the daisy chain, or aspirations-第89章

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〃Harm！　　Is　he　not　a　regular　oaf？〃

〃My　dear　Ethel；　if　you　wait　to　marry　till　you　find　some　one　as　clever
as　yourself；　you　will　wait　long　enough。〃

〃I　don't　think　it　right　for　a　woman　to　marry　a　man　decidedly　her
inferior。〃

〃We　have　all　learned　to　think　much　too　highly　of　talent；〃　said　Norman
gravely。

〃I　don't　care　for　mere　talentpeople　are　generally　more　sensible
without　it；　but；　one　way　or　other；　there　ought　to　be　superiority　on
the　man's　side。〃

〃Well；　who　says　there　is　not？〃

〃My　dear　Norman！　　Why；　this　George　Rivers　is　really　below　the
average！　you　cannot　deny　that！　　Did　you　ever　meet　any　one　so　stupid？〃

〃Really！〃　said　Norman；　considering；　and；　speaking　very　innocently；　〃I
cannot　see　why　you　think　so。　　I　do　not　see　that　he　is　at　all　less
capable　of　sustaining　a　conversation　than　Richard。〃

Ethel　sat　down；　perfectly　breathless　with　amazement　and　indignation。

Norman　saw　that　he　had　shocked　her　very　much。　　〃I　do　not　mean；〃　he
said；　〃that　we　have　not　much　more　to　say　to　Richard；　all　I　meant　to
say　was；　merely　as　to　the　intellect。〃

〃I　tell　you；〃　said　Ethel；　〃it　is　not　the　intellect。　　Richard！　why；
you　know　how　we　respect；　and　look　up　to　him。　　Dear　old　Ritchie！　with
his　goodness；　and　earnestness；　and　right　judgmentto　compare　him　to
that　man！　　Norman；　Norman；　I　never　thought　it　of　you！〃

〃You　do　not　understand　me；　Ethel。　　I　only　cited　Richard；　as　a　person
who　proves　how　little　cleverness　is　needed　to　insure　respect。〃

〃And；　I　tell　you；　that　cleverness　is　not　the　point。〃

〃It　is　the　only　objection　you　have　put　forward。〃

〃I　did　wrong；〃　said　Ethel。　　〃It　is　not　the　real　one。　　It　is　earnest
goodness　that　one　honours　in　Richard。　　Where　do　we　find　it　in　this
man；　who　has　never　done　anything　but　yawn　over　his　self　indulgence？〃

〃Now；　Ethel；　you　are　working　yourself　up　into　a　state　of　foolish
prejudice。　　You　and　papa　have　taken　a　dislike　to　him；　and　you　are
overlooking　a　great　deal　of　good　safe　sense　and　right　thinking。　　I
know　his　opinions　are　sound；　and　his　motives　right。　　He　has　been
undereducated；　we　all　see；　and　is　not　very　brilliant　or　talkative；
but　I　respect　Flora　for　perceiving　his　solid　qualities。〃

〃Very　solid　and　weighty；　indeed！〃　said　Ethel　ironically。　〃I　wonder　if
she　would　have　seen　them　in　a　poor　curate。〃

〃Ethel；　you　are　allowing　yourself　to　be　carried；　by　prejudice；　a
great　deal　too　far。　　Are　such　imputations　to　be　made；　wherever　there
is　inequality　of　means？　　It　is　very　wrong！　very　unjust！〃

〃So　papa　said；〃　replied　Ethel；　as　she　looked　sorrowfully　down。　　〃He
was　very　angry　with　me　for　saying　so。　　I　wish　I　could　help　feeling　as
if　that　were　the　temptation。〃

〃You　ought；〃　said　Norman。　　〃You　will　be　sorry；　if　you　set　yourself；
and　him；　against　it。〃

〃I　only　wish　you　to　know　what　I　feel；　and；　I　think；　Margaret　and　papa
do；〃　said　Ethel　humbly；　〃and　then　you　will　not　think　us　more　unjust
than　we　are。　　We　cannot　see　anything　so　agreeable　or　suitable　in　this
man　as　to　account　for　Flora's　liking；　and　we　do　not　feel　convinced　of
his　being　good　for　much。　　That　makes　papa　greatly　averse　to　it；
though　he　does　not　know　any　positive　reason　for　refusing；　and　we
cannot　feel　certain　that　she　is　doing　quite　right；　or　for　her　own
happiness。〃

〃You　will　be　convinced；〃　said　Norman　cheerfully。　　〃You　will　find　out
the　good　that　is　under　the　surface　when　you　have　seen　more　of　him。　　I
have　had　a　good　deal　of　talk　with　him。〃

A　good　deal　of　talk　to　him　would　have　been　more　correct；　if　Norman
had　but　been　aware　of　it。　　He　had　been　at　the　chief　expense　of　the
conversation　with　George　Rivers；　and　had　taken　the　sounds　of　assent；
which　he　obtained；　as　evidences　of　his　appreciation　of　all　his　views。
Norman　had　been　struggling　so　long　against　his　old　habit　of　looking
down　on　Richard；　and　exalting　intellect；　and　had　seen；　in　his　Oxford
life；　so　many　ill…effects　of　the　knowledge　that　puffeth　up；　that　he
had　come　to　have　a　certain　respect　for　dullness；　per　se；　of　which
George　Rivers　easily　reaped　the　benefit；　when　surrounded　by　the　halo；
which　everything　at　Abbotstoke　Grange　bore　in　the　eyes　of　Norman。

He　was　heartily　delighted　at　the　proposed　connection；　and　his　genuine
satisfaction　not　only　gratified　Flora；　and　restored　the　equanimity
that　had　been　slightly　disturbed　by　her　father；　but　it　also　reassured
Ethel　and　Margaret；　who　could　not　help　trusting　in　his　judgment；　and
began　to　hope　that　George　might　be　all　he　thought　him。

Ethel；　finding　that　there　were　two　ways　of　viewing　the　gentleman；
doubted　whether　she　ought　to　express　her　opinion。　　It　was　Flora's
disposition；　and　the　advantages　of　the　match；　that　weighed　most　upon
her；　and；　in　spite　of　her　surmise　having　been　treated　as　so
injurious；　she　could　not　rid　herself　of　the　burden。

Dr。　May　was　not　so　much　consoled　by　Norman's　opinion　as　Ethel
expected。　　The　corners　of　his　mouth　curled　up　a　little　with
diversion；　and　though　he　tried　to　express　himself　glad；　and　confident
in　his　son's　judgment；　there　was　the　same　sort　of　involuntary　lurking
misgiving　with　which　he　had　accepted　Sir　Matthew　Fleet's　view　of
Margaret's　case。

There　was　no　danger　that　Dr。　May　would　not　be　kind　and　courteous　to
the　young　man　himself。　　It　was　not　his　fault　if　he　were　a　dunce；　and
Dr。　May　perceived　that　his　love　for　Flora　was　real；　though　clumsily
expressed。　　He　explained　that　he　could　not　sanction　the　engagement
till　he　should　be　better　informed　of　the　young　gentleman's
antecedents；　this　was；　as　George　expressed　it；　a　great　nuisance；　but
his　father　agreed　that　it　was　quite　right；　in　some　doubt；　perhaps；　as
to　how　Dr。　May　might　be　satisfied。




CHAPTER　VII。



Ye　cumbrous　fashions；　crowd　not　on　my　head。
　　　Mine　be　the　chip　of　purest　white；
Swan…like；　and；　as　her　feathers　light；
　　　When　on　the　still　wave　spread；
And　let　it　wear　the　graceful　dress
　　　Of　unadorned　simpleness。
　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　Catherine　Fanshaw's　'Parody　on　Grey'。


Nothing　transpired　to　the　discredit　of　Lieutenant　Rivers。　　He　had
spent　a　great　deal　of　money；　but　chiefly　for　want　of　something　else
to　do；　and；　though　he　was　not　a　subject　for　high　praise；　there　was　no
vice　in　himno　more　than　in　an　old　donkeyas　Dr。　May　declared；　in
his　concluding　paroxysm　of　despair；　on　finding　that；　though　there　was
little　to　reconcile　him　to　the　engagement；　there　was　no　reasonable
ground　for　thwarting　his　daughter's　wishes。　　He　argued　the　matter
once　more　with　her；　and；　finding　her　purpose　fixed；　he　notified　his
consent；　and　the　rest　of　the　family　were　admitted　to　a　knowledge　of
the　secret　which　they　had　never　suspected。

Etheldred　could　not　help　being　gratified　with　the　indignation　it
excited。　　With　one　voice；　Mary　and　Blanche　declared　that　they　would
never　give　up　the　title　of　〃the　detestable；〃　and　would　not　make　him
any　presents；　certainly　not　watch…chains！　　Miss　Bracy；　rather
alarmed；　lectured　them　just　enough　to　make　them　worse；　and　Margaret；
overhearing　Blanche　instructing　Aubrey　in　her　own　impertinences；　was
obliged　to　call　her　to　her　sofa；　and　assure　her　that　she　was　unkind
to　Flora；　and　that　she　must　consider　Mr。　George　Rivers　as　her
brother。

〃Never　my　brother　like　Harry！〃　exclaimed　Mary　indignantly。

〃No；　indeed；　nor　like　Alan！〃　exclaimed　Blanche。　　〃And　I　won't　call
him　George；　I　am　determined；　if　it　is　ever　so！〃

〃It　will　not　matter　to　him　what　such　little　girls　call　him；〃　said
Margaret。

Blanche　was　so　annihilated；　that　the　sound　of　a　carriage；　and　of　the
door　bell；　was　a　great　satisfaction　to　her。

Meta　Rivers　came　flying　into　the　room；　her　beautiful　eyes　dancing；
and　her　cheeks　glowing　with　pleasure；　as；　a　little　timidly；　she
kissed　Margaret；　while　Ethel；　in　a　confused　way；　received　Mr。　Rivers；
in　pain　for　her　own　cold；　abrupt　manner；　in　contrast　with　his　gentle；
congratulating　politeness。

Meta　asked；　blushing；　and　with　a　hesitating　voice；　for　their　dear
Flora；　Mary　offered　to　call　her；　but　Meta　begged　to　go　herself；　and
thus　was　spared　the　awkwardness　that　ensued。　　Ethel　was　almost　vexed
with　herself；　as　ungrateful；　when　she　saw　Mr。　Rivers　so　mildly　kind；
and　so　delighted；　with　the　bland　courtesy　that　seemed　fully　conscious
of　the　favour　that　Flora　had　conferred　on　his　son；　and　thankful　to
the　Mays　for　accepting　him。

Margaret　answered　with　more　expression　of　gratification　than　would
have　been　sincere　in　Ethel；　but　it　was　a　relief　when　Flora　and　Meta
came　in　together；　as　pretty　a　contrast　as　could　be　seen；　the　little
dark…eyed　fairy；　all　radiant　with　joy；　clinging　to　the　slender　waist
of　Flora；　whose　quiet　grace　and　maidenly　dignity　were　never　more
conspicuous　than　as；　with　a　soft　red　mantling　in　her　fair　cheek；　her
eyes　cast　down；　but　with　a　simple；　unaffected　warmth　of　confidence
and　gratitude；　she　came　forward　to　receive　Mr。　Rivers's　caressing
affectionate　greeting。

Stiffness　was　over　when　she　came　in；　and　Dr。　May；　who　presently　made
his　appearance；　soon　was　much　more　at　his　ease　than　could　have　been
hoped；　after　his　previous　declarations　that　he　should　never　be　able
to　be　moderately　civil　about　it　to　Mr。　Rivers。　　People　of　ready
sympathy；　such　as　Dr。　May　and　Margaret；　have　a　great　deal　of
difficulty　with　their　sincerity　spared　them；　by　being　carried　along
with　the　feelings　of　others。　　Ethel　could　not　feel　the　same；　and　was
bent　on　avoiding　any　expression　of　opinion；　she　hoped　that　Meta's
ecstasies　would　all　be　bestowed　upon　her　future　sister…in…law；　but
Meta　was　eager　for　an　interview　with　Ethel　herself；　and；　as　usual；
gained　her　point。

〃Now　then；　you　are　property　of　my　own！〃　she　cried。　　〃May　I　not　take
you　all　for　sisters？〃

Ethel　had　not　thought　of　this　as　a　convenience　of　the　connection；　and
she　let　Meta　kiss　her；　and　owned　that　it　was　very　nice。

〃Ethel；〃　said　Meta；　〃I　see；　and　I　wanted　to　talk　to　you。　　You　don't
think　poor　George　good　enough　for　Flora。〃

〃I　never　meant　to　show　it；〃　said　Ethel。

〃You　need　not　mind；〃　said　Meta；　smiling。　　〃I　was　very　much　surprised
myself；　and　thought　it　all　a　mistake。　　But　I　am　so　very　glad；　for　I
know　it　will　make　such　a　difference　to　him；　poor　fellow。　　I　should
like　to　tell　you　all　about　him；　for　no　one　else　can　very　well；　and
you　will　like　him　better；　perhaps。　　You　know　my　grandfather　made　his
own　fortune；　and　you　would　think　some　of　our　relations　very　queer。
My　Aunt　Dorothy　once　told　me　all　about　itpapa　was　made　to　marry　the
partner's　daughter；　and　I　fancy　she　could　not　have　been　much　of　a
lady。　　I　don't　think　he　could　have　been　very　happy　with　her；　but　she
soon　died；　and　left　him　with　this　one　son；　whom　those　odd　old　aunts
brought　up　their　own　way。　　By　and　by；　you　know；　papa　came　to　be　in
quite　another　line　of　society；　but　when　he　married　again；　poor　George
had　been　so　spoiled　by　these　aunts；　and　was　so　big；　and　old；　that　my
mother　did　not　know　what　to　make　of　him。〃

〃A　great　lubberly　boy；〃　Ethel　said；　rather　repenting　the　next　moment。

〃He　is　thirteen　years　older　than　I　am；〃　said　Meta；　〃and　you　see　it
has　been　hard　on　him　altogether；　he　had　not　the　education　that　papa
would　have　given　him　if　he　had　been　born　later：　and　he　can't　remember
his　mother；　and　has　always　been　at　a　loss　when　with　clever　people。　　I
never　understood　it　till　within　the　last　two　or　three　years；　nor　knew
how　trying　it　mus