The present representative of the Dedlocks is an excellent master. He supposes all his dependents to be utterly bereft of individual characters, intentions, or opinions, and is persuaded that he was born to supersede the necessity of their having any. If he were to make a discovery to the contrary, he would be simply stunned--would never recover himself, most likely, except to gasp and die. But he is an excellent master still, holding it a part of his state to be so. He has a great liking for Mrs. Rouncewell; he says she is a most respectable, creditable woman. He always shakes hands with her when he comes down to Chesney Wold and when he goes away; and if he were very ill, or if he were knocked down by accident, or run over, or placed in any situation expressive of a Dedlock at a disadvantage, he would say if he could speak, "Leave me, and send Mrs. Rouncewell here!" feeling his dignity, at such a pass, safer with her than with anybody else.

The present Sir Leicester Dedlock is an excellent master. He supposes all his servants to be utterly bereft of individual characters or opinions. If he were to make a discovery to the contrary, he would be simply stunned. But he has a great liking for Mrs. Rouncewell; he says she is a most respectable woman. He always shakes hands with her when he comes down to Chesney Wold and when he goes away; and if he were very ill, he would say, "send Mrs. Rouncewell here!" feeling his dignity safer with her than with anybody else.
