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looked inquiringly at Arthur； but his disclaiming indifferent
answer confirmed the thought which had quickly followed—that
there could be nothing serious in that direction。 There was no
probability that Arthur ever saw her except at church； and at her
own home under the eye of Mrs。 Poyser； and the hint he had given
Arthur about her the other day had no more serious meaning than
to prevent him from noticing her so as to rouse the little chit’s
vanity； and in this way perturb the rustic drama of her life。 Arthur
would soon join his regiment； and be far away： no； there could be
no danger in that quarter； even if Arthur’s character had not been
a strong security against it。 His honest； patronising pride in the
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good…will and respect of everybody about him was a safeguard
even against foolish romance； still more against a lower kind of
folly。 If there had been anything special on Arthur’s mind in the
previous conversation； it was clear he was not inclined to enter
into details； and Mr。 Irwine was too delicate to imply even a
friendly curiosity。 He perceived a change of subject would be
welcome； and said—
“By the way； Arthur； at your colonel’s birthday fête there were
some transparencies that made a great effect in honour of
Britannia； and Pitt； and the Loamshire Militia； and； above all； the
‘generous youth；’ the hero of the day。 Don’t you think you should
get up something of the same sort to astonish our weak minds？”
The opportunity was gone。 While Arthur was hesitating； the
rope to which he might have clung had drifted away—he must
trust now to his own swimming。
In ten minutes from that time； Mr。 Irwine was called for on
business； and Arthur； bidding him good…bye； mounted his horse
again with a sense of dissatisfaction； which he tried to quell by
determining to set off for Eagledale without an hour’s delay。
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Book Second
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Chapter XVII
In Which the Story Pauses a Little
his Rector of Broxton is little better than a pagan！” I
hear one of my readers exclaim。 “How much more
“T
edifying it would have been if you had made him give
Arthur some truly spiritual advice！ You might have put into his
mouth the most beautiful things—quite as good as reading a
sermon。”
Certainly I could； if I held it the highest vocation of the novelist
to represent things as they never have been and never will be。
Then； of course； I might refashion life and character entirely after
my own liking； I might select the most unexceptionable type of
clergyman and put my own admirable opinions into his mouth on
all occasions。 But it happens； on the contrary； that my strongest
effort is to avoid any such arbitrary picture； and to give a faithful
account of men and things as they have mirrored themselves in
my mind。 The mirror is doubtless defective； the outlines will
sometimes be disturbed； the reflection faint or confused； but I feel
as much bound to tell you as precisely as I can what that reflection
is； as if I were in the witness…box； narrating my experience on
oath。
Sixty years ago—it is a long time； so no wonder things have
changed—all clergymen were not zealous； indeed； there is reason
to believe that the number of zealous clergymen was small； and it
is probable that if one among the small minority had owned the
livings of Broxton and Hayslope in the year 1799； you would have
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liked him no better than you like Mr。 Irwine。 Ten to one； you
would have thought him a tasteless； indiscreet； methodistical man。
It is so very rarely that facts hit that nice medium required by our
own enlightened opinions and refined taste！ Perhaps you will say；
“Do improve the facts a little； then； make them more accordant
with those correct views which it is our privilege to possess。 The
world is not just what we like； do touch it up with a tasteful pencil；
and make believe it is not quite such a mixed entangled affair。 Let
all people who hold unexceptionable opinions act
unexceptionably。 Let your most faulty characters always be on the
wrong side； and your virtuous ones on the right。 Then we shall see
at a glance whom we are to condemn and whom we are to
approve。 Then we shall be able to admire； without the slightest
disturbance of our prepossessions： we shall hate and despise with
that true ruminant relish which belongs to undoubting
confidence。”
But； my good friend； what will you do then with your fellow…
parishioner who opposes your husband in the vestry？ With your
newly appointed vicar； whose style of preaching you find painfully
below that of his regretted predecessor？ With the honest servant
who worries your soul with her one failing？ With your neighbour；
Mrs。 Green； who was really kind to you in your last illness； but has
said several ill…natured things about you since your
convalescence？ Nay； with your excellent husband himself； who
has other irritating habits besides that of not wiping his shoes？
These fellow…mortals； every one； must be accepted as they are： you
can neither straighten their noses； nor brighten their wit； nor
rectify their dispositions； and it is these people—amongst whom
your lif