But now novelty had taken hold of him and urged him to make the most of it.


Mrs. Glasher was seated in the pleasant room where she habitually passed her mornings with her children round her.

Mrs. Glasher was seated in the pleasant room where she habitually passed her mornings with her children.

Book 4 - GWENDOLEN GETS HER CHOICE | Chapter 30


It had a square projecting window and looked on broad gravel and grass, sloping toward a little brook that entered the pool.

The window looked out on broad gravel and grass


The top of a low, black cabinet, the old oak table, the chairs in tawny leather, were littered with the children's toys, books and garden garments, at which a maternal lady in pastel looked down from the walls with smiling indulgence.

; the old oak table was littered with the children's toys and books.


The three girls, seated round their mother near the widow, were miniature portraits of her--dark-eyed, delicate-featured brunettes with a rich bloom on their cheeks, their little nostrils and eyebrows singularly finished as if they were tiny women, the eldest being barely nine.

The three girls, seated round their mother, were miniature portraits of her - dark-eyed, delicate-featured brunettes, the eldest being barely nine.


The boy was seated on the carpet at some distance, bending his blonde head over the animals from a Noah's ark, admonishing them separately in a voice of threatening command, and occasionally licking the spotted ones to see if the colors would hold.

The boy was seated on the carpet, bending his blonde head over the animals from a Noah's ark, admonishing them in a voice of threatening command, and occasionally licking them to see if the colours would hold.


Josephine, the eldest, was having her French lesson; and the others, with their dolls on their laps, sat demurely enough for images of the Madonna.


Mrs. Glasher's toilet had been made very carefully--each day now she said to herself that Grandcourt might come in.

Mrs. Glasher had dressed carefully, for each day now she said to herself that Grandcourt might come.


Her head, which, spite of emaciation, had an ineffaceable beauty in the fine profile, crisp curves of hair, and clearly-marked eyebrows, rose impressively above her bronze-colored silk and velvet, and the gold necklace which Grandcourt had first clasped round her neck years ago.

Her head, which though emaciated, had an ineffaceable beauty, rose impressively above her bronze-coloured silk and velvet, and the gold necklace which Grandcourt had first clasped round her neck years ago.


Not that she had any pleasure in her toilet; her chief thought of herself seen in the glass was, "How changed!"

Not that she had any pleasure in her looks; her chief thought when she looked in the glass was, "How changed!"


--but such good in life as remained to her she would keep.


If her chief wish were fulfilled, she could imagine herself getting the comeliness of a matron fit for the highest rank.


The little faces beside her, almost exact reductions of her own, seemed to tell of the blooming curves which had once been where now was sunken pallor.


But the children kissed the pale cheeks and never found them deficient.


That love was now the one end of her life.


Suddenly Mrs. Glasher turned away her head from Josephine's book and listened.

Suddenly Mrs. Glasher turned her head and listened.


Henleigh the boy jumped up and said, "Mamma, is it the miller with my donkey?"


He got no answer, and going up to his mamma's knee repeated his question in an insistent tone.

He got no answer, and going up to his mamma's knee repeated his question insistently.


But the door opened, and the servant announced Mr. Grandcourt.


Henleigh frowned at him in disgust at his not being the miller, and the three little girls lifted up their dark eyes to him timidly.


They had none of them any particular liking for this friend of mamma's--in fact, when he had taken Mrs. Glasher's hand and then turned to put his other hand on Henleigh's head, that energetic scion began to beat the friend's arm away with his fists.

They had none of them any particular liking for this friend of mamma's - in fact, when he put his hand on Henleigh's head, the boy began to beat the arm away with his fists.


The little girls submitted bashfully to be patted under the chin and kissed, but on the whole it seemed better to send them into the garden, where they were presently dancing and chatting with the dogs on the gravel.

The little girls submitted bashfully to be patted under the chin, but on the whole it seemed better to send them into the garden, where they were presently dancing and chatting with the dogs on the gravel.


said Mrs. Glasher, as Grandcourt put away his hat and overcoat.


"From Diplow," he answered slowly, seating himself opposite her and looking at her with an unnoting gaze which she noted.

"From Diplow," he answered slowly, seating himself opposite her. She noted his unseeing gaze.


"No, I rested at the Junction--a hideous hole.

"No, I rested at the Junction - a hideous hole.


These railway journeys are always a confounded bore."


Grandcourt drew out his handkerchief, rubbed his face, and in returning the handkerchief to his pocket looked at his crossed knee and blameless boot, as if any stranger were opposite to him, instead of a woman quivering with a suspense which every word and look of his was to incline toward hope or dread.

Grandcourt rubbed his face, and looked at his crossed knee and blameless boot, as if a stranger sat opposite him, instead of a woman quivering with suspense.


But he was really occupied with their interview and what it was likely to include.


Imagine the difference in rate of emotion between this woman whom the years had worn to a more conscious dependence and sharper eagerness, and this man whom they were dulling into a more neutral obstinacy.

Imagine the difference in emotion between this woman whom the years had worn to sharper eagerness, and this man whom they were dulling into obstinacy.


"I expected to see you--it was so long since I had heard from you.

"I expected to see you - it was so long since I had heard from you


I suppose the weeks seem longer at Gadsmere than they do at Diplow," said Mrs. Glasher.


She had a quick, incisive way of speaking that seemed to go with her features, as the tone and _timbre_ of a violin go with its form.

She had a quick, incisive way of speaking.


"But you found the money paid into the bank."


"Oh, yes," said Mrs. Glasher, curtly, tingling with impatience.


Always before--at least she fancied so--Grandcourt had taken more notice of her and the children than he did to-day.

Always before, Grandcourt had taken more notice of her and the children than he did to-day.


"Yes," he resumed, playing with his whisker, and at first not looking at her, "the time has gone on at rather a rattling pace with me; generally it is slow enough.

"Yes," he resumed, playing with his whisker, "the time has gone on at rather a rattling pace.


But there has been a good deal happening, as you know"--here he turned his eyes upon her.

But there has been a good deal happening, as you know." Here he turned his eyes upon her.


He left a pause before he said, without change of manner, "That I was thinking of marrying.


The pale cheeks looked even paler, perhaps from the fierce brightness in the eyes above them.


It was as if the thumb-screw and the iron boot were being placed by creeping hands within sight of the expectant victim.

It was as if the thumb-screw was being placed by creeping hands within sight of the expectant victim.


say at once that you are going to marry her," she burst out, passionately, her knees shaking and her hands tightly clasped.

say at once that you are going to marry her," she burst out passionately, her hands tightly clasped.


"Of course, this kind of thing must happen some time or other, Lydia," said he; really, now the thumb-screw was on, not wishing to make the pain worse.

"Of course, it must happen some time or other, Lydia," said he; really, now the thumb-screw was on, not wishing to make the pain worse.


In those few under-toned words of Grandcourt's she felt as absolute a resistance as if her thin fingers had been pushing at a fast shut iron door.

In those few words she felt as absolute a resistance as if her thin fingers had been pushing at an iron door.


She knew her helplessness, and shrank from testing it by any appeal--shrank from crying in a dead ear and clinging to dead knees, only to see the immovable face and feel the rigid limbs.

She knew her helplessness, and shrank from testing it by any appeal - shrank from crying in a dead ear and clinging to dead knees, only to see the immovable face and feel the rigid limbs.


She did not weep nor speak; she was too hard pressed by the sudden certainty which had as much of chill sickness in it as of thought and emotion.


The defeated clutch of struggling hope gave her in these first moments a horrible sensation.


At last she rose, with a spasmodic effort, and, unconscious of every thing but her wretchedness, pressed her forehead against the hard, cold glass of the window.

At last she rose, with a spasmodic effort, and, unconscious of everything but her wretchedness, pressed her forehead against the hard, cold glass of the window.


The children, playing on the gravel, took this as a sign that she wanted them, and, running forward, stood in front of her with their sweet faces upturned expectantly.


This roused her: she shook her head at them, waved them off, and overcome with this painful exertion, sank back in the nearest chair.

This roused her: she shook her head at them, waved them off, and overcome, sank back in the nearest chair.


He was doubly annoyed--at the scene itself, and at the sense that no imperiousness of his could save him from it; but the task had to be gone through, and there was the administrative necessity of arranging things so that there should be as little annoyance as possible in the future.

He was doubly annoyed - at the scene itself, and at the sense that no imperiousness of his could save him from it; but the task had to be gone through.


He was leaning against the corner of the fire-place.


She looked up at him and said, bitterly,


"The children and I are of no consequence to you.


I and the children are importunate creatures.


You wish to get away again and be with Miss Harleth."


"Don't make the affair more disagreeable than it need be.

"Don't make the affair more disagreeable than it need be, Lydia.


It is of no use to harp on things that can't be altered.


Of course, its deucedly disagreeable to me to see you making yourself miserable.

It's deucedly disagreeable to me to see you making yourself miserable.


I've taken this journey to tell you what you must make up your mind to--you and the children will be provided for as usual--and there's an end of it."

You must make your mind up to it - you and the children will be provided for as usual - and there's an end of it."


This woman with the intense, eager look had had the iron of the mother's anguish in her soul, and it had made her sometimes capable of a repression harder than shrieking and struggle.

This intense woman had the iron of a mother's anguish in her soul, and it had made her capable of a repression harder than shrieking and struggle.


But underneath the silence there was an outlash of hatred and vindictiveness: she wished that the marriage might make two others wretched, besides herself.

But underneath the silence there was vindictive hatred: she wished that the marriage might make them wretched.


But I think of by-and-by settling a good sum on you and the children, and you can live where you like.


There will be nothing for you to complain of then.


Grandcourt ceased his slow delivery of sentences.


He did not expect her to thank him, but he considered that she might reasonably be contented; if it were possible for Lydia to be contented.


She showed no change, and after a minute he said,


"You have never had any reason to fear that I should be illiberal.


"If you did care about it, I suppose you would not give it us," said Lydia.


"That's a devilishly unfair thing to say," Grandcourt replied, in a lower tone; "and I advise you not to say that sort of thing again."


"Should you punish me by leaving the children in beggary?"


In spite of herself, the one outlet of venom had brought the other.


"There is no question about leaving the children in beggary," said Grandcourt, still in his low voice.


"I advise you not to say things that you will repent of."

"Do not say things that you will repent of."


"I am used to repenting," said she, bitterly.


You have already repented of loving me."


"All this will only make it uncommonly difficult for us to meet again.


At the same moment there flashed through her the wish that after promising himself a better happiness than that he had had with her, he might feel a misery and loneliness which would drive him back to her to find some memory of a time when he was young, glad, and hopeful.

Through her mind flashed the wish that he might feel a misery and loneliness which would drive him back to her.


he would go scathless; it was she that had to suffer.

he would go unscathed; it was she that had to suffer.


With this the scorching words were ended.


Grandcourt had meant to stay till evening; he wished to curtail his visit, but there was no suitable train earlier than the one he had arranged to go by, and he had still to speak to Lydia on the second object of his visit, which like a second surgical operation seemed to require an interval.

Although Grandcourt still had to speak to Lydia on the second object of his visit, like a second surgical operation it seemed to require an interval.


The hours had to go by; there was eating to be done; the children came in--all this mechanism of life had to be gone through with the dreary sense of constraint which is often felt in domestic quarrels of a commoner kind.

The hours had to go by; there was eating to be done; the children came in - all this mechanism of life had to be gone through with the dreary constraint which is often felt in domestic quarrels.


To Lydia it was some slight relief for her stifled fury to have the children present: she felt a savage glory in their loveliness, as if it would taunt Grandcourt with his indifference to her and them--a secret darting of venom which was strongly imaginative.

Lydia felt a savage glory in her children's loveliness, as if it would taunt Grandcourt with his indifference.


He acquitted himself with all the advantage of a man whose grace of bearing has long been moulded on an experience of boredom--nursed the little Antonia, who sat with her hands crossed and eyes upturned to his bald head, which struck her as worthy of observation--and propitiated Henleigh by promising him a beautiful saddle and bridle.

He acquitted himself with bored grace - nursed the little Antonia, who sat with her eyes upturned to his bald head - and propitiated Henleigh by promising him a beautiful saddle and bridle.


It was only the two eldest girls who had known him as a continual presence; and the intervening years had overlaid their infantine memories with a bashfulness which Grandcourt's bearing was not likely to dissipate.

It was only the two eldest girls who had known him as a continual presence; and the intervening years had overlaid their memories with bashfulness.


He and Lydia occasionally, in the presence of the servants, made a conventional remark; otherwise they never spoke; and the stagnant thought in Grandcourt's mind all the while was of his own infatuation in having given her those diamonds, which obliged him to incur the nuisance of speaking about them.

He and Lydia occasionally, in the presence of the servants, made a conventional remark; otherwise they never spoke; and the thought in Grandcourt's mind all the while was of his own infatuation in having given her those diamonds, which obliged him to incur the nuisance of speaking about them.


He had an ingrained care for what he held to belong to his caste, and about property he liked to be lordly; also he had a consciousness of indignity to himself in having to ask for anything in the world.


But however he might assert his independence of Mrs. Glasher's past, he had made a past for himself which was a stronger yoke than any he could impose.


He must ask for the diamonds which he had promised to Gwendolen.

he must ask for the diamonds which he had promised to Gwendolen.


At last they were alone again, with the candles above them, face to face with each other.


Grandcourt looked at his watch, and then said, in an apparently indifferent drawl, "There is one thing I had to mention, Lydia.

Grandcourt looked at his watch, and said, in an apparently indifferent drawl, "There is one thing I had to mention, Lydia.


"Yes, I have them," she answered promptly, rising and standing with her arms thrust down and her fingers threaded, while Grandcourt sat still.

"Yes, I have them," she answered promptly, rising and standing with her fingers threaded.


She had expected the topic, and made her resolve about it.


But she meant to carry out her resolve, if possible, without exasperating him.

; but she meant to carry it out, if possible, without exasperating him.


During the hours of silence she had longed to recall the words which had only widened the breach between them.


"I thought you said you kept them by you."


I must make an arrangement for your delivering them to some one."


They shall be delivered to the person you intended them for."


I have always told you that I would give them up to your wife.


"This is foolery," said Grandcourt, with undertoned disgust.


It was too irritating that this indulgence of Lydia had given her a sort of mastery over him in spite of dependent condition.

It was too irritating that Lydia had any sort of mastery over him in spite of her dependence.


He also rose now, but stood leaning against the mantle-piece with his side-face toward her.


"The diamonds must be delivered to me before my marriage," he began again.

"The diamonds must be delivered to me before my marriage."


"And where do you go after the marriage?"


He did not reply except by looking more sullen.


Presently he said, "You must appoint a day before then, to get them from the bank and meet me--or somebody else I will commission;--it's a great nuisance.

Presently he said, "You must get them from the bank before then and meet me; it's a great nuisance."


"Do you mean to say," said Grandcourt, just audibly, turning to face her, "that you will not do as I tell you?"


"Yes, I mean that," was the answer that leaped out, while her eyes flashed close to him.


The poor creature was immediately conscious that if her words had any effect on her own lot, the effect must be mischievous, and might nullify all the remaining advantage of her long patience.

The poor creature was immediately conscious that the effect of her words on her own position must be mischievous.


He was in a position the most irritating to him.


He could not shake her nor touch her hostilely; and if he could, the process would not bring his mother's diamonds.


He shrank from the only sort of threat that would frighten her--if she believed it.

but he shrank from the only sort of threat that would frighten her - if she believed it.


And in general, there was nothing he hated more than to be forced into anything like violence even in words: his will must impose itself without trouble.

And there was nothing he hated more than to be forced into anything like violence even in words: his will must impose itself without trouble.


After looking at her for a moment, he turned his side-face toward her again, leaning as before, and said,


"Why will you not tell me where you are going after the marriage?


I could be at the wedding if I liked, and learn in that way," said Lydia, not shrinking from the one suicidal form of threat within her power.

I could be at the wedding if I liked, and learn in that way," said Lydia, using the one suicidal form of threat within her power.


"Of course, if you like, you can play the mad woman," said Grandcourt, with _sotto voce_ scorn.

"Of course, if you like, you can play the mad woman," said Grandcourt, with sotto voce scorn.


"It is not to be supposed that you will wait to think what good will come of it--or what you owe to me."


He was in a state of disgust and embitterment quite new in the history of their relation to each other.

He was in a state of disgust and embitterment quite new in their relationship.


It was undeniable that this woman, whose life he had allowed to send such deep suckers into his, had a terrible power of annoyance in her; and the rash hurry of his proceedings had left her opportunities open.

This woman had a terrible power of annoyance; and the rash hurry of his proceedings had left opportunities open.


His pride saw very ugly possibilities threatening it, and he stood for several minutes in silence reviewing the situation--considering how he could act upon her.

He stood for several minutes in silence reviewing the situation - considering how he could act upon her.


Unlike himself she was of a direct nature, with certain simple strongly-colored tendencies, and there was one often-experienced effect which he thought he could count upon now.

Unlike himself, she was of a direct nature, and there was one often-experienced effect which he thought he could count upon now.


As Sir Hugo had said of him, Grandcourt knew how to play his cards upon occasion.


He did not speak again, but looked at his watch, rang the bell, and ordered the vehicle to be brought round immediately.

He did not speak again, but looked at his watch, rang the bell, and ordered the vehicle to be brought round.


Then he removed farther from her, walked as if in expectation of a summons, and remained silent without turning his eyes upon her.

Then he walked away silently without turning his eyes upon her.


She was suffering the horrible conflict of self-reproach and tenacity.


She saw beforehand Grandcourt leaving her without even looking at her again--herself left behind in lonely uncertainty--hearing nothing from him--not knowing whether she had done her children harm--feeling that she had perhaps made him hate her;--all the wretchedness of a creature who had defeated her own motives.

She imagined Grandcourt leaving her without even looking at her again - herself left behind in lonely uncertainty - hearing nothing - not knowing whether she had done her children harm - feeling that she had perhaps made him hate her, and defeated her own motives.


And yet she could not bear to give up a purpose which was a sweet morsel to her vindictiveness.

And yet she could not bear to give up a sweet revenge.


If she had not been a mother she would willingly have sacrificed herself to her revenge--to what she felt to be the justice of hindering another from getting happiness by willingly giving her over to misery.


The two dominant passions were at struggle.


"Don't let us part in anger, Henleigh," she began, without changing her voice or attitude: "it is a very little thing I ask.

"Don't let us part in anger, Henleigh," she began: "it is a very little thing I ask.


If I were refusing to give anything up that you call yours it would be different: that would be a reason for treating me as if you hated me.


If you will tell me where you are going on the wedding-day I will take care that the diamonds shall be delivered to her without scandal.

If you tell me where you are going on the wedding-day I will take care that the diamonds shall be delivered to her without scandal.


Without scandal," she repeated entreatingly.


"Such preposterous whims make a woman odious," said Grandcourt, not giving way in look or movement.


"What is the use of talking to mad people?"


"Yes, I am foolish--loneliness has made me foolish--indulge me."

"Yes, I am foolish - loneliness has made me foolish - indulge me."


"If you will indulge me in this one folly I will be very meek--I will never trouble you."

"If you will indulge me in this one folly I will never trouble you."


She burst into hysterical crying, and said again almost with a scream--"I will be very meek after that."

She burst into hysterical crying, and said almost with a scream- "I will be very meek."


There was a strange mixture of acting and reality in this passion.


She kept hold of her purpose as a child might tighten its hand over a small stolen thing, crying and denying all the while.


Even Grandcourt was wrought upon by surprise: this capricious wish, this childish violence, was as unlike Lydia's bearing as it was incongruous with her person.

Even Grandcourt was surprised: this childish caprice was unlike the normally dignified Lydia


Both had always had a stamp of dignity on them.


Yet she seemed more manageable in this state than in her former attitude of defiance.


He came close up to her again, and said, in his low imperious tone, "Be quiet, and hear what I tell you, I will never forgive you if you present yourself again and make a scene."

He came close up to her, and said, in his low imperious tone, "Be quiet. I will never forgive you if you present yourself and make a scene."


She pressed her handkerchief against her face, and when she could speak firmly said, in the muffled voice that follows sobbing, "I will not--if you will let me have my way--I promise you not to thrust myself forward again.

She pressed her handkerchief against her face, and said, in a muffled voice, "If you let me have my way, I promise not to thrust myself forward again.


I have never broken my word to you--how many have you broken to me?

I have never broken my word to you - how many have you broken to me?


When you gave me the diamonds to wear you were not thinking of having another wife.


And I now give them up--I don't reproach you--I only ask you to let me give them up in my own way.

I don't reproach you - I only ask you to let me give up the diamonds in my own way.


Everything is to be taken away from me, and when I ask for a straw, a chip--you deny it me."

Everything is to be taken away from me, and when I ask for a straw, you deny it me.


She had spoken rapidly, but after a little pause she said more slowly, her voice freed from its muffled tone: "I will not bear to have it denied me."


Grandcourt had a baffling sense that he had to deal with something like madness; he could only govern by giving way.


The servant came to say the fly was ready.


When the door was shut again Grandcourt said sullenly, "We are going to Ryelands then."

He said sullenly, "We are going to Ryelands."


"They shall be delivered to her there," said Lydia, with decision.

"They shall be delivered to her there," said Lydia.


He felt no inclination even to take her hand: she had annoyed him too sorely.


But now that she had gained her point, she was prepared to humble herself that she might propitiate him.

Now that she had gained her point, she was prepared to humble herself.


"Forgive me; I will never vex you again," she said, with beseeching looks.

"Forgive me; I will never vex you again," she said beseechingly.


Her inward voice said distinctly--"It is only I who have to forgive."


You have made me feel uncommonly ill with your folly," said Grandcourt, apparently choosing this statement as the strongest possible use of language.


cried Lydia, with a faint smile;--was he aware of the minor fact that he made her feel ill this morning?


But with the quick transition natural to her, she was now ready to coax him if he would let her, that they might part in some degree reconciled.

She was now ready to coax him if he would let her, so that they might part in some degree reconciled.


She ventured to lay her hand on his shoulder, and he did not move away from her: she had so far succeeded in alarming him, that he was not sorry for these proofs of returned subjection.

She ventured to lay her hand on his shoulder, and he did not move away. She had so far succeeded in alarming him, that he was not sorry for these proofs of returned subjection.


"Light a cigar," she said, soothingly, taking the case from his breast-pocket and opening it.

"Light a cigar," she said, soothingly, taking the case from his breast-pocket.


Amidst such caressing signs of mutual fear they parted.


The effect that clung and gnawed within Grandcourt was a sense of imperfect mastery.

The effect that clung and gnawed within Grandcourt was a sense of his imperfect mastery.


The beginning of an acquaintance whether with persons or things is to get a definite outline for our ignorance.


Mr. Grandcourt's wish to be introduced had no suddenness for Gwendolen; but when Lord Brackenshaw moved aside a little for the prefigured stranger to come forward and she felt herself face to face with the real man, there was a little shock which flushed her cheeks and vexatiously deepened with her consciousness of it.

Mr. Grandcourt's wish to be introduced was not unexpected; but when Gwendolen came face to face with the real man, there was a little shock which flushed her cheeks.


The shock came from the reversal of her expectations: Grandcourt could hardly have been more unlike all her imaginary portraits of him.

The shock came from the reversal of her expectations: Grandcourt could hardly have been more unlike her imaginary portraits of him.


He was slightly taller than herself, and their eyes seemed to be on a level; there was not the faintest smile on his face as he looked at her, not a trace of self-consciousness or anxiety in his bearing: when he raised his hat he showed an extensive baldness surrounded with a mere fringe of reddish-blonde hair, but he also showed a perfect hand; the line of feature from brow to chin undisguised by beard was decidedly handsome, with only moderate departures from the perpendicular, and the slight whisker too was perpendicular.

He was slightly taller than herself, and their eyes seemed to be on a level; there was not the faintest smile on his face as he looked at her, not a trace of self-consciousness or anxiety in his bearing: when he raised his hat he showed an extensive baldness surrounded with a fringe of reddish-blonde hair, but he also showed a perfect hand; and his features were decidedly handsome.


It was not possible for a human aspect to be freer from grimace or solicitous wrigglings: also it was perhaps not possible for a breathing man wide awake to look less animated.

It was not possible for a face to be freer from grimace: also it was perhaps not possible for a breathing man to look less animated.


The correct Englishman, drawing himself up from his bow into rigidity, assenting severely, and seemed to be in a state of internal drill, suggests a suppressed vivacity, and may be suspected of letting go with some violence when he is released from parade; but Grandcourt's bearing had no rigidity, it inclined rather to the flaccid.


His complexion had a faded fairness resembling that of an actress when bare of the artificial white and red; his long narrow gray eyes expressed nothing but indifference.

was relaxed; his long narrow grey eyes expressed nothing but indifference.


Attempts at description are stupid: who can all at once describe a human being?


Even when he is presented to us we only begin that knowledge of his appearance which must be completed by innumerable impressions under differing circumstances.

Our knowledge of his appearance must be completed by innumerable impressions.


We recognize the alphabet; we are not sure of the language.


I am only mentioning the point that Gwendolen saw by the light of a prepared contrast in the first minutes of her meeting with Grandcourt: they were summed up in the words, "He is not ridiculous."

Gwendolen's first impressions were summed up in the words, "He is not ridiculous."


But forthwith Lord Brackenshaw was gone, and what is called conversation had begun, the first and constant element in it being that Grandcourt looked at Gwendolen persistently with a slightly exploring gaze, but without change of expression, while she only occasionally looked at him with a flash of observation a little softened by coquetry.

As Lord Brackenshaw left, conversation began, while Grandcourt looked at Gwendolen persistently with a slightly exploring gaze, but without change of expression. She only occasionally glanced at him with a flash of observation a little softened by coquetry.


Also, after her answers there was a longer or shorter pause before he spoke again.

After her answers there was a pause before he spoke again.


"I used to think archery was a great bore," Grandcourt began.


He spoke with a fine accent, but with a certain broken drawl, as of a distinguished personage with a distinguished cold on his chest.

He spoke with a fine accent, but with a broken and distinguished drawl.


(Pause, during which she imagined various degrees and modes of opinion about herself that might be entertained by Grandcourt.)

(Pause, during which she imagined various opinions about herself that Grandcourt might hold.)


In things of this sort one generally sees people missing and simpering."


"I suppose you are a first-rate shot with a rifle."


(Pause, during which Gwendolen, having taken a rapid observation of Grandcourt, made a brief graphic description of him to an indefinite hearer.)

(Pause, during which Gwendolen made a brief graphic description of Grandcourt to an unknown hearer.)


People who have done things once and left them off make one feel very contemptible, as if one were using cast-off fashions.

People who have done things once and left them off make one feel very contemptible.


I hope you have not left off all follies, because I practice a great many."


(Pause, during which Gwendolen made several interpretations of her own speech.)


"Well, in general, I think, whatever is agreeable is called a folly.

"Well, in general, I think whatever is agreeable is called a folly.


But you have not left off hunting, I hear."


(Pause, wherein Gwendolen recalled what she had heard about Grandcourt's position, and decided that he was the most aristocratic-looking man she had ever seen.)

(Pause, wherein Gwendolen recalled Grandcourt's position, and decided that he was the most aristocratic-looking man she had ever seen.)


"And do you care about the turf?--or is that among the things you have left off?"

"And do you care about the turf? - or is that among the things you have left off?"


(Pause, during which Gwendolen thought that a man of extremely calm, cold manners might be less disagreeable as a husband than other men, and not likely to interfere with his wife's preferences.)


"I run a horse now and then; but I don't go in for the thing as some men do.


"Yes, indeed; I never like my life so well as when I am on horseback, having a great gallop.

"Yes, indeed: I never like my life so well as when I am on horseback, having a great gallop.


(Pause, wherein Gwendolen wondered whether Grandcourt would like what she said, but assured herself that she was not going to disguise her tastes.)


When I am on horseback I never think of danger.


It seems to me that if I broke my bones I should not feel it.


I should go at anything that came in my way."


(Pause during which Gwendolen had run through a whole hunting season with two chosen hunters to ride at will.)

(Pause, during which Gwendolen had run through a whole hunting season with two chosen hunters to ride at will.)


"You would perhaps like tiger-hunting or pig-sticking.


I saw some of that for a season or two in the East.


Everything here is poor stuff after that."


(Pause, wherein Gwendolen speculated on the probability that the men of coldest manners were the most adventurous, and felt the strength of her own insight, supposing the question had to be decided.)

(Pause, wherein Gwendolen speculated that men of coldest manners were probably the most adventurous, and felt the strength of her own insight.)


"I begin to think I am very fortunate, because everything is new to me: it is only that I can't get enough of it.


I am not used to anything except being dull, which I should like to leave off as you have left off shooting."


(Pause, during which it occurred to Gwendolen that a man of cold and distinguished manners might possibly be a dull companion; but on the other hand she thought that most persons were dull, that she had not observed husbands to be companions--and that after all she was not going to accept Grandcourt.)

(Pause, during which it occurred to Gwendolen that a man of cold and distinguished manners might possibly be a dull companion; but then most persons were dull - and after all she was not going to accept Grandcourt.)


(Pause, during which Gwendolen reflected that the life of an unmarried woman who could not go about and had no command of anything must necessarily be dull through all degrees of comparison as time went on.)

(Pause, during which Gwendolen reflected that the life of an unmarried woman who could not go about must be dull indeed.)


I imagine you will carry the first prize."


Did you not observe how well Miss Arrowpoint shot?"


(Pause, wherein Gwendolen was thinking that men had been known to choose some one else than the woman they most admired, and recalled several experiences of that kind in novels.)


"Shall we go now and hear what the scoring says?


Every one is going to the other end now--shall we join them?

Everyone is going to the other end now - shall we join them?


Gwendolen found a relief for herself by thus changing the situation: not that the _tete--tete_ was quite disagreeable to her; but while it lasted she apparently could not get rid of the unwonted flush in her cheeks and the sense of surprise which made her feel less mistress of herself than usual.

Gwendolen found it a relief to thus change the situation: not that the tte--tte was quite disagreeable; but while it lasted she could not get rid of the unwonted flush in her cheeks and the sense of surprise which made her feel less mistress of herself than usual.


And this Mr. Grandcourt, who seemed to feel his own importance more than he did hers--a sort of unreasonableness few of us can tolerate--must not take for granted that he was of great moment to her, or that because others speculated on him as a desirable match she held herself altogether at his beck.

And this Mr. Grandcourt must not take for granted that he was of great moment to her, or that because others speculated on him as a desirable match she held herself at his beck and call.


How Grandcourt had filled up the pauses will be more evident hereafter.


"You have just missed the gold arrow, Gwendolen," said Mr. Gascoigne.


"Miss Juliet Fenn scores eight above you."


I should have felt that I was making myself too disagreeable--taking the best of everything," said Gwendolen, quite easily.

I should have felt that I was taking the best of everything," said Gwendolen easily.


It was impossible to be jealous of Juliet Fenn, a girl as middling as mid-day market in everything but her archery and plainness, in which last she was noticeable like her father: underhung and with receding brow resembling that of the more intelligent fishes.

It was impossible to be jealous of Juliet Fenn, a girl middling in everything but her archery and her plainness, in which she resembled one of the more intelligent fishes.


(Surely, considering the importance which is given to such an accident in female offspring, marriageable men, or what the new English calls "intending bridegrooms," should look at themselves dispassionately in the glass, since their natural selection of a mate prettier than themselves is not certain to bar the effect of their own ugliness.)


There was now a lively movement in the mingling groups, which carried the talk along with it.

There was now a lively movement of mingling groups.


Every one spoke to every one else by turns, and Gwendolen, who chose to see what was going on around her now, observed that Grandcourt was having Klesmer presented to him by some one unknown to her--a middle-aged man, with dark, full face and fat hands, who seemed to be on the easiest terms with both, and presently led the way in joining the Arrowpoints, whose acquaintance had already been made by both him and Grandcourt.

Gwendolen observed that Grandcourt was having Klesmer presented to him by a middle-aged man, with a dark, full face and fat hands, who seemed to be friendly with both.


Who this stranger was she did not care much to know; but she wished to observe what was Grandcourt's manner toward others than herself.

Who this stranger was she did not care to know; but she wished to observe Grandcourt's manner toward others than herself.


Precisely the same: except that he did not look much at Miss Arrowpoint, but rather at Klesmer, who was speaking with animation--now stretching out his long fingers horizontally, now pointing downward with his fore-finger, now folding his arms and tossing his mane, while he addressed himself first to one and then to the other, including Grandcourt, who listened with an impassive face and narrow eyes, his left fore-finger in his waistcoat-pocket, and his right slightly touching his thin whisker.

Precisely the same: except that he did not look much at Miss Arrowpoint, but rather at Klesmer, who was speaking with animation and tossing his mane. Grandcourt listened with an impassive face and narrow eyes, his left fore-finger in his waistcoat-pocket, and his right slightly touching his thin whisker.


"I wonder which style Miss Arrowpoint admires most," was a thought that glanced through Gwendolen's mind, while her eyes and lips gathered rather a mocking expression.

"I wonder which style Miss Arrowpoint admires most," thought Gwendolen, rather mockingly.


But she would not indulge her sense of amusement by watching, as if she were curious, and she gave all her animation to those immediately around her, determined not to care whether Mr. Grandcourt came near her again or not.

Then she gave all her animation to those immediately around her, determined not to care whether Mr. Grandcourt came near her again or not.


He did come, however, and at a moment when he could propose to conduct Mrs. Davilow to her carriage, "Shall we meet again in the ball-room?"

He did not come, however, until it was time to conduct Mrs. Davilow to her carriage.
"Shall we meet again in the ball-room tonight?"


she said as he raised his hat at parting.


The "yes" in reply had the usual slight drawl and perfect gravity.

His "yes" in reply had the usual slight drawl and perfect gravity.


"You were wrong for once, Gwendolen," said Mrs. Davilow, during their few minutes' drive to the castle.

"You were wrong about Mr. Grandcourt, Gwendolen," said Mrs. Davilow, during their drive to the castle.


"About Mr. Grandcourt's appearance and manners.


"You can't find anything ridiculous in him."


"I suppose I could if I tried, but I don't want to do it," said Gwendolen, rather pettishly; and her mother was afraid to say more.

"I could if I tried, but I don't want to," said Gwendolen, rather pettishly; and her mother was afraid to say more.


It was the rule on these occasions for the ladies and gentlemen to dine apart, so that the dinner might make a time of comparative ease and rest for both.

It was the rule on these occasions for the ladies and gentlemen to dine apart.


Indeed, the gentlemen had a set of archery stories about the epicurism of the ladies, who had somehow been reported to show a revolting masculine judgment in venison, even asking for the fat--a proof of the frightful rate at which corruption might go on in women, but for severe social restraint, and every year the amiable Lord Brackenshaw, who was something of a _gourmet_, mentioned Byron's opinion that a woman should never be seen eating,--introducing it with a confidential--"The fact is" as if he were for the first time admitting his concurrence in that sentiment of the refined poet.


In the ladies' dining-room it was evident that Gwendolen was not a general favorite with her own sex: there were no beginnings of intimacy between her and other girls, and in conversation they rather noticed what she said than spoke to her in free exchange.

In the ladies' dining-room it was evident that Gwendolen was not a favourite with her own sex: there was no intimacy between her and other girls,


Perhaps it was that she was not much interested in them, and when left alone in their company had a sense of empty benches.

perhaps because she was not much interested in them.


Mrs. Vulcany once remarked that Miss Harleth was too fond of the gentlemen; but we know that she was not in the least fond of them--she was only fond of their homage--and women did not give her homage.


The exception to this willing aloofness from her was Miss Arrowpoint, who often managed unostentatiously to be by her side, and talked to her with quiet friendliness.

The exception to this aloofness from her was Miss Arrowpoint, who talked to her with quiet friendliness.


"She knows, as I do, that our friends are ready to quarrel over a husband for us," thought Gwendolen, "and she is determined not to enter into the quarrel."


"I think Miss Arrowpoint has the best manners I ever saw," said Mrs. Davilow, when she and Gwendolen were in a dressing-room with Mrs. Gascoigne and Anna, but at a distance where they could have their talk apart.

"I think Miss Arrowpoint has the best manners I ever saw," said Mrs. Davilow, when she and Gwendolen had retired to a dressing-room.


"I wish I were like her," said Gwendolen.


Are you getting discontented with yourself, Gwen?"


"I am sure you ought to be satisfied to-day.


"Oh, that is over now, and I don't know what will come next," said Gwendolen, stretching herself with a sort of moan and throwing up her arms.

"Oh, that is over now, and I don't know what will come next," said Gwendolen, stretching and throwing up her arms.


They were bare now; it was the fashion to dance in the archery dress, throwing off the jacket; and the simplicity of her white cashmere with its border of pale green set off her form to the utmost.

They were bare now; it was the fashion to dance in the archery dress, without the jacket; and her simple white cashmere with its border of pale green set off her form.


A thin line of gold round her neck, and the gold star on her breast, were her only ornaments.


Her smooth soft hair piled up into a grand crown made a clear line about her brow.


Sir Joshua would have been glad to take her portrait; and he would have had an easier task than the historian at least in this, that he would not have had to represent the truth of change--only to give stability to one beautiful moment.


"The dancing will come next," said Mrs. Davilow "You are sure to enjoy that."

"The dancing will come next," said Mrs. Davilow. "You are sure to enjoy that."


I shall not waltz or polk with any one."


"Why in the world do you say that all on a sudden?"


"I can't bear having ugly people so near me."


"Mr. Clintock, for example, is not ugly."


Mrs. Davilow dared not mention Grandcourt.


"Well, I hate woolen cloth touching me."


said Mrs. Davilow to her sister who now came up from the other end of the room.


"Gwendolen says she will not waltz or polk."


"She is rather given to whims, I think," said Mrs. Gascoigne, gravely.


"It would be more becoming in her to behave as other young ladies do on such an occasion as this; especially when she has had the advantage of first-rate dancing lessons."


"Why should I dance if I don't like it, aunt?


said Mrs. Gascoigne, in a tone of severe check, and Anna looked frightened at Gwendolen's daring.


But they all passed on without saying any more.


Apparently something had changed Gwendolen's mood since the hour of exulting enjoyment in the archery-ground.


But she did not look the worse under the chandeliers in the ball-room, where the soft splendor of the scene and the pleasant odors from the conservatory could not but be soothing to the temper, when accompanied with the consciousness of being preeminently sought for.

But she did not look the worse for it under the chandeliers in the ball-room, where the soft splendour of the scene and the pleasant odours from the conservatory soothed her temper, as did the consciousness of being sought after.


Hardly a dancing man but was anxious to have her for a partner, and each whom she accepted was in a state of melancholy remonstrance that she would not waltz or polk.

Almost every man was anxious to have her for a partner, and was in a state of melancholy remonstrance that she would not waltz or polk.


were exclamations not without piquancy for her.


The ladies who waltzed naturally thought that Miss Harleth only wanted to make herself particular; but her uncle when he overheard her refusal, supported her by saying,


He thought she was certainly more distinguished in not waltzing, and he wished her to be distinguished.


The archery ball was intended to be kept at the subdued pitch that suited all dignities clerical and secular; it was not an escapement for youthful high spirits, and he himself was of opinion that the fashionable dances were too much of a romp.


Among the remonstrant dancing men, however, Mr. Grandcourt was not numbered.


After standing up for a quadrille with Miss Arrowpoint, it seemed that he meant to ask for no other partner.


Gwendolen observed him frequently with the Arrowpoints, but he never took an opportunity of approaching her.

Gwendolen saw him frequently with the Arrowpoints, but he never approached her.


Mr. Gascoigne was sometimes speaking to him; but Mr. Gascoigne was everywhere.


It was in her mind now that she would probably after all not have the least trouble about him: perhaps he had looked at her without any particular admiration, and was too much used to everything in the world to think of her as more than one of the girls who were invited in that part of the country.

She thought that she would probably not have the least trouble about him after all:


It was ridiculous of elders to entertain notions about what a man would do, without having seen him even through a telescope.


Probably he meant to marry Miss Arrowpoint.

probably he meant to marry Miss Arrowpoint.


Whatever might come, she, Gwendolen, was not going to be disappointed: the affair was a joke whichever way it turned, for she had never committed herself even by a silent confidence in anything Mr. Grandcourt would do.

Whatever might come, she, Gwendolen, was not going to be disappointed: for she had never committed herself even by a silent confidence in anything Mr. Grandcourt would do.


Still, she noticed that he did sometimes quietly and gradually change his position according to hers, so that he could see her whenever she was dancing, and if he did not admire her--so much the worse for him.

Still, she noticed that he did sometimes quietly and gradually change his position according to hers, so that he could see her whenever she was dancing.


This movement for the sake of being in sight of her was more direct than usual rather late in the evening, when Gwendolen had accepted Klesmer as a partner; and that wide-glancing personage, who saw everything and nothing by turns, said to her when they were walking, "Mr. Grandcourt is a man of taste.

This movement for the sake of watching her was more direct than usual late in the evening, when Gwendolen had Klesmer as a partner; and that wide-glancing personage said to her, "Mr. Grandcourt is a man of taste.


"Perhaps he likes to look at what is against his taste," said Gwendolen, with a light laugh; she was quite courageous with Klesmer now.


"He may be so tired of admiring that he likes disgust for variety."


"Those words are not suitable to your lips," said Klesmer, quickly, with one of his grand frowns, while he shook his hand as if to banish the discordant sounds.

"Those words are not suitable to your lips," said Klesmer, quickly, with one of his grand frowns.


"Are you as critical of words as of music?"


I should require your words to be what your face and form are--always among the meanings of a noble music."

I should require your words to be as noble as your face and form."


"That is a compliment as well as a correction.


But do you know I am bold enough to wish to correct _you_, and require you to understand a joke?"


"One may understand jokes without liking them," said the terrible Klesmer.


"I have had opera books sent me full of jokes; it was just because I understood them that I did not like them.


The comic people are ready to challenge a man because he looks grave.


Then I am what we call ticketed as a fellow without _esprit_.


But, in fact," said Klesmer, suddenly dropping from his quick narrative to a reflective tone, with an impressive frown, "I am very sensible to wit and humor."


"I am glad you tell me that," said Gwendolen, not without some wickedness of intention.


But Klesmer's thoughts had flown off on the wings of his own statement, as their habit was, and she had the wickedness all to herself.


"Pray, who is that standing near the card-room door?"


she went on, seeing there the same stranger with whom Klesmer had been in animated talk on the archery ground.


"No, no; an amateur I have seen in town; Lush, a Mr. Lush--too fond of Meyerbeer and Scribe--too fond of the mechanical-dramatic."

"No, an amateur I have seen in town - too fond of popular operas - a Mr. Lush."


I wanted to know whether you thought his face and form required that his words should be among the meanings of noble music?"


Klesmer was conquered, and flashed at her a delightful smile which made them quite friendly until she begged to be deposited by the side of her mamma.


Three minutes afterward her preparations for Grandcourt's indifference were all canceled.

Three minutes afterward, when she was back with her mamma, Grandcourt


Turning her head after some remark to her mother, she found that he had made his way up to her.


"May I ask if you are tired of dancing, Miss Harleth?"


he began, looking down with his former unperturbed expression.


"Will you do me the honor--the next--or another quadrille?"

"Will you do me the honour - the next - or another quadrille?"


"I should have been very happy," said Gwendolen looking at her card, "but I am engaged for the next to Mr. Clintock--and indeed I perceive that I am doomed for every quadrille; I have not one to dispose of."

"I should have been very happy," said Gwendolen looking at her card, "but I am engaged for the next to Mr. Clintock - and indeed I have not one quadrille left to dispose of."


She was not sorry to punish Mr. Grandcourt's tardiness, yet at the same time she would have liked to dance with him.


She gave him a charming smile as she looked up to deliver her answer, and he stood still looking down at her with no smile at all.

She gave him a charming smile, and he stood looking down at her with no smile at all.


"I am unfortunate in being too late," he said, after a moment's pause.


"It seemed to me that you did not care for dancing," said Gwendolen.


"I thought it might be one of the things you had left off."


"Yes, but I have not begun to dance with you," said Grandcourt.


Always there was the same pause before he took up his cue.


"You make dancing a new thing, as you make archery."


"Then I don't know whether to feel flattered or not.


When you had once danced with me there would be no more novelty in it."

"But once you had danced with me there would be no more novelty in it."


"On the contrary, there would probably be much more."


"It is difficult to make Miss Harleth understand her power?"


Here Grandcourt had turned to Mrs. Davilow, who, smiling gently at her daughter, said,

Here Grandcourt had turned to Mrs. Davilow, who, smiling gently at her daughter, said-


"I think she does not generally strike people as slow to understand."


"Mamma," said Gwendolen, in a deprecating tone, "I am adorably stupid, and want everything explained to me--when the meaning is pleasant."

"Mamma," said Gwendolen, in a deprecating tone, "I am adorably stupid, and want everything explained to me - when the meaning is pleasant."


"If you are stupid, I admit that stupidity is adorable," returned Grandcourt, after the usual pause, and without change of tone.


"I begin to think that my cavalier has forgotten me," Gwendolen observed after a little while.

"I begin to think that Mr Clintock has forgotten me," Gwendolen observed, looking round for her partner.


"He deserves to be renounced," said Grandcourt.


"I think he is very pardonable," said Gwendolen.


"There must have been some misunderstanding," said Mrs. Davilow.


"Mr. Clintock was too anxious about the engagement to have forgotten it."


But now Lady Brackenshaw came up and said, "Miss Harleth, Mr. Clintock has charged me to express to you his deep regret that he was obliged to leave without having the pleasure of dancing with you again.

But just then Lady Brackenshaw came up and said, "Miss Harleth, Mr. Clintock has charged me to express to you his deep regret that he was obliged to leave without having the pleasure of dancing with you again."


An express came from his father, the archdeacon; something important; he was to go.


"Oh, he was very good to remember the engagement under the circumstances," said Gwendolen.


"I am sorry he was called away," said Gwendolen, politely.


It was easy to be politely sorrowful on so felicitous an occasion.


"Then I can profit by Mr. Clintock's misfortune?"


"May I hope that you will let me take his place?"


"I shall be very happy to dance the next quadrille with you."

said Grandcourt.
"I shall be very happy."


The appropriateness of the event seemed an augury, and as Gwendolen stood up for the quadrille with Grandcourt, there was a revival in her of the exultation--the sense of carrying everything before her, which she had felt earlier in the day.

It seemed an augury, and as Gwendolen stood up for the quadrille with Grandcourt, her earlier exultation revived.


No man could have walked through the quadrille with more irreproachable ease than Grandcourt; and the absence of all eagerness in his attention to her suited his partner's taste.

No man could have walked through the dance with more irreproachable ease; and the absence of all eagerness in his attention suited her taste.


She was now convinced that he meant to distinguish her, to mark his admiration of her in a noticeable way; and it began to appear probable that she would have it in her power to reject him, whence there was a pleasure in reckoning up the advantages which would make her rejection splendid, and in giving Mr. Grandcourt his utmost value.

She was now convinced that he meant to distinguish her; and it began to appear probable that she would have it in her power to reject him.


It was also agreeable to divine that this exclusive selection of her to dance with, from among all the unmarried ladies present, would attract observation; though she studiously avoided seeing this, and at the end of the quadrille walked away on Grandcourt's arm as if she had been one of the shortest sighted instead of the longest and widest sighted of mortals.

It was agreeable to know that his selecting her to dance with, from all the ladies present, attracted observation; though she studiously avoided seeing this, and at the end of the quadrille walked away on Grandcourt's arm as if she had been the shortest sighted of mortals.


They encountered Miss Arrowpoint, who was standing with Lady Brackenshaw and a group of gentlemen.

They joined Miss Arrowpoint and Lady Brackenshaw amongst a group who


The heiress looked at Gwendolen invitingly and said, "I hope you will vote with us, Miss Harleth, and Mr. Grandcourt too, though he is not an archer."


Gwendolen and Grandcourt paused to join the group, and found that the voting turned on the project of a picnic archery meeting to be held in Cardell Chase, where the evening entertainment would be more poetic than a ball under chandeliers--a feast of sunset lights along the glades and through the branches and over the solemn tree-tops.

were discussing a project: a picnic archery meeting to be held in Cardell Chase.


Gwendolen thought the scheme delightful--equal to playing Robin Hood and Maid Marian: and Mr. Grandcourt, when appealed to a second time, said it was a thing to be done; whereupon Mr. Lush, who stood behind Lady Brackenshaw's elbow, drew Gwendolen's notice by saying with a familiar look and tone to Grandcourt, "Diplow would be a good place for the meeting, and more convenient: there's a fine bit between the oaks toward the north gate."

Gwendolen thought the scheme delightful, and Mr. Grandcourt said it was a thing to be done. Mr. Lush, who stood behind Lady Brackenshaw, said with a familiar tone to Grandcourt, "Diplow would be a good place for the meeting, and more convenient."


Impossible to look more unconscious of being addressed than Grandcourt; but Gwendolen took a new survey of the speaker, deciding, first, that he must be on terms of intimacy with the tenant of Diplow, and, secondly, that she would never, if she could help it, let him come within a yard of her.

Although Grandcourt looked totally unconscious of being addressed, Gwendolen took a new survey of the speaker, deciding, first, that he must be on intimate terms with Grandcourt, and, secondly, that she would never let him come within a yard of her.


She was subject to physical antipathies, and Mr. Lush's prominent eyes, fat though not clumsy figure, and strong black gray-besprinkled hair of frizzy thickness, which, with the rest of his prosperous person, was enviable to many, created one of the strongest of her antipathies.

Mr. Lush's prominent eyes, fat though not clumsy figure, and strong black grey-besprinkled frizzy hair, created in her a strong antipathy.


To be safe from his looking at her, she murmured to Grandcourt, "I should like to continue walking."

She murmured to Grandcourt, "I should like to continue walking."


He obeyed immediately; but when they were thus away from any audience, he spoke no word for several minutes, and she, out of a half-amused, half-serious inclination for experiment, would not speak first.

He obeyed immediately; but spoke no word for several minutes, and she, out of a half-amused inclination for experiment, would not speak first.


They turned into the large conservatory, beautifully lit up with Chinese lamps.


The other couples there were at a distance which would not have interfered with any dialogue, but still they walked in silence until they had reached the farther end where there was a flush of pink light, and the second wide opening into the ball-room.

The other couples were at a distance, but still they walked in silence until they had reached the farther end where there was a second wide opening into the ball-room.


Grandcourt, when they had half turned round, paused and said languidly,


If the situation had been described to Gwendolen half an hour before, she would have laughed heartily at it, and could only have imagined herself returning a playful, satirical answer.

Half an hour before, Gwendolen could only have imagined herself returning a playful, satirical answer.


But for some mysterious reason--it was a mystery of which she had a faint wondering consciousness--she dared not be satirical: she had begun to feel a wand over her that made her afraid of offending Grandcourt.

But for some mysterious reason she dared not be satirical: she had begun to feel a wand over her that made her afraid of offending Grandcourt.


"Yes," she said, quietly, without considering what "kind of thing" was meant--whether the flowers, the scents, the ball in general, or this episode of walking with Mr. Grandcourt in particular.

"Yes," she said, quietly, without considering what "kind of thing" was meant - whether the flowers, the scents, the ball in general, or walking with Mr. Grandcourt in particular.


And they returned along the conservatory without farther interpretation.


She then proposed to go and sit down in her old place, and they walked among scattered couples preparing for the waltz to the spot where Mrs. Davilow had been seated all the evening.

She proposed to go and sit down in her old place by Mrs. Davilow


As they approached it her seat was vacant, but she was coming toward it again, and, to Gwendolen's shuddering annoyance, with Mr. Lush at her elbow.

; but as they approached, she saw, to her shuddering annoyance, that Mr. Lush stood at her mother's elbow.


There was no avoiding the confrontation: her mamma came close to her before they had reached the seats, and, after a quiet greeting smile, said innocently, "Gwendolen, dear, let me present Mr. Lush to you."

There was no avoiding the confrontation: her mamma said innocently, "Gwendolen, dear, let me present Mr. Lush to you."


Having just made the acquaintance of this personage, as an intimate and constant companion of Mr. Grandcourt's, Mrs. Davilow imagined it altogether desirable that her daughter also should make the acquaintance.

Having just made the acquaintance of this intimate companion of Mr. Grandcourt's, Mrs. Davilow imagined it altogether desirable that her daughter also should meet him.


It was hardly a bow that Gwendolen gave--rather, it was the slightest forward sweep of the head away from the physiognomy that inclined itself toward her, and she immediately moved toward her seat, saying, "I want to put on my burnous."

It was hardly a bow that Gwendolen gave - rather, it was the slightest sweep of the head away from him. She immediately moved toward her seat, saying, "I want to put on my cloak."


No sooner had she reached it, than Mr. Lush was there, and had the burnous in his hand: to annoy this supercilious young lady, he would incur the offense of forestalling Grandcourt; and, holding up the garment close to Gwendolen, he said, "Pray, permit me?"

No sooner had she reached it, than Mr. Lush was there with the cloak in his hand, willing to risk forestalling Grandcourt for the sake of annoying this supercilious young lady. Holding up the garment, he said, "Pray, permit me?"


But she, wheeling away from him as if he had been a muddy hound, glided on to the ottoman, saying, "No, thank you."

But she wheeled away, saying, "No, thank you."


A man who forgave this would have much Christian feeling, supposing he had intended to be agreeable to the young lady; but before he seized the burnous Mr. Lush had ceased to have that intention.

A man who forgave this would have much Christian feeling, supposing he had intended to be agreeable to the young lady; but Mr. Lush had no such intention.


Grandcourt quietly took the drapery from him, and Mr. Lush, with a slight bow, moved away.

Grandcourt quietly took the cloak from him, and Mr. Lush, with a slight bow, moved away.


"You had perhaps better put it on," said Mr. Grandcourt, looking down on her without change of expression.


"Thanks; perhaps it would be wise," said Gwendolen, rising, and submitting very gracefully to take the burnous on her shoulders.

"Thanks; perhaps it would be wise," said Gwendolen, rising, and submitting very gracefully.


After that, Mr. Grandcourt exchanged a few polite speeches with Mrs. Davilow, and, in taking leave, asked permission to call at Offendene the next day.

In taking leave, Mr. Grandcourt asked permission to call at Offendene the next day,


He was evidently not offended by the insult directed toward his friend.

evidently not offended by the insult to his friend.


Certainly Gwendolen's refusal of the burnous from Mr. Lush was open to the interpretation that she wished to receive it from Mr. Grandcourt.

Certainly Gwendolen's refusal of the cloak from Mr. Lush was open to the interpretation that she wished to receive it from Mr. Grandcourt.


But she, poor child, had no design in this action, and was simply following her antipathy and inclination, confiding in them as she did in the more reflective judgments into which they entered as sap into leafage.

But she, poor child, was simply following her antipathy, without any such design.


Gwendolen had no sense that these men were dark enigmas to her, or that she needed any help in drawing conclusions about them--Mr. Grandcourt at least.

Gwendolen had no sense that these men were dark enigmas to her - Mr. Grandcourt at least.


The chief question was, how far his character and ways might answer her wishes; and unless she were satisfied about that, she had said to herself that she would not accept his offer.

The chief question was, how far he might answer her wishes; and unless she were satisfied about that, she would not accept his offer.


Could there be a slenderer, more insignificant thread in human history than this consciousness of a girl, busy with her small inferences of the way in which she could make her life pleasant?--in a time, too, when ideas were with fresh vigor making armies of themselves, and the universal kinship was declaring itself fiercely; when women on the other side of the world would not mourn for the husbands and sons who died bravely in a common cause, and men stinted of bread on our side of the world heard of that willing loss and were patient: a time when the soul of man was walking to pulses which had for centuries been beating in him unfelt, until their full sum made a new life of terror or of joy.


What in the midst of that mighty drama are girls and their blind visions?


They are the Yea or Nay of that good for which men are enduring and fighting.


In these delicate vessels is borne onward through the ages the treasure of human affections.


"Das Gluck ist eine leichte Dirne, Und weilt nicht gern am selben Ort; Sie streicht das Haar dir von der Stirne Und kusst dich rasch und flattert fort


Frau Ungluck hat im Gegentheile Dich liebefest an's Herz gedruckt; Sie sagt, sie habe keine Eile, Setzt sich zu dir an's Bett und strickt."


Something which Mirah had lately been watching for as the fulfilment of a threat, seemed now the continued visit of that familiar sorrow which had lately come back, bringing abundant luggage.

Something which Mirah had lately been watching for now came about.


Turning out of Knightsbridge, after singing at a charitable morning concert in a wealthy house, where she had been recommended by Klesmer, and where there had been the usual groups outside to see the departing company, she began to feel herself dogged by footsteps that kept an even pace with her own.

Turning out of Knightsbridge after singing at a charitable morning concert, she began to feel herself dogged by footsteps that kept pace with her own.


Her concert dress being simple black, over which she had thrown a dust cloak, could not make her an object of unpleasant attention, and render walking an imprudence; but this reflection did not occur to Mirah: another kind of alarm lay uppermost in her mind.


She immediately thought of her father, and could no more look round than if she had felt herself tracked by a ghost.


To turn and face him would be voluntarily to meet the rush of emotions which beforehand seemed intolerable.


If it were her father he must mean to claim recognition, and he would oblige her to face him.


She walked on, not quickening her pace--of what use was that?--but picturing what was about to happen as if she had the full certainty that the man behind her was her father; and along with her picturing went a regret that she had given her word to Mrs. Meyrick not to use any concealment about him.

She walked on, not quickening her pace - of what use was that? - but certain that the man behind her was her father.


The regret at last urged her, at least, to try and hinder any sudden betrayal that would cause her brother an unnecessary shock.

Hoping to prevent any unnecessary shock for her brother


Under the pressure of this motive, she resolved to turn before she reached her own door, and firmly will the encounter instead of merely submitting to it.

, she resolved to turn to meet her father before she reached her door.


She had already reached the entrance of the small square where her home lay, and had made up her mind to turn, when she felt her embodied presentiment getting closer to her, then slipping to her side, grasping her wrist, and saying, with a persuasive curl of accent, "Mirah!"

She came to the entrance of the small square where her home lay, but before she could turn she felt him grasping her wrist, and saying, with a persuasive curl of accent, "Mirah!"


She paused at once without any start; it was the voice she expected, and she was meeting the expected eyes.

She paused without any start; it was the voice she expected.


Her face was as grave as if she had been looking at her executioner, while his was adjusted to the intention of soothing and propitiating her.

Her face was as grave as if she were looking at her executioner, while his had a propitiating expression.


Once a handsome face, with bright color, it was now sallow and deep-lined, and had that peculiar impress of impudent suavity which comes from courting favor while accepting disrespect.

Once a handsome face, it was now sallow and deep-lined, with an impudent suavity.


He was lightly made and active, with something of youth about him which made the signs of age seem a disguise; and in reality he was hardly fifty-seven.

He was lightly made and active, with something youthful about him which made the signs of age seem a disguise.


His dress was shabby, as when she had seen him before.


The presence of this unreverend father now, more than ever, affected Mirah with the mingled anguish of shame and grief, repulsion and pity--more than ever, now that her own world was changed into one where there was no comradeship to fence him from scorn and contempt.

and Mirah felt mingled shame and grief, repulsion and pity.


Slowly, with a sad, tremulous voice, she said, "It is you, father."


he began with rapid speech which was meant to have a tone of tender remonstrance, accompanied with various quick gestures like an abbreviated finger-language.

he began with rapid speech which was meant to have a tone of tender remonstrance.


You knew I never made you do anything against your will.


It was for your sake I broke up your engagement in the Vorstadt, because I saw it didn't suit you, and you repaid me by leaving me to the bad times that came in consequence.

I broke up your engagement in the Vorstadt because I saw it didn't suit you, and you repaid me by leaving me.


I had made an easier engagement for you at the Vorstadt Theater in Dresden: I didn't tell you, because I wanted to take you by surprise.

I had made an easier engagement for you: I didn't tell you, because I wanted to surprise you.


And you left me planted there--obliged to make myself scarce because I had broken contract.


That was hard lines for me, after I had given up everything for the sake of getting you an education which was to be a fortune to you.

, after I had given up everything for the sake of getting you an education.


What father devoted himself to his daughter more than I did to you?

What father devoted himself to his daughter more than I did?


You know how I bore that disappointment in your voice, and made the best of it: and when I had nobody besides you, and was getting broken, as a man must who has had to fight his way with his brains--you chose that time to leave me.

You know how I bore that disappointment in your voice, and made the best of it: and when I had nobody besides you, you chose to leave me.


Who else was it you owed everything to, if not to me?

Who else did you owe everything to, if not to me?


For what my daughter cared, I might have died in a ditch."


Lapidoth stopped short here, not from lack of invention, but because he had reached a pathetic climax, and gave a sudden sob, like a woman's, taking out hastily an old yellow silk handkerchief.

Lapidoth stopped short here, not from lack of invention, but because he had reached a pathetic climax, and gave a sudden sob, taking out an old yellow silk handkerchief.


He really felt that his daughter had treated him ill--a sort of sensibility which is naturally strong in unscrupulous persons, who put down what is owing to them, without any _per contra_.

He really felt that his daughter had treated him ill - a sort of feeling which is strong in unscrupulous persons.


Mirah, in spite of that sob, had energy enough not to let him suppose that he deceived her.


She answered more firmly, though it was the first time she had ever used accusing words to him.

answered firmly, though it was the first time she had ever used accusing words to him.


"You know why I left you, father; and I had reason to distrust you, because I felt sure that you had deceived my mother."


If I could have trusted you, I would have stayed with you and worked for you."


"I never meant to deceive your mother, Mirah," said Lapidoth, putting back his handkerchief, but beginning with a voice that seemed to struggle against further sobbing.

"I never meant to deceive your mother, Mirah," said Lapidoth, with a voice that struggled against further sobs.


"I meant to take you back to her, but chances hindered me just at the time, and then there came information of her death.

"I meant to take you back to her, but then


It was better for you that I should stay where I was, and your brother could take care of himself.


I had word of your mother's death from a particular friend, who had undertaken to manage things for me, and I sent him over money to pay expenses.

I had word of her death from a particular friend, and I sent him money to pay necessary expenses.


There's one chance to be sure--" Lapidoth had quickly conceived that he must guard against something unlikely, yet possible--"he may have written me lies for the sake of getting the money out of me."

To be sure-" Lapidoth had quickly conceived that he must guard against something unlikely, yet possible - "he may have written me lies for the sake of getting money out of me."


Mirah made no answer; she could not bear to utter the only true one--"I don't believe one word of what you say"--and she simply showed a wish that they should walk on, feeling that their standing still might draw down unpleasant notice.

Mirah made no answer; she could not bear to utter the only true one - "I don't believe one word you say" - and she simply walked on.


Even as they walked along, their companionship might well have made a passer-by turn back to look at them.

They might well have caused passers-by to turn to look at them


The figure of Mirah, with her beauty set off by the quiet, careful dress of an English lady, made a strange pendant to this shabby, foreign-looking, eager, and gesticulating man, who withal had an ineffaceable jauntiness of air, perhaps due to the bushy curls of his grizzled hair, the smallness of his hands and feet, and his light walk.

: the figure of Mirah, with her beauty set off by the quiet, careful dress of an English lady, made a strange pendant to this shabby, foreign-looking, eagerly gesticulating man, with his light, jaunty walk.


"You seem to have done well for yourself, Mirah?


_You_ are in no want, I see," said the father, looking at her with emphatic examination.


"Good friends who found me in distress have helped me to get work," said Mirah, hardly knowing what she actually said, from being occupied with what she would presently have to say.


I have just been singing at a private concert."


She paused, and then added, with significance, "I have very good friends, who know all about me."


"And you would be ashamed they should see your father in this plight?


I came to England with no prospect, but the chance of finding you.


It was a mad quest; but a father's heart is superstitious--feels a loadstone drawing it somewhere or other.

It was a mad quest; but a father's heart is superstitious.


I might have done very well, staying abroad: when I hadn't you to take care of, I could have rolled or settled as easily as a ball; but it's hard being lonely in the world, when your spirit's beginning to break.

I might have done very well, staying abroad: but it's hard being lonely in the world, when your spirit's beginning to break.


And I thought my little Mirah would repent leaving her father when she came to look back.


I've had a sharp pinch to work my way; I don't know what I shall come down to next.


Talents like mine are no use in this country.


When a man's getting out at elbows nobody will believe in him.


I couldn't get any decent employ with my appearance.


I've been obliged to get pretty low for a shilling already."


Mirah's anxiety was quick enough to imagine her father's sinking into a further degradation, which she was bound to hinder if she could.

Mirah anxiously imagined her father's sinking into further degradation, which she was bound to prevent if she could.


But before she could answer his string of inventive sentences, delivered with as much glibness as if they had been learned by rote, he added promptly,


"Yes," said Mirah again, looking full at the keen face which was turned toward hers--"my brother."

"Yes," said Mirah again, looking full at the keen face - "my brother."


The father's eyelids fluttered as if the lightning had come across them, and there was a slight movement of the shoulders.

The father's eyelids fluttered, and there was a slight movement of the shoulders.


But he said, after a just perceptible pause: "Ezra?

But he said, after a brief pause: "Ezra?


How did you know--how did you find him?"


My brother would not wish me to close it on you."


Mirah was already on the doorstep, but had her face turned toward her father, who stood below her on the pavement.


Her heart had begun to beat faster with the prospect of what was coming in the presence of Ezra; and already in this attitude of giving leave to the father whom she had been used to obey--in this sight of him standing below her, with a perceptible shrinking from the admission which he had been indirectly asking for, she had a pang of the peculiar, sympathetic humiliation and shame--the stabbed heart of reverence--which belongs to a nature intensely filial.

Mirah's heart had begun to beat faster with the prospect of what was coming in the presence of Ezra; and she had a pang of the sympathetic humiliation and shame - the stabbed heart of reverence - which belongs to a nature intensely filial.


"Stay a minute, _Liebchen_," said Lapidoth, speaking in a lowered tone; "what sort of man has Ezra turned out?"

"Stay a minute, Liebchen," said Lapidoth; "what sort of man has Ezra turned out?"


"A good man--a wonderful man," said Mirah, with slow emphasis, trying to master the agitation which made her voice more tremulous as she went on.

"A good man - a wonderful man," said Mirah, with slow emphasis, trying to master her agitation.


She felt urged to prepare her father for the complete penetration of himself which awaited him.

She felt urged to prepare her father for the penetration of himself which awaited him.


"But he was very poor when my friends found him for me--a poor workman.

"But he was very poor when my friends found him.


Once--twelve years ago--he was strong and happy, going to the East, which he loved to think of; and my mother called him back because--because she had lost me.

Once - twelve years ago - he was strong and happy, going to the East; and my mother called him back because she had lost me.


And he went to her, and took care of her through great trouble, and worked for her till she died--died in grief.

And he went to her, and took care of her, and worked for her till she died in grief.


And Ezra, too, had lost his health and strength.


The cold had seized him coming back to my mother, because she was forsaken.


For years he has been getting weaker--always poor, always working--but full of knowledge, and great-minded.

For years he has been getting weaker - always poor, always working - but full of knowledge, and great-minded.


To stand before him is like standing before a prophet of God"--Mirah ended with difficulty, her heart throbbing--"falsehoods are no use."

To stand before him is like standing before a prophet of God"- Mirah ended with difficulty, her heart throbbing- "falsehoods are no use."


She had cast down her eyes that she might not see her father while she spoke the last words--unable to bear the ignoble look of frustration that gathered in his face.

She had cast down her eyes while she spoke, unable to bear the ignoble look of frustration in his face.


But he was none the less quick in invention and decision.


"Mirah, _Liebchen_," he said, in the old caressing way, "shouldn't you like me to make myself a little more respectable before my son sees me?

"Mirah, Liebchen," he said, in the old caressing way, "shouldn't you like me to make myself a little more respectable before my son sees me?


If I had a little sum of money, I could fit myself out and come home to you as your father ought, and then I could offer myself for some decent place.

If I had a little money, I could fit myself out


With a good shirt and coat on my back, people would be glad enough to have me.

decently with a good coat, and find work.


I could offer myself for a courier, if I didn't look like a broken-down mountebank.


I should like to be with my children, and forget and forgive.


But you have never seen your father look like this before.


If you had ten pounds at hand--or I could appoint you to bring it me somewhere--I could fit myself out by the day after to-morrow."

If you had ten pounds at hand, I could fit myself out by the day after tomorrow."


Mirah felt herself under a temptation which she must try to overcome.


She answered, obliging herself to look at him again,


"I don't like to deny you what you ask, father; but I have given a promise not to do things for you in secret.


It _is_ hard to see you looking needy; but we will bear that for a little while; and then you can have new clothes, and we can pay for them."

It is hard to see you looking needy; but we will bear that for a little while; and then we can pay for new clothes."


Her practical sense made her see now what was Mrs. Meyrick's wisdom in exacting a promise from her.

Her practical sense made her now see Mrs. Meyrick's wisdom in exacting a promise from her.


Lapidoth's good humor gave way a little.

Lapidoth's good humour gave way a little.


He said, with a sneer, "You are a hard and fast young lady--you have been learning useful virtues--keeping promises not to help your father with a pound or two when you are getting money to dress yourself in silk--your father who made an idol of you, and gave up the best part of his life to providing for you."

He said, with a sneer, "You are a hard and fast young lady - you have been learning useful virtues - promising not to help your father with a pound or two when you dress yourself in silk - your father who gave up the best part of his life to providing for you."


"It seems cruel--I know it seems cruel," said Mirah, feeling this a worse moment than when she meant to drown herself.

"I know it seems cruel," said Mirah, pale, and feeling this a worse moment than when she meant to drown herself.


"But, father, it is more cruel to break the promises people trust in.


That broke my mother's heart--it has broken Ezra's life.

That broke my mother's heart - it has broken Ezra's life.


You and I must eat now this bitterness from what has been.


Bear to come in and be cared for as you are."


"To-morrow, then," said Lapidoth, almost turning on his heel away from this pale, trembling daughter, who seemed now to have got the inconvenient world to back her; but he quickly turned on it again, with his hands feeling about restlessly in his pockets, and said, with some return to his appealing tone, "I'm a little cut up with all this, Mirah.

"Tomorrow, then," said Lapidoth, almost turning away from this trembling daughter, who seemed now to have got the inconvenient world to back her; but he quickly turned again, and said in his appealing tone, "I'm a little cut up with all this, Mirah.


If you've a little money in your pocket, I suppose it isn't against your promise to give me a trifle--to buy a cigar with."

If you've a little money in your pocket, I suppose it isn't against your promise to give me a trifle - to buy a cigar with."


Mirah could not ask herself another question--could not do anything else than put her cold trembling hands in her pocket for her _portemonnaie_ and hold it out.

Mirah could not do anything else than put her cold trembling hands in her pocket for her purse and hold it out.


Lapidoth grasped it at once, pressed her fingers the while, said, "Good-bye, my little girl--to-morrow then!"

Lapidoth grasped it, pressing her fingers, said, "Good-bye, my little girl - tomorrow then!"


He had not taken many steps before he looked carefully into all the folds of the purse, found two half-sovereigns and odd silver, and, pasted against the folding cover, a bit of paper on which Ezra had inscribed, in a beautiful Hebrew character, the name of his mother, the days of her birth, marriage, and death, and the prayer, "May Mirah be delivered from evil."

He had not taken many steps before he looked carefully into the purse, found two half-sovereigns and odd silver, and, pasted against the cover, a bit of paper on which Ezra had inscribed, in a beautiful Hebrew character, the name of his mother, the days of her birth, marriage, and death, and the prayer, "May Mirah be delivered from evil."


It was Mirah's liking to have this little inscription on many articles that she used.

Mirah liked to have this little inscription on many articles that she used.


The father read it, and had a quick vision of his marriage day, and the bright, unblamed young fellow he was at that time; teaching many things, but expecting by-and-by to get money more easily by writing; and very fond of his beautiful bride Sara--crying when she expected him to cry, and reflecting every phase of her feeling with mimetic susceptibility.

The father read it, and had a quick vision of his marriage day, and the bright, unblamed young fellow he was at that time; very fond of his beautiful bride Sara - crying when she expected him to cry, and reflecting every phase of her feeling with perfect mimicry.


Lapidoth had traveled a long way from that young self, and thought of all that this inscription signified with an unemotional memory, which was like the ocular perception of a touch to one who has lost the sense of touch, or like morsels on an untasting palate, having shape and grain, but no flavor.

Lapidoth had travelled a long way from that young self, and remembered this without emotion, like a morsel of food which had no taste to him.


Among the things we may gamble away in a lazy selfish life is the capacity for ruth, compunction, or any unselfish regret--which we may come to long for as one in slow death longs to feel laceration, rather than be conscious of a widening margin where consciousness once was.

Among the things we may gamble away in a lazy selfish life is the capacity for pity, compunction, or unselfish regret - which we may come to long for as one in slow death longs to feel pain, rather than a widening space where consciousness once was.


Mirah's purse was a handsome one--a gift to her, which she had been unable to reflect about giving away--and Lapidoth presently found himself outside of his reverie, considering what the purse would fetch in addition to the sum it contained, and what prospect there was of his being able to get more from his daughter without submitting to adopt a penitential form of life under the eyes of that formidable son.

Mirah's purse was a handsome one, and Lapidoth found himself considering what it would fetch in addition to the sum it contained, and what prospect there was of his being able to get more from his daughter without submitting to penance under the eyes of that formidable son.


On such a subject his susceptibilities were still lively.


Meanwhile Mirah had entered the house with her power of reticence overcome by the cruelty of her pain.

Meanwhile Mirah was overcome by her pain.


She found her brother quietly reading and sifting old manuscripts of his own, which he meant to consign to Deronda.

She found her brother quietly sifting old manuscripts which he meant to give to Deronda, and


In the reaction from the long effort to master herself, she fell down before him and clasped his knees, sobbing, and crying, "Ezra, Ezra!"

fell down and clasped his knees, sobbing, and crying, "Ezra, Ezra!"


His alarm for her spending itself on conceiving the cause of her distress, the more striking from the novelty in her of this violent manifestation.


But Mirah's own longing was to be able to speak and tell him the cause.


Presently she raised her hand, and still sobbing, said brokenly,

presently she raised her head, and said brokenly-


And he said No, he would not--not now, but to-morrow.

And he said No, he would not now, but tomorrow.


And I gave him my purse, and he went away."


Mirah's words seemed to herself to express all the misery she felt in them.

Although Mirah's words expressed all her misery


Her brother found them less grievous than his preconceptions, and said gently, "Wait for calm, Mirah, and then tell me all,"--putting off her hat and laying his hands tenderly on her head.

, her brother found them less grievous than his preconceptions, and said gently, "Wait for calm, Mirah, and then tell me all," laying his hands tenderly on her head.


She felt the soothing influence, and in a few minutes told him as exactly as she could all that had happened.

Under this soothing influence, she told him what had happened.


"He will not come to-morrow," said Mordecai.

"He will not come tomorrow," said Mordecai.


Neither of them said to the other what they both thought, namely, that he might watch for Mirah's outgoings and beg from her again.

Neither of them said to the other what they both thought, namely, that he might watch for Mirah and beg from her again.


"Seest thou," he presently added, "our lot is the lot of Israel.


The grief and the glory are mingled as the smoke and the flame.


It is because we children have inherited the good that we feel the evil.


These things are wedded for us, as our father was wedded to our mother."


The surroundings were of Brompton, but the voice might have come from a Rabbi transmitting the sentences of an elder time to be registered in _Babli_--by which (to our ears) affectionate-sounding diminutive is meant the voluminous Babylonian Talmud.

The surroundings were of Brompton, but the voice might have come from a Rabbi.


"The Omnipresent," said a Rabbi, "is occupied in making marriages."


The levity of the saying lies in the ear of him who hears it; for by marriages the speaker meant all the wondrous combinations of the universe whose issue makes our good and evil.

It is said, "God is occupied in making marriages": whereby are meant all the wondrous combinations of the universe whose issue makes our good and evil.


"If some mortal, born too soon, Were laid away in some great trance--the ages Coming and going all the while--till dawned His true time's advent; and could then record The words they spoke who kept watch by his bed, Then I might tell more of the breath so light Upon my eyelids, and the fingers warm Among my hair.

Book 7 - THE MOTHER AND THE SON | Chapter 50


Youth is confused; yet never So dull was I but, when that spirit passed, I turned to him, scarce consciously, as turns A water-snake when fairies cross his sleep."


This was the letter which Sir Hugo put into Deronda's hands:,

This was the letter which Sir Hugo gave to Deronda:-


My good friend and yours, Sir Hugo Mallinger, will have told you that I wish to see you.

'My good friend, Sir Hugo Mallinger, will have told you that I wish to see you.


My health is shaken, and I desire there should be no time lost before I deliver to you what I have long withheld.

My health is shaken, and I desire to lose no time before I deliver to you what I have long withheld.


Let nothing hinder you from being at the _Albergo dell' Italia_ in Genoa by the fourteenth of this month.

Be at the Albergo dell' Italia in Genoa by the fourteenth of this month.


I am uncertain when I shall be able to make the journey from Spezia, where I shall be staying.


Wait for me--the Princess Halm-Eberstein.

Wait for me: the Princess Halm-Eberstein.


Bring with you the diamond ring that Sir Hugo gave you.


I shall like to see it again.--Your unknown mother,

I shall like to see it again. Your unknown mother,


This letter with its colorless wording gave Deronda no clue to what was in reserve for him; but he could not do otherwise than accept Sir Hugo's reticence, which seemed to imply some pledge not to anticipate the mother's disclosures; and the discovery that his life-long conjectures had been mistaken checked further surmise.

This letter with its colourless wording gave Deronda no clue to what awaited him.


Deronda could not hinder his imagination from taking a quick flight over what seemed possibilities, but he refused to contemplate any of them as more likely than another, lest he should be nursing it into a dominant desire or repugnance, instead of simply preparing himself with resolve to meet the fact bravely, whatever it might turn out to be.

He could not help imagining possibilities, but he refused to regard any of them as likely. He simply attempted to prepare himself to meet the fact bravely, whatever it might turn out to be.


In this state of mind he could not have communicated to any one the reason for the absence which in some quarters he was obliged to mention beforehand, least of all to Mordecai, whom it would affect as powerfully as it did himself, only in rather a different way.

He could not tell anyone the reason for his absence, least of all Mordecai, whom it would affect as powerfully as it did himself, only in a different way.


If he were to say, "I am going to learn the truth about my birth," Mordecai's hope would gather what might prove a painful, dangerous excitement.

If he were to say, "I am going to learn the truth about my birth," Mordecai's hopes might be dangerously excited.


To exclude suppositions, he spoke of his journey as being undertaken by Sir Hugo's wish, and threw as much indifference as he could into his manner of announcing it, saying he was uncertain of its duration, but it would perhaps be very short.

So he spoke of his journey as being undertaken by Sir Hugo's wish, with as much indifference and vagueness as he could.


"I will ask to have the child Jacob to stay with me," said Mordecai, comforting himself in this way, after the first mournful glances.

"I will ask to have the child Jacob to stay with me," said Mordecai.


"I will drive round and ask Mrs. Cohen to let him come," said Mirah.

"I will ask Mrs. Cohen to let him come," said Mirah.


"The grandmother will deny you nothing," said Deronda.