MIDDLEMARCH (Completed)

Chapter 4

1st Gent. Our deeds are fetters that we forge ourselves.

2d Gent. Ay, truly: but I think it is the world

That brings the iron.

"Sir James seems determined to do everything you wish," said Celia,

as they were driving home from an inspection of the new building-site.

"He is a good creature, and more sensible than any one would imagine,"

said Dorothea, inconsiderately.

"You mean that he appears silly."

"No, no," said Dorothea, recollecting herself, and laying her hand

on her sister's a moment, "but he does not talk equally well on

all subjects."

"I should think none but disagreeable people do," said Celia,

in her usual purring way. "They must be very dreadful to live with.

Only think! at breakfast, and always."

Dorothea laughed. "O Kitty, you are a wonderful creature!"

She pinched Celia's chin, being in the mood now to think her

very winning and lovely--fit hereafter to be an eternal cherub,

and if it were not doctrinally wrong to say so, hardly more in need

of salvation than a squirrel. "Of course people need not be always

talking well. Only one tells the quality of their minds when they

try to talk well."

"You mean that Sir James tries and fails."

"I was speaking generally. Why do you catechise me about Sir

James? It is not the object of his life to please me."

"Now, Dodo, can you really believe that?"

"Certainly. He thinks of me as a future sister--that is all."

Dorothea had never hinted this before, waiting, from a certain

shyness on such subjects which was mutual between the sisters,

until it should be introduced by some decisive event. Celia blushed,

but said at once--

"Pray do not make that mistake any longer, Dodo. When Tantripp

was brushing my hair the other day, she said that Sir James's man

knew from Mrs. Cadwallader's maid that Sir James was to marry

the eldest Miss Brooke."

"How can you let Tantripp talk such gossip to you, Celia?"

said Dorothea, indignantly, not the less angry because details asleep

in her memory were now awakened to confirm the unwelcome revelation.

"You must have asked her questions. It is degrading."

"I see no harm at all in Tantripp's talking to me. It is better

to hear what people say. You see what mistakes you make by taking

up notions. I am quite sure that Sir James means to make you an offer;

and he believes that you will accept him, especially since you