第8章

Thentherewasasendingofnotesbetweenthesick-roomandthesickman’ssister’sroom。EverettwroteandFerdinandwrote，andEmilywrote，——shortlineseachofthem，——afewwordsscrawled。

ThelastfromEmilywasasfollows：——’Lethimgointothedrawing-room。EW。’AndsoFerdinandwentdowntomeethislove，——toencounterherforthefirsttimeasherrecognizedfuturehusbandandengagedlover。Passionate，declared，andthoroughaswasherloveforthisman，thefamiliarintercoursebetweenthemhadhithertobeenverylimited。Therehadbeenlittle，——wemayperhapssaynone，——ofthatdalliancebetweenthemwhichissodelightfultothemanandsowondroustothegirltillcustomstaledtheedgeofit。Hehadneversatwithherarmaroundherwaist。Hehadrarelyheldevenherhandinhisforahappyrecognizedpauseofafewseconds。Hehadneverkissedevenherbrow。Andthereshewasnow，standingbeforehim，allhisown，absolutelygiventohim，withthefullestassuranceofloveonherpart，andwiththedeclaredconsentofherfather。Evenhehadbeenalittleconfusedasheopenedthedoor，——evenhe，ashepausedtocloseitbehindhim，hadtothinkhowhewouldaddressher，andperhapshadthoughtinvain。Buthehadnotamomentforanythoughtafterenteringtheroom。Whetheritwashisdoingorhershehardlyknew，butshewasinhisarms，andherlipswerepressedtohis，andhisarmswastightaroundherwaist，holdingherclosetohisbreast。Itseemedasthoughallthatwaswantinghadbeenunderstoodinamoment，andasthoughtheyhadlivedtogetherandlovedforthelasttwelvemonths，withthefullestmutualconfidence。Andshewasthefirsttospeak——

’Ferdinand，Iamsohappy！Areyouhappy？’

’Mylove，mydarling！’

’Youhaveneverdoubtedme，Iknow，——sinceyoufirstknewit。’

’Doubtedyou，mygirl！’

’ThatIwouldbefirm！Andnowpapahasbeengoodtome，andhowquicklyone’ssorrowisover。Iamyours，mylove，foreverandever。Youknewitbefore，butIliketotellyou。Iwillbetruetoyouineverything！Oh，mylove！’

Hehadbutlittletosaytoher，butweknowthatforloverslackingmatter，thecleanliestshiftistokiss。Insuchmomentssilencecharms，andalmostanywordsareunsuitableexceptthosesoft，bird-likemurmuringsoflovewhich，sweetastheyaretotheear，canhardlybesowrittenastobesweettothereader。

CHAPTER24

THEMARRIAGE。

TheengagementwasmadeinOctober，andthemarriagetookplaceinthelatterpartofNovember。WhenLopezpressedforanearlyday，——whichhedidverystrongly，——Emilyraisednodifficultiesinthewayofhiswishes。Thefather，foolishlyenough，wouldatfirsthavepostponedit，andmadehimselfsounpleasanttoLopezbyhismannerofdoingthis，thatthebridewasdriventotakeherlover’spart。Asthethingwastobedone，whatwastobegainedbythedelay？Itcouldnotbemadeajoytohim。nor，lookingatthematterashelookedatit，couldhemakeajoyevenofherpresenceduringthefewinterveningweeks。LopezproposedtotakehisbrideintoItalyforthewintermonths，andtostaythereatanyratethroughDecemberandJanuary，allegingthathemustbebackintownbythebeginningofFebruary——andthiswastakenasafairpleaforhasteningthemarriage。

Whenthematterwassettled，hewentbacktoGatherumCastle，ashehadarrangedtodowiththeDuchessandmanagedtointerestherGraceinallhisproceedings。Shepromisedthatshewouldcallonhisbrideintown，andevenwentsofarastosendheracostlyweddingpresent。’Youaresureshehasgotmoney？’saidtheDuchess。

’Iamnotsureofanything，’saidLopez，——’exceptthis，thatI

donotmeantoaskasinglequestionaboutit。Ifhesaysnothingtomeaboutmoney，Icertainlyshallsaynothingtohim。

Myfeelingisthis，Duchess，thatIamnotmarryingMissWhartonforhermoney。Themoney，iftherebeany，hashadnothingtodowithit。Butofcourseitwillbeapleasureaddedifitbethere。’TheDuchesscomplimentedhim，andtoldhimthatthiswasexactlyasitshouldbe。

ButtherewassomedelayastotheseatofSilverbridge。MrGrey’sdepartureforPersiahadbeenpostponed，——theDuchessthoughtonlyforamonthorsixweeks。TheDuke，however，wasoftheopinionthatMrGreyshouldnotvacatehisseattillthedayofhisgoingwasatanyratefixed。TheDuke，moreover，hadnotmadeanypromiseofsupportinghiswife’sfavourite。’Don’tsetyourheartuponittoomuch，MrLopez，’theDuchesshadsaid。

’butyoumaybesureIwillnotforgetyou。’Thenithadbeensettledbetweenthemthatthemarriageshouldnotbepostponed，orthepromisedtriptoItalyabandoned，becauseoftheprobablevacancyatSilverbridge。Shouldthevacancyoccurduringhisabsence，andshouldtheDukeconsent，hecouldreturnatonce。

Allthisoccurredinthelastweekortwobeforehismarriage。

TherewerevariouslittleincidentswhichdidnottendtomakethehappinessofEmilyWhartoncomplete。ShewrotetohercousinMaryWharton，andalsotoLadyWharton——andherfatherwrotetoSirAlured。butthefolkatWhartonHalldidnotgivetheiradherence。OldMrsFletcherwasstillthere，butJohnFletcherhadgonehometoLongbarns。TheobduracyoftheWhartonsmightprobablybeowingtothesetwoaccidents。MrsFletcherdeclaredaloud，assoonasthetidingsreachedher，thatsheneverwishedtoseeorhearanythingmoreofEmilyWharton。’Shemustbeagirl，’saidMrsFletcher，’ofaningrainedvulgartaste。’SirAlured，whoseletterfromMrWhartonhadbeenveryshort，repliedasshortlytohiscousin。’DearAbel，——WeallhopethatEmilywillbehappy，thoughofcourseweregretthemarriage。’Thefather，thoughhehadnothimselfwrittentriumphantly，orevenhopefully，——asfathersarewonttowritewhentheirdaughtersaregivenawayinmarriage，——waswoundedbythecurtnessandunkindnessofthebaronet’sreply，andatthemomentdeclaredtohimselfthathewouldnevergotoHertfordshireanymore。ButonthefollowingdaytherecameaworseblowthanSirAlured’ssingleline。Emily，notintheleastdoubtingbutthatherrequestwouldbereceivedwiththeusualreadyassent，hadaskedMaryWhartontobeoneofthebridesmaids。Itmustbesupposedthattheanswertothiswaswritten，ifnotunderthedictation，atanyrateundertheinspiration，ofMrsFletcher。Itwasasfollows：

DEAREMILY，Ofcourseweallwishyoutobeveryhappyinyourmarriage。butequallyofcoursewearealldisappointed。

Wehadtaughtourselvestothinkyouwouldhaveboundyourselfcloserwithusdownhere，insteadofseparatingyourselfentirelyfromus。

UnderallthecircumstancesmammathinksitwouldnotbewiseformetogouptoLondonasoneofyourbridesmaids。

YouraffectionatecousinMARYWHARTON

ThislettermadepoorEmilyveryangryforadayortwo。’Itisasunreasonableasitisill-natured，’shesaidtoherbrother。

’Whatelsecouldyouexpectfromastiff-necked，prejudicedsetofprovincialignoramuses？’

’WhatMarysaysisnottrue。ShedidnotthinkIwasgoingtobindmyselfcloserwiththem，asshecallsit。Ihavebeenquiteopenwithher，andhavealwaystoldherthatIcouldnotbeArthurFletcher’swife。’

’Whyonearthshouldyoumarrytopleasethem？’

’Becausetheydon’tknowFerdinandandaredeterminedtoinsulthim。Itisaninsultnevertomentionevenhisname。Andtorefusetocometomymarriage！Theworldiswideandthereisroomforusandthem。butitmakesmeunhappy，——veryunhappy，——

thatIshouldhavetobreakwiththem。’Andthentearscameintohereyes。Itwasintended，nodoubt，tobeacompletebreach，fornotasingleweddingpresentwassentfromWhartonHalltothebride。ButfromLongbarns，——fromJohnFletcherhimself，——

theredidcomeanelaboratecoffee-pot，which，inspiteofitsinutilityandugliness，wasveryvaluabletoEmily。

ButtherewasoneotherofheroldHertfordshirefriendswhoreceivedthetidingsofhermarriagewithoutquarrellingwithher。Sheherselfhadwrittentoheroldlover。

MYDEARARTHUR，TherehasbeensomuchtruefriendshipandaffectionbetweenusthatIdonotlikethatyoushouldhearfromanyonebymyselfthenewsthatIamtobemarriedtoMrLopez。Wearetobemarriedonthe28thNovember，——thisdaymonth。

Yoursaffectionately，EMILYWHARTON

Tothisshereceivedaveryshortreply。

DEAREMILY，IamasIalwayshavebeen。

Yours，A。F。

Hesenthernopresent，nordidhesayawordbeyondthis。butinherangeragainsttheHertfordshirepeoplesheneverincludedArthurFletcher。Sheporedoverthelittlenoteascoreoftimes，andweptoverit，andtreasureditupamonghermostinmosttreasures，andtoldherselfthatitwasathousandpities。

Shecouldtalk，anddidtalk，toFerdinandabouttheWhartons，andaboutoldMrsFletcher，anddescribedtohimthearroganceandthestiffnessandtheignoranceoftheHertfordshiresquirearchygenerally。butsheneverspoketohimofArthurFletcher，——exceptinthatonenarrativeofherpastlife，inwhich，girl-like，shetoldherloveroftheoneotherloverwhohadlovedher。

Butthesethingsofcoursegaveacertainmelancholytotheoccasionwhichperhapswasincreasedbytheseasonoftheyear，——

bytheNovemberfogs，andbytheemptinessandgeneralsadnessofthetown。AndaddedtothiswasthemelancholyofoldMrWhartonhimself。Afterhehadgivenhisconsenttothemarriageheadmittedacertainamountofintimacywithhisson-in-law，askinghimtodinner，anddiscussingwithhimmattersofgeneralinterest，——butnever，intruth，openinghishearttohim。

Indeed，howcananymanopenhishearttoonewhomhedislikes？

Atbesthecanonlypretendtoopenhisheart，andeventhisMrWhartonwouldnotdo。AndverysoonaftertheengagementLopezleftLondonandwenttotheDuke’splaceinthecountry。HisobjectsindoingthisandhisaspirationsinregardtoaseatinParliamentwereallmadeknowntohisfuturewife，——buthesaidnotawordonthesubjecttoherfather。andshe，actingunderhisinstructions，wasequallyreticent。’Hewillgettoknowmeintime，’hesaidtoher，’andhismannerwillbesoftenedtowardsme。Buttillthattimeshallcome，Icanhardlyexpecthimtotakearealinterestinmywelfare。’

WhenLopezleftLondonnotawordhadbeensaidbetweenhimandhisfather-in-lawastomoney。MrWhartonwascontentwithsuchsilence，notwishingtomakeanypromiseastoimmediateincomefromhimself，pretendingtolookatthematterasthoughheshouldsaythat，ashisdaughterhadmadeherselfherownbed，shemustlieonit，suchasitmightbe。AndthissilencecertainlysuitedFerdinandLopezatthetime。Totellthetruthofhim——thoughhewasnotabsolutelypenniless，hewasaltogetherpropertyless。Hehadbeenspeculatinginmoneywithoutcapital，andthoughhehadnowandagainbeensuccessful，hehadalsonowandagainfailed。Hehadcontrivedthathisnameshouldbementionedhereandtherewiththenamesofwell-knownwealthycommercialmen，andhadforthelasttwelvemonthsmadeupasomewhatintimatealliancewiththatverysoundcommercialmanMrMillsHapperton。ButhisdealingswithMrSextusParkerwereintruthmuchmoreconfidentialthanthosewithMrMillsHapperton，andatthepresentmomentpoorSextyParkerwasalternatelybetweentriumphanddespairasthingsthiswayorthat。

ItwasnotthereforesurprisingthatFerdinandLopezshouldvolunteernostatementstotheoldlawyeraboutmoney，andthatheshouldmakenoinquiries。HewasquiteconfidentthatMrWhartonhadthewealthwhichwassupposedtobelongtohim，andwaswillingtotrusthispowerofobtainingafairportionofitassoonasheshouldintruthbeMrWharton’sson-in-law。

Situatedashewas，ofcourse，hemustrunsomerisk。Andthen，too，hehadspokenofhimselfwithagrainoftruthwhenhehadtoldtheDuchessthathewasnotmarryingformoney。FerdinandLopezwasnotanhonestmanoragoodman。Hewasaself-

seeking，intriguingadventurer，whodidnotknowhonestyfromdishonestywhenhesawthemtogether。Buthehadatanyratethisgoodabouthim，thathedidlovethegirlwhomhewasabouttomarry。Hewaswillingtocheatalltheworld，——sothathemightsucceed，andmakeafortune，andbecomeabigandrichman。

buthedidnotwishtocheather。Itwashisambitiontocarryherupwithhim，andhethoughthowhemightbestteachhertoassisthimindoingso，——howhemightwinhertohelphiminhischeating，especiallyinregardtoherownfather。Fortohimself，tohisownthinking，thatwhichwecallcheatingwasnotdishonesty。Tothisthinkingtherewassomethingbold，grand，picturesque，andalmostbeautifulinthebattlewhichsuchaoneashimselfmustwagewiththeworldbeforehecouldmakehiswayupinit。Hewouldnotpickapocketorturnafalsecard，or，ashethought，forgeaname。Thatwhichhedid，anddesiredtodo，tookwiththenameofspeculation。WhenhepersuadedpoorSextyParkertohazardhisall，knowingwellthatheinducedtheunfortunatemantobelievewhatwasfalse，andtotrustwhatwasutterlyuntrustworthy，hedidnothimselfthinkthathewasgoingbeyondthelimitsoffairenterprise。Now，inhismarriage，hehadintruthjoinedhimselftorealwealth。Couldheonlycommandatoncethatwhichhethoughtoughttobehiswife’sshareofthelawyer’smoney，hedidnotdoubtbutthathecouldmakearapidfortune。Itwouldnotdoforhimtoseemtobedesirousofmoneyadaybeforethetime——but，whenthetimeshouldcome，wouldnothiswifehelphiminhisgreatcareer？

Butbeforeshecoulddososhemustbemadetounderstandsomethingofthenatureofhiscareer，andoftheneedofsuchaid。

Ofcoursetherearosethequestionwheretheyshouldlive。Buthewasreadywithanimmediateanswertothisquestion。Hehadbeentolookataflat，——asetofrooms，——intheBelgraveMansions，inPimlico，orBelgraviayououghtmoreprobablytocallit。Heproposedtotakethemfurnishedtilltheycouldlookaboutattheirleisureandgetahousethatshouldsuitthem。

Wouldshelikeaflat？Shewouldhavelikedacellarwithhim，andsoshetoldhim。Thentheywenttolookattheflat，andoldMrWhartoncondescendedtogowiththem。Thoughhisheartwasnotinthebusiness，stillhethoughthewasboundtolookafterhisdaughter’scomfort。’Theyareveryhandsomerooms，’saidMrWharton，lookingroundupontherathergorgeousfurniture。

’Oh，Ferdinand，aretheytoogrand？’

’Perhapstheyarealittlemorethanwequitewantjustatpresent，’hesaid。’ButI’lltellyousir，justhowithappened。

AmanIknowwantedtoletthemforoneyear，justastheyare，andofferedthemtomefor450pounds，——ifIcouldpaythemoneyinadvance，atthemoment。AndsoIpaidit。’

’Youhavetakenthemthen？’saidMrWharton。

’Isitallsettled？’saidEmily，almostwithdisappointment。

’Ihavepaidthemoney，andIhavesofartakenthem。Butitisbynomeanssettled。Youhaveonlytosayyoudon’tlikethem，andyoushallneverbeaskedtoputyourfootinthemagain。’

’ButIdolikethem，’shewhisperedtohim。

’Thetruthis，sir，thatthereisnoslightestdifficultyinpartingwiththem。SothatwhenthechancecameinmywayI

thoughtitbesttosecurethething。Ithadalltobedone，sotosay，inanhour。Myfriend，——asfarashewasafriend，forI

don’tknowmuchabouthim，——wantedthemoneyandwantedtobeoff。Soheretheyare，andEmilycandoasshelikes。’OfcoursetheroomswereregardedfromthatmomentasthehomeforthenexttwelvemonthsofMrandMrsFerdinandLopez。

Andthentheyweremarried。Themarriagewasbynomeansagayaffair，thechiefmanagementofitfallingintothehandsofMrsDickRoby。MrsDickindeedprovidednotonlythebreakfast，——orsawratherthatitwasprovidedfor，forofcourseMrWhartonpaidthebill，——butthefourbridesmaidsalso，andallthecompany。TheyweremarriedinthechurchinVereStreet，thenwentbacktothehouseinManchesterSquare，andwithinacoupleofhourswereontheirroadtoDover。Throughitallnotawordwassaidaboutmoney。Atthelastmoment，——whenhewasfreefromfearasanyquestionsabouthisownaffairs，——Lopezhadhopedthattheoldmanwouldsaysomething。’Youwillfindsomanythousandpoundsatyourbanker’s，’——or，’Youmaylooktomeforsomanyhundredsayear。’Buttherewasnotaword。Thegirlhadcometohimwithouttheassuranceofasingleshilling。

Inhisgreatendeavourtogetherhehadbeensuccessful。Ashethoughtofthisinthecarriage，hepressedhisarmcloseroundherwaist。Iftheworstweretocometotheworst，hewouldfighttheworldforher。Butifthisoldmanshouldbestubborn，close-fisted，andabsolutelyresolvedtobestowallhismoneyuponhissonbecauseofthemarriage，——ah！——howshouldhebeabletobearsuchawrongasthat？

Half-a-dozentimesduringthatjourneytoDover，heresolvedtothinknothingfurtheraboutit，atanyrateforafortnight。andyet，beforehereachedDover，hehadsaidawordtoher。’I

wonderwhatyourfathermeanstodoaboutmoney？Henevertoldyou？’

’Doesitmatter，dear？’

’Notintheleast。ButofcourseIhavetotalkabouteverythingtoyou——anditisodd。’

CHAPTER25

THEBEGINNINGOFTHEHONEYMOON。

Onthemorningofhismarriage，beforehewenttothealtar，Lopezmadeoneortworesolutionsastohisfutureconduct。Thefirstwasthathewouldgivehimselfafortnightfromhismarriagedayinwhichhewouldnoteventhinkofmoney。Hehadmadecertainarrangements，inthecourseofwhichhehadcausedSextusParkertostarewithsurpriseandtosweatwithdismay，butwhichneverthelessweresuccessfullyconcluded。BillsweredrawntorunovertoFebruary，andreadymoneytoamoderateextentwasforthcoming，andfiscaltranquillitywasinsuredforacertainshortperiod。TheconfidencewhichSextusParkerhadoncefeltinhisfriend’sownresourceswassomewhatonthedecline，buthestillbelievedinhisfriend’sskillandgenius，and，afterdueinquiry，hebelievedentirelyinhisfriend’sfather-in-law。SextusParkersillthoughtthatthingswouldcomeround。Ferdinand，——healwaysnowcalledhisfriendbyhisChristianname，——Ferdinandwasbeautifully，seraphicallyconfident。AndSexty，whohadbeeninamannermagnetizedbyFerdinand，wasconfidenttoo，——atcertainperiodsoftheday。

Hewasveryconfidentwhenhehadhadhistwoorthreeglassesofsherryatluncheon，andhewasoftendelightfullyconfidentwithhiscigarandbrandy-and-wateratnight。Buttherewereperiodsinthemorninginwhichhewouldshakewithfearandsweatwithdismay。

ButLopezhimself，havingwithhisfriend’sassistance，arrangedhisaffairscomfortablyforamonthortwo，had，asafirstresolution，promisedhimselfafortnight’sfreedomfromallcarkingcares。HissecondresolutionhadbeenthatattheendofthefortnighthewouldcommencehisoperationsonMrWharton。Uptothelastmomenthehadhoped，——hadalmostexpected，——thatasumofmoneywouldhavebeenpaidtohim。Evenacoupleofthousandpoundsforthetimewouldhavebeenofgreatusetohim——

butnotenderofanykindhadbeenmade。Notawordhadbeensaid。Thingscouldnotofcoursegooninthatway。Hewasnotgoingtoplaythecowardwithhisfather-in-law。Thenhebethoughthimselfhowhewouldactifhisfather-in-lawweresternlytorefusetodoanythingforhim，andheassuredhimselfthatinsuchcircumstanceshewouldmakehimselfverydisagreeabletohisfather-in-law。Andthenhisthirdresolutionhadreferencetohiswife。Shemustbeinstructedinhisways。

Shemustlearntolookattheworldinhiseyes。Shemustbetaughtthegreatimportanceofmoney，——notinagripping，hard-

fisted，prosaicspirit。butthatshemightparticipateinthatfeelingofhisownwhichhadinitsomuchthatwasgrand，somuchthatwasdelightful，somuchthatwaspicturesque。Hewouldneveraskhertobeparsimonious，——nevereventobeeconomical。

Hewouldtakeagloryinseeingherwelldressedandwellattended，withherowncarriage，andherownjewels。Butshemustlearnthattheenjoymentofthesethingsmustbebuiltuponaconvictionthatthemostimportantpursuitintheworldwastheacquiringofmoney。Andshemustbemadetounderstand，firstofall，thatshehadarighttoatanyrateahalfofherfather’sfortune。Hehadperceivedthatshehadmuchinfluencewithherfather，andshemustbetaughttousethisinfluenceunscrupulouslyonherhusband’sbehalf。

Wehavealreadyseenthatunderthepressureofhisthoughtshedidbreakhisresolutionwithinanhourortwoofhismarriage。

Itiseasyforamantosaythathewillbanishcare，sothathemayenjoytothefullthedelightsofthemoment。Butthisisapowerwhichnonebutasavagepossesses，——orperhapsanIrishman。Wehavelearnedthelessonfromthedivines，thephilosophers，andthepoets。Postequitemsedesatracura。ThuswasFerdinandLopezmountedhighonhishorse，——forhehadtriumphedgreatlyinhismarriage，andreallyfeltthattheworldcouldgivehimnodelightsogreatastohaveherbesidehim，andherashisown。Buttheinkydevilsatcloseuponhisshoulders。

WherewouldhebeattheendofthreemonthsifMrWhartonwoulddonothingforhim，——andifacertainventureinguano，towhichhehadtemptedSextyParker，shouldnotturnouttherightway？

HebelievedintheguanoandhebelievedinMrWharton，butitisaterriblethingtohaveone’swholepositionintheworldhanginguponeitheranunwillingfather-in-laworaprobableriseinthevalueofmanure。Andthenhowwouldhereconcilehimselftoherifbothfather-in-lawandguanoshouldgoagainsthim，andhowshouldheendurehermisery？

TheinkydevilhadforcedhimtoaskthequestionevenbeforetheyhadreachedDover。’Doesitmatter，’shehadasked。Thenforthetimehehadrepudiatedhissolicitude，andhaddeclaredthatnoquestionofmoneywasofmuchconsequencetohim，——

therebymakinghisfuturetaskwithhersomuchthemoredifficult。Afterthathesaidnothingtoheronthesubjectonthattheirweddingday，——buthecouldnotpreventhimselffromthinkingofit。Hadhegonetothedepthofruinwithoutawife，whatwouldithavemattered？Foryearspasthehadbeenatthesamekindofwork，——butwhilehewasunmarriedtherehadbeenacharmintheverydanger。Andasasinglemanhehadsucceeded，beingsometimesutterlyimpecunious，butstillwiththecapacityofliving。Nowhehadladenhimselfwithaburdenofwhichtheveryintensityofhisloveimmenselyincreasedtheweight。Asfornotthinkingofit，thatwasimpossible。Ofcourseshemusthelphim。Ofcourseshemustbetaughthowimperativeitwasthatsheshouldhelphimatonce。’Isthereanythingtroublesyou，’sheasked，asshesatleaningagainsthimaftertheirdinnerinthehotelatDover。

’Whatshouldtroublemeonsuchadayasthis？’

’Ifthereisanything，tellitme。Idonotmeantosaynow，atthismoment，——unlessyouwishit。Whatevermaybeyourtroubles，itshallbemypresenthappiness，asitismyfirstduty，tolessenthem，ifIcan。’

Thepromisewasverywell。Itallwentintherightdirection。

Itshowedhimthatshewasatanyratepreparedtotakeapartinthejointworkoftheirlife。But，nevertheless，sheshouldbesparedforthemoment。’Whenthereistrouble，youshallbetoldeverything，’hesaid，pressinghislipstoherbrow。’butthereisnothingthatneedtroubleyouyet。’Hesmiledashesaidthis，buttherewassomethinginthetoneofhisvoicewhichtoldherthattherewouldbetrouble。

WhenhewasinParishereceivedaletterfromParker，towhomhehadbeenobligedtoentrustarunningaddress，butfromwhomhehadenforcedapromisethatthereshouldbenoletter-writingunlessunderverypressingcircumstances。Thecircumstanceshadnotbeenpressing。Thelettercontainedonlyoneparagraphofanyimportance，andthatwasduetowhatLopeztriedtoregardasfidgetycowardiceonthepartofhisally。’PleasetobearinmindthatIcan’tandwon’tarrangeforthebillsfor1，500

poundsdueon3rdofFebruary。’Thatwastheparagraph。Whohadaskedhimtoarrangeforthesebills？AndyetLopezwaswellawarethatheintendedpoorSextyshould’arrange’forthemintheeventofhisfailuretomakearrangementswithMrWharton。

Atlasthewasquiteunabletoletthefortnightpassbywithoutbeginningthelessonswhichhiswifehadtolearn。Asforthefirstintentionastodrivinghiscaresoutofhisownmindforthattime，hehadlongsinceabandonedeventheattempt。Itwasnecessarytohimthatareasonablesumofmoneyshouldbeextractedfromthefather-in-law，atanyratebeforetheendofJanuary，andaweekorevenadaymightbeofimportance。TheyhadhurriedonsouthwardsfromParis，andbeforetheendofthefirstweekhadpassedovertheSimplon，andwereatapleasantinnontheshoresoftheComo。EverythingintheirtravelshadbeenasyetdelightfultoEmily。Thisman，ofwhomsheknewintruthsolittle，hadcertaingoodgifts，——giftsofintellect，giftsoftemper，giftsofvoiceandmannerandoutwardappearance，——whichhadhithertosatisfiedher。Ahusbandwhoisalsoaneagerlovermustbedelightfultoayoungbride。AndhithertonolovercouldhavebeenmoretenderthanLopez。Everywordandeveryact，everylookandeverytouch，hadbeenloving。

Hadsheknowntheworldbettershemighthavefelt，perhaps，thatsomethingwasexpectedwheresomuchwasgiven。Perhapsaroughermanner，withsomelittletouchofmaritalself-assertion，mightbeasafercommencementofmarriedlife，——safertothewifeascomingfromherhusband。ArthurFletcherbythistimewouldhaveaskedhertobringhimhisslippers，takinginfiniteprideinhavinghislittlebehestsobeyedbysosweetaservitor。

Thatalsowouldhavebeenpleasanttoherhadherheartinthefirstinstancefollowedhisimage。butnowalsotheidolatryofFerdinandLopezhadbeenverypleasant。

Butthemomentforthefirstlessonhadcome。’Yourfatherhasnotwrittentoyousinceyoustarted？’hesaid。

’Notaline。Hehasnotknownouraddress。Heisneververygoodatletter-writing。IdidwritetohimfromParis，andI

scribbledafewwordstoEverettyesterday。’

’Itisveryoddthatheshouldneverhavewrittentome。’

’Didyouexpecthimtowrite？’

’Totellyouthetruth，Iratherdid。NotthatIshouldhavedreamedofhiscorrespondingwithmehadhespokentomeonacertainsubject。Butas，onthatsubject，heneveropenedhismouthtome，Ialmostthoughthewouldwrite。’

’Doyoumeanaboutmoney？’sheaskedinaverylowvoice。

’Well——yes。Idomeanaboutmoney。Thingshithertohavegonesoverystrangelybetweenus。Sitdown，dear，tillwehavearealdomestictalk。’

’Tellmeeverything，’shesaidasshenestledherselfclosetohisside。

’Youknowhowitwasatfirstbetweenhimandme。Heobjectedtomeviolently，——Imeanopenly，tomyface。Buthebasedhisobjectionsolelyonmynationality，——nationalityandblood。Astomyconditionintheworld，fortune，orincome，heneveraskedaword。Thatwasstrange。’

’Isupposehethoughtheknew。’

’Hecouldnothavethoughtheknew，dearest。Butitwasnotformetoforcethesubjectuponhim。Youcanseethat。’

’Iamsurewhateveryoudidwasright，Ferdinand。’

’Heisindisputablyarichman，——onewhomightbesupposedtobeableandwillingtogiveanonlydaughteraconsiderablefortune。

NowIcertainlyhadneverthoughtofmarryingformoney。’Heresherubbedherfaceuponhisarm。’Ifeltthatitwasnotformetospeakofmoney。Ifhechosetobereticent，Icouldbesoequally。Hadheaskedme，IshouldhavetoldhimthatIhadnofortune，butwasmakingalargethoughprecariousincome。Itwouldthenbeforhimtodeclarewhatheintendedtodo。Thatwould，Ithink，havebeenpreferable。Asitisweareallindoubt。Inmypositionaknowledgeofwhatyourfatherintendstodowouldbemostvaluabletome。’

’Shouldyounotaskhim？’

’Ibelievetherehasalwaysbeenaperfectconfidencebetweenyouandhim？’

’Certainly，——astoallourwaysofliving。Butheneversaidawordtomeaboutmoneyinhislife。’

’Andyet，mydarling，moneyismostimportant。’

’Ofcourseitis。Iknowthat，Ferdinand。’

’Wouldyoumindasking？’Shedidnotanswerhimatonce，butsatthinking。Andhealsopausedbeforehewentonwithhislesson。

But，inorderthatthelessonshouldbeefficacious，itwouldbesowellthatheshouldtellherasmuchashecouldevenatthisfirstlecture。’Totellyouthetruth，thisisquiteessentialtomeatpresent，——verymuchmorethanIhadthoughtitwouldbewhenwefixedthedayforourmarriage。’Hermindwithinherrecoiledatthis，thoughshewasverycarefulthatheshouldnotfeelanysuchmotioninherbody。’Mybusinessisprecarious。’

’Whatisyourbusiness，Ferdinand？’Poorgirl！Thatsheshouldhavebeenallowedtomarryaman，andthanhavetoaskhimsuchaquestion！

’Itisgenerallycommercial。Ibuyandsellonspeculation。Theworld，whichisshyofnewwords，hasnotyetgivenitaname。I

amagooddealatpresentintheSouthAmericantrade。’Shelistened，butreceivednoglimmeringofanideafromhiswords。

’Whenwewereengagedeverythingwasasbrightasroseswithme。’

’Whydidyounottellmethisbefore，——sothatwemighthavebeenmoreprudent？’

’Suchprudencewouldhavebeenhorridtome。ButthefactisthatIshouldnotnowhavespokentoyouatall，butthatsinceweleftEnglandIhavehadlettersfromasortofpartnerofmine。Inourbusinessthingswillgoastraysometimes。ItwouldbeofgreatservicetomeifIcouldlearnwhatareyourfather’sintentions。’

’Youwanthimtogiveyousomemoneyatonce。’

’Itwouldnotbeunusual，dear，——whenthereismoneytobegiven。ButIwantyouspeciallytoaskhimwhathehimselfwouldproposetodo。HeknowsalreadythatIhavetakenahomeforyouandpaidforit，andheknows，——Butitdoesnotsignifygoingintothat。’

’Tellmeeverything。’

’Heisawarethattherearemanyexpenses。Ofcourseifhewereapoormantherewouldnotbeawordaboutit。Icanwithabsolutetruthdeclarethathadhebeenpenniless，itwouldhavemadenodifferencetomysuittoyou。Butitwouldpossiblyhavemadesomedifferenceastoourafterplans。Heisathoroughmanoftheworld，andhemustknowallthat。Iamsurehemustfeelthatsomethingisduetoyou，——andtomeasyourhusband。Butheisodd-tempered，and，asIhavenotspokentohim，hechoosestobesilenttome。Now，mydarling，youandIcannotaffordtowaitandseewhocanbesilentthelongest。’

’Whatdoyouwantmetodo？’

’Towritetohim。’

’Andaskhimformoney？’

’Notexactlyinthatway。Ithinkyoushouldsaythatweshouldbegladtoknowwhatheintendstodo，alsosayingthatacertainsumofmoneywouldatpresentbeofusetome。’

’Woulditnotbebetterfromyou？Ionlyask，Ferdinand。I

neverhaveevenspokentohimaboutmoney，andofcoursehewouldknowthatyouhavedictatedwhatIsaid。’

’Nodoubthewould。ItisnaturalthatIshoulddoso。IhopethetimemaycomewhenImaywritequitefreelytoyourfathermyself，buthithertohashardlybeencourteoustome。I

wouldratherthatyoushouldwrite，——ifyoudonotmindit。

Writeyourownletter，andshowitme。IfthereisanythingtoomuchoranythingtoolittleIwilltellyou。’

Andsothefirstlessonwastaught。Thepooryoungwifedidnotatalllikethelesson。Evenwithinherownbosomshefoundnofaultwithherhusband。Butshebegantounderstandthatthelifebeforeherwasnottobealifeofroses。Thefirstwordspokentoherinthetrain，beforeitreachedDover，hadexplainedsomethingofthistoher。Shehadfeltatoncethattherewouldbetroubleaboutmoney。Andnow，thoughshedidnotatallunderstandwhatmightbethenatureofthosetroubles，thoughshehadderivednoinformationwhateverfromherhusband’shintsabouttheSouthAmericantrade，thoughshewasignorantaseverofhisaffairs，yetshefeltthatthetroubleswouldcomesoon。Butneverforamomentdiditseemtoherthathehadbeenunjustinbringingherintotroubledwaters。Theyhadlovedeachother，andtherefore，whatevermightbethetroubles，itwasrightthattheyshouldmarryeachother。Therewasnotasparkofangeragainstherinherbosom——butshewasunhappy。

Hedemandedfromherthewritingoftheletteralmostimmediatelyaftertheconversationwhichhasbeengivenabove，andofcoursetheletterwaswritten，——writtenandrecopied，fortheparagraphaboutmoneywas，ofcourse，atlastofhiswording。Andshecouldnotmaketheremainderoftheletterpleasant。Thefeelingthatshewasmakingademandformoneyonherfatherranthroughitall。ButthereaderneedonlyseethepassageinwhichFerdinandLopezmadehisdemand，——throughherhand。

’Ferdinandhasbeenspeakingtomeaboutmyfortune。’Ithadgonemuchagainstthegrainwithhertowritethesewords，’myfortune’。’ButIhavenofortune，’shesaid。Heinsistedhowever，explainingtoherthatshewasentitledtousethesewordsbyherfather’sundoubtedwealth。Andso，withanachingheart，shewrotethem。’Ferdinandhasbeenspeakingtomeaboutmyfortune。Ofcourse，ItoldhimIknewnothing，andthatashehadneverspokentomeaboutmoneybeforeourmarriage，Ihadneveraskedaboutit。Hesaysthatitwouldbeofgreatservicetohimtoknowwhatareyourintentions，andalsothathehopesthatyoumayfinditconvenienttoallowhimtodrawuponyouforsomeportionofitatpresent。Hesaysthat3，000poundswouldbeofgreatusetohiminhisbusiness。’Thatwastheparagraph，andtheworkofwritingitwassodistastefultoherthatshecouldhardlybringherselftoformtheletters。Itseemedasthoughshewereseizingtheadvantageofthefirstmomentoffreedomtotakeaviolentlibertywithherfather。

’Itisaltogetherhisownfault，mypet，’hesaidtoher。’I

havethegreatestrespectintheworldforyourfather，buthehasallowedhimselftofallintothehabitofkeepingallhisaffairssecretfromhischildren。and，ofcourse，astheygointotheworld，thissecrecymustinsomedegreebeinvaded。ThereispreciselythesamegoingonbetweenhimandEverett。onlyEverettisagreatdealroughertohimthanyouarelikelytobe。HeneverwillletEverettknowwhetherheistoregardhimselfasarichmanorapoorman。’

’Hegiveshimanallowance。’

’Becausehecannothelphimself。Toyouhedoesnotdoevenasmuchasthat，becausehecanhelphimself。Ihavechosentoleaveittohimandhehasdonenothing。Butthisisnotquitefair，andhemustbetoldso。Idon’tthinkhecouldbetoldinmoredutifullanguage。’

Emilydidnotliketheideaoftellingherfatheranythingwhichhemightnotliketohear。butherhusband’sbehestsweretoherinthese，herearlymarried，days，quiteimperative。

CHAPTER26

THEENDOFTHEHONEYMOON。

MrsLopezhadbeggedherfathertoaddresshisreplytoheratFlorence，where，——assheexplainedtohim，——theyexpectedtofindthemselveswithinafortnightfromthedateofherwriting。

TheyhadreachedthelakeabouttheendofNovember，whentheweatherhadstillbeenfine，buttheyintendedtopassthewintermonthsofDecemberandJanuarywithinthewarmthofthecities。

Thatinterveningfortnightwastoheraperiodofpainfulanticipation。Shefearedtoseeherfather’shandwriting，feelingalmostsurethathewouldbebitterlyangrywithher。Duringthattimeherhusbandfrequentlyspoketoherabouttheletter，——

aboutherownletterandherfather’sreply。Itwasnecessarythatsheshouldlearnherlesson，andshecouldonlydosobyhavingthesubjectofmoneymadefamiliartoherears。Itwasnotpartofhisplantotellheranythingofthemeansbywhichhehopedtomakehimselfawealthyman。Thelesssheknewofthatthebetter。Butthefactthatherfatherabsolutelyowedtohimalargeamountofmoneyasherfortunecouldnotbemadetoocleartoher。Hewasverydesiroustodothisinsuchamannerasnottomakeherthinkhewasaccusingher，——orthathewouldaccuseherifthemoneywasnotforthcoming。Butshemustlearnthefact，andmustbeimbuedwiththeconvictionthatherhusbandwouldbethemostill-treatedofmenunlessthemoneywereforthcoming。’Iamalittlenervousaboutittoo，’saidhe，alludingtotheexpectedletter——’notsomuchastothemoneyitself，thoughthatisimportant。butastohisconduct。Ifhechoosessimplytoignoreusafterourmarriage，hewillbebehavingverybadly。’Shehadnoanswertomaketothis。Shecouldnotdefendherfather，becausebydoingsoshewouldoffendherhusband。Andyetherwholelife-longtrustinherfathercouldnotallowhertothinkitpossiblethatheshouldbehaveilltothem。

OntheirarrivalatFlorencehewentatoncetothepost-office，buttherewasatyetnoletter。Thefortnight，however，whichhadbeennamedhadonlyjustrunitselfout。Theywentfromdaytodayinspectingbuildings，lookingatpictures，makingforthemselvesatasteinmarbleandbronze，visitingthelovelyvillageswhichclusteronthehillsaroundthecity，——doingpreciselyinthisrespectasdoallyoungmarriedcoupleswhodevoteapartoftheirhoneymoontoFlorence——butinalltheirlittlejourneyingsandinalltheirworkofpleasuretheinkydevilsatnotonlybehindhimbutbehindheralso。Theheavycareoflifewasalreadybeginningtoworkfurrowsonherface。

Shewouldalreadysit，knittingherbrow，asshethoughtofcomingtroubles。Wouldnotherfathercertainlyrefuse？Andwouldnotherhusbandthenbegintobelesslovingandlessgracioustoherself？

Everydayforaweekhecalledatthepost-officewhenhewentoutwithher，andstilltheletterdidnotcome。’Itcanhardlybepossible，’hesaidatlasttoher，’thatheshoulddeclinetoanswerhisowndaughter’sletter。’

’Perhapsheisill，’shereplied。

’IftherewereanythingofthatkindEverettwouldtellus。’

’PerhapshehasgonebacktoHertfordshire？’

’Ofcoursehisletterwouldgoafterhim。Iownitisverysingulartomethatheshouldnotwrite。Itlooksasifheweredeterminedtocastyouofffromhimaltogetherbecauseyouhavemarriedagainsthiswishes。’

’Notthat，Ferdinand——donotsaythat！’

’Well，weshallsee。’

Andonthenextdaytheydidsee。Hewenttothepost-officebeforebreakfast，andonthisdayhereturnedwithaletterinhishand。Shewassittingwaitingforhimwithabookinherlap，andsawtheletteratonce。’Isitfrompapa？’shesaid。

Henoddedhisheadashehandedittoher。’Openitandreadit，Ferdinand。Ihavegottobesonervousaboutit，thatIcannotdoit。Itseemstobesoimportant。’

’Yes——itisimportant，’hesaidwithagrimsmile，andthenheopenedtheletter。Shewatchedhisfacecloselyashereadit，andatfirstshecouldtellnothingfromit。Then，inthatmoment，itfirstoccurredtoherthathehadawonderfulcommandofhisfeatures。Allthis，however，lastedbuthalfaminute。

Thenhechuckedtheletter，lightly，inamongthetea-cups，andcomingtohertookhercloselyinherarmsandalmosthurtherbytheviolenceofhisrepeatedkisses。

’Hashewrittenkindly？’shesaid，assoonasshecouldfindherbreathtospeak。

’ByGeorge，he’sabrickafterall。IownIdidnotthinkit。

Mydarling，howmuchIoweyouforallthetroublesIhavegivenyou。’

’OhFerdinand！Ifhehasbeengoodtoyou，Ishallbesohappy。’

’Hehasbeenawfullygood。Ha，ha，ha！’Andthenhebeganwalkingabouttheroomashelaughedinanunnaturalway。’Uponmyworditisapitywedidn’tsayfourthousand，orfive。Thinkofhistakingmejustatmyword。It’sagreatdealbetterthanIexpected。that’sallthatIcansay。Andatthepresentmomentitisofthemostimportancetome。’

Allthisdidnottakeaboveaminuteortwo，butduringthatminuteortwoshehadbeensobewilderedbyhismannerasalmosttofancythattheexpressionsofhisdelighthadbeenironical。

Hehadbeensounlikehimselfasshehadknownhimthatshealmostdoubtedtherealityofhisjoy。Butwhenshetooktheletterandreadit，shefoundthathisjoywastrueenough。Theletterwasveryshort，andwasasfollows：

MYDEAREMILY，Whatyouhavesaidunderyourhusband’sinstructionaboutmoney，Ifinduponconsiderationtobefairenough。I

thinkheshouldhavespokentomebeforehismarriage。

butthenagainperhapsIoughttohavespokentohim。Asitis，Iamwillingtogivehimthesumherequires，andIwillpay3，000poundstohisaccount，ifhewouldtellmewherehewouldrequiretohaveitlodged。ThenIshallthinkIhavedonemydutybyhim。WhatIshalldowiththeremainderofanymoneythatImayhave，Idonotthinkheisentitledtoask。

Everettiswellagain，andasidleasever。YourauntRobyismakingafoolofherselfatHarrowgate。IhaveheardnothingfromHertfordshire。Everythingisquietandlonelyhere。

YouraffectionatefatherA。WHARTON

AshehaddinedattheEldoneverydaysincehisdaughterhadlefthim，andhadplayedonanaverageadozenrubbersofwhistdaily，hewasnotjustifiedincomplainingthelonelinessofLondon。

TheletterseemedtoEmilyherselftobeverycold，andhadnotherhusbandrejoicedoveritsowarmlyshewouldhaveconsideredittobeunsatisfactory。Nodoubtthe3，000poundswouldbegiven。butthat，asfarasshecouldunderstandherfather’swords，wastobethewholeofherfortune。Shehadneverknownanythingofherfather’saffairsorhisintentions，butshehadcertainlysupposedthatherfortunewouldbeverymuchmorethanthis。ShehadlearnedinsomeindirectwaythatalargesumofmoneywouldhavegonewithherhandtoArthurFletcher，couldshehavebroughtherselftomarrythatsuitorfavouredbyherfamily。

Andnow，havinglearned，asshehadlearned，thatmoneywasofvitalimportancetoherhusband，shewasdismayedatwhatseemedtohertobeparentalparsimony。Buthewasoverjoyed，——somuchsothatforawhilehelostthatrestraintoverhimselfwhichwashabitualtohim。Heatehisbreakfastinastateofexultation，andtalked，——notalludingspeciallytothis3，000pounds，——asthoughhehadthecommandofalmostunlimitedmeans。Heorderedacarriageanddroveherout，andboughtpresentsforher，——

thingsastowhichtheyhadbothbeforedecidedthattheyshouldnotbeboughtbecauseoftheexpense。’Praydon’tspendyourmoneyforme，’shesaidtohim。’It’snicetohaveyougivingmethings，butitwouldbenicertomeeventhanthattothinkthatIcouldsaveyouexpense。’

Buthewasnotinamoodtobedenied。’Youdon’tunderstand，’

hesaid。’Idon’twanttobesavedfromlittleextravagancesofthissort。Owingtocircumstances，yourfather’smoneywasatthismomentofimportancetome，——buthehasansweredtothewhipandthemoneyisthere，andthetroubleisover。Wecanenjoyourselvesnow。Othertroubleswillspringup，nodoubt，beforelong。’

Shedidnotquitelikebeingtoldthatherfather’hadansweredtothewhip’，——butshewaswillingtobelievethatitwasaphrasecommonamongmentowhichitwouldbeprudishtomakeobjection。Therewas，also，somethinginherhusband’selationwhichwasdistastefultoher。Coulditbethatreversesoffortunewithreferencetomoderatesumsofmoney，suchasthiswhichwasnowcomingintohishands，wouldalwaysaffecthiminthesameway？Wasitnotalmostunmanly，oratanyratewasitnotundignified？Andyetshetriedtomakethebestofit，andlentherselftohisholidaymoodaswellasshewasable。’ShallIwriteandthankpapa？’shesaidthatevening。

’Ihavebeenthinkingofthat，’hesaid。’Youcanwriteifyoulike，andofcourseyouwill。ButIshallalsowrite，andhadbetterdosoapostortwobeforeyou。AshehascomeroundI

supposeIoughttoshowmyselfcivil。Whathesaysabouttherestofhismoneyisofcourseabsurd。Ishallaskhimnothingaboutit，butnodoubtafterabithewillmakepermanentarrangements。’Everythinginthebusinesswoundedhermoreorless。Shenowperceivedthatheregardedthis3，000poundsonlyasthefirstinstalmentofwhathemightget，andthathisjoywasduesimplytothistemporarysuccess。Andthenhecalledherfatherabsurdtoherface。Foramomentshethoughtthatshewoulddefendherfather。butshecouldnotasyetbringherselftoquestionherhusband’swordsevenonsuchasubjectasthat。

HedidwritetoMrWharton，butindoingsohealtogetherlaidasidethatflightymannerwhichforawhilehadannoyedher。Hethoroughlyunderstoodthatthewordingofthelettermightbeveryimportanttohim，andhetookmuchtroublewithit。Itmustbenowthegreatworkofhislifetoingratiatehimselfwiththisoldman，sothat，atanyrateattheoldman’sdeath，hemightpossessatleasthalfoftheoldman’smoney。Hemusttakecarethatthereshouldbenodivisionbetweenhiswifeandherfatherofsuchanatureastomakethefatherthinkthathissonoughttoenjoyanyspecialprivilegeofprimogenitureorofmaleinheritance。Andifitcouldbesomanagedthatthedaughtershouldbeforetheoldman’sdeath，becomehisfavouritechild，thatalsowouldbewell。Hewasthereforeverycarefulabouttheletter，whichwasasfollows：

MYDEARMRWHARTON

IcannotletyourlettertoEmilypasswithoutthankingyoumyselffortheveryliberalresponsemadebyyoutowhatwasofcoursearequestfrommyself。Letmeinthefirstplaceassureyouthathadyou，beforeourmarriage，madeanyinquiryaboutmymoneyaffairs，Iwouldhavetoldyoueverythingwithaccuracy。butasyoudidnotdosoIthoughtthatIshouldseemtointrudeuponyou，ifI

introducedthesubject。Itistoolongforaletter，butwheneveryoumayliketoalludetoit，youwillfindthatIwillbequiteopenwithyou。

Iamengagedinbusinesswhichoftenrequirestheuseofconsiderableamountofcapital。Ithassohappenedthateversinceweweremarriedtheimmediateuseofsumofmoneybecameessentialtometosavemefromsacrificingacargoofguano，whichwillbeofgreatlyincreasedvalueinthreemonths’time，butwhichotherwisemusthavegoneforwhatitwouldnowfetch。Yourkindnesswillseemethroughthatdifficulty。

Ofcoursethereissomethingprecariousinsuchabusinessasmine，——butIamendeavouringtomakeitlesssofromdaytoday，andhopeveryshortlytobringintothathumdrumgroovewhichbestbefitsamarriedman。

ShouldIaskfurtherassistancefromyouindoingthis，perhapsyouwillnotrefuseitifIcansucceedinmakingthemattercleartoyou。AsitisIthankyousincerelyforwhatyouhavedone。Iwillaskyoutopaythe3，000

poundsyouhavesokindlypromisedtomyaccountatMessrs。HunkyandSons，LombardStreet。Theyarenotregularbankers，butIhaveanaccountthere。

Wearewanderingaboutandenjoyingourselvesmightilyintheproperlyromanticmanner。Emilysometimesseemstothinkthatshewouldliketogiveupbusiness，andLondon，andallsubsidiarytroubles，inorderthatshemightsettleherselfforlifeunderanItaliansky。Buttheideadoesnotgenerallyremainwithherverylong。

AlreadysheisbeginningtoshowsymptomsofhomesicknessinregardtoManchesterSquare。

Yoursalwaysmostfaithfully，FERDINANDLOPEZ

TothisletterLopezreceivednoreply——nordidheexpectone。

BetweenEmilyandherfatherafewletterspassed，notverylong。

norasregardedthosefromMrWharton，weretheyveryinteresting。Innoneofthem，however，wasthereanymentionofmoney。ButearlyinJanuary，Lopezreceivedamorepressing，——

wemightalmostsayanagonisingletterfromhisfriendParker。

ThegistoftheletterwastomakeLopezunderstandthatParkermustatoncesellcertaininterestsinacomingcargoofguano，——

atwhateversacrifice，——unlesshecouldbecertifiedasthatmoneywhichmustbepaidinFebruary，andwhichhe，Parker，mustpay，shouldFerdinandLopezbeatthatmomentbeunabletomeethisbond。TheanswersenttoParkershallbegiventothereader。

MYDEAROLDAWFULLYSILLY，ANDABSURDLY，IMPATIENTFRIEND

Youarealwayslikeatoadunderaharrow，andthatwithouttheslightestcause。IhavemoneylyingatHunky’smorethandoubleenoughforthosebills。Whycan’tyoutrustaman？Ifyouwon’ttrustmeinsayingso，youcangotoMillsHappertonandaskhim。But，remember，Ishallbeverymuchannoyedifyoudoso，——

andthatsuchaninquirycannotbutbeinjurioustome。

If，however，youwon’tbelieveme，youcangoandask。Atanyrate，don’tmeddlewiththeguano。Weshouldloseover4，000poundseachofus，ifyouweretodoso。ByGeorge，amanshouldneithermarry，norleaveLondonforaday，ifhehastodowithafellowasnervousasyouare。AsitisIthinkIshallbebackinaweekortwobeforemytimeisproperlyup，lestyouandoneortwoothersshouldthinkthatIhavelevantedaltogether。

Ihavenohesitationinsayingthatmorefortunesarelostinbusinessbytremblingcowardicethanbyanyamountofimprudenceorextravagance。MyhairstandsonendwhenyoutalkofpartingwithguanoinDecemberbecausetherearebillswhichhavetobemetinFebruary。

Pluckupyourheart，man，andlookaround，andseewhatisdonebymenwithgoodcourage。

YoursalwaysFERDINANDLOPEZ

TheseweretheonlycommunicationsbetweenourmarriedcoupleandtheirfriendsathomewithwhichIneedtroublemyreaders。NorneedItellanyfurthertalesoftheirhoneymoon。IfthetimewasnotoneofcompleteandunalloyedjoytoEmily，——andwemustfearthatitwasnot，——itistoberememberedthatbutverylittlecompleteandunalloyedjoyisallowedtosojournersinthatvaleoftears，eventhoughtheyhavebeenbuttwomonthsmarried。InthefirstweekinFebruarytheyappearedintheBelgravemansion，andEmilyLopeztookpossessionofhernewhomewithaheartasfullofloveforherhusbandasithadbeenwhenshewalkedoutofthechurchinVereStreet，thoughitmaybethatsomeofhersweetestillusionshadalreadybeendispelled。

CHAPTER27

THEDUKE’SMISERY。

WemustgobackforawhiletoGatherumCastleandseetheguestswhomtheDuchesshadcollectedthereforherChristmasfestivities。ThehospitalityoftheDuke’shousehadbeenmaintainedalmostthroughouttheautumn。JustattheendofOctobertheywenttoMatching，forwhattheDuchesscalledaquietmonth——which，however，attheDuke’surgentrequest，becamesixweeks。Butevenherethehousewasfullallthetime，thoughfromdeficiencyofbedroomstheguestswereverymuchlessnumerous。ButatMatchingtheDuchesshadbeenuneasyandalmostcross。MrsFinnhadgonewithherhusbandtoIreland，andshehadtaughtherselftofancythatshecouldnotlivewithoutMrsFinn。Andherhusbandhadinsisteduponhavingroundhimpoliticiansofhisownsort，menwhoreallypreferredworktoarchery，oreventohunting，andwhodiscussedtheevilsofdirecttaxationabsolutelyinthedrawing-room。TheDuchesswasassuredthatthecountrycouldnotbegovernedbythesupportofsuchmenasthese，andwasverygladtogetbacktoGatherum，——

whitheralsocamePhineasFinnwithhiswife，andStBungaypeople，andBarringtonErle，andMrMonk，theChancelloroftheExchequer，withLordandLadyCantrip，andLordandLadyDrummond，——LordDrummondbeingtheonlyrepresentativeoftheotherorcoalescedparty。AndMajorPountneywasthere，havingbeenurgentwiththeDuchess，——andhavingfullyexplainedtohisfriendCaptainGunnerthathehadaccededtothewishesofhishostessonlyontheassuranceofherGracethatthehousewouldnotbeagaintroubledwiththepresenceofFerdinandLopez。Suchassuranceswerecommonbetweenthetwofriends，butwereinnocent，as，ofcourse，neitherbelievedtheother。AndLadyRosinawasaginthere，——withmanyothers。ThemelancholypovertyofLadyRosinahadcaptivatedtheDuke。’Sheshallcomeandlivehere，ifyoulike，’theDuchesshadsaidinanswertoarequestfromherhusbandonhisnewfriend’sbehalf，——’I’venodoubtshewillbewilling。’Theplacewasnotcrowdedasithadbeenbefore，butstillaboutthirtyguestssatdowntodinnerdaily，andLocock，Millepois，andMrsPritchardwereallkepthardatwork。NorwasourDuchessidle。Shewasalwaysmakinguptheparty，——meaningthecoalition，——doingsomethingtostrengthenthebuttresses，writingletterstolittlepeople，who，littleastheywere，mightbecomebigbyamalgamation。’Onealwayshastobebindingone’sfaggot，’shesaidtoMrsFinn，havingreadherAesop，notaltogetherinvain。’Whereshouldwehavebeenwithoutyou？’shehadwhisperedtoSirOrlandoDroughtwhenthatgentlemanwasleavingGatherumattheterminationofhissecondvisit。ShehadparticularlydislikedSirOrlando，andwasawarethatherhusbandhadbeenpeculiarlyshyofSirOrlandosincethedayonwhichtheyhadwalkedtogetherinthepark，——

andconsequently，theDuchesshadwhisperedtohim。’Don’tbindyourfaggottooconspicuously，’MrsFinnhadsaidtoher。ThentheDuchesshadfallentoaseatalmostexhaustedbylabour，mingledwithregrets，andbythedoubtswhichfromtimetotimepervadedevenheraudaciousspirit。’I’mnotagod，’shesaid，’oraPitt，oranItalianwithalongnamebeginningwithM。，thatIshouldbeabletodothesethingswithoutevermakingamistake。Andyettheymustbedone。Andasforhim，——hedoesnothelpmeintheleast。Hewandersaboutamongthecloudsofthemultiplicationtable，andthinksthatamajoritywilldropintohismouthbecausehedoesnotshutit。Canyoutiethefaggotanybetter？’’IthinkIwouldleaveituntied，’saidMrsFinn。’Youwouldnotdoanythingofthekind。You’dbejustasfussyasIam。’AndthusthegamewascarriedonatGatherumCastlefromweektoweek。

’Butyouwon’tleavehim？’ThiswassaidtoPhineasFinnbyhiswifeadayortwobeforeChristmas，andthequestionwasintroducedtoaskwhetherPhineasFinnthoughtofgivinguphisplace。

’NotifIcanhelpit。’

’Youlikethework。’

’Thathasbutlittletodowiththequestion，unfortunately。I

certainlylikehavingsomethingtodo。Ilikeearningmoney。’

’Idon’tknowwhyyoulikethatespecially，’saidthewifelaughing。

’Idoatanyrate，——and，inacertainsense，Ilikeauthority。

ButinservingwiththeDukeIfindalackofthatsympathywhichoneshouldhavewithone’schief。HewouldneversayawordtomeunlessIspoketohim。AndwhenIdospeak，thoughheisstudiouslycivil，——muchtoocourteous，——Iknowthatheisbored。Hehasnothingtosaytomeaboutthecountry。Whenhehasanythingtocommunicated，hepreferstowriteaminuteforWarburton，whothenwritestoMorton，——andsoitreachesme。’

’Doesn’titdoaswell？’

’Itmaydowithme。Therearereasonswhichbindmetohim，whichwillnotbindothermen。Mendon’ttalktomeaboutit，becausetheyknowIamboundtohimthroughyou。ButIamawareofthefeelingwhichexists。Youcan’tbereallyloyaltoakingifyouneverseehim，——ifhebealwayslockedupinsomealmostdivinerecess。’

’Akingmaymakehimselftoocommon，Phineas。’

’Nodoubt。Akinghastoknowwheretodrawtheline。ButtheDukedrawsnointentionallineatall。Heisnotbenaturegregariousorcommunicative，andisthereforehardlyfittedtobetheheadofaministry。’

’Itwillbreakherheartifanythinggoeswrong。’

’SheoughttorememberthatMinistriesseldomliveverylong，’

saidPhineas。’Butshe’llrecoverevenifshedoesbreakherheart。Sheistoofullofvitalitytobemuchrepressedbycalamity。HaveyouheardwhatistobedoneaboutSilverbridge？’

’TheDuchesswantstogetitforthisman，FerdinandLopez。’

’Butithasnotbeenpromisedyet。’

’Theseatisnotvacant，’saidMrsFinn，’andIdon’tknowwhenitwillbevacant。Ithinkthereisahitchaboutit，——andI

thinktheDuchessisgoingtobemadeveryangry。’

ThroughouttheautumntheDukehadbeenanunhappyman。WhiletheabsoluteworkoftheSessionhadlastedhehadfoundsomethingtoconsolehim。butnow，thoughhewassurroundedbyprivatesecretaries，andthoughdispatchboxeswentandcametwiceaday，thoughthereweredozensoflettersastowhichhehadtogivesomeinstruction，——yet，therewasintruthnothingforhimtodo。ItseemedtohimthatalltherealworkofGovernmenthadbeenfilchedfromhimbyhiscolleagues，andthathewasstuckupinpretendedauthority，——akindofwoodenPrimeMinister，fromwhomnorealministrationwasdemanded。Hisfirstrealfearhadbeenthathewashimselfunfit——butnowhewasuneasy，fearingthatothersthoughthimtobeunfit。TherewasMrMonkwithhisbudget，andLordDrummondwithhisthreeorfourdozenhalf-rebelliouscolonies，andSirOrlandoDroughtwiththeHousetoleadandashiptobuild，andPhineasFinnwithhisschemeofmunicipalHomeRuleforIreland，andLordRamsdenwithacodifiedStatuteBook，——allfullofwork，allwithsomethingspecialtobedone。Butforhim，——hehadtoarrangewhoshouldattendtheQueen，whatribbonsshouldbegivenaway，andwhatmiddle-agedyoungmanshouldmovetheaddress。Hesighedashethoughtofthosehappydaysinwhichheusedtofearthathismindandbodywouldbothgivewayunderthepressureofdecimalcoinage。

ButPhineasFinnhadreadtheDuke’scharacterrightinsayingthathewasneithergregariousnorcommunicative，andthereforebutlittlefittedtoruleEnglishmen。Hehadthoughtthatitwassohimself，andnowfromdaytodayhewasbecomingmoreassuredofhisowndeficiency。HecouldnotthrowhimselfintocordialrelationswiththeSirOrlandoDroughts，oreventheMrMonks。

But，thoughhehadneverwishedtobeputintohispresenthighoffice，nowthathewastherehedreadedthesenseoffailurewhichwouldfollowhisdescentfromit。Itisthisfeelingratherthangenuineambition，ratherthantheloveofpowerorpatronageorpay，whichinducesmentoclingtoplace。Theabsenceofrealwork，andthequantityofmockwork，bothalikemadethelifewearisometohim。buthecouldnotenduretheideathatitshouldbewritteninhistorythathehadallowedhimselftobemadeafaineantPrimeMinister，andthanhadfailedeveninthat。HistorywouldforgetwhathehaddoneasaworkingMinisterinrecordingthefeeblenessoftheMinistrywhichwouldbearhisname。

Theonemanwithwhomhecouldtalkfreely，andfromwhomhecouldtakeadvice，wasnowwithhim，hereathisCastle。HewasshyatfirstevenwiththeDukeofStBungay，butthatshynesshecouldgenerallyovercome，afterafewwords。Butthoughhewasalwayssureofhisoldfriend’ssympathyandofhisfriend’swisdom，yethedoubtedhisoldfriend’scapacitytounderstandhimself。TheyoungDukefelttheoldDuketobethicker-

skinnedthanhimselfandthereforeunabletoappreciatethethornswhichsosorelyworriedhisownflesh。’Theytalktomeaboutapolicy，’saidthehost。TheywereclosetedatthistimeinthePrimeMinister’sownsanctum，andthereyetremainedanhourbeforetheyneeddressfordinner。

’Whotalksaboutapolicy？’

’SirOrlandoDroughtespecially。’FortheDukeofOmniumhadneverforgottenthearroganceofthatadvicegiveninthepark。

’SirOrlandoisofcourseentitledtospeak，thoughIdonotknowthatheislikelytosayanythingverywellworthofhearing。

Whatishisspecialpolicy？’

’Ifhehadany，ofcourse，Iwouldhearhim。Itisnotthathewantsanyspecialthingtobedone，buthethinksthatIshouldgetupsomespecialthinginorderthatParliamentmaybesatisfied。’

’Ifyouwantedtocreateamajoritythatmightbetrue。Justlistentohimandhavedonewithit。’

’Icannotgooninthatway。Icannotsubmittowhatamountstocomplaintfromthegentlemenwhoareactingwithme。Norwouldtheysubmitlongtomysilence。IambeginningtofeelthatI

havebeenwrong。’

’Idon’tthinkyouhavebeenwrongatall。’

’Amaniswrongifheattemptstocarryaweighttoogreatforhisstrength。’

’Acertainnervoussensitiveness，fromwhichyoushouldfreeyourselfasfromadisease，isyouronlysourceofweakness。

Thinkaboutyourbusinessasashoemakerthinksofhis。Doyourbest，andthenletyourcustomersjudgeforthemselves。Caveatemptor。Amanshouldneverendeavourtopricehimself，butshouldacceptthepricewhichothersputonhim，——onlybeingcarefulthatheshouldlearnwhatthatpriceis。Yourpolicyshouldbetokeepyourgovernmenttogetherbyastrongmajority。

Afterall，themakingofnewlawsistoooftenbutanunfortunatenecessitylaidonusbytheimpatienceofthepeople。A

lengthenedperiodofquietandthereforegoodgovernmentwithaminimumofnewlawswouldbethegreatestbenefitthecountrycouldreceive。WhenIrecommendedyoutocomplywiththeQueen’sbehestIdidsobecauseIthoughtyoumightinauguratesuchaperiodmorecertainlythananyotheroneman。’ThisoldDukewasquitecontentwiththestateofthingssuchashedescribed。HehadbeenaCabinetMinisterformorethanhalfhislife。HelikedbeingaCabinetMinister。Hethoughtitwellforthecountrygenerallythathispartyshouldbeinpower，——andifnothispartyinitsentirety，thenasmuchofhispartyasmightbepossible。HedidnotexpecttobewrittenofasPittoraSomers，buthethoughtthatmemoirswouldspeakofhimasausefulnobleman，——andhewascontented。Hewasnotonlynotambitioushimself，buttheeffervescenceandgeneralturbulenceofambitioninothermenwasdistastefultohim，andthepowerofsubmittingtodefeatwithouteithershameorsorrowhadbecomeperfectwithhimbylongpractice。HewouldhavemadehisbrotherDukesuchashewashimself，——hadnothisbrotherDukebeensolamentablythin-skinned。

’IsupposewemusttryitforanotherSession？’saidtheDukeofOmniumwithalachrymosevoice。

’Ofcoursewemust，——andforothersafterthat，Ibothhopeandtrust，’saidtheDukeofStBungay，gettingup。’IfIdon’tgoupstairsIshallbelate，andthenherGracewilllookatmewithunforgivingeyes。’