第12章

“Iknowyouwas，dear。Inevertoldthattoalivingbeingexceptyourmother。He\'sdeadnow——heneverknew。ButItoldher——Icouldn\'thelpit。Shehadawayofdrawingthingsoutofyou，andyoujustcouldn\'tresist。I\'llneverforgetthatdayshecameinhereandlookedatmeandtookmyhand——sameasyouhaveitnow。Shewasn\'tmarriedthen。I\'llneverforgetthesoundofhervoiceasshesaid，\'Euphrasia，tellmeaboutit。\'“(HereEuphrasia\'sownvoicetrembled。)“Itoldher，justasI\'mtellingyou，——becauseIcouldn\'thelpit。Folks，hadtotellherthings。“

Sheturnedherhandandclaspedhistightlywithherownthinfingers。

“Andoh，Austen，“shecried，“Iwantsothatyoushouldbehappy！Shewassounhappy，itdoesn\'tseemrightthatyoushouldbe，too。“

“Ishallbe，Phrasie，“hesaid；“youmustn\'tworryaboutthat。“

Forawhiletheonlysoundintheroomwasthetickingoftheoldclockwiththequaint，colouredpictureonitspanel。Andthen，withamovementwhich，strangely，wasanacutereminderofawayVictoriahad，Euphrasiaturnedandsearchedhisfaceoncemore。

“You\'renothappy，“shesaid。

Hecouldnotputthisaside——nordidhewishto。Herownconfidencehadbeensosimple，sofine，sosureofhissympathy，thathefeltitwouldbeunworthytoequivocate；theconfessionsoftheself-reliantaresacredthings。Yes，andtherehadbeentimeswhenhehadlongedtounburdenhimself；buthehadhadnointimateonthisplane，anddespitethegreatsympathybetweenthem——thatEuphrasiamightunderstandhadneveroccurredtohim。Shehadreadhissecret。

InthatinstantEuphrasia，withtheinstinctwhichlovelendstohersex，hadgonefarther；indignationseizedher——andtheblamefelluponthewoman。Austen\'swords，unconsciously，wereananswertoherthoughts。

“Itisn\'tanybody\'sfaultbutmyown，“hesaid。

Euphrasia\'slipsweretightlyclosed。Longagotheidolofheryouthhadfadedintothesubstanceofwhichdreamsaremade——toberecalledbydreamsalone；anotherworshiphadfilledherheart，andAustenVanehadbecome——forher——thefulnessandtheverymeaningoflifeitself；onetobeadmiredofallmen，tobedesiredofallwomen。VisionsofAusten\'scourtshiphadattimesriseninhermind，althoughEuphrasiawouldnothavecalleditacourtship。Whenthetimecame，Austenwouldconfer；andsosureofhisjudgmentwasEuphrasiathatshewaspreparedtotaketherecipientofthepricelessgiftintoherarms。Andnow！Wasitpossiblethatawomanlivedwhowouldevenhesitate？CuriosityseizedEuphrasiawiththeintensityofapassion。Whowasthiswoman？Whenandwherehadheseenher？Riptoncouldnothaveproducedher——foritwascharacteristicofEuphrasiathatnogirlofheracquaintancewasworthytoberaisedtosuchaheight；Austen\'swifewouldbeanunknownofidealappearanceandattainments。HenceindignationrockedEuphrasia，anddoubtsswayedher。Inthisaloneshehadbeenanidealist，butshemighthaveknownthatgoodmenwereapreytotheunworthyoftheoppositesex。

SheglancedatAusten\'sface，andhesmiledathergently，asthoughhedivinedsomethingofherthoughts。

“Ifitisn\'tyourfault，thatyou\'renothappy，thenthematter\'seasilymended，“shesaid。

Heshookhisheadather，asthoughinreproof。

“Wasyours——easilymended？“heasked。

Euphrasiawassilentamoment。

“Heneverknew，“sherepeated，inalowvoice。

“Well，Phrasie，itlooksverymuchasifwewereinthesameboat，“hesaid。

Euphrasia\'sheartgaveabound。

“Thenyouhaven\'tspoke！“shecried；“Iknewyouhadn\'t。I——Iwasawoman——butsometimesI\'vethoughtI\'doughttohavegivenhimsomesign。

You\'reaman，Austen；thankGodforit，you\'reaman。Ifamanlovesawoman，he\'sonlygottotellherso。“

“Itisn\'tassimpleasthat，“heanswered。

Euphrasiagavehimastartledglance。

“Sheain\'tmarried？“sheexclaimed。

“No，“hesaid，andlaughedinspiteofhimself。

Euphrasiabreathedagain。ForSarahAustenhadhadamoralityofherown，andonoccasionshadgivenexpressiontoextremeviews。

“She\'snotplayin\'withyou？“wasEuphrasia\'snextquestion，andhertonebodedilltoanyyoungpersonwhowouldindulgeinthesetacticswithAusten。

Heshookhisheadagain，andsmiledathervehemence。

“No，she\'snotplayingwithme——sheisn\'tthatkind。I\'dliketotellyou，butIcan\'t——Ican\'t。ItwasonlybecauseyouguessedthatIsaidanythingaboutit。“Hedisengagedhishand，androse，andpattedheronthecheek。“IsupposeIhadtotellsomebody，“hesaid，“andyouseemed，somehow，tobetherightperson，Phrasie。“

Euphrasiaroseabruptlyandlookedupintentlyintohisface。Hethoughtitstrangeafterwards，ashedrovealongthedarkroads，thatshehadnotansweredhim。

Eventhoughthematterwereonthekneesofthegods，Euphrasiawouldhavetakenitthence，ifshecould。NordidAustenknowthatshesharedwithhim，thatnight，hiswakinghours。

ThenextmorningMr。ThomasGaylord，theyounger，wasmakinghiswaytowardstheofficeoftheGaylordLumberCompany，convenientlysituatedonWillowStreet，neartherailroad。YoungTomwasinaparticularlyjovialframeofmind，despitethefactthathehadarrivedinRipton，onthenightexpress，asearlyasfiveo\'clockinthemorning。HehadbeentouringtheStateostensiblyonlumberbusiness，butyoungTomhadalargeandvariedpersonalaswellascommercialacquaintance，andhehadtheinestimablehappinessofbeingregardedasanhonestman，whilehisroughandgenialqualitiesmadehimbeloved。Forthesereasonsandothersofamorematerialnature，suggestionsfromMr。ThomasGaylordwereapttobewellreceived——andTomhadbeenmakingsuggestions。

Earlyashewasathisoffice——theoffice-boywassprinklingthefloor——

youngTomhadavisitorwhowasearlierstill。Pausinginthedoorway，Mr。Gaylordbeheldwithastonishmentaprim，elderlyladyinastiff，blackdresssittinguprightontheedgeofacapaciousoakchairwhichseemeditselfratherdiscomfitedbywhatitcontained，——foritshospitalityhadhithertobeenextendedtovisitorsofaverydifferentsort。

“Well，uponmysoul，“criedyoungTom，“ifitisn\'tEuphrasia！“

“Yes，it\'sme，“saidEuphrasia；“I\'vebeentomarket，andIhadanotiontoseeyoubeforeIwenthome。“

Mr。Gaylordtooktheoffice-boylightlybythecollarofhiscoatandliftedhim，sprinklingcanandall，outofthedoorwayandclosedthedoor。ThenhedrewhisrevolvingchairclosetoEuphrasia，andsatdown。

Theywereoldfriends，andmorethanonceinayouthfarfrommodelTomhadexperiencedcertainphysicalreproofatherhands，forwhichheborenoill-will。Therewasanxietyonhisfaceasheasked:——

“Therehasn\'tbeenanyaccident，hasthere，Euphrasia？“

“No，“shesaid。

“Nonewrow？“inquiredTom。

“No，“saidEuphrasia。Shewasadirectperson，asweknow，buttruedescendantsofthePuritansbelieveinthedecencyofpreliminaries，andherewascertainlyanaffairnottobeplungedinto。Euphrasiawasaspinsterinthestrictestsenseofthatformidableandhighlydescriptiveterm，andsheintendedultimatelytodiscusswithTomasubjectofwhichshewassupposedbytraditiontobewhollyignorant，themerementionofwhichstillbroughtwarmthtohercheeks。Suchadelicatemattershouldsurelybeleduptodelicately。InthemeanwhileTomwasmystified。

“Well，I\'mmightygladtoseeyou，anyhow，“hesaidheartily。“Itwasfoodofyoutocall，Euphrasia。Ican\'tofferyouacigar。“

“Ishouldthinknot，“saidEuphrasia。

Tomreddened。Hestillretainedforhersomeofhisyouthfulawe。

“Ican\'tdothehonoursofhospitalityasI\'dwishto，“hewenton；“I

can\'tgiveyouanythinglikethepiesyouusedtogiveme。“

“Youstolemostof\'em，“saidEuphrasia。

“Iguessthat\'sso，“saidyoungTom，laughing，“butI\'llnevertastepieslike\'emagainaslongasIlive。Doyouknow，Euphrasia，thereweretworeasonswhythosewerethebestpiesIeverate？“

“Whatwerethey？“sheasked，apparentlyunmoved。

“First，“saidTom，“becauseyoumade\'em，andsecond，becausetheywerestolen。“

Truly，youngTomhadawaywithwomen，hadheonlybeenawareofit。

“Inevertookmuchstockinstolenthings，“saidEuphrasia。

“It\'sbecauseyouneverweretemptedwithsuchpieasthat，“repliedtheaudaciousMr。Gaylord。

“You\'regettin\'almightystout，“saidEuphrasia。

Asweseeherthismorning，couldsheindeedeverhavehadaloveaffair？

“Idon\'thavetousemylegsasmuchasIoncedid，“saidTom。Andthisremarkbroughttoanendthefirstphaseofthisconversation，——broughttoanend，apparently，allconversationwhatsoever。Tomrackedhisbrainforanewtopic，openedhisroll-topdesk，drummedonit，lookedupattheceilingandwhistledsoftly，andthenturnedandfacedagaintheimperturbableEuphrasia。

“Euphrasia，“hesaid，you\'renotexactlyapolitician，Ibelieve。“

“Well，“saidEuphrasia，I\'vebe\'nmalignedagoodmanytimes，butnobodyeverwentthatfar。“

Mr。Gaylordshookwithlaughter。

“ThenIguessthere\'snoharminconfidingpoliticalsecretstoyou，“hesaid。“I\'vebeenaroundtheStatesomethisweek，talkingtopeopleI

know，andIbelieveifyourAustenwasn\'tsoobstinate，wecouldmakehimgovernor。“

“Obstinate？“ejaculatedEuphrasia。

“Yes，“saidTom，withatwinkleinhiseye，“obstinate。Hedoesn\'tseemtowantsomethingthatmostmenwouldgivetheirsoulsfor。“

“Andwhyshouldhedirtyhimselfwithpolitics？“shedemanded。“IntheyearsI\'velivedwithHilaryVaneI\'veseenenoughofpoliticians，goodnessknows。Ineverwanttoseeanother。“

“IfAustenwasgovernor，we\'dchangesomeofthat。Butmind，Euphrasia，thisisasecret，“saidTom，raisingawarningfinger。“IfAustenhearsaboutitnow，thejig\'sup。“

Euphrasiaconsideredandthawedalittle。

“Theydon\'toftenhavegovernorsthatyoung，dothey？“sheasked。

“No，“saidTom，forcibly，“theydon\'t。AndsofarasIknow，theyhaven\'thadsuchagovernorforyearsasAustenwouldmake。Buthewon\'tpushhimself。Youknow，Euphrasia，IhavealwaysbelievedthathewillbePresidentsomeday。“

Euphrasiareceivedthissomewhatstartlingpredictioncomplacently。Shehadnodoubtofitsaccuracy，buttheenunciationofitraisedyoungTominherestimation，andincidentallybroughthernearerhertopic。

“Austenain\'thimselflately，“sheremarked。

“Iknewthathedidn\'tgetalongwithHilary，“saidTom，sympathetically，beginningtorealizenowthatEuphrasiahadcometotalkaboutheridol。

“It\'sHilarydoesn\'tgetalongwithhim，“sheretortedindignantly。

“He\'sresponsible——notAusten。Ofallthenarrow，pig-headed，selfishmentheLordevercreated，HilaryVane\'stheworst。It\'sHilarydrovehimoutofhismother\'shousetolivewithstrangers。It\'sAustenthatcomesaroundtoinquireforhisfather——HilaryneverhasawordtosayaboutAusten。“AtraceofcolouractuallyroseunderEuphrasia\'ssallowskin，andshecasthereyesdownward。“You\'veknownhimagoodwhile，haven\'tyou，Tom？“

“Allmylife，“saidTom，mystifiedagain，“allmylife。AndI，thinkmoreofhimthanofanybodyelseintheworld。“

“Icalculatedasmuch，“shesaid；“that\'swhyIcame。“Shehesitated。

ArtfulEuphrasia！WewilllettheingenuousMr。Gaylordbethefirsttomentionthisdelicatematter，ifpossible。“Goodnessknows，itain\'tHilaryIcametotalkabout。Ihadanotionthatyou\'dknowifanythingelsewastroublingAusten。“

“Why，“saidTom，“therecan\'tbeanybusinesstroublesoutsideofthoseHilary\'smixedupin。Austendoesn\'tspendanymoneytospeakof，exceptwhathegivesaway，andhe\'spracticallychiefcounselforourcompany。“

Euphrasiawassilentamoment。

“Isupposethere\'snothingelsethatcouldbotherhim，“sheremarked。

ShehadneverheldTomGaylord\'spowersofcomprehensioninhighestimation，andtheestimatehadnotrisenduringthisvisit。Butshehadundervaluedhim；evenTomcouldrisetoaninspiration——whenthesourcesofallotherinspirationswereeliminated。

“Why，“heexclaimed，withamasculinelackofdelicacy，“hemaybeinlove——“

“That\'sstruckyou，hasit？“saidEuphrasia。

ButTomappearedtobethinking；hewas，intruth，engagedincollectinghiscumulativeevidence:Austen\'ssleigh-rideatthecapital，whichhehaddiscovered；histalkwithVictoriaafterherfall，whenshehadbetrayedaninterestinAustenwhichTomhadthoughtentirelynatural；

andfinallyVictoria\'sappearanceatMr。Crewe\'srallyinRipton。YoungMr。Gaylordhadnothadagreatdealofexperienceinaffairsoftheheart，andhewashimselfawarethathisdiagnosisinsuchamatterwouldnotcarrymuchweight。HehadconceivedatremendousadmirationforVictoria，whichhadbeenshakenalittlebythesuspicionthatshemightbeintendingtomarryMr。Crewe。TomGaylordsawnoreasonwhyAustenVaneshouldnotmarryMr。Flint\'sdaughterifhechose——oranyotherman\'sdaughter；partaking，inthisrespect，somewhatofEuphrasia\'sview。

AsforAustenhimself，Tomhadseennosymptoms；butthen，hereflected，hewouldnotbelikelytoseeany。However，heperceivedtheobjectnowofEuphrasia\'svisit，andbegantotaketheliveliestinterestinit。

“SoyouthinkAusten\'sinlove？“hedemanded。

Euphrasiasatupstraighter，ifanything。

“Ididn\'tsayanythingofthekind，“shereturned。

“Hewouldn\'ttellme，youknow，“saidTom；“Icanonlyguessatit。“

“Andthe——lady？“saidEuphrasia，craftily。

“I\'mupatreethere，too。AllIknowisthathetookhersleigh-ridingoneafternoonatthecapital，andwouldn\'ttellmewhohewasgoingtotake。AndthenshefelloffherhorsedownatEastTunbridgeStation——“

“Felloffherhorse！“echoedEuphrasia，anaccidentcomparableinhermindtofallingoffaroof。Whatmannerofyoungwomanwasthiswhofelloffhorses？

“Shewasn\'thurt，“Tomcontinued，“andsherodethebeasthome。Hewasawildone，Icantellyou，andshe\'sgotpluck。That\'sthefirsttimeI

evermether，althoughIhadoftenseenherandthoughtshewasastunnertolookat。ShetalkedasifshetookaninterestinAusten。“

AnexactportrayalofEuphrasia\'sfeelingsatthisdescriptionoftheobjectofAusten\'saffectionsisalmostimpossible。Ayoungwomanwhowasastunner，whorodewildhorsesandfelloffthemandrodethemagain，wasbeyondthepalenotonlyofEuphrasia\'sexperiencebutofherimaginationlikewise。AndthishoydenhadtalkedasthoughshetookaninterestinAusten！Euphrasiawasspeechless。

“ThenexttimeIsawher，“saidTom，“waswhenshecamedownheretolistentoHumphreyCrewe\'sattacksontherailroad。IthoughtthatwasasortofaqueerthingforFlint\'sdaughtertodo，butAustendidn\'tseemtolookatitthatway。Hetalkedtoheraftertheshowwasover。“

AtthispointEuphrasiacouldcontainherselfnolonger，andinherexcitementsheslippedofftheedgeofthechairandontoherfeet。

“Flint\'sdaughter？“shecried；“AugustusP。Flint\'sdaughter？“

Tomlookedatherinamazement。

“Didn\'tyouknowwhoitwas？“hestammered。ButEuphrasiawasnotlistening。

“I\'veseenher，“shewassaying；“I\'veseenherridin\'throughRiptoninthatlittleredwagon，drivin\'herself，withacoachmanperchedupbesideher。Flint\'sdaughter！“Euphrasiabecamespeechlessoncemore，thecomplicationsopenedupbeingtoovastforintelligentcomment。

Euphrasia，however，graspedsomeoftheproblemswhichAustenhadhadtoface。Moreover，shehadlearnedwhatshehadcomefor，andtheobviousthingtodonowwastogohomeandreflect。So，withoutfurtherceremony，shewalkedtothedoorandopenedit，andturnedagainwithherhandontheknob。“Lookhere，TomGaylord，“shesaid，ifyoutellAustenIwashere，I\'llneverforgiveyou。Idon\'tbelieveyou\'vegotanymoresensethantodoit。“

Andwiththesewordsshetookherdeparture，eretheamazedMr。Gaylordhadtimetoshowherout。Halfanhourelapsedbeforeheopenedhisletters。

WhenshearrivedhomeinHanoverStreetitwasnineo\'clock——anhourwelloninthedayforEuphrasia。Unlockingthekitchendoor，shegaveaglanceatthestovetoassureherselfthatithadnotbeenmisbehaving，andwentintothepassageonherwayup-stairstotakeoffhergownbeforesittingdowntoreflectupontheastonishingthingshehadheard。

HabithadsocrystallizedinEuphrasiathatnonews，howeveramazing，couldhaveshakenit。Butinthepassageshepaused；anunwonted，orratheruntimely，soundreachedherears，asoundwhichcamefromthefrontofthehouse——andatnineo\'clockinthemorning！HadAustenbeenathome，Euphrasiawouldhavethoughtnothingofit。InherremembranceHilaryVane，whetherhereturnedfromajourneyornot，hadneverbeeninsidethehouseatthathouronaweek-day；and，unlikethegentlemanin“LaViedeBoheme，“EuphrasiadidnothavetoberemindedoftheSabbath。

PerhapsAustenhadreturned！Orperhapsitwasaburglar！Euphrasia，undaunted，ranthroughthedarkenedfronthalltowherethegracefulbanisterendedinacurveatthefootofthestairs，andthere，onthebottomstep，satamanwithhisheadinhishands。Euphrasiashrieked。

Helookedup，andshesawthatitwasHilaryVane。Shewouldhaveshrieked，anyway。

“Whatintheworld\'sthematterwithyou？“shecried。

“I——Istumbledcomingdownthestairs，“hesaid。

“Butwhatareyoudoingathomeinthemiddleofthemorning？“shedemanded。

Hedidnotanswerher。Thesubduedlightwhichcreptundertheporchandcameinthroughthefanshapedwindowoverthedoorfellonhisface。

“Areyousick？“saidEuphrasia。Inallherlifeshehadneverseenhimlooklikethat。

Heshookhishead，butdidnotattempttorise。AHilaryVanewithoutvigour！

“No，“hesaid，“no。Ijustcameupherefromthetrainto——getsomethin\'

I\'dleftinmyroom。“

“Alikelystory！“saidEuphrasia。“You\'veneverdonethatinthirtyyears。You\'resick，andI\'ma-goingforthedoctor。“

Sheputherhandtohisforehead，buthethrustitawayandgottohisfeet，althoughintheefforthecompressedhislipsandwinced。

“Youstaywhereyouare，“hesaid；“ItellyouI\'mnotsick，andI\'mgoingdowntothesquare。Let，thedoctorsalone——Ihaven\'tgotanyusefor\'em。“

Hewalkedtothedoor，openedit，andwentoutandslammeditinherface。Bythetimeshehadgotitopenagain——acrack——hehadreachedthesidewalk，andwasapparentlyinfullpossessionofhispowersandfaculties。

CHAPTERXXIII

AFALLING-OUTINHIGHPLACES

Althoughoneofthemostexcitingpoliticalbattleseverfoughtisfastcomingtoitsclimax，andanowjubilantMr。CreweiscontestingeveryfootofgroundintheStatewiththedeterminationandpertinacitywhichmakehimamarkedman；althoughtheconventionwhereinhisfatewillbedecidedisnowbutafewdaysdistant，andeverythinghasbeendonetosecureavictorywhichmortalmancando，letusfollowHilaryVanetoFairview。NotthatHilaryhasbeenidle。The“BookofArguments“isexhausted，andthechiefsandthecaptainshavebeentoRipton，andreceivedtheirfinalorders，butmorethanonehasgonebacktohisfiefwiththevisionofachangedHilarywhohaspuzzledthem。RumourshavebeenintheairthattheharmonybetweentheSourceofPowerandtheDistributionofPowerisnotascompleteasitoncewas。Certainly，HilaryVaneisnotthemanhewas——althoughthismustnotevenbewhispered。SenatorWhitredgehadtold——butnevermindthat。Intheolddaysanorderwasanorder；therewerenorebelsthen。Intheolddaystherewasnowaveringandrescinding，andifthechiefcounseltoldyou，withbrevity，todoathing，youwentanddiditstraightway，withtheknowledgethatitwasthebestthingtodo。HilaryVanehadagedsuddenly，anditoccurredforthefirsttimetomanythat，inthisutilitarianworld，oldbloodmustbesupersededbyyoungblood。

Twodaysbeforetheconvention，immediatelyaftertakingdinnerattheRiptonHousewithMr。NatBillings，HilaryVane，inresponsetoasummons，droveuptoFairview。OnedrivingbehindhimwouldhaveobservedthattheHonourableHilary\'shorsetookhisowngaits，andthatthereins，mostofthetime，droopedlistlesslyonhisquarters。A

Septemberstillnesswasintheair，aSeptemberpurpleclothedthedistanthills，buttoHilarythegloriesofthedaywereasthingsnon-

existent。EventhegroomatFairview，whotookhishorse，glancedbackathimwithapeculiarexpressionashestoodforamomentonthestepswithahesitancythemanhadneverbeforeremarked。

InthemeantimeMr。Flint，withapileoflettersinaspecialbasketontheedgeofhisdesk，wasawaitinghiscounsel；thepresidentoftheNortheasternwaspacinghisroom，aswashiswontwhenhisactivitieswereforamomentcurbed，orwhenhehadsomethingonhismind；andeveryfewmomentshewouldglancetowardshismantelattheclockwhichwassettorailroadtime。InpastdayshehadneverknownHilaryVanetobeamomentlatetoanappointment。Thedoorwasopen，andfiveandtwentyminuteshadpassedthehourbeforehesawthelawyerinthedoorway。Mr。

Flintwasamanofsuchpreoccupationofmindthathewasnotlikelytobestruckbyanychangetheremighthavebeeninhiscounsel\'sappearance。

“It\'shalf-pastthree，“hesaid。

Hilaryentered，andsatdownbesidethewindow。

“YoumeanthatI\'mlate，“hereplied。

“I\'vegotsomeengineerscominghereinlessthananhour，“saidMr。

Flint。

“I\'llbegoneinlessthananhour，“saidHilary。

“Well，“saidMr。Flint，“let\'sgetdowntohardtack。I\'vegottobefrankwithyou，Vane，andtellyouplainlythatthispoliticalbusinessisallatsixesandsevens。“

“Itisn\'tnecessarytotellmethat，“saidHilary。

“Whatdoyoumean？“

“ImeanthatIknowit。“

“Toputitmildly，“thepresidentoftheNortheasterncontinued，“it\'stheworstmixed-upcampaignIeverknew。Herewearewiththeconventiononlytwodaysoff，andwedon\'tknowwherewestand，howmanydelegateswe\'vegot，orwhetherthisupstartatLeithisgoingtobenominatedoverourheads。Here\'sAdamHuntwithhisbackup，declaringhe\'sareformer，andallhissectionoftheStatebehindhim。Nowifthatcouldhavebeenhandledotherwise——“

“WhotoldHunttogoin？“Hilaryinquired。

“Thingsweredifferentthen，“saidMr。Flint，vigorously。“Hunthadbeenpromisedthegovernorshipforalongtime，andwhenRidoutbecameoutofthequestion——“

“WhydidRidoutbecomeoutofthequestion？“askedHilary。

Mr。Flintmadeagestureofimpatience。

“OnaccountofthatfoolishnessintheLegislature，ofcourse。“

“ThatfoolishnessintheLegislature，asyoucallit，representedasentimentallovertheState，“saidHilary。“AndifI\'dbeenyou，I

wouldn\'thaveletHuntinthisyear。Butyoudidn\'taskmyopinion。YouaskedmewhenyoubeggedmetogetAdamout，andIpredictedthathewouldn\'tgetout。“

Mr。Flinttookaturnupanddowntheroom。

“I\'msorryIdidn\'tsendforhimtogotoNewYork，“hesaid。“Well，anyway，thecampaign\'sbeenmuddled，that\'scertain，——whoevermuddledit。“Andthepresidentlookedathiscounselasthoughhe，atleast，hadnodoubtsonthispoint。ButHilaryappearedunawareoftheimplication，andmadenoreply。

“Ican\'tfindoutwhatBascomandBotcheraredoing，“Mr。Flintwenton；

“Idon\'tgetanyreports——theyhaven\'tbeenhere。Perhapsyouknow。

They\'vehadtrippassesenoughtomovethewholepopulationofPutnamCounty。Fairplaysaysthey\'regettin\'delegatesforAdamHuntinsteadofGilesHenderson。AndWhitredgesaysthatJakeBotcheristalkingreform。“

“IguessBotcherandBascomknowtheirbusiness，“saidMr。Vane。IfMr。

Flinthadbeenalessconcentratedman，hemighthaveobservedthattheHonourableHilaryhadnotcutapieceofHoneyDewthisafternoon。

“Whatistheirbusiness？“askedMr。Flint——alittleirrelevantlyforhim。

“WhatyouandItaught\'em，“saidMr。Vane。

Mr。Flintconsideredthisamoment，anddecidedtoletitpass。HelookedattheHonourableHilarymoreclosely，however。

“What\'sthematterwithyou，Vane？You\'renotsick，areyou？“

“No。“

Mr。Flinttookanotherturn。

“Nowthequestionis，whatarewegoingtodo？Ifyou\'vegotanyplan，I

wanttohearit。“

Mr。Vanewassilent。

“SupposeCrewegoesintotheconventionwithenoughdelegatestolockitup，sothatnoneofthethreehasamajority？“

“Iguesshe\'lldothat，“saidMr。Vane。Hefumbledinhispocket，anddrewoutatypewrittenlist。Itmustbeexplainedthatthecaucuses，orprimaries，hadbeenheldinthevarioustownsoftheStateatodddates，andthatthedelegatespledgedforthedifferentcandidateshadbeenpublishedinthenewspapersfromtimetotime——althoughverymuchinaccordancewiththedesiresoftheirindividualnewspapers。Mr。Crewe\'sdelegatesnecessarilyhadbeenannouncedbywhatisknownaspoliticaladvertising。Mr。FlinttooktheHonourableHilary\'slist，ranhiseyeoverit，andwhistled。

“Youmeanheclaimsthreehundredandfiftyoutofthethousand。“

“No，“saidHilary，“heclaimssixhundred。He\'llhavethreehundredandfifty。“

Inspiteofthe\'BookofArguments，\'Mr。Crewewastohavethreehundred！

Itwasincredible，preposterous。Mr。Flintlookedathiscounseloncemore，andwonderedwhetherhecouldbementallyfailing。

“Fairplayonlygiveshimtwohundred。“

“Fairplayonlygavehimten，inthebeginning，“saidHilary。

“YoucomeheretwodaysbeforetheconventionandtellmeCrewehasthreehundredandfifty！“Mr。Flintexclaimed，asthoughHilaryVanewerepersonallyresponsibleforMr。Crewe\'sdelegates。Averydifferenttonefromthatofothertimes，whenconventionsweremereratificationsofImperialdecrees。“Doyourealizewhatitmeansifwelosecontrol？

Thousandsandthousandsofdollarsinimprovements——rollingstock，betterservice，newbridges，andeliminationsofgradecrossings。Andthey\'llraiseourtaxratetotheaverage，whichmeansthousandsmore。Anewrailroadcommissionthatwecan\'ttalkto，andlowerdividends——lowerdividends，doyouunderstand？Thatmeanstroublewiththedirectors，thestockholders，andcallsforexplanations。AndwhatexplanationscanI

makewhichcanbeprintedinapublicreport？“

“Youwerealwaysprettygoodat\'em，Flint，“saidHilary。

Thisremark，aswasperhapsnatural，didnotimprovethetemperofthepresidentoftheNortheastern。

“IfyouthinkIlikethispoliticalbusinessanybetterthanyoudo，you\'remightilymistaken，“hereplied。“AndnowIwanttohearwhatplanyou\'vegotfortheconvention。Supposethere\'sadeadlock，asyousaytherewillbe，howareyougoingtohandleit？CanyougetadealthroughbetweenGilesHendersonandAdamHunt？Withallmyotherwork，I\'vehadtogointothismyself。Hunthasn\'tgotachance。BascomandBotcherareegginghimonandmakinghimbelievehehas。WhenHuntgetsintotheconventionandbeginstofalloff，you\'vegottotalktohim，Vane。AndhisdelegateshaveallgottobeseenatthePelicanthenightbeforeandunderstandthatthey\'retoswingtoHendersonaftertwoballots。You\'vegottokeepyourhandonthethrottleintheconvention，youunderstand。AndIdon\'tneedtoimpressuponyouhowgravearetheconsequencesifthismanCrewegetsin，withpublicsentimentbehindhimandareactionaryLowerHouse。You\'vegottokeepyourhandonthethrottle。“

“That\'spartofmybusiness，isn\'tit？“Hilaryasked，withoutturninghishead。

Mr。Flintdidnotanswer，buthiseyerestedagainonhiscounsel\'sface。

“I\'mthatkindofalawyer，“Hilarycontinued，apparentlymoretohimselfthantohiscompanion。“YoupaymeforthatsortofthingmorethanfortheworkIdointhecourts。Isn\'tthatso，Flint？“

Mr。Flintwasbaffled。Twoqualitieswhichwereverydeartohimhedesignatedassaneandsafe，andhehadhithertoregardedhiscounselasthesanestandsafestofmen。Thisremarkmadehimwonderseriouslywhetherthelawyer\'smindwerenotgivingaway；andifso，towhomwashetoturnatthiseleventhhour？NomanintheStateknewtheinsandoutsofconventionsasdidHilaryVane；and，intheraretimeswhentherehadbeencrises，hehadsatquietlyinthelittleroomofftheplatformasatthekeyboardofanorgan，andthedelegateshadrespondedtohistouch。

HilaryVanehadnamedthepresidentsofconventions，andthecommittees，andbypullingoutstopscouldgetsuchresolutionsashewished——orasMr。Flintwished。Butnow？

SuddenlyasuspicioninvadedMr。Flint\'strainofthought；herepeatedHilary\'swordsovertohimself。“I\'mthatkindofalawyer，“andanotherindividualityarosebeforethepresidentoftheNortheastern。Instinctsarecuriousthings。Ontheday，someyearsbefore，whenAustenVanehadbroughthispassintothisveryroomandlaiditdownonhisdesk，Mr。

Flinthadrecognizedamanwithwhomhewouldhavetodeal，——astrongermanthanHilary。SincethenhehadseenAusten\'shandinvariousdisturbingmatters，andnowitwasasifheheardAustenspeaking。“I\'mthatkindofalawyer。“NotHilaryVane，butHilaryVane\'ssonwasresponsibleforHilaryVane\'scondition——thisrecognitioncametoMr。

Flintinaflash。AustenhadsomehowaccomplishedtheincrediblefeatofmakingHilaryVaneashamed——andwhensuchmenasHilaryareashamed，theirusefulnessisover。Mr。Flinthadseenthethinghappenwithacertainkindoffinanciers，onedayaggressive，combative，andthenextbroken，querulousmen。Letamanceasetobelieveinwhatheisdoing，andhelosesforce。

ThepresidentoftheNortheasternusedalocomotiveaslongaspossible，butwhenitceasedtobeabletohaulatrainup-grade，hesentittothescrap-heap。Mr。Flintwasfarfrombeingabadman，butheworshippedpower，andhismottowasthesurvivalofthefittest。HedidnotyetfeelpityforHilary——forhewasangry。Onlycontempt，——contemptthatonewhohadbeenapowershouldcometothis。Todrawasomewhatfar-

fetchedparallel，aCaptainKiddoraCaesarBorgiawithaconsciencewouldneverhavebeenheardof。Mr。Flintdidnotcallitaconscience——

hehadahardernameforit。HehadtosendHilary，thusvitiated，intotheConventiontoconductthemostimportantbattlesincethefoundingoftheEmpire，andAustenVanewasresponsible。

Mr。Flinthadtocontrolhimself。Inspiteofhisfeelings，hesawthathemustdoso。Andyethecouldnotresistsaying:

“Igetagoodmanyrumourshere。Theytellmethattheremaybeanothercandidateinthefield——adarkhorse。“

“Who？“askedHilary。

“TherewasameetingintheroomofamannamedRedbrookduringtheLegislaturetopushthiscandidate，“saidMr。Flint，eyeinghiscounselsignificantly，“andnowyoungGaylordhasbeengoingquietlyaroundtheStateinhisinterest。“

SuddenlythelistlessfigureofHilaryVanestraightened，andtheoldlookwhichhadcommandedtherespectandobedienceofmenreturnedtohiseye。

“Youmeanmyson？“hedemanded。

“Yes，“saidMr。Flint；“theytellmethatwhenthetimecomes，your，sonwillbeacandidateonaplatformopposedtoourinterests。“

“Then，“saidHilary，“theytellyouadamnedlie。“

HilaryVanehadnotswornforaquarterofacentury，andyetitistobedoubtedifheeverspokemorenobly。Heputhishandsonthearmsofhischairandliftedhimselftohisfeet，wherehestoodforamoment，atellfiguretoberemembered。Mr。Flintremembereditformanyyears。HilaryVane\'slongcoatwasopen，andseemedinitselftoexpressthisstrangeandnew-foundvigourinitsflowinglines；hisheadwasthrownback，andalookonhisfacewhichMr。Flinthadneverseenthere。Hedrewfromaninnerpocketalongenvelope，andhishandtrembled，thoughwithseemingeagerness，ashehelditouttoMr。Flint。

“Here！“hesaid。

What\'sthis？“askedMr。Flint。Heevincednodesiretotakeit，butHilarypresseditonhim。

“Myresignationascounselforyourroad。“

ThepresidentoftheNortheastern，bewilderedbythissuddentransformation，staredattheenvelope。

“What？Now——to-day？“hesaid。

“No，“answeredHilary；“readit。You\'llseeittakeseffectthedayaftertheStateconvention。I\'mnotmuchuseanymoreyou\'vedoneyourbesttobringthathometome，andyou\'llneedanewmantodo——thekindofworkI\'vebeendoingforyoufortwenty-fiveyears。Butyoucan\'tgetanewmaninaday，andIsaidI\'dstaywithyou，andIkeepmyword。

I\'llgototheconvention；I\'lldomybestforyou，asIalwayshave。

ButIdon\'tlikeit，andafterthatI\'mthrough。AfterthatIbecomealawyer——lawyer，doyouunderstand？“

“Alawyer？“Mr。Flintrepeated。

“Yes，alawyer。EversincelastJune，whenIcameuphere，I\'verealizedwhatIwas。ABrushBascom，withabettereducationandmorebrains，butaBrushBascom——withthebrainsprostituted。WhilethingsweregoingalongsmoothlyIdidn\'tknow——youneverattemptedtotalktomethiswaybefore。Doyourememberhowyoutookholdofmethatday，andbeggedmetostay？Ido，andIstayed。Why？BecauseIwasafriendofyours。

Associationwithyoufortwenty-fiveyearshadgotundermyskin，andI

thoughtithadgotunderyours。“Hilarylethishandfall。To-dayyou\'vegivenmeanotionofwhatfriendshipis。You\'vegivenmeachancetoestimatemyselfonanewbasis，andI\'mmuchobligedtoyouforthat。

Ihaven\'tgotmanyyearsleft，butI\'mgladtohavefoundoutwhatmylifehasbeenworthbeforeIdie。“

Hebuttoneduphiscoatslowly，glaringatMr。Flintthewhilewithacourageandadefiancethatweresuperb。AndhehadpickeduphishatbeforeMr。Flintfoundhistongue。

“Youdon\'tmeanthat，Vane，“hecried。“MyGod，thinkwhatyou\'vesaid！“

Hilarypointedatthedeskwithashakingfinger。

“Ifthatwereascaffold，andaropewerearoundmyneck，I\'dsayitoveragain。AndIthankGodI\'vehadachancetosayittoyou。“Hepaused，clearedhisthroat，andcontinuedinavoicethatallatoncehadbecomeunemotionalandnatural。“I\'vethreetinboxesoftheprivatepapersyouwanted。Ididn\'tthinkof\'emto-day，butI\'llbring\'emuptoyoumyselfonThursday。“

Mr。FlintreflectedafterwardsthatwhatmadehimhelplessmusthavebeenthesuddenchangeinHilary\'smannertothecommonplace。ThepresidentoftheNortheasternstoodwherehewas，holdingtheenvelopeinhishand，apparentlywithoutthepowertomoveorspeak。Hewatchedthetallformofhischiefcounselgothroughthedoorway，andsomethingtoldhimthatthatexitwascoincidentwiththeendofanera。

Theendofaneraoffraud，ofself-deception，ofconditionsthatviolatedeverysacredprincipleoffreegovernmentwhichmenhadshedbloodtoobtain。

CHAPTERXXIV

ANADVENTUREOFVICTORIA\'S

Mrs。Pomfretwasaproudwoman，forshehadatlastobtainedtheconsentoftheliontoattendalunchparty。Shewouldhavelikedadinnermuchbetter，butbeggarsarenotchoosers，andsheseizedeagerlyonthelunch。ThetwodaysbeforetheconventionMr。CrewewastospendatLeith；havingcontinualconferences，ofcourse，receivingdelegations，anddiscussingwithprominentcitizenscertainofficeswhichwouldbeinhisgiftwhenhebecamegovernor。Also，therewasMr。Watling\'snominatingspeechtobegoneovercarefully，andMr。Crewe\'sownspeechofacceptancetobecomposed。Hehaditinhismind，andhehaddecidedthatitshouldhavetwoqualities:itshouldbebriefandforceful。

Gratitude，however，isoneofthenoblestqualitiesofman，andastatesmanshouldnotfailtorewardhisfaithfulworkersandadherents。

Asoneofthechiefestofthese，Mrs。Pomfretwasentitledtohighconsideration。Hencethecandidatehadconsentedtohavealunchgiveninhishonour，namingthedayandthehour；andMrs。Pomfret，believingthataprospectivegovernorshouldpossesssomeoftheperquisitesofroyalty，inarashmomentsubmittedforhisapprovalalistofguests。

ThisincludedtwodistinguishedforeignerswhowerestayingattheLeithInn，anEnglishmanandanAustrian，andanelderlyladyofveryconsiderablesocialimportancewhowasonavisittoMrs。Pomfret。

Mr。Crewehadgraciouslysanctionedthelist，buttookthelibertyofsuggestingasanadditiontoitthenameofMissVictoriaFlint，explainingoverthetelephonetoMrs。PomfretthathehadscarcelyseenVictoriaallsummer，andthathewantedparticularlytoseeher。Mrs。

PomfretdeclaredthatshehadonlyleftoutVictoriabecauseherpresencemightbeawkwardforbothofthem，butMr。Crewewavedthisasideasatrivialandfeminineobjection；soVictoriawasinvited，andanotheryoungmantobalancethetable。

Mrs。Pomfret，asmayhavebeensurmised，wasawomanoftaste，andhervillaatLeith，thoughsmall，hadaddedconsiderablytoherreputationforthisquality。PattersonPomfrethadbeenagentlemanwithredcheeksandanincome，whoincidentallyhadbeensatisfiedwithboth。Hehadnevertriedtoaddtotheincome，whichwaslargeenoughtopaytheduesoftheclubsthelistsofwhichhethoughtworthytoincludehisname；

largeenoughtopayhotelbillsinLondonandParisandatthebaths，andtofreetheservantsatcountryhouses；largeenoughtoclothehiswifeandhimself，andtoteachAlicethethreeessentialsofmusic，French，anddeportment。Ifthatmanisnotablewhohasmasteredonethingwell，PattersonPomfretwasanotableman:hehadmasteredthepossibilitiesofhisincome，andneverinanyyearhadhegonebeyonditbysomuchasasoledvinblancorapairofredsilkstockings。Whenhedied，heleftaworthyfinancialsuccessorinhiswife。

Mrs。Pomfret，knowingtheincome，afteranexhaustivesearchdecideduponLeithastheplacetobuildhervilla。Itmustbecreditedtoherforesightthat，whenshebuilt，shesawthefuturepossibilitiesoftheplace。Theproperpeoplehadstartedit。AnditmustbecreditedtohergeniusthatsheaddedtothesepossibilitiesofLeithbybringingtoitsuchfamiliesasshethoughtworthytoliveintheneighbourhood——

familieswhichincidentallyincreasedthevalueoftheland。HervillahadadecidedFrenchlook，andwassoamazinglytrimandneatandgenerallyshipshapeastobefit——foronlythedaintiestandmostdiscriminatingfeminineoccupation。Thehousewassmall，anditsmetamorphosisfromaplainwoodenfarm-househadbeenanachievementthatexcitedgeneraladmiration。Porcheshadbeenadded，andacoatofspotlesswhiterelievedbyanorangestripingsooriginalthatmanyenvied，butnonedaredtocopyit。Thestripingwentaroundthewhitechimneys，alongthecornice，underthewindowsandontherailingsoftheporch:therewerewindowboxesgaywithgeraniumsandabundantawningsstripedwhiteandred，tomatchtheflowers:ahigh，formalhemlockhedgehidthehousefromtheroad，throughwhichenteredablue-stonedrivethatcuttheclose-croppedlawnandmadeacircletothedoorway。Underthegreatmaplesonthelawnwereatea-table，rugs，andwickerchairs，andthehouseitselfwasfurnishedbyavarietyofthingsofadesignnottobeboughtintheUnitedStatesofAmerica:desks，photographframes，writing-sets，clocks，paperknives，flowerbaskets，magazineracks，cigaretteboxes，anddozensofotherarticlesfortheduplicatesofwhichonemighthavesearchedFifthAvenueinvain。

Mr。Crewewasalittlelate。Importantmatters，hesaid，haddetainedhimatthelastmoment，andheparticularlyenjoinedMrs。Pomfret\'sbutlertolistencarefullyforthetelephone，andtwiceduringlunchitwasannouncedthatMr。Crewewaswanted。Atfirsthewaspreoccupied，andansweredabsentlyacrossthetablethequestionsoftheEnglishmanandtheAustrianaboutAmericanpolitics，andtalkedtotheladyofsocialprominenceonhisrightnotatall；nortoMrs。Pomfret\'——whoexcusedhim。Beingaladyofdiscerningqualities，however，thehostessremarkedthatMr。Crewe\'seyeswanderedmorethanoncetothefarendoftheovaltable，whereVictoriasat，andevenMrs。Pomfretcouldnotdenytheattraction。Victoriaworeafilmygownofmauvethatinfinitelybecameher，andashadowyhatwhich，inthesemi-darknessofthediningroom，wasawondroussettingforhershapelyhead。TwiceshecaughtMr。

Crewe\'slookuponherandreturneditamusedlyfromunderherlashes，——

andoncehecouldhaveswornthatshewinkedperceptibly。Whatfiresshekindledinhisdeepnatureitisimpossibletosay。

Shehadkindledotherfiresatherside。ThetallyoungEnglishmanhadlostinterestinAmericanpolitics，hadturnedhisbackuponpoorAlicePomfret，andhadforgottentheworldingeneral。NotsotheAustrian，whowasontheothersideofAlice，andwhocouldnotseeVictoria。Mr。

Crewe，byhismannerandappearance，hadimpressedhimasapersonofimportance，andhewantedtoknowmore。Besides，hewishedtoimprovehisEnglish，andAlicehadbeentoldtospeakFrenchtohim。Byaluckychance，afterseveralblindattempts，heawakenedtheinterestofthepersonality。

“IhearyouarewhattheycallreforminAmerica？“

Thiswasnotthequestionthatopenedthegates。

“Idon\'tcaremuchfortheword，“answeredMr。Crewe，shortly；“Ipreferthewordprogressive。“

Discourseontheword“progressive“bytheAustrianalmostamonologue。

Buthewasfarfrombeingdiscouraged。

“AndMrs。Pomfrettellsmetheyplaymanydetestabletricksonyou——yes？“

“Tricks！“exclaimedMr。Crewe，thememoryofmanyrecentonesbeingfreshinhismind；“Ishouldsayso。Doyouknowwhatacaucusis？“

“Caucus——caucus？Itbringssomethingtomyhead。Ah，Ihaveseenapictureofit，insomeEnglishbook。Averyfunnypicture——itisinfun，yes？“

“Apicture？“saidMr。Crewe。“Impossible！“

“Butno，“saidtheAustrian，earnestly，withonefingertohistemples。

“Itisafunnypicture，Iknow。Icannotrecall。ButthewordcaucusI

remember。Thatisadrollword。“

“Perhaps，Baron，“saidVictoria，whohadbeenresistinganalmostuncontrollabledesiretolaugh，“youhavebeenreading\'AliceinWonderland。\'“

TheEnglishman，BeatriceChillingham，andsomeothers(amongwhomwerenotMr。CreweandMrs。Pomfret)gavewaytoanextremelypardonablemirth，inwhichthegood-naturedbaronjoined。

“Ach！“hecried。“Itisso，Ihaveseenitin\'AliceinWonderland。\'“

Herethepuzzledexpressionreturnedtohisface，Buttheyarebirds，aretheynot？“

Menwhosemindsareonseriousthingsareimpatient“oflevity，andMr。

Crewelookedatthebaronoutofcold，“No，“hesaid，“theyarenotbirds。“

Thisreplywasthesignalformorelaughter。

“Athousandpardons，“exclaimedthebaron。“ItisIwhoamsoignorant。

Youwillexcuseme——yes？“

Mr。Crewewasmollified。Thebaronwasaforeigner，hehadbeentheobjectoflaughter，andMr。Crewe\'schivalrousspiritresentedit。

“WhatwecallacaucusinthetownsofthisState，“hesaid，“isameetingofcitizensofonepartytodeterminewhotheircandidatesshallbe。Acaucusisaprimary。ThereisaverylooseprimarylawinthisState，purposelykeptloosebythepoliticiansoftheNortheasternRailroads，inorderthattheymayplaysuchtricksondecentmenastheyhavebeenplayingonme。“

AtthismentionoftheNortheasternRailroadstheladyonMr。Crewe\'sright，andsomeotherguests，gavestartledglancesatVictoria。Theyobservedwithsurprisethatsheseemedquiteunmoved。

“I\'lltellyouoneortwoofthethingsthoserailroadlobbyistshavedone，“saidMr。Crewe，hisindignationrisingwiththesubject，andstilladdressingthebaron。“Theyareafraidtoletthepeopleintothecaucuses，becausetheyknowI\'llgetthedelegates。NearlyeverywhereI

speaktothepeople，Igetthedelegates。Therailroadpoliticianssendwordtothetownringstoholdsnapcaucuses\'whentheyhearI\'mcomingintoatowntospeak，andthelocalpoliticiansgiveoutnoticesonlyadaybefore，andonlytothevoterstheywantinthecaucus。InHulltheotherday，outofapopulationoftwothousand，twentymenelectedfourdelegatesfortherailroadcandidate。“

“Itiscorruption！“criedthebaron，whohadnoideawhoVictoriawas，andaveryslimnotionofwhatMr。Crewewastalkingabout。

“Corruption！“saidMr。Crewe。“WhatcanyouexpectwhenarailroadownsaState？TheotherdayinBritain，wheretheyelectfourteendelegates，theeditorofaweeklynewspaperprintedfalseballotswithtwoofmymenatthetopandoneatthebottom，andelevenrailroadmeninthemiddle。

Fortunatelysomepersonwithsensediscoveredthefraudbeforeitwastoolate。“

“Youdon\'ttellme！“saidthebaron。

“AndeveryStateandfederaloffice-holderhasbeendistributingpassesforthelastthreeweeks。“

“Pass？“repeatedthebaron。“Youmeantheyfightwiththefist——so？Todistributeapass——so，“andthebaronstruckoutatanimaginaryenemy。

“ItistheAmericanlanguage。Ihavereaditintheprize-fight。Iamtoldtoreadtheprize-fightandthebase-ballgame。“

Mr。Crewethoughtitobviouslyuselesstocontinuethisconversation。

“Therailroad，“saidthebaron，“heisthemodernMachiavelli。“

“Isay，“Mr。Rangely，theEnglishman，remarkedtoVictoria，“thisisabitroughonyou，youknow。“

“Oh，I\'musedtoit，“shelaughed。

“Mr。Crewe，“saidMrs。Pomfret，tothetableatlarge，“deservestremendouscreditforthefighthehasmade，almostsingle-handed。OurgreatestneedinthiscountryiswhatyouhaveinEngland，Mr。Rangely，——

gentlemeninpolitics。Ourcountrygentlemen，likeMr。Crewe，arenowgoingtoassumetheirproperdutiesandresponsibilities。“ShelaidhernapkinonthetableandglancedatAliceasshecontinued:“Humphrey，I

shallhavetoappointyou，asusual，themanofthehouse。Willyoutakethegentlemenintothelibrary？“

Anotherprivilegeofcelebrityistothrowawayone\'scigar，andwalkoutofthesmokingroomifoneisbored。Mr。Crewewas，inasense，thehost。HeindicatedwithawaveofhishandthecigarsandcigaretteswhichMrs。Pomfrethadprovided，andstoodinathoughtfulmannerbeforetheemptyfireplace，withhishandsinhispockets，replyinginbriefsentencestothequestionsofMr。Chillinghamandtheothers。Totellthetruth，Mr。Crewewasbringingtobearallofhisextraordinaryconcentrationofminduponaproblemwithwhichhehadbeenoccupiedforsomeyearspast。Hewasnotaman，asweknow，totaketheimportantstepsoflifeinahurry，although；likethetrulygreat，hewascapableofmakinguphismindinaverybriefperiodwhenitwasnecessarytostrike。Hehadnow，afterweighingthequestionwiththeconsiderationwhichitsgravitydemanded，finallydecidedupondefiniteaction。

Whereuponhewalkedoutofthelibrary，leavingtheothergueststocommentastheywould；ornotcommentatall，forallhecared。Likeallmasterfulmen，hewentdirecttothethinghewanted。

Theladieswerehavingcoffeeunderthemaples，bythetea-table。AtsomelittledistancefromthegroupBeatriceChillinghamwaswalkingwithVictoria，anditwasevidentthatVictoriafoundMissChillingham\'sremarksamusing。TheseweretheonlytwointhepartywhodidnotobserveMr。Crewe\'sapproach。Mrs。Pomfret，whenshesawthedirectionwhichhewastaking，lostthethreadofherconversation，andtheladywhowasvisitingherworeasignificantexpression。

“Victoria，“saidMr。Crewe，“let\'sgoaroundtotheothersideofthehouseandlookattheview。“

VictoriastartedandturnedtohimfromMissChillingham，withthefunstillsparklinginhereyes。Itwas，perhaps，aswellforMr。Crewethathehadnotoverheardtheirconversation；butthismighthaveappliedtoanyman。

“Areyousureyoucansparethetime？“sheasked。

Mr。Crewelookedathiswatch——probablyfromhabit。

“Imadeitapointtoleavethesmokingroomearly，“hereplied。

“We\'reflattered——aren\'twe，Beatrice？“

MissChillinghamhadaturned-upnose，andafacewhichwasapttobeslightlyfreckledatthistimeofyear；forshecontemnedvanityandveils。Forfearofdoingheraninjustice，itmustbeaddedthatshewasnotatallbad-looking；quitethecontraryAllthatcanbenotedinthisbriefspaceisthatBeatriceChillinghamwasherself。SomepeopledeclaredthatshewaspossessedofthesevendevilsofhersexwhichMr。

Stocktonwroteabout。

“I\'mflattered，“shesaid，andwalkedofftowardsthetea-tablewithaglanceinwhichVictoriareadmanymeanings。Mr。Crewepaidnoattentioneithertowords，look，ordeparture。

“Iwanttotalktoyou，“hesaid。

“You\'vemadethatveryplain，atleast，“answeredVictoria。“Whydidyoupretenditwastheview？“

“Someconventionalitieshavetobeobserved，Isuppose，“hesaid。“Let\'sgoaroundthere。Itisagoodview。“

“Don\'tyouthinkthisisalittle——marked？“askedVictoria，surveyinghimwithherhandsbehindherback。

“Ican\'thelpitifitis，“saidMr。Crewe。“Everyhourisvaluabletome，andI\'vegottotakemychanceswhenIget\'em。Forsomereason，youhaven\'tbeendownatLeithmuchthissummer。Whydidn\'tyoutelephoneme，asIaskedyou。“

“BecauseI\'vesuddenlygrowndignified，Isuppose，“shesaid。“Andthen，ofcourse，Ihesitatedtointrudeuponsuchapersonofimportanceasyouhavebecome，Humphrey。“

“I\'vealwaysgottimetoseeyou，“hereplied。“Ialwaysshallhave。

ButIappreciateyourdelicacy。Thatsortofthingcountswithamanmorethanmostwomenknow。“

“ThenIamrepaid，“saidVictoria，“forexercisingself-control。“

“Ifinditalwayspays，“declaredMr。Crewe，andheglancedatherwithdistinctapproval。Theywereskirtingthehouse，andpresentlycameoutuponatinyterracewhereyoungRidleyhadmadeaminiatureItaliangardenwhentheElectricdividendshadincreased，andfromwhichtherewasavistaoftheshallowsoftheBlue。Herewasastonegarden-seatwhichMrs。PomfrethadbroughtfromItaly，andoverwhichshehadquarrelledwiththecustomsauthorities。Mr。Crewe，withawaveofhishand，signifiedhispleasurethattheyshouldsit，andclearedhisthroat。

“It\'sjustaswell，perhaps，“hebegan，“thatwehaven\'thadthechancetoseeeachotherearlier。Whenamanstartsoutuponanundertakingofthegravestimportance，whereinhestakeshisreputation，anundertakingforwhichheisridiculedandreviled，helikestohavehisjudgmentjustified。Helikestobevindicated，especiallyintheeyesof——peoplewhomhecaresabout。Personally，IneverhadanydoubtthatIshouldbethenextgovernor，becauseIknewinthebeginningthatIhadestimatedpublicsentimentcorrectly。Themanwhosucceedsinthisworldisthemanwhohassagacityenoughtogaugepublicsentimentaheadoftime，andthecouragetoactonhisbeliefs。“

Victorialookedathimsteadily。Hewasverycalm，andhehadonekneecrossedovertheother。

“Andthesagacity，“sheadded，“tochoosehislieutenantsinthefight。“

“Exactly，“saidMr。Crewe。“Ihavealwaysdeclared，Victoria，thatyouhadanaturalaptitudeforaffairs。“

“Ihaveheardmyfathersay，“shecontinued，stillmaintaininghersteadyglance，“thatHamiltonTootingisoneoftheshrewdestpoliticianshehaseverknown。Isn\'tMr。Tootingoneofyourright-handmen？“

“Hecouldhardlybecalledthat，“Mr。Crewereplied。“Infact，Ihaven\'tanywhatyoumightcall\'right-handmen。\'ThelargeproblemsIhavehadtodecideformyself。AsforTooting，he\'swellenoughinhisway；heunderstandsthetricksofthepoliticians——he\'splayed\'em，Iguess。

He\'suneducated；he\'smerelyaworker。Yousee，“hewenton，“onegreatreasonwhyI\'vebeensosuccessfulisbecauseI\'vebeenpractical。I\'vetakenmaterialsasI\'vefoundthem。“

“Isee，“answeredVictoria，turningherheadandgazingovertheterraceatthesparklingreachesoftheriver。SherememberedthecloseofthatwintryafternooninMr。Crewe\'shouseatthecapital，andshewasquitewillingtodohimexactjustice，andtobelievethathehadforgottenit——which，indeed，wasthecase。

“Iwanttosay，“hecontinued，“thatalthoughIhaveknownand——ahem——

admiredyouformanyyears，Victoria，whathasstruckmemostforciblyinyourfavourhasbeenyouropen-mindedness——especiallyonthegreatpoliticalquestionsthissummer。Ihavenoideahowmuchyouknowaboutthem，butonewouldnaturallyhaveexpectedyou，onaccountofyourfather，tobeprejudiced。Sometime，whenIhavemoreleisure，Ishallgointothem，fullywithyou。AndinthemeantimeI\'llhavemysecretarysendyouthecompletelistofmyspeechesuptodate，andIknowyouwillreadthemcarefully。“

“Youareverykind，Humphrey，“shesaid。

Absorbedinthepresentationofhissubject(whichchancedtobehimself)，Mr。Crewedidnotobservethatherlipswereparted，andthattherewerelittlecreasesaroundhereyes。

“Andsometime，“saidMr。Crewe，whenallthishasblownoveralittle，I

shallhaveatalkwithyourfather。Heundoubtedlyunderstandsthatthereisscarcelyanyquestionofmyelection。Heprobablyrealizes，too，thathehasbeeninthe——wrong，andthatrailroaddominationmustcease——hehasalreadymadeseveralconcessions，asyouknow。IwishyouwouldtellhimfrommethatwhenIamgovernor，Ishallmakeitapointtodiscussthewholematterwithhim，andthathewillfindinmenofoeofcorporations。JusticeiswhatIstandfor。Temperamentally，Iamtooconservative，Iamtoomuchofabusinessman，totamperwithvestedinterests。“

“Iwilltellhim，Humphrey，“saidVictoria。

Mr。Crewecoughed，andlookedathiswatchonce，more。“Andnow，havingmadethatclear，“hesaid，“andhavingonlyaquarterofanhourbeforeI

havetoleavetokeepanappointment，Iamgoingtotakeupanothersubject。AndIaskyoutobelieveitisnotdonelightly，orwithoutdueconsideration，butastheresultofsomeyearsofthought。“

Victoriaturnedtohimseriously——andyetthecreaseswerestillaroundhereyes。

“Icanwellbelieveit，Humphrey，“sheanswered。“But——haveyoutime？“

“Yes，“hesaid，“Ihavelearnedthevalueofminutes。“

“Butnotofhours，perhaps，“shereplied。

That，“saidMr。Crewe，indulgently，“isawoman\'spointofview。Amancannotdallythroughlife，andyourkindofwomanhasnouseforamanwhodallies。First，Iwillgiveyoumyideaofawoman。“

“Iamallattention，“saidVictoria。

“Well，“saidMr。Crewe，puttingthetopsofhisfingerstogether，“sheshouldexcelasahousewife。Ihaven\'tanyuseforyourso-calledintellectualwoman。Ofcourse，whatImeanbyahousewifeissomethingalittlelessbourgeoise；sheshouldbeabletoconductanestablishmentwiththeneatnessanddespatchandeconomyofawell-runhotel。Sheshouldbeabletoseatatableinstantlyandaccurately，givingtotheprominentgueststheprestigetheydeserve。NorhaveIanysympathywiththenotionthatmakesamarriedwomanalawuntoherself。Sheentersvoluntarilyintoanagreementwherebysheputsherselfunderthecontrolofherhusband:hisinterests，hiscareer，his——“

“Comfort？“suggestedVictoria。

“Yes，hiscomfort——allthatcomesfirst。Andhisestablishmentisconductedprimarily，andhisguestsselected，intheinterestsofhisfortunes。Ofcourse，thatgoeswithoutsayingofamaninhighplaceinpubliclife。Buthemustchooseforhiswifeawomanwhoisequaltoallthesethings，——tomymindherhighestachievement，——whomakesthemostofthepositionhegivesher，presidesathistableandentertainments，andreachessuchpeopleas，foranyreason，heisunabletoreach。Ihavetakenthepainstopointoutthesethingsinageneralway，forobviousreasons。Mygreatestdesireistobefair。“

“What，“askedVictoria，withhereyesontheriver，“whatarethewages？“

Mr。Crewelaughed。Incidentally，hethoughtherprofileveryfine。

“Idonotbelieveinflattery，“hesaid，“butIthinkIshouldaddtothequalificationspersonalityandasenseofhumour。IamquitesureI

couldneverlivewithawoman——whodidn\'thaveasenseofhumour。“

“Ishouldthinkitwouldbealittledifficult，“saidVictoria，“togetawomanwiththequalificationsyouenumerateandasenseofhumourthrownin。“

“Infinitelydifficult，“declaredMr。Crewe，withmoreardourthanhehadyetshown。“Ihavewaitedagoodmanyyears，Victoria。“

“Andyet，“shesaid，“youhavebeenhappy。Youhaveaperpetualsourceofenjoymentdeniedtosomepeople。“

“Whatisthat？“heasked。Itisnaturalforamantoliketohearthepointsofhischaracterdiscussedbyadiscerningwoman。

“Yourself，“saidVictoria，suddenlylookinghimfullintheface。“Youarecomplete，Humphrey，asitis。Youarehappilymarriedalready。

Besides，“sheadded，laughingalittle，“thequalitiesyouhavementioned——withtheexceptionofthesenseofhumour——arenotthoseofawife，butofabusinesspartneroftheoppositesex。Whatyoureallywantisabusinesspartnerwithsomethinglikeafifthinterest，andwhosenameshallnotappearintheagreement。“

Mr。Crewelaughedagain。Nevertheless，hewasalittlepuzzledoverthisremark。