第10章

They，fortheirpart，coldlyabstainedfromexhibitingasignoffeelingabouthim，good，bad，orindifferent。

Itwasthemanwiththefairhairandlittlecurlyflaxenbeardwhospoke："Howdoyoudo！IunderstandthatwecanbuyeightthousandfivehundredRubberConsolsfromyouat\'twenty-three。\'"

"No——twenty-five，"repliedThorpe。

Thedarkmanspoke："Thejobbers\'priceistwenty-three。"

"Tocarryover——yes，"Thorpeanswered。"Buttobuyitistwenty-five。"

Thetwosonsoftheracewhichinventedmentalarithmeticexchangedanalertglance，andlookedatthefloorforanengrossedinstant。

"Idon\'tmindtellingyou，"Thorpeinterposedupontheirsilence，"IputonthatextratwopoundsbecauseyougotupthatstoryaboutapplyingtotheStockExchangeCommitteeonachargeoffraud。"

"Wedidn\'tgetupanystory，"saidRostocker，curtly。

"Youtriedtoplantitonus，"Aronsondeclared。

"OneofyourownDirectorsputitabout。Ithoughtitwasafakeatthetime。"

ThisviewoftheepisodetookThorpebysurprise。

Asitseemed，inpassing，toinvolveacomplimenttohisownstrategicpowers，heaccepteditwithoutcomment。

"Well——itistwenty-five，anyway，"hetoldthem，withfirmness。

"Twenty-four，"suggestedAronson，afteranothermomentarypause。

"Notashillinglessthantwenty-five，"Thorpeinsisted，withquietdoggedness。

"Wecanalwayspayourcreditorsandletyouwhistle，"

Rostockerremindedhim，laconically。

"Youcandoanythingyoulike，"wasthereply，"exceptbuyRubberConsolsundertwenty-five。Itdoesn\'tmatterafigtomewhetheryougobankruptornot。Itwouldsuitmeaswelltohaveyoutwo\'hammered\'astotakeyourmoney。"

Uponthespurofasuddenthoughthedrewouthiswatch。

"Injusttwominutes\'timetoatick，thepricewillbethirty。"

"Let\'sbe\'hammered\'then！"saidAronsontohiscompanion，withsimulatedimpulsiveness。

Rostockerwastheolderandstrongerman，andwhenatlasthespokeitwaswiththedecisionofoneinauthority。

"Itisyourgame，"hesaid，withgraveimperturbability。

"Eightthousandfivehundredattwenty-five。WillyoudeliverattheCreditLyonnaisinhalfanhour？"

Thorpenodded，impassively。Thenarovingideaofgenialimpertinencebroughtagleamtohiseye。"IfyoushouldhappentowantmoreRubberConsolsatanytime，"hesaid，withatentativechuckle，"Icouldprobablyletyouhavethematareducedprice。"

Thetworeceivedthepleasantrywithoutasmile，buttoThorpe\'sastonishmentoneofthemseemedtodiscernsomethinginitbesidebanter。ItwasRostockerwhosaid：

"Perhapswemaymakeadealwithyou，"andapparentlymeantit。

Theywentoutatthis，ignoringceremonyupontheirexitasstolidlyastheyhaddoneupontheirentrance，andamomentlaterThorpecalledintheSecretary，anddespatchedamessengertobringSemplefromCapelCourt。

Theformalitiesofthisfinaltransferofshareshadbeendictatedtotheformer，andhehadgoneoffonthebusiness，beforetheBrokerarrived。

Thorpestoodwaitingnearthedoor，andheldouthishandwithadramaticallysignificantgesturewhenthelittleScotchmanentered。"Putherthere！"heexclaimedheartily，withanexuberantreversiontotheslangofremotetransatlanticbonhomie。

"Yeh\'vedoneit，then！"saidSemple，hissharpfacesofteningwithpleasureatthenews。"Yeh\'vepulleditoffattwenty-three！"

Theother\'sbigcountenanceyieldeditselftoaboyishgrin。

"Twenty-FIVE！"hesaid，andlaughedaloud。"Afteryouleftthismorning，itkindo\'occurredtomethatI\'draiseitacoupleofpounds。IfoundIwasmadderaboutthosepiecesinthenewspapersthanIthoughtIwas，andsoItookanextraseventeenthousandpoundsonthataccount。"

"Godabove！"Sempleejaculated，withasatisfactionthroughwhichsignsofanearlierfrightwerevisible。

"Itwastouch-and-goifyoudidn\'tloseitallbydoingthat！Youriskedeverything，man！"

Thorpeponderouslyshruggedhisshoulders。

"Well——Ididit，anyhow，anditcameoff，"washiscomment。

Then，straighteninghimself，hedrewalong，longbreath，andbeameddownatthelittleman。"Thinkofit！God！It\'sactuallyallover！AndNOWperhapswewon\'thaveadrink！

Hell！Let\'ssendoutforsomechampagne！"Hisfingerwashoveringoverthebell，whentheBroker\'sdissuadingvoicearrestedit。"No，no！"Sempleurged。"Iwouldn\'ttouchit。

It\'snofitdrinkforthedaytime——andit\'sascandalinanoffice。Yourclerkswillayeblabitabouthitherandyon，andnothingharmsaman\'sreputationmoreintheCity。"

"Oh，tohellwiththeCity！"criedThorpe，joyously。

"I\'mnevergoingtosetfootinitagain。Thinkofthat！

Imeanit！"

Nonetheless，heabandonedtheideaofsendingoutforwine，andcontentedhimselfwiththeresourcesofthecabinetinstead。

Aftersomefriendlypressure，Sempleconsentedtojoinhiminabrandy-and-soda，thoughhecontinuedtoprotestbetweensipsthatatsuchanhouritwasanindecentpractice。

"It\'stheruinofmanyastrongman，"hemoralized，lookingratherpointedlyatThorpeoverhisglass。"It\'stheprincipaldangerthatbesetstheverrasuccessfulman。

He\'stoobusilyoccupiedtotakeexercise，andhe\'stooanxiousandworriedtogethispropersleep——buthecanalwaysdrink！Inonesense，I\'mnotsorrytothinkthatyou\'releavingtheCity。"

"Oh，itneverhurtsme，"Thorpesaid，indifferentlyacceptingthedirectionofthehomily。"I\'masstrongasanox。

Butallthesame，Ishallbebetterineverywayforgettingoutofthishole。ThankGod，IcangetofftoScotlandtomorrow。ButIsay，Semple，what\'sthematterwithyourvisitingmeatmyplacethere？I\'llgiveyouthegreatestshootingandfishingyoueverheardof。"

TheBrokerwasthinkingofsomethingelse。"WhatistobetheprecisepositionoftheCompany，intheimmediatefuture？"

heasked。

"Company？WhatCompany？"

Semplesmiledgrimly。"Haveyoualreadyforgottenthatthereissuchathing？"hequeried，withirony。

"Why，man，thisCompanythatpaidforthisverrafineBoard-table，"heexplained，withhisknucklesonitsredbaizecentre。

Thorpelaughedamusedly。"Ipaidforthatoutofmyownpocket，"hesaid。"ForthatmattereverythingabouttheCompanyhascomeoutofmypocket——"

"Orgoneintoit，"suggestedtheother，andtheychuckledtogether。

"Butno——you\'reright，"Thorpedeclared。"SomethingoughttobesettledabouttheCompany，Isuppose。

OfcourseIwashmyhandsofit——butwouldanybodyelsewanttogoonwithit？Youseeitsannualworkingexpenses，merelyfortheofficeandtheBoard，footupnearly3，000pounds。I\'vepaidtheseforthisyear，butnaturallyIwon\'tdoitagain。Andwoulditbeworthanybodyelse\'swhiletodoit？Yours，forexample？"

"HaveyouhadanyexplanationswiththeotherDirectors？"

theBrokerasked，thoughtfully。

"Explanations——no，"Thorpetoldhim。"Butthat\'sallright。

TheMarquishasbeentakencareof，andsohasPlowden。

They\'regametoagreetoanything。Andlet\'ssee——Kervickisentirelymyman。ThatleavesWatkinandDavidson——andtheydon\'tmatter。They\'remereguinea-pigs。Afewhundredsapiecewouldshutthemup，ifyouthoughtitwasworthwhiletogivethemanythingatall。"

"Andabouttheproperty，——therubberplantation，——thattheCompanywasformedtoacquireanddevelop。Isupposetherereallyissuchaplantation？"

"Oh，yes，it\'sallthererightenough，"Thorpesaid，briefly。

"It\'snogood，though，isit？"theBrokerasked，withaffabledirectness。

"Betweenourselves，itisn\'tworthadamn，"theotherblithelyassuredhim。

TheScotchmanmusedwithbentbrows。"Thereoughtstilltobemoneyinit，"hesaid，withanairofconviction。

"Bytheway，"itoccurredtoThorpetomention，"here\'ssomethingIdidn\'tunderstand。ItoldRostockerhere，justasacheekykindofjoke，thatafterheandAronsonhadgottheireightthousandfivehundred，iftheythoughtthey\'dlikestillmoreshares，I\'dlet\'emhave\'ematabargain——andheseemedtotakeitseriously。

Hedidforafact。Saidperhapshecouldmakeadealwithme。"

"Hm-m！"saidSemple，reflectively。"I\'llseeifhesaysanythingtome。Verylikelyhe\'sspottedsomewayoftakingthethingover，andreorganizingit，andgivingitanotherrunoverthecourse。I\'llthinkitout。

AndnowImustbeoff。Aren\'tyoulunching？"

"No——I\'llhavetheboybringinsomesandwiches，"

Thorpedecided。"IwantmynextmealwestofTempleBarwhenIgetroundtoit。I\'vesouredontheCityforkeeps。"

"Iwouldn\'tsaythatithadbeensobadtoyou，either，"

Semplesmilinglysuggested，asheturnedtothedoor。

Thorpegrinnedinsatisfiedcomment。"Hurrybackassoonasyou\'vefinallysettledwithRostockerandtheotherfellow，"

hecalledafterhim，andbeganpacingtheflooragain。

Itwasnearlyfouro\'clockwhenthesetwomen，againtogetherintheBoardRoom，andhavingfinishedtheinspectionofsomepapersonthedesk，satuprightandlookedateachotherintacitrecognitionthatfinalwordsweretobespoken。

"Well，Semple，"Thorpebegan，afterthatsignificantlittlepause，"IwanttosaythatI\'mdamnedgladyou\'vedonesowellforyourselfinthisaffair。

You\'vebeenasstraightasadietome，——IoweitasmuchtoyouasIdotomyself，——andifyoudon\'tthinkyou\'vegotenoughevennow，Iwantyoutosayso。"

Hehadspokenintonesofsincereliking，andtheotheransweredhiminkind。"IhavemorethanIeverdreamedofmakinginalifetimewhenIcametoLondon，"

hedeclared。"Ifmyfatherwerealive，andheardmetellhimthatinoneyear，outofasingletransaction，Ihadclearedoversixty-fivethousandpounds，he\'dbefittodoubttheexistenceofaSupremeBeing。

I\'mobligedtoyouforyourgoodwords，Thorpe。It\'snotonlybeenprofitabletoworkwithyou，butithasbeenagreateducationandagreatpleasureaswell。"

Thorpenoddedhisappreciation。"I\'mgoingtoaskafavourofyou，"hesaid。"Iwanttoleavethegeneralrunofmyinvestmentsandinterestshereinyourhands，tokeeptrackofIdon\'twanttospeculateatall，intheordinarymeaningoftheword。EvenafterIburyapotofmoneyinnon-productiverealestate，Ishallhaveanincomeof50，000poundsattheveryleast，andperhapstwiceasmuch。There\'snofuningamblingwhenyou\'vegotsuchabankasthatbehindyou。Butiftherearegood，wisechangestobemadeininvestments，orifthingsturnupinthewayofchancesthatIoughttoknowabout，Iwanttofeelthatyou\'reonthespotwatchingthingsanddoingthingsinmyinterest。

Andasitwon\'tberegularbroker\'swork，Ishallwanttopayyouastatedsum——whateveryouthinkisright。"

"Thatwillarrangeitselfeasilyenough，"saidSemple。

"Ishallhavethegreatestpleasureincaringforwhateveryouputinmyhands。AndIthinkIcanpromisethatitwillbenonetheworseforthekeeping。"

"Idon\'tneedanyassuranceonthatscore，"

Thorpedeclared，cordially。"You\'retheonesterling，honestmanI\'veknownintheCity。"

ItwastheBroker\'sturntomakealittleacknowledgingbow。

Hiseyesgleamedfranksatisfactionatbeingsowellunderstood。

"IthinkIseethewaythatmoremoneycanbemadeoutoftheCompany，"hesaid，abruptlychangingthesubject。

"I\'vehadbutafewwordswithRostockeraboutit——butit\'scleartomethathehasaplan。Hewillbecomingtoyouwithaproposition。"

"Well，hewon\'tfindme，then，"interposedThorpe，withacomfortablesmile。"Ileaveallthattoyou。"

"Isuspectthathisplan，"continuedSemple，"istomakeasub-rosaofferofafewshillingsforthemajorityoftheshares，andreconstitutetheBoard，andthenformanotherCompanytobuythepropertyandgood-willoftheoldoneatahandsomeprice。Nowifthatwouldbeagoodthingforhimtodo，itwouldbeagoodthingformetodo。

Ishallgooveritallcarefully，indetail，thisevening。

AndIsuppose，ifIseemywayclearbeforeme，thanI

mayrelyuponyourgoodfeelinginthematter。Iwoulddoalltheworkandassumealltherisk，and，letussay，divideanyprofitsequally——youinturngivingmeafreehandwithallyourshares，andyourinfluencewiththeDirectors。"

"I\'lldobetterstill，"Thorpetoldhim，uponbriefreflection。

"ReconstitutetheBoardandmakeLordPlowdenChairman，——I

don\'timaginetheMarquiswouldhavethenervetogoonwithit，——andI\'llmakeafreegiftofmysharestoyoutwo——halfandhalf。You\'llfindhimallrighttoworkwith，——ifyoucanonlygethimupinthemorning，——andI\'vekindo\'promisedhimsomethingofthesort。

Doesthatsuityou？"Semple\'scountenancewasthoughtfulratherthanenthusiastic。"I\'mmoreskepticalaboutLordsthanyouare，"heobserved，"butifhe\'samenable，andunderstandsthathispartistodowhatItellhimtodo，I\'venodoubtweshallhititofftogether。"

"Oh，absolutely！"saidThorpe，withconfidence。

"I\'llseetoitthathebehaveslikealamb。You\'retohaveanabsolutelyfreehand。You\'retodowhatyoulike，——

windtheCompanyup，orsellitout，orrigitupunderanewnameandcatchanewsetofgudgeonswithit，——

whateveryoudamnedplease。WhenItrustaman，Itrusthim。"

Thetwofriends，theirfacesbrightenedandtheirvoicesmellowedbythissereneconsciousnessoftheirmutualtrustineachother\'sloyaltyandintegrity，dweltnofurtheruponthesehalcyonbeginningsofafreshplanforplunderingthepublic。Theyspokeinsteadonpersonaltopics——ofthepossibilityofSemple\'scomingtoScotlandduringtheautumn，andofthechanceofThorpe\'swinteringabroad。

AllatonceThorpefoundhimselfdisclosingthefactofhisforthcomingmarriage，thoughhedidnotmentionthenameofthelady\'sfather，andunderthegraciousstressofthisannouncementtheydrankagain，andclinkedglassesfervently。WhenSempleatlasttookhisleave，theyshookhandswiththedeep-eyedearnestnessofcomradeswhohavebeenthroughbattleandfaceddeathtogether。

ItwasnotuntilThorpestoodalonethatthefullrealizingsenseofwhatthedaymeantseemedtocometohim。

Fruitionwasfinallycomplete：thelastwinnowingofthegreatharvesthadbeenaddedtothepile。

Positivelynothingremainedforhimbuttoenterandenjoy！

Hefounditcuriouslydifficulttograspthethoughtinitsentirety。Hestoodthemasterofunlimitedleisurefortherestofhislife，andofpowertoenrichthatlifewitheverythingthatmoneycouldbuy，——buttherewasanoddinabilitytofeelaboutitasheknewheoughttofeel。

Somehow，forsomeunaccountablereason，anabsurddepressionhoveredaboutoverhismind，darkeningitwithformlessshadows。Itwasasifheweresorrythattheworkwasallfinished——thattherewasnothingmoreforhimtodo。Butthatwastoofoolish，andhetriedtothrustitfromhim。Hesaidwithangrydecisiontohimselfthathehadneverlikedthework；

thatithadallbeenunpleasantandgrindingdrudgery，tolerableonlyasameanstoanend；thatnowthisendhadbeenreached，hewantednevertolayeyesontheCityagain。

Lethimdwellinsteaduponthethingshedidwanttolayeyesupon。Sometravelnodoubthewouldlike，butnottoomuch；certainlynomorethanhiswifewouldcheerfullyacceptasaminimum。Hedesiredrathertorestamonghisownpossessions。TobelordofthemanoratPellesleyCourt，withhisownretinueofservantsanddependentsandtenants，hisownthousandsofrichacres，hisownsplendidoldtimber，hisownfatstockandfleethorsesandabundantcoversandprizekennels——THATwaswhatmosttrulyappealedtohim。Itwasnotatallcertainthathewouldhunt；

break-neckadventureinthesaddlescarcelyattractedhim。

Buttherewasnoreasonintheworldwhyheshouldnotbreedracinghorses，andcreateforhimselfadistinguishedandevenloftypositionontheTurf。Hehadnevercaredmuchaboutracesorracingfolkhimself，butwhenthePrinceandLordRoseberyandpeoplelikethatwentinforwinningtheDerby，thereclearlymustbesomethingfascinatinginit。

ThenParliament，ofcourse；hedidnotwaveratallfromhisoldifvagueconceptionofaseatinParliamentasanaturalpartoftheoutfitofapowerfulcountrymagnate。

Andinahundredotherwaysmenshouldthinkofhimaspowerful，andlookuptohim。HewouldgotochurcheverySunday，andsitinthebigSquire\'spew。

Hewouldbeamagistrateasamatterofcourse，andhewouldmakehimselffeltontheCountyCouncil。

Hewouldastonishthecountybyhischarities，andinbadyearsbythemunificenceofhisreductionsinrents。

Perhapsiftherewereaparticularlybadharvest，hewoulddeclinealloverhisestatetoexactanyrentwhatever。

Fancywhatanoblesensationthatwouldmake！ADukecoulddonomore。

Itwasverycleartohimnowthathedesiredtohavechildrenofhisown，——saytwoatleast，asonandadaughter，orperhapsasonandtwodaughters：twolittlegirlswouldbecompanyforeachother。Asheprefiguredthesenewbeings，thesonwastoexistchieflyforpurposesofdistinctionandthedignityofheirship，andthepaternalrelationswithhimwouldbealwayssomewhatformal，and，thoughaffectionate，unexpansive。

Butthelittlegirls——theywouldputtheirarmsroundtheirfather\'sneck，andwalkoutwithhimtoseethepigsandthedogs，andbethedarlingsofhisheart。

Hewouldbeanoldmanbythetimetheygrewup。

Abeatificvisionofhimselftookforminhismind——ofhimselfgrowinggreyandpleasurablytired，surroundedbyopulenceandthedemonstrativerespectofeverybody，smilingwithvirtuouscontentashestrolledalongbetweenhistwodaughters，miraclesofbeautyandtenderness，holdingeachbyahand。

Theentranceofaclerkbrokeabruptlyuponthisdaydream。

Hehadatelegraminhishand，andThorpe，rousinghimselfwithaneffort，tooktheliver-colouredenvelope，andlookedblanklyatit。Someweirdapprehensionseizeduponhim，asifhebelongedtothepeasantclasswhichinstinctivelyyokestelegramsandcalamitiestogether。Hedeferredtothisfeelingenoughtonoddismissaltotheclerk，andthen，whenhewasagainalone，slowlyopenedthemessage，andreadit：

"Newcastle-on-Tyne，September12。OurfrienddiedatEdinborothismorning。Seeyouathotelthisevening——Kervick。"

WhatThorpefeltatfirstwasthathistwodaughtershadshrunkfromhimwithswift，terribleaversion：

theyvanished，alongwitheveryphaseofthebrightvision，underapallofunearthlyblackness。Hestoodinthecentreofachillsolitude，staringstupidlyatthecoarse，softpaper。

Thepremonition，then，hadjustifieditself！Somethinghadtoldhimthatthetelegramwasanevilthing。

AvaguelysuperstitiousconsciousnessofbeinginthepresenceofFatelaidholduponhim。Hisgreatdayoftriumphhaditsblood-stain。Avictimhadbeenneedful——andtothatendpoorsimple，sillyoldTavenderwasadeadman。

Thorpecouldseehim，——anembarrassingcadavereyedbystrangerswhodidnotknowwhattodowithit，——fatuousevenindeath。

AsuddenrageatKervickflamedup。Heclearlyhadplayedthefool——clumsilyover-plyingthesimpletonwithdrinktillhehadkilledhim。Theshadowofmurderindubitablyhungoverthething。Andthen——thecrasswitlessnessoftelegraphing！Already，doubtless，thepoliceofEdinboroughweretalkingoverthewireswithScotlandYard。

AreferencetoadeathinEdinborough，inatelegramfromNewcastle——itwasincrediblethatthisshouldescapetheeyeoftheauthorities。Anyminutemightbringadetectivethroughthatdoorthere——followingintotheBoardRoomwithhisimplacablescenttheclueofblood。

Thorpe\'sfancypicturedthisdetectiveasamomentarilyactualpresence——tall，lean，cold-eyed，mysteriouslycalmandfatallywise，theomniscientterrorofthemagazineshort-stories。

Heturnedfaintandsickunderaspasmoffright。

Themenaceofenquirybecamesomethingmorethanathreat：

hefeltit，likethegripofaconstableuponhisarm。

Everythingwouldbemercilesslyunravelled。ThetelegramoftheidiotKervickwouldbringthepolicedownuponhimlikeapackofbeagles。ThebeliefsandsurmisesoftheidiotGaffersonwouldfurnishthemwiththekeytoeverything。HewouldhavehisletterfromTavendertoshowtothedetectives——andtheGovernment\'ssmartlawyerswouldferretouttherest。ThedeathofTavender——theycouldhardlymakehimresponsibleforthat；

butitwasthedramaticfeatureofthisdeathwhichwouldinspirethemalltodigupeverythingaboutthefraud。

Itwasthissamesensationaladdedelementofthedeath，too，whichwouldcountwithajury。Theywerealwaysgross，sentimentalfools，thesejuries。TheywouldmixupthedeathandthedealinRubberConsols，andintheirfat-headedconfusionwouldsay"PenalServitude——fourteenyears。"

Orno，itwastheJudgewhofixedthat。ButtheJudgeswerefools，too；theyweretooconceited，toopuffedupwithvanity，totakethetroubletounderstand。

Hegroanedaloudinanightmareofhelplessness。

Thesoundofhisownvoice，moaninginhisears，hadamagicaleffectuponhim。Heliftedhishead，gazedabouthim，andthenflusheddeeply。Hisnervelesscowardicehadallatoncebecomeunbelievabletohimself。

Withashamedfrownhestraightenedhimself，andstoodthusforalongminute，engrossedinthedefinitetaskofchasingthesephantomsfromhismind。

Onceamanlyfrontwasdisplayedtothem，theyslunkawaywithmiraculousfacility。Hepouredoutsomebrandy，andsippeditneat，andlaughedscornfully，defiantly，aloud。

Hehadoverhalfamillion——withpowerandforceandcourageenoughtodowithitwhatheliked。Hehadfoughtluckundauntedly，unwearyingly，duringallthoseyearswhenhishandswereempty。Washetotrembleandturntailnow，whenhishandswerefull，whenhewasarmouredandweaponedateverypoint？Hewasamazedandhurt，andstillmoreenraged，atthatfitofgirlishweaknesswhichhadpossessedhim。

Hecouldhavebeatenhimselfwithstripesforit。

Butitcouldneverhappenagain——never，never！

Hetoldhimselfthatwithproud，resolutereiteration，ashegothishatandstick，andputinhispocketsoneortwopapersfromthedesk，andthenglancedabouttheBoardRoomforwhatwas，mostlikely，thelasttime。

HerehehadwonhisgreatvictoryoverFate，herehehadputhisenemiesunderhisfeet，andifinnocentsimpletonshadwanderedintothecompanyofthesefoes，itmatterednotawhittohimthattheyalsohadbeencrushed。

Figuratively，heturnedhisbackuponthemnow；heleftthem，slainandtrampled，intheBoardRoombehindhim。

Theynolongerconcernedhim。

Figuratively，too，ashewalkedwithfirmnesstothedoor，hesteppedoverthebodyofoldTavender，uponthethreshold，andbestoweduponitadownwardmentalglance，andpassedon。

Bythetimehereachedthestreet，thememoryofTavenderhadbecomethemerestshredofamyth。Ashestrodeon，itseemedtohimthathisdaughterscameagain，andtookhishands，andmovedlovinglybesidehim——lovinglyandstillmoreadmiringlythanbefore。

CHAPTERXXII

BYtheautumnofthefollowingyear，acertainsmallproportionofthepeopleinhabitingthedistrictinHertfordshirewhichsetitsclocksbythedialoverthestable-towerofPellesleyCourthadaccustomedthemselvestogivetheplaceitsnewnameofHighThorpe。

Thesewereforthemostpartthefolkofpeculiarlyfacilewitsandreadypowersofadaptation，likepushingsmalltradesmen，andtheupperservantsincountyhouses。

AnindolentandhazycompromiseuponPellesleyThorpehaddriftedintousebyperhapsalargernumber。

Tothepuzzledconservatismoftheabidinghugemajoritynearesttothesoil——theround-backed，lumpishmenwhotiestringsroundtheircorduroysundertheknee，andthestrong，cow-facedwomenwholookatpassers-byontheroadfromthedoorsofdarklittlecottages，overradiantpatchesofblossominggarden——itseemedsafesttodropfamilynamesaltogether，andcallitmerelytheCourt。

Itstoodproudlyuponwhatwasratheranotableelevationforthoseflatparts——amassivemansionofsimpleform，builtofagreystonewhichseemedatadistancealmostwhiteagainstthedeepbackgroundofyewsandItalianpinesbehindit。Formanymilesseawardthispalefrontwasalandmark。Fromtheterrace-walkatitsbase，onebeheldagreatexpanseofsoftgreencountry，slopinggentlyawayforalongdistance，thenstretchingoutuponalevelwhichonmistydayswasinterminable。

Inbrightweather，theremote，low-lyinghorizonhadadefininglineofbrownish-blue——andthisstoodforwhatwasleftofaprimitiveforest，containingtreesmucholderthantheNormannameitbore。Itwasaforestwhichatsometime，nodoubt，hadextendedwithoutabreaktillitmergedintothatofEpping——leaguesawaytothesouth。

Themodernclearanceandtillage，however，whichseparateditnowfromEppinghadservedasacuriouslyeffectivebarrier——morebafflingthantheRomansandAnglesintheirturnhadfoundtheoriginalwildwood。

Nostrangerseemedevertofindhiswayintothatbroad，minutely-cultivatedfertileplainwhichHighThorpelookeddownupon。Norailwayhadpusheditscheapeningcourseacrossit。Silent，emboweredoldcountryroadsandlanesnetteditsexpansewithhedgerows；redpointsoftiledroofs，distinguishablehereandthereinclustersamongthedarkergreensoforchards，identifiedthescatteredhamlets——allnamedinDomesdayBook，allseeminglyunchangedsince。

Agreysquarechurch-toweremergingfromtherooks\'

nests；anorderedmassoffoliageshelteringthedistantgablesandchimneysofsomeisolatedhouse；thedimperceptiononoccasionthatarusticwaggonwasinmotiononsomehighway，crawlingpatientlylikeaninsect——ofthisplacid，inductivenaturewerealltheaddedproofsofhumanoccupationthatthelandscapeoffered。

Mr。StormontThorpe，onanafternoonofearlyOctober，yawnedinthefaceofthislandscape——andthenidlywonderedalittleatthemoodwhichhadimpelledhimtodoso。

Attheoutsetofhisproprietorshiphehadboundhimself，asbyapointofhonour，toregardthisasthefinestviewfromanygentleman\'shouseinEngland。Duringthefirstfewmonthshisfidelityhadbeentaxedagooddeal，butthesetemptationsandstruggleslaynowallhappilybehindhim。Hehadsatisfactorilyassimilatedthespiritofthevista，andblendeditwithhisown。Itsinertia，whenonecametocomprehendit，wasundeniablymagnificent，andlongagohehadperceivedwithinhimselfthegrowthofanansweringrepose，aresponsivelethargy，whichinitsfulldevelopmentwasalsogoingtobeveryfine。

Practicallyallthelandthissideoftheimpalpablelinewheretreesandhousesbegantofadeintothebackgroundbelongedtohim；therewerewholevillagesnestlinghalf-concealedunderitsshrubberieswhichwerehisproperty。Asaninvestment，thesepossessionswereextremelyunremunerative。Indeed，ifoneaddedthecostoftheimprovementswhichoughttobemade，totheexpenditurealreadylaidoutinrenovations，itwasquestionableifforthenexttwentyyearstheywouldnotrepresentadeficitontheincome-sheet。But，nowthathehadlaidholdofthelocalcharacter，itpleasedhimthatitshouldbeso。Hewouldnotfortheworldhavehisgentle，woolly-minded，unprofitablecottagerstransformedinto"hustlers"；itwouldwoundhiseyetoseethesmokeofanycommercialchimney，thesmudgeofanydividend-payingfactory，stainingthepuretintsofthesylvanlandscape。Hehadtrulylearnedtoloveit。

Yetnow，ashestrolledontheterracewithhisfirstafter-luncheoncigar，heunaccountablyyawnedatthethingheloved。Uponreflection，hehadgonetobedratherearlierthepreviouseveningthanusual。Hehadnotbeendrinkingoutoftheordinary；hisliverseemedrightenough。

Hewasnotconsciousofbeingeithertiredordrowsy。

Helookedagainattheviewwithsomefixity，andsaidtohimselfconvincinglythatnothingelseinEnglandcouldcomparewithit。Itwasthefinestthingtherewasanywhere。Thenhesurprisedhimselfinthemiddleofanotheryawn——andhaltedabruptly。Itoccurredtohimthathewantedtotravel。

Sincehishome-comingtothissplendidnewhomeinthepreviousJanuary，attheconclusionofahoneymoonspentinAlgiersandEgypt，hehadnotbeenoutofEngland。

TherehadbeenaconsiderablesojourninLondon，itistrue，atwhatwasdescribedtohimastheheightoftheSeason，butlookingbackuponit，hecouldnotthinkofitasadiversion。Ithadbeenarestless，over-worked，mystifyingexperience，fullofdinnerstopeoplewhomhehadneverseenbefore，andlaboriousencounterswithotherpeoplewhomhedidnotparticularlywanttoseeagain。

Therehadbeennophysicalcomfortinitforhim，andlittlemorementalsatisfaction，forLondoners，orratherpeopleinLondon，seemedalltobemakinganinvidiousdistinctionintheirmindsbetweenhimandhiswife。ThefactthatshecontinuedtobecalledLadyCressagewasnotofitselfimportanttohim。

ButintheincessantgoingaboutinLondon，theirnameswerecalledouttogethersooftenthathiseargrewsensitiveandsoretothetouchofthefootmen\'sreverberations。

Themeaningdifferentiationwhichthevoicesoftheservantsinsistedupon，seemedinevitablyreflectedintheglanceandmanneroftheirmistresses。Morethananythingelse，thatmadehimhateLondon，andbarredthedoorsofhismindtoallthoughtsofbuyingatown-house。

Hisnewly-madewife，itistrue，hadnotcaredmuchforLondon，either，andhadagreedtohisdecisionagainstatown-housealmostwithanimation。Theoccasionoftheirreturnfromthehotbustleofthemetropolistothesecoolhomeshades——inparticulartheminuteinwhich，atabendinthewindingcarriage-waydownbelow，theyhadsilentlyregardedtogetherthespectacleupliftedbeforethem，withthebig，welcominghouse，andtheservantsontheterrace——hadaplaceofitsowninhismemory。

Edithhadpressedhisarm，astheysatsidebysideinthelandau，ontheinstantcompulsionofafeelingtheyhadincommon。Hehadnever，beforeorsince，hadquitethesameassurancethatshesharedanemotionwithhim。

Hewasveryfar，however，fromfindingfaultwithhiswife。

Itwasinthenatureofthelifehechosetoleadthatheshouldseeagreatdealofher，andthinkagreatdealabouther，andsheborebothtestsadmirably。

Iftherewasafaulttobefound，itwaswithhimselfforhisinabilitytoaltogetherunderstandher。Sheplayedthepartshehadundertakentoplaywithabundantskillanddiscretionandgrace，andevenwithanairofnicegood-fellowshipwhichhadsomeoftheaspectsofaffection。

Hewasvaguelyannoyedwithhimselfforhavinginsightenoughtoperceivethatitwasapartshewasplaying，andyetlackingtheaddedshrewdnesstodivinewhatherownpersonalattitudetoherrolewaslike。

Hehadnoticedsometimesthewaygoodwomenlookedattheirhusbandswhenthelatterweretalkingovertheirheads——withtheeager，intent，non-comprehendingadmirationofanaffectionatedog。Thiswasalookwhichhecouldnotimaginehimselfdiscoveringinhiswife\'seves。

Itwasnotconceivabletohimthatheshouldtalkoverherhead。Herglancenotonlyrevealedanampleunderstandingofallhesaid，butsuggestedunusedreservesofcomprehensionwhichhemightnotfathom。Itwasasif，intellectuallynolessthansocially，shepossessedatitleandheremainedanundistinguishedplebeian。

Hemadenogrievance，however，eveninhisownthoughts，ofeitherinequality。Shehadbeencharminglyfrankandfairaboutthequestionofthenames，whenitfirstarose。

Theusagehadlatterlycometobe，sheexplained，forawidowbearingevenacourtesytitlederivedfromherlatehusband，toretainitonmarryingagain。

Itwasalwaystheeasiestcoursetofallinwithusage，butifhehadanyfeelingsonthesubject，andpreferredtohaveherinsistonbeingcalledMrs。Thorpe，shewouldmeethiswisheswithentirewillingness。

Ithadseemedtohim，astoher，thatitwaswisesttoallowusagetosettlethematter。SomemonthsaftertheirmarriagethereappearedinthepaperswhatpurportedtobeanauthoritativeannouncementthattheQueenobjectedtothepracticeamongladieswhomarriedasecondtime，ofretainingtitlesacquiredbytheearliermarriages，andthatthelistsofprecedencyatBuckinghamPalacewouldhenceforthtakethisintoaccount。LadyCressageshowedthistoherhusband，andtalkedagainwithcandouronthesubject。

Shesaidshehadalwaysratherregrettedthedecisiontheyoriginallycameto，andevennowcouldwishthatitmightbealtered，butthattoeffectachangeinthefaceofthisnewspaperparagraphwouldseemservile——andinthisasinmostotherthingsheagreedwithher。Asshesaid，theywantednothingofBuckinghamPalace。

Shewantedequallylittle，itseemed，ofthesocietywhichtheneighbouringdistrictmightafford。Therewasameagreroutineofformalcallskeptinlanguidoperation，Thorpeknew，butitwassomuchinthebackgroundthathenevercameincontactwithit。HisownnotionsofthepartheoughttotakeinCountyaffairshadundergoneasilentandunnoted，yetalmostsweeping，change。Whatlittlehesawofthegentryandstronglocalmenwithwhomhewouldhavetowork，quietlyunderminedanddismantledallhisambitionsinthatdirection。Theywerenothissort；

theirstandardsforthemeasurementofthingswereunintelligibletohim。Hedidnotdoubtthat，ifhesethimselfaboutit，hecouldimposehisdominionuponthem，anymorethanhedoubtedthat，ifhemasteredtheChineselanguage，hecouldlifthimselftobeaMandarin，buttheonewouldbeasunnaturalandunattractiveanenterpriseastheother。Hecametobeuponnoddingtermswithmostofthe"carriage-people"roundabout；

somefewheexchangedmeaninglesswordswithuponoccasion，andunderstoodthathiswifealsotalkedwith，whenitwasunavoidable，buttherehisrelationshiptotheCountyended，andhewaswellpleasedthatitshouldbeso。Itgavehimadeepsatisfactiontoseethathiswifeseemedalsowellpleased。

Heusedtheword"seemed"inhisinmostmusings，foritwasneverquitecertainwhatreallydidpleaseanddispleaseher。

Itwasalwayspuzzlingtohimtoreconcileherundoubtedintellectualactivitywiththepracticalemptinessoftheexistencesheprofessedtoenjoy。Inonedirection，shehadindeedagenuineoutletforherenergies，whichhecouldunderstandherregardinginthelightofanoccupation。Shewascrazieraboutflowersandplantsthananybodyhehadeverheardof，andithaddelightedhimtomakeovertoher，labelledjocoselyasthebouquet-fund，asumofmoneywhich，itseemedtohim，mighthavepaidforthehanging-gardensofBabylon。

Ityieldedintime——emergingslowlybutsteadilyfromaprodigiouslitterofcementandbricksandmortarandputty，underthehandsofinnumerablemasons，carpenters，glaziers，plumbers，andnondescriptsubordinates，allofwhomtalkedunwearyinglyaboutnothingatall，andsufferednomantoperformanypartofhisallottedtaskwithoutsuspendingtheirownlabourstowatchhim——animposinglonglineofnewgreenhouses，morethantwentyinnumber。Themail-bagwasfilledmeanwhilewithnurserymen\'scatalogues，andthecartmadeincessantjourneystoandfromPunseystation，bringingbackvaststraw-enwrappedbasketsandbundlesandboxesbeyondcounting，thearrivalandunpackingofwhichwaswithEdiththeeventoftheday。Abouttherealityofherengrossedinterestinallthestagesofprogressbywhichthesegreenhousesbecamecrowdedmuseumsoftheunusualandabnormalinplant-life，itwasimpossibletohaveanysuspicion。

Andevenaftertheywerefilledtooverflowing，Thorpenotedwithjoythatthisinterestseemedinnowisetoflag。

Shespenthourseverydayundertheglass，exchangingcommentsandtheorieswithhergardeners，andevenpullingthingsaboutwithherownhands，andotherhoursshedevotedalmostasregularlytosupervisingthewholesalealterationsthathadbeenbeguninthegardensoutside。Thereweretobenewpaths，newwallswithasouthernexposure，newpottingsheds，newforcingpits，neweverything——andintheeveningssheoftenworkedlateoverthemapsandplansshedrewforallthis。Thorpe\'smindfounditdifficulttograsptheideathataladyofsuchnotablequalitiescouldbeentirelysatisfiedbyacareeramongseedsandbulbsandcomposts，butatleasttimebroughtnoevidencesofadeclineinherhorticulturalzeal。

Whoknew？Perhapsitmightgoonindefinitely。

Asforhimself，hehadgotonverywellwithoutanyspecialinclinationorhobby。Hehadnotdoneanyofthegreatthingsthatayearagoithadseemedtohimhewouldforthwithdo——buthismindwasserenelyundisturbedbyregrets。Hedidnotevenrememberwithanydistinctnesswhatthesethingswerethathehadbeengoingtodo。

Theroutineoflife——asarrangedandbornealongbythewiseandtactfulexpertswhoworetheliveryofHighThorpe——wasabundantlysufficientinitself。Hesleptwellnowinthemorninghours，andthoughheremainedstill，bycomparison，anearlyriser，thebathandtheshavingandslowdressingunderthehandsofavaletconsumedcomfortablyagooddealoftime。Throughoutthedayhewasunderthealmostconstantobservationofpeoplewhowerecallinghim"master"intheirminds，andwatchingtoseehow，inthesmallestdetailsofdeportment，a"master"carriedhimself，andtheconsciousnessofthisaloneamountedtoakindofvocation。Thehouseitselfmadedemandsuponhimnearlyasdefiniteasthoseoftheservants。Itwasahouseofhugerooms，highceilings，andgrandiosefireplacesandstairways，whichhadseemedtohimlikearoyalpalacewhenhefirstbeheldit，andstillproduceduponhimaneffectofundigestiblelargenessandstrangeness。Itwasasawholenotsooldastheagentshadrepresentedit，bysomecenturies，butitadapteditselfaslittletohispreconceivednotionsofdomesticityasifithadbeenbuiltbyDruids。Thetaskofseemingtobeathomeinithadasmanysidestoitastherewereminutesintheday——andoddlyenough，Thorpefoundintheirstudyandobservanceacongenialoccupation。

Whetherhewasreadinginthelibrary——wheretherewasanadmirablecollectionofbooksofworth——orwalkingoverthehome-farms，ordrivinginhissmartstanhopewiththecoachmanbehind，orsittinginformalcostumeanddignityoppositehisbeautifulwifeatthedinner-table，thesenseofwhatwasexpectedofhimwasthere，steadyingandrestraining，likeanatmosphericpressure。

Thusfartheyhadhadfewvisitors，andhadacceptednoinvitationstojoinhouse-partieselsewhere。

Theyagreedwithoutspeakingaboutitthatitwasmoretheirformtoentertainthantobeentertained，andcertainpeoplewerecomingtothemlaterinthemonth。

ThesewerequitewhollyofEdith\'ssetandselection，forThorpehadnofriendsoracquaintancesoutsidehercircleforwhosepresencehehadanydesire——andamongtheseprospectiveguestswereaDukeandaDuchess。

Once，suchafactwouldhaveexcitedThorpe\'simagination。

Heregardeditnowassomethingappropriateunderthecircumstances，andgaveitlittlefurtherthought。

Hisplacid，satisfiedlifewasnotdependentuponthestirofguestscomingandgoing，eventhoughtheywerethegreatoftheearth。Hewalkedonhisspaciousterraceafterluncheon——atall，portly，well-groomedfigureofaman，ofrelaxed，easyaspect，withhisbigcigar，andhispanamahat，andhislooseclothesofchoicefabricsandexquisitetailoring——andsaidtohimselfthatitwasthefinestviewinEngland——andthen，tohisownsurprise，caughthimselfintheactofyawning。

Fromunderthesilkcurtainsandawningofawindow-doorwayattheendoftheterrace，hiswifeissuedandcametowardhim。

Herheadwasbare，andshehadthegraceandfreshbeautyofayounggirlinhersimplelightgownofsomesummeryfiguredstuff。

"Whatdoyousaytogoingoffsomewhere——tomorrowifyoulike——travellingabroad？"hecalledout，assheapproachedhim。Theidea，onlyamomentoldinhismind，hadgrowntogreatproportions。"Howcanwe？"sheasked，uponthebriefestthought。"THEYarecomingattheendoftheweek。ThisisMonday，andtheyarriveonthe12th——that\'sthisSaturday。"

"Sosoonasthat！"heexclaimed。"Ithoughtitwaslater。

H-m！Idon\'tknow——IthinkperhapsI\'llgouptoLondonthisevening。I\'mbywayoffeelingrestlessallatonce。

Willyoucomeupwithme？"

Sheshookherhead。"Ican\'tthinkofanythinginLondonthatwouldbetolerable。"

Hegaveavaguelittlelaugh。"IshallprobablyhateitmyselfwhenIgetthere，"hespeculated。"Thereisn\'tanybodyIwanttosee——thereisn\'tanythingIwanttodo。

Idon\'tknow——perhapsitmightlivenmeup。"

Herfacetookonalookofenquiringgravity。"Areyougettingtiredofit，then？"Sheputthequestiongently，almostcautiously。

Hereflectedalittle。"Why——no，"heanswered，asifreasoningtohimself。"OfcourseI\'mnot。

ThisiswhatI\'vealwayswanted。It\'smyideaoflifetoa\'t。\'Only——Isupposeeverythingneedsabreakinitnowandthen——ifonlyforthecomfortofgettingbackintotheoldrutagain。"

"Therut——yes，"shecommented，musingly。"Apparentlythere\'salwaysarut。"

Thorpegaveherthemystifiedyetuncomplainingglancesheknewsowellinhiseyes。Foronce，theimpulsetothrowhiddenthingsupintohisrangeofviewprevailedwithher。

"Doyouknow，"shesaid，withaconfusedhalf-smileatthenoveltyofhermoodforelucidation，"Ifanciedarutwastheonethingtherecouldbenoquestionaboutwithyou。

Ihadthenotionthatyouwereincapableofruts——andconventionalgrooves。Ithoughtyou——asCarlyleputsit——I

thoughtyouwereamanwhohadswallowedalltheformulas。"

Thorpelookeddownathisstomachdoubtfully。"Iseewhatyoumean，"hesaidatlast，butinatonewithoutanynoteofconviction。

"Idoubtit，"shetoldhim，withlightreadiness——"forI

don\'tseemyselfwhatImean。IforgetindeedwhatitwasIsaid。Andsoyouthinkyou\'llgouptotowntonight？"

Asuddencomprehensionofwhatwasslippingawayfromhisgrasparousedhim。"No——no，"heurgedher，"don\'tforgetwhatitwasyousaid！Iwishyou\'dtalkmorewithmeaboutthat。ItwaswhatIwantedtohear。

Younevertellmewhatyou\'rereallythinkingabout。"

Shereceivedthereproachwithamildlyincreduloussmileinhereyes。"Yes——Iknow——whowasitusedtoscoldmeaboutthat？Oh"——sheseemedsuddenlyremindedofsomething——"Iwasforgettingtomentionit。IhavealetterfromCeliaMadden。SheisbackinEngland；

sheiscomingtousSaturday，too。"

Heputouthislipsatrifle。"That\'sallright，"

heobjected，"butwhathasitgottodowithwhatweweretalkingabout？"

"Talkingabout？"shequeried，withamomentarilyblankcountenance。"Oh，sheusedtobullymeaboutmydeceit，andtreachery，andsimilarcrimes。ButIshallbeimmenselygladtoseeher。Ialwaysfightwithher，butIthinkIlikeherbetterthananyotherwomanalive。"

"Ilikehertoo，"Thorpewasimpelledtosay，withakindofsolemnity。"Sheremindsmeofsomeofthehappiesthoursinmylife。"

Hiswife，afterabriefglanceintohisface，laughedpleasantly，ifwithatraceofflippancy。"Yousaynicethings，"

sheobserved，slightlyincliningherhead。"ButnowthatCeliaiscoming，itwouldbeaswelltohaveanotherman。

It\'ssuchdreadfullyshortnotice，though。"

"Idaresayyourfathercouldcome，allright，"

Thorpesuggested。"I\'dratherhavehimthanalmostanyoneelse。Wouldyoumindaskinghim——orshallI？"

Anabruptsilencemarkedthisintroductionofasubjectuponwhichthecouplehaddifferedopenly。Thorpe，throughprocessesunaccountabletohimself，hadpassedfromavividdislikeofGeneralKervicktoahabitofmindinwhichhethoroughlyenjoyedhavinghimabout。

TheGeneralhadbeentwicetoHighThorpe，andoneachoccasionhadsoprolongedhisstaythat，inretrospect，theperiodofhisabsenceseemedinconsiderable。

Themasternow，thinkinguponitinthisminuteofsilence，wasconsciousofhavingmissedhimgreatly。HewouldnothavebeenboredtotheextremityofthreateningtogotoLondon，ifKervickhadbeenhere。TheGeneralwasagentleman，andyethadtheflexibleadaptabilityofaretainer；hehadbeentrainedindiscipline，andhenceknewhowtodeferwithoutbecomingfulsomeorfamiliar；

hewasamanoftheworldandknewanunlimitednumberofracystories，andevenifherepeatedsomeofthemunduly，theywerebetterthannostoriesatall。Andthen，therewashismatchless，unfailingpatienceinplayingchessorbackgammonordraughtsorbezique，whateverheperceivedthatthemasterdesired。

"Ifyoureallywishit，"Edithsaidatlast，coldly。

"Butthat\'swhatIdon\'tunderstand，"Thorpeurgeduponherwithsomevigour。"IfIlikehim，Idon\'tseewhyhisowndaughter——"

"Oh，needwediscussit？"shebrokein，impatiently。

"IfI\'manunnaturalchild，whythenIamone，andmayitnotbeallowedtopassatthat？"Astormykindofsmileplayeduponherbeautifully-cutlipsassheadded：

"Surelyone\'sfilialemotionsarethingstobetakenforgranted——relievedfromthenecessityofexplanation。"

Thorpegrinnedfaintlyatthehintofpleasantry，buthedidnotrelinquishhispoint。"Well——unlessyoureallyvetothething——IthinkI\'dliketotellhimtocome，"

hesaid，withcomposedobstinacy。Uponanafterthoughtheadded："There\'snoreasonwhyheshouldn\'tmeettheDuke，isthere？"

"Nospecificreason，"shereturned，withcalmcoolnessoftoneandmanner。"AndcertainlyIdonotseemyselfinthepartofMadameVeto。"

"Allrightthen——I\'llsendhimawire，"saidThorpe。

Hisvictorymadehimuneasy，yethesawnowayofabandoningitwithdecorum。

Asthetwo，standinginasilencefulloftacitconstraint，lookedaimlesslyawayfromtheterrace，theysawatthesameinstantavehiclewithasinglehorsecomingratherbrisklyupthedriveway，somehundredsofyardsbelow。

ItwasrecognizableatonceasthelocaltrapfromPunseystation，andasusualitwasdrivenbyaboyfromthevillage。Seatedbesidethisladwasaburly，red-beardedmaninrespectableclothes，who，tojudgefromthetin-boxandtravelling-bagsfastenedonbehind，seemedcomingtoHighThorpetostay。

"Whoonearthisthat？"askedThorpe，wonderingly。

Themanwasobviouslyofthelowerclass，yetthereseemedsomethingabouthimwhichinvitedrecognition。

"Presumablyit\'sthenewhead-gardener，"sherepliedwithbrevity。

HeraccentrecalledtoThorpethefactthattherehadbeensomethingdisagreeableintheirconversation，andthethoughtofitwasunpleasanttohim。

"Why，Ididn\'tknowyouhadanewmancoming，"hesaid，turningtoherwithanovertureofsmilinginterest。

"Yes，"sheanswered，andthen，asifweighingtheprofferedpropitiationandrejectingit，turnedslowlyandwentintothehouse。

Thetrapapparentlyendeditscourseatsomebackentrance：hedidnotseeitagain。Hestrolledindoors，afteralittle，andtoldhismantopackabagforLondon，andorderthestanhopetotakehimtothetrain。

CHAPTERXXIII

INtheearlymorning，longbeforeanyofthehotelpeoplehadmadethemselvesheardmovingabout，Thorpegotup。

Itwasalongtimesincehehadlikedhimselfandhissurroundingssolittle。Thebedseemedallrighttotheeye，andeventothetouch，buthehadsleptverybadlyinit，nonetheless。Theroomwasluxuriouslyfurnished，aswastheentiresuite，butitwasallstrangeanduncomfortabletohissenses。Theoperationofshavinganddressinginsolitudeproducedanoppressionofloneliness。

Heregrettednothavingbroughthismanwithhimforthisreason，andthen，uponmeditation，forotherreasons。

Apersonofhispositionoughtalwaystohaveaservantwithhim。Thehotelpeoplemusthavebeensurprisedathistravellingunattended——andthepeopleatHighThorpemustalsohavethoughtitstrange。Itflashedacrosshismindthatnodoubthiswifehadmostofallthoughtitstrange。Howwouldsheexplaintoherselfhissudden，precipitatejourneytoLondonalone？Mightshenotquitenaturallyputanunpleasantconstructionuponit？Itwasbadenoughtohavetorememberthattheyhadpartedinsomethinglikeatiff；hefounditmuchworsetobefancyingthesuspicionswithwhichshewouldbeturningoverhismysteriousabsenceinhermind。

Hewentdownstairsasspeedilyaspossibleand，discoveringnoovertsignsofbreakfastinthevicinityoftherestaurant，passedoutandmadehiswaytotheEmbankment。

Thishadbeenafavouritewalkofhisintheolddays——butheconsidereditnowwithanunsympatheticeye。

Itseemedadryandhaggardanddesolate-lookingplacebycomparisonwithhisformerimpressionsofit。

Themorningwasgrey-skied，butfullofahardqualityoflight，whichbroughtouttotheuncompromisinguttermostthedilapidatedsqualoroftheSurreyside。

Thewaterwaslow，andfromthemudandoozeoftheuglyoppositeshore，orperhapsfromthediscolouredstreamitself，thereproceededasmellwhichoffendedhisunaccustomednostril。Afitful，gustywindwasblowingfromtheeast，andeverandagainitgathereddustineddyingswoopsfromtheroadway，andflungitinhisface。

HewalkedontowardtheCity，withoutanyconsciouspurpose，andwithnoverydefinitereflections。ItoccurredtohimthatifhiswifedidimputetohimsomeunworthymotiveinstealingofftoLondon，andmadeherselfunhappyindoingso——thatwouldatleastprovidethecompensationofshowingthatshecared。Thethought，however，uponexamination，containedverymeagreelementsofsolace。Hecouldnotintheleastbesureaboutanyoftheworkingsofhermind。

Theremightbemoreorlessannoyancemixedupthismorningwiththesecretthoughtsshehadconcerninghim——orshemightnotbebotheringherheadabouthimatall。

Thislattercontingencyhadneverpresenteditselfsofranklytohimbefore。Helookedhardatit，andsawmoresemblancesofprobabilityaboutitthanheliked。

Itmightverywellbethatshewasnotthinkingabouthimonewayortheother。

Adepressingconsciousnessthatpracticallynobodyneedthinkabouthimpervadedhissoul。Whocaredwhathesaidordidorfelt？TheCityhadforgottenhisveryexistence。

IntheWestEnd，onlyhereandtheresomepersonmightchancetorememberhisnameasthatofsomerichbounderwhohadmarriedLadyCressage。NowhereelseinEngland，saveonedullstripofagriculturalblanknessinabackwardhomecounty，wasthereahumanbeingwhoknewanythingwhateverabouthim。Andthiswashiscareer！Itwasforthisthathehadplannedthatmemorablecampaign，andwagedthatamazingseriesoffortnightlybattles，nevermissingvictory，neverfailingatanypointofthecomplicatedstrategy，andcrowningitallwithaculminatingtriumphwhichhadbeenthewonderandadmirationofthewholefinancialworld！Afewscoreofmenialsorinterestedinferiorsbowedtohim；hedrovesomegoodhorses，andwasattentivelywaitedupon，andhadanever-failingabundanceofgoodthingstoeatanddrinkaudsmoke。

Hardlyanythingmorethanthat，whenyoucametothinkofit——andthepassingusufructofallthesethingscouldbeenjoyedbyanyfoolwhohadaten-poundnoteinhispocket！

Whatgrosstrickhadthefatesplayedonhim？Hehadachievedpower——andwherewasthatpower？Whathadhedonewithit？WhatCOULDhedowithit？Hehadanexcessofwealth，itwastrue，butinwhatwaycoulditcommandanexcessofenjoyment？Theveryphrasewasaparadox，ashedimlyperceived。Thereexistedonlyanarrowmarginofadvantageinfavouroftherichman。Hecouldeatanddrinkalittlemoreandalittlebetterthanthepoorman；

hecouldhavebetterclothes，andlieabedlaterinthemorning，andtakelifeeasierallround——butonlywithinhardandfastbounds。Therewasanascertainedlimitbeyondwhichthemillionairecouldnomorestuffhimselfwithfoodandwinethancouldthebeggar。Itmightbepleasanttotakeanaddedhourortwoinbedinthemorning，buttolieinbedalldaywouldbeaninfliction。

Soitranindefinitely——thisthinselvedgeofadvantagewhichmoneycouldbuy——withdeprivationontheoneside，andsurfeitontheother。Candidly，wasitnottruethatmorehappinesslayinwinningthewayoutofdeprivation，thanininventingsafeguardsagainstsatiety？Thepoormansucceedinginmakinghimselfrich——atnumerousstagesoftheoperationtheremightbemadeamoralsnap-shotofthetrulyhappyman。Butnotafterhehadreachedthetop。Thendisintegrationbeganatonce。Thecontrastbetweenwhathesupposedhecoulddo，andwhathefindsitpossibletodo，istoovasttobeacceptedwithequanimity。

Itmustbesaidthatafterbreakfast——amealwhichhefoundinanItalianrestaurantofnogreatcleanlinessoropulenceofpretension，andatewithanalmostnovelrelish——Thorpetooksomewhatlessgloomyviewsofhisposition。Hestillwalkedeastward，wanderingintowarehouseandshippingquartersskirtingtheriver，hithertoquiteunknowntohim，andpursuinginanidle，inconsequentfashionhismeditations。Heestablishedinhismindthepropositionthatsinceanexcessofenjoymentwasimpossible——sinceonecouldnotderiveagreatblockofhappinessfromthesatisfactionoftheordinaryappetites，butatthemostcouldonlygatheralittlefromeach——thedesirablethingwastomultiplyasmuchasmightbethosetastesandwhimsandfancieswhichpassedforappetites，andthusexpandtheareaofpossiblegratification。

Thisseemedverylogicalindeed，butitdidnotapplyitselftohisindividualneedswithmuchfacility。

Whatdidhewanttodothathehadnotdone？Itwasdifficultforhimtosay。Perhapsitwaschandlers\'

signsandwindowsabouthim，andtheindefinableseafaringpreoccupationsuggestedbythehigh-walled，narrowstreets，whichraisedthequestionofayachtinhismind。

Didhewantayacht？Hecouldrecallhavingoncedweltwithgreatfondnessuponsuchaproject：doubtlessitwouldstillbefullofattractionsforhim。Helikedthewater，andthewaterlikedhim——andhewasbetterablenowthanformerlytounderstandhowluxuriousexistencecanbemadeinmodernprivateships。Hedecidedthathewouldhaveayacht——andthenperceivedthatthedecisionbroughtnoexhilaration。Hewasnohappierthanbefore。

Hecoulddecidethathewouldhaveanythinghechosetoname——anditwouldinnowhitlightenhismood。

TheyachtmightbeasgrandasHighThorpe，andrelativelyasspaciousandwellordered，butwouldhenotgrowastiredoftheoneashehadoftheother？

Hestoppedshortatthisbluntself-expressionofsomethinghehadneveradmittedtohimself。WasheindeedtiredofHighThorpe？Hehadassuredhiswifetothecontraryyesterday。Hereiteratedtheassurancetohisownmindnow。Itwasinsteadthathewastiredofhimself。

Hecarriedawearinessaboutwithhim，whichlookedateverythingwithapatheticeyes，andcaredfornothing。

Somenamelessparalysishadsettleduponhiscapacityforamusementandenjoyment，andatrophiedit。

Hehadhadthepowertoexpandhislifetothefarthestboundariesofrichexperienceandsensation，andhehaddeliberatelyshrunkintoasortofherbaceousnonentity，whomnobodykneworcaredabout。HemighthavehadLondonathisbeckandcall，andyetofallthatthemetropolismightmeantoamillionaire，hehadbeenabletothinkofnothingbetterthanthatitshouldsendoldKervicktohim，tohelpbeguilehisboredomwithdominoesandmess-roomstories！Pah！Hewasdisgustedwithhimself。

Strikingoutanewcourse，withtheMonumentashisguide，hepresentlycameintoapartoftheCitywhichhadacertainfamiliarityforhim。HewalkedupSt。Swithin\'sLane，lookingatthestrangeformsofforeignfruitexposedattheshop-doors，andfindinginthemsomefleetingrecurrenceofthehintthattravelwaswhatheneeded。

Thenhestopped，tolookthroughtherailingsandopengatewayatanenclosureontheleft，andthesubstantial，heavily-respectablegroupofearlyVictorianbuildingsbeyond。

Somewell-dressedmenwerestandingtalkinginoneoftheporches。Thestiffyellowish-stuccopilastersofthisentrance，andthetalluniformedfigureoftheporterintheshadow，cameintothepictureasheobservedit；

theygaveforthasuggestionofsatisfiedsmugness——oforderlybutaltogetherunilluminedroutine。Nothingcouldbemorecommonplacetotheeye。

Yettohisimagination，eighteenmonthsbefore，whatmysteriousmarvelsofpowerhadlurkedhiddenbehindthoseconventionalportals！Withinthosedoors，insomeinnerchamber，satmenwhosetaskitwastodirectthemovementsofthegreatestforcetheworldhadeverknown。TheyandtheircousinsinParisandFrankfort，orwherevertheylived，betweenthemwieldedavasterauthoritythanalltheParliamentsoftheearth。

Theycouldchangeagovernment，orcrushtheaspirationsofawholepeople，ordecideaquestionofpeaceorwar，bythesilentdictumoftheirlittlefamilycouncil。

Herememberednowhowhehadstoodonthissamespot，andstaredwithfascinatedgazeatthisquadrangleofdullhouses，andpondereduponwhatitmustfeelliketobeaRothschild——andthatwasonlyalittleoverayearago！

Therewasnosenseoffascinationwhateverinhispresentgaze。Hefoundhimselfregardinginstead，withakindofdetachedcuriosity，thelittleknotofmeninfrock-coatsandsilk-hatswhostoodtalkinginthedoorway。

Itwasbarelyteno\'clock，yetclearlybusinesswasproceedingwithin。OneofthesepersonswhomhebeheldmightbeaRothschild，foraughtheknew；atanyrate，itwaspresumablethatsomeofthemwereonthepremises。

Hehadhearditsaidthattheveryheadofthehouselistenedtoquotationsfromthetapewhileheatehisluncheon，andinterruptedhisconversationswiththemostimportantofnon-commercialcallers，tomakeorrefusebargainsinsharesofferedbybrokerswhocamein。Whatimpulselaybehindthisextraordinarydevotiontolabour？Towardwhatconceivablegoalcoulditbestriving？

Toworkhardandriskgreatthingsforthepossessionofafortune，inordertoenjoyitafterward——hecouldunderstandhowthatattractedmen。Buttopossessalreadythebiggestofhumanfortunes，andstillwork——

thatbaffledhim。Hewishedheknewsomeofthosemeninthere，especiallyiftheybelongedtotheplace。

ItwouldbewonderfullyinterestingtogetattheinnerpointofviewofNewCourt。

Alittlelater，inColinSemple\'soffice，hesatdowntoawaitthecomingofthatgentleman。"Thenhedoesn\'tgetheresoearlynowadays？"hesuggestedtothehead-clerkwho，withinstantrecognitionandexaggerateddeference，hadusheredhimintothisfurthermostprivateroom。

ItpleasedhimtoassumethatprosperityhadrelaxedtheScotchman\'svigilance。

"Ohyes，sir，"theclerkreplied。"Abitearlierifanything，asarule。ButIthinkheisstoppingathissolicitorsonhiswaytotheCity。Ihopeyouareverywell，sir。"

"Yes——I\'mveryfit——thanks，"Thorpesaid，listlessly，andtheotherlefthim。

Mr。Semple，whenatlasthearrived，bustledintotheroomwithunaffectedgratificationatthenewshehadheardwithout。"Well，well，Thorpeman！"

hecried，andshookhandscordially。"Thisisfine！

IfI\'donlyknownyouwereintown！Whywouldn\'tyouhavetoldmeyouwerecoming？I\'dneverhavekeptyouwaiting。"

Thorpelaughedwearily。"IhardlyknewIwasintownmyself。

Ionlyranuplastnight。Ithoughtitwouldamusemetohavealookround——butthingsseemasdullasditchwater。"

"Ohno，"saidSemple，"theautumnisopeningverrawellindeed。Therearemorenewcompanies，andabetterpublicsubscriptionallround，thanforanyfirstweekofOctoberIremember。Westraliansappearbadonthefaceofthings，it\'strue——butdon\'tbelieveallyouhearofthem。There\'smorethanthesuspicionofa\'rig\'there。Besides，youhaven\'tapennyinthem。"

"Iwasn\'tthinkingofthat，"Thorpetoldhim，withcomprehensivevagueness。"Well，Isupposeyou\'restillcoiningmoney，"heobserved，afterapause。

"Keepingalong——keepingalong，"thebrokerreplied，cheerfully。"Icannacomplain。"Thorpelookedathimwithameditativefrown。"Well，whatareyougoingtodowithit，afteryou\'vegotit？"hedemanded，almostwithsharpness。

TheScotchman，afterasurprisedinstant，smiled。"Oh，I\'lljustkeepmyhandsonit，"heassuredhim，lightly。

"Thatisn\'twhatImean，"Thorpesaid，gropingafterwhathedidmean，withsullentenacity，amonghisthoughts。

Hislarge，heavyfaceexhibitedadepressedgravitywhichattractedtheother\'sattention。

"What\'sthematter？"Sempleaskedquickly。"Hasanythinggonewrongwithyou？"

Thorpeslowlyshookhishead。"Whatbetteroffdoyouthinkyou\'llbewithsixfiguresthanyouarewithfive？"

hepursued，withdogmaticinsistence。

Sempleshruggedhisshoulders。Heseemedtohavegrownmuchbrighterandgayerofmoodinthispasttwelvemonth。

Apparentlyhewassomewhatstouter，andcertainlytherewasamellowedsofteningofhissharpglanceandshrewdsmile。

Itwasevidentthathisfriend\'smoodsomewhatnonplussedhim，buthisgood-humourwasunflagging。