第7章

’Astothecountysuffrage——’

’Iwillthinkitover，’saidtheDuke。’Youseetheoak。ThatisthelargesttreewehavehereatGatherum。andIdoubtwhethertherebealargeroneinthispartofEngland。’TheDuke’svoiceandwordswerenotuncourteous，buttherewassomethinginthemwhichhinderedSirOrlandofromreferringagainonthatoccasiontocountysuffragesorincreasedarmaments。

VOLUMEII

CHAPTER21

THEDUCHESS’SNEWSWAN。

WhenthepartyhadbeenaboutaweekcollectedatGatherumCastle，FerdinandLopezhadmanifestlybecomethefavouriteoftheDuchessforthetime，andhad，atherinstance，promisedtoremainthereforsomefurtherdays。HehadhardlyspokentotheDukesincehehadbeeninthehouse，——butthenbutfewofthatmotleyassemblydidtalkmuchwiththeDuke。GunnerandPountneyhadgoneaway，——theCaptainhavingdeclaredhisdislikeoftheupstartPortuguesetobesostrongthathecouldnotstayinthesamehousewithhimanylonger，andtheMajor，whowasofastrongermind，havingresolvedthathewouldputtheintruderdown。’Itishorribletothinkwhatpowermoneyhasinthesedays，’saidtheCaptain。TheCaptainhadshakenthedustofGatherumaltogetherfromhisfeet，buttheMajorhadsoarrangedthatabedwastobefoundforhiminOctober，——foranotherhappyweek。buthewasnottoreturntillbiddenbytheDuchess。

’Youwon’tforget——nowwillyou，Duchess？’hesaid，imploringhertorememberhimashetookhisleave。’Ididtakeadealoftroubleaboutthecode——didn’tI？’’Theydon’tseemtometocareforthecode，’saidtheDuchess，’but，nevertheless，’I’llremember。’

’Who，inthenameofallthat’swonderful，wasthatIsawyouwithinthegarden？’theDuchesssaidtoherhusbandoneafternoon。

’ItwasLadyRosinaDeCourcy，Isuppose！’

’Heavenandearth！——whatacompanionforyoutochoose。’

’Whynot？——whyshouldn’tItalktoLadyRosinaDeCourcy？’

’I’mnotjealousabit，ifyoumeanthatIdon’tthinkLadyRosinawillstealyourheartfromme。Butwhyyoushouldpickheroutofallthepeoplehere，whentherearesomanywouldthinktheirfortunesmadeifyouwouldonlytakeaturnwiththem，I

cannotimagine。’

’ButIdon’twanttomakeanyone’sfortune，’saidtheDuke：’andcertainlynotinthatway。’

’Whatcouldyoubesayingtoher？’

’Shewastalkingaboutherfamily。IratherlikeLadyRosina。

Sheislivingallalone，itseemsandalmostinpoverty。Perhapsthereisnothingsosadintheworldasthefemalescionsofanoblebutimpoverishedstock。’

’Nothingsodull，certainly。’

’Peoplearenotdulltome，iftheyarereal。Ipitythatpoorlady。Sheisproudofherbloodandyetnotashamedofherpoverty。’

’Whatevermightcomeofherbloodshehasbeenallherlifewillingenoughtogetridofherpoverty。Itisn’tabovethreeyearssinceshewastryingherbesttomarrythatbreweratSilverbridge。Iwishyoucouldgiveyourtimealittletosomeoftheotherpeople。’

’Togoandshootarrows？’

’No——Idon’twantyoutoshootarrows。Youmightactthepartofhostwithoutshooting。Can’tyouwalkaboutwithanybodyexceptLadyRosinaDeCourcy？’

’IwaswalkingaboutwithSirOrlandoDroughtlastSunday，andI

verymuchpreferLadyRosina。’

’Therehasbeennoquarrel？’askedtheDuchesssharply。

’Ohdearno。’

’Ofcoursehe’sanempty-headedidiot。Everybodyhasalwaysknownthat。Andhe’sputabovehisplaceintheHouse。Butitwouldn’tdotoquarrelwithhimnow。’

’Idon’tthinkIamaquarrelsomeman，Cora。Idon’trememberatthismomentthatIhaveeverquarrelledwithanybodytoyourknowledge。ButImayperhapsbepermittedto——’

’Snubaman，youmean。WellIwouldn’teversnubSirOrlandoverymuch，ifIwereyou。thoughIcanunderstandthatitmightbebothpleasantandeasy。’

’Iwishyouwouldn’tputslangphrasesintomymouth，Cora。IfI

thinkthatamanintrudesuponme，Iamofcourseboundtoletknowmyopinion。’

’SirOrlandohas——intruded！’

’Bynomeans。Heisinapositionwhichjustifieshissayingmanythingstomewhichanothermightnotsay。Butthen，again，heisamanwhoseopiniondoesnotgofarwithme，andIhavenottheknackofseemingtoagreewithamanwhileIlethiswordspassidlybyme。’

’Thatisquitetrue，Plantagenet。’

’And，therefore，IwasuncomfortablewithSirOrlando，whileI

wasabletosympathizewithLadyRosina。’

’WhatdoyouthinkofFerdinandLopez？’askedtheDuchess，withstudiedabruptness。

’ThinkofMrLopez！Ihaven’tthoughyofhimatall。WhyshouldIthinkofhim？’

’Iwantyoutothinkofhim。Ithinkhe’saverypleasantfellow，andI’msurehe’sarisingman。’

’Youmightthinkthelatter，andperhapsfeelsureoftheformer。’

’Verywell。Then，toobligeyou，I’llthinkthelatterandfeelsureoftheformer。Isupposeit’struethatMrGreyisgoingonthismissiontoPersia？’MrGreywastheDuke’sintimatefriend，andwasatthistimememberfortheneighbouringboroughofSilverbridge。

’Ithinkhewillgo。I’venodoubtaboutit。HeistogoafterChristmas。’

’Andwillgiveuphisseat？’

TheDukedidnotanswerherimmediately。Ithadonlyjustbeendecided，——decidedbyhisfriendandhimself，——thattheseatshouldbegivenupwhenthejourneytoPersiawasundertaken。MrGrey，somewhatinoppositiontotheDuke’sadvice，hadresolvedthathecouldnotbeinPersiaanddohisdutyintheHouseofCommonsatthesametime。ButthisresolutionhadonlynowbeenmadeknowntotheDuke，andhewasratherpuzzledtothinkhowtheDuchesshadbeenabletobesoquickuponhim。Hehad，indeed，keptthematterbackfromtheDuchess，feelingthatshewouldhavesomethingtosayaboutit，whichmightpossiblybeunpleasant，assoonasthetidingsshouldreachher。’Yes，’hesaid，’Ithinkhewillgiveuphisseat。Thatishispurpose，thoughIthinkitisunnecessary。’

’LetMrLopezhaveit。’

’MrLopez！’

’Yes，——heisacleverman，arisingman，amanwhoissuretodowell，andwhowillbeofusetoyou。Justtakethetroubletotalktohim。Itisassistanceofthatkindthatyouwant。YouMinistersgoonshufflingtheoldcardstilltheyaresowornoutanddirtythatonecanhardlytellthepipsonthem。’

’Iamoneofthedirtyoldcardsmyself，’saidtheDuke。

’That’snonsense，youknow。Amanwhoisattheheadofaffairsasyouarecan’tbeincludedamongthepackIamspeakingof。

Whatyouwantisnewblood，ornewwood，ornewmetal，orwhateveryoumaychoosetocallit。Takemyadviceandtrythisman。Heisn’tapauper。Itisn’tmoneythathewants。’

’Cora，yourgeeseareallswans。’

’That’snotfair。Ihaveneverbroughttoyouagooseyet。Myswanshavebeenswans。Whowasitbroughtyouandyourpetswanofall，MrGrey，together？Iwon’tnameanynames，butitisyourswanshavebeengeese。’

’ItisnotformetoreturnamemberforSilverbridge。’Whenhesaidthis，shegavehimalookwhichalmostupsetevenhisgravity，alookwhichwasalmostthesameasaskinghimwhetherhewouldnot——tellittothemarines。’Youdon’tquiteunderstandthesethings，Cora，’hecontinued。’Theinfluencewhichownersofpropertymayhaveinboroughsisdecreasingeveryday，andtherearisesthequestionwhetheraconscientiousmanwillanylongerusesuchinfluence。’

’Idon’tthinkyou’dliketoseeamanfromSilverbridgeopposingyouintheHouse。’

’Imayhavetobearworseeventhanthat。’

’Well——thereitis。Themanishereandyouhavetheopportunityofknowinghim。OfcourseIhavenothintedatthemattertohim。IftherewereanyPalliserwantedtheboroughI

wouldn’tsayaword。Whatmorepatrioticthingcanapatrondowithhisboroughthantoselectamanwhoisunknowntohim，notrelatedtohim，aperfectstranger，merelyforhisworth？’

’ButIdonotknowwhatmaybetheworthofMrLopez。’

’Iwillguaranteethat，’saidtheDuchess。WhereupontheDukelaughed，andthenlefther。

TheDuchesshadspokenwithabsolutetruthwhenshetoldherhusbandthatshehadnotsaidawordtoMrLopezaboutSilverbridge，butitwasnotlongbeforeshedidsayaword。Onthatsamedayshefoundherselfalonewithhiminthegarden，——

orsomuchaloneastobeabletospeakwithhimprivately。HehadcertainlymadethebestuseofhistimesincehehadbeenattheCastle，havingsecuredthegood-willofmanyoftheladies，andthedispleasureofmostofthemen。’YouhaveneverbeeninParliament，Ithink，’saidtheDuchess。

’Ihavenevereventriedtogetthere。’

’Perhapsyoudisliketheideaofthatkindoflife。’

’No，indeed，’hesaid。’Sofarfromit，thatIregarditasthehighestkindoflifethereisinEngland。AseatinParliamentgivesamanastatusinthiscountrywhichithasneverdoneelsewhere。’

’Thenwhydon’tyoutryit？’

’BecauseI’vegotintoanothergroove。I’vebecomeessentiallyaCityman，——oneofthosemenwhotakeupthetradeofmakingmoneygenerally。’

’Anddoesthatcontentyou？’

’No，Duchess——certainlynot。Insteadofcontentingme，itdisgustsme。NotbutthatIlikethemoney，——onlyitissoinsufficientauseofone’slife。IsupposeIshalltrytogetintoParliamentsomeday。SeatsinParliamentdon’tgrowlikeblackberriesonbushes。’

’Prettynearly，’saidtheDuchess。

’Notinmypartofthecountry。Thesegoodthingsseemtobeappointedtofallinthewayofsomemen，andnotofothers。Iftherewereageneralelectiongoingonto-morrow，Ishouldnotknowhowtolookforaseat。’

’Theyaretobefoundsometimesevenwithoutageneralelection。’

’Areyoualludingtoanythingnow？’

’Well——yes，Iam。ButI’mverydiscreet，anddonotliketodomorethanallude。IfancythatMrGrey，thememberforSilverbridge，isgoingtoPersia。MrGreyisaMemberofParliament。MembersofParliamentoughttobeinLondonandnotinPersia。ItisgenerallysupposedthatnomaninEnglandismorepronetodowhatheoughttodothanMrGrey。Therefore，MrGreywillceasetobeMemberforSilverbridge。That’slogic，isn’tit？’

’HasyourGraceanylogicequallystrongtoprovethatIcanfollowhimintheborough？’

’No——orifIhave，thelogicthatIshoulduseinthatmattermustforthepresentbekepttomyself。’ShecertainlyhadalittlesyllogisminherheadastotheDukerulingtheborough，theDuke’swiferulingtheDuke，andthereforetheDuke’swiferulingtheborough。butshedidnotthinkitprudenttoutterthisonthepresentoccasion。’IthinkitmuchbetterthatmeninParliamentshouldbeunmarried，’saidtheDuchess。

’ButIamgoingtobemarried，’saidhe。

’Goingtobemarried，areyou？’

’Ihavenorighttosayso，becausethelady’sfatherhasrejectedme。’Thenhetoldherthewholestory，andsotolditastosecureherentiresympathy。Intellingitheneversaidthathewasarichman，heneverboastedthatthatsearchafterwealthofwhichhehadspoken，hadbeensuccessful。buthegavehertounderstandthattherewasnoobjectiontohimatallonthescoreofmoney。’Youmayhaveheardofthefamily，’hesaid。

’IhaveheardoftheWhartonsofcourse，andknowthatthereisabaronet，——butIknownothingmoreofthem。Heisnotamanoflargeproperty，Ithink。’

’MyMissWharton，theoneIwouldfaincallmine，——isthedaughterofaLondonbarrister。He，Ibelieve，isrich。’

’Thenshewillbeanheiress。’

’Isupposeso——butthatconsiderationhashadnoweightwithme。Ihavealwaysregardedmyselfasthearchitectofmyownfortune，andhavenowishtoowemymaterialcomforttoawife。’

’Sheerlove！’suggestedtheDuchess。

’Yes，Ithinkso。It’sveryridiculous，isitnot？’

’Andwhydoestherichbarristerobject？’

’Therichbarrister，Duchess，isanoutandoutoldTory，whothinksthathisdaughteroughttomarrynoonebutanEnglishTory。Iamnotexactlythat。’

’Amandoesnothamperhisdaughterinthesedaysbypolitics，whensheisfallinginlove。’

’Thereareothercognatereasons。Hedoesnotlikeaforeigner。

NowIamanEnglishman，butIhaveaforeignname。HedoesnotthinkanamesograndlySaxonasWhartonshouldbechangedtoonesomeanlyLatinasLopez。’

’TheladydoesnotobjecttotheLatinity？’

’Ifancynot。’

’Ortothebearerofit。’

’Ah——thereImustnotboast。Butinsimpletruththereisonlythefather’sill-willbetweenus。’

’Withplentyofmoneyonbothsides？’askedtheDuchess。Lopezshruggedhisshoulders。Ashrugatsuchatimemaymeananything，buttheDuchesstookthisshrugassignifyingthatthatquestionwassosurelysettledastoadmitofnodifficulty。

’Then，’saidtheDuchess，’theoldgentlemanmayaswellgivewayatonce。Ofcoursehisdaughterwillbetoomanyforhim。’InthiswaytheDuchessofOmniumbecamethebestfriendofFerdinandLopez。

CHAPTER22

STJAMES’SPARK。

TowardstheendofSeptemberEverettWhartonandFerdinandLopezwereintowntogether，andasnooneelsewasintown，——soatleasttheyprofessedtosay，——theysawagooddealofeachother。Lopez，asweknow，hadspentaportionoftheprecedingmonthatGatherumCastle，andhadmadegooduseofhistime，butEverettWhartonhadbeenlessfortunate。Hehadbeenalittlecrosswithhisfather，andperhapsalittlecrosswithalltheWhartonsgenerally，whodidnot，hethought，makequiteenoughofhim。Intheeventof’anythinghappening’tothatne’er-do-wellnephew，hehimselfwouldbetheheir。andhereflectednounfrequentlythatsomethingveryprobablymighthappentothenephew。Hedidnotoftenseethisparticularcousin，buthealwaysheardofhimasbeingdrunk，overwhelmedwithdebtanddifficulty，andaltogetherinthatpositioninlifeinwhichitisprobablethatsomethingwill’happen’。Therewasalwaysofcoursethedangerthattheyoungmanmightmarryandhaveachild——butinthemeantimesurelyhe，EverettWharton，shouldhavebeenasmuchthoughtofonthebanksoftheWyeasArthurFletcher。HehadbeenaskeddowntoWhartonHall，——buthehadbeenaskedinawaywhichhehadnothoughttobeflatteringanddeclinedtogo。ThentherehadbeenaplanforjoiningArthurFletcherinacertainshooting，butthathadfailedinconsequenceofafewwordsbetweenhimselfandArthurrespectingLopez。ArthurhadwantedhimtosaythatLopezwasanunpardonableintruder，——buthehadtakenthepartofLopez，andtherefore，whenthetimecameround，hehadnothingtodowiththeshooting。HehadstayedintowntillthemiddleofAugust，andhadthenstartedbyhimselfacrossthecontinentwithsomekeenintentionofstudyingGermanpolitics。buthehadfoundperhapsthatGermanpoliticsdonotmanifestthemselvesintheautumn，orthataforeigncountrycannotbewellstudiedinsolitude，——andhehadreturned。

Lateinthesummer，justbeforehisfatherandsisterhadlefttown，hehadhadsomewordswiththeoldbarrister。Therehadbeenafewbillstobepaid，andEverett’sallowancehadbeeninsufficient。Itoftenwasinsufficient，andthenreadymoneyforhisGermantourwasabsolutelynecessary。MrWhartonmightprobablyhavesaidlessaboutthemoneyhadnothissonaccompaniedhispetitionbyafurtherallusiontoParliament。

’TherearesomefellowsatlastreallygettingthemselvestogetherattheProgress，andofcourseitwillbenecessarytoknowwhowillbereadytocomeforwardatthenextgeneralelection。’

’IthinkIknowonewhowon’t，’saidthefather，’judgingfromthemannerinwhichheseemsatpresenttomanagehisownmoneyaffairs。’Therewasmoreseverityinthisthantheoldmanhadintended，forhehadoftenthoughtwithinhisownbosomwhetheritwouldnotbewellthatheshouldencouragehissontostandforsomeseat。Andthemoneythathehadnowbeenaskedtoadvancehadnotbeenverymuch，——notmore，intruth，thanheexpectedtobecalledupontopayinadditiontothemodestsumwhichheprofessedtoallowhisson。Hewasarichman，whowasnotintruthmadeunhappybypartingwithhismoney。Buttherehadbeen，hethought，animpudenceintheconjointattackwhichitwashisdutytopunish。Thereforehehadgivenhissonverylittleencouragement。

’Ofcourse，sir，ifyoutellmethatyouarenotinclinedtopayanythingbeyondtheallowanceyoumakeme，thereisanendofit。’

’Iratherthinkthatyoujustaskedmetopayaconsiderablesumbeyondyourallowance，andthatIhaveconsented。’Everettarguedthematternofurther，buthepermittedhismindtoentertainanideathathewasill-usedbyhisfather。Thetimewouldcomewhenhewouldprobablybeheirnotonlytohisfather’smoney，butalsototheWhartontitleandtheWhartonproperty，——whenhispositioninthecountrywouldreallybe，ashefrequentlytoldhimself，quiteconsiderable。Wasitpossiblethatheshouldrefrainfromblaminghisfatherfornotallowinghimtoobtain，earlyinlife，thatparliamentaryeducationwhichwouldfithimtobeanornamenttotheHouseofCommons，andasafeguardtohiscountryinfutureyears？

NowheandLopezwereattheProgresstogether，andtheywerealmosttheonlymenintheclub。LopezwasquitecontentedwithhisownpresentsojourninLondon，hehadnotonlybeenatGatherumCastlebuthewasgoingthereagain。Andthenhehadbrillianthopesbeforehim，——sobrilliantthattheybegan，hethought，toassumetheshapeofcertainties。HehadcorrespondedwiththeDuchess，andhehadgatheredfromhersomewhatdubiouswordsthattheDukewouldprobablyaccedetoherwishesinthematterofSilverbridge。Thevacancyhadnotyetbeendeclared。

MrGreywasdeterred，nodoubtbycertainhighStatepurposes，fromapplyingforthestewardshipoftheChilternHundreds，andtherebyreleasinghimselffromhisseatinParliament，andenablinghimselftoperform，withaclearconscience，dutiesinadistantpartoftheworldwhichhedidnotfeeltobecompatiblewiththatseat。Theseekersafterseatswere，nodoubt，alreadyonthetrack。buttheDuchesshadthoughtthatasfarastheDuke’sgoodwordwent，itmightpossiblybegiveninfavourofMrLopez。Thehappyaspiranthadtakenthistobealmostasgoodasapromise。Therewerealsocertainpecuniaryspeculationsonfoot，whichcouldnotbekeptquieteveninSeptember，astowhichhedidnotliketotrustentirelytotheunaidedenergyofMrSextusParker，ortotheboastedallianceofMrMillsHapperton。SextusParker’swholeheartandsoulwerenowinthematter，butMrMillsHapperton，anundoubtedpartnerinHuskyandSons，hadblownalittlecoldlyontheaffair。ButinspiteofthisFerdinandLopezwashappy。WasitprobablethatMrWhartonshouldcontinuehisoppositiontoamarriagewhichwouldmakehisdaughterthewifeofamemberofParliamentandofaspecialfriendoftheDuchessofOmnium？

Hehadsaidawordabouthisownprospectinreferencetothemarriage，butEveretthadbeenatfirstfartoofullofhisownaffairstoattendmuchtoamatterwhichwascomparativelysotrifling。

’Uponmyword，’hesaid，’Iambeginningtofeelangrywiththegovernor，whichisakindofthingIdon’tlikeatall。’

’Icanunderstandthatwhenhe’sangrywithyou，youshouldn’tlikeit。’

’Idon’tmindthathalfsomuch。He’llcomeround。Howeverunjusthemaybenow，atthemoment，he’sthelastmanintheworldtodoaninjusticeinhiswill。Ihavethoroughconfidenceinhim。ButIfindmyselfdrivenintohostilitytohimbyaconvictionthathewon’tletmetakeanyrealstepinlife，tillmylifehasbeenhalffritteredaway。’

’You’rethinkingofParliament。’

’OfcourseIam。Idon’tsaytoyouain’tanEnglishman，butyouarenotquiteenoughofanEnglishmantounderstandwhatParliamentistous。’

’Ihopetobe——someofthesedays，’saidLopez。

’Perhapsyoumay。Iwon’tsaybutwhatyoumaygetyourselfeducatedtoitwhenyou’vebeenmarriedadozenyearstoanEnglishwife，andhavehalf-a-dozenEnglishchildrenofyourown。

But，inthemeantime，lookatmyposition。Iamtwenty-eightyearsold。’

’Iamfouryearsyoursenior。’

’Itdoesnotmatterastrawtoyou，’continuedEverett。’Butafewyearsareeverythingwithme。IhavearighttosupposethatImaybeabletorepresentthecounty，——sayintwentyyears。I

shallprobablythenbetheheadofthefamilyandarichman。

Considerwhataparliamentaryeducationwouldbetome！AndthenitisjustthelifeforwhichIhavelaidmyselfout，andinwhichIcouldmakemyselfuseful。Youdon’tsympathizewithme，butyoumightunderstandme。’

’Idoboth。IthinkofgoingintotheHousemyself。’

’You！’

’Yes，Ido。’

’Youmusthavechangedyourideasverymuchthenwithinthelastmonthortwo。’

’Ihavechangedmyideas。Myonechiefobjectinlifeis，asyouknow，tomarryyoursister。andifIwereaMemberofParliamentIthinkthatsomedifficultieswouldbeclearedaway。’

’Buttherewon’tbeanelectionforthenextthreeyearsatmyrate，’saidEverettWharton，staringathisfriend。’Youdon’tmeantokeepEmilywaitingforadissolution？’

’Thereareoccasionalvacancies，’saidLopez。

’Isthereachanceofanythingofthatkindfallinginyourway？’

’Ithinkthereis。Ican’tquitetellyoualltheparticularsbecauseotherpeopleareconcerned，butIdon’tthinkitimprobablethatImaybeintheHousebefore。well，sayinthreemonths’time。’

’Inthreemonths’time！’exclaimedEverett，whosemouthwaswateringattheprospectsofafriend。’ThatiswhatcomesfromgoingtostaywithaPrimeMinister，Isuppose，’Lopezshruggedhisshoulders。’UponmywordIcan’tunderstandyou，’continuedtheother。’Itwasonlytheotherdayyouwerearguinginthisveryroomastotheabsurdityofaparliamentarycareer，——

pitchingintome，byGeorge，liketheverymischief，becauseI

hadsaidsomethinginitsfavour，——andnowyouaregoinginforityourselfinsomesortofmysteriouswaythatafellowcan’tunderstand。’ItwasquiteclearthatEverettWhartonthoughthimselfill-usedbyhisfriend’ssuccess。

’Thereisnomystery——onlyIcan’ttellpeople’snames。’

’Whatistheborough？’

’Icannottellyouthatatpresent。’

’Areyousuretherewillbeavacancy？’

’IthinkIamsure，’

’Andthatyouwillbeinvitedtostand？’

’Iamnotsureofthat。’

’Ofcourseanybodycanstandwhetherinvitedornot。’

’IfIcomeforwardforthisplaceIshalldosoontheverybestinterest。Don’tmentionit。ItellyoubecauseIalreadyregardmyconnectionwithyouasbeingsocloseastocalluponmetotellyouanythingofthatkind。’

’Andyetyoudonottellmethedetails。’

’ItellyouallthatIcaninhonourtell。’

EverettWhartoncertainlyfeltaggrievedbyhisfriend’snews，andplainlyshowedthathedidso。ItwassohardthatifastrayseatinParliamentweregoinga-begging，itshouldbethrowninthewayofthismanwhodidn’tcareforit，andcouldn’tuseittoanygoodpurpose。Insteadofinhisownway！

WhyshouldanyonewantFerdinandLopeztobeinParliament？

FerdinandLopezhadpaidnoattentiontothegreatpoliticalquestionsoftheCommonwealth。HeknewnothingofLabourandCapital，ofUnions，Strikes，andLockouts。Butbecausehewasrich，and，bybeingrich，hadmadehiswayamonggreatpeople，hewastohaveaseatinParliament！Asforthewealth，itmightbeathisowncommandalso，——ifonlyhisfathercouldbegottoseethematterinaproperlight。Andasforthefriendshipofgreatpeople，——PrimeMinisters，Duchesses，andsuchlike，——EverettWhartonwasquiteconfidentthathewasatanyrateaswellqualifiedtoshineamongthemasFerdinandLopez。Hewasoftoogoodanaturetobestirredtoinjusticeagainsthisfriendbythesorenessofthisfeeling。Hedidnotwishtorobhisfriendofhiswealth，ofhisDuchesses，orofhisembryoseatinParliament。ButforthemomenttherecameuponhimadoubtwhetherFerdinandwassoveryclever，orsopeculiarlygentlemanlikeorinanywayveryremarkable，andalmostaconvictionthathewasveryfarfrombeinggood-looking。

Theydinedtogether，andquitelateintheeveningtheystrolledoutintoStJames’sPark。TherewasnobodyinLondon，andtherewasnothingforeitherofthemtodo，andthereforetheyagreedtowalkroundthepark，darkandgloomyastheyknewtheparkwouldbe。LopezhadseenandhadquiteunderstoodthebitternessofspiritbywhichEveretthadbeenoppressed，andwiththatpeculiarlyimperturbablegoodhumourwhichmadepartofhischaracterboreitall，evenwithtenderness。Hewasaman，asaremanyofhisrace，whocouldbearcontradictions，unjustsuspicions，andsocialill-treatmentwithoutashadowofresentment，butwho，ifhehadapurpose，couldcarryitwithoutashadowofascruple。EverettWhartonhadonthisoccasionmadehimselfveryunpleasant，andLopezhadbornewithhimasanangelwouldhardlyhavedone。butshouldWhartoneverstandinhisfriend’sway，hisfriendwouldsacrificehimwithoutcompunction。

AsitwasLopezborewithhim，simplynotinginhisownmindthatEverettWhartonwasagreaterassthanhehadtakenhimtobe。

ItwasWharton’sideathattheyshouldwalkaroundthepark，andLopezforatimehaddiscouragedthesuggestion。’Itisawretchedlydarkplaceatnight，andyoudon’tknowwhomyoumaymeetthere。’

’Youdon’tmeantosaythatyouareafraidtowalkroundStJames’sParkwithmebecauseit’sdark！’saidWharton。

’Icertainlyshouldbeafraidbymyself，butIdon’tknowthatI

amafraidwithyou。Butwhat’sthegood？’

’It’sbetterthansittingheredoingnothing，withoutasoultospeakto。I’vealreadysmokedhalf-a-dozencigars，tillI’msomuddledIdon’t’knowwhatI’mabout。It’ssohotonecan’twalkintheday，andthisisjustthetimefortheexercise。’Lopezyielded，beingwillingtoyieldinalmostanythingatpresenttothebrotherofEmilyWharton。andthoughthethingseemedtohimtobeveryfoolish，theyenteredtheparkbyStJames’sPalace，andstartedtowalkroundit，turningtotherightandgoinginfrontofBuckinghamPalace。AstheywentonWhartonstillcontinuedhisaccusationagainsthisfather，andsaidalsosomesharpthingsagainstLopezhimself，tillhiscompanionbegantothinkthatthewinehehaddrunkhadbeenasbadasthecigars。

’Ican’tunderstandyourwantingtogointoParliament，’hesaid。

’Whatdoyouknowaboutit？’

’IfIgetthere，Icanlearnlikeanybodyelse，Isuppose。’

’Halfofthosewhogotheredon’tlearn。Theyare，asitwere，borntoit，andtheydoverywelltosupportthispartyorthat。’

’Andwhyshouldn’tIsupportthisparty，——orthat？’

’Idon’tsupposeyouknowwhichpartyyouwouldsupport，——exceptthatyou’dvotefortheDuke，if，asIsuppose，youaretogetinundertheDuke’sinfluence。IfIwentintotheHouseIshouldgowithafixedandsettledpurposeofmyown。’

’I’mnotthereyet，’saidLopez，willingtodropthesubject。

’Itwillbeagreatexpensetoyou，andwillstandaltogetherinthewayofyourprofession。AsfarasEmilyisconcerned，I

shouldthinkmyfatherwouldbedeadagainstit。’

’Thenhewouldbeunreasonable。’

’Notatall，ifhethoughtyouwouldinjureyourprofessionalprospects。Itisad-dpieceoffolly。that’sthelongandtheshortofit。

Thiscertainlywasveryuncivil，anditalmostmadeLopezangry。

Buthehadmadeuphismindthathisfriendwasalittletheworseforthewinehehaddrunk，andthereforehedidnotresenteventhis。’NevermindpoliticsandParliamentnow，’hesaid，’butletusgethome。Iambeginningtobesickofthis。It’ssoawfullydark，andwheneverIdohearastep，Ithinksomebodyiscomingtorobus。Letusgetonabit。’

’Whatthedeuceareyouafraidof？’saidEverett。TheyhadthencomeupthegreaterpartofthelengthoftheBirdcageWalk，andthelightsonStorey’sGatewerejustvisible，buttheroadonwhichtheywerethenwalkingwasverydark。Thetreeswereblackovertheirheads，andnotastepwasheardnearthem。Atthistimeitwasjustmidnight。Now，certainly，amongthefaultswhichmightbejustlyattributedtoLopez，personalcowardicecouldnotbereckoned。Onthiseveninghehadtwicespokenofbeingafraid，butthefearhadsimplybeenthatwhichordinarycautionindicates。andhisobjecthadbeenthatofhinderingWhartoninthefirstplacefromcomingintothepark，andthenofgettinghimoutofitasquicklyaspossible。

’Comealong，’saidLopez。

’ByGeorge，youareinabluefunk，’saidtheother。’Icanhearyourteethchattering。’Lopez，whowasbeginningtobeangry，walkedonandsaidnothing。Itwastooabsurd，hethought，forrealanger，buthekeptalittleinfrontofWharton，intendingtoshowthathewasdispleased。’Youhadbetterrunawayatonce，’saidWharton。

’Uponmyword。Ishallbegintothinkyou’retipsy，’saidLopez。

’Tipsy！’saidtheother。’Howdareyousaysuchathingtome？

YouneverinyourlifesaymeintheleastalteredbyanythingI

haddrunk。’

Lopezknewthatatanyratethiswasuntrue。’I’veseenyouasdrunkasCloebeforenow，’saidhe。

’That’salie，’saidWharton。

’Come，Wharton，’saidtheother，’donotdisgraceyourselfbyconductsuchasthat。Somethinghasputyouout，andyoudonotknowwhatyouaresaying。Icanhardlyimaginethatyoushouldwishtoinsultme。’

’Itwasyouinsultedme。YousaidIwasdrunk。Whenyousaidityouknewitwasuntrue。’

Lopezwalkedonalittlewayinsilence，thinkingoverthismostabsurdquarrel。Thenheturnedroundandspoke。’ThisisallthegreatestnonsenseIhaveeverheardintheworld。I’llgoonandgotobed，andto-morrowmorningyou’llthinkbetterofit。

Butprayrememberthatundernocircumstancesshouldyoucallamanaliar，unlessoncoolconsiderationyouaredeterminedtoquarrelwithhimforlying，anddeterminedalsotoseethequarrelout。’

’Iamquitereadytoseethisquarrelout。’

’Goodnight，’saidLopez，startingoffataquickpace。Theywerethenclosetotheturninthepark，andLopezwentontillhehadnearlyreachedtheparkfrontofthenewoffices。Ashehadwalkedhehadlistenedtothefootfallofhisfriend，andafterawhilehadperceived，orhadthoughtthatheperceivedthatthesoundwasdiscontinued。ItseemedtohimthatWhartonhadaltogetherlosthissenses——theinsulttohimselfhadbeensodeterminedandsoabsolutelygroundless！Hehadstrivenhisbesttoconquertheman’sill-humourbygood-naturedforbearance，andhadonlysuggestedthatWhartonwasperhapstipsyinordertogivehimsomeexcuse。Butifhiscompanionwerereallydrunk，ashenowbegantothink，coulditberighttoleavehimunprotectedinthepark？Theman’smannerhadbeenstrangethewholeevening，buttherehadbeennosignoftheeffectofwinetillaftertheyhadlefttheclub。ButLopezhadheardofmenwhohadbeenapparentlysober，becomingdrunkassoonasthegotintotheair。Itmighthavebeensointhiscase，thoughWharton’svoiceandgaithadnotbeenthoseofadrunkenman。Atanyrate，hewouldturnbackandlookafterhim，andashedidturnback，heresolvedthatwhateverWhartonmightsaytohimonthisnighthewouldnotnotice。HewastoowisetoraiseafurtherimpedimenttohismarriagebyquarrellingwithEmily’sbrother。

AssoonashepausedhewassurethatheheardfootstepsbehindhimwhichwerenotthoseofEverettWharton。Indeed，hewassurethatheheardthefootstepsofmorethanoneperson。Hestoodstillforamomenttolisten，andthenhedistinctlyheardarushandascuffle。Heranbacktothespotatwhichhehadlefthisfriend，andatfirstthoughtthatheperceivedamobofpeopleinthedusk。Butashegotnearer，hesawthattherewereamanandtwowomen。Whartonwasonthegroundonhisback，andthemanwasapparentlykneelingonhisneckandheadwhilethewomenwereriflinghispockets。Lopez，hardlyknowinghowhewasacting，wasupontheminamoment，flyinginthefirstplaceattheman，whohadjumpeduptomeethimashecame。Hereceivedatonceaheavyblowonhisheadfromsomeweapon，which，however，hishatsofarstoppedastosavehimfrombeingfelledorstunned，andthenhefeltanotherblowfrombehindontheear，whichheafterwardsconceivedtohavebeengivenhimbyoneofthewomen。

Butbeforehecouldwelllookabouthim，orwellknowhowthewholethinghadhappened，themanandthetwowomenhadtakentotheirlegs，andWhartonwasstandingonhisfeetleaningagainsttheironrailings。

Thewholethinghadoccupiedaveryshortspaceoftime，andyettheeffectswereverygrave。AtthefirstmomentLopezlookedroundandendeavouredtolisten，hopingthatsomeassistancemightbenear，——somepoliceman，or，ifnotthat，somewandererbynightwhomightbehonestenoughtohelphim。Buthecouldnearorseenoone。Inthisconditionofthingsitwasnotpossibleforhimtopursuetheruffians，ashecouldnotleavehisfriendleaningagainsttheparkrails。ItwasatoncemanifesttohimthatWhartonhadbeenmuchhurt，oratanyrateincapacitatedforimmediateexertion，bytheblowshehadreceived——andasheputhishanduptohisownhead，fromwhichinthescufflehishathadfallen，hewasnotcertainthathewasnotseverelyhurthimself。LopezcouldseethatWhartonwasverypale，thathiscravathadbeenalmostwrenchedfromhisneckbypressure，thathiswaistcoatwastornopenandthefrontofhisshirtsoiled，——andhecouldseealsothatafragmentofthewatch-chainwashangingloose，showingthatthewatchhadgone。

’Areyouhurtmuch？’hesaid，comingcloseupandtakingatenderholdofhisfriend’sarm。Whartonsmiledandshookhishead，butspokenotaword。Hewasintruthmoreshaken，stunned，andbewilderedthanactuallyinjured。Theruffian’sfisthadbeenathisthroat，twistinghiscravat，andforhalfaminutehehadfeltthathewaschoked。Ashehadstruggledwhileonewomanpulledathiswatchandtheothersearchedforhispurse，——

strugglingalasunsuccessfully，——themanhadendeavouredtoquiethimbykneelingonhischest，stranglinghimwithhisownnecktie，andpressinghardonhisgullet。Itisatreatmentwhich，afterafewsecondsofvigorouspractice，isapttoleavethepatientforawhiledisconcertedandunwillingtospeak。

’Sayawordifyoucan，’whisperedLopez，lookingintotheotherman’sfacewithanxiouseyes。

AtthemomenttherecameacrossWharton’smindaremembrancethathehadbehavedverybadlytoisfriend，andsomesortofvaguemistydoubtwhetherallthisevilhadnotbefallenbecauseofhismisconduct。ButheknewatthesametimetheLopezwasnotresponsiblefortheevil，anddismayedashehadbeen，stillherecalledenoughofthenatureofthestruggleinwhichhehadbeenengaged，tobeawarethatLopezhadbefriendedhimgallantly。Hecouldnotevenyetspeak。buthesawthebloodtricklingdownhisfriend’stempleandforehead，andliftinguphishand，touchedthespotwithhisfingers。Lopezalsoputhishadup，anddrewitawaycoveredwithblood。’Oh，’saidhe，’thatdoesnotsignifyintheleast。Igotaknock，Iknow，andIamafraidIhavelostmyhat，butI’mnothurt。’

’Oh，dear！’Thewordwasutteredwithalowsigh。Thentherewasapause，duringwhichLopezsupportedthesufferer。’I

thoughtthatitwasalloverwithmeatonemoment。’

’Youwillbebetternow。’

’Oh，yes。Mywatchisgone！’

’Ifearitis，’saidLopez。

’Andmypurse，’saidWharton，collectinghisstrengthtogethersufficientlytosearchforhistreasures。’Ihadeight5-poundnotesinit。’

’Nevermindyourmoneyoryourwatchifyourbonesarenotbroken。’

’It’saboreallthesametoloseeveryshillingthatonehas。’

ThentheywalkedveryslowlyawaytowardsthestepsattheDukeofYork’scolumn。Whartonregaininghisstrengthashewent，butstillabletoprogressbyleisurely。Lopezhadnotfoundhishat，and，beingcoveredwithblood，was，asfarasappearanceswent，inaworseplightthantheother。Atthefootofthestepstheymetapoliceman，towhomtheytoldtheirstory，andwho，asamatterofcourse，wasfilledwithanimmediatedesiretoarrestthemboth。Tothepoliceman’sminditwasmostdistressingthatabloodyfacedmanwithoutahat，withacompanionalmosttooweaktowalk，shouldnotbeconveyedtoapolice-station。Butaftertenminutes’parley，duringwhichWhartonsatonthebottomstepandLopezexplainedallthecircumstances，heconsentedtogetthemacabtotaketheiraddress，andthentogoalonetothestationandmakehisreport。Thatthethieveshadgotoffwiththeirplunderwasonlytoomanifest。LopeztooktheinjuredmanhometothehouseinManchesterSquare，andthenreturnedinthesamecab，hatless，tohisownlodgings。

Ashereturnedheappliedhismindtothinkhowhecouldturntheeventsoftheeveningtohisownuse。HedidnotbelievethatEverettWhartonwasseverelyhurt。Indeedtheremightbeaquestionwhetherinthemorninghisowninjurywouldnotbethemostsevere。ButtheimmediateeffectontheflusteredanddespoiledunfortunateonehadbeengreatenoughtojustifyLopezintakingstrongstepsifstrongstepscouldinanywaybenefithimself。Woulditbebesttopublishthisaffaironthehouse-

tops，ortoburyitintheshade，asnearlyasitmightbeburied？Hehaddeterminedinhisownmindthathisfriendhadbeentipsy。Innootherwaycouldhisconductbeunderstood。

Andarowwithatipsymanatmidnightintheparkisnot，atfirstsight，creditable。Butitcouldbemadetohaveabetterappearanceiftoldbyhimself，thanifpublishedfromotherquarters。TheoldhousekeeperatManchesterSquaremustknowsomethingaboutit，andwould，ofcourse，tellwhatsheknew，andthelossofmoneyandthewatchmustinallprobabilitybemadeknown。Beforehehadreachedhisowndoorhadhadquitemadeuphismindthathehimselfwouldtellthestoryafterhisownfashion。

Andhetoldit，beforehewenttobedthatnight。Hewashedthebloodfromhisfaceandhead，andcutawayapartoftheclottedhair，andthenwrotealettertooldMrWhartonatWhartonHall。

Andbetweenthreeandfouro’clockinthemorninghewentoutandpostedhisletterinthenearestpillar，sothatitmightgodownbythedaymailandcertainlyprecededbyotherwrittendoings。

Theletterwhichhesentwasasfollows：

DEARMRWHARTON

IregrettohavetosendtoyouanaccountofaratherseriousaccidentwhichhashappenedtoEverett。Iamnowwritingat3am，havingjusttakenhimhome，anditoccurredaboutmidnight。Youmaybequitesurethatthereisnodanger，orIshouldhaveadvertisedyoubytelegram。

Thereisnothingdoingintown，andtherefore，asthenightwasfine，we，veryfoolishly，agreedtowalkroundStJames’sParklateafterdinner。Itisakindofthingthatnobodydoes——butwedidit。WhenwehadnearlygotroundIwasinahurry，whereasEverettwasforstrollingslowly，andsoIwentbeforehim。ButIwashardlytwohundredyardsinfrontofhimbeforehewasattackedbythreepersons，amanandtwowomen。ThemanIpresumecameuponhimfrombehind，buthehasnotsufficientlycollectedhisthoughtstorememberexactlywhatoccurred。Iheardthescuffle，andofcourseturnedback，——andwasluckilyintimetogetupbeforehewasseriouslyhurt。Ithinkthemanwouldotherwisehavestrangledhim。Iamsorrytosayhelostbothhiswatchandhispurse。

Heundoubtedlybeenverymuchshaken，andaltogether’knockedoutoftime，’aspeoplesay。Excusethephrase，becauseIthinkitwillbestexplainwhatIwantyoutounderstand。Theman’shandathisthroatmusthavestoppedhisbreathingforsomeseconds。Hecertainlyhasreceivednopermanentinjury，butIshouldnotwonderifheshouldbeunwellforsomedays。Itellyouallexactlyasitoccurred，asitstrikesmethatyoumayliketorunuptotownforadayjusttolookathim。Butyouneednotdosoonthescoreofanydanger。Ofcoursehewillseeadoctorto-morrow。Theredidnotseemtobeanynecessityforcallinguponeto-night。Wedidgivenoticetothepoliceaswewerecominghome，butIfeartheruffianshadampletimeforanescape。HewastooweakandIwastoofullyemployedwithhim，tothinkofpursuingthematthetime。

OfcourseheisatManchesterSquareMostfaithfullyyoursFERDINANDLOPEZ

HedidnotsayawordaboutEmily，butheknewthatEmilywouldseetheletterandwouldperceivethathehadbeenthemeansofpreservingherbrother。and，inregardtotheoldbarristerhimself。Lopezthoughtthattheoldmancouldnotbutfeelgratefulforhisconduct。HehadintruthbehavedverywelltoEverett。HehadreceivedaheavyblowontheheadinyoungWharton’sdefence，——ofwhichhewasdeterminedtomakegooduse，thoughhehadthoughtitexpedienttosaynothingabouttheblowintheletter。Surelyitwasallhelp。Surelythepaternalmindwouldbesoftenedtowardshimwhenthefathershouldbemadetounderstandhowgreathadbeentheservicetotheson。ThatEverettwouldmakelittleofwhathadbeendoneforhimdedidnotintheleastfear。EverettWhartonwassometimessillybutwasneverungenerous。

Inspiteofhisnight’sworkLopezwasinManchesterSquarebeforeninethefollowingmorning，andonthesideofhisbrowheboreagreatpatchofblackplaster。’Myheadisverythick，’hesaidlaughing，whenEverettaskedafterhiswound。’Butitwouldhavegonebadlywithmeiftheruffianhadstruckaninchlower。

Isupposemyhatsavedme，thoughIrememberverylittle。Yes，oldfellow，Ihavewrittentoyourfather，andIthinkhewillcomeup。Itwasbetterthatitshouldbeso。’

’Thereisnothingthematterwithme，’saidEverett。

’Onedidn’tquiteknowlastnightwhethertherewasorno。Atanyratehiscomingwon’thurtyou。It’salwayswelltohaveyourbankernearyou，whenyourfundsarelow。’

ThenafterapauseEverettmadehisapology，——’IknowImadeagreatassofmyselflastnight。’

’Don’tthinkaboutit。’

’IusedawordIshouldn’thaveused，andIbegyourpardon。’

’Notanotherword，Everett。Betweenyouandmethingscan’tgowrong。Weloveeachothertoowell。’

CHAPTER23

SURRENDER。

ThelettergiveninthepreviouschapterwasreceivedatWhartonHalllateintheeveningofthedayonwhichitwaswritten，andwasdiscussedamongalltheWhartonsthatnight。Ofcoursetherewasnodoubtastothefather’sgoinguptotownonthemorrow。

Theletterwasjustsuchaletteraswouldsurelymakeamanruntohisson’sbedside。Hadthesonwrittenhimselfitwouldhavebeendifferent。butthefactthattheletterhadcomefromanothermanseemedtobeevidencethatthepoorsufferercouldnotwrite。PerhapstheurgencywithwhichLopezhadsentoffhisdispatch，gettinghisaccountofthefrayreadyfortheveryearlydaymail，thoughthefrayhadnottakenplacetillmidnight，didnotimpressthemsufficientlywhentheyacceptedthisasevidenceofEverett’sdangerouscondition。AtthisconferenceatWhartonverylittlewassaidaboutLopez，buttherewasageneralfeelingthathehadbehavedwell。’Itwasveryoddthattheyshouldhavepartedinthepark，’saidSirAlured。’Butveryluckythattheyshouldnothavepartedsooner，’saidJohnFletcher。IfagrainofsuspicionagainstLopezmighthavebeensetafloatintheirmindsbySirAlured’ssuggestion，itwasaltogetherdissipatedbyJohnFletcher’sreply——foreverybodythereknewthatJohnFletchercarriedcommonsenseforthetwofamilies。OfcoursetheyallhatedFerdinandLopez，butnothingcouldbeextractedfromtheincident，asfarasitsdetailswereyetknowntothem，whichcouldbeturnedtohisinjury。

Whiletheysattogetherdiscussingthematterinthedrawing-roomEmilyWhartonhardlysaidaword。Sheutteredalittleshriekwhentheaccountoftheaffairwasfirstreadtoher，andthenlistenedwithsilentattentiontowhatwassaidaroundher。Whentherehadseemedforamomenttobeadoubt，——orratheraquestion，fortherehadbeennodoubt，——whetherherfathershouldgoatoncetoLondon，shehadspokenjustaword。’Ofcourseyouwillgo，papa。’Afterthatshesaidnothingtillshecametohiminhisownroom。’OfcourseIwillgowithyoutomorrow，papa。’

’Idon’tthinkthatwillbenecessary。’

’Oh，yes。ThinkhowwretchedIshouldbe。’

’Iwouldtelegraphtoyouimmediately。’

’AndIshouldn’tbelievethetelegraph。Don’tyouknowhowitalwaysis？Besideswehavebeenmorethantheusualtime。Weweretogototownintendays，andyouwouldnotthinkofreturningtofetchme。OfcourseIwillgowithyou。Ihavealreadybeguntopackmythings，andJaneisnowatit。’Herfather，notknowinghowtoopposeher，yielded，andEmilybeforeshewenttobedhadmadetheladiesofthehouseawarethatshealsointendedtostartthenextmorningateighto’clock。

DuringthefirstpartofthejourneyverylittlewassaidbetweenMrWhartonandEmily。Therewereotherpersonsinthecarriage，andshe，thoughshehaddeterminedinsomevaguewaythatshewouldspeaksomewordstoherfatherbeforeshereachedtheirownhouse，hadstillwantedtimetoresolvewhatthosewordsshouldbe。ButbeforeshehadreachedGloucestershehadmadeuphermind，andgoingonfromGloucestershefoundherselfforatimealonewithherfather。Shewassittingoppositetohim，andafterconversingforawhileshetouchedhiskneewithherhand。

’Papa，’shesaid，’IsupposeImustnowhavetomeetMrLopezinManchesterSquare？’

’WhyshouldyouhavetomeetMrLopez？’

’OfcoursehewillcometheretoseeEverett。Afterwhathasoccurredyoucanhardlyforbidhimthehouse。HehassavedEverett’slife。’

’Idon’tknowthathehasdoneanythingofthekind，’saidMrWharton，whowasvacillatingbetweendifferentopinions。HedidinhisheartbelievethatthePortuguesewhomhesohatedhadsavedhissonfromthethieves，andhealsohadalmostcometotheconvictionthathemustgivehisdaughtertotheman，——butatthesametimehecouldnotasyetbringhimselftoabandonhisoppositiontothemarriage。

’Perhapsyouthinkthestoryisnottrue。’

’Idon’tdoubtthestoryintheleast。Ofcourseonemanstickstoanotherinsuchanaffair，andIhavenodoubtthatMrLopezbehavedasanyEnglishgentlemanwould。’

’AnyEnglishgentleman，papa，wouldhavetocomeafterwardsandseethefriendhehadsaved。Don’tyouthinkso？’

’Ohyes，——hemightcall。’

’AndMrLopezwillhaveanadditionalreasonforcalling，——andI

knowhewillcome。Don’tyouthinkhewillcome？’

’Idon’twanttothinkanythingaboutit，’saidthefather。

’ButIwantyoutothinkaboutit，papa。Papa，Iknowyouarenotindifferenttomyhappiness。’

’Ihopeyouknowit。’

’Idoknowit。Iamquitesureofit。AndthereforeIdon’tthinkyououghttobeafraidtotalktomeaboutwhatmustconcernmyhappinesssogreatly。AsfarasmyownselfandmyownwillareconcernedIconsidermyselfasgivenawaytoMrLopezalready。Nothingbuthismarryingsomeotherwoman，——orhisdeath，——wouldmakemethinkofmyselfasotherwisethanasbelongingtohim。Iamnotabitashamedofowningmylove——toyouortohim，iftheopportunitywereallowedme。Idon’tthinkthereshouldbeconcealmentaboutanythingsoimportantbetweenpeoplewhoaresodeartoeachother。IhavetoldyouthatI

willdowhateveryoubidmeabouthim。IfyousaythatIshallnotspeaktohimorseehimIwillnotspeaktohimorseehim——

willingly。YoucertainlyneednotbeafraidthatIshouldmarrywithoutyourleave。’

’Iamnotintheleastafraidofit。’

’ButIthinkyoushouldthinkoverwhatyouaredoing。AndIamquitesureofthis，——thatyoumusttellmewhatIamtodoinregardtoreceivingMrLopezinManchesterSquare。’MrWhartonlistenedattentivelytowhathisdaughtersaidtohim，shakinghisheadfromtimetotimeasthoughalmostequallydistractedbyherpassiveobedienceandbyherpassionateprotestationsoflove。buthesaidnothing。WhenshehadcompletedhersupplicationhethrewhimselfbackinHisseatandafterawhiletookhisbook。Itmaybedoubtedwhetherhereadmuch，forthequestionastohisgirl’shappinesswasquiteasnearhisheartasshecouldwishittobe。

ItwaslateintheafternoonbeforetheyreachedManchesterSquare，andtheywerebothhappytofindthattheywerenottroubledbyMrLopezatthefirstmoment。Everettwasathomeandinbed，andhadnotindeedasyetrecoveredtheeffectoftheman’sknucklesathiswindpipe。buthewaswellenoughtoassurehisfatherandsisterthattheyneednothavedisturbedthemselvesorhurriedtheirreturnfromHertfordshireonhisaccount。’Totellthetruth，’saidhe，’FerdinandLopezwasmorehurtthanIwas。’

’Hesaidnothingofbeinghurthimself，’saidMrWharton。

’Howwashehurt？’askedEmilyinthequietest，stillestvoice。

’Thefactis，’saidEverett，beginningtotellthewholestoryafterhisownfashion，’ifhehadn’tbeenathandthen，therewouldhavebeenanendofme。Wehadseparated，youknow——’

’WhatcouldmaketwomenseparatefromeachotherinthedarknessofStJames’sPark？’

’Well，——totellyouthetruth，wehadquarrelled。Ihadmadeanassofmyself。Youneednotgointothatanyfurther，exceptthatyoushouldknowthatitwasallmyfault。Ofcourseitwasn’tarealquarrel，’——whenhesaidthisEmily，whowassittingclosetohisbed-head，pressedhisarmundertheclotheswithherhand，——’butIhadsaidsomethingrough，andhehadgoneonjusttoputanendtoit。’

’Itwasuncommonlyfoolish，’saidtheoldWharton。’Itwasveryfoolishgoingroundtheparkatthattimeofnight。’

’Nodoubt，sir，——butitwasmydoing。Andifhehadnotgonewithme，Ishouldhavegonealone。’Heretherewasanotherpressure。’Iwasalittlelowinspirits，andwantedthewalk。’

’Buthowishehurt？’askedthefather。

’ThemanwhowaskneelingonmeandsqueezingthelifeoutofmejumpedupwhenheheardLopezcoming，andstruckhimovertheheadwithabludgeon。Iheardtheblow，thoughIwasprettywelldoneforatthetimemyself。Idon’tthinktheyhitme，buttheygotsomethingroundmyneck，andIwashalfstrangledbeforeI

knewwhattheyweredoing。PoorLopezbledhorribly，buthesaysheisnonetheworseforit。’Heretherewasanotherlittlepressureunderthebed-clothes。forEmilyfeltthatherbrotherwaspleadingforherineverywordthathesaid。

AbouttenonthefollowingmorningLopezcameandaskedforMrWharton。Hewasshownintothestudy，wherehefoundtheoldman，andatoncebegantogivehisaccountofthewholeconcerninaneasy，unconcernedmanner。Hehadthelargeblackpatchonthesideofthehead，whichhadbeensoputonasalmosttobecomehim。ButitwassoconspicuousastoforceaquestionconcerningitfromMrWharton。’Iamafraidyougotratherasharpknockyourself，MrLopez？’

’Ididgetaknock，certainly——buttheoddpartofitisthatI

knewnothingaboutittillIfoundthebloodinmyeyesaftertheyhaddecamped。ButIlostmyhat，andthereisaratherlongcutjustabovethetemple。Ithasn’tdonemetheslightestharm。

TheworstofitwasthatthegotoffwithEverett’swatchandmoney。’

’Hadhemuchmoney？’

’Fortypounds！’AndLopezshookhishead，therebysignifyingthatfortypoundsatthepresentmomentwasmorethanEverettWhartoncouldaffordtolose。Uponthewholehecarriedhimselfverywell，ingratiatinghimselfwiththefather，raisingnoquestionaboutthedaughter，andsayingaslittleaspossibleabouthimself。Heaskedwhetherhecouldgoupandseehisfriend，andorcoursewasallowedtodoso。AminutebeforeheenteredtheroomEmilyleftit。Theydidnotseeeachother。Atanyratehedidnotseeher。Buttherewasafeelingwithbothofthemthattheotherwasclose，——andtherewassomethingpresenttothem，almostamountingtoconviction，thattheaccidentoftheparkrobberywouldbegoodforthem。

’HecertainlydidsaveEverett’slife，’Emilysaidtoherfatherthenextday。

’Whetherhedidornot，hedidhisbest，’saidMrWharton。

’Whenone’sdearestrelationisconcerned，’saidEmily，’andwhenhislifehasbeensaved，onefeelsthatonehastobegratefulevenifithasbeenanaccident。Ihopeheknows，atanyrate，thatIamgrateful。’

TheoldmanhadnotbeenaweekinLondonbeforeheknewthathehadabsolutelylostthegame。MrsRobycamebacktoherhouseroundthecorner，ostensiblywiththeobjectofassistingherrelativesinmindingEverett，——apurposeforwhichshecertainlywasnotneeded，but，asthematterprogressed，MrWhartonwasnotwithoutsuspicionthatherreturnhadbeenarrangedbyFerdinandLopez。Shetookuponherself，atanyrate，tobeloudinthepraiseofthemanwhohadsavedthelifeofher’darlingnephew’，——andtoseethatothersalsoshouldbeloudinhispraise。InalittletimeallLondonhadheardoftheaffair，andithadbeendiscussedoutofLondon。DownatGatherumCastlethematterhadbeenknown，——butthetellingofithadalwaysbeentothegreathonourandgloryofthehero。MajorPountneyhadalmostbrokenhisheartoverit，andCaptainGunner，writingtohisfriendfromtheCurragh，hadassertedhisknowledgethatitwasalla’got-

up’thingbetweenthetwomen。TheBreakfastTableandtheEveningPulpithadbeenloudinpraiseofLopez，butthePeople’sBanner，underthemanagementofMrQuintusSlide，hadnaturallythrowndownmuchsuspicionontheincidentwhenitbecameknowntotheEditorthatFerdinandLopezhadbeenentertainedbytheDukeandDuchessofOmnium。’Wehavealwaysfeltsomeslightdoubtsastothedetailsoftheaffairsaidtohavehappenedaboutafortnightago，justatmidnight，inStJames’sPark。Weshouldbegladtoknowwhetherthepolicemenhavesucceededintracinganyofthestolenproperty，orwhetheranyrealattempttotraceithasbeenmade。’Thiswasoneoftheparagraphs，anditwashintedstillmoreplainlyafterwardsthatEverettWharton，beingshortofmoney，hadarrangedtheplanwiththevieworopeninghisfather’spurse。ButthegeneraleffectwascertainlyserviceabletoLopez。EmilyWhartondidbelievehimtobeahero。Everettwasbeyondmeasuregratefultohim，——

notonlyforhavingsavedhimfromthethieves，butalsoforhavingtoldnothingofhispreviousfolly。MrsRobyalwaysalludedtothematterasif，forallcomingages，everyWhartonoughttoacknowledgethatgratitudetoaLopezwastheveryfirstdutyoflife。Theoldmanfelttheabsurdityofmuchofthis，butstillitoffendedhim。WhenLopezcamehecouldnotberoughtothemanwhohaddoneaservicetohisson。Andthenhefoundhimselfcompelledtodosomething。Hemusteithertakehisdaughteraway，orhemustyield。Buthispoweroftakinghisdaughterawayseemedtobelessthanithadbeen。Therewasanairofquiet，unmeritedsufferingabouther，whichquelledhim。

Andsoheyielded。

Itwasafterthisfashion。Whetheraffectedbytheviolenceoftheattackmadeuponhim，orfromothercause，Everetthadbeenunwellaftertheaffair，andhadkepthisroomforafortnight。

DuringthistimeLopezcametoseehimdaily，anddailyEmilyWhartonhadtotakeherselfoutoftheman’sway，andhideherselffromtheman’ssight。Thisshedidwithmuchtact，andwithlady-likequietness，butnotwithoutanairofmartyrdom，whichcutherfathertothequick。’Mydear，’hesaidtoheroneevening，asshewaspreparingtoleavethedrawing-roomonhearinghisknock，’stopandseehimifyoulikeit。’

’Papa！’

’Idon’twanttomakeyouwretched。IfIcouldhavediedfirst，andgotoutoftheway，perhapsitwouldhavebeenbetter。’

’Papa，youwillkillmeifyouspeakinthatway！Ifthereisanythingtosaytohim，doyousayit。’Andthensheescaped。

Well！Itwasanaddedbitterness，butnodoubtitwashisduty。

Ifhedidintendtoconsenttothemarriage，itwascertainlyforhimtosignifythatconsenttotheman。Itwouldnotbesufficientthatheshouldgetoutofthewayandleavehisgirltoactforherselfasthoughshehadnofriendintheworld。Thesurrenderwhichhehadmadetohisdaughterhadcomefromasuddenimpulseatthemoment，butitcouldnotnowbewithdrawn。

Sohestoodoutonthestaircase，andwhenLopezcameuponhiswaytoEverett’sbedroom，hetookhimbythearmandledhimintothedrawing-room。’MrLopez，’hesaid，’youknowthatIhavenotbeenwillingtowelcomeyouintomyhouseasason-in-law。Therearereasonsonmymind，——perhapsprejudices，——whicharestrongagainstit。Theyareasstrongnowasever。Butshewishesit，andIhavetheutmostrelianceonherconstancy。’

’SohaveI，’saidLopez。

’Stopamoment，ifyouplease，sir。Insuchapositionafather’sthoughtisonlytohisdaughter’shappinessandprosperity。Itisnothisownthatheshouldconsider。Ihearyouwellspokenofintheouterworld，andIdonotknowthatI

havearighttodemandofmydaughterthatsheshouldtearyoufromheraffections，because——becauseyouarenotjustsuchasI

wouldhaveherhusbandtobe。Youhavemypermissiontoseeher。’ThenbeforeLopezcouldsayaword，helefttheroom，andtookhishatandhurriedawaytohisclub。

Ashewenthewasawarethathehadmadenotermsatall——butthenhewasinclinedtothinkthatnotermscouldbemade。ThereseemedtobeageneralunderstandingthatLopezwasdoingwellintheworld，——inaprofessionoftheworkingofwhichMrWhartonhimselfknewabsolutelynothing。Hehadalargefortuneathisownbestowal，——intendedforhisdaughter，——whichwouldhavebeenforthcomingatthemomentandpaiddownonthenail，hadshemarriedArthurFletcher。TheverywayinwhichthemoneyshouldbeinvestedandtiedupandmadetobesafeandcomfortabletotheFletcher-cum-Whartoninterestsgenerally，hadbeenfullysettledamongthem。Butnowthisotherman，thisstranger，thisPortuguesehadenteredupontheinheritance。Butthestranger，thePortuguese，mustwait。MrWhartonknewhimselftobeanoldman。Shewashischild，andhewouldnotwrongher。Butsheshouldhavehermoneycloselysettleduponherselfonhisdeath，——andonherchildren，shouldshethenhaveany。Itshouldbedonebyhiswill。HewouldsaynothingaboutmoneytoLopez，andifLopezshould，aswasprobable，askafterhisdaughter’sfortune，hewouldanswertothiseffect。Thushealmostresolvedthathewouldgivehisdaughtertothemanwithoutanyinquiryastotheman’smeans。Thethinghadtobedone，andhewouldtakenofurthertroubleaboutit。Thecomfortofhislifewasgone。

Hishomewouldnolongerbeahometohim。Hisdaughtercouldnotnowbehiscompanion。Thesoonerthatdeathcametohimthebetter，buttilldeathshouldcomehemustconsolehimselfaswellashecouldbyplayingwhistattheEldon。ItwasafterthisfashionthatMrWhartonthoughtofthecomingmarriagebetweenhisdaughterandherlover。

’Ihaveyourfather’sconsenttomarryyoursister，’saidFerdinandimmediatelyonenteringEverett’sroom。

’Iknewitmustcomesoon，’saidtheinvalid。

’Icannotsaythatithasbeengiveninthemostgraciousmanner，——butithasbeengivenveryclearly。Ihavehisexpresspermissiontoseeher。Thosewerehislastwords。’