Middlemarchposition in such a way as renders it not only natural and
warrantable IN me when that effect is viewed under the in-
fluence of legitimate feeling, but incumbent on me when the
same effect is considered in the light of my responsibilities,
to state at once that your acceptance of the proposal above
indicated would be highly offensive to me. That I have some
claim to the exercise of a veto here, would not, I believe, be
denied by any reasonable person cognizant of the relations
between us: relations which, though thrown into the past
by your recent procedure, are not thereby annulled in their
character of determining antecedents. I will not here make
reflections on any person’s judgment. It is enough for me to
point out to yourself that there are certain social fitnesses
and proprieties which should hinder a somewhat near rela-
tive of mine from becoming any wise conspicuous in this
vicinity in a status not only much beneath my own, but
associated at best with the sciolism of literary or political
adventurers. At any rate, the contrary issue must exclude
you from further reception at my house.
Yours faithfully,
‘EDWARD CASAUBON.’
Meanwhile Dorothea’s mind was innocently at work
towards the further embitterment of her husband; dwell-
ing, with a sympathy that grew to agitation, on what Will
had told her about his parents and grandparents. Any pri-
vate hours in her day were usually spent in her blue-green
boudoir, and she had come to be very fond of its pallid
quaintness. Nothing had been outwardly altered there; but
while the summer had gradually advanced over the western