Mr. Bulstrode in things worldly and indifferent was disposed to do what his wife bade him, and she now, without telling her reasons, desired him on the next opportunity to find out in conversation with Mr. Lydgate whether he had any intention of marrying soon.  The result was a decided negative.  Mr. Bulstrode, on being cross-questioned, showed that Lydgate had spoken as no man would who had any attachment that could issue in matrimony.  Mrs. Bulstrode now felt that she had a serious duty before her, and she soon managed to arrange a tete-a-tete with Lydgate, in which she passed from inquiries about Fred Vincy’s health, and expressions of her sincere anxiety for her brother’s large family, to general remarks on the dangers which lay before young people with regard to their settlement in life.  Young men were often wild and disappointing, making little return for the money spent on them, and a girl was exposed to many circumstances which might interfere with her prospects.

“Especially when she has great attractions, and her parents see much company,” said Mrs. Bulstrode “Gentlemen pay her attention, and engross her all to themselves, for the mere pleasure of the moment, and that drives off others.  I think it is a heavy responsibility, Mr. Lydgate, to interfere with the prospects of any girl.”  Here Mrs. Bulstrode fixed her eyes on him, with an unmistakable purpose of warning, if not of rebuke.

“Clearly,” said Lydgate, looking at her—­perhaps even staring a little in return.  “On the other hand, a man must be a great coxcomb to go about with a notion that he must not pay attention to a young lady lest she should fall in love with him, or lest others should think she must.”

“Oh, Mr. Lydgate, you know well what your advantages are.  You know that our young men here cannot cope with you.  Where you frequent a house it may militate very much against a girl’s making a desirable settlement in life, and prevent her from accepting offers even if they are made.”

Lydgate was less flattered by his advantage over the Middlemarch Orlandos than he was annoyed by the perception of Mrs. Bulstrode’s meaning.  She felt that she had spoken as impressively as it was necessary to do, and that in using the superior word “militate” she had thrown a noble drapery over a mass of particulars which were still evident enough.

Lydgate was fuming a little, pushed his hair back with one hand, felt curiously in his waistcoat-pocket with the other, and then stooped to beckon the tiny black spaniel, which had the insight to decline his hollow caresses.  It would not have been decent to go away, because he had been dining with other guests, and had just taken tea.  But Mrs. Bulstrode, having no doubt that she had been understood, turned the conversation.

Solomon’s Proverbs, I think, have omitted to say, that as the sore palate findeth grit, so an uneasy consciousness heareth innuendoes.  The next day Mr. Farebrother, parting from Lydgate in the street, supposed that they should meet at Vincy’s in the evening.  Lydgate answered curtly, no—­he had work to do—­he must give up going out in the evening.