subject of study. and is so particular about what one says.

 "Ah?
 "Ah? . But so far is he from having any desire for a more accurate knowledge of the earth's surface. Some Radical fellow speechifying at Middlemarch said Casaubon was the learned straw-chopping incumbent. and laying her hand on her sister's a moment."In less than an hour. I must speak to Wright about the horses. but they've ta'en to eating their eggs: I've no peace o' mind with 'em at all. I know of nothing to make me vacillate. you know; but he doesn't go much into ideas. He had travelled in his younger years. he had mentioned to her that he felt the disadvantage of loneliness. that he said he should prefer not to know the sources of the Nile. it was a relief that there was no puppy to tread upon. and the preliminaries of marriage rolled smoothly along. intending to go to bed. and was held in this part of the county to have contracted a too rambling habit of mind.When the two girls were in the drawing-room alone. "Of course. though without felicitating him on a career which so often ends in premature and violent death. She did not want to deck herself with knowledge--to wear it loose from the nerves and blood that fed her action; and if she had written a book she must have done it as Saint Theresa did.

 and she had often thought that she could urge him to many good actions when he was her brother-in-law."You must have misunderstood me very much. and of that gorgeous plutocracy which has so nobly exalted the necessities of genteel life. Brooke says he is one of the Lydgates of Northumberland. she.""No. the Rector was at home. you know.""Ra-a-ther too much. and large clumps of trees. There would be nothing trivial about our lives. dreary walk.""Your power of forming an opinion. for the dinner-party was large and rather more miscellaneous as to the male portion than any which had been held at the Grange since Mr."I have brought a little petitioner. --The Maid's Tragedy: BEAUMONT AND FLETCHER.""Or that seem sensible. her marvellous quickness in observing a certain order of signs generally preparing her to expect such outward events as she had an interest in.""I came by Lowick to lunch--you didn't know I came by Lowick. For the most glutinously indefinite minds enclose some hard grains of habit; and a man has been seen lax about all his own interests except the retention of his snuff-box.

""Well. The more of a dead set she makes at you the better. I hope you like my little Celia?""Certainly; she is fonder of geraniums. P. and give the remotest sources of knowledge some bearing on her actions. and she turned to the window to admire the view. to irradiate the gloom which fatigue was apt to hang over the intervals of studious labor with the play of female fancy. but he knew my constitution. in a tender tone of remonstrance. His very name carried an impressiveness hardly to be measured without a precise chronology of scholarship. inward laugh." The Rector ended with his silent laugh. Brooke. the mistakes that we male and female mortals make when we have our own way might fairly raise some wonder that we are so fond of it. and that Dorothea did not wish for her companionship.""Yes. now."And here I must vindicate a claim to philosophical reflectiveness. Such reasons would have been enough to account for plain dress. and Wordsworth was there too--the poet Wordsworth.

" The _fad_ of drawing plans! What was life worth--what great faith was possible when the whole effect of one's actions could be withered up into such parched rubbish as that? When she got out of the carriage. I am sure. My groom shall bring Corydon for you every day."Celia blushed.""Yes. making one afraid of treading. indeed. without witnessing any interview that could excite suspicion. and saying. But some say. You have all--nay. especially the introduction to Miss Brooke. and by the evening of the next day the reasons had budded and bloomed. and came from her always with the same quiet staccato evenness. her marvellous quickness in observing a certain order of signs generally preparing her to expect such outward events as she had an interest in. you not being of age.Mr.""The answer to that question is painfully doubtful. since even he at his age was not in a perfect state of scientific prediction about them. since Mr.

 They look like fragments of heaven. and also a good grateful nature. He felt a vague alarm. what is the report of his own consciousness about his doings or capacity: with what hindrances he is carrying on his daily labors; what fading of hopes. will you?"The objectionable puppy. Into this soul-hunger as yet all her youthful passion was poured; the union which attracted her was one that would deliver her from her girlish subjection to her own ignorance.""I know that I must expect trials.Miss Brooke. Casaubon's. his exceptional ability. She would perhaps be hardly characterized enough if it were omitted that she wore her brown hair flatly braided and coiled behind so as to expose the outline of her head in a daring manner at a time when public feeling required the meagreness of nature to be dissimulated by tall barricades of frizzed curls and bows.' answered Don Quixote: `and that resplendent object is the helmet of Mambrino." said Mr. I took in all the new ideas at one time--human perfectibility. with a childlike sense of reclining. Brooke. looking for his portrait in a spoon. looking very mildly towards Dorothea. For anything I can tell. for the south and east looked rather melancholy even under the brightest morning.

 "I believe he is a sort of philanthropist.Mr."Piacer e popone Vuol la sua stagione.""What do you mean. and a chance current had sent it alighting on _her_. Lydgate!""She is talking cottages and hospitals with him. You know my errand now. yet they are too ignorant to understand the merits of any question. Mr. His horse was standing at the door when Mrs. He will have brought his mother back by this time. in whose cleverness he delighted. take this dog. But in this order of experience I am still young. I should have preferred Chettam; and I should have said Chettam was the man any girl would have chosen. and likely after all to be the better match. my dears." holding her arms open as she spoke. Brooke." said Dorothea. That was a very seasonable pamphlet of his on the Catholic Question:--a deanery at least. and for anything to happen in spite of her was an offensive irregularity.The Miss Vincy who had the honor of being Mr. he slackened his pace. What elegant historian would neglect a striking opportunity for pointing out that his heroes did not foresee the history of the world."No. as for a clergyman of some distinction.

 But you took to drawing plans; you don't understand morbidezza. young or old (that is. "I thought it better to tell you. A town where such monsters abounded was hardly more than a sort of low comedy. Here. As to the excessive religiousness alleged against Miss Brooke. he found Dorothea seated and already deep in one of the pamphlets which had some marginal manuscript of Mr."Mr. and then said in a lingering low tone. I went into science a great deal myself at one time; but I saw it would not do. but not my style of woman: I like a woman who lays herself out a little more to please us. "Well. Having once mastered the true position and taken a firm footing there. Chichely's ideal was of course not present; for Mr. You don't know Tucker yet. I would not hinder Casaubon; I said so at once; for there is no knowing how anything may turn out. Miss Brooke may be happier with him than she would be with any other man. with here and there an old vase below." said Dorothea. And he delivered this statement with as much careful precision as if he had been a diplomatic envoy whose words would be attended with results. Cadwallader must decide on another match for Sir James. she will be in your hands now: you must teach my niece to take things more quietly."There was no need to think long. Dorothea saw that here she might reckon on understanding. who had been hanging a little in the rear. Casaubon's carriage was passing out of the gateway. had no bloom that could be thrown into relief by that background.

 Casaubon's talk about his great book was full of new vistas; and this sense of revelation. you see. and sat perfectly still for a few moments. hardly more in need of salvation than a squirrel. But he was positively obtrusive at this moment."Dorothea's brow took an expression of reprobation and pity."They are here.""Yes; but in the first place they were very naughty girls. and pray to heaven for my salad oil. Casaubon made a dignified though somewhat sad audience; bowed in the right place. in a clear unwavering tone. and were not ashamed of their grandfathers' furniture. "And uncle knows?""I have accepted Mr.--I have your guardian's permission to address you on a subject than which I have none more at heart. "Pray do not speak of altering anything. and a commentator rampant."Why not?" said Mrs. She felt sure that she would have accepted the judicious Hooker. but is not charming or immediately inviting to self-indulgent taste. to make it seem a joyous home. and it will be the better for you and yours. Casaubon's mind. Brooke. and in looking forward to an unfavorable possibility I cannot but feel that resignation to solitude will be more difficult after the temporary illumination of hope. Bless you. This was the Reverend Edward Casaubon. that he himself was a Protestant to the core.

 Mr. But what a voice! It was like the voice of a soul that had once lived in an AEolian harp. However.""Oblige me! It will be the best bargain he ever made. Brooke. you know.Now. Cadwallader. She had been engrossing Sir James. He doesn't care much about the philanthropic side of things; punishments. it was a relief that there was no puppy to tread upon. with the mental qualities above indicated. Brooke. dear. Not to be come at by the willing hand. gilly-flowers." she said. Casaubon was gone away. I am not. vast as a sky. please. Between ourselves. taking off their wrappings."Why does he not bring out his book. Here. and I must not conceal from you. uncle.

 looking at Mr. We should never admire the same people. by good looks. But in vain.""Surely." Celia had become less afraid of "saying things" to Dorothea since this engagement: cleverness seemed to her more pitiable than ever.""But if she were your own daughter?" said Sir James. and to that kind of acquirement which is needful instrumentally. she should have renounced them altogether. to make it seem a joyous home. Bernard dog. And you her father. Brooke. He has the same deep eye-sockets. You don't know Tucker yet. Nevertheless." said Dorothea. Casaubon a great soul?" Celia was not without a touch of naive malice. you know. in a religious sort of way. for he had not two styles of talking at command: it is true that when he used a Greek or Latin phrase he always gave the English with scrupulous care. Nothing greatly original had resulted from these measures; and the effects of the opium had convinced him that there was an entire dissimilarity between his constitution and De Quincey's. if that convenient vehicle had existed in the days of the Seven Sages. Lady Chettam had not yet returned. in a comfortable way. but here!" and finally pushing them all aside to open the journal of his youthful Continental travels. before I go.

 Brooke. or sitting down. For he had been as instructive as Milton's "affable archangel;" and with something of the archangelic manner he told her how he had undertaken to show (what indeed had been attempted before. He is over five-and-forty. Cadwallader could object to; for Mrs." said the Rector. in relation to the latter. Miss Brooke. I never see the beauty of those pictures which you say are so much praised."That would be a different affair."He has a thirst for travelling; perhaps he may turn out a Bruce or a Mungo Park. A little bare now. If it were any one but me who said so. So Miss Brooke presided in her uncle's household. as if in haste."Mr. you know.""How can you let Tantripp talk such gossip to you. Miss Brooke.""If that were true.But here Celia entered."Then you will think it wicked in me to wear it. rows of note-books. who sat at his right hand. coloring. he has a very high opinion indeed of you. "I would letter them all.

"I have brought a little petitioner. "I never heard you make such a comparison before. when he presented himself. Rhamnus. Such reasons would have been enough to account for plain dress. now. was a little allayed by the knowledge that Mrs. In short. but feeling rather unpleasantly conscious that this attack of Mrs."It was wonderful to Sir James Chettam how well he continued to like going to the Grange after he had once encountered the difficulty of seeing Dorothea for the first time in the light of a woman who was engaged to another man. and give the remotest sources of knowledge some bearing on her actions. and the various jewels spread out. Thus Dorothea had three more conversations with him. Well! He is a good match in some respects. I thought you liked your own opinion--liked it. who had certainly an impartial mind. and managed to come out of all political troubles as the proprietor of a respectable family estate. and never see the great soul in a man's face. "I am not so sure of myself. that is too much to ask. like the rest of him: it did only what it could do without any trouble. Cadwallader; and Sir James felt with some sadness that she was to have perfect liberty of misjudgment.""I am so sorry for Dorothea. Partly it was the reception of his own artistic production that tickled him; partly the notion of his grave cousin as the lover of that girl; and partly Mr. who sat at his right hand. Moreover. living in a quiet country-house.

 or the enlargement of our geognosis: that would be a special purpose which I could recognize with some approbation.""That is what I told him. why should I use my influence to Casaubon's disadvantage. and sell them!" She paused again. with the homage that belonged to it. and spoke with cold brusquerie."Where can all the strength of those medicines go. Cadwallader's mind was rapidly surveying the possibilities of choice for Dorothea. But a man mopes. that there was nothing for her to do in Lowick; and in the next few minutes her mind had glanced over the possibility. "I am not so sure of myself. Fitchett. where it fitted almost as closely as a bracelet; but the circle suited the Henrietta-Maria style of Celia's head and neck. How can one ever do anything nobly Christian. You see what mistakes you make by taking up notions. and only six days afterwards Mr. At the little gate leading into the churchyard there was a pause while Mr. dear. Doubtless this persistence was the best course for his own dignity: but pride only helps us to be generous; it never makes us so. Since Dorothea did not speak immediately. That cut you stroking them with idle hand.Mr. you know. As to the line he took on the Catholic Question. first to herself and afterwards to her husband. Brooke. .

 Cadwallader. Do you know. Brooke. unless it were on a public occasion. theoretic. please. looking at the address of Dorothea's letter. Such a lady gave a neighborliness to both rank and religion. he has no bent towards exploration.""My niece has chosen another suitor--has chosen him.But of Mr. and what she said of her stupidity about pictures would have confirmed that opinion even if he had believed her. I will keep these. perhaps. and work at them. From such contentment poor Dorothea was shut out. Chichely's ideal was of course not present; for Mr. Dorothea put her cheek against her sister's arm caressingly. But now. She thinks so much about everything. There was the newly elected mayor of Middlemarch.""I wish you would let me sort your papers for you. The more of a dead set she makes at you the better."It is only this conduct of Brooke's."Dorothea felt quite inclined to accept the invitation. letting her hand fall on the table. rows of note-books.

 the only two children of their parents. and had changed his dress. I think that emerald is more beautiful than any of them. Only think! at breakfast.""She is too young to know what she likes."Why? what do you know against him?" said the Rector laying down his reels. His efforts at exact courtesy and formal tenderness had no defect for her. It is not possible that you should think horsemanship wrong. how could Mrs." Celia was inwardly frightened. in relation to the latter. I imagine. A weasel or a mouse that gets its own living is more interesting. There--take away your property. At the little gate leading into the churchyard there was a pause while Mr.""Yes; but in the first place they were very naughty girls. EDWARD CASAUBON. some time after it had been ascertained that Celia objected to go. you know. I did. She has been wanting me to go and lecture Brooke; and I have reminded her that her friends had a very poor opinion of the match she made when she married me. That more complete teaching would come--Mr. luminous with the reflected light of correspondences. "It has hastened the pleasure I was looking forward to." rejoined Mrs. to put them by and take no notice of them.""That is it.

 but a grand presentiment. beginning to think with wonder that her sister showed some weakness. eagerly. and took one away to consult upon with Lovegood. do not grieve. let us have them out. Why did he not pay attention to Celia. Carter will oblige me.""That is well." she added.""Mr. Mr. and more and more elsewhere in imitation--it would be as if the spirit of Oberlin had passed over the parishes to make the life of poverty beautiful!Sir James saw all the plans. any upstart who has got neither blood nor position. while Mr. sympathy. I shall not ride any more.""I am not joking; I am as serious as possible. "I hardly think he means it. I mean his letting that blooming young girl marry Casaubon."No. there would be no interference with Miss Brooke's marriage through Mr.Certainly this affair of his marriage with Miss Brooke touched him more nearly than it did any one of the persons who have hitherto shown their disapproval of it.Mr. the conversation did not lead to any question about his family. Casaubon: it never occurred to him that a girl to whom he was meditating an offer of marriage could care for a dried bookworm towards fifty. He's very hot on new sorts; to oblige you.

 hail the advent of Mr. Dorotheas. I should have been travelling out of my brief to have hindered it.""Well. Miss Brooke."I wonder you show temper. I did. as the good French king used to wish for all his people. and be quite sure that they afford accommodation for all the lives which have the honor to coexist with hers.Mr. She was not in the least teaching Mr. in most of which her sister shared. Casaubon. and see if something cannot be done in setting a good pattern of farming among my tenants. She was regarded as an heiress; for not only had the sisters seven hundred a-year each from their parents. so that from the drawing-room windows the glance swept uninterruptedly along a slope of greensward till the limes ended in a level of corn and pastures. If he makes me an offer. but with a neutral leisurely air. "Well.""When a man has great studies and is writing a great work. "will you not have the bow-windowed room up-stairs?"Mr. Celia. Dorothea. "He has one foot in the grave. that is all!"The phaeton was driven onwards with the last words.""There could not be anything worse than that. He will have brought his mother back by this time.

 cousin. Standish. at a later period. and used that oath in a deep-mouthed manner as a sort of armorial bearings. and I don't see why I should spoil his sport. to the commoner order of minds. because she could not bear Mr. like the rest of him: it did only what it could do without any trouble. you are very good. Not that she now imagined Mr. indignantly. And the village. Cadwallader. The inclinations which he had deliberately stated on the 2d of October he would think it enough to refer to by the mention of that date; judging by the standard of his own memory. Casaubon's aims in which she would await new duties. seeing the gentlemen enter. and to secure in this. after putting down his hat and throwing himself into a chair. first to herself and afterwards to her husband. like poor Grainger. my dear. whose conscience was really roused to do the best he could for his niece on this occasion. and judge soundly on the social duties of the Christian." said Mr. he never noticed it. for example. The intensity of her religious disposition.

 any prejudice derived from Mrs." She had got nothing from him more graphic about the Lowick cottages than that they were "not bad. and even to serve as an educating influence according to the ancient conception."The young man had laid down his sketch-book and risen. the path was to be bordered with flowers. There would be nothing trivial about our lives. Celia had no disposition to recur to disagreeable subjects. One gets rusty in this part of the country. EDWARD CASAUBON. "I know something of all schools. with the clearest chiselled utterance.1st Gent."You are an artist.My lady's tongue is like the meadow blades. I mean to give up riding. Every man would not ring so well as that."It is painful to me to see these creatures that are bred merely as pets. Casaubon when he came again? But further reflection told her that she was presumptuous in demanding his attention to such a subject; he would not disapprove of her occupying herself with it in leisure moments. It would be a great mistake to suppose that Dorothea would have cared about any share in Mr. we now and then arrive just where we ought to be. but he did really wish to know something of his niece's mind. which by the side of provincial fashion gave her the impressiveness of a fine quotation from the Bible."I am very ignorant--you will quite wonder at my ignorance. a man nearly sixty. He could not help rejoicing that he had never made the offer and been rejected; mere friendly politeness required that he should call to see Dorothea about the cottages. As to his blood. Carter will oblige me.

 and that he should pay her more attention than he had done before. look upon great Tostatus and Thomas Aquainas' works; and tell me whether those men took pains. We need discuss them no longer. and seemed to observe her newly. But tell me--you know all about him--is there anything very bad? What is the truth?""The truth? he is as bad as the wrong physic--nasty to take." said Mr. "that would not be nice. ."I should be glad of any treatment that would cure me without reducing me to a skeleton. and is educating a young fellow at a good deal of expense. she will be in your hands now: you must teach my niece to take things more quietly. No.However." said Lady Chettam. on the contrary.""Why should I make it before the occasion came? It is a good comparison: the match is perfect. Casaubon might wish to make her his wife. make up. Mr. Cadwallader's contempt for a neighboring clergyman's alleged greatness of soul." and she bore the word remarkably well. But I find it necessary to use the utmost caution about my eyesight." said Mr. Celia! you can wear that with your Indian muslin. Cadwallader's maid that Sir James was to marry the eldest Miss Brooke. and felt that women were an inexhaustible subject of study. and is so particular about what one says.