第2章

Ifthereeverwasamanwithnostomachforthemarketitwasme。Butthensomeoneroaredout：

"\'Atseven-eighths，sellRubberConsols！SellfivehundredRubberatseven-eighths！Sellfivehundredatthree-quarters！Atthree-quartersyouhave\'em！

RubberConsols！Sellathou。atthree-quarters！\'

"Thisthingwentintomybrainlikealivecoal。Istoppedandlookedupatthefellow——andbyGod，itwasoneofthemenI\'vebeentalkingabout——oneofthoseKaffirscoundrels。

IwishIwasbetteratrememberingnames——butIknewhisface。

Thereweresomeoftheothersaroundhim，andtheylaughedatme，andhelaughedatme。Oh，theyhadaheapoffunoutofme——foraminuteortwo。Prettygoodfun，too！Iguessthey\'llrememberitquiteawhile。"

"Goon！"Louisaadjuredhim。Theobviousproximityofthedramaticclimaxdrewherforwardinherchair，andbroughtaglowofexpectationtohereyes。

"Igotmyselfawayfromthatcrowdsomehow——lthinkI

wasafraidifIstayedI\'dstrangletheonewhowasshoutingonthesteps——andIwenttowardmyoffice。

ButwhenIgottothedoor，Ididn\'thavethecouragetogoin。I\'dfurnisheditbetter，Isuppose，thananyotherofficeinAustinFriars，andIhadakindoffeelingthatthesightofthosecarpets，andoak-tablesanddesks，andbrass-railingsandsoonwouldmakemesick。

Iowedfor\'emall，bearinmind——"

"But——Joel，"thesisterinterposed。"OnethingIdon\'tunderstand。Howmanypeoplehadappliedforshares？Youhaven\'tmentionedthat。"

Afleetingsmilelightedupthesaturninegloomofhispresentmood。"Itwashardlyworthmentioning，"

heanswered，withbittermirth。"Betweenfiveandsixthousandsharesweresubscribed，alltold。

Ithinkthewithdrawalsbytelegraphbroughtitdowntopracticallyfivethousand。Weofferedahundredthousand，youknow——Butletmegoonwithmystory。Istoodthere，infrontofourstreet-door，inakindoftrance。

ThewordsofthatJew——\'SellRubberConsolsatthree-

quarters！\'——buzzedinsidemyheadasiftheywouldburstitopen。Iturned——andIhappenedtoseemyBroker——theScotchman，Semple，youknow——comingalongtowardme。

Rightatthatminute，likeaflash，somethingdawnedonme。

Inlessthanasecond，Isawthewholedamnedrottenoutfitturnedupsidedown，withmeontop。Imadeajump，andrantomeetSemple。

"\'Howmanysharesofourshaveyoubought？\'Iaskedhim，withagriptightonhisarm。

"Thelittlechapwaslookingmightysick。Hefiguredupinhismind。\'I\'mafraidit\'seightthousandfivehundred，alltold，\'hesaid，inasortofPresbyterianwhimper。

"\'Well——howwouldthesegentlemengoaboutittodelivertheirgoods——thatis，supposingwegotasettlement？\'

"Iaskedhimthis，andkeptmyeyeonhisface。

Helookedpuzzledforaminute。Thenheputouthislip。

Thenheshotmeaglanceassharpasarazor，andwelookedintooneanother\'seyes。

"\'Theywereshoutingthemouttomeatthree-quarters，aminuteago，\'Itoldhim。

"Hewasontothegamelikelightning。\'Waitformeintheoffice，\'hewhispered。\'We\'llgonaponthis！\'

"Withthathewasofflikeastreak。Hestoppedrunningjustbeforehegottothecorner，though，andbeganwalkingslowly，saunteringalong，youknow，asifhismindwasonnothingbutsecond-handbooks。

Iwatchedhimoutofsight——andthenIwentback，anduptotheoffices。Thefurnituredidn\'tscaremeabitthistime。Why，Istoppedandfeltofthebrass-railingjustoutsidetheBoardRoom，andIsaidtomyself——\'Pshaw！

Wecouldhaveyouofsolidgold，ifwewantedto。\'"

Hepausedhere，andregardedhissisterwithwhatshefeltwasintendedtobeasignificantlook。SheshrankfromtheconfessionthatitsmeaningwasGreektoher。

"Well——andwhatnext？"sheasked，guardedly。

"Semplecamebackintwentyminutesorso——andthenextmorninghewasatitagain——andwhatwithhimandhisjobber，byGeorge，onthequiet，theypickedupnearlyeighteenthousandofourshares。Sometheypaidfifteenshillingsfor，sometheygotattwelve-and-sixandeventen。Thatdoesn\'tmatter；it\'sofnomoreimportancethanthecoppersyougivetocrossing-sweepers。

Thethingwastogettheshares——andbyGodwe\'vegotthem！Twenty-sixthousandtwohundredshares，that\'swhatwe\'vegot。Now，doyouseewhatthatmeans？"

"Whyyes，"sheanswered，withafaint-heartedassumptionofconfidence。"Ofcourse，youknowthepropertyissogoodthatyou\'llmakeaprofitonthesharesyou\'veboughtfarbelowtheirvalue。ButIdon\'tthinkIquitesee——"

Heinterruptedherwithanoutburstofloudlaughter。

"Don\'tthinkyouquitesee？"hegurgledather，withtearsofpleasureinhiseye。"Why，youdummy，youhaven\'tgotthefaintestglimmerofanotionofwhatit\'sallabout。

Thevalueoftheproperty\'sgotnothingintheworldtodowithit。That\'sneitherherenorthere。Iftherewasn\'tanysuchpropertyinexistence，itwouldbejustthesame。"

Hehadcompassionuponherblankcountenance，atthis，andexplainedmoregently："Why，don\'tyousee，Lou，it\'sthisway。Thisiswhathashappened。We\'vegotwhat\'scalledacorneronthebears。They\'recaughtshort，andwecansqueezethemtoourhearts\'content。

What——youdon\'tunderstandnow？Why，seehere！Thesefellowswho\'vesoldtwenty-sixthousandofourshares——

theyhaven\'tgotthemtosell，andtheycan\'tgetthem。

Thatisthepoint——theycan\'tgetthemforlovenormoney——theymustpaymemyownpriceforthem，orberuinedmen。Themomenttheyrealizethesituation，theywillbeginofferingapremiumforRubberConsols。

Thepriceofaone-poundsharewillbetwopounds，thenfour——six——ten——twenty——thirty——whateverIwanttodriveitto。"

Louisastaredupathimwithwideopeneyes。Itseemedtoherthatsheunderstoodnow。Itwasveryexciting。

"Yousee，"hewenton，takingapprovingnoteofthenewlightofcomprehensioninherglance，"wedidsomethingthatTuesdayafternoonbesidebuyuptheseshares。

Semplerushedofftohisoffice，andheandhisclerksgotupalotofdummyapplicationsforshares，madeoutinallthedifferentnamestheycouldbesafeinusing，andtheyputtheseintothebankwiththeapplicationmoney——Semplefoundthat——andnextdayhewentandsawtheadvertisingagentandthesolicitorandtheauditors——andgotthemtopoolthesharesthatI\'vepromisedtogivethem。Apool？Thatmeanstheyagreetotransfertheirsharestomeastrustee，andletmedealwiththemasIlike——ofcoursetotheiradvantage。

Inanycase，theirsharesarevendor\'sshares，andcouldn\'tbedealtwithinthistransaction。Soyouseethethingishermeticallysealed。Nobodycangetashareexceptfromme，andatmyprice。Butthesefellowsthathavesoldthem——they\'vegottohavethem，don\'tyousee。

Theyhadtheirlittletemporaryjokewithmeonthestreetthatafternoon——andnowtheymustwalkuptothecaptain\'sofficeandsettle。They\'vegottopaymeatleasthalfamillionpoundsforthatfewminutes\'funoftheirs。

Imaymakeitagooddealmore；Idon\'tknowyet。"

"Oh，Joel！"shegroanedathim，inawedstupefaction。

Hisratherlanguidindecisionastowhetherhalfamillionwasgoingtobeenough，impressedhermorepowerfullythanhadanydetailofhisnarrative。

Inafewcomprehensivesentenceshefinishedupforherwhattherewastotell。"ThisafternoonmyBoardmettoallottheshares。Theysawtheapplications，amountinginalltooverninetythousandshares。

Ittooktheirbreathaway——theyhadheardthatthingsweregoingquitetheotherwaywithus。TheyweresotickledthattheyaskednoquestionsTheallotmentwentthroughlikeagreasedpig。About5，000shareswenttothosewhohadactuallyappliedforthem，and88，000weresolemnlygiventothedummyapplicants。

Ofcourse，therewasn\'tawhisperaboutthesedummies。

Nobodywinkedsomuchasaneyelash。ButI\'vefoundsincethatoneofthedirectors——thatLordPlowdenI

toldyouabout——wasontothethingallthewhile。

Buthe\'sallright。Everybody\'sallright。Ofcoursethedummies\'sharesstillstandintheirnames——onpaper——

butinrealityI\'vegotthemallinmysafe——inmypocketyoumightsay。Theyarereallymine，youunderstand。

Sonowthere\'snothingforustodobuttoapplytotheStockExchangeforaspecialsettlementdate，andmeanwhileliequietandwatchtheJewsstewintheirownjuice。

Orfryintheirownfat，eh？That\'sbetter。"

"But，"shecommentedslowly，"yousaytherearenosharestobebought——andyetasIunderstandit，therearethosefivethousandthatweresentouttothepeoplewhoreallyapplied。"

"Bravo，Lou！"heansweredherjovially。"Youactuallydounderstandthething。You\'veputyourfingerstraightonthepoint。Itistruethatthosesharesareoutagainstus——ormightbeturnedagainstusiftheycouldbeboughtup。Butinreality，theydon\'tcountatall。

Inthefirstplace，yousee，they\'rescatteredaboutamongsmallholders，countryclergymenandoldmaidsonanannuityandsoon——alloverthecountry。Evenifthesepeoplewerealltraced，andhuntedup，supposeitwasworththetroubleandexpense，theywouldn\'tsell。

Thebiggerthepricetheywereoffered，themoremulishtheywouldbeaboutholding。That\'salwaysthewaywiththem。Buteveniftheydidallsell，theirfivethousandwouldbeameredropinthebucket。Therewouldbeovertwentythousandotherstobeaccountedfor。

Thatwouldbequiteenoughformypurposes。Oh，Ifiguredallthatoutverycarefully。Myownfirstnotionwastohavethedummiesapplyforthewholehundredthousand，andevenalittleover。Then，yousee，wemighthaveallottedeverythingtothedummies，andsentbackthemoneyandapplicationsofthegenuineones。ButthatwouldhavebeenratherhardtomanagewiththeBoard。

TheMarkisswouldhavesaidthatthereturnsoughttobemadeprorata——thatis，givingeverybodyapartofwhattheyappliedfor——andthatwouldhavemixedeverythingup。

Andthen，too，ifanybodysuspectedanything，whytheStockExchangeCommitteewouldrefuseusaspecialsettlement——and，ofcourse，withoutthatthewholetransactionismoonshine。

Itwasfartoorisky，andwedidn\'tsendbackapenny。"

"It\'sallprettyrisky，Ishouldthink，"shedeclaredassherose。"Ishouldthinkyou\'dlieawakemorethanevernow——nowthatyou\'vebuiltyourhopessohighandit\'dbesoawfultohavethemcometonothing。"

Hesmilinglyshookhishead。"No，itcannomorefailthanthatgascanfailtoburnwhenyouputalighttoit。

It\'sallabsolute。Myhalf-millionisasrightasifitwerelyingtomycreditintheBankofEngland。

Oh，thatremindsme，"hewentoninaslightlyalteredtone——"it\'sdamnedcomical，butI\'vegottoaskyouforalittlemoney。I\'veonlygotaboutsevenpoundsatmybank，andjustattheminuteitwouldgivemeawayfearfullytoletSempleknowIwashardup。

Ofcoursehe\'dletmehaveanythingIwanted——but，youcansee——Idon\'tliketoaskhimjustatthemoment。"

Shehesitatedvisibly，andscannedhisfacewithawistfulgaze。"You\'requitesure，Joel？"——shebegan——

"andyouhaven\'ttoldme——howlongwillitbebeforeyoucomeintosomeofthismoney？"

"Well，"——heinturnpausedoverhiswords——"well，IsupposethatbynextweekthingswillbeinsuchshapethatmybankwillseeI\'mgoodforanoverdraft。Ohheavens，yes！there\'llbeahundredwaysoftouchingsomeready。

Butifyou\'vegottwentyorthirtypoundshandyjustnow——I

tellyouwhatI\'lldo，Lou。I\'llgiveyouathreemonthsbill，payingonehundredpoundsforeverysovereignyouletmehavenow。Come，oldlady：youdon\'tgetsuchinteresteveryday，I\'llbet。"

"Idon\'twantanyinterestfromyou，Joel，"

shereplied，simply。"Ifyou\'resureIcanhaveitbackbeforeChristmas，IthinkIcanmanagethirtypounds。

Itwilldointhemorning，Isuppose？"

Henoddedanamusedaffirmative。"Why——youdon\'timagine，doyou，"hesaid，"thatallthisgoldistoraindown，andnoneofithityou？Interest？Whyofcourseyou\'llgetinterest——andcapitalthrownin。Whatdidyousuppose？"

"Idon\'taskanythingformyself，"shemadeanswer，withanoteofresolutioninhervoice。"Ofcourseifyouliketodothingsforthechildren，itwon\'tbemewho\'llstandintheirlight。They\'vebeenspoiledformykindoflifeasitis。"

"I\'lldothingsforeverybody，"heaffirmedroundly。

"Let\'ssee——howoldisAlfred？"

"He\'llbetwentyinMay——andJuliaisfourteenmonthsolderthanheis。"

"Gad！"wasThorpe\'smeditativecomment。"Howtheyshootup！WhyIwasthinkingshewasalittlegirl。""Sheneverwillbetall，I\'mafraid，"saidtheliteralmother。

"Shefavoursherfather\'sfamily。ButAlfredismoreofaThorpe。I\'msorryyoumissedseeingthemlastsummer——butofcoursetheydidn\'tstoplongwithme。

Thiswasnoplaceforthem——andtheyhadagoodmanyinvitationstovisitschoolfellowsandfriendsinthecountry。

Alfredremindsmeverymuchofwhatyouwereathisage：

he\'sgotthesamegoodopinionofhimself，too——andhe\'snotabitfonderofhardwork。"

"There\'sonemightybigdifferencebetweenus，though，"

remarkedThorpe。"Hewon\'tstartwithhisnosehelddowntothegrindstonebyanoldfatherhardasnails。

He\'llstartlikeagentleman——thenephewofarichman。"

"I\'malmostafraidtohavesuchnotionsputinhishead，"

shereplied，withvisibleapprehension。"Youmustn\'tencouragehimtobuildtoohighhopes，Joel。It\'sspeculation，youknow——andanythingmighthappentoyou。Andthen——youmaymarry，andhavesonsofyourown。"

Heliftedhisbrowsswiftly——asifthethoughtwerenewtohismind。Aslowsmilestoleintothelittlewrinklesabouthiseyes。Heopenedhislipsasiftospeak，andthenclosedthemagain。

"Well，"hesaidatlast，abruptlystraighteninghimself，andcastinganeyeaboutforhiscoatandhat。

"I\'llberoundinthemorning——onmywaytotheCity。

Good-byetillthen。"

CHAPTERIV

INCharingCrossstation，thenextafternoon，Mr。Thorpediscoveredbythebigclockoverheadthathehadarrivedfullytenminutestoosoon。Thisdeviationfromhisdeeply-rootedhabitofcatchingtrainsatthelastpossiblemomentdidnottakehimbysurprise。

Hesmileddryly，audnoddedtotheilluminateddial，asiftheysharedthesecretofsomequaintnovelty。

Thisgettingtothestationaheadoftimewasofapiecewithwhathadbeenhappeningallday——merelyonemoretokenofthegeneralupheavalintheroutineofhislife。

Fromearlymorninghehadbeenacutelyconsciousofthefeelingthathisoldmannersandusagesandmethodsofthought——thethousandfamiliarthingsthatmadeuptheThorpehehadbeen——werebecomingstrangetohim。

Theyfittedhimnolonger；theybegantofallawayfromhim。Now，ashestoodhereonthebustlingplatform，itwasasiftheyhadalldisappeared——beenleftsomewherebehindhimoutsidethestation。Withthetwolargebagswhichtheporterwaslookingafter——bothofaquitedisconcertingfreshnessofaspect——andthenewovercoatandshininghat，heseemedtohimselfanewkindofbeing，embarkeduponavoyageofdiscoveryintheunknown。

Evenhisfacewasnew。Asuddenandirresistibleimpulsehadledhimtothebarber-shopinhishotelattheoutset；hecouldnotwaittillafterbreakfasttohavehisbeardremoved。Theresult，whenhebehelditinthemirror，hadnotbeenaltogetherreassuring。

Theover-long，thin，tawnymoustaschewhichsurvivedtherazorassumedanundueprominence；thejawandchin，revealednowforthefirsttimeinperhapsadozenyears，seemedofasicklycolour，and，insomeinexplicableway，misshapen。Manytimesduringtheday，athisoffice，attherestaurantwherehelunched，atvariousoutfitters\'

shopswhichhehadvisited，hehadpursuedthetaskofgettingreconciledtothisnovelvisageinthelooking-glass。

Thelittlemirrorsinthehansomcabshadhelpedhimmostinthisendeavour。Eachreturnedtohimanimagesodifferentfromalltheothers——somecadaverous，somebloated，buteachwithaspontaneousdistortionofitsown——thatithadbecomepossibleforhimtostrikeanaveragetolerabletohimself，andtobelieveinit。

Hissisterhadrecognizedhimupontheinstant，whenheenteredtheoldbook-shoptogetthemoneypromisedovernight，butintheCityhisownclerkshadnotknownhimatfirst。

Therewasinthisaninspiringimplicationthathehadnotsomuchchangedhisappearanceasrevivedhisyouth。

Theconsciousnessthathewasinrealitystillayoungmanspreadoverhismindafresh，andthistimehefeltthatitwaseffacingallearlierimpressions。Why，whenhethoughtofit，thedelighthehadhadduringthedayinbuyingnewshirtsandhandkerchiefsandembroideredbraces，inlookingoverthevariousstocksofrazors，toiletarticles，studsandsleeve-links，andthelike，andtellingthegratifiedtradesmentogivehimthebestofeverything——thisdelighthadbeendistinctivelyboyish。

Hedoubted，indeed，ifanymereyouthcouldhaverisentotheheightsoftendersatisfactionfromwhichhereflecteduponthecontentsofhisportmanteaus。

Toapprehendtheirfullvalueonemusthavebeenwithoutthemforsuchawearytime！Hehadthiswonderfuladvantage——thathesupplementedthefresh-heartedjoyoftheyouthinnicethings，withtheadultman\'sknowledgeofhowbaldexistencecouldbewithoutthem。Itwasworthhavinglivedallthosefortyobscureandmostlyunpleasantyears，forthisoneprivilegenowofbeingabletoappreciatetotheuttermostthetouchofdouble-silkunderwear。

Itwasanundoubtedpitythattherehadnotbeentimetogotoagoodtailor。Thesuithehadonwasrightenoughforordinarypurposes，andhisevening-clotheswereasgoodasnew，butthethoughtofacostumeforshootingharassedhismind。

Hehadbroughtalongwithhim，forthiseventfulvisit，anoldMexicanoutfitofyellowish-greyclothandleather，muchtheworseforroughwear，butsavedfromthedisreputablebyitssuggestionofpicturesqueexperiencesinastrangeandromanticcountry。Atleastithadseemedtohim，inthemorning，whenhehadpackedit，tobesecureinthissalvation。Uneasydoubtsonthesubjecthadsoonrisen，however，andtheyhadincreasedinvolumeandpoignancyashisconceptionsofawardrobeexpandedinthecourseoftheday\'sinvestigationsandpurchases。

Hehadreachedthepointnowofhopingthatitwouldrainbitterlyonthemorrow。

Itwasdoublyimportanttokeepacloselook-outforLordPlowden，sincehedidnotknowthenameofthestationtheyweretobookfor，andtimewasgettingshort。Hedweltwithsomeannoyanceuponhisoversightinthismatter，ashiswatchfulglancerangedfromoneentrancetoanother。

Hewouldhavelikedtobuytheticketshimself，andhaveeverythinginreadinessonthearrivalofhishost。

Asitwas，hecouldnoteventelltheporterhowhisluggagewastobelabelled，andtherewasnowlessthantwominutes！Hemovedforwardbriskly，withthethoughtofinterceptinghisfriendatthefrontofthestation；

thenhalted，andwentback，upontherecollectionthatwhilehewasgoingoutoneway，Plowdenmightcomeinbytheother。Theseconds，astheypassednow，becameseverallypainfultohisnerves。Theringingofabellsomewherebeyondthebarrierprovokedwithinhimanimpulsetotearfulprofanity。

Thensuddenlyeverythingwasallright。Asmooth-faced，civilly-spokenyoungmancameup，touchedhishat，andasked：

"Willyoukindlyshowmewhichisyourluggage，sir？"

Thorpe，evenwhilewonderingwhatbusinessofhisitwas，indicatedtheglaringlynewbags——andthenonlyhalfrepressedacryofpleasureatdiscoveringthatLordPlowdenstoodbesidehim。

"It\'sallright；mymanwilllookoutforyourthings，"

saidthelatter，astheyshookhands。"Wewillgoandgetourplaces。"

Thefatpolicemanatthegatetouchedhishelmet。

Alean，elderlymaninasortofguard\'suniformhobbledobsequiouslybeforethemdowntheplatform，openedtothemafirst-classcompartmentwithalowbowandadeprecatorywaveofthehand，andthenimpressivelylockedthedooruponthem。"Theenginewillbetheotherway，myLord，afteryouleaveCannonStreet，"heremarkedthroughtheopenwindow，withearnestdeference。"Arethereanyofyourbagsthatyouwantinthecompartmentwithyou？"

Plowdenhadnoddedtothefirstremark。Heshookhisheadatthesecond。Theelderlymanatthis，withstillanotherbow，flappedoutagreenflagwhichhehadbeenholdingfurledbehindhisback，andextendeditatarm\'slength。Thetrainbeganslowlytomove。

Mr。Thorpereflectedtohimselfthatthepeeragewasbynomeanssoplayed-outaninstitutionassomepeopleimagined。

"Ho-ho！"theyoungermansighedayawn，ashetossedhishatintotherackabovehishead。"Weshallbothbethebetterforsomepureair。Londonquitedoesmeup。

Andyou——you\'vebeenstickingatitmonthsonend，haven\'tyou？Youlookratherfagged——oratalleventsyoudidyesterday。You\'vesmartenedyourselfso——withoutyourbeard——thatIcan\'tsayI\'dnoticeitto-day。

ButItakeiteverysensiblepersonisgladtogetawayfromLondon。"

"ExceptforanoddSunday，nowandthen，Ihaven\'tputmynoseoutsideLondonsinceIlandedhere。"Thorperoseashespoke，todeposithishatalsointherack。

Henotedwithakindofchagrinthathiscompanion\'swasanordinarylowblackbowler。"Icantellyou，ISHALL

begladofthechange。Iwouldhaveboughtthetickets，"

hewenton，givingwordsatrandomtothethoughtwhichhefoundfixedonthesurfaceofhismind，"ifI\'donlyknownwhatourstationwas。"

Plowdenwavedhishand，andthegestureseemedtodismissthesubject。Hetookacigarcasefromhispocket，andofferedittoThorpe。

"Itwaslucky，mynotmissingthetrainaltogether，"

hesaid，astheylightedtheircigars。"Iwasuplatelastnight——turnedoutlatethismorning，beenlateallday，somehow——couldn\'tcatchupwiththeclockforthelifeofme。

Yourstatementtomelastnight——youknowitratherupsetme。"

Theothersmiled。"Well，IguessIknowsomethingaboutthatfeelingmyself。Why，I\'vebeenbuzzingabouttodaylikeahenwithherheadcutoff。Butit\'sfun，though，aintit，eh？Justtohappentoremembereveryonceinawhile，youknow，thatit\'salltrue！Butofcourseitmeansathousandtimesmoretomethanitdoestoyou。"

Thetrainhadcometoastopinsidethegloomy，domedcavernofCannonStreet。Manymeninsilkhatscrowdedtoandfroontheplatform，andanumberofthemshookthehandleofthelockeddoor。Therewasaneffectofcursesinthesoundoftheirremarkswhichcamethroughtheclosedwindow。

Mr。Thorpecouldnotquiterestraintheimpulsetogrinatthem。

"Ah，that\'swhereyoumistake，"saidPlowden，contemplatingthemouthfulofsmokeheslowlyblewforth。

"Mydearman，youcan\'timagineanybodytowhomitwouldmeanmorethanitdoestome——Ihopenoneofthosefellowshaveakey。They\'reanawfulboreonthistrain。

Ialmostnevergobyit，forthatreason。Ah，thankGodwe\'reoff！——ButasIwassaying，thisthingmakesagreaterdifferencetomethanyoucanthinkof。Icouldn\'tsleeplastnight——Igiveyoumyword——thethingupsetmeso。

Itakeityou——youhaveneverhadmuchmoneybefore；

thatis，youknowfromexperiencewhatpovertyis？"

Thorpenoddedwitheloquentgravity。

"Well——butyou"——theotherbegan，andthenpaused。

"WhatImeanis，"heresumed，"youwerenever，atanyrate，responsibletoanybodybutyourself。Ifyouhadonlyasovereignaday，orasovereignaweek，forthatmatter，youcouldaccommodateyourselftotherequirementsofthesituation。Idon\'tmeanthatyouwouldenjoyitanymorethanIshould——butatleastitwasopentoyoutodoit，withoutattractingmuchattention。

Butwithmeplacedinmyridiculousposition——povertyhasbeenthemostunbearabletortureonecanimagine。

Yousee，thereisnowayinwhichIcanearnapenny。

IhadtoleavetheArmywhenIwastwenty-three——theotherfellowsallhadplentyofmoneytospend，anditwasimpossibleformetodragalongwithatitleandanemptypocket。IdaresaythatIoughttohavestucktoit，becauseitisn\'tnearlysobadnow，buttwelveyearsagoitwastoocruelforanyyoungsterwhohadanyprideabouthim——and，ofcourse，myfatherhavingmaderatheranameintheArmy，thatmadeitsomuchharderforme。

Andafterthat，whatwasthere？Ofcourse，thebarandmedicineandengineeringandthosethingswereoutofthequestion，inthosedaysatleast。TheChurch？——thatwasmoresostill。

Ihadatryatpolitics——butyouneedmoneythereasmuchasanywhereelse——moneyorbigfamilyconnections。

Ivotedinpracticallyeverydivisionforfouryears，andImadetherottenestspeechesyoueverheardofatPrimroseLeaguemeetingsinsmallplaces，andafterallthatthebestthingthewhipscouldoffermewasabilletinIndiaatfourhundredayear，andeventhatyoutookindepreciatedrupees。WhenItriedtotalkaboutsomethingathome，theypracticallylaughedinmyface。

Ihadnoleverageuponthemwhatever。Theydidn\'tcareintheleastwhetherIcameupandvotedorstoppedathome。

Theirmajoritywastentoonejustthesame——yes，twentytoone。Sothatdoorwasshutinmyface。I\'veneverbeeninsidetheHousesince——exceptoncetoshowittoanAmericanladylastsummer——butwhenIdogoagainIratherfancy"——hestoppedforaninstant，andnoddedhishandsomeheadsignificantly——"IratherfancyIshallturnupontheotherside。"

"I\'maLiberalmyself，inEnglishpolitics，"interposedThorpe。

Plowdenseemednottoperceivetheconnection。TheyhadleftLondonBridgebehind，andheputhisfeetuponthecushions，andleantbackcomfortably。"OfcoursetherewastheCity，"

hewenton，speakingdiagonallyacrosstohiscompanion，betweenleisurelyintervalsofabsorptioninhiscigar。

"Therehavebeensomedirectors\'fees，nodoubt，andonceortwiceI\'vecomeveryneartowhatpromisedtobeabigthing——butIneverquitepulleditoff。

Really，withoutcapitalwhatcanonedo？——I\'mcurioustoknow——didyoubringmuchreadymoneywithyoutoEngland？"

"Betweensixandseventhousandpounds。"

"Andifit\'safairquestion——howmuchofithaveyougotleft？"

Thorpehadsomemomentarydoubtsastowhetherthiswasafairquestion，buthesmotheredthemunderthesmilewithwhichhefeltimpelledtoanswerthetwinkleinPlowden\'seyes。"Oh，lessthanahundred，"hesaid，andlaughedaloud。

Plowdenalsolaughed。"ByGeorge，that\'sfine！"

hecried。"It\'ssplendid。There\'sdramainit。

Ifeltitwaslikethat，youknow。Somethingtoldmeitwasyourlastcartridgethatrangthebell。ItwasthatthatmademecometoyouasIdid——andtellyouthatyouwereagreatman，andthatIwantedtoenlistunderyou。

Ah，thatkindofcourageissorare！Whenamanhasit，hecanstandtheworldonitshead。""ButIwasplumbscared，allthewhile，myself，"Thorpeprotested，genially。

"Courage？Icouldfeelitrunningoutofmyboots。"

"Ah，yes，butthat\'sthegreatthing，"insistedtheother。

"Youdidn\'tlookasifyouwerefrightened。Fromallonecouldsee，yournervewassublime。Andnothingelsematters——itwassublime。"

"Curious——thatthinghappenedtomeoncebefore，"

commentedThorpe，withruminatingslowness。"Itwasoutontheplains，yearsago，andIwasinprettyhardluck，andwasmakingmywayalonefromTucsonnorth，andsomecowboysheldmeup，andweregoingtomakekindlingwoodofme，theybeingundertheimpressionthatIwasahorse-thieftheywerelookingafter。

Therewasfiveorsixminutestherewhenmylifewasn\'tworthalastyear\'sbird\'s-nest——andItellyou，sir，Iwasthescaredestmanthateverdrewthebreathoflife。

Andthensomethinghappenedtobesaidthatputthematterright——theysawIwasthewrongman——andthen——whythentheycouldn\'tbepoliteenoughtome。

Theyhalfemptiedtheirflasksdownmythroat，andtheyrodewithmeallthewaytothenexttown，andtheretheywantedtobuyeverythingliquidintheplaceforme。

ButwhatIwasspeakingof——doyouknow，thosefellowsgotatremendousnotionofmynerve。Itwasn\'tsomuchthattheytoldmeso，buttheytoldothersaboutit。

TheyreallythoughtIwasgametothecore——wheninreality，asItellyou，Iwasinthedeadliestfunkyoueverheardof"

"That\'sjustit，"saidPlowden，"thepartofyouwhichwasengagedinmakingmentalnotesoftheoccasionthoughtyouwerefrightened；wewillsaythatitwasitselffrightened。

Buttheotherpartofyou，thepartthatwastransactingbusiness，sotospeak——thatwasn\'tintheleastalarmed。

Ifancyallborncommandersarebuiltlikethat。

DidyoueverseeGeneralGrant？"

Thorpeshookhishead。

"Whatremindedmeofhim——thereisanaccountinhisMemoirsofhowhefeltwhenhefirstwasgivenacommand，atthebeginningoftheCivilWar。Hewaslookingaboutfortheenemy，whowasknowntobeinthevicinity，andthenearerhegottowherethisenemyprobablywas，themorehegottimidandunnerved，hesays，untilitseemedasifcowardiceweregettingcompletemasteryofhim。

Andthensuddenlyitoccurredtohimthatverylikelytheenemywasjustasafraidofhimashewasoftheenemy，andthatmomenthisbraveryallreturnedtohim。

Hewentinandgavetheothermanaterriblethrashing。

Itdoesn\'tapplytoyourcase，particularly——butIfancythatallreallybravemenhavethoseinnerconvictionsofweakness，evenwhiletheyarebehavinglikelions。

Thosemusthavebeenextraordinarilyinterestingexperiencesofyours——ontheplains。IwishIcouldhaveseensomethingofthatpartofAmericawhenI

wastherelastyear。Unfortunately，itdidn\'tcomemyway。"

"IthoughtIrememberedyoursayingyou\'dbeenWest。"

Plowdensmiled。"I\'mafraidIdidthinkitwasWestatthetime。ButsincemyreturnI\'vebeenwarnedthatImustn\'tcallChicagoWest。ThatwasasfarasIwent。Ihadsomebusinessthere，orthoughtIhad。

Whenmyfatherdied，thatwasin1884，wefoundamonghispapersalotofbondsofsomecorporationpurportingtobecharteredbytheStateofIllinois。

Oursolicitorswroteseveralletters，buttheycouldfindoutnothingaboutthem，andtherethematterrested。

Finally，lastyear，whenIdecidedtomakethetrip，Irecollectedtheseoldbonds，andtookthemwithme。

Ithoughttheymightatleastpaymyexpenses。Butitwasn\'ttheleastgood。Nobodyknewanythingaboutthem。

ItseemstheyrelatedtosomethingthatwasburnedupintheGreatFire——eitherthat，orhaddisappearedbeforethattime。

ThatfireseemstohaveoperatedliketheDeluge——itcancelledeverythingthathadhappenedpreviously。

Myunhappyfatherhadageniusforthatkindofinvestment。

Ishallhavegreatpleasureinshowingyoutomorrow，averypicturesqueandcomprehensivecollectionofConfederateBonds。Theirfacevalueis，asIrememberit，eightythousanddollars——thatis，sixteenthousandpounds。

Iwouldentertainwithjoyanofferofsixteenshillingsforthelot。Mydearfatherboughtthem——Ishouldnotbesurprisedtolearnthatheboughtthematapremium。

Iftheyevertouchedapremiumforaday，thatiscertainlythedaythathewouldhavehitupontobuy。

Oh，itwastoorare！Tooinspired！Heleftnearlyahundredthousandpounds\'worthofpaper——thatis，onitsface——uponwhichthesolicitorsrealized，Ithinkitwasthirteenhundredpounds。It\'shardtoimaginehowhegotthem——buttherewereactuallybondsamongthemissuedbyKossuth\'sHungarianRepublicin1848。

Well——nowyoucanseethekindofinheritanceIcameinto，andIhaveabrotherandsistermoreorlesstolookafter，too。"

Thorpehadbeenlisteningtothesedetailswithanalmostexaggeratedexpressionofsympathyuponhisface。

Thevoiceinwhichhespokenowbetrayed，however，acertainnoteofincredulity。

"Yes，Iseethatwellenough，"heremarked。"ButwhatI

don\'tperhapsquiteunderstand——well，thisisit。

Youhavethisplaceofyoursinthecountry，andpreservegameandsoon——butofcourseIseewhatyoumean。

It\'swhatyou\'vebeensaying。Whatanothermanwouldthinkacomfortableliving，ispovertytoamaninyourposition。"

"Oh，theplace，"saidPlowden。"Itisn\'tmineatall。

Icouldneverhavekeptitup。Itbelongstomymother。

Itwasherfather\'splace；ithasbeenintheirfamilyforhundredsofyears。Herfather，Idaresayyouknow，wasthelastEarlofHever。Thetitlediedwithhim。

Heleftthreedaughters，whoinheritedhisestates，andmymother，beingtheeldest，gottheKentishproperties。

OfcourseHadlowHousewillcometomeeventually，butitishersduringherlifetime。Imayspeakofitasmyplace，butthatismerelyafacondeparler；itisn\'tnecessarytoexplaintoeverybodythatit\'smymother\'s。

It\'smyhome，andthat\'senough。It\'sadearoldplace。

Ican\'ttellyouhowgladIamthatyou\'regoingtoseeit。"

"I\'mveryglad，too，"saidtheother，withunaffectedsincerity。

"AlltheambitionsIhaveintheworld，"thenoblemanwenton，sittinguprightnow，andspeakingwithaconfidentialseriousness，"centreroundHadlow。

ThatisthepartofmethatI\'mkeenabout。ThePlowdensarethingsofyesterday。Mygrandfather，theChancellor，beganinaverysmallway，andwasneveranythingmorethanacleverlawyer，withaloudvoiceandahardheart，andatalentformoney-makingandpolitics。Hegotapeerageandheleftafortune。Myfather，forallhewasasoldier，hadamildvoiceandasoftheart。

Hegaveacertainmilitarydistinctiontothepeerage，butheplayedhell-and-tommywiththefortune。AndthenIcome：Ican\'tbeeitheraChancellororaGeneral，andIhaven\'tapennytoblessmyselfwith。Youcan\'tthinkofamoreidioticboxforamantobein。Butnow——thankstoyou——therecomesthisprospectofanimmensechange。

IfIhavemoneyatmyback——atonceeverythingisdifferentwithme。PeoplewillrememberthenpromptlyenoughthatI

amaHadlow，aswellasaPlowden。Iwillmakethepartywhipsrememberit，too。Itwon\'tbeaSecretary\'sbilletinIndiaatfourhundredayearthatthey\'llofferme，butaGovernorshipatsixthousand——thatis，ifIwishtoleaveEnglandatall。Andwe\'llseewhichsetofwhipsaretohavethehonourofofferingmeanything。

Butallthatisintheair。It\'senough，forthemoment，torealizethatthingshavereallycomemyway。Andaboutthat——aboutthesuccessoftheaffair——Isupposetherecanbenoquestionwhatever？"

"Nottheslightest，"Thorpeassuredhim。"RubberConsolscangouptoanyfigurewechoosetoname。"

LordPlowdenprofferedthecigarcaseagain，andoncemorehelpedhimselfafterhehadgivenhiscompanionalight。

Thenhethrewhimselfbackagainstthecushions，withalongsighofcontent。"I\'mnotgoingtosayanotherwordaboutmyself，"heannounced，pleasantly。

"I\'vehadmorethanmylegitimateinnings。Youmustn\'tthinkthatIforgetforamomentthereverseofthemedal。

You\'redoingwonderfulthingsforme。IonlywishitwereclearertomewhatthewonderfulthingsarethatI

candoforyou。"

"Oh，that\'llbeallright，"saidtheother，rathervaguely。

"Perhapsit\'salittleearlyforyoutohavemappedoutinyourmindjustwhatyouwanttodo，"Plowdenreflectedaloud。

"Ofcourseithascomesuddenlyuponyou——justasithasuponme。Therearethingsinplentythatwe\'vedreamedofdoing，whilethepowertodothemwasalongwayoff。

Itdoesn\'tatallfollowthatthesearethethingsweshallproceedtodo，whenthepowerisactuallyinourhands。

Buthaveyouanyplansatall？DoyoufancygoingintoParliament，forexample？"

"Yes，"answeredThorpe，meditatively。"IthinkIshouldliketogointoParliament。Butthatwouldbesomewayahead。IguessI\'vegotmyplansworkedoutatriflemorethanyouthink。Theymaynotbeverydefinite，asregardsdetails，buttheirmaindirectionIknowwellenough。I\'mgoingtobeanEnglishcountrygentleman。"

LordPlowdenvisiblywincedalittleatthisannouncement。

Heseemedannoyedattheconsciousnessthathehaddoneso，turningabruptlyfirsttostareoutofthewindow，thenshiftinghispositionontheseat，andatlaststealinganuneasyglancetowardhiscompanion。Apparentlyhistonguewasatalossforanappropriatecomment。

Thorpehadlostnoneoftheseunwillingtokensofembarrassment。

Plowdensawthatatonce，butitrelievedevenmorethanitsurprisedhimtoseealsothatThorpeappearednottomind。Theolderman，indeed，smiledingood-naturedifsomewhatironicalcomprehensionofthedumb-show。

"Oh，that\'llbeallright，too，"hesaid，withtheevidentintentionofreassurance。"Icandoitrightenough，sofarasthebigthingsareconcerned。It\'llbeinthelittlethingsthatI\'llwantsomesteering。"

"I\'vealreadytoldyou——youmaycommandmetotheutmostofmypower，"theotherdeclared。Uponreflection，hewasdisposedtobeashamedofhimself。Hisnervesandfacialmuscleshadbeenguiltyofanunpardonablelapseintosnobbishness——andtowardaman，too，whohadbeencapableofbehaviourmoredistinguishedinitscourtesyandgenerositythananyhehadencounteredinallthe"uppercircles"puttogether。Herecalledallatonce，moreover，thatThorpe\'s"h\'s"wereperfect——aud，forsomeoccultreason，thiscompletedhisconfusion。

"Mydearfellow"——hebeganagain，confrontingwithverbalawkwardnesstheother\'squizzicalsmile——"don\'tthinkI

doubtanythingaboutyou。Iknowwellenoughthatyoucandoanything——beanything——youlike。"

Thorpelaughedsoftly。

"Idon\'tthinkyouknow，though，thatI\'mapublic-

schoolman，"hesaid。

Plowdenliftedhisbrowsinunfeignedsurprise。

"No——Ididn\'tknowthat，"headmitted，frankly。

"Yes，I\'maPaul\'sPigeon，"Thorpewenton，"astheycalledtheminmyday。That\'sgoneoutnow，I\'mtold，sincethey\'vemovedtothebigbuildingsinHammersmith。

Ididverywellatschool，too；cameoutinthefirstfourteen。

Butmyfatherwouldn\'tcarrythethinganyfurther。

HeinsistedonmygoingintotheshopwhenIleftSt。Paul\'sandlearningthebook-business。Hehadpreciselythesamekindofdynasticidea，youknow，thatyoufellowshave。

Hisfatherandhisgrand-fatherhadbeenbooksellers，andhewasgoingtohandonthetraditiontome，andmysonafterme。Thatwashisidea。AndhethoughtthatPaul\'swouldhelpthis——butthatOxfordwouldkillit。

"Ofcourse，hewasrightthere——buthewaswronginsupposingtherewasabooksellerinme。Ilikedthebookswellenough，mindyou——butdamnthepeoplethatcametobuythem，Icouldn\'tstandit。Youstoodtwohourswatchingtoseethatmendidn\'tputvolumesintheirpockets，andattheendofthattimeyou\'dmadeaprofitofninepence。

Whileyouweredoinguptheparcel，somefellowwalkedoffwithabookwortheighteen-pence。Itwastooslowforme。

Ididn\'thititoffwiththeoldman，either。Wedidn\'tpreciselyquarrel，butIwentoffonmyownhook。

IhungaboutLondonforsomeyears，tryingthisthingandthat。OnceIstartedabook-shopofmyown——butI

didnogoodhere。FinallyIturneditupaltogether，andwenttoAustralia。Thatwasin1882。I\'vebeeninalmosteveryquarteroftheglobesince；I\'veknownwhatitwastobeshipwreckedinamonsoon，andI\'velaindowninadesertnotexpectingtogetupagain，withmybelttightenedtoitslastholeforhunger——butIcan\'trememberthatIeverwishedmyselfbackinmyfather\'sbook-shop。"

Plowden\'sfineeyessparkledhisappreciationoftheother\'smood。Hewassilentforamoment，thenliftedhisheadasifsomethinghadoccurredtohim。

"Youwerespeakingoftheplanthatyoushouldsucceedtoyourfather\'sbusiness——andyoursonafteryou——you\'renotmarried，areyou？"

Thorpeslowlyshookhishead。

"Ourstationisthenext，"saidtheyoungerman。

"It\'sadriveofsomethingundertwomiles。You\'dbetterlightanothercigar。"Headded，asifuponacasualafterthought："Wecanbothofusthinkofmarryingnow。"

CHAPTERV

FORthenexttwohours，Thorpe\'sthoughtswerealmostwhollyoccupiedwithvariousphasesofthelargesubjectofdomesticservice。Heseemedsuddenlytohavebeentransportedtosomeregionpopulatedexclusivelybyclean-shavenmeninbrownlivery。Oneofthesewasholdingaspiritedhorseoutsidethestation，andwhenLordPlowdenhadtakenthereins，andThorpehadgatheredtherugsabouthiskneesandfeet，thismenialsilentlyassociatedhimselfwiththeyoungmanwhohadaccompaniedthemfromtown，onthebackseatofthetrap。Withthesepeoplesoclosebehindhim，Thorpefeltthatanyintimateconversationwasoutofthequestion。Indeed，talkofanysortwasnotinvited；thebighorseburstforthwithhigh，sprawlingstridesuponacareerthroughthetwilight，oncethemainroadwasreached，whichittaxedallPlowden\'senergiestoregulate。Hekeptupacontinualmurmuringmonologuetotheanimal——"So——so——quiet，mypet，——so——

so——easy，mybeauty——so——so"——andhiswristsandglovedhandswerevisiblyunderatremendoustensionofstrain，astheyheldtheirownagainsttherigidarchedneckandmouthofsteel。Thorpekeptagriponthesideofthetrap，andhadonlyamodifiedpleasureinthedrive。

Theroadalongwhichtheyspedseemed，inthegatheringdusk，uncomfortablynarrow，andhespeculatedagooddealastohowfrightenedthetwomutesbehindhimmustbe。

Butsilencewassuchalawoftheirlifethat，thoughhestrainedhisears，hecouldnotsomuchashearthemsighorgasp。

Itseemedbutaveryfewminutesbeforetheyturnedoff，withbutthemostfleetingdiminutionofpace，uponaprivateroad，whichspeedilydevelopedintoanavenueoftrees，quitedarkandapparentlynarrowerthanever。

Downthistheyracedprecipitately，andthen，comingoutallatonceuponanopenspace，swungsmartlyroundthecrescentofagravelroad，andhaltedbeforewhatseemedtobethedoorofagreenhouse。Thorpe，ashestoodupinthetrap，gotanuncertain，generalideaofalow，pale-colouredmansioninthebackground，withlightsshowingbehindcurtainsinseveralwidelyseparatedwindows；

whathehadtakentobeaconservatoryrevealeditselfnowtobeaglassgallery，builtalongthefrontofthecentralportionofthishouse。

Aprofusionofhospitablelights——tallwax-candlesinbracketsamongthevinesagainstthetrellisedwall——

gavetothisoutlyingentrancewhatthestrangerfelttobeadelightfuleffect。Itssmoothtiledfloor，comfortablybestrewnwithrugs，wasonalevelwiththepathoutside。Therewereloweasy-chairshere，andalittlewickertablebearingbooksandalady\'swork-basket。

Furtheron，giantchrysanthemumbloomsweremassedbeneaththeclustersofpaleplumbago-flowersonthetrellis。

Directlyinfront，acrossthedozenfeetofthisglazedvestibule，thebroaddoorwayofthehouseproperstoodopen——withwarmlightsglowingrichlyupondarkwoodsintheluxuriousobscuritywithin。

WhatThorpenotedmostofall，however，wastheservantswhoseemedtoswarmeverywhere。Thetwowhohadalightedfromthetraphadcontrivedsomehowmysteriouslytomultiplythemselvesinthedarkness。Allatoncetherewereanumberofyoungmen——atthehorse\'shead，atthebackandsidesofthetrap，atthefirstdoorway，andthesecond，andbeyond——eachpresentingsuchasmooth-faced，pallid，brown-cladreplicaofalltheothersthatThorpeknewheshouldneverbeabletotellthemapart。

LordPlowdenpausedforamomentunderthecandle-lighttolookathiswatch。"Wediditinabitovereightminutes，"

heremarked，withobvioussatisfaction。"Withfourpeopleandheavyroadsthat\'snotsobad——notsobad。

Butcomeinside。"

TheymovedforwardthroughthewidedoorwayintoanapartmentthelikeofwhichThorpehadnotseenbefore。

Itwasalarge，squareroom，withabigstaircaseattheend，whichseparatedandwentofftorightandleft，half-wayupitsvisiblecourse。Itsfloorwasofinlaidwoods，oldandunevenfromlonguse，andcarpetedhereandtherebytheskinsoftigersandleopards。

Thereweremanyothersuggestionsofthechaseabouttheroom：ridingboots，whips，spurs，andsomestandsofarchaicweaponscaughttheeyeatvariouspoints；

theheadsoffoxesanddeerpeepedoutontheblackenedpanelsofthewalls，fromamongclustersofhookscrowdedwithcoats，hats，andmackintoshes。Attheright，whereafireglowedandblazedunderahugeopenchimney-place，therewerelowchairsanddivansdrawnuptomarkoffaspacefororderlydomesticoccupation。

Theirregularityofeverythingoutside——thegreattableinthecentreofthehallstrewnwithanincongruouslitterofcaps，books，flasks，newspapers，gloves，tobacco-pouches；

theshoes，slippers，andleggingsscatteredunderthebenchesatthesides——allthisself-renewingdisorderofacarelesshouseholdstruckThorpewithaprofoundsurprise。

ItwaslikenothingsomuchasaMexicanranch——andtofinditintheancestralhomeofanEnglishnobleman，filledtooverflowingwithservants，amazedhim。

Theglancesthathecastabouthim，however，wereimpassiveenough。Hismindwaschargedwiththeceaselessresponsibilityofbeingastonishedatnothing。

Amantookhishat，andhelpedhimoffwithhiscoat。

Anothermovedtowardthestaircasewithhistwobags。

"IfyouwillfollowPangbourn，"saidhishost，indicatingthisseconddomestic，"hewilllookafteryou。

Youwouldliketogoupandchangenow，wouldn\'tyou？

There\'safireinyourroom。"

Thusdismissed，hewentupthestairsinthewakeofhisportmanteaus，takingtheturningtotheleft，andthenproceedingbyalong，lowpassage，roundmorethanonecorner，towhatheconceivedtobeawingofthehouse。

Theservantusheredhimintoaroom——and，indespiteofhimself，hesighedwithpleasureatthesightofit。

Theprettiestandmostcharmingofroomsitseemedtohimtobe——spaciousandquaintlyramblinginshape，withadelicately-figuredchintzrepeatingthedaintyeffectsofthewallsuponthecurtainsandcarpetandbed-hangingsandchair-covers，andwithabrightfireinthegratethrowingitswarm，cozyglowovereverything。

Helookedatthepicturesonthewalls，atthephotographsandlittleornamentsonthewritingdesk，andthehighpostsandsilkencoverletofthebigbed，and，secureintheavertedfaceoftheservant，smiledrichlytohimself。

Thisservant，kneeling，hadunstrappedandopenedthenewbags。Thorpelookedtoseehimquittheroom，thistaskaccomplished，andwasconsciousofsomethinglikedismayatthediscoverythatheintendedtounpackthemaswell。Pangbournbegangravelytounwraponepaperparcelafteranotherandtoassorttheircontentsinlittleheapsonthesofabesidehim。Hediditdeftly，imperturbably，asifallthegentlemenhehadeverseencarriedtheirbelongingsinpackagesdoneupbytradesmen。

Thorpe\'simpulsetobidhimdesistframeditselfinwordsonthetipofhistongue——buthedidnotutterthesewords。

Aftercirclingidly，handsinpockets，aboutthemanandthebagsforalittletime，heinventedsomethingwhichitseemedbetterforhimtosay。

"Idon\'tknowwhatyou\'llbeabletomakeofthosethings，"

heremarked，casually。"Mymanhasbeenbuyingthemtoday——andIdon\'tknowwhathemayn\'thaveforgotten。

Mywholeoutfitofthatsortofthingwentastrayorwasstolenatsomestationorother——thefirstpartoftheweek——IthinkitmusthavebeenLeeds。"

"Yes，sir，"saidPangbourn，withoutemotion。

"They\'reverycareless，sir。"

Hewentonimpassively，shakingouttheblackgarmentsandspreadingthemonthebed，layingoutashirtandtiebesidethem，andarrangingtherazors，strop，andbrushesonthedressing-table。Heseemedtoforeseeeverything——fortherewasnotaninstant\'shesitationintheclock-likeassiduityofhismovements，ashebestowedhandkerchiefs，inonedrawer，socksinanother，hungpyjamasbeforethefire，andsetthepatent-leatherpumpsagainstthefender。

EventheoldMexicanshooting-suitseemedinnowaytodisconcerthim。Hedrewforthitsconstituentelementsaswithapractisedhand；whenhehadhungthemup，sombreroandall，inthewardrobeagainstthewall，theyhadthetrickofmakingthatvenerableoakenreceptaclelookasifithadbeenfashionedexpresslyforthem。

Thorpe\'searlieruneasinessquitelostitselfinhisadmirationforPangbourn\'sresourcefuldexterity。

Thedelightedthoughtthatnowhewouldbeneedingamanlikethisforhimselfcrossedhismind。ConceivablyhemightevengetthisidenticalPangbourn——treasurethoughhewere。

Moneycouldcommandeverythingonthisbroadglobe——andwhynotPangbourn？Hetentativelyfeltofthecoinsinhispocket，asitbecameapparentthattheman\'staskwasnearingcompletion——andthenfrownedathimselfforforgettingthatthesethingswerealwaysreservedfortheendofavisit。

"Willyoudressnow，sir？"askedPangbourn。Hissoft，distinctenunciationconveyedthesuggestionofcenturiesoftraining。

"Eh？"saidThorpe，findinghimselfforthemomentbehindtheother\'sthought。

"Shallyourequiremeanyfurther，sir？"themanreframedthequestion，deferentially。

"Oh！Oh——no，"repliedThorpe。"No——I\'llgetalongallright。"

Lefttohimself，hebeganhurriedlythetaskofshavinganddressing。Thecandlesoneithersideofthethick，bevelledswingingmirrorpresentedasomewhatembarrassingcontrasttotheelectriclighthewasusedto——butuponsecondthoughthepreferredthisrestrainedaristocraticglimmer。

Hehadcompletedhistoilet，andwasstandingatthebay-window，withhisshoulderholdingbacktheedgeofthecurtain，lookingoutuponthedarkenedlawnandwonderingwhetherheoughttogodownstairsorwaitforsomeonetosummonhim，whenheheardaknockathisdoor。

Beforehecouldanswer，thedooropened，andhemadeoutinthecandle-andfirelightthatitwasLordPlowdenwhohadcomein。Hesteppedforwardtomeethishostwho，cladnowinevening-clothes，wassmokingacigarette。

"Havetheylookedafteryouallright？"saidPlowden，nonchalantly。"Haveacigarettebeforewegodown？Lightitbythecandle。Theyneverwillkeepmatchesinabedroom。"

Heseatedhimselfinaneasy-chairbeforethefire，ashespoke，andstretchedouthisshiningslipperstowardthegrate。"IthoughtI\'dtellyoubeforewewentdown"——hewenton，asThorpe，withanelbowonthemantel，lookeddownathishandsomehead——"mysisterhasacoupleofladiesvisitingher。OneofthemIthinkyouknow。

DoyourememberonshipboardaMissMadden——anAmerican，youknow——verytallandfine，withbrightredhair——ratherremarkablehairitwas？"

"Irememberthelady，"saidThorpe，uponreflection，"butwedidn\'tmeet。"Hecouldnotwhollydivesthistoneofthehintthatinthosedaysitbynomeansfollowedthatbecausehesawladiesitwasopentohimtoknowthem。

LordPlowdensmiledalittle。"Oh，you\'lllikeher。

She\'sgreatfun——ifshe\'sinthemood。Mymotherandsister——I

hadthemcallonherinLondonlastspring——andtheytookagreatfancytoher。She\'sgotnoendofmoney，youknow——atleastamillionandahalf——dollars，unfortunately。

HerparentswereIrish——herfathermadehispileinthewaggonbusiness，Ibelieve——butshe\'sasAmericanasifthey\'dcrossedoverin——whatwasit，the\'Sunflower\'？——no，the\'Mayflower。\'Marvelouscountryforassimilation，thatAmericais！YourememberwhatItoldyou——it\'sputsuchamarkonyouthatIshouldneverhavedreamtyouwereEnglish。"

Thorpeobservedhiscompanion，throughabluehazeofsmoke，insilence。Thisinsistenceupontheun-Englishnatureoftheeffectheproducedwasnotaltogethergratefultohisears。

"Theotherone，"continuedPlowden，"isLadyCressage。

You\'llbeinterestedinher——becauseafewyearsagoshewassupposedtobethemostbeautifulwomaninLondon。

Shemarriedashockingbounder——hewouldhavebeenDukeofGlastonbury，though，ifhehadlived——buthewasdrowned，andshewasleftpoorasachurchmouse。

Oh！bytheway！"hestartedup，withagleamofarousedinterestonhisface——"itdidn\'tintheleastoccurtome。Why，she\'sadaughterofourGeneralKervick。

HowdidhegetontheBoard，bytheway？Wheredidyoupickhimup？"

Thorpebenthisbrowsinpuzzledlines。"Why，youintroducedmetohimyourself，didn\'tyou？"heasked，slowly。

Plowdenseemedunaffectedlysurprisedatthesuggestion，asheturneditoverinhismind。"ByGeorge！Ithinkyou\'reright，"hesaid。"I\'dquiteforgottenit。

OfcourseIdid。Letmesee——ohyes，Ireconstructitreadilyenoughnow。Pooroldchappie——heneedsallhecanget。Hewasbotheringheraboutmoney——thatwasit，Iremembernow——butwhatanidiotIwastoforgetit。

ButwhatIwassaying——there\'snooneelsebutmymotherandsister，andmybrotherBalder。He\'sayoungster——twentyorthereabouts——andhepurportstobereadingforhisexamsfortheArmy。Iftheyopenedhishead，though，Idoubtifthey\'dfindanythingbutcricketandfootball，unlessitmightbeabitofgolf。Well——that\'stheparty。

Ithoughtyoumightliketohaveanotionoftheminadvance。

Ifyou\'vefinishedyourcigarette"——hethrewhisownintothegrate，androseashespoke——"wemayaswellbemovingalong。Bytheway，"heconcluded，astheywalkedtowardthedoor，"I\'veanideathatwewon\'tsayanything，justatthemoment，aboutourgreatcoup。Ishouldliketokeepitasalittlesurprise——formymotherandsister，youknow。"

Sometwohourslater，Thorpefoundtheleisureandtherestoredequanimityneedfulforadispassionatesurveyofhissurroundings。Hehadbecometemporarilydetachedfromthegroupoverbythefireplaceinthebigdrawing-roomandwasforthefirsttimethateveningverymuchathisease。Itwasallmuchsimpler，uponexperiment，thanhehadfeared。Hestoodnowinacorneroftheornateapartment，whitherhehadwanderedinexaminingthepicturesonthewalls，andcontemplatedwithserenitythefivepeoplewhomhehadleftbehindhim。Hewasconsciousoftheconvictionthatwhenherejoinedthem，itwouldbeonanewfootingofassuredequality。

Heknewnowtheexactmeasureofeverything。

TheHon。BalderPlowden——atall，heavily-builtyouth，withenormousshouldersandthick，hardhands，andpalestraw-colouredhairandbrowsandeyelashes——hadamiablysaunteredbesidehim，andwaselucidatingforhisbenefitnow，inslow，haltingundertones，someunfathomablemysteryconnectedwiththevaryingattitudeoftwodistinctbreedsofterrierstowardrats。Acrosstheroom，justwithinreachoftheflickeringruddyfirelightfromthehearth，theAmericanguest，MissMadden，wasseatedatthepiano，playingsomelowandratherdolefulmusic。Thorpebenthishead，andassumedanairofattention，butintruthhelistenedtoneithertheHonourableBaldernorthepiano。

Histhoughtswereconcentratedjealouslyuponhisownpositioninthisnovelsetting。Hesaidtohimselfthatitwasallright。OldLadyPlowdenhadseemedtolikehimfromthestart。Thegenial，ifsomewhatabstracted，motherlinessofherwelcomehadbeen，indeed，hissheetanchorthroughouttheevening。Shehadnotoncefailedtonodherheadandsmileandtwinkleherlittlekindeyesthroughtheirspectaclesathim，wheneverbywordorlookhehadaddressedher。Nordidhisoriginalhalf-suspicion，thatthiswashermannertopeopleingeneral，justifyitselfuponobservation。Shewascivil，evenexcessivelycivil，totheothertwoguests，buttheseladiesdidnotgetthesameeagerandintentsmilethathecouldcommand。

HereasoneditoutthatPlowdenmusthavesaidsomethingpleasanttohismotherabouthim——perhapseventothepointofexplainingthathewastobethearchitectoftheirfortunes——buthedidnotliketoascribeallherhospitablewarmthtothat。Itwasdeartohimtobelievethatshelikedhimonhisownmerits——andhedidbelieveit，ashissoftenedglanceresteduponherwhereshesatalmostfacinghiminherpadded，wickerchair——small，white-haired，rosy-cheeked，herintelligentfaceradiatingakindofalertplaciditywhichsomehowmadehimfeelathome。

Hehadnotbeenasmuchathomewiththeothers。

TheHonourableBalder，ofcourse，didn\'tcount；nobodypaidattentiontohim，andleastofallabusyRubberKing。

HegavenotmuchmoreheedtotheAmerican——thetallyoungwomanwiththeredhairandthemillionandahalfofdollars。Shewasplainlyavisitorlikehimself，notatallidentifiedwiththeinnerlifeofthehousehold。

Hefancied，moreover，thatsheinnowaydesiredtobethusidentified。Sheseemedtocarryherselfwithadeliberatealoofnessunderlyinghersurfaceamiability。

Thenhehadspokenhisfewwordswithher，onceortwice，hehadgotthiseffectofstonyreserveclosebeneathhersmileandsmoothwords。True，thismightmeanonlythatshefeltherselfoutofherelement，justashedid——buttohim，reallyitdidnotmatterwhatshefelt。

Ayearago——why，yes，evenafortnightago——thegoldenrumourofmillionswouldhaveshoneroundherauburnhairinhiseyeslikeahalo。Butallthatwaschanged。

Calculatedinasolidifiedcurrency，herreportedfortuneshranktoamerethreehundredthousandpounds。Itwasarespectablesumforawomantohave，nodoubt，butitdidnothingtoquickenthecoolindifferencewithwhichheconsideredher。

Thetwootheryoungwomenweredifferent。Theywereseatedtogetheronasofa，soplacedasregardedhispointofview，thathesawonlyinparttheshadowedprofilesofthefacestheyturnedtowardthepiano。Althoughitwasnotvisibletohim，thepostureoftheirshoulderstoldhimthattheywerelisteningtothemusiceachholdingtheother\'shand。

Thistacitembracewastypicalinhismindofthewaytheyhungtogether，thesetwoyoungwomen。Ithadbeenforceduponhisperceptionsalltheevening，thatthisfair-haired，beautiful，ratherstatelyLadyCressage，andthesmall，swarthy，round-shouldereddaughterofthehouse，peeringthroughherpince-nezfromunderundulythickblackbrows，formedapartyoftheirown。

Theirpolitenesstowardhimhadbeenasidenticalinallitslittleshadesofdistanceandreservationasiftheyhadbeengovernedfromasinglebrain-centre。Itwouldbeunfairtothemtoassumefromtheirmannerthattheydislikedhim，orwereevenunfavourablyimpressedbyhim。

Thefinesseofthatmannerwasfartoodelicateathingtocallintousesuchroughcharacterizations。Itwasrathertheiractionasaunitwhichpiquedhisinterest。

HethoughthecouldseethattheyuniteduponacommondemeanourtowardtheAmericangirl，althoughofcoursetheyknewhermuchbetterthantheyknewhim。ItwasnotevencleartohimthattherewerenottracesofthiscombinationintheirtonetowardPlowdenandtheHonourableBalder。

Thebondbetweenthemhadtwistedinitstrandsofsocialexclusiveness，andstrandsofsexsympathy。

Hedidnotanalyzeallthiswithmuchclosenessinhisthoughts，buttheimpressionsofitweredistinctenoughtohim。

Heratherenjoyedtheseimpressionsthanotherwise。

Womenhadnotofteninterestedhimconsecutivelytoanylargedegree，eitherindetailorasawhole。

Hehadformulated，amongotherloosegeneralnotionsofthem，however，theideathattheirfailuretostandbyoneanotherwasoneoftheirgravestweaknesses。

Thispropositionrosesuddenlynowinhismind，andclaimedhisattention。Itbecameapparenttohim，allatonce，thathisopinionsaboutwomenwouldbehenceforthinvestedwithanewimportance。Hehadscarcelybeforeinhislifeworneveningdressinadomesticcirclewhichincludedladies——certainlyneverinthepresenceofsuchcertificatedandhall-markedladiesasthese。

Hisfuture，however，wastobefilledwithexperiencesofthisnature。Already，afterthisbriefestofventuresintothenewlife，hefoundfreshconceptionsofthegreatsubjectspringingupinhisthoughts。Inthismatterofwomenstickingtogether，forexample——herebeforehiseyeswasoneoftheprettiestinstancesofitimaginable。

Ashelookedagainatthetwofiguresonthesofa，somarkedlyunlikeinoutwardaspect，yetknittoeachotherinsuchasisterlybond，hefoundthespectaclereallytouching。

LadyCressagehadinclinedherclassicprofileevenmoretowardthepiano。Thorpewasnotstirredatallbythemusic，butthespiritofitasitwasreflecteduponthisbeautifulfacialoutline——sensitive，high-spirited，somewhatsadwithal——appealedtosomethinginhim。

Hemovedforwardcautiously，noiselessly，adozenrestrictedpaces，andhaltedagainatthecornerofatable。

ItwasareliefthattheHonourableBalder，thoughhefollowedalong，respectednowhisobviouswishforsilence。

ButneitherBaldernoranyoneelsecouldguessthatthemusicsaidlessthannothingtohisears——thatitwasthefacethathadbeckonedhimtoadvance。

Covertly，withmomentaryassurancesthatnooneobservedhim，hestudiedthisfaceandmuseduponit。Thewhitecandle-lightontheshiningwallbeyondthreweverythingintoasoft，uniformshadow，thissideofthethreadofdarktracerywhichoutlinedforeheadandnoseandlipsandchin。

Itseemedtohimthattheeyeswereclosed，asinreverie；

hecouldnotbesure。

SoshewouldhavebeenaDuchessifherhusbandhadlived！Hesaidtohimselfthathehadneverseenbefore，orimagined，afacewhichbelongedsoindubitablybeneathatiaraofstrawberryleavesindiamonds。

Theprideandgraceandcomposure，yes，andmelancholy，ofthegreatlady——theywereallthereintheirsupremeexpression。Andyet——why，shewasnogreatladyatall。

ShewasthedaughterofhisoldGeneralKervick——thenecessitousandhaughtily-humbleoldmilitarygentleman，withthegreymoustacheandtheprematurefurcoat，whodidwhathewastoldontheBoardwithoutaquestion，forapitifulthreehundredayear。Yes——shewashisdaughter，andshealsowaspoor。Plowdenhadsaidso。

WhyhadPlowden，bytheway，beensokeenaboutrelievingherfromherfather\'simportunities？Hemusthavehaditverymuchatheart，tohaveinventedtheroundaboutplanofgettingtheoldgentlemanadirectorship。

Butno——therewasnothinginthat。Why，PlowdenhadevenforgottenthatitwashewhosuggestedKervick\'sname。

Itwouldhavebeenhissister，ofcourse，whowasevidentlysuchchumswithLadyCressage，whogavehimthehinttohelptheGeneraltosomethingifhecould。

Andwhenyoucametothinkofit，thesearistocratsandmilitarymenandsoon，hadnoothernotionofmakingmoneysavebydirectorships。Clearly，thatwasthewayofit。

PlowdenhadrememberedKervick\'sname，whenthechancearosetogivetheoldboyalegup，andthenhadcleanforgottenthecircumstance。TheepisoderatherincreasedhislikingforPlowden。

Heglancedbriefly，undertheimpulseofhisthought，towherethepeersat，orrathersprawled，inabiglowchairbeforethefire。Hewassonearlyrecumbentinit，indeed，thattherewasnothingtobeseenofhimbutanelbow，andtwoverytrimlegsextendedtothebrassfender。

Thorpe\'sgazerevertedautomaticallytothefaceofGeneralKervick\'sdaughter。HewonderedifsheknewabouttheCompany，andabouthim，andabouthisabilitytosolidifytoanyextentherfather\'sfinancialposition。

Evenmore，uponreflection，hewonderedwhethershewasveryfondofherfather；wouldshebeextremelygratefultoonewhoshouldrenderhimsecurelycomfortableforlife？MissMaddenrosefromthepianobeforeThorpenotedthatthemusichadceased。Therecamefromtheothersasoftbutferventchorusofexclamations，thesincerityandenthusiasmofwhichmadehimalittleashamed。

Hehadevidentlybeendeaftosomethingthatdeeplymovedtherest。EvenBaldermaderemarkswhichseemedtoberegardedasapposite。

"WhatISit？"askedLadyCressage，withobviousfeeling。

"Idon\'tknowwhenanythinghastouchedmesomuch。"

"OldDanishsongsthatIpickeduponthequaiinParisforafrancortwo，"repliedMissMadden。

"Iarrangedandharmonizedthem——and，oddlyenough，theresultisratherKeltic，don\'tyouthink？"

"WeareallofusKeltsinourwelcometomusic——andmusicians——likethis，"affirmedLordPlowden，whohadscrambledtohisfeet。

Withsuddenresolution，Thorpemovedforwardandjoinedtheconversation。