Daniel Deronda
乔治.艾略特 George Eliot
CHAPTER III. Page 2
One of his advantages was a fine person, which perhaps was even moreimpressive at fifty-seven than it had been earlier in life. There were nodistinctively clerical lines in the face, no tricks of starchiness or ofaffected ease: in his Inverness cape he could not have been identifiedexcept as a gentleman with handsome dark features, a nose which began withan intention to be aquiline but suddenly became straight, and iron-gray,hair. Perhaps he owed this freedom from the sort of professional make-upwhich penetrates skin, tones and gestures and defies all drapery, to thefact that he had once been Captain Gaskin, having taken orders and adiphthong but shortly before his engagement to Miss Armyn. If any one hadobjected that his preparation for the clerical function was inadequate,his friends might have asked who made a better figure in it, who preachedbetter or had more authority in his parish? He had a native gift foradministration, being tolerant both of opinions and conduct, because hefelt himself able to overrule them, and was free from the irritations ofconscious feebleness. He smiled pleasantly at the foible of a taste whichhe did not share--at floriculture or antiquarianism for example, whichwere much in vogue among his fellow-clergyman in the diocese: for himself,he preferred following the history of a campaign, or divining from hisknowledge of Nesselrode's motives what would have been his conduct if ourcabinet had taken a different course. Mr. Gascoigne's tone of thinkingafter some long-quieted fluctuations had become ecclesiastical rather thantheological; not the modern Anglican, but what he would have called soundEnglish, free from nonsense; such as became a man who looked at a nationalreligion by daylight, and saw it in its relation to other things. Noclerical magistrate had greater weight at sessions, or less of mischievousimpracticableness in relation to worldly affairs. Indeed, the worstimputation thrown out against him was worldliness: it could not be provedthat he forsook the less fortunate, but it was not to be denied that thefriendships he cultivated were of a kind likely to be useful to the fatherof six sons and two daughters; and bitter observers--for in Wessex, sayten years ago, there were persons whose bitterness may now seemincredible--remarked that the color of his opinions had changed inconsistency with this principle of action. But cheerful, successfulworldliness has a false air of being more selfish than the acrid,unsuccessful kind, whose secret history is summed up in the terriblewords, "Sold, but not paid for."
Gwendolen wondered that she had not better remembered how very fine a manher uncle was; but at the age of sixteen she was a less capable and moreindifferent judge. At present it was a matter of extreme interest to herthat she was to have the near countenance of a dignified male relative,and that the family life would cease to be entirely, insipidly feminine.She did not intend that her uncle should control her, but she saw at oncethat it would be altogether agreeable to her that he should be proud ofintroducing her as his niece. And there was every sign of his being likelyto feel that pride. He certainly looked at her with admiration as hesaid--
"You have outgrown Anna, my dear," putting his arm tenderly round hisdaughter, whose shy face was a tiny copy of his own, and drawing herforward. "She is not so old as you by a year, but her growing days arecertainly over. I hope you will be excellent companions."
He did give a comparing glance at his daughter, but if he saw herinferiority, he might also see that Anna's timid appearance and miniaturefigure must appeal to a different taste from that which was attracted byGwendolen, and that the girls could hardly be rivals. Gwendolen at least,was aware of this, and kissed her cousin with real cordiality as well asgrace, saying, "A companion is just what I want. I am so glad we are cometo live here. And mamma will be much happier now she is near you, aunt."
The aunt trusted indeed that it would be so, and felt it a blessing that asuitable home had been vacant in their uncle's parish. Then, of course,notice had to be taken of the four other girls, whom Gwendolen had alwaysfelt to be superfluous: all of a girlish average that made four unitsutterly unimportant, and yet from her earliest days an obtrusiveinfluential fact in her life. She was conscious of having been much kinderto them than could have been expected. And it was evident to her that heruncle and aunt also felt it a pity there were so many girls:--whatrational person could feel otherwise, except poor mamma, who never wouldsee how Alice set up her shoulders and lifted her eyebrows till she had noforehead left, how Bertha and Fanny whispered and tittered together abouteverything, or how Isabel was always listening and staring and forgettingwhere she was, and treading on the toes of her suffering elders?
"You have brothers, Anna," said Gwendolen, while the sisters were beingnoticed. "I think you are enviable there."
"Yes," said Anna, simply. "I am very fond of them; but of course theireducation is a great anxiety to papa. He used to say they made me atomboy. I really was a great romp with Rex. I think you will like Rex. Hewill come home before Christmas."
"I remember I used to think you rather wild and shy; but it is difficultnow to imagine you a romp," said Gwendolen, smiling.
"Of course, I am altered now; I am come out, and all that. But in realityI like to go blackberrying with Edwy and Lotta as well as ever. I am notvery fond of going out; but I dare say I shall like it better now you willbe often with me. I am not at all clever, and I never know what to say. Itseems so useless to say what everybody knows, and I can think of nothingelse, except what papa says."
"I shall like going out with you very much," said Gwendolen, well disposedtoward this _naïve_ cousin. "Are you fond of riding?"
governess, and masters besides."gratefulthat you will take so much on your shoulders for the sake.
"Yes, but we have only one Shetland pony amongst us. Papa says he can'tafford more, besides the carriage-horses and his own nag; he has so manyexpenses."
"I intend to have a horse and ride a great deal now," said Gwendolen, in atone of decision. "Is the society pleasant in this neighborhood?"
"Papa says it is, very. There are the clergymen all about, you know; andthe Quallons, and the Arrowpoints, and Lord Brackenshaw, and Sir HugoMallinger's place, where there is nobody--that's very nice, because wemake picnics there--and two or three families at Wanchester: oh, and oldMrs. Vulcany, at Nuttingwood, and--"
But Anna was relieved of this tax on her descriptive powers by theannouncement of dinner, and Gwendolen's question was soon indirectlyanswered by her uncle, who dwelt much on the advantages he had secured forthem in getting a place like Offendene. Except the rent, it involved nomore expense than an ordinary house at Wanchester would have done.
"And it is always worth while to make a little sacrifice for a good styleof house," said Mr. Gascoigne, in his easy, pleasantly confident tone,which made the world in general seem a very manageable place of residence:"especially where there is only a lady at the head. All the best peoplewill call upon you; and you need give no expensive dinners. Of course, Ihave to spend a good deal in that way; it is a large item. But then I getmy house for nothing. If I had to pay three hundred a year for my house Icould not keep a table. My boys are too great a drain on me. You arebetter off than we are, in proportion; there is no great drain on you now,after your house and carriage."
"I assure you, Fanny, now that the children are growing up, I am obligedto cut and contrive," said Mrs. Gascoigne. "I am not a good manager bynature, but Henry has taught me. He is wonderful for making the best ofeverything; he allows himself no extras, and gets his curates for nothing.It is rather hard that he has not been made a prebendary or something, asothers have been, considering the friends he has made and the need thereis for men of moderate opinions in all respects. If the Church is to keepits position, ability and character ought to tell."
"Oh, my dear Nancy, you forget the old story--thank Heaven, there arethree hundred as good as I. And ultimately, we shall have no reason tocomplain, I am pretty sure. There could hardly be a more thorough friendthan Lord Brackenshaw--your landlord, you know, Fanny. Lady Brackenshawwill call upon you. And I have spoken for Gwendolen to be a member of ourArchery Club--the Brackenshaw Archery Club--the most select thinganywhere. That is, if she has no objection," added Mr. Gascoigne, lookingat Gwendolen with pleasant irony.
"I should like it of all things," said Gwendolen. "There is nothing Ienjoy more than taking aim--and hitting," she ended, with a pretty nod andsmile.
"Our Anna, poor child, is too short-sighed for archery. But I considermyself a first-rate shot, and you shall practice with me. I must make youan accomplished archer before our great meeting in July. In fact, as toneighborhood, you could hardly be better placed. There are theArrowpoints--they are some of our best people. Miss Arrowpoint is adelightful girl--she has been presented at Court. They have a magnificentplace--Quetcham Hall--worth seeing in point of art; and their parties, towhich you are sure to be invited, are the best things of the sort we have.The archdeacon is intimate there, and they have always a good kind ofpeople staying in the house. Mrs. Arrowpoint is peculiar, certainly;something of a caricature, in fact; but well-meaning. And Miss Arrowpointis as nice as possible. It is not all young ladies who have mothers ashandsome and graceful as yours and Anna's."
Mrs. Davilow smiled faintly at this little compliment, but the husband andwife looked affectionately at each other, and Gwendolen thought, "My uncleand aunt, at least, are happy: they are not dull and dismal." Altogether,she felt satisfied with her prospects at Offendene, as a great improvementon anything she had known. Even the cheap curates, she incidentallylearned, were almost always young men of family, and Mr. Middleton, theactual curate, was said to be quite an acquisition: it was only a pity hewas so soon to leave.
But there was one point which she was so anxious to gain that she couldnot allow the evening to pass without taking her measures toward securingit. Her mamma, she knew, intended to submit entirely to her uncle'sjudgment with regard to expenditure; and the submission was not merelyprudential, for Mrs. Davilow, conscious that she had always been seenunder a cloud as poor dear Fanny, who had made a sad blunder with hersecond marriage, felt a hearty satisfaction in being frankly and cordiallyidentified with her sister's family, and in having her affairs canvassedand managed with an authority which presupposed a genuine interest. Thusthe question of a suitable saddle-horse, which had been sufficientlydiscussed with mamma, had to be referred to Mr. Gascoigne; and afterGwendolen had played on the piano, which had been provided fromWanchester, had sung to her hearers' admiration, and had induced her uncleto join her in a duet--what more softening influence than this on anyuncle who would have sung finely if his time had not been too much takenup by graver matters?--she seized the opportune moment for saying, "Mamma,you have not spoken to my uncle about my riding."
"Gwendolen desires above all things to have a horse to ride--a pretty,light, lady's horse," said Mrs. Davilow, looking at Mr. Gascoigne. "Do youthink we can manage it?"
Mr. Gascoigne projected his lower lip and lifted his handsome eyebrowssarcastically at Gwendolen, who had seated herself with much grace on theelbow of her mamma's chair.
"We could lend her the pony sometimes," said Mrs. Gascoigne, watching herhusband's face, and feeling quite ready to disapprove if he did.
"That might be inconveniencing others, aunt, and would be no pleasure tome. I cannot endure ponies," said Gwendolen. "I would rather give up someother indulgence and have a horse." (Was there ever a young lady orgentleman not ready to give up an unspecified indulgence for the sake ofthe favorite one specified?)
"She rides so well. She has had lessons, and the riding-master said shehad so good a seat and hand she might be trusted with any mount," saidDavilow, who, even if she had not wished her darling to have the horse,would not have dared to be lukewarm in trying to get it for her.
"There is the price of the horse--a good sixty with the best chance, andthen his keep," said Mr. Gascoigne, in a tone which, though demurring,betrayed the inward presence of something that favored the demand. "Thereare the carriage-horses--already a heavy item. And remember what youladies cost in toilet now."
"I really wear nothing but two black dresses," said Mrs. Davilow, hastily."And the younger girls, of course, require no toilet at present. Besides,Gwendolen will save me so much by giving her sisters lessons." Here Mrs.Davilow's delicate cheek showed a rapid blush. "If it were not for that, Imust really have a more expensive governess, and masters besides."
Gwendolen felt some anger with her mamma, but carefully concealed it.
"That is good--that is decidedly good," said Mr. Gascoigne, heartily,looking at his wife. And Gwendolen, who, it must be owned, was a deepyoung lady, suddenly moved away to the other end of the long drawing-room,and busied herself with arranging pieces of music.
"The dear child has had no indulgences, no pleasures," said Mrs. Davilow,in a pleading undertone. "I feel the expense is rather imprudent in thisfirst year of our settling. But she really needs the exercise--she needscheering. And if you were to see her on horseback, it is somethingsplendid."
"It is what we could not afford for Anna," said Mrs. Gascoigne. "But she,dear child, would ride Lotta's donkey and think it good enough." (Anna wasabsorbed in a game with Isabel, who had hunted out an old back-gammon-board, and had begged to sit up an extra hour.)
"Certainly, a fine woman never looks better than on horseback," said Mr.Gascoigne. "And Gwendolen has the figure for it. I don't say the thingshould not be considered."
"We might try it for a time, at all events. It can be given up, ifnecessary," said Mrs. Davilow.
"Well, I will consult Lord Brackenshaw's head groom. He is my _fidusAchates_ in the horsey way."
"Thanks," said Mrs. Davilow, much relieved. "You are very kind."
"That he always is," said Mrs. Gascoigne. And later that night, when sheand her husband were in private, she said--
"I thought you were almost too indulgent about the horse for Gwendolen.She ought not to claim so much more than your own daughter would think of.Especially before we see how Fanny manages on her income. And you reallyhave enough to do without taking all this trouble on yourself."
"My dear Nancy, one must look at things from every point of view. Thisgirl is really worth some expense: you don't often see her equal. Sheought to make a first-rate marriage, and I should not be doing my duty ifI spared my trouble in helping her forward. You know yourself she has beenunder a disadvantage with such a father-in-law, and a second family,keeping her always in the shade. I feel for the girl, And I should likeyour sister and her family now to have the benefit of your having marriedrather a better specimen of our kind than she did."
"Rather better! I should think so. However, it is for me to be gratefulthat you will take so much on your shoulders for the sake of my sister andher children. I am sure I would not grudge anything to poor Fanny. Butthere is one thing I have been thinking of, though you have nevermentioned it."
"What is that?"
"The boys. I hope they will not be falling in love with Gwendolen."
"Don't presuppose anything of the kind, my dear, and there will be nodanger. Rex will never be at home for long together, and Warham is goingto India. It is the wiser plan to take it for granted that cousins willnot fall in love. If you begin with precautions, the affair will come inspite of them. One must not undertake to act for Providence in thesematters, which can no more be held under the hand than a brood ofchickens. The boys will have nothing, and Gwendolen will have nothing.They can't marry. At the worst there would only be a little crying, andyou can't save boys and girls from that."
Mrs. Gascoigne's mind was satisfied: if anything did happen, there was thecomfort of feeling that her husband would know what was to be done, andwould have the energy to do it.