MIDDLEMARCH (Completed)

Chapter 49

A task too strong for wizard spells

This squire had brought about;

'T is easy dropping stones in wells,

But who shall get them out?"

"I wish to God we could hinder Dorothea from knowing this," said Sir

James Chettam, with a little frown on his brow, and an expression

of intense disgust about his mouth.

He was standing on the hearth-rug in the library at Lowick Grange,

and speaking to Mr. Brooke. It was the day after Mr. Casaubon had

been buried, and Dorothea was not yet able to leave her room.

"That would be difficult, you know, Chettam, as she is an executrix,

and she likes to go into these things--property, land, that kind

of thing. She has her notions, you know," said Mr. Brooke,

sticking his eye-glasses on nervously, and exploring the edges of a

folded paper which he held in his hand; "and she would like to act--

depend upon it, as an executrix Dorothea would want to act. And she

was twenty-one last December, you know. I can hinder nothing."

Sir James looked at the carpet for a minute in silence, and then

lifting his eyes suddenly fixed them on Mr. Brooke, saying, "I will

tell you what we can do. Until Dorothea is well, all business must

be kept from her, and as soon as she is able to be moved she must

come to us. Being with Celia and the baby will be the best thing

in the world for her, and will pass away the time. And meanwhile you

must get rid of Ladislaw: you must send him out of the country."

Here Sir James's look of disgust returned in all its intensity.

Mr. Brooke put his hands behind him, walked to the window

and straightened his back with a little shake before he replied.

"That is easily said, Chettam, easily said, you know."

"My dear sir," persisted Sir James, restraining his indignation

within respectful forms, "it was you who brought him here, and you

who keep him here--I mean by the occupation you give him."

"Yes, but I can't dismiss him in an instant without assigning reasons,

my dear Chettam. Ladislaw has been invaluable, most satisfactory.

I consider that I have done this part of the country a service by

bringing him--by bringing him, you know." Mr. Brooke ended with a nod,

turning round to give it.

"It's a pity this part of the country didn't do without him,

that's all I have to say about it. At any rate, as Dorothea's

brother-in-law, I feel warranted in objecting strongly to his being

kept here by any action on the part of her friends. You admit,

I hope, that I have a right to speak about what concerns the dignity