhapslessmeekinherdemeanourthanusual;
　　andGriseldafeltthatLadyLuftonwaslessaffectionate.Verylittle,however,wassaidbetweenthem,andLadyLuftonexpressednosurprisewhenGriseldabeggedtobeleftaloneathome,insteadofaccompanyingherladyshipwhenthecarriagecametothedoor.
　　NobodycalledinBrutonStreetthatafternoon——noone,atleast,wasletin——exceptthearchdeacon.Hecametherelateintheday,andremainedwithhisdaughtertillLadyLuftonreturned.Thenhetookhisleave,withmoreabruptnessthanwasusualwithhim,andwithoutsayinganythingspecialtoaccountforthedurationofhisvisit.NeitherdidGriseldasayanythingspecial;andsotheeveningworeaway,eachfeelinginsomeunconsciousmannerthatshewasonlessintimatetermswiththeotherthanhadpreviouslybeenthecase.
　　OnthenextdayGriseldawouldnotgoout,butatfouro'clockaservantbroughtalettertoherfromMountStreet.HermotherhadarrivedinLondonandwishedtoseeheratonce.MrsGrantlysentherlovetoLadyLufton,andwouldcallathalf-pastfive,oratanylaterhouratwhichitmightbeconvenientforLadyLuftontoseeher.GriseldawastostayanddineinMountStreet;sosaidtheletter.LadyLuftondeclaredthatshewouldbeveryhappytoseeMrsGrantlyatthehournamed;andthen,armedwiththismessage,Griseldastartedforhermother'slodgings.'I'llsendthecarriageforyou,'saidLadyLufton.'Isupposeabouttenwilldo.'
　　'Thankyou,'saidGriselda,'thatwilldoverynicely;'andthenshewent.Exactlyathalf-pastfiveMrsGrantlywasshownintoLadyLufton'sdrawing-room.Herdaughterdidnotcomewithher,andLadyLuftoncouldseebytheexpressionofherfriend'sfacethatbusinesswastobediscussed.Indeed,itwasnecessarythatsheherselfshoulddiscussbusiness,forMrsGrantlymustnowbetoldthatthefamilytreatycouldnotberatified.Thegentlemandeclinedthealliance,andpoorLadyLuftonwasuneasyinhermindatthenatureofthetaskbeforeher.
　　'Yourcominguphasbeenratherunexpected,'saidLadyLufton,assoonasherfriendwasseatedonthesofa.
　　'Yes,indeed;Igotaletterfromthearchdeacononlythismorning,whichmadeitabsolutelynecessarythatIshouldcome.'
　　'Nobadnews,Ihope?'saidLadyLufton.
　　'No;Ican'tcallitbadnews.But,dearLadyLufton,thingswon'talwaysturnoutexactlyasonewouldhavethem.'
　　'No,indeed,'saidherladyship,rememberingthatitwasincumbentonhertoexplaintoMrsGrantlynowatthispresentinterviewthetidingswithwhichhermindwasfraught.Shewould,however,letMrsGrantlyfirsttellherownstory,feeling,perhaps,thattheonemightpossiblybearupontheother.
　　'PoordearGriselda!'saidMrsGrantly,almostwithasigh.'I
　　neednottellyou,LadyLufton,whatmyhopeswereregardingher.'
　　'Hasshetoldyouanything——anythingthat——'
　　'Shewouldhavespokentoyouatonce——anditwasduetoyouthatsheshouldhavedoneso——butshewastimid;andnotunnaturallyso.Andthenitwasrightthatsheshouldseeherfatherandmebeforeshequitemadeuphermind.ButImaysaythatitissettlednow.'
　　'Whatissettled?'askedLadyLufton.
　　'Ofcourseitisimpossibleforanyonetotellbeforehandhowthesethingswillturnout,'continuedMrsGrantly,beatingaboutthebushrathermorethanwasnecessary.'ThedearestwishofmyheartwastoseehermarriedtoLordLufton.Ishouldsomuchhavewishedtohaveherinthesamecountywithme,andsuchamatchasthatwouldhavefullysatisfiedmyambition.'
　　Well,Ishouldthinkitmight!'LadyLuftondidnotsaythisoutloud,butshethoughtit.MrsGrantlywasabsolutelyspeakingofamatchbetweenherdaughterandLordLuftonasthoughshewouldhavedisplayedsomeChristianmoderationinputtingupwithit!GriseldaGrantlymightbeaverynicegirl;butevenshe——sothoughtLadyLuftonatthemoment——mightpossiblybepricedtoohighly.
　　'DearMrsGrantly,'shesaid,'Ihaveforeseenforthelastfewdaysthatourmutualhopesinthisrespectwouldnotbegratified.
　　LordLufton,Ithink;——butperhapsitisnotnecessarytoexplain——Hadyounotcomeuptotown,Ishouldhavewrittentoyou,——probablytoday.WhatevermaybedearGriselda'sfateinlife,Isincerelyhopethatshemaybehappy.'
　　'Ithinkshewill,'saidMrsGrantly,inatonethatexpressedmuchsatisfaction.
　　'Has——anything——'
　　'LordDumbelloproposedtoGriseldatheothernight,atMissDunstable'sparty,'saidMrsGrantly,withhereyesfixeduponthefloor,andassumingonthesuddenmuchmeeknessinhermanner;'andhislordshipwaswiththearchdeaconyesterday,andagainthismorning.IfancyheisinMountStreetatthepresentmoment.'
　　'Oh,indeed!'saidLadyLufton.Shewouldhavegivenworldstohavepossessedatthemomentsufficientself-commandtohaveenabledhertoexpressinhertoneandmannerunqualifiedsatisfactionofthetidings.Butshehadnotsuchself-command,andwaspainfullyawareofherowndeficiency.
　　'Yes,'saidMrsGrantly.'Andasitisallsofarsettled,andasIknowyouaresokindlyanxiousaboutdearGriselda,Ithoughtitrighttoletyouknowatonce.Nothingcanbemoreupright,honourable,andgenerous,thanLordDumbello'sconduct;and,onthewhole,thematchisonewithwhichIandthearchdeaconcannotbutbecontented.'
　　'Itiscertainlyagreatmatch,'saidLadyLufton.'HaveyouseenLadyHartletopyet?'
　　NowLadyHartletopcouldnotberegardedasanagreeableconnexion,butthiswastheonlywordwhichescapedfromLadyLuftonthatcouldbeconsideredinanywaydisparaging,and,onthewhole,I
　　thinkshebehavedwell.
　　'LordDumbelloissocompletelyhisownmasterthatthathasnotbeennecessary,'saidMrsGrantly.'Themarquesshasbeentold,andthearchdeaconwillseehimeitherto-morroworthedayafter.'
　　TherewasnothingleftforLadyLuftonbuttocongratulateherfriend,andthisshedidinwordsperhapsnotverysincere,butwhich,onthewhole,werenotbadlychosen.
　　'IamsureIhopeshewillbeveryhappy,'saidLadyLufton,'andI
　　trustthatthealliance'——thewordwasveryagreeabletoMrsGrantly'sear——'willgiveunalloyedgratificationtoyouandherfather.Thepositionwhichsheiscalledtofillisaverysplendidone,butIdonotthinkthatitisabovehermerits.'Thiswasverygenerous,andsoMrsGrantlyfeltit.Shehadexpectedthathernewswouldbereceivedwiththecoldestshadeofcivility,andshewasquitepreparedtodobattleiftherewasoccasion.Butshehadnowishforwar,andwasalmostgratefultoLadyLuftonforhercordiality.
　　'DearLadyLufton,'shesaid,'itissokindofyoutosayso.I
　　havetoldnooneelse,andofcoursewouldtellnoonetillyouknewit.Noonehasknownherandunderstoodhersowellasyouhavedone.AndIcanassureyouofthis,thatthereisnoonetowhosefriendshipshelooksforwardinhernewsphereoflifewithhalfsomuchpleasureasshedoesyours.'LadyLuftondidnotsaymuchfurther.ShecouldnotdeclarethatsheexpectedmuchgratificationfromanintimacywiththefutureMarchionessofHartletop.TheHartletopsandLuftonsmust,atanyrateforhergeneration,liveinaworldapart,andshehadnotsaidallthatheroldfriendshipwithMrsGrantlyrequired.MrsGrantlyunderstoodallthisquiteaswellasdidLadyLufton;butthenMrsGrantlywasmuchthebetterwomanoftheworld.ItwasarrangedthatGriseldashouldcomebacktoBrutonStreetforthenight,andthathervisitshouldthenbebroughttoaclose.
　　'ThearchdeaconthinksthatforthepresentIhadbetterremainintown,'saidMrsGrantly,'andundertheverypeculiarcircumstancesGriseldawillbe——perhapsmorecomfortablewithme.'TothisLadyLuftonentirelyagreed;andsotheyparted,excellentfriends,embracingeachotherinamostaffectionatemanner.ThateveningGriseldadidreturntoBrutonStreet,andLadyLuftonhadtogothroughthefurthertaskofcongratulatingher.Thiswasthemoredisagreeableofthetwo,especiallysoasithadtobethoughtoverbeforehand.Buttheyounglady'sexcellentgoodsenseandsterlingqualitiesmakethetaskcomparativelyaneasyone.Sheneithercried,norwasimpassioned,norwentintohysterics,norshowedanyemotion.ShedidnoteventalkofhernobleDumbello,——hergenerousDumbello.ShetookLadyLufton'skissesalmostinsilence,thankedhergentlyforherkindness,andmadenoallusiontoherownfuturegrandeur.
　　'IthinkIshouldliketogotobedearly,'shesaid,'asImustseetomypackingup.'
　　'Richardswilldoallthatforyou,mydear.'
　　'Oh,yes,thankyou,nothingcanbekinderthanRichards.ButI'lljustseetomyowndresses.'Andsoshewenttobedearly.
　　LadyLuftondidnotseehersonforthenexttwodays,butwhenshedid,ofcourseshesaidawordortwoaboutGriselda.'Youhaveheardthenews,Ludovic?'sheasked.
　　'Oh,yes;it'satalltheclubs.Ihavebeenoverwhelmedwithpresentsofwillowbranches.'
　　'You,atanyrate,havenothingtoregret,'shesaid.
　　'Noryoueither,mother.Iamsureyoudonotthinkyouhave.Saythatyoudonotregretit.Dearestmother,saysoformysake.Doyounotknowinyourheartofheartsthatshewasnotsuitedtobehappyasmywife——ortomakemehappy.'
　　'Perhapsnot,'saidLadyLufton,sighing.Andthenshekissedherson,anddeclaredtoherselfthatnogirlinEnglandcouldbegoodenoughforhim.