Chapter 4

When Mary and Molly were alone, the former, who had been cautious in her praise of Dr. Watson before, expressed to her sister just how very much she admired him.

"He is just what a man ought to be," said she, "sensible, good-humoured, and lively, and I never saw such happy manners!—so much ease, with such perfect good breeding!"

"He is also intelligent," replied Molly, "which a man ought likewise to be, if he possibly can. His character is thereby complete."

"I was very much flattered by his asking me to dance a second time. Though I admit my expectations were such. If it were not the height of impropriety, surely we would have danced a third."

"Were they? I had hoped for you at the very least and was not surprised by the second, though for myself I never expect such. But that is one great difference between us. Compliments never take you by surprise and me always. You were five times as engaging as any woman there, and so must follow the expectation of more. His good-humour and accomplishments lend him credit and you are free to pursue him in return. He would be very much the fool not to accept."

"Dear Molly! You must always expect more. And as I saw, you were five times as charming as any!"

"Oh! You are a great deal too apt, you know, to see in those what others do not. I fear you see more than I and dislike those who on the face of it I like most well. We shall forever be at odds over our beliefs in acquaintance."

"I would not wish to be hasty in recommending anyone, and I always speak what I think."

"I know you do, and it certainly follows that there be such assumptions. With such good sense, I rely on your endorsement! I fear I will never affect the same and will always be innocent to those in my sight."

"You may not see—at first. But you certainly see deeper than many, and with much more agreeable manners. But you are correct, I did not think much of Miss Adler as you did. Though her good opinion was welcome for the sake of her cousin, she affected charm too well to be charming, and was too accomplished to converse with many. Miss Adler is to live with her cousin, and keep his house, and I am much mistaken if we shall not find offense with her very soon after."

Molly accepted the assessment. She was witness to many correct judgments before, and found the insight to always be invaluable. Miss Adler was in fact a very fine lady, and as such was not lacking in charm, nor was she lacking in a certain agreeableness to be found in all young ladies, but she was with certainty proud and conceited. She was rather handsome, had been educated in one of the first private seminaries in town, had a fortune of twenty thousand pounds and was in the habit of spending more than she ought, and associated with people of rank; and was therefore in every respect entitled to think well of herself, and meanly of others. She was of a respectable family in the north of England; a circumstance more deeply impressed on their memories than that her cousin's fortune and hers had been acquired by trade.

Dr. Watson inherited property to the amount of nearly a hundred thousand pounds from his father, who had intended to purchase an estate, but did not live to do it. Dr. Watson was not himself intent on retaining an estate, and much preferred to look about at his discretion. The ease with which he conducted himself led those who knew him to assume he would leave the next generation with the distinction of purchasing.

His cousin was anxious for his having an estate of his own. Though he was now only established as a tenant, Miss Adler was by no means unwilling to preside at his table, and to consider his house as her home when it suited her. Dr. Watson had been of age fourteen years, when he was tempted by a recommendation from his friend Dr. Stamford to look at Netherfield House. Dr. Watson's association with Mr. Holmes validated a previous recommendation, so he did look at it, and into it for half-an-hour—was pleased with the situation and the principal rooms, satisfied with what the owner said in its praise, and took it immediately.

Between him and Sherlock there was a very steady friendship, in spite of great opposition of character. Watson was endeared to Sherlock by his loyalty, daring, and the constancy of his temper, though the last could not offer a greater contrast to his own capriciousness. On the strength of Sherlock's regard, Watson had the firmest reliance, and of his judgment the highest opinion. In understanding, Sherlock was the superior. Watson was by no means deficient, but Sherlock was clever. He was at the same time conceited, aloof, and rational, and his manners, though well-bred, were not inviting. In that respect his friend had greatly the advantage. Watson was sure of being liked wherever he appeared, Sherlock was continually giving offense.

The manner in which they spoke of the Meryton assembly was sufficiently characteristic. Watson found all in the room agreeable, the young ladies very pretty, and the setting to be pleasant, and in return, he was regarded as good-natured as was to be found in an acquaintance. Miss Morstan stood out as beautiful and intriguing, and he delighted in her company. Sherlock, on the contrary, had seen a collection of people in whom there was little beauty and no intellect. He found no interest in either the furnishings or the people, and earned no regard. Miss Morstan he acknowledged to be pretty, but she smiled too much.

Miss Adler allowed it to be so—but still she admired Miss Morstan and liked her, and pronounced her to be an agreeable girl, and one whom she would not object to know more of. Miss Morstan was therefore established as an agreeable girl, and her cousin felt authorized by such commendation to think of her as he chose.