Chapter 4
When Sirius and Regulus were alone, the former, who had been cautious in his praise of Mr. Lupin before, expressed to his brother just how very much he admired him. Regulus had, many years ago, been made aware of his brother’s preference for other men. “He is just what a young man ought to be,” said Sirius, “sensible, intellegent, and sarcastic; His disposition reminded me of yours, brother. Except he was much kinder and less conniving, but so are most. and I never saw such perfect manners, even mother liked him!—so much ease, with such perfect good breeding!”
“He is also handsome,” replied Regulus, cautious to let on his own preference for men, “which a young man ought likewise to be, if he possibly can. His character is thereby complete.”
“I was very much flattered by his repeatedly coming to talk to me, although it can be understood with everyone there being so dull. However, I did not expect such a compliment.”
“Did not you?” Regulus moved his eyes about, “I did not for you. But that is one great difference between us. Compliments never take you by surprise, and me always.”
“Do you mean compliments for me or compliments for you?”
“What could be more curious than his wanting to talk to you?” Asked Regulus as Sirius admonished him.
“He could not help seeing that I am about five times as handsome as every man or woman in the room. No thanks to his gallantry for that. Well, he certainly is very agreeable, and you must give me leave to like him. I have liked many a stupider person.”
“Oh! you are a great deal too apt, you know, to like people in general. You never see a fault in anybody, except possibly your relations. All the world are good and agreeable in your eyes as long as they share no blood with you. I never heard you speak ill of a human being in your life save our mother.”
“I would not wish to be hasty in censuring anyone; but I always speak what I think.”
“I know you do; and it is that which makes the wonder. With your good sense, to be so honestly blind to the follies and nonsense of others! Affectation of candour is common enough—one meets with it everywhere. But to be candid without ostentation or design—to take the good of everybody’s character and make it still better, and say nothing of the bad—belongs to you alone. Whether that makes you wise or fool, that is out for question. And so you like this man’s friends, too, do you? Their manners are not equal to his.”
“Certainly not—at first. But they are very pleasing women when you converse with them. Miss McKinnon is to live with Mr. Lupin, and keep his house; and I am much mistaken if we shall not find a very charming neighbour in her. I am apprehensive to hope the presence of a woman who he is not coupled with means that he is not interested in women at all.” Regulus listened in silence, but was not convinced; the companies behaviour at the assembly had not been calculated to please in general; and with more quickness of observation and less pliancy of temper than his brother, and with a judgment too unassailed by any attention to himself, he was very little disposed to approve them. They were in fact very fine ladies; not deficient in good humour when they were pleased, nor in the power of making themselves agreeable when they chose it, but proud and conceited. They were rather handsome, had been educated in one of the first private seminaries in town, had a fortune of twenty thousand pounds, were in the habit of spending more than they ought, and of associating with people of rank, and were therefore in every respect entitled to think well of themselves, and meanly of others. They were of a respectable family in the north of England; a circumstance more deeply impressed on their memories than that their friend’s fortune and their own had been acquired by trade. Mr. Lupin 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. Mr. Lupin intended it likewise, and sometimes made choice of his county; but as he was now provided with a good house and the liberty of a manor, it was doubtful to many of those who best knew the easiness of his temper, whether he might not spend the remainder of his days at Godric, and leave the next generation to purchase. His friends were anxious for his having an estate of his own; but, though he was now only established as a tenant, Miss McKinnon was by no means unwilling to preside at his table—nor was Miss McDonald, less disposed to consider his house as her home when it suited her.
Mr. Lupin had not been of age two years, when he was tempted by an accidental recommendation to look at Godric House. 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 Mr. Potter there was a very steady friendship, in spite of great opposition of character. Lupin was endeared to Potter by the easiness, openness, and ductility of Mr. Potter’s temper, though no disposition could offer a greater contrast to his own, and though with his own he never appeared satisfied. On the strength of Potter’s regard, Lupin had the firmest reliance, and of his judgement the highest opinion. In understanding, Potter was the superior in wealth alone. Lupin was by no means deficient, but his strength layed in the fact he was clever. He was at the same time reserved and fastidious, and his manners were well-bread that he often was mistaken for being friendly and inviting.
In that respect his friend had greatly the advantage. Potter was sure of being liked wherever he appeared, even if he was continually giving offense. The manner in which they spoke of the Godric assembly was sufficiently characteristic. Lupin had never met with more pleasant people or prettier people in his life; everybody had been most kind and attentive to him; there had been no formality, no stiffness; he had soon felt acquainted with all the room much to his chagrin; and, as to Mr. Sirius Black, he could not conceive an angel more beautiful. Potter, on the contrary, had seen a collection of people in whom there was little intrigue and no creativity, for none of whom he had felt the smallest interest, and from none received either attention or pleasure.
Mr. Sirius Black, he acknowledged to be charming, but he was never available to converse much, as Remus was constantly taking his ear. James would not be able to consider himself a friend if he tried to interrupt them. The whole company had admired him and liked him, and pronounced her to be a charming man, and one whom they would not object to know more of. Mr. Black was therefore established as a charming man, and their friend felt authorized by such commendation to think of him as he chose.