ut the
hunting round Diplow, and even said, "You had better come over for a
run or two when the season begins."

Lush, not displeased with delay, amused himself very well, partly in
gossiping with Sir Hugo and in answering his questions about
Grandcourt's affairs so far as they might affect his willingness to
part with his interest in Diplow. Also about Grandcourt's personal
entanglements, the baronet knew enough already for Lush to feel
released from silence on a sunny autumn day, when there was nothing
more agreeable to do in lounging promenades than to speak freely of a
tyrannous patron behind his back. Sir Hugo willingly inclined his ear
to a little good-humored scandal, which he was fond of calling _traits
de moeurs_; but he was strict in keeping such communications from
hearers who might take them too seriously. Whatever knowledge he had of
his nephew's secrets, he had never spoken of it to Deronda, who
considered Grandcourt a pale-blooded mortal, but was far from wishing
to hear how the red corpuscles had been washed out of him. It was
Lush's policy and inclination to gratify everybody when he had no
reason to the contrary; and the baronet always treated him well, as one
of those easy-handled personages who, frequenting the society of
gentlemen, without being exactly gentlemen themselves, can be the more
serviceable, like the second-best articles of our wardrobe, which we
use with a comfortable freedom from anxiety.

"Well, you will let me know the turn of events," said Sir Hugo, "if
this marriage seems likely to come off after all, or if anything else
happens to make the want of money pressing. My plan would be much
better for him than burdening Ryelands."

"That's true," said Lush, "only it must not be urged on him--just
placed in his way that the scent may tickle him. Grandcourt is not a
man to be always led by what makes for his own interest; especially if
you let him see that it makes for your interest too. I'm attached to
him, of course. I've given up everything else for the sake of keeping
by him, and it has lasted a good fifteen years now. He would not easily
get any one else to fill my place. He's a peculiar character, is
Henleigh Grandcourt, and it has been growing on him of late years.
However, I'm of a constant disposition, and I've been a sort of
guardian to him since he was twenty; an uncommonly fascinating fellow
he was then, to be sure--and could be now, if he liked. I'm attached to
him; and i