Chapter 72

           Fullsoulsaredoublemirrors,makingstillAnendlessvistaoffairthingsbefore,Repeatingthingsbehind.

           Dorothea’simpetuousgenerosity,whichwouldhaveleapedatoncetothevindicationofLydgatefromthesuspicionofhavingacceptedmoneyasabribe,underwentamelancholycheckwhenshecametoconsiderallthecircumstancesofthecasebythelightofMr.Farebrother’sexperience.

           "Itisadelicatemattertotouch,"hesaid."Howcanwebegintoinquireintoit?Itmustbeeitherpubliclybysettingthemagistrateandcoronertowork,orprivatelybyquestioningLydgate.Astothefirstproceedingthereisnosolidgroundtogoupon,elseHawleywouldhaveadoptedit;andastoopeningthesubjectwithLydgate,IconfessIshouldshrinkfromit.Hewouldprobablytakeitasadeadlyinsult.Ihavemorethanonceexperiencedthedifficultyofspeakingtohimonpersonalmatters.And—oneshouldknowthetruthabouthisconductbeforehand,tofeelveryconfidentofagoodresult."

           "Ifeelconvincedthathisconducthasnotbeenguilty:Ibelievethatpeoplearealmostalwaysbetterthantheirneighborsthinktheyare,"saidDorothea.Someofherintensestexperienceinthelasttwoyearshadsethermindstronglyinoppositiontoanyunfavorableconstructionofothers;andforthefirsttimeshefeltratherdiscontentedwithMr.Farebrother.