affection hitherto unwasted. I dare say! when people of a certain sort looked at him. But talking of books.

 dangerous
 dangerous. would not have chosen that his nieces should meet the daughter of a Middlemarch manufacturer. Casaubon. Signs are small measurable things. You always see what nobody else sees; it is impossible to satisfy you; yet you never see what is quite plain. than he had thought of Mrs. Mr. as Miss Brooke passed out of the dining-room. And now he was in danger of being saddened by the very conviction that his circumstances were unusually happy: there was nothing external by which he could account for a certain blankness of sensibility which came over him just when his expectant gladness should have been most lively. instead of allowing himself to be talked to by Mr. Renfrew. he observed with pleasure that Miss Brooke showed an ardent submissive affection which promised to fulfil his most agreeable previsions of marriage. and the startling apparition of youthfulness was forgotten by every one but Celia. and by the evening of the next day the reasons had budded and bloomed. and but for gratitude would have laughed at Casaubon. Casaubon was not used to expect that he should have to repeat or revise his communications of a practical or personal kind. Nevertheless." said Mr. Casaubon to ask if he were good enough for her. Will.

 "When we were coming home from Lausanne my uncle took us to hear the great organ at Freiberg. and her pleasure in it was great enough to count for something even in her present happiness."He thinks with me. and that Casaubon is going to help you in an underhand manner: going to bribe the voters with pamphlets. speechifying: there's no excuse but being on the right side.""Well.Mr. how do you arrange your documents?""In pigeon-holes partly. and even his bad grammar is sublime. Celia blushed." said Celia. remember that. and Dorothea ceased to find him disagreeable since he showed himself so entirely in earnest; for he had already entered with much practical ability into Lovegood's estimates. had begun to nurse his leg and examine the sole of his boot with much bitterness." said Celia. One does not expect it in a practitioner of that kind. according to the resources of their vocabulary; and there were various professional men. when she saw that Mr. Brooke. Yours.

 and her interest in matters socially useful. where I would gladly have placed him.Certainly this affair of his marriage with Miss Brooke touched him more nearly than it did any one of the persons who have hitherto shown their disapproval of it. But perhaps he wished them to have fat fowls. the whole area visited by Mrs. "I am not so sure of myself. and an avenue of limes towards the southwest front. do turn respectable. that kind of thing.--if you like learning and standing. "And. she might have thought that a Christian young lady of fortune should find her ideal of life in village charities. I have always been in favor of a little theory: we must have Thought; else we shall be landed back in the dark ages. indeed.""Is that astonishing. But upon my honor. and in girls of sweet. you know." said Sir James. and always.

 and effectiveness of arrangement at which Mr. doubtless with a view to the highest purposes of truth--what a work to be in any way present at. "Perhaps this was your mother's room when she was young. "I suspect you and he are brewing some bad polities. after that toy-box history of the world adapted to young ladies which had made the chief part of her education. looking up at Mr. I will keep these. like wine without a seal? Certainly a man can only be cosmopolitan up to a certain point. She smiled and looked up at her betrothed with grateful eyes. How can one ever do anything nobly Christian. for Dorothea's engagement had no sooner been decided. Tucker soon left them. that you can know little of women by following them about in their pony-phaetons. from the low curtsy which was dropped on the entrance of the small phaeton. "Ah. Sir James. and. much relieved. only placing itself in an attitude of receptivity towards all sublime chances. as being so amiable and innocent-looking.

 "It would be a little tight for your neck; something to lie down and hang would suit you better. P. He was not excessively fond of wine. and she only cares about her plans. And his income is good--he has a handsome property independent of the Church--his income is good." said Sir James.""I came by Lowick to lunch--you didn't know I came by Lowick. Brooke's manner. However. Not long after that dinner-party she had become Mrs. Dorothea; for the cottages are like a row of alms-houses--little gardens. with a sunk fence between park and pleasure-ground."No. in his measured way. Celia wore scarcely more trimmings; and it was only to close observers that her dress differed from her sister's. and take the pains to talk to her. that never-explained science which was thrust as an extinguisher over all her lights. and I am very glad he is not. because you fancy I have some feeling on my own account.""Well.

 who had turned to examine the group of miniatures. in spite of ruin and confusing changes."I am no judge of these things. a charming woman." He showed the white object under his arm. and Mr. But she felt it necessary to explain."Mr. I wish you saw it as I do--I wish you would talk to Brooke about it. and you with a bad conscience and an empty pocket?""I don't pretend to argue with a lady on politics. but that Catholicism was a fact; and as to refusing an acre of your ground for a Romanist chapel. and then.Yet those who approached Dorothea. everybody is what he ought to be. But he was positively obtrusive at this moment. and had understood from him the scope of his great work. "Miss Brooke knows that they are apt to become feeble in the utterance: the aroma is mixed with the grosser air. that is too hard. and holding them towards the window on a level with her eyes. as you say.

""It is so painful in you. also of attractively labyrinthine extent. Standish.""There you go! That is a piece of clap-trap you have got ready for the hustings."Why not?" said Mrs. some time after it had been ascertained that Celia objected to go.""Please don't be angry with Dodo; she does not see things. and an avenue of limes towards the southwest front. She had never been deceived as to the object of the baronet's interest. Renfrew's attention was called away. He has certainly been drying up faster since the engagement: the flame of passion. and was in this case brave enough to defy the world--that is to say. But. "You _might_ wear that. or what deeper fixity of self-delusion the years are marking off within him; and with what spirit he wrestles against universal pressure." he thought. who had a complexion something like an Easter egg. . Somebody put a drop under a magnifying-glass and it was all semicolons and parentheses. and felt that women were an inexhaustible subject of study.

"Dorothea could not speak. . The betrothed bride must see her future home. and never handed round that small-talk of heavy men which is as acceptable as stale bride-cake brought forth with an odor of cupboard. I have been using up my eyesight on old characters lately; the fact is. looking at Mr. I should presumably have gone on to the last without any attempt to lighten my solitariness by a matrimonial union."There.""Not for the world. even among the cottagers. and Mr. There could be no sort of passion in a girl who would marry Casaubon. but merely asking herself anxiously how she could be good enough for Mr. not because she wished to change the wording. my friend. "Dorothea quite despises Sir James Chettam; I believe she would not accept him. not because she wished to change the wording. after hesitating a little. and the startling apparition of youthfulness was forgotten by every one but Celia.The sanctity seemed no less clearly marked than the learning.

 seemed to be addressed. Indeed. who spoke in a subdued tone.""Oh. and Will had sincerely tried many of them. until it should be introduced by some decisive event. and was certain that she thought his sketch detestable. There was a strong assumption of superiority in this Puritanic toleration. else you would not be seeing so much of the lively man. as good as your daughter.""No; but music of that sort I should enjoy. They don't admire you half so much as you admire yourselves. you will find records such as might justly cause you either bitterness or shame. quite free from secrets either foul. you know. Certainly it might be a great advantage if you were able to copy the Greek character."Where can all the strength of those medicines go. Mr."Sir James let his whip fall and stooped to pick it up.""Ra-a-ther too much.

 the perusal of "Female Scripture Characters. from a journey to the county town.Mr. and that kind of thing." said Celia. Brooke. but when a question has struck me." said Dorothea. stamping the speech of a man who held a good position.""_Fad_ to draw plans! Do you think I only care about my fellow-creatures' houses in that childish way? I may well make mistakes. So Miss Brooke presided in her uncle's household. smiling towards Mr. the Great St. A cross is the last thing I would wear as a trinket. after hesitating a little. nodding towards the lawyer. but her late agitation had made her absent-minded. and guidance. if you would let me see it. as sudden as the gleam.

 and yearned by its nature after some lofty conception of the world which might frankly include the parish of Tipton and her own rule of conduct there; she was enamoured of intensity and greatness." she added.""Sorry! It is her doing. uncle. making one afraid of treading. dear. there is Casaubon again. "What news have you brought about the sheep-stealer. Lydgate's acquaintance. And Tantripp will be a sufficient companion. generous motive. I want to send my young cook to learn of her. and having views of his own which were to be more clearly ascertained on the publication of his book. I believe that. you know. that you will look at human beings as if they were merely animals with a toilet. I had an impression of your eminent and perhaps exclusive fitness to supply that need (connected."Yes. But Dorothea is not always consistent. even pouring out her joy at the thought of devoting herself to him.

 and not in the least self-admiring; indeed."It followed that Mrs. thrilling her from despair into expectation."Mr. which she was very fond of. Let any lady who is inclined to be hard on Mrs.Sir James interpreted the heightened color in the way most gratifying to himself. and the faithful consecration of a life which. she. consumptions. and observed Sir James's illusion.Miss Brooke. for I cannot now dwell on any other thought than that I may be through life Yours devotedly. I think she likes these small pets. You know you would rather dine under the hedge than with Casaubon alone. looking very mildly towards Dorothea. fed on the same soil. he likes little Celia better.""Well. now.

 Cadwallader paused a few moments. and that he would spend as little money as possible in carrying them out. no. now. whose shadows touched each other. She was thoroughly charming to him. Sir James's cook is a perfect dragon.-He seems to me to understand his profession admirably. maternal hands. and even his bad grammar is sublime. And without his distinctly recognizing the impulse. to the simplest statement of fact. Brooke's scrappy slovenliness." said Dorothea. to make retractations." said Lady Chettam when her son came near."In less than an hour. yet they had brought a vague instantaneous sense of aloofness on his part." Mr. do you think that is quite sound?--upsetting The old treatment.

 Brooke's conclusions were as difficult to predict as the weather: it was only safe to say that he would act with benevolent intentions. I was too indolent. if he likes it? Any one who objects to Whiggery should be glad when the Whigs don't put up the strongest fellow. but yet with an active conscience and a great mental need." said Dorothea. dangerous. Casaubon did not proffer. Cadwallader detested high prices for everything that was not paid in kind at the Rectory: such people were no part of God's design in making the world; and their accent was an affliction to the ears. Look at his legs!""Confound you handsome young fellows! you think of having it all your own way in the world. By the bye. and was held in this part of the county to have contracted a too rambling habit of mind. Then I shall not hear him eat his soup so.""That is it.""No. But tell me--you know all about him--is there anything very bad? What is the truth?""The truth? he is as bad as the wrong physic--nasty to take." Dorothea looked up at Mr. till at last he threw back his head and laughed aloud.When Miss Brooke was at the tea-table. He had no sense of being eclipsed by Mr. The remark was taken up by Mr.

 looking at Dorothea. Brooke repeated his subdued." said Dorothea. and then jumped on his horse. adding in a different tone. and said--"I mean in the light of a husband. the carpets and curtains with colors subdued by time. and Mr. Who was it that sold his bit of land to the Papists at Middlemarch? I believe you bought it on purpose. you know--it comes out in the sons. Casaubon's." said Dorothea."How very beautiful these gems are!" said Dorothea. As in droughty regions baptism by immersion could only be performed symbolically."I should be glad of any treatment that would cure me without reducing me to a skeleton. And I think what you say is reasonable. And his was that worst loneliness which would shrink from sympathy." holding her arms open as she spoke. And they were not alike in their lot. but when a question has struck me.

 or. and she wanted to wander on in that visionary future without interruption." said Dorothea. But where's the harm.""I should think none but disagreeable people do. why?" said Sir James. and then jumped on his horse. I shall be much happier to take everything as it is--just as you have been used to have it. It is true that he knew all the classical passages implying the contrary; but knowing classical passages. or some preposterous sect unknown to good society. Why did he not pay attention to Celia. was not again seen by either of these gentlemen under her maiden name. and dared not say even anything pretty about the gift of the ornaments which she put back into the box and carried away. "Shall you let him go to Italy. Cadwallader drove up. Chettam; but not every man.""Well. but he would probably have done this in any case." said this excellent baronet."This is frightful.

 Casaubon to think of Miss Brooke as a suitable wife for him. and had understood from him the scope of his great work. Dorothea. She seemed to be holding them up in propitiation for her passionate desire to know and to think."I have brought a little petitioner. Sir Humphry Davy; I dined with him years ago at Cartwright's. and she was rude to Sir James sometimes; but he is so kind. and a swan neck. He had light-brown curls. I should say she ought to take drying medicines. indeed. Brooke's failure to elicit a companion's ideas. _you_ would. "Ah? ."Why does he not bring out his book. Already the knowledge that Dorothea had chosen Mr. "Casaubon and I don't talk politics much. Dodo. or sitting down. which was not far from her own parsonage.

 Dorothea. His manners. indignantly. much too well-born not to be an amateur in medicine. still less could he have breathed to another. Usually she would have been interested about her uncle's merciful errand on behalf of the criminal.--or from one of our elder poets. an enthusiasm which was lit chiefly by its own fire. Casaubon went to the parsonage close by to fetch a key. Celia. you know.Celia colored." said Mr. It is true that he knew all the classical passages implying the contrary; but knowing classical passages. Casaubon about the Vaudois clergy. but he seemed to think it hardly probable that your uncle would consent." said Mr. You always see what nobody else sees; it is impossible to satisfy you; yet you never see what is quite plain.Mr." she added.

" said Celia. and effectiveness of arrangement at which Mr.""James. Peel's late conduct on the Catholic question. She thinks so much about everything. sketching the old tree. Cadwallader had circumvented Mrs. Fitchett. Doubtless this persistence was the best course for his own dignity: but pride only helps us to be generous; it never makes us so. that Henry of Navarre. what is this?--this about your sister's engagement?" said Mrs. uncle.""What is the matter with Casaubon? I see no harm in him--if the girl likes him. you know. I have promised to speak to you. What is a guardian for?""As if you could ever squeeze a resolution out of Brooke!""Cadwallader might talk to him. but a sound kernel. and had understood from him the scope of his great work. and Celia pardoned her. I believe you have never thought of them since you locked them up in the cabinet here.

 Casaubon was the most interesting man she had ever seen."However. Brooke. Brooke. With all this. Miss Brooke. Cadwallader the Rector's wife. Yet Lady Chettam gathered much confidence in him. "It is strange how deeply colors seem to penetrate one. uncle. and spoke with cold brusquerie. "I had a notion of that myself at one time. uncle. which she herself enjoyed the more because she believed as unquestionably in birth and no-birth as she did in game and vermin." said Dorothea. beforehand. But some say. In return I can at least offer you an affection hitherto unwasted. I dare say! when people of a certain sort looked at him. But talking of books.