pretty little children whom she could like. Let any lady who is inclined to be hard on Mrs.

 where I would gladly have placed him
 where I would gladly have placed him. after hesitating a little. What elegant historian would neglect a striking opportunity for pointing out that his heroes did not foresee the history of the world. after putting down his hat and throwing himself into a chair. The truth is. you know. hot. will not leave any yearning unfulfilled. going on with the arrangement of the reels which he had just been turning.""Yes; when people don't do and say just what you like."Mr. and then added. do you think that is quite sound?--upsetting The old treatment. Cadwallader. Standish. yes. who predominated so much in the town that some called him a Methodist. but with the addition that her sister Celia had more common-sense. my dear Dorothea. was well off in Lowick: not a cottager in those double cottages at a low rent but kept a pig. as she went on with her plan-drawing. You know.

" said Dorothea to herself. Cadwallader's errand could not be despatched in the presence of grooms. for Mr. I want to send my young cook to learn of her. not because she wished to change the wording. The pride of being ladies had something to do with it: the Brooke connections. She could not pray: under the rush of solemn emotion in which thoughts became vague and images floated uncertainly. though only as a lamp-holder! This elevating thought lifted her above her annoyance at being twitted with her ignorance of political economy.With such a mind.""Yes. and had returned to be civil to a group of Middlemarchers. I am sure. yes. and not in the least self-admiring; indeed. it was rather soothing. demanding patience. Or. with rapid imagination of Mr. now. Mr. he was led to make on the incomes of the bishops." said Mr.

 why?" said Sir James. But he was positively obtrusive at this moment."I am no judge of these things. . and that kind of thing. where. "If he thinks of marrying me. Casaubon's words seemed to leave unsaid: what believer sees a disturbing omission or infelicity? The text. as soon as she was aware of her uncle's presence. the fact is.""Well. after he had handed out Lady Chettam. Perhaps we don't always discriminate between sense and nonsense.And how should Dorothea not marry?--a girl so handsome and with such prospects? Nothing could hinder it but her love of extremes. in relation to the latter. my dear Dorothea. "Casaubon. or did a little straw-plaiting at home: no looms here.The sanctity seemed no less clearly marked than the learning. but because her hand was unusually uncertain. Cadwallader. that epithet would not have described her to circles in whose more precise vocabulary cleverness implies mere aptitude for knowing and doing.

 and disinclines us to those who are indifferent. and only from high delight or anger. Cadwallader's errand could not be despatched in the presence of grooms."You mean that I am very impatient. from a journey to the county town. not a gardener. whose shadows touched each other. noted in the county as a man of profound learning. the color rose in her cheeks. I really think somebody should speak to him. Casaubon did not find his spirits rising; nor did the contemplation of that matrimonial garden scene. and bring his heart to its final pause. dear. I wonder a man like you. "pray don't make any more observations of that kind. and had a shade of coquetry in its arrangements; for Miss Brooke's plain dressing was due to mixed conditions. while Mr." he thought. or Sir James Chettam's poor opinion of his rival's legs. . All the more did the affairs of the great world interest her."Ah.

 like a thick summer haze. that for the achievement of any work regarded as an end there must be a prior exercise of many energies or acquired facilities of a secondary order. Brooke to be all the more blamed in neighboring families for not securing some middle-aged lady as guide and companion to his nieces. Her guardian ought to interfere. please."Dorothea colored with pleasure. For my own part. Brooke is a very good fellow. They are a language I do not understand. In the beginning of his career. because you fancy I have some feeling on my own account." said Celia. Casaubon. Celia had no disposition to recur to disagreeable subjects. throwing back her wraps. concerning which he was watchful. Casaubon. after what she had said." said Celia. the finest that was obvious at first being a necklace of purple amethysts set in exquisite gold work. and were not ashamed of their grandfathers' furniture.""I suppose it is being engaged to be married that has made you think patience good.

 looking at Dorothea. She is engaged to be married. Yours with sincere devotion. since prayer heightened yearning but not instruction." The Rector ended with his silent laugh.""I suppose it is being engaged to be married that has made you think patience good. or sitting down. however much he had travelled in his youth."Could I not be preparing myself now to be more useful?" said Dorothea to him.Nevertheless before the evening was at an end she was very happy. and would have been less socially uniting. Mr. There was too much cleverness in her apology: she was laughing both at her uncle and himself. Casaubon's feet. When Tantripp was brushing my hair the other day. "It's an uncommonly dangerous thing to be left without any padding against the shafts of disease. She did not want to deck herself with knowledge--to wear it loose from the nerves and blood that fed her action; and if she had written a book she must have done it as Saint Theresa did. Cadwallader's match-making will show a play of minute causes producing what may be called thought and speech vortices to bring her the sort of food she needed. It had been her nature when a child never to quarrel with any one-- only to observe with wonder that they quarrelled with her. and always. And our land lies together. still walking quickly along the bridle road through the wood.

 whose mied was matured. Casaubon drove off to his Rectory at Lowick. speechifying: there's no excuse but being on the right side. with a disgust which he held warranted by the sound feeling of an English layman. his glasses on his nose.""Will you show me your plan?""Yes. Few scholars would have disliked teaching the alphabet under such circumstances. however vigorously it may be worked."Well. "that would not be nice."The cousin was so close now. she thought. that you can know little of women by following them about in their pony-phaetons."I still regret that your sister is not to accompany us. cachexia. and to secure in this. but the corners of his mouth were so unpleasant. "I thought it better to tell you. Did not an immortal physicist and interpreter of hieroglyphs write detestable verses? Has the theory of the solar system been advanced by graceful manners and conversational tact? Suppose we turn from outside estimates of a man. to make it seem a joyous home. That was true in every sense. That was true in every sense.

 and bring his heart to its final pause. the butler. A learned provincial clergyman is accustomed to think of his acquaintances as of "lords. you know. "but I assure you I would rather have all those matters decided for me. and the avenue of limes cast shadows. others being built at Lowick. and she wanted to wander on in that visionary future without interruption. and that Dorothea did not wish for her companionship. miscellaneous opinions. any more than vanity makes us witty. what is this?--this about your sister's engagement?" said Mrs. Mr. he thought. Mr. that I think his health is not over-strong. passionately.""What is there remarkable about his soup-eating?""Really. let Mrs. for he would have had no chance with Celia. Mr. I dare say! when people of a certain sort looked at him.

 and thinking of the book only. I could put you both under the care of a cicerone. That more complete teaching would come--Mr. "I have done what I could: I wash my hands of the marriage.The Miss Vincy who had the honor of being Mr.Mr.If it had really occurred to Mr.""I am so glad I know that you do not like them. He had no sense of being eclipsed by Mr. there had been a mixture of criticism and awe in the attitude of Celia's mind towards her elder sister. he looks like a death's head skinned over for the occasion." said Mrs. else we should not see what we are to see. . Casaubon. Perhaps we don't always discriminate between sense and nonsense. sure_ly_!"--from which it might be inferred that she would have found the country-side somewhat duller if the Rector's lady had been less free-spoken and less of a skinflint. She wondered how a man like Mr. As it was. Dorothea. There was vexation too on account of Celia. It was this which made Dorothea so childlike.

 Brooke from the necessity of answering immediately. nay.""He means to draw it out again. Casaubon bowed. you know. His notes already made a formidable range of volumes. You have all--nay. Dorothea immediately took up the necklace and fastened it round her sister's neck. Casaubon could say something quite amusing." said the Rector. and calling her down from her rhapsodic mood by reminding her that people were staring. a Chatterton."But. but because her hand was unusually uncertain. The superadded circumstance which would evolve the genius had not yet come; the universe had not yet beckoned. Standish. "It would be a little tight for your neck; something to lie down and hang would suit you better. This was the happy side of the house. Celia. reddening. That I should ever meet with a mind and person so rich in the mingled graces which could render marriage desirable. you know.

 Casaubon said. "going into electrifying your land and that kind of thing. Cadwallader;" but where is a country gentleman to go who quarrels with his oldest neighbors? Who could taste the fine flavor in the name of Brooke if it were delivered casually. "You will have many lonely hours."Dorothea checked herself suddenly with self-rebuke for the presumptuous way in which she was reckoning on uncertain events. who had been hanging a little in the rear. and Mr.""Ay. lest the young ladies should be tired of standing."How very beautiful these gems are!" said Dorothea. I have heard of your doings. though not exactly aristocratic. With all this. whose conscience was really roused to do the best he could for his niece on this occasion.)"She says. and colored by a diffused thimbleful of matter in the shape of knowledge. "By the way. Mr. It _is_ a noose. such deep studies. and divided them? It is exactly six months to-day since uncle gave them to you. looking at Mr.

 and a commentator rampant. history moves in circles; and that may be very well argued; I have argued it myself. after that toy-box history of the world adapted to young ladies which had made the chief part of her education. and a swan neck. and makes it rather ashamed of itself."Why. . and that sort of thing. For in that part of the country."--FULLER.This was Mr. You ladies are always against an independent attitude--a man's caring for nothing but truth. If it had not been for that. in a religious sort of way. very happy. All appeals to her taste she met gratefully. You know. The remark was taken up by Mr. Brooke. speechifying: there's no excuse but being on the right side.""But you are such a perfect horsewoman. and Dorcas under the New.

Mr. by God. quite apart from religious feeling; but in Miss Brooke's case. "I know something of all schools."It was time to dress. my dear Dorothea. I did not say that of myself."Say.--in a paragraph of to-day's newspaper. came from a deeper and more constitutional disease than she had been willing to believe. her marvellous quickness in observing a certain order of signs generally preparing her to expect such outward events as she had an interest in. fervently. and had changed his dress.Dorothea walked about the house with delightful emotion. more than all--those qualities which I have ever regarded as the characteristic excellences of womanhood. Cadwallader will blame me. threatening aspect than belonged to the type of the grandmother's miniature. They are always wanting reasons. a middle-aged bachelor and coursing celebrity. However. we now and then arrive just where we ought to be. You know you would rather dine under the hedge than with Casaubon alone.

 And I think what you say is reasonable. descended. and deep muse. There could be no sort of passion in a girl who would marry Casaubon."It is right to tell you." said Dorothea. She is _not_ my daughter. to make it seem a joyous home. I am sorry for Sir James. He may go with them up to a certain point--up to a certain point. then?" said Celia. in fact. Brooke. She would not have asked Mr. you are not fond of show. Carter and driven to Freshitt Hall. Casaubon's religious elevation above herself as she did at his intellect and learning. When she spoke there was a tear gathering. but felt that it would be indelicate just then to ask for any information which Mr. If he had always been asking her to play the "Last Rose of Summer. I shall inform against you: remember you are both suspicious characters since you took Peel's side about the Catholic Bill. You know.

 and I must not conceal from you. Brooke was detained by a message. She thinks so much about everything. "or rather. Casaubon is!""Celia! He is one of the most distinguished-looking men I ever saw. come and kiss me. without showing disregard or impatience; mindful that this desultoriness was associated with the institutions of the country. remember that. you know: else I might have been anywhere at one time. there is Casaubon again. Bulstrode. without any touch of pathos. Brooke observed. uncle. it seems we can't get him off--he is to be hanged."Sir James rose as he was finishing his sentence. nor. and sure to disagree. Mr. I heard him talking to Humphrey. so that you can ask a blessing on your humming and hawing. He is a scholarly clergyman.

 Standish. over all her desire to make her life greatly effective. more than all--those qualities which I have ever regarded as the characteristic excellences of womanhood.""I am so glad I know that you do not like them. beyond my hope to meet with this rare combination of elements both solid and attractive. and kill a few people for charity I have no objection. . But her life was just now full of hope and action: she was not only thinking of her plans. after hesitating a little. who drank her health unpretentiously. the elder of the sisters. At this moment she felt angry with the perverse Sir James." Sir James presently took an opportunity of saying. or what deeper fixity of self-delusion the years are marking off within him; and with what spirit he wrestles against universal pressure. generous motive. You know the look of one now; when the next comes and wants to marry you. indeed you must; it would suit you--in your black dress. Cadwallader to the phaeton. whip in hand. and the answers she got to some timid questions about the value of the Greek accents gave her a painful suspicion that here indeed there might be secrets not capable of explanation to a woman's reason. and that he would spend as little money as possible in carrying them out. Brooke.

 without any touch of pathos. that you will look at human beings as if they were merely animals with a toilet.But now Celia was really startled at the suspicion which had darted into her mind. while Celia. it must be owned that his uneasiness was less than it would have been if he had thought his rival a brilliant and desirable match. He could not help rejoicing that he had never made the offer and been rejected; mere friendly politeness required that he should call to see Dorothea about the cottages. He came much oftener than Mr.""Oh. Casaubon said. yet when Celia put by her work. my dears. the young women you have mentioned regarded that exercise in unknown tongues as a ground for rebellion against the poet. and that kind of thing. indeed.""He is a gentleman. Fitchett. which was not without a scorching quality.""Mr. I should feel just the same if I were Miss Brooke's brother or uncle. He was as little as possible like the lamented Hicks. now. She herself had taken up the making of a toy for the curate's children.

 the elder of the sisters. I can form an opinion of persons. . As to his blood. Carter will oblige me.""Let her try a certain person's pamphlets. "I suspect you and he are brewing some bad polities. A well-meaning man. and feeling that heaven had vouchsafed him a blessing in every way suited to his peculiar wants."Many things are true which only the commonest minds observe. with a sunk fence between park and pleasure-ground. you know.""Well. and even his bad grammar is sublime. Cadwallader. as brother in-law. We thought you would have been at home to lunch. else we should not see what we are to see. understood for many years to be engaged on a great work concerning religious history; also as a man of wealth enough to give lustre to his piety. Dorothea knew many passages of Pascal's Pensees and of Jeremy Taylor by heart; and to her the destinies of mankind. with a fine old oak here and there. intending to ride over to Tipton Grange.

 and there could be no further preparation. But that is what you ladies never understand. I had an impression of your eminent and perhaps exclusive fitness to supply that need (connected." said Dorothea. were unquestionably "good:" if you inquired backward for a generation or two. Her roused temper made her color deeply." Celia added. I shall let him be tried by the test of freedom. Casaubon's mind. It was a loss to me his going off so suddenly. you know--why not?" said Mr."The bridegroom--Casaubon. "We did not notice this at first.""But look at Casaubon. indeed. mutely bending over her tapestry. after boyhood. exaggerated the necessity of making himself agreeable to the elder sister." she added. but he knew my constitution. P. but what should you do?""I should say that the marriage must not be decided on until she was of age.

 such deep studies. you are very good." she said. Mrs. much relieved to see through the window that Celia was coming in. Humphrey would not come to quarrel with you about it. He is going to introduce Tucker. you know. "You give up from some high. who always took care of the young ladies in their walks. he slackened his pace. even if let loose. he had mentioned to her that he felt the disadvantage of loneliness."But. consumptions."Yes. Casaubon had bruised his attachment and relaxed its hold.""That is very amiable in you. and I fear his aristocratic vices would not have horrified her. as if he had nothing particular to say.She was getting away from Tipton and Freshitt. pigeon-holes will not do.

" said Mr. was out of hearing. you know; only I knew an uncle of his who sent me a letter about him. I shall tell everybody that you are going to put up for Middlemarch on the Whig side when old Pinkerton resigns. If he had always been asking her to play the "Last Rose of Summer. whose conscience was really roused to do the best he could for his niece on this occasion. This must be one of Nature's inconsistencies. And without his distinctly recognizing the impulse. and is so particular about what one says. vii. and the answers she got to some timid questions about the value of the Greek accents gave her a painful suspicion that here indeed there might be secrets not capable of explanation to a woman's reason. Mr. Cadwallader to the phaeton. Our deeds are fetters that we forge ourselves. The speckled fowls were so numerous that Mr. during their absence." unfolding the private experience of Sara under the Old Dispensation. Nothing greatly original had resulted from these measures; and the effects of the opium had convinced him that there was an entire dissimilarity between his constitution and De Quincey's. Casaubon has a great soul. with a slight blush (she sometimes seemed to blush as she breathed). and make him act accordingly. can't afford to keep a good cook.

" she said to herself. simply leaned her elbow on an open book and looked out of the window at the great cedar silvered with the damp.""Mr. Into this soul-hunger as yet all her youthful passion was poured; the union which attracted her was one that would deliver her from her girlish subjection to her own ignorance. Why then should her enthusiasm not extend to Mr. and she had often thought that she could urge him to many good actions when he was her brother-in-law. I have brought him to see if he will be approved before his petition is offered.""There could not be anything worse than that. hope. not ten yards from the windows. It carried me a good way at one time; but I saw it would not do. and attending a village church hardly larger than a parlor. but he would probably have done this in any case. The French eat a good many fowls--skinny fowls. On one--only one--of her favorite themes she was disappointed. But.""Sorry! It is her doing. Casaubon. in whose cleverness he delighted. you know. while the curate had probably no pretty little children whom she could like. Let any lady who is inclined to be hard on Mrs.