第9章

“TheorderswerethathewasalwaystobetoldwhenMr。Strangewayswaslikethis，underallcircumstances。Ican”tquiethim，Mr。

Burrill。Hesayshemustseehimatonce。”

Burrillwalkedbackstifflytothedining-room。

“Itwon”ttroubleHIMmuchtobedisturbedathiswine，“hemutteredbeforegoing。“Hedoesn”tknowhockfromport。”

Whenthemessagewasdeliveredtohim，Tembaromexcusedhimselfwithsimplelackofceremony。

“I”llbebackdirectly，“hesaidtoPalliser。“Thosearegoodcigars。”Andhelefttheroomwithoutgoingintothematterfurther。

Pallisertookoneofthegoodcigars，andintakingitexchangedaglancewithBurrillwhichdistantlyconveyedthesuggestionthatperhapshehadbetterremainforamomentorso。CaptainPalliser”sknowledgeofinterestingdetailwasobtained“bychancehereandthere，“hesometimesexplained，butitwasalwaysobtainedwithalightandcasualair。

“Iamnotsure，“heremarkedashetookthelightBurrillheldforhimandtouchedtheendofhiscigar”IamnotquitesurethatIknowexactlywhoMr。Strangewaysis。”

“He”sthegentleman，sir，thatMr。TempleBarholmbroughtoverfromNewYork，“repliedBurrillwithastolidityclearlyexpressiveofdistaste。

“Indeed，fromNewYork！Whydoesn”toneseehim？“

“He”snotinaconditiontoseepeople，sir，“saidBurrill，andPalliser”sslightlyliftedeyebrowseemingtoexpressagooddeal，headdedasentence，“He”snotallthere，sir。”

“FromNewYork，andnotallthere。Whatseemstobethematter？“

Palliseraskedquietly。“OddideatobringalunaticallthewayfromAmerica。Theremustbeasylumsthere。”

“Usservantshaveorderstokeepoutoftheway，“Burrillsaidwithsternerstolidity。“He”ssonervousthatthesightofstrangersdoeshimharm。Imaysaythatquestionsarenotencouraged。”

“ThenImustnotaskanymore，“saidCaptainPalliser。“IdidnotknowIwasedgingontoamystery。”

“Iwasn”tawarethatIwasmyself，sir，“Burrillremarked，“untilI

askedsomethingquiteordinaryofPearson，whoisMr。TempleBarholm”svalet，anditwasnotwhathesaid，butwhathedidn”t，thatshowedmewhereIstood。”

“Amysteryisaninterestingthingtohaveinahouse，“saidCaptainPalliserwithoutenthusiasm。Hesmokedhiscigarasthoughhewasenjoyingitsaroma，andevenfromhisfirstremarkhehadmanagednottoseemtobereallyquiteaddressinghimselftoBurrill。Hewascertainlynottalkingtohimintheordinaryway；hisairwasratherthatofagentlemanoverhearingcasualremarksinwhichhewasonlyvaguelyinterested。BeforeBurrilllefttheroom，however，andheleftitundertheimpressionthathehadsaidnomorethancivilitydemanded，CaptainPalliserhadreachedthepointofbeingabletodeduceanumberofthingsfromwhathe，likePearson，hadnotsaid。

CHAPTERXXIII

ThemanwhoinallEnglandwasmostdeeplysubmergedindeadlyboredomwas，theoldDukeofStonesaidwithweariedfinality，himself。Hehadbeenasinfulyoungmanoffinishedtastein1820；hehadcultivatedthesetastes，whichwereforliteratureandartanddiversotherthings，inthemostrichlyalluringforeigncapitalsuntilfindinghimselfbecominganequallysinfulandfinishedelderlyman，hehaddecidedtomarry。Afterthebirthofherfourdaughters，hiswifehaddiedandleftthemonhishands。DevelopingatthattimeatendencytorheumaticgoutandadailyincreasingrealizationofthefactthattheresourcesofapoordukedommaybehopelesslydepletedbyanexpensiveyouthpassedbrilliantlyinVienna，Paris，Berlin，andLondon，whenitwasendurable，hefounditexpedienttogiveupwhatheconsideredthenecessitiesoflifeandtofaceexistenceinthecountryinEngland。

Itisnotimperativethatoneshouldenterintodetail。Therewasmuch，anditcoveredyearsduringwhichhisfourdaughtersgrewupandhe“grewdown，“ashecalledit。Ifhistemperhadoriginallybeenabadone，itwoulddoubtlesshavebecomeunbearable；ashehadbeenbornanamiableperson，hemerelysankintotheboredomwhichthreatensextinction。Hisgirlsboredhim，hisneighborsboredhim，StoneHoverboredhim，Lancashireboredhim，Englandhadalwaysboredhimexceptatabnormalmoments。

“Ireadagreatdeal，IwalkwhenIcan，“thishewroteoncetoafriendinRome。“WhenIamtoostiffwithrheumaticgout，IdrivemyselfaboutinaponychaiseandfeellikeanauntinaBathchair。I

havesofarescapedtheactualchairitself。Itperpetuallyrainshere，Imaymention，soIdon”tgetoutoften。YouwhogalloponwhiteroadsinthesunshineandhearItalianvoicesandvowels，figuretoyourselfyourfriendtrundlingthroughdamp，lead-coloredLancashirelanesandbeingaddressedintheLancashiredialect。ButsoamI

drivenbynecessitythatIlistentoitgratefully。Iwanttohearvillagenewsfromvillagers。Ihavebecomeagossip。Itisawonderfulthingtobeagossip。Itassistsonetogetthroughone”sdecliningyears。DonotwaitsolongasIdidbeforebecomingone。Begininyourroseatemiddleage。”

AnattackofgoutmoreseverethanusualhadconfinedhimtohisroomforsometimeafterthearrivalofthenewownerofTempleBarholm。Hehad，infact，beensofarindisposedthataweekortwohadpassedbeforehehadheardofhim。Hisfavoritenursehadbeenchosenbyhim，becauseshewasacomfortablevillagewomanwhomhehadtaughttolayasideherproperaweandtalktohimaboutherownaffairsandherneighborswhenhewasinthemoodtolisten。Shespokethebroadestpossibledialect，——helikeddialect，havinglearnedmuchinhisyouthfrommellow-eyedNeapolitanandTuscangirls，——andshehadneverbeennearahospital，buthadbeentrainedbythebedsidesofherchildrenandneighbors。

“IfIwereawritingperson，shewouldbecomeliterature，impinginguponMissMitford”stalesof”OurVillage”MissAusten”svarieties，andtheyoungBrontewoman”s”WutheringHeights。”MonDieu！whataresourceitwouldbetobeawritingperson！“hewrotetotheRomanfriend。

Tohisdaughtershesaid：

“Shebringsbackmytenderestyouth。Whenshepokesthefireinthetwilightandlumbersabouttheroom，makingmecomfortable，IlieinmybedandwatchtheflamesdancingontheceilingandfeelasifI

weresixandhadthemeasles。Shetucksmein，mydears——shetucksmein，Iassureyou。SometimesIfeelitquitepossiblethatshewillbendoverandkissme。”

Shehadtuckedhiminluxuriouslyinhisarm-chairbythefireonthefirstdayofhisconvalescence，andasshegavehimhistray，withhisbeefteaandtoast，hesawthatshecontainedanecdotalinformationofinterestwhichtactfulencouragementwouldcausetoflow。

“NowthatIamwellenoughtobeentertained，Braddle，“hesaid，“tellmewhathasbeenhappening。”

“Agraidelylot，yoreGrace，“sheanswered；“butnotsomuchi”StoneHoverasi”TempleBarholm。He”scoom！“

Thenthedukevaguelyrecalledrumorshehadheardsometimebeforehisindisposition。

“ThenewMr。TempleBarholm？He”sanAmerican，isn”the？Thelostheirwhohadtobesoughtforhighandlow——principallylow，I

understand。”

Thebeefteawasexcellentlysavory，thefirewaswarm，andrelieffromtwoweeksofpainleftasortofNirvanaofpeace。Rarelyhadthedukepassedamoredelightfullyentertainingmorning。TherewasarichnessintheTempleBarholmsituation，asdescribedindetailbyMrs。Braddle，whichfilledhimwithdelight。Hisregretthathewasnotawritingpersonintensifieditself。AmericanshadnotappeareduponthehorizoninMissMitford”stime，orinMissAusten”s，orintheBrontes”thetypenothavingentirelydetacheditselffromthatoftheredIndian。Itstruckhim，however，thatMissAustenmighthavedonethebestworkwiththisaffairifshehadsurvivedbeyondherperiod。Herfinelydemureandslysenseofhumorwouldhaveseenandseizeduponitsopportunities。StarkmoorlandlifehadnotencouragedhumorintheBrontes，andvillagepatronagehadnotrousedinMissMitfordasenseofironiccontrasts。Yes，JaneAustenwouldhavedoneitbest。

ThatthestoryshouldberelatedbyMrs。Braddlegaveitextraordinaryflavor。Nomanorwomanofhisownclasscouldhavegivensucharecounting，orrevealedsomanyfacetsofthisjewelofentertainment。

Heandthoselikehimcouldhaveseenthethingonlyfromtheirownamused，outraged，bewildered，orcynicallydisgustedpointofview。

Mrs。Braddlesawitasthevillagerssawit——excited，curious，secretlyhopefulofunduelavishnessfrom“achapashadnivverhadbrassbeforean”wantstochuckitawayforbrag”ssake，“orsomewhatalarmedatthepossibleneglectingofcustomsandprivilegesbyapersonignorantofmemorialbenefactions。Shesawitastheservantssawit——secretlydisdainful，outwardlyrespectful，waitingtodiscoverwhetherthesacrificeofprofessionaldistinctionwouldbebalancedbylibertiespermittedandlavishnessofremunerationandlargess。Shesawitalsofromherownpointofview——thatofarespectablecottagedwellerwhosegreat-great-grandfatherhadbeenborninablack-and-

whitetimberedhouseinagreenlane，andwhoknewwhatwere“gentryways“andwhatnatureofbeingcouldneverevenremotelyapproachtheassumptionofthem。ShehadseenTembarommorethanonce，andsummedhimupbynomeansill-naturedly。

“He”snotsuchabad-lookin”chap。Heisnashort-leggedorturn-up-

nosed，an”that”ssummat。Heconstridealong，an”helookshealthyenowforawhe”sthin。Athinchapnivverlooksascommonasafatun。

Ifhewurpudgy，itudbealotmoreagenhim。”

“Ithink，perhaps，“amiablyremarkedtheduke，sippinghisbeeftea，“thatyouhadbetternotcallhima`chap”Braddle。ThelateMr。

TempleBarholmwasneverreferredtoasa`chap”exactly，washe？“

Mrs。Braddlegaveventtoasortofinternal-soundingchuckle。Shehadnotmeanttobeimpertinent，andsheknewherchargewasawarethatshehadnot，andthathewasneitherbeingloftyorseverewithher。

“Eh，I”d”a”loikedtoha”heardsomebodydoitwhenhewasnigh，“shesaid。“HappenI”dbetterbemoindin”maP”san”Q”sabitmore。Butthat”swhatthisunis，yoreGrace。He”sa`chap”outan”out。An”

theer”ssomeasissayin”he”snotabadsortofachapeither。

There”slotso”funnystoriesabouthimi”TempleBarholmvillage。Hegoesintoth”cottagesnowan”then，an”thoughafoolcouldseehedoesnaknowhisplace，norotherpeople”s，he”sdownreetopen-handed。

An”hemaksfoaklaugh。Hetookaloto”NewYorkpaperswi”bigpicturesin”emtolittleTummasHibblethwaite。An”wotdoesthathinkhedidonerainyday？HewalksintotheowdDibdens”cottage，an”

sitsdownbetwixt”emastheysitoneeachsideo”th”f”re，an”hetells”emthey”vegottocheerhimupabitbecoshe”sgotnoughttodo。An”heshows”emth”picter-papers，too，an”tells”emaboutNewYork，an”heendsupwi”singin””emacomicsong。Theywasfrightenedouto”theirwitsatfirst，butsomehowhegotover”em，an”made”emlaughtheirowdheadsnighoff。”

Herchargelaidhisspoondown，andhisshrewd，linedfaceassumedanewexpressionofinterest。

“Didhe！Didhe，indeed！“heexclaimed。“GoodLord！whatanexhilaratingperson！Imustgoandseehim。Perhapshe”dmakemelaughmy`owdheadnighoff。”Whatasensation！“

Therewasreallyimmensecolorintheanecdotesandinthesideviewsaccompanyingthem；theroutingoutofherobscurityoftheisolated，dependentspinsterrelative，forinstance。Delicious！Themanwaseitherdesperatewithlonelinessorhewasoneoftherough-diamondbenefactorsfavoredbynovelists，inwhichlattercasehewouldnotbesoentertaining。Pureself-interestcausedtheDukeofStonequiteunreservedlytohopethathewasanguishedbytheunaccustomednessofhissurroundings，andwasreadytopourhimselfforthtoanyonewhowouldlisten。Therewouldbeoriginalityinsuchasituation，andonecoulddrawforthrevelationsworthforminganaudienceto。Hehimselfhadthoughtthatthevolte-facesuchcircumstancesdemandedwouldsurelyleaveamanstaringatthingsforeignenoughtoborehim。This，indeed，hadbeenoneofhischerishedtheories；buttheonlymanhehadeverencounteredwhohadbecomeasortofmillionairebetweenonedayandanotherhadbeenanappallingYorkshireman，whohadhadsomeextraordinaryluckwithdiamond-minesinSouthAfrica，andhehadbeensimplydrunkwithexhilarationandthedelightofspendingmoneywithbothhands，whilehefigurativelyslappedonthebackpersonswhosixweeksbeforewouldhavekickedhimfordoingit。

Thismandidnotappeartobeexcited。ThedukementallyrockedwithgleefulappreciationofcertainthingsMrs。Braddledetailed。Shegave，ofcourse，Burrill”sversionofthebriefinterviewoutsidethedining-roomdoorwhenMissAlicia”sstatusinthehouseholdbadbeenmadecleartohim。Buttheduke，beingamanendowedwithasubtlesenseofshades，waswhollyenlightenedastotheinnermeaningofBurrill”smaster。

“Now，thatwasgood，“hesaidtohimself，almostchuckling。“BytheLord！themanmighthavebeenagentleman。”

Whentoallthiswasaddedthestoryofthefriendorpoorrelative，orwhatnot，whowassupposedtobe“notquoitereeti”th”yed，“andwastakencareoflikeaprince，incompleteisolation，attendedbyavalet，visitedandcheeredupbyhisbenefactor，hefeltthataboonhadindeedbeenbestoweduponhim。Itwasanineteenthcentury“MysteriesofUdolpho“inembryo，thoughtoogreatlydilutedbythefactthatthoughthestrangerwasseenbynoone，thenewTempleBarholmmadenosecretofhim。

Ifhehadonlymadeasecretofhim，thewholethingwouldhavebeencomplete。TherewasofcourseinthesituationadiscouragingsuggestionthatTempleBarholmMIGHTturnouttobemerelytheordinarynoblecharacterbestowingboons。

“IwillburnalittlecandletotheVirginandofferupprayersthathemayNOT。Thatsortofthingwouldhavenocachetwhatever，andwouldonlydepressme，“thoughthisstillsufficientlysinfulGrace。

“When，Braddle，doyouthinkIshallbeabletotakeadriveagain？“

heaskedhisnurse。

Braddlewasnotpreparedtosayuponherownresponsibility，butthedoctorwouldtellhimwhenhecameinthatafternoon。

“Ifeelastonishinglywell，consideringthesharpnessoftheattack，“

herpatientsaid。“Ourlittletalkhasquitestimulatedme。WhenIgoout，“——therewasagleamintheeyeheraisedtohers”IamgoingtocallatTempleBarholm。”

“Iknowedthawould，“shecommentedwithmaternalfamiliarity。“I

dunnotbelievethacouldkeepaway。”

Andthroughtherestofthemorning，ashesatandgazedintothefire，sheobservedthatheseveraltimeschuckledgentlyandrubbedhisdelicate，chill，swollenknuckledhandstogether。

Afewweekslaterthereweresomewarmdays，andhisGracechosetogooutinhisponycarriage。Muchashedetestedthesuggestionof“theauntintheBathchair，“hehaddecidedthathefoundthelow，informalvehiclemoreentertainingthanamoreimposingone，andthedesperationofhisdesiretobeentertainedcanbecomprehendedonlybythosewhohaveknownitsparallel。Ifhewasnotinsomewayamused，hefoundhimselfwhirling，withrheumaticgoutandseventyyears，amongrecollectionsofvividpicturesbetterhungingallerieswithcloseddoors。Itwasalwayspossibletostoptheponycarriagetolookatviews——bitsoflandscapecaughtatbyvisionthroughtreesorundertheirspreadingbranches，orattheendoflittlegreen-hedgedlanesapparentlyadornedwithcottages，orfarm-houseswithricksandbarn-yardsandpig-pensdesignedforthebenefitofMorlandandotherpaintersofrusticity。Hecouldalsoslackenthepony”spaceanddrawupbyroadsideswheresolitarymensatbypilesofstone，whichtheybrokeatleisurewithhammersasthoughtheywerecrackingnuts。Hehadspentmanyanagreeablehalf-hourintalkwitharoad-menderwhocouldbeledintoconversationandwasleftelatedbyanextrashilling。Asinyearslongpasthehadsatunderchestnut-treesintheApenninesandsharedtheblackbreadandsourwineofapeasant，sointhesedayshefrequentlywouldhavebeengladtositunderahedgeandeatbreadandcheesewithagoodfellowwhodidnotknowhimandwhosesummingupofthedomestichabitsandneedsof“th”workin”mon“ortheamiabilitiesordegeneraciesofthegentrywouldbeexpressed，figurativelyspeaking，inthoughtsandwordsofonesyllable。Thepony，however，couldnottakehimveryfarafield，andonecouldnotlunchonthegrasswithastone-breakerwellwithinreachofone”sowncastlewithoutanairofeccentricitywhichhenomorechosetoassumethanhewouldhavechosentowearlonghairandaflowingnecktie。

Also，rheumaticgouthadnothoveredaboutthedaysintheApennines。

Hedidnot，itmightberemarked，desiretoenterintoconversationwithhishumblefellow-manfromaltruisticmotives。Hediditbecausetherewasalwaysachancemoreorlessthathewouldbeamused。Hemighthearoflittletragediesorcomedies，——hemuchpreferredthecomedies，——andheoftenlearnednewwordsorphrasesofdialectinterestinglyalliedtopureAnglo-Saxon。Whenthislastoccurred，heenteredtheminanotebookhekeptinhislibrary。Hesometimespretendedtohimselfthathewasgoingtowriteabookondialects；

butheknewthathewasadilettantesortofcreatureandwouldreallyneverdoit。Thepretense，however，wasasortofasset。Indiremomentsduringrainsorfoggyweatherwhenhefelttwingesandhadreadtillhisheadached，hehadwishedthathehadnoteatenallhiscakeatthefirstcourseoflife”sfeast，thathehadformedahabitorsowhichmighthavesurvivedandhelpedhimtoekeoutevenaneasy-chairexistencethroughthelastcourses。Hedidnotfindconsolationintheuseofthepalliativeadjectiveasappliedtohimself。Aneatlycynicalsenseofhumorpreventedit。Heknewhehadalwaysbeenanentirelyselfishmanandthathewasentirelyselfishstill，andwasnotrevoltinglyfretfulanddomineeringonlybecausehewasconstitutionallyunirritable。

Hewas，however，amiablyobstinate，andwasaccustomedtogettinghisownwayinmostthings。Onthisdayofhisoutingheinsistedondrivinghimselfinthefaceofargumentstothecontrary。HewassofixedinhisintentionthathisdaughtersandMrs。Braddlewereobligedtoadmitthemselvesoverpowered。

“Nonsense！Nonsense！“heprotestedwhentheybesoughthimtoallowhimselftobedrivenbyagroom。“TheponyisafatthingonlysuitedtoaBathchair。Hedoesnotneeddriving。Hedoesn”tgowhenheisdriven。Hefrequentlyliesdownandputshischeekonhishandandgoestosleep，andIamobligedtowaituntilhewakesup。”

“But，papa，dear，“LadyEdithsaid，“yourpoorhandsarenotverystrong。Andhemightrunawayandkillyou。Pleasedobereasonable！“

“Mydeargirl，“heanswered，“ifheruns，IshallrunafterhimandkillhimwhenIcatchhim。George，“hecalledtothegroomholdingtheplumppony”shead，“tellherladyshipwhatthislittlebeast”snameis。”

“TheIndolentApprentice，yourGrace，“thegroomanswered，touchinghishatandsuppressingagrin。

“Icalledhimthatamonthago，“saidtheduke。“Hogarthwouldhavedepictedallsortsofevilendsforhim。Threeweekssince，whenIwasinbedbeingfedbyBraddlewithaspoon，Icouldhaveoutrunhimmyself。LetGeorgefollowmeonahorseifyoulike，buthemustkeepoutofmysight。Halfamilebehindwilldo。”

Hegotintothephaeton，concealinghistwingeswithdetermination，anddrovedowntheavenuewithafineair，sittingerectandsmiling。

Indoorexistencehadbecomeunendurable，andthespringwasfillingthewoods。

“Ilovethespring，“hemurmuredtohimself。“Iamsentimentalaboutit。Ilovesentimentality，inmyself，whenIamquitealone。IfIhadbeenawritingperson，IshouldhavemadeverseseveryyearinAprilandsentthemtomagazines——andtheywouldhavebeenreturnedtome。”

TheIndolentApprenticewas，itistrue，fat，thoughcomely，andhewasalsoentirelydeservingofhisname。LikehisGraceofStone，however，hehadseenotherandlivelierdays，andnowandthenhewasbesetbyrecollections。Hewasstillaratherhigh，thoughslow，stepper——thelatterfromfixedpreference。Hehadoncesteppedfast，aswellaswithaspiritedgait。Duringhismaster”sindispositionhehadstoodinhislooseboxandprofessedsuchharmlessnessthathehadnotbeenannoyedbybeingtakenoutforexerciseasregularlyashemighthavebeen。Hehadchampedhisoatsandlistenedtothereparteeofthestable-boys，andhehad，perhaps，feltthecomingofthespringwhenthecuckooinsisteduponitwiththrillingmellownessacrossthegreensweepsoftheparkland。Sometimesitmadehimsentimental，asitmadehismaster，sometimesitmadehimstamphissmallhoofsrestlesslyinhisstrawandwanttogoout。Hedidnotintend，whenhewastakenout，toemulatetheIndustriousApprenticebyhasteninghispaceundulyandraisingfalsehopesforthefuture，buthesniffedintheairthemoistgreenofleafageanddampmoss，massedwithyellowprimrosescuddlinginitasthoughforwarmth，andhethoughtofotherfreshscentsandthefeeloftheroadunderapony”sfeet。

Therefore，whenhefoundhimselfoutintheworldagain，heshookhisheadnowandthenandeventosseditwiththerecurringsensationsofaponywhowasamereboyandstillslightinthewaist。

“Youfeelittoo，doyou？“saidtheduke。“Iwon”tremindyouofyouryears。”

ThedrivefromStoneHovertothevillageofTempleBarholmwasaneasyone，ofmanycharmsofleaf-archedlanesandgreen-edgedroad。

Thedukehadalwayshadapartialityforit，andhetookitthismorning。Hewouldprobablyhavetakenitinanycase，butMrs。

Braddle”sanecdoteshadbeenfloatingthroughhismindwhenhesetforthandperhapsinclinedhiminitsdirection。

Thegroomwasayoungmanofthreeandtwenty，andhefeltthespringalso。Thehorseherodewasahandsomeanimal，andhehimselfwasnotdevoidofahealthyyoungman”sgoodlooks。Heknewhisbeltedliverywasbecomingtohim，andwhenonhorsebackhepridedhimselfonwhatheconsideredanalmostmilitarybearing。SarahHibson，farmerHibson”sdimple-chinnedandsaucy-eyeddaughter，hadbeen“carryin”onagoodbit“withasoldierwhowasasmart，well-set-up，impudentfellow，anditwasthemanifestdutyofanyotheryoungfellowwhohadconsideredhimselftobe“walkingoutwithher“tolookafterhischarges。HisGracehadbeenmostparticularaboutGeorge”skeepingfarenoughbehindhim；andashalfamilehadbeenmentionedasnearenough，certainlyonewasabsolvedfromthenecessityofkeepinginsight。WhyshouldnotoneturnintothelanewhichendedatHibson”sfarm-yard，anddropintothedairy，and“haveitoutwi”Sarah？“

Dimpledchinsandsaucyeyes，andbare，dimpledarmsandhandspattingbutterwhileheadsaretossedincoquettishlyalluringdefiance，madeeven“havingitout“anattractiveandmemory-obscuringprocess。Sarahwasaplumpandsparklingimpofprettiness，andknewthepowerofeveryslyglanceandeverydimpleandeverygoldenfreckleshepossessed。Georgedidnotknowitsowell，andintenminuteshadlosthisheadandentirelyforgotteneventhehalf-milebehind。

Hewaslover-like，hewasmasterful，hebroughtthespringwithhim；

he“carriedon，“asSarahputit，untilhehadactuallyout-distancedthesoldier，andhadherinhisarms，kissingherasshelaughedandprettilystruggled。

“Shameo”thaface！Shameo”thaface，George！“shescoldedanddimpledandblushed。“Wiltthabedonenow？Wiltthabedone？I”llcallmother。”

Andatthatverymomentmothercamewithoutbeingcalled，running，redofface，heavy-footed，andpanting，withhercapallononeside。

“Th”duke”srunaway！Th”duke”srunaway！“sheshouted。“Joseedhim。

Ponygotfreetenedatsummat——an”whatartdoin”here，GeorgeBind？

Geto”thyhorsean”gallop。Ifhe”skilled，tha”rtaruinedman。”

Therewasanoddturnofchanceinit，thedukethoughtafterward。

Thoughfriskierthanusual，theIndolentApprenticehadbehavedperfectlywelluntiltheynearedthegatesofTempleBarholm，whichchancedtobeopenbecauseacarthadjustpassedthrough。Anditwasnotthecart”sfault，fortheIndolentApprenticeregardeditwithfriendlyinterest。Ithappened，however，thatperhapsbeingabsorbedinthecart，whichmighthavebeendrawnbyafriendorevenadistantrelative，theIndolentApprenticewashorriblystartledbyalargerabbitwhichleapedoutofthehedgealmostunderhisnose，and，worsestill，wasfollowedthenextinstantbyanotherrabbitevenlargerandmoresuddenandunexpectedinitsmovements。TheIndolentApprenticesnorted，pawed，whirled，dashedthroughtheopengateway，——theduke”shandswereevenlessstrongthanhisdaughterhadthought，——andgalloped，headinairandbitbetweenteeth，uptheavenue，thelowcarriagerockingfromsidetoside。

“Damn！Damn！“criedtheduke，rockingalso。“Oh，damn！Ishallbekilledinarunawayperambulator！“

Andridiculousasitwas，thingssurgedthroughhisbrain，andonce，thoughhelaughedathimselfbitterlyafterward，hegasped“Ah，Heloise；“ashealmostwhirledoverajaggedtree-stump；gallopandgallopandgallop，offtheroadandthroughtrees，andbackagainontothesward，andgallopandgallopandjerkandjoltandjerk，andhewasnearingthehouse，andalong-leggedyoungmanrandownthesteps，pushingasidefootmen，andwasaheadofthedrunkenlittlebeastofapony，andcaughthimjustasthephaetonoverturnedandshothisgracesafelythoughnotcomfortablyinaheapuponthegrass。

Itwasofcoursenotrifleofashock，butitsvictim”ssensationsgavehimstrongreasontohope，asherolledover，thatnoboneswerebroken。Thefollowingservantswereonthespotalmostatonce，andtookthepony”shead。

Theyoungmanhelpedtheduketohisfeetanddustedhimwithmasterlydexterity。Hedidnotknowhewasdustingaduke，andhewouldnothavecaredifhehad。

“Hello，“hesaid，“you”renothurt。Icanseethat。ThanktheLord！I

don”tbelieveyou”vegotascratch。”

Hisgracefeltashadeshaky，andhewasslightlypale，buthesmiledinawaywhichhadbeencelebratedfortyyearsearlier，andthecharmofwhichhadsurvivedevenrheumaticgout。

“Thankyou。I”mnothurtintheleast。IamtheDukeofStone。Thisisn”treallyacall。Itisn”tmycustomtoarriveinthisway。MayI

addressyouasmypreserver，Mr。TempleBarholm？“

CHAPTERXXIV

Upontheterrace，whenhewasledupthesteps，stoodamostperfectlittleelderlyladyinastateofagitationmuchgreaterthanhisownorhisrescuer”s。Itwasanagitationasperfectinitsfemininityassheherselfwas。Itexpresseditskindtremorsinthefashionwhichbelongedtothepucesilkdressandfinebitsofcollarandundersleevethebelatedgracefulnessofwhichcausedhertopresentherselftohimratherasafigurecutneatlyfromabookofthestyleshehadadmiredinhisyoungmanhood。ItwasofcourseMissAlicia，whohaving，withTembarom，seenthegallopingponyfromawindow，hadfollowedhimwhenhedartedfromtheroom。Shecameforward，lookingpalewithcharmingsolicitude。

“Idosohopeyouarenothurt，“sheexclaimed。“ItreallyseemedthatonlydivineProvidencecouldpreventaterribleaccident。”

“Iamafraidthatitwasmoregrotesquethanterrible，“heansweredashadebreathlessly。

“LetmemakeyouacquaintedwiththeDukeofStone，MissAlicia，“

TembaromsaidintheformulaofMrs。Bowse”sboardersonstateoccasionsofintroduction。“Duke，letmemakeyouacquainted，sir，withmy——relation——MissAliciaTempleBarholm。”

Theduke”sbowhadaremotesuggestionofalmostincludingakissedhandinitsgallantcourtesy。Not，however，thatEarlyVictorianladieshadbeenaccustomedtothekissingofhands；butattheperiodwhenhehadbestknownthetypehehaddailybentoverwhitefingersinContinentalcapitals。

“Aglassofwine，“MissAliciaimplored。“Prayletmegiveyouaglassofwine。Iamsureyouneeditverymuch。”

Hewastakenintothelibraryandmadetositinamostcomfortableeasy-chair。MissAliciaflutteredabouthimwithsympathystilldelicatelytingedwithalarm。Howlong，howlong，ithadbeensincehehadbeenflutteredover！Nearlyfortyyears。Ladiesdidnotflutternow，andherememberedthatitwasnolongerthefashiontocallthem“ladies。”Onlythelower-middleclassesspokeof“ladies。”ButhefoundhimselfmentallyusingthewordagainashewatchedMissAlicia。

Ithadbeen“ladies“whohadflutteredandbeenanxiousaboutamaninthisquiteprettyway。

Hecouldscarcelyremovehiseyesfromherashesippedhiswine。Shefelthisescape“providential，“andmurmuredsuchdevoutlittlephrasesconcerningitthathewasalmostconsoledforthegrotesqueinwardvisionofhimselfasanagedpeeroftherealmtumblingoutofababy-carriageandrolledoveronthegrassatthefeetofamanonwhomlaterhehadmeanttomake，inproperstate，aformalcall。Sheputherhandtoherside，smilinghalfapologetically。

“Myheartbeatsquitefastyet，“shesaid。Whereuponaquaintlynovelthingtookplace，atthesightofwhichthedukebarelyescapedopeninghiseyesverywideindeed。TheAmericanTempleBarholmputhisarmaboutherinthemostcasualandinformallyaccustomedway，andledhertoachair，andputherinit，sotospeak。

“Say，“heannouncedwithaffectionateauthority，“yousitdownrightaway。It”syouthatneedsaglassofwine，andI”mgoingtogiveittoyou。”

TherelationsbetweenthetwowereevidentlyonabasisnotcommoninEnglandevenamongpeoplewhowereattachedtooneanother。Therewasaspontaneous，every-dayairofnatural，protectivepettingaboutit，asthoughthefellowwasfondofherinhiscrudefashion，andmeanttotakecareofher。Hewasfondofher，andthedukeperceiveditwithelation，andalsounderstood。Hemightbetheordinarybestowerofboons，buttheprotectivecurveofhisarmincludedotherthings。

Intheblankdullnessofhisunaccustomedsplendorshehadsomehowencounteredthisfine，delicatelypreservedlittlerelicofotherdays，andhadseizedonherandmadeherhisown。

“IhavenotseenanythingasdelightfulasMissTempleBarholmformanyayear，“thedukesaidwhenMissAliciawascalledfromtheroomandleftthemtogether。

“Ain”tshegreat？“wasTembarom”sreply。“She”sjustgreat。”

“It”sanexquisitesurvivaloftype，“saidtheduke。“Shebelongstomytime，notyours，“headded，realizingthat“survivaloftype“mightnotclearlyconveyitself。

“Well，shebelongstominenow，“answeredTembarom。“Iwouldn”tloseherforafarm。”

“Thevoice，thephrases，thecarriagemightsurvive，-theydoinremoteneighborhoods，Isuppose——butthedressisquitedelightfullyincredible。Itisaworkofart，“thedukewenton。Shehadseemedtoogoodtobetrue。Herclothes，however，hadcertainlynotbeendugoutofawardrobeoffortyyearsago。

“WhenIwenttotalktotheheadwomanintheshopinBondStreetI

fixeditwith”emhardandfastthatshewasnottospoilher。Theyweretokeepherlikeshewas。She”slikeherlittlecap，youknow，andherlittlemantlesandtippets。She”slikethem，“exclaimedTembarom。

Didheseethat？Whatanoddfeatureinamanofhissort！AndhowthoroughlyNewYorkishitwasthatheshouldmarchintoafashionableshopandseethathegotwhathewantedandtheworthofhismoney！

Therehadbeennorashnessinthehopethattheunexploredtreasuremightbearichone。Theman”ssimplicitywasanactualcomplexity。Hehadaboyisheyeandagrin，buttherewasabusiness-likelineabouthismouthwhichwasstrongenoughtohavebeenhardifithadnotbeengood-natured。

“Thatwasconfoundedlycleverofyou，“hisgracecommentedheartily——

“confoundedly。Ishouldneverhavehadthewittothinkofitmyself，orthecouragetodoitifIhad。Shop-womenmakemeshy。”

“Oh，well，Ijustputituptothem，“Tembaromansweredeasily。

“Ibelieve，“cautiouslytranslatedtheduke，“thatyoumeanthatyoumadethemfeelthattheyalonewereresponsible。”

“Yes，Ido，“assentedTembarom，thegrinslightlyinevidence。“Putituptothem”stheshortwayofsayingit。”

“Wouldyoumindmywritingthatdown？“saidtheduke。“Ihaveafadfordialectsandnewphrases。”Hehastilyscribbledthewordsinatabletthathetookfromhispocket。“DoyoulikelivinginEngland？“

heaskedincourseoftime。

“IshouldlikeitifI”dbeenbornhere，“wastheanswer。

“Isee，Isee。”

“IfithadnotbeenforfindingMissAlicia，andthatImadeapromiseI”dstayforayear，anyhow，I”dhavebrokenlooseattheendofthefirstweekandworkedmypassagebackifIhadn”thadenoughinmyclothestopayforit。”Helaughed，butitwasnotreallaughter。

Therewasathingbehindit。Thesituationwasmoreedifyingthanonecouldhavehoped。“Imadeapromise，andI”mgoingtostickitout，“

hesaid。

HewasgoingtostickitoutbecausehehadpromisedtoendureforayearTempleBarholmandanincomeofseventythousandpounds！Thedukegazedathimasatafonddreamrealized。

“I”venothingtodo，“Tembaromadded。

“NeitherhaveI，“repliedtheDukeofStone。

“Butyou”reusedtoit，andI”mnot。I”musedtoworking”steenhoursaday，anddroppingintobedastiredasadog，butreadytosleeplikeoneandgetuprested。”

“Iusedtoplaytwentyhoursadayonce，“answeredtheduke，“butI

didn”tgetuprested。That”sprobablywhyIhavegoutandrheumatismcombined。Tellmehowyouworked，andIwilltellyouhowIplayed。”

Itwasworthwhiletakingthistonewithhim。Ithadbeenworthwhiletakingitwiththechestnut-gatheringpeasantsintheApennines，sometimesevenwithastone-breakerbyanEnglishroadside。Andthisonewasofatypemoreuniqueanddistinctivethananyother——afellowwho，withthebloodofSaxonkingsandNormannoblesinhisveins，hadknownnothingbutthestreetlifeofthecrudestcityintheworld，whospokeasortofargot，whoknewnoparallelsofthethingswhichsurroundedhimintheancienthomehehadinheritedandinwhichhestoodapart，asortofsemi-sophisticatedsavage。Thedukeappliedhimselfwithgraceandfinishedabilitytodrawinghimout。Thequestionsheaskedwereallseeminglythoseofamanoftheworldcharminglyinterestedinthesuperiorknowledgeofaforeignerofvariedexperience。HismethodwasonewhichengagedtheinterestofTembaromhimself。Hedidnotknowthathewasnotonlyquestioned，but，sotospeak，delicatelycross-examinedandthatbeforetheendoftheinterviewtheDukeofStoneknewmoreofhim，hispastexistenceandpresentsentiments，thanevenMissAliciaknewaftertheirlongandintimateeveningtalks。Theduke，however，hadtheadvantageofbeingamanandofcherishingvividrecollectionsofthedaysofhisyouth，which，unlikeasithadbeentothatofTembarom，furnishedadegreeofsolidfoundationuponwhichgotobuildconjecture。

“Ayoungmanofhisage，“hisgracereflectedastutely，“hasalwaysjustfallenoutoflove，isfallingintoit，ordesiresvaguelytodoso。Tenyearslatertherewouldperhapsbeblankspaces，leanyearsduringwhichhewasnotinloveatall；butathisparticularperiodtheremustbeayoungwomansomewhere。Iwonderifsheisemployedinoneofthedepartmentstoreshespokeof，andhowsoonhehopestopresenthertous。Hisconversationhasrevealedsofar，tousehisownrichsimile，”neitherhidenorhair”ofher。”

Onhisownpart，hewasasreadytoanswerquestionsastoaskthem。

Infact，heledTembaromontoasking。

“IwilltellyouhowIplayed“hadbeenmeant。Hemadeahumandocumentofthehistoryheenlarged，hebrilliantlydiverged，heincluded，hemadepictures，andfoundTembarom”spointofvieworlackofitgavespiceandhumortorelationshehadthoughthimselftiredof。Totellfamiliaranecdotesofcourtsandkingstoamanwhohadneverquitebelievedthatsuchthingswererealities，whoalmostfoundthemhumorouswhentheywerecasuallyspokenof，wasedificationindeed。Thenovelcharmlayinthefactthathisclassinhiscountrydidnotincludethemaspossibilities。Peasantsinothercountries，plowmen，shopkeepers，laborersinEngland——alltheseatleasttheyknewof，andcountedtheminasfactorsinthelivesoftherichandgreat；butthisdearyoungman——！

“What”sacrownlike？I”dliketoseeone。Howmuchdoyouguesssuchathingwouldcost——indollars？“

“DidnotMissTempleBarholmtakeyoutoseetheregaliaintheTowerofLondon？Iamquiteshocked，“saidtheduke。Hewas，infact，atrifledisappointed。WiththepucedressandundersleevesandlittlefringessheoughtcertainlytohaverushedwithherpupiltothatseatofhistoricalinstructionontheirfirstmorninginLondon，immediatelyafterbreakfastingontoastandbaconandmarmaladeandeggs。

“Shemeantmetogo，butsomehowitwasputoff。Shealmostcriedonourjourneyhomewhenshesuddenlyrememberedthatwe”dforgottenit，afterall。”

“Iamsureshesaiditwasawastedopportunity，“suggestedhisgrace。

“Yes，thatwaswhathithersohard。She”dneverbeentoLondonbefore，andyoucouldn”tmakeherbelieveshecouldevergetthereagain，andshesaiditwasungratefultoProvidencetowasteanopportunity。She”salwaysmightyanxioustobegratefultoProvidence，blessher！“

“SheregardsyouasProvidence，“remarkedtheduke，enraptured。Withatouchhereandthere，thetouchofamaster，hehadgatheredthewholelittlestoryofMissAlicia，andhadfounditofawhimsicalexquisitenessandhumor。

“She”salottoogoodtome，“answeredTembarom。“Iguesswomenasniceasherarealwaysalottoogoodtomen。She”sakindoflittleoldangel。Whatmakesmemadistothinkofthefellowsthatdidn”tgetbusyandmarryherthirty-fiveyearsago。”

“Werethere——er——manyof”em？“thedukeinquired。

“Thousandsof”em，thoughmostof”emneversawher。Isupposeyouneversawherthen。Ifyouhad，youmighthavedoneit。”

Theduke，sittingwithanelbowoneacharmofhischair，putthetipsofhisfine，goutyfingerstogetherandsmiledwithafar-reachinginclusionofpossibilities。

“SoImight，“hesaid；“soImight。Mylossentirely——myabominableloss。”

TheyhadreachedthispointoftheargumentwhenthecarriagefromStoneHoverarrived。Itwasastatelybarouchethecoachmanandfootmanofwhichequallywithitsbighorsesseemedtohavehastenedtoanextentwhichsuggestedalmostpantingbreathlessness。ItcontainedLadyEdithandLadyCelia，bothpale，andgreatlyagitatedbythenewswhichhadbroughtthemhorrifiedfromStoneHoverwithoutamoment”sdelay。

Theybothascendedinhasteandsweptinsuchalarmedanxietyuptheterracestepsandthroughthehalltotheirfather”ssidethattheyhadbarelyapolitegaspforMissAliciaandscarcelysawTembaromatall。

“DearPapa！“theycriedwhenherevealedhimselfinhischairinthelibraryintactandsmiling。“Howwickedofyou，dear！Howyouhavefrightenedus！“

“Ibeggedyoutobegood，dearest，“saidLadyEdith，almostintears。

“WherewasGeorge？Youmustdismisshimatonce。Really——really”

“Hewashalfamileaway，obeyingmyorders，“saidtheduke。“Agroomcannotbedismissedforobeyingorders。Itistheponywhomustbedismissed，tomygreatregret；orelsewemustoverfeedhimuntilheisevenfatterthanheisandcannotrunaway。”

Werehisarmsandlegsandhisribsandcollar-bonesandheadquiteright？Washesurethathehadnotreceivedanyinternalinjurywhenhefelloutofthepony-carriage？Theycouldscarcelybeconvinced，andastheyhungoverandstrokedandpattedhim，Tembaromstoodasideandwatchedthemwithinterest。TheywerethegirlshehadtopleaseAnnby“gettingnextto，“givinghimselfachancetofallinlovewiththem，sothatshe”dknowwhethertheywerehiskindornot。Theywerenice-looking，andhadawayofspeakingthatsoundedratherswell，buttheyweren”tacehightoalittleslim，redheadedthingthatlookedatyoulikeababyandpulledyourheartupintoyourthroat。

“Don”tpokemeanymore，dearchildren。Iamquite，quitesound，“heheardthedukesay。“InMr。TempleBarholmyoubeholdthepreserverofyourparent。Filialpietyismakingyoubehavewithshockingingratitude。”

TheyturnedtoTembaromatoncewithaprettyoutburstofapologiesandthanks。LadyCeliawasn”t，itistrue，“alooker，“withhernarrowshouldersandratherlongnose，butshehadanairofbreeding，andthecharmingcolorofwhichPalliserhadspoken，returningtoLadyEdith”scheeks，illuminatedhergreatly。

Theybothwereverypoliteandmademanyagreeablygratefulspeeches，butintheeyesofboththerelurkedashadeofanxietywhichtheyhopedtobeabletoconceal。Theirfatherwatchedthemwithawickedpleasure。Herealizedclearlytheirwell-behaveddesiretodoandsayexactlytherightthingandbearthemselvesinexactlytherightmanner，andalsotheirawfuluncertaintybeforeanentirelyunknownquantity。Almostanyotherkindofyoungmansuddenlyupliftedbystrangefortunetheymighthaveknownsomeparallelfor，butanewsboyofNewYork！AlltheNewYorkerstheyhadmetorheardofhadbeensorichandgrandastomakethemfeelthemselves，bycontrast，merecountrypaupers，quiteshiveringwithpovertyandhuddlingforprotectionintheirbarelycleanrags，sowhatwastheretogoon？Buthowdreadfulnottobequiteright，preciselyright，inone”sapproach——quitefamiliarenough，andyetnotashadetoofamiliar，whichofcoursewouldappearcondescending！AndbeitsaidthedelicacyofthesituationwasaddedtobythefactthattheyhadheardsomethingofCaptainPalliser”sextraordinarylittlestoryabouthisdeterminationtoknow“ladies。”Really，ifWillocksthebutcher”sboyhadinheritedTempleBarholm，itwouldhavebeeneasiertoknowwhereonestoodinthematterofbeingcivilandagreeabletohim。FirstLadyEdith，madeperhapsboldbythesuggestionofphysicaladvantagebestowedbythecolor，talkedtohimtotheverybestofherability；

andwhenshefeltherselffearfullyflagging，LadyCeliatookhimupanddidherverywell-conductedbest。Neithershenorhersisterwerebrillianttalkersatanytime，andlimitedbytheabsenceofanycommonfamiliartopic，effortwasnecessary。Theneighborhoodhedidnotknow；Londonhewasbarelyawareof；socialfunctionsitwouldbeanimpertinencetobringin；gameshedidnotplay；sporthehadscarcelyheardof。YouwereconfinedtoAmerica，andifyouknewnexttonothingofAmericanlife，thereyouwere。

Tembaromsawitall，——hewassharpenoughforthat，——andhishabitofbeingjocularandwhollyunashamedsavedhimfromthemiseryofawkwardnessthatWillockswouldhavebeensuretohavewrithedunder。

Hiscasualfrankness，however，foramomentembarrassedLadyEdithtothebitterestextremity。Whenyouaretryingyourutmosttomakeaqueerpersonoblivioustothefactthathisworldisoneunknowntoyou，itisdifficulttoknowwheredoyoustandwhenhesays“It”smightyhardtotalktoamanwhodoesn”tknowathingthatbelongstothekindofworldyou”vespentyourlifein，ain”tit？Butdon”tyoumindmeaminute。I”mgladtobetalkedtoanyhowbypeoplelikeyou。WhenIdon”tcatchon，I”lljustask。Nomanwaseverelectrocutedfornotknowing，andthat”sjustwhereIam。Idon”tknow，andI”mgladtobetold。Now，there”sonething。Burrillsaid”YourLadyship”toyou，Iheardhim。OughtItosayit，eroughtn”tI？“

“Oh，no，“sheanswered，butsomehowwithoutdistasteinthemomentarystarehehadstartledherinto；“Burrillis”

“He”saservant，“heaidedencouragingly。“Well，I”veneverbeenabutler，butI”vebeensomebody”sservantallmylife，andmightygladofthechance。ThisisthefirsttimeI”vebeenoutofajob。”

Whatniceteethhehad！Whataqueer，candid，unresentfulcreature！

Whatagoodsortofsmile！Andhowoddthatitwashewhowasputtinghermoreathereasebythemerewayinwhichhewassayingthisalmostalarmingthing！Bythetimehehadended，itwasnotalarmingatall，andshehadcaughtherbreathagain。

ShewasactuallysorrywhenthedooropenedandLadyJoanFayrecamein，followedalmostimmediatelybyLadyMalloweandCaptainPalliser，whoappearedtohavejustreturnedfromawalkandheardthenews。

LadyMallowewasmostsympathetic。Whynot，indeed？TheDukeofStonewasadelightful，cynicalcreature，andStoneHoverwas，despiteitsducalpoverty，adesirableplacetobeinvitedto，ifyoucouldmanageit。Herladyship”smethodofflutteringwasnotlikeMissAlicia”s，itscharacterbeingwhollymodern；butshefluttered，nevertheless。

Theduke，whoknewallabouther，receivedheramiabilitieswithappreciativesmiles，butitwasthesplendidlyhandsome，hungry-eyedyoungwomanwiththelinebetweenherblackbrowswhoengagedhisattention。Onthealert，ashealwayswas，forasituation，hedetectedoneatoncewhenhesawhisAmericanaddressher。Shedidnotaddresshim，andscarcelydeignedareplywhenhespoketoher。Whenhespoketoothers，sheconductedherselfasthoughhewerenotintheroom，soobviouslydidshechoosetoignorehisexistence。Suchabearingtowardone”shosthadindeedthecharmofbeinganinterestingnovelty。Andwhatabeautyshewas，withherlovely，ferociouseyesandthesmall，blackheadpoisedontheexquisitelongthroat，whichwasonthevergeofbecomingatrifletoothin！ThenasinaflashherecalledbetweenonebreathandanotherthequitefiendishepisodeofpoorJemTempleBarholm——andshewasthegirl！

Thenhebecamealmostexcitedinhisinterest。Hesawitall。Ashehadhimselfarguedmustbethecase，thispoorfellowwasinlove。ButitwasnotwithaladyintheNewYorkdepartmentstores；itwaswithayoungwomanwhowouldevidentlydisdaintowipeherfeetuponhim。

Howthrilling！AsLadyMalloweandPalliserandtheotherschattered，hewatchedhim，observinghismanner。Hestoodthehandsomecreature”ssteadilypersistentrudenessverywell；hemadenoefforttopushintothetalkwhenshecoollyheldhimoutofit。Hewaitedwithoutexternaluneasinessorspasmodicsmiles。Ifhecoulddothatdespitetheinevitablefactthathemustfeelhispositionuncomfortable，hewaspossessedoffiber。Thatalonewouldmakehimworthcultivating。

Andiftherewerepersonswhoweretobemadeuncomfortable，whynotcutinandcircumventthebeautysomewhatandgiveheratrifleofunease？Itwaswiththelightandadroittouchofaccustomednesstoallordersoflittlesituationsthathisgracetookthematterinhand，withashade，also，ofamiablemalice。HedrewTembaromadroitlyintothecenterofthings；heknewhowtoleadhimtomakeeasilytheodd，frankremarkswhichweresufficientlynoveltosuggestthathewasactuallyentertaining。HebeautifullyedgedLadyJoanoutofherposition。Shecouldnotbehaveilltohim，hewasfartooold，hesaidtohimself，leavingoutthefactthataDukeofStoneisatoorespectablepersonagetobequitewavedaside。

Tembarombegantoenjoyhimselfalittlemore。LadyCeliaandLadyEdithbegantoenjoythemselvesalittlemorealso。LadyMallowewasfilledwithadmiringdelight。CaptainPallisertookinthesituation，andaskedhimselfquestionsaboutit。Onherpart，MissAliciawasrestoredtothehappinessanylackofappreciationofher“dearboy“

touchinglydisturbed。Incircumstancessuchastheseheappearedtotheadvantagewhichinabriefperiodwouldsurelyrevealhiswonderfulqualities。Sheclungsotohis“wonderfulqualities“becauseinallthethree-volumednovelsofheryouththehero，debarredfromearlyadvantagesandraisedbytheturnoffortune”swheeltosplendor，wastransformedatonceintoabeingofthehighestaccomplishmentsandthemostpolishedbreeding，andendedinthethirdvolumeacreaturebeforewhomemperorspaled。Andhowmorethancharminglycordialhisgrace”smannerwaswhenheleftthem！

“To-morrow，“hesaid，“ifmydaughtersdonotdiscoverthatIhaveinjuredsomemorethanvitalorgan，Ishallcalltoproffermythankswiththemostimmenseformality。Ishallgetoutofthecarriageinthemannercustomaryinrespectableneighborhoods，notrolloutatyourfeet。Afterwardyouwill，Ihope，comeanddinewithus。IamdevouredbyadesiretobecomemorefamiliarwithTheEarth。”

CHAPTERXXV

ItwasLadyMallowewhoperceivedthemomentwhenhebecamethefashion。TheDukeofStonecalledwiththeimmenseformalityhehaddescribed，andhisvisitwasneitherbriefnordull。AlittlelaterTembaromwithhisguestsdinedatStoneHover，andthedinnerwasfurtherremovedfromdullnessthananyoneofnumerouspastdinnersalwaysnotedforbeingthemostagreeabletheneighborhoodafforded。

Thedukemanagedhisguestasanimpresariomighthavemanagedhistenor，thoughthiswasdonewithsubtlyconcealedmethods。Hehadindeedanoveltytoofferwhichhadbeendiscussedwithmuchuncertaintyofpointofview。Hepresentedittoanonlylanguidlyentertainedneighborhoodasatrouvailleofhisownchoice。Herewasdrama，herewasatmosphere，herewascharmverginginitscharacterupontheoccult。Youwouldnotseeitifyouwerenotacollectorofsuchvalues。

“Nobodywillbelikelytoseehimasheisunlessheispointedouttothem，“waswhathesaidtohisdaughters。“Butbeingboredtodeath，——

weareallbored，——onceadroitlyassistedtosuspecthimofbeingalluring，mostofthemwillspringuponhimandclasphimtotheirweariedbreasts。Ihaven”ttheleastideawhatwillhappenafterward。

Ishallinfactawaittheresultwithinterest。”

BeingtoldPalliser”sstoryofthe“Ladies，“helistened，holdingthetipsofhisfingerstogether，andwearinganexpressionofdeepinterestslightlybaffledinitsnature。ItwasLadyEdithwhorelatedtheanecdotetohim。

“Now，“hesaid，“itwouldbeverycuriousandcomplicatingifthatweretrue；butIdon”tbelieveitis。Palliser，ofcourse，likestotellagoodstory。Ishallbeabletodiscoverintimewhetheritistrueornot；butatpresentIdon”tbelieveit。”

FollowingthedinnerpartyatStoneHovercamemanyothers。Allthewell-knowncarriagesbegantorolluptheavenuetoTempleBarholm。

TheTempleBarholmcarriagesalsobegantorolldowntheavenueandbetweenthestonegriffinsontheirwaytofestivegatheringsofvariedorder。Burrillandthefootmenventuredtoreconsidertheirearlyplansforgivingwarning。Itwasn”tsobadifthecountrywasgoingtotakehimup。

“Doyouseewhatishappening？“LadyMallowesaidtoJoan。“Themanisbecomingactuallypopular。”

“Heispopularasaturnatamusichallis，“answeredJoan。“Hewillbedroppedashewastakenup。”

“There”ssomethingabouthimtheylike，andherepresentswhateverybodymostwants。ForGod”ssake！Joan，don”tbehavelikeafoolthistime。Thecaseismoredesperate。Thereisnothingelse——

nothing。”

“Thereneverwas，“saidJoan，“andIknowthedesperatenessofthecase。Howlongareyougoingtostayhere？“

“Iamgoingtostayforsometime。Theyarenotconventionalpeople。

Itcanbemanagedverywell。Wearerelatives。”

“Willyoustay，“inquiredJoaninalowvoice，“untiltheyaskyoutoremoveyourself？“

LadyMallowesmiledanagreeablysubtlesmile。

“Notquitethat，“sheanswered。“MissAliciawouldneverhavethecouragetosuggestit。Ittakescourageandsophisticationtodothatsortofthing。Mr。TempleBarholmevidentlywantsustoremain。Hewillbewillingtomakeasmuchoftherelationshipaswechoosetolethim。”

“Doyouchoosetolethimmakeasmuchofitaswillestablishushereforweeks——ormonths？“Joanasked，herlowvoiceshakingalittle。

“Thatwilldependentirelyuponcircumstances。Itwill，infact，dependentirelyuponyou，“saidLadyMallowe，herlipssettingthemselvesintoastraight，thinline。

ForanappreciablemomentJoanwassilent；butafteritshelostherheadandwhirledabout。

“Ishallgoaway，“shecried。

“Where？“askedLadyMallowe。

“BacktoLondon。”

“Howmuchmoneyhaveyou？“askedhermother。Sheknewshehadnone。

Shewasalwayssufficientlyshrewdtoseethatshehadnone。Ifthegirlhadhadapoundaweekofherown，hermotherhadalwaysrealizedthatshewouldhavebeenunmanageable。AftertheJemTempleBarholmaffairshewouldhavebeencapableofgoingtolivealoneinslums。Asitwas，sheknewenoughtobeawarethatshewastoohandsometowalkoutintoPiccadillywithoutapennyinherpocket；soithadbeenjustpossibletokeepherindoors。

“Howmuchmoneyhaveyou？“sherepeatedquietly。Thiswasthewayinwhichtheirunbearablescenesbegan——thesceneswhichtheservantspassingthedoorspausedtolistentointhehopethatherladyshipwouldforgetthatraisedvoicesmaybeheardbythediscreetoutsider。

“Howmuchmoneyhaveyou？“shesaidagain。

Joanlookedather；thistimeitwasforaboutfiveseconds。Sheturnedherbackonherandwalkedoutoftheroom。ShortlyafterwardLadyMallowesawherwalkingdowntheavenueintherain，whichwasbeginningtofall。

Shehadleftthehousebecauseshedarednotstayinit。Onceoutinthepark，shefoldedherlongpurplecloakaboutherandpulledhersoftpurplefelthatdownoverherbrows，walkingswiftlyunderthebigtreeswithoutknowingwheresheintendedtogobeforeshereturned。Shelikedtherain，shelikedtheheavyclouds；sheworeherdarkpurplesbecauseshefeltafantastic，secretcomfortincallingthemhermourning——hermourningwhichshewouldwearforevermore。

Noonecouldknowsowellasherselfhowdesperatefromherownpointofviewthecasewas。Shehadlongknownthathermotherwouldnothesitateforamomentbeforeanychanceofasecondmarriagewhichwouldtotallyexcludeherdaughterfromherexistence。Whyshouldshe，afterall，Joanthought？Theyhadalwaysbeenantagonists。Themomentofchancehadbeenloomingonthehorizonformonths。SirMosesMonaldinihadhoveredaboutfitfullyandevidentlydoubtfullyatfirst，morecertainlyandfrequentlyoflate，butalwayswithaclearlyobjectingeyecastaskanceuponherself。Withdeterminationanddesiretoestablishasocialcertainty，astuteenoughnottocarespeciallyforyoungbeautyandexactionshedidnotpurposetosubmitto，andkeenenoughtoseetheadvantageofahandsomewomanwithbitterreasontovaluewhatwasofferedtoherintheformofaluxuriousfuture，SirMoseswasmovingtowardaction，thoughwithpropercaution。Hewouldhavenopennilessdaughtershangingaboutscowlingandsneering。Noneofthatforhim。Andtheripestappleuponthetopmostbowinthehighestwindwouldnotdropmorereadilytohisfeetthanhermotherwould，Joanknewwithsharpandshamedburnings。

Astherainfell，shewalkedinherpurplecloak，unpaidfor，andherpurplehat，forwhichtheyhadbeendunnedwiththreateninginsults，andknewthatshedidnotownandcouldnotearnapenny。Shecouldnotdig，andtobegshewasashamed，andallthemorehorriblybecauseshehadbeenabeggarofthemeanerorderallherlife。Itmadehersicktothinkoftheperpetualvisitstheyhadmadewheretheywerenotwanted，ofthetimeswhentheyhadbeenpolitelybundledoutofplaces，ofthemethodswhichhadbeenusedtoinduceshop-keeperstoletthemrunupbills。Foryearshermotherandshehadbeenwalkingadvertisementsofsmartshopsbecausebothwerehandsome，woreclotheswell，andcarriedthemwheretheywouldbeseenandtalkedabout。Nowthiswouldbeallover，sinceithadbeenLadyMallowewhohadmanagedalldetails。Thrownuponherownresources，Joanwouldhavenoneofthem，eventhoughshemustwalkinrags。Hereducationhadpreparedherforonlyonething——tomarrywell，ifluckwereonherside。Ithadneverbeenonherside。IfshehadnevermetJem，shewouldhavemarriedsomebody，sincethatwouldhavebeenbetterthantheinevitablelastslideintoanaginglifespentincheaplodgingswithhermother。ButJemhadbeenthebeginningandtheend。

Shebitherlipsasshewalked，andsuddenlytearssweptdownhercheeksanddrippedontothepurpleclothfoldedoverherbreast。

“AndhesitsinJem”splace！Andeverydaythatcommon，foolishstarewillfollowme！“shesaid。

Hesat，itwastrue，intheplaceJemTempleBarholmwouldhaveoccupiedifhehadbeenalivingman，andhelookedatheragooddeal。Perhapshesometimesunconsciouslystaredbecauseshemadehimthinkofmanythings。Butifshehadbeeninastateofmindadmittingofjudicialfairness，shewouldhavebeenobligedtoownthatitwasnotquiteafoolishstare。Absorbed，abstracted，perhaps，butitwasnotfoolish。Sometimes，onthecontrary，itwassearchingandkeen。

Ofcoursehewasdoinghisbesttopleaseher。Ofallthe“Ladies，“itseemedevidentthathewasmostattractedbyher。Hetriedtotalktoherdespiteherunendingrebuffs，hefollowedheraboutandendeavoredtointeresther，hepresentedahide-boundunsensitivenesswhenshedidherworst。Perhapshedidnotevenknowthatshewasbeingicilyrude。Hewasplainly“makinguptoher“afterthemannerofhisclass。

Hewasperhapsplayingthepartofthepatientadorerwhomeltedbynoblelong-sufferinginnovelsdistinguishedbyheroesofhumbleorigin。

Shehadreachedthevillagewhentherainchangeditsmind，andwithoutwarningbegantopourdownasiftheblackcloudpassingoverheadhadsuddenlyopened。ShewaswonderingifshewouldnotturninsomewhereforshelteruntiltheworstwasoverwhenadooropenedandTembaromranoutwithanumbrella。

“ComeintotheHibblethwaitescottage，LadyJoan，“hesaid。“Thiswillbeoverdirectly。”

HedidnotaffectionatelyhustleherinbythearmashewouldhavehustledinMissAlicia，buthecloselyguardedherwiththeumbrellauntilheguidedherinside。

“Thankyou，“shesaid。

Thefirstobjectshebecameawareofwasathinfacewithpointedchinandferreteyespeeringatherroundtheendofasofa，thenasharpvoice。

“Tak”offhercloakan”shaketh”rainoffitinth”wash”us”，“itsaid。“Motheran”AuntSusan”sout。Lethimunbuttonitferthee。”

“Icanunbuttonitmyself，thankyou，“saidLadyJoan。Tembaromtookitwhenshehadunbuttonedit。Hetookitfromhershouldersbeforeshehadtimetostophim。Thenhewalkedintothetiny“wash”us“andshookitthoroughly。Hecamebackandhungitonachairbeforethefire。

Tummaswasleaningbackinhispillowsandgazingather。

“Iknowthaname，“hesaid。“Hetowdme，“withajerkoftheheadtowardTembarom。

“Didhe？“repliedLadyJoanwithoutinterest。

AflaringlyillustratedNewYorkpaperwasspreadoutuponhissofa。

Hepusheditasideandpulledtheshabbyatlastowardhim。ItfellopenatamapofNorthAmericaasifthroughlonghabit。

“Sittheedown，“heordered。

Tembaromhadstoodwatchingthemboth。

“Iguessyou”dbetternotdothat，“hesuggestedtoTummas。

“Whynot？“saidtheboy，sharply。“She”sth”wenchhewasgoin”tomarry。It”sth”sameasifhe”dmarriedher。Ifshewurhiswidder，she”dwanttotalkabouthim。Widdersalluswantstotalk。Whyshouldn”tshe？Women”swomen。He”dha”wantedtotalkabouther。”

“Whois`he”？“askedJoanwithstifflips。

“TheTempleBarholmas””dbehereifhewasna。”

JoanturnedtoTembarom。

“DoyoucomeheretotalktothisboyaboutHIM？“shesaid。“Howdareyou！“

Tummas”seyessnapped；hisvoicesnappedalso。

“HeknewnexttonowtabouthimtillItowdhim，“hesaid。“Thenhecametoaxmethingsan”foindoutmore。HeknowsasmuchasIdonow。

Ussitsherean”talkshimover。”

LadyJoanstilladdressedTembarom。

“Whatinterestcanyouhaveinthemanwhooughttobeinyourplace？“

sheasked。“Whatpossibleinterest？“

“Well，“heansweredawkwardly，“becauseheoughttobe，Isuppose。

Ain”tthatreasonenough？“

Hehadneverhadtodealwithwomenwhohatedhimandwhowereangryandhedidnotknowexactlywhattosay。Hehadknownveryfewwomen，andhehadalwaysbeengood-naturedwiththemandwontheirlikinginsomemeasure。Also，therewasinhisattitudetowardthisparticularwomanabaffledfeelingthathecouldnotmakeherunderstandhim。Shewouldalwaysthinkofhimasanenemyandbelievehemeantthingshedidnotmean。Ifhehadbeenbornandeducatedinherworld，hecouldhaveusedherownlanguage；buthecoulduseonlyhisown，andthereweresomanythingshemustnotsayforatimeatleast。

“Doyounotrealize，“shesaid，“thatyouarepresuminguponyourposition——thatyouandthisboyaretakingliberties？“

Tummasbrokeinwhollywithoutcompunction。

“I”vetakenlibertiesawmyloife，“hestated，“an”I”mgoin”totak””emtillIdee。They”reth”on”ythingsIcantak”，lyin”herecrippled，an”I”mgoin”totak””em。”

“Stopthat，Tummas！“saidTembaromwithfriendlyauthority。“Shedoesn”tcatchon，andyoudon”tcatchon，either。You”rebothofyou”wayoff。Stopit！“

“IthoughthappenshecouldtellmethingsIdidn”tknow，“protestedTummas，throwinghimselfbackonhispillows。“Ifsheconna，sheconna，an”ifshewunnot，shewunnot。Getoutwi”thee！“hesaidtoJoan。“Idunnotwanttheeaboutth”place。”

“Say，“saidTembarom，“shutup！“

“Iamgoing，“saidLadyJoanandturnedtoopenthedoor。

Therainwasdescendingintorrents，butshepassedswiftlyoutintoitsdelugewalkingasrapidlyasshecould。Shethoughtshecarednothingabouttherain，butitdashedinherfaceandeyes，takingherbreathaway，andshehadneedofbreathwhenherheartwasbeatingwithsuchfierceness。

“Ifshewurhiswidder，“theboyhadsaid。

Evenchancecouldnotletheraloneatoneofherworstmoments。ShewalkedfasterandfasterbecauseshewasafraidTembaromwouldfollowher，andinafewminutessheheardhimsplashingbehindher，andthenhewasatherside，holdingtheumbrellaoverherhead。

“You”reagoodwalker，“hesaid，“butI”masprinter。Itrainedrunningafterstreetcarsandcatchingthe”L”inNewYork。”

Shehadsorestrainedhermiserablehystericimpulsetobreakdownandutterlyhumiliateherselfundertheunexpectedblowoftheepisodeinthecottagethatshehadhadnobreathtosparewhenshelefttheroom，andherhurriedefforttoescapehadlefthersomuchlessthatshedidnotspeak。

“I”lltellyousomething，“hewenton。“He”salittlefreak，butyoucan”tblamehimmuch。Don”tbemadathim。He”snevermovedfromthatcornersincehewasborn，Iguess，andhe”sgotnothingtodoortothinkofbutjusthearingwhat”shappeningoutside。He”ssortofcrazycurious，andwhenhegetsholdofathingthatsuitshimhejustholdsontoittillthelastbellrings。”

Shesaidnothingwhatever，andhepausedamomentbecausehewantedtothinkoverthebestwaytosaythenextthing。

“Mr。JamesTempleBarholm“——heventureditwithmoredelicacyofdesirenottoseemto“takeliberties“thanshewouldhavecreditedhimwith”sawhismothersittingwithhiminherarmsatthecottagedooraweekorsoafterhewasborn。Hestoppedatthegateandtalkedtoherabouthim，andhelefthimasovereign。He”sgotitnow。Itseemsafortunetohim。He”smadeasortofidolofhim。That”swhyhetalkslikehedoes。Iwouldn”tletitmakememadifIwereyou。”

Hedidnotknowthatshecouldnothaveansweredhimifshewould，thatshefeltthatifhedidnotstopshemightflingherselfdownuponthewetheatherandwailaloud。

“Youdon”tlikeme，“hebeganaftertheyhadwalkedafewstepsfarther。“Youdon”tlikeme。”

Thiswasactuallybetter。Itchokedbackthesobsrisinginherthroat。Thestupidshockofit，histastelessfoolishness，helpedherbyitsveryfollytoasortofdefenseagainstthedisastrouswaveofemotionshemightnothavebeenabletocontrol。Shegatheredherselftogether。

“Itmustbeanunusualexperience，“sheanswered。

“Well，itis——sortof，“hesaid，butinamannercuriouslyfreefromfatuousswagger。“I”vehadluckthatway。Iguessit”sbeenbecauseI”dGOTtomakefriendssoasIcouldearnaliving。Itseemssortofqueertoknowthatsomeone”sgotagrouchagainstmethat——thatI

can”tgetawaywith。”

Shelookeduptheavenuetoseehowmuchfarthertheymustwalktogether，sinceshewasnot“asprinter“andcouldnotgetawayfromhim。Shethoughtshecaughtaglimpsethroughthetreesofadog-cartdrivenbyagroom，andhopedshehadnotmistakenandthatitwasdrivingintheirdirection。

“Itmust，indeed，“shesaid，“thoughIamnotsureIquiteunderstandwhatagrouchis。”

“Whenyou”vegotagrouchagainstafellow，“heexplainedimpersonally，“youwanttogetathim。Youwanttomakehimfeellikeamutt；andamutt”stheworstkindofafool。You”vegotoneagainstme。”

Shelookedbeforeherbetweennarrowedlidsandfaintlysmiled——themostdisagreeablesmileshewascapableof。Andyetforsometooextraordinaryreasonhewenton。Butshehadseenmengoonbeforethiswhenalltheoddswereagainstthem。Sometimestheirmadnesstookthemthisway。

“IknewtherewasalotagainstmewhenIcamehere，“hepersisted。“I

shouldhavebeenafoolifIhadn”t。IknewwhenyoucamethatIwasupagainstaprettyhardproposition；butIthoughtperhapsifIgotbusyandSHOWEDyou——you”vegottoSHOWaperson”

“Showedmewhat？“sheaskedcontemptuously。

“Showedyou——well——me，“hetriedtoexplain。

“You！“

“AndthatIwantedtobefriends，“headdedcandidly。

Wasthemanmad？Didherealizenothing？Washetoothickofskineventosee？

“Friends！YouandI？“Thewordsoughttohavescorchedhim，pachydermthoughhewas。

“Ithoughtyou”dgivemeachance——asortofchance”

Shestoppedshortontheavenue。

“Youdid？“

Shehadnotbeenmistaken。Thedog-carthadroundedthefar-offcurveandwascomingtowardthem。Andthemanwentontalking。

“You”vefelteveryminutethatIwasinaplacethatdidn”tbelongtome。Youknowthatifthemanthatitdidbelongtowashere，you”dbeherewithhim。YoufeltasifI”drobbedhimofit——andI”drobbedyou。Itwasyourhome——yours。Youhatedmetoomuchtothinkofanythingelse。Suppose——supposetherewasawayIcouldgiveitbacktoyou——makeityourhomeagain。”

Hisvoicedroppedandwasratherunsteady。Thefool，thegross，brutal，vulgar，hopelessfool！Hethoughtthiswasthewaytoapproachher，toleadhertolistentohisproposalofmarriage！Notforaseconddidsheguessthattheyweretalkingatcrosspurposes。ShedidnotknowthatashekepthimselfsteadyunderhercontemptuousnesshewasthinkingthatAnnwouldhavetoownthathehadbeenupagainstithardandplentywhilethethingwasgoingon。

“I”malwaysupagainstitwhenI”mtalkingtoyou，“hesaid。“Yougetmerattled。There”sthingsIwanttotalkaboutandaskyou。Supposeyougivemeachance，andletusstartoutbybeingsortoffriends。”

“Iamstayinginyourhouse，“sheansweredinadeadlyvoice，“andI

cannotgoawaybecausemymotherwillnotletme。Youcanforceyourselfuponme，ifyouchoose，becauseIcannothelpit；butunderstandonceforallthatIwillnotgiveyouyourridiculouschance。AndIwillnotutteronewordtoyouwhenIcanavoidit。”

Hewassilentforamomentandseemedtobethinkingratherdeeply。

Sherealizednowthathesawthenearingdog-cart。

“Youwon”t。Thenit”suptome，“hesaid。Thenwithachangeoftone，headded，“I”llstopthecartandtellthemantodriveyoutothehouse。I”mnotgoingtoforcemyselfonyou，asyoucallit。It”dbenouse。Perhapsit”llcomeallrightintheend。”

Hemadeasigntothegroom，whohastenedhishorse”spaceanddrewupwhenhereachedthem。

“Takethisladybacktothehouse，“hesaid。

Thegroom，whowasanewarrival，begantopreparetogetdownandgiveuphisplace。

“Youneedn”tdothat，“saidTembarom。

“Won”tyougetupandtakethereins，sir？“themanaskeduncertainly。

“No。Ican”tdrive。You”llhavetodoit。I”llwalk。”

Andtothegroom”samazement，theylefthimstandingunderthetreeslookingafterthem。

“It”suptome，“hewassaying。“Thewholedurnedthing”suptome。”

CHAPTERXXVI

TheneighborhoodofTempleBarholmwasnot，uponthewhole，abrilliantone。Indeed，ithadbeenfranklydesignatedbythecasualguestasdull。Thecountrywasbeautifulenough，andseveralratherlargeestateslaywithinreachofoneanother，buttheirownerswereneitherveryrichnorespeciallynotablepersonages。Theywereofextremelygoodoldblood，andwereofestablishedrespectability。Noneofthem，however，wasgiventoentertaininghousepartiesmadeupofthesmartanddazzlinglysinfulworldoffashionsaidbymoraliststobecomposedentirelyofyoungandmaturebeauties，maleandfemale，capableofsupplyingatanymomentenliveningdetailforthedivorcecourt——glitteringbeingswhosewardrobeswereastonishingandwhoseconversationswerecomposedwhollyofbrilliantparadoxandsparklingrepartee。

MostoftheresidentstooktheirsoberseasoninLondon，themenofthefamilyreturninggladlytotheirpheasants，thewomennotregretfullytotheirgardensandtennis，becausetheirsuccessesintownhadnotbeenparticularlydelirious。Theguestswhocametothemweregenerallyasrespectableandlaw-abidingasthemselves，andintroducednoiconoclasticdiversions。Forthegreaterportionoftheyear，infact，dinersoutwereoftheneighborhoodandmettheneighborhood，andwerereducedtodiscussingneighborhoodtopics，whichwasnot，onthewhole，afeveredjoy。TheDukeofStonewas，perhaps，theonemanwhomighthavefurnishedtopics。Privatelyitwasbelieved，andinpartknown，thatheatleasthadhadabrilliant，ifnotwhollyunreprehensible，past。HemighthaveintroducedenliveningelementsfromLondon，evenfromParis，Vienna，Berlin，andRome；butthesoberinginfluenceofyearsofrheumaticgoutandanotentirelysufficingincomepreventedactivities，andhisopinionsofhissocialsurroundingswerevaguelyguessedtobethoseofanottoolenientcritic。

“Idonotknowanythingtechnicalorscientificaboutditch-water，“

hehadexpressedhimselfinthebosomofhisfamily。“Ineveranalyzedit，butanalyzers，Igather，consideritdull。Ifanythingcouldbedullerthanditch-water，IshouldsayitwasStoneHoveranditssurroundingneighborhood。”Hehadalsoremarkedatanothertime：“Ifoursocietycouldbeenrichedbysomeofthecharacterswhoformthehousepartiesandseem，infact，integralpartsofallcountrysocietyinmodernproblemorevenunproblemnovels，howhappyonemightbe，howedifiedandamused！Awickedladyorsoofhigh，orextremelylow，rank，ofimmensebeautyandcorruscatingbrilliancy；alovelycreature，maleorfemale，whomsheisbentuponundoing”

“Dearpapa！“protestedLadyCelia。

“Reproachme，dearest。Reproachmeasseverelyasyouplease。Itinspiresme。Itmakesmefeellikeawicked，dangerousman，andIhavenotfeltlikeoneformanyyears。SuchpersonsasIdescribeformthecharmofexistence，Iassureyou。Aruthlessadventuresswithanykindofgoodlookswouldbethemakingofus。Severalofthem，ofdifferenttypes，ahandsomevillain，andafewvictimsunknowingoftheirfate，wouldcauselifetoflowbylikeapeacefulstream。”

LadyEdithlaughedanunseemlylittlelaugh——unseemly，sincefilialregretatpaternalobliquityshouldhaverestrainedit。

“Papa，youarequitehorrible，“shesaid。“Yououghtnottomakeyourfewdaughterslaughatimproperthings。”

“IwouldmakemydaughterslaughatanythingsolongasImustdoomthemtoStoneHover——andLadyPevensyandMrs。Stoughtonandtherector，ifonemaymentionnames，“heanswered。“ToseeyoulaughrevivesmebyremindingmethatonceIwasconsideredawittyperson——

quiteso。Somecenturiesago，however；aboutthetimewhenthingswerebeingrebuiltaftertheflood。”

InsuchcircumstancesitcannotbefoundamazingthatasituationsuchasTempleBarholmpresentedshouldproviderichfoodforconversation，supposition，argument，andhumorouscomment。