if possible to keep them in the background for Mirah, until her
acquaintance with them would be an unmarred rendering of gratitude for
any kindness they had shown to her brother. On all accounts he wished
to give Mordecai surroundings not only more suited to his frail bodily
condition, but less of a hindrance to easy intercourse, even apart from
the decisive prospect of Mirah's taking up her abode with her brother,
and tending him through the precious remnant of his life. In the heroic
drama, great recognitions are not encumbered with these details; and
certainly Deronda had as reverential an interest in Mordecai and Mirah
as he could have had in the offspring of Agamemnon; but he was caring
for destinies still moving in the dim streets of our earthly life, not
yet lifted among the constellations, and his task presented itself to
him as difficult and delicate, especially in persuading Mordecai to
change his abode and habits. Concerning Mirah's feeling and resolve he
had no doubt: there would be a complete union of sentiment toward the
departed mother, and Mirah would understand her brother's greatness.
Yes, greatness: that was the word which Deronda now deliberately chose
to signify the impression that Mordecai had made on him. He said to
himself, perhaps rather defiantly toward the more negative spirit
within him, that this man, however erratic some of his interpretations
might be--this consumptive Jewish workman in threadbare clothing,
lodged by charity, delivering himself to hearers who took his thoughts
without attaching more consequences to them than the Flemings to the
ethereal chimes ringing above their market-places--had the chief
elements of greatness; a mind consciously, energetically moving with
the larger march of human destinies, but not the less full of
conscience and tender heart for the footsteps that tread near and need
a leaning-place; capable of conceiving and choosing a life's task with
far-off issues, yet capable of the unapplauded heroism which turns off
the road of achievement at the call of the nearer duty whose effect
lies within the beatings of the hearts that are close to us, as the
hunger of the unfledged bird to the breast of its parent.

Deronda to-night was stirred with, the feeling that the brief remnant
of this fervid life had become his charge. He had been peculiarly
wrought on by what he had seen at the club of the friendly indifference
which Mordecai must have gone on encountering. His