Daniel Deronda

; let us crown ourselves with rosebuds

iliar unmistakable difference amid the future widening of knowledge: a spot where the definiteness of early memories may be inwrought with affection, and-kindly acquaintance with all neighbors, even to the dogs and donkeys, may spread not by sentimental effort and reflection, but as a sweet habit of the blood. At five years old, mortals are not prepared to be citi

sen as her mamma's home, simply for its nearness to Pennicote Rectory, and that Mrs. Davilow, Gwendolen, and her four half-sisters (the governess and the maid following in anothe

iognomy which it turned to the three avenues cut east, west and south in the hundred yards' breadth of old plantation encircling the immediate grounds. One would have liked the house to have been lifted on a knoll, so as to look beyond its own little domain to the long thatched roofs of the distant villages, the church towers, the scattered homestea

oncile them to his long absences; but she cared much more for the fact than for the explanation. All her prospects had become more agreeable in consequence. She had disliked their former way of life, roving from one foreign watering-place or Parisian apartment to another, always feeling new antipathies to new suites of hired furniture, and meeting new people under conditions which made her appear of little importance; and the variation of having passed two years at a showy school, where, on all occasions of display, she had been put foremost, had only deepened her sense that so exceptional a person as herself could hardly remain in ordinary circumstances or in a social position less than advantageous. Any fear of this latter evil was banished now that her mamma was to have an establishment; for on the point of birth Gwendolen was quite easy. She had no notion how her maternal grandf

, mamma? It would have b

t passed over her face, and straightway shutting up the

no feeli

lt hurt and ashamed, and had never since

ndolen was keenly conscious of what must be in her mamma's mind, and tried to make amends by caresses which cost her no effort. Having always been the pet and pride of the household, waited on by mother, sisters, governess and maids, as if she had been a princess in exile, she naturally found it difficult to think her own pleasure less important than others made it, and when it was positively thwarted felt an astonished resentment apt, in her cruder days, to vent itself in one of those passionate acts which look like a contradiction of habitual tendencies. Though never even as a child thoughtlessly cruel, nay delighting to rescue drowning insects and watch their recovery, there was a disagreeable silent remembrance of her having

pictures, but enlivened by a bright wood fire, no one spoke; mamma, the four sisters and the governess all looked at Gwendolen, as if their feelings depended entirely on her decision. Of the girls, from Alice in her sixteenth year to Isabel in her tenth, hardly anything could be said on a first view, but that they were girlish, and that their black dresses were getti

the place," said Mrs. Davilow at l

place; anything delightful may happen in it; it would be a good

inly nothing co

endor, and have come down to this. It would have been as romantic as could be. But I thought my uncle and aunt

g the hall, she said to the housekeeper who ca

ast week, and everything is well aired. I could wish some of the furniture paid better for all the cleaning it's had, but I think you'll see the brasses

wed by all the girls looked into each of the rooms opening from the hall-the dining-room all dark oak and worn red satin damask, with a copy of snarling, worrying dogs from Snyders over the side-board, and a Christ

with the housekeeper. "Here is an organ. I will be Saint Cecilia: some one shall paint me

g upward; while the submissive and sad Jocosa took out the one comb which fastened the coil of hair, an

f her pet, even in the presence of a housekeeper. Gwendolen rose and laughed with delight. Al

embroidered chairs, and the garlands on the wainscot, and the pictures that may be anything.

of astonishment, while she held open a hinged pa

an obscure figure seemed to be fleeing with outstretched arms. "How horrible!" said Mrs. Davilow, with a look of mere disg

y in this room by y

one. Then snatching the panel out of the hand of the culprit, she closed it hastily, saying, "There is a lock-where is the

with a face which was flushed in reaction from her chill

inet close by the panel, and presently handed it to Bugle, the lady

had been busy up-stairs during the scene in the drawing-ro

well worthy for looks and figure," replied Mrs. St

e and Mrs. Davilow entered their black and yellow bedroom, where a pretty little white couch was

the windows, which reflected herself and the room completely

you off?" said Mrs. Davilow, as Gwendolen stood obliquely with her three-quarter

ma? I think saint's noses never in the least turn up. I wish you had given me your perfectly straight nose; it would h

world," said Mrs. Davilow, with a deep, weary sigh, throwing

e glass with an air of vexation, "don't begin to be dull here. It spoils all my pl

ouse herself, and beginning to take off her dres

py after they are quite young? You have made me feel sometimes as if nothing were of any use. With the girls so troublesome, and Jocosa so dreadful

s. Davilow, patting the che

with resolute perseverance. "See what a hand and arm!-much more beau

ays heavier. Never half

if it is to end in my being dull and not minding

ge is the only happy state for a

e do, being and doing nothing remarkable. I have made up my mind not to let other people interfere with me as they have done. Here is some wa

Davilow said, while coiling the daughter's hair

t me to do wha

to give Ali

s me to death, she is so slow. She has no ear for music, or language, or anything else. It

oor sister, Gwendolen, who is so good

and put them in their proper places. The hardship is for me to ha

scornful to them, my dear child! or to your cousin Anna, whom you will always be going

wendolen, with a toss of her head and

as possible to them. She was introducing herself anew to relatives who had not seen her since the comparati

is, owing to the difference in their circumstances, had led them to very different issues. The younger sister had been indiscreet, or at least unfortunate in her marriages; the elder believed herself the most enviable of wives, and her pliancy had ended in her sometimes taking shapes of surprising definiteness. Many of her opinions, such as those on church

etter or had more authority in his parish? He had a native gift for administration, being tolerant both of opinions and conduct, because he felt himself able to overrule them, and was free from the irritations of conscious feebleness. He smiled pleasantly at the foible of a taste which he did not share-at floriculture or antiquarianism for example, which were much in vogue among his fellow-clergyman in the diocese: for himself, he preferred following the history of a campaign, or divining from his knowledge of Nesselrode's motives what would have been his conduct if our cabinet had taken a different course. Mr. Gascoigne's tone of thinking after some long-quieted fluctuations had become ecclesiastical rather than theological; not the modern Anglican, but what he would have called sound English, free from nonsense; such as became a man who looked at a nationa

that she was to have the near countenance of a dignified male relative, and that the family life would cease to be entirely, insipidly feminine. She did not intend that her uncle should control her, but she saw at once t

face was a tiny copy of his own, and drawing her forward. "She is not so old as you by a

erent taste from that which was attracted by Gwendolen, and that the girls could hardly be rivals. Gwendolen at least, was aware of this, and kissed her cousin with rea

, and yet from her earliest days an obtrusive influential fact in her life. She was conscious of having been much kinder to them than could have been expected. And it was evident to her that her uncle and aunt also felt it a pity there were so many girls:-what rational person could feel otherwise, except poor

len, while the sisters were being noti

s a great anxiety to papa. He used to say they made me a tomboy. I really was a gr

ld and shy; but it is difficult now to im

ver. I am not very fond of going out; but I dare say I shall like it better now you will be often with me. I am not at all clever, an

," said Gwendolen, well disposed toward th

. Papa says he can't afford more, besides the carri

l now," said Gwendolen, in a tone of decision.

, and Lord Brackenshaw, and Sir Hugo Mallinger's place, where there is nobody-that's very nice, because we

was soon indirectly answered by her uncle, who dwelt much on the advantages he had secured for them in getting a pla

ly where there is only a lady at the head. All the best people will call upon you; and you need give no expensive dinners. Of course, I have to spend a good deal in that way; it is a large item. But then I get my house for nothin

erful for making the best of everything; he allows himself no extras, and gets his curates for nothing. It is rather hard that he has not been made a prebendary or something, as others ha

uld hardly be a more thorough friend than Lord Brackenshaw-your landlord, you know, Fanny. Lady Brackenshaw will call upon you. And I have spoken for Gwendolen to be a member o

"There is nothing I enjoy more than taking aim-and

are some of our best people. Miss Arrowpoint is a delightful girl-she has been presented at Court. They have a magnificent place-Quetcham Hall-worth seeing in point of art; and their parties, to which you are sure to be invited, are the best things of the sort we have. The archdeacon is intimate t

y: they are not dull and dismal." Altogether, she felt satisfied with her prospects at Offendene, as a great improvement on anything she had known. Even the cheap curates, she in

made a sad blunder with her second marriage, felt a hearty satisfaction in being frankly and cordially identified with her sister's family, and in having her affairs canvassed and managed with an authority which presupposed a genuine interest. Thus the question of a suitable saddle-horse, which had been sufficiently discussed with mamma, had to be referred to Mr. Gascoigne; and after Gwendole

ide-a pretty, light, lady's horse," said Mrs. Davilow, l

some eyebrows sarcastically at Gwendolen, who had seated

rs. Gascoigne, watching her husband's face, an

d Gwendolen. "I would rather give up some other indulgence and have a horse." (Was there ever a young lad

hand she might be trusted with any mount," said Mrs. Davilow, who, even if she had not wished

ne, in a tone which, though demurring, betrayed the inward presence of something that favored the demand

toilet at present. Besides, Gwendolen will save me so much by giving her sisters lessons." Here Mrs. Davilow's delicate c

er with her mamma, but

. And Gwendolen, who, it must be owned, was a deep young lady, suddenly moved away to th

"I feel the expense is rather imprudent in this first year of our settling. But she really needs

uld ride Lotta's donkey and think it good enough." (Anna was absorbed in a game with Isa

eback," said Mr. Gascoigne. "And Gwendolen has the figur

all events. It can be given up,

Lord Brackenshaw's hea

n the hor

avilow, much relieved

ne. And later that night, when she and

so much more than your own daughter would think of. Especially before we see how Fanny manage

hould not be doing my duty if I spared my trouble in helping her forward. You know yourself she has been under a disadvantage with such a father-in-law, and a second family, keeping her

on your shoulders for the sake of my sister and her children. I am sure I would not grudge anything

is t

will not be falling i

cousins will not fall in love. If you begin with precautions, the affair will come in spite of them. One must not undertake to act for Providence in these matters, which can no more be held under the ha

, there was the comfort of feeling that her husband would k