It might happen that he would
behave with an apparent magnanimity, like the hero of a modern French
drama, whose sudden start into moral splendor after much lying and
meanness, leaves you little confidence as to any part of his career
that may follow the fall of the curtain. Indeed, what attitude would
have been more honorable for a final scene than that of declining to
seek an heiress for her money, and determining to marry the attractive
girl who had none? But Lush had some general certainties about
Grandcourt, and one was that of all inward movements those of
generosity were least likely to occur in him. Of what use, however, is
a general certainty that an insect will not walk with his head
hindmost, when what you need to know is the play of inward stimulus
that sends him hither and thither in a network of possible paths? Thus
Lush was much at fault as to the probable issue between Grandcourt and
Gwendolen, when what he desired was a perfect confidence that they
would never be married. He would have consented willingly that
Grandcourt should marry an heiress, or that he should marry Mrs.
Glasher: in the one match there would have been the immediate abundance
that prospective heirship could not supply, in the other there would
have been the security of the wife's gratitude, for Lush had always
been Mrs. Glasher's friend; and that the future Mrs. Grandcourt should
not be socially received could not affect his private comfort. He would
not have minded, either, that there should be no marriage in question
at all; but he felt himself justified in doing his utmost to hinder a
marriage with a girl who was likely to bring nothing but trouble to her
husband--not to speak of annoyance if not ultimate injury to her
husband's old companion, whose future Mr. Lush earnestly wished to make
as easy as possible, considering that he had well deserved such
compensation for leading a dog's life, though that of a dog who enjoyed
many tastes undisturbed, and who profited by a large establishment. He
wished for himself what he felt to be good, and was not conscious of
wishing harm to any one else; unless perhaps it were just now a little
harm to the inconvenient and impertinent Gwendolen. But the
easiest-humored of luxury and music, the toad-eater the least liable to
nausea, must be expected to have his susceptibilities. And Mr. Lush was
accustomed to be treated by the world in general as an apt, agreeable
fellow: he had not made up his mi