 Deronda had kept secret a feeling of rivalry which now
revealed itself as the important determining fact. Moreover, it is always at
their peril that our friends turn out to be something more than we were aware
of. Hans must be excused for these promptings of bruised sensibility, since he
had not allowed them to govern his substantial conduct: he had the consciousness
of having done right by his fortunate friend; or, as he told himself, »his metal
had given a better ring than he would have sworn to beforehand.« For Hans had
always said that in point of virtue he was a dilettante: which meant that he was
very fond of it in other people, but if he meddled with it himself he cut a poor
figure. Perhaps in reward of his good behaviour he gave his tongue the more
freedom; and he was too fully possessed by the notion of Deronda's happiness to
have a conception of what he was feeling about Gwendolen, so that he spoke of
her without hesitation.
    »When did you come down, Hans?« said Deronda, joining him in the grounds
where he was making a study of the requisite bank and trees.
    »Oh, ten days ago - before the time Sir Hugo fixed. I ran down with Rex
Gascoigne and stayed at the Rectory a day or two. I'm up in all the gossip of
these parts - I know the state of the wheelwright's interior, and have assisted
at an infant school examination. Sister Anna with the good upper lip escorted
me, else I should have been mobbed by three urchins and an idiot, because of my
long hair and a general appearance which departs from the Pennicote type of the
beautiful. Altogether, the village is idyllic. Its only fault is a dark curate
with broad shoulders and broad trousers who ought to have gone into the heavy
drapery line. The Gascoignes are perfect - besides being related to the Vandyke
duchess. I caught a glimpse of her in her black robes at a distance, though she
doesn't show to visitors.«
    »She was not staying at the Rectory?« said Deronda.
    »No; but I was taken to Offendene to see the old house, and as a consequence
I saw the duchess's family. I suppose you have been there and know all about
them?«
    »Yes, I have been there,« said Deronda, quietly.
    »A fine old place. An excellent setting for a widow with romantic fortunes.
And she seems to have had several romances. I think I have found out that there
was one between her and
