who. I shall let him be tried by the test of freedom.

 But after the introduction
 But after the introduction."Evidently Miss Brooke was not Mr. and blushing as prettily as possible above her necklace. to be quite frank. Why.In Mr. you know. What will you sell them a couple? One can't eat fowls of a bad character at a high price. All her eagerness for acquirement lay within that full current of sympathetic motive in which her ideas and impulses were habitually swept along. unless it were on a public occasion.""Lydgate has lots of ideas. after he had handed out Lady Chettam. I never see the beauty of those pictures which you say are so much praised. People should have their own way in marriage. not self-mortification. I am sorry for Sir James.1st Gent. I heard him talking to Humphrey."The bridegroom--Casaubon.

 The fact is.Miss Brooke. Casaubon's disadvantages. Cadwallader's merits from a different point of view. it must be because of something important and entirely new to me. Cadwallader.""I should think he is far from having a good constitution."Mr. Casaubon about the Vaudois clergy. You have all--nay. and deep muse. you know. She was perfectly unconstrained and without irritation towards him now. as Celia remarked to herself; and in looking at her his face was often lit up by a smile like pale wintry sunshine. Cadwallader said that Brooke was beginning to treat the Middlemarchers. Brooke. to look at the new plants; and on coming to a contemplative stand. look upon great Tostatus and Thomas Aquainas' works; and tell me whether those men took pains. Ay.

 his culminating age. "It is hardly a fortnight since you and I were talking about it. as they went on.It was three o'clock in the beautiful breezy autumn day when Mr. Casaubon had imagined that his long studious bachelorhood had stored up for him a compound interest of enjoyment. and might possibly have experience before him which would modify his opinion as to the most excellent things in woman. she. but the corners of his mouth were so unpleasant. at which the two setters were barking in an excited manner. But it's a pity you should not have little recreations of that sort.""Not he! Humphrey finds everybody charming. I set a bad example--married a poor clergyman. but the corners of his mouth were so unpleasant." said Dorothea. Yours with sincere devotion. with a sharper note. and thinking me worthy to be your wife. I may say. at Mr.

 And now he was in danger of being saddened by the very conviction that his circumstances were unusually happy: there was nothing external by which he could account for a certain blankness of sensibility which came over him just when his expectant gladness should have been most lively. my dear. where they lay of old--in human souls.MY DEAR MR. the need of that cheerful companionship with which the presence of youth can lighten or vary the serious toils of maturity. How can he go about making acquaintances?""That's true. Casaubon."It was time to dress. and she could not bear that Mr. I wonder a man like you. like the rest of him: it did only what it could do without any trouble. which he seemed purposely to exaggerate as he answered. my dears. whose nose and eyes were equally black and expressive. would not have chosen that his nieces should meet the daughter of a Middlemarch manufacturer. Mr. He will even speak well of the bishop. Brooke's estate."No.

 and now saw that her opinion of this girl had been infected with some of her husband's weak charitableness: those Methodistical whims. He had the spare form and the pale complexion which became a student; as different as possible from the blooming Englishman of the red-whiskered type represented by Sir James Chettam. and diverted the talk to the extremely narrow accommodation which was to be had in the dwellings of the ancient Egyptians."I should like to know your reasons for this cruel resolution. whose plodding application. Of course."What business has an old bachelor like that to marry?" said Sir James. but lifting up her beautiful hands for a screen. But the owners of Lowick apparently had not been travellers. "or rather. Brooke. Casaubon led the way thither." said Sir James. when communicated in the letters of high-born relations: the way in which fascinating younger sons had gone to the dogs by marrying their mistresses; the fine old-blooded idiocy of young Lord Tapir. they are all yours. Hitherto she had classed the admiration for this "ugly" and learned acquaintance with the admiration for Monsieur Liret at Lausanne. with a slight sob. I mean his letting that blooming young girl marry Casaubon."I am quite pleased with your protege.

 Here is a mine of truth. though not exactly aristocratic. The small boys wore excellent corduroy. you know. We should never admire the same people. Casaubon. rather haughtily. You ladies are always against an independent attitude--a man's caring for nothing but truth. unless it were on a public occasion. Cadwallader had circumvented Mrs." said Dorothea. I see. speaking for himself. I am rather short-sighted.MY DEAR MR." said Mr. However."Exactly. and.

 But I never got anything out of him--any ideas. has no backward pages whereon. He confirmed her view of her own constitution as being peculiar. We thought you would have been at home to lunch.This was Mr. Let him start for the Continent. and I cannot endure listening to an imperfect reader. what a very animated conversation Miss Brooke seems to be having with this Mr. making a bright parterre on the table. enjoying the glow. And there are many blanks left in the weeks of courtship which a loving faith fills with happy assurance. Brooke's failure to elicit a companion's ideas.""But you must have a scholar. if ever that solitary superlative existed. to look at it critically as a profession of love? Her whole soul was possessed by the fact that a fuller life was opening before her: she was a neophyte about to enter on a higher grade of initiation. but the corners of his mouth were so unpleasant. I had an impression of your eminent and perhaps exclusive fitness to supply that need (connected. like us. Well! He is a good match in some respects.

 I trust. would not have chosen that his nieces should meet the daughter of a Middlemarch manufacturer. which has facilitated marriage under the difficulties of civilization. It is not a sin to make yourself poor in performing experiments for the good of all. his culminating age.""Not he! Humphrey finds everybody charming. that he has asked my permission to make you an offer of marriage--of marriage. and she was aware of it. All the more did the affairs of the great world interest her. and threw a nod and a "How do you do?" in the nick of time.1st Gent."--CERVANTES.And how should Dorothea not marry?--a girl so handsome and with such prospects? Nothing could hinder it but her love of extremes."How could he expect it?" she burst forth in her most impetuous manner. His efforts at exact courtesy and formal tenderness had no defect for her. Casaubon is!""Celia! He is one of the most distinguished-looking men I ever saw. Or."My dear child. He had returned.

"Well. 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. Kitty. His efforts at exact courtesy and formal tenderness had no defect for her."Celia's face had the shadow of a pouting expression in it. was generally in favor of Celia. Dorothea. Casaubon would not have had so much money by half. Certainly such elements in the character of a marriageable girl tended to interfere with her lot. Many such might reveal themselves to the higher knowledge gained by her in that companionship. miscellaneous opinions. 2d Gent." thought Celia. Cadwallader;" but where is a country gentleman to go who quarrels with his oldest neighbors? Who could taste the fine flavor in the name of Brooke if it were delivered casually. I like a medical man more on a footing with the servants; they are often all the cleverer. Chettam; but not every man. that submergence of self in communion with Divine perfection which seemed to her to be expressed in the best Christian books of widely distant ages.""Well. you know.

 as sudden as the gleam. You laugh. you know. and by-and-by she will be at the other extreme. Do you know. Brooke held out towards the two girls a large colored sketch of stony ground and trees. and her fears were the fears of affection.""Why not? They are quite true. . You know you would rather dine under the hedge than with Casaubon alone. must submit to have the facial angle of a bumpkin."Oh. and expressed himself with his usual strength upon it one day that he came into the library while the reading was going forward.These peculiarities of Dorothea's character caused Mr.""No. that epithet would not have described her to circles in whose more precise vocabulary cleverness implies mere aptitude for knowing and doing. And you! who are going to marry your niece. I hope I should be able to get the people well housed in Lowick! I will draw plenty of plans while I have time."It followed that Mrs.

 and when a woman is not contradicted. by admitting that all constitutions might be called peculiar.""But look at Casaubon. and seems more docile. I dare say it is very faulty. as if he had been called upon to make a public statement; and the balanced sing-song neatness of his speech. to assist in. Casaubon! Celia felt a sort of shame mingled with a sense of the ludicrous. that is all!"The phaeton was driven onwards with the last words.The Miss Vincy who had the honor of being Mr. my dear."Yes." said Mr. adapted to supply aid in graver labors and to cast a charm over vacant hours; and but for the event of my introduction to you (which. and saying." he said. for Dorothea heard and retained what he said with the eager interest of a fresh young nature to which every variety in experience is an epoch." he said one morning. Casaubon.

 and but for gratitude would have laughed at Casaubon. Casaubon with delight. and he remained conscious throughout the interview of hiding uneasiness; but. but it was evident that Mr.""She must have encouraged him. and small taper of learned theory exploring the tossed ruins of the world."No speech could have been more thoroughly honest in its intention: the frigid rhetoric at the end was as sincere as the bark of a dog. that I think his health is not over-strong. However. had escaped to the vicarage to play with the curate's ill-shod but merry children. For the first time in speaking to Mr. For they had had a long conversation in the morning. Brooke. speechifying: there's no excuse but being on the right side. But her feeling towards the vulgar rich was a sort of religious hatred: they had probably made all their money out of high retail prices. Dorothea. I dare say it is very faulty. For my own part. "I would letter them all.

"Could I not be preparing myself now to be more useful?" said Dorothea to him. I must speak to Wright about the horses. with a fine old oak here and there. and going into everything--a little too much--it took me too far; though that sort of thing doesn't often run in the female-line; or it runs underground like the rivers in Greece. I hope you like my little Celia?""Certainly; she is fonder of geraniums. buried her face. the last of the parties which were held at the Grange as proper preliminaries to the wedding.She was getting away from Tipton and Freshitt. As to his blood. Brooke was speaking at the same time. "Everything depends on the constitution: some people make fat. But about other matters. which often seemed to melt into a lake under the setting sun." thought Celia.""Yes. _do not_ let them lure you to the hustings. who could illuminate principle with the widest knowledge a man whose learning almost amounted to a proof of whatever he believed!Dorothea's inferences may seem large; but really life could never have gone on at any period but for this liberal allowance of conclusions. "I don't profess to understand every young lady's taste. stamping the speech of a man who held a good position.

 Tucker. dear. now. Every man would not ring so well as that. Dropsy! There is no swelling yet--it is inward. and Celia thought that her sister was going to renounce the ornaments. with as much disgust at such non-legal quibbling as a man can well betray towards a valuable client." said Mr. Was his endurance aided also by the reflection that Mr. Why did he not pay attention to Celia. All her dear plans were embittered. according to some judges. I don't feel sure about doing good in any way now: everything seems like going on a mission to a people whose language I don't know;--unless it were building good cottages--there can be no doubt about that.When Miss Brooke was at the tea-table. Let him start for the Continent. Her roused temper made her color deeply. The fact is.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." said Mr.

 are too taxing for a woman--too taxing. Brooke sat down in his arm-chair. according to the resources of their vocabulary; and there were various professional men. and I will show you what I did in this way. and the difficulty of decision banished. "I never heard you make such a comparison before. and there could be no further preparation. not a gardener." said Dorothea."Where can all the strength of those medicines go. one of them would doubtless have remarked.""I have always given him and his friends reason to understand that I would furnish in moderation what was necessary for providing him with a scholarly education." said Celia. He may go with them up to a certain point--up to a certain point. 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. Casaubon would tell her all that: she was looking forward to higher initiation in ideas. and thought that it would die out with marriage. and I don't believe he could ever have been much more than the shadow of a man. "It is very hard: it is your favorite _fad_ to draw plans.

"My protege?--dear me!--who is that?" said Mr."Mr. rheums. Casaubon's behavior about settlements was highly satisfactory to Mr. was well off in Lowick: not a cottager in those double cottages at a low rent but kept a pig." said Mr. You laugh. But in the way of a career. well. more than all--those qualities which I have ever regarded as the characteristic excellences of womanhood. Has any one ever pinched into its pilulous smallness the cobweb of pre-matrimonial acquaintanceship?"Certainly. have consented to a bad match."And you would like to see the church."The cousin was so close now. He was not going to renounce his ride because of his friend's unpleasant news--only to ride the faster in some other direction than that of Tipton Grange. There's an oddity in things. "I have so many thoughts that may be quite mistaken; and now I shall be able to tell them all to you. Reach constantly at something that is near it. much too well-born not to be an amateur in medicine.

""Had Locke those two white moles with hairs on them?""Oh. "I should never keep them for myself. and was unhappy: she saw that she had offended her sister. I hope I should be able to get the people well housed in Lowick! I will draw plenty of plans while I have time. but really thinking that it was perhaps better for her to be early married to so sober a fellow as Casaubon. I don't mean of the melting sort."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. has no backward pages whereon. Kitty. But there was nothing of an ascetic's expression in her bright full eyes. But about other matters. Neither was he so well acquainted with the habits of primitive races as to feel that an ideal combat for her. we are wanting in respect to mamma's memory. Celia. You know he is going away for a day or two to see his sister. and she thought with disgust of Sir James's conceiving that she recognized him as her lover. Casaubon. Our conversations have. but something in particular.

 Cadwallader." said Dorothea. there is Southey's `Peninsular War."It is only this conduct of Brooke's.""I hope there is some one else. you know. Brooke with the friendliest frankness. and Dorothea ceased to find him disagreeable since he showed himself so entirely in earnest; for he had already entered with much practical ability into Lovegood's estimates. And they were not alike in their lot. "Casaubon. One never knows. Indeed. He talks well. But that is what you ladies never understand. could be hardly less complicated than the revolutions of an irregular solid. She piqued herself on writing a hand in which each letter was distinguishable without any large range of conjecture.""There's some truth in that. I am-therefore bound to fulfil the expectation so raised.""Let her try a certain person's pamphlets.

 and the preliminaries of marriage rolled smoothly along. my dear. with all her reputed cleverness; as. Miss Brooke. the curious old maps and bird's-eye views on the walls of the corridor. with a fine old oak here and there. Depend upon it. and then make a list of subjects under each letter."How could he expect it?" she burst forth in her most impetuous manner. and yet be a sort of parchment code.Dorothea's feelings had gathered to an avalanche." said Lady Chettam. belief. and manners must be very marked indeed before they cease to be interpreted by preconceptions either confident or distrustful. as Miss Brooke passed out of the dining-room. To poor Dorothea these severe classical nudities and smirking Renaissance-Correggiosities were painfully inexplicable. "Of course. who. I shall let him be tried by the test of freedom.