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him—which I suppose she will。 I have never seen Rosa until today；
but I have some confidence in my son’s good sense—even in love。 I
find her what he represents her； to the best of my judgment； and
my mother speaks of her with great commendation。”
“She in all respects deserves it；” says my Lady。
“I am happy； Lady Dedlock； that you say so； and I need not
comment on the value to me of your kind opinion of her。”
“That；” observes Sir Leicester； with unspeakable grandeur； for
he thinks the ironmaster a little too glib； “must be quite
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unnecessary。”
“Quite unnecessary； Sir Leicester。 Now； my son is a very young
man； and Rosa is a very young woman。 As I made my way； so my
son must make his； and his being married at present is out of the
question。 But supposing I gave my consent to his engaging himself
to this pretty girl； if this pretty girl will engage herself to him； I
think it a piece of candour to say at once—I am sure； Sir Leicester
and Lady Dedlock； you will understand and excuse me—I should
make it a condition that she did not remain at Chesney Wold。
Therefore； before communicating further with my son； I take the
liberty of saying； that if her removal would be in any way
inconvenient or objectionable； I will hold the matter over with him
for any reasonable time； and leave it precisely where it is。”
Not remain at Chesney Wold！ Make it a condition！ All Sir
Leicester’s old misgivings relative to Wat Tyler； and the people in
the iron districts who do nothing but turn out by torchlight； come
in a shower upon his head： the fine grey hair of which； as well as of
his whiskers； actually stirs with indignation。
“Am I to understand； sir；” says Sir Leicester； “and is my Lady
to understand；” he brings her in thus specially； first； as a point of
gallantry； and next as a point of prudence； having great reliance
on her sense； “am I to understand； Mr Rouncewell； and is my
Lady to understand； sir； that you consider this young woman too
good for Chesney Wold； or likely to be injured by remaining
here？”
“Certainly not； Sir Leicester。”
“I am glad to hear it。” Sir Leicester very lofty indeed。
“Pray； Mr Rouncewell；” says my Lady； warning Sir Leicester
off with the slightest gesture of her pretty hand； as if he were a fly；
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“explain to me what you mean。”
“Willingly； Lady Dedlock。 There is nothing I could desire
more。”
Addressing her composed face； whose intelligence； however； is
too quick and active to be concealed by any studied impassiveness；
however habitual； to the strong Saxon face of the visitor； a picture
of resolution and perseverance； my Lady listens with attention；
occasionally slightly bending her head。
“I am the son of your housekeeper； Lady Dedlock； and passed
my childhood about this house。 My mother has lived here half a
century； and will die here I have no doubt。 She is one of those
examples—perhaps as good a one as there is—of love； and
attachment； and fidelity in such a station； which England may well
be proud of； but of which no order can appropriate the whole
pride or the whole merit； because such an instance bespeaks high
worth on two sides； on the great side assuredly； on the small one；
no less assuredly。”
Sir Leicester snorts a little to hear the law laid down in this
way； but in his honour and his love of truth； he freely； though
silently； admits the justice of the ironmaster’s proposition。
“Pardon me for saying what is so obvious； but I wouldn’t have it
hastily supposed；” with the least turn of his eyes towards Sir
Leicester； “that I am ashamed of my mother’s position here； or
wanting in all just respect for Chesney Wold and the family。 I
certainly may have desired—I certainly have desired； Lady
Dedlock—that my mother should retire after so many years； and
end her days with me。 But； as I have found that to sever this
strong bond would be to break her heart； I have long abandoned
that idea。”
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Sir Leicester very magnificent again； at the notion of Mrs
Rouncewell being spirited off from her natural home； to end her
days with an ironmaster。
“I have been；” proceeds the visitor； in a modest clear way； “an
apprentice； and a workman。 I have lived on workman’s wages；
years and years； and beyond a certain point have had to educate
myself。 My wife was a foreman’s daughter； and plainly brought up。
We have three daughters； besides this son of whom I have spoken；
and being fortunately able to give them greater advantages than
we had ourselves； we have educated them well； very well。 It has
been one of our great cares and pleasures to make them worthy of
any station。”
A little boastfulness in his fatherly tone here； as if he added in
his heart； “even of the Chesney Wold station。” Not a little more
magnificence； therefore； on the part of Sir Leicester。
“All this is so frequent； Lady Dedlock； where I live； and among
the class to which I belong； that what would be generally called
unequal marriages are not of such rare occurrence with us as
elsewhere。 A son will sometimes make it known to his father that
he has fallen in love； say with a young woman in the factory。 The
father； who once worked in a factory himself； will be a little
disappointed at first； very possibly。 It may be that he had other
views for his son。 However； the chances are； that having
ascertained the young woman to be of unblemished character； he
will say to his son； ‘I must be quite sure that you are in earnest
here。 This is a serious matter for both of you。 Therefore I shall
have this girl educated for two years’—or； it may be—‘I shall place
this girl at the same school with your sisters for such a time；
during which you will give me your word and honour to see her
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only so often。 If； at the expiration of that time； when she has so far
profited by her advantages as that you may be upon a fair equality；
you are both in the same mind； I will do my part to make you
happy。’ I know of several cases such as I describe； my Lady； and I
think they indicate to me my own course now。”
Sir Leicester’s magnificence explodes。 Calmly； but terribly。
“Mr Rouncewell；” sa