第11章

ThiswasthepictureasitwaspaintedbyMrSprout，——whohad，eventhen，heardsomethingofthelovesofthetwocandidates，andwhohadthoughtthatLopezwouldbegladtoinjureArthurFletcher’schancesofsuccess。Sofarhewasnotwrong——butthesenseofinjurydonetohimselfoppressedLopezsomuchthathecouldnotguidehimselfbyreason。Theideaofretiringwasverypainfultohim，andhedidnotbelievethesemen。HethoughtittobequitepossiblethattheyweretheretofacilitatethereturnofArthurFletcher。HehadneverevenheardofDuBoungtillhehadcometoSilverbridgetwoorthreedaysago。HestillcouldnotbelievethatDuBoungwouldbereturned。Hethoughtoveritallforamoment，andthenhegavehisanswer。’I’vebeenbroughtdownheretofight，andI’llfightittothelast，’hesaid。’Thenyou’llhandovertheboroughtoMrFletcher，’saidSprout，gettingupandusheringMrDuBoungoutoftheroom。

Itwasafterthat，butonthesameday，thatLopezandFletchermeteachotherinthestreet。Theaffairdidnottakeaminute，andthentheyparted，eachonhisownway。InthecourseoftheeveningMrSprugeontoldhiscandidatethathe，Sprugeon，couldnotconcernhimselfanyfurtherinthatelection。Hewasverysorryforwhathadoccurred，——verysorryindeed。ItwasnodoubtapitythattheDukehadbeensofirm。’But，’——andMrSprugeonshruggedhisshouldersashespoke，——’whenanoblemanliketheDukechoosestohaveawayofhisown，hemusthaveit。’

MrSprugeonwentontodeclarethatanyfurthercandidaturewouldbeawasteofmoney，wasteoftime，andwasteofenergy，andthensignifiedhisintentionofretiring，asfarastheelectionwent，intoprivatelife。Whenasked，heacknowledgedthattheywhohadbeenactingwithhimhadcometothesameresolve。MrLopezhadinfactcomethereastheDuke’snominee，andastheDukehadnonominee，MrLopezwasinfact’nowhere’。

’Idon’t’supposethatanymanwaseversotreatedbefore，sincememberswerefirstreturnedtoParliament，’saidLopez。

’Well，sir——yes，sir。itisalittlehard。But，yousee，sir，herGracemeantthebest。HerGracedidmeanthebest，nodoubt。

Itmaybe，sir，therewasalittlemisunderstanding——alittlemisunderstandingattheCastle，sir。’ThenMrSprugeonretired，andLopezunderstoodthathewastoseenothingmoreoftheironmonger。

Ofcoursetherewasnothingforhimnowbuttoretire——toshakethedustoffhisfeetandgetoutofSilverbridgeasquicklyashecould。Buthisfriendshadalldesertedhimandhedidnotknowhowtoretire。Hehadpaid500pounds，andhehadastrongopinionthataportionatleastofthemoneyshouldbereturnedtohim。Hehadakeensenseofill-usage，andatthesametimeafeelingthatheoughtnottorunoutoftheboroughlikeawhiptdog，withoutshowinghisfacetoanyone。ButhisstrongestsuspicionatthismomentwasoneofhatredagainstArthurFletcher。HewassurethatArthurFletcherwouldbethenewmember。HedidnotputtheleasttrustinMrDuBoung。HehadtaughthimselfreallytothinkthatFletcherhadinsultedhimbywritingtohiswife，andthatafurtherinsulthadbeenofferedtohimatthatmeetinginthestreet。HehadtoldhiswifethathewouldaskFletchertogiveuptheborough，andthathewouldmaketherequestwithahorsewhipinhishand。Itwastoolatenowtosayanythingoftheborough，butitmightnotbetoolateforthehorsewhip。Hehadagreatdesiretomakegoodthatthreatasfarasthehorsewhipwasconcerned，——havinganideathathewouldthuslowerFletcherinhiswife’seyes。Itwasnotthathewasjealous，——notjealousintheordinarymeaningoftheword。Hiswife’slovetohimselfhadbeentoorecentlygivenandtoowarmlymaintainedforsuchafeelingasthat。Buttherewasarancoroushatredinhisheartagainsttheman，andaconvictionthathiswifeatanyrateesteemedamanwhomhehated。Andthenwouldhenotmakehisretreatfromtheboroughwithmorehonourifbeforehelefthecouldhorsewhiphissuccessfulantagonist？

We，whoknowthefeelingofEnglishmengenerallybetterthanMrLopezdid，wouldsay——certainlynot。WewouldthinkthatsuchanincidentwouldbynomeansredoundtothecreditofMrLopez。

Andhehimself，probably，atcoolermoments，wouldhaveseenthefollyofsuchanidea。Butangerabouttheboroughhaddrivenhimmad，andnowinhiswretchednessthesuggestionhadforhimacertaincharm。Themanhadoutragedallproprietybywritingtohiswife。Ofcoursehewouldbejustifiedinhorsewhippinghim。

Butthereweredifficulties。Amanisnothorsewhippedsimplybecauseyouwishtohorsewhiphim。

Intheevening，ashewassittingalone，hegotanotefromMrSprugeon。’MrSprugeon’scompliments。Doesn’tMrLopezthinkanaddresstotheelectorsshouldappearintomorrow’sGazette，——

veryshortandeasy——somethinglikethefollowing。’ThenMrSprugeonaddedavery’shortandeasyletter’totheelectorsoftheboroughofSilverbridge，inwhichMrLopezwassupposedtotellthemthatalthoughhiscanvasshadpromisedhimeverysuccess，hefeltthatheowedittotheboroughtoretire，lestheshouldinjuretheboroughbysplittingtheLiberalinterestwiththeirmuchrespectedfellow-townsman，MrDuBoung。Inthecourseoftheeveninghedidcopythatletter，andsentitouttothenewspaperoffice。Hemustretire，anditwasbetterforhimthatheshouldretireaftersomerecognizedfashion。Buthewroteanotherletteralso，andsentitovertotheoppositionhotel。Theotherletterwasasfollows：

SIR

Beforethiselectionbeganyouwereguiltyofgrossimpertinenceinwritingalettertomywife，——toherextremeannoyanceandtomymostjustifiableanger。Anygentlemanwouldthinkthatthetreatmentyouhadalreadyreceivedatherhandswouldhaveservedtosaveherfromsuchinsult，buttherearemenwhowillnevertakealessonwithoutabeating。Andnow，sinceyouhavebeenhere，youhavepresumedtooffertoshakehandswithmeinthestreet，thoughyououghttohaveknownthatI

shouldnotchoosetomeetyouonfriendlytermsafterwhathastakenplace。InowwritetotellyouthatI

shallcarryahorsewhipwhileIamhere，andthatifI

meetyouinthestreetsagainbeforeIleavethetownI

shalluseit。

FERDINANDLOPEZ

MrArthurFletcher。

Thisletterhesentatoncetohisenemy，andthensatlateintothenightthinkingofthethreatandthemannerinwhichhewouldfollowitup。IfhecouldonlygetonefairblowatFletcherhispurpose，hethought，wouldbeachieved。Inanymatterofhorsewhippingthetruthhardlyevergetsitselfcorrectlyknown。

Themanwhohasgiventhefirstblow，isgenerallysupposedtohavethrashedtheother。Whatmightfollow，thoughitmightbeinconvenient，mustbeborne。Themanhadinsultedhimbywritingtohiswife，andthesympathiesoftheworld，hethought，wouldbewithhim。Togivehimhisdue，itmustbeownedthathehadnopersonalfearastotheencounter。

ThatnightArthurFletcherhadgoneovertheGreshambury，andonthefollowingmorninghereturnedwithMrGresham。’Forheaven’ssake，lookatthat！’hesaid，handingthelettertohisfriend。

’Didyoueverwritetohiswife？’askedGresham，whenhereadit。

’Yes，——Idid。Allthisisdreadfultome：——dreadful。Well——

youknowhowitusedtobewithme。Ineednotgointoallthat，needI？’

’Don’tsayawordmorethanyouthinknecessary。’

’WhenyouaskedmetostandfortheplaceIhadnotheardthathethoughtofbeingacandidate。Iwroteandtoldherso，andtoldheralsothathadIknownitbeforeIwouldnothavecomehere。’

’Idon’tquiteseethat，’saidGresham。

’Perhapsnot——perhapsIwasafool。Butweneedn’tgointothat。Atanyratetherewasnoinsulttohim。Iwroteinthesimplestlanguage。’

’LookingatitallroundIthinkyouhadbetternothavewritten。’

’Youwouldn’tsaysoifyousawtheletter。I’msureyouwouldn’t。Ihadknownherallmylife。Mybrotherismarriedtohercousin。Ohheavens！wehadbeenallbutengaged。Iwouldhavedoneanythingforher。WasitnotnaturalthatIshouldtellher？AsfarasthelanguagewasconcernedtheletterwasonetobereadatCharingCross。’

’Hesaysthatshewasannoyedandinsulted。’

’Impossible！Itwasaletterthatanymanmighthavewrittentoanywoman。’

’Well——youhavegottotakecareofyourselfatanyrate。Whatwillyoudo？’

’WhatoughtItodo？’

’Gotothepolice。’MrGreshamhadhimselfonce，whenyoung，thrashedamanwhohadoffendedhim，andhadthenthoughthimselfmuchaggrievedbecausethepolicehadbeencalledin。Butthathadbeentwentyyearsago，andMrGresham’sopinionshadbeenmaturedand，perhaps，correctedbyage。’

’No。Iwon’tdothat，’saidArthurFletcher。

’That’swhatyououghttodo。’

’Icouldn’tdothat。’

’Thentakenonoticeoftheletter，andcarryafairlybigstick。

Itshouldbebigenoughtohurthimagooddeal，butnottodohimanyseriousdamage。’Atthatmomentanagentcameinwiththenewsoftheman’sretirementfromthecontest。’Hasheleftthetown？’askedGresham。No——hehadnotleftthetown，norhadhebeenseenbyanyonethatmorning。’Youhadbetterletmegooutandgetthestick，beforeyoushowyourself，’saidGresham。Andsothestickwasselected。

Asthetwowalkeddownthestreettogether，almostthefirstthingtheysawwasLopezstandingathishoteldoorwithacuttingwhipinhishand。Hewasatthatmomentquitealone，butontheoppositesideofthestreetwasapoliceman，——oneoftheboroughconstables，——veryslowlymakinghiswayalongthepavement。Hismovement，indeed，wassoslowthatanyonewatchinghimwouldhavecometotheconclusionthatthatparticularpartoftheHighStreethadsomeattractionforhimatthatspecialmoment。Alas，alas！Howagewillalterthespiritofaman！

TwentyyearssinceFrankGreshamwouldhavethoughtanyonetobeameanmiscreantwhowouldhaveinterposedapolicemanbetweenhimandhisfoe。Butitistobefearedthatwhileselectingthatstickhehadsaidawordwhichwascausingtheconstabletoloiteronthepavement！

’Doyouusuallywalkaroundattendedbyapoliceman？’saidLopez。

’Ididn’tknowthatthemanwashere，’saidFletcher。

’Youmaytellthattothemarines。Alltheboroughshallknowwhatacowardyouare。’Thenheturnedroundandaddressedthestreet，butstillundertheshadow，asitwere，ofthepoliceman’shelmet。’ThismanwhopresumestoofferhimselfasacandidatetorepresentSilverbridgeinParliamenthasinsultedmywife。Andnow，becausehefearsthatIshallhorsewhiphim，hegoesaboutthestreetunderthecareofapoliceman。’

’Thisisintolerable，’saidFletcher，turningtohisfriend。

’MrLopez，’saidGresham。’IamsorrytosaythatImustgiveyouincharge——unlessyouwillundertaketoleavethetownwithoutinterferingfurtherwithMrFletcher，eitherbywordordeed。’

’Iwillundertakenothing，’saidLopez。’Themanhasinsultedmywife，andisacoward。’

Abouttwoo’clockontheafternoonofthatdayMrLopezappearedbeforetheSilverbridgebenchofmagistrates，andwastheresworntokeepthepeacetoMrFletcherforthenextsixmonths。Afterthathewasallowedtoleavethetown，andwasbackinLondonwithhiswifeinBelgraveMansions，todinnerthatevening。

Onthedaybutoneafterthistheballotwastakenandateighto’clockontheeveningofthatdayArthurFletcherwasdeclaredtobedulyelected。ButMrDuBoungranhimveryhard。

Thenumberswere——

FLETCHER……315

DUBOUNG……308

MrDuBoung’sfriendsduringtheselasttwodayshadnothesitatedtomakewhatusetheycouldonbehalfoftheirowncandidateoftheLopezandFletcherquarrel。IfMrFletcherhadinsultedheotherman’swife，surelyhecouldnotbeapropermemberforSilverbridge。Andthentherowwasdeclaredtohavebeenaltogetherdiscreditable。Twostrangershadcomeintothispeacefultownandhadabsolutelyquarrelledwithsticksandwhipsinthestreet，callingeachotheropprobriousnames。Woulditnotbebetterthattheyshouldelecttheirownrespectabletownsman？Allthiswasnearlyeffective。But，inspiteofall，ArthurFletcherwasatlastreturned。

CHAPTER35

LOPEZBACKINLONDON。

Lopez，ashereturnedtotown，recoveredsomethingofhissenses，thoughhestillfanciedthatArthurFletcherhaddonehimapositiveinjurybywritingtohiswife。Butsomethingofthatmadnesslefthimwhichhadcomefromadeepsenseofinjury，bothastotheletterandastotheborough，andhebegantofeelthathehadbeenwrongaboutthehorsewhip。Hewasverylowinspiritsonthisreturnjourney。Themoneywhichhehadspenthadbeenmaterialtohim，andthelossofitforthemomentlefthimnearlybare。WhilehehadbeforehiseyesthehopeofbeingamemberofParliamenthehadbeenabletobuoyhimselfup。ThepositionitselfwouldhavegoneveryfarwithSextyParker，andwould，hethought，havehadsomeeffectevenwithhisfather-in-

law。Butnowhewasreturningabeatenman。Whoistherethathasnotfeltthatfallfromhighhopetoutterdespairwhichcomesfromsomesinglefailure？AshethoughtofthishewasconsciousthathisangerhadledhimintogreatimprudenceatSilverbridge。Hehadnotbeencircumspect，asitspeciallybehovedamantobesurroundedbysuchdifficultiesashis。Allhislifehehadbeenschoolinghistempersoastokeepitundercontrol，——sometimeswithgreatdifficulty，butalwayswithaconsciousnessthatinhislifeeverythingmightdependonit。Nowhehad，alas，allowedittogetthebetterofhim。Nodoubthehadbeeninsulted，——but，nevertheless，hehadbeenwrongtospeakofahorsewhip。

Hisonegreatobjectmustnowbetoconciliatehisfather-in-law，andhehadcertainlyincreasedhisdifficultyindoingthisbyhissquabbledownatSilverbridge。OfcoursethewholethingwouldbereportedintheLondonpapers，andofcoursethestorywouldbetoldagainsthim，astherespectabilitiesofthetownhadbeenopposedtohim。Butheknewhimselftobeclever，andhestillhopedthathemightovercomethesedifficulties。Thenitoccurredtohimthatindoingthishemusttakecaretohavehiswifeentirelyonhisside。Hedidnotdoubtherlove。hedidnotintheleastdoubtherrectitude——buttherewasthatlamentablefactthatshethoughtwellofArthurFletcher。Itmightbethathehadbeenalittletooimperiouswithhiswife。

Itsuitedhisdispositiontobeimperiouswithinhisownhousehold——tobeimperiousoutofit，ifthatwerepossible——

buthewasconsciousofhavinghadafallatSilverbridge，andhemustforawhiletakeinsomesail。

Hehadtelegraphedtoher，acquaintingherwithhisdefeat，andtellinghertoexpecthisreturn。’Oh，Ferdinand，’shesaid，’I

amsounhappyaboutthis。Ithasmademesowretched！’

’Betterlucknexttime，’hesaidwithhissweetestsmile。’Itisnotgoodgroaningoverspiltmilk。Theyhaven’ttreatedmereallywell，——havethey？’

’Isupposenot，——thoughIdonotquiteunderstanditall。’

HewasburningtoabuseArthurFletcher，butheabstained。Hewouldabstainatanyrateforthepresentmoment。’Dukesandduchessesarenodoubtverygrandpeople，’hesaid，’butitisapitytheyshouldnotknownowtobehavehonestly，astheyexpectotherstobehavetothem。TheDuchesshasthrownmeoverinthemostinfernalway。Ireallycan’tunderstandit。WhenIthinkofitIaminwonder。Thetruth，Isuppose，is，thattherehasbeensomequarrelbetweenhimandher。’

’Whowillgetin？’

’OhDuBoung，nodoubt。’Hedidnotthinkso，buthecouldnotbringhimselftodeclarethesuccessofhisenemytoher。’Thepeoplethereknowhim。YouroldfriendisasmuchastrangerthereasIam。By-the-way，heandIhadalittlerowintheplace。’

’Arow，Ferdinand？’

’Youneedn’tlooklikethat，mypet。Ihaven’tkilledhim。Buthecameuptospeaktomeinthestreet，andItoldhimwhatI

thoughtabouthiswritingtoyou。’OnhearingthisEmilylookedverywretched。’Icouldnotrestrainmyselffromdoingthat。

Come，——youmustadmitthatheshouldn’thavewritten。’

’Hemeantitinkindness。’

’Thenheshouldn’thavemeantit。Justthinkofit。SupposethatIhadmakinguptoanygirl，——whichby-the-wayIneverdidbuttooneinmylife，’——thenheputhisarmroundherwaistandkissedher，’andsheweretohavemarriedsomeoneelse。WhatwouldhavebeensaidofmeifIhadbeguntocorrespondwithherimmediately？Don’tsupposeIamblamingyou，dear。’

’CertainlyIdonotsupposethat，’saidEmily。

’Butyoumustadmitthatitwasratherstrong。’Hepaused，butshesaidnothing。’OnlyIsupposeyoucanbringyourselftoadmitnothingagainsthim。However，soitwas。Therewasarow，andapolicemancameup，andtheymademegiveapromisethatI

didn’tmeantoshoothimoranythingofthatkind。’Assheheardthissheturnedpale，butsaidnothing。’OfcourseIdidn’twanttoshoothim。IwishedhimtoknowwhatIthoughtaboutit，andItoldhim。Ihatetotroubleyouwithallthis，butIcouldn’tbearthatyoushouldn’tknowitall。’

’Itisverysad！’

’Sadenough！IhavehadplentytobearIcantellyou。

Everybodyseemedtoturnawayfrommethere。Everybodydesertedme。’AshesaidthishecouldperceivethathemustobtainhersympathybyrecountinghisownmiseriesandnotArthurFletcher’ssins。’Iwasallaloneandhardlyknewhowtoholdupmyheadagainstsomuchwretchedness。AndthenIfoundmyselfcalledupontopayanenormoussumformyexpenses。’

’Oh，Ferdinand！’

’Thinkoftheirdemanding500pounds！’

’Didyoupayit？’

’Yes，indeed。Ihadnoalternative。Ofcoursetheytookcaretocomeforthatbeforetheytalkedofmyresigning。Ibelieveitwasallplannedbeforehand。Thewholethingseemstometohavebeenaswindlefrombeginningtoend。Byheaven，I’malmostinclinedtothinkthattheDuchessknewallaboutitherself！’

’Aboutthe500pounds！’

’Perhapsnottheexactsum，butthewayinwhichthethingwastobedone。Inthesedaysonedoesn’tknowwhomtotrust。Men，andwomentoo，havebecomesodishonestthatnobodyissafeanywhere。

Ithasbeenawfullyharduponme，——awfullyhard。Idon’tsupposethattherewaseveramomentinmylifewhenthelossof500poundswouldhavebeensomuchtomeasitisnow。Thequestionis，whatwillyourfatherdoforus？’Emilycouldnotbutrememberherhusband’sintensedesiretoobtainmoneyfromherfathernotyetthreemonthssince，asthoughalltheworlddependedonhisgettingit，——andhissubsequentelationasthoughallhissorrowswereoverforever，becausethemoneyhadbeenpromised。Andnow，——almostimmediately，——hewasagaininthesameposition。Sheendeavouredtojudgehimkindly，butafeelingofinsecurityinreferencetohisaffairsstruckheratonceandmadeherheartcold。Everythinghadbeenachieved，then，byagiftof3，000pounds，——surelyasmallsumtoeffectsucharesultwithamanlivingasherhusbandlived。Andnowthewhole3，000poundswasgone——surelyalargesumtohavevanishedinsoshortatime！Somethingoftheuncertaintyofbusinessshecouldunderstand，butabusinessmustbeperilouslyuncertainifsubjecttosuchvicissitudesasthese！Butasideasofthisnaturecrowdedthemselvesintohermindshetoldherselfagainandagainthatshehadtakenhimforbetterandforworse。Iftheworsewerealreadycoming，shewouldstillbetruetoherpromise。’Youhadbettertellpapaeverything。’

’Haditnotbettercomefromyou？’

’No，Ferdinand。OfcourseIwilldoasyoubidme。IwilldoanythingthatIcando。Butyouhadbettertellhim。Hisnatureissuchthathewillrespectyoumoreifitcomefromyourself。

Andthenitissonecessarythatheshouldknowall——all。’Sheputwhateveremphasissheknewhowtouseuponthisword。

’Youcouldtellhim——all，aswellasI。’

’Youwouldnotbringyourselftotellittome，norcouldI

understandit。Hewillunderstandeverything，andifhethinksthatyouhavetoldhimeverything，hewillatanyraterespectyou。’

Hesatsilentforawhilemeditating，feelingalwaysmoreandmoreacutelythathehadbeenill-used，——neverthinkingforaninstantthathehadill-usedothers。’3，000pounds，youknow，wasnofortuneforyourfathertogiveyou！’Shehadnoanswertomake，butshegroanedinspiritassheheardtheaccusation。

’Don’tyoufeelthatyourself？’

’Iknownothingofmoney，Ferdinand。Ifyouhadtoldmetospeaktohimaboutitbeforeweweremarried，Iwouldhavedoneso。’

’Heoughttohavespokentome。Itismarvelloushowclose-

fistedanoldmancanbe。Hecan’ttakeitwithhim。’Thenhesatforhalfanhourinmoodysilence，duringwhichshewasbusywithherneedle。Afterthathejumpedup，withamanneraltogetheraltered，——gay，onlythattheattemptwastoovisibletodeceiveevenher，——andshookhimself，asthoughhewereriddinghimselfofhistrouble。’Youareright，oldgirl。Youarealwaysright，——almost。Iwillgotoyourfatherto-morrow，andtellhimeverything。Itisn’tsoverymuchthatIwanthimtodo。Thingswillallcomerightagain。I’mashamedthatyoushouldhaveseenmeinthisway，——butIhavebeendisappointedabouttheelection，andtroubledaboutthatMrFletcher。Youshallnotseemegivewayagainlikethis。Givemeakiss，oldgirl。’

Shekissedhim，butshecouldnotevenpretendtorecoverherselfashehaddone。’Hadwenotbettergiveupthebrougham？’

shesaid。

’Certainlynot。Forheaven’ssakedonotspeakinthatway！Youdonotunderstandthings。’

’No。certainlyIdonot。’

’Itisn’tthatIhaven’tthemeansofliving，butthatmybusinessmoneyissooftenrequiredforinstantuse。AndsituatedasIamatthepresentanadditiontomycapitalwouldenablemetodosomuch！’Shecertainlydidnotunderstandit，butshehadsufficientknowledgeoftheworldandsufficientcommonsensetobeawarethattheirpresentrateofexpenditureoughttobeamatterofimportancetoamanwhofeltthelossof500poundsashefeltthatlossatSilverbridge。

OnthenextmorningLopezwasatMrWharton’schambersearly，——

soearlythatthelawyerhadnotyetreachedthem。Hehadresolved，——notthathewouldtelleverything，forsuchmenneverevenintendtotelleverything，——butthathewouldtellagooddeal。

Hemust，ifpossible，affectthemindoftheoldmanintwoways。

Hemustingratiatehimself——andatthesametimemakeitunderstoodthatEmily’scomfortinlifewoulddependverymuchonherfather’sgenerosity。Thefirstmustbefirstaccomplished，ifpossible，——andthenthesecond，astowhichhecouldcertainlyproduceatanyratebelief。Hehadnotmarriedarichman’sdaughterwithoutanintentionofgettingtherichman’smoney！MrWhartonwouldunderstandthat。Iftheworstcametotheworst，MrWhartonmustofcoursemaintainhisdaughter，——andhisdaughter’shusband！Butthingshadnotcometotheworstasyet，andhedidnotintendonthepresentoccasiontopresentthatviewofhisaffairstohisfather-in-law。

MrWhartonwhenheenteredhischambersfoundLopezseatedthere。

Hewashimselfatthismomentveryunhappy。HehadrenewedhisquarrelwithEverett，——orEverettratherhadrenewedthequarrelwithhim。Therehadbeenwordsbetweenthemaboutmoneylostatcards。Hardwordshadbeenused，andEveretthadtoldhisfatherthatifeitherofthemwereagambleritwasnothe。MrWhartonhadresentedthisbitterlyandhaddrivenhissonfromhispresence，——andnowthequarrelwithhimhadmadehimverywretched。Hecertainlywassorrythathehadcalledhissonagambler，buthissonhadbeen，ashethought，inexcusableintheretortwhichhehadmade。Hewasamantowhomhisfriendsgavecreditformuchsternness——butstillhewasonewhocertainlyhadnohappinessintheworldindependentofhischildren。Hisdaughterhadlefthim，notashethoughtunderhappyauspices，——

andhewasnow，atthismoment，soft-heartedandtenderinhisregardsastoher。Whatwasthereintheworldforhimbuthischildren？Andnowhefelthimselftobealoneanddestitute。HewasalreadytiredofwhistattheEldon。Thatwhichwouldhavebeenadelighttohimonceortwiceaweek，becamealmostloathsomewhenitwasrenewedfromdaytoday——andnotthelesswhenhissontoldhimthathealsowasagambler。’SoyouhavecomebackfromSilverbridge？’hesaid。

’Yes，sir。Ihavecomebacknotexactlytriumphant。Amanshouldnotexpecttowinalways。’Lopezhadresolvedtopluckuphisspiritandcarryhimselflikeaman。

’Youseemtohavegotintosomescrapedownthere，besideslosingyourelection。’

’Oh。youhaveseenthatinthepapersalready。Ihavecometotellyouofit。AsEmilyisconcernedinityououghttoknow。’

’Emilyconcerned！Howissheconcerned？’

ThenLopeztoldthewholestory，——afterhisownfashion，andyetwithnopalpablelie。Fletcherhadwrittentoheraletterwhichhehadthoughttobeveryoffensive。Onhearingthis，MrWhartonlookedverygrave，andaskedfortheletter。Lopezsaidthathehaddestroyedit，notthinkingthatsuchadocumentshouldbepreserved。Thenhewentontoexplainthatithadhadreferencetotheelection，andthathehadthoughtittobehighlyimproperthatFletchershouldwritetohiswifeonthatoronanyothersubject。’Itdependsverymuchontheletter，’saidtheoldman。

’Butonanysubject，——afterwhathaspassed。’

’Theywereveryoldfriends。’

’OfcourseIwillnotagreewithyou，MrWharton。butIownthatitangeredme。Itangeredmeverymuch，——verymuchindeed。I

tookittobeaninsulttoher，andwhenheaccostedmeinthestreetdownatSilverbridgeItoldhimso。Imaynothavebeenverywise，butIdiditonherbehalf。Surelyyoucanunderstandthatsuchalettermightmakeamanangry。’

’Whatdidhesay？’

’Thathewoulddoanythingforhersake，——evenretirefromSilverbridgeifhisfriendswouldlethim。’MrWhartonscratchedhishead，andLopezsawthathewasperplexed。’Shouldhehaveofferedtodoanythingforhersake，afterwhathaspassed？’

’Iknowthemansowell，’saidMrWharton，’thatIcannotanddonotbelievehimtohaveharbouredanimproperthoughtinreferencetomychild。’

’Perhapsitwasanindiscretiononly。’

’Perhapsso。Icannotsay。Andthentheytookyoubeforethemagistrates？’

’Yes，——inmyangerIhadthreatenedhim。Thentherewasapolicemanandarow。AndIhadtoswearthatIwouldnothurthim。OfcourseIhadnowishtohurthim。’

’IsupposeitruinedyourchanceatSilverbridge？’

’Isupposeitdid。’Thiswasalie，asLopezhadretiredbeforetherowtookplace。’WhatIcareformostnowisthatyoushouldthinkIhavemisbehavedmyself。’

Thestoryhadbeentoldverywell，andMrWhartonwasalmostdisposedtosympathizewithhisson-in-law。ThatArthurFletcherhadmeantnothingthatcouldberegardedasoffensivetohisdaughterhewasquitesure——butitmightbethatinmakinganofferintendedtobegeneroushehadusedlanguagewhichtheconditionofthepersonsconcernedmadeindiscreet。’Isuppose，’

hesaid，’thatyouspentalotofmoneyatSilverbridge？’ThisgaveLopeztheopeninghewanted，andhedescribedthemannerinwhichthe500poundshadbeenextractedfromhim。’Youcan’tplaythatgamefornothing，’saidMrWharton。

’AndjustatpresentIcouldillaffordit。IshouldnothavedoneitifIhadnotfeltitapitytoneglectsuchachanceofrisingintheworld。Afterall，aseatintheBritishHouseofCommonsisanhonour。’

’Yes——yes——yes。’

’AndtheDuchess，whenshespoketomeaboutit，wassocertain。’

’Iwillpaythe500pounds，’saidMrWharton。

’Oh，sir，thatisgenerous！’Thenhegotupandtooktheoldman’shands。’Someday，whenyouareatliberty，Ihopethatyouwillallowmetoexplaintoyoutheexactstateofmyaffairs。

WhenIwrotetoyoufromComoItoldyouthatIwouldwishtodoso。Youdonotobject？’

’No，’saidthelawyer，——butwithinfinitehesitationinhisvoice。’No，Idon’tobject。ButIdonotknowhowIcouldservethem。Ishallbebusyjustnow，butIwillgiveyouthecheque。

AndifyouandEmilyhavenothingbettertodo，comeanddineto-

morrow。’Lopezwithrealtearsinhiseyestookthecheque，andpromisedtocomeonthemorrow。’AndinthemeantimeIwishyouwouldseeEverett。’OfcoursehepromisedthathewouldseeEverett。

Againhewasexalted，onthisoccasionnotsomuchbytheacquisitionofthemoneyasbythegrowingconvictionthathisfather-in-lawwasacowcapableofbeingmilked。AndthequarrelbetweenEverettandhisfathermightclearlybeusefultohim。

HemighteitherservetheoldmanbyreducingEveretttopropersubmission，orhemightmanagetocreepintotheemptyspacewhichhisson’sdefectionwouldmakeinthefather’sheartandthefather’slife。Hemightatanyratemakehimselfnecessarytotheoldman，andbecomesuchapartofthehouseholdinManchesterSquareastobeindispensable。Thentheoldmanwouldeverydaybecomeolderandmoreinwantofassistance。Hethoughtthathesawthewaytowormhimselfintoconfidence，and，soonintopossession。Theoldmanwasnotamanofironashehadfeared，butquitehuman，andifproperlymanaged，softandmalleable。

HesawSextyParkerinthecitythatday，andusedhischequefor500poundsinsometriumphantway，partlycajolingandpartlybullyinghispoorvictim。ToSextyalsohehadtotellhisownstoryabouttherowdownatSilverbridge。Hehadthreatenedtothrashthefellowinthestreet，andthefellowhadnotdaredtocomeoutofhishousewithoutapoliceman。Yes——hehadlosthiselection。TheswindlingofthosefellowsatSilverbridgehadbeentoomuchforhim。ButheflatteredhimselfthathehadgotthebetterofMasterFletcher。Thatwasthetoneinwhichhetoldthestorytohisfriendinthecity。

Then，beforedinner，hefoundEverettattheclub。EverettWhartonwastobefoundtherenowalmosteveryday。Hisexcusetohimselflayinthepoliticalcharacteroftheinstitution。

Theclubintendedtodogreatthings，——tofindLiberalcandidatesforalltheboroughsandcountiesinEnglandwhichhadnothithertobeenfurnished，andthentosupplythecandidateswithmoney。SuchwasthegreatpurposeoftheProgress。Ithadnotasyetsentoutmanycandidatesorcollectedmuchmoney。Andyetitwas，politically，almostquiescent。AndthereforeEverettWharton，whosesenseofdutytookhimthere，spenthisafternoonseitherinthewhist-roomoratthebilliard-table。

ThestoryofSilverbridgehadtobetoldyetagain，andwastoldnearlywiththesameincidentsashadbeennarratedtothefather。HecouldofcourseabuseArthurFletchermoreroundly，andbemoreconfidentintheassertionthatFletcherhadinsultedhiswife。Buthecameasquicklyashecouldtothetaskwhichhehadonhand。’What’sallthisbetweenyouandyourfather？’

’Simplythis。Isometimesplayagameofwhist，andthereforehecalledmeagambler。ThenIremindedhimthathealsosometimesplayedagameofwhist，andIaskedhimwhatdeductionwastobedrawn。’

’Heisawfullyangrywithyou。’

’OfcourseIwasafool。Myfatherhasthewhip-handofme，becausehehasmoneyandIhavenone，anditwassimplykickingagainsttheprickstospeakasIdid。Andthentoothereisn’tafellowinLondonhasahigherrespectforhisfatherthanIhave，notyetawarmeraffection。Butitishardtobedriveninthatway。Gamblerisanastyword。’

’Yes，itisverynasty。ButIsupposeamandoesgamblewhenhelosessomuchmoneythathehastoaskhisfathertopayitforhim。’

’Ifhedoessooften，hegambles。IneveraskedhimformoneytopaywhatIhadlostbeforeinmylife。’

’Iwonderyoutoldhim。’

’Ineverlietohim，andheoughttoknowthat。Butheisjustthemantobehardertohisownsonthantoanybodyelseintheworld。Whatdoeshewantmetodonow？’

’Idon’tknowthathewantsyoutodoanything，’saidLopez。

’Didhesendyoutome？’

’Well——no。Ican’tsaythathedid。ItoldhimthatIshouldseeyouasamatterofcourse，andhesaidsomethingrough，——

aboutyourbeinganass。’

’Idaresayhedid。’

’Butifyouaskme，’saidLopez，’Ithinkhewouldtakeitkindlyofyouifyouweretogoandseehim。Comeanddineto-day，justasifnothinghadhappened。’

’Icouldnotdothat，——unlessheaskedme。’

’Ican’tsaythatheaskedyou，Everett，Iwouldsayso，inspiteofitsbeingalie，ifIdidn’tfearthatyourfathermightsaysomethingunkind，sothattheliewouldbedetectedbybothofyou。’

’Andyetyouaskmetogoanddinethere！’

’Yes，Ido。It’sonlygoingawayifhedoescutuprough。Andifhetakesitwell，——whythen，——thewholethingisdone。’

’Ifhewantsme，hecanaskme。’

’Youtalkaboutit，myboy，justasifafatherwerethesameasanybodyelse。IfIhadafatherwithalotofmoney，byGeorgeheshouldknockmeaboutwithhisstickifheliked，andIwouldbejustthesamenextday。’

’UnfortunatelyIamofastiffernature，’saidEverett，takingsomepridetohimselfforhisstiffness，andbeingperhapsaslittle’stiff’asanyyoungmanofhisday。

ThateveningafterdinneratManchesterSquare，theconversationbetweenthefather-in-lawandtheson-in-lawturnedalmostexclusivelytothesonandbrother-in-law。Littleornothingwassaidabouttheelection，andthenameofArthurFletcherwasnotmentioned。Butoutofhisfullheartthefatherspoke。HewaswretchedaboutEverett。DidEverettmeantocuthim？

’Hewantsyoutowithdrawsomenameyoucalledhim，’saidLopez。

’Withdrawsomename，——ashemightasksomehot-headedfellowtodo，ifhisownage，likehimself，somefellowthathehadquarrelledwith！Doesheexpecthisfathertosendhimawrittenapology？Hehadbeengambling，andItoldhimthathewasagambler。Isthattoomuchforafathertosay？’Lopezshruggedhisshoulders，anddeclaredthatitwasapity。’Hewillbreakmyheartifhegoesonlikethis，’saidtheoldman。

’Iaskedhimtocomeanddineto-day，buthedidn’tseemtolikeit。’

’Likeit！No。Helikesnothingbutthatinfernalclub。’

WhentheeveningwasoverLopezfeltthathehaddoneagoodstrokeofwork。Hehadnotexactlymadeuphismindtokeepthefatherandsonapart。Thatwasnotapartofhisstrategy，——atanyrateasyet。Buthedidintendtomakehimselfnecessarytotheoldman，——tobecometheoldman’sson，andifpossiblethefavouriteson。Andnowhethoughtthathehadalreadydonemuchtowardstheachievementofhisobject。

CHAPTER36

THEJOLLYBLACKBIRD。

TherewasgreattriumphatLongbarnswhenthenewsofArthur’svictoryreachedtheplace——andwhenhearrivedtherehimselfwithhisfriendMrGresham，hewasreceivedasaconqueringhero。

Butofcoursethetidingsof’therow’hadgonebeforehim，anditwasnecessarythatbothheandMrGreshamshouldtellthestory——norcoulditbetoldprivately。SirAluredWhartonwasthere，andMrsFletcher。Theoldladyhadheardoftherow，andofcourserequiredtobetoldalltheparticulars。Thiswasnotpleasanttothehero，asintalkingofthemanitwasimpossibleforthemnottotalkoftheman’swife。’WhataterriblemisfortuneforpoorMrWharton，’saidtheoldlady，noddingherheadatSirAlured。SirAluredsighedandsaidnothing。

Certainlyaterriblemisfortune，andonewhichaffectedmoreorlessthewholefamilyofWhartons！

’DoyoumeantosaythathewasgoingtoattackArthurwithawhip？’askedJohnFletcher。

’Ionlyknowthathewasstandingtherewithawhipinhishand，’

saidMrGresham。’

’Ithinkhewouldhavehadtheworstofthat。’

’Youwouldhavelaughed，’saidArthur，’toseemewalkingmajesticallyalongtheHighStreetwithacudgelwhichGreshamhadjustboughtformeasbeingofthepropermediumsize。I

don’tdoubthemeanttohaveafight。Andthenyoushouldhaveseenthepolicemanslopingoverandputtinghimselfintheway。

Ineverquiteunderstoodwherethepolicemancamefrom。’

’TheyareverywelloffforpolicemeninSilverbridge，’saidGresham。’They’vealwaysgotthemgoingabout。’

’Hemustbemad，’saidJohn。

’Poorunfortunateyoungwoman！’saidMrsFletcher，holdingupbothherhands。’ImustsaythatIcannotbutblameMrWharton。

Ifhehadbeenfirm，itneverwouldhavecometothat。Iwonderwhetherheeverseeshim。’

’Ofcoursehedoes，’saidJohn。’Whyshouldn’theseehim？

You’dseehimifhe’dmarriedadaughterofyours。’

’Never！’exclaimedtheoldwoman。’IfIhadachildsolosttoallrespectasthat，IdonotsaythatIwouldnothaveseenher。

Humannaturemighthaveprevailed。ButIwouldneverwillinglyhaveputmyselfintocontactwithonewhohaddegradedmeandmine。’

’IshallbeveryanxioustoknowwhatMrWhartondoesabouthismoney，’saidJohn。

Arthurallowedhimselfbutacoupleofdaysamonghisfriends，andthenhurrieduptoLondontotakehisseat。Whentherehewasastonishedtofindhowmanyquestionswereaskedhimabout’therow’，andhowmuchwasknownaboutit，——andatthesametimehowlittlewasreallyknown。Everybodyhadheardthattherehadbeenarow，andeverybodyknewthattherehadbeenaladyinthecase。Butthereseemedtobeageneralideathattheladyhadbeeninsomewaymisused，andthatArthurFletcherhadcomeforwardslikeaPaladintoprotecther。Aletterhadbeenwritten，andthehusband，ogre-like，hadinterceptedtheletter。

Theladywasthemostunfortunateofhumanbeings，——orwouldhavebeenbutforthatconsolationwhichshemusthaveintheconstancyofheroldlover。Astoallthesemattersthestoriesvaried。buteverybodyagreedononepoint。AlltheworldknewthatArthurFletcherhadgonetoSilverbridge，hadstoodfortheborough，andtakentheseatawayfromhisrival，——becausethatrivalhadrobbedhimofhisbride。Howtherobberyhadbeeneffectedtheworldcouldnotquitesay。Theworldwasstilloftheopinionthattheladywasviolentlyattachedtothemanshehadnotmarried。ButCaptainGunnerexplaineditallclearlytoMajorPountneybyassertingthatthepoorgirlhadbeencoercedintothemarriagebyherfather。AndthusArthurFletcherfoundhimselfalmostasmuchaheroinLondonasatLongbarns。

Fletcherhadnotbeenaboveaweekintown，andhadbecomeheartilysickoftherumourswhichinvariousshapesmadetheirwayroundtohisownears，whenhereceivedaninvitationfromMrWhartontogoanddinewithhimatataverncalledtheJollyBlackbird。Theinvitationsurprisedhim，——thatheshouldbeaskedbysuchamantodineatsuchaplace，——butheaccepteditasamatterofcourse。HewasindeedmuchinterestedinabillforthedrainageofcommonlandswhichwastobediscussedintheHousethatnight，therewasagooddealofcommonlandroundSilverbridge，andhehadsomeideaofmakinghisfirstspeech，——

buthecalculatedthathemightgethisdinnerandyetbebackintimeforthedebate。SohewenttotheJollyBlackbird，——averyquaintold-fashionedlawdining-houseintheneighbourhoodofPortugalStreet，whichhadmanagednottogetitselfnotpulleddownadozenyearsagoonbehalfoftheLawCourtswhicharetoblesssomecominggeneration。Arthurhadneverbeentherebeforeandwassurprisedattheblackwainscotting，theblacktables，theold-fashionedgrate，thetwocandlesonthetable，andthesilentwaiter。

’IwantedtoseeyouArthur，’saidtheoldmanpressinghishandinamelancholyway，’butIcouldn’taskyoutoManchesterSquare。Theycomeinsometimesintheevening，anditmighthavebeenunpleasant。Atyouryoungmen’sclubstheyletstrangersdine。Wehaven’tanythingofthatkindattheEldon。You’llfindthey’llgiveyouaverygoodbitoffishhere，andafairishsteak。’Arthurdeclaredthathethoughtitacapitalplace，——

thebestfunintheworld。’Andthey’veaverygoodbottleofclaret——betterthanwegetattheEldon，Ithink。Idon’tknowthatIcansaymuchfortheirchampagne。We’lltryit。Youyoungfellowsalwayslikechampagne。’

’Ihardlyevertouchit，’saidArthur。’Sherryandclaretaremywines。’

’Verywell——verywell。Ididwanttoseeyou，myboy。Thingshaven’tturnedoutjustaswewanted——havethey？’

’Notexactly，sir。’

’Noindeed。Youknowtheoldsaying，Goddisposesall。Ihavetomakethebestofit，——andsonodoubthaveyou。’

’There’snodoubtaboutit，sir，’saidArthur，speakinginalowbutalmostangryvoice。Theywerenotinaroombythemselves，butinarecesswhichseparatedthemfromtheroom。’Idon’tknowthatIwanttotalkaboutit，buttomeitisoneofthosethingsforwhichthereisnoremedy。Whenamanloseshisleg，hehobbleson，andsometimeshasagoodtimeofitatlast——butthereheis，withoutaleg。’

’Itwasn’tmyfault，Arthur。’

’Therehasbeennofaultbutmyown。Iwentinfortherunning，andgotdistanced。That’ssimplyallaboutit，andthere’snomoretobesaid。’

’Youain’tsurprisedthatIshouldwishtoseeyou。’

’I’meversomuchobliged。Ithinkit’sverykindofyou。’

’Ican’tgoinforanewlifeasyoucan。Ican’ttakeuppoliticsandParliament。It’stoolateforme。’

’I’mgoingto。There’sabillcomingonthisverynightthatI’minterestedabout。Youmustn’tbeangryifIrushoffalittlebeforeten。Wearegoingtolendmoneytotheparishesonthesecurityoftheratesfordrainingbitsofcommonland。Thenweshallsellthelandandendowtheunions，soastolessenthepoorrates，andincreasethecerealproductsofthecountry。Wethinkwecanbring300，000acresundertheploughinthreeyears，whichnowproducealmostnothing，andinfiveyearswouldpayalltheexpenses。Puttingthevalueofthelandat25poundsanacre，whichislow，weshallhavecreatedpropertytothevalueofsevenmillionandahalf。That’ssomething，youknow。’

’Oh，yes，’saidMrWharton，whofelthimselfquiteunabletofollowwithanyinteresttheaspirationsoftheyounglegislator。

’Ofcourseit’scomplicated，’continuedArthur，’butwhenyoucometolookintoititcomesoutclearenough。Itisoneoftheinstancesoftheomnipotenceofcapital。Parliamentcandosuchathing，notbecauseithasanycreativepowerofitsown，butbecauseithasthecommandofunlimitedcapital。’MrWhartonlookedathim，sighinginwardlyashereflectedthatunrequitedloveshouldhavebroughtaclear-headedyoungbarristerintomistssothickandlabyrinthssomazyasthese。’Averygoodbeef-steakindeed，’saidArthur。’Idon’tknowwhenIateabetterone。Thankyou，no——I’llsticktotheclaret。’MrWhartonhadofferedhimMadeira。’Claretandbrownmeatalwaysgowelltogether。Pancake？Idon’tobjecttoapancake。A

pancake’saverygoodthing。Nowwouldyoubelieveit，sir。theycan’tmakeapancakeattheHouse。’

’Andyettheysometimesfallveryflattoo，’saidthelawyer，makingareallawyer’sjoke。

ButMrWhartonstillhadsomethingtosay，thoughhehardlyknewhowtosayit。’YoumustcomeandseeusattheSquareafterabit。’

’Oh——ofcourse。’

’Iwouldn’taskyoutodinehereto-day，becauseIthoughtweshouldbelessmelancholyhere——butyoumustn’tcutusaltogether。Youhaven’tseenEverettsinceyou’vebeenintown？’

’No，sir。Ibelievehelivesagooddeal，——agooddealwith——

MrLopez。TherewasalittlerowdownatSilverbridge。Ofcourseitwillwearoff，butjustatpresenthislinesandmylinesdon’tconverge。’

’I’mveryunhappyabouthim，Arthur。’

’There’snothingthematter？’

’Mygirlhasmarriedthatman。I’venothingtosayagainsthim——

butofcourseitwasn’ttomytaste，andIfeelitasaseparation。AndnowEveretthasquarrelledwithme。’

’Quarrelledwithyou！’

Thenthefathertoldthestoryaswellasheknewhow。Hissonhadlostsomemoney，andhehadcalledhimagambler，——andconsequentlyhissonwouldnotcomenearhim。’Itisbadtolosethemboth，Arthur。’

’ThatissounlikeEverett。’

’Itseemstomethateverybodyhaschanged，——exceptmyself。Whowouldhavedreamedthatshewouldhavemarriedthatman？NotthatIhaveanythingtosayagainsthimexceptthathewasnotofoursort。HehasbeenverygoodaboutEverett，andisverygoodabouthim。ButEverettwillnotcometomeunless——Iwithdrawtheword——saythatIwaswrongtocallhimagambler。Thatisapropositionnomanshouldmaketoafather。’

’ItisveryunlikeEverett，’repeatedtheother。’Hashewrittentoyoutothateffect？’

’Hehasnotwrittenaword。’

’Whydon’tyougotoseehimyourself，andhaveitoutwithhim？’

’AmItogotothatclubafterhim？’saidthefather。

’Writetohimandbidhimcometoyou。I’llgiveupmyseatifhedon’tcometoyou。Everettwasalwaysaquaintfellow，alittleidle，youknow，——mooningaboutafterideas——’

’He’snofool，youknow，’saidthefather。

’Notatall——onlyvague。Buthe’sthelastmanintheworldtohavenastyvulgarideasofhisownimportanceasdistinguishedfromyours。’

’Lopezsays——’

’Iwouldn’tquitetrustLopez。’

’Heisn’tabadfellowinhisway，Arthur。OfcourseheisnotwhatIwouldhavelikedforason-in-law。Ineedn’ttellyouthat。Butheiskindandgentle-mannered，andhasalwaysbeenattachedtoEverett。YouknowhesavedEverett’slifeattheriskofhisown。’Arthurcouldnotbutsmileasheperceivedhowtheoldmanwasbeingwonroundbytheson-in-law，whomhehadtreatedsoviolentlybeforethemanhadbecomehisson-in-law。

’By-the-way，whatwasallthataboutaletteryouwrotetohim？’

’Emily，——ImeanMrsLopez，——willtellyouifyouaskher。’

’Idon’twanttoaskher。Idon’twanttoappeartosetthewifeagainstthehusband。Iamsure，myboy，youwouldwritenothingthatcouldaffronther。’

’Ithinknot，MrWharton。IfIknowmyselfwellatall，ormyownnature，itisnotprobablethatIshouldaffrontyourdaughter。’

’No。no。no。Iknowthat，mydearboy。Iwasalwayssureofthat。Takesomemorewine。’

’Nomore，thankyou。ImustbeoffbecauseI’msoanxiousaboutthisbill。’

’Icouldn’taskEmilyaboutthisletter。NowthattheyaremarriedIhavetomakethebestofit，——forhersake。I

couldn’tbringmyselftosayanythingtoherwhichmightseemtoaccusehim。’

’Ithoughtitright，sir，toexplaintoherthatwereInotinthehandsofotherpeople，Iwouldnotdoanythingtointerferewithherhappinessbyopposingherhusband。Mylanguagewasmoreguarded。’

’Hedestroyedtheletter。’

’Ihaveacopyofitifitcomestothat，’saidArthur。

’Itwillbebest，perhapstosaynothingfurtheraboutit。Well——

goodnight，myboy，ifyoumustgo。’ThenFletcherwentofftotheHouse，wonderingashewentatthechangewhichhadapparentlycomeoverthecharacterofhisoldfriend。MrWhartonhadalwaysbeenastrongman，andnowheseemedasweakaswater。

AstoEverett，Fletcherwassurethattherewassomethingwrong，buthecouldnotseehiswaytointerferehimself。Forthepresenthewasdividedfromthefamily。Neverthelesshetoldhimselfagainandagainthatthedivisionshouldnotbepermanent。Ofalltheworldshemustalwaysbetohimthedearest。

CHAPTER37

THEHORNS。

Thefirstmonthsofthesessionwentonverymuchasthelastsessionhadgone。Theministrydidnothingbrilliant。Asfarastheouterworldcouldsee，theyseemedtobefirmenough。TherewasnoopposingpartyintheHousestrongenoughtogetavoteagainstthemonanysubject。Outsiders，whoonlystudiedpoliticsinthecolumnsoftheirnewspapers，imaginedtheCoalitiontobeverystrong。Buttheywhowereinside，membersthemselves，andtheclubquidnuncswhowerealwaysrubbingtheirshouldersagainstmembers，knewbetter。TheoppositiontotheCoalitionwaswithintheCoalitionitself。SirOrlandoDroughthadnotbeenallowedtobuildhisfourships，andwasconsequentlyeagerinhisfearsthatthecountrywouldbeinvadedbythecombinedforcesofGermanyandFrance，thatIndiawouldbesoldbythosepowerstoRussia，thatCanadawouldbeannexedtotheStates，thatagreatindependentRomanCatholichierarchywouldbeestablishedinIreland，andthatMaltaandGibraltarwouldbetakenawayfromus——allofwhichevilswouldbeavertedbythebuildingoffourbigships。AwetblanketofsoterribleasizewasinitselfpernicioustotheCabinet，andheartrendingtothepoorDuke。ButSirOrlandocoulddoworseeventhanthis。Ashewasnottobuildhisfourships，neithershouldMrMonkbeallowedtoreadjustthecountrysuffrage。WhentheskeletonofMrMonk’sschemewasdiscussedintheCabinet，SirOrlandowouldnotagreetoit。Thegentlemen，hesaid，whohadjoinedthepresentGovernmentwithhim，wouldneverconsenttoameasurewhichwouldbesoutterlydestructiveofthecounty’sinterest。IfMrMonkinsistedonhismeasureinitsproposedform，hemust，withverygreatregret，placehisresignationintheDuke’shands，andhebelievedthathisfriendswouldfindthemselvescompelledtofollowthesamecourse。ThenourDukeconsultedtheoldDuke。TheoldDuke’sadvicewasthesameasever。TheQueen’sGovernmentwasthemainobject。Thepresentministryenjoyedthesupportofthecountry，andheconsidereditthedutyoftheFirstLordoftheTreasurytoremainathispost。Thecountrywasinnohurry，andthequestionofsuffragesinthecountiesmightstillbedelayed。

Thenheaddedalittlecounselwhichmightbecalledquiteprivate，asitwascertainlyintendedfornootherearsthanthoseofhisyoungerfriend。’GiveSirOrlandoropeenoughandhe’llhanghimself。Hisownpartyarebecomingtiredofhim。Ifyouquarrelwithhimthissession，Drummond，andRamsden，andBeeswax，wouldgooutwithhim，andtheGovernmentwouldbebrokenup。butnextsessionyoumaygetridofhimsafely。’

’Iwishitwerebrokenup，’saidthePrimeMinister。

’YouhaveyourdutytodobythecountryandtheQueen，andyoumustn’tregardyourownwishes。Nextsession，letMonkbereadywithhisbillagain，——thesamemeasureexactly。LetSirOrlandoresignthenifhewill。ShouldhedosoIdoubtwhetheranyonewouldgowithhim。DrummonddoesnotlikehimmuchbetterthandoyouandIdo。’ThepoorPrimeMinisterwasforcedtoobey。

TheoldDukewashisonlytrustedcounsellor，andhefoundhimselfconstrainedbyhisconsciencetodoasthatcounsellorcounselledhim。When，however，SirOrlando，inhisplaceasLeaderoftheHouse，inanswertosomequestionfromahotanddisappointedRadical，averredthatthewholeofHerMajesty’sGovernmenthadbeenquiteinunisononthisquestionofthecountry’ssuffrage，hewashardlyabletorestrainhimself。’Iftherebeadifferenceofopiniontheymustbekeptinthebackground，’saidtheDukeofStBungay。’Nothingcanjustifyadirectfalsehood，’saidtheDukeofOmnium。ThusitcametopassthattheonlyrealmeasurewhichtheGovernmenthadinhandwasonebywhichPhineasFinnhopedsotoincreasethepowerofIrishmunicipalitiesastomaketheHomeRulersbelievethatacertainamountofHomeRulewasbeingconcededtothem。Itwasnotagreatmeasure，andpoorPhineasFinnhardlybelievedinit。AndthustheDuke’sministrycametobecalledtheFaineants。

ButtheDuchess，thoughshehadbeenmuchsnubbed，stillpersevered。Nowandagainshewoulddeclareherselftobebroken-

hearted，andwouldsaythatthingsmightgotheirownway，thatshewouldsendinherresignation，thatshewouldretireintoprivatelife，andmilkcows，thatshewouldshakehandswithnomoreparliamentarycadsandcadesses，——awordwhichherGracecondescendedtocoinforherownuse，thatshewouldspendthenextthreeyearsintravellingabouttheworld。andlastly，that，lettherecomewhateverofitwhatevermight，SirOrlandoDroughtshouldneveragainbeinvitedintoanyhouseofwhichshewasthemistress。Thislastthreat，whichwasperhapsthemostindiscreetofthemall，sheabsolutelymadegood——therebyaddingverygreatlytoherhusband’sdifficulties。

ButbythemiddleofJunethepartiesatthehouseinCarltonTerracewereasfrequentandaslargeasever。Indeeditwasallpartywithher。TheDuchesspossessedaprettylittlevilladownatRichmond，ontheriver，calledTheHorns，andgavepartiestherewhentherewerenoneinLondon。Shehadpicnics，andflowerparties，andteaparties，andafternoons，andevenings，onthelawn，——tillhalfLondonwasalwaysonitswaytoRichmondorbackagain。Howsheworked！Andyetfromdaytodayshesworethattheworldwasungrateful。Everybodywent。Shewassofarsuccessfulthatnobodythoughtofdespisingherparties。ItwasquitethethingtogototheDuchess’s，whetheratRichmondorinLondon。Butpeopleabusedherandlaughedather。Theysaidthatsheintriguedtogetpoliticalsupportforherhusband，——

andworsethanthat，theysaidthatshefailed。Shedidnotfailaltogether。Theworldwasnottakencaptiveasshehadintended。

YoungmembersofParliamentdidnotbecomehotlyenthusiasticinsupportofherandherhusbandasshehadhopedthattheywoulddo。Shehadnotbecomeaninstitutionofgranite，asherdreamshadfondlytoldhermightbepossible，——fortherehadbeenmomentsinwhichshehadalmostthoughtthatshecouldruleEnglandbygivingdinnerandsupperparties，byicesandchampagne。Butinadull，phlegmaticway，theywhoatetheicesanddrankthechampagneweretruetoher。Therewasafeelingabroadthat’Glencora’wasa’goodsortoffellow’andoughttobesupported。Andwhentheridiculebecametoostrong，ortheabusetoosharp，menwouldtakeupthecudgelsforher，andfightherbattles——alittletooopenly，perhaps，astheywoulddoitunderhereyes，andinherhearing，andwouldtellherwhattheyhaddone，mistakingonsuchoccasionshergoodhumourforsympathy。Therewasjustenoughsuccesstopreventthatabandonmentofherprojectwhichshesooftenthreatened，butnotenoughtomakehertriumphant。Shewastooclevernottoseethatshewasridiculed。SheknewthatmencalledherGlencoraamongthemselves。Shewasherselfquitealivetothefactthatsheherselfwaswantingindignity，andthatwithallthemeansatherdisposal，withallhercourageandallhertalents，shedidnotquiteplaythepartofthereallygreatlady。Butshedidnotfailtotellherselfthatlabourcontinuedwouldatlastbesuccessful，andshewasstrongtobearthebuffetsoftheill-

natured。Shedidnotthinkthatshebroughtfirst-classmaterialstoherwork，butshebelieved，——abeliefsoerroneousas，alas，itiscommon，——thatfirst-rateresultsmightbeachievedbysecond-ratemeans。

’WehadsuchabattleaboutyourGracelastnight，’CaptainGunnersaidtoher。

’Andwereyoumyknight？’

’IndeedIwas。Ineverheardsuchnonsense。’

’Whatweretheysaying？’

’Oh，theoldstory——thatyouwerelikeMartha，busyingyourselfaboutmanythings。’

’Whyshouldn’tIbusymyselfaboutmanythings？Itisapity，CaptainGunner，thatsomeofyoumenhavenotsomethingtobusyyourselvesabout。’Allthiswasunpleasant。ShecouldonsuchanoccasionmakeuphermindtodropanyCaptainGunnerwhohadventuredtotaketoomuchuponhimself：butshefeltthatintheeffortsshehadmadeafterpopularity，shehadsubmittedherselftounpleasantfamiliarities——andthoughpersistentinhercourse，shewasstillangryaboutherself。

WhenshehadbegunhercampaignasthePrimeMinister’swife，oneofherdifficultieshadbeenwithregardtomoney。Anabnormalexpenditurebecamenecessary，forwhichherhusband’sexpresssanctionmustbeobtained，andstepstakeninwhichhispersonalassistancewouldbenecessary——butthishadbeendone，andtherewasnownofurtherimpedimentinthatdirection。Itseemedtobeunderstoodthatshewastospendwhatmoneyshepleased。

Therehadbeenvariouscontestsbetweenthem，butineverycontestshehadgainedsomething。HehadbeenmajesticallyindignantwithherinreferencetothecandidatureatSilverbridge，——but，asisusualwithmanyofus，hadbeenunabletomaintainhisangerabouttwothingsatthesametime。Or，rather，inthemajestyofhisangeraboutherinterference，hehaddisdainedtodescendtothesmallerfaultsofherextravagance。Hehadseemedtoconcedeeverythingelsetoher，onconditionthatheshouldbeallowedtobeimperiousinreferencetotheborough。Inthatmattershehadgivenway，neverhavingopenedhermouthaboutitafterthatoneunfortunatewordtoMrSprugeon。But，havingdoneso，shewasentitledtosquanderherthousandswithoutremorse，——andshesquanderedthem。’Itisyourfive-and-twentythousandpounds，mydear，’sheoncesaidtoMrsFinn，whooftentookuponherselftoquestiontheprudenceofallthisexpenditure。ThisreferredtoacertainsumofmoneywhichhadbeenleftbytheoldDuketoMadameGoesler，asshewasthencalled，——alegacywhichthatladyhadrepudiated。Themoneyhad，intruth，beengivenawaytoarelationoftheDuke’sbythejointconsentoftheladyandtheDukehimself，buttheDuchesswaspleasedtorefertoitoccasionallyasastillexistingproperty。

’Myfive-and-twentythousandpounds，asyoucallit，wouldnotgoveryfar。’

’What’stheuseofmoneyifyoudon’tspendit？TheDukewouldgooncollectingitandbuyingmoreproperty，——whichalwaysmeansmoretrouble，——notbecauseheisavaricious，butbecauseforthetimethatcomeseasierthanspending。Supposinghehadmarriedawomanwithoutashilling，hewouldstillhavebeenarichman。Asitis，mypropertywasmoreeventhanhisown。Ifwecandoanygoodbyspendingthemoney，whyshouldn’titbespent？’

’Ifyoucandoanygood！’

’Itallcomesroundtothat。Itisn’tbecauseIlikealwaystoliveinawindmill！Ihavecometohateit。AtthismomentI

wouldgiveworldstobedownatMatchingwithnoonebutthechildren，andtogoaboutinastrawhatandmuslingown。IhaveafancythatIcouldsitunderatreeandreadasermon，andthinkitthesweetestrecreation。ButI’vemadetheattempttodoallthis，anditsomeantofail！’

’Butwhereistobetheendofit？’

’ThereshallbenoendaslongasheisPrimeMinister。HeisthefirstmaninEngland。SomepeoplewouldsaythefirstinEurope——orintheworld。APrinceshouldentertainlikeaPrince。’

’Heneednotbealwaysentertaining。’

’Hospitalityshouldrunfromamanwithhiswealth，andhisposition，likewaterfromafountain。Ashishandisknowntobefull，soitshouldbeknowntobeopen。Whenthedelightofhisfriendsisinquestion，heshouldknownothingofcost。Pearlsshoulddropfromhimasfromafairy。ButIdon’tthinkyouunderstandme。’

’NotwhenthepearlsaretobepickedupbyCaptainGunners，LadyGlen。’

’Ican’tmakethemenanybetter，——noryetthewomen。Theyarepoormeancreatures。Theworldismadeupofsuch。Idon’tknowthatCaptainGunnerisworsethanSirOrlandoDroughtorSirTimothyBeeswax。Peopleseenbythemindareexactlydifferenttothingsseenbytheeye。Theygrowsmallerandsmallerasyoucomenearerdowntothem，whereasthingsbecomebigger。I

rememberwhenIusedtothinkthatmembersoftheCabinetwerealmostgods，andnowtheyseemtobenobiggerthanshoe-blacks，-

onlylesspicturesque。Hetoldmetheotherdayofthetimewhenhegaveupgoingintopowerforthesakeoftakingmeabroad。

Ah！me。howmuchwashappeningthen，——andhowmuchhashappenedsincethat！Wedidn’tknowyouthen。’

’Hehasbeenagoodhusbandtoyou。’

’AndIhavebeenagoodwifetohim！Ihaveneverhadhimforanhouroutofmyheartsincethat，oreverforamomentforgottenhisinterest。Ican’tlivewithhimbecauseheshutshimselfupreadingblue-books，andisalwaysathisofficeorintheHouse——

butIwouldifIcould。AmInotdoingitallforhim？Youdon’tthinkthattheCaptainGunnnersareparticularlypleasanttome！Thinkofyourlifeandofmine。Youhavehadlovers。’

’Oneinmylife，——whenIwasentitledtohaveone。’

’Well。IamtheDuchessofOmnium，andIamthewifeofthePrimeMinister，andIhadalargerpropertyofmyownthananyotheryoungwomanthateverwasborn。andIammyselftoo，——GlencoraM’Cluskiethatwas，andI’vemadeformyselfacharacterthatI’mnotashamedof。ButI’dbethecurate’swifetomorrow，andmakepuddings，ifIcouldonlyhavemyownhusbandandmyownchildrenwithme。What’stheuseofitall？Ilikeyoubetterthananybodyelse，butyoudonothingbutscoldme。’Stillthepartieswenton，andtheDuchesslabouredhardamongherguests，andworeherjewels，andstoodonherfeetallthenight，nightafternight，beingciviltooneperson，brighttoasecond，confidentialtoathird，andsarcastictoanunfortunatefourth——

andinthemorningshewouldworkhardwithherlists，seeingwhohadcometoherandwhohadstayedaway，andarrangingwhoshouldbeaskedandwhoshouldbeomitted。

InthemeantimetheDukealtogetheravoidedthosethings。Atfirsthehadbeencontenttoshowhimself，andescapeassoonaspossible——butnowhewasneverseenatallinhisownhouse，exceptatcertainheavydinners。ToRichmondheneverwentatall，andinhisownhouseintownveryrarelyeverpassedthroughthedoorthatledintothereceptionrooms。Hehadnottimeforordinarysociety。SosaidtheDuchess。Andmany，perhapsthemajorityofthosewhofrequentedthehouse，reallybelievedthathisofficialdutiesweretoooneroustoleavehimtimeforconversation。Butintruththehourswereheavilywithhimashesataloneinhisstudy，sighingforsomesweetparliamentarytask，andregrettingthedaysinwhichhewasprivilegedtositintheHouseofCommonstilltwoo’clockinthemorning，inthehopethathemightgetaclauseortwopassedinhisbillfordecimalcoinage。

ItwasatTheHornsatanafternoonparty，giventhereinthegardensbytheDuchess，earlyinJuly，thatArthurFletcherfirstsawEmilyafterhermarriage，andLopezaftertheoccurrenceatSilverbridge。Asithappenedhecameoutuponthelawnafterthem，andfoundthemspeakingtotheDuchessastheypassedon。

ShehadputherselfoutofherwaytobeciviltoMrandMrsLopez，feelingthatshehadinsomedegreeinjuredhiminreferencetotheelection，andhadthereforeinvitedbothhimandhiswifeonmorethanoneoccasion。ArthurFletcherwasthereasayoungmanwellknownintheworldandasupporteroftheDuke’sgovernment。TheDuchesshadtakenupArthurFletcher，——asshewaswonttotakeupnewmen，andhadpersonallybecometiredofLopez。Ofcourseshehadheardoftheelection，andhadbeentoldthatLopezhadbehavedbadly。OfMrLopezshedidnotknowenoughtocareanything，onewayortheother——butshestillencouragedhimbecauseshehadcausedhimdisappointment。Shehadnowdetainedthemaminuteontheterracebeforethewindowswhileshesaidaword，andArthurFletcherbecameoneofthelittlepartybeforeheknewwhomhewasmeeting。’Iamdelighted，’shesaid，’thatyoutwoSilverbridgeheroesshouldmeettogetherhereasfriends。’Itwasalmostincumbentonhertosaysomething，thoughitwouldhavebeenbetterforhernottohavealludedtotheirheroism。MrsLopezputoutherhand，andArthurFletcherofcoursetookit。Thenthetwomenbowedslightlytoeachother，raisingtheirhats。Arthurpausedamomentwiththem，astheypassedonfromtheDuchess，thinkingthathewouldsaysomethinginafriendlytone。Buthewassilencedbythefrownonthehusband’sface，andwasalmostconstrainedtogoawaywithoutaword。Itwasverydifficultforhimeventobesilent，ashergreetinghadbeenkind。Butyetitwasimpossibleforhimtoignorethedispleasuredisplayedintheman’scountenance。Sohetouchedhishat，andaskinghertorememberhimaffectionatelytoherfather，turnedoffthepathandwentaway。

’Whydidyoushakehandswiththatman？’saidLopez。Itwasthefirsttimesincetheirmarriagethathisvoicehadbeenthatofanangrymanandanoffendedhusband。

’Whynot，Ferdinand？HeandIareveryoldfriends，andwehavenotquarrelled。’

’Youmusttakeupyourhusband’sfriendshipsandyourhusband’squarrels。DidInottellyouthathehadinsultedyou？’

’Heneverinsultedme。’

’Emily，youmustallowmetobethejudgeofthat。Heinsultedyou，andthenhebehavedlikeapoltroondownatSilverbridge，andIwillnothaveyouknowhimanymore。WhenIsaysoI

supposethatwillbeenough。’Hewaitedforareply，butshesaidnothing。’Iaskyoutotellmethatyouwillobeymeinthis。’

’Ofcoursehewillnotcometomyhouse，norshouldIthinkofgoingtohis，ifyoudisapproved。’

’Goingtohishouse！He’sunmarried。’

’Supposinghehadawife！Ferdinand，perhapsitwillbebetterthatyouandIshouldnottalkabouthim。’

’ByG-，’saidLopez，’thereshallbenosubjectonwhichIwillafraidtotalktomyownwife。Iinsistuponyourassuringmethatyouwillneverspeaktohimagain。’

Hehadtakenheralongoneoftheupperwalksbecauseitwasdesolate，andhecouldtherespeaktoher，ashethought，withoutbeingheard。Shehad，almostunconsciously，madeafaintattempttoleadhimdownthelawn，nodoubtfeelingaversetoprivateconversationsatthemoment。buthehadpersevered，andhadresentedthelittleeffort。Theideainhismindthatshewasunwillingtorenouncetheman，anxioustoescapehisorderforsuchrenunciation，addedfueltohisjealousy。Itwasnotenoughforhimthatshehadrejectedthismanandhadacceptedhim。Themanhadbeenherlover，andsheshouldbemadetodenouncetheman。ItmightbenecessaryforhimtocontrolhisfeelingsbeforeoldWharton——butheknewenoughofhiswifetobesurethatwouldnotspeakevilofhimorbetrayhimtoherfather。Herloyaltytohim，whichhecouldunderstandthoughnotappreciate，enabledhimtobeatyranttoher。Sonowherepeatedhisordertoher，pausinginthepath，withavoiceunintentionallyloud，andfrowningdownuponherashespoke。