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<v Speaker 1>Chapter eighty four, Middle March. This is in LibriVox recording.

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<v Speaker 1>All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more

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<v Speaker 1>information or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox dot org. Middle

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<v Speaker 1>March by George Eliot, chapter eighty four. Though it be

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<v Speaker 1>song of old and young, that I should be to

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<v Speaker 1>blame theirs be the charge that spoke so large in

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<v Speaker 1>hurting of my name, the not brown Maid. It was

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<v Speaker 1>just after the Lord's had thrown out the reform bill

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<v Speaker 1>that explains how mister Cadwalder came to be walking on

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<v Speaker 1>the slope of the lawn near the Great Conservatory at

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<v Speaker 1>Freshad Hall, holding the Times in his hands behind him,

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<v Speaker 1>while he talked with the trout fisher's dispassionateness about the

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<v Speaker 1>prospects of the country to Sir James Chettam, Missus Cadwalader,

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<v Speaker 1>the Dowager, Lady Chettam, and Celia were sometimes seated on

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<v Speaker 1>garden chairs, sometimes walking to meet Little Arthur, who was

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<v Speaker 1>being drawn in his chariot, and as becomes the Infantine

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<v Speaker 1>Buddha was sheltered by his sacred umbrella with handsome silken fringe.

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<v Speaker 1>The ladies also talked politics, though more fitfully. Missus Cadwalader

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<v Speaker 1>was strong on the intended creation of peers. She had

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<v Speaker 1>it for certain from her cousin that Truebury had gone

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<v Speaker 1>over to the other side entirely at the instigation of

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<v Speaker 1>his wife, who had scented peerages in the air from

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<v Speaker 1>the very first introduction of the reform question, and would

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<v Speaker 1>sign her soul away to take precedence of her younger sister,

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<v Speaker 1>who had married a baronet. Lady Chatham thought that such

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<v Speaker 1>conduct was very reprehensible, and remembered that Missus Trubury's mother

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<v Speaker 1>was a miss Walshingham of Millspring. Celia confessed it was

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<v Speaker 1>nicer to be lady than Missus, and that Dodo never

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<v Speaker 1>minded about precedence if she could have her own way.

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<v Speaker 1>Missus Cadwalader held that it was a poor satisfaction to

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<v Speaker 1>take precedence when everybody about you knew that you had

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<v Speaker 1>not a drop of good blood in your veins, and Celia,

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<v Speaker 1>again stopping to look at Arthur, said it be very nice,

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<v Speaker 1>though if he were a viscount and his lordship's little

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<v Speaker 1>tooth coming through, he might have been if James had

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<v Speaker 1>been an earl, My dear Celia said the dowager. James's

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<v Speaker 1>title is worth far more than any new earldom. I

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<v Speaker 1>never wished his father to be anything else than Sir James. Oh,

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<v Speaker 1>I only meant about Arthur's little tooth, said Celia comfortably.

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<v Speaker 1>But see, here is my uncle coming. She tripped off

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<v Speaker 1>to meet her uncle, while Sir James and mister Cadwalader

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<v Speaker 1>came forward to make one group with the ladies. Celia

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<v Speaker 1>had slipped her arm through her uncle's and he patted

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<v Speaker 1>her hand with a rather melancholy well, my dear. As

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<v Speaker 1>they approached, it was evident that mister Brooke was looking dejected,

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<v Speaker 1>and this was fully accounted for by the state of politics.

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<v Speaker 1>And as he was shaking hands all round without more

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<v Speaker 1>greeting than a well you're all here, you know, and

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<v Speaker 1>the actor said laughingly, don't take the throwing out of

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<v Speaker 1>the bill so much to heart, Brook. You've got all

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<v Speaker 1>the riff raff of the country on your side the bill,

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<v Speaker 1>eh ah, said mister Brooke, with a mild distractedness of manner.

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<v Speaker 1>Thrown out. You know, eh, the lord's going too far though,

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<v Speaker 1>they'll have to pull up sad news, you know, I

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<v Speaker 1>mean here at home sad news. But you must not

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<v Speaker 1>play me, Chettam. What is the matter, said Sir James,

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<v Speaker 1>Not another gamekeeper short. I hope it's what I should

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<v Speaker 1>expect when a fellow like trapping Bass is let off

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<v Speaker 1>so easily gamekeeper and no let us go in. I

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<v Speaker 1>can tell you all in the house, you know, said

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<v Speaker 1>mister Brooke, nodding at the Cadwaladers to show that he

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<v Speaker 1>included them in his confidence. As to poachers like trapping Bass,

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<v Speaker 1>you know, Chettam, he continued, as they were entering. When

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<v Speaker 1>you are a mad straight you'll not find it so

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<v Speaker 1>easy to commit. Severity is all very well, but it's

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<v Speaker 1>a great deal easier when you've got somebody to do

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<v Speaker 1>it for you. You've a soft place in your heart yourself.

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<v Speaker 1>You know, you're not a draco A Jeffrey's that sort

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<v Speaker 1>of thing. Mister Brooke was evidently in a state of

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<v Speaker 1>nervous perturbation. When he had something painful to tell, it

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<v Speaker 1>was usually his way to introduce it among a number

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<v Speaker 1>of disjointed particulars, as if it were a medicine that

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<v Speaker 1>would yet a milder flavor by mixing. He continued his

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<v Speaker 1>chat with Sir James about the poachers until they were

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<v Speaker 1>all seated, and missus Cadwalader, impatient of this, lings said,

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<v Speaker 1>I am dying to know the sad news. The gamekeeper

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<v Speaker 1>is not shot. That is settled. What is it then? Well,

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<v Speaker 1>it's a very trying thing, you know, said mister Brooke.

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<v Speaker 1>I'm glad you and the rector are here. It's a

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<v Speaker 1>family matter, but you will help us all to Barrett Catwalader,

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<v Speaker 1>I've got to bring it to you, my dear here.

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<v Speaker 1>Mister Brooke looked at Celia. You've no notion what it is,

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<v Speaker 1>you know, and Chettam, it will annoy you uncommonly, but

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<v Speaker 1>you see you have not been able to hinder it

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<v Speaker 1>any more than I have. There's something singular in things

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<v Speaker 1>they come round, you know. It must be about Dodo,

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<v Speaker 1>said Celia, who had been used to think of her

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<v Speaker 1>sister as the dangerous part of the family machinery. She

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<v Speaker 1>had seated herself on a low stool against her husband's knee.

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<v Speaker 1>For God's sake, let us hear what it is, said

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<v Speaker 1>Sir James. Well, you know, Chettam, I couldn't help Casaubon's will.

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<v Speaker 1>It was a sort of will to make things worse exactly,

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<v Speaker 1>said Sir James. But what is worse. Dorothy is going

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<v Speaker 1>to be married again, you know, said mister Brook, nodding

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<v Speaker 1>towards Celia, who immediately looked up at her husband with

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<v Speaker 1>a frightened glance and put her hand on his knee.

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<v Speaker 1>Sir James was almost white with anger, but he did

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<v Speaker 1>not speak. Masterful heaven, said missus Cadwalader, not to young Ladislaw.

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<v Speaker 1>Brooke nodded, saying yes to Lad's law, and then fell

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<v Speaker 1>into a prudential silence. You see, Humphrey, said Missus Cadwalader,

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<v Speaker 1>waving her arm towards her husband. Another time you'll admit

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<v Speaker 1>that I have some foresight, or rather you will contradict

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<v Speaker 1>me and be just as blind as ever. You suppose

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<v Speaker 1>that the young gentleman has gone out of the country

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<v Speaker 1>so he might be, and he had come back, said

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<v Speaker 1>the rector quietly. When did you learn this? Said Sir James,

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<v Speaker 1>not lucking to hear any one else speak, though finding

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<v Speaker 1>it difficult to speak himself. Yesterday, said mister Brook meekly.

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<v Speaker 1>I went to Lowick Dorothea sent for me. You know.

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<v Speaker 1>It had come about quite suddenly. Neither of them had

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<v Speaker 1>any idea two days ago, not any idea. You know

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<v Speaker 1>there's something singular endings, but Dorothea is quite determined. It

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<v Speaker 1>is no use supposing I put it strongly to her.

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<v Speaker 1>I did my duty, Chutcham, but she can act she

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<v Speaker 1>likes You know. It would have been better if I

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<v Speaker 1>had called him out and shot him a year ago,

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<v Speaker 1>said Sir James, not from a bloody mindedness, but because

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<v Speaker 1>he needed something strong to say. Merely, James would have

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<v Speaker 1>been very disagreeable, said Celia. Be reasonable, Chettam. Look at

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<v Speaker 1>the affair more quietly, said mister Cadwarlado, sorry to see

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<v Speaker 1>his good natured friend so overmastered by anger. That is

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<v Speaker 1>not so very easy for a man of any dignity

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<v Speaker 1>with any sense of right, when the affair happens to

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<v Speaker 1>be in his own family, said Sir James, still in

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<v Speaker 1>his white indignation. It is perfectly scandalous. If Ladislaw had

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<v Speaker 1>had a spark of honor, he would have gone out

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<v Speaker 1>of the country at once and never turned his face

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<v Speaker 1>in it again. However, I am not surprised. The day

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<v Speaker 1>after Gasabon's funeral, I said what ought to be done,

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<v Speaker 1>but I was not listened to. You wanted what was

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<v Speaker 1>impossible you know Chettam, said mister Rook. You wanted him

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<v Speaker 1>shipped off, I do't you. Ladislav was not to be

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<v Speaker 1>done as we liked with. He has his ideas. He

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<v Speaker 1>was a remarkable fellow. I always said he was a

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<v Speaker 1>remarkable fellow. Yes, said Sir James, unable to repress a retort.

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<v Speaker 1>It is rather a pity you formed that high opinion

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<v Speaker 1>of him. We are indebted to that for his being

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<v Speaker 1>lodged in this neighborhood. We are indebted to that for

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<v Speaker 1>seeing a woman like Doroth here degrading herself by marrying him.

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<v Speaker 1>Sir James made a little stoppage between his classes, the

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<v Speaker 1>words not coming easily. A man so marked her husband's

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<v Speaker 1>will that delicacy ought to have forbidden her from seeing

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<v Speaker 1>him again. Oh takes her out of a proper rank

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<v Speaker 1>into poverty. Has the man as to accept such a

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<v Speaker 1>sacrifice has always had the objectionable position a bad origin,

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<v Speaker 1>And I believe is a man of little principal and

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<v Speaker 1>light character. That is my opinion, Sir James ended, emphatically,

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<v Speaker 1>turning aside and crossing his leg. I pointed everything out

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<v Speaker 1>to her, said mister Brooke, apologetically. I mean the poverty

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<v Speaker 1>in abandoning her position. I said, my dear, you don't

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<v Speaker 1>know what it is to live on seven hundred a

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<v Speaker 1>year and have no carrit in that kind of thing,

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<v Speaker 1>and go amongst people who don't know who you are.

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<v Speaker 1>I put it strongly to her, But I advise you

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<v Speaker 1>to talk to Dorothea yourself. The fact is she has

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<v Speaker 1>a dislike to Casaubond's property. You will hear what she says.

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<v Speaker 1>You know, no, excuse me, I shall not, said Sir James,

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<v Speaker 1>with more coolness. I cannot bear to see her again.

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<v Speaker 1>Tis too painful. It hurts me too much that a

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<v Speaker 1>woman like Dorothea should have done what is wrong? Be

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<v Speaker 1>just chatto, said the easy, large lips rector, who objected

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<v Speaker 1>to all this unnecessary discomfort. Missus Casaubon may be acting imprudently.

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<v Speaker 1>She is giving a fortune for the sake of a man,

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<v Speaker 1>And we men have so poor opinion of each other

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<v Speaker 1>that we can hardly call the woman wise who does that?

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<v Speaker 1>But I think you should not condemn it as a

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<v Speaker 1>wrong action in the strict sense of the word. Yes,

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<v Speaker 1>I do, answered said James. I think that Dorothea commits

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<v Speaker 1>a wrong action in marrying Ladislaw. My dear fellow, we

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<v Speaker 1>are rather apt to consider an act wrong because it

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<v Speaker 1>is unpleasant to us, said the rector quietly. Like many

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<v Speaker 1>men who take life easily, he had the knack of

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<v Speaker 1>saying a home truth occasionally to those who felt themselves

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<v Speaker 1>virtuously out of temper. Sir James took out his handkerchief

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<v Speaker 1>and began to bite the corner. It is very dreadful

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<v Speaker 1>of Dodo, though, said Celia. Wishing to justify her husband,

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<v Speaker 1>she said she never would marry again, not anybody at all.

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<v Speaker 1>I heard her say the same thing myself, said Lady

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<v Speaker 1>Chettam majestically, as if this were royal evidence. Oh, there

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<v Speaker 1>is usually a silent exception in such cases, said missus Cadwolater.

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<v Speaker 1>The only wonder to me is that any of you

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<v Speaker 1>are surprised. You do nothing to hinder it. If you

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<v Speaker 1>would have had Lord Trilton down here to woo her

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<v Speaker 1>with his philanthropy, he might have carried her off before

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<v Speaker 1>the year was over. There was no safety in anything else.

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<v Speaker 1>Mister Casubon had prepared all this as beautifully as possible.

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<v Speaker 1>He made himself disagreeable, or it pleased God to make

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<v Speaker 1>him so, and then he dared her to contradict him.

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<v Speaker 1>It's the way to make any trumpery tempting to take

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<v Speaker 1>it it at a high price in that way. I

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<v Speaker 1>don't know what you mean by wrong, Cadwalader, said Sir James,

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<v Speaker 1>still feeling a little stung and turning round in his

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<v Speaker 1>chair towards the rector. He's not a man we can

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<v Speaker 1>take into the family. At least I must speak for myself,

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<v Speaker 1>he continued, carefully, keeping his eyes off mister Brooke. I

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<v Speaker 1>suppose others will find his society too pleasant to care

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<v Speaker 1>about the propriety of the thing. Well, you know, Chettam,

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<v Speaker 1>said mister Brooke, good humoredly, nursing his leg. I can't

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<v Speaker 1>turn my back on Dorothea. I must be a father

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<v Speaker 1>to her up to a certain point, I said, my dear.

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<v Speaker 1>I won't refuse to give you away. I had spoken

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<v Speaker 1>strongly before. But I can cut off the entail. You know.

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<v Speaker 1>It will cost money and be troublesome, but I can

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<v Speaker 1>do it, you know. Mister Brooke nodded at Sir James

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<v Speaker 1>and felt that he was both showing his own force

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<v Speaker 1>of resolution and propitiating what was just in the Baronet's vexation.

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<v Speaker 1>He had hit on a more ingenious mode of parrying

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<v Speaker 1>than he was aware of. He had touched a motive

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<v Speaker 1>of which Sir James was ashamed. The mass of his

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<v Speaker 1>feeling about Dorothea's marriage to Ladislaw was due partly to

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<v Speaker 1>excusable prejudice or even justifiable opinion, partly to a jealous repugnance,

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<v Speaker 1>hardly less in Ladislaw's case than in Casabot's. He was

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<v Speaker 1>convinced that the marriage was a fatal one for Dorothea,

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<v Speaker 1>But amid that mass ran a vein of which he

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<v Speaker 1>was too good and honorable a man to lack the

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<v Speaker 1>avowal even to himself. It was undeniable that the union

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<v Speaker 1>of the two estates Tipton and Freshet, lying charmingly within

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<v Speaker 1>a ring fence, was a prospect that flattered him for

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<v Speaker 1>his son and heir. Hence, when mister Brooke noddingly appealed

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<v Speaker 1>to that motive, Sir James felt a sudden embarrassment. There

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<v Speaker 1>was a stoppage in his throat. He even blushed. He

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<v Speaker 1>had found more words than usual in the first jet

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<v Speaker 1>of his anger, but mister Brooke's propitiation was more clogging

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<v Speaker 1>to his tongue than mister Cadwalader's caustic hint. But Celia

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<v Speaker 1>was glad to have room for speech after her uncle's

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<v Speaker 1>suggestion of the marriage ceremony, and she said, though with

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<v Speaker 1>a little eagerness of men, as if the question had

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<v Speaker 1>turned on an invitation to dinner? Do you mean that

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<v Speaker 1>Dodo is going to be married directly? Uncle? In three weeks?

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<v Speaker 1>You know? Said mister Brook helplessly. I can do nothing

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<v Speaker 1>to hinder it. Catwalader, he added, turning for a little

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<v Speaker 1>countenance toward the rector, who said, I should not make

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<v Speaker 1>any fuss about it. If she likes to be poor,

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<v Speaker 1>that is her affair. Nobody would have said anything if

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<v Speaker 1>she had married the young fellow because he was rich.

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<v Speaker 1>Plenty of beneficed clergy are poorer than they will be

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<v Speaker 1>nearest Eleanor, continued the provoking husband. She vexed her friends

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<v Speaker 1>by me, I had hardly a thousand a year. I

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<v Speaker 1>was allout. Nobody could see anything in me. My shoes

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<v Speaker 1>were not the right cut. All the men wondered how

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<v Speaker 1>a woman would like me upon my word, I must

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<v Speaker 1>take that as last part until I hear a more

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<v Speaker 1>harm of him. Humphrey that is all sophistry, and you

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<v Speaker 1>know it, said his wife. Everything is all one, that

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<v Speaker 1>is the beginning in the end, with you, as if

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<v Speaker 1>you had not been a Catwalader. Does any one suppose

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<v Speaker 1>that I would have taken such a monster as you

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<v Speaker 1>by any other name? And a clergyman too, observed Lady

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<v Speaker 1>Chettam with approbation. Eleanor cannot be said to have descended

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<v Speaker 1>below her rat. It is difficult to say what mister

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<v Speaker 1>Ladislaw is, eh James. Sir James gave a small grunt,

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<v Speaker 1>which was less respectful than his usual mode of answering.

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<v Speaker 1>His mother, Celia, looked up at him like a thoughtful kitten.

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<v Speaker 1>It must be admitted that his blood is a frightful mixture,

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<v Speaker 1>said Missus Cadwalader. The casabon cuddlefish to begin with, and

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<v Speaker 1>then a rebellious Polish fiddler or dancing master, what was it?

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<v Speaker 1>And then an old clo nonsense, Eleanor, said the rector, rising.

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<v Speaker 1>It is time for us to go. After all, he

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<v Speaker 1>is a pretty sprig, said Missus Cadwalader, rising too, and

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<v Speaker 1>wishing to make amends. He's like the fine old cricklely

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<v Speaker 1>portraits before the idiots came in. I'll go with you,

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<v Speaker 1>said mister Brooke, starting up at the lactry. You must

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<v Speaker 1>all come and dine with me to morrow, you know, eh, Celia,

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<v Speaker 1>my dear, you will, James, won't you, said Celia, taking

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<v Speaker 1>her husband's hand. Oh of course, if you like, said

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<v Speaker 1>Sir James, pulling down his waistcoat, but unable yet to

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<v Speaker 1>adjust his face. Good humoredly, that is to say, if

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<v Speaker 1>it is not to meet anybody else. No, no, no,

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<v Speaker 1>said mister Brooke, understanding the condition. Dorothea will not come,

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<v Speaker 1>you know, unless you had been to see her. When

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<v Speaker 1>Sir James and Celia were alone, she said, do you

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<v Speaker 1>mind about my having the carriage to go to Lilig? James,

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<v Speaker 1>what now? Directly, he answered with some surprise. Yes, it

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<v Speaker 1>is very important, said Celia. Remember Celia, I cannot see her,

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<v Speaker 1>said Sir James, not as she gave up Mary, what

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<v Speaker 1>is the use of saying that? However, I am going

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<v Speaker 1>to the stables. I'll tell Briggs to bring the carriage round.

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<v Speaker 1>Celia thought it was of great use, if not to

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<v Speaker 1>say that, at least to take a journey to Lowig

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<v Speaker 1>in order to influence Dorothea's mind. All through their girlhood,

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<v Speaker 1>she had felt that she could act on her sister

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<v Speaker 1>by a word judiciously placed, by opening a little window

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<v Speaker 1>for the daylight of her own understanding to enter among

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<v Speaker 1>the strange colored lamps by which Dodo habitually saw, and Celia,

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<v Speaker 1>the matron naturally felt more able to advise her childless sister.

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<v Speaker 1>How could any one understand Dodo so well as Celia did,

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<v Speaker 1>or love her so tenderly? Dorothea, busy in her boudoir,

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<v Speaker 1>felt a glow of pleasure at the sight of her

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<v Speaker 1>sister so soon after the riveration of her intended marriage.

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<v Speaker 1>She had prefigured to herself, even with exaggeration, the disgust

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<v Speaker 1>of her friends, and she had even feared that Celia

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<v Speaker 1>might be kept aloof from her. Oh, kitty, I am

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<v Speaker 1>delighted to see you, said Dorothea, putting her hands on

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<v Speaker 1>Celia's shoulders and beaming on her. I almost thought you

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<v Speaker 1>would not come to me. I have not brought Arthur

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<v Speaker 1>because I was in a hurry, said Celia, and they

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<v Speaker 1>sat down on two small chairs opposite each other, with

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<v Speaker 1>their knees touching. You know, Dodo, it is very bad,

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<v Speaker 1>said Celia in her placid gutural, looking as prettily free

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<v Speaker 1>from humors as possible. You have disappointed us all so

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<v Speaker 1>and I can't think that it ever will be. You

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<v Speaker 1>never can go and live in that way. And then

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<v Speaker 1>there are all your plans. You never can have thought

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<v Speaker 1>of that James would have taken any trouble for you,

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<v Speaker 1>and you might have gone all your life doing what

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<v Speaker 1>you liked. On the contrary, dear, said Dorothea, I never

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<v Speaker 1>could do anything that I liked. I've never carried out

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<v Speaker 1>any plan yet, because you always wanted things that wouldn't do.

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<v Speaker 1>But ill a plan? What have come? And how can

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<v Speaker 1>you marry mister Ladislaw that we none of us ever

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<v Speaker 1>thought you could marry. It shocks James so dreadfully. And

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<v Speaker 1>then it is all so different from what you have

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<v Speaker 1>always been. You would have mister Casaubon because he had

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<v Speaker 1>such a great soul and was so dismal and learned.

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<v Speaker 1>And now to think of marrying mister Latterslaw, who has

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<v Speaker 1>got no estate or anything. I suppose it is because

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<v Speaker 1>you must be making usself uncomfortable in some way or other.

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<v Speaker 1>Dorothea laughed. Well, it is very serious, don't, said Celia,

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<v Speaker 1>becoming more impressive. How will you live? And you will

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<v Speaker 1>go away among queer people? And I shall never see you,

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<v Speaker 1>and you won't mind about little Arthur, and I always

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<v Speaker 1>thought you would. Celia's rare tears had got into our eyes,

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<v Speaker 1>and the corners of her mouth were agitated. Dear Celia,

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<v Speaker 1>said Dorothea with tender gravity. If you don't ever see me,

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<v Speaker 1>it will not be my fault. Yes it will, said Celia,

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<v Speaker 1>with the same touching distortion of her small features. How

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<v Speaker 1>can I come to you or have you with me

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<v Speaker 1>when James can't bear it? That is because he thinks

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<v Speaker 1>it is not right. He thinks you are so wrong,

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<v Speaker 1>do doo? But you always were wrong. Only I can't

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<v Speaker 1>help loving you, and nobody can think where you will live?

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<v Speaker 1>Where can you go? I am going to London, said Dorothea,

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<v Speaker 1>And how can you always live in a street? And

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<v Speaker 1>you will be so poor? I could give you half

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<v Speaker 1>my things? Only how can I when I never see you?

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<v Speaker 1>Bless you, kitty, said Dorothea, with gentle warmth to a comfort.

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<v Speaker 1>Perhaps James will forgive me some time, But it would

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<v Speaker 1>be much better if you would not be married, said Celia,

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<v Speaker 1>drawing her eyes and returning to her argument, then there

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<v Speaker 1>would be nothing uncomfortable, and you would not do what

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<v Speaker 1>nobody thought you could do. James always said you ought

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<v Speaker 1>to be a queen. But this is not at all

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<v Speaker 1>being like a queen. You know what mistakes you have

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<v Speaker 1>always been making, Dodo, and this is a mother nobody

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<v Speaker 1>thinks mister Laddislaw a proper husband for you, and you

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<v Speaker 1>said you would never be married again. It is quite

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<v Speaker 1>true that I might be a wiser person, Celia, said Dorothea.

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<v Speaker 1>And I said I might have done something better if

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<v Speaker 1>I had been better. But this is what I am

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<v Speaker 1>going to do. I promised married mister Ladislaw, and I

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<v Speaker 1>am going to marry him. The tone in which Dorothea

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<v Speaker 1>said this was a note that Celia had long learned

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<v Speaker 1>to recognize. She was silence a few moments, and then said,

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<v Speaker 1>as if she had dismissed all contest. Is he very

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<v Speaker 1>fond of you? Doto? I hope so I am very

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<v Speaker 1>fond of him. Well, that is nice, said Celia comfortably.

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<v Speaker 1>Only or rather, you had such a sort of husband

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<v Speaker 1>as Jamesy's, with a place very near that I could

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<v Speaker 1>drive to. Dorothea smiled, and Celia looked rather meditative. Presently,

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<v Speaker 1>she said, I cannot think how it all came about.

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<v Speaker 1>Celia thought it would be pleasant to hear the story.

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<v Speaker 1>I daresay not, said Dorothea, pinching her sister's chin. If

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<v Speaker 1>you knew how it came about, it would not seem

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<v Speaker 1>wonderful to you. Can't you tell me, said Celia, settling

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<v Speaker 1>her arms cozily. No, dear, you would have to feel

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<v Speaker 1>with me, else you would never know. End of Chapter

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<v Speaker 1>eighty four, as read her LibriVox by Madame Husk w

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<v Speaker 1>W W R L O Walrus dot site, sled dot

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<v Speaker 1>com
