CHAPTER XX

eendetected.ButherchiefstrengthlayinSotherton.HergreatestsupportandglorywasinhavingformedtheconnexionwiththeRushworths.Thereshewasimpregnable.ShetooktoherselfallthecreditofbringingMr.Rushworth’sadmirationofMariatoanyeffect.“IfIhadnotbeenactive,”saidshe,“andmadeapointofbeingintroducedtohismother,andthenprevailedonmysistertopaythefirstvisit,IamascertainasIsitherethatnothingwouldhavecomeofitforMr.Rushworthisthesortofamiablemodestyoungmanwhowantsagreatdealofencouragement,andthereweregirlsenoughonthecatchforhimifwehadbeenidle.ButIleftnostoneunturned.Iwasreadytomoveheavenandearthtopersuademysister,andatlastIdidpersuadeher.YouknowthedistancetoSothertonitwasinthemiddleofwinter,andtheroadsalmostimpassable,butIdidpersuadeher.” “Iknowhowgreat,howjustlygreat,yourinfluenceiswithLadyBertramandherchildren,andamthemoreconcernedthatitshouldnothavebeen—” “MydearSirThomas,ifyouhadseenthestateoftheroadsthatday!Ithoughtweshouldneverhavegotthroughthem,thoughwehadthefourhorsesofcourseandpooroldcoachmanwouldattendus,outofhisgreatloveandkindness,thoughhewashardlyabletosittheboxonaccountoftherheumatismwhichIhadbeendoctoringhimforeversinceMichaelmas.Icuredhimatlastbuthewasverybadallthewinter—andthiswassuchaday,Icouldnothelpgoingtohimupinhisroombeforewesetofftoadvisehimnottoventure:hewasputtingonhiswigsoIsaid,‘Coachman,youhadmuchbetternotgoyourLadyandIshallbeverysafeyouknowhowsteadyStephenis,andCharleshasbeenupontheleaderssooftennow,thatIamsurethereisnofear.’But,however,Isoonfounditwouldnotdohewasbentupongoing,andasIhatetobeworryingandofficious,Isaidnomorebutmyheartquiteachedforhimateveryjolt,andwhenwegotintotheroughlanesaboutStoke,where,whatwithfrostandsnowuponbedsofstones,itwasworsethananythingyoucanimagine,Iwasquiteinanagonyabouthim.Andthenthepoorhorsestoo!Toseethemstrainingaway!YouknowhowIalwaysfeelforthehorses.AndwhenwegottothebottomofSandcroftHill,whatdoyouthinkIdid?YouwilllaughatmebutIgotoutandwalkedup.Ididindeed.Itmightnotbesavingthemmuch,butitwassomething,andIcouldnotbeartositatmyeaseandbedraggedupattheexpenseofthosenobleanimals.Icaughtadreadfulcold,butthatIdidnotregard.Myobjectwasaccomplishedinthevisit.” “Ihopeweshallalwaysthinktheacquaintanceworthanytroublethatmightbetakentoestablishit.ThereisnothingverystrikinginMr.Rushworth’smanners,butIwaspleasedlastnightwithwhatappearedtobehisopinionononesubject:hisdecidedpreferenceofaquietfamilypartytothebustleandconfusionofacting.Heseemedtofeelexactlyasonecouldwish.” “Yes,indeed,andthemoreyouknowofhimthebetteryouwilllikehim.Heisnotashiningcharacter,buthehasathousandgoodqualitiesandissodisposedtolookuptoyou,thatIamquitelaughedataboutit,foreverybodycons