第3章

CHAPTERVI

THORPE\'Slife-longhabitofearlyrisingbroughthimdownstairsnextmorningbeforeanybodyelseinthehouse，apparently，wasastir。Atallevents，hesawnooneineitherthehallortheglassvestibule，ashewanderedabout。Bothdoorswerewideopen，however，tothemild，dampmorningair。

Hefoundononeoftheracksacapthatwaslessuncomfortablethantheothers，andsaunteredforthtolookabouthim。

Hisnerveswerebynomeansinsosereneastateashisreasontoldhimtheyoughttobe。Thedisquietingimpressionofbaddreamshungabouthim。Thewakinghour——alwaysaneviltimeforhimintheselatterdaysofanxiety——hadbeenthismorningapeculiarlydepressingaffair。Ithadseemedtohim，inthefirstminutesofrevivingconsciousness，thathewasahopelesslyruinedanddiscreditedman；

theillusionofdisasterhadbeen，indeed，socompleteandvividthat，evennow，morethananhourlater，hehadnotshakenoffitseffects。

Heappliedhismentalenergies，ashestrolledalongthegravelpaths，tothetaskofreassuringhimself。

Therewerestillelementsofchanceinthegame，ofcourse，butitwaseasyenough，hereinthedaylight，todemonstratethattheyhadbeencutdowntoaminimum——thatitwasnonsensetoborrowtroubleaboutthem。Hereviewedthesituationinpainstakingdetail，andateverypointitwasallright，orasnearlyallrightasanyhumanbusinesscouldbe。Hescoldedhimselfsharplyforthisfoolishsusceptibilitytotheintimidationofnightmares。

"LookatPlowden！"hebadehisdolorousspirit。

"Seehoweasyhetakesthings。"

ItwasundeniablethatLordPlowdentookthingsveryeasilyindeed。Hehadtalkedwitheloquenceandfeelingaboutthemiseriesandhumiliationsofapeerageinadequatelyendowedwithmoney，butnotracesofhissufferingswerevisibletoThorpe\'sobservanteye。Thenoblemanhimselflookedtheveryimageofcontentedprosperity——handsome，buoyant，light-hearted，and，withal，thebest-groomedmaninLondon。

Andthisancestralhomeofhis——orofhismother\'s，sinceheseemedtoinsistuponthedistinction——wherewereitssignsofastintedincome？Theplacewasoverrunwithservants。

Therewasahorsewhichcoveredadistanceofsomethingliketwomilesineightminutes。Insideandout，HadlowHousesuggestednothingbutassuredplenty。

Yetitsmastertoldthemostunvaryingtalesofpoverty，andnodoubttheywereinonesensetrue。Whathewishedtofixhismindupon，andtodrawstrengthforhimselffrom，wasthegaycouragewithwhichthesePlowdensbehavedasiftheywererich。

Thegroundsatthefrontofthehouse，hemmedinbyhighhedgesandtreesfromwhatseemedtobeapublicroadbeyond，werefairlyspacious，butthesleekdecorumoftheirarrangement，whileitpleasedhim，wasscarcelyinteresting。Helikedbettertostudythehouseitself，whichinthedaylightrevealeditselfashisidealofwhatahistoricEnglishcountry-houseoftheminorclassshouldbe。

Therehadbeenaperiodinhisyouthwhenarchitecturehadattractedhimgreatlyasofferingacongenialandlucrativecareer。Notmuchremainedtohimnowoftheclassificationsandphraseologywhichhehadgonetothetroubleofmemorizing，inthatfar-offtime，buthestilllookedatbuildingswithakindofprofessionalconsciousness。

HadlowHousesaidintelligiblethingstohim，andhewaspleasedwithhimselfforunderstandingthem。

Itwasnotnewinanypart，apparently，buttherewasnothingpretentiousinitsantiquity。Ithadneverbeenacastle，orafortifiedresidence。Noviolentalterationinhabitsorneedsdistinguisheditspresentoccupantsfromitsoriginalbuilders。Ithadbeenplannedandrearedasahomeforgentlepeople，atsomenot-too-remotedatewhenitwasalreadypossibleforgentlepeopletohavehomes，withoutfightingtodefendthem。

Onecouldfancythatitscalmandinfinitelycomfortablehistoryhadneverbeenruffledfromthatdaytothis。

Herecalledhavinghearditmentionedthepreviouseveningthatthehousestooduponthesiteofanoldmonastery。

Nodoubtthataccountedforitsbeingbuiltinahollow，withtheground-floorontheabsoluteleveloftheearthoutside。Themonkshadalwayschosentheselow-lyingshelteredspotsfortheircloisters。Whyshouldtheyhavedoneso？hewondered——andthencametoasuddenmentalstop，absorbedinasomewhatsurprisedcontemplationofanewversionofhimself。Hewasbecomingliterary，historical，bookish！Hismindhadbeguntothrowopenagain，toabstractthoughtsandmusings，itslong-closeddoors。

Hehadreadanddreamedsomuchasalad，intheoldbook-shop！Formanyyearsthatboyhoodofeagerconcernintheprintedpagehadseemedtohimtobelongtosomebodyelse。Now，allatonce，itcamebacktohimashisownpossession；hefeltthathecouldtakeupbooksagainwherehehaddroppedthem，perhapsevenwiththeoldrapt，intentzest。

Visionsrosebeforehimofthemagnificentlibraryhewouldgatherforhimself。Anditshouldbeinnowiseforshow——thegrossostentationoftheunletteredparvenu——butagenuinelibrary，whichshouldministertohisownindividualculture。Thethoughttookinstantholduponhisinterest。Bythatroad，hisprogresstothegoalofgentilitywouldbesmoothandsimple。Heseemednottohavereasoneditouttohimselfindetailbefore，butnow，atallevents，hesawhiswayclearlyenough。

Whyshouldhebetormentedwithdoubtsandmisgivingsabouthimself，asifhehadcomeoutofthegutter？

Whyindeed？Hehadpassedthrough——andwithcredit，too——oneofthegreatpublicschoolsofEngland。

Hehadbeenthereonafootingofperfectequality，sofarashesaw，withthesonsofaristocraticfamiliesorofgreatCitypotentates。Andastobirth，hehadbehindhimthreegenerationsatleastofscholarlymen，menwhoknewthecontents，aswellasthecommercialvalue，ofthebookstheyhandled。

Hisgrandfatherhadbeenamanofnoteinhiscalling。

ThetraditionofLordAlthorp\'sconfidenceinhim，andofhowherequiteditbysecuringCaxton\'s"GoldenLegend"

forthelibraryofthatdistinguishedcollector，undertheverynoseofhishotrival，theDukeofMarlborough，wastenderlycherishedasanheirloomintheoldshop。

AndThorpe\'sfather，too，thoughnosuchsingleachievementcrownedhismemory，hadbeentheadviserand，asonemightsay，thefriendofmanynotablewritersandpatronsofliterature。

Thesonofsuchforbearsneededonlymoneytoberecognizedbyeverybodyasagentleman。

Onhismother\'sside，nowthathethoughtofit，therewassomethingperhapsbetterstillthanaheritageoflibrarians\'craftandtastes。Hismother\'smaidennamewasStormont，andherememberedwellenoughthesolemnitywithwhichshehadalwaysalludedtothefact，inthecourseofdomesticdiscussions。WhotheStormontswerehecouldnotrecallthathehadeverlearned，buthismotherhadbeenveryclearindeedabouttheirsuperioritytotheusualruckofpeople。Hewouldaskhissisterwhethersheknewanythingaboutthem。

InthemeantimetherewasnodenyingthatStormontwasafine-soundingname。Hereflectedthatitwashisownmiddlename——and，ontheinstant，fancyengravedforhimacard-plateonwhichappearedthelegend——"Mr。StormontThorpe。"

Itwasaninspiration！"Joel"hehadnotusedforsomanyyearsthatnow，aftersixmonths\'familiaritywithitonhissister\'slips，hecouldnotgetaccustomedtoit。

Thecolourlessandnon-committalstyleof"J。S。Thorpe，"

underwhichhehadlivedsolong，hadbeenwellenoughforthetermofhisexile——thewearytimeofobscuretoilandsuspense。Butnow，inthissunburstofsmilingfortune，whenhehadachievedtherighttoanameofdistinction——hereitwasreadytohishand。Afleetingquestionastowhetherheshouldcarrythe"J"alongasaninitialputitselftohismind。Hedecidedvigorouslyagainstit。

Hehadalwayshadaprejudiceagainstmenwho，inthetransatlanticphrase，partedeithertheirhairortheirnamesinthemiddle。

Hehadmadehisunheedingwaypastthehousetothebeginningoftheavenueoftrees，whichherememberedfromthepreviousevening\'sdrive。Tohisright，anopenspaceofroadwayledoffinthedirectionofthestables。

Ashehesitated，inmomentarydoubtwhichcoursetotake，thesoundofhoofsintheavenuecaughthisear，andhestoodstill。Inamomenttherecameintoview，roundacurveintheleafydistance，twohorseswithriders，advancingatabriskcanter。Soonheperceivedthattheriderswereladies；theydrewreinastheyapproachedhim，andthenitwastobeseenthattheywerethepairhehadjudgedtobesuchclosefriendslastnight——LadyCressageandthedaughterofthehouse。

Theysmiledandnoddeddownathim，asheliftedhiscapandbowed。Theircheekswereglowingandtheireyessparklingwiththeexhilarationoftheirride。

EventheHon。Winifredlookedcomelyanddistinguishedinhiseyes，underthecharmofthisheightenedvivacity。

Sheseemedtocarryherselfbetterinthesaddlethanshedidoutofit；thesweepofherhabitbelowthestirruplentdignitytoherfigure。

Buthercompanion，whosebigchestnutmountwaspacingslowlytowardthestepping-block——howshouldhebringwithinthecompassofthoughttheimpressionshehadhadofherasshepassed？Thereseemedtohavebeennomemoryinhismindtopreparehimforthebeautyofthepictureshehadmade。

Slender，erect，exquisitely-tailored，shehadgonebylikesomequeeninapageant，graciousyetunapproachable。

Hestaredafterher，mutelybewilderedattheeffectsheproduceduponhim——untilhesawthatagroomhadrunfromthestable-yard，andwashelpingthedivinitytodismount。

Theangrythoughtthathemighthavedonethishimselfrosewithinhim——buttherefollowedswiftlyenoughtheansweringconvictionthathelackedthecourage。

Hedidnotevenadvancetoprofferhisservicestotheotheryounglady，whiletherewasstilltime。Thetruthwas，headmittedruefullytohimself，theyunnervedhim。

Hehadtalkedfreelyenoughtothem，orrathertothecompanyofwhichtheymadepart，thepreviousevening。Therehadbeenanhourormore，indeed，beforethepartybrokeup，inwhichhehadbornethelion\'sshareofthetalk——andtheyhadappearedasfranklyentertainedastheothers。

Infact，whenherecalledthecircleoffacestowhichhehadaddressedhismonologueofreminiscences——curiousexperiencesandadventuresinJavaandtheArgentine，inBrazilandtheAntillesandMexicoandthefarWest——itwasinthefaceofLadyCressagethatheseemedtodiscernthemostgenuineinterest。

Whyshouldshefrightenhim，then，bydaylight？Thewhimsicaltheorythatthewineatdinnerhadgivenhimaspuriouscourageoccurredtohim。Heshruggedhisshouldersatit，and，withhishandsinhispockets，turnedtowardthestables。

Thestable-yardis，fromsomepointsofview，theprettiestthingaboutHadlow。Thereisabig，uneven，grass-grownspace，inthecentreofwhich，fromaslightmound，springsanagedoakoftremendousgirthandheight。Allaroundthisenclosurearebuildingsofthesamepaleyellowishbrickasthemansionitself，butquaintlydifferingonefromanotherindesignandsize。

Stables，carriage-houses，kennels，alaundry，abrewery，andhalfadozenstructurestheintentionofwhichisnowsomewhatuncertain——someflat-topped，somegabled，otherswithturrets，ormassivegroupedchimneys，oroverhangingtimberedupperstories——formroundthisunkempt，shadowedgreenasortofvillage，withacommunalindividualityofitsown。

Aglanceshowsitsfeudalrelationto，anddependenceupon，thegreathousebehindwhichitnestles；

someoftheback-kitchensandofficesofthisgreathouse，indeed，straggleouttilltheymeetandmergethemselvesintothisquadrangle。Nonetheless，itpresentstotheenquiringgazeaspecificcharacter，ofasoldagrowth，onemightthink，astheoakitself。

Hereservantshavelived，itmaybe，sincemanfirstlearnedthetrickofsettinghisfootonhisbrother\'sneck。

Plainlyenough，themonks\'servantslivedandworkedhere；

halfthebuildingsonthesidenearestthehousebelongtotheirtime，andoneofthemstillbearsapartially-defacedcoatofarmsthatmusthavebelongedtoanAbbot。

Andwhenlaylordsucceededcleric，onlythegarbandvocabularyofservitudewerealteredinthissquare。

Itspopulationcrossedthemselvesless，andworkedmuchharder，buttheyremainedinaworldoftheirown，adjacentaudsubjecttotheworldoftheirmasters，yetseparatedfromitbyoh！suchcountlessandunthinkabledistances。

Thorpesaunteredalongthesideofthestables。

Hecountedthreemenandaboywhovisiblybelongedtothisdepartment。Thedog-cartofthepreviouseveninghadbeenrunoutuponthebrick-pavementwhichdrainedthestables，andglistenedwithexpensivesmartnessnowbeneaththespongeofoneofthehostlers。Undercover，hediscernedtwoothercarriages，andthereseemedtobeatleasthalfadozenhorses。Themenwho，inthehalfgloomoftheloose-boxes，werebusygroomingtheseanimalsmadeacuriouswhistlingnoiseastheyworked。

Everybodyintheyardtouchedaforelocktohimashepassed。

Fromthisquaint，old-worldenclosurehewanderedathisleisure，throughanopengateinthewallattheback，intothegardensbehindthehouse。Therewasnotmuchinthewayofflowerstolookat，buthemovedaboutquiteunconsciousofanydeprivation。Aclusterofgreenhouses，massedagainstthesouthernsideofthemansion，attractedhislistlessfancy，andhewalkedtowardwhatappearedtobeanentrancetothem。Thedoorwaslocked，buthefoundanotherfurtheronwhichopenedtohishand。

Theairwasveryhotandmoistinside，andtheplacewassofilledwithbroad-leaved，umbrageoustropicalplantsthathehadtostooptomakehiswaythroughtotheend。

Thenexthousehadamoretolerableatmosphere，andcontainedsomeblossomstowhichhegavemomentaryattention。

Inthethirdhouse，throughtheglass-door，hecouldseeaman——evidentlyagardener——liftingsomepotstoashelfoverhead。

Thethoughtoccurredtohimthatbyenteringintoconversationwiththisman，hemightindirectlyobtainahintastotheusualbreakfast-houratHadlow。Itwasnownearlyteno\'clock，andhewasgettingveryhungry。

Wouldtheynotringabell，orsoundagong，orsomething？

hewondered。Perhapstherehadbeensomesuchsummons，andhehadnotheardit。Itmightbetheintelligentthingforhimtoreturntothehouse，atallevents，andsitinthehallwheretheservantscouldseehim，incasethemealwasinprogress。

Lookingidlythroughtheglassatthegardener，meanwhile，itsuddenlydawneduponhimthatthefaceandfigurewerefamiliar。Hestaredmoreintentlyattheman，castingaboutinhismemoryforacluetohisidentity。

ItcametohimthatthepersonhehadinmindwasafellownamedGafferson，whohadkeptanimpoverishedanddown-at-the-heelssortofhotelandgeneralstoreontheroadfromBelizetoBoonTown，inBritishHonduras。

Yes，itundoubtedlywasGafferson。Whatonearthwashedoinghere？Thorpegavebutbriefconsiderationtothisproblem。Itwasofmoreimmediateimportancetorecallthecircumstancesofhiscontactwiththeman。

HehadmadeGafferson\'spoorshantyofanhotelhisheadquartersforthebetterpartofamonth——thebaseofsuppliesfromwhichhemadenumerousprospectingtoursintothemountainsoftheinterior。Hadhepaidhisbillonleaving？Yes，therewasnodoubtaboutthat。

Hecouldevenrecallacertainpityfortheunbusiness-likescaleofcharges，andthelackofperceptionofopportunity，whichcharacterizedthebillinquestion。HerememberednowhisimpressionthatGaffersonwouldneverdoanygood。

Itwouldbeinterestingtoknowwhatkindofanimpressionhe，inturn，hadproducedonhisthriftlesshost。Atanyrate，therewasnogoodreasonwhyheshouldnotfindout。

Heopenedthedoorandwentin。

Thegardenerbarelylookedupfromhisoccupation，anddrewasidetoletthenewcomerpasswithnosignofagesturetowardhiscap。Thorpehalted，andtriedtolookatthepotsonthestagingasifheknewaboutsuchthings。

"Whatareyoudoing？"heasked，inthetentativetoneofonewhoisinnoneedofinformation，butdesirestobeaffable。

"Dryingoffthefirstlotofgloxinias，"answeredtheother。

"Somepeopleput\'emontheirsides，butIlike\'emupright，closetotheglass。Itstandstoreason，ifyouthinkaboutit。"

"Why，certainly，"saidThorpe，withconviction。

InhismindhecontrastedtheindependenceofGafferson\'smannerwiththepractisedservilityofthestable-yard——

andthoughtthathelikedit——andthenwasnotsosure。

Heperceivedthattherewasnorecognitionofhim。

Thegardener，asfurtherdesultoryconversationabouthisworkprogressed，lookedhisinterlocutorfullintheface，butwithaplacid，sheep-likegazewhichseemedtobeentirelyinsensibletovariationsinthehumanspecies。

"HowdidyouevergetbackheretoEngland？"Thorpewasemboldenedtoaskatlast。Incommentupontheother\'sstareofpuzzledenquiry，hewenton："You\'reGafferson，aren\'tyou？Ithoughtso。WhenIlastsawyou，youwererunningasortofhalf-wayhouse，t\'othersideofBelize。

Thatwasin\'90。"

Gafferson——athick-set，squatmanofmiddleage，withastragglingreddishbeard——turneduponhimatranquilbutuninformedeye。"IsupposeyouwouldhavebeenstoppingatGovernmentHouse，"heremarked。"ThatwasinSirRogerGoldsworthy\'stime。Theyusedtocomeoutoftentoseemyflowers。Andsoyourememberedmyname。

IsupposeitwasbecauseoftheGaffersonianahybrids。

Therewasagoodbitinthepapersaboutthemlastspring。"

Thorpenoddedanassentwhichitseemedbetternottoputintowords。"Well，itbeatsall，"hemusedaloud。

"Why，man，there\'sgoldinthosemountains！Youhadaninsidetrackonprospecting，placedasyouwere。Andthere\'scocoa——andsomedaythey\'llcoinmoneyinrubber，too。

Allthatcountry\'swaitingforisbettercommunications。

Andyouwereonthespot，andknewallthelayoftheland——andyethereyouarebackinEngland，gettingsomuchamonthformessingaboutinthemud。"

Hesawswiftlythathisreflectionshadcarriedhimbeyondhisearlierlimit，andwithrapiditydecideduponfrankness。

"No，Iwasn\'tintheGovernor\'soutfitatall。Iwaslookingforgoldthen——withoccasionallyaneyeonrubber。

Istoppedatyourplace。Don\'tyourememberme？Myname\'sThorpe。Ihadabeardthen。Why，man，youandoneofyourniggerswerewithmethreeorfourdaysonce，upontheridgebeyondtheBurntHills——why，youremember，theniggerwasfromSanDomingo，andhewasforeverbraggingabouttheSanDomingopeppers，andsayingthoseonthemainlandhadn\'tenoughstrengthtomakeababywrinklehisnose，andyoufoundapeppercomingthroughtheswamp，andyoutippedmethewink，andyouhandedthatpeppertothenigger，anditdamnednearkilledhim。

Hell！Youmustrememberthat！"

"ThatwouldhavebeentheChavicapertusum，"saidGafferson，thoughtfully。Heseemedtorousehimselftoaninterestinthestoryitselfwithsomedifficulty。"Yes——Irememberit，"

headmitted，finally。"Ishouldn\'thaveknownyouthough。

I\'mtheworstintheworldaboutrememberingpeople。

Itseemstobegrowingonme。InoticethatwhenIgouptoLondontotheshows，Idon\'trememberthementhatIhadthelongesttalkswiththetimebefore。

Onceyougetwrappedupinyourflowers，you\'vegotnoroominyourheadforanythingelse——that\'sthewayofit。"

Thorpeconsideredhimwitharuminatingeye。"Sothisisthesortofthingyoureallylike，eh？You\'dratherbedoingthis，eh？thanmakingyourpileinlogwoodandmahoganyoutthere，orfloatingagoldmine？"Gaffersonansweredquitesimply："Iwasn\'tthekindtoevermakeapile。

IgotledintogoingouttherewhenIwasayoungster，andtheredidn\'tseemtobeanygoodintryingtogetback，butIwasn\'tmakingmorethanabarelivingwhenyouwerethere，andafterthatIdidn\'tevendothatmuch。

Ittookmeagoodmanyyearstofindoutwhatmyrealfancywas。Ihatedmyhotelandmystore，butIwascrazyaboutmygarden。FinallyanAmericangentlemancamealongoneday，andheputupatmyplace，andhesawthatIwasasnearruinedastheymake\'em，andhesaystome，\'You\'renogoodtorunahotel，noryetastore，andthisaintyourcountryforacent。

Whatyou\'rebornforistogrowflowers。Youcan\'taffordtodoithere，becausenobody\'llpayyouforit，butyougatherupyourseedsandrootsandsoon，andcomealongwithmetoAtlanta，Georgia，andI\'llputfatonyourbones。\'

"That\'swhathesaidtome，andItookhimathisword，andIwaswithhimtwoyears，andthenIthoughtI\'dliketocometoEngland，andsincethenI\'veworkedmywayuphere，tillnowItakeaRoyalHorticulturalmedalregular，andthere\'saclematiswithsalmon-colouredbarsthat\'llbeinthemarketnextspringthat\'snamedaftermymaster。

AndwhatcouldIaskmore\'nthat？"

"Quiteright，"saidThorpe。"Whattimedotheyhavebreakfasthere？"

Thegardener\'sround，phlegmatic，floridcountenancehadtakenonamildglowofanimationduringhisnarrative。

Itrelapsedintolethargyattheadventofthisnewtopic。

"Itseemstometheyeatatallhours，"hesaid。

"ButifyouwanttoseehisLordship，"hewenton，considering，"aboutnoonwouldbeyourbesttime。"

"SeehisLordship！"repeatedThorpe，withanimpatientgrin。

"WhyI\'maguesthereinthehouse。AllIwantissomethingtoeat。"

"Aguest，"Gaffersonrepeatedinturn，slowly。Therewasnothingunpleasantintheintonation，andThorpe\'ssharpglancefailedtodetectanytraceofoffensiveintentioninhiscompanion\'sfatuousvisage。YetitseemedtopassbetweenthetwomenthatGaffersonwassurprised，andthattherewereabundantgroundsforhissurprise。

"Why，yes，"saidThorpe，withasmuchnonchalanceashecouldsummon，"yourmasterisoneofmydirectors。

I\'vetakenafancytohim，andI\'mgoingtomakearichmanofhim。Hewaskeenaboutmyseeinghisplacehere，andkepturgingmetocome，andsofinallyI\'vegotawayoverSundaytoobligehim。Bytheway——Ishallbuyanestateinthecountryassoonastherightthingoffers，andIshallwanttosetupnoendofgardensandgreenhousesandallthat。IseethatIcouldn\'tcometoabettermanthanyouforadvice。IdaresayI\'llputthewholearrangementofitinyourhands。You\'dlikethat，wouldn\'tyou？"

"WhateverhisLordshipagreesto，"thegardenerreplied，sententiously。Heturnedtothestaging，andtookuponeofthepots。

Thorpeswungonhisheel，andmovedbrisklytowardthefurtherdoor，whichhecouldseeopeneduponthelawn。

Hewasconsciousofannoyancewiththismoon-faced，dawdlingGafferson，whohadbeenaffordedsuchasplendidchanceofprofitingbyanoldacquaintanceship——itmightevenbecalled，asthingswentinHonduras，afriendship——andwhohadsoclumsilyfailedtorisetothesituation。

Thebitterthoughtofgoingbackandgivinghimahalf-crownroseinThorpe\'sinventivemind，andhepausedforaninstant，hishandonthedoor-knob，tothinkitover。

ThegratuitywouldcertainlyputGaffersoninhisplace，butthenthespiritinwhichitwasofferedwouldbewhollylostonhisdullbrain。Andmoreover，wasitsocertainthathewouldtakeit？Hehadnotsaid"sir"once，andhehadtalkedaboutmedalswiththeprideofascientist。

Theruleswereoverwhelminglyagainstagardenerrejectingatip，ofcourse，butiftherewasnomorethanonechanceintwentyofit，Thorpedecidedthathecouldnotaffordtherisk。

Hequittedthegreenhousewithresolution，anddirectedhisstepstowardthefrontofthemansion。Asheenteredthehall，aremarkablytunefulandresonantchimefilledhisearswithnovelmusic。Helookedandsawthatawhite-capped，neatly-claddomestic，standingwithherbacktohimbesidethenewel-postofthestairs，wasbeatingoutthetunewithtwopaddedsticksuponsomestripsofmetalrangedonastandofIndianworkmanship。Thesoundwasdelightful，butevenmoresowastheimplicationthatitbetokenedbreakfast。

Withinspiration，hedrewforththehalf-crownwhichhehadbeenfingeringinhispocket，andgaveittothegirlassheturned。"That\'sthekindofconcertIlike，"

hedeclared，bestowingthepatronageofajovialsmileuponherpleasedandcomelyface。"Showmethewaytothisbreakfastthatyou\'vebeenserenadingabout。"

Outinthegreenhouse，meanwhile，Gaffersoncontinuedtoregardblanklytheshrivelled，fattyleavesoftheplanthehadtakenup。"Thorpe，"hesaidaloud，asifaddressingthetabidgloxinia——"Thorpe——yes——I

rememberhisinitials——J。S。Thorpe。Now，who\'sthemanthattoldmeabouthim？andwhatwasithetoldme？"

CHAPTERVII

THEexperiencesofthebreakfastroomwereveryagreeableindeed。

Thorpefoundhimselftheonlymanpresent，and，afterthefirstfewminutesofembarrassmentatthisdiscovery，itfilledhimwithsurpriseddelighttonotehowperfectlyhewasathisease。Hecouldneverhaveimaginedhimselfseatedwithfourladiesatatable——threeofthem，moreover，ladiesoftitle——anddoingitallsowell。

Foronething，theladiesthemselveshadamorningmanner，sotospeak，whichdifferedwidelyfromtheimpressionshehadhadoftheirdeportmentthepreviousevening。

Theyseemednowtobeassimpleandfreshandnaturalastheunadornedfrockstheywore。Theylistenedwithanairofgood-fellowshiptohimwhenhespoke；theysmiledattherightplaces；theyactedasiftheylikedhim，andweregladofhiscompany。

Thesatisfiedconvictionthathewastalkingwell，andbehavingwell，accompaniedhiminhisprogressthroughthemeal。Hisconfessionattheoutsetofhisgreathunger，andofthesinisterapprehensionswhichhadassailedhiminhisloiteringwalkabouttheplace，provedamostfortuitousbeginning；afterthat，theywerereadytoregardeverythinghesaidasamusing。

"Oh，whenwe\'rebyourselves，"thekindlylittleoldhostessexplainedtohim，"mydaughterandIbreakfastalwaysatnine。Thatwasourhouryesterdaymorning，forexample。Butwhenmysonishere，thenit\'sfarewelltoregularity。Weputbreakfastbacktillten，then，asakindofcompromisebetweenourownearlyhabitsandhislackofanysortofhabits。WhywedoitI

couldn\'tsay——becausehenevercomesdowninanyevent。

HesleepssowellatHadlow——andyouknowintownhesleepsveryillindeed——andsowedon\'tdreamofcomplaining。

We\'reonlytooglad——forhissake。"

"AndBalder，"commentedthesister，"he\'sasbadtheotherway。

Hegetsupatsomeunearthlyhour，andhashisteaandasandwichfromthestill-room，andgoesoffwithhisrodorhisgunorthedogs，andweneverseehimtillluncheon。"

"I\'vebeenonthepointofaskingsomanytimes，"

MissMaddeninterposed——"isBalderafamilyname，orisitaftertheVikinginMatthewArnold\'spoem？"

"Itwashisfather\'schoice，"LadyPlowdenmadeanswer。

"IthinktheVikingexplanationistherightone——itcertainlyisn\'tineitherfamily。Ican\'tsaythatitattractedmemuch——atfirst，youknow。"

"Oh，butitfitshimsosplendidly，"saidLadyCressage。

"Helooksthepart，astheysay。Ialwaysthoughtitwasthebestofallthesoldiernames——andyouhaveonlytolookathimtoseethathewaspredestinedforasoldierfromhiscradle。"

"IwishtheSandhurstpeoplewouldhaveagoodlonglookathim，then，"putinthemotherwithearnestnessunderlyingthejestofhertone。"Thepoorboywillneverpassthoseexamsintheworld。ItISridiculous，ashisfatheralwayssaid。Ifthereeverwasamanwhowasmadeforasoldier，it\'sBalder。He\'sagentleman，andhe\'sconnectedbytraditionwiththeArmy，andhe\'smadabouteverythingmilitary——andsurelyhe\'sascleverasanybodyelseateverythingexceptthatwretchedmatterofbooks，andeventhereit\'sonlyadefectofmemory——andyetthatsufficestopreventhisservinghisQueen。

AndalloverEnglandthereareyounggentlemenlikethat——theverypickofthehunting-fields，strongandbraveaslions，fittoleadmenanywhere，theverymenEnglandwantstohavefightingherbattles——andtheycan\'tgetplacesintheArmybecause——whatwasitBaldercametogriefoverlasttime？——becausetheycan\'trememberwhetherit\'sIspahanorTeheranthat\'sthecapitalofPersia。

"Theyarethefineoldsortthatwouldgoandcapturebothplacesatthepointofthebayonet——andfindouttheirnamesafterward——butitseemsthat\'snotwhattheArmywantsnowadays。Whatisdesirednowissuperiorclerks，andsecretariesandprofessorsoflanguages——andmuchgoodtheywilldouswhenthetimeoftroublecomes！"

"Thenyouthinkthepurchase-systemwasbetter？"

askedtheAmericanlady。"Italwaysseemedtomethatthatmusthaveworkedsocuriously。"

"Preferit？"saidLadyPlowden。"Athousandtimesyes！Myhusbandmadeoneofthebestspeechesinthedebateonit——onedoIsay？——firstandlasthemusthavemadeadozenofthem。IfanythingcouldhavekepttheHouseofLordsfirm，inthefaceofthewretchedRadicaloutcry，itwouldhavebeenthosespeeches。

Hepointedoutalltheevilsthatwouldfollowthechange。

Youmighthavecalleditprophetic——thewayheforesawwhatwouldhappentoBalder——ornotBalderinparticular，ofcourse，butthatwholeclassofyounggentlemen。

"Ashesaid，youhaveonlytoaskyourselfwhatkindofpeoplethelowerclassesnaturallylookuptoandobeyandfollow。WilltheybeorderedaboutbyamansimplybecauseheknowsGreekandLatinandHebrew？Dotheyrespectthevillageschoolmaster，forexample，onaccountofhislearning？Notintheveryslightest！Onthecontrary，theyregardhimwiththegreatestcontempt。

Themantheywillserveisthemanwhosebirthgiveshimtherighttocommandthem，orelsethemanwithmoneyinhispocketstomakeitworththeirwhile。Thesetwoaretheonlyleaderstheyunderstand。Andifthat\'struehereinEngland，intimesofpeace，amongourownpeople，howmuchtruermustitbeofoursoldiers，awayfromEngland，inatimeofwar？"

"But，mamma，"theHon。Winifredintervened，"don\'tyouseehowbadlythatmightworknowadays？nowthatthegoodfamilieshavesolittlemoney，andallthefortunesareinthehandsofstockjobbingpeople——andsoon？ItwouldbeTHEIRsonswhowouldbuyallthecommissions——andI\'msureBalderwouldn\'tgetonatallwiththatlot。"

LadyPlowdenansweredwithdecisionandgreatpromptness。

"Youseesolittleoftheworld，Winniedear，thatyoudon\'tgetveryclearideasofitsmovements。

ThepeoplewhomakefortunesinEnglandareeverywhitasimportanttoitswelfareasthosewhoinheritnames，andindividuallyI\'msuretheyareoftenmuchmoredeserving。

Everygenerationsniffsatitsnouveauxriches，butbythenexttheyhavebecomemergedinthearistocracy。

Itisn\'tanewthinginEnglandatall。Ithasalwaysbeenthatway。Two-thirdsofthepeeragehavetheirstartfromawealthymerchant，orsomeotherpersonwhomadeafortune。Theyarereallytheback-boneofEngland。

Youshouldkeepthatalwaysinmind。"

"Ofcourse——Iseewhatyoumean"——Winniereplied，herdarkcheekflushingfaintlyunderthetacitreproof。

Shehadpassedhertwenty-fifthbirthday，buthervoicehadinitthedocileself-repressionofaschool-girl。Shespokewithdiffidentslowness，hergazefasteneduponherplate。

"Ofcourse——mygrandfatherwasalawyer——andyourpointisthatmerchants——andotherswhomakefortunes——wouldbethesame。"

"Precisely，"saidLadyPlowden。"Anddotellus，Mr。Thorpe"——sheturnedtowardwherehesatatherrightandbeamedathimoverherspectacles，withtheairofhavingbeenweariedwithaconversationinwhichheborenopart——"isitreallytruethatsocialdiscontentisbecomingmoremarkedinAmerica，even，thanitiswithusinEngland？"

"I\'mnotanAmerican，youknow，"heremindedher。

"Ionlyknowoneortwosectionsofthecountry——andthoseonlyasastranger。YoushouldaskMissMadden。"

"Me？"saidCelia。"Oh，Ihaven\'tcomeupformyexaminationsyet。I\'mlikeBalder——I\'mpreparing。"

"WhatIshouldlikeMr。Thorpetotellus，"

suggestedLadyCressage，mildly，"isabouttheflowersinthetropics——inJava，forexample，orsomeoftheWestIndies。Onehearssuchmarveloustalesaboutthem。"

"Speakingofflowers，"Thorpesuddenlydecidedtomentionthefact；

"Imetoutinoneofthegreenhousesherethismorning，anoldacquaintanceofmine，thegardener，Gafferson。

ThelasttimeIsawhim，hewasrunningtheworsthotelintheworldintheworstcountryintheworld——

outinBritishHonduras。"

"Buthe\'sawonderfulgardener，"saidLadyCressage。

"He\'samagician；hecandowhathelikeswithplants。

It\'sratherahobbyofmine——orusedtobe——andIneversawhisequal。"

ThorpetoldthemaboutGafferson，inthatforlornenvironmentontheBelizeroad，andhissuccessinmakingthemlaughdrewhimontootherpicturesofthedrollsideoflifeamongthemisfitsofadventure。

Theladiesvisiblydalliedovertheirtea-cupstolistentohim；thecharmofhavingthemalltohimself，andofholdingthemininterestedentertainmentbyhisdiscourse——theseladiesofsupremelyrefinedassociationsandposition——seemedtoprovideaninspirationofitsown。

Hecouldhearthathisvoicewasautomaticallymodulatingitselftotheircriticalears。Hislanguagewasproducingitselfwithasmuchdelicacyofselectionasifitcameoutofabook——andyetpreservingthesavourofquaint，outlandishidiomwhichhislistenersclearlyliked。

UpontheinstantwhenLadyPlowden\'sgatheringofskirts，andglanceacrossthetable，warnedhimthattheyweretorise，hesaiddeliberatelytohimselfthatthishadbeenthemostenjoyableepisodeofhiswholelife。

Therewerecigarboxesonthefineoldoakmantel，outinthehall，andWinnieindicatedthemtohimwiththeobvioussuggestionthathewasexpectedtosmoke。

Helookedheroverashelithiscigar——whereshestoodspreadingherhandsabovetheblazeofthelogs，andconcludedthatshewasmuchniceruponacquaintancethanhehadthought。Herslightfiguremightnotbebeautiful，butbeyonddoubtitslineswereladylike。

Thesameextenuatingwordapplieditselfinhismindtoherthinandswarthy，thoughdistinguished，features。

Theyborethestampofcaste，andsodidthewayshelookedatonethroughhereye-glasses，fromunderthoseover-heavyblackeyebrows，holdingherheadalittletooneside。

Thoughitwaseasyenoughtoguessthatshehadaspiritofherown，hergentle，almostanxious，deferencetohermotherhadshownthatshehaditunderadmirablecontrol。

Hehadreadaboutherinapeerageathissister\'sbook-shopthepreviousday。Unfortunatelyitdidnotgiveherage，butthatwasnotsoimportant，afterall。

ShewasstyledHonourable。ShewasthedaughterofoneViscountandthesisterofanother。HergrandfatherhadbeenanEarl，andthebookhadshownhertopossessabewilderingnumberofrelationshipsamongtitledfolks。

Allthiswasveryinterestingtohim——andsomewhatsuggestive。

Vague，shapelesshintsatprojectsroseinhisbrainashelookedather。

"I\'mafraidyouthinkmybrotherhasoddnotionsofentertaininghisguests，"sheremarkedtohim，overhershoulder。Theotherladieshadnotjoinedthem。

"Oh，I\'mallright，"heprotestedcordially。"Ishouldhatetohavehimputhimselfoutintheslightest。"

Uponconsiderationheadded："Isupposehehasgivenuptheideaofshootingto-day。"

"Ithinknot，"sheanswered。"Thekeeperwasaboutthismorning，thatis——andhedoesn\'toftencomeunlesstheyaretogooutwiththeguns。Isupposeyouareveryfondofshooting。"

"Well——I\'vedonesome——inmytime，"Thorpereplied，cautiously。

ItdidnotseemnecessarytoexplainthathehadyettofirehisfirstgunonEnglishsoil。"It\'sagoodmanyyears，"

hewenton，"sinceIhadthetimeandopportunitytodomuchatit。IthinkthelastshootingIdidwasalligators。

Youhit\'emintheeye，youknow。ButwhatkindofahandIshallmakeofitwithashot-gun，Ihaven\'ttheleastidea。IstheshootingroundIhereprettygood？"

"Idon\'tthinkit\'sanythingremarkable。PlowdensaysmybrotherBalderkillsallthebirdsoffeveryseason。

Balder\'sbywayofbeingacrack-shot，youknow。

Therearesomepheasants，though。Wesawthemflyingwhenwewereoutthismorning。"

Thorpewonderedifitwouldbepossibletoconsultheruponthequestionofapparel。Clearly，heoughttomakesomedifferenceinhisgarb，yetthementalvisionofhim-selfinthoseoldMexicanclothesrevealeditselfnowasridiculouslyimpossible。Hemusthavebeenoutofhismindtohaveconceivedanythingsopreposterousasrigginghimselfout，amongthesepolishedpeople，likeacow-puncherdownonhisluck。

"Iwonderwhenyourbrotherwillexpecttostart，"

hebegan，uneasily。"PerhapsIoughttogoandgetready。"

"Ah，herecomeshisman，"remarkedthesister。

Around-faced，smooth-manneredyoungster——whomThorpediscoveredtobewearingcord-breechesandleatherleggingsashedescendedthestairs——advancedtowardhimandprefacedhismessagebytheinvariablesalutation。

"HisLordshipwillbedown，sir，intenminutes——andhehopesyou\'llbeready，sir，"thevaletsaid。

"SendPangbourntothisgentleman\'sroom，"MissWinniebadehim，andwithagestureofcomprehensivesubmissionhewentaway。

ThecalmreadinesswithwhichshehadprovidedasolutionforhisdifficultiesimpressedThorpegreatly。

ItwouldneverhaveoccurredtohimthatPangbournwastheanswertotheproblemofhisclothes，yethowobviousithadbeentoher。Theseoldfamiliesdidsomethingmorethanfilltheirhouseswithservants；

theymasteredtheartofmakingtheseservantsanintegralpartofthemachineryofexistence。Fancyhavingamantodoallyourthinkingaboutclothesforyou，andthendressyou，intothebargain。Oh，itwasallsplendid。

"Itseemsthatwe\'regoingshooting，"Thorpefoundhimselfexplaining，afewmomentslaterinhisbedroom，totheattentivePangbourn。Hedecidedtothrowhimselfwithfranknessuponthedomestic\'sresourcefulgood-feeling。

"Ihaven\'tbroughtanythingforshootingatall。SomehowI

gottheideaweweregoingtodoroughridinginstead——andsoIfetchedalongsomeoldMexicanriding-clothesthatmakemefeelmoreathomeinthesaddlethananythingelsewould。

Youknowhowfondamangetsofold，loosethingslikethat。

Butaboutthisshooting——Iwantyoutofixmeout。

WhatdoIneed？Justsomebreechesandleggings，eh？Youcanmanagethemforme，can\'tyou？"

Pangbourncouldanddid——anditwasuponhisadvicethattheMexicanjacketwasutilizedtocompletetheout-fit。Itsshapewasbeyonddoubtuncommon，butithadbigpockets，anditlookedlikebusiness。Thorpe，asheglancedupanddownhisimageinthetallmirrorofthewardrobe，feltthathemustkillalargenumberofbirdstojustifytheeffectofpitilessproficiencywhichthisjacketlenttohisappearance。

"Wewillfindacapbelow，sir，"Pangbournannounced，withserenity，andThorpe，whohadbeententativelyfingeringthebig，flaringsombrero，thrustitbackuponitspegasifithadprovedtoohottohandle。

Downstairsinthehalltherewasmorewaitingtobedone，andtherewasnobodynowtobearhimcompany。Helitanothercigar，triedonvariouscapstillhefoundaleathernonetosuithim，andthendawdledabouttheroomandtheadjoiningconservatoryforwhatseemedtohimmorethanhalfanhour。Thisphaseofthearistocraticroutine，hefelt，didnotcommenditselfsowarmlytohimasdidsomeothers。

Everybodyelse，however，seemedtoregarditassowhollyamatterofcoursethatPlowdenshoulddoasheliked，thatheforboreformulatingacomplainteventohimself。

Atlast，thisnobleman\'svaletdescendedthestairsoncemore。"HisLordshipwillbedownveryshortlynow，sir，"hedeclared——"andwillyoubegoodenoughtocomeintothegun-room，sir，andseethekeeper？"

Thorpefollowedhimthroughadoorwayunderthestaircase——theexistenceofwhichhehadnotsuspected——intoabare-lookingapartmentfittedlikeapantrywithshelves。

Afterthesemi-gloomofthehall，itwasalmostglaringlylighted。Thewindowsandanotherdooropened，hesaw，uponacourtconnectedwiththestable-yard。

Bythisentrance，nodoubt，hadcomethekeeper，asmall，brown-faced，brown-clothedmanofmatureyears，withthestrapofapouchoverhisshoulder，whostoodlookingatthecontentsoftheshelves。HemechanicallysalutedThorpeinturn，andthenresumedhisoccupation。

Therewerenumerousguncasesonthelowershelf，andmanyboxesandbagsabove。

"DidhisLordshipsaywhatgun？"thekeeperdemandedofthevalet。Hehadabright-eyed，intentglance，andhistoneconveyedasenseofsomebroad，impersonal，out-of-doorsdisdainforliveriedhouse-men。

Thevalet，standingbehindThorpe，shruggedhisshouldersandeloquentlyshookhishead。

"Doyoulikean\'ammerless，sir？"thekeeperturnedtoThorpe。

Tohisintensehumiliation，Thorpecouldnotmakeoutthemeaningofthequery。"Oh，anything\'lldoforme，"

hesaid，awkwardlysmiling。"It\'syearssinceI\'veshot——I

daresayonegun\'llbequitethesameasanothertome。"

Hefelttheknowingbrighteyesofthekeepertakingallhismeasurementsasasportsman。"You\'ddobestwith\'B，\'sir，Ifancy，"thefunctionarydecidedatlast，andhiswayofsayingitgaveThorpethenotionthat"B"

mustbetheweaponthatwasreservedforschool-boys。

Hewatchedtheoperationofputtingtheguntogether，andthentookit，andlaiditoverhisarm，andfollowedthevaletoutintothehallagain，indignifiedsilence。

Tothekeeper\'sremark——"Mr。Balderhasitsmatewithhimtoday，sir，"hegaveonlyarestrainednod。

TherewereevennowwholeminutestowaitbeforeLordPlowdenappeared。Hecamedownthestairsthenwiththebrisk，ratherimpatientairofabusymanwhoseplansareembarrassedbytheunpunctualityofothers。Hewasfullyattired，hob-nailedshoes，leggings，leathercoatandcap，gloves，scarfroundhisthroatandall——andhebehavedasiftherewasnotaminutetolose。HehadbarelytimetoshakeperfunctorilythehandThorpeofferedhim，andutteranabsent-minded"Howareyouthismorning？"

Tothevalet，whohurriedforwardtoopentheouterdoor，bearinghismaster\'sgunandacamp-stool，hesaidreproachfully，"Weareverylatetoday，Barnes。"Theywentout，andbeganstridingdowntheavenueoftreesatsuchapacethatthekeeperandhisfollowingofsmallboysanddogs，whojoinedthemneartheroad，wereforcedintoatrottokeepupwithit。

Thorpehadfancied，somehow，thataday\'sshootingwouldaffordexceptionalopportunitiesforquietandintimatetalkwithhishost，butheperceivedverysoonthatthiswasnottobethecase。Theywalkedtogetherforhalfamile，itistrue，alongaruralbye-roadfirstandthenacrosssomefields，butthepartywascloseattheirheels，andPlowdenwalkedsofastthatconversationofanysort，saveanoccasionalremarkaboutthebirdsandthecoversbetweenhimandthekeeper，wasimpracticable。

TheHon。Baldersuddenlyturnedupinthelandscape，leaningagainstagatesetinahedgerow，andtheircoursewasdeflectedtowardhim，butevenwhentheycameuptohim，theexpeditionseemedtogainnothingofasocialcharacter。

Thefewcurtwordsthatwereexchanged，astheyhaltedheretodistributecartridgesandholdbriefconsultation，boreexclusivelyuponthesubjectinhand。

ThekeeperassumednowanauthoritywhichThorpe，breathingheavilyovertheunwontedexerciseandhopingfornothingsomuchasthattheywouldhenceforthtakethingseasy，thoughtintolerable。Hewasamazedthatthetwobrothersshouldtakewithoutcavilthearbitraryordersofthiselderlypeasant。HebadeLordPlowdenproceedtoacertainpointinonedirection，andthatnobleman，followedbyhisvaletwiththegunandthestool，setmeeklyoffwithoutaword。Balder，withequaldocility，vaultedthegate，andmovedawaydownthelaneatthebiddingofthekeeper。Neitherofthemhadintervenedtomitigatethedestinyoftheirguest，ordisplayedanyinterestastowhatwasgoingtobecomeofhim。

Thorpesaidtohimselfthathedidnotlikethis——andthoughafterward，whenhehadalsoclimbedthegateandtakenuphisstationunderaclumpoftreesattheautocrat\'sbehest，hestrovetosoothehisruffledfeelingsbytheargumentthatitwasprobablytheabsolutelycorrectdeportmentforashootingparty，hismindremainedunconvinced。

Moreover，inpartingfromhim，thekeeperhaddroppedabluntinjunctionaboutfiringupordownthelane，thetoneevenmorethanthematterofwhichnettledhim。

Tocapall，whenhepresentlyventuredtostrollaboutalittlefromthespotonwhichhehadbeenplanted，hecaughtaglimpseagainsttheskylineofthedistantLordPlowden，comfortablyseatedonthestoolwhichhisvalethadbeencarrying。ItseemedtoThorpeatthatmomentthathehadneverwantedtositdownsomuchbeforeinhislife——andheturnedonhisheelinthewetgrasswithagruntofdispleasure。

Thismoodvanishedutterlyafewmomentslater。

Theremotesoundshadbeguntocometohim，ofboysshoutinganddogsbarking，intherecessesofthestripofwoodlandwhichthelaneskirted，andatthesehehastenedbacktohispost。Itdidnotseemtohimagoodplace，andwhenheheardthereportsofgunstorightandleftofhim，andnothingcamehisway，helikeditlessthanever；ithadbecomeamatterofoffendedpridewithhim，however，torelievethekeeperofnoatomoftheresponsibilityhehadtakenuponhimself。

IfLordPlowden\'sguesthadnosport，theblameforitshouldrestuponLordPlowden\'sover-arrogantkeeper。

Thenanoiseofadifferentcharacterassailedhisears，punctuatedasitwerebydistantboyishcriesof"mark！"

Thesecries，andthebuzzingsoundasofclockworkgonewrongwhichtheyaccompaniedandheralded，becameallatonceamosturgentaffairofhisown。Hestrainedhiseyesuponthehorizonofthethicket——and，asifbyinstinct，thegunspranguptoadjustitssighttothiseagergaze，andfollowedautomaticallythethunderingcourseofthebigbird，andthen，takingthoughttoitself，leapedaheadofitandfired。Thorpe\'sfirstpheasantreeledintheair，describedasomersault，andfelllikeaplummet。

Hestirrednotastep，butreloadedthebarrelwithahandshakingforjoy。Fromwherehestoodhecouldseethedeadbird；therecouldneverhavebeenacleaner"kill。"

Inthewarmingglowofhissatisfactioninhimself，therekindledanewlikingofadifferentsortforPlowdenandBalder。Heowedtothem，atthisbelatedhourofhislife，anoveldelightofindescribablecharm。

Therecametohim，fromthewoods，theshrillbucolicvoiceofthekeeper，admonishingawaywarddog。Hewasconsciousofevenacertaintendernessforthiskeeper——andagainthecryof"mark！"rose，strenuouslyaddressedtohim。

Halfanhourlaterthewoodhadbeencleared，andThorpesawtherestofthepartyassemblingbythegate。Hedidnothurrytojointhem，butwhenLordPlowdenappearedhesaunteredslowlyover，gunoverarm，withasindifferentanairashecouldsimulate。Itpleasedhimtremendouslythatnoonehadthoughtitworthwhiletoapproachtherendezvousbywayofthespothehadcovered。Hiseyetookinstantstockofthegamecarriedbytwooftheboys；

theircombinedprizeswereeightbirdsandarabbit，andhisheartleapedwithinhimatthecount。

"Well，Thorpe？"askedPlowden，pleasantly。Thesmellofgunpowderandthesightofstainedfeathershadco-

operatedtobrightenandcheerhismood。"Iheardyoublazingawayingreatform。Didyougetanything？"

Thorpestrovehardtogivehisvoiceacarelessnote。

"Letsomeoftheboysrunover，"hesaidslowly。

"Thereareninebirdswithinsight，andtherearetwoorthreeinthebushes——buttheymayhavegotaway。"

"Gad！"saidBalder。

"Magnificent！"washisbrother\'scomment——andThorpepermittedhimselftheluxuryofalong-drawn，beamingsighoftriumph。

TheroseatecolouringofthistriumphseemedreallytotinteverythingthatremainedofThorpe\'svisit。

Hesetdowntoitwithouthesitationthevisibleaugmentationofdeferencetohimamongtheservants。

Thetemptationwasverygreattobelievethatithadaffectedtheladiesofthehouseaswell。Hecouldnotsaythattheyweremoregracioustohim，butcertainlytheyappearedtotakehimmoreforgranted。Inahundredlittleways，heseemedtoperceivethathewasnolongerheldmentallyatarm\'slengthasastrangertotheircaste。

Ofcourse，hisownrestoredself-confidencecouldaccountformuchofthis，butheclungtothewhimsicalconceitthatmuchwasalsoduetothefactthathewasthemanofthepheasants。

Sundaywasbleakandstormy，andnoonestirredoutofthehouse。Hewasaloneagainwiththeladiesatbreakfast，andduringthelongdayhewasmuchintheircompany。

Itwaslikenootherdayhehadeverimaginedtohimself。

Onthemorrow，inthemorningtrainbywhichhereturnedalonetotown，hismindrovedluxuriouslyamongthefragrantmemoriesofthatday。Hehadbeensoperfectlyathome——andinsuchahome！Thereweresomethingswhichcameuppermostagainandagain——butofthemallhedweltmostfixedlyupontherecollectionofmovingaboutinthegreenhousesandconservatories，withthattall，stately，fairLadyCressageforhisguide，andwatchingherinsteadoftheflowersthatshepointedout。

Ofwhatshehadtoldhim，notasyllablestuckinhismind，butthemusicofthevoicelingeredinhisears。

"AndsheisoldKervick\'sdaughter！"hesaidtohimselfmorethanonce。

CHAPTERVIII

ITmaybethateveryotherpassengerinthatmorningtraintoLondonnursedeitherasilentrage，ordeclaimedaloudtofellow-sufferersinindignation，atthetimeconsumedinmakingwhat，bythemap，shouldbesobriefajourney。

InThorpe\'sowncompartment，menspokewithsavageironyofcyclistsallegedtobepassingthemontheroad，andexchangeddarkpropheciesastothenoveltiesinimbecilityandhelplessnesswhichthelinewouldbepreparingfortheChristmasholidays。Theoldjokeaboutpeoplewhohadgonetravellingyearsbefore，andwerebelievedtobestilllostsomewhereintherecessesofKent，reviveditselfamidgloomyapprobation。ThestillolderdiscussionastowhethertheSouthEasternortheBrightonwasreallytheworstfollowednaturallyinitswake，andoccupieditsaccustomedhalf-hour——complicated，however，uponthisoccasion，bythechancepresenceofaloquaciousstrangerwhosaidhelivedontheChatham-and-Dover，andwhorejectedboisterouslytheideathatanyotherrailwaycouldbehalfsobad。

Theintrusionofthisoutsiderarousedinstantresentment，andthechampionsoftheSouthEasternandtheBrighton，havingpiledupadditionaldefensesintheshapeofpersonalrecollectionsofdelayandmismanagementquitebeyondbelief，madeacombinedattackuponthenewcomer。

Hewasevidentlyincapable，theirremarksimplied，ofknowingabadrailwaywhenhesawone。TosuggestthatthecharacterlessandinoffensiveChatham-and-Dover，socommonplaceinitstamevirtues，wastobementionedinthesamebreathwiththedaringlyinventiveandresourcefulmalefactorswhoserendezvouswasLondonBridge，showedeitheraweakmindoracorruptheart。DidthismanreallyliveontheDoverlineatall？Angrycountenancesplainlyreflectedthedoubt。

ButtoThorpethejourneyseemedshortenough——almosttooshort。Theconversationinterestedhimnotatall；

ifhehadeverknowntheSouthernlinesapart，theywereallonetohimnow。Helookedoutofthewindow，andcouldhaveswornthathethoughtofnothingbutthevisitfromwhichhewasreturning。

WhenhealightedatCannonStreet，however，itwastodiscoverthathismindwasfullofalarge，new，carefully-preparedproject。Itcametohim，ready-madeandpracticallycomplete，ashestoodontheplatform，superintendingtheporter\'seffortstofindhisbags。

Heturneditoverandoverinhisthoughts，inthehansom，moretofamiliarizehimselfwithitsdetailsthantoaddtothem。HeleftthecabtowaitforhimatthemouthofalittlealleywhichdelvesitswayintoOldBroadStreetthroughtoweringwallsofcommercialbuildings，oldandnew。

ColinSemplewashappilyinhisoffice——acongeriesofsmall，huddledrooms，dryanddirtywithage，whichhadadoorwayofitsowninacornerofthecourt——andThorpepushedontohisroomattheendlikeonewhoisassuredofbothhiswayandhiswelcome。

Thebrokerwasstandingbesideadesk，dictatingalettertoaclerkwhosatatit，andwithonlyanodtoThorpeheproceededtofinishthistask。Helookedmorethanonceathisvisitorashedidso，inapreoccupied，impersonalway。Totheother\'snotion，heseemedthepersonificationofbusiness——withoutanounceofdistractingsuperfluousfleshuponhiswiry，toughlittleframe，withoutatraceofunnecessarypoliteness，orhumour，orsensibilityofanysort。Hewasthemachineperfectedandfineddowntoabsoluteessentials。Hecouldunderstandajokeifitwasusefultohimtodoso。Hecoulddrink，andevensmokecigarettes，withanaturalair，iftheseexercisesseemedproperlytobelongtothetaskhehadinhand。Thorpedidnotconceivehimdoinganythingforthemerehumanreasonthathelikedtodoit。

Therewasmorethanatouchofwhattherusticcalls"ginger"

inhishairandclosely-cropped，pointedbeard，andhehadthecomplementaryfloridskin。Hiseyes——notablydirect，confidenteyes——wereofagreywhichhadinitmorebrownthanblue。Heworeablackfrock-coat，buttonedclose，andhislinenproducedtheeffectofaconspicuouswhiteness。

Heturnedastheclerklefttheroom，andlethisserious，thinlipsrelaxforaninstantasadeferredgreeting。

"Well？"heasked，impassively。

"Haveyougotaquarter-of-an-hour？"askedThorpeinturn。

"Iwantatalkwithyou。"

Foranswer，Semplelefttheroom。Returningafteraminuteortwo，heremarked，"Goaheadtillwe\'restopped，"

andseatedhimselfonthecornerofthedeskwiththelightinconsequenceofabirdonatwig。Thorpeunbuttonedhisovercoat，laidasidehishat，andseatedhimself。

"I\'veworkedoutthewholescheme，"hebegan，asifintroducingtheproductofmanysleeplessnights\'cogitations。

"I\'mgoingtoleaveEnglandalmostimmediately——goontheContinentandloafabout——I\'veneverseentheContinent。"

Sempleregardedhiminsilence。"Well？"heobservedatlast。

"Youseetheidea，don\'tyou？"Thorpedemanded。

Thebrokertwitchedhisshouldersslightly。"Goon，"

hesaid。

"Buttheideaiseverything，"protestedtheother。

"We\'vebeenthinkingofbeginningthecampaignstraightaway——butthetruegamenowistolielow——silentasthegrave。

Igoawaynow，d\'yesee？Nothingparticularissaidaboutit，ofcourse，butinamonthortwosomebodynoticesthatI\'mnotabout，andhehappenstomentionittosomebodyelse——andsotheregetstobetheimpressionthatthingshaven\'tgonewellwithme，d\'yesee？Onthesameplan，Iletalltheclerksatmyofficego。TheSecretary\'llcomeroundeveryonceinawhiletogetletters，ofcourse，andperhapshe\'llkeepaboyinthefrontofficeforshow，butpracticallytheplace\'llbeshutup。That\'llhelpoutthegeneralimpressionthatI\'vegonetopieces。

Nowd\'yesee？"

"It\'stheSpecialSettlementyou\'rethinkingof，"

commentedSemple。

"Ofcourse。Thefellowsthatwe\'regoingtosqueezewouldmoveheavenandhelltopreventourgettingthatSettlement，iftheygotwindofwhatwasgoingon。Theonlyweakpointinourgameisjustthere。AbsolutelyeverythinghangsontheSettlementbeinggranted。Naturally，then，ourplayistoconcentrateeverythingongettingitgranted。

Wedon\'twanttoraisetheremotestshadowofasuspicionofwhatwe\'reupto，tillafterwe\'resafepastthatrock。

Sowegooninthewaytoattracttheleastpossibleattention。

YouoryourjobbermakestheordinaryapplicationforaSpecialSettlement，withyoursixsignaturesandsoon；

andIgoabroadquietly，andtheofficeisasgoodasshutup，andnobodymakesapeepaboutRubberConsols——

andthethingworksitself。Youdoseeit，don\'tyou？"

"Iseewellenoughthethingsthataretobeseen，"

repliedSemple，withacertainbrevityofmanner。

"Therewasasermonofmyfather\'sthatIremember，andithadforitstext，\'Welooknotatthethingswhichareseen，butatthethingswhicharenotseen。\'"

Thorpe，ponderingthisforamoment，noddedhishead。

"Semple，"hesaid，bringinghischairforwardtothedesk，"that\'swhatI\'vecomefor。Iwanttospreadmycardsonthetableforyou。Iknowthesumyou\'velaidoutalready，inworkingthisthing。We\'llsaythatthatistobepaidbacktoyou，asaseparatetransaction，andwe\'llputthattooneside。Nowthen，leavingthatoutofconsideration，whatdoyouthinkyououghttohaveoutofthewinnings，whenwepullthethingoff？Mind，I\'mnotthinkingofyour2，000vendor\'sshares——"

"No——I\'mnotthinkingmuchofthem，either，"interposedSemple，withakindofdrysignificance。

"Oh，they\'llbeallright，"Thorpeaffirmed。Helaughedunconsciouslyashedidso。"No，whatIwanttogetatisyourideaofwhatshouldcometoyou，asabonus，whenIscooptheboard。"

"Twentythousandpounds，"saidSemple，readily。

Thorpe\'sslowglancebrightenedatrifle。"Ihadthoughtthirtywouldbeafairerfigure，"heremarked，withaneffortatsimplicity。

Thebrokerputouthisunder-lip。"Youwillfindpeopleratherdisposedtodistrustamanwhopromisesmorethanhe\'sasked，"heremarkedcoldly。

"Yes——Iknowwhatyoumean，"Thorpehurriedtosay，flushingawkwardly，eventhoughtheremarkwassoundeserved；

"butit\'sinmynature。I\'mfullofthenotionofdoingthingsforpeoplethathavedonethingsforme。

That\'sthewayI\'mbuilt。Why"——hehaltedtoconsidertheadvisabilityofdisclosingwhathehadpromisedtodoforLordPlowden，anddecidedagainstit——"why，withoutyou，whatwouldthewholethinghavebeenworthtome？Takeonethingalone——themoneyfortheapplications——IcouldhavenomoregotatitthanIcouldattheCrownJewelsintheTower。I\'vewonderedsince，morethanonce——ifyoudon\'tmindthequestion——howdidyouhappentohavesomuchreadymoneylyingabout。"

"TherearesomeGlasgowandAberdeenfolkwhotrustmetoinvestforthem，"thebrokerexplained。"Iftheygetfivepercent。forthefourmonths，they\'llbeverypleased。

AndsoIshallbeverypleasedtotakethirtythousandinsteadoftwenty——ifitpresentsitselftoyourmindinthatway。Youwillgivemealettertothateffect，ofcourse。"

"Ofcourse，"assentedThorpe。"Writeitnow，ifyoulike。"

Hepushedhischairforward，closertothedesk，anddippedapenintheink。"WhatIwanttodoisthis，"hesaid，lookingup。"I\'llmakethepromiseforthirty-twothousand，andI\'llgetyoutoletmehavetwothousandincashnow——apersonaladvance。Ishallneedit，ifI\'mtohangaboutontheContinentforfourmonths。Ijudgeyouthinkit\'llbefourmonthsbeforethingsmaterialize，eh？"

"TheSpecialSettlement，inthenaturalorderofevents，wouldcomeshortlyaftertheChristmasholidays。

Thatisnearlythreemonths。Thentheworkoftakingfort-nightlyprofitswillbegin——anditisforyoutosayhowlongyouallowthattogoon。"

"Butaboutthetwothousandpoundsnow，"Thorperemindedhim。

"IthinkIwilldothatinthisway，"saidSemple，kickinghissmalllegsnonchalantly。"Iwillbuytwothousandfully-paidsharesofyou，forcashdown，NOTvendor\'sshares，youobserve——andthenIwilltakeyouracknowledgmentthatyouholdthemformeintrustuptoagivendate。

Inthatway，Iwouldnotatallweakenyourmarket，andIwouldhaveastakeinthegame。""Yourstake\'sprettybig，already，"commentedThorpe，tentatively。

"It\'sjustafancyofmine，"saidtheother，withhisfirstsmile。"Iliketoholdsharesthataremakingsensationaladvances。Itisveryexciting。"

"Allright，"saidThorpe，inaccentsofresignation。