[Picture: “Oh, sir! can you be Peter?”] CRANFORD _by_ _Elizabeth Cleghorn Gaskell_ [Picture: Picture of lady pouring tea] _With twenty-five coloured illustrations_ _by C. E. Brock_ [Picture: Decorative graphic] 1904 _London. J. M. Dent & Co._ _New York. E. P. Dutton & Co._ CONTENTS CHAPTER I. OUR SOCIETY CHAPTER II. THE CAPTAIN CHAPTER III. A LOVE AFFAIR OF LONG AGO CHAPTER IV. A VISIT TO AN OLD BACHELOR CHAPTER V. OLD LETTERS CHAPTER VI. POOR PETER CHAPTER VII. VISITING CHAPTER VIII. “YOUR LADYSHIP” CHAPTER IX. SIGNOR BRUNONI CHAPTER X. THE PANIC CHAPTER XI. SAMUEL BROWN CHAPTER XII. ENGAGED TO BE MARRIED CHAPTER XIII. STOPPED PAYMENT CHAPTER XIV. FRIENDS IN NEED CHAPTER XV. A HAPPY RETURN CHAPTER XVI. PEACE TO CRANFORD LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS “Oh, sir! Can you be Peter?” A magnificent family red silk umbrella Meekly going to her pasture Endeavouring to beguile her into conversation She brought the affrighted carter ... into the drawing-room “With his arm round Miss Jessie’s waist!” Mr Holbrook ... bade us good-bye Now, what colour are ash-buds in March? I made use of the time to think of many other things “Confound the woman!” The temptation of the comfortable arm-chair had been too much for her Mr Mulliner We gave her a tea-spoonful of currant jelly Afraid of matrimonial reports Asked him to take care of us Slaughterous and indiscriminate directions Would stretch out their little arms “What do you think, Miss Matty?” Standing over him like a bold dragoon “You must give me your note, Mr Dobson, if you please” “Please, ma’am, he wants to marry me off hand” Miss Matty and I sat assenting to accounts Smiling glory ... and becoming blushes I went to call Miss Matty * * * * * _Most of the three-colour blocks used in this book have been made by the Graphic Photo-Engraving Co._, _London_ CHAPTER I. OUR SOCIETY