{"speaker": "Burgo", "text": "I have heard,", "pos": 4578}
{"speaker": "Squire", "text": "So you've come back, have you?", "pos": 4677}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "Friendships will not come by ordering,", "pos": 4823}
{"speaker": "Burgo", "text": "All right,", "pos": 4978}
{"speaker": "she", "text": "Oh! George, you won't do that?", "pos": 5542}
{"speaker": "Unknown", "text": "Whether or no, she, whom you are to forgive, if you can, did or did not belong to the Upper Ten Thousand of this our English world, I am not prepared to say with any strength of affirmation.", "pos": 5863}
{"speaker": "John Vavasor", "text": "It's the ugliest room I ever saw in my life,", "pos": 24742}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "It is not very pretty,", "pos": 24818}
{"speaker": "John Vavasor", "text": "I'll go halves with you in the expense of redoing it,", "pos": 24858}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "Wouldn't that be extravagant, papa? The things have not been here quite four years yet.", "pos": 24932}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "Well, aunt,", "pos": 26819}
{"speaker": "Lady Macleod", "text": "Would you mind shutting the window, my dear? Would you mind shutting the window? I'm so warm that I'm afraid of the draught.", "pos": 27369}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "You don't mean to say that you've walked from King Street,", "pos": 27786}
{"speaker": "Lady Macleod", "text": "Indeed I do,--every step of the way. Cabs are so ruinous. It's a most unfortunate thing; they always say it's just over the two miles here. I don't believe a word of it, because I'm only a little more than the half-hour walking it; and those men will say anything. But how can I prove it, you know?", "pos": 27885}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "I really think it's too far for you to walk when it's so warm.", "pos": 28186}
{"speaker": "Lady Macleod", "text": "But what can I do, my dear? I must come, when I've specially come up to London to see you. I shall have a cab back again, because it'll be hotter then, and dear Lady Midlothian has promised to send her carriage at three to take me to the concert. I do so wish you'd go, Alice.", "pos": 28251}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "It's out of the question, aunt. The idea of my going in that way at the last moment, without any invitation!", "pos": 28530}
{"speaker": "Lady Macleod", "text": "It wouldn't be without an invitation, Alice. The marchioness has said to me over and over again how glad she would be to see you, if I would bring you.", "pos": 28641}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "Why doesn't she come and call if she is so anxious to know me?", "pos": 28795}
{"speaker": "Lady Macleod", "text": "My dear, you've no right to expect it; you haven't indeed. She never calls even on me.", "pos": 28860}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "I know I've no right, and I don't expect it, and I don't want it. But neither has she a right to suppose that, under such circumstances, I shall go to her house. You might as well give it up, aunt. Cart ropes wouldn't drag me there.", "pos": 28949}
{"speaker": "Lady Macleod", "text": "I think you are very wrong,--particularly under your present circumstances. A young woman that is going to be married, as you are--", "pos": 29184}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "As I am,--perhaps.", "pos": 29318}
{"speaker": "Lady Macleod", "text": "That's nonsense, Alice. Of course you are; and for his sake you are bound to cultivate any advantages that naturally belong to you. As to Lady Midlothian or the marchioness coming to call on you here in your father's house, after all that has passed, you really have no right to look for it.", "pos": 29339}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "And I don't look for it.", "pos": 29633}
{"speaker": "Lady Macleod", "text": "That sort of people are not expected to call. If you'll think of it, how could they do it with all the demands they have on their time?", "pos": 29660}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "My dear aunt, I wouldn't interfere with their time for worlds.", "pos": 29798}
{"speaker": "Lady Macleod", "text": "Nobody can say of me, I'm sure, that I run after great people or rich people. It does happen that some of the nearest relations I have,--indeed I may say the nearest relations,--are people of high rank; and I do not see that I'm bound to turn away from my own flesh and blood because of that, particularly when they are always so anxious to keep up the connexion.", "pos": 29863}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "I was only speaking of myself, aunt. It is very different with you. You have known them all your life.", "pos": 30229}
{"speaker": "Lady Macleod", "text": "And how are you to know them if you won't begin? Lady Midlothian said to me only yesterday that she was glad to hear that you were going to be married so respectably, and then--", "pos": 30334}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "Upon my word I'm very much obliged to her ladyship. I wonder whether she considered that she married respectably when she took Lord Midlothian?", "pos": 30514}
{"speaker": "Lady Macleod", "text": "Alice, don't be uncharitable. Whatever may have been Lady Midlothian's misfortunes no one can say they have resulted from her own fault.", "pos": 32345}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "Yes they can, aunt, if she married a man whom she knew to be a scapegrace because he was very rich and an earl.", "pos": 32514}
{"speaker": "Lady Macleod", "text": "She was the daughter of a nobleman herself, and only married in her own degree. But I don't want to discuss that. She meant to be good-natured when she mentioned your marriage, and you should take it as it was meant. After all she was only your mother's second cousin--", "pos": 32628}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "Dear aunt, I make no claim on her cousinship.", "pos": 32900}
{"speaker": "Lady Macleod", "text": "But she admits the claim, and is quite anxious that you should know her. She has been at the trouble to find out everything about Mr. Grey, and told me that nothing could be more satisfactory.", "pos": 32948}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "Upon my word I am very much obliged to her.", "pos": 33143}
{"speaker": "Lady Macleod", "text": "And when do you go, Alice?", "pos": 35526}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "Early in July, I believe. It will be very hot, but Kate must be back by the middle of August.", "pos": 35574}
{"speaker": "Lady Macleod", "text": "Oh! Kate is to go with you?", "pos": 35709}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "Of course she is. I could not go alone, or with no one but George. Indeed it was Kate who made up the party.", "pos": 35739}
{"speaker": "Lady Macleod", "text": "Of course you could not go alone with George,", "pos": 35849}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "That is exactly what I say. But, indeed, he is simply going as an escort to me and Kate, as we don't like the rôle of unprotected females. It is very good-natured of him, seeing how much his time is taken up.", "pos": 36382}
{"speaker": "Lady Macleod", "text": "I thought he never did anything.", "pos": 36611}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "That's because you don't know him, aunt.", "pos": 36646}
{"speaker": "Lady Macleod", "text": "No; certainly I don't know him. And has your father been told that he is going?", "pos": 36689}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "Of course he has.", "pos": 36857}
{"speaker": "Lady Macleod", "text": "And does-- And does Mr. Grey know that he is going?", "pos": 36877}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "I might tell you simply that he does, seeing that I wrote to him yesterday, letting him know that such were our arrangements; but I feel that I should not thus answer the question you mean to ask. You want to know whether Mr. Grey will approve of it. As I only wrote yesterday of course I have not heard, and therefore cannot say. But I can say this, aunt, that much as I might regret his disapproval, it would make no change in my plans.", "pos": 37519}
{"speaker": "Lady Macleod", "text": "Would it not? Then I must tell you, you are very wrong. It ought to make a change. What! the disapproval of the man you are going to marry make no change in your plans?", "pos": 37982}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "Not in that matter. Come, aunt, if we must discuss this matter let us do it at any rate fairly. In an ordinary way, if Mr. Grey had asked me to give up for any reason my trip altogether, I should have given it up certainly, as I would give up any other indifferent project at the request of so dear a friend,--a friend with whom I am so--so--so closely connected. But if he asked me not to travel with my cousin George, I should refuse him absolutely, without a word of parley on the subject, simply because of the nature and closeness of my connection with him. I suppose you understand what I mean, aunt?", "pos": 38153}
{"speaker": "Lady Macleod", "text": "I suppose I do. You mean that you would refuse to obey him on the very subject on which he has a right to claim your obedience.", "pos": 38762}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "He has no right to claim my obedience on any subject. At present he has no right to my obedience on any subject, but least of all on that. His advice he may give me, but I am quite sure he will not ask for obedience.", "pos": 38892}
{"speaker": "Lady Macleod", "text": "And if he advises you you will slight his advice.", "pos": 39392}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "If he tells me that I had better not travel with my cousin George I shall certainly not take his advice. Moreover, I should be careful to let him know how much I was offended by any such counsel from him. It would show a littleness on his part, and a suspicion of which I cannot suppose him to be capable.", "pos": 39444}
{"speaker": "Lady Macleod", "text": "My dear Alice, I need hardly say that if you had a mother living, or any person with you filling the place of a mother, I should not interfere in this matter.", "pos": 40198}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "Of course, Aunt Macleod, if you think I am wrong you have quite a right to say so.", "pos": 40359}
{"speaker": "Lady Macleod", "text": "I do think you are wrong,--very wrong, indeed; and if you persist in this I am afraid I must say that I shall think you wicked. Of course Mr. Grey cannot like you to travel with George Vavasor.", "pos": 40444}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "And why not, aunt?", "pos": 40640}
{"speaker": "Lady Macleod", "text": "Why not, Alice? Surely you do not wish me to say why not.", "pos": 40901}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "But I do wish you to say why not. How can I defend myself till the accusation is made?", "pos": 40961}
{"speaker": "Lady Macleod", "text": "You are now engaged to marry Mr. Grey, with the consent and approbation of all your friends. Two years ago you had--had--", "pos": 41050}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "Had what, aunt? If you mean to say that two years ago I was engaged to my cousin George you are mistaken. Three years ago I told him that under certain conditions I would become engaged to him. But my conditions did not suit him, nor his me, and no engagement was ever made. Mr. Grey knows the history of the whole thing. As far as it was possible I have told him everything that took place.", "pos": 41174}
{"speaker": "Lady Macleod", "text": "The fact was, Alice, that George Vavasor's mode of life was such that an engagement with him would have been absolute madness.", "pos": 41568}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "Dear aunt, you must excuse me if I say that I cannot discuss George Vavasor's mode of life. If I were thinking of becoming his wife you would have a perfect right to discuss it, because of your constant kindness to me. But as matters are he is simply a cousin; and as I like him and you do not, we had better say nothing about him.", "pos": 41697}
{"speaker": "Lady Macleod", "text": "I must say this--that after what has passed, and at the present crisis of your life--", "pos": 42031}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "Dear aunt, I'm not in any crisis.", "pos": 42119}
{"speaker": "Lady Macleod", "text": "Yes you are, Alice; in the most special crisis of a girl's life. You are still a girl, but you are the promised wife of a very worthy man, who will look to you for all his domestic happiness. George Vavasor has the name, at least, of being very wild.", "pos": 42155}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "The worthy man and the wild man must fight it out between them. If I were going away with George by himself, there might be something in what you say.", "pos": 42408}
{"speaker": "Lady Macleod", "text": "That would be monstrous.", "pos": 42561}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "Monstrous or not, it isn't what I'm about to do. Kate and I have put our purses together, and are going to have an outing for our special fun and gratification. As we should be poor travellers alone, George has promised to go with his sister. Papa knows all about it, and never thought of making any objection.", "pos": 42588}
{"speaker": "Lady Macleod", "text": "I can only say again, that I think Mr. Grey will be displeased,--and that he will have very great cause for displeasure. And I think, moreover, that his approbation ought to be your chief study. I believe, my dear, I'll ask you to let Jane get me a cab. I shan't have a bit too much time to dress for the concert. God bless you, my dear. Good-bye! I'll come to-morrow if I can.", "pos": 43118}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "He is free to go. If he does not trust me he is quite free to go.", "pos": 44889}
{"speaker": "John Grey", "text": "DEAREST ALICE. I am glad you have settled your affairs,--foreign affairs, I mean,--so much to your mind. As to your home affairs they are not, to my thinking, quite so satisfactorily arranged. But as I am a party interested in the latter my opinion may perhaps have an undue bias. Touching the tour, I quite agree with you that you and Kate would have been uncomfortable alone. It's a very fine theory, that of women being able to get along without men as well as with them; but, like other fine theories, it will be found very troublesome by those who first put it in practice. Gloved hands, petticoats, feminine softness, and the general homage paid to beauty, all stand in the way of success. These things may perhaps some day be got rid of, and possibly with advantage; but while young ladies are still encumbered with them a male companion will always be found to be a comfort. I don't quite know whether your cousin George is the best possible knight you might have chosen. I should consider myself to be infinitely preferable, had my going been upon the cards. Were you in danger of meeting Paynim foes, he, no doubt, would kill them off much quicker than I could do, and would be much more serviceable in liberating you from the dungeons of oppressors, or even from stray tigers in the Swiss forests. But I doubt his being punctual with the luggage. He will want you or Kate to keep the accounts, if any are kept. He will be slow in getting you glasses of water at the railway stations, and will always keep you waiting at breakfast. I hold that a man with two ladies on a tour should be an absolute slave to them, or they will not fully enjoy themselves. He should simply be an upper servant, with the privilege of sitting at the same table with his mistresses. I have my doubts as to whether your cousin is fit for the place; but, as to myself, it is just the thing that I was made for. Luckily, however, neither you nor Kate are without wills of your own, and perhaps you may be able to reduce Mr. Vavasor to obedience. As to the home affairs I have very little to say here,--in this letter. I shall of course run up and see you before you start, and shall probably stay a week in town. I know I ought not to do so, as it will be a week of idleness, and yet not a week of happiness. I'd sooner have an hour with you in the country than a whole day in London. And I always feel in town that I've too much to do to allow of my doing anything. If it were sheer idleness I could enjoy it, but it is a feverish idleness, in which one is driven here and there, expecting some gratification which not only never comes, but which never even begins to come. I will, however, undergo a week of it,--say the last seven days of this month, and shall trust to you to recompense me by as much of yourself as your town doings will permit. And now again as to those home affairs. If I say nothing now I believe you will understand why I refrain. You have cunningly just left me to imply, from what you say, that all my arguments have been of no avail; but you do not answer them, or even tell me that you have decided. I shall therefore imply nothing, and still trust to my personal eloquence for success. Or rather not trust,--not trust, but hope. The garden is going on very well. We are rather short of water, and therefore not quite as bright as I had hoped; but we are preparing with untiring industry for future brightness. Your commands have been obeyed in all things, and Morrison always says", "pos": 45612}
{"speaker": "Morrison", "text": "The mistress didn't mean this. The mistress did intend that.", "pos": 49109}
{"speaker": "John Grey", "text": "God bless the mistress is what I now say, and send her home, to her own home, to her flowers, and her fruit, and her house, and her husband, as soon as may be, with no more of these delays which are to me so grievous, and which seem to me to be so unnecessary. That is my prayer. Yours ever and always. J. G.", "pos": 49176}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "I didn't give commands. He asked me how I liked the things, and of course I was obliged to say. I was obliged to seem to care, even if I didn't care.", "pos": 49486}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "No; I gave no commands,", "pos": 50340}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "Why should he find himself unhappy in London? Why should he pretend to condemn the very place which most men find the fittest for all their energies? Were I a man, no earthly consideration should induce me to live elsewhere. It is odd how we differ in all things. However brilliant might be his own light, he would be contented to hide it under a bushel!", "pos": 54773}
{"speaker": "Lady Macleod", "text": "I would come because it's my last day, but really I'm so hurried, and have so many things to do, that I hardly know how to manage it.", "pos": 57285}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "It's very kind,", "pos": 57442}
{"speaker": "Lady Macleod", "text": "I'm keeping the cab, so I can just stay twenty-five minutes. I've marked the time accurately, but I know the man will swear it's over the half-hour.", "pos": 57525}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "You'll have no more trouble about cabs, aunt, when you are back in Cheltenham.", "pos": 57676}
{"speaker": "Lady Macleod", "text": "The flies are worse, my dear. I really think they're worse. I pay the bill every month, but they've always one down that I didn't have. It's the regular practice, for I've had them from all the men in the place.", "pos": 57757}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "It's hard enough to find honest men anywhere, I suppose.", "pos": 57971}
{"speaker": "Lady Macleod", "text": "Or honest women either. What do you think of Mrs. Green wanting to charge me for an extra week, because she says I didn't give her notice till Tuesday morning? I won't pay her, and she may stop my things if she dares. However, it's the last time. I shall never come up to London again, my dear.", "pos": 58030}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "Oh, aunt, don't say that!", "pos": 58327}
{"speaker": "Lady Macleod", "text": "But I do say it, my dear. What should an old woman like me do, trailing up to town every year, merely because it's what people choose to call the season.", "pos": 58355}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "To see your friends, of course. Age doesn't matter when a person's health is so good as yours.", "pos": 58511}
{"speaker": "Lady Macleod", "text": "If you knew what I suffer from lumbago,--though I must say coming to London always does cure that for the time. But as for friends--! Well, I suppose one has no right to complain when one gets to be as old as I am; but I declare I believe that those I love best would sooner be without me than with me.", "pos": 58608}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "Do you mean me, aunt?", "pos": 58913}
{"speaker": "Lady Macleod", "text": "No, my dear, I don't mean you. Of course my life would have been very different if you could have consented to remain with me till you were married. But I didn't mean you. I don't know that I meant any one. You shouldn't mind what an old woman like me says.", "pos": 58937}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "You're a little melancholy because you're going away.", "pos": 59197}
{"speaker": "Lady Macleod", "text": "No, indeed. I don't know why I stayed the last week. I did say to Lady Midlothian that I thought I should go on the 20th; and, though I know that she knew that I really didn't go, she has not once sent to me since. To be sure they've been out every night; but I thought she might have asked me to come and lunch. It's so very lonely dining by myself in lodgings in London.", "pos": 59253}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "And yet you never will come and dine with me.", "pos": 59628}
{"speaker": "Lady Macleod", "text": "No, my dear; no. But we won't talk about that. I've just one word more to say. Let me see. I've just six minutes to stay. I've made up my mind that I'll never come up to town again,--except for one thing.", "pos": 59676}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "And what's that, aunt?", "pos": 59883}
{"speaker": "Lady Macleod", "text": "I'll come for your marriage, my dear. I do hope you will not keep me long waiting.", "pos": 59977}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "Ah! I can't make any promise. There's no knowing when that may be.", "pos": 60062}
{"speaker": "Lady Macleod", "text": "And why should there be no knowing? I always think that when a girl is once engaged the sooner she's married the better. There may be reasons for delay on the gentleman's part.", "pos": 60131}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "There very often are, you know,", "pos": 60310}
{"speaker": "Lady Macleod", "text": "But, Alice, you don't mean to say that Mr. Grey is putting it off?", "pos": 60344}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "No, aunt. Mr. Grey is not putting it off. It has been left to me to fix the time.", "pos": 60731}
{"speaker": "Lady Macleod", "text": "And why don't you fix it?", "pos": 60827}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "It is such a serious thing! After all it is not more than four months yet since I--I accepted him. I don't know that there has been any delay.", "pos": 60855}
{"speaker": "Lady Macleod", "text": "But you might fix the time now, if he wishes it.", "pos": 61000}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "Well, perhaps I shall,--some day, aunt. I'm going to think about it, and you mustn't drive me.", "pos": 61051}
{"speaker": "Lady Macleod", "text": "But you should have some one to advise you, Alice.", "pos": 61148}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "Ah! that's just it. People always do seem to think it so terrible that a girl should have her own way in anything. She mustn't like any one at first; and then, when she does like some one, she must marry him directly she's bidden. I haven't much of my own way at present; but you see, when I'm married I shan't have it at all. You can't wonder that I shouldn't be in a hurry.", "pos": 61201}
{"speaker": "Lady Macleod", "text": "I am not advocating anything like hurry, my dear. But, goodness gracious me! I've been here twenty-eight minutes, and that horrid man will impose upon me. Good-bye; God bless you! Mind you write.", "pos": 61579}
{"speaker": "Kate", "text": "What an auspicious omen for the future nuptials! Uncle John dines at home, and Mr. Grey joins in the dissipation of a dinner-party. We shall all be changed soon, I suppose, and George and I will take to keeping a little cottage in the country.", "pos": 62940}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "Kate. I think you are about the most unjust person I ever met. I would forgive your raillery, however painful it might be, if it were only fair.", "pos": 63232}
{"speaker": "Kate", "text": "And to whom is it unfair on the present occasion;--to your father?", "pos": 63402}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "It was not intended for him.", "pos": 63471}
{"speaker": "Kate", "text": "To yourself?", "pos": 63502}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "I care nothing as to myself; you know that very well.", "pos": 63517}
{"speaker": "Kate", "text": "Then it must have been unfair to Mr. Grey.", "pos": 63573}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "Yes; it was Mr. Grey whom you meant to attack. If I can forgive him for not caring for society, surely you might do so.", "pos": 63618}
{"speaker": "Kate", "text": "Exactly; but that's just what you can't do, my dear. You don't forgive him. If you did you might be quite sure that I should say nothing. And if you choose to bid me hold my tongue I will say nothing. But when you tell me all your own thoughts about this thing you can hardly expect but that I should let you know mine in return. I'm not particular; and if you are ready for a little good, wholesome, useful hypocrisy, I won't balk you. I mayn't be quite so dishonest as you call me, but I'm not so wedded to truth but what I can look, and act, and speak a few falsehoods if you wish it. Only let us understand each other.", "pos": 63740}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "You know I wish for no falsehood, Kate.", "pos": 64365}
{"speaker": "Kate", "text": "I know it's very hard to understand what you do wish. I know that for the last year or two I have been trying to find out your wishes, and, upon my word, my success has been very indifferent. I suppose you wish to marry Mr. Grey, but I'm by no means certain. I suppose the last thing on earth you'd wish would be to marry George?", "pos": 64407}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "The very last. You're right there at any rate.", "pos": 64739}
{"speaker": "Kate", "text": "Alice--! sometimes you drive me too hard; you do, indeed. You make me doubt whether I hate or love you most. Knowing what my feelings are about George, I cannot understand how you can bring yourself to speak of him to me with such contempt!", "pos": 64788}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "He has plenty to say for himself,", "pos": 66543}
{"speaker": "Kate", "text": "Oh yes; he can talk.", "pos": 66612}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "And he doesn't talk like a prig either, which was what I expected. He's uncommonly handsome.", "pos": 66635}
{"speaker": "Kate", "text": "I thought men never saw that in each other. I never see it in any man.", "pos": 66730}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "I see it in every animal--in men, women, horses, dogs, and even pigs. I like to look on handsome things. I think people always do who are ugly themselves.", "pos": 66803}
{"speaker": "Kate", "text": "And so you're going into raptures in favour of John Grey.", "pos": 66960}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "No, I'm not. I very seldom go into raptures about anything. But he talks in the way I like a man to talk. How he bowled my uncle over about those actors; and yet if my uncle knows anything about anything it is about the stage twenty years ago.", "pos": 67020}
{"speaker": "John Grey", "text": "Well, Alice, and about that question of home affairs?", "pos": 68622}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "Let us finish off the foreign affairs first.", "pos": 68718}
{"speaker": "John Grey", "text": "We have finished them; haven't we?", "pos": 68765}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "Finished them! why we haven't started yet.", "pos": 68802}
{"speaker": "John Grey", "text": "No; you haven't started. But we've had the discussion. Is there any reason why you'd rather not have this thing settled.", "pos": 68847}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "No; no special reason.", "pos": 68970}
{"speaker": "John Grey", "text": "Then why not let it be fixed? Do you fear coming to me as my wife?", "pos": 68995}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "No.", "pos": 69064}
{"speaker": "John Grey", "text": "I cannot think that you repent your goodness to me.", "pos": 69070}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "No; I don't repent it;--what you call my goodness? I love you too entirely for that.", "pos": 69124}
{"speaker": "John Grey", "text": "My darling! And if you love me--", "pos": 69211}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "I do love you.", "pos": 69330}
{"speaker": "John Grey", "text": "Then why should you not wish to come to me?", "pos": 69347}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "I do wish it. I think I wish it.", "pos": 69393}
{"speaker": "John Grey", "text": "But, Alice, you must have wished it altogether when you consented to be my wife.", "pos": 69428}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "A person may wish for a thing altogether, and yet not wish for it instantly.", "pos": 69511}
{"speaker": "John Grey", "text": "Instantly! Come; I have not been hard on you. This is still June. Will you say the middle of September, and we shall still be in time for warm pleasant days among the lakes? Is that asking for too much?", "pos": 69589}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "It is not asking for anything.", "pos": 69794}
{"speaker": "John Grey", "text": "Nay, but it is, love. Grant it, and I will swear that you have granted me everything.", "pos": 69827}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "John, do not press me about this till I return.", "pos": 70780}
{"speaker": "John Grey", "text": "But then you will say the time is short. It would be short then.", "pos": 70850}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "I cannot answer you now;--indeed, I cannot. That is I cannot answer in the affirmative. It is such a solemn thing.", "pos": 70917}
{"speaker": "John Grey", "text": "Will it ever be less solemn, dearest?", "pos": 71034}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "Never, I hope never.", "pos": 71074}
{"speaker": "Squire", "text": "He shall have the estate for his life. I don't think I have a right to leave it away from him. It never has been left away from the heir. But I'll tie it up so that he shan't cut a tree on it.", "pos": 76038}
{"speaker": "Unknown", "text": "Where on earth does your nephew get his money?", "pos": 77908}
{"speaker": "John Vavasor", "text": "Upon my word I don't know. He doesn't get it from me, and I'm sure he doesn't get it from my father.", "pos": 77995}
{"speaker": "Kate", "text": "It was grand of him, wasn't it?", "pos": 79317}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "It was very spirited. If you knew all, you would say so. They could get no one else to stand but that Mr. Travers, and he wouldn't come forward, unless they would guarantee all his expenses. I hope it didn't cost George much,", "pos": 79395}
{"speaker": "Kate", "text": "It did, though; nearly all he had got. But what matters? Money's nothing to him, except for its uses. My own little mite is my own now, and he shall have every farthing of it for the next election, even though I should go out as a housemaid the next day.", "pos": 79651}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "I grieved for her, greatly.", "pos": 80698}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "I'm sure you did, George.", "pos": 80739}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "Yes, I did;--for her, herself. Of course the world has given me credit for lamenting the loss of her money. But the truth is, that as regards both herself and her money, it is much better for me that we were never married.", "pos": 80767}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "Do you mean even though she should have lived?", "pos": 80992}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "Yes;--even had she lived.", "pos": 81041}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "And why so? If you liked her, her money was surely no drawback.", "pos": 81069}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "No; not if I had liked her.", "pos": 81135}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "And did you not like her?", "pos": 81165}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "No.", "pos": 81193}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "Oh, George!", "pos": 81199}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "I did not love her as a man should love his wife, if you mean that. As for my liking her, I did like her. I liked her very much.", "pos": 81213}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "But you would have loved her?", "pos": 81344}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "I don't know. I don't find that task of loving so very easy. It might have been that I should have learned to hate her.", "pos": 81376}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "If so, it is better for you, and better for her, that she has gone.", "pos": 81498}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "It is better. I am sure of it. And yet I grieve for her, and in thinking of her I almost feel as though I were guilty of her death.", "pos": 81568}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "But she never suspected that you did not love her?", "pos": 81702}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "Oh no. But she was not given to think much of such things. She took all that for granted. Poor girl! she is at rest now, and her money has gone, where it should go, among her own relatives.", "pos": 81755}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "Yes; with such feelings as yours are about her, her money would have been a burden to you.", "pos": 81947}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "I would not have taken it. I hope, at least, that I would not have taken it. Money is a sore temptation, especially to a poor man like me. It is well for me that the trial did not come in my way.", "pos": 82040}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "But you are not such a very poor man now, are you, George? I thought your business was a good one.", "pos": 82238}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "It is, and I have no right to be a poor man. But a man will be poor who does such mad things as I do. I had three or four thousand pounds clear, and I spent every shilling of it on the Chelsea election. Goodness knows whether I shall have a shilling at all when another chance comes round; but if I have I shall certainly spend it, and if I have not, I shall go in debt wherever I can raise a hundred pounds.", "pos": 82339}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "I hope you will be successful at last.", "pos": 82750}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "I feel sure that I shall. But, in the mean time, I cannot but know that my career is perfectly reckless. No woman ought to join her lot to mine unless she has within her courage to be as reckless as I am. You know what men do when they toss up for shillings?", "pos": 82791}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "Yes, I suppose I do.", "pos": 83052}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "I am tossing up every day of my life for every shilling that I have.", "pos": 83075}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "Do you mean that you're--gambling?", "pos": 83146}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "No. I have given that up altogether. I used to gamble, but I never do that now, and never shall again. What I mean is this,--that I hold myself in readiness to risk everything at any moment, in order to gain any object that may serve my turn. I am always ready to lead a forlorn hope. That's what I mean by tossing up every day for every shilling that I have.", "pos": 83183}
{"speaker": "Squire", "text": "He looked at me like the devil himself--making the hole in his face gape at me,", "pos": 84459}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "I'll endeavour to get the cold water for you, but as to the breakfasts, I can only hope you won't put me to severe trials by any very early hours. When people go out for pleasure it should be pleasure.", "pos": 88104}
{"speaker": "Kate", "text": "George, I wonder what your wishes really are about Alice?", "pos": 88430}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "That she shouldn't want her breakfast too early while we are away.", "pos": 88490}
{"speaker": "Kate", "text": "That means that I'm to hold my tongue, of course.", "pos": 88559}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "No, it doesn't.", "pos": 88611}
{"speaker": "Kate", "text": "Then it means that you intend to hold yours.", "pos": 88629}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "No; not that either.", "pos": 88676}
{"speaker": "Kate", "text": "Then what does it mean?", "pos": 88699}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "That I have no fixed wishes on the subject. Of course she'll marry this man John Grey, and then no one will hear another word about her.", "pos": 88725}
{"speaker": "Kate", "text": "She will no doubt, if you don't interfere. Probably she will whether you interfere or not. But if you wish to interfere--", "pos": 88864}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "She's got four hundred a year, and is not so good-looking as she was.", "pos": 88988}
{"speaker": "Kate", "text": "Yes; she has got four hundred a year, and she is more handsome now than ever she was. I know that you think so;--and that you love her and love no one else--unless you have a sneaking fondness for me.", "pos": 89060}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "I'll leave you to judge of that last.", "pos": 89263}
{"speaker": "Kate", "text": "And as for me,--I only love two people in the world; her and you. If ever you mean to try, you should try now.", "pos": 89303}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "What fine fellows those Alpine club men think themselves, and how thoroughly they despise the sort of enjoyment I get from mountains. But they're mistaken.", "pos": 90625}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "I don't see why either need be mistaken,", "pos": 90820}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "But they are mistaken. They rob the mountains of their poetry, which is or should be their greatest charm. Mont Blanc can have no mystery for a man who has been up it half a dozen times. It's like getting behind the scenes at a ballet, or making a conjuror explain his tricks.", "pos": 90875}
{"speaker": "Kate", "text": "But is the exercise nothing?", "pos": 91170}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "Yes; the exercise is very fine;--but that avoids the question.", "pos": 91212}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "And they all botanize,", "pos": 91277}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "I don't believe it. I believe that the most of them simply walk up the mountain and down again. But if they did, that avoids the question also. The poetry and mystery of the mountains are lost to those who make themselves familiar with their details, not the less because such familiarity may have useful results. In this world things are beautiful only because they are not quite seen, or not perfectly understood. Poetry is precious chiefly because it suggests more than it declares. Look in there, through that valley, where you just see the distant little peak at the end. Are you not dreaming of the unknown beautiful world that exists up there;--beautiful, as heaven is beautiful, because you know nothing of the reality? If you make your way up there and back to-morrow, and find out all about it, do you mean to say that it will be as beautiful to you when you come back?", "pos": 91314}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "Yes;--I think it would,", "pos": 92196}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "Then you've no poetry in you. Now I'm made up of poetry.", "pos": 92234}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "It's nearly all over,", "pos": 94750}
{"speaker": "Kate", "text": "And I do think it has been a success. Always excepting about the money. I'm ruined for ever.", "pos": 94832}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "I'll make your money all straight,", "pos": 94940}
{"speaker": "Kate", "text": "Indeed you'll do nothing of the kind. I'm ruined, but you are ruineder. But what signifies? It is such a great thing ever to have had six weeks' happiness, that the ruin is, in point of fact, a good speculation. What do you say, Alice? Won't you vote, too, that we've done it well?", "pos": 94990}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "I think we've done it very well. I have enjoyed myself thoroughly.", "pos": 95287}
{"speaker": "Kate", "text": "That's good of you, Alice. Is it not, George? I like a person who will give a hearty meed of approbation.", "pos": 95546}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "But I am giving the meed of approbation to myself.", "pos": 95667}
{"speaker": "Kate", "text": "I like a person even to do that heartily. Not that George and I are thankful for the compliment. We are prepared to admit that we owe almost everything to you,--are we not, George?", "pos": 95720}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "I'm not; by any means,", "pos": 95916}
{"speaker": "Kate", "text": "Well, I am, and I expect to have something pretty said to me in return. Have I been cross once, Alice?", "pos": 95954}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "No; I don't think you have. You are never cross, though you are often ferocious.", "pos": 96059}
{"speaker": "Kate", "text": "But I haven't been once ferocious,--nor has George.", "pos": 96142}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "He would have been the most ungrateful man alive if he had. We've done nothing since we've started but realize from him that picture in 'Punch' of the young gentleman at Jeddo who had a dozen ladies to wait upon him.", "pos": 96196}
{"speaker": "Kate", "text": "And now he has got to go home to his lodgings, and wait upon himself again. Poor fellow! I do pity you, George.", "pos": 96429}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "No, you don't;--nor does Alice. I believe girls always think that a bachelor in London has the happiest of all lives. It's because they think so that they generally want to put an end to the man's condition.", "pos": 96543}
{"speaker": "Kate", "text": "It's envy that makes us want to get married,--not love,", "pos": 96753}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "It's the devil in some shape, as often as not. With a man, marriage always seems to him to be an evil at the instant.", "pos": 96822}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "Not always,", "pos": 96953}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "Almost always;--but he does it, as he takes physic, because something worse will come if he don't. A man never likes having his tooth pulled out, but all men do have their teeth pulled out,--and they who delay it too long suffer the very mischief.", "pos": 96979}
{"speaker": "Kate", "text": "I do like George's philosophy, it is so sharp, and has such a pleasant acid taste about it; and then we all know that it means nothing. Alice, I'm going up-stairs to begin the final packing.", "pos": 97229}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "I'll come with you, dear.", "pos": 97475}
{"speaker": "Kate", "text": "No, don't. To tell the truth I'm only going into that man's room because he won't put up a single thing of his own decently. We'll do ours, of course, when we go up to bed. Whatever you disarrange to-night, Master George, you must rearrange for yourself to-morrow morning, for I promise I won't go into your room at five o'clock.", "pos": 97503}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "How I do hate that early work,", "pos": 97835}
{"speaker": "Kate", "text": "I'll be down again very soon. Then we'll take one turn on the bridge and go to bed.", "pos": 97881}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "When are you to be married, Alice?", "pos": 101393}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "Oh, George! You ask me a question as though you were putting a pistol to my ear.", "pos": 101451}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "I'm sorry the question was so unpleasant.", "pos": 101546}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "I didn't say that it was unpleasant; but you asked it so suddenly! The truth is, I didn't expect you to speak at all just then. I suppose I was thinking of something.", "pos": 101590}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "But if it be not unpleasant,--when are you to be married?", "pos": 101759}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "I do not know. It is not fixed.", "pos": 101819}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "But about when, I mean? This summer?", "pos": 101853}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "Certainly not this summer, for the summer will be over when we reach home.", "pos": 101892}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "This winter? Next spring? Next year?--or in ten years' time?", "pos": 101969}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "Before the expiration of the ten years, I suppose. Anything more exact than that I can't say.", "pos": 102032}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "I suppose you like it?", "pos": 102128}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "What, being married? You see I've never tried yet.", "pos": 102167}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "The idea of it,--the anticipation. You look forward with satisfaction to the kind of life you will lead at Nethercoats? Don't suppose I am saying anything against it, for I have no conception what sort of a place Nethercoats is. On the whole I don't know that there is any kind of life better than that of an English country gentleman in his own place;--that is, if he can keep it up, and not live as the old squire does, in a state of chronic poverty.", "pos": 102220}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "Mr. Grey's place doesn't entitle him to be called a country gentleman.", "pos": 102675}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "But you like the prospect of it?", "pos": 102748}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "Oh, George, how you do cross-question one! Of course I like it, or I shouldn't have accepted it.", "pos": 102783}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "That does not follow. But I quite acknowledge that I have no right to cross-question you. If I ever had such right on the score of cousinship, I have lost it on the score of--; but we won't mind that, will we, Alice? Will we, Alice?", "pos": 102882}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "Will we what?", "pos": 103186}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "Recur to the old days.", "pos": 103202}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "Why should we recur to them? They are passed, and as we are again friends and dear cousins the sting of them is gone.", "pos": 103227}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "Ah, yes! The sting of them is gone. It is for that reason, because it is so, that we may at last recur to them without danger. If we regret nothing,--if neither of us has anything to regret, why not recur to them, and talk of them freely?", "pos": 103347}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "No, George; that would not do.", "pos": 103588}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "By heavens, no! It would drive me mad; and if I know aught of you, it would hardly leave you as calm as you are at present.", "pos": 103621}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "As I would wish to be left calm--", "pos": 103747}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "Would you? Then I suppose I ought to hold my tongue. But, Alice, I shall never have the power of speaking to you again as I speak now. Since we have been out together, we have been dear friends; is it not so?", "pos": 103783}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "And shall we not always be dear friends?", "pos": 103994}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "No, certainly not. How will it be possible? Think of it. How can I really be your friend when you are the mistress of that man's house in Cambridgeshire?", "pos": 104036}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "George!", "pos": 104192}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "I mean nothing disrespectful. I truly beg your pardon if it has seemed so. Let me say that gentleman's house;--for he is a gentleman.", "pos": 104202}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "That he certainly is.", "pos": 104338}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "You could not have accepted him were he not so. But how can I be your friend when you are his wife? I may still call you cousin Alice, and pat your children on the head if I chance to see them; and shall stop in the streets and shake hands with him if I meet him;--that is if my untoward fate does not induce him to cut my acquaintance;--but as for friendship, that will be over when you and I shall have parted next Thursday evening at London Bridge.", "pos": 104362}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "Oh, George, don't say so!", "pos": 104816}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "But I do.", "pos": 104844}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "And why on Thursday? Do you mean that you won't come to Queen Anne Street any more?", "pos": 104856}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "Yes, that is what I do mean. This trip of ours has been very successful, Kate says. Perhaps Kate knows nothing about it.", "pos": 104942}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "It has been very pleasant,--at least to me.", "pos": 105065}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "And the pleasure has had no drawback?", "pos": 105111}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "None to me.", "pos": 105151}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "It has been very pleasant to me, also;--but the pleasure has had its alloy. Alice, I have nothing to ask from you,--nothing.", "pos": 105165}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "Anything that you should ask, I would do for you.", "pos": 105292}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "I have nothing to ask;--nothing. But I have one word to say.", "pos": 105344}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "George, do not say it. Let me go up-stairs. Let me go to Kate.", "pos": 105407}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "Certainly; if you wish it you shall go. Certainly you shall go to Kate, if you refuse to hear me. But after all that has passed between us, after these six weeks of intimate companionship, I think you ought to listen to me. I tell you that I have nothing to ask. I am not going to make love to you. I am not going to make love to you. As for making love, as the word goes, that must be over between you and me. It has been made and marred, and cannot be remade. It may exist, or it may have been expelled; but where it does not exist, it will never be brought back again.", "pos": 105472}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "It should not be spoken of between you and me.", "pos": 106474}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "So, no doubt, any proper-going duenna would say, and so, too, little children should be told; but between you and me there can be no necessity for falsehood. We have grown beyond our sugar-toothed ages, and are now men and women. I perfectly understood your breaking away from me. I understood you, and in spite of my sorrow knew that you were right. I am not going to accuse or to defend myself; but I knew that you were right.", "pos": 106523}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "Then let there be no more about it.", "pos": 106954}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "Yes; there must be more about it. I did not understand you when you accepted Mr. Grey. Against him I have not a whisper to make. He may be perfect for aught I know. But, knowing you as I thought I did, I could not understand your loving such a man as him. It was as though one who had lived on brandy should take himself suddenly to a milk diet,--and enjoy the change! A milk diet is no doubt the best. But men who have lived on brandy can't make those changes very suddenly. They perish in the attempt.", "pos": 106992}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "Not always, George.", "pos": 107498}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "It may be done with months of agony;--but there was no such agony with you.", "pos": 107520}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "Who can tell?", "pos": 107598}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "But you will tell me the cure was made. I thought so, and therefore thought that I should find you changed. I thought that you, who had been all fire, would now have turned yourself into soft-flowing milk and honey, and have become fit for the life in store for you. With such a one I might have travelled from Moscow to Malta without danger. The woman fit to be John Grey's wife would certainly do me no harm,--could not touch my happiness. I might have loved her once,--might still love the memory of what she had been; but her, in her new form, after her new birth,--such a one as that, Alice, could be nothing to me. Don't mistake me. I have enough of wisdom in me to know how much better, ay, and happier a woman she might be. It was not that I thought you had descended in the scale; but I gave you credit for virtues which you have not acquired. Alice, that wholesome diet of which I spoke is not your diet. You would starve on it, and perish.", "pos": 107614}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "I have learned this since we have been again together, Alice; and finding you, not the angel I had supposed, finding you to be the same woman I had once loved,--the safety that I anticipated has not fallen to my lot. That's all. Here's Kate, and now we'll go for our walk.", "pos": 109910}
{"speaker": "Kate", "text": "George, will you tell me whether you have been preparing all your things for an open sale by auction? Would you believe it? he had three razors laid out on his table--", "pos": 110224}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "A man must shave,--even at Basle.", "pos": 110734}
{"speaker": "Kate", "text": "But not with three razors at once; and three hair-brushes, and half a dozen toothbrushes, and a small collection of combs, and four or five little glass bottles, looking as though they contained poison,--all with silver tops. I can only suppose you desired to startle the weak mind of the chambermaid. I have put them all up; but remember this, if they are taken out again you are responsible. And I will not put up your boots, George. What can you have wanted with three pairs of boots at Basle?", "pos": 110770}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "When you have completed the list of my wardrobe we'll go out upon the bridge. That is, if Alice likes it.", "pos": 111269}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "Oh, yes; I shall like it.", "pos": 111377}
{"speaker": "Kate", "text": "Come along then,", "pos": 111405}
{"speaker": "Kate", "text": "Do you know, I have a very great mind to run away.", "pos": 112055}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "Where do you want to run to?", "pos": 112121}
{"speaker": "Kate", "text": "Well;--that wouldn't much signify. Perhaps I'd go to the little inn at Handek. It's a lonely place, where nobody would hear of me,--and I should have the waterfall. I'm afraid they'd want to have their bill paid. That would be the worst of it.", "pos": 112152}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "But why run away just now?", "pos": 112398}
{"speaker": "Kate", "text": "I won't, because you wouldn't like going home with George alone,--and I suppose he'd be bound to look after me, as he's doing now. I wonder what he thinks of having to walk over the bridge after us girls. I suppose he'd be in that place down there drinking beer, if we weren't here.", "pos": 112427}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "If he wanted to go, I dare say he would, in spite of us.", "pos": 112712}
{"speaker": "Kate", "text": "That's ungrateful of you, for I'm sure we've never been kept in a moment by his failing us. But as I was saying, I do dread going home. You are going to John Grey, which may be pleasant enough; but I'm going--to Aunt Greenow. It's your own choice. No, it's not. I haven't any choice in the matter. Of course I might refuse to speak to Aunt Greenow, and nobody could make me;--but practically I haven't any choice in the matter. Fancy a month at Yarmouth with no companion but such a woman as that!", "pos": 112771}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "I shouldn't mind it. Aunt Greenow always seems to me to be a very good sort of woman.", "pos": 113275}
{"speaker": "Kate", "text": "She may be a good woman, but I must say I think she's of a bad sort. You've never heard her talk about her husband?", "pos": 113363}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "No, never; I think she did cry a little the first day she came to Queen Anne Street, but that wasn't unnatural.", "pos": 113481}
{"speaker": "Kate", "text": "He was thirty years older than herself.", "pos": 113595}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "But still he was her husband. And even if her tears are assumed, what of that? What's a woman to do? Of course she was wrong to marry him. She was thirty-five, and had nothing, while he was sixty-five, and was very rich. According to all accounts she made him a very good wife, and now that she's got all his money, you wouldn't have her go about laughing within three months of his death.", "pos": 113637}
{"speaker": "Kate", "text": "No; I wouldn't have her laugh; but neither would I have her cry. And she's quite right to wear weeds; but she needn't be so very outrageous in the depth of her hems, or so very careful that her caps are becoming. Her eyes will be worn out by their double service. They are always red with weeping, and yet she is ready every minute with a full battery of execution for any man that she sees.", "pos": 114029}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "Then why have you consented to go to Yarmouth with her?", "pos": 114423}
{"speaker": "Kate", "text": "Just because she's got forty thousand pounds. If Mr. Greenow had left her with a bare maintenance I don't suppose I should ever have held out my hand to her.", "pos": 114481}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "Then you're as bad as she is.", "pos": 114641}
{"speaker": "Kate", "text": "Quite as bad;--and that's what makes me want to run away. But it isn't my own fault altogether. It's the fault of the world at large. Does anybody ever drop their rich relatives? When she proposed to take me to Yarmouth, wasn't it natural that the squire should ask me to go? When I told George, wasn't it natural that he should say, 'Oh, go by all means. She's got forty thousand pounds!' One can't pretend to be wiser or better than one's relatives. And after all what can I expect from her money?", "pos": 114673}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "Nothing, I should say.", "pos": 115175}
{"speaker": "Kate", "text": "Not a halfpenny. I'm nearly thirty and she's only forty, and of course she'll marry again. I will say of myself, too, that no person living cares less for money.", "pos": 115200}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "I should think no one.", "pos": 115364}
{"speaker": "Kate", "text": "Yet one sticks to one's rich relatives. It's the way of the world. But shall I tell you, Alice, why I do stick to her? Perhaps you'll think the object as mean as though I wanted her money myself.", "pos": 115389}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "Why is it?", "pos": 115615}
{"speaker": "Kate", "text": "Because it is on the cards that she may help George in his career. I do not want money, but he may. And for such purposes as his, I think it fair that all the family should contribute. I feel sure that he would make a name for himself in Parliament; and if I had my way I would spend every shilling of Vavasor money in putting him there. When I told the squire so I thought he would have eaten me. I really did think he would have turned me out of the house.", "pos": 115628}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "And serve you right too after what had happened.", "pos": 116089}
{"speaker": "Kate", "text": "I didn't care. Let him turn me out. I was determined he should know what I thought. He swore at me; and then he was so unhappy at what he had done that he came and kissed me that night in my bedroom, and gave me a ten-pound note. What do you think I did with it? I sent it as a contribution to the next election and George has it now locked up in a box. Don't you tell him that I told you. Come here, George. Wouldn't you like to be swimming down there as those boys were doing when we went out into the balcony? The water looks so enticing.", "pos": 116140}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "I can't say I should;--unless it might be a pleasant way of swimming into the next world.", "pos": 116825}
{"speaker": "Kate", "text": "I should so like to feel myself going with the stream,", "pos": 116917}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "I can't fancy anything else,", "pos": 117068}
{"speaker": "Kate", "text": "It would be so pleasant to feel the water gliding along one's limbs, and to be carried away headlong,--knowing that you were on the direct road to Rotterdam.", "pos": 117111}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "And so arrive there without your clothes,", "pos": 117271}
{"speaker": "Kate", "text": "They would be brought after in a boat. Didn't you see that those boys had a boat with them? But if I lived here, I'd never do it except by moonlight. The water looks so clear and bright now, and the rushing sound of it is so soft! The sea at Yarmouth won't be anything like that I suppose.", "pos": 117328}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "You are cold. No indeed.", "pos": 118167}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "If you are let us go in. I thought you shivered with the night air.", "pos": 118205}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "It wasn't that. I was thinking of something. Don't you ever think of things that make you shiver?", "pos": 118275}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "Indeed I do, very often;--so often that I have to do my shiverings inwardly. Otherwise people would think I had the palsy.", "pos": 118375}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "I don't mean things of moment,", "pos": 118500}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "It's not because you have committed any murder then.", "pos": 118786}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "No; but it's my conscience all the same, I suppose.", "pos": 118841}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "Ah! I'm not so good as you. I doubt it's not my conscience at all. When I think of a chance I've let go by, as I have thousands, then it is that I shiver. But, as I tell you, I shiver inwardly. I've been in one long shiver ever since we came out because of one chance that I let go by. Come, we'll go in. We've to be up at five o'clock, and now it's eleven. I'll do the rest of my shivering in bed.", "pos": 118895}
{"speaker": "Kate", "text": "Are you tired of being out?", "pos": 119296}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "Not tired of being out, but George reminds me that we have to be up at five.", "pos": 119371}
{"speaker": "Kate", "text": "I wish George would hold his tongue. We can't come to the bridge at Basle every night in our lives. If one found oneself at the top of Sinai I'm afraid the first feeling would be one of fear lest one wouldn't be down in time to dress for dinner. Are you aware, George, that the king of rivers is running beneath your feet, and that the moon is shining with a brilliance you never see at home?", "pos": 119450}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "I'll stay here all night if you'll put off going to-morrow,", "pos": 119845}
{"speaker": "Kate", "text": "Our money wouldn't hold out,", "pos": 119920}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "Don't talk about Sinai any more after that, but let's go in to bed. My shivering fit has to come yet,", "pos": 119962}
{"speaker": "Kate", "text": "If you'll take my advice, you'll ask her in plain words to give you another chance. Do it to-morrow at Strasbourg; you'll never have a better opportunity.", "pos": 121057}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "And bid her throw John Grey over!", "pos": 121277}
{"speaker": "Kate", "text": "Don't say anything about John Grey; leave her to settle that matter with herself. Believe me that she has quite courage enough to dispose of John Grey, if she has courage enough to accept your offer.", "pos": 121313}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "Kate, you women never understand each other. If I were to do that, all her most powerful feelings would be arrayed in arms against me. I must leave her to find out first that she wishes to be rid of her engagement.", "pos": 121515}
{"speaker": "Kate", "text": "She has found that out long ago. Do you think I don't know what she wishes? But if you can't bring yourself to speak to her, she'll marry him in spite of her wishes.", "pos": 121732}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "Bring myself! I've never been very slow in bringing myself to speak to any one when there was need. It isn't very pleasant sometimes, but I do it, if I find occasion.", "pos": 121900}
{"speaker": "Kate", "text": "But surely it must be pleasant with her. You must be glad to find that she still loves you. You still love her, I suppose?", "pos": 122069}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "Upon my word I don't know.", "pos": 122194}
{"speaker": "Kate", "text": "Don't provoke me, George. I'm moving heaven and earth to bring you two together; but if I didn't think you loved her, I'd go to her at once and bid her never see you again.", "pos": 122223}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "Upon my word, Kate, I sometimes think it would be better if you'd leave heaven and earth alone.", "pos": 122398}
{"speaker": "Kate", "text": "Then I will. But of all human beings, surely you're the most ungrateful.", "pos": 122496}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "Why shouldn't she marry John Grey if she likes him?", "pos": 122571}
{"speaker": "Kate", "text": "But she doesn't like him. And I hate him. I hate the sound of his voice, and the turn of his eye, and that slow, steady movement of his,--as though he was always bethinking himself that he wouldn't wear out his clothes.", "pos": 122625}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "I don't see that your hating him ought to have anything to do with it.", "pos": 122847}
{"speaker": "Kate", "text": "If you're going to preach morals, I'll leave you. It's the darling wish of my heart that she should be your wife. If you ever loved anybody,--and I sometimes doubt whether you ever did,--but if you did, you loved her.", "pos": 122920}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "Did and do are different things.", "pos": 123140}
{"speaker": "Kate", "text": "Very well, George; then I have done. It has been the same in every twist and turn of my life. In everything that I have striven to do for you, you have thrown yourself over, in order that I might be thrown over too. But I believe you say this merely to vex me.", "pos": 123175}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "Upon my word, Kate, I think you'd better go to bed.", "pos": 123438}
{"speaker": "Kate", "text": "But not till I've told her everything. I won't leave her to be deceived and ill-used again.", "pos": 123492}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "Who is ill-using her now? Is it not the worst of ill-usage, trying to separate her from that man?", "pos": 123586}
{"speaker": "Kate", "text": "No;--if I thought so, I would have no hand in doing it. She would be miserable with him, and make him miserable as well. She does not really love him. He loves her, but I've nothing to do with that. It's nothing to me if he breaks his heart.", "pos": 123686}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "I shall break mine if you don't let me go to bed.", "pos": 123930}
{"speaker": "Kate", "text": "Why, you lazy creature. I declare you haven't touched a thing.", "pos": 124190}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "You said we'd do it together.", "pos": 124268}
{"speaker": "Kate", "text": "But he has kept me. Oh, what a man he is! If he ever does get married, what will his wife do with him?", "pos": 124300}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "I don't think he ever will,", "pos": 124405}
{"speaker": "Kate", "text": "Don't you? I dare say you understand him better than I do. Sometimes I think that the only thing wanting to make him thoroughly good, is a wife. But it isn't every woman that would do for him. And the woman who marries him should have high courage. There are moments with him when he is very wild; but he never is cruel and never hard. Is Mr. Grey ever hard?", "pos": 124447}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "Never; nor yet wild.", "pos": 124808}
{"speaker": "Kate", "text": "Oh, certainly not that. I'm quite sure he's never wild.", "pos": 124831}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "When you say that, Kate, I know that you mean to abuse him.", "pos": 124889}
{"speaker": "Kate", "text": "No; upon my word. What's the good of abusing him to you? I like a man to be wild,--wild in my sense. You knew that before.", "pos": 124951}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "I wonder whether you'd like a wild man for yourself?", "pos": 125076}
{"speaker": "Kate", "text": "Ah! that's a question I've never asked myself. I've been often curious to consider what sort of husband would suit you, but I've had very few thoughts about a husband for myself. The truth is, I'm married to George. Ever since--", "pos": 125131}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "Ever since what?", "pos": 125362}
{"speaker": "Kate", "text": "Since you and he were parted, I've had nothing to do in life but to stick to him. And I shall do so to the end,--unless one thing should happen.", "pos": 125381}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "And what's that?", "pos": 125528}
{"speaker": "Kate", "text": "Unless you should become his wife after all. He will never marry anybody else.", "pos": 125547}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "Kate, you shouldn't allude to such a thing now. You know that it's impossible.", "pos": 125628}
{"speaker": "Kate", "text": "Well, perhaps so. As far as I'm concerned, it is all the better for me. If George ever married, I should have nothing to do in the world;--literally nothing--nothing--nothing--nothing!", "pos": 125709}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "Kate, don't talk in that way,", "pos": 125896}
{"speaker": "Kate", "text": "Go away. Go, Alice; you and I must part. I cannot bear it any longer. You must know it all. When you are married to John Grey, our friendship must be over. If you became George's wife I should become nobody. I've nothing else in the world. You and he would be so all-sufficient for each other, that I should drop away from you like an old garment. But I'd give up all, everything, every hope I have, to see you become George's wife. I know myself not to be good. I know myself to be very bad, and yet I care nothing for myself. Don't Alice, don't; I don't want your caresses. Caress him, and I'll kneel at your feet and cover them with kisses.", "pos": 125971}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "Kate, you shouldn't speak in that way.", "pos": 126711}
{"speaker": "Kate", "text": "Of course I shouldn't,--but I do.", "pos": 126752}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "You, who know everything, must know that I cannot marry your brother,--even if he wished it.", "pos": 126788}
{"speaker": "Kate", "text": "He does wish it.", "pos": 126883}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "Not though I were under no other engagement.", "pos": 126902}
{"speaker": "Kate", "text": "And why not? What is there to separate you from George now, but that unfortunate affair, that will end in the misery of you all. Do you think I can't see? Don't I know which of the two men you like best?", "pos": 126949}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "You are making me sorry, Kate, that I have ventured to come here in your brother's company. It is not only unkind of you to talk to me in this way, but worse than that--it is indelicate.", "pos": 127187}
{"speaker": "Kate", "text": "Oh, indelicate! How I do hate that word. If any word in the language reminds me of a whited sepulchre it is that;--all clean and polished outside with filth and rottenness within. Are your thoughts delicate? that's the thing. You are engaged to marry John Grey. That may be delicate enough if you love him truly, and feel yourself fitted to be his wife; but it's about the most indelicate thing you can do, if you love any one better than him. Delicacy with many women is like their cleanliness. Nothing can be nicer than the whole outside get-up, but you wouldn't wish to answer for anything beneath.", "pos": 127376}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "If you think ill of me like that--", "pos": 127980}
{"speaker": "Kate", "text": "No; I don't think ill of you. How can I think ill of you when I know that all your difficulties have come from him? It hasn't been your fault; it has been his throughout. It is he who has driven you to sacrifice yourself on this altar. If we can, both of us, manage to lay aside all delicacy and pretence, and dare to speak the truth, we shall acknowledge that it is so. Had Mr. Grey come to you while things were smooth between you and George, would you have thought it possible that he could be George's rival in your estimation? It is Hyperion to Satyr.", "pos": 128017}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "And which is the Satyr?", "pos": 128576}
{"speaker": "Kate", "text": "I'll leave your heart to tell you. You know what is the darling wish of my heart. But, Alice, if I thought that Mr. Grey was to you Hyperion,--if I thought that you could marry him with that sort of worshipping, idolatrous love which makes a girl proud as well as happy in her marriage, I wouldn't raise a little finger to prevent it.", "pos": 128602}
{"speaker": "Kate", "text": "If you are tired, dear, we'll put it off,", "pos": 129967}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "Not for worlds,", "pos": 130022}
{"speaker": "Kate", "text": "For half a word we'll do it. I'll slip out to George and tell him, and there's nothing he'd like so much.", "pos": 130052}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "Don't speak to me. I shall only yawn in your face.", "pos": 130292}
{"speaker": "Kate", "text": "I'm my aunt's, body and soul, for the next six weeks. And she is exigeant in a manner I can't at all explain to you. You mustn't be surprised if I don't even write a line. I've escaped by stealth now. She went up-stairs to try on some new weeds for the seaside, and then I bolted.", "pos": 131053}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "Why not go to Yarmouth with her for a month? Of course it will be a bore. But an aunt with forty thousand pounds has a right to claim attention.", "pos": 134773}
{"speaker": "the old squire", "text": "Your aunt Arabella has shown herself to be a very sensible woman, much more sensible than anybody thought her before her marriage. Of course you should go with her if she asks you.", "pos": 135033}
{"speaker": "Mrs. Greenow", "text": "Omnibus;--no, indeed. Jeannette, get me a fly.", "pos": 136178}
{"speaker": "Mrs. Greenow", "text": "The large house in Montpelier Parade,", "pos": 137455}
{"speaker": "the driver", "text": "They is all large, ma'am,", "pos": 137514}
{"speaker": "Mrs. Greenow", "text": "The largest,", "pos": 137559}
{"speaker": "the driver", "text": "They're much of a muchness,", "pos": 137593}
{"speaker": "Mrs. Greenow", "text": "Then Mrs. Jones's,", "pos": 137640}
{"speaker": "Driver", "text": "I know Mrs. Jones's well,", "pos": 137741}
{"speaker": "Mrs. Greenow", "text": "Dear Greenow! sweet lamb! Oh, Kate, if you'd only known that man! she didn't see why people should be stuffy when they went to the seaside;--not if they had means to make themselves comfortable. Oh, Kate, I do wish you'd known him!", "pos": 138736}
{"speaker": "Kate", "text": "I wish I had. I was unfortunately away when he went to Vavasor Hall.", "pos": 139160}
{"speaker": "Mrs. Greenow", "text": "Ah, yes; but it was at home, in the domestic circle, that Greenow should have been seen to be appreciated. I was a happy woman, Kate, while that lasted.", "pos": 139259}
{"speaker": "Jeannette", "text": "Dinner, ma'am,", "pos": 139626}
{"speaker": "Mrs. Greenow", "text": "Jeannette, I told you always to say that dinner was served.", "pos": 139677}
{"speaker": "Jeannette", "text": "Dinner's served then,", "pos": 139739}
{"speaker": "Mrs. Greenow", "text": "Come, Kate. I've but little appetite myself, but there's no reason you shouldn't eat your dinner. I specially wrote to Mrs. Jones to have some sweetbread. I do hope she's got a decent cook. It's very little I eat myself, but I do like to see things nice.", "pos": 139798}
{"speaker": "Mrs. Greenow", "text": "Peace be to his manes!", "pos": 141216}
{"speaker": "Mrs. Jones", "text": "He is left her uncommon well off, I suppose,", "pos": 141481}
{"speaker": "Jeannette", "text": "You may say that, ma'am. It's more nor a hundred thousand of pounds!", "pos": 141558}
{"speaker": "Mrs. Jones", "text": "No!", "pos": 141629}
{"speaker": "Jeannette", "text": "Pounds of sterling, ma'am! Indeed it is;--to my knowledge.", "pos": 141635}
{"speaker": "Mrs. Jones", "text": "Why don't she have a carriage?", "pos": 141696}
{"speaker": "Jeannette", "text": "So she do;--but a lady can't bring her carriage down to the sea when she's only just buried her husband as one may say. What'd folks say if they saw her in her own carriage? But it ain't because she can't afford it, Mrs. Jones. And now we're talking of it you must order a fly for church to-morrow, that'll look private, you know. She said I was to get a man that had a livery coat and gloves.", "pos": 141729}
{"speaker": "Mrs. Greenow", "text": "I need hardly say that in my present condition I care nothing for these things. Of course I would sooner be alone. But, my dear Kate, I know what I owe to you. My dear, in this matter you must let me do what I know to be right. I should consider myself to be very selfish if I allowed my grief to interfere with your amusements.", "pos": 143812}
{"speaker": "Kate", "text": "But, aunt, I don't care for such amusements.", "pos": 144543}
{"speaker": "Mrs. Greenow", "text": "That's nonsense, my dear. You ought to care for them. How are you to settle yourself in life if you don't care for them?", "pos": 144590}
{"speaker": "Kate", "text": "My dear aunt, I am settled.", "pos": 144713}
{"speaker": "Mrs. Greenow", "text": "Settled! But that's nonsense. Of course you're not settled; and how are you to be, if I allow you to shut yourself up in such a place as this,--just where a girl has a chance? No, my dear; I know very well what I owe to you, and I shall do my duty. As I said before, society can have no charms now for such a one as I am. All that social intercourse could ever do for me lies buried in my darling's grave. My heart is desolate, and must remain so. But I'm not going to immolate you on the altars of my grief. I shall force myself to go out for your sake, Kate.", "pos": 144743}
{"speaker": "Kate", "text": "But, dear aunt, the world will think it so odd, just at present.", "pos": 145598}
{"speaker": "Mrs. Greenow", "text": "I don't care twopence for the world. What can the world do to me? I'm not dependent on the world,--thanks to the care of that sainted lamb. I can hold my own; and as long as I can do that the world won't hurt me. No, Kate, if I think a thing's right I shall do it. I mean to make the place pleasant for you if I can, and the world may object if it likes.", "pos": 145665}
{"speaker": "Kate", "text": "Upon my word then she is really handsome. My dear aunt, how you did snub that Captain Bellfield!", "pos": 147385}
{"speaker": "Mrs. Greenow", "text": "Captain Bellfield, indeed! I don't believe he's a captain at all. At any rate he has sold out, and the tradesmen have had a scramble for the money. He was only a lieutenant when the 97th were in Manchester, and I'm sure he's never had a shilling to purchase since that.", "pos": 147761}
{"speaker": "Kate", "text": "But everybody here seems to know him.", "pos": 148033}
{"speaker": "Mrs. Greenow", "text": "Perhaps they do not know so much of him as I do. The idea of his having the impudence to tell me I was looking very well! Nothing can be so mean as men who go about in that way when they haven't money enough in their pockets to pay their washerwomen.", "pos": 148073}
{"speaker": "Kate", "text": "But how do you know, aunt, that Captain Bellfield hasn't paid his washerwoman?", "pos": 148326}
{"speaker": "Mrs. Greenow", "text": "I know more than you think, my dear. It's my business. How could I tell whose attentions you should receive and whose you shouldn't, if I didn't inquire into these things?", "pos": 148407}
{"speaker": "Mrs. Greenow", "text": "I declare, Kate, I don't understand you. I like the morning for contemplation. When a woman has gone through all that I have suffered she has a great deal to think of.", "pos": 149609}
{"speaker": "Jeannette", "text": "And it is so much more comfortable to be a-thinking when one's in bed,", "pos": 150120}
{"speaker": "Mrs. Greenow", "text": "Child, hold your tongue,", "pos": 150238}
{"speaker": "Jeannette", "text": "Yes, ma'am,", "pos": 150281}
{"speaker": "Kate", "text": "What don't you understand, aunt?", "pos": 150365}
{"speaker": "Mrs. Greenow", "text": "You only danced twice last night, and once you stood up with Captain Bellfield.", "pos": 150400}
{"speaker": "Kate", "text": "On purpose to ask after that poor woman who washes his clothes without getting paid for it.", "pos": 150482}
{"speaker": "Mrs. Greenow", "text": "Nonsense, Kate; you didn't ask him anything of the kind, I'm sure. It's very provoking. It is indeed.", "pos": 150576}
{"speaker": "Kate", "text": "But what harm can Captain Bellfield do me?", "pos": 150680}
{"speaker": "Mrs. Greenow", "text": "What good can he do you? That's the question. You see, my dear, years will go by. I don't mean to say you ain't quite as young as ever you were, and nothing can be nicer and fresher than you are;--especially since you took to bathing.", "pos": 150725}
{"speaker": "Kate", "text": "Oh, aunt, don't!", "pos": 150962}
{"speaker": "Mrs. Greenow", "text": "My dear, the truth must be spoken. I declare I don't think I ever saw a young woman so improvident as you are. When are you to begin to think about getting married if you don't do it now?", "pos": 150981}
{"speaker": "Kate", "text": "I shall never begin to think about it, till I buy my wedding clothes.", "pos": 151171}
{"speaker": "Mrs. Greenow", "text": "That's nonsense,--sheer nonsense. How are you to get wedding clothes if you have never thought about getting a husband? Didn't I see Mr. Cheesacre ask you for a dance last night?", "pos": 151243}
{"speaker": "Kate", "text": "Yes, he did; while you were talking to Captain Bellfield yourself, aunt.", "pos": 151424}
{"speaker": "Mrs. Greenow", "text": "Captain Bellfield can't hurt me, my dear. And why didn't you dance with Mr. Cheesacre?", "pos": 151499}
{"speaker": "Kate", "text": "He's a fat Norfolk farmer, with not an idea beyond the virtues of stall-feeding.", "pos": 151588}
{"speaker": "Mrs. Greenow", "text": "My dear, every acre of it is his own land,--every acre! And he bought another farm for thirteen thousand pounds only last autumn. They're better than the squires,--some of those gentlemen farmers; they are indeed. And of all men in the world they're the easiest managed.", "pos": 151671}
{"speaker": "Kate", "text": "That's a recommendation, no doubt.", "pos": 151944}
{"speaker": "Mrs. Greenow", "text": "Of course it is;--a great recommendation. He's to take us to the picnic to-morrow, and I do hope you'll manage to let him sit beside you. It'll be the place of honour, because he gives all the wine. He's picked up with that man Bellfield, and he's to be there; but if you allow your name to be once mixed up with his, it will be all over with you as far as Yarmouth is concerned.", "pos": 151981}
{"speaker": "Kate", "text": "I don't at all want to be mixed up with Captain Bellfield, as you call it,", "pos": 152444}
{"speaker": "Unknown", "text": "Dance on the sand,", "pos": 154483}
{"speaker": "Unknown", "text": "and yet no footing seen.", "pos": 154514}
{"speaker": "Mr. Cheesacre", "text": "I had Grimsby with me the other day,--the son of old Grimsby of Hatherwick, you know. Blessed if he didn't stake my bay mare. But what matters? I mounted him again the next day just the same.", "pos": 155694}
{"speaker": "Mrs. Greenow", "text": "It wouldn't do for me, to be putting myself forward, as if I were giving a party myself, or anything of that sort;--would it now?", "pos": 156171}
{"speaker": "Mr. Cheesacre", "text": "Well, perhaps not. But you might come with us.", "pos": 156326}
{"speaker": "Mrs. Greenow", "text": "So I will, Mr. Cheesacre, for that dear girl's sake. I should never forgive myself if I debarred her from all the pleasures of youth, because of my sorrows. I need hardly say that at such a time as this nothing of that sort can give me any pleasure.", "pos": 156375}
{"speaker": "Mr. Cheesacre", "text": "I suppose not,", "pos": 156627}
{"speaker": "Mrs. Greenow", "text": "Quite out of the question. For though as regards age I might dance on the sands as merrily as the best of them--", "pos": 156682}
{"speaker": "Mr. Cheesacre", "text": "That I'm sure you could, Mrs. Greenow.", "pos": 156838}
{"speaker": "Mrs. Greenow", "text": "How's a woman to enjoy herself if her heart lies buried?", "pos": 156879}
{"speaker": "Mr. Cheesacre", "text": "But it won't be so always, Mrs. Greenow.", "pos": 156938}
{"speaker": "Mrs. Greenow", "text": "But as I was saying, --if you and I do it between us won't that be the surest way of having it come off nicely? Exactly so;--I'll do the meat and pastry and fruit, and you shall do the boats and the wine.", "pos": 157195}
{"speaker": "Mr. Cheesacre", "text": "And the music, and the expenses at the place.", "pos": 157472}
{"speaker": "Mrs. Greenow", "text": "I'll go halves in all that if you like. And, Mr. Cheesacre. I did mean to send the music; I did, indeed.", "pos": 157605}
{"speaker": "Mr. Cheesacre", "text": "I couldn't hear of it, Mrs. Greenow.", "pos": 157875}
{"speaker": "Mrs. Greenow", "text": "But I mention it now, because I was thinking of getting Blowehard to come. That other man, Flutey, wouldn't do at all out in the open air.", "pos": 157914}
{"speaker": "Mr. Cheesacre", "text": "It shall be Blowehard,", "pos": 158055}
{"speaker": "Mr. Cheesacre", "text": "I say, Guss, you are a swell,", "pos": 160141}
{"speaker": "the captain", "text": "I don't know much about that, my fellow sent me this toggery, and said that it was the sort of thing. I'll change with you if you like it.", "pos": 160260}
{"speaker": "Mrs. Greenow", "text": "Oh, Mr. Cheesacre, if you haven't caught me before I've half done! Captain Bellfield, I hope you think my apron becoming.", "pos": 162234}
{"speaker": "Captain Bellfield", "text": "Everything that you wear, Mrs. Greenow, is always becoming.", "pos": 162358}
{"speaker": "Mrs. Greenow", "text": "Don't talk in that way when you know--; but never mind--we will think of nothing sad to-day if we can help it. Will we, Mr. Cheesacre?", "pos": 162420}
{"speaker": "Mr. Cheesacre", "text": "Oh dear no; I should think not;--unless it should come on to rain.", "pos": 162557}
{"speaker": "Mrs. Greenow", "text": "It won't rain--we won't think of such a thing. But, by the by, Captain Bellfield, I and my niece do mean to send out a few things, just in a bag you know, so that we may tidy ourselves up a little after the sea. I don't want it mentioned, because if it gets about among the other ladies, they'd think we wanted to make a dressing of it;--and there wouldn't be room for them all; would there?", "pos": 162626}
{"speaker": "Mr. Cheesacre", "text": "No; there wouldn't,", "pos": 163020}
{"speaker": "Mrs. Greenow", "text": "That's just it. But there won't be any harm, will there, Mr. Cheesacre, in Jeanette's going out with our things? She'll ride in the cart, you know, with the eatables. I know Jeannette's a friend of yours.", "pos": 163168}
{"speaker": "Mr. Cheesacre", "text": "We shall be delighted to have Jeanette,", "pos": 163396}
{"speaker": "Jeannette", "text": "Thank ye, sir,", "pos": 163458}
{"speaker": "Mrs. Greenow", "text": "Jeannette, don't you let Mr. Cheesacre turn your head; and mind you behave yourself and be useful. Well; let me see;--what else is there? Mrs. Jones, you might as well give me that ham now. Captain Bellfield, hand it over. Don't you put it into the basket, because you'd turn it the wrong side down. There now, if you haven't nearly made me upset the apricot pie. What do you think, Mr. Cheesacre. Kate wouldn't come down because she didn't choose that you should see her with an apron on over her frock!", "pos": 163507}
{"speaker": "Mr. Cheesacre", "text": "I'm sure I don't know why Miss Vavasor should care about my seeing her.", "pos": 164377}
{"speaker": "Mrs. Greenow", "text": "Nor I either. That's just what I said. Do step up into the drawing-room; you'll find her there, and you can make her answer for herself.", "pos": 164451}
{"speaker": "Mr. Cheesacre", "text": "She wouldn't come down for me,", "pos": 164590}
{"speaker": "Fanny Fairstairs", "text": "Your dear aunt! I don't think I ever came across a woman with such genuine milk of human kindness!", "pos": 165143}
{"speaker": "Charlotte", "text": "Nor with so much true wit,", "pos": 165297}
{"speaker": "Mrs. Greenow", "text": "I know your husband would like it, and I hope I may live to tell him that I made you go.", "pos": 166579}
{"speaker": "Fanny", "text": "We told Joe to come to the house, because we thought he might be useful in carrying down the cloaks.", "pos": 166996}
{"speaker": "Mrs. Greenow", "text": "I'll take your arm, Mr. Joe, and the girls shall come with us.", "pos": 167589}
{"speaker": "Mr. Cheesacre", "text": "How absurd Bellfield looks in that jacket, doesn't he?", "pos": 168264}
{"speaker": "Kate", "text": "Do you think so? I thought it was so very pretty and becoming for the occasion.", "pos": 168371}
{"speaker": "Mr. Cheesacre", "text": "It may be becoming, but don't you think it's awfully extravagant?", "pos": 168764}
{"speaker": "Kate", "text": "As to that I can't tell. You see I don't at all know what is the price of a jacket covered all over with little brass buttons.", "pos": 168850}
{"speaker": "Mr. Cheesacre", "text": "And the waistcoat, Miss Vavasor!", "pos": 168979}
{"speaker": "Kate", "text": "The waistcoat I should think must have been expensive.", "pos": 169047}
{"speaker": "Mr. Cheesacre", "text": "Oh, dreadful! and he's got nothing, Miss Vavasor; literally nothing. Do you know. I lent him twenty pounds the day before yesterday; I did indeed. You won't mention it again, of course. I tell you, because, as you are seeing a good deal of him just now, I think it right that you should know on what sort of a footing he stands.", "pos": 169104}
{"speaker": "the captain", "text": "She does very well pour passer le temps,", "pos": 170271}
{"speaker": "Mr. Cheesacre", "text": "I don't want it to be mentioned again, Miss Vavasor,", "pos": 170480}
{"speaker": "Kate", "text": "Such things should not be mentioned at all,", "pos": 170549}
{"speaker": "Mr. Cheesacre", "text": "No, they shouldn't; and therefore I know that I'm quite safe with you, Miss Vavasor. He's a very pleasant fellow, very; and has seen the world,--uncommon; but he's better for eating and drinking with than he is for buying and selling with, as we say in Norfolk. Do you like Norfolk, Miss Vavasor?", "pos": 170735}
{"speaker": "Kate", "text": "I never was in it before, and now I've only seen Yarmouth.", "pos": 171034}
{"speaker": "Mr. Cheesacre", "text": "A nice place, Yarmouth, very; but you should come up and see our lands. I suppose you don't know that we feed one-third of England during the winter months.", "pos": 171095}
{"speaker": "Kate", "text": "Dear me!", "pos": 171254}
{"speaker": "Mr. Cheesacre", "text": "We do, though; nobody knows what a county Norfolk is. Taking it altogether, including the game you know, and Lord Nelson, and its watering-places and the rest of it, I don't think there's a county in England to beat it. Fancy feeding one-third of all England and Wales!", "pos": 171265}
{"speaker": "Kate", "text": "With bread and cheese, do you mean, and those sort of things?", "pos": 171537}
{"speaker": "Mr. Cheesacre", "text": "Beef! Beef! Yes indeed; but if you were to tell them that in London they wouldn't believe you. Ah! you should certainly come down and see our lands. The 7.45 A.M. train would take you through Norwich to my door, as one may say, and you would be back by the 6.22 P.M.", "pos": 171601}
{"speaker": "one of the men", "text": "Take an oar, Captain,", "pos": 172207}
{"speaker": "Captain", "text": "Not to-day, Jack. I'll content myself with being bo'san this morning.", "pos": 172299}
{"speaker": "the man", "text": "The best thing as the bo'san does is to pipe all hands to grog,", "pos": 172390}
{"speaker": "the captain", "text": "I won't be behind in that either,", "pos": 172470}
{"speaker": "Mrs. Greenow", "text": "What a fine generous fellow your friend, Mr. Cheesacre, is!", "pos": 172560}
{"speaker": "Captain", "text": "Yes, he is; he's a capital fellow in his way. Some of these Norfolk farmers are no end of good fellows.", "pos": 172638}
{"speaker": "Mrs. Greenow", "text": "And I suppose he's something more than a common farmer. He's visited by the people about where he lives, isn't he?", "pos": 172744}
{"speaker": "Captain", "text": "Oh, yes, in a sort of a way. The county people, you know, keep themselves very much to themselves.", "pos": 172861}
{"speaker": "Mrs. Greenow", "text": "That's of course. But his house;--he has a good sort of place, hasn't he?", "pos": 172962}
{"speaker": "Captain", "text": "Yes, yes;--a very good house;--a little too near to the horse-pond for my taste. But when a man gets his money out of the till, he mustn't be ashamed of the counter;--must he, Mrs. Greenow?", "pos": 173038}
{"speaker": "Mrs. Greenow", "text": "But he could live like a gentleman if he let his own land, couldn't he?", "pos": 173230}
{"speaker": "Captain", "text": "That depends upon how a gentleman wishes to live.", "pos": 173304}
{"speaker": "an anxious mother", "text": "I really think, Mr. Cheesacre, that you'd better give it up. The water off the nasty cord has got all over Maria's dress, already.", "pos": 173969}
{"speaker": "Maria", "text": "it did not signify in the least;", "pos": 174163}
{"speaker": "Mr. Cheesacre", "text": "There are people who like to take everything and never like to give anything,", "pos": 174432}
{"speaker": "Kate", "text": "You can't suppose that any girl will like to be drenched with sea-water when she has taken so much trouble with her starch,", "pos": 174807}
{"speaker": "Mr. Cheesacre", "text": "Then she shouldn't come fishing. I hate such airs.", "pos": 174944}
{"speaker": "Mrs. Greenow", "text": "We're to dine at four, and now it's half-past three,", "pos": 176055}
{"speaker": "an eager young lady", "text": "And to begin to dance at six,", "pos": 176166}
{"speaker": "the young lady's mother", "text": "Maria, hold your tongue,", "pos": 176224}
{"speaker": "Mr. Cheesacre", "text": "Yes, we'll dine at four. And as for the music, I've ordered it to be here punctual at half-past five. We're to have three horns, cymbals, triangle, and a drum.", "pos": 176281}
{"speaker": "Charlie Fairstairs", "text": "How very nice; isn't it, Mrs. Greenow?", "pos": 176465}
{"speaker": "Captain Bellfield", "text": "And now suppose we begin to unpack. Half the fun is in arranging the things.", "pos": 176531}
{"speaker": "Fanny Fairstairs", "text": "Oh, dear, yes; more than half,", "pos": 176636}
{"speaker": "Mr. Cheesacre", "text": "Bellfield, don't mind about the hampers. Wine is a ticklish thing to handle, and there's my man there to manage it.", "pos": 176692}
{"speaker": "Captain Bellfield", "text": "It's odd if I don't know more about wine than the boots from the hotel,", "pos": 176828}
{"speaker": "Mr. Cheesacre", "text": "I'll tell you what. Bellfield and I will take the two ends of the table, and Mrs. Greenow shall sit at my right hand.", "pos": 178067}
{"speaker": "Captain Bellfield", "text": "I don't think that will do. Mrs. Greenow gives the dinner, and Cheesacre gives the wine. We must have them at the two ends of the table. I am sure Mrs. Greenow won't refuse to allow me to hand her to the place which belongs to her. I will sit at her right hand and be her minister.", "pos": 178618}
{"speaker": "Mr. Cheesacre", "text": "One would think that he had given it himself; wouldn't you?", "pos": 179232}
{"speaker": "Maria's mother", "text": "Given what?", "pos": 179394}
{"speaker": "Mr. Cheesacre", "text": "Why, the music and the wine and all the rest of it. There are some people full of that kind of impudence. How they manage to carry it on without ever paying a shilling, I never could tell. I know I have to pay my way, and something over and beyond generally.", "pos": 179418}
{"speaker": "Maria's mother", "text": "Yes, indeed. Ophelia, my dear, you are dreadfully in the draught; there's a seat up here, just opposite, where you'll be more comfortable.", "pos": 179700}
{"speaker": "Ophelia", "text": "There's no draught here, mamma,", "pos": 180085}
{"speaker": "Maria's mother", "text": "Is anything the matter?", "pos": 180598}
{"speaker": "Mr. Cheesacre", "text": "Matter!", "pos": 180645}
{"speaker": "Kate", "text": "I never saw a man so nearly broken-hearted,", "pos": 180806}
{"speaker": "Mr. Cheesacre", "text": "Eleven, thirteen, eighteen, twenty-one,", "pos": 180899}
{"speaker": "Captain Bellfield", "text": "Ladies and gentlemen, if I may be permitted to get upon my legs for two minutes, I am going to propose a toast to you.", "pos": 181087}
{"speaker": "the patron", "text": "If you please, Captain Bellfield. I'll propose the toast.", "pos": 181407}
{"speaker": "the captain", "text": "Nothing on earth could be better, my dear fellow, and I'm sure I should be the last man in the world to take the job out of the hands of one who would do it so much better than I can; but as it's your health that we're going to drink, I really don't see how you are to do it.", "pos": 181527}
{"speaker": "Mr. Cheesacre", "text": "I hate all this kind of thing. It's so fulsome.", "pos": 182836}
{"speaker": "Kate", "text": "After-dinner speeches never mean anything,", "pos": 182905}
{"speaker": "Mr. Cheesacre", "text": "I'm very much obliged to this company, and to my friend Bellfield, who really is,--but perhaps that doesn't signify now. I've had the greatest pleasure in getting up this little thing, and I'd made up my mind to propose Mrs. Greenow's health; but, h'm, ha, no doubt it has been in better hands. Perhaps, considering all things, Bellfield might have waited.", "pos": 183556}
{"speaker": "Captain Bellfield", "text": "With such a subject on my hands, I couldn't wait a moment.", "pos": 183926}
{"speaker": "Mr. Cheesacre", "text": "I didn't interrupt you, Captain Bellfield, and perhaps you'll let me go on without interrupting me. We've all drunk Mrs. Greenow's health, and I'm sure she's very much obliged. So am I for the honour you've done me. I have taken some trouble in getting up this little thing, and I hope you like it. I think somebody said something about liberality. I beg to assure you that I don't think of that for a moment. Somebody must pay for these sort of things, and I'm always very glad to take my turn. I dare say Bellfield will give us the next picnic, and if he'll appoint a day before the end of the month, I shall be happy to be one of the party.", "pos": 183987}
{"speaker": "Captain Bellfield", "text": "Nothing on earth would give me so much pleasure,", "pos": 184739}
{"speaker": "Mrs. Greenow", "text": "No, my friend, no. Kate will be delighted I am sure to join you,--but as for me, you must excuse me.", "pos": 187023}
{"speaker": "Mr. Cheesacre", "text": "I'm not quite sure that I'll dance myself,", "pos": 187528}
{"speaker": "Mr. Cheesacre", "text": "By George! there's flesh and blood,", "pos": 188755}
{"speaker": "Mrs. Greenow", "text": "Oh, Mr. Cheesacre, you should join them, they'll not half enjoy themselves without you. Kate will think that you mean to neglect her.", "pos": 189247}
{"speaker": "Mr. Cheesacre", "text": "I shan't dance, Mrs. Greenow, unless you like to stand up for a set.", "pos": 189404}
{"speaker": "Mrs. Greenow", "text": "No, my friend, no; I shall not do that. I fear you forget how recent has been my bereavement. Your asking me is the bitterest reproach to me for having ventured to join your festive board.", "pos": 189475}
{"speaker": "Mr. Cheesacre", "text": "Upon my honour I didn't mean it, Mrs. Greenow. I didn't mean it, indeed.", "pos": 189666}
{"speaker": "Mrs. Greenow", "text": "I do not suspect you. It would have been unmanly.", "pos": 189741}
{"speaker": "Mr. Cheesacre", "text": "And nobody can say that of me. There isn't a man or woman in Norfolk that wouldn't say I was manly.", "pos": 189793}
{"speaker": "Mrs. Greenow", "text": "I'm quite sure of that.", "pos": 189895}
{"speaker": "Mr. Cheesacre", "text": "I have my faults, I'm aware.", "pos": 189921}
{"speaker": "Mrs. Greenow", "text": "And what are your faults, Mr. Cheesacre?", "pos": 189952}
{"speaker": "Mr. Cheesacre", "text": "Well; perhaps I'm extravagant. But it's only in these kind of things you know, when I spend a little money for the sake of making my friends happy. When I'm about, on the lands at home, I ain't extravagant, I can tell you.", "pos": 189995}
{"speaker": "Mrs. Greenow", "text": "Extravagance is a great vice.", "pos": 190220}
{"speaker": "Mr. Cheesacre", "text": "Oh, I ain't extravagant in that sense;--not a bit in the world. But when a man's enamoured, and perhaps looking out for a wife, he does like to be a little free, you know.", "pos": 190252}
{"speaker": "Mrs. Greenow", "text": "And are you looking out for a wife, Mr. Cheesacre?", "pos": 190426}
{"speaker": "Mr. Cheesacre", "text": "If I told you I suppose you'd only laugh at me.", "pos": 190479}
{"speaker": "Mrs. Greenow", "text": "No; indeed I would not. I am not given to joking when any one that I regard speaks to me seriously.", "pos": 190529}
{"speaker": "Mr. Cheesacre", "text": "Ain't you though? I'm so glad of that. When one has really got a serious thing to say, one doesn't like to have fun poked at one.", "pos": 190631}
{"speaker": "Mrs. Greenow", "text": "And, besides, how could I laugh at marriages, seeing how happy I have been in that condition?--so--very--happy,", "pos": 190763}
{"speaker": "Mr. Cheesacre", "text": "Never, Mr. Cheesacre; never. Is that the way you talk of serious things without joking? Anything like love--love of that sort--is over for me. It lies buried under the sod with my poor dear departed saint. But, Mrs. Greenow, care killed a cat, you know.", "pos": 190988}
{"speaker": "Mrs. Greenow", "text": "And sometimes I think that care will kill me.", "pos": 191380}
{"speaker": "Mr. Cheesacre", "text": "No, by George; not if I can prevent it.", "pos": 191428}
{"speaker": "Mrs. Greenow", "text": "You're very kind, Mr. Cheesacre; but there's no preventing such care as mine.", "pos": 191470}
{"speaker": "Mr. Cheesacre", "text": "Isn't there though? I'll tell you what, Mrs. Greenow; I'm in earnest, I am indeed. If you'll inquire, you'll find there isn't a fellow in Norfolk pays his way better than I do, or is better able to do it. I don't pay a sixpence of rent, and I sit upon seven hundred acres of as good land as there is in the county. There's not an acre that won't do me a bullock and a half. Just put that and that together, and see what it comes to. And, mind you, some of these fellows that farm their own land are worse off than if they'd rent to pay. They've borrowed so much to carry on with, that the interest is more than rent. I don't owe a sixpence to ere a man or ere a company in the world. I can walk into every bank in Norwich without seeing my master. There ain't any of my paper flying about, Mrs. Greenow. I'm Samuel Cheesacre of Oileymead, and it's all my own. It's all my own, Mrs. Greenow, and the half of it shall be yours if you'll please to take it;", "pos": 191550}
{"speaker": "Mrs. Greenow", "text": "If you'd known Greenow, Mr. Cheesacre--", "pos": 192996}
{"speaker": "Mr. Cheesacre", "text": "I've no doubt he was a very good sort of man.", "pos": 193038}
{"speaker": "Mrs. Greenow", "text": "If you'd known him, you would not have addressed me in this way.", "pos": 193086}
{"speaker": "Mr. Cheesacre", "text": "What difference would that make? My idea is that care killed a cat, as I said before. I never knew what was the good of being unhappy. If I find early mangels don't do on a bit of land, then I sow late turnips; and never cry after spilt milk. Greenow was the early mangels; I'll be the late turnips. Come then, say the word. There ain't a bedroom in my house,--not one of the front ones,--that isn't mahogany furnished!", "pos": 193153}
{"speaker": "Mrs. Greenow", "text": "What's furniture to me?", "pos": 193575}
{"speaker": "Mrs. Greenow", "text": "Mr. Cheesacre and I are talking about farming,", "pos": 194493}
{"speaker": "Maria's mother", "text": "Oh; farming!", "pos": 194552}
{"speaker": "Mrs. Greenow", "text": "Mr. Cheesacre thinks that turnips are better than early mangels,", "pos": 194592}
{"speaker": "Mr. Cheesacre", "text": "Yes, I do,", "pos": 194678}
{"speaker": "Mrs. Greenow", "text": "I prefer the early mangels. I don't think nature ever intended those late crops. What do you say, Mrs. Walker?", "pos": 194707}
{"speaker": "Mrs. Walker", "text": "I daresay Mr. Cheesacre understands what he's about when he's at home,", "pos": 194841}
{"speaker": "Mr. Cheesacre", "text": "I know what a bit of land can do as well as any man in Norfolk,", "pos": 194929}
{"speaker": "Mrs. Greenow", "text": "It may be very well in Norfolk, but the practice isn't thought much of in the other counties with which I am better acquainted.", "pos": 195015}
{"speaker": "Mrs. Walker", "text": "I'd just come in to say that I thought we might be getting to the boats. My Ophelia is so delicate.", "pos": 195188}
{"speaker": "Mrs. Walker", "text": "I hope they're sober,", "pos": 196061}
{"speaker": "Captain Bellfield", "text": "Sober as judges,", "pos": 196132}
{"speaker": "Mrs. Walker", "text": "Because. I know that they play all manner of tricks when they're--in liquor. They'd think nothing of taking us out to sea, Mrs. Greenow.", "pos": 196308}
{"speaker": "Ophelia", "text": "Oh, I do wish they would,", "pos": 196472}
{"speaker": "Mrs. Walker", "text": "Ophelia, mind you come in the boat with me,", "pos": 196514}
{"speaker": "Ophelia", "text": "Mamma will be so angry, and it was all your fault. I did mean to go into the other boat. Don't, Mr. Fairstairs.", "pos": 196984}
{"speaker": "Mrs. Greenow", "text": "I think we'd better go back as we came,", "pos": 197405}
{"speaker": "Captain Bellfield", "text": "Oh, certainly. Why should there be any change? Cheesacre, old fellow, mind you look after Mrs. Walker. Come along, my hearty.", "pos": 197489}
{"speaker": "Mrs. Greenow", "text": "If you're going to steer, Captain Bellfield, I beg that you'll be careful.", "pos": 197979}
{"speaker": "Captain Bellfield", "text": "Careful,--and with you on board! Don't you know that I would sooner perish beneath the waves than that a drop of water should touch you roughly?", "pos": 198056}
{"speaker": "Mrs. Greenow", "text": "But you see, we might perish beneath the waves together.", "pos": 198223}
{"speaker": "Captain Bellfield", "text": "Together! What a sweet word that is;--perish together! If it were not that there might be something better even than that, I would wish to perish in such company.", "pos": 198282}
{"speaker": "Mrs. Greenow", "text": "But I should not wish anything of the kind, Captain Bellfield, and therefore pray be careful.", "pos": 198447}
{"speaker": "Captain Bellfield", "text": "There. I have brought you to no harm, at any rate as yet.", "pos": 198796}
{"speaker": "Mrs. Greenow", "text": "And, as I hope, will not do so hereafter.", "pos": 198898}
{"speaker": "Captain Bellfield", "text": "May the heavens forbid it, Mrs. Greenow! Whatever may be our lots hereafter,--yours I mean and mine,--I trust that yours may be free from all disaster. Oh, that I might venture to hope that, at some future day, the privilege might be mine of protecting you from all danger!", "pos": 198942}
{"speaker": "Mrs. Greenow", "text": "I can protect myself very well, I can assure you. Good night, Captain Bellfield. We won't take you and Mr. Cheesacre out of your way;--will we, Kate? We have had a most pleasant day. Mr. Joe Fairstairs must pass the house, and he will see us home. Mr. Cheesacre, good night. Indeed you shall not;--not a step. Well, Kate, what do you think of the day?", "pos": 199218}
{"speaker": "Kate", "text": "I never think much about such days, aunt. It was all very well, but I fear I have not the temperament fitted for enjoying the fun. I envied Ophelia Walker because she made herself thoroughly happy.", "pos": 200160}
{"speaker": "Mrs. Greenow", "text": "I do like to see girls enjoy themselves. I do, indeed;--and young men too. It seems so natural; why shouldn't young people flirt?", "pos": 200360}
{"speaker": "Kate", "text": "Or old people either for the matter of that?", "pos": 200513}
{"speaker": "Mrs. Greenow", "text": "Or old people either,--if they don't do any harm to anybody. I'll tell you what it is, Kate; people have become so very virtuous, that they're driven into all manner of abominable resources for amusement and occupation. If I had sons and daughters I should think a little flirting the very best thing for them as a safety valve. When people get to be old, there's a difficulty. They want to flirt with the young people and the young people don't want them. If the old people would be content to flirt together, I don't see why they should ever give it up;--till they're obliged to give up every thing, and go away.", "pos": 200560}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "Dearest John,-- I don't like Strasbourg. A steeple, after all, is not everything, and putting the steeple aside, I don't think the style is good. But the hotel was uncomfortable, which goes for so much;--and then we were saturated with beauty of a better kind. I got your letter directly I came in last night, and I suppose I had better dash at it at once. I would so willingly delay doing so, saying nice little things the while, did I not know that this would be mere cowardice. Whatever happens I won't be a coward, and therefore I will tell you at once that I cannot let you hope that we should be married this year. Of course you will ask me why, as you have a right to do, and of course I am bound to answer. I do not know that I can give any answer with which you will not have a right to complain. If it be so, I can only ask your pardon for the injury I am doing you. Marriage is a great change in life,--much greater to me than to you, who will remain in your old house, will keep your old pursuits, will still be your own master, and will change in nothing,--except in this, that you will have a companion who probably may not be all that you expect. But I must change everything. It will be to me as though I were passing through a grave to a new world. I shall see nothing that I have been accustomed to see, and must abandon all the ways of life that I have hitherto adopted. Of course I should have thought of this before I accepted you; and I did think of it. I made up my mind that, as I truly loved you, I would risk the change;--that I would risk it for your sake and for mine, hoping that I might add something to your happiness, and that I might secure my own. Dear John, do not suppose that I despair that it may be so; but, indeed, you must not hurry me. I must tune myself to the change that I have to make. What if I should wake some morning after six months living with you, and tell you that the quiet of your home was making me mad? You must not ask me again till the winter shall have passed away. If in the meantime I shall find that I have been wrong, I will humbly confess that I have wronged you, and ask you to forgive me. And I will freely admit this. If the delay which I now purpose is so contrary to your own plans as to make your marriage, under such circumstances, not that which you had expected, I know that you are free to tell me so, and to say that our engagement shall be over. I am well aware that I can have no right to bind you to a marriage at one period which you had only contemplated as to take place at another period. I think I may promise that I will obey any wish you may express in anything,--except in that one thing which you urged in your last letter.", "pos": 210942}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "Dear John, let me hear that this letter does not make you unhappy.", "pos": 214803}
{"speaker": "John Grey", "text": "Dearest Alice. I have resolved to go to London at once. I will be with you in the evening at eight, the day after to-morrow. Yours, J. G.", "pos": 217370}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "And now. I must dare to tell him the whole truth.", "pos": 217565}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "I don't care for the Roman Senate. I don't care much for the Girondists. How am I to talk to him day after day, night after night, when we shall be alone together?", "pos": 225236}
{"speaker": "John Grey", "text": "My dearest,", "pos": 228683}
{"speaker": "John Grey", "text": "My dearest,", "pos": 229224}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "Though I am very glad to see you. I am sorry that my letter should have given you the trouble of this journey.", "pos": 229991}
{"speaker": "John Grey", "text": "Trouble! Nay, you ought to know that it is no trouble. I have not enough to do down at Nethercoats to make the running up to you at any time an unpleasant excitement. So your Swiss journey went off pleasantly?", "pos": 230125}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "Yes; it went off very pleasantly.", "pos": 230348}
{"speaker": "John Grey", "text": "And Kate has now left you?", "pos": 230496}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "Yes; she is with her aunt, at the seaside.", "pos": 230525}
{"speaker": "John Grey", "text": "So I understand;--and your cousin George?", "pos": 230570}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "I never know much of George's movements. He may be in Town, but I have not seen him since I came back.", "pos": 230614}
{"speaker": "John Grey", "text": "Ah! that is the way with friends living in London. Unless circumstances bring them together, they are in fact further apart than if they lived fifty miles asunder in the country. And he managed to get through all the trouble without losing your luggage for you very often?", "pos": 230719}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "If you were to say that we did not lose his, that would be nearer the mark. But, John, you have come up to London in this sudden way to speak to me about my letter to you. Is it not so?", "pos": 230994}
{"speaker": "John Grey", "text": "Certainly it is so. Certainly I have.", "pos": 231182}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "I have thought much, since, of what I then wrote, very much,--very much, indeed; and I have learned to feel sure that we had better--", "pos": 231222}
{"speaker": "John Grey", "text": "Stop, Alice; stop a moment, love. Do not speak hurriedly. Shall I tell you what I learned from your letter?", "pos": 231358}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "Yes; tell me, if you think it better that you should do so.", "pos": 231468}
{"speaker": "John Grey", "text": "Perhaps it may be better. I learned, love, that something had been said or done during your journey,--or perhaps only something thought, that had made you melancholy, and filled your mind for a while with those unsubstantial and indefinable regrets for the past which we are all apt to feel at certain moments of our life. There are few of us who do not encounter, now and again, some of that irrational spirit of sadness which, when over-indulged, drives men to madness and self-destruction. I used to know well what it was before I knew you; but since I have had the hope of having you in my house, I have banished it utterly. In that I think I have been stronger than you. Do not speak under the influence of that spirit till you have thought whether you, too, cannot banish it.", "pos": 231530}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "I have tried, and it will not be banished.", "pos": 232314}
{"speaker": "John Grey", "text": "Try again, Alice. It is a damned spirit, and belongs neither to heaven nor to earth. Do not say to me the words that you were about to say till you have wrestled with it manfully. I think I know what those words were to be. If you love me, those words should not be spoken. If you do not--", "pos": 232359}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "If I do not love you, I love no one upon earth.", "pos": 232651}
{"speaker": "John Grey", "text": "I believe it. I believe it as I believe in my own love for you. I trust your love implicitly, Alice. I know that you love me. I think I can read your mind. Tell me that I may return to Cambridgeshire, and again plead my cause for an early marriage from thence. I will not take such speech from you to mean more than it says! Tell me, that I may see you again to-morrow morning in our usual quiet, loving way, and that I may return home to-morrow evening. Pronounce a yea to that speech from me, and I will ask for nothing further.", "pos": 232701}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "No; I cannot do so,", "pos": 233516}
{"speaker": "John Grey", "text": "Is that melancholy fiend too strong for you? You have not struggled with it. You know, as I do, that it is a bad fiend and a wicked one,--a fiend that is prompting you to the worst cruelty in the world. Alice! Alice! Alice! Try to think of all this as though some other person were concerned. If it were your friend, what advice would you give her?", "pos": 233656}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "I would bid her tell the man who had loved her,--that is, if he were noble, good, and great,--that she found herself to be unfit to be his wife; and then I would bid her ask his pardon humbly on her knees.", "pos": 234277}
{"speaker": "John Grey", "text": "But what if he granted no such pardon, Alice? I will grant none such. You are my wife, my own, my dearest, my chosen one. You are all that I value in the world, my treasure and my comfort, my earthly happiness and my gleam of something better that is to come hereafter. Do you think that I shall let you go from me in that way? No, love. If you are ill I will wait till your illness is gone by; and, if you will let me, I will be your nurse.", "pos": 235559}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "I am not ill.", "pos": 236003}
{"speaker": "John Grey", "text": "Not ill with any defined sickness. You do not shake with ague, nor does your head rack you with aching; but yet you may be ill. Think of what has passed between us. Must you not be ill when you seek to put an end to all that without any cause assigned.", "pos": 236019}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "You will not hear my reasons,", "pos": 236274}
{"speaker": "John Grey", "text": "I will hear them if you will tell me that they refer to any supposed faults of my own.", "pos": 236371}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "No, no, no!", "pos": 236460}
{"speaker": "John Grey", "text": "Then I will not hear them. It is for me to find out your faults, and when I have found out any that require complaint, I will come and make it. Dear Alice, I wish you knew how I long for you.", "pos": 236474}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "Mr. Grey--", "pos": 236852}
{"speaker": "John Grey", "text": "If you will call me so, I shall think it only a part of your malady.", "pos": 236875}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "Mr. Grey. I can only hope that you will take me at my word.", "pos": 236946}
{"speaker": "John Grey", "text": "Oh, but I will not; certainly I will not, if that would be adverse to my own interests.", "pos": 237025}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "I am thinking of your interests; I am, indeed;--at any rate as much as of my own. I feel quite sure that I should not make you happy as your wife,--quite sure; and feeling that, I think that I am right, even after all that has passed, to ask your forgiveness, and to beg that our engagement may be over.", "pos": 237115}
{"speaker": "John Grey", "text": "No, Alice, no; never with my consent. I cannot tell you with what contentment I would marry you to-morrow,--to-morrow, or next month, or the month after. But if it cannot be so, then I will wait. Nothing but your marriage with some one else would convince me.", "pos": 237421}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "I cannot convince you in that way,", "pos": 237683}
{"speaker": "John Grey", "text": "You will convince me in no other. You have not spoken to your father of this as yet?", "pos": 237739}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "Not as yet.", "pos": 237826}
{"speaker": "John Grey", "text": "Do not do so, at any rate for the present. You will own that it might be possible that you would have to unsay what you had said.", "pos": 237840}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "No; it is not possible.", "pos": 237972}
{"speaker": "John Grey", "text": "Give yourself and me the chance. It can do no harm. And, Alice, I ask you now for no reasons. I will not ask your reasons, or even listen to them, because I do not believe that they will long have effect even on yourself. Do you still think of going to Cheltenham?", "pos": 237998}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "I have decided nothing as yet.", "pos": 238265}
{"speaker": "John Grey", "text": "If I were you, I would go. I think a change of air would be good for you.", "pos": 238298}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "Yes; you treat me as though I were partly silly, and partly insane; but it is not so. The change you speak of should be in my nature, and in yours.", "pos": 238374}
{"speaker": "John Grey", "text": "Perhaps. I had better not come to-morrow.", "pos": 239871}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "No, no; it is better not.", "pos": 239971}
{"speaker": "John Grey", "text": "I advise you not to tell your father of this, and doubtless you will think of it before you do so. But if you do tell him, let me know that you have done so.", "pos": 239999}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "Why that?", "pos": 240159}
{"speaker": "John Grey", "text": "Because in such case I also must see him. God bless you, Alice! God bless you, dearest, dearest Alice!", "pos": 240171}
{"speaker": "John Vavasor", "text": "What, Alice, are you not in bed yet?", "pos": 240395}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "Not yet, papa.", "pos": 240434}
{"speaker": "John Vavasor", "text": "And so John Grey has been here. He has left his stick in the hall. I should know it among a thousand.", "pos": 240451}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "Yes; he has been here.", "pos": 240555}
{"speaker": "John Vavasor", "text": "Is anything the matter, Alice?", "pos": 240580}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "No, papa, nothing is the matter.", "pos": 240613}
{"speaker": "John Vavasor", "text": "He has not made himself disagreeable, has he?", "pos": 240648}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "Not in the least. He never does anything wrong. He may defy man or woman to find fault with him.", "pos": 240696}
{"speaker": "John Vavasor", "text": "So that is it, is it? He is just a shade too good. Well, I have always thought that myself. But it's a fault on the right side.", "pos": 240795}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "It's no fault, Papa. If there be any fault, it is not with him. But I am yawning and tired, and I will go to bed.", "pos": 240925}
{"speaker": "John Vavasor", "text": "Is he to be here to-morrow?", "pos": 241041}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "No; he returns to Nethercoats early. Good night, papa.", "pos": 241071}
{"speaker": "John Vavasor", "text": "I don't know how she'll ever put up with him, he is so terribly conceited. I shall never forget how he went on about Charles Kemble, and what a fool he made of himself.", "pos": 241253}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "If I did it at all, it would be more with the object of cutting him out than with any other.", "pos": 247086}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "But you must understand, that all that I said to him went with him for nothing. I had determined to make him know that everything between us must be over, but I failed. I found that I had no words at command, but that he was able to talk to me as though I were a child. He told me that I was sick and full of phantasies, and bade me change the air. As he spoke in this way, I could not help feeling how right he was to use me so; but I felt also that he, in his mighty superiority, could never be a fitting husband for a creature so inferior to him as I am. Though I altogether failed to make him understand that it was so, every moment that we were together made me more fixed in my resolution.", "pos": 250043}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "She'll never marry him, at any rate, and she is right. He'd make an upper servant of her; very respectable, no doubt, but still only an upper servant. Now with me;--well, I hardly know what I should make of her. I cannot think of myself as a man married.", "pos": 251168}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "A gentleman! Does the gentleman look like a public-house keeper? Then show him up,", "pos": 252330}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "Well Mr. Grimes, how are you this morning? Sit down, Mr. Grimes. If every man were as punctual as you are, the world would go like clock-work; wouldn't it?", "pos": 255062}
{"speaker": "Mr. Grimes", "text": "Business is business, Mr. Vavasor. That's my maxim. If I didn't stick to that, nothing wouldn't ever stick to me; and nothing doesn't much as it is. Times is very bad, Mr. Vavasor.", "pos": 255220}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "Of course they are. They're always bad. What was the Devil made for, except that they should be bad? But I should have thought you publicans were the last men who ought to complain.", "pos": 255520}
{"speaker": "Mr. Grimes", "text": "Lord love you, Mr. Vavasor; why, I suppose of all the men as is put upon, we're put upon the worst. What's the good of drawing of beer, if the more you draw the more you don't make. Yesterday as ever was was Saturday, and we drawed three pound ten and nine. What'll that come to, Mr. Vavasor, when you reckons it up with the brewer? Why, it's a next to nothing. You knows that well enough.", "pos": 255704}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "Upon my word I don't. But I know you don't sell a pint of beer without getting a profit out of it.", "pos": 256096}
{"speaker": "Mr. Grimes", "text": "Lord love you, Mr. Vavasor. If I hadn't nothink to look to but beer I couldn't keep a house over my head; no I couldn't. That house of mine belongs to Meux's people; and very good people they are too;--have made a sight of money; haven't they, Mr. Vavasor? I has to get my beer from them in course. Why not, when it's their house? But if I sells their stuff as I gets it, there ain't a halfpenny coming to me out of a gallon. Look at that, now.", "pos": 256197}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "But then you don't sell it as you get it. You stretch it.", "pos": 256644}
{"speaker": "Mr. Grimes", "text": "That's in course. I'm not going to tell you a lie, Mr. Vavasor. You know what's what as well as I do, and a sight better, I expect. There's a dozen different ways of handling beer, Mr. Vavasor. But what's the use of that, when they can take four or five pounds a day over the counter for their rot-gut stuff at the 'Cadogan Arms,' and I can't do no better nor yet perhaps so well, for a real honest glass of beer. Stretch it! It's my belief the more you poison their liquor, the more the people likes it!", "pos": 256704}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "There's Scruby, and now we can go to business.", "pos": 258160}
{"speaker": "publican", "text": "Business is business, isn't it now, Mr. Scruby?", "pos": 259431}
{"speaker": "Mr. Scruby", "text": "And I suppose Grimes thinks Sunday morning a particularly good time for business,", "pos": 259541}
{"speaker": "Grimes", "text": "It's quiet, you know. But it warn't me as named Sunday morning. It was Mr. Vavasor here. But it is quiet; ain't it, Mr. Scruby?", "pos": 259654}
{"speaker": "Mr. Scruby", "text": "We must pull the governor through better next time than we did last,", "pos": 259918}
{"speaker": "publican", "text": "Of course we must, Mr. Scruby; but, Lord love you, Mr. Vavasor, whose fault was it? What notice did I get,--just tell me that? Why, Travers's name was up on the liberal interest ever so long before the governor had ever thought about it.", "pos": 260008}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "Nobody is blaming you, Mr. Grimes,", "pos": 260248}
{"speaker": "Grimes", "text": "And nobody can't, Mr. Vavasor. I done my work true as steel, and there ain't another man about the place as could have done half as much. You ask Mr. Scruby else. Mr. Scruby knows, if ere a man in London does. I tell you what it is, Mr. Vavasor, them Chelsea fellows, who lives mostly down by the river, ain't like your Maryboners or Finsburyites. It wants something of a man to manage them. Don't it Mr. Scruby?", "pos": 260298}
{"speaker": "Mr. Scruby", "text": "It wants something of a man to manage any of them as far as my experience goes,", "pos": 260713}
{"speaker": "Grimes", "text": "Of course it do; and there ain't one in London knows so much about it as you do, Mr. Scruby. I will say that for you. But the long and the short of it is this;--business is business, and money is money.", "pos": 260812}
{"speaker": "Mr. Scruby", "text": "Money is money, certainly. There's no doubt in the world about that, Grimes;--and a deal of it you had out of the last election.", "pos": 261017}
{"speaker": "Grimes", "text": "No, I hadn't; begging your pardon, Mr. Scruby, for making so free. What I had to my own cheek wasn't nothing to speak of. I wasn't paid for my time; that's what I wasn't. You look how a publican's business gets cut up at them elections;--and then the state of the house afterwards! What would the governor say to me if I was to put down painting inside and out in my little bill?", "pos": 261167}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "It doesn't seem to make much difference how you put it down. The total is what I look at.", "pos": 261549}
{"speaker": "Grimes", "text": "Just so, Mr. Vavasor; just so. The total is what I looks at too. And I has to look at it a deuced long time before I gets it. I ain't a got it yet; have I, Mr. Vavasor?", "pos": 261657}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "Well; if you ask me I should say you had. I know I paid Mr. Scruby three hundred pounds on your account.", "pos": 261828}
{"speaker": "Grimes", "text": "And I got every shilling of it, Mr. Vavasor. I'm not a going to deny the money, Mr. Vavasor. You'll never find me doing that. I'm as round as your hat, and as square as your elbow,--I am. Mr. Scruby knows me; don't you, Mr. Scruby?", "pos": 261950}
{"speaker": "Mr. Scruby", "text": "Perhaps I know you too well, Grimes.", "pos": 262184}
{"speaker": "Grimes", "text": "No you don't, Mr. Scruby; not a bit too well. Nor I don't know you too well, either. I respect you, Mr. Scruby, because you're a man as understands your business. But as I was saying, what's three hundred pounds when a man's bill is three hundred and ninety-two thirteen and fourpence?", "pos": 262223}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "I thought that was all settled, Mr. Scruby,", "pos": 262511}
{"speaker": "Mr. Scruby", "text": "Why you see, Mr. Vavasor, it's very hard to settle these things. If you ask me whether Mr. Grimes here can sue you for the balance, I tell you very plainly that he can't. We were a little short of money when we came to a settlement, as is generally the case at such times, and so we took Mr. Grimes' receipt for three hundred pounds. Of course you did, Mr. Scruby.", "pos": 262571}
{"speaker": "Mr. Scruby", "text": "In full of all demands. If you were to go into a court of law, Grimes, you wouldn't have a leg to stand upon.", "pos": 263510}
{"speaker": "Grimes", "text": "A court of law? Who's a going to law with the governor, I should like to know? not I; not if he didn't pay me them ninety-two pounds thirteen and fourpence for the next five years.", "pos": 263765}
{"speaker": "Mr. Scruby", "text": "Five years or fifteen would make no difference. You couldn't do it.", "pos": 263948}
{"speaker": "Grimes", "text": "And I ain't a going to try. That's not the ticket I've come here about, Mr. Vavasor, this blessed Sunday morning. Going to law, indeed! But Mr. Scruby, I've got a family.", "pos": 264033}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "Not in the vale of Taunton, I hope,", "pos": 264206}
{"speaker": "Grimes", "text": "They is at the 'Handsome Man' in the Brompton Road, Mr. Vavasor; and I always feels that I owes my first duty to them. If a man don't work for his family, what do he work for?", "pos": 264257}
{"speaker": "Mr. Scruby", "text": "Come, come, Grimes. What is it you're at? Out with it, and don't keep us here all day.", "pos": 264435}
{"speaker": "Grimes", "text": "What is it I'm at, Mr. Scruby? As if you didn't know very well what I'm at. There's my house;--in all them Chelsea districts it's the most convenientest of any public as is open for all manner of election purposes. That's given up to it.", "pos": 264543}
{"speaker": "Mr. Scruby", "text": "And what next?", "pos": 264783}
{"speaker": "Grimes", "text": "The next is, I myself. There isn't one of the lot of 'em can work them Chelsea fellows down along the river unless it is me. Mr. Scruby knows that. Why I've been a getting of them up with a view to this very job ever since;--why ever since they was a talking of the Chelsea districts. When Lord Robert was a coming in for the county on the religious dodge, he couldn't have worked them fellows anyhow, only for me. Mr. Scruby knows that.", "pos": 264813}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "Let's take it all for granted, Mr. Grimes. What comes next?", "pos": 265253}
{"speaker": "Grimes", "text": "Well;--them Bunratty people; it is they as has come next. They know which side their bread is likely to be buttered; they do. They're a bidding for the 'Handsome Man' already; they are.", "pos": 265331}
{"speaker": "Mr. Scruby", "text": "And you'd let your house to the Tory party, Grimes!", "pos": 265519}
{"speaker": "Grimes", "text": "Who said anything of my letting my house to the Tory party, Mr. Scruby? I'm as round as your hat, Mr. Scruby, and as square as your elbow; I am. But suppose as all the liberal gents as employs you, Mr. Scruby, was to turn again you and not pay you your little bills, wouldn't you have your eyes open for customers of another kind? Come now, Mr. Scruby? Perhaps not; perhaps not. There's a risk in all these things; isn't there, Mr. Vavasor? I should like to see you a Parliament gent; I should indeed. You'd be a credit to the districts; I really think you would.", "pos": 265641}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "I'm much obliged by your good opinion, Mr. Grimes,", "pos": 266332}
{"speaker": "Grimes", "text": "When I sees a gent coming forward I knows whether he's fit for Parliament, or whether he ain't. I says you are fit. But Lord love you, Mr. Vavasor; it's a thing a gentleman always has to pay for.", "pos": 266398}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "That's true enough; a deal more than it's worth, generally.", "pos": 266596}
{"speaker": "Grimes", "text": "A thing's worth what it fetches. I'm worth what I'll fetch; that's the long and the short of it. I want to have my balance, that's the truth. It's the odd money in a man's bill as always carries the profit. You ask Mr. Scruby else;--only with a lawyer it's all profit I believe.", "pos": 266658}
{"speaker": "Mr. Scruby", "text": "That's what you know about it,", "pos": 266939}
{"speaker": "Grimes", "text": "If you cut off a man's odd money, you break his heart. He'd almost sooner have that and leave the other standing. He'd call the hundreds capital, and if he lost them at last, why he'd put it down as being in the way of trade. But the odd money;--he looks at that, Mr. Vavasor, as in a manner the very sweat of his brow, the work of his own hand; that's what goes to his family, and keeps the pot a boiling down-stairs. Never stop a man's odd money, Mr. Vavasor; that is, unless he comes it very strong indeed.", "pos": 266985}
{"speaker": "Mr. Scruby", "text": "And what is it you want now?", "pos": 267523}
{"speaker": "Grimes", "text": "I wants ninety-two pounds thirteen and fourpence, Mr. Scruby, and then we'll go to work for the new fight with contented hearts. If we're to begin at all, it's quite time; it is indeed, Mr. Vavasor.", "pos": 267567}
{"speaker": "Mr. Scruby", "text": "And what you mean us to understand is, that you won't begin at all without your money,", "pos": 267768}
{"speaker": "Grimes", "text": "That's about it, Mr. Scruby.", "pos": 267874}
{"speaker": "Mr. Scruby", "text": "Take a fifty-pound note, Grimes,", "pos": 267905}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "Fifty-pound notes are not so ready. Oh, he'll be only too happy to have your acceptance; won't you, Grimes.", "pos": 267957}
{"speaker": "Grimes", "text": "Not for fifty pounds, Mr. Scruby. It's the odd money that I wants. I don't mind the thirteen and four, because that's neither here nor there among friends, but if I didn't get all them ninety-two pounds I should be a broken-hearted man; I should indeed, Mr. Vavasor. I couldn't go about your work for next year so as to do you justice among the electors. I couldn't indeed.", "pos": 268082}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "You'd better give him a bill for ninety pounds at three months, Mr. Vavasor. I have no doubt he has got a stamp in his pocket.", "pos": 268458}
{"speaker": "Grimes", "text": "That I have, Mr. Scruby; there ain't no mistake about that. A bill stamp is a thing that often turns up convenient with gents as mean business like Mr. Vavasor and you. But you must make it ninety-two; you must indeed, Mr. Vavasor. And do make it two months if you can, Mr. Vavasor; they do charge so unconscionable on ninety days at them branch banks; they do indeed. If it must be, it must. And now, gents, I'll tell you what it is. We'll make safe work of this here next election. We know what's to be our little game in time, and if we don't go in and win, my name ain't Jacob Grimes, and I ain't the landlord of the 'Handsome Man.' As you gents has perhaps got something to say among yourselves, I'll make so bold as to wish you good morning.", "pos": 268587}
{"speaker": "Mr. Scruby", "text": "You couldn't have done it cheaper; you couldn't, indeed,", "pos": 269718}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "Perhaps not; but what a thief the man is! I remember your telling me that the bill was about the most preposterous you had ever seen.", "pos": 269857}
{"speaker": "Mr. Scruby", "text": "So it was, and if we hadn't wanted him again of course we shouldn't have paid him. But we'll have it all off his next account, Mr. Vavasor,--every shilling of it. It's only lent; that's all;--it's only lent.", "pos": 269993}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "But one doesn't want to lend such a man money, if one could help it.", "pos": 270203}
{"speaker": "Mr. Scruby", "text": "That's true. If you look at it in that light, it's quite true. But you see we cannot do without him. If he hadn't got your bill, he'd have gone over to the other fellows before the week was over; and the worst of it would have been that he knows our hand. Looking at it all round you've got him cheap, Mr. Vavasor;--you have, indeed.", "pos": 270274}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "Looking at it all round is just what I don't like, Mr. Scruby, But if a man will have a whistle, he must pay for it.", "pos": 270610}
{"speaker": "Mr. Scruby", "text": "You can't do it cheap for any of these metropolitan seats; you can't, indeed, Mr. Vavasor. That is, a new man can't. When you've been in four or five times, like old Duncombe, why then, of course, you may snap your fingers at such men as Grimes. But the Chelsea districts ain't dear. I don't call them by any means dear. Now Marylebone is dear,--and so is Southwark. It's dear, and nasty; that's what the borough is. Only that I never tell tales, I could tell you a tale, Mr. Vavasor, that'd make your hair stand on end; I could indeed.", "pos": 270729}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "Ah! the game is hardly worth the candle, I believe.", "pos": 271268}
{"speaker": "Mr. Scruby", "text": "That depends on what way you choose to look at it. A seat in Parliament is a great thing to a man who wants to make his way;--a very great thing;--specially when a man's young, like you, Mr. Vavasor.", "pos": 271322}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "Young! Sometimes it seems to me as though I've been living for a hundred years. But I won't trouble you with that, Mr. Scruby, and I believe I needn't keep you any longer. Young! There's my uncle, or the old squire,--they're both younger men than I am. One cares for his dinner, and the other for his bullocks and his trees. But what is there that I care for, unless it is not getting among the sheriff's officers for debt?", "pos": 271524}
{"speaker": "Kate", "text": "I feel myself driven, to write all this, as otherwise,--if I were simply to tell you that I have resolved to part from Mr. Grey,--you would think that the other thing might follow. The other thing cannot follow. I should think myself untrue in my friendship to you if I did not tell you about Mr. Grey; and you will be untrue in your friendship to me if you take advantage of my confidence by saying more about your brother. But the other thing shall follow. It shall follow.", "pos": 273891}
{"speaker": "Mr. Cheesacre", "text": "It's all paid for, Mrs. Greenow, every bottle of it. Everything in this house is my own; it's all paid for. I don't call anything a man's own till it's paid for. Now that jacket that Bellfield swells about with on the sands at Yarmouth,--that's not his own,--and it's not like to be either.", "pos": 280757}
{"speaker": "Mrs. Greenow", "text": "Kate, it's simply the best-furnished house I ever went over in my life!", "pos": 281532}
{"speaker": "Kate", "text": "It does seem very comfortable,", "pos": 281607}
{"speaker": "Mr. Cheesacre", "text": "Comfortable! Yes, I don't think there's anybody can say that Oileymead isn't comfortable. Mrs. Greenow, look at that. Look at that!", "pos": 281648}
{"speaker": "Mrs. Greenow", "text": "There's a great deal,", "pos": 282184}
{"speaker": "Mr. Cheesacre", "text": "I believe you. I've more muck upon this place here than any farmer in Norfolk, gentle or simple; I don't care who the other is.", "pos": 282222}
{"speaker": "Mrs. Greenow", "text": "He wants a wife, my dear, and you may pick him up to-morrow by putting out your hand. Money's never dirty, nor yet what makes money.", "pos": 282656}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "I will go to Cheltenham. He has recommended it. I shall never be his wife;--but, till we have parted altogether, I will show him that I think well of his advice.", "pos": 284644}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "I tell you this, in consequence of what you said to me on the matter. My father will know it to-morrow, and on the following morning I shall start for Cheltenham. I have heard from Lady Macleod and she expects me.", "pos": 285743}
{"speaker": "John Vavasor", "text": "What! What! not marry John Grey!", "pos": 286065}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "No, papa; I know how strange you must think it.", "pos": 286166}
{"speaker": "John Vavasor", "text": "And you say that there has been no quarrel.", "pos": 286216}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "No;--there has been no quarrel. By degrees I have learned to feel that I should not make him happy as his wife.", "pos": 286262}
{"speaker": "John Vavasor", "text": "It's d----d nonsense,", "pos": 286376}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "Oh, papa! don't talk to me in that way.", "pos": 286524}
{"speaker": "John Vavasor", "text": "But it is. I never heard such trash in my life. If he comes to me I shall tell him so. Not make him happy! Why can't you make him happy?", "pos": 286566}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "We are not suited to each other.", "pos": 286705}
{"speaker": "John Vavasor", "text": "But what's the matter with him? He's a gentleman.", "pos": 286740}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "Yes; he's a gentleman.", "pos": 286792}
{"speaker": "John Vavasor", "text": "And a man of honour, and with good means, and with all that knowledge and reading which you profess to like. Look here, Alice; I am not going to interfere, nor shall I attempt to make you marry anyone. You are your own mistress as far as that is concerned. But I do hope, for your sake and for mine,--I do hope that there is nothing again between you and your cousin.", "pos": 286817}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "There is nothing, papa.", "pos": 287187}
{"speaker": "John Vavasor", "text": "I did not like your going abroad with him, though I didn't choose to interrupt your plan by saying so. But if there were anything of that kind going on, I should be bound to tell you that your cousin's position at present is not a good one. Men do not speak well of him.", "pos": 287213}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "There is nothing between us, papa; but if there were, men speaking ill of him would not deter me.", "pos": 287486}
{"speaker": "John Vavasor", "text": "And men speaking well of Mr. Grey will not do the other thing. I know very well that women can be obstinate.", "pos": 287586}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "I haven't come to this resolution without thinking much about it, papa.", "pos": 287697}
{"speaker": "John Vavasor", "text": "I suppose not. Well;--I can't say anything more. You are your own mistress, and your fortune is in your own keeping. I can't make you marry John Grey. I think you very foolish, and if he comes to me I shall tell him so. You are going down to Cheltenham, are you?", "pos": 287771}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "Yes, papa; I have promised Lady Macleod.", "pos": 288036}
{"speaker": "John Vavasor", "text": "Very well. I'd sooner it should be you than me; that's all I can say.", "pos": 288079}
{"speaker": "John Vavasor", "text": "She's got her own money, and what does it matter? I don't suppose she'll marry her cousin. I don't think she's fool enough for that. And after all she'll probably make it up again with John Grey.", "pos": 288921}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "She can turn it all into capital to-morrow, if she pleases. You must have thought I had vanished out of the world,", "pos": 291144}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "Somebody told me that you were shooting,", "pos": 291788}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "So I was, but my shooting is not like the shooting of your great Nimrods,--men who are hunters upon the earth. Two days among the grouse and two more among the partridges are about the extent of it. Capel Court is the preserve in which I am usually to be found.", "pos": 291855}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "Oh, indeed.", "pos": 292164}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "Have you heard from Kate?", "pos": 292178}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "Yes, once or twice; she is still at Yarmouth with Aunt Greenow.", "pos": 292220}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "And is going to Norwich, as she says. Kate seems to have made a league with Aunt Greenow. I, who don't pretend to be very disinterested in money matters, think that she is quite right. No doubt Aunt Greenow may marry again, but friends with forty thousand pounds are always agreeable.", "pos": 292286}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "I don't believe that Kate thinks much of that,", "pos": 292573}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "Not so much as she ought, I dare say. Poor Kate is not a rich woman, or, I fear, likely to become one. She doesn't seem to dream of getting married, and her own fortune is less than a hundred a year.", "pos": 292634}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "Girls who never dream of getting married are just those who make the best marriages at last,", "pos": 292836}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "Perhaps so, but I wish I was easier about Kate. She is the best sister a man ever had.", "pos": 292943}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "Indeed she is.", "pos": 293032}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "And I have done nothing for her as yet. I did think, while I was in that wine business, that I could have done anything I pleased for her. But my grandfather's obstinacy put me out of that; and now I'm beginning the world again,--that is, comparatively. I wonder whether you think I'm wrong in trying to get into Parliament?", "pos": 293048}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "No; quite right. I admire you for it. It is just what I would do in your place. You are unmarried, and have a right to run the risk.", "pos": 293375}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "I am so glad to hear you speak like that,", "pos": 293510}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "I have always thought so.", "pos": 293771}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "But you have never said it.", "pos": 293799}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "Haven't I? I thought I had.", "pos": 293829}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "Not heartily like that. I know that people abuse me;--my own people, my grandfather, and probably your father,--saying that I am reckless and the rest of it. I do risk everything for my object; but I do not know that any one can blame me,--unless it be Kate. To whom else do I owe anything?", "pos": 293859}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "Kate does not blame you.", "pos": 294152}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "No; she sympathizes with me; she, and she only, unless it be you. She is brave enough to give me her hearty sympathy. But perhaps for that very reason I ought to be the more chary in endangering the only support that she is like to have. What is ninety pounds a year for the maintenance of a single lady?", "pos": 294179}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "I hope that Kate will always live with me, that is, as soon as she has lost her home at Vavasor Hall.", "pos": 294541}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "What;--at Nethercoats? Neither she nor I doubt your love, but few men would like such an intruder as that into their household, and of all men Mr. Grey, whose nature is retiring, would like it the least.", "pos": 295035}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "I was not thinking of Nethercoats,", "pos": 295252}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "Ah, no; that is it, you see. Kate says so often to me that when you are married she will be alone in the world.", "pos": 295301}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "I don't think she will ever find that I shall separate myself from her.", "pos": 295415}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "No; not by any will of your own. Poor Kate! You cannot be surprised that she should think of your marriage with dread. How much of her life has been made up of her companionship with you;--and all the best of it too! You ought not to be angry with her for regarding your withdrawal into Cambridgeshire with dismay.", "pos": 295489}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "Kate may still live with me. Everything is over between me and Mr. Grey.", "pos": 296125}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "Alice!--is that true?", "pos": 296219}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "Yes, George; it is true. If you will allow me to say so, I would rather not talk about it;--not just at present.", "pos": 296243}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "And does Kate know it?", "pos": 296358}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "Yes, Kate knows it.", "pos": 296383}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "And my uncle?", "pos": 296405}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "Yes, papa knows it also.", "pos": 296421}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "Alice, how can I help speaking of it? How can I not tell you that I am rejoiced that you are saved from a thraldom which I have long felt sure would break your heart?", "pos": 296448}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "Pray do not talk of it further.", "pos": 296617}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "Well; if I am forbidden I shall of course obey. But I own it is hard to me. How can I not congratulate you? Yes, Alice, I understand. You are angry with me. And yet you have no right to be surprised that when you tell me this I should think of all that passed between us in Switzerland. Surely the cousin who was with you then has a right to say what he thinks of this change in your life; at any rate he may do so, if as in this case he approves altogether of what you are doing.", "pos": 296651}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "I am glad of your approval, George; but pray let that be an end to it.", "pos": 297263}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "Do you remember asking me whether I ever shivered, --whether I ever thought of things that made me shiver? Don't you remember; on the bridge at Basle?", "pos": 297852}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "Yes; I remember.", "pos": 298024}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "Well, Alice;--one cause for my shivering is over. I won't say more than that now. Shall you remain long at Cheltenham?", "pos": 298043}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "Just a month.", "pos": 298164}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "And then you come back here?", "pos": 298180}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "I suppose so. Papa and I will probably go down to Vavasor Hall before Christmas. How much before I cannot say.", "pos": 298211}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "I shall see you at any rate after your return from Cheltenham? Of course Kate will know, and she will tell me.", "pos": 298324}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "Yes; Kate will know. I suppose she will stay here when she comes up from Norfolk. Good-bye.", "pos": 298437}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "Good-bye, Alice. I shall have fewer fits of that inward shivering that you spoke of,--many less, on account of what I have now heard. God bless you, Alice; good-bye.", "pos": 298531}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "Good-bye, George.", "pos": 298699}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "I can understand well, what your present feelings are; but I do not think you will be really angry with me because I have been unable to repress my joy at what I cannot but regard as your release from a great misfortune.", "pos": 299988}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "My release! My release from a misfortune! No;--but my fall from heaven! Oh, what a man he is! That he should have loved me, and that I should have driven him away from me!", "pos": 300249}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "I should be very humble to him, but he is so good, that I may dare to be humble before him.", "pos": 302001}
{"speaker": "Lady Macleod", "text": "Alice! oh, Alice, what is this?", "pos": 306363}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "Repent! Yes; I hope you will repent. Poor Mr. Grey;--what must he think of it? I can only hope, aunt, that he won't think of it at all for very long. Shall I, aunt? Of course you will. Why, Alice, hasn't it been all settled among families? Lady Midlothian knew all the particulars of it just as well as I did. And is not your word pledged to him? I really don't understand what you mean. I don't see how it is possible you should go back. Gentlemen when they do that kind of thing are put out of society;--but I really think it is worse in a woman. Then they may if they please put me out of society;--only that I don't know that I'm particularly in it. When you talk to me about society, aunt, and about Lady Midlothian, I give up to you, willingly;--the more willingly, perhaps, because I don't care much for one or the other. But when you tell me about wickedness and my conscience, then I must be my own judge. It is my conscience, and the fear of committing wickedness, that has made me do this. You should submit to be guided by your elders, Alice. No; my elders in such a matter as this cannot teach me. It cannot be right that I should go to a man's house and be his wife, if I do not think that I can make him happy. Because I was mistaken. I am not going to defend that. If you choose to scold me for that, you may do so, aunt, and I will not answer you. But as to marrying him or not marrying him now,--as to that, I must judge for myself. It was a pity you did not know your own mind earlier. It was a pity,--a great pity. I have done myself an injury that is quite irretrievable;--I know that, and am prepared to bear it. I have done him, too, an injustice which I regret with my whole heart. I can only excuse myself by saying that I might have done him a worse injustice.", "pos": 306690}
{"speaker": "Lady Macleod", "text": "Well, my dear. I suppose you will like to go up-stairs and take off your bonnet. Mary shall bring you some tea when you come down.", "pos": 309403}
{"speaker": "Lady Macleod", "text": "Did John Grey still wish that the match should go on?", "pos": 310976}
{"speaker": "Lady Macleod", "text": "There's nothing the matter, my dear, at all,", "pos": 313673}
{"speaker": "Lady Macleod", "text": "Alice. I expect a visitor here to-day.", "pos": 314238}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "A visitor, aunt,", "pos": 314416}
{"speaker": "Lady Macleod", "text": "Yes, Alice, a visitor. I should have told you before, only I thought,--I thought I had better not. It is Mr.--Mr. Grey.", "pos": 314490}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "Indeed, aunt! Is he coming to see you?", "pos": 314612}
{"speaker": "Lady Macleod", "text": "Well;--he is desirous no doubt of seeing you more especially; but he has expressed a wish to make my acquaintance, which I cannot, under the circumstances, think is unnatural. Of course, Alice, he must want to talk over this affair with your friends.", "pos": 314653}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "I wish I could have spared them. I wish I could.", "pos": 314906}
{"speaker": "Lady Macleod", "text": "I have brought his letter here, and you can see it if you please. It is very nicely written, and as far as I am concerned I should not think of refusing to see him. And now comes the question. What are we to do with him? Am I to ask him to dinner? I take it for granted that he will not expect me to offer him a bed, as he knows that I live in lodgings.", "pos": 314972}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "Oh no, aunt; he certainly will not expect that.", "pos": 315328}
{"speaker": "Lady Macleod", "text": "But ought I to ask him to dinner? I should be most happy to entertain him, though you know how very scanty my means of doing so are;--but I really do not know how it might be,--between you and him, I mean.", "pos": 315378}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "We should not fight, aunt.", "pos": 315586}
{"speaker": "Lady Macleod", "text": "No, I suppose not;--but if you cannot be affectionate in your manner to him--", "pos": 315615}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "I will not answer for my manners, aunt; but you may be sure of this,--that I should be affectionate in my heart. I shall always regard him as a dearly loved friend; though for many years, no doubt, I shall be unable to express my friendship.", "pos": 315695}
{"speaker": "Lady Macleod", "text": "That may be all very well, Alice, but it will not be what he will want. I think upon the whole that I had better not ask him to dinner.", "pos": 315939}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "Perhaps not, aunt.", "pos": 316077}
{"speaker": "Lady Macleod", "text": "It is a period of the day in which any special constraint among people is more disagreeable than at any other time, and then at dinner the servants must see it. I think there might be some awkwardness if he were to dine here.", "pos": 316098}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "I really think there would,", "pos": 316326}
{"speaker": "Lady Macleod", "text": "I hope he won't think that I am inhospitable. I should be so happy to do the best I could for him, for I regard him, Alice, quite as though he were to be your husband. And when anybody at all connected with me has come to Cheltenham I always have asked them to dine, and then I have Gubbins's man to come and wait at table,--as you know.", "pos": 316405}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "Of all men in the world Mr. Grey is the last to think about it.", "pos": 316745}
{"speaker": "Lady Macleod", "text": "That should only make me the more careful. But I think it would perhaps be more comfortable if he were to come in the evening.", "pos": 316811}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "Much more comfortable, aunt.", "pos": 316940}
{"speaker": "Lady Macleod", "text": "I suppose he will be here in the afternoon, before dinner, and we had better wait at home for him. I dare say he'll want to see you alone, and therefore I'll retire to my own rooms. But if you wish it, I will receive him first--and then Martha, can fetch you down.", "pos": 316971}
{"speaker": "John Grey", "text": "Alice,", "pos": 317414}
{"speaker": "John Grey", "text": "You are not angry, that I should have followed you all the way here, to see you.", "pos": 319367}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "No, certainly; not angry, Mr. Grey. All anger that there may be between us must be on your side. I feel that thoroughly.", "pos": 319461}
{"speaker": "John Grey", "text": "Then there shall be none on either side. Whatever may be done, I will not be angry with you. Your father advised me to come down here to you.", "pos": 319584}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "You have seen him, then?", "pos": 319728}
{"speaker": "John Grey", "text": "Yes, I have seen him. I was in London the day you left.", "pos": 319755}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "It is so terrible to think that I should have brought upon you all this trouble.", "pos": 319813}
{"speaker": "John Grey", "text": "You will bring upon me much worse trouble than that unless--. But I have not now come down here to tell you that. I believe that according to rule in such matters I should not have come to you at all, but I don't know that I care much about such rules.", "pos": 319896}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "It is I that have broken all rules.", "pos": 320151}
{"speaker": "John Grey", "text": "When a lady tells a gentleman that she does not wish to see more of him--", "pos": 320189}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "Oh, Mr. Grey, I have not told you that.", "pos": 320265}
{"speaker": "John Grey", "text": "Have you not? I am glad at any rate to hear you deny it. But you will understand what I mean. When a gentleman gets his dismissal from a lady he should accept it,--that is, his dismissal under such circumstances as I have received mine. But I cannot lay down my love in that way; nor, maintaining my love, can I give up the battle. It seems to me that I have a right at any rate to know something of your comings and goings as long as,--unless, Alice, you should take another name than mine.", "pos": 320307}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "My intention is to keep my own.", "pos": 320801}
{"speaker": "John Grey", "text": "And you will not deny me that right?", "pos": 320938}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "I cannot hinder you. Whatever you may do, I myself have sinned so against you that I can have no right to blame you.", "pos": 320977}
{"speaker": "John Grey", "text": "There shall be no question between us of injury from one to the other. In any conversation that we may have, or in any correspondence--", "pos": 321096}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "Oh, Mr. Grey, do not ask me to write.", "pos": 321234}
{"speaker": "John Grey", "text": "Listen to me. Should there be any on either side, there shall be no idea of any wrong done.", "pos": 321274}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "But I have done you wrong;--great wrong.", "pos": 321368}
{"speaker": "John Grey", "text": "No, Alice; I will not have it so. When I asked you to accept my hand,--begging the greatest boon which it could ever come to my lot to ask from a fellow-mortal,--I knew well how great was your goodness to me when you told me that it should be mine. Now that you refuse it, I know also that you are good, thinking that in doing so you are acting for my welfare,--thinking more of my welfare than of your own.", "pos": 321411}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "Oh yes, yes; it is so, Mr. Grey; indeed it is so.", "pos": 321821}
{"speaker": "John Grey", "text": "Believing that, how can I talk of wrong? That you are wrong in your thinking on this subject,--that your mind has become twisted by false impressions,--that I believe. But I cannot therefore love you less,--nor, so believing, can I consider myself to be injured. Nor am I even so little selfish as you are. I think if you were my wife that I could make you happy; but I feel sure that my happiness depends on your being my wife.", "pos": 321873}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "I hope--and believe that you will find your happiness elsewhere, Mr. Grey.", "pos": 322881}
{"speaker": "John Grey", "text": "Well; we can but differ, Alice. In that we do differ. And now I will say one word to explain why I have come here. If I were to write to you against your will, it would seem that I were persecuting you. I cannot bring myself to do that, even though I had the right. But if I were to let you go from me, taking what you have said to me and doing nothing, it would seem that I had accepted your decision as final. I do not do so. I will not do so. I come simply to tell you that I am still your suitor. If you will let me, I will see you again early in January,--as soon as you have returned to town. You will hardly refuse to see me.", "pos": 322958}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "No. I cannot refuse to see you.", "pos": 323593}
{"speaker": "John Grey", "text": "Then it shall be so, and I will not trouble you with letters, nor will I trouble you longer now with words. Tell your aunt that I have said what I came to say, and that I give her my kindest thanks.", "pos": 323639}
{"speaker": "Maxwell", "text": "Here's Vavasor, and now we won't play this blackguard game any longer. Somebody told me, Vavasor, that you were gone away.", "pos": 327944}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "Gone away;--what, like a fox?", "pos": 328085}
{"speaker": "Maxwell", "text": "I don't know what it was; that something had happened to you since last season; that you were married, or dead, or gone abroad. By George, I've lost the trick after all! I hate dummy like the devil. I never hold a card in dummy's hand. Yes, I know; that's seven points on each side. Vavasor, come and cut. Upon my word if any one had asked me, I should have said you were dead.", "pos": 328117}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "But you see, nobody ever does think of asking you anything.", "pos": 328497}
{"speaker": "Grindley", "text": "What you probably mean, is that Vavasor was not returned for Chelsea last February; but you've seen him since that. Are you going to try it again, Vavasor?", "pos": 328559}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "If you'll lend me the money I will.", "pos": 328734}
{"speaker": "Calder Jones", "text": "I don't see what on earth a man gains by going into the house. I couldn't help myself as it happened, but, upon my word it's a deuce of a bore. A fellow thinks he can do as he likes about going,--but he can't. It wouldn't do for me to give it up, because--", "pos": 328772}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "Oh no, of course not; where should we all be?", "pos": 329052}
{"speaker": "Maxwell", "text": "It's you and me, Grindems. D---- parliament, and now let's have a rubber.", "pos": 329114}
{"speaker": "Grindley", "text": "I wonder he likes coming in here,", "pos": 329520}
{"speaker": "Calder Jones", "text": "I can't understand it. Last year he seemed to walk in just when he liked, as though he were one of us.", "pos": 329719}
{"speaker": "Grindley", "text": "He's a bad sort of fellow, he's so uncommonly dark. I don't know where on earth he gets his money from. He was heir to some small property in the north, but he lost every shilling of that when he was in the wine trade.", "pos": 329886}
{"speaker": "Maxwell", "text": "You're wrong there, Grindems. He made a pot of money at the wine business, and had he stuck to it he would have been a rich man.", "pos": 330124}
{"speaker": "Grindley", "text": "He's lost it all since then, and that place in the north into the bargain.", "pos": 330343}
{"speaker": "Maxwell", "text": "Wrong again, Grindems, my boy. If old Vavasor were to die to-morrow, Vavasor Hall would go just as he might choose to leave it. George may be a ruined man for aught I know--", "pos": 330420}
{"speaker": "Grindley", "text": "There's no doubt about that, I believe,", "pos": 330596}
{"speaker": "Maxwell", "text": "Perhaps not, Grindems; but he can't have lost Vavasor Hall because he has never as yet had an interest in it. He's the natural heir, and will probably get it some day.", "pos": 330653}
{"speaker": "Calder Jones", "text": "All the same, isn't it rather odd he should come in here?", "pos": 330823}
{"speaker": "Maxwell", "text": "We've asked him often enough, not because we like him, but because we want him so often to make up a rubber. I don't like George Vavasor, and I don't know who does; but I like him better than dummy. And I'd sooner play whist with men I don't like, Grindems, than I'd not play at all.", "pos": 330904}
{"speaker": "Grindley", "text": "That's true, of course. We can't pick men just as we please. But I certainly didn't think that he'd make it out for another season.", "pos": 331375}
{"speaker": "Maxwell", "text": "Does anybody know anything about that brown horse of Vavasor's? I saw him coming into the yard yesterday with that old groom of his.", "pos": 331760}
{"speaker": "Grindley", "text": "He had a brown horse last season, --a little thing that went very fast, but wasn't quite sound on the road.", "pos": 331911}
{"speaker": "Maxwell", "text": "That was a mare, and he sold her to Cinquebars.", "pos": 332037}
{"speaker": "Calder Jones", "text": "For a hundred and fifty, and she wasn't worth the odd fifty.", "pos": 332297}
{"speaker": "Maxwell", "text": "He won seventy with her at Leamington, and I doubt whether he'd take his money now. Is Cinquebars coming down here this year? I don't know. I hope not. He's the best fellow in the world, but he can't ride, and he don't care for hunting, and he makes more row than any fellow I ever met. I wish some fellow could tell me something about that fellow's brown horse.", "pos": 332381}
{"speaker": "Grindley", "text": "I'd never buy a horse of Vavasor's if I were you. He never has anything that's all right all round.", "pos": 332782}
{"speaker": "Maxwell", "text": "And who has? That's the mistake men make about horses, and that's why there's so much cheating. I never ask for a warranty with a horse, and don't very often have a horse examined. Yet I do as well as others. You can't have perfect horses any more than you can perfect men, or perfect women. You put up with red hair, or bad teeth, or big feet,--or sometimes with the devil of a voice. But a man when he wants a horse won't put up with anything! Therefore those who've got horses to sell must lie. When I go into the market with three hundred pounds I expect a perfect animal. As I never do that now I never expect a perfect animal. I like 'em to see; I like 'em to have four legs; and I like 'em to have a little wind. I don't much mind anything else.", "pos": 332901}
{"speaker": "Calder Jones", "text": "By Jove you're about right,", "pos": 333789}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "Have you managed to come along pretty clean?", "pos": 334234}
{"speaker": "Bat", "text": "They be the most beastly roads in all England. But I'll warrant I'm cleaner than most on 'em. What for any county should make such roads as them I never could tell.", "pos": 334330}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "The roads about there are bad, certainly;--very bad. But I suppose they would have been better had Providence sent better materials. And what do you think of the brown horse, Bat?", "pos": 334584}
{"speaker": "Bat", "text": "Well, sir.", "pos": 334766}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "He's as fine an animal to look at as ever I put my eye on,", "pos": 334827}
{"speaker": "Bat", "text": "He's all that,", "pos": 334901}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "He's got lots of pace too.", "pos": 334928}
{"speaker": "Bat", "text": "I'm sure he has, sir.", "pos": 334957}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "And they tell me you can't beat him at jumping.", "pos": 334981}
{"speaker": "Bat", "text": "They can mostly do that, sir, if they're well handled.", "pos": 335031}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "You see he's a deal over my weight.", "pos": 335088}
{"speaker": "Bat", "text": "Yes, he is, Mr. Vavasor. He is a fourteen stoner.", "pos": 335126}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "Or fifteen,", "pos": 335178}
{"speaker": "Bat", "text": "Perhaps he may, sir. There's no knowing what a 'orse can carry till he's tried.", "pos": 335206}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "We shall have a run from the big wood,", "pos": 336443}
{"speaker": "Bat", "text": "If they make un break, you will, sir,", "pos": 336497}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "At any rate I'll ride the brown horse,", "pos": 336547}
{"speaker": "Maxwell", "text": "Are you well mounted this year?", "pos": 337278}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "No, indeed; I never was what I call well mounted yet. I generally have one horse and three or four cripples. That brown horse behind there is pretty good, I believe. I see your man has got the old chestnut mare with him. She's one of the cripples,--not but what she's as sound as a bell, and as good a hunter as ever I wish to ride; but she makes a little noise when she's going.", "pos": 337345}
{"speaker": "Grindley", "text": "So that you can hear her three fields off,", "pos": 337731}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "Five if the fields are small enough and your ears are sharp enough. All the same I wouldn't change her for the best horse I ever saw under you.", "pos": 337791}
{"speaker": "Maxwell", "text": "Had you there, Grindems,", "pos": 337953}
{"speaker": "Grindley", "text": "No, he didn't. He didn't have me at all.", "pos": 337994}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "Your horses, Grindley, are always up to all the work they have to do, and I don't know what any man wants more than that.", "pos": 338054}
{"speaker": "Maxwell", "text": "Had you again, Grindems,", "pos": 338193}
{"speaker": "Grindley", "text": "I can ride against him any day,", "pos": 338234}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "Yes; or against a brick wall either, if your horse didn't know any better,", "pos": 338283}
{"speaker": "Maxwell", "text": "Had you again, Grindems,", "pos": 338373}
{"speaker": "Maxwell", "text": "By George, there's Pollock! I'll bet half a crown that he's come down from London this morning, that he was up all night last night, and that he tells us so three times before the hounds go out of the paddock.", "pos": 341705}
{"speaker": "Maxwell", "text": "I hope I see you well, Sir William,", "pos": 346872}
{"speaker": "Sir William", "text": "Humph--well, yes, I'm pretty well, thank'ee. Just move on, will you? My mare can't stir here.", "pos": 347007}
{"speaker": "huntsman", "text": "Yes, Sir William. No, Sir William. No doubt, Sir William.", "pos": 347487}
{"speaker": "Sir William", "text": "Who the devil's that fellow, that's all breeches and boots?", "pos": 347699}
{"speaker": "Calder Jones", "text": "Where shall we find first, Sir William?", "pos": 347937}
{"speaker": "Sir William", "text": "How the mischief am I to know where the foxes are?", "pos": 348038}
{"speaker": "Maxwell", "text": "Well, Pollock, when did you come?", "pos": 349462}
{"speaker": "Pollock", "text": "By George, just down from London by the 8.30 from Euston Square, and got over here from Winslow in a trap, with two fellows I never saw in my life before. We came tandem in a fly, and did the nineteen miles in an hour.", "pos": 349512}
{"speaker": "Maxwell", "text": "Come, Athenian, draw it mild,", "pos": 349764}
{"speaker": "Pollock", "text": "We did, indeed. I wonder whether they'll pay me their share of the fly. I had to leave Onslow Crescent at a quarter before eight, and I did three hours' work before I started.", "pos": 349810}
{"speaker": "Grindley", "text": "Then you did it by candle-light,", "pos": 349988}
{"speaker": "Pollock", "text": "Of course I did; and why shouldn't I? Do you suppose no one can work by candle-light except a lawyer? I suppose you fellows were playing whist, and drinking hard. I'm uncommon glad I wasn't with you, for I shall be able to ride.", "pos": 350038}
{"speaker": "Jones", "text": "I bet you a pound, if there's a run, I see more of it than you.", "pos": 350269}
{"speaker": "Grindley", "text": "I'll take that bet with Jones, and Vavasor shall be the judge.", "pos": 350349}
{"speaker": "Sir William", "text": "Gentlemen, the hounds can't get out, if you will stop up the gate,", "pos": 350431}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "I'll ride the chestnut mare in the wood, and do you keep near me.", "pos": 350711}
{"speaker": "Bat", "text": "I bean't to be galloping up and down them rides, I suppose,", "pos": 350790}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "I shan't gallop up and down the rides, myself; but do you mark me, to know where I am, so that I can change if a fox should go away.", "pos": 350885}
{"speaker": "Bat", "text": "You'll be here all day, sir. That's my belief.", "pos": 351020}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "If so, I won't ride the brown horse at all. But do you take care to let me have him if there's a chance. Do you understand?", "pos": 351069}
{"speaker": "Bat", "text": "Oh, yes, I understand, sir. There ain't no difficulty in my understanding;--only I don't think, sir, you'll ever get a fox out of that wood to-day. Why, it stands to reason. The wind's from the north-east.", "pos": 351195}
{"speaker": "Pollock", "text": "You'll make that man cut his throat, if you go on at that,", "pos": 352600}
{"speaker": "Maxwell", "text": "Shall I? Then I'll certainly stick to him for the sake of humanity in general.", "pos": 352675}
{"speaker": "Grindley", "text": "We shan't do any good to-day,", "pos": 352901}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "I'm sure I don't know,", "pos": 352970}
{"speaker": "Grindley", "text": "That old fellow has got to be so stupid, he doesn't know what he's about,", "pos": 353009}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "How can he make the fox break?", "pos": 353121}
{"speaker": "Maxwell", "text": "It's the cussidest place in all creation. I often said I'd not come here any more, and now I say it again.", "pos": 353807}
{"speaker": "Grindley", "text": "And yet you'll be here the next meet,", "pos": 353932}
{"speaker": "Maxwell", "text": "Grindems, you know a sight too much, you do indeed. An ordinary fellow has no chance with you. He isn't away, Tom, surely?", "pos": 354054}
{"speaker": "Tom", "text": "He's out of the wood somewheres,", "pos": 354390}
{"speaker": "Sir William", "text": "Hold hard. The hounds are not out of the wood yet.", "pos": 355036}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "Is the fox away, sir?", "pos": 355109}
{"speaker": "Sir William", "text": "What's the good of that if we can't get the hounds out? Yes, he's away. He passed out where I'm standing. He's gone for Claydon's. Try them up that hedgerow.", "pos": 355133}
{"speaker": "Maxwell", "text": "By George! that's too big for me yet awhile; and there's no end of a river at the bottom.", "pos": 361277}
{"speaker": "Pearlings", "text": "Where the devil is my fellow?", "pos": 362067}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "I wonder what it is that's amiss with him,", "pos": 362439}
{"speaker": "Burgo", "text": "Where are we now?", "pos": 362709}
{"speaker": "Tom", "text": "This is Bulby's farm, and we're going right away for Elmham Wood.", "pos": 362809}
{"speaker": "a stout farmer", "text": "Elmham Wood be d----. You won't see Elmham Wood to-day.", "pos": 362889}
{"speaker": "Tom", "text": "I suppose you know best. He's been through them firs, any way. To him, Gaylass!", "pos": 363009}
{"speaker": "Pollock", "text": "I say,--that took some of the wind out of a fellow,", "pos": 363346}
{"speaker": "Burgo", "text": "You mustn't mind about wind now,", "pos": 363414}
{"speaker": "Calder Jones", "text": "Wasn't the pace awful, coming up to that farmhouse?", "pos": 363473}
{"speaker": "Tom", "text": "Darned if the Squire warn't right,", "pos": 364529}
{"speaker": "Burgo", "text": "We ain't going for Claydon's now?", "pos": 364661}
{"speaker": "Tom", "text": "Them's Claydon's beeches we sees over there, 'Tain't often the Squire's wrong.", "pos": 364710}
{"speaker": "Burgo", "text": "I didn't see you at the start,", "pos": 365688}
{"speaker": "the country gentleman", "text": "And I didn't see you, so it's even.", "pos": 365733}
{"speaker": "Burgo", "text": "A jolly thing so far, about the best we've had this year.", "pos": 366913}
{"speaker": "Maxwell", "text": "I didn't see a yard of it. I hadn't nerve to get off the first road, and I haven't been off it ever since. Who's been with you?", "pos": 366998}
{"speaker": "Burgo", "text": "There've been Tom and I;--and Calder Jones was there for a while. I think he killed himself somewhere. And there was Pollock, and your friend Grindley, and a chap whose name I don't know who dropped out of heaven about half-way in the run; and there was another man whose back I saw just now; there he is,--by heavens, it's Vavasor! I didn't know he was here.", "pos": 367251}
{"speaker": "Tom", "text": "Same fox! in course it was; why shouldn't it be the same?", "pos": 368714}
{"speaker": "Burgo", "text": "I'm about done for,", "pos": 372236}
{"speaker": "Maxwell", "text": "Luckily for you, the fox is much in the same way.", "pos": 372281}
{"speaker": "the country gentleman", "text": "Yoicks, tally; gone away!", "pos": 372622}
{"speaker": "Sir William", "text": "What the d---- are you roaring at? Do you suppose I don't know where the fox is?", "pos": 372671}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "Are you hurt? can I do anything?", "pos": 374710}
{"speaker": "Burgo", "text": "If you can find a chap just send him to me,", "pos": 374782}
{"speaker": "Maxwell", "text": "What do you want for that horse, Vavasor?", "pos": 375842}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "A hundred and fifty,", "pos": 375886}
{"speaker": "Maxwell", "text": "He's mine,", "pos": 375923}
{"speaker": "Burgo", "text": "I shall never marry now,--that is all,", "pos": 378882}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "Was Alice, afraid of the marquises and the countesses, or of all the rank and all the money which they boasted? Then would she permit Lady Glencora and Burgo to see each other in the drawing-room at Queen Anne Street, just once! Why should I not marry him? He is my equal. If you will not help me, I am helpless! How shall I bribe you? Next to him I will love you better than all the world.", "pos": 381060}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "She had been counselled that it was not fitting for her to love as she had thought to love, and she had resolved to give up her dream. Her cousin Alice, she knew, would respect her secret. She was going to become the wife of the best man, she thought, in all the world; and it should be the one care of her life to make him happy. She was to be married at once. Would Alice be one among the bevy of bridesmaids who were to grace the ceremony?", "pos": 383221}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "heartily,", "pos": 383759}
{"speaker": "Lady Midlothian", "text": "MY DEAR MISS VAVASOR. I have not the pleasure of knowing you personally, though I have heard of you very often from our dear mutual friend and relative Lady Macleod, with whom I understand that you are at present on a visit. Your grandmother,--by the mother's side,--Lady Flora Macleod, and my mother the Countess of Leith, were half-sisters; and though circumstances since that have prevented our seeing so much of each other as is desirable, I have always remembered the connection, and have ever regarded you as one in whose welfare I am bound by ties of blood to take a warm interest.", "pos": 388116}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "'Since that!'--what does she mean by 'since that'? She has never set eyes on me at all. Why does she talk of not having seen as much of me as is desirable?", "pos": 388707}
{"speaker": "Lady Midlothian", "text": "I had learned with great gratification that you were going to be married to a most worthy gentleman, Mr. John Grey of Nethercoats, in Cambridgeshire. When I first heard this I made it my business to institute some inquiries, and I was heartily glad to find that your choice had done you so much credit. I was informed that Mr. Grey is in every respect a gentleman,--that he is a man of most excellent habits, and one to whom any young woman could commit her future happiness with security, that his means are very good for his position, and that there was no possible objection to such a marriage. All this gave great satisfaction to me, in which I was joined by the Marchioness of Auld Reekie, who is connected with you almost as nearly as I am, and who, I can assure you, feels a considerable interest in your welfare. I am staying with her now, and in all that I say, she agrees with me. You may feel then how dreadfully we were dismayed when we were told by dear Lady Macleod that you had told Mr. Grey that you intended to change your mind! My dear Miss Vavasor, can this be true? There are things in which a young lady has no right to change her mind after it has been once made up; and certainly when a young lady has accepted a gentleman, that is one of them. He cannot legally make you become his wife, but he has a right to claim you before God and man. Have you considered that he has probably furnished his house in consequence of his intended marriage,--and perhaps in compliance with your own especial wishes? Have you reflected that he has of course told all his friends? Have you any reason to give? I am told, none! Nothing should ever be done without a reason; much less such a thing as this in which your own interests and, I may say, respectability are involved. I hope you will think of this before you persist in destroying your own happiness and perhaps that of a very worthy man. I had heard, some years ago, when you were much younger, that you had become imprudently attached in another direction--with a gentleman with none of those qualities to recommend him which speak so highly for Mr. Grey. It would grieve me very much, as it would also the Marchioness, who in this matter thinks exactly as I do, if I were led to suppose that your rejection of Mr. Grey had been caused by any renewal of that project. Nothing, my dear Miss Vavasor, could be more unfortunate,--and I might almost add a stronger word. I have been advised that a line from me as representing your poor mother's family, especially as I have at the present moment the opportunity of expressing Lady Auld Reekie's sentiments as well as my own, might be of service. I implore you, my dear Miss Vavasor, to remember what you owe to God and man, and to carry out an engagement made by yourself, that is in all respects comme il faut, and which will give entire satisfaction to your friends and relatives. MARGARET M. MIDLOTHIAN.", "pos": 388888}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "DEAR COUSIN. I have just come home from Scotland, where they have been telling me something of your little troubles. I had little troubles once too, and you were so good to me! Will you come to us here for a few weeks? We shall be here till Christmas-time, when we go somewhere else. I have told my husband that you are a great friend of mine as well as a cousin, and that he must be good to you. He is very quiet, and works very hard at politics; but I think you will like him. Do come! There will be a good many people here, so that you will not find it dull. If you will name the day we will send the carriage for you at Matching Station, and I dare say I can manage to come myself. Yours affectionately. G. PALLISER. I know what will be in your mind. You will say, why did not she come to me in London? She knew the way to Queen Anne Street well enough. Dear Alice, don't say that. Believe me, I had much to do and think of in London. And if I was wrong, yet you will forgive me. Mr. Palliser says I am to give you his love,--as being a cousin,--and say that you must come!", "pos": 393158}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "Aunt. I have had a letter this morning from your friend, Lady Midlothian.", "pos": 395191}
{"speaker": "Lady Macleod", "text": "She is my cousin, Alice; and yours as much as mine.", "pos": 395279}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "Your cousin then, aunt. But it is of more moment that she is your friend. She certainly is not mine, nor can her cousinship afford any justification for her interfering in my affairs. Alice,--from her position-- Her position can be nothing to me, aunt. I will not submit to it. There is her letter, which you can read if you please. After that you may burn it. I need hardly say that I shall not answer it.", "pos": 395333}
{"speaker": "Lady Macleod", "text": "And what am I to say to her, Alice?", "pos": 395746}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "Nothing from me, aunt;--from yourself, whatever you please, of course.", "pos": 395783}
{"speaker": "Aunt", "text": "And I have had another letter, from Lady Glencora, who married Mr. Palliser, and whom I knew in London last spring.", "pos": 395911}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "And has that offended you, too?", "pos": 396029}
{"speaker": "Aunt", "text": "No, there is no offence in that. She asks me to go and see her at Matching Priory, her husband's house; but I shall not go.", "pos": 396063}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "except so far as I myself may do so,", "pos": 396937}
{"speaker": "Mrs. Greenow", "text": "I have money. I have money, but I have nothing else in the world. I have no home. Why should I not remain here in Norfolk, where I know a few people? If you'll say that you'll go anywhere else with me, I'll go to any place you'll name.", "pos": 398255}
{"speaker": "Mrs. Greenow", "text": "Only think, only think, that it is barely nine months since he was with me?", "pos": 399167}
{"speaker": "Kate", "text": "Six, you mean, aunt,", "pos": 399401}
{"speaker": "Mrs. Greenow", "text": "Only nine months Only nine months!", "pos": 399448}
{"speaker": "Jeannette", "text": "It happened in May, Miss, and that, as we reckons, it will be just a twelvemonth come Christmas.", "pos": 399607}
{"speaker": "Mrs. Greenow", "text": "That's all very well, my dear. A girl must settle herself some day, you know;--and you'd have it all your own way at Oileymead.", "pos": 400597}
{"speaker": "Jeannette", "text": "I am all for Mr. Cheesacre, Miss. The Captain is perhaps the nicerer-looking gentleman, and he ain't so podgy like; but what's good looks if a gentleman hasn't got nothing? I can't abide anything that's poor; neither can't Missus.", "pos": 401187}
{"speaker": "Mr. Cheesacre", "text": "You won't see much of the Captain, I suppose,", "pos": 402512}
{"speaker": "Mrs. Greenow", "text": "Not much, I dare say. He tells me that he must be on duty ten or twelve hours a day. Poor fellow!", "pos": 402956}
{"speaker": "Mr. Cheesacre", "text": "It's a deuced good thing for him, and he ought to be very much obliged to me for putting him in the way of getting it. But he told me to tell you that if he didn't call, you were not to be angry with him.", "pos": 403074}
{"speaker": "Mrs. Greenow", "text": "Oh, no;--I shall remember, of course.", "pos": 403281}
{"speaker": "Mr. Cheesacre", "text": "You see, if he don't work now he must come to grief. He hasn't got a shilling that he can call his own.", "pos": 403321}
{"speaker": "Mrs. Greenow", "text": "Hasn't he really?", "pos": 403427}
{"speaker": "Mr. Cheesacre", "text": "Not a shilling, Mrs. Greenow;--and then he's awfully in debt. He isn't a bad fellow, you know, only there's no trusting him for anything. He hasn't been here, has he, Jenny?", "pos": 403447}
{"speaker": "Jeannette", "text": "We haven't seen a sight of him yet, sir,--and I have thought it a little odd.", "pos": 403870}
{"speaker": "Mrs. Greenow", "text": "What am I to do about it?", "pos": 405550}
{"speaker": "Jeannette", "text": "It's as much as Jeannette has been able to carry.", "pos": 405707}
{"speaker": "Mrs. Greenow", "text": "What am I to do, Kate? He is such a good creature.", "pos": 405825}
{"speaker": "Jeannette", "text": "And he do admire you both so much,", "pos": 405878}
{"speaker": "Mrs. Greenow", "text": "Of course I don't want to offend him for many reasons,", "pos": 405931}
{"speaker": "Kate", "text": "I don't know anything about your reasons, aunt, but if I were you, I should leave the basket just as it is till he comes in the afternoon.", "pos": 406035}
{"speaker": "Mrs. Greenow", "text": "Would you mind seeing him yourself, Kate, and explaining to him that it won't do to get on in this way. Perhaps you wouldn't mind telling him that if he'll promise not to bring any more, you won't object to take this one.", "pos": 406176}
{"speaker": "Kate", "text": "Indeed, aunt, I can't do that. They're not brought to me.", "pos": 406400}
{"speaker": "Mrs. Greenow", "text": "Oh, Kate!", "pos": 406460}
{"speaker": "Kate", "text": "Nonsense, aunt;--I won't have you say so;--before Jeannette, too.", "pos": 406472}
{"speaker": "Jeannette", "text": "I think it's for both, ma'am; I do indeed. And there certainly ain't any cream to be bought like it in Norwich:--nor yet eggs.", "pos": 406540}
{"speaker": "Kate", "text": "It's out of the question that I should take upon myself to say anything to him about it,", "pos": 406921}
{"speaker": "Mrs. Greenow", "text": "Upon my word I don't see why you shouldn't, as well as I,", "pos": 407023}
{"speaker": "Jeannette", "text": "let me just ask him who they're for;--he'll tell me anything.", "pos": 407147}
{"speaker": "Kate", "text": "Don't do anything of the kind, Jeannette. Of course, aunt, they're brought for you. There's no doubt about that. A gentleman doesn't bring cream and turkeys to-- I've never heard of such a thing!", "pos": 407211}
{"speaker": "Mrs. Greenow", "text": "I don't see why a gentleman shouldn't bring cream and turkeys to you just as well as to me. Indeed, he told me once as much himself.", "pos": 407422}
{"speaker": "Kate", "text": "Then, if they're for me, I'll leave them down outside the front door, and he may find his provisions there.", "pos": 407557}
{"speaker": "Mrs. Greenow", "text": "Leave it alone, Kate. Leave it alone. I'll see Mr. Cheesacre myself.", "pos": 407720}
{"speaker": "Kate", "text": "If you don't object, aunt. I will write to grandpapa and tell him that I will return home at once.", "pos": 408331}
{"speaker": "Mrs. Greenow", "text": "What!--because of Mr. Cheesacre? I don't think you'll be so silly as that, my dear.", "pos": 408445}
{"speaker": "Mr. Cheesacre", "text": "I just called in, to see how you were.", "pos": 409923}
{"speaker": "Mrs. Greenow", "text": "We are not likely to starve,", "pos": 409975}
{"speaker": "Mr. Cheesacre", "text": "Just a few trifles that my old woman asked me to bring in. She insisted on putting them up.", "pos": 410068}
{"speaker": "Mrs. Greenow", "text": "But your old woman is by far too magnificent. She really frightens Kate and me out of our wits.", "pos": 410180}
{"speaker": "Mr. Cheesacre", "text": "Dear Mrs. Greenow, there is no cause for you to be alarmed, I can assure you. Mere trifles;--light as air, you know. I don't think anything of such things as these.", "pos": 410397}
{"speaker": "Mrs. Greenow", "text": "But I and Kate think a great deal of them,--a very great deal, I can assure you. Do you know, we had a long debate this morning whether or no we would return them to Oileymead?", "pos": 410575}
{"speaker": "Mr. Cheesacre", "text": "Return them, Mrs. Greenow!", "pos": 410754}
{"speaker": "Mrs. Greenow", "text": "Yes, indeed: what are women, situated as we are, to do under such circumstances? When gentlemen will be too liberal, their liberality must be repressed.", "pos": 410783}
{"speaker": "Mr. Cheesacre", "text": "And have I been too liberal, Mrs. Greenow? What is a young turkey and a stick of celery when a man is willing to give everything that he has in the world?", "pos": 410938}
{"speaker": "Mrs. Greenow", "text": "You've got a great deal more in the world, Mr. Cheesacre, than you'd like to part with. But we won't talk of that, now.", "pos": 411095}
{"speaker": "Mr. Cheesacre", "text": "When shall we talk of it?", "pos": 411217}
{"speaker": "Mrs. Greenow", "text": "If you really have anything to say, you had by far better speak to Kate herself.", "pos": 411245}
{"speaker": "Mr. Cheesacre", "text": "Mrs. Greenow, you mistake me. Indeed, you mistake me.", "pos": 411328}
{"speaker": "Mrs. Greenow", "text": "You may take these things down, Jeannette. Mr. Cheesacre has promised that no more shall come.", "pos": 411632}
{"speaker": "Mr. Cheesacre", "text": "But I haven't promised,", "pos": 411741}
{"speaker": "Mrs. Greenow", "text": "You will oblige me and Kate, I know;--and, Jeannette, tell Miss Vavasor that I am ready to walk with her.", "pos": 411787}
{"speaker": "Mrs. Greenow", "text": "He is the most generous man I ever met,", "pos": 413093}
{"speaker": "Captain Bellfield", "text": "So he is, and we'll drink his health. Poor old Cheesy! It's a great pity he shouldn't get himself a wife.", "pos": 413154}
{"speaker": "Mrs. Greenow", "text": "I don't know any man more calculated to make a young woman happy,", "pos": 413288}
{"speaker": "Miss Fairstairs", "text": "No, indeed. I'm told that his house and all about it is quite beautiful.", "pos": 413399}
{"speaker": "Captain", "text": "Especially the straw-yard and the horse-pond,", "pos": 413473}
{"speaker": "Mrs. Greenow", "text": "Poor man, if I hadn't let him stay there, he would have had no resting-place for the sole of his foot, but some horrid barrack-room! looking back, to things that were gone;--that were gone. But come, dears, I am not going to make you melancholy. I'm afraid the wine is not very good. But one can't get good wine in lodgings.", "pos": 414005}
{"speaker": "Captain Bellfield", "text": "I'm not thinking very much about it, Mrs. Greenow; that's the truth. I daresay the wine is very good of its kind. I suppose you find it rather dull, living in lodgings; don't you?", "pos": 414932}
{"speaker": "Mrs. Greenow", "text": "I don't know quite what you mean by dull, Captain Bellfield; but a woman circumstanced as I am, can't find her life very gay. It's not a full twelvemonth yet since I lost all that made life desirable, and sometimes I wonder at myself for holding up as well as I do.", "pos": 415210}
{"speaker": "Captain Bellfield", "text": "It's wicked to give way to grief too much, Mrs. Greenow.", "pos": 415478}
{"speaker": "Mrs. Greenow", "text": "That's what my dear Kate always says to me, and I'm sure I do my best to overcome it. I didn't intend to treat you to such a scene as this, Captain Bellfield.", "pos": 415537}
{"speaker": "Captain Bellfield", "text": "There is nothing on earth, Mrs. Greenow, I desire so much, as permission to dry those tears.", "pos": 415973}
{"speaker": "Mrs. Greenow", "text": "Time alone can do that, Captain Bellfield;--time alone.", "pos": 416068}
{"speaker": "Captain Bellfield", "text": "But cannot time be aided by love and friendship and affection?", "pos": 416126}
{"speaker": "Mrs. Greenow", "text": "By friendship, yes. What would life be worth without the solace of friendship?", "pos": 416191}
{"speaker": "Captain Bellfield", "text": "And how much better is the warm glow of love? How much better is the warm glow of love?", "pos": 416272}
{"speaker": "Mrs. Greenow", "text": "The warm, glow of love, Captain Bellfield, if you have ever felt it--", "pos": 416820}
{"speaker": "Captain Bellfield", "text": "If I have ever felt it! Do I not feel it now, Mrs. Greenow? There can be no longer any mask kept upon my feelings. I never could restrain the yearnings of my heart when they have been strong.", "pos": 416892}
{"speaker": "Mrs. Greenow", "text": "Have they often been strong, Captain Bellfield?", "pos": 417086}
{"speaker": "Captain Bellfield", "text": "Yes; often;--in various scenes of life; on the field of battle--", "pos": 417136}
{"speaker": "Mrs. Greenow", "text": "I did not know that you had seen active service.", "pos": 417203}
{"speaker": "Captain Bellfield", "text": "What!--not on the plains of Zuzuland, when with fifty picked men I kept five hundred Caffres at bay for seven weeks;--never knew the comfort of a bed, or a pillow to my head, for seven long weeks!", "pos": 417254}
{"speaker": "Mrs. Greenow", "text": "Not for seven weeks?", "pos": 417453}
{"speaker": "Captain Bellfield", "text": "No. Did I not see active service at Essiquebo, on the burning coast of Guiana, when all the wild Africans from the woods rose up to destroy the colony; or again at the mouth of the Kitchyhomy River, when I made good the capture of a slaver by my own hand and my own sword!", "pos": 417495}
{"speaker": "Mrs. Greenow", "text": "I really hadn't heard,", "pos": 417770}
{"speaker": "Captain Bellfield", "text": "Ah, I understand. I know. Cheesy is the best fellow in the world in some respects, but he cannot bring himself to speak well of a fellow behind his back. I know who has belittled me. Who was the first to storm the heights of Inkerman? So I did. So I did. I don't know why I have been led away to speak of deeds that are very seldom mentioned, at any rate by myself. But I cannot bear that a slanderous backbiting tongue should make you think that I have seen no service. I have served her Majesty in the four quarters of the globe, Mrs. Greenow; and now I am ready to serve you in any way in which you will allow me to make my service acceptable.", "pos": 417814}
{"speaker": "Mrs. Greenow", "text": "But, Captain Bellfield, I don't want any services. Pray get up now; the girl will come in.", "pos": 418746}
{"speaker": "Captain Bellfield", "text": "I care nothing for any girl. I am planted here till some answer shall have been made to me; till some word shall have been said that may give me a little hope. Arabella, will you not speak a word to me?", "pos": 418839}
{"speaker": "Mrs. Greenow", "text": "Not a word, Captain Bellfield, till you get up; and I won't have you call me Arabella. I am the widow of Samuel Greenow, than whom no man was more respected where he was known, and it is not fitting that I should be addressed in that way.", "pos": 419153}
{"speaker": "Captain Bellfield", "text": "But I want you to become my wife,--and then--", "pos": 419394}
{"speaker": "Mrs. Greenow", "text": "Ah, then indeed! But that then isn't likely to come. Get up, Captain Bellfield, or I'll push you over and then ring the bell. A man never looks so much like a fool as when he's kneeling down,--unless he's saying his prayers, as you ought to be doing now. Get up, I tell you. It's just half past seven, and I told Jeannette to come to me then. You've pushed all the chairs about, you stupid man. He's a very handsome man, is the Captain,", "pos": 419442}
{"speaker": "Jeannette", "text": "You shouldn't think about handsome men, child. And I'm sure I don't. Not no more than anybody else; but if a man is handsome, ma'am, why it stands to reason that he is handsome.", "pos": 420527}
{"speaker": "Mrs. Greenow", "text": "I suppose Captain Bellfield has given you a kiss and a pair of gloves.", "pos": 420746}
{"speaker": "Jeannette", "text": "As for gloves and such like, Mr. Cheesacre is much better for giving than the Captain; as we all know; don't we, ma'am? But in regard to kisses, they're presents as I never takes from anybody. Let everybody pay his debts. If the Captain ever gets a wife, let him kiss her.", "pos": 420819}
{"speaker": "Mrs. Greenow", "text": "That means you, Kate. No, it doesn't; it doesn't mean me at all. At any rate he won't see me. I dare say it's me he wishes to see. It seems to be the fashionable plan now for gentlemen to make offers by deputy. If he says anything, I can only refer him to you, you know.", "pos": 421435}
{"speaker": "Kate", "text": "Yes, you can; you can tell him simply that I won't have him. But he is no more thinking of me than--", "pos": 421731}
{"speaker": "Mrs. Greenow", "text": "Than he is of me, you were going to say.", "pos": 421834}
{"speaker": "Kate", "text": "No, aunt; I wasn't going to say that at all.", "pos": 421877}
{"speaker": "Mrs. Greenow", "text": "Well, we shall see. If he does mean anything, of course you can please yourself; but I really think you might do worse.", "pos": 421924}
{"speaker": "Kate", "text": "But if I don't want to do at all?", "pos": 422046}
{"speaker": "Mrs. Greenow", "text": "Very well; you must have your own way. I can only tell you what I think.", "pos": 422082}
{"speaker": "Mrs. Greenow", "text": "Thanks for the flowers. It was so good of you to bring something that we could accept.", "pos": 422734}
{"speaker": "Mr. Cheesacre", "text": "As for that. I don't see why you should scruple about a trifle of cream, but I hope that any such feeling as that will be over before long.", "pos": 422843}
{"speaker": "Mrs. Greenow", "text": "How goes everything at Oileymead?", "pos": 423762}
{"speaker": "Mr. Cheesacre", "text": "Pretty well, Mrs. Greenow; pretty well. Everything will go very well if I am successful in the object which I have on hand to-day.", "pos": 423902}
{"speaker": "Mrs. Greenow", "text": "I'm sure I hope you'll be successful in all your undertakings.", "pos": 424035}
{"speaker": "Mr. Cheesacre", "text": "In all my business undertakings I am, Mrs. Greenow. There isn't a shilling due on my land to e'er a bank in Norwich; and I haven't thrashed out a quarter of last year's corn yet, which is more than many of them can say. But there ain't many of them who don't have to pay rent, and so perhaps I oughtn't to boast.", "pos": 424100}
{"speaker": "Mrs. Greenow", "text": "I know that Providence has been very good to you, Mr. Cheesacre, as regards worldly matters.", "pos": 424415}
{"speaker": "Mr. Cheesacre", "text": "And I haven't left it all to Providence, either. Those who do, generally go to the wall, as far as I can see. I'm always at work late and early, and I know when I get a profit out of a man's labour and when I don't, as well as though it was my only chance of bread and cheese.", "pos": 424510}
{"speaker": "Mrs. Greenow", "text": "I always thought you understood farming business, Mr. Cheesacre.", "pos": 424789}
{"speaker": "Mr. Cheesacre", "text": "Yes, I do. I like a bit of fun well enough, when the time for it comes, as you saw at Yarmouth. And I keep my three or four hunters, as I think a country gentleman should; and I shoot over my own ground. But I always stick to my work. There are men, like Bellfield, who won't work. What do they come to? They're always borrowing.", "pos": 424856}
{"speaker": "Mrs. Greenow", "text": "But he has fought his country's battles, Mr. Cheesacre.", "pos": 425188}
{"speaker": "Mr. Cheesacre", "text": "He fight! I suppose he's been telling you some of his old stories. He was ten years in the West Indies, and all his fighting was with the mosquitoes.", "pos": 425246}
{"speaker": "Mrs. Greenow", "text": "But he was in the Crimea. At Inkerman, for instance--", "pos": 425398}
{"speaker": "Mr. Cheesacre", "text": "He in the Crimea! Well, never mind. But do you inquire before you believe that story. But as I was saying, Mrs. Greenow, you have seen my little place at Oileymead.", "pos": 425454}
{"speaker": "Mrs. Greenow", "text": "A charming house. All you want is a mistress for it.", "pos": 425621}
{"speaker": "Mr. Cheesacre", "text": "That's it; that's just it. All I want is a mistress for it. And there's only one woman on earth that I would wish to see in that position. Arabella Greenow, will you be that woman?", "pos": 425676}
{"speaker": "Mrs. Greenow", "text": "I, Mr. Cheesacre!", "pos": 425951}
{"speaker": "Mr. Cheesacre", "text": "Yes, you. Who else? Since I saw you what other woman has been anything to me; or, indeed, I may say before? Since the first day I saw you I felt that there my happiness depended.", "pos": 425981}
{"speaker": "Mrs. Greenow", "text": "Oh, Mr. Cheesacre, I thought you were looking elsewhere.", "pos": 426162}
{"speaker": "Mr. Cheesacre", "text": "No, no, no. There never was such a mistake as that. I have the highest regard and esteem for Miss Vavasor, but really--", "pos": 426221}
{"speaker": "Mrs. Greenow", "text": "Mr. Cheesacre, what am I to say to you?", "pos": 426343}
{"speaker": "Mr. Cheesacre", "text": "What are you to say to me? Say that you'll be mine. Say that I shall be yours. Say that all I have at Oileymead shall be yours. Say that the open carriage for a pair of ponies to be driven by a lady which I have been looking at this morning shall be yours. Yes, indeed; the sweetest thing you ever saw in your life,--just like one that the lady of the Lord Lieutenant drives about in always. That's what you must say. Come, Mrs. Greenow!", "pos": 426385}
{"speaker": "Mrs. Greenow", "text": "Ah, Mr. Cheesacre, you don't know what it is to have buried the pride of your youth hardly yet twelve months.", "pos": 426825}
{"speaker": "Mr. Cheesacre", "text": "But you have buried him, and there let there be an end of it. Your sitting here all alone, morning, noon, and night, won't bring him back. I'm sorry for him; I am indeed. Poor Greenow! But what more can I do?", "pos": 426937}
{"speaker": "Mrs. Greenow", "text": "I can do more, Mr. Cheesacre. I can mourn for him in solitude and in silence.", "pos": 427148}
{"speaker": "Mr. Cheesacre", "text": "No, no, no. What's the use of it,--breaking your heart for nothing,--and my heart too. You never think of that. Ah, but it can be. Come, Mrs. Greenow. We understand each other well enough now, surely. Come, dearest.", "pos": 427228}
{"speaker": "Jeannette", "text": "Show Captain Bellfield up, certainly,", "pos": 427821}
{"speaker": "Mr. Cheesacre", "text": "D---- Captain Bellfield!", "pos": 427880}
{"speaker": "Lady Macleod", "text": "I think you owe it as a duty to your family to go. I am becoming a very old woman, Alice, and I suppose I had better not interfere any further. Whatever I have said I have always meant to be for your good. And because they are cousins as well,", "pos": 430650}
{"speaker": "John Vavasor", "text": "I'm very glad you are going, Alice,", "pos": 432190}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "Why, papa?", "pos": 432272}
{"speaker": "John Vavasor", "text": "Why?--because I think it's the proper thing to do. You know I've never said much to you about these people. They're not connected with me, and I know that they hate the name of Vavasor;--not but what the name is a deal older than any of theirs, and the family too.", "pos": 432285}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "And therefore I don't understand why you think I'm specially right. If you were to say I was specially wrong, I should be less surprised, and of course I shouldn't go. But I shan't get them by going to Matching Priory.", "pos": 432552}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "Well, papa, I hope I shall find myself growing towards the light,", "pos": 433891}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "I hear you are going down to the Pallisers at Matching Priory to-morrow, and as I shall be glad to say one word to you before you go, will you let me see you this evening,--say at nine?--G. V.", "pos": 434133}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "I'm so glad you're going to Matching Priory,", "pos": 434965}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "How did you learn that I was going?", "pos": 435174}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "I heard it from a friend of mine. Well;--from Burgo Fitzgerald, if you must know.", "pos": 435222}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "From Mr. Fitzgerald?", "pos": 435306}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "That's more than I know, Alice. Not directly from Lady Glencora, I should say.", "pos": 435412}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "That would be impossible.", "pos": 435493}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "Yes; quite so, no doubt. I think she keeps up her intimacy with Burgo's sister, and perhaps it got round to him in that way.", "pos": 435521}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "And did he tell you also that I was going to-morrow? He must have known all about it very accurately.", "pos": 435648}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "No; then I asked Kate, and Kate told me when you were going. Yes; I know. Kate has been wrong, hasn't she? Kate was cautioned, no doubt, to say nothing about your comings and goings to so inconsiderable a person as myself. But you must not be down upon Kate. She never mentioned it till I showed by my question to her that I knew all about your journey to Matching. I own I do not understand why it should be necessary to keep me so much in the dark. I cannot understand it. It was but the other day that we were such dear friends! Do you remember the balcony at Basle? and now it seems that we are quite estranged;--nay, worse than estranged; that I am, as it were, under some ban. Have I done anything to offend you, Alice? If so, speak out, like a woman of spirit as you are.", "pos": 435752}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "Nothing,", "pos": 436863}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "Then why am I tabooed? Why was I told the other day that I might not congratulate you on your happy emancipation? I say boldly, that had you resolved on that while we were together in Switzerland, you would have permitted me, as a friend, almost as a brother, to discuss it with you.", "pos": 436886}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "I think not, George.", "pos": 437172}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "I am sure you would. And why has Kate been warned not to tell me of this visit to the Pallisers? I know she has been warned though she has not confessed it. If there be any reason, Alice, I think that I have a right to ask it.", "pos": 437195}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "I think that you have such a right. I think that you have such a right, but I think also that you are ungenerous to exercise it.", "pos": 437979}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "I cannot understand that. By heavens, Alice, I cannot be left in this suspense! If I have done anything to offend you, perhaps I can remove the offence by apology.", "pos": 438157}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "You have done nothing to offend me.", "pos": 438323}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "Or if there be any cause why our friendship should be dropped,--why we should be on a different footing to each other in London than we were in Switzerland, I may acknowledge it, if it be explained to me. But I cannot put up with the doubt, when I am told that I have a right to demand its solution.", "pos": 438361}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "Then I will be frank with you, George, though my being so will, as you may guess, be very painful. Your sister, George, has thought that my parting with Mr. Grey might lead to a renewal of a purpose of marriage between you and me. You know her eagerness, and will understand that it may have been necessary that I should require silence from her on that head. You ought now to understand it all.", "pos": 438663}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "I then am being punished for her sins,", "pos": 439206}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "I have said nothing about any sins, George, but I have found it necessary to be on my guard.", "pos": 439372}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "Well. You are an honest woman, Alice,--the honestest I ever knew. I will bring Kate to order,--and, now, we may be friends again; may we not?", "pos": 439467}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "Yes, certainly, if you wish it.", "pos": 439693}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "I certainly do wish it very much,", "pos": 439860}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "No, no. Do not speak of that. A woman does not do what I have done in that affair without great suffering. I have to think of it daily; but do not make me speak of it.", "pos": 439982}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "But this other subject, this visit to Matching; surely I may speak of that?", "pos": 440164}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "I don't see what you can have to say about it.", "pos": 440354}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "But I have a great deal. I am so glad you are going. Mind you cement a close intimacy with Mr. Palliser.", "pos": 440403}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "With Mr. Palliser?", "pos": 440510}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "Yes; with Mr. Palliser. You must read all the blue books about finance. I'll send them to you if you like it.", "pos": 440531}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "Oh, George!", "pos": 440643}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "I'm quite in earnest. That is, not in earnest about the blue books, as you would not have time; but about Mr. Palliser. He will be the new Chancellor of the Exchequer without a doubt.", "pos": 440657}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "Will he indeed? But why should I make a bosom friend of the Chancellor of the Exchequer. I don't want any public money.", "pos": 440843}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "But I do, my girl. Don't you see?", "pos": 440965}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "No; I don't.", "pos": 441001}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "I think I shall get returned at this next election.", "pos": 441016}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "I'm sure I hope you will.", "pos": 441070}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "And if I do, of course it will be my game to support the ministry;--or rather the new ministry; for of course there will be changes.", "pos": 441098}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "I hope they will be on the right side.", "pos": 441233}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "Not a doubt of that, Alice.", "pos": 441274}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "I wish they might be changed altogether.", "pos": 441304}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "Ah! that's impossible. It's very well as a dream; but there are no such men as you want to see,--men really from the people,--strong enough to take high office. A man can't drive four horses because he's a philanthropist,--or rather a philhorseophist, and is desirous that the team should be driven without any hurt to them. A man can't govern well, simply because he is genuinely anxious that men should be well governed.", "pos": 441347}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "And will there never be any such men?", "pos": 441772}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "I won't say that. I don't mind confessing to you that it is my ambition to be such a one myself. But a child must crawl before he can walk. Such a one as I, hoping to do something in politics, must spare no chance. It would be something to me that Mr. Palliser should become the friend of any dear friend of mine,--especially of a dear friend bearing the same name.", "pos": 441812}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "I'm afraid, George, you'll find me a bad hand at making any such friendship.", "pos": 442180}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "They say he is led immensely by his wife, and that she is very clever. But I mean this chiefly, Alice, that I do hope I shall have all your sympathy in any political career that I may make, and all your assistance also.", "pos": 442259}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "My sympathy I think I can promise you. My assistance, I fear, would be worthless.", "pos": 442481}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "By no means worthless, Alice; not if I see you take that place in the world which I hope to see you fill. Do you think women nowadays have no bearing upon the politics of the times? Almost as much as men have.", "pos": 442565}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "Dear Alice, I'm so glad you've come. Look here, dear; your maid can go in the dog-cart with your things, she'll be quite comfortable there; and do you get in here. Are you very cold?", "pos": 444350}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "Oh, no; not cold at all.", "pos": 444625}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "But it is awfully cold. You've been in the stuffy carriage, but you'll find it cold enough out here, I can tell you.", "pos": 444652}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "Oh! Lady Glencora, I am so sorry that I've brought you out on such a morning,", "pos": 444771}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "What nonsense! Sorry! Why I've looked forward to meeting you all alone, ever since I knew you were coming. If it had snowed all the morning I should have come just the same. I drive out almost every day when I'm down here,--that is, when the house is not too crowded, or I can make an excuse. Wrap these things over you; there are plenty of them. You shall drive if you like.", "pos": 444932}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "I like driving better than anything, I think. Mr. Palliser doesn't like ladies to hunt, and of course it wouldn't do as he does not hunt himself. I do ride, but he never gets on horseback. I almost fancy I should like to drive four-in-hand,--only I know I should be afraid. It would look very terrible,", "pos": 445413}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "Yes; wouldn't it? The look would be the worst of it; as it is all the world over. Sometimes I wish there were no such things as looks. I don't mean anything improper, you know; only one does get so hampered, right and left, for fear of Mrs. Grundy. I endeavour to go straight, and get along pretty well on the whole, I suppose. Baker, you must put Dandy in the bar; he pulls so, going home, that I can't hold him in the check. They're called Dandy and Flirt. Ain't they a beautiful match? The Duke gave them to me and named them himself. Did you ever see the Duke?", "pos": 445732}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "Never,", "pos": 446580}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "He won't be here before Christmas, but you shall be introduced some day in London. He's an excellent creature and I'm a great pet of his; though, after all, I never speak half a dozen words to him when I see him. He's one of those people who never talk. I'm one of those who like talking, as you'll find out. I think it runs in families; and the Pallisers are non-talkers. That doesn't mean that they are not speakers, for Mr. Palliser has plenty to say in the House, and they declare that he's one of the few public men who've got lungs enough to make a financial statement without breaking down.", "pos": 446601}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "You're not tired of me already, I hope. I didn't mean that. I delight in the drive. But somehow one expects Matching Station to be near Matching.", "pos": 447676}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "Ah, yes; that's a great cheat. It's not Matching Station at all but Matching Road Station, and it's eight miles. It is a great bore, for though the omnibus brings our parcels, we have to be constantly sending over, and it's very expensive, I can assure you. I want Mr. Palliser to have a branch, but he says he would have to take all the shares himself, and that would cost more, I suppose.", "pos": 447859}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "Is there a town at Matching?", "pos": 448252}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "Oh, a little bit of a place. I'll go round by it if you like, and in at the further gate.", "pos": 448283}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "Oh, no!", "pos": 448375}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "Ah, but I should like. It was a borough once, and belonged to the Duke; but they put it out at the Reform Bill. They made some kind of bargain;--he was to keep either Silverbridge or Matching, but not both. Mr. Palliser sits for Silverbridge, you know. The Duke chose Silverbridge,--or rather his father did, as he was then going to build his great place in Barsetshire;--that's near Silverbridge. But the Matching people haven't forgiven him yet. He was sitting for Matching himself when the Reform Bill passed. Then his father died, and he hasn't lived there much since. It's a great deal nicer place than Gatherum Castle, only not half so grand. I hate grandeur; don't you?", "pos": 448397}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "I never tried much of it, as you have.", "pos": 449076}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "Come now; that's not fair. There's no one in the world less grand than I am.", "pos": 449117}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "I mean that I've not had grand people about me.", "pos": 449196}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "Having cut all your cousins,--and Lady Midlothian in particular, like a naughty girl as you are. I was so angry with you when you accused me of selling you about that. You ought to have known that I was the last person in the world to have done such a thing.", "pos": 449246}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "I did not think you meant to sell me, but I thought--", "pos": 449507}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "Yes, you did, Alice. I know what you thought; you thought that Lady Midlothian was making a tool of me that I might bring you under her thumb, so that she might bully you into Mr. Grey's arms. That's what you thought. I don't know that I was at all entitled to your good opinion, but I was not entitled to that special bad opinion.", "pos": 449563}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "I had no bad opinion;--but it was so necessary that I should guard myself.", "pos": 449897}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "You shall be guarded. I'll take you under my shield. Mr. Grey shan't be named to you, except that I shall expect you to tell me all about it; and you must tell me all about that dangerous cousin, too, of whom they were saying such terrible things down in Scotland. I had heard of him before.", "pos": 449974}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "This is the beginning of the park. And that is Matching oak, under which Coeur de Lion or Edward the Third, I forget which, was met by Sir Guy de Palisere as he came from the war, or from hunting, or something of that kind. It was the king, you know, who had been fighting or whatever it was, and Sir Guy entertained him when he was very tired. Jeffrey Palliser, who is my husband's cousin, says that old Sir Guy luckily pulled out his brandy-flask. But the king immediately gave him all the lands of Matching,--only there was a priory then and a lot of monks, and I don't quite understand how that was. But I know one of the younger brothers always used to be abbot and sit in the House of Lords. And the king gave him Littlebury at the same time, which is about seven miles away from here. As Jeffrey Palliser says, it was a great deal of money for a pull at his flask. Jeffrey Palliser is here now, and I hope you'll like him. If I have no child, and Mr. Palliser were not to marry again, Jeffrey would be the heir.", "pos": 450873}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "I suppose that's the way most of the old families got their estates.", "pos": 452194}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "Either so, or by robbery. Many of them were terrible thieves, my dear, and I dare say Sir Guy was no better than he should be. But since that they have always called some of the Pallisers Plantagenet. My husband's name is Plantagenet. The Duke is called George Plantagenet, and the king was his godfather. The queen is my godmother, I believe, but I don't know that I'm much the better for it. There's no use in godfathers and godmothers;--do you think there is?", "pos": 452265}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "Not much as it's managed now.", "pos": 452730}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "If I had a child,-- Oh, Alice, it's a dreadful thing not to have a child when so much depends on it!", "pos": 452762}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "But you're such a short time married yet.", "pos": 452865}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "Ah, well; I can see it in his eyes when he asks me questions; but I don't think he'd say an unkind word, not if his own position depended on it. Ah, well; this is Matching. That other gate we passed, where Dandy wanted to turn in,--that's where we usually go up, but I've brought you round to show you the town. That's the inn,--whoever can possibly come to stay there I don't know; I never saw anybody go in or out. That's the baker who bakes our bread,--we baked it at the house at first, but nobody could eat it; and I know that that man there mends Mr. Palliser's shoes. He's very particular about his shoes. We shall see the church as we go in at the other gate. It is in the park, and is very pretty,--but not half so pretty as the priory ruins close to the house. The ruins are our great lion. I do so love to wander about them at moonlight. I often think of you when I do; I don't know why.--But I do know why, and I'll tell you some day. Come, Miss Flirt!", "pos": 452909}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "There's Mr. Palliser, that shows that you are an honoured guest, for you may be sure that he is hard at work and would not have come out for anybody else. Plantagenet, here is Miss Vavasor, perished. Alice, my husband.", "pos": 455039}
{"speaker": "Mr. Palliser", "text": "I hope you've not found it very cold. The winter has come upon us quite suddenly.", "pos": 455345}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "Are the people all out?", "pos": 456524}
{"speaker": "Mr. Palliser", "text": "The men have not come in from shooting;--at least I think not;--and some of the ladies are driving, I suppose. But I haven't seen anybody since you went.", "pos": 456570}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "Of course you haven't. He never has time, Alice, to see any one. But we'll go up-stairs, dear. I told them to let us have tea in my dressing-room, as I thought you'd like that better than going into the drawing-room before you had taken off your things. You must be famished, I know. Then you can come down, or if you want to avoid two dressings you can sit over the fire up-stairs till dinner-time. Here's my dressing-room, and here's your room all but opposite. You look out into the park. It's pretty, isn't it? But come into my dressing-room, and see the ruins out of the window. Isn't it pretty? I call it my dressing-room because in that way I can keep people out of it, but I have my brushes and soap in a little closet there, and my clothes,--my clothes are everywhere I suppose, only there are none of them here. Isn't it pretty?", "pos": 456726}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "Very pretty.", "pos": 458122}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "The Duke did it all. He understands such things thoroughly. Now to Mr. Palliser a dressing-room is a dressing-room, and a bedroom a bedroom. He cares for nothing being pretty; not even his wife, or he wouldn't have married me.", "pos": 458137}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "You wouldn't say that if you meant it.", "pos": 458366}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "Well, I don't know. Sometimes when I look at myself, when I simply am myself, with no making up or grimacing, you know, I think I'm the ugliest young woman the sun ever shone on. And in ten years' time I shall be the ugliest old woman. Only think,--my hair is beginning to get grey, and I'm not twenty-one yet. Look at it; But there's one comfort; he doesn't care about beauty. How old are you?", "pos": 458407}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "Over five-and-twenty,", "pos": 458859}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "Nonsense;--then I oughtn't to have asked you. I am so sorry.", "pos": 458895}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "That's nonsense at any rate. Why should you think I should be ashamed of my age?", "pos": 458958}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "I don't know why, only somehow, people are; and I didn't think you were so old. Five-and-twenty seems so old to me. It would be nothing if you were married; only, you see, you won't get married.", "pos": 459041}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "Perhaps I may yet; some day.", "pos": 459238}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "Of course you will. You'll have to give way. You'll find that they'll get the better of you. Your father will storm at you, and Lady Macleod will preach at you, and Lady Midlothian will jump upon you.", "pos": 459269}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "I'm not a bit afraid of Lady Midlothian.", "pos": 459472}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "I know what it is, my dear, to be jumped upon. We talked with such horror of the French people giving their daughters in marriage, just as they might sell a house or a field, but we do exactly the same thing ourselves. When they all come upon you in earnest how are you to stand against them? How can any girl do it?", "pos": 459515}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "I think I shall be able.", "pos": 459834}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "To be sure you're older,--and you are not so heavily weighted. But never mind; I didn't mean to talk about that;--not yet at any rate. Well, now, my dear, I must go down. The Duchess of St. Bungay is here, and Mr. Palliser will be angry if I don't do pretty to her. The Duke is to be the new President of the Council, or rather, I believe he is President now. I try to remember it all, but it is so hard when one doesn't really care two pence how it goes. Not but what I'm very anxious that Mr. Palliser should be Chancellor of the Exchequer. And now, will you remain here, or will you come down with me, or will you go to your own room, and I'll call for you when I go down to dinner? We dine at eight.", "pos": 459861}
{"speaker": "Jane", "text": "I shall feel so strange, ma'am, among all those people down-stairs. They all seem to look at me as though they didn't know who I was.", "pos": 460827}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "You'll get over that soon, Jane.", "pos": 460980}
{"speaker": "Jane", "text": "I suppose I shall; but you see, they're all like knowing each other, miss.", "pos": 461015}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "How do you get on below, Jane?", "pos": 463872}
{"speaker": "Jane", "text": "Why, miss, they are uncommon civil, and I don't think after all it will be so bad. We had our teas very comfortable in the housekeeper's room. There are five or six of us altogether, all ladies'-maids, miss; and there's nothing on earth to do all the day long, only sit and do a little needlework over the fire.", "pos": 463929}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "Let me see. I'll tell Jeffrey to take you in to dinner. He's about the easiest young man we have here. He rather turns up his nose at everything, but that doesn't make him the less agreeable; does it, dear?--unless he turns up his nose at you, you know.", "pos": 464595}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "But perhaps he will.", "pos": 464898}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "No; he won't do that. That would be uncourteous,--and he's the most courteous man in the world. There's nobody here, you see, and I didn't suppose there would be. It's always proper to be first in one's own house. I do so try to be proper,--and it is such trouble. Talking of people earning their bread, Alice;--I'm sure I earn mine. Oh dear!--what fun it would be to be sitting somewhere in Asia, eating a chicken with one's fingers, and lighting a big fire outside one's tent to keep off the lions and tigers. Fancy your being on one side of the fire and the lions and tigers on the other, grinning at you through the flames!", "pos": 464920}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "That sort of grin wouldn't frighten me,", "pos": 465671}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "I dare say not. I have been reading about it in that woman's travels. Oh, here they are, and I mustn't make any more faces. Duchess, do come to the fire. I hope you've got warm again. This is my cousin, Miss Vavasor.", "pos": 465725}
{"speaker": "Duchess", "text": "I don't know how you manage in your house, but the staircases are so comfortable. Now at Longroyston we've taken all the trouble in the world,--put down hot-water pipes all over the house, and everything else that could be thought of, and yet, you can't move about the place without meeting with draughts at every corner of the passages.", "pos": 466046}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "I was telling Lady Glencora, Miss Palliser, that I never knew a house so warm as this,--or, I'm sorry to say, so cold as Longroyston.", "pos": 466690}
{"speaker": "Iphigenia Palliser", "text": "It's always easy to warm a small house like this, and I suppose equally difficult to warm a large one such as Longroyston.", "pos": 467594}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "We've got no pipes, Duchess, at any rate,", "pos": 467916}
{"speaker": "Mr. Palliser", "text": "My wife has been thinking so much of your coming. I hope we shall be able to amuse you.", "pos": 468626}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "You must take my cousin, Alice Vavasor, in to dinner. Alice Vavasor, and;--will you oblige me to-day?", "pos": 468994}
{"speaker": "Jeffrey Palliser", "text": "Yes;--as you ask me like that.", "pos": 469095}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "Then try to make her comfortable.", "pos": 469128}
{"speaker": "Duke", "text": "Oh, indeed; I'm glad of that. We're sadly in want of a few leading Radicals, and perhaps I may be able to gain one now.", "pos": 469857}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "But I'm afraid I never shall be a leading Radical,", "pos": 470099}
{"speaker": "Duke", "text": "You shall lead me at any rate, if you will,", "pos": 470162}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "As the little dogs lead the blind men,", "pos": 470217}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "No. No, Lady Glencora, not so. But as the pretty women lead the men who have eyes in their head. There is nothing I want so much, Miss Vavasor, as to become a Radical;--if I only knew how. I think it's very easy to know how,", "pos": 470278}
{"speaker": "Duke", "text": "Do you? I don't. I've voted for every liberal measure that has come seriously before Parliament since I had a seat in either House, and I've not been able to get beyond Whiggery yet.", "pos": 470515}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "Have you voted for the ballot?", "pos": 470700}
{"speaker": "Duke", "text": "Well; no, I've not. And I suppose that is the crux. But the ballot has never been seriously brought before any House in which I have sat. I hate it with so keen a private hatred, that I doubt whether I could vote for it.", "pos": 470808}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "But the Radicals love it,", "pos": 471031}
{"speaker": "Duke", "text": "Palliser, I'm told you can never be entitled to call yourself a Radical till you've voted for the ballot.", "pos": 471131}
{"speaker": "Mr. Palliser", "text": "I don't want to be called a Radical, or to be called anything at all.", "pos": 471239}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "Except Chancellor of the Exchequer,", "pos": 471333}
{"speaker": "Duke", "text": "And that's about the finest ambition by which a man can be moved. The man who can manage the purse-strings of this country can manage anything.", "pos": 471406}
{"speaker": "Jeffrey Palliser", "text": "I was especially commissioned to amuse you. But when I undertook the task I had no conception that you would be calling Cabinet Ministers over the coals about their politics.", "pos": 471629}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "I did nothing of the kind, surely, Mr. Palliser. I suppose all Radicals do vote for the ballot, and that's why I said it.", "pos": 471844}
{"speaker": "Jeffrey Palliser", "text": "Your definition was perfectly just, I dare say, only--", "pos": 471968}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "Only what?", "pos": 472025}
{"speaker": "Jeffrey Palliser", "text": "Lady Glencora need not have been so anxious to provide specially for your amusement. Not but what I'm very much obliged to her,--of course. But Miss Vavasor, unfortunately I'm not a politician. I haven't a chance of a seat in the House, and so I despise politics.", "pos": 472038}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "Women are not allowed to be politicians in this country.", "pos": 472304}
{"speaker": "Jeffrey Palliser", "text": "Thank God, they can't do much in that way;--not directly, I mean. Only think where we should be if we had a feminine House of Commons, with feminine debates, carried on, of course, with feminine courtesy. My cousins Iphy and Phemy there would of course be members. You don't know them yet?", "pos": 472363}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "No; not yet. Are they politicians?", "pos": 472655}
{"speaker": "Jeffrey Palliser", "text": "Not especially. They have their tendencies, which are decidedly liberal. There has never been a Tory Palliser known, you know. But they are too clever to give themselves up to anything in which they can do nothing. Being women they live a depressed life, devoting themselves to literature, fine arts, social economy, and the abstract sciences. They write wonderful letters; but I believe their correspondence lists are quite full, so that you have no chance at present of getting on either of them.", "pos": 472692}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "I haven't the slightest pretension to ask for such an honour.", "pos": 473193}
{"speaker": "Jeffrey Palliser", "text": "Oh! if you mean because you don't know them, that has nothing to do with it.", "pos": 473257}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "But I have no claim either private or public.", "pos": 473336}
{"speaker": "Jeffrey Palliser", "text": "That has nothing to do with it either. They don't at all seek people of note as their correspondents. Free communication with all the world is their motto, and Rowland Hill is the god they worship. Only they have been forced to guard themselves against too great an accession of paper and ink. Are you fond of writing letters, Miss Vavasor?", "pos": 473384}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "Yes, to my friends; but I like getting them better.", "pos": 473727}
{"speaker": "Jeffrey Palliser", "text": "I shrewdly suspect they don't read half what they get. Is it possible any one should go through two sheets of paper filled by our friend the Duchess there? No; their delight is in writing. They sit each at her desk after breakfast, and go on till lunch. There is a little rivalry between them, not expressed to each other, but visible to their friends. Iphy certainly does get off the greater number, and I'm told crosses quite as often as Phemy, but then she has the advantage of a bolder and larger hand.", "pos": 473781}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "Do they write to you?", "pos": 474290}
{"speaker": "Jeffrey Palliser", "text": "Oh, dear no. I don't think they ever write to any relative. They don't discuss family affairs and such topics as that. Architecture goes a long way with them, and whether women ought to be clerks in public offices. Iphy has certain American correspondents that take up much of her time, but she acknowledges she does not read their letters.", "pos": 474314}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "Then I certainly shall not write to her.", "pos": 474657}
{"speaker": "Jeffrey Palliser", "text": "But you are not American, I hope. I do hate the Americans. It's the only strong political feeling I have. I went there once, and found I couldn't live with them on any terms.", "pos": 474700}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "But they please themselves. I don't see they are to be hated because they don't live after our fashion.", "pos": 474877}
{"speaker": "Jeffrey Palliser", "text": "Oh; it's jealousy of course. I know that. I didn't come across a cab-driver who wasn't a much better educated man than I am. And as for their women, they know everything. But I hated them, and I intend to hate them. You haven't been there?", "pos": 474983}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "Oh no.", "pos": 475225}
{"speaker": "Jeffrey Palliser", "text": "Then I will make bold to say that any English lady who spent a month with them and didn't hate them would have very singular tastes. I begin to think they'll eat each other up, and then there'll come an entirely new set of people of a different sort. I always regarded the States as a Sodom and Gomorrah, prospering in wickedness, on which fire and brimstone were sure to fall sooner or later.", "pos": 475234}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "I think that's wicked.", "pos": 475630}
{"speaker": "Jeffrey Palliser", "text": "I am wicked, as Topsy used to say. Do you hunt?", "pos": 475655}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "No.", "pos": 475705}
{"speaker": "Jeffrey Palliser", "text": "Do you shoot?", "pos": 475711}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "Shoot! What; with a gun?", "pos": 475727}
{"speaker": "Jeffrey Palliser", "text": "Yes. I was staying in a house last week with a lady who shot a good deal.", "pos": 475754}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "No; I don't shoot.", "pos": 475830}
{"speaker": "Jeffrey Palliser", "text": "Do you ride?", "pos": 475851}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "No; I wish I did. I have never ridden because I've no one to ride with me.", "pos": 475866}
{"speaker": "Jeffrey Palliser", "text": "Do you drive?", "pos": 475943}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "No; I don't drive either.", "pos": 475959}
{"speaker": "Jeffrey Palliser", "text": "Then what do you do?", "pos": 475987}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "I sit at home, and--", "pos": 476010}
{"speaker": "Jeffrey Palliser", "text": "Mend your stockings?", "pos": 476033}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "No; I don't do that, because it's disagreeable; but I do work a good deal. Sometimes I have amused myself by reading.", "pos": 476056}
{"speaker": "Jeffrey Palliser", "text": "Ah; they never do that here. I have heard that there is a library, but the clue to it has been lost, and nobody now knows the way. I don't believe in libraries. Nobody ever goes into a library to read, any more than you would into a larder to eat. But there is this difference;--the food you consume does come out of the larders, but the books you read never come out of the libraries.", "pos": 476176}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "Except Mudie's,", "pos": 476564}
{"speaker": "Jeffrey Palliser", "text": "Ah, yes; he is the great librarian. And you mean to read all the time you are here, Miss Vavasor?", "pos": 476594}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "I mean to walk about the priory ruins sometimes.", "pos": 476694}
{"speaker": "Jeffrey Palliser", "text": "Then you must go by moonlight, and I'll go with you. Only isn't it rather late in the year for that?", "pos": 476745}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "I should think it is,--for you, Mr. Palliser.", "pos": 476848}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "Jeffrey is a pleasant fellow, is he not?", "pos": 477652}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "Very pleasant;--a little sarcastic, perhaps.", "pos": 477788}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "I should think you would soon find yourself able to get the better of that if he tries it upon you,", "pos": 477835}
{"speaker": "Mrs. Conway Sparkes", "text": "Then we had better keep continually moving,", "pos": 478150}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "I hope we may be warm here too,", "pos": 478400}
{"speaker": "Mrs. Conway Sparkes", "text": "But not deliciously warm,", "pos": 478454}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "It makes me tremble in every limb when Mrs. Sparkes attacks her, for I know she'll tell the Duke; and he'll tell that tall man with red hair whom you see standing about, and the tall man with red hair will tell Mr. Palliser, and then I shall catch it. He's a political link between the Duke and Mr. Palliser. His name is Bott, and he's a Member of Parliament. I suppose it's his business. I don't quite understand all the ins and outs of it. I believe he's to be one of Mr. Palliser's private secretaries if he becomes Chancellor of the Exchequer. Perhaps he doesn't tell;--only I think he does all the same. He always calls me Lady Glen-cowrer. He comes out of Lancashire, and made calico as long as he could get any cotton.", "pos": 478508}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "can you play billiards? Then you shall learn to-night, and if nobody else will teach you, you shall be my pupil. You'll play, Duchess, of course,", "pos": 480426}
{"speaker": "Duchess", "text": "It is so nice and warm, that I think I will,", "pos": 480727}
{"speaker": "Mrs. Conway Sparkes", "text": "Let us all play, and then it will be nicer,--and perhaps warmer, too.", "pos": 480897}
{"speaker": "Mrs. Conway Sparkes", "text": "I wish I could play billiards. I do indeed.", "pos": 481801}
{"speaker": "Duchess", "text": "I thought you said you were coming to play,", "pos": 481895}
{"speaker": "Mrs. Conway Sparkes", "text": "Only to see your Grace,", "pos": 482048}
{"speaker": "Duchess", "text": "I don't know that there is anything more to see in me than in anybody else. Mr. Palliser, that was a cannon. Will you mark that for our side?", "pos": 482093}
{"speaker": "Mr. Palliser", "text": "Oh no, Duchess, you hit the same ball twice.", "pos": 482257}
{"speaker": "Duchess", "text": "Very well;--then I suppose Miss Vavasor plays now. That was a miss. Will you mark that, if you please?", "pos": 482304}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "I'll come into your room just for one minute. Would you mind going into my room--it's just there, and sitting with Ellen for a minute? I must keep you up for a quarter of an hour while I tell you something. But first of all, how do you like the people? Will you be able to be comfortable with them? But I've got something to tell you. Sit down opposite to me, and look at the fire while I look at you.", "pos": 483196}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "Is it anything terrible?", "pos": 484189}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "It's nothing wrong.", "pos": 484216}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "Oh, Lady Glencora, if it's--", "pos": 484238}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "I won't have you call me Lady Glencora. Don't I call you Alice? Why are you so unkind to me? I have not come to you now asking you to do for me anything that you ought not to do.", "pos": 484269}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "But you are going to tell me something.", "pos": 484450}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "Tell you something;--of course I am. I'm going to tell you that,--that in writing to you the other day I wrote a fib. But it wasn't that I wished to deceive you;--only I couldn't say it all in a letter.", "pos": 484654}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "Say all what?", "pos": 484859}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "You know I confessed that I had been very bad in not coming to you in London last year.", "pos": 484875}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "I never thought of it for a moment.", "pos": 484965}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "You did not care whether I came or not: was that it? But never mind. Why should you have cared? But I cared. I told you in my letter that I didn't come because I had so many things on hand. Of course that was a fib.", "pos": 485003}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "Everybody makes excuses of that kind,", "pos": 485221}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "But they don't make them to the very people of all others whom they want to know and love. I was longing to come to you every day. But I feared I could not come without speaking of him;--and I had determined never to speak of him again.", "pos": 485273}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "Then why do it now, Lady Glencora?", "pos": 485581}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "I won't be called Lady Glencora. Call me Cora. I had a sister once, older than I, and she used to call me Cora. If she had lived--. But never mind that now. She didn't live. I'll tell you why I do it now. Because I cannot help it. Besides, I've met him. I've been in the same room with him, and have spoken to him. What's the good of any such resolution now?", "pos": 485618}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "And you have met him?", "pos": 485979}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "Yes; he--Mr. Palliser--knew all about it. When he talked of taking me to the house, I whispered to him that I thought Burgo would be there.", "pos": 486003}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "Do not call him by his Christian name,", "pos": 486145}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "Why not?--why not his Christian name? I did when I told my husband. Or perhaps I said Burgo Fitzgerald.", "pos": 486221}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "Well.", "pos": 486327}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "And he bade me go. He said it didn't signify, and that I had better learn to bear it. Bear it, indeed! If I am to meet him, and speak to him, and look at him, surely I may mention his name. May I not?", "pos": 486335}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "What am I to say?", "pos": 486575}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "Anything you please, that's not a falsehood. But I've got you here because I don't think you will tell a falsehood. Oh, Alice, I do so want to go right, and it is so hard! I knew you would be good to me. I knew you would. And you may say whatever you like. But I could not bear that you should not know the real reason why I neither came to you nor sent for you after we went to London. You'll come to me now; won't you, dear?", "pos": 486612}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "Yes;--and you'll come to me. But I'll come to you, whether you come to me or not.", "pos": 487516}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "I will go to you, of course,--why shouldn't I? But you know what I mean. We shall have dinners and parties and lots of people.", "pos": 487867}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "And we shall have none,", "pos": 488018}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "And therefore there is so much more excuse for your coming to me;--or rather I mean so much more reason, for I don't want excuses. Well, dear, I'm so glad I've told you. I was afraid to see you in London. I should hardly have known how to look at you then. But I've got over that now. I declare it's ever so much past twelve. Good night, now, dear. I wonder whether he's come up. But I should have heard his step if he had. He never treads lightly. He seldom gives over work till after one, and sometimes goes on till three. It's the only thing he likes, I believe. God bless you! good night. I've such a deal more to say to you; and Alice, you must tell me something about yourself, too; won't you, dear?", "pos": 488065}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "You must know that I have really loved him.", "pos": 495411}
{"speaker": "Mr. Palliser", "text": "You must love me now,", "pos": 495457}
{"speaker": "Duke of St. Bungay", "text": "If you don't like the people, my dear, we will go away,", "pos": 503229}
{"speaker": "Duchess of St. Bungay", "text": "No. I do not wish to go away. I have said that we would stay till December, and Longroyston won't be ready before that. But I think that something ought to be done to silence that woman.", "pos": 503348}
{"speaker": "Duke of St. Bungay", "text": "I don't think she is worth your attention,", "pos": 503817}
{"speaker": "Duchess of St. Bungay", "text": "That's all very well, Duke, and perhaps she is not. But I find her in this house, and I don't like to be laughed at. I think Lady Glencora should make her know her place.", "pos": 503880}
{"speaker": "Duke of St. Bungay", "text": "Lady Glencora is very young, my dear.", "pos": 504070}
{"speaker": "Duchess of St. Bungay", "text": "I don't know about being so very young,", "pos": 504110}
{"speaker": "Mr. Palliser", "text": "And Mr. Bott is coming,", "pos": 506186}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "Mr. Bott! Goodness me! who is Mr. Bott?", "pos": 506247}
{"speaker": "Mr. Palliser", "text": "He is member for St. Helens. A very serviceable man in his way.", "pos": 506319}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "And what am I to do with him?", "pos": 506406}
{"speaker": "Mr. Palliser", "text": "I don't know that you can do anything with him. He is a man who has a great deal of business, and I dare say he will spend most of his time in the library.", "pos": 506459}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "I shouldn't dislike Mr. Bott so much, if he didn't rub his hands and smile so often, and seem to be going to say something when he really is not going to say anything.", "pos": 507964}
{"speaker": "Mr. Palliser", "text": "I don't think you need trouble yourself about him, my dear,", "pos": 508171}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "But when he looks at me in that way, I can't help stopping, as I think he is going to speak; and then he always says, 'Can I do anything for you, Lady Glen-cowrer?' Don't be angry with me, dear. You must admit that he is rather a bore.", "pos": 508260}
{"speaker": "Mr. Palliser", "text": "I am not at all angry, Glencora, and if you insist upon it, I will see that he leaves;--and in such case will of course never ask him again. But that might be prejudicial to me, as he is a man whom I trust in politics, and who may perhaps be serviceable to me.", "pos": 508566}
{"speaker": "Duke of St. Bungay", "text": "You seem to have a good man, I should say. What! Hubbings?", "pos": 509799}
{"speaker": "Mr. Palliser", "text": "Yes;--he was a legacy from my uncle when he gave me up the Priory.", "pos": 509875}
{"speaker": "Duke of St. Bungay", "text": "A very good man, I should say. Of course he won't make it pay; but he'll make it look as though it did;--which is the next best thing. I could never get rent out of land that I farmed myself,--never.", "pos": 509944}
{"speaker": "Mr. Palliser", "text": "I suppose not,", "pos": 510146}
{"speaker": "Mr. Bott", "text": "We shall muster pretty strong, your Grace,", "pos": 510710}
{"speaker": "Duke of St. Bungay", "text": "That depends on how the changes go,", "pos": 510803}
{"speaker": "Mr. Bott", "text": "I suppose there will be a change?", "pos": 510856}
{"speaker": "Duke of St. Bungay", "text": "Oh yes; there'll be a change,--certainly, I should say. And it will be in your direction.", "pos": 510892}
{"speaker": "Mr. Bott", "text": "And in Palliser's?", "pos": 510984}
{"speaker": "Duke of St. Bungay", "text": "Yes; I should think so;--that is, if it suits him. By-the-by, Mr. Bott--", "pos": 511005}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "We always are to do that. It is the state occasion at Gatherum Castle, but it only lasts for one week. Then we go somewhere else. Oh dear!", "pos": 511628}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "Why do you say 'oh dear'?", "pos": 511786}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "Because--; I don't think I mean to tell you.", "pos": 511814}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "Then I'm sure I won't ask.", "pos": 511861}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "That's so like you, Alice. But I can be as firm as you, and I'm sure I won't tell you unless you do ask.", "pos": 511890}
{"speaker": "Duchess of St. Bungay", "text": "her cousin was a very nice person,--a very nice person indeed. What a pity it was that she had been so ill-treated by that gentleman in Oxfordshire! Do you mean that she--jilted him? Dear me, I'm sorry for that. I shouldn't have thought it.", "pos": 512403}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "I rather think not,", "pos": 513322}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "But what has thinking to do with it? Who ever thinks about it?", "pos": 513356}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "I don't just at present,--at any rate.", "pos": 513421}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "Upon my word it would be very nice;--and then perhaps some day you'd be the Duchess.", "pos": 513462}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "Glencora, don't talk such nonsense.", "pos": 513549}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "Those are the speculations which people make. Only I should spite you by killing myself, so that he might marry again.", "pos": 513587}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "How can you say such horrid things?", "pos": 513708}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "I think I shall,--some day. What right have I to stand in his way? He spoke to me the other day about Jeffrey's altered position, and I knew what he meant;--or rather what he didn't mean to say, but what he thought. But I shan't kill myself.", "pos": 513746}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "I should think not.", "pos": 513990}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "I only know one other way,", "pos": 514012}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "You are thinking of things which should never be in your thoughts. Have you no trust in God's providence? Cannot you accept what has been done for you?", "pos": 514061}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "I did not tell you. I did not tell you before he went that I was right about his tale-bearing.", "pos": 514424}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "And did he bear tales?", "pos": 514558}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "Yes; I did get the scolding, and I know very well that it came through him, though Mr. Palliser did not say so. But he told me that the Duchess had felt herself hurt by that other woman's way of talking.", "pos": 514583}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "But it was not your fault.", "pos": 514789}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "No; that's what I said. It was he who desired me to ask Mrs. Conway Sparkes to come here. I didn't want her. She goes everywhere, and it is thought a catch to get her; but if she had been drowned in the Red Sea I shouldn't have minded. When I told him that, he said it was nonsense,--which of course it was; and then he said I ought to make her hold her tongue. Of course I said I couldn't. Mrs. Conway Sparkes wouldn't care for me. If she quizzed me, myself, I told him that I could take care of myself, though she were ten times Mrs. Conway Sparkes, and had written finer poetry than Tennyson.", "pos": 514818}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "It is fine;--some of it,", "pos": 515416}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "Oh, I dare say! I know a great deal of it by heart, only I wouldn't give her the pleasure of supposing that I had ever thought so much about her poetry. And then I told him that I couldn't take care of the Duchess,--and he told me that I was a child.", "pos": 515455}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "He only meant that in love.", "pos": 515708}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "I am a child; I know that. Why didn't he marry some strong-minded, ferocious woman that could keep his house in order, and frown Mrs. Sparkes out of her impudence? It wasn't my fault.", "pos": 515738}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "You didn't tell him that.", "pos": 515924}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "But I did. Then he kissed me, and said it was all right, and told me that I should grow older. 'And Mrs. Sparkes will grow more impudent,' I said, 'and the Duchess more silly.' And after that I went away. Now this horrid Mr. Bott has come back again, and only that it would be mean in me to condescend so far, I would punish him. He grins and smiles at me, and rubs his big hands more than ever, because he feels that he has behaved badly. Is it not horrid to have to live in the house with such people?", "pos": 515952}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "I don't think you need mind him much.", "pos": 516458}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "Yes; but I am the mistress here, and am told that I am to entertain the people. Fancy entertaining the Duchess of St. Bungay and Mr. Bott! Mr. Bott!", "pos": 516498}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "As regards Mr. Bott. I think you should bear it as though there were no such person.", "pos": 516856}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "But that would be pretence,--especially to you. No; it would not be pretence; it would be the reticence which all women should practise,--and you, in your position, more almost than any other woman.", "pos": 516956}
{"speaker": "Mr. Bott", "text": "What a delightful person is our dear friend, Lady Glencora!", "pos": 518251}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "Yes, indeed. How very cold it is to-night!", "pos": 518572}
{"speaker": "Mr. Bott", "text": "Yes, it is cold. You and her ladyship are great friends, I believe, Miss Vavasor.", "pos": 518823}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "She is my cousin,", "pos": 518907}
{"speaker": "Mr. Bott", "text": "Ah! yes; that is so pleasant. I have reason to know that Mr. Palliser is very much gratified that you should be so much with her.", "pos": 518939}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "I don't know that I am very much with her, and if I were I can't think it would make any difference to Mr. Palliser.", "pos": 519249}
{"speaker": "Mr. Bott", "text": "I can assure you that those are his sentiments. Of course we all know that dear Lady Glencora is young. She is very young.", "pos": 519441}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "Mr. Bott, I really would rather not talk about my cousin.", "pos": 519566}
{"speaker": "Mr. Bott", "text": "But, dear Miss Vavasor;--when we both have her welfare in view--?", "pos": 519626}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "I haven't her welfare in view, Mr. Bott; not in the least. There is no reason why I should. You must excuse me if I say I cannot talk about her welfare with a perfect stranger.", "pos": 519694}
{"speaker": "Mr. Palliser", "text": "It is a pity you should do nothing all your life,", "pos": 522334}
{"speaker": "Jeffrey Palliser", "text": "What am I to do?", "pos": 522572}
{"speaker": "Mr. Palliser", "text": "At any rate you might marry.", "pos": 522605}
{"speaker": "Jeffrey Palliser", "text": "Oh, yes;--I could marry. There's no man so poor but what he can do that. The question would be how I might like the subsequent starvation.", "pos": 522636}
{"speaker": "Mr. Palliser", "text": "I don't see that you need starve. Though your own fortune is small, it is something,--and many girls have fortunes of their own.", "pos": 522777}
{"speaker": "Jeffrey Palliser", "text": "I don't think I'm very good at that kind of thing. When the father and mother came to ask of my house and my home I should break down. I don't say it as praising myself;--indeed, quite the reverse; but I fear I have not a mercenary tendency.", "pos": 522984}
{"speaker": "Mr. Palliser", "text": "That's nonsense.", "pos": 523239}
{"speaker": "Jeffrey Palliser", "text": "Oh, yes; quite so. I admit that.", "pos": 523258}
{"speaker": "Mr. Palliser", "text": "Men must have mercenary tendencies or they would not have bread. The man who ploughs that he may live does so because he, luckily, has a mercenary tendency.", "pos": 523293}
{"speaker": "Jeffrey Palliser", "text": "Just so. But you see I am less lucky than the ploughman.", "pos": 523452}
{"speaker": "Mr. Palliser", "text": "There is no vulgar error so vulgar,--that is to say, common or erroneous, as that by which men have been taught to say that mercenary tendencies are bad. A desire for wealth is the source of all progress. Civilization comes from what men call greed. Let your mercenary tendencies be combined with honesty and they cannot take you astray.", "pos": 523511}
{"speaker": "Jeffrey Palliser", "text": "But I haven't got any such tendencies,", "pos": 523995}
{"speaker": "Plantagenet Palliser", "text": "Would you like to occupy a farm in Scotland?", "pos": 524050}
{"speaker": "Jeffrey Palliser", "text": "And pay rent?", "pos": 524124}
{"speaker": "Mr. Palliser", "text": "You would have to pay rent of course.", "pos": 524140}
{"speaker": "Jeffrey Palliser", "text": "Thank you, no. It would be dishonest, as I know I should never pay it.", "pos": 524180}
{"speaker": "Mr. Palliser", "text": "You are too old, I fear, for the public service.", "pos": 524253}
{"speaker": "Jeffrey Palliser", "text": "You mean a desk in the Treasury,--with a hundred a year. Yes; I think I am too old.", "pos": 524304}
{"speaker": "Mr. Palliser", "text": "But have you no plan of your own?", "pos": 524390}
{"speaker": "Jeffrey Palliser", "text": "Not much of one. Sometimes I have thought I would go to New Zealand.", "pos": 524426}
{"speaker": "Mr. Palliser", "text": "You would have to be a farmer there.", "pos": 524497}
{"speaker": "Jeffrey Palliser", "text": "No;--I shouldn't do that. I should get up an opposition to the Government and that sort of thing, and then they would buy me off and give me a place.", "pos": 524536}
{"speaker": "Mr. Palliser", "text": "That does very well here, Jeffrey, if a man can get into Parliament and has capital enough to wait; but I don't think it would do out there. Would you like to go into Parliament?", "pos": 524688}
{"speaker": "Jeffrey Palliser", "text": "What; here? Of course I should. Only I should be sure to get terribly into debt. I don't owe very much, now,--not to speak of,--except what I owe you.", "pos": 524869}
{"speaker": "Mr. Palliser", "text": "You owe nothing to me. No; don't speak of it. I have no brother, and between you and me it means nothing. You see, Jeffrey, it may be that I shall have to look to you as my--my--my heir, in short. That's all true, but still--. In short, I wish you would do something. Do you think about it; and then some day speak to me again.", "pos": 525022}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "Are you going to ride with us after lunch?", "pos": 526487}
{"speaker": "Jeffrey Palliser", "text": "No. I'm going to study.", "pos": 526596}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "To do what?", "pos": 526638}
{"speaker": "Jeffrey Palliser", "text": "To study;--or rather I shall spend to-day in sitting down and considering what I will study. My cousin has just been telling me that I ought to do something.", "pos": 526672}
{"speaker": "Iphigenia", "text": "So you ought,", "pos": 526832}
{"speaker": "Jeffrey Palliser", "text": "But he didn't seem to have any clear opinion what it ought to be. You see there can't be two Chancellors of the Exchequer at the same time. Mrs. Sparkes, what ought a young man like me to set about doing?", "pos": 526900}
{"speaker": "Mrs. Sparkes", "text": "Go into Parliament, I should say,", "pos": 527107}
{"speaker": "Jeffrey Palliser", "text": "Ah, yes; exactly. He had some notion of that kind, too, but he didn't name any particular place. I think I'll try the City of London. They've four there, and of course the chance of getting in would thereby be doubled.", "pos": 527162}
{"speaker": "Duchess", "text": "I thought that commercial men were generally preferred in the City,", "pos": 527383}
{"speaker": "Mrs. Sparkes", "text": "Mr. Palliser means to make a fortune in trade as a preliminary,", "pos": 527528}
{"speaker": "Duchess", "text": "I don't think he meant anything of the kind,", "pos": 527613}
{"speaker": "Jeffrey Palliser", "text": "At any rate I have got to do something, so I can't go and ride,", "pos": 527678}
{"speaker": "Iphigenia", "text": "And you ought to do something,", "pos": 527758}
{"speaker": "Jeffrey Palliser", "text": "What is a man like me to do who wants to do something?", "pos": 528317}
{"speaker": "Mrs. Sparkes", "text": "Mrs. Sparkes says you ought to go into Parliament.", "pos": 528641}
{"speaker": "Jeffrey Palliser", "text": "Yes;--and the dear Duchess would perhaps suggest a house in Belgrave Square. I want to hear your advice now.", "pos": 528694}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "I can only say ditto to Miss Palliser.", "pos": 528805}
{"speaker": "Jeffrey Palliser", "text": "What! Iphy? About procrastination? But you see the more of my time he steals the better it is for me.", "pos": 528846}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "That's the evil you have got to cure.", "pos": 528950}
{"speaker": "Jeffrey Palliser", "text": "My cousin Plantagenet suggested--marriage.", "pos": 528990}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "A very good thing too, I'm sure, only it depends something on the sort of wife you get.", "pos": 529035}
{"speaker": "Jeffrey Palliser", "text": "You mean, of course, how much money she has.", "pos": 529139}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "Not altogether.", "pos": 529186}
{"speaker": "Jeffrey Palliser", "text": "Looking at it from my cousin's point of view, I suppose that it is the only important point. Who are there coming up this year,--in the way of heiresses?", "pos": 529204}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "Upon my word I don't know. In the first place, how much money makes an heiress?", "pos": 529360}
{"speaker": "Jeffrey Palliser", "text": "For such a fellow as me, I suppose ten thousand pounds ought to do.", "pos": 529442}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "That's not much,", "pos": 529512}
{"speaker": "Jeffrey Palliser", "text": "No--; perhaps that's too moderate. But the lower one went in the money speculation, the greater would be the number to choose from, and the better the chance of getting something decent in the woman herself. I have something of my own,--not much you know; so with the lady's ten thousand pounds we might be able to live,--in some second-rate French town perhaps.", "pos": 529583}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "But I don't see what you would gain by that.", "pos": 529948}
{"speaker": "Jeffrey Palliser", "text": "My people here would have got rid of me. That seems to be the great thing. If you hear of any girl with about that sum, moderately good-looking, not too young so that she might know something of the world, decently born, and able to read and write, perhaps you will bear me in mind.", "pos": 529995}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "Yes, I will. When I meet such a one, I will send for you at once.", "pos": 530280}
{"speaker": "Jeffrey Palliser", "text": "You know no such person now?", "pos": 530440}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "Well, no; not just at present.", "pos": 530471}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "I declare I don't think he could do anything better,", "pos": 530504}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "Though your finger were put out for the ring, you should go back, if you did not love him.", "pos": 531446}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "But I did love him,", "pos": 531582}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "Then I don't understand it. I declare I don't think he could do any better,", "pos": 531616}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "If you talk such nonsense, I will not stay,", "pos": 531887}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "But why should it be nonsense? You would be very comfortable with your joint incomes. He is one of the best fellows in the world. It is clear that he likes you; and then we should be so near to each other. I am sure Mr. Palliser would do something for him if he married,--and especially if I asked him.", "pos": 531945}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "I only know of two things against it.", "pos": 532250}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "And what are they?", "pos": 532290}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "That he would not take me for his wife, and that I would not take him for my husband.", "pos": 532311}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "Why not? What do you dislike in him?", "pos": 532399}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "I don't dislike him at all. I like him very much indeed. But one can't marry all the people one likes.", "pos": 532438}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "But what reason is there why you shouldn't marry him?", "pos": 532543}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "This chiefly, that I have just separated myself from a man whom I certainly did love truly, and that I cannot transfer my affections quite so quickly as that.", "pos": 532599}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "It is an unmaidenly thing to do, certainly. Nay, it is unwomanly; but one may be driven. One may be so driven that all gentleness of womanhood is driven out of one.", "pos": 533204}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "Oh, Glencora!", "pos": 533430}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "I did not propose that you should do it as a sudden thing.", "pos": 533446}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "Glencora!", "pos": 533507}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "I did do it suddenly. I know it. I did it like a beast that is driven as its owner chooses. I know it. I was a beast. Oh, Alice, if you know how I hate myself!", "pos": 533519}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "But I love you with all my heart. Glencora, I have learned to love you so dearly!", "pos": 533681}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "Then you are the only being that does. He can't love me. How is it possible? You,--and perhaps another.", "pos": 533779}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "There are many who love you. He loves you. Mr. Palliser loves you.", "pos": 533885}
{"speaker": "Unknown", "text": "It is impossible. I have never said a word to him that could make him love me. I have never done a thing for him that can make him love me. The mother of his child he might have loved, because of that. Why should he love me? We were told to marry each other and did it. When could he have learned to love me? But, Alice, he requires no loving, either to take it or to give it. I wish it were so with me.", "pos": 533953}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "Forgive you! What have I to forgive? You don't suppose I do not know it all, and think of it all without the chance of some stray word like that! Forgive you! I am so grateful that you love me! Some one's love I must have found,--or I could not have remained here.", "pos": 534476}
{"speaker": "Mr. Bott", "text": "Do you intend to prolong your stay here, Miss Vavasor?", "pos": 535842}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "For a few more days, I think,", "pos": 536011}
{"speaker": "Mr. Bott", "text": "Ah--I'm glad of that. Mr. Palliser has pressed me so much to remain till he goes to the Duke's, that I cannot get away sooner. As I am an unmarried man myself, I can employ my time as well in one place as in another;--at this time of the year at least.", "pos": 536055}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "You must find that very convenient,", "pos": 536310}
{"speaker": "Mr. Bott", "text": "Yes, it is convenient. You see in my position,--Parliamentary position, I mean,--I am obliged, as a public man, to act in concert with others. A public man can be of no service unless he is prepared to do that. We must give and take, you know, Miss Vavasor. I always say to the men of my party,--of course I regard myself as belonging to the extreme Radicals.", "pos": 536360}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "Oh, indeed!", "pos": 536794}
{"speaker": "Mr. Bott", "text": "Yes. I came into Parliament on that understanding; and I have never seen any occasion as yet to change any political opinion that I have expressed. But I always say to the gentlemen with whom I act, that nothing can be done if we don't give and take. I don't mind saying to you, Miss Vavasor, that I look upon our friend, Mr. Palliser, as the most rising public man in the country. I do, indeed.", "pos": 536820}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "I am happy to hear you say so,", "pos": 537218}
{"speaker": "Mr. Bott", "text": "And I, as an extreme Radical, do not think I can serve my party better than by keeping in the same boat with him, as long as it will hold the two. 'He'll make a Government hack of you,' a friend of mine said to me the other day. 'And I'll make a Manchester school Prime Minister of him,' I replied. I rather think I know what I'm about, Miss Vavasor.", "pos": 537314}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "No doubt,", "pos": 537667}
{"speaker": "Mr. Bott", "text": "And so does he;--and so does he. Mr. Palliser is not the man to be led by the nose by any one. But it's a fair system of give and take. You can't get on in politics without it. What a charming woman is your relative, Lady Glencowrer! I remember well what you said to me the other evening.", "pos": 537691}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "Do you?", "pos": 537982}
{"speaker": "Mr. Bott", "text": "And I quite agree with you that confidential intercourse regarding dear friends should not be lightly made.", "pos": 538004}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "Certainly not,", "pos": 538114}
{"speaker": "Mr. Bott", "text": "But there are occasions, Miss Vavasor; there are occasions when the ordinary laws by which we govern our social conduct must be made somewhat elastic.", "pos": 538143}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "I don't think this one of them, Mr. Bott.", "pos": 538296}
{"speaker": "Mr. Bott", "text": "Is it not? Just listen to me for one moment, Miss Vavasor. Our friend, Mr. Palliser, I am proud to say, relies much upon my humble friendship. Our first connection has, of course, been political; but it has extended beyond that, and has become pleasantly social;--I may say, very pleasantly social.", "pos": 538340}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "What a taste Mr. Palliser must have!", "pos": 538641}
{"speaker": "Mr. Bott", "text": "But I need not tell you that Lady Glencowrer is--very young; we may say, very young indeed.", "pos": 538706}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "Mr. Bott, I will not talk to you about Lady Glencora Palliser.", "pos": 538800}
{"speaker": "Mr. Bott", "text": "When I tell you, Miss Vavasor, that I speak solely with a view to her domestic happiness!", "pos": 539105}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "I don't think that she wishes to have any such guardian of her happiness.", "pos": 539197}
{"speaker": "Mr. Bott", "text": "But if he wishes it, Miss Vavasor! Now I have the means of knowing that he has the greatest reliance on your judgement.", "pos": 539273}
{"speaker": "Mrs. Conway Sparkes", "text": "Are you running from your breakfast, Miss Vavasor?", "pos": 539509}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "No, Mrs. Sparkes; I am running from Mr. Bott,", "pos": 539572}
{"speaker": "Mrs. Sparkes", "text": "Mr. Bott, what is this?", "pos": 539674}
{"speaker": "Mr. Bott", "text": "Ha, ha, ha,", "pos": 539719}
{"speaker": "Mrs. Sparkes", "text": "I hope I shall be able to keep the peace. I trust his offence was not one that requires special punishment.", "pos": 539862}
{"speaker": "Mr. Bott", "text": "Ha, ha, ha,", "pos": 539984}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "Mrs. Sparkes, good morning. I hope nobody has waited breakfast. Good morning, Mr. Bott. Oh, Alice!", "pos": 540360}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "What is the matter?", "pos": 540483}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "Oh, Alice, such a blow! Come here. Now I shall have to put your confidence in me to the test. This letter is from,--whom do you think?", "pos": 540534}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "How can I guess?", "pos": 540885}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "From Lady Midlothian! and she's coming here on Monday, on her road to London. Unless you tell me that you are quite sure this is as unexpected by me as by you, I will never speak to you again.", "pos": 540904}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "I am quite sure of that.", "pos": 541099}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "Ah! then we can consult. But first we'll go and have some breakfast.", "pos": 541126}
{"speaker": "Mr. Palliser", "text": "We shall be delighted to see Lady Midlothian,", "pos": 541658}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "But there is somebody here who will not be at all delighted to see her,", "pos": 541725}
{"speaker": "Mr. Palliser", "text": "Is there, indeed? Who is that?", "pos": 541834}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "Her most undutiful cousin, Alice Vavasor. But, Alice, Mr. Palliser knows nothing about it, and it is too long to explain.", "pos": 541878}
{"speaker": "Mr. Palliser", "text": "I am extremely sorry--", "pos": 542002}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "I can assure you it does not signify in the least. It will only be taking me away three days earlier.", "pos": 542047}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "It will do no such thing. Do you mean to say that you are coward enough to run away from her?", "pos": 542354}
{"speaker": "Mr. Palliser", "text": "I'm afraid, Miss Vavasor, that we can hardly bid her not come,", "pos": 542472}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "I should tell you, Mr. Palliser, that I have never seen Lady Midlothian, though she is my far-away cousin. Nor have I ever quarrelled with her. But she has given me advice by letter, and I did not answer her because I thought she had no business to interfere. I shall go away, not because I am afraid of her, but because, after what has passed, our meeting would be unpleasant to her.", "pos": 542688}
{"speaker": "Mr. Palliser", "text": "You could tell her that Miss Vavasor is here. And then she need not come unless she pleased.", "pos": 543075}
{"speaker": "Mrs. Sparkes", "text": "Is Mr. Bott an admirer of your cousin?", "pos": 543726}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "A very distant one I should think,", "pos": 543816}
{"speaker": "Unknown", "text": "Goodness gracious!", "pos": 543873}
{"speaker": "Unknown", "text": "it's the very last thing I should have dreamt of.", "pos": 543996}
{"speaker": "Mrs. Sparkes", "text": "But I didn't dream it, first or last,", "pos": 544048}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "Why do you ask?", "pos": 544107}
{"speaker": "Mrs. Sparkes", "text": "Don't suppose that I am asking whether Miss Vavasor is an admirer of his. I have no suspicion of that nature. I rather think that when he plays Bacchus she plays Ariadne, with full intention of flying from him in earnest.", "pos": 544145}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "Is Mr. Bott inclined to play Bacchus?", "pos": 544390}
{"speaker": "Mrs. Sparkes", "text": "I rather thought he was this morning. If you observe, he has something of a godlike and triumphant air about him.", "pos": 544451}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "I don't think his godship will triumph there,", "pos": 544567}
{"speaker": "Mrs. Sparkes", "text": "I really think she would be throwing herself very much away. Miss Vavasor is not at all disposed to do that,", "pos": 544635}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "I shall receive her when she comes, and of course will tell her that you are here.", "pos": 545188}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "Yes, that will be best; and--; dear me, I declare I don't know how to manage it.", "pos": 545295}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "I'll bring her to you in my room if you like it.", "pos": 545378}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "No; that would be too solemn. That would make her understand that I thought a great deal about her.", "pos": 545429}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "Then we'll let things take their chance, and you shall come across her just as you would any other stranger.", "pos": 545545}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "Here is Alice. Alice, let me introduce you to Lady Midlothian.", "pos": 547959}
{"speaker": "Lady Midlothian", "text": "I am glad at last to be able to make your acquaintance, my dear, very glad. Your aunt, Lady Macleod, is one of my oldest friends, and I have heard her speak of you very often.", "pos": 548286}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "And Lady Macleod has often spoken to me of your ladyship,", "pos": 548521}
{"speaker": "Lady Midlothian", "text": "Then we know each other's names, and it will be well that we should be acquainted with each other's persons. I am becoming an old woman, and if I did not learn to know you now, or very shortly, I might never do so.", "pos": 548593}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "You are very kind,", "pos": 549359}
{"speaker": "Lady Midlothian", "text": "I would wish to be so. Blood is thicker than water, my dear; and I know no earthly ties that can bind people together if those of family connection will not do so. Your mother, when she and I were young, was my dearest friend.", "pos": 549392}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "I never knew my mother,", "pos": 549645}
{"speaker": "Lady Midlothian", "text": "No, my dear, you never did; and that is to my thinking another reason why they who loved her should love you. But Lady Macleod is your nearest relative,--on your mother's side, I mean,--and she has done her duty by you well.", "pos": 549796}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "Indeed she has, Lady Midlothian.", "pos": 550023}
{"speaker": "Lady Midlothian", "text": "She has, and others, therefore, have been the less called upon to interfere. I only say this, my dear, in my own vindication,--feeling, perhaps, that my conduct needs some excuse.", "pos": 550058}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "I'm sure Alice does not think that,", "pos": 550240}
{"speaker": "Lady Midlothian", "text": "It is what I think rather than what Alice thinks that concerns my own shortcomings. But I have wished to make up for former lost opportunities. I am very anxious now to be reckoned one of Alice Vavasor's friends, if she will allow me to become so.", "pos": 550298}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "I can only be too proud,--if--", "pos": 550690}
{"speaker": "Lady Midlothian", "text": "If what, my dear? If what, my dear?", "pos": 550723}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "Alice means--", "pos": 550970}
{"speaker": "Lady Midlothian", "text": "Let Alice say what she means herself,", "pos": 551007}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "I hardly know how to say what I do mean. I am assured that you and I, Lady Midlothian, differ very much as to a certain matter; and as it is one in which I must be guided by my own opinion, and not that of any other person, perhaps--", "pos": 551069}
{"speaker": "Lady Midlothian", "text": "You mean about Mr. Grey?", "pos": 551405}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "Yes. I mean about Mr. Grey.", "pos": 551432}
{"speaker": "Lady Midlothian", "text": "I think so much about that matter, and your happiness as therein concerned, that when I heard that you were here I was determined to take Matching in my way to London, so that I might have an opportunity of speaking to you.", "pos": 551475}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "Then you knew that Alice was here,", "pos": 551701}
{"speaker": "Lady Midlothian", "text": "Of course I did. I suppose you have heard all the history, Glencora? And what do you think of it? Perhaps another time and another place may be better, but I must go the day after to-morrow,--indeed, I thought of going to-morrow.", "pos": 551758}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "Oh, Lady Midlothian!", "pos": 552426}
{"speaker": "Lady Midlothian", "text": "You must regard this as merely a passing visit, made upon business. But, as I was saying, when shall I get an opportunity of speaking to Alice where we need not be interrupted?", "pos": 552474}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "Lady Midlothian, it would really be of no use.", "pos": 552905}
{"speaker": "Lady Midlothian", "text": "Of no use, my dear!", "pos": 552954}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "No, indeed. I did get your letter, you know.", "pos": 552976}
{"speaker": "Lady Midlothian", "text": "And as you have not answered it, I have come all this way to see you.", "pos": 553023}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "I shall be so sorry if I give offence, but it is a subject which I cannot bring myself to discuss which I cannot bring myself to discuss with any one.", "pos": 553095}
{"speaker": "Lady Midlothian", "text": "But you don't mean to say that you won't see me?", "pos": 553363}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "I will not talk upon that matter. I will not do it even with Lady Macleod.", "pos": 553414}
{"speaker": "Lady Midlothian", "text": "No, and therefore it is so very necessary that other friends should interfere.", "pos": 553505}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "But I will endure no interference, either from persons who are friends or who are not friends. You must forgive me, Lady Midlothian, if I say that I can have no conversation with you on this matter.", "pos": 553666}
{"speaker": "Lady Midlothian", "text": "The most self-willed young woman I ever met in my life,", "pos": 554173}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "I knew very well how it would be,", "pos": 554354}
{"speaker": "Lady Midlothian", "text": "But it is quite frightful, my dear. She has been engaged, with the consent of all her friends, to this young man.", "pos": 554410}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "I know all about it.", "pos": 554526}
{"speaker": "Lady Midlothian", "text": "But you must think she is very wrong.", "pos": 554549}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "I don't quite understand her, but I suppose she fears they would not be happy together.", "pos": 554589}
{"speaker": "Lady Midlothian", "text": "Understand her! I should think not; nobody can understand her. A young woman to become engaged to a gentleman in that way,--before all the world, as one may say;--to go to his house, as I am told, and talk to the servants, and give orders about the furniture and then turn round and simply say that she has changed her mind! She hasn't given the slightest reason to my knowledge. I shall not give it up. I have the greatest possible objection to her father, who contrived to connect himself with our family in a most shameful manner, without the slightest encouragement. I don't think I have spoken to him since, but I shall see him now and tell him my opinion. Good-bye to you. Even yet I hope that things may go right, and if so you will find that I can forget and forgive.", "pos": 554679}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "If perseverance merits success, she ought to succeed.", "pos": 556129}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "But she won't succeed,", "pos": 556216}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "We are not going to be frightened,", "pos": 557009}
{"speaker": "Mr. Palliser", "text": "People do not generally walk out at night in December,", "pos": 557066}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "That's just the reason why we want to do it. But we shall wrap ourselves up, and nobody need be afraid. Jeffrey, we shall expect you to stand sentinel at the old gate, and guard us from the ghosts.", "pos": 557146}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "No, indeed, Mr. Bott; you were one of those who preached a sermon against my dissipation in the morning, and I'm not going to allow you to join it, now the time for its enjoyment has come.", "pos": 558122}
{"speaker": "old lady", "text": "My dear Lady Glencora, if I were you, indeed I wouldn't,", "pos": 558313}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "My dear Mrs. Marsham, if you were me, indeed you would,", "pos": 558427}
{"speaker": "Mr. Palliser", "text": "I think it a foolish thing to do,", "pos": 558531}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "If you forbid it, of course we won't go,", "pos": 558595}
{"speaker": "Mr. Palliser", "text": "Forbid it:--no; I shall not forbid it.", "pos": 558658}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "Allons donc,", "pos": 558699}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "Let him say so plainly, and I'll give it up instantly. But I'm not going to be lectured out of my purposes secondhand by Mr. Bott or old Mother Marsham. I understand all these people, my dear. And if you throw me over, Alice, I'll never forgive you. Now, Jeffrey, when we get under the old gateway you must let me and Alice go round the dormitory and the chapel alone. Then we'll come back by the cloisters, and we'll take another turn outside with you. The outside is the finest by this light,--only I want to show Alice something by ourselves.", "pos": 559595}
{"speaker": "Jeffrey Palliser", "text": "You're not afraid, I know, and if Miss Vavasor is not--", "pos": 560548}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "Miss Vavasor,--who, I think, would have allowed you to call her by her other name on such an occasion as this,--is never afraid.", "pos": 560606}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "Glencora, how dare you say so? I really think we had better go back.", "pos": 560737}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "Go back! No, indeed. We'll go on, and leave him here. Then he can call nobody anything. Don't be angry with me. The truth is this;--if you choose to have him for your husband, you may.", "pos": 561196}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "But if I do not choose.", "pos": 561449}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "Then there can be no harm done, and I will tell him so. But, Alice,--think of this. Whom will you meet that would suit you better? And you need not decide now. You need not say a word, but leave me to tell him, that if it is to be thought of at all, it cannot be thought of till he meets you in London. Trust me, you will be safe with me.", "pos": 561475}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "You shall tell him nothing of the kind. I believe you to be joking throughout, and I think the joke is a bad one.", "pos": 561816}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "No; there you wrong me. Indeed I am not joking. I know that in what I am saying I am telling you the simple truth. He has said enough to me to justify me in saying so. Alice, think of it all. It would reconcile me to much, and it would be something to be the mother of the future Duke of Omnium.", "pos": 561946}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "To me it would be nothing, less than nothing. I mean to say that the temptation is one so easily resisted that it acts in the other way. Don't say anything more about it, Glencora.", "pos": 562244}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "If you don't wish it, I will not.", "pos": 562441}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "No;--I do not wish it. I don't think I ever saw moonlight so bright as this. Look at the lines of that window against the light. They are clearer than you ever see them in the day.", "pos": 562477}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "Is it not beautiful! I do love it so! And there is a peculiar feeling of cold about the chill of the moon, different from any other cold. It makes you wrap yourself up tight, but it does not make your teeth chatter; and it seems to go into your senses rather than into your bones. But I suppose that's nonsense,", "pos": 563995}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "Not more so than what people are supposed to talk by moonlight.", "pos": 564352}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "That's unkind. I'd like what I say on such an occasion to be more poetical or else more nonsensical than what other people say under the same circumstances. And now I'll tell you why I always think of you when I come here by moonlight.", "pos": 564418}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "But I suppose you don't often come.", "pos": 564656}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "Yes, I do; that is to say, I did come very often when we had the full moon in August. The weather wasn't like this, and I used to run out through the open windows and nobody knew where I was gone. I made him come once, but he didn't seem to care about it. I told him that part of the refectory wall was falling; so he looked at that, and had a mason sent the next day. If anything is out of order he has it put to rights at once. There would have been no ruins if all the Pallisers had been like him.", "pos": 564694}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "So much the better for the world.", "pos": 565197}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "No;--I say no. Things may live too long. But now I'm going to tell you. Do you remember that night I brought you home from the play to Queen Anne Street?", "pos": 565233}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "Indeed I do,--very well.", "pos": 565389}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "And do you remember how the moon shone then?", "pos": 565606}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "Yes, I think I do.", "pos": 565653}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "I know I do. As we came round the corner out of Cavendish Square he was standing there,--and a friend of yours was standing with him.", "pos": 565674}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "What friend of mine?", "pos": 565810}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "Never mind that; it does not matter now.", "pos": 565833}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "Do you mean my cousin George?", "pos": 565876}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "Yes, I do mean your cousin; and oh, Alice! dear Alice! I don't know why I should love you, for if you had not been hardhearted that night,--stony cruel in your hard propriety, I should have gone with him then, and all this icy coldness would have been prevented.", "pos": 565908}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "You are very cold. We had better go in.", "pos": 566310}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "No, I am not cold,--not in that way. I won't go in yet. Jeffrey will come to us directly. Yes;--we should have escaped that night if you would have allowed him to come into your house. Ah, well! we didn't, and there's an end of it.", "pos": 566366}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "But Glencora,--you cannot regret it.", "pos": 566600}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "Not regret it! Alice, where can your heart be? Or have you a heart? Not regret it! I would give everything I have in the world to have been true to him. They told me that he would spend my money. Though he should have spent every farthing of it, I regret it; though he should have made me a beggar, I regret it. They told me that he would ill-use me, and desert me,--perhaps beat me. I do not believe it; but even though that should have been so, I regret it. It is better to have a false husband than to be a false wife.", "pos": 566639}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "Glencora, do not speak like that. Do not try to make me think that anything could tempt you to be false to your vows.", "pos": 567163}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "Tempt me to be false! Why, child, it has been all false throughout. I never loved him. How can you talk in that way, when you know that I never loved him? They browbeat me and frightened me till I did as I was told;--and now;--what am I now?", "pos": 567283}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "You are his honest wife. Glencora, listen to me.", "pos": 567527}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "No, no; I am not honest. By law I am his wife; but the laws are liars! I am not his wife. I will not say the thing that I am. When I went to him at the altar, I knew that I did not love the man that was to be my husband. But him,--Burgo,--I love him with all my heart and soul. I could stoop at his feet and clean his shoes for him, and think it no disgrace!", "pos": 567610}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "Oh, Cora, my friend, do not say such words as those! Remember what you owe your husband and yourself, and come away.", "pos": 567983}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "I do know what I owe him, and I will pay it him. Alice, if I had a child I think I would be true to him. Think! I know I would;--though I had no hour of happiness left to me in my life. But what now is the only honest thing that I can do? Why, leave him;--so leave him that he may have another wife and be the father of a child. What injury shall I do him by leaving him? He does not love me; you know yourself that he does not love me.", "pos": 568102}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "I know that he does. Alice, that is untrue. He does not; and you have seen clearly that it is so. It may be that he can love no woman. But another woman would give him a son, and he would be happy. I tell you that every day and every night,--every hour of every day and of every night,--I am thinking of the man I love. I have nothing else to think of. I have no occupation,--no friends,--no one to whom I care to say a word. But I am always talking to Burgo in my thoughts; and he listens to me. I dream that his arm is round me--", "pos": 568540}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "Oh, Glencora!", "pos": 569076}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "Well!--Do you begrudge me that I should tell you the truth? You have said that you would be my friend, and you must bear the burden of my friendship. And now,--this is what I want to tell you.--Immediately after Christmas, we are to go to Monkshade, and he will be there. Lady Monk is his aunt.", "pos": 569092}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "You must not go. No power should take you there.", "pos": 569389}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "That is easily said, child; but all the same I must go. I told Mr. Palliser that he would be there, and he said it did not signify. He actually said that it did not signify. I wonder whether he understands what it is for people to love each other;--whether he has ever thought about it.", "pos": 569440}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "You must tell him plainly that you will not go.", "pos": 569729}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "I did. I told him plainly as words could tell him. 'Glencora,' he said,--and you know the way he looks when he means to be lord and master, and put on the very husband indeed,--'This is an annoyance which you must bear and overcome. It suits me that we should go to Monkshade, and it does not suit me that there should be any one whom you are afraid to meet.' Could I tell him that he would lose his wife if I did go? Could I threaten him that I would throw myself into Burgo's arms if that opportunity were given to me? You are very wise, and very prudent. What would you have had me say?", "pos": 569779}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "I would have you now tell him everything, rather than go to that house.", "pos": 570371}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "Alice, look here. I know what I am, and what I am like to become. I loathe myself, and I loathe the thing that I am thinking of. I could have clung to the outside of a man's body, to his very trappings, and loved him ten times better than myself!--ay, even though he had ill-treated me,--if I had been allowed to choose a husband for myself. Burgo would have spent my money,--all that it would have been possible for me to give him. But there would have been something left, and I think that by that time I could have won even him to care for me. But with that man--! Alice you are very wise. What am I to do?", "pos": 570445}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "Here's Jeffrey! What an unconscionable time we have kept him!", "pos": 571581}
{"speaker": "Jeffrey Palliser", "text": "Don't mention it. And I shouldn't have come to you now, only that I thought I should find you both freezing into marble.", "pos": 571657}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "We are not such cold-blooded creatures as that,--are we, Alice? And now we'll go round the outside; only we must not stay long, or we shall frighten those two delicious old duennas, Mrs. Marsham and Mr. Bott.", "pos": 571791}
{"speaker": "Mr. Palliser", "text": "You must be very cold,", "pos": 572864}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "No, indeed,", "pos": 572929}
{"speaker": "Mr. Palliser", "text": "Jeffrey. I am angry with you. You, at least, should have known better than to have allowed her to remain so long.", "pos": 573042}
{"speaker": "Jeffrey Palliser", "text": "He is provoked with us, now. He is afraid that she will have caught cold. Yes; and he thinks it wrong that she should remain out at night so long. You can easily understand, Miss Vavasor, that he has not much sympathy for romance.", "pos": 574180}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "I dare say he is right. Romance usually means nonsense, I believe.", "pos": 574520}
{"speaker": "Jeffrey Palliser", "text": "That is not Glencora's doctrine.", "pos": 574751}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "No; but she is younger than I am. My feet are very cold, Mr. Palliser, and I think I will go up to my room.", "pos": 574786}
{"speaker": "Jeffrey Palliser", "text": "Good night. I think it so hard that you should have incurred his displeasure.", "pos": 574896}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "It will not hurt me,", "pos": 575015}
{"speaker": "Jeffrey Palliser", "text": "No;--but he does not forget.", "pos": 575059}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "Even that will not hurt me. Good night, Mr. Palliser.", "pos": 575090}
{"speaker": "Jeffrey Palliser", "text": "As it is the last night, may I say good night, Alice? I shall be away to-morrow before you are up.", "pos": 575146}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "No. Glencora was very wrong there,--doing an injury without meaning it to both of us. There can be no possible reason why you should call me otherwise than is customary.", "pos": 575398}
{"speaker": "Jeffrey Palliser", "text": "Can there never be a reason?", "pos": 575582}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "No, Mr. Palliser. Good night;--and if I am not to see you to-morrow morning, good-bye.", "pos": 575613}
{"speaker": "Jeffrey Palliser", "text": "You will certainly not see me to-morrow morning.", "pos": 575702}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "Good-bye. Had it not been for this folly of Glencora's, our acquaintance would have been very pleasant.", "pos": 575753}
{"speaker": "Jeffrey Palliser", "text": "To me it has been very pleasant. Good night.", "pos": 575859}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "I loathe myself, and the thing that I am thinking of.", "pos": 578283}
{"speaker": "Miss Palliser", "text": "Miss Vavasor,", "pos": 579886}
{"speaker": "Miss Vavasor", "text": "I know that I am taking a great liberty, but may I come into your room for a few minutes? I so much wish to speak to you!", "pos": 579912}
{"speaker": "Miss Palliser", "text": "I know that I am intruding,", "pos": 581129}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "Oh dear, no. If I can do anything for you I shall be very happy.", "pos": 581222}
{"speaker": "Miss Palliser", "text": "You are going to-morrow, and if I did not speak to you now I should have no other opportunity. Glencora seems to be very much attached to you, and we all thought it so good a thing that she should have such a friend.", "pos": 581303}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "I hope you have not all changed your minds,", "pos": 581522}
{"speaker": "Miss Palliser", "text": "Oh, no;--by no means. I did not mean that. My cousin, Mr. Palliser, I mean, liked you so much when you came.", "pos": 581707}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "And he does not like me quite so much now, because I went out in the moonlight with his wife. Isn't that it?", "pos": 581818}
{"speaker": "Miss Palliser", "text": "Well;--no, Miss Vavasor. I had not intended to mention that at all. I had not indeed. I have seen him certainly since you came in,--just for a minute, and he is vexed. But it is not about that that I would speak to you.", "pos": 581929}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "I saw plainly enough that he was angry with me.", "pos": 582151}
{"speaker": "Miss Palliser", "text": "He thought you would have brought her in earlier.", "pos": 582201}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "And why should he think that I can manage his wife? She was the mistress out there as she is in here. Mr. Palliser has been unreasonable. Not that it signifies.", "pos": 582253}
{"speaker": "Miss Palliser", "text": "I don't think he has been unreasonable; I don't, indeed, Miss Vavasor. He has certainly been vexed. Sometimes he has much to vex him. You see, Glencora is very young.", "pos": 582416}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "She is not younger than when Mr. Palliser married her,", "pos": 582849}
{"speaker": "Miss Palliser", "text": "You mean that if a man marries a young wife he must put up with the trouble. That is a matter of course. But their ages, in truth, are very suitable. My cousin himself is not yet thirty. When I say that Glencora is young--", "pos": 582918}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "You mean that she is younger in spirit, and perhaps in conduct, than he had expected to find her.", "pos": 583143}
{"speaker": "Miss Palliser", "text": "But you are not to suppose that he complains, Miss Vavasor. He is much too proud for that.", "pos": 583243}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "I should hope so,", "pos": 583336}
{"speaker": "Miss Palliser", "text": "I hardly know how to explain to you what I wish to say, or how far I may be justified in supposing that you will believe me to be acting solely on Glencora's behalf. I think you have some influence with her;--and I know no one else that has any.", "pos": 583390}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "My friendship with her is not of very long date, Miss Palliser.", "pos": 583638}
{"speaker": "Miss Palliser", "text": "I know it, but still there is the fact. Am I not right in supposing--", "pos": 583704}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "In supposing what?", "pos": 583776}
{"speaker": "Miss Palliser", "text": "In supposing that you had heard the name of Mr. Fitzgerald as connected with Glencora's before her marriage with my cousin?", "pos": 583797}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "Yes, I had,", "pos": 583966}
{"speaker": "Miss Palliser", "text": "And I think you were agreed, with her other relations, that such a marriage would have been very dreadful.", "pos": 583995}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "I never spoke of the matter in the presence of any relatives of Glencora's. You must understand, Miss Palliser, that though I am her far-away cousin, I do not even know her nearest connections. I never saw Lady Midlothian till she came here the other day.", "pos": 584104}
{"speaker": "Miss Palliser", "text": "But you advised her to abandon Mr. Fitzgerald.", "pos": 584362}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "Never!", "pos": 584411}
{"speaker": "Miss Palliser", "text": "I know she was much with you, just at that time.", "pos": 584420}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "I used to see her, certainly. Just then she was often with me, and there was much talk between us about Mr. Fitzgerald. What was my advice then can be of little matter; but in this we shall be both agreed, Miss Palliser, that Glencora now should certainly not be called upon to be in his company.", "pos": 584471}
{"speaker": "Miss Palliser", "text": "She has told you, then?", "pos": 585268}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "Yes;--she has told me.", "pos": 585294}
{"speaker": "Miss Palliser", "text": "That he is to be at Lady Monk's?", "pos": 585319}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "She has told me that Mr. Palliser expects her to meet him at the place to which they are going when they leave the Duke's, and that she thinks it hard that she should be subjected to such a trial.", "pos": 585354}
{"speaker": "Miss Palliser", "text": "It should be no trial, Miss Vavasor.", "pos": 585553}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "How can it be otherwise? Come, Miss Palliser; if you are her friend, be fair to her.", "pos": 585592}
{"speaker": "Miss Palliser", "text": "I am her friend;--but I am, above everything, my cousin's friend. He has told me that she has complained of having to meet this man. He declares that it should be nothing to her, and that the fear is an idle folly. It should be nothing to her, but still the fear may not be idle. Is there any reason,--any real reason,--why she should not go? Miss Vavasor, I conjure you to tell me,--even though in doing so you must cast so deep reproach upon her name! Anything will be better than utter disgrace and sin!", "pos": 585678}
{"speaker": "Miss Vavasor", "text": "I conceive that I cast no reproach upon her in saying that there is great reason why she should not go to Monkshade.", "pos": 586187}
{"speaker": "Miss Palliser", "text": "You think there is absolute grounds for interference? I must tell him, you know, openly what he would have to fear.", "pos": 586306}
{"speaker": "Miss Vavasor", "text": "I think,--nay, Miss Palliser, I know,--that there is ample reason why you should save her from being taken to Monkshade, if you have the power to do so.", "pos": 586424}
{"speaker": "Miss Palliser", "text": "I can only do it, or attempt to do it, by telling him just what you tell me.", "pos": 586579}
{"speaker": "Miss Vavasor", "text": "Then tell him. You must have thought of that, I suppose, before you came to me.", "pos": 586658}
{"speaker": "Miss Palliser", "text": "Yes;--yes, Miss Vavasor. I had thought of it. No doubt I had thought of it. But I had believed all through that you would assure me that there was no danger. I believed that you would have said that she was innocent.", "pos": 586740}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "And she is innocent. She is innocent. Who accuses her of guilt? You ask me a question on his behalf--", "pos": 586959}
{"speaker": "Miss Palliser", "text": "On hers--and on his, Miss Vavasor.", "pos": 587197}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "A question which I feel myself bound to answer truly,--to answer with reference to the welfare of them both; but I will not have it said that I accuse her. She had been attached to Mr. Fitzgerald when your cousin married her. He knew that this had been the case. She told him the whole truth. In a worldly point of view her marriage with Mr. Fitzgerald would probably have been very imprudent.", "pos": 587234}
{"speaker": "Miss Palliser", "text": "It would have been utterly ruinous.", "pos": 587630}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "Perhaps so; I say nothing about that. But as it turned out, she gave up her own wishes and married your cousin.", "pos": 587668}
{"speaker": "Miss Palliser", "text": "I don't know about her own wishes, Miss Vavasor.", "pos": 587782}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "It is what she did. She would have married Mr. Fitzgerald, had she not been hindered by the advice of those around her. It cannot be supposed that she has forgotten him in so short a time. There can be no guilt in her remembrance.", "pos": 587833}
{"speaker": "Miss Palliser", "text": "There is guilt in loving any other than her husband.", "pos": 588066}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "Then, Miss Palliser, it was her marriage that was guilty, and not her love. But all that is done and past. It should be your cousin's object to teach her to forget Mr. Fitzgerald, and he will not do that by taking her to a house where that gentleman is staying.", "pos": 588121}
{"speaker": "Miss Palliser", "text": "She has said so much to you herself?", "pos": 588385}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "I do not know that I need declare to you what she has said herself. You have asked me a question, and I have answered it, and I am thankful to you for having asked it. What object can either of us have but to assist her in her position?", "pos": 588424}
{"speaker": "Miss Palliser", "text": "And to save him from dishonour. I had so hoped that this was simply a childish dread on her part.", "pos": 588663}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "It is not so. It is no childish dread. If you have the power to prevent her going to Lady Monk's, I implore you to use it. Indeed, I will ask you to promise me that you will do so.", "pos": 588763}
{"speaker": "Miss Palliser", "text": "After what you have said, I have no alternative.", "pos": 588946}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "Exactly. There is no alternative. Either for his sake or for hers, there is none.", "pos": 588997}
{"speaker": "Mr. Palliser", "text": "The carriage is ordered for you at a quarter before ten, and I have come down to give you your breakfast.", "pos": 590135}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "Will you allow me to give you yours instead?", "pos": 590360}
{"speaker": "Mr. Palliser", "text": "Glencora bids me say that she will be down immediately,", "pos": 590526}
{"speaker": "Mr. Bott", "text": "The frost was so uncommonly severe, that any delicate person like Lady Glencora must have suffered in remaining out so long.", "pos": 591165}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "I hope you do not consider Lady Glencora delicate,", "pos": 591708}
{"speaker": "Mr. Palliser", "text": "She is not robust,", "pos": 591789}
{"speaker": "Mrs. Marsham", "text": "By no means,", "pos": 591828}
{"speaker": "Mr. Bott", "text": "Indeed, no,", "pos": 591862}
{"speaker": "Iphigenia Palliser", "text": "I think she is as strong as the rest of us,", "pos": 592217}
{"speaker": "Mr. Bott", "text": "As some of us,", "pos": 592355}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "The last morning has come, then,", "pos": 592593}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "Yes, indeed. Mr. Palliser must have thought that I was never going.", "pos": 592638}
{"speaker": "Mr. Palliser", "text": "On the other hand. I have felt much obliged to you for staying.", "pos": 592722}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "Obliged! I can't tell you how much obliged I am. Oh, Alice, I wish you were going to stay with us!", "pos": 592887}
{"speaker": "Mr. Palliser", "text": "We are leaving this in a week's time,", "pos": 593015}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "Of course we are. With all my heart I wish we were not. Dear Alice! I suppose we shall not meet till we are all in town.", "pos": 593074}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "You will let me know when you come up,", "pos": 593219}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "I will send to you instantly; and, Alice, I will write to you from Gatherum,--or from Monkshade.", "pos": 593272}
{"speaker": "Mr. Palliser", "text": "Don't come to the door, Glencora. I especially wish you not to do so. Good-bye, Miss Vavasor,", "pos": 593774}
{"speaker": "Burgo", "text": "I believe she would. It's a thing of that sort that a man can only believe,--perhaps only hope,--till he has tried. I know that she is not happy with him, and I have made up my mind that I will at least ask her.", "pos": 597919}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "But he would have her fortune all the same?", "pos": 598184}
{"speaker": "Burgo", "text": "I don't know how that would be. I haven't inquired, and I don't mean to inquire. Of course I don't expect you or any one else to believe me, but her money has no bearing on the question now. Heaven knows I want money bad enough, but I wouldn't take away another man's wife for money.", "pos": 598230}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "You don't mean to say you think it would be wicked. I supposed you to be above those prejudices.", "pos": 598516}
{"speaker": "Burgo", "text": "It's all very well for you to chaff.", "pos": 598615}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "It's no chaff at all. I tell you fairly I wouldn't run away with any man's wife. I have an old-fashioned idea that when a man has got a wife he ought to be allowed to keep her. Public opinion, I know, is against me.", "pos": 598654}
{"speaker": "Burgo", "text": "I think he ran away with my wife,", "pos": 598872}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "Nevertheless, marriage is marriage, and the law is against you. But if I did go in for such a troublesome job at all, I certainly should keep an eye upon the money.", "pos": 599051}
{"speaker": "Burgo", "text": "It can make no difference.", "pos": 599218}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "It did make a difference, I suppose, when you first thought of marrying her?", "pos": 599247}
{"speaker": "Burgo", "text": "Of course it did. My people brought us together because she had a large fortune and I had none. There's no doubt in the world about that. And I'll tell you what; I believe that old harridan of an aunt of mine is willing to do the same thing now again. Of course she doesn't say as much. She wouldn't dare do that, but I do believe she means it. I wonder where she expects to go to!", "pos": 599326}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "That's grateful on your part.", "pos": 599710}
{"speaker": "Burgo", "text": "Upon my soul I hate her. I do indeed. It isn't love for me now so much as downright malice against Palliser, because he baulked her project before. She is a wicked old woman. Some of us fellows are wicked enough--you and I for instance--", "pos": 599742}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "Thank you. I don't know, however, that I am qualified to run in a curricle with you.", "pos": 599982}
{"speaker": "Burgo", "text": "But we are angels to such an old she-devil as that. You may believe me or not, as you like.--I dare say you won't believe me.", "pos": 600069}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "I'll say I do, at any rate.", "pos": 600197}
{"speaker": "Burgo", "text": "The truth is, I want to get her, partly because I love her; but chiefly because I do believe in my heart that she loves me.", "pos": 600227}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "It's for her sake then! You are ready to sacrifice yourself to do her a good turn.", "pos": 600353}
{"speaker": "Burgo", "text": "As for sacrificing myself, that's done. I'm a man utterly ruined and would cut my throat to-morrow for the sake of my relations, if I cared enough about them. I know my own condition pretty well. I have made a shipwreck of everything, and have now only got to go down among the breakers.", "pos": 600438}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "Only you would like to take Lady Glencora with you.", "pos": 600728}
{"speaker": "Burgo", "text": "No, by heavens! But sometimes, when I do think about it at all,--which I do as seldom as I can,--it seems to me that I might still become a different fellow if it were possible for me to marry her.", "pos": 600782}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "Had you married her when she was free to marry any one and when her money was her own, it might have been so.", "pos": 600982}
{"speaker": "Burgo", "text": "I think it would be quite as much so now. I do, indeed. If I could get her once, say to Italy, or perhaps to Greece, I think I could treat her well, and live with her quietly. I know that I would try.", "pos": 601094}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "Without the assistance of brandy and cigars.", "pos": 601297}
{"speaker": "Burgo", "text": "Yes.", "pos": 601344}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "And without any money.", "pos": 601351}
{"speaker": "Burgo", "text": "With only a little. I know you'll laugh at me; but I make pictures to myself of a sort of life which I think would suit us, and be very different from this hideous way of living, with which I have become so sick that I loathe it.", "pos": 601376}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "Something like Juan and Haidée, with Planty Pall coming after you, like old Lambro.", "pos": 601608}
{"speaker": "Burgo", "text": "He'd get a divorce, of course, and then we should be married. I really don't think he'd dislike it, when it was all done. They tell me he doesn't care for her.", "pos": 601795}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "You have seen her since her marriage?", "pos": 601957}
{"speaker": "Burgo", "text": "Yes; twice.", "pos": 601997}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "And have spoken to her?", "pos": 602011}
{"speaker": "Burgo", "text": "Once only,--so as to be able to do more than ask her if she were well. Once, for about two minutes, I did speak to her.", "pos": 602037}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "And what did she say?", "pos": 602159}
{"speaker": "Burgo", "text": "She said it would be better that we should not meet. When she said that, I knew that she was still fond of me. I could have fallen at her feet that moment, only the room was full of people. I do think that she is fond of me.", "pos": 602183}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "I dare say she is fond of you, but whether she has pluck for such a thing as this, is more than I can say. Probably she has not. And if she has, probably you would fail in carrying out your plan.", "pos": 602440}
{"speaker": "Burgo", "text": "I must get a little money first,", "pos": 602654}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "And that's an operation which no doubt you find more difficult every day, as you grow older.", "pos": 602701}
{"speaker": "Unknown", "text": "It seems to be much the same sort of thing. I went to Magruin this morning.", "pos": 602795}
{"speaker": "Unknown", "text": "He's the fellow that lives out near Gray's Inn Lane?", "pos": 602873}
{"speaker": "Unknown", "text": "Just beyond the Foundling Hospital. I went to him, and he was quite civil about it. He says I owe him over three thousand pounds, but that doesn't seem to make any difference.", "pos": 602928}
{"speaker": "Unknown", "text": "How much did you ever have from him?", "pos": 603106}
{"speaker": "Unknown", "text": "I don't recollect that I ever absolutely had any money. He got a bill of mine from a tailor who went to smash, and he kept on renewing that till it grew to be ever so many bills. I think he did once let me have twenty-four pounds,--but certainly never more than that.", "pos": 603145}
{"speaker": "Unknown", "text": "And he says he'll give you money now? I suppose you told him why you wanted it.", "pos": 603415}
{"speaker": "Unknown", "text": "I didn't name her,--but I told him what would make him understand that I hoped to get off with a lady who had a lot of tin. I asked him for two hundred and fifty. He says he'll let me have one hundred and fifty on a bill at two months for five hundred,--with your name to it.", "pos": 603497}
{"speaker": "Unknown", "text": "With my name to it! That's kind on his part,--and on yours too.", "pos": 603775}
{"speaker": "Unknown", "text": "Of course I can't take it up at the end of two months.", "pos": 603841}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "I dare say not,", "pos": 603898}
{"speaker": "Unknown", "text": "But he won't come upon you then,--nor for a year or more afterwards. I did pay you what you lent me before.", "pos": 603930}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "Yes, you did. I always thought that to be a special compliment on your part.", "pos": 604040}
{"speaker": "Unknown", "text": "And you'll find I'll pull you through now in some way. If I don't succeed in this I shall go off the hooks altogether soon; and if I were dead my people would pay my debts then.", "pos": 604119}
{"speaker": "Burgo", "text": "I thought you would, old fellow. Perhaps, you know, I shall pull through in this; and perhaps, after all, some part of her fortune will come with her. If so you'll be all right.", "pos": 604932}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "Perhaps I may. But look here, Burgo,--don't you give that fellow up the bill till you've got the money into your fist.", "pos": 605151}
{"speaker": "Burgo", "text": "You may be quite easy about that. I know their tricks. He and I will go to the bank together, and we shall squabble there at the door about four or five odd sovereigns,--and at last I shall have to give him up two or three. Beastly old robber! I declare I think he's worse than I am myself.", "pos": 605272}
{"speaker": "Burgo", "text": "For love of God, if it's only a penny to get a glass of gin! Feel my hand,--how cold it is. You are cold! Cold! Oh God! if you knew what it was to be as cold as I am! I have nothing in the world,--not one penny,--not a hole to lie in! We are alike then. I also have nothing. You cannot be poorer than I am. You poor! Gracious; how beautiful you are! Such as you are never poor. I am a deal poorer than you, my girl. You have nothing. I have thirty thousand pounds worse than nothing. But come along, and I will get you something to eat. Will you? Oh, you are so handsome!", "pos": 613583}
{"speaker": "Burgo", "text": "And now, what must I do with you? If I give you a shilling can you get a bed? Then keep the other sixpence for your breakfast. But you must promise me that you will buy no gin to-night. I wish I might once see you again, because you are so good and so beautiful.", "pos": 615886}
{"speaker": "Unknown", "text": "Gracious, how beautiful he was!", "pos": 616726}
{"speaker": "Unknown", "text": "He's a good un,", "pos": 616760}
{"speaker": "Unknown", "text": "but, my! did you ever see a man's face handsome as that fellow's?", "pos": 616840}
{"speaker": "Kate", "text": "He is a desperate spendthrift,", "pos": 618186}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "Then let her teach him to be otherwise. That might have been a good reason for refusing his offer when he first made it; but it can be no excuse for untruth, now that she has told him that she loves him! If a woman, won't venture her fortune for the man she loves, her love is not worth having.", "pos": 618249}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "It is a thing terrible to think of, that a man should give permission to a priest to tie him to another human being like a Siamese twin, so that all power of separate and solitary action should be taken from him for ever! The beasts of the field do not treat each other so badly. They neither drink themselves drunk, nor eat themselves stupid;--nor do they bind themselves together in a union which both would have to hate.", "pos": 619587}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "I needn't send it when it's written, and the chances are that I won't. DEAR ALICE. The time was when the privilege was mine of beginning my letters to you with a warmer show of love than the above word contains,--when I might and did call you dearest; but I lost that privilege through my own folly, and since that it has been accorded to another. But you have found,--with a thorough honesty of purpose than which I know nothing greater,--that it has behoved you to withdraw that privilege also. I need hardly say that I should not have written as I now write, had you not found it expedient to do as you have done. I now once again ask you to be my wife. In spite of all that passed in those old days,--of all the selfish folly of which I was then guilty, I think you know, and at the time knew, that I ever loved you. I claim to say for myself that my love to you was true from first to last, and I claim from you belief for that statement. Indeed I do not think that you ever doubted my love. Nevertheless, when you told me that I might no longer hope to make you my wife, I had no word of remonstrance that I could utter. You acted as any woman would act whom love had not made a fool. Then came the episode of Mr. Grey; and bitter as have been my feelings whilst that engagement lasted, I never made any attempt to come between you and the life you had chosen. In saying this I do not forget the words which I spoke last summer at Basle, when, as far as I knew, you still intended that he should be your husband. But what I said then was nothing to that which, with much violence, I refrained from saying. Whether you remember those few words I cannot tell; but certainly you would not have remembered them,--would not even have noticed them,--had your heart been at Nethercoats. But all this is nothing. You are now again a free woman; and once again I ask you to be my wife. We are both older than we were when we loved before, and will both be prone to think of marriage in a somewhat different light. Then personal love for each other was most in our thoughts. God forbid that it should not be much in our thoughts now! Perhaps I am deceiving myself in saying that it is not even now stronger in mine than any other consideration. But we have both reached that time of life, when it is probable that in any proposition of marriage we should think more of our adaptability to each other than we did before. For myself I know that there is much in my character and disposition to make me unfit to marry a woman of the common stamp. You know my mode of life, and what are my hopes and my chances of success. I run great risk of failing. It may be that I shall encounter ruin where I look for reputation and a career of honour. The chances are perhaps more in favour of ruin than of success. But, whatever may be the chances, I shall go on as long as any means of carrying on the fight are at my disposal. If you were my wife to-morrow I should expect to use your money, if it were needed, in struggling to obtain a seat in Parliament and a hearing there. I will hardly stoop to tell you that I do not ask you to be my wife for the sake of this aid;--but if you were to become my wife I should expect all your cooperation;--with your money, possibly, but certainly with your warmest spirit. And now, once again, Alice,--dearest Alice, will you be my wife? I have been punished, and I have kissed the rod,--as I never kissed any other rod. You cannot accuse my love. Since the time in which I might sit with my arm round your waist, I have sat with it round no other waist. Since your lips were mine, no other lips have been dear to me. Since you were my counsellor, I have had no other counsellor,--unless it be poor Kate, whose wish that we may at length be married is second in earnestness only to my own. Nor do I think you will doubt my repentance. Such repentance indeed claims no merit, as it has been the natural result of the loss which I have suffered. Providence has hitherto been very good to me in not having made that loss irremediable by your marriage with Mr. Grey. I wish you now to consider the matter well, and to tell me whether you can pardon me and still love me. Do I flatter myself when I feel that I doubt your pardon almost more than I doubt your love? Think of this thing in all its bearings before you answer me. I am so anxious that you should think of it that I will not expect your reply till this day week. It can hardly be your desire to go through life unmarried. I should say that it must be essential to your ambition that you should join your lot to that of some man the nature of whose aspirations would be like to your own. It is because this was not so as regarded him whose suit you had accepted, that you found yourself at last obliged to part from him. May I not say that with us there would be no such difference? It is because I believe that in this respect we are fitted for each other, as man and woman seldom are fitted, that I once again ask you to be my wife. This will reach you at Vavasor, where you will now be with the old squire and Kate. I have told her nothing of my purpose in writing this letter. If it should be that your answer is such as I desire, I should use the opportunity of our re-engagement to endeavour to be reconciled to my grandfather. He has misunderstood me and has ill-used me. But I am ready to forgive that, if he will allow me to do so. In such case you and Kate would arrange that, and I would, if possible, go down to Vavasor while you are there. But I am galloping on a-head foolishly in thinking of this, and am counting up my wealth while the crockery in my basket is so very fragile. One word from you will decide whether or no I shall ever bring it into market. If that word is to be adverse do not say anything of a meeting between me and the Squire. Under such circumstances it would be impossible. But, oh, Alice! do not let it be adverse. I think you love me. Your woman's pride towards me has been great and good and womanly; but it has had its way; and, if you love me, might now be taught to succumb. Dear Alice, will you be my wife? Yours, in any event, most affectionately. GEORGE VAVASOR.", "pos": 623065}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "I'll bet two to one that she gives way. Women are such out-and-out fools. Jem, there's half a crown lying there on the looking-glass. Is it a head or a tail, Jem?", "pos": 629902}
{"speaker": "Jem", "text": "Then take that letter and post it,", "pos": 630564}
{"speaker": "Burgo", "text": "This will be brought to you by Stickling. I send the bill. Couldn't you get the money and send it me, as I don't want to go up to town again before the thing comes off? You're a trump; and will do the best you can. Don't let that rogue off for less than a hundred and twenty.--Yours, B. F.", "pos": 631074}
{"speaker": "Magruin", "text": "Oh, Mr. Vavasor, really this is no morning for business!", "pos": 631531}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "Time and tide wait for no man, Mr. Magruin, and my friend wants his money to-morrow.", "pos": 631606}
{"speaker": "Magruin", "text": "Oh, Mr. Vavasor,--to-morrow!", "pos": 631693}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "Yes, to-morrow. If time and tide won't wait, neither will love. Come, Mr. Magruin, out with your cheque-book, and don't let's have any nonsense.", "pos": 631724}
{"speaker": "Magruin", "text": "But is the lady sure, Mr. Vavasor?", "pos": 631871}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "Ladies never are sure, hardly more sure than bills made over to money-lenders. I'm not going to wait here all day. Are you going to give him the money?", "pos": 631938}
{"speaker": "Magruin", "text": "Christmas-day, Mr. Vavasor! There's no getting money in the city to-day. Do tell him to be punctual. I do so like young men to be punctual. But I really think Mr. Fitzgerald is the most unpunctual young man I ever did know yet.", "pos": 632108}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "I think he is,", "pos": 632566}
{"speaker": "Squire", "text": "Why didn't your aunt come here to eat her Christmas dinner?", "pos": 633725}
{"speaker": "Kate", "text": "Perhaps, sir, because you didn't ask her,", "pos": 633804}
{"speaker": "Squire", "text": "And why didn't you ask her;--that is, if she stands upon asking to come to her old home?", "pos": 633930}
{"speaker": "Kate", "text": "Nay, sir, but I couldn't do that without your bidding. We Vavasors are not always fond of meeting each other.", "pos": 634021}
{"speaker": "Squire", "text": "Hold your tongue, Kate. I know what you mean, and you should be the last to speak of it. Alice, my dear, come and sit next to me. I am much obliged to you for coming down all this way to see your old grandfather at Christmas. I am indeed. I only wish you had brought better news about your sweetheart.", "pos": 634133}
{"speaker": "John Vavasor", "text": "She'll think better of it before long, sir,", "pos": 634437}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "Papa, you shouldn't say that. You would not wish me to marry against my own judgement.", "pos": 634500}
{"speaker": "Squire", "text": "I don't know much about ladies' judgements. It does seem to me that when a lady makes a promise she ought to keep it.", "pos": 634589}
{"speaker": "Kate", "text": "According to that, if I were engaged to a man, and found that he was a murderer, I still ought to marry him.", "pos": 634729}
{"speaker": "Squire", "text": "But Mr. Grey is not a murderer,", "pos": 634853}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "Pray,--pray, don't talk about it. If you do I really cannot sit and hear it.", "pos": 634904}
{"speaker": "John Vavasor", "text": "I have given over saying anything on the subject,", "pos": 634997}
{"speaker": "Squire", "text": "Alice, my dear, you ought to get married. My dear child. I have been thinking a great deal about you, and you ought to get married.", "pos": 640476}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "Well, sir, perhaps I shall some day.", "pos": 641110}
{"speaker": "Squire", "text": "Not if you quarrel with all your suitors. You quarrelled with your cousin George, and now you have quarrelled with Mr. Grey. You'll never get married, my dear, if you go on in that way.", "pos": 641149}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "Why should I be married more than Kate?", "pos": 641357}
{"speaker": "Squire", "text": "Oh, Kate! I don't know that anybody wants to marry Kate. I wish you'd think of what I say. If you don't get married before long, perhaps you'll never get married at all. Gentlemen won't stand that kind of thing for ever.", "pos": 641399}
{"speaker": "Kate", "text": "We shan't be able to get to the lake,", "pos": 641702}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "No, but we can go as far as the big stone on Swindale Fell, where we can sit down and see it.", "pos": 641753}
{"speaker": "Kate", "text": "Do you remember the last time we sat there? It is nearly three years ago, and it was then that you told me that all was to be over between you and George. Do you remember what a fool I was, and how I screamed in my sorrow? I sometimes wonder at myself and my own folly. How is it that I can never get up any interest about my own belongings? And then we got soaking wet through coming home.", "pos": 641863}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "I remember that very well.", "pos": 642269}
{"speaker": "Kate", "text": "And how dark it was! That was in September, but we had dined early. If we go as far as Swindale we shall have it very dark coming home to-day;--but I don't mind that through the Beacon Wood, because I know my way so well. You won't be afraid of half an hour's dark?", "pos": 642298}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "Oh, no,", "pos": 642566}
{"speaker": "Kate", "text": "Yes; I do remember that day. Well; it's all for the best, I suppose. And now I must read you my aunt's letter. You must understand all the time, Alice, that the dear man has never given me the slightest ground for the faintest hope, and that I know to a certainty that he makes an offer to her twice a week,--that is, on every market day. You can't enjoy half the joke if you won't bear that in mind. These are not market days at Norwich, and thus unpleasant meetings are avoided.", "pos": 642588}
{"speaker": "Mrs. Greenow", "text": "He comes in, and takes a little tea; and sometimes I think that he will faint at my feet.", "pos": 643972}
{"speaker": "Kate", "text": "That he kneels there on every occasion, and repeats his offer also twice a week, I have not the least doubt in the world.", "pos": 644085}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "And will she accept him at last?", "pos": 644222}
{"speaker": "Kate", "text": "Really I don't know what to think of it. Sometimes I fancy that she likes the fun of the thing, but that she is too wide-awake to put herself in any man's power. I have no doubt she lends him money, because he wants it sadly and she is very generous. She gives him money, I feel sure, but takes his receipt on stamped paper for every shilling. That's her character all over.", "pos": 644257}
{"speaker": "Mrs. Greenow", "text": "Come and have one other look at Oileymead, and then, if you make up your mind that you don't like it or him, I won't ask you to think of them ever again. I believe him to be a very honest fellow.", "pos": 644842}
{"speaker": "Kate", "text": "Did you ever know such a woman? with all her faults I believe she would go through fire and water to serve me. I think she'd lend me money without any stamped paper.", "pos": 645059}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "At any rate he does me justice. He is welcome to it all if it will help him in his career, whether he has it as my friend or as my husband.", "pos": 649770}
{"speaker": "Kate", "text": "There's Helvellyn at last. I'm always happy when I see that.", "pos": 651063}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "And isn't that Kidsty Pike?", "pos": 651139}
{"speaker": "Kate", "text": "No; you don't see Kidsty yet. But you will when you get up to the bank there. That's Scaw Fell on the left;--the round distant top. I can distinguish it, though I doubt whether you can. And now we are on Swindale, and in five minutes we shall get to the stone.", "pos": 651182}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "I'm so glad I've come here. I cannot bear the idea of coming to Vavasor without seeing one of the lakes at least.", "pos": 653028}
{"speaker": "Kate", "text": "We'll get over to Windermere one day,", "pos": 653175}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "I don't think we shall. I don't think it possible that I should stay long. Kate, I've got a letter to show you.", "pos": 653226}
{"speaker": "Kate", "text": "Is it from Mr. Grey?", "pos": 653488}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "No, it is not from Mr. Grey.", "pos": 653522}
{"speaker": "Kate", "text": "Has he offended you?", "pos": 653739}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "Read it, and then we'll talk of it afterwards,--as we go home. Well!", "pos": 653773}
{"speaker": "Kate", "text": "Well. Alice, Alice, it will, indeed, be well if you listen to him. Oh, Alice, may I hope? Alice, my own Alice, my darling, my friend! Say that it shall be so. Alice. I did not think I should be made so happy this Christmas Day. You could not have the heart to bring me here and show me this letter in this way, and bid me read it so calmly, and then tell me that it is all for nothing. No; you could not do that? Alice, I am so happy. I will so love this place. I hated it before. But is it not a beautiful letter? Say, Alice,--is it not a letter of which if you were his brother you would feel proud if another girl had shown it to you? I do feel proud of him. I know that he is a man with a manly heart and manly courage, who will yet do manly things. Here out on the mountain, with nobody near us, with Nature all round us, I ask you on your solemn word as a woman, do you love him?", "pos": 654060}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "Love him!", "pos": 655569}
{"speaker": "Kate", "text": "Yes;--love him: as a woman should love her husband. Is not your heart his? Alice, there need be no lies now. If it be so, it should be your glory to say so, here, to me, as you hold that letter in your hand.", "pos": 655593}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "I can have no such glory, Kate. I have ever loved my cousin; but not so passionately as you seem to think.", "pos": 655803}
{"speaker": "Kate", "text": "Then there can be no passion in you.", "pos": 655912}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "Perhaps not, Kate. I would sometimes hope that it is so. But come; we shall be late; and you will be cold sitting there.", "pos": 655951}
{"speaker": "Kate", "text": "I would sit here all night to be sure that your answer would be as I would have it. But, Alice, at any rate you shall tell me before I move what your answer is to be. I know you will not refuse him; but make me happy by saying so with your own lips.", "pos": 656074}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "I cannot tell you before you move, Kate.", "pos": 656326}
{"speaker": "Kate", "text": "And why not?", "pos": 656369}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "Because I have not as yet resolved.", "pos": 656384}
{"speaker": "Kate", "text": "Ah, that is impossible. That is quite impossible. On such a subject and under such circumstances a woman must resolve at the first moment. You had resolved, I know, before you had half read the letter;--though, perhaps, it may not suit you to say so.", "pos": 656422}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "You are quite mistaken. Come along and let us walk, and I will tell you all.", "pos": 656675}
{"speaker": "Kate", "text": "You will not answer him without speaking to me first?", "pos": 658300}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "I will, at any rate, not send my answer without telling you,", "pos": 658367}
{"speaker": "Kate", "text": "And you will let me see it?", "pos": 658442}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "Nay. I will not promise that. But if it is unfavourable I will show it you.", "pos": 658472}
{"speaker": "Kate", "text": "Then I shall never see it. But that is quite enough for me. I by no means wish to criticise the love-sweet words in which you tell him that his offences are all forgiven. I know how sweet they will be. Oh, heavens! how I envy him! But, grandpapa, you are always too fast,", "pos": 658564}
{"speaker": "Squire", "text": "And you are always too slow, miss,", "pos": 659232}
{"speaker": "Kate", "text": "Indeed, it is not five yet. Is it, Alice? Not ten minutes;--are we, Alice? And, grandpapa, pray don't wait.", "pos": 659297}
{"speaker": "Squire", "text": "Don't wait! That's what they always say,", "pos": 659454}
{"speaker": "Kate", "text": "Pray for him to-night, as you pray for those you love best.", "pos": 659853}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "Why should I keep him in suspense? If it is to be so, there can be no good in not saying so at once.", "pos": 660171}
{"speaker": "Kate", "text": "But it isn't post-day,", "pos": 661133}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "I have given a boy sixpence to take it to Shap, and do you keep yours by asking no further questions.", "pos": 661226}
{"speaker": "Kate", "text": "My sister,--my own sister. You have not proposed any horrid stipulations to him?", "pos": 661462}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "I don't know what you may call horrid stipulations. My conditions have not been very hard, and I do not think you would have disapproved them.", "pos": 661947}
{"speaker": "Kate", "text": "He is so impetuous! Will he disapprove them?", "pos": 662124}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "I have told him-- But, Kate, this is just what I did not mean to tell you.", "pos": 662171}
{"speaker": "Kate", "text": "Why should there be secrets between us?", "pos": 662248}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "There shall be none, then. I have told him that I cannot bring myself to marry him instantly;--that he must allow me twelve months to wear off, if I can in that time, much of sadness and of self-reproach which has fallen to my lot.", "pos": 662301}
{"speaker": "Kate", "text": "Twelve months, Alice?", "pos": 662535}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "Listen to me. I have said so. But I have told him also that if he wishes it still, I will at once tell papa and grandpapa that I hold myself as engaged to him, so that he may know that I bind myself to him as far as it is possible that I should do so. And I have added something else, Kate, something else which I can tell you, though I could tell it to no other person. I can tell you because you would do, and will do the same. I have told him that any portion of my money is at his service which may be needed for his purposes before that twelve months is over.", "pos": 662559}
{"speaker": "Kate", "text": "Oh, Alice! No;--no. You shall not do that. It is too generous.", "pos": 663172}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "But I have done it. Mercury, with sixpence in his pocket, is already posting my generosity at Shap. And, to tell the truth, Kate, it is no more than fair. He has honestly told me that while the old Squire lives he will want my money to assist him in a career of which I do much more than approve. It has been my earnest wish to see him in Parliament. It will now be the most earnest desire of my heart;--the one thing as to which I shall feel an intense anxiety. How then can I have the face to bid him wait twelve months for that which is specially needed in six months' time? It would be like the workhouses which are so long in giving bread, that in the mean time the wretches starve.", "pos": 663356}
{"speaker": "Kate", "text": "But the wretch shan't starve. My money, small as it is, will carry him over this bout. I have told him that he shall have it, and that I expect him to spend it. Moreover, I have no doubt that Aunt Greenow would lend me what he wants.", "pos": 664046}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "But I should not wish him to borrow from Aunt Greenow. She would advance him the money, as you say, upon stamped paper, and then talk of it.", "pos": 664295}
{"speaker": "Kate", "text": "He shall have mine,", "pos": 664438}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "And who are you? You are not going to be his wife?", "pos": 664471}
{"speaker": "Kate", "text": "He shall not touch your money till you are his wife. I wish you would consent to change your mind about this stupid tedious year, and then you might do as you pleased. I have no doubt such a settlement might be made as to the property here, when my grandfather hears of it, as would make you ultimately safe.", "pos": 664548}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "And do you think I care to be ultimately safe, as you call it? Kate, my dear, you do not understand me.", "pos": 664888}
{"speaker": "Kate", "text": "I suppose not. And yet I thought that I had known something about you.", "pos": 664994}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "It is because I do not care for the safety of which you speak that I am now going to become your brother's wife. Do you suppose that I do not see that I must run much risk?", "pos": 665067}
{"speaker": "Kate", "text": "You prefer the excitement of London to the tranquillity, may I say, of Cambridgeshire.", "pos": 665242}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "Exactly;--and therefore I have told George that he shall have my money whenever he wants it.", "pos": 665331}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "Grandpapa,", "pos": 667584}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "you told me the other day that you thought I ought to be--married.", "pos": 668206}
{"speaker": "Squire", "text": "Did I, my dear? Well, yes; so I did. And so you ought;--I mean to that Mr. Grey.", "pos": 668275}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "That is impossible, sir. I am come, grandpapa, to tell you of another engagement. You know, that some years ago I was to have been married to my cousin George;", "pos": 668358}
{"speaker": "Squire", "text": "Well,", "pos": 668919}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "And I remember you told me then that you were much pleased.", "pos": 668945}
{"speaker": "Squire", "text": "So I was. George was doing well then; or,--which is more likely,--had made us believe that he was doing well. Have you made it up with him again?", "pos": 669007}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "Yes, sir.", "pos": 669155}
{"speaker": "Squire", "text": "And that's the meaning of your jilting Mr. Grey, is it?", "pos": 669167}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "Grandpapa!", "pos": 669665}
{"speaker": "Squire", "text": "Well, my dear, I don't want to be ill-natured. So you are going at last to marry George, are you? I hope he'll treat you well; that's all. Does your father approve of it?", "pos": 669776}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "I have told you first, sir;--because I wish to obtain your consent to seeing George again here as your grandson.", "pos": 669949}
{"speaker": "Squire", "text": "Never,", "pos": 670064}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "If he has been wrong, he will beg your pardon.", "pos": 670111}
{"speaker": "Squire", "text": "If he has been wrong! Didn't he want to squander every shilling of the property,--property which has never belonged to him;--property which I could give to Tom, Dick, or Harry to-morrow, if I liked?--If he has been wrong!", "pos": 670160}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "I am not defending him, sir;--but I thought that, perhaps, on such an occasion as this--", "pos": 670384}
{"speaker": "Squire", "text": "A Tom Fool's occasion! You've got money of your own. He'll spend all that now.", "pos": 670475}
{"speaker": "Unknown", "text": "He will be less likely to do so if you will recognise him as your heir. Pray believe, sir, that he is not the sort of man that he was.", "pos": 670555}
{"speaker": "Unknown", "text": "He must be a very clever sort of man, I think, when he has talked you out of such a husband as John Grey. It's astounding to me,--with that ugly mug of his! Well, my dear, if your father approves of it, and if George will ask my pardon,--but I don't think he ever will--", "pos": 670692}
{"speaker": "Kate", "text": "He will, sir. I am his messenger for as much as that.", "pos": 670965}
{"speaker": "Unknown", "text": "Oh, you are, are you? Then you may also be my messenger to him, and tell him that, for your sake, I will let him come back here. I know he'll insult me the first day; but I'll try and put up with it,--for your sake, my dear. Of course I must know what your father thinks about it.", "pos": 671021}
{"speaker": "John Vavasor", "text": "I knew it would be so. I knew all along how it would be.", "pos": 671389}
{"speaker": "Kate", "text": "And why should it not be so, Uncle John?", "pos": 671552}
{"speaker": "John Vavasor", "text": "He is your brother, and I will not tell you why.", "pos": 671595}
{"speaker": "Kate", "text": "You think that he is a spendthrift?", "pos": 671646}
{"speaker": "John Vavasor", "text": "I think that he is as unsafe a man as ever I knew to be intrusted with the happiness of any young woman. That is all.", "pos": 671684}
{"speaker": "Kate", "text": "You are hard upon him, uncle.", "pos": 671804}
{"speaker": "John Vavasor", "text": "Perhaps so. Tell Alice this from me,--that as I have never yet been able to get her to think anything of my opinion, I do not at all expect that I shall be able to induce her to do so now. I will not even make the attempt. As my son-in-law I will not receive George Vavasor. Tell Alice that.", "pos": 671836}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "And now, let us see what the girl of my heart says to me.", "pos": 673334}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "MY DEAR GEORGE. I feel great difficulty in answering your letter. Could I have my own way, I should make no answer to it at present, but leave it for the next six months, so that then such answer might hereafter be made as circumstances should seem to require. This will be little flattering to you, but it is less flattering to myself. Whatever answer I may make, how can anything in this affair be flattering either to you or to me? We have been like children who have quarrelled over our game of play, till now, at the close of our little day of pleasure, we are fain to meet each other in tears, and acknowledge that we have looked for delights where no delights were to be found. Kate, who is here, talks to me of passionate love. There is no such passion left to me;--nor, as I think, to you either. It would not now be possible that you and I should come together on such terms as that. We could not stand up together as man and wife with any hope of a happy marriage, unless we had both agreed that such happiness might be had without passionate love. You will see from all this that I do not refuse your offer. Without passion, I have for you a warm affection, which enables me to take a livelier interest in your career than in any other of the matters which are around me. Of course, if I become your wife that interest will be still closer and dearer, and I do feel that I can take in it that concern which a wife should have in her husband's affairs. If it suits you, I will become your wife;--but it cannot be quite at once. I have suffered much from the past conflicts of my life, and there has been very much with which I must reproach myself. I know that I have behaved badly. Sometimes I have to undergo the doubly bitter self-accusation of having behaved in a manner which the world will call unfeminine. You must understand that I have not passed through this unscathed, and I must beg you to allow me some time for a cure. A perfect cure I may never expect, but I think that in twelve months from this time I may so far have recovered my usual spirit and ease of mind as to enable me to devote myself to your happiness. Dear George, if you will accept me under such circumstances, I will be your wife, and will endeavour to do my duty by you faithfully. I have said that even now, as your cousin, I take a lively interest in your career,--of course I mean your career as a politician,--and especially in your hopes of entering Parliament. I understand, accurately as I think, what you have said about my fortune, and I perfectly appreciate your truth and frankness. If I had nothing of my own you, in your circumstances, could not possibly take me as your wife. I know, moreover, that your need of assistance from my means is immediate rather than prospective. My money may be absolutely necessary to you within this year, during which, as I tell you most truly, I cannot bring myself to become a married woman. But my money shall be less cross-grained than myself. You will take it as frankly as I mean it when I say, that whatever you want for your political purposes shall be forthcoming at your slightest wish. Dear George, let me have the honour and glory of marrying a man who has gained a seat in the Parliament of Great Britain! Of all positions which a man may attain that, to me, is the grandest. I shall wait for a further letter from you before I speak either to my father or to my grandfather. If you can tell me that you accede to my views, I will at once try to bring about a reconciliation between you and the Squire. I think that that will be almost easier than inducing my father to look with favour upon our marriage. But I need hardly say that should either one or the other oppose it,--or should both do so,--that would not turn me from my purpose. I also wait for your answer to write a last line to Mr. Grey. Your affectionate cousin. ALICE VAVASOR.", "pos": 673492}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "Very well, so be it. It is probably the best thing that I could do, whatever the effect may be on her.", "pos": 677603}
{"speaker": "Burgo", "text": "Burgo, your old flame, Lady Glencora, is not coming here. Lady Glencora not coming! But, by heavens, it is. It is matter of moment to me. I am the most unfortunate devil that ever lived. Fie, Burgo, fie! You must not speak in that way of a married woman. I begin to think it is better that she should not come. Come back into your room, Burgo. If this does annoy you, you should keep it to yourself! What will people say? How can I help what they say? You can do as you please about that, but you know as well as I do what I have made up my mind to do.", "pos": 678945}
{"speaker": "Sir Cosmo Monk", "text": "Palliser is coming without her. She's ill, she says.", "pos": 683292}
{"speaker": "Unknown", "text": "I'm sorry for it,", "pos": 683421}
{"speaker": "Unknown", "text": "She's a deal the better fellow of the two.", "pos": 683455}
{"speaker": "Unknown", "text": "She has twice more go in her than Planty Pall,", "pos": 683500}
{"speaker": "Sir Cosmo", "text": "Planty is no fool, I can tell you. We think he's about the most rising man we have.", "pos": 683563}
{"speaker": "Burgo", "text": "Burgo, do you hear that Palliser is coming without his wife? I have heard,--and be d----d to him,", "pos": 683939}
{"speaker": "Sir Cosmo", "text": "Burgo, you had better eat your breakfast,", "pos": 684624}
{"speaker": "Burgo", "text": "I don't want any breakfast.", "pos": 684684}
{"speaker": "Sir Cosmo", "text": "If you don't eat any breakfast the less of that you take the better,", "pos": 684891}
{"speaker": "Burgo", "text": "I'm all right now,", "pos": 684978}
{"speaker": "Sir Cosmo", "text": "I can do nothing. He is a man whom no one's words will control. Something has ruffled him this morning, and he must run his chance till he becomes quiet.", "pos": 686384}
{"speaker": "Lady Monk", "text": "We are so sorry. We have been looking forward to having Lady Glencora with us beyond everything. I hope it is nothing serious,", "pos": 688274}
{"speaker": "Lady Monk", "text": "How very wrong!", "pos": 689254}
{"speaker": "Mr. Palliser", "text": "It was very wrong. However, she caught a cold which, unfortunately, has become worse at my uncle's, and so I was obliged to take her home.", "pos": 689315}
{"speaker": "Miss Palliser", "text": "Glencora, you won't be angry, I hope, if I say a word to you?", "pos": 690681}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "That depends very much upon what the word is,", "pos": 690795}
{"speaker": "Miss Palliser", "text": "Well,--the word shall be as little unpleasant as I can make it,", "pos": 691509}
{"speaker": "Unknown", "text": "But why say anything that is unpleasant? However, if it is to be said, let us have it over at once.", "pos": 691650}
{"speaker": "Unknown", "text": "You are going to Monkshade, I believe, with Plantagenet.", "pos": 691752}
{"speaker": "Unknown", "text": "Well;--and what of that?", "pos": 691811}
{"speaker": "Unknown", "text": "Dear Glencora, I think you had better not go. Do you not think so yourself?", "pos": 691838}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "Who has been talking to you?", "pos": 691916}
{"speaker": "Miss Palliser", "text": "Nobody has been talking to me;--not in the sense you mean.", "pos": 691998}
{"speaker": "Unknown", "text": "Plantagenet has spoken to you?", "pos": 692059}
{"speaker": "Miss Palliser", "text": "Not a word. You may be sure that he would not utter a word on such a subject to anyone unless it were to yourself. But, dear Glencora, you should not go there;--I mean it in all kindness and love,--I do indeed.", "pos": 692092}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "Perhaps you do,", "pos": 692395}
{"speaker": "Miss Palliser", "text": "Indeed I do. The world is so hard and cruel in what it says.", "pos": 692438}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "I do not care two straws for what the world says.", "pos": 692501}
{"speaker": "Miss Palliser", "text": "But he might care.", "pos": 692553}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "It is not my fault. I do not want to go to Monkshade. Lady Monk was my friend once, but I do not care if I never see her again. I did not arrange this visit. It was Plantagenet who did it.", "pos": 692574}
{"speaker": "Miss Palliser", "text": "But he will not take you there if you say you do not wish it.", "pos": 692765}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "I have said so, and he told me that I must go. You will hardly believe me,--but I condescended even to tell him why I thought it better to remain away. He told me, in answer, that it was a silly folly which I must live down, and that it did not become me to be afraid of any man.", "pos": 692829}
{"speaker": "Unknown", "text": "Of course you are not afraid, but--", "pos": 693111}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "I am afraid. That is just the truth. I am afraid;--but what can I do more than I have done?", "pos": 693149}
{"speaker": "Sir Cosmo", "text": "I can't see that there's so much in him. I rather think that there is, all the same. There's a good deal in him, I believe! I dare say he's not very bright, but I don't know that we want brightness. A bright financier is the most dangerous man in the world. We've had enough of that already. Give me sound common sense, with just enough of the gab in a man to enable him to say what he's got to say! We don't want more than that nowadays.", "pos": 694506}
{"speaker": "Burgo", "text": "I'm sorry that we have not the pleasure of seeing Lady Glencora with you,", "pos": 695484}
{"speaker": "Mr. Palliser", "text": "She is unfortunately indisposed,", "pos": 695569}
{"speaker": "Burgo", "text": "I am sorry for it, very sorry indeed.", "pos": 695623}
{"speaker": "John Vavasor", "text": "I cannot congratulate you,", "pos": 696747}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "I hope the time may come, papa, when you will,", "pos": 696796}
{"speaker": "John Vavasor", "text": "I think so badly of him, that I would rather know that almost any other calamity was to befall her, than that she should be united to him.", "pos": 697109}
{"speaker": "Squire", "text": "It would do very well for the property. I would settle the estate on their eldest son, so that he could not touch it; and I don't see why he shouldn't reform as well as another. You may tell him, that I will never see him again unless he begs my pardon for his personal bad conduct to me, but that if he marries you, I will take care that the property is properly settled upon his child and yours. I shall always be glad to see you, my dear; and for your sake, I will see him if he will humble himself to me.", "pos": 697507}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "There cannot be obedience on one side, without protection and support on the other.", "pos": 698948}
{"speaker": "John Vavasor", "text": "She will be tired to-night, and I will speak to her to-morrow.", "pos": 701779}
{"speaker": "John Vavasor", "text": "I want to speak to you after breakfast to-morrow,", "pos": 702407}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "Will you come up-stairs? Alice,", "pos": 702982}
{"speaker": "John Vavasor", "text": "Perhaps that will be best. Alice. I must speak to you about this engagement of yours.", "pos": 703078}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "Won't you sit down, papa? It does look so dreadful, your standing up over one in that way.", "pos": 703268}
{"speaker": "John Vavasor", "text": "I was greatly grieved when I heard of this at Vavasor.", "pos": 703493}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "I am sorry that you should be grieved, papa.", "pos": 703550}
{"speaker": "John Vavasor", "text": "I was grieved. I must confess that I never could understand why you treated Mr. Grey as you have done.", "pos": 703597}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "Oh, papa, that's done and past. Pray let that be among the bygones.", "pos": 703702}
{"speaker": "John Vavasor", "text": "Does he know yet of your engagement with your cousin?", "pos": 703772}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "He will know it by this time to-morrow.", "pos": 703828}
{"speaker": "John Vavasor", "text": "Then I beg of you, as a great favour, to postpone your letter to him. I have not troubled you with many such requests, Alice. Will you tell me that this one shall be granted?", "pos": 703870}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "I think that I owe it to him as an imperative duty to let him know the truth.", "pos": 704079}
{"speaker": "John Vavasor", "text": "But you may change your mind again.", "pos": 704159}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "I have no right to say that it is impossible,", "pos": 704388}
{"speaker": "John Vavasor", "text": "No;--exactly so. And therefore it will be better that you should postpone any such communication.", "pos": 704484}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "For how long do you mean?", "pos": 704603}
{"speaker": "John Vavasor", "text": "Till you and I shall have agreed together that he should be told.", "pos": 704631}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "No, papa; I will not consent to that. I consider myself bound to let him know the truth without delay. I have done him a great injury, and I must put an end to that as soon as possible.", "pos": 704699}
{"speaker": "John Vavasor", "text": "You have done him an injury certainly, my dear;--a very great injury, and I believe he will feel it as such to the last day of his life, if this goes on.", "pos": 704886}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "I hope not. I believe that it will not be so. I feel sure that it will not be so.", "pos": 705116}
{"speaker": "John Vavasor", "text": "But of course what I am thinking of now is your welfare,--not his. When you simply told me that you intended to--. that you intended to break your engagement with Mr. Grey. I said little or nothing to you. I would not ask you to marry any man, even though you had yourself promised to marry him. But when you tell me that you are engaged to your cousin George, the matter is very different. I do not think well of your cousin. Indeed I think anything but well of him. It is my duty to tell you that the world speaks very ill of him. When you were about to travel with him. I ought perhaps to have told you the same. But I did not wish to pain you or his sister; and, moreover, I have heard worse of him since then,--much worse than I had heard before.", "pos": 705200}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "As you did not tell me before, I think you might spare me now,", "pos": 706225}
{"speaker": "John Vavasor", "text": "No, my dear; I cannot allow you to sacrifice yourself without telling you that you are doing so. If it were not for your money he would never think of marrying you.", "pos": 706302}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "Of that I am well aware. He has told me so himself very plainly.", "pos": 706469}
{"speaker": "John Vavasor", "text": "And yet you will marry him?", "pos": 706550}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "Certainly I will. It seems to me, papa, that there is a great deal of false feeling about this matter of money in marriage,--or rather, perhaps, a great deal of pretended feeling. Why should I be angry with a man for wishing to get that for which every man is struggling? At this point of George's career the use of money is essential to him. He could not marry without it.", "pos": 706580}
{"speaker": "John Vavasor", "text": "You had better then give him your money without yourself,", "pos": 706956}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "That is just what I mean to do, papa,", "pos": 707052}
{"speaker": "John Vavasor", "text": "What! You mean to give him your money before you marry him?", "pos": 707104}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "Certainly I do;--if he should want it;--or, I should rather say, as much as he may want of it.", "pos": 707212}
{"speaker": "John Vavasor", "text": "Heavens and earth! Alice, you must be mad.", "pos": 707309}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "To part with my money to my friend? It is a kind of madness of which I need not at any rate be ashamed.", "pos": 707379}
{"speaker": "John Vavasor", "text": "Tell me this, Alice; has he got any of it as yet?", "pos": 707497}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "Not a shilling. Papa, pray do not look at me like that. If I had no thought of marrying him you would not call me mad because I lent to my cousin what money he might need.", "pos": 707549}
{"speaker": "John Vavasor", "text": "I should only say that so much of your fortune was thrown away, and if it were not much that would be an end of it. I would sooner see you surrender to him the half of all you have, without any engagement to marry him, than know that he had received a shilling from you under such a promise.", "pos": 707723}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "You are prejudiced against him, sir.", "pos": 708017}
{"speaker": "John Vavasor", "text": "Was it prejudice that made you reject him once before? Did you condemn him then through prejudice? Had you not ascertained that he was altogether unworthy of you?", "pos": 708056}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "We were both younger, then. We were both much younger then, and looked at life with other eyes than those which we now use. For myself I expected much then, which I now seem hardly to regard at all; and as for him, he was then attached to pleasures to which I believe he has now learned to be indifferent.", "pos": 708221}
{"speaker": "John Vavasor", "text": "Psha!", "pos": 708585}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "I can only speak as I believe. And I think I may perhaps know more of his manner of life than you do, papa. But I am prepared to run risks now which I feared before. Even though he were all that you think him to be, I would still endeavour to do my duty to him, and to bring him to other things.", "pos": 708616}
{"speaker": "John Vavasor", "text": "What is it you expect to get by marrying him?", "pos": 708933}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "A husband whose mode of thinking is congenial to my own. A husband who proposes to himself a career in life with which I can sympathize. I think that I may perhaps help my cousin in the career which he has chosen, and that alone is a great reason why I should attempt to do so.", "pos": 709000}
{"speaker": "John Vavasor", "text": "With your money?", "pos": 709298}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "Partly with my money. Though it were only with my money, even that would be something.", "pos": 709348}
{"speaker": "John Vavasor", "text": "Well, Alice, as your father, I can only implore you to pause before you commit yourself to his hands. If he demands money from you, and you are minded to give it to him, let him have it in moderation. Anything will be better than marrying him. I know that I cannot hinder you; you are as much your own mistress as I am my own master,--or rather a great deal more, as my income depends on my going to that horrid place in Chancery Lane. But yet I suppose you must think something of your father's wishes and your father's opinion. It will not be pleasant for you to stand at the altar without my being there near you. Has any day been fixed between you and him?", "pos": 709483}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "No, papa.", "pos": 710478}
{"speaker": "John Vavasor", "text": "Nothing has been said about that?", "pos": 710490}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "Yes; something has been said. I have told him that it cannot be for a year yet. It is because I told him that, that I told him also that he should have my money when he wanted it.", "pos": 710526}
{"speaker": "John Vavasor", "text": "Not all of it?", "pos": 710708}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "I don't suppose he will need it all. He intends to stand again for Chelsea, and it is the great expense of the election which makes him want money. You are not to suppose that he has asked me for it. When I made him understand that I did not wish to marry quite yet, I offered him the use of that which would be ultimately his own.", "pos": 710743}
{"speaker": "John Vavasor", "text": "And he has accepted it?", "pos": 711077}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "He answered me just as I had intended,--that when the need came he would take me at my word.", "pos": 711103}
{"speaker": "John Vavasor", "text": "Then, Alice, I will tell you what is my belief. He will drain you of every shilling of your money, and when that is gone, there will be no more heard of the marriage. We must take a small house in some cheap part of the town and live on my income as best we may. I shall go and insure my life, so that you may not absolutely starve when I die.", "pos": 711198}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "And I did love him,", "pos": 714666}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "If I can do him good why should I not marry him? For myself, what does it matter? As to this life of mine and all that belongs to it, why should I regard it otherwise than to make it of some service to some one who is dear to me?", "pos": 715412}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "It may be as my father says. It may be that he wants my money only; if so, let him have it. Surely when the year is over I shall know. He should have her money as he might call for it,--all of it excepting some small portion of her income, which might suffice to keep her from burdening her father. Then, if he were contented, he should go free, without reproach, and there should be an end of all question of marriage for her.", "pos": 716955}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "Alice. Dearest Alice!", "pos": 719353}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "Alice. I am a man once again. It is only now that I can tell you what I have suffered during these last few years. Alice. I feel that I am a strong man again, armed to meet the world at all points. Will you not let me thank you for what you have done for me?", "pos": 719971}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "I have done nothing for you, George, nothing at all. That you may do much for yourself is my greatest hope. If I can help you, I will do so most heartily.", "pos": 720904}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "Of course you will help me. I am full of plans, all of which you must share with me. But now, at this moment, my one great plan is that in which you have already consented to be my partner. Alice, you are my wife now. Tell me that it will make you happy to call me your husband.", "pos": 721340}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "That must be still distant, George. I have suffered so much!", "pos": 722320}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "And it has been my fault that you have suffered; I know that. These years of misery have been my doing.", "pos": 722395}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "I do not say that, nor have I ever thought it. I have myself and myself only to blame.", "pos": 722577}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "Alice, dear, let bygones be bygones.", "pos": 722860}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "Bygones will not be bygones. It may be well for people to say so, but it is never true. One might as well say so to one's body as to one's heart. But the hairs will grow grey, and the heart will grow cold.", "pos": 722899}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "I do not see that one follows upon the other. My hair is growing very grey; If grey hairs make an old man, Alice, you will marry an old husband; but even you shall not be allowed to say that my heart is old.", "pos": 723107}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "I spoke of my own heart. I sometimes feel that it has grown very old.", "pos": 723749}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "Alice, that is hardly cheering to me.", "pos": 723833}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "You have come to me too quickly, George, and do not reflect how much there is that I must remember. You have said that bygones should be bygones. Let them be so, at any rate as far as words are concerned. Give me a few months in which I may learn,--not to forget them, for that will be impossible,--but to abstain from speaking of them.", "pos": 723873}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "Alice. Alice, your greeting to me is hardly all that I had hoped.", "pos": 725403}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "Is it not? Indeed, George, I am sorry that you should be disappointed; but what can I say? You would not have me affect a lightness of spirit which I do not feel?", "pos": 725475}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "If you wish, if you wish to retract your letter to me, you now have my leave to do so.", "pos": 725652}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "I do not wish to retract my letter, but I wish to be left awhile, that I may recover my strength of mind. Have you not heard doctors say, that muscles which have been strained, should be allowed rest, or they will never entirely renew their tension? It is so with me now; if I could be quiet for a few months, I think I could learn to face the future with a better courage.", "pos": 726061}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "And is that all you can say to me, Alice?", "pos": 726486}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "What would you have me say?", "pos": 726530}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "I would fain hear one word of love from you; is that unreasonable? I would wish to know from your own lips that you have satisfaction in the renewed prospect of our union; is that too ambitious? It might have been that I was over-bold in pressing my suit upon you again; but as you accepted it, have I not a right to expect that you should show me that you have been happy in accepting it?", "pos": 726560}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "And you have not a word to say to me?", "pos": 727738}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "No other word, at present, George; I have told you that I am not at ease. Why do you press me now?", "pos": 728086}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "You wish me then to go from you?", "pos": 729533}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "Do not be angry with me, George!", "pos": 729577}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "Angry! I have no right to be angry. But, by heaven, I am wrong there. I have the right, and I am angry. I think you owed it me to give me some warmer welcome. Is it to be thus with us always for the next accursed year?", "pos": 729612}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "Oh, George!", "pos": 729833}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "To me it will be accursed. But is it to be thus between us always? Alice, I have loved you above all women. I may say that I have never loved any woman but you; and yet I am sometimes driven to doubt whether you have a heart in you capable of love. After all that has passed, all your old protestations, all my repentance, and your proffer of forgiveness, you should have received me with open arms. I suppose I may go now, and feel that I have been kicked out of your house like a dog.", "pos": 729847}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "If you speak to me like that, and look at me like that, how can I answer you?", "pos": 730336}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "I want no answer. I wanted you to put your hand in mine, to kiss me, and to tell me that you are once more my own. Alice, think better of it; kiss me, and let me feel my arm once more round your waist.", "pos": 730416}
{"speaker": "Mr. Scruby", "text": "You can wait, Smithers. I shan't be very long. You see, when they're in a small way of business, it ruins them. Now that poor devil,--he hasn't had a shilling of his money yet, and the greater part has been paid out of his pocket to the posters. It is hard.", "pos": 735129}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "It is astonishing how much a man may get done for him, without paying anything for years.", "pos": 735998}
{"speaker": "Mr. Scruby", "text": "Yes; that's true. So he may, if he knows how to go about it. But when he does pay, Mr. Vavasor, he does it through the nose;--cent. per cent., and worse, for all his former shortcomings.", "pos": 736101}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "How many there are who never pay at all,", "pos": 736290}
{"speaker": "Mr. Scruby", "text": "Yes, Mr. Vavasor;--that's true, too. But see what a life they lead. It isn't a pleasant thing to be afraid of coming into your agent's office; not what you would like, Mr. Vavasor;--not if I know you.", "pos": 736346}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "I never was afraid of meeting anyone yet, but I don't know what I may come to.", "pos": 736549}
{"speaker": "Mr. Scruby", "text": "Nor never will, I'll go bail. But, Lord love you, I could tell you such tales! I've had Members of Parliament, past, present, and future, almost down on their knees to me in this little room. It's about a month or six weeks before the elections come on when they're at their worst. There is so much you see, Mr. Vavasor, for which a gentleman must pay ready money. It isn't like a business in which a lawyer is supposed to find the capital. If I had money enough to pay out of my own pocket all the cost of all the metropolitan gentlemen for whom I act, why, I could live on the interest without any trouble, and go into Parliament myself like a man.", "pos": 736646}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "I suppose so. But you do do it sometimes.", "pos": 737551}
{"speaker": "Mr. Scruby", "text": "Never, Mr. Vavasor. As a rule, never. I may advance the money, on interest, of course, when I receive a guarantee from the candidate's father, or from six or seven among the committee, who must all be very substantial,--very substantial indeed. But in a general way I don't do it. It isn't my place.", "pos": 737606}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "I thought you did;--but at any rate I don't want you to do it for me.", "pos": 737942}
{"speaker": "Mr. Scruby", "text": "I'm quite sure you don't. I never thought you did, Mr. Vavasor. Lord bless you, Mr. Vavasor, I know the difference between gentlemen as soon as I see them.", "pos": 738014}
{"speaker": "Mr. Scruby", "text": "Yes, yes;--a family arrangement,", "pos": 739190}
{"speaker": "John Grey", "text": "Don't speak of this as yet. Of course when the matter is settled, those few people who know me must know it. But perhaps there may be a doubt as yet, and as long as there is a doubt, it is better that it should not be discussed.", "pos": 744405}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "It is right that I should tell you at once. It is right that I should tell you at once that--. that my cousin, George Vavasor, has repeated to me his offer of marriage, and that I have accepted it. I tell you, chiefly in order that I may save you from the trouble which you purposed to take when I last saw you at Cheltenham. I will not tell you any of the circumstances of this engagement, because I have no right to presume that you will care to hear them. I hardly dare to ask you to believe of me that in all that I have done, I have endeavoured to act with truth and honesty. That I have been very ignorant, foolish,--what you will that is bad, I know well; otherwise there could not have been so much in the last few years of my life on which I am utterly ashamed to look back. For the injury that I have done you, I can only express deep contrition. I do not dare to ask you to forgive me.--ALICE VAVASOR. He'll know it, and that is all that is necessary,", "pos": 745379}
{"speaker": "John Grey", "text": "Seward,", "pos": 749732}
{"speaker": "Seward", "text": "Is there anything wrong?", "pos": 749840}
{"speaker": "John Grey", "text": "Well;--yes; there is something a little wrong. I fear I must leave you, and go up to town to-day.", "pos": 749880}
{"speaker": "Seward", "text": "Nobody ill, I hope?", "pos": 749980}
{"speaker": "John Grey", "text": "No;--nobody is ill. But I must go up to London. Mrs. Bole will take care of you, and you must not be angry with me for leaving you. Why not stay here? I wish you would, old fellow; I do, indeed.", "pos": 750002}
{"speaker": "Seward", "text": "If I can be of the slightest service or comfort to you, I will of course.", "pos": 750790}
{"speaker": "John Grey", "text": "I wish you would; I do, indeed.", "pos": 750908}
{"speaker": "Seward", "text": "Then I will.", "pos": 750942}
{"speaker": "John Grey", "text": "I have got a letter here from--Miss Vavasor,", "pos": 750986}
{"speaker": "Seward", "text": "May I hope that--", "pos": 751044}
{"speaker": "John Grey", "text": "No;--it does not bring good news to me. I do not know that I can tell it you all. I would if I could, but the whole story is one not to be told in a hurry. I should leave false impressions. There are things which a man cannot tell.", "pos": 751064}
{"speaker": "Seward", "text": "Indeed there are,", "pos": 751298}
{"speaker": "John Grey", "text": "I wish with all my heart that you knew it all as I know it; but that is impossible. There are things which happen in a day which it would take a lifetime to explain. I have heard bad news this morning, and I must go up to London at once. I shall go into Ely so as to be there by twelve; and if you will, you shall drive me over. I may be back in a day; certainly in less than a week; but it will be a comfort to me to know that I shall find you here. Seward, if I fail in what I am going to attempt, it is probable that you will never hear Alice Vavasor's name mentioned by me again; but I want you always to bear this in mind;--that at no moment has my opinion of her ever been changed, nor must you in such case imagine from my silence that it has changed. Do you understand me?", "pos": 751331}
{"speaker": "Seward", "text": "I think I do.", "pos": 752288}
{"speaker": "John Grey", "text": "To my thinking she is the finest of God's creatures that I have known. It may be that in her future life she will be severed from me altogether; but I shall not, therefore, think the less well of her; and I wish that you, as my friend, should know that I so esteem her, even though her name should never be mentioned between us.", "pos": 752304}
{"speaker": "John Vavasor", "text": "Have you heard from her?", "pos": 753144}
{"speaker": "John Grey", "text": "Yes, she has written to me.", "pos": 753328}
{"speaker": "John Vavasor", "text": "And told you about her cousin George. I tried to hinder her from writing, but she is very wilful.", "pos": 753372}
{"speaker": "John Grey", "text": "Why should you have hindered her? If the thing was to be told, it is better that it should be done at once.", "pos": 753472}
{"speaker": "John Vavasor", "text": "But I hoped that there might be an escape. I don't know what you think of all this, Grey, but to me it is the bitterest misfortune that I have known. And I've had some bitter things, too,", "pos": 753582}
{"speaker": "John Grey", "text": "What is the escape that you hoped?", "pos": 753897}
{"speaker": "John Vavasor", "text": "I hardly know. The whole thing seems to me to be so mad, that I partly trusted that she would see the madness of it. I am not sure whether you know anything of my nephew George?", "pos": 753946}
{"speaker": "John Grey", "text": "Very little,", "pos": 754145}
{"speaker": "John Vavasor", "text": "I believe him to be utterly an adventurer,--a man without means and without principle,--upon the whole about as bad a man as you may meet. I give you my word, Grey, that I don't think I know a worse man. He's going to marry her for her money; then he will beggar her, after that he'll ill-treat her, and yet what can I do?", "pos": 754171}
{"speaker": "John Grey", "text": "Prevent the marriage.", "pos": 754496}
{"speaker": "John Vavasor", "text": "But how, my dear fellow? Prevent it! It's all very well to say that, and it's the very thing I want to do. But how am I to prevent it? She's as much her own master as you are yours. She can give him every shilling of her fortune to-morrow. How am I to prevent her from marrying him?", "pos": 754520}
{"speaker": "John Grey", "text": "Let her give him every shilling of her fortune to-morrow,", "pos": 754805}
{"speaker": "John Vavasor", "text": "And what is she to do then?", "pos": 754876}
{"speaker": "John Grey", "text": "Then--then,--then,--then let her come to me,", "pos": 754925}
{"speaker": "John Vavasor", "text": "God bless you; God bless you, my dear fellow. I heartily wish for her sake that I could look forward to any such an end to this affair.", "pos": 755195}
{"speaker": "John Grey", "text": "And why not look forward to it? You say that he merely wants her money. As he wants it let him have it!", "pos": 755333}
{"speaker": "John Vavasor", "text": "But Grey, you do not know Alice; you do not understand my girl. When she had lost her fortune nothing would induce her to become your wife.", "pos": 755439}
{"speaker": "John Grey", "text": "Leave that to follow as it may. Our first object must be to sever her from a man, who is, as you say, himself on the verge of ruin; and who would certainly make her wretched. I am here now, not because I wish her to be my own wife, but because I wish that she should not become the wife of such a one as your nephew. If I were you I would let him have her money.", "pos": 755581}
{"speaker": "John Vavasor", "text": "If you were I, you would have nothing more to do with it than the man that is as yet unborn. I know that she will give him her money because she has said so; but I have no power as to her giving it or as to her withholding it. That's the hardship of my position;--but it is of no use to think of that now.", "pos": 755964}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "Of course he must come if he will. It can make no matter. He will say nothing half so hard to me as what I say to myself all day long.", "pos": 758195}
{"speaker": "John Grey", "text": "Alice,", "pos": 759180}
{"speaker": "John Grey", "text": "Alice. You may give it me, as to an old friend. Alice. I do not expect you to say much to me; but there is a question or two which I think you will answer. Has a day been fixed for this marriage?", "pos": 759774}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "No,", "pos": 760198}
{"speaker": "John Grey", "text": "Will it be in a month?", "pos": 760214}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "Oh, no;--not for a year,", "pos": 760239}
{"speaker": "John Grey", "text": "And now one other question, Alice;--but if you are silent, I will not ask it again. Can you tell me why you have again accepted your cousin's offer?", "pos": 760590}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "Because--. But you would never understand me, and there can be no reason why I should dare to hope that you should ever think well of me again.", "pos": 760741}
{"speaker": "John Grey", "text": "Alice, nothing has ever yet been done which need to a certainty separate you and me. I am a persistent man, and I do not even yet give up all hope. A year is a long time. As you say yourself, I do not as yet quite understand you. But, Alice,--and I think that the position in which we stood a few months since justifies me in saying so without offence,--I love you now as well as ever, and should things change with you, I cannot tell you with how much joy and eagerness I should take you back to my bosom. My heart is yours now as it has been since I knew you. My heart is still yours, as it has been since I knew you. I cannot tell you with how much joy I would take you back to my bosom!", "pos": 761639}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "No, no, no;--it was not in my bargain; I never meant it.", "pos": 766056}
{"speaker": "John Grey", "text": "No; he is not specially an ecclesiastical lawyer. He had a partner at Ely, and was always employed by my father, and by most of the clergy there.", "pos": 771187}
{"speaker": "John Grey", "text": "I wish you to understand from the lady's father, that the marriage would be regarded by him with as much dismay as by myself.", "pos": 772163}
{"speaker": "John Vavasor", "text": "Certainly;--it would be ruinous,", "pos": 772317}
{"speaker": "John Grey", "text": "we only wish to try the man. If he be not such as we believe him to be, he can prove it by his conduct. If he is worthy of her, he can then take her. we only wish to try the man. If he be not such as we believe him to be, he can prove it by his conduct. If he is worthy of her, he can then take her.", "pos": 772398}
{"speaker": "Mr. Tombe", "text": "You merely wish to open her eyes, Mr. Grey,", "pos": 772574}
{"speaker": "John Grey", "text": "I wish that he should have what money he wants, and then we shall find what it is he really wishes.", "pos": 772647}
{"speaker": "Mr. Tombe", "text": "Yes; we shall know our man. He shall have the money, Mr. Grey,", "pos": 772749}
{"speaker": "John Vavasor", "text": "What; all in the dark?", "pos": 772959}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "Yes, papa. Why should I have candles when I am doing nothing? I did not expect you.", "pos": 772984}
{"speaker": "John Vavasor", "text": "No; I suppose not. I came here because I want to say a few words to you about business.", "pos": 773070}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "What business, papa?", "pos": 773160}
{"speaker": "John Vavasor", "text": "Well; my love, if I understood you rightly, your cousin George wants some money.", "pos": 773390}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "I did not say that he wants it now; but I think he will want it before the time for the election comes.", "pos": 773473}
{"speaker": "John Vavasor", "text": "If so, he will want it at once. He has not asked you for it yet?", "pos": 773579}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "No; he has merely said that should he be in need he would take me at my word.", "pos": 773646}
{"speaker": "John Vavasor", "text": "I think there is no doubt that he wants it. Indeed, I believe that he is almost entirely without present means of his own.", "pos": 773726}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "I can hardly think so; but I have no knowledge about it. I can only say that he has not asked me yet, and that I should wish to oblige him whenever he may do so.", "pos": 773851}
{"speaker": "John Vavasor", "text": "To what extent, Alice?", "pos": 774015}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "I don't know what I have. I get about four hundred a year, but I do not know what it is worth, or how far it can all be turned into money. I should wish to keep a hundred a year and let him have the rest.", "pos": 774040}
{"speaker": "John Vavasor", "text": "What; eight thousand pounds!", "pos": 774247}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "I do not imagine that he will want so much; but if he should, I wish that he should have it.", "pos": 774372}
{"speaker": "John Vavasor", "text": "Heaven and earth! Of course we should have to give up the house.", "pos": 774467}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "But he has asked me for nothing yet, papa.", "pos": 774660}
{"speaker": "John Vavasor", "text": "No, exactly; and perhaps he may not; but I wish to know what to do when the demand is made. I am not going to oppose you now; your money is your own, and you have a right to do with it as you please;--but would you gratify me in one thing?", "pos": 774705}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "What is it, papa?", "pos": 774947}
{"speaker": "John Vavasor", "text": "When he does apply, let the amount be raised through me?", "pos": 774967}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "How through you?", "pos": 775026}
{"speaker": "John Vavasor", "text": "Come to me; I mean, so that I may see the lawyer, and have the arrangements made. I will promise you that I will not oppose your wishes,", "pos": 775045}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "You will see that I am at Matching, whereas you will remember that I was to have been at Monkshade. I escaped at last by a violent effort, and am now passing my time innocently,--I fear not so profitably as she would induce me to do,--with Iphy Palliser. You remember Iphy. She is a good creature, and would fain turn even me to profit, if it were possible. I own that I am thinking of them all at Monkshade, and am in truth delighted that I am not there. My absence is entirely laid upon your shoulders. That wicked evening amidst the ruins! Poor ruins. I go there alone sometimes and fancy that I hear such voices from the walls, and see such faces through the broken windows! All the old Pallisers come and frown at me, and tell me that I am not good enough to belong to them. There is a particular window to which Sir Guy comes and makes faces at me. I told Iphy the other day, and she answered me very gravely, that I might, if I chose, make myself good enough for the Pallisers. Even for the Pallisers! Isn't that beautiful? That is, if I am still good enough for the Pallisers at that time.", "pos": 775775}
{"speaker": "Unknown", "text": "D---- it,", "pos": 778277}
{"speaker": "Unknown", "text": "I will pay that fellow;", "pos": 778332}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "What a beastly country to live in. What trash it is, hanging on to such a place as that without the means of living like a gentleman, simply because one's ancestors have done so.", "pos": 780945}
{"speaker": "Landlord", "text": "Well, Mr. George, a sight of you's guid for sair een. It's o'er lang since you've been doon amang the fells.", "pos": 781462}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "He was always one of them cankery chiels as never have a kindly word for man nor beast. Seems as though that raw slash in his face had gone right through into his heart.", "pos": 782380}
{"speaker": "Squire", "text": "Where do you want to go?", "pos": 784880}
{"speaker": "Kate", "text": "Only to Shap, grandpapa.", "pos": 785369}
{"speaker": "Squire", "text": "To Shap! what on earth can take you to Shap? There are no shops at Shap.", "pos": 785396}
{"speaker": "Kate", "text": "I am not going to do shopping. I want to see some one there.", "pos": 785471}
{"speaker": "Squire", "text": "Whom can you want to see at Shap?", "pos": 785534}
{"speaker": "Kate", "text": "My brother has come down, and is at the inn there. I had not intended to tell you, as I did not wish to mention his name till you had consented to receive him here.", "pos": 785675}
{"speaker": "Squire", "text": "And he expects to come here now;--does he?", "pos": 785854}
{"speaker": "Kate", "text": "Oh, no, sir. I think he has no expectation of the kind. He has come down simply to see me;--about business I believe.", "pos": 785916}
{"speaker": "Squire", "text": "Business! what business? I suppose he wants to get your money from you?", "pos": 786036}
{"speaker": "Kate", "text": "I think it is with reference to his marriage. I think he wants me to use my influence with Alice that it may not be delayed.", "pos": 786110}
{"speaker": "Squire", "text": "Look here, Kate; if ever you lend him your money, or any of it,--that is, of the principal I mean,--I will never speak to him again under any circumstance. And more than that! Look here, Kate. In spite of all that has past and gone, the property will become his for his life when I die,--unless I change my will. If he gets your money from you, I will change it, and he shall not be a shilling richer at my death than he is now. You can have the horse to go to Shap.", "pos": 786237}
{"speaker": "Kate", "text": "Grandpapa knows that you are here, George,", "pos": 788782}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "The deuce he does! and why did you tell him?", "pos": 788874}
{"speaker": "Kate", "text": "I could not get the car to come in without letting him know why I wanted it.", "pos": 788921}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "What nonsense! as if you couldn't have made any excuse! I was particularly anxious that he should not guess that I am here.", "pos": 789000}
{"speaker": "Kate", "text": "I don't see that it can make any difference, George.", "pos": 789126}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "But I see that it can,--a very great difference. It may prevent my ever being able to get near him again before he dies. What did he say about my coming?", "pos": 789180}
{"speaker": "Kate", "text": "He didn't say much.", "pos": 789336}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "He made no offer as to my going there?", "pos": 789358}
{"speaker": "Kate", "text": "No.", "pos": 789399}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "I should not have gone if he had. I don't know now that I ever shall go. To be there to do any good,--so as to make him alter his will, and leave me in the position which I have a right to expect, would take more time than the whole property is worth. And he would endeavour to tie me down in some way I could not stand;--perhaps ask me to give up my notion for going into Parliament.", "pos": 789405}
{"speaker": "Kate", "text": "He might ask you, but he would not make it ground for another quarrel, if you refused.", "pos": 789792}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "He is so unreasonable and ignorant that I am better away from him. But, Kate, you have not congratulated me on my matrimonial prospects.", "pos": 789881}
{"speaker": "Kate", "text": "Indeed I did, George, when I wrote to you.", "pos": 790020}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "Did you? well; I had forgotten. I don't know that any very strong congratulatory tone is necessary. As things go, perhaps it may be as well for all of us, and that's about the best that can be said for it.", "pos": 790065}
{"speaker": "Kate", "text": "Oh, George!", "pos": 790273}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "You see I'm not romantic, Kate, as you are. Half a dozen children with a small income do not generally present themselves as being desirable to men who wish to push their way in the world.", "pos": 790287}
{"speaker": "Kate", "text": "You know you have always longed to make her your wife.", "pos": 790478}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "I don't know anything of the kind. You have always been under a match-making hallucination on that point. But in this case you have been so far successful, and are entitled to your triumph.", "pos": 790535}
{"speaker": "Kate", "text": "I don't want any triumph; you ought to know that.", "pos": 790727}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "But I'll tell you what I do want, Kate. I want some money. I'm not at all sure that I have not been wrong in making this attempt to get into Parliament,--that I'm not struggling to pick fruit which is above my reach.", "pos": 790779}
{"speaker": "Kate", "text": "Don't say that, George.", "pos": 791089}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "Ah, but I can't help feeling it. I need hardly tell you that I am ready to risk anything of my own. If I know myself I would toss up to-morrow, or for the matter of that to-day, between the gallows and a seat in the House. But I cannot go on with this contest by risking what is merely my own. Money, for immediate use, I have none left, and my neck, though I were ever so willing to risk it, is of no service.", "pos": 791115}
{"speaker": "Kate", "text": "Whatever I have can be yours to-morrow,", "pos": 791528}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "No; I shall not take your money.", "pos": 791996}
{"speaker": "Kate", "text": "You would not scruple, if you knew how welcome you are.", "pos": 792042}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "At any rate, I shall not take it. I should not think it right. All that you have would only just suffice for my present wants, and I should not choose to make you a beggar. There would, moreover, be a difficulty about readjusting the payment.", "pos": 792100}
{"speaker": "Kate", "text": "There would be no difficulty, because no one need be consulted but us two.", "pos": 792345}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "I should not think it right, and therefore let there be an end of it,", "pos": 792422}
{"speaker": "Kate", "text": "What is it you wish then?", "pos": 792569}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "I will explain to you. When Alice and I are married, of course there will be a settlement made on her, and as we are both the grandchildren of the old squire I shall propose that the Vavasor property shall be hers for life in the event of her outliving me.", "pos": 792644}
{"speaker": "Kate", "text": "Well,", "pos": 792903}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "And if this be done, there can be no harm in my forestalling some of her property, which, under the circumstances of such a settlement, would of course become mine when we are married.", "pos": 792922}
{"speaker": "Kate", "text": "But the squire might leave the property to whom he pleases.", "pos": 793109}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "We know very well that he won't, at any rate, leave it out of the family. In fact, he would only be too glad to consent to such an agreement as that I have proposed, because he would thereby rob me of all power in the matter.", "pos": 793171}
{"speaker": "Kate", "text": "But that could not be done till you are married.", "pos": 793399}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "Look here, Kate;--don't you make difficulties. If you mean to say that you won't help me, do say so, and I will go back to London.", "pos": 793450}
{"speaker": "Kate", "text": "I would do anything in my power to help you,--that was not wrong!", "pos": 793672}
{"speaker": "Unknown", "text": "Yes; anybody could say as much as that. That is not much of an offer if you are to keep to yourself the power of deciding what is wrong. Will you write to Alice,--or better still, go to her, and explain that I want the money.", "pos": 793740}
{"speaker": "Unknown", "text": "How can I go to London now?", "pos": 793968}
{"speaker": "Unknown", "text": "You can do it very well, if you choose. But if that be too much, then write to her. It will come much better from you than from me; write to her, and explain that I must pay in advance the expenses of this contest, and that I cannot look for success unless I do so. I did not think that the demand would come so quick on me; but they know that I am not a man of capital, and therefore I cannot expect them to carry on the fight for me, unless they know that the money is sure. Scruby has been bitten two or three times by these metropolitan fellows, and he is determined that he will not be bitten again.", "pos": 793998}
{"speaker": "Unknown", "text": "George,", "pos": 794639}
{"speaker": "Unknown", "text": "Well.", "pos": 794667}
{"speaker": "Unknown", "text": "I wish you would try any other scheme but that.", "pos": 794675}
{"speaker": "Unknown", "text": "There is no other scheme! That's so like a woman;--to quarrel with the only plan that is practicable.", "pos": 794725}
{"speaker": "Unknown", "text": "I do not think you ought to take Alice's money.", "pos": 794829}
{"speaker": "Unknown", "text": "My dear Kate, you must allow me to be the best judge of what I ought to do, and what I ought not to do. Alice herself understands the matter perfectly. She knows that I cannot obtain this position, which is as desirable for her as it is for me--", "pos": 794879}
{"speaker": "Unknown", "text": "And for me as much as for either,", "pos": 795127}
{"speaker": "Unknown", "text": "Very well. Alice, I say, knows that I cannot do this without money, and has offered the assistance which I want. I would rather that you should tell her how much I want, and that I want it now, than that I should do so. That is all. If you are half the woman that I take you to be, you will understand this well enough.", "pos": 795192}
{"speaker": "Unknown", "text": "I want you to write to her quite at once,", "pos": 795727}
{"speaker": "Unknown", "text": "since you seem to think that it is not worth while to take the trouble of a journey to London.", "pos": 795785}
{"speaker": "Unknown", "text": "There is no question about the trouble,", "pos": 795882}
{"speaker": "Unknown", "text": "I would walk to London to get the money for you, if that were all.", "pos": 795935}
{"speaker": "Unknown", "text": "Do you think that Alice will refuse to lend it me?", "pos": 796004}
{"speaker": "Unknown", "text": "I am sure that she would not, but I think that you ought not to take it from her. There seems to me to be something sacred about property that belongs to the girl you are going to marry.", "pos": 796089}
{"speaker": "Unknown", "text": "If there is anything on earth I hate,", "pos": 796278}
{"speaker": "Unknown", "text": "it is romance. If you keep it for reading in your bedroom, it's all very well for those who like it, but when it comes to be mixed up with one's business it plays the devil. If you would only sift what you have said, you would see what nonsense it is. Alice and I are to be man and wife. All our interests, and all our money, and our station in life, whatever it may be, are to be joint property. And yet she is the last person in the world to whom I ought to go for money to improve her prospects as well as my own. That's what you call delicacy. I call it infernal nonsense.", "pos": 796355}
{"speaker": "Unknown", "text": "I tell you what I'll do, George. I'll ask Aunt Greenow to lend you the money,--or to lend it to me.", "pos": 796934}
{"speaker": "Unknown", "text": "I don't believe she'd give me a shilling. Moreover, I want it quite immediately, and the time taken up in letter-writing and negotiations would be fatal to me. If you won't apply to Alice, I must. I want you to tell me whether you will oblige me in this matter.", "pos": 797036}
{"speaker": "Unknown", "text": "If George wishes to come to the Hall, let him come. If he chooses to tell me that he regrets his conduct to me, I will see him.", "pos": 797608}
{"speaker": "Unknown", "text": "What is it?", "pos": 797738}
{"speaker": "Unknown", "text": "I'll do nothing of the kind,", "pos": 797813}
{"speaker": "Unknown", "text": "What good should I get by going to the old man's house?", "pos": 797853}
{"speaker": "Unknown", "text": "Every good,", "pos": 797911}
{"speaker": "Unknown", "text": "If you don't go now you never can do so.", "pos": 797936}
{"speaker": "Unknown", "text": "Never till it's my own,", "pos": 797979}
{"speaker": "Unknown", "text": "If you show him that you are determined to be at variance with him, it never will be your own;--unless, indeed, it should some day come to you as part of Alice's fortune. Think of it, George; you would not like to receive everything from her.", "pos": 798018}
{"speaker": "Unknown", "text": "You haven't answered my question,", "pos": 798413}
{"speaker": "Unknown", "text": "If I go to the Hall, will you write to Alice?", "pos": 798458}
{"speaker": "Unknown", "text": "No, George; I cannot write to Alice asking her for the money.", "pos": 798506}
{"speaker": "Unknown", "text": "You won't?", "pos": 798570}
{"speaker": "Unknown", "text": "I could not bring myself to do it.", "pos": 798583}
{"speaker": "Unknown", "text": "Then, Kate, you and my grandfather may work together for the future. You may get him to leave you the place if you have skill enough.", "pos": 798620}
{"speaker": "Unknown", "text": "That is as undeserved a reproach as any woman ever encountered,", "pos": 798756}
{"speaker": "Unknown", "text": "If you have either heart or conscience, you will feel that it is so.", "pos": 798872}
{"speaker": "Unknown", "text": "I'm not much troubled with either one or the other, I fancy. Things are being brought to such a pass with me that I am better without them.", "pos": 798943}
{"speaker": "Unknown", "text": "Will you take my money, George; just for the present?", "pos": 799085}
{"speaker": "Unknown", "text": "No. I haven't much conscience; but I have a little left.", "pos": 799141}
{"speaker": "Unknown", "text": "Will you let me write to Mrs. Greenow?", "pos": 799200}
{"speaker": "Unknown", "text": "I have not the slightest objection; but it will be of no use whatsoever.", "pos": 799241}
{"speaker": "Unknown", "text": "I will do so, at any rate. And now will you come to the Hall?", "pos": 799316}
{"speaker": "Unknown", "text": "To beg that old fool's pardon? No; I won't. In the mood I am in at present, I couldn't do it. I should only anger him worse than ever. Tell him that I've business which calls me back to London at once.", "pos": 799380}
{"speaker": "Unknown", "text": "It is a thousand pities.", "pos": 799584}
{"speaker": "Unknown", "text": "It can't be helped.", "pos": 799611}
{"speaker": "Unknown", "text": "It may make so great a difference to you for your whole life!", "pos": 799633}
{"speaker": "Unknown", "text": "I'll tell you what I'll do,", "pos": 799709}
{"speaker": "Unknown", "text": "I'll go to Vavasor and put up with the old squire's insolence, if you'll make this application for me to Alice.", "pos": 799752}
{"speaker": "Unknown", "text": "But you'll let me write to Aunt Greenow first,", "pos": 800150}
{"speaker": "Unknown", "text": "It will take only two days,--or at the most three?", "pos": 800209}
{"speaker": "Unknown", "text": "I thank Providence, Kate, that circumstances make it impossible for me to stay above two days. I have not linen to last me longer.", "pos": 800674}
{"speaker": "Unknown", "text": "We'll manage that for you at the Hall.", "pos": 800807}
{"speaker": "Unknown", "text": "Indeed you won't do anything of the kind. And look, Kate, when I make that excuse don't you offer to do so. I will stay there over to-morrow night, and shall go into Kendal early, so as to catch the express train up on Thursday morning. Don't you throw me over by any counter proposition.", "pos": 800848}
{"speaker": "Unknown", "text": "Eh, Mr. George; be that you?", "pos": 801282}
{"speaker": "Unknown", "text": "A sight of you is good for sair een.", "pos": 801386}
{"speaker": "Unknown", "text": "I suppose you had better go into the drawing-room,", "pos": 801581}
{"speaker": "Unknown", "text": "while I go to my grandfather. You won't find a fire there.", "pos": 801645}
{"speaker": "Unknown", "text": "Manage it how you please; but don't keep me in the cold very long. Heavens, what a country house! The middle of January, and no fires in the room.", "pos": 801706}
{"speaker": "Unknown", "text": "And remember, George, when you see him you must say that you regret that you ever displeased him. Now that you are here, don't let there be any further misunderstanding.", "pos": 801855}
{"speaker": "Unknown", "text": "I think it very probable that there will be,", "pos": 802027}
{"speaker": "Unknown", "text": "I only hope he'll let me have the old horse to take me back to Shap if there is. There he is at the front door, so I shan't have to go into the room without a fire.", "pos": 802087}
{"speaker": "Unknown", "text": "So you've come back,", "pos": 802451}
{"speaker": "Unknown", "text": "Yes, sir;--I've come back, like the prodigal son in the parable.", "pos": 802564}
{"speaker": "Unknown", "text": "The prodigal son was contrite. I hope you are so.", "pos": 802631}
{"speaker": "Unknown", "text": "Pretty well for that, sir. I'm sorry there has been any quarrel, and all that, you know.", "pos": 802683}
{"speaker": "Unknown", "text": "Go in,", "pos": 802774}
{"speaker": "Unknown", "text": "Go in. To expect anything gracious from you would be to expect pearls from swine. Go in.", "pos": 802814}
{"speaker": "Mr. Cheesacre", "text": "I'll mount you with the harriers, old fellow, and give you a little shooting. Only I won't have you go out when I'm not with you.", "pos": 809059}
{"speaker": "Mrs. Greenow", "text": "Going to Oileymead; are you? It's quite delightful, to see how fond you two gentlemen are of each other.", "pos": 810077}
{"speaker": "Charlie Fairstairs", "text": "I think gentlemen always like to go best to gentlemen's houses where there are no ladies,", "pos": 810378}
{"speaker": "Captain Bellfield", "text": "As for that. I wish with all my heart that dear old Cheesy would get a wife. He wants a wife badly, if ever a man did, with all that house full of blankets and crockery. Why don't you set your cap at him, Miss Fairstairs?", "pos": 810557}
{"speaker": "Charlie", "text": "What;--at a farmer!", "pos": 810799}
{"speaker": "Mrs. Greenow", "text": "Give him my kind love. And look here, Captain Bellfield, suppose you both dine with me next Saturday. He always comes in on Saturday, and you might as well come too. And Charlie shall come to set her cap at Mr. Cheesacre,", "pos": 810983}
{"speaker": "Charlie", "text": "I shall be happy to come, but not with that object. Mr. Cheesacre is very respectable, I'm sure.", "pos": 811399}
{"speaker": "Mr. Cheesacre", "text": "You see, old fellow, there are the rooms, and of course they're empty. But it's such a bore hauling out all the things and putting up the curtains. You'll be very snug where you are.", "pos": 812322}
{"speaker": "Captain Bellfield", "text": "I shall do very well,", "pos": 812518}
{"speaker": "Mr. Cheesacre", "text": "Of course you'll do very well. It's the warmest room in the house in one way.", "pos": 812573}
{"speaker": "Mr. Cheesacre", "text": "A beggar, you know; just a regular beggar!", "pos": 813528}
{"speaker": "Mrs. Greenow", "text": "Poor fellow! He only wants money to make him almost perfect,", "pos": 813658}
{"speaker": "Captain Bellfield", "text": "I had to go and just wish her goodbye you know,", "pos": 814277}
{"speaker": "Mr. Cheesacre", "text": "I don't see that at all,", "pos": 814385}
{"speaker": "Captain Bellfield", "text": "Why, my dear fellow, how foolishly jealous you are. If I were to be downright uncivil to her, as you would have me be, it would only call attention to the thing.", "pos": 814428}
{"speaker": "Mr. Cheesacre", "text": "I'm not a bit jealous. A man who sits upon his own ground as I do hasn't any occasion to be jealous.", "pos": 814592}
{"speaker": "Captain Bellfield", "text": "I don't know what your own ground has to do with it,--but we'll let that pass.", "pos": 814695}
{"speaker": "Mr. Cheesacre", "text": "I think it has a great deal to do with it. If a man does intend to marry he ought to have things comfortable about him; unless he wants to live on his wife, which I look upon as about the meanest thing a man can do. By George, I'd sooner break stones than that.", "pos": 814776}
{"speaker": "Captain Bellfield", "text": "There's no pleasing you, I know. But there's the fact. I went to say goodbye to her, and she asked me to give you that message. Shall we go or not?", "pos": 815157}
{"speaker": "Mr. Cheesacre", "text": "I'll tell you what it is, Bellfield. She's nothing to you, and if you won't mind it, I'll go. Mrs. Jones shall get you anything you like for dinner,--and,--and--I'll stand you a bottle of the '34 port!", "pos": 815421}
{"speaker": "Captain Bellfield", "text": "No, old fellow, that cock won't fight. She has asked me to dine with her on Saturday, and I mean to go. I don't intend that she shall think that I'm afraid of her,--or of you either.", "pos": 815766}
{"speaker": "Mr. Cheesacre", "text": "You don't;--don't you?", "pos": 815962}
{"speaker": "the captain", "text": "No, I don't,", "pos": 815987}
{"speaker": "Mr. Cheesacre", "text": "I wish you'd pay me some of that money you owe me,", "pos": 816028}
{"speaker": "Captain Bellfield", "text": "So I will,--when I've married the widow. Ha,--ha,--ha.", "pos": 816097}
{"speaker": "Mr. Cheesacre", "text": "She knows a trick worth two of that,", "pos": 816409}
{"speaker": "Captain Bellfield", "text": "I dare say she does; and if so, why shouldn't I go and dine with her next Saturday?", "pos": 816472}
{"speaker": "Mr. Cheesacre", "text": "I'll tell you why,--because you're in my way. The deuce is in it if I haven't made the whole thing clear enough. I've told you all my plans because I thought you were my friend, and I've paid you well to help me, too; and yet it seems to me you'd do anything in your power to throw me over,--only you can't.", "pos": 816558}
{"speaker": "the captain", "text": "What an ass you are, just you listen to me. That scraggy young woman, Charlie Fairstairs, is to be there of course.", "pos": 816868}
{"speaker": "Mr. Cheesacre", "text": "How do you know?", "pos": 817020}
{"speaker": "Captain Bellfield", "text": "I tell you that I do know. She was present when the whole thing was arranged, and I heard her asked, and heard her say that she would come;--and for the matter of that I heard her declare that she wouldn't set her cap at you, because you're a farmer.", "pos": 817039}
{"speaker": "Mr. Cheesacre", "text": "Upon my word she's kind. Upon my word she is. Charlie Fairstairs, indeed! I wouldn't pick her out of a gutter with a pair of tongs. She ain't good enough for my bailiff, let alone me.", "pos": 817292}
{"speaker": "Captain Bellfield", "text": "But somebody must take her in hand on Saturday, if you're to do any good,", "pos": 817529}
{"speaker": "Mr. Cheesacre", "text": "What the deuce are you going to do with all this luggage?", "pos": 820889}
{"speaker": "Captain Bellfield", "text": "Put it where I saw you putting yours when I opened my window just now.", "pos": 820981}
{"speaker": "Mr. Cheesacre", "text": "D---- the window. How you do hack that ham about. If you ever found hams yourself you'd be more particular in cutting them.", "pos": 821070}
{"speaker": "Captain Bellfield", "text": "Upon my word, Cheesacre, you're too bad;--upon my word you are,", "pos": 821531}
{"speaker": "Mr. Cheesacre", "text": "What's the matter now?", "pos": 821629}
{"speaker": "Captain Bellfield", "text": "Who wants your ham?", "pos": 821670}
{"speaker": "Mr. Cheesacre", "text": "You do, I suppose, or you wouldn't cut it.", "pos": 821692}
{"speaker": "Captain Bellfield", "text": "No I don't; nor anything else either that you've got. It isn't fair to ask a fellow into your house, and then say such things to him as that. And it isn't what I've been accustomed to either; I can tell you that, Mr. Cheesacre.", "pos": 821737}
{"speaker": "Mr. Cheesacre", "text": "Oh, bother!", "pos": 821967}
{"speaker": "Captain Bellfield", "text": "It's all very well to say bother, but I choose to be treated like a gentleman wherever I go. You and I have known each other a long time, and I'd put up with more from you than from anyone else; but--", "pos": 821981}
{"speaker": "Mr. Cheesacre", "text": "Can you pay me the money that you owe me, Bellfield?", "pos": 822184}
{"speaker": "Captain Bellfield", "text": "No, I can't,", "pos": 822276}
{"speaker": "Mr. Cheesacre", "text": "Then eat your breakfast, and hold your tongue. Now, what do you mean to do with yourself all day?", "pos": 822326}
{"speaker": "Captain Bellfield", "text": "I shall go down to the quarters, and look the fellows up.", "pos": 822930}
{"speaker": "Mr. Cheesacre", "text": "All right. But mind this, Bellfield;--it's an understood thing, that you're not to be in the Close before four?", "pos": 822990}
{"speaker": "Captain Bellfield", "text": "I won't be in the Close before four!", "pos": 823104}
{"speaker": "Mr. Cheesacre", "text": "Very well. That's understood. If you deceive me, I'll not drive you back to Oileymead to-night.", "pos": 823143}
{"speaker": "Captain Bellfield", "text": "Haven't you seen her yet?", "pos": 824014}
{"speaker": "Mr. Cheesacre", "text": "No,", "pos": 824081}
{"speaker": "Captain Bellfield", "text": "Nor yet Charlie Fairstairs?", "pos": 824111}
{"speaker": "Mr. Cheesacre", "text": "I've seen nobody,", "pos": 824141}
{"speaker": "Mrs. Greenow", "text": "Whoever would have expected two gentlemen to be so punctual, especially on market-day!", "pos": 824303}
{"speaker": "Mr. Cheesacre", "text": "Market-day makes no difference when I come to see you,", "pos": 824404}
{"speaker": "Mrs. Greenow", "text": "Looking well. Yes, I'm well enough in health, and I suppose I ought to be thankful that it is so. But if you had buried a wife whom you had loved within the last eighteen months, you would have become as indifferent as I am to all that kind of thing.", "pos": 827479}
{"speaker": "Mr. Cheesacre", "text": "I never was married yet,", "pos": 827809}
{"speaker": "Mrs. Greenow", "text": "And therefore you know nothing about it. Everything in the world is gay and fresh to you. If I were you, Mr. Cheesacre, I would not run the risk. It is hardly worth a woman's while, and I suppose not a man's. The sufferings are too great!", "pos": 827856}
{"speaker": "Mr. Cheesacre", "text": "But I mean to try all the same,", "pos": 828149}
{"speaker": "Mrs. Greenow", "text": "I hope that you may be successful, Mr. Cheesacre, and that she may not be torn away from you early in life. Is dinner ready, Jeannette? That's well. Mr. Cheesacre, will you give your arm to Miss Fairstairs?", "pos": 828264}
{"speaker": "Mr. Cheesacre", "text": "I pay my way, and that ought to give a man higher station than being a beggarly captain,--which I don't believe he is, if all the truth was known.", "pos": 828964}
{"speaker": "Miss Fairstairs", "text": "Military rank is always recognised. If you were a magistrate, Mr. Cheesacre, you would have rank; but I believe you are not.", "pos": 829210}
{"speaker": "Mr. Cheesacre", "text": "Nasty, scraggy old cat,", "pos": 829708}
{"speaker": "Mrs. Greenow", "text": "And now. We will allow these two gentlemen just half an hour, eh Charlie? and then we shall expect them up-stairs.", "pos": 830958}
{"speaker": "Mr. Cheesacre", "text": "Ten minutes will be enough for us here,", "pos": 831162}
{"speaker": "Mrs. Greenow", "text": "Half an hour,", "pos": 831260}
{"speaker": "Mr. Cheesacre", "text": "I'll tell you what it is, Bellfield. I won't have you coming here at all, till this matter is settled.", "pos": 831591}
{"speaker": "Captain Bellfield", "text": "Till what matter is settled?", "pos": 831745}
{"speaker": "Mr. Cheesacre", "text": "You know what matter I mean.", "pos": 831811}
{"speaker": "Captain Bellfield", "text": "You take such a deuce of a time about it.", "pos": 831842}
{"speaker": "Mr. Cheesacre", "text": "No, I don't. I take as little time as anybody could. That other fellow has only been dead about nine months, and I've got the thing in excellent training already.", "pos": 831886}
{"speaker": "Captain Bellfield", "text": "And what harm do I do?", "pos": 832051}
{"speaker": "Mr. Cheesacre", "text": "You disturb me, and you disturb her. You do it on purpose. Do you suppose I can't see? I'll tell you what, now; if you'll go clean out of Norwich for a month, I'll lend you two hundred pounds on the day she becomes Mrs. Cheesacre.", "pos": 832076}
{"speaker": "Captain Bellfield", "text": "And where am I to go to?", "pos": 832309}
{"speaker": "Mr. Cheesacre", "text": "You may stay at Oileymead, if you like;--that is, on condition that you do stay there.", "pos": 832336}
{"speaker": "Captain Bellfield", "text": "And be told that I hack the ham because it's not my own. Shall I tell you a piece of my mind, Cheesacre?", "pos": 832425}
{"speaker": "Mr. Cheesacre", "text": "What do you mean?", "pos": 832532}
{"speaker": "Captain Bellfield", "text": "That woman has no more idea of marrying you than she has of marrying the Bishop. Won't you fill your glass, old fellow? I know where the tap is if you want another bottle. You may as well give it up, and spend no more money in pink fronts and polished boots on her account. You're a podgy man, you see, and Mrs. Greenow doesn't like podgy men. You are very podgy, Cheesacre, and then you so often smell of the farm-yard; and you talk too much of your money and your property. You'd have had a better chance if you had openly talked to her of hers,--as I have done. As it is, you haven't any chance at all.", "pos": 832552}
{"speaker": "Captain Bellfield", "text": "Now I've told you a bit of my mind, Cheesy, my boy, and you'll save yourself a deal of trouble and annoyance if you'll believe what I say. She doesn't mean to marry you. It's most probable that she'll marry me; but, at any rate, she won't marry you.", "pos": 834300}
{"speaker": "Mr. Cheesacre", "text": "Do you mean to pay me my money, sir?", "pos": 834575}
{"speaker": "Captain Bellfield", "text": "Yes, I do.", "pos": 834693}
{"speaker": "Mr. Cheesacre", "text": "But when?", "pos": 834706}
{"speaker": "Captain Bellfield", "text": "When I've married Mrs. Greenow,--and, therefore, I expect your assistance in that little scheme. Let us drink her health. We shall always be delighted to see you at our house, Cheesy, my boy, and you shall be allowed to hack the hams just as much as you please.", "pos": 834718}
{"speaker": "Mr. Cheesacre", "text": "You shall be made to pay for this,", "pos": 834982}
{"speaker": "Captain Bellfield", "text": "All right, old fellow; I'll pay for it,--with the widow's money. Come; our half-hour is nearly over; shall we go up-stairs?", "pos": 835112}
{"speaker": "Mr. Cheesacre", "text": "I'll expose you.", "pos": 835238}
{"speaker": "Captain Bellfield", "text": "Don't now;--don't be ill-natured.", "pos": 835257}
{"speaker": "Mr. Cheesacre", "text": "Will you tell me where you mean to sleep to-night, Captain Bellfield?", "pos": 835293}
{"speaker": "Captain Bellfield", "text": "If I sleep at Oileymead it will only be on condition that I have one of the mahogany-furnitured bedrooms.", "pos": 835365}
{"speaker": "Mr. Cheesacre", "text": "You'll never put your foot in that house again. You're a rascal, sir.", "pos": 835473}
{"speaker": "Captain Bellfield", "text": "Come, come, Cheesy, it won't do for us to quarrel in a lady's house. It wouldn't be the thing at all. You're not drinking your wine. You might as well take another glass, and then we'll go up-stairs.", "pos": 835545}
{"speaker": "Mr. Cheesacre", "text": "You've left your traps at Oileymead, and not one of them you shall have till you've paid me every shilling you owe me. I don't believe you've a shirt in the world beyond what you've got there.", "pos": 835747}
{"speaker": "Captain Bellfield", "text": "It's lucky I brought one in to change; wasn't it, Cheesy? I shouldn't have thought of it only for the hint you gave me. I might as well ring the bell for Jeannette to put away the wine, if you won't take any more.", "pos": 835942}
{"speaker": "Mr. Cheesacre", "text": "Was he here before to-day?", "pos": 836257}
{"speaker": "Jeannette", "text": "Who? The Captain? Oh dear no. The Captain don't come here much now;--not to say often, by no means.", "pos": 836370}
{"speaker": "Mr. Cheesacre", "text": "He's a confounded rascal.", "pos": 836472}
{"speaker": "Jeannette", "text": "Oh, Mr. Cheesacre!", "pos": 836500}
{"speaker": "Mr. Cheesacre", "text": "He is;--and I ain't sure that there ain't others nearly as bad as he is.", "pos": 836537}
{"speaker": "Jeannette", "text": "If you mean me, Mr. Cheesacre, I do declare you're a wronging me; I do indeed.", "pos": 836612}
{"speaker": "Mr. Cheesacre", "text": "What's the meaning of his going on in this way?", "pos": 836693}
{"speaker": "Jeannette", "text": "I don't know nothing of his ways, Mr. Cheesacre; but I've been as true to you, sir;--so I have;--as true as true. Yes, Mr. Cheesacre,--as true as true. What game is up now, I wonder. They two'll be cutting each other's throatses before they've done, and then my missus will take the surwiver.", "pos": 836743}
{"speaker": "Mrs. Greenow", "text": "Yes. Yes,--there he is. It's so like him. Dear Greenow; dear husband! When my spirit is false to thee, let thine forget to visit me softly in my dreams. Thou wast unmatched among husbands. Whose tender kindness was ever equal to thine? whose sweet temper was ever so constant? whose manly care so all-sufficient?", "pos": 838063}
{"speaker": "Mrs. Greenow", "text": "Have you ever seen it, Mr. Cheesacre? It's so like him.", "pos": 839450}
{"speaker": "Mr. Cheesacre", "text": "I saw it at Yarmouth,", "pos": 839530}
{"speaker": "Mrs. Greenow", "text": "That you did not, simply because it never was at Yarmouth. A larger one you may have seen, which I always keep, and always shall keep, close by my bedside.", "pos": 839584}
{"speaker": "Captain Bellfield", "text": "Not if I know it,", "pos": 839817}
{"speaker": "Mr. Cheesacre", "text": "None for me, Captain Bellfield; many thanks for your politeness all the same,", "pos": 840388}
{"speaker": "Captain Bellfield", "text": "Good night, Cheesacre,", "pos": 842107}
{"speaker": "Mrs. Greenow", "text": "I thought you were staying at Oileymead?", "pos": 842239}
{"speaker": "the captain", "text": "I came from there this morning,", "pos": 842301}
{"speaker": "Mr. Cheesacre", "text": "But he isn't going back there, I can tell you,", "pos": 842353}
{"speaker": "Mrs. Greenow", "text": "Oh, indeed. I hope there is nothing wrong.", "pos": 842422}
{"speaker": "the captain", "text": "All as right as a trivet,", "pos": 842488}
{"speaker": "Charlie Fairstairs", "text": "I promised mamma that I would be home by seven,", "pos": 842555}
{"speaker": "Mrs. Greenow", "text": "I'm sorry to find, that you two have quarrelled.", "pos": 843130}
{"speaker": "Mr. Cheesacre", "text": "Mrs. Greenow, that man is a downright swindler.", "pos": 843202}
{"speaker": "Mrs. Greenow", "text": "Oh, Mr. Cheesacre.", "pos": 843314}
{"speaker": "Mr. Cheesacre", "text": "He is. He'll tell you that he was at Inkerman, but I believe he was in prison all the time. I doubt whether he ever saw a shot fired,", "pos": 843335}
{"speaker": "Mrs. Greenow", "text": "He's none the worse for that.", "pos": 843593}
{"speaker": "Mr. Cheesacre", "text": "But he tells such lies; and then he has not a penny in the world. How much do you suppose he owes me, now?", "pos": 843625}
{"speaker": "Mrs. Greenow", "text": "However much it is, I'm sure you are too much of a gentleman to say.", "pos": 843734}
{"speaker": "Mr. Cheesacre", "text": "Well;--yes, I am. But when I asked him how he intended to pay me, what do you think he said? He said he'd pay me when he got your money.", "pos": 843805}
{"speaker": "Mrs. Greenow", "text": "My money! He couldn't have said that!", "pos": 843982}
{"speaker": "Mr. Cheesacre", "text": "But he did, Mrs. Greenow; I give you my word and honour. 'I'll pay you when I get the widow's money,' he said.", "pos": 844022}
{"speaker": "Mrs. Greenow", "text": "You gentlemen must have a nice way of talking about me when I am absent.", "pos": 844135}
{"speaker": "Mr. Cheesacre", "text": "I never said a disrespectful word about you in my life, Mrs. Greenow,--or thought one. He does;--he says horrible things. Oh, I can't tell you;--but he does. What can you expect from such a man as that, who, to my knowledge, won't have a change of clothes to-morrow, except what he brought in on his back this morning. Where he's to get a bed to-night, I don't know, for I doubt whether he's got half-a-crown in the world.", "pos": 844210}
{"speaker": "Mrs. Greenow", "text": "Poor Bellfield!", "pos": 844676}
{"speaker": "Mr. Cheesacre", "text": "Yes; he is poor.", "pos": 844694}
{"speaker": "Mrs. Greenow", "text": "But how gracefully he carries his poverty.", "pos": 844713}
{"speaker": "Mr. Cheesacre", "text": "I should call it very disgraceful, Mrs. Greenow. Mrs. Greenow,--may I say Arabella?", "pos": 844758}
{"speaker": "Mrs. Greenow", "text": "Mr. Cheesacre!", "pos": 844923}
{"speaker": "Mr. Cheesacre", "text": "But mayn't I? Come, Mrs. Greenow. You know well enough by this time what it is I mean. What's the use of shilly-shallying?", "pos": 844940}
{"speaker": "Mrs. Greenow", "text": "Shilly-shallying, Mr. Cheesacre! I never heard such language. If I bid you good night, now, and tell you that it is time for you to go home, shall you call that shilly-shallying?", "pos": 845065}
{"speaker": "Mr. Cheesacre", "text": "I beg your pardon, Mrs. Greenow; I do indeed. I didn't mean anything offensive.", "pos": 845297}
{"speaker": "Mrs. Greenow", "text": "Shilly-shallying, indeed! There's very little shall in it, I can assure you.", "pos": 845379}
{"speaker": "Mr. Cheesacre", "text": "I beg your pardon, Mrs. Greenow,", "pos": 845649}
{"speaker": "Mrs. Greenow", "text": "It is granted, but never tell a lady again that she is shilly-shallying. And look here, Mr. Cheesacre, if it should ever come to pass that you are making love to a lady in earnest--", "pos": 845710}
{"speaker": "Mr. Cheesacre", "text": "I couldn't be more in earnest,", "pos": 845912}
{"speaker": "Mrs. Greenow", "text": "That you are making love to a lady in earnest, talk to her a little more about your passion and a little less about your purse. Now, good night.", "pos": 845954}
{"speaker": "Mr. Cheesacre", "text": "But we are friends.", "pos": 846101}
{"speaker": "Mrs. Greenow", "text": "Oh yes;--as good friends as ever.", "pos": 846123}
{"speaker": "Captain Bellfield", "text": "It's only me, Cheesy, my boy. I've just come down by the rail to fetch my things, and I'm going back to Norwich by the 9.20.", "pos": 846540}
{"speaker": "Mr. Cheesacre", "text": "If you've stolen anything of mine I'll have you prosecuted,", "pos": 846684}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "He must do as he likes. Alice would be the last to expect me to submit to unreasonable ill-usage for the sake of money. As regards myself, I confess that I'm very fond of money and am not particularly squeamish. I would do anything that a man can do to secure it. But this I can't do. I never injured him, and I never asked him to injure himself. I never attempted to borrow money from him. I have never cost him a shilling. When I was in the wine business he might have enabled me to make a large fortune simply by settling on me then the reversion of property which, when he dies, ought to be my own. He was so perversely ignorant that he would make no inquiry, but chose to think that I was ruining myself, at the only time of my life when I was really doing well.", "pos": 848049}
{"speaker": "Kate", "text": "But he had a right to act as he pleased,", "pos": 848882}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "Certainly he had. But he had no right to resent my asking such a favour at his hands. He was an ignorant old fool not to do it; but I should never have quarrelled with him on that account. Nature made him a fool, and it wasn't his fault. But I can't bring myself to kneel in the dirt before him simply because I asked for what was reasonable. I have given up drinking wine after dinner,", "pos": 848937}
{"speaker": "Squire", "text": "I suppose you mean that you drink nothing but claret,", "pos": 849718}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "I mean simply what I say,", "pos": 849847}
{"speaker": "Squire", "text": "What the devil's the use of your sitting there if you neither drink nor talk?", "pos": 850320}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "No use in the world, that I can see,", "pos": 850418}
{"speaker": "Squire", "text": "I don't care how soon you leave me,", "pos": 850533}
{"speaker": "Kate", "text": "Dearest Kate,", "pos": 850755}
{"speaker": "Mrs. Greenow", "text": "I am not going to do what you ask me. You see, I don't know my nephew, and have no reason for being specially anxious that he should be in Parliament. I don't care two straws about the glory of the Vavasor family. If I had never done anything for myself, the Vavasors would have done very little for me. I don't care much about what you call 'blood.' I like those who like me, and whom I know. I am very fond of you, and because you have been good to me I would give you a thousand pounds if you wanted it for yourself; but I don't see why I am to give my money to those I don't know. If it is necessary to tell my nephew of this, pray tell him that I mean no offence. Your friend C. is still waiting--waiting--waiting, patiently; but his patience may be exhausted.", "pos": 850781}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "Of course she won't. Why should she?", "pos": 851647}
{"speaker": "Kate", "text": "I had hoped she would,", "pos": 851744}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "Why should she? What did I ever do for her? She is a sensible woman. Who is your friend C., and why is he waiting patiently?", "pos": 851780}
{"speaker": "Kate", "text": "He is a man who would be glad to marry her for her money, if she would take him.", "pos": 851907}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "Then what does she mean by his patience being exhausted?", "pos": 851990}
{"speaker": "Kate", "text": "It is her folly. She chooses to pretend to think that the man is a lover of mine.", "pos": 852049}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "Has he got any money?", "pos": 852133}
{"speaker": "Kate", "text": "Yes; lots of money--or money's worth.", "pos": 852157}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "And what is his name?", "pos": 852197}
{"speaker": "Kate", "text": "His name is Cheesacre. But pray don't trouble yourself to talk about him.", "pos": 852221}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "If he wants to marry you, and has plenty of money, why shouldn't you take him?", "pos": 852297}
{"speaker": "Kate", "text": "Good heavens, George! In the first place he does not want to marry me. In the next place all his heart is in his farmyard.", "pos": 852378}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "And a very good place to have it,", "pos": 852503}
{"speaker": "Kate", "text": "Undoubtedly. But, really, you must not trouble yourself to talk about him.", "pos": 852552}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "Only this,--that I should be very glad to see you well married.", "pos": 852629}
{"speaker": "Kate", "text": "Should you?", "pos": 852695}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "And now, about the money. You must write to Alice at once.", "pos": 852764}
{"speaker": "Kate", "text": "Oh, George!", "pos": 852841}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "Of course you must; you have promised. Indeed, it would have been much wiser if you had taken me at my word, and done it at once.", "pos": 852855}
{"speaker": "Kate", "text": "I cannot do it.", "pos": 852988}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "Do you mean to tell me, that you will go back from your word, and deceive me;--that after having kept me here by this promise, you will not do what you have said you would do? Take my money now, and pay me out of hers as soon as you are married. I will be the first to claim it from her,--and from you. That is nonsense. Why should it be nonsense? Surely you need have no scruple with me. I should have none with you if I wanted assistance. Look here, Kate; I won't have it, and there's an end of it. All that you have in the world would not pull me through this election, and therefore such a loan would be worse than useless. And am I to ask her for more than two thousand pounds? You are to ask her simply for one thousand. That is what I want, and must have, at present. And she knows that I want it, and that she is to supply it; only she does not know that my need is so immediate. That you must explain to her.", "pos": 853102}
{"speaker": "Kate", "text": "I would sooner burn my hand, George!", "pos": 854045}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "But burning your hand, unfortunately, won't do any good. Look here, Kate; I insist upon your doing this for me. If you do not, I shall do it, of course, myself; but I shall regard your refusal as an unjustifiable falsehood on your part, and shall certainly not see you afterwards. I do not wish, for reasons which you may well understand, to write to Alice myself on any subject at present. I now claim your promise to do so; and if you refuse, I shall know very well what to do.", "pos": 854084}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "Surely I must sign some paper,", "pos": 856602}
{"speaker": "Mr. Scruby", "text": "You haven't heard the news,", "pos": 856992}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "What news?", "pos": 857035}
{"speaker": "Mr. Scruby", "text": "The Marquis is as nearly off the hooks as a man can be.", "pos": 857061}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "I'm very sorry for him. Who is the Marquis? There'll be sure to come another, so it don't much signify.", "pos": 857368}
{"speaker": "Mr. Scruby", "text": "There will come another, and that's just it. It's the Marquis of Bunratty; and if he drops, our young Member will go into the Upper House.", "pos": 857489}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "What, immediately; before the end of the Session?", "pos": 857630}
{"speaker": "Mr. Scruby", "text": "To be sure. The writ would be out immediately. I should be glad enough of it, only that I know that Travers's people have heard of it before us, and that they are ready to be up with their posters directly the breath is out of the Marquis's body. We must go to work immediately; that's all.", "pos": 857827}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "It will only be for part of a Session,", "pos": 858135}
{"speaker": "Mr. Scruby", "text": "Just so,", "pos": 858189}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "And then there'll be the cost of another election.", "pos": 858217}
{"speaker": "Mr. Scruby", "text": "That's true, but in such cases we do manage to make it come a little cheaper. If you lick Travers now, it may be that you'll have a walk-over for the next.", "pos": 858270}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "Have you seen Grimes?", "pos": 858447}
{"speaker": "Mr. Scruby", "text": "Yes, I have; the blackguard! He is going to open his house on Travers's side. He came to me as bold as brass, and told me so, saying that he never liked gentlemen who kept him waiting for his odd money. What angers me is that he ever got it.", "pos": 858485}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "We have not managed it very well, certainly,", "pos": 858729}
{"speaker": "Mr. Scruby", "text": "We can't help those little accidents, Mr. Vavasor. There are worse accidents than that turn up almost daily in my business. You may think yourself almost lucky that I haven't gone over to Travers myself. He is a Liberal, you know; and it hasn't been for want of an offer, I can tell you.", "pos": 858823}
{"speaker": "Mr. Scruby", "text": "Well, Squire, how is it to be?", "pos": 859894}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "This lord is not dead yet,", "pos": 860117}
{"speaker": "Mr. Scruby", "text": "No; he's not dead yet, that we have heard; but it won't do for us to wait. We want every minute of time that we can get. There isn't any hope for him, I'm told. It's gout in the stomach, or dropsy at the heart, or some of those things that make a fellow safe to go.", "pos": 860160}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "It won't do to wait for the next election?", "pos": 860428}
{"speaker": "Mr. Scruby", "text": "If you ask me, I should say certainly not. Indeed, I shouldn't wish to have to conduct it under such circumstances. I hate a fight when there's no chance of success. I grudge spending a man's money in such a case; I do indeed, Mr. Vavasor.", "pos": 860473}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "I suppose Grimes's going over won't make much difference?", "pos": 860715}
{"speaker": "Mr. Scruby", "text": "The blackguard! He'll take a hundred and fifty votes, I suppose; perhaps more. But that is not much in such a constituency as the Chelsea districts. You see, Travers played mean at the last election, and that will be against him.", "pos": 860775}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "But the Conservatives will have a candidate.", "pos": 861007}
{"speaker": "Mr. Scruby", "text": "There's no knowing; but I don't think they will. They'll try one at the general, no doubt; but if the two sitting Members can pull together, they won't have much of a chance. We should have our houses open as soon as theirs. There's a deal in that.", "pos": 861054}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "If the worst comes to the worst. I can always cut my throat.", "pos": 861523}
{"speaker": "Unknown", "text": "You have seen the Globe?", "pos": 863549}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "No, indeed; I have seen nothing.", "pos": 863620}
{"speaker": "Unknown", "text": "Bunratty died in Ireland this morning. I suppose you'll be up for the Chelsea districts?", "pos": 863655}
{"speaker": "Unknown", "text": "He was quite content, he said, to vote for the Address, as, he believed, would be all the gentlemen on his side of the House.", "pos": 869588}
{"speaker": "Treasury Jove", "text": "He had always, done the gentleman's party justice for their clemency, and had feared no opposition from them; and he was glad to find that he was correct in his anticipations as to the course they would pursue on the present occasion.", "pos": 871942}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "A letter has been placed within my writing-case. Who put it there? If such a thing happens again. I shall be obliged to have the matter investigated. I cannot allow that anything should be put into my room surreptitiously.", "pos": 876043}
{"speaker": "Burgo", "text": "I am at Matching, at the Inn; but I do not dare to show myself, lest I should do you an injury. I walked round the house yesterday, at night, and I know that I saw your room. If I am wrong in thinking that you love me, I would not for worlds insult you by my presence; but if you love me still, I ask you to throw aside from you that fictitious marriage, and give yourself to the man whom, if you love him, you should regard as your husband.", "pos": 876621}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "Though I do sacrifice myself. I shall do more of good than harm, and I cannot be more wretched than I am now.", "pos": 878720}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "I hope you are well?", "pos": 879714}
{"speaker": "Mr. Palliser", "text": "Oh, yes; quite well. And you? A little fatigued with your journey, I suppose?", "pos": 879747}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "No; not much.", "pos": 879827}
{"speaker": "Mr. Palliser", "text": "Well, we have had a debate on the Address. Don't you want to know how it has gone?", "pos": 879843}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "If it has concerned you particularly, I do, of course.", "pos": 879928}
{"speaker": "Mr. Palliser", "text": "Concerned me! It has concerned me certainly.", "pos": 879985}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "They haven't appointed you yet; have they?", "pos": 880032}
{"speaker": "Mr. Palliser", "text": "No; they don't appoint people during debates, in the House of Commons. But I fear I shall never make you a politician.", "pos": 880077}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "I'm almost afraid you never will. But I'm not the less anxious for your success, since you wish it yourself. I don't understand why you should work so very hard; but, as you like it, I'm as anxious as anybody can be that you should triumph.", "pos": 880198}
{"speaker": "Mr. Palliser", "text": "Yes; I do like it. A man must like something, and I don't know what there is to like better. Some people can eat and drink all day; and some people can care about a horse. I can do neither. I spoke for a moment to Lord Brock,", "pos": 880441}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "And what did Lord Brock say?", "pos": 881023}
{"speaker": "Mr. Palliser", "text": "He didn't say much, but he was very cordial.", "pos": 881054}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "But I thought, Plantagenet, that he could appoint you if he pleased? Doesn't he do it all?", "pos": 881101}
{"speaker": "Mr. Palliser", "text": "Well, in one sense, he does. But I don't suppose I shall ever make you understand. But I see you don't care a bit about it,", "pos": 881194}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "Don't be angry, Plantagenet. Indeed I do care about it, but I am so ignorant that I can't understand it all at once. I am rather tired, and I think I'll go to bed now. Shall you be late?", "pos": 881749}
{"speaker": "Mr. Palliser", "text": "No, not very; that is, I shall be rather late. I've a lot of letters I want to write to-night, as I must be at work all to-morrow. By-the-by, Mr. Bott is coming to dine here. There will be no one else.", "pos": 881938}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "Mr. Bott!", "pos": 882216}
{"speaker": "Mr. Palliser", "text": "Yes, Mr. Bott. Have you any objection?", "pos": 882333}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "Oh, no. Would you like to dine alone with him?", "pos": 882374}
{"speaker": "Mr. Palliser", "text": "Why should I dine alone with him? Why shouldn't you eat your dinner with us? I hope you are not going to become fastidious, and to turn up your nose at people. Mrs. Marsham is in town, and I dare say she'll come to you if you ask her.", "pos": 882423}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "I thought, of asking my cousin, Alice Vavasor, to spend the evening with me.", "pos": 882984}
{"speaker": "Mr. Palliser", "text": "Miss Vavasor! I must say that I thought Miss Vavasor--", "pos": 883075}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "I hope you have nothing to say against my cousin? She is my only near relative that I really care for;--the only woman, I mean.", "pos": 883259}
{"speaker": "Mr. Palliser", "text": "No; I don't mean to say anything against her. She's very well as a young lady, I dare say. I would sooner that you would ask Mrs. Marsham to-morrow.", "pos": 883406}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "As there will be no other ladies here to-morrow evening, Plantagenet, and as I have not yet seen Alice since I have been in town, I wish you would let me have my way in this. Of course I cannot have very much to say to Mrs. Marsham, who is an old woman.", "pos": 883939}
{"speaker": "Mr. Palliser", "text": "I especially want Mrs. Marsham to be your friend,", "pos": 884195}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "Friendships will not come by ordering, Plantagenet,", "pos": 884256}
{"speaker": "Mr. Palliser", "text": "Very well. Of course, you will do as you please. I am sorry that you have refused the first favour I have asked you this year.", "pos": 884397}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "I know that will be an inducement to you, because your generous heart will feel of what service you may be to me. Nobody else will be here,--unless, indeed, Mrs. Marsham should be asked, unknown to myself.", "pos": 885778}
{"speaker": "Mr. Palliser", "text": "Have you written to your cousin?", "pos": 888349}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "Yes; I have asked her to come and drive, and then to stay for dinner. I shall send the carriage for her if she can come. The man is to wait for an answer.", "pos": 888509}
{"speaker": "Mr. Palliser", "text": "Very well. As that is settled, perhaps you would have no objection to ask Mrs. Marsham also?", "pos": 888666}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "Won't she probably be engaged?", "pos": 888831}
{"speaker": "Mr. Palliser", "text": "No; I think not. I know she is not engaged.", "pos": 888864}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "She expects to come, then?", "pos": 889036}
{"speaker": "Mr. Palliser", "text": "I have not asked her, if you mean that, Glencora. Had I done so, I should have said so. I told her that I did not know what your engagements were.", "pos": 889085}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "I will write to her, if you please,", "pos": 889234}
{"speaker": "Mr. Palliser", "text": "Do, my dear!", "pos": 889337}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "I will love you!", "pos": 891641}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "What's the use of it? There's nothing to see, and the wind is as cold as charity. We are much more comfortable here; are we not? If I had Dandy and Flirt up here, there would be some fun in it; but Mr. Palliser doesn't wish me to drive in London.", "pos": 891976}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "I suppose it would be dangerous?", "pos": 892373}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "Not in the least. I don't think it's that he minds; but he has an idea that it looks fast.", "pos": 892408}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "So it does. If I were a man, I'm sure I shouldn't like my wife to drive horses about London.", "pos": 892501}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "And why not? Just because you'd be a tyrant,--like other husbands? What's the harm of looking fast, if one doesn't do anything improper? Poor Dandy, and dear Flirt! I'm sure they'd like it.", "pos": 892596}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "Perhaps Mr. Palliser doesn't care for that?", "pos": 892788}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "I can tell you something else he doesn't care for. He doesn't care whether Dandy's mistress likes it.", "pos": 892834}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "Don't say that, Glencora.", "pos": 892938}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "Why not say it,--to you?", "pos": 892966}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "Don't teach yourself to think it. That's what I mean. I believe he would consent to anything that he didn't think wrong.", "pos": 892993}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "Such as lectures about the British Constitution! But never mind about that, Alice. Of course the British Constitution is everything to him, and I wish I knew more about it;--that's all. But I haven't told you whom you are to meet at dinner.", "pos": 893115}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "Yes, you have--Mr. Bott.", "pos": 893358}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "But there's another guest, a Mrs. Marsham. I thought I'd got rid of her for to-day, when I wrote to you; but I hadn't. She's coming.", "pos": 893385}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "She won't hurt me at all,", "pos": 893520}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "She will hurt me very much. She'll destroy the pleasure of our whole evening. I do believe that she hates you, and that she thinks you instigate me to all manner of iniquity. What fools they all are!", "pos": 893560}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "Who are they all, Glencora?", "pos": 893762}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "She and that man, and--. Never mind. It makes me sick when I think that they should be so blind. Alice, I hardly know how much I owe to you; I don't, indeed. Everything, I believe.", "pos": 893792}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "That's nonsense,", "pos": 894074}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "No; it's not nonsense. Who do you think came to Matching when I was there?", "pos": 894105}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "What;--to the house?", "pos": 894182}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "No; not to the house.", "pos": 894311}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "If it is the person of whom I am thinking, let me implore you not to speak of him.", "pos": 894335}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "And why should I not speak of him? Did I not speak of him before to you, and was it not for good? How are you to be my friend, if I may not speak to you of everything?", "pos": 894444}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "But you should not think of him.", "pos": 894614}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "What nonsense you talk, Alice! Not think of him! How is one to help one's thoughts? Look here. Oh, how I do wish we had gone to drive!", "pos": 894649}
{"speaker": "Mrs. Marsham", "text": "How do, my dear? I thought I'd just come across from Norfolk Street and see you, though I am coming to dinner in the evening. It's only just a step, you know. How d'ye do, Miss Vavasor?", "pos": 895114}
{"speaker": "Mrs. Marsham", "text": "I thought I might find you at home, as I know you are lazy about going out in the cold,--unless it be for a foolish midnight ramble,", "pos": 900326}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "The ramble you speak of was very wise, I think, but I never could see the use of driving about in London in the middle of winter.", "pos": 900767}
{"speaker": "Mrs. Marsham", "text": "One ought to go out of the house every day,", "pos": 900921}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "I hate all those rules. Don't you, Alice?", "pos": 900986}
{"speaker": "Mrs. Marsham", "text": "My dear Glencora, one must live by rules in this life. You might as well say that you hated sitting down to dinner.", "pos": 901083}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "So I do, very often; almost always when there's company.", "pos": 901201}
{"speaker": "Mrs. Marsham", "text": "You'll get over that feeling after another season in town,", "pos": 901260}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "Upon my word I don't think I shall. It's a thing that seems always to be getting more grievous, instead of less so. Mr. Bott is coming to dine here to-night.", "pos": 901445}
{"speaker": "Mrs. Marsham", "text": "Mr. Bott is a Member of Parliament, and a very serviceable friend of Mr. Palliser's,", "pos": 902053}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "All the same; we do not like Mr. Bott--do we, Alice? He is Doctor Fell to us; only I think we could tell why.", "pos": 902159}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "I certainly do not like him,", "pos": 902271}
{"speaker": "Mrs. Marsham", "text": "It can be but of small matter to you, Miss Vavasor,", "pos": 902314}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "Of the very smallest moment. He did annoy me once, but will never, I dare say, have an opportunity of doing so again.", "pos": 902439}
{"speaker": "Mrs. Marsham", "text": "I don't know what the annoyance may have been.", "pos": 902573}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "Of course you don't, Mrs. Marsham.", "pos": 902622}
{"speaker": "Mrs. Marsham", "text": "But I shouldn't have thought it likely that a person so fully employed as Mr. Bott, and employed, too, on matters of such vast importance, would have gone out of his way to annoy a young lady whom he chanced to meet for a day or two in a country-house.", "pos": 902659}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "I don't think that Alice means that he attempted to flirt with her,", "pos": 902914}
{"speaker": "Mrs. Marsham", "text": "Perhaps he did not attempt,", "pos": 903045}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "Glencora. I think I'll leave you alone with Mrs. Marsham. I'm not disposed to discuss Mr. Bott's character, and certainly not to hear his name mentioned in disagreeable connection with my own.", "pos": 903200}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "Nonsense, Alice,", "pos": 903470}
{"speaker": "Mrs. Marsham", "text": "I hope, Glencora, you do not count me as your enemy?", "pos": 903691}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "But I shall,--certainly, if you attack Alice. Love me, love my dog. I beg your pardon, Alice; but what I meant was this, Mrs. Marsham; Love me, love the best friend I have in the world.", "pos": 903785}
{"speaker": "Mrs. Marsham", "text": "I did not mean to offend Miss Vavasor,", "pos": 903973}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "She's a nasty old cat. She is. I know her, and you'll have to know her, too, before you've done with her. It won't at all do for you to run away when she spits at you. You must hold your ground, and show your claws,--and make her know that if she spits, you can scratch.", "pos": 904482}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "But I don't want to be a cat myself.", "pos": 904990}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "She'll find I'm of the genus, but of the tiger kind, if she persecutes me. Alice, there's one thing I have made up my mind about. I will not be persecuted. If my husband tells me to do anything, as long as he is my husband I'll do it; but I won't be persecuted.", "pos": 905029}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "You should remember that she was a very old friend of Mr. Palliser's mother.", "pos": 905293}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "I do remember; and that may be a very good reason why she should come here occasionally, or go to Matching, or to any place in which we may be living. It's a bore, of course; but it's a natural bore, and one that ought to be borne.", "pos": 905372}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "And that will be the beginning and the end of it.", "pos": 905606}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "I'm afraid not, my dear. It may perhaps be the end of it, but I fear it won't be the beginning. I won't be persecuted. If she gives me advice, I shall tell her to her face that it's not wanted; and if she insults any friend of mine, as she did you, I shall tell her that she had better stay away. She'll go and tell him, of course; but I can't help that. I've made up my mind that I won't be persecuted.", "pos": 905658}
{"speaker": "Mr. Bott", "text": "I did not expect the pleasure of meeting Miss Vavasor to-day. We spent a very pleasant month down at Matching together;--didn't you think so?", "pos": 906700}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "I spent a pleasant month there certainly.", "pos": 906968}
{"speaker": "Mr. Bott", "text": "You left, if I remember, the morning after that late walk out among the ruins? That was unfortunate, was it not? Poor Lady Glencora! it made her very ill; so much so, that she could not go to Monkshade, as she particularly wished. It was very sad. Lady Glencora is very delicate,--very delicate, indeed. We, who have the privilege of being near her, ought always to remember that.", "pos": 907012}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "I don't think she is at all delicate.", "pos": 907395}
{"speaker": "Mr. Bott", "text": "Oh! don't you? I'm afraid that's your mistake, Miss Vavasor.", "pos": 907435}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "I believe she has very good health, which is the greatest blessing in the world. By delicate I suppose you mean weak and infirm.", "pos": 907498}
{"speaker": "Mr. Bott", "text": "Oh, dear, no,--not in the least,--not infirm certainly! I should be very sorry to be supposed to have said that Lady Glencora is infirm. What I mean is, not robust, Miss Vavasor. Her general organization, if you understand me, is exquisitely delicate. One can see that, I think, in every glance of her eye.", "pos": 907629}
{"speaker": "Mr. Palliser", "text": "I declare I'm very much ashamed,", "pos": 909937}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "I shan't apologize to you, Alice, for it was you who kept me talking; but I do beg Mrs. Marsham's pardon.", "pos": 910017}
{"speaker": "Mrs. Marsham", "text": "Is Miss Vavasor going to walk home?", "pos": 912942}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "Walk home;--all along Oxford Street! Good gracious! no. Why should she walk? The carriage will take her.", "pos": 912991}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "Or a cab. I am quite used to go about London in a cab by myself.", "pos": 913098}
{"speaker": "Mrs. Marsham", "text": "I don't think they are nice for young ladies after dark. I was going to offer my servant to walk with her. She is an elderly woman, and would not mind it.", "pos": 913179}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "I'm sure Alice is very much obliged, but she will have the carriage.", "pos": 913357}
{"speaker": "Mrs. Marsham", "text": "You are very good-natured, but gentlemen do so dislike having their horses out at night.", "pos": 913450}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "No gentleman's horses will be out, and as for mine, it's what they are there for.", "pos": 913562}
{"speaker": "Mrs. Marsham", "text": "I dare say it's all right,", "pos": 914291}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "It is all right. Mr. Palliser has given me my horses for my own use, to do as I like with them; and if he thinks I take them out when they ought to be left at home, he can tell me so. Nobody else has a right to do it.", "pos": 914339}
{"speaker": "Mrs. Marsham", "text": "My dear Lady Glencora, you have mistaken me. I did not mean anything of that kind.", "pos": 914663}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "I am so sorry. And it is such a pity, as I am quite used to going about in cabs.", "pos": 914769}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "Of course you are. Why shouldn't you? I'd go home in a wheelbarrow if I couldn't walk, and had no other conveyance. That's not the question. Mrs. Marsham understands that.", "pos": 914866}
{"speaker": "Mrs. Marsham", "text": "Upon my word, I don't understand anything,", "pos": 915062}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "I understand this, that in all such matters as that, I intend to follow my own pleasure. Come, Alice, let us have some coffee. What a fuss we have made about a stupid old carriage!", "pos": 915123}
{"speaker": "Mr. Bott", "text": "This kind of thing won't do long, you know,", "pos": 917124}
{"speaker": "Calder Jones", "text": "I suppose not. Planty Pall won't stand it, I should say.", "pos": 917321}
{"speaker": "unfledged Member", "text": "What can he do?", "pos": 917463}
{"speaker": "Mr. Bott", "text": "What can he do? What can he do? You will very shortly see what he can do. He can make himself the master of the occasion. If Lord Brock doesn't look about him, he'll find that Mr. Palliser will be in the Cabinet without his help.", "pos": 917603}
{"speaker": "young Member", "text": "You don't mean to say that the Queen will send for Planty Pall!", "pos": 918037}
{"speaker": "Mr. Bott", "text": "I mean to say that the Queen will send for any one that the House of Commons may direct her to call upon. How hard it is to make any one understand that the Queen has really nothing to do with it!", "pos": 918126}
{"speaker": "Calder Jones", "text": "Come, Bott, draw it mild,", "pos": 918425}
{"speaker": "Mr. Bott", "text": "Not if I know it. I never drew it mild yet, and I shan't begin now. All our political offences against civilization have come from men drawing it mild, as you call it. Why is it that Englishmen can't read and write as Americans do? Why can't they vote as they do even in Imperial France? Why are they serfs, less free than those whose chains were broken the other day in Russia? Why is the Spaniard more happy, and the Italian more contented? Because men in power have been drawing it mild!", "pos": 918553}
{"speaker": "young Member", "text": "But you can't set aside Her Majesty like that, you know,", "pos": 919214}
{"speaker": "Mr. Bott", "text": "I should be very sorry. I'm no republican. I mean no disrespect to the throne. The throne in its place is very well. But the power of governing this great nation does not rest with the throne. It is contained within the four walls of the House of Commons. That is the great truth which all young Members should learn, and take to their hearts.", "pos": 919394}
{"speaker": "Calder Jones", "text": "And you think Planty Pall will become Prime Minister?", "pos": 919847}
{"speaker": "Mr. Bott", "text": "I haven't said that; but there are more unlikely things. Among young men I know no man more likely. But I certainly think this,--that if Lord Brock doesn't take him into the Cabinet, Lord Brock won't long remain there himself.", "pos": 919922}
{"speaker": "Mr. Scruby", "text": "You must have a subject,", "pos": 921113}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "It serves her right. She should have married me at once when she said she would do so, and then it would have been my own.", "pos": 929127}
{"speaker": "Mr. Scruby", "text": "I don't call a man half a Member when he's brought in like that. He can't do what he likes with his vote. He ain't independent. You never hear of those fellows getting anything good. Pay for the article yourself, Mr. Vavasor, and then it's your own. That's what I always say.", "pos": 930520}
{"speaker": "Mr. Scruby", "text": "Lord love you, Mr. Vavasor, that's nothing! I've had a candidate so mauled,--it was in the Hamlets, I think,--that there wasn't a spot on him that wasn't painted with rotten eggs. The smell was something quite awful. But I brought him in, through it all. And you've done it very cheap, Mr. Vavasor, considering that the seat is metropolitan. I do say that you have done it cheap. Another thousand, or twelve hundred, will cover everything--say thirteen, perhaps, at the outside. And when you shall have fought the battle once again, you'll have paid your footing, and the fellows will let you in almost for nothing after that.", "pos": 931626}
{"speaker": "Mr. Bott", "text": "Of course you have heard a debate?", "pos": 940139}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "Yes,", "pos": 940191}
{"speaker": "Mr. Bott", "text": "Many, probably?", "pos": 940245}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "No.", "pos": 940263}
{"speaker": "Mr. Bott", "text": "But you have heard debates from the gallery. Now you'll hear them from the body of the House, and you'll find how very different it is. There's no man can know what Parliament is who has never had a seat. Indeed no one can thoroughly understand the British Constitution without it. I felt, very early in life, that that should be my line; and though it's hard work and no pay, I mean to stick to it. How do, Thompson? You know Vavasor? He's just returned for the Chelsea Districts, and I'm taking him up. We shan't divide to-night; shall we? Look! there's Farringcourt just coming out; he's listened to better than any man in the House now, but he'll borrow half-a-crown from you if you'll lend him one. How d'ye do, my lord? I hope I have the pleasure of seeing you well? Of course you know him? I thought you were up to all these things?", "pos": 940269}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "Taking the peerage generally, I am not up to it,", "pos": 941317}
{"speaker": "Mr. Bott", "text": "But you ought to have known him. That was Viscount Middlesex; he has got something on to-night about the Irish Church. His father is past ninety, and he's over sixty. We'll go in now; but let me give you one bit of advice, my dear fellow--don't think of speaking this session. A Member can do no good at that work till he has learned something of the forms of the House. The forms of the House are everything; upon my word they are. This is Mr. Vavasor, the new Member for the Chelsea Districts.", "pos": 941406}
{"speaker": "Lord Middlesex", "text": "No general debate arose on the subject which the Minister had in hand, and when he sat down, Mr. Palliser would not get up, though Mr. Palliser would not get up, though That nobleman got upon his feet, with a roll of papers in his hand, and was proceeding to address the House on certain matters of church reform, with great energy; but, alas, for him and for his feelings! before his energy had got itself into full swing, the Members were swarming away through the doors like a flock of sheep. Sire,", "pos": 944027}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "I will wait till he comes. It will be easier to speak than to write.", "pos": 952819}
{"speaker": "Kate", "text": "I am proud. No other thing that he could have done would have made me so proud of him. Had the Queen sent for him and made him an earl, it would have been as nothing to this. When I think that he has forced his way into Parliament without any great friend, with nothing to back him but his own wit that he has achieved his triumph in the metropolis, among the most wealthy and most fastidious of the richest city in the world, I do feel proud of my brother. And, Alice, I hope that you are proud of your lover.", "pos": 953602}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "And, Alice, I hope that you are proud of your lover! He is not my lover. He knows that he is not. He understands it, though she may not. He is not my lover,", "pos": 954541}
{"speaker": "father", "text": "So George has got himself returned,", "pos": 955175}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "Yes, he has been successful. I'm sure you must be glad, papa.", "pos": 955244}
{"speaker": "father", "text": "Upon my word, I'm not. He has bought a seat for three months; and with whose money has he purchased it?", "pos": 955308}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "Don't let us always speak of money, papa.", "pos": 955414}
{"speaker": "father", "text": "When you discuss the value of a thing just purchased, you must mention the price before you know whether the purchaser has done well or badly. They have let him in for his money because there are only a few months left before the general election. Two thousand pounds he has had, I believe?", "pos": 955458}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "And if as much more is wanted for the next election he shall have it.", "pos": 955751}
{"speaker": "father", "text": "Very well, my dear;--very well, If you choose to make a beggar of yourself, I cannot help it. Indeed, I shall not complain though he should spend all your money, if you do not marry him at last. I tell you fairly what are my feelings and my wishes. Nothing, in my opinion, would be so deplorable and ruinous as such a marriage. You tell me that you have made up your mind to take him, and I know well that nothing that I can say will turn you. But I believe that when he has spent all your money he will not take you, and that thus you will be saved. Thinking as I do about him, you can hardly expect that I should triumph because he has got himself into Parliament with your money!", "pos": 955823}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "George, I am so glad that you have succeeded! I wish you joy with my whole heart.", "pos": 959162}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "Thanks, dearest. But before I say another word, let me acknowledge my debt. Unless you had aided me with your money, I could not have succeeded.", "pos": 959246}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "Oh, George! pray don't speak of that!", "pos": 959393}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "Let me rather speak of it at once, and have done. If you will think of it, you will know that I must speak of it sooner or later.", "pos": 959433}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "Well, then, speak and have done.", "pos": 959634}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "I hope you have trusted me in thus giving me the command of your fortune?", "pos": 959669}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "Oh, yes.", "pos": 959745}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "I do believe that you have. I need hardly say that I could not have stood for this last election without it; and I must try to make you understand that if I had not come forward at this vacancy, I should not have stood no chance for the next; otherwise, I should not have been justified in paying so dearly for a seat for one session. You can understand that; eh, Alice? Yes; I think so. Anybody, even your father, would tell you that; though, probably, he regards my ambition to be a Member of Parliament as a sign of downright madness. But I was obliged to stand now, if I intended to go on with it, as that old lord died so inopportunely. Well, about the money! It is quite upon the cards that I may be forced to ask for another loan when the autumn comes.", "pos": 959756}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "You shall have it, George.", "pos": 960517}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "Thanks, Alice. And now I will tell you what I propose. You know that I have been reconciled,--with a sort of reconciliation,--to my grandfather? Well, when the next affair is over, I propose to tell him exactly how you and I then stand.", "pos": 960546}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "Do not go into that now, George. It is enough for you at present to be assured that such assistance as I can give you is at your command. I want you to feel the full joy of your success, and you will do so more thoroughly if you will banish all these money troubles from your mind for a while.", "pos": 960785}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "They shall, at any rate, be banished while I am with you. There; let them go! Let them vanish. It is always well to be rid of such troubles for a time.", "pos": 961080}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "I have already taken my seat,", "pos": 962364}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "Yes; I saw that in the newspapers. My acquaintance among Members of Parliament is very small, but I see that you were introduced, as they call it, by one of the few men that I do know. Is Mr. Bott a friend of yours?", "pos": 962405}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "No,--certainly not a friend. I may probably have to act with him in public.", "pos": 962623}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "Ah, that's just what they said of Mr. Palliser when they felt ashamed of his having such a man as his guest. I think if I were in public life I should try to act with people that I could like.", "pos": 962701}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "Then you dislike Mr. Bott?", "pos": 962896}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "I do not like him, but my feelings about him are not violent.", "pos": 962925}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "He is a vulgar ass, with no more pretensions to rank himself a gentleman than your footman.", "pos": 962989}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "If I had one.", "pos": 963098}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "But he will get on in Parliament, to a certain extent.", "pos": 963114}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "I'm afraid I don't quite understand what are the requisites for Parliamentary success, or indeed of what it consists. Is his ambition, do you suppose, the same as yours?", "pos": 963171}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "His ambition, I take it, does not go beyond a desire to be Parliamentary flunkey to a big man,--with wages, if possible, but without, if the wages are impossible.", "pos": 963343}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "And yours?", "pos": 963508}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "Oh, as to mine;--there are some things, Alice, that a man does not tell to any one.", "pos": 963521}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "Are there? They must be very terrible things.", "pos": 963607}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "The schoolboy, when he sits down to make his rhymes, dares not say, even to his sister, that he hopes to rival Milton; but he nurses such a hope. The preacher, when he preaches his sermon, does not whisper, even to his wife, his belief that thousands may perhaps be turned to repentance by the strength of his words; but he thinks that the thousand converts are possible.", "pos": 963655}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "And you, though you will not say so, intend to rival Chatham, and to make your thousand converts in politics.", "pos": 964029}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "I like to hear you laugh at me,--I do, indeed. It does me good to hear your voice again with some touch of satire in it. It brings back the old days,--the days to which I hope we may soon revert without pain. Shall it not be so, dearest?", "pos": 964141}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "I do not know,", "pos": 964473}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "Who gave you this paper-cutter?", "pos": 964843}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "Goodness me, why do you ask? and especially, why do you ask in that way?", "pos": 964896}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "I asked simply because if it is a present to you from any one, I will take up something else.", "pos": 964971}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "It was given me by Mr. Grey. George, your violence is unreasonable; pray do not repeat it.", "pos": 965067}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "I did not mean it, and I beg your pardon. I was simply unfortunate in the article I selected. And who gave you this?", "pos": 965356}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "It so happens that no one gave me that; I bought it at a stupid bazaar.", "pos": 965611}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "Then this will do. You shall give it me as a present, on the renewal of our love.", "pos": 965685}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "It is too poor a thing to give,", "pos": 965769}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "By no means; nothing is too poor, if given in that way. Anything will do; a ribbon, a glove, a broken sixpence. Will you give me something that I may take, and, taking it, may know that your heart is given with it?", "pos": 965868}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "Take the rule, if you please,", "pos": 966085}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "And about the heart? Well, Alice, and what about the heart?", "pos": 966127}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "I would so much rather talk about politics, George,", "pos": 966686}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "Alice, that is not quite fair,", "pos": 966949}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "I do not mean to be unfair.", "pos": 966991}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "I am not so sure of that. I almost think that you do mean it. You have told me that you intend to become my wife. If, after that, you wilfully make me miserable, will not that be unfair?", "pos": 967021}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "I am not making you miserable,--certainly not wilfully.", "pos": 967210}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "Did that letter which you wrote to me from Westmoreland mean anything?", "pos": 967268}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "George, do not strive to make me think that it meant too much.", "pos": 967341}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "If it did, you had better say so at once. Look here, Alice. I find it very hard to understand you. When I look back over all that has passed between us, and to that other episode in your life, summing it all up with your conduct to me at present, I find myself at a loss to read your character.", "pos": 967406}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "I fear I cannot help you in the reading of it.", "pos": 967941}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "When you first loved me;--for you did love me. I understood that well enough. There is no young man who in early life does not read with sufficient clearness that sweetest morsel of poetry.--And when you quarrelled with me, judging somewhat harshly of my offences, I understood that also; for it is the custom of women to be hard in their judgement on such sins. When I heard that you had accepted the offer made to you by that gentleman in Cambridgeshire, I thought that I understood you still,--knowing how natural it was that you should seek some cure for your wound. I understood it, and accused myself, not you, in that I had driven you to so fatal a remedy. And I understood it well when I heard that this cure had been too much for you. By heavens, yes! there was no misunderstanding that. I meant no insult to the man when I upset his little toy just now. I have not a word to say against him. For many women he would make a model husband, but you are not one of them. And when you discovered this yourself, as you did, I understood that without difficulty. Yes, by heavens! if ever woman had been driven to a mistake, you had been driven to one there. And, Alice, I understood it also when you again consented to be my wife. I thought that I still understood you then. I may have been vain to think so, but surely it was natural. I believed that the old love had come back upon you, and again warmed your heart. I thought that it had been cold during our separation, and I was pleased to think so. Was that unnatural? Put yourself in my place, and say if you would not have thought so. I told myself that I understood you then, and I told myself that in all that you had done you had acted as a true, and good, and loving woman. I thought of you much, and I saw that your conduct, as a whole, was intelligible and becoming. But now your present behaviour makes all the rest a riddle. You have said that you would be my wife, declaring thereby that you had forgiven my offences, and, as I suppose, reassuring me of your love; and yet you receive me with all imaginable coldness. What am I to think of it, and in what way would you have me behave to you? When last I was here I asked you for a kiss.", "pos": 967990}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "I asked you for a kiss. If you are to be my wife you can have no shame in granting me such a request. Within the last two months you have told me that you would marry me. What am I to think of such a promise if you deny me all customary signs of your affection?", "pos": 971414}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "I wonder you cannot understand, that I have suffered much.", "pos": 971777}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "And is that to be my answer?", "pos": 971850}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "I don't know what answer you want.", "pos": 971881}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "Come, Alice, do not be untrue; you do know what answer I want, and you know also whether my wanting it is unreasonable.", "pos": 971918}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "No one ever told me that I was untrue before,", "pos": 972040}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "You do know what it is that I desire. I desire to learn that the woman who is to be my wife, in truth, loves me. Well, Alice, am I to hear anything from you?", "pos": 972098}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "Not now, George; you are angry, and I will not speak to you in your anger.", "pos": 972467}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "Have I not cause to be angry? Do you not know that you are treating me badly?", "pos": 972544}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "I know that my head aches, and that I am very wretched. I wish you would leave me.", "pos": 972624}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "There, then, is your gift. And there is the trumpery trinket which I had hoped you would have worn for my sake. Alice, when I am gone, try to think honestly of your conduct to me.", "pos": 972709}
{"speaker": "Mrs. Greenow", "text": "Jeannette. I'm afraid those two gentlemen have quarrelled.", "pos": 978762}
{"speaker": "Jeannette", "text": "Oh, laws, ma'am, in course they have! How was they to help it?", "pos": 978888}
{"speaker": "Mrs. Greenow", "text": "And why should they quarrel, Jeannette? It's very foolish.", "pos": 979370}
{"speaker": "Jeannette", "text": "I don't know about being foolish, ma'am; but it's the most natural thing in life. If I had two beaux as was a-courting me together, in course I should expect as they would punch each other's heads. There's some girls do it a purpose, because they like to see it. One at a time's what I say.", "pos": 979431}
{"speaker": "Mrs. Greenow", "text": "You're a young thing, Jeannette.", "pos": 979724}
{"speaker": "Jeannette", "text": "Well, ma'am--yes; I am young, no doubt. But I won't say but what I've had a beau, young as I look.", "pos": 979759}
{"speaker": "Mrs. Greenow", "text": "But you don't suppose that I want beaux, as you call them?", "pos": 979860}
{"speaker": "Jeannette", "text": "I don't know, ma'am, as you wants 'em exactly. That's as may be. There they are; and if they was to blow each other's brains out in the gig to-night, I shouldn't be a bit surprised for one. There's nothing won't quiet them at Oileymead to-night, if brandy-and-water don't do it.", "pos": 979921}
{"speaker": "Mrs. Greenow", "text": "Why, you silly child, they're not going home together at all. Did not the Captain go away first?", "pos": 980314}
{"speaker": "Jeannette", "text": "The Captain did go away first, certainly; but I thought perhaps it was to get his pistols and fighting things ready.", "pos": 980413}
{"speaker": "Mrs. Greenow", "text": "They won't fight, Jeannette. Gentlemen have given over fighting.", "pos": 980532}
{"speaker": "Jeannette", "text": "Have they, ma'am? That makes it much easier for ladies, no doubt. Perhaps them peaceable ways will come down to such as us in time. It'd be a comfort, I know, to them as are quiet given, like me. I hate to see men knocking each other's heads about,--I do. So Mr. Cheesacre and the Captain won't fight, ma'am?", "pos": 980599}
{"speaker": "Mrs. Greenow", "text": "Of course they won't, you little fool, you.", "pos": 980910}
{"speaker": "Jeannette", "text": "Dear, dear; I was so sure we should have had the papers all full of it,--and perhaps one of them stretched upon his bloody bier! I wonder which it would have been? I always made up my mind that the Captain wouldn't be wounded in any of his wital parts--unless it was his heart, you know, ma'am.", "pos": 980956}
{"speaker": "Mrs. Greenow", "text": "But why should they quarrel at all, Jeannette? It is the most foolish thing.", "pos": 981253}
{"speaker": "Jeannette", "text": "Well, ma'am, I don't know about that. What else is they to do? There's some things as you can cry halves about, but there's no crying halves about this.", "pos": 981332}
{"speaker": "Mrs. Greenow", "text": "About what, Jeannette?", "pos": 981487}
{"speaker": "Jeannette", "text": "Why, about you, ma'am.", "pos": 981513}
{"speaker": "Mrs. Greenow", "text": "Jeannette, I wonder how you can say such things; as if I, in my position, had ever said a word to encourage either of them. You know it's not true, Jeannette, and you shouldn't say so.", "pos": 981538}
{"speaker": "Jeannette", "text": "To be sure, ma'am, no lady could have behaved better through it than you have done, and goodness knows you have been tried hard.", "pos": 981853}
{"speaker": "Mrs. Greenow", "text": "Indeed I have, Jeannette.", "pos": 981984}
{"speaker": "Jeannette", "text": "And if gentlemen will make fools of themselves, it isn't your fault; is it, ma'am?", "pos": 982012}
{"speaker": "Mrs. Greenow", "text": "But I'm so sorry that they should have quarrelled. They were such dear friends, you know;--quite all in all to each other.", "pos": 982097}
{"speaker": "Jeannette", "text": "When you've settled which it's to be, ma'am, that'll all come right again,--seeing that gentlefolks like them have given up fighting, as you say. I suppose, ma'am, it won't be Mr. Cheesacre? To be sure, he's a man as is uncommonly well to do in the world.", "pos": 982222}
{"speaker": "Mrs. Greenow", "text": "What's all that to me, Jeannette? I shall ever regard Mr. Cheesacre as a dear friend who has been very good to me at a time of trouble; but he'll never be more than that.", "pos": 982513}
{"speaker": "Jeannette", "text": "Then it'll be the Captain, ma'am? I'm sure, for my part, I've always thought the Captain was the nicer gentleman of the two,--and have always said so.", "pos": 982686}
{"speaker": "Mrs. Greenow", "text": "He's nothing to me, girl.", "pos": 982839}
{"speaker": "Jeannette", "text": "And as for money,--what's the good of having more than enough? If he can bring love, you can bring money; can't you, ma'am?", "pos": 982867}
{"speaker": "Mrs. Greenow", "text": "He's nothing to me, girl,", "pos": 982993}
{"speaker": "Jeannette", "text": "But he will be?", "pos": 983044}
{"speaker": "Mrs. Greenow", "text": "Well, I'm sure! What's the world come to, I wonder, when you sit yourself down there, and cross-examine your mistress in that way! Get to bed, will you? It's near ten o'clock.", "pos": 983105}
{"speaker": "Jeannette", "text": "I hope I haven't said anything amiss, ma'am;", "pos": 983283}
{"speaker": "Mrs. Greenow", "text": "It's my fault for encouraging you. Go down-stairs and finish your work, do; and then take yourself off to bed. Next week we shall have to be packing up, and there'll be all my things to see to before that.", "pos": 983364}
{"speaker": "Mr. Cheesacre", "text": "She can't really like a poor beggarly wretch who hasn't got a shilling,", "pos": 984718}
{"speaker": "Grimsby", "text": "Is that you, Cheesacre? Who expected to see you in Norwich on a Thursday!", "pos": 986674}
{"speaker": "Mr. Cheesacre", "text": "A little bit of private business. I'm not going to be afraid of a woman--not if I know it. Mrs. Greenow is at home,", "pos": 987035}
{"speaker": "Jeannette", "text": "Oh, yes, sir; she is at home,", "pos": 987426}
{"speaker": "Mrs. Greenow", "text": "Mr. Cheesacre, whoever expected to see you in Norwich on a Thursday?", "pos": 987575}
{"speaker": "Mr. Cheesacre", "text": "There's no knowing when I may be in Norwich, Mrs. Greenow, or when I mayn't. I'm one of those men of whom nobody knows anything certain, except that I pay as I go. There's one other thing they may all know if they please, but we won't say what that is just at present.", "pos": 988082}
{"speaker": "Mrs. Greenow", "text": "Won't you sit down, Mr. Cheesacre?", "pos": 988470}
{"speaker": "Mr. Cheesacre", "text": "Well,--thank you,--I will sit down for a few minutes if you'll let me, Mrs. Greenow. Mrs. Greenow, I'm in such a state of mind that I must put an end to it, or else I shall be going mad, and doing somebody a damage.", "pos": 988507}
{"speaker": "Mrs. Greenow", "text": "Dear me! what has happened to you? You're going out shooting, presently; are you not?", "pos": 988725}
{"speaker": "Mr. Cheesacre", "text": "No, Mrs. Greenow, I'm not going out shooting. I put on these things because I thought I might take a shot as I came along. But I couldn't bring myself to do it, and then I wouldn't take them off again. What does it matter what a man wears?", "pos": 988859}
{"speaker": "Mrs. Greenow", "text": "Not in the least, so long as he is decent.", "pos": 989101}
{"speaker": "Mr. Cheesacre", "text": "I'm sure I'm always that, Mrs. Greenow.", "pos": 989146}
{"speaker": "Mrs. Greenow", "text": "Oh, dear, yes. More than that, I should say. I consider you to be rather gay in your attire.", "pos": 989188}
{"speaker": "Mr. Cheesacre", "text": "I don't pretend to anything of that kind, Mrs. Greenow. I like to be nice, and all that kind of thing. There are people who think that because a man farms his own land, he must be always in the muck. It is the case, of course, with those who have to make their rent and living out of it. But it don't matter what a man wears if his heart isn't easy within him.", "pos": 989283}
{"speaker": "Mrs. Greenow", "text": "I don't know why you should speak in that way, Mr. Cheesacre; but it's what I have felt every hour since--since Greenow left me.", "pos": 989736}
{"speaker": "Mr. Cheesacre", "text": "Mrs. Greenow, dearest Mrs. Greenow; darling Mrs. Greenow, will you be my wife? There! I have said it at last, and I mean it. Everything that I've got shall be yours. Of course I speak specially of my hand and heart. As for love;--oh, Arabella, if you only knew me! I don't think there's a man in Norfolk better able to love a woman than I am. Ever since I first saw you at Yarmouth, I've been in love to that extent that I've not known what I've been about. If you'll ask them at home, they'll tell you that I've not been able to look after anything about the place,--not as it should be done. I haven't really. I don't suppose I've opened the wages book half a dozen times since last July.", "pos": 991055}
{"speaker": "Mrs. Greenow", "text": "And has that been my fault, Mr. Cheesacre?", "pos": 991795}
{"speaker": "Mr. Cheesacre", "text": "Upon my word it has. I can't move about anywhere without thinking about you. My mind's made up; I won't stay at Oileymead unless you will come and be its mistress.", "pos": 991840}
{"speaker": "Mrs. Greenow", "text": "Not stay at Oileymead?", "pos": 992006}
{"speaker": "Mr. Cheesacre", "text": "No, indeed. I'll let the place, and go and travel somewheres. What's the use of my hanging on there without the woman of my heart? I couldn't do it, Mrs. Greenow; I couldn't, indeed. Of course I've got everything there that money can buy,--but it's all of no use to a man that's in love. Do you know, I've come quite to despise money and stock, and all that sort of thing. I haven't had my banker's book home these last three months. Only think of that now.", "pos": 992031}
{"speaker": "Mrs. Greenow", "text": "But how can I help you, Mr. Cheesacre?", "pos": 992491}
{"speaker": "Mr. Cheesacre", "text": "Just say one word, and the thing'll be done. Say you'll be my wife? I'll be so good to you. I will, indeed. As for your fortune, I don't care that for it! I'm not like somebody else; it's yourself I want. You shall be my pet, and my poppet, and my dearest little duck all the days of your life.", "pos": 992532}
{"speaker": "Mrs. Greenow", "text": "No, Mr. Cheesacre; it cannot be.", "pos": 992829}
{"speaker": "Mr. Cheesacre", "text": "And why not? Look here, Arabella!", "pos": 992864}
{"speaker": "Mrs. Greenow", "text": "Mr. Cheesacre, don't make a fool of yourself. Get up,", "pos": 993498}
{"speaker": "Mr. Cheesacre", "text": "Never, till you have told me that you will be mine!", "pos": 993564}
{"speaker": "Mrs. Greenow", "text": "Then you'll remain there for ever, which will be inconvenient. I won't have you take hold of my hand, Mr. Cheesacre. I tell you to have done. I never saw a man look so much like a fool in my life. If you don't get up, I'll push you over. There; don't you hear? There's somebody coming.", "pos": 993618}
{"speaker": "Mr. Cheesacre", "text": "I'll never get up, till you have bid me hope.", "pos": 994075}
{"speaker": "Mrs. Greenow", "text": "Bid you play the fiddle. Get away from my knees, at any rate. There;--he'll be in the room now before--", "pos": 994134}
{"speaker": "Captain Bellfield", "text": "I beg ten thousand pardons, but as I did not see Jeannette, I ventured to come in. May I venture to congratulate my friend Cheesacre on his success?", "pos": 994432}
{"speaker": "Mr. Cheesacre", "text": "I'll trouble you to leave the room, Captain Bellfield. I'm particularly engaged with Mrs. Greenow, as any gentleman might have seen.", "pos": 994686}
{"speaker": "Captain Bellfield", "text": "There wasn't the slightest difficulty in seeing it, old fellow. Shall I wish you joy?", "pos": 994832}
{"speaker": "Mr. Cheesacre", "text": "I'll trouble you to leave the room, sir,", "pos": 994940}
{"speaker": "Captain Bellfield", "text": "Certainly, if Mrs. Greenow will desire me to do so,", "pos": 995018}
{"speaker": "Mrs. Greenow", "text": "Gentlemen, I must beg that you will not make my drawing-room a place for quarrelling. Captain Bellfield, lest there should be any misconception, I must beg you to understand that the position in which you found Mr. Cheesacre was one altogether of his own seeking. It was not with my consent that he was there.", "pos": 995143}
{"speaker": "Captain Bellfield", "text": "I can easily believe that, Mrs. Greenow,", "pos": 995455}
{"speaker": "Mr. Cheesacre", "text": "Who cares what you believe, sir?", "pos": 995516}
{"speaker": "Mrs. Greenow", "text": "Gentlemen! gentlemen! this is really unkind. Captain Bellfield, I think I had better ask you to withdraw.", "pos": 995571}
{"speaker": "Mr. Cheesacre", "text": "By all means,", "pos": 995679}
{"speaker": "Mrs. Greenow", "text": "As it is absolutely necessary that I should give Mr. Cheesacre a definite answer after what has occurred--", "pos": 995715}
{"speaker": "Captain Bellfield", "text": "Of course. I'll take another opportunity of paying my respects to you. Perhaps I might be allowed to come this evening?", "pos": 995824}
{"speaker": "Mrs. Greenow", "text": "Mr. Cheesacre, let there be an end to this little farce between us.", "pos": 996353}
{"speaker": "Mr. Cheesacre", "text": "Farce!", "pos": 996423}
{"speaker": "Mrs. Greenow", "text": "It is certainly either a farce or a mistake. If the latter,--and I have been at all to blame,--I ask your pardon most sincerely.", "pos": 996526}
{"speaker": "Mr. Cheesacre", "text": "But you'll be Mrs. Cheesacre; won't you?", "pos": 996657}
{"speaker": "Mrs. Greenow", "text": "No, Mr. Cheesacre; no. One husband is enough for any woman, and mine lies buried at Birmingham.", "pos": 996700}
{"speaker": "Mr. Cheesacre", "text": "Oh, damn it!", "pos": 996798}
{"speaker": "Mrs. Greenow", "text": "Let us part friends. Will you not give me your hand, in token that there is no anger between us?", "pos": 997031}
{"speaker": "Mr. Cheesacre", "text": "Do think about it again--do! If there's anything you like to have changed, I'll change it at once. I'll give up Oileymead altogether, if you don't like being so near the farm-yard. I'll give up anything; so I will. Mrs. Greenow, if you only knew how I've set my heart upon it!", "pos": 997411}
{"speaker": "Mrs. Greenow", "text": "My friend, think no more of it.", "pos": 998169}
{"speaker": "he", "text": "But I can't help thinking of it,", "pos": 998246}
{"speaker": "she", "text": "No, no, no. Why, Mr. Cheesacre, how can you bring yourself to care for an old woman like me, when so many pretty young ladies would give their eyes to get a kind word from you?", "pos": 998328}
{"speaker": "he", "text": "I don't want any young lady,", "pos": 998553}
{"speaker": "Mrs. Greenow", "text": "There's Charlie Fairstairs, who would make as good a wife as any girl I know.", "pos": 998593}
{"speaker": "he", "text": "Psha! Charlie Fairstairs, indeed!", "pos": 998673}
{"speaker": "Mrs. Greenow", "text": "Or my niece, Kate Vavasor, who has a nice little fortune of her own, and who is as accomplished as she is good-looking.", "pos": 998817}
{"speaker": "he", "text": "She's nothing to me, Mrs. Greenow.", "pos": 998939}
{"speaker": "Mrs. Greenow", "text": "That's because you never asked her to be anything. If I get her to come back to Yarmouth next summer, will you think about it? You want a wife, and you couldn't do better if you searched all England over. It would be so pleasant for us to be such near friends; wouldn't it?", "pos": 998976}
{"speaker": "Mr. Cheesacre", "text": "Mrs. Greenow, just at present there's only one woman in the world that I can think of.", "pos": 999293}
{"speaker": "Mrs. Greenow", "text": "And that's my niece.", "pos": 999382}
{"speaker": "Mr. Cheesacre", "text": "And that's yourself. I'm a broken-hearted man,--I am, indeed. I didn't ever think I should feel so much about a thing of the kind--I didn't, really. I hardly know what to do with myself; but I suppose I'd better go back to Oileymead.", "pos": 999405}
{"speaker": "he", "text": "I shall always hate the place now, always.", "pos": 999759}
{"speaker": "Mrs. Greenow", "text": "That will pass away. You'd be as happy as a king there, if you'd take Kate for your queen.", "pos": 999816}
{"speaker": "Mr. Cheesacre", "text": "And what'll you do, Mrs. Greenow?", "pos": 999909}
{"speaker": "Mrs. Greenow", "text": "What shall I do?", "pos": 999945}
{"speaker": "Mr. Cheesacre", "text": "Yes; what will you do?", "pos": 999965}
{"speaker": "Mrs. Greenow", "text": "That is, if you marry Kate? Why, I'll come and stay with you half my time, and nurse the children, as an old grand-aunt should.", "pos": 999990}
{"speaker": "he", "text": "But about--.", "pos": 1000120}
{"speaker": "she", "text": "You don't mean to take that man Bellfield, do you?", "pos": 1000197}
{"speaker": "Mrs. Greenow", "text": "Come, Mr. Cheesacre, that's rank jealousy. What right can you have to ask me whether I shall take any man or no man? The chances are that I shall remain as I am till I'm carried to my grave; but I'm not going to give any pledge about it to you or to any one.", "pos": 1000250}
{"speaker": "Mr. Cheesacre", "text": "You don't know that man, Mrs. Greenow; you don't, indeed. I tell it you as your friend. Does not it stand to reason, when he has got nothing in the world, that he must be a beggar? It's all very well saying that when a man is courting a lady, he shouldn't say much about his money; but you won't make me believe that any man will make a good husband who hasn't got a shilling. And for lies, there's no beating him!", "pos": 1000511}
{"speaker": "Mrs. Greenow", "text": "Why, then, has he been such a friend of yours?", "pos": 1000928}
{"speaker": "Mr. Cheesacre", "text": "Well, because I've been foolish. I took up with him just because he looked pleasant, I suppose.", "pos": 1000977}
{"speaker": "Mrs. Greenow", "text": "And you want to prevent me from doing the same thing.", "pos": 1001075}
{"speaker": "Mr. Cheesacre", "text": "If you were to marry him, Mrs. Greenow, it's my belief I should do him a mischief; it is, really. I don't think I could stand it;--a mean, skulking beggar! I suppose I'd better go now?", "pos": 1001131}
{"speaker": "Mrs. Greenow", "text": "Certainly, if that's the way you choose to talk about my friends.", "pos": 1001318}
{"speaker": "Mr. Cheesacre", "text": "Friends, indeed! Well, I won't say any more at present. I suppose if I was to talk for ever it wouldn't be any good?", "pos": 1001386}
{"speaker": "Mrs. Greenow", "text": "Come and talk to Kate Vavasor for ever, Mr. Cheesacre.", "pos": 1001505}
{"speaker": "he", "text": "I didn't ever think I should ever care so much about anything,", "pos": 1001746}
{"speaker": "Jeannette", "text": "Her mistress was very bad with a headache,", "pos": 1001968}
{"speaker": "Lady Monk", "text": "Burgo, look here. You see that she is not afraid of coming,", "pos": 1006169}
{"speaker": "Burgo", "text": "I suppose she doesn't think much about it,", "pos": 1006684}
{"speaker": "Lady Monk", "text": "If that's what you really believe, you'd better give it up. Nothing on earth would justify such a step on your part except a thorough conviction that she is attached to you. Well, if there's to be an end of it, let there be an end of it.", "pos": 1006741}
{"speaker": "he", "text": "I think I'd better hang myself,", "pos": 1007083}
{"speaker": "Lady Monk", "text": "Burgo, I will not have you here if you talk to me in that way. I am trying to help you once again; but if you look like that, and talk like that, I will give it up.", "pos": 1007126}
{"speaker": "Burgo", "text": "I think you'd better give it up.", "pos": 1007293}
{"speaker": "Lady Monk", "text": "Are you becoming cowardly at last? With all your faults I never expected that of you.", "pos": 1007328}
{"speaker": "Burgo", "text": "No; I am not a coward. I'd go out and fight him at two paces' distance with the greatest pleasure in the world.", "pos": 1007416}
{"speaker": "Lady Monk", "text": "You know that's nonsense, Burgo. It's downright braggadocio. Men do not fight now; nor at any time would a man be called upon to fight, because you simply wanted to take his wife from him. If you had done it, indeed!", "pos": 1007530}
{"speaker": "Burgo", "text": "How am I to do it? I'd do it to-morrow if it depended on me. No one can say that I'm afraid of anybody or of anything.", "pos": 1007749}
{"speaker": "Lady Monk", "text": "I suppose something in the matter depends on her?", "pos": 1007870}
{"speaker": "Burgo", "text": "I believe she loves me,--if you mean that?", "pos": 1007922}
{"speaker": "Lady Monk", "text": "Look here, Burgo. I think you were much wronged in that matter. After what had passed I thought that you had a right to claim Lady Glencora as your wife. Mr. Palliser, in my mind, behaved very wrongly in stepping in between you and--you and such a fortune as hers, in that way. He cannot expect that his wife should have any affection for him. There is nobody alive who has a greater horror of anything improper in married women than I have. I have always shown it. When Lady Madeline Madtop left her husband, I would never allow her to come inside my doors again,--though I have no doubt he ill-used her dreadfully, and there was nothing ever proved between her and Colonel Graham. One can't be too particular in such matters. But here, if you,--if you can succeed, you know, I shall always regard the Palliser episode in Lady Glencora's life as a tragical accident. I shall indeed. Poor dear! It was done exactly as they make nuns of girls in Roman Catholic countries; and as I should think no harm of helping a nun out of her convent, so I should think no harm of helping her now. If you are to say anything to her, I think you might have an opportunity at the party.", "pos": 1007967}
{"speaker": "his aunt", "text": "You can think of what I have said, Burgo,", "pos": 1009390}
{"speaker": "she", "text": "Have you anything more that you wish to say to me?", "pos": 1009511}
{"speaker": "Burgo", "text": "I've got no money,", "pos": 1009575}
{"speaker": "she", "text": "You've never got any money,", "pos": 1010062}
{"speaker": "Burgo", "text": "How can I help it? I can't make money. If I had a couple of hundred pounds, so that I could take her, I believe that she would go with me. It should not be my fault if she did not. It would have been all right if she had come to Monkshade.", "pos": 1010132}
{"speaker": "Lady Monk", "text": "I've got no money for you, Burgo. I have not five pounds belonging to me.", "pos": 1010374}
{"speaker": "Burgo", "text": "But you've got--?", "pos": 1010450}
{"speaker": "Lady Monk", "text": "What?", "pos": 1010470}
{"speaker": "he", "text": "Would Cosmo lend it me?", "pos": 1010520}
{"speaker": "Lady Monk", "text": "I do not know. I never see him. Probably not.", "pos": 1010880}
{"speaker": "Burgo", "text": "It is hard. Fancy that a man should be ruined for two hundred pounds, just at such a moment of his life as this! You have jewels, aunt;--could you not raise it for me? I would redeem them with the very first money that I got.", "pos": 1010946}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "I don't know her,", "pos": 1012042}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "My dear, that's absurd. Half the people there won't know her.", "pos": 1012074}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "But they know her set, or know her friends,--or, at any rate, will meet their own friends at her house. I should only bother you, and should not in the least gratify myself.", "pos": 1012160}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "The fact is, everybody will go who can, and I should have no sort of trouble in getting a card for you. Indeed I should simply write a note and say I meant to bring you.", "pos": 1012336}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "Pray don't do any such thing, for I certainly shall not go. I can't conceive why you should wish it.", "pos": 1012508}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "Mr. Fitzgerald will be there. I'm sure that he will be there, though nobody has told me.", "pos": 1012611}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "That may be a reason for your staying away, but hardly a reason for my going with you.", "pos": 1012987}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "Ah! I thought you would have gone,", "pos": 1013281}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "It would be contrary to all my habits. I never go to people's houses when I don't know them. It's a kind of society which I don't like. Pray do not ask me.", "pos": 1013328}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "Oh! very well. If it must be so, I won't press it. I suppose he won't bite me, at any rate. Do you know, Alice, though they all say that Plantagenet is one of the wisest men in London, I sometimes think that he is one of the greatest fools. Soon after we came to town I told him that we had better not go to that woman's house. Of course he understood me. He simply said that he wished that I should do so. 'I hate anything out of the way,' he said. 'There can be no reason why my wife should not go to Lady Monk's house as well as to any other.' There was an end of it, you know, as far as anything I could do was concerned. But there wasn't an end of it with him. He insists that I shall go, but he sends my duenna with me. Dear Mrs. Marsham is to be there!", "pos": 1013500}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "She'll do you no harm, I suppose?", "pos": 1014779}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "I'm not so sure of that, Alice. In the first place, one doesn't like to be followed everywhere by a policeman, even though one isn't going to pick a pocket. And then, the devil is so strong within me, that I should like to dodge the policeman. I can fancy a woman being driven to do wrong simply by a desire to show her policeman that she can be too many for him.", "pos": 1014815}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "Glencora, you make me so wretched when you talk like that.", "pos": 1015181}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "Will you go with me, then, so that I may have a policeman of my own choosing? He asked me if I would mind taking Mrs. Marsham with me in my carriage. So I up and spoke, very boldly, like the proud young porter, and told him I would not; and when he asked why not, I said that I preferred taking a friend of my own,--a young friend, I said, and I then named you or my cousin, Lady Jane. I told him I should bring one or the other.", "pos": 1015242}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "And was he angry?", "pos": 1015674}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "No; he took it very quietly,--saying something, in his calm way, about hoping that I should get over a prejudice against one of his earliest and dearest friends. He twits at me because I don't understand Parliament and the British Constitution, but I know more of them than he does about a woman. You are quite sure you won't go, then? Do,", "pos": 1015694}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "It is against the whole tenor of my life's way. And, Glencora, I am not happy myself. I am not fit for parties. I sometimes think that I shall never go into society again.", "pos": 1016196}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "That's nonsense, you know.", "pos": 1016382}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "I suppose it is, but I cannot go now. I would if I really thought--", "pos": 1016411}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "Oh, very well. I suppose I shall get through it. If he asks me to dance, I shall stand up with him, just as though I had never seen him before. You'll come to me the morning after,", "pos": 1016481}
{"speaker": "Mr. Palliser", "text": "Your cousin is not going, then?", "pos": 1023232}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "Alice is not going.", "pos": 1023275}
{"speaker": "Mr. Palliser", "text": "Then you can give Mrs. Marsham a seat in your carriage?", "pos": 1023297}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "Impossible, Plantagenet. I thought I had told you that I had promised my cousin Jane.", "pos": 1023355}
{"speaker": "Mr. Palliser", "text": "But you can take three.", "pos": 1023443}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "Indeed I can't,--unless you would like me to sit out with the coachman.", "pos": 1023469}
{"speaker": "Mr. Palliser", "text": "You must know, Plantagenet,", "pos": 1023736}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "that it is impossible for three women dressed to go out in one carriage. I am sure you wouldn't like to see me afterwards if I had been one of them.", "pos": 1023779}
{"speaker": "Mr. Palliser", "text": "Glencora, I wish you would not use such expressions.", "pos": 1024151}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "What! not the long and the short? It's good English. Quite as good as Mr. Bott's, when he said in the House the other night that the Government kept their accounts in a higgledy-piggledy way. You see, I have been studying the debates, and you shouldn't be angry with me.", "pos": 1024206}
{"speaker": "Mr. Palliser", "text": "I am not angry with you. You speak like a child to say so. Then, I suppose, the carriage must go for Mrs. Marsham after it has taken you?", "pos": 1024479}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "It shall go before. Jane will not be in a hurry, and I am sure I shall not.", "pos": 1024619}
{"speaker": "Mr. Palliser", "text": "She will think you very uncivil; that is all. I told her that she could go with you when I heard that Miss Vavasor was not to be there.", "pos": 1024697}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "Then, Plantagenet, you shouldn't have told her so, and that's the long--; but I mustn't say that. The truth is this, if you give me any orders I'll obey them,--as far as I can. If I can't I'll say so. But if I'm left to go by my own judgement, it's not fair that I should be scolded afterwards.", "pos": 1024835}
{"speaker": "Mr. Palliser", "text": "I have never scolded you.", "pos": 1025132}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "Yes, you have. You have told me that I was uncivil.", "pos": 1025160}
{"speaker": "Mr. Palliser", "text": "I said that she would think you so.", "pos": 1025214}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "Then, if it's only what she thinks, I don't care two straws about it. She may have the carriage to herself if she likes, but she shan't have me in it,--not unless I'm ordered to go. I don't like her, and I won't pretend to like her. My belief is that she follows me about to tell you if she thinks that I do wrong.", "pos": 1025252}
{"speaker": "Mr. Palliser", "text": "Glencora!", "pos": 1025569}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "And that odious baboon with the red bristles does the same thing,--only he goes to her because he doesn't dare to go to you.", "pos": 1025581}
{"speaker": "Mr. Palliser", "text": "Glencora!", "pos": 1026690}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "Well, my dear, it's better you should know at once what I feel about it. I don't suppose I'm very good; indeed I dare say I'm bad enough, but these people about me won't make me any better. The duennas don't make the Spanish ladies worth much.", "pos": 1026770}
{"speaker": "Mr. Palliser", "text": "Duennas!", "pos": 1027016}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "I wish he'd keep a separate carriage for her. That would be expensive. Yes, it would be expensive,", "pos": 1028287}
{"speaker": "Lady Monk", "text": "Don't look so dreadfully preoccupied,", "pos": 1031534}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "Dear Lady Glencora, do come in for a moment to my den. We were so sorry not to have you at Monkshade. We heard such terrible things about your health. Oh, yes; we heard,--something about moonlight and ruins. So like you, you know. I love that sort of thing, above all people; but it doesn't do; does it? Circumstances are so exacting. I think you know Lady Hartletop;--and there's the Duchess of St. Bungay. Mr. Palliser was here five minutes since.", "pos": 1036662}
{"speaker": "Lady Hartletop", "text": "We saw Mr. Palliser just pass through,", "pos": 1037291}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "Yes; he said he should be here,", "pos": 1037475}
{"speaker": "Lady Hartletop", "text": "There's a great crowd. I didn't think London was so full.", "pos": 1037529}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "Very great.", "pos": 1037612}
{"speaker": "Duchess", "text": "How very well you are looking. And I heard you had been so ill.", "pos": 1037939}
{"speaker": "Unknown", "text": "How d'ye do, Lady Glencowrer?", "pos": 1038127}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "How are you, Mr. Bott? I think I'll look for Mr. Palliser in the back room.", "pos": 1038383}
{"speaker": "Duchess", "text": "Dear Lady Glencora. Do let me go away with you. There's that woman, Mrs. Conway Sparkes, coming, and you know how I hate her.", "pos": 1038473}
{"speaker": "Mr. Palliser", "text": "I'm going away. I only just came because I said I would. Shall you be late?", "pos": 1039099}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "Oh, no; I suppose not.", "pos": 1039206}
{"speaker": "Mr. Palliser", "text": "Shall you dance?", "pos": 1039231}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "Perhaps once,--just to show that I'm not an old woman.", "pos": 1039250}
{"speaker": "Mr. Palliser", "text": "Don't heat yourself. Good-bye.", "pos": 1039307}
{"speaker": "Lady Monk", "text": "Well, Burgo, have you been dancing?", "pos": 1042570}
{"speaker": "Mrs. Sparkes", "text": "There's no knowing who may not reform,", "pos": 1043032}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "That will do very well thank you, Mrs. Marsham. Pray, do not trouble yourself,", "pos": 1045377}
{"speaker": "Burgo", "text": "Will you waltz?", "pos": 1046516}
{"speaker": "Mrs. Marsham", "text": "I don't think Lady Glencora will waltz to-night,", "pos": 1046744}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "And why not, Mrs. Marsham? Why shouldn't I waltz to-night? I rather think I shall, the more especially as Mr. Fitzgerald waltzes very well.", "pos": 1047126}
{"speaker": "Burgo", "text": "Who is that woman?", "pos": 1049082}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "Oh, such an odious woman! Her name is Mrs. Marsham; she is my bête noire.", "pos": 1049455}
{"speaker": "Mr. Bott", "text": "He shouldn't have gone away and left her,", "pos": 1050195}
{"speaker": "Mrs. Marsham", "text": "But who could have thought it? I'm sure I didn't.", "pos": 1050271}
{"speaker": "Mr. Bott", "text": "I suppose you'd better tell him?", "pos": 1050344}
{"speaker": "Mrs. Marsham", "text": "But I don't know where to find him,", "pos": 1050394}
{"speaker": "Mr. Bott", "text": "I didn't mean now at once. Do you think it is as bad as that?", "pos": 1050451}
{"speaker": "Mrs. Marsham", "text": "I don't know what to think,", "pos": 1050552}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "I am so much out of practice. I didn't think--I should have been able--to dance at all.", "pos": 1050664}
{"speaker": "Burgo", "text": "You'll take another turn,", "pos": 1050945}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "Presently,", "pos": 1050982}
{"speaker": "Burgo", "text": "Does it put you in mind of old days?", "pos": 1051166}
{"speaker": "Burgo", "text": "Does it put you in mind of 'old days?'", "pos": 1051769}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "You must not talk of that,", "pos": 1053512}
{"speaker": "Burgo", "text": "May I not? May I not? And why not? They were happy days,--so happy! Were not you happy when you thought--? Ah, dear! I suppose it is best not even to think of them?", "pos": 1053564}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "Much the best.", "pos": 1053801}
{"speaker": "Burgo", "text": "Only it is impossible. I wish I knew the inside of your heart, Cora, so that I could see what it is that you really wish.", "pos": 1053818}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "You should not have come to me at all,", "pos": 1054266}
{"speaker": "Burgo", "text": "And why not? Who has a better right to come to you? Who has ever loved you as I have done? Cora, did you get my letter?", "pos": 1054317}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "Come and dance,", "pos": 1054439}
{"speaker": "Mrs. Marsham", "text": "Won't it be making mischief?", "pos": 1054976}
{"speaker": "Mr. Bott", "text": "There'll be worse mischief if you don't,", "pos": 1055079}
{"speaker": "Burgo", "text": "Did you get my letter? Let us go out upon the stairs, for I must speak to you. Oh, if you could know what I suffered when you did not come to Monkshade! Why did you not come?", "pos": 1056446}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "I wish I had not come here,", "pos": 1056952}
{"speaker": "Burgo", "text": "Because you have seen me? That, at any rate, is not kind of you. I'll get you some champagne with water in it. I know that is what you like.", "pos": 1056992}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "Do not get me anything. Mr. Fitzgerald, do what I ask you. For the sake of the old days of which you spoke, the dear old days which can never come again--", "pos": 1057613}
{"speaker": "Burgo", "text": "By G----! they can. They can come back, and they shall.", "pos": 1057927}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "Never. But you can still do me a kindness. Go away, and leave me. Go to the sideboard, and then do not come back. You are doing me an injury while you remain with me.", "pos": 1057996}
{"speaker": "Burgo", "text": "Cora,", "pos": 1058165}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "I will not have it, Mr. Fitzgerald. I will not have it. Do as I bid you. Go and leave me, and do not return. I tell you that we are watched.", "pos": 1058355}
{"speaker": "Burgo", "text": "Who is watching us? and what does it matter? If you are minded to do as I have asked you--", "pos": 1058822}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "But I am not so minded. Do you not know that you insult me by proposing it?", "pos": 1058929}
{"speaker": "Burgo", "text": "Yes;--it is an insult, Cora,--unless such an offer be a joy to you. If you wish to be my wife instead of his, it is no insult.", "pos": 1059007}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "How can I be that?", "pos": 1059136}
{"speaker": "Burgo", "text": "Come with me,--abroad, and you shall yet be my wife. You got my letter? Do what I asked you, then. Come with me--to-night.", "pos": 1059286}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "Mr. Fitzgerald. I asked you to go and leave me. If you do not do so, I must get up and leave you. It will be much more difficult.", "pos": 1059518}
{"speaker": "Burgo", "text": "And is that to be all?", "pos": 1059662}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "All;--at any rate, now.", "pos": 1059687}
{"speaker": "Burgo", "text": "I will not go. I will not go till you tell me that you will see me again.", "pos": 1059921}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "I will,", "pos": 1060142}
{"speaker": "Burgo", "text": "When,--when,--when?", "pos": 1060201}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "Here is Mr. Palliser. I thought you were gone home hours ago,", "pos": 1061020}
{"speaker": "Mr. Palliser", "text": "I did go home, but I thought I might as well come back for you.", "pos": 1061588}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "What a model of a husband! Well; I am ready. Only, what shall we do about Jane? Mr. Fitzgerald, I left a scarf in your aunt's room,--a little black and yellow scarf,--would you mind getting it for me?", "pos": 1061669}
{"speaker": "Mr. Palliser", "text": "I will fetch it, and I will tell your cousin that the carriage shall come back for her.", "pos": 1061872}
{"speaker": "Burgo", "text": "If you will allow me--", "pos": 1061983}
{"speaker": "Mr. Palliser", "text": "I will do it,", "pos": 1062020}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "I had forgotten her.", "pos": 1063194}
{"speaker": "Mr. Palliser", "text": "Mrs. Marsham has gone home,", "pos": 1063217}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "Have you seen her?", "pos": 1063259}
{"speaker": "Mr. Palliser", "text": "Yes.", "pos": 1063280}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "When did you see her?", "pos": 1063287}
{"speaker": "Mr. Palliser", "text": "She came to Park Lane.", "pos": 1063311}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "What made her do that? What made Mrs. Marsham go to you at Park Lane after she left Lady Monk's? I suppose she went, to tell you that I was dancing with Mr. Fitzgerald. Was that it?", "pos": 1063336}
{"speaker": "Mr. Palliser", "text": "I think, Glencora, we had better not discuss it now.", "pos": 1063878}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "I don't mean to discuss it now, or ever. If you did not wish me to see Mr. Fitzgerald you should not have sent me to Lady Monk's. But, Plantagenet, I hope you will forgive me if I say that no consideration shall induce me to receive again as a guest, in my own house, either Mrs. Marsham or Mr. Bott.", "pos": 1063933}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "I will marry you. I will marry you for certain reasons of my own, which in my present condition make it seem that that arrangement will be more convenient to me than any other that I can make; but pray understand that there is no love mixed up with this. There is another man whom I love;--only, for those reasons above hinted, I do not care to marry him.", "pos": 1065277}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "Think of him, walking into a man's house, with pistols sufficient to shoot every one there, and doing it as though he were killing rats! What was Nelson at Trafalgar to that? Nelson had nothing to fear! looked the whole thing in the face, and told himself that all scruples and squeamishness are bosh,--child's tales. And so they are. Who lives as though they fear either heaven or hell? And if we do live without such fear or respect, what is the use of telling lies to ourselves? To throw it all to the dogs, as Palmer did, is more manly.", "pos": 1068140}
{"speaker": "Unknown", "text": "And be hanged,", "pos": 1068819}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "Yes, and be hanged,--if such is your destiny. But you hear of the one who is hanged, but hear nothing of the twenty who are not.", "pos": 1068878}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "Beastly old idiot! he must have his chance as other men have, I suppose,", "pos": 1070023}
{"speaker": "Mr. Scruby", "text": "A stitch in time saves nine. And I'll tell you what, Mr. Vavasor,--of course I've my outstanding bills for the last affair. That's no fault of yours, for the things came so sharp one on another that my fellows haven't had time to make it out. But if you'll put me in funds for what I must be out of pocket in June--", "pos": 1070545}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "Will it be so soon as June?", "pos": 1070952}
{"speaker": "Mr. Scruby", "text": "They are talking of June. Why, then, I'll lump the two bills together when it's all over.", "pos": 1070982}
{"speaker": "Mr. Tombe", "text": "Mr. Vavasor;--oh, yes. He had heard the name. Yes; he was in the habit of acting for his very old friend Mr. John Grey. He had acted for Mr. John Grey, and for Mr. John Grey's father,--he or his partner,--he believed he might say, for about half a century. There could not be a nicer gentleman than Mr. John Grey;--and such a pretty child as he used to be!", "pos": 1073560}
{"speaker": "Mr. Tombe", "text": "The prettiest child I ever saw, Mr. Vavasor!", "pos": 1075380}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "I dare say,", "pos": 1075540}
{"speaker": "Mr. Tombe", "text": "Yes, indeed,--ugh--ugh--ugh.", "pos": 1075567}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "Can you tell me, Mr. Tombe, whether either you or he have anything to do with the payment of certain sums to my credit at Messrs. Hock and Block's?", "pos": 1075598}
{"speaker": "Mr. Tombe", "text": "Messrs. Hock and Block's, the bankers,--in Lom--bard Street?", "pos": 1075748}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "Yes; I bank there,", "pos": 1075854}
{"speaker": "Mr. Tombe", "text": "A most respectable house.", "pos": 1075898}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "Has any money been paid there to my credit, by you, Mr. Tombe?", "pos": 1075926}
{"speaker": "Mr. Tombe", "text": "May I ask you why you put the question to me, Mr. Vavasor?", "pos": 1075991}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "Well, I don't think you may. That is to say, my reason for asking it can have nothing to do with yours for replying to it. If you have had no hand in any such payment, there is an end of it, and I need not take up your time by saying anything more on the subject.", "pos": 1076052}
{"speaker": "Mr. Tombe", "text": "I am not prepared to go that length, Mr. Vavasor,--not altogether to go that length,--ugh--ugh--ugh.", "pos": 1076318}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "Then, will you tell me what you have done in the matter?", "pos": 1076421}
{"speaker": "Mr. Tombe", "text": "Well,--upon my word, you've taken me a little by surprise. Let me see. Pinkle,--Pinkle. Pinkle, didn't we pay some money into Hock and Block's a few weeks since, to the credit of Mr. George Vavasor?", "pos": 1076480}
{"speaker": "Pinkle", "text": "Did we, sir?", "pos": 1076837}
{"speaker": "Mr. Tombe", "text": "I think we did. Just look Pinkle;--and, Pinkle,--see the date, and let me know all about it. It's fine bright weather for this time of year, Mr. Vavasor; but these easterly winds!--ugh--ugh--ugh! Perhaps you'll let us write you a line when we have looked into the matter?", "pos": 1076983}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "I'd rather know at once. I don't suppose it can take you very long to find out whether you have paid money to my account, by order of Mr. Grey. At any rate, I must know before I go away.", "pos": 1077516}
{"speaker": "Mr. Tombe", "text": "Pinkle, Pinkle! Well, Pinkle, was anything of the kind done, or is my memory deceiving me?", "pos": 1077721}
{"speaker": "Pinkle", "text": "I was going to look,", "pos": 1078052}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "I'm sorry to give your clerk so much trouble, and I think it must be unnecessary. Surely you know whether Mr. Grey has commissioned you to pay money for me?", "pos": 1078116}
{"speaker": "Mr. Tombe", "text": "We have so many things to do, Mr. Vavasor; and so many clients. We have, indeed. You see, it isn't only one gentleman's affairs. But I think there was something done. I do, indeed.", "pos": 1078310}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "What is Mr. John Grey's address?", "pos": 1078493}
{"speaker": "Mr. Tombe", "text": "Number 5, Suffolk Street, Pall Mall East,", "pos": 1078557}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "Number 5, Suffolk Street. Perhaps it will be better that I should go to him, as you do not seem inclined to give me any information.", "pos": 1079066}
{"speaker": "Mr. Tombe", "text": "Pinkle, Pinkle. Never mind; never mind.", "pos": 1079411}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "Mr. Grey,", "pos": 1083582}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "I was this moment going to call on you at your lodgings.", "pos": 1084185}
{"speaker": "John Grey", "text": "At my lodgings, were you? Shall I return with you?", "pos": 1084244}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "If you please,", "pos": 1084297}
{"speaker": "John Grey", "text": "If you will allow me, I have the key. Will you take a chair, Mr. Vavasor?", "pos": 1084952}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "No. I will stand up. I have come here from Mr. Tombe's office in the City, to ask you of what nature has been the interference which you have taken in my money matters?", "pos": 1085509}
{"speaker": "John Grey", "text": "Do you say that you have come from Mr. Tombe?", "pos": 1086362}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "I think you heard me say so. I have come here direct from Mr. Tombe's chambers. He is your lawyer, I believe?", "pos": 1086420}
{"speaker": "John Grey", "text": "He is so.", "pos": 1086532}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "And I have come from him to ask you what interference you have lately taken in my money matters. When you have answered that, I shall have other questions to ask you.", "pos": 1086544}
{"speaker": "John Grey", "text": "But, Mr. Vavasor, has it occurred to you that I may not be disposed to answer questions so asked?", "pos": 1086713}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "It has not occurred to me to think that you will prevaricate. If there has been no such interference, I will ask your pardon, and go away; but if there has been such interference on your part, I have a right to demand that you shall explain to me its nature.", "pos": 1086813}
{"speaker": "John Grey", "text": "There has been such interference, Mr. Vavasor, if you choose to call it so. Money, to the extent of two thousand pounds, I think, has by my directions been paid to your credit by Mr. Tombe.", "pos": 1087349}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "Well,", "pos": 1087541}
{"speaker": "John Grey", "text": "I hardly know how to explain all the circumstances under which this has been done.", "pos": 1087668}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "I dare say not; but, nevertheless, you must explain them.", "pos": 1087753}
{"speaker": "John Grey", "text": "My difficulty in explaining it comes from consideration for you,", "pos": 1088366}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "Then I beg that your difficulty will cease, and that you will have no consideration for me. We are so circumstanced towards each other that any consideration must be humbug and nonsense. At any rate, I intend to have none for you. Now, let me know why you have meddled with my matters.", "pos": 1088442}
{"speaker": "John Grey", "text": "I think I might, perhaps, better refer you to your uncle.", "pos": 1088730}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "No, sir; Mr. Tombe is not my uncle's lawyer. My uncle never heard his name, unless he heard of it from you.", "pos": 1088790}
{"speaker": "John Grey", "text": "But it was by agreement with your uncle that I commissioned Mr. Tombe to raise for you the money you were desirous of borrowing from your cousin. We thought it better that her fortune should not be for the moment disturbed.", "pos": 1088900}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "But what had you to do with it? Why should you have done it? In the first place, I don't believe your story; it is altogether improbable. But why should he come to you of all men to raise money on his daughter's behalf?", "pos": 1089126}
{"speaker": "John Grey", "text": "Unless you can behave yourself with more discretion, Mr. Vavasor, you must leave the room. It was I who suggested to your uncle that this arrangement should be made. I did not wish to see Miss Vavasor's fortune squandered.", "pos": 1089348}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "And what was her fortune to you, sir? Are you aware that she is engaged to me as my wife? I ask you, sir, whether you are aware that Miss Vavasor is to be my wife?", "pos": 1089661}
{"speaker": "John Grey", "text": "I must altogether decline to discuss with you Miss Vavasor's present or future position.", "pos": 1089827}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "By heavens, then, you shall hear me discuss it! She was engaged to you, and she has given you your dismissal. If you had understood anything of the conduct which is usual among gentlemen, or if you had had any particle of pride in you, sir, you would have left her and never mentioned her name again. I now find you meddling with her money matters, so as to get a hold upon her fortune.", "pos": 1089918}
{"speaker": "John Grey", "text": "I have no hold upon her fortune.", "pos": 1090307}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "Yes, sir, you have. You do not advance two thousand pounds without knowing that you have security. She has rejected you; and in order that you may be revenged, or that you may have some further hold upon her,--that she may be in some sort within your power, you have contrived this rascally pettifogging way of obtaining power over her income. The money shall be repaid at once, with any interest that can be due; and if I find you interfering again, I will expose you.", "pos": 1090342}
{"speaker": "John Grey", "text": "Mr. Vavasor, you have used words in your anger which I cannot allow to pass. You must recall them.", "pos": 1090814}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "What were the words? I said that you were a pettifogging rascal. I now repeat them.", "pos": 1091059}
{"speaker": "John Grey", "text": "There is no help for it,", "pos": 1091435}
{"speaker": "John Grey", "text": "Mr. Jones, if that gentleman does not leave the house, I must get you to search for a policeman.", "pos": 1092769}
{"speaker": "Jones", "text": "What's it all about, sir? What's it all about, sir?", "pos": 1093449}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "That man has ill-used me, and I've punished him; that's all.", "pos": 1093891}
{"speaker": "the tailor", "text": "I don't know much about punishing. It seems to me he pitched you down pretty clean out of the room above. I think the best thing you can do now is to walk yourself off.", "pos": 1093954}
{"speaker": "John Grey", "text": "Oh, Alice! that this thing should have come upon me through thy fault!", "pos": 1100495}
{"speaker": "Mr. Jones", "text": "Dear, dear, sir--this is a terrible affair!", "pos": 1102481}
{"speaker": "John Grey", "text": "It was very disagreeable, certainly,", "pos": 1102570}
{"speaker": "the tailor", "text": "Was the gentleman known to you?", "pos": 1102620}
{"speaker": "John Grey", "text": "Yes; I know who he is.", "pos": 1102672}
{"speaker": "the tailor", "text": "Any quarrel, sir?", "pos": 1102697}
{"speaker": "John Grey", "text": "Well, yes. I should not have pushed him down stairs had he not quarrelled with me.", "pos": 1102717}
{"speaker": "the tailor", "text": "We can have the police after him if you wish it, sir?", "pos": 1102802}
{"speaker": "John Grey", "text": "I don't wish it at all.", "pos": 1102858}
{"speaker": "the tailor", "text": "Or we might manage to polish him off in any other way, you know.", "pos": 1102884}
{"speaker": "the old man", "text": "What the mischief does it signify, what difference will it make whether I am dead or alive, unless it is that George would turn you out of the house directly he gets it.", "pos": 1104930}
{"speaker": "Kate", "text": "I was not thinking of any one but yourself, sir,", "pos": 1105142}
{"speaker": "Squire", "text": "You won't be troubled to think of me much longer,", "pos": 1105228}
{"speaker": "Squire", "text": "You'll live to be robbed by him, and turned out as naked as you were born. I know you are a fool, about all matters of business;--more of a fool than even women generally are. I want to see Gogram. Do you write to him a line, telling him to come here to-day,--he or one of his men,--and send it at once by Peter.", "pos": 1106045}
{"speaker": "Kate", "text": "Don't you think you'd better put it off till you are a little stronger?", "pos": 1107063}
{"speaker": "Squire", "text": "What should you do with the estate if I left it you?", "pos": 1107595}
{"speaker": "Kate", "text": "I think I should give it to my brother,", "pos": 1107993}
{"speaker": "Squire", "text": "Then I'm d---- if I'll leave it to you,", "pos": 1108045}
{"speaker": "Kate", "text": "If I were you, grandfather. I would not trust myself to alter family arrangements whilst I was ill. I'm sure you would advise any one else against doing so.", "pos": 1108219}
{"speaker": "Squire", "text": "And if I were to leave it to Alice, she'd give it to him too. What it is you see in him, I never could even guess. He's as ugly as a baboon, with his scarred face. He has never done anything to show himself a clever fellow. Kate, give me some of that bottle the man sent. Where did he get the money to pay for his election? They wouldn't give such a one as him credit a yard further than they could see him.", "pos": 1108410}
{"speaker": "Kate", "text": "I don't know where he got it,", "pos": 1108993}
{"speaker": "Squire", "text": "He has not had yours; has he?", "pos": 1109043}
{"speaker": "Kate", "text": "He would not take it, sir.", "pos": 1109075}
{"speaker": "Squire", "text": "And you offered it to him?", "pos": 1109104}
{"speaker": "Kate", "text": "Yes, sir.", "pos": 1109133}
{"speaker": "Squire", "text": "And he has not had it?", "pos": 1109145}
{"speaker": "Kate", "text": "Not a penny of it, sir.", "pos": 1109170}
{"speaker": "Squire", "text": "And what made you offer it to him after what I said to you?", "pos": 1109196}
{"speaker": "Kate", "text": "Because it was my own,", "pos": 1109258}
{"speaker": "Squire", "text": "You're the biggest idiot that ever I heard of, and you'll know it yourself some day. Go away now, and let me know when Gogram comes.", "pos": 1109303}
{"speaker": "Squire", "text": "I can't eat, and I suppose it won't hurt you if I take my wine at once,", "pos": 1113877}
{"speaker": "Kate", "text": "But you should eat something, sir; will you have a bit of toast to sop in your wine?", "pos": 1114153}
{"speaker": "the old squire", "text": "Sopped toast! why am I to spoil the only thing I can enjoy?", "pos": 1114304}
{"speaker": "Kate", "text": "But the wine would do you more good if you would take something with it.", "pos": 1114366}
{"speaker": "Squire", "text": "Good! Nothing will do me any good any more. As for eating, you know I can't eat. What's the use of bothering me?", "pos": 1114440}
{"speaker": "Squire", "text": "You are a good girl, Kate. I wish you had been a boy, that's all.", "pos": 1115294}
{"speaker": "Kate", "text": "If I had, I shouldn't, perhaps, have been here to take care of you,", "pos": 1115362}
{"speaker": "Squire", "text": "No; you'd have been like your brother, no doubt. Not that I think there could have been two so bad as he is.", "pos": 1115451}
{"speaker": "Kate", "text": "Oh, grandfather, if he has offended you, you should try to forgive him.", "pos": 1115562}
{"speaker": "Squire", "text": "Try to forgive him! How often have I forgiven him without any trying? Why did he come down here the other day, and insult me for the last time? Why didn't he keep away, as I had bidden him?", "pos": 1115636}
{"speaker": "Kate", "text": "But you gave him leave to see you, sir.", "pos": 1115828}
{"speaker": "Squire", "text": "I didn't give him leave to treat me like that. Never mind; he will find that, old as I am, I can punish an insult.", "pos": 1115870}
{"speaker": "Kate", "text": "You haven't done anything, sir, to injure him?", "pos": 1115987}
{"speaker": "Squire", "text": "I have made another will, that's all. Do you suppose I had that man here all the way from Penrith for nothing?", "pos": 1116047}
{"speaker": "Kate", "text": "But it isn't done yet?", "pos": 1116160}
{"speaker": "Squire", "text": "I tell you it is done. If I left him the whole property it would be gone in two years' time. What's the use of doing it?", "pos": 1116185}
{"speaker": "Kate", "text": "But for his life, sir! You had promised him that he should have it for his life.", "pos": 1116308}
{"speaker": "Squire", "text": "How dare you tell me that? I never promised him. As my heir, he would have had it all, if he would have behaved himself with common decency. Even though I disliked him, as I always have done, he should have had it.", "pos": 1116391}
{"speaker": "Kate", "text": "And you have taken it from him altogether?", "pos": 1116608}
{"speaker": "Squire", "text": "I shall answer no questions about it, Kate. There isn't any good in so much of it, all at once,", "pos": 1116653}
{"speaker": "Kate", "text": "Grandfather, would you like me to stay in the room with you to-night? It will be a great comfort to me in my distress, and it will be a satisfaction to you to have seen your father again. not not, that I think her coming will be of material service, but I feel the loneliness of the house will be too much for me at such a time. I must leave it for you to decide, whether you had better be here. If anything should happen. I will send you a message, and no doubt you would come at once.", "pos": 1119721}
{"speaker": "Kate", "text": "I write with a heavy heart, because I know it will be a great blow to you. He gave me to understand that in this will he left everything away from you. I cannot declare that he said so directly. Indeed I cannot remember his words; but that was the impression he left on me. The day before he had asked me what I should do if he gave me the estate; but of course I treated that as a joke. I have no idea what he put into his will. I have not even attempted to guess. But now I have told you all that I know.", "pos": 1121773}
{"speaker": "Kate", "text": "I hardly know how to write to you--what I have to tell, and yet I must tell it. I must tell it to you, but I shall never repeat the story to any one else. I should have written yesterday, when it occurred, but I was so ill that I felt myself unable to make the exertion. Indeed, at one time, after your brother had left me, I almost doubted whether I should ever be able to collect my thoughts again. My dismay was at first so great that my reason for a time deserted me, and I could only sit and cry like an idiot. Dear Kate, I hope you will not be angry with me for telling you. I have endeavoured to think about it as calmly as I can, and I believe that I have no alternative. The fact that your brother has quarrelled with me cannot be concealed from you, and I must not leave him to tell you of the manner of it. He came to me yesterday in great anger. His anger then was nothing to what it became afterwards; but even when he first came in he was full of wrath. He stood up before me, and asked me how it had come to pass that I had sent him the money which he had asked of me through the hands of Mr. Grey. Of course I had not done this, and so I told him at once. I had spoken of the matter to no one but papa, and he had managed it for me. Even now I know nothing of it, and as I have not yet spoken to papa I cannot understand it. George at once told me that he disbelieved me, and when I sat quiet under this insult, he used harsher words, and said that I had conspired to lower him before the world. He then asked me whether I loved him. Oh, Kate, I must tell it you all, though it is dreadful to me that I should have to write it. You remember how it came to pass when we were in Westmoreland together at Christmas? Do not think that I am blaming you, but I was very rash then in the answers which I made to him. I thought that I could be useful to him as his wife, and I had told myself that it would be good that I should be of use in some way. When he asked me that question yesterday, I sat silent. Indeed, how could I have answered it in the affirmative, when he had just used such language to me,--while he was standing opposite to me, looking at me in that way which he has when he is enraged? Then he spoke again and demanded of me that I should at once send back to Mr. Grey all presents of his which I had kept, and at the same time took up and threw across the table on to the sofa near me, a little paper knife which Mr. Grey once gave me. I could not allow myself to be so ordered by him; so I said nothing, but put the knife back upon the table. He then took it again and threw it beneath the grate.", "pos": 1127067}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "I have a right to look upon you as my wife, and, as such, I will not allow you to keep that man's things about you.", "pos": 1129695}
{"speaker": "Kate", "text": "I think I told him then that I should never become his wife, but though I remember many of his words, I remember none of my own. He swore, I know, with a great oath, that if I went back a second time from my word to him he would leave me no peace,--that he would punish me for my perfidy with some fearful punishment. Oh, Kate, I cannot tell you what he looked like. He had then come quite close to me, and I know that I trembled before him as though he were going to strike me. Of course I said nothing. What could I say to a man who behaved to me in such a manner? Then, as far as I can remember it, he sat down and began to talk about money. I forget what he said at first, but I know that I assured him that he might take what he wanted so long as enough was left to prevent my being absolutely a burden on papa.", "pos": 1129823}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "That, madam, is a matter of course,", "pos": 1130641}
{"speaker": "Kate", "text": "What punishment can be so hard as that which he has already inflicted?", "pos": 1131313}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "He then desired me to write a letter to him which he might show to the lawyer,--to our own lawyer, I think he meant,--in order that money might be raised to pay back what Mr. Grey had advanced, and give him what he now required. I think he said it was to be five thousand pounds.", "pos": 1131383}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "Oh, Kate; I cannot tell it you all. I do not know what it was he said, but he was threatening me with his anger if I did not obey him. I believe I found my voice to tell him that he should certainly have the money which he required. And so he shall. I will go to Mr. Round myself, and insist on its being done. My money is my own, and I may do with it as I please. But I hope,--I am obliged to hope, that I may never be made to see my cousin again. I will not pretend to express any opinion as to the cause of all this. It is very possible that you will not believe all I say,--that you will think that I am mad and have deluded myself. Of course your heart will prompt you to accuse me rather than him. If it is so, and if there must therefore be a division between us, my grief will be greatly increased; but I do not know that I can help it. I cannot keep all this back from you. He has cruelly ill-used me and insulted me. He has treated me as I should have thought no man could have treated a woman. As regards money, I did all that I could do to show that I trusted him thoroughly, and my confidence has only led to suspicion. I do not know whether he understands that everything must be over between us; but, if not, I must ask you to tell him so. And I must ask you to explain to him that he must not come again to Queen Anne Street. If he does, nothing shall induce me to see him. Tell him also that the money that he wants shall assuredly be sent to him as soon as I can make Mr. Round get it. Dearest Kate, good-bye. I hope you will feel for me. If you do not answer me I shall presume that you think yourself bound to support his side, and to believe me to have been wrong. It will make me very unhappy; but I shall remember that you are his sister, and I shall not be angry with you. Yours always affectionately. ALICE VAVASOR.", "pos": 1132190}
{"speaker": "Kate", "text": "Dear Alice, to-day I received your letter, and to-day our poor old grandfather died. Tell my uncle John, with my love, of his father's death. You will understand that I cannot write much now about that other matter; but I must tell you, even at such a moment as this, that there shall be no quarrel between you and me. There shall be none at least on my side. I cannot say more till a few days shall have passed by. He is lying up-stairs, a corpse. I have telegraphed to George, and I suppose he will come down. I think my aunt Greenow will come also, as I had written to her before, seeing that I wanted the comfort of having her here. Uncle John will of course come or not as he thinks fitting. I don't know whether I am in a position to say that I shall be glad to see him; but I should be very glad. He and you will know that I can, as yet, tell you nothing further. The lawyer is to see the men about the funeral. Nothing, I suppose, will be done till George comes. Your own cousin and friend, KATE VAVASOR. My own Alice,--If you will let me, you shall be my sister, and be the nearest to me and the dearest.", "pos": 1138367}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "Papa, there is news from Westmoreland; bad news, which you hardly expected yet.", "pos": 1139887}
{"speaker": "John Vavasor", "text": "My father is dead. Of course I shall go down. Does she think I shall not follow my father to the grave, because I dislike her brother? What does she mean by saying that there shall be no quarrel between you and her?", "pos": 1139981}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "I will explain that at another time,", "pos": 1140351}
{"speaker": "John Vavasor", "text": "I'll go by the mail train to-night. It will be very disagreeable, but I ought to be there when the will is opened.", "pos": 1140555}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "Papa. I think I ought to tell you before you go that everything is over between me and George.", "pos": 1141521}
{"speaker": "John Vavasor", "text": "Have you quarrelled with him too?", "pos": 1141675}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "I should perhaps say that he has quarrelled with me. But, dear papa, pray do not question me at present. I will tell you all when you come back, but I thought it right that you should know this before you went.", "pos": 1141756}
{"speaker": "John Vavasor", "text": "It has been his doing then?", "pos": 1141969}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "I cannot explain it to you in a hurry like this. Papa, you may understand something of the shame which I feel, and you should not question me now.", "pos": 1141999}
{"speaker": "John Vavasor", "text": "And John Grey?", "pos": 1142148}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "There is nothing different in regard to him.", "pos": 1142165}
{"speaker": "John Vavasor", "text": "I'll be shot if I can understand you. George, you know, has had two thousand pounds of your money,--of yours or somebody else's. Well, we can't talk about it now, as I must be off. Thinking as I do of George, I'm glad of it,--that's all.", "pos": 1142212}
{"speaker": "John Vavasor", "text": "So my father has gone, George,", "pos": 1143320}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "he has gone at last. I wonder what we shall find to have been his latest act of injustice.", "pos": 1143550}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "We shan't get any conveyance at Shap. Hadn't we better go over in a chaise from Kendal?", "pos": 1144361}
{"speaker": "Mrs. Greenow", "text": "So you are George,", "pos": 1145346}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "Yes; Yes; I'm George,", "pos": 1145420}
{"speaker": "Mrs. Greenow", "text": "And a Member of Parliament! It's quite an honour to the family. I felt so proud when I heard it! Papa's time was fully come, though, to tell the truth, I had no idea that he was so weak as Kate describes him to have been.", "pos": 1145448}
{"speaker": "John Vavasor", "text": "Nor I, either. He went to church with us here on Christmas-day.", "pos": 1145804}
{"speaker": "Mrs. Greenow", "text": "Did he, indeed? Dear, dear! He seems at last to have gone off just like poor Greenow. I think you didn't know Greenow, John?", "pos": 1145891}
{"speaker": "John Vavasor", "text": "I met him once,", "pos": 1146066}
{"speaker": "Mrs. Greenow", "text": "Ah! he wasn't to be known and understood in that way. I'm aware there was a little prejudice, because of his being in trade, but we won't talk of that now. Where should I have been without him, tradesman or no tradesman?", "pos": 1146102}
{"speaker": "John Vavasor", "text": "I've no doubt he was an excellent man.", "pos": 1146325}
{"speaker": "Mrs. Greenow", "text": "You may say that, John. Ah, well! we can't keep everything in this life for ever.", "pos": 1146366}
{"speaker": "Mrs. Greenow", "text": "We're all grass of the field, and must be cut down and put into the oven in our turns.", "pos": 1146961}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "What has brought that woman here?", "pos": 1147735}
{"speaker": "Kate", "text": "I asked her to come,", "pos": 1147813}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "And why did you ask her to come here?", "pos": 1147847}
{"speaker": "Kate", "text": "I asked her, George, before my poor grandfather's death, when I thought that he would linger perhaps for weeks. My life here alone with him, without any other woman in the house beside the servants, was very melancholy.", "pos": 1148581}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "Why did you not ask Alice to come to you?", "pos": 1148803}
{"speaker": "Kate", "text": "Alice could not have come,", "pos": 1148847}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "I don't know why she shouldn't have come. I won't have that woman about the place. She disgraced herself by marrying a blacksmith--.", "pos": 1148908}
{"speaker": "Kate", "text": "Why, George, it was you yourself who advised me to go and stay with her.", "pos": 1149043}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "That's a very different thing. Now that he's dead, and she's got his money, it's all very well that you should go to her occasionally; but I won't have her here.", "pos": 1149118}
{"speaker": "Kate", "text": "It's natural that she should come to her father's house at her father's death-bed.", "pos": 1149282}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "I hate to be told that things are natural. It always means humbug. I don't suppose she cared for the old man any more than I did,--or than she cared for the other old man who married her. People are such intense hypocrites. There's my uncle John, pulling a long face because he has come into this house, and he will pull it as long as the body lies up there; and yet for the last twenty years there's nothing on earth he has so much hated as going to see his father. When are they going to bury him?", "pos": 1149367}
{"speaker": "Kate", "text": "On Saturday, the day after to-morrow.", "pos": 1149869}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "Why couldn't they do it to-morrow, so that we could get away before Sunday?", "pos": 1149909}
{"speaker": "Kate", "text": "He only died on Monday, George,", "pos": 1149987}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "Psha! Who has got the will?", "pos": 1150042}
{"speaker": "Kate", "text": "Mr. Gogram. He was here yesterday, and told me to tell you and uncle John that he would have it with him when he came back from the funeral.", "pos": 1150072}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "What has my uncle John to do with it? I shall go over to Penrith this afternoon and make Gogram give it up to me.", "pos": 1150215}
{"speaker": "Kate", "text": "I don't think he'll do that, George.", "pos": 1150355}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "What right has he to keep it? What right has he to it at all? How do I know that he has really got the old man's last will? Where did my grandfather keep his papers?", "pos": 1150394}
{"speaker": "Kate", "text": "In that old secretary, as he used to call it; the one that stands in the dining-room. It is sealed up.", "pos": 1150562}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "Who sealed it?", "pos": 1150667}
{"speaker": "Kate", "text": "Mr. Gogram did,--Mr. Gogram and I together.", "pos": 1150684}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "What the deuce made you meddle with it?", "pos": 1150730}
{"speaker": "Kate", "text": "I merely assisted him. But I believe he was quite right. I think it is usual in such cases.", "pos": 1150772}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "Balderdash! You are thinking of some old trumpery of former days. Till I know to the contrary, everything here belongs to me as heir-at-law, and I do not mean to allow of any interference till I know for certain that my rights have been taken from me. And I won't accept a death-bed will. What a man chooses to write when his fingers will hardly hold the pen, goes for nothing.", "pos": 1150866}
{"speaker": "Kate", "text": "You can't suppose that I wish to interfere with your rights?", "pos": 1151246}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "I hope not.", "pos": 1151309}
{"speaker": "Kate", "text": "Oh, George!", "pos": 1151323}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "Well; I say, I hope not. But I know there are those who would. Do you think my uncle John would not interfere with me if he could? By ----! if he does, he shall find that he does it to his cost. I'll lead him such a life through the courts, for the next two or three years, that he'll wish that he had remained in Chancery Lane, and had never left it.", "pos": 1151337}
{"speaker": "Mrs. Greenow", "text": "Would Miss Kate and Mr. George go with them?", "pos": 1151832}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "Mr. Vavasor!", "pos": 1151879}
{"speaker": "Mrs. Greenow", "text": "Yes, sir; the old Squire,", "pos": 1151990}
{"speaker": "Kate", "text": "Will you come, George?", "pos": 1152028}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "No; what should I go there for? Why should I pretend an interest in the dead body of a man whom I hated and who hated me;--whose very last act, as far as I know as yet, was an attempt to rob me? I won't go and see him.", "pos": 1152065}
{"speaker": "Mrs. Greenow", "text": "Poor, dear old man! Do you remember, John, how he used to scold me, and say that I should never come to good. He has said the same thing to you, Kate, I dare say?", "pos": 1153092}
{"speaker": "Kate", "text": "He has been very kind to me,", "pos": 1153315}
{"speaker": "John Vavasor", "text": "He was a fine old gentleman;--belonging to days that are now gone by, but by no means the less of a gentleman on that account. I don't know that he ever did an unjust or ungenerous act to any one. Come, Kate, we may as well go down.", "pos": 1153471}
{"speaker": "Mr. Gogram", "text": "I have it in my pocket, and purpose to read it as soon as we return from church.", "pos": 1155374}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "Is it usual to take a will away from a man's house in that way?", "pos": 1155476}
{"speaker": "Mr. Gogram", "text": "Quite usual, and in this case it was done at the express desire of the testator.", "pos": 1155556}
{"speaker": "John Vavasor", "text": "I think it is the common practice,", "pos": 1155660}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "Before that paper is read, I think it right to say a few words. I don't know what it contains, but I believe it to have been executed by my grandfather only an hour or two before his death.", "pos": 1157459}
{"speaker": "Mr. Gogram", "text": "On the day before he died,--early in the day,", "pos": 1157651}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "Well,--the day before he died; it is the same thing,--while he was dying, in fact. He never got out of bed afterwards.", "pos": 1157718}
{"speaker": "Mr. Gogram", "text": "He was not in bed at the time, Mr. Vavasor. Not that it would have mattered if he had been. And he came down to dinner on that day. I don't understand, however, why you make these observations.", "pos": 1157839}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "If you'll listen to me you will understand. I make them because I deny my grandfather's fitness to make a will in the last moments of his existence, and at such an age. I saw him a few weeks ago, and he was not fit to be trusted with the management of property then.", "pos": 1158035}
{"speaker": "John Vavasor", "text": "I do not think this is the time, George, to put forward such objections,", "pos": 1158304}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "I think it is. I believe that that paper purports to be an instrument by which I should be villanously defrauded if it were allowed to be held as good. Therefore I protest against it now, and shall question it at law if action be taken on it. You can read it now, if you please.", "pos": 1158395}
{"speaker": "Mr. Gogram", "text": "Oh, yes, I shall read, and I say that it is as valid a will as ever a man signed.", "pos": 1158691}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "And I say it's not. That's the difference between us.", "pos": 1158794}
{"speaker": "Mr. Gogram", "text": "And, Mr. Vavasor, you will, I fear, get very little by that latter clause. The estate now owes nothing; but I doubt whether the Squire had fifty pounds in his banker's hands when he died, and the value of the property about the place is very small. He has been unwilling to spend anything during the last ten years, but has paid off every shilling that the property owed.", "pos": 1160020}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "It is as I supposed. The old man has endeavoured in his anger to rob me of everything because I would not obey him in his wickedness when I was here with him a short while before he died. Such a will as that can stand nowhere.", "pos": 1160443}
{"speaker": "Mr. Gogram", "text": "As to that I have nothing to say at present,", "pos": 1160792}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "Where is his other will,--the one he made before that? And where are they?", "pos": 1160858}
{"speaker": "Mr. Gogram", "text": "It is not my business to know, Mr. Vavasor. I believe that I saw him destroy one, but I have no absolute knowledge. As to the other, I can say nothing.", "pos": 1160990}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "And what do you mean to do?", "pos": 1161144}
{"speaker": "John Vavasor", "text": "Do! I shall carry out the will. I have no alternative. Your sister is the person chiefly interested under it. She gets five hundred a year for her life; and if she marries and you don't, or if she has a son and you don't, her son will have the whole property.", "pos": 1161209}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "It is a piece of d---- roguery. I mean exactly what I say. It is a piece of d---- roguery. Who was in the room when that thing was written?", "pos": 1162022}
{"speaker": "Mr. Gogram", "text": "The signature was witnessed by--", "pos": 1162248}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "I don't ask as to the signature. Who was in the room when the thing was written?", "pos": 1162283}
{"speaker": "Mr. Gogram", "text": "I was here with your grandfather.", "pos": 1162366}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "And no one else?", "pos": 1162402}
{"speaker": "Mr. Gogram", "text": "No one else. The presence of any one else at such a time would be very unusual.", "pos": 1162421}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "Then I regard the document simply as waste paper.", "pos": 1162503}
{"speaker": "Mr. Gogram", "text": "I never was insulted in such a way before,", "pos": 1162636}
{"speaker": "John Vavasor", "text": "He is a disappointed and I fear a ruined man. I do not think you need regard what he says.", "pos": 1162731}
{"speaker": "Mr. Gogram", "text": "But he should not on that account insult me. I have only done my duty. I did not even advise his grandfather. It is mean on his part and unmanly. If he comes in my way again I shall tell him so. It's as good a will as ever was made. If he can set that aside, I'll give up making wills altogether.", "pos": 1162845}
{"speaker": "John Vavasor", "text": "Well, John,", "pos": 1164685}
{"speaker": "Mrs. Greenow", "text": "well? How is it left?", "pos": 1164709}
{"speaker": "John Vavasor", "text": "Where is Kate?", "pos": 1164733}
{"speaker": "Mrs. Greenow", "text": "She has gone out with her brother.", "pos": 1164760}
{"speaker": "John Vavasor", "text": "Did he take his hat?", "pos": 1164797}
{"speaker": "Mrs. Greenow", "text": "Oh, yes. He asked her to walk, and she went with him at once.", "pos": 1164820}
{"speaker": "John Vavasor", "text": "Then, I suppose, he will tell her,", "pos": 1164884}
{"speaker": "Mrs. Greenow", "text": "Bravo. I'm delighted. I love Kate dearly: and now she can marry almost whom she pleases.", "pos": 1165011}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "Kate, put on your hat and come and walk with me. That business is over.", "pos": 1165313}
{"speaker": "Kate", "text": "Which way shall we go?", "pos": 1165886}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "Up across the fell, the day is fine, and I want to get away from my uncle for a time. Well, don't you want to know what that dear old man has done for you? But perhaps you know already,", "pos": 1166021}
{"speaker": "Kate", "text": "I know nothing of it. Had I known I should have told you. Your question is unjust to me.", "pos": 1167396}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "I am beginning to doubt, whether a man can be safe in trusting any one. My grandfather has done his best to rob me of the property altogether.", "pos": 1167500}
{"speaker": "Kate", "text": "I told you that I feared he would do so.", "pos": 1167656}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "And he has made you his heir.", "pos": 1167699}
{"speaker": "Kate", "text": "Me?", "pos": 1167731}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "Yes; you.", "pos": 1167737}
{"speaker": "Kate", "text": "He told me distinctly that he would not do that.", "pos": 1167749}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "But he has, I tell you.", "pos": 1167800}
{"speaker": "Kate", "text": "Then, George, I shall do that which I told him I should do in the event of his making such a will; for he asked me the question. I told him I should restore the estate to you, and upon that he swore that he would not leave it to me.", "pos": 1167826}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "And what a fool you were. What an ass! Why did you tell him that? You knew that he would not, on that account, do justice to me.", "pos": 1168061}
{"speaker": "Kate", "text": "He asked me, George.", "pos": 1168232}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "Psha! now you have ruined me, and you might have saved me.", "pos": 1168255}
{"speaker": "Kate", "text": "But I will save you still, if he has left the estate to me. I do not desire to take it from you. As God in heaven sees me, I have never ceased to endeavour to protect your interests here at Vavasor. I will sign anything necessary to make over my right in the property to you.", "pos": 1168316}
{"speaker": "Kate", "text": "If the will is as you say, George, I will make over my right to you.", "pos": 1169485}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "You can make over nothing. The old robber has been too cunning for that; he has left it all in the hands of my uncle John. D---- him. D---- them both.", "pos": 1169556}
{"speaker": "Kate", "text": "George! George! he is dead now.", "pos": 1169724}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "Dead; of course he is dead. What of that? I wish he had been dead ten years ago,--or twenty. Do you suppose I am to forgive him because he is dead? I'll heap his grave with curses, if that can be of avail to punish him.", "pos": 1169758}
{"speaker": "Kate", "text": "You can only punish the living that way.", "pos": 1169980}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "And I will punish them;--but not by cursing them. My uncle John shall have such a life of it for the next year or two that he shall bitterly regret the hour in which he has stepped between me and my rights.", "pos": 1170023}
{"speaker": "Kate", "text": "I do not believe that he has done so.", "pos": 1170232}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "Not done so! What was he down here for at Christmas? Do you pretend to think that that make-believe will was concocted without his knowledge?", "pos": 1170272}
{"speaker": "Kate", "text": "I'm sure that he knew nothing of it. I don't think my grandfather's mind was made up a week before he died.", "pos": 1170416}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "You'll have to swear that, remember, in a court. I'm not going to let the matter rest, I can tell you. You'll have to prove that. How long is it since he asked you what you would do with the estate if he left it to you?", "pos": 1170526}
{"speaker": "Kate", "text": "It was only two days before he died, if I remember rightly.", "pos": 1170795}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "But you must remember rightly. You'll have to swear to it. And now tell me this honestly; do you believe, in your heart, that he was in a condition fit for making a will?", "pos": 1170857}
{"speaker": "Kate", "text": "I advised him not to make it.", "pos": 1171030}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "Why? why? What reason did you give?", "pos": 1171062}
{"speaker": "Kate", "text": "I told him that I thought no man should alter family arrangements when he was so ill.", "pos": 1171100}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "Exactly. You told him that. And what did he say?", "pos": 1171188}
{"speaker": "Kate", "text": "He was very angry, and made me send for Mr. Gogram.", "pos": 1171239}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "Now, Kate, think a little before you answer me again. If ever you are to do me a good turn, you must do it now. And remember this, I don't at all want to take anything away from you. Whatever you think is fair you shall have.", "pos": 1171293}
{"speaker": "Kate", "text": "I want nothing. George, you don't understand what it is to be honest.", "pos": 1171575}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "I can't say that I do. Well, never mind about that, you advised my grandfather not to make his will,--thinking, no doubt, that his mind was not clear enough?", "pos": 1171883}
{"speaker": "Kate", "text": "His mind was clear, but I thought that he should not trust his judgement while he was so weak.", "pos": 1172142}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "Look here, Kate; I do believe that you at any rate have no mind to assist in this robbery. That it is a robbery you can't have any doubt. I said he had left the estate to you. That is not what he has done. He has left the estate to my uncle John.", "pos": 1172251}
{"speaker": "Kate", "text": "Why tell me, then, what was untrue?", "pos": 1172500}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "Are you disappointed?", "pos": 1172538}
{"speaker": "Kate", "text": "Of course I am; uncle John won't give it you. George, I don't understand you; I don't, indeed.", "pos": 1172562}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "Never mind about that, but listen to me. The estate is left in the hands of John Vavasor; but he has left you five hundred a year out of it till somebody is twenty-five years old who is not yet born, and probably never will be born. The will itself shows the old fool to have been mad.", "pos": 1172659}
{"speaker": "Kate", "text": "He was no more mad than you are, George.", "pos": 1172947}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "Listen to me, I tell you. I don't mean that he was a raging maniac. Now, you had advised him not to make any new will because you thought he was not in a fit condition?", "pos": 1172990}
{"speaker": "Kate", "text": "Yes; I did.", "pos": 1173161}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "You can swear to that?", "pos": 1173175}
{"speaker": "Kate", "text": "I hope I may not be called on to do so. I hope there may be no swearing about it. But if I am asked the question I must swear it.", "pos": 1173200}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "Exactly. Now listen till you understand what it is I mean. That will, if it stands, gives all the power over the estate to John Vavasor. It renders you quite powerless as regards any help or assistance that you might be disposed to give to me. But, nevertheless, your interest under the will is greater than his,--or than that of any one else,--for your son would inherit if I have none. Do you understand?", "pos": 1173332}
{"speaker": "Kate", "text": "Yes; I think so.", "pos": 1173741}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "And your testimony as to the invalidity of the will would be conclusive against all the world.", "pos": 1173760}
{"speaker": "Kate", "text": "I would say in a court what I have told you, if that will do any good.", "pos": 1173857}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "It will not be enough. Look here, Kate; you must be steadfast here; everything depends on you. How often have you told me that you will stick to me throughout life? Now you will be tried.", "pos": 1173930}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "But that was what you meant when you advised him not to make the will because you thought his intellect was impaired!", "pos": 1174692}
{"speaker": "Kate", "text": "No; not so.", "pos": 1174812}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "Stop, Kate, stop. If you will think of it, it was so. What is the meaning of his judgement being weak?", "pos": 1174826}
{"speaker": "Kate", "text": "I didn't say his judgement was weak.", "pos": 1174931}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "But that was what you meant when you advised him not to trust it!", "pos": 1174970}
{"speaker": "Kate", "text": "Look here, George; I think I know now what you mean. If anybody asks me if his mind was gone, or his intellect deranged, I cannot say that there was anything of the kind.", "pos": 1175038}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "You will not?", "pos": 1175211}
{"speaker": "Kate", "text": "Certainly not. It would be untrue.", "pos": 1175227}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "Then you are determined to throw me over and claim the property for yourself. And I am to count you also among my enemies? You had better take care, Kate. Kate,", "pos": 1175264}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "we will have this out here, if you please. So much, at any rate, shall be settled to-day. You have made many promises to me, and I have believed them. You can now keep them all, by simply saying what you know to be the truth,--that that old man was a drivelling idiot when he made this will. Are you prepared to do me that justice? Think before you answer me, for, by G----, if I cannot have justice among you, I will have revenge.", "pos": 1177038}
{"speaker": "Kate", "text": "Take your hand down, George. I'm not such a fool that you can frighten me in that way.", "pos": 1177531}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "Answer me!", "pos": 1177632}
{"speaker": "Kate", "text": "Oh, George, that I should live to be so ashamed of my brother!", "pos": 1177720}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "Answer me,", "pos": 1177785}
{"speaker": "Kate", "text": "I have answered you. I will say nothing of the kind that you want me to say. My grandfather, up to the latest moment that I saw him, knew what he was about. He was not an idiot. He was, I believe, only carrying out a purpose fixed long before. You will not make me change what I say by looking at me like that, nor get it by shaking me. You don't know me, George, if you think you can frighten me like a child.", "pos": 1177837}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "Oh. That's to be it; is it? That's your idea of honesty. The very name of the money being your own has been too much for you. I wonder whether you and my uncle had contrived it all between you beforehand?", "pos": 1178523}
{"speaker": "Kate", "text": "You will not dare to ask him, because he is a man,", "pos": 1178760}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "Shall I not? You will see what I dare do. As for you, with all your promises--. Kate, you know that I keep my word. Say that you will do as I desire you, or I will be the death of you.", "pos": 1178949}
{"speaker": "Kate", "text": "Do you mean that you will murder me?", "pos": 1179136}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "Murder you! yes; why not? Treated as I have been among you, do you suppose that I shall stick at anything? Why should I not murder you--you and Alice, too, seeing how you have betrayed me?", "pos": 1179185}
{"speaker": "Kate", "text": "Poor Alice!", "pos": 1179376}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "Poor Alice, indeed! D---- hypocrite! There's a pair of you; cursed, whining, false, intriguing hypocrites. There; go down and tell your uncle and that old woman there that I threatened to murder you. Tell the judge so, when you're brought into court to swear me out of my property. You false liar!", "pos": 1179509}
{"speaker": "Kate", "text": "Here I am; my arm is broken; and you had better send for a doctor.", "pos": 1182552}
{"speaker": "John Vavasor", "text": "Dinner is ready, where is George?", "pos": 1184685}
{"speaker": "Mrs. Greenow", "text": "You are wet, Kate,", "pos": 1184742}
{"speaker": "Kate", "text": "Yes, I am very wet. I must go up-stairs. Perhaps you'll come with me, aunt?", "pos": 1184782}
{"speaker": "Mrs. Greenow", "text": "Come with you,--of course I will.", "pos": 1184873}
{"speaker": "John Vavasor", "text": "Where's George? Has he come back with you, or are we to wait for him?", "pos": 1184965}
{"speaker": "Kate", "text": "I don't quite know where he is. My arm, my arm!", "pos": 1185092}
{"speaker": "Mrs. Greenow", "text": "He has done her a mischief. This is his doing.", "pos": 1185351}
{"speaker": "the doctor", "text": "She will do very well. It's only a simple fracture. I'll see her the day after to-morrow.", "pos": 1186105}
{"speaker": "John Vavasor", "text": "Is it not odd that such an accident should come from a fall whilst walking?", "pos": 1186216}
{"speaker": "the doctor", "text": "One never can say how anything may occur. I know a young woman who broke the os femoris by just kicking her cat;--at least, she said she did.", "pos": 1186348}
{"speaker": "John Vavasor", "text": "Indeed! I suppose you didn't take any trouble to inquire?", "pos": 1186503}
{"speaker": "the doctor", "text": "Not much. My business was with the injury, not with the way she got it. Somebody did make inquiry, but she stuck to her story and nothing came of it. Good night, Mr. Vavasor. Don't trouble her with questions till she has had some hours' sleep, at any rate.", "pos": 1186563}
{"speaker": "Kate", "text": "I can only tell you, that he went away across the Fell in the direction of Bampton. Perhaps he has gone on to Penrith. He was very angry with us all; and as the house is not his own, he has probably resolved that he will not stay another night under the roof. But, who can say? He is not in his senses when he is angered.", "pos": 1188820}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "Send me my clothes by the bearer. I shall not return to the house.", "pos": 1190490}
{"speaker": "Mrs. Greenow", "text": "Kate,", "pos": 1190585}
{"speaker": "Mrs. Greenow", "text": "I expect that you will tell me the whole truth as to what occurred between you and your brother when you had this accident.", "pos": 1191309}
{"speaker": "Kate", "text": "I have told you the truth.", "pos": 1191435}
{"speaker": "Mrs. Greenow", "text": "But not the whole truth.", "pos": 1191464}
{"speaker": "Kate", "text": "All the truth I mean to tell, aunt. He has quarrelled with me, as I think, most unnecessarily, but you don't suppose that I am going to give an exact account of the quarrel? We were both wrong, probably, and so let there be an end of it.", "pos": 1191491}
{"speaker": "Mrs. Greenow", "text": "Was he violent to you when he quarrelled with you?", "pos": 1191731}
{"speaker": "Kate", "text": "When he is angry he is always violent in his language.", "pos": 1191784}
{"speaker": "Mrs. Greenow", "text": "But, did he strike you?", "pos": 1191841}
{"speaker": "Kate", "text": "Dear aunt, don't be angry with me if I say that I won't be cross-examined. I would rather answer no more questions about it. I know that questioning can do no good.", "pos": 1191867}
{"speaker": "Mrs. Greenow", "text": "You must have it your own way, but let me just tell you this, that your brother George had better keep out of my way.", "pos": 1192470}
{"speaker": "Kate", "text": "It is probable that he will. Especially if you remain here to nurse me.", "pos": 1192611}
{"speaker": "Mrs. Greenow", "text": "Kate,", "pos": 1193746}
{"speaker": "Kate", "text": "But he does not believe it. He said that because he thought it would vex me; but I know he does not think it.", "pos": 1195561}
{"speaker": "Mrs. Greenow", "text": "A young woman, with six hundred a year, my dear, may do pretty nearly what she pleases. It's better than having ten years' grace given you.", "pos": 1197669}
{"speaker": "Kate", "text": "And will last longer, certainly,", "pos": 1197832}
{"speaker": "Mrs. Greenow", "text": "What on earth shall we do if that wild beast shows himself suddenly among us women?", "pos": 1198221}
{"speaker": "John Vavasor", "text": "that he hoped the wild beast would keep his distance.", "pos": 1198370}
{"speaker": "the boy", "text": "Baampton. John Applethwaite, up at the Craigs yon, had got a mickle cart.", "pos": 1201411}
{"speaker": "Mr. Palliser", "text": "I will breakfast with you to-morrow. I have work still to do to-night, and I will not disturb you by coming to your room.", "pos": 1208000}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "You won't want me to be very early?", "pos": 1208175}
{"speaker": "Mr. Palliser", "text": "No. What hour will suit you? I must say something of what has occurred to-night before I leave you to-morrow.", "pos": 1208228}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "I don't know what you can have got to say about to-night, but I'll be down by half-past eleven, if that will do?", "pos": 1208406}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "He looks at me every time he sees me as the cause of his misfortune,", "pos": 1211293}
{"speaker": "Mr. Palliser", "text": "Have you any headache this morning?", "pos": 1213638}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "Oh, no,", "pos": 1213686}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "Plantagenet, you told me last night, as I was going to bed, that you had something to say about Lady Monk's party.", "pos": 1216353}
{"speaker": "Mr. Palliser", "text": "Yes, my dear. After what happened, I believe that I must say something.", "pos": 1216540}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "If you think anything, pray say it,", "pos": 1216614}
{"speaker": "Mr. Palliser", "text": "It is not always easy for a man to show what he thinks by what he says. My fear is that you should suppose me to think more than I do. And it was for that reason that I determined to sleep on it before I spoke to you.", "pos": 1216667}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "If anybody is angry with me I'd much rather they should have it out with me while their anger is hot. I hate cold anger.", "pos": 1216901}
{"speaker": "Mr. Palliser", "text": "But I am not angry.", "pos": 1217024}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "That's what husbands always say when they're going to scold.", "pos": 1217046}
{"speaker": "Mr. Palliser", "text": "But I am not going to scold. I am only going to advise you.", "pos": 1217109}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "I'd sooner be scolded. Advice is to anger just what cold anger is to hot.", "pos": 1217171}
{"speaker": "Mr. Palliser", "text": "But, my dear Glencora, surely if I find it necessary to speak--", "pos": 1217247}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "I don't want to stop you, Plantagenet. Pray, go on. Only it will be so nice to have it over.", "pos": 1217313}
{"speaker": "Mr. Palliser", "text": "Glencora. I wish you to be serious with me.", "pos": 1217774}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "I am very serious,", "pos": 1217831}
{"speaker": "Mr. Palliser", "text": "You ought to be serious. Do you know why Mrs. Marsham came here from Lady Monk's last night?", "pos": 1218129}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "Of course I do. She came to tell you that I was waltzing with Burgo Fitzgerald. You might as well ask me whether I knew why Mr. Bott was standing at all the doors, glaring at me.", "pos": 1218224}
{"speaker": "Mr. Palliser", "text": "I don't know anything about Mr. Bott.", "pos": 1218405}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "I know something about him though,", "pos": 1218445}
{"speaker": "Mr. Palliser", "text": "I am speaking now of Mrs. Marsham.", "pos": 1218527}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "You should speak of them both together as they hunt in couples.", "pos": 1218564}
{"speaker": "Mr. Palliser", "text": "Glencora, will you listen to me, or will you not? If you say that you will not, I shall know what to do.", "pos": 1218630}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "I don't think you would, Plantagenet. I'm sure I don't know what you would do. But I will listen to you. Only, as I said before, it will be very nice when it's over.", "pos": 1218737}
{"speaker": "Mr. Palliser", "text": "Mrs. Marsham came here, not simply to tell me that you were waltzing with Mr. Fitzgerald,--and I wish that when you mention his name you would call him Mr. Fitzgerald.", "pos": 1218960}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "So I do.", "pos": 1219130}
{"speaker": "Mr. Palliser", "text": "You generally prefix his Christian name, which it would be much better that you should omit.", "pos": 1219141}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "I will try, but it's hard to drop an old habit. Before you married me you knew that I had learned to call him Burgo.", "pos": 1219236}
{"speaker": "Mr. Palliser", "text": "Let me go on,", "pos": 1219380}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "Oh, certainly.", "pos": 1219415}
{"speaker": "Mr. Palliser", "text": "It was not simply to tell me that you were waltzing that Mrs. Marsham came here.", "pos": 1219432}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "And it was not simply to see me waltzing that Mr. Bott stood in the doorways, for he followed me about, and came down after me to the supper-room.", "pos": 1219515}
{"speaker": "Mr. Palliser", "text": "Glencora, will you oblige me by not speaking of Mr. Bott?", "pos": 1219664}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "I wish you would oblige me by not speaking of Mrs. Marsham.", "pos": 1219724}
{"speaker": "Mr. Palliser", "text": "I beg your pardon, Plantagenet,", "pos": 1219910}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "I think I know what you want, and I'll hold my tongue till you bid me speak.", "pos": 1219954}
{"speaker": "Mr. Palliser", "text": "Mrs. Marsham came here because she saw that every one in the room was regarding you with wonder. She saw that you were not only dancing with Mr. Fitzgerald, but that you were dancing with him,--what shall I say?", "pos": 1220033}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "Upon my word I can't tell you.", "pos": 1220321}
{"speaker": "Mr. Palliser", "text": "Recklessly.", "pos": 1220354}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "Oh! recklessly, was I? What was I reckless of?", "pos": 1220368}
{"speaker": "Mr. Palliser", "text": "Reckless of what people might say; reckless of what I might feel about it; reckless of your own position. Perhaps you had better let me go on. I think she was right to come to me.", "pos": 1220417}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "That's of course. What's the good of having spies, if they don't run and tell as soon as they see anything, especially anything--reckless.", "pos": 1220622}
{"speaker": "Mr. Palliser", "text": "Glencora, you are determined to make me angry. I am angry now,--very angry. I have employed no spies. When rumours have reached me, not from spies, as you choose to call them, but through your dearest friends and mine--", "pos": 1220763}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "What do you mean by rumours from my dearest friends?", "pos": 1220985}
{"speaker": "Mr. Palliser", "text": "Never mind. Let me go on.", "pos": 1221040}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "No; not when you say my dear friends have spread rumours about me. Tell me who they are. I have no dear friends. Do you mean Alice Vavasor?", "pos": 1221068}
{"speaker": "Mr. Palliser", "text": "It does not signify. But when I was warned that you had better not go to any house in which you could meet that man, I would not listen to it. I said that you were my wife, and that as such I could trust you anywhere, everywhere, with any person. Others might distrust you, but I would not do so. When I wished you to go to Monkshade, were there to be any spies there? When I left you last night at Lady Monk's, do you believe in your heart that I trusted to Mrs. Marsham's eyes rather than to your own truth? Do you think that I have lived in fear of Mr. Fitzgerald?", "pos": 1221210}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "No, Plantagenet; I do not think so.", "pos": 1221780}
{"speaker": "Mr. Palliser", "text": "Do you believe that I have commissioned Mr. Bott to watch your conduct? Answer me, Glencora.", "pos": 1221818}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "He does watch me, certainly,", "pos": 1221994}
{"speaker": "Mr. Palliser", "text": "That does not answer my question. Do you believe that I have commissioned him to do so?", "pos": 1222035}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "No; I do not.", "pos": 1222125}
{"speaker": "Mr. Palliser", "text": "Then it is ignoble in you to talk to me of spies. I have employed no spies. If it were ever to come to that, that I thought spies necessary, it would be all over with me.", "pos": 1222141}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "I know that I have never made you happy. I know that I never can make you happy.", "pos": 1222992}
{"speaker": "Mr. Palliser", "text": "I do not understand what you mean. I have never complained. You have not made me unhappy.", "pos": 1223191}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "No, Plantagenet; I shall never make you happy. You have never loved me, nor I you. We have never loved each other for a single moment. I have been wrong to talk to you about spies; I was wrong to go to Lady Monk's; I have been wrong in everything that I have done; but never so wrong as when I let them persuade me to be your wife!", "pos": 1223724}
{"speaker": "Mr. Palliser", "text": "Glencora!", "pos": 1224058}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "Let me speak now, Plantagenet. It is better that I should tell you everything; and I will. I will tell you everything;--everything! I do love Burgo Fitzgerald. I do! I do! I do! How can I help loving him? Have I not loved him from the first,--before I had seen you? Did you not know that it was so? I do love Burgo Fitzgerald, and when I went to Lady Monk's last night, I had almost made up my mind that I must tell him so, and that I must go away with him and hide myself. But when he came to speak to me--", "pos": 1224070}
{"speaker": "Mr. Palliser", "text": "He has asked you to go with him, then?", "pos": 1224580}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "What need is there of asking, do you think, when people have loved each other as we have done?", "pos": 1224932}
{"speaker": "Mr. Palliser", "text": "You wanted to go with him, then?", "pos": 1225029}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "Would it not have been the best for you? Plantagenet, I do not love you;--not as women love their husbands when they do love them. But, before God, my first wish is to free you from the misfortune that I have brought on you.", "pos": 1225064}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "I would. I would--I would! What is there left for me that I should wish to live?", "pos": 1226010}
{"speaker": "Mr. Palliser", "text": "You are wrong in one thing. I do love you.", "pos": 1226216}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "Yes, your mind is running on other things.", "pos": 1226478}
{"speaker": "Mr. Palliser", "text": "I do love you. If you cannot love me, it is a great misfortune to us both. But we need not therefore be disgraced. As for that other thing of which you spoke,--of our having, as yet, no child-- you allow yourself to think too much of it;--much more of it than I do. I have made no complaints on that head, even within my own breast.", "pos": 1226539}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "I know what your thoughts are, Plantagenet.", "pos": 1226939}
{"speaker": "Mr. Palliser", "text": "Believe me that you wrong my thoughts. Of course I have been anxious, and have, perhaps, shown my anxiety by the struggle I have made to hide it. I have never told you what is false, Glencora.", "pos": 1226985}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "No; you are not false!", "pos": 1227180}
{"speaker": "Mr. Palliser", "text": "I would rather have you for my wife, childless,--if you will try to love me,--than any other woman, though another might give me an heir. Will you try to love me? I think, dear, that we had better leave England for a while. I will give up politics for this season. Should you like to go to Switzerland for the summer, or perhaps to some of the German baths, and then on to Italy when the weather is cold enough? Perhaps your friend, Miss Vavasor, would go with us? Come in. If you please, sir, the Duke of St. Bungay is here. The Duke of St. Bungay! Yes, sir, his grace is in the library. He bade me tell you that he particularly wanted to see you; so I told him that you were with my lady. Quite right; tell his grace that I will be with him in two minutes. I must go now, my dear, and perhaps I shall not see you again till the evening.", "pos": 1227205}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "Don't let me put you out in any way,", "pos": 1229082}
{"speaker": "Mr. Palliser", "text": "Oh no;--you won't put me out. You will be dressing, I suppose, about nine.", "pos": 1229135}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "I did not mean as to that. You must not think more of Italy. He has come to tell you that you are wanted in the Cabinet.", "pos": 1229212}
{"speaker": "Mr. Palliser", "text": "It may be so, but though I am wanted, I need not go. But I must not keep the duke waiting. Good-bye.", "pos": 1229377}
{"speaker": "Mr. Palliser", "text": "Duke. I'm afraid I have kept you waiting.", "pos": 1233800}
{"speaker": "The Duke", "text": "And I suppose you guess why I'm come?", "pos": 1234090}
{"speaker": "Mr. Palliser", "text": "I would rather be told than have to guess,", "pos": 1234145}
{"speaker": "The Duke", "text": "He has resigned at last. What was said in the Lords last night made it necessary that he should do so, or that Lord Brock should declare himself able to support him through thick and thin. Of course, I can tell you everything now. He must have gone, or I must have done so. You know that I don't like him in the Cabinet. I admire his character and his genius, but I think him the most dangerous man in England as a statesman. He has high principles,--the very highest; but they are so high as to be out of sight to ordinary eyes. They are too exalted to be of any use for everyday purposes. He is honest as the sun, I'm sure; but it's just like the sun's honesty,--of a kind which we men below can't quite understand or appreciate. He has no instinct in politics, but reaches his conclusions by philosophical deduction. Now, in politics, I would a deal sooner trust to instinct than to calculation. I think he may probably know how England ought to be governed three centuries hence better than any man living, but of the proper way to govern it now, I think he knows less. Brock half likes him and half fears him. He likes the support of his eloquence, and he likes the power of the man; but he fears his restless activity, and thoroughly dislikes his philosophy. At any rate, he has left us, and I am here to ask you to take his place.", "pos": 1234314}
{"speaker": "Mr. Palliser", "text": "And who goes out with him? But it does not matter. I am afraid I must decline the offer you bring me.", "pos": 1236517}
{"speaker": "The Duke", "text": "Decline it!", "pos": 1236891}
{"speaker": "Mr. Palliser", "text": "I fear I must.", "pos": 1237002}
{"speaker": "The Duke", "text": "Nonsense, Palliser. You must have got some false notion into your head. There can be no possible reason why you should not join us. Finespun himself will support us, at any rate for a time.", "pos": 1237486}
{"speaker": "Mr. Palliser", "text": "It is nothing of that kind. It is nothing of that kind; It is nothing of that kind;--it is no fear of that sort that hinders me.", "pos": 1237797}
{"speaker": "The Duke", "text": "Then, for mercy's sake, what is it? My dear Palliser, I looked upon you as being as sure in this matter as myself; and I had a right to do so. You certainly intended to join us a month ago, if the opportunity offered. You certainly did.", "pos": 1238038}
{"speaker": "Mr. Palliser", "text": "It is true, Duke. I must ask you to listen to me now, and I must tell you what I would not willingly tell to any man.", "pos": 1238277}
{"speaker": "The Duke", "text": "Upon my word. I can't understand that there should be any reason strong enough to make you throw your party over.", "pos": 1238739}
{"speaker": "Mr. Palliser", "text": "I have promised to take my wife abroad.", "pos": 1238872}
{"speaker": "The Duke", "text": "Is that it? Nobody thinks of going abroad at this time of the year. Of course, you can get away for a time when Parliament breaks up.", "pos": 1238914}
{"speaker": "Mr. Palliser", "text": "But I have promised to go at once.", "pos": 1239169}
{"speaker": "The Duke", "text": "Then, considering your position, you have made a promise which it behoves you to break. I am sure Lady Glencora will see it in that light.", "pos": 1239206}
{"speaker": "Mr. Palliser", "text": "You do not quite understand me, and I am afraid I must trouble you to listen to matters which, under other circumstances, it would be impertinent in me to obtrude upon you.", "pos": 1239347}
{"speaker": "The Duke", "text": "Of course, Palliser, I don't want to interfere for a moment.", "pos": 1239661}
{"speaker": "Mr. Palliser", "text": "If you will allow me, Duke. My wife has told me that, this morning, which makes me feel that absence from England is requisite for her present comfort. I was with her when you came, and had just promised her that she should go.", "pos": 1239724}
{"speaker": "The Duke", "text": "But, Palliser, think of it. If this were a small matter, I would not press you; but a man in your position has public duties. He owes his services to his country. He has no right to go back, if it be possible that he should so do.", "pos": 1239954}
{"speaker": "Mr. Palliser", "text": "When a man has given his word, it cannot be right that he should go back from that.", "pos": 1240187}
{"speaker": "The Duke", "text": "Of course not. But a man may be absolved from a promise. Lady Glencora--", "pos": 1240273}
{"speaker": "Mr. Palliser", "text": "My wife would, of course, absolve me. It is not that. Her happiness demands it, and it is partly my fault that it is so. I cannot explain to you more fully why it is that I must give up the great object for which I have striven with all my strength.", "pos": 1240348}
{"speaker": "The Duke", "text": "Oh, no! If you are sure that it is imperative--", "pos": 1240600}
{"speaker": "Mr. Palliser", "text": "It is imperative.", "pos": 1240667}
{"speaker": "The Duke", "text": "I could give you twenty-four hours, you know. I suppose it would not be possible that I should speak to Lady Glencora?", "pos": 1240687}
{"speaker": "Mr. Palliser", "text": "It could be of no avail, Duke. She would only declare, at the first word, that she would remain in London; but it would not be the less my duty on that account to take her abroad.", "pos": 1240905}
{"speaker": "The Duke", "text": "Well; I can't say. Of course, I can't say. Such an opportunity may not come twice in a man's life. And at your age too! You are throwing away from you the finest political position that the world can offer to the ambition of any man. No one at your time of life has had such a chance within my memory. That a man under thirty should be thought fit to be Chancellor of the Exchequer, and should refuse it,--because he wants to take his wife abroad! Palliser, if she were dying, you should remain under such an emergency as this. She might go, but you should remain.", "pos": 1241087}
{"speaker": "Mr. Palliser", "text": "There are things worse than death,", "pos": 1241774}
{"speaker": "The Duke", "text": "And must this be final?", "pos": 1242052}
{"speaker": "Mr. Palliser", "text": "I think it must. But your visit here has come so quickly on my resolution to go abroad,--which, in truth, was only made ten minutes before your name was brought to me,--that I believe I ought to ask for a portion of those twenty-four hours which you have offered me. A small portion will be enough. Will you see me, if I come to you this evening, say at eight? If the House is up in the Lords I will go to you in St. James's Square.", "pos": 1242093}
{"speaker": "The Duke", "text": "We shall be sitting after eight, I think.", "pos": 1242528}
{"speaker": "Mr. Palliser", "text": "Then I will see you there. And, Duke, I must ask you to think of me in this matter as a friend should think, and not as though we were bound together only by party feeling.", "pos": 1242572}
{"speaker": "The Duke", "text": "I will,--I will.", "pos": 1242747}
{"speaker": "Mr. Palliser", "text": "I have told you what I shall never whisper to any one else.", "pos": 1242766}
{"speaker": "The Duke", "text": "I think you know that you are safe with me.", "pos": 1242828}
{"speaker": "Mr. Palliser", "text": "I am sure of it. And, Duke, I can tell you that the sacrifice to me will be almost more than I can bear. This thing that you have offered me to-day is the only thing that I have ever coveted. I have thought of it and worked for it, have hoped and despaired, have for moments been vain enough to think that it was within my strength, and have been wretched for weeks together because I have told myself that it was utterly beyond me.", "pos": 1242874}
{"speaker": "The Duke", "text": "As to that, neither Brock nor I, nor any of us, have any doubt. Finespun himself says that you are the man.", "pos": 1243309}
{"speaker": "Mr. Palliser", "text": "I am much obliged to them. But I say all this simply that you may understand how imperative is the duty which, as I think, requires me to refuse the offer.", "pos": 1243419}
{"speaker": "The Duke", "text": "But you haven't refused as yet. I shall wait at the House for you, whether they are sitting or not. And endeavour to join us. Do the best you can. I will say nothing as to that duty of which you speak; but if it can be made compatible with your public service, pray--pray let it be done. Remember how much such a one as you owes to his country.", "pos": 1243577}
{"speaker": "The Duke", "text": "Well, Palliser, of course I cannot argue it with you any more. I can only say that I am very sorry;--more sorry than perhaps you will believe. Indeed, it half breaks my heart. I never above half liked her. I must go to Brock at once, and tell him. God knows what we must do now. Goodbye! good-bye! No; I'm not angry. There shall be no quarrel. But I am very sorry.", "pos": 1247682}
{"speaker": "Mr. Palliser", "text": "We may as well make up our minds to start at once. At any rate, there is nothing on my side to hinder us.", "pos": 1249442}
{"speaker": "Mr. Scruby", "text": "I'm a family man, Mr. Vavasor, and therefore I never run any risks. I never go a yard further than I can see my way back.", "pos": 1250238}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "It is so very hard to realize, immediately upon a death, when all the property left is real property.", "pos": 1250518}
{"speaker": "Mr. Scruby", "text": "Very hard indeed,", "pos": 1250637}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "A gentleman wanting to see me! What sort of a gentleman?", "pos": 1251819}
{"speaker": "parlour-maid", "text": "Well, miss, I don't think he's just of our sort; but he's decent to look at.", "pos": 1251878}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "Let him come up. But I think, Jane, you ought to ask him his name.", "pos": 1252151}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "Is papa dressed yet?", "pos": 1252982}
{"speaker": "servant", "text": "Well, miss, I don't think he is,--not to say dressed.", "pos": 1253030}
{"speaker": "Mr. Levy", "text": "I've called about a little bit of business, miss. Nothing as you need disturb yourself about. You'll find it all square, I think. Yes, Mr. George Vavasor. I dare say you never saw me before, miss?", "pos": 1253200}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "No, sir; I think not,", "pos": 1253640}
{"speaker": "Mr. Levy", "text": "I am your cousin's clerk.", "pos": 1253676}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "Oh, you're Mr. Vavasor's clerk. I'll read his letter, if you please, sir.", "pos": 1253704}
{"speaker": "Mr. Levy", "text": "If you please, miss.", "pos": 1253780}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "DEAR ALICE. After what passed between us when I last saw you I thought that on my return from Westmoreland I should learn that you had paid in at my bankers' the money that I require. But I find that this is not so; and of course I excuse you, because women so seldom know when or how to do that which business demands of them. You have, no doubt, heard the injustice which my grandfather has done me, and will probably feel as indignant as I do. I only mention this now, because the nature of his will makes it more than ever incumbent on you that you should be true to your pledge to me. Till there shall be some ground for a better understanding between us,--and this I do not doubt will come,--I think it wiser not to call, myself, at Queen Anne Street. I therefore send my confidential clerk with four bills, each of five hundred pounds, drawn at fourteen days' date, across which I will get you to write your name. Mr. Levy will show you the way in which this should be done. Your name must come under the word \"accepted,\" and just above the name of Messrs. Drummonds, where the money must be lying ready, at any rate, not later than Monday fortnight. Indeed, the money must be there some time on the Saturday. They know you so well at Drummonds' that you will not object to call on the Saturday afternoon, and ask if it is all right. I have certainly been inconvenienced by not finding the money as I expected on my return to town. If these bills are not properly provided for, the result will be very disastrous to me. I feel, however, sure that this will be done, both for your own sake and for mine. Affectionately yours. GEORGE VAVASOR.", "pos": 1253858}
{"speaker": "Mr. Levy", "text": "Mr. Vavasor has explained, I believe, miss, what it is you have to do?", "pos": 1257224}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "Yes, sir; my cousin has explained.", "pos": 1257306}
{"speaker": "Mr. Levy", "text": "And there is nothing else to trouble you with, I believe. If you will just write your name across them, here, I need not detain you by staying any longer. It's all right, miss,", "pos": 1257343}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "Could you not leave them with me, sir?", "pos": 1257998}
{"speaker": "Mr. Levy", "text": "Well; not very well, miss. No doubt Mr. Vavasor has explained it all; but the fact is, he must have them this afternoon. He has got a heavy sum to put down on the nail about this here election, and if it ain't down to-day, them on whom he has to depend will be all abroad.", "pos": 1258051}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "But, sir, the money will not be payable to-day. If I understand it, they are not cheques.", "pos": 1258326}
{"speaker": "Mr. Levy", "text": "No, miss, no; they are not cheques. But your name, miss, at fourteen days, is the same as ready money;--just the same.", "pos": 1258418}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "You insisted on ready money, with your d---- suspicions, and there it is. You're not afraid of fourteen days, I dare say.", "pos": 1259175}
{"speaker": "Mr. Scruby", "text": "Fourteen days is neither here nor there. We can let our payments stand over as long as that, without doing any harm. I'll send one of my men down to Grimes, and tell him I can't see him, till,--let me see, till the 15th. We can wait till the 15th,", "pos": 1259310}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "You will want a thousand, you say?", "pos": 1259949}
{"speaker": "Mr. Scruby", "text": "A thousand to begin with. Certainly not less.", "pos": 1259999}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "Then you had better keep two of them.", "pos": 1260047}
{"speaker": "Mr. Scruby", "text": "Well--no! I don't see the use of that. You had better collect them through your own banker, and let me have a cheque on the 15th or 16th.", "pos": 1260087}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "How cursed suspicious you are, Scruby.", "pos": 1260227}
{"speaker": "Mr. Scruby", "text": "No, I ain't. I'm not a bit suspicious. I don't deal in such articles; that's all!", "pos": 1260268}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "What doubt can there be about such bills as those? Everybody knows that my cousin has a considerable fortune, altogether at her own disposal.", "pos": 1260352}
{"speaker": "John Vavasor", "text": "The truth is, Mr. Vavasor, that bills with ladies' names on them,--ladies who are no way connected with business,--ain't just the paper that people like.", "pos": 1260496}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "Nothing on earth can be surer.", "pos": 1260652}
{"speaker": "Mr. Scruby", "text": "You take them into the City for discount, and see if the bankers don't tell you the same. They may be done, of course, upon your name. I say nothing about that.", "pos": 1260685}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "I can explain to you the nature of the family arrangement, but I can't do that to a stranger. However, I don't mind.", "pos": 1260848}
{"speaker": "Mr. Scruby", "text": "Of course not. The time is so short that it does not signify. Have them collected through your own bankers, and then, if it don't suit you to call, send me a cheque for a thousand pounds when the time is up.", "pos": 1260967}
{"speaker": "Mr. Bott", "text": "You have heard the news; haven't you? News; no. I haven't heard any news. Finespun has resigned, and Palliser is at this moment with the Duke of St. Bungay in the Lords' library.", "pos": 1263949}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "They may both be at the bottom of the Lords' fishpond, for what I care,", "pos": 1264179}
{"speaker": "Mr. Bott", "text": "That's nonsense, you know. Still, you know Palliser is Chancellor of the Exchequer at this moment. What a lucky fellow you are to have such a chance come to you directly you get in. As soon as he takes his seat down there, of course we shall go up behind him.", "pos": 1264267}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "We shall have another election in a month's time,", "pos": 1264542}
{"speaker": "Mr. Bott", "text": "I'm safe enough. It never hurts a man at elections to be closely connected with the Government.", "pos": 1264607}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "The money must be forthcoming. The money must be made to be forthcoming. Papa, will you see that it is done? Papa, if you will not promise, I must go to Mr. Round about it myself, and must find out a broker to sell out for me. You would not wish that my name should be dishonoured.", "pos": 1266607}
{"speaker": "John Vavasor", "text": "You will be ruined, and for such a rascal as that!", "pos": 1267147}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "Never mind whether he is a rascal or not, papa. You must acknowledge that he has been treated harshly by his grandfather.", "pos": 1267211}
{"speaker": "John Vavasor", "text": "I think that will was the wisest thing my father ever did. Had he left the estate to George, there wouldn't have been an acre of it left in the family in six months' time.", "pos": 1267335}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "But the life interest, papa!", "pos": 1267509}
{"speaker": "John Vavasor", "text": "He would have raised all he could upon that, and it would have done him no good.", "pos": 1267540}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "At any rate, papa, he must have this two thousand pounds. You must promise me that.", "pos": 1267623}
{"speaker": "John Vavasor", "text": "And then he will want more.", "pos": 1267709}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "No; I do not think he will ask for more. At any rate, I do not think that I am bound to give him all that I have.", "pos": 1267739}
{"speaker": "John Vavasor", "text": "I should think not. I should like to know how you can be bound to give him anything?", "pos": 1267855}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "Because I promised it. I have signed the bills now, and it must be done. Papa, if you will not say that you will do it, I must go down to Mr. Round at once.", "pos": 1267942}
{"speaker": "John Vavasor", "text": "I don't know that I can do it. I don't know that Mr. Round can do it. Your money is chiefly on mortgage. Upon my word, I never heard of such a thing in my life. I never did. Four thousand pounds given away to such a man as that, in three months! Four thousand pounds! And you say you do not intend to marry him.", "pos": 1268138}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "Certainly not; all that is over.", "pos": 1268531}
{"speaker": "John Vavasor", "text": "And does he know that it is over?", "pos": 1268566}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "I suppose he does.", "pos": 1268602}
{"speaker": "John Vavasor", "text": "You suppose so! Things of that sort are so often over with you!", "pos": 1268623}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "I know that I have behaved badly, but I am punished, and you might spare me now!", "pos": 1268939}
{"speaker": "John Vavasor", "text": "I didn't want to punish you. I don't want to punish you. But, I don't want to see you ruined!", "pos": 1269042}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "I must go to Mr. Round then, myself.", "pos": 1269203}
{"speaker": "John Vavasor", "text": "I don't want her money, and if she had got none of her own, I would make her as comfortable as I could with my own income. But to see her throw her money away in such a fashion as this is enough to break a man's heart.", "pos": 1269968}
{"speaker": "John Vavasor", "text": "Come in! I'm glad to see you,--very. Sit down; won't you? Did you ever see such a wretched fire? The coals they give you in this place are the worst in all London. Did you ever see such coals?", "pos": 1279624}
{"speaker": "John Grey", "text": "One hardly wants a fire at all, such weather as this,", "pos": 1280033}
{"speaker": "John Vavasor", "text": "Oh; don't you? If you had to sit here all day, you'd see if you didn't want a fire. It's the coldest building I ever put my foot in. Sometimes in winter I have to sit here the whole day in a great-coat. I only wish I could shut old Sugden up here for a week or two, after Christmas.", "pos": 1280098}
{"speaker": "John Grey", "text": "How is Alice?", "pos": 1280609}
{"speaker": "John Vavasor", "text": "She is well enough, I believe,", "pos": 1280738}
{"speaker": "John Grey", "text": "Is anything the matter in Queen Anne Street?", "pos": 1280780}
{"speaker": "John Vavasor", "text": "You'll hardly believe it when I tell you; and, indeed, I hardly know whether I ought to tell you or not.", "pos": 1280827}
{"speaker": "John Grey", "text": "As you and I have gone so far together, I think that you ought to tell me anything that concerns her nearly.", "pos": 1280934}
{"speaker": "John Vavasor", "text": "That's just it. It's about her money. Do you know, Grey, I'm beginning to think that I've been wrong in allowing you to advance what you have done on her account?", "pos": 1281045}
{"speaker": "John Grey", "text": "Why wrong?", "pos": 1281210}
{"speaker": "John Vavasor", "text": "Because I foresee there'll be a difficulty about it. How are we to manage about the repayment?", "pos": 1281223}
{"speaker": "John Grey", "text": "If she becomes my wife there will be no management wanted.", "pos": 1281320}
{"speaker": "John Vavasor", "text": "But how if she never becomes your wife? I'm beginning to think she'll never do anything like any other woman.", "pos": 1281381}
{"speaker": "John Grey", "text": "I'm not quite sure that you understand her, though of course you ought to do so better than any one else.", "pos": 1281493}
{"speaker": "John Vavasor", "text": "Nobody can understand her. She told me the other day, as you know, that she was going to have nothing more to do with her cousin--", "pos": 1281614}
{"speaker": "John Grey", "text": "Has she--has she become friends with him again?", "pos": 1281772}
{"speaker": "John Vavasor", "text": "No; I believe not;--that is, certainly not in the way you mean. I think that she is beginning to know that he is a rascal.", "pos": 1281952}
{"speaker": "John Grey", "text": "It is a great blessing that she has learned the truth before it was too late.", "pos": 1282077}
{"speaker": "John Vavasor", "text": "But would you believe it;--she has given him her name to bills for two thousand pounds, payable at two weeks' sight? He sent to her only this morning a fellow that he called his clerk, and she has been fool enough to accept them. Two thousand pounds! That comes of leaving money at a young woman's own disposal.", "pos": 1282157}
{"speaker": "John Grey", "text": "But we expected that, you know,", "pos": 1282471}
{"speaker": "John Vavasor", "text": "Expected it?", "pos": 1282565}
{"speaker": "John Grey", "text": "Of course we did. You yourself did not suppose that what he had before would have been the last.", "pos": 1282580}
{"speaker": "John Vavasor", "text": "But after she had quarrelled with him!", "pos": 1282679}
{"speaker": "John Grey", "text": "That would make no difference with her. She had promised him her money, and as it seems that he will be content with that, let her keep her promise.", "pos": 1282720}
{"speaker": "John Vavasor", "text": "And give him everything! Not if I can help it. I'll expose him. I will indeed. Such a pitiful rascal as he is!", "pos": 1282871}
{"speaker": "John Grey", "text": "You will do nothing, Mr. Vavasor, that will injure your daughter. I'm very sure of that.", "pos": 1282984}
{"speaker": "John Vavasor", "text": "But, by heavens--. Such sheer robbery as that! Two thousand pounds more in fourteen days! Mr. Round, you know, has heard nothing about it. He doesn't dream of any such thing. If she would take my advice, she would leave the bills, and let them be dishonoured. As it is, I think I shall call at Drummonds', and explain the whole transaction.", "pos": 1283075}
{"speaker": "John Grey", "text": "You must not do that. I will call at Drummonds', instead, and see that the money is all right for the bills. As far as they go, let him have his plunder.", "pos": 1283813}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "And if she won't take you, at last, Grey? Upon my word, I don't think she ever will. My belief is she'll never get married. She'll never do anything like any other woman.", "pos": 1283982}
{"speaker": "John Grey", "text": "The money won't be missed by me if I never get married. If she does marry me, of course I shall make her pay me.", "pos": 1284155}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "No, by George! that won't do. If she were your daughter you'd know that she could not take a man's money in that way.", "pos": 1284297}
{"speaker": "John Grey", "text": "And I know it now, though she is not my daughter. I was only joking. As soon as I am certain,--finally certain,--that she can never become my wife, I will take back my money. You need not be afraid. The nature of the arrangement we have made shall then be explained to her.", "pos": 1284433}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "Do come;--instantly if you can. I have so much to tell you, and so much to ask of you. If you can't come, when shall I find you, and where? Oh, dear, what a change it makes in you. I never thought of your being in black.", "pos": 1285945}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "I don't know what it is you want, but shan't I do in mourning as well as I would in colours?", "pos": 1286602}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "You'll do in anything, dear. But I have so much to tell you, and I don't know how to begin. And I've so much to ask of you, and I'm so afraid you won't do it.", "pos": 1286697}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "You generally find me very complaisant.", "pos": 1286858}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "No I don't, dear. It is very seldom you will do anything for me. But I must tell you everything first. Do take your bonnet off, for I shall be hours in doing it.", "pos": 1286900}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "Hours in telling me!", "pos": 1287064}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "Yes; and in getting your consent to what I want you to do. But I think I'll tell you that first. I'm to be taken abroad immediately.", "pos": 1287087}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "Who is to take you?", "pos": 1287222}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "Ah, you may well ask that. If you could know what questions I have asked myself on that head! I sometimes say things to myself as though they were the most proper and reasonable things in the world, and then within an hour or two I hate myself for having thought of them.", "pos": 1287244}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "But why don't you answer me? Who is going abroad with you?", "pos": 1287518}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "Well; you are to be one of the party.", "pos": 1287579}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "I!", "pos": 1287619}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "Yes; you. When I have named so very respectable a chaperon for my youth, of course you will understand that my husband is to take us.", "pos": 1287624}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "But Mr. Palliser can't leave London at this time of the year?", "pos": 1287760}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "That's just it. He is to leave London at this time of the year. Don't look in that way, for it's all settled. Whether you go with me or not, I've got to go. To-day is Tuesday. We are to be off next Tuesday night, if you can make yourself ready. We shall breakfast in Paris on Wednesday morning, and then it will be to us all just as if we were in a new world. Mr. Palliser will walk up and down the new court of the Louvre, and you will be on his left arm, and I shall be on his right,--just like English people,--and it will be the most proper thing that ever was seen in life. Then we shall go on to Basle-- and so to Lucerne--. But no; that was the first plan, and Mr. Palliser altered it. He spent a whole day up here with maps and Bradshaw's and Murray's guide-books, and he scolded me so because I didn't care whether we went first to Baden or to some other place. How could I care? I told him I would go anywhere he chose to take me. Then he told me I was heartless;--and I acknowledged that I was heartless. 'I am heartless,' I said. 'Tell me something I don't know.'", "pos": 1287824}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "Oh, Cora, why did you say that?", "pos": 1288983}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "I didn't choose to contradict my husband. Besides, it's true. Then he threw the Bradshaw away, and all the maps flew about. So I picked them up again, and said we'd go to Switzerland first. I knew that would settle it, and of course he decided on stopping at Baden. If he had said Jericho, it would have been the same thing to me. Wouldn't you like to go to Jericho?", "pos": 1289017}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "I should have no special objection to Jericho.", "pos": 1289386}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "But you are to go to Baden instead.", "pos": 1289435}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "I've said nothing about that yet. But you have not told me half your story. Why is Mr. Palliser going abroad in the middle of Parliament in this way?", "pos": 1289473}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "Ah; now I must go back to the beginning. And indeed, Alice, I hardly know how to tell you; not that I mind you knowing it, only there are some things that won't get themselves told. You can hardly guess what it is that he is giving up. You must swear that you won't repeat what I'm going to tell you now?", "pos": 1289625}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "I'm not a person apt to tell secrets, but I shan't swear anything.", "pos": 1289932}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "What a woman you are for discretion! it is you that ought to be Chancellor of the Exchequer; you are so wise. Only you haven't brought your own pigs to the best market, after all.", "pos": 1290001}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "Never mind my own pigs now, Cora.", "pos": 1290183}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "I do mind them, very much. But the secret is this. They have asked Mr. Palliser to be Chancellor of the Exchequer, and he has--refused. Think of that!", "pos": 1290219}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "But why?", "pos": 1290372}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "Because of me,--of me, and my folly, and wickedness, and abominations. Because he has been fool enough to plague himself with a wife--he who of all men ought to have kept himself free from such troubles. Oh, he has been so good! It is almost impossible to make any one understand it. If you could know how he has longed for this office;--how he has worked for it day and night, wearing his eyes out with figures when everybody else has been asleep, shutting himself up with such creatures as Mr. Bott when other men have been shooting and hunting and flirting and spending their money. He has been a slave to it for years,--all his life I believe,--in order that he might sit in the Cabinet, and be a minister and a Chancellor of the Exchequer. He has hoped and feared, and has been, I believe, sometimes half-mad with expectation. This has been his excitement,--what racing and gambling are to other men. At last, the place was there, ready for him, and they offered it to him. They begged him to take it, almost on their knees. The Duke of St. Bungay was here all one morning about it; but Mr. Palliser sent him away, and refused the place. It's all over now, and the other man, whom they all hate so much, is to remain in.", "pos": 1290383}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "But why did he refuse it?", "pos": 1291611}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "I keep on telling you--because of me. He found that I wanted looking after, and that Mrs. Marsham and Mr. Bott between them couldn't do it.", "pos": 1291639}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "Oh, Cora! how can you talk in that way?", "pos": 1291781}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "If you knew all, you might well ask how I could. You remember about Lady Monk's ball, that you would not go to,--as you ought to have done. If you had gone, Mr. Palliser would have been Chancellor of the Exchequer at this minute; he would, indeed. Only think of that! But though you did not go, other people did who ought to have remained at home. I went for one,--and you know who was there for another.", "pos": 1291823}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "What difference could that make to you?", "pos": 1292230}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "It might have made a great deal of difference. And, for the matter of that, so it did. Mr. Palliser was there too, but, of course, he went away immediately. I can't tell you all the trouble there had been about Mrs. Marsham,--whether I was to take her with me or not. However, I wouldn't take her, and didn't take her. The carriage went for her first, and there she was when we got there; and Mr. Bott was there too. I wonder whether I shall ever make you understand it all.", "pos": 1292293}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "There are some things I don't want to understand.", "pos": 1292770}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "There they both were watching me,--looking at me the whole evening; and, of course, I resolved that I would not be put down by them.", "pos": 1292822}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "I think, if I had been you, I would not have allowed their presence to make any difference to me.", "pos": 1292957}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "That is very easily said, my dear, but by no means so easily done. You can't make yourself unconscious of eyes that are always looking at you. I dared them, at any rate, to do their worst, for I stood up to dance with Burgo Fitzgerald.", "pos": 1293057}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "Oh, Cora!", "pos": 1293295}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "Why shouldn't I? At any rate I did; and I waltzed with him for half an hour. Alice, I never will waltz again;--never. I have done with dancing now. I don't think, even in my maddest days, I ever kept it up so long as I did then. And I knew that everybody was looking at me. It was not only Mrs. Marsham and Mr. Bott, but everybody there. I felt myself to be desperate,--mad, like a wild woman. There I was, going round and round and round with the only man for whom I ever cared two straws. It seemed as though everything had been a dream since the old days. Ah! how well I remember the first time I danced with him,--at his aunt's house in Cavendish Square. They had only just brought me out in London then, and I thought that he was a god.", "pos": 1293307}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "Cora! I cannot bear to hear you talk like that.", "pos": 1294051}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "I know well enough that he is no god now; some people say that he is a devil, but he was like Apollo to me then. Did you ever see anyone so beautiful as he is?", "pos": 1294101}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "I never saw him at all.", "pos": 1294263}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "I wish you could have seen him; but you will some day. I don't know whether you care for men being handsome. I do; or, rather, I used to do. I don't think I care much about anything now; but I don't see why handsome men should not be run after as much as handsome women.", "pos": 1294289}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "But you wouldn't have a girl run after any man, would you; whether handsome or ugly?", "pos": 1294685}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "But they do, you know. When I saw him the other night he was just as handsome as ever;--the same look, half wild and half tame, like an animal you cannot catch, but which you think would love you so if you could catch him. In a little while it was just like the old time, and I had made up my mind to care nothing for the people looking at me.", "pos": 1294772}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "And you think that was right?", "pos": 1295118}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "No, I don't. Yes, I do; that is. It wasn't right to care about dancing with him, but it was right to disregard all the people gaping round. What was it to them? Why should they care who I danced with?", "pos": 1295150}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "That is nonsense, dear, and you must know that it is so. If you were to see a woman misbehaving herself in public, would not you look on and make your comments? Could you help doing so if you were to try?", "pos": 1295353}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "You are very severe, Alice. Misbehaving in public!", "pos": 1295560}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "Yes, Cora. I am only taking your own story. According to that, you were misbehaving in public.", "pos": 1295613}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "Of all things in the world, I hate a prude the most,", "pos": 1295965}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "Cora, look here. If you consider it prudery on my part to disapprove of your waltzing with Mr. Fitzgerald in the manner you have described,--or, indeed, in any other manner,--you and I must differ so totally about the meaning of words and the nature of things that we had better part.", "pos": 1296040}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "Alice, you are the unkindest creature that ever lived. You are as cold as stone. I sometimes think that you can have no heart.", "pos": 1296327}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "I don't mind your saying that. Whether I have a heart or not I will leave you to find out for yourself; but I won't be called a prude by you. You know you were wrong to dance with that man. What has come of it? What have you told me yourself this morning? In order to preserve you from misery and destruction, Mr. Palliser has given up all his dearest hopes. He has had to sacrifice himself that he might save you. That, I take it, is about the truth of it,--and yet you tell me that you have done no wrong.", "pos": 1296456}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "I never said so. I never said that I was not wrong. Of course I was wrong. I have been so wrong throughout that I have never been right yet. Let me tell it on to the end, and then you can go away if you like, and tell me that I am too wicked for your friendship.", "pos": 1296966}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "Have I ever said anything like that, Cora?", "pos": 1297329}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "But you will, I dare say, when I have done. Well; what do you think my senior duenna did,--the female one, I mean? She took my own carriage, and posted off after Mr. Palliser as hard as ever she could, leaving the male duenna on the watch. I was dancing as hard as I could, but I knew what was going on all the time as well as though I had heard them talking. Of course Mr. Palliser came after me. I don't know what else he could do, unless, indeed, he had left me to my fate. He came there, and behaved so well,--so much like a perfect gentleman. Of course I went home, and I was prepared to tell him everything, if he spoke a word to me,--that I intended to leave him, and that cart-ropes should not hold me!", "pos": 1297374}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "To leave him, Cora!", "pos": 1298087}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "Yes, and go with that other man whose name you won't let me mention. I had a letter from him in my pocket asking me to go. He asked me a dozen times that night. I cannot think how it was that I did not consent.", "pos": 1298109}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "That you did not consent to your own ruin and disgrace?", "pos": 1298322}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "That I did not consent to go off with him,--anywhere. Of course it would have been my own destruction. I'm not such a fool as not to know that. Do you suppose I have never thought of it;--what it would be to be a man's mistress instead of his wife. If I had not I should be a thing to be hated and despised. When once I had done it I should hate and despise myself. I should feel myself to be loathsome, and, as it were, a beast among women. But why did they not let me marry him, instead of driving me to this? And though I might have destroyed myself, I should have saved the man who is still my husband. Do you know, I told him all that,--told him that if I had gone away with Burgo Fitzgerald he would have another wife, and would have children, and would--?", "pos": 1298380}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "You told your husband that you had thought of leaving him?", "pos": 1299145}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "Yes; I told him everything. I told him that I dearly loved that poor fellow, for whom, as I believe, nobody else on earth cares a single straw.", "pos": 1299206}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "And what did he say?", "pos": 1299352}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "I cannot tell you what he said, only that we are all to go to Baden together, and then to Italy. But he did not seem a bit angry; he very seldom is angry, unless at some trumpery thing, as when he threw the book away. And when I told him that he might have another wife and a child, he put his arm round me and whispered to me that he did not care so much about it as I had imagined. I felt more like loving him at that moment than I had ever done before.", "pos": 1299375}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "He must be fit to be an angel.", "pos": 1299833}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "He's fit to be a cabinet minister, which, I'm quite sure, he'd like much better. And now you know everything; but no,--there is one thing you don't know yet. When I tell you that, you'll want to make him an archangel or a prime minister. 'We'll go abroad,' he said,--and remember, this was his own proposition, made long before I was able to speak a word;--'We'll go abroad, and you shall get your cousin Alice to go with us.' That touched me more than anything. Only think if he had proposed Mrs. Marsham!", "pos": 1299866}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "But yet he does not like me.", "pos": 1300374}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "You're wrong there, Alice. There has been no question of liking or of disliking. He thought you would be a kind of Mrs. Marsham, and when you were not, but went out flirting among the ruins with Jeffrey Palliser, instead--", "pos": 1300405}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "I never went out flirting with Jeffrey Palliser.", "pos": 1300630}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "He did with you, which is all the same thing. And when Plantagenet knew of that,--for, of course, Mr. Bott told him--", "pos": 1300681}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "Mr. Bott can't see everything.", "pos": 1300801}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "Those men do. The worst is, they see more than everything. But, at any rate, Mr. Palliser has got over all that now. Come, Alice; the fact of the offer having come from himself should disarm you of any such objection as that. As he has held out his hand to you, you have no alternative but to take it.", "pos": 1300834}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "I will take his hand willingly.", "pos": 1301138}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "And for my sake you will go with us? He understands himself that I am not fit to be his companion, and to have no companion but him. Now there is a spirit of wisdom about you that will do for him, and a spirit of folly that will suit me. I can manage to put myself on a par with a girl who has played such a wild game with her lovers as you have done.", "pos": 1301172}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "And I must go,", "pos": 1301689}
{"speaker": "John Vavasor", "text": "I have no objection; I can get along in lodgings. I suppose we had better leave the house, as you have given away so much of your own fortune?", "pos": 1302106}
{"speaker": "John Vavasor", "text": "Things of that sort are so often over with you.", "pos": 1303296}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "But, he was always looking after me. I believe he thought that Burgo Fitzgerald had hidden himself among the ruins. He never suspected me, I am sure of that; but he thought that he ought to look after me.", "pos": 1304461}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "I saw him yawning sometimes, as though he would fall in pieces.", "pos": 1306294}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "To-day, papa?", "pos": 1307851}
{"speaker": "John Vavasor", "text": "Yes, to-day. Why not? No man is less particular as to what he eats than Grey.", "pos": 1307878}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "I was not thinking of that, papa. Perhaps, papa, you and Mr. Grey had better dine alone.", "pos": 1307958}
{"speaker": "John Vavasor", "text": "What do you mean by alone?", "pos": 1308313}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "I meant without me,--as two men generally like to do.", "pos": 1308342}
{"speaker": "John Vavasor", "text": "If I wanted that I should have asked him to dine at the club,", "pos": 1308398}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "But, papa--", "pos": 1308515}
{"speaker": "John Vavasor", "text": "Well, my dear! If you mean to say that because of what has passed you object to meet Mr. Grey, I can only tell you it's nonsense,--confounded nonsense. If he chooses to come there can be no reason why you shouldn't receive him.", "pos": 1308529}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "It will look as though--", "pos": 1308759}
{"speaker": "John Vavasor", "text": "Look what?", "pos": 1308786}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "As though he were asked as my guest.", "pos": 1308799}
{"speaker": "John Vavasor", "text": "That's nonsense. I saw him yesterday, and I asked him to come. I saw him again to-day, and he said he would come. He's not such a fool as to suppose after that, that you asked him.", "pos": 1308838}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "No; not that I asked him.", "pos": 1309021}
{"speaker": "John Vavasor", "text": "And if you run away you'll only make more of the thing than it's worth. Of course I can't make you dine with me if you don't like.", "pos": 1309049}
{"speaker": "John Grey", "text": "I hear you are going abroad, with your cousin, Lady Glencora Palliser.", "pos": 1311652}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "Yes. I am going with them for a long tour. We shall not return, I fancy, till the end of next winter.", "pos": 1311800}
{"speaker": "John Vavasor", "text": "Plans of that sort are as easily broken as they are made. You won't be your own mistress; and I advise you not to count too surely upon getting further than Baden.", "pos": 1311918}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "If Mr. Palliser changes his mind of course I shall come home,", "pos": 1312103}
{"speaker": "John Grey", "text": "I should think him a man not prone to changes. But all London is talking about his change of mind at this moment. They say at the clubs that he might have been in the Cabinet if he would, but that he has taken up this idea of going abroad at the moment when he was wanted.", "pos": 1312213}
{"speaker": "John Vavasor", "text": "It's his wife's doing, I take it,", "pos": 1312501}
{"speaker": "John Grey", "text": "That's the worst of being in Parliament. A man can't do anything without giving a reason for it. There must be men for public life, of course; but, upon my word, I think we ought to be very much obliged to them.", "pos": 1312555}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "Had he deigned to discuss it with me! But, no; he will read his books, and I am to go there to fetch him his slippers, and make his tea for him.", "pos": 1313628}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "It seems to me, that your pity is hardly needed. I should think that no persons can be happier than those whom you call our public men.", "pos": 1314558}
{"speaker": "John Grey", "text": "Ah! that is our old quarrel. It's the old story of the town mouse and the country mouse,--as old as the hills. Mice may be civil for a while, and compliment each other; but when they come to speak their minds freely, each likes his own life best.", "pos": 1314759}
{"speaker": "John Vavasor", "text": "Alice. I can't compliment your cook upon her soup.", "pos": 1315593}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "You don't encourage her, papa, by eating it often enough. And then you only told me at two o'clock to-day.", "pos": 1315665}
{"speaker": "John Vavasor", "text": "If a cook can't make soup between two and seven, she can't make it in a week.", "pos": 1315774}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "I hope Mr. Grey will excuse it,", "pos": 1315854}
{"speaker": "John Grey", "text": "Isn't it good? I won't say that it is, because I should be pretending to have an opinion; but I should not have found out anything against it of myself.", "pos": 1315900}
{"speaker": "John Vavasor", "text": "Where do you dine usually, now you are in London?", "pos": 1316066}
{"speaker": "John Grey", "text": "At the old club, at the corner of Suffolk Street. It's the oldest club in London, I believe. I never belonged to any other, and therefore can't compare them; but I can't imagine anything much nicer.", "pos": 1316137}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "They give you better soup than ours?", "pos": 1316338}
{"speaker": "John Vavasor", "text": "You've an excellent cook, one of the best second-class cooks in London. We were very nearly getting him, but you nicked him just in time. I know him well.", "pos": 1316389}
{"speaker": "John Grey", "text": "It's a great deal more than I do, or hope to do. There's another branch of public life for which I'm quite unfitted. I'd as soon be called on to choose a Prime Minister for the country, as I would a cook for a club.", "pos": 1316586}
{"speaker": "John Vavasor", "text": "Of course you would. There may be as many as a dozen cooks about London to be looked up, but there are never more than two possible Prime Ministers about. And as one of them must be going out when the other is coming in, I don't see that there can be any difficulty. Moreover, now-a-days, people do their politics for themselves, but they expect to have their dinners cooked for them.", "pos": 1316804}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "If he can forget all that has passed, so much the better,", "pos": 1317910}
{"speaker": "John Grey", "text": "She does not look well,", "pos": 1318367}
{"speaker": "John Vavasor", "text": "Well;--no: how can she look well after what she has gone through? I sometimes think, that of all the people I ever knew, she has been the most foolish. But, of course, it is not for me to say anything against my own child; and, of all people, not to you.", "pos": 1318437}
{"speaker": "John Grey", "text": "Nothing that you could say against her would make any difference to me. I sometimes fancy that I know her better than you do.", "pos": 1318694}
{"speaker": "John Vavasor", "text": "And you think that she'll still come round again?", "pos": 1318822}
{"speaker": "John Grey", "text": "I cannot say that I think so. No one can venture to say whether or not such wounds as hers may be cured. There are hearts and bodies so organized, that in them severe wounds are incurable, whereas in others no injury seems to be fatal. But I can say that if she be not cured it shall not be from want of perseverance on my part. Upon my word, Grey, I don't know how to thank you enough. I don't, indeed. It doesn't seem to me to be a case for thanking. Of course it isn't. I know that well enough. And in the ordinary way of the world no father would think of thanking a man for wanting to marry his daughter. But things have come to such a pass with us, that, by George! I don't feel like any other father. I don't mind saying anything to you, you know. That claret isn't very good, but you might as well take another glass. Thank you, I will. I should have said that that was rather good wine, now. It's not just the thing. What's the use of my having good wine here, when nobody comes to drink it? But, as I was saying about Alice, of course I've felt all this thing very much. I feel as though I were responsible, and yet what could I do? She's her own mistress through it all. When she told me she was going to marry that horrible miscreant, my nephew, what could I do? That's over now, and we need not talk about it. It's very kind of you to say so,--very. I believe she's a good girl. I do, indeed, in spite of it all. I've no doubt of her being what you call a good girl,--none in the least. What she has done to me does not impair her goodness. I don't think you have ever understood how much all this has been a matter of conscience with her. Conscience! I shall not think that I am disgraced. She has taken very little care of mine. I shall not be at all afraid to trust mine to her,--if she will let me do so. But she has been wounded sorely, and it must take time. And, in the meantime, what are we to do when she tells us that Mr. George Vavasor wants another remittance? Two thousand pounds a quarter comes heavy, you know! Let us hope that he has had enough. Enough! Did such a man ever have enough? Let us hope, then, that she thinks he has had enough. Come;--may I go up-stairs? Oh, yes. I'll follow you. She'll think that I mean something if I leave you together.", "pos": 1318874}
{"speaker": "John Grey", "text": "And you really start to-morrow?", "pos": 1322104}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "I start for Westmoreland to-morrow. We do not leave London for the continent till the latter end of next week.", "pos": 1322474}
{"speaker": "John Grey", "text": "But you will not be here again?", "pos": 1322587}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "No; I shall not come back to Queen Anne Street.", "pos": 1322621}
{"speaker": "John Grey", "text": "And you will be away for many months?", "pos": 1322671}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "Mr. Palliser talked of next Easter as the term of his return. He mentioned Easter to Lady Glencora. I have not seen him myself since I agreed to go with him.", "pos": 1322711}
{"speaker": "John Grey", "text": "What should you say if you met me somewhere in your travels?", "pos": 1322871}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "I don't think that will be very likely,", "pos": 1323120}
{"speaker": "John Grey", "text": "I think it is very likely. For myself, I hate surprises. I could not bring myself to fall in upon your track unawares. I shall go abroad, but it will not be till the late autumn, when the summer heats are gone,--and I shall endeavour to find you.", "pos": 1323200}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "To find me, Mr. Grey!", "pos": 1323449}
{"speaker": "John Grey", "text": "It will not be unfair, I think, if I give you notice of my approach. I will not fall upon you and your friends unawares.", "pos": 1323644}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "I was not thinking of them. They would be glad to know you, of course.", "pos": 1323767}
{"speaker": "John Grey", "text": "And equally, of course! or, rather, much more of course, you will not be glad to see me? That's what you mean?", "pos": 1323840}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "I mean that we had better not meet more than we can help.", "pos": 1323953}
{"speaker": "John Grey", "text": "I think differently, Alice,--quite differently. The more we meet the better,--that is what I think. But I will not stop to trouble you now. Good night!", "pos": 1324013}
{"speaker": "Mrs. Greenow", "text": "And he was violent to you, and broke your arm? I always knew it was so,", "pos": 1324847}
{"speaker": "Kate", "text": "No. I would give all I have in the world to bring them together again,", "pos": 1325009}
{"speaker": "Mrs. Greenow", "text": "They'll come together fast enough if they like each other,", "pos": 1325517}
{"speaker": "Mrs. Greenow", "text": "Of course, my dear, marriage with me, if I should marry again, would be a very different thing to your marriage, or that of any other young person. As for love, that has been all over for me since poor Greenow died. I have known nothing of the softness of affection since I laid him in his cold grave, and never can again. 'Captain Bellfield,' I said to him, 'if you were to kneel at my feet for years, it would not make me care for you in the way of love.' And what did he say to that? How am I to tell you what he said? He talked nonsense about my beauty, as all the men do. If a woman were hump-backed, and had only one eye, they wouldn't be ashamed to tell her she was a Venus.", "pos": 1326256}
{"speaker": "Kate", "text": "But, aunt, you are a handsome woman, you know.", "pos": 1326944}
{"speaker": "Mrs. Greenow", "text": "Laws, my dear, as if I didn't understand all about it; as if I didn't know what makes a woman run after? It isn't beauty,--and it isn't money altogether. I've seen women who had plenty of both, and not a man would come nigh them. They didn't dare. There are some of them, a man would as soon think of putting his arm round a poplar tree, they are so hard and so stiff. You know you're a little that way yourself, Kate, and I've always told you it won't do.", "pos": 1326993}
{"speaker": "Kate", "text": "I'm afraid I'm too old to mend, aunt.", "pos": 1327452}
{"speaker": "Mrs. Greenow", "text": "Not at all, if you'll only set your wits to work and try. You've plenty of money now, and you're good-looking enough, too, when you take the trouble to get yourself up. But, as I said before, it isn't that that's wanted. There's a stand-off about some women,--what the men call a 'nollimy tangere,' that a man must be quite a furious Orlando to attempt to get the better of it. They look as though matrimony itself were improper, and as if they believed that little babies were found about in the hedges and ditches. They talk of women being forward! There are some of them a deal too backward, according to my way of thinking.", "pos": 1327492}
{"speaker": "Kate", "text": "Yours is a comfortable doctrine, aunt.", "pos": 1328122}
{"speaker": "Mrs. Greenow", "text": "That's just what I want it to be. I want things to be comfortable. Why shouldn't things be nice about one when one's got the means? Nobody can say it's a pleasant thing to live alone. I always thought that man in the song hit it off properly. You remember what he says? 'The poker and tongs to each other belongs.' So they do, and that should be the way with men and women.", "pos": 1328163}
{"speaker": "Kate", "text": "But the poker and tongs have but a bad life of it sometimes.", "pos": 1328539}
{"speaker": "Mrs. Greenow", "text": "Not so often as the people say, my dear. Men and women ain't like lumps of sugar. They don't melt because the water is sometimes warm. Now, if I do take Bellfield,--and I really think I shall; but if I do he'll give me a deal of trouble. I know he will. He'll always be wanting my money, and, of course, he'll get more than he ought. I'm not a Solomon, nor yet a Queen of Sheba, no more than anybody else. And he'll smoke too many cigars, and perhaps drink more brandy-and-water than he ought. And he'll be making eyes, too, at some of the girls who'll be fools enough to let him.", "pos": 1328602}
{"speaker": "Kate", "text": "Dear me, aunt, if I thought all that ill of him, I'm sure I wouldn't marry him;--especially as you say you don't love him.", "pos": 1329185}
{"speaker": "Mrs. Greenow", "text": "As for love, my dear, that's gone,--clear gone! Some women can love twice, but I am not one of them. I wish I could,--I wish I could! But my dear, marriage is a comfortable thing. And then, though the Captain may be a little free, I don't doubt but what I shall get the upper hand with him at last. I shan't stop his cigars and brandy-and-water you know. Why shouldn't a man smoke and have a glass, if he don't make a beast of himself? I like to see a man enjoy himself. And then,", "pos": 1329310}
{"speaker": "Kate", "text": "So is Mr. Cheesacre for the matter of that.", "pos": 1330083}
{"speaker": "Mrs. Greenow", "text": "Poor Cheesy! I believe he was, though he did talk so much about money. I always like to believe the best I can of them. But then there was no poetry about Cheesy. I don't care about saying it now, as you've quite made up your mind not to have him.", "pos": 1330129}
{"speaker": "Kate", "text": "Quite, aunt.", "pos": 1330379}
{"speaker": "Mrs. Greenow", "text": "Your grandfather's will does make a difference, you know. But, as I was saying, I do like a little romance about them,--just a sniff, as I call it, of the rocks and valleys. One knows that it doesn't mean much; but it's like artificial flowers,--it gives a little colour, and takes off the dowdiness. Of course, bread-and-cheese is the real thing. The rocks and valleys are no good at all, if you haven't got that, But enough is as good as a feast. Thanks to dear Greenow. Thanks to dear Greenow, I shall never want. Of course I shan't let any of the money go into his hands,--the Captain's, I mean. I know a trick worth two of that, my dear. But, lord love you! I've enough for him and me. What's the good of a woman's wanting to keep it all to herself?", "pos": 1330394}
{"speaker": "Kate", "text": "And you think you'll really take him, aunt, and pay his washerwoman's bills for him? You remember what you told me when I first saw him?", "pos": 1331192}
{"speaker": "Mrs. Greenow", "text": "Oh, yes; I remember. And if he can't pay his own washerwoman, isn't that so much more of a reason that I should do it for him? Well; yes; I think I will take him. That is, if he lets me take him just as I choose. Beggars mustn't be choosers, my dear.", "pos": 1331331}
{"speaker": "Kate", "text": "If Captain Bellfield must come to Vavasor Hall, at any rate let him not come till Alice's visit had been completed.", "pos": 1332234}
{"speaker": "Mrs. Greenow", "text": "I don't in the least know where he is, my dear, and as for writing to him, I never did such a thing in my life, and I shouldn't know how to begin.", "pos": 1332478}
{"speaker": "Kate", "text": "It was here I fell. Do you know, Alice, I fancy that I shall never see him again.", "pos": 1333444}
{"speaker": "Unknown", "text": "Do you suppose that he means to quarrel with you altogether?", "pos": 1333906}
{"speaker": "Unknown", "text": "I can hardly tell you what I mean! He seemed to me to be going away from me, as though he went into another world. His figure against the light was quite clear, and he walked quickly, and on he went, till the slope of the hill hid him from me. Of course, I thought that he would return to the Hall. At one time I almost feared that he would come upon me through the woods, as I went back myself. But yet, I had a feeling,--what people call a presentiment, that I should never see him again.", "pos": 1333969}
{"speaker": "Unknown", "text": "He has never written?", "pos": 1334462}
{"speaker": "Unknown", "text": "No; not a word. You must remember that he did not know that I had hurt myself. I am sure he will not write, and I am sure, also, that I shall not. If he wanted money I would send it to him, but I would not write to him.", "pos": 1334486}
{"speaker": "Unknown", "text": "I fear he will always want money, Kate.", "pos": 1334708}
{"speaker": "Unknown", "text": "I fear he will. If you could know what I suffered when he made me write that letter to you! But, of course, I was a beast. Of course, I ought not to have written it.", "pos": 1334750}
{"speaker": "Unknown", "text": "I thought it a very proper letter.", "pos": 1334918}
{"speaker": "Unknown", "text": "It was a mean letter. The whole thing was mean! He should have starved in the street before he had taken your money. He should have given up Parliament, and everything else! I had doubted much about him before, but it was that which first turned my heart against him. I had begun to fear that he was not such a man as I had always thought him,--as I had spoken of him to you.", "pos": 1334955}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "I had judged of him for myself,", "pos": 1335333}
{"speaker": "Unknown", "text": "Of course you did. But I had endeavoured to make you judge kindly. Alice, dear! we have both suffered for him; you more than I, perhaps; but I, too, have given up everything for him. My whole life has been at his service. I have been his creature, to do his bidding, just as he might tell me. He made me do things that I knew to be wrong,--things that were foreign to my own nature; and yet I almost worshipped him. Even now, if he were to come back, I believe that I should forgive him everything.", "pos": 1335379}
{"speaker": "Unknown", "text": "I should forgive him, but I could never do more.", "pos": 1335880}
{"speaker": "Unknown", "text": "But he will never come back. He will never ask us to forgive him, or even wish it. He has no heart.", "pos": 1335931}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "He has longed for money till the Devil has hardened his heart,", "pos": 1336033}
{"speaker": "Unknown", "text": "And yet how tender he could be in his manner when he chose it;--how soft he could make his words and his looks! Do you remember how he behaved to us in Switzerland? Do you remember that balcony at Basle, and the night we sat there, when the boys were swimming down the river?", "pos": 1336110}
{"speaker": "Unknown", "text": "Yes;--I remember.", "pos": 1336388}
{"speaker": "Unknown", "text": "So do I! So do I! Alice, I would give all I have in the world, if I could recall that journey to Switzerland.", "pos": 1336408}
{"speaker": "Unknown", "text": "If you mean for my sake, Kate--", "pos": 1336520}
{"speaker": "Unknown", "text": "I do mean for your sake. It made no difference to me. Whether I stayed in Westmoreland or went abroad, I must have found out that my god was made of bricks and clay instead of gold. But there was no need for you to be crushed in the ruins.", "pos": 1336554}
{"speaker": "Unknown", "text": "I am not crushed, Kate!", "pos": 1336796}
{"speaker": "Unknown", "text": "Of course, you are too proud to own it?", "pos": 1336822}
{"speaker": "Unknown", "text": "If you mean about Mr. Grey, that would have happened just the same, whether I had gone abroad or remained at home.", "pos": 1336864}
{"speaker": "Unknown", "text": "Would it, dear?", "pos": 1336981}
{"speaker": "Unknown", "text": "Just the same.", "pos": 1336999}
{"speaker": "Kate", "text": "I do not know what may happen to him, but when he was passing out of my sight into the valley, I felt that I was looking at him for the last time.", "pos": 1337668}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "That is simply what people call a presentiment,", "pos": 1337865}
{"speaker": "Kate", "text": "Exactly so; and presentiments, of course, mean nothing,", "pos": 1337930}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "Who is it?", "pos": 1338773}
{"speaker": "Kate", "text": "Captain Bellfield,", "pos": 1338813}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "What! aunt Greenow's Captain?", "pos": 1338900}
{"speaker": "Kate", "text": "Yes; aunt Greenow's Captain. I have been fearing this, and now, what on earth are we to do with him? Look at him. That's what aunt Greenow calls a sniff of the rocks and valleys.", "pos": 1338932}
{"speaker": "Captain Bellfield", "text": "Miss Vavasor, I am delighted. Miss Alice Vavasor, if I am not mistaken? I have been commissioned by my dear friend Mrs. Greenow to go out and seek you, but, upon my word, the woods looked so black that I did not dare to venture;--and then, of course, I shouldn't have found you.", "pos": 1339509}
{"speaker": "Captain Bellfield", "text": "Well. I am a little surprised myself;--I am, indeed! But I had nothing to do in Norwich,--literally nothing; and your aunt had so often talked to me of the beauties of this place, that I thought I'd take the liberty of paying you a flying visit. I didn't mean to intrude in the way of sleeping; I didn't indeed, Miss Vavasor; only Mrs. Greenow has been so kind as to say--", "pos": 1340671}
{"speaker": "Kate", "text": "We are so very far out of the world, Captain Bellfield, that we always give our visitors beds.", "pos": 1341126}
{"speaker": "Captain Bellfield", "text": "I didn't intend it; I didn't indeed, miss! I did just put my bag, with a change of things, into the gig, which brought me over, not knowing quite where I might go on to.", "pos": 1341223}
{"speaker": "Kate", "text": "We won't send you any further to-day, at any rate,", "pos": 1341463}
{"speaker": "Captain Bellfield", "text": "Mrs. Greenow has been very kind,--very kind, indeed. She has asked me to stay till--Saturday!", "pos": 1341527}
{"speaker": "Kate", "text": "We shall be very glad to see you. We are three women together here, and I'm afraid you will find us rather dull.", "pos": 1341839}
{"speaker": "Captain Bellfield", "text": "Oh dear, no,--dull with you! That would be impossible!", "pos": 1341966}
{"speaker": "Kate", "text": "And how have you left your friend, Mr. Cheesacre?", "pos": 1342023}
{"speaker": "Captain Bellfield", "text": "Quite well;--very well, thank you. That is to say, I haven't seen him much lately. He and I did have a bit of a breeze, you know.", "pos": 1342075}
{"speaker": "Kate", "text": "I can't say that I did know, Captain Bellfield.", "pos": 1342207}
{"speaker": "Captain Bellfield", "text": "I thought, perhaps, you had heard. He seemed to think that I was too particular in a certain quarter! Ha--ha--ha--ha! That's only my joke, you know, ladies.", "pos": 1342257}
{"speaker": "Kate", "text": "I suppose you have seen my aunt since you have been here?", "pos": 1342838}
{"speaker": "Captain Bellfield", "text": "Oh dear, yes. I saw her, and she suggested that I had better walk out and find you. I did find you, you know, though I didn't walk very far.", "pos": 1342909}
{"speaker": "Unknown", "text": "And have you seen your room?", "pos": 1343052}
{"speaker": "Captain Bellfield", "text": "Yes;--yes. She was kind enough to show me my room. Very nice indeed, thank you;--looking out into the front, and all that kind of thing. I shan't stay long, Miss Vavasor,--only just a night or so; but I did want to see your aunt again,--and you, too, upon my word.", "pos": 1343083}
{"speaker": "Kate", "text": "My aunt is the attraction, Captain Bellfield. We all know that. I will go to my aunt at once, and find out what is to be done.", "pos": 1343465}
{"speaker": "Unknown", "text": "I suppose she means to marry him?", "pos": 1344031}
{"speaker": "Unknown", "text": "Oh, yes; she means to marry him, and the sooner the better now. I knew this was coming, but I did so hope it would not be while you were here. It makes me feel so ashamed of myself that you should see it.", "pos": 1344067}
{"speaker": "Mrs. Greenow", "text": "I was waiting for you to come,", "pos": 1344364}
{"speaker": "Kate", "text": "Here I am, aunt; and, what is more to the purpose, there is Captain Bellfield in the drawing-room.", "pos": 1344416}
{"speaker": "Mrs. Greenow", "text": "Stupid man! I told him to take himself away about the place till dinner-time. I've half a mind to send him back to Shap at once;--upon my word I have.", "pos": 1344517}
{"speaker": "Kate", "text": "Don't do that, aunt; it would be inhospitable.", "pos": 1344670}
{"speaker": "Mrs. Greenow", "text": "But he is such an oaf. I hope you understand, my dear, that I couldn't help it?", "pos": 1344719}
{"speaker": "Kate", "text": "But you do mean to--to marry him, aunt; don't you?", "pos": 1344801}
{"speaker": "Mrs. Greenow", "text": "Well, Kate, I really think I do. Why shouldn't I? It's a lonely sort of life being by myself; and, upon my word, I don't think there's very much harm in him.", "pos": 1344854}
{"speaker": "Kate", "text": "I am not saying anything against him; only in that case you can't very well turn him out of the house.", "pos": 1345014}
{"speaker": "Mrs. Greenow", "text": "Could not I, though? I could in a minute; and, if you wish it, you shall see if I can't do it.", "pos": 1345119}
{"speaker": "Kate", "text": "The rocks and valleys would not allow that, aunt.", "pos": 1345216}
{"speaker": "Mrs. Greenow", "text": "It's all very well for you to laugh, my dear. If laughing would break my bones I shouldn't be as whole as I am now. I might have had Cheesacre if I liked, who is a substantial man, and could have kept a carriage for me; but it was the rocks and valleys that prevented that;--and perhaps a little feeling that I might do some good to a poor fellow who has nobody in the world to look after him.", "pos": 1345268}
{"speaker": "Kate", "text": "I'm sure I hope you'll be happy, aunt.", "pos": 1345859}
{"speaker": "Mrs. Greenow", "text": "If he makes me unhappy he shall pay for it;", "pos": 1345900}
{"speaker": "Captain Bellfield", "text": "I suppose I'd better take a walk,", "pos": 1347410}
{"speaker": "Unknown", "text": "and perhaps the young ladies--", "pos": 1347455}
{"speaker": "Mrs. Greenow", "text": "If you mean my two nieces. I'm afraid you'll find they are engaged. But if I'm not too old to walk with-- Never mind, Captain. We'll have our walk all the same, and won't mind those young girls. Come along.", "pos": 1347488}
{"speaker": "Mrs. Greenow", "text": "Well, Captain Bellfield. Well, Captain Bellfield,--so I suppose I'm to be good-natured; am I?", "pos": 1348534}
{"speaker": "Captain Bellfield", "text": "Arabella, you'll make me the happiest man in the world.", "pos": 1348856}
{"speaker": "Mrs. Greenow", "text": "That's all fudge.", "pos": 1348914}
{"speaker": "Captain Bellfield", "text": "Upon my word, you will.", "pos": 1349019}
{"speaker": "Mrs. Greenow", "text": "I hope I shall make you respectable?", "pos": 1349045}
{"speaker": "Captain Bellfield", "text": "Oh, yes; certainly. I quite intend that.", "pos": 1349084}
{"speaker": "Mrs. Greenow", "text": "It is the great thing that you should intend. Of course I am going to make a fool of myself.", "pos": 1349127}
{"speaker": "Captain Bellfield", "text": "No, no; don't say that.", "pos": 1349222}
{"speaker": "Mrs. Greenow", "text": "If I don't say it, all my friends will say it for me. It's lucky for you that I don't much care what people say.", "pos": 1349248}
{"speaker": "Captain Bellfield", "text": "It is lucky;--I know that I'm lucky. The very first day I saw you I thought what a happy fellow I was to meet you. Then, of course, I was only thinking of your beauty.", "pos": 1349363}
{"speaker": "Mrs. Greenow", "text": "Get along with you!", "pos": 1349533}
{"speaker": "Captain Bellfield", "text": "Upon my word, yes. Come, Arabella, as we are to be man and wife, you might as well.", "pos": 1349555}
{"speaker": "Mrs. Greenow", "text": "Out in the high road! How can you be so impertinent,--and so foolish?", "pos": 1349804}
{"speaker": "Captain Bellfield", "text": "You might as well, you know,--just once.", "pos": 1349888}
{"speaker": "Mrs. Greenow", "text": "Captain Bellfield, I brought you out here not for such fooling as that, but in order that we might have a little chat about business. If we are to be man and wife, as you say, we ought to understand on what footing we are to begin together. I'm afraid your own private means are not considerable?", "pos": 1349931}
{"speaker": "Captain Bellfield", "text": "Well, no; they are not, Mrs. Greenow.", "pos": 1350230}
{"speaker": "Unknown", "text": "Have you anything?", "pos": 1350269}
{"speaker": "Unknown", "text": "Come, Captain Bellfield, let us have the truth at once, and then we shall understand each other.", "pos": 1350349}
{"speaker": "Mrs. Greenow", "text": "You must have had something to live upon, I suppose?", "pos": 1350495}
{"speaker": "Captain", "text": "And now you will give a fellow a kiss,--just one kiss,", "pos": 1351537}
{"speaker": "Mrs. Greenow", "text": "Hush! there's a carriage coming on the road--close to us. Hush! there's a carriage coming on the road--close to us.", "pos": 1351649}
{"speaker": "Mr. Cheesacre", "text": "That man's wanted by the police. He's wanted by the police, Mrs. Greenow. He's wanted by the police,", "pos": 1353709}
{"speaker": "Mrs. Greenow", "text": "Oh, my!", "pos": 1354379}
{"speaker": "Captain Bellfield", "text": "It's false,", "pos": 1354455}
{"speaker": "Mr. Cheesacre", "text": "It's true,", "pos": 1354485}
{"speaker": "Captain Bellfield", "text": "I'll indict you for slander, my friend,", "pos": 1354514}
{"speaker": "Mr. Cheesacre", "text": "Pay me the money you owe me. You're a swindler!", "pos": 1354572}
{"speaker": "Mrs. Greenow", "text": "What is this I hear, Captain Bellfield?", "pos": 1354922}
{"speaker": "Captain Bellfield", "text": "It's a lie and a slander. He merely wants to make a quarrel between us. What police are after me, Mr. Cheesacre?", "pos": 1354974}
{"speaker": "Mr. Cheesacre", "text": "It's the police, or the sheriff's officer, or something of the kind,", "pos": 1355089}
{"speaker": "Mrs. Greenow", "text": "Oh, the sheriff's officers! Mr. Cheesacre, you shouldn't come and say such things;--you shouldn't, indeed. Sheriff's officers can be paid, and there's an end of them.", "pos": 1355176}
{"speaker": "Captain Bellfield", "text": "I'll indict him for the libel--I will, as sure as I'm alive,", "pos": 1355434}
{"speaker": "Mrs. Greenow", "text": "Nonsense. Don't you make a fool of yourself. When men can't pay their way they must put up with having things like that said of them. Mr. Cheesacre, where were you going?", "pos": 1355513}
{"speaker": "Mr. Cheesacre", "text": "I was going to Vavasor Hall, on purpose to caution you.", "pos": 1355704}
{"speaker": "Mrs. Greenow", "text": "It's too late,", "pos": 1355762}
{"speaker": "Mr. Cheesacre", "text": "Why, you haven't been and married him since yesterday? He only had twenty-four hours' start of me, I know. Or, perhaps, you had it done clandestine in Norwich? Oh, Mrs. Greenow!", "pos": 1355823}
{"speaker": "Mrs. Greenow", "text": "I hardly know, whether we can welcome you. There are other visitors, and the house is full.", "pos": 1356134}
{"speaker": "Mr. Cheesacre", "text": "I'm not one to intrude where I'm not wanted. You may be sure of that. If I can't get my supper for love, I can get at for money. That's more than some people can say. I wonder when you're going to pay me what you owe me, Lieutenant Bellfield?", "pos": 1356249}
{"speaker": "Unknown", "text": "I wonder when you're going to pay me what you owe me, Lieutenant Bellfield?", "pos": 1356509}
{"speaker": "Captain Bellfield", "text": "You won't throw a fellow over, will you, now?", "pos": 1357091}
{"speaker": "boy", "text": "He knows 'un,", "pos": 1357428}
{"speaker": "Captain Bellfield", "text": "It belongs to your old friend, Mr. Cheesacre,", "pos": 1357506}
{"speaker": "Kate", "text": "And has he come too?", "pos": 1357578}
{"speaker": "Unknown", "text": "And it's not the slightest use,", "pos": 1357679}
{"speaker": "Unknown", "text": "not the least in the world. He never had a chance in that quarter.", "pos": 1357722}
{"speaker": "Kate", "text": "Not enough of the rocks and valleys about him, was there, Captain Bellfield?", "pos": 1357791}
{"speaker": "Mr. Cheesacre", "text": "He wasn't going to say anything against the Captain, if things were really fixed. He never begrudged any man his chance.", "pos": 1358188}
{"speaker": "Mrs. Greenow", "text": "Things are really fixed,", "pos": 1358322}
{"speaker": "Mr. Cheesacre", "text": "If you look at it in that light, of course it's true. Then I've done about that, and as to the little bit of money he owes me, I must give him his time about it, I suppose.", "pos": 1358657}
{"speaker": "Mr. Cheesacre", "text": "You know you put it into my head your own self. Didn't you, now?", "pos": 1360062}
{"speaker": "Mrs. Greenow", "text": "But things are so different since that,", "pos": 1360154}
{"speaker": "Mr. Cheesacre", "text": "How different? I ain't different. There's Oileymead just where it always was, and the owner of it don't owe a shilling to any man. How are things different?", "pos": 1360212}
{"speaker": "Mrs. Greenow", "text": "My niece has inherited property.", "pos": 1360371}
{"speaker": "Mr. Cheesacre", "text": "And is that to make a change? Oh! Mrs. Greenow, who would have thought to find you mercenary like that? Inherited property! Is she going to fling a man over because of that?", "pos": 1360406}
{"speaker": "Mrs. Greenow", "text": "Why, Mr. Cheesacre, I am quite sure she never gave you a word of encouragement in her life.", "pos": 1360765}
{"speaker": "Mr. Cheesacre", "text": "But you always told me I might have her for the asking.", "pos": 1360859}
{"speaker": "Mrs. Greenow", "text": "And now I tell you that you mayn't. It's of no use your going on there to ask her, for she will only send you away with an answer you won't like. Look here, Mr. Cheesacre; you want to get married, and it's quite time you should. There's my dear friend Charlie Fairstairs. How could you get a better wife than Charlie?", "pos": 1360917}
{"speaker": "Mr. Cheesacre", "text": "Charlie Fairstairs! She hasn't got a penny, nor any one belonging to her. The man who marries her will have to find the money for the smock she stands up in.", "pos": 1361237}
{"speaker": "Mrs. Greenow", "text": "Who's mercenary now, Mr. Cheesacre? Do you go home and think of it; and if you'll marry Charlie, I'll go to your wedding. You shan't be ashamed of her clothing. I'll see to that.", "pos": 1361447}
{"speaker": "Mr. Cheesacre", "text": "Do you think there's no chance at all for me, then?", "pos": 1361701}
{"speaker": "Mrs. Greenow", "text": "I know there's none. I've heard her speak about it.", "pos": 1361764}
{"speaker": "Mr. Cheesacre", "text": "Somebody else, perhaps, is the happy man?", "pos": 1361818}
{"speaker": "Mrs. Greenow", "text": "I can't say anything about that, but I know that she wouldn't take you. I like farming, you know, but she doesn't.", "pos": 1361862}
{"speaker": "Mr. Cheesacre", "text": "I might give that up, at any rate, for a time.", "pos": 1361979}
{"speaker": "Unknown", "text": "No, no, no; it would do no good. Believe me, my friend, that it is of no use.", "pos": 1362055}
{"speaker": "Mr. Cheesacre", "text": "I don't see what's the use of my going in. There's a pride about me, that I don't choose to go where I'm not wanted.", "pos": 1362164}
{"speaker": "Mrs. Greenow", "text": "I can't tell you, Mr. Cheesacre, that you are wanted in that light, certainly.", "pos": 1362342}
{"speaker": "Mr. Cheesacre", "text": "Then I'll go. Perhaps you'll be so good as to tell the boy with the gig to come after me? That's six pound ten it will have cost me to come here and go back. Bellfield did it cheaper, of course; he travelled second class. I heard of him as I came along.", "pos": 1362423}
{"speaker": "Mrs. Greenow", "text": "The expense does not matter to you, Mr. Cheesacre. And Mr. Cheesacre, don't forget dear Charlie Fairstairs.", "pos": 1362679}
{"speaker": "Kate", "text": "Where is he?", "pos": 1363373}
{"speaker": "Mrs. Greenow", "text": "He has gone,", "pos": 1363471}
{"speaker": "Kate", "text": "I am so glad. What on earth should we have done with him?", "pos": 1363671}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "I never was so disappointed in my life. I have heard so much of Mr. Cheesacre, but have never seen him.", "pos": 1363743}
{"speaker": "boy", "text": "He ain't a been and took hisself off?", "pos": 1363932}
{"speaker": "Mrs. Greenow", "text": "You drive after him, young gentleman, and you'll find him on the road to Shap,", "pos": 1364174}
{"speaker": "Captain", "text": "Mind you give him my love, and say I hope he'll get his turnips in well.", "pos": 1364274}
{"speaker": "Captain Bellfield", "text": "Yes, indeed. Old Cheesacre, in spite of his absurdities, is not a bad sort of fellow at bottom;--awfully fond of his money, you know, Miss Vavasor, and always boasting about it.", "pos": 1364941}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "That's not pleasant,", "pos": 1365121}
{"speaker": "Captain Bellfield", "text": "No, the most unpleasant thing in the world. There's nothing I hate so much, Miss Vavasor, as that kind of talking. My idea is this,--when a man has lots of money, let him make the best use he can of it, and say nothing about it. Nobody ever heard me talking about my money.", "pos": 1365156}
{"speaker": "Mrs. Greenow", "text": "As long as there's anything kept back, I won't have you. I won't become your wife till I'm quite sure there's not a penny owing that is not shown in the list.", "pos": 1365886}
{"speaker": "Mrs. Greenow", "text": "I think of taking this house, and of living here.", "pos": 1367707}
{"speaker": "Captain", "text": "What, in Westmoreland!", "pos": 1367770}
{"speaker": "Mrs. Greenow", "text": "Yes, in Westmoreland. Why not in Westmoreland as well as anywhere else? If you don't like Westmoreland, it's not too late yet, you know. I've been talking to my niece about it, and I find that such an arrangement can be made very conveniently. The property is left between her and her uncle,--the father of my other niece, and neither of them want to live here.", "pos": 1367925}
{"speaker": "Captain", "text": "But won't you be rather dull, my dear?", "pos": 1368426}
{"speaker": "Mrs. Greenow", "text": "We could go to Yarmouth, you know, in the autumn. And perhaps, if you are not extravagant, we could manage a month or so in London during the winter, just to see the plays and do a little shopping.", "pos": 1368467}
{"speaker": "Captain", "text": "That will be delightful,", "pos": 1368769}
{"speaker": "Mrs. Greenow", "text": "And as for being dull, when people grow old they must be dull. Dancing can't go on for ever. There goes my cap. What a goose you are! What will Jeannette say?", "pos": 1368805}
{"speaker": "Captain", "text": "Bother Jeannette. She can do another cap, and many more won't be wanted.", "pos": 1369230}
{"speaker": "Mrs. Greenow", "text": "We'll have her afterwards, when you are gone, and we shall want her more. And I'll get Cheesacre here, and make him marry her. There's no good in paying for two journeys.", "pos": 1369758}
{"speaker": "Captain Bellfield", "text": "Captain Bellfield, of Vavasor Hall, Westmoreland. It don't sound badly,", "pos": 1370339}
{"speaker": "Lady Monk", "text": "Perhaps, after all, he has arranged it,", "pos": 1371227}
{"speaker": "man", "text": "All ready, your honour,", "pos": 1373049}
{"speaker": "Burgo", "text": "I shan't want you to-night, go away.", "pos": 1373089}
{"speaker": "man", "text": "And about the things, your honour?", "pos": 1373153}
{"speaker": "Burgo", "text": "Take them to the devil. No; stop. Take them back with you, and ask somebody to keep them till I send for them. I shall want them and another carriage in a day or two.", "pos": 1373190}
{"speaker": "waterman", "text": "It's a 'eiress, I'll go bail,", "pos": 1373617}
{"speaker": "Driver", "text": "Pretty dear! I suppose her parints was too many for her,", "pos": 1373668}
{"speaker": "girl", "text": "Ah! I saw you once before.", "pos": 1377189}
{"speaker": "Burgo", "text": "Then you saw the most miserable devil alive,", "pos": 1377231}
{"speaker": "girl", "text": "You can't be miserable. What makes you miserable? You've plenty of money.", "pos": 1377290}
{"speaker": "Burgo", "text": "I wish I had,", "pos": 1377384}
{"speaker": "girl", "text": "And plenty to eat and drink, and you are so handsome! I remember you. You gave me supper one night when I was starving. I ain't hungry now. Will you give me a kiss?", "pos": 1377412}
{"speaker": "Burgo", "text": "I'll give you a shilling, and that's better,", "pos": 1377602}
{"speaker": "girl", "text": "But give me a kiss too,", "pos": 1377661}
{"speaker": "Burgo", "text": "I'm d----d if I wouldn't change with her!", "pos": 1377795}
{"speaker": "girl", "text": "I wonder whether anything really ails him? He said he was wretched before. Shouldn't I like to be good to such a one as him!", "pos": 1377859}
{"speaker": "Burgo", "text": "Tell me, Lucy, how is the old girl?", "pos": 1379030}
{"speaker": "Lucy", "text": "She's as cross as cross, Mr. Burgo. Indeed, I shan't;--not a minute longer. Don't, now; will you? I tell you she's waiting for me.", "pos": 1379079}
{"speaker": "Lady Monk", "text": "Did not Lucy tell you that I wanted to see you? Never mind your hair now. I want to speak to you. Come in here for a few minutes. Burgo. I don't think you will ever do any good.", "pos": 1380769}
{"speaker": "Burgo", "text": "I don't much think I shall, aunt.", "pos": 1381615}
{"speaker": "Lady Monk", "text": "What do you mean, then, to do with yourself?", "pos": 1381651}
{"speaker": "Burgo", "text": "Oh,--I don't know. I haven't thought much about it.", "pos": 1381698}
{"speaker": "Lady Monk", "text": "You can't stay here in this house. Sir Cosmo was speaking to me about you only yesterday morning.", "pos": 1381752}
{"speaker": "Burgo", "text": "I shall be quite willing to go down to Monkshade, if Sir Cosmo likes it better;--that is, when the season is a little more through.", "pos": 1381852}
{"speaker": "Lady Monk", "text": "He won't have you at Monkshade. He won't let you go there again. And he won't have you here. You know that you are turning what I say into joke.", "pos": 1381986}
{"speaker": "Burgo", "text": "No, indeed, aunt,", "pos": 1382133}
{"speaker": "Lady Monk", "text": "Yes, you are;--you know you are. You are the most ungrateful, heartless creature I ever met. You must make up your mind to leave this house at once.", "pos": 1382153}
{"speaker": "Burgo", "text": "Where does Sir Cosmo mean that I should go, then?", "pos": 1382304}
{"speaker": "Lady Monk", "text": "To the workhouse, if you like. He doesn't care.", "pos": 1382356}
{"speaker": "Burgo", "text": "I don't suppose he does;--the least in the world,", "pos": 1382406}
{"speaker": "Lady Monk", "text": "What a fool you made of yourself last night, Burgo!", "pos": 1383060}
{"speaker": "Burgo", "text": "Did I;--more of a fool than usual?", "pos": 1383114}
{"speaker": "Lady Monk", "text": "I believe that you will never be serious about anything. Why did you go on waltzing in that way when every pair of eyes in the room was watching you?", "pos": 1383151}
{"speaker": "Burgo", "text": "I couldn't help going on, if she liked it.", "pos": 1383303}
{"speaker": "Lady Monk", "text": "Oh, yes,--say it was her fault. That's so like a man!", "pos": 1383348}
{"speaker": "Burgo", "text": "Look here, aunt, I'm not going to sit here and be abused. I couldn't take her in my arms, and fly away with her out of a crowd.", "pos": 1383404}
{"speaker": "Lady Monk", "text": "Who wants you to fly away with her?", "pos": 1383534}
{"speaker": "Burgo", "text": "For the matter of that, I suppose that you do.", "pos": 1383572}
{"speaker": "Lady Monk", "text": "No, I don't.", "pos": 1383621}
{"speaker": "Burgo", "text": "Well, then, I do.", "pos": 1383636}
{"speaker": "Lady Monk", "text": "You! you haven't spirit to do that, or anything else. You are like a child that is just able to amuse itself for the moment, and never can think of anything further. You simply disgraced yourself last night, and me too,--and her; but, of course, you care nothing about that.", "pos": 1383656}
{"speaker": "Burgo", "text": "I had a plan all ready;--only he came back.", "pos": 1383933}
{"speaker": "Lady Monk", "text": "Of course he came back. Of course he came back, when they sent him word how you and she were going on. And now he will have forgiven her, and after that, of course, the thing will be all over.", "pos": 1383979}
{"speaker": "Burgo", "text": "I tell you what, aunt; she would go if she knew how. When I was forced to leave her last night, she promised to see me again. And as for being idle, and not doing anything;--why, I was out in Park Lane last night, after you were in bed.", "pos": 1384174}
{"speaker": "Lady Monk", "text": "What good did that do?", "pos": 1384413}
{"speaker": "Burgo", "text": "It didn't do any good, as it happened. But a fellow can only try. I believe, after all, it would be easier down in the country,--especially now that he has taken it into his head to look after her.", "pos": 1384438}
{"speaker": "Lady Monk", "text": "What did she say to you when you were parting? What were her exact words?", "pos": 1384712}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "She said she would see me again. She promised it twice. And was that all? What could she say more, when she was forced to go away? Had she said that she would go with you?", "pos": 1385036}
{"speaker": "Burgo", "text": "I had asked her,--half a dozen times, and she did not once refuse. I know she means it, if she knew how to get away. She hates him;--I'm sure of it. A woman, you know, wouldn't absolutely say that she would go, till she was gone.", "pos": 1385216}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "If she really meant it, she would tell you.", "pos": 1385448}
{"speaker": "Burgo", "text": "I don't think she could have told me plainer. She said she would see me again. She said that twice over.", "pos": 1385494}
{"speaker": "Lady Monk", "text": "I will try and help you, if you have courage to make an attempt yourself.", "pos": 1387184}
{"speaker": "Burgo", "text": "Courage! What is it you think I am afraid of? Mr. Palliser? I'd fight him,--or all the Pallisers, one after another, if it would do any good.", "pos": 1387320}
{"speaker": "Lady Monk", "text": "Fighting! There's no fighting wanted, as you know well enough. Men don't fight nowadays. Look here! If you can get her to call here some day,--say on Thursday, at three o'clock,--I will be here to receive her; and instead of going back into her carriage, you can have a cab for her somewhere near. She can come, as it were, to make a morning call.", "pos": 1387474}
{"speaker": "Burgo", "text": "A cab!", "pos": 1387824}
{"speaker": "Lady Monk", "text": "Yes; a cab won't kill her, and it is less easily followed than a carriage.", "pos": 1387833}
{"speaker": "Burgo", "text": "And where shall we go?", "pos": 1387910}
{"speaker": "Lady Monk", "text": "There is a train to Southampton at four, and the boat sails for Jersey at half-past six; you will be in Jersey the next morning, and there is a boat goes on to St. Malo, almost at once. You can go direct from one boat to the other,--that is, if she has strength and courage.", "pos": 1387935}
{"speaker": "Burgo", "text": "That would do excellently well,", "pos": 1388276}
{"speaker": "Lady Monk", "text": "She will have difficulty in getting away from me, out of the house. Of course I shall say nothing about it, and shall know nothing about it. She had better tell her coachman to drive somewhere to pick some one up, and to return;--out somewhere to Tyburnia, or down to Pimlico. Then she can leave me, and go out on foot, to where you have the cab. She can tell the hall-porter that she will walk to her carriage. Do you understand? You must call on her, and make your way in, and see her, and arrange all this. It must be a Thursday, because of the boats. Bid her come in a stout travelling-dress. She can wear some lace or something over it, so that the servants won't observe it. I will take no notice of it.", "pos": 1388337}
{"speaker": "Mr. Palliser", "text": "We are so much obliged to you, Miss Vavasor. I feel it quite as deeply as Glencora.", "pos": 1390339}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "Oh, no, it is I that am under obligation to you for taking me.", "pos": 1390436}
{"speaker": "Mr. Palliser", "text": "You must forgive me if I was cross to you that night she went out among the ruins.", "pos": 1390625}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "Dear Alice, this is so good of you! I am all in the midst of packing, and Plantagenet is helping me. You have nothing left to pack, and I don't know what you can do to amuse yourself.", "pos": 1391451}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "I will help you,", "pos": 1392033}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "But we have so very nearly done. I think we shall have to pull all the things out, and put them up again, or we shall never get through to-morrow. We couldn't start to-morrow;--could we, Plantagenet?", "pos": 1392064}
{"speaker": "Mr. Palliser", "text": "Not very well, as your rooms are ordered in Paris for the next day.", "pos": 1392266}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "As if we couldn't find rooms at every inn on the road. Men are so particular. Now in travelling I should like never to order rooms,--never to know where I was going or when I was going, and to carry everything I wanted in a market-basket. And I would never travel among Christians. Christians are so slow, and they wear chimney-pot hats everywhere. The further one goes from London among Christians, the more they wear chimney-pot hats. I want Plantagenet to take us to see the Kurds, but he won't.", "pos": 1392336}
{"speaker": "Mr. Palliser", "text": "I don't think that would be fair to Miss Vavasor,", "pos": 1393041}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "Don't put the blame on her head. Women have always pluck for anything. Wouldn't you like to see a live Kurd, Alice?", "pos": 1393135}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "I don't exactly know where they live,", "pos": 1393275}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "Nor I. I have not the remotest idea of the way to the Kurds. You see my joke, don't you, though Plantagenet doesn't? But one knows that they are Eastern, and the East is such a grand idea!", "pos": 1393327}
{"speaker": "Mr. Palliser", "text": "I think we'll content ourselves with Rome, or perhaps Naples, on this occasion,", "pos": 1393518}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "Not that I shall ever use it, but he insists upon it, to show that I am not supposed to be taken away in disgrace. He is so good;--isn't he?", "pos": 1394062}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "Very good. I know no one better.", "pos": 1394226}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "And so dull! But I fancy that all husbands are dull from the nature of their position. If I were a young woman's husband, I shouldn't know what to say to her that wasn't dull. or a dozen, if you want them. Mr. Palliser in his present mood would think nothing too much to do for you. If you were to ask him to go among the Kurds, he'd go at once;--or on to Crim Tartary, if you made a point of it. You shall have one all to yourself. I only take two for the same reason that I take the carriage,--just as you let a child go out in her best frock, for a treat, after you've scolded her. You see, my dear, I have told him everything. I always do tell everything. Nobody can say I am not candid. He knows about your not letting me come to your house in the old days. Oh, Alice!--you were wrong then; I shall always say that. But it's done and gone; and things that are done and gone shall be done and gone for me. And I told him all that you said,--about you know what. I have had nothing else to do but make confessions for the last ten days, and when a woman once begins, the more she confesses the better. And I told him that you refused Jeffrey.", "pos": 1394275}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "You didn't?", "pos": 1395849}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "I did indeed, and he likes you the better for that. I think he'd let Jeffrey marry you now if you both wished it;--and then, oh dear!--supposing that you had a son and that we adopted it?", "pos": 1395863}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "Cora, if you go on in that way I will not remain with you.", "pos": 1396053}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "But you must, my dear. You can't escape now. At any rate, you can't when we once get to Paris. Oh dear! you shouldn't grudge me my little naughtinesses. I have been so proper for the last ten days. Do you know I got into a way of driving Dandy and Flirt at the rate of six miles an hour, till I'm sure the poor beasts thought they were always going to a funeral. Poor Dandy and poor Flirt! I shan't see them now for another year. But he never tells me why,", "pos": 1396114}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "I think it is pleasant when people are travelling,", "pos": 1396747}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "It isn't that, but we are all to be such particularly good children. It's hardly fair, because he went to sleep last night after dinner while you and I kept ourselves awake: but we needn't do that another night, to be sure.", "pos": 1396812}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "Nothing has been said about it, but I regard it as part of the bond that I'm not to go out anywhere. Who knows but what I might be found in Gloucester Square?", "pos": 1397715}
{"speaker": "Mr. Palliser", "text": "Give me the umbrella, John,", "pos": 1399533}
{"speaker": "Burgo", "text": "Is Lady Glencora at home?", "pos": 1399686}
{"speaker": "Mr. Palliser", "text": "I am not sure. The servant will find out for you.", "pos": 1399954}
{"speaker": "John", "text": "Yes; Lady Glencora was at home,", "pos": 1400359}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "Ask Miss Vavasor to come to me,", "pos": 1401171}
{"speaker": "Burgo", "text": "Cora. Cora, I have come to you, to ask you to go with me.", "pos": 1401291}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "I will not go with you,", "pos": 1401472}
{"speaker": "Burgo", "text": "Do not answer me in that way, without a moment's thought. Everything is arranged--", "pos": 1401508}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "Yes, everything is arranged. Mr. Fitzgerald, let me ask you to leave me alone, and to behave to me with generosity. Everything is arranged. You can see that my boxes are all prepared for going. Mr. Palliser and I, and my friend, are starting to-morrow. Wish me God-speed and go, and be generous.", "pos": 1401593}
{"speaker": "Burgo", "text": "And is this to be the end of everything? Give me your hand, Cora,", "pos": 1401903}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "No;--I will never give you my hand again. You should be generous to me and go. This is to be the end of everything,--of everything that is common to you and to me. Go, when I ask you.", "pos": 1402070}
{"speaker": "Burgo", "text": "Cora; did you ever love me?", "pos": 1402256}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "Yes; I did love you. But we were separated, and there was no room for love left between us.", "pos": 1402286}
{"speaker": "Burgo", "text": "You are as dear to me now,--dearer than ever you were. Do not look at me like that. Did you not tell me when we last parted that I might come to you again? Are we children, that others should come between us and separate us like that?", "pos": 1402380}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "Yes, Burgo; we are children. Here is my cousin coming. You must leave me now. Miss Vavasor, Mr. Fitzgerald. I have told him to go and leave me. Now that you have come, Alice, he will perhaps obey me. Mr. Fitzgerald, why do you not leave me and go?", "pos": 1402617}
{"speaker": "Burgo", "text": "I had hoped. I had hoped to be allowed to speak to you alone for a few minutes.", "pos": 1403987}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "No, Mr. Fitzgerald; it cannot be so. Alice do not go. I sent for my cousin when I saw you, because I did not choose to be alone with you. I have asked you to go--", "pos": 1404133}
{"speaker": "Burgo", "text": "You perhaps have not understood me?", "pos": 1404298}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "I understand you well enough.", "pos": 1404336}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "Then, Mr. Fitzgerald, why do you not do as Lady Glencora has asked you? You know--you must know, that you ought not to be here.", "pos": 1404368}
{"speaker": "Burgo", "text": "I know nothing of the kind,", "pos": 1404512}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "Alice, we will leave Mr. Fitzgerald here, since he drives us from the room.", "pos": 1404600}
{"speaker": "Burgo", "text": "No, Lady Glencora. I will not drive you from the room. As one must be driven out, it shall be I. I own I did think that you would at any rate have been--less hard to me.", "pos": 1405012}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "Oh my God! I am hard,--harder than flint. I am cruel. Burgo!", "pos": 1405335}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "Glencora, pray,--pray let him go. Mr. Fitzgerald, if you are a man, do not take advantage of her folly.", "pos": 1405493}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "I will speak to him. I will speak to him, and then he shall leave me. Burgo. Burgo, no good can come of this. Now, you must leave me. You must go. I shall stay with my husband as I am bound to do. Because I have wronged you, I will not wrong him also. I loved you;--you know I loved you.", "pos": 1405599}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "Sir, you have heard from her all that you can care to hear. If you have any feeling of honour in you, you will leave her.", "pos": 1406233}
{"speaker": "Burgo", "text": "I will never leave her, while she tells me that she loves me!", "pos": 1406371}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "Yes, Burgo, you will;--you must! I shall never tell you that again, never. Do as she bids you. Go, and leave us;--but I could not bear that you should tell me that I was hard.", "pos": 1406435}
{"speaker": "Burgo", "text": "You are hard;--hard and cruel, as you said, yourself.", "pos": 1406613}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "Am I? May God forgive you for saying that of me!", "pos": 1406669}
{"speaker": "Burgo", "text": "Then why do you send me away?", "pos": 1406720}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "Because I am a man's wife, and because I care for his honour, if not for my own. Alice, let us go.", "pos": 1406752}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "Thank God, that he is gone!", "pos": 1407262}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "You may say so, for you have lost nothing!", "pos": 1407304}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "And you have gained everything!", "pos": 1407371}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "Have I? I did not know that I had ever gained anything, as yet. The only human being to whom I have ever yet given my whole heart,--the only thing that I have ever really loved, has just gone from me for ever, and you bid me thank God that I have lost him. There is no room for thankfulness in any of it;--either in the love or in the loss. It is all wretchedness from first to last!", "pos": 1407405}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "At any rate, he understands now that you meant it when you told him to leave you.", "pos": 1407791}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "Of course I meant it. I am beginning to know myself by degrees. As for running away with him, I have not the courage to do it. I can think of it, scheme for it, wish for it;--but as for doing it, that is beyond me. Mr. Palliser is quite safe. He need not try to coax me to remain. Of course I know that I ought to stay where I am. I am not such a fool as to mistake what I should be if I left my husband, and went to live with that man as his mistress. You don't suppose that I should think that sort of life very blessed. But why have I been brought to such a pass as this? And, as for female purity! Ah! What was their idea of purity when they forced me, like ogres, to marry a man for whom they knew I never cared? Had I gone with him,--had I now eloped with that man who ought to have been my husband,--whom would a just God have punished worst,--me, or those two old women and my uncle, who tortured me into this marriage?", "pos": 1407875}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "Come, Cora,--be silent.", "pos": 1409118}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "I won't be silent! You have had the making of your own lot. You have done what you liked, and no one has interfered with you. You have suffered, too; but you, at any rate, can respect yourself.", "pos": 1409144}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "And so can you, Cora,--thoroughly, now.", "pos": 1409340}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "How;--when he kissed me, and I could hardly restrain myself from giving him back his kiss tenfold, could I respect myself? But it is all sin. I sin towards my husband, feigning that I love him; and I sin in loving that other man, who should have been my husband. There;--I hear Mr. Palliser at the door. Come away with me; or rather, stay, for he will come up here, and you can keep him in talk while I try to recover myself.", "pos": 1409382}
{"speaker": "Mr. Palliser", "text": "You have had a visitor here?", "pos": 1410513}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "Yes,", "pos": 1410553}
{"speaker": "Mr. Palliser", "text": "I saw him as I went out. Indeed, I met him at the hall door. He, of course, was wrong to come here;--so wrong, that he deserves punishment, if there were any punishment for such offences.", "pos": 1410572}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "He has been punished, I think,", "pos": 1410783}
{"speaker": "Mr. Palliser", "text": "But as for Glencora. I thought it better that she should see him or not, as she should herself decide.", "pos": 1410828}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "She had no choice in the matter. As it turned out, he was shown up here at once. She sent for me, and I think she was right to do that.", "pos": 1411011}
{"speaker": "Mr. Palliser", "text": "Glencora was alone when he came in?", "pos": 1411149}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "For a minute or two,--till I could get to her.", "pos": 1411187}
{"speaker": "Mr. Palliser", "text": "I have no questions to ask about it. I am very glad that you were within reach of her, as otherwise her position might have been painful. For her, and for me perhaps, it may be as well that he has been here. As for him, I can only say, that I am forced to suppose him to be a villain. What a man does when driven by passion, I can forgive; but that he should deliberately plan schemes to ruin both her and me, is what I can hardly understand.", "pos": 1411236}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "I used to think that he would fall in pieces. What are we to do about it?", "pos": 1412435}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "Don't seem to notice it,", "pos": 1412511}
{"speaker": "Unknown", "text": "That's all very well,", "pos": 1412550}
{"speaker": "Unknown", "text": "but he'll set us off yawning as bad as himself, and then he'll notice it. He has given himself up to politics, till nothing else has any salt in it left for him. I cannot think why such a man as that wanted a wife at all.", "pos": 1412590}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "You are very hard upon him, Cora.", "pos": 1412814}
{"speaker": "Unknown", "text": "I wish you were his wife, with all my heart. But, of course, I know why he got married. And I ought to feel for him as he has been so grievously disappointed.", "pos": 1412850}
{"speaker": "Mr. Palliser", "text": "If that is the case, why did not you tell me so before? Richard and the carriage went down yesterday, and are already on board the packet.", "pos": 1415844}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "If Richard and the carriage are already on board the packet, of course we must follow them, and we must put off the glories of Folkestone till we come back. Alice, haven't you observed that, in travelling, you are always driven on by some Richard or some carriage, till you feel that you are a slave?", "pos": 1416028}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "Oh, dear! how I have slept!", "pos": 1417434}
{"speaker": "Mr. Palliser", "text": "I think you've been tolerably comfortable,", "pos": 1417512}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "Since we got out of that horrid boat I have done pretty well. Why do they make the boats so nasty? I'm sure they do it on purpose.", "pos": 1417586}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "It would be difficult to make them nice, I suppose?", "pos": 1417719}
{"speaker": "Mr. Palliser", "text": "It is the sea that makes them uncomfortable,", "pos": 1417785}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "Never mind; we shan't have any more of it for twelve months, at any rate. We can get to the Kurds, Alice, without getting into a packet again. That, to my way of thinking, is the great comfort of the Continent. One can go everywhere without being seasick.", "pos": 1417851}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "But we are not to stop here;--are we?", "pos": 1418918}
{"speaker": "Mr. Palliser", "text": "No, dear;--I have given the keys to Richard. We will go on at once.", "pos": 1418990}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "But can't we have our things?", "pos": 1419060}
{"speaker": "Mr. Palliser", "text": "In about half an hour,", "pos": 1419092}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "I suppose we must bear it, Alice?", "pos": 1419139}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "After all. I doubt whether the burden is not greater than the pleasure.", "pos": 1419653}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "I do so wish you had married him! You would always have had a pocket-book ready to write down the figures, and you would have pretended to care about the eggs, and the bottles of wine, and the rest of it. As for me, I can't do it. If I see an hungry woman, I can give her my money; or if she be a sick woman, I can nurse her; or if I hear of a very wicked man, I can hate him;--but I cannot take up poverty and crime in the lump. I never believe it all. My mind isn't big enough. I don't know that Baden will be any better, but, you know, we can leave that again after a bit,--and so we shall go on getting nearer to the Kurds.", "pos": 1420844}
{"speaker": "Mr. Palliser", "text": "I think we had better make up our mind to stay a month at Baden.", "pos": 1421657}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "But why should we make up our minds at all?", "pos": 1421724}
{"speaker": "Mr. Palliser", "text": "I like to have a plan,", "pos": 1421788}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "And so do I, if only for the sake of not keeping it.", "pos": 1421832}
{"speaker": "Mr. Palliser", "text": "There's nothing I hate so much as not carrying out my intentions,", "pos": 1421905}
{"speaker": "Mr. Palliser", "text": "We will go by Strasbourg, then,", "pos": 1423043}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "Not that I want to see that horrid church again,", "pos": 1423107}
{"speaker": "Mr. Palliser", "text": "Everything is alike horrid to you, I think. You are determined not to be contented, so that it matters very little which way we go.", "pos": 1423173}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "That's the truth. It does matter very little.", "pos": 1423327}
{"speaker": "Mr. Palliser", "text": "They would be so out of condition, as not to be worth anything for two or three months.", "pos": 1423756}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "I only meant to ask for them if they could come in a balloon. Alice, how many eggs are eaten in Baden every morning before ten o'clock? What's the matter, Plantagenet?", "pos": 1423857}
{"speaker": "Mr. Palliser", "text": "The matter! But never mind; I am a fool to care for it.", "pos": 1424322}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "I declare I didn't know that I had done anything wrong. Alice, do you understand what it is?", "pos": 1424391}
{"speaker": "Mr. Palliser", "text": "Of course she understands. How can she help it? And, indeed, Miss Vavasor, I am more unhappy than I can express myself, to think that your comfort should be disturbed in this way.", "pos": 1424554}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "Upon my word I think Alice is doing very well. What is there to hurt her comfort? Nobody scolds her. Nobody tells her that she is a fool. She never jokes, or does anything wicked, and, of course, she isn't punished. I wonder whether it would be any harm if I were to put a few pieces of money on the table, just once?", "pos": 1424757}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "The greatest harm in the world! and what on earth could you gain by it? You don't really want any of those horrid people's money?", "pos": 1425665}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "I'll tell you what I want,--something to live for,--some excitement. Is it not a shame that I see around me so many people getting amusement, and that I can get none? I'd go and sit out there, and drink beer and hear the music, only Plantagenet wouldn't let me. I think I'll throw one piece on to the table to see what becomes of it.", "pos": 1425811}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "I shall leave you if you do,", "pos": 1426147}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "You are such a prude! It seems to me as if it must have been my special fate,--my good fate, I mean,--that has thrown me so much with you. You look after me quite as carefully as Mr. Bott and Mrs. Marsham ever did; but as I chose you myself, I can't very well complain, and I can't very well get rid of you.", "pos": 1426190}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "Do you want to get rid of me, Cora?", "pos": 1426500}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "Sometimes. Do you know, there are moments when I almost make up my mind to go headlong to the devil,--when I think it is the best thing to be done. It's a hard thing for a woman to do, because she has to undergo so much obloquy before she gets used to it. A man can take to drinking, and gambling and all the rest of it, and nobody despises him a bit. The domestic old fogies give him lectures if they can catch him, but he isn't fool enough for that. All he wants is money, and he goes away and has his fling. Now I have plenty of money,--or, at any rate, I had,--and I never got my fling yet. I do feel so tempted to rebel, and go ahead, and care for nothing.", "pos": 1426538}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "Throwing one piece on to the table wouldn't satisfy that longing.", "pos": 1427202}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "You think I should be like the wild beast that has tasted blood, and can't be controlled. Look at all these people here. There are husbands gambling, and their wives don't know it; and wives gambling, and their husbands don't know it. I wonder whether Plantagenet ever has a fling? What a joke it would be to come and catch him!", "pos": 1427270}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "I don't think you need be afraid.", "pos": 1427601}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "Afraid! I should like him all the better for it. If he came to me, some morning, and told me that he had lost a hundred thousand pounds, I should be so much more at my ease with him.", "pos": 1427637}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "You have no chance in that direction, I'm quite sure.", "pos": 1427822}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "None the least. He'd make a calculation that the chances were nine to seven against him, and then the speculation would seem to him to be madness.", "pos": 1427878}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "I don't suppose he'd wish to try, even though he were sure of winning.", "pos": 1428027}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "Of course not. It would be a very vulgar kind of thing then. Look,--there's an opening there. I'll just put on one napoleon.", "pos": 1428100}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "You shall not. If you do, I'll leave you at once. Look at the women who are playing. Is there one there whom it would not disgrace you to touch? Look what they are. Look at their cheeks, and their eyes, and their hands. Those men who rake about the money are bad enough, but the women look like fiends.", "pos": 1428227}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "You're not going to frighten me in that hobgoblin sort of way, you know. I don't see anything the matter with any of the people. What do you think of that young woman who has just got a handful of money from the man next to her? I think she is very happy. I never get money given to me by handfuls, and the man to whom I belong gives me no encouragement when I want to amuse myself. There. I have done it. I was determined you shouldn't frighten me out of it,", "pos": 1428532}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "Come away. You must come away! You shall not sit there!", "pos": 1431189}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "I must get rid of that money, and then I will come away.", "pos": 1431358}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "Leave it, and come away.", "pos": 1431953}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "I can't leave it. If I do, there'll be a fuss. I'll go the next time.", "pos": 1431994}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "Come away at once, and leave it, or I shall go.", "pos": 1433146}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "It is all gone,", "pos": 1433434}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "I am so glad that you are come,", "pos": 1433527}
{"speaker": "Mr. Palliser", "text": "Why did you bring her here?", "pos": 1433573}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "Here's a piece of work, about a little accident.", "pos": 1434267}
{"speaker": "Mr. Palliser", "text": "An accident!", "pos": 1434330}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "Yes, an accident. You don't suppose that I sat down there meaning to win all that money?", "pos": 1434364}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "Mr. Palliser, you have treated me this evening in a manner I did not expect from you. It is clear that you blame me.", "pos": 1434494}
{"speaker": "Mr. Palliser", "text": "I have not said a word, Miss Vavasor.", "pos": 1434627}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "No; you have not said a word. You know well how to show your anger without speaking. As I do not choose to undergo your displeasure, I will return to England by myself.", "pos": 1434667}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "Alice! Alice! that is nonsense! What is all this trumpery thing about? Leave me, because he chooses to be angry about nothing?", "pos": 1434838}
{"speaker": "Mr. Palliser", "text": "Is it nothing that I find my wife playing at a common gambling-table, surrounded by all that is wretched and vile,--established there, seated, with heaps of gold before her?", "pos": 1434996}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "You wrong me, Plantagenet. There was only one heap, and that did not remain long. Did it, Alice?", "pos": 1435172}
{"speaker": "Mr. Palliser", "text": "It is impossible to make you ashamed of anything,", "pos": 1435288}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "I certainly don't like being ashamed, and don't feel any necessity on this occasion.", "pos": 1435349}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "If you don't object, Mr. Palliser. I will go to bed. You can think over all this at night,--and so can I. Good night, Glencora.", "pos": 1435452}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "You are not such a fool, as to think anything of what occurred yesterday?", "pos": 1437583}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "In point of fact. I can't stand it. He expects me to take care of you, and chooses to show himself offended if you don't do just what he thinks proper; whereas, as you know well enough, I have not the slightest influence over you.", "pos": 1437750}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "And you know what a man he is, how stiff, and hard, and unpleasant he can be without meaning it.", "pos": 1438248}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "There is no reason why I should bear his unpleasantness,", "pos": 1438365}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "Yes, there is,--great reason. You are to do it for the sake of friendship. And as for my not doing what you tell me, you know that's not true. Did I not beg you to keep away from the table? Of course you did, and of course I was naughty; but that was only once. Alice, I want you more than I ever wanted you before. I cannot tell you more now, but you must stay with me.", "pos": 1438436}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "Of course, he understands that it didn't mean anything. He knows that I don't want to gamble.", "pos": 1439650}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "It is not that you trouble me, but that you trouble yourself about that which is of no use. It is all done and over; and though I know that I have behaved badly,--very badly,--yet I believe that everything has been done for the best. I am inclined to think that I can live alone, or perhaps with my cousin Kate, more happily than I could with any husband.", "pos": 1441148}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "That is such nonsense.", "pos": 1441525}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "Perhaps so; but, at any rate, I mean to try. We Vavasors don't seem to be good at marrying.", "pos": 1441550}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "You want some one to break your heart for you; that's what you want,", "pos": 1441644}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "George has lost his election. It was worth our while to try it,", "pos": 1445707}
{"speaker": "Kate", "text": "I and Aunt Greenow are up in London, and have just heard the news. Though I have been here for three days, and have twice sent word to him to say so, he has not been near me. Perhaps it is best that he should stay away, as I do not know how any words could pass between us that would be pleasant. The poll was finished this afternoon, and he lost his election by a large majority. There were five candidates altogether for the two seats--three Liberals, and two Conservatives. The other two Liberals were seated, and he was the last of the five. I continue to hear tidings about him from day to day,--or rather, my aunt hears them and tells them to me, which fill me full of fears as to his future career. I believe that he has abandoned his business, and that he has now no source of income. I would willingly share what I have with him; or I would do more than that. After keeping back enough to repay you gradually what he owes you, I would give him all my share of the income out of the estate. But I cannot do this while we are presumed to be enemies. I am up here to see a lawyer as to some steps which he is taking to upset grandpapa's will. The lawyer says that it is all nonsense, and that George's lawyer is not really in earnest; but I cannot do anything till the matter is settled. Dear Alice, though so much of your money is for a time gone, I am bound to congratulate you on your safety,--on what I may more truly call your escape. You will understand what my own feelings must be in writing this, after all that I did to bring you and him together,--after all my hopes and ambition respecting him. As for the money, it shall be repaid. I do not think I shall ever dare to indulge in any strong desire again. I think you will forgive me the injury I have done you;--and I know that you will pity me.", "pos": 1446067}
{"speaker": "Mrs. Greenow", "text": "Of course, he'll run wild directly he's married, and, of course, there'll always be a fight about it; but the more I do to tame him now, the less wild he'll be by-and-by. And though I dare say, I shall scold him sometimes, I shall never quarrel with him. I had tried my hand on a tiger, and had felt his claws. She chose to sacrifice herself,--if a sacrifice it were to be,--when some good result might be possible.", "pos": 1448466}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "She mistakes me. She is not the enemy who has wounded me.", "pos": 1450757}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "Sophy tells me that you are returned for Silverbridge,", "pos": 1451516}
{"speaker": "Mr. Palliser", "text": "Who? I! yes; I'm returned,", "pos": 1451591}
{"speaker": "Mr. Palliser", "text": "Yes; I have been returned. I'm sorry to see, Miss Vavasor, that your cousin has not been so fortunate.", "pos": 1452467}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "So I find. It will be a great misfortune to him.", "pos": 1452593}
{"speaker": "Mr. Palliser", "text": "Ah! I suppose so. Those Metropolitan elections cost so much trouble and so much money, and under the most favourable circumstances, are so doubtful. A man is never sure there till he has fought for his seat three or four times.", "pos": 1452658}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "This has been the third time with him, and he is a poor man.", "pos": 1452888}
{"speaker": "Mr. Palliser", "text": "Dear, dear. I have always thought that those seats should be left to rich commercial men who can afford to spend money upon them. Instead of that, they are generally contested by men of moderate means. Another of my friends in the House has been thrown out.", "pos": 1452964}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "Who is that unfortunate?", "pos": 1453291}
{"speaker": "Mr. Palliser", "text": "Mr. Bott,", "pos": 1453339}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "Mr. Bott out! Mr. Bott thrown out! I am so glad. Alice, are you not glad? The red-haired man, that used to stand about, you know, at Matching;--he has lost his seat in Parliament. I suppose he'll go and stand about somewhere in Lancashire, now.", "pos": 1453380}
{"speaker": "Mr. Palliser", "text": "I did not know, that my friend Mr. Bott and Miss Vavasor were enemies.", "pos": 1453764}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "Enemies! I don't suppose they were enemies. But he was a man whom no one could help observing,--and disliking.", "pos": 1453848}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "He was a man I specially disliked. He may be very well in Parliament; but I never met a man who could make himself so disagreeable in society. I really did feel myself constrained to be his enemy.", "pos": 1453978}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "Bravo, Alice!", "pos": 1454211}
{"speaker": "Mr. Palliser", "text": "I hope he did nothing at Matching, to--to--to--,", "pos": 1454247}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "Nothing especially to offend me, Mr. Palliser,--except that he had a way that I especially dislike of trying to make little secret confidences.", "pos": 1454334}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "And then he was so ugly,", "pos": 1454480}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "I felt certain that he endeavoured to do mischief,", "pos": 1454527}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "Of course he did, and he had a habit of rubbing his head against the papers in the rooms, and leaving a mark behind him that was quite unpardonable.", "pos": 1454592}
{"speaker": "Mr. Palliser", "text": "I suppose he will remain now among his own people,", "pos": 1454998}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "Let us hope he will, and that his own people will appreciate the advantage of his presence.", "pos": 1455070}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "Oh, how I wish I could do that!", "pos": 1455942}
{"speaker": "Mr. Palliser", "text": "It seems to be very dangerous. I don't know how they can stop themselves.", "pos": 1455996}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "Why should they want to stop themselves? Think how cool the water must be, and how beautiful to be carried along so quickly, and to go on, and on, and on! I suppose we couldn't try it?", "pos": 1456093}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "How I do hate this carriage. I do so wish it would come to grief, and be broken to pieces. I wonder whether the Swiss people think that we are going to be driven about here for ever.", "pos": 1461589}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "If you have anything to tell, why don't you tell it?", "pos": 1462020}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "You are so hard,", "pos": 1462092}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "So you tell me very often, and it is not complimentary. But hard or soft, I won't make a petition for your confidence.", "pos": 1462131}
{"speaker": "Unknown", "text": "something savage,", "pos": 1462292}
{"speaker": "Unknown", "text": "I believe that he spoke to Mr. Palliser.", "pos": 1462696}
{"speaker": "Mr. Palliser", "text": "I am Mr. Palliser,", "pos": 1462738}
{"speaker": "John Grey", "text": "My name is John Grey,", "pos": 1463106}
{"speaker": "Mr. Palliser", "text": "Perhaps you don't wish to meet the carriage? If so, we had better go through the town and up the river.", "pos": 1463517}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "Alice. I have been dying for this time to come. I could not speak before, or I should have made blunders, and so would you. Let us go into your room at once. Who do you think is here, at Lucerne, in this house, at this very moment?", "pos": 1464052}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "Who is it, Glencora?", "pos": 1464649}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "Whom in all the world would you best like to see?", "pos": 1464696}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "My cousin Kate, certainly,", "pos": 1464763}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "Then it is not your cousin Kate. And I don't believe you;--or else you're a fool.", "pos": 1464804}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "Perhaps I am a fool,", "pos": 1464987}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "Only I know you are not. But I am not at all so sure as to your being no hypocrite. The person I mean is a gentleman, of course. Why don't you show a little excitement, at any rate? When Plantagenet told me, just before dinner, I almost jumped out of my shoes. He was going to tell you himself after dinner, in the politest way in the world, no doubt, and just as the servants were carrying away the apples. I thought it best to save you from that; but, I declare, I believe I might have left him to do it; it would have had no effect upon you. Who is it that has come, do you suppose?", "pos": 1465020}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "Of course I know now, that Mr. John Grey has come.", "pos": 1465608}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "Yes, Mr. John Grey has come. He is here in this house at this minute;--or, more probably, waiting outside by the lake till he shall see a light in your bedroom. Well? Well?", "pos": 1465688}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "Well?", "pos": 1466017}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "Have you nothing to say? Is it the same to you as though Mr. Smith had come?", "pos": 1466037}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "No; not exactly the same. I am quite alive to the importance of Mr. Grey's arrival, and shall probably lie awake all night thinking about it,--if it will do you any good to know that; but I don't feel that I have much to say about it.", "pos": 1466116}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "I wish I had let Mr. Palliser tell you, in an ordinary way, before all the servants. I do indeed.", "pos": 1466353}
{"speaker": "Unknown", "text": "It would not have made much difference.", "pos": 1466453}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "Not the least, I believe. I wonder whether you ever did care for anybody in your life,--for him, or for that other one, or for anybody. For nobody, I believe;--except your cousin Kate. Still waters, they say, run deep; and sometimes I think your waters run too deep for me to fathom. I suppose I may go now, if you have got nothing more to say?", "pos": 1466495}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "What do you want me to say? Of course I know why he has come here. He told me he should come.", "pos": 1466842}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "And you have never said a word about it.", "pos": 1466938}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "He told me he should come, and I thought it better not to say a word about it. He might change his mind, or anything might happen. I told him not to come; and it would have been much better that he should have remained away.", "pos": 1466981}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "Why;--why;--why would it be better?", "pos": 1467208}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "Because his being here will do no good to any one.", "pos": 1467246}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "No good! It seems to me impossible but that it should do all the good in the world. Look here, Alice. If you do not altogether make it up with him before to-morrow evening, I shall believe you to be utterly heartless. Had I been you I should have been in his arms before this. I'll go now, and leave you to lie awake, as you say you will. What is Plantagenet to say to him about seeing you to-morrow? Of course he has asked permission to come and call.", "pos": 1467299}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "He may come if he pleases. You don't think I have quarrelled with him, or would refuse to see him!", "pos": 1467830}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "And may we ask him to dine with us?", "pos": 1467931}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "Oh, yes.", "pos": 1467969}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "And make up a picnic, and all the rest of it. In fact, he is to be regarded as only an ordinary person. Well;--good night. I don't understand you, that's all.", "pos": 1467980}
{"speaker": "Mr. Palliser", "text": "Glencora has told you, I think, that Mr. Grey is here? Mr. Grey is an old friend of yours, I believe?", "pos": 1472438}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "I shall be glad to see him,--if you will allow me?", "pos": 1472764}
{"speaker": "Mr. Palliser", "text": "Glencora suggests that we should ask him to dinner,", "pos": 1472837}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "Indeed you need not go,", "pos": 1473117}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "Indeed I shall go. I know what's proper on these occasions, if you don't.", "pos": 1473155}
{"speaker": "John Grey", "text": "I told you I should come. I told you that I should follow you, and here I am.", "pos": 1473476}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "I am very glad to see you,--as an old friend, but I hope--", "pos": 1473741}
{"speaker": "John Grey", "text": "Well;--you hope what?", "pos": 1473814}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "I hope you have had some better cause for travelling than a desire to see me?", "pos": 1473838}
{"speaker": "John Grey", "text": "No, dearest; no. I have had no better cause, and, indeed, none other. I have come on purpose to see you; and had Mr. Palliser taken you off to Asia or Africa, I think I should have felt myself compelled to follow him. You know why I follow you?", "pos": 1473918}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "Hardly,", "pos": 1474165}
{"speaker": "John Grey", "text": "Because I love you. You see what a plain-spoken John Bull I am, and how I come to the point at once. I want you to be my wife; and they say that perseverance is the best way when a man has such a want as that.", "pos": 1474247}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "You ought not to want it,", "pos": 1474459}
{"speaker": "John Grey", "text": "But I do, you see. And why should I not want it?", "pos": 1474568}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "I am not fit to be your wife.", "pos": 1474619}
{"speaker": "John Grey", "text": "I am the best judge of that, Alice. You have to make up your mind whether I am fit to be your husband.", "pos": 1474651}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "You would be disgraced if you were to take me, after all that has passed;--after what I have done. What would other men say of you when they knew the story?", "pos": 1474756}
{"speaker": "John Grey", "text": "Other men, I hope, would be just enough to say, that when I had made up my mind, I was tolerably constant in keeping to it. I do not think they could say much worse of me than that.", "pos": 1474915}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "They would say that you had been jilted, and had forgiven the jilt.", "pos": 1475099}
{"speaker": "John Grey", "text": "As far as the forgiveness goes, they would tell the truth. But, indeed, Alice, I don't very much care what men do say of me.", "pos": 1475169}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "But I care, Mr. Grey;--and though you may forgive me, I cannot forgive myself. Indeed I know now, as I have known all along, that I am not fit to be your wife. I am not good enough. And I have done that which makes me feel that I have no right to marry anyone. I have thought about it, and I will not. I will not. After what has passed, I know that it will be better,--more seemly, that I should remain as I am. In spite of everything, I hope that we may always be friends,--dear friends,", "pos": 1475296}
{"speaker": "John Grey", "text": "I hope we may, the very dearest.", "pos": 1476125}
{"speaker": "Mr. Palliser", "text": "I have always liked her, though, to tell the truth, I have twice been very angry with her.", "pos": 1476652}
{"speaker": "John Grey", "text": "I have never been angry with her,", "pos": 1476766}
{"speaker": "Mr. Palliser", "text": "And my anger was in both instances unjust. You may imagine how great is my confidence in her, when I have thought she was the best companion my wife could have for a long journey, taken under circumstances that were--that were--; but I need not trouble you with that.", "pos": 1476818}
{"speaker": "John Grey", "text": "About her and her character I have no doubt in the world. In all that she has done I think that I have seen her motives; and though I have not approved of them, I have always known them to be pure and unselfish. She has done nothing that I did not forgive as soon as it was done. Had she married that man, I should have forgiven her even that,--though I should have known that all her future life was destroyed, and much of mine also. I think I can make her happy if she will marry me, but she must first be taught to forgive herself. Living as she is with you, and with your wife, she may, perhaps, just now be more under your influence and your wife's than she can possibly be under mine. I think she loves me,", "pos": 1477480}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "It's no use. I have done what you asked, and would have done more had you asked for more at that time. As it is, I cannot make another payment before the election.", "pos": 1481937}
{"speaker": "the landlord of the \"Handsome Man", "text": "Laws, Mr. Vavasor! you're not at all the fellow for us chaps along the river,--you ain't. You're afraid to come down with the stumpy,--that's what you are.", "pos": 1482392}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "Ha! ha! Ha! ha! Ha! ha! Curse him! Curse him, now and for ever! May all the evils which the dead can feel cling to him for ever and ever!", "pos": 1486037}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "By ----! I believe it is the best thing a man can do. It's a beggarly thing to do, and if I do do it, I'll use it first for another purpose. Who's there? Who's there?", "pos": 1487875}
{"speaker": "Jane", "text": "It is I,", "pos": 1488975}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "D----ation!", "pos": 1489008}
{"speaker": "Jane", "text": "George, what am I to do?", "pos": 1491003}
{"speaker": "Jane", "text": "George, what am I to do?", "pos": 1493709}
{"speaker": "Jane", "text": "Don't let me stand here, without speaking a word to me.", "pos": 1494305}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "I don't want you to stand there. That's all very well, George. I know you don't want me to stand here. I know you don't want to see me ever again. Never.", "pos": 1494375}
{"speaker": "Jane", "text": "I know it. Of course I know it. But what am I to do? Where am I to go for money? Even you would not wish that I should starve?", "pos": 1494544}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "That's true, too. I certainly would not wish it. I should be delighted to hear that you had plenty to eat and plenty to drink, and plenty of clothes to wear. I believe that's what you care for the most, after all.", "pos": 1494673}
{"speaker": "Jane", "text": "It was only for your sake,--because you liked it.", "pos": 1494889}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "Well;--I did like it; but that has come to an end, as have all my other likings. You know very well that I can do nothing more for you. What good do you do yourself by coming here to annoy me? Have I not told you over and over again that you were never to look for me here? Is it likely that I should give you money now, simply because you have disobeyed me!", "pos": 1494941}
{"speaker": "Jane", "text": "Where else was I to find you?", "pos": 1495302}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "Why should you have found me at all? I don't want you to find me. I shall give you nothing;--not a penny. You know very well that we've had all that out before. When I put you into business I told you that we were to see no more of each other.", "pos": 1495334}
{"speaker": "Jane", "text": "Business! I never could make enough out of the shop to feed a bird.", "pos": 1495580}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "That wasn't my fault. Putting you there cost me over a hundred pounds, and you consented to take the place.", "pos": 1495662}
{"speaker": "Jane", "text": "I didn't consent. I was obliged to go there because you took my other home away from me.", "pos": 1495772}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "Have it as you like, my dear. That was all I could do for you;--and more than most men would have done, when all things are considered. At any rate, you may be sure of this, Jane;--that I shall do nothing more. You have come here to torment me, but you shall get nothing by it.", "pos": 1495863}
{"speaker": "Jane", "text": "I have come here because I am starving.", "pos": 1496243}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "I have nothing for you. Now go; Go. Do as I bid you, or it will be the worse for you.", "pos": 1496285}
{"speaker": "Jane", "text": "Will you give me a sovereign?", "pos": 1496689}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "No;--I will give you nothing. I have desired you not to come to me here, and I will not pay for you coming.", "pos": 1496721}
{"speaker": "Jane", "text": "Then I will not go; I will not go till you have given me something to buy food. You may put me out of the room if you can, but I will lie at the door of the stairs. And if you get me out of the house, I will sit upon the door-step.", "pos": 1496831}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "If you play that game, my poor girl, the police will take you.", "pos": 1497129}
{"speaker": "Jane", "text": "Let them. It has come to that with me, that I care for nothing. Out of this I will not go till you give me money--unless I am put out.", "pos": 1497194}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "Jane, you talk of starving and of being ruined,--", "pos": 1498245}
{"speaker": "Jane", "text": "I am starving. I have not a shilling in the world.", "pos": 1498384}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "Perhaps it may be a comfort to you in your troubles to know that I am, at any rate, as badly off as you are? I won't say that I am starving, because I could get food to eat at this moment if I wanted it; but I am utterly ruined. My property,--what should have been mine,--has been left away from me. I have lost the trumpery seat in Parliament for which I have paid so much. All my relations have turned their backs upon me--", "pos": 1498437}
{"speaker": "Jane", "text": "Are you not going to be married?", "pos": 1498865}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "Married! No;--but I am going to blow my brains out. Look at that pistol, my girl. Of course you won't think that I am in earnest,--but I am.", "pos": 1498965}
{"speaker": "Jane", "text": "Oh! George, you won't do that?", "pos": 1499147}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "But I shall do that. There is nothing else left for me to do. You talk to me about starving. I tell you that I should have no objection to be starved, and so be put an end to in that way. It's not so bad as some other ways when it comes gradually. You and I, Jane, have not played our cards very well. We have staked all that we had, and we've been beaten. It's no good whimpering after what's lost. We'd better go somewhere else and begin a new game.", "pos": 1499192}
{"speaker": "Jane", "text": "Go where?", "pos": 1499646}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "Ah!--that's just what I can't tell you.", "pos": 1499668}
{"speaker": "Jane", "text": "George. I'll go anywhere with you. If what you say is true,--if you're not going to be married, and will let me come to you, I will work for you like a slave. I will indeed. I know I'm poorly looking now--", "pos": 1499710}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "My girl, where I'm going, I shall not want any slave; and as for your looks--when you go there too,--they'll be of no matter, as far as I am able to judge.", "pos": 1499930}
{"speaker": "Jane", "text": "But, George, where are you going?", "pos": 1500088}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "Wherever people do go when their brains are knocked out of them; or, rather, when they have knocked out their own brains,--if that makes any difference.", "pos": 1500124}
{"speaker": "Jane", "text": "George. George, you frighten me. Do not do that. Say that you will not do that!", "pos": 1500279}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "But I am just saying that I shall.", "pos": 1500480}
{"speaker": "Jane", "text": "Are you not afraid of God's anger? You and I have been very wicked.", "pos": 1500517}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "I have, my poor girl. I don't know much about your wickedness. I've been like Topsy;--indeed I am a kind of second Topsy myself. But what's the good of whimpering when it's over?", "pos": 1500587}
{"speaker": "Jane", "text": "It isn't over; it isn't over,--at any rate for you.", "pos": 1500768}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "I wish I knew how I could begin again. But all this is nonsense, Jane, and you must go.", "pos": 1500822}
{"speaker": "Jane", "text": "You must tell me, first, that you are not going to--kill yourself.", "pos": 1500912}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "I don't suppose I shall do it to-night,--or, perhaps, not to-morrow. Very probably I may allow myself a week, so that your staying here can do no good. I merely wanted to make you understand that you are not the only person who has come to grief.", "pos": 1500981}
{"speaker": "Jane", "text": "And you are not going to be married?", "pos": 1501230}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "No; I'm not going to be married, certainly.", "pos": 1501269}
{"speaker": "Jane", "text": "And I must go now?", "pos": 1501315}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "Yes; I think you'd better go now.", "pos": 1501336}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "That's a good line. They generally go to the bottom, and save a man from any further trouble on his own account.", "pos": 1502751}
{"speaker": "Calder Jones", "text": "You had better join our club,", "pos": 1503784}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "After all. I know that I shall never start; and, if I do, nobody can hinder me, and my own name would be as good as any other. As for a man with such a face as mine not being known, that is out of the question. He was going, going that very day. There will be some things left about, Mrs. Bunsby, and I will get you to keep them till I call or send.", "pos": 1505402}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "The chances are that I shall never see anything of it again,", "pos": 1507038}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "Mr. Grey is at home. I will go up to him.", "pos": 1507641}
{"speaker": "John Grey", "text": "Mr. Vavasor. I hardly expected to see you in my lodgings again!", "pos": 1508202}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "I dare say not, but, nevertheless, here I am.", "pos": 1508279}
{"speaker": "John Grey", "text": "May I ask why you have come?", "pos": 1508447}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "I intend to tell you, at any rate, whether you ask me or not. I have come to declare in your own hearing,--as I am in the habit of doing occasionally behind your back,--that you are a blackguard,--to spit in your face, and defy you. I have come here to see if you are man enough to resent any insult that I can offer you; but I doubt whether you are.", "pos": 1508489}
{"speaker": "John Grey", "text": "Nothing that you can say to me, Mr. Vavasor, will have any effect upon me;--except that you can, of course, annoy me.", "pos": 1508927}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "And I mean to annoy you, too, before I have done with you. Will you fight me?", "pos": 1509047}
{"speaker": "John Grey", "text": "Fight a duel with you,--with pistols? Certainly not.", "pos": 1509127}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "Then you are a coward, as I supposed.", "pos": 1509182}
{"speaker": "John Grey", "text": "I should be a fool if I were to do such a thing as that.", "pos": 1509222}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "Look here, Mr. Grey. You managed to worm yourself into an intimacy with my cousin, Miss Vavasor, and to become engaged to her. When she found out what you were, how paltry, and mean, and vile, she changed her mind, and bade you leave her.", "pos": 1509281}
{"speaker": "John Grey", "text": "Are you here at her request?", "pos": 1509522}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "I am here as her representative.", "pos": 1509553}
{"speaker": "John Grey", "text": "Self-appointed, I think.", "pos": 1509588}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "Then, sir, you think wrong. I am at this moment her affianced husband; and I find that, in spite of all that she has said to you,--which was enough, I should have thought, to keep any man of spirit out of her presence,--you still persecute her by going to her house, and forcing yourself upon her presence. Now, I give you two alternatives. You shall either give me your written promise never to go near her again, or you shall fight me.", "pos": 1509615}
{"speaker": "John Grey", "text": "I shall do neither one nor the other,--as you know very well yourself.", "pos": 1510055}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "Stop till I have done, sir. If you have courage enough to fight me, I will meet you in any country. I will fight you here in London, or, if you are afraid of that, I will go over to France, or to America, if that will suit you better.", "pos": 1510128}
{"speaker": "John Grey", "text": "Nothing of the kind will suit me at all. I don't want to have anything to do with you.", "pos": 1510365}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "Then you are a coward.", "pos": 1510454}
{"speaker": "John Grey", "text": "Perhaps I am;--but your saying so will not make me one.", "pos": 1510479}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "You are a coward, and a liar, and a blackguard. I have given you the option of behaving like a gentleman, and you have refused it. Now, look here. I have come here with arms, and I do not intend to leave this room without using them, unless you will promise to give me the meeting that I have proposed.", "pos": 1510537}
{"speaker": "John Grey", "text": "Do you mean that you are going to murder me?", "pos": 1510884}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "I mean that you shall not leave this room alive unless you promise to meet me, and fight it out. If you move a step, I will fire at you. I will,", "pos": 1511715}
{"speaker": "John Grey", "text": "That would be murder,", "pos": 1512012}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "Don't think that you will frighten me by ugly words. I am beyond that.", "pos": 1512047}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "D----ation!", "pos": 1513561}
{"speaker": "George Vavasor", "text": "D----ation!", "pos": 1514101}
{"speaker": "John Grey", "text": "Has that gentleman left the house? Don't admit him again, that is, if you can avoid it. I believe he is not in his right senses. Mr. Jones,", "pos": 1515063}
{"speaker": "John Grey", "text": "that man whom I had to put out of the room once before, has been here again.", "pos": 1516168}
{"speaker": "Jones", "text": "Has there been another tussle, sir?", "pos": 1516247}
{"speaker": "John Grey", "text": "No;--nothing of that kind. But we must take some steps to prevent his getting in again, if we can help it.", "pos": 1516285}
{"speaker": "one enterprising superintendent", "text": "Pity! Pity's no name for it. It's the greatest shame as ever I knew since I joined the force. A man as was a Member of Parliament only last Session,--as belongs to no end of swell clubs, a gent as well known in London as any gent about the town! And I'd have had him back in three months, as sure as my name's Walker.", "pos": 1518664}
{"speaker": "Mrs. Greenow", "text": "He was always mysterious, and now he has vanished. I hate mysteries, and, as for myself, I think it will be much better that he should not come back again.", "pos": 1519978}
{"speaker": "Mr. Palliser", "text": "And he tried to murder you! He should be caught and,--and--", "pos": 1520812}
{"speaker": "John Grey", "text": "It is better as it is,", "pos": 1521024}
{"speaker": "Mr. Palliser", "text": "He actually walked into your rooms in the day time, and fired a pistol at you as you were sitting at your breakfast! He did that in London, and then walked off and went abroad, as though he had nothing to fear!", "pos": 1521060}
{"speaker": "John Grey", "text": "That was just it,", "pos": 1521273}
{"speaker": "Palliser", "text": "And he has got your money too!", "pos": 1521794}
{"speaker": "Mr. Palliser", "text": "He is simply the greatest miscreant of whom I ever heard in my life. The wonder is that Miss Vavasor should ever have brought herself to--to like him.", "pos": 1522076}
{"speaker": "John Grey", "text": "He attempted public life and made himself miserable by failing, as most men do who make that attempt. The end of it all is, that public men in England should be rich like you, and not poor like that miserable wretch, who has now lost everything that the Fates had given him.", "pos": 1522493}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "Poor George! he is a man very much to be pitied.", "pos": 1523468}
{"speaker": "John Grey", "text": "He is a man very much to be pitied,", "pos": 1523537}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "I believe he misbehaved himself, my dear, but then, you know, he always does that. I believe that he saw Mr. Grey and insulted him. Perhaps you had better not ask anything about it till by-and-by. You'll be able to get anything out of him then. We shall be going on to Italy before it's settled, and I don't suppose you can go with us, unless it is settled. Then it will be put off for another year or two, and you are both of you as old as Adam and Eve already.", "pos": 1523764}
{"speaker": "John Grey", "text": "We ancient people are never impatient,", "pos": 1524607}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "If I were you I would go to her and tell her, roundly, that she should marry me, and then I would shake her. If you were to scold her, till she did not know whether she stood on her head or her heels, she would come to reason.", "pos": 1524669}
{"speaker": "John Grey", "text": "Suppose you try that, Lady Glencora!", "pos": 1524898}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "I can't. It's she that always scolds me,--as you will her, when she's your wife. You and Mr. Palliser are very much alike. You're both of you so very virtuous that no woman would have a chance of picking a hole in your coats.", "pos": 1524937}
{"speaker": "Mr. Palliser", "text": "Alice, would you mind going up to Glencora's room? She wishes to speak to you.", "pos": 1530198}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "She isn't ill, I hope?", "pos": 1530399}
{"speaker": "Mr. Palliser", "text": "No;--she isn't ill. At least I think she had better not get up quite yet. Don't let her excite herself, if you can help it.", "pos": 1530436}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "I'll go to her at once,", "pos": 1530562}
{"speaker": "Mr. Palliser", "text": "I'm so much obliged to you;--but, Miss Vavasor--", "pos": 1530607}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "You called me Alice just now, Mr. Palliser, and I took it as a great compliment.", "pos": 1530658}
{"speaker": "Mr. Palliser", "text": "Did I? Very well. Then I'll do it again--if you'll let me. But, if you please, do be as calm with her as you can. She is so easily excited, you know. Of course, if there's anything she fancies, we'll take care to get it for her; but she must be kept quiet.", "pos": 1530759}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "Oh, Alice, I'm so glad you've come. I do so want to hear your voice. He hasn't told you? But of course he wouldn't. How could he? But, Alice, how did he look? Did you observe anything about him? Was he pleased?", "pos": 1532536}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "I did observe something, and I think he was pleased. But what is it? He called me Alice. And seemed to be quite unlike himself. But what is it? He told me that I was to come to you instantly.", "pos": 1532833}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "Oh, Alice, can't you guess? I suppose it is so. I know what they'll do. They'll kill me by fussing over me. If I could go about my work like a washerwoman, I should be all right. I am so happy. I won't deny that I am very happy. It seemed as though I were destined to bring nothing but misery to everybody, and I used to wish myself dead so often. I shan't wish myself dead now.", "pos": 1533027}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "We shall all have to go home, I suppose?", "pos": 1533574}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "He says so;--but he seems to think that I oughtn't to travel above a mile and a half a day. When I talked of going down the Rhine in one of the steamers, I thought he would have gone into a fit. When I asked him why, he gave me such a look. I know he'll make a goose of himself;--and he'll make geese of us, too; which is worse.", "pos": 1533629}
{"speaker": "Mr. Palliser", "text": "It is a matter, you see, of such immense importance to me,", "pos": 1534152}
{"speaker": "John Grey", "text": "Indeed, it is. Every man feels that when a child is about to be born to him.", "pos": 1534232}
{"speaker": "Mr. Palliser", "text": "Yes. That's of course. It is an important thing to everybody;--very important, no doubt. But, when a man--. You see, Grey, I don't think a man is a bit better because he is rich, or because he has a title; nor do I think he is likely to be in any degree the happier. I am quite sure that he has no right to be in the slightest degree proud of that which he has had no hand in doing for himself.", "pos": 1534370}
{"speaker": "John Grey", "text": "Men usually are very proud of such advantages,", "pos": 1534778}
{"speaker": "Mr. Palliser", "text": "I don't think that I am; I don't, indeed. I am proud of some things. Whenever I can manage to carry a point in the House, I feel very proud of it. I don't think I ever knocked under to any one, and I am proud of that. But I don't think I'm proud because chance has made me my uncle's heir.", "pos": 1534838}
{"speaker": "John Grey", "text": "Not in the least, I should say.", "pos": 1535277}
{"speaker": "Mr. Palliser", "text": "But I do feel that a son to me is of more importance than it is to most men. A strong anxiety on the subject, is, I think, more excusable in me than it might be in another. I don't know whether I quite make myself understood?", "pos": 1535311}
{"speaker": "John Grey", "text": "Oh, yes! When there's a dukedom and heaven knows how many thousands a year to be disposed of, the question of their future ownership does become important.", "pos": 1535539}
{"speaker": "Mr. Palliser", "text": "This property is so much more interesting to one, if one feels that all one does to it is done for one's own son.", "pos": 1535697}
{"speaker": "John Grey", "text": "And yet, of all the great plunderers of property throughout Europe, the Popes have been the most greedy.", "pos": 1535813}
{"speaker": "Mr. Palliser", "text": "Perhaps it's different, when a man can't have a wife,", "pos": 1535933}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "What is the matter, now, Plantagenet?", "pos": 1537003}
{"speaker": "Mr. Palliser", "text": "Nothing, nothing. Never mind.", "pos": 1537058}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "And shall we make this party up to the chapel?", "pos": 1537102}
{"speaker": "Mr. Palliser", "text": "No! We will not.", "pos": 1537271}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "You needn't be angry about it,", "pos": 1537333}
{"speaker": "Mr. Palliser", "text": "Good G----! Glencora, do you mean to kill yourself?", "pos": 1537576}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "Upon my word, Alice, I think this will kill me. I am not to stir out of the house now, unless I go in the carriage, or he is with me.", "pos": 1538193}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "It won't last long.", "pos": 1538341}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "I don't know what you call long. As for walking with him, it's out of the question. He goes about a mile an hour. And then he makes me look so much like a fool. I had no idea that he would be such an old coddle.", "pos": 1538363}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "The coddling will all be given to some one else, very soon.", "pos": 1538577}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "No baby could possibly live through it, if you mean that. If there is a baby--", "pos": 1538639}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "I suppose there will be one, by-and-by,", "pos": 1538720}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "Don't be a fool! But, if there is, I shall take that matter into my own hands. He can do what he pleases with me, and I can't help myself; but I shan't let him or anybody do what they please with my baby. I know what I'm about in such matters a great deal better than he does. I've no doubt he's a very clever man in Parliament; but he doesn't seem to me to understand anything else. Mr. Grey wouldn't make himself so troublesome, I'm quite sure.", "pos": 1538774}
{"speaker": "Mr. Palliser", "text": "I suppose we shall see you in England before long?", "pos": 1541573}
{"speaker": "John Grey", "text": "I shall be able to tell you that before you go. Not but that in any event I shall return to England before the winter.", "pos": 1541645}
{"speaker": "Mr. Palliser", "text": "Then come to us at Matching. We shall be most happy to have you. Say that you'll come for the first fortnight in December. After that we always go to the Duke, in Barsetshire. Though, by-the-by, I don't suppose we shall go anywhere this year. It isn't nearly so difficult as you think. See the men that get in. There was Mr. Vavasor. Even he got a seat.", "pos": 1541779}
{"speaker": "John Grey", "text": "But he had to pay for it very dearly.", "pos": 1542575}
{"speaker": "Mr. Palliser", "text": "You might easily find some quiet little borough.", "pos": 1542615}
{"speaker": "John Grey", "text": "Quiet little boroughs have usually got their own quiet little Members,", "pos": 1542666}
{"speaker": "Mr. Palliser", "text": "They're fond of change; and if you like to spend a thousand pounds, the thing isn't difficult. I'll put you in the way of it.", "pos": 1542750}
{"speaker": "Mr. Palliser", "text": "I suppose books, then, will be your object in life?", "pos": 1543919}
{"speaker": "John Grey", "text": "I hope they will be my aids. I almost doubt whether any object such as that you mean is necessary for life, or even expedient. It seems to me that if a man can so train himself that he may live honestly and die fearlessly, he has done about as much as is necessary.", "pos": 1543992}
{"speaker": "Mr. Palliser", "text": "He has done a great deal, certainly,", "pos": 1544277}
{"speaker": "Mr. Palliser", "text": "I don't see why a man should not live honestly and be a Member of Parliament as well,", "pos": 1544974}
{"speaker": "John Grey", "text": "Nor I either. I am sure that there are such men, and that the country is under great obligation to them. But they are subject to temptations which a prudent man like myself may perhaps do well to avoid.", "pos": 1545129}
{"speaker": "Mr. Palliser", "text": "Where are you going?", "pos": 1548236}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "I am going to walk,--with Mr. Grey.", "pos": 1548332}
{"speaker": "Mr. Palliser", "text": "By appointment?", "pos": 1548370}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "Yes, by appointment. He asked me yesterday.", "pos": 1548388}
{"speaker": "Mr. Palliser", "text": "Then it's all settled, and you haven't told me!", "pos": 1548434}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "All that is settled I have told you very often. He asked me yesterday to walk with him this morning, and I could not well refuse him.", "pos": 1548484}
{"speaker": "Mr. Palliser", "text": "Why should you have wished to refuse him?", "pos": 1548620}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "I haven't said that I did wish it. But I hate scenes, and I think it would have been pleasanter for us to have parted without any occasion for special words.", "pos": 1548664}
{"speaker": "Mr. Palliser", "text": "Alice, you are such a fool!", "pos": 1548824}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "So you tell me very often.", "pos": 1548854}
{"speaker": "Mr. Palliser", "text": "Of course he is now going to say the very thing that he has come all this way for the purpose of saying. He has been wonderfully slow about it; but then slow as he is, you are slower. If you don't make it up with him now, I really shall think you are very wicked. I am becoming like Lady Midlothian;--I can't understand it. I know you want to be his wife, and I know he wants to be your husband, and the only thing that keeps you apart is your obstinacy,--just because you have said you wouldn't have him. My belief is that if Lady Midlothian and the rest of us were to pat you on the back, and tell you how right you were, you'd ask him to take you, out of defiance. You may be sure of this, Alice; if you refuse him now, it'll be for the last time.", "pos": 1548883}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "You are making me very unhappy, Glencora,", "pos": 1549768}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "I wish I could break you down with unhappiness, so that he might find you less stiff, and hard, and unmanageable. So you and Alice are going to make your adieux,", "pos": 1549827}
{"speaker": "John Grey", "text": "It must be done sooner or later,", "pos": 1550219}
{"speaker": "John Grey", "text": "We will go in here for a few minutes. It is the prettiest spot about Lucerne, and we don't know when we may see it again.", "pos": 1551816}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "Probably never again. And yet I have been here now two years running.", "pos": 1552050}
{"speaker": "John Grey", "text": "And yet I would sooner live in Cambridgeshire,", "pos": 1552622}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "Why so?", "pos": 1552702}
{"speaker": "John Grey", "text": "Partly because all beauty is best enjoyed when it is sought for with some trouble and difficulty, and partly because such beauty, and the romance which is attached to it, should not make up the staple of one's life. Romance, if it is to come at all, should always come by fits and starts.", "pos": 1552712}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "I should like to live in a pretty country.", "pos": 1553003}
{"speaker": "John Grey", "text": "And would like to live a romantic life,--no doubt; but all those things lose their charm if they are made common. When a man has to go to Vienna or St. Petersburg two or three times a month, you don't suppose he enjoys travelling?", "pos": 1553048}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "All the same, I should like to live in a pretty country,", "pos": 1553281}
{"speaker": "John Grey", "text": "And I want you to come and live in a very ugly country. I don't think, that you would let that consideration stand in your way, if on other grounds you were willing to become my wife.", "pos": 1553352}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "What consideration?", "pos": 1553859}
{"speaker": "John Grey", "text": "Because Nethercoats is not so pretty as Lucerne.", "pos": 1553881}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "It would have nothing to do with it,", "pos": 1553932}
{"speaker": "John Grey", "text": "It should have nothing to do with it.", "pos": 1553983}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "Nothing; nothing at all,", "pos": 1554023}
{"speaker": "John Grey", "text": "Will you come, then? Will you come and be my wife, and help me to be happy amidst all that ugliness? Will you come and be my one beautiful thing, my treasure, my joy, my comfort, my counsellor?", "pos": 1554066}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "You want no counsellor, Mr. Grey.", "pos": 1554262}
{"speaker": "John Grey", "text": "No man ever wanted one more. Alice, this has been a bad year to me, and I do not think that it has been a happy one for you.", "pos": 1554297}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "Indeed, no.", "pos": 1554424}
{"speaker": "John Grey", "text": "Let us forget it,--or rather, let us treat it as though it were forgotten. Twelve months ago you were mine. You were, at any rate, so much mine that I had a right to boast of my possession among my friends.", "pos": 1554438}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "It was a poor boast.", "pos": 1554647}
{"speaker": "John Grey", "text": "They did not seem to think so. I had but one or two to whom I could speak of you, but they told me that I was going to be a happy man. As to myself, I was sure that I was to be so. No man was ever better contented with his bargain than I was with mine. Let us go back to it, and the last twelve months shall be as though they had never been.", "pos": 1554670}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "That cannot be, Mr. Grey. If it could, I should be worse even than I am.", "pos": 1555014}
{"speaker": "John Grey", "text": "Why cannot it be?", "pos": 1555089}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "Because I cannot forgive myself what I have done, and because you ought not to forgive me.", "pos": 1555109}
{"speaker": "John Grey", "text": "But I do. There has never been an hour with me in which there has been an offence of yours rankling in my bosom unforgiven. I think you have been foolish, misguided,--led away by a vain ambition, and that in the difficulty to which these things brought you, you endeavoured to constrain yourself to do an act, which, when it came near to you,--when the doing of it had to be more closely considered, you found to be contrary to your nature. I never believed that you would marry your cousin. When I was told of it, I knew that trouble had blinded you for awhile. You had driven yourself to revolt against me, and upon that your heart misgave you, and you said to yourself that it did not matter then how you might throw away all your sweetness. You see that I speak of your old love for me with the frank conceit of a happy lover.", "pos": 1555202}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "No;--no, no!", "pos": 1556182}
{"speaker": "John Grey", "text": "But the storm passes over the tree and does not tear it up by the roots or spoil it of all its symmetry. When we hear the winds blowing, and see how the poor thing is shaken, we think that its days are numbered and its destruction at hand. Alice, when the winds were shaking you, and you were torn and buffeted, I never thought so. There may be some who will forgive you slowly. Your own self-forgiveness will be slow. But I, who have known you better than any one,--yes, better than any one,--I have forgiven you everything, have forgiven you instantly. Come to me, Alice, and comfort me. Come to me, for I want you sorely. My need of you is much greater now, than when I first asked you to share the world with me. Then I could have borne to lose you, as I had never boasted to myself that you were my own,--had never pictured to myself the life that might be mine if you were always to be with me. But since that day I have had no other hope,--no other hope but this for which I plead now. Am I to plead in vain?", "pos": 1556213}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "You do not know me, how vile I have been! You do not think what it is,--for a woman to have promised herself to one man while she loved another.", "pos": 1557369}
{"speaker": "John Grey", "text": "But it was me you loved. Ah! Alice, I can forgive that. Do I not tell you that I did forgive it the moment that I heard it? Do you not hear me say that I never for a moment thought that you would marry him? Alice, you should scold me for my vanity, for I have believed all through that you loved me, and me only. Come to me, dear, and tell me that it is so, and the past shall be only as a dream.", "pos": 1557528}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "I am dreaming it always,", "pos": 1557927}
{"speaker": "John Grey", "text": "They will cease to be bitter dreams if your head be upon my shoulder. You will cease to reproach yourself when you know that you have made me happy.", "pos": 1557966}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "I shall never cease to reproach myself. I have done that which no woman can do and honour herself afterwards. I have been--a jilt.", "pos": 1558117}
{"speaker": "John Grey", "text": "The noblest jilt that ever yet halted between two minds! There has been no touch of selfishness in your fickleness. I think I could be hard enough upon a woman who had left me for greater wealth, for a higher rank,--who had left me even that she might be gay and merry. It has not been so with you.", "pos": 1558250}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "Yes, it has. I thought you were too firm in your own will, and--", "pos": 1558551}
{"speaker": "John Grey", "text": "And you think so still. Is that it?", "pos": 1558618}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "It does not matter what I think now. I am a fallen creature, and have no longer a right to such thoughts. It will be better for us both that you should leave me,--and forget me. There are things which, if a woman does them, should never be forgotten;--which she should never permit herself to forget.", "pos": 1558656}
{"speaker": "Unknown", "text": "And am I to be punished, then, because of your fault? Is that your sense of justice?", "pos": 1558959}
{"speaker": "John Grey", "text": "Alice, if you will tell me that you do not love me, I will believe you, and will trouble you no more. I know that you will say nothing to me that is false. Through it all you have spoken no word of falsehood. If you love me, after what has passed, I have a right to demand your hand. My happiness requires it, and I have a right to expect your compliance. I do demand it. If you love me, Alice, I tell you that you dare not refuse me. If you do so, you will fail hereafter to reconcile it to your conscience before God.", "pos": 1559104}
{"speaker": "John Grey", "text": "Alice, the battle is over now, and I have won it.", "pos": 1561364}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "You win everything,--always,", "pos": 1561465}
{"speaker": "John Grey", "text": "In winning you I have won everything.", "pos": 1561563}
{"speaker": "Mr. Palliser", "text": "Good morning! good morning! I am going up to the station to see after a carriage for to-morrow. Perhaps you'll come with me. Sometimes, you know, the springs of the carriages are so very rough.", "pos": 1562573}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "Of course she has,", "pos": 1563474}
{"speaker": "Mr. Palliser", "text": "I really didn't think she would,", "pos": 1563515}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "That's because you don't understand things of that sort,", "pos": 1563559}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "Vanquished at last!", "pos": 1566617}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "Yes, vanquished; if you like to call it so,", "pos": 1566686}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "It is not what I call it, but what you feel it. Do you think that I don't know you well enough to be sure that you regard yourself now as an unfortunate prisoner,--as a captive taken in war, to be led away in triumph, without any hope of a ransom? I know that it is quite a misery to you that you should be made a happy woman of at last. I understand it all, my dear, and my heart bleeds for you.", "pos": 1566744}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "Of course; I knew that was the way you would treat me.", "pos": 1567161}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "In what way would you have me treat you? If I were to hug you with joy, and tell you how good he is, and how fortunate you are,--if I were to praise him, and bid you triumph in your success, as might be expected on such an occasion,--you would put on a long face at once, and tell me that though the thing is to be, it would be much better that the thing shouldn't be. Don't I know you, Alice?", "pos": 1567218}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "I shouldn't have said that;--not now.", "pos": 1567614}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "I believe in my heart you would;--that, or something like it. But I do wish you joy all the same, and you may say what you please. He has got you in his power now, and I don't think even you can go back.", "pos": 1567654}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "No; I shall not go back again.", "pos": 1567860}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "I would join with Lady Midlothian in putting you into a madhouse, if you did. But I am so glad; I am, indeed. I was afraid to the last,--terribly afraid; you are so hard and so proud. I don't mean hard to me, dear. You have never been half hard enough to me. But you are hard to yourself, and, upon my word, you have been hard to him. What a deal you will have to make up to him!", "pos": 1567893}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "I feel that I ought to stand before him always as a penitent,--in a white sheet.", "pos": 1568275}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "He will like it better, I dare say, if you will sit upon his knee. Some penitents do, you know. And how happy you will be! He'll never explain the sugar-duties to you, and there'll be no Mr. Bott at Nethercoats. I'll tell you what, Alice; you shall come and be married at Matching, in August, or perhaps September. That's the only way in which I can be present; and if we can bespeak some sun, we'll have the breakfast out in the ruins.", "pos": 1568358}
{"speaker": "John Grey", "text": "You are thinking of something, Alice. What is it?", "pos": 1572250}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "It was here, here, on this very balcony, that I first rebelled against you, and now you have brought me here that I should confess and submit on the same spot. I do confess. How am I to thank you for forgiving me?", "pos": 1572313}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "I could go from Vienna to London without feeling it, and to tell me that I can't do two easy days' journey running! I've a particular favour to ask of you. I wish I were a milkmaid,", "pos": 1572778}
{"speaker": "Mr. Palliser", "text": "But you are not a milkmaid, my dear. You haven't been brought up like a milkmaid.", "pos": 1573593}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "I want you to take me up to the gambling-rooms!", "pos": 1574326}
{"speaker": "Mr. Palliser", "text": "The gambling-rooms!", "pos": 1574386}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "Yes, Plantagenet; the gambling-rooms. If you had been with me before, I should not have made a fool of myself by putting my piece of money on the table. I want to see the place; but then I saw nothing, because I was so frightened when I found that I was winning.", "pos": 1574437}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "Perhaps I shall get back my napoleon,", "pos": 1575471}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "And perhaps I shall be forgiven when somebody sees how difficult it is to manage you,", "pos": 1575535}
{"speaker": "Mr. Palliser", "text": "She isn't in earnest,", "pos": 1575660}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "I don't know that,", "pos": 1575748}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "Let us stand here a moment. We shall be able to see in a few minutes.", "pos": 1576647}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "Do you see that little Frenchman? He has just made half a napoleon, and has walked off with it. Isn't it interesting? I could stay here all the night.", "pos": 1579525}
{"speaker": "Unknown", "text": "All right,", "pos": 1580570}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "Why doesn't he take it?", "pos": 1581600}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "He is taking it,", "pos": 1581646}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "Alice,", "pos": 1581669}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "it is Burgo Fitzgerald. Alice, what can we do for him? It is Burgo,", "pos": 1583250}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "Is it he, in truth?", "pos": 1584250}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "In very truth. What can I do? Can I do anything? Look at him, Alice. If he were to destroy himself, what should I do then? What shall I do, Alice?", "pos": 1584285}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "Tell Mr. Palliser,", "pos": 1584878}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "Do something for him;--do, do. Unless I know that something is done, I shall die. You needn't be afraid.", "pos": 1585092}
{"speaker": "Mr. Palliser", "text": "I'm not afraid,", "pos": 1585199}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "You are so good. Don't let him out of your sight. There; he is going. I will go home with Mr. Grey. I will be ever so good; I will, indeed. You know what he'll want, and for my sake you'll let him have it. But don't let him gamble. If you could only get him home to England, and then do something. You owe him something, Plantagenet; do you not?", "pos": 1585324}
{"speaker": "Mr. Palliser", "text": "If money can do anything, he shall have it.", "pos": 1585684}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "God bless you, dearest! I shall never see him again; but if you could save him! There;--he is going now. Go;--go.", "pos": 1585730}
{"speaker": "Burgo", "text": "Well, old Buffer, what do you want?", "pos": 1586113}
{"speaker": "Mr. Palliser", "text": "You are in trouble, I fear, Mr. Fitzgerald,", "pos": 1586947}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "We will go home. Mr. Palliser has something to do,", "pos": 1587053}
{"speaker": "John Grey", "text": "Is that a friend of Mr. Palliser?", "pos": 1587193}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "Yes;--that is, he knows him, and is interested about him. Alice, shall we go home? Oh! Mr. Grey, you must not ask any questions. He,--Mr. Palliser, will tell you everything when he sees you,--that is, if there is anything to be told. Of course I shall sit up for him, but I will do it in my own room. You can tell Mr. Grey, if you like.", "pos": 1587244}
{"speaker": "Mr. Palliser", "text": "You are in trouble, Mr. Fitzgerald, I fear,", "pos": 1587783}
{"speaker": "Burgo", "text": "Who is that?", "pos": 1588086}
{"speaker": "Mr. Palliser", "text": "Perhaps I have been wrong in following you, but I thought you were in distress, and that probably I might help you. My name is Palliser.", "pos": 1588232}
{"speaker": "Burgo", "text": "Plantagenet Palliser? By heavens! it is Plantagenet Palliser! Well, Mr. Palliser, what do you want of me?", "pos": 1588392}
{"speaker": "Mr. Palliser", "text": "I want to be of some use to you, if I can. I and my wife saw you leave the gaming-table just now.", "pos": 1588581}
{"speaker": "Burgo", "text": "Is she here too?", "pos": 1588681}
{"speaker": "Mr. Palliser", "text": "Yes;--she is here. We are going home, but chance brought us up to the salon. She seemed to think that you are in distress, and that I could help you. I will, if you will let me.", "pos": 1588700}
{"speaker": "Burgo", "text": "So she is here, is she;--and saw me there when I staked my last chance? I should have had over twenty thousand francs now, if the cards had stood to me.", "pos": 1589264}
{"speaker": "Mr. Palliser", "text": "The cards never do stand to any one, Mr. Fitzgerald.", "pos": 1589419}
{"speaker": "Burgo", "text": "Never;--never,--never! At any rate, they never did to me. Nothing ever does stand to me.", "pos": 1589474}
{"speaker": "Mr. Palliser", "text": "If you want twenty thousand francs,--that's eight hundred pounds, I think--I can let you have it without any trouble.", "pos": 1589579}
{"speaker": "Burgo", "text": "The devil you can!", "pos": 1589699}
{"speaker": "Mr. Palliser", "text": "Oh, yes. As I am travelling with my family-- As I am travelling with my family, I have been obliged to carry large bills with me, and I can accommodate you without any trouble.", "pos": 1589720}
{"speaker": "Burgo", "text": "I was not in the least doubting your ability to raise the money, but how would you propose to get it back again?", "pos": 1590599}
{"speaker": "Mr. Palliser", "text": "That would be at your convenience,", "pos": 1590725}
{"speaker": "Burgo", "text": "I never have any such convenience. Who were those women whose tubs always had holes at the bottom of them? My tub always has such a hole.", "pos": 1590924}
{"speaker": "Mr. Palliser", "text": "You mean the daughters of Danaus,", "pos": 1591078}
{"speaker": "Burgo", "text": "I don't know whose daughters they were, but you might just as well lend them all eight hundred pounds apiece.", "pos": 1591133}
{"speaker": "Mr. Palliser", "text": "There were so many of them. But as you are only one I shall be most happy, as I said before, to be of service.", "pos": 1591245}
{"speaker": "Burgo", "text": "Do you see that fellow? I do, though. I don't know his name, but they have sent him out from the hotel with me, to see what I do with myself. I owe them six or seven hundred francs, and they want to turn me out of the house and not let me take my things with me.", "pos": 1591528}
{"speaker": "Mr. Palliser", "text": "That would be very uncomfortable,", "pos": 1591880}
{"speaker": "Burgo", "text": "It would be uncomfortable, but I shall be too many for them. If they keep my traps they shall keep me. They think I'm going to blow my brains out. That's what they think. The man lets me go far enough off to do that,--so long as it's nowhere about the house.", "pos": 1591935}
{"speaker": "Mr. Palliser", "text": "I hope you're not thinking of such a thing?", "pos": 1592196}
{"speaker": "Burgo", "text": "As long as I can help it, Mr. Palliser, I never think of anything. Don't you see that I have a friend with me?", "pos": 1592242}
{"speaker": "Unknown", "text": "Oh! a friend,", "pos": 1592547}
{"speaker": "Unknown", "text": "Perhaps de friend can advance moneys?", "pos": 1592603}
{"speaker": "Burgo", "text": "Never mind what he can do. You do as you are bid, and leave me. So Lady Glencora is here?", "pos": 1592643}
{"speaker": "Mr. Palliser", "text": "Yes, she is here. It was she who asked me to come to you,", "pos": 1593076}
{"speaker": "Burgo", "text": "By George!--isn't it odd that you and I, of all men in the world, should be walking together here at Baden? It's not only that you're the richest man in London, and that I'm the poorest, but--; there are other things, you know, which make it so funny.", "pos": 1593259}
{"speaker": "Mr. Palliser", "text": "There have been things which make me and my wife very anxious to give you aid.", "pos": 1593537}
{"speaker": "Burgo", "text": "And have you considered, Mr. Palliser, that those things make you the very man in the world,--indeed, for the matter of that, the only man in the world,--from whom I can't take aid. I would have taken it all if I could have got it,--and I tried hard.", "pos": 1593618}
{"speaker": "Mr. Palliser", "text": "I know you have been disappointed, Mr. Fitzgerald.", "pos": 1593871}
{"speaker": "Burgo", "text": "Disappointed! By G----! yes. Did you ever know any man who had so much right to be disappointed as I have? I did love her, Mr. Palliser. Nay, by heavens! I do love her. Out here I will dare to say as much even to you. I shall never try to see her again. All that is over, of course. I've been a fool about her as I have been about everything. But I did love her.", "pos": 1593924}
{"speaker": "Mr. Palliser", "text": "I believe it, Mr. Fitzgerald.", "pos": 1594289}
{"speaker": "Burgo", "text": "It was not altogether her money. But think what it would have been to me, Mr. Palliser. Think what a chance I had, and what a chance I lost. I should have been at the top of everything,--as now I am at the bottom. I should not have spent that. There would have been enough of it to have saved me. And then I might have done something good instead of crawling about almost in fear of that beast who is watching us.", "pos": 1594321}
{"speaker": "Mr. Palliser", "text": "It has been ordered otherwise,", "pos": 1594737}
{"speaker": "Burgo", "text": "Yes; it has been ordered, with a vengeance! It seems to have been ordered that I'm to go to the devil; but I don't know who gave the orders, and I don't know why.", "pos": 1594814}
{"speaker": "Mr. Palliser", "text": "There is an old saying, which you will remember well, that the way to good manners is never too late.", "pos": 1595336}
{"speaker": "Burgo", "text": "That's nonsense. It's too late when the man feels the knot round his neck at the Old Bailey.", "pos": 1595451}
{"speaker": "Mr. Palliser", "text": "Perhaps not, even then. Indeed, we may say, certainly not, if the man be still able to take the right way. But I don't want to preach to you.", "pos": 1595560}
{"speaker": "Burgo", "text": "It wouldn't do any good, you know.", "pos": 1595704}
{"speaker": "Mr. Palliser", "text": "But I do want to be of service to you. There is something of truth in what you say. You have been disappointed; and I, perhaps, of all men am the most bound to come to your assistance now that you are in need.", "pos": 1595741}
{"speaker": "Burgo", "text": "How can I take it from you?", "pos": 1595953}
{"speaker": "Mr. Palliser", "text": "You shall take it from her!", "pos": 1596010}
{"speaker": "Burgo", "text": "No;--that would be worse; twenty times worse. What! take her money, when she would not give me herself!", "pos": 1596040}
{"speaker": "Mr. Palliser", "text": "I do not see why you should not borrow her money,--or mine. You shall call it which you will.", "pos": 1596146}
{"speaker": "Burgo", "text": "No; I won't have it.", "pos": 1596242}
{"speaker": "Mr. Palliser", "text": "And what will you do then?", "pos": 1596265}
{"speaker": "Burgo", "text": "What will I do? Ah! That's the question. I don't know what I will do. I have the key of my bedroom in my pocket, and I will go to bed to-night. It's not very often that I look forward much beyond that.", "pos": 1596294}
{"speaker": "Mr. Palliser", "text": "Will you let me call on you, to-morrow?", "pos": 1596498}
{"speaker": "Burgo", "text": "I don't see what good it will do? I shan't get up till late, for fear they should shut the room against me. I might as well have as much out of them as I can. I think I shall say I'm ill, and keep my bed.", "pos": 1596540}
{"speaker": "Mr. Palliser", "text": "Will you take a few napoleons?", "pos": 1596747}
{"speaker": "Burgo", "text": "No; not a rap. Not from you. You are the first man from whom I ever refused to borrow money, and I should say that you'll be about the last to offer to lend it me.", "pos": 1596780}
{"speaker": "Mr. Palliser", "text": "I don't know what else I can offer?", "pos": 1596946}
{"speaker": "Burgo", "text": "You can offer nothing. If you will say to your wife from me that I bade her adieu;--that is all you can do for me. Good night, Mr. Palliser; good night.", "pos": 1597003}
{"speaker": "Unknown", "text": "Misther, Misther!", "pos": 1597397}
{"speaker": "Mr. Palliser", "text": "What do you want of me?", "pos": 1597444}
{"speaker": "Unknown", "text": "Has he got any money? Have you given him any money?", "pos": 1597537}
{"speaker": "Mr. Palliser", "text": "I have not given him any money,", "pos": 1597591}
{"speaker": "Unknown", "text": "Then he will have a bad time with it,", "pos": 1597717}
{"speaker": "Unknown", "text": "And he might have carried away two thousand francs just now! Dear, dear, dear! Has he got any friends, sir?", "pos": 1597771}
{"speaker": "Mr. Palliser", "text": "Yes, he has friends. I do not know that I can assist him, or you.", "pos": 1597881}
{"speaker": "Unknown", "text": "Fitzgerald;--his name is Fitzgerald?", "pos": 1597949}
{"speaker": "Mr. Palliser", "text": "Yes, his name is Fitzgerald.", "pos": 1597988}
{"speaker": "Unknown", "text": "Ah! There are so many Fitzgeralds in England. Mr. Fitzgerald, London;--he has no other address?", "pos": 1598040}
{"speaker": "Mr. Palliser", "text": "If he had, and I knew it, I should not give it you without his sanction.", "pos": 1598138}
{"speaker": "Unknown", "text": "But what shall we do? How shall we act? Perhaps with his own hand he will himself kill. For five weeks his pension he owes; yes, for five weeks. And for wine, oh so much! There came through Baden a my lord, and then, I think he got money. But he went and played. That was of course. But; oh my G----! he might have carried away this night two thousand francs; yes, two thousand francs!", "pos": 1598213}
{"speaker": "Mr. Palliser", "text": "Are you the hotelkeeper?", "pos": 1598601}
{"speaker": "Unknown", "text": "His friend, sir; only his friend. That is, I am the head Commissionaire. I look after the gentlemen who sometimes are not all--not all--", "pos": 1598628}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "He will; he will. He will; he will; and if he does, how can you expect that I shall bear it? There can be no reason why he should not take it. None the least. Had it not been promised to him? Had he not a right to it?", "pos": 1599502}
{"speaker": "Mr. Palliser", "text": "Has he had any breakfast? Breakfast! Oh yes;", "pos": 1600781}
{"speaker": "Mr. Palliser", "text": "I think I might venture to pay it,", "pos": 1601431}
{"speaker": "Landlord", "text": "That was as monsieur pleased,", "pos": 1601487}
{"speaker": "Mr. Palliser", "text": "Should he now send up the bottle of Sauterne? And to whom should the receipted bill be given?", "pos": 1601999}
{"speaker": "Landlord", "text": "Perhaps there is some little difficulty?", "pos": 1602212}
{"speaker": "Mr. Palliser", "text": "You can't keep him out of the gambling salon, you know, sir; that is, not if he has a franc in his pocket. When I get home, I will see what can be done with his relations there,", "pos": 1602863}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "But he'll have no clothes,", "pos": 1603484}
{"speaker": "Sir Cosmo Monk", "text": "I regret it. I regret it; not for the money's sake, but I regret it.", "pos": 1604298}
{"speaker": "Mr. Palliser", "text": "Your argument would be very well, if men were to be contented to live for themselves only.", "pos": 1607131}
{"speaker": "John Grey", "text": "Your argument would be very well, if it were used to a man who felt that he could do good to others by going into public life. But it is wholly inefficacious if it recommends public life simply or chiefly because a man may gratify his own ambition by public services.", "pos": 1607235}
{"speaker": "Mr. Palliser", "text": "Of course there is personal gratification, and of course there is good done,", "pos": 1607523}
{"speaker": "John Grey", "text": "Is,--or should be,", "pos": 1607621}
{"speaker": "Mr. Palliser", "text": "Exactly; and the two things must go together. The chief gratification comes from the feeling that you are of use.", "pos": 1607657}
{"speaker": "John Grey", "text": "But if you feel that you would not be of use?", "pos": 1607773}
{"speaker": "John Grey", "text": "It's all hollow here,", "pos": 1608586}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "Very hollow,", "pos": 1608648}
{"speaker": "John Grey", "text": "Mr. Palliser wants me to go into Parliament.", "pos": 1609463}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "What do I say? Oh, John, what right can I have to say anything?", "pos": 1609916}
{"speaker": "John Grey", "text": "No one else can have so much right,--putting aside of course myself, who must be responsible for my own actions. He asked me whether I could afford it, and he seems to think that a smaller income suffices for such work now than it did a few years since. I believe that I could afford it, if I could get a seat that was not very expensive at the first outset. He could help me there.", "pos": 1609982}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "On that point, of course, I can have no opinion.", "pos": 1610367}
{"speaker": "John Grey", "text": "No; not on that point. I believe we may take that for granted. Living in London for four or five months in the year might be managed. But as to the mode of life!", "pos": 1610418}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "How odd it is parting in this way, when people have been together so long. It always seems as though there had been a separate little life of its own which was now to be brought to a close. I suppose, Mr. Grey, you and I, when we next meet, will be far too distant to fight with each other.", "pos": 1611572}
{"speaker": "John Grey", "text": "I hope that may never be the case,", "pos": 1611887}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "I suppose nothing would prevent his fighting; would it Alice? But, remember, there must be no fighting when we do meet next, and that must be in September.", "pos": 1611939}
{"speaker": "John Grey", "text": "With all my heart,", "pos": 1612097}
{"speaker": "Mr. Palliser", "text": "Alice, give my compliments to your father, and tell him that I shall take the liberty of asking him to come down to Matching for the early shooting in September, and that I shall expect him to bring you with him. You may tell him also that he will have to stay to see you off, but that he will not be allowed to take you away.", "pos": 1612199}
{"speaker": "Lady Macleod", "text": "I have got your letter, and am now quite happy. It only wanted that to reconcile me to my departure. I thought through it all that my girl would be happy at last. Will she forgive me if I say that I have forgiven her? It is not that I am dying now, though you will find me much altered and keeping my bed. But the doctor says he fears the first cold weather. I know what that means, my dear; and if I don't see you now, before your marriage, I shall never see you again. Pray get married as soon as you can. I want to know that you are Mrs. Grey before I go. If I were to hear that it was postponed because of my illness, I think it would kill me at once.", "pos": 1613487}
{"speaker": "Kate", "text": "that is, unless it takes place at the house of some one of your very grand friends; You should stand by your family. And only think what my condition will be if I have no one here to support me. Do come. Journeys are nothing nowadays. Don't you know I would go seven times the distance for you? Mr. Cheesacre and Captain Bellfield are friends after all, and Mr. Cheesacre is to be best man. Is it not beautiful? As for poor me, I'm told I haven't a chance left of becoming mistress of Oileymead and all its wealth.", "pos": 1614380}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "It's all right, papa. I was very glad to have an hour to write a letter or two. Poor Lady Macleod is very ill. I must go to her the day after to-morrow.", "pos": 1616009}
{"speaker": "Mr. Palliser", "text": "Dear, dear, dear! I had heard that she was poorly. She is very old, you know. So, Alice, you've made it all square with Mr. Grey at last?", "pos": 1616176}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "Yes, papa;--if you call that square.", "pos": 1616316}
{"speaker": "Mr. Palliser", "text": "Well; I do call it square. It has all come round to the proper thing.", "pos": 1616355}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "I hope he thinks so.", "pos": 1616427}
{"speaker": "Mr. Palliser", "text": "What do you think yourself, my dear?", "pos": 1616450}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "I've no doubt it's the proper thing for me, papa.", "pos": 1616489}
{"speaker": "Mr. Palliser", "text": "Of course not; of course not; and I can tell you this, Alice, he is a man in a thousand. You've heard about the money?", "pos": 1616541}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "What money, papa?", "pos": 1616662}
{"speaker": "Mr. Palliser", "text": "The money that George had.", "pos": 1616682}
{"speaker": "Mr. Palliser", "text": "Paid! he can pay himself now. It may make some difference in the settlements, perhaps, but he and the lawyers may arrange that. I shan't think of interfering with such a man as Grey. If you could only know, my dear, what I've suffered! Bless you, my child! and make you happy, and good, and--and--and very comfortable.", "pos": 1617294}
{"speaker": "Lady Macleod", "text": "Dearest Alice, it is so good of you.", "pos": 1617898}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "Good! would I not have gone a thousand miles to you?", "pos": 1617937}
{"speaker": "Lady Macleod", "text": "I can tell you now, my dear, though I couldn't do it before, that I knew he'd persist for ever. He told me so himself in confidence.", "pos": 1618073}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "He has persisted, aunt; that is certain.", "pos": 1618208}
{"speaker": "Lady Macleod", "text": "And I hope you'll reward him. A beautiful woman without discretion is like a pearl in a swine's snout; but a good wife is a crown of glory to her husband. Remember that, my dear, and choose your part for his sake.", "pos": 1618251}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "I won't be that unfortunate pearl, if I can help it, aunt.", "pos": 1618467}
{"speaker": "Lady Macleod", "text": "We can all help it, if we set about it in the right way. And Alice, you must be careful to find out all his likes and his dislikes. Dear me! I remember how hard I found it, but then I don't think I was so clever as you are.", "pos": 1618528}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "Sometimes I think nobody has ever been so stupid as I have.", "pos": 1618754}
{"speaker": "Lady Macleod", "text": "Not stupid, my dear; if I must say the word, it is self-willed. But, dear, all that is forgiven now. Is it not?", "pos": 1618816}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "There is a forgiveness which it is rather hard to get,", "pos": 1618930}
{"speaker": "Lady Midlothian", "text": "I am sorry to hear of the symptoms you speak about. I strongly advise you to depend chiefly on beef-tea. They should be very careful to send it up quite free from grease, and it should not be too strong of the meat. There should be no vegetables in it. Not soup, you know, but beef-tea. If any thing acts upon your strength, that will. I need not tell one who has lived as you have done where to look for that other strength which alone can support you at such a time as this. I would go to you if I thought that my presence would be any comfort to you, but I know how sensitive you are, and the shock might be too much for you. If you see Alice Vavasor on her return to England, as you probably will, pray tell her from me that I give her my warmest congratulations, and that I am heartily glad that matters are arranged. I think she treated my attempts to heal the wound in a manner that they did not deserve; but all that shall be forgiven, as shall also her original bad behaviour to poor Mr. Grey. I trust that we may yet meet and be friends. I am extremely gratified at finding that she has been thought so much of by Mr. Palliser. I'm told that Mr. Palliser and Mr. Grey have become great friends, and if this is so, Alice must be happy to feel that she has had it in her power to confer so great a benefit on her future husband as he will receive from this introduction.", "pos": 1619871}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "I ain't a bit happy, and I have conferred no benefit on Mr. Grey. Mr. Palliser has every bit as much cause to be gratified for that as Mr. Grey, and perhaps more.", "pos": 1621438}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "I'm sure she means well,", "pos": 1622418}
{"speaker": "Lady Macleod", "text": "Indeed she does, and then you know you'll probably have children; and think what a thing it will be for them to know the Midlothian family. You shouldn't rob them of their natural advantages.", "pos": 1622457}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "It is such a bore, and I know it will be a girl. But the Duke isn't to be there, except for the Christmas week. whom I long to know, and with whom I should like to pick a crow, if I dared, as I'm sure she did all the mischief.", "pos": 1623889}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "What has she done to the man?", "pos": 1626368}
{"speaker": "Kate", "text": "Coaxed him; simply that. She has made herself so much his master that he doesn't know how to say no to her. Sometimes I have thought that he might possibly run away, but I have abandoned that fear now. She has little confidences with him from day to day, which are so alluring to him that he cannot tear himself off. In the middle of one of them he will find himself engaged.", "pos": 1626413}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "But, the unfortunate girl! Won't it be a wretched marriage for her?", "pos": 1626791}
{"speaker": "Kate", "text": "Not at all. She'll make him a very good wife. He's one of those men to whom any woman, after a little time, will come to be the same. He'll be rough with her once a month or so, and perhaps tell her that she brought no money with her; but that won't break any bones, and Charlie will know how to fight her own battles. She'll save his money if she brings none, and in a few years' time they will quite understand each other.", "pos": 1626861}
{"speaker": "Mrs. Greenow", "text": "It's to be very quiet, Alice, as quiet as such a thing can be made. I owe that to the memory of the departed one. I know that he is looking down upon me, and that he approves all that I do. Indeed, he told me once that he did not want me to live desolate for his sake. If I didn't feel that he was looking down and approving it, I should be wretched indeed. Yes, indeed; only three-and-sixpence a piece, and they're quite real. Feel them. You wouldn't get them in the shops under six. I had my eyes about me when I was up in town, my dear. And look here, these are quite new,--have never been on yet, and I had them when I was married before. There is nothing like being careful, my dear. I hate meanness, as everybody knows who knows me; but there is nothing like being careful. You have a lot of rich people about you just now, and will have ever so many things given you which you won't want. Do you put them all by, and be careful. They may turn out useful, you know. He's as good as gold, my dear; he is, indeed,--in his own way. Of course, I know that he has faults, and I should like to know who hasn't. Although poor dear Greenow certainly was more without them than anybody else I ever knew. Bellfield may have been a little extravagant. I dare say he has. But how can a man help being extravagant when he hasn't got any regular income? He has been ill-treated in his profession; very. It makes my blood curdle when I think of it. After fighting his country's battles through blood, and dust, and wounds;--but I'll tell you about that another time.", "pos": 1627597}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "I suppose a man seldom does make a fortune, aunt, by being a soldier?", "pos": 1629918}
{"speaker": "Mrs. Greenow", "text": "Never, my dear; much better be a tailor. Don't you ever marry a soldier. But as I was saying, he is the best-tempered creature alive, and the staunchest friend I ever met. You should hear what Mr. Cheesacre says of him! But you don't know Mr. Cheesacre?", "pos": 1629990}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "No, aunt, not yet. If you remember, he went away before I saw him when he came here before.", "pos": 1630246}
{"speaker": "Mrs. Greenow", "text": "Yes, I know, poor fellow! Between you and me, Kate might have had him if she liked; but perhaps Kate was right.", "pos": 1630340}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "I don't think he would have suited Kate at all.", "pos": 1630454}
{"speaker": "Mrs. Greenow", "text": "Because of the farmyard, you mean? Kate shouldn't give herself airs. Money's never dirty, you know. But perhaps it's all for the best. There's a sweet girl here to whom he is violently attached, and who I hope will become Mrs. Cheesacre. But as I was saying, the friendship between these two men is quite wonderful, and I have always observed that when a man can create that kind of affection in the bosom of another man, he invariably is,--the sort of man,--the man, in fact, who makes a good husband.", "pos": 1630504}
{"speaker": "Charlie", "text": "I don't know, sir. I know you have just come home from Switzerland. Beautiful Switzerland! My heart pants for Switzerland. Do tell me something about Switzerland!", "pos": 1632204}
{"speaker": "Mr. Cheesacre", "text": "I don't think I shall go there any more,", "pos": 1633173}
{"speaker": "Captain Bellfield", "text": "Not go there any more, Cheesy, why, we are to have the dinner out in the field on Friday. It's your own bespeak.", "pos": 1633288}
{"speaker": "Mr. Cheesacre", "text": "Well, yes; I'll go on Friday, but not after that.", "pos": 1633421}
{"speaker": "Captain Bellfield", "text": "You'll stop and see me turned off, old fellow?", "pos": 1633473}
{"speaker": "Mr. Cheesacre", "text": "What's the use? You'll get your wife, and that's enough for you. The truth is, that since that girl came down from London with her d----d airs; the place is quite changed. I'm blessed if the whole thing isn't as dark as ditch-water. I'm a plain man, I am; and I do hate your swells.", "pos": 1633522}
{"speaker": "Mrs. Greenow", "text": "You did it admirably, my dear,", "pos": 1634112}
{"speaker": "Charlie", "text": "Oh, I don't know,", "pos": 1634521}
{"speaker": "Mrs. Greenow", "text": "And it's the only way, my dear;--the only way, I mean, for you with such a one as him. And if he does come round, you'll find him an excellent husband.", "pos": 1634579}
{"speaker": "Charlie", "text": "I don't think he cares for me a bit,", "pos": 1634733}
{"speaker": "Mrs. Greenow", "text": "Pooh, nonsense! Girls never know whether men care for them or not. If he asks you to marry him, won't that be a sign that he cares for you? and if he don't, why, there'll be no harm done.", "pos": 1634797}
{"speaker": "Charlie", "text": "If he thinks it's his money--", "pos": 1634987}
{"speaker": "Mrs. Greenow", "text": "Now, don't talk nonsense, Charlie, or you'll make me sick. Of course it's his money, more or less. You don't mean to tell me you'd go and fall in love with him if he was like Bellfield, and hadn't got a rap? I can afford that sort of thing; you can't. I don't mean to say you ain't to love him. Of course, you're to love him; and I've no doubt you will, and make him a very good wife. I always think that worldliness and sentimentality are like brandy-and-water. I don't like either of them separately, but taken together they make a very nice drink. I like them warm, with ---- as the gentlemen say. And now, my dear, mind you look your best on Friday. I'll get him away immediately after dinner, and when he's done with me you can contrive to be in his way, you know.", "pos": 1635034}
{"speaker": "Jeannette", "text": "It will always show,", "pos": 1636708}
{"speaker": "Mrs. Greenow", "text": "But the other would show worse, and if you finedraw it, not one person in ten will notice it. We'd always put them on with the name to the feet, you know.", "pos": 1636765}
{"speaker": "Mrs. Greenow", "text": "Nothing, nothing makes a man come forward so well as putting him altogether out of his usual tack. A man who wouldn't think of such a thing in the drawing-room would be sure to make an offer if he spent an evening with a young lady down-stairs in the kitchen.", "pos": 1637879}
{"speaker": "Mr. Cheesacre", "text": "Let me do it,", "pos": 1638401}
{"speaker": "Captain Bellfield", "text": "Oh, certainly,", "pos": 1638470}
{"speaker": "Charlie", "text": "Captain Bellfield would do it much better, he's as good as a married man, and they always do these things best.", "pos": 1638526}
{"speaker": "Mrs. Greenow", "text": "Ah, me; when I think of it sometimes,--but never mind. I know I have done for the best, and therefore I shall never regret it; at any rate, it's done now.", "pos": 1639610}
{"speaker": "Mr. Cheesacre", "text": "Not done yet,", "pos": 1639964}
{"speaker": "Mrs. Greenow", "text": "Yes; done, and done, and done. Besides, a man in your position in the county should always marry a wife younger than yourself,--a good deal younger.", "pos": 1640001}
{"speaker": "Mrs. Greenow", "text": "You must have another glass of champagne with me, my friend,", "pos": 1640887}
{"speaker": "Captain Bellfield", "text": "I know what it is, to be connected with such a family as yours, Miss Vavasor.", "pos": 1641562}
{"speaker": "Mrs. Greenow", "text": "This is the last time we shall ever be together in this way,", "pos": 1641772}
{"speaker": "Mr. Cheesacre", "text": "Oh, no. I hope not.", "pos": 1641865}
{"speaker": "Mrs. Greenow", "text": "The last time. On Wednesday I become Mrs. Bellfield, and I need hardly say that I have many things to think of before that; but Mr. Cheesacre, I hope we are not to be strangers hereafter? We all know your hospitality,", "pos": 1641905}
{"speaker": "Kate", "text": "I wish I was out of this boat,", "pos": 1656412}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "So that I might be shipwrecked alone!", "pos": 1656477}
{"speaker": "Kate", "text": "No; there can be no shipwreck to you. When the day of action comes you will be taken away, up to heaven, upon the clouds. But what are they to do with me?", "pos": 1656517}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "You'll find that Glencora will not desert you. You can't conceive what taste she has.", "pos": 1656674}
{"speaker": "Kate", "text": "I'd sooner be bridesmaid to Charlie Fairstairs. I would indeed. My place in the world is not among Cabinet Ministers and old countesses.", "pos": 1656762}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "Nor mine.", "pos": 1656901}
{"speaker": "Kate", "text": "Yes; it seems that yours is to be there. They are your cousins, and you have made at any rate one great friend among them,--one who is to be the biggest of them all.", "pos": 1656913}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "And you are going to throw me over, Kate?", "pos": 1657081}
{"speaker": "Kate", "text": "To tell the truth, Alice, I sometimes think you had better throw me over. I know it would be sad,--sad for both, but perhaps it would be better. I have done you much harm and no good; and now where I am going I shall disgrace you.", "pos": 1657124}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "She could not come herself, because Mr. Palliser was a little fussy. You'll understand, dear, but don't say a word. Then I must introduce myself, and my husband also. I have heard so much about you, and I know how good you've been;--and how wicked you have been. Have you heard the news? Mr. Bott is going to marry Mrs. Marsham. There is such a row about it. Plantagenet is nearly mad. I never knew him so disgusted in my life. Of course I don't dare to tell him so, but I am so heartily rejoiced. You know how I love them both, and I could not possibly wish any better reward for either. She's old enough to be his mother, otherwise I really don't know any people better suited to each other. The best is, that Mr. Bott is doing it to regain his footing with Mr. Palliser! I am sure of that;--and Plantagenet will never speak to him again. But, Alice, there is other news.", "pos": 1657639}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "What other news?", "pos": 1659728}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "It is hardly news yet, and of course I am very wicked to tell you. But I feel sure Mr. Grey knows all about it, and if I didn't tell, he would.", "pos": 1659747}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "He hasn't told me anything yet.", "pos": 1659893}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "He hasn't had time; and when he does, you mustn't pretend to know. I believe Mr. Palliser will certainly be Chancellor of the Exchequer before next month, and, if so, he'll never come in for Silverbridge again.", "pos": 1659927}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "But he'll be in Parliament; will he not?", "pos": 1660140}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "Oh, yes; he'll be in Parliament. I don't understand all about it. There is a man going out for the county,--for Barsetshire,--some man whom the Duke used to favour, and he wants Plantagenet to come in for that. I can't understand what difference it makes.", "pos": 1660183}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "But he will be in the Cabinet?", "pos": 1660441}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "Oh, yes. But who do you suppose is to be the new Member for Silverbridge?", "pos": 1660474}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "I can't guess,", "pos": 1660550}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "Mind, I don't know it. He has never told me. But he told me that he had been with the Duke, and asked the Duke to let Jeffrey have the seat. The Duke became as black as thunder, and said that Jeffrey had no fortune. In short, he wouldn't hear of it. Poor Jeffrey! we must try to do something for him, but I really don't know how. Then the Duke said, that Plantagenet should put in for Silverbridge some friend who would support himself; and I fancy,--mind it's only fancy,--but I fancy that Plantagenet mentioned to his Grace--one Mr. Grey.", "pos": 1660613}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "Oh, Glencora!", "pos": 1661156}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "They've been talking together till sometimes I think Mr. Grey is worse than Plantagenet. When Mr. Grey began to say something the other night in the drawing-room about sugar, I knew it was all up with you. He'll be a financial Secretary; you see if he isn't; or a lord of something, or an under-somebody of State; and then some day he'll go mad, either because he does or because he doesn't get into the Cabinet.", "pos": 1661172}
{"speaker": "Lady Midlothian", "text": "Did Lady Macleod read to you what I wrote?", "pos": 1663987}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "Yes,--that is, she gave me the letter to read.", "pos": 1664052}
{"speaker": "Lady Midlothian", "text": "And I hope you understand me, Alice?", "pos": 1664101}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "Oh, yes, I suppose so.", "pos": 1664140}
{"speaker": "Lady Midlothian", "text": "You suppose so, my dear! If you only suppose so I shall not be contented. I want you to appreciate my feelings towards you thoroughly. I want you to know that I am most anxious as to your future life, and that I am thoroughly satisfied with the step you are now taking. Thoroughly satisfied, and now, I only wish to refer, in the slightest manner possible, to what took place between us when we were both of us under this roof last winter.", "pos": 1664165}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "Why refer to it at all, Lady Midlothian?", "pos": 1665059}
{"speaker": "Lady Midlothian", "text": "Because I think it may do good, and because I cannot make you understand that I have thoroughly forgiven everything, unless I tell you that I have forgiven that also. On that occasion I had come all the way from Scotland on purpose to say a few words to you.", "pos": 1665102}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "I am so sorry that you should have had the trouble.", "pos": 1665363}
{"speaker": "Lady Midlothian", "text": "I do not regret it, Alice. I never do regret doing anything which I believe to have been my duty. There is no knowing how far what I said then may have operated for good. I must confess that what I then understood to be your obstinacy,--and I must say also, if I tell the truth, your indifference to--to--to all prudential considerations whatever, not to talk of appearances and decorum, and I might say, anything like a high line of duty or moral conduct,--shocked me very much. It did, indeed, my dear. Taking it altogether, I don't know that I was ever more shocked in my life. The thing was so inscrutable! so inscrutable! But that is all over now. What was personally offensive to myself I could easily forgive, and I do forgive it. I shall never think of it any more. But what I wish specially to say to you is this; your own conduct is forgiven also!", "pos": 1665417}
{"speaker": "Lady Midlothian", "text": "The Marchioness and I have talked it over, and she has asked me to speak for both her and myself. We have resolved that all those little mistakes should be as though they had never been committed. We shall both be most happy to receive you and your husband, who is, I must say, one of the most gentlemanlike looking men I ever saw. It seems that he and Mr. Palliser are on most friendly,--I may say, most confidential terms, and that must be quite a pleasure to you.", "pos": 1667130}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "It's a pleasure to him, which is more to the purpose,", "pos": 1667723}
{"speaker": "Lady Midlothian", "text": "Exactly so. And now, my dear, everything is forgiven and shall be forgotten. Come and give me a kiss, and let me wish you joy. The diamonds are from the Marchioness, my dear, whose means, as you doubtless are aware, greatly exceed my own. The garnets are from me. I hope they may both be worn long and happily.", "pos": 1667791}
{"speaker": "Mr. Palliser", "text": "Of course I understand, and I know that the business which takes you up to London pleases you. Well; yes;--it does please me. I am glad,--I don't mind saying so to you. But it does not please me to think that I shall be away at your marriage. Pray make your father understand that it was absolutely unavoidable. But I shall see him, of course, when I come back. And I shall see you too before very long.", "pos": 1670583}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "Shall you?", "pos": 1671003}
{"speaker": "Mr. Palliser", "text": "Oh yes.", "pos": 1671016}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "And why so?", "pos": 1671026}
{"speaker": "Mr. Palliser", "text": "Because Mr. Grey must be at Silverbridge for his election.--But perhaps I ought not tell you his secrets. I got you these things because Grey likes china.", "pos": 1671040}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "So do I like china,", "pos": 1671335}
{"speaker": "Mr. Palliser", "text": "I thought you would like them best,", "pos": 1671420}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "I beg pardon. I was just one minute too soon; was I not?", "pos": 1671667}
{"speaker": "Mr. Palliser", "text": "She would have them sent here and unpacked, though I told her it was foolish.", "pos": 1671738}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "Of course I would. Everything shall be unpacked and shown. It's easy to get somebody to pack them again. Upon my word, her ladyship's diamonds are not to be sneezed at,", "pos": 1671839}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "I don't care for diamonds. To me they are just as good as the others,", "pos": 1672204}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "To me they are not, then. Diamonds are diamonds, and garnets are garnets; and I am not so romantic but what I know the difference. Do you remember that night we were here?", "pos": 1672465}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "When shall I forget it; or how is it possible that such a night should ever be forgotten?", "pos": 1673140}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "No; I shall never forget it. Oh dear, what wonderful things have happened since that! Do you ever think of Jeffrey?", "pos": 1673232}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "Yes;--of course I think of him. I did like him so much. I hope I shall see him some day.", "pos": 1673350}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "And he liked you too, young woman; and, what was more, young woman, I thought at one time that, perhaps, you were going to like him in earnest.", "pos": 1673441}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "Not in that way, certainly.", "pos": 1673587}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "You've done much better, of course; especially as poor Jeffrey's chance of promotion doesn't look so good now. If I have a boy, I wonder whether he'll hate me?", "pos": 1673617}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "Why should he hate you?", "pos": 1673779}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "I can't help it, you know, if he does. Only think what it is to Plantagenet. Have you seen the difference it makes in him already?", "pos": 1673805}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "Of course it makes a difference;--the greatest difference in the world.", "pos": 1673938}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "And think what it will be to me, Alice. I used to lie in bed and wish myself dead, and make up my mind to drown myself,--if I could only dare. I shan't think any more of that poor fellow now. Poor fellow! Nothing on earth will ever put him out, so you need not try, my dear,", "pos": 1674012}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "I know that, and therefore I shall never try.", "pos": 1674980}
{"speaker": "Mr. Palliser", "text": "There will be no vacancy either in the county or in the borough till Parliament meets.", "pos": 1675813}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "You can go to Rome and see everything and enjoy yourself, which I was not allowed to do; and all this noise and bother, and crowd of electioneering, will take place down in Barsetshire just when I am in the middle of all my trouble. He comes and bends over me on the sofa in the most stupendous way, as though a woman to be the mother of his heir must be a miracle in nature. He is quite awful when he says a word or two, and more awful in his silence. The devil prompted me the other day, and I said I hoped it would be a girl. There was a look came over his face which nearly frightened me. If it should be, I believe he will turn me out of the house; but how can I help it? I wish you were going to have a baby at the same time. Then, if yours was a boy and mine a girl, we'd make a change.", "pos": 1676402}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "Oh, I do so wish he would have a fit of the gout in London,--or at Timbuctoo,", "pos": 1678372}
{"speaker": "John Vavasor", "text": "The Duke has got an heir, born this morning!", "pos": 1678604}
{"speaker": "Mr. Palliser", "text": "Thank God! Lady Glencora and the boy Lady Glencora and the boy are quite as well as can be expected. Both the new writs were moved for last night.", "pos": 1678851}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "It is such a comfort that it is over,", "pos": 1680866}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "You are the most ungrateful of women.", "pos": 1680923}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "Oh, Alice,--if you could have known! Your baby may come just as it pleases. You won't lie awake trembling how on earth you will bear your disgrace if one of the vile weaker sex should come to disturb the hopes of your lords and masters;--for I had two, which made it so much more terrible.", "pos": 1680963}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "I'm sure Mr. Palliser would not have said a word.", "pos": 1681255}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "No, he would have said nothing,--nor would the Duke. The Duke would simply have gone away instantly, and never have seen me again till the next chance comes,--if it ever does come. And Mr. Palliser would have been as gentle as a dove;--much more gentle than he is now, for men are rarely gentle in their triumph. But I should have known what they both thought and felt.", "pos": 1681307}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "It's all right now, dear.", "pos": 1681679}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "Yes, my bonny boy,--you have made it all right for me;--have you not? You have made everything right, my little man. But oh, Alice, if you had seen the Duke's long face through those three days; if you had heard the tones of the people's voices as they whispered about me; if you had encountered the oppressive cheerfulness of those two London doctors,--doctors are such bad actors,--you would have thought it impossible for any woman to live throughout. There's one comfort;--if my mannikin lives, I can't have another eldest. He looks like living;--don't he, Alice?", "pos": 1681707}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "What an immense place!", "pos": 1682809}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "Is it not? And it cost--oh, I can't tell you how much it cost. A hundred thousand pounds or more. Well;--that would be nothing, as the Duke no doubt had the money in his pocket to do what he liked with at the time. But the joke is, nobody ever thinks of living here. Who'd live in such a great, overgrown place such as this, if they could get a comfortable house like Matching? Do you remember Longroyston and the hot-water pipes? I always think of the poor Duchess when I come through here. Nobody ever lives here, or ever will. The Duke comes for one week in the year, and Plantagenet says he hates to do that. As for me, nothing on earth shall ever make me live here. I was completely in their power and couldn't help their bringing me here the other day;--because I had, as it were, disgraced myself.", "pos": 1682964}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "How disgraced yourself?", "pos": 1683771}
{"speaker": "Lady Glencora", "text": "In being so long, you know, before that gentleman was born. But they shan't play me the same trick again. I shall dare to assert myself, now. Come,--we must go away. There are some of the British public come to see one of the British sights. That's another pleasure here. One has to run about to avoid being caught by the visitors. The housekeeper tells me they always grumble because they are not allowed to go into my little room up-stairs.", "pos": 1683797}
{"speaker": "Mr. Palliser", "text": "I hope you'll like it,", "pos": 1685312}
{"speaker": "John Grey", "text": "I shall never like it as you do,", "pos": 1685354}
{"speaker": "Mr. Palliser", "text": "And why not;--why not?", "pos": 1685404}
{"speaker": "John Grey", "text": "In the first place, I have not begun it so young.", "pos": 1685429}
{"speaker": "Mr. Palliser", "text": "Any time before thirty-five is young enough.", "pos": 1685481}
{"speaker": "John Grey", "text": "For useful work, yes,--but hardly for enjoyment in the thing. And then I don't believe it all as you do. To you the British House of Commons is everything.", "pos": 1685528}
{"speaker": "Mr. Palliser", "text": "Yes;--everything, everything, everything. That and the Constitution are everything.", "pos": 1685686}
{"speaker": "John Grey", "text": "It is not so to me.", "pos": 1685819}
{"speaker": "Mr. Palliser", "text": "Ah, but it will be. If you really take to the work, and put yourself into harness, it will be so. You'll get to feel it as I do. The man who is counted by his colleagues as number one on the Treasury Bench in the English House of Commons, is the first of living men. That's my opinion. I don't know that I ever said it before; but that's my opinion.", "pos": 1685841}
{"speaker": "John Grey", "text": "And who is the second;--the purse-bearer to this great man?", "pos": 1686193}
{"speaker": "Mr. Palliser", "text": "I say nothing about the second. I don't know that there is any second. I wonder how we shall find Lady Glencora and the boy.", "pos": 1686255}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "And you are a Member of Parliament?", "pos": 1686518}
{"speaker": "John Grey", "text": "They tell me so, but I don't know whether I actually am one till I've taken the oaths.", "pos": 1686567}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "I am so happy. There's no position in the world so glorious!", "pos": 1686656}
{"speaker": "John Grey", "text": "It's a pity you are not Mr. Palliser's wife. That's just what he has been saying.", "pos": 1686719}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "Oh, John, I am so happy. It is so much more than I have deserved. I hope,--that is, I sometimes think--", "pos": 1686803}
{"speaker": "John Grey", "text": "Think what, dearest?", "pos": 1686909}
{"speaker": "Alice", "text": "I hope nothing that I have ever said has driven you to it.", "pos": 1686932}
{"speaker": "John Grey", "text": "I'd do more than that, dear, to make you happy, more than that, at least if it were in my power.", "pos": 1686993}