Probably the young man interested in a possible customer was Ezra himself; and he was about the age to be expected in Mirah's brother, who was grown up while she was still a little child.

Probably the young man was Ezra himself; and he was about the age to be expected in Mirah's brother, who was grown up while she was still a little child.


But Deronda's first endeavor as he drove homeward was to convince himself that there was not the slightest warrantable presumption of this Ezra being Mirah's brother; and next, that even if, in spite of good reasoning, he turned out to be that brother, while on inquiry the mother was found to be dead, it was not his--Deronda's--duty to make known the discovery to Mirah.

But as he drove home Deronda tried to convince himself that there was not the slightest likelihood of this Ezra being Mirah's brother; and that even if he did turn out to be, and if the mother was found to be dead, it was not Deronda's duty to make the discovery known to Mirah.


In inconvenient disturbance of this conclusion there came his lately-acquired knowledge that Mirah would have a religious desire to know of her mother's death, and also to learn whether her brother were living.

In inconvenient disturbance of this conclusion, he knew that Mirah would have a religious desire to know of her mother's death, and also to learn whether her brother were living.


How far was he justified in determining another life by his own notions?

How far was he justified in determining her life by his own notions?


Was it not his secret complaint against the way in which others had ordered his own life, that he had not open daylight on all its relations, so that he had not, like other men, the full guidance of primary duties?

Was it not his secret complaint that others had ordered his own life, so that he had not open daylight on all its relations?


The immediate relief from this inward debate was the reflection that he had not yet made any real discovery, and that by looking into the facts more closely he should be certified that there was no demand on him for any decision whatever.

He found relief in reflecting that he had not yet made any discovery, and that by looking into the facts he could learn whether there was need for any decision.


He intended to return to that shop as soon as he could conveniently, and buy the clasps for Lady Mallinger.

He intended to return to that shop as soon as he could, and buy the clasps for Lady Mallinger.


But he was hindered for several days by Sir Hugo, who, about to make an after-dinner speech on a burning topic, wanted Deronda to forage for him on the legal part of the question, besides wasting time every day on argument which always ended in a drawn battle.

But he was prevented for several days by Sir Hugo, who, about to make an after-dinner speech, wanted Deronda to help him on a legal question, besides wasting time every day on argument.


As on many other questions, they held different sides, but Sir Hugo did not mind this, and when Deronda put his point well, said, with a mixture of satisfaction and regret,

As on many other questions, they held different sides, but Sir Hugo did not mind this; and when Deronda put his point well, he said with a mixture of satisfaction and regret,


why don't you make an opportunity of saying these things in public?


You've got the massive sentiment--the heavy artillery of the country against you.


But it's all the better ground for a young man to display himself on.


When I was your age, I should have taken it.


And it would be quite as well for you to be in opposition to me here and there.


If you would seize an occasion of this sort to make an impression, you might be in Parliament in no time.


"I am sorry not to do what would gratify you, sir," said Deronda.


"But I cannot persuade myself to look at politics as a profession."


if a man is not born into public life by his position in the country, there's no way for him but to embrace it by his own efforts.


The business of the country must be done--her Majesty's Government carried on, as the old Duke said. And it never could be, my boy, if everybody looked at politics as if they were prophecy, and demanded an inspired vocation.

If everybody looked at politics as if they demanded an inspired vocation, the business of the country would never get done."


If you are to get into Parliament, it won't do to sit still and wait for a call either from heaven or constituents."


"I don't want to make a living out of opinions," said Deronda; "especially out of borrowed opinions.


I dare say many better fellows than I don't mind getting on to a platform to praise themselves, and giving their word of honor for a party."

I dare say many better fellows than I am don't mind getting on to a platform to praise themselves, and giving their word of honour for a party."


"I'll tell you what, Dan," said Sir Hugo, "a man who sets his face against every sort of humbug is simply a three-cornered, impracticable fellow.

"I'll tell you what, Dan," said Sir Hugo, "a man who sets his face against every sort of humbug is simply impracticable.


There's a bad style of humbug, but there is also a good style--one that oils the wheels and makes progress possible.

There's a bad style of humbug, but there is also a good style - one that oils the wheels and makes progress possible.


If you are to rule men, you must rule them through their own ideas; and I agree with the Archbishop at Naples who had a St. Januarius procession against the plague.


It's no use having an Order in Council against popular shallowness.


There is no action possible without a little acting."


"One may be obliged to give way to an occasional necessity," said Deronda.

"There may be an occasional necessity for it," said Deronda.


"But it is one thing to say, 'In this particular case I am forced to put on this foolscap and grin,' and another to buy a pocket foolscap and practice myself in grinning.

"But it is one thing to say, 'In this particular case I am forced to put on this fool's cap and grin,' and another to buy a pocket fool's cap and practise grinning.


I can't see any real public expediency that does not keep an ideal before it which makes a limit of deviation from the direct path. But if I were to set up for a public man I might mistake my success for public expediency."

Public expediency keeps an ideal before it; but if I were to enter politics I might mistake my success for public expediency."


It was after this dialogue, which was rather jarring to him, that Deronda set out on his meditated second visit to Ezra Cohen's.

It was after this dialogue that Deronda set out on his second visit to Ezra Cohen's.


He entered the street at the end opposite to the Holborn entrance, and an inward reluctance slackened his pace while his thoughts were transferring what he had just been saying about public expediency to the entirely private difficulty which brought him back again into this unattractive thoroughfare.

As he entered the street, an inward reluctance slackened his pace along this unattractive thoroughfare.


It might soon become an immediate practical question with him how far he could call it a wise expediency to conceal the fact of close kindred.

His thoughts of public expediency made him wonder how far he could call it a wise expediency to conceal the fact of Mirah's close kin.


Such questions turning up constantly in life are often decided in a rough-and-ready way; and to many it will appear an over-refinement in Deronda that he should make any great point of a matter confined to his own knowledge.


But we have seen the reasons why he had come to regard concealment as a bane of life, and the necessity of concealment as a mark by which lines of action were to be avoided. The prospect of being urged against the confirmed habit of his mind was naturally grating.

We have seen why he had come to regard concealment as a bane of life; and the prospect of being urged against his inclination was naturally grating.


He even paused here and there before the most plausible shop-windows for a gentleman to look into, half inclined to decide that he would not increase his knowledge about that modern Ezra, who was certainly not a leader among his people--a hesitation which proved how, in a man much given to reasoning, a bare possibility may weigh more than the best-clad likelihood; for Deronda's reasoning had decided that all likelihood was against this man's being Mirah's brother.

He even paused here and there before the most respectable shop-windows, half persuading himself not to increase his knowledge about Ezra Cohen, even though he had decided that this man was most unlikely to be Mirah's brother.


One of the shop-windows he paused before was that of a second-hand book-shop, where, on a narrow table outside, the literature of the ages was represented in judicious mixture, from the immortal verse of Homer to the mortal prose of the railway novel.

One of the shop-windows he paused before was that of a second-hand book-shop, where, on a narrow table outside, a mixture of the literature of the ages was represented, from the immortal verse of Homer to the mortal prose of the railway novel.


That the mixture was judicious was apparent from Deronda's finding in it something that he wanted--namely, that wonderful bit of autobiography, the life of the Polish Jew, Salomon Maimon; which, as he could easily slip it into his pocket, he took from its place, and entered the shop to pay for, expecting to see behind the counter a grimy personage showing that _nonchalance_ about sales which seems to belong universally to the second-hand book-business.

Deronda noticed a book that he wanted - the life of the Polish Jew, Salomon Maimon; which he picked up, and entered the shop to pay for, expecting to see a grimy personage behind the counter.


In most other trades you find generous men who are anxious to sell you their wares for your own welfare; but even a Jew will not urge Simson's Euclid on you with an affectionate assurance that you will have pleasure in reading it, and that he wishes he had twenty more of the article, so much is it in request.


One is led to fear that a secondhand bookseller may belong to that unhappy class of men who have no belief in the good of what they get their living by, yet keep conscience enough to be morose rather than unctuous in their vocation.


But instead of the ordinary tradesman, he saw, on the dark background of books in the long narrow shop, a figure that was somewhat startling in its unusualness.

But instead of the ordinary tradesman, he saw, on the dark background of books in the long narrow shop, a figure that was startlingly unusual.


A man in threadbare clothing, whose age was difficult to guess--from the dead yellowish flatness of the flesh, something like an old ivory carving--was seated on a stool against some bookshelves that projected beyond the short counter, doing nothing more remarkable than reading yesterday's _Times_; but when he let the paper rest on his lap and looked at the incoming customer, the thought glanced through Deronda that precisely such a physiognomy as that might possibly have been seen in a prophet of the Exile, or in some New Hebrew poet of the medival time.

A man in threadbare clothing, whose age was difficult to guess, his skin being yellow like an old ivory carving, was seated on a stool by the counter, reading yesterday's Times; but when he looked up, the thought glanced through Deronda that such a face might have been seen in a prophet of the Exile, or in some New Hebrew poet of the mediaeval time.


It was a fine typical Jewish face, wrought into intensity of expression apparently by a strenuous eager experience in which all the satisfaction had been indirect and far off, and perhaps by some bodily suffering also, which involved that absence of ease in the present.

It was a fine Jewish face, given an intensity of expression by strenuous eager experience, and perhaps by bodily suffering also.


The features were clear-cut, not large; the brow not high but broad, and fully defined by the crisp black hair.


It might never have been a particularly handsome face, but it must always have been forcible; and now with its dark, far-off gaze, and yellow pallor in relief on the gloom of the backward shop, one might have imagined one's self coming upon it in some past prison of the Inquisition, which a mob had suddenly burst upon; while the look fixed on an incidental customer seemed eager and questioning enough to have been turned on one who might have been a messenger either of delivery or of death.

It might never have been a handsome face, but it must always have been forcible; and now with its dark, far-off gaze, and yellow pallor, one might have imagined coming upon it in some past prison of the Inquisition; while the look fixed on a customer seemed questioning enough to have been turned on a messenger of salvation or of death.


The figure was probably familiar and unexciting enough to the inhabitants of this street; but to Deronda's mind it brought so strange a blending of the unwonted with the common, that there was a perceptible interval of mutual observation before he asked his question; "What is the price of this book?"

To Deronda's mind this figure was so unusual, that there was a perceptible interval of mutual observation before he asked, "What is the price of this book?"


After taking the book and examining the fly-leaves without rising, the supposed bookseller said, "There is no mark, and Mr. Ram is not in now.

After examining the book, the supposed bookseller said, "There is no mark, and Mr. Ram is not in now.


I am keeping the shop while he is gone to dinner.


He held the book close on his lap with his hand on it and looked examiningly at Deronda, over whom there came the disagreeable idea, that possibly this striking personage wanted to see how much could be got out of a customer's ignorance of prices.

He looked examiningly at Deronda, who had the disagreeable idea that this striking personage might want to see how much could be got.


But without further reflection he said, "Don't you know how much it is worth?"

He said, "Don't you know how much it is worth?"


I have read an account of it, which makes me want to buy it."


"You are a man of learning--you are interested in Jewish history?"

"You are a man of learning - you are interested in Jewish history?"


This was said in a deepened tone of eager inquiry.


"I am certainly interested in Jewish history," said Deronda, quietly, curiosity overcoming his dislike to the sort of inspection as well as questioning he was under.

"I am certainly interested in Jewish history," said Deronda, quietly, curiosity overcoming his dislike to the inspection he was under.


But immediately the strange Jew rose from his sitting posture, and Deronda felt a thin hand pressing his arm tightly, while a hoarse, excited voice, not much above a loud whisper, said,

But immediately the strange Jew rose from his seat, and Deronda felt a thin hand pressing his arm tightly, while an excited voice said in a hoarse whisper-


Deronda colored deeply, not liking the grasp, and then answered with a slight shake of the head, "No."

Deronda coloured deeply, and answered, "No."


The grasp was relaxed, the hand withdrawn, the eagerness of the face collapsed into uninterested melancholy, as if some possessing spirit which had leaped into the eyes and gestures had sunk back again to the inmost recesses of the frame; and moving further off as he held out the little book, the stranger said in a tone of distant civility, "I believe Mr. Ram will be satisfied with half-a-crown, sir."

The grasp was relaxed, the hand withdrawn, the eagerness of the face collapsed into melancholy, as if some possessing spirit which had leaped into the eyes had sunk back again. Moving away, the stranger said with distant civility, "I believe Mr. Ram will be satisfied with half-a-crown, sir."


The effect of this change on Deronda--he afterward smiled when he recalled it--was oddly embarrassing and humiliating, as if some high dignitary had found him deficient and given him his _cong_.

The effect of this change on Deronda was oddly embarrassing and humiliating, as if some high dignitary had found him deficient.


There was nothing further to be said, however: he paid his half-crown and carried off his _Salomon Maimon's Lebensgeschichte_ with a mere "good-morning."

He paid his half-crown and carried off his book with a mere "good-morning."


He felt some vexation at the sudden arrest of the interview, and the apparent prohibition that he should know more of this man, who was certainly something out of the common way--as different probably as a Jew could well be from Ezra Cohen, through whose door Deronda was presently entering, and whose flourishing face glistening on the way to fatness was hanging over the counter in negotiation with some one on the other side of the partition, concerning two plated stoppers and three teaspoons, which lay spread before him.

He felt vexed at the sudden end of the interview, so that he should not know more of this man, who was certainly uncommon - as different as a Jew could be from Ezra Cohen, through whose door Deronda now entered, and whose flourishing face was negotiating with some one on the other side of the partition.


Seeing Deronda enter, he called out "Mother!"


and then with a familiar nod and smile, said, "Coming, sir--coming directly."

and then with a familiar smile, said, "Coming, sir - coming directly."


Deronda could not help looking toward the door from the back with some anxiety, which was not soothed when he saw a vigorous woman beyond fifty enter and approach to serve him.

Deronda felt some anxiety, which was not soothed when he saw a vigorous woman of over fifty enter the shop.


Not that there was anything very repulsive about her: the worst that could be said was that she had that look of having made her toilet with little water, and by twilight, which is common to unyouthful people of her class, and of having presumably slept in her large earrings, if not in her rings and necklace.

Not that there was anything very repulsive about her: the worst that could be said was that she had that look of having washed with little water, which is common to older people of her class, and of having presumably slept in her large earrings, if not in her necklace.


In fact, what caused a sinking of heart in Deronda was her not being so coarse and ugly as to exclude the idea of her being Mirah's mother.

In fact, what caused Deronda's heart to sink was her not being so coarse and ugly as to exclude the idea of her being Mirah's mother.


Any one who has looked at a face to try and discern signs of known kinship in it will understand his process of conjecture--how he tried to think away the fat which had gradually disguised the outlines of youth, and to discern what one may call the elementary expressions of the face.

Anyone who has looked at a face for signs of kinship in it will understand his process - how he tried to think away the fat which had gradually disguised the outlines of youth, and to discern the underlying expressions of the face.


He was sorry to see no absolute negative to his fears.


Just as it was conceivable that this Ezra, brought up to trade, might resemble the scapegrace father in everything but his knowledge and talent, so it was not impossible that this mother might have had a lovely refined daughter whose type of feature and expression was like Mirah's.

It was not impossible that this mother might have had a lovely, refined daughter like Mirah.


The eyebrows had a vexatious similarity of line; and who shall decide how far a face may be masked when the uncherishing years have thrust it far onward in the ever-new procession of youth and age?

The eyebrows had a vexatious similarity of line; and who knows how far a face may be masked by age?


The good-humor of the glance remained and shone out in a motherly way at Deronda, as she said, in a mild guttural tone,

Her good-humoured glance shone out in a motherly way at Deronda, as she said, in a mild guttural tone-


"I should like to look at the silver clasps in the window," said Deronda; "the larger ones, please, in the corner there."

"I should like to look at the silver clasps in the window, please," said Deronda.


They were not quite easy to get at from the mother's station, and the son seeing this called out, "I'll reach 'em, mother; I'll reach 'em," running forward with alacrity, and then handing the clasps to Deronda with the smiling remark,

They were not easy to get at. The son called out, "I'll reach 'em, mother," with alacrity; and handed the clasps to Deronda with the smiling remark-


"Mother's too proud: she wants to do everything herself.


That's why I called her to wait on you, sir.


When there's a particular gentleman customer, sir, I daren't do any other than call her.


But I can't let her do herself mischief with stretching."


Here Mr. Cohen made way again for his parent, who gave a little guttural, amiable laugh while she looked at Deronda, as much as to say, "This boy will be at his jokes, but you see he's the best son in the world," and evidently the son enjoyed pleasing her, though he also wished to convey an apology to his distinguished customer for not giving him the advantage of his own exclusive attention.

Here Mr. Cohen made way for his parent, who gave an amiable laugh, as much as to say, "The boy will joke, but he's the best son in the world."


Deronda began to examine the clasps as if he had many points to observe before he could come to a decision.


"They are only three guineas, sir," said the mother, encouragingly.


"First-rate workmanship, sir--worth twice the money; only I get 'em a bargain from Cologne," said the son, parenthetically, from a distance.

"First-rate workmanship, sir - worth twice the money," said the son from a distance.


Meanwhile two new customers entered, and the repeated call, "Addy!"


brought from the back of the shop a group that Deronda turned frankly to stare at, feeling sure that the stare would be held complimentary.


The group consisted of a black-eyed young woman who carried a black-eyed little one, its head already covered with black curls, and deposited it on the counter, from which station it looked round with even more than the usual intelligence of babies: also a robust boy of six and a younger girl, both with black eyes and black-ringed hair--looking more Semitic than their parents, as the puppy lions show the spots of far-off progenitors.

The group consisted of a black-eyed young woman who carried a little one, its head already covered with black curls, and deposited it on the counter, where it looked round with even more than the usual intelligence of babies: also a robust boy of six and a younger girl, both with black eyes and black-ringed hair, looking more Semitic than their parents.


The young woman answering to "Addy"--a sort of paroquet in a bright blue dress, with coral necklace and earrings, her hair set up in a huge bush--looked as complacently lively and unrefined as her husband; and by a certain difference from the mother deepened in Deronda the unwelcome impression that the latter was not so utterly common a Jewess as to exclude her being the mother of Mirah.

The young woman answering to "Addy", a sort of parakeet in a bright blue dress, with coral necklace and earrings, and her hair in a huge bush, looked as complacently lively and unrefined as her husband. Her difference from the mother deepened in Deronda the unwelcome impression that the latter was not so utterly common a Jewess as to exclude her being Mirah's mother.


While that thought was glancing through his mind, the boy had run forward into the shop with an energetic stamp, and setting himself about four feet from Deronda, with his hands in the pockets of his miniature knickerbockers, looked at him with a precocious air of survey.

Meanwhile, the boy ran forward energetically, and standing about four feet from Deronda, with his hands in the pockets of his miniature knickerbockers, looked at him with a precocious air of survey.


Perhaps it was chiefly with a diplomatic design to linger and ingratiate himself that Deronda patted the boy's head, saying,

With diplomatic intentions, Deronda patted the boy's head, saying-


"Jacob Alexander Cohen," said the small man, with much ease and distinctness.

"Jacob Alexander Cohen," said the boy distinctly.


"You are not named after your father, then?"


"No, after my grandfather; he sells knives and razors and scissors--my grandfather does," said Jacob, wishing to impress the stranger with that high connection.

"No, after my grandfather; he sells knives and scissors," said Jacob, wishing to impress the stranger with that high connection.


Here a pocket-knife was drawn forth, and the small fingers, both naturally and artificially dark, opened two blades and a cork-screw with much quickness.

Here a pocket-knife was drawn forth, and the small fingers opened two blades and a cork-screw with much quickness.


said Deronda, turning to the grandmother.


"_He_'ll never hurt himself, bless you!"


said she, contemplating her grandson with placid rapture.


His small voice was hoarse in its glibness, as if it belonged to an aged commercial soul, fatigued with bargaining through many generations.


said Deronda, taking a small penknife from his waistcoat-pocket.


Jacob seized it immediately and retreated a little, holding the two knives in his palms and bending over them in meditative comparison.

Jacob seized it immediately, holding the two knives to compare them.


By this time the other clients were gone, and the whole family had gathered to the spot, centering their attention on the marvelous Jacob: the father, mother, and grandmother behind the counter, with baby held staggering thereon, and the little girl in front leaning at her brother's elbow to assist him in looking at the knives.

By now the other clients were gone, and the whole family centred their attention on the marvellous Jacob.


"Mine's the best," said Jacob, at last, returning Deronda's knife as if he had been entertaining the idea of exchange and had rejected it.

"Mine's the best," said Jacob at last, returning Deronda's knife as if he had considered the idea of exchange and had rejected it.


Father and mother laughed aloud with delight.


"You won't find Jacob choosing the worst," said Mr. Cohen, winking, with much confidence in the customer's admiration.

"You won't find Jacob choosing the worst," said Mr. Cohen, winking.


Deronda, looking at the grandmother, who had only an inward silent laugh, said,

Deronda, looking at the grandmother, who had only an inward silent laugh, said-


"Are these the only grandchildren you have?"


This is my only son," she answered in a communicative tone, Deronda's glance and manner as usual conveying the impression of sympathetic interest--which on this occasion answered his purpose well.


It seemed to come naturally enough that he should say,

It seemed natural enough that Deronda should say next-


There was an instantaneous change in the mother's face.

There was an instant change in the mother's face.


Her lips closed more firmly, she looked down, swept her hands outward on the counter, and finally turned her back on Deronda to examine some Indian handkerchiefs that hung in pawn behind her.

Her lips closed, she looked down, and finally turned her back on Deronda to examine some Indian handkerchiefs that hung behind her.


Her son gave a significant glance, set up his shoulders an instant and just put his fingers to his lips,--then said quickly, "I think you're a first-rate gentleman in the city, sir, if I may be allowed to guess."

Her son gave a significant glance, and put his fingers to his lips - then said quickly, "I think you're a first-rate gentleman in the city, sir, if I may be allowed to guess."


"No," said Deronda, with a preoccupied air, "I have nothing to do with the city."

"No," said Deronda. "I have nothing to do with the city."


I thought you might be the young principal of a first-rate firm," said Mr. Cohen, wishing to make amends for the check on his customer's natural desire to know more of him and his.

"I thought you might be the young principal of a first-rate firm," said Mr. Cohen, wishing to make amends for his mother's silence.


"But you understand silver-work, I see."


"A little," said Deronda, taking up the clasps a moment and laying them down again.

"A little," said Deronda, taking up the clasps and laying them down again.


That unwelcome bit of circumstantial evidence had made his mind busy with a plan which was certainly more like acting than anything he had been aware of in his own conduct before.

That unwelcome bit of evidence had made his mind busy with a plan which was certainly more like acting than anything he had done before.


But the bare possibility that more knowledge might nullify the evidence now overpowered the inclination to rest in uncertainty.

But he no longer wished to be left in uncertainty, when more knowledge might nullify that evidence.


"To tell you the truth," he went on, "my errand is not so much to buy as to borrow.


I dare say you go into rather heavy transactions occasionally."


"Well, sir, I've accommodated gentlemen of distinction--I'm proud to say it.

"Well, sir, I've accommodated gentlemen of distinction - I'm proud to say it.


I wouldn't exchange my business with any in the world.


There's none more honorable, nor more charitable, nor more necessary for all classes, from the good lady who wants a little of the ready for the baker, to a gentleman like yourself, sir, who may want it for amusement.

There's no business more honourable, nor more charitable, nor more necessary for all classes, from the good lady who wants a little of the ready for the baker, to a gentleman like yourself, sir, who may want it for amusement.


I like my business, I like my street, and I like my shop. I wouldn't have it a door further down. And I wouldn't be without a pawn-shop, sir, to be the Lord Mayor.

I like my business, and I like my shop - I wouldn't be without it to become the Lord Mayor.


It puts you in connection with the world at large.


I say it's like the government revenue--it embraces the brass as well as the gold of the country.


And a man who doesn't get money, sir, can't accommodate.


If an amiable self-satisfaction is the mark of earthly bliss, Solomon in all his glory was a pitiable mortal compared with Mr. Cohen--clearly one of those persons, who, being in excellent spirits about themselves, are willing to cheer strangers by letting them know it.

Mr. Cohen was in excellent spirits about himself.


While he was delivering himself with lively rapidity, he took the baby from his wife and holding it on his arm presented his features to be explored by its small fists.

While speaking with lively rapidity, he took the baby from his wife and presented his face to be explored by its small fists.


Deronda, not in a cheerful mood, was rashly pronouncing this Ezra Cohen to be the most unpoetic Jew he had ever met with in books or life: his phraseology was as little as possible like that of the Old Testament: and no shadow of a suffering race distinguished his vulgarity of soul from that of a prosperous, pink-and-white huckster of the purest English lineage.

Deronda, not in a cheerful mood, was rashly thinking this Ezra Cohen to be the most unpoetic Jew he had ever met with in books or life: no shadow of a suffering race distinguished his vulgarity of soul from that of a prosperous, pink-and-white huckster of the purest English lineage.


It is naturally a Christian feeling that a Jew ought not to be conceited.


However, this was no reason for not persevering in his project, and he answered at once in adventurous ignorance of technicalities,

However, this was no reason for not persevering in his project, and he answered-


"I have a fine diamond ring to offer as security--not with me at this moment, unfortunately, for I am not in the habit of wearing it.

"I have a diamond ring to offer as security - not with me at this moment, unfortunately.


But I will come again this evening and bring it with me.


Fifty pounds at once would be a convenience to me."


"Well, you know, this evening is the Sabbath, young gentleman," said Cohen, "and I go to the _Shool_.

"Well, you know, this evening is the Sabbath, young gentleman," said Cohen, "and I go to the Shool.


But accommodation is a work of charity; if you can't get here before, and are any ways pressed--why, I'll look at your diamond.

But if you can't get here before, and are any ways pressed - why, I'll look at your diamond.


You're perhaps from the West End--a longish drive?"

You're perhaps from the West End - a longish drive?"


"Yes; and your Sabbath begins early at this season.


Deronda had not been without hope that by asking to come on a Friday evening he might get a better opportunity of observing points in the family character, and might even be able to put some decisive question.

Deronda had hoped that by asking to come on a Friday evening he might get a better opportunity of observing the family character, and perhaps could ask some decisive question.


Cohen assented; but here the marvelous Jacob, whose _physique_ supported a precocity that would have shattered a Gentile of his years, showed that he had been listening with much comprehension by saying, "You are coming again.

Cohen assented; but here the marvellous Jacob put in, "You are coming again.


"I think I have one," said Deronda, smiling down at him.

"I think I have one," said Deronda, smiling at him.


"Has it two blades and a hook--and a white handle like that?"

"Has it two blades and a hook, and a white handle like that?"


said Jacob, pointing to the waistcoat-pocket.


said Jacob, exhibiting that article in his own knife again, and looking up with serious inquiry.


"Bring your knife, then, and we'll shwop," said Jacob, returning the knife to his pocket, and stamping about with the sense that he had concluded a good transaction.

"Bring your knife, then, and we'll shwop," said Jacob, stamping about with the sense that he had concluded a good transaction.


The grandmother had now recovered her usual manners, and the whole family watched Deronda radiantly when he caressingly lifted the little girl, to whom he had not hitherto given attention, and seating her on the counter, asked for her name also.

The grandmother had now recovered her usual manners, and the whole family watched Deronda radiantly when he caressingly lifted the little girl, and seating her on the counter, asked for her name also.


She looked at him in silence, and put her fingers to her gold earrings, which he did not seem to have noticed.


"Adelaide Rebekah is her name," said her mother, proudly.


"Shlav'm Shabbes fyock on," said Adelaide Rebekah.


"Her Sabbath frock, she means," said the father, in explanation.

"Her Sabbath frock, she means," explained the father.


"She'll have her Sabbath frock on this evening."


"And will you let me see you in it, Adelaide?"


said Deronda, with that gentle intonation which came very easily to him.


"Say yes, lovey--yes, if you please, sir," said her mother, enchanted with this handsome young gentleman, who appreciated remarkable children.

"Say yes, lovey," said her mother, enchanted with this handsome young gentleman, who appreciated remarkable children.


"And will you give me a kiss this evening?"


said Deronda with a hand on each of her little brown shoulders.


Adelaide Rebekah (her miniature crinoline and monumental features corresponded with the combination of her names) immediately put up her lips to pay the kiss in advance; whereupon her father rising in still more glowing satisfaction with the general meritoriousness of his circumstances, and with the stranger who was an admiring witness, said cordially,

Adelaide Rebekah immediately put up her lips to offer a kiss, whereupon her father, in glowing satisfaction with himself and the admiring stranger, said cordially-


"You see there's somebody will be disappointed if you don't come this evening, sir.

"Somebody will be disappointed if you don't come this evening, sir.


You won't mind sitting down in our family place and waiting a bit for me, if I'm not in when you come, sir?


I'll stretch a point to accommodate a gent of your sort.


Bring the diamond, and I'll see what I can do for you."

Bring the diamond, and I'll see what I can do."


Deronda thus left the most favorable impression behind him, as a preparation for more easy intercourse.

Deronda thus left the most favourable impression behind him.


But for his own part those amenities had been carried on under the heaviest spirits.

But for his own part he was in the heaviest spirits.


If these were really Mirah's relatives, he could not imagine that even her fervid filial piety could give the reunion with them any sweetness beyond such as could be found in the strict fulfillment of a painful duty.

If these were really Mirah's relatives, he could not imagine that she could find any sweetness in the reunion with them beyond her filial duty.


And with the most favorable supposition about the hypothetic mother, Deronda shrank from the image of a first meeting between her and Mirah, and still more from the idea of Mirah's domestication with this family.

And Deronda shrank from imagining a first meeting between the mother and Mirah, and still more from the idea of Mirah's domestication with this family.


To find an Ezra Cohen when the name was running in your head was no more extraordinary than to find a Josiah Smith under like circumstances; and as to the coincidence about the daughter, it would probably turn out to be a difference.

To find an Ezra Cohen was no more extraordinary than to find a John Smith; and as to the coincidence about the daughter, it would probably turn out to be a difference.


If, however, further knowledge confirmed the more undesirable conclusion, what would be wise expediency?--to try and determine the best consequences by concealment, or to brave other consequences for the sake of that openness which is the sweet fresh air of our moral life.

If, however, further knowledge confirmed the undesirable conclusion, what would be wise expediency?- to conceal it, or to brave the consequences for the sake of that openness which is the sweet fresh air of our moral life?


"The unripe grape, the ripe, and the dried.


All things are changes, not into nothing, but into that which is not at present."


Deeds are the pulse of Time, his beating life, And righteous or unrighteous, being done, Must throb in after-throbs till Time itself Be laid in darkness, and the universe Quiver and breathe upon no mirror more.


It was already near the hour at which she had been brought in from the sea the evening before, and the light was subdued enough with blinds drawn up and windows open.

It was near the hour at which she had been brought in from the sea the evening before.


She was seated gazing fixedly on the sea, resting her cheek on her hand, looking less shattered than when he had left her, but with a deep melancholy in her expression which as Deronda approached her passed into an anxious timidity.

She was seated by the open window gazing fixedly on the sea, looking less shattered than before, though with a deep melancholy in her expression.


She did not put out her hand, but said, "How long ago it is!"


Then, "Will you sit near me again a little while?"


He placed himself by her side as he had done before, and seeing that she turned to him with that indefinable expression which implies a wish to say something, he waited for her to speak.

He placed himself by her side and waited for her to speak.


But again she looked toward the window silently, and again turned with the same expression, which yet did not issue in speech. There was some fear hindering her, and Deronda, wishing to relieve her timidity, averted his face. Presently he heard her cry imploringly,

But she looked toward the window in silence, before crying out imploringly-


"You will not say that any one else should know?"

"You will not say that anyone else should know?"


"There is no action that ought to be taken in consequence.


There is no injury that could be righted in that way."


There is no retribution that any mortal could apportion justly."


She was so still during a pause that she seemed to be holding her breath before she said,

She was so still that she seemed to be holding her breath before she said-


"But if I had not had that murderous will--that moment--if I had thrown the rope on the instant--perhaps it would have hindered death?"

"But if I had not had that murderous will - if I had thrown the rope at once - perhaps it would have hindered death?"


"No--I think not," said Deronda, slowly.

"No - I think not," said Deronda, slowly.


"If it were true that he could swim, he must have been seized with cramp.


With your quickest, utmost effort, it seems impossible that you could have done anything to save him.

With your quickest effort, it seems impossible that you could have saved him.


That momentary murderous will cannot, I think, have altered the course of events.

That momentary hesitation cannot, I think, have altered the course of events.


Its effect is confined to the motives in your own breast.


Within ourselves our evil will is momentous, and sooner or later it works its way outside us--it may be in the vitiation that breeds evil acts, but also it may be in the self-abhorrence that stings us into better striving."

Our evil wish may breed evil acts, but it may also bring the self-abhorrence that stings us into better striving."


"I am saved from robbing others--there are others--they will have everything--they will have what they ought to have.

"I am saved from robbing others - they will have everything - they will have what they ought to have."


I knew that some time before I left town.


You do not suspect me of wrong desires about those things?"


"I had not thought of them," said Deronda; "I was thinking too much of the other things."


"Perhaps you don't quite know the beginning of it all," said Gwendolen, slowly, as if she were overcoming her reluctance.

Gwendolen spoke as if overcoming reluctance.


"There was some one else he ought to have married.


And I knew it, and I told her I would not hinder it.


And I went away--that was when you first saw me.

And I went away - that was when you first saw me.


But then we became poor all at once, and I was very miserable, and I was tempted.

But then we became poor, and I was tempted.


I thought, 'I shall do as I like and make everything right.'


And it was all different. It was all dreadful.


And I did what you told me--I did try to make my fear a safeguard.

I did what you told me - I tried to make my fear a safeguard.


I thought of what would be if I--I felt what would come--how I should dread the morning--wishing it would be always night--and yet in the darkness always seeing something--seeing death.

I thought of what would be if I - I felt how I should dread the morning - and yet in the darkness always seeing death.


If you did not know how miserable I was, you might--but now it has all been no use.

If you did not know how miserable I was, you might - but now it has all been no use.


I can care for nothing but saving the rest from knowing--poor mamma, who has never been happy."

I can care for nothing but saving the rest from knowing - poor mamma, who has never been happy."


There was silence again before she said with a repressed sob--"You cannot bear to look at me any more. You think I am too wicked.

There was silence again before she said with a repressed sob- "You think I am wicked.


You do not believe that I can become any better--worth anything--worthy enough--I shall always be too wicked to--" The voice broke off helpless.

You do not believe that I can become any better - I shall always be wicked-" She broke off, helpless.


He turned his eyes on her poor beseeching face and said, "I believe that you may become worthier than you have ever yet been--worthy to lead a life that may be a blessing.

He said, "I believe that you may become worthy to lead a life that may be a blessing.


No evil dooms us hopelessly except the evil we love, and desire to continue in, and make no effort to escape from.

No evil dooms us hopelessly except the evil we love, and make no effort to escape from.


You _have_ made efforts--you will go on making them."

You have made efforts - you will go on making them."


You must not forsake me," said Gwendolen, leaning with her clasped hands on the arm of her chair and looking at him, while her face bore piteous traces of the life-experience concentrated in the twenty-four hours--that new terrible life lying on the other side of the deed which fulfills a criminal desire.

"But you must not forsake me," said Gwendolen, looking at him piteously.


If you had been near me--if I could have said everything to you, I should have been different.

If I could have said everything to you, I should have been different.


"It could never be my impulse to forsake you," said Deronda promptly, with that voice which, like his eyes, had the unintentional effect of making his ready sympathy seem more personal and special than it really was.


And in that moment he was not himself quite free from a foreboding of some such self-committing effect. His strong feeling for this stricken creature could not hinder rushing images of future difficulty.

And he was not free from a foreboding of some such self-committing effect, and of future difficulty.


He continued to meet her appealing eyes as he spoke, but it was with the painful consciousness that to her ear his words might carry a promise which one day would seem unfulfilled: he was making an indefinite promise to an indefinite hope.

He continued to meet her appealing gaze as he spoke, but it was with the painful consciousness that his words might seem to carry a promise which would be unfulfilled: he was making an indefinite promise to an indefinite hope.


Anxieties, both immediate and distant, crowded on his thought, and it was under their influence that, after a moment's silence, he said,


"I expect Sir Hugo Mallinger to arrive by to-morrow night at least; and I am not without hope that Mrs. Davilow may shortly follow him.

"I expect Sir Hugo Mallinger to arrive tomorrow night; and I hope that Mrs. Davilow may shortly follow him.


Her presence will be the greatest comfort to you--it will give you a motive to save her from unnecessary pain?"

Her presence will be a comfort - you will try to save her from unnecessary pain?"


"As soon as possible," said Deronda, not wishing to enter into particulars.


Gwendolen looked toward the window again with an expression which seemed like a gradual awakening to new thoughts.


The twilight was perceptibly deepening, but Deronda could see a movement in her eyes and hands such as accompanies a return of perception in one who has been stunned.


"You will always live at the Abbey--or else at Diplow?"

"You will always live at the Abbey - or at Diplow?"


"I am quite uncertain where I shall live," said Deronda, coloring.

"I am uncertain where I shall live," said Deronda, colouring.


She was warned by his changed color that she had spoken too rashly, and fell silent.

She was made aware that she had spoken too rashly, and fell silent.


After a little while she began, again looking away,


"It is impossible to think how my life will go on.


I think now it would be better for me to be poor and obliged to work."

I think it would be better for me to be poor and obliged to work."


"New promptings will come as the days pass.


When you are among your friends again, you will discern new duties," said Deronda.


"Make it a task now to get as well and calm--as much like yourself as you can, before--" He hesitated.
"Before my mother comes," said Gwendolen.

"Make it a task now to get as well and calm as you can, before your mother comes."


Should you have known me," she added, turning toward him, "if you had met me now?--should you have known me for the one you saw at Leubronn?"

If you had met me now, should you have known me for the one you saw at Leubronn?"


"Yes, I should have known you," said Deronda, mournfully.


"I should have seen at once that it was you, and that you had gone through some great sorrow."


"Don't wish now that you had never seen me; don't wish that," said Gwendolen, imploringly, while the tears gathered.

"Don't wish that you had never seen me; don't wish that," said Gwendolen, imploringly, while the tears gathered.


"I should despise myself for wishing it," said Deronda.


We must find our duties in what comes to us, not in what we imagine might have been.


If I took to foolish wishing of that sort, I should wish--not that I had never seen you, but that I had been able to save you from this."

"If I took to foolish wishing of that sort, I should wish - not that I had never seen you, but that I had been able to save you from this."


"You have saved me from worse," said Gwendolen, in a sobbing voice.

"You have saved me from worse," she said.


"I should have been worse if it had not been for you."


If you had not been good, I should have been more wicked than I am."


"It will be better for me to go now," said Deronda, worn in spirit by the perpetual strain of this scene.

"I had better go now," said Deronda, worn out by the strain of this scene.


"Remember what we said of your task--to get well and calm before other friends come."

"Remember to get well and calm before your friends come."


He rose as he spoke, and she gave him her hand submissively.

He rose, and she gave him her hand submissively.


But when he had left her she sank on her knees, in hysterical crying.

But when he had left, she sank on her knees in hysterical crying.


The distance between them was too great.


She was a banished soul--beholding a possible life which she had sinned herself away from.

She was a banished soul - beholding a possible life which she had sinned herself away from.


She was found in this way, crushed on the floor.


Such grief seemed natural in a poor lady whose husband had been drowned in her presence.


Sir, consult the taste Of marriageable men.


This planet's store In iron, cotton, wool, or chemicals-- All matter rendered to our plastic skill, Is wrought in shapes responsive to demand; The market's pulse makes index high or low, By rule sublime.


Our daughters must be wives, And to the wives must be what men will choose; Men's taste is woman's test.


'Tis good, I think?--the sense well-winged and poised With t's and s's.


_2nd Gent._ Nay, but turn it round; Give us the test of taste.


A fine _menu_-- Is it to-day what Roman epicures Insisted that a gentleman must eat To earn the dignity of dining well?


Brackenshaw Park, where the archery meeting was held, looked out from its gentle heights far over the neighboring valley to the outlying eastern downs and the broad, slow rise of cultivated country, hanging like a vast curtain toward the west.

Brackenshaw Park, where the Archery Meeting was held, looked out from gentle heights over the valley to the eastern downs and the broad, slow rise of country hanging like a vast curtain toward the west.


The castle which stood on the highest platform of the clustered hills, was built of rough-hewn limestone, full of lights and shadows made by the dark dust of lichens and the washings of the rain.

The castle was built of rough-hewn limestone, full of lights and shadows made by dark lichens and the washings of the rain.


Masses of beech and fir sheltered it on the north, and spread down here and there along the green slopes like flocks seeking the water which gleamed below.

Beech and fir sheltered it, and spread down the green slopes to the water below.


The archery-ground was a carefully-kept enclosure on a bit of table-land at the farthest end of the park, protected toward the southwest by tall elms and a thick screen of hollies, which kept the gravel walk and the bit of newly-mown turf where the targets were placed in agreeable afternoon shade.

The archery-ground was a carefully-kept enclosure at the farthest end of the park, protected by tall elms and a shading screen of hollies.


The Archery Hall with an arcade in front showed like a white temple against the greenery on the north side.

The Archery Hall, with an arcade in front, showed like a white temple against the greenery.


What could make a better background for the flower-groups of ladies, moving and bowing and turning their necks as it would become the leisurely lilies to do if they took to locomotion.

What could make a better background for the flower-groups of ladies, moving and bowing like leisurely lilies?


The sounds too were very pleasant to hear, even when the military band from Wanchester ceased to play: musical laughs in all the registers and a harmony of happy, friendly speeches, now rising toward mild excitement, now sinking to an agreeable murmur.

There was a pleasant sound of musical laughter and a harmony of happy speech, now rising to mild excitement, now sinking to an agreeable murmur.


No open-air amusement could be much freer from those noisy, crowding conditions which spoil most modern pleasures; no Archery Meeting could be more select, the number of friends accompanying the members being restricted by an award of tickets, so as to keep the maximum within the limits of convenience for the dinner and ball to be held in the castle.

No Archery Meeting could be more select.


Within the enclosure no plebeian spectators were admitted except Lord Brackenshaw's tenants and their families, and of these it was chiefly the feminine members who used the privilege, bringing their little boys and girls or younger brothers and sisters. The males among them relieved the insipidity of the entertainment by imaginative betting, in which the stake was "anything you like," on their favorite archers; but the young maidens, having a different principle of discrimination, were considering which of those sweetly-dressed ladies they would choose to be, if the choice were allowed them.

Within the enclosure no plebeian spectators were admitted except Lord Brackenshaw's tenants and their families, chiefly the feminine members, who liked to consider which of those sweetly-dressed ladies they would choose to be.


Probably the form these rural souls would most have striven for as a tabernacle, was some other than Gwendolen's--one with more pink in her cheeks and hair of the most fashionable yellow; but among the male judges in the ranks immediately surrounding her there was unusual unanimity in pronouncing her the finest girl present.

Probably they would not have chosen Gwendolen, but some lady with more pink in her cheeks and hair of fashionable yellow; but among the males, she was unanimously pronounced the finest girl present.


No wonder she enjoyed her existence on that July day.


Pre-eminence is sweet to those who love it, even under mediocre circumstances.


Perhaps it was not quite mythical that a slave has been proud to be bought first; and probably a barn-door fowl on sale, though he may not have understood himself to be called the best of a bad lot, may have a self-informed consciousness of his relative importance, and strut consoled.


But for complete enjoyment the outward and the inward must concur.


And that concurrence was happening to Gwendolen.


Who can deny that bows and arrows are among the prettiest weapons in the world for feminine forms to play with?

And who can deny that bows and arrows are the prettiest weapons in the world for feminine forms to play with?


They prompt attitudes full of grace and power, where that fine concentration of energy seen in all markmanship, is freed from associations of bloodshed.

They prompt attitudes full of grace and power, where fine marksmanship is freed from associations of bloodshed.


The time-honored British resource of "killing something" is no longer carried on with bow and quiver; bands defending their passes against an invading nation fight under another sort of shade than a cloud of arrows; and poisoned darts are harmless survivals either in rhetoric or in regions comfortably remote.


Archery has no ugly smell of brimstone; breaks nobody's shins, breeds no athletic monsters; its only danger is that of failing, which for generous blood is enough to mould skilful action.


And among the Brackenshaw archers the prizes were all of the nobler symbolic kind; not properly to be carried off in a parcel, degrading honor into gain; but the gold arrow and the silver, the gold star and the silver, to be worn for a long time in sign of achievement and then transferred to the next who did excellently.

All the prizes were of the nobler symbolic kind; the gold arrow and the silver, the gold star and the silver, to be worn in sign of achievement.


These signs of pre-eminence had the virtue of wreaths without their inconveniences, which might have produced a melancholy effect in the heat of the ball-room.


Altogether the Brackenshaw Archery Club was an institution framed with good taste, so as not to have by necessity any ridiculous incidents.

Altogether the Brackenshaw Archery Club was an institution framed with good taste.


And to-day all incalculable elements were in its favor.

And today all the elements were in its favour.


There was mild warmth, and no wind to disturb either hair or drapery or the course of the arrow; all skillful preparation had fair play, and when there was a general march to extract the arrows, the promenade of joyous young creatures in light speech and laughter, the graceful movement in common toward a common object, was a show worth looking at.

There was mild warmth, and no wind to disturb either hair or the course of the arrow; and when there was a general march to extract the arrows, the joyous promenade of graceful movement was a show worth looking at.


Here Gwendolen seemed a Calypso among her nymphs. It was in her attitudes and movements that every one was obliged to admit her surpassing charm.

Everyone was obliged to admit Gwendolen's surpassing charm.


"That girl is like a high-mettled racer," said Lord Brackenshaw to young Clintock, one of the invited spectators.

"That girl is like a high-mettled racer," said Lord Brackenshaw to young Clintock.


tremendously pretty too," said the elegant Grecian, who had been paying her assiduous attention; "I never saw her look better."


Her face was beaming with young pleasure in which there was no malign rays of discontent; for being satisfied with her own chances, she felt kindly toward everybody and was satisfied with the universe.

Her face beamed with pleasure; for, being satisfied with her own chances, she felt kindly toward everybody.


Not to have the highest distinction in rank, not to be marked out as an heiress, like Miss Arrowpoint, gave an added triumph in eclipsing those advantages.

Not to be marked out as an heiress, like Miss Arrowpoint, gave an added triumph in eclipsing those advantages.


For personal recommendation she would not have cared to change the family group accompanying her for any other: her mamma's appearance would have suited an amiable duchess; her uncle and aunt Gascoigne with Anna made equally gratifying figures in their way; and Gwendolen was too full of joyous belief in herself to feel in the least jealous though Miss Arrowpoint was one of the best archeresses.

Gwendolen was too full of joyous belief in herself to feel the least jealousy, although Miss Arrowpoint was one of the best archeresses.


Even the reappearance of the formidable Herr Klesmer, which caused some surprise in the rest of the company, seemed only to fall in with Gwendolen's inclination to be amused.

Even the reappearance of the formidable Herr Klesmer seemed only to fall in with Gwendolen's amusement.


Short of Apollo himself, what great musical _maestro_ could make a good figure at an archery meeting?

What great musical maestro could make a good figure at an archery meeting?


There was a very satirical light in Gwendolen's eyes as she looked toward the Arrowpoint party on their first entrance, when the contrast between Klesmer and the average group of English country people seemed at its utmost intensity in the close neighborhood of his hosts--or patrons, as Mrs. Arrowpoint would have liked to hear them called, that she might deny the possibility of any longer patronizing genius, its royalty being universally acknowledged.

There was a satirical light in Gwendolen's eyes as she looked toward the Arrowpoint party, with its intense contrast between Klesmer and the group of English country people.


The contrast might have amused a graver personage than Gwendolen.


We English are a miscellaneous people, and any chance fifty of us will present many varieties of animal architecture or facial ornament; but it must be admitted that our prevailing expression is not that of a lively, impassioned race, preoccupied with the ideal and carrying the real as a mere make-weight.


The strong point of the English gentleman pure is the easy style of his figure and clothing; he objects to marked ins and outs in his costume, and he also objects to looking inspired.


Fancy an assemblage where the men had all that ordinary stamp of the well-bred Englishman, watching the entrance of Herr Klesmer--his mane of hair floating backward in massive inconsistency with the chimney-pot hat, which had the look of having been put on for a joke above his pronounced but well-modeled features and powerful clear-shaven mouth and chin; his tall, thin figure clad in a way which, not being strictly English, was all the worse for its apparent emphasis of intention.

Fancy a gathering of men all with that ordinary stamp of the well-bred Englishman, watching the entrance of Herr Klesmer - his mane of hair floating backward under the absurd chimney-pot hat; his tall, thin figure clad in noticeably un-English style.


Draped in a loose garment with a Florentine _berretta_ on his head, he would have been fit to stand by the side of Leonardo de Vinci; but how when he presented himself in trousers which were not what English feeling demanded about the knees?--and when the fire that showed itself in his glances and the movements of his head, as he looked round him with curiosity, was turned into comedy by a hat which ruled that mankind should have well-cropped hair and a staid demeanor, such, for example, as Mr. Arrowsmith's, whose nullity of face and perfect tailoring might pass everywhere without ridicule? One feels why it is often better for greatness to be dead, and to have got rid of the outward man.

When the fire that showed itself in his glances was turned into comedy by his hat, one felt why it is often better for greatness to be dead, and to have got rid of the outward man.


Many present knew Klesmer, or knew of him; but they had only seen him on candle-light occasions when he appeared simply as a musician, and he had not yet that supreme, world-wide celebrity which makes an artist great to the most ordinary people by their knowledge of his great expensiveness.

Many present knew Klesmer, or knew of him; but they had only seen him on candle-light occasions when he appeared as a musician.


It was literally a new light for them to see him in--presented unexpectedly on this July afternoon in an exclusive society: some were inclined to laugh, others felt a little disgust at the want of judgment shown by the Arrowpoints in this use of an introductory card.

Seeing him presented unexpectedly on this July afternoon, some were inclined to laugh; others felt a little disgust at the want of judgment shown by the Arrowpoints.


"What extreme guys those artistic fellows usually are!"


"Do look at the figure he cuts, bowing with his hand on his heart to Lady Brackenshaw--and Mrs. Arrowpoint's feather just reaching his shoulder."


"You are one of the profane," said Gwendolen. "You are blind to the majesty of genius.

"You are blind to the majesty of genius," said Gwendolen.


Herr Klesmer smites me with awe; I feel crushed in his presence; my courage all oozes from me."

"Herr Klesmer smites me with awe; I feel crushed in his presence; my courage oozes from me."


"Ah, you understand all about his music."


"No, indeed," said Gwendolen, with a light laugh; "it is he who understands all about mine and thinks it pitiable."

"No, indeed," she said with a light laugh; "it is he who understands mine and thinks it pitiable.


Klesmer's verdict on her singing had been an easier joke to her since he had been struck by her _plastik_.


"It is not addressed to the ears of the future, I suppose.


But how remarkably well Miss Arrowpoint looks to-day!

But how remarkably well Miss Arrowpoint looks!


She would make quite a fine picture in that gold-colored dress."

She would make quite a fine picture in that gold-coloured dress."


"Well, perhaps a little too symbolical--too much like the figure of Wealth in an allegory."

"Well, perhaps a little too much like the figure of Wealth in an allegory."


This speech of Gwendolen's had rather a malicious sound, but it was not really more than a bubble of fun.


She did not wish Miss Arrowpoint or any one else to be out of the way, believing in her own good fortune even more than in her skill.

She did not wish Miss Arrowpoint or anyone else to be out of the way, believing in her own good fortune even more than in her skill.


The belief in both naturally grew stronger as the shooting went on, for she promised to achieve one of the best scores--a success which astonished every one in a new member; and to Gwendolen's temperament one success determined another.

The belief in both naturally grew stronger as the shooting went on, for she promised to achieve one of the best scores.


She trod on air, and all things pleasant seemed possible.


The hour was enough for her, and she was not obliged to think what she should do next to keep her life at the due pitch.


said Lady Brackenshaw, a gracious personage who, adorned with two little girls and a boy of stout make, sat as lady paramount. Her lord had come up to her in one of the intervals of shooting.

said Lady Brackenshaw to her lord in an interval of shooting.


"It seems to me that Miss Harleth is likely to win the gold arrow."


"Gad, I think she will, if she carries it on!


It is wonderful for one in her first year.


Catherine is not up to her usual mark," continued his lordship, turning to the heiress's mother who sat near.

Catherine is not up to her usual mark," continued his lordship, turning to the heiress's mother nearby.


And there's a luck even in these games of skill.


"Catherine will be very glad for others to win," said Mrs. Arrowpoint, "she is so magnanimous.


It was entirely her considerateness that made us bring Herr Klesmer instead of Canon Stopley, who had expressed a wish to come.

It was entirely her kindness that made us bring Herr Klesmer instead of Canon Stople.


For her own pleasure, I am sure she would rather have brought the Canon; but she is always thinking of others.


I told her it was not quite _en rgle_ to bring one so far out of our own set; but she said, 'Genius itself is not _en rgle_; it comes into the world to make new rules.'


"Ay, to be sure," said Lord Brackenshaw, in a tone of careless dismissal, adding quickly, "For my part, I am not magnanimous; I should like to win.


As old Nestor says--the gods don't give us everything at one time: I was a young fellow once, and now I am getting an old and wise one.


Old, at any rate; which is a gift that comes to everybody if they live long enough, so it raises no jealousy."


The Earl smiled comfortably at his wife.


"Oh, my lord, people who have been neighbors twenty years must not talk to each other about age," said Mrs. Arrowpoint.


"Years, as the Tuscans say, are made for the letting of houses.


I thought Mr. Grandcourt was to be here to-day."


The time's getting on too," said his lordship, looking at his watch.


"But he only got to Diplow the other day.


He came to us on Tuesday and said he had been a little bothered.


He may have been pulled in another direction.


--the rector was just then crossing at a little distance with Gwendolen on his arm, and turned in compliance with the call--"this is a little too bad; you not only beat us yourself, but you bring up your niece to beat all the archeresses."

- the rector was just then close by with Gwendolen - "this is too bad; you bring your niece to beat all the archeresses."


"It _is_ rather scandalous in her to get the better of elder members," said Mr. Gascoigne, with much inward satisfaction curling his short upper lip.

"It is rather scandalous in her," said Mr. Gascoigne, with much inward satisfaction.


I only meant her to make a tolerable figure, without surpassing any one."


"It is not my fault, either," said Gwendolen, with pretty archness.


"Ay, ay, that may be a fatal business for some people," said Lord Brackenshaw, good-humoredly; then taking out his watch and looking at Mrs. Arrowpoint again--"The time's getting on, as you say.

"Ay, ay, that may be fatal for some people," said Lord Brackenshaw, good-humouredly; then taking out his watch again- "The time's getting on.


But Grandcourt is always late. I notice in town he's always late, and he's no bowman--understands nothing about it.

Grandcourt is always late, and he's no bowman - understands nothing about it.


But I told him he must come; he would see the flower of the neighborhood here.

But I told him he must come and see the flower of the neighbourhood."


He asked about you--had seen Arrowpoint's card.


I think you had not made his acquaintance in town.


"No; we are strangers," said Mrs. Arrowpoint.


"But that is not what might have been expected.


For his uncle Sir Hugo Mallinger and I are great friends when we meet."


"I don't know; uncles and nephews are not so likely to be seen together as uncles and nieces," said his lordship, smiling toward the rector.


"But just come with me one instant, Gascoigne, will you?


I want to speak a word about the clout-shooting."


Gwendolen chose to go too and be deposited in the same group with her mamma and aunt until she had to shoot again. That Mr. Grandcourt might after all not appear on the archery-ground, had begun to enter into Gwendolen's thought as a possible deduction from the completeness of her pleasure.

Gwendolen, who joined her mamma and aunt until it was time to shoot again, felt that Mr. Grandcourt's absence might compromise her pleasure.


Under all her saucy satire, provoked chiefly by her divination that her friends thought of him as a desirable match for her, she felt something very far from indifference as to the impression she would make on him.

Under all her saucy satire, she was far from indifferent as to the impression she would make on him.


True, he was not to have the slightest power over her (for Gwendolen had not considered that the desire to conquer is itself a sort of subjection); she had made up her mind that he was to be one of those complimentary and assiduously admiring men of whom even her narrow experience had shown her several with various-colored beards and various styles of bearing; and the sense that her friends would want her to think him delightful, gave her a resistant inclination to presuppose him ridiculous.

True, he was not to have the slightest power over her (for Gwendolen had not considered that the desire to conquer is itself a sort of subjection); she had made up her mind that he was to be one of those complimentary and admiring men of whom she had some experience, and she imagined he would be ridiculous.


But that was no reason why she could spare his presence: and even a passing prevision of trouble in case she despised and refused him, raised not the shadow of a wish that he should save her that trouble by showing no disposition to make her an offer.

But that was no reason why she could spare his presence: she did not wish him to save her the trouble of a refusal, by showing no desire to make her an offer.


Mr. Grandcourt taking hardly any notice of her, and becoming shortly engaged to Miss Arrowpoint, was not a picture which flattered her imagination.


Hence Gwendolen had been all ear to Lord Brackenshaw's mode of accounting for Grandcourt's non-appearance; and when he did arrive, no consciousness--not even Mrs. Arrowpoint's or Mr. Gascoigne's--was more awake to the fact than hers, although she steadily avoided looking toward any point where he was likely to be.

Hence Gwendolen had been all ears to Lord Brackenshaw's words about Grandcourt; and when he did arrive, no-one was more awake to the fact than her, although she steadily avoided looking where he was likely to be.


There should be no slightest shifting of angles to betray that it was of any consequence to her whether the much-talked-of Mr. Mallinger Grandcourt presented himself or not.

She would not betray the slightest interest in Mr. Grandcourt.


She became again absorbed in the shooting, and so resolutely abstained from looking round observantly that, even supposing him to have taken a conspicuous place among the spectators, it might be clear she was not aware of him.

She became again absorbed in the shooting, and resolutely abstained from looking round, so that even if he were watching, it might be clear she was not aware of him.


And all the while the certainty that he was there made a distinct thread in her consciousness.


Perhaps her shooting was the better for it: at any rate, it gained in precision, and she at last raised a delightful storm of clapping and applause by three hits running in the gold--a feat which among the Brackenshaw archers had not the vulgar reward of a shilling poll-tax, but that of a special gold star to be worn on the breast.

Perhaps her shooting was the better for it: at any rate, she raised a storm of clapping and applause by three hits in the gold - a feat which was rewarded by a special gold star.


That moment was not only a happy one to herself--it was just what her mamma and her uncle would have chosen for her.


There was a general falling into ranks to give her space that she might advance conspicuously to receive the gold star from the hands of Lady Brackenshaw; and the perfect movement of her fine form was certainly a pleasant thing to behold in the clear afternoon light when the shadows were long and still. She was the central object of that pretty picture, and every one present must gaze at her.

There was a general falling into ranks to give her space to advance and receive the gold star from Lady Brackenshaw; she was the central object of that pretty picture, and everyone must gaze at her.


That was enough: she herself was determined to see nobody in particular, or to turn her eyes any way except toward Lady Brackenshaw, but her thoughts undeniably turned in other ways.

She herself was determined not to turn her eyes any way except toward Lady Brackenshaw, but her thoughts undeniably turned in other ways.


It entered a little into her pleasure that Herr Klesmer must be observing her at a moment when music was out of the question, and his superiority very far in the back-ground; for vanity is as ill at ease under indifference as tenderness is under a love which it cannot return; and the unconquered Klesmer threw a trace of his malign power even across her pleasant consciousness that Mr. Grandcourt was seeing her to the utmost advantage, and was probably giving her an admiration unmixed with criticism.

It pleased her that Herr Klesmer must be observing her at a moment when music and his superiority were far in the background; for the unconquered Klesmer threw a trace of his malign power even across her pleasant consciousness that Mr. Grandcourt was probably admiring her.


She did not expect to admire _him_, but that was not necessary to her peace of mind.

She did not expect to admire him, but that was not necessary to her peace of mind.


Gwendolen met Lady Brackenshaw's gracious smile without blushing (which only came to her when she was taken by surprise), but with a charming gladness of expression, and then bent with easy grace to have the star fixed near her shoulder.

Gwendolen met Lady Brackenshaw's smile charmingly, and bent with easy grace to have the star fixed near her shoulder.


That little ceremony had been over long enough for her to have exchanged playful speeches and received congratulations as she moved among the groups who were now interesting themselves in the results of the scoring; but it happened that she stood outside examining the point of an arrow with rather an absent air when Lord Brackenshaw came up to her and said,

After an exchange of congratulations, she was standing aside examining an arrow with rather an absent air when Lord Brackenshaw came up and said:


"Miss Harleth, here is a gentleman who is not willing to wait any longer for an introduction.


He has been getting Mrs. Davilow to send me with him.


Will you allow me to introduce Mr. Mallinger Grandcourt?"


Fairy folk a-listening Hear the seed sprout in the spring.


And for music to their dance Hear the hedgerows wake from trance, Sap that trembles into buds Sending little rhythmic floods Of fairy sound in fairy ears.


Thus all beauty that appears Has birth as sound to finer sense And lighter-clad intelligence.


She was thinking of Deronda much more than he was thinking of her--often wondering what were his ideas "about things," and how his life was occupied.

She was thinking of Deronda much more than he was thinking of her - often wondering about his ideas, and how his life was occupied.


But a lap-dog would be necessarily at a loss in framing to itself the motives and adventures of doghood at large; and it was as far from Gwendolen's conception that Deronda's life could be determined by the historical destiny of the Jews, as that he could rise into the air on a brazen horse, and so vanish from her horizon in the form of a twinkling star.

But a lap-dog would be at a loss to understand the adventures of doghood at large; and Gwendolen had no conception that Deronda's life could be determined by the historical destiny of the Jews.


With all the sense of inferiority that had been forced upon her, it was inevitable that she should imagine a larger place for herself in his thoughts than she actually possessed. They must be rather old and wise persons who are not apt to see their own anxiety or elation about themselves reflected in other minds; and Gwendolen, with her youth and inward solitude, may be excused for dwelling on signs of special interest in her shown by the one person who had impressed her with the feeling of submission, and for mistaking the color and proportion of those signs in the mind of Deronda.

She imagined a larger place for herself in his thoughts than she actually held; but with her youth and solitude, she may be excused for dwelling on any signs of special interest in her shown by the one person who had impressed her into feeling submission.


Meanwhile, what would he tell her that she ought to do?


"He said, I must get more interest in others, and more knowledge, and that I must care about the best things--but how am I to begin?"

"He said, I must get more interest in others, and more knowledge - but how am I to begin?"


She wondered what books he would tell her to take up to her own room, and recalled the famous writers that she had either not looked into or had found the most unreadable, with a half-smiling wish that she could mischievously ask Deronda if they were not the books called "medicine for the mind."

She wondered what books he would tell her to read, recalling the famous writers that she had either not looked into or had found the most unreadable; and carried a selection to her room - Descartes, Bacon, Locke.


Then she repented of her sauciness, and when she was safe from observation carried up a miscellaneous selection--Descartes, Bacon, Locke, Butler, Burke, Guizot--knowing, as a clever young lady of education, that these authors were ornaments of mankind, feeling sure that Deronda had read them, and hoping that by dipping into them all in succession, with her rapid understanding she might get a point of view nearer to his level.

Knowing from her education that these authors were ornaments of mankind, she felt sure that Deronda had read them, and hoped that by dipping into them, with her rapid understanding she might get a point of view nearer to his level.


But it was astonishing how little time she found for these vast mental excursions.


Constantly she had to be on the scene as Mrs. Grandcourt, and to feel herself watched in that part by the exacting eyes of a husband who had found a motive to exercise his tenacity--that of making his marriage answer all the ends he chose, and with the more completeness the more he discerned any opposing will in her.

Constantly she had to be on the scene as Mrs. Grandcourt, and to feel herself watched in that part by the exacting eyes of a husband who chose to rule her the more completely the more he discerned any opposing will in her.


And she herself, whatever rebellion might be going on within her, could not have made up her mind to failure in her representation.

And she herself, whatever rebellion might be going on within her, did not wish to fail in playing this part.


No feeling had yet reconciled her for a moment to any act, word, or look that would be a confession to the world: and what she most dreaded in herself was any violent impulse that would make an involuntary confession: it was the will to be silent in every other direction that had thrown the more impetuosity into her confidences toward Deronda, to whom her thought continually turned as a help against herself.

She dreaded betraying her true feelings to the world: her determination to be silent in every other direction had thrown the more impetuosity into her confidences toward Deronda, to whom her thought continually turned as a help against herself.


Her riding, her hunting, her visiting and receiving of visits, were all performed in a spirit of achievement which served instead of zest and young gladness, so that all around Diplow, in those weeks of the new year, Mrs. Grandcourt was regarded as wearing her honors with triumph.

Her riding, her hunting, her visits, were all performed in a spirit of achievement which served instead of zest and young gladness, so that all around Diplow Mrs. Grandcourt was regarded as wearing her honours with triumph.


"She disguises it under an air of taking everything as a matter of course," said Mrs. Arrowpoint.


"A stranger might suppose that she had condescended rather than risen.


I always noticed that doubleness in her."


To her mother most of all Gwendolen was bent on acting complete satisfaction, and poor Mrs. Davilow was so far deceived that she took the unexpected distance at which she was kept, in spite of what she felt to be Grandcourt's handsome behavior in providing for her, as a comparative indifference in her daughter, now that marriage had created new interests.

To her mother most of all Gwendolen was bent on acting complete satisfaction. Poor Mrs. Davilow was so well deceived that she took the unexpected distance at which she was kept as indifference in her daughter, now that marriage had created new interests.


To be fetched to lunch and then to dinner along with the Gascoignes, to be driven back soon after breakfast the next morning, and to have brief calls from Gwendolen in which her husband waited for her outside either on horseback or sitting in the carriage, was all the intercourse allowed to her mother.

To be fetched to lunch and dinner along with the Gascoignes, to be driven back the next morning, and to have brief calls from Gwendolen while her husband waited for her outside, was all the intercourse allowed to her mother.


The truth was, that the second time Gwendolen proposed to invite her mother with Mr. and Mrs. Gascoigne, Grandcourt had at first been silent, and then drawled, "We can't be having _those people_ always.

The truth was, that the second time Gwendolen proposed to invite her mother with Mr. and Mrs. Gascoigne, Grandcourt had drawled, "We can't be having those people always.


Country clergy are always bores--with their confounded fuss about everything."


That speech was full of foreboding for Gwendolen.


To have her mother classed under "those people" was enough to confirm the previous dread of bringing her too near.


Still, she could not give the true reasons--she could not say to her mother, "Mr. Grandcourt wants to recognize you as little as possible; and besides it is better you should not see much of my married life, else you might find out that I am miserable."

Still, she could not say to her mother, "Mr. Grandcourt wants to recognize you as little as possible; and it is better you should not see much of my married life, in case you find out that I am miserable."


So she waived as lightly as she could every allusion to the subject; and when Mrs. Davilow again hinted the possibility of her having a house close to Ryelands, Gwendolen said, "It would not be so nice for you as being near the rectory here, mamma.

So she waived as lightly as she could every allusion to the subject; and when Mrs. Davilow again hinted the possibility of moving closer to Ryelands, Gwendolen said,-
"It would not be so nice for you as being near the rectory here, mamma.


We shall perhaps be very little at Ryelands.


And all the while this contemptuous veto of her husband's on any intimacy with her family, making her proudly shrink from giving them the aspect of troublesome pensioners, was rousing more inward inclination toward them.

Meanwhile this contemptuous veto of her husband's on any intimacy with her family was rousing her attachment to them.


She had never felt so kindly toward her uncle, so much disposed to look back on his cheerful, complacent activity and spirit of kind management, even when mistaken, as more of a comfort than the neutral loftiness which was every day chilling her.

She had never felt so kindly toward her uncle, so much disposed to look on his cheerful, complacent activity as a greater comfort than the neutral loftiness which was every day chilling her.


And here perhaps she was unconsciously finding some of that mental enlargement which it was hard to get from her occasional dashes into difficult authors, who instead of blending themselves with her daily agitations required her to dismiss them.

And here perhaps she was unconsciously finding some of that mental enlargement which it was hard to get from her occasional dashes into difficult authors.


It was a delightful surprise one day when Mr. and Mrs. Gascoigne were at Offendene to see Gwendolen ride up without her husband--with the groom only.

It was a delightful surprise one day, when Mr. and Mrs. Gascoigne were at Offendene, for the family to see Gwendolen ride up without her husband.


All, including the four girls and Miss Merry, seated in the dining-room at lunch, could see the welcome approach; and even the elder ones were not without something of Isabel's romantic sense that the beautiful sister on the splendid chestnut, which held its head as if proud to bear her, was a sort of Harriet Byron or Miss Wardour reappearing out of her "happiness ever after."

Even the elder ones were not without something of Isabel's sense that the beautiful sister on the splendid chestnut was a romantic heroine appearing out of her "happiness ever after."


Her uncle went to the door to give her his hand, and she sprang from her horse with an air of alacrity which might well encourage that notion of guaranteed happiness; for Gwendolen was particularly bent to-day on setting her mother's heart at rest, and her unusual sense of freedom in being able to make this visit alone enabled her to bear up under the pressure of painful facts which were urging themselves anew.

Gwendolen sprang from her horse with an alacrity which might well signify happiness; for she was particularly bent today on setting her mother's heart at rest, and her freedom in being able to make this visit alone enabled her to bear up under the pressure of painful facts.


The seven family kisses were not so tiresome as they used to be.


"Mr. Grandcourt is gone out, so I determined to fill up the time by coming to you, mamma," said Gwendolen, as she laid down her hat and seated herself next to her mother; and then looking at her with a playfully monitory air, "That is a punishment to you for not wearing better lace on your head.

"Mr. Grandcourt is gone out, so I decided to fill the time by coming to you, mamma," said Gwendolen. Sitting next to her mother, she said with a playfully admonitory air, "That is a punishment to you for not wearing better lace.


You didn't think I should come and detect you--you dreadfully careless-about-yourself mamma!"

You didn't think I should detect you - you dreadfully careless-about-yourself mamma!"


She gave a caressing touch to the dear head.


"Scold me, dear," said Mrs. Davilow, her delicate worn face flushing with delight.


"But I wish there was something you could eat after your ride--instead of these scraps.

"But I wish you would eat after your ride.


Let Jocosa make you a cup of chocolate in your old way.


Miss Merry immediately rose and went out, though Gwendolen said, "Oh, no, a piece of bread, or one of those hard biscuits.

Miss Merry immediately rose and went out, though Gwendolen said, "Oh, no, a piece of bread.


"No, we are going to town," said Gwendolen, beginning to break up a piece of bread, but putting no morsel into her mouth.

"No, we are going to town," said Gwendolen, beginning to break up a piece of bread, but putting none into her mouth.


"It is rather early to go to town," said Mrs. Gascoigne, "and Mr. Grandcourt not in Parliament."

"It is rather early to go to town," said Mrs. Gascoigne.


"Oh, there is only one more day's hunting to be had, and Henleigh has some business in town with lawyers, I think," said Gwendolen.

"Oh, there is only one more day's hunting, and Henleigh has some business in town with lawyers, I think," said Gwendolen.


"You will see your house in Grosvenor Square," said Mrs. Davilow. She and the girls were devouring with their eyes every movement of their goddess, soon to vanish.

"You will see your house in Grosvenor Square," said Mrs. Davilow, devouring Gwendolen's every movement with her eyes.


"Yes," said Gwendolen, in a tone of assent to the interest of that expectation.


"And there is so much to be seen and done in town."

And there is so much to be done in town."


"I wish, my dear Gwendolen," said Mr. Gascoigne, in a kind of cordial advice, "that you would use your influence with Mr. Grandcourt to induce him to enter Parliament.

"I wish, my dear Gwendolen," said Mr. Gascoigne cordially, "that you would use your influence with Mr. Grandcourt to induce him to enter Parliament.


A man of his position should make his weight felt in politics.


The best judges are confident that the ministry will have to appeal to the country on this question of further Reform, and Mr. Grandcourt should be ready for the opportunity.


I am not quite sure that his opinions and mine accord entirely; I have not heard him express himself very fully.


But I don't look at the matter from that point of view.


I am thinking of your husband's standing in the country.


And he has now come to that stage of life when a man like him should enter into public affairs.


A wife has great influence with her husband.


The rector felt that he was acquitting himself of a duty here, and giving something like the aspect of a public benefit to his niece's match.


To Gwendolen the whole speech had the flavor of bitter comedy.

To Gwendolen this speech had the flavour of bitter comedy.


If she had been merry, she must have laughed at her uncle's explanation to her that he had not heard Grandcourt express himself very fully on politics.


General maxims about husbands and wives seemed now of a precarious usefulness.


Gwendolen herself had once believed in her future influence as an omnipotence in managing--she did not know exactly what.

She had once believed in her future influence as all-powerful in managing - she did not know exactly what.


But her chief concern at present was to give an answer that would be felt appropriate.

But her chief concern was to give an appropriate answer.


But I think Mr. Grandcourt would not like the trouble of an election--at least, unless it could be without his making speeches.

But I think Mr. Grandcourt would not like the trouble of an election - at least, unless it could be without his making speeches.


I thought candidates always made speeches."


"Not necessarily--to any great extent," said Mr. Gascoigne.


"A man of position and weight can get on without much of it.

"A man of position can get on without much of it.


A county member need have very little trouble in that way, and both out of the House and in it is liked the better for not being a speechifier.

A county member need have very little trouble in that way, and is liked the better for not being a speechifier.


"Here comes Jocosa with my chocolate after all," said Gwendolen, escaping from a promise to give information that would certainly have been received in a way inconceivable to the good rector, who, pushing his chair a little aside from the table and crossing his leg, looked as well as if he felt like a worthy specimen of a clergyman and magistrate giving experienced advice.

"Here comes Jocosa with my chocolate," said Gwendolen, escaping from a promise that would certainly have been received in a way inconceivable to the good rector.


Mr. Gascoigne had come to the conclusion that Grandcourt was a proud man, but his own self-love, calmed through life by the consciousness of his general value and personal advantages, was not irritable enough to prevent him from hoping the best about his niece's husband because her uncle was kept rather haughtily at a distance.

Mr. Gascoigne had concluded that Grandcourt was a proud man, but he was not so selfish as to resent his niece's husband for keeping him haughtily at a distance.


A certain aloofness must be allowed to the representative of an old family; you would not expect him to be on intimate terms even with abstractions.

A certain aloofness must be allowed to the representative of an old family.


But Mrs. Gascoigne was less dispassionate on her husband's account, and felt Grandcourt's haughtiness as something a little blameable in Gwendolen.

But Mrs. Gascoigne felt Grandcourt's haughtiness as something a little blameable in Gwendolen.


"Your uncle and Anna will very likely be in town about Easter," she said, with a vague sense of expressing a slight discontent.

"Your uncle and Anna will very likely be in town about Easter," she said.


"Dear Rex hopes to come out with honors and a fellowship, and he wants his father and Anna to meet him in London, that they may be jolly together, as he says.

"Dear Rex hopes to come out with honours and a fellowship, and wants his father and Anna to meet him in London, that they may be jolly together, as he says.


I shouldn't wonder if Lord Brackenshaw invited them, he has been so very kind since he came back to the Castle."

I shouldn't wonder if Lord Brackenshaw invited them; he is so very kind."


"I hope my uncle will bring Ann to stay in Grosvenor Square," said Gwendolen, risking herself so far, for the sake of the present moment, but in reality wishing that she might never be obliged to bring any of her family near Grandcourt again.

"I hope my uncle will bring Anna to stay in Grosvenor Square," said Gwendolen, in reality wishing that she need never bring any of her family near Grandcourt again.


"We must not be premature, and rejoice too much beforehand," said the rector, to whom this topic was the happiest in the world, and altogether allowable, now that the issue of that little affair about Gwendolen had been so satisfactory.

"We must not be premature, and rejoice too much beforehand," said the rector, to whom this topic was the happiest in the world, and altogether allowable, now that the result of that little affair about Gwendolen had been so satisfactory.


"Not but that I am in correspondence with impartial judges, who have the highest hopes about my son, as a singularly clear-headed young man. And of his excellent disposition and principle I have had the best evidence."

"However, impartial judges have the highest hopes about my son, as a singularly clear-headed young man of excellent disposition and principle."


"We shall have him a great lawyer some time," said Mrs. Gascoigne.


said Gwendolen, with a concealed scepticism as to niceness in general, which made the word quite applicable to lawyers.


"Talking of Lord Brackenshaw's kindness," said Mrs. Davilow, "you don't know how delightful he has been, Gwendolen. He has begged me to consider myself his guest in this house till I can get another that I like--he did it in the most graceful way.

"Talking of Lord Brackenshaw's kindness," said Mrs. Davilow, "he has begged me to consider myself his guest in this house till I can get another.


Old Mr. Jodson is dead, and we can have his house.

Old Mr. Jodson is dead, and we can have his.


It is just what I want; small, but with nothing hideous to make you miserable thinking about it.


And it is only a mile from the Rectory."


You remember the low white house nearly hidden by the trees, as we turn up the lane to the church?"


"Yes, but you have no furniture, poor mamma," said Gwendolen, in a melancholy tone.

"But you have no furniture, poor mamma," said Gwendolen.


You know who has made me rather rich, dear," said Mrs. Davilow, laying her hand on Gwendolen's.


"And Jocosa really makes so little do for housekeeping--it is quite wonderful."

"And Jocosa really makes so little do for housekeeping - it is quite wonderful."


"Oh, please let me go up-stairs with you and arrange my hat, mamma," said Gwendolen, suddenly putting up her hand to her hair and perhaps creating a desired disarrangement.

"Oh, please let me go upstairs with you and arrange my hat, mamma," said Gwendolen, suddenly putting her hand to her hair.


Her heart was swelling, and she was ready to cry.


Her mother _must_ have been worse off, if it had not been for Grandcourt.

Her mother must have been worse off, if it had not been for Grandcourt.


"I suppose I shall never see all this again," said Gwendolen, looking round her, as they entered the black and yellow bedroom, and then throwing herself into a chair in front of the glass with a little groan as of bodily fatigue.

As they entered the bedroom, she looked around, saying, "I suppose I shall never see all this again," and then throwing herself into a chair in front of the glass with a little groan.


In the resolve not to cry she had become very pale.


"No; that chocolate has made me sick," said Gwendolen, putting up her hand to be taken.