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Yet Caroline refused tamely to succumb. She had native strength in her girl's heart, and she used it. Men and women never struggle so hard as when they struggle alone, without witness, counsellor, or confidant, unencouraged, unadvised, and unpitied.
Miss Helstone was in this position. Her sufferings were her only spur,... | Yet Caroline refused tamely to succumb. She had strength in her girl's heart; and men and women never struggle so hard as when they struggle alone, unadvised and unpitied.
Caroline's sufferings were her only spur, and being very real and sharp, they roused her spirit keenly. Bent on victory over a mortal pain, she did ... | Shirley | Chapter 11: FIELDHEAD |
The evening was pitch dark: star and moon were quenched in gray rain-clouds--gray they would have been by day; by night they looked sable. Malone was not a man given to close observation of nature; her changes passed, for the most part, unnoticed by him. He could walk miles on the most varying April day and never see t... | The evening was pitch dark: star and moon were quenched in black rain-clouds. Malone was not an observer of nature; he could walk miles and never notice when a sunbeam kissed the hill-tops, or when a shower wept over them. He did not, therefore, observe the black vault of the sky, with the furnaces of Stilbro' ironwork... | Shirley | Chapter 2: THE WAGONS |
Mademoiselle Moore had that morning a somewhat absent-minded pupil. Caroline forgot, again and again, the explanations which were given to her. However, she still bore with unclouded mood the chidings her inattention brought upon her. Sitting in the sunshine near the window, she seemed to receive with its warmth a kind... | Mademoiselle Moore had that morning a somewhat absent-minded pupil. Caroline forgot, again and again, the explanations which were given to her. However, she bore her teacher's chidings cheerfully. Sitting in the sunshine near the window, she felt both happy and good; and looked at her best.
She was fair to look upon. H... | Shirley | Chapter 6: CORIOLANUS |
Yes, reader, we must settle accounts now. I have only briefly to narrate the final fates of some of the personages whose acquaintance we have made in this narrative, and then you and I must shake hands, and for the present separate.
Let us turn to the curates--to the much-loved, though long-neglected. Come forward, mod... | Yes, reader, we must settle accounts now. I have only briefly to narrate the final fates of some of the people we have met, and then you and I must shake hands, and for the present separate.
Let us turn to the curates - much-loved, though long-neglected. Come forward, modest merit! Malone, I see, promptly answers.
No, ... | Shirley | Chapter 37: THE WINDING-UP |
Not on combat bent, nor of foemen in search, was this priest-led and woman-officered company; yet their music played martial tunes, and, to judge by the eyes and carriage of some--Miss Keeldar, for instance--these sounds awoke, if not a martial, yet a longing spirit. Old Helstone, turning by chance, looked into her fac... | The bands played martial tunes, and in some - Miss Keeldar, for instance - these sounds awoke, if not a martial, yet a longing spirit. Old Helstone, turning, looked at her; and they both laughed.
"There is no battle in prospect," he said; "No foe is threatening our liberty. We are only taking a walk. Keep your hand on ... | Shirley | Chapter 17: THE SCHOOL FEAST |
Briarmains being nearer than the Hollow, Mr. Yorke had conveyed his young comrade there. He had seen him laid in the best bed of the house, as carefully as if he had been one of his own sons. The sight of his blood, welling from the treacherously inflicted wound, made him indeed the son of the Yorkshire gentleman's hea... | His own house, Briarmains, being nearer than the Hollow, Mr. Yorke had conveyed Robert Moore there. He had seen him laid in the best bed, as carefully as if he had been one of his own sons. The sight of Moore's welling blood, the spectacle of the fine head suddenly laid low in the dust, made him indeed the son of the Y... | Shirley | Chapter 32: THE SCHOOLBOY AND THE WOOD-NYMPH |
Miss Keeldar and her uncle had characters that would not harmonize, that never had harmonized. He was irritable, and she was spirited. He was despotic, and she liked freedom. He was worldly, and she, perhaps, romantic.
Not without purpose had he come down to Yorkshire. His mission was clear, and he intended to discharg... | Miss Keeldar and her uncle had characters that would not harmonize. He was irritable, and she was spirited. He was despotic, and she liked freedom. He was worldly, and she, perhaps, romantic.
He had come down to Yorkshire with a purpose. He anxiously desired to have his niece married, to match her with a suitable husba... | Shirley | Chapter 27: THE FIRST BLUESTOCKING |
Shirley probably got on pleasantly with Sir Philip that evening, for the next morning she came down in one of her best moods.
"Who will take a walk with me?" she asked, after breakfast. "Isabella and Gertrude, will you?"
So rare was such an invitation from Miss Keeldar to her female cousins that they hesitated before t... | Shirley probably got on pleasantly with Sir Philip that evening, for the next morning she came down in one of her best moods.
"Isabella and Gertrude, will you take a walk with me?" she asked after breakfast. So rare was such an invitation from Miss Keeldar that the cousins hesitated before they fetched their bonnets.
I... | Shirley | Chapter 28: PHOEBE |
Cheerfulness, it would appear, is a matter which depends fully as much on the state of things within as on the state of things without and around us. I make this trite remark, because I happen to know that Messrs. Helstone and Moore trotted forth from the mill-yard gates, at the head of their very small company, in the... | Messrs. Helstone and Moore trotted forth from the mill-yard gates, at the head of their small company, in the best possible spirits. The lantern showed a lively spark dancing in Moore's eyes; while the rector's face was shining with glee. If any the crew who had been at work on Stilbro' Moor had seen them, they would h... | Shirley | Chapter 3: MR. YORKE |
By the time the Fieldhead party returned to Briarfield Caroline was nearly well. Miss Keeldar, who had received news by post of her friend's convalescence, hardly suffered an hour to elapse between her arrival at home and her first call at the rectory.
A shower of rain was falling gently, yet fast, on the late flowers ... | By the time the Fieldhead party returned to Briarfield, Caroline was nearly well. As soon as Miss Keeldar arrived home she called at the rectory.
A shower of rain was falling on the late flowers when the garden wicket was heard to swing open, and Shirley passed the window. On her entrance she showed her feelings in her... | Shirley | Chapter 26: OLD COPY-BOOKS |
Martin had planned well. He had laid out a dexterously concerted scheme for his private amusement. But older and wiser schemers than he are often doomed to see their finest-spun projects swept to annihilation by the sudden broom of Fate, that fell housewife whose red arm none can control. In the present instance this b... | Martin had planned well. But older and wiser schemers than he are often doomed to see their finest-spun projects swept to annihilation by the sudden broom of Fate. In this instance, the broom was made out of the tough fibres of Moore's own stubborn purpose. Moore was now resuming his strength, and making strange headwa... | Shirley | Chapter 35: WHEREIN MATTERS MAKE SOME PROGRESS, BUT NOT MUCH |
Time wore on, and spring matured. The surface of England began to look pleasant: her fields grew green, her hills fresh, her gardens blooming; but at heart she was no better. Still her poor were wretched, still their employers were harassed. Commerce, in some of its branches, seemed threatened with paralysis, for the w... | Spring matured, and the surface of England began to look pleasant: her fields grew green, her gardens bloomed; but at heart she was no better. Still her poor were wretched, still their employers were harassed. Commerce seemed threatened with paralysis, for the war continued; England's blood was shed and her wealth lavi... | Shirley | Chapter 10: OLD MAIDS |
Martin, having known the taste of excitement, wanted a second draught; having felt the dignity of power, he loathed to relinquish it. Miss Helstone--that girl he had always called ugly, and whose face was now perpetually before his eyes, by day and by night, in dark and in sunshine--had once come within his sphere. It ... | Martin, having tasted excitement and power, wanted more. Miss Helstone - that girl he had always called ugly, and whose face was now perpetually before him - had come within his sphere. It fretted him to think the visit might never be repeated.
Martin was no ordinary schoolboy; he was destined to grow up an original. A... | Shirley | Chapter 34: CASE OF DOMESTIC PERSECUTION - REMARKABLE INSTANCE OF PIOUS PERSEVERANCE IN THE DISCHARGE OF RELIGIOUS DUTIES |
Shirley showed she had been sincere in saying she should be glad of Caroline's society, by frequently seeking it; and, indeed, if she had not sought it, she would not have had it, for Miss Helstone was slow to make fresh acquaintance. She was always held back by the idea that people could not want her, that she could n... | Shirley showed she had been sincere in saying she should be glad of Caroline's society, by frequently seeking it. Indeed, if she had not sought it, she would not have had it, for Miss Helstone was slow to make friends. She was always held back by the idea that people could not want her, that she could not amuse them; a... | Shirley | Chapter 12: SHIRLEY AND CAROLINE |
While Shirley was talking with Moore, Caroline rejoined Mrs. Pryor upstairs. She found that lady deeply depressed. She would not say that Miss Keeldar's hastiness had hurt her feelings, but it was evident an inward wound galled her. To any but a congenial nature she would have seemed insensible to the quiet, tender att... | While Shirley was talking with Moore, Caroline rejoined Mrs. Pryor upstairs. She found that lady deeply depressed. Miss Helstone tried to comfort her, knowing that although Mrs. Pryor looked unmoved by her quiet, tender attentions, she valued them.
"I am deficient in self-confidence and decision," said Mrs. Pryor. "I a... | Shirley | Chapter 21: MRS. PRYOR |
One fine summer day that Caroline had spent entirely alone (her uncle being at Whinbury), and whose long, bright, noiseless, breezeless, cloudless hours (how many they seemed since sunrise!) had been to her as desolate as if they had gone over her head in the shadowless and trackless wastes of Sahara, instead of in the... | One fine summer day that Caroline had spent entirely alone (her uncle being at Whinbury), and whose long, bright, cloudless hours had been to her as desolate as if they had been spent in the shadowless wastes of the Sahara, she was sitting in the alcove, sewing, her brain working restlessly - when Fanny came to the doo... | Shirley | Chapter 23: AN EVENING OUT |
Louis Moore was used to a quiet life. Being a quiet man, he endured it better than most men would. Having a large world of his own in his own head and heart, he tolerated confinement to a small, still corner of the real world very patiently.
How hushed is Fieldhead this evening! All but Moore--Miss Keeldar, the whole f... | Louis Moore was used to a quiet life. Having a large world in his own head and heart, he tolerated confinement to a small, still corner of the real world very patiently.
How hushed is Fieldhead this evening! All but Moore are gone to Nunnely. Sir Philip wished them to meet his mother and sisters, who are now at the pri... | Shirley | Chapter 29: LOUIS MOORE |
Moore's good spirits were still with him when he rose next morning. He and Joe Scott had both spent the night in the mill, availing themselves of certain sleeping accommodations producible from recesses in the front and back counting-houses. The master, always an early riser, was up somewhat sooner even than usual. He ... | Moore was still in good spirits when he rose next morning. He and Joe Scott had spent the night in the mill, on camp-beds kept in the counting-houses. The master was up early, and awoke his man by singing a French song as he dressed.
"Get up, Joseph, and we'll walk through the mill before the hands come in, and I'll ex... | Shirley | Chapter 5: HOLLOW'S COTTAGE |
Messrs. Helstone and Sykes began to be extremely jocose and congratulatory with Mr. Moore when he returned to them after dismissing the deputation. He was so quiet, however, under their compliments upon his firmness, etc., and wore a countenance so like a still, dark day, equally beamless and breezeless, that the recto... | Messrs. Helstone and Sykes congratulated Mr. Moore when he returned to them. He was so quiet, however, and so still and grim, that the rector, after glancing shrewdly into his eyes, buttoned up his coat, and said to Sykes:
"Come, sir; your road and mine lie partly together. We'll bid Moore good-morning."
"Where is Sugd... | Shirley | Chapter 9: BRIARMAINS |
Roger Carbury said well that it was very improbable that he and his cousin, the widow, should agree in their opinions as to the expedience of fortune-hunting by marriage. It was impossible that they should ever understand each other. To Lady Carbury the prospect of a union between her son and Miss Melmotte was one of u... | On the subject of fortune-hunting by marriage, it was impossible that Roger and Lady Carbury should ever understand each other. To Lady Carbury the prospect of a union between her son and Miss Melmotte was one of joy and triumph. Even if her father were disgraced, the wealth would certainly carry the day.
But in fact M... | The Way We Live Now | Chapter 8: Love-Sick |
During all these days Miss Melmotte was by no means contented with her lover's prowess, though she would not allow herself to doubt his sincerity. She had not only assured him of her undying affection in the presence of her father and mother, had not only offered to be chopped in pieces on his behalf, but had also writ... | Meanwhile Miss Melmotte was not contented with her lover's prowess, though she did not doubt his sincerity. She had not only assured him of her undying affection, and had offered to be chopped in pieces on his behalf, but had also written telling him she had a large sum of her father's money within her power, and was w... | The Way We Live Now | Chapter 41: All Prepared |
Sir Felix as he walked down to his club felt that he had been checkmated,--and was at the same time full of wrath at the insolence of the man who had so easily beaten him out of the field. As far as he could see, the game was over. No doubt he might marry Marie Melmotte. The father had told him so much himself, and he ... | Sir Felix felt that he had been checkmated - and was at the same time full of wrath at Melmotte's insolence. As far as he could see, the game was over. No doubt he might marry Marie Melmotte. She was in love with him, which was natural; and was a fool, which was perhaps also natural. But Melmotte would not forgive his ... | The Way We Live Now | Chapter 24: Miles Grendall's Triumph |
Poor Hetta passed a very bad night. The story she had heard seemed to be almost too awful to be true,--even about any one else. The man had come to her, and had asked her to be his wife,--and yet at that very moment was living in habits of daily intercourse with another woman whom he had promised to marry! And then, to... | Poor Hetta passed a very bad night. Paul's courtship had been so graceful, so soft, so modest, and so long continued! The whole state of his mind had, she had thought, been visible to her - gentle and affectionate. He had been aware of her friends' feeling, and had therefore hesitated to declare himself. And yet his lo... | The Way We Live Now | Chapter 68: Miss Melmotte Declares her Purpose |
During the last six weeks Lady Carbury had lived a life of very mixed depression and elevation. Her great work had come out,--the "Criminal Queens,"--and had been very widely reviewed. In this matter it had been by no means all pleasure, in as much as many very hard words had been said of her. In spite of the dear frie... | During the last six weeks Lady Carbury had lived a life of mixed depression and elevation. Her "Criminal Queens" had come out, and had been widely reviewed. However, many hard words had been said of her. In spite of the dear friendship between herself and Mr. Alf, one of Mr. Alf's most sharp-nailed subordinates had bee... | The Way We Live Now | Chapter 11: Lady Carbury at Home |
That evening Montague was surprised to receive at the Beargarden a note from Mr. Melmotte, which had been brought thither by a messenger from the city,--who had expected to have an immediate answer, as though Montague lived at the club.
"Dear Sir," said the letter,
If not inconvenient would you call on me in Grosvenor ... | That evening Montague was surprised to receive at the Beargarden this note from Mr. Melmotte.
Dear Sir,
If convenient would you call on me in Grosvenor Square tomorrow, Sunday, at half past eleven. I want to have a few words with you in private about the Company. My messenger will wait for an answer if you are at the c... | The Way We Live Now | Chapter 40: "Unanimity is the very Soul of these Things" |
Melmotte had got back his daughter, and was half inclined to let the matter rest there. He would probably have done so had he not known that all his own household were aware that she had gone off to meet Sir Felix Carbury, and had he not also received the condolence of certain friends in the city. It seemed that about ... | Melmotte had got back his daughter, and was half inclined to let the matter rest there. He would probably have done so had it not become widely known that she had gone off to meet Sir Felix Carbury. Of course Lord Nidderdale would hear of it, and all the trouble that he had taken in that direction would be in vain. Stu... | The Way We Live Now | Chapter 53: A Day in the City |
The very greatness of Mr. Melmotte's popularity, the extent of the admiration which was accorded by the public at large to his commercial enterprise and financial sagacity, created a peculiar bitterness in the opposition that was organised against him at Westminster. As the high mountains are intersected by deep valley... | The very greatness of Mr. Melmotte's popularity created bitter opposition against him at Westminster. As the great man was praised, so also was he abused. From the moment he declared his purpose of standing for Westminster, an attempt was made to drive him down the throats of the electors by assertions of his commercia... | The Way We Live Now | Chapter 44: The Coming Election |
When Hetta Carbury received that letter from her lover which was given to the reader some chapters back, it certainly did not tend in any way to alleviate her misery. Even when she had read it over half-a-dozen times, she could not bring herself to think it possible that she could be reconciled to the man. It was not o... | When Hetta received the letter from Paul Montague, it did not alleviate her misery. Even when she had read it half-a-dozen times, she could not see how she could be reconciled to him.
It was not only that he had sinned against her by associating with another woman, at the very time at which he was becoming engaged to h... | The Way We Live Now | Chapter 90: Hetta's Sorrow |
Melmotte's success, and Melmotte's wealth, and Melmotte's antecedents were much discussed down in Suffolk at this time. He had been seen there in the flesh, and there is no believing like that which comes from sight. He had been staying at Caversham, and many in those parts knew that Miss Longestaffe was now living in ... | Melmotte's success, wealth, and history were much discussed in Suffolk at this time. He had stayed at Caversham, and many in those parts knew that Miss Longestaffe was now living in his house in London. The purchase of the Pickering estate had been noticed in the Suffolk newspapers, as had rumours of his past frauds. M... | The Way We Live Now | Chapter 55: Clerical Charities |
"This is so kind of you," said Lady Carbury, grasping her cousin's hand as she got out of the carriage.
"The kindness is on your part," said Roger.
"I felt so much before I dared to ask you to take us. But I did so long to get into the country, and I do so love Carbury. And--and--"
"Where should a Carbury go to escape ... | "This is so kind of you," said Lady Carbury, grasping her cousin's hand as she got out of the carriage. "I did so long to get into the country, and I do so love Carbury."
"Where should a Carbury go to escape from London smoke, but to the old house? I am afraid Henrietta will find it dull."
"Oh no," said Hetta, smiling.... | The Way We Live Now | Chapter 15: "You Should Remember that I am his Mother" |
"I don't think it quite nice, mamma; that's all. Of course if you have made up your mind to go, I must go with you."
"What on earth can be more natural than that you should go to your own cousin's house?"
"You know what I mean, mamma."
"It's done now, my dear, and I don't think there is anything at all in what you say.... | "I don't think it quite nice, mamma; that's all. Of course if you have made up your mind to go, I must go with you."
"What on earth can be more natural than going to your cousin's house?"
"You know what I mean, mamma."
"It's done now, my dear."
This little conversation arose when Lady Carbury announced her intention of... | The Way We Live Now | Chapter 14: Carbury Manor |
When Marie Melmotte assured Sir Felix Carbury that her father had already endowed her with a large fortune which could not be taken from her without her own consent, she spoke no more than the truth. She knew of the matter almost as little as it was possible that she should know. As far as reticence on the subject was ... | When Marie Melmotte assured Sir Felix Carbury that her father had already endowed her with a large fortune which could not be taken from her without her consent, she spoke the truth. She knew of the matter almost as little as it was possible that she should know. Melmotte had kept all the details from her. But it had b... | The Way We Live Now | Chapter 73: Marie's Fortune |
In the meantime Marie Melmotte was living with Madame Melmotte in their lodgings up at Hampstead, and was taking quite a new look out into the world. Fisker had become her devoted servant,--not with that old-fashioned service which meant making love, but with perhaps a truer devotion to her material interests. He had a... | In the meantime Marie Melmotte was living with Madame Melmotte in the Hampstead lodgings, and was taking quite a new look at the world. Fisker had become her devoted servant in terms of her material interests. He had proved that she was the undoubted owner of the money which her father had made over to her. She had now... | The Way We Live Now | Chapter 98: Marie Melmotte's Fate |
Lady Monogram retired from Mr. Melmotte's house in disgust as soon as she was able to escape; but we must return to it for a short time. When the guests were once in the drawing-room the immediate sense of failure passed away. The crowd never became so thick as had been anticipated. They who were knowing in such matter... | Lady Monogram retired from Mr. Melmotte's house in disgust as soon as she could escape; but we must return to it for a short time. Once the guests were in the drawing-room the sense of failure passed away. The crowd never became so thick as had been anticipated; but still the rooms were fairly full, and Mr. Melmotte co... | The Way We Live Now | Chapter 62: The Party |
About this time, a fortnight or nearly so before the election, Mr. Longestaffe came up to town and saw Mr. Melmotte very frequently. He could not go into his own house, as he had let that for a month to the great financier, nor had he any establishment in town; but he slept at an hotel and lived at the Carlton. He was ... | At this time, a fortnight before the election, Mr. Longestaffe came up to town and saw Mr. Melmotte very frequently. He could not go into his own house, as he had let that for a month to the great financier, but he lived at the Carlton. He was delighted to find that his new friend was an honest Conservative, and propos... | The Way We Live Now | Chapter 45: Mr. Melmotte is Pressed for Time |
Our poor old honest friend John Crumb was taken away to durance vile after his performance in the street with Sir Felix, and was locked up for the remainder of the night. This indignity did not sit so heavily on his spirits as it might have done on those of a quicker nature. He was aware that he had not killed the baro... | Our poor old honest friend John Crumb was taken away to the cells after his performance in the street with Sir Felix, and was locked up for the rest of the night. He was not downcast; for it was a great satisfaction to think that he had "served the young man right" in the presence of his Ruby. Although he was not vain,... | The Way We Live Now | Chapter 80: Ruby Prepares for Service |
On the following morning there came a telegram from Felix. He was to be expected at Beccles on that afternoon by a certain train; and Roger, at Lady Carbury's request, undertook to send a carriage to the station for him. This was done, but Felix did not arrive. There was still another train by which he might come so as... | On the following morning there came a telegram from Felix: he would be at Beccles that afternoon by a certain train. Roger sent a carriage to the station for him, but Felix did not arrive. There was another train by which he might come so as to be just in time for dinner; and Roger, with knitted brows, sent the carriag... | The Way We Live Now | Chapter 17: Marie Melmotte hears a Love Tale |
Very early the next morning, very early that is for London life, Melmotte was told by a servant that Mr. Croll had called and wanted to see him. Then it immediately became a question with him whether he wanted to see Croll. "Is it anything special?" he asked. The man thought that it was something special, as Croll had ... | Very early the next morning, Melmotte was told by a servant that Mr. Croll had called and wanted to see him. He was not sure whether he wanted to see Croll. He longed to know the servant's opinion of the clerk's manner, but he did not dare ask.
"See if he has breakfasted, and if not give him something in the study," he... | The Way We Live Now | Chapter 82: Marie's Perseverance |
When Sir Felix Carbury declared to his friends at the Beargarden that he intended to devote the next few months of his life to foreign travel, and that it was his purpose to take with him a Protestant divine,--as was much the habit with young men of rank and fortune some years since,--he was not altogether lying. There... | When Sir Felix Carbury declared to his friends at the Beargarden that he intended to travel abroad with a clergyman, he was, for once, not lying. He was indeed going to Germany for the next twelve months. The Bishop of London had recently decided that a small commercial town in north-eastern Prussia was in need of a mi... | The Way We Live Now | Chapter 99: Lady Carbury and Mr. Broune |
Lady Monogram, when she left Madame Melmotte's house after that entertainment of Imperial Majesty which had been to her of so very little avail, was not in a good humour. Sir Damask, who had himself affected to laugh at the whole thing, but who had been in truth as anxious as his wife to see the Emperor in private soci... | Lady Monogram, when she left Madame Melmotte's house after the Emperor's dinner, was not in a good humour. Sir Damask put her and Miss Longestaffe into the carriage without a word, and rushed off to his club in disgust. The affair from beginning to end, including the final failure, had been his wife's doing.
"They may ... | The Way We Live Now | Chapter 65: Miss Longstaffe Writes Home |
It was considered to be a great thing to catch the Roman Catholic vote in Westminster. For many years it has been considered a great thing both in the House and out of the House to "catch" Roman Catholic votes. There are two modes of catching these votes. This or that individual Roman Catholic may be promoted to place,... | It was considered to be a great thing to catch the Roman Catholic vote in Westminster. To catch the Protestant and the Roman Catholic vote at the same time is difficult; but it was attempted now by Mr. Melmotte and his friends.
It was perhaps thought that the Protestants would not notice the 100 given for the altar to ... | The Way We Live Now | Chapter 56: Father Barham Visits London |
Roger Carbury, of Carbury Hall, the owner of a small property in Suffolk, was the head of the Carbury family. The Carburys had been in Suffolk a great many years,--certainly from the time of the War of the Roses,--and had always held up their heads. But they had never held them very high. It was not known that any had ... | Roger Carbury, of Carbury Hall, a small property in Suffolk, was the head of the Carbury family. The Carburys had been in Suffolk a great many years - certainly since the War of the Roses - and had always held up their heads. But they had never held them very high. They had, however, been true to their acres and their ... | The Way We Live Now | Chapter 6: Roger Carbury and Paul Montague |
When Roger Carbury returned to Suffolk, after seeing his cousins in Welbeck Street, he was by no means contented with himself. That he should be discontented generally with the circumstances of his life was a matter of course. He knew that he was farther removed than ever from the object on which his whole mind was set... | When Roger Carbury returned to Suffolk after seeing his cousins in Welbeck Street, he was discontented with himself. He knew that he was farther removed than ever from the object on which his whole mind was set. If Hetta Carbury had learned about Paul's engagement with Mrs. Hurtle before she had confessed her love to P... | The Way We Live Now | Chapter 87: Down at Carbury |
Melmotte had been found dead on Friday morning, and late on the evening of the same day Madame Melmotte and Marie were removed to lodgings far away from the scene of the tragedy, up at Hampstead. Herr Croll had known of the place, and at Lord Nidderdale's instance had busied himself in the matter, and had seen that the... | Melmotte had been found dead on Friday morning, and late that evening Madame Melmotte and Marie were moved to lodgings far away up at Hampstead. Herr Croll had known of the place, and at Lord Nidderdale's request had seen that the rooms were instantly made ready. Nidderdale himself had helped them depart. They did not ... | The Way We Live Now | Chapter 88: The Inquest |
When the Melmottes went from Caversham the house was very desolate. The task of entertaining these people was indeed over, and had the return to London been fixed for a certain near day, there would have been comfort at any rate among the ladies of the family. But this was so far from being the case that the Thursday a... | When the Melmottes left Caversham the house was very desolate. The Longestaffe ladies would have been comforted if the date of their return to London had been fixed. But days passed, and dreadful fears began to fill the minds of Lady Pomona and Sophia Longestaffe. Georgiana was also impatient, but she asserted boldly t... | The Way We Live Now | Chapter 21: Everybody Goes to Them |
How eager Lady Carbury was that her son should at once go in form to Marie's father and make his proposition may be easily understood. "My dear Felix," she said, standing over his bedside a little before noon, "pray don't put it off; you don't know how many slips there may be between the cup and the lip."
"It's everyth... | Lady Carbury was eager that her son should go at once to Marie's father. "My dear Felix," she said, standing over his bedside just before noon, "pray don't put it off."
"I need to get him in a good humour," pleaded Sir Felix.
"But the young lady will feel that she is ill-used."
"There's no fear of that; she's all right... | The Way We Live Now | Chapter 23: "Yes - I'm a Baronet" |
Marie Melmotte, as she had promised, sat up all night, as did also the faithful Didon. I think that to Marie the night was full of pleasure,--or at any rate of pleasurable excitement. With her door locked, she packed and unpacked and repacked her treasures,--having more than once laid out on the bed the dress in which ... | Marie Melmotte, as she had promised, sat up all night with Didon. To Marie the night was full of pleasurable excitement. She unpacked and repacked her treasures, including her wedding dress, and asked Didon if she thought the dress would be fit for getting married on board ship. Didon thought that the dress would not m... | The Way We Live Now | Chapter 50: The Journey to Liverpool |
Mr. Adolphus Longestaffe, the squire of Caversham in Suffolk, and of Pickering Park in Sussex, was closeted on a certain morning for the best part of an hour with Mr. Melmotte in Abchurch Lane, had there discussed all his private affairs, and was about to leave the room with a very dissatisfied air. There are men,--and... | Mr. Adolphus Longestaffe senior, the squire of Caversham, and of Pickering Park in Sussex, was closeted one morning for an hour with Mr. Melmotte in Abchurch Lane. He had discussed all his private affairs, and was about to leave the room with a very dissatisfied air. Mr. Longestaffe had believed that if he could get Mr... | The Way We Live Now | Chapter 13: The Longestaffes |
Mr. Fisker was fully satisfied with the progress he had made, but he never quite succeeded in reconciling Paul Montague to the whole transaction. Mr. Melmotte was indeed so great a reality, such a fact in the commercial world of London, that it was no longer possible for such a one as Montague to refuse to believe in t... | Mr. Fisker was fully satisfied with his progress, but he never quite succeeded in reconciling Paul Montague to the transaction. Mr. Melmotte was indeed so great in the commercial world of London that Paul could no longer refuse to believe in the scheme. Melmotte had made close inquiries of San Francisco and Salt Lake C... | The Way We Live Now | Chapter 10: Mr. Fisker's Success |
When all her friends were gone Lady Carbury looked about for her son,--not expecting to find him, for she knew how punctual was his nightly attendance at the Beargarden, but still with some faint hope that he might have remained on this special occasion to tell her of his fortune. She had watched the whispering, had no... | When all her friends were gone Lady Carbury looked about for her son - expecting him to have gone to the Beargarden, but still with some faint hope that he might have remained to tell her of his fortune. She had watched the whispering, and without hearing the words she had almost known the very moment in which he was a... | The Way We Live Now | Chapter 12: Sir Felix in his Mother's House |
It is hoped that the reader need hardly be informed that Hetta Carbury was a very miserable young woman as soon as she decided that duty compelled her to divide herself altogether from Paul Montague. I think that she was irrational; but to her it seemed that the offence against herself,--the offence against her own dig... | Hetta Carbury was very miserable after she decided that she had to divide herself altogether from Paul Montague. I think that she was irrational; but to her it seemed that the offence against her dignity as a woman was too great to be forgiven. There can be no doubt that it would have been forgiven with the greatest ea... | The Way We Live Now | Chapter 84: Paul Montague's Vindication |
Sir Felix, when he promised to meet Ruby at the Music Hall on the Tuesday, was under an engagement to start with Marie Melmotte for New York on the Thursday following, and to go down to Liverpool on the Wednesday. There was no reason, he thought, why he should not enjoy himself to the last, and he would say a parting w... | Sir Felix was to start with Marie Melmotte for New York on the Thursday, and to go down to Liverpool on the Wednesday. There was no reason, he thought, why he should not enjoy himself to the last by seeing Ruby. The details of his journey had been settled between him and Marie, with help from Didon, in the garden of Gr... | The Way We Live Now | Chapter 49: Sir Felix Makes Himself Ready |
Lady Carbury was at this time so miserable in regard to her son that she found herself unable to be active as she would otherwise have been in her endeavours to separate Paul Montague and her daughter. Roger had come up to town and given his opinion, very freely at any rate with regard to Sir Felix. But Roger had immed... | Lady Carbury was at this time so miserable about her son that she was unable to be as active as she would otherwise have been in her endeavours to separate Paul Montague and her daughter. Roger had returned to Suffolk; so in need of assistance and consolation she turned naturally to Mr. Broune. It had now become almost... | The Way We Live Now | Chapter 76: Hetta and her Lover |
"It's weary work," said Sir Felix as he got into the brougham with his mother and sister.
"What must it have been to me then, who had nothing to do?" said his mother.
"It's the having something to do that makes me call it weary work. By-the-bye, now I think of it, I'll run down to the club before I go home." So saying ... | "It's weary work," said Sir Felix in the carriage with his mother and sister. "I think I'll run down to the club before I go home." He put his head out, and stopped the driver.
"It is two o'clock in the morning, Felix," said his mother.
"I'm afraid it is, but you see I'm hungry. I had no supper. Good night."
He jumped ... | The Way We Live Now | Chapter 5: After the Ball |
Paul Montague at this time lived in comfortable lodgings in Sackville Street, and ostensibly the world was going well with him. But he had many troubles. His troubles in reference to Fisker, Montague, and Montague,--and also their consolation,--are already known to the reader. He was troubled too about his love, though... | Paul Montague at this time lived in comfortable lodgings in Sackville Street, and the world appeared to go well with him. But he had many troubles. His troubles about Fisker, Montague, and Montague are already known to the reader. He was also troubled about his love, though when he thought about the success of the grea... | The Way We Live Now | Chapter 26: Mrs. Hurtle |
Something of herself and condition Lady Carbury has told the reader in the letters given in the former chapter, but more must be added. She has declared she had been cruelly slandered; but she has also shown that she was not a woman whose words about herself could be taken with much confidence. If the reader does not u... | Dishonest as were Lady Carbury's letters to the editors, and the system by which she was trying to achieve success, nevertheless her statements about herself were largely true. She had been ill-treated. She had been slandered. She was devoted to her children - one of them especially - and was ready to work her nails of... | The Way We Live Now | Chapter 2: The Carbury Family |
Mrs. Hurtle had consented at the joint request of Mrs. Pipkin and John Crumb to postpone her journey to New York and to go down to Bungay and grace the marriage of Ruby Ruggles, not so much from any love for the persons concerned, not so much even from any desire to witness a phase of English life, as from an irresisti... | Mrs. Hurtle had postponed her journey to New York to go to Bungay for the marriage of Ruby Ruggles, not so much from any love for the persons concerned, as from an irresistible tenderness towards Paul Montague. She longed to see him once again, and found it difficult to leave the land in which he was living. She knew t... | The Way We Live Now | Chapter 97: Mrs. Hurtle's Fate |
On the day after the visit just recorded, Paul Montague received the following letter from Mrs. Hurtle:--
MY DEAR PAUL,--
I think that perhaps we hardly made ourselves understood to each other yesterday, and I am sure that you do not understand how absolutely my whole life is now at stake. I need only refer you to our ... | On the next day, Paul Montague received this letter from Mrs. Hurtle:
My dear Paul,
I think that perhaps we hardly understood each other yesterday, and I am sure that you do not understand how absolutely my whole life is now at stake. I need only refer you to our journey from San Francisco to London to make you conscio... | The Way We Live Now | Chapter 27: Mrs. Hurtle Goes to the Play |
On Friday, the 21st June, the Board of the South Central Pacific and Mexican Railway sat in its own room behind the Exchange, as was the Board's custom every Friday. On this occasion all the members were there, as it had been understood that the chairman was to make a special statement. There was the great chairman as ... | On Friday 21st June, the Board of the Railway sat, as it did every Friday. All the members were there, as it had been understood that the chairman was to make a special statement. Even Sir Felix had come, being very anxious to buy and sell, and not as yet having had an opportunity of realising his golden hopes, althoug... | The Way We Live Now | Chapter 37: The Board-Room |
Augustus Melmotte was becoming greater and greater in every direction,--mightier and mightier every day. He was learning to despise mere lords, and to feel that he might almost domineer over a duke. In truth he did recognise it as a fact that he must either domineer over dukes, or else go to the wall. It can hardly be ... | Augustus Melmotte was becoming greater and mightier every day. He was learning to despise mere lords, and to feel that he might almost domineer over a duke. He had not intended to play so high a game, but the game had become high of its own accord. A man cannot always keep his doings within the limits which he has plan... | The Way We Live Now | Chapter 35: Melmotte's Glory |
Roger Carbury's half formed plan of keeping Henrietta at home while Lady Carbury and Sir Felix went to dine at Caversham fell to the ground. It was to be carried out only in the event of Hetta's yielding to his prayer. But he had in fact not made a prayer, and Hetta had certainly yielded nothing. When the evening came,... | That evening, Lady Carbury went to dine at Caversham with her son and daughter, and Roger was left alone. He was used to solitude. For most of the year he would eat and drink and live without companionship; there was to him nothing particularly sad in it. But on this occasion he could not prevent himself from dwelling ... | The Way We Live Now | Chapter 20: Lady Pomona's Dinner Party |
On the following Saturday there appeared in Mr. Alf's paper, the "Evening Pulpit," a very remarkable article on the South Central Pacific and Mexican Railway. It was an article that attracted a great deal of attention and was therefore remarkable, but it was in nothing more remarkable than in this,--that it left on the... | On the following Saturday there appeared in Mr. Alf's paper, the Evening Pulpit, a very remarkable article on the South Central Pacific and Mexican Railway. This article attracted a great deal of attention, but the most remarkable thing about it was that it expressed no opinion about the railway at all. The Editor woul... | The Way We Live Now | Chapter 30: Mr. Melmotte's Promise |
Sir Felix Carbury made an appointment for meeting Ruby Ruggles a second time at the bottom of the kitchen-garden belonging to Sheep's Acre farm, which appointment he neglected, and had, indeed, made without any intention of keeping it. But Ruby was there, and remained hanging about among the cabbages till her grandfath... | Sir Felix Carbury agreed to meet Ruby Ruggles a second time at the bottom of the kitchen-garden of Sheep's Acre farm. He made this appointment without any intention of keeping it. But Ruby was there, and hung about among the cabbages till her grandfather returned from Harlestone market. She thought that a fine London g... | The Way We Live Now | Chapter 33: John Crumb |
It need hardly be said that Paul Montague was not long in adjusting his affairs with Hetta after the visit which he received from Roger Carbury. Early on the following morning he was once more in Welbeck Street, taking the brooch with him; and though at first Lady Carbury kept up her opposition, she did it after so wea... | It need hardly be said that Paul Montague was not long in visiting Hetta after seeing Roger Carbury. Early on the following morning he was once more in Welbeck Street; and though at first Lady Carbury kept up her opposition, she did it so weakly as to throw very little difficulty in his way. Hetta understood that she n... | The Way We Live Now | Chapter 100: Down in Suffolk |
When Paul got down into the dining-room Mrs. Hurtle was already there, and the waiter was standing by the side of the table ready to take the cover off the soup. She was radiant with smiles and made herself especially pleasant during dinner, but Paul felt sure that everything was not well with her. Though she smiled, a... | When Paul went into the dining-room Mrs. Hurtle was already there, radiant with smiles. She made herself especially pleasant during dinner, but Paul felt sure that everything was not well with her. Though she talked and laughed, there was something forced in her manner. He knew that she was only waiting till the servin... | The Way We Live Now | Chapter 47: Mrs. Hurtle at Lowestoft |
Mr. Longestaffe had brought his daughter down to Caversham on a Wednesday. During the Thursday and Friday she had passed a very sad time, not knowing whether she was or was not engaged to marry Mr. Brehgert. Her father had declared to her that he would break off the match, and she believed that he had seen Mr. Brehgert... | Georgiana felt that she had allowed her father to return to London thinking that she might still be controlled. She was beginning to be angry with Mr. Brehgert, assuming he had taken his dismissal from her father without consulting her. It was necessary that something should be settled, something known. She had all the... | The Way We Live Now | Chapter 79: The Brehgert Correspondence |
Lord Nidderdale was greatly disgusted with his own part of the performance when he left the House of Commons, and was, we may say, disgusted with his own position generally, when he considered all its circumstances. That had been at the commencement of the evening, and Melmotte had not then been tipsy; but he had behav... | Lord Nidderdale was greatly disgusted with his own position when he left the House of Commons. Melmotte had behaved with unsurpassable arrogance and vulgarity, and had made the young lord drink the cup of his own disgrace to the very dregs. Everybody now knew that the man had committed forgery upon forgery, and that he... | The Way We Live Now | Chapter 85: Breakfast in Berkeley Square |
Lady Carbury continued to ask frequent questions as to the prosecution of her son's suit, and Sir Felix began to think that he was persecuted. "I have spoken to her father," he said crossly.
"And what did Mr. Melmotte say?"
"Say;--what should he say? He wanted to know what income I had got. After all he's an old screw.... | Lady Carbury asked frequent questions about her son's suit for Marie's hand, until Sir Felix began to think that he was persecuted.
"I have spoken to her father," he said crossly.
"And what did he say?"
"Say - what should he say? He wanted to know what income I had got. He's an old screw."
"She has accepted you?"
"Of c... | The Way We Live Now | Chapter 29: Miss Melmotte's Courage |
Lady Carbury's desire for a union between Roger and her daughter was greatly increased by her solicitude in respect to her son. Since Roger's offer had first been made, Felix had gone on from bad to worse, till his condition had become one of hopeless embarrassment. If her daughter could but be settled in the world, La... | Lady Carbury's desire for a union between Roger and her daughter was greatly increased by her anxiety about her son. If her daughter could only be settled in the world, Lady Carbury thought, she could devote herself to her son's interests. She had no very clear idea of what that devotion would be. But she knew that she... | The Way We Live Now | Chapter 7: Mentor |
Marie Melmotte was hardly satisfied with the note which she received from Didon early on the Monday morning. With a volubility of French eloquence, Didon declared that she would be turned out of the house if either Monsieur or Madame were to know what she was doing. Marie told her that Madame would certainly never dism... | Marie Melmotte was hardly satisfied with the note which she received from Didon on Monday morning. With French volubility, Didon declared that she would be turned out of the house if Monsieur knew what she was doing. Marie retorted that Monsieur could not possibly know anything about it. In that house nobody ever told ... | The Way We Live Now | Chapter 25: In Grosvenor Square |
Dolly Longestaffe had found himself compelled to go to Fetter Lane immediately after that meeting in Bruton Street at which he had consented to wait two days longer for the payment of his money. This was on a Wednesday, the day appointed for the payment being Friday. He had undertaken that, on his part, Squercum should... | Dolly Longestaffe was promised his money on a Wednesday; the payment to be made on Friday. He had agreed that Squercum should be made to desist from further proceedings. The bother of visiting Squercum was very great, but he began to feel that he almost liked it. The excitement was nearly as good as that of loo. Of cou... | The Way We Live Now | Chapter 81: Mr. Cohenlupe Leaves London |
Miss Ruby Ruggles, the granddaughter of old Daniel Ruggles, of Sheep's Acre, in the parish of Sheepstone, close to Bungay, received the following letter from the hands of the rural post letter-carrier on that Sunday morning;--"A friend will be somewhere near Sheepstone Birches between four and five o'clock on Sunday af... | Miss Ruby Ruggles, the granddaughter of old Daniel Ruggles, of Sheep's Acre, near Bungay, received the following letter from the rural postman that Sunday morning:
"A friend will be near Sheepstone Birches between four and five on Sunday afternoon." There was not another word in the letter, but Miss Ruby Ruggles knew f... | The Way We Live Now | Chapter 18: Ruby Ruggles Hears a Love Tale |
Paul Montague reached London on his return from Suffolk early on the Monday morning, and on the following day he wrote to Mrs. Hurtle. As he sat in his lodgings, thinking of his condition, he almost wished that he had taken Melmotte's offer and gone to Mexico. He might at any rate have endeavoured to promote the railwa... | Paul Montague reached London from Suffolk early on the Monday morning, and the following day he wrote to Mrs. Hurtle. He almost wished that he had taken Melmotte's offer and gone to Mexico. In that case he would never have seen Hetta Carbury again; but, as things were, of what use was his love? The kind of life of whic... | The Way We Live Now | Chapter 51: Which Shall It Be? |
Mr. Squercum all this time was in a perfect fever of hard work and anxiety. It may be said of him that he had been quite sharp enough to perceive the whole truth. He did really know it all,--if he could prove that which he knew. He had extended his enquiries in the city till he had convinced himself that, whatever weal... | Dolly's lawyer Mr. Squercum was all this time in a perfect fever of hard work and anxiety. He had been quite sharp enough to perceive the whole truth - he needed only to prove it. His enquiries in the city had convinced him that Melmotte did not have enough money to cover his liabilities. Squercum was quite sure that M... | The Way We Live Now | Chapter 75: In Bruton Street |
Ten days had passed since the meeting narrated in the last chapter,--ten days, during which Hetta's letter had been sent to her lover, but in which she had received no reply,--when two gentlemen met each other in a certain room in Liverpool, who were seen together in the same room in the early part of this chronicle. T... | Ten days had passed since the meeting narrated in the last chapter - ten days, during which Hetta's letter had been sent to her lover, but to which she had received no reply - when two gentlemen met each other in Liverpool. These were our young friend Paul Montague, and our not much older friend Hamilton K. Fisker. New... | The Way We Live Now | Chapter 92: Hamilton K. Fisker Again |
Mr. Alf's central committee-room was in Great George Street, and there the battle was kept alive all the day. It had been decided, as the reader has been told, that no direct advantage should be taken of that loud blast of accusation which had been heard throughout the town on the previous afternoon. There had not been... | Mr. Alf's central committee-room was in Great George Street, and there the battle was kept alive all day. It had been decided that no direct advantage should be taken of the rumour, for there had not been enough time to ascertain its truth. If it was true, Mr. Melmotte would no doubt soon be in jail.
Many had thought t... | The Way We Live Now | Chapter 64: The Election |
Hetta Carbury, out of the fulness of her heart, having made up her mind that she had been unjust to her lover, wrote to him a letter full of penitence, full of love, telling him at great length all the details of her meeting with Mrs. Hurtle, and bidding him come back to her, and bring the brooch with him. But this let... | Hetta Carbury, having made up her mind that she had been unjust to her lover, wrote to him a letter full of penitence and love, bidding him come back to her. But unfortunately she addressed it to the Beargarden, as he had written to her from that club; and the letter never reached him. When he returned to London he sup... | The Way We Live Now | Chapter 93: A True Lover |
"You have been a guest in his house. Then, I guess, the thing's about as good as done." These words were spoken with a fine, sharp, nasal twang by a brilliantly-dressed American gentleman in one of the smartest private rooms of the great railway hotel at Liverpool, and they were addressed to a young Englishman who was ... | "You have been a guest in his house. Then, I guess, the thing's about as good as done."
These words were spoken with a fine nasal twang by a brilliantly-dressed American gentleman in the great railway hotel at Liverpool. They were addressed to a young Englishman sitting opposite him. Between them there was a table cove... | The Way We Live Now | Chapter 9: The Great Railway to Vera Cruz |
On that Thursday afternoon it was known everywhere that there was to be a general ruin of all the Melmotte affairs. As soon as Cohenlupe had gone, no man doubted. The City men who had not gone to the dinner prided themselves on their foresight, as did also the politicians who had declined to meet the Emperor of China a... | On that Thursday afternoon it was known everywhere that Melmotte was ruined. As soon as Cohenlupe had gone, no man doubted it. No one now had a word to say in his favour. The Grendalls had disappeared; Lord Alfred had not been seen since the day of the dinner.
When the Speaker took his seat in the House, soon after fou... | The Way We Live Now | Chapter 83: Melmotte Again at the House |
Lady Carbury's house in Welbeck Street was a modest house enough,--with no pretensions to be a mansion, hardly assuming even to be a residence; but, having some money in her hands when she first took it, she had made it pretty and pleasant, and was still proud to feel that in spite of the hardness of her position she h... | Lady Carbury's house in Welbeck Street was modest; but she had made it pretty and pleasant, and was proud to feel that she had comfortable belongings around her when her literary friends came to see her on Tuesday evenings. The door to the back drawing-room was permanently closed; it was here that she carried on her gr... | The Way We Live Now | Chapter 3: The Beargarden |
It was a long time now since Lady Carbury's great historical work on the Criminal Queens of the World had been completed and given to the world. Any reader careful as to dates will remember that it was as far back as in February that she had solicited the assistance of certain of her literary friends who were connected... | It was a long time now since Lady Carbury's great historical work had been given to the world. Criminal Queens had been one of the more successful books of the season. Messrs. Leadham and Loiter had already published fourth and fifth editions, with advertisements aiming to show that Lady Carbury's book was the greatest... | The Way We Live Now | Chapter 89: "The Wheel of Fortune" |
After leaving Melmotte's house on Sunday morning Paul Montague went to Roger Carbury's hotel and found his friend just returning from church. He was bound to go to Islington on that day, but had made up his mind that he would defer his visit till the evening. He would dine early and be with Mrs. Hurtle about seven o'cl... | After leaving Melmotte on Sunday morning Paul Montague went to Roger Carbury's hotel and found his friend just returning from church. He had made up his mind not to visit Mrs. Hurtle till seven o'clock that evening. But it was necessary that Roger should hear the news about Ruby Ruggles.
"It's not so bad as you thought... | The Way We Live Now | Chapter 42: "Can You be Ready in Ten Minutes?" |
When the little conversation took place between Lady Monogram and Miss Longestaffe, as recorded in the last chapter, Mr. Melmotte was in all his glory, and tickets for the entertainment were very precious. Gradually their value subsided. Lady Monogram had paid very dear for hers,--especially as the reception of Mr. Bre... | When that little conversation took place between Lady Monogram and Miss Longestaffe, Mr. Melmotte was in all his glory, and tickets for the entertainment were very precious. High prices were being paid. Mr. Cohenlupe was asked out to dinner to meet two peers and a countess. Lord Alfred received various presents. A youn... | The Way We Live Now | Chapter 61: Lady Monogram Prepares for the Party |
All this time Mr. Longestaffe was necessarily detained in London while the three ladies of his family were living forlornly at Caversham. He had taken his younger daughter home on the day after his visit to Lady Monogram, and in all his intercourse with her had spoken of her suggested marriage with Mr. Brehgert as a th... | Mr. Longestaffe had taken his younger daughter home on the day after his visit to Lady Monogram, and had spoken of her suggested marriage with Mr. Brehgert as utterly out of the question.
Georgiana had made one little fight for her independence at the Jermyn Street Hotel. "Indeed, papa, I think it's very hard," she sai... | The Way We Live Now | Chapter 78: Miss Longstaffe Again at Caversham |
Two, three, four, and even five o'clock still found Sir Felix Carbury in bed on that fatal Thursday. More than once or twice his mother crept up to his room, but on each occasion he feigned to be fast asleep and made no reply to her gentle words. But his condition was one which only admits of short snatches of uneasy s... | Five o'clock still found Sir Felix Carbury in bed on that fatal Thursday. When his mother crept up to his room, he feigned to be fast asleep. But he had only short snatches of uneasy slumber. He was sick and sore, and could find no comfort anywhere. To lie quiet, trying to soothe the agony of his head, and to remember ... | The Way We Live Now | Chapter 52: The Results of Love and Wine |
"You shall be troubled no more with Winifrid Hurtle." So Mrs. Hurtle had said, speaking in perfect good faith to the man whom she had come to England with the view of marrying. And then when he had said good-bye to her, putting out his hand to take hers for the last time, she declined that. "Nay," she had said; "this p... | "You shall be troubled no more with Winifrid Hurtle." So Mrs. Hurtle had said in perfect good faith to Paul Montague. And when he had said good-bye to her, putting out his hand for the last time, she declined it.
Paul returned home in low spirits. If she had insisted on his taking that letter with the threat of the hor... | The Way We Live Now | Chapter 66: "So Shall be my Enmity." |
While these things were being done in Bruton Street and Grosvenor Square horrid rumours were prevailing in the City and spreading from the City westwards to the House of Commons, which was sitting this Monday afternoon with a prospect of an adjournment at seven o'clock in consequence of the banquet to be given to the E... | While these things were happening, horrid rumours were spreading from the City westwards to the House of Commons, which was sitting this Monday afternoon with a prospect of adjourning at seven o'clock because of the banquet for the Emperor. It is difficult to explain the exact nature of this rumour, as it was not thoro... | The Way We Live Now | Chapter 58: Mr. Squercum is Employed |
It was very generally said in the city about this time that the Great South Central Pacific and Mexican Railway was the very best thing out. It was known that Mr. Melmotte had gone into it with heart and hand. There were many who declared,--with gross injustice to the Great Fisker,--that the railway was Melmotte's own ... | It was said in the city at this time that the Great South Central Pacific and Mexican Railway was the very best thing out. Mexico has not a reputation for commercial security, or stability. But the Panama railway had paid twenty-five per cent; and in the great line across the continent to San Francisco, enormous fortun... | The Way We Live Now | Chapter 22: Lord Nidderdale's Morality |
When the news of her husband's death was in some very rough way conveyed to Madame Melmotte, it crushed her for the time altogether. Marie first heard that she no longer had a living parent as she stood by the poor woman's bedside, and she was enabled, as much perhaps by the necessity incumbent upon her of attending to... | When the news of her husband's death was conveyed to Madame Melmotte, it crushed her altogether. Marie's superior strength of character, and the need to attend to Madame Melmotte, saved her from prostration. Amidst the hysterical sobbings and screams of Madame Melmotte, she was active and effective. She said the servan... | The Way We Live Now | Chapter 86: The Meeting in Bruton Street |
It has been told how the gambling at the Beargarden went on one Sunday night. On the following Monday Sir Felix did not go to the club. He had watched Miles Grendall at play, and was sure that on more than one or two occasions the man had cheated. Sir Felix did not quite know what in such circumstances it would be best... | It has been told how the gambling at the Beargarden went on one Sunday night. On the Monday Sir Felix did not go to the club. He was sure that Miles Grendall had cheated at cards; and he did not quite know what to do. Reprobate as he was himself, this type of villainy was new to him and seemed very terrible. He was qui... | The Way We Live Now | Chapter 28: Dolly Longestaffe goes into the City |
There is no duty more certain or fixed in the world than that which calls upon a brother to defend his sister from ill-usage; but, at the same time, in the way we live now, no duty is more difficult, and we may say generally more indistinct. The ill-usage to which men's sisters are most generally exposed is one which h... | A brother is duty-bound to defend his sister from ill-usage; but in the way we live now, no duty is more difficult or more indistinct. We are not allowed to fight duels, and banging about another man with a stick is always disagreeable and seldom successful. A John Crumb can do it, perhaps; but not a Sir Felix Carbury.... | The Way We Live Now | Chapter 70: Sir Felix Meddles with Many Matters |
Lady Carbury had allowed herself two days for answering Mr. Broune's proposition. It was made on Tuesday night and she was bound by her promise to send a reply some time on Thursday. But early on the Wednesday morning she had made up her mind; and at noon on that day her letter was written. She had spoken to Hetta abou... | Lady Carbury had allowed herself two days for answering Mr. Broune's proposal. It was made on Tuesday night and she had promised to send a reply on Thursday. But early on the Wednesday morning she had made up her mind; and by noon her letter was written.
She had spoken to Hetta about him, and had seen that Hetta dislik... | The Way We Live Now | Chapter 36: Mr. Broune's Perils |
We must now go back a little in our story,--about three weeks,--in order that the reader may be told how affairs were progressing at the Beargarden. That establishment had received a terrible blow in the defection of Herr Vossner. It was not only that he had robbed the club, and robbed every member of the club who had ... | We must now go back about three weeks in our story, so that the reader may be told how affairs were progressing at the Beargarden. That establishment had received a terrible blow in the defection of Herr Vossner. It was not only that he had robbed the club, and robbed every member of the club who had had personal deali... | The Way We Live Now | Chapter 96: Where "The Wild Asses Quench Their Thirst" |
When Mr. Melmotte made his promise to Mr. Longestaffe and to Dolly, in the presence of Mr. Bideawhile, that he would, on the next day but one, pay to them a sum of fifty thousand pounds, thereby completing, satisfactorily as far as they were concerned, the purchase of the Pickering property, he intended to be as good a... | When Mr. Melmotte made his promise to Mr. Longestaffe and Dolly to pay them fifty thousand pounds for the purchase of Pickering, he intended to be as good as his word. The reader knows that he had resolved not to sacrifice the property to which he had looked forward as a safe haven when storms should come. But, day by ... | The Way We Live Now | Chapter 77: Another Scene in Bruton Street |
It was on a Friday evening, an inauspicious Friday, that poor Ruby Ruggles had insisted on leaving the security of her Aunt Pipkin's house with her aristocratic and vicious lover, in spite of the positive assurance made to her by Mrs. Pipkin that if she went forth in such company she should not be allowed to return. "O... | It was on a Friday evening that this happened.
"Of course you must let her in," Mrs. Hurtle had said to Mrs. Pipkin, after the girl's departure. Whereupon Mrs. Pipkin had cried. She knew she could not keep the girl out in the streets all night; yet it was hard upon her to be so troubled.
"We usen't to have ways like th... | The Way We Live Now | Chapter 71: John Crumb Falls into Trouble |
The next day there was great surprise at Sheep's Acre farm, which communicated itself to the towns of Bungay and Beccles, and even affected the ordinary quiet life of Carbury Manor. Ruby Ruggles had gone away, and at about twelve o'clock in the day the old farmer became aware of the fact. She had started early, at abou... | The next day there was great surprise at Sheep's Acre farm. Ruby Ruggles had gone away. The old farmer learnt of this from the servant girl at about noon. Ruby had left at seven in the morning; but Ruggles had not asked for her when he had his breakfast. There had been a bad scene up in the bedroom overnight, after Joh... | The Way We Live Now | Chapter 34: Ruby Ruggles Obeys her Grandfather |
Up to this period of his life Sir Felix Carbury had probably felt but little of the punishment due to his very numerous shortcomings. He had spent all his fortune; he had lost his commission in the army; he had incurred the contempt of everybody that had known him; he had forfeited the friendship of those who were his ... | Up to this period of his life Sir Felix Carbury had suffered little from his own shortcomings. He had spent all his fortune; he had lost his commission in the army; he had incurred the contempt of everybody that had known him; he had lost friendships and made no new ones; he had pretty nearly ruined his mother and sist... | The Way We Live Now | Chapter 67: Sir Felix Protects his Sister |
Melmotte did not return home in time to hear the good news that day,--good news as he would regard it, even though, when told to him it should be accompanied by all the extraneous additions with which Marie had communicated her purpose to Madame Melmotte. It was nothing to him what the girl thought of the marriage,--if... | Melmotte did not return home in time to hear the good news that day. If he were the father-in-law of the eldest son of a marquis, he thought he might almost be safe: charges would hardly be pressed against a Member for Westminster whose daughter was married to the heir of the Marquis of Auld Reekie! But he had not yet ... | The Way We Live Now | Chapter 69: Melmotte in Parliament |
A few days before that period in our story which we have now reached, Miss Longestaffe was seated in Lady Monogram's back drawing-room, discussing the terms on which the two tickets for Madame Melmotte's grand reception had been transferred to Lady Monogram,--the place on the cards for the names of the friends whom Mad... | A few days before the dinner, Miss Longestaffe was seated in Lady Monogram's back drawing-room, discussing the terms on which the two tickets for the grand reception had been given to the Monograms; and the terms also on which Miss Longestaffe had been asked to spend two or three days with her dear friend Lady Monogram... | The Way We Live Now | Chapter 60: Miss Longstaffe's Lover |
During these days the intercourse between Lady Carbury and her daughter was constrained and far from pleasant. Hetta, thinking that she was ill-used, kept herself aloof, and would not speak to her mother of herself or of her troubles. Lady Carbury watching her, but not daring to say much, was at last almost frightened ... | During these days, the relationship between Lady Carbury and her daughter was constrained. Hetta kept herself aloof, until Lady Carbury was almost frightened at her daughter's silence. She had assured herself that Paul would be forgotten quickly, and that Hetta would soon perceive it to be in her interest to marry her ... | The Way We Live Now | Chapter 91: The Rivals |
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