The Short Works of George Meredith

t the young duchess at the boundary of his territory, and conduct her in state to the Wells. Chloe sat beside him, receiving counsel with regard

k between its brown hedges, and crawled mounting from dry rush-spotted hollows to corn fields on a companion height directly facing them, at a remove of about three-qua

Something approaches. Now I discern hor

o the outriders for

s at the disorderly notes of triple horns, whose pe

had them out in a meadow for hours, baked and drenched, to get them rid of their native cacophony. But they love it, as they love ba

to hear in the dist

tance, the pleasanter to

cavalier at the window.

epin

a semicircle in

way comes a cavalier. We did not count on the hawks. So I have to deal with a cavalier! It signifies

lown,' sa

he beau, snapping a finger. 'But there has been an interval

the hill. He has ridden back.

e benefit of the cavaliering horde, it would appear. In the case of a

it for the harem of

ive us profitable lessons

nd it is a decl

stopper is out of

e are women, bu

heek allures little Tommy to rob th

hat men are

they carry the

amish, I sh

e, Chloe, for I wish to di

me at the expen

s bad-it is downright cannibal. But we may sprinkle our handkerchiefs with it, and we should, if we would caress our noses with an air. Society, my Chloe, is a

of them, M

philosophical, but accept your personal dues. Grant us ours too. I have a serious intention to preserve this young duchess, and I expect my task to be

is fangs a

, will and will! And at the point where she will and she won't, the dragon gulps and down she g

e her,' s

sketch of her, and Chloe

oman is ravishing at forty paces,

a dazzling red and white com

r e

ing b

imed the beau, and he compassi

windows came flush with those of the beau on the broad plateau of the hill. His coach door w

uoth he, 'I am

said she; '

e, madam, of whose approach the gentleman who took

ulder, and at the beau alighting

orseb

the window on an impulse to measur

!' she

r no message to announce m

You must be Mr. Be

. 'And don't mind being my maid? You do look a nice, kind creature. And I see you're a lady born; I know in a minute. You're dark, I'm fair; we shall suit. And tell me-hush!-what dreadful long eyes he has! I shall ask you presently what you think of me. I was never at the Wells before. Dear me! the coach has turned. How far off shall we hear the bells to say I'm coming? I know I'm to have bells. Mr. Beamish, Mr. Beamish! I must have a chatter with a woman, and I'm in awe of you, sir, that I am, but men and men I see to talk to for a

Chloe excused herself, but was informed b

nd was ready to curtsey to everybody. Now I'm quite at home, for I've plenty of courage-except about death, and I'm worse about death than I was when I was a s

, I would rather not meet, because she would precipitate me into transports of regret for the los

r!' said the duchess w

ill call you to witness

broad day, and I've got some one to sleep anigh me after dark'; with w

the numbered ribs, and the extraordinary splay feet-in fact, the whole ungainly and shaky hobbledehoy which man is built on, and by whose image in his weaker moments he is haunted. I had, to be frank, been dancing on a supper with certain of our choicest Wits and Beauties. It is a recipe for conjuring apparitions. Now, then, thinks I, my fine fellow, I will bounce you; and without a salutation I pressed forward. Madam, I give you my word, he behaved

ed the duchess, reliev

hich I now right heartily accorded him, I recognized at once both him and the reproof he had designedly dealt me-or the wine supper I had danced on, perhaps I should say' and I protest that by such a display of supreme good breeding he managed to convey th

rself to assist her dig

story, and I know you are the

the gentleman had signal

'My duke told me you would meet me, sir. And you are to p

u. 'I shall therefore ma

afraid of spoiling. I'm a real child, more than I was when my duke married me. I seemed to go in and grow up again, after I was

tlemen?' she was

ied, 'They f

o not assist

f nature's thoughts in her head at peep on the pastures of the world. The melting blue eyes and the cherry lip

iddle-aged!'

oe. 'And I'm sure t

eed that

eau together, with a mind swift in a

irected to gaze below upon the towers and roofs of the Wells

in a hoop. I can. I've done it to slow music till my duke clapped hands. I'm nothing sitting to what I am on my feet. That's because I have

e you see the trees,

at jam tarts with whipped cream on 'em, whi

as at a shop ne

t over the house-tops,

d I like the colour, and so does my duke. Only, don't let me be fingered at. If once I begin to blush before people, my courage is gone;

san said, 'Just like a bird,

r Chloe to sa

e orders for the church bells to be set ringing, and the band to meet and precede his equipage

te she was fascinated and did not consult her hearing; but presently she fell into an uneasiness; the signs i

erson whom we 'delight

she screwed uneas

of Dewlap

t my tit

tle on my terr

se; now, if you please. Pray, Mr. Beamish! You'll offend me, sir. I'm not going to be a mock. You'll offend my duke, sir. He'd die rather than have my feelings hurt. Here's all my pleasure

'I too. Chloe will te

of Dewlap? One might as well be Duchess of Cowstail, Duchess of Mopsend. And those people! But I won't be that. I won't be played with. I see th

ariot is behind,

and weeping: she repeated, 'Dewlap! Dewlap!' i

your title, are yo

o answer him proudly. 'That I am!'

can enter the town only on the condition of obedience to me. Now, mark me, madam; no one can rob you of your real name and title saving yourself

my own title?' sai

your visit you are

I sha

sha

er,

mmand

ail, upon Chloe's bosom. 'Can't you

to move Mr. Beam

ss let loose in a broken voice: 'Then I 'm sure I thi

ity was eq

ration that surprised him, he permitted himself the liberty of taking and saluting her f

d exhibiting both station and a countenance to the people, combined with the excitement of the new scenes and the marching music to banish the acuter sense of disappointment from Duchess S