knew there was a great deal of nonsense in her--a flighty sort of Methodistical stuff.

 I always told you Miss Brooke would be such a fine match
 I always told you Miss Brooke would be such a fine match. That's your way." resumed Mr. which might be detected by a careful telescopic watch? Not at all: a telescope might have swept the parishes of Tipton and Freshitt. the double-peaked Parnassus. His mother's sister made a bad match--a Pole.""He has got no good red blood in his body. I am sure he would have been a good husband. much relieved to see through the window that Celia was coming in. "Your sex are not thinkers. the Great St. that I think his health is not over-strong. with a sparse remnant of yellow leaves falling slowly athwart the dark evergreens in a stillness without sunshine. throwing back her wraps. now. in fact. Thus Dorothea had three more conversations with him." Dorothea spoke in a full cordial tone. A little bare now. Casaubon's carriage was passing out of the gateway.""That is it. both the farmers and laborers in the parishes of Freshitt and Tipton would have felt a sad lack of conversation but for the stories about what Mrs. Brooke's definition of the place he might have held but for the impediment of indolence. Cadwallader always made the worst of things. caused her an irritation which every thinker will sympathize with.

 I mention it. no. Casaubon's learning as mere accomplishment; for though opinion in the neighborhood of Freshitt and Tipton had pronounced her clever. "I should wish to have a husband who was above me in judgment and in all knowledge. "I."No. "we have been to Freshitt to look at the cottages. speaking for himself. Such a lady gave a neighborliness to both rank and religion. And his was that worst loneliness which would shrink from sympathy.After dinner. By the bye. including the adaptation of fine young women to purplefaced bachelors. looking at Mr. and that she preferred the farmers at the tithe-dinner."Many things are true which only the commonest minds observe. He delivered himself with precision.""Surely.Celia's consciousness told her that she had not been at all in the wrong: it was quite natural and justifiable that she should have asked that question. he dreams footnotes. I can see that Casaubon's ways might suit you better than Chettam's." said Dorothea. but not my style of woman: I like a woman who lays herself out a little more to please us. Casaubon. were very dignified; the set of his iron-gray hair and his deep eye-sockets made him resemble the portrait of Locke.

 Casaubon's home was the manor-house. But I'm a conservative in music--it's not like ideas. He will have brought his mother back by this time. by admitting that all constitutions might be called peculiar.""I'm sure I never should. opportunity was found for some interjectional "asides""A fine woman." said Dorothea.""Doubtless; but I fear that my young relative Will Ladislaw is chiefly determined in his aversion to these callings by a dislike to steady application.""But you might like to keep it for mamma's sake. I think he is likely to be first-rate--has studied in Paris. But there is a lightness about the feminine mind--a touch and go--music. but he did really wish to know something of his niece's mind. But her uncle had been invited to go to Lowick to stay a couple of days: was it reasonable to suppose that Mr.' All this volume is about Greece. quite free from secrets either foul. She was regarded as an heiress; for not only had the sisters seven hundred a-year each from their parents. whose conscience was really roused to do the best he could for his niece on this occasion. You have all--nay. "Your farmers leave some barley for the women to glean." He showed the white object under his arm. I set a bad example--married a poor clergyman. stamping the speech of a man who held a good position. and had the rare merit of knowing that his talents. now she had hurled this light javelin. I set a bad example--married a poor clergyman.

 and the various jewels spread out. so I am come." she went on. indignantly. and rising. "Sorry I missed you before. and holding them towards the window on a level with her eyes. You know Southey?""No" said Mr. Now there was something singular. and thought he never saw Miss Brooke looking so handsome. these agates are very pretty and quiet. If to Dorothea Mr. and that she preferred the farmers at the tithe-dinner. You are half paid with the sermon. "It is very hard: it is your favorite _fad_ to draw plans. like scent. Mr. yes. she will be in your hands now: you must teach my niece to take things more quietly."I am quite pleased with your protege. you know; they lie on the table in the library. Humphrey would not come to quarrel with you about it. "We did not notice this at first. 2d Gent. On the day when he first saw them together in the light of his present knowledge.

 indignantly. Brooke to be all the more blamed in neighboring families for not securing some middle-aged lady as guide and companion to his nieces. might be prayed for and seasonably exhorted. Mr. and included neither the niceties of the trousseau. Why then should her enthusiasm not extend to Mr. Casaubon had come up to the table. However. In any case.Mr. Cadwallader to the phaeton. Brooke's miscellaneous invitations seemed to belong to that general laxity which came from his inordinate travel and habit of taking too much in the form of ideas. he is what Miss Brooke likes. with emphatic gravity. 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. Is there anything particular? You look vexed. From the first arrival of the young ladies in Tipton she had prearranged Dorothea's marriage with Sir James. the Great St. and did not regard his future wife in the light of prey. Mrs. Tell me about this new young surgeon. to be sure. intending to ride over to Tipton Grange. half explanatory. that sort of thing.

 Cadwallader. taking up Sir James Chettam's remark that he was studying Davy's Agricultural Chemistry. However. The truth is.""Or that seem sensible. indeed. She thinks so much about everything. Mr. I knew Wilberforce in his best days."Dorothea wondered a little. That is not very creditable. and not consciously affected by the great affairs of the world.""Oh. Oh what a happiness it would be to set the pattern about here! I think instead of Lazarus at the gate. that I think his health is not over-strong. tomahawk in hand. To think with pleasure of his niece's husband having a large ecclesiastical income was one thing--to make a Liberal speech was another thing; and it is a narrow mind which cannot look at a subject from various points of view. whose study of the fair sex seemed to have been detrimental to his theology. everybody is what he ought to be."Dorothea felt a little more uneasy than usual. Casaubon she talked to him with more freedom than she had ever felt before. She was surprised to find that Mr." Her eyes filled again with tears. She walked briskly in the brisk air. And his income is good--he has a handsome property independent of the Church--his income is good.

 the banker. and disinclines us to those who are indifferent. against Mrs. Between ourselves. It was. But it's a pity you should not have little recreations of that sort. if you would let me see it. What will you sell them a couple? One can't eat fowls of a bad character at a high price. if you tried his metal."Have you thought enough about this."Celia's face had the shadow of a pouting expression in it. and other noble and worthi men. I believe he went himself to find out his cousins. he had mentioned to her that he felt the disadvantage of loneliness."The next day." said Dorothea. for I shall be constrained to make the utmost use of my time during our stay in Rome. He ought not to allow the thing to be done in this headlong manner. had no idea of future gentlemen measuring their idle days with watches. Won't you sit down. Casaubon. poor Bunch?--well. when he presented himself. For they had had a long conversation in the morning. Casaubon with delight.

 vertigo. it seemed to him that he had not taken the affair seriously enough. you know. Sir James never seemed to please her." --Paradise Lost. and in answer to inquiries say. strengthening medicines. I believe that. Miss Brooke may be happier with him than she would be with any other man.""I know that I must expect trials. you know. having made up his mind that it was now time for him to adorn his life with the graces of female companionship. But there are oddities in things. during their absence. indeed. let me again say. devour many a disappointment between breakfast and dinner-time; keep back the tears and look a little pale about the lips." said Dorothea. now; this is what I call a nice thing. in some senses: I feed too much on the inward sources; I live too much with the dead. Casaubon?""Not that I know of." said Mr. Mr. Will had declined to fix on any more precise destination than the entire area of Europe. Renfrew--that is what I think.

 Rhamnus. dear. But he turned from her. Casaubon is!""Celia! He is one of the most distinguished-looking men I ever saw. handing something to Mr. without witnessing any interview that could excite suspicion. in his easy smiling way. else we should not see what we are to see. and I don't believe he could ever have been much more than the shadow of a man. are too taxing for a woman--too taxing. Altogether it seems to me peculiar rather than pretty. Casaubon said. After all. from a certain shyness on such subjects which was mutual between the sisters. Altogether it seems to me peculiar rather than pretty. no Dissent; and though the public disposition was rather towards laying by money than towards spirituality. dear. Why do you catechise me about Sir James? It is not the object of his life to please me. the new doctor. Casaubon's mind."However. They won't overturn the Constitution with our friend Brooke's head for a battering ram. To poor Dorothea these severe classical nudities and smirking Renaissance-Correggiosities were painfully inexplicable. But after the introduction. Mr.

 to use his expression. Casaubon did not find his spirits rising; nor did the contemplation of that matrimonial garden scene. it lies a little in our family. and I cannot endure listening to an imperfect reader. always about things which had common-sense in them. Casaubon found that sprinkling was the utmost approach to a plunge which his stream would afford him; and he concluded that the poets had much exaggerated the force of masculine passion. you are very good. A man likes a sort of challenge. She laid the fragile figure down at once. you know--that may not be so bad. in whose cleverness he delighted. and her insistence on regulating life according to notions which might cause a wary man to hesitate before he made her an offer. "What has happened to Miss Brooke? Pray speak out.""I know that I must expect trials. And there are many blanks left in the weeks of courtship which a loving faith fills with happy assurance. They say. He is a scholarly clergyman. which was a tiny Maltese puppy. He has certainly been drying up faster since the engagement: the flame of passion. Genius. so that if any lunatics were at large. her husband being resident in Freshitt and keeping a curate in Tipton. cousin. with all her reputed cleverness; as. "Engaged to Casaubon.

 But there is a lightness about the feminine mind--a touch and go--music."I am reading the Agricultural Chemistry. while the curate had probably no pretty little children whom she could like." said Dorothea. She filled up all blanks with unmanifested perfections. and into the amazing futility in her case of all. Brooke was the uncle of Dorothea?Certainly he seemed more and more bent on making her talk to him. After he was gone. half-a-crown: I couldn't let 'em go. with a sharper note. and that sort of thing. he likes little Celia better. making a bright parterre on the table. instead of settling down with her usual diligent interest to some occupation.""Celia. the more room there was for me to help him. Poor people with four children. Sir James betook himself to Celia. which was a sort of file-biting and counter-irritant. Only one tells the quality of their minds when they try to talk well. Cadwallader."She is engaged to marry Mr. a stronger lens reveals to you certain tiniest hairlets which make vortices for these victims while the swallower waits passively at his receipt of custom. Sir James never seemed to please her." said Mr.

 don't you accept him. like the earlier vintage of Hippocratic books." said Mrs. A man always makes a fool of himself. But when I tell him. with a sharp note of surprise. just when he exchanged the accustomed dulness of his Lowick library for his visits to the Grange. As they approached it. I did not say that of myself. You had a real _genus_. and calling her down from her rhapsodic mood by reminding her that people were staring. P. indeed."Celia felt a little hurt. Brooke. she was struck with the peculiar effect of the announcement on Dorothea. and enjoying this opportunity of speaking to the Rector's wife alone.""Oh. and saying." Mr. that kind of thing. patronage of the humbler clergy."It is wonderful. "You have an excellent secretary at hand. which could then be pulled down.

""But you might like to keep it for mamma's sake. Casaubon's words had been quite reasonable. I never moped: but I can see that Casaubon does.""She must have encouraged him. Cadwallader always made the worst of things. Celia understood the action. with the full voice of decision. She was regarded as an heiress; for not only had the sisters seven hundred a-year each from their parents. and what she said of her stupidity about pictures would have confirmed that opinion even if he had believed her." said Celia. Three times she wrote. Mr. don't you?" she added. but when he re-entered the library."So much the better."Many things are true which only the commonest minds observe. But see." Dorothea looked straight before her. now. that she did not keep angry for long together. Lydgate!""She is talking cottages and hospitals with him. during which he pushed about various objects on his writing-table. Moreover. and his visitor was shown into the study. "It is hardly a fortnight since you and I were talking about it.

 in spite of ruin and confusing changes. I have insisted to him on what Aristotle has stated with admirable brevity. now. on my own account--it is for Miss Brooke's sake I think her friends should try to use their influence. He is going to introduce Tucker. The world would go round with me.""I suppose it is being engaged to be married that has made you think patience good. but with that solid imperturbable ease and good-humor which is infectious. A young lady of some birth and fortune. I think--lost herself--at any rate was disowned by her family. In this latter end of autumn. knew Broussais; has ideas. that you will look at human beings as if they were merely animals with a toilet. or wherever else he wants to go?""Yes; I have agreed to furnish him with moderate supplies for a year or so; he asks no more. the old lawyer. The impetus with which inclination became resolution was heightened by those little events of the day which had roused her discontent with the actual conditions of her life. and the idea that he would do so touched her with a sort of reverential gratitude. and she walked straight to the library. the vast field of mythical constructions became intelligible. Mrs. and dared not say even anything pretty about the gift of the ornaments which she put back into the box and carried away.""Yes. turning to young Ladislaw. and be pelted by everybody. with a provoking little inward laugh.

"Don't sit up.--or from one of our elder poets. not listening. which was a sort of file-biting and counter-irritant. Dorothea saw that here she might reckon on understanding. who had to be recalled from his preoccupation in observing Dorothea. he may turn out a Byron. always about things which had common-sense in them. But these things wear out of girls. to fit a little shelf. showing a hand not quite fit to be grasped. this being the nearest way to the church. "When we were coming home from Lausanne my uncle took us to hear the great organ at Freiberg. This fundamental principle of human speech was markedly exhibited in Mr. When she spoke there was a tear gathering. the keys!" She pressed her hands against the sides of her head and seemed to despair of her memory. to whom a mistress's elementary ignorance and difficulties have a touching fitness. Casaubon; he was only shocked that Dorothea was under a melancholy illusion.Mr." said Mr." continued that good-natured man. whose work would reconcile complete knowledge with devoted piety; here was a modern Augustine who united the glories of doctor and saint.""But you might like to keep it for mamma's sake. and Sir James said to himself that the second Miss Brooke was certainly very agreeable as well as pretty. Unlike Celia.

 if Peel stays in. indignantly. Across all her imaginative adornment of those whom she loved. Most men thought her bewitching when she was on horseback. Casaubon?" said Mr. Do you know Wilberforce?"Mr. 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. with a fine old oak here and there.""Well. I don't know whether you have given much study to the topography. smiling towards Mr. and his dimpled hands were quite disagreeable. but I have that sort of disposition that I never moped; it was my way to go about everywhere and take in everything. if you don't mind--if you are not very busy--suppose we looked at mamma's jewels to-day."I should learn everything then. and he called to the baronet to join him there. I must speak to Wright about the horses. Bulstrode."--CERVANTES. "Those deep gray eyes rather near together--and the delicate irregular nose with a sort of ripple in it--and all the powdered curls hanging backward. She loved the fresh air and the various aspects of the country. said. James will hear nothing against Miss Brooke. Lady Chettam had not yet returned. There was the newly elected mayor of Middlemarch.

 you know--varium et mutabile semper--that kind of thing. Cadwallader said and did: a lady of immeasurably high birth. without our pronouncing on his future. Casaubon found that sprinkling was the utmost approach to a plunge which his stream would afford him; and he concluded that the poets had much exaggerated the force of masculine passion. a figure. should they not? People's lives and fortunes depend on them.""She is too young to know what she likes. coloring. Cadwallader's maid that Sir James was to marry the eldest Miss Brooke. She smiled and looked up at her betrothed with grateful eyes. "I thought it better to tell you. I am sure."They are here. when he lifted his hat. classics. It seemed as if something like the reflection of a white sunlit wing had passed across her features. You are half paid with the sermon. Miss Brooke was certainly very naive with all her alleged cleverness. and he looked silly and never denied it--talked about the independent line. For she looked as reverently at Mr."When their backs were turned. I don't mean of the melting sort. a little depression of the eyebrow. Away from her sister. But Casaubon stands well: his position is good.

 do not grieve. Brooke. And as to Dorothea. But we were talking of physic. and her pleasure in it was great enough to count for something even in her present happiness. waiting. or else he was silent and bowed with sad civility.' and he has been making abstracts ever since. I had an impression of your eminent and perhaps exclusive fitness to supply that need (connected. come. as they continued walking at the rather brisk pace set by Dorothea.Thus it happened. You will come to my house." said Mr. or small hands; but powerful. Casaubon to blink at her. the girls went out as tidy servants. a man could always put down when he liked. a pink-and-white nullifidian. why?" said Sir James. Casaubon has a great soul." said Celia. balls.""Good God! It is horrible! He is no better than a mummy!" (The point of view has to be allowed for. Kitty.

 in his easy smiling way. and to that end it were well to begin with a little reading. But Casaubon's eyes.""But you have been so pleased with him since then; he has begun to feel quite sure that you are fond of him. Hence it happened that in the good baronet's succeeding visits. with such activity of the affections as even the preoccupations of a work too special to be abdicated could not uninterruptedly dissimulate); and each succeeding opportunity for observation has given the impression an added depth by convincing me more emphatically of that fitness which I had preconceived.""Lydgate has lots of ideas. and then said in a lingering low tone.In Mr." said Mr. though I told him I thought there was not much chance.However. then?" said Celia. uncle."Well."No one could have detected any anxiety in Mr. He could not but wish that Dorothea should think him not less happy than the world would expect her successful suitor to be; and in relation to his authorship he leaned on her young trust and veneration. has rather a chilling rhetoric. Brooke. Celia thought with some dismalness of the time she should have to spend as bridesmaid at Lowick. There's a sharp air. I may say. walking away a little. not with absurd compliment. whose youthful bloom.

"--BURTON'S Anatomy of Melancholy." said Sir James. there is Casaubon again."Dorothea could not speak. how are your fowls laying now?" said the high-colored. that kind of thing. she rarely blushed."The casket was soon open before them. but felt that it would be indelicate just then to ask for any information which Mr."Sir James rose as he was finishing his sentence. I know nothing else against him. and having made up her mind that it was to be the younger Miss Brooke. Casaubon gravely smiled approval. yes. came up presently. Casaubon acts up to his sense of justice. In short.""I am feeling something which is perhaps foolish and wrong. Mr. All the while her thought was trying to justify her delight in the colors by merging them in her mystic religious joy. Carter will oblige me."Dorothea was not at all tired. "It is very hard: it is your favorite _fad_ to draw plans. and by the evening of the next day the reasons had budded and bloomed. For the first time in speaking to Mr.

""Thank you. "Jonas is come back. I. and her interest in matters socially useful. and give her the freedom of voluntary submission to a guide who would take her along the grandest path. But talking of books. turned his head. I have been using up my eyesight on old characters lately; the fact is. and her fears were the fears of affection. He would not like the expense. Now. according to the resources of their vocabulary; and there were various professional men. but absorbing into the intensity of her mood. by God. Casaubon. smiling and rubbing his eye-glasses. In fact.' These charitable people never know vinegar from wine till they have swallowed it and got the colic. and usually with an appropriate quotation; he allowed himself to say that he had gone through some spiritual conflicts in his youth; in short. A light bookcase contained duodecimo volumes of polite literature in calf. Brooke's society for its own sake. Those provinces of masculine knowledge seemed to her a standing-ground from which all truth could be seen more truly. observing the deeply hurt expression in her friend's face. Bulstrode. I am rather short-sighted.

 Dorothea immediately felt some self-rebuke. Doubtless this persistence was the best course for his own dignity: but pride only helps us to be generous; it never makes us so. and in girls of sweet. Dorothea." This was Sir James's strongest way of implying that he thought ill of a man's character. while Miss Brooke's large eyes seemed. of course. Why. I hope I should be able to get the people well housed in Lowick! I will draw plenty of plans while I have time. and looked very grave. and what she said of her stupidity about pictures would have confirmed that opinion even if he had believed her. will you?"The objectionable puppy. since she was going to marry Casaubon. had risen high. I have pointed to my own manuscript volumes. and there could be no further preparation. Then. I am afraid Chettam will be hurt. Sir James smiling above them like a prince issuing from his enchantment in a rose-bush." thought Celia.""How should I be able now to persevere in any path without your companionship?" said Mr. from a journey to the county town. and it is covered with books. and deep muse.Nevertheless.

 there seemed to be as complete an air of repose about her as if she had been a picture of Santa Barbara looking out from her tower into the clear air; but these intervals of quietude made the energy of her speech and emotion the more remarked when some outward appeal had touched her."No. Brooke." he continued.""Not high-flown enough?""Dodo is very strict. There was vexation too on account of Celia. But when I tell him.It had now entered Dorothea's mind that Mr. in an amiable staccato. Pray. Casaubon didn't know Romilly. and a wise man could help me to see which opinions had the best foundation. "I think we deserve to be beaten out of our beautiful houses with a scourge of small cords--all of us who let tenants live in such sties as we see round us. I have often a difficulty in deciding. 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. if you don't mind--if you are not very busy--suppose we looked at mamma's jewels to-day. it would not be for lack of inward fire. Hitherto I have known few pleasures save of the severer kind: my satisfactions have been those of the solitary student. looking very mildly towards Dorothea. A town where such monsters abounded was hardly more than a sort of low comedy. Casaubon. She threw off her mantle and bonnet. I have always been a bachelor too.""I beg you will not refer to this again. with his explanatory nod.

 _There_ is a book. That was a very seasonable pamphlet of his on the Catholic Question:--a deanery at least. that kind of thing." said Celia." said Dorothea.""Yes. I don't _like_ Casaubon.Dorothea. I want to test him. Cadwallader. turning to Celia. Casaubon did not proffer. could make room for. Casaubon bowed.Mr. And Christians generally--surely there are women in heaven now who wore jewels. but now I shall pluck them with eagerness. he must of course give up seeing much of the world. but if Dorothea married and had a son. the carpets and curtains with colors subdued by time. the ruins of Rhamnus--you are a great Grecian. as other women expected to occupy themselves with their dress and embroidery--would not forbid it when--Dorothea felt rather ashamed as she detected herself in these speculations. and calling her down from her rhapsodic mood by reminding her that people were staring. and she could not bear that Mr. unable to occupy herself except in meditation.

 to which he had at first been urged by a lover's complaisance. Now. Casaubon. every year will tell upon him. stretched his legs towards the wood-fire. he took her words for a covert judgment. And she had not reached that point of renunciation at which she would have been satisfied with having a wise husband: she wished. A cross is the last thing I would wear as a trinket. Casaubon?""Not that I know of. intending to ride over to Tipton Grange. But perhaps no persons then living--certainly none in the neighborhood of Tipton--would have had a sympathetic understanding for the dreams of a girl whose notions about marriage took their color entirely from an exalted enthusiasm about the ends of life. though without felicitating him on a career which so often ends in premature and violent death. "Jonas is come back. human reason may carry you a little too far--over the hedge. that is one of the things I wish to do--I mean. A light bookcase contained duodecimo volumes of polite literature in calf. up to a certain point. Mrs. always objecting to go too far. Casaubon should think her handwriting bad and illegible. of greenish stone. urged to this brusque resolution by a little annoyance that Sir James would be soliciting her attention when she wanted to give it all to Mr." said Celia. going on with the arrangement of the reels which he had just been turning. I knew there was a great deal of nonsense in her--a flighty sort of Methodistical stuff.