第12章

’Youmusttellme，Emily，thatyouwillneverspeaktohimagain。’

Shewassilent，lookingupintohisface，notwithtremulouseyes，butwithinfinitewoewritteninthem，hadhebeenabletoreadthewriting。Sheknewthathewasdisgracinghimself，andyethewasthemanwhomsheloved！’Ifyoubidmenottospeaktohim，Iwillnot，——buthemustknowthereasonwhy。’

’Heshallknownothingfromyou。Youdonotmeantosaythatyouwouldwritetohim。’

’Papamusttellhim。’

’Iwillnothaveitso。Inthismatter，Emily，Iwillbethemaster，——asitisfitthatIshouldbe。IwillnothaveyoutalktoyourfatheraboutMrFletcher。’

’Whynot，Ferdinand？’

’BecauseIhavesodecided。Heisanoldfamilyfriend。Icanunderstandthat，anddonotthereforewishtointerferebetweenhimandyourfather。Buthehastakenuponhimselftowriteaninsolentlettertoyouasmywife，andtointerfereinmyaffairs。Astowhatshouldbedonebetweenyouandhim，Imustbethejudgeandnotyourfather。’

’AndImustnotspeaktopapaaboutit？’

’No！’

’Ferdinand，youmaketoolittle，Ithink，oftheassociationsandaffectionsofawholelife。’

’Iwillhearnothingaboutaffection，’hesaidangrily。

’Youcannotmeanthat，——that——youdoubtme？’

’Certainlynot。Ithinktoomuchofmyselfandtoolittleofhim。’Itdidnotoccurtohimtotellherthathethoughttoowellofherforthat。’Butthemanwhohasoffendedmemustbeheldtohaveoffendedyoualso。’

’Youmightsaythesameifitweremyfather。’

Hepausedatthis，butonlyforamoment。’CertainlyImight。

Itisnotprobable，butnodoubtImightdoso。Ifyourfatherweretoquarrelwithme，youwouldnot，Isuppose，hesitatebetweenus？’

’Nothingonearthcoulddividemefromyou。’

’Normefromyou。InthisverymatterIamonlytakingyourpart，ifyoudidbutknowit。’Theyhadnowpassedon，andhadmetotherpersons，havingmadetheirwaythroughalittleshrubberyontoafurtherlawn。andshehadhoped，astheyweresurroundedbypeople，thathewouldallowthemattertodrop。

Shehadbeenunableasyettomakeuphermindastowhatsheshouldsayifhepressedherhard。But，ifitcouldbepassedby，——ifnothingmoreweredemandedfromher，——shewouldendeavourtoforgetitall，sayingtoherselfthatithadcomefromsuddenpassion。Buthewastooresoluteforsuchaterminationasthat，andtookeenlyalivetotheexpediencyofmakingherthoroughlysubjecttohim。Soheturnedherroundandtookherbackthroughtheshrubbery，andinthemiddleofitstoppedheragainandrenewedhisdemand。

’PromisemethatyouwillnotspeakagaintoMrFletcher。’

’ThenImusttellpapa。’

’No——youshalltellhimnothing。’

’Ferdinand，ifyouexactapromisefrommethatIwillnotspeaktoMrFletcher，orbowtohimshouldcircumstancesbringustogetherastheydidjustnow，ImustexplaintomyfatherwhyI

havedoneso。’

’Youwillwilfullydisobeyme？’

’InthatImust。’Heglaredather，almostasthoughheweregoingtostrikeher，butsheborehislookwithoutflinching。’I

haveleftallmyoldfriends，Ferdinand，andhavegivenmyheartandsoultoyou。Nowomandidsowithatruerloveormoredevotedintentionofdoingherdutytoherhusband。Youraffairsshallbemyaffairs。’

’Well。yes。rather。’

Shewasendeavouringtoassurehimofhertruth，butcouldunderstandthesneerwhichwasconveyedinhisacknowledgment。

’Butyoucannot，norcanIforyoursake，abolishthethingswhichhavebeen。’

’Iwishyoutoabolishnothingthathasbeen。Ispeakofthefuture。’

’BetweenourfamilyandthatofMrFletchertherehasbeenoldfriendshipwhichisstillverydeartomyfather，——thememoryofwhichisstillverydeartome。AtyourrequestIamwillingtoputallthatasidefromme。ThereisnoreasonwhyIshouldeverseeanyoftheFletchersagain。Ourliveswillbeapart。Shouldwemeetourgreetingwouldbeveryslight。Theseparationcanbeeffectedwithoutwords。Butifyoudemandanabsolutepromise，——

Imusttellmyfather。’

’Wewillgohomeatonce，’hesaidinstantly，andaloud。Andhometheywent，backtoLondon，withoutexchangingawordonthejourney。Hewasabsolutelyblackwithrage，andshewascontenttoremainsilent。Thepromisewasnotgiven，norindeed，wasitexactedundertheconditionswhichthewifehadimposeduponit。

Hewasmostdesiroustomakehersubjecttohiswillinallthings，andquitepreparedtoexercisetyrannyoverhertoanyextent，——sothatherfathershouldknownothingofit。HecouldnotaffordtoquarrelwithMrWharton。’Youhadbettergotobed，’hesaid，whenhegotherbacktotown——andshewent，ifnottobed，atanyrateintoherownroom。

CHAPTER38

SIRORLANDORETIRES。

’Heisahorridman。Hecamehereandquarrelledwiththeothermaninmyhouse，orratherdownatRichmond，andmadeafoolofhimself，andthenquarrelledwithhiswifeandtookheraway。

Whatfools，whatasses，whathorrorsmenare！Howimpossibleitistobecivilandgraciouswithoutgettingintoamess。IamtemptedtosaythatIwillneverknowanybodyanymore。’SuchwasthecomplaintmadebytheDuchesstoMrsFinnafewdaysaftertheRichmondparty，andfromthisitwasevidentthatthelatteraffairhadnotpassedwithoutnotice。

’Didhemakeanoiseaboutit？’askedMrsFinn。

’Therewasnotarow，buttherewasenoughofaquarreltobevisibleandaudible。Hewalkedaboutandtalkedloudtothepoorwoman。Ofcourseitwasmyownfault。ButthemanwascleverandIlikedhim，andpeopletoldmethathewasoftherightsort。’

’TheDukeheardofit？’

’No——andIhopehewon’t。Itwouldbesuchatriumphforhim，afterallthefussatSilverbridge。Butheneverheardofanything。Iftwomenfoughtaduelinhisowndining-roomhewouldbethelastmaninLondontoknowaboutit。’

’Thensaynothingaboutit，anddon’taskthemenanymore。’

’YoumaybesureIwon’taskthemanwiththewifeanymore。TheothermanisinParliamentandcan’tbethrownoversoeasily——

anditwasn’thisfault。ButI’mgettingsosickofitall！I’mtoldthatSirOrlandohascomplainedtoPlantagenetthatheisn’taskedtothedinners。’

’Impossible！’

’Don’tyoumentionit，buthehas。Warburtonhastoldmeso。’

WarburtonwasoneoftheDuke’sprivatesecretaries。

’WhatdidtheDukesay？’

’Idon’t’quiteknow。Warburtonisoneofmyfamiliars，butI

didn’tliketoaskhimformorethanhechosetotellme。

WarburtonsuggestedthatIshouldinviteSirOrlandoatonce。butthereIwasobdurate。Ofcourse，ifPlantagenettellsmeI’llaskthemantocomeeverydayoftheweek——butitisoneofthosethingsthatIshallneedtobetolddirectly。Myideais，youknow，thattheyhadbettergetridofSirOrlando，——andthatifSirOrlandochoosestokickoverthetraces，hemaybeturnedloosewithoutanydanger。Onehaslittlebirdsthatgiveoneallmannerofinformation，andonelittlebirdhastoldmethatSirOrlandoandMrRobydon’tspeak。MrRobyisnotverymuchhimself，butheisagoodstrawtoshowwhichwaythewindblows。

PlantagenetcertainlysentnomessageaboutSirOrlando，andI’mafraidthegentlemanmustlookforhisdinnerselsewhere。’

TheDukehadintruthexpressedhimselfveryplainlytoMrWarburton。butwithsomuchindiscreetfretfulnessthatthediscreetprivatesecretaryhadnottolditeventotheDuchess。

’Thiskindofthingarguesawantofcordialitythatmaybefataltous，’SirOrlandohadsaidsomewhatgrandiloquentlytotheDuke，andtheDukehadmade——almostnoreply。’IsupposeImayaskmyownguestsintomyownhouse，’hehadsaidafterwardstoMrWarburton，’thoughinpubliclifeIameverybody’sslave。MrWarburton，anxiousofcoursetomaintaintheunityoftheparty，hadtoldtheDuchesssomuchaswould，hethought，inducehertogiveway，buthehadnotrepeatedtheDuke’sownobservations，whichwere，MrWarburtonthought，hostiletotheinterestsoftheparty。TheDuchessonlysmiledandmadealittlegrimace，withwhichtheprivatesecretarywasalreadywellacquainted。AndSirOrlandoreceivednoinvitation。

InthosedaysSirOrlandowasunhappyandirritable，doubtfuloffurthersuccessasregardedtheCoalition，butquiteresolvedtoputthehousedownabouttheearsoftheinhabitantsratherthantoleaveitwithgentleresignation。TohimitseemedtobeimpossiblethattheCoalitionshouldexistwithouthim。Hetoohadmomentsofhigh-vaultingambition，inwhichhehadalmostfelthimselftobethegreatmanrequiredbythecountry，theonerulerwhocouldgathertogetherinhisgraspthereinsofgovernmentanddrivetheStatecoachsingle-handedsafethroughitsdifficultiesforthenexthalf-dozenyears。Therearemenwhocannotconceiveofthemselvesthatanythingshouldbedifficultforthem，andagainotherswhocannotbringthemselvessototrustthemselvesastothinkthattheycaneverachieveanythinggreat。Samplesofeachsortfromtimetotimerisehighinpoliticallife，carriedthitherapparentlybyEpicureanconcourseofatoms。anditoftenhappensthatthemoreconfidentsamplesarebynomeansthemostcapable。TheconcourseofatomshadcarriedSirOrlandosohighthathecouldnotbutthinkhimselfintendedforsomethinghigher。ButtheDuke，whohadreallybeenwaftedtotheverytop，hadalwaysdoubtedhimself，believinghimselfcapableofdoingsomeonethingbydintofindustry，butwithnofurtherconfidenceinhisownpowers。SirOrlandohadperceivedsomethingofhisleader’sweakness，andhadthoughtthathemightprofitbyit。HewasnotonlyadistinguishedmemberoftheCabinet，buteventherecognisedLeaderoftheHouseofCommons。Helookedoutthefactsandfoundthatforfive-and-twentyyearsoutofthelastthirtytheLeaderoftheHouseofCommonshadbeentheHeadofGovernment。

Hefeltthathewouldbemeannottostretchouthishandandtaketheprizedestinedforhim。TheDukewasapoortimidmanwhohadverylittletosayforhimself。Thencamethelittleepisodeaboutthedinners。IthadbecomeveryevidenttotheworldthattheDuchessofOmniumhadcutSirOrlandoDrought，——

thatthePrimeMinister’swife，whowasgreatinhospitality，wouldnotadmittheFirstLordoftheAdmiraltyintoherhouse。

ThedoingsofGatherumCastle，andinCarltonTerrace，andatTheHornswerewatchedmuchtoocloselybytheworldatlargetoallowsuchomissionstobeotherwisethanconspicuous。SincethecommencementofthesessiontherehadbeenaseriesofarticlesinthePeople’sBannerviolentlyabusiveofthePrimeMinister，andinoneortwoofthesetheindecencyoftheseexclusionshadbeenexposedwithgreatstrengthoflanguage。AndtheEditorofthePeople’sBannerhaddiscoveredthatSirOrlandoDroughtwastheonemaninParliamentfittorulethenation。TillParliamentshoulddiscoverthisfact，oratleastacknowledgeit，——thediscoveryhavingbeenhappilymadebythePeople’sBanner，——theEditorofthePeople’sBannerthoughttherecouldbenohopeforthecountry。SirOrlandoofcoursesawallthesearticles，andhisveryheartbelievedthatamanatlengthsprungupamongthemfittoconductanewspaper。TheDukealsounfortunatelysawthePeople’sBanner。Inhisoldhappydaystwopapersaday，oneinthemorningandtheotherbeforedinner，sufficedtotellhimallthathewantedtoknow。Nowhefeltitnecessarytoseealmosteveryragthatwaspublished。Andhewouldskimthroughthemalltillhefoundlinesinwhichhehimselfwasmaligned，andthen，withsoreheartandirritatednerves，wouldpauseovereverycontumeliousword。Hewouldhavebittenhistongueoutratherthathavespokenofthetorturesheendured，buthewastorturedanddidendure。Heknewthecauseofthebitterpersonalattacksuponhim，——oftheabusewithwhichhewasloaded，andoftheridicule，infinitelymorepainfultohim，withwhichhiswife’ssocialsplendourwasbespattered。

HerememberedwelltheattemptwithwhichMrQuintusSlidehadmadetoobtainanentranceintohishouse，andhisownscornfulrejectionofthatgentleman’sovertures。Heknew，——nomanknewbetter，——therealvalueofthatableEditor’sopinion。Andyeteverywordofitwasgallandwormwoodtohim。Ineveryparagraphtherewasascourgewhichhithimontherawandopenedthewoundswhichhecouldshowtonokindsurgeon，forwhichhecouldfindsolaceinnofriendlytreatment。NoteventohiswifecouldhecondescendtosaythatMrQuintusSlidehadhurthim。

ThenSirOrlandohadcomehimself。SirOrlandoexplainedhimselfgracefully。Heofcoursecouldunderstandthatnogentlemanhadarighttocomplainbecausehewasnotaskedtoanothergentleman’shouse。Buttheaffairsofthecountrywereaboveprivateconsiderations。andhe，actuatedbypublicfeelings，wouldcondescendtodothatwhichunderothercircumstanceswouldbeimpossible。Thepublicpress，whichwaseveryvigilant，hadsuggestedthattherewassomeofficialestrangement，becauseSirOrlandohadnotbeenincludedinthelistofguestsinvitedbyHisGrace。DidnothisGracethinkthattheremightbeseedsof，——hewouldnotquitesaydecayfortheCoalition，insuchastateofthings？TheDukepausedforamoment，andthensaidthathethoughttherewerenosuchseeds。SirOrlandobowedhaughtilyandwithdrew，——swearingatthatmomentthattheCoalitionshouldbemadetofallintoathousandshivers。ThishadalltakenplaceafortnightbeforethepartyatTheHornsformwhichpoorMrsLopezhadbeenwithdrawnsohastily。

ButSirOrlando，whenhecommencedtheproceedingconsequentonthisresolution，didnotfindallthatsupportwhichhehadexpected。UnfortunatelytherehadbeenanuncomfortablewordortwobetweenhimandMrRoby，thepoliticalSecretaryattheAdmiralty。MrRobyhadneverquitesecondedSirOrlando’sardourinthematterofthefourships，andSirOrlandoinhisprideofplacehadventuredtosnubMrRoby。NowMrRobycouldperhapsbearasnubbingperhapsaswellasanyotherofficialsubordinate，——buthewasonewhowouldstudythequestionandassurehimselfthatitwas，orthatitwasnot，worthhiswhiletobearit。He，too，haddiscussedwithhisfriendstheconditionoftheCoalition，andhadcometosomeconclusionsratheradversetoSirOrlandothanotherwise。When，therefore，theFirstSecretarysoundedhimastotheexpediencyofsomestepinthedirectionofafirmerpoliticalcombinationthanatpresentexisting，——bywhichofcoursewasmeantthedethronementofthepresentPrimeMinister，——MrRobyhadsnubbedhim！Thentherehadbeenslightofficialcriminationsandrecriminations，tillastateofthingshadcometopasswhichalmostjustifiedthestatementbytheDuchesstoMrsFinn。

TheCoalitionhadmanycomponentparts，somecoalescingwithoutdifficulty，butwithnospecialcordiality。SuchwastheconditionofthingsbetweentheveryconservativeLordLieutenantofIrelandandhissomewhatradicalChiefSecretary，MrFinn，——

betweenprobablythelargernumberofthosewhowerecontentedwiththedutiesoftheirownofficesandthepleasuresandprofitsarisingtherefrom。Somebythistimehardlycoalescedatall，aswasthecasewithSirGregoryGrogramandSirTimothyBeeswax，theAttorney-GeneralandSolicitor-General——andwasespeciallythecasewiththePrimeMinisterandSirOrlandoDrought。ButinoneortwohappycasestheCoalitionwassincereandloyal，——andinnocasewasthismoresothanwithregardtoMrRattlerandMrRoby。MrRattlerandMrRobyhadthroughouttheirlongparliamentarylivesbelongedtooppositeparties，andhadbeenaccustomedtoregardeachotherwithmutualjealousyandalmostwithmutualhatred。Butnowtheyhadcometoseehowequal，howalike，andhowsympatheticweretheirtastes，andhowwelleachmighthelptheother。AslongasMrRattlercouldkeephisplaceattheTreasury，——andhisambitionneverstirredhimtoaughthigher，——hewasquitecontentedthathisoldrivalshouldbehappyattheAdmiralty。Andthatoldrival，whenhelookedabouthimandfelthispresentcomfort，whenherememberedhowshort-livedhadbeenthegoodthingswhichhadhithertocomeinhisway，andhowlittleprobableitwasthatlong-livedgoodthingsshouldbehiswhentheCoalitionwasbrokenup，manfullydeterminedthatloyaltytothepresentHeadofGovernmentwashisduty。HehadsatfortoomanyyearsonthesamebenchwithSirOrlandotobelievemuchinhispowerofgoverningthecountry。

Therefore，whenSirOrlandodroppedhishintMrRobydidnottakeit。

’Iwonderwhetherit’struethatSirOrlandocomplainedtotheDukethathewasnotaskedtodinner？’saidMrRobytoMrRattler。

’Ishouldhardlythinkso。Ican’tfancythathewouldhavethepluck，’saidMrRattler。’TheDukeisn’ttheeasiestmanintheworldtospeakaboutsuchathingasthat。’

’Itwouldbeamonstrousthingforamantodo！ButDrought’sheadisquiteturned。Youcanseethat。’

’Weneverthoughtmuchabouthim，youknow，onourside。’

’Itwaswhatyoursidethoughtabouthim，’rejoinedRoby，’thatputhimwhereheisnow。’

’Itwasthefateofaccidents，Roby，whichputsmanyofusinourplaces，andarrangesourworkforus，andmakesuslittlemenorbigmen。ThereareothermenbesidesDroughtwhohavebeentossedupinablankettilltheydon’tknowwhethertheirheadsortheirheelsarehighest。’

’IquitebelievetheDuke，’saidMrRoby，almostalarmedbythesuggestionwhichhisnewfriendhadseemedtomake。

’SodoI，Roby。HehasnottheobduracyofLordBrock，northeineffablemannerofMrMildmay，northebrilliantintellectofMrGresham。’

’NorthepicturesqueimaginationofMrDaubney，’saidMrRoby，feelinghimselfboundtosupportthecharacterofhislatechief。

’Northeaudacity，’saidMrRattler。’Buthehasthepeculiargiftofhisown，andgiftsfittedforthepeculiarcombinationofcircumstances，ifhewillonlybecontenttousethem。Heisajust，unambitious，intelligentman，inwhomafterawhilethecountrywouldcometohaveimplicitconfidence。Butheisthin-

skinnedandungenial。’

’Ihavegotintohisboat，’saidRoby，enthusiastically，’andhewillfindthatIshallbetruetohim。’

’Thereisnotbetterboattobeinatpresent，’saidtheslightlysarcasticRattler。’AstotheDroughtpinnace，itwillbemoredifficulttogetitafloatthanthefourshipsthemselves。Totellthetruthhonestly，Roby，wehavetoridourselvesofSirOrlando。Ihaveagreatregardfortheman。’

’Ican’tsayIeverlikedhim。’

’Idon’ttalkaboutliking，——buthehasachievedsuccess，andistoberegarded。Nowhehaslosthishead，andheisboundtogetafall。Thequestionis，——whoshallfallwithhim？’

’Idonotfeelmyselfatallboundtosacrificemyself。’

’Idon’tknowwhodoes。SirTimothyBeeswax，Isuppose，willresenttheinjurydonehim。ButIcanhardlythinkthatastronggovernmentcanbeformedbySirOrlandoDroughtandSirTimothyBeeswax。Anysecessionisaweakness，——ofcourse。butIthinkwemaysurviveit。’AndsoMrRattlerandMrRobymadeuptheirmindsthatthefirstLordoftheAdmiraltymightbethrownoverboardwithoutmuchdangertotheQueen’sship。

SirOrlando，however，wasquiteinearnest。Themanhadspiritenoughtofeelthatnoalternativewaslefttohimafterhehadcondescendedtosuggestthatheshouldbeaskedtodinnerandhadbeenrefused。HetriedMrRoby，andfoundthatMrRobywasameanfellow，wedded，ashetoldhimself，tohissalary。ThenhesoundedLordDrummond，urgingvariousreasons。Thecountrywasnotsafewithoutmoreships。MrMonkwasaltogetherwrongaboutrevenue。MrFinn’sideasaboutIrelandwererevolutionary。ButLordDrummondthoughtthat，uponthewhole，thepresentMinistryservedthecountrywell，andconsideredhimselfboundtoadheretoit。’Hecannotbeattheideaofbeingoutofpower，’saidSirOrlandotohimself。HenextsaidawordtoSirTimothy。butSirTimothywasnotthemantobeledbythenosebySirOrlando。

SirTimothyhadhisgrievanceandmeanttohavehisrevenge，butheknewhowtochoosehisowntime。’TheDuke’snotabadfellow，’saidSirTimothy，——’perhapsalittleweak，butwell-

meaning。Ithinkweoughttostandbyhimalittlelonger。AsforFinn’sIrishbill，Ihaven’ttroubledmyselfaboutit。’ThenSirOrlandodeclaredhimselfthatSirTimothywasacoward，andresolvedthathewouldactalone。

AboutthemiddleofJulyhewenttotheDukeattheTreasury，wasclosetedwithhim，andinaverylongnarrationofhisowndifferences，difficulties，opinions，andgrievances，explainedtotheDukethathisconsciencecalleduponhimtoresign。TheDukelistenedandbowedhishead，andwithoneortwoverygently-

utteredwordexpressedhisregret。ThenSirOrlando，inanotherlongspeech，laidbarehisbosomtotheChiefwhomhewasleaving，declaringtheinexpressiblesorrowwithwhichhehadfoundhimselfcalledupontotakeastepwhichhefearedmightbeprejudicialtothepoliticalstatusofamanwhomhehonouredsomuchashedidtheDukeofOmnium。ThentheDukebowedagain，butsaidnothing。ThemanhadbeenguiltyoftheimproprietyofquestioningthewayinwhichtheDuke’sprivatehospitalitywasexercised，andtheDukecouldnotbringhimselftobegeniallyciviltosuchanoffender。SirOrlandowentontosaythathewouldofcourseexplainhisviewsintheCabinet，butthathehadthoughtitrighttomakethemknowntotheDukeassoonastheywereformed。’Thebestfriendsmustpart，Duke，’hesaidashetookhisleave。’Ihopenot，SirOrlando。Ihopenot，’saidtheDuke。ButSirOrlandohadbeentoofullofhimselfandofthewordshehadtospeak，andofthethinghewasabouttodo，tounderstandeithertheDuke’swordsorhissilence。

AndsoSirOrlandoresigned，andthussuppliedtheonlymorselofpoliticalinterestwhichtheSessionproduced。’Takenomorenoticeofhimthanifyourfootmanwasgoing，’hadbeentheadviceoftheoldDuke。OfcoursetherewasaCabinetmeetingontheoccasion，buteventherethecommotionwasveryslight，aseverymemberknewbeforeenteringtheroomwhatitwasthatSirOrlandointendedtodo。LordDrummondsaidthatthestepwasonetobemuchlamented。’Verymuchindeed，’saidtheDukeofStBungay。Hiswordthemselveswerefalseandhypocritical，butthetoneofhisvoicetookawayallthedeceit。’Iamafraid，’saidthePrimeMinister，’fromwhatSirOrlandohassaidtomeprivately，thatwecannothopethathewillchangehismind。’

’ThatIcertainlycannotdo，’saidSirOrlando，withallthedignifiedcourageofamodernmartyr。

Onthenextmorningthepaperswerefullofthepoliticalfact，andwereblessedwithasubjectonwhichtheycouldexercisetheirpropheticalsagacity。TheremarksmadeweregenerallyfavourabletotheGovernment。ThreeorfourofthemorningpaperswereofopinionthatthoughSirOrlandohadbeenastrongman，andagoodpublicservant，theMinistrymightexistwithouthim。ButthePeople’sBannerwasabletoexpoundtothepeopleatlarge，thattheonlygrainofsaltbywhichtheMinistryhadbeenkeptfromputrefactionhadbeencastout，andthatmortification，deathandcorruption，mustensue。ItwasoneofMrQuintusSlide’sgreatestefforts。

CHAPTER39

’GETROUNDHIM。’

FerdinandLopezmaintainedhisangeragainsthiswifeformorethanaweek，afterthesceneatRichmond，feedingitwithreflectionsonwhathecalledherdisobedience。Norwasitamake-believeanger。Shehaddeclaredherintentiontoactinoppositiontohisexpressedorders。Hefeltthathispresentconditionwasprejudicialtohisinterests，andthathemusttakehiswifebackintofavour，inorderthehemightmakeprogresswithherfather，butcouldhardlybringhimselftoswallowhiswrath。Hethoughtitwasherdutytoobeyhimineverything，——

andthatdisobedienceonamattertouchingheroldloverwasanabominableoffence，tobevisitedwithseverestmaritaldispleasure，andwithasuccessionofscowlsthatshouldmakehermiserableforamonthatleast。Noronherbehalfwouldhehavehesitated，thoughthemiserymighthavecontinuedthreemonths。

Butthentheoldmanwasthemainhopeinhislife，andmustbemadeitsmainstay。Brilliantprospectswerebeforehim。HeusedtothinkthatMrWhartonwasahaleman，withsometerriblyvexatioustermofhislifebeforehim。Butnow，nowthathewasseenmoreclosely，heappearedtobeveryold。Hewouldsithalfbentinthearm-chairinStoneBuildings，andlookasthoughhewerenearahundred。Andfromdaytodayheseemedtoleanmoreuponhisson-in-law，whosevisitstohimwerecontinued，andalwayswelltaken。TheconstantsubjectofdiscoursebetweenthemwasEverettWharton，whohadnotyetseenhisfathersincethemisfortuneoftheirquarrel。EveretthaddeclaredtoLopezadozentimesthathewouldgotohisfatherifhisfatherwishedit，andLopezasoftenreportedthefatherthatEverettwouldnotgotohimunlessheexpressedsuchawish。Andsotheyhadbeenkeptapart。Lopezdidnotsupposethattheoldmanwoulddisinherithissonaltogether，——didnot，perhaps，wishit。Buthethoughtthattheconditionoftheoldman’smindwouldaffectthepartitionofhisproperty，andthattheoldmanwouldsurelymakesomenewwillinthepresentstateofhisaffairs。Theoldmanalwaysaskedafterhisdaughter，beggingthatshewouldcometoseehim，andatlastitwasnecessarythataneveningshouldbefixed。’Weshallbedelightedtocometo-dayorto-morrow，’

Lopezsaid。

’Wehadbettersayto-morrow。Therewouldbenothingtoeatto-

day。Thehouseisn’tnowwhatitusedtobe。’ItwasthereforeexpedientthatLopezshoulddrophisangerwhenhegothome，andpreparehiswifetodineinManchesterSquareinaproperframeofmind。

Hermiseryhadbeenextreme——verymuchmorebitterthanhehadimagined。Itwasnotonlythathisdispleasuremadeherlifeforthetimewearisome，androbbedtheonlysocietyshehadofallitscharms。Itwasnotonlythatherheartwaswoundedbyhisanger。Thoseevilsmighthavebeenshort-lived。Butshehadseen，——shecouldnotfailtosee，——thathisconductwasunworthyofherandofherdeeplove。Thoughshestruggledhardagainstthefeeling，shecouldnotbutdespisethemeannessofhisjealousy。SheknewthoroughlywellthattherehadbeennograinofoffenceinthatletterfromArthurFletcher，——andsheknewthatnoman，totrueman，wouldhavetakenoffenceatit。

Shetriedtoquenchherjudgement，andtosilencetheverdictwhichherintellectgaveagainsthim，butherintellectwastoostrongevenforherheart。Shewasbeginningtolearnthatthegodofidolatrywasbutalittlehumancreature，andthatsheshouldnothaveworshippedatsopoorashrine。Butneverthelesstheloveshouldbecontinued，and，ifpossible，theworship，thoughtheidolhadbeenalreadyfoundtohavefeetofclay。Hewasherhusband，andshewouldbetruetohim。Asmorningaftermorningheleftherstillwiththatharsh，unmanlyfrownuponhisface，shewouldlookupathimwithentreatingeyes，andwhenhereturnedwouldreceivehimwithherfondestsmile。Atlengthhe，too，smiled。HecametoafterthatinterviewwithMrWhartonandtoldher，speakingwiththesoftyetincisivevoicewhichsheusedtolovesowell，thattheyweretodineintheSquareonthefollowingday。’Lettherebeanendofallofthis，’hesaid，takingherinhisarmsandkissingher。Ofcourseshedidnottellhimthat’allthis’hadsprungfromhisill-humourandnotfromhers。’IownIhavebeenangry，’hecontinued。’Iwillsaynothingmoreaboutitnow。butthatmandidvexme。’

’Ihavebeensosorrythatyoushouldhavebeenvexed。’

’Well——letitpassaway。Idon’tthinkyourfatherislookingverywell。’

’Heisnotill？’

’Ohno。Hefeelsthelossofyoursociety。Heissomuchalone。

Youmustbemorewithhim。’

’HashenotseenEverettyet？’

’No。Everettisnotbehavingaltogetherwell。’Emilywasmadeunhappybythis，andshowedit。’Heisthebestfellowintheworld。ImaysafelysaythereisnoothermanwhomIregardsowarmlyasIdoyourbrother。Buthetakeswrongideasintohishead，andnothingwillknockthemout。Iwonderwhatyourfatherhasdoneabouthiswill。’

’Ihavenotanidea。NothingyoumaybesurewillmakehimunjusttoEverett。’

’Ah！——Youdon’thappentoknowwhetherheevermadeawill？’

’Notatall。Hewouldbesuretosaynothingtomeaboutit，——

ortoanybody。’

’ThatisthekindofsecrecywhichIthinkiswrong。Itleadstosomuchuncertainty。Youwouldn’tliketoaskhim？’

’No——certainly。’

’Itisastonishingtomehowafraidyouareofyourfather。Hehasn’tanyland，hashe？’

’Land！’

’Realestate。YouknowwhatImean。Hecouldn’twellhavelandedpropertywithoutyourknowingit。’Sheshookherhead。

’Itmightmakeanimmensedifferencetous，youknow。’

’Whyso？’

’Ifheweretodiewithoutawill，anyland，——housesandthatkindofproperty，——wouldgotoEverett。Ineverknewamanwhotoldhischildrensolittle。Iwantyoutounderstandthesethings。YouandIwillbebadlyoffifhedoesn’tdosomethingforus。’

’Youdon’tthinkheisreallyill？’

’No——notill。Menaboveseventyareapttodie，youknow。’

’Oh，Ferdinand，——whatawaytotalkofit！’

’Well，mylove，thethingissoseriouslymatter-of-fact，thatitisbettertolookatitinamatter-of-factway。Idon’twantyourfathertodie。’

’Ihopenot。Ihopenot。’

’ButIshouldbeverygladtolearnwhathemeanstodowhilehelives。Iwanttogetyouintosympathywithmeonthismatter——

butitissodifficult。’

’IndeedIsympathisewithyou。’

’ThetruthisthathehastakenanaversiontoEverett。’

’Godforbid！’

’IamdoingallIcantopreventit。ButifhedoesthrowEverettoverweoughttohaveadvantageofit。Thereisnoharminsayingasmuchasthat。Thinkwhatitshouldbeifheshouldtakeitintohisheadtoleavehismoneytohospitals。MyG。

fancywhatmyconditionwouldbeifIweretohearofsuchawillasthat！Ifhedestroyedtheoldwill。Partlybecausehedidn’tlikeourmarriage，andpartlyinangeragainstEverett，andthendiewithoutmakinganother，thepropertywouldbedivided，——

unlessheboughtland。Youseehowmanydangersthereare。Ohdear！Icanlookforwardandseemyselfmad，——orelsemyselfsoproudlytriumphant！’Allthishorrifiedher，buthedidnotseeherhorror。Heknewthatshedislikedit，butthoughtthatdislikedthetrouble，andthatshedreadedherfather。’NowIdothinkthatyoucouldhelpmealittle，’hecontinued。

’WhatcanIdo？’

’Getroundhimwhenhe’salittledowninthemouth。Thatisthewayinwhicholdmenareconquered。’Howutterlyignoranthewasoftheverynatureofhermindanddisposition！Tobetoldbyherhusbandthatshewasto’getround’herfather！’Youshouldseehimeveryday。Hewouldbedelightedifyouwouldgotohimathischambers。OryoucouldtakecaretobeintheSquarewhenhecomeshome。Idon’tknowwhetherwehadnotbetterleavethisandgoanlivenearhim。Wouldyoumindthat？’

’Iwoulddoanythingyousuggestastolivinganywhere。’

’Butyouwon’tdoanythingIsuggestastoyourfather。’

’Astomybeingwithhim，ifIthoughthewishedit，——thoughI

hadtowalkmyfeetoff，Iwouldgotohim。’

’There’snoneedofhurtingyourfeet。There’sthebrougham。’

’Idosowish，Ferdinand，youwoulddiscontinuethebrougham。I

don’tatallwantit。Idon’tatalldislikecabs。AndIwasonlyjokingaboutwalking。Iwalkverywell。’

’Certainlynot。Youfailaltogethertounderstandmyideasaboutthings。Ifthingsweregoingbadwithus，Iwouldinfinitelyprefergettingapairofhorsesforyoutoputtingdowntheoneyouhave。’Shecertainlydidnotunderstandhisideas。

’Whateverwedowemustholdourheadsup。Ithinkheiscomingroundtocottontome。Heisveryclose，butIcanseethathelikesmygoingtohim。Ofcourse，ashegetsolderfromdaytoday，he’llconstantlywantsomeonetoleanonmorethanheretofore。’

’Iwouldgoandstaywithhimifhewantedme。’

’Ihavethoughtofthattoo。Nowthatwouldbeasaving，——

withoutanyfall。Andifwewereboththerewecouldhardlyfailtoknowwhathewasdoing。Youcouldofferthat，couldn’tyou？

Youcouldsayasmuchasthat？’

’Icouldaskhimifhewishedit。’

’Justso。Saythatitoccurstoyouthatheislonelybyhimself，andthatwewillbothgototheSquareatamoment’snoticeifhethinksitwillmakehimcomfortable。Ifeelsurethatthatwillbethebeststeptotake。Ihavealreadyhadanofferfortheserooms，andcouldgetridofthethingswehaveboughttoadvantage。’

This，too，wasterribletoher，andatthesametimealtogetherunintelligible。Shehadbeeninvitedtobuylittletreasurestomaketheirhomemorecomfortable，andhadalreadylearnedtotakethatdelightinherbelongingswhichisoneofthegreatestpleasuresofayoungmarriedwoman’slife。Agirlinheroldhome，beforesheisgivenuptoahusband，hasmanysourcesofinterest，andprobablyfromdaytodayseesmanypeople。Andthemanjustmarriedgoestohiswork，andoccupieshistime，andhashisthickly-peopledworldaroundhim。Butthebride，whenthebridalhonoursofthehoneymoonareover，whenthesweetcareofthefirstcradlehasnotyetcometoher，isapttobelonelyandtobedriventothecontemplationoftheprettythingswithwhichherhusbandandherfriendshavesurroundedher。Ithadcertainlybeensowiththisyoungbride，whosehusbandleftherinthemorningandonlyreturnedfortheirlatedinner。Andnowshewastoldthatherhouseholdgodshadhadapriceputonthem，andthattheyweretobesold。Shehadintendedtosuggestthatshewouldpayherfatheravisit，andherhusbandimmediatelyproposedthattheyshouldquarterthemselvespermanentlyontheoldman！Shewasreadytogiveupherbrougham，thoughshelikedthecomfortofitwellenough，buttothathewouldnotconsentbecausethepossessionofitgavehimanairofwealth。butwithoutamoment’shesitationhecouldcatchuptheideaofthrowinguponherfathertheburdenofmaintainingbothherandhimself！Sheunderstoodthemeaningofthis。Shecouldreadhismindsofar。Sheendeavourednottoreadthebooktooclosely，——

butthereitwas，openedtoherwiderdaybyday，andsheknewthatthelessonswhichittaughtwerevulgaranddamnable。

Andyetshehadtohidefromhimherownperceptionofhimself！

Shehadtosympathisewithhisdesiresandyetabstainfromdoingthatwhichhisdesiresdemandedfromher。Alas，poorgirl！Shesoonknewthatthemarriagehadbeenamistake。Therewasprobablynoonemomentinwhichshemadetheconfessiontoherself。Buttheconvictionwasthere，inhermind，asthoughtheconfessionhadbeenmade。Thentherewouldcomeuponherunbidden，unwelcomereminiscencesofArthurFletcher，——thoughtsthatshewouldstruggletobanish，accusingherselfofsomeheinouscrimebecausethethoughtswouldcomebacktoher。Sherememberedhislightwavyhair，whichshehadlovedasonewholovesthebeautyofadog，whichhadseemedtoheryoungimagination，toherintheignoranceofherearlyyearstolacksomethingofadreamed-ofmanliness。Sherememberedhiseager，boyish，honestentreatiestoherself，whichtoherhadbeenwithoutthatdignityofasuperiorbeingwhichahusbandshouldpossess。Shebecameawarethatshehadthoughtthelessofhimbecausehehadthoughtmoreofher。Shehadworshippedthisothermanbecausehehadassumedsuperiorityandhadtoldherthathewasbigenoughtobehermaster。Butnow，——nowthatitwasalltoolate，——theveilhadfallenfromhereyes。Shecouldnotseethedifferencebetweenmanlinessand’deportment’。Ah，——

thatsheshouldeverhavebeensoblind，shewhohadgivenherselfcreditforseeingsomuchclearerthantheywhoweretheirelders！Andnow，thoughatlastshedidseeclearly，shecouldnothavetheconsolationoftellinganyonewhatshehadseen。Shemustbearitallinsilence，andlivewithit，andstilllovethisgodofclaythatshehadchosen。And，aboveall，shemustneverallowherselfeventothinkofthatothermanwiththewavylighthair，——thatmanwhowasrisingintheworld，ofwhomallpeoplesaidgoodthings，andwhowasshowinghimselftobeamanbytheworkhedid，andwhosetruetendernessshecouldneverdoubt。

Herfatherwaslefttoher。Shecouldstillloveherfather。Itmightbethatitwouldbebestforhimthatsheshouldgobacktoheroldhome，andtakecareofhisoldage。Ifheshouldwishit，shewouldmakenodifficultyinpartingwiththethingsaroundher。Ofwhatconcernweretheprettinessesoflifetoonewhoseinnersoulwashamperedwithsuchugliness！ItmightbebetterthattheyshouldliveinManchesterSquare，——ifherfatherwishedit。Itwascleartohernowthatherhusbandwasinurgentneedofmoney，thoughofhisaffairs，evenofhiswayofmakingmoney，sheknewnothing。Asthatwasthecase，ofcourseshewouldconsenttoanypracticableretrenchmentwhichhewouldpropose。Andthenshethoughtofothercomingjoysandcomingtroubles，——ofhowinfutureyearsshemighthavetoteachagirlfalselytobelievethatherfatherwasagoodman，andtotrainaboytohonestpurposeswhateverparentallessonsmightcomefromtheotherside。

Butthemistakeshehadmadewasacknowledged。Themanwhocouldenjoinherto’getround’herfathercouldneverhavebeenworthyoftheloveshehadgivenhim。

CHAPTER40

’COMEANDTRYIT。’

Thehusbandwasalmostjovialwhenhecamehomejustintimetotakehisyoungwifetodinewiththeirfather。’I’vehadsuchadayinthecity，’hesaid，laughing。’IwishIcouldintroduceyoutomyfriend，MrSextusParker。’

’Cannotyoudoso？’

’Well，no。notexactly。Ofcourseyou’dlikehim，becauseheissuchawonderfulcharacter，buthe’dhardlydoforyourdrawing-

room。He’sthevulgarestlittlecreatureyoueverputyoureyeson。andyetinacertainwayheismypartner。’

’ThenIsupposeyoutrusthim？’

’IndeedIdon’t——butImakehimuseful。PoorlittleSexty！I

dotrusthimtoadegree，becausehebelievesinmeandthinkshecandobestbystickingtome。Theoldsayingofhonouramongthievesisn’twithoutadashoftruthinit。Whentwomenareinaboattogether，theymustbetruetoeachother，elseneitherwillgettotheshore。’

’Youdon’tattributehighmotivestoyourfriend。’

’I’mafraidtherearenotverymanyhighmotivesintheworld，mygirl，especiallyinthecity——noryetatWestminster。Itcanhardlybefromhighmotiveswhenalotofmen，thinkingdifferentlyoneverypossiblesubject，cometogetherforthesakeofpayandpower。Idon’tknowwhether，afterall，SextusParkermayn’thaveashighmotivesastheDukeofOmnium。Idon’tsupposeanyoneeverhadlowermotivesthantheDuchesswhenshechiselledmeaboutSilverbridge。Nevermind，——it’llallbeoneahundredyearshence。Getready，forIwantyoutobewithyourfatheralittlebeforedinner。’

Then，whentheywereinthebroughamtogether，hebeganacourseofveryplaininstructions。’Lookhere，dear，youhadbettergethimtotalktoyoubeforedinner。IdaresayMrsRobywillbethere，andIwillgetherononeside。Atanyrateyoucanmanageit，becauseweshallbeearly，andI’lltakeupabookwhileyouaretalkingtohim。’

’Whatdoyouwishmetosaytohim，Ferdinand？’

’Ihavebeenthinkingofyourownproposal，andIamquitesurethatwehadbetterjoinhimintheSquare。Thethingis，Iaminalittlemessabouttherooms，andcan’tstayonwithoutpayingverydearlyforthem。’

’Ithoughtyouhadpaidforthem。’

’Well——yes。inonesenseIhad，butyoudon’tunderstandaboutbusiness。Youhadbetternotinterruptmenow，asIhavegotagooddealtosaybeforewegettotheSquare。Itwillsuitmetogiveuptherooms。Idon’tlikethem，andtheyareverydear。

Asyouyourselfsaid，itwillbeacapitalthingforustogoandlivewithyourfather。’

’Imeantonlyforavisit。’

’Itwillbeforavisit——andwe’llmakeitalongvisit。’Itwasoddthatthemanshouldhavebeensodevoidofrightfeelinghimselfasnottohaveknownthattheideaswhichheexpressedwererevolting！’Youcansoundhim。Beginbysayingthatyouareafraidheisdesolate。Hetoldmehimselfthathewasdesolate，andyoucanrefertothat。Thentellhimthatwearebothofuspreparedtodoanythingthatwecantorelievehim。

Putyourarmoverhim，andkisshim，andallthatsortofthing。’

Sheshrunkfromhimintothecornerofthebrougham，andyethedidnotperceiveit。’Thensaythatyouthinkhewouldbehappierifweweretojoinhimhereforatime。Youcanmakehimunderstandthattherewouldbenodifficultyabouttheapartments。Butdon’tsayitallinasetspeech，asthoughitwereprepared，——thoughofcourseyoucanlethimknowthatyouhavesuggestedittome，andthatIamwilling。Besuretolethimunderstandthattheideabeganwithyou。’

’Butitdidnot。’

’Youproposedtogoandstaywithhim。Tellhimjustthat。Andyoushouldexplaintohimthathecandineattheclubjustasmuchashelikes。Whenyouwerealonewithhimhere，ofcourse，hehadtocomehome，butheneedn’tdothatnowunlesshechooses。Ofcoursethebroughamwouldbemyaffair。Andifheshouldsayanythingaboutsharingthehouseexpenses，youcantellhimthatIwoulddoanythinghemightpropose。’Herfathertosharethehouseholdexpensesinhisownhouse，andwithhisownchildren！’Yousayasmuchasyoucanofallthisbeforedinner，sothatwhenwearesittingbelowhemaysuggestitifhepleases。Itwouldsuitmetogetintherenextweekifpossible。’

Andsoonelessonhadbeengiven。Shehadsaidlittleornothinginreply，andhehadonlyfinishedastheyenteredtheSquare。

Shehadhardlyaminuteallowedhertothinkhowfarshemightfollow，andinwhatshemustignore，herhusband’sinstructions。

Ifshemightuseherownjudgement，shewouldtellherfatheratoncethataresidenceforatimebeneathhisroofwouldbeofservicetothempecuniarily。Butthisshemightnotdo。Sheunderstoodthatherdutytoherhusbanddidforbidhertoproclaimhispovertyinoppositiontohiswishes。Shewouldtellnothingthathedidnotwishhertotell，——butmakethesuggestionabouttheirchangeofresidence，andwouldmakeitwithproperaffection——butasregardedthemselvesshewouldsimplysaythatitwouldsuittheirviewstogiveuptheirroomsifitsuitedthem。

MrWhartonwasallalonewhentheyenteredthedrawing-room，——

butasMrLopezhadsurmised，hadaskedhissister-in-lawroundthecornertocometodinner。’Robyalwayslikesanexcusetogettohisclub，’saidtheoldman，’andHarrietlikesanexcusetogoanywhere。’ItwasnotlongbeforeLopezbegantoplayhispartbyseatinghimselfclosetotheopenwindowandlookingoutintotheSquare。andEmilywhenshefoundherselfclosetoherfather，withherhandinhis，couldhardlydivestherselfofafeelingthatshealsowasplayingherpart。’Iseesoverylittleofyou，’saidtheoldmanplaintively。

’I’dcomeoftenerifIthoughtyou’dlikeit。’

’Itisn’tliking，mydear。Ofcourseyouhavetolivewithyourhusband。Isn’titsadaboutEverett？’

’Verysad。ButEveretthasn’tlivedhereforeversolong。’

’Idon’tknowwhyheshouldn’t。Hewasafooltogoawaywhenhedid。Doeshegotoyou？’

’Yes——sometimes。’

’Andwhatdoeshesay？’

’I’msurehewouldbewithyouatonceifyouwouldaskhim。’

’Ihaveaskedhim。I’vesentwordbyLopezoverandoveragain。

IfhemeansthatIamtowritetohimandsaythatI’msorryforoffendinghim，Iwon’t。Don’ttalkofhimanymore。ItmakesmesoangrythatIsometimesfeelinclinedtodothingswhichIknowIshouldrepentwhendying。’

’NotanythingtoinjureEverett，papa？’

’IwonderwhetherheeverthinksthatIamanoldmanandallalone，andthathisbrother-in-lawisdailywithme。Buthe’safool，andthinksofnothing。Iknowitisverysadbeingherenightafternightbymyself。’MrWhartonforgot，nodoubt，atthemoment，thathepassedthemajorityofhiseveningsattheEldon，——thoughhadhebeenremindedofit，hemighthavedeclaredwithperfecttruththatthedelightsofhisclubwerenotsatisfactory。

’Papa，’saidEmily，’wouldyoulikeustocomeandlivehere？’

’What，——youandLopez——hereintheSquare？’

’Yes，——foratime。HeisthinkingofgivinguptheplaceinBelgraveMansions。’

’Ithoughthehadthemfor，——foreversomanymonths。’

’Hedoesnotlikethem，andtheyareexpensive，andhecangivethemup。Ifyouwouldwishit，wewouldcomehere，——foratime。’

Heturnedroundandlookedatheralmostsuspiciously。andshe，——

sheblushedassherememberedhowaccuratelyshewasobeyingherhusband’sorders。’Itwouldbesuchajoytometobenearyouagain。’

Therewassomethinginhervoicewhichinstantlyreassuredhim。

’Well。’hesaid，’comeandtryitifitwillsuithim。Thehouseisbigenough。Itwilleasehispocketandbeacomforttome。Comeandtryit。’

Itastonishedherthatthethingshouldbedonesoeasily。Herewasallthatherhusbandhadproposedtoarrangebydeepdiplomacysettledinthreewords。Andyetshefeltashamedofherself，——asthoughshehadtakenherfatherin。Thatterriblebehestto’getroundhim’stillgratedonherears。Hadshegotroundhim？Hadshecheatedhimintothis？

’Papa，’shesaid，’donotdothisunlessyoufeelsurethatyouwilllikeit。’

’Howisanybodytofeelsureofanything，mydear？’

’Butifyoudoubt，donotdoit。’

’Ifeelsureofonething，thatisthatitwillbeagreatsavingtoyourhusband，andIamnearlysurethatoughtnottobeamatterofindifferencetohim。Thereisplentyofroomhere，anditwillatanyratebeacomforttometoseeyousometimes。’

JustatthismomentMrsRobycamein，andtheoldmanbegantotellhisnewsaloud。’Emilyhasnotgoneawayforlong。She’scomingbacklikeabadshilling。’

’NottoliveintheSquare？’saidMrsRoby，lookingroundatLopez。

’Whynot？There’sroomhereforthem，anditwillbejustaswelltosaveexpense。Whenwillyoucome，mydear？’

’Wheneverthehousemaybeready，papa。’

’It’sreadynow。YououghttoknowthatIamnotgoingtorefurnishtheroomsforyou，oranythingofthatkind。Lopezcancomeinanhanguphishatwheneveritpleaseshim。’

DuringthistimeLopezhadhardlyknownhowtospeakorwhattosay。Hehadbeenveryanxiousthathiswifeshouldpavethewayashewouldhavecalledit。Hehadbeenurgentwithhertobreaktheicetoherfather。Butithadnotoccurredtohimthatthematterwouldbesettledwithoutanyreferencetohimself。Ofcoursehehadheardeverywordthathadbeenspoken，andwasawarethathisownpovertyhadbeensuggestedasthecauseforsuchaproceeding。Itwasagreatthingforhimineveryway。

Hewouldlivefornothing，andwouldalsohavealmostunlimitedpowerofbeingwithMrWhartonasoldagegrewonhim。Thisreadycompliancewithhiswisheswasabenefitfartooprecioustobelost。Butyethefeltthathisowndignityrequiredsomereferencetohimself。Itwasdistastefultohimthathisfather-

in-lawshouldregardhim，——or，atanyrate，thatheshouldspeakofhim，——asapauper，unabletoprovideahomeforhisownwife。

’Emily’snotioninsuggestingit，sir，’hesaid，’hasbeenhercareforhercomfort。’Thebarristerturnedroundandlookedathim，andLopezdidnotquitelikethelook。’Itwasshethoughtofitfirst，andshecertainlyhadnootherideathanthat。Whenshementionedittome，Iwasdelightedtoagree。’

Emilyhearditallandblushed。Itwasnotabsolutelyuntrueinwords，——thisassertionofherhusband’s，——butaltogetherfalseinspirit。Andyetshecouldnotcontradicthim。’Idon’tseewhyitshouldnotdoverywellindeed，’saidMrsRoby。

’Ihopeitmay，’saidthebarrister。’Come，Emily，Imusttakeyoudowntodinnerto-day。Youarenotathomeyet，youknow。

Asyouaretocome，thesoonerthebetter。’

Duringdinnernotawordwassaidonthesubject。Lopezexertedhimselftobepleasant，andtoldallthathehadheardastothedifficultiesoftheCabinet。SirOrlandohadresigned，andthegeneralopinionwasthattheCoalitionwasgoingtopieces。HadMrWhartonseenthelastarticleinthePeople’sBannerabouttheDuke？LopezwasstronglyoftheopinionthatMrWhartonoughttoseethatarticle。’IneverhadthePeople’sBannerwithinmyfingersinmylife，’saidthebarristerangrily，’andI

certainlyneverwill。’

’Ah，sir。thisisanexception。Youshallseethis。WhenSlidereallymeanstocutafellowup，hecandoit。There’snoonelikehim。AndtheDukehasdeservedit。He’sapoor，vacillatingcreature，ledbytheDuchess。andshe，——accordingtoallthatonehears，——sheisn’tmuchbetterthansheshouldbe。’

’IthoughttheDuchesswasagreatfriendofyours。’

’Idon’tcaremuchforsuchfriendship。Shethrewmeovermostshamefully。’

’Andthereforeyouarejustifiedintakingawayhercharacter。I

neversawtheDuchessofOmniuminmylife，andshouldprobablybeveryuncomfortableifIfoundmyselfinhersociety。butI

believehertobeagoodwomaninherway。’Emilysatperfectlysilent，knowingthatherhusbandhadbeenrebuked，butfeelingthathehaddeservedit。He，however，wasnotabashed。butchangedtheconversation，dashingintocityrumours，andlegalreforms。Theoldmanfromtimetotimesaidsharplittlethings，showingthathisintellectwasnotsenile，allofwhichhisson-

in-lawboreimperturbably。Itwasnotthathelikedit，orwasindifferent，butthatheknewhecouldnotgetthegoodthingswhichMrWhartoncoulddoforhimwithoutmakingsomekindofpayment。Hemusttakethesharpwordsoftheoldman，——andtakeallthathecouldgetbesides。

Whenthetwomenwerealonetogetherafterdinner，MrWhartonusedadifferenttone。’Ifyouaretocome，’hesaid，’youmightaswelldoitassoonaspossible。’

’Adayortwowillbeenoughforus。’

’Thereareoneortwothingsyoushouldunderstand。Ishallbeveryhappytoseeyourfriendsatanytime，butIshallliketoknowwhentheyarecomingbeforetheycome。’

’Ofcourse，sir。’

’Idineoutagooddeal。’

’Attheclub，’suggestedLopez。

’Well——atthecluborelsewhere。Itdoesn’tmatter。TherewillalwaysbedinnerforyouandEmily，justasthoughIwereathome。Isaythis，sothatthereneedbenoquestioning’sordoubtsaboutithereafter。Anddon’tletthereeverbeanyquestionofmoneybetweenus。’

’Certainlynot。’

’Everetthasanallowance，andthiswillbetantamounttoanallowancetoEmily。Youhavealsohad3，500pounds。Ihopeithasbeenwellexpended——exceptthe500poundsatthatelection，whichhas，ofcourse，beenthrownaway。’

’Theotherwasbroughtintothebusiness。’

’Idon’tknowwhatthebusinessis。ButyouandEmilymustunderstandthatthemoneyhasbeengivenasherfortune。’

’Oh，quiteso——partofit，youmean。’

’ImeanjustwhatIsay。’

’Icallitpartofit，because，asyouobservedjustnow，ourlivingherewillbethesameasthoughmadeEmilyanallowance。’

’Ah——well。youcanlookatitinthatlight，ifyouplease。

Johnhasthekeytothecellar。He’samanIcantrust。AsaruleIhaveporthadsherryattableeveryday。Ifyoulikeclaret，IwillgetsomealittlecheaperthanwhatIusewhenfriendsarehere。’

’WhatwineIhaveisindifferenttome。’

’Ilikeitgood，andIhaveitgood。Ialwaysbreakfastat9。30。

Youcanhaveyoursearlierifyouplease。Idon’tknowthatthere’sanythingelsetobesaid。Ihopeweshallgetintothewayofunderstandingeachother，andbeingmutuallycomfortable。

ShallwegoupstairstoEmilyandMrsRoby？’AndsoitwasdeterminedthatEmilywastocomebacktoheroldhouseabouteightmonthsafterhermarriage。

MrWhartonhimselfsatlateintothenightallalone，thinkingaboutit。Whathadhedone，hehaddoneinamoroseway，andhewasawarethatitwasso。Hehadnotbeamedwithsmiles，andopenedhisarmslovingly，and，biddingGodblesshisdearestchildren，toldthemthatiftheywouldonlycomeandsitroundhishearthheshouldbethehappiestoldmaninLondon。Hehadsaidlittleornothingofhisownaffectionevenforhisdaughter，buthadspokenofthematterasonewhichthepecuniaryaspectalonewasimportant。HehadfoundoutthatthesavingsoeffectedwouldbematerialtoLopez，andhadresolvedthatthereshouldbenoshirkingofthetruthinwhathewaspreparedtodo。

Hehadbeenalmostaskedtotaketheyoungmarriedcouplein，andfeedthem，——sothattheymightlivefreeofexpense。Hewaswillingtodoit，——butwasnotwillingthatthereshouldbeanysoft-worded，high-tonedfalsepretension。HealmostreadLopeztothebottom，——not，howevergivingthemancreditfordishonestysodeeporclevernesssogreatashepossessed。ButasregardedEmily，hewassoactuatedbyapersonaldesiretohaveherbackagainasanelementofhappinesstohimself。Hehadpinedforhersincehehadbeenleftalone，hardlyknowingwhatitwasthathehadwanted。Andhowashethoughtofitall，hewasangrywithhimselfthathehadnotbeenmorelovingandsofterinhismannertoher。Sheatanyratewashonest。Nodoubtofthatcrossedhismind。Andnowhehadbeenbittertoher，——bitterinhismanner，——simplybecausehehadnotwishedtoappeartohavebeentakeninbyherhusband。Thinkingofallthis，hegotup，andwenttohisdesk，andwroteheranote，whichshewouldreceiveonthefollowingmorningafterherhusbandhadlefther。Itwasveryshort。

DEARESTE。

Iamsooverjoyedthatyouarecomingbacktome。

A。W。

Hehadjudgedherquiterightly。Themannerinwhichthethinghadbeenarrangedhadmadeherverywretched。Therehadbeennoloveinit——nothingapparentlybutassertionsontheonesidethatmuchwasbeinggiven，andontheotheracknowledgmentsthatmuchwastobereceived。Shewasawarethatinthisherfatherhadcondemnedherhusband。Shealsohadcondemnedhim——andfelt，alas，thatshealsohadbeencondemned。Butthislittlelettertookawaythatsting。Shecouldreadintoherfather’snotealltheactionofhismind。Hehadknownthathewasboundtoacquither，andhehaddonesowithoneoftheoldlong-valuedexpressionsofhislove。

VOLUMEIII

CHAPTER41

THEVALUEOFATHICKSKIN。

SirOrlandoDroughtmusthavefeltbitterlythequiescencewithwhichhesankintoobscurityonthesecondbenchontheoppositesideoftheHouse。Onegreatoccasionhehadonwhichitwashisprivilegetoexplaintofourorfivehundredgentlementheinsuperablereasonswhichcausedhimtobreakawayfromthoserighthonourablefriendstoactwithwhomhadbeenhiscomfortandhisduty，hisgreatjoyandhisunalloyedsatisfaction。Thenheoccupiedthebestpartofanhourinabusingthosefriendsandalltheirmeasures。Thisnodoubthadbeenapleasure，aspracticehadmadethemanipulationofwordseasytohim，——andhewasabletorevealinthatabsenceofresponsibilitywhichmustbeasafreshperfumedbathtoaministerjustfreedfromthetrammelsofoffice。ButthepleasurewassurelyfollowedbymuchsufferingwhenMrMonk，——MrMonkwastoassumehisplaceasLeaderoftheHouse，——onlytookfiveminutestoanswerhim，sayingthatheandhiscolleaguesregrettedmuchthelossoftheRightHonourableBaronet’sservices，butthatitwouldhardlybenecessaryforhimtodefendtheMinistryonallthosepointsonwhichithadbeenattacked，as，werehetodoso，hewouldhavetorepeattheargumentsbywhicheverymeasurebroughtforwardbythepresentMinistryhadbeensupported。ThenMrMonksatdown，andthebusinessoftheHousewentonjustasifSirOrlandohadnotmovedhisseatatall。

’Whatmakeseverybodyandeverythingsodead？’saidSirOrlandotohisoldfriendMrBoffinastheywalkedhometogetherfromtheHousethatnight。Theyhadinformerdaysbeenstaunchfriends，sittingnightafternightclosetogether，unitedinopposition，andsometimesafewhalcyonmonthsinthehappierbondsofoffice。ButwhenSirOrlandohadjoinedtheCoalition，andwhenthesternerspiritofMrBoffinhadpreferredprinciplestoplace，——tousethelanguageinwhichhewaswonttospeaktohimselfandtohiswifeandfamilyofhisownabnegation，——therehadcomeacoolnessbetweenthem。MrBoffin，whowasnotarichman，norbyanymeansindifferenttothecomfortsofoffice，hadfeltkeenlytheinjurydonetohimwhenhewaslefthopelesslyinthecoldbythedesertionofhisoldfriends。Ithadcometopassthattherehadbeennosaltleftintheopposition。MrBoffininallhisparliamentaryexperiencehadknownnothinglikeit。MrBoffinhadbeensurethatBritishhonourwasgoingtothedogsandthatBritishgreatnesswasatanend。ButthesecessionofSirOrlandogavealittlefilliptohislife。Atanyratehecouldwalkhomewithhisoldfriendandtalkofthehorrorsofthepresentday。

’Well，Drought，ifyouaskme，youknow，IcanonlyspeakasI

feel。Everythingmustbedeadwhenmenholdingdifferentopinionsoneverysubjectunderthesuncometogetherinorderthattheymaycarryonagovernmentastheywouldatradebusiness。Theworkmaybedone，butitmustbedonewithoutspirit。’

’Butitmaybeallimportantthattheworkshouldbedone，’saidtheBaronet，apologizingforhispastmisconduct。

’Nodoubt，——andIamveryfarfromjudgingthosewhomaketheattempt。Ithasbeenmademorethanoncebefore，andhas，I

think，alwaysfailed。Idon’tbelieveinitmyself，andIthinkthatthedeath-liketorporofwhichyouspeakisoneofitsworstconsequences。’AfterthatMrBoffinadmittedSirOrlandobackintohisheartofhearts。

ThentheendoftheSessioncame，veryquietlyandveryearly。

BytheendofJulytherewasnothinglefttobedone，andtheworldofLondonwasallowedtogodownintothecountryalmostafortnightbeforeitsusualtime。

Withmanymen，bothinandoutofParliament，itbecameaquestionwhetherallthiswasforgoodorevil。TheBoffiniteshadofcoursemuchtosayforthemselves。Everythingwastorpid。

Therewasnointerestinthenewspapers，——exceptwhenMrSlidetookthetomahawkintohishands。AmemberofParliamentthisSessionhadnotbeenbyhalfsomuchbiggerthananothermanasintimesofhotpoliticalwarfare。Oneofthemostmovingsourcesofournationalexcitementseemedtohavevanishedfromlife。Weallknowwhathappenstostagnantwaters。SosaidtheBoffinites，andsoalsonowsaidSirOrlando。ButtheGovernmentwascarriedonandthecountrywasprosperous。Afewusefulmeasureshadbeenpassedbyunambitiousmen，andtheDukeofStBungaydeclaredthathehadneverknownaSessionofParliamentmorethoroughlysatisfactorytotheministers。

ButtheoldDukeinsosayinghadspokenasitwerehispublicopinion，——giving，trulyenough，toafewofhiscolleagues，suchasLordDrummond，SirGregoryGrogramandothers，theresultsofhisgeneralexperience，butinhisownbosomandwithaprivatefriendhewascompelledtoconfessthattherewasacloudintheheavens。ThePrimeMinisterhadbecomesomoody，soirritable，andsounhappy，thattheoldDukewasforcedtodoubtwhetherthingscouldgoonmuchlongerastheywere。HewaswonttotalkofthesethingstohisfriendLordCantrip，whowasnotamemberoftheGovernment，butwhohadbeenacolleagueofboththeDukes，andwhomtheoldDukeregardedwithpeculiarconfidence。

’Icannotexplainittoyou，’hesaidtoLordCantrip。’Thereisnothingthatoughttogivehimamoment’suneasiness。Sincehetookofficetherehasn’toncebeenamajorityagainsthimineitherHouseonanyquestionthattheGovernmenthasmadeonitsown。Idon’tremembersuchastateofthings，——soeasyforthePrimeMinister，——sincethedaysofLordLiverpool。Hehadonethorninhisside，ourfriendwhowasattheAdmiralty，andthatthornlikeotherthornshasworkeditselfout。YetatthismomentitisimpossibletogethimtoconsenttothenominationofasuccessortoSirOrlando。’ThiswassaidaweekbeforetheSessionhadclosed。

’Isupposeitishishealth，’saidLordCantrip。

’He’swellenoughasfarasIcansee——thoughhewillbeillunlesshecanrelievehimselffromthestrainofhisnerves。’

’Doyoumeanbyresigning？’

’Notnecessarily。Thefaultisthathetakesthingstooseriously。Ifhecouldbegottobelievethathemighteat，andsleep，andgotobed，andamusehimselflikeothermen，hemightbeaverygoodPrimeMinister。Heisovertroubledbyhisconscience。IhaveseenagoodmanyPrimeMinisters，Cantrip，andI’vetaughtmyselftothinkthattheyarenotverydifferentfromothermen。OnewantsinaPrimeMinisteragoodmanythings，butnotverygreatthings。Heshouldbecleverbutneednotbeagenius。heshouldbeconscientiousbutbynomeansstrait-laced。heshouldbecautiousbutnevertimid，boldbutneverventuresome。heshouldhaveagooddigestion，genialmanners，and，aboveall，athickskin。Thesearethegiftswewant，butwecan’talwaysgetthem，andhavetodowithoutthem。