Dolly showed some reluctance to perform this ceremony, but wassharply reproved by Mrs Varden, who insisted on her undergoing itthat minute. For pride, she said with great severity, was one ofthe seven deadly sins, and humility and lowliness of heart werevirtues. Wherefore she desired that Dolly would be kissedimmediately, on pain of her just displeasure; at the same timegiving her to understand that whatever she saw her mother do, shemight safely do herself, without being at the trouble of anyreasoning or reflection on the subject--which, indeed, wasoffensive and undutiful, and in direct contravention of the churchcatechism.
Thus admonished, Dolly complied, though by no means willingly; forthere was a broad, bold look of admiration in Mr Chester"s face,refined and polished though it sought to be, which distressed hervery much. As she stood with downcast eyes, not liking to look upand meet his, he gazed upon her with an approving air, and thenturned to her mother.
"My friend Gabriel (whose acquaintance I only made this veryevening) should be a happy man, Mrs Varden."
"Ah!" sighed Mrs V., shaking her head.
"Ah!" echoed Miggs.
"Is that the case?" said Mr Chester, compassionately. "Dear me!"
"Master has no intentions, sir," murmured Miggs as she sidled upto him, "but to be as grateful as his natur will let him, foreverythink he owns which it is in his powers to appreciate. But wenever, sir"--said Miggs, looking sideways at Mrs Varden, andinterlarding her discourse with a sigh--"we never know the fullvalue of SOME wines and fig-trees till we lose "em. So much theworse, sir, for them as has the slighting of "em on theirconsciences when they"re gone to be in full blow elsewhere." AndMiss Miggs cast up her eyes to signify where that might be.
As Mrs Varden distinctly heard, and was intended to hear, all thatMiggs said, and as these words appeared to convey in metaphoricalterms a presage or foreboding that she would at some early perioddroop beneath her trials and take an easy flight towards the stars,she immediately began to languish, and taking a volume of theManual from a neighbouring table, leant her arm upon it as thoughshe were Hope and that her Anchor. Mr Chester perceiving this,and seeing how the volume was lettered on the back, took it gentlyfrom her hand, and turned the fluttering leaves.
"My favourite book, dear madam. How often, how very often in hisearly life--before he can remember"--(this clause was strictlytrue) "have I deduced little easy moral lessons from its pages, formy dear son Ned! You know Ned?"
Mrs Varden had that honour, and a fine affable young gentleman hewas.
"You"re a mother, Mrs Varden," said Mr Chester, taking a pinch ofsnuff, "and you know what I, as a father, feel, when he is praised.
He gives me some uneasiness--much uneasiness--he"s of a rovingnature, ma"am--from flower to flower--from sweet to sweet--but hisis the butterfly time of life, and we must not be hard upon suchtrifling."
He glanced at Dolly. She was attending evidently to what he said.
Just what he desired!
"The only thing I object to in this little trait of Ned"s, is,"
said Mr Chester, "--and the mention of his name reminds me, by theway, that I am about to beg the favour of a minute"s talk with youalone--the only thing I object to in it, is, that it DOES partakeof insincerity. Now, however I may attempt to disguise the factfrom myself in my affection for Ned, still I always revert to this-thatif we are not sincere, we are nothing. Nothing upon earth.
Let us be sincere, my dear madam--"
"--and Protestant," murmured Mrs Varden.
"--and Protestant above all things. Let us be sincere andProtestant, strictly moral, strictly just (though always with aleaning towards mercy), strictly honest, and strictly true, and wegain--it is a slight point, certainly, but still it is somethingtangible; we throw up a groundwork and foundation, so to speak, ofgoodness, on which we may afterwards erect some worthysuperstructure."
Now, to be sure, Mrs Varden thought, here is a perfect character.
Here is a meek, righteous, thoroughgoing Christian, who, havingmastered all these qualities, so difficult of attainment; who,having dropped a pinch of salt on the tails of all the cardinalvirtues, and caught them every one; makes light of theirpossession, and pants for more morality. For the good woman neverdoubted (as many good men and women never do), that this slightingkind of profession, this setting so little store by great matters,this seeming to say, "I am not proud, I am what you hear, but Iconsider myself no better than other people; let us change thesubject, pray"--was perfectly genuine and true. He so contrivedit, and said it in that way that it appeared to have been forcedfrom him, and its effect was marvellous.
Aware of the impression he had made--few men were quicker than heat such discoveries--Mr Chester followed up the blow by propoundingcertain virtuous maxims, somewhat vague and general in theirnature, doubtless, and occasionally partaking of the character oftruisms, worn a little out at elbow, but delivered in so charming avoice and with such uncommon serenity and peace of mind, that theyanswered as well as the best. Nor is this to be wondered at; foras hollow vessels produce a far more musical sound in falling thanthose which are substantial, so it will oftentimes be found thatsentiments which have nothing in them make the loudest ringing inthe world, and are the most relished.
Mr Chester, with the volume gently extended in one hand, and withthe other planted lightly on his breast, talked to them in the mostdelicious manner possible; and quite enchanted all his hearers,notwithstanding their conflicting interests and thoughts. EvenDolly, who, between his keen regards and her eyeing over by MrTappertit, was put quite out of countenance, could not help owningwithin herself that he was the sweetest-spoken gentleman she hadever seen. Even Miss Miggs, who was divided between admiration ofMr Chester and a mortal jealousy of her young mistress, hadsufficient leisure to be propitiated. Even Mr Tappertit, thoughoccupied as we have seen in gazing at his heart"s delight, couldnot wholly divert his thoughts from the voice of the other charmer.