Chapter V

eandmouthwerewhatispolitelytermedofadeterminedcharacter,herpaleblueeyesslightlyprotruded.TenyearsofEastAnglianwindshadblownallthesoftnessfromherface,andtheirbitterfuryseemedtohavebleachedevenherhair.Onecouldnottellifthiswasbrownandhadlostitsrichness,orgoldfromwhichtheshimmerhadvanishedandtherootssprangfromthecraniumwithacuriousapartness,sothatMissLeyalwaysthoughthoweasyinhercaseitwouldbefortheRecordingAngeltonumberthehairs.Butnotwithstandingthehard,uncompromisingexteriorwhichsuggestedextremedetermination,MissGloverwassobashful,soabsurdlyself-conscious,astoblushateveryopportunityandinthepresenceofastrangertogothroughuttermiseryfrominabilitytothinkofasinglewordtosay.Atthesametimeshehadthetenderestofhearts,sympathetic,compassionatesheoverflowedwithloveandpityforherfellow-creatures.Shewasalsoexcessivelysentimental! “Andhowisyourbrother?”askedMissLey. Mr.GloverwastheVicarofLeanham,whichwasaboutamilefromCourtLeysontheTercanburyRoad,andforhimMissGloverhadkepthousesincehisappointmenttotheliving. “Oh,he’sverywell.Ofcoursehe’sratherworriedaboutthedissenters.Youknowthey’reputtingupanewchapelinLeanhamit’sperfectlydreadful.” “Mr.Craddockmentionedthefactatluncheon.” “Oh,washelunchingwithyou?Ididn’tknowyouknewhimwellenoughforthat.” “Isupposehe’sherenow,”saidMissLey“he’snotbeenintosaygood-bye.” MissGloverlookedatherwithsomewantofintelligence.ButitwasnottobeexpectedthatMissLeycouldexplainbeforemakingtheaffairagooddealmorecomplicated. “AndhowisBertha?”askedMissGlover,whoseconversationwaschieflyconcernedwithinquiriesaboutmutualacquaintance. “Oh,ofcourse,she’sintheseventhheavenofdelight.” “Oh!”saidMissGlover,notunderstandingatallwhatMissLeymeant. Shewassomewhatafraidoftheelderlady.EventhoughherbrotherCharlessaidhefearedshewasworldly,MissGlovercouldnotfailtorespectawomanwhohadlivedinLondonandonthecontinent,whohadmetDeanFarrarandseenMissMarieCorelli. “Ofcourse,”shesaid,“Berthaisyoung,andnaturallyhighspirited.” “Well,I’msure,Ihopeshe’llbehappy.” “Youmustbeveryanxiousaboutherfuture,MissLey.”MissGloverfoundherhostess’sobservationssimplycryptic,and,feelingfoolish,blushedafieryred. “Notatallshe’sherownmistress,andasable-bodiedandasreasonably-mindedasmostyoungwomen.But,ofcourse,it’sagreatrisk.” “I’mverysorry,MissLey,”saidthevicar’ssister,insuchdistressastogiveherfriendcertainqualmsofconscience,“butIreallydon’tunderstand.Whatisagreatrisk?” “Matrimony,mydear.” “IsBerthagoingtobemarried?Oh,dearMissLey,letmecongratulateyou.Howhappyandproudyoumustbe!” “MydearMissGlover,pleasekeepcalm.Andifyouwanttocongratulateanybody,congratulateBertha—notme.” “ButI’msoglad,MissLey.TothinkofdearBerthagettingmarriedCharleswillbesopleased.” “It’stoMr.EdwardCraddock,”drilysaidMissLey,interruptingthesetransports. “Oh!”MissGlover’sjawdroppedandshechangedcolourthen,recoveringherself:“Youdon’tsayso!” “Youseemsurprised,dearMissGlover,”saidtheelderlady,withathinsmile. “Iamsurprised.Ithoughttheyscarcelyknewoneanotherandbesides—“MissGloverstopped,withembarrassment. “Andbesideswhat?”inquiredMissLey,sharply. “Well,MissLey,ofcourseMr.CraddockisaverygoodyoungmanandIlikehim,butIshouldn’thavethoughthimasuitablematchforBertha.” “Itdependsuponwhatyoumeanbyasuitablematch.” “IwasalwayshopingBerthawouldmarryyoungMr.BrandertonoftheTowers.” “Hm!”saidMissLey,whodidnotliketheneighboringsquire’smother,“Idon’tknowwhatMr.Brandertonhastorecommendhimbeyondthepossessionoffourorfivegenerationsofparticularlystupidancestorsandtwoorthreethousandacreswhichhecanneitherletnorsell.” “OfcourseMr.Craddockisaveryworthyyoungman,”addedMissGlover,whowasafraidshehadsaidtoomuch.“Ifyouapproveofthematchnooneelsecancomplain.” “Idon’tapproveofthematch,MissGlover,butI’mnotsuchafoolastoopposeit.Marriageisalwaysahopelessidiocyforawomanwhohasenoughmoneyofherowntoliveupon.” “It’saninstitutionoftheChurch,M