Chapter 8

           "Oh,rescueher!Iamherbrothernow,Andyouherfather.EverygentlemaidShouldhaveaguardianineachgentleman."

           ItwaswonderfultoSirJamesChettamhowwellhecontinuedtolikegoingtotheGrangeafterhehadonceencounteredthedifficultyofseeingDorotheaforthefirsttimeinthelightofawomanwhowasengagedtoanotherman.Ofcoursetheforkedlightningseemedtopassthroughhimwhenhefirstapproachedher,andheremainedconsciousthroughouttheinterviewofhidinguneasiness;but,goodashewas,itmustbeownedthathisuneasinesswaslessthanitwouldhavebeenifhehadthoughthisrivalabrilliantanddesirablematch.HehadnosenseofbeingeclipsedbyMr.Casaubon;hewasonlyshockedthatDorotheawasunderamelancholyillusion,andhismortificationlostsomeofitsbitternessbybeingmingledwithcompassion.

           Nevertheless,whileSirJamessaidtohimselfthathehadcompletelyresignedher,sincewiththeperversityofaDesdemonashehadnotaffectedaproposedmatchthatwasclearlysuitableandaccordingtonature;hecouldnotyetbequitepassiveundertheideaofherengagementtoMr.Casaubon.Onthedaywhenhefirstsawthemtogetherinthelightofhispresentknowledge,itseemedtohimthathehadnottakentheaffairseriouslyenough.Brookewasreallyculpable;heoughttohavehinderedit.Whocouldspeaktohim?Somethingmightbedoneperhapsevennow,atleasttodeferthemarriage.OnhiswayhomeheturnedintotheRectoryandaskedforMr.Cadwallader.