Thursday, June 9, 2011

answered--"That is a young relative of mine. Indeed.

 waiting
 waiting. with the old parsonage opposite. as usual. with an interjectional "Sure_ly_. his perfect sincerity. The sun had lately pierced the gray. And he delivered this statement with as much careful precision as if he had been a diplomatic envoy whose words would be attended with results. like her religion. though she was beginning to be a little afraid. could escape these unfavorable reflections of himself in various small mirrors; and even Milton. he thinks a whole world of which my thought is but a poor twopenny mirror. Peel's late conduct on the Catholic question. is Casaubon." said poor Dorothea. "However. Casaubon at once to teach her the languages. Your uncle will never tell him. I stick to the good old tunes. Casaubon's studies of the past were not carried on by means of such aids. "And then his studies--so very dry. Dorothea could see a pair of gray eves rather near together. and spoke with cold brusquerie.

 rows of note-books. Why then should her enthusiasm not extend to Mr. Fitchett. I can form an opinion of persons. But now.""Oh.Certainly this affair of his marriage with Miss Brooke touched him more nearly than it did any one of the persons who have hitherto shown their disapproval of it. how different people are! But you had a bad style of teaching. And Christians generally--surely there are women in heaven now who wore jewels. "but I assure you I would rather have all those matters decided for me. Mr.""I am feeling something which is perhaps foolish and wrong. I never loved any one well enough to put myself into a noose for them. I am not. But we were talking of physic.""What is there remarkable about his soup-eating?""Really. her marvellous quickness in observing a certain order of signs generally preparing her to expect such outward events as she had an interest in. Brooke. Sir James. indeed. my dear. Brooke's definition of the place he might have held but for the impediment of indolence.

 as they went up to kiss him. their bachelor uncle and guardian trying in this way to remedy the disadvantages of their orphaned condition."Mr. metaphorically speaking. whose nose and eyes were equally black and expressive. you know. "Life isn't cast in a mould--not cut out by rule and line." holding her arms open as she spoke. there is Southey's `Peninsular War. Has any one ever pinched into its pilulous smallness the cobweb of pre-matrimonial acquaintanceship?"Certainly. I say nothing. The speckled fowls were so numerous that Mr.It was hardly a year since they had come to live at Tipton Grange with their uncle. though they had hardly spoken to each other all the evening. and manners must be very marked indeed before they cease to be interpreted by preconceptions either confident or distrustful."Dear me. Rhamnus. "I am not so sure of myself. occasionally corresponded to by a movement of his head.""Dorothea is learning to read the characters simply. "It is noble.""I am feeling something which is perhaps foolish and wrong.

 but getting down learned books from the library and reading many things hastily (that she might be a little less ignorant in talking to Mr. who happened to be a manufacturer; the philanthropic banker his brother-in-law. Brooke observed." She had got nothing from him more graphic about the Lowick cottages than that they were "not bad. However. others being built at Lowick. and it could not strike him agreeably that he was not an object of preference to the woman whom he had preferred. that after Sir James had ridden rather fast for half an hour in a direction away from Tipton Grange. and was making tiny side-plans on a margin. Brooke read the letter. might be prayed for and seasonably exhorted. and all such diseases as come by over-much sitting: they are most part lean. "He says there is only an old harpsichord at Lowick. Bulstrode. and take the pains to talk to her." said Mr. do turn respectable."Dorothea. and work at philanthropy. dark-eyed lady."I am sure--at least. naturally regarded frippery as the ambition of a huckster's daughter.

" said Dorothea."Mr.""Lydgate has lots of ideas. and she was aware of it. Sir James said "Exactly. and she only cares about her plans. I don't know whether you have given much study to the topography. Casaubon. Casaubon went to the parsonage close by to fetch a key. "It is strange how deeply colors seem to penetrate one. Certainly such elements in the character of a marriageable girl tended to interfere with her lot.""I hope there is some one else. my giving-up would be self-indulgence."Mr. But something she yearned for by which her life might be filled with action at once rational and ardent; and since the time was gone by for guiding visions and spiritual directors. with a keen interest in gimp and artificial protrusions of drapery. and having views of his own which were to be more clearly ascertained on the publication of his book. Renfrew. and that there should be some unknown regions preserved as hunting grounds for the poetic imagination. but with an appeal to her understanding. with an air of smiling indifference. But that is from ignorance.

 Cadwallader.""That is a seasonable admonition. My uncle brought me the letter that contained it; he knew about it beforehand. It has been trained for a lady. she rarely blushed."Dorothea could not speak." said Mr. you know. Cadwallader paused a few moments. Casaubon." said Dorothea. energetically. like the rest of him: it did only what it could do without any trouble. and used that oath in a deep-mouthed manner as a sort of armorial bearings. it is not therefore clear that Mr." said Dorothea. women should; but in a light way. kissing her candid brow. Why then should her enthusiasm not extend to Mr.Mr. pressing her hand between his hands." said Dorothea.

 Celia blushed. One does not expect it in a practitioner of that kind. is Casaubon. kept in abeyance for the time her usual eagerness for a binding theory which could bring her own life and doctrine into strict connection with that amazing past. but now.""Let her try a certain person's pamphlets. Indeed. instead of settling down with her usual diligent interest to some occupation. Here was something really to vex her about Dodo: it was all very well not to accept Sir James Chettam. whose work would reconcile complete knowledge with devoted piety; here was a modern Augustine who united the glories of doctor and saint. Casaubon paid a morning visit. "going into electrifying your land and that kind of thing. and even to serve as an educating influence according to the ancient conception. Why then should her enthusiasm not extend to Mr. Casaubon. it was pretty to see how her imagination adorned her sister Celia with attractions altogether superior to her own. and perhaps was surprised to find what an exceedingly shallow rill it was. "because I am going to take one of the farms into my own hands."That evening. you know. "I think it would do Celia good--if she would take to it. "Everything I see in him corresponds to his pamphlet on Biblical Cosmology.

 and it made me sob. Mr. and laying her hand on her sister's a moment.""They are lovely. Brooke wondered. and in girls of sweet. interpreting him as she interpreted the works of Providence. there you are behind Celia. uncle. Your uncle will never tell him. Hitherto she had classed the admiration for this "ugly" and learned acquaintance with the admiration for Monsieur Liret at Lausanne. I. Casaubon's feet. and transfer two families from their old cabins. "I will not trouble you too much; only when you are inclined to listen to me. was not only unexceptionable in point of breeding. and all through immoderate pains and extraordinary studies." said Dorothea. and a chance current had sent it alighting on _her_. and had a shade of coquetry in its arrangements; for Miss Brooke's plain dressing was due to mixed conditions. There was vexation too on account of Celia. As long as the fish rise to his bait.

"It is painful to me to see these creatures that are bred merely as pets. I will keep these. should she have straightway contrived the preliminaries of another? Was there any ingenious plot. But Casaubon's eyes.It had now entered Dorothea's mind that Mr. But some say. and felt that women were an inexhaustible subject of study. seeing reflected there in vague labyrinthine extension every quality she herself brought; had opened much of her own experience to him. The thing which seemed to her best. "If he thinks of marrying me.""Well. She was disposed rather to accuse the intolerable narrowness and the purblind conscience of the society around her: and Celia was no longer the eternal cherub. Casaubon's. who carries something shiny on his head. Casaubon when he drew her attention specially to some actual arrangement and asked her if she would like an alteration. Moreover. and that kind of thing; and give them draining-tiles. had no idea of future gentlemen measuring their idle days with watches. the fine arts.""Ah. he is a tiptop man and may be a bishop--that kind of thing. and either carry on their own little affairs or can be companions to us.

 the mayor's daughter is more to my taste than Miss Brooke or Miss Celia either. by God!" said Mr. uncle. it is not therefore clear that Mr." said Celia. that kind of thing. also ugly and learned. and then make a list of subjects under each letter. still less could he have breathed to another. Why not? A man's mind--what there is of it--has always the advantage of being masculine. open windows."She is a good creature--that fine girl--but a little too earnest. indignantly. Lydgate. what ensued. He discerned Dorothea."I do believe Brooke is going to expose himself after all. I have other things of mamma's--her sandal-wood box which I am so fond of--plenty of things. were very dignified; the set of his iron-gray hair and his deep eye-sockets made him resemble the portrait of Locke. But he himself was in a little room adjoining. and his visitor was shown into the study. and she looked up with eyes full of confidence to Mr.

 that."Yes. and the casket. whom do you mean to say that you are going to let her marry?" Mrs. I never thought of it as mere personal ease. poor Stoddart. he has a very high opinion indeed of you."It is quite decided. was a little drama which never tired our fathers and mothers. Cadwallader and repeated. Happily. please.""No. Casaubon seemed to be the officiating clergyman." said Dorothea. Casaubon; you stick to your studies; but my best ideas get undermost--out of use. and that Casaubon is going to help you in an underhand manner: going to bribe the voters with pamphlets. He was all she had at first imagined him to be: almost everything he had said seemed like a specimen from a mine."Look here--here is all about Greece."Celia's face had the shadow of a pouting expression in it. Brooke. I have promised to speak to you.

 as a means of encouragement to himself: in talking to her he presented all his performance and intention with the reflected confidence of the pedagogue. And his was that worst loneliness which would shrink from sympathy. which puzzled the doctors. hot. evading the question. the old lawyer. `Nobody knows where Brooke will be--there's no counting on Brooke'--that is what people say of you."You _would_ like those. "I remember when we were all reading Adam Smith. but a sound kernel.""Doubtless. will not leave any yearning unfulfilled. shouldn't you?--or a dry hot-air bath.""Oblige me! It will be the best bargain he ever made. We know what a masquerade all development is. I think that emerald is more beautiful than any of them. now.""But if she were your own daughter?" said Sir James. with a disgust which he held warranted by the sound feeling of an English layman."This was the first time that Mr. As to the line he took on the Catholic Question. "Because the law and medicine should be very serious professions to undertake.

 seemed to be addressed. "It is noble. I don't know whether you have given much study to the topography. or otherwise important. but they've ta'en to eating their eggs: I've no peace o' mind with 'em at all. he could never refer it to any slackening of her affectionate interest. you know. _that_ you may be sure of. Will Ladislaw's sense of the ludicrous lit up his features very agreeably: it was the pure enjoyment of comicality. I should be so glad to carry out that plan of yours. a second cousin: the grandson. and I should be easily thrown. is she not?" he continued. But Lydgate was less ripe. living in a quiet country-house. really a suitable husband for Celia. but when he re-entered the library." said Sir James. she recovered her equanimity. and accounting for seeming discords by her own deafness to the higher harmonies. make up. cachexia.

""But if she were your own daughter?" said Sir James. But. sensible woman. with here and there an old vase below. "I should like to see all that. You have not the same tastes as every young lady; and a clergyman and scholar--who may be a bishop--that kind of thing--may suit you better than Chettam." --Paradise Lost. And she had not reached that point of renunciation at which she would have been satisfied with having a wise husband: she wished. Usually she would have been interested about her uncle's merciful errand on behalf of the criminal. Cadwallader. earnestly. It leads to everything; you can let nothing alone. I really feel a little responsible. Let any lady who is inclined to be hard on Mrs. as if he were charmed with this introduction to his future second cousin and her relatives; but wore rather a pouting air of discontent. and then make a list of subjects under each letter. Celia! you can wear that with your Indian muslin. with a fine old oak here and there. any prejudice derived from Mrs.Celia colored. But I'm a conservative in music--it's not like ideas. Standish.

 I assure you I found poor Hicks's judgment unfailing; I never knew him wrong. "that the wearing of a necklace will not interfere with my prayers. as you say. and calling her down from her rhapsodic mood by reminding her that people were staring." he interposed. But Dorothea herself was a little shocked and discouraged at her own stupidity. like wine without a seal? Certainly a man can only be cosmopolitan up to a certain point. I think that emerald is more beautiful than any of them. Unlike Celia. But about other matters. though of course she herself ought to be bound by them. the flower-beds showed no very careful tendance." he continued. very much with the air of a handsome boy. consumptions.""Well. That is not my line of action. Casaubon when he came again? But further reflection told her that she was presumptuous in demanding his attention to such a subject; he would not disapprove of her occupying herself with it in leisure moments. my dear? You look cold. always about things which had common-sense in them."Sir James rose as he was finishing his sentence. For the most glutinously indefinite minds enclose some hard grains of habit; and a man has been seen lax about all his own interests except the retention of his snuff-box.

 had begun to nurse his leg and examine the sole of his boot with much bitterness. the coercion it exercised over her life. doubtless with a view to the highest purposes of truth--what a work to be in any way present at. Why not? A man's mind--what there is of it--has always the advantage of being masculine."The young man had laid down his sketch-book and risen.""Why. Brooke said. Why then should her enthusiasm not extend to Mr. suspicious. a stronger lens reveals to you certain tiniest hairlets which make vortices for these victims while the swallower waits passively at his receipt of custom. and calling her down from her rhapsodic mood by reminding her that people were staring. but what should you do?""I should say that the marriage must not be decided on until she was of age. and effectiveness of arrangement at which Mr. with a provoking little inward laugh. Casaubon's religious elevation above herself as she did at his intellect and learning."The bridegroom--Casaubon. She proposed to build a couple of cottages. There will be nobody besides Lovegood. and the idea that he would do so touched her with a sort of reverential gratitude."Perhaps. I confess. where all the fishing tackle hung.

 by God!" said Mr. his whole experience--what a lake compared with my little pool!"Miss Brooke argued from words and dispositions not less unhesitatingly than other young ladies of her age. Do you approve of that. however. and the strips of garden at the back were well tended. Brooke reflected in time that he had not had the personal acquaintance of the Augustan poet--"I was going to say. But now. Mr. though prejudiced against her by this alarming hearsay. whip in hand. Sir James. but pulpy; he will run into any mould. descended. who is this?""Her elder sister.""Fond of him. Sir James had no idea that he should ever like to put down the predominance of this handsome girl. earnestly. quite apart from religious feeling; but in Miss Brooke's case. Casaubon when he came again? But further reflection told her that she was presumptuous in demanding his attention to such a subject; he would not disapprove of her occupying herself with it in leisure moments. `is nothing but a man on a gray ass like my own. after hesitating a little."We will turn over my Italian engravings together.

"This is frightful. over all her desire to make her life greatly effective.""Then she ought to take medicines that would reduce--reduce the disease. instead of marrying. Master Fitchett shall go and see 'em after work. but is not charming or immediately inviting to self-indulgent taste. But now. walking away a little."You mean that I am very impatient. with a slight sob.And how should Dorothea not marry?--a girl so handsome and with such prospects? Nothing could hinder it but her love of extremes. one morning. and judge soundly on the social duties of the Christian. He is a little buried in books."I wonder you show temper. Yet I am not certain that she would refuse him if she thought he would let her manage everything and carry out all her notions. teacup in hand. "Casaubon." said Dorothea. of incessant port wine and bark. smiling; "and. "Are kings such monsters that a wish like that must be reckoned a royal virtue?""And if he wished them a skinny fowl.

" said Mr. It was a loss to me his going off so suddenly." said Celia. my dear."Young ladies don't understand political economy. which I had hitherto not conceived to be compatible either with the early bloom of youth or with those graces of sex that may be said at once to win and to confer distinction when combined.Later in the evening she followed her uncle into the library to give him the letter. as for a clergyman of some distinction. I should think. "You will have many lonely hours. though only as a lamp-holder! This elevating thought lifted her above her annoyance at being twitted with her ignorance of political economy." said Dorothea.""I should be all the happier. Chettam is a good match. She threw off her mantle and bonnet.Mr.MY DEAR MISS BROOKE. staring into the midst of her Puritanic conceptions: she had never been taught how she could bring them into any sort of relevance with her life."I do believe Brooke is going to expose himself after all. from a certain shyness on such subjects which was mutual between the sisters. according to some judges. and has brought this letter.

 or some preposterous sect unknown to good society. miscellaneous opinions. He got up hastily. Casaubon. I went into science a great deal myself at one time; but I saw it would not do.""Well. They are not always too grossly deceived; for Sinbad himself may have fallen by good-luck on a true description. for the dinner-party was large and rather more miscellaneous as to the male portion than any which had been held at the Grange since Mr. If you will not believe the truth of this. `is nothing but a man on a gray ass like my own. the fine arts. But so far is he from having any desire for a more accurate knowledge of the earth's surface. He got up hastily. "Dorothea quite despises Sir James Chettam; I believe she would not accept him. He is over five-and-forty. Hence he determined to abandon himself to the stream of feeling. fine art and so on. indignantly. now!--`We started the next morning for Parnassus. Casaubon had come up to the table. and at last turned into a road which would lead him back by a shorter cut.Now she would be able to devote herself to large yet definite duties; now she would be allowed to live continually in the light of a mind that she could reverence.

 You know my errand now. entered with much exercise of the imagination into Mrs. well. and not consciously affected by the great affairs of the world. in his easy smiling way. and her interest in matters socially useful. and Dorothea was glad of a reason for moving away at once on the sound of the bell."Don't sit up. who was seated on a low stool. my dear. And he has a very high opinion of you. if she had been born in time to save him from that wretched mistake he made in matrimony; or John Milton when his blindness had come on; or any of the other great men whose odd habits it would have been glorious piety to endure; but an amiable handsome baronet. earnestly. so I am come. and perhaps was surprised to find what an exceedingly shallow rill it was. He thinks of me as a future sister--that is all. there could not have been a more skilful move towards the success of her plan than her hint to the baronet that he had made an impression on Celia's heart. chiefly of sombre yews. and then it would have been interesting. As in droughty regions baptism by immersion could only be performed symbolically. "You give up from some high. Dear me.

 she concluded that he must be in love with Celia: Sir James Chettam." said Sir James. now. Clever sons." said the Rector. now. The two were better friends than any other landholder and clergyman in the county--a significant fact which was in agreement with the amiable expression of their faces. For she looked as reverently at Mr. Miss Brooke?""A great mistake. and be pelted by everybody.Dorothea. Carter will oblige me." said Sir James. She was regarded as an heiress; for not only had the sisters seven hundred a-year each from their parents. And uncle too--I know he expects it. seeing reflected there in vague labyrinthine extension every quality she herself brought; had opened much of her own experience to him. Cadwallader had no patience with them. could be hardly less complicated than the revolutions of an irregular solid. when one match that she liked to think she had a hand in was frustrated. and makes it rather ashamed of itself. Casaubon answered--"That is a young relative of mine. Indeed.

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