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'wondered what Mr。 Harry was doing this fine day'； and then began to
abuse his elder brother for being 'such a fool as to get married and go and
live in London。'
'Why；' said I； 'I thought you wanted to live in London yourself。'
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'Yes； because it's so dull here： but then he makes it still duller by
taking himself off： and if he were not married I might have him instead
of that odious Sir Thomas。'
Then； observing the prints of a horse's feet on the somewhat miry road；
she 'wondered whether it was a gentleman's horse；' and finally concluded
it was； for the impressions were too small to have been made by a 'great
clumsy cart…horse'； and then she 'wondered who the rider could be；' and
whether we should meet him coming back； for she was sure he had only
passed that morning； and lastly； when we entered the village and saw only
a few of its humble inhabitants moving about； she 'wondered why the
stupid people couldn't keep in their houses； she was sure she didn't want to
see their ugly faces； and dirty； vulgar clothes … it wasn't for that she came
to Horton！'
Amid all this； I confess； I wondered； too； in secret； whether we should
meet； or catch a glimpse of somebody else； and as we passed his lodgings；
I even went so far as to wonder whether he was at the window。 On
entering the shop； Miss Murray desired me to stand in the doorway while
she transacted her business； and tell her if anyone passed。 But alas！ there
was no one visible besides the villagers； except Jane and Susan Green
coming down the single street； apparently returning from a walk。
'Stupid things！' muttered she； as she came out after having concluded
her bargain。 'Why couldn't they have their dolt of a brother with them？
even he would be better than nothing。'
She greeted them； however； with a cheerful smile； and protestations of
pleasure at the happy meeting equal to their own。 They placed
themselves one on each side of her； and all three walked away chatting
and laughing as young ladies do when they get together； if they be but on
tolerably intimate terms。 But I； feeling myself to be one too many； left
them to their merriment and lagged behind； as usual on such occasions： I
had no relish for walking beside Miss Green or Miss Susan like one deaf
and dumb； who could neither speak nor be spoken to。
But this time I was not long alone。 It struck me； first； as very odd；
that just as I was thinking about Mr。 Weston he should come up and accost
me； but afterwards； on due reflection； I thought there was nothing odd
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about it； unless it were the fact of his speaking to me； for on such a
morning and so near his own abode； it was natural enough that he should
be about； and as for my thinking of him； I had been doing that； with little
intermission； ever since we set out on our journey； so there was nothing
remarkable in that。
'You are alone again； Miss Grey；' said he。
'Yes。'
'What kind of people are those ladies … the Misses Green？'
'I really don't know。'
'That's strange … when you live so near and see them so often！'
'Well； I suppose they are lively； good…tempered girls； but I imagine you
must know them better than I do； yourself； for I never exchanged a word
with either of them。'
'Indeed？ They don't strike me as being particularly reserved。'
'Very likely they are not so to people of their own class； but they
consider themselves as moving in quite a different sphere from me！'
He made no reply to this： but after a short pause； he said； … 'I suppose
it's these things； Miss Grey； that make you think you could not live
without a home？'
'Not exactly。 The fact is I am too socially disposed to be able to live
contentedly without a friend； and as the only friends I have； or am likely to
have； are at home； if it … or rather； if they were gone … I will not say I could
not live … but I would rather not live in such a desolate world。'
'But why do you say the only friends you are likely to have？ Are you
so unsociable that you cannot make friends？'
'No； but I never made one yet； and in my present position there is no
possibility of doing so； or even of forming a common acquaintance。 The
fault may be partly in myself； but I hope not altogether。'
'The fault is partly in society； and partly； I should think； in your
immediate neighbours： and partly； too； in yourself； for many ladies； in
your position； would make themselves be noticed and accounted of。 But
your pupils should be companions for you in some degree； they cannot be
many years younger than yourself。'
'Oh； yes； they are good company sometimes； but I cannot call them
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friends； nor would they think of bestowing such a name on me … they have
other companions better suited to their tastes。'
'Perhaps you are too wise for them。 How do you amuse yourself
when alone … do you read much？'
'Reading is my favourite occupation； when I have leisure for it and
books to read。'
From speaking of books in general； he passed to different books in
particular； and proceeded by rapid transitions from topic to topic； till
several matters； both of taste and opinion； had been discussed considerably
within the space of half an hour； but without the embellishment of many
observations from himself； he being evidently less bent upon
communicating his own thoughts and predilections； than on discovering
mine。 He had not the tact； or the art； to effect such a purpose by skilfully
drawing out my sentiments or ideas through the real or apparent statement
of his own； or leading the conversation by imperceptible gradations to
such topics as he wished to advert to： but such gentle abruptness； and
such single… minded straightforwardness； could not possibly offend me。
'And why should he interest himself at all in my moral and intellectual
capac