Chapter 9

           1stGent.AnancientlandinancientoraclesIscalled"law-thirsty":allthestrugglethereWasafterorderandaperfectrule.Pray,whereliesuchlandsnow?...2dGent.Why,wheretheylayofold—inhumansouls.

           Mr.Casaubon’sbehavioraboutsettlementswashighlysatisfactorytoMr.Brooke,andthepreliminariesofmarriagerolledsmoothlyalong,shorteningtheweeksofcourtship.Thebetrothedbridemustseeherfuturehome,anddictateanychangesthatshewouldliketohavemadethere.Awomandictatesbeforemarriageinorderthatshemayhaveanappetiteforsubmissionafterwards.Andcertainly,themistakesthatwemaleandfemalemortalsmakewhenwehaveourownwaymightfairlyraisesomewonderthatwearesofondofit.

           OnagraybutdryNovembermorningDorotheadrovetoLowickincompanywithheruncleandCelia.Mr.Casaubon’shomewasthemanor-house.Closeby,visiblefromsomepartsofthegarden,wasthelittlechurch,withtheoldparsonageopposite.Inthebeginningofhiscareer,Mr.Casaubonhadonlyheldtheliving,butthedeathofhisbrotherhadputhiminpossessionofthemanoralso.Ithadasmallpark,withafineoldoakhereandthere,andanavenueoflimestowardsthesouthwestfront,withasunkfencebetweenparkandpleasure-ground,sothatfromthedrawing-roomwindowstheglancesweptuninterruptedlyalongaslopeofgreenswardtillthelimesendedinalevelofcornandpastures,whichoftenseemedtomeltintoalakeunderthesettingsun.