第8章
CHAPTERXVIII
THERIVALS
TheintimacybetweenFrankandMissDunstablegrewandprospered。Thatistosay，itprosperedasanintimacy，thoughperhapshardlyasaloveaffair。Therewasacontinuedsuccessionofjokesbetweenthem，whichnooneelseinthecastleunderstood；buttheveryfactoftherebeingsuchagoodunderstandingbetweenthemratherstoodinthewayof，thanassisted，thatconsummationwhichthecountessdesired。People，whentheyareinlovewitheachother，orevenwhentheypretendtobe，donotgenerallyshowitbyloudlaughter。Norisitfrequentlythecasethatawifewithtwohundredthousandpoundscanbewonwithoutsomelittlepreliminarydespair。
LadydeCourcy，whothoroughlyunderstoodthatportionoftheworldinwhichsheherselflived，sawthatthingswerenotgoingquiteastheyshoulddo，andgavemuchandrepeatedadvicetoFrankonthesubject。
Shewasthemoreeagerindoingthis，becausesheimaginedFrankhaddonewhathecouldtoobeyherfirstprecepts。HehadnotturneduphisnoseatMissDunstable"scurls，norfoundfaultwithherloudvoice：hehadnotobjectedtoherasugly，norevenshownanydisliketoherage。Ayoungmanwhohadbeensoamenabletoreasonwasworthyoffurtherassistance；andsoLadydeCourcydidwhatshecouldtoassisthim。
"Frank，mydearboy，"shewouldsay，"youarealittletoonoisy，I
think。Idon"tmeanformyself，youknow；Idon"tmindit。ButMissDunstablewouldlikeitbetterifyouwerealittlemorequietwithher。"
"Wouldshe，aunt？"saidFrank，lookingdemurelyupintothecountess"sface。"Iratherthinkshelikesfunandnoise，andthatsortofthing。Youknowshe"snotveryquietherself。"
"Ah！——but，Frank，therearetimes，youknow，whenthatsortofthingshouldbelaidaside。Fun，asyoucallit，isallverywellinitsplace。Indeed，noonelikesitbetterthanIdo。Butthat"snotthewaytoshowadmiration。Youngladiesliketobeadmired；andifyou"llbealittlemoresoft-manneredwithMissDunstable，I"msureyou"llfinditwillanswerbetter。"
Andsotheoldbirdtaughttheyoungbirdhowtofly——veryneedlessly——forinthismatterofflying，Naturegivesherownlessonsthoroughly；andtheducklingswilltakethewater，eventhoughthematernalhenwarnthemagainsttheperfidiouselementneversoloudly。
Soonafterthis，LadydeCourcybegantobenotverywellpleasedinthematter。ShetookitintoherheadthatMissDunstablewassometimesalmostinclinedtolaughather；andononeortwooccasionsitalmostseemedasthoughFrankwasjoiningMissDunstableindoingso。Thefactindeedwas，thatMissDunstablewasfondoffun；and，endowedasshewaswithalltheprivilegeswhichtwohundredthousandpoundsmaybesupposedtogivetoayounglady，didnotverymuchcareatwhomshelaughed。ShewasabletomakeatolerablycorrectguessatLadyDeCourcy"splantowardsherself；butshedidnotforamomentthinkthatFrankhadanyintentionoffurtheringhisaunt"sviews。Shewas，therefore，notatallill-inclinedtohaveherrevengeonthecountess。
"Howveryfondyourauntisofyou！"shesaidtohimonewetmorning，ashewassaunteringthroughthehouse；nowlaughing，andalmostrompingwithher——thenteasinghissisteraboutMrMoffat——andthenbotheringhislady-cousinsoutofalltheirpropriety。
"Oh，very！"saidFrank："sheisadear，goodwoman，ismyAuntDeCourcy。"
"Ideclareshetakesmorenoticeofyouandyourdoingsthanofanyofyourcousins。Iwondertheyaren"tjealous。"
"Oh！they"resuchgoodpeople。Blessme，they"dneverbejealous。"
"Youaresomuchyoungerthantheyare，thatIsupposeshethinksyouwantmoreofhercare。"
"Yes；that"sit。Youseesheisfondofhavingababytonurse。"
"Tellme，MrGresham，whatwasitshewassayingtoyoulastnight？I
knowwehavebeenmisbehavingourselvesdreadfully。Itwasallyourfault；youwouldmakemelaughso。"
"That"sjustwhatIsaidtoher。"
"Shewastalkingaboutit，then？"
"Howonearthshouldshetalkofanyoneelseaslongasyouarehere？
Don"tyouknowthatalltheworldistalkingaboutyou？"
"Isit？——dearme，howkind！ButIdon"tcareastrawaboutanyworldatpresentbutLadydeCourcy"sworld。Whatdidshesay？"
"Shesaidyouwereverybeautiful——"
"Didshe？——howgoodofher！"
"No；Iforgot。It——itwasIthatsaidthat；andshesaid——whatwasitshesaid？Shesaid，thatafterall，beautywasbutskindeep——andthatshevaluedyouforyourvirtuesandprudenceratherthanyourgoodlooks。"
"Virtuesandprudence！ShesaidIwasprudentandvirtuous？"
"Yes。"
"Andyoutalkedofmybeauty？Thatwassokindofyou。Youdidn"teitherofyousayanythingaboutothermatters？"
"Whatothermatters？"
"Oh！Idon"tknow。Onlysomepeoplearesometimesvaluedratherforwhatthey"vegotthanforanygoodqualitiesbelongingtothemselvesintrinsically。"
"ThatcanneverbethecasewithMissDunstable；especiallynotatCourcyCastle，"saidFrank，bowingeasilyfromthecornerofthesofaoverwhichhewasleaning。
"Ofcoursenot，"saidMissDunstable；andFrankatonceperceivedthatshespokeinatoneofvoicedifferingmuchfromthathalf-bantering，half-good-humouredmannerthatwascustomarywithher。"Ofcoursenot：
anysuchideawouldbequiteoutofthequestionwithLadydeCourcy。"
Shepausedforamoment，andthenaddedinatonedifferentagain，andunlikeanythathehadyetheardfromher：——"Itis，atanyrate，outofthequestionwithMrFrankGresham——ofthatIamquitesure。"
Frankoughttohaveunderstoodher，andhaveappreciatedthegoodopinionwhichsheintendedtoconvey；buthedidnotentirelydoso。Hewashardlyhonesthimselftowardsher；andhecouldnotatfirstperceivethatsheintendedtosaythatshethoughthimso。Heknewverywellthatshewasalludingtoherownhugefortune，andwasalludingalsotothefactthatpeopleoffashionsoughtherbecauseofit；buthedidnotknowthatsheintendedtoexpressatrueacquittalasregardedhimofanysuchbaseness。
Anddidhedeservetobeacquitted？Yes，uponthewholehedid；——tobeacquittedofthatspecialsin。HisdesiretomakeMissDunstabletemporarilysubjecttohisswayarose，notfromahankeringafterherfortune，butfromanambitiontogetthebetterofacontestinwhichothermenaroundhimseemedtobefailing。
Foritmustnotbeimaginedthat，withsuchaprizetobestruggledfor，allothersstoodaloofandallowedhimtohavehisownwaywiththeheiress，undisputed。Thechanceofawifewithtwohundredthousandpoundsisagodsend，whichcomesinaman"slifetooseldomtobeneglected，letthatchancebeneversoremote。
Frankwastheheirtoalargeembarrassedproperty；and，therefore，theheadsoffamilies，puttingtheirwisdomstogether，hadthoughtitmostmeetthatthisdaughterofPlutusshould，ifpossible，falltohislot。ButnotsothoughttheHonourableGeorge；andnotsothoughtanothergentlemanwhowasatthattimeaninmateofCourcyCastle。
Thesesuitorsperhapssomewhatdespisedtheiryoungrival"sefforts。Itmaybethattheyhadsufficientworldlywisdomtoknowthatsoimportantacrisisoflifeisnotsettledamongquipsandjokes，andthatFrankwastoomuchinjesttobeinearnest。Butbethatasitmay，hislove-makingdidnotstandinthewayoftheirlove-making；norhishopes，ifhehadany，inthewayoftheirhopes。
TheHonourableGeorgehaddiscussedthematterwiththeHonourableJohninaproperlyfraternalmanner。ItmaybethatJohnhadalsoaneyetotheheiress；but，ifso，hehadcededhisviewstohisbrother"ssuperiorclaims；foritcameaboutthattheyunderstoodeachotherverywell，andJohnfavouredGeorgewithsalutaryadviceontheoccasion。
"Ifitistobedoneatall，itshouldbedoneverysharp，"saidJohn。
"Assharpasyoulike，"saidGeorge。"I"mnotthefellowtobestudyingthreemonthsinwhatattitudeI"llfallatagirl"sfeet。"
"No：andwhenyouarethereyoumustn"ttakethreemonthsmoretostudyhowyou"llgetupagain。Ifyoudoitatall，youmustdoitsharp，"
repeatedJohn，puttinggreatstressonhisadvice。
"Ihavesaidafewsoftwordstoheralready，andshedidn"tseemtotakethembadly，"saidGeorge。
"She"snochicken，youknow，"remarkedJohn；"andwithawomanlikethat，beatingaboutthebushneverdoesanygood。Thechancesareshewon"thaveyou——that"sofcourse；plumslikethatdon"tfallintoaman"smouthmerelyforshakingthetree。Butit"spossibleshemay；andifshewill，she"saslikelytotakeyouto-dayasthisdaysixmonths。IfIwereyouI"dwriteheraletter。"
"Writeheraletter——eh？"saidGeorge，whodidnotaltogetherdisliketheadvice，foritseemedtotakefromhisshoulderstheburdenofpreparingaspokenaddress。Thoughhewassoglibinspeakingaboutthefarmers"daughters，hefeltthatheshouldhavesomelittledifficultyinmakingknownhispassiontoMissDunstable，bywordofmouth。
"Yes；writealetter。Ifshe"lltakeyouatall，she"lltakeyouthatway；halfthematchesgoingaremadeupbywritingletters。Writeheraletterandgetitputonherdressing-table。"Georgesaidthathewould，andsohedid。
GeorgespokequitetrulywhenhehintedthathehadsaidafewsoftthingstoMissDunstable。MissDunstable，however，wasaccustomedtohearsoftthings。Shehadbeencarriedmuchaboutinsocietyamongfashionablepeoplesince，onthesettlementofherfather"swill，shehadbeenpronouncedheiresstoalltheointmentofLebanon；andmanymenhadmadecalculationsrespectinghersimilartothosewhichwerenowanimatingthebrainoftheHonourableGeorgedeCourcy。Shewasalreadyquiteaccustomedtobeingatargetatwhichspendthriftsandtheneedyrichmightshoottheirarrows：accustomedtobeingshotat，andtolerablyaccustomedtoprotectherselfwithoutmakingscenesintheworld，orrejectingtheadvantageousestablishmentsofferedtoherwithanyloudexpressionsofdisdain。TheHonourableGeorge，therefore，hadbeenpermittedtosaysoftthingsverymuchasamatterofcourse。
Andverylittlemoreoutwardfracasarosefromthecorrespondencewhichfollowedthanhadarisenfromthesoftthingssosaid。Georgewrotetheletter，andhaditdulyconveyedtoMissDunstable"sbed-chamber。
MissDunstabledulyreceivedit，andhadheranswerconveyedbackdiscreetlytoGeorge"shands。Thecorrespondenceranasfollows：——
"CourcyCastle，Aug-，185。
"MYDEARESTMISSDUNSTABLE，"Icannotbutflattermyselfthatyoumusthaveperceivedfrommymannerthatyouarenotindifferenttome。Indeed，indeed，youarenot。Imaytrulysay，andswear"(theselaststrongwordshadbeenputinbythespecialcounseloftheHonourableJohn)，"thatifeveramanlovedawomantruly，Itrulyloveyou。YoumaythinkitveryoddthatIshouldsaythisinaletterinsteadofspeakingitoutbeforeyourface；butyourpowersofrailleryaresogreat"("touchherupaboutherwit"
hadbeentheadviceoftheHonourableJohn)"thatIamallbutafraidtoencounterthem。Dearest，dearestMartha——ohdonotblamemeforsoaddressingyou！——ifyouwilltrustyourhappinesstomeyoushallneverfindthatyouhavebeendeceived。Myambitionshallbetomakeyoushineinthatcirclewhichyouaresowellqualifiedtoadornandtoseeyoufirmlyfixedinthatsphereoffashionforwhichyourtastesadaptyou。
"Imaysafelyassert——andIdoassertitwithmyhandonmyheart——thatIamactuatedbynomercenarymotives。Farbeitfrommetomarryanywoman——no，notaprincess——onaccountofhermoney。Nomarriagecanbehappywithoutmutualaffection；
andIdofullytrust——no，nottrust，buthope——thattheremaybesuchbetweenyouandme，dearestMissDunstable。WhateversettlementsyoumightproposeIwouldaccedeto。Itisyou，yoursweetperson，thatIlove，notyourmoney。
"Formyself，IneednotremindyouthatIamthesecondsonofmyfather；andthat，assuch，Iholdnoinconsiderablestationintheworld。MyintentionistogetintoParliament，andtomakeanameformyself，ifIcan，amongthosewhoshineintheHouseofCommons。Myelderbrother，LordPorlock，is，youareaware，unmarried；andweallfearthatthefamilyhonoursarenotlikelytobeperpetuatedbyhim，ashehasallmanneroftroublesomeliaisonswhichwillprobablypreventhissettlinginlife。Thereisnothingatallofthatkindinmyway。ItwillindeedbeadelighttoplaceacoronetontheheadofmylovelyMartha：acoronetwhichcangivenofreshgracetoher，butwhichwillbesomuchadornedbyherwearingit。
"Dearest，MissDunstable，Ishallwaitwiththeutmostimpatienceforyouranswer；andnow，burningwithhopethatitmaynotbealtogetherunfavourabletomylove，Ibegpermissiontosignmyself"Yourownmostdevoted，"GEORGEDECOURCY"
Theardentloverhadnottowaitlongforananswerfromhismistress。
Shefoundthisletteronhertoilet-tableonenightasshewenttobed。Thenextmorningshecamedowntobreakfastandmetherswainwiththemostunconcernedairintheworld；somuchsothathebegantothink，ashemunchedhistoastwithratherashamefacedlook，thattheletteronwhichsomuchwastodependhadnotyetcomesafelytohand。
Buthissuspensewasnotofaprolongedduration。Afterbreakfast，aswashiswont，hewentouttothestableswithhisbrotherandFrankGresham；andwhilethere，MissDunstable"sman，cominguptohim，touchedhishat，andputaletterintohishand。
Frank，whoknewtheman，glancedattheletterandlookedathiscousin；buthesaidnothing。Hewas，however，alittlejealous，andfeltthataninjurywasdonetohimbyanycorrespondencebetweenMissDunstableandhiscousinGeorge。
MissDunstable"sreplywasasfollows；anditmayberemarkedthatitwaswritteninaveryclearandwell-pennedhand，andonewhichcertainlydidnotbetraymuchemotionoftheheart：-
"MYDEARMRDECOURCY，"IamsorrytosaythatIhadnotperceivedfromyourmannerthatyouentertainedanypeculiarfeelingstowardsme；as，hadIdoneso，Ishouldatoncehaveendeavouredtoputanendtothem。Iammuchflatteredbythewayinwhichyouspeakofme；
butIamintoohumbleapositiontoreturnyouraffection；
andcan，therefore，onlyexpressahopethatyoumaybesoonabletoeradicateitfromyourbosom。Aletterisaverygoodwayofmakinganoffer，andassuchIdonotthinkitatallodd；butIcertainlydidnotexpectsuchanhonourlastnight。
Astomyraillery，Itrustithasneveryethurtyou。Icanassureyouthatitnevershall。Ihopeyouwillsoonhaveaworthierambitionthanthattowhichyouallude；forIamwellawarethatnoattemptwillevermakemeshineanywhere。
"Iamquitesureyouhavehadnomercenarymotives：suchmotivesinmarriageareverybase，andquitebelowyournameandlineage。AnylittlefortunethatImayhavemustbeamatterofindifferencetoonewholooksforward，asyoudo，toputacoronetonhiswife"sbrow。Nevertheless，forthesakeofthefamily，ItrustthatLordPorlock，inspiteofhisobstacles，maylivetodothesameforawifeofhisownsomeofthesedays。Iamgladtohearthatthereisnothingtointerferewithyourownprospectsofdomesticfelicity。
"SincerelyhopingthatyoumaybeperfectlysuccessfulinyourproudambitiontoshineinParliament，andregrettingextremelythatIcannotsharethatambitionwithyou，Ibegtosubscribemyself，withverygreatrespect，"Yoursincerewell-wisher，"MARTHADUNSTABLE"
TheHonourableGeorge，withthatmodestywhichsowellbecamehim，acceptedMissDunstable"sreplyasafinalanswertohislittleproposition，andtroubledherwithnofurthercourtship。AshesaidtohisbrotherJohn，noharmhadbeendone，andhemighthavebetterlucknexttime。ButtherewasanintimateofCourcyCastlewhowassomewhatmorepertinaciousinhissearchafterloveandwealth。ThiswasnootherthanMrMoffat：agentlemanwhoseambitionwasnotsatisfiedbythecaresofhisBarchestercontest，orthepossessionofoneaffiancedbride。
MrMoffatwas，aswehavesaid，amanofwealth；butweallknow，fromthelessonsofearlyyouth，howtheloveofmoneyincreasesandgainsstrengthbyitsownsuccess。Norwasheamanofsomeanaspiritastobesatisfiedwithmerewealth。Hedesiredalsoplaceandstation，andgraciouscountenanceamongthegreatonesoftheearth。HencehadcomehisadherencetotheDeCourcys；hencehisseatinParliament；andhence，also，hisperhapsill-consideredmatchwithMissGresham。
Thereisnodoubtbutthattheprivilegeofmatrimonyoffersopportunitiestomoney-lovingyoungmenwhichoughtnottobelightlyabused。Toomanyyoungmenmarrywithoutgivinganyconsiderationtothematterwhatever。Itisnotthattheyareindifferenttomoney，butthattheyrecklesslymiscalculatetheirownvalue，andomittolookaroundandseehowmuchisdonebythosewhoaremorecareful。Amancanbeyoungbutonce，and，exceptincasesofaspecialinterpositionofProvidence，canmarrybutonce。Thechanceoncethrownawaymaybesaidtobeirrevocable！How，inafter-life，domentoilandturmoilthroughlongyearstoattainsomeprospectofdoubtfuladvancement！
Halfthattrouble，halfthatcare，atitheofthatcircumspectionwould，inearlyyouth，haveprobablysecuredtothemtheenduringcomfortofawife"swealth。
Youwillseemenlabouringnightanddaytobecomebankdirectors；andevenabankdirectionmayonlybetheroadtoruin。Otherswillspendyearsindegradingsubserviencytoobtainanicheinawill；andtheniche，whenatlastobtainedandenjoyed，isbutasorrypaymentforallthathasbeenendured。Othersagain，struggleharderstill，andgothroughevendeeperwaters：theymakewillsforthemselves，forgestock-shares，andfightwithunremitting，painfullabourtoappeartobethethingtheyarenot。Now，inmanyofthesecases，allthismighthavebeensparedhadthemenmadeadequateuseofthoseopportunitieswhichyouthandyouthfulcharmsaffordonce——andonceonly。Thereisnoroadtowealthsoeasyandrespectableasthatofmatrimony；that，isofcourse，providedthattheaspirantdeclinestheslowcoursetohonestwork。Butthen，wecansoseldomputoldheadsonyoungshoulders！
InthecaseofMrMoffat，wemayperhapssaythataspecimenwasproducedofthisbird，sorareintheland。Hisshoulderswerecertainlyyoung，seeingthathewasnotyetsix-and-twenty；buthisheadhadeverbeenold。Fromthemomentwhenhewasfirstputforthtogoalone——attheageoftwenty-one——hislifehadbeenonecalculationhowhecouldmakethemostofhimself。Hehadallowedhimselftobebetrayedintofollybyanunguardedheart；noyouthfulindiscretionhadmarredhisprospects。Hehadmadethemostofhimself。Withoutwitordepth，oranymentalgift——withouthonestyofpurposeorindustryforgoodwork——hehadbeenfortwoyearssittingmemberforBarchester；wastheguestofLorddeCourcy；wasengagedtotheeldestdaughterofoneofthebestcommoners"familiesinEngland；andwas，whenhefirstbegantothinkofMissDunstable，sanguinethathisre-electiontoParliamentwassecure。
When，however，atthisperiodhebegantocalculatewhathispositionintheworldreallywas，itoccurredtohimthathewasdoinganill-judgedthinginmarryingMissGresham。Whymarryapennilessgirl——forAugusta"strifleofafortunewasnotapennyinhisestimation——whiletherewasMissDunstableintheworldtobewon？Hisownsixorseventhousandayear，quiteunembarrassedasitwas，wascertainlyagreatthing；butwhatmighthenotdoiftothathecouldaddthealmostfabulouswealthofthegreatheiress？Wasshenothere，putabsolutelyinhispath？Woulditnotbeawilfulthrowingawayofachancenottoavailhimselfofit？Hemust，tobesure，losetheDeCourcyfriendship；butifheshouldthenhavesecuredhisBarchesterseatfortheusualtermofparliamentarysession，hemightbeabletosparethat。Hewouldalso，perhaps，encountersomeGreshamenmity：
thiswasapointonwhichhedidthinkmorethanonce：butwhatwillamannotencounterforthesakeoftwohundredthousandpounds？
ItwasthusthatMrMoffatarguedwithhimself，withmuchprudence，andbroughthimselftoresolvethathewouldatanyratebecomethecandidateforthegreatprize。Healso，therefore，begantosaysoftthings；anditmustbeadmittedthathesaidthemwithmoreconsiderateproprietythanhadtheHonourableGeorge。MrMoffathadanideathatMissDunstablewasnotafool，andthatinordertocatchherhemustdomorethanendeavourtolaysaltonhertail，intheguiseofflattery。Itwasevidenttohimthatshewasabirdofsomecunning，nottobecaughtbyanordinarygin，suchasthosecommonlyinusewiththeHonourableGeorgesofSociety。
ItseemedtoMrMoffat，thatthoughMissDunstablewassosprightly，sofulloffun，andsoreadytochatteronallsubjects，shewellknewthevalueofherownmoney，andofherpositionasdependentonit：heperceivedthatsheneverflatteredthecountess，andseemedtobenowhitabsorbedbythetitledgrandeurofherhost"sfamily。Hegavehercredit，therefore，foranindependentspirit：andanindependentspiritinhisestimationwasonethatplaceditssoledependenceonarespectablebalanceatitsbanker"s。
Workingontheseideas，MrMoffatcommencedoperationsinsuchmannerthathisoverturestotheheiressshouldnot，ifunsuccessful，interferewiththeGreshamsburyengagement。HebeganbymakingcommoncausewithMissDunstable：theirpositionsintheworld，hesaidtoher，werecloselysimilar。Theyhadbothrisenfromthelowerclassesbythestrengthofhonestindustry：theywerebothnowwealthy，andhadbothhithertomadesuchuseoftheirwealthastoinducethehighestaristocracyinEnglandtoadmitthemintotheircircles。
"Yes，MrMoffat，"hadMissDunstableremarked；"andifallthatIhearbetrue，toadmityouintotheirveryfamilies。"
AtthisMrMoffatslightlydemurred。Hewouldnotaffect，hesaid，tomisunderstandwhatMissDunstablemeant。Therehadbeensomethingsaidontheprobabilityofsuchanevent；buthebeggedMissDunstablenottobelieveallthatsheheardonsuchsubjects。
"Idonotbelievemuch，"saidshe；"butIcertainlydidthinkthatthatmightbecredited。"
MrMoffatwentontoshowhowitbehovedthemboth，inholdingouttheirhandshalf-waytomeetthearistocraticoverturesthatweremadetothem，nottoallowthemselvestobemadeuseof。Thearistocracy，accordingtoMrMoffat，werepeopleofaverynicesort；thebestacquaintanceintheworld；aportionofmankindtobenoticedbywhomshouldbeoneofthefirstobjectsinthelifeoftheDunstablesandtheMoffats。ButtheDunstablesandMoffatsshouldbeverycarefultogivelittleornothinginreturn。Much，verymuchinreturn，wouldbelookedfor。Thearistocracy，saidMrMoffat，werenotapeopletoallowinthelightoftheircountenancetoshineforthwithoutlookingforaquidproquo，forsomecompensatingvalue。InalltheirintercoursewiththeDunstablesandMoffats，theywouldexpectapayment。ItwasfortheDunstablesandMoffatstoseethat，atanyrate，theydidnotpaymoreforthearticletheygotthanitsmarketvalue。
Theywayinwhichshe，MissDunstable，andhe，MrMoffat，wouldberequiredtopaywouldbebytakingeachofthemsomepoorscionofthearistocracyinmarriage；andthusexpendingtheirhard-earnedwealthinprocuringhigh-pricedpleasuresforsomewell-bornpauper。Againstthis，peculiarcautionwastobeused。Ofcourse，thefurtherinductiontobeshownwasthis：thatpeoplesocircumstancedshouldmarryamongthemselves；theDunstablesandtheMoffatseachwiththeotherandnottumbleintothepitfallspreparedforthem。
WhetherthesegreatlessonshadanylastingeffectonMissDunstable"smindmaybedoubted。PerhapsshehadalreadymadeuphermindonthesubjectwhichMrMoffatsowelldiscussed。ShewasolderthanMrMoffat，and，inspiteofhistwoyearsofparliamentaryexperience，hadperhapsmoreknowledgeoftheworldwithwhichshehadtodeal。Butshelistenedtowhathesaidwithcomplacency；understoodhisobjectaswellasshehadthatofhisaristocraticrival；wasnowhitoffended；
butgroanedinherspiritasshethoughtofthewrongsofAugustaGresham。
Butallthisgoodadvice，however，wouldnotwinthemoneyforMrMoffatwithoutsomemoredecidedstep；andthatstephesoondecidedontaking，feelingassuredthatwhathehadsaidwouldhaveitsdueweightwiththeheiress。
ThepartyatCourcyCastlewasnowsoonabouttobebrokenup。ThemaleDeCourcysweregoingdowntoaScotchmountain。ThefemaleDeCourcysweretobeshippedofftoanIrishcastle。MrMoffatwastogouptotowntopreparehispetition。MissDunstablewasagainabouttostartonaforeigntourinbehalfofherphysicianandattendants；andFrankGreshamwasatlasttobeallowedtogotoCambridge；thatistosay，unlesshissuccesswithMissDunstableshouldrendersuchasteponhispartquitepreposterous。
"Ithinkyoumayspeaknow，Frank，"saidthecountess。"Ireallythinkyoumay：youhaveknownhernowforaconsiderabletime；and，asfarasIcanjudge，sheisveryfondofyou。"
"Nonsense，aunt，"saidFrank；"shedoesn"tcareabuttonforme。"
"Ithinkdifferently；andlookers-on，youknow，alwaysunderstandthegamebest。Isupposeyouarenotafraidtoaskher。"
"Afraid！"saidFrank，inatoneofconsiderablescorn。Healmostmadeuphismindthathewouldaskhertoshowthathewasnotafraid。Hisonlyobstacletodoingsowas，thathehadnottheslightestintentionofmarryingher。
Therewastobebutoneothergreateventbeforethepartybrokeup，andthatwasadinnerattheDukeofOmnium"s。ThedukehadalreadydeclinedtocometoCourcy；buthehadinameasureatonedforthisbyaskingsomeofthegueststojoinagreatdinnerwhichhewasabouttogivetohisneighbours。
MrMoffatwastoleaveCourcyCastlethedayafterthedinner-party，andhethereforedeterminedtomakehisgreatattemptonthemorningofthatday。Itwaswithsomedifficultythathebroughtaboutanopportunity；butatlasthedidso，andfoundhimselfalonewithMissDunstableinthewalksofCourcyPark。
"Itisastrangething，isitnot，"saidhe，recurringtohisoldviewofthesamesubject，"thatIshouldbegoingtodinewiththeDukeofOmnium——therichestman，theysay，amongthewholeEnglisharistocracy？"
"Menofthatkindentertaineverybody，Ibelieve，nowandthen，"saidMissDunstable，notverycivilly。
"Ibelievetheydo；butIamnotgoingasoneoftheeverybodies。IamgoingfromLorddeCourcy"shousewithsomeofhisownfamily。Ihavenoprideinthat——nottheleast；Ihavemoreprideinmyfather"shonestindustry。Butitshowswhatmoneydoesinthiscountryofours。"
"Yes，indeed；moneydoesagreatdealmanyqueerthings。"InsayingthisMissDunstablecouldnotbutthinkthatmoneyhaddoneaveryqueerthingininducingMissGreshamtofallinlovewithMrMoffat。
"Yes；wealthisverypowerful：hereweare，MissDunstable，themosthonouredguestsinthehouse。"
"Oh！Idon"tknowaboutthat；youmaybe，foryouareamemberofParliament，andallthat——"
"No；notamembernow，MissDunstable。"
"Well，youwillbe，andthat"sallthesame；butIhavenosuchtitletohonour，thankGod。"
Theywalkedoninsilenceforalittlewhile，forMrMoffathardlyknewwhotomanagethebusinesshehadinhand。"Itisquitedelightfultowatchthesepeople，"hesaidatlast；"nowtheyaccuseusofbeingtuft-hunters。"
"Dothey？"saidMissDunstable。"UponmywordIdidn"tknowthatanybodyeversoaccusedme。"
"Ididn"tmeanyouandmepersonally。"
"Oh！I"mgladofthat。"
"Butthatiswhattheworldsaysofpersonsofourclass。Nowitseemstomethattoadyingisallontheotherside。Thecountessheredoestoadyyou，andsodotheyoungladies。"
"Dothey？ifso，uponmywordIdidn"tknowit。But，totellthetruth，Idon"tthinkmuchofsuchthings。Ilivemostlytomyself，MrMoffat。"
"Iseethatyoudo，andIadmireyouforit；but，MissDunstable，youcannotalwaysliveso，"andMrMoffatlookedatherinamannerwhichgaveherthefirstintimationofhiscomingburstoftenderness。
"That"sasmaybe，MrMoffat，"saidshe。
Hewentonbeatingaboutthebushforsometime——givinghertounderstandnownecessaryitwasthatpersonssituatedastheywereshouldliveeitherforthemselvesorforeachother，andthat，aboveallthings，theyshouldbewareoffallingintothemouthsofvoraciousaristocraticlionswhogoaboutlookingforprey——tilltheycametoaturninthegrounds；atwhichMissDunstabledeclaredherintentionofgoingin。Shehadwalkedenough，shesaid。AsbythistimeMrMoffat"simmediateintentionswerebecomingvisibleshethoughtitprudenttoretire。"Don"tletmetakeyouin，MrMoffat；butmybootsarealittledamp，andDrEasymanwillneverforgivemeifIdonothurryinasfastasIcan。"
"Yourfeetdamp？——Ihopenot：Idohopenot，"saidhe，withalookofthegreatestsolicitude。
"Oh！it"snothingtosignify；butit"swelltobeprudent，youknow。
Goodmorning，MrMoffat。"
"MissDunstable！"
"Eh——yes！"andMissDunstablestoppedinthegrandpath。"Iwon"tletyoureturnwithme，MrMoffat，becauseIknowyouwerecominginsosoon。"
"MissDunstable；Ishallbeleavinghereto-morrow。"
"Yes；andIgomyselfthedayafter。"
"Iknowit。Iamgoingtotownandyouaregoingabroad。Itmaybelong——verylong——beforewemeetagain。"
"AboutEaster，"saidMissDunstable；"thatis，ifthedoctordoesn"tknownupontheroad。"
"AndIhad，hadwishtosaysomethingbeforewepartforsolongatime。MissDunstable——"
"Stop！——MrMoffat。Letmeaskyouonequestion。I"llhearanythingthatyouhavegottosay，butononecondition：thatis，thatMissAugustaGreshamshallbebywhileyousayit。Willyouconsenttothat？"
"MissAugustaGresham，"saidhe，"hasnorighttolistentomyprivateconversation。"
"Hasshenot，MrMoffat？thenIthinksheshouldhave。I，atanyrate，willnotsofarinterferewithwhatIlookonasherundoubtedprivilegesastobeapartytoanysecretinwhichshemaynotparticipate。"
"But，MissDunstable——"
Andtotellyoufairly，MrMoffat，anysecretthatyoudotellme，I
shallmostundoubtedlyrepeattoherbeforedinner。Goodmorning，MrMoffat；myfeetarecertainlyalittledamp，andifIstayamomentlonger，DrEasymanwillputoffmyforeigntripforatleastaweek。"
Andsoshelefthimstandingaloneinthemiddleofthegravel-walk。
Foramomentortwo，MrMoffatconsoledhimselfinhismisfortunebythinkinghowhemightavengehimselfonMissDunstable。Soon，however，suchfutileideaslefthisbrain。Whyshouldhegiveoverthechasebecausetherichgalleonhadescapedhimonthis，hisfirstcruiseinpursuitofher？Suchprizeswerenottobewonsoeasily。HispresentobjectionclearlyconsistedinhisengagementtoMissGresham，andinthatonly。Letthatengagementbeatanend，notoriouslyandpubliclybrokenoff，andthisobjectionwouldfalltotheground。Yes；shipssorichlyfreightedwerenottoberundowninonesummermorning"splainsailing。InsteadoflookingforhisrevengeonMissDunstable，itwouldbemoreprudentinhim——moreinkeepingwithhischaracter——topursuehisobject，andovercomesuchdifficultiesashemightfindhisway。
CHAPTERXIX
THEDUKEOFOMNIUM
TheDukeofOmniumwas，aswehavesaid，abachelor。Notthelessonthataccountdidheoncertainraregaladaysentertainthebeautyofthecountyinhismagnificentruralseat，orthefemalefashionofLondoninBelgraveSquare；butonthisoccasionthedinneratGatherumCastle——forsuchwasthenameofhismansion——wastobeconfinedtothelordsofthecreation。Itwastobeoneofthosedaysonwhichhecollectedroundhisboardallthenotablesofthecounty，inorderthathispopularitymightnotwane，ortheestablishedgloryofhishospitablehousebecomedim。
OnsuchanoccasionitwasnotprobablethatLorddeCourcywouldbeoneoftheguests。Theyparty，indeed，whowentfromCourcyCastlewasnotlarge，andconsistedoftheHonourableGeorge，MrMoffat，andFrankGresham。Theywentinatax-cart，withatandemhorse，drivenveryknowinglybyGeorgedeCourcy；andthefourthseatonthebackofthevehiclewasoccupiedbyaservant，whowastolookafterthehorsesatGatherum。
TheHonourableGeorgedroveeitherwellorluckily，forhereachedtheduke"shouseinsafety；buthedroveveryfast。PoorMissDunstable！
whatwouldhavebeenherlothadanythingbutgoodhappenedtothatvehicle，sorichlyfreightedwithherthreelovers！Theydidnotquarrelastotheprize，andallreachedGatherumCastleingood-humourwitheachother。
Thecastlewasnewbuildingofwhitestone，latelyerectedatanenormouscostbyoneofthefirstarchitectsoftheday。Itwasanimmensepile，andseemedtocovergroundenoughforamoderate-sizedtown。But，nevertheless，reportsaidthatwhenitwascompleted，thenobleownerfoundthathehadnoroomstolivein；andthat，onthisaccount，whendisposedtostudyhisowncomfort，heresidedinahouseofperhapsone-tenthofthesize，builtbyhisgrandfatherinanothercounty。
GatherumCastlewouldprobablybecalledItalianinitsstyleofarchitecture；thoughitmay，Ithink，bedoubtedwhetheranysuchedifice，oranythinglikeit，waseverseeninanypartofItaly。Itwasavastedifice；irregularinheight——oritappearedtobe——havinglongwingsoneachsidetoohightobepassedoverbytheeyeasmereadjunctstothemansion，andaporticosolargeastomakethehousebehinditlooklikeanotherbuildingofagreateraltitude。ThisporticowassupportedbyIoniccolumns，andwasinitselfdoubtlessabeautifulstructure。Itwasapproachedbyaflightofsteps，verybroadandverygrand；but，asanapproach，byaflightofstepshardlysuitsanEnglishman"shouse，totheimmediateentranceofwhichitisnecessarythathiscarriageshoulddrive，therewasanotherfrontdoorinoneofthewingswhichwascommonlyused。Acarriage，however，couldonverystupendouslygrandoccasions——thevisits，forinstance，ofqueensandkings，androyaldukes——bebroughtupundertheportico；asthestepshadbeensoconstructedastoadmitofaroad，witharatherstiffascent，beingmadecloseinfrontofthewingupintotheveryporch。
0peningfromtheporchwasthegrandhall，whichextendeduptothetopofthehouse。Itwasmagnificent，indeed；beingdecoratedwithmany-colouredmarbles，andhungroundwithvarioustrophiesofthehouseofOmnium；bannerswerethere，andarmour；thesculpturedbustsofmanynobleprogenitors；full-lengthfiguresofmarbleofthosewhohadbeenespeciallyprominent；andeverymonumentofgloryandwealth，longyears，andgreatachievementscouldbringtogether。Ifonlyamancouldbutliveinhishallandbeforeverhappythere！ButtheDukeofOmniumcouldnotlivehappilyinhishall；andthefactwas，thatthearchitect，incontrivingthismagnificententranceforhisownhonourandfame，haddestroyedtheduke"shouseasregardsmostoftheordinarypurposesofresidence。
Nevertheless，GatherumCastleisaverynoblepile；and，standingasitdoesaneminence，hasaveryfineeffectwhenseenfrommanyadistantknollandverdant-woodedhill。
Atseveno"clock，MrdeCourcyandhisfriendsgotdownfromtheirdragatthesmallerdoor——forthiswasnodayonwhichtomountupundertheportico；norwasthatanysuitablevehicletohavebeenentitledtosuchhonour。Frankfeltsomeexcitementalittlestrongerthanthatusualtohimatsuchmoments，forhehadneveryetbeenincompanywiththeDukeofOmnium；andheratherpuzzledhimselftothinkonwhatpointshewouldtalktothemanwhowasthelargestlandownerinthatcountyinwhichhehimselfhadsogreataninterest。He，however，madeuphismindthathewouldallowtheduketochoosehisownsubjects；
merelyreservingtohimselftherightofpointingouthowdeficientingorsecoverswasWestBarsetshire——thatbeingtheduke"sdivision。
Theyweresoondivestedoftheircoatsandhats，and，withoutenteringonthemagnificenceofthegreathall，wereconductedthroughratheranarrowpassageintoratherasmalldrawing-room——small，thatis，inproportiontothenumberofgentlementhereassembled。Theremightbeaboutthirty，andFrankwasinclinedtothinkthattheywerealmostcrowded。Amancameforwardtogreetthemwhentheirnameswereannounced；butourheroatonceknewthathewasnottheduke；forthismanwasfatandshort，whereasthedukewasthinandtall。
Therewasagreathubbubgoingon；foreverybodyseemedtobetalkingtohisneighbour；or，indefaultofaneighbour，tohimself。Itwasclearthattheexaltedrankoftheirhosthadputverylittleconstraintonhisguests"tongues，fortheychattedawaywithasmuchfreedomasfarmersatanordinary。
"Whichistheduke？"atlastFrankcontrivedtowhispertohiscousin。
"Oh；——he"snothere，"saidGeorge；"Isupposehe"llbeinpresently。I
believehenevershowstilljustbeforedinner。"
Frank，ofcourse，hadnothingfurthertosay；buthealreadybegantofeelhimselfalittlesnubbed：hethoughtthattheduke，dukethoughhewas，whenheaskedpeopletodinnershouldbetheretotellthemthathewasgladtoseethem。
Morepeopleflashedintotheroom，andFrankfoundhimselfrathercloselywedgedinwithastoutclergymanofhisacquaintance。Hewasnotbadlyoff，forMrAthillwasafriendofhisown，whohadheldalivingnearGreshamsbury。Lately，however，atthelamenteddeceaseofDrStanhope——whohaddiedofapoplexyathisvillainItaly——MrAthillhadbeenpresentedwiththebetterprefermentofEiderdown，andhad，therefore，removedtoanotherpartofthecounty。Hewassomewhatofabon-vivant，andamanwhothoroughlyunderstooddinner-parties；andwithmuchgoodnaturehetookFrankunderhisspecialprotection。
"Yousticktome，MrGresham，"hesaid，"whenwegointothedining-room。I"manoldhandattheduke"sdinners，andknowhowtomakeafriendcomfortableaswellasmyself。"
"Butwhydoesn"tthedukecomein？"demandedFrank。
"He"llbehereassoonasdinnerisready，"saidMrAthill。"Or，rather，thedinnerwillbereadyassoonasheishere。Idon"tcare，therefore，howsoonhecomes。"
Hewasbeginningtobeimpatient，fortheroomwasnownearlyfull，anditseemedevidentthatnootherguestswerecoming；whensuddenlyabellrang，andagongwassounded，andatthesameinstantadoorthathadnotyetbeenusedflewopen，andaveryplainlydressed，plain，tallmanenteredtheroom。FrankatonceknewthathewasatlastinthepresenceoftheDukeofOmnium。
Buthisgrace，lateashewasincommencingthedutiesashost，seemedinnohurrytomakeupforlosttime。Hequietlystoodontherug，withhisbacktotheemptygrate，andspokeoneortwowordsinaverylowvoicetooneortwogentlemenwhostoodnearesttohim。Thecrowd，inthemeanwhile，becamesuddenlysilent。Frank，whenhefoundthatthedukedidnotcomeandspeaktohim，feltthatheoughttogoandspeaktotheduke；butnooneelsedidso，andwhenhewhisperedhissurprisetoMrAthill，thatgentlemantoldhimthatthiswastheduke"spracticeonallsuchoccasions。
"Fothergill，"saidtheduke——anditwastheonlywordhehadyetspokenoutloud——"Ibelievewearereadyfordinner。"NowMrFothergillwastheduke"sland-agent，andheitwaswhohadgreetedFrankandhisfriendsattheirentrance。
Immediatelythegongwasagainsounded，andanotherdoorleadingoutofthedrawing-roomintothedining-roomwasopened。Thedukeledtheway，andthentheguestsfollowed。"Stickclosetome，MrGresham，"
saidAthill，"we"llgetaboutthemiddleofthetable，whereweshallbecosy——andontheothersideoftheroom，outofthisdreadfuldraught——Iknowtheplacewell，MrGresham；sticktome。"
MrAthill，whowasapleasant，chattycompanion，hadhardlyseatedhimself，andwastalkingtoFrankasquicklyashecould，whenMrFothergill，whosatatthebottomofthetable，askedhimtosaygrace。Itseemedtobequiteoutofthequestionthatthedukeshouldtakeanytroubleoverhisguestswhatever。MrAthillconsequentlydroppedthewordhewasspeaking，andutteredaprayer——ifitwasaprayer——thattheymightallhavegratefulheartsforwhichGodwasabouttogivethem。
Ifitwasaprayer！Asfarasmyownexperiencegoes，suchutterancesareseldomprayers，seldomcanbeprayers。Andifnotprayers，whatthen？Tomeitisunintelligiblethatthefulltideofglibbestchattercanbestoppedatamomentinthemidstofprofusegoodliving，andtheGiventhankedbecominglyinwordsofheartfeltpraise。Settingasideforthemomentwhatonedailyhearsandsees，maynotonedeclarethatachangesosuddenisnotwithinthecompassofthehumanmind？Butthen，tosuchreasoningonecannotbutaddwhatonedoeshearandsee；
onecannotbutjudgeoftheceremonybythemannerinwhichoneseesitperformed——uttered，thatis——andlistenedto。Clergymenthereare——onemeetsthemnowandthen——whoendeavourtogivetothedinner-tablegracesomeofthesolemnityofachurchritual，andwhatistheeffect？Muchthesameasthoughoneweretobeinterruptedforaminuteinthemidstofoneofourchurchliturgiestohearadrinking-song。
Anditwillbeargued，thatamanneedbelessthankfulbecause，atthemomentofreceiving，heuttersnotthanksgiving？orwillitbethoughtthatamanismadethankfulbecausewhatiscalledagraceisutteredafterdinner？Itcanhardlybeimaginedthatanyonewillsoargue，orsothink。
Dinner-gracesare，probably，thelastremainingrelicofcertaindailyserviceswhichtheChurchinoldendaysenjoined：nones，complines，andvesperswereothers。Ofthenonesandcomplineswehavehappilygotquit；anditmightbewellifwecouldgetridofthedinner-gracealso。Letanymanaskhimselfwhether，onhisownpart，theyareactsofprayerandthanksgiving——andifnotthat，whatthen？Itis，Iknow，allegedthatgracesaresaidbeforedinner，becauseourSaviourutteredablessingbeforehislastsupper。Icannotsaythattheideaofsuchanalogyispleasingtome。
Whenthelargepartyenteredthedining-roomoneortwogentlemenmightbeseentocomeinfromsomeotherdoorandsetthemselvesatthetableneartotheduke"schair。Thesewereguestsofhisown，whowerestayinginthehouse，hisparticularfriends，themenwithwhomhelived：theotherswerestrangerswhomhefed，perhapsonceayear，inorderthathisnamemightbeknowninthelandasthatofonewhodistributedfoodandwinehospitablythroughthecounty。Thefoodandwine，theattendancealso，andtheviewofthevastrepositoryofplatehevouchsafedwillinglytohiscountyneighbours；——butitwasbeyondhisgoodnaturetotalktothem。Tojudgebythepresentappearanceofmostofthem，theywerequiteaswellsatisfiedtobeleftalone。
Frankwasaltogetherastrangerthere，butMrAthillkneweveryoneatthetable。
"That"sApjohn，"saidhe："don"tyouknow，MrApjohn，theattorneyfromBarchester？he"salwayshere；hedoessomeofFothergill"slawbusiness，andmakeshimselfuseful。Ifanyfellowknowsthevalueofagooddinner，hedoes。You"llseethattheduke"shospitalitywillnotbethrownawayonhim。"
"It"sverymuchthrownawayonme，Iknow，"saidFrank，whocouldnotatallputupwiththeideaofsittingdowntodinnerwithouthavingbeenspokentobyhishost。
"Oh，nonsense！"saidhisclericalfriend；"you"llenjoyyourselfamazinglybyandby。ThereisnotmuchchampagneinanyotherhouseinBarsetshire；andthentheclaret——"AndMrAthillpressedhislipstogether，andgentlyshookhishead，meaningtosignifybythemotionthattheclaretofGatherumCastlewassufficientatonementforanypenancewhichamanmighthavetogothroughinhismodeofobtainingit。
"Whoisthatfunnylittlemansittingthere，nextbutonetoMrdeCourcy？Ineversawsuchaqueerfellowinmylife。"
"Don"tyouknowoldBolus？Well，IthoughteveryoneinBarsetshireknewBolus；youespeciallyshoulddoso，asheissuchadearfriendofDrThorne。"
"AdearfriendofDrThorne？"
"Yes；hewasapothecaryatScaringtonintheolddays，beforeDrFillgravecameintovogue。IrememberwhenBoluswasthoughttobeaverygoodsortofdoctor。"
"Ishe——ishe——"whisperedFrank，"ishebywayofagentleman？"
"Ha！ha！ha！Well，Isupposewemustbecharitable，andsaythatheisquiteasgood，atanyrate，asmanyotherstherearehere——"andMrAthill，ashespoke，whisperedintoFrank"sear，"Youseethere"sFinniehere，anotherBarchesterattorney。Now，IreallythinkwhereFinniegoes，Bolusmaygotoo。"
"Themorethemerrier，Isuppose，"saidFrank。
"Well，somethingalittlelikethat。IwonderwhyThorneisnothere？
I"msurehewasasked。"
"PerhapshedidnotparticularlywishtomeetFinnieandBolus。Doyouknow，MrAthill，Ithinkhewasquiterightnottocome。Asformyself，IwishIwasanywhereelse。"
"Ha！ha！ha！Youdon"tknowtheduke"swaysyet；andwhat"smore，you"reyoung，youhappyfellow！ButThorneshouldhavemoresense；heoughttoshowhimselfhere。"
Thegormandizingwasnowgoingonatatremendousrate。Thoughthevolubilityoftheirtongueshadbeenforawhilestoppedbythefirstshockoftheduke"spresence，theguestsseemedtofeelnosuchconstraintupontheirteeth。Theyfed，onemayalmostsay，rabidly，andgavetheirorderstotheservantsinaneagermanner；muchmoreimpressivethanthatusualatsmallerparties。MrApjohn，whosatimmediatelyoppositetoFrank，had，bysomewell-plannedmanoeuvre，contrivedtogetbeforehimthejowlofasalmon；but，unfortunately，hewasnotforawhileequallysuccessfulinthearticleofsauce。A
verylimitedportion——soatleastthoughtMrApjohn——hadbeenputonhisplate；andaservant，withahugesaucetureen，absolutelypassedbehindhisbackinattentivetohisaudiblerequests。PoorMrApjohninhisdespairturnedroundtoarrestthemanbyhiscoat-tails；buthewasamomenttoolate，andallbutfellbackwardsonthefloor。Asherightedhimselfhemutteredananathema，andlookedwithafaceofanguishathisplate。
"Anythingthematter，Apjohn？"saidMrFothergill，kindly，seeingtheutterdespairwrittenonthepoorman"scountenance；"canIgetanythingforyou？"
"Thesauce！"saidMrApjohn，inavoicethatwouldhavemeltedahermit；andashelookedatMrFothergill，hepointatthenowdistantsinner，whowasdispensinghismeltedambrosiaatleasttenheadsupwards，awayfromtheunfortunatesupplicant。
MrFothergill，however，knewwheretolookforbalmforsuchwounds，andinaminuteortwo，MrApjohnwasemployedquitetohisheart"scontent。
"Well，"saidFranktohisneighbour，"itmaybeverywellonceinaway；butIthinkthatonthewholeDrThorneisright。"
"MydearMrGresham，seetheworldonallsides，"saidMrAthill，whohadalsobeensomewhatintentonthegratificationofhisownappetite，thoughwithanenergylessevidentthanthatofthegentlemanopposite。"Seetheworldonallsidesifyouhaveanopportunity；and，believeme，agooddinnernowandthenisaverygoodthing。"
"Yes；butIdon"tlikeeatingwithhogs。"
"Whish-h！softly，softly，MrGresham，oryou"lldisturbMrApjohn"sdigestion。Uponmyword，he"llwantitallbeforehehasdone。Now，I
likethiskindofthingonceinaway。"
"Doyou？"saidFrank，inatonethatwasalmostsavage。
"Yes；indeedIdo。Oneseessomuchcharacter。Andafterall，whatharmdoesitdo？"
"Myideaisthatpeopleshouldlivewiththosewhosesocietyispleasanttothem。"
"Live——yes，MrGresham——Iagreewithyouthere。Itwouldn"tdoformetolivewiththeDukeofOmnium；Ishouldn"tunderstand，orprobablyapprove，hisways。NorshouldI，perhaps，muchliketheconstantpresenceofMrApjohn。Butnowandthen——onceinayearorso——IdoownIliketoseethemboth。Here"sthecup；now，whateveryoudo，MrGresham，don"tpassthecupwithouttastingit。"
Andsothedinnerpassedon，slowlyenoughasFrankthought，butalltooquicklyforMrApjohn。Itpassedaway，andthewinecamecirculatingfreely。Thetonguesagainwereloosed，theteethbeingreleasedfromtheirlabours，andundertheinfluenceoftheclarettheduke"spresencewasforgotten。
Butveryspeedilythecoffeewasbrought。"Thiswillsoonbeovernow，"saidFrank，tohimself，thankfully；for，thoughhebenomeansdespisedgoodclaret，hehadlosthistempertoocompletelytoenjoyitatthepresentmoment。Buthewasmuchmistaken；thefarceasyetwasonlyatitscommencement。Theduketookhiscupofcoffee，andsodidthefewfriendswhosatclosetohim；butthebeveragedidnotseemtobeingreatrequestwiththemajorityoftheguests。Whenthedukehadtakenhismodicum，heroseupandsilentlyretired，sayingnowordandmakingnosign。Andthenthefarcecommenced。
"Now，gentlemen，"saidMrFothergill，cheerily，"weareallright。
Apjohn，isthereclaretthere？MrBolus，IknowyousticktotheMadeira；youarequiteright，forthereisn"ttoomuchofitleft，andmybeliefisthere"llneverbemorelikeit。"
Andsotheduke"shospitalitywenton，andtheduke"sguestsdrankmerrilyforthenexttwohours。
"Shan"tweseeanymoreofhim？"askedFrank。
"Anymoreofwhom？"saidMrAthill。
"Oftheduke？"
"Oh，no；you"llseenomoreofhim。Healwaysgoeswhenthecoffeecomes。It"sbroughtinasanexcuse。We"vehadenoughofthelightofhiscountenancetolasttillnextyear。ThedukeandIareexcellentfriends；andhavebeensothesefifteenyears；butIneverseemoreofhimthanthat。"
"Ishallgoaway，"saidFrank。
"Nonsense。MrdeCourcyandyourotherfriendwon"tstirforthishouryet。"
"Idon"tcare。Ishallwalkon，andtheymaycatchme。Imaybewrong；butitseemstomethatamaninsultsmewhenheasksmetodinewithhimandneverspeakstome。Idon"tcareifhebetentimesDukeofOmnium；hecan"tbemorethanagentleman，andassuchIamhisequal。"Andthen，havingthusgivenventtohisfeelingsinsomewhathigh-flownlanguage，hewalkedforthandtrudgedawayalongtheroadtowardsCourcy。
FrankGreshamhadbeenbornandbredaConservative，whereastheDukeofOmniumwaswellknownasaconsistentWhig。ThereisnoonesodevoutlyresolvedtoadmitofnosuperiorasyourConservative，bornandbred，noonesoinclinedtohighdomesticdespotismasyourthoroughgoingconsistentoldWhig。
Whenhehadproceededaboutsixmiles，Frankwaspickedupbyhisfriends；buteventhenhisangerhadhardlycooled。
"Wasthedukeascivilaseverwhenyoutookyourleaveofhim？"saidhetohiscousinGeorge，ashetookhisseatonthedrag。
"Thejukewasjeucedjudewine——lemmetellyouthat，oldfella，"
hiccuppedouttheHonourableGeorge，ashetoucheduptheleaderundertheflank。
CHAPTERXX
THEPROPOSAL
AndnowthedeparturefromCourcyCastlecamerapidlyoneaftertheother，andthereremainedbutonemoreeveningbeforeMissDunstable"scarriagewastobepacked。Thecountess，intheearlymomentsofFrank"scourtship，hadcontrolledhisardourandcheckedtherapidityofhisamorousprofessions；butasdays，andatlastweeks，woreaway，shefoundthatitwasnecessarytostirthefirewhichshehadbeforeendeavouredtoslacken。
"Therewillbenobodyhereto-nightbutourowncircle，"saidshetohim，"andIreallythinkyoushouldtellMissDunstablewhatyourintentionsare。Shewillhavefairgroundtocomplainofyouifyoudon"t。"
Frankbegantofeelthathewasinadilemma。HehadcommencedmakinglovetoMissDunstablepartlybecausehelikedtheamusement，andpartlyfromasatiricalpropensitytoquizhisauntbyappearingtofallintoherscheme。Buthehadovershotthemark，anddidnotknowwhatanswertogivewhenhewasthuscalledupontomakeadownrightproposal。Andthen，althoughhedidnotcaretworushesaboutMissDunstableinthewayoflove，heneverthelessexperiencedasortofjealousywhenhefoundthatsheappearedtobeindifferenttohim，andthatshecorrespondedthemeanwhilewithhiscousinGeorge。Thoughalltheirflirtationshadbeencarriedononbothsidespalpablybywayoffun，thoughFrankhadtoldhimselftentimesadaythathisheartwastruetoMaryThorne，yethehadanundefinedfeelingthatitbehovedMissDunstabletobealittleinlovewithhim。Hewasnotquiteateaseinthatshewasnotalittlemelancholynowthathisdeparturewassonigh；and，aboveall，hewasanxioustoknowwhatweretherealfactsaboutthatletter。HehadinhisownbreastthreatenedMissDunstablewithaheartache；andnow，whenthetimefortheirseparationcame，hefoundthathisownheartwasthemorelikelytoacheofthetwo。
"IsupposeImustsaysomethingtoher，ormyauntwillneverbesatisfied，"saidhetohimselfashesaunteredintothelittledrawing-roomonthatlastevening。Butattheverytimehewasashamedofhimself，forheknewhewasgoingtoaskbadly。
Hissisterandoneofhiscousinswereintheroom，buthisaunt，whowasquiteonthealert，soongotthemoutofit，andFrankandMissDunstablewerealone。
"Soallourfunandallourlaughteriscometoanend，"saidshe，beginningtheconversation。"Idon"tknowhowyoufeel，butformyselfIreallyamalittlemelancholyattheideaofparting；"andshelookedupathimwithherlaughingblackeyes，asthoughsheneverhad，andnevercouldhaveacareintheworld。
"Melancholy！oh，yes；youlookso，"saidFrank，whoreallydidfeelsomewhatlackadaisicallysentimental。
"Buthowthoroughlygladthecountessmustbethatwearebothgoing，"
continuedshe。"Ideclarewehavetreatedhermostinfamously。Eversincewe"vebeenherewe"vehadtheamusementtoourselves。I"vesometimesthoughtshewouldturnmeoutofthehouse。"
"Iwishwithallmyheartshehad。"
"Oh，youcruelbarbarian！whyonearthshouldyouwishthat？"
"ThatImighthavejoinedyouinyourexile。IhateCourcyCastle，andshouldhaverejoicedtoleave——and——and——"
"Andwhat？"
"AndIloveMissDunstable，andshouldhavedoubly，treblyrejoicedtoleaveitwithher。"
Frank"svoicequiveredalittleashemadethisgallantprofession；butstillMissDunstableonlylaughedthelouder。"Uponmyword，ofallmyknightsyouarebyfarthebestbehaved，"saidshe，"andsaymuchtheprettiestthings。"Frankbecameratherredintheface，andfeltthathedidso。MissDunstablewastreatinghimlikeaboy。Whileshepretendedtobesofondofhimshewasonlylaughingathim，andcorrespondingthewhilewithhiscousinGeorge。NowFrankGreshamalreadyentertainedasortofcontemptforhiscousin，whichincreasedthebitternessofhisfeelings。CoulditreallybepossiblethatGeorgehadsucceededwhilehehadutterlyfailed；thathisstupidcousinhadtouchedtheheartoftheheiresswhileshewasplayingwithhimaswithaboy？
"Ofallyourknights！Isthatthewayyoutalktomewhenwearegoingtopart？Whenwasit，MissDunstable，thatGeorgedeCourcybecameoneofthem？"
MissDunstableforawhilelookedseriousenough。"Whatmakesyouaskthat？"saidshe。"WhatmakesyouinquireaboutMrdeCourcy？"
"Oh，Ihaveeyes，youknow，andcan"thelpseeing。NotthatIsee，orhaveseenanythingthatIcouldpossiblyhelp。"
"Andwhathaveyouseen，MrGresham？"
"Why，Iknowyouhavebeenwritingtohim。"
"Didhetellyouso？"
"No；hedidnottellme；butIknowit。"
Foramomentshesatsilent，andthenherfaceagainresumeditsusualhappysmile。"Come，MrGresham，youarenotgoingtoquarrelwithme，Ihope，evenifIdidwritealettertoyourcousin。WhyshouldInotwritetohim？Icorrespondwithallmannerofpeople。I"llwritetoyousomeofthesedaysifyou"llletme，andwillpromisetoanswermyletters。"
Frankthrewhimselfbackonthesofaonwhichhewassitting，and，indoingso，broughthimselfsomewhatnearertohiscompanionthanhehadbeen；hethendrewhishandslowlyacrosshisforehead，pushingbackhisthickhair，andashedidsohesighedsomewhatplaintively。
"Idonotcare，"saidhe，"fortheprivilegeofcorrespondenceonsuchterms。IfmycousinGeorgeistobeacorrespondentofyoursalso，I
willgiveupmyclaim。"
Andthenhesighedagain，sothatitwaspiteoustohearhim。Hewascertainlyanarrantpuppy，andanegregiousassintothebargain；butthen，itmustberememberedinhisfavourthathewasonlytwenty-one，andthatmuchhadbeendonetospoilhim。MissDunstabledidrememberthis，andthereforeabstainedfromlaughingathim。
"Why，MrGresham，whatonearthdoyoumean？InallhumanprobabilityIshallneverwriteanotherlinetoMrdeCourcy；but，ifIdid，whatpossibleharmcoulditdoyou？"
"Oh，MissDunstable！youdonotintheleastunderstandwhatmyfeelingsare。"
"Don"tI？ThenIhopeInevershall。IthoughtIdid。Ithoughttheywerethefeelingsofagood，true-heartedfriend；feelingsthatI
couldsometimeslookbackuponwithpleasureasbeinghonestwhensomuchthatonemeetsisfalse。Ihavebecomeveryfondofyou，MrGresham，andIshouldbesorrytothinkthatIdidnotunderstandyourfeelings。"
Thiswasalmostworseandworse。YoungladieslikeMissDunstable——forshewasstilltobenumberedinthecategoryofyoungladies——donotusuallytellyounggentlementhattheyareveryfondofthem。Toboysandgirlstheymaymakesuchadeclaration。NowFrankGreshamregardedhimselfasonewhohadalreadyfoughthisbattles，andfoughtthemnotwithoutglory；hecouldnotthereforeenduretobethusopenlytoldbyMissDunstablethatshewasveryfondofhim。
"Fondofme，MissDunstable！Iwishyouwere。"
"SoIam——very。"
"YoulittleknowhowfondIamofyou，MissDunstable，"andheputouthishandtotakeholdofhers。Shethenliftedupherown，andslappedhimlightlyontheknuckles。
"AndwhatcanyouhavetosaytosaytoMissDunstablethatcanmakeitnecessarythatyoushouldpinchherhand？Itellyoufairly，MrGresham，ifyoumakeafoolofyourself，Ishallcometoaconclusionthatyouareallfools，andthatitishopelesstolookoutforanyoneworthcaringfor。"
Suchadviceasthis，sokindlygiven，sowiselymeant，soclearlyintelligibleheshouldhavetakenandunderstood，youngashewas。butevenyethedidnotdoso。
"Afoolofmyself！Yes；IsupposeImustbeafoolifIhavesomuchregardforMissDunstableastomakeitpainfulformetoknowthatI
amtoseehernomore：afool：yes，ofcourseIamafool——amanisalwaysafoolwhenheloves。"
MissDunstablecouldnotpretendtodoubthismeaninganylonger；andwasdeterminedtostophim，letitcostwhatitwould。Shenowputoutherhand，notoverwhite，and，asFranksoonperceived，giftedwithaveryfairallowanceofstrength。
"Now，MrGresham，"saidshe，"beforeyougoanyfurtheryoushalllistentome。Willyoulistentomeforamomentwithoutinterruptingme？"
Frankwasofcourseobligedtopromisethathewoulddoso。
"Youaregoing——orratheryouweregoing，forIshallstopyou——tomakeaprofessionoflove。"
"Aprofession！"saidFrankmakingaslightunsuccessfulefforttogethishandfree。
"Yes；aprofession——afalseprofession，MrGresham，——afalseprofession——
afalseprofession。Lookintoyourheart——intoyourheartofhearts。I
knowyouatanyratehaveaheart；lookintoitclosely。MrGresham，youknowyoudonotloveme；notasamanshouldlovethewomanheswearstolove。"
Frankwastakenaback。Soappealedtohefoundthathecouldnotanylongersaythathedidloveher。Hecouldonlylookintoherfacewithallhiseyes，andsittherelisteningtoher。
"Howisitpossiblethatyoushouldloveme？IamHeavenknowshowmanyyearsyoursenior。Iamneitheryoungnorbeautiful，norhaveI
beenbroughtupassheshouldbewhomyouintimewillreallyloveandmakeyourwife。Ihavenothingthatshouldmakeyouloveme；but——butI
amrich。"
"Itisnotthat，"saidFrank，stoutly，feelinghimselfimperativelycalledupontouttersomethinginhisowndefence。
"Ah，MrGresham，Ifearitisthat。ForwhatotherreasoncanyouhavelaidyourplanstotalkinthiswaytosuchawomanasIam？"
"Ihavelaidnoplans，"saidFrank，nowgettinghishandtohimself。
"Atanyrate，youwrongmethere，MissDunstable。"
"Ilikeyousowell——nay，loveyou，ifawomanmaytalkofloveinthewayoffriendship——thatifmoney，moneyalonewouldmakeyouhappy，youshouldhaveitheapedonyou。Ifyouwantit，MrGresham，youshallhaveit。"
"Ihaveneverthoughtofyourmoney，"saidFrank，surlily。
"Butitgrievesme，"continuedshe，"itdoesgrieveme，tothinkthatyou，you，you——soyoungandgay，sobright——thatyoushouldhavelookedforitinthisway。FromothersIhavetakenitjustasthewindthatwhistles；"andnowtwobigslowtearsescapedfromhereyes，andwouldhaverolleddownherrosycheekswereitnotthatshebrushedthemoffwiththebackofherhand。
"Youhaveutterlymistakenme，MissDunstable，"saidFrank。
"IfIhave，Iwillhumblybegyourpardon，"saidshe，"but——but——but——"
Frankhadnothingfurthertosayinhisowndefence。HehadnotwantedMissDunstable"smoney——thatwastrue；buthecouldnotdenythathehadbeenabouttotalkthatabsolutenonsenseofwhichshespokewithsomuchscorn。
"Youwouldalmostmakemethinkthattherearenonehonestinthisfashionableworldofyours。IwellknowwhyLadydeCourcyhashadmehere：howcouldIhelpknowingit？Shehasbeensofoolishinherplansthattentimesadayshehastoldmeherownsecret。ButIhavesaidtomyselftwentytimes，thatifshewerecrafty，youwerehonest。"
"AndamIdishonest？"
"Ihavelaughedinmysleevetoseehowsheplayedhergame，andtohearothersaroundplayingtheirs；allofthemthinkingthattheycouldgetthemoneyofthepoorfoolwhohadcomeattheirbeckandcall；butIwasabletolaughatthemaslongasIthoughtthatIhadonetruefriendtolaughwithme。Butonecannotlaughwithalltheworldagainstone。"
"Iamnotagainstyou，MissDunstable。"
"Sellyourselfformoney！why，ifIwereamanIwouldnotsellonejotoflibertyformountainsofgold。What！tiemyselfintheheydayofmyyouthtoapersonIcouldneverlove，foraprice！perjuremyself，destroymyself——andnotonlymyself，butheralso，inorderthatImightliveidly！Oh，heavens！MrGresham！canitbethatthewordsofsuchawomanasyouraunthavesunksodeeplyinyourheart；haveblackenedyousofoullyasthis？Haveyouforgottenyoursoul，yourspirit，yourman"senergy，thetreasureofyourheart？Andyou，soyoung！Forshame，MrGresham！forshame——forshame。"
Frankfoundthetaskbeforehimbynomeansaneasyone。HehadtomakeMissDunstableunderstandthathehadneverhadtheslightestideaofmarryingher，andthathehadmadelovetohermerelywiththeobjectofkeepinghishandinfortheworkasitwere；withthatobject，andtheotherequallylaudableoneofinterferingwithhiscousinGeorge。
Andyettherewasnothingforhimbuttogetthroughthistaskasbesthemight。HewasgoadedtoitbytheaccusationswhichMissDunstablebroughtagainsthim；andhebegantofeel，thatthoughherinvectiveagainsthimmightbebitterwhenhehadtoldthetruth，theycouldnotbesobitterasthoseshenowkepthintingatunderhermistakenimpressionastohisviews。Hehadneverhadanystrongpropensityformoney-hunting；butnowthatoffenceappearedinhiseyesabominable，unmanly，anddisgusting。Anyimputationwouldbebetterthanthat。
"MissDunstable，Ineverforamomentthoughtofdoingwhatyouaccusemeof；onmyhonour，Ineverdid。Ihavebeenveryfoolish——verywrong——idiotic，Ibelieve；butIhaveneverintendedthat。"
"Then，MrGresham，whatdidyouintend？"