Daniel Deronda

erthold, what men

that, quiver

s little mimi

oadstone for

salt

s showing the value of an aristocracy in a free country like England; the blacksmith in the hamlet of Diplow felt that a good time had come round; the wives of laboring men hoped their nimble boys of ten or twelve would be taken into employ by the gentlemen in livery; and the farmers about Diplow admitted, with a tincture of bitterness and reserve, that a man might now again perhaps have an easier market or exchange for a rick of old hay or a wagon-load of straw. If such were the hopes of

through the hunting season to be inhabited in a fitting style both as to house and stable. But not by Sir Hugo himself: by his nephew, Mr. Mallinger Grandcourt, who was presumptive heir to the baronetcy, his uncle's marriage having produced nothing but girls. Nor was this the only contingency with which for

entirely in these matters; and if Mr. Mallinger Grandcourt became a baronet or a peer, his wife would share the title-which in addition to his actual fortune was certai

y will aver that neither they nor their first cousins have minds so unbridled; and that in fact this is not human nature, which would know that such speculations might turn out to be fallacious, and would therefore not entertain them. But, let it be observed, nothing is he

s about their Catherine's position (she having resolutely refused Lord Slogan, an unexceptionable Irish peer, whose estate wanted nothing but drainage and population), they wondered, perhaps from something more than a charitable impulse, whethe

ubject to the anxieties of a parent and guardian; and we have seen how both he and Mrs. Gascoigne might by this time have come to feel that he was overchar

y source of information about Grandcourt considered as a husband for a charming girl; nor did Mrs. Arrowpoint observe to Mrs. Davilow that if the possible peer sought a wife in the neighborhood of Diplow, the only reasonable expectation was that he would offer his hand to Catherine, who, however, would not accept him unless he were in all respects fitted to secure her happiness. Indeed, even to his wife the rector was silent as to the contemplation of any matrimonial result, from the probability that Mr. Grandcourt would see

s own, but he comes to Diplow for the hunting. It is to be hoped he will set a good

t ruined himself; and it is well-known that in gambling, for example, whether of the business or holiday sort, a man who has the strength of mind to leave off when he has only ruined others, is a reformed character. This is an illustration merely: Mr. Gascoigne had not heard that Grandcourt had been a gambler; and we can hardly pronounce him singular in feeling that a landed proprietor with a mixture of noble blood in his veins was not to be an ob

a husband for her daughter; but then came the further speculation-would Gwendolen be satisfied with him? There was no knowing what would meet that girl's taste or touch her affections-it might be something else than excellence; and thus the image of the perfect suitor gave way before a fluctuating combination of qualities that might be imagined to win Gwendolen's heart. In the difficulty of arriving at the particular combination which would insure that result, the mother even said to herself, "

ch a hint was likely enough to give an adverse poise to Gwendolen's own thought, and make her detest the desirable husband beforehand. Since that scene after poor Rex's farewell visit, the mot

on her white cashmere, nothing, for her complexion, was comparable to pale green-a feather which she was trying in her hat before the looking-glass having settled

er girls at the Archery

d they have not a

he presence of mind to

nd quickly toward he

You and my uncle and aunt-you all

said, "Oh, my, dear, that is not so certain. M

ho are between him and the title will die of different diseases-he will come back Lord Grandcourt-but without the ring-and fall at my feet. I shall laugh at him-he will rise in resentment-I shall laugh more-he will call for his steed and

tly five pounds ten you were sitting on! As well turn the key to keep out the damp! It was probable that by dint of divination she already knew more than any one else did of Mr. Grandco

man do you imagine

m an air of distinction-a strong opinion about his waistcoat, but uncertain and trimming about the weather, on which he will try to draw me out. He will stare at me all the while, and the glass in his eye will cause him to make horrible faces, especially when he smiles in a flatterin

f some one you have s

delightful young man

vely. "I wonder what sort of behavior a delightful young man would have? I know he would have hunters and racers, and a London house an

ed up with it. Poor Mrs. Davilow felt uncomfortable under it. Her own meanings bei

-they give you such ideas of everything. I declare when your aunt and I w

diately perceiving in the crushed look and rising sob that she had given a

only speaking in fu

raction, and sobbing violently while she made the effort to speak. "Your

tious. "How can you help what I am? Besides, I am very charming. Come, now." Here Gwendolen with her handkerchief gently rubbed away her mother's

of dread with the particular topics which had occasioned them: Gwendolen dreaded the unpleasant sense of compunction toward her mother, which was the nearest approach to self-condemnation and self-distrust that she had

t to clash with him. The good understanding between them was much fostered by their enjoyment of archery together: Mr. Gascoigne, as one of the best bowmen in Wessex, was gratified to find the elements of like skill in his niece; and Gwendolen was the more careful not to lose the shelter of his fatherly indulgence, because since the trouble with Rex both Mrs. Gascoigne and Anna had been unable to hide what she felt to be a very

to a more defiant temper. Her uncle too might be offended if she refused the next p

to be married-to escape being expecte

in a part of Wessex well studded with families whose numbers included several disengaged young men, each glad to seat himself by the lively girl with whom it was so easy to

corn, known to be potent cause in their relation, might, if inquired into, show why a young lady, perfect in person, accomplishments, and costume, has not the trouble of rejecting many offers; and nature's order is certainly benignant in not obliging us one and all to be desperately in love

y in the neighborhood had made Gwendolen an offer, why should Mr.

hood in the world is simply the reflex of a wish. Mr. and Mrs. Arrowpoint, for example, having no anxi