ined that she should know the main purport of the will he was
making, but he could not communicate this himself, because it involved
the fact of his relation to Mrs. Glasher and her children; and that
there should be any overt recognition of this between Gwendolen and
himself was supremely repugnant to him. Like all proud, closely-wrapped
natures, he shrank from explicitness and detail, even on trivialities,
if they were personal: a valet must maintain a strict reserve with him
on the subject of shoes and stockings. And clashing was intolerable to
him; his habitual want was to put collision out of the question by the
quiet massive pressure of his rule. But he wished Gwendolen to know
that before he made her an offer it was no secret to him that she was
aware of his relations with Lydia, her previous knowledge being the
apology for bringing the subject before her now. Some men in his place
might have thought of writing what he wanted her to know, in the form
of a letter. But Grandcourt hated writing: even writing a note was a
bore to him, and he had long been accustomed to have all his writing
done by Lush. We know that there are persons who will forego their own
obvious interest rather than do anything so disagreeable as to write
letters; and it is not probable that these imperfect utilitarians would
rush into manuscript and syntax on a difficult subject in order to save
another's feelings. To Grandcourt it did not even occur that he should,
would, or could write to Gwendolen the information in question; and the
only medium of communication he could use was Lush, who, to his mind,
was as much of an implement as pen and paper. But here too Grandcourt
had his reserves, and would not have uttered a word likely to encourage
Lush in an impudent sympathy with any supposed grievance in a marriage
which had been discommended by him. Who that has a confidant escapes
believing too little in his penetration, and too much in his
discretion? Grandcourt had always allowed Lush to know his external
affairs indiscriminately--irregularities, debts, want of ready money;
he had only used discrimination about what he would allow his confidant
to say to him; and he had been so accustomed to this human tool, that
the having him at call in London was a recovery of lost ease. It
followed that Lush knew all the provisions of the will more exactly
than they were known to the testator himself.

Grandcourt did not doubt that Gwendolen, since she wa