IfIcanadvanceanypartofthemoneyrequisite，heandyoushallpaymeinterestuntilyoucanreturnthecapital。’’Roger，you’retheprovidenceofthefamily，’exclaimedOsborne，suddenlystruckbyadmirationathisbrother’sconduct，andforgettingtocontrastitwithhisown。SoRogerwentuptoLondonandOsbornefollowedhim，andfortwoorthreeweekstheGibsonssawnothingofthebrothers。Butaswavesucceedstowave，sointerestsucceedstointerest。’Thefamily，’astheywerecalled，camedownfortheirautumnsojournattheTowers；andagainthehousewasfullofvisitors，andtheTowers’servants，andcarriages，andliverieswereseeninthetwostreetsofHollingford，justastheymighthavebeenseenforscoresofautumnspast。Sorunstheroundoflifefromdaytoday。MrsGibsonfoundthechancesofintercoursewiththeTowersrathermorepersonallyexcitingthanRoger’svisits，ortherarercallsofOsborneHamley。Cynthiahadanoldantipathytothegreatfamilywhohadmadesomuchofhermotherandsolittleofher；andwhomsheconsideredasinsomemeasurethecausewhyshehadseensolittleofhermotherinthedayswhenthelittlegirlhadcravedforloveandfoundnone。Moreover，Cynthiamissedherslave，althoughshedidnotcareforRogeronethousandthpartofwhathedidforher；yetshehadfounditnotunpleasanttohaveamanwhomshethoroughlyrespected，andwhommeningeneralrespected，thesubjectofhereye，thegladministranttoeachscarcespokenwish，apersoninwhosesightallherwordswerepearlsordiamonds，allheractionsheavenlygraciousness，andinwhosethoughtsshereignedsupreme。Shehadnomodestunconsciousnessabouther；
　　andyetshewasnotvain。Sheknewofallthisworship；andwhenfromcircumstancesshenolongerreceiveditshemissedit。TheEarlandtheCountess，LordHollingfordandLadyHarriet，lordsandladiesingeneral，liveries，dresses，bagsofgame，andrumoursofridingpartieswereasnothingtoherascomparedtoRoger’sabsence。Andyetshedidnotlovehim。No，shedidnotlovehim。MollyknewthatCynthiadidnotlovehim。Mollygrewangrywithhermanyandmanyatimeastheconvictionofthisfactwasforceduponher。
　　Mollydidnotknowherownfeelings；Rogerhadnooverwhelminginterestinwhattheymightbe；whilehisverylife—breathseemedtodependonwhatCynthiafeltandthought。ThereforeMollyhadkeeninsightintoher’sister’s’
　　heart；andsheknewthatCynthiadidnotloveRoger，MollycouldhavecriedwithpassionateregretatthethoughtoftheunvaluedtreasurelyingatCynthia’sfeet；anditwouldhavebeenamerelyunselfishregret。Itwastheoldfervidtenderness。’Donotwishforthemoon，Omydarling，forIcannotgiveitthee。’Cynthia’slovewasthemoonRogeryearnedfor；
　　andMollysawthatitwasfarawayandoutofreach，elsewouldshehavestrainedherheart—chordstogiveittoRoger。’Iamhissister，’shewouldsaytoherself。’Thatoldbondisnotdoneawaywith，thoughheistoomuchabsorbedbyCynthiatospeakaboutitjustnow。Hismothercalledme"Fanny；"itwasalmostlikeanadoption。
　　Imustwaitandwatch，andseeifIcandoanythingformybrother。’OnedayLadyHarrietcametocallontheGibsons，orratheronMrsGibson，forthelatterretainedheroldjealousyifanyoneelseinHollingfordwassupposedtobeonintimatetermsatthegreathouse，orintheleastacquaintedwiththeirplans。MrGibsonmightpossiblyknowasmuch，butthenhewasprofessionallyboundtosecrecy。OutofthehousesheconsideredMrPrestonasherrival，andhewasawarethatshedidso，anddelightedinteasingherbyaffectingaknowledgeoffamilyplansanddetailsofaffairsofwhichshewasnotaware。IndoorsshewasjealousofthefancyLadyHarriethadevidentlytakenforherstepdaughter，andshecontrivedtoplacequietobstaclesinthewayofatoofrequentintercoursebetweenthetwo。Theseobstacleswerenotunliketheshieldoftheknightintheoldstory；onlyinsteadofthetwosidespresentedtothetwotravellersapproachingitfromoppositequarters，oneofwhichwassilver，andoneofwhichwasgold，LadyHarrietsawthesmoothandshiningyellowradiance，whilepoorMollyonlyperceivedadullandheavylead。ToLadyHarrietitwas’Mollyisgoneout；shewillbesosorrytomissyou，butshewasobligedtogotoseesomeoldfriendsofhermother’swhomsheoughtnottoneglect：asIsaidtoher，constancyiseverything。ItisSterne，I
　　think，whosays，"Thineownandthymother’sfriendsforsakenot。"But，dearLadyHarriet，you’llstoptillshecomeshome，won’tyou？Iknowhowfondyouareofher。infact’（withalittlesurfaceplayfulness）’IsometimessayyoucomemoretoseeherthanyourpooroldClare。’ToMollyithadpreviouslybeen，—’LadyHarrietiscomingherethismorning。Ican’thaveanyoneelsecomingin。TellMariatosayI’mnotathome。LadyHarriethasalwayssomuchtotellme。DearLadyHarriet！I’veknownallhersecretssinceshewastwelveyearsold。Youtwogirlsmustkeepoutoftheway。Ofcourseshe’llaskforyou，outofcommoncivility；butyouwouldonlyinterruptusifyoucamein，asyoudidtheotherday；’—nowaddressingMolly—’lhardlyliketosayso，butIthoughtitwasveryforward。’’Mariatoldmeshehadaskedforme，’putinMolly，simply。’Veryforwardindeed！’continuedMrsGibson，takingnofurthernoticeoftheinterruption，excepttostrengthenthewordstowhichMolly’slittlespeechhadbeenintendedasacorrection。’IthinkthistimeImustsecureherladyshipfromthechancesofsuchanintrusion，bytakingcarethatyouareoutofthehouse，Molly。YouhadbettergototheHollyFarm，andspeakaboutthosedamsonsIordered，andwhichhaveneverbeensent。’’I’llgo，’saidCynthia。’It’sfartoolongawalkforMolly；she’shadabadcold，andisnotasstrongasshewasafortnightago。Idelightinlongwalks。IfyouwantMollyoutoftheway，mamma，sendhertotheMissBrownings’—theyarealwaysgladtoseeher。’’IneversaidIwantedMollyoutoftheway，Cynthia，’repliedMrsGibson。
　　’Youalwaysputthingsinsuchanexaggerated—Ishouldalmostsay，socoarseamanner。Iamsure，Molly，mylove，youcouldneverhavesomisunderstoodme；itisonlyonLadyHarriet’saccount。’’Idon’tthinkIcanwalkasfarastheHollyFarm；papawouldtakethemessage；Cynthianeednotgo。’’Well！I’mthelastpersonintheworldtotaxanyone’sstrength；I’dsoonerneverseedamsonpreserveagain。SupposeyoudogoandseeMissBrowning；youcanpayheranicelongcall—youknowshelikesthat—
　　andaskafterMissPhoebe’scoldfromme，youknow。Theywerefriendsofyourmother’s，mydear，andIwouldnothaveyoubreakoffoldfriendshipsfortheworld。"Constancyaboveeverything"ismymotto，asyouknow，andthememoryofthedeadoughtalwaystobecherished。’’Now，mamma，whereamItogo？’askedCynthia。’ThoughLadyHarrietdoesnotcareformeasmuchasshedoesforMolly—indeed，quitethecontraryIshouldsay—yetshemightaskafterme，andIhadbetterbesafelyoutoftheway。’’True！’saidMrsGibson，meditatively，yetunconsciousofanysatireinCynthia’sspeech。—’Sheismuchlesslikelytoaskforyou，mydear：I
　　almostthinkyoumightremaininthehouse，oryoumightgototheHollyFarm；Ireallydowantthedamsons；oryoumightstayhereinthedining—room，youknow，soastobereadytoarrangelunchprettily，ifshedoestakeafancytostayforit。Sheisveryfanciful，isdearLadyHarriet！Iwouldnotlikehertothinkwemadeanydifferenceinourmealsbecauseshestayed。
　　"Simpleelegance，"asItellher，"alwaysiswhatweaimat。"Butstillyoucouldputoutthebestservice，andarrangesomeflowers，andaskcookwhatthereisfordinnerthatshecouldsendusforlunch，andmakeitalllookpretty，andimpromptu，andnatural。Ithinkyouhadbetterstayathome，Cynthia，andthenyoucouldfetchMollyfromMissBrownings’intheafternoon，youknow，andyoutwocouldtakeawalktogether。’’AfterLadyHarrietwasfairlygone！Iunderstand，mamma。Offwithyou，Molly。Makehaste，orLadyHarrietmaycomeandaskforyouaswellasmamma。I’lltakecareandforgetwhereyouaregoingto，sothatnooneshalllearnfrommewhereyouare，andI’llanswerformamma’slossofmemory。’’Child！whatnonsenseyoutalk；youquiteconfusemewithbeingsosilly，’
　　saidMrsGibson，flutteredandannoyedassheusuallywaswiththeLilliputiandarts’Cynthiaflungather。Shehadrecoursetoheraccustomedfecklesspieceofretaliation—bestowingsomefavouronMolly；andthisdidnothurtCynthiaonewhit。’Molly，darling，there’saverycoldwind，thoughitlookssofine。YouhadbetterputonmyIndianshawl；anditwilllooksopretty，too，onyourgreygown—scarletandgrey—it’snoteverybodyIwouldlenditto，butyou’resocareful。’’Thankyou，’saidMolly：andsheleftMrsGibsonincarelessuncertaintyastowhetherherotterwouldbeacceptedornot。LadyHarrietwassorrytomissMolly，asshewasfondofthegirl；butassheperfectlyagreedwithMrsGibson’struismsabout’constancy’and’oldfriends，’shesawnooccasionforsayinganymoreabouttheaffair，butsatedowninalittlelowchairwithherfeetonthefender。Thissaidfenderwasmadeofbright，brightsteel，andwasstrictlytabooedtoallhouseholdandplebeianfeet；indeedtheposition，iftheyassumedit，wasconsideredlow—bredandvulgar。’That’sright，dearLadyHarriet！youcan’tthinkwhatapleasureitistometowelcomeyouatmyownfireside，intomyhumblehome。’’Humble！now，Clare，that’salittlebitofnonsense，beggingyourpardon。
　　Idon’tcallthisprettylittledrawing—roomabitofa"humblehome。"
　　Itisasfullofcomforts，andofprettythingstoo，asanyroomofitssizecanbe。’’Ah！howsmallyoumustfeelit！evenIhadtoreconcilemyselftoitatfirst。’’Well！perhapsyourschool—roomwaslarger，butrememberhowbareitwas，howemptyofanythingbutdealtables，andforms，andmats。Oh，indeed，Clare，Iquiteagreewithmamma，whoalwayssaysyouhavedoneverywellforyourself；andMrGibsontoo！Whatanagreeable，well—informedman！’’Yes，heis，’saidhiswife，slowly，asifshedidnotliketorelinquishherrô；leofavictimtocircumstancesquiteimmediately。’Heisveryagreeable，very；onlyweseesolittleofhim；andofcoursehecomeshometiredandhungry，andnotinclinedtotalktohisownfamily，andapttogotosleep。’’Come，come！’saidLadyHarriet，’I’mgoingtohavemyturnnow。We’vehadthecomplaintofadoctor’swife，nowhearthemoansofapeer’sdaughter。
　　Ourhouseissooverrunwithvisitors；andliterallyto—dayIhavecometoyouforalittlesolitude。’’Solitude！’exclaimedMrsGibson。’Wouldyouratherbealone？’slightlyaggrieved。’No，youdearsillywoman；mysolituderequiresalistener，towhomImaysay，"Howsweetissolitude。"ButIamtiredoftheresponsibilityofentertaining。
　　Papaissoopen—hearted，heaskseveryfriendhemeetswithtocomeandpayusavisit。Mammaisreallyagreatinvalid，butshedoesnotchoosetogiveupherreputationforgoodhealth，havingalwaysconsideredillnessawantofself—control。Soshegetsweariedandworriedbyacrowdofpeoplewhoareallofthemopen—mouthedforamusementofsomekind；justlikeabroodoffledglingsinanest；soIhavetobeparent—bird，andpopmorselsintotheiryellowleatherybills，tofindthemswalloweddownbeforeI
　　canthinkofwheretofindthenext。Oh，it’s"entertaining"inthelargest，literalest，dreariestsenseoftheword。SoIhavetoldafewliesthismorning，andcomeoffhereforquietnessandthecomfortofcomplaining！’LadyHarrietthrewherselfbackinherchair，andyawned；MrsGibsontookoneofherladyship’shandsinasoftsympathizingmanner，andmurmured，’PoorLadyHarriet！’andthenshepurredaffectionately。AfterapauseLadyHarrietstartedupandsaid，—’IusedtotakeyouasmyarbiterofmoralswhenIwasalittlegirl。Tellme，doyouthinkitwrongtotelllies？’’Oh，mydear！howcanyouasksuchquestions？—ofcourseitisverywrong，—verywickedindeed，IthinkImaysay。ButIknowyouwereonlyjokingwhenyousaidyouhadtoldlies。’’No，indeed，Iwasnot。Itoldasplumpfatliesasyouwouldwishtohear。
　　IsaidI"wasobligedtogointoHollingfordonbusiness，"whenthetruthwastherewasnoobligationinthematter，onlyaninsupportabledesireofbeingfreefrommyvisitorsforanhourortwo，andmyonlybusinesswastocomehere，andyawn，andcomplain，andloungeatmyleisure。IreallythinkI’munhappyathavingtoldastory，aschildrenexpressit。’’But，mydearLadyHarriet，’saidMrsGibson，alittlepuzzledastotheexactmeaningofthewordsthatweretremblingonhertongue，’Iamsureyouthoughtthatyoumeantwhatyousaid，whenyousaidit。’’No，Ididn’t，’putinLadyHarriet。’Andbesides，ifyoudidn’t，itwasthefaultofthetiresomepeoplewhodroveyouintosuchstraits—yes，itwascertainlytheirfault，notyours—andthenyouknowtheconventionsofsociety—ah，whattrammelstheyare！’LadyHarrietwassilentforaminuteortwo；thenshesaid，—’Tellme，Clare；you’vetoldliessometimes，haven’tyou？’’LadyHarriet！rthinkyoumighthaveknownmebetter；butIknowyoudon’tmeanit，dear。’’Yes，Ido。Youmusthavetoldwhitelies，atanyrate。Howdidyoufeelafterthem？’’IshouldhavebeenmiserableifIeverhad。Ishouldhavediedofself—reproach。
　　"Thetruth，thewholetruth，andnothingbutthetruth，"hasalwaysseemedtomesuchafinepassage。ButthenIhavesomuchthatisunbendinginmynature，andinoursphereoflifetherearesofewtemptations。Ifwearehumble，wearealsosimple，andunshackledbyetiquette。’’Thenyoublamemeverymuch？Ifsomebodyelsewillblameme，Ishan’tbesounhappyatwhatIsaidthismorning。’’IamsureIneverblamedyou，notinmyinnermostheart，dearLadyHarriet。
　　Blameyou，indeed！Thatwouldbepresumptioninme。’’IthinkIshallsetupaconfessor！anditshan’tbeyou，Clare，foryouhavealwaysbeenonlytooindulgenttome。’Afterapauseshesaid，—’Canyougivemesomelunch，Clare？Idon’tmeantogohometillthree。My"business"willtakemetillthen，asthepeopleattheTowersaredulyinformed。’’Certainly。Ishallbedelighted！butyouknowweareverysimpleinourhabits。’’Oh，Ionlywantalittlebreadandbutter，andperhapsasliceofcoldmeat—youmustnotgiveyourselfanytrouble，Clare—perhapsyoudinenow？letmesitdownjustlikeoneofyourfamily。’’Yes，youshall；Iwon’tmakeanyalteration；—itwillbesopleasanttohaveyousharingourfamilymeal，dearLadyHarriet。Butwedinelate，weonlylunchnow。Howlowthefireisgetting；Ireallyamforgettingeverythinginthepleasureofthistê；te—à；—tê；te！’Sosherangtwice；withgreatdistinctness，andwithalongpausebetweentherings。Mariabroughtincoals。ButthesignalwasaswellunderstoodbyCynthiaasthe’HallofApollo’
　　wasbytheservantsofLucullus。Thebraceofpartridgesthatweretohavebeenforthelatedinnerwereinstantlyputdowntothefire；andtheprettiestchinaputout，andthetabledeckedwithflowersandfruit，arrangedwithallCynthia’susualdexterityandtaste。Sothatwhenthemealwasannounced，andLadyHarrietenteredtheroom，shecouldnotbutthinkherhostess’sapologieshadbeenquiteunnecessary；andbemoreandmoreconvincedthatClarehaddoneverywellforherself。Cynthianowjoinedtheparty，prettyandelegantasshealwayswas；butsomehowshedidnottakeLadyHarriet’sfancy；sheonlynoticedheronaccountofherbeinghermother’sdaughter。
　　Herpresencemadetheconversationmoregeneral，andLadyHarrietgaveoutseveralpiecesofnews，noneofthemofanygreatimportancetoher，butaswhathadbeentalkedaboutbythecircleofvisitorsassembledattheTowers。’LordHollingfordoughttohavebeenwithus，’shesaid，amongstotherthings；’butheisobliged，orfancieshimselfobliged，whichisallthesamething，tostayintownaboutthisCrichtonlegacy！’’Alegacy？ToLordHollingford？Iamsoglad！’’Don’tbeinahurrytobeglad！It’snothingforhimbuttrouble。DidnotyouhearofthatricheccentricMrCrichton，whodiedsometimeago，and—firedbytheexampleofLordBridgewater，Isuppose—leftasumofmoneyinthehandsoftrustees，ofwhommybrotherisone，tosendoutamanwithathousandfinequalifications，tomakeascientificvoyage，withaviewtobringingbackspecimensofthefaunaofdistantlands，andsoformingthenucleusofamuseumwhichistobecalledtheCrichtonMuseum，andsoperpetuatethefounder’sname。Suchvariousformsdoesman’svanitytake！Sometimesitstimulatesphilanthropy；sometimesaloveofscience！’’Itseemstomeaverylaudableandusefulobject，Iamsure，’saidMrsGibson，safely。’Idaresayitis，takingitfromthepublic—goodview。Butitisrathertiresometousprivately，foritkeepsHollingfordintown—orbetweenitandCambridge—andeachplaceasdullandemptyascanbe，justwhenwewanthimdownattheTowers。Thethingoughttohavebeendecidedlongago，andthere’ssomedangerofthelegacylapsing。ThetwoothertrusteeshaverunawaytotheContinent，feeling，astheysay，theutmostconfidenceinhim，butinrealityshirkingtheirresponsibilities。However，Ibelievehelikesit，soIoughtnottogrumble。Hethinksheisgoingtobeverysuccessfulinthechoiceofhisman—andhebelongstothiscounty，too，—youngHamleyofHamley，ifhecanonlygethiscollegetolethimgo，forhe’saFellowofTrinity，SeniorWranglerorsomething；andthey’renotsofoolishastosendtheircrackmantobeeatenupbylionsandtigers！’’ItmustbeRogerHamley！’exclaimedCynthia，hereyesbrightening，andhercheeksflushing。’He’snottheeldestson；hecanscarcelybecalledHamleyofHamley！’
　　saidMrsGibson。’Hollingford’smanisaFellowofTrinity，asIsaidbefore。’’ThenitisMrRogerHamley，’saidCynthia；’andhe’supinLondonaboutsomebusiness！WhatnewsforMollywhenshecomeshome！’’Why，whathasMollytodowithit？’askedLadyHarriet。’Is——？’andshelookedintoMrsGibson’sfaceforananswer。MrsGibsoninreplygaveanintelligentandveryexpressiveglanceatCynthia，whohoweverdidnotperceiveit。’Oh，no！notatall’—andMrsGibsonnoddedalittleatherdaughter，asmuchastosay，’Ifanyone，that。’LadyHarrietbegantolookattheprettyMissKirkpatrickwithfreshinterest；
　　herbrotherhadspokeninsuchamannerofthisyoungMrHamleythateveryoneconnectedwiththePhoenixwasworthyofobservation。Then，asifthementionofMolly’snamehadbroughtherafreshintohermind，LadyHarrietsaid，—’AndwhereisMollyallthistime？Ishouldliketoseemylittlementor。Ihearsheisverymuchgrownsincethosedays。’’Oh！whensheoncegetsgossippingwiththeMissBrownings，sheneverknowswhentocomehome，’saidMrsGibson。’TheMissBrownings？Oh！Iamsogladyounamedthem！Iamveryfondofthem。PecksyandFlapsy；ImaycallthemsoinMolly’sabsence。I’llgoandseethembeforeIgohome，andthenperhapsIshallseemydearlittleMollytoo。Doyouknow，Clare，Ihavequitetakenafancytothatgirl！’SoMrsGibson，afterallherprecautions，hadtosubmittoLadyHarriet’sleavingherhalf—an—hourearlierthansheotherwisewouldhavedoneinorderto’makeherselfcommon’（asMrsGibsonexpressedit）bycallingontheMissBrownings。ButMollyhadleftbeforeLadyHarrietarrived。MollywentthelongwalktotheHollyFarmtoorderthedamsonsoutofakindofpenitence。Shehadfeltconsciousofangeratbeingsentoutofthehousebysuchapalpablemanoeuvreasthatwhichherstepmotherhademployed。OfcourseshedidnotmeetCynthia，soshewentalonealongtheprettylanes，withgrassysidesandhighhedge—banksnotatallinthestyleofmodernagriculture。Atfirstshemadeherselfuncomfortablewithquestioningherselfastohowfaritwasrighttoleaveunnoticedthesmalldomesticfailings—thewebs，thedistortionsoftruthwhichhadprevailedintheirhouseholdeversinceherfather’ssecondmarriage。
　　Sheknewthatveryoftenshelongedtoprotest，butdidnotdoit，fromthedesireofsparingherfatheranydiscord；andshesawbyhisfacethathe，too，wasoccasionallyawareofcertainthingsthatgavehimpain，asshowingthathiswife’sstandardofconductwasnotashighashewouldhaveliked。ItwasawondertoMollyifthissilencewasrightorwrong。
　　Withagirl’swantoftoleration，andwantofexperiencetoteachhertheforceofcircumstances，andoftemptation，shehadoftenbeenonthepointoftellingherstepmothersomeforciblehometruths。Butpossiblyherfather’sexampleofsilence，andoftensomepieceofkindnessonMrsGibson’spart（forafterherway，andwheninagoodtemper，shewasverykindtoMolly），madeherholdhertongue。ThatnightatdinnerMrsGibsonrecountedtheconversationbetweenherselfandLadyHarriet，givingitaverystrongindividualcolouring，aswasherwont，andtellingnearlythewholeofwhathadpassed，althoughimplyingthattherewasagreatdealsaidthatwassopurelyconfidential，thatshewasboundinhonournottorepeatit。Herthreeauditorslistenedtoherwithoutinterruptinghermuch—indeed，withoutbestowingextremeattentiononwhatshewassaying，untilshecametothefactofLordHollingford’sabsenceinLondon，andthereasonforit。’RogerHamleygoingoffonascientificexpedition！’exclaimedMrGibson，suddenlyawakenedintovivacity。’Yes。Atleastitisnotsettledfinally；butasLordHollingfordistheonlytrusteewhotakesanyinterest—andbeingLordCumnor’sson—itisnexttocertain。’’IthinkImusthaveavoiceinthematter，’saidMrGibson；andherelapsedintosilence，keepinghisearsopen，however，henceforward。’Howlongwillhebeaway？’askedCynthia。’Weshallmisshimsadly。’Molly’slipsformedanacquiescing’yes’tothisremark，butnosoundwasheard。Therewasabuzzinginherearsasiftheothersweregoingonwiththeconversation，butthewordstheyutteredseemedindistinctandblurred；
　　theyweremerelyconjectures，anddidnotinterferewiththeonegreatpieceofnews。Totherestofthepartysheappearedtobeeatingherdinnerasusual，and，ifsheweresilent，therewasonelistenerthemoretoMrsGibson’sstreamofprattle，andMrGibson’sandCynthia’sremarks。
　　chapter33CHAPTERXXXIIIBRIGHTENINGPROSPECTSItwasadayortwoafterwards，thatMrGibsonmadetimetorideroundbyHamley，desiroustolearnmoreexactparticularsofthisschemeforRogerthanhecouldobtainfromanyextraneoussource，andratherpuzzledtoknowwhetherheshouldinterfereintheprojectornot。Thestateofthecasewasthis：—Osborne’ssymptomswere，inMrGibson’sopinion，signsofhishavingafataldisease。DrNichollshaddifferedfromhimonthishead，andMrGibsonknewthattheoldphysicianhadhadlongexperience，andwasconsideredveryskilfulintheprofession。Stillhebelievedthathehimselfwasright，and，ifso，thecomplaintwasonewhichmightcontinueforyearsinthesamestateasatpresent，ormightendtheyoungman’slifeinahour—aminute。SupposingthatMrGibsonwasright，woulditbewellforRogertobeawaywherenosuddencallsforhispresencecouldreachhim—awayfortwoyears？Yetiftheaffairwasconcluded，theinterferenceofamedicalmanmightacceleratetheveryeviltobefeared；andafterallDrNichollsmightberight，andthesymptomsmightproceedfromsomeothercause。Might？Yes。Probablydid？No。MrGibsoncouldnotbringhimselftosayyestothislatterformofsentence。Soherodeon，meditating；
　　hisreinsslack，hisheadalittlebent。Itwasoneofthosestillandlovelyautumndayswhentheredandyellowleavesarehanging—pegstodewy，brilliantgossamer—webs；whenthehedgesarefulloftrailingbrambles，loadedwithripeblackberries；whentheairisfullofthefarewellwhistlesandpipesofbirds，clearandshort—notthelongfull—throatedwarblesofspring；whenthewhirrofthepartridge’swingsisheardinthestubble—fields，asthesharphoof—blowsfallonthepavedlanes；whenhereandtherealeaffloatsandfluttersdowntotheground，althoughthereisnotasinglebreathofwind。Thecountrysurgeonfeltthebeautyoftheseasonsperhapsmorethanmostmen。Hesawmoreofitbyday，bynight，instormandsunshine，orinthestill，soft，cloudyweatherHeneverspokeaboutwhathefeltonthesubject；indeed，hedidnotputhisfeelingsintowords，eventohimself，Butifhismoodeverapproachedtothesentimental，itwasonsuchdaysasthis。Herodeintothestable—yard，gavehishorsetoaman，andwentintothehousebyasideentrance。Inthepassagehemetthesquire。’That’scapital，Gibson！whatgoodwindblewyouhere？You’llhavesomelunch？it’sonthetable，Ionlyjustthisminutelefttheroom。’AndhekeptshakingMrGibson’shandallthetimetillhehadplacedhim，nothingloth，atthewell—covereddining—table。’What’sthisIhearaboutRoger？’saidMrGibson，plungingatonceintothesubject。’Aha！soyou’veheard，haveyou？It’sfamous，isitnot？He’saboytobeproudof，isoldRoger。SteadyRoger；weusedtothinkhimslow，butitseemstomethatslowandsurewinstherace。Buttellme；whathaveyouheard？howmuchisknown？Nay，youmusthaveaglassfull。It’soldale，suchaswedon’tbrewnow—a—days；it’sasoldasOsborne。Webreweditthatautumnandwecalledittheyoungsquire’sale。Ithoughttohavetappeditonhismarriage，butIdon’tknowwhenthatwillcometopass，sowe’vetappeditnowinRoger’shonour。’Theoldsquirehadevidentlybeenenjoyingtheyoungsquire’saletothevergeofprudence。Itwasindeedashesaid，（asstrongasbrandy，’andMrGibsonhadtosipitverycarefullyasheatehiscoldroastbeef。’Well！andwhathaveyouheard？There’sadealtohear，andallgoodnews，thoughIshallmissthelad，Iknowthat。’’Ididnotknowitwassettled；Ionlyheardthatitwasinprogress。’’Well，itwasonlyinprogress，asyoucallit，tilllastTuesday。Heneverletmeknowanythingaboutit，though；hesayshethoughtImightbefidgetywiththinkingoftheprosandcons。SoIneverknewawordon’ttillI