CHAPTERXXXI
　　SALMONFISHINGINNORWAY
　　LordDumbello'sengagementwithGriseldaGrantlywasthetalkofthetownforthenexttendays.Itformed,atleast,oneoftwosubjectswhichmonopolizedattention,theotherbeingthatdreadfulrumour,firstputinmotionbyTomTowersatMissDunstable'sparty,astoathreateneddissolutionofParliament.'Perhapsafterall,itwillbethebestthingforus,'saidMrGreenWalker,whofelthimselftobetolerablysafeatCreweJunction.
　　'Iregarditasamostwickedattempt,'saidHaroldSmith,whowasnotequallysecureinhisownborough,andtowhomtheexpenseofanelectionwasdisagreeable.'Itisdoneinorderthattheymaygetthetimetotideovertheautumn.Theywon'tgaintenvotesbyadissolution,andlessthanfortywouldhardlygivethemamajority.Buttheyhavenosenseofpublicduty——nonewhatever.
　　IndeedIdon'tknowwhohas.'
　　'No,byJove;that'sjustit.That'swhatmyauntLadyHartletopsays;thereisnosenseofdutyleftintheworld.Bytheby,whatanuncommonfoolDumbelloismakinghimself!'Andthentheconversationwentofftothatothertopic.
　　LordLufton'sjokeagainsthimselfaboutthewillowbrancheswasallverywell,andnobodydreamedthathisheartwassoreinthatmatter.TheworldwaslaughingatLordDumbelloforwhatitchosetocallafoolishmatch,andLordLufton'sfriendstalkedtohimaboutitasthoughtheyhadneversuspectedthathecouldhavemadeanassofhimselfinthesamedirection;but,nevertheless,hewasnotaltogethercontented.HebynomeanswishedtomarryGriselda;
　　hehaddeclaredhimselfadozentimessincehehadfirstsuspectedhismother'smanoeuvresthatnoconsiderationonearthshouldinducehimtodoso;hehadpronouncedhertobecold,insipid,andunattractiveinspiteofherbeauty:andyethefeltalmostangrythatLordDumbelloshouldhavebeensuccessful.Andthis,too,wasthemoreinexcusable,seeingthathehadneverforgottenLucyRobarts,hadneverceasedtoloveher,andthat,inholdingthosevariousconversationswithinhisownbosom,hewasasloudinLucy'sfavourashewasindispraiseofGriselda.
　　'Yourhero,then,'Ihearsomewell-balancedcriticsay,'isnotworthverymuch.'InthefirstplaceLordLuftonisnotmyhero;
　　andinthenextplace,amanmaybeveryimperfectandyetworthagreatdeal.AmanmaybeasimperfectasLordLufton,andyetworthyofagoodmotherandagoodwife.Ifnot,howmanyofusareunworthyofthemothersandwiveswehave!Itismybeliefthatfewyoungmensettlethemselvesdowntotheworkoftheworld,tothebegettingofchildren,andcarvingandpayingandstrugglingandfrettingforthesame,withouthavingfirstbeeninlovewithfourorfivepossiblemothersforthem,andprobablywithtwoorthreeatthesametime.Andyetthesemenare,asarule,worthyoftheexcellentwivesthatultimatelyfalltotheirlot.Inthisway,LordLuftonhad,toacertainextent,beeninlovewithGriselda.Therehadbeenonemomentinhislifeinwhichhewouldhaveofferedherhishand,hadnotherdiscretionbeensoexcellent;andthoughthatmomentneverreturned,stillhesufferedfromsomefeelingakintodisappointmentwhenhelearnedthatGriseldahadbeenwonandwastobeworn.Hewas,then,adoginamanger,youwillsay.Well;andarewenotalldogsinthemangermoreorlessactively?Isnotthatmanger-doggishnessoneofthemostcommonphasesofthehumanheart?ButnotthelesswasLordLuftontrulyinlovewithLucyRobarts.HadhefanciedthatanyDumbellowascarryingonasiegebeforethatfortress,hisvexationwouldhavemanifesteditselfinaverydifferentmanner.HecouldjokeaboutGriseldaGrantlywithafrankfaceandahappytoneofvoice;buthadheheardofanytidingsofasimilarimportwithreferencetoLucy,hewouldhavebeenpastalljoking,andImustdoubtwhetheritwouldnotevenhaveaffectedhisappetite.
　　'Mother,'hesaidtoLadyLufton,adayortwoafterthedeclarationofGriselda'sengagement,'IamgoingtoNorwaytofish.'
　　'ToNorway,——tofish?'
　　'Yes.We'vegotaratherniceparty.Clontarfisgoing,andCulpepper——'
　　'What——thathorridman!'
　　'He'sanexcellenthandatfishing;andHaddingtonPeebles,and——and——there'llbesixofusaltogether;andwestartthisdayweek.'
　　'That'srathersudden,Ludovic.'
　　'Yes,itissudden;butwe'resickofLondon.Ishouldnotcaretogososoonmyself,butClontarfandCulpeppersaythattheseasonisearlythisyear.ImustgodowntoFramleybeforeI
　　start——aboutmyhorses:andthereforeIcametotellyouthatI
　　shallbethereto-morrow.'
　　'AtFramleyto-morrow?IfyoucouldputitoffforthreedaysI
　　shouldbegoingmyself.'ButLordLuftoncouldnotputitoffforthreedays.Itmaybethatonthisoccasionhedidnotwishforhismother'spresenceatFramleywhilehewasthere;thatheconceivedthatheshouldbemoreathiseaseingivingordersabouthisstableifhewerealonewhilesoemployed.Atanyratehedeclinedhercompany,andonthefollowingmorningdidgodowntoFramleybyhimself.
　　'Mark,'saidMrsRobarts,hurryingintoherhusband'sbook-roomaboutthemiddleoftheday,'LordLuftonisathome.Haveyouheardit?'
　　'What!HereatFramley?'
　　'HeisoveratFramleyCourt;sotheservantssay.Carsonsawhiminthepaddockwithsomeofthehorses.Won'tyougoandseehim?'
　　'OfcourseIwill,'saidMark,shuttinguphispapers.'LadyLuftoncan'tbehere,andifheisalonehewillprobablycomeanddine.'
　　'Idon'tknowaboutthat,'saidMrsRobarts,thinkingofpoorLucy.
　　'Heisnotintheleastparticular.Whatdoesforuswilldoforhim.Ishallaskhim,atanyrate.'Andwithoutfurtherparleytheclergymantookuphishatandwentoffinsearchofhisfriend.LucyRobartshadbeenpresentwhenthegardenerbroughtintidingsofLordLufton'sarrivalatFramley,andwasawarethatFannyhadgonetotellherhusband.
　　'Hewon'tcomehere,willhe?'shesaid,assoonasMrsRobartshadreturned.
　　'Ican'tsay,'saidFanny.'Ihopenot.Heoughtnottodoso,andIdon'tthinkhewill.ButMarksaysthathewillaskhimtodinner.'
　　'Then,Fanny,Imustbetakenill.Thereisnothingelseforit.'
　　'Idon'tthinkhewillcome.Idon'tthinkhecanbesocruel.
　　Indeed,Ifeelsurethathewon't;butIthoughtitrighttotellyou.'LucyalsoconceivedthatitwasimprobablethatLordLuftonshouldcometotheparsonageunderthepresentcircumstances;andshedeclaredtoherselfthatitwouldnotbepossiblethatsheshouldappearattableifhedidso;but,nevertheless,theideaofhisbeingatFramleywas,perhaps,notaltogetherpainfultoher.
　　Shedidnotrecognizeanypleasureascomingtoherfromhisarrival,butstilltherewassomethinginhispresencewhichwas,unconsciouslytoherself,soothingtoherfeelings.Butthatterriblequestionremained;——Howwasshetoactifitshouldturnoutthathewascomingtodinner?
　　'Ifhedoescome,Fanny,'shesaidsolemnly,afterapause,'Imustkeeptomyownroom,andleaveMarktothinkwhathepleases.Itwillbebetterformetomakeafoolofmyselfthere,thaninhispresenceinthedrawing-room.'
　　MarkRobartstookhishatandstickandwentoveratoncetothehomepaddock,inwhichheknewthatLordLuftonwasengagedwiththehorsesandgrooms.HealsowasinnosupremelyhappyframeofmindforhiscorrespondencewithMrTozerwasontheincrease.Hehadreceivednoticefromthatindefatigablegentlemanthatcertain'overduebills'werenowlyingatthebankinBarchester,andwereverydesirousofhis,MrRobarts's,notice.AconcatenationofcertainpeculiarlyunfortunatecircumstancesmadeitindispensablynecessarythatMrTozershouldberepaid,withoutfurtherlossoftime,thevarioussumsofmoneywhichhehadadvancedonthecreditofMrRobarts'sname,&c,&c,&c.Noabsolutethreatwasputforth,and,singulartosay,noactualamountwasnamed.MrRobarts,however,couldnotbutobserve,withamostpainfullyaccurateattention,thatmentionwasmade,notofanoverduebill,butofoverduebills.WhatifMrTozerweretodemandfromhimtheinstantrepaymentofninehundredpounds?HithertohehadmerelywrittentoMrSowerby,andhemighthavehadananswerfromthatgentlemanthismorning,butnosuchanswerhadasyetreachedhim.
　　Consequentlyhewasnot,atthepresentmoment,inaveryhappyframeofmind.
　　HesoonfoundhimselfwithLordLuftonandthehorses.Fourorfiveofthemwerebeingwalkedslowlyaboutthepaddockinthecareofasmanymenorboys,andthesheetswerebeingtakenoffthem——offoneafteranother,sothattheirmastermightlookatthemwiththemoreaccuracyandsatisfaction.ButthoughLordLuftonwasthusdoinghisduty,andgoingthroughhiswork,hewasnotdoingitwithhiswholeheart,——astheheadgroomperceivedverywell.Hewasfretfulaboutthenags,andseemedanxioustogetthemoutofhiswholesightassoonashehadmadeadecentpretextoflookingatthem.'Howareyou,Lufton?'saidRobarts,comingforward.'Theytoldmethatyouweredown,andsoIcameacrossatonce.'
　　'Yes;Ionlygotherethismorning,andshouldhavebeenoverwithyoudirectly.IamgoingtoNorwayforsixweeksorso,anditseemsthatthefisharesoearlythisyearthatwemuststartatonce.IhaveamatteronwhichIwanttospeaktoyoubeforeI
　　leave;and,indeed,itwasthatwhichbroughtmedownmorethananythingelse.'Therewassomethinghurriedandnotaltogethereasyabouthismannerashespoke,whichstruckRobarts,andmadehimthinkthatthispromisedmattertobespokenwouldnotbeagreeableindiscussion.HedidnotknowwhetherLordLuftonmightnotagainbemixedupwithTozerandthebills.
　　'Youwilldinewithusto-day?'hesaid,'if,asIsuppose,youareallalone.'
　　'Yes,Iamallalone.'
　　'Thenyouwillcome?'
　　'Well,Idon'tquiteknow.No,Idon'tthinkIcangoovertodinner.Don'tlooksodisgusted.I'llexplainitalltoyoujustnow.'Whatcouldtherebeinthewind;andhowwasitpossiblethatTozer'sbillshouldmakeitinexpedientforLordLuftontodineattheparsonage?Robarts,however,saidnothingfurtheraboutitatthemoment,butturnedofftolookatthehorses.
　　'Theyareanuncommonlynicesetofanimals,'saidhe.
　　'Well,yes;Idon'tknow.Whenamanhasfourorfivehorsestolookat,somehoworotherheneverhasonefittogo.Thatchestnutmareisapicture,nowthatnobodywantsher;butshewasn'tabletocarrymewelltohoundsasingledaylastwinter.Takethemin,Pounce;that'lldo.'
　　'Won'tyourlordshiprunyoureyeovertheoldblack'oss?'saidPounce,theheadgroom,inamelancholytone;'he'sasfine,sir——asfineasastag.'
　　'Totellyouthetruth,Ithinkthey'retoofine;butthat'lldo;
　　takethemin.Andnow,Mark,ifyou'reatleisure,we'lltakeaturnroundtheplace.'Mark,ofcourse,wasatleisure,andsotheystartedontheirwalk.
　　'You'retoodifficulttopleaseaboutyourstable,'Robartsbegan.
　　'Nevermindaboutthestablenow,'saidLordLufton.'Thetruthis,Iamnotthinkingaboutit.Mark,'hethensaid,veryabruptly,'Iwantyoutobefrankwithme.Hasyoursistereverspokentoyouaboutme?'
　　'Mysister;Lucy?'
　　'Yes;yoursisterLucy.'
　　'No,never;atleastnothingspecial;nothingthatIcanrememberatthemoment.'
　　'Noryourwife?'
　　'Spokenaboutyou!——Fanny?Ofcourseshehas,intheordinaryway.Itwouldbeimpossiblethatsheshouldnot.Butwhatdoyoumean?'
　　'HaveeitherofthemtoldyouthatImadeanoffertoyoursister?'
　　'ThatyoumadeanoffertoLucy?'
　　'Yes,thatImadeanoffertoLucy.'
　　'No;nobodyhastoldmeso.Ihaveneverdreamedofsuchathing;
　　nor,asfarasIbelieve,havethey.Ifanybodyhasspreadsuchareport,orsaidthateitherofthemhavehintedatsuchathing,itisabaselie.Goodheavens!Lufton,forwhatdoyoutakethem?'
　　'ButIdid,'saidhislordship.
　　'Didwhat?'saidtheparson.
　　'Ididmakeyoursisteranoffer.'
　　'YoumadeLucyanofferofmarriage?'
　　'Yes,Idid;——inasplainlanguageasagentlemancouldusetoalady.'
　　'Andwhatanswerdidshemake?'
　　'Sherefusedme.Andnow,Mark,Ihavecomedownherewiththeexpresspurposeofmakingthatofferagain.Nothingcouldbemoredecidedthanyoursister'sanswer.Itstruckmeasbeingalmostuncourteouslydecided.Butstillitispossiblethatcircumstancesmayhaveweighedwithherwhichoughtnottoweighwithher.Ifherlovebenotgiventoanyoneelse,Imaystillhaveachanceofit.It'stheoldstoryoffaintheart,youknow;atanyrate,I
　　meantotrymyluckagain;andthinkingoveritwithdeliberatepurpose,IhavecometotheconclusionthatIoughttotellyoubeforeIseeher.'
　　LordLuftoninlovewithLucy!AsthesewordsrepeatedthemselvesoverandoveragainwithinMarkRobarts'smind,hismindaddedtothemnotesofsurprisewithoutend.Howhaditcomeabout——andwhy?InhisestimationhissisterLucywasaverysimplegirl——notplainindeed,butbynomeansbeautiful;certainlynotstupid,butbynomeansbrilliant.Andthen,hewouldhavesaid,thatofallthemenheknew,LordLuftonwouldhavebeenthelasttofallinlovewithsuchagirlashissister.Andnow,whatwashetosayordo?Whatviewswasheboundtohold?Inwhatdirectionshouldheact?TherewasLadyLuftonontheoneside,towhomheowedeverything.Howwouldlifebepossibletohiminthatparsonage——withinafewyardsofherelbow——ifheconsenttoreceiveLordLuftonastheacknowledgedsuitorofhissister?ItwouldbeagreatmatchforLucy,doubtless;but.IndeedhecouldnotbringhimselftobelievethatLucycouldintruthbecometheabsolutereigningqueenofFramleyCourt.
　　'DoyouthinkthatFannyknowsanythingofallthis?'hesaidafteramomentortwo.
　　'Icannotpossiblytell.Ifshedoesitisnotwithmyknowledge.
　　Ishouldhavethoughtthatyoucouldbestanswerthat.'
　　'Icannotansweritatall,'saidMark.'I,atleast,havehadnoremotestideaofsuchathing.'
　　'Yourideasofitnowneednotbeatallremote,'saidLordLufton,withafaintsmile;'andyoumayknowitasafact.Ididmakeheranofferofmarriage;Iwasrefused;Iamgoingtorepeatit;andI
　　amnowtakingyouintomyconfidence,inorderthat,asherbrother,andasmyfriend,youmaygivemesuchassistanceasyoucan.'Theythenwalkedoninsilenceforsomeyards,afterwhichLordLuftonadded:'AndnowI'lldinewithyouto-dayifyouwishit.'MrRobartsdidnotknowwhattosay;hecouldnotbethinkhimselfwhatanswerdutyrequiredofhim.Hehadnorighttointerferebetweenhissisterandsuchamarriageifsheherselfshouldwishit;butstilltherewassomethingterribleinthethoughtofit!Hehadavagueconceptionthatitmustcometoevil;thattheprojectwasadangerousone;andthatitcouldnotfinallyresulthappilyforanyofthem.WhatwouldLadyLuftonsay?Thatundoubtedlywasthechiefsourceofhisdismay.
　　'Haveyouspokentoyourmotheraboutthis?'hesaid.
　　'Mymother?No;whyspeaktohertillIknowmyfate?Amandoesnotliketospeakmuchofsuchmattersiftherebeaprobabilityofitsbeingrejected.ItellyoubecauseIdonotliketomakemywayintoyourhouseunderafalsepretence.'
　　'ButwhatwouldLadyLuftonsay?'
　　'Ithinkitprobablethatshewouldbedispleasedonthefirsthearingofit;thatinfour-and-twentyhoursshewouldbereconciled;andthatafteraweekorsoLucywouldbeherdearestfavouriteandthePrimeMinisterofallhermachinations.Youdon'tknowmymotheraswellasIdo.Shewouldgiveherheadoffhershoulderstodomeapleasure.'
　　'Andforthatreason,'saidMarkRobarts,'youought,ifpossible,todoherpleasure.'
　　'Icannotabsolutelymarrythewifeofherchoosing,ifyoumeanthat,'saidLordLufton.Theywentonwalkingaboutthegardenforanhour,buttheyhardlygotanyfartherthanthepointtowhichwehavenowbroughtthem.MarkRobartscouldnotmakeuphismindonthespurofthemoment;nor,ashesaidmorethanoncetoLordLufton,couldhebeatallsurethatLucywouldinanywaybeguidedbyhim.Itwas,therefore,atlastsettledbetweenthemthatLordLuftonshouldcometotheparsonageimmediatelyafterbreakfastonthefollowingmorning.Itwasagreedalsothatthedinnerhadbetternotcomeoff,andRobartspromisedthathewould,ifpossible,havedeterminedbythemorningastowhatadvicehewouldgivehissister.HewentdirectlyhometotheparsonagefromFramleyCourt,feelingthathewasaltogetherinthedarktillheshouldhaveconsultedwithhiswife.HowwouldhefeelifLucyweretobecomeLadyLufton?AndhowwouldhelookLadyLuftoninthefaceintellingherthatsuchwastobehissister'sdestiny?
　　Onreturninghomeheimmediatelyfoundhiswife,andhadnotbeenclosetedwithherfiveminutesbeforeheknew,atanyrate,allthatsheknew.'Andyoumeantosaythatshedoeslovehim?'saidMark.
　　'Indeedshedoes;andisitnotnaturalthatsheshould?WhenIsawthemsomuchtogetherIfearedthatshewould.ButIneverthoughtthathewouldcareforher.'EvenFannydidnotasyetgiveLucycreditforhalfherattractiveness.Afteranhour'stalkingtheinterviewbetweenthehusbandandwifeendedinamessagetoLucy,begginghertojointhembothinthebook-room.
　　'AuntyLucy,'saidachubbylittledarling,whowastakenupintohisaunt'sarmsashespoke,'PapaandMamma'ant'oo'intetuddy,andImustgowis'oo.'Lucy,asshekissedtheboyandpressedhisfaceagainstherown,feltthatherbloodwasrunningquicktoherheart.
　　'Mustn'too'gowisme,myownone?'shesaidassheputherplayfellowdown;butsheplayedwiththechildonlybecauseshedidnotwishtobetray,eventohim,thatshewashardlymistressofherself.SheknewthatLordLuftonwasatFramley;sheknewthatherbrotherhadbeentohim;sheknewthataproposalhadbeenmadethatheshouldcometheretodinner.Mustitnot,therefore,bethecasethatthiscalltoameetinginthestudyhadarisenoutofLordLufton'sarrivalatFramley?Andyet,howcouldithavedoneso?HadFannybetrayedherinordertopreventthedinnerinvitation?ItcouldnotbepossiblethatLordLuftonhimselfshouldhavespokenonthesubject!Andthenagainshestoopedtokissthechild,rubbedherhandsacrossherforeheadtosmoothherhair,anderase,ifthatmightbepossible,thelookofcarewhichshewore,andthendescendedslowlytoherbrother'ssitting-room.
　　Herhandpausedforasecondonthedooreresheopenedit,butshehadresolvedthat,comewhatmight,shewouldbebrave.Shepusheditopenandwalkedinwithaboldfront,witheyeswideopen,andaslowstep.'Franksaysthatyouwantme,'shesaid.MrRobartsandFannywerebothstandingupbythefireplace,andeachwaitedasecondfortheothertospeak,whenLucyenteredtheroom,andthenFannybegan,——
　　'LordLuftonishere,Lucy.'
　　'Here!Where?Attheparsonage?'
　　'No,notattheparsonage;butoveratFramleyCourt,'saidMark.
　　'Andhepromisestocallhereafterbreakfastto-morrow'saidFanny.Andthenagaintherewasapause.MrsRobartshardlydaredtolookLucyintheface.Shehadnotbetrayedhertrust,seeingthatthesecrethadbeentoldtoMark,notbyher,butbyLordLufton;butshecouldnotbutfeelthatLucywouldthinkthatshehadbetrayedit.
　　'Verywell,'saidLucy,tryingtosmile;'Ihavenoobjectioninlife.'
　　'But,Lucy,dear,'——andnowMrsRobartsputherarmroundhersister-in-law'swaist——'heiscominghereespeciallytoseeyou.'
　　'Oh;thatmakesadifference.IamafraidthatIshallbe——
　　engaged.'
　　'HehastoldeverythingtoMark,'saidMrsRobarts.Lucynowfeltthatherbraverywasalmostdesertingher.Shehardlyknewwhichwaytolookorhowtostand.HadFannytoldeverythingalso?TherewassomuchthatFannyknewthatLordLuftoncouldnothaveknown.
　　But,intruth,Fannyhadtoldall——thewholestoryofLucy'slove,andhaddescribedthereasonswhichhadinducedhertorejecthersuitor;andhaddonesoinwordswhich,hadLordLuftonheardthem,wouldhavemadehimtwiceaspassionateinhislove.AndthenitcertainlydidoccurtoLucytothinkwhyLordLuftonshouldhavecometoFramleyandtoldallofhisstorytoherbrother.Sheattemptedforamomenttomakeherselfbelievethatshewasangrywithhimfordoingso.Butshewasnotangry.Shehadnottimetoarguemuchaboutit,buttherecameuponheragratifiedsensationofhavingbeenremembered,andthoughtof,and——loved.Mustitnotbeso?Coulditbepossiblethathehimselfwouldhavetoldthistaletoherbrother,ifhedidnotstillloveher?Fiftytimesshehadsaidtoherselfthathisofferhadbeenanaffairofthemoment,andfiftytimesshehadbeenunhappyinsosaying.Butthisnewcomingofhiscouldnotbeanaffairofthemoment.Shehadbeenthedupe,shehadthought,ofanabsurdpassiononherownpart;butnow——howwasitnow?ShedidnotbringherselftothinkthatsheshouldeverbeLadyLufton.Shehadstill,insomeperverselyobstinatemanner,madeuphermindagainstthatresult.
　　Butyet,nevertheless,itdidinsomeunaccountablemannersatisfyhertofeelthatLordLuftonhadhimselfcomedowntoFramleyandhimselftoldhisstory.'HehastoldeverythingtoMark,'saidMrsRobarts;andthenagaintherewasapauseforamoment,duringwhichthesethoughtspassedthroughLucy'smind.
　　'Yes,'saidMark,'hehastoldmeall,andheiscominghereto-morrowmorningthathemayreceiveananswerfromyourself.'
　　'Whatanswer?'saidLucy,trembling.
　　'Nay,dearest;whocansaythatbutyourself?'andhersister-in-law,asshespoke,pressedagainsther.'Youmustsaythatyourself.'MrsRobartsinherlongconversationwithherhusband,hadpleadedstronglyonLucy'sbehalf,takingasitwereapartagainstLadyLufton.ShehadsaidthatifLordLuftonperseveredinhissuit,theyattheparsonagecouldnotbejustifiedinrobbingLucyofallthatshehadwonforherself,inordertodoLadyLufton'spleasure.
　　'Butshewillthink,'saidMark,'thatwehaveplottedandintriguedforthis.Shewillcallusungrateful,andwillmakeLucy'slifewretched.'Towhichhiswifehadanswered,thatallmustbeleftinGod'shands.Theyhadnotplottedorintrigued.
　　Lucy,thoughlovingthemaninherheartofhearts,hadalreadyoncerefusedhim,becauseshewouldnotbethoughttohavesnatchedatsogreataprize.ButifLordLuftonlovedhersowarmlythathehadcomedownthereinthismanner,onpurpose,ashehimselfhadputit,thathemightlearnhisfate,then——soarguedMrsRobarts——theytwo,lettheirloyaltytoLadyLuftonbeeversostrong,couldnotjustifyittotheirconsciencestostandbetweenLucyandherlover.Markhadstillsomewhatdemurredtothis,suggestinghowterriblewouldbetheirplightiftheyshouldnowencourageLordLufton,andifhe,aftersuchencouragement,whentheyshouldhavequarrelledwithLadyLufton,shouldallowhimselftoledawayfromhisengagementbyhismother.TowhichFannyhadansweredthatjusticewasjustice,andthatrightwasright.
　　EverythingmustbetoldtoLucy,andshemustjudgeforherself.
　　'ButIdonotknowwhatLordLuftonwants,'saidLucy,withhereyesfixedupontheground,andnowtremblingmorethanever.'Hedidcometome,andIdidgivehimananswer.'
　　'Andisthatanswertobefinal?'saidMark——somewhatcruelly,forLucyhadnotyetbeentoldthatherloverhadmadeanyrepetitionofhisproposal.Fanny,however,determinedthatnoinjusticeshouldbedone,andthereforesheatlastcontinuedthestory.
　　'Weknowthatyoudidgivehimananswer,dearest;butgentlemensometimeswillnotputupwithoneansweronsuchasubject.LordLuftonhasdeclaredtoMarkthathemeanstoaskagain.Hehascomedownhereonpurposetodoso.'
　　'AndLadyLufton——'saidLucy,speakinghardlyaboveawhisper,andstillhidingherfaceassheleanedagainsthersister'sshoulder.
　　'LordLuftonhasnotspokentohismotheraboutit,'saidMark;anditimmediatelybecamecleartoLucy,fromthetoneofherbrother'svoice,thathe,atleast,wouldnotbepleased,shouldsheacceptherlover'svow.
　　'Youmustdecideoutofyourownheart,dear,'saidFanny,generously.'MarkandIknowhowwellyouhavebehaved,forIhavetoldhimeverything.'Lucyshudderedandleanedcloseragainsthersisterasthiswassaidtoher.'Ihadnoalternative,dearest,buttotellhim.Itwasbestso;wasitnot?ButnothinghasbeentoldtoLordLufton.Markwouldnotlethimcomehereto-daybecauseitwouldhaveflurriedyou,andhewishedtogiveyoutimetothink.Butyoucanseehimto-morrowmorning——canyounot?——andthenanswerhim.'
　　Lucynowstoodperfectlysilent,feelingthatshedearlylovedhersister-in-law'sforhersisterlykindness——forthatsisterlywishtopromotehersister'slove;butstilltherewasinhermindastrongresolvenottoallowLordLuftontocomethereundertheideathathewouldbereceivedasafavouredlover.Herlovewaspowerful,butsoalsowasherpride;andshecouldnotbringherselftobearthescornwhichwouldlayinLadyLufton'seyes.'Hismotherwilldespiseme,andthenhewilldespisemetoo,'shesaidtoherself;andwithastronggulpofdisappointedloveandambitionshedeterminedtopersist.'Shallweleaveyounow,dear;
　　andspeakofitagainto-morrowmorningbeforehecomes?'saidFanny.
　　'Thatwillbethebest,'saidMark.'Turnitinyourmindeverywayto-night.Thinkofitwhenyouhavesaidyourprayers——and,Lucy,comeheretome;'——then,takingherinhisarms,hekissedherwithatendernessthatwasnotcustomarywithhimtowardsher.
　　'Itisfair,'saidhe,'thatIshouldtellyouthis:thatIhaveperfectconfidenceinyourjudgementandfeeling;andthatIwillstandbyyouasyourbrotherinwhateverdecisionyoumaycometo.
　　FannyandIboththinkthatyouhavebehavedexcellently,andarebothofussurethatyouwilldowhatisbest.WhateveryoudoI
　　willsticktoyou;——andsowillFanny.'
　　'Dearest,dearestMark!'
　　'Andnowwewillsaynothingmoreaboutittillto-morrowmorning,'
　　saidFanny.ButLucyfeltthatthissayingnothingmoreaboutittillto-morrowmorningwouldbetantamounttoanacceptanceonherpartofLordLufton'soffer.MrsRobartsknew,andMrRobartsalsonowknew,thesecretofherheart;andif,suchbeingthecase,sheallowedLordLuftontocometherewiththeacknowledgedpurposeofpleadinghisownsuit,itwouldbeimpossibleforhernottoyield.Ifshewereresolvedthatshewouldnotyield,nowwasthetimeforhertostandhergroundandmakeherfight.'Donotgo,Fanny;atleastnotquiteyet,'shesaid.
　　'Well,dear?'
　　'IwantyoutostaywhileItellMark.HemustnotletLordLuftoncomehereto-morrow.'
　　'Notlethim!'saidMrsRobarts.MrRobartssaidnothing,buthefelthissisterrisinginhisesteemfromminutetominute.
　　'No;Markmustbidhimnotcome.Hewillnotwishtopainmewhenitwilldonogood.Lookhere,Mark;'andshewalkedovertoherbrother,andputbothherhandsuponhisarm.'IdoloveLordLufton.IhadnotsuchmeaningorthoughtwhenIfirstknewhim.
　　ButIdolovehim——Ilovehimdearly;——almostaswellasFannylovesyou,Isuppose.Youmaytellhimsoifyouthinkproper——nay,youmusttellhimso,orhewillnotunderstandme.Buttellhimthis,ascomingfromme:thatIwillnevermarryhim,unlesshismotherasksme.'
　　'Shewillnotdothat,Ifear,'saidMark,sorrowfully.
　　'No;Isupposenot,'saidLucy,nowregaininghercourage.'IfI
　　thoughtitprobablethatsheshouldwishmetobeherdaughter-in-law,itwouldnotbenecessarythatIshouldmakesuchastipulation.Itisbecauseshewillnotwishit;becauseshewouldregardmeasunfitto——to——matewithherson.Shewouldhateme,andperhapswouldceasetoloveme.Icouldnotbearhereyeuponme,ifshethoughtthatIhadinjuredherson.Mark,youwillgotohimnow;willyounot?andexplainthistohim;——asmuchofitasnecessary.Tellhim,thatifhismotherasksme,I
　　will——consent.ButthatasIknowthatsheneverwill,heistolookuponallthathehassaidasforgotten.Withmeitshallbethesameasthoughitwereforgotten.'Suchwasherverdict,andsoconfidentweretheybothofherfirmness——ofherobstinacyMarkwouldhavecalleditonanyotheroccasion,——thattheyneitherofthemsoughttomakeheralterit.
　　'Youwillgotohimnow——thisafternoon;willyounot?'shesaid;
　　andMarkpromisedthathewould.Hecouldnotbutfeelthathehimselfwasgreatlyrelieved.LadyLuftonmight,probably,hearthathersonhadbeenfoolenoughtofallinlovewiththeparson'ssister;butunderexistingcircumstancesshecouldnotconsiderherselfaggrievedeitherbytheparsonorbyhissister.Lucywasbehavingwell,andMarkwasproudofher.Lucywasbehavingwithfiercespirit,andFannywasgrievingforher.
　　'I'dratherbebymyselftilldinner-time,'saidLucy,asMrsRobartspreparedtogowithheroutoftheroom.'DearFanny,don'tlooksounhappy;there'snothingtomakeusunhappy.ItoldyouIshouldwantgoat'smilk,andthatwillbeall.'Robarts,aftersittingforanhourwithhiswife,didreturnagaintoFramleyCourt;and,afteraconsiderablesearch,foundLordLuftonreturninghometoalatedinner.
　　'Unlessmymotherasksher,'saidhe,whenthestoryhadbeentoldhim.'Thatisnonsense.Surelyyoutoldherthatsuchisnotthewayoftheworld.'RobartsendeavouredtoexplaintohimthatLucycouldnotenduretothinkthatherhusband'smothershouldlookonherwithdisfavour.
　　'Doesshethinkthatmymotherdislikesher;herspecially?'askedLordLufton.No;Robartscouldnotsupposethatsuchwasthecase;
　　butLadyLuftonmightprobablythinkthatamarriagewithaclergyman'ssisterwouldbeamesalliance.
　　'Thatisoutofthequestion,'saidLordLufton;'asshehasspeciallywantedmetomarryaclergyman'sdaughterforsometimepast.But,Mark,thatisabsurdtalkingaboutmymother.Amaninthesedaysisnottomarryashismotherbidshim.'Markcouldonlyassurehim,inanswertoallthis,thatLucywasveryfirminwhatshewasdoing,thatshehadquitemadeuphermind,andthatshealtogetherabsolvedLordLuftonfromanynecessitytospeaktohismother,ifhedidnotthinkwellofdoingso.Butallthiswastoverylittlepurpose.'Shedoeslovemethen,'saidLordLufton.
　　'Well,'saidMark,'Iwillnotsaywhethershedoesordoesnot.I
　　canonlyrepeatherownmessage.Shecannotacceptyou,unlessshedoessoatyourmother'srequest.'Andhavingsaidthatagain,hetookhisleave,andwentbacktotheparsonage.PoorLucy,havingfinishedherinterviewwithsomuchdignity,havingfullysatisfiedherbrother,anddeclinedanyimmediateconsolationfromhersister-in-law,betookherselftoherownbedroom.Shehadtothinkoverwhathadbeensaidanddone,anditwasnecessarythatsheshouldbealonetodoso.Itmightbethat,whenshecametoreconsiderthematter,shewouldnotbequitesowellsatisfiedaswasherbrother.Hergrandeurofdemeanourandslowproprietyofcarriagelastedhertillshewaswellintoherownroom.Thereareanimalswho,whentheyareailinginanyway,contrivetohidethemselves,ashamed,asitwere,thattheweaknessoftheirsuffering,shouldbewitnessed.Indeed,Iamnotsurewhetheralldumbanimalsdonotdosomoreorless;andinthisrespectLucywaslikeadumbanimal.EveninherconfidenceswithFannyshemadeajokeofherownmisfortunes,andspokeofherheartailmentswithself-ridicule.Butnow,havingwalkedupthestaircasewithnohurriedstep,andhavingdeliberatelylockedthedoor,sheturnedherselfroundtosufferinsilenceandsolitude——asdothebeastsandbirds.Shesatherselfdownonalowchair,whichstoodatthefootofherbed,and,throwingbackherhead,heldherhandkerchiefacrosshereyesandforehead,holdingittightinbothherhands;andthenshebegantothink.Shebegantothinkandalsotocry,forthetearscamerunningdownfrombeneathherhandkerchief;andlowsobsweretobeheard——onlythattheanimalhadtakenitselfoff,tosufferinsolitude.Hadshenotthrownfromherallherchancesofhappiness?Wasitpossiblethatheshouldcometoheryetagain——athirdtime?No;itwasnotpossible.Theverymodeandprideofthis,hersecondrejectionofhim,madeitimpossible.Incomingtoherdetermination,andmakingheravowal,shehadbeenactuatedbytheknowledgethatLadyLuftonwouldregardsuchamarriagewithabhorrence.LadyLuftonwouldnotandcouldnotaskhertocondescendtobeherson'sbride.Herchanceofhappiness,ofglory,ofambition,oflove,wasallgone.Shehadsacrificednotonlyherself,buthim.Whenfirsthecamethere——whenshehadmeditatedoverhisfirstvisit——shehadhardlygivenhimmuchcreditfordeeplove;butnow——therecouldbenodoubtthathelovedhernow.AfterhisseasoninLondon,hisdaysandnightswerepassedwithallthatwasbeautiful,hehadreturnedthere,tothatlittlecountryparsonage,thathemightagainthrowhimselfatherfeet.Andshe——shehadrefusedtoseehim,thoughshelovedhimwithallherheart,shehadrefusedtoseehimbecauseshewassovileacowardthatshecouldnotbearthesourlooksofanoldwoman!'Iwillcomedowndirectly,'shesaid,whenFannyatlastknockedatthedoor,beggingtobeadmitted.'Iwon'topenit,love,butIwillbewithyouintenminutes;Iwill,indeed.'Andsoshewas,notperhaps,withouttracesoftears,discerniblebytheexperiencedeyeofMrsRobarts,butyetwithasmoothbrow,andvoiceunderherowncommand.
　　'Iwonderwhethershereallyloveshim,'Marksaidtohiswifethatnight.
　　'Lovehim!'hiswifehadanswered:'indeedshedoes;and,Mark,donotbeledawaybethestern-quietofherdemeanour.Tomythinkingsheisagirlwhomightalmostdieforherlove.
　　OnthenextdayLordLuftonleftFramley;andstarted,accordingtohisarrangements,fortheNorwaysalmonfishing.
　　CHAPTERXXXII
　　THEGOATANDCOMPASSES
　　HaroldSmithhadbeenmadeunhappybythatrumourofadissolution;
　　butthemisfortunetohimwouldbeasnothingcomparedtotheseveritywithwhichitwouldfallonMrSowerby.HaroldSmithmightormightnotlosehisborough;butMrSowerbywouldundoubtedlylosehiscounty;and,inlosingthat,hewouldloseeverything.Hefeltverycertainthatthedukewouldnotsupporthimagain,letwhowouldbemasterofChaldicotes;andashereflectedonthesethingshefounditveryhardtokeepuphisspirits.TomTowers,itseems,hadknownallaboutit,ashealwaysdoes.ThelittleremarkwhichhaddroppedfromhimatMissDunstable's,made,nodoubt,aftermaturedeliberation,andwithprofoundpoliticalmotives,wastheforerunner,onlybytwelvehours,ofaverygeneralreportthatthegiantshadnotamajorityinParliament,generousashadbeenthepromisesofsupportdisinterestedlymadetothembythegods.Thisindeedwasmanifest,andthereforetheyweregoingtothecountry,althoughtheyhadbeendeliberatelywarnedbyaveryprominentscionofOlympusthatiftheydiddosothatdisinterestedsupportmustbewithdrawn.Thisthreatdidnotseemtoweighmuch,andbytwoo'clockonthedayfollowingMissDunstable'sparty,thefiatwaspresumedtohavegoneforth.TherumourhadbegunwithTomTowers,butbythattimeithadreachedBugginsatthePettyBagOffice.
　　'Itwon'tmakenodifferencetohus,sir;willit,MrRobarts?'
　　saidBuggins,asheleanedrespectfullyagainstthewallnearthedoor,intheroomoftheprivatesecretaryatthatestablishment.
　　Agooddealofconversation,miscellaneous,special,andpolitical,wentonbetweenyoungRobartsandBugginsinthecourseoftheday;
　　aswasnatural,seeingthattheywerethrownintheseeviltimesverymuchuponeachother.TheLordPettyBagofthepresentministrywasnotsuchaoneasHaroldSmith.Hewasagiantindifferenttohisprivatenotes,andcarelessofthedutiesevenofpatronage;herarelyvisitedtheoffice,andastherewerenootherclerksintheestablishment——owingtoarootandbranchreformcarriedoutintheshortreignofHaroldSmith——towhomcouldyoungRobartstalk,ifnottoBuggins?'No;Isupposenot,'saidRobarts,ashecompletedonhisblotting-paperanelaboratepictureofaTurkseatedonadivan.
　　''Cause,yousee,sir,we'reintheUpper'Ouse,now——asIalwaysthinksweoughttobe.Idon'tthinkitain'tconstitutionalforthePettyBagtobeintheCommons,MrRobarts.Hanyways,itneverusen't.'
　　'They'rechangingallthosesortofthingsnowadays,Buggins,'saidRobarts,givingthefinaltouchtotheTurk'ssmoke.
　　'Well;I'lltellyouwhat,MrRobarts:IthinkI'llgo.Ican'tstandallthesechanges.I'mturnedofsixtynow,anddon'twantany'stifficates.IthinkI'lltakemypensionandwalk.Thehofficeain'tthesameplaceatallsinceitcomedownamongtheCommons.'AndthenBugginsretiredsighing,toconsolehimselfwithapotofporterbehindalargeopenofficeledger,setuponendonasmalltableinthelittlelobbyoutsidetheprivatesecretary'sroom.Bugginssighedagainashesawthatthedatemadevisibleontheopenbookwasalmostasoldashisownappointment;
　　forsuchabookasthislastedlonginthePettyBagOffice.A
　　peerofhighdegreehadbeenLordPettyBaginthosedays;onewhomamessenger'sheartcouldrespectwithinfiniteveneration,ashemadehisunaccustomedvisitstotheofficewithmuchsolemnity——perhapsfourtimesduringtheseason.TheLordPettyBagthenwashighlyregardedbyhisstaff,andhiscomingamongthemwastalkedaboutforsomehourspreviouslyandforsomedaysafterwards;butHaroldSmithhadbustledinandoutlikethemanagingclerkinaManchesterhouse.'Theserviceisgoingtothedogs,'saidBugginstohimself,asheputdowntheporterpot,andlookedupoverthebookatagentlemanwhopresentedhimselfatthedoor.'MrRobartsinhisroom?'saidBuggins,repeatingthegentleman'swords.'Yes,MrSowerby;you'llfindhimthere——firstdoortotheleft.'Andthen,rememberingthatthevisitorwasacountymember——apositionwhichBugginsregardedasnexttothatofapeer——hegotup,andopeningtheprivatesecretary'sdoor,usheredinthevisitor.
　　YoungRobartsandSowerbyhad,ofcourse,becomeacquaintedinthedaysofHaroldSmith'sreign.DuringthatshorttimethememberforEastBarsethadonmostdaysdroppedinatthePettyBagOfficeforaminuteortwo,findingoutwhattheenergeticCabinetministerwasdoing,chattingonsemi-officialsubjects,andteachingtheprivatesecretarytolaughathismaster.Therewasnothing,therefore,inhispresentvisitwhichneedappeartobesingular,orwhichrequiredanyimmediatespecialexplanation.Hesathimselfdowninhisordinaryway,andbegantospeakofthesubjectoftheday.'We'realltogo,'saidSowerby.
　　'SoIhear,'saidtheprivatesecretary.'Itwillgivemenotrouble,for,astherespectableBugginssays,we'reintheUpperHousenow.'
　　'Whatadelightfultimethoseluckydogsoflordsdohave!'saidSowerby.'Noconstituents,noturningout,nofighting,nonecessityforpoliticalopinions;and,asarule,nosuchopinionsatall!'
　　'Isupposeyou'retolerablysafeinEastBarsetshire?'saidRobarts.'Thedukehasitprettymuchhisownwaythere.'
　　'Yes;thedukedoeshaveitprettymuchhisownway.Bytheby,whereisyourbrother?'
　　'Athome,'saidRobarts;'atleastIpresumeso.'
　　'AtFramleyoratBarchester?IbelievehewasinresidenceatBarchesternotlongsince.'
　　'He'satFramleynow,Iknow.Igotaletteronlyyesterdayfromhiswife,withacommission.Hewasthere,andLordLuftonhadjustleft.'
　　'Yes;Luftonwasdown.HestartedforNorwaythismorning.Iwanttoseeyourbrother.Youhavenotheardfromhimyourself,haveyou?'
　　'No;notlately.Markisabadcorrespondent.Hewouldnotdoatallforaprivatesecretary.'
　　'Atanyrate,nottoHaroldSmith.ButyouaresureIshouldnotcatchhimatBarchester?'
　　'Senddownbytelegraph,andhewouldmeetyou.'
　　'Idon'twanttodothat.Atelegraphmessagemakessuchafussinthecountry,frighteningpeople'swives,andsettingallthehorsesabouttheplacegalloping.'
　　'Whatisitabout?'
　　'Nothingofanygreatconsequence.Ididn'tknowwhetherhemighthavetoldyou.I'llwritedownbyto-night'spost,andthenhecanmeetmeatBarchesterto-morrow.Ordoyouwrite.There'snothingIhatesomuchasletter-writing;justtellhimthatIcalled,andthatIshallbemuchobligedifhecanmeetmeattheDragonofWantly——sayattwoto-morrow.Iwillgodownbytheexpress.'
　　MarkRobarts,intalkingoverthiscomingmoneytroublewithSowerby,hadoncementionedthatifitwerenecessarytotakeupthebillforashorttimehemightbeabletoborrowthemoneyfromhisbrother.Somuchofthefather'slegacystillremainedinthehandsoftheprivatesecretaryaswouldenablehimtoproducetheamountofthelatterbill,andtherecouldbenodoubtthathewouldlenditifasked.MrSowerby'svisittothePettyBagOfficehadbeencausedbyadesiretolearnwhetheranysuchrequesthadbeenmade——andalsobyahalf-formedresolutiontomaketherequesthimselfifheshouldfindthattheclergymanhadnotdoneso.Itseemedtohimtobeapitythatsuchasumshouldbelyingabout,asitwere,withinreach,andthatheshouldnotstooptoputhishandsonit.Suchabstinencewouldbesocontrarytohimasitisforasportsmantoletpassacock-pheasant.Butyetsomethinglikeremorsetouchedhisheartashesattherebalancinghimselfonhischairintheprivatesecretary'sroom,andlookingattheyoungman'sopenface.
　　'Yes;I'llwritetohim,'saidJohnRobarts;'buthehasn'tsaidanythingtomeaboutanythingparticular.'
　　'Hasn'the?Itdoesnotmuchsignify.IonlymentioneditbecauseIthoughtIunderstoodhimtosaythathewould.'AndthenMrSowerbywentonswinginghimself.Howwasitthathefeltsoaversetomentionthatlittlesumof500LtoayoungmanlikeJohnRobarts,afellowwithoutwifeorchildrenorcallsonhimofanysort,whowouldnotevenbyinjuredbythelossofthemoney,seeingthathehadanamplesalaryonwhichtolive?Hewonderedathisownweakness.Thewantofthemoneywasurgentonhimintheextreme.HehadreasonsforsupposingthatMarkwouldfinditverydifficulttorenewthebills,buthe,Sowerby,couldstoptheirpresentationifhecouldgetthismoneyatonceintohisownhands.
　　'CanIdoanythingforyou?'saidtheinnocentlamb,offeringhisthroattothebutcher.Butsomeunwontedfeelingnumbedthebutcher'sfingers,andbluntedhisknife.Hesatstillforhalfaminuteafterthequestion,andthenjumpingfromhisseat,declinedtheoffer.'No,no;nothing,thankyou.OnlywritetoMark,andsaythatIshallbethereto-morrow,'andthen,takinghishat,hehurriedoutoftheoffice.'WhatanassIam,'hesaidtohimselfashewent:'asifitwereofanyusenowtobeparticular.'
　　Hethengotintoacabandhadhimselfdrivenhalf-wayupPortmanStreettowardstheNewRoad,andwalkingfromthenceafewhundredyardsdownacross-streethecametoapublic-house.Itwascalledthe'GoatandCompasses',——averymeaninglessname,onewouldsay;butthehouseboastedofbeingaplaceofpublicentertainmentverylongestablishedonthatsite,havingbeenatavernoutinthecountryinthedaysofCromwell.Atthattimethepiouslandlord,puttingupapiouslegendforthebenefitofhispiouscustomers,haddeclaredthat——'Godencompassethus.'The'GoatandCompasses'inthesedaysdoesquiteaswell;and,consideringthepresentcharacterofthehouse,wasperhapslessunsuitablethantheoldlegend.'IsMrAustenhere?'askedMrSowerbyofthemanatthebar.
　　'Whichon'em?NotMrJohn;heain'there.MrTomisin——thelittleroomontheleft-handside.'ThemanwhomMrSowerbywouldhavepreferredtoseewastheelderbrotherJohn;butashewasnottobefound,hedidgointothatlittleroom.Inthatroomhefound——MrAusten,junior,accordingtoonearrangementofnomenclature,andMrTomTozeraccordingtoanother.TogentlemenofthelegalprofessionhegenerallychosetointroducehimselfasbelongingtotherespectablefamilyoftheAustens;butamonghisintimateshehadalwaysbeen——Tozer.MrSowerby,thoughhewasintimatewiththefamily,didnotlovetheTozers:butheespeciallyhatedTomTozer.TomTozerwasabull-necked,beetle-browedfellow,theexpressionofwhosefacewaseloquentwithacknowledgedroguery.'Iamarogue,'itseemedtosay.'I
　　knowit;alltheworldknowsit:butyou'reanother.Alltheworlddon'tknowthat,butIdo.Menareallrogues,prettynigh.Somearesoftrogues,andsomeare'cuterogues.Iama'cuteone;somindyoureye.'ItwaswithsuchwordsthatTomTozer'sfacespokeout;andthoughathoroughliarinhisheart,hewasnotaliarinhisface.'Well,Tozer,'saidMrSowerby,absolutelyshakinghishandswiththedirtymiscreant.'Iwantedtoseeyourbrother.'
　　'Johnain'there,andain'tlike;butit'sallasone.'
　　'Yes,yes;Isupposeitis.Iknowyoutwohuntincouples.'
　　'Idon'tknowwhatyoumeanabouthunting,MrSowerby.Yougents'asallthehunting,andwepoorfolk'asallthework.Ihopeyou'regoingtomakeupthistrifleofmoneywe'reoutofsolong.'
　　'It'saboutthatI'vecalled.Idon'tknowwhatyoucalllong,Tozer;butthelastbillwasonlydatedinFebruary.'
　　'It'soverdue;ain'tit?'
　　'Oh,yes;it'soverdue.There'snodoubtaboutthat.'
　　'Well;whenabitofpaperiscomeround,thenextthingistotakeitup.Them'smyideas.Andtotellyouthetruth,MrSowerby,wedon'tthinkas'owyou'vebeentreatingusjustonthesquarelately.InthatmatterofLordLufton'syouwasdownonusuncommon.'
　　'YouknowIcouldn'thelpmyself.'
　　'Well,andwecan'thelpourselvesnow.That'swhereitis,MrSowerby.Lordloveyou;weknowwhat'swhat,wedo.Andso,thefactiswe'reuncommonlowastothereadyjustatpresent,andwemusthavethemfewhundredpounds.Wemusthavethematonce,orwemustsellupthatclericalgent.I'mdashedifitain'tashardtogetmoneyfromaparsonasitistotakeabonefromadog.'E's'ad'isaccount,nodoubt,andwhydon'thepay?'MrSowerbyhadcalledwiththeintentionofexplainingthathewasabouttoproceedtoBarchesteronthefollowingdaywiththeexpressviewof'makingarrangements'aboutthisbill;andhadheseenJohnTozer,Johnwouldhavebeencompelledtoaccordtohimsomelittleextensionoftime.BothTomandJohnknewthis;and,therefore,John——thesoft-heartedone——keptoutoftheway.TherewasnodangerthatTomwouldbeweak;and,aftersomehalf-hourofparley,hewasagainleftbyMrSowerby,withouthavingevincedanysymptomofweakness.
　　'It'sthedibsaswewant,MrSowerby,that'sall,'werethelastwordswhichhespokeasthememberofParliamentlefttheroom.MrSowerbythengotintoanothercab,andhadhimselfdriventohissister'shouse.Itisaremarkablethingwithreferencetomenwhoaredistressedformoney——distressedaswasnowthecasewithMrSowerby——thattheyneverseematalossfortheluxurieswhichsmallsumspurchase.Cabs,dinners,wine,theatres,andnewglovesarealwaysatthecommandofmenwhoaredrownedinpecuniaryembarrassments,whereasthosewhodon'toweashillingaresofrequentlyobligedtogowithoutthem!Itwouldseemthatthereisnogratificationsocostlyasthatofkeepingoutofdebt.Butthenitisonlyfairthat,ifamanhasahobby,heshouldpayforit.Anyoneelsewouldhavesavedashilling,asMrsHaroldSmith'shousewasonlyjustacrossfromOxfordStreet,intheneighbourhoodofHanoverSquare;butMrSowerbyneverthoughtofthis.Hehadneversavedashillinginhislife,anditdidnotoccurtohimtobeginnow.Hehadsentwordtohertoremainathomeforhim,andhenowfoundherwaiting.'Harriet,'saidhe,throwinghimselfbackintoaneasychair,'thegameisprettywellupatlast.'
　　'Nonsense,'saidshe.'Thegameisnotupatallifyouhavethespirittocarryiton.'
　　'IcanonlysaythatIgotformalnoticethismorningfromtheduke'slawyer,sayingthathemeanttoforecloseatonce;——notfromFothergill,butfromthosepeopleinSouthAudleyStreet.'
　　'Youexpectedthat,'saidhissister.
　　'Idon'tseehowthatmakesitanybetter;besides,IamnotquitesurethatIdidexpectit;atanyrateIdidnotfeelcertain.
　　Thereisnodoubtnow.'
　　'Itisbetterthatthereshouldbenodoubt.Itismuchbetterthatyoushouldknowonwhatgroundyouhavetostand.'
　　'Ishallsoonhavenogroundtostandon,noneatleastofmyown——notanacre,'saidtheunhappyman,withgreatbitternessinhistone.
　　'Youcan'tinrealitybepoorernowthanyouwerelastyear.Youhavenotspentanythingtospeakof.TherecanbenodoubtthatChaldicoteswillbeampletopayallyouowetheduke.'
　　'It'sasmuchasitwill;andwhatamItodothen?IalmostthinkmoreoftheseatthanIdoofChaldicotes.'
　　'YouknowwhatIadvise,'saidMrsSmith.'AskMissDunstabletoadvancethemoneyonthesamesecuritywhichthedukeholds.Shewillbeassafethenasheisnow.Andifyoucanarrangethat,standforthecountyagainsthim;perhapsyoumaybebeaten.'
　　'Ishouldn'thaveachance.'
　　'Butitwouldshowthatyouarenotacreatureintheduke'shands.That'smyadvice,'saidMrsSmith,withmuchspirit;'andifyouwish,I'llbroachittoMissDunstable,andaskhertogetherlawyertolookintoit.'
　　'IfIhaddonethisbeforeIhadrunmyheadintothatotherabsurdity!'
　　'Don'tfretyourselfaboutthat;shewilllosenothingbysuchaninvestment,andthereforeyouarenotaskinganyfavourofher.
　　Besides,didshenotmaketheoffer?andsheisjustthewomantodothisforyounow,becausesherefusedtodothatthingforyouyesterday.Youunderstandmostthings,Nathaniel;butIamnotsurethatyouunderstandwomen;not,atanyrate,suchawomanasher.'ItwentagainstthegrainwithMrSowerby,thisseekingofpecuniaryassistancefromtheverywomanwhosehandhehadattemptedtogainaboutafortnightsince;butheallowedhissistertoprevail.Whatcouldanymandoinsuchstraitsthatwouldnotgoagainstthegrain?Atthepresentmomenthefeltinhismindaninfinitehatredagainsttheduke,MrFothergill,Gumption&Gagebee,andallthetribesofGatherumCastleandSouthAudleyStreet;theywantedtorobofthatwhichhadbelongedtotheSowerbysbeforethenameofOmniumhadbeenheardofinthecounty,orinEngland!Thegreatleviathanofthedeepwasanxioustoswallowhimupasprey!Hewastobeswallowedup,andmadeawaywith,andputoutofsight,withoutapangofremorse.Anymeasurewhichcouldnotpresentitselfasameansofstavingoffsoeviladaywouldbeacceptable;andthereforehegavehissisterthecommissionofmakingthissecondproposaltoMissDunstable.Incursingtheduke——forhedidcursethedukelustily——ithardlyoccurredtohimtothinkthat,afterall,thedukeonlyaskedforhisown.AsforMrsHaroldSmith,whatevermaybetheviewtakenofhergeneralcharacterasawifeandamemberofsociety,itmustbeadmittedthatasasistershehadvirtues.
　　CHAPTERXXXIII
　　CONSOLATION
　　Onthenextdayattwoo'clockpunctually,MarkRobartswasatthe"DragonofWantly"walkingupanddowntheveryroominwhichthepartyhadbreakfastedafterHaroldSmith'slecture,andwaitingforthearrivalofMrSowerby.Hehadbeenverywellabletodivinewhatwasthebusinessonwhichhisfriendwishedtoseehim,andhehadbeenrathergladthanotherwisetoreceivethesummons.Judgingofhisfriend'scharacterbywhathehadhithertohadseen,hethoughtthatMrSowerbywouldhavekeptoutoftheway,unlesshehaditinhispowertomakesomeprovisionfortheseterriblebills.Sohewalkedupanddownthedingyroom,impatientfortheexpectedarrival,andthoughthimselfwickedlyill-usedinthatMrSowerbywasnottherewhentheclockstruckaquartertothree.Butwhentheclockstruckthree,MrSowerbywasthere,andMarkRobarts'shopeswerenearlyatanend.
　　'Doyoumeanthattheywilldemandninehundredpounds?'saidRobarts,standingupandglaringangrilyatthememberofParliament.
　　'Ifeartheywill,'saidSowerby.'Ithinkitisbesttotellyoutheworst,inorderthatwemayseewhatcanbedone.'
　　'Icandonothing,andwilldonothing,'saidRobarts.'Theymaydowhattheychoose——whatthelawallowsthem.'AndthenhethoughtofFannyandhisnursery,andLucyrefusinginherprideLordLufton'soffer,andheturnedawayhisfacethatthehardmanoftheworldbeforehimmightnotseetheteargatheringinhiseye.
　　'But,Mark,mydearfellow——'saidSowerby,tryingtohaverecoursetothepowerofhiscajolingvoice.Robarts,however,wouldnotlisten.
　　'MrSowerby,'saidhe,withanattemptatcalmnesswhichbetrayeditselfateverysyllable,'itseemstomethatyouhaverobbedme.
　　ThatIhavebeenafool,andworsethanafool,Iknowwell;
　　but——but——butIthoughtthatyourpositionintheworldwouldguaranteemefromsuchtreatmentasthis.'MrSowerbywasbynomeanswithoutfeeling,andthewordswhichhenowheardcuthimverydeeply——themoresobecauseitwasimpossiblethatheshouldanswerthemwithanattemptatindignation.Hehadrobbedhisfriend,and,withallhiswit,knewnowordsatthepresentmomentsufficientlywittytomakeitseemthathehadnotdoneso.
　　'Robarts,'saidhe,'youmaysaywhatyouliketomenow;Ishallnotresentit.'
　　'Whowouldcareforyourresentment?'saidtheclergyman,turningonhimwithferocity.'Theresentmentofagentlemanisterribletoagentleman;andtheresentmentofonejustmanisterribletoanother.Yourresentment!'——andthenhewalkedtwicethelengthoftheroom,leavingSowerbydumbinhisseat.'Iwonderwhetheryoueverthoughtofmywifeandchildrenwhenyouwereplottingthisruinforme!'Andthenagainhewalkedtheroom.
　　'Isupposeyouwillbecalmenoughpresentlytospeakofthiswithsomeattempttomakeasettlement?'
　　'No;Iwillmakenosuchattempt.Thesefriendsofyours,youtellme,haveaclaimonmeforninehundredpounds,ofwhichtheydemandimmediatepayment.YoushallbeaskedinacourtoflawhowmuchofthatmoneyIhavehandled.YouknowthatIhavenevertouched——haveneverwantedtotouch——oneshilling.Iwillmakenoattemptatanysettlement.Mypersonishere,andthereismyhouse.Letthemdotheirworst.'
　　'But,Mark——'
　　'Callmebymyname,sir,anddropthataffectationofregard.WhatanassIhavebeentobesocozenedbyasharper!'Sowerbyhadbynomeansexpectedthis.HehadalwaysknownthatRobartspossessedwhathe,Sowerby,wouldhavecalledthespiritofagentleman.Hehadregardedhimasabold,open,generousfellow,abletotakehisownpartwhencalledontodoso,andbynomeansdisinclinedtospeakhisownmind;buthehadnotexpectedfromhimsuchatorrentofindignation,orthoughtthathewascapableofsuchadepthofanger.'Ifyouusesuchlanguage,Robarts,Icanonlyleaveyou.'
　　'Youarewelcome.Go.Youtellmethatyouarethemessengerofthesemenwhointendtoworkninehundredpoundsoutofme.Youhavedoneyourpartintheplot,andhavenowbroughttheirmessage.Itseemstomethatyouhadbettergobacktothem.Asforme,Iwantmytimetopreparemywifeforthedestinybeforeher.'
　　'Robarts,youwillbesorrysomedayforthecrueltyofyourwords.'
　　'Iwonderwhetheryouwilleverbesorryforthecrueltyofyourdoings,orwhetherthesethingsarereallyajoketoyou.'
　　'Iamatthismomentaruinedman,'saidSowerby.'Everythingisgoingfromme,——myplaceintheworld,theestateofmyfamily,myfather'shouse,myseatinParliament,thepoweroflivingamongmycountrymen,or,indeed,oflivinganywhere;——butallthisdoesnotoppressmenowsomuchasthemiserywhichIhavebroughtuponyou.'
　　AndthenSowerbyalsoturnedawayhisface,andwipedfromhiseyestearswhichwerenotartificial.Robartswasstillwalkingupanddowntheroom,butitwasnotpossibleforhimtocontinuehisreproachesafterthis.Thisisalwaysthecase.Letamanenduretoheapcontumelyonhisownhead,andhewillsilencethecontumelyofothers——forthemoment.Sowerby,withoutmeditatingonthematter,hadhadsomeinklingofthis,andimmediatelysawthattherewasatlastanopeningforconversation.'Youareunjusttome,'saidhe,'insupposingthatIhavenownowishtosaveyou.ItissolelyinthehopeofdoingsothatIhavecomehere.'
　　'Andwhatisyourhope?ThatIshouldacceptanotherbraceofbills,Isuppose.'
　　'Notabrace;butonerenewedbillfor——'
　　'Lookhere,MrSowerby.OnnoearthlyconsiderationthatcanbeputbeforemewillIagainsignmynametoanybillintheguiseofanacceptance.Ihavebeenveryweak,andamashamedofmyweakness;butsomuchstrengthasthat,Ihope,islefttome.I
　　havebeenverywicked,andamashamedofmywickedness;butsomuchrightprincipleasthat,Ihope,remains.Iwillputmynametonootherbill;notforyou,notevenformyself.'
　　'But,Robarts,underyourpresentcircumstancesthatwillbemadness.'
　　'ThenIwillbemad.'
　　'HaveyouseenForrest?Ifyouwillspeaktohim,Ithinkyouwillfindthateverythingcanbeaccommodated.'
　　'IalreadyoweMrForrestahundredandfiftypounds,whichI
　　obtainedfromhimwhenyoupressedmeforthepriceofthathorse,andIwillnotincreasethedebt.WhatafoolIwasagainthere!
　　Perhapsyoudonotrememberthat,whenIagreedtobuythehorse,thepricewastobemycontributiontotheliquidationofthosebills.'
　　'Idorememberit;butIwilltellyouhowthatwas.'
　　'Itdoesnotsignify.Ithasbeenallofapiece.'
　　'Butlistentome.IthinkyouwouldfeelformeifyouknewallthatIhavegonethrough.IpledgeyoumysolemnwordthatIhadnointentionofaskingyouforthemoneywhenyoutookthehorse;——indeedIhadnot.ButyourememberthataffairofLufton's,whenhecametoyouatyourhotelinLondonandwassoangryaboutanoutstandingbill.'
　　'IknowthathewasveryunreasonableasfarasIwasconcerned.'
　　'Hewasso;butthatmakesnodifference.Hewasresolved,inhisrage,toexposethewholeaffair;andIsawthat,ifhedidso,itwouldbemostinjurioustoyou,seeingthatyouhadjustacceptedyourstallatBarchester.'Herethepoorprebendarywincedterribly.'Imovedheavenandearthtogetupthatbill.ThosevulturesstucktotheirpreywhentheyfoundthevaluewhichI
　　attachedtoit,andIwasforcedtoraiseaboveahundredpoundsatthemomenttoobtainpossessionofit,althougheveryshillingabsolutelydueonithadnotlongsincebeenpaid.NeverinmylifedidIwishtogetmoneyasIdidtoraisethathundredandtwentypounds:andasIhopeformercyinmylastmoments,Ididthatforyoursake.Luftoncouldnothaveinjuredmeinthatmatter.'
　　'Butyoutoldhimthatyougotitfortwenty-fivepounds.'
　　'Yes,Itoldhimso.Iwasobligedtotellhimthat,orIshouldhaveapparentlycondemnedmyselfbyshowinghowanxiousIwastogetit.AndyouknowthatIcouldnothaveexplainedallthisbeforehimandyou.Youwouldhavethrownupthestallindisgust.'Wouldthathehad!ThatwasMark'swishnow,——hisfutilewish.InwhatasloughofdespondhadhecometowallowinconsequenceofhisfollyonthatnightatGatherumCastle!Hehaddoneasillything,andwashenowtorueitbyalmosttotalruin?
　　Hewassickenedalsowithallthoselies.Hisverysoulwasdismayedbythedirtthroughwhichhewasforcedtowade.Hehadbecomeunconsciouslyconnectedwiththelowestdregsofmankind,andwouldhavetoseehisnamemingledwiththeirsinthedailynewspapers.Andforwhathadhedonethis?Whyhadhethusfiledhismindandmadehimselfadisgracetohiscloth?InorderthathemightbefriendsuchaoneasMrSowerby!
　　'Well,'continuedSowerby,'Ididgetthemoney,butyouwouldhardlybelievetherigourofthepledgewhichwasexactedfrommeforrepayment.IgotitfromHaroldSmith,andneverinmyworststraits,willIagainlooktohimforassistance.Iborroweditonlyforafortnight;andinorderthatImightrepayit,Iwasobligedtoaskyouforthepriceofthehorse.Mark,itwasonyourbehalfthatIdidallthis,——indeeditwas.'
　　'AndnowIamtorepayyouforyourkindnessbythelossofallthatIhaveintheworld.'
　　'IfyouwillputtheaffairintothehandsofMrForrest,nothingneedbetouched,——notahairofahorse'sback;no,notthoughyoushouldbeobligedtopaythewholeamountyourselfgraduallyoutofyourincome.Youmustexecuteaseriesofbills,fallingduequarterly,andthen——'
　　'Iwillexecutenobill,Iwillputmynametonopaperinthematter;astothatmymindisfullymadeup.Theymaycomeanddotheirworst.'MrSowerbyperseveredforalongtime,buthewasquiteunabletomovetheparsonfromhisposition.HewoulddonothingtowardsmakingwhatMrSowerbycalledanarrangement,butpersistedthathewouldremainathomeatFramley,andthatanyonewhohadaclaimuponhimmighttakelegalsteps.'Ishalldonothingmyself,'hesaid;'butifproceedingsagainstmebetaken,IshallprovethatIhaveneverhadashillingofthemoney.'AndwiththisresolutionhequittedtheDragonofWantly.MrSowerbyatonetimesaidawordastotheexpediencyofborrowingthatsumofmoneyfromJohnRobarts;butastothisMarkwouldsaynothing.
　　MrSowerbywasnotthefriendwithwhomhenowintendedtoholdconsultationinsuchmatters.'Iamnotatpresentprepared,'hesaid,'todeclarewhatImaydo;Imustfirstseewhatstepsotherstake.'Andthenhetookhishatandwentoff;andmountinghishorseintheyardoftheDragonofWantly——thathorsewhichhehadnowsomanyreasonstodislike——heslowlyrodebackhome.
　　Manythoughtspassedthroughhismindduringthatride,butonlyoneresolutionobtaineditselfafixturethere.Hemustnowtellhiswifeeverything.Hewouldnotbesocruelastoletitremainuntolduntilabailiffwereatthedoor,readytowalkhimofftothecountyjail,oruntilthebedonwhichtheysleptwastobesoldfromunderthem.Yes,hewouldtellhereverything,——immediately,beforehisresolutioncouldagainhavefadedaway.Hegotoffhishorseintheyard,andseeinghiswife'smaidatthekitchendoor,desiredhertobeghermistresstocometohiminthebook-room.Hewouldnotallowonehalf-hourtopasstowardsthewaningofhispurpose.Ifitbeordainedthatamanshalldrown,hadhenotbetterdrownandhavedonewithit?MrsRobartscametohiminhisroom,reachinghimintimetotouchhisarmasheenteredit.'Marysaysyouwantme.Ihavebeengardening,andshecaughtmejustasIcamein.'
　　'Yes,Fanny,Idowantyou.Sitdownforamoment.'Andwalkingacrosstheroom,heplacedhiswhipinitsproperplace.
　　'Oh,Mark,isthereanythingthematter?'
　　'Yes,dearest;yes.Sitdown,Fanny:Icantalktoyoubetterifyouwillsit.'Butshe,poorlady,didnotwishtosit.Hehadhintedatsomemisfortune,andthereforeshefeltalongingtostandbyhimandclingtohim.
　　'Well,there;IwillifImust;but,Mark,donotfrightenme.Whyisyourfacesoverywretched?'
　　'Fanny,Ihavedoneverywrong,'hesaid.'Ihavebeenveryfoolish.IfearthatIhavebroughtuponyougreatsorrowandtrouble.'Andthenheleanedhisheaduponhishandsandturnedhisfaceawayfromher.
　　'Oh,Mark,dearestMark,myownMark!Whatisit?'Andthenshewasquicklyupfromherchair,andwentdownonherkneesbeforehim.'Donotturnfromme.Tellme,Mark!tellme,thatwemayshareit.'
　　'Yes,Fanny,Imusttellyounow;butIhardlyknowwhatyouwillthinkofmewhenyouhaveheardit.'
　　'Iwillthinkthatyouaremyownhusband,Mark;Iwillthinkthat——thatchiefly,whateveritmaybe.'Andthenshecaressedhisknees,andlookedupinhisface,and,gettingholdofoneofhishands,presseditbetweenherown.'Evenifyouhavebeenfoolish,whoshouldforgiveyouifIcannot?'Andthenhetoldherall,beginningfromthateveningwhenMrSowerbyhadgothimintohisbedroom,andgoingongradually,nowaboutthebills,andnowaboutthehorses,tillhispoorwifewasutterlylostinthecomplexityoftheaccounts.Shecouldbynomeansfollowhiminthedetailsofhisstory;norcouldshequitesympathizewithhiminhisindignationagainstMrSowerby,seeingthatshedidnotcomprehendatallthenatureoftherenewingofabill.Theonlyparttoherofimportanceinthematterwasthemoneywhichherhusbandwouldbecalledupontopay;that,andherstronghope,whichwasalreadyaconviction,thathewouldneveragainincursuchdebts.
　　'Andhowmuchisit,dearest,altogether?'
　　'Thesemenclaimninehundredpoundsofme.'
　　'Ohdear!thatisaterriblesum.'
　　'AndthenthereisthehundredandfiftywhichIhaveborrowedfromthebank——thepriceofthehorse,youknow;andtherearesomeotherdebts,——notagreatdeal,Ithink;butpeoplewillnowlookforeveryshillingthatisduetothem.IfIhavetopayitall,itwillbetwelveorthirteenhundredpounds.'
　　'Thatwillbeasmuchasayear'sincome,Mark;evenwiththestall.'Thatwastheonlywordofreproachshesaid——ifthatcouldbecalledareproach.
　　'Yes,'hesaid;'anditisclaimedbymenwhowillhavenopityinexactingitatanysacrifice,iftheyhavethepower.AndtothinkthatIshouldhaveincurredallthisdebt,withouthavingreceivedanythingforit.Oh,Fanny,whatwillyouthinkofme!'Butshesworetohimthatshewouldthinknothingofit——thatshewouldneverbearitinhermindagainsthim——thatitcouldhavenoeffectinlesseninghertrustinhim.Washenotherhusband?Shewassogladsheknewit,thatshemightcomforthim.Andshedidcomforthim,makingtheweightseemlighterandlighteronhisshouldersashetalkedofit.Andsuchweightsdothusbecomelighter.A
　　burdenthatwillcrushasinglepairofshoulderswill,whenequallydivided,——whensharedbytwo,eachofwhomiswillingtotaketheheavierpart——becomelightasafeather.Isnotthatsharingofthemind'sburdensoneofthechiefpurposesforwhichamanwantsawife?Forthereisnofollysogreataskeepingone'ssorrowshidden.Andthiswifecheerfully,gladly,thankfullytookhershare.Toendurewithherlordallherlord'stroubleswaseasytoher;itwastheworktowhichshehadpledgedherself.Buttohavethoughtthatherlordhadtroublesnotcommunicatedtoher,——thatwouldhavebeentohertheonethingnottobeborne.
　　Andthentheydiscussedtheirplans;whatmodeofescapetheymighthaveoutofthisterriblemoneydifficulty.Likeatruewoman,MrsRobartsproposedatoncetoabandonallsuperfluities.Theywouldsellalltheirhorses;theywouldnotselltheircows,butwouldsellthebutterthatcamefromthem;theywouldsellthepony-carriage,andgetridofthegroom.Thatthefootmanmustgowassomuchamatterofcourse,thatitwashardlymentioned.Butthen,astothathouseatBarchester,thedignifiedprebendalmansionintheclose——mighttheynotbeallowedtoleaveitunoccupiedforoneyearlonger——perhapstoletit?Theworldofcoursemustknowoftheirmisfortune;butifthatmisfortunewasfacedbravely,theworldwouldbelessbitterinitscondemnation.
　　Andthen,aboveallthings,everythingmustbetoldtoLadyLufton.
　　'Youmay,atanyrate,believethis,Fanny,'saidhe,'thatfornoconsiderationwhichcanbeofferedtomewillIeverputmynametoanotherbill.'Thekisswithwhichshethankedhimforthiswasaswarmandgenerousasthoughhehadbroughttoherthatdaynewsofthebrightest;andwhenhesat,ashedidthatevening,discussingitall,notonlywithhiswife,butwithLucy,hewonderedhowitwasthathistroubleswerenowsolight.Whetherornoamanshouldhavehisownprivatepleasures,Iwillnotnowsay;butitnevercanbeworthhiswhiletokeephissorrowsprivate.