第5章

’Ah。yes，——Imeanttohavetoldyou。Ididn’twantthemoney，asitturnedout，formuchaboveafortnight，andastherewasnouseinlettingthebillrunout，Isettledit。’Sosayinghetookoutapocket-book，extractedthebill，andshowedittoSexty。Sexty’sheartflutteredinhisbosom。Therewashisnamestillonthebitofpaper，anditmightstillbeused。Havingitshownhimafterthisfashioninitsmidcareer，ofcoursehehadstronggroundforhope。Buthecouldnotbringhimselftoputouthishandforit。’Astowhatyousayaboutsteadybusiness，ofcoursethat’sverywell，’saidLopez。’Itdependsonwhetheramanwantstomakeasmallincomeoralargefortune。’Hestillheldthebillasthoughheweregoingtofolditupagain，andtheimportanceofitwassopresenttoSexty’smindthathecouldhardlydigesttheargumentaboutthesteadybusiness。’IownthatIannotsatisfiedwiththeformer，’continuedLopez，’andthatIgoinforthefortune。’Ashespokehetorethebillintothreeorfourbits，apparentlywithoutthinkingofit，andletthefragmentsfalluponthefloor。ItwasasthoughamountainhadbeentakenoffSexty’sbosom。Hefeltalmostinclinedtosendoutforabottleofchampagneonthemoment，andtheargumentsofhisfriendranginhisearswithquiteadifferentsound。Theallurementsofasteadyincomepaledbeforehiseyes，andhetoobegantotellhimselfashehadoftentoldhimselfbefore，thatifhewouldonlykeephiseyesopenandhishearthigh，therewasnoreasonwhyhetooshouldnotbecomeacitymillionaire。ButonthatoccasionLopezlefthimsoon，withoutsayingverymuchabouthisfavouritespeculation。Inafewdays，however，thesamematterwasbroughtbeforeSexty’seyesfromanotherdirection。HelearnedfromasidewindthatthehouseofHunkyandSonswasconcernedlargelyinthisbusiness，——oratanyratehethoughtthathehadsolearned。TheeasewithwhichLopezhaddestroyedthatbillsixweeksbeforeitwasduehadhadgreateffectuponhim。Thoseargumentsaboutalargefortuneorasmallincomestillclungtohim。Lopezhadcometohimaboutthebusinessinthefirstinstance，butitwasnownecessarythatheshouldgotoLopez。Hewas，however，verycautious。HemanagedtohappentomeetLopezinthestreet，andintroducedthesubjectinhisownslap-dash，aerymanner，——theresultofwhichwas，thathehadgoneratherdeepintotwoorthreeAmericanminesbeforetheendofJuly。Buthehadalreadymadesomemoneyoutofthem，and，thoughhewouldfindhimselfsometimestremblingbeforehehadtakenhisdailyallowanceofportwineandbrandyandwater，stillhewasbuoyant，andhopefuloflivinginapark，withapalaceattheWestEnd，andaseatinParliament。Knowingalsoashedid，thathisfriendLopezwasintimatewiththeDuchessofOmnium，hehadmuchimmediatesatisfactionintheintimacywhichtheserelationscreated。Hewasgettinginthethinedgeofthewedge，andwouldcalculateashewenthometoPonder’sEndhowlongitmustbebeforehecouldaskhisfriendtoproposehimatsomeWestEndclub。OnonehalcyonsummereveningLopezhaddinedwithhimatPonder’sEnd，hadsmiledonMrsParkerandplayedwiththehopefullittleParkers。OnthatoccasionSextyhadassuredhiswifethatheregardedhisfriendshipwithFerdinandLopezasthemostfortunatecircumstanceofhislife。’Dobecareful，Sexty，’thepoorwomanhadsaid。ButParkerhadsimplytoldherthatsheunderstoodnothingaboutbusiness。OnthateveningLopezhadthoroughlyimbuedhimwiththeconvictionthatifyouwillonlysetyourmindthatway，itisquiteaseasytoamassalargefortuneastoearnasmallincome。

AboutaweekbeforethedepartureoftheWhartonstoHertfordshire，LopezincompliancewithMrsRoby’scounsels，calledatthechambersinStoneBuildings。Itisdifficulttosaythatyouwillnotseeaman，whenthemanisstandingjustontheothersideofanopendoor，——nor，inthiscase，wasMrWhartonquiteclearthathehadbetterdeclinetoseetheman。

Butwhilehewasdoubting，——atanyratebeforehehadresolvedupondenyinghispresence，——themanwasthere，insidehisroom。

MrWhartongotupfromhischair，hesitatedamoment，andthengavehishandtotheintruderinthathalf-unwilling，unsatisfactorymannerwhichmostofushaveexperiencedwhenshakinghandswithsomecold-blooded，ungenialacquaintance。

’Well，MrLopez，——whatcanIdoforyou？’hesaid，ashere-

seatedhimself。Helookedasthoughhewereathiseaseandmasterofthesituation。Hehadcontroloverhimselfsufficientforassumingsuchamanner。Buthisheartwasnothighwithinhisbosom。Themorehelookedatthemanthelesshelikedhim。

’Thereisonething，andonethingonly，youcandoforme，’saidLopez。Hisvoicewaspeculiarlysweet，andwhenhespokehiswordsseemedtomeanmorethanwhentheycamefromothermouths。

ButMrWhartondidnotlikesweetvoicesandmellow，softwords，——atleastnotfrommen’smouths。

’IdonotthinkIcandoanythingforyou，MrLopez，’hesaid。

Therewasslightpause，duringwhichthevisitorputdownhishatandseemedtohesitate。’Ithinkyourcomingherecanbeofnoavail。DidInotexplainmyselfwhenIsawyoubefore？’

’But，Ifear，Ididnotexplainmyself。Ihardlytoldmystory。’

’Youcantellit，ofcourse，——ifyouthinkthetellingwilldoyouanygood。’

’Iwasnotabletosaythan，asIcansaynow，thatyourdaughterhadacceptedmylove。’

’Yououghtnottohavespokentomydaughteronthesubjectafterwhatpassedbetweenus。Itoldyoumymindfrankly。’

’Ah，MrWharton，howwasobedienceinsuchamatterpossible？

Whatwouldyouyourselfthinkofamanwhoinsuchapositionwouldbeobedient？Ididnotseekhersecretly。Ididnothingunderhand。BeforeIhadoncedirectlyaskedherforherlove，I

cametoyou。’

’What’stheuseofthat，ifyougotoherimmediatelyafterwardsinmanifestoppositiontomywishes？Youfoundyourselfbound，aswouldanygentleman，toaskafather’sleave，andwhenitwasrefused，youwentonjustthoughithadbeengranted！Don’tyoucallthatamockery？’

’Icansaynow，sir，whatIcouldnotsaythen。Weloveeachother。AndIamsureofherasIamofmyselfwhenIassertthatweshallbetruetoeachother。Youmustknowherwellenoughtobesureofthatalso。’

’Iamsureofnothingbutofthis——thatIwillnotgivehermyconsenttobecomeyourwife。’

’Whatisyourobjection，MrWharton？’

’IexplaineditbeforeasfarasIfoundmyselfcalledupontoexplainit。’

’Arewebothtobesacrificedforsomereasonthatweneitherofusunderstand？’

’Howdareyoutakeuponyourselftosaythatshedoesn’tunderstand！BecauseIrefusetobemoreexplicittoyouastranger，doyousupposethatIamequallysilenttomyownchild？’

’Inregardtomoneyandsocialrank，IamabletoplaceyourdaughterasmywifeinapositionasgoodasshenowholdsasMissWharton。’

’Icarenothingaboutmoney。MrLopez，andourideasofsocialrankareperhapsdifferent。Ihavenothingfurthertosaytoyou，andIdonotthinkthatyoucanhaveanythingfurthertosaytomethatcanbeofanyavail。’Then，havingfinishedhisspeech，hegotupfromhischairandstoodupright，therebydemandingofhisvisitorthatheshoulddepart。

’Ithinkitnomorethanhonest，MrWharton，todeclarethisonething。Iregardmyselfasirrevocablyengagedtoyourdaughter，andshe，althoughshehasrefusedtobindherselftomebythatspecialword，is，Iamcertain，asfirmlyfixedinherchoiceasIaminmine。Myhappiness，asamatterofcourse，canbenothingtoyou。’

’Notmuch，’saidthelawyer，withangryimpatience。

Lopezsmiled，butheputdownthewordinhismemoryanddeterminedhewouldtreasureitthere。’Notmuch，atanyrateasyet，’hesaid。’Butherhappinessmustbemuchtoyou。’

’Itiseverything。ButinthinkingofherhappinessImustlookbeyondwhatmightbethesatisfactionofthepresentday。Youmustexcuseme，MrLopez，ifIsaythatIwouldrathernotdiscussthematterwithyouanyfurther。’Thenherangthebellandpassedquicklyintoaninnerroom。WhentheclerkcameLopezofcoursemarchedoutofthechamberandwenthisway。

MrWhartonhadbeenveryfirm，andyethewasshaken。Itwasbydegreesbecomingafixedideainhismindthattheman’smaterialprosperitywasassured。Hewasafraideventoalludetothatsubjectwhentalkingtothemanhimself，lestheshouldbeoverwhelmedbyevidenceonthatsubject。Thentheman’smanner，thoughitwasdistastefultoWhartonhimself，would，hewellknew，recommendhimtoothers。Hewasgood-looking，helivedwithpeoplewhowerehighlyregarded，hecouldspeakupforhimself，andhewasafavouredguestatCarltonHouseTerrace。

SogreathadbeenthefameoftheDuchessandherhospitalityduringthelasttwomonths，thatthefactoftheman’ssuccessinthisrespecthadcomehomeeventoMrWharton。Hefearedthattheworldwouldbeagainsthim，andhealreadybegantodreadthejointoppositionoftheworldandhisownchild。Theworldofthisdaydidnot，hethought，carewhetheritsdaughter’shusbandshadorhadnotanyfathersormothers。Theworldasitwasnowdidn’tcarewhetheritssons-in-lawwereChristianorJewish——whethertheyhadthefairskinandboldeyesanduncertainwordsofanEnglishgentleman，ortheswarthycolourandfalsegrimaceandglibtongueofsomeinferiorLatinrace。

Buthecaredforthosethings——anditwasdreadfultohimtothinkthathisdaughtershouldnotcareforthem。’IsupposeI

hadbetterdieandleavethemtolookafterthemselves，’hesaid，ashereturnedtohisarm-chair。

Lopezhimselfwasnotaltogetherill-satisfiedwiththeinterview，nothavingexpectedthatMrWhartonwouldhavegivenwayatonceandbestoweduponhimthenandtherethekindfather-

in-law’sblessyou，——blessyou！。Somethinghadyettobedonebeforetheblessingwouldcome，orthegirl，——orthemoney。Hehadto-dayassertedhisownmaterialsuccess，speakingofhimselfasofamoneyedman，——andhisstatementhadbeenreceivedwithnocontradiction，——evenwithoutthesuggestionofadoubt。Hedidnotthereforesupposethatthedifficultywasover。buthewascleverenoughtoperceivethattheaversiontohimonanotherscoremighthelptotidehimoverthatdifficulty。Andifoncehecouldcallthegirlhiswife，hedidnotdoubtbutthathecouldbuildhimselfupwiththebarrister’smoney。AfterleavingLincoln’sInnhewentatoncetoBerkeleyStreet，andwassoonclosetedwithMrsRoby。’Youcangetherherebeforeyougo？’hesaid。

’Shewouldn’tcome——andifwearrangeditwithoutlettingherknowthatyouweretobehere，shewouldtellherfather。Shehasn’taparticleoffemaleintrigueinher。’

’Somuchthebetter，’saidthelover。

’That’sallverywellforyoutosay，butwhenamanmakessuchatyrantofhimselfasMrWhartonisdoing，agirlisboundtolookafterherself。IfitwasmeI’dgooffwithmyyoungmanbeforeI’dstandsuchtreatment。’

’Youcouldgiveheraletter。’

’She’donlyshowittoherfather。SheissoperversethatI

sometimesfeelinclinedtosaythatI’llhavenothingfurthertodowithher。’

’You’llgiveheramessageatanyrate？’

’Yes，——Icandothat——becauseIcandoitinawaythatwon’tseemtomakeitimportant。’

’ButIwantmymessagetobeveryimportant。TellherthatI’veseenherfather，andhaveofferedtoexplainallmyaffairstohim，——sothathemayknowthatthereisnothingtofearonherbehalf。’

’Itisn’tanythoughtofmoneythatistroublinghim。’

’ButtellherwhatIsay。He，however，wouldlistentonothing。

ThenIassuredhimthatnoconsiderationonearthwouldinducemetosurrenderher，andIwassureofherasIamofmyself。Tellherthat——andtellherthatIthinksheowestometosayonewordtomebeforeshegoesintothecountry。’

CHAPTER15

ARTHURFLETCHER。

Itmay，Ithink，beaquestionwhetherthetwooldmenactedwiselyinhavingArthurFletcheratWhartonHallwhenEmilyarrivedthere。ThestoryofhisloveforMissWharton，asfarasithadyetgone，mustshortlybetold。Hehadbeenthesecondson，ashewasnowthesecondbrother，ofaHertfordshiresquireendowedwithmuchlargerpropertythanthatbelongingtoSirAlured。JohnFletcher，Esq。，ofLongbarns，sometwelvemilesfromWharton，wasaconsiderablemaninHertfordshire。ThispresentsquirehadmarriedSirAlured’seldestdaughter，andtheyoungerbrotherhad，almostsincetheywerechildrentogether，beenknowntobeinlovewithEmilyWharton。AlltheFletchersandeverythingbelongingtothemwerealmostworshippedatWhartonHall。TherehadbeenmarriagesbetweenthetwofamiliescertainlyasfarbackasthetimeofHenryVII，andtheywereaccustomedtospeak，ifnotofalliances，atanyrateoffriendships，muchanteriortothat。Asregardsfamily，therefore，thepretensionsofaFletcherwouldalwaysbeheldtobegoodbyaWharton。ButthisFletcherwastheverypearloftheFletchertribe。Thoughayoungerbrother，hehadaverypleasantlittlefortuneofhisown。Thoughborntocomfortablecircumstances，hehadworkedsohardinhisyoungerdaysastohavealreadymadeforhimselfanameatthebar。Hewasafair-

haired，handsomefellow，withsharp，eagereyes，withanaquilinenoseandjustthatshapeofmouthandchinwhichsuchmenasAbelWhartonregardedascharacteristicofgoodblood。Hewasratherthin，aboutfivefeetteninheight，andhadthecharacterofbeingoneofthebesthorsemeninthecounty。HewasoneofthemostpopularmeninHertfordshire，andatLongbarnswasalmostasmuchthoughtofasthesquirehimself。Hecertainlywasnotthemantobetaken，fromhisappearance，foraforlornlover。Helookedlikeoneofthosehappysonsofthegodswhoareborntosuccess。Noyoungmanofhisagewasmorecourtedbothbymenandwomen。TherewasnoonewhoinhisyouthhadsufferedfewertroublesfromthosecausesoftroublewhichvisitEnglishyoungmen，——occasionalimpecuniosity，sternnessofparents，nativeshyness，fearofridicule，inabilityofspeech，andageneralpervadingsenseofinferioritycombinedwithanardentdesiretorisetoafeelingofconscioussuperiority。Somuchhadbeendoneforhimbynaturethathewasnevercalledupontopretendtoanything。Throughoutthecountythoseweretheluckymen——

andthosetoowerethehappygirls，——whowereallowedtocallhimArthur。AndyetthisparagonwasvainlyinlovewithEmilyWharton，who，inthewayoflove，wouldhavenothingtosaytohim，preferring，——asherfatheroncesaidinextremewrath，——agreasyJewadventureroutofthegutter！

AndnowithadbeenthoughtexpedienttohavehimdowntoWharton，althoughthelawyer’sregularsummervacationhadnotyetcommenced。Buttherewassomeexcusemadeforthis，overandabovetheemergencyofhisownlove，inthefactthathisbrotherJohn，withMrsFletcher，wasalsotobeattheHall，——sothattherewasgatheredthereagreatfamilypartyoftheWhartonsandFletchers。fortherewaspresenttherealsooldMrsFletcher，amagnificentlyaristocraticandhigh-mindedoldlady，withsnow-

whitehair，andlaceworthfiftyguineasayard，whowasasanxiousaseverybodyelsethatheryoungersonshouldmarryEmilyWharton。SomethingofthetruthastoEmilyWharton’s60，000

poundswas，ofcourse，knowntotheLongbarnspeople。NotthatI

wouldhaveitinferredthattheywantedtheirdarlingtosellhimselfformoney。TheFletchersweregreatpeople，withgreatspirits，toogoodineverywayforsuchbaseness。Butwhenlove，oldfriendship，goodbirth，togetherwitheveryotherproprietyastoage，manners，andconduct，canbejoinedinmoney，suchacombinationwillalwaysbethoughtpleasant。

WhenArthurreachedtheHallitwasfelttobenecessarythatawordshouldbesaidtohimastothatwretchedinterloper，FerdinandLopez。ArthurhadnotoflatebeenofteninManchesterSquare。ThoughalwaysmostcordiallywelcomedbyoldWharton，andtreatedwithkindnessbyEmilyWhartonshortofthatlovewhichhedesired，hehadduringthelastthreeorfourmonthsabstainedfromfrequentingthehouse。Duringthepastwinter，andearlyinthespring，hehadpressedhissuit——buthadbeenrejected，withwarmestassurancesofallfriendshipshortoflove。IthadthenbeenarrangedbetweenhimandtheelderWhartonsthattheyshouldallmeetdownintheHall，andtherehadbeensympatheticexpressionsofhopethatallmightyetbewell。ButatthattimelittleornothinghadbeenknownofFerdinandLopez。

Butnowtheoldbaronetspoketohim，thefatherhavingdeputedtheloathsometasktohisfriend，——beingunwillinghimselfeventohintathisdaughter’sdisgrace。’Oh，yes，I’veheardofhim，’saidArthurFletcher。’ImethimwithEverettandIdon’tthinkIevertookastrongerdisliketoaman。Everettseemsveryfondofhim。’Thebaronetmournfullyshookhishead。ItwassadtofindthatWhartonscouldgosofarastray。’HegoestoCarltonTerrace，——totheDuchess’s，’continuedtheyoungman。

’Idon’tthinkthatisverymuchinhisfavour，’saidthebaronet。

’Idon’tknowthatitis，sir，——onlytheytrytocatchallfishinthatnetthatareofanyuse。’

’Doyougothere，Arthur？’

’IshouldifIwereasked，Isuppose。Idon’tknowwhowouldn’t。

Youseeit’saCoalitionaffair，sothateverybodyisabletofeelthatheissupportinghispartybygoingtotheDuchess’s。’

’IhateCoalitions，’saidthebaronet。’Ithinktheyaredisgraceful。’

’Well——yes。Idon’tknow。Thecoachhastobedrivensomehow。

Youmustn’tstickinthemud，youknow。Andafterall，sir，theDukeofOmniumisarespectableman，thoughheisaLiberal。A

DukeofOmniumcan’twanttosendthecountrytothedogs。’Theoldmanshookhishead。Hedidnotunderstandmuchaboutit，buthefeltconvincedthattheDukeandhiscolleaguesweresendingthecountrytothedogs，whatevermightbetheirwishes。’I

shan’tthinkofpoliticsforthenexttenyears，andsoIdon’ttroublemyselfabouttheDuchess’sparties，butIsupposeI

shouldgoifIwereasked。’

SirAluredfeltthathehadnotasyetbeguneventoapproachthedifficultsubject。’I’mgladyoudon’tlikethatman，’hesaid。

’Idon’tlikehimatall。Tellme，SirAlured——whyishealwaysgoingtoManchesterSquare？’

’Ah——thatisit。’

’Hehasbeenthereconstantly——hashenot？’

’No——noIdon’tthinkthat。MrWhartondoesn’tlovehimabitbetterthanyoudo。Mycousinthinkshimamostobjectionableyoungman。’

’ButEmily？’

’Ah——That’swhereitis。’

’Youdon’tmeantosayshe——caresaboutthatman！’

’Hehasbeenencouragedbythatauntofhers，who，asfarasI

canmakeout，isaveryunfitsortofpersontobemuchwithsuchagirlasourdearEmily。Ineversawherbutonce，andthenI

didn’tlikeheratall。’

’Avulgar，good-naturedwoman。Butwhatcanshehavedone？Shecan’thavetwistedEmilyroundherfinger。’

’Idon’tsupposethereisverymuchinit，butIthoughtitbettertotellyou。Girlstakefanciesintotheirheads，——justforatime。’

’He’sahandsomefellow，too，’saidArthurFletcher，musinginhissorrow。

’Mycousinsayshe’sanastyJew-lookingman。’

’He’snotthat，SirAlured。He’sahandsomemanwithafinevoice——dark，andnotjustlikeanEnglishman。butstillIcanfancy——That’sbadnewsforme，SirAlured。’

’Ithinkshe’llforgethimdownhere。’

’Sheneverforgetsanything。Ishallaskher，straightaway。

Sheknowsmyfeelingabouther，andIhaven’tadoubtthatshe’lltellme。She’stoohonesttobeabletolie。Hashegotanymoney？’

’Mycousinseemstothinkhe’srich。’

’Isupposeheis。Oh，Lord！That’sablow。IwishIcouldhavethepleasureofshootinghimasamanmightafewyearsago。Butwhatwouldbethegood？Thegirlwouldonlyhatemethemoreafterit。Thebestthingtodowouldbetoshootmyself。’

’Don’ttalklikethat，Arthur。’

’Ishan’tthrowupthespongeaslongasthere’sachanceleft，SirAlured。ButitwillgobadlywithmeifI’mbeatatlast。I

shouldn’thavethoughtitpossiblethatIshouldhavefeltanythingsomuch。’Thenhepulledhishair，andthrusthishandintohiswaistcoat。andturnedaway，sothathisoldfriendmightnotseethetearinhiseye。

Hisoldfriendalsowasmuchmoved。ItwasdreadfultohimthatthehappinessofaFletcher，andthecomfortoftheWhartonsgenerally，shouldbemarredbyamanwithsuchanameasFerdinandLopez。’She’llnevermarryhimwithoutherfather’sconsent，’saidSirAlured。

’Ifshemeansit，ofcoursehe’llconsent。’

’ThatI’msurehewon’t。Hedoesn’tlikethemanabitbetterthanyoudo。’Fletchershookhishead。’Andhe’sasfondofyouasthoughyouwerealreadyhisson。’

’Whatdoesitmatter？Ifagirlsetsherheartonmarryingaman，ofcourse，shewillmarryhim。Ifhehadnomoneyitmightbedifferent。Butifhe’swelloff，ofcoursehe’llsucceed。Well。Isupposeothermenhavebornethesamesortofthingbeforeandithasn’tkilledthem。’

’Letushope，myboy。Ithinkofherquiteasmuchasofyou。’

’Yes，——wecanhope。Ishan’tgiveitup。Asforher，Idaresaysheknowswhatwillsuitherbest。I’venothingtosayagainsttheman，——exceptingthatIshouldliketocuthimintofourquarters。’

’Butaforeigner！’

’Girlsdon’tthinkaboutthat，——notasyoudoandMrWharton。

AndIthinkthylikedark，greasymenwithslipperyvoices，whoareuptododgesandfullofsecrets。Well，sir，Ishallgotoheratonceandhaveitout。’

’You’llspeaktomycousin？’

’CertainlyIwill。HehasalwaysbeenoneofthebestfriendsI

everhadinmylife。Iknowithasn’tbeenhisfault。Butwhatcanamando？Girlswon’tmarrythisorthatbecausetheyaretold。’

FletcherdidspeaktoEmily’sfather，andlearnedmorefromhimthanhadbeentoldhimbySirAlured。Indeedhelearnedthewholetruth。Lopezhadbeentwicewiththefatherpressinghissuitandhadbeentwicerepulsed，withasabsolutedenialaswordscouldconvey。Emily，however，haddeclaredherownfeelingopenly，expressingherwishtomarrytheodiousman，promisingnottodosowithoutherfather’sconsent，butevidentlyfeelingthatthatconsentoughtnottobewithheldfromher。AllthisMrWhartontoldveryplainly，walkingwithArthuralittlebeforedinneralongashaded，lonelypath，whichforhalfamileranalongtheverymargeoftheWyeatthebottomofthepark。Andthenhewentontospeakotherwordswhichseemedtorobhisyoungfriendofallhope。Theoldmanwaswalkingslowly，withhishandsclaspedbehindhisbackandwithhiseyesfixedonthepathashewent——andhespokeslowly，evidentlyweighinghiswordsasheutteredthem，bringinghometohisheareraconvictionthatthematterdiscussedwasoneofsupremeimportancetothespeaker，——astowhichhehadthoughtmuch，soastobeabletoexpresshissettledresolutions。’I’vetoldyouallnow，Arthur，——onlythis。IdonotknowhowlongImaybeabletoresistthisman’sclaimifitbebackedbyEmily’sentreaties。Iamthinkingverymuchaboutit。IdonotknowthatIhavereallybeenabletothinkofanythingelseforthelasttwomonths。Itisalltheworldtome，——whatsheandEverettdowiththemselves，andwhatshemaydointhismatterofmarriageisofinfinitelygreaterimportancethancanbefallhim。

Ifhemakesamistake，itmaybeputright。Butwithawoman’smarrying——，vestigianullaretrorsum。Shehasputoffallheroldbondsandtakennewones，whichmustbeherbondsforlife。

Feelingthisverystrongly，anddislikingthismangreatly，——

dislikinghim，thatistosay，intheviewofthiscloserelation，——Ihavefeltmyselftobejustifiedinsofaropposingmychildbytheuseofahighhand。Ihaverefusedmysanctiontothemarriagebothtohimandtoher，——thoughintruthIhavebeenhardsettofindanyadequatereasonfordoingso。Ihavenorighttofashionmygirl’slifebymyprejudices。Mylifehasbeenlived。Hersistocome。InthismatterIshouldbecruelandunnaturalwereItoallowmyselftobegovernedbyanyselfishinclination。ThoughIweretoknowthatshewouldbelosttomeforever，Imustgiveway，——ifoncebroughttoaconvictionthatbynotgivingwayIshouldsacrificeheryounghappiness。Inthismatter，Arthur，Imustnoteventhinkofyou，thoughIloveyouwell。Imustconsideronlymychild’swelfare。

andindoingsoImusttrytosiftmyownfeelingsandmyownjudgement，andascertain，ifitbepossible，whetheranydistancetothemanisreasonableorirrational——whetherIshouldserveherorsacrificeherbyobstinacyofrefusal。Icanspeaktoyoumoreplainlythantoher。IndeedIhavelaidbaretoyoumywholeheartandmywholemind。Youhaveallmywishes，butyouwillunderstandthatIdonotpromiseyoumycontinuedassistance。’

Whenhehadsospokenheputouthishandandpressedhiscompanion’sarm。Thenheturnedslowlyintoalittleby-pathwhichledacrosstheparkuptothehouse，andleftArthurFletcherstandingalonebytheriver’sbank。

Andsobydegreestheblowhadcomefullhometohim。Hehadbeentwicerefused。Thenrumourshadreachedhim，——notatfirstthathehadarival，butthattherewasamanwhomightpossiblybecomeso。Andnowthisrivalry，anditssuccess，weredeclaredtohimplainly。Hetoldhimselffromthismomentthathehadnotachance。Lookingforwardhecouldseeit。Heunderstoodthegirl’scharactersufficientlytobesurethatshewouldnotbewaftedabout，fromonelovertoanother，bychangeofscene。

TakinghertoDresden，——ortoNewZealand，wouldonlyconfirminherpassionsuchagirlasEmilyWharton。Nothingwouldshakeherbuttheascertainedunworthinessoftheman，——andnotthatunlessitwereascertainedbeneathherowneyes。Andthenyearsmustpassbybeforeshewouldyieldtoanotherlover。Therewasafurtherquestion，too，whichhedidnotfailtoaskhimself。

WasthemannecessarilyunworthybecausehisnamewasLopez，andbecausehehadnotcomeofEnglishblood？

Ashestrovetothinkofthis，ifnotcoollyyetrationally，hesathimselfdownamongtherocks，amongwhichatthatspotthewatermadeitswayrapidly。Therehadbeenmomentsinwhichhehadbeenalmostashamedofhislove，——andnowhedidnotknowwhethertobemostashamedormostproudofit。Butherecognizedthefactthatitwascrucifyinghim，andthatitwouldcontinuetocrucifyhim。HeknewhimselfinLondontobeapopularman，——oneofthoseforwhom，accordingtogeneralopinion，girlsshouldsigh，ratherthanonewhowouldbreakhisheartsighingforagirl。Hehadoftentoldhimselfthatitwasbeneathhismanlinesstobedespondent。thatheshouldletsuchatroublerunfromhimlikewaterfromaduck’sback，consolinghimselfwiththereflectionthatifthegirlhadsuchbadtasteshecouldhardlybeworthyofhim。Hehadalmosttriedtobelongtothatschoolwhichthrowstheheartawayandrulesbytheheadalone。Heknewthatothers，——perhapsnotthosewhoknewhimbest，butwhoneverthelesswerethecompanionsofmayofhishours，——gavehimcreditforsuchpower。Whyshouldamanafflicthimselfbytheinwardburdenofanunsatisfiedcraving，andallowhishearttosinkintohisveryfeetbecauseagirlwouldnotsmilewhenhewooedher？’Ifshebenotfairforme，whatcareIhowfairshebe！’Hehadrepeatedthelinestohimselfascoreoftimes，andhadbeenashamedofhimselfbecausehecouldnotmakethemcometruetohimself。

Theyhadnotcometrueintheleast。Therehewas，ArthurFletcher，whomalltheworldcourted，withhisheartinhisveryboots！Therewasamiserableloadwithinhim，absolutelypalpabletohisoutwardfeeling，——averyphysicalpain，——whichhecouldnotshakeoff。Ashethrewthestonesintothewaterhetoldhimselfthatitmustbesowithhimalways。Thoughtheworlddidpethim，thoughhewaslikedathisclub，andcourtedinthehunting-field，andlovedatballsandarcherymeetings，andreputedbyoldmentobearisingstar，hetoldhimselfthathewassomaimedandmutilatedastobeonlyhalfaman。Hecouldnotreasonaboutit。Naturehadafflictedhimwithacertainweakness。Onemanhadahump——anothercanhardlyseeoutofhisimperfecteyes，——athirdcanbarelyutterafewdisjointedwords。Itwashisfatetobeconstructedwithsomeweakarrangementofthebloodvesselswhichlefthiminthisplight。’Thewholedamnedthingisnothingtome，’hesaidburstingintoabsolutetears，aftervainlytryingtoreassurehimselfbyarecollectionofthegoodthingswhichtheworldstillhadinstoreforhim。

Thenhestrovetoconsolehimselfbythinkingthathemighttakeaprideinhislove，eventhoughitweresointolerableaburdentohim。Wasitnotsomethingtobeabletoloveasheloved？

Wasitnotsomethingatanyratethatshetowhomhehadcondescendedtostoopwasworthyofalllove？Butevenherehecouldgetnocomfort，——beingintruthunabletoseeverycloselyintotheconditionofthething。Itwasadisgracetohim，——tohimwithinhisownbosom，——thatsheshouldhavepreferredtohimsuchaoneasFerdinandLopez，andthisdisgraceheexaggerated，ignoringthefactthatthegirlherselfmightbedeficientinjudgement，orledawayintoherlovebyfalsehoodandcounterfeitattractions。Tohimshewassuchagoddessthatshemustberight——andthereforehisowninferioritytosuchaoneasFerdinandLopezwasproved。Hecouldtakenoprideinhisrejectedlove。Hewouldridhimselfofitatamoment’snoticeifheknewtheway。Hewouldthrowhimselfatthefeetofsomesecond-rate，tawdry，well-born，well-knownbeautyoftheday，——

onlythattherewasnotnowlefttohimstrengthtopretendthefeelingthatwouldbenecessary。Thenheheardsteps，andjumpingupfromhisseat，stoodjustinthewayofEmilyWhartonandhercousinMary。’Ain’tyougoingtodressfordinner，youngman？’saidthelatter。

’Ishallhavetimeifyouhave，anyway，’saidArthur，endeavouringtopluckuphisspirits。

’That’sniceofhim——isn’tit？’saidMary。’Why，wearedressed。Whatmoredoyouwant？Wecameouttolookforyou，thoughwedidn’tmeantocomeasfarasthis。It’spastsevennow，andwearesupposedtodineataquarterpast。’

’Fiveminuteswilldoforme。’

’Butyou’vegottogettothehouse。Youneedn’tbeinatremendoushurry，becausepapahasonlyjustcomeinfromhaymaking。They’vegotupthelastload，andtherehasbeentheusualceremony。EmilyandIhavebeenlookingatthem。’

’IwishI’dbeenthereallthetime，’saidEmily。’IdosohateLondoninJuly。’

’SodoI，’saidArthur，——’inJulyandallothertimes。’

’YouhateLondon？’saidMary。

’Yes，——andHertfordshire，——andotherplacesgenerally。IfI’vegottodressI’dbettergoacrosstheparkasquickasIcango，’

andsoheleftthem。Maryturnedaroundandlookedathercousin，butatthemomentsaidnothing。Arthur’spassionwaswellknowntoMaryWharton，butMaryhadasyetheardnothingofFerdinandLopez。

CHAPTER16

NEVERRUNAWAY！

DuringthewholeofthateveningtherewasaforcedattemptonthepartofallthepartyatWhartonHalltobemerry，——which，however，asisthecasewheneversuchattemptsareforced，wasafailure。Therehadbeenahaymakingharvest-homewhichwassupposedtogivespecialoccasionformirth，asSirAluredfarmedthelandaroundtheparkhimself，andwasgreatinhay。’Idon’tthinkitpaysverywell，’hesaidwithagentlesmile，’butI

liketoemploysomeofthepeoplemyself。Ithinktheoldpeoplefinditeasierwithmethanwiththetenants。’

’Ishouldn’twonder，’saidhiscousin——’butthat’scharity。notemployment。’

’No，no，’exclaimedthebaronet。’Theyworkfortheirwagesanddotheirbest。Powellseestothat。’Powellwasthebailiff，whoknewthelengthofhismaster’sfoottoaquarterofaninch，andwasquiteawarethattheWhartonhaymakerswerenottobeovertasked。’Powelldoesn’tkeepanycatsabouttheplace，butwhatcatchmice。ButIamnotquitesurethathaymakingdoespay。’

’Howdothetenantsmanage？’

’Ofcoursetheylooktothingscloser。Youwouldn’twishmetoletthelanduptothehousenextdoor。’

’Ithink，’saidoldMrsFletcher，’thatalandlordshouldconsenttolosealittlebyhisownfarming。Itdoesgoodinthelongrun。’BothMrWhartonandSirAluredfeltthatthismightbeverywellatLongbarns，thoughitcouldhardlybeaffordedatWharton。

’Idon’tthinkIlosemuchbymyfarming，’saidthesquireofLongbarns。’Ihavefourhundredacresonhand，andIkeepmyaccountsprettyregularly。’

’Johnsonisaverygoodman，Idaresay，’saidthebaronet。

’Likemostoftheothers，’continuedthesquire，’he’sverywellaslongashe’slookedafter。IthinkIknowasmuchaboutitasJohnson。Ofcourse，Idon’texpectafarmer’sprofit。butIdoexpectmyrent，andIgetit。’

’Idon’tthinkImanageitinquitethatway，’saidthebaronetinamelancholytone。

’I’mafraidnot，’saidthebarrister。

’Johnisasharduponthemenasanyoneofthetenants，’saidJohn’swife，MrsFletcherofLongbarns。

’I’mnothardatall，’saidJohn，’andyouunderstandnothingaboutit。I’mpayingthreeshillingsaweekmoretoeveryman，andeighteenpenceaweekmoretoeverywoman，thanIdidthreeyearsago。’

’That’sbecauseoftheUnions，’saidthebarrister。

’Idon’tcareastrawfortheUnions。IftheUnionsinterferedwithmycomfort，I’dletthelandandleavetheplace。’

’Oh，John！’ejaculatedJohn’smother。

’Iwouldnotconsenttobemadeaslaveevenforthesakeofthecountry。Butthewageshadtoberaised，——havingraisedthemI

expecttogetpropervalueformymoney。Ifanythinghastobegivenaway，letitbegivenaway，——sothatthepeopleshouldknowwhatitisthattheyreceive。’

’That’sjustwhatwedon’twanttodohere，’saidLadyWharton，whodidnotoftenjoininanyofthesearguments。

’You’rewrong，mylady，’saidherstepson。’You’reonlybreedingidlenesswhenyouteachpeopletothinkthattheyareearningwageswithoutworkingfortheirmoney。Whateveryoudowiththem，letthemknowandfeelthetruth。It’llbethebestinthelongrun。’

’I’msometimeshappywhenIthinkthatIshan’tlivetoseethelongrun，’saidthebaronet。ThiswasthemannerinwhichtheytriedtobemerrythateveningafterdinneratWhartonHall。Thetwogirlssatlisteningtotheirseniorsincontentedsilence，——

listeningorperhapsthinkingoftheirownpeculiartroubles，whileArthurFletcherheldsomebookinhishandwhichhestrovetoreadwithallhismight。

TherewasnotonethereintheroomwhodidnotknowthatitwasthewishoftheunitedfamiliesthatArthurFletchershouldmarryEmilyWharton，andalsothatEmilyhadrefusedhim。ToArthurofcoursethefeelingthatitwassocouldnotbutbeanadditionalvexation。buttheknowledgehadgrownupandhadbecomecommoninthetwofamilieswithoutanypoweronhisparttopreventsodisagreeableaconditionofaffairs。Therewasnotoneinthatroom，unlessitwasMaryWharton，whowasnotmoreorlessangrywithEmily，thinkinghertobeperverseandunreasonable。EventoMaryhercousin’sstrangeobstinacywasamatterofsurpriseandsorrow，——fortoherArthurFletcherwasoneofthosedemigods，whoshouldneverberefused，whoarenotexpectedtodomorethanexpressawishandbeaccepted。Herownhearthadnotstrayedthatwaybecauseshethoughtbutlittleofherself，knowingherselftobeportionless，andbelievingfromlongthoughtonthesubjectthatitwasnotherdestinytothewifeofanyman。SheregardedArthurFletcherasbeingofallmenthemostlovable，——

though，knowingherowncondition，shedidnotdreamoflovinghim。Itdidnotbecomehertobeangrywithanothergirlonsuchacause——butshewasamazedthatArthurFletchershouldsighinvain。

Thegirl’sfollyandperversenessonthisheadwereknowntothemall，——butasyethergreaterfollyandworseperverseness，hervitiatedtasteanddreadfulpartialityforthePortugueseadventurer，wereknownbuttothetwooldmenandtopoorArthurhimself。WhenthatsternlymagnificentoldladyMrsFletcher，——

whoseancestorshadbeenWelshkingsinthetimeoftheRomans，——

whensheshouldhearthisstory，theroofoftheoldhallwouldhardlybeabletoholdherwrathandherdismay！Theoldkingshaddiedaway，buttheFletchersandtheVaughans，——ofwhomshehadbeenone，——andtheWhartonsremained，apeculiarpeopleinanagethatwasthensurrenderingitselftoquickperdition，andwithpeculiarduties。Amongtheseduties，thechiefestofthemincumbentonfemaleswasthatofsorestrainingtheiraffectionsthattheyshouldneverdamagethegoodcausebyleavingit。Theymightmarrywithinthepale，——orremainsingle，asmightbetheirlot。ShewouldnottakeuponherselftosaythatEmilyWhartonwasboundtoacceptArthurFletcher，merelybecausesuchamarriagewasfitting，——althoughshedidthinkthattherewasmuchperversenessinthegirl，whomighthavetaughtherself，hadshenotbeensostubborn，tocomplywiththewishesofthefamilies。Buttoloveonesobelowherself，amanwithoutafather，aforeigner，ablackPortugueseJew，merelybecausehehadabrighteye，andahooknose，andaglibtongue，——thatagirlfromtheWhartonsshoulddothis，——！ItwassounnaturaltoMrsFletcherthatitwouldbehardlypossibletohertobeciviltothegirlaftershehadheardthathermindandtasteweresoastray。AllthisSirAluredknewandthebarristerknewit，——

andtheyfearedherindignationthemorebecausetheysympathizedwiththeoldlady’sfeelings。

’EmilyWhartondoesn’tseemtometobeabitmoregraciousthansheusedtobe，’MrsFletchersaidtoLadyWhartonthatnight。

Thetwooldladiesweresittingtogetherupstairs，andMrsJohnFletcherwaswiththem。InsuchconferencesMrsFletcheralwaysdomineered，——toperfectcontentmentofoldLadyWharton，butnotequallysotothatofherdaughter-in-law。

’I’mafraidshe’snotveryhappy，’saidLadyWharton。

’Shehaseverythingthatoughttomakeagirlhappy，andIdon’tknowwhatitisshewants。Itmakesmequiteangrytoseehersodiscontented。Shedoesn’tsayaword，butsitsthereasglumasdeath。IfIwereArthurIwouldleaveherforsixmonths，andneverspeaktoherduringthattime。’

’Isuppose，mother，’saidtheyoungerMrsFletcher，——whocalledherhusband’smother，mother，andherownmother，mamma，——’agirlneedn’tmarryamanunlessshelikeshim。’

’Butsheshouldtrytolikehimifit’ssuitableinotherrespects。Idon’tmeantotakeanytroubleaboutit。Arthurneedn’tbegforanyfavour。OnlyIwouldn’thavecomehereifI

hadthoughtthatshehadintendedtositsilentlikethatalways。’

’Itmakesherunhappy，Isuppose，’saidLadyWharton，’becauseshecan’tdowhatweallwant。’

’Fall，lall！She’dhavewanteditherselfifnobodyelsehadwishedit。I’msurprisedthatArthurshouldbesomuchtakenwithher。’

’You’dbettersaynothingmoreaboutit，mother。’

’Idon’tmeantosayanythingmoreaboutit。It’snothingtome。

ArthurcandoverywellintheworldwithoutEmilyWharton。Onlyagirllikethatwillsometimesmakeadisgracefulmatch。andweshouldallfeelthat。’

’Idon’tthinkEmilywilldoanythingdisgraceful，’saidLadyWharton。Andsotheyparted。

Inthemeantimethetwobrothersweresmokingtheirpipesinthehousekeeper’sroom，which，atWharton，whentheFletchersorEverettwerethere，wasfreelyusedforthatpurpose。

’Isn’titratherquaintofyou，’saidtheelderbrother，’comingdownhereinthemiddleoftermtime？’

’Itdoesn’tmattermuch。’

’Ishouldhavethoughtitwouldmatter——thatis，ifyoumeantogoonwithit。’

’I’mnotgoingtomakeaslaveofmyselfaboutit，ifyoumeanthat。Idon’tsupposeIshallevermarry，——andforrisingtobeaswellintheprofession，Idon’tcareaboutit。’

’Youusedtocareaboutit，——verymuch。Youusedtosaythatifyoudidn’tgettothetopitshouldn’tbeyourownfault。’

’AndIhaveworked——andIdowork。Butthingsgetchangedsomehow。I’vehalfamindtogiveitallup，——toraisealotofmoney，andtostartoffwitharesolutiontoseeeverycorneroftheworld。Isupposeamancoulddoitinaboutthirtyyearsifhelivedsolong。It’sthekindofthingthatwouldsuitme。’

’Exactly。Idon’tknowofanyfellowwhohasbeenmoreintosociety，andthereforeyouareexactlythemantolivealonefortherestofyourlife。You’vealwaysworkedhard，Iwillsaythatforyou——andthereforeyou’rejustthemantobecontentedwithidleness。You’vealwaysbeenambitiousandself-confident，andthereforeitwillsuityoutoaT，tobenobody，andtodonothing。’Arthursatsilent，smokinghispipewithallhismight，andhisbrothercontinued，——’Besides，——youreadsometimes，Ifancy。’

’Ishouldreadallthemore。’

’Verylikely。Butwhatyouhaveread，intheoldplays，forinstance，musthavetaughtyouthatwhenamaniscutaboutawoman，——whichIsupposeisyourcasejustatpresent，——heneverdoesgetoverit。Henevergetsallrightafteratime，——doeshe？Suchaonehadbettergoandturnmonkatonce，astheworldisoverforhimaltogether——isn’tit？Mendon’trecoverafteramonthortwo，andgoonjustthesame。You’veneverseenthatkindofthingyourself？’

’I’mnotgoingtocutmythroatorturnmonkeither。’

’No。Therearesomanysteamboatsandrailwaysnowthattravellingseemseasier。SupposeyougoasfarasStPetersburg，andseeifthatdoesyouanygood。Ifitdon’t，youneedn’tgoon，becauseitwillbehopeless。Ifitdoes，——why，youcancomeback，becausethesecondjourneywilldotherest。’

’Thereneverwasanything，John，thatwasn’tamatterforchaffwithyou。’

’AndIhopethereneverwillbe。Peopleunderstanditwhenlogicwouldbethrownaway。Isupposethetruthisthegirlcaresforsomebodyelse。’Arthurnoddedhishead。’Whoisit？AnyoneI

know？’

’Ithinknot。’

’Anyoneyouknow？’

’Ihavemettheman。’

’Decent？’

’Disgustinglyindecent，Ishouldsay。’Johnlookedveryblack，forevenwithhimthefeelingabouttheWhartonsandtheVaughansandtheFletcherswasverystrong。’He’samanIshouldsayyouwouldn’tletintoLongbarns。’

’Theremightbevariousreasonsforthat。Itmightbethatyouwouldn’tcaretomeethim。’

’Well——no，——Idon’tsupposeIshould。Butwithoutthatyouwouldn’tlikehim。Idon’tthinkhe’sanEnglishman。’

’Aforeigner！’

’Hehasgotaforeignname。’

’AnItaliannobleman？’

’Idon’tthinkhe’snobleinanycountry。’

’Whothed-dishe？’

’Hisnameis——Lopez。’

’Everett’sfriend？’

’Yes，——Everett’sfriend。Iain’tverymuchobligedtoMasterEverettforwhathehasdone。’

’I’veseentheman。IndeedImaysayIknowhim，——forIdinedwithhimatManchesterSquare。OldWhartonhimselfmusthaveaskedhimthere。’

’HewasthereasEverett’sfriend。Ionlyheardallthisto-day，youknow，——thoughIhadheardaboutitbefore。’

’Andthereforeyouwantmetosetoutyourtravels。AsfarasI

sawIshouldsayhewasacleverfellow。’

’Idon’tdoubtthat。’

’Andagentleman。’

’Idon’tknowthatheisnot，’saidArthur。’I’venorighttosaywordagainsthim。FromwhatWhartonsaysIsupposehe’srich。’

’He’sgood-lookingtoo——atleasthe’sthesortofmanthatwomenliketolookat。’

’Justso。I’venocausetoquarrelwithhim，——norwithher。

But——’

’Yes，myfriend。Iseeitall，’saidtheelderbrother。’I

thinkIknowallaboutit。Butrunningawayisnotthething。

Onemaybeprettynearlysurethatoneisrightwhenonesaysthatamanshouldn’trunawayfromanything。’

’Thethingistobehappyifyoucan，’saidArthur。

’No——that’snotthething。I’mnotmuchofaphilosopher，butasfarasIcanseetherearetwophilosophiesintheworld。Theoneistomakeone’sselfhappy，andtheotheristomakeotherpeoplehappy。Thelatteranswersthebest。’

’Ican’taddtoherhappinessbyhangingaboutLondon。’

’That’saquibble。Itisn’therhappinesswearetalkingabout，——noryetyourhangingaboutLondon。Girdyourselfupandgoonwithwhatyou’vegottodo。Putyourworkbeforeyourfeelings。

Whatdoesapoormando，whogoesouthedgingandditchingwithadeadchildlyinginhishouse？Ifyougetablowintheface，returnitifitoughttobereturned，butnevercomplainofthepain。Ifyoumusthaveyourvitalseateninto，——havethemeatenintolikeaman。Butmindyou，——theseain’tyourvitals。’

’Itgoesprettynear。’

’Theseain’tyourvitals。Amangetscuredofit，——almostalways。Ibelievealways。thoughsomemengethitsohardtheycanneverbringthemselvestotryitagain。Buttellmethis。

HasoldWhartongivenhisconsent？’

’No。Hehasrefused，’saidArthurwithstrongemphasis。

’Howistobe，then？’

’Hehasdealtveryfairlybyme。Hehasdoneallhecouldtogetridoftheman，——bothwithhimandwithher。HehastoldEmilythathewillhavenothingtodowiththeman。Andshewilldonothingwithouthissanction。’

’Thenitwillremainasitis。’

’No，John。itwillnot。Hehasgoneontosaythatthoughhehasrefused，——andhasrefusedroughlyenough，——hemustgivewayifheseesthatshehasreallysetherheartuponhim。Andshehas。’

’Hasshetoldyouso？’

’No——buthehastoldme。Ishallhaveitoutwithherto-

morrow，ifIcan。AndthenIshallbeoff。’

’You’llbeherefortheshootingonthe1st？’

’No。Idaresayyou’rerightinwhatyousayaboutstickingtomywork。Itdoesseemunmanlytorunawaybecauseofagirl。’

’Becauseofanything！Stopandfaceit，whateveritis。’

’Justso——butIcan’tstopandfaceher。Itwoulddonogood。

ForalloursakesIshouldbebetteraway。IcangetshootingwithMusgraveandCarnegieinPerthshire。IdaresayIshallgothere，andtakeasharewiththem。’

’That’sbetterthangoingintoallquartersoftheglobe。’

’Ididn’tmeanthatIwastosurrenderandstartatonce。Youtakeafellowupsoshort。Ishalldoverywell，I’venodoubt，andshallbehuntinghereasjollyaseveratChristmas。Butafellowmustsayitalltosomebody。’Theelderbrotherputhishandoutandlaiditaffectionatelyupontheyoungerone’sarm。

’I’mnotgoingtowhimperabouttheworldlikeawhippeddog。

Theworstofitissomanypeoplehaveknownofthis。’

’Youmeandownhere。’

’Oh——everywhere。Ihavenevertoldthem。Ithasbeenakindoffamilyaffairandthoughttobefitforgeneraldiscussions。’

’That’llwearaway。’

’Inthemeantime，it’sabore。Butthatshallbetheendofit。

Don’tyousayanotherwordtomeaboutit，andIwon’ttoyou。

Andtellmothernotto，orSarah。’SarahwasJohnFletcher’swife。’Ithasgottobedropped，andletusdropitasquicklyaswecan。Ifshedoesmarrythisman，Idon’tsupposeshe’llbemuchatLongbarnsorWharton。’

’NotatLongbarnscertainly，Ishouldsay，’repliedJohn。’FancymotherhavingtocurtseytoherasMrsLopez！AndIdoubtwhetherSirAluredwouldlikehim。Heisn’tofoursort。He’stooclever，toocosmopolitan，——asortofmanwhitewashedofallprejudices，whowouldn’tmindwhetherheatehorsefleshorbeefifhorsefleshwereasgoodasbeef，andneverhadonanyoccasioninhislife。I’mnotsurethathe’snotonthesafestside。

Good-night，oldfellow。Pluckup，andsendusplentyofgrouseifyoudogotoScotland。’

JohnFletcher，asIhopemayhavebeenalreadyseen，wasbynomeansaweakmanoranindifferentbrother。Hewaswarm-hearted，sharp-witted，andthoughperhapsalittleself-opinionated，consideredthroughoutthecountytobeoneofthemostprudentinit。Indeednooneeverventuredtodoubthiswisdomonallpracticalmatters，——savehismother，whoseeinghimalmosteveryday，hadastrongerbiastowardsheryoungerson。’Arthurhasbeenhithardaboutthatgirl，’hesaidtohiswifethatnight。

’EmilyWharton？’

’Yes——yourcousinEmily。Don’tsayanythingtohim，butbeasgoodtohimasyouknowhow。’

’GoodtoArthur！AmInotalwaysgoodtohim？’

’Bealittlemorethanusuallytenderwithhim。Itmakesonealmostcrytoseesuchafellowhurtlikethat。Icanunderstandit，thoughIneverhadanythingofitmyself。’

’Youneverhad，John，’saidthewifeleaningcloseuponthehusband’sbreastasshespoke。’Itallcameveryeasilytoyou——

tooeasilyperhaps。’

’Ifanygirlhadrefusedme，Ishouldhavetakenheratherword。

Icantellyou。Therewouldhavebeennosecondhoptothatball。’

’ThenIsupposeIwasrighttocatchitthefirsttime？’

’Idon’tsayhowthatmaybe。’

’Iwasright。Oh，dearme！——SupposeIhaddoubted，justforonce，andyouhadgoneoff。Youshouldhavetriedoncemore，——

wouldn’tyou？’

’You’dhavegoneaboutitlikeabroken-wingedoldhen，andhavesoftenedmeinthatway。’

’AndnowArthurhashadhiswingbroken。’

’Youmustn’tletontoknowit’sbroken，andthewingwillbehealedinduetime。Butwhatfoolsgirlsare！’

’Indeedtheyare，John，——particularlyme。’

’FancyagirllikeEmilyWharton，’saidhe，notcondescendingtonoticeherlittlejoke，’throwingherselfoverafellowlikeArthurforagreasy，blackforeigner。’

’Aforeigner！’

’Yes，——amannamedLopez。Don’tsayanythingaboutitatpresent。Won’tshelivetofindoutthedifference，andtoknowwhatshehasdone！Icantellherofonewhowon’tpityher。’

CHAPTER17

GOOD-BYE。

ArthurFletcherreceivedhisbrother’steachingastrue，andtookhisbrother’sadviceingoodpart，——sothat，beforethemorningfollowing，hehadresolvedthathoweverthedeepthewoundmightbe，hewouldsolivebeforetheworld，thattheworldshouldnotseehiswound。Whatpeoplealreadyknewtheymustknow，——buttheyshouldlearnnothingfurthereitherbywordsorbysignsfromhim。Hewould，ashehadsaidtohisbrother，’haveitoutwithEmily’。andthen，ifshetoldhimplainlythatshelovedtheman，hewouldbidheradieu，simplyexpressingregretthattheircourseforlifeshouldbedivided。Hewasconfidentthatshewouldtellhimtheentiretruth。Shewouldberestrainedneitherbyfalsemodesty，norbyanyassumedunwillingnesstodiscussherownaffairswithafriendsotruetoherashehadbeen。Heknewherwellenoughtobesurethatsherecognizedthevalueofhislovethoughshecouldnotbringherselftoacceptit。Therearerejectedloverswho，merelybecausetheyarelovers，becomesubjecttothescornandeventhedisgustofthegirlstheylove。

Butagaintherearemenwho，evenwhentheyarerejected，arealmostloved，whoareconsideredtobeworthyofthereverence，almostofworship——andyettheworshipperswillnotlovethem。

Notanalysingallthis，butsomewhatconsciousofthelightinwhichthisgirlregardedhim，heknewthatwhathemightsaywouldbetreatedwithdeference。Astoshakingher，——astotalkingheroutofonepurposeandintoanother，——thattohimdidnotforamomentseemtobepracticable。Therewasnohopeofthat。HehardlyknewwhyheshouldendeavourtosayawordtoherbeforeheleftWharton。Andyethefeltthatitmustbesaid。Werehetoallowhertobemarriedtothisman，withoutanyfurtherpreviouswordbetweenthem，itwouldappearthathehadresolvedtoquarrelwithherforever。Butnow，atthisverymomentoftime，ashelayinhisbed，ashedressedhimselfinthemorning，ashesaunteredaboutamongthenewhay-stackswithhispipeinhismouthafterbreakfast，hecametosomeconclusioninhismindverymuchaversetosuchquarrelling。

Hehadlovedherwithallhisheart。Ithadnotbeenmeredrawing-roomlovebegottenbetweenacoupleofwaltzes，andfosteredbyfiveminutesinacrush。Heknewhimselftobeamanoftheworld，andhedidnotwishtobeotherthanhewas。Hecouldtalkamongmenasmentalked，andactasmenacted——andhecoulddothesamewithwomen。Buttherewasonepersonwhohadbeentohimaboveall，androundeverything，andundereverything。Therehadbeenaprivatenookwithinhimintowhichtherehadbeennoentrancebutforoneimage。Therehadbeenaholyofholies，whichhehadguardedwithinhimself，keepingitfreefromalloutercontaminationforhisownuse。Hehadcherishedtheideaofaclearfountainofever-runningwaterwhichwouldatlastbehis，alwaysreadyforthecomfortofhisownlips。Nowallhishopewasshattered，histrustwasgone，andhislongingdisappointed。Butthepersonwasthesameperson，thoughshecouldnotbehis。Thenookwasthere，thoughshewouldnotfillit。Theholyofholieswasnotlessholy，thoughhehimselfmightnotdaretoliftthecurtain。Thefountainwouldstillrun，——stilltheclearestfountainofall，——

thoughhemightnotputhislipstoit。Hewouldneverallowhimselftothinkofitwithlessenedreverence，orwithchangedideasastohernature。

Andthen，ashestoodleaningagainstaladderwhichstillkeptitsplaceagainstoneofthehay-stacks，andfilledhissecondpipeunconsciously，hehadtorealizetohimselftheprobableconditionofhisfuturelife。Ofcourseshewouldmarrythismanwithverylittlefurtherdelay。Herfatherhadalreadydeclaredhimselftobetooweaktointerferemuchlongerwithherwishes。

OfcourseMrWhartonwouldgiveway。Andthen，——whatsortoflifewouldbeherlife？Nooneknewanythingabouttheman。

Therewasanideathathewasrich，——butwealthsuchashis，wealththatissubjecttospeculation，willflyawayatamoment’snotice。Hemightbecruel，amereadventurer，orathoroughruffianforallthatwasknownofhim。Thereshould，thoughtArthurFletchertohimself，bemorestabilityinthegivingandtakingofwivesthancouldbereckoneduponhere。Hebecameoldinthathalf-hour，takinghometohimselfandappreciatingmanysawsofwisdomandfinger-directionexperiencewhichhithertohadbeentohimmattersalmostofridicule。Buthecouldonlycometothisconclusion，——thatasshewasstilltobetohimhisholyofholiesthoughhemightnotlayhishanduponthealtar，hisfountainthoughhemightnotdrinkofit，theoneimagewhichalonecouldhavefilledthatnook，hewouldnotceasetoregardherhappinesswhensheshouldhavebecomethewifeofthisstranger。Withthestrangerhimselfhenevercouldbeonfriendlyterms——butforthestranger’swifethereshouldalwaysbeafriend，ifthefriendwereneeded。

AboutanhourbeforelunchJohnFletcher，whohadbeenhangingaboutthehouseallthemorninginamannerveryunusualtohim，caughtEmilyWhartonasshewaspassingthroughthehall，andtoldherthatArthurFletcherwasinacertainpartofthegroundsandwishedtospeaktoher。’Alone？’sheasked。’Yes，certainlyalone。’’OughtItogotohim，John？’sheaskedagain。

’CertainlyIthinkyouought。’Thenhehaddonehiscommissionandwasabletoapplyhimselftowhateverbusinesshehadinhand。

Emilyatonceputonherhat，tookherparasol，andleftthehouse。Therewassomethingdistastefultoherintheideaofthisgoingoutatlover’sbidding，tomeethim。butlikeallWhartonsandallFletchers，shetrustedJohnFletcher。Andthenshewasawarethattherewerecircumstanceswhichmightmakeameetingsuchasthisserviceable。Sheknewnothingofwhathadtakenplaceduringthelastfour-and-twentyhours。Shehadnoideathatinconsequenceofwordsspokentohimbyherfatherandhisbrother，ArthurFletcherwasabouttoabandonhissuit。

Therewouldhavebeennodoubtabouthergoingtomeethimhadshethoughtofit。Shesupposedthatshewouldhavetohearagaintheoldstory。Ifso，shewouldhearit，andwouldthenhaveanopportunityoftellinghimthatherhearthadbeengivenentirelytoanother。Sheknewallthatsheowedtohim。Afterafashionshedidlovehim。Hewasentitledtothekindestconsiderationfromherhands。Butheshouldbetoldthetruth。

Assheenteredtheshrubberyhecameouttomeether，givingherhishandwithafrank，easyairandpleasantsmile。Hissmilewasasbrightastherippleofthesea，andhiseyewouldthengleam，andtheslightestsparkleofwhiteteethwouldbeseenbetweenhislips，andthedimpleofhischinwouldshowitselfdeeperthanatothertimes。’Itisverygoodofyou。Ithoughtyou’dcome。Johnaskedyou，Isuppose。’

’Yes——hetoldmeyouwerehere，andhesaidIoughttocome。’

’Idon’tknowaboutought，butIthinkitbetter。Willyoumindwalkingon，asI’vesomethingthatIwanttosay？’Thenheturnedandsheturnedwithhimintothelittlewood。’I’mnotgoingtobotheryouanymoremydarling，’hesaid。’Youarestillmydarling，thoughIwillnotcallyousoafterthis。’Herheartsankalmostinherbosomassheheardthis，——thoughitwasexactlywhatshewouldhavewishedtohear。Butnowtheremustbesomecloseunderstandingbetweenthemandsometenderness。

Sheknewhowmuchshehadowedhim，howgoodhehadbeentoher，howtruehadbeenhislove。andshefeltthatwordswouldfailhertosaythatwhichoughttobesaid。’Soyouhavegivenyourselfto——oneFerdinandLopez！’

’Yes，’shesaid，inahard，dryvoice。’Yes，Ihave。Idonotknowwhotoldyou。butIhave。’

’Yourfathertoldme。Itwasbetter，——wasitnot？——thatI

shouldknow。YouarenotsorrythatIshouldknow？’

’Itisbetter。’

’Iamnotgoingtosayawordagainsthim。’

’No——donotdothat。’

’Noragainstyou。Iamsimplyherenowtoletyouknowthat——I

retire。’

’Youwillnotquarrelwithme，Arthur？’

’Quarrelwithyou！Icouldnotquarrelwithyou，ifIwould。

No——thereshallbenoquarrel。ButIdonotsupposeweshallseeeachotherveryoften。’

’Ihopewemay。’

’Sometimes，perhaps。Amanshouldnot，Ithink，affecttobefriendswithasuccessfulrival。Idaresayheisanexcellentfellow。buthowisitpossiblethatheandIshouldgetontogether？Butyouwillalwayshaveone，——onebesidehim，——whowillloveyoubestinthisworld。’

’No——no——no。’

’Itmustbeso。Therewillbenothingwronginthat。Everyonehassomedearestfriend，andyouwillalwaysbemine。Ifanythingofevilshouldeverhappentoyou，——whichofcoursetherewon’t，——therewouldalwaysbesomeonewhowould。ButI

don’twanttotalkbuncombe。Ionlywantyoutobelieveme。

Good-bye，andGodblessyou。’Thenheputouthisrighthand，holdinghishatunderhisleftarm。

’Youarenotgoingaway？’

’To-morrowperhaps。ButIwillsaymyrealgood-byetoyouhere，nowto-day。Ihopeyoumaybehappy。Ihopewithallmyheart。

Good-bye。Godblessyou！’

’Oh，Arthur！’Thensheputherhandinhis。

’Oh，Ihavelovedyousodearly。Ithasbeenwithmywholeheart。Youhaveneverquiteunderstoodme，butithasbeenastrueasheaven。IhavethoughtsometimesthathadIbeenalittlelessearnestaboutit，Ishouldhavebeenalittlelessstupid。Amanshouldn’tletitgetthebetterofhim，asIhavedone。Saygood-byetome，Emily。’

’Good-bye，’shesaid，stillleavingherhandinhis。