第20章

Therewasagooddealsaidaboutitatthetime。Therewasarumour，——nodoubtafalserumour，——thattheCrowninsistedinthisinstanceondictatingachoicetotheDukeofOmnium。Butevenwereitso，theDukecouldnothavebeenverymuchaggrieved，asthechoicedictatedwassupposedtobethathimself。ThelateDukehadbeenaKnight，andwhenhehaddied，itwasthoughtthathissuccessorwouldsucceedtotheribbon。

ThenewDukehadbeenatthetimeintheCabinet，andhadremainedthere，buthadacceptedanofficeinferiorinranktothatwhichhehadformerlyfilled。Thewholehistoryofthesethingshasbeenwritten，andmaybereadbythecurious。TheDuchess，newlyaduchessthenandverykeeninreferencetoherhusband’srank，hadinstigatedhimtodemandtheribbonashisright。Thishehadnotonlydeclinedtodo，buthadgoneoutofthewaytosaythathethoughtitshouldbebestowedelsewhere。

Ithadbeenbestowedelsewhere，andtherehadbeenaverygeneralfeelingthathehadbeenpassedoverbecausehiseasytemperamentinsuchmattershadbeenseenandutilized。Now，whethertheCrowninterferedornot，——amatteronwhichnooneshortofawriterofnewspaperarticlesdarestomakesuggestiontilltimeshallhavemademellowthedoingsofsovereignsandtheirministers，——thesuggestionwasmade。TheDukeofStBungayventuredtosaytohisfriendthatnootherselectionwaspossible。

’RecommendherMajestytogiveittomyself？’saidthePrimeMinister。

’YouwillfindittobeherMajesty’swish。Ithasbeenverycommon。SirRobertWalpolehadit。’

’IamnotSirRobertWalpole。’TheDukenamedotherexamplesofPrimeMinisterswhohadbeengarteredbythemselves。ButourPrimeMinisterdeclaredittobeoutofthequestion。Nohonourofthatdescriptionshouldbeconferreduponhimaslongasheheldhispresentposition。TheoldDukewasmuchinearnest，andtherewasagreatdealsaidonthesubject，——butatlastitbecameclear，notonlytohim，buttothemembersoftheCabinetgenerally，andthentotheoutsideworld，thatthePrimeMinisterwouldnotconsenttoacceptthevacanthonour。

Fornearlyamonthafterthisthequestionsubsided。AMinisterisnotboundtobestowaGarterthedayafteritbecomesvacant。

ThereareotherKnightstoguardthethrone，andonemaybesparedforashortinterval。ButduringtheintervalmanyeyeswereturnedtowardsthestallinStGeorge’sChapel。Agoodthingshouldbegivenawaylikeaclapofthunderifenvy，hatred，andmalicearetobeavoided。Abroadblueribbonacrossthechestisofalldecorationsthemostbecoming，or，atanyrate，themostdesired。Andtherewas，Ifear，animpressiononthemindsofsomementhattheDukeinsuchmatterswasweakandmightbepersuaded。ThentherecametohimanapplicationintheformofaletterfromthenewMarquisofMountFidgett，——amanwhomhehadneverseen，andofwhomhehadneverheard。ThenewMarquishadhithertoresidedinItaly，andmenonlyknewofhimthathewasodioustohisuncle。ButhehadinheritedalltheFichyFidgettestates，andwasnowpossessedofimmensewealthandgreathonour。Heventured，hesaid，torepresenttothePrimeMinisterthatforgenerationspasttheMarquisesofMountFidgetthadbeenhonouredbytheGarter。Hispoliticalstatusinthecountrywasexactlythatenjoyedbyhislateuncle，butheintendedthathispoliticalcareershouldbeverydifferent。HewasquitepreparedtosupporttheCoalition。’WhatishethatheshouldexpecttobemadeaKnightoftheGarter？’saidourDuketotheoldDuke。

’HeistheMarquisofMountFidgett，andnexttoyourself，perhaps，therichestpeerinGreatBritain。’

’Haverichesanythingtodowithit？’

’Somethingcertainly。Youwouldnotwanttonameapauperpeer。’

’Yes——ifhewasamanwhosecareerhadbeenhighlyhonourabletothecountry。Suchaman，ofcourse，couldnotbeapauper，butIdonotthinkhiswantofwealthshouldstandinthewayofhisbeinghonouredbytheGarter。’

’Wealthandrankandterritorialinfluencehavebeengenerallythoughttohavesomethingtodowithit。’

’Andcharacternothing！’

’MydearDuke，Ihavenotsaidso。’

’Somethingverymuchlikeit，myfriend，ifyouadvocatetheclaimoftheMarquisofMountFidgett。DidyouapproveoftheselectionofthelateMarquis？’

’IwasintheCabinetatthetime，andwillthereforesaynothingagainstit。ButIhaveneverheardanythingagainstthisman’scharacter。’

’Norinfavourofit。Tomythinkinghehasasmuchclaim，andnomore，asthatmanwhojustopenedthedoor。HewasneverseenintheLowerHouse。’

’Surelythatcannotsignify。’

’Youthink，then，thatheshouldhaveit？’

’YouknowwhatIthink，’saidtheelderstatesmanthoughtfully。

’InmyopinionthereisnodoubtthatyouwouldatleastconsultthehonourofthecountrybyallowingherMajestytobestowthisactofgraceuponasubjectwhohasdeservedsowellfromherMajestyasyourself。’

’Itisquiteimpossible。’

’Itseemstome，’saidtheDuke，notappearingtonoticetherefusalofhisfriend，’thatinthispeculiarpositionyoushouldallowyourselftobepersuadedtolayasideyourownfeeling。Nomanofhighcharacterisdesirousofsecuringtohimselfdecorationswhichhemaybestowuponothers。’

’Justso。’

’Butherethedecorationbestoweduponthechiefwhomweallfollow，wouldconferawiderhonouruponmanythanitcoulddoifgiventoanyoneelse。’

’ThesamemaybesaidofanyPrimeMinister。’

’Notso。Acommoner，withouthighpermanentrankorlargefortune，isnotloweredintheworld’sesteembynotbeingoftheOrder。Youwillpermitmetosay——thataDukeofOmniumhasnotreachedthepositionwhichheoughttoenjoyunlessheisaKnightoftheGarter。’ItmustbeborneinmindthattheoldDuke，whousedthisargument，hadhimselfworntheribbonforthelastthirtyyears。’Butif——’

’Well——well。’

’Butifyouare，——Imustcallitobstinate。’

’Iamobstinateinthatrespect。’

’Then，’saidtheDukeofStBungay，’IshouldrecommendherMajestytogiveittotheMarquis。’

’Never，’saidthePrimeMinister，withveryunaccustomedenergy。

’Iwillneversanctionthepaymentofsuchapriceforserviceswhichshouldneverbeboughtorsold。’

’Itwouldgivenooffence。’

’Thatisnotenough，myfriend。HereisamanofwhomIonlyknowthathehasboughtagreatmanymarblestatues。Hehasdonenothingforhiscountry，andnothingforhissovereign。’

’Ifyouaredeterminedtolookatwhatyoucalldesertalone，I

wouldnameLordDrummond。’ThePrimeMinisterfrownedandlookedunhappy。ItwasquitetruethatLordDrummondhadcontradictedhim，andthathehadfelttheinjurygrievously。’LordDrummondhasbeenverytruetous。’

’Yes——truetous！Whatisthat？’

’Heisineveryrespectamanofcharacter，andwelllookeduponinthecountry。Therewouldbesomeenmityandagooddealofenvy——whichmightbeavoidedbyeitheroftheothercoursesI

haveproposed。butthosecoursesyouwillnottake。ItakeitforgrantedthatyouareanxioustosecurethesupportofthosewhogenerallyactwithLordDrummond。’

’Idon’tknowthatIam。’TheoldDukeshruggedhisshoulders。

’WhatImeanis，thatIdonotthinkthatweoughttopayanincreasedpricefortheirsupport。HislordshipisverywellastheHeadofanOffice。butheisnotnearlysogreatamanasmyfriendLordCantrip。’

’Cantripwouldnotjoinus。Thereisnoevilinpoliticssogreatasthatofseemingtobuythemenwhowillnotcomewithoutbuying。Theserewardsarefairlygivenforpoliticalsupport。’

’Ihadnot，intruth，thoughtofLordCantrip。’

’Hedoesnotexpectitanymorethanmybutler。’

’IonlynamedhimashavingaclaimstrongerthananythatLordDrummondcanputforward。IhaveamaninmymindtowhomI

thinksuchanhonourisfairlydue。WhatdoyousaytoLordEarlybird？’TheoldDukeopenedhismouthandlifteduphishandsinunaffectedsurprise。

TheEarlofEarlybirdwasanoldmanofaverypeculiarcharacter。HehadneveropenedhismouthintheHouseofLords，andhadneversatintheHouseofCommons。Thepoliticalworldknewhimnotatall。Hehadahouseintown，butveryrarelylivedthere。EarlyPark，intheparishofBBird，hadbeenhisresidencesincehefirstcametothetitlefortyyearsago，andhadbeenthesceneofallhislabours。Hewasanoblemanpossessedofamoderatefortune，and，asmensaidofhim，ofamoderateintellect。Hehadmarriedearlyinlifeandwasblessedwithalargefamily。Buthehadcertainlynotbeenanidleman。

Fornearlyhalfacenturyhehaddevotedhimselftotheimprovementofthelabouringclasses，especiallyinreferencetotheirabodesandeducation，andgraduallywithoutanydesireonhisownpart，workedhimselfupintopublicnotice。Hewasnotaneloquentman，buthewouldtakethechairatmeetingaftermeeting，andsitwithadmirablepatienceforlonghourstoheartheeloquenceofothers。Hewasamanverysimpleinhistastes，andhadbroughtuphisfamilytofollowhishabits。Hehadthereforebeenabletodomunificentthingswithmoderatemeans，andinthelongcourseofyearshadfailedinhidinghismunificencefromthepublic。LordEarlybird，tillaftermiddlelife，hadnotbeenmuchconsidered，butgraduallytherehadgrownupafeelingthattherewerenotverymanybettermeninthecountry。Hewasafat，bald-headedoldman，whowasalwayspullinghisspectaclesonandoff，nearlyblind，veryawkward，andaltogetherindifferenttoappearance。ProbablyhehadnomoreideaoftheGarterinhisownmindthanhehadofaCardinal’shat。Buthehadgrownintofame，andhadnotescapedthenoticeofthePrimeMinister。

’DoyouknowanythingagainstLordEarlybird？’askedthePrimeMinister。

’Certainlynothingagainsthim，Duke。’

’Notanythinginhisfavour？’

’Iknowhimverywell，——IthinkImaysayintimately。Thereisn’tabettermanbreathing。’

’Ahonourtothepeerage？’saidthePrimeMinister。

’Anhonourtohumanityrather，’saidtheother，’asbeingofallmentheleastselfishandmostphilanthropical。’

’Whatmorecanbesaidforaman？’

’ButaccordingtomyviewheisnotthesortofpersonwhomonewouldwishtoseemadeaKnightoftheGarter。Ifhehadtheribbonhewouldneverwearit。’

’Thehonoursurelydoesnotconsistinitsoutwardsign。Iamentitledtowearsomekindofcoronet，butIdonotwalkaboutwithitonmyhead。Heisamanofgreatheartandofmanyvirtues。Surelythecountry，andherMajestyonbehalfofthecountry，shoulddelighttohonoursuchaman。’

’Ireallydoubtwhetheryoulookatthematterintherightlight，’saidtheancientstatesman，whowasintruthfrightenedatwhatwasbeingproposed。’YoumustnotbeangrywithmeifI

speakplainly。’

’Myfriend，Idonotthinkthatitiswithinyourpowertomakemeangry。’

’Wellthen，——Iwillgetforamomenttolistentomyviewonthematter。TherearecertaingreatprizesinthegiftoftheCrownandoftheMinistersoftheCrown，——thegreatestofwhicharenowtraditionallyatthedisposalofthePrimeMinister。Thesearealwaysgiventopartyfriends。Imayperhapsagreewithyouthatpartysupportshouldnotbelookedtoalone。Letusacknowledgethatcharacterandservicesshouldbetakenintoaccount。ButtheverytheoryofourGovernmentwillbeoversetbyareversaloftherulewhichIhaveattemptedtodescribe。

Youwilloffendallyourownfriends，andonlyincurtheridiculeofyouropponents。Itisnodoubtdesirablethatthehighseatsofthecountryshouldbefilledbymenofbothparties。IwouldnotwishtoseeeveryLordLieutenantofacountyaWhig。’InhisenthusiasmtheoldDukewentbacktohisoldphraseology。

’ButIknowthatmyopponentswhentheirturncomeswillappointtheirfriendstotheLieutenanciesandthatthebalancewillbemaintained。IfyouorIappointtheirfriends，theywon’tappointours。LordEarlybird’sproxyhasbeeninthehandsoftheConservativeLeaderoftheHouseofLordseversincehesucceededhisfather。’Thentheoldmanpaused，buthisfriendwaitedtolistenwhetherthelecturewerefinishedbeforehespoke，andtheDukeofStBungaycontinued。’And，moreover，thoughtLordEarlybirdisaverygoodman，——somuchsothatmanyofusmaywellenvyhim，——heisnotjustthemanfittedforthisdestination。AKnightoftheGartershouldbeamanpronetoshowhimself，apublicman，onewhoseworkinthecountryhasbroughthimfacetofacewithhisfellows。Thereisanaptness，apropriety，afitnessinthesethingswhichonecanunderstandperhapsbetterthanexplain。’

’Thosefitnessesandaptnesseschange，Ithink，fromdaytoday。

Therewasatimewhenaknightshouldbeafightingman。’

’Thathasgoneby。’

’AndtheaptnessandfitnessinaccordancewithwhichthesovereignofthedaywasinducedtogracewiththeGartersuchamanasthelateMarquisofMountFidgetthave，Ihope，goneby。

Youwilladmitthat？’

’Thereisnosuchmanproposed。’

’Andotherfitnessesandaptnesseswillgoby，tillthetimewillcomewhenthemantobeselectedasLieutenantofacountywillbethemanwhoseselectionwillbemostbeneficialtothecounty，andKnightsoftheGarterwillbechosenfortheirrealvirtues。’

’IthinkyouareQuixotic。APrimeMinisterisofallmenboundtofollowthetraditionsofhiscountry，or，whenheleavesthem，toleavethemwithverygradualsteps。’

’Andifhebreakthatlawandthrowoverallthatthraldom——

whatthen？’

’Hewilllosetheconfidencewhichhasmadehimwhatheis。’

’ItiswellthatIknowthepenalty。Itishardlyheavyenoughtoenforcestrictobedience。Asforthematterindispute，ithadbetterstandoverforafewdays。’WhenthePrimeMinistersaidthistheoldDukeknewverywellthatheintendedtohavehisownway。

Andsoitwas。Aweekpassedby，andthentheyoungerDukewrotetotheelderDukesayingthathehadgiventothematteralltheconsiderationinhispower，andthathehadatlastresolvedtorecommendherMajestytobestowtheribbononLordEarlybird。Hewouldnot，however，takeanystepforafewdayssothathisfriendmighthaveanopportunityofmakingfurtherremonstranceifhepleased。Nofurtherremonstrancewasmade，andLordEarlybird，muchtohisownamazement，wasnominatedtothevacantGarter。

TheappointmentwasonecertainlynotpopularwithanyofthePrimeMinister’sfriends。Withsome，suchasLordDrummond，itindicatedadeterminationonthepartoftheDuketodeclarehisfreedomfromallthosebondswhichhadhithertobeenbindingontheHeadsofGovernment。HadtheDukeselectedhimself，certainlynooffencewouldhavebeengiven。HadtheMarquisofMountFidgettbeenthehappyman，excuseswouldhavebeenmade。

ButitwasunpardonabletoLordDrummondthatheshouldhavebeenpassedoverandthattheGartershouldhavebeengiventoLordEarlybird。TothepooroldDuketheoffencewasofadifferentnature。HehadintendedtouseaverystrongwordwhenhetoldhisfriendthathisproposedconductwouldbeQuixotic。TheDukeofOmniumwouldsurelyknowthattheDukeofStBungaycouldnotsupportaQuixoticPrimeMinister。AndyettheyoungerDuke，theTelemachusofthelasttwoyears，——afterhearingthatword，——

hadrebelledagainsthisMentor，andhadobstinatelyadheredtohisQuixotism！Thegreedofpowerhadfallenupontheman，——sosaidthedearoldDuketohimself，——andtheman’sfallwascertain。Alas，alas。hadhebeenallowedtogobeforethepoisonhadenteredhisveins，howmuchlesswouldhavebeenhissuffering！

CHAPTER65

THEREMUSTBETIME。

AttheendofthethirdweekinJuly，whentheSessionwasstillsitting，andwhennodayhadbeenabsolutelyasyetfixedfortheescapeofmembers，MrWhartonreceivedaletterfromhisfriendArthurFletcherwhichcertainlysurprisedhimverymuch，andwhichlefthimforadayortwounabletodecidewhatansweroughttobegiven。ItwillberememberedthatFerdinandLopezdestroyedhimselfinMarch，nowthreemonthssince。Theacthadbeenmorethananinedays’wonder，havingbeenkeptinthememoryofmanymenbythesedulouseffortsofQuintusSlide，andbythefactthatthenameofsogreatamanasthePrimeMinisterwasconcernedinthematter。ButgraduallythefeelingaboutFerdinandLopezhaddiedaway，andhisfate，thoughithadoutlivedthenominalninedays，hadsunkintogeneraloblivionbeforetheendoftheninthweek。ThePrimeMinisterhadnotforgottentheman，norhadQuintusSlide。ThenamewasstillcommoninthecolumnsofthePeople’sBanner，andwasevermentionedwithoutbeingreadbytheunfortunateDuke。ButothershadceasedtotalkaboutFerdinandLopez。

Tothemind，however，ofArthurFletcherthefactoftheman’sdeathwasalwayspresent。Adreadfulincubushadcomeuponhislife，blightingallhisprospects，obscuringallhissunbyagreatcloud，coveringupallhishopes，andchangingforhimallhisoutlookintotheworld。ItwasnotonlythatEmilyWhartonshouldnothavebecomehiswife，butthatthewomanwhomhelovedwithsoperfectalove，shouldhavebeensacrificedtosovileacreatureasthisman。Heneverblamedher，——butlookeduponhisfateasFate。Thenonasuddenheheardthattheincubuswasremoved。Themanwhohadmadehimandherwretchedhadbyasuddenstrokebeentakenawayandannihilated。Therewasnothingbetweenhimandher，——butamemory。Hecouldcertainlyforgive，ifshecouldforget。

Ofcoursehehadfeltatthefirstmomentthattimemustpassby。

Hehadbecomecertainthathermadloveforthemanhadperished。

Hehadbeenmadesurethatshehadrepentedherowndeedinsackclothandashes。Ithadbeenacknowledgedtohimbyherfatherthatshehadbeenanxioustobeseparatedfromherhusbandifherhusbandwouldconsenttosuchaseparation。Andthen，rememberingashedidhislastinterviewwithher，havinginhismindashehadeverycircumstanceofthatcaresswhichhehadgivenher，——downtotheveryquiverofthefingershehadpressed，——hecouldnotbutflatterhimselfthatatlasthehadtouchedherheart。Buttheremustbetime！Theconventionsoftheworldoperateonallhearts，especiallyonthefemaleheart，andteachthatnewvows，tooquicklygiven，aredisgraceful。Theworldhasseemedtodecidethatawidowshouldtaketwoyearsbeforeshecanbestowherselfonasecondmanwithoutatouchofscandal。Butthetwoyearsistoincludeeverything，thecourtshipofthesecondaswellastheburialofthefirst，——andnotonlythecourtship，butthepreparationofthedressesandtheweddingitself。Andthenthiscasewasdifferentfromalltheothers。Ofcoursetheremustbetime，butsurelynothereafullperiodoftwoyears！Whyshouldthelifeoftwoyoungpersonsbesowasted，ifitwerethecasethattheylovedeachother！Therewashorrorhere，remorse，pity，perhapspardon。buttherewasnolove，——noneofthatlovewhichisalwaysforalittletimeincreasedinitsfervourbythelossofthelovedobject。noneofthatpassionatedevotionwhichmustatfirstmaketheveryideaofanotherman’sloveintolerable。Therehadbeenagreatescape，——anescapewhichcouldnotbutbeinwardlyacknowledged，howeverlittlepronethetonguemightbetoconfessit。Ofcoursetheremustbetime，——buthowmuchtime？Heargueditinhisminddaily，andateachdailyargumentthetimeconsideredbyhimtobeappropriatewasshortened。Threemonthshadpassedandhehadnotyetseenher。Hehadresolvedthathewouldnotevenattempttoseehertillherfatherwouldconsent。

Butsurelyaperiodhadpassedsufficienttojustifyhiminapplyingforthatpermission。AndthenhebethoughthimselfthatitwouldbebestinapplyingforthatpermissiontotelleverythingtoMrWharton。Hewellknewthathewouldbetellingnosecret。MrWhartonknewthestateofhisfeelingsaswellasheknewithimself。Ifevertherewasacaseinwhichtimemightbeabridged，thiswasone。andthereforehewrotehisletter，——

asfollows：

3，——CourtTemple，24thJuly，187-

MYDEARMRWHARTON，Itisamatterofgreatregrettomethatweshouldseesolittleofeachother，——especiallyofregretthatI

shouldneverseeEmily。

Imayaswellrushintothematteratonce。Ofcoursethisletterwillnotbeshowntoher，andthereforeImaywriteasIwouldspeakifIwerewithyou。Thewretchedmanwhomshemarriedisgone，andmyloveforheristhesameasitwasbeforeshehadeverseenhim，andasithasalwaysbeenfromthatdaytothis。Icouldnotaddressyouoreventhinkofherasyet，didInotknowthatthatmarriagehadbeenunfortunate。Butithasnotalteredhertomeintheheart。Ithasbeenadreadfultroubletousall——toher，toyou，tome，andtoallconnectedwithus。Butitisover，andIthinkthatitshouldbelookedbackuponasablackchasmwhichwehavebridgedandgotover，andtowhichwenevercastbackoureyes。

Ihavenorighttothinkthat，thoughshemightsomedayloveanotherman，shewouldtherefore，loveme，butI

thinkthatIhavearighttotry，andIknowthatI

shouldhaveyourgood-will。Itisaquestionoftime，butifIlettimegoby，someoneelsemayslipin。Whocantell？Iwouldnotbethoughttopressindecently，butIdofeelthatheretheordinaryruleswhichgovernmenandwomenarenottobefollowed。Hemadeherunhappyalmostfromthefirstday。Shehadmadeamistakewhichyouandsheandallacknowledged。Shehasbeenpunished，andsohaveI，——veryseverelyIcanassureyou。Wouldn’titbeagoodthingtobringallthistoanendassoonaspossible，——ifitcanbebroughttoanendinthewayIwant？

Praytellmewhatyouthink。Iwouldproposethatyoushouldaskhertoseeme，andthensayjustasmuchasyouplease。OfcourseIshouldnotpressheratfirst。

Youmightaskmetodinner，andallthatkindofthing，andsoshewouldgetusedtome。Itisnotasthoughwehadnotbeenvery，veryoldfriends。ButIknowyouwilldothebest。IhaveputoffwritingtoyoutillI

sometimesthinkthatIshallgomadoveritifIsitstillanylonger。

Youraffectionatefriend，ARTHURFLETCHER。

WhenMrWhartongotthisletterhewasverymuchpuzzled。Couldhehavehadhiswish，hetoowouldhaveleftthechasmbehindhimasproposedbyhisyoungfriend，andhavenevercastaneyebackuponthefrightfulabyss。HewouldwillinglyhaveallowedthewholeLopezincidenttobepassedoverasanepisodeintheirlives，which，ifitcouldnotbeforgotten，shouldatanyrateneverbementioned。Theyhadallbeenseverelypunished，asFletcherhadsaid，andifthemattercouldendtherehewouldbewellcontenttobearonhisownshouldersallthatremainedofthepunishment，andtoleteverythingbeginagain。Butheknewverywellitcouldnotbesowithher。EvenyetitwasimpossibletoinduceEmilytothinkofherhusbandwithoutregret。Ithadbeenonlytoomanifestduringthelastyearoftheirmarriedlifethatshehadfelthorrorratherthanlovetowardshim。Whentherehadbeenaquestionofhisleavingherbehind，shouldhegotoCentralAmerica，shehadalwaysexpressedherselfmorethanwillingtocomplywithsuchanarrangement。

Shewouldgowithhimshouldheorderhertodoso，butwouldinfinitelysoonerremaininEngland。Andthentoo，shehadspokenofhimwhilealivewithdisdainanddisgust，andhadsubmittedtohearherfatherdescribehimasinfamous。Herlifehadbeenonelongmisery，underwhichshehadseemedgraduallytobeperishing。Nowshewasrelieved，andherhealthwasre-

established。Acertainamountofunjoyouscheerfulnesswasreturningtoher。Itwasimpossibletodoubtthatshemusthaveknownthatagreatburdenhadfallenfromherback。Andyetshewouldneverallowhisnametobementionedwithoutgivingsomeoutwardsignofaffectionforhismemory。Ifhewasbad，sowereothersbad。Thereweremanyworsethanhe。Suchweretheexcusesshemadeforherlatehusband。OldMrWharton，whoreallythoughtthatinallhisexperiencehehadneverknownanyoneworsethanhisson-in-law，wouldsometimesbecometesty，andatlastresolvedthathewouldaltogetherholdhistongue。

Buthecouldhardlyholdhistonguenow。

He，nodoubt，hadalreadyformedhishopesinregardtoArthurFletcher。Hehadtrustedthatthemanwhomhehadtaughthimselfsomeyearssincetoregardashiswished-forson-in-law，mightbeconstantandstrongenoughinhislovetoforgetallthatwaspast，andtobestillwillingtoredeemhisdaughterfrommisery。

ButasdayshadcreptonsincethesceneastheTenwayJunction，hehadbecomeawarethattimemustdomuchbeforesuchreliefwouldbeaccepted。Itwas，however，stillpossiblethatthepresenceofthemanmightdosomething。Hitherto，sincethedeedhadbeendone，nostrangerhaddinedinManchesterSquare。Sheherselfhadseennovisitor。Shehadhardlyleftthehouseexcepttogotochurch，andthenhadbeenenvelopedinthedeepestcrape。Onceortwiceshehadallowedherselftobedrivenoutinacarriage，and，whenshehaddoneso，herfatherhadalwaysaccompaniedher。Nowidow，sincetheseclusionofwidowswasfirstordained，hasbeenmorestrictinmaintainingtherestraintsofwidowhood，asenjoined。Howthencouldhebidherreceiveanewlover，——orhowsuggesttoherthataloverwaspossible？AndyethedidnotliketoanswerArthurFletcherwithoutnamingsomeperiodforthepresentmourning，——sometimeatwhichhemightatleastshowhimselfinManchesterSquare。

’IhavehadaletterfromArthurFletcher，’hesaidtohisdaughteradayortwoafterhehadreceivedit。Hewassittingafterdinner，andEverettwasalsointheroom。

’IsheinHertfordshire？’sheasked。

’No——heisupintown，attendingtotheHouseofCommons，I

suppose。Hehadsomethingtosaytome，andaswearenotinthewayofmeetinghewrote。Hewantstocomeandseeyou。’

’Notyet，papa。’

’Hetalkedofcominganddininghere。’

’Ohyes，praylethimcome。’

’Youwouldnotmindthat？’

’Iwoulddineearlyandbeoutoftheway。Ishouldbedogladifyouwouldhavesomebodysometimes。Ishouldn’tthinkthenthatIwassucha——sucharestraintonyou。’

ButthiswasnotwhatMrWhartondesired。’Ishouldn’tlikethat，mydear。Ofcoursehewouldknowthatyouwereinthehouse。’

’Uponmyword，Ithinkyoumightmeetanoldfriendlikethat，’

saidEverett。

Shelookedatherbrother，andthenatherfather，andburstintotears。’Ofcourseyoushallnotbepressedifitwouldbeirksometoyou，’saidherfather。

’Itisthefirstplungethathurts，’saidEverett。’Ifyoucouldoncebringyourselftodoit，youwouldfindafterwardsthatyouweremorecomfortable。’

’Papa，’shesaidslowly。’Iknowwhatitmeans。HisgoodnessI

shallalwaysremember。YoumaytellhimIsayso。ButIcannotmeethimyet。’Thentheypressedhernofurther。Ofcourseshehadunderstood。HerfathercouldnotevenaskhertosayawordwhichmightgivecomforttoArthurastosomelongdistanttime。

HewentdowntotheHouseofCommonsthenextday，andsawhisyoungfriendthere。ThentheywalkedupanddownWestminsterHallfornearlyanhour，talkingoverthematterwiththemostabsolutefreedom。’Itcannotbeforthebenefitofanyone，’saidArthurFletcher，’thatsheshouldimmolateherselflikeanIndianwidow，——andforthesakeofsuchamanasthat！OfcourseI

havenorighttodictatetoyou，——hardly，perhaps，togiveanopinion。’

’Yes，yes，yes。’

’Itdoesseemtome，then，thatyououghttoforceheroutofthatkindofthing。WhyshouldshenotgodowntoHertfordshire？’

’Intime，Arthur，——intime。’

’Butpeople’slivesarerunningaway。’

’Mydearfellow，ifyouweretoseeheryouwouldknowhowvainitwouldbetotrytohurryher。Theremustbetime。’

CHAPTER66

THEENDOFTHESESSION。

TheDukeofStBungayhadbeenverymuchdisappointed。HehadcontradictedwitharepetitionofnoestheassertionoftheDuchessthathehadbeentheWarwickwhohadplacedthePrimeMinister’scrownontheheadoftheDukeofOmnium，butnodoubthefeltinhisheartthathehaddonesomuchtowardsitthathisadvicerespectingthevacantGarter，whengivensomuchweight，shouldhavebeenfollowed。Hewasanoldman，andhadknownthesecretsofCabinetCouncilswhenhisyoungerfriendwasalittleboy。HehadgivenadvicetoLordJohn，andhadbeenoneofthefirsttocongratulateSirRobertPeelwhenthatstatesmanbecameafree-trader。HehadsatinconclavewithTHEDuke，andhadlistenedtotheboldLiberalismofoldEarlGrey，bothintheLowerandtheUpperHouse。Hehadbeenalwaysgreatincouncil，nevergivinghisadviceunasked，northrowinghispearlsbeforeswine，andcautiousatalltimestoavoidexcessesonthissideorthat。Hehadneverallowedhimselfahobbyhorseofhisowntoride，hadneverbeenambitious，hadneversoughttobetheostensibleleaderofmen。Buthedidnowthinkthatwhen，withallhisexperience，hespokeverymuchinearnest，someattentionshouldbepaidtowhathesaid。WhenhehaddescribedacertainlineofconductasQuixotichehadbeenverymuchinearnest。Hedidnotusuallyindulgeinstronglanguage，andQuixotic，whenappliedtotheconductofthePrimeMinister，was，tohisideas，verystrong。ThethingdescribedasQuixotichadnowbeendone，andtheDukeofStBungaywasadisappointedman。

ForanhourortwohethoughtthathemustgentlysecedefromallprivatecounselswiththePrimeMinister。Toresign，ortoputimpedimentsinthewayofhisownchief，didnotbelongtohischaracter。Thatlineofstrategyhadcomeintofashionsincehehadlearnthispoliticalrudiments，andwasveryodioustohim。

Butinallpartycompactstheremustbeinnerparties，peculiarbonds，andconfidencestricter，strongerandalsosweeterthanthosewhichbindtogetherthetwentyorthirtygentlemenwhoformaGovernment。FromthoseclosertieswhichhadhithertoboundhimtotheDukeofOmniumhethought，forawhile，thathemustdivorcehimself。SurelyonsuchasubjectasthenominationofaKnightoftheGarterhisadvicemighthavebeentaken，——ifonlybecauseithadcomefromhim！Andsohekepthimselfapartforadayortwo，andevenintheHouseofLordsceasedtowhisperkindly，cheerfulwordsintotheearsofhisnextneighbour。

Butvariousremembrancescrowdedinuponhimbydegrees，compellinghimtomoderateandatlasttoabandonhispurpose。

AmongthesethefirstwasthememoryofthekisshehadgiventotheDuchess。Thewomanhadtoldhimthatshelovedhim，thathewasoneoftheveryfewwhomshedidlove，——andthewordhadgonestraightintohisoldheart。Shehadbadehimnottodeserther。andhehadnotonlygivenherhispromise，buthehadconvertedthatpromiseintoasacredpledgebyakiss。Hehadknownwellwhyshehadexactedthepromise。Theturmoilinherhusband’smind，theagonywhichhesometimesenduredwhenpeoplespokeillofhim，theaversionwhichhehadatfirstgenuinelyfelttoanofficeforwhichhehardlythoughthimselffit，andnowthegradualloveofpowercreatedbytheexerciseofpower，hadallbeenseenbyher，andhadcreatedthatsolicitudewhichhadinducedhertoaskforthepromise。TheoldDukehadknownthembothwell，buthadhardlyasyetgiventheDuchesscreditforsotruedevotiontoherhusband。Itnowseemedtohimthat，thoughshehadfailedtolovetheman，shehadgivenherentirehearttothePrimeMinister。Hesympathizedwithheraltogether，and，atanyrate，couldnotgobackfromhispromise。

Andthenheremembered，too，thatifthismandidanythingamissinthehighofficewhichhehadbeenmadetofill，whohadinducedhimtofillitwasresponsible。Whatrighthadhe，theDukeofStBungay，tobeangrybecausehisfriendwasnotall-

wiseatallpoints？LettheDroughtsandtheDrummondsandtheBeeswaxesquarrelamongthemselvesorwiththeircolleagues。Hebelongedtoadifferentschool，intheteachingsofwhichtherewaslessperhapsofexcitementandmoreoflong-suffering——butsurely，also，moreofnobility。Hewas，atanyrate，toooldtochange，andhewouldthereforebetruetohisfriendthroughevilandthroughgood。HavingthoughtallthisoutheagainwhisperedsomecheerywordtothePrimeMinister，astheysatlisteningtothedenunciationsofLordFawn，aLiberallord，muchusedtobusiness，butwhohadnotbeenreceivedintotheCoalition。ThefirstwhisperandthesecondwhisperthePrimeMinisterreceivedverycoldly。Hehadfullyappreciatedthediscontinuanceofwhispers，andwasawareofthecause。Hehadmadeaselectiononhisownunassistedjudgmentinoppositiontohisoldfriend’sadvice，andthiswastheresult。Letitbeso！Allhisfriendswereturningawayfromhimandhewouldhavetostandalone。Ifso，hewouldstandalonetillthependulumoftheHouseofCommonshadtoldhimthatitwastimeforhimtoretire。Butgraduallythedeterminedgood-humouroftheoldmanprevailed。

’Hehasawonderfulgiftofsayingnothingwithsecond-ratedignity，’whisperedtherepentantfriend，speakingofLordFawn。

’Averyhonestman，’saidthePrimeMinisterinreturn。

’Asortofbastardhonesty，——bypreceptoutofstupidity。Thereisnorealconvictioninit，begottenbythought。’Thislittlebitofcriticism，harshasitwas，hadtheeffect，andthePrimeMinisterbecamelessmiserablethanhehadbeen。

ButLordDrummondforgavenothing。Hestillheldhisoffice，butmorethanoncehewasseeninprivateconferencewithbothSirOrlandoandMrBoffin。Hedidnotattempttoconcealhisanger。

LordEarlybird！Anoldwoman！OnewhomnoothermaninEnglandwouldhavethoughtofmakingaKnightoftheGarter！Itwasnot，hesaid，personaldisappointmentinhimself。Therewerehalf-a-

dozenpeerswhomhewouldhavewillinglyhaveseensogracedwithouttheslightestchagrin。ButthismusthavebeendonesimplytoshowtheDuke’spower，andtolettheworldunderstandthatheowednothingandwouldpaynothingtohissupporters。Itwasalmostadisgrace，saidLordDrummond，tobelongtoaGovernmenttheHeadofwhichcouldsocommithimself！TheSessionwasnearlyatanend，andLordDrummondthoughtthatnostepcouldbeconvenientlytakennow。Butitwasquitecleartohimthatthisstateofthingscouldnotbecontinued。ItwasobservedthatLordDrummondandthePrimeMinisterneverspoketoeachotherintheHouse，andthattheSecretaryofStateforColonies，——thatbeingtheofficewhichheheld，——neverroseinhisplaceafterLordEarlybird’snomination，unlesstosayawordortwoastohisownpeculiarduties。ItwasverysoonknowntoalltheworldthattherewaswartotheknifebetweenLordDrummondandthePrimeMinister。

And，strangetosay，thereseemedtobesomefeelingofgeneraldiscontentonthisverytriflingsubject。WhenAristideshadbeenmuchtoojusttheoyster-shellsbecamenumerous。ItwassaidthattheDukehadbeenguiltyofpretentiousloveofvirtueintakingLordEarlybirdoutofhisownpathoflifeandforcinghimtowriteK。G。afterhisname。Therecameoutanarticle，ofcourseinthePeople’sBanner，headed，OurPrimeMinister’sGoodWorks，inwhichpoorLordEarlybirdwasridiculedinaveryunbecomingmanner，andinwhichitwasassertedthatthethingwasdoneasacounterpoisetotheiniquitydisplayedin’houndingFerdinandLopeztohisdeath’。WheneverFerdinandLopezwasmentionedhehadalwaysbeenhounded。AndthenthearticlewentontodeclarethateitherthePrimeMinisterhadquarrelledwithallhiscolleagues，orelsethatallhiscolleagueshadquarrelledwiththePrimeMinister。MrSlidedidnotcarewhichitmightbe，but，whicheveritmightbe，thepoorcountryhadtosufferwhensuchastateofthingswaspermitted。ItwasnotoriousthatneithertheDukeofStBungaynorLordDrummondwouldnowevenspeaktotheirownchief，sothoroughlyweretheydisgustedwithhisconduct。IndeeditseemedthattheonlyallythePrimeMinisterhadinhisownCabinetwastheIrishadventurer，MrPhineasFinn。LordEarlybirdneverreadawordofallthis，andwasaltogetherundisturbedashesatinhischairinExeterHall，——orjustatthistimeoftheyearmorefrequentlyintheprovinces。ButtheDukeofOmniumreaditall。

AfterwhathadpassedhedidnotdareshowittohisbrotherDuke。Hedidnotdaretotellhisfriendthatitwassaidinthenewspapersthattheydidnotspeaktoeachother。ButeverywordfromMrSlide’spensettledonhisownmemory，andaddedtohistorments。ItcametobeafixedideaintheDuke’smindthatMrSlidewasagadflysenttotheearthfortheexpresspurposeofworryinghim。

AndasamatterofcoursethePrimeMinisterinhisownmindblamedhimselfforwhathehaddone。Itisthechieftormentofapersonconstitutedashewasthatstrongasmaybethedeterminationtodoathing，fixedasmaybetheconvictionthatthethingoughttobedone，nosoonerhasitbeenperfectedthantheobjectionsofothers，whichbeforehadbeeninefficaciousbecomesuddenlyendowedwithtruthandforce。HedidnotlikebeingtoldbyMrSlidethatheoughtnottohavesethiscabinetagainsthim，butwhenhehadinfactdoneso，thenhebelievedwhatMrSlidetoldhim。AssoonalmostastheirrecoverableletterhadbeenwingedonitswaytoLordEarlybird，hesawtheabsurdityofsendingit。Whowashethatheshouldventuretosetasideallthetraditionsofoffice？APittoraPeeloraPalmerstonmighthavedoneso，becausetheyhadbeenabnormallystrong。TheyhadbeenPrimeMinistersbytheworkoftheirownhands，holdingtheirpowersagainstthewholeworld。Buthe，——

hetoldhimselfdailyhewasonlytherebysufferance，becauseatthemomentnooneelsecouldbefoundtotakeit。Insuchaconditionshouldhehavenothavebeenboundbythetraditionsofoffice，boundbytheadviceofonesoexperiencedandsotrueastheDukeofStBungay？Andforwhomhadhebrokenthroughthesetraditionsandthrownawaythisadvice？ForamanwhohadnopowerwhatevertohelphimoranyotherMinisteroftheCrown——

foronewhoseeverypursuitinlifewasatvariancewiththeacquisitionofsuchhonoursasthatnowthrustuponhim！Hecouldseehisownobstinacy，andcouldevenhatethepretentiousloveofvirtuewhichhehimselfhaddisplayed。

’HaveyouseenLordEarlybirdwithhisribbon？’hiswifesaidtohim。

’IdonotknowLordEarlybirdbysight，’herepliedangrily。

’Noranyoneelseeither。Buthewouldhavecomedownandshownithimselftoyou，ifhehadasparkofgratitudeinhiscomposition。AsfarasIcanlearnyouhavesacrificedtheMinistryforhissake。’

’IdidmydutyasbestIknewhowtodoit，’saidtheDuke，almostwithferocity，’anditlittlebecomesyoutotauntmewithmydeficiency。’

’Plantagenet！’

’Iamdriven，’hesaid，’almostbeyondmyself，anditkillsmewhenyoutakepartagainstme。’

’Takepartagainstyou！SurelytherewasverylittleinwhatI

said。’Andyet，asshespoke，sherepentedbitterlythatshehadatthemomentallowedherselftorelapseintothesortofbadinagewhichhadbeenusualwithherbeforeshehadunderstoodtheextentofhissufferings。’IfItroubleyoubywhatIsay，I

willcertainlyholdmytongue。’

’Don’trepeattomewhatthatmansaysinthenewspaper。’

’Youshouldn’tregardtheman，Plantagenet。Youshouldn’tallowthepapertocomeintoyourhands。’

’AmItobeafraidofseeingwhatmensayofme？Never！Butyouneednotrepeatit，atanyrateifitbefalse。’Shehadnotseenthearticleinquestionorshecertainlywouldnothaverepeatedtheaccusationitcontained。’Ihavequarrelledwithnocolleague。IfsuchaoneasLordDrummondchoosestothinkhimselfinjured，amItostooptohim？Nothingstrikesmesomuchinallthisastheill-natureoftheworldatlarge。Whentheyusedtobaitabeartiedtoastake，everyonearoundwouldcheerthedogsandhelptormentthehelplessanimal。Itismuchthesamenow，onlytheyhaveamaninsteadofabearfortheirpleasure。’

’Iwillneverhelpthedogsagain，’shesaid，cominguptohimandclinginghimwithintheembraceofhisarm。

HeknewthathehadbeenQuixotic，andhewouldsitinhischairrepeatingthewordtohimselfaloud，tillhehimselfbegantofearthathewoulddoitincompany。Butthethinghadbeendoneandcouldnotbeundone。HehadhadthebestowalofoneGarter，andhehadgivenittoLordEarlybird！Itwas，——hetoldhimself，butnotcorrectly，——theonlythinghehaddoneonhisownundividedresponsibilitysincehehadbeenPrimeMinister。

ThelastdaysofJulyhadpassed，andithadbeenatlastdecidedthattheSessionshouldcloseonthe11thAugust。Nowthe11thofAugustwasthoughttobeagreatdealtonearthe12thtoallowofsuchanarrangementbeingconsideredsatisfactory。A

greatmanymemberswereangryatthearrangement。IthadbeensaidallthroughJuneandintoJulythatitwastobeanearlySession，andyetthingshadbeensomismanagedthatwhentheendcameeverythingcouldnotbefinishedwithoutkeepingmembersofParliamentintownonthe11thAugust！Inthememoryofthepresentlegislatorstherehadneverbeenanythingsoawkward。

Thefault，iftherewasafault，wasattributabletoMrMonk。Inallprobabilitythedelaywasunavoidable。Aministercannotcontrollong-windedgentlemen，andwhengentlemenareverylong-

windedtheremustbedelay。Nodoubtastrongministercanexercisesomecontrol，anditiscertainthatlong-windedgentlemenfindanunusualscopefortheirbreathwhenthereigningdynastyisweak。InthatwayMrMonkandtheDukemayhavebeenresponsible，buttheywereblamedasthoughthey，fortheirownspecialamusement，detainedgentlemenintown。Indeedthegentlemenwerenotdetained。Theygrumbledandgrowledandthenfled，——buttheirgrumblingsandgrowlingswereheardevenaftertheirdeparture。

’Well——whatdoyouthinkofitall？’theDukesaidonedaytoMrMonkattheTreasury，affectinganairofcheerygood-humour。

’Ithink，’saidMrMonk，’thatthecountryisveryprosperous。I

don’tknowthatIeverremembertradetohavebeenmoreevenlysatisfactory。’

’Ah，yes。That’sverywellforthecountry，andought，I

suppose，tosatisfyme。’

’Itsatisfiesme，’saidMrMonk。

’Andme，inaway。Butifyouwerewalkingaboutinaverytightpairofboots，inagonywithyourfeet，wouldyoubeablejustthentorelishthenewsthatagriculturalwagesinthatparishhadgoneupsixpenceaweek？’

’I’dtakemybootsoff，andthentry，’saidMrMonk。

’That’sjustwhatI’mthinkingofdoing。IfIhadmybootsoffallthatprosperitywouldbesopleasanttome！But，yousee，youcan’ttakeyourbootsoffincompany。Anditmaybethatyouhaveawalkbeforeyou，andthatnobootswillbeworseforyourfeetthantightones。’

’We’llhaveourbootsoffsoon，Duke，’saidMrMonk，speakingoftherecess。

’Andwhenshallwebequitofthemaltogether？Jokingapart，theyhavetobewornifthecountryrequiresit。’

’Certainly，Duke。’

’AnditmaybethatyouandIthinkuponthewholetheymaybewornwithadvantage。Whatdoesthecountrysaytothat？’

’Thecountryneversaysthereverse。WehavenothadamajorityagainstusthisSessiononanyGovernmentquestion。’

’Butwehavehadnarrowingmajorities。WhatwilltheHousedoastotheLords’amendmentsontheBankruptcyBill？TherewasabillthathadgonedownfromtheHouseofCommons，buthadnotoriginatedwiththeGovernment。Ithad，however，beenfosteredbyministersoftheHouseofLords，andhadbeensentbackwithcertainamendmentsforwhichtheLordChancellorhadmadehimselfresponsible。ItwasthereforenowalmostaGovernmentmeasure。

ThemanipulationofthismeasurehadbeenoneofthecausesoftheprolongedsittingoftheHouses。’

’Grogramsaystheywilltaketheamendments。’

’Andiftheydon’t？’

’Whythen，’saidMrMonk，’theLordsmusttakeourrejection。’

’Andweshallhavebeenbeaten，’saidtheDuke。

’Undoubtedly。’

’AndsimplybecausetheHousedesirestobeatus。IamtoldSirTimothyBeeswaxintendstospeakandvoteagainsttheamendments。’

’What，——SirTimothyononeside，andSirGregoryontheother？’

’SoLordRamsdentellsme，’saidtheDuke。’Ifitbeso，whatarewetodo？’

’CertainlynotgooutinAugust，’saidMrMonk。

WhenthetimecamefortheconsiderationoftheLords’amendmentsintheHouseofCommons，——anditdidnotcometillthe8thofAugust，——thematterwasexactlyastheDukehadsaid。SirGregoryGrogram，withadealofearnestness，supportedtheLords’

amendments，——ashewasinhonourboundtodo。Theamendmenthadcomefromhischief，theLordChancellor，andhadindeedbeendiscussedwithSirGregorybeforeithadbeenproposed。Hewasverymuchinearnest——butitwasevidentfromSirGregory’searnestnessthatheexpectedaviolentopposition。ImmediatelyafterhimroseSirTimothy。NowSirTimothywasapretentiousman，whoassumedtobenotonlyanadvocatebutalawyer。Andheassumedalsotobeapoliticalmagnate。Hewentintothematteratgreatlength。Hebeganbysayingthatitwasnotapartyquestion。Thebill，whichhehadhadthehonourofsupportingbeforeitwentfromtheirownHouse，hadbeenaprivatebill。AssuchithadreceivedageneralsupportfromtheGovernment。IthadbeenmateriallyalteredintheotherHouseundertheauspicesofhisnoblefriendonthewoolsack，butfromthosealterationshewasobligedtodissent。ThenhesaidsomeveryheavythingsagainsttheLordChancellor，andincreasedinacerbityashedescribedwhathecalledthealteredmindofhishonourableandlearnedfriendtheAttorney-General。HethenmadesomeveryuncomplimentaryallusionstothePrimeMinister，whomheaccusedofbeingmorethanordinarilyreservedwithhissubordinates。

ThespeechwasmanifestlyarrangedanddeliveredwiththeexpressviewofdamagingtheCoalition，ofwhichatthetimehehimselfmadeapart。MenobservedthatthingswereverymuchalteredwhensuchacourseasthatwastakenintheHouseofCommons。

ButthatcoursewastakenonthisoccasionbySirTimothyBeeswax，andwassofartakenwithsuccessthattheLords’

amendmentswererejectedandtheGovernmentwasbeateninathinHouse，byalargemajority——composedpartlyofitsownmen。

’WhatamItodo？’askedthePrimeMinisteroftheoldDuke。

’TheoldDuke’sanswerwasexactlythesameasthatgivenbyMrMonk。’WecannotresigninAugust。’Andthenhewenton。’WemustwaitandseehowthingsgoatthebeginningofnextSession。

ThechiefquestioniswhetherSirTimothyshouldnotbeaskedtoresign。’

ThentheSessionwasatanend，andtheywhohadbeenstaunchtolastgotoutoftownasquickasthetrainscouldcarrythem。

CHAPTER67

MRSLOPEZPREPARESTOMOVE。

TheDuchessofOmniumwasnotthemostdiscreetwomanintheworld。Thatwasadmittedbyherbestfriends，andwasthegreatsinallegedagainstherbyherworstenemies。Inherdesiretosaysharpthings，shewouldsaythesharpthinginthewrongplace，andinherwishtobegood-naturedshewasapttorunintooffences。Justasshewasabouttoleavetown，whichdidnottakeplaceforsomedaysafterParliamenthadrisen，shemadeanindiscreetpropositiontoherhusband。’ShouldyoumindaskingMrsLopezdowntoMatching？Weshallonlybeasmallparty。’

NowtheverynameofLopezwasterribletotheDuke’sears。

AnythingwhichrecalledthewretchandthatwretchedtragedytotheDuke’smindgavehimastab。TheDuchessoughttohavefeltthatanycommunicationbetweenherhusbandandeventheman’swidowwastobeavoidedratherthansought。’Quiteoutofthequestion！’saidtheDuke，drawinghimselfup。

’Whyoutofthequestion？’

’ThereareathousandreasonsIcouldnothaveit。’

’ThenIshallsaynothingmoreaboutit。Butthere’saromancethere，——somethingquitetouching。’

’Youdon’tmeanthatshehas——alover？’

’Well——yes。’

’Andshelostherhusbandonlytheotherday，——losthiminsoterribleamanner？IfthatissocertainlyIdonotwishtoseeheragain。’

’Ah，thatisbecauseyoudon’tknowthestory。’

’Idon’twishtoknowit。’

’ThemanwhowantstomarryherknewherlongbeforeshehadseenLopez，andhadofferedtohersomanytimes。Heisafinefellow，andyouknowhim。’

’Ihadrathernothearanymoreaboutit，’saidtheDuke，walkingaway。

TherewasanendtotheDuchess’sschemeofgettingEmilydowntoMatching，——aschemewhichcouldhardlyhavebeensuccessfulevenhadtheDukenotobjectedtoit。ButyettheDuchesswouldnotabandonherprojectofbefriendingthewidow。ShehadinjuredLopez。ShehadlikedwhatshehadseenofMrsLopez。AndshewasnowendeavouringtotakeArthurFletcherbythehand。ShecalledthereforeatManchesterSquareonthedaybeforeshestartedforMatching，andleftacardandanote。Thiswasonthe15thofAugust，whenLondonwasasemptyasiteveris。ThestreetsattheWestEndweredeserted。Thehouseswereshutup。

Theverysweepersofthecrossingsseemedtohavegoneoutoftown。Thepublicofficesweremannedbyoneortwounfortunateseach，whoconsoledthemselvesbyreadingnovelsattheirdesks。

Halfthecab-drivershadgoneapparentlytotheseaside，——ortobed。Theshopswerestillopen，butalltherespectableshopkeeperswereeitherinSwitzerlandorattheirmarinevillas。

ThetravellingworldhaddivideditselfintoCookitesandHookites：——thosewhoescapedtroubleundertheauspicesofMrCook，andthosewhoboldlycombattedtheextortionsofforeigninnkeepersandtheAnti-Anglicantendenciesofforeignrailwayofficials’ontheirownhooks。’TheDuchessofOmniumwasneverthelessintown，andtheDukemightstillbeseengoinginatthebackentranceoftheTreasuryChamberseverydayateleveno’clock。MrWarburtonthoughtitveryhard，forhe，too，couldshootgrouse。buthewouldhaveperishedratherthanhavespokenaword。

TheDuchessdidnotasktoseeMrsLopez，butlefthercardandanote。Shehadnotliked，shesaid，toleavetownwithoutcalling，thoughshewouldnotseektobeadmitted。ShehopedthatMrsLopezwasrecoveringherhealth，andtrustedthatonherreturntotownshemightbeallowedtorenewheracquaintance。

Thenotewasverysimple，andcouldnotbetakenasotherthanfriendly。IfshehadbeensimplyMrsPalliser，andherhusbandhadbeenajuniorclerkintheTreasury，suchavisitwouldhavebeenacourtesy。anditwasnotlesssobecauseitwasmadebytheDuchessofOmniumandbythewifeofthePrimeMinister。Butyetamongallthepoorwidow’sacquaintanceshewastheonlyonewhohadventuredtocallsinceLopezhaddestroyedhimself。MrsRobyhadbeentoldnottocome。LadyEustacehadbeensternlyrejected。EvenoldMrsFletcherwhenshehadbeenupintown，had，afteraverysolemnmeetingwithMrWharton，contentedherselfwithsendingherlove。IthadcometopassthattheideaofbeingimmuredwasgrowingtobenaturaltoEmilyherself。Thelongerthatitwascontinuedthemorediditseemtobeimpossibletoherthatsheshouldbreakfromherseclusion。ButyetshewasgratifiedbythenotefromtheDuchess。

’Shemeanstobecivil，papa，’

’Ohyes，——buttherearepeoplewhosecivilityIdon’twant。’

’Certainly。IdidnotwantthecivilityofthathorridLadyEustace。ButIcanunderstandthis。ShethinksthatshedidFerdinandaninjury。’

’Whenyoubegin，mydear，——andIhopeitwillbesoon，——togetbacktotheworld，youwillfinditmorecomfortable，Ithink，tofindyourselfamongyourownpeople。’

’Idon’twanttogoback，’shesaid，sobbingbitterly。

’ButIwantyoutogoback。Allwhoknowyouwantyoutogoback。Onlydon’tbeginatthatend。’

’Youdon’tsuppose，papa，thatIwishtogototheDuchess？’

’Iwishyoutogosomewhere。Itcan’tbegoodforyoutoremainhere。IndeedIshallthinkitwicked，oratanyrateweak，ifyoucontinuetosecludeyourself。’

’WhereshallIgo，’shesaidimploringly。

’ToWharton。Icertainlythinkyououghttogotherefirst。’

’Ifyouwouldgo，papa，andleavemehere，——justthisonce。

NextyearIwillgo，——iftheyaskme。’

’WhenImaybedead，foraughtanyofusknow。’

’Donotsaythat，papa。Ofcourseanyonemaydie。’

’Icertainlyshallnotgowithoutyou。Youmaytakethatascertain。IsitlikelythatIshouldleaveyoualoneinAugustandSeptemberinthisgreatgloomyhouse？Ifyoustay，Ishallstay。’Nowthismeantagreatdealthanithadmeantinformeryears。SinceLopezhaddiedMrWhartonhadnotoncedinedattheEldon。Hecamehomeregularlyatsixo’clock，satwithhisdaughteranhourbeforedinner，andthenremainedwithheralltheevening。Itseemedasthoughheweredeterminedtoforceheroutofhersolitudebyhernaturalconsiderationforhim。Shewouldimplorehimtogotohisclubandhavehisrubber，buthewouldnevergiveway。No——hedidn’tcarefortheEldon，anddislikedwhist。Sohesaid。Tillatlasthespokemoreplainly。

’Youaredullenoughhereallday，andIwillnotleaveyouintheevenings。’Therewasapersistenttendernessinthiswhichshehadnotexpectedfromtheantecedentsofhislife。When，therefore，hetoldherthathewouldnotgointothecountrywithouther，shefeltherselfalmostconstrainedtoyield。

Andshewouldhaveyieldedatoncebutforonefear。HowcouldsheinsuretoherselfthatArthurFletchershouldnotbethere？

OfcoursehewouldbeatLongbarns，andhowcouldshepreventhiscomingoverfromLongbarnstoWharton？Shecouldhardlybringherselftoaskthequestionofherfather。ButshefeltaninsuperableobjectiontofindingherselfinArthur’spresence。

Ofcourseshelovedhim。Ofcourseinalltheworldhewasthedearestofalltoher。Ofcourseifshecouldwipeoutthepastaswithawettowel，ifshecouldputthecrapeofhermindaswellasfromherlimbs，shewouldbecomehiswifewiththegreatestjoy。Buttheveryfeelingthatshelovedhimwasdisgracefultoherinherownthoughts。ShehadallowedhiscaresswhileLopezwasstillherhusband，——thehusbandwhohadill-usedherandbetrayedher，whohadsoughttodragherdowntohisowndepthofbaseness。Butnowshecouldnotenduretothinkthattheothermanshouldeventouchher。Itwasforbiddentoher，shebelieved，byallthecanonsofwomanhoodevetothinkofloveagain。Thereoughttobenothingleftforherbutcrapeandweepers。Shehaddoneitallbyherownobstinacy，andshecouldmakenocompensationeithertoherfamily，ortheworld，ortoherownfeelings，butbydrinkingthecupofhermiserydowntotheverydregs。Eventothinkofjoywouldinherbeatreason。

Onthatoccasionshedidnotyieldtoherfather，conqueringhimasshehadconqueredhimbeforethepleadingofherlooksratherthanherwords。

Butadayortwoafterwardshecametoherwithargumentsofaverydifferentkind。HeatanyratemustgotoWhartonimmediatelyinreferencetoaletterofvitalimportancewhichhehadreceivedfromSirAlured。ThereadermayperhapsrememberthatSirAlured’sheir——theheirtothetitleandproperty——wasanephewforwhomheentertainednoaffectionwhatever。ThisWhartonhadbeendiscardedbyalltheWhartonsasaprofligatedrunkard。SomeyearsagoSirAluredhadendeavouredtoreclaimtheman，andspentperhapsmoremoneythanhadbeenjustifiedindoingintheendeavour，seeingthat，aspresentoccupieroftheproperty，hewasboundtoprovideforhisowndaughters，andthatathisdeatheveryacremustgotothisne’er-do-well。Themoneyhadbeenallowedtoflowlikewaterforatwelvemonthandhaddonenogoodwhatever。Therehadbeennohope。Themanwasstrongandlikelytolive，——andafterawhilehadmarriedawife，somewomanthathetookfromtheverystreets。Thishadbeenhislastknownachievement，andfromthatmomentnotevenhadhisnamebeenmentionedatWharton。Nowtherecametidingsofhisdeath。ItwassaidthathehadperishedinsomeattempttocrosssomeglaciersinSwitzerland——butbydegreesitappearedthattheglacieritselfhadbeenlessdangerousthanthebrandywhichhehadswallowedwhilstonhisjourney。Atanyratehewasdead。AstothatSirAlured’sletterwascertain。Andhewasequallycertainthathehadleftnoson。

ThesetidingswerequiteimportanttoMrWhartonastoSirAlured，——moreimportanttoEverettWhartonthantoeitherofthem，ashewouldinheritallafterthedeathofthosetwooldmen。Atthismomenthewasawayyachtingwithafriend，andevenhisaddresswasunknown。LetterforhisweretobesenttoOban，andmight，ormightnot，reachhiminthecourseofamonth。ButinamanofSirAlured’sfeelings，thiscatastropheproducedagreatchange。Theheirtohistitleandpropertywasonewhomhewasboundtoregardwithaffectionandalmostwithreverence，——

ifitwereonlypossibleforhimtodoso。Withhislateheirithadbeenimpossible。ButEverettWhartonhehadalwaysliked。

Everetthadnotbeenquiteallthathisfatherandunclehadwished。Buthisfaultshadbeenexactlythosewhichcouldbecured，——orwouldalmostbevirtues，——bythepossessionofatitleandproperty。DistasteforaprofessionandaptitudeforParliamentwouldbecomeayoungmanwhowasheirnotonlytotheWhartonestates，buttohalfhisfather’smoney。

SirAluredinhisletterexpressedahopethatEverettmightbeinformedinstantly。HewouldhavewrittenhimselfhadheknownEverett’saddress。Buthedidknowthathiseldercousinwasintown，andhebesoughthiseldercousintocomeatonce，——quiteatonce，——toWharton。Emily，hesaid，wouldofcourseaccompanyherfatheronsuchanoccasion。ThentherewerelonglettersfromMaryWharton，andevenfromLadyWharton，toEmily。TheWhartonsmusthavebeenverymuchmovedwhenLadyWhartoncouldbeinducedtowritealongletter。TheWhartonswereverymuchmoved。Theywereinastateofenthusiasmatthesenews，amountingalmosttofury。Itseemedasthoughtheythoughtthateverytenantandlabourerontheestate，andeverytenantalabourer’swife，wouldbeinanabnormalconditionandunfitforthedutiesoflife，tilltheyshouldhaveseenEverettasheirtotheproperty。LadyWhartonwentsofarastotellEmilywhichbedroomwasbeingpreparedforEverett，——abedroomverydifferentinhonourfromanybytheoccupationofwhichhehadyetbeengraced。Andthereweretwentypointsastonewwillsandnewdeedsastowhichthepresentbaronetwantedtheimmediateadviceofhiscousin。Therewereascoreofthingswhichcouldnowbedonewhichwerebeforeimpossible。Treescouldbecutdown，andbuildingsputup。andalittlebitoflandsold，andalittlebitoflandbought——thedoingofallwhichwouldgivenewlifetoSirAlured。Alifeinterestinanestateisamuchpleasanterthingwhentheheirisafriendwhocanbewalkedabouttheproperty，thanwhenheisanenemywhomustbekeptatarm’slength。AllthesedelightscouldnowbeSirAlured’s，——iftheoldheirwouldgivehimhiscounselandtheyoungonehisassistance。

ThischangeofaffairsoccasionedsomeflutteralsoinManchesterSquare。ItcouldnotmakemuchdifferencepersonallytooldMrWharton。Hewas，infact，asoldasthebaronet，anddidnotpaymuchregardtohisownchanceofsuccession。Butthepositionwasonewhichwouldsuithimadmirably，andhewasnowongoodtermswithhisson。HehadconvincedhimselfthatLopezhaddoneallthathecouldtoseparatethem，andthereforefoundhimselftobemoreboundtohissonthanever。’Wemustgoatonce，’hesaidtohisdaughter，speakingasthoughhehadforgottenhermiseryforthemoment。

’IsupposeyouandEverettoughttobethere。’

’HeavenknowswhereEverettis。Ioughttobethere，andI

supposethatonsuchanoccasionasthisyouwillcondescendtogowithme。’

’Condescend，papa——whatdoesthatmean？’

’YouknowIcannotgoalone。ItisoutofthequestionthatI

shouldleaveyouhere。’

’Why，papa？’

’Andatsuchatimethefamilyoughttocometogether。Ofcoursetheywilltakeitverymuchamissifyourefuse。WhatwillLadyWhartonthinkifyourefuseaferherwritingsuchaletterasthat？Itismydutytotellyouthatyououghttogo。Youcannotthinkthatisrighttothrowovereveryfriendthatyouhaveintheworld。’

Therewasagreatdealmoresaidinwhichitalmostseemedthatthefather’stendernesshadwornout。Hiswordsweremuchrougherandmoreimperiousthananythathehadyetspokensincehisdaughterhadbecomeawidow，buttheywerealsomoreefficacious，andthereforeprobablymoresalutary。Aftertwenty-

fourhoursofthisshefoundshewasobligedtoyield，andatelegramwassenttoWharton，——bynomeansthefirsttelegramthathadbeensentsincethenewshadarrived，——sayingthatEmilywouldaccompanyherfather。Theyweretooccupythemselvesfortwodaysfurtherinpreparationsfortheirjourney。