 Chapter 34 of the Ordeal of Richard Feverell. This is a LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox.org. Recording by Rita Butros. The Ordeal of Richard Feverell by George Meredith Chapter 34. It was the month of July. The Solent ran up green waves before a full-blowing southwestern. Gay little yachts bounded out like foam and flashed their sails light as sea nymphs. A crown of deep summer blue topped the flying mountains of cloud. By an open window that looked on the brine through nodding roses, our young bridal pair were at breakfast regaling worthily both of them. Had the scientific humanist observed them, he could not have contested the fact that as a couple who had set up to be father and mother of Britons, they were doing their duty. Files of egg cups with disintegrated shells bore witness to it, and they were still at work, hardly talking, from rapidity of exercise. Both were dressed for an expedition. She had her bonnet on and he his yachting hat. His sleeves were turned over at the wrist and her gown showed its lining on her lap. At times a chance word might spring a laugh, but eating was the business of the hour, as I would have you to know it always will be where Cupid is in earnest. Tribute flowed into them from the subject land. Neglected lies loves penny whistle on which they played so prettily and charmed the spheres to hear them. And they care for the spheres who have one another. Come eggs, come bread and butter, come tea with sugar in it and milk, and welcome the jolly hours. That is a fair interpretation of the music in them just now. Yonder instrument was good only for the overture. After all, what finer aspiration can lovers have than to be free man and woman in the heart of plenty? And is it not a glorious level to have attained, ah, wretched scientific humanist, not to be by and mark the admirable sight of these young creatures feeding? It would have been a spell to exercise the managy, me thinks. The mighty performance came to an end and then, with the flourish of his table napkin, husband stood over wife, who met him on the confident budding of her mouth. The poetry of mortals is their daily prose. Is it not a glorious level to have attained? A short, quick-blooded kiss, radiant, fresh and honest as aurora, and then Richard says without lack of cheer, No letter to-day, my Lucy, were at her sweet eyes dwell on him a little seriously, but he cries, never mind. He'll be coming down himself some morning. He has only to know her and all's well, eh? And so, saying, he puts a hand beneath her chin and seems to frame her fair face in fancy, she smiling up to be looked at. But one thing I do want to ask my darling, says Lucy, and dropped into his bosom with hands of petition. Take me on board his yacht with him to-day, not leave me with those people. Will he? I'm a good sailor, he knows. The best of float, laughs Richard, hugging her. But you know, you darling bit of a sailor, they don't allow more than a certain number on board for the race, and if they hear you've been with me, they'll be cries of foul play. Besides, there's Lady Judith to talk to you about Austin, and Lord Mount Felgun's compliments for you to listen to, and Mr. Morton to take care of you. Lucy's eyes fixed sideways an instant. I hope I don't frown and blush as I did, she said, screwing her pliable brows up to him winningly. And he bent his cheek against hers and murmured something delicious. And we shall be separated for how many hours? One, two, three hours, she pouted to his flatteries. And then I shall come on board to receive my bride's congratulations. And then my husband will talk all the time to Lady Judith. And then I shall see my wife frowning and blushing at Lord Mount Felgun. Am I so foolish, Richard? She forgot her trifling to ask in an earnest way, and had another aurorian kiss, just brushing the dew on her lips for answer. After hiding a month in shyest shade, the pair of happy sinners had wandered forth one day to look on men and marvel at them, and had chance to meet Mr. Morton of Pier Hall, Austin Wentworth's friend, and Ralph's uncle. Mr. Morton had once been intimate with the baronet, but had given him up for many years as impracticable and hopeless, for which reason he was the more inclined to regard Richard's misdemeanor charitably. And to lay the faults of this son on the father, and thinking society to be the one thing requisite to the young man, he had introduced him to the people he knew in the island. Among others, to the Lady Judith Fell, a fair young dame who introduced him to Lord Mount Felgun, a puissant nobleman who introduced him to the yachtsmen beginning to congregate, so that in a few weeks he found himself in the center of a brilliant company, and for the first time in his life tasted what it was to have free intercourse with his fellow creatures of both sows. The son of a system was therefore launched, not only through the surf, but in deep waters. Now the baronet had so far compromised between the recurrence of his softer feelings and the suggestions of his new familiar, that he had determined to act toward Richard with justness. The world called it magnanimity, and even Lady Blandish had some thoughts of the same kind when she heard that he had decreed to Richard a handsome allowance, and had scouted Mrs. Doria's proposal for him to contest the legality of the marriage, but Sir Austin knew well he was simply just in not withholding money from a youth so situated. And here again the world deceived him by embellishing his conduct. For what is it to be just to whom we love? He knew it was not magnanimous, but the cry of the world somehow fortified him and the conceit that in dealing perfect justice to his son he was doing all that was possible, because so much more than common fathers would have done. He had shut his heart. Consequently Richard did not want money. What he wanted more and did not get was a word from his father, and though he said nothing to sadden his young bride, he felt how much it prayed upon him to be at variance with the man whom now that he had offended him and gone against him he would have fallen on his knees to, the man who was as no other man to him. She heard him of knights when she lay by his side, and the darkness and the broken mutterings of those knights clothed the figure of the strange, stern man in her mind. Not that it affected the appetites of the pretty pair. We must not expect that of cupid enthroned and in condition, under the influence of sea air, too. The files of egg cups laugh at such an idea. Still the worm did gnaw them. Judge then of their delight when on this pleasant morning, as they were issuing from the garden of their cottage to go down to the sea, they caught sight of Tom Bakewell rushing up the road with a portmanteau on his shoulders and some distance behind him discerned Adrian. It's all right, shouted Richard, and ran off to meet him and never left his hand till he had hauled him up, firing questions at him all the way to where Lucy stood. Lucy, this is Adrian, my cousin. Isn't he an angel, his eyes seem to add, while Lucy's clearly answered that he is. The full-bodied angel ceremoniously bowed to her and acted with reserved unction the benefactor he saw in their greetings. I think we are not strangers, he was good enough to remark, and very quickly let them know he had not breakfasted. On hearing which they hurried him into the house, and Lucy put herself in motion to have him served. Dear old Rady, said Richard, tugging at his hand again, how glad I am you've come. I don't mind telling you we've been hardly wretched. Six, seven, eight, nine eggs, was Adrian's comment on a survey of the breakfast table. Why wouldn't he write? Why didn't he answer one of my letters? But here you are, so I don't mind now? He wants to see us, does he? We'll go up to-night. I've a match on at eleven. My little yacht I've called her the blandish against Fred Query's begum. I shall beat, but whether I do or not will go up to-night. What's the news? What are they all doing? My dear boy, Adrian returned, sitting comfortably down, let me put myself a little more on an equal footing with you before I undertake to reply. Half that number of eggs will be sufficient for an unmarried man, and then we'll talk. They're all very well, as well as I can recollect the total vacuity has had this morning. I came over by the first boat, and the sea, the sea, has made me love Mother Earth and desire of her fruits. Richard fretted restlessly opposite his cool relative. Adrian, what did he say when he heard of it? I want to know exactly what words he said. Well, says the sage, my son, speech is the small change of silence. He said less than I do. That's how he took it, cried Richard, and plunged in meditation. Soon the table was cleared and laid out afresh, and Lucy proceeded the maid bearing eggs on the tray, and sat down, unbonneted, and like a thoroughbred housewife to pour out the tea for him. Now will commence, said Adrian, tapping his egg with meditative cheerfulness, but his expression soon changed to one of pain, all the more alarming for his benevolent efforts to conceal it. Could it be possible the egg was bad? Oh, horror! Lucy watched him, and waited in trepidation. This egg has boiled three minutes and three-quarters he observed, ceasing to contemplate it. Dear, dear, said Lucy, I boiled them myself exactly that time. Richard likes them so, does he like them hard, Mr. Harley? On the contrary, I like them soft, two minutes and a half, or three-quarters at the outside. An egg should never rashly verge upon hardness, never. Three minutes is the excess of temerity. If Richard had told me, if I had only known, the lovely little hostess interjected ruefully, biting her lip. We mustn't expect him to pay attention to the letters, said Adrian, trying to smile. Hang it, there are more eggs in the house, cried Richard, and pulled savagely at the bell. Lucy jumped up, saying, oh yes, I will go and boil some exactly the time you like. Pray let me go, Mr. Harley. Adrian restrained her departure with a motion of his hand. No, he said, I will be ruled by Richard's taste, and heaven grant me his digestion. Lucy threw a sad look at Richard, who stretched on a sofa and left the burden of the entertainment entirely to her. The eggs were a melancholy beginning, but her ardor to please Adrian would not be damped, and she deeply admired his resignation. If she failed in pleasing this glorious herald of peace, no matter by what small misadventure, she apprehended calamity. So there sat this fair dove with brows at work above her serious smiling blue eyes, covertly studying every aspect of the plump-faced epicure that she might learn to propitiate him. He shall not think me timid and stupid, thought this brave girl, and indeed Adrian was astonished to find that she could both chat and be useful, as well as look ornamental. When he had finished one egg, behold, two fresh ones came in, boiled according to his prescription. She had quietly given her orders to the maid, and he had them without fuss. Possibly his look of dismay at the offending eggs had not been altogether involuntary, and her woman's instinct, inexperienced as she was, may have told her that he had come prepared to be not very well satisfied with anything in love's cottage. There was mental faculty in those pliable brows to see-through and combat an unwitting wise youth. How much she had achieved already, she partly divined when Adrian said, I think now I'm in case to answer your questions, my dear boy, thanks to Mrs. Richard. And he bowed to her, his first direct acknowledgement of her position. Lucy thrilled with pleasure. Ah, cried Richard, and settled easily on his back. To begin, the pilgrim has lost his notebook, and has been persuaded to offer a reward which shall maintain the happy finder thereof in an asylum for life. Benson, superlative Benson, has turned his shoulders upon Raynam. None know whether he has departed. It is believed that the sole surviving member of the sect of the Shaddock Dogmatus is under a total eclipse of woman. Benson gone, Richard exclaimed, what a tremendous time it seems since I left Raynam. So it is, my dear boy. The honeymoon is Maumet's minute, or say, the Persian king's water pail that you read of in the story. You dip your head in it, and when you draw it out, you discover that you have lived a life. To resume, your Uncle Algernon still roams in pursuit of the lost one. I should say, hops. Your Uncle Hippias has a new and most perplexing symptom, a determination of bride-cake to the nose. Ever since your generous present to him, though he declares he never consumed a morsel of it, he has been under the distressing illusion that his nose is enormous, and I assure you he exhibits quite a maidenly timidity in following it, through a doorway, for instance. He complains of its terrible weight. I have conceived that Benson invisible might be sitting on it. His hand and the doctors are in hourly consultation with it, but I fear it will not grow smaller. The pilgrim has begotten upon it a new aphorism, that size is a matter of opinion. Poor Uncle Hippie, said Richard, I wonder he doesn't believe in magic. There's nothing supernatural to rival the wonderful sensations he does believe in. Good God, fancy coming to that. I'm sure I'm very sorry, Lucy protested, but I can't help laughing. Charming to the wise youth, her pretty laughter sounded. The pilgrim has your notion, Richard, whom does he not forestall. Confirmed dyspepsia is the apparatus of illusions, and he accuses the ages that put faith in sorcery of universal indigestion, which may have been the case according to their infamous cookery. He says again, if you remember, that our own age is travelling back to darkness and ignorance through dyspepsia. He lays the seed of wisdom in the centre of our system, Mrs. Richard, for which reason you will understand how sensible I am of the vast obligation I am under to you at the present moment for your special care of mine. Richard looked on at Lucy's little triumph, attributing Adrian's subjugation to her beauty and sweetness. She had laterally received a great many compliments on that score, which she did not care to hear, and Adrian's homage to a practical quality was far pleasanter to the young wife, who shrewdly guessed that her beauty would not help her much in the struggle she had now to maintain. Adrian, continuing to lecture on the excelling virtues of wise cookery, a thought struck her, where, where had she tossed Mrs. Berry's book? So that's all about the home people, said Richard. All replied Adrian. Or stay, you know Claire's going to be married? Not? You're Aunt Helen. Oh, bother my Aunt Helen. What do you think she had the impertinence to write? But never mind. Is it too Ralph? Your Aunt Helen, I was going to say, my dear boy, is an extraordinary woman. It was from her originally that the pilgrim first learnt to call the female the practical animal. He studies us all, you know. The pilgrim's script is the abstract portraiture of his surrounding relatives. Well, your Aunt Helen, Mrs. Doria, battle Doria, laughed Richard. Being foiled in a little pet scheme of her own, call it a system, if you like, of some 10 or 15 years standing with regard to Miss Claire, the fair shuttle Cacchiana. Instead of fretting like a man and questioning Providence and turning herself and everybody else inside out and seeing the world upside down, what does the practical animal do? She wanted to marry her to somebody she couldn't marry her to, so she resolved instantly to marry her to somebody she could marry her to. And as old gentlemen enter into these transactions with the practical animal the most readily, she fixed upon an old gentleman, an unmarried old gentleman, a rich old gentleman, and now a captive old gentleman. The ceremony takes place in about a week from the present time. No doubt you will receive your invitation in a day or two. And that cold, icy wretched Claire has consented to marry an old man, groaned Richard. I'll put a stop to that when I go to town. Richard got up and strode about the room. Then he bethought him it was time to go on board and make preparations. I'm off, he said. Adrien, you'll take her. She goes in the empress, Mount Falcon's vessel. He starts us. A little schooner yacht, such a beauty. I'll have one like her someday. Goodbye, darling, he whispered to Lucy and his hand and eyes lingered on her and hers on him, seeking to make up for the priceless kiss they were debarred from. But she quickly looked away from him as he held her. His brows were up and his mouth dubiously contracted. He spoke at last. Go on the water? Yes, it's only to St. Helens, short and sharp. Do you grudge me the nourishment my poor system has just received, my son? Oh, bother your system. Put on your hat and come along. I'll put you on board in my boat. Richard, I have already paid the penalty of them who are condemned to come to an island. I will go with you to the edge of the sea, and I will meet you there when you return and take up the tail of the Tritons. But though I forfeit the pleasure of Mrs. Richard's company, I refuse to quit the land. Yes, oh, Mr. Harley, Lucy broke from her husband, and I will stay with you a few please. I don't want to go among those people, and we can see it all from the shore. Dearest, I don't want to go. You don't mind? Of course, I will go if you wish, but I would so much rather stay, and she lengthened her plea in her attitude and look to melt the discontent she saw gathering. Adrienne protested that she had much better go, that he could amuse himself very well till their return and so forth. But she had schemes in her pretty head and held to it to be allowed to stay in spite of Lord Mount Falcon's disappointment, cited by Richard and at the great risk of vexing her darling as she saw. Richard pitched and glanced contemptuously at Adrienne. He gave way ungraciously. There, do as you like. Get your things ready to leave this evening. No, I'm not angry. Who could be? He seemed as he looked up from her modest fondling to ask Adrienne and seize the indemnity of a kiss on her forehead, which, however, did not immediately disperse the shade of annoyance he felt. Good heavens, he exclaimed, such a day is this, and a fellow refuses to come on the water. Well, come along to the edge of the sea. Adrienne's angelic quality had quite worn off to him. He never thought of devoting himself to make the most of the material there was, but somebody else did, and that fair somebody succeeded wonderfully in a few short hours. He induced Adrienne to reflect that the baronet had only to see her, and the family muddle would be smoothed at once. He came to it by degrees. Still, the gradations were rapid. Her manner he liked. She was certainly a nice picture. Best of all, she was sensible. He forgot the farmer's niece in her. She was so very sensible. She appeared really to understand that it was a woman's duty to know how to cook. But the difficulty was by what means the baronet could be brought to consent to see her. He had not yet consented to see his son, and Adrienne, spurred by Lady Blandish, had ventured something in coming down. He was not inclined to venture more. The small debate in his mind ended by his throwing the burden on time. Time would bring the matter about. Christians as well as pagans would have it of phrasing this excuse for folding their arms. Forgetful, says the pilgrim's script, that the devil's imps enter into no such armistice. As she loitered along the shore with her amusing companion, Lucy had many things to think of. There was her darling's match. The yachts were started by pistol shot by Lord Mount Falcon on board the Empress, and her little heart beat after Richard's straining sails. Then there was the strangeness of walking with a relative of Richard's, one who had lived by his side so long, and the thought that perhaps this night she would have to appear before the dreaded father of her husband. "'Oh, Mr. Harley,' she said, "'is it true, are we to go to-night?' "'And me,' she faltered, "'will he see me?' "'Ah, that is what I wanted to talk to you about,' said Adrienne. "'I made some reply to our dear boy, "'which he has slightly misinterpreted. "'Our second-person plural "'is liable to misconstruction by an ardent mind. "'I said, see you, "'and he supposed, now, Mrs. Richard. "'I am sure you will understand me. "'Just at present perhaps it would be advisable "'when the father and son have settled their accounts "'the daughter-in-law can't be a debtor.' Lucy threw up her blue eyes. "'A half-cowardly delight "'at the chance of a respite from the awful interview "'made her quickly apprehensive. "'Oh, Mr. Harley, "'you think he should go alone first?' "'Well, that is my notion. "'But the fact is, "'he is such an excellent husband "'that I fancy it will require more "'than a man's power of persuasion "'to get him to go. "'But I will persuade him, Mr. Harley. "'Perhaps, if you would, "'there is nothing I would not do for his happiness,' murmured Lucy. The wise youth pressed her hand with lymphatic approbation. They walked on till the yachts had rounded the point. "'Is it tonight, Mr. Harley?' she asked, with some trouble in her voice now that her darling was out of sight. "'I don't imagine your eloquence "'even will get him to leave you tonight,' Adrian replied gallantly. "'Besides, I must speak for myself. "'To achieve the passage to an island "'is enough for one day. "'No necessity exists for any hurry, "'except in the brain of that impetuous boy. "'You must correct it, Mrs. Richard. "'Men are made to be managed, "'and women are born managers. "'Now, if you were to let him know "'that you don't want to go tonight, "'and let him guess after a day or two "'that you would very much rather "'you might affect a peculiar repugnance. "'By taking it on yourself, you see, "'this wild young man will not require "'such frightful efforts of persuasion. "'Both his father and he "'are exceedingly delicate subjects, "'and his father, unfortunately, "'is not in a position to be managed directly. "'It's a strange office to propose to you, "'but it appears to devolve upon you "'to manage the father through the son. "'Prodigal, having made his peace, "'you, who have done all the work from a distance, "'naturally come into the circle "'of the paternal smile, "'knowing it due to you, "'I see no other way. "'If Richard suspects "'that his father objects for the present "'to welcome his daughter-in-law, "'hostilities will be continued, "'the breach will be widened, "'bad will grow to worse, "'and I see no end to it.' "'Adrian looked in her face "'as much as to say, "'Now are you capable of this piece of heroism?' "'And it did seem hard to her "'that she should have to tell Richard "'she shrank from any trial. "'But the proposition chimed in "'with her fears and her wishes. "'She thought the wise youth very wise. "'The poor child was not insensible "'to his flattery, "'and the subtler flattery "'of making herself in some measure "'a sacrifice to the home she had disturbed. "'She agreed to simulate, "'as Adrian had suggested. "'Victory is the commonest heritage of the hero, "'and when Richard came on shore, "'proclaiming that the blandish "'had beaten the bigum by seven minutes and three-quarters, "'he was hastily kissed "'and congratulated by his bride "'with her fingers among the leaves "'of Dr. Kitchener, "'and anxiously questioned about wine. "'Dearest, Mr. Harley wants to stay with us a little, "'he thinks we ought not to go immediately, "'that is, before he has had some letters, "'and I feel I would so much rather... "'Ah, that's it, you coward,' said Richard. "'Well, then tomorrow we had a splendid race. "'Did you see us?' "'Oh, yes, I saw you "'and was sure my darling would win. "'And again she threw on him the cold water "'of that solicitude about wine. "'Mr. Harley must have the best you know, "'but he never drank it, and I'm so silly. "'I don't know good wine, "'and if you would send Tom where he can get good wine, "'I have seen to the dinner. "'So that's why you didn't come to meet me?' "'Pardon me, darling. "'Well, I do, but Mount Falcon doesn't, "'and Lady Judith thinks you ought to have been there. "'Ah, but my heart was with you,' "'Richard put his hand to feel for the little heart. "'But the little heart softened, and she ran away. "'It is to say much of the dinner "'that Adrian found no fault with it "'and was in perfect good humor "'at the conclusion of the service. "'He did not abuse the wine they were able to procure for him, "'which was also much. "'The coffee, too, had the honor of passing without comment. "'These were sound first steps "'toward the conquest of an epicure, "'and as yet, Cupid did not grumble. "'For coffee, they strolled out to see the sunset "'from Lady Judith's grounds. "'The wind had dropped. "'The clouds had rolled from the zenith "'and ranged in amphitheater "'with distant flushed bodies over sea and land. "'Titanic, crimson head and chest, "'rising from the wave, faced Hyperion falling. "'There hung Brierius with deep indented trunk "'and ravined brows, "'watching all his hands up to unattainable blue summits. "'Northwest, the range had a rich white glow "'as if shining to the moon and westward, "'streams of amber, melting into upper rows, "'shot out from the dipping dusk. "'What Sandau calls the passionflower of heaven,' "'said Richard under his breath to Adrian, "'who was serenely chanting Greek hexameters "'and answered in the swing of the caesora. "'Titanics will have said cauliflower. "'Lady Judith, with a black lace veil tied over her head, "'met them in the walk. "'She was tall and dark, dark-haired, dark-eyed, "'sweet and persuasive in her accent and manner. "'A second edition of the blandish,' thinks Adrian. "'She welcomed him as one "'who had claims on her affability. "'She kissed Lucy protectingly "'and remarking on the wondrous of the evening, "'and appropriated her husband. "'Adrian and Lucy found themselves walking behind them. "'The sun was under, "'all the spaces of the sky were alight, "'and Richard's fancy flamed. "'So you're not intoxicated "'with your immense triumph this morning,' said Lady Judith. "'Don't laugh at me. "'When it's over, I feel ashamed "'of the trouble I've taken. "'Look at that glory. "'I'm sure you despise me for it.' "'Was I not there to applaud you? "'I only think such energies "'should be turned into some definitely useful channel, "'but you must not go into the army. "'What else can I do? "'You are fit for so much that is better. "'I can never be anything like Austin, "'but I think you can do more. "'Well, I thank you for thinking it, "'Lady Judith, something I will do. "'A man must deserve to live, as you say.' "'Sauces,' Adrian was heard "'to articulate distinctly in the rear. "'Sauces are the top tree of this science. "'A woman who has mastered sauces "'sits on the apex of civilization.' "'Briarius read in duskily seaward. "'The West was all a burning rose.' "'How can men see such sights as those "'and live idle?' Richard resumed. "'I feel ashamed of asking my men to work for me. "'Or I feel so now. "'Not when you're racing the bigam, I think. "'There's no necessity for you to turn Democrat like Austin. "'Do you write now?' "'No. What is writing like mine? "'It doesn't deceive me. "'I know it's only the excuse I'm making to myself "'for remaining idle. "'I haven't written a line since lately. "'Because you are so happy.' "'No, not because of that. "'Of course I'm very happy.' "'He did not finish. "'Vague, shapeless ambition "'had replaced love in yonder skies. "'No scientific humanist was by "'to study the natural development and guide him. "'This lady would hardly be deemed a very proper guide "'to the undirected energies of the youth. "'Yet they had established relations of that nature. "'She was five years older than he and a woman "'which may explain her serene presumption. "'The Cloud Giants had broken up. "'A brawny shoulder smoldered over the sea. "'We'll work together in town at all events,' said Richard. "'Why can't we go about together at night "'and find out people who want help?' "'Lady Judith smiled "'and only corrected his nonsense by saying, "'I think we mustn't be too romantic. "'You will become a night-errant, I suppose. "'You have the characteristics of one. "'Especially at breakfast, "'Adrian's unnecessarily emphatic gastronomical lessons "'to the young wife here came in. "'You must be our champion,' continued Lady Judith. "'The rescuer and succourer of distressed dames and damsels. "'We want one badly.' "'You do,' said Richard earnestly, "'from what I hear, from what I know. "'His thoughts flew off with him as night-errant "'hailed shrilly at exceeding critical moments "'by distressed dames and damsels. "'Images of airy towers hung around. "'His fancy-performed, miraculous feats. "'The towers crumbled. "'The stars grew larger, seeming to throb with luster. "'His fancy crumbled with the towers of the air. "'His heart gave a leap. He turned to Lucy. "'My darling, what have you been doing?' "'And as if to compensate her "'for his little night-errant infidelity, "'he pressed very tenderly to her. "'We have been engaged in a charming conversation "'on domestic cookery,' interposed Adrian. "'Cookery? Such an evening as this?' "'His face was a handsome likeness of hippies "'at the presentation of bright cake. "'Dearest, you know it's very useful,' Lucy mirthfully pleaded. "'Indeed, I quite agree with you, child,' said Lady Judith. "'And I think you have the laugh of us. "'I certainly will learn to cook some day.' "'Woman's mission in so many words,' ejaculated Adrian. "'And pray, what is man's? "'To taste thereof and pronounce thereupon.' "'Let us give it up to them,' said Lady Judith to Richard. "'You and I never will make so delightful "'and beautifully balanced a world of it.' "'Richard appeared to have grown perfectly willing "'to give everything up to the fair face, his bridal hesper. "'Next day, Lucy had to act the coward anew, "'and as she did so, her heart sank "'to see how painfully it affected him "'that she should hesitate to go with him to his father. "'He was patient, gentle. "'He sat down by her side to appeal to her reason "'and used all the arguments he could think of to persuade her. "'If we go together and make him see us both, "'if he sees he has nothing to be ashamed of in you, "'rather everything to be proud of. "'If you are only near him, you will not have to speak a word, "'and I'm certain, as certain as that I live, "'that in a week we shall be settled happily at Rainham. "'I know my father so well, Lucy. "'Nobody knows him but I.' Lucy asked whether Mr. Harley did not. "'Adrian? Not a bit. "'Adrian only knows a part of people, Lucy, "'and not the best part. "'Lucy was disposed to think more highly "'of the object of her conquest. "'Is it he that has been frightening you, Lucy?' "'No, no, Richard. Oh, dear no,' she cried, "'and looked at him more tenderly "'because she was not quite truthful. "'He doesn't know my father at all,' said Richard. "'But Lucy had another opinion of the wise youth "'who maintained it. "'She could not be one to imagine the baronet, "'a man of human mold, generous, forgiving, "'full of passionate love at heart,' "'as Richard tried to picture him, "'and thought him now that he beheld him again "'through Adrian's embassy. "'To her he was that awful figure, "'shrouded by the midnight. "'Why are you so harsh?' "'She had heard Richard cry more than once. "'She was sure that Adrian must be right. "'I tell you I won't go without you,' said Richard, "'and Lucy begged for a little more time. "'Cupid now began to grumble, and with cause. "'Adrian positively refused to go on the water "'unless that element were smooth as a plate. "'The Southwest still joked boisterously "'at any comparison of the sort. "'The days were magnificent. "'Richard had yachting engagements, "'and Lucy always petitioned to stay "'to keep Adrian company. "'Concerning it, her duty as hostess. "'Arguing with Adrian was an absurd idea. "'If Richard hinted at his retaining Lucy, "'the wise youth would remark, "'It's a wholesome interlude "'to your extremely cupidinous behavior, my dear boy.' "'Richard asked his wife "'what they could possibly find to talk about. "'All manner of things,' said Lucy, "'not only cookery, he is so amusing, "'though he does make fun of the pilgrim's script, "'and I think he ought not. "'And then, do you know, darling, "'you won't think me vain, "'I think he is beginning to like me a little?' "'Richard laughed at the humble mind of his beauty. "'Doesn't everybody like you, admire you? "'Doesn't Lord Mount Falcon and Mr. Morton "'and Lady Judith? "'But he is one of your family, Richard. "'And they all will if she isn't a coward.' "'Ah, no,' she sighs, and is chidden. "'The conquest of an epicure, "'or any young wife's conquest, "'beyond her husband, however loyally devised "'for their mutual happiness, "'may be costly to her. "'Richard, in his hours of excitement, "'was thrown very much with Lady Judith. "'He consulted her regarding "'what he termed Lucy's cowardice. "'Lady Judith said, "'I think she's wrong, "'but he must learn to humor little women. "'Then would you advise me to go up alone?' "'he asked, with a cloudy forehead. "'What else can you do? "'Be reconciled yourself as quickly as you can. "'You can't drag her like a captive, you know?' "'It is not pleasant for a young husband, "'fancying his bride, "'the peerless flower of creation, "'to learn that he must humor "'a little woman in her. "'It was revolting to Richard. "'My fear, he said, "'is that my father will make it smooth with me "'and not acknowledge her, "'so that whenever I go to him "'I shall have to leave her and tit for tat, "'an abominable existence, "'like a ball on a billiard table. "'I won't bear that ignominy. "'And this I know, I know, "'she might prevent it at once "'if she would only be brave and face it. "'You, you, Lady Judith, "'you wouldn't be a coward. "'Where my old lord tells me to go, "'I go,' the lady coldly replied. "'There's not much merit in that. "'Pray, don't cite me. "'Women are born cowards, you know. "'But I love the women who are not cowards. "'The little thing, your wife has not refused to go? "'No, but tears. "'Who can stand tears?' "'Lucy had come to drop them, "'unaccustomed to have his will thwarted "'and urgent where he saw the thing to do so clearly. "'The young husband had spoken strong words, "'and she, who knew that she would have given her life "'by inches for him, "'who knew that she was playing a part for his happiness "'and hiding for his sake the nature "'that was worthy his esteem. "'The poor little martyr had been weak a moment. "'She had Adrian's support. "'The wise youth was very comfortable. "'He liked the air of the island, "'and he liked being petted. "'A nice little woman, a very nice little woman,' "'Tom Bakewell heard him murmur to himself, "'according to a habit he had, "'and his air of rather succulent patronage as he walked "'or sat beside the innocent beauty "'with his head thrown back "'and a smile that seemed always to be in secret communion "'with his marked abdominal prominence, "'showed that she was gaining part of what she played for. "'The youths, who by their loves are not unwilling "'when opportunity offers "'to try and obtain the commodity for nothing. "'Examinations of her hand, "'as for some occult purpose, "'and unctuous paddings of the same were not infrequent. "'Adrian waxed, now and then, "'and that creontic in his compliments. "'Lucy would say, "'that's worse than Lord Mount Falcon. "'Better English than the noble Lord Daines to employ. "'Allow that,' quote Adrian. "'He is very kind,' said Lucy. "'To all, save to our noble vernacular,' added Adrian, "'he seems to send a rival to his dignity there. "'It may be that Adrian sent it a rival "'to his lymphatic emotions. "'We are at our ease here, "'in excellent society,' he wrote to Lady Blandish. "'I am bound to confess that the Huron has a happy fortune "'or a superlative instinct. "'Blindfold, he has seized upon a suitable mate. "'She can look at a lord and cook for an epicure. "'Besides Dr. Kitchener, "'she reads and comments on the pilgrim's script. "'The love chapter, of course, takes her fancy. "'That picture of woman, drawn by reverence "'and colored by love, she thinks beautiful "'and repeats it, tossing up pretty eyes. "'Also, the lover's petition, "'give me purity to be worthy the good in her "'and grant her patience to reach the good in me. "'Tis quite taking to hear her lisp it. "'Be sure that I am repeating the petition. "'I make her read me her choice passages. "'She has not a bad voice.' "'The Lady Judith I spoke of is Austen's Miss Mantith, "'married to the incapable old Lord Fell, "'or fellow, as the wits here call him. "'Lord Mount Falcon is her cousin and her what "'she has been trying to find out, "'but they have both got over their perplexity "'and, act respectively, the bad man reproved "'and the chaste counselor, "'a position in which our young couple found them "'and happily diverted its perils. "'They have quite taken them in hand. "'Lady Judith undertakes to cure the fair papist "'of a pretty modest trick of frowning "'and blushing when addressed. "'And his lordship directs the exuberant energies "'of the original man. "'Tis thus we fulfill our destinies and our content. "'Sometimes they change pupils. "'My lord educates the little dame "'and my lady the hope of renom. "'Joy and blessings unto all, "'as the German poet sings. "'Lady Judith accepted the hand of her decrepit lord "'that she might be of potent service "'to fellow creatures. "'Austin, you know, had great hopes of her. "'I have, for the first time in my career, "'a field of lords to study. "'I think it is not without meaning "'that I am introduced to it by a yeoman's niece. "'The language of the two social extremes is similar. "'I find it to consist "'in an instinctively lavish use of vowels and adjectives. "'My lord and farmer blaze speak the same tongue, "'only my lords has lost its backbone "'and is limp, though fluent. "'Their pursuits are identical, "'but that one has money, "'or as the pilgrim terms it, vantage, "'and the other has not. "'Their ideas seem to have a special relationship "'in the peculiarity of stopping where they have begun. "'Young Tom Blaze with vantage would be Lord Mount Falcon. "'Even in the character of their parasites, "'I see a resemblance, "'though I am bound to confess "'that the honorable Peter Brader, "'who is my lord's parasite, "'is by no means noxious. "'This sounds dreadfully Democrat. "'Pray, don't be alarmed. "'The discovery of the affinity "'between the two extremes of the royal British oak "'has made me thrice conservative. "'I see now that the national love of a lord "'is more servience than a form of self-love, "'putting a gold lace hat on one's image "'as it were to bow to it. "'I see, too, the admirable wisdom of our system. "'Could there be a finer balance of power "'than in a community where men intellectually nil "'have lawful vantage and a gold lace hat on? "'How soothing it is to intellect "'that noble rebel as the pilgrim has it "'to stand and bow and know itself superior. "'This exquisite compensation maintains the balance, "'whereas that period anticipated by the pilgrim, "'when science shall have produced "'an intellectual aristocracy, "'is indeed horrible to contemplate "'for what despotism is so black "'as one the mind cannot challenge? "'Till be an iron age, "'wherefore, madam, I cry, and shall continue to cry, "'vive Lord Mount Falcon, "'long may he sip his burgundy, "'long may the bacon-fed carry him on their shoulders. "'Mr. Morton, who does me the honour "'to call me young Mephisto and Socrates Mist, "'leaves tomorrow to get Master Ralph out of a scrape. "'Our Richard has just been elected "'member of a club for the promotion of nausea, "'is he happy, you ask? "'As much so is one who has had the misfortune "'to obtain what he wanted can be. "'Speed is his passion. "'He races from point to point. "'In emulation of Leander and Don Juan, "'he swam, I hear, to the opposite shores "'the other day, or some world-shaking feat "'of the sort, himself the hero whom he went to meet, "'or as they, who puns, say, his hero was a bet, "'a pretty little domestic episode occurred this morning. "'He finds her abstracted in the fire of his caresses. "'She turns shy and seeks solitude. "'Green jealousy takes hold of him. "'He lies in wait and discovers her with his new rival, "'a veteran edition of the culinary doctor. "'Blind to the doctor's great national services, "'deaf to her wild music, he grasps the intruder, "'dismembers him, and performs upon him "'the treatment he has recommended for dressed cucumber. "'Tears and shrieks accompany the descent of the gastronome. "'Down she rushes to secure the cherished fragments. "'He follows. "'They find him true to his character, "'alighted and straggling over a bed of blooming flowers. "'Yet air, a fairer flower, can gather him. "'A hill, black as Pluto, stamps him into earth, flowers and all. "'Happy burial. "'Pathetic tribute to his merit is watering his grave. "'When by saunters, my lord Mount Falcon, "'what's the matter?' says his lordship, soothing his mustache. "'They break apart, until left to me to explain from the window. "'My lord looks shocked.' "'Richard is angry with her for having to be ashamed of himself.' "'Beauty dries her eyes, and after a pause of general foolishness, "'the business of life is resumed. "'I may add that the doctor has just been dug up, "'and we are busy in the enemy's absence, "'renewing old Asan with enchanted threads. "'By the way, a papest priest has blessed them.' "'A month had passed when Adrian wrote this letter, "'he was very comfortable, so of course he thought time "'was doing his duty. "'Not a word did he say of Richard's return, "'and for some reason or other, "'neither Richard nor Lucy spoke of it now.' "'Lady Blandish wrote back, "'his father thinks he has refused to come to him. "'By your utter silence on the subject, "'I fear that it must be so. "'Make him come, bring him by force, insist on his coming. "'Is he mad? He must come at once.' "'To this, Adrian replied, "'after a contemplative comfortable lapse of a day or two, "'which might be laid to his efforts to adopt the lady's advice. "'The point is that the half-man declines to come "'without the whole man. "'The terrible question of sex is our obstruction.' "'Lady Blandish was in despair. "'She had no positive assurance that the baronet would see his son. "'The mask put them all in the dark, "'but she thought she saw in Sir Austin irritation "'that the offender, at least when the opening to come "'and make his peace seem to be before him, "'should let days and weeks go by. "'She saw through the mask sufficiently "'not to have any hope of his consenting "'to receive the couple at present. "'She was sure that his equanimity was fictitious, "'but she pierced no farther, "'or she might have started and asked herself, "'is this the heart of a woman?' "'The lady at last wrote to Richard. "'She said, come instantly and come alone. "'Then Richard, against his judgment, gave way. "'My father is not the man I thought him,' he exclaimed sadly, "'and Lucy felt his eyes saying to her, "'and you too are not the woman I thought you.' "'Nothing could the poor little heart reply "'but strain to his bosom "'and sleeplessly pray in his arms all the night.'" End of Chapter 34 Chapter 35 of the Ordeal of Richard Feverell This is a LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox.org Recording by Jennifer Painter The Ordeal of Richard Feverell by George Meredith Chapter 35 Three weeks after Richard arrived in town, his cousin Claire was married under the blessings of her energetic mother and with the approbation of her kinsfolk to the husband that had been expeditiously chosen for her. The gentleman, though something more than twice the age of his bride, had no idea of approaching senility for many long, conubial years to come. Backed by his tailor and his hairdresser, he presented no such bad figure at the altar, and none would have thought that he was an ancient admirer of his bride's mama, as certainly none knew he had lately proposed for Mrs. Doria before there was any question of her daughter. These things were secrets, and the elastic and happy appearance of Mr. John Todd Hunter did not betray them at the altar. Perhaps he would rather have married the mother. He was a man of property, well-born, tolerably well-educated and had, when Mrs. Doria rejected him for the first time, the reputation of being a fool, which a wealthy man may have in his view. But as he lived on and did not squander his money, amassed it, on the contrary, and did not seek to go into parliament, and did other negative-wise things, the world's opinion, as usual, veered completely round, and John Todd Hunter was esteemed a shrewd, sensible man, only not brilliant, that he was brilliant, could not be said of him. In fact, the man could hardly talk, and it was a fortunate provision that no impromptu deliveries were acquired of him in the marriage service. Mrs. Doria had her own reasons for being in a hurry. She had discovered something of the strange, impassive nature of her child, not from any confession of clairs, but from signs a mother can read when her eyes are not resolutely shut. She saw with alarm anguish that Claire had fallen into the pit she had been digging for her, so laboriously. In vain, she entreated the baronet to break her disgraceful and, as she said, illegal alliance his son had contracted. So Austin would not even stop the little pension to poor Berry. At least you will do that, Austin. She begged pathetically. You will show your sense of a married woman's conduct? He refused to offer up any victim to console her. Then Mrs. Doria told him her thoughts, and when an outraged, energetic lady is finally brought to exhibit these painfully hoarded treasures, she does not use half words as a medium. His system and his conduct generally were denounced to him without analysis. She let him understand that the world laughed at him, and he heard this from her at a time when his mask was still soft and liable to be acted on by his nerves. You are weak, Austin. Weak, I tell you, she said, and like all angry and self-interested people, prophecy came easy to her. In her heart, she accused him of her own fault in imputing to him the wreck of her project. The baronet allowed her to revel in the proclamation of a dire future, and quietly counselled her to keep apart from him, which his sister assured him she would do. But to be passive in calamity is the province of no woman. Mark the race at any hour. What revolution and hubbub does not that little instrument, the needle, avert from us, says the pilgrim's script. Alas, that in calamity women cannot stitch. Now that she saw Clare wanted other than Iron, it struck her she must have a husband and be made secure as a woman and a wife. This seemed the thing to do, and as she had forced the Iron down Clare's throat, so she forced the husband and Clare gulped at the latter as she had at the former. On the very day that Mrs. Doria had this new trap shaped out before her, John Todd Hunter called at the fouries. Oh John, sang out Mrs. Doria, show him up to me. I want to see him particularly. He sat with her alone. He was a man, multitudes of women would have married. Whom will they not? And who would have married any presentable woman? But women do want asking, and John never had the word. The rape of such men is left to the practical animal. So John sat alone with his old flame. He had become resigned to her perpetual lamentation and living sutty for his defunct rival. But ha! What meant those soft glances now addressed to him? His tailor and his hairdresser gave youth to John. But they had not the art to bestow upon him distinction. And an undistinguished man, what woman looks at? John was an indistinguishable man. For that reason he was dry wood to a soft glance. And now she said, it is time you should marry and you are the man to be the guide and helper of a young woman, John. You are well preserved, younger than most of the young men of our day. You are eminently domestic, a good son, and will be a good husband and good father. Someone you must marry. What do you think of Claire for a wife for you? At first John Todd Hunter thought it would be very much like he's marrying a baby. However, he listened to it and that was enough for Mrs. Doria. She went down to John's mother and consulted with her on the propriety of the scheme of wedding her daughter to John in accordance with his proposition. Mrs. Todd Hunter's jealousy of any disturbing force in the influence she held over her son, Mrs. Doria knew to be one of the causes of John's remaining constant to the impression she had a foretime produced on him. She spoke so kindly of John and laid so much stress on the ingrained obedience and passive disposition of her daughter that Mrs. Todd Hunter was led to admit she did think it almost time John should be seeking a mate and that he, all things considered, would hardly find a fitter one. And this, John Todd Hunter, old John no more, heard to his amazement when a day or two subsequently he instanced the probable disapproval of his mother. The match was arranged. Mrs. Doria did the wooing. It consisted in telling Claire that she had come to years when marriage was desirable and that she had fallen into habits of moping which might have the worst effect on her future life as it had on her present health and appearance and which her husband would cure. Richard was told by Mrs. Doria that Claire had instantaneously consented to accept Mr. John Todd Hunter as Lord of her days and with more than obedience with alacrity. At all events when Richard spoke to Claire the strange passive preacher did not admit constraint on her internations. Mrs. Doria allowed Richard to speak to her. She laughed at his futile endeavors to undo her work and the boyish sentiments he uttered on the subject. Let us see, child, she said. Let us see which turns out the best. A marriage of passion or a marriage of common sense. Heroic efforts were not wanting to arrest the union. Richard made repeated journeys to Hanslow where Ralph was quartered and if Ralph could have been persuaded to carry off a young lady who did not love him from the bridegroom her mother or the bird she did love Mrs. Doria might have been defeated but Ralph in his cavalry quarters was cooler than Ralph in the Bursley meadows. Women are oddities, Dick, he remarked running a finger right and left along his upper lip. Best leave them to their own freaks. She's a dear girl, though she doesn't talk. I like her for that. If she cared for me, I'd go the race. She never did. It's no use asking a girl twice. She knows whether she cares a thing for a fellow. The hero quitted him with some contempt as Ralph Morton was a young man and he had determined that John Todd Hunter was an old man. He sought another private interview with Claire and getting her alone said, Claire, I have come to you for the last time. Will you marry Ralph Morton? To which Claire replied, I cannot marry two husbands, Richard. Will you refuse to marry this old man? I must do as Mamar wishes. Then you're going to marry an old man, a man you don't love and can't love. Oh, good God, do you know what you're doing? He flung about in a fury. Do you know what it is, Claire? He caught her two hands violently. Have you any idea of the horror you are going to commit? She shrank a little at his vehemence, but neither blushed nor stammered, answering, I see nothing wrong in doing what Mamar thinks right, Richard. Your mother. I tell you, it's an infamy, Claire. It is a miserable sin. I tell you, if I had done such a thing, I would not live an hour after it and coldly to prepare for it, to be busy about your dresses. They told me when I came in that you were with the milliner, to be smiling over the horrible outrage, decorating yourself. Dear Richard, said Claire, you will make me very unhappy. That one of my blood should be so debased, you cried, brushing angrily at his face. Unhappy? I beg you to feel for yourself, Claire. But I suppose, and he said it scornfully, girls don't feel this sort of shame. She grew a trifle paler. Next to Mamar, I would wish to please you, dear Richard. Have you no will of your own? He exclaimed. She looked at him softly, a look he interpreted for the meekness he detested in her. No, I believe you have none, he added. And what can I do? I can't step forward and stop this accursed marriage. If you would but say a word, I would save you. But you tie my hands, and they expect me to stand by and see it done. Will you not be there, Richard? Said Claire, following the question with her soft eyes. It was the same voice that had so thrilled him on his marriage mourn. Oh my darling Claire! He cried in the kindest way he had ever used her. If you knew how I feel this, and now as he wept, she wept, and came insensibly into his arms. My darling Claire! He repeated. She said nothing but seemed to shudder, weeping. You will do it, Claire! You will be sacrificed, so lovely as you are too, Claire. You cannot be quite blind. If I dared speak to you and tell you all, look up! Can you still consent? I must not disobey mama, Claire murmured, without looking up from the nest her cheek had made on his bosom. Then kiss me for the last time, said Richard, I'll never kiss you after it, Claire. He bent his head to meet her mouth, and she threw her arms wildly around him, and kissed him convulsively, and clung to his lips, shutting her eyes, her face subdued with a burning red. Then he left her, unaware of the meaning of those passionate kisses. Argument with Mrs. Doria was like firing paper pellets against a stone wall. To her indeed, the young married hero spoke almost indecorously, and that which his delicacy withheld him from speaking to Claire. He could provoke nothing more responsive from the practical animal than poo-poo, tush-tush, and fiddle-de-dee. Really, Mrs. Doria said to her intimates, that boy's education acts like a disease on him. He cannot regard anything sensibly. He is forever in some mad excess of his fancy, and what he will come to at last, heaven only knows. I sincerely pray that Austin will be able to bear it. Threats of prayer however, that harp upon their sincerity, are not very well worth having. Mrs. Doria had embarked in a practical controversy, as it were, with her brother. Douglas, she did trust he would be able to bear his sorrows to come, but one who has uttered prophecy can barely help hoping to see it fulfilled. She had prophesied much grief to the Baronet. Poor John Todd Hunter, who would rather have married the mother, and had none of your heroic notions about the sacred necessity for love in marriage, moved as one guilt-less of offence, and deserving his happiness. Mrs. Doria shielded him from the hero. To see him smile at Claire's obedient figure, and try not to look paternal, was touching. Meantime, Claire's marriage served one purpose. It completely occupied Richard's mind, and prevented him from chafing at the vexation of not finding his father ready to meet him when he came to town. A letter had awaited Adrian at the hotel, which said, Detain him till you hear further from me. Take him about with you into every form of society. No more than that. Adrian had to extemporise that the Baronet had gone down to Wales on pressing business, and would be back in a week or so. For ulterior inventions and devices, wherewith to keep the young gentlemen in town, he applied to Mrs. Doria. Move him to me, said Mrs. Doria. I'll manage him. And she did. Who can say, asks the pilgrim's script, when he is not walking a puppet to some woman? Mrs. Doria would hear no good of Lucy. I believe, she observed, as Adrian ventured a shrugging protest in her behalf. It is my firm opinion that a scullery maid would turn any of you men round her little finger, only give her time and opportunity. By dwelling on the arts of women, she reconciled it to her conscience, to do her best to divide the young husband from his wife, till it pleased his father they should live their unhallowed union again. Without compunction or a sense of incongruity, she abused her brother and assisted the fulfilment of his behests. So the puppets were marshalled by Mrs. Doria, happy or sad or indifferent. Quite against his set resolve and the tide of his feelings, Richard found himself standing behind Claire in the church, the very edifice that had witnessed his own marriage, and heard, I, Claire Doria, take thee, John Pemberton, clearly pronounced. He stood with black brows dissecting the arts of the tailor and hairdresser on unconscious John. The back and much of the middle of Mr. Todd Hunter's head was bald. The back shone like an eggshell, but across the middle the artist had drawn two long dabs of hair from the sides and plastered them cunningly, so that all save willful eyes would have acknowledged the head to be covered. The man's only pretension was to a respectable juvenility. He had a good chest, stout limbs, a face inclined to be jolly. Mrs. Doria had no cause to be put out of countenance at all by the exterior of her son-in-law. Nor was she. Her splendid hair and gratified smile made a light in the church. Playing puppets must be an immense pleasure to the practical animal. The fourie bridesmaids, five in number, and one Miss Doria, their cousin, stood as girls do stand at these sacrifices, whether happy, sad, or indifferent, a smile on their lips and tears in attendance. Old Mrs. Todd Hunter, an exceedingly small ancient woman, was also there. I can't have my boy John married without seeing it done, she said, and throughout the ceremony she was muttering audible encomiums on her John's manly behaviour. The ring was affixed to Claire's finger. There was no ring lost in this common-sense marriage. The instant the clergyman bade him employ it, John drew the ring out and dropped it on the finger of the cold, passive hand in a business-like way as one who had studied the matter. He glanced aside at Richard. Richard observed Claire spread out her fingers that the operation might be the more easily affected. He did duty in the vestry a few minutes and then said to his aunt, now I'll go. You'll come to the breakfast, child, before his. He cut her short. I've stood for the family and I'll do no more. I won't pretend to eat and make merry over it. She had attained her object and she wisely gave way. Well, go and kiss Claire and shake his hand. Pray, pray be civil. She turned to Adrian and said, he is going. You must go with him and find some means of keeping him or he'll be running off to that woman. Now, no words, go! Richard bade Claire farewell. She put up her mouth to him humbly but he kissed her on the forehead. Do not cease to lovely. She said in a quavering whisper in his ear. Mr. Todd Hunter stood beaming and endangering the art of the hairdresser with his pocket handkerchief. Now he positively was married. He thought he would rather have the daughter than the mother, which is a reverse of the order of human thankfulness at her gift of the gods. Richard, my boy, he said heartily, congratulate me. I should be happy to, if I could, sedately replied the hero to the consternation of those around. nodding to the bridesmaids and bowing to the old lady, he passed out. Adrian, who had been behind him, deputed to watch for a possible unpleasantness, just hinted to John. You know, poor fellow, he has got into a mess with his marriage. Oh, ah, yes. Time, he said, John. Poor fellow. All the puppets then rolled off to the breakfast. Adrian hurried after Richard in an extremely discontented state of mind. Not to be at the breakfast and see the best of the fun disgusted him. However, he remembered that he was a philosopher and the strong disgust he felt was only expressed in concentrated cynicism on every earthly matter engendered by the conversation. They walked side by side into Kensington Gardens. The hero was mouthing away to himself, talking by fit. Presently, he faced Adrian crying and I might have stopped it. I see it now. I might have stopped it by going straight to him and asking if he dared marry a girl who did not love him and I never thought of it. Good heaven. I feel this miserable affair on my conscience. Ah, groaned Adrian. An unpleasant cargo for the conscience that I would rather carry anything on mine than a married couple. Do you propose going to him now? The hero saliloquized. He is not a bad sort of man. Well, he's not a cavalier, said Adrian. And that's why you wonder your aunt selected him no doubt. He's decidedly of the round head type, with a puritan extracted or inoffensive if late. There's the double infamy, cried Richard, that a man you can't call bad to do this damn thing. Well, it's hard we can't find a villain. He would have listened to me, I'm sure. Go to him now, Richard, my son. Go to him now. It is not yet too late. Who knows? If he really has a noble and elevated superior mind, though not a cavalier in person, he may be one at heart. He might, to please you, and since you put such stress upon it, abstain, perhaps with some loss of dignity, but never mind. And the request might be singular, or seem so, but everything has happened before in this world, you know, my dear boy. And what an infinite consolation it is for the eccentric, that reflection. The hero was impervious to the wise youth. He stared at him as if he were but a speck in the universe he visioned. It was provoking that Richard should be Adrian's best subject for cynical pastime. In the extraordinary heterodoxies he started, and his worst in the way he took it. And the wise youth, against his will, had to feel as conscious of the young man's imaginative mental armor as he was of his muscular physical. In the hour of day, news Richard looking up, I suppose my father's right, we make our own fates, and nature has nothing to do with it. Adrian yawned. Some difference in the trees though, Richard continued abstractedly. Growing bald at the top said Adrian, will you believe that my Aunt Helen compared the conduct of that Richard slave Claire to Mooses, who she had the cruel insolence that she entangled me into marriage? The hero broke out loudly and rapidly. You know, I told you Adrian how I had to threaten and insist and how she pleaded and implored me to wait. Ah, mm, mumbled Adrian. You remember my telling you? Richard was earnest to hear her exonerated. Pleaded and implored my dear boy. Oh, no doubt she did. Where's the last that doesn't? Call my wife by another name, if you please. The generic title can't be cancelled because of your having married one of the body, my son. She did all she could to persuade me to wait, emphasised Richard. Adrian shook his head with a deplorable smile. Come, come my good Ricky, not at all, not at all. Richard bellowed. What more could she have done? She could have shaved her head, for instance. This happy shaft did stick with a furious exclamation Richard shot in front, Adrian following him and asking him, barely to have his assumption verified whether he did not think she might have shaved her head and presuming her to have done so, whether in panda he did not think he would have waited at least till she looked less of a ranked lunatic. After a minute or so the wise youth was butterfly buzzing about Richard's head. Three weeks of separation from Lucy and an excitement deceased caused him to have soft yearnings for the dear, lovely home face. He told Adrian it was his intention to go down that night. Adrian immediately became serious. He was at a loss what to invent to detain him beyond the stale fiction that his father was coming tomorrow. He rendered homage to the genius of woman in these streets. My aunt, he thought, would have the lie ready and not only that but she would take care it did its work. At this juncture the voice of a cavalier in the row hailed them, proving to be the honourable Peter Brader Lord Mount Falcons Parasite. He greeted them very cordially and Richard, remembering some fun they had in the island asked him to dine with them postponing his return till the next day. Lucy was his it was even sweet to dally with the delight of seeing her. The honourable Peter was one who did honour to the body he belonged to. Though not so tall as a west of London footman he was as shapely and he had a power of making his voice insinuating or arrogant as it suited the exigencies of his profession. He had not a rack of money in the world yet he rode a horse, lived high expended largely. The world said that the honourable Peter was salaried by his lordship and that, in common with that of Parasite, he exercised the ancient companion profession. This the world said and still smiled at the honourable Peter for he was an engaging fellow and where he went not Lord Mount Falcons would not go. They had a quiet little hotel dinner ordered by Adrian and made a square at the table ripped and Thompson being the fourth. Richard sent down to his office to fetch him and the two friends shook hands for the first time since the great deed had been executed. Deep was the old dog's delight to hear the praises of his beauty sounded by such aristocratic lips as the honourable Peter braiders. All through the dinner he was throwing out hints and small queries to get a fuller account of her and when the claret had circulated he spoke a word or two himself and heard the honourable Peter eulogise his taste and wish him a bride as beautiful at which ripped and blushed and said he had no hope of that and the honourable Peter assured him marriage did not break the mould. After the wine this gentleman took his cigar on the balcony and had an occasion to get some conversation with Adrian alone. My young friend here made it all right for the governor he asked carelessly oh yes said Adrian but it struck him that braider might be of assistance in showing Richard a little of the society in every form required by his chief's prescript. That is he continued we are not yet permitted an interview with the august author of our being and I have rather a difficult post it is mine both to keep him here and also to find him the opportunity to measure himself with his fellow man in other words his father wants him to see something of life before he enters upon housekeeping now I am proud to confess that I am hardly equal to the task the demi or dammed monde if it is that lie wants him to observe is one that I leave not got the walk to ha ha laughed braider you do the keeping I offer to parade the demi I must say though it is a queer notion of the old gentleman it is a continuation of a philosophic plan said Adrian braider followed the fervings of the whiff of his cigar with his eyes and ejaculated infernally philosophic as lord mount falcon left the island Adrian inquired mount to tell the truth I don't know where he is chasing some like craft I suppose that's poor mounts weakness it's his ruin poor fellow he is so confoundedly an earnest at the game he ought to know it by this time if fame speaks true remarked Adrian he is a baby about women and always will be said braider he's been once or twice wanting to marry them now there's a woman you've heard of mrs mount all the world knows her if that woman hadn't scandalised the young man joined them for communication braider winked at Adrian and pitifully indicated the presence of an innocent I'm married man you know said Adrian yes yes we won't shock him braider observed he appeared to study the young man while they talked next morning Richard was surprised by a visit from his aunt mrs doria took a seat by his side and spoke as follows my dear nephew now you know I have always loved you and thought of your welfare as if you had been my own child more than that I fear well now you are thinking of returning to to that place are you not yes it is as I thought very well now let me speak to you you are in a much more dangerous position than you imagine I don't deny your father's affection for you it would be absurd to deny it but you are of an age now to appreciate his character whatever you may do he will always give you money that you are sure of that you know very well but you're one to want more than money you want his love Richard I am convinced you will never be happy whatever base pleasures you may be led into if he should withhold his love from you now child you know you have grievously offended him I wish not to animadvert on your conduct you fancied yourself in love and so on and you were rash better now but you must now it is your duty now to do something to do everything that lies in your power to show him you repent no interruptions listen to me you must consider him Austin is not like other men Austin requires the most delicate management you must whether you feel it or no present an appearance of contrition I counsel it for the good of all he is just like a woman and where his feelings are offended he wants utter subservience he has you in town and he does not see you now you know that he and I are not in communication we have likewise our differences well he has you in town he holds aloof he is trying you my dear Richard no he is not at Rainham I do not know where he is he is trying you child and you must be patient you must convince him that you do not care utterly for your own gratification if this person I wish to speak of her with respect for your sake well if she loves you at all if I say she loves you one atom she will repeat my solicitations for you to stay and patiently wait here till he consents to see you I tell you candidly it is your only chance of ever getting him to receive her that you should know and now Richard I may add that there is nothing else you should know you should know that it depends entirely upon your conduct now whether you are to see your father's heart forever divided from you and a new family at Rainham you do not understand I will explain brothers and sisters are excellent things for young people but a new brood of them can hardly be acceptable to a young man in fact they are and must be aliens I only tell you what I have heard on brood authority don't you understand now foolish boy if you do not humour him he will marry her oh I am sure of it I know it and this you will drive him to I do not warn you on the score of your prospects your feelings I should regard such a contingency Richard as a final division between you think of the scandal but alas that is the least of the eagles it was Mrs. Doria's object to produce an impression and avoid an argument she therefore left him as soon as she had as she supposed made him up on the young man Richard was very silent during the speech and save for an exclamation or so had listened attentively he pondered on what his aunt said he loved Lady Blandish and yet he did not wish to see her Lady Feverell Mrs. Doria laid painful stress on the scandal and though he did not give his mind to this he thought of it he thought of his mother where was she but most his thoughts recurred to his father and something akin to jealousy slowly awakened his heart to him he had given him up and had not laterally felt extremely filial but he could not bear the idea of a division in the love of which he had ever been the idle and sole object and such a man too so good, so generous if it was jealousy that roused the young man's heart to his father the better part of love was also revived in it he thought of old days of his father's forbearance his own willfulness he looked on himself and what he had done with the eyes of such a man he determined to do all he could to regain his favor Mrs. Doria learned from Adrian in the evening that her nephew intended waiting in town another week that was due, smiled Mrs. Doria he will be more patient at the end of a week oh, does patients forget patients said Adrian I was not aware it was a propagating virtue I surrender him to you I shan't be able to hold him in for one week more I assure you my dear aunt he's already, thank you no explanation Mrs. Doria being when Richard saw her nest he was informed that she had received a most satisfactory letter from Mrs. John Toddhamper quite a glowing account of John's behavior but on Richard's desiring to know the words Claire had written Mrs. Doria objected to be explicit right into worldly gossip Claire seldom glows said Richard no, I mean for her his aunt remarked don't look like your father child I should like to have seen the letter said Richard Mrs. Doria did not propose to show it end of chapter 35