Chapter 31

           HowwillyouknowthepitchofthatgreatbellToolargeforyoutostir?LetbutaflutePlay’neaththefine-mixedmetallistencloseTilltherightnoteflowsforth,asilveryrill.Thenshallthehugebelltremble—thenthemassWithmyriadwavesconcurrentshallrespondInlowsoftunison.

           LydgatethateveningspoketoMissVincyofMrs.Casaubon,andlaidsomeemphasisonthestrongfeelingsheappearedtohaveforthatformalstudiousmanthirtyyearsolderthanherself.

           "Ofcoursesheisdevotedtoherhusband,"saidRosamond,implyinganotionofnecessarysequencewhichthescientificmanregardedastheprettiestpossibleforawoman;butshewasthinkingatthesametimethatitwasnotsoverymelancholytobemistressofLowickManorwithahusbandlikelytodiesoon."Doyouthinkherveryhandsome?"

           "Shecertainlyishandsome,butIhavenotthoughtaboutit,"saidLydgate.

           "Isupposeitwouldbeunprofessional,"saidRosamond,dimpling."Buthowyourpracticeisspreading!YouwerecalledinbeforetotheChettams,Ithink;andnow,theCasaubons."

           "Yes,"saidLydgate,inatoneofcompulsoryadmission."ButIdon’treallylikeattendingsuchpeoplesowellasthepoor.Thecasesaremoremonotonous,andonehastogothroughmorefussandlistenmoredeferentiallytononsense."

           "NotmorethaninMiddlemarch,"saidRosamond.