Chapter VI

ttleglass,andshereallyseemeddelighted.AmonthagooppositionwouldhavemadeBerthatraverseseasandscaleprecipicesratherthanabandonanideathatshehadgotintoherhead.Verily,loveisaprestidigitatorwhocanchangethelionintothelambaseasilyasahandkerchiefintoaflower-pot!MissLeybegantoadmireEdwardCraddock. He,onhiswayhomeafterleavingBertha,wasmetbytheVicarofLeanham.Mr.Gloverwasatallman,angular,fair,thinandred-cheeked—asomewhatfeminineeditionofhissister,butsmellinginthemostremarkablefashionofantisepticsMissLeyvowedhepepperedhisclotheswithiodoform,andbatheddailyincarbolicacid.Hewasstrenuousandcharitable,hatedaDissenter,andwasoverforty. “Ah,Craddock,Iwantedtoseeyou.” “Notaboutthebanns,Vicar,isit?We’regoingtobemarriedbyspeciallicense.” Likemanycountrymen,Edwardsawsomethingfunnyintheclergy—oneshouldnotgrudgeitthem,foritistheonlyjestintheirlives—andhewasgiventotreatingtheparsonwithmorehumourthanheusedintheotheraffairsofthisworld.TheVicarlaugheditisoneofthebesttraitsofthecountryclergythattheyarewillingtobeamusedwiththeirparishioners’jocosity. “Themarriageisallsettledthen?You’reaveryluckyyoungman.” CraddockputhisarmthroughMr.Glover’swiththeunconsciousfriendlinessthathadgainedhimanhundredfriends.“Yes,Iamlucky,”hesaid.“IknowyoupeoplethinkitratherqueerthatBerthaandIshouldgetmarried,butwe’reverymuchattachedtooneanother,andImeantodomybestbyher.YouknowI’veneverracketedabout,Vicar,don’tyou?” “Yes,myboy,”saidtheVicar,touchedatEdward’sconfidence.“Everyoneknowsyou’resteadyenough.” “Ofcourse,shecouldhavefoundmenofmuchbettersocialpositionthanmine—butI’lltrytomakeherhappy.AndI’vegotnothingtohidefromherassomemenhaveIgotoheralmostasstraightasshecomestome.” “Thatisaveryfortunatethingtobeabletosay.” “Ihaveneverlovedanotherwomaninmylife,andasfortherest—well,ofcourse,I’myoungandI’vebeenuptotownsometimesbutIalwayshatedandloathedit.Andthecountryandthehardworkkeeponeprettyclearofanythingnasty.” “I’mverygladtohearyousaythat,”answeredMr.Glover.“Ihopeyou’llbehappy,andIthinkyouwill.” TheVicarfeltaslightprickingofconscience,foratfirsthissisterandhimselfhadcalledthematchamésalliance(theypronouncedthewordvilely),andnottilltheylearneditwasinevitabledidtheybegintoseethattheirattitudewasalittlewantingincharity.Thetwomenshookhands. “Ihopeyoudon’tmindmespittingoutthesethingstoyou,Vicar.Isupposeit’syourbusinessinasortofway.I’vewantedtotellMissLeysomethingofthekindbutsomehoworotherIcannevergetanopportunity.”