第15章

Shehadbroughtallthismiseryonherselfandonherfatherbecauseshehadbeenobstinateinthinkingshecouldwithcertaintyreadalover’scharacter。Asforlove，——thatofcoursehaddiedawayinherheart，——imperceptibly，though，alas，soquickly！Itwasimpossiblethatshecouldcontinuetoloveamanwhofromdaytodaywasteachinghermeanlessons，andwhowaseverdoingmeanthings，themeannessofwhichwassolittleapparenttohimselfthathedidnotscrupletodivulgethemtoher。Howcouldsheloveamanwhowouldmakenosacrificeeithertohercomfortorherpride，orherconscience？Butstillshemightobeyhim，——ifshecouldfeelsurethatobediencetohimwasaduty。Coulditbeadutytosinagainstherfather’swishes，andtoassistinprofaninghishouseandabusinghishospitalityafterthisfashion？ThenhermindagainwentbacktothetroublesofMrsParker，andherabsoluteinefficiencyinthatmatter。Itseemedtoherthatshehadgivenherselfoverbodyandsoulandmindtosomeevilgenius，andthattherewasnoescape。

’Ofcoursewe’llcome，’saidMrsRobyhadsaidtoherwhenshewentroundthecornerintoBerkeleyStreetearlyintheday。

’Lopezspoketomeaboutitbefore。’

’Whatwillpapasayaboutit，AuntHarriet？’

’IsupposeheandLopezunderstandeachother。’

’Idonotthinkpapawillunderstandthis。’

’IamsureMrWhartonwouldnotlendhishousetohisson-in-lawandthenobjecttothemanhehadlentittoaskingafriendtodinewithhim。AndIamsurethatMrLopezwouldnotconsenttooccupyahouseonthoseterms。Ifyoudon’tlikeit，ofcoursewewon’tcome。’

’Praydonotsaythat。Astheseotherwomenaretocome，praydonotdesertme。ButIcannotsayIthinkitisright。’MrsDick，however，onlylaughedatherscruples。

InthecourseoftheeveningEmilygotlettersaddressedtoherself，fromLadyEustaceandMrsLeslie，informingherthattheywouldhaveverymuchpleasureindiningwithheronthedaynamed。AndLadyEustacewentontosay，withmuchpleasantry，thatshealwaysregardedlittleparties，gotupwithoutanyceremony，asbeingthepleasantest，andthatsheshouldcomeonthisoccasionwithoutanyceremonialobservance。ThenEmilywasawarethatherhusbandhadnotonlywrittenthenotesinhername，buthadputintohermouthsomestudiedapologyastotheshortnessoftheinvitation。Well！Shewastheman’swife，andshesupposedthathewasentitledtoputanywordsthathepleaseintohermouth。

CHAPTER48

’HASHEILL-TREATEDYOU？’

Lopezrelievedhiswifefromallcareastoprovisionforhisguests。’I’vebeentoashopinWigmoreStreet，’hesaid，’andeverythingwillbedone。They’llsendinacooktomakethethingshot，andyourfatherwon’thavetopayevenforacrustofbread。’

’Papadoesn’tmindpayingforanything，’shesaidinherindignation。

’Itisallveryprettyforyoutosayso，butmyexperienceofhimgoesjusttheotherway。Atanyratetherewillbenothingtobepaidfor。StewamandSugarscrapswillsendineverything，ifyou’llonlytelltheoldfogiesdownstairsnottointerfere。’

Thenshemadealittlerequest。MightsheaskEverettwhowasnowintown？’I’vealreadygotMajorPountneyandCaptainGunner，’hesaid。Shepleadedthatonemorewouldmakenodifference。’Butthat’sjustwhatonemorealwaysdoes。Itdestroyseverything，andturnsaprettylittledinnerintoanawkwardfeed。Wewon’thavehimthistime。Pountney’lltakeyou，andI’lltakeherladyship。DickwilltakeMrsLeslie，andGunnerwillhaveAuntHarriet。Dickwillsitoppositetome，andthefourladieswillsitatthefourcorners。Weshallbeverypleasant，butonemorewouldspoilus。’

Shedidspeaktothe’oldfogies’downstairs，——thehousekeeper，whohadlivedwithherfathersinceshewasachild，andthebutler，whohadbeentherestilllonger，andthecook，who，havingbeeninherplaceonlythreeyears，resignedimpetuouslywithinhalfanhouraftertheadventofMrSugarscaps’headman。

The’fogies’wereindignant。Thebutlerexpressedhisintentionoflockinghimselfupinhisownpeculiarpantry，andthehousekeepertookituponherselftotellheryoungmistressthat’Masterwouldn’tlikeit’。SinceshehadknownMrWhartonsuchathingascookedfoodbeingsentintothehousefromashophadneverbeensomuchasheardof。Emily，whohadhithertobeenregardedinthehouseasaratherstrong-mindedyoungwoman，couldonlybreakdownandweep。Why，ohwhy，hadsheconsentedtobringherselfandhermiseryintoherfather’shouse？Shecouldatanyratehavepreventedthatbyexplainingtoherfathertheunfitnessofsuchanarrangement。

The’party’came。TherewasMajorPountney，veryfine，ratherloud，veryintimatewiththehost，whomononeoccasionhadcalled’Ferdy，myboy’，andveryfullofabuseoftheDukeandDuchessofOmnium。’AndyetshewasagoodcreaturewhenIknewher’，saidLadyEustace。PountneysuggestedthattheDuchesshadnotthentakenuppolitics。’I’vegotoutofherway，’saidLadyEustace，’sinceshedidthat。’AndtherewasCaptainGunner，whodefendedtheDuchess，butwhoacknowledgedthattheDukewasthe’mostconsumedlystuckupcoxcomb’thenexisting。’Andthemostdishonest’，saidLopez，whohadtoldhisnewfriendsnothingabouttherepaymentoftheelectionexpenses。AndDickwasthere。Helikedtheselittleparties，inwhichagooddealofwinecouldbedrunk，andatwhichladieswerenotsupposedtobeverystiff。TheMajorandtheCaptain，andMrsLeslieandLadyEustace，weresuchpeopleasheliked，——allwithinthepale，buthavingapiquantrelishoffastnessandimpropriety。Dickwaswonttodeclarethathehatedtheworldinbuckram。AuntHarrietwastriumphantinamannerwhichdisgustedEmily，andwhichshethoughttobemostdisrespectfultoherfather——butintruthAuntHarriettdidnotnowcareverymuchforMrWharton，preferringthefriendshipofMrWharton’sson-in-law。MrsLesliecameingorgeousclothes，which，asshewasknowntobeverypoor，andtohaveattachedherselflatelywithalmostmorethanfeminineaffectiontoLadyEustace，wereatanyrateopentosuspiciouscavil。InformerdaysMrsLesliehadtakenuponherselftosaybitterthingsaboutMrLopez，whichEmilycouldnowhaverepeated，tothatlady’sdiscomfiture，hadsuchamodeofrevengesuitedherdisposition。WithMrsLeslietherewasLadyEustace，prettyasever，andsharpandwitty，withtheoldpassionforsomeexcitement，theoldpronenesstopretendtotrusteverybody，andtheoldcapacityfortrustingnobody。

FerdinandLopezhadlatelybeenatherfeet，andhadfiredherimaginationwithstoriesofthegrandthingstobedoneintrade。

Ladiesdoit？Yes。whynotwomenaswellasmen？Anyonemightdoitwhohadmoneyinhispocketandexperiencetotellhimortotellher，whattobuyandwhattosell。Andtheexperience，luckily，mightbevicarious。AtthepresentmomenthalfthejewelsworninLondonwere，——ifFerdinandLopezknewanythingaboutit，——boughtfromtheproceedsofsuchcommerce。Ofcoursethereweremisfortunes。ButthesecamefromawantofthatexperiencewhichFerdinandLopezpossessed，andwhichhewasquitewillingtoplaceattheserviceofonewhomheadmiredsothoroughlyashedidLadyEustace。LadyEustacehadbeencharmed，hadseenherwayintoanewandmostdelightfullife，——

buthadnotyetputanyofhermoneyintothehandsofFerdinandLopez。

Icannotsaythatthedinnerwasgood。ItmaybeadoubtwhethersuchtradesmenasMessrsStewamandSugarscrapsdoeverproducegoodfood——orwhether，withallthewillintheworldtodoso，sucharesultiswithintheirpower。Itiscertain，Ithink，thatthehumblestmuttonchopisbettereatingthanany’Supremeofchickenaftermartialmanner’，——asIhaveseenthedishnamedinaFrenchbilloffare，translatedbyaFrenchpastrycookforthebenefitofhisEnglishcustomers，——whensentinfromMessrsStewamandSugarscrapsevenwiththeirbestexertions。Norcanitbesaidthatthewinewasgood，thoughMrSugarscraps，whenhecontractedforthewholeentertainment，waseagerinhisassurancethatheprocuredtheverybestthatLondoncouldproduce。Buttheoutsidelookofthethingswashandsome，andthereweremanydishes，andenoughservantstohandthem，andthewines，ifnotgood，werevarious。ProbablyPountneyandGunnerdidnotknowgoodwines。Robydid，butwascontentedonthisoccasiontodrinkthembad。Andeverythingwentpleasantly，withperhapsalittletoomuchnoise——everythingexceptthehostess，whowasallowedbygeneralconsenttobesadandsilent，——tilltherecamealouddouble-rapatthedoor。

’There’spapa，’saidEmily，jumpingupfromherseat。

MrsDicklookedatLopez，andsawataglanceforamomenthiscouragehadfailedhim。Butherecoveredhimselfquickly。

’Hadn’tyoubetterkeepyourseat，mydear？’hesaidtohiswife。

’TheservantswillattendtoMrWharton，andIwillgotohimpresently。’

’Oh，no，’saidEmily，whobythistimewasalmostatthedoor。

’Youdidn’texpecthim，——didyou？’askedDickRoby。

’Nobodyknewwhenhewascoming。IthinkhetoldEmilythathemightbehereanyday。’

’He’sthemostuncertainmanalive，’saidMrsDick，whowasagooddealscaredbythearrival，thoughdeterminedtoholdupherheadandexhibitnofear。

’Isupposetheoldgentlemanwillcomeandhavesomedinner，’

whisperedCaptainGunnertohisneighbourMrsLeslie。

’NotifheknowsI’mhere，’repliedMrsLeslie，tittering。’HethinksthatIam，——oh，somethingagreatdealworsethanIcantellyou。’

’Ishegiventobecross？’askedLadyEustace，alsoaffectingtowhisper。

’Neversawhiminmylife，’answeredthemajor，’butIshouldn’twonderifhewas。Oldgentlemengenerallyarecross。Gout，andthatkindofthing，youknow。’

Foraminuteortwotheservantsstoppedintheirministrations，andthingswereveryuncomfortable。butLopez，assoonashehadrecoveredhimself，directedMrSugarscraps’mentoproceedwiththebanquet。’Wecaneatourdinner，Isuppose，thoughmyfather-in-lawhascomeback，’hesaid。’Iwishmywifewasnotsofussy，thoughthatisthekindofthing，LadyEustace，thatonemustexpectfromyoungwives。’Thebanquetdidgoon，butthefeelingwasgeneralthatamisfortunehadcomeuponthem，andthatsomethingdreadfulmightpossiblyhappen。

Emily，whensherushedout，metherfatherinthehall，andranintohisarms。’Oh，papa！’sheexclaimed。

’What’sallthisabout？’heasked，andashespokehepassedonthroughthehalltohisownroomatthebackofthehouse。Therewereofcoursemanyevidencesonallsidesoftheparty，——thestrangeservants，thedishesgoinginandout，theclatterofglasses，andthesmellofviands。’You’vegotadinnerparty，’

hesaid。’Hadyounotbettergobacktoyourfriends？’

’No，papa。’

’Whatisthematter，Emily？Youareunhappy。’

’Oh，sounhappy？’

’Whatisitallabout？Whoarethey？Whosedoingisit，——yoursorhis？Whatmakesyouunhappy？’

Hewasnowseatedinhisarm-chair，andshethrewherselfonherkneesathisfeet。’Hewouldhavethem。Youmustn’tbeangrywithme。Youwon’tbeangrywithme——willyou？’

Heputhishanduponherhead，andstrokedherhair。’WhyshouldIbeangrywithyoubecauseyourhusbandhasaskedfriendstodinner？’Shewassounlikeherusualselfthatheknewnotwhattomakeofit。Ithadnotbeenhernaturetokneelandaskforpardon，ortobetimidandsubmissive。’Whatisit，Emily，thatmakesyoulikethis？’

’Heshouldn’thavehadthepeople。’

’Well——granted。Butitdoesnotsignifymuch。IsyourAuntHarriethere？’

’Yes。’

’Itcan’tbeverybad，then。’

’MrsLeslieishere，andLadyEustace，——andtwomenIdon’tlike。’

’IsEveretthere？’

’No——hewouldn’thaveEverett。’

’Oughtn’tyougotothem？’

’Don’tmakemego。Ishouldonlycry。Ihavebeencryingallday，andthewholeofyesterday。’Thensheburiedherfaceuponhisknees，andsobbedasthoughshewouldbreakherheart。

Hecouldn’tatallunderstandit。Thoughhedistrustedhisson-

in-law，andcertainlydidnotlovehim，hehadnotasyetlearnedtoholdhiminaversion。Whentheconnectionwasoncemadehehaddeterminedtomakethebestofit，andhaddeclaredtohimselfthatasfarasmannerswentthemanwaswellenough。Hehadnotasyetseentheinsideoftheman，asithadbeenthesadfateofthepoorwifetoseehim。Ithadneveroccurredtohimthathisdaughter’slovehadfailedher，orthatshecouldalreadyberepentingwhatshehaddone。Andnow，whenshewasweepingathisfeetanddeploringthesinofthedinnerparty，——

which，afterall，wasatriflingsin，——hecouldnotcomprehendthefeelingswhichwereactuatingher。’IsupposeyourAuntHarrietmadeuptheparty，’hesaid。

’Hedidit。’

’Yourhusband？’

’Yes——hedidit。HewrotetothewomeninmynamewhenI

refused。’ThenMrWhartonbegantoperceivethattherehadbeenaquarrel。’ItoldhimMrsLeslieoughtn’ttocomehere。’

’Idon’tloveMrsLeslie，——nor，forthematterofthat，——LadyEustace。Buttheywon’thurtthehouse，mydear。’

’Andhehashadthedinnersentinfromashop。’

’Whycouldn’theletMrsWilliamsdoit？’Ashesaidthis，thetoneofhisvoiceforthefirsttimebecameangry。

’Cookhasgoneaway。Shewouldn’tstandit。AndMrsWilliamsisveryangry。AndBarkerwouldn’twaitattable。’

’What’sthemeaningofitall？’

’Hewouldhaveitso。Oh，papa，youdon’tknowwhatI’veundergone。Iwish，——Iwishwehadnotcomehere。Itwouldhavebeenbetteranywhereelse。’

’Whatwouldhavebeenbetter，dear？’

’Everything。Whetherwelivedordied，itwouldhavebeenbetter。WhyshouldIbringmymiserytoyou？Oh，papa，youdonotknow，——youcanneverknow。’

’ButImustknow。Istheremorethanthisdinnertodisturbyou？’

Oh，yes——morethanthat。OnlyIcouldn’tbearthatitshouldbedoneinyourhouse。’

’Hashe——ill-treatedyou？’

Thenshegotup，andstoodbeforehim。’Idonotmeantocomplain。Ishouldhavesaidnothingonlythatyouhavefoundusinthisway。FormyselfIwillbearitall，whateveritmaybe。

But，papa，Iwantyoutotellhimthatwemustleavethishouse。’

’Hehasgotnootherhomeforyou。’

’Hemustfindone。Iwillgoanywhere。Idon’tcarewhereitis。ButIwon’tstayhere。Ihavedoneitmyself，butIwon’tbringituponyou。IcouldbearitallifIthoughtthatyouwouldneverseemeagain。’

’Emily！’

’Yes——ifyouwouldneverseemeagain。Iknowitall，andthatwouldbebest。’Shewasnowwalkingabouttheroom。’Whyshouldyouseeitall？’

’Seewhat，mylove？’

’Seehisruin，andmyunhappiness，andmybaby。Oh——oh——oh！’

’Ithinksoverydifferently，Emily，thatundernocircumstanceswillIhaveyoutakentoanotherhome。Icannotunderstandmuchofallthisasyet，butIsupposethatIshallcometoseeit。

IfLopezbe，asyousay，ruined，itiswellthatIhavestillenoughforustoliveon。Thisisabadtimejustnowtotalkaboutyourhusband’saffairs。’

’Ididnotmeantotalkaboutthem，papa。’

’Whatwouldyoulikebesttodonow，——nowatonce。Canyougodownagaintoyourhusband’sfriends？’

’No——no——no。’

’Asforthedinner，nevermindaboutthat。Ican’tblamehimformakinguseofmyhouseinmyabsence，asfarasthatgoes，——

thoughIwishhecouldhavecontentedhimselfwithsuchadinnerasmyservantscouldhavepreparedforhim。Iwillhavesometeahere。’

’Letmestaywithyou，papa，andmakeitforyou。’

’Verywell，dear。Idonotmeantobeashamedtoentermyowndining-room。Ishall，therefore，goinandmakeyourapologies。’

ThereuponMrWhartonwalkedslowlyforth，andmarchedintothedining-room。

’Oh，MrWharton，’saidMrsDick，’wedidn’texpectyou。’

’Haveyoudinedyet，sir？’askedLopez。

’Ihavedinedearly，’saidMrWharton。’Ishouldnotnowhavecomeintodisturbyou，butthatIhavefoundMrsLopezunwell，andshehasbeggedmetoaskyoutoexcuseher。’

’Iwillgotoher，’saidLopez，rising。

’Itisnotnecessary，’saidWharton。’Sheisnotill，buthardlyabletotakeherplaceattable。’ThenMrsDickproposedtogotoherdearniece，butMrWhartonwouldnotallowit，andlefttheroom，havingsucceededinpersuadingthemtogoonwiththeirdinner。Lopezcertainlywasnothappyduringtheevening，buthewasstrongenoughtohidehismisgivings，andtodohisdutyashostwithseemingcheerfulness。

CHAPTER49

WHEREISGUATEMALA？

Thoughhisdaughter’swordstohimhadbeenverywildtheydidalmostmoretoconvinceMrWhartonthatheshouldnotgivehismoneytohisson-in-lawthaneventheletterswhichhadpassedbetweenthem。ToEmilyherselfhespokeverylittleastowhathadoccurredthatevening。’Papa，’shesaid，’donotaskmeanythingmoreaboutit。Iwasverymiserable，——becauseofthedinner。’Nordidheatthattimeaskheranyquestions，contentinghimselfwithassuringherthat，atanyrateatpresent，andtillafterherbabyshouldhavebeenborn，shemustremainatManchesterSquare。’Hewon’thurtme，’saidMrWharton，andthanaddedwithasmile，’Hewon’twanttohaveanymoredinnerpartieswhileIamhere。’

NordidhemakeanycomplainttoLopezastowhathadbeendone，orevenalludetothedinner。Butwhenhehadbeenbackaboutaweekheannouncedtohisson-in-lawhisfinaldeterminationastomoney。’Ihadbettertellyou，Lopez，whatImeantodo，sothatyoumaynotbeleftindoubt。IshallnotentrustanyfurthersumofmoneyintoyourhandsonbehalfofEmily。’

’Youcandoasyouplease，sir，——ofcourse。’

’Justso。Youhavehadwhattomeisaveryconsiderablesum，——

thoughIfearthatitdidnotgoformuchinyourlargeconcern。’

’Itwasnotverymuch，MrWharton。’

’Idaresaynot。Opinionsonsuchamatterdiffer，youknow。Atanyratetherewillbenomore。AtpresentIwishEmilytoliveher，andyou，ofcourse，arewelcomeherealso。Ifthingsarenotgoingwellwithyou，thiswill，atanyrate，relieveyoufromimmediateexpense。

’Minearemoreminute。Thenecessitiesofmylifehavecausedmetothinkoftheselittlethings。WhenIamdeadtherewillbeprovisionforEmilymadebymywill——theincomegoingtotrusteesforherbenefit，andthecapitaltoherchildrenafterherdeath。Ithoughtitonlyfairtoyouthatthisshouldbeexplained。’

’Andyouwilldonothingforme？’

’Nothing——ifthatisnothing。Ishouldhavethoughtthatyourpresentmaintenanceandthefuturesupportofyourwifeandchildrenwouldhavebeenregardedassomething。’

’Itisnothing——nothing！’

’Thenletitbenothing。Goodmorning。’

TwodaysafterthatLopezrecurredtothesubject。’Youwereveryexplicitwithmetheotherday，sir。’

’Imeanttobeso。’

’AndIwillbeequallysotoyounow。BothIandyourdaughterareabsolutelyruinedunlessyoureconsideryourpurpose。’

’Ifyoumeanmoneybyreconsideration——presentmoneytobegiventoyou，——Icertainlyshallnotreconsiderit。YoumaytakemysolemnassurancethatIwillgiveyounothingthatcanbeofanyservicetoyouintrade。’

Then，sir，——Imusttellyoumypurpose，andgiveyoumyassurance，whichisequallysolemn。UnderthosecircumstancesI

mustleaveEngland，andtrymyfortuneinCentralAmerica。ThereisanopeningformeatGuatemala，thoughnotaveryhopefulone。’

’Guatemala！’

’Yes——friendsofminehaveaconnectionthere。IhavenotbrokenittoEmilyyet，butunderthesecircumstancesshewillhavetogo。’

’YouwillnottakehertoGuatemala！’

’Nottakemywife，sir？IndeedIshall。DoyousupposethatI

wouldgoawayandleavemywifeapensioneronyourbounty？Doyouthinkthatshewouldwishtodesertherhusband？Idon’tthinkyouknowyourdaughter。’

’Iwishyouhadneverknownher。’

’Thatisneitherherenotthere，sir。IfIcannotsucceedinthiscountryImustgoelsewhere。AsIhavetoldyoubefore20，000poundsatthepresentmomentwouldenablemetosurmountallmydifficulties，andmakemeaverywealthyman。ButunlessIcancommandsomesuchsumbyChristmaseverythingheremustbesacrificed。’

’NeverinmylifedidIhearsobaseaproposition，’saidMrWharton。

’Whyisitbase？Icanonlytellyouthetruth。’

’Sobeit。YouwillfindthatIhavemeanwhatIsaid。’

’SodoI，MrWharton。’

’Astomydaughter，shemust，ofcourse，doasshethinksfit。’

’ShemustdoasIthinkfit，MrWharton。’

’Iwillnotarguewithyou。Alas，alas，poorgirl。’

’Poorgirlindeed！Sheislikelytobeapoorgirlifsheistreatedinthiswaybyherfather。AsIunderstandthatyouintendtouse，ortotrytouse，authorityoverher，Ishalltakestepsforremovingheratoncefromyourhouse。’Andsotheinterviewwasended。

Lopezhadthoughtthematterover，andhaddeterminedto’brazenitout’，ashehimselfcalledit。Nothingfurtherwas，hethought，tobegotbycivilityandobedience。Nowhemustusehispower。HisideaofgoingtoGuatemalawasnotaninventionofthemoment，norwasitdevoidofacertainbasisoftruth。

SuchasuggestionhadbeenmadetohimsometimesincebyMrMillsHapperton。TherewereminesinGuatemalawhichwanted，oratsomefuturedate，mightwant，aresidentdirector。ThepropositionhadbeenmadetoLopezbeforehismarriage，andMrHappertonprobablyhadnowforgottenallaboutit——butthethingwasofservicenow。Hebrokethematterverysuddenlytohiswife。’Hasyourfatherbeenspeakingtoyouofmyplans？’

’Notlately——notthatIremember。’

’Hecouldnotspeakofthemwithoutyourremembering，Ishouldthink。HashetoldyouthatIamgoingtoGuatemala？’

’Guatemala！WhereisGuatemala，Ferdinand？’

’Youcananswermyquestionthoughyourgeographyisdeficient。’

’Hehassaidnothingaboutyourgoinganywhere。’

’Youwillhavetogo，——assoonafterChristmasasyoumaybefit。’

’ButwhereisGuatemala——andforhowlong，Ferdinand？’

’GuatemalaisinCentralAmerica，andweshallprobablysettletherefortherestofourlives。Ihavegotnothingtoliveonhere。’

DuringthenexttwomonthsthisplanofseekingadistanthomeandastrangecountrywasconstantlyspokenofinManchesterSquare，anddidreceivecorroborationfromMrHappertonhimself。

Lopezrenewedhisapplicationandreceivedalettersayingthatthethingmightprobablybearrangedifhewereinearnest。’I

amquiteearnest，’LopezsaidasheshowedthelettertoMrWharton。’IsupposeEmilywillbeabletostarttwomonthsafterherconfinement。Theytellmebabiesdoverywellatsea。’

Duringthistime，inspiteofhisthreat，hecontinuedtolivewithMrWhartoninManchesterSquare，andwenteverydayintothecity，——whethertomakearrangementsandreceiveinstructionsastoGuatemala，ortocarryonhisoldbusiness，neitherEmilynorherfatherknew。Heneveratthistimespokeabouthisaffairstoeitherofthem，butdailyreferredtoherfutureexpatriationasathingthatwascertain。Atlasttherecameuptheactualquestion，——whethersheweretogoornot。Herfathertoldherthatthoughshewasdoubtlessboundbylawtoobeyherhusband，insuchamatterasthisshemightdefythelaw。’Idonotthinkthathecanactuallyforceyouonboardtheship，’herfathersaid。

’ButifhetellsmeImustgo？’

’Staywithme，’saidthefather。’Stayherewithyourbaby。

I’llfightitoutforyou。I’llsomanagethatyoushallhavealltheworldonyourside。’

Emilyatthemomentcametonodecision，butonthefollowingdayshediscussedthematterwithLopezhimself。’Ofcourseyouwillgowithme，’hesaid，whensheaskedthequestion。

’YoumeanthatImust，whetherIwishtogoornot。’

’Certainlyyoumust。GoodG-！Whereisawife’splace？AmItogowithoutmychild，andwithoutyou，whileyouareenjoyingallthecomfortsofyourfather’swealthathome？Thatisnotmyideaoflife。’

’Ferdinand，Ihavebeenthinkingaboutitverymuch。Imustbegyoutoallowmetoremain。IaskitofyouasifIwereaskingmylife。’

’Yourfatherhasputyouuptothis。’

’No——nottothis。’

’Towhatthen。’

’MyfatherthinksIshouldrefusetogo。’

’Hedoes，doeshe？’

’ButIshallnotrefuse。Ishallgoifyouinsistuponit。

Thereshallbenocontestbetweenusaboutthat。’

’Well，Ishouldhopenot。’

’ButIdoimploreyoutospareme。’

’Thatisveryselfish，Emily。’

’Yes，’——shesaid，’yes，Icannotcontradictthat。Butsoisthemanselfishwhopraysthejudgetosparehislife。’

’Butyoudonotthinkofme。Imustgo。’

’Ishallnotmakeyouhappier，Ferdinand。’

’Doyouthinkthatitisafinethingforamantoliveinsuchacountryasthatallalone？’

’Ithinkitwouldbebettersothanwithawifehedoesnot——

love。’

’WhosaysIdonotloveyou？’

’Orwithonewhodoes——not——lovehim。’Thisshesaidveryslowly，verysoftly，butlookingupintohiseyesasshesaidit。

’Doyoutellmethattomyface？’

’Yes——whatgoodcanIdonowbylying？YouhavenotbeentomeasIthoughtyouwouldbe。’

’And，becauseyouhavebuiltsomecastleintheairthathasfallentopieces，youtellyourhusbandtohisfacethatyoudonotlovehim，andthatyouprefernottolivewithhim。Isthatyourideaofduty？’

’Whyhaveyoubeensocruel？’

’Cruel！WhathaveIdone？Tellmewhatcruelty。HaveIbeatyou？Haveyoubeenstarved？HaveInotaskedandimploredyourassistance，——onlytoberefused？ThefactisthatyourfatherandyouhavefoundoutthatIamnotarichman，andyouwanttoberidofme。Isthattrueorfalse？’

’ItisnottruethatIwanttoberidofyoubecauseyouarepoor。’

’Idonotmeantoberidofyou。Youwillhavetosettledownanddoyourworkasmywifeinwhateverplaceitmaysuitmetolive。Yourfatherisarichman，butyoushallnothavetheadvantageofhiswealthunlessitcomestoyou，asitoughttocome，throughmyhands。Ifyourfatherwouldgivemethefortunewhichoughttobeyoursthereneedbenogoingabroad。Hecannotbeartopartwithhismoney，andthereforewemustgo。Nowyouknowallaboutit。’Shewasthenturningtoleavehim，whenheaskedheradirectquestion。’AmItounderstandthatyouintendtoresistmyrighttotakeyouwithme？’

’Ifyoubidmego，——Ishallgo。’

’Itwillbebetter，asyouwillsavebothtroubleandexpense。’

Ofcourseshetoldherfatherwhathadtakenplace。buthecouldonlyshakehishead，andgroaningoverhismiseryinhischambers。Hehadexplainedtoherwhathewaswillingtodoonherbehalf，butshedeclinedhisaid。Hecouldnottellherthatshewaswrong。Shewastheman’swife，andoutofthatterribledestinyshecouldnotnowescape。Theonlyquestionwithhimwaswhetheritwouldnotbebesttobuytheman，——givehimasomeofmoneytogo，andtogoalone。Couldhehavebeenquitofthemanevenfor20，000pounds，hewouldwillinglyhavepaidthemoney。

Butthemanwouldeithernotgo，orwouldcomebackassoonashegotthemoney。Hisownlife，ashepasseditnow，withthismaninthehousewithhim，washorribletohim。ForLopez，thoughhehadmorethanoncethreatenedthathewouldcarryhiswifetoanotherhome，hadtakennostepstowardsgettingthatotherhousereadyforher。

DuringallthistimeMrWhartonhadnotseenhisson。EveretthadgoneabroadjustashisfatherreturnedtoLondonfromBrighton，andwasstillonthecontinent。Hereceivedhisallowancepunctually，andthatwastheonlyintercoursewhichtookplacebetweenthem。ButEmilyhadwrittentohim，nottellinghimmuchofhertroubles，——onlysayingthatshebelievedherhusbandwouldtakehertoCentralAmericaearlyinthespring，andbegginghimtocomehomebeforeshewent。

JustbeforeChristmasherbabywasborn，butthepoorchilddidnotliveacoupleofdays。Sheherselfatthetimewassowornwithcare，sothinandwanandwretched，thatlookingintheglassshehardlyknewherownface。’Ferdinand，’shesaidtohim，’Iknowhewillnotlive。TheDoctorsaysso。’

’NotingthrivesthatIhavetodowith，’heansweredgloomily。

’Willyounotlookathim？’

’Well。yes。Ihavelookedathim，haveInot？IwishtoGodthatwhereheisgoingIcouldgowithhim。’

’IwishIwas——IwishIwasgoing，’saidthepoormother。Thenthefatherwentout，andbeforehehadreturnedtothehousethechildwasdead。’Oh，Ferdinand，speakonekindwordtomenow，’

shesaid。

’WhatkindwordcanIspeakwhenyouhavetoldmethatyoudonotloveme。DoyouthinkthatIcanforgetthatbecause，becausehehasgone？’

’Awoman’slovemayalwaysbewonbackbykindness。’

’Psha！HowamItokissandmakeprettyspeecheswithmymindharassedasitisnow？’Buthedidtouchherbrowwithhislipsbeforehewentaway。

Theinfantwasburied，andthentherewasnotmuchshowofmourninginthehouse。Thepoormotherwouldsitgloomilyalonedayafterday，tellingherselfthatitwasperhapsbetterthatsheshouldhavebeenrobbedofhertreasurethanhavegoneforthwithhimintothewide，unknown，harshworldwithsuchafatherasshehadgivenhim。Thenshewouldlookatallthepreparationsshehadmade，——thehappyworkofherfingerswhenherthoughtsoftheirfutureusewerehersweetestconsolation，——

andweeptillshewouldherselffeelthattherenevercouldbeanendtohertears。

ThesecondweekinJanuaryhadcomeandyetnothingfurtherhadbeensettledastotheGuatemalaproject。Lopeztalkedaboutitasthoughitwascertain，andeventoldhiswifeastheywouldmovesosoonitwouldnotbenowworthwhileforhimtotakeotherlodgingsforher。Butwhensheaskedastoherownpreparations，——thewardrobenecessaryforthelongvoyageandhergeneraloutfit，——hetoldherthatthreeweeksorafortnightwouldbeenoughforall，andthathewouldgivehersufficientnotice。’Uponmywordheisverykindtohonourmypoorhouseashedoes，’saidMrWharton。

’Papa，wewillgoatonceifyouwishit，’saidhisdaughter。

’Nay，Emily。donotturnuponme。Icannotbutbesensibletotheinsultofhisdailypresence，buteventhatisbetterthanlosingyou。’

Thenthereoccurredaludicrousincident，——orthecombinationofincidents，——which，inspiteoftheirabsurdity，droveMrWhartonalmostfrantic。FirsttherecametohimthebillfromMessrsStewamandSugarscrapsforthedinner。Atthistimehekeptnothingbackfromhisdaughter。’Lookatthat！’hesaid。Thebillwasabsolutelymadeoutinhisname。

’Itisamistake，papa。’

’Notatall。Thedinnerwasgiveninmyhouse，andImustpayforit。Iwouldsoonerdosothanheshouldpayit，——evenifhehadthemeans。’SohepaidMessrsStewamandSugarscraps25

pounds9s6d。，beggingthemashedidsonevertosendanotherdinnerintohishouse，andobservingthathewasinthehabitofentertaininghisfriendsatlessthanthreeguineasahead。’ButChateauYquemandCoted’Or！’saidMrSugarscraps。’Chateaufiddlesticks！’saidMrWharton，walkingoutofthehousewithhisreceipt。

Thencamethebillforthebrougham，——forthebroughamfromtheverydayoftheirreturntotownaftertheirweddingtrip。ThisheshowedtoLopez。IndeedthebillhadbeenmadeouttoLopezandsenttoMrWhartonwithanapologeticnote。’Ididn’ttellhimtosendit，’saidLopez。

’Butwillyoupayit？’

’Icertainlyshallnotaskyoutopayit。’ButMrWhartonatlastdidpayit，andhealsopaidtherentoftheroomsintheBelgraveMansions，andbetween30poundsand40poundsfordresseswhichEmilyhadgotatLewesandAllenby’sunderherhusband’sordersinthefirstdaysoftheirmarriedlifeinLondon。

’Oh，papa，IwishIhadnotgonethere，’shesaid。

’Mydear，anythingthatyoumayhavehadIdonotgrudgeintheleast。Andevenforhim，ifhewouldletyouremainhere，I

wouldpaywillingly。Iwouldsupplyallhewantsifhewouldonly——goaway。’

CHAPTER50

MRSLIDE’SREVENGE。

’Doyoumeantosay，mylady，thattheDukepaidhiselectioneeringbilldownatSilverbridge？’

’Idomeantosayso，MrSlide，’LadyEustacenoddedherhead，andMrQuintusSlideopenedhismouth。

’Goodnessgracious！’saidMrsLeslie，whowassittingwiththem。

TheywereinLadyEustace’sdrawing-room，andthepatrioticeditorofthePeople’sBannerwasobtainingfromanewallyinformationwhichmightbeusefultothecountry。

’But’owdoyouknow，LadyEustace？You’llpardonthepersistencyofmyinquiries，butwhenyoucometopublicinformationaccuracyiseverything。Inevertrustmyselftomerereport，Ialwaystraveluptotheveryfountain’eadoftruth。’

’Iknowit，’saidLizzyEustaceoracularly。

’Um——m！TheEditorasheejaculatedthesoundlookedatherladyshipwithadmiringeyes，——witheyesthatwereintendedtoflatter。ButLizziehadbeenlookedatsoofteninsomanyways，andwassowellaccustomedtoadmiration，thatthishadnoeffectonheratall。’Hedidn’ttellyouhimself，did’enow？’

’Canyoutellmethetruthastotrustinghimwithmymoney？’

’Yes，Ican。’

’ShallIbesafeifItakethepaperswhichhecallsbillsofsale？’

’Onegoodturndeservesanother，mylady。’

’Idon’twanttomakeasecretofit，MrSlide。Pountneyfounditout。YouknowtheMajor？’

’Yes，IknowMajorPountney。HewasatGatherum’imself，andgotalittlebitofacoldshoulder，——didn’the？’

’Idaresayhedid。Whathasthattodowithit？YoumaybesurethatLopezappliedtotheDukeforhisexpensesatSilverbridge，andthattheDukesenthimthemoney。’

’There’snodoubtaboutit，MrSlide，’saidMrsLeslie。’WegotitallfromMajorPountney。TherewassomebetbetweenhimandPountney，andhehadtoshowPountneythecheque。’

’Pountneysawthemoney，’saidLadyEustace。

MrSlidestrokedhishadoverhismouthandchinashesatthinkingofthetremendousnationalimportanceofthiscommunication。ThemanwhohadpaidthemoneywasthePrimeMinisterofEngland，——andwas，moreover，MrSlide’senemy！

’Whentheright’andoffellowshiphadbeenrejected，Ineverforgive！’MrSlidehasbeenheardtosay。EvenLadyEustace，whowasnotparticularastotheappearanceofpeople，remarkedafterwardstoherfriendthatMrSlidelookedlikethedevilashewasstrokinghisface。’It’sveryremarkable，’saidMrSlide。

’veryremarkable。’

’Youwon’ttelltheMajorthatwetoldyou，’saidherLadyship。

’Ohdearnot。Ionlywantedto’earhowitwas。Andastoembarkingyourmoney，mylady，withFerdinandLopez，——Iwouldn’tdoit。’

’NotifIgetthebillsofsale？It’sforrum，andtheysayrumwillgouptoanyprice。’

’Don’tLadyEustace。Ican’tsayanymore，——butdon’t。Inevermentionnames。Butdon’t。’

ThenMrSlidewentoutinsearchofMajorPountney，andhavingfoundthemajorathisclubextractedfromhimallthatheknewabouttheSilverbridgepayment。PountneyhadreallyseentheDuke’schequefor500pounds。’Therewassomebet，——eh，Major？’

askedMrSlide。

’No，therewasn’t。Iknowwhohadbeentellingyou。That’sLizzieEustace，andjustlikehermischief。Theywayofitwasthis，——Lopez，whowasveryangry，hadboastedthathewouldbringtheDukedownonhismarrow-bones。Iwaslaughingathimaswesatatdinnerondayafterwards，andhetookoutthechequeandshoweditme。TherewastheDuke’sownsignaturefor500

pounds，——Omnium，asplainasletterscouldmakeit。’Armedwiththisfullinformation，MrSlidefeltthathehaddoneallthatthepunctiliousdevotiontoaccuracycoulddemandofhim，andimmediatelyshuthimselfupinhiscageatthePeople’sBannerofficeandwenttowork。

ThisoccurredaboutthefirstweekofJanuary。TheDukewasthenatMatchingwithhiswifeandaverysmallparty。ThesingulararrangementwhichhadbeeneffectedbytheDuchessintheearlyautumnhadpassedoffwithoutanywonderfuleffects。Ithadbeendonebyherinpique，andtheresulthadbeenapparentlysoabsurdthatithadatfirstfrightenedher。Butintheenditansweredverywell。TheDuketookgreatpleasureinLadyRosina’scompany，andenjoyedtheapparentsolitudewhichenabledhimtoworkalldaywithoutinterruption。Hiswifeprotestedthatitwasjustwhatsheliked，thoughitmustbefearedthatshesoonbecamewearyofit。ToLadyRosinaitwasofcourseParadiseonearth。InSeptember，PhineasFinnandhiswifecametothem，andinOctobertherewereotherrelaxationsandotherbusiness。ThePrimeMinisterandhiswifevisitedtheirSovereign，andhemadesomeveryusefulspeechesthroughthecountryonhisoldfavouritesubjectofdecimalcoinage。AtChristmas，forafortnight，theywenttoGatherumCastleandentertainedtheneighbourhood，——thenobilityandsquirearchydiningthereononeday，andthetenantsandotherfarmersonanother。Allthiswentverysmoothly，andtheDukedidnotbecomeoutrageouslyunhappybecausethePeople’sBannermadesundrysevereremarksontheabsenceofCabinetCouncilsthroughtheautumn。

AfterChristmastheyreturnedtoMatching，andhadsomeoftheiroldfriendswiththem。TherewastheDukeofStBungayandtheDuchess，andPhineasFinnandhiswife，andLordandLadyCantrip，BarringtonErle，andoneortwoothers。Butatthisperiodtherecameagreattrouble。OnemorningastheDukesatinhisownroomafterbreakfasthereadanarticleinthePeople’sBanner，ofwhichthefollowingsentencesareapart。

WewishtoknowbywhomwerepaidtheexpensesincurredbyMrFerdinandLopezduringthelatecontestatSilverbridge。Itmaybethattheywerepaidbythatgentlemanhimself，——inwhichcaseweshallhavenothingfurthertosay，notcaringatthepresentmomenttoinquirewhetherthoseexpenseswereorwerenotexcessive。Itmaybethattheywerepaidbysubscriptionamonghispoliticalfriends，——andifso，againweshallbesatisfied。

Oritispossiblethatfundsweresuppliedbyanewpoliticalclubofwhichwehavelatelyheardmuch，andwiththeactionofsuchbodyweofcoursehavenothingtodo。IfanassurancecanbegiventousbyMrLopezorhisfriendsthatsuchwasthecaseweshallbesatisfied。

Butareporthasreachedus，andwemaysaymorethanareport，whichmakesitourdutytoaskthisquestion。WerethoseexpensespaidoutoftheprivatepocketofthepresentPrimeMinister？Ifso，wemaintainthatwehavediscoveredablotinthatnobleman’scharacterwhichitisourdutytothepublictoexpose。Wewillgofartherandsaythatifitbeso，——iftheseexpenseswerepaidoutoftheprivatepocketoftheDukeofOmnium，itisnotfitthatthatnoblemanshouldanylongerholdthehighofficewhichhenowfills。

WeknowthatapeershouldnotinterfereinelectionsfortheHouseofCommons。WecertainlyknowthataMinisteroftheCrownshouldnotattempttopurchaseparliamentarysupport。Wehappentoknowalsothealmostmorethanpublicmanner，——arewenotjustifiedinsayingtheostentation？——withwhichatthelastelectiontheDukerepudiatedallthatinfluencewiththeboroughwhichhispredecessors，andwebelievehehimself，hadsolongexercised。Hecameforwardtellingusthathe，atleast，meanttohavecleanhands，——thathewouldnotdoashisforefathershaddone，——thathewouldnotevendoashehimselfhaddoneinformeryears。WhatarewetothinkoftheDukeofOmniumasaMinisterofthiscountry，if，aftersuchassurances，hehasoutofisownpocketpaidtheelectioneeringexpensesofacandidateatSilverbridge？Therewasmuchmoreinthearticle，butthepassagesquotedwillsufficetogivethereaderasufficientideaoftheaccusationmade，andwhichtheDukereadintheretirementofhisownchamber。

Hereadittwicebeforeheallowedhimselftothinkofthematter。Thestatementmadewasatanyratetruetotheletter。

Hehadpaidtheman’selectioneeringexpenses。Thathehaddonesofromthepurestmotivesheknewandthereaderknows，——buthecouldevenexplainthosemotiveswithoutexposinghiswife。

Sincethechequewassenthehadneverspokenoftheoccurrencetoanyhumanbeing，——buthehadthoughtofitveryoften。AtthetimehisprivateSecretary，withmuchhesitation，almostwithtrepidation，hadcounselledhimnottosendthemoney。TheDukewasamanwithwhomitwasveryeasytowork，whosecourtesytoalldependentonhimwasalmostexaggerated，whoneverfoundfault，andwasanxiousasfaraspossibletodoeverythingforhimself。Thecomfortofthosearoundhimwasalwaysamatterofinteresttohim。Everythingheheld，heheldasitwereintrustfortheenjoymentofothers。Buthewasamanwhomitwasdifficulttoadvise。Hedidnotlikeadvice。Hewassothin-

skinnedthatanycounselofferedhimtooktheformofcriticism。

Whencautionedwhatshoesheshouldwear，——ashadbeendonebyLadyRosina，orwhatwineorwhathorsesheshouldbuy，aswasdonebyhisbutlerandcoachman，hewasthankful，takingnopridetohimselfforknowledgeastoshoes，wine，orhorses。Butastohisownconduct，privateorpublic，astoanyquestionofpolitics，astohisopinionsandresolutions，hewasjealousofinterference。MrWarburtonthereforehadalmosttrembledwhenaskingtheDukewhetherhewasquitesureaboutsendingthemoneytoLopez。’Quitesure，’theDukehadanswered，havingatthattimemadeuphismind。MrWarburtonhadnotdaredtoexpressafurtherdoubt，andthemoneyhadbeensent。ButfromthemomentofsendingitdoubtshadrepeatedthemselvesinthePrimeMinister’smind。

Nowhesatwiththenewspaperinhishandthinkingofit。Ofcourseitwasopentohimtotakenonoticeofthematter，——togoonasthoughhehadneverseenthearticle，andtoletthethingdieifitwoulddie。ButheknewMrQuintusSlideandhispaperwellenoughtobesurethatitwouldnotdie。ThechargewouldberepeatedinthePeople’sBannertillitwascopiedintootherpapers，andthenthefurtherquestionwouldbeasked，——whyhadthePrimeMinisterallowedsuchanaccusationtoremainunanswered？Butifhedidnoticeit，whatnoticeshouldhetakeofit？Itwastrue。Andsurelyhedisobeyednolaw。Hehadbribednoone。Hehadspenthismoneywithnocorruptpurpose。

Hissenseofhonourhadtaughthimtothinkthemanhadreceivedinjurythroughhiswife’simprudence，andthathethereforewasresponsibleasfarasthepecuniarylosswasconcerned。Hewasnotashamedthatitshouldbediscussedinpublic。

Whyhadheallowedhimselftobeputintoapositioninwhichhewassubjecttosuchgrievousannoyance？Sincehehadheldhisofficehehadnothadahappyday，nor，——orsohetoldhimself，——

hadhereceivedfromitanyslightestgratification，norcouldhebuoyhimselfupwiththeideathathewasdoinggoodserviceforhiscountry。AfterawhilehewalkedintothenextroomandshowedthepapertoMrWarburton。’Perhapsyouwereright，’hesaid，’whenyoutoldmenottosendthemoney。’

’Itwillmatternothing，’saidtheprivateSecretarywhenhehadreadit，——thinking，however，thatitmightmattermuch，butwishingtosparetheDuke。

’IwasobligedtorepaythemanastheDuchesshad，——hadencouragedhim。TheDuchesshadnotquite，——quiteunderstoodmywishes。’MrWarburtonknewthewholehistory，havingdiscusseditallwiththeDuchessmorethanonce。

’IthinkyourGraceshouldtakenonoticeofthearticle。’

Nonoticewastakenofit，butthreedaysafterwardsthereappearedashortparagraphinlargetype，——beginningwithaquestion。DoestheDukeofOmniumintendtoanswerthequestionaskedbyuslastFriday？IsittruethatpaidtheexpensesofMrLopezwhenthatgentlemanstoodforSilverbridge？TheDukemaybeassuredthatthequestionwillberepeatedtillitisanswered。ThistheDukealsosawandtooktohisprivateSecretary。

’Iwoulddonothingatanyratetillitbenoticedinsomeotherpaper，’saidtheprivateSecretary。’ThePeople’sBannerisknowntobescandalous。’

’Ofcourse，itisscandalous。And，moreover，Iknowthemotivesandthemaliceofthewretchedmanwhoistheeditor。Butthepaperisread，andthefoulchargeifrepeatedwillbecomeknown，andtheallegationmadeistrue。Ididpaytheman’selectionexpenses，——andmoreovertotellthetruthopenlyasIdonotscrupletodotoyou，IamnotpreparedtostatepubliclythereasonwhyIdidso。Andnothingbutthatreasoncouldjustifyme。’

’ThenIthinkyourGraceshouldstateit。’

’Icannotdoso。’

’TheDukeofStBungayishere。Woulditnotbewelltotellthewholeaffairtohim？’

’Iwillthinkofit。IdonotknowwhyIshouldhavetroubledyou。’

’Oh，mylord！’

’Exceptthatthereisalwayssomecomfortinspeakingevenofone’strouble。Iwillthinkaboutit。Inthemeantimeyouneedperhapsnotmentionitagain。’

’Who？I？Oh，certainlynot。’

’Ididnotmeantoothers，——buttomyself。IwillturnitinmymindandspeakofitwhenIhavedecidedanything。’Andhedidthinkaboutit，thinkingofitsomuchthathecouldhardlygetthematteroutofminddayornight。Tohiswifehedidnotalludetoitatall。Whytroubleherwithit？Shehadcausedtheevil，andhehadcautionedherastothefuture。Shecouldnothelphimoutofthedifficultyshehadcreated。Hecontinuedtoturnthematteroverinhisthoughtstillhesomagnifiedit，andbuiltitupintosuchproportions，thatheagainbegantothinkthathemustresign。Itwas，hethought，truethatamanshouldnotremaininofficeasPrimeMinisterwhoinsuchamattercouldnotclearhisownconduct。

ThentherewasathirdattackinthePeople’sBanner，andafterthatthematterwasnoticedintheEveningPulpit。ThisnoticetheDukeofStBungaysawandmentionedittoMrWarburton。’HastheDukespokentoyouofsomeallegationsmadeinthepressastotheexpensesofthelateelectionatSilverbridge？’TheoldDukewasatthistime，andhadbeenforsomemonths，inastateofnervousanxietyabouthisfriend。HehadalmostadmittedtohimselfthathehadbeenwronginrecommendingapoliticiansoweaklyorganizedtotaketheofficeofPrimeMinister。Hehadexpectedthemantobemoremanly，——hadperhapsexpectedhimtobelessconscientiouslyscrupulous。Butnow，asthethinghadbeendone，itmustbemaintained。Whoelsewastheretotaketheoffice？MrGreshamwouldnot。TokeepMrDaubneyoutwastheveryessenceoftheDukeofStBungay’slife，——theturning-pointofhispoliticalcreed，theonegranddutytheideaofwhichwasalwayspresenttohim。Andhehad，moreover，amosttrueandaffectionateregardforthemanwhomhenowsupported，appreciatingthesweetnessofhischaracter，——believingstillintheMinister’spatriotism，intelligence，devotion，andhonesty。

thoughhewasforcedtoowntohimselfthatthestrengthofaman’sheartwaswanting。

’Yes，’saidWarburton，’hedidmentionit。’

’Doesittroublehim？’

’Perhapsyouhadbetterspeaktohimaboutit。’BoththeoldDukeandtheprivateSecretarywereasfearfulandnervousaboutthePrimeMinisterasamotherisforaweaklychild。Theycouldhardlytelltheiropinionstoeachother，buttheyunderstoodoneanother，andbetweenthemtheycoddledthePrimeMinister。TheywerespeciallynervousastowhatmightbedonebythePrimeMinister’swife，nervousastowhatwasdonebyeveryonewhocameincontactwithhim。IthadbeenoncesuggestedbytheprivateSecretarythatLadyRosinashouldbesentfor，asshehadasoothingeffectuponthePrimeMinister’sspirit。

’Hasitirritatedhim？’askedtheDuke。

’Well——yes，ithas，——alittle，youknow。IthinkyourGracehadbetterspeaktohim——andnotperhapsmentionmyname。’TheDukeofStBungaynoddedhishead，andsaidhewouldspeaktothegreatmanandwouldnotmentionanyone’sname。

Andhedidspeak。’Hasanyonesaidanythingtoyouaboutit？’

askedthePrimeMinister。

’IsawitintheEveningPulpitmyself。Ihavenothearditmentionedanywhere。’

’Ididpaytheman’sexpenses。’

’Youdid！’

’Yes，——whentheelectionwasover，and，asfarasIcanremember，sometimeafteritwasover。Hewrotetomesayingthathehadincurredsuchandsuchexpenses，andaskingmetorepayhim。Isenthimachequefortheamount。

’Butwhy？’

’Iwasboundinhonourtodoit。’

’Butwhy？’

Therewasashortpausebeforethissecondquestionwasanswered。

’Themanhadbeeninducedtostandbyrepresentationsmadetohimfrommyhouse。Hehadbeen，Ifear，promisedcertainsupportwhichcertainlywasnotgivenhimwhenthetimecame。’

’Youhadnotpromisedit？’

’No——notI。’

’WasittheDuchess？’

’Uponthewhole，myfriend，IthinkIwouldrathernotdiscussitfurther，evenwithyou。ItisrightthatyoushouldknowthatI

didpaythemoney，——andalsowhyIpaidit。Itmayalsobenecessarythatweshouldconsiderwhethertheremaybeanyfurtherprobableresultfrommydoingso。Butthemoneyhasbeenpaid，bymemyself，——andwaspaidforthereasonIhavestated。’

’AquestionmightbeaskedintheHouse。’

’Ifso，itmustbeansweredasIhaveansweredyou。Icertainlyshallnotshirkanyresponsibilitythatmaybeattachedtome。’

’YouwouldnotlikeWarburtontowritealinetothenewspaper？’

’What——tothePeople’sBanner！’

’Itbeganthere，didit？No，nottothePeople’sBanner，buttotheEveningPulpit。Hecouldsay，youknow，thatthemoneywaspaidbyyou，andthepaymenthadbeenmadebecauseyouragentshadmisapprehendedyourinstructions。’

’Itwouldnotbetrue，’saidthePrimeMinister，slowly。

’AsfarasIcanunderstandthatwaswhatoccurred，’saidtheotherDuke。

’Myinstructionswerenotmisapprehended。Theyweredisobeyed。

Ithinkthatperhapswehadbettersaynomoreaboutit。’

’DonotthinkIwishtopressyou，’saidtheoldmantenderly，’butIfearthatsomethingoughttobedone——Imeanforyourowncomfort。’

’Mycomfort！’saidthePrimeMinister。’Thathasvanishedlongago——andmypeaceofmind，andmyhappiness。’

’Therehasbeennothingdonewhichcannotbeexplainedwithperfecttruth。Therehasbeennoimpropriety。’

’Idonotknow。’

’Themoneywaspaidsimplyfromanover-nicesenseofhonour。’

’Itcannotbeexplained。Icannotexplainiteventoyou。andhowthencanIdoittoallthegapingfoolsofthecountrywhoarereadytotrampleuponamansimplybecauseheissomewayconspicuousamongthem？’

AfterthattheoldDukeagainspoketoMrWarburton，butMrWarburtonwasveryloyaltohischief。’CouldonedoanythingbyspeakingtotheDuchess？’saidtheoldDuke。

’Ithinknot。’

’IsupposeitwasherGracewhodiditall？’

’Icannotsay。MyownimpressionisthathehadbetterwaittilltheHousesmeet，andthen，ifanyquestionisasked，letitbeanswered。HehimselfwoulddoitintheHouseofLords，orMrFinnorBarringtonErle，inourHouse。ItwouldbesurelyenoughtoexplainthathisGracehadbeenmadetobelievethatthemanhadreceivedencouragementatSilverbridgefromhisownagents，whichhehimselfhadnotintendedshouldbegiven，andthatthereforehehadthoughtitrighttopaythemoney。Aftersuchanexplanationwhatmorecouldanyonesay？’

’Youmightdoityourself。’

’Ineverspeak。’

’Butinsuchacaseasthatyoumightdoso。andthentherewouldbenonecessityforhimtotalktoanotherpersononthematter。’

Sotheaffairwasleftforthepresent，thoughtheallusionstoitinthePeople’sBannerwerestillcontinued。NordidanyotherofthePrimeMinister’scolleaguesdaretospeaktohimonthesubject。BarringtonErleandPhineasFinntalkedofitamongthemselves，buttheydidnotmentioniteventotheDuchess。Shewouldhavegonetoherhusbandatonce，andtheyweretoocarefulofhimtorisksuchaproceeding。ItcertainlywasthecasethatamongthemtheycoddledthePrimeMinister。

CHAPTER51

CODDLINGTHEPRIMEMINISTER。

Parliamentwastomeetonthe12thofFebruary，anditwasofcoursenecessarythatthereshouldbeaCabinetCouncilbeforethattime。ThePrimeMinister，abouttheendofthethirdweekinJanuary，waspreparedtonameadayforthis，anddidso，mostunwillingly。Buthewasthenill，andtalkedbothtohisfriendtheoldDuke，andhisprivateSecretaryofhavingthemeetingheldwithouthim。’Impossible，’saidtheoldDuke。

’IfIcouldnotgoitwouldhavetobepossible。’

’Wecouldallcomehereifitwerenecessary。’

’BringfourteenorfifteenministersouttotownbecauseapoorcreaturesuchasIamisill！’ButintruththeDukeofStBungayhardlybelievedinthisillness。ThePrimeMinisterwasunhappyratherthanill。

BythistimeeveryoneintheHouse，——andalmosteverybodyinthecountrywhoreadthenewspapers，——hadheardofMrLopezandhiselectionexpenses，——excepttheDuchess。Noonehadyetdaredtotellher。Shesawthenewspapersdaily，butprobablydidnotreadthemveryattentively。Neverthelesssheknewthatsomethingwaswrong。MrWarburtonhoveredaboutthePrimeMinistermoretenderlythanusual。theDukeofStBungaywasmoreconcerned。

theworldaroundherwasmoremysterious，andherhusbandmorewretched。’Whatisitthat’sgoingon？’shesaidonedaytoPhineasFinn。

’Everything，——inthesamedullwayasusual。’

’Ifyoudon’ttellme，I’llneverspeaktoyouagain。Iknowthereissomethingwrong。’

’TheDuke，I’mafraid，isnotquitewell。’

’Whatmakeshimill？Iknowwellwhenhe’sill，andwhenhe’swell。He’stroubledbysomething。’

’Ithinkheis，Duchess。ButashehasnotspokentomeIamloathtomakeguesses。IftherebeanythingIcanonlyguessatit。’

ThenshequestionedMrsFinn，andgotananswer，which，ifnotsatisfactory，wasatanyrateexplanatory。’IthinkheisuneasyaboutthatSilverbridgeaffair。’

’WhatSilverbridgeaffair？’

’YouknowthathepaidtheexpenseswhichthatmanLopezsaysthatheincurred。’

’Yes——Iknowthat。’

’AndyouknowthatthatothermanSlidehasfounditout，andpublisheditallinthePeople’sBanner。’

’No！’

’Yes，indeed。Andawholearmyofaccusationshasbeenbroughtagainsthim。Ihaveneverlikedtotellyou，andyetIdonotthinkthatyoushouldbeleftinthedark。’

’Everybodydeceivesme，’saidtheDuchessangrily。

’Nay——therehasbeennodeceit。’

’Everybodykeepsthingsfromme。Ithinkyouwillkillmeamongyou。Itwasmydoing。Whydotheyattackhim？Iwillwritetothepapers。IencouragedthemanafterPlantagenethaddeterminedthatheshouldnotbeassisted，——and，becauseIhaddoneso，hepaidthemanhisbeggarlymoney。Whatistheretohurthiminthat？Letmebearit。Mybackisbroadenough。’

’TheDukeisverysensitive。’

’Ihatepeopletobesensitive。Itmakesthemcowards。Amanwhenheisafraidofbeingblamed，daresnotatlastevenshowhimself，andhastobewrappedinlamb’swool。’

’Ofcoursemenaredifferentlyorganized。’

’Yes——buttheworstofitis，thatwhentheysufferfromthisweakness，whichyoucallsensitiveness，theythinkthattheyaremadeoffinermaterialthanotherpeople。Menshouldn’tbemadeofSevreschina，butofgoodstoneearthenware。However，Idon’twanttoabusehim，poorfellow。’

’Idon’tthinkyouought。’

’Iknowwhatthatmeans。Youdonotwanttoabuseme。Sothey’vebeenbullyinghimaboutthemoneyhepaidtothatmanLopez。Howdidanybodyknowanythingaboutit？’

’Lopezmusthavetoldofit，’saidMrsFinn。

’Theworst，mydear，oftryingtoknowagreatmanypeopleis，thatyouaresuretogetholdofsomethatareverybad。Nowthatmanisverybad。Yettheysayhehasmarriedanicewife。’