us go and comfort Ezra.«
 

                                  Chapter LXIX

 »The human nature unto which I felt
 That I belonged, and reverenced with love,
 Was not a punctual presence, but a spirit
 Diffused through time and space, with aid derived
 Of evidence from monuments, erect,
 Prostrate, or leaning towards their common rest
 In earth, the widely scattered wreck sublime
 Of vanished nations
                                                        Wordsworth: The Prelude.
 
Sir Hugo carried out his plan of spending part of the autumn at Diplow, and by
the beginning of October his presence was spreading some cheerfulness in the
neighbourhood, among all ranks and persons concerned, from the stately homes of
Brackenshaw and Quetcham to the respectable shop-parlours in Wanchester. For Sir
Hugo was a man who liked to show himself and be affable, a Liberal of good
lineage, who confided entirely in Reform as not likely to make any serious
difference in English habits of feeling, one of which undoubtedly is the liking
to behold society well fenced and adorned with hereditary rank. Hence he made
Diplow a most agreeable house, extending his invitations to old Wanchester
solicitors and young village curates, but also taking some care in the
combination of his guests, and not feeding all the common poultry together, so
that they should think their meal no particular compliment. Easy-going Lord
Brackenshaw, for example, would not mind meeting Robinson the attorney, but
Robinson would have been naturally piqued if he had been asked to meet a set of
people who passed for his equals. On all these points Sir Hugo was well informed
enough at once to gain popularity for himself and give pleasure to others - two
results which eminently suited his disposition. The Rector of Pennicote now
found a reception at Diplow very different from the haughty tolerance he had
undergone during the reign of Grandcourt. It was not only that the baronet liked
Mr. Gascoigne, it was that he desired to keep up a marked relation of
friendliness with him on account of Mrs. Grandcourt, for whom Sir Hugo's
chivalry had become more and more engaged. Why? The chief reason was one that he
could not fully communicate, even to Lady Mallinger - for he would not tell what
he thought one woman's secret to another, even though the other was his wife -
which shows that his chivalry included a rare reticence.
    Deronda, after he had become engaged to Mirah, felt it right to make a full
statement of his position and purposes to Sir Hugo, and he chose to make it by
letter. He had more than a presentiment that his fatherly friend would feel some
dissatisfaction, if not pain, at this turn of his destiny