Singing and acting, like the fine dexterity of the juggler with his cups and balls, require a shaping of the organs toward a finer and finer certainty of effect.

Singing and acting require a shaping of the organs toward a finer certainty of effect.


Your muscles--your whole frame--must go like a watch, true, true to a hair.

Your muscles - your whole frame - must go like a watch, true to a hair.


That is the work of spring-time, before habits have been determined."


"I did not pretend to genius," said Gwendolen, still feeling that she might somehow do what Klesmer wanted to represent as impossible.

"I did not pretend to genius," said Gwendolen, still feeling that she might somehow do what he said was impossible.


"I only suppose that I might have a little talent--enough to improve."

"I only suppose that I might have a little talent - enough to improve."


"If you had been put in the right track some years ago and had worked well you might now have made a public singer, though I don't think your voice would have counted for much in public.

"If you had been put in the right track some years ago and had worked well, you might now have made a public singer, though I don't think your voice would have counted for much.


For the stage your personal charms and intelligence might then have told without the present drawback of inexperience--lack of discipline--lack of instruction."

For the stage your personal charms and intelligence might then have told."


Certainly Klesmer seemed cruel, but his feeling was the reverse of cruel.


Our speech, even when we are most single-minded, can never take its line absolutely from one impulse; but Klesmer's was, as far as possible, directed by compassion for poor Gwendolen's ignorant eagerness to enter on a course of which he saw all the miserable details with a definiteness which he could not if he would have conveyed to her mind.

He was directed by compassion for poor Gwendolen, so ignorantly eager to enter on a course of which he saw all the miserable details.


Her self-opinion rallied, and since the counselor whom she had called in gave a decision of such severe peremptoriness, she was tempted to think that his judgment was not only fallible but biased.

Her self-opinion rallied, and since her counsellor was so severe, she was tempted to think that his judgment was fallible and biased.


It occurred to her that a simpler and wiser step for her to have taken would have been to send a letter through the post to the manager of a London theatre, asking him to make an appointment.

It occurred to her that it would have been simpler and wiser for her to have written to the manager of a London theatre, asking to make an appointment.


She would make no further reference to her singing; Klesmer, she saw, had set himself against her singing.


But she felt equal to arguing with him about her going on the stage, and she answered in a resistant tone,

But she felt equal to arguing about her acting, and she answered in a resistant tone-


"I understood, of course, that no one can be a finished actress at once.


It may be impossible to tell beforehand whether I should succeed; but that seems to me a reason why I should try.

It may be impossible to tell beforehand whether I should succeed; but I could try.


I should have thought that I might have taken an engagement at a theatre meanwhile, so as to earn money and study at the same time."

I could take an engagement at a theatre meanwhile, so as to earn money and study at the same time."


"Can't be done, my dear Miss Harleth--I speak plainly--it can't be done.


I must clear your mind of these notions which have no more resemblance to reality than a pantomime.


Ladies and gentlemen think that when they have made their toilet and drawn on their gloves they are as presentable on the stage as in a drawing-room.


With all your grace and charm, if you were to present yourself as an aspirant to the stage, a manager would either require you to pay as an amateur for being allowed to perform or he would tell you to go and be taught--trained to bear yourself on the stage, as a horse, however beautiful, must be trained for the circus; to say nothing of that study which would enable you to personate a character consistently, and animate it with the natural language of face, gesture, and tone.

With all your grace and charm, if you were to present yourself as an aspirant to the stage, a manager would either require you to pay as an amateur for being allowed to perform, or he would tell you to go and be taught. An actor must study to personate a character consistently, and animate it with the natural language of face, gesture, and tone.


For you to get an engagement fit for you straight away is out of the question."


"I really cannot understand that," said Gwendolen, rather haughtily--then, checking herself, she added in another tone--"I shall be obliged to you if you will explain how it is that such poor actresses get engaged.

"I really cannot understand that," said Gwendolen, rather haughtily. "How is it that such poor actresses get engaged?


I have been to the theatre several times, and I am sure there were actresses who seemed to me to act not at all well and who were quite plain."


"Ah, my dear Miss Harleth, that is the easy criticism of the buyer. We who buy slippers toss away this pair and the other as clumsy; but there went an apprenticeship to the making of them. Excuse me; you could not at present teach one of those actresses; but there is certainly much that she could teach you.

"Ah, my dear Miss Harleth, excuse me; you could not at present teach one of those actresses; but there is certainly much that she could teach you.


For example, she can pitch her voice so as to be heard: ten to one you could not do it till after many trials. Merely to stand and move on the stage is an art--requires practice.

Ten to one you could not pitch your voice so as to be heard: and merely to stand and move on the stage requires practice."


It is understood that we are not now talking of a _comparse_ in a petty theatre who earns the wages of a needle-woman.


"Of course I must earn more than that," said Gwendolen, with a sense of wincing rather than of being refuted, "but I think I could soon learn to do tolerably well all those little things you have mentioned.

"I think I could soon learn to do it tolerably well.


And even in Paris, I am sure, I saw two actresses playing important ladies' parts who were not at all ladies and quite ugly.

And even in Paris, I saw two actresses playing important ladies' parts who were not at all ladies and quite ugly.


I suppose I have no particular talent, but I _must_ think it is an advantage, even on the stage, to be a lady and not a perfect fright."

I suppose I have no particular talent, but I must think it is an advantage, even on the stage, to be a lady and not a perfect fright."


"Ah, let us understand each other," said Klesmer, with a flash of new meaning.


"I was speaking of what you would have to go through if you aimed at becoming a real artist--if you took music and the drama as a higher vocation in which you would strive after excellence.

"I was speaking of what you would have to go through if you aimed at becoming a real artist and striving after excellence.


On that head, what I have said stands fast. You would find--after your education in doing things slackly for one-and-twenty years--great difficulties in study; you would find mortifications in the treatment you would get when you presented yourself on the footing of skill. You would be subjected to tests; people would no longer feign not to see your blunders.

On that head, you would find mortifications: you would be subjected to tests, and judged without flattery.


You would at first only be accepted on trial.


You would have to bear what I may call a glaring insignificance: any success must be won by the utmost patience.

You would have to bear insignificance: any success must be won by the utmost patience.


You would have to keep your place in a crowd, and after all it is likely you would lose it and get out of sight.


If you determine to face these hardships and still try, you will have the dignity of a high purpose, even though you may have chosen unfortunately.

If you determine to face these hardships, you will have the dignity of a high purpose, even though you may have chosen unfortunately.


You will have some merit, though you may win no prize.


You have asked my judgment on your chances of winning.


I don't pretend to speak absolutely; but measuring probabilities, my judgment is:--you will hardly achieve more than mediocrity."

I don't pretend to speak absolutely; but measuring probabilities, my judgment is that you will hardly achieve more than mediocrity."


Klesmer had delivered himself with emphatic rapidity, and now paused a moment.


Gwendolen was motionless, looking at her hands, which lay over each other on her lap, till the deep-toned, long-drawn "_But_," with which he resumed, had a startling effect, and made her look at him again.

Gwendolen was motionless, looking at her hands.


"But--there are certainly other ideas, other dispositions with which a young lady may take up an art that will bring her before the public.

"But"- he resumed- "there are certainly other ideas with which a young lady may take up an art that will bring her before the public.


She may rely on the unquestioned power of her beauty as a passport.


She may desire to exhibit herself to an admiration which dispenses with skill.


This goes a certain way on the stage: not in music: but on the stage, beauty is taken when there is nothing more commanding to be had.


Not without some drilling, however: as I have said before, technicalities have in any case to be mastered.

Not without some drilling, however: as I have said, technicalities have to be mastered.


But these excepted, we have here nothing to do with art.


The woman who takes up this career is not an artist: she is usually one who thinks of entering on a luxurious life by a short and easy road--perhaps by marriage--that is her most brilliant chance, and the rarest.

But the woman who takes up this career is not an artist: she usually thinks of entering a luxurious life by a short and easy road - perhaps by marriage.


Still, her career will not be luxurious to begin with: she can hardly earn her own poor bread independently at once, and the indignities she will be liable to are such as I will not speak of."

Still, her career will not be luxurious to begin with: she can hardly earn her own bread at once, and the indignities she will be liable to are such as I will not speak of."


"I desire to be independent," said Gwendolen, deeply stung and confusedly apprehending some scorn for herself in Klesmer's words.


"That was my reason for asking whether I could not get an immediate engagement.


Of course I cannot know how things go on about theatres.

"Of course I cannot know how things go on in theatres.


But I thought that I could have made myself independent.


I have no money, and I will not accept help from any one."

I have no money, and I will not accept help from anyone."


Her wounded pride could not rest without making this disclaimer.


It was intolerable to her that Klesmer should imagine her to have expected other help from him than advice.


"That is a hard saying for your friends," said Klesmer, recovering the gentleness of tone with which he had begun the conversation. "I have given you pain.

"I have given you pain," said Klesmer gently.


I was bound to put the truth, the unvarnished truth, before you.

"But I was bound to put the unvarnished truth before you.


I have not said--I will not say--you will do wrong to choose the hard, climbing path of an endeavoring artist.

I will not say you will do wrong to choose the hard, climbing path of an artist.


You have to compare its difficulties with those of any less hazardous--any more private course which opens itself to you.


If you take that more courageous resolve I will ask leave to shake hands with you on the strength of our freemasonry, where we are all vowed to the service of art, and to serve her by helping every fellow-servant."

If you take that courageous resolve I will ask leave to shake hands with you on the strength of our freemasonry, where we are all vowed to the service of art."


Gwendolen was silent, again looking at her hands.


She felt herself very far away from taking the resolve that would enforce acceptance; and after waiting an instant or two, Klesmer went on with deepened seriousness.

She felt herself very far from taking the resolve; and after a moment, Klesmer went on with deepened seriousness.


"Where there is the duty of service there must be the duty of accepting it.


The question is not one of personal obligation.


And in relation to practical matters immediately affecting your future--excuse my permitting myself to mention in confidence an affair of my own.

"Excuse my mentioning in confidence an affair of my own.


I am expecting an event which would make it easy for me to exert myself on your behalf in furthering your opportunities of instruction and residence in London--under the care, that is, of your family--without need for anxiety on your part.

I am expecting an event which would make it easy for me to exert myself on your behalf, by arranging for your instruction and residence in London, under the care of your family.


If you resolve to take art as a bread-study, you need only undertake the study at first; the bread will be found without trouble.

If you resolve to study the art, you need only undertake the study at first; your bread will be found without trouble.


The event I mean is my marriage--in fact--you will receive this as a matter of confidence--my marriage with Miss Arrowpoint, which will more than double such right as I have to be trusted by you as a friend.

The event I mean is my marriage with Miss Arrowpoint.


Your friendship will have greatly risen in value for _her_ by your having adopted that generous labor."

Your friendship will have greatly risen in value for her by your having adopted that generous labour."


That Klesmer was about to marry Miss Arrowpoint caused her no surprise, and at another moment she would have amused herself in quickly imagining the scenes that must have occurred at Quetcham.

That Klesmer was about to marry Miss Arrowpoint caused her no surprise, and at another time she would have amused herself in imagining the scenes at Quetcham.


But what engrossed her feeling, what filled her imagination now, was the panorama of her own immediate future that Klesmer's words seemed to have unfolded.

But she saw only the picture of her own future that Klesmer's words unfolded.


The suggestion of Miss Arrowpoint as a patroness was only another detail added to its repulsiveness: Klesmer's proposal to help her seemed an additional irritation after the humiliating judgment he had passed on her capabilities.

The suggestion of Miss Arrowpoint as a patroness, and Klesmer's proposal to help her, were irritations after his humiliating judgment on her abilities.


His words had really bitten into her self-confidence and turned it into the pain of a bleeding wound; and the idea of presenting herself before other judges was now poisoned with the dread that they also might be harsh; they also would not recognize the talent she was conscious of.

His words had bitten into her self-confidence; and the idea of presenting herself before other judges was now poisoned with the dread that they also might be harsh, and fail to recognize her talent.


But she controlled herself, and rose from her seat before she made any answer. It seemed natural that she should pause. She went to the piano and looked absently at leaves of music, pinching up the corners.

But she controlled herself, and went to the piano before answering.


At last she turned toward Klesmer and said, with almost her usual air of proud equality, which in this interview had not been hitherto perceptible.


"I congratulate you sincerely, Herr Klesmer.


I think I never saw any one so admirable as Miss Arrowpoint.

I never saw anyone so admirable as Miss Arrowpoint.


And I have to thank you for every sort of kindness this morning.

And I thank you for your kindness this morning.


If I make the resolve you have spoken of, I will use your permission--I will let you know.

If I make the resolve you have spoken of, I will let you know.


In any case, I am deeply obliged to you."


It was very bold of me to ask you to take this trouble."


Klesmer's inward remark was, "She will never let me know."


But with the most thorough respect in his manner, he said, "Command me at any time.

But with the utmost respect, he said, "Command me at any time.


There is an address on this card which will always find me with little delay."

The address on this card will always find me."


When he had taken up his hat and was going to make his bow, Gwendolen's better self, conscious of an ingratitude which the clear-seeing Klesmer must have penetrated, made a desperate effort to find its way above the stifling layers of egoistic disappointment and irritation.

He took up his hat.
Gwendolen's better self, conscious of ingratitude, made a desperate effort to rise above the stifling layers of egoistic disappointment.


Looking at him with a glance of the old gayety, she put out her hand, and said with a smile, "If I take the wrong road, it will not be because of your flattery."

She said with a smile, "If I take the wrong road, it will not be because of your flattery."


"God forbid that you should take any road but one where you will find and give happiness!"

"God forbid that you should take any road but one to happiness!"


Then, in foreign fashion, he touched her fingers lightly with his lips, and in another minute she heard the sound of his departing wheels getting more distant on the gravel.

Then he touched her fingers lightly with his lips, and left.


Gwendolen had never in her life felt so miserable.


No sob came, no passion of tears, to relieve her.


Her eyes were burning; and the noonday only brought into more dreary clearness the absence of interest from her life.

Her eyes were burning; and she saw with dreary clearness the absence of interest from her life.


All memories, all objects, the pieces of music displayed, the open piano--the very reflection of herself in the glass--seemed no better than the packed-up shows of a departing fair.

All memories, all objects, the pieces of music displayed, the piano, seemed no better than the packed-up shows of a departing fair.


For the first time since her consciousness began, she was having a vision of herself on the common level, and had lost the innate sense that there were reasons why she should not be slighted, elbowed, jostled--treated like a passenger with a third-class ticket, in spite of private objections on her own part.

For the first time she had lost the innate sense of her superiority.


She did not move about; the prospects begotten by disappointment were too oppressively preoccupying; she threw herself into the shadiest corner of a settee, and pressed her fingers over her burning eyelids.

She threw herself onto the settee, and pressed her fingers over her eyelids.


Every word that Klesmer had said seemed to have been branded into her memory, as most words are which bring with them a new set of impressions and make an epoch for us.

Every word of Klesmer's seemed branded into her memory.


Only a few hours before, the dawning smile of self-contentment rested on her lips as she vaguely imagined a future suited to her wishes: it seemed but the affair of a year or so for her to become the most approved Juliet of the time: or, if Klesmer encouraged her idea of being a singer, to proceed by more gradual steps to her place in the opera, while she won money and applause by occasional performances.

Only a few hours before, she had contentedly imagined a future suited to her wishes: in a year or so she would become the most approved Juliet of the time: or would proceed by gradual steps to her place in the opera, while she won money and applause by occasional performances.


At home, at school, among acquaintances, she had been used to have her conscious superiority admitted; and she had moved in a society where everything, from low arithmetic to high art, is of the amateur kind, politely supposed to fall short of perfection only because gentlemen and ladies are not obliged to do more than they like--otherwise they would probably give forth abler writings, and show themselves more commanding artists than any the world is at present obliged to put up with.

At home, at school, among acquaintances, she had been used to have her superiority admitted; and she had moved in a society where everything is of the amateur kind, only falling short of perfection because gentlemen and ladies are not obliged to do more than they like.


The self-confident visions that had beguiled her were not of a highly exceptional kind; and she had at least shown some rationality in consulting the person who knew the most and had flattered her the least.

She had at least shown some sense in consulting the person who knew the most and had flattered her the least.


In asking Klesmer's advice, however, she had rather been borne up by a belief in his latent admiration than bent on knowing anything more unfavorable that might have lain behind his slight objections to her singing; and the truth she had asked for, with an expectation that it would be agreeable, had come like a lacerating thong.

In asking Klesmer's advice, however, she had been borne up by a belief in his latent admiration rather than a wish to know anything more unfavourable than slight objections; and the truth she had asked for, expecting it to be agreeable, had come like a lacerating blow.


"Too old--should have begun seven years ago--you will not, at best, achieve more than mediocrity--hard, incessant work, uncertain praise--bread coming slowly, scantily, perhaps not at all--mortifications, people no longer feigning not to see your blunders--glaring insignificance"--all these phrases rankled in her; and even more galling was the hint that she could only be accepted on the stage as a beauty who hoped to get a husband.

"Too old - should have begun seven years ago - will not achieve more than mediocrity - incessant work, uncertain praise, little earnings - mortifications, insignificance" - these phrases rankled; and even more galling was the hint that she could only be accepted on the stage as a beauty hoping for a husband.


The "indignities" that she might be visited with had no very definite form for her, but the mere association of anything called "indignity" with herself, roused a resentful alarm.

The "indignities" that she might incur had no very definite form for her, but the mere word "indignity" roused a resentful alarm.


And along with the vaguer images which were raised by those biting words, came the precise conception of disagreeables which her experience enabled her to imagine.


How could she take her mamma and the four sisters to London? if it were not possible for her to earn money at once?

And how could she take her mamma and four sisters to London, if she were not earning money at once?


And as for submitting to be a _protg_, and asking her mamma to submit with her to the humiliation of being supported by Miss Arrowpoint--that was as bad as being a governess; nay, worse; for suppose the end of all her study to be as worthless as Klesmer clearly expected it to be, the sense of favors received and never repaid, would embitter the miseries of disappointment.

As for submitting to be the protg of Miss Arrowpoint, that was as bad as being a governess.


Klesmer doubtless had magnificent ideas about helping artists; but how could he know the feelings of ladies in such matters?


It was all over: she had entertained a mistaken hope; and there was an end of it.

It was over: she had entertained a mistaken hope; and there was an end of it.


said Gwendolen, aloud, starting from her seat as she heard the steps and voices of her mamma and sisters coming in from church.

said Gwendolen aloud, starting up as she heard the voices of her mamma and sisters coming in from church.


She hurried to the piano and began gathering together her pieces of music with assumed diligence, while the expression on her pale face and in her burning eyes was what would have suited a woman enduring a wrong which she might not resent, but would probably revenge.

She hurried to the piano and began to rearrange her music.


"Well, my darling," said gentle Mrs. Davilow, entering, "I see by the wheel-marks that Klesmer has been here. Have you been satisfied with the interview?"

"Well, my darling," said gentle Mrs. Davilow, "were you satisfied with your interview with Klesmer?"


She had some guesses as to its object, but felt timid about implying them.


oh, yes," said Gwendolen, in a high, hard tone, for which she must be excused, because she dreaded a scene of emotion.

oh, yes," said Gwendolen, in a high, hard tone.


If she did not set herself resolutely to feign proud indifference, she felt that she must fall into a passionate outburst of despair, which would cut her mamma more deeply than all the rest of their calamities.

She had set herself resolutely to feign proud indifference, lest she fall into a passionate outburst of despair.


"Your uncle and aunt were disappointed at not seeing you," said Mrs. Davilow, coming near the piano, and watching Gwendolen's movements.

"Your uncle and aunt were disappointed at not seeing you," said Mrs. Davilow.


"Quite right, mamma," said Gwendolen, in the same tone, turning to put away some music.


"Am I not to know anything now, Gwendolen?


said Mrs. Davilow, too keenly sensitive to her daughter's manner and expression not to fear that something painful had occurred.

said Mrs. Davilow, in fear that something painful had occurred.


"There is really nothing to tell now, mamma," said Gwendolen, in a still higher voice.

"There is really nothing to tell, mamma," said Gwendolen, in a still higher voice.


"I had a mistaken idea about something I could do.


"Don't look and speak in that way, my dear child: I cannot bear it," said Mrs. Davilow, breaking down.


Gwendolen looked at her a moment in silence, biting her inner lip; then she went up to her, and putting her hands on her mamma's shoulders, said, with a drop in her voice to the lowest undertone, "Mamma, don't speak to me now. It is useless to cry and waste our strength over what can't be altered.

Gwendolen looked at her a moment in silence, then, putting her hands on her mamma's shoulders, said in an undertone, "Mamma, it is useless to cry over what can't be altered.


You will live at Sawyer's Cottage, and I am going to the bishop's daughters.


Things cannot be altered, and who cares?


It makes no difference to any one else what we do.


Mrs. Davilow was like a frightened child under her daughter's face and voice; her tears were arrested and she went away in silence.

Mrs. Davilow's tears were arrested; and she went away in silence.


"Vor den Wissenden sich stellen, Sicher ist's in allen Fllen!


Wenn du lange dich gequlet, Wei er gleich, wo dir es fehlet.


Auch auf Beifall darfst du hoffen; Denn er wei, wo du's getroffen."


Momentous things happened to Deronda the very evening of that visit to the small house at Chelsea, when there was the discussion about Mirah's public name.

Momentous things happened to Deronda the very evening of that visit to the Meyricks' house.


But for the family group there, what appeared to be the chief sequence connected with it occurred two days afterward.

But for the family there, the chief sequel connected with it occurred two days afterward.


About four o'clock wheels paused before the door, and there came one of those knocks with an accompanying ring which serve to magnify the sense of social existence in a region where the most enlivening signals are usually those of the muffin-man.

About four o'clock wheels paused before the door, and there came an imperious knock with an accompanying ring.


All the girls were at home, and the two rooms were thrown together to make space for Kate's drawing, as well as a great length of embroidery which had taken the place of the satin cushions--a sort of _pice de rsistance_ in the courses of needlework, taken up by any clever fingers that happened to be at liberty. It stretched across the front room picturesquely enough, Mrs. Meyrick bending over it on one corner, Mab in the middle, and Amy at the other end.

All the girls were at home: Kate was drawing, and a great length of embroidery was stretched across the front room, Mrs. Meyrick bending over it on one corner, Mab in the middle, and Amy at the other end.


Mirah, whose performances in point of sewing were on the make-shift level of the tailor-bird's, her education in that branch having been much neglected, was acting as reader to the party, seated on a camp-stool; in which position she also served Kate as model for a title-page vignette, symbolizing a fair public absorbed in the successive volumes of the family tea-table. She was giving forth with charming distinctness the delightful Essay of Elia, "The Praise of Chimney-Sweeps," and all were smiling over the "innocent blackness," when the imposing knock and ring called their thoughts to loftier spheres, and they looked up in wonderment.

Mirah was acting as reader to the party, seated on a stool, and giving forth with charming distinctness a delightful Essay of Elia, over which all were smiling, when the imposing knock and ring caused them to look up in wonderment.


said Mrs. Meyrick; "can it be Lady Mallinger?


"The Prime Minister, I should think," said Kate dryly.


"Hans says the greatest man in London may get into a hansom cab."


The five bright faces were all looking amused when the old maid-servant bringing in a card distractedly left the parlor-door open, and there was seen bowing toward Mrs. Meyrick a figure quite unlike that of the respected Premier--tall and physically impressive even in his kid and kerseymere, with massive face, flamboyant hair, and gold spectacles: in fact, as Mrs. Meyrick saw from the card, _Julius Klesmer_.

When the old maid-servant opened the door, there was seen a tall and impressive figure, with massive face, flamboyant hair, and gold spectacles: in fact, as Mrs. Meyrick read on the card, Julius Klesmer.


Even embarrassment could hardly have made the "little mother" awkward, but quick in her perceptions she was at once aware of the situation, and felt well satisfied that the great personage had come to Mirah instead of requiring her to come to him; taking it as a sign of active interest.


But when he entered, the rooms shrank into closets, the cottage piano, Mab thought, seemed a ridiculous toy, and the entire family existence as petty and private as an establishment of mice in the Tuileries.

When he entered, the rooms shrank into closets, the cottage piano, Mab thought, seemed a ridiculous toy, and the entire family existence like an establishment of mice in the Tuileries.


Klesmer's personality, especially his way of glancing round him, immediately suggested vast areas and a multitudinous audience, and probably they made the usual scenery of his consciousness, for we all of us carry on our thinking in some habitual locus where there is a presence of other souls, and those who take in a larger sweep than their neighbors are apt to seem mightily vain and affected.

Klesmer's personality, especially his way of glancing round him, immediately suggested vast areas and an audience, and probably they made the usual scenery of his consciousness.


Klesmer was vain, but not more so than many contemporaries of heavy aspect, whose vanity leaps out and startles one like a spear out of a walking-stick; as to his carriage and gestures, these were as natural to him as the length of his fingers; and the rankest affectation he could have shown would have been to look diffident and demure.


While his grandiose air was making Mab feel herself a ridiculous toy to match the cottage piano, he was taking in the details around him with a keen and thoroughly kind sensibility.

But while his grandiose air was making Mab feel herself a ridiculous toy to match the cottage piano, he was taking in his surroundings with a keen and thoroughly kind sensibility.


He remembered a home no longer than this on the outskirts of Bohemia; and in the figurative Bohemia too he had had large acquaintance with the variety and romance which belong to small incomes. He addressed Mrs. Meyrick with the utmost deference.

He remembered a home no larger than this on the outskirts of Bohemia; and he addressed Mrs. Meyrick with the utmost deference.


"I hope I have not taken too great a freedom. Being in the neighborhood, I ventured to save time by calling.

"I hope I have not taken too great a freedom by calling, since I was in the area.


Our friend, Mr. Deronda, mentioned to me an understanding that I was to have the honor of becoming acquainted with a young lady here--Miss Lapidoth."

Our friend, Mr. Deronda, mentioned to me a young lady here - Miss Lapidoth."


Klesmer had really discerned Mirah in the first moment of entering, but, with subtle politeness, he looked round bowingly at the three sisters as if he were uncertain which was the young lady in question.

Klesmer had really discerned Mirah on entering, but he looked round bowingly at the three sisters as if he were uncertain which was the young lady in question.


"Those are my daughters: this is Miss Lapidoth," said Mrs. Meyrick, waving her hand toward Mirah.

"This is Miss Lapidoth," said Mrs. Meyrick, waving her hand toward Mirah.


"Ah," said Klesmer, in a tone of gratified expectation, turning a radiant smile and deep bow to Mirah, who, instead of being in the least taken by surprise, had a calm pleasure in her face.

"Ah," said Klesmer, turning a radiant smile and deep bow to Mirah, who, instead of surprise, had a calm pleasure in her face.


She liked the look of Klesmer, feeling sure that he would scold her, like a great musician and a kind man.


"You will not object to beginning our acquaintance by singing to me," he added, aware that they would all be relieved by getting rid of preliminaries.

"You will not object to beginning our acquaintance by singing to me," he added.


It is good of you to be willing to listen to me," said Mirah, moving to the piano.

It is good of you to be willing to listen," said Mirah, moving to the piano.


"By all means," said Klesmer, seating himself, at Mrs. Meyrick's invitation, where he could have a good view of the singer.

"By all means," said Klesmer, sitting, at Mrs Meyrick's invitation, where he could have a good view of the singer.


The acute little mother would not have acknowledged the weakness, but she really said to herself, "He will like her singing better if he sees her."

The acute little mother said to herself, "He will like her singing better if he sees her."


All the feminine hearts except Mirah's were beating fast with anxiety, thinking Klesmer terrific as he sat with his listening frown on, and only daring to look at him furtively.

All the feminine hearts except Mirah's were beating fast with anxiety, finding Klesmer terrifying as he sat with his listening frown on.


If he did say anything severe it would be so hard for them all.


They could only comfort themselves with thinking that Prince Camaralzaman, who had heard the finest things, preferred Mirah's singing to any other: also she appeared to be doing her very best, as if she were more instead of less at ease than usual.

They could only comfort themselves with thinking that Prince Camaralzaman preferred Mirah's singing to any other:- also she appeared to be doing her very best, as if she were more instead of less at ease than usual.


The song she had chosen was a fine setting of some words selected from Leopardi's grand Ode to Italy:,
"_O patria mia, vedo le mura c gli archi E le colonne e i simula-cri e l'erme Torridegli avi nostri_",
This was recitative: then followed,
"_Ma la gloria--non vedo_",
a mournful melody, a rhythmic plaint. After this came a climax of devout triumph--passing from the subdued adoration of a happy Andante in the words,
"_Beatissimi voi. Che offriste il petto alle nemiche lance Per amor di costei che al sol vi diede_",
to the joyous outburst of an exultant Allegro in,
"_Oh viva, oh viva: Beatissimi voi Mentre nel monde si favelli o scriva._"

The song she had chosen was a fine setting of Leopardi's grand Ode to Italy; the recitative was followed by "Ma la Gloria non vedo" - a mournful melody; then after this came a climax of devout triumph, ending in the joyous outburst of an exultant Allegro:
"Oh viva, oh viva:
Beatissimi voi
Mentre nel mondo si favelli o scriva."


When she had ended, Klesmer said after a moment,

When she had ended, Klesmer said after a moment-


"Yes, he was my last master--at Vienna: so fierce and so good," said Mirah, with a melancholy smile.

"Yes, he was my last master, at Vienna: so fierce and so good," said Mirah, with a melancholy smile.


"He prophesied that my voice would not do for the stage.


"_Con_tinue, if you please," said Klesmer, putting out his lips and shaking his long fingers, while he went on with a smothered articulation quite unintelligible to the audience.

"Continue, if you please," said Klesmer, putting out his lips and shaking his long fingers.


The three girls detested him unanimously for not saying one word of praise.


Mirah, simply bent on doing what Klesmer desired, and imagining that he would now like to hear her sing some German, went through Prince Radzivill's music to Gretchen's songs in the _Faust,_ one after the other without any interrogatory pause.

Mirah, simply bent on doing what Klesmer desired, and imagining that he would now like to hear her sing some German, went through Prince Radzivill's music to Gretchen's songs in the "Faust," one after the other without any pause.


When she had finished he rose and walked to the extremity of the small space at command, then walked back to the piano, where Mirah had risen from her seat and stood looking toward him with her little hands crossed before her, meekly awaiting judgment; then with a sudden unknitting of his brow and with beaming eyes, he stretched out his hand and said abruptly, "Let us shake hands: you are a musician."

When she had finished he rose and walked the length of the small space, then walked back to the piano, where Mirah had risen from her seat and stood with her little hands crossed before her, meekly awaiting judgment. With a sudden unknitting of his brow and with beaming eyes, he stretched out his hand and said abruptly, "Let us shake hands: you are a musician."


Mab felt herself beginning to cry, and all the three girls held Klesmer adorable.


But straightway the frown came again, the long hand, back uppermost, was stretched out in quite a different sense to touch with finger-tip the back of Mirah's, and with protruded lip he said,

But straightway the frown came again, as with protruded lip he said-


And Mab ceased to think him adorable: "as if Mirah had shown the least sign of conceit!"


Mirah was silent, knowing that there was a specific opinion to be waited for, and Klesmer presently went on--"I would not advise--I would not further your singing in any larger space than a private drawing-room.

Klesmer went on- "I would not advise your singing in any larger space than a private drawing-room.


And here in London that is one of the best careers open.


Will you come and sing at a private concert at my house on Wednesday?"


"Oh, I shall be grateful," said Mirah, putting her hands together devoutly.

"Oh, I shall be grateful," said Mirah, putting her hands together.


"I would rather get my bread in that way than by anything more public.


Klesmer made a preliminary answer in noises which sounded like words bitten in two and swallowed before they were half out, shaking his fingers the while, before he said, quite distinctly, "I shall introduce you to Astorga: he is the foster-father of good singing and will give you advice."


Then addressing Mrs. Meyrick, he added, "Mrs. Klesmer will call before Wednesday, with your permission."


"We shall feel that to be a great kindness," said Mrs. Meyrick.


"You will sing to her," said Klesmer, turning again to Mirah.


"She is a thorough musician, and has a soul with more ears to it than you will often get in a musician.


Your singing will satisfy her:
'Vor den Wissenden sich stellen;'
you know the rest?"


He had certainly chosen the most delicate way of praising Mirah, and the Meyrick girls had now given him all their esteem.


But imagine Mab's feeling when suddenly fixing his eyes on her, he said decisively, "That young lady is musical, I see!"


She was a mere blush and sense of scorching.


"Oh, please, Mirah--a scramble, not a touch," said Mab, in anguish, with a horrible fear of what the next thing might be: this dreadful divining personage--evidently Satan in gray trousers--might order her to sit down to the piano, and her heart was like molten wax in the midst of her.

"Oh, please, Mirah - a scramble, not a touch," said Mab, in anguish, with a horrible fear that this dreadful divining personage might order her to sit down to the piano.


But this was cheap payment for her amazed joy when Klesmer said benignantly, turning to Mrs. Meyrick, "Will she like to accompany Miss Lapidoth and hear the music on Wednesday?"

But her dread turned to amazed joy when Klesmer said benignantly to Mrs. Meyrick, "Will she like to accompany Miss Lapidoth and hear the music on Wednesday?"


"There could hardly be a greater pleasure for her," said Mrs. Meyrick.


Thereupon Klesmer bowed round to the three sisters more grandly than they had ever been bowed to before.


Altogether it was an amusing picture--the little room with so much of its diagonal taken up in Klesmer's magnificent bend to the small feminine figures like images a little less than life-size, the grave Holbein faces on the walls, as many as were not otherwise occupied, looking hard at this stranger who by his face seemed a dignified contemporary of their own, but whose garments seemed a deplorable mockery of the human form.


Mrs. Meyrick could not help going out of the room with Klesmer and closing the door behind her.

Mrs. Meyrick left the room with him, closing the door behind her.


He understood her, and said with a frowning nod,

He said in privacy, with a frowning nod-


"She will do: if she doesn't attempt too much and her voice holds out, she can make an income.


I know that is the great point: Deronda told me.


"She is an angel," said the warm-hearted woman.


"No," said Klesmer, with a playful nod; "she is a pretty Jewess: the angels must not get the credit of her.

"No," said Klesmer, with a playful nod; "she is a pretty Jewess.


But I think she has found a guardian angel," he ended, bowing himself out in this amiable way.


The four young creatures had looked at each other mutely till the door banged and Mrs. Meyrick re-entered.

The four young creatures looked at each other mutely till the door banged and Mrs. Meyrick re-entered.


Mab clapped her hands and danced everywhere inconveniently; Mrs. Meyrick kissed Mirah and blessed her; Amy said emphatically, "We can never get her a new dress before Wednesday!"

Mab clapped her hands and danced; Mrs. Meyrick kissed Mirah and blessed her; and Amy said emphatically, "We can never get her a new dress before Wednesday!"


and Kate exclaimed, "Thank heaven my table is not knocked over!"


Mirah had reseated herself on the music-stool without speaking, and the tears were rolling down her cheeks as she looked at her friends.

Mirah had reseated herself on the music-stool, with the tears rolling down her cheeks.


said Mrs. Meyrick; "come and sit down reasonably and let us talk?"


"Yes, let us talk," said Mab, cordially, coming back to her low seat and caressing her knees.


I wish he had been here--only there would have been no room for him.


"I feel so full of gratitude to you all; and he was so very kind."


"But he might have said something encouraging sooner.


I thought him dreadfully ugly when he sat frowning, and only said, '_Con_tinue.'

I thought him dreadfully ugly when he sat frowning, and only said, 'Continue.'


I hated him all the long way from the top of his hair to the toe of his polished boot."


"Nonsense, Mab; he has a splendid profile," said Kate.


I cannot bear people to keep their minds bottled up for the sake of letting them off with a pop.


They seem to grudge making you happy unless they can make you miserable beforehand.


However, I forgive him everything," said Mab, with a magnanimous air, "but he has invited me.

However, I forgive him everything, now he has invited me.


I wonder why he fixed on me as the musical one?"


Was it because I have a bulging forehead, ma, and peep from under it like a newt from under a stone?"


"It was your way of listening to the singing, child," said Mrs. Meyrick.

"It was your way of listening, child," said Mrs. Meyrick.


"He has magic spectacles and sees everything through them, depend upon it.


But what was that German quotation you were so ready with, Mirah--you learned puss?"

"But what was that German quotation you were so ready with, Mirah - you learned puss?"


"Oh, that was not learning," said Mirah, her tearful face breaking into an amused smile.


It means that it is safer to do anything--singing or anything else--before those who know and understand all about it."

It means that it is safer to do anything before those who understand all about it."


"That was why you were not one bit frightened, I suppose," said Amy.

"That was why you were not frightened, I suppose," said Amy.


"But now, what we have to talk about is a dress for you on Wednesday."

"But now, we have to talk about a dress for you on Wednesday."


"I don't want anything better than this black merino," said Mirah, rising to show the effect.

"I don't want anything better than this black merino," said Mirah.


"Some white gloves and some new _bottines_."


She put out her little foot, clad in the famous felt slipper.


"Here comes Hans," said Mrs. Meyrick, as he entered.


"Stand still, and let us hear what he says about the dress.


Artists are the best people to consult about such things."


"You don't consult me, ma," said Kate, lifting up her eyebrow with a playful complainingness.


"I notice mothers are like the people I deal with--the girls' doings are always priced low."


"My dear child, the boys are such a trouble--we could never put up with them, if we didn't make believe they were worth more," said Mrs. Meyrick, just as her boy entered.


"Hans, we want your opinion about Mirah's dress.


Klesmer has been here, and she is going to sing at his house on Wednesday among grand people.

Klesmer has been here, and she is to sing at his house among grand people.


Mirah in her childlike way turned toward him to be looked at; and he, going to a little further distance, knelt with one knee on a hassock to survey her.

Mirah in her childlike way turned toward him.


"This would be thought a very good stage-dress for me," she said, pleadingly, "in a part where I was to come on as a poor Jewess and sing to fashionable Christians."

"This would be thought a very good stage-dress for me," she said, pleadingly, "in a part where I was to come on as a poor Jewess.


"It would be effective," said Hans, with a considering air; "it would stand out well among the fashionable _chiffons_."


"But you ought not to claim all the poverty on your side, Mirah," said Amy.


"There are plenty of poor Christians and dreadfully rich Jews and fashionable Jewesses."


"Only I have been used to thinking about my dress for parts in plays.


And I almost always had a part with a plain dress."


"That makes me think it questionable," said Hans, who had suddenly become as fastidious and conventional on this occasion as he had thought Deronda was, apropos of the Berenice-pictures.

"That makes me think it questionable," said Hans, who had suddenly become as fastidious and conventional on this occasion as he had thought Deronda was.


We must not make you a _rle_ of the poor Jewess--or of being a Jewess at all."

We must not make you a role of the poor Jewess."


Hans had a secret desire to neutralize the Jewess in private life, which he was in danger of not keeping secret.

Hans had a secret desire to neutralize the Jewess in private life.


I shall never be anything else," said Mirah.


"But we can't feel that about you," said Hans, with a devout look.


"What does it signify whether a perfect woman is a Jewess or not?"


"That is your kind way of praising me; I never was praised so before," said Mirah, with a smile, which was rather maddening to Hans and made him feel still more of a cosmopolitan.


"People don't think of me as a British Christian," he said, his face creasing merrily.

"People don't think of me as a Christian," said Hans, his face creasing merrily.


"They think of me as an imperfectly handsome young man and an unpromising painter."


"But you are wandering from the dress," said Amy.

"You are wandering from the dress," said Amy.


"If that will not do, how are we to get another before Wednesday?"


"Indeed this will do," said Mirah, entreatingly. "It is all real, you know," here she looked at Hans--"even if it seemed theatrical.

"Indeed this will do," said Mirah, entreatingly, looking at Hans, "even if it seems theatrical.


Poor Berenice sitting on the ruins--any one might say that was theatrical, but I know that this is just what she would do."

Poor Berenice sitting on the ruins is theatrical, but I know that is just what she would do."


"I am a scoundrel," said Hans, overcome by this misplaced trust.


Shall you forgive me for not saying so before?"


"Oh, yes," said Mirah, after a momentary pause of surprise.


"You knew it was what she would be sure to do--a Jewess who had not been faithful--who had done what she did and was penitent.

"You knew it was what she would be sure to do - a Jewess who had not been faithful - who was penitent.


She could have no joy but to afflict herself; and where else would she go?


I think it is very beautiful that you should enter so into what a Jewess would feel."


"The Jewesses of that time sat on ruins," said Hans, starting up with a sense of being checkmated. "That makes them convenient for pictures."
"But the dress--the dress," said Amy; "is it settled?"
"Yes; is it not?" said Mirah, looking doubtfully at Mrs. Meyrick, who in her turn looked up at her son, and said, "What do you think, Hans?"
"That dress will not do," said Hans, decisively.

With a sense of being checkmated, Hans said decisively, "That dress will not do.


You must jump into a cab with her, little mother, and go to Regent Street. It's plenty of time to get anything you like--a black silk dress such as ladies wear.

You must jump into a cab with her, little mother, and go to Regent Street for a black silk dress such as ladies wear.


She must not be taken for an object of charity."


She has talents to make people indebted to her."


"I think it is what Mr. Deronda would like--for her to have a handsome dress," said Mrs. Meyrick, deliberating.

"I think Mr. Deronda would like her to have a handsome dress," said Mrs. Meyrick, deliberating.


"Of course it is," said Hans, with some sharpness.


"You may take my word for what a gentleman would feel."


"I wish to do what Mr. Deronda would like me to do," said Mirah, gravely, seeing that Mrs. Meyrick looked toward her; and Hans, turning on his heel, went to Kate's table and took up one of her drawings as if his interest needed a new direction.

"I wish to do what Mr. Deronda would like," said Mirah, gravely; and Hans, turning on his heel, went to Kate's table and took up one of her drawings to inspect it.


"Shouldn't you like to make a study of Klesmer's head, Hans?"

"Shouldn't you like to draw Klesmer's head, Hans?"


exclaimed Hans, immediately throwing back his head and mane, seating himself at the piano and looking round him as if he were surveying an amphitheatre, while he held his fingers down perpendicularly toward the keys.

exclaimed Hans, immediately throwing back his mane, seating himself at the piano and looking round him as if he were surveying an amphitheatre, while he stretched his fingers down toward the keys.


But then in another instant he wheeled round on the stool, looked at Mirah and said, half timidly--"Perhaps you don't like this mimicry; you must always stop my nonsense when you don't like it."

But then he wheeled round, looked at Mirah and said, half timidly- "Perhaps you don't like this mimicry; you must stop my nonsense when you don't like it."


Mirah had been smiling at the swiftly-made image, and she smiled still, but with a touch of something else than amusement, as she said--"Thank you.

Mirah smiled, but with a touch of something else than amusement, as she said- "Thank you.


But you have never done anything I did not like.


I hardly think he could, belonging to you," she added, looking at Mrs. Meyrick.


How could the rose help it when several bees in succession took its sweet odor as a sign of personal attachment?

How could the rose help it when several bees in succession took its sweet odour as a sign of personal attachment?


The godhead in us wrings our noble deeds From our reluctant selves.


It was an unpleasant surprise to Deronda when he returned from the Abbey to find the undesirable father installed in the lodgings at Brompton.

It was an unpleasant surprise to Deronda when he returned to find the undesirable father installed in the lodgings at Brompton.


Mirah had felt it necessary to speak of Deronda to her father, and even to make him as fully aware as she could of the way in which the friendship with Ezra had begun, and of the sympathy which had cemented it. She passed more lightly over what Deronda had done for her, omitting altogether the rescue from drowning, and speaking of the shelter she had found in Mrs. Meyrick's family so as to leave her father to suppose that it was through these friends Deronda had become acquainted with her.

Mirah had felt it necessary to speak of Deronda to her father, making him aware of how the friendship with Ezra had begun, but omitting altogether the rescue from drowning, and letting her father suppose that she had met Deronda through the Meyricks.


She could not persuade herself to more completeness in her narrative: she could not let the breath of her father's soul pass over her relation to Deronda.


And Lapidoth, for reasons, was not eager in his questioning about the circumstances of her flight and arrival in England.


But he was much interested in the fact of his children having a beneficent friend apparently high in the world.

Lapidoth was much interested in the fact of his children having a friend high in the world.


It was the brother who told Deronda of this new condition added to their life.


"I am become calm in beholding him now," Ezra ended, "and I try to think it possible that my sister's tenderness, and the daily tasting a life of peace, may win him to remain aloof from temptation.

"I am become calm in beholding him now," Ezra told Deronda, "and I try to think it possible that my sister's tenderness may keep him from temptation.


I have enjoined her, and she has promised, to trust him with no money. I have convinced her that he will buy with it his own destruction."

We have agreed to trust him with no money, for he will buy with it his own destruction."


Deronda first came on the third day from Ladipoth's arrival. The new clothes for which he had been measured were not yet ready, and wishing to make a favorable impression, he did not choose to present himself in the old ones.

The first time Deronda came after the father's arrival, Lapidoth did not present himself, for his new clothes were not yet ready.


He watched for Deronda's departure, and, getting a view of him from the window, was rather surprised at his youthfulness, which Mirah had not mentioned, and which he had somehow thought out of the question in a personage who had taken up a grave friendship and hoary studies with the sepulchral Ezra. Lapidoth began to imagine that Deronda's real or chief motive must be that he was in love with Mirah. And so much the better; for a tie to Mirah had more promise of indulgence for her father than a tie to Ezra: and Lapidoth was not without the hope of recommending himself to Deronda, and of softening any hard prepossessions.

Watching from the window, he was surprised at Deronda's youthfulness; he had assumed him an older man who had taken up a grave friendship with the sepulchral Ezra, and began to imagine that Deronda's real motive must be that he was in love with Mirah; which might make it easier for Lapidoth to recommend himself to him.


He was behaving with much amiability, and trying in all ways at his command to get himself into easy domestication with his children--entering into Mirah's music, showing himself docile about smoking, which Mrs. Adam could not tolerate in her parlor, and walking out in the square with his German pipe, and the tobacco with which Mirah supplied him.

He was behaving amiably, and trying to get himself into easy domestication with his children - entering into Mirah's music, showing himself docile about smoking, and walking out in the square with his pipe and the tobacco which Mirah gave him.


He was too acute to offer any present remonstrance against the refusal of money, which Mirah told him that she must persist in as a solemn duty promised to her brother. He was comfortable enough to wait.

He was too acute to remonstrate against the refusal of money: he was comfortable enough to wait.


The next time Deronda came, Lapidoth, equipped in his new clothes, and satisfied with his own appearance, was in the room with Ezra, who was teaching himself, as a part of his severe duty, to tolerate his father's presence whenever it was imposed.

The next time Deronda came, Lapidoth, satisfied with his own appearance in his new clothes, was in the room with Ezra, who was teaching himself, as a part of his severe duty, to tolerate his father's presence.


Deronda was cold and distant, the first sight of this man, who had blighted the lives of his wife and children, creating in him a repulsion that was even a physical discomfort.

Deronda was cold and distant, the sight of this man who had blighted the lives of his family creating in him a physical repulsion.


But Lapidoth did not let himself be discouraged, asked leave to stay and hear the reading of papers from the old chest, and actually made himself useful in helping to decipher some difficult German manuscript.

But Lapidoth was not discouraged: he asked leave to stay and hear the reading of papers from the old chest, and actually made himself useful in helping to decipher some difficult German manuscript.


This led him to suggest that it might be desirable to make a transcription of the manuscript, and he offered his services for this purpose, and also to make copies of any papers in Roman characters.

This led him to suggest that it might be desirable to make a transcription of the manuscript, and he offered his services for this purpose.


Though Ezra's young eyes he observed were getting weak, his own were still strong.


Deronda accepted the offer, thinking that Lapidoth showed a sign of grace in the willingness to be employed usefully; and he saw a gratified expression in Ezra's face, who, however, presently said, "Let all the writing be done here; for I cannot trust the papers out of my sight, lest there be an accident by burning or otherwise."

Deronda accepted the offer, thinking that Lapidoth showed a sign of grace in this willingness to be employed usefully; and he saw a gratified expression in Ezra's face, who, however, said, "Let all the writing be done here; for I cannot trust the papers out of my sight, lest there be an accident."


Poor Ezra felt very much as if he had a convict on leave under his charge.

Poor Ezra felt as if he had a convict under his charge.


Unless he saw his father working, it was not possible to believe that he would work in good faith.


But by this arrangement he fastened on himself the burden of his father's presence, which was made painful not only through his deepest, longest associations, but also through Lapidoth's restlessness of temperament, which showed itself the more as he become familiarized with his situation, and lost any awe he had felt of his son.

But by this arrangement he fastened on himself the burden of his father's presence, with all its restlessness, which showed itself more as Lapidoth become familiarized with his situation, and lost his awe of his son.


The fact was, he was putting a strong constraint on himself in confining his attention for the sake of winning Deronda's favor; and like a man in an uncomfortable garment he gave himself relief at every opportunity, going out to smoke, or moving about and talking, or throwing himself back in his chair and remaining silent, but incessantly carrying on a dumb language of facial movement or gesticulation: and if Mirah were in the room, he would fall into his old habit of talk with her, gossiping about their former doings and companions, or repeating quirks and stories, and plots of the plays he used to adapt, in the belief that he could at will command the vivacity of his earlier time.

The fact was, he was putting a strong constraint on himself for the sake of winning Deronda's favour; and like a man in an uncomfortable garment he gave himself relief at every opportunity, going out to smoke, or moving about and talking; and if Mirah were in the room, he would fall into his old habit of gossiping, or repeating stories, in the belief that he could command his old vivacity.


All this was a mortal infliction to Ezra; and when Mirah was at home she tried to relieve him, by getting her father down into the parlor and keeping watch over him there.

All this was a mortal infliction to Ezra; and when Mirah was at home she tried to relieve him, by taking her father down into the parlour.


What duty is made of a single difficult resolve? The difficulty lies in the daily unflinching support of consequences that mar the blessed return of morning with the prospect of irritation to be suppressed or shame to be endured. And such consequences were being borne by these, as by many other heroic children of an unworthy father--with the prospect, at least to Mirah, of their stretching onward through the solid part of life.

The prospect of this duty to an unworthy father seemed to Mirah to stretch onward through her life.


Meanwhile Lapidoth's presence had raised a new impalpable partition between Deronda and Mirah--each of them dreading the soiling inferences of his mind, each of them interpreting mistakenly the increased reserve and diffidence of the other.

Meanwhile Lapidoth's presence had raised a new partition between Deronda and Mirah - each of them dreading the soiling inferences of his mind, each interpreting mistakenly the increased reserve of the other.


But it was not very long before some light came to Deronda.

But it was not long before some light came to Deronda.


As soon as he could, after returning from his brief visit to the Abbey, he had called at Hans Meyrick's rooms, feeling it, on more grounds than one, a due of friendship that Hans should be at once acquainted with the reasons of his late journey, and the changes of intention it had brought about.

He had called at Hans Meyrick's rooms to let him know the outcome of his recent journey.


Hans was not there; he was said to be in the country for a few days; and Deronda, after leaving a note, waited a week, rather expecting a note in return.

Hans was not there; and Deronda, after leaving a note, waited a week.


But receiving no word, and fearing some freak of feeling in the incalculably susceptible Hans, whose proposed sojourn at the Abbey he knew had been deferred, he at length made a second call, and was admitted into the painting-room, where he found his friend in a light coat, without a waistcoat, his long hair still wet from a bath, but with a face looking worn and wizened--anything but country-like.

But receiving no word, he at length made a second call, and was admitted into the painting-room, where he found his friend looking worn and wizened.


He had taken up his palette and brushes, and stood before his easel when Deronda entered, but the equipment and attitude seemed to have been got up on short notice.

He stood before his easel when Deronda entered, but seemed not to be painting.


As they shook hands, Deronda said, "You don't look much as if you had been in the country, old fellow.

As they shook hands, Deronda said, "You don't look well, old fellow.


"No," said Hans, curtly, throwing down his palette with the air of one who has begun to feign by mistake; then pushing forward a chair for Deronda, he threw himself into another, and leaned backward with his hands behind his head, while he went on, "I've been to I-don't-know-where--No man's land--and a mortally unpleasant country it is."

"No," said Hans curtly, throwing himself into a chair. "I've been to No man's land - and a mortally unpleasant country it is."


"You don't mean to say you have been drinking, Hans," said Deronda, who had seated himself opposite, in anxious survey.

"Have you been drinking, Hans?" said Deronda, in anxious survey.


I always meant to do it some time or other, to try how much bliss could be got by it; and having found myself just now rather out of other bliss, I thought it judicious to seize the opportunity.

I always meant to try it some time or other, when I was feeling low.


But I pledge you my word I shall never tap a cask of that bliss again.


You were in good spirits enough when you wrote to me."


The world began to look seedy--a sort of cabbage-garden with all the cabbages cut.

The world began to look seedy - a sort of cabbage-garden with all the cabbages cut.


A malady of genius, you may be sure," said Hans, creasing his face into a smile; "and, in fact, I was tired of being virtuous without reward, especially in this hot London weather."

A malady of genius, you may be sure," said Hans, creasing his face into a smile.


"I came to tell you of my own affairs, but I can't do it with a good grace if you are to hide yours."

"I came to tell you of my own affairs, but I can't do it with a good grace if you hide yours."


"Haven't an affair in the world," said Hans, in a flighty way, "except a quarrel with a bric--brac man.

"Haven't an affair in the world," said Hans, in a flighty way.


Besides, as it is the first time in our lives that you ever spoke to me about your own affairs, you are only beginning to pay a pretty long debt."

"Besides, as it is the first time in our lives that you ever spoke to me about your own affairs, you are beginning to pay a pretty long debt."


Deronda felt convinced that Hans was behaving artificially, but he trusted to a return of the old frankness by-and-by if he gave his own confidence.

Deronda felt convinced that Hans was behaving artificially, but he trusted to a return of the old frankness if he gave his own confidence.


"You laughed at the mystery of my journey to Italy, Hans," he began.


"It was for an object that touched my happiness at the very roots.


I had never known anything about my parents, and I really went to Genoa to meet my mother.

"I had never known anything about my parents, and I went to Genoa to meet my mother.


My father has been long dead--died when I was an infant.


My mother was the daughter of an eminent Jew; my father was her cousin.


Many things had caused me to think of this origin as almost a probability before I set out.


I was so far prepared for the result that I was glad of it--glad to find myself a Jew."

I was so far prepared that I was glad of it - glad to find myself a Jew."


"You must not expect me to look surprised, Deronda," said Hans, who had changed his attitude, laying one leg across the other and examining the heel of his slipper.

"You must not expect me to look surprised, Deronda," said Hans, laying one leg across the other and examining his slipper.


"My mother told me. She went to the house the morning after you had been there--brother and sister both told her.

"My mother told me, after Mirah and Ezra told her.


You may imagine we can't rejoice as they do.


But whatever you are glad of, I shall come to be glad of in the end--_when_ exactly the end may be I can't predict," said Hans, speaking in a low tone, which was as usual with him as it was to be out of humor with his lot, and yet bent on making no fuss about it.

But whatever you are glad of, I shall come to be glad of in the end," said Hans, speaking in a low tone.


"I quite understand that you can't share my feeling," said Deronda; "but I could not let silence lie between us on what casts quite a new light over my future.

"I quite understand that you can't share my feeling," said Deronda; "but I could not let silence lie between us on my future.


I have taken up some of Mordecai's ideas, and I mean to try and carry them out, so far as one man's efforts can go.


I dare say I shall by and by travel to the East and be away for some years."

I shall travel to the East and be away for some years."


Hans said nothing, but rose, seized his palette and began to work his brush on it, standing before his picture with his back to Deronda, who also felt himself at a break in his path embarrassed by Hans's embarrassment.

Hans said nothing, but rose, seized his palette and began to work his brush on it, standing with his back to Deronda, who felt himself embarrassed by Hans's embarrassment.


Presently Hans said, again speaking low, and without turning, "Excuse the question, but does Mrs. Grandcourt know of all this?"

Presently Hans said, without turning, "Does Mrs. Grandcourt know of all this?"


"No; and I must beg of you, Hans," said Deronda, rather angrily, "to cease joking on that subject.


Any notions you have are wide of the truth--are the very reverse of the truth."

Any notions you have are the very reverse of the truth."


"I am no more inclined to joke than I shall be at my own funeral," said Hans.


"But I am not at all sure that you are aware what are my notions on that subject."

"I am not sure that you are aware what are my notions on that subject."


"But let me say, once for all, that in relation to Mrs. Grandcourt, I never have had, and never shall have the position of a lover.


If you have ever seriously put that interpretation on anything you have observed, you are supremely mistaken."

If you have ever thought that, you are supremely mistaken."


There was silence a little while, and to each the silence was like an irritating air, exaggerating discomfort.


"Perhaps I have been mistaken in another interpretation, also," said Hans, presently.

"Perhaps I have been mistaken in another interpretation, also," said Hans.


"That you had no wish to hold the position of a lover toward another woman, who is neither wife nor widow."


"I can't pretend not to understand you, Meyrick.


It is painful that our wishes should clash.


I hope you will tell me if you have any ground for supposing that you would succeed."


"That seems rather a superfluous inquiry on your part, Deronda," said Hans, with some irritation.


"Because you are perfectly convinced on the subject--and probably have had the very best evidence to convince you."

"You are perfectly convinced on the subject - and you probably have had the very best evidence to convince you."


"I will be more frank with you than you are with me," said Deronda, still heated by Hans' show of temper, and yet sorry for him.

"I will be more frank with you than you are with me," said Deronda, still heated.


"I have never had the slightest evidence that I should succeed myself.

"I have never had the slightest evidence that I should succeed.


Hans looked round hastily at his friend, but immediately turned to his picture again.


"And in our present situation," said Deronda, hurt by the idea that Hans suspected him of insincerity, and giving an offended emphasis to his words, "I don't see how I can deliberately make known my feeling to her.

And in our present situation, I don't see how I can make known my feeling to her.


If she could not return it, I should have embittered her best comfort; for neither she nor I can be parted from her brother, and we should have to meet continually.

If she could not return it, I should have embittered her best comfort; for we should have to meet continually to tend to her brother.


If I were to cause her that sort of pain by an unwilling betrayal of my feeling, I should be no better than a mischievous animal."


"I don't know that I have ever betrayed _my_ feeling to her," said Hans, as if he were vindicating himself.


"You mean that we are on a level, then; you have no reason to envy me."


"Oh, not the slightest," said Hans, with bitter irony.


"You have measured my conceit and know that it out-tops all your advantages."


I am sorry, but I can't help it," said Deronda, rising.


"After what passed between us before, I wished to have this explanation; and I don't see that any pretensions of mine have made a real difference to you.

"I don't see that any pretensions of mine have made a difference to you.


They are not likely to make any pleasant difference to myself under present circumstances.

They are not likely to make any pleasant difference to myself.


Now the father is there--did you know that the father is there?"
"Yes. If he were not a Jew I would permit myself to damn him--with faint praise, I mean," said Hans, but with no smile.
"She and I meet under greater constraint than ever.

Now the father is there, she and I meet under greater constraint than ever.


Things might go on in this way for two years without my getting any insight into her feeling toward me.


That is the whole state of affairs, Hans.


Neither you nor I have injured the other, that I can see.


We must put up with this sort of rivalry in a hope that is likely enough to come to nothing. Our friendship can bear that strain, surely."

We are rivals without hope: our friendship can bear that strain, surely."


"No, it can't," said Hans, impetuously, throwing down his tools, thrusting his hands into his coat-pockets, and turning round to face Deronda, who drew back a little and looked at him with amazement.

"No, it can't," said Hans, throwing down his tools, and turning to face Deronda, who looked at him with amazement.


"Our friendship--my friendship--can't bear the strain of behaving to you like an ungrateful dastard and grudging you your happiness.

"Our friendship can't bear the strain of my behaving to you like an ungrateful dastard and grudging you your happiness.


For you _are_ the happiest dog in the world.


If Mirah loves anybody better than her brother, _you are the man_."

If Mirah loves anybody better than her brother, you are the man."


Hans turned on his heel and threw himself into his chair, looking up at Deronda with an expression the reverse of tender.


Something like a shock passed through Deronda, and, after an instant, he said,

A shock passed through Deronda. After an instant, he said-


"It is a good-natured fiction of yours, Hans."


I assure you I found the fact disagreeable when it was thrust on me--all the more, or perhaps all the less, because I believed then that your heart was pledged to the duchess.

I found the fact disagreeable when it was thrust on me: I believed then that your heart was pledged to the duchess.


you turn out to be in love in the right place--a Jew--and everything eligible."

you turn out to be in love in the right place - a Jew - and everything eligible."


"Tell me what convinced you--there's a good fellow," said Deronda, distrusting a delight that he was unused to.

"Tell me what convinced you - there's a good fellow," said Deronda, distrusting his unfamiliar delight.


The upshot is, that Mirah is jealous of the duchess, and the sooner you relieve your mind the better. There! I've cleared off a score or two, and may be allowed to swear at you for getting what you deserve--which is just the very best luck I know of."

The upshot is, that Mirah is jealous of the duchess, and I may be allowed to swear at you for getting what you deserve - which is just the very best luck."


said Deronda, putting out his hand, which the other took and wrung in silence.

said Deronda, putting out his hand, which the other shook in silence.


"Much adoe there was, God wot; He wold love and she wold not."


Extension, we know, is a very imperfect measure of things; and the length of the sun's journeying can no more tell us how life has advanced than the acreage of a field can tell us what growths may be active within it. A man may go south, and, stumbling over a bone, may meditate upon it till he has found a new starting-point for anatomy; or eastward, and discover a new key to language telling a new story of races; or he may head an expedition that opens new continental pathways, get himself maimed in body, and go through a whole heroic poem of resolve and endurance; and at the end of a few months he may come back to find his neighbors grumbling at the same parish grievance as before, or to see the same elderly gentleman treading the pavement in discourse with himself, shaking his head after the same percussive butcher's boy, and pausing at the same shop-window to look at the same prints.

Length of time is a very imperfect measure of things; a man may head an expedition that opens new continental pathways, and at the end of a few months come back to find his neighbours grumbling at the same parish grievance as before.


If the swiftest thinking has about the pace of a greyhound, the slowest must be supposed to move, like the limpet, by an apparent sticking, which after a good while is discerned to be a slight progression.

If the swiftest thinking has the pace of a greyhound, the slowest must be supposed to move, like the limpet, by an apparent sticking, which after a good while is discerned to be a slight progression.


Such differences are manifest in the variable intensity which we call human experience, from the revolutionary rush of change which makes a new inner and outer life, to that quiet recurrence of the familiar, which has no other epochs than those of hunger and the heavens.

Such differences are manifest in the variable intensity of human experience, from the revolutionary rush of change to the quiet recurrence of the familiar.


Something of this contrast was seen in the year's experience which had turned the brilliant, self-confident Gwendolen Harleth of the Archery Meeting into the crushed penitent impelled to confess her unworthiness where it would have been her happiness to be held worthy; while it had left her family in Pennicote without deeper change than that of some outward habits, and some adjustment of prospects and intentions to reduced income, fewer visits, and fainter compliments.

Something of this contrast was seen in the year's experience which had turned the brilliant, self-confident Gwendolen Harleth of the Archery Meeting into the crushed penitent impelled to confess her unworthiness; while it had left her family in Pennicote without deeper change than some adjustment of prospects as to reduced income and fewer visits.


The rectory was as pleasant a home as before: and the red and pink peonies on the lawn, the rows of hollyhocks by the hedges, had bloomed as well this year as last: the rector maintained his cheerful confidence in the good will of patrons and his resolution to deserve it by diligence in the fulfillment of his duties, whether patrons were likely to hear of it or not; doing nothing solely with an eye to promotion except, perhaps, the writing of two ecclesiastical articles, which having no signature, were attributed to some one else, except by the patrons who had a special copy sent them, and these certainly knew the author but did not read the articles.

The rectory was as pleasant a home as before: the red and pink peonies and hollyhocks had bloomed as well this year as last: the rector maintained his cheerful confidence in the good will of patrons, doing nothing with an eye to promotion except, perhaps, the writing of two ecclesiastical articles, which having no signature, were attributed to some one else, except by the patrons who had a special copy sent them, and these certainly knew the author but did not read the articles.


The rector, however, chewed no poisonous cud of suspicion on this point: he made marginal notes on his own copies to render them a more interesting loan, and was gratified that the Archdeacon and other authorities had nothing to say against the general tenor of his argument.

The rector, however, was gratified that the Archdeacon and other authorities had nothing to say against his argument.


Peaceful authorship!--living in the air of the fields and downs, and not in the thrice-breathed breath of criticism--bringing no Dantesque leanness; rather, assisting nutrition by complacency, and perhaps giving a more suffusive sense of achievement than the production of a whole _Divina Commedia_.


Then there was the father's recovered delight in his favorite son, which was a happiness outweighing the loss of eighteen hundred a year.

Then there was the father's delight in his favourite son, which was a happiness outweighing the loss of eighteen hundred a year.


Of whatever nature might be the hidden change wrought in Rex by the disappointment of his first love, it was apparently quite secondary to that evidence of more serious ambition which dated from the family misfortune; indeed, Mr. Gascoigne was inclined to regard the little affair which had caused him so much anxiety the year before as an evaporation of superfluous moisture, a kind of finish to the baking process which the human dough demands.

However Rex had been changed by the disappointment of his first love, his serious ambition dated from the family misfortune; indeed, Mr. Gascoigne was inclined to regard the little affair which had caused him so much anxiety as a kind of finish to the baking process which the human dough demands.


Rex had lately come down for a summer visit to the rectory, bringing Anna home, and while he showed nearly the old liveliness with his brothers and sisters, he continued in his holiday the habits of the eager student, rising early in the morning and shutting himself up early in the evenings to carry on a fixed course of study.

Rex had lately come for a summer visit to the rectory, bringing Anna home, and while still lively with his brothers and sisters, he rose early in the morning and shut himself up in the evenings to study.


"You don't repent the choice of the law as a profession, Rex?"


"There is no profession I would choose before it," said Rex.


"I should like to end my life as a first-rate judge, and help to draw up a code."


I should say, 'Give me something to do with making the laws, and let who will make the songs.'"


"You will have to stow in an immense amount of rubbish, I suppose--that's the worst of it," said the rector.

"You have to learn an immense amount of rubbish, I suppose," said the rector.


"I don't see that law-rubbish is worse than any other sort.


It is not so bad as the rubbishy literature that people choke their minds with.


Our wittiest men have often been lawyers.


Any orderly way of looking at things as cases and evidence seems to me better than a perpetual wash of odds and ends bearing on nothing in particular.


And then, from a higher point of view, the foundations and the growth of law make the most interesting aspects of philosophy and history.


Of course there will be a good deal that is troublesome, drudging, perhaps exasperating.

Of course there will be a good deal that is troublesome and drudging.


But the great prizes in life can't be won easily--I see that."

But the great prizes in life can't be won easily."


"Well, my boy, the best augury of a man's success in his profession is that he thinks it the finest in the world.

"Well, my boy, the best augury of a man's success in any line of work is that he thinks it the finest in the world.


But I fancy it so with most work when a man goes into it with a will.


Brewitt, the blacksmith, said to me the other day that his 'prentice had no mind to his trade; 'and yet, sir,' said Brewitt, 'what would a young fellow have if he doesn't like the blacksmithing?"

Brewitt, the blacksmith, said to me the other day that his apprentice had no mind to his trade; 'and yet, sir,' said Brewitt, 'what would a young fellow have if he doesn't like the blacksmithing?'"


The rector cherished a fatherly delight, which he allowed to escape him only in moderation.

The rector cherished a fatherly delight in his son, which he showed in moderation.


Warham, who had gone to India, he had easily borne parting with, but Rex was that romance of later life which a man sometimes finds in a son whom he recognizes as superior to himself, picturing a future eminence for him according to a variety of famous examples.


It was only to his wife that he said with decision: "Rex will be a distinguished man, Nancy, I am sure of it--as sure as Paley's father was about his son."

It was only to his wife that he said: "Rex will be a distinguished man, Nancy, I am sure of it."


"That is hardly to the point, my dear," said the rector, who did not remember that irrelevant detail.


And Mrs. Gascoigne felt that she had spoken rather weakly.


This quiet trotting of time at the rectory was shared by the group who had exchanged the faded dignity of Offendene for the low white house not a mile off, well enclosed with evergreens, and known to the villagers, as "Jodson's."

This quiet trotting of time at the rectory was shared by Mrs Davilow and her family at the low white house not a mile off, enclosed with evergreens, and known to the villagers as "Jodson's."


Mrs. Davilow's delicate face showed only a slight deepening of its mild melancholy, her hair only a few more silver lines, in consequence of the last year's trials; the four girls had bloomed out a little from being less in the shade; and the good Jocosa preserved her serviceable neutrality toward the pleasures and glories of the world as things made for those who were not "in a situation."

Mrs. Davilow's delicate face showed only a slight deepening of its mild melancholy, her hair only a few more silver lines; the four girls had bloomed a little from being less in the shade; and the good Jocosa preserved her serviceable neutrality of feeling.


The low narrow drawing-room, enlarged by two quaint projecting windows, with lattices wide open on a July afternoon to the scent of monthly roses, the faint murmurs of the garden, and the occasional rare sound of hoofs and wheels seeming to clarify the succeeding silence, made rather a crowded, lively scene, Rex and Anna being added to the usual group of six.

The narrow drawing-room, enlarged by two quaint projecting windows, with lattices wide open on a July afternoon to the scent of roses, made rather a crowded, lively scene. Rex and Anna were added to the usual group of six.


Anna, always a favorite with her younger cousins, had much to tell of her new experience, and the acquaintances she had made in London, and when on her first visit she came alone, many questions were asked her about Gwendolen's house in Grosvenor Square, what Gwendolen herself had said, and what any one else had said about Gwendolen.

Anna had much to tell her cousins of her experience of London, and when she came alone, many questions were asked her about Gwendolen's house in Grosvenor Square, what Gwendolen had said, and what anyone else had said about her.


Had Anna been to see Gwendolen after she had known about the yacht?


No:--an answer which left speculation free concerning everything connected with that interesting unknown vessel beyond the fact that Gwendolen had written just before she set out to say that Mr. Grandcourt and she were going yachting on the Mediterranean, and again from Marseilles to say that she was sure to like the yachting, the cabins were very elegant, and she would probably not send another letter till she had written quite a long diary filled with _dittos_.

Gwendolen had written to her family to say that Mr. Grandcourt and she were going yachting on the Mediterranean, and again from Marseilles to say that the cabins were very elegant, and that she would probably not send another letter for a while.


Also, this movement of Mr. and Mrs. Grandcourt had been mentioned in "the newspaper;" so that altogether this new phase of Gwendolen's exalted life made a striking part of the sisters' romance, the book-devouring Isabel throwing in a corsair or two to make an adventure that might end well.

This movement of Mr. and Mrs. Grandcourt had been mentioned in "the newspaper;" so that altogether this phase of Gwendolen's exalted life made a striking part of the sisters' romantic speculations.


But when Rex was present, the girls, according to instructions, never started this fascinating topic, and to-day there had only been animated descriptions of the Meyricks and their extraordinary Jewish friends, which caused some astonished questioning from minds to which the idea of live Jews, out of a book, suggested a difference deep enough to be almost zoological, as of a strange race in Pliny's Natural History that might sleep under the shade of its own ears.

But when Rex was present, the girls never started this fascinating topic. Today there had only been animated descriptions of the Meyricks and their extraordinary Jewish friends. To the sisters, who knew of Jews only from books, these accounts were as alien as the depiction of a strange race in Pliny's Natural History, that could sleep under the shade of its own ears.


Bertha could not imagine what Jews believed now; and she had a dim idea that they rejected the Old Testament since it proved the New; Miss Merry thought that Mirah and her brother could "never have been properly argued with," and the amiable Alice did not mind what the Jews believed, she was sure she "couldn't bear them."

Bertha had a dim idea that Jews rejected the Old Testament since it proved the New; Miss Merry thought that Mirah and her brother could "never have been properly argued with," and the amiable Alice did not mind what the Jews believed, she was sure she "couldn't bear them."


Mrs. Davilow corrected her by saying that the great Jewish families who were in society were quite what they ought to be both in London and Paris, but admitted that the commoner unconverted Jews were objectionable; and Isabel asked whether Mirah talked just as they did, or whether you might be with her and not find out that she was a Jewess.

Mrs. Davilow corrected her by saying that the great Jewish families in society were quite what they ought to be, but admitted that the commoner unconverted Jews were objectionable; and Isabel asked whether Mirah talked just as they did.


Rex, who had no partisanship with the Israelites, having made a troublesome acquaintance with the minutiae of their ancient history in the form of "cram," was amusing himself by playfully exaggerating the notion of each speaker, while Anna begged them all to understand that he was only joking, when the laughter was interrupted by the bringing in of a letter for Mrs. Davilow.

Rex was amusing himself by playfully exaggerating the notion of each speaker, when the laughter was interrupted by the bringing in of a letter for Mrs. Davilow.


A messenger had run with it in great haste from the rectory.


It enclosed a telegram, and as Mrs. Davilow read and re-read it in silence and agitation, all eyes were turned on her with anxiety, but no one dared to speak.

It enclosed a telegram, which Mrs. Davilow read in agitated silence, while all eyes were turned anxiously on her.


Looking up at last and seeing the young faces "painted with fear," she remembered that they might be imagining something worse than the truth, something like her own first dread which made her unable to understand what was written, and she said, with a sob which was half relief,

Looking up at last at their troubled faces, with a sob which was half relief that the news was not worse-


"My dears, Mr. Grandcourt--" She paused an instant, and then began again, "Mr. Grandcourt is drowned."

"My dears, Mr. Grandcourt-" She paused, and then began again. "Mr. Grandcourt is drowned."


Rex started up as if a missile had been suddenly thrown into the room.


He could not help himself, and Anna's first look was at him.


But then, gathering some self-command while Mrs. Davilow was reading what the rector had written on the enclosing paper, he said,

Then, gathering some self-command while Mrs. Davilow was reading what the rector had written on the enclosing paper, he said-


Can I carry any word to my father from you?"


Tell him I will be ready--he is very good.

Tell him I will be ready - he is very good.


He says he will go with me to Genoa--he will be here at half-past six.

He says he will go with me to Genoa - he will be here at half-past six.


She is safe--Gwendolen is safe--but she must be ill. I am sure she must be very ill. Rex, dear--Rex and Anna--go and and tell your father I will be quite ready.

She is safe - Gwendolen is safe - but I am sure she must be very ill. Rex, dear, go and tell your father I will be quite ready.


I would not for the world lose another night.


I can travel night and day till we get there."


Rex and Anna hurried away through the sunshine which was suddenly solemn to them, without uttering a word to each other: she chiefly possessed by solicitude about any reopening of his wound, he struggling with a tumultuary crowd of thoughts that were an offence against his better will.

Rex and Anna hurried away through the sunshine which was suddenly solemn to them, without uttering a word to each other: she anxious about any reopening of his wound, he struggling with a tumult of thoughts that were an offence against his better will.


The tumult being undiminished when they were at the rectory gate, he said,


"Nannie, I will leave you to say everything to my father.


If he wants me immediately, let me know.


I shall stay in the shrubbery for ten minutes--only ten minutes."

I shall stay in the shrubbery for ten minutes."


Who has been quite free from egoistic escapes of the imagination, picturing desirable consequences on his own future in the presence of another's misfortune, sorrow, or death?

Who has been quite free from egoistic imaginings, picturing desirable consequences on his own future based on another's misfortune or death?


The expected promotion or legacy is the common type of a temptation which makes speech and even prayer a severe avoidance of the most insistent thoughts, and sometimes raises an inward shame, a self-distaste that is worse than any other form of unpleasant companionship.

This type of temptation sometimes raises an inward shame, a self-distaste that is worse than any other form of unpleasant companionship.


In Rex's nature the shame was immediate, and overspread like an ugly light all the hurrying images of what might come, which thrust themselves in with the idea that Gwendolen was again free--overspread them, perhaps, the more persistently because every phantasm of a hope was quickly nullified by a more substantial obstacle.

In Rex's nature the shame was immediate, and overspread like an ugly light all the hurrying images of what might come now that Gwendolen was again free - overspread them, perhaps, the more persistently because every phantom hope was quickly nullified by an obstacle.


Before the vision of "Gwendolen free" rose the impassable vision of "Gwendolen rich, exalted, courted;" and if in the former time, when both their lives were fresh, she had turned from his love with repugnance, what ground was there for supposing that her heart would be more open to him in the future?

If formerly, when both their lives were fresh, she had turned from his love with repugnance, what ground was there for supposing that her heart would be more open to him in the future?


These thoughts, which he wanted to master and suspend, were like a tumultuary ringing of opposing chimes that he could not escape from by running.

These thoughts were like a ringing of opposing chimes that he could not escape.


During the last year he had brought himself into a state of calm resolve, and now it seemed that three words had been enough to undo all that difficult work, and cast him back into the wretched fluctuations of a longing which he recognized as simply perturbing and hopeless. And at this moment the activity of such longing had an untimeliness that made it repulsive to his better self.

During the last year he had brought himself into a state of calm resolve, and now it seemed that three words had been enough to undo all that difficult work, and cast him back into a hopeless longing, whose untimeliness was repulsive to his better self.


Excuse poor Rex; it was not much more than eighteen months since he had been laid low by an archer who sometimes touches his arrow with a subtle, lingering poison. The disappointment of a youthful passion has effects as incalculable as those of small-pox which may make one person plain and a genius, another less plain and more foolish, another plain without detriment to his folly, and leave perhaps the majority without obvious change. Everything depends--not on the mere fact of disappointment, but--on the nature affected and the force that stirs it.

Excuse poor Rex; it was only eighteen months since he had been laid low by an archer who sometimes touches his arrow with a subtle, lingering poison, which affects each nature differently.


In Rex's well-endowed nature, brief as the hope had been, the passionate stirring had gone deep, and the effect of disappointment was revolutionary, though fraught with a beneficent new order which retained most of the old virtues; in certain respects he believed that it had finally determined the bias and color of his life.

In Rex's nature, brief as the hope had been, the passionate stirring had gone deep, and the effect of disappointment was revolutionary; he believed that it had determined the colour of his life.


Now, however, it seemed that his inward peace was hardly more than that of republican Florence, and his heart no better than the alarm-bell that made work slack and tumult busy.

Now, however, it seemed that his inward peace was overturned.


Rex's love had been of that sudden, penetrating, clinging sort which the ancients knew and sung, and in singing made a fashion of talk for many moderns whose experience has by no means a fiery, demonic character.

Rex's love had been of that sudden, penetrating, clinging sort which the ancients knew and sung.