Мидлмарч

Chapter 23

           Itisaphysiognomyseeninallvocations,butperhapsithasneverbeenmorepowerfulovertheyouthofEnglandthaninajudgeofhorses.

           Mr.Horrock,ataquestionfromFredabouthishorse’sfetlock,turnedsidewaysinhissaddle,andwatchedthehorse’sactionforthespaceofthreeminutes,thenturnedforward,twitchedhisownbridle,andremainedsilentwithaprofileneithermorenorlessscepticalthanithadbeen.

           ThepartthusplayedindialoguebyMr.Horrockwasterriblyeffective.AmixtureofpassionswasexcitedinFredamaddesiretothrashHorrock’sopinionintoutterance,restrainedbyanxietytoretaintheadvantageofhisfriendship.TherewasalwaysthechancethatHorrockmightsaysomethingquiteinvaluableattherightmoment.

           Mr.Bambridgehadmoreopenmanners,andappearedtogiveforthhisideaswithouteconomy.Hewasloud,robust,andwassometimesspokenofasbeing"giventoindulgence"—chieflyinswearing,drinking,andbeatinghiswife.Somepeoplewhohadlostbyhimcalledhimaviciousman;butheregardedhorse-dealingasthefinestofthearts,andmighthavearguedplausiblythatithadnothingtodowithmorality.Hewasundeniablyaprosperousman,borehisdrinkingbetterthanothersboretheirmoderation,and,onthewhole,flourishedlikethegreenbay-tree.Buthisrangeofconversationwaslimited,andlikethefineoldtune,"Dropsofbrandy,"gaveyouafterawhileasenseofreturninguponitselfinawaythatmightmakeweakheadsdizzy.

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