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we are not sincere； we are nothing。 Nothing upon earth。 Let us be
sincere； my dear madam—’
‘—and Protestant；’ murmured Mrs Varden。
‘—and Protestant above all things。 Let us be sincere and
Protestant； strictly moral； strictly just （though always with a
leaning towards mercy）； strictly honest； and strictly true； and we
gain—it is a slight point； certainly； but still it is something
tangible； we throw up a groundwork and foundation； so to speak；
of goodness； on which we may afterwards erect some worthy
superstructure。’
Now； to be sure； Mrs Varden thought； here is a perfect
character。 Here is a meek； righteous； thoroughgoing Christian；
who； having mastered all these qualities； so difficult of attainment；
who； having dropped a pinch of salt on the tails of all the cardinal
virtues； and caught them every one； makes light of their
possession； and pants for more morality。 For the good woman
never doubted （as many good men and women never do）； that this
slighting kind of profession； this setting so little store by great
matters； this seeming to say； ‘I am not proud； I am what you hear；
but I consider myself no better than other people； let us change
the subject； pray’—was perfectly genuine and true。 He so
contrived it； and said it in that way that it appeared to have been
forced from him； and its effect was marvellous。
Aware of the impression he had made—few men were quicker
than he at such discoveries—Mr Chester followed up the blow by
propounding certain virtuous maxims； somewhat vague and
general in their nature； doubtless； and occasionally partaking of
the character of truisms； worn a little out at elbow； but delivered
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in so charming a voice and with such uncommon serenity and
peace of mind； that they answered as well as the best。 Nor is this
to be wondered at； for as hollow vessels produce a far more
musical sound in falling than those which are substantial； so it will
oftentimes be found that sentiments which have nothing in them
make the loudest ringing in the world； and are the most relished。
Mr Chester； with the volume gently extended in one hand； and
with the other planted lightly on his breast； talked to them in the
most delicious manner possible； and quite enchanted all his
hearers； notwithstanding their conflicting interests and thoughts。
Even Dolly； who； between his keen regards and her eyeing over by
Mr Tappertit； was put quite out of countenance； could not help
owning within herself that he was the sweetest…spoken gentleman
she had ever seen。 Even Miss Miggs； who was divided between
admiration of Mr Chester and a mortal jealousy of her young
mistress； had sufficient leisure to be propitiated。 Even Mr
Tappertit； though occupied as we have seen in gazing at his
heart’s delight； could not wholly divert his thoughts from the voice
of the other charmer。 Mrs Varden； to her own private thinking；
had never been so improved in all her life； and when Mr Chester；
rising and craving permission to speak with her apart； took her by
the hand and led her at arm’s length upstairs to the best sitting…
room； she almost deemed him something more than human。
‘Dear madam；’ he said； pressing her hand delicately to his lips；
‘be seated。’
Mrs Varden called up quite a courtly air； and became seated。
‘You guess my object？’ said Mr Chester； drawing a chair
towards her。 ‘You divine my purpose？ I am an affectionate parent；
my dear Mrs Varden。’
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‘That I am sure you are； sir；’ said Mrs V。
‘Thank you；’ returned Mr Chester； tapping his snuff…box lid。
‘Heavy moral responsibilities rest with parents； Mrs Varden。’
Mrs Varden slightly raised her hands； shook her head； and
looked at the ground as though she saw straight through the globe；
out at the other end； and into the immensity of space beyond。
‘I may confide in you；’ said Mr Chester； ‘without reserve。 I love
my son； ma’am； dearly； and loving him as I do； I would save him
from working certain misery。 You know of his attachment to Miss
Haredale。 You have abetted him in it； and very kind of you it was
to do so。 I am deeply obliged to you—most deeply obliged to you—
for your interest in his behalf； but my dear ma’am； it is a mistaken
one； I do assure you。’
Mrs Varden stammered that she was sorry—’
‘Sorry； my dear ma’am；’ he interposed。 ‘Never be sorry for what
is so very amiable； so very good in intention； so perfectly like
yourself。 But there are grave and weighty reasons； pressing family
considerations； and apart even from these； points of religious
difference； which interpose themselves； and render their union
impossible； utterly im…possible。 I should have mentioned these
circumstances to your husband； but he has—you will excuse my
saying this so freely—he has not your quickness of apprehension
or depth of moral sense。 What an extremely airy house this is； and
how beautifully kept！ For one like myself—a widower so long—
these tokens of female care and superintendence have
inexpressible charms。’
Mrs Varden began to think （she scarcely knew why） that the
young Mr Chester must be in the wrong and the old Mr Chester
must he in the right。
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‘My son Ned；’ resumed her tempter with his most winning air；
‘has had； I am told； your lovely daughter’s aid； and your open…
hearted husband’s。’
‘—Much more than mine； sir；’ said Mrs Varden； ‘a great deal
more。 I have often had my doubts。 It’s a—’
‘A bad example；’ suggested Mr Chester。