第18章

’TheDukeofStBungaythinksthatsomethingshouldbesaid。’

’Icouldnot，myselfconsenteventoappeartodesireinformationonamattersoentirelypersonaltoyourself。’TheDukebowed，andsmiledwithacold，glittering，uncomfortablesmilewhichwouldsometimescrosshisfacewhenhewasnotpleased，andnomorewasthensaidonthesubject。

AttemptsweremadetohavethequestionaskedinafardifferentspiritbysomehostilememberoftheHouseofCommons。SirOrlandoDroughtwassounded，andheforawhiledidgiveeartothesuggestion。But，ashecametohavethematterfullbeforehim，hecouldnotdoit。TheDukehadspurnedhisadviceasaminister，andhadrefusedtosanctionameasurewhichhe，astheheadofabranchoftheGovernment，hadproposed。TheDukehadsooffendedhimthatheconceivedhimselfboundtoregardtheDukeashisenemy。Butheknew，——andhecouldnotescapefromtheknowledge，——thatEnglanddidnotcontainamorehonourablemanthantheDuke。HewasdelightedthattheDukeshouldbevexedandthwarted，andcalledillnamesinthematter。Tobegratifiedatthisdiscomfitureofhisenemywasinthenatureofparliamentaryopposition。Anyblowthatmightweakenhisopponentwasablowinhisfavour。Buthiswasablowwhichhecouldnotstrikewithhisownhands。TherewerethingsinparliamentarytacticswhichevenSirOrlandocouldnotdo。

ArthurFletcherwasalsoaskedtoundertakethetask。Hewasthesuccessfulcandidate，themanwhoopposedLopez，andwhowasdeclaredbythePeople’sBannertohaveemancipatedthatboroughbyhisnobleconductfromthetyrannyoftheHouseofPalliser。AnditwasthoughtthathemightlikeanopportunityofmakinghimselfknownintheHouse。Buthewassimplyindignantwhenthesuggestionwasmadetohim。’Whatisittome，’hesaid，’whopaidtheblackguard’sexpenses？’

ThiswentonforsomeweeksafterParliamenthadmet，andforsomedaysevenafterthearticleinwhichdirectallusionwasmadetotheDuchess。ThePrimeMinistercouldnotbegottoconsentthatnonoticeshouldbetakenofthematter，letthepapersorthepublicsaywhattheywould，norcouldhebeinducedtoletthematterbehandledinamannerproposedbytheelderDuke。Andduringthistimehewasinsuchafeverthatthoseabouthimfeltthatsomethingmustbedone。MrMonksuggestedthatifeverybodyheldhistongue，——meaningalltheDuke’sfriends，——thethingwouldwearitselfout。Butitwasapparenttothosewhowerenearesttotheminister，toMrWarburton，forinstance，andtheDukeofStBungay，thatthemanhimselfwouldbewornoutfirst。Thehappyprofessorofathickskincanhardlyunderstandhowonenotsoblessedmaybehurtbythethongofalittlewhip！Atlastthematterwasarranged。AttheinstigationofMrMonk，SirJamesDeering，whowasreallythefatheroftheHouse，anindependentmember，butonewhogenerallyvotedwiththeCoalition，consentedtoaskthequestionintheHouseofCommons。AndPhineasFinnwasinstructedbytheDukeastotheanswerthatwastobegiven。TheDukeofOmniumingivingtheseinstructionsmadeamysteryofthematterwhichhebynomeanshimselfintended。Buthewassosorethathecouldnotbesimpleinwhathesaid。’MrFinn，’hesaid，’youmustpromisemethis——thatthenameoftheDuchessshallnotbementioned。’

’Certainlynotbyme，ifyouwilltellmethatIamnottomentionit。’

’Nooneelsecandoso。Thematterwilltaketheformofasimplequestion，andthoughtheconductoftheministermaynodoubtbemadethesubjectofdebate，——anditisnotimprobablethatanyconductmaydosointhisinstance，——itis，Ithink，impossiblethatanymembershouldmakeanallusiontomywife。

TheprivilegeorpowerofreturningamemberfortheboroughhasundoubtedlybeenexercisedbyourfamilysinceaswellasprevioustoboththeReformBills。AtthelastelectionI

thoughtitrighttoabandonthatprivilege，andnotifiedtothoseaboutmyintention。Butthatwhichamanhasthepowerofdoinghecannotalwaysdowithoutinterferenceofthosearoundhim。

Therewasamisconception，andamongmy，——myadherents，——thereweresomewhoinjudiciouslyadvisedMrLopeztostandonmyinterest。Buthedidnotgetmyinterest，andwasbeaten——andthereforewhenheaskedmeforthemoneywhichhehadspent，I

paidittohim。Thatisall。IthinktheHousecanhardlyavoidtoseethatmyeffortwasmadetodiscontinueanunconstitutionalproceeding。’

SirJamesDeeringaskedthequestion。’Hetrusted，’hesaid，’thattheHousewouldnotthinkthatthequestionofwhichhehadgivennoticeandwhichhewasabouttoaskwasinstigatedbyanypersonaldesireonhisparttoinquireintotheconductofthePrimeMinister。HewasonewhobelievedthattheDukeofOmniumwasaslittlelikelyasanymaninEnglandtooffendbyunconstitutionalpracticeonhisownpart。ButagreatdealhadbeentalkedandwrittenlatelyaboutthelateelectionatSilverbridge，andtherewerethosewhothought，——andhewasoneofthem，——thatsomethingshouldbesaidtostopthemouthsofcavillers。WiththisobjecthewouldasktheRightHonourableGentlemanwholedtheHouse，andwhowasperhapsfirstinstandingamongtheDuke’scolleaguesinthatHouse，whetherthenobleDukewaspreparedtohaveanystatementonthesubjectmade。’

Thehousewasfulltotheverycornersofthegalleries。Ofcourseitwasknowntoeverybodythatthequestionwastobeaskedandtobeanswered。ThereweresomewhothoughtthematterwassoseriousthatthePrimeMinistercouldnotgetoverit。

OthershadheardthedetailsintheclubsthatLadyGlen，astheDuchesswasstillcalled，wastobemadethescapegoat。Menofallclasseswereopen-mouthedinthedenunciationandmeannessofLopez——thoughnoonebutMrWhartonknewhalfhisvillainy，ashealoneknewthattheexpenseshadbeenpaidtwiceover。Inonecornerofthereporter’sgallerysatMrSlide，pencilinhand，preparedtoreverttohisoldworkonsomomentousanoccasion。

Itwasagreatdayforhim。HebyhisownunassistedenergyhadbroughtthePrimeMinistertobook，andhadcreatedallthisturmoil。ItmightbehishappylottobethemeansofturningthePrimeMinisteroutofoffice。Itwashewhohadwatchedoverthenation！TheDuchesshadbeenmostanxioustobepresent，——

buthadnotventuredtocomewithoutaskingherhusband’sleave，whichhehadmostperemptorilyrefusedtogive。’Icannotunderstand，Glencora，howyoucansuggestsuchathing，’hehadsaid。

’Youmakesomuchofeverything，’shehadrepliedpetulantly。butshehadremainedathome。Theladies’gallerywas，however，quitefull。MrsFinnwasthere，ofcourse，anxiousnotonlyforherfriend，buteagertohearhowherhusbandwouldacquithimselfinhistask。Thewivesanddaughtersofalltheministerswerethere，——exceptingthewifeofthePrimeMinister。

Thereneverhadbeen，inthememoryofthemall，amatterthatwassointerestingtothemforitwastheonlymatterthyrememberedinwhichawoman’sconductmightprobablybecalledintoquestionintheHouseofCommons。Andtheseatsappropriatedtopeersweresocrammedthataboveadozengrey-

headedoldlordswerestandinginthepassagewhichdividesthemfromthecommonstrangers。Afterallitwasnot，intruth，muchofanaffair。AverylittlemanindeedhadcalumniatedtheconductofaministeroftheCrown，tillithadbeenthoughtwellthattheministershoulddefendhimself。NoonereallybelievedthattheDukehadcommittedanygreatoffence。Attheworstitwasnomorethanindiscretion，whichwasnoticeableonlybecauseaPrimeMinistershouldneverbeindiscreet。Hadthetaxationofthewholecountryforthenextyearbeenindisputetherewouldhavebeennosuchinterestfelt。HadthewelfareoftheIndianEmpireoccupiedtheHouse，theHousewouldhavebeenempty。Butthehopethatacertainwoman’snamewouldhavetobementioned，crammeditfromfloortoceiling。

Thereaderneednotbetoldthatthenamewasnotmentioned。OuroldfriendPhineas，onrisingtohislegs，firstapologizedfordoingsoinplaceoftheChancelloroftheExchequer。ButperhapstheHousewouldacceptastatementfromhim，asthenobleDukeattheheadoftheGovernmenthadaskedhimtomakeit。Thenhemadehisstatement。’Perhaps，’hesaid，’nofalseraccusationthanthishadeverbeenbroughtforwardagainstaMinisteroftheCrown，foritspeciallychargedhisnoblefriendwithresortingtotheemploymentofunconstitutionalpracticestobolsteruphisparliamentarysupport，whereasitwasknownbyeverybodythattherewouldhavebeennomatterforaccusationatallhadnottheDukeofhisownmotionabandonedarecognizedprivilege，because，inhisopinion，theexerciseofthatprivilegewasopposedtothespiritoftheConstitution。

HadthenobleDukesimplynominatedacandidate，ascandidatehadbeennominatedatSilverbridgeforcenturiespast，thatcandidatewouldhavebeenreturnedwithabsolutecertainty，andtherewouldhavebeennowordspokenonthesubject。Itwasnot，perhaps，forhim，whohadthehonourofservingunderhisGrace，andwho，asbeingpartofhisGrace’sGovernment，wasforthetimeonewithhisGrace，toexpiateatlengthonthenobilityofthesacrificeheremade。ButtheyallknewthereatwhatratewasvaluedaseatinthatHouse。ThankGodthatprivilegewhichhisnoblefriendhadsomagnanimouslyresignedfrompurelypatrioticmotives，was，hebelieved，stillinexistence，andhewouldaskthosefewwhowerestillinthehappy，orperhaps，hehadbettersayintheenviedpositionofbeingabletosendtheirfriendstothatHouse，whatwastheirestimationoftheconductoftheDukeinthismatter？Itmightbethattherewereoneortwosuchpresent，andwhonowheardhim，——orperhaps，oneortwowhoowedtheirseatstotheexerciseofsuchaprivilege。Theymightmarvelatthemagnitudeofthesurrender。Theymightevenquestionthesagacityofthemanwhocouldabandonsomuchwithoutaprice。Buthehardlythoughtthateventheywouldregarditasunconstitutional。

’ThiswaswhatthePrimeMinisterhaddone，——actingnotasPrimeMinister，butasanEnglishgentleman，inthemanagementofhisownpropertyandprivileges。Andnowhewouldcometothegistoftheaccusationmade。inmakingwhich，thethingwhichtheDukehadreallydonehadbeenaltogetherignored。WhenthevacancyhadbeendeclaredbytheacceptanceoftheChilternHundredsbyagentlemanwhoseabsencefromtheHousetheyallregretted，theDukehadsignifiedtohisagentshisintentionofretiringaltogetherfromtheexerciseofanyprivilegeorpowerinthematter。ButtheDukewasthen，ashewasalsonow，andwould，itwastobehoped，longcontinuetobePrimeMinisterofEngland。

HeneedhardlyremindgentlemeninthatHousethatthePrimeMinisterwasnotinapositiontodevotehisundividedtimetothemanagementofhisownproperty，oreventotheinterestsoftheBoroughofSilverbridge。ThathisGracehadbeenearnestinhisinstructionstohisagents，thesequelfullyproved。butthatearnestnesshisagentshadmisinterpreted。’

ThentherewasavoiceheardintheHouse，’Whatagents？’andfromanothervoice，’Namethem。’FortherewerepresentsomewhothoughtittobeshamefulthattheexcitementoftheoccasionshouldbeloweredbykeepingbacktheallusiontotheDuchess。

’Ihavenotdistinguished，’saidPhineas，assuminganindignanttone，’thehonourablegentlemenfromwhomthosequestionshavecome，andthereforeIhavethelesscompunctionintellingthemthatitisnotpartofmydutyonthisoccasiontogratifyamorbidandanindecentcuriosity。’Thentherewasacryof’Order’，andanappealtotheSpeaker。Certaingentlemenwishedtoknowwhetherindecentwasparliamentary。TheSpeaker，withsomehesitation，expressedhisopinionthattheword，asthenused，wasnotopentoobjectionfromhim。Hethoughtthatitwaswithinthescopeofamember’srightstochargeanothermemberwithindecentcuriosity。’If，’saidPhineas，risingagaintohislegs，forhehadsatdownforamoment，’thegentlemanwhocalledforanamewillriseinhisplaceandrepeatthedemand，Iwillrecallthewordindecentandsubstituteanother，——orothers。I

willtellhimthatheisonewho，regardlessoftherealconductofthePrimeMinister，eitherasamanorasaservantoftheCrown，isonlyanxioustoinflictunmanlywoundinorderthathemaybegratifiedbyseeingthepainheinflicts。’Thenhepaused，butasnofurtherquestionwasasked，hecontinuedhisstatement。’Acandidatehadbeenbroughtforward，’hesaid，’bythoseinterestedintheDuke’saffairs。Amanwhomhewouldnotname，butwho，hetrusted，wouldneversucceedinhisambitiontooccupyaseatinthatHouse，hadbeenbroughtforward，andcertaintradesmeninSilverbridgehadbeenaskedtosupporthimastheDuke’snominee。Therewasnodoubtaboutit。TheHouseperhapscouldunderstandthatthelocaladherentsandneighboursofamansohighinrankandwealthastheDukeofOmniumwouldnotgladlyseetheprivilegesoftheirlorddiminished。Perhaps，too，itoccurredtothemthataPrimeMinistercouldnothavehiseyeeverywhere。Therewouldalwaysbeworthymeninboroughswholikedtoexercisesomesecond-handauthority。Atanyrateitwasthecasethatthiscandidatewasencouraged。ThentheDukehadheardit，andhadputhisfootuponthelittlemutiny，andhadstampeditoutatonce。Hemightperhapshere，’hesaid，’congratulatetheHouseontheacquisitionithadreceived，bythefailureofthatcandidate。Sofar，atanyrate，’hethought，’itmustbeadmittedthattheDukehadbeenfreefromblame——

butnowhecametothegravamenofthecharge。ThegravamenofthechargeissowellknowntothereaderthatthesimpleaccountofitbyPhineasgaveofitneednotberepeated。TheDukehadpaidthemoney，whenaskedforit，becausehefeltthatthemanhadbeeninjuredbyincorrectmisrepresentationsmadetohim。’I

needhardlypausetostigmatizethemeannessofthatapplication，’saidPhineas，’butImayperhapsconcludebysayingthatwhetherthelastactdonebytheDukeinthismatterwasorwasnotindiscreet，IshallprobablyhavetheHousewithmewhenIsaythatitsavoursmuchmorestronglyofnobilitythanindiscretion。’

WhenPhineasFinnsatdownnoonearosetosayanotherwordonthesubject。ItwasafterwardsfeltthatitcouldonlyhavebeengracefulhadSirOrlandorisenandexpressedhisopinionthattheHousehadheardthestatementjustmadewithperfectsatisfaction。Buthedidnotdoso，andafterashortpausetheordinarybusinessofthedaywasrecommenced。Thentherewasaspeedydescentfromthegalleries，andtheladiestroopedoutoftheircage，andthegrey-headedoldpeerswentbacktotheirownchamber，andthemembersthemselvesquicklyjostledoutthroughthedoors，andMrMonkwaslefttoexplainhisproposedalterationinthedogtaxtoathinHouseofseventyoreightymembers。

Thethingwasthenover，andpeoplewereastonishedthatsogreatathingshouldbeoverwithsolittlefuss。ItreallyseemedthatafterPhineasFinn’sspeechtherewasnothingmoretobesaidonthematter。EverybodyofcourseknewthattheDuchesshadbeenthechiefoftheagentstowhomhehadalluded，buttheyhadknownasmuchasthatbefore。Itwas，however，feltbyeverybodythatthematterhadbeenbroughttoanend。Thegame，suchasitwas，hadbeenplayedout。PerhapstheonlypersonwhoheardMrFinn’sspeechthroughout，andstillhopedthatthesparkcouldbeagainfannedintoaflame，wasQuintusSlide。HewentoutandwroteanotherarticleabouttheDuchess。Ifamanwassounabletorulehisaffairsathome，hewascertainlyunfittobePrimeMinister。ButevenQuintusSlide，ashewrotehisarticle，feltthathewashopingagainsthope。Thechargemightbereferredtohereafterasonethathadneverbeensatisfactorilyclearedup。Thegameisalwaysopentotheopponentsofaminister。Afterthelapseofafewmonthsanoldaccusationcanbeserviceablyused，whetheratthetimeitwasprovedordisproved。MrSlidepublishedhisarticle。buthefeltthatforthepresenttheSilverbridgeelectionpapershadbetterbeputbyamongthepropertiesofthePeople’sBannerandbroughtout，ifnecessary，forfurtheruseatsomefuturetime。

’MrFinn，’saidtheDuke，’Ifeelindebtedtoyouforthetroubleyouhavetaken。’

’Itwasonlyapleasantduty。’

’Iamgratefultoyouforthemannerinwhichitwasperformed。’

ThiswasalltheDukesaid，andPhineasfeltittobecold。TheDuke，intruth，wasgrateful，butgratitudewithhimalwaysfailedtoexhibititselfreadily。FromtheworldatlargePhineasFinnreceivedgreatpraiseforthemannerinwhichhehadperformedhistask。

CHAPTER58

’QUITESETTLED。’

TheabusewhichwasnowpubliclyheapedonthenameofFerdinandLopezhitthemanveryhard。butnotsohardperhapsashisrejectionbyLadyEustace。Thatwasanepisodeinhislifeofwhichevenhefeltashamed，andofwhichhewasunabletoshakethedisgracefromhismemory。Hehadnoinnerappreciationwhatsoeverofwhatwasreallygoodorwaswhatreallybadinaman’sconduct。HedidnotknowthathehaddoneevilinapplyingtotheDukeformoney。HehadonlymeanttoattacktheDuke。andwhenthemoneyhadcomeithadbeenregardedasjustifiableprey。

AndwhenafterreceivingtheDuke’smoney，hehadkeptalsoMrWharton’smoney，hehadjustifiedhimselfagainbyremindinghimselfthatMrWhartoncertainlyowedhimmuchmorethanthat。

Inasensehewaswhatiscalledagentleman。Heknewhowtospeak，andhowtolook，howtouseaknifeandfork，howtodresshimself，andhowtowalk。Buthehadnotthefaintestnotionofthefeelingsofagentleman。Hehad，however，averykeenconceptionoftheevilofbeinggenerallyillspokenof。Evennow，thoughhewasmakinghisminduptoleaveEnglandforalongtermofyears，heunderstoodthedisadvantageofleavingitundersoheavyacloud——andheunderstoodalsothatthecloudmightpossiblyimpedehisgoingaltogether。EveninColemanStreettheywerelookingblackuponhim，andMrHartlepodwentsofarastosaytoLopezhimself，that，’byJove，hehadputhisfootinit。’Hehadendeavouredtobecourageousunderhisburden，andeverydaywalkedintotheofficesoftheMiningCompany，endeavouringtolookasthoughhehadcommittednofaultofwhichhehadtobeashamed。ButaftertheseconddayhefoundthatnothingwassaidtohimoftheaffairsoftheCompany，andonthefourthdayMrHartlepodinformedhimthatthetimeallowedforpayinguphisshareshadpassedby，andthatanotherlocalmanagerwouldbeappointed。’Thetimeisnotovertillto-

morrow，’saidLopezangrily。’ItellyouwhatIamtoldtotellyou，’saidMrHartlepod。’Youwillonlywasteyourtimebycominghereanymore。’

HehadnotonceseenMrWhartonsincethestatementmadeintheParliament，althoughhehadlivedinthesamehousewithhim。

EverettWhartonhadcomehome，andtheytwohadmet——butthemeetinghadbeenstormy。’Itseemstome，Lopez，thatyouareascoundrel，’Everettsaidtohimonday，afterhavingheardthewholestory，——orrathermanystories，——fromhisfather。ThistookplacenotinManchesterSquare，butattheclub，whereEveretthadendeavouredtocuthisbrother-in-law。ItneedhardlybesaidthatatthistimeLopezwasnotpopularathisclub。Onthenextdayameetingofthewholeclubwastobeheldthattheproprietyofexpellinghimmightbediscussed。Buthehadresolvedthathewouldnotbecowed，thathewouldstillshowhimself，andstilldefendhisconduct。Hedidnotknow，however，thatEverettWhartonhadalreadymadeknowntotheCommitteeofthecluballthefactsofthedoublepayment。

HehadaddressedEverettinthatsolicitudetowhichamanshouldneverbereducedofseekingtoberecognizedbyatanyrateoneacquaintance，——andnowhisbrother-in-lawhadcalledhimascoundrelinthepresenceofothermen。Heraisedhisarmasthoughtousethecaneinhishand，buthewascowedbythefeelingthatalltherewerehisadversaries。’Howdareyouusethatlanguagetome！’hesaidveryweakly。

’ItisthelanguageImustuseifyouspeaktome。’

’Iamyourbrother-in-law，andthatrestrainsme。’

’Unfortunatelyyouare。’

’Andamlivinginyourfather’shouse。’

’That，again，isamisfortunewhichitappearsdifficulttoremedy。Youhavebeentoldtogo，andyouwon’tgo。’

’Youringratitude，sir，ismarvellous！Whosavedyourlifewhenyouwereattackedinthepark，andweretoodrunktotakecareofyourself？Whohasstoodyourfriendwithyourclose-fistedoldfatherwhenyouhavelostmoneyatplaythatyoucouldnotpay？

Butyouareoneofthosewhowouldturnawayfromanybenefactorinhismisfortune。’

’Imustcertainlyturnawayfromamanwhohasdisgracedhimselfasyouhavedone，’saidEverett，leavingtheroom。Lopezthrewhimselfintoaneasy-chair，andrangthebellloudlyforacupofcoffee，andlitacigar。Hehadnotbeenturnedoutoftheclubasyet，andtheservantatanyratewasboundtoattendtohim。

Thatnighthewaitedupforhisfather-in-lawinManchesterSquare。HewouldcertainlygotoGuatemalanow，——ifitwerenottoolate。Hewouldgothoughhewereforcedtoleavehiswifebehindhim，andthussurrenderanyfurtherhopeformoneyfromMrWhartonbeyondthesumwhichhewouldreceiveasthepriceofhisbanishment。ItwastruethatthefortnightallowedtohimbytheCompanywasonlyatanendthatday，andthat，therefore，thefollowingmorningmightbetakenasthelastdaynamedforthepaymentofthemoney。Nodoubt，also，MrWharton’sbillatafewdays’datewouldbeacceptedifthatgentlemancouldnotatthemomentgiveachequeforsolargeasumaswasrequired。Andtheappointmenthadbeendistinctlypromisedtohimwithnootherstipulationthanthatthemoneyrequiredforthesharesshouldbepaid。HedidnotbelieveinMrHartlepod’sthreat。Itwasimpossible，hethought，thatheshouldbetreatedinsoinfamousamannermerelybecausehehadhadhiselectionexpensesrepaidhimbytheDukeofOmnium！Hewould，therefore，askforthemoney，and——renouncethesocietyofhiswife。

Ashemadethisresolve，somethinglikereallovereturnedtohisheart，andhebecameforawhilesickwithregret。Heassuredhimselfthathehadlovedher，andthathecouldloveherstill——

butwhyhadshenotbeentruetohim？Whyhadsheclungtoherfatherinsteadofclingingtoherhusband？Whyhadshenotlearnthisways，——asawifeisboundtolearnthewaysofthemanshemarries？Whyhadshenothelpedhiminhisdevices，fallenintohisplans，beenregardfulofhisfortunes，andmadeherselfonewithhim？Therehadbeenpresenttohimattimesanideathatifhecouldtakeherawaywithhimtothatdistantcountrytowhichhethoughttogo，andthusremoveherfromtheupasinfluenceofherfather’sroof-tree，shewouldthenfallintohisviewsandbecomehiswifeindeed。Thenhewouldagainbetendertoher，againloveher，againendeavourtomaketheworldsofttoher。Butitwastoolatenowforthat。HehadfailedineverythingasfarasEnglandwasconcerned，anditwaschieflybyherfaultthathehadfailed。Hewouldconsenttoleaveher——but，ashethoughtofitinsolitude，hiseyesbecamemoistwithregret。

InthesedaysMrWhartonnevercamehometillaboutmidnight，andthenpassedrapidlythroughthehalltohisownroom，——andinthemorninghadhisbreakfastbroughttohiminthesameroom，sothathemightnotevenseehisson-in-law。Hisdaughterwouldgotohimwhenatbreakfast，andthere，togetherforsomehalf-hour，theywouldendeavourtolookforwardtotheirfuturefate。Buthithertotheyhadneverbeenabletolookforwardinaccord，asshestillpersistedindeclaringthatifherhusbandbadehertogowithhim，——shewouldgo。OnthisnightLopezsatupinthedining-room，andassoonasheheardMrWharton’skeyinthedoor，heplacedhimselfinthehall。’Iwishtospeaktoyouto-

night，sir，’hesaid。’Wouldyouobjecttocomeinforafewmoments？’ThenMrWhartonfollowedhimintotheroom。’Aswelivenow，’continuedLopez，’Ihavenothadmuchopportunityofspeakingtoyou，evenonbusiness。’

’Well，sir。youcanspeaknow，——ifyouhaveanythingtosay。’

’The5，000poundsyoupromisedmemustbepaidto-morrow。Itisthelastday。’

’Ipromiseditonlyoncertainconditions。Hadyoucompliedwiththemthemoneywouldhavebeenpaidbefore。’

’Justso。Theconditionswereveryhard，MrWharton。Itsurprisesmethatsuchaoneasyoushouldthinkitrighttoseparateahusbandfromhiswife。’

’Ithinkitright，sir，toseparatemydaughterfromsuchaoneasyouare。Ithoughtsobefore，butIthinksodoublynow。IfIcansecureyourabsenceinGuatemalabythepaymentofthismoney，andifyouwillgivemeadocumentthatshallbepreparedbyMrWalkerandsignedbyyourself，assuringyourwifethatyouwillnothereaftercalluponhertolivewithyou，themoneyshallbepaid。’

’Allthatwilltaketime，MrWharton。’

’Iwillnotpayapennywithoutit。IcanmeetyouattheofficeinColemanStreetto-morrow，anddoubtlesstheywillacceptmywrittenassurancetopaythemoneyassoonasthosestipulationsshallbecompliedwith。’

’Thatwoulddisgracemeintheoffice，MrWharton。’

’Andareyounotdisgracedtherealready？CanyoutellmethattheyhavenotheardofyourconductinColemanStreet，orthathearingittheydisregardit？’Hisson-in-lawstoodfrowningathim，butdidnotatthemomentsayaword。’Nevertheless，Iwillmeetyouthereifyouplease，atanytimethatyoumayname，andiftheydonotobjecttoemploysuchamanastheirmanager，I

shallnotobjectontheirbehalf。’

’Tothelastyouarehardandcrueltome，’saidLopez——’butI

willmeetyouatColemanStreetatelevento-morrow。’ThenMrWhartonlefttheroom，andLopezwastherealoneamidstthegloomoftheheavycurtainsandthedarkpaper。ALondondining-roomatnightisalwaysdark，cavernous，andunlovely。Theverypicturesonthewallslackedbrightness，andthefurnitureisblackandheavy。Thisroomwaslarge，butold-fashionedandverydark。HereLopezwalkedupanddownafterMrWhartonhadlefthim，tryingtothinkhowfarFateandhowfarhehimselfwereresponsibleforhispresentmisfortunes。Nodoubthehadbeguntheworldwell。Hisfatherhadbeenlittlebetterthanatravellingpedlar，buthadmadesomemoneybysellingjewellery，andhadeducatedhisson。Lopezcouldonnoscoreimputeblametohisfatherforwhathadhappenedtohim。And，whenhethoughtofthemeansathisdisposalinhisearlyyouth，hefeltthathehadarighttoboastofsomesuccess。Hehadworkedhard，andhadwonhiswayupwards，andhadalmostlodgedhimselfsecurelyamongthosepeoplewithwhomithadbeenhisambitiontolive。

Earlyinlifehehadfoundhimselfamongthosewhowerecalledgentlemenandladies。Hehadbeenabletoassumetheirmanners，andhadlivedwiththemonequalterms。WhenthinkingofhispastlifeheneverforgottoremindhimselfthathehadbeenaguestatthehouseoftheDukeofOmnium！Andyethowfarwasitwithhimnow？Hewaspenniless。Hewasrejectedbyhisfather-

in-law。Hewasfeared，and，ashethought，detested，byhiswife。Hewasexpelledfromhisclub。Hewascutbyhisoldfriends。AndhehadbeentoldveryplainlybytheSecretaryinColemanStreetthathispresencetherewasnolongerdesired。

WhatshouldhedowithhimselfifMrWharton’smoneywerenowrefused，andiftheappointmentinGuatemalaweredeniedtohim？

AndthenhethoughtofSextyParkerandhisfamily。Hewasnotnaturallyanill-naturedman。ThoughhecouldupbraidhiswifeforalludingtoMrsParker’smisery，declaringthatMrsParkermusttaketherubsoftheworldjustasotherstookthem，stillthemisfortuneswhichhehadbroughtonherandonherchildrendidaddsomethingtotheweightofhisownmisfortunes。IfhecouldnotgotoGuatemala，whatshouldhedowithhimself——

whereshouldhego？Thushewalkedupanddowntheroomforanhour。Wouldnotapistolorarazorgivehimthebestsolutionforallhisdifficulties？

OnthefollowingmorninghekepthisappointmentattheofficeinColemanStreet，asdidMrWhartonalso。Thelatterwastherefirstbysomeminutes，andexplainedtoMrHartlepodthathehadcometheretomeethisson-in-law。MrHartlepodwascivil，butverycold。MrWhartonsawatthefirstglancethattheservicesofFerdinandLopezwerenolongerinrequestbytheSanJuanMiningCompany。buthesatdownandwaited。Nowthathewasthere，howeverpainfultheinterviewwouldbe，hewouldgothroughit。Attenminutespastelevenmemadeuphismindthathewouldwaituntilthehalfhour，——andthengo，withthefixedresolutionthathewouldneverwillinglyspendanothershillingonbehalfofthatwretchedman。Butataquarterpasteleventhewretchedmancame，——swaggeringintotheoffice，thoughithadnot，hitherto，beenhiscustomtoswagger。Butmisfortunemastersallbutthegreatmen，andupsetsherbest-learnedlessonofevenalonglife。’IhopeIhavenotkeptyouwaiting，MrWharton。Well，Hartlepod，howareyouto-day？Sothislittleaffairisgoingtobesettledatlast，andnowthesesharesshallbeboughtandpaidfor。’MrWhartondidnotsayaword，notevenrisingfromhischair，orgreetinghisson-in-lawbyaword。’I

daresayMrWhartonhasalreadyexplainedhimself，’saidLopez。

’Idon’tknowthatthereisanynecessity，’saidMrHartlepod。

’Well，——Isupposeit’ssimpleenough，’continuedLopez。’MrWharton，IbelieveIamrightinsayingthatyouarereadytopaythemoneyatonce。’

’Yes——IamreadytopaythemoneyassoonasIamassuredthatyouareonyourroutetoGuatemala。IwillnotpayapennytillIknowthatasafact。’

TheMrHartlepodrosefromhisseatandspoke。’Gentlemen，’hesaid，’thematterwithinthelastfewdayshasassumedadifferentcomplexion。’

’Ashow？’exclaimedLopez。

’TheDirectorshavechangedtheirmindastosendingoutMrLopezastheirlocalmanager。TheDirectorsintendtoappointanothergentleman。IhadalreadyacquaintedMrLopezwiththeDirectors’

intention。’

’Thenthematterissettled？’saidMrWharton。

’Quitesettled，’saidMrHartlepod。

AsamatterofcourseLopezbegantofumeandtobefurious。

What！——afterallthathadbeendone，andtheDirectorsmeantogobackfromtheirword？Afterhehadbeeninducedtoabandonhisbusinessinhisowncountry，washetobethrownoverinthatway？IftheCompanyintendedtotreathimlikethat，theCompanywouldverysoonhearfromhim。ThankGodtherewerelawsintheland。’Yesterdaywasthelastdayfixedforthepaymentofthemoney，’saidMrHartlepod。

’ItisatanyratecertainthatMrLopezisnottogotoGuatemala？’askedMrWharton。

’Quitecertain，’saidMrHartlepod。ThenMrWhartonrosefromhischairandquittedtheroom。

’ByG-，youhaveruinedmeamongyou，’saidLopez——’ruinedmeinthemostshamefulmanner。Thereisnomercy，nofriendship，nokindness，noforbearanceanywhere！WhyamItobetreatedinthismanner？’

’Ifyouhaveanycomplainttomake，’saidMrHartlepod，’youhadbetterwritetotheDirectors。Ihavenothingtodobutmyduty。’

’Byheavens，theDirectorsshallhearofit！’saidLopezashelefttheoffice。

MrWhartonwenttohischambersandendeavouredtomakeuphismindwhatstephemustnowtakeinreferencetothisdreadfulincubus。Ofcoursehecouldturnthemanoutofhishouse，butinsodoingitmightwellbethathewouldalsoturnouthisowndaughter。HebelievedLopeztobeutterlywithoutmeans，andamansodestitutewouldgenerallybegladtoberelievedfromtheburdenofhiswife’ssupport。Butthismanwouldcarenothingforhiswife’scomfort。nothingeven，asMrWhartonbelieved，forhiswife’slife。Hewouldsimplyusehiswifeasbesthemightasameansforobtainingmoney。Therewasnothingtobedonebuttobuyhimoff，bysomuchmoneydownandbysomuchatstatedintervalsaslongasheshouldkeepaway。MrWalkermustmanageit，butitwasquitecleartoMrWhartonthattheGuatemalaschemewasaltogetheratanend。Inthemeantimeacertainsummustbeofferedtothemanatonce，onconditionthathewouldleavethehouseanddosowithouttakinghiswifewithhim。

SofarMrWhartonhadaplan，andaplanthatwasatleastfeasible。Wretchedashewas，miserable，ashethoughtthefatewhichhadbefallenhisdaughter，——therewasstillaprospectofsomerelief。ButLopezashewalkedoutoftheofficehadnothingtowhichhecouldlookforcomfort。HeslowlymadehiswaytoLittleTankardYardandtherehefoundSextyParkerbalancinghimselfonthebacklegsofhischair，withasmalldecanterofpublic-housesherrybeforehim。’What。youhere？’hesaid。

’Yes——Ihavecometosaygood-bye。’

’Whereareyougoingthen？Youshan’tstarttoGuatemalaifI

knowit。’

’That’sallover，myboy，’saidLopez，smiling。

’Whatisityoumean？’saidSexty，sittingsquareonhischairandlookingveryserious。

’IamnotgoingtoGuatemalaoranywhereelse。IthoughI’djustlookintotellyouthatI’mdonefor，——thatIhaven’tahopeofashillingnoworhereafter。YoutoldmetheotherdaythatI

wasafraidtocomehere。Youseethatassoonasanythingisfixed，Icomeandtellyoueverythingatonce。’

’Whatisfixed？’

’ThatIamruined。Thatthereisn’tapennytocomefromanysource。’

’Whartonhasgotmoney，’saidSexty。

’AndthereismoneyintheBankofEngland，——butIcannotgetatit。’

’Whatareyougoingtodo，Lopez？’

’Ah。that’sthequestion。WhatamIgoingtodo？Icansaynothingaboutthat，butIcansay，Sexty，thatouraffairsareatanend。I’mverysorryforit，oldboy。Weoughttohavemadefortunes，butwedidn’t。Asfarastheworkwent，Ididmybest。

Good-bye，oldfellow。You’lldowellsomeofthesedaysyet，I

don’tdoubt。Don’tteachthebairnstocurseme。AsforMrsP。

Ihavenothopethere，Iknow。’Thenhewent，leavingSextyParkerquiteaghast。

CHAPTER59

THEFIRSTANDTHELAST。

WhenMrWhartonwasinColemanStreet，havinghisfinalinterviewwithMrHartlepod，therecameavisitortoMrsLopezinManchesterSquare。UptothisdatetherehadbeengreatdoubtwithMrWhartonwhetheratlastthebanishmenttoGuatemalawouldbecomeafact。Fromdaytodayhismindhadchanged。IthadbeenaninfinitebenefitthatLopezshouldgo，ifhecouldbegottogoalone，butasgreatanevilifatlastheshouldtakehiswifewithhim。Butthefatherhadneverdaredtoexpressthesedoubtstoher，andshehadtaughtherselftothinkthatabsolutebanishmentwithamanwhomshecertainlynolongerloved，wasthepunishmentshehadtopayfortheevilshehaddone。ItwasnowMarch，andthesecondorthirdofAprilhadbeenfixedforherdeparture。Ofcourse，shehadendeavouredfromtimetotimetolearnallthatwastobelearnedfromherhusband。Sometimeshewouldbealmostcommunicativetoher。atothertimesshecouldhardlygetawordfromhim。But，throughitall，hegavehertobelievethatshewouldhavetogo。Nordidherfathermakeanygreatefforttoturnhismindtheotherway。Ifitmustbeso，ofwhatusewouldbesuchfalsekindnessonhispart？Shehadthereforegonetoworktomakeherpurchases，studyingthateconomywhichmusthenceforthbethegreatdutyofherlife，andremindingherselfastoeverythingsheboughtthatitwouldhavetobewornwithtearsandusedinsorrow。

AndthenshesentamessagetoArthurFletcher。ItsohappenedthatSirAluredWhartonwasupinLondonatthistimewithhisdaughterMary。SirAlureddidnotcometoManchesterSquare。

Therewasnothingtheoldbaronetcouldsayinthemidstofallthismisery，——nocomfortthathecouldgive。ItwaswellknownnowtoalltheWhartonsandtheFletchersthatthisLopez，whohadmarriedherwhowastohavebeenthepearlofthetwofamilies，hadprovedhimselftobeascoundrel。ThetwooldWhartonsmetnodoubtatsomeclub，orperhapstheStoneBuildings，andspokesomefewbitterwordstoeachother。butSirAlureddidnotseetheunfortunateyoungwomanwhohaddisgracedherselfbysowretchedamarriage。ButMarycame，andbyheramessagewassenttoArthurFletcher。’TellhimthatIamgoing，’

saidEmily。’Tellhimnottocome，butgivehimmylove。Hewasalwaysoneofmykindestfriends。’

’Why——why——whydidyounottakehim？’saidMary，movedbytheexcitementofthemomenttosuggestionswhichwerequiteatvariancewiththefixedproprietyofhergeneralidea。

’Whyshouldyouspeakofthat？’saidtheother。’Ineverspeakofhim，——neverthinkofhim。But，ifyouseehim，tellhimwhatIsay。’ArthurFletcherwasofcourseintheSquareonthefollowingday，——onthatverydayonwhichMrWhartonlearnedthat，whatevermightbehisdaughter’sfate，shewouldnot，atanyrate，betakentoGuatemala。TheytwohadnevermetsincethedayonwhichtheyhadbeenbroughttogetherforamomentattheDuchess’spartyatRichmond。Ithadofcoursebeenunderstoodbybothofthemthattheywerenottobeallowedtoseeeachother。Herhusbandhadmadeapretextofanactoffriendshiponhisparttoestablishaquarrel，andbothofthemhadbeenboundbythatquarrel。Whenahusbanddeclaresthathiswifeshallnotknowaman，thatedictmustbeobeyed，——or，ifdisobeyed，mustbesubvertedbyintrigue。Inthiscasetherehadbeennoinclinationtointrigueoneitherside。Theorderhadbeenobeyed，andasfarasthewifewasconcerned，hadbeenonlyasmallpartoftheterriblepunishmentwhichhadcomeuponherasaresultofhermarriage。But，now，whenArthurFletcherhadsentuphisname，shedidnothesitateastoseeinghim。Nodoubtshehadthoughtitprobablethatshemightseehimwhenshegavehermessagetohercousin。

’Icouldnotletyougowithoutcomingtoyou，’hesaid。

’Itisverygoodofyou。Yes——Isupposewearegoing。

Guatemalasoundsalongwayoff，Arthur，doesitnot？Buttheytellmeitisabeautifulcountry。’Shespokewithacheerfulvoice，almostasthoughshelikedtheideaofherjourney。buthelookedatherwithbeseeching，anxious，sorrow-ladeneyes。

’Afterall，whatisajourneyofafewweeks？WhyshouldInotbeashappyinGuatemalaasinLondon？Astofriends，Idonotknowthatitwillmakemuchdifference，——exceptpapa。’

’Itseemstometomakeadifference，’saidhe。

’Ineverseeanybodynow，——neitheryourpeople，northeWhartonWhartons。Indeed，Iseenobody。IfitwerenotforpapaI

shouldbegladtogo。Iamtoldthatitisacharmingcountry。

IhavenotfoundManchesterSquareverycharming。Iaminclinedtothinkthatalltheworldisverymuchalike，andthatitdoesnotmatterverymuchwhereonelives，——or，perhaps，whatonedoes。ButatanyrateIamgoing，andIamverygladtobeabletosaygood-byetoyoubeforeIstart。’Allthisshesaidrapidly，inamannerunlikeherself。Shewasforcingherselftospeaksothatshemightsaveherself，ifpossible，frombreakingdowninhispresence。

’OfcourseIcamewhenMarytoldme。’

’Yes——shewashere。SirAlureddidnotcome。Idon’twonderatthat，however。Andyourmotherintownsometimeago，——butI

didn’texpecthertocome。Whyshouldtheycome？Idon’tknowwhetheryoumightnothavebetterstayedaway。OfcourseIamaPariahnow。butPariahasIam，IshallbeasgoodasanyoneelseinGuatemala。YouhaveseenEverettsincehehasbeenintown，perhaps？’

Yes——Ihaveseenhim。’

’Ihopetheywon’tquarrelwithEverettbecauseofwhatIhavedone。Ihavefeltthatmorethanall——thatbothpapaandhehavesufferedbecauseofit。Doyouknow，Ithinkpeoplearehard。Theymighthavethrownmeoffwithoutbeingunkindtothem。Itisthatthathaskilledme，Arthur——thattheyshouldhavesuffered。’Hesatlookingather，notknowinghowtointerrupther，orwhattosay。Therewasmuchthathemeanttosay，buthedidnotknowhowtobeginit，orhowtoframehiswords。’WhenIamgone，perhapsitwillbeallright，’shecontinued。’WhenhetoldmethatIwastogo，thatwasmycomfort。IthinkIhavetaughtmyselftothinknothingofmyself，tobearitallasanecessity，toputupwithit，whateveritmaybe，asmenbearthethirstinthedesert。ThankGod，Arthur，Ihavenobabytosufferwithme。Here，——here，itisstillverybad。WhenIthinkofpapacreepinginandoutofhishouse，IsometimesfeelthatImustkillmyself。Butourgoingwillputanendtoallthat。Itismuchbetterthatweshouldgo。Iwishwemightstartto-morrow。’Thenshelookedupathim，andsawthattearswererunningdownhisface，andasshelookedsheheardhissobs。’Whyshouldyoucry，Arthur？Henevercries，——nordoI。WhenbabydiedIcried，——butverylittle。Tearsarevain，foolishthings。Ithastobeborne，andthereisanendofit。Whenonemakesupone’smindtothat，onedoesnotcry。Therewasapoorwomanhertheotherdaywhosehusbandhehadruined。SheweptandbewailedherselftillI

pitiedheralmostmorethanmyself——butthenshehadchildren。’

’Oh，Emily！’

’Youmustn’tcallmebymyname，becausehewouldbeangry。I

havetodo，youknow，ashetellsme。AndIdosostrivetodoit！ThroughitallIhaveanideathatifIdomydutyitwillbebetterforme。Therearethings，youknow，whichahusbandmaytellyoutodo，butyoucannotdo。Ifhetellsmetorob，I

amnottorob——amI？AndnowIthinkofit，yououghtnottobehere。Hewouldbeveryangry，muchdispleased。Butithasbeensopleasantoncemoretoseeandoldfriend。’

’Icarenothingforhisanger，’saidArthurmoodily。

’Ah，butIdo。Ihavetocareforit。’

’Leavehim！Whydon’tyouleavehim？’

’What！’

’Youcannotdeceiveme。Youdonottrytodeceiveme。Youknowthatheisaltogetherunworthyofyou。’

’Iwillhearnothingofthekind，sir。’

’HowcanIspeakotherwisewhenyouyourselftellmeofyourownmisery？IsitpossiblethatIshouldnotknowwhatheis？Wouldyouhavemepretendtothinkwellofhim？’

’Youcanholdyourtongue，Arthur。’

’No——Icannotholdmytongue。HaveInotheldmytongueeversinceyoumarried？AndifIamtospeakatall，mustInotspeaknow？’

’Thereisnothingtobesaidthatcanserveusatall。’

’Thenitshallbesaidwithoutserving。WhenIbidyouleavehim，itisnotthatyoumaycometome。ThoughIloveyoubetterthanalltheworldputtogether，Idonotmeanthatatall。’

’Oh，Arthur！Arthur！’

’Butletyourfathersaveyou。Onlytellhimthatyouwillstaywithhim，andhewilldoit。ThoughIshouldneverseeyouagain，Icouldhelpprotectyou。Ofcourse，Iknow，——andyouknow。Heis——ascoundrel！’

’Iwillnothearit，’saidsherisingfromherseatonthesofawithherhandsuptoherforehead，butstillcomingnearertohimasshemoved。

’Doesnotyourfathersaythesamething？Iwilladvisenothingthathedoesnotadvise。Iwouldnotsayawordtoyouthathemightnothear。Idoloveyou，Ihavealwayslovedyou。ButdoyouthinkthatIwouldhurtyouwithmylove？’

’No——no——no！’

’No，indeed——butIwouldhaveyoufeelthatthosewholovedyouofoldarestillanxiousforyourwelfare。Yousaidjustnowthatyouhadbeenneglected。’

’IspokeofpapaandEverett。Formyself，——ofcourse，Ihaveseparatedmyselffromeverybody。’

’Neverfromme。Youmaybetentimeshiswife，butyoucannotseparateyourselffromme。GettingupinthemorningandgoingtobedatnightIstilltellmyselfthatyouaretheonewomanthatIlove。Staywithus，andyoushallbehonoured，——asthatman’swifeofcourse，butstillasthedearestfriendwehave。’

’Icannotstay，’shesaid。’HehastoldmethatIamtogo，andIaminhishands。Whenyouhaveawife，Arthur，youwillwishhertodoyourbidding。Ihopeshewillforyoursake，withoutthatpainIhaveindoingit。Good-bye，dearfriend。’

Sheputherhandoutandhegraspedit，andstoodforamomentlookingather。Thenheseizedherinhisarmsandkissedherbrowandherlips。’Oh，Emily，whywereyounotmywife？Mydarling，mydarling！’

Shehadhardlyextricatedherselfwhenthedooropened，andLopezstoodintheroom。’MrFletcher，’hesaid，verycalmly，’whatisthemeaningofthis？’

’Hehascometobidmefarewell，’saidEmily。’Whengoingonsolongajourneyonelikestoseeone’soldfriends，——perhapsforthelasttime。’Therewassomethingofindifferencetohisangerinhertone，andsomethingalsoofscorn。

Lopezlookedfromonetotheother，affectinganairofgreatdispleasure。’Youknow，sir，’hesaid，’thatyoucannotbewelcomehere。’

’Buthehasbeenwelcome，’saidhiswife。

’AndIlookuponyourcomingasabaseact。Youareherewiththeintentionofcreatingdiscordbetweenmeandmywife。’

’Iamheretotellherthatshehasafriendtotrustto，ifsheeverwantsafriend，’saidFletcher。

’Andyouthinkthatsuchtrustasthatwouldbesaferthantrustinherhusband？Icannotturnyououtofthishouse，sir，becauseitdoesnotbelongtome，butIdesireyoutoleaveatoncetheroomwhichisoccupiedbymywife。’Fletcherpausedamomenttosaygood-byetothepoorwoman，whileLopezcontinuedwithincreasedindignation。’Ifyoudonotgoatonceyouwillforcemetodesirehertoretire。Sheshallnotremaininthesameroomwithyou。’

’Good-bye，MrFletcher，’shesaid，againputtingoutherhand。

ButLopezstruckitup，notviolently，soastohurther，butstillwitheagerroughness。’Notinmypresence，’hesaid。’Go，sire，whenIdesireyou。’

’Godblessyou，myfriend，’saidArthurFletcher。’IpraythatI

mightlivetoseeyoubackintheoldcountry。’

’Hewas——kissingyou，’saidLopez，assoonasthedoorwasshut。

’Hewas，’saidEmily。

’Andyoutellmesotomyface，withsuchanairasthat！’

’WhatamItotellyouwhenyouaskme？Ididnotbidhimkissme。’

’Butafterwardsyoutookhispartashisfriend。’

’Whynot？IshouldlietoyouifIpretendedthatIwasangrywithhimforwhathedid。’

’Perhapsyouwilltellmethatyoulovehim。’

’OfcourseIlovehim。Therearedifferentkindsoflove，Ferdinand。Thereisthatwhichawomangivestoamanwhenshewouldfainmatewithhim。Itisthesweetestloveofall，ifitwouldonlylast。Andthereisanotherlove，——whichisnotgiven，butwhichiswon，perhapsthroughlongyears，byoldfriends。IhavenoneolderthanArthurFletcher，andnonewhoaredearertome。’

’Andyouthinkitrightthatheshouldtakeyouinhisarmsandkissyou？’

’Onsuchanoccasion，Icouldnotblamehim。’

’Youwerereadyenoughtoreceiveit，perhaps。’

’Well，Iwas。Hehaslovedmewell，andIshallneverseehimagain。Heisverydeartome，andIwaspartingfromhimforever。Itwasthefirstandthelast，andIdidnotgrudgeittohim。Youmustremember，Ferdinand，thatyouaretakingmeacrosstheworldfromallmyfriends。’

’Psha，’hesaid，’thatisallover。YouarenotgoinganywherethatIknowof，——unlessitbeoutontothestreetswhenyourfathershutshisdooronyou。’Andsosayinghelefttheroomwithoutanotherword。

CHAPTER60

THETENWAYJUNCTION。

AndthustheknowledgewasconveyedtoMrsLopezthatherfateinlifewasnottocarryhertoGuatemala。AttheverymomentinwhichshehadbeensummonedtomeetArthurFletchershehadbeenbusywithherneedlepreparingthatalmostendlesscollectionofgarmentsnecessaryforajourneyofmanydaysatsea。Andnowshewasinformed，byachanceexpression，byawordaside，asitwere，thatthejourneywasnottobemade。’Thatisallover，’

hehadsaid，——andthenhadlefther，tellinghernothingfurther。Ofcourseshestayedherneedle。Whetherthelastwordhadbeentrueorfalse，shecouldnotworkagain，atanyratetillithadbeencontradicted。Ifitwereso，whatwastobeherfate？Onethingwascertaintoher，——thatshecouldnotremainunderherfather’sroof。Itwasimpossiblethatanarrangementsoutterlydistastefulasthepresentone，bothontoherfatherandtoherself，shouldbecontinued。Butwherethenshouldtheylive，——andofwhatnaturewouldherlifebeshouldshebeseparatedfromherfather？

Thateveningshesawherfather，andhecorroboratedherhusband’sstatement。’Itisallovernow，’hesaid，——’thatschemeofhisofgoingtosuperintendthemines。Theminesdon’twanthim，andwon’thavehim。Ican’tsayIwonderatit。’

’Whatarewetodo，papa？’

’Ah——thatIcannotsay。Isupposehewillcondescendstilltohonourmewithhiscompany。IdonotknowwhyheshouldwishtogotoGuatemalaorelsewhere。Hehaseverythingherethathecanwant。’

’Youknow，papa，thatthatisimpossible。’

’Icannotsaywhatwithhimispossibleorimpossible。Heisboundbynoneoftheordinaryrulesofmankind。’

ThateveningLopezreturnedtohisdinneratManchesterSquare，whichwasstillregularlyservedforhimandhiswife，thoughtheservantswhoattendeduponhimdidsoundersilentandoft-

repeatedprotest。HesaidnotawordmoreastoArthurFletcher，nordidherseekanygroundofquarrelwithhiswife。Butthathecontinuedmelancholyanddejectionmadeanythinglikegood-

humourimpossible，evenonhispart，hewouldhavebeengood-

humoured。Whentheywerealone，sheaskedhimastotheirfuturedestiny。’Papatellsmeyouarenotgoing，’shebegansaying。

’DidInottellyousothismorning？’

’Yes。yousaidso。ButIdidnotknowyouwereinearnest。Isitallover？’

’Allover——Isuppose。’

’Ishouldhavethoughtthatyouwouldhavetoldmewithmore，——

moreseriousness。’

’Idon’tknowwhatyouwouldhave。Iwasseriousenough。Thefactis，thatyourfatherhasdelayedsolongthepaymentofthepromisedmoneythatthethinghasfallenthroughofnecessity。I

donotknowthatIcanblametheCompany。’

Thentherewasapause。’Andnow，’shesaid，’whatdoyoumeantodo？’

’UponmywordIcannotsay。Iamquiteasmuchinthedarkasyoucanbe。’

’Thatisnonsense，Ferdinand。’

’Thankyou！Letitbenonsenseifyouwill。Itseemstomethatthereisagreatdealofnonsensegoingonintheworld。butverylittleofitastrueaswhatIsaynow。’

’Butitisyourdutytoknow。Ofcourseyoucannotstayhere。’

’Noryou，Isuppose，——withoutme。’

’Iamnotspeakingofmyself。Ifyouchoose，Icanremainhere。’

’And——justthrowmeoverboardaltogether。’

’Ifyouprovideanotherhomeforme，Iwillgotoit。HoweverpooritmaybeIwillgotoit，ifyoubidme。Butforyou，——ofcourseyoucannotstayhere。’

’Hasyourfathertoldyoutosaysotome？’

’No——butIcansaysowithouthistellingme。Youarebanishinghimfromhisownhouse。Hehasputupwithitwhilehethoughtthatyouweregoingtothisforeigncountry。buttheremustbeanendofthatnow。Youmusthavesomeschemeoflife。’

’UponmysoulIhavenone。’

’Youmusthavesomeintentionsforthefuture。’

’Noneintheleast。Ihavehadintentions，andtheyhavefailed——

fromwantofthatsupportwhichIhadarighttoexpect。I

havestruggledandIhavefailed，andnowIhavegotnointention。Whatareyours？’

’Itisnotmydutytohaveanypurpose，aswhatIdomustdependonyourcommands。’Thenagaintherewasasilence，duringwhichhelitacigar，althoughhewassittinginthedrawing-room。

Thiswasaprofanationoftheroomonwhichhehadneverventuredbefore，butatthepresentmomentshewasunabletonoticeitbyanywords。’Imusttellpapa，’shesaidafterawhile，’whatourplansare。’

’Youcantellhimwhatyouplease。Ihaveliterallynothingtosaytohim。Ifhewillsettleanadequateincomeonus，payableofcoursetome，Iwillgoandliveelsewhere。Ifheturnsmeoutinthestreetwithoutprovision，hemustturnyououttoo。

ThatisallIhavegottosay。Itwillcomebetterfromyouthanfromme。Iamsorry，ofcourse，thatthingshavegonewrongwithme。WhenIfoundmyselftheson-in-lawofaveryrichmanI

thoughtthatImightspreadmywingsabit。Butmyrichfather-

in-lawthrewmeover，andnowIamhelpless。Youarenotverycheerful，andIthinkI’llgodowntotheclub。’

HewentoutofthehouseanddidgodowntotheProgress。Thecommitteewhichwastobeheldwiththeviewofjudgingwhetherhewasorwasnotaproperpersontoremainamemberofthatassemblagehadnotyetbeenheld，andtherewasnothingtoimpedehisentrancetotheclub，ortheexecutionofthecommandwhichhegaveforteaandbutteredtoast。Butnoonespoketohim。

nor，thoughheaffectedalookofcomfort，didhefindhimselfmuchathisease。Amongthemembersoftheclubtherewasamuchdividedopinionwhetherheshouldbeexpelledornot。Therewasastrongpartywhodeclaredthathisconductsocially，morally，andpolitically，hadbeensobadthatnothingshortofexpulsionwouldmeetthecase。Buttherewereotherswhosaidthatnoacthadbeenprovedagainsthimwhichthecluboughttonotice。Hehad，nodoubt，shownhimselftobeablackguard，amanwithoutasparkofhonourorhonesty。Butthen，——astheysaidwhothoughthispositionintheclubtobeunassailable，——whathadtheclubtodowiththat？’Ifyouturnoutalltheblackguardsandallthedishonourablemen，wherewilltheclubbe？’wasaquestionaskedwithagreatdealofvigourbyonemiddle-agedgentlemanwhowassupposedtoknowtheclub-worldverythoroughly。Hehadcommittednooffencewhichthelawcouldrecognizeandpunish，norhadhesinnedagainsttheclubrules。’HeisnotrequiredtobeamanofhonourbyanyregulationofwhichIamaware，’saidthemiddle-agedgentleman。Thegeneralopinionseemedtobethatheshouldbeaskedtogo，andthat，ifhedeclined，nooneshouldspeaktohim。Thispenaltywasalreadyinflictedonhim，forontheeveninginquestionnoonedidspeaktohim。

Hedrankhisteaandatehistoastandreadamagazine，strivingtolookascomfortableandasmuchathiseaseasmenattheirclubsgenerallyare。Hewasnotabadactor，andthosewhosawhimandmadereportsastohisconductonthefollowingdaydeclaredthathehadapparentlybeenquiteindifferenttothedisagreeableincidentofhisposition。Buthisindifferencehadbeenmereacting。Hiscarelessmannerwithhiswifehadbeenallassumed。Selfishashewas，voidashewasofallprinciple，utterlyunmanlyandevenunconsciousoftheworthofmanliness，stillhewasalivetotheopinionsofothers。Hethoughtthattheworlddidnotunderstandthefactsofhiscase，andthattheworldgenerallywouldhavedoneashehaddoneinsimilarcircumstances。Hedidnotknowthattherewassuchaqualityashonesty，nordidheunderstandwhatthewordmeant。Buthedidknowthatsomemen，anunfortunateclass，becamesubjecttoevilreportfromotherswhoweremoresuccessful，andhewasawarethathehadbecomeoneofthoseunfortunates。Norcouldheseeanyremedyforhisposition。Itwasallblankandblackbeforehim。Itmaybedoubtedwhetherhegotmuchinstructionoramusementfromthepagesofthemagazinewhichheturned。

Atabouttwelveo’clockhelefttheclubandtookhiswayhomewards。Buthedidnotgostraighthome。ItwasanastycoldMarchnight，withacatchingwind，andoccasionalshortshowersofsomethingbetweensnowandrain，——asdisagreeableanightforagentlemantowalkinasonecouldwellconceive。ButhewentroundbyTrafalgarSquare，andalongtheStrand，andupsomedirtystreetsbythesmalltheatres，andsoontoHolbornandbyBloomsburySquareuptoTottenhamCourtRoad，andthenthroughsomeunusedstreetintoPortlandPlace，alongtheMaryleboneRoad，andbacktoManchesterSquarebyBakerStreet。Hehadmorethandoubledthedistance，——apparentlywithoutanyobject。Hehadbeenspokentofrequentlybyunfortunatesofbothsexes，buthadansweredawordtonoone。Hehadtrudgedonandonwithhisumbrellaoverhishead，butalmostunconsciousofthecoldandwet。Andyethewasamansedulouslyattentivetohisownpersonalcomfortandhealth，whohadatanyrateshownthisvirtueinhismodeofliving，thathehadneversubjectedhimselftodangerbyimprudence。Butnowtheworkingofhismindkepthimwarm，and，ifnotdry，atleastindifferenttothedamp。Hehadthrownasidewithaffectednonchalancethosequestionswhichhiswifehadaskedhim，butstillitwasnecessarythatheshouldanswerthem。HedidnotsupposethathecouldcontinuetoliveinManchesterSquareinhispresentcondition。Nor，ifitwasnecessarythatheshouldwanderforthintotheworld，couldheforcehiswifetowanderwithhim。Ifhewouldconsenttoleaveher，hisfather-in-lawwouldprobablygivehimsomething，——someallowanceonwhichhemightexist。Butthenofwhatsortwouldbehislife？

Hedidnotfailtoremindhimselfoverandoveragainthathehadnearlysucceeded。HehadbeentheguestofthePrimeMinister，andhadbeenthenomineechosenbyaDuchesstorepresentherhusband’sboroughinParliament。HehadbeenintimatewithMillsHappertonwhowasfastbecomingamillionaire。Hehadmarriedmuchabovehimselfineveryway。Hehadachievedacertainpopularityandwasconsciousofintellect。Butatthepresentmomenttwoorthreesovereignsinhispocketweretheextentofhisworldlywealthandhischaracterwasutterlyruined。Heregardedhisfateasdoesacard-playerwhodayafterdayholdssixesandsevenswhenothermenhaveacesandkings。Fatewasagainsthim。Hesawnoreasonwhyheshouldnothavehadheacesandkingscontinually，especiallyasfatehadgivenhimperhapsmorethanhisshareofthematfirst。Hehad，however，lostrubberafterrubber，——notpayinghisstakesforsomeofthelastrubberslost，——tilltheplayerswouldplaywithhimnolonger。

Themisfortunemighthavehappenedtoanyman——butithadhappenedtohim。Therewasnobeginningagain。Apossiblesmallallowanceandsomeveryretiredandsolitarylife，inwhichtherewouldbenoshowofhonour，noflatterycomingtohim，wasallthatwaslefttohim。

Helethimselfinatthehouse，andfoundhiswifestillawake。

’Iamwettotheskin，’hesaid，’Imadeupmymindtowalk，andIwoulddoit——butIamafoolformypains。’Shemadehimsomefeebleanswer，affectingtobehalfasleep，andmerelyturnedinherbed。’Imustbeoutearlyinthemorning。Mindyoumadethemdrymythings。Theyneverdoanythingformytelling。’

’Youdon’twantthemdriedto-night？’

’Notto-night，ofcourse——butafterIamgoneto-morrow。

They’llleavethemtherewithoutputtingahandtothem，ifyoudon’tspeak。Imustbeoffbeforebreakfastto-morrow。’

’Whereareyougoing？Doyouwantanythingpacked？’

’No。nothing。Ishallbebackfordinner。ButImustgodowntoBirmingham，toseeafriendofHapperton’sonbusiness。Iwillbreakfastatthestation。Asyousaidto-day，somethingmustbedone。Ifit’snecessarytosweepacrossing，Imustsweepit。’

Asshelayawakewhileheslept，shethoughtthatthoselastwordswerethebestshehadheardfromhimsincetheyweremarried。Thereseemedtobesomeindicationofpurposeinthem。

Ifhewouldonlysweepacrossingasamanshouldsweepit，shewouldstandbyhim，andatanyratedoherdutytohim，inspiteofallthathadhappened。Alas！shewasnotoldenoughtohavelearnedthatadishonestmancannotbegineventosweepacrossinghonestlytillhehaveinverytruthrepentedofhisformerdishonesty。Thelazymanmaybecomelazynolonger，buttheremusthavebeenfirstaprocessthroughhismindwherebyhislazinesshasbecomeodioustohim。Andthatprocesscanhardlybetheimmediateresultofmisfortunearisingfrommisconduct。

HadLopezfoundhiscrossingatBirminghamhewouldhardlyhavesweptitwell。

Earlyonthefollowingmorninghewasup，andbeforehelefthisroomhekissedhiswife。’Good-bye，oldgirl，’hesaid，’don’tbedown-hearted。’

’Ifyouhaveanythingbeforeyoutodo，Iwillnotbedown-

hearted，’shesaid。

’Ishallhavesomethingtodobeforenight，Ithink。Tellyourfather，whenyouseehim，thatIshallnottroublehimheremuchlonger。Buttellhimalso，thatIhavenothankstogivehimforhishospitality。’

’Iwillnottellhimthat，Ferdinand。’

’Heshallknowitthough。ButIdonotmeantobecrosstoyou。

Good-bye，love。’Thenhestoopedoverandkissedheragain——

andsohetookhisleaveofher。

Itwasraininghard，andwhenhegotintothestreethelookedaboutforacab，buttherewasnonetobefound。InBakerStreethegotanomnibuswhichtookhimdowntotheundergroundrailway，andbythathewenttoGowerStreet。ThroughtherainhewalkeduptotheEustonStation，andthereheorderedbreakfast。Couldhehaveamuttonchopandsometea？Andhewasveryparticularthatthemuttonchopshouldbewellcooked。Hewasagood-

lookingman，offashionableappearance，andtheyoungladywhoattendedhimnoticedhimandwascourteoustohim。Hecondescendedeventohavealittlelightconversationwithher，and，onthewhole，heseemedtoenjoyhisbreakfast。’Uponmyword。Ishouldliketobreakfasthereeverysayofmylife，’hesaid。Theyoungladyassuredhimthat，asfarasshecouldsee，therewasnoobjectiontosuchanarrangement。’Onlyit’sabore，youknow，comingoutintherainwhentherearenocabs，’

hesaid。Thentherewerevariouslittlejokesbetweenthem，tilltheyoungladywasquiteimpressedwiththegentleman’spleasantaffability。

Afterawhilehewentbackintothehallandtookafirst-classreturnticketnotforBirmingham，butfortheTenwayJunction，aseverybodyknowsit。Fromthisspot，somesixorsevenmilesdistantfromLondon，linesdivergeeast，west，andnorth，north-

east，andnorth-west，roundthemetropolisineverydirection，andwithdirectcommunicationwitheveryotherlineinandoutofLondon。Itismarvellousplace，quiteunintelligibletotheuninitiated，andyetdailyusedbythousandswhoonlyknowthatwhentheygetthere，theyaretodowhatsomeonetellsthem。Thespaceoccupiedbytheconvergentrailsseemstobesufficientforalargefarm。Andtheserailsalwaysrunintooneanotherwithslopingpoints，andcrosspassages，andmysteriousmeanderingsidings，tillitseemstothethoughtfulstrangertobeimpossiblethatthebest-trainedengineshouldknowitsownline。