He was not a wordy thinker, and this explosive phrase stood for mixed impressions which eloquent interpreters might have expanded into some sentences full of an irritated sense that he was being mystified, and a determination that this girl should not make a fool of him.

He was not a wordy thinker, and this explosive phrase stood for mixed impressions: that he was being mystified, and was determined that this girl should not make a fool of him.


Did she want him to throw himself at her feet and declare that he was dying for her?


It was not by that gate that she could enter on the privileges he could give her.


Or did she expect him to write his proposals?


He would not make his offer in any way that could place him definitely in the position of being rejected.


But as to her accepting him, she had done it already in accepting his marked attentions: and anything which happened to break them off would be understood to her disadvantage.

But as to her accepting him, she had done it already in accepting his marked attentions.


However, the carriage came up, and no further _tete--tete_ could well occur before their arrival at the house, where there was abundant company, to whom Gwendolen, clad in riding-dress, with her hat laid aside, clad also in the repute of being chosen by Mr. Grandcourt, was naturally a centre of observation; and since the objectionable Mr. Lush was not there to look at her, this stimulus of admiring attention heightened her spirits, and dispersed, for the time, the uneasy consciousness of divided impulses which threatened her with repentance of her own acts.

However, the carriage came up, and no further tte--tte could occur before their arrival at the house, where there was abundant company, to whom Gwendolen was naturally a centre of observation. Since the objectionable Mr. Lush was not there to look at her, this admiring attention heightened her spirits, and dispersed some of her uneasiness at her own indecision.


Whether Grandcourt had been offended or not there was no judging: his manners were unchanged, but Gwendolen's acuteness had not gone deeper than to discern that his manners were no clue for her, and because these were unchanged she was not the less afraid of him.

Grandcourt's manners were unchanged, but Gwendolen had learnt that his manners were no clue for her, and she was not the less afraid of him.


She had not been at Diplow before except to dine; and since certain points of view from the windows and the garden were worth showing, Lady Flora Hollis proposed after luncheon, when some of the guests had dispersed, and the sun was sloping toward four o'clock, that the remaining party should make a little exploration.

She had not been at Diplow before except to dine; and since certain views from the windows and the garden were worth showing, it was proposed after luncheon that the party should make a little exploration.


Here came frequent opportunities when Grandcourt might have retained Gwendolen apart, and have spoken to her unheard.

Here came frequent opportunities when Grandcourt might have kept Gwendolen apart, and have spoken to her unheard.


He indeed spoke to no one else, but what he said was nothing more eager or intimate than it had been in their first interview.

He indeed spoke to no one else, but his words were no more eager or intimate than in their first interview.


He looked at her not less than usual; and some of her defiant spirit having come back, she looked full at him in return, not caring--rather preferring--that his eyes had no expression in them.

He looked at her as much as usual; and some of her defiance returning, she looked full at him, not caring - rather preferring - that his eyes had no expression in them.


But at last it seemed as if he entertained some contrivance.

But at last it seemed he planned to speak.


After they had nearly made the tour of the grounds, the whole party stopped by the pool to be amused with Fetch's accomplishment of bringing a water lily to the bank like Cowper's spaniel Beau, and having been disappointed in his first attempt insisted on his trying again.

After the tour of the grounds, the whole party stopped by the pool to be amused by Fetch's bringing a water lily to the bank.


Here Grandcourt, who stood with Gwendolen outside the group, turned deliberately, and fixing his eyes on a knoll planted with American shrubs, and having a winding path up it, said languidly,

Here Grandcourt, who stood with Gwendolen outside the group, turned deliberately, and fixing his eyes on a knoll with a winding path up it, said languidly-


"Oh, certainly--since we are exploring," said Gwendolen.

"Oh, certainly - since we are exploring," said Gwendolen.


The path was too narrow for him to offer his arm, and they walked up in silence.


When they were on the bit of platform at the summit, Grandcourt said,

When they were at the summit, Grandcourt said-


"There is nothing to be seen here: the thing was not worth climbing."


How was it that Gwendolen did not laugh?


She was perfectly silent, holding up the folds of her robe like a statue, and giving a harder grasp to the handle of her whip, which she had snatched up automatically with her hat when they had first set off.

She was perfectly silent, holding up her robe like a statue, and grasping the handle of her whip, which she had snatched up automatically when they had first set off.


"Different places are agreeable in their way.


On the whole, I think, I prefer places that are open and cheerful.

"I think I prefer places that are open and cheerful.


"Your place of Offendene is too sombre....".

"Your place at Offendene is too sombre."


"You will not remain there long, I hope."


"It is not to be supposed that _you_ will always live there, though Mrs. Davilow may."

"It is not to be supposed that you will always live there, though Mrs. Davilow may."


We women can't go in search of adventures--to find out the North-West Passage or the source of the Nile, or to hunt tigers in the East.

We women can't go in search of adventures - to find the North-West Passage or the source of the Nile, or hunt tigers in the East.


We must stay where we grow, or where the gardeners like to transplant us. We are brought up like the flowers, to look as pretty as we can, and be dull without complaining.

We must stay where we grow, like flowers, brought up to look pretty, and be dull without complaining.


That is my notion about the plants; they are often bored, and that is the reason why some of them have got poisonous.

That is my notion about plants; they are often bored, and that is why some of them become poisonous.


Gwendolen had run on rather nervously, lightly whipping the rhododendron bush in front of her.


Most things are bores," said Grandcourt, his mind having been pushed into an easy current, away from its intended track.

Most things are bores," said Grandcourt.


But, after a moment's pause, he continued in his broken, refined drawl,

After a moment's pause, he continued in his refined drawl-


"You, certainly, unless you are obstinately cruel."


"I am not sure that I am not both cruel and obstinate."


Here Gwendolen suddenly turned her head and looked full at Grandcourt, whose eyes she had felt to be upon her throughout their conversation.

Here Gwendolen suddenly turned her head and looked full at Grandcourt.


She was wondering what the effect of looking at him would be on herself rather than on him.

She was wondering what the effect of looking at him would be on herself, rather than on him.


He stood perfectly still, half a yard or more away from her; and it flashed through her mind what a sort of lotus-eater's stupor had begun in him and was taking possession of her.

He stood perfectly still; and it flashed through her mind what a sort of lotos-eater's stupor had begun in him and was taking possession of her.


"Are you as uncertain about yourself as you make others about you?"


"I am quite uncertain about myself; I don't know how uncertain others may be."


"And you wish them to understand that you don't care?"


said Grandcourt, with a touch of new hardness in his tone.

said Grandcourt, with a new hardness in his tone.


"I did not say that," Gwendolen replied, hesitatingly, and turning her eyes away whipped the rhododendron bush again.

"I did not say that," Gwendolen replied hesitatingly, and turning her eyes away whipped the rhododendron bush again.


She wished she were on horseback that she might set off on a canter.


It was impossible to set off running down the knoll.


"You do care, then," said Grandcourt, not more quickly, but with a softened drawl.

"You do care, then," said Grandcourt, with a softened drawl.


said Gwendolen, in a little scream of distress.


She had let it go--what could be more natural in a slight agitation?--and--but this seemed less natural in a gold-handled whip which had been left altogether to itself--it had gone with some force over the immediate shrubs, and had lodged itself in the branches of an azalea half-way down the knoll.

She had let it go - what could be more natural in a slight agitation? - and it had gone with some force over the immediate shrubs, and had lodged itself in some branches half-way down the knoll.


She could run down now, laughing prettily, and Grandcourt was obliged to follow; but she was beforehand with him in rescuing the whip, and continued on her way to the level ground, when she paused and looked at Grandcourt with an exasperating brightness in her glance and a heightened color, as if she had carried a triumph, and these indications were still noticeable to Mrs. Davilow when Gwendolen and Grandcourt joined the rest of the party.

She could run down now, laughing prettily, and Grandcourt was obliged to follow; but rescuing the whip, she continued on her way to level ground, where she paused and looked at him with an exasperating brightness in her glance and a heightened, triumphant colour, which Mrs. Davilow noticed when they rejoined the party.


"It is all coquetting," thought Grandcourt; "the next time I beckon she will come down."


It seemed to him likely that this final beckoning might happen the very next day, when there was to be a picnic archery meeting in Cardell Chase, according to the plan projected on the evening of the ball.

He thought that this final beckoning might happen the very next day, when there was to be a picnic archery meeting in Cardell Chase, according to the plan suggested on the day of the ball.


Even in Gwendolen's mind that result was one of two likelihoods that presented themselves alternately, one of two decisions toward which she was being precipitated, as if they were two sides of a boundary-line, and she did not know on which she should fall.

Gwendolen felt herself being hurried towards two alternative likelihoods; two decisions, like two sides of a boundary-line, and she did not know on which side she should fall.


This subjection to a possible self, a self not to be absolutely predicted about, caused her some astonishment and terror; her favorite key of life--doing as she liked--seemed to fail her, and she could not foresee what at a given moment she might like to do.

This powerlessness to predict her own behaviour caused her some astonishment and terror; her favourite idea of doing as she liked seemed to fail her, and she could not foresee what she might choose to do.


The prospect of marrying Grandcourt really seemed more attractive to her than she had believed beforehand that any marriage could be: the dignities, the luxuries, the power of doing a great deal of what she liked to do, which had now come close to her, and within her choice to secure or to lose, took hold of her nature as if it had been the strong odor of what she had only imagined and longed for before.

The prospect of marrying Grandcourt really seemed attractive to her: the dignities, the luxuries, which had now come within her reach, took hold of her nature.


He seemed as little of a flaw in his fortunes as a lover and husband could possibly be.

He seemed to have as little flaw as a lover and husband could.


Gwendolen wished to mount the chariot and drive the plunging horses herself, with a spouse by her side who would fold his arms and give her his countenance without looking ridiculous.


Certainly, with all her perspicacity, and all the reading which seemed to her mamma dangerously instructive, her judgment was consciously a little at fault before Grandcourt. He was adorably quiet and free from absurdities--he would be a husband to suit with the best appearance a woman could make.

Grandcourt was adorably quiet and free from absurdities.


He had been everywhere, and seen everything.


_That_ was desirable, and especially gratifying as a preamble to his supreme preference for Gwendolen Harleth.

That was desirable, and a gratifying preamble to his supreme preference for Gwendolen Harleth.


He did not appear to enjoy anything much.


That was not necessary: and the less he had of particular tastes, or desires, the more freedom his wife was likely to have in following hers.

That was not necessary: the less he had of particular desires, the more freedom his wife was likely to have in following hers.


Gwendolen conceived that after marriage she would most probably be able to manage him thoroughly.


How was it that he caused her unusual constraint now?--that she was less daring and playful in her talk with him than with any other admirer she had known?

How was it that he caused her unusual constraint now? - that she was less daring and playful in her talk with him than with any other admirer she had known?


That absence of demonstrativeness which she was glad of, acted as a charm in more senses than one, and was slightly benumbing.

His lack of demonstrativeness acted as a charm in more senses than one, and was slightly benumbing.


Grandcourt after all was formidable--a handsome lizard of a hitherto unknown species, not of the lively, darting kind.

Grandcourt after all was formidable: a handsome lizard of a hitherto unknown species, not the lively, darting kind.


But Gwendolen knew hardly anything about lizards, and ignorance gives one a large range of probabilities.

But Gwendolen knew hardly anything about lizards.


This splendid specimen was probably gentle, suitable as a boudoir pet: what may not a lizard be, if you know nothing to the contrary?


Her acquaintance with Grandcourt was such that no accomplishment suddenly revealed in him would have surprised her.


And he was so little suggestive of drama, that it hardly occurred to her to think with any detail how his life of thirty-six years had been passed: in general, she imagined him always cold and dignified, not likely ever to have committed himself.

It hardly occurred to her to think how his life of thirty-six years had been passed: she imagined him always cold and dignified, not likely ever to have committed himself.


He had hunted the tiger--had he ever been in love or made love?

He had hunted the tiger - had he ever been in love?


The one experience and the other seemed alike remote in Gwendolen's fancy from the Mr. Grandcourt who had come to Diplow in order apparently to make a chief epoch in her destiny--perhaps by introducing her to that state of marriage which she had resolved to make a state of greater freedom than her girlhood.

Both experiences seemed remote from the Mr. Grandcourt who had come to Diplow in order to change her destiny.


And on the whole she wished to marry him; he suited her purpose; her prevailing, deliberate intention was, to accept him.

On the whole she wished to marry him; he suited her purpose; her prevailing, deliberate intention was to accept him.


But was she going to fulfill her deliberate intention?

But was she going to fulfil her deliberate intention?


She began to be afraid of herself, and to find out a certain difficulty in doing as she liked.


Already her assertion of independence in evading his advances had been carried farther than was necessary, and she was thinking with some anxiety what she might do on the next occasion.

Already her assertion of independence in evading his advances had been carried farther than was necessary, and she was thinking with some anxiety of what she might do on the next occasion.


Seated according to her habit with her back to the horses on their drive homeward, she was completely under the observation of her mamma, who took the excitement and changefulness in the expression of her eyes, her unwonted absence of mind and total silence, as unmistakable signs that something unprecedented had occurred between her and Grandcourt.

On their drive homeward, she was observed by her mamma, who took the excitement in her eyes and her total silence as signs that something had occurred between her and Grandcourt.


Mrs. Davilow's uneasiness determined her to risk some speech on the subject: the Gascoignes were to dine at Offendene, and in what had occurred this morning there might be some reason for consulting the rector; not that she expected him anymore than herself to influence Gwendolen, but that her anxious mind wanted to be disburdened.

Mrs. Davilow's uneasiness determined her to risk a question.


she began, in a tender tone of question.


Gwendolen looked round, and seeming to be roused to the consciousness of her physical self, took off her gloves and then her hat, that the soft breeze might blow on her head. They were in a retired bit of the road, where the long afternoon shadows from the bordering trees fell across it and no observers were within sight. Her eyes continued to meet her mother's, but she did not speak.

Gwendolen looked round, roused to consciousness of herself. She took off her gloves and then her hat, so that the soft breeze might blow on her head, but did not speak.


"Mr. Grandcourt has been saying something?--Tell me, dear."

"Mr. Grandcourt has been saying something?- Tell me, dear."


The last words were uttered beseechingly.


You ought not to leave me in doubt and anxiety."


"Mamma, dear, please don't be miserable," said Gwendolen, with pettish remonstrance.


said Mrs. Davilow, gathering determination from her alarms.


"No; not at all," said Gwendolen, with some curtness, and a pretty little toss of the head as she put on her hat again.

"No; not at all," said Gwendolen, with a pretty toss of the head.


"About whether you will accept him, then?"


"He _has_ spoken so that you could not misunderstand him?"

"He has spoken so that you could not misunderstand him?"


Mrs. Davilow put this question rather anxiously, and receiving no answer, asked another: "You don't consider that you have discouraged him?"

Mrs. Davilow put this question rather anxiously. "You don't consider that you have discouraged him?"


"I thought you liked him, dear," said Mrs. Davilow, timidly.


There is less to dislike about him than about most men.


Gwendolen so far spoke with a pouting sort of gravity; but suddenly she recovered some of her mischievousness, and her face broke into a smile as she added--"Indeed he has all the qualities that would make a husband tolerable--battlement, veranda, stable, etc., no grins and no glass in his eye."

Gwendolen spoke with gravity; but suddenly added with a smile- "Indeed he has all the qualities that would make a husband tolerable - battlement, veranda, stable, etc., and no glass in his eye."


"Do be serious with me for a moment, dear.


Am I to understand that you mean to accept him?"


"Oh, pray, mamma, leave me to myself," said Gwendolen, with a pettish distress in her voice.

"Oh, pray, mamma, leave me to myself," said Gwendolen, with pettish distress.


When they got home Gwendolen declared that she would not dine. She was tired, and would come down in the evening after she had taken some rest.

When they got home Gwendolen declared that she would not dine: she was tired, and would come down in the evening to see her uncle.


The probability that her uncle would hear what had passed did not trouble her.


She was convinced that whatever he might say would be on the side of her accepting Grandcourt, and she wished to accept him if she could.


At this moment she would willingly have had weights hung on her own caprice.


Mr. Gascoigne did hear--not Gwendolen's answers repeated verbatim, but a softened generalized account of them.

Mr. Gascoigne heard a softened account of this conversation.


The mother conveyed as vaguely as the keen rector's questions would let her the impression that Gwendolen was in some uncertainty about her own mind, but inclined on the whole to acceptance.

The mother hinted that Gwendolen was in some uncertainty about her own mind, but inclined to acceptance.


The result was that the uncle felt himself called on to interfere; he did not conceive that he should do his duty in witholding direction from his niece in a momentous crisis of this kind.

The result was that the uncle felt himself called on to interfere; his duty was to guide his niece in a momentous crisis of this kind.


Mrs. Davilow ventured a hesitating opinion that perhaps it would be safer to say nothing--Gwendolen was so sensitive (she did not like to say willful).


But the rector's was a firm mind, grasping its first judgments tenaciously and acting on them promptly, whence counter-judgments were no more for him than shadows fleeting across the solid ground to which he adjusted himself.


This match with Grandcourt presented itself to him as a sort of public affair; perhaps there were ways in which it might even strengthen the establishment.


To the rector, whose father (nobody would have suspected it, and nobody was told) had risen to be a provincial corn-dealer, aristocratic heirship resembled regal heirship in excepting its possessor from the ordinary standard of moral judgments, Grandcourt, the almost certain baronet, the probable peer, was to be ranged with public personages, and was a match to be accepted on broad general grounds national and ecclesiastical.

To the rector, aristocratic heirship excused its possessor from ordinary moral standards.


Such public personages, it is true, are often in the nature of giants which an ancient community may have felt pride and safety in possessing, though, regarded privately, these born eminences must often have been inconvenient and even noisome.

Grandcourt, the almost certain baronet, the probable peer, was the sort of public personage an ancient community may feel proud of; though privately these great persons must often be inconvenient and even unpleasant.


But of the future husband personally Mr. Gascoigne was disposed to think the best. Gossip is a sort of smoke that comes from the dirty tobacco-pipes of those who diffuse it: it proves nothing but the bad taste of the smoker.

But Mr. Gascoigne was disposed to think the best, and set aside the gossip he had heard.


But if Grandcourt had really made any deeper or more unfortunate experiments in folly than were common in young men of high prospects, he was of an age to have finished them.

If Grandcourt had really made any deeper experiments in folly than were common in young men of high prospects, he was of an age to have finished them.


All accounts can be suitably wound up when a man has not ruined himself, and the expense may be taken as an insurance against future error.


This was the view of practical wisdom; with reference to higher views, repentance had a supreme moral and religious value.


There was every reason to believe that a woman of well-regulated mind would be happy with Grandcourt.


It was no surprise to Gwendolen on coming down to tea to be told that her uncle wished to see her in the dining-room. He threw aside the paper as she entered and greeted her with his usual kindness.

When Gwendolen came down to tea, her uncle greeted her with his usual kindness.


As his wife had remarked, he always "made much" of Gwendolen, and her importance had risen of late.


"My dear," he said, in a fatherly way, moving a chair for her as he held her hand, "I want to speak to you on a subject which is more momentous than any other with regard to your welfare.

"My dear," he said, in a fatherly way, "I want to speak to you on a momentous subject.


But I shall speak to you with perfect directness: in such matters I consider myself bound to act as your father.

In such matters I consider myself bound to act as your father.


You have always been very kind to me," said Gwendolen, frankly.

You have always been very kind to me," said Gwendolen frankly.


This evening she was willing, if it were possible, to be a little fortified against her troublesome self, and her resistant temper was in abeyance.

This evening she was willing to be fortified against her troublesome self.


The rector's mode of speech always conveyed a thrill of authority, as of a word of command: it seemed to take for granted that there could be no wavering in the audience, and that every one was going to be rationally obedient.

The rector always conveyed authority: he seemed to take for granted that his audience was going to be rationally obedient.


"It is naturally a satisfaction to me that the prospect of a marriage for you--advantageous in the highest degree--has presented itself so early.

"It is naturally a satisfaction to me that the prospect of an advantageous marriage for you has presented itself so early.


I do not know exactly what has passed between you and Mr. Grandcourt, but I presume there can be little doubt, from the way in which he has distinguished you, that he desires to make you his wife."


Gwendolen did not speak immediately, and her uncle said with more emphasis,


"Have you any doubt of that yourself, my dear?"


"I suppose that is what he has been thinking of.


But he may have changed his mind to-morrow," said Gwendolen.

But he may have changed his mind tomorrow," said Gwendolen.


Has he made advances which you have discouraged?"


"I think he meant--he began to make advances--but I did not encourage them.

"I think he meant - he began to make advances - but I did not encourage them."


"Will you confide in me so far as to tell me your reasons?"


"I am not sure that I had any reasons, uncle."


"You are quite capable of reflecting, Gwendolen.


You are aware that this is not a trivial occasion, and it concerns your establishment for life under circumstances which may not occur again.

"You are aware that this is not a trivial occasion, Gwendolen. It concerns your establishment for life under circumstances which may not occur again.


You have a duty here both to yourself and your family.


I wish to understand whether you have any ground for hesitating as to your acceptance of Mr. Grandcourt."

Have you any ground for hesitating as to your acceptance of Mr. Grandcourt?"


Gwendolen spoke rather poutingly, and her uncle grew suspicious.


"Have you heard anything of him which has affected you disagreeably?"


The rector thought it impossible that Gwendolen could have heard the gossip he had heard, but in any case he must endeavor to put all things in the right light for her.

The rector thought it impossible that Gwendolen could be aware of the gossip he had heard, but in any case he must endeavour to put things in the right light for her.


"I have heard nothing about him except that he is a great match," said Gwendolen, with some sauciness; "and that affects me very agreeably."


"Then, my dear Gwendolen, I have nothing further to say than this: you hold your fortune in your own hands--a fortune such as rarely happens to a girl in your circumstances--a fortune in fact which almost takes the question out of the range of mere personal feeling, and makes your acceptance of it a duty.

"Then, my dear Gwendolen, I have nothing further to say than this: you hold your fortune in your own hands - a fortune such as rarely happens to a girl in your circumstances, and which makes your acceptance a duty.


If Providence offers you power and position--especially when unclogged by any conditions that are repugnant to you--your course is one of responsibility, into which caprice must not enter.

Your course is one of responsibility, into which caprice must not enter.


A man does not like to have his attachment trifled with: he may not be at once repelled--these things are matters of individual disposition. But the trifling may be carried too far.

A man does not like to have his attachment trifled with: he may not be at once repelled, but the trifling may be carried too far.


And I must point out to you that in case Mr. Grandcourt were repelled without your having refused him--without your having intended ultimately to refuse him, your situation would be a humiliating and painful one.

And I must point out to you that if Mr. Grandcourt were repelled without your having intended to refuse him, your situation would be a humiliating and painful one."


I, for my part, should regard you with severe disapprobation, as the victim of nothing else than your own coquetry and folly."


Gwendolen became pallid as she listened to this admonitory speech. The ideas it raised had the force of sensations. Her resistant courage would not help her here, because her uncle was not urging her against her own resolve; he was pressing upon her the motives of dread which she already felt; he was making her more conscious of the risks that lay within herself.

Gwendolen became pale as she listened to this warning, which made her more conscious of the risks that lay within herself.


She was silent, and the rector observed that he had produced some strong effect.
"I mean this in kindness, my dear." His tone had softened.

She was silent.
"I mean this in kindness, my dear," said the rector, his tone softening.


"I am aware of that, uncle," said Gwendolen, rising and shaking her head back, as if to rouse herself out of painful passivity.

"I know that, uncle," said Gwendolen, rising.


I know that I must be married some time--before it is too late. And I don't see how I could do better than marry Mr. Grandcourt.

I know that I must be married some time - before it is too late; and I don't see how I could do better than marry Mr. Grandcourt.


She felt as if she were reinforcing herself by speaking with this decisiveness to her uncle.


But the rector was a little startled by so bare a version of his own meaning from those young lips.


He wished that in her mind his advice should be taken in an infusion of sentiments proper to a girl, and such as are presupposed in the advice of a clergyman, although he may not consider them always appropriate to be put forward.


He wished his niece parks, carriages, a title--everything that would make this world a pleasant abode; but he wished her not to be cynical--to be, on the contrary, religiously dutiful, and have warm domestic affections.

He wished his niece parks, carriages, and a title, but he also wished her not to be cynical: on the contrary, to be religiously dutiful, with warm domestic affections.


"My dear Gwendolen," he said, rising also, and speaking with benignant gravity, "I trust that you will find in marriage a new fountain of duty and affection.

"My dear Gwendolen," he said with benign gravity, "I trust that you will find in marriage a new fountain of duty and affection.


Marriage is the only true and satisfactory sphere of a woman, and if your marriage with Mr. Grandcourt should be happily decided upon, you will have, probably, an increasing power, both of rank and wealth, which may be used for the benefit of others.

Marriage is the only true and satisfactory sphere of a woman, and if you marry Mr. Grandcourt, you will have an increasing power of rank and wealth, which may be used for the benefit of others.


These considerations are something higher than romance!


You are fitted by natural gifts for a position which, considering your birth and early prospects, could hardly be looked forward to as in the ordinary course of things; and I trust that you will grace it, not only by those personal gifts, but by a good and consistent life."

I trust that you will grace your position, not only by your natural personal gifts, but by a good and consistent life."


"I hope mamma will be the happier," said Gwendolen, in a more cheerful way, lifting her hands backward to her neck and moving toward the door.

"I hope mamma will be happier," said Gwendolen, more cheerfully, moving toward the door.


She wanted to waive those higher considerations.


Mr. Gascoigne felt that he had come to a satisfactory understanding with his niece, and had furthered her happy settlement in life by furthering her engagement to Grandcourt.

Mr. Gascoigne felt that he had come to a satisfactory understanding with his niece.


Meanwhile there was another person to whom the contemplation of that issue had been a motive for some activity, and who believed that he, too, on this particular day had done something toward bringing about a favorable decision in _his_ sense--which happened to be the reverse of the rector's.

Meanwhile there was another person who believed that he, too, had done something toward bringing about a favourable decision in his sense - which happened to be the reverse of the rector's.


Mr. Lush's absence from Diplow during Gwendolen's visit had been due, not to any fear on his part of meeting that supercilious young lady, or of being abashed by her frank dislike, but to an engagement from which he expected important consequences.

Mr. Lush's absence from Diplow during Gwendolen's visit had been due, not to any fear of meeting that supercilious young lady, but to an engagement from which he expected important consequences.


He was gone, in fact, to the Wanchester station to meet a lady, accompanied by a maid and two children, whom he put into a fly, and afterward followed to the hotel of the Golden Keys, in that town.

He was gone, in fact, to the station to meet a lady, with a maid and two children, whom he took to a hotel.


An impressive woman, whom many would turn to look at again in passing; her figure was slim and sufficiently tall, her face rather emaciated, so that its sculpturesque beauty was the more pronounced, her crisp hair perfectly black, and her large, anxious eyes what we call black.

She was an impressive woman, who would turn heads; her figure was slim and tall, her face rather emaciated, so that its sculpturesque beauty was the more pronounced; her crisp hair was perfectly black, as were the large, anxious eyes that looked around uneasily.


Her dress was soberly correct, her age, perhaps, physically more advanced than the number of years would imply, but hardly less than seven-and-thirty.

Her dress was soberly correct, her age about seven-and-thirty.


An uneasy-looking woman: her glance seemed to presuppose that the people and things were going to be unfavorable to her, while she was, nevertheless, ready to meet them with resolution.


The children were lovely--a dark-haired girl of six or more, a fairer boy of five.

The children were lovely - a dark-haired girl of six or more, a fairer boy of five.


When Lush incautiously expressed some surprise at her having brought the children, she said, with a sharp-toned intonation,

When Lush expressed surprise at their presence, she said sharply-


"Did you suppose I should come wandering about here by myself?


"Why should I not bring all four if I liked?"


"Oh, certainly," said Lush, with his usual fluent _nonchalance_.

"Oh, certainly," said Lush, with nonchalance.


He stayed an hour or so in conference with her, and rode back to Diplow in a state of mind that was at once hopeful and busily anxious as to the execution of the little plan on which his hopefulness was based.

He stayed an hour or so in talk with her, and then rode back to Diplow, hopeful as to the execution of his little plan.


Grandcourt's marriage to Gwendolen Harleth would not, he believed, be much of a good to either of them, and it would plainly be fraught with disagreeables to himself.

Grandcourt's marriage to Gwendolen Harleth would not, he believed, be good for either of them, and it would plainly be disagreeable to himself.


But now he felt confident enough to say inwardly, "I will take, nay, I will lay odds that the marriage will never happen."

But now he felt confident enough to lay odds that the marriage would never happen.


"But I shall say no more of this at this time; for this is to be felt and not to be talked of; and they who never touched it with their fingers may secretly perhaps laugh at it in their hearts and be never the wiser."


The Roman Emperor in the legend put to death ten learned Israelites to avenge the sale of Joseph by his brethren.


And there have always been enough of his kidney, whose piety lies in punishing who can see the justice of grudges but not of gratitude.


For you shall never convince the stronger feeling that it hath not the stronger reason, or incline him who hath no love to believe that there is good ground for loving.


As we may learn from the order of word-making, wherein _love_ precedeth _lovable_.


When Deronda presented his letter at the banking-house in the _Schuster Strasse_ at Mainz, and asked for Joseph Kalonymos, he was presently shown into an inner room, where, seated at a table arranging open letters, was the white-bearded man whom he had seen the year before in the synagogue at Frankfort.

When Deronda presented his letter at the banking-house in Mainz, and asked for Joseph Kalonymos, he was shown into an inner room. There, seated at a table arranging letters, was the white-bearded man whom he had seen the year before in the synagogue at Frankfort.


He wore his hat--it seemed to be the same old felt hat as before--and near him was a packed portmanteau with a wrap and overcoat upon it.

Near him was a packed suitcase with a wrap and overcoat upon it.


On seeing Deronda enter he rose, but did not advance or put out his hand. Looking at him with small penetrating eyes which glittered like black gems in the midst of his yellowish face and white hair, he said in German,

On seeing Deronda enter, he rose, and looking at him with small penetrating eyes, he said in German-


"Yes; I seek you with gratitude, as a friend of my grandfather's," said Deronda, "and I am under an obligation to you for giving yourself much trouble on my account." He spoke without difficulty in that liberal German tongue which takes many strange accents to its maternal bosom.

"Yes; I seek you with gratitude, as a friend of my grandfather's," said Deronda, speaking in fluent German.


Kalonymos now put out his hand and said cordially, "So you are no longer angry at being something more than an Englishman?"

Kalonymos put out his hand and said cordially, "So you are no longer angry at being something more than an Englishman?"


I thank you heartily for helping to save me from remaining in ignorance of my parentage, and for taking care of the chest that my grandfather left in trust for me."


"Sit down, sit down," said Kalonymos, in a quick undertone, seating himself again, and pointing to a chair near him.


Then deliberately laying aside his hat and showing a head thickly covered, with white hair, he stroked and clutched his beard while he looked examiningly at the young face before him.

Laying aside his hat, he examined the young face before him.


The moment wrought strongly on Deronda's imaginative susceptibility: in the presence of one linked still in zealous friendship with the grandfather whose hope had yearned toward him when he was unborn, and who, though dead, was yet to speak with him in those written memorials which, says Milton, "contain a potency of life in them to be as active as that soul whose progeny they are," he seemed to himself to be touching the electric chain of his own ancestry; and he bore the scrutinizing look of Kalonymos with a delighted awe, something like what one feels in the solemn commemoration of acts done long ago but still telling markedly on the life of to-day.

The presence of his grandfather's friend affected Deronda deeply; he seemed to be touching the electric chain of his own ancestry, and he bore the scrutiny of Kalonymos with delighted awe.


Impossible for men of duller fibre--men whose affection is not ready to diffuse itself through the wide travel of imagination, to comprehend, perhaps even to credit this sensibility of Deronda's; but it subsisted, like their own dullness, notwithstanding their lack of belief in it--and it gave his face an expression which seemed very satisfactory to the observer.

This sensibility of Deronda's gave his face an expression which seemed very satisfactory to his observer.


He said in Hebrew, quoting from one of the fine hymns in the Hebrew liturgy, "As thy goodness has been great to the former generations, even so may it be to the latter."

Kalonymos said in Hebrew, quoting from a hymn, "As thy goodness has been great to the former generations, even so may it be to the latter."


Then after pausing a little he began, "Young man, I rejoice that I was not yet set off again on my travels, and that you are come in time for me to see the image of my friend as he was in his youth--no longer perverted from the fellowship of your people--no longer shrinking in proud wrath from the touch of him who seemed to be claiming you as a Jew.

Then he began, "Young man, I rejoice that you are come in time for me to see the image of my friend as he was in his youth - no longer shrinking in proud wrath from the touch of him who seemed to claim you as a Jew.


You come with thankfulness yourself to claim the kindred and heritage that wicked contrivance would have robbed you of.

You come with thankfulness to claim the heritage that wicked contrivance would have robbed you of.


You come with a willing soul to declare, 'I am the grandson of Daniel Charisi.'


"But let me say that I should at no time have been inclined to treat a Jew with incivility simply because he was a Jew.

"But let me say that I should never have been inclined to treat a Jew with incivility simply because he was a Jew.


You can understand that I shrank from saying to a stranger, 'I know nothing of my mother.'"


said Kalonymos, putting up his hand and closing his eyes in disgust.


"A robbery of our people--as when our youths and maidens were reared for the Roman Edom. But it is frustrated.

"A robbery of our people - but it is frustrated.


When Daniel Charisi--may his Rock and his Redeemer guard him!--when Daniel Charisi was a stripling and I was a lad little above his shoulder, we made a solemn vow always to be friends.

When Daniel Charisi was a stripling and I was a lad little above his shoulder, we made a solemn vow always to be friends.


He said, 'Let us bind ourselves with duty, as if we were sons of the same mother.'


That was his bent from first to last--as he said, to fortify his soul with bonds.


It was a saying of his, 'Let us bind love with duty; for duty is the love of law; and law is the nature of the Eternal.'


And though we were much apart in our later life, the bond has never been broken.


When he was dead, they sought to rob him; but they could not rob him of me.


I rescued that remainder of him which he had prized and preserved for his offspring.


And I have restored to him the offspring they had robbed him of.


Kalonymos left the room for a few minutes, and returned with a clerk who carried the chest, set it down on the floor, drew off a leather cover, and went out again.

Kalonymos left the room, and returned with a clerk who carried the chest and set it down on the floor.


It was not very large, but was made heavy by ornamental bracers and handles of gilt iron.


The wood was beautifully incised with Arabic lettering.


"And here is the curious key," he added, taking it from a small leathern bag.

"Here is the key," he added, taking it from a small leathern bag.


He gave Deronda the monitory and slightly suspicious look with which age is apt to commit any object to the keeping of youth.

He gave Deronda the slightly suspicious look with which age is apt to commit any object to the keeping of youth.


"I shall be more careful of this than of any other property," said Deronda, smiling and putting the key in his breast-pocket.


"I never before possessed anything that was a sign to me of so much cherished hope and effort.

"I never before possessed anything that was a sign of so much cherished hope and effort.


And I shall never forget that the effort was partly yours.


Have you time to tell me more of my grandfather?"


Or shall I be trespassing in staying longer?"


In an hour and eighteen minutes I start for Trieste," said Kalonymos, looking at his watch, "and presently my sons will expect my attention. Will you let me make you known to them, so that they may have the pleasure of showing hospitality to my friend's grandson? They dwell here in ease and luxury, though I choose to be a wanderer."
"I shall be glad if you will commend me to their acquaintance for some future opportunity," said Deronda. "There are pressing claims calling me to England--friends who may be much in need of my presence. I have been kept away from them too long by unexpected circumstances. But to know more of you and your family would be motive enough to bring me again to Mainz."
"Good! Me you will hardly find, for I am beyond my threescore years and ten, and I am a wanderer, carrying my shroud with me.

"In an hour and eighteen minutes I start for Trieste," said Kalonymos, looking at his watch, "I am a wanderer, carrying my shroud with me.


But my sons and their children dwell here in wealth and unity.


The days are changed for us since Karl the Great fetched my ancestors from Italy to bring some tincture of knowledge to our rough German brethren.

The days are changed for us since Karl the Great fetched my ancestors from Italy to bring some knowledge to our rough German brethren.


I and my contemporaries have had to fight for it too.


Our youth fell on evil days; but this we have won; we increase our wealth in safety, and the learning of all Germany is fed and fattened by Jewish brains--though they keep not always their Jewish hearts.

Our youth fell on evil days; but this we have won; we increase our wealth in safety, and the learning of all Germany is fed by Jewish brains.


Have you been left altogether ignorant of your people's life, young man?"


"No," said Deronda, "I have lately, before I had any true suspicion of my parentage, been led to study everything belonging to their history with more interest than any other subject.

"No," said Deronda, "I have lately been led to study their history with interest.


It turns out that I have been making myself ready to understand my grandfather a little."

It turns out that I have been making myself ready to understand my grandfather."


He was anxious less the time should be consumed before this circuitous course of talk could lead them back to the topic he most cared about. Age does not easily distinguish between what it needs to express and what youth needs to know--distance seeming to level the objects of memory; and keenly active as Joseph Kalonymos showed himself, an inkstand in the wrong place would have hindered his imagination from getting to Beyrout: he had been used to unite restless travel with punctilious observation. But Deronda's last sentence answered its purpose.

He was anxious to learn more about his grandfather, and his last sentence answered its purpose.


"So--you would perhaps have been such a man as he if your education had not hindered; for you are like him in features:--yet not altogether, young man.

"You would perhaps have been such a man as he if your education had not hindered it; for you are like him in features:- yet not altogether.


He had an iron will in his face: it braced up everybody about him.


When he was quite young he had already got one deep upright line in his brow.


Daniel Charisi used to say, 'Better, a wrong will than a wavering; better a steadfast enemy than an uncertain friend; better a false belief than no belief at all.'

Daniel Charisi used to say, 'Better a wrong will than a wavering; better a false belief than no belief at all.'


What he despised most was indifference."


He had longer reasons than I can give you."


said Deronda, with a tacit reference to the usual excuse for indecision--that it comes from knowing too much.


no," said Kalonymos, shaking his head with a compassionate smile "From his childhood upward, he drank in learning as easily as the plant sucks up water.

no," said Kalonymos. "He drank in learning as easily as the plant sucks up water.


But he early took to medicine and theories about life and health.


He traveled to many countries, and spent much of his substance in seeing and knowing.


What he used to insist on was that the strength and wealth of mankind depended on the balance of separateness and communication, and he was bitterly against our people losing themselves among the Gentiles; 'It's no better,' said he, 'than the many sorts of grain going back from their variety into sameness.'

He travelled to many countries, and he was bitterly against our people losing themselves among the Gentiles; 'It's no better,' said he, 'than the many sorts of grain going back from their variety into sameness.'


He mingled all sorts of learning; and in that he was like our Arabic writers in the golden time.


We studied together, but he went beyond me.


Though we were bosom friends, and he poured himself out to me, we were as different as the inside and outside of the bowl.

Though we were bosom friends, we were as different as the inside and outside of the bowl.


I stood up for two notions of my own: I took Charisi's sayings as I took the shape of the trees: they were there, not to be disputed about.


It came to the same thing in both of us; we were both faithful Jews, thankful not to be Gentiles.


And since I was a ripe man, I have been what I am now, for all but age--loving to wander, loving transactions, loving to behold all things, and caring nothing about hardship.


Charisi thought continually of our people's future: he went with all his soul into that part of our religion: I, not.


Our people wandered before they were driven.


Young man when I am in the East, I lie much on deck and watch the greater stars.


I know them as they rise, and hunger not to know more.


Charisi was satisfied with no sight, but pieced it out with what had been before and what would come after.

But Charisi was not satisfied with that, but thought of what would come after.


Yet we loved each other, and as he said, he bound our love with duty; we solemnly pledged ourselves to help and defend each other to the last.

Yet we loved each other, and bound our love with duty; we solemnly pledged to help and defend each other to the last.


Here Kalonymos rose, and Deronda, rising also, said,

Here Kalonymos rose, and Deronda, rising also, said-


"And in being faithful to him you have caused justice to be done to me.


It would have been a robbery of me too that I should never have known of the inheritance he had prepared for me.


This question was put with a quick abruptness which embarrassed Deronda, who did not feel it quite honest to allege his law-reading as a vocation.

This question embarrassed Deronda, who did not feel it honest to allege his law-reading as a vocation.


You will call yourself a Jew and profess the faith of your fathers?"


said Kalonymos, putting his hand on Deronda's shoulder and looking sharply in his face.

said Kalonymos, looking sharply in his face.


"I shall call myself a Jew," said Deronda, deliberately, becoming slightly paler under the piercing eyes of his questioner.

"I shall call myself a Jew," said Deronda, deliberately, becoming slightly paler under those piercing eyes.


"But I will not say that I shall profess to believe exactly as my fathers have believed.


Our fathers themselves changed the horizon of their belief and learned of other races.


But I think I can maintain my grandfather's notion of separateness with communication.


I hold that my first duty is to my own people, and if there is anything to be done toward restoring or perfecting their common life, I shall make that my vocation."


It happened to Deronda at that moment, as it has often happened to others, that the need for speech made an epoch in resolve.

It happened to Deronda at that moment, that the need for speech made an epoch in resolve.


His respect for the questioner would not let him decline to answer, and by the necessity to answer he found out the truth for himself.

By the necessity to answer he found out the truth for himself.


"Ah, you argue and you look forward--you are Daniel Charisi's grandson," said Kalonymos, adding a benediction in Hebrew.

"Ah, you argue and you look forward - you are Daniel Charisi's grandson," said Kalonymos, adding a benediction in Hebrew.


With that they parted; and almost as soon as Deronda was in London, the aged man was again on shipboard, greeting the friendly stars without any eager curiosity.


Book 4 - GWENDOLEN GETS HER CHOICE | Chapter 34


Ihn hat verwandelt Hexenspruch in einen Hund.


* * * * * Aber jeden Freitag Abend, In der Dmm'rungstunde, pltzlich Weicht der Zauber, und der Hund Wird aufs Neu' ein menschlich Wesen."


When Deronda arrived at five o'clock, the shop was closed and the door was opened for him by the Christian servant. When she showed him into the room behind the shop he was surprised at the prettiness of the scene.

When Deronda arrived at five o'clock, the servant showed him into the room behind the closed shop. He was surprised at the prettiness of the scene.


The house was old, and rather extensive at the back: probably the large room he now entered was gloomy by daylight, but now it was agreeably lit by a fine old brass lamp with seven oil-lights hanging above the snow-white cloth spread on the central table.

The house was old, and extensive at the back: the large room was lit by a fine old brass lamp with seven oil-lights hanging above the snow-white cloth spread on the central table.


The ceiling and walls were smoky, and all the surroundings were dark enough to throw into relief the human figures, which had a Venetian glow of coloring.

The dark surroundings threw into relief the human figures, with a Venetian glow of colouring.


The grandmother was arrayed in yellowish brown with a large gold chain in lieu of the necklace, and by this light her yellow face with its darkly-marked eyebrows and framing roll of gray hair looked as handsome as was necessary for picturesque effect.

By this light, the grandmother's face with its darkly-marked eyebrows and framing roll of grey hair looked picturesquely handsome.


Young Mrs. Cohen was clad in red and black, with a string of large artificial pearls wound round and round her neck: the baby lay asleep in the cradle under a scarlet counterpane; Adelaide Rebekah was in braided amber, and Jacob Alexander was in black velveteen with scarlet stockings.

Young Mrs. Cohen was clad in red and black, with a string of large artificial pearls wound round and round her neck: the baby lay asleep in the cradle; Adelaide Rebekah was in braided amber, and Jacob was in black velveteen with scarlet stockings.


As the four pairs of black eyes all glistened a welcome at Deronda, he was almost ashamed of the supercilious dislike these happy-looking creatures had raised in him by daylight.

Deronda was almost ashamed of the supercilious dislike these happy-looking creatures had raised in him by daylight.


Nothing could be more cordial than the greeting he received, and both mother and grandmother seemed to gather more dignity from being seen on the private hearth, showing hospitality.

Nothing could be more cordial than the greeting he received, and both mother and grandmother seemed more dignified in this setting.


He looked round with some wonder at the old furniture: the oaken bureau and high side-table must surely be mere matters of chance and economy, and not due to the family taste. A large dish of blue and yellow ware was set up on the side-table, and flanking it were two old silver vessels; in front of them a large volume in darkened vellum with a deep-ribbed back.

He looked round with some wonder at the old oak bureau and high side-table, where a large blue and yellow dish was set up between two old silver vessels; in front of them lay a large volume in darkened vellum.


In the corner at the farther end was an open door into an inner room, where there was also a light.

In the far corner was an open door into an inner room, where there was also a light.


Deronda took in these details by parenthetic glances while he met Jacob's pressing solicitude about the knife.

Deronda took in these details while he met Jacob's pressing solicitude about the knife.


He had taken the pains to buy one with the requisites of the hook and white handle, and produced it on demand, saying,

He had taken the pains to buy one with a hook and white handle, and produced it on demand, saying,-


"Is that the sort of thing you want, Jacob?"


It was subjected to a severe scrutiny, the hook and blades were opened, and the article of barter with the cork-screw was drawn forth for comparison.

It was subjected to a severe scrutiny, with Jacob's own knife being drawn forth for comparison.


"Why do you like a hook better than a cork-screw?"


"'Caush I can get hold of things with a hook.


A corkscrew won't go into anything but corks.


But it's better for you, you can draw corks."


said Deronda, observing that the grandmother was listening with delight.


"What else have you got in your pockets?"


said Jacob, with deliberative seriousness.


"Hush, hush, Jacob, love," said the grandmother.

"Hush, Jacob, love," said the grandmother.


And Deronda, mindful of discipline, answered,


Jacob looked up into his face scanningly for a moment or two, and apparently arriving at his conclusions, said gravely,

Jacob scanned his face for a moment, before saying gravely-


"I'll shwop," handing the cork-screw knife to Deronda, who pocketed it with corresponding gravity.

"I'll shwop," handing the cork-screw knife to Deronda, who pocketed it with equal gravity.


Immediately the small son of Shem ran off into the next room, whence his voice was heard in rapid chat; and then ran back again--when, seeing his father enter, he seized a little velveteen hat which lay on a chair and put it on to approach him.

Immediately Jacob ran off into the next room, whence his voice was heard in rapid chat; and then ran back again - when, seeing his father enter, he seized a little velveteen hat from a chair and put it on.


Cohen kept on his own hat, and took no notice of the visitor, but stood still while the two children went up to him and clasped his knees: then he laid his hands on each in turn and uttered his Hebrew benediction; whereupon the wife, who had lately taken baby from the cradle, brought it up to her husband and held it under his outstretched hands, to be blessed in its sleep.

Cohen kept on his own hat, and stood still while the two children went up to him and clasped his knees. Then he laid his hands on each in turn and uttered his Hebrew benediction; whereupon the wife lifted the baby and brought it to her husband to be blessed in its sleep.


For the moment, Deronda thought that this pawnbroker, proud of his vocation, was not utterly prosaic.

For the moment, Deronda thought that this pawnbroker was not utterly prosaic.


"Well, sir, you found your welcome in my family, I think," said Cohen, putting down his hat and becoming his former self.

"Welcome, sir," said Cohen, putting down his hat.


Nothing like a little stress here," he added, tapping his side pocket as he sat down.


I've felt it when I've had to make up payments.


"That is the ring I spoke of," said Deronda, taking it from his finger.


It will be a sufficient pledge to you for fifty, I think.


I shall probably redeem it in a month or so."


Cohen's glistening eyes seemed to get a little nearer together as he met the ingenuous look of this crude young gentleman, who apparently supposed that redemption was a satisfaction to pawnbrokers.

Cohen's glistening eyes seemed to get a little nearer together as met the innocent look of this young gentleman, who apparently supposed that redemption was a satisfaction to pawnbrokers.


He took the ring, examined and returned it, saying with indifference, "Good, good.

He examined the ring and returned it, saying with indifference, "Good, good.


Perhaps you'll join us, if you've no objection.


Me and my wife'll feel honored, and so will mother; won't you, mother?"

Me and my wife'll feel honoured, and so will mother."


The invitation was doubly echoed, and Deronda gladly accepted it.


All now turned and stood round the table. No dish was at present seen except one covered with a napkin; and Mrs. Cohen had placed a china bowl near her husband that he might wash his hands in it.

All now turned and stood round the table, which held no dish at present except one covered with a napkin; and Mrs. Cohen had placed a china bowl near her husband that he might wash his hands in it.


But after putting on his hat again, he paused, and called in a loud voice, "Mordecai!"


Can this be part of the religious ceremony?


thought Deronda, not knowing what might be expected of the ancient hero.


But he heard a "Yes" from the next room, which made him look toward the open door; and there, to his astonishment, he saw the figure of the enigmatic Jew whom he had this morning met with in the book-shop.

Deronda heard a "Yes" from the next room, and to his astonishment, from it stepped the figure of the enigmatic Jew whom he had met in the book-shop.


Their eyes met, and Mordecai looked as much surprised as Deronda--neither in his surprise making any sign of recognition.

Their eyes met, and Mordecai looked as much surprised as Deronda - though neither made any sign of recognition.


But when Mordecai was seating himself at the end of the table, he just bent his head to the guest in a cold and distant manner, as if the disappointment of the morning remained a disagreeable association with this new acquaintance.

But as Mordecai came to the table, he just bent his head to the guest in a cold and distant manner, as if still feeling the disappointment of the morning.


Cohen now washed his hands, pronouncing Hebrew words the while: afterward, he took off the napkin covering the dish and disclosed the two long flat loaves besprinkled with seed--the memorial of the manna that fed the wandering forefathers--and breaking off small pieces gave one to each of the family, including Adelaide Rebekah, who stood on the chair with her whole length exhibited in her amber-colored garment, her little Jewish nose lengthened by compression of the lip in the effort to make a suitable appearance.

Cohen now washed his hands, pronouncing Hebrew words: then he took off the napkin covering the dish and disclosed the two long flat loaves besprinkled with seed - the memorial of the manna that fed the wandering forefathers - and breaking off small pieces gave one to each of the family, including Adelaide Rebekah, who stood on the chair in her amber-coloured garment, trying to look suitably solemn.


Cohen then uttered another Hebrew blessing, and after that, the male heads were uncovered, all seated themselves, and the meal went on without any peculiarity that interested Deronda.


He was not very conscious of what dishes he ate from; being preoccupied with a desire to turn the conversation in a way that would enable him to ask some leading question; and also thinking of Mordecai, between whom and himself there was an exchange of fascinated, half-furtive glances.

He was not very conscious of what dishes he ate; being preoccupied with a desire to turn the conversation in a way that would let him ask about Mirah; and also thinking of Mordecai, with whom he exchanged fascinated, furtive glances.


Mordecai had no handsome Sabbath garment, but instead of the threadbare rusty black coat of the morning he wore one of light drab, which looked as if it had once been a handsome loose paletot now shrunk with washing; and this change of clothing gave a still stronger accentuation to his dark-haired, eager face which might have belonged to the prophet Ezekiel--also probably not modish in the eyes of contemporaries.

Mordecai had no handsome Sabbath garment, but instead of the threadbare rusty black coat of the morning he wore a light one, which looked as if it had once been a handsome loose jacket, now shrunk with washing, which gave a stronger accentuation to his dark-haired, eager face.


It was noticeable that the thin tails of the fried fish were given to Mordecai; and in general the sort of share assigned to a poor relation--no doubt a "survival" of prehistoric practice, not yet generally admitted to be superstitious.

Deronda noticed that Mordecai was given the thin tails of the fried fish: the sort of share assigned to a poor relation.


Mr. Cohen kept up the conversation with much liveliness, introducing as subjects always in taste (the Jew is proud of his loyalty) the Queen and the Royal Family, the Emperor and Empress of the French--into which both grandmother and wife entered with zest.

Mr. Cohen kept up the conversation with much liveliness, introducing as subjects the Queen and the Royal Family, and the French Emperor and Empress - into which both grandmother and wife entered with zest.


Mrs. Cohen the younger showed an accurate memory of distinguished birthdays; and the elder assisted her son in informing the guest of what occurred when the Emperor and Empress were in England and visited the city ten years before.


"I dare say you know all about it better than we do, sir," said Cohen, repeatedly, by way of preface to full information; and the interesting statements were kept up in a trio.


"Our baby is named _Eu_genie Esther," said young Mrs. Cohen, vivaciously.


"It's wonderful how the Emperor's like a cousin of mine in the face," said the grandmother; "it struck me like lightning when I caught sight of him.

"It's wonderful how the Emperor resembles a cousin of mine," said the grandmother; "it struck me like lightning when I saw him."


"Mother and me went to see the Emperor and Empress at the Crystal Palace," said Mr. Cohen.

"We went to see the Emperor and Empress at the Crystal Palace," said Mr. Cohen.


"I had a fine piece of work to take care of, mother; she might have been squeezed flat--though she was pretty near as lusty then as she is now.

"I had hard work to take care of mother; she might have been squeezed flat.


I said if I had a hundred mothers I'd never take one of 'em to see the Emperor and Empress at the Crystal Palace again; and you may think a man can't afford it when he's got but one mother--not if he'd ever so big an insurance on her."

If I had a hundred mothers I'd never take one of 'em to see the Emperor and Empress at the Crystal Palace again; a man can't afford it when he's got but one mother."


He stroked his mother's shoulder affectionately, and chuckled a little at his own humor.

He stroked his mother's shoulder affectionately.


"Your mother has been a widow a long while, perhaps," said Deronda, seizing his opportunity.


"That has made your care for her the more needful."


"Ay, ay, it's a good many _yore-zeit_ since I had to manage for her and myself," said Cohen quickly.

"Ay, ay, it's a good many years since I had to manage for her and myself," said Cohen.


"What does--what makes a sharp knife, father?"


said Jacob, his cheek very much swollen with sweet-cake.

said Jacob, his cheek swollen with cake.


The father winked at his guest and said, "Having your nose put on the grindstone."

The father winked at his guest and said, "Having your nose put to the grindstone."


Jacob slipped from his chair with the piece of sweet-cake in his hand, and going close up to Mordecai, who had been totally silent hitherto, said, "What does that mean--putting my nose to the grindstone?"

Jacob slipped from his chair, cake in hand, and going to Mordecai, who had been silent hitherto, said, "What does that mean - putting my nose to the grindstone?"


"It means that you are to bear being hurt without making a noise," said Mordecai, turning his eyes benignantly on the small face close to his.

"It means that you are to bear being hurt without making a noise," said Mordecai, turning his eyes benignly on the small face close to his.


Jacob put the corner of the cake into Mordecai's mouth as an invitation to bite, saying meanwhile, "I shan't though," and keeping his eyes on the cake to observe how much of it went in this act of generosity.

Jacob put the corner of the cake into Mordecai's mouth as an invitation to bite, keeping his eyes on it to observe how much of it went in this act of generosity.


Mordecai took a bite and smiled, evidently meaning to please the lad, and the little incident made them both look more lovable.

Mordecai took a bite and smiled, and the little incident made them both look more lovable.


Deronda, however, felt with some vexation that he had taken little by his question.

Deronda, however, felt that he had gathered little by his question.


"I fancy that is the right quarter for learning," said he, carrying on the subject that he might have an excuse for addressing Mordecai, to whom he turned and said, "You have been a great student, I imagine?"

Turning to Mordecai, he said, "You have been a great student, I imagine?"


"And you?--You know German by the book you were buying."

"And you? You know German by the book you were buying."


Are you generally engaged in bookselling?"


"No; I only go to Mr. Ram's shop every day to keep it while he goes to meals," said Mordecai, who was now looking at Deronda with what seemed a revival of his original interest: it seemed as if the face had some attractive indication for him which now neutralized the former disappointment.

"No; I only go to Mr. Ram's shop every day to keep it while he goes to meals," said Mordecai, who was now looking at Deronda with a revival of his original interest.


After a slight pause, he said, "Perhaps you know Hebrew?"


Mordecai's countenance fell: he cast down his eyelids, looking at his hands, which lay crossed before him, and said no more.

Mordecai's countenance fell: he cast down his eyelids and said no more.


Deronda had now noticed more decisively than in their former interview a difficulty in breathing, which he thought must be a sign of consumption.

Deronda noticed a definite difficulty in the other man's breathing, which he thought must be a sign of consumption.


"I've had something else to do than to get book-learning."


said Mr. Cohen,--"I've had to make myself knowing about useful things.

said Mr. Cohen. "I've had to learn about useful things.


I know stones well,"--here he pointed to Deronda's ring.

I know stones well," - here he pointed to Deronda's ring.


"I'm not afraid of taking that ring of yours at my own valuation.


But now," he added, with a certain drop in his voice to a lower, more familiar nasal, "what do you want for it?"


"Fifty or sixty pounds," Deronda answered, rather too carelessly.


Cohen paused a little, thrust his hands into his pockets, fixed on Deronda a pair of glistening eyes that suggested a miraculous guinea-pig, and said, "Couldn't do you that.

Cohen paused a little, hands in his pockets, fixed on Deronda a pair of glistening eyes that suggested a miraculous guinea-pig, and said,
"Couldn't do you that.


Happy to oblige, but couldn't go that lengths. Forty pound--say forty--I'll let you have forty on it."

Happy to oblige, but say forty pound - I'll let you have forty on it."


Deronda was aware that Mordecai had looked up again at the words implying a monetary affair, and was now examining him again, while he said, "Very well, I shall redeem it in a month or so."

Deronda was aware that Mordecai had looked up and was examining him again, while he said, "Very well, I shall redeem it in a month or so."


I'll make you out the ticket by-and-by," said Cohen, indifferently.

I'll make you out the ticket by-and-by," said Cohen.


Then he held up his finger as a sign that conversation must be deferred. He, Mordecai and Jacob put on their hats, and Cohen opened a thanksgiving, which was carried on by responses, till Mordecai delivered himself alone at some length, in a solemn chanting tone, with his chin slightly uplifted and his thin hands clasped easily before him.

Then he, Mordecai and Jacob put on their hats, and he began a thanksgiving, which was carried on by responses, till Mordecai spoke alone at some length, in a solemn chant, with his chin uplifted and his thin hands clasped.


Not only in his accent and tone, but in his freedom from the self-consciousness which has reference to others' approbation, there could hardly have been a stronger contrast to the Jew at the other end of the table.

There could hardly have been a stronger contrast to the Jew at the other end of the table.


It was an unaccountable conjunction--the presence among these common, prosperous, shopkeeping types, of a man who, in an emaciated threadbare condition, imposed a certain awe on Deronda, and an embarrassment at not meeting his expectations.

It was unaccountable - the presence among these common, prosperous, shopkeeping types, of a man who, in an emaciated threadbare condition, imposed a certain awe on Deronda, and an embarrassment at not meeting his expectations.


No sooner had Mordecai finished his devotional strain, than rising, with a slight bend of his head to the stranger, he walked back into his room, and shut the door behind him.

No sooner had Mordecai finished his prayer than he rose, and with a slight bend of his head to the stranger, walked back into his room, and shut the door behind him.


"That seems to be rather a remarkable man," said Deronda, turning to Cohen, who immediately set up his shoulders, put out his tongue slightly, and tapped his own brow. It was clearly to be understood that Mordecai did not come up to the standard of sanity which was set by Mr. Cohen's view of men and things.

"That seems to be rather a remarkable man," said Deronda, turning to Cohen, who tapped his own brow, indicating that Mordecai did not come up to his standard of sanity.


This idea appeared to be rather ludicrous to the ladies as well as to Cohen, and the family interchanged looks of amusement.

The family exchanged looks of amusement.


he worked for me, and when he got weaker and weaker I took him in.

he worked for me, and when he got weaker I took him in.


He's an incumbrance; but he brings a blessing down, and he teaches the boy.

He's an encumbrance; but he brings a blessing, and he teaches the boy.


Besides, he does the repairing at the watches and jewelry."

Besides, he repairs the watches and jewellery."


Deronda hardly abstained from smiling at this mixture of kindliness and the desire to justify it in the light of a calculation; but his willingness to speak further of Mordecai, whose character was made the more enigmatically striking by these new details, was baffled.

Deronda smiled at this mixture of kindliness and the desire to justify it; but Mr. Cohen immediately dismissed the subject of Mordecai by reverting to business.


Mr. Cohen immediately dismissed the subject by reverting to the "accommodation," which was also an act of charity, and proceeded to make out the ticket, get the forty pounds, and present them both in exchange for the diamond ring.

He proceeded to make out the ticket, got the forty pounds, and presented them both in exchange for the diamond ring.


Deronda, feeling that it would be hardly delicate to protract his visit beyond the settlement of the business which was its pretext, had to take his leave, with no more decided result than the advance of forty pounds and the pawn-ticket in his breast-pocket, to make a reason for returning when he came up to town after Christmas.

Deronda, feeling he could protract his visit no longer, had to take his leave, with no more result than a pawn-ticket in his pocket to make a reason for returning after Christmas.


He was resolved that he would then endeavor to gain a little more insight into the character and history of Mordecai; from whom also he might gather something decisive about the Cohens--for example, the reason why it was forbidden to ask Mrs. Cohen the elder whether she had a daughter.

He was resolved that he would then try to learn more about Mordecai; from whom also he might gather knowledge about the Cohens - for example, the reason why it was forbidden to ask Mrs. Cohen the elder whether she had a daughter.


"A wild dedication of yourselves To unpath'd waters, undreamed shores."

Book 4 - GWENDOLEN GETS HER CHOICE | Chapter 31


On the day when Gwendolen Harleth was married and became Mrs. Grandcourt, the morning was clear and bright, and while the sun was low a slight frost crisped the leaves.

On the day Gwendolen Harleth married Mr. Grandcourt, the morning was clear and bright, and a slight frost crisped the leaves.


The bridal party was worth seeing, and half Pennicote turned out to see it, lining the pathway up to the church.

Half Pennicote turned out to see the bridal party, lining the pathway to the church.


An old friend of the rector's performed the marriage ceremony, the rector himself acting as father, to the great advantage of the procession.

An old friend of the rector's performed the marriage ceremony, the rector himself acting as the father of the bride.


Only two faces, it was remarked, showed signs of sadness--Mrs. Davilow's and Anna's.

Only two faces showed signs of sadness - Mrs. Davilow's and Anna's.


The mother's delicate eyelids were pink, as if she had been crying half the night; and no one was surprised that, splendid as the match was, she should feel the parting from a daughter who was the flower of her children and of her own life.

The mother's delicate eyelids were pink, as if she had been crying half the night; and no one was surprised that, splendid as the match was, she should feel the parting from a daughter who was the flower of her children.


It was less understood why Anna should be troubled when she was being so well set off by the bridesmaid's dress.

It was less understood why Anna should be troubled.


Every one else seemed to reflect the brilliancy of the occasion--the bride most of all.

Everyone else seemed to reflect the brilliancy of the occasion - the bride most of all.


Of her it was agreed that as to figure and carriage she was worthy to be a "lady o' title": as to face, perhaps it might be thought that a title required something more rosy; but the bridegroom himself not being fresh-colored--being indeed, as the miller's wife observed, very much of her own husband's complexion--the match was the more complete.

It was agreed that as to figure she was worthy to be a "lady o' title": as to face, perhaps she might be a little more rosy, but she matched her husband's complexion.


Anyhow he must be very fond of her; and it was to be hoped that he would never cast it up to her that she had been going out to service as a governess, and her mother to live at Sawyer's Cottage--vicissitudes which had been much spoken of in the village.

Anyhow he must be very fond of her; and it was to be hoped that he would never cast it up to her that she had been going out to service as a governess.


The miller's daughter of fourteen could not believe that high gentry behaved badly to their wives, but her mother instructed her--"Oh, child, men's men: gentle or simple, they're much of a muchness.


I've heard my mother say Squire Pelton used to take his dogs and a long whip into his wife's room, and flog 'em there to frighten her; and my mother was lady's-maid there at the very time."


"That's unlucky talk for a wedding, Mrs. Girdle," said the tailor.


"A quarrel may end wi' the whip, but it begins wi' the tongue, and it's the women have got the most o' that."


"The Lord gave it 'em to use, I suppose," said Mrs. Girdle.


"_He_ never meant you to have it all your own way."


"By what I can make out from the gentleman as attends to the grooming at Offendene," said the tailor, "this Mr. Grandcourt has wonderful little tongue.


Everything must be done dummy-like without his ordering."


"Then he's the more whip, I doubt," said Mrs. Girdle.


"_She's_ got tongue enough, I warrant her.


"What wonderful long corners she's got to her eyes!"


"She makes you feel comical when she looks at you."


Gwendolen, in fact, never showed more elasticity in her bearing, more lustre in her long brown glance: she had the brilliancy of strong excitement, which will sometimes come even from pain.

Gwendolen, in fact, never showed more spring in her step, more lustre in her eyes: she had the brilliancy of strong excitement.


It was not pain, however, that she was feeling: she had wrought herself up to much the same condition as that in which she stood at the gambling-table when Deronda was looking at her, and she began to lose.

She had wrought herself up to much the same condition as that in which she stood at the gambling-table when Deronda was looking at her, and she began to lose.


There was an enjoyment in it: whatever uneasiness a growing conscience had created was disregarded as an ailment might have been, amidst the gratification of that ambitious vanity and desire for luxury within her which it would take a great deal of slow poisoning to kill.

There was an enjoyment in it: the uneasiness of her growing conscience was disregarded, amidst the gratification of her ambitious vanity and desire for luxury.


This morning she could not have said truly that she repented her acceptance of Grandcourt, or that any fears in hazy perspective could hinder the glowing effect of the immediate scene in which she was the central object.

This morning she could not have said truly that she repented her acceptance of Grandcourt, or that any hazy fears marred the glowing scene in which she was the central object.


That she was doing something wrong--that a punishment might be hanging over her--that the woman to whom she had given a promise and broken it, was thinking of her in bitterness and misery with a just reproach--that Deronda with his way of looking into things very likely despised her for marrying Grandcourt, as he had despised her for gambling--above all, that the cord which united her with this lover and which she had heretofore held by the hand, was now being flung over her neck,--all this yeasty mingling of dimly understood facts with vague but deep impressions, and with images half real, half fantastic, had been disturbing her during the weeks of her engagement.

That she was doing something wrong - that a punishment might be hanging over her - that Deronda very likely despised her for marrying Grandcourt, as he had despised her for gambling - above all, that the cord which united her with this lover and which she had until now held by the hand, was now being flung over her neck - all these dimly understood facts and vague impressions had been disturbing her during the weeks of her engagement.


Was that agitating experience nullified this morning? No: it was surmounted and thrust down with a sort of exulting defiance as she felt herself standing at the game of life with many eyes upon her, daring everything to win much--or if to lose, still with _clat_ and a sense of importance.

But this morning that agitation was thrust down with exulting defiance as she felt herself standing at the game of life with many eyes upon her, daring everything to win - or if to lose, to lose with clat and importance.


But this morning a losing destiny for herself did not press upon her as a fear: she thought that she was entering on a fuller power of managing circumstances--with all the official strength of marriage, which some women made so poor a use of.

But this morning she did not fear a losing destiny: she thought that she was entering on a fuller power of managing circumstances.


That intoxication of youthful egoism out of which she had been shaken by trouble, humiliation, and a new sense of culpability, had returned upon her under a newly-fed strength of the old fumes.

The youthful egoism out of which she had been shaken by trouble, humiliation, and a sense of culpability, had returned to her with newly-fed strength.


She did not in the least present the ideal of the tearful, tremulous bride.

She did not in the least appear a tearful, tremulous bride.


Poor Gwendolen, whom some had judged much too forward and instructed in the world's ways!--with her erect head and elastic footstep she was walking among illusions; and yet, too, there was an under-consciousness of her that she was a little intoxicated.

With erect head and elastic footstep, she was walking among illusions; and yet, too, she was conscious that she was a little intoxicated.


"Thank God you bear it so well, my darling!"


said Mrs. Davilow, when she had helped Gwendolen to doff her bridal white and put on her traveling dress.

said Mrs. Davilow, when she helped Gwendolen to doff her bridal white and put on her travelling dress.


All the trembling had been done by the poor mother, and her agitation urged Gwendolen doubly to take the morning as if it were a triumph.


"Why, you might have said that, if I had been going to Mrs. Mompert's, you dear, sad, incorrigible mamma!"

"Why, you might have said that, if I had been going to Mrs. Mompert's, you dear, sad, mamma!"


said Gwendolen just putting her hands to her mother's cheeks with laughing tenderness--then retreating a little and spreading out her arms as if to exhibit herself: "Here am I--Mrs. Grandcourt!

said Gwendolen, putting her hands to her mother's cheeks with laughing tenderness. "Here am I - Mrs. Grandcourt!


what else would you have me, but what I am sure to be?


You know you were ready to die with vexation when you thought that I would not be Mrs. Grandcourt."

You were ready to die with vexation when you thought that I would not be Mrs. Grandcourt."


"Hush, hush, my child, for heaven's sake!"


"How can I help feeling it when I am parting from you.

"How can I help feeling it when I am parting from you?


But I can bear anything gladly if you are happy."


said Gwendolen, shaking her head, with a bright smile.

said Gwendolen, shaking her head, and smiling.


"Willingly you would bear it, but always sorrowfully.


Sorrowing is your sauce; you can take nothing without it."


Then, clasping her mother's shoulders and raining kisses first on one cheek and then on the other between her words, she said, gaily, "And you shall sorrow over my having everything at my beck---and enjoying everything glorious--splendid houses--and horses--and diamonds, I shall have diamonds--and going to court--and being Lady Certainly--and Lady Perhaps--and grand here--and tantivy there--and always loving you better than anybody else in the world."

Then, kissing her, she said, gaily, "And you shall sorrow over my having everything glorious - splendid houses, horses - and diamonds, I shall have diamonds - and being Lady Perhaps - and grand here - and tantivy there - and always loving you better than anybody else in the world."


"My sweet child!--But I shall not be jealous if you love your husband better; and he will expect to be first."

"My sweet child! But I shall not be jealous if you love your husband better; and he will expect to be first."


Gwendolen thrust out her lips and chin with a pretty grimace, saying, "Rather a ridiculous expectation.


However, I don't mean to treat him ill, unless he deserves it."


Then the two fell into a clinging embrace, and Gwendolen could not hinder a rising sob when she said, "I wish you were going with me, mamma."


But the slight dew on her long eyelashes only made her the more charming when she gave her hand to Grandcourt to be led to the carriage.


The rector looked in on her to give a final "Good-bye; God bless you; we shall see you again before long," and then returned to Mrs. Davilow, saying half cheerfully, half solemnly,


She is in a position well suited to her, and beyond what I should have dared to hope for.


And few women can have been chosen more entirely for their own sake.


You should feel yourself a happy mother."


There was a railway journey of some fifty miles before the new husband and wife reached the station near Ryelands.


The sky had veiled itself since the morning, and it was hardly more than twilight when they entered the park-gates, but still Gwendolen, looking out of the carriage-window as they drove rapidly along, could see the grand outlines and the nearer beauties of the scene--the long winding drive bordered with evergreens backed by huge gray stems: then the opening of wide grassy spaces and undulations studded with dark clumps; till at last came a wide level where the white house could be seen, with a hanging wood for a back-ground, and the rising and sinking balustrade of a terrace in front.

It was hardly more than twilight when they entered the park-gates, but still Gwendolen, looking out of the carriage-window, could see the grand outlines of the scene - the long winding drive bordered with evergreens: then the opening of wide grassy spaces; till at last the white house appeared, with a wood for a background, and a terrace in front.


Gwendolen had been at her liveliest during the journey, chatting incessantly, ignoring any change in their mutual position since yesterday; and Grandcourt had been rather ecstatically quiescent, while she turned his gentle seizure of her hand into a grasp of his hand by both hers, with an increased vivacity as of a kitten that will not sit quiet to be petted.

Gwendolen had been at her liveliest during the journey, chatting incessantly, ignoring any change in their position since yesterday; and Grandcourt had been rather ecstatically quiescent, while she turned his gentle seizure of her hand into a grasp of his hand by both hers, vivacious as a kitten that will not sit quiet to be petted.


She was really getting somewhat febrile in her excitement; and now in this drive through the park her usual susceptibility to changes of light and scenery helped to make her heart palpitate newly.

She was really somewhat feverish in her excitement; and now in this drive through the park her heart palpitated newly.


Was it at the novelty simply, or the almost incredible fulfilment about to be given to her girlish dreams of being "somebody"--walking through her own furlong of corridor and under her own ceilings of an out-of-sight loftiness, where her own painted Spring was shedding painted flowers, and her own fore-shortened Zephyrs were blowing their trumpets over her; while her own servants, lackeys in clothing but men in bulk and shape, were as nought in her presence, and revered the propriety of her insolence to them:--being in short the heroine of an admired play without the pains of art?

Was it at the novelty, or the almost incredible fulfilment about to be given to her girlish dreams of being "somebody" - walking through her own furlong of corridor, while her servants were as nought in her presence - being in short the heroine of an admired play without the pains of art?


Was it alone the closeness of this fulfilment which made her heart flutter?

Was it the closeness of this fulfilment which made her heart flutter?


or was it some dim forecast, the insistent penetration of suppressed experience, mixing the expectation of a triumph with the dread of a crisis?

or was it some dim forecast, the insistent penetration of suppressed experience, creating the dread of a crisis?


Hers was one of the natures in which exultation inevitably carries an infusion of dread ready to curdle and declare itself.


She fell silent in spite of herself as they approached the gates, and when her husband said, "Here we are at home!"

She fell silent as they approached the gates, and when her husband said, "Here we are at home!"


and for the first time kissed her on the lips, she hardly knew of it: it was no more than the passive acceptance of a greeting in the midst of an absorbing show.


Was not all her hurrying life of the last three months a show, in which her consciousness was a wondering spectator?


After the half-willful excitement of the day, a numbness had come over her personality.

After the excitement of the day, a numbness had come over her.


But there was a brilliant light in the hall--warmth, matting, carpets, full-length portraits, Olympian statues, assiduous servants.

But there was a brilliant light in the hall - warmth, carpets, full-length portraits, Olympian statues, assiduous servants.


Not many servants, however: only a few from Diplow in addition to those constantly in charge of the house; and Gwendolen's new maid, who had come with her, was taken under guidance by the housekeeper.

Not many servants, however: and Gwendolen's new maid, who had come with her, was taken under guidance by the housekeeper.


Gwendolen felt herself being led by Grandcourt along a subtly-scented corridor, into an ante-room where she saw an open doorway sending out a rich glow of light and color.

Gwendolen was led by Grandcourt along a subtly-scented corridor, into an ante-room where she saw an open doorway sending out a rich glow of light and colour.


"You will like to be quiet here till dinner.


He pressed her hand to his lips and moved away, more in love than he had ever expected to be.


Gwendolen, yielded up her hat and mantle, threw herself into a chair by the glowing hearth, and saw herself repeated in glass panels with all her faint-green satin surroundings.

Gwendolen took off her hat and cloak, threw herself into a chair by the glowing hearth, and saw herself repeated in glass panels with all her faint-green satin surroundings.


The housekeeper had passed into this boudoir from the adjoining dressing-room and seemed disposed to linger, Gwendolen thought, in order to look at the new mistress of Ryelands, who, however, being impatient for solitude said to her, "Will you tell Hudson when she has put out my dress to leave everything? I shall not want her again, unless I ring."

The housekeeper had entered and seemed disposed to linger; from curiosity, Gwendolen thought, and she said, "Will you tell Hudson I shall not want her again, unless I ring?"


The housekeeper, coming forward, said, "Here is a packet, madam, which I was ordered to give into nobody's hands but yours, when you were alone.

Coming forward, the housekeeper said, "Here is a packet, madam, which I was ordered to give into nobody's hands but yours, when you were alone.


The person who brought it said it was a present particularly ordered by Mr. Grandcourt; but he was not to know of its arrival till he saw you wear it.


Excuse me, madam; I felt it right to obey orders."


Gwendolen took the packet and let it lie on her lap till she heard the doors close.


It came into her mind that the packet might contain the diamonds which Grandcourt had spoken of as being deposited somewhere and to be given to her on her marriage.

It came into her mind that the packet might contain the diamonds which Grandcourt had mentioned as being deposited somewhere and to be given to her on her marriage.


In this moment of confused feeling and creeping luxurious languor she was glad of this diversion--glad of such an event as having her own diamonds to try on.

In this moment of confused feeling and creeping luxurious languor she was glad of this diversion, of having her own diamonds to try on.


Within all the sealed paper coverings was a box, but within the box there _was_ a jewel-case; and now she felt no doubt that she had the diamonds.

Within the sealed paper coverings was a box: within the box there was a jewel-case; and now she felt no doubt that she had the diamonds.


But on opening the case, in the same instant that she saw them gleam she saw a letter lying above them.

But on opening the case, she saw a letter lying above them.


She knew the handwriting of the address.


Her heart gave a leap which seemed to have spent all her strength; and as she opened the bit of thin paper, it shook with the trembling of her hands.

Her heart gave a leap; and as she opened the paper, it shook in her trembling hands.


But it was legible as print, and thrust its words upon her.


'These diamonds, which were once given with ardent love to Lydia Glasher, she passes on to you.


You have broken your word to her, that you might possess what was hers.

You have broken your word to her, so that you might possess what was hers.


Perhaps you think of being happy, as she once was, and of having beautiful children such as hers, who will thrust hers aside. God is too just for that. The man you have married has a withered heart.

Perhaps you think of being happy; but the man you have married has a withered heart.


His best young love was mine: you could not take that from me when you took the rest.


It is dead: but I am the grave in which your chance of happiness is buried as well as mine.

It is dead: but I am the grave in which your chance of happiness is buried.


You have chosen to injure me and my children.


He would have married me at last, if you had not broken your word.


Will you give him this letter to set him against me and ruin us more--me and my children?

'Will you give him this letter to set him against me and ruin us - me and my children?


Shall you like to stand before your husband with these diamonds on you, and these words of mine in his thoughts and yours?

Shall you like to stand before your husband with these diamonds on you, and these words in his thoughts and yours?


Will he think you have any right to complain when he has made you miserable?


The willing wrong you have done me will be your curse.

The wrong you have done me will be your curse.'


It seemed at first as if Gwendolen's eyes were spell-bound in reading the horrible words of the letter over and over again as a doom of penance; but suddenly a new spasm of terror made her lean forward and stretch out the paper toward the fire, lest accusation and proof at once should meet all eyes.

It seemed at first as if Gwendolen's eyes were spell-bound in reading the horrible words of the letter over and over again; but a sudden spasm of terror made her lean forward and stretch out the paper toward the fire.


It flew like a feather from her trembling fingers and was caught up in a great draught of flame.


In her movement the casket fell on the floor and the diamonds rolled out.

The casket fell on the floor and the diamonds rolled out.


She took no notice, but fell back in her chair again helpless.


She could not see the reflections of herself then; they were like so many women petrified white; but coming near herself you might have seen the tremor in her lips and hands.


She sat so for a long while, knowing little more than that she was feeling ill, and that those written words kept repeating themselves to her.


Truly here were poisoned gems, and the poison had entered into this poor young creature.

Truly here were poisoned gems, and the poison had entered this poor young creature.


After that long while, there was a tap at the door and Grandcourt entered, dressed for dinner.