Framley Parsonage Anthony Trollope (best english novels for beginners .TXT) đ
- Author: Anthony Trollope
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Robarts, as he read this letter and crumpled the note up into his pocket, felt that it was much more satisfactory than he deserved. He knew that there must have been a fight, and that his wife, fighting loyally on his behalf, had got the best of it; and he knew also that her victory had not been owing to the goodness of her cause. He frequently declared to himself that he would not be afraid of Lady Lufton; but nevertheless these tidings that no reproaches were to be made to him afforded him great relief.
On the following Friday they all went to the dukeâs, and found that the bishop and Mrs. Proudie were there before them; as were also sundry other people, mostly of some note, either in the estimation of the world at large or of that of West Barsetshire. Lord Boanerges was there, an old man who would have his own way in everything, and who was regarded by all menâ âapparently even by the duke himselfâ âas an intellectual king, by no means of the constitutional kindâ âas an intellectual emperor, rather, who took upon himself to rule all questions of mind without the assistance of any ministers whatever. And Baron Brawl was of the party, one of her Majestyâs puisne judges, as jovial a guest as ever entered a country house; but given to be rather sharp withal in his jovialities. And there was Mr. Green Walker, a young but rising man, the same who lectured not long since on a popular subject to his constituents at the Crewe Junction. Mr. Green Walker was a nephew of the Marchioness of Hartletop, and the Marchioness of Hartletop was a friend of the Duke of Omniumâs. Mr. Mark Robarts was certainly elated when he ascertained who composed the company of which he had been so earnestly pressed to make a portion. Would it have been wise in him to forego this on account of the prejudices of Lady Lufton?
As the guests were so many and so great, the huge front portals of Gatherum Castle were thrown open, and the vast hall, adorned with trophiesâ âwith marble busts from Italy and armour from Wardour Streetâ âwas thronged with gentlemen and ladies, and gave forth unwonted echoes to many a footstep. His grace himself, when Mark arrived there with Sowerby and Miss Dunstableâ âfor in this instance Miss Dunstable did travel in the phaeton while Mark occupied a seat in the dickyâ âhis grace himself was at this moment in the drawing-room, and nothing could exceed his urbanity.
âOh, Miss Dunstable,â he said, taking that lady by the hand, and leading her up to the fire, ânow I feel for the first time that Gatherum Castle has not been built for nothing.â
âNobody ever supposed it was, your grace,â said Miss Dunstable. âI am sure the architect did not think so when his bill was paid.â And Miss Dunstable put her toes up on the fender to warm them with as much self-possession as though her father had been a duke also, instead of a quack doctor.
âWe have given the strictest orders about the parrot,â said the dukeâ â
âAh! but I have not brought him after all,â said Miss Dunstable.
ââand I have had an aviary built on purposeâ âjust such as parrots are used to in their own country. Well, Miss Dunstable, I do call that unkind. Is it too late to send for him?â
âHe and Dr. Easyman are travelling together. The truth was, I could not rob the doctor of his companion.â
âWhy? I have had another aviary built for him. I declare, Miss Dunstable, the honour you are doing me is shorn of half its glory. But the poodleâ âI still trust in the poodle.â
âAnd your graceâs trust shall not in that respect be in vain. Where is he, I wonder?â And Miss Dunstable looked round as though she expected that somebody would certainly have brought her dog in after her. âI declare I must go and look for himâ âonly think if they were to put him among your graceâs dogsâ âhow his morals would be destroyed!â
âMiss Dunstable, is that intended to be personal?â But the lady had turned away from the fire, and the duke was able to welcome his other guests.
This he did with much courtesy. âSowerby,â he said, âI am glad to find that you have survived the lecture. I can assure you I had fears for you.â
âI was brought back to life after considerable delay by the administration of tonics at the Dragon of Wantly. Will your grace allow me to present to you Mr. Robarts, who on that occasion was not so fortunate. It was found necessary to carry him off to the palace, where he was obliged to undergo very vigorous treatment.â
And then the duke shook hands with Mr. Robarts, assuring him that he was most happy to make his acquaintance. He had often heard of him since he came into the county; and then he asked after Lord Lufton, regretting that he had been unable to induce his lordship to come to Gatherum Castle.
âBut you had a diversion at the lecture, I am told,â continued the duke. âThere was a second performer, was there
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