Sunday Couplets: Augustine and Gregory; Slope and Archbishop; Graham and Lucy

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SPEAKER_00 0:01

Good evening, good evening. Sunday evening, and I'm sitting in the garden and Mr and Mrs. Blackbird are wandering about. We've got the hose pipe on. It's been a continuation of tricky days, but not you know, not not unhappy or difficult the whole time, just just you know, tricky moments and having to concentrate and really making sure I stay and do the right thing and get things right, so a lot of that. But I've just been deadheading our pretty pink roses, very pale pink, really lovely. It's the first time we've ever had a really pretty bloom. Our poppies are going wild and it's been we're having some weird flowerings in our garden. I'm not sure whether you have either. And because I'm feeling just a little bit bruised, not bruised, that's not the word, ti uh not tired even, what's the word? Just quiet, maybe, that's a good word. I'm gonna get on straight away with some reading, but that doesn't mean there won't be a little bit of natter, and I don't want you to think that I'm fully self absorbed, I'm imagining you now on a different side of the planet, maybe, or up in Yorkshire, down Devon, across in Germany, down in Australia, wherever you are. And I know that everybody everybody's life matters just as much as everybody else's, and I do like to imagine other people and what they're up to, and so feel free to get in touch. I've got a few emails to read out that are really behind times, but what I might just do is start by continuing with our history of Angli of the Church, and we're right back in the times of St. Augustine, so we'll continue with that and see how we go. Sherbon Abbey bells are ringing eight, and the birds are twittering away, and we're going to go to William Hunt's book on the history of the church, and we're looking at Pope Gregory to be to become St. Gregory's answers to questions that the first uh can Archbishop of Canterbury had about running the church. And this is an example of one of his brilliant answers. Number three in answer to a question concerning the punishment of theft from churches, Gregory said that in punishment a distinction should be made between those who had had enough and those who had sinned through poverty, that in all cases restitution should be made, but that the church should not receive more than had been stolen or make a profit out of a theft, which is just absolutely wonderful. Four and five. Both the fourth and fifth of Augustine's questions concern marriage. Gregory declared that the English must be taught that marriage was a stepmother, which was common among them as other Teutonic pagans sorry, with a stepmother, which was common among them, as among other Teutonic pagans, was a grave sin. So you can see how it would have come about, can't you? Which is one man marries a woman and the woman brings her dowry, the man dies for whatever reason, and because it's still within the dowry period, the father, brother, or yeah, the father or brother of the woman insists that she comes back with her dowry, the family of the man so that they don't want to miss out, get the son to marry her so that she stays he stays in in the country. I mean not not far different from Henry VIII marrying Catherine of Aragon when Arthur died, and indeed Queen Mary of Tech marrying the Prince of Wales when his brother died in the end of the nineteenth century. But here it says marriage with a stepmother was a grave sin and that he who was guilty of it was to be deprived of the holy communion communion, but if a man had made such a marriage in ignorance and before baptism and afterwards repudiated it, he was to be admitted to communion. He blamed the laxity of the Roman civil law with reference to marriage, and forbade the marriage of first cousins, that is marriage within the third degree. Beyond that degree he allowed marriage. He is said at a later date to have written to a certain bishop of Messana that in making this limit he had regard to the weakness of new converts, and that he intended, when the English had grown strong in faith, to forbid them to marry up to the seventh degree. Some doubt has been thrown on the authenticity of this letter, but it is certain that even in early times the English Church did not continue to use Gregory's permission. And number six. Augustine further asked whether if bishops were separated by long distances a bishop might have only one consecrator, while it had been laid down by the Council of Arles that if possible seven and by the Council of Nicaea, that not less than three bishops should join in consecrating a bishop. Consecration by a single bishop had not been declared invalid, and Gregory replied that as Augustine was the only bishop of the Church of the English, he must consecrate alone, but advised him to ordain bishops on such a plan as would not separate them too far and would enable him to have their assistance at consecrations. seven. Of what kind Augustine asked were to be his relations with the bishops of Gaul and Britain. Gregory replied that he gave him no authority over the bishops of Gaul, though if he visited Gaul he was to assist the Archbishop of Arle in correcting abuses. All the bishops of Britain he committed to him that he might strengthen the weak, teach the unlearned, and correct the perverse by authority. At the same time he wrote a letter to Virgilius of Arle, directing that if Augustine visited him, Virgilius was to use him as an assessor in correcting the offences of priests and others. Augustine has perhaps been blamed unfairly for his question as to the bishops of Gaul, which does not necessarily imply any self importance, as though he wished to assert his authority over others. His consecration by Virgilius made it important for him and for the church over which he was to preside that his relation to the bishops of Gaul should be defined. Augustine's mention of the bishops of Britain must be taken to refer to the Celtic bishops, of whom he had of course heard, and Gregory's answer clearly refers to them, though both question and answer included also the bishops who were to be ordained for the English, all alike were to be subject to Augustine's authority. This general authority was granted to Augustine personally, and, as we shall see, was after his death to be limited by the authority of a second Metropolitan eight and nine. The other questions concerned matters of ceremonial purity, about which it is enough to say that Gregory's answers show greater loftiness and spirituality of mind than are implied by Augustine's difficulties. In another letter to Augustine written at this time, Gregory lays down his scheme for the English Church. He sent Augustine a pole. This vestment was originally al originally, sorry, as its name shows, pallium, a cloak and was worn richly ornamented by the emperor. It gradually assumed the form in which it appears in the arms of the See of Canterbury, and became a kind of scarf resting on the shoulders, with the two ends hanging down in front of and at the back of the wearer. The emperor sometimes granted it to patriarchs, and later the popes sent pools, at first with the emperor's consent, and then independently of him, to certain bishops, and specially to metropolitans as a mark of honour, and in some cases as a mark of vicarial authority. The pool was only to be worn on certain occasions, and generally at least only mass, and it was then alone that Augustine was to wear it. Gradually the popes assumed the sole right of want of granting this vestment and established the doctrine that its grant was necessary to the performance of metropolitan functions, that it alone invested an archbishop with his metropolitan character. The puppy's falling asleep in front of me and her head's about to fall off the arm of the chair. Oh dear, I mean you've woken up. You know what it's like when your head's dozing, say you're sitting on a train, your seat on a train or something, and you could feel your head going. By this doctrine, which seems to have been established in England by the eighth century, the papal power was vastly increased, for all archbishops throughout Western Christendom were forced to apply to the Pope for confirmation of their appointment. Until they had received the pool they could not consecrate bishops or perform any act as metropolitans. A further advance was made when the popes gradually succeeded in enforcing a rule that archbishops must go in person to Rome to fetch their pools, which were and still are made of the wool of lambs fed at the church of St. Agnes outside the walls of Rome. They are embroidered with four crosses and are laid for a night on the tomb of St. Peter. Gregory certainly seems to connect the gift of the pool to Augustine with the right to consecrate bishops. Guided probably by the political division of Britain under imperial rule, he divided the island into two ecclesiastical provinces, each with its own metropolitan, having their own seas, and this is another example of the very early division of our country into north and south, the one at London and the other at York. Augustine was to consecrate twelve bishops for the southern province, and a metropolitan for York, who, if the North accepted the gospel, was also to have twelve suffragens. He too, Gregory said, should receive a pool, and after Augustine's death was to be independent of the See of London. Both the English Metropolitans were, after Augustine's death, to be equal in dignity, the one who was the senior in ordination ranking first, and both were to consult together and act in mutual accord. So long, however, as Augustine lived, he was to be the head of all the bishops of the land, as well as those ordained by the Metropolitan of York as others. As Gregory's scheme evidently contemplated the extension of the English Church over the whole island, the two provinces that he created were not so unequal in size as they afterward proved to be. York, the chief military centre of Roman Britain, the residence of Severus and of Constantius, the father of Constantine, was naturally chosen as the head of the northern province, and London, already the chief commercial city of the island, seemed to the Pope not less suited to be the metropolitan city of the South. London, however, did not become a metropolitan city. When the Pope's letter arrived it was still heathen, and though a church was planted there before Augustine's death, it was not firmly established, and he had good reason for acting in accordance with his own wish not to leave the place and church which must have been dear to him. Shortly after his death London again became heathen, and by the time that its people were finally converted to Christianity, the primacial see had become so firmly established at Canterbury that no one thought of removing it. That's something I only learnt by reading this the first time round, and I think it's I think it's fascinating. Anyway, I it's just one of those things that perhaps people don't realise. Along with these letters, Gregory sent Augustine everything that was needful for public worship, sacred vessels, vestments, relics, and many books, and we'll leave it at that for the moment. And we now turn to the mister Slippery Slope, who's, if you remember, trying to subtly woo Eleanor Bold, poor thing, and you can see that he's saying to her, you know, he's just said to her basically that he wants to support her father, and she's sort of not knowing whether to be thankful or not and feeling uncomfortable. He knew that Eleanor was doubting him and that if she thanked him she would only do so because she could not help it, but yet this did not make him angry or even annoy him. Rome was not built in a day. I did not come here for thanks, continued he, seeing her hesitation, and do not want them at any rate before they're merited, but I do want this, Mrs. Bold, that I may make myself friends in this fold, to which it has pleased God to call me as one of the humblest of his shepherds. If I cannot do so, my task here must indeed be a sad one. I will at any rate endeavour to deserve them. I'm sure, said she, you will soon make plenty of friends. She felt herself obliged to say something. That'll be nothing unless they are such as will be sympathetic with my feelings, unless they are such that I can reverence and admire and love. If the best and purest turn away from me, I cannot bring myself to be satisfied with the friendship of the less estimable. He's so pushy, isn't he? In such case I must live alone. Oh for goodness sake. Oh, I'm sure you will not do that, Mr Slope. Eleanor meant nothing, but it suited him to appear to think some special illusion illusion had been intended. Oh indeed, Mrs. Bold, I shall live alone, quite alone as far as the heart is concerned, if those with whom I yearn to ally myself turn away from me. Ah, but enough of this. I have called you my friend, and I hope you will continue not contradict me. I trust the time may come when I may also call your father so may God bless you, Mrs. Bold, you and your darling boy, and tell your father from me that what can be done for his interest shall be done. And so he took his leave, pressing the win widow's hand rather more closely than usual. Circumstances, however, seemed just then to make this intelligible, and the lady did not feel called on it to resent on to resent it. Do you mind me stumbling over my words? I'm just wondering whether I should sometimes go back and correct them. I cannot understand him, said Eleanor to Marybold a few minutes afterwards. I do not know whether he is a good man or a bad man, whether he is true or false. Oh, then give him the benefit of the doubt, said Mary, and believe the best. On the whole I think I do, said Eleanor. I think I do believe that he means well, and if so, it is a shame that we should revile him and make him miserable while he is among us. But oh Mary, I fear papa will be disappointed in the hospital Chapter seventeen Who shall be Cock of the Walk All this time things were going on somewhat unleas uneasily at the palace. The hint or two which Mr Slope had given was by no means thrown away upon the bishop. He had a feeling that if he ever meant to oppose the now almost unendurable de despotism of his wife, he must lose no further time in doing so, that if he ever meant to be himself master in his own diocese, let alone in his own house, he should begin at once. It would have been easier to have done so from the day of his consecration than now, but easier now than when Mrs. Proudie should have succeeded in thoroughly mastering the diocesan details. Then the proffered assistance of Mr Slope was a great thing for him, a most unexpected and invaluable aid. Hitherto he had looked on the two as allied forces, and had considered that as allies they were impregnable. He had begun to believe that his only chance of escape would be by the advancement of Mr Slope to some distant and rich preferment, but now it seemed that one of his enemies, certainly the least potent of them, but nevertheless one very important, was willing to desert his own camp. Assisted by Mr Slope, what might he not do? He walked up and down his little study, always thinking that the time might come when he would be able to appropriate to his own use the big room upstairs in which his predecessor had always sat. Come on, man, get a grip for goodness sake, go and get the big room. As he revolved these things in his mind, a note was brought to him from Archdeacon Grantly, in which that divine begged his lordship to do him the honour of seeing him on the morrow. Would his lordship have the kindness to name an hour?

unknown 18:36

Dr.

SPEAKER_00 18:37

Grantly's proposed visit would have referenced reference to the reappointment of Mr Harding to the wardenship of Barchester Hospital. The Bishop having read his note was informed that the archdeacon's servant was waiting for an answer. Here at once a great opportunity offered itself to the bishop of acting on his own responsibility. He bethought himself, however, of his new ally and rang the bell for Mr Slope. It turned out that Mr Slope was not in the house, and then greatly daring, the bishop with his own unassisted spirit, wrote a note to the Archdeacon, saying that he would see him and naming an hour for doing so. Having watched from his study window that the messenger got safely off the premises with his dispatch, he began to turn over in his mind what step to take next. Tomorrow he would have to declare to the Archdeacon either that Mr Harding should have the appointment or that he should not have it. The bishop felt that he could not honestly throw over the quiver fools without informing Mrs. Proudie, and he resolved at last to brave the lioness in her den and tell her that circumstances were such that it behoved him to reappoint Mr Harding. He did not feel that he should at all derogate from his new courage by promising Mrs. Proudie that the very first piece of available preferment at his disposable should be given to Quiverfull. To atone for the injury done for him. If he could mollify the lioness with such a sop, how happy would he think his first efforts to have been? Not without many misgivings did he find himself in Mrs. Proudie's boudoir. He had at first thought of sending for her, but it was not at all impossible that she might have chosen to take such a message amiss, and then also it might be some protection to him to have his daughters present at the interview. He found her sitting with her account books before her, nibbling at the end of her pencil, evidently immersed in pecuniary difficulties and harassed in mind by the multiplicity of palatial expenses and the heavy cost of episcopal grandeur. Her daughters were around her. Olivia was reading a novel, Augusta was crossing a note to her bosom friend in Baker Street, and Netta was working diminutive coach wheels for the bottom of a petticoat. If the bishop could get the better of his wife in her present mood, he would be a man indeed. He might then consider the victory his own forever. After all, in such cases the matter between husband and wife stands much the same as it does between two boys at the same school, two cocks in the same yard or two armies on the same continent. The conqueror once is generally the conqueror for ever after. The prestige of victory is everything. My dear, began the bishop, if you are disengaged, I wish to speak to you. Mrs Proudie put her pencil down carefully at the point to which she had dotted her figures, marked down in her memory the sum she had arrived at, and then looked up sourly enough. laugh into her helpmate's face. If you are busy, another time will do as well, continued the bishop, whose courage, like Bob Acres, had oozed out now that he found himself on the ground of battle. What is it about, Bishop? asked the lady. Well, it was about those quiverfuls, but I see you are engaged. Another time will do just as well for me. What about the quiverfuls? It is quite understood, I believe, that they are to come to the hospital. There is to be no doubt about that, is there? And as she spake, she kept her pencil sternly and vigorously fixed on the column of figures before her. Why, my dear, there is a difficulty, said the bishop. A difficulty A handbag, sorry, said Mrs. Proudie. What difficulty? The place has been promised to Mrs Mr Quiverful, and of course he must have it. He has made all his arrangements. He has written for a curate for Puddingdale, he has spoken to the auctioneer about selling, his farm, horses and cows, and in all respects considers the place of his as his own. Of course he must have it Now, bishop, look well to thyself and call up all the manhood that is in thee. Think how much is at stake If now thou art not true to thy guns, no slope can hereafter aid thee how can he who deserts his own colours at the first smell of gunpowder, expect faith in any ally Thou thyself hast sought the battlefield, fight out the battle manfully now thou art there courage bishop, courage frowns cannot kill, nor can sharp words break any bones after all the apron is thine own she can appoint no wardens, give away no benefices, nominate no chaplains, and thou art but true to thyself Up man and at her with a constant heart Some little monitor within the bishop's breast so addressed him, but then there was another monitor there which advised him differently and as follows Remember bishop, she is a woman and such a woman too as thou wellst knowest a battle of words with such a woman is the very mischief were it not better for thee to carry on this war, if it must be waged, from behind thine own table in thine own study Does not every cock fight best on his own dung hill? Thy daughters also are here, the pledges of thy love, the fruits of thy loins is it well that they should see thee in the hour of thy victory over their mother? Nay, is it well that they should see thee in the possible hour of thy defeat? Besides hast thou not chosen thy opportunity with wonderful little skill, indeed with no touch of that sagacity for which thou art famous? Will it not turn out that thou art wrong in this matter, and thine enemy right, that thou hast actually pledged thyself in this matter of the hospital, and that now thou wouldst turn upon thy wife because she requires from thee but the fulfilment of thy promise? Art thou not a Christian bishop, and is thy word not to be held sacred, whatever the result? Return, bishop to thy sanctum on the lower floor, and postpone thy combative propensities for some occasion in which at least thou mayst fight the battle against odds less tremendously against thee. All this passed within the bishop's bosom, while Mrs Proudie still sat with her fixed pencil, and the figures of her stumps still enduring on the tablets of her memory four pounds sixteen shillings and seven pence, she said to herself. Of course Mr Quiverfull must have the hospital, she said out loud to her lord. Well, my dear I merely wanted to suggest to you that Mr Slope seems to think that if Mr Harding be not appointed, public feeling in this matter would be against us, and that the press might perhaps take it up Mr Slope seems to think, said Mrs Proudie, in a tone of voice which plainly showed the bishop that he was right in looking for a breach in that quarter. And what has Mr Slope to do with it? I hope my lord you are not going to allow yourself to be governed by a chaplain and now in her eagerness the lady lost her place in her account. Certainly not, my dear nothing I can assure you is less probable, but still Mr Slope may be useful in finding how the wind blows, and I really thought that if we could give something else as good to the quiverfuls nonsense, said Mrs Proudie, it would be years before you could give them anything else that would suit them half so well and as for the press and public and all that, remember there are two ways of telling a story if Mr Harding is fool enough to tell his tale, we can also tell ours the place was offered to him and he refused it. It is now to be given to someone else and there's an end to it. At least I think it should be so Well my dear I rather believe that you're right, said the bishop, and sneaking out of the room he went downstairs, troubled in his mind as to how he should receive the archdeacon on the morrow. He felt himself not very well just at present, and began to consider that he might, not improbably, be detained in his room the next morning by an attack of bile. He was, unfortunately, very subject to bilious annoyances Mr Slope indeed I'll slope him, said the indignant matron to her listening progeny. I don't know what has come to Mr Slope. I believe he thinks he is to be Bishop of Barchester himself, because I've taken him by the hand and got your father to make him his domestic chaplain. He always was full of impudence, said Olivia. I told you so once before, mamma. Olivia, however, had not thought him too impudent when once before he had proposed to make her Mrs Slope. Well, Olivia I always thought you liked him, said Augusta, who at that moment had some grudge against her sister. I always disliked the man because I think him thoroughly vulgar. There you're wrong, said Mrs Proudie. He's not vulgar at all, and what is more he is a soul stirring, eloquent preacher, but he must be taught to know his place if he is to remain in this house. He has the horridest eyes I ever saw in a man's head, said Netta. And I tell you what, he's terribly greedy. Did you see all that currant pie he ate yesterday? When Mr Slope got home he soon learnt from the bishop as much from his manner as his words that Mrs Proudie's behests in the matter of the hospital were to be obeyed. Dr Proudie let fall something as to this occasion only and keeping all affairs about patronage exclusively in his own hands, but he was quite decided about Mr Harding, and as Mr Stope did not wish to have both the prelate and the prelatess against him, he did not at present see that he could do anything but yield. He merely remarked that he would of course carry out the bishop's views and that he was quite sure that if the bishop trusted to his own judgment things in the diocese would certainly be well ordered. Mr Sloop Slope knew that if you hit a nail on the head often enough it will penetrate at last. He was sitting alone in his room on the same evening when a light knock was made on his door and before he could answer the door was opened and his patroness appeared. He was all smiles in a moment, but so was not she also. She took, however, the chair that was offered to her, and thus began her expostulation Mr Slope I did not at all approve of your conduct the other night with that Italian woman. Anyone would have thought that you were her lover. Good gracious my dear madam, said Mr Slope with a look of horror why she is a married woman. That's more than I know, said Mrs Proudie, however she chooses to pass for such, but married or not married such attention as you paid to her was improper. I cannot believe you'd wish to give offence in my drawing room, Mr Slope, but I owe it to myself and my daughters to tell you that I disapprove your conduct. Mr Slope opened wide his huge protruding eyes and stared out of them with a look of well feigned surprise. Why, Mrs Proudie, said he, I did but fetch her something to eat when she said she was hungry. And you have called upon her since, continued she, looking at the culprit with the stern look of a detective policeman in the act of declare declaring himself. Mr Slope turned over in his mind whether it would be well for him to tell this termagent at once that he should call on whom he liked and do what he liked. But he remembered that his footing in Barchester was not yet sufficiently firm and that it would be better for him to pacify her. I certainly called since at Dr Stanhope's house and certainly saw Madame Neroni. Yes, and you saw her alone, said the Episcopal Argus. Undoubtedly I did, said Mr Slope, but that was because nobody else happened to be in the room surely it was no fault of mine if the rest of the family's out perhaps not, but I assure you, Mr Slope you will fall greatly in my estimation if I find that you allow yourself to be caught by the lures of that woman. I know women better than you do, Mr Slope, and you may believe me that that Signora, as she calls herself, is not a fitting companion for a strict evangelical, unmarried young clergyman How Mr Stope would like to laugh at her had he dared, but he did not dare so he merely said I can assure you, Mrs Proudy, the lady in question is nothing to me Well I hope not, Mr Slope, but I have considered it my duty to give you this caution, and now there is another thing I feel myself called on to speak about it is your conduct to the bishop, Mr Slope. My conduct to the bishop, said he, now truly surprised and ignorant what the lady alluded to Yes, Mr Slope, your conduct to the bishop it is by no means what I wish to see it. Has the bishop said anything, Mrs. Proudie? No, the bishop has said nothing he probably thinks that any remarks on the matter will come better from me who first introduce you to his lordship's notice. The fact is, Mr Slope you are a little inclined to take too much upon yourself. An angry spot showed itself on Mr Slope's cheeks, and it was with difficulty that he controlled himself, but he did do so and sat quite silent while the lady went on It is the fault of many young men in your position and therefore the bishop is not inclined at present to resent it. You will no doubt soon learn what is required from you and what is not. If you will take my advice, however you will be careful not to obtrude advice upon the bishop in any matter touching patronage. If his lordship wants advice he knows where to look for it. And then having added to her counsel a string of platitudes as to what was desirable and what not desirable in the conduct of a strictly evangelical unmarried young clergyman, Mrs Proudie retreated, leaving the chaplain to his thoughts. The upshot of his thoughts was this that there was certainly not room in the diocese for the energies of both himself and Mrs Proudy and that it behoved him quickly to ascertain whether his energies or hers were to prevail The next chapter is chapter eighteen The Widow's Persecution Oh dear And now we finish the chapter in Villette called The Concert When the king and queen had entered their court comprising two or three little foreign ambassadors and with them came the elite of the foreigners then resident in Villette, and these took possession of the crimson benches. Then the ladies were seated most of the men remained standing their sable rank lying in the background looked like dark foil to the splendour displayed in front nor was this splendour without varying light and shade and gradation. The middle distance was filled with matrons in velvets and satins, in plumes and gems. The benches in the foreground to the Queen's right hand seemed devoted exclusively to young girls, the flower, perhaps I should say the bud, a villette aristocracy. Here were no jewels, no headdresses, no velvet pile or silken sheen, purity, simplicity and aerial grace reigned in that virgin band. Young heads simply braided and fair forms I was going to write sylph forms, but that would not have been that would have been quite untrue. Several of these jeune fi, who had not numbered more than sixteen or seventeen years, boasted contours as robust and solid as those of a stout Englishwoman of five and twenty. Fair formed robes in white or pale rose or placid blue suggested thoughts of heaven and angels. I knew a couple, at least of these blanche specimens of humanity. Here was a pair of Madame Beck's late pupils, Mademoiselle Matilde and Angelique, pupils who during their last year at school ought to have been in the first class but whose brains had never got them beyond the second division. In English they had been under my own charge and hard work it was to get them to translate rationally a page of the Wicar of Wakefield. Also during three months I had one of them for my vis at table, and the quantity of household bread, butter and stewed fruit she would habitually consume at second dejourney was a real world's wonder, to be exceeded only by the fact of her actually pock pocketing slices she could not eat. Here be truths, wholesome truths too I knew another of these seraphs, the prettiest or at any rate the least demure and hypocritical looking of the lot. She was seated by the daughter of an English peer, also an honest, though haughty looking girl both had entered the suite of the British embassy. She, i e my acquaintance, had a slight pliant figure, not at all like the forms of the foreign damsels. Her hair too was not close braided, like a shell or skull cap of satin, it looked like hair and waved from her head, long, curled and flowing. She chatted away voluably and seemed full of a light headed sort of satisfaction with herself and her position. I did not look at Mr Breton, but I knew that he too saw Ginevre Fanshaw he had become so quiet, he answered so briefly his mother's remarks, he so often suppressed a sigh. Why should he sigh? He had confessed a taste for the pursuit of love under difficulties here was full gratification for that taste. His lady love beamed upon him from a sphere above his own. He could not come near her he was not certain that he could win from her a look. I watched to see if she would so far favour him. Our seat was not so far from the crimson benches we must inevitably be seen thence, by eyes so quick and raving as Miss Fanshaw's, and very soon those optics of hers were upon us, at least upon doctor and Mrs Breton. I kept rather in the shade and out of sight, not wishing to be immediately recognised. She looked quite steadily at Dr John, and then she raised a glass to examine his mother. A minute or two afterwards she laughingly whispered her neighbour, upon the performance commencing her rambling attention was attracted to the platform. On the concert I need not dwell the reader would not care to have my impressions thereupon, and indeed it would not be worth while to record them, as they were the impressions of an ignorance crass. The young ladies of the conservatoire being very much frightened, made a rather tremulous exhibition on the two grand pianos. Monsieur Joseph Emanuel stood by them while they played, but he had not the tact or influence of his kinsmen, who under similar circumstances would certainly have compelled pupils of his to demean themselves with heroism and self possession. Monsieur Poul would have placed the hysteric debutance between two fires terror of the audience and terror of himself and would have inspired them with the courage of desperation by making the latter terror incomparably the greater. Monsieur Joseph could not do this. Following the white muslin pianiste came a full fine grained sulky lady in white satin. She sang Puppy's just picked up a stick. Her singing just affected me like the tricks of a conjurer I wondered how she did it, how she made her voice run up and down and cut such marvellous capers, but a simple Scotch melody played like a rude street minstrel has often moved me more deeply. Afterwards stepped forth a gentleman, who bending his body a good deal in the direction of the king and queen, and frequently approaching his white gloved hand to the region of his heart, vented a bitter outcry against a certain false Isabelle. I thought he seemed especially to solicit the Queen's sympathy, but unless I'm egregiously mistaken, her Majesty lent her attention rather with the calm of courtesy than the earnestness of interest. This gentleman's state of mind was very very harrowing and I was glad when he wound up his musical exposition of the same. Some rousing choruses struck me as the best part of the evening's entertainments as Puppy tried to move a bucket around there were present deputies from all the best provincial choral societies that's very noisy scout, genuine, barrel shaped, native Labas Courien, these worthies gave voices without mincing the matter their hearty exertions had at least this good result. The ear drank thence a satisfying sense of power. Through the whole performance timid instrumental duets, conceited vocal solos, sonorous brass lunged choruses, my attention gave but one eye and one ear to the stage, the other being permanently retained in the service of doctor Breton. I could not forget him nor cease to question how he was feeling what he was thinking, whether he was amused or the contrary. At last he spoke And how do you like it all, Lucy? You are very quiet, he said in his own cheerful tone. I am quiet, I said, because I am so very, very much interested, not merely with the music, but with everything about me. He then proceeded to make further remarks with so much equanimity and composure that I began to think he had really not seen what I had seen, and I whispered Miss Fanshaw is here, have you not noticed her? Oh yes, and I observed that you noticed her too is she come with Mr Chumley, do you think? Mrs Chumley is there with a very grand party. Yes, Ginevre was in her train and Mrs Chumley was in Lady XYZ's train, who was in the Queen's train. If this was not one of the compact little minor European courts, whose very formalities are little more imposing than familiarities, and whose garla grandeur is but homeliness and sunday array, it would all sound very fine. She never saw you, I think so do I think I have had my eye on her several times. time since you withdrew yours, and I have had the honour of witnessing a little spectacle which you were spared. I did not ask what. I waited voluntary information which was presently given. Miss Fanshaw, he said, has a companion with her, a lady of rank. I happen to know Lady Sara by sight. Her noble mother has called me professionally, and is a proud girl but not in the least insolent, and I doubt whether Ginevre will have gained ground in her estimation by making a butt of her neighbours. What neighbours? Merely myself and my mother as to me it's all very natural, nothing, I suppose, can be fairer game than the young bourgeois doctor, but my mother? I never saw her ridiculed before. Do you know the curling lip and sarcastically levelled glass thus directed gave me a most curious sensation? Oh think nothing of it, doctor John. It is not worth while if Genevre were in a giddy mood as she is eminently tonight, she would make no scruple of laughing at that mild pensive queen or the melancholy king. She is not actuated by malevolence but sheer heedless folly to a feather brained schoolgirl nothing is sacred. But you forget I have not been accustomed to look on Miss Fanshaw in the light of a feather brained schoolgirl was she not my divinity, the angel of my career? Hm that was your mistake to speak the honest truth, without any false rant or assumed romance, there actually was a moment six months ago when I thought her divine do you remember our conversation about the presence? I was not quite open with you in discussing that subject. The warmth with which you took it up amused me by way of having the full benefits of your lights I allowed you to think me more in the dark than I really was. It was that test of the presence which first proved Ginevere mortal still her beauty retained its fascination. Three days, three hours ago I was very much her slave. As she passed me to night, triumphant in beauty, my emotions did her homage, but for one luckless sneer I should yet be the humblest of her servants. She might have scoffed at me and while wounding she would not have soon alienated me through myself she could not in ten years have done that what in a moment she has done through my mother. He held his peace awhile never before had I seen so much fire and so little sunshine in Dr John's blue eye as just now. Lucy, he recommended, take well at my mother and say without fear or favour, in what light she now appears to you, as she always does, a middle class English gentlewoman, well, though gravely dressed, habitually independent of pretence, constitutionally constitutionally composed and cheerful so she seems to me, bless her. The merry may laugh with mamma, but the weak will only laugh at her. She shall not be ridiculed with my consent at least, nor without my scorn, my antipathy, my and he stopped, and it was time for he was getting excited, more it seemed than the occasion warranted. I did not know then that he had witnessed double cause for dissatisfaction with Miss Fanshaw the glow of his complexion, the expansion of his nostril, the bold curve which disdain gave his well cut under lip showed him in a new and striking phase, yet the rare passion of the constitutionally suave and serene is not a pleasant spectacle, nor did I like the sort of vindictive thrill which passed through his strong young frame. Do I frighten you, Lucy? he asked. I cannot tell why you're so very angry for this reason, he muttered in my ear Ginevre is neither a pure angel nor a pure minded woman nonsense you exaggerate she has no great harm in her too much for me. I can see where you are blind now dismiss the subject let me amuse myself by teasing mamma. I will assert that she is flagging Mamma, pray rouse yourself John, I will certainly rouse you if you're not better conducted will you and Lucy be silent that I may hear the singing They were then thundering in a chorus under cover of which all the previous dialogue had taken place. You hear the singing, mamma Now I will wager my studs, which are genuine against your paste brooch My paste broach profane boy, you know that it is of st a stone of value Oh that is one of your superstitions you are cheated in the business I am cheated in fewer things than you imagine. How do you happen to be acquainted with your young ladies of the court John? I have observed two of them pay you no small attention during the last half hour I wish you would not observe them. Why not? Because one of them satirically levels her eye glass at me She is a pretty silly girl but are you apprehensive that her titter will discomfort the old lady? The sensible, admirable old lady Mother you are better to me than ten wives yet Don't be demonstrative, John, or I shall faint, and you will have to carry me out if that burden were laid upon you you would reverse your last speech and exclaim Mother ten wives could hardly be worse to me than you are The concert over, the lottery au beneficistic came next. The interval between one was of general relaxation and the pleasantest imaginable stir and commotion. The white flock was cleared from the platform, a busy throng of gentlemen crowded it instead, making arrangements for the drawing and amongst these the busiest of all reappeared that certain well known form, not tall but active alive with the energy and movement of three tall men, how Monsieur Paul did work, how he issued directions, and at the same time set his own shoulder to the wheel half a dozen assistants were at his beck to remove the pianos, etc, no matter he must add to their strength his own. The redundancy of his alertness was half vexing, half ludicrous in my mind I both disapproved and derided most of this fuss. Yet in the midst of prejudice and annoyance I could not, while watching, avoid perceiving a certain not disagreeable naivety in all he did and said, nor could I be blind to certain vigorous characteristics of his physiognomy rendered conspicuous now by the contrast with a throng of tamer faces, the deep intent keenness of his eye, the power of his forehead pale, broad and full, the mobility of his most flexile mouth he lacked the calm of force, but its movement and its fire he signally possessed. Meantime the whole hall was astir Most people rose and remained standing for a change some walked about all talked and laughed. The crimson compartment presented a peculiarly animated scene the long cloud of gentlemen breaking into fragments, mixed with the rainbow line of ladies, two or three officer like men approached the king and conversed with him. The queen, leaving her chair, glided among the ranks of young ladies who all stood up as she passed, and to each in turn I saw her vouchsafe some token of kindness, a gracious word, look or smile. To the two pretty English girls, Lady Sara and Ginevre Fanshaw, she addressed several sentences, as she left them both and especially the latter seemed to glow all over with gratification. They were afterwards accosted by several ladies and a little circle of gentlemen gathered around them. Amongst these the nearest to Genevre stood out the Count de Hamel This room is startlingly hot, said Dr. Breton, rising with sudden impatience. Lucy, mother, will you come a moment to the fresh air? Go with him, Lucy, said Mrs Breton. I would rather keep my seat. Willingly would I have kept mine also, but Graham's desire must take precedence of my own. I accompanied him. We found the night air keen or at least I did. He did not seem to feel it but it was very still and the star sewn sky spread cloudless I was wrapped in a fur shawl we took some turns on the pavement in passing under a lamp Graham encountered my eye You look pensive, Lucy, is it on my account? I was only fearing that you were grieved not at all, so be of good cheer as I am whenever I die, Lucy, my persuasion is that it will not be of heart complaint. I may be stung, I may seem to droop for a time, but no pain or malady of sentiment has yet gone through my whole system. You have always seen me cheerful at home generally I am glad she laughed at my mother. I would not give the old old lady for a dozen beauties. That sneer did me all the good in the world. Thank you, Miss Fanshaw and he lifted his hat from his waved locks Hello Wren and made a mock reference. The Wren's saying don't forget me Yes, he said, I thank her she has made me feel that nine parts in ten of my heart have always been sound as a bell, and the tenth bled from a mere puncture, a lancet prick that will heal in a trice You are angry now, heated and indignant and you will think and feel differently tomorrow I, heated and indignant indignant you don't know me. On the contrary the heat is gone I am as cool as the night, which, by the way, may be too cool for you we will go back, this is a sudden change not it, or if it could be, there are reasons for it, two good reasons I have told you one, but now let us reenter We did not easily regain our seats the lottery was begun and all was excited confusion. Crowds blocked the sort of corridor along which we had to pass. It was necessary to pause for a time. Happening to glance round, indeed I half fancied I heard my name pronounced, I saw quite near the ubiquitous the inevitable Monsieur Poul. He was looking at me gravely and intently at me or rather at my pink dress, sardonic comment on which gleamed in his eye. Now it was his habit to indulge in strictures on the dress, both of the teachers and pupils at Madame Beck's, a habit which the former at least held to be an offensive impertinence, as yet I had not suffered from it, my somber daily attire not being calculated to attract notice, I was in no mood to permit any new encroachment to night. Rather than accept his banter, I would ignore his presence, and accordingly steadily turned my face to the sleeve of Dr John's coat, finding in that same black sleeve a prospect more redolent of pleasure and comfort, more genial, more friendly, I thought, than was offered by the dark little professor's unlovely visage. Dr John seemed unconsciously to sanction the preference by looking down and saying in his kind voice Aye, keep close to my side, Lucy, these crowding burgers are no respecters of person. I could not, however, be true to myself, yielding to some influence mesmeric or otherwise, an influence unwelcome, displeasing but affective, I again glanced round to see if Monsieur Poole was gone. No, there he stood on the same spot, looking still but with a changed eye he had penetrated my thought and read my wish to shun him. The mocking but still not ill humoured gaze was turned to a swarthy frown, and when I bowed with a view to conciliation, I got only the stiffest and sternest of nods in return. Whom have you made angry, Lucy? whispered doctor Breton, smiling, who is that savage looking friend of yours? One of the professors at Madame Beck's a very cross little man. He looks mighty cross just now. What have you done to him? What is all this about? Ah Lucy, Lucy, tell me the meaning of this No mystery, I assure you. Monsieur Emmanuel is very exigent, and because I looked at your coat sleeve instead of curtsey and dipping to him, he thinks I have failed in respect. The little began doctor John, I know not more what he would have added, for at that moment I was nearly thrown down amongst the feet of the crowd. Monsieur Poul had rudely pushed past, and was elbowing his way with such utter disregard to the convenience and security of all around him that a very uncomfortable pressure was the consequence. I think he has what he himself would call me, said Mr Breton. I thought so too. Slowly and with difficulty we made our way along the passage and at last regained our seats. The drawing of the lottery lasted nearly an hour. It was animating an amusing scene and as we each held tickets we shared in the alternations of hope and fear raised by each turn of the wheel. Two little girls of five and six years old drew the numbers and the prizes were duly proclaimed from the platform. These prizes were numerous though of small value. It so fell out that Dr John and I each gained one mine was a cigar case, his a lady's headdress, a most airy sort of blue and silver turban, with a streamer of plumage on one side like a light, snowy cloud. He was excessively anxious to make an exchange, but I could not be brought to hear reason, and to this day I keep my cigar case. It serves when I look at it, to remind me of old times and one happy evening. Dr John for his part held his turban at arm's length between his finger and thumb and looked at it with a mixture of reverence and embarrassment highly provocative of laughter. The contemplation over he was about to coolly deposit it on the ground between his feet. He seemed to have no shadow of an idea of the treatment or stowage it ought to receive. If his mother had not come to the rescue, I think he would finally have crushed it under his arm like an opera hat. She restored it to the band box whence it was issued. Graham was quite cheerful all evening and his cheerfulness seemed natural and unforced. His demeanour, his look is not easily described there was something in it peculiar and in its way original. I read in it no common mastery of the passions, and a fund of deep and healthy strength which, without any exhausting effort bore down disappointment and extracted her fang. His manner now reminded me of qualities I had noticed in him when professionally engaged amongst the poor, the guilty and the suffering in the Basville. He looked at once determined, enduring and sweet tempered. Who could help liking him? He betrayed no weakness which harassed all your feelings with considerations as to how its faltering must be propped. From him broke no irritability which startled calm and quenched mirth, his lips let fall no caustic that burned to the bone, his eye shot no morose shafts that went cold and rusty and venomed through your heart. Beside him was to rest and refuge and around him was fostering sunshine and yet he had neither forgiven nor forgotten Miss Fanshaw once angered I doubt if Dr Breton was soon to be propitiated, once alienated whether he were ever to be reclaimed. He looked at her more than once, not stealthily or humbly, but with a movement of hardy open observation. Dr Hammel was now a fixture beside her. Mrs Chumley sat near and they and she were wholly absorbed in the discourse, mirth and excitement with which the crimson seats were as much astir as any plebeian part of the hall. In the course of some apparently animated discussion, Ginevra once or twice lifted her hand and arm. A handsome bracelet gleamed upon the latter. I saw that its gleam flickered in Dr John's eye, quickening therein a derisive, ireful sparkle. He laughed. I think he said I will lay my turban hat on the wanted altar of offerings that there at any rate it would be certain to find favour. No Grisette has a more facile faculty of acceptance strange, for after all, I know she is a girl of family. But she don't know her education, doctor John, said I tossed about all her life from one foreign school to another, she may justly profer the plea of ignorance in extenuation of most of her faults, and then from what she says I believe her father and mother were brought up much as she has been brought up. I always understood she had no fortune, and once I had the pleasure in the thought, said he. She tells me, I answered, that they are poor at home she always speaks quite candidly on such points you never find her lying, as these foreigners will often lie. Her parents have a large family they occupy such a station and possess such connections as in their opinion demand display. Stringent necessity of circumstances and inherent thoughtlessness of disposition combined have engendered reckless unscrupulousness as to how they obtain the means of sustaining a good appearance. This is the state of things and the only state of things she has seen from childhood upwards. I believe it and I thought to mould her to something better but Lucy to speak the plain truth I have felt a new thing tonight in looking at her and a hummel I felt it before noticing the impertinence directed at my mother. I saw a look interchanged between them immediately after their entrance, which threw a most unwelcome light on my mind. How do you mean? You have long been aware of the flirtation they keep up Aye flirtation that might be of an innocent girlish while to lure a true lover, but what I refer to was not flirtation. It was a look marking mutual and secret understanding. It was neither girlish nor innocent. No woman were she as beautiful as Aphrodite who could give or receive such a glance shall ever be sought in marriage by me. I would rather wed a paysan in a short petticoat and high cap and be sure that she was honest. I couldn't help smiling I felt sure now he exaggerated the case Genevre, I was certain, was honest enough, with all her giddiness. I told him so he shook his head and said he would not be the man to trust her with his honour. The only thing, said I, with which you may safely trust her, is that she would unscrupulously damage a husband's purse and property, recklessly try his patience and temper I don't think she would breathe or let another breathe on his honour. You are becoming her advocate, said he wish me to resume my old chains? No, I am glad to see you free, and trust that free you will long remain yet be at the same time just I am so just as Radamanthus, Lucy when once I am thoroughly estranged I cannot help Being severe. But look, the king and queen arising. I like that queen. She has a sweet countenance. Mamma, too, is excessively tired. We shall never get the old lady home if we stay longer. Aye tired, John, said Mrs. Breton, looking at least as animated and wide eyes as wide eyed as her son. I would undertake to sit you out yet. Leave us both here till morning and we should see which would look the most jaded by sunrise. I should not like to try the experiment, for in truth, mamma, you are the most unfading of evergreens and the freshest of matrons. It must be then on the plea of your son's delicate nerves and fragile constitution, that I found a petition for our speedy adjournment. Indolent young man, you wish you were in bed, no doubt, and I suppose you must be honoured. There is Lucy too, looking quite done up, for shame, Lucy, at your age. A week of evenings out could not have made me a shade paler. Come away both of you, and you may laugh at the old lady as much as you please, but for my part I shall take charge of the bandbox and turban. Which she did accordingly. I offered to relieve her but was shaken off with kindly contempt. My godmother opined that I had enough to do to take care of myself. Not standing on ceremony now, in the midst of the gay confusion worse confounded, succeeding to the king and queen's departure, Mrs Breton preceded us and promptly made us a lane through the crowd. Graham followed, apostrophizing his mother as the most flourishing cresette it had ever been his good fortune to see charged with a carriage of a bandbox. He also desired me to mark her affection for the sky blue turban, and announced his conviction that she intended one day to wear it. The night was now very cold and very dark, but with little delay we found the carriage. Soon we were packed in it, as warm and as snug as at the fireside, and the drive home was, I think, still pleasanter than the drive to the concert. Pleasant it was, even though the coachman, having spent in the shop of a Marchand Duvin, a portion of the time we passed at the court concert, drove us along the dark and solitary chauss far past the turn leading down to the La Terras. We, who were occupied in talking and laughing, not noticing the aberration, till at last Mrs. Breton intimated that though she had always thought the chateau a retired spot, she did not know it was situated quite at the world's end, as she declared she seemed now to be the case, for she believed we had been an hour and a half en route, and had not taken the turn down the avenue. Then Graham looked out and perceiving only dim spread fields, with unfamiliar rows of pollards and limes ranged along their else invisible sunk fences, began to conjecture how matters were, and calling a halt and descending he mounted the box and took the reins himself. Thanks to him we arrived safe at home about an hour and a half beyond our time. Martha had not forgotten us, a cheerful fire was burning, and a neat supper spread in the dining room, and we were glad of both. The winter dawn was actually breaking before we gained our chambers. I took off my pink dress and lace mantle with happier feelings than I had experienced in putting them on. Not all, perhaps, who had shone brightly arranged at that concert could say the same, for not all had been satisfied with friendship, with its calm comfort and modest hope. And the next chapter is chapter twenty one and it starts reaction with these words Yet three days and then I must go back to the pensionat I wish you a very good night. I'm so grateful that you join me, and I feel slightly embarrassed sometimes when I feel that I'm not able to give you my full concentration and I want to ensure that it's you know worth your while to follow me and support me. But things have been a little bit hectic here, but this gives me so much comfort and relief and and outlet. So I'm so glad that it's in my life, and I'm so grateful to you for making it meaningful for me. So thank you and lots of love and good night.