I disposed of the parallel establishment by private contract, and we became as nearly one as could be expected under the circumstances. But she never could, and she never did, find a phrase satisfactory to her perhaps-too-favourable estimate of my intellect. To the very last (feeble action of liver), she addressed me in the same unfinished terms.′
Mr. Jasper has closed his eyes as the auctioneer has deepened his voice. He now abruptly opens them, and says, in unison with the deepened voice ′Ah!′—rather as if stopping himself on the extreme verge of adding—′men!′
′I have been since,′ says Mr. Sapsea, with his legs stretched out, and solemnly enjoying himself with the wine and the fire, ′what you behold me; I have been since a solitary mourner; I have been since, as I say, wasting my evening conversation on the desert air. I will not say that I have reproached myself; but there have been times when I have asked myself the question: What if her husband had been nearer on a level with her? If she had not had to look up quite so high, what might the stimulating action have been upon the liver?′
Mr. Jasper says, with an appearance of having fallen into dreadfully low spirits, that he ′supposes it was to be.′
′We can only suppose so, sir,′ Mr. Sapsea coincides. ′As I say, Man proposes, Heaven disposes. It may or may not be putting the same thought in another form; but that is the way I put it.′
Mr. Jasper murmurs assent.
′And now, Mr. Jasper,′ resumes the auctioneer, producing his scrap of manuscript, ′Mrs. Sapsea′s monument having had full time to settle and dry, let me take your opinion, as a man of taste, on the inscription I have (as I before remarked, not without some little fever of the brow) drawn out for it. Take it in your own hand. The setting out of the lines requires to be followed with the eye, as well as the contents with the mind.′
Mr. Jasper complying, sees and reads as follows:
ETHELINDA, Reverential Wife of MR. THOMAS SAPSEA, AUCTIONEER, VALUER, ESTATE AGENT, &c., OF THIS CITY. Whose Knowledge of the World, Though somewhat extensive, Never brought him acquainted with A SPIRIT More capable of LOOKING UP TO HIM. STRANGER, PAUSE And ask thyself the Question, CANST THOU DO LIKEWISE? If Not, WITH A BLUSH RETIRE.
Mr. Sapsea having risen and stationed himself with his back to the fire, for the purpose of observing the effect of these lines on the countenance of a man of taste, consequently has his face towards the door, when his serving-maid, again appearing, announces, ′Durdles is come, sir!′ He promptly draws forth and fills the third wineglass, as being now claimed, and replies, ′Show Durdles in.′
′Admirable!′ quoth Mr. Jasper, handing back the paper.
′You approve, sir?′
′Impossible not to approve. Striking, characteristic, and complete.′
The auctioneer inclines his head, as one accepting his due and giving a receipt; and invites the entering Durdles to take off that glass of wine (handing the same), for it will warm him.
Durdles is a stonemason; chiefly in the gravestone, tomb, and monument way, and wholly of their colour from head to foot. No man is better known in Cloisterham. He is the chartered libertine of the place.
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