They fell down at his feet, when they got to
the land, and blessed him. The whole country rings with it. Stay! Where's my bag
of documents? I have got it there, and you shall read it, you shall read it!«
    And I did read all the noble history; though very slowly and imperfectly
then, for my eyes were so dimmed that I could not see the words, and I cried so
much that I was many times obliged to lay down the long account she had cut out
of the newspaper. I felt so triumphant ever to have known the man who had done
such generous and gallant deeds; I felt such glowing exultation in his renown; I
so admired and loved what he had done; that I envied the storm-worn people who
had fallen at his feet and blessed him as their preserver. I could myself have
kneeled down then, so far away, and blessed him, in my rapture that he should be
so truly good and brave. I felt that no one - mother, sister, wife - could
honour him more than I. I did, indeed!
    My poor little visitor made me a present of the account, and when, as the
evening began to close in, she rose to take her leave, lest she should miss the
coach by which she was to return, she was still full of the shipwreck, which I
had not yet sufficiently composed myself to understand in all its details.
    »My dear,« said she, as she carefully folded up her scarf and gloves, »my
brave physician ought to have a Title bestowed upon him. And no doubt he will.
You are of that opinion?«
    That he well deserved one, yes. That he would ever have one, no.
    »Why not, Fitz-Jarndyce?« she asked, rather sharply.
    I said it was not the custom in England to confer titles on men
distinguished by peaceful services, however good and great; unless occasionally,
when they consisted of the accumulation of some very large amount of money.
    »Why, good gracious,« said Miss Flite, »how can you say that? Surely you
know, my dear, that all the greatest ornaments of England in knowledge,
imagination, active humanity, and improvement of every sort, are added to its
nobility! Look round you, my dear, and consider. You must be rambling a little
now, I think, if you don't know that this is the great reason why titles will
always last in the land!«
    I am