Mr Lush

I am about two-fifths through Daniel Deronda. I am quite enjoying it, barring the occasional long,difficult sentence. The title is a misnomer: so far it seems to be much more about Gwendolin Harleth, an attractive, spirited, but shallow young woman. However, my favourite character so far is Mr Lush, Mr Grandcourt's secretary. In fact, he is my favourite George Elliot character so far out of Middlemarch, Silas Marner and Daniel Deronda. I like the way he instantly knows Gwendolin does like him, and that she will cause trouble. I like also that he knows is employer is a bully, and can forsee he will behave foolishingly. He puts up with his employer, because overall it is an easy life which suits him. He has a big brain, could make a formidable politician, but he does not want to work too hard. He schemes to stop the marriage, partly because it will be injurious to him, but he knows it will be bad for the couple too. Then he schemes with Sir Hugo, again partly in his own interest, but also in everyone else's too, even his unpleasant employer.