Chapter III

eresheknewnoone,andcouldescapetheover-brimmingofotherpeople’shearts.EveninsummerMissLeycouldnotseeaholly-treewithoutalittleshiverofdisgusthermindwentimmediatelytothedecorationsofmiddle-classhouses,themistletoehangingfromagas-chandelier,andthefoolisholdgentlemenwhofoundamusementinkissingstrayfemales.ShewasgladthatBerthahadthoughtfittorefusethedisplayofenthusiasmfromservantsandimpoverishedtenants,which,ontheattainmentofhermajority,herguardianhadwishedtoarrange.MissLeycouldimaginethatthefestivitiespossibleonsuchanoccasion,thehandshaking,themakingofgoodcheer,andtheobtrusivejovialityofthecountryEnglishman,mightsurpasseventhetawdryrejoicingsofYule-tide.ButBerthafortunatelydetestedsuchthingsassincerelyasdidMissLeyherself,andsuggestedtothepersonsconcernedthattheycouldnotobligehermorethanbytakingnonoticeofaneventwhichreallydidnottoherseemverysignificant. ButDr.Ramsay’sheartinesscouldnotbeentirelyrestrainedandhehadalsoafineoldEnglishsenseofthefitnessofthings,thatpassiontoactinacertainmannermerelybecauseintimespastpeoplehavealwayssoacted.HeinsistedonsolemnlymeetingBerthatooffercongratulations,ablessing,andsomestatementofhisstewardship. BerthacamedownstairswhenMissLeywasalreadyeatingbreakfast—averyfemininemeal,consistingofnothingmoresubstantialthanasquareinchofbaconandamorselofdrytoast.MissLeywasreallysomewhatnervous,shewasbotheredbythenecessityofreferringtoBertha’snatalday. “Thatisoneadvantageofwomen,”shetoldherself,“aftertwenty-fivetheyglossovertheirbirthdayslikeimproprieties.Amanissoimpressedwithhisclevernessinhavingenteredtheworldatallthattheanniversaryalwaysinterestshimandthefoolishcreaturethinksitinterestsotherpeopleaswell.” ButBerthacameintotheroomandkissedher. “Goodmorning,dear,”saidMissLey,andthen,pouringoutherniece’scoffee,“ourestimablecookhasburntthemilkinhonourofyourmajorityItrustshewillnotcelebratetheoccasionbygettingdrunk—atallevents,tillafterdinner.” “IhopeDr.Ramsaywon’tenthusetoovigorously,”repliedBertha,understandingMissLey’sfeeling. “Oh,mydear,Itrembleattheprospectofhisjollity.He’sagoodman.Ishouldthinkhisprincipleswereexcellent,andIdon’tsupposehe’smoreignorantthanmostgeneralpractitionersbuthisfriendlinessissometimespainfullyaggressive.” ButBertha’scalmwasmerelyexternal,herbrainwasinawhirl,andherheartbeatwithexcitement.Shewasfullofimpatiencetodeclarehernews.Berthahadsomesenseofdramaticeffectandlookedforwardalittletothescenewhen,thekeysofherkingdombeinghandedtoher,shemadetheannouncementthatshehadalreadychosenakingtorulebyherside.ShefeltalsothatbetweenherselfandMissLeyalonethenecessaryexplanationswouldbeawkward.Dr.Ramsay’soutspokenbluffnessmadehimeasiertodealwiththereisalwaysadifficultyinconductingoneselfwithapersonwhoostentatiouslybelievesthateveryoneshouldmindhisownbusinessandwho,whateverherthoughts,takesmorepleasureintheconcealmentthanintheexpressionthereof.BerthasentanotetoCraddock,tellinghimtocomeatthreeo’clocktobeintroducedasthefuturelordandmasterofCourtLeys. Dr.Ramsayarrivedandburstatonceintoaprodigiousstreamofcongratulation,partlyjocose,partlygraveandsentimental,butentirelydistastefultothefastidiousnessofMissLey.Bertha’sguardianwasabig,broad-shoulderedman,withamaneoffairhair,nowturningwhiteMissLeyvowedhe