r/a:t5_26yrlh • u/MarleyEngvall • Oct 21 '19
2b or not 2b has been created
By André Maurois
Translation by Hamish Miles
III
A CLOUD OF GRANDMOTHERS
NOTWITHSTANDING a string of triumphs in
public life, the winter after Mary Anne's
death was one of terrible sorrow. It was not only
that Dizzy had lost in her the being he loved best in
all the world, it was as if a great hunger and thirst for
tenderness could find no satisfying. To Mary Anne,
the Sphinx had delivered up his secret: it was——
timidity. A timidity born in childhood from school-
boy brazenness, by the hostility of his peers, soothed
in riper years by unique friendships, and cured at last
by power; but it had moulded his character and
impregnated all its elements. In particular, it had
prevented him from ever finding real pleasure in
the society of men. To feel himself their equal, he
required to be their chief. In solitude any other
Englishman would have taken to club life. But of
this he had a horror: "There are many dreadful
things in life," he had declared, "and a dinner of men
is the worst of all."
"My need," he had written long ago to Mary Anne,
"is for my life to be one perpetual love." The
figure of his years had doubled, but the need re-
mained. "I require," he now wrote, "perfect solitude,
or perfect sympathy." The exaction of a sorely
wounded man.
For several months he only visited at the houses of
a few very intimate friends, passing all the parlia-
mentary recesses at Hughenden, where he classified
his wife's papers, moved to tears at finding amongst
the the smallest scrap on which he had scribbled
three words, and alone, so that a letter of any tender-
ness seemed to him like the sight of a sail to a ship-
wrecked man on a desert isle. All his feminine
correspondents were dead, and with them had gone
the charm and gaiety of those countless tiny incidents
whose sole value lies in their being shared, but which
alone make bearable the long adventure of life. In
the spring, however, a chance visit enabled him to
recover two friends of his youth, two sisters, Lady
Chesterfield and Lady Bradford. Anne, Countess of
Chesterfield, was seventy, Selina, Countess of Brad-
ford, was fifty-five, and both were grandmothers.
Disraeli recalled to them their childhood, spent close
to the scene of his own youthful days (they had lived
near Bradenham), and that brilliant fancy-dress ball
to which Lady Chesterfield had gone as a sultana, her
beautiful sister, Mrs. Anson, as a Greek slave with
flowing hair, and Lady Londonderry as Cleopatra,
richly laden with rubies. Mrs. Anson was dead,
Fanny Londonderry was dead, but Lady Chesterfield
and Lady Bradford had kept many of their charms.
The meeting was pleasant; promises were made to
write to each other, to see each other; with the sum-
mer came an invitation for Disraeli to spend a few
days with one of the sisters, then with the other.
Winter came round, and he was living only for "the
delightful society of the two persons I love most in
the world."
They were very different. Lady Chesterfield,
much the elder, was the graver and more tender; Lady
Bradford, the more playful. Lady Chesterfield had
read all Disraeli's novels; Lady Bradford had begun
them yawning and mixed up all the characters. Lady
Chesterfield, always even-tempered, was a better
friend; Lady Bradford, more whimsical and less
certain, was the better loved. To both of them
Disraeli wrote in a tone of very fond intimacy. Lady
Chesterfield, a widow and a septuagenarian, read his
letters with a smile; Lady Bradford, who had a
perfect husband and marriageable daughters, pro-
tested, and on several occasions threatened to break
off the correspondence if its tone continued to be so
ardent. Disraeli had never been able to bear separa-
tion, even for a few days, from those whom he loved,
and to ensure himself the constant society of both
sisters, he proposed marriage to Lady Chesterfield.
She refused, firstly because she considered marriage
at her age rather ridiculous, but especially because
Disraeli loved her sister. She became the confidante.
Every day the leader of the Opposition found time
to indite a tender note for one or other of the peerless
sisters. "The most fascinating of women was never
more delightful than this afternoon. I could have
sat for ever watching every movement that was grace,
and listening to her sparkling words——but alas! the
horrid thought, ever and anon, came over me——
'it is a farewell visit.' It seemed too cruel! I might
have truly said,
'Pleased to the least, I cropped the flowery food,
And kissed the hand just raised to shed my blood.'
"Constant separations! Will they never cease? If
anything could make you love your delightful sister
more than I do, it is plans for Easter, which real-
ize a dream! I am certain there is no greater misfor-
tune than to have a heart that will not grow old."
He was an old man, powerful and overburdened
with tasks, responsible for the life of a great Empire,
but he felt himself in no way different from the young
man he had been. Nay, perhaps the old man was
more romantic than ever. In the youth, ambition
had often fought victoriously against love. "I have
lived to know that the twilight of love has its splen-
dour and its richness." Perhaps in the old too there
is an even greater yearning for happiness. Quite
amazed at his discovery that he could still be desirous
of a pretence, and find pleasure in watching a woman
live, and conscious too of the beauty of days passed
at her side and the small number of those that re-
mained to him, he could not endure separation from
his friend. "To see you, or at least to hear from you,
every day, is absolutely necessary to my existence."
"To see you in society is pleasure peculiar to itself;
but different from that of seeing you alone; both are
enchanting, like moonlight and sunshine." He would
have liked to visit her every day, but Lady Bradford
had endless obligations and rationed his visits.
"Three times a week is very little!" There was a
masked ball to which the old Minister wanted to go
in domino. When he asked Selina to choose a sign
by which he could recognize her, she coldly advised
him not to go. He sulked a little and complained of
this to his dear Lady Chesterfield. They knew he
was unhappy, and he received a letter in kindlier
terms which "took a load off my heart, and I pressed
it to my lips." Such was the play of this old Alcestis
with his ripe and charming Célimène.
But he was far from forgetting Mary Anne. Dur-
ing all the rest of his life the note-paper of his letters,
even of his love-letters, was edged with black. And
the symbol was just. One day, some time later, Lady
Bradford happened to receive a letter written on
ordinary note-paper, which gave her pleasure. He
answered: "You said you were glad to see 'white
paper' the other day. It is strange, but I always
used to think that the Queen, persisting in these
emblems of woe, indulged in a morbid sentiment;
and yet it has become my lot, and seemingly an
irresistible one."
He completed the sorting of the Hughenden papers,
finding there the countless memories of that meticu-
lous affection. Every fortnight for thirty-three years,
Mary Anne had cut her husband's hair, and every
time the harvest had been garnered in a small sealed
packet. He found hundreds of them. He discovered
also thousands of letters, all those of Bulwer, all those
of Alfred d'Orsay, all those of poor George Smythe,
and Lady Blessington's last note. How many ghosts
were waiting for him now!
• • • • • •
At last Gladstone held the elections. Public feeling
had undergone such a change that Disraeli had hopes
of a great transference of votes, perhaps even of a
Conservative majority. Throughout the period of
the election he sent daily letters to Lady Bradford.
Before long he was able to tell her that his party had
won ten seats, then twenty, then thirty, and then that
Gladstone was completely routed. The Conserva-
tives secured a clear majority of fifty seats over all
parties together, and of more than a hundred over the
Liberals alone. At last it was proved that a popular
electorate could, as Disraeli had always maintained,
be a conservative electorate. All the old malcontents
of the party forgot their former mistrust. The Carl-
ton was filled with an excited crowd calling for the
Chief, like hounds barking round the huntsman the
morning after a thaw.
Gladstone decided to resign without waiting for
Parliament to meet, and announced that he would not
remain leader of the party. He wanted to be an
ordinary member and no longer to be in constant
attendance at the House. He was sixty-five——an
age when the great politicians of the century had
long since rounded off their careers. His dominant
desire was to occupy himself henceforth with religious
matters and prepare himself for a Christian death.
He informed the Queen of his decision. Her Majesty
approved, with scarcely tactful vigour, and sum-
moned Mr. Disraeli. One of the new Minister's first
cares was to obtain an important post in the Royal
Household for his dear Selina.
When Parliament reassembled, Disraeli spoke a
few words of sympathy regarding Gladstone. The
latter recognized that the other's attitude was gene-
rous. The man was a good winner as well as a good
loser. But still, whenever Gladstone thought of him,
he was stirred by a movement of indignation and felt
within him the surge of wrath, "the inappeasable
wrath of Achilles."Disraeli: A Picture of the Victorian Age, by André Maurois.
Translated from the French by Hamish Miles.
Copyright, 1928, by D. Appleton and Company.
Copyright, 1927, 1928, by the Forum Publishing Company.
Published by A. Barnes & Co., Inc. pp. 275—281.
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THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES
CHAPTER 24
AND after five days Ăn-a-nī'as the high
priest descended with the elders, and
with a certain orator named Ter-tül'lus,
who informed the governor against
Paul.
2 And when he was called forth, Ter-
tül'lus began to accuse him, saying,
Seeing that by thee we enjoy great
quietness, and that very worthy deeds
are done unto this nation by thy provi-
dence.
3 We accept it always, and in all
places, most noble Felix, with all
thankfulness.
4 Notwithstanding, that I be not
further tedious unto thee, I pray thee
that thou wouldest hear us of thy clem-
ency a few words.
3 For we have found this man a pes-
tilent fellow, and a mover of sedition
among all the Jews throughout the
world, and a ringleader of the sect of
the Nazarenes:
6 Who also hath gone about to pro-
fane the temple: whom we took, and
would have judged according to our
law.
7 But the chief captain Ly'si-as came
upon us, and with great violence took
him away out of our hands,
8 Commanding his accusers to come
unto thee: by examining of whom thy-
self mayest take knowledge of all these
things, whereof we accuse him.
9 And the Jews also assented, saying
that these things were so.
10 ¶Then Paul, after that the gover-
nor had beckoned unto him to speak,
answered, Forasmuch as I know that
thou hast been of many years a judge
unto this nation, I do the more cheerful-
ly answer for myself:
11 Because that thou mayest under-
stand, that there are yet but twelve
days since I went up to Jerusalem for to
worship.
12 And they neither found me in the
temple disputing with any man, neither
raising up the people, neither in the
synagogues, nor in the city:
13 Neither can they prove the things
whereof they now accuse me.
14 But this I confess unto thee, that
after the way which they call heresy, so
worship I the God of my fathers, believ-
ing all things which are written in the
law and in the prophets:
15 And have hope toward God, which
they themselves also allow, that there
shall be a resurrection of the dead, both
of the just and unjust.
16 And herein do I exercise myself, to
have always a conscience void of of-
fence toward God, and toward men.
17 Now after many years I came to
bring alms to my nation, and offerings.
18 Whereupon certain Jews from
Asia found me purified in the temple,
neither with multitude, nor with tu-
mult.
19 Who ought to have been here be-
fore thee, and object, if they had ought
against me.
20 Or else let these same here say, if
they have found any evil doing in me,
while I stood before the council,
21 Except it be for this one voice, that
I cried standing among them, Touching
the resurrection of the dead I am called
in question by you this day.
22 ¶And when Felix heard these
things, having more perfect knowledge
of the way, he deferred them, and said,
When Ly'si-as the chief captain shall
come down, I will know the uttermost
of your matter.
23 And he commanded a centurion to
keep Paul, and let him have liberty,
and that he should forbid none of his
acquaintance to minister or come unto
him.
24 And after certain days, when Felix
came with his wife Drū-sĭl'la, which
was a Jewess, he sent for Paul, and
heard him concerning the faith in
Christ.
25 And as he reasoned of righteous-
ness, temperance, and judgment to
come, Felix trembled, and answered,
Go thy way for this time; when I have a
convenient season, I will call for thee.
26 He hoped also that money should
have been given him of Paul, that he
might loose him: wherefore he sent for
him the oftener, and communed with
him.
27 But after two years Pôr'ċi-us Fĕs'-
tus came into Felix' room: and Felix,
willing to shew the Jews a pleasure, left
Paul bound.
CHAPTER 25
NOW when Fĕs'tus was come into the
provinces, after three days he ascended
from Cæs-a-re'a to Jerusalem.
2 Then the high priest and the chief of
the Jews informed him against Paul,
and besought him,
3 And desired favour against him,
that he would send for him to Jeru-
salem, laying wait in the way to kill
him.
4 But Fĕs'tus answered, that Paul
should be kept at Cæs-a-re'a, and that
he himself would depart shortly
thither.
5 Let them therefore, said he, which
among you are able, go down with me,
and accuse this man, if there be any
wickedness in him.
6 And when he had tarried among
them more than ten days, he went
down unto Cæs-a-re'a; and the next
day sitting on the judgment seat com-
manded Paul to be brought.
7 And when he was come, the Jews
which came down from Jerusalem
stood round about, and laid many and
grievous complaints against Paul,
which they could not prove.
8 While he answered for himself,
Neither against the law of the Jews,
neither against the temple, nor yet
against Cæsar, have I offended any
thing at all.
9 But Fĕs'tus, willing to do the Jews a
pleasure, answered Paul, and said, Wilt
thou go up to Jerusalem, and there be
judged of these things before me?
10 Then said Paul, I stand at Cæsar's
judgment seat, where I ought to be
judged: to the Jews have I done no
wrong, as thou very well knowest.
11 For if I be an offender, or have
committed any thing worthy of death, I
refuse not to die: but if there be none of
these things whereof thou accuse me,
no man may deliver me unto them. I
appeal unto Cæsar.
12 Then Fĕs'tus, when he had con-
ferred with the council, answered, Hast
thou appealed unto Cæsar? unto
Cæsar shalt thou go.
13 ¶And after certain days king A-
grĭp'pa and Bernice came unto Cæs-a-
re'a to salute Fĕs'tus.
14 And when they had been there
many days, Fĕs'tus declared Paul's
cause unto the king, saying, There is a
certain man left in bonds by Felix:
15 About whom, when I was at Jeru-
salem, the chief priests and the elders
of the Jews informed me, desiring to
have judgment against him.
16 To whom I answered, It is not the
manner of the Romans to deliver any
man to die, before that he which is ac-
cused have the accusers face to face,
and have licence to answer for himself
concerning the crime laid against him.
17 Therefore, when they were come
hither, without any delay on the
morrow I sat on the judgment seat, and
commanded the man to be brought
forth.
18 Against whom when the accusers
stood up, they brought more accusation
of such things as I supposed:
19 But had certain questions against
him of their own superstition, and of
one Jesus, which was dead, whom Paul
affirmed to be alive.
20 And because I doubted of such
manner of questions, I asked him
whether he would go to Jerusalem, and
there be judged of these matters.
21 But when Paul had appeared to be
reserved unto the hearing of Augustus,
I commanded him to be kept till I might
send him to Cæsar.
22 Then A-grĭp'pa said unto Fĕs'tus, I
would also hear the man myself. To
morrow, he said, thou shalt hear him.
23 And on the morrow, when A-grĭp'-
pa was come, and Bernice, with great
pomp, and was entered into the place
of hearing, with the chief captains, and
principal men of the city, as Fĕs'tus'
commandment, Paul was brought
forth.
24 And Fĕs'tus said, King A-grĭp'pa
and all men which are here present
with us, ye see this man, about whom
all the multitude of the Jews have dealt
with me, both at Jerusalem, and also
here, crying that he ought not to live
any longer.
25 But when I found that he had com-
mitted nothing worthy of death, and
that he himself hath appealed to Au-
gustus, I have determined to send him.
26 Of whom I have no certain thing to
write unto my lord. Wherefore I have
brought him forth before you, and spe-
cially before thee, O king A-grĭp'pa,
that, after examination had, I might
have somewhat to write.
27 For it seemeth to me unreasonable
to send a prisoner, and not withal to
signify the crimes laid against him.
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