Sheltonwalkedhome，lettingthespringwindintohim。ItwasSaturday，andhepassedmanysilentcouples。Ineverylittlepatchofshadowhecouldseetwoformsstandingorsittingclosetogether，andintheirpresenceWordstheImpostorsseemedtoholdtheirtongues。Thewindrustledthebuds；thestars，onemomentbrightasdiamonds，vanishedthenext。Inthelowerstreetsalargepartoftheworldwasundertheinfluenceofdrink，butbythisSheltonwasfarfrombeingtroubled。ItseemedbetterthanDrama，thandressing-
baggedmen，unruffledwomen，andpaddedpointsofview，betterthantheimmaculatesolidityofhisfriend\'spossessions。
\"So，\"hereflected，\"it\'srightforeveryreason，social，religious，andconvenient，toinflictone\'ssocietywhereit\'snotdesired。
Thereareobviouslyadvantagesaboutthemarriedstate；charmingtofeelrespectablewhileyou\'reactinginawaythatinanyotherwalkoflifewouldbringonyoucontempt。IfoldHalidomeshowedthathewastiredofme，andIcontinuedtovisithim，he\'dthinkmeabitofacad；butifhiswifeweretotellhimshecouldn\'tstandhim，he\'dstillconsiderhimselfaperfectgentlemanifhepersistedingivinghertheburdenofhissociety；andhehasthecheektobringreligionintoit——areligionthatsays，\'Dountoothers!\'\"
ButinthishewasunjusttoHalidome，forgettinghowimpossibleitwasforhimtobelievethatawomancouldnotstandhim。Hereachedhisrooms，and，themorefreelytoenjoytheclearlamplight，thesoft，gustybreeze，andwaningturmoilofthestreets，waitedamomentbeforeentering。
\"Iwonder，\"thoughthe，\"ifIshallturnoutacadwhenImarry，likethatchapintheplay。It\'snatural。Weallwantourmoney\'sworth，ourpoundof-flesh!Pityweusesuchfinewords——\'Society，Religion，Morality。\'Humbug!\"
Hewentin，and，throwinghiswindowopen，remainedtherealongtime，hisfigureoutlinedagainstthelightedroomforthebenefitofthedarksquarebelow，hishandsinhispockets，hisheaddown，areflectivefrownabouthiseyes。Ahalf-intoxicatedoldruffian，apoliceman，andamaninastrawhathadstoppedbelow，andwereholdingapalaver。
\"Yus，\"theoldruffiansaid，\"I\'maracketyoldblank；butwhatIsayis，ifwewusallalike，thiswouldn\'tbeaworld!\"
Theywenttheirway，andbeforethelistener\'seyesthereroseAntonia\'sface，withitsunruffledbrow；Halidome\'s，allhealthanddignity；theforeheadofthegoggle-eyedman，withitslineofhairpartedinthecentre，andbrushedacross。Alightseemedtoilluminetheplaneoftheirexistence，astheelectriclampwiththegreenshadehadilluminedthepagesoftheMatthewArnold；serenebeforeShelton\'svisionlaythatElysium，untouchedbypassionorextremesofanykind，autocratic；complacent，possessive，andwell-keptasanyMidlandlandscape。Healthy，wealthy，wise!Noroombutforperfection，self-preservation，thesurvivalofthefittest!\"Thepartofthegoodcitizen，\"hethought:\"no，ifwewereallalike，thiswouldn\'tbeaworld!\"
CHAPTERVI
MARRIAGESETTLEMENT
MydearRichard\"wroteShelton\'sunclethenextday，\"Ishallbegladtoseeyouatthreeo\'clockto-morrowafternoonuponthequestionofyourmarriagesettlement……\"AtthathouraccordinglySheltonmadehiswaytoLincoln\'sInnFields，whereinfatblacklettersthenames\"ParamorandHerringCommissionersforOaths\"
werewrittenonthewallofastoneentrance。Heascendedthesolidstepswithnervousness，andbyasmallred-hairedboywasintroducedtoabackroomonthefirstfloor。Here，seatedatatableintheverycentre，asifhetherebybettercontrolledhisuniverse，apug-
featuredgentleman，withoutabeard，waswriting。Hepaused。
\"Ow，Mr。Richard!\"hesaid；\"gladtoseeyou，sir。Takeachair。
Yourunclewillbedisengagedin\'arfaminute\"；andinthetoneofhisallusiontohisemployerwasthesatiricalapprovalthatcomeswithlongandfaithfulservice。\"Hewilldoeverythinghimself，\"hewenton，screwinguphissly，greenish，honesteyes，\"andhe\'snotayoungman。\"
Sheltonneversawhisuncle\'sclerkwithoutmarvellingattheprosperitydeepeninguponhisface。Inplaceofthelookofharassmentwhichonmostfacesbeginstogrowaftertheageoffifty，hisoldfriend\'scountenance，asthoughinsympathywiththenation，hadexpanded——alittlegreasily，alittlegenially，alittlecoarsely——everytimehemetit。Acontemptuoustoleranceforpeoplewhowerenotgettingonwasspreadingbeneathitssurface；itlefteachtimeadeeperfeelingthatitsownercouldneverbeinthewrong。
\"Ihopeyou\'rewell，sir，\"heresumed:\"mostimportantforyoutohaveyourhealthnowyou\'regoing-to\"——and，feelingforthedelicatewaytoputit，heinvoluntarilywinked——\"tobecomeafamilyman。Wesawitinthepaper。Mywifesaidtometheothermorningatbreakfast:\'Bob，here\'saMr。RichardParamorSheltongoin\'tobemarried。IsthatanyrelativeofyourMr。Shelton？\'\'Mydear，\'I
saidtoher，\'it\'stheveryman!\'\"
ItdisquietedSheltontoperceivethathisoldfrienddidnotpassthewholeofhislifeatthattablewritinginthecentreoftheroom，butthatsomewherevistasoflittlegreyhousesrosebeforehiseyesheactuallylivedanotherlifewheresomeonecalledhim\"Bob。\"Bob!Andthis，too，wasarevelation。Bob!Why，ofcourse，itwastheonlynameforhim!Abellrang。
\"That\'syouruncle\"；andagaintheheadclerk\'svoicesoundedironical。\"Good-bye，sir。\"
Heseemedtoclipoffintercourseasoneclipsoffelectriclight。
Sheltonlefthimwriting，andprecededthered-hairedboytoanenormousroominthefrontwherehisunclewaited。
EdmundParamorwasamedium-sizedanduprightmanofseventy，whosebrownfacewasperfectlyclean-shaven。Hisgrey，silkyhairwasbrushedinacock\'scombfromhisfineforehead，baldontheleftside。Hestoodbeforethehearthfacingtheroom，andhisfigurehadthespringyabruptnessofmenwhocannotfatten。Therewasacertainyouthfulness，too，inhiseyes，yettheyhadalookasthoughhehadbeenthroughfire；andhismouthcurledatthecornersinsurprisingsmiles。Theroomwasliketheman——morallylarge，voidofred-tapeandalmostvoidoffurniture；notinboxeswererangedagainstthewalls，nopaperslitteredupthetable；asinglebookcasecontainedacompleteeditionofthelawreports，andrestingontheLawDirectorywasasingleredroseinaglassofwater。Itlookedtheroomofonewithasobermagnanimity，whowenttotheheartofthings，despisedhaggling，andbeforewhosesmilesthemoreimmediatekindsofhumbugfaded。
\"Well，Dick，\"saidhe，\"how\'syourmother？\"
Sheltonrepliedthathismotherwasallright。
\"TellherthatI\'mgoingtosellherEasternsafterall，andputintothisBrassthing。Youcansayit\'ssafe，fromme。\"
Sheltonmadeaface。
\"Mother，\"saidhe，\"alwaysbelievesthingsaresafe。\"
Hisunclelookedthroughhimwithhiskeen，half-sufferingglance，andupwentthecornersofhismouth。
\"She\'ssplendid，\"hesaid。
\"Yes，\"saidShelton，\"splendid。\"
Thetransaction，however，didnotinteresthim；hisuncle\'sjudgmentinsuchmattershadabreezysoundnesshewouldneverdreamofquestioning。
\"Well，aboutyoursettlement\"；and，touchingabellthreetimes，Mr。
Paramorwalkedupanddowntheroom。\"BringmethedraftofMr。
Richard\'smarriagesettlement。\"
Thestalwartcommissionairereappearingwithadocument——\"Nowthen，Dick，\"saidMr。Paramor。\"She\'snotbringinganythingintosettlement，Iunderstand；how\'sthat？\"
\"Ididn\'twantit，\"repliedShelton，unaccountablyashamed。
Mr。Paramor\'slipsquivered；hedrewthedraftcloser，tookupabluepencil，and，squeezingShelton\'sarm，begantoread。Thelatter，followinghisuncle\'srapidexpositionoftheclauses，wasrelievedwhenhepausedsuddenly。
\"Ifyoudieandshemarriesagain，\"saidMr。Paramor，\"sheforfeitsherlifeinterest——see？\"
\"Oh!\"saidShelton；\"waitaminute，UncleTed。\"
Mr。Paramorwaited，bitinghispencil；asmileflickeredonhismouth，andwasdecorouslysubdued。ItwasShelton\'sturntowalkabout。
\"Ifshemarriesagain，\"herepeatedtohimself。
Mr。Paramorwasakeenfisherman；hewatchedhisnephewashemighthavewatchedafishhehadjustlanded。
\"It\'sveryusual，\"heremarked。
Sheltontookanotherturn。
\"Sheforfeits，\"thoughthe；\"exactly。\"
Whenhewasdead，hewouldhavenootherwayofseeingthatshecontinuedtobelongtohim。Exactly!
Mr。Paramor\'shauntingeyeswerefastenedonhisnephew\'sface。
\"Well，mydear，\"theyseemedtosay，\"what\'sthematter？\"
Exactly!Whyshouldshehavehismoneyifshemarriedagain？Shewouldforfeitit。Therewascomfortinthethought。Sheltoncamebackandcarefullyrereadtheclause，toputthethingonapurelybusinessbasis，anddisguisetherealsignificanceofwhatwaspassinginhismind。
\"IfIdieandshemarriesagain，\"herepeatedaloud，\"sheforfeits。\"
Whatwiserprovisionforamanpassionatelyinlovecouldpossiblyhavebeendevised？Hisuncle\'seyetravelledbeyondhim，humanelyturningfromthelastdespairingwrigglesofhisfish。
\"Idon\'twanttotieher，\"saidSheltonsuddenly。
ThecornersofMr。Paramour\'smouthflewup。
\"Youwanttheforfeitureout？\"heasked。
ThebloodrushedintoShelton\'sface；hefelthehadbeendetectedinapieceofsentiment。
\"Ye-es，\"hestammered。
\"Sure？\"
\"Quite!\"Theanswerwasalittlesulky。
Heruncle\'spencildescendedontheclause，andheresumedthereadingofthedraft，butSheltoncouldnotfollowit；hewastoomuchoccupiedinconsideringexactlywhyMr。Paramorhadbeenamused，andtodothishewasobligedtokeephiseyesuponhim。Thosefeatures，justpleasantlyrugged；thespringypoiseofthefigure；
thehairneitherstraightnorcurly，neithershortnorlong；thehauntinglookofhiseyesandthehumorouslookofhismouth；hisclothesneithershabbynordandified；hisserviceable，finehands；
aboveall，theequabilityofthehoveringbluepencil，conveyedtheimpressionofaperfectbalancebetweenheartandhead，sensibilityandreason，theoryanditsopposite。
\"\'Duringcoverture，\'\"quotedMr。Paramor，pausingagain，\"youunderstand，ofcourse，ifyoudon\'tgeton，andseparate，shegoesontaking？\"
Iftheydidn\'tgeton!Sheltonsmiled。Mr。Paramordidnotsmile，andagainSheltonhadthesenseofhavingknockedupagainstsomethingpoisedbutfirm。Heremarkedirritably:
\"Ifwe\'renotlivingtogether，allthemorereasonforherhavingit。\"
Thistimehisunclesmiled。ItwasdifficultforSheltontofeelangryatthatironicmerriment，withitssuddenending；itwastooimpersonaltoirritate:itwastooconcernedwithhumannature。
\"If——hum——itcametotheotherthing，\"saidMr。Paramor，\"thesettlement\'satanendasfarasshe\'sconcerned。We\'reboundtolookateverycase，youknow，oldboy。\"
ThememoryoftheplayandhisconversationwithHalidomewasstillstronginShelton。Hewasnotoneofthosewhocouldnotfacethenotionoftransferredaffections——atasafedistance。
\"Allright，UncleTed，\"saidhe。Foronemadmomenthewasattackedbythedesireto\"throwin\"thecaseofdivorce。Woulditnotbecommonchivalrytomakeherindependent，abletochangeheraffectionsifshewished，unhamperedbymonetarytroubles？Youonlyneededtotakeoutthewords\"duringcoverture。\"
Almostanxiouslyhelookedintohisuncle\'sface。Therewasnomeannessthere，butneitherwasthereencouragementinthatcomprehensivebrowwithitswidesweepofhair。\"Quixotism，\"itseemedtosay，\"hasmerits，but——\"Theroom，too，withitswidehorizonandtallwindows，lookingasifitdealthabituallyincommon-sense，discouragedhim。Innumerablemenofbreedingandthesoundestprinciplesmusthaveboughttheirwivesinhere。Itwasperfumedwiththeatmosphereofwisdomandlaw-calf。ThearomaofPrecedentwasstrong；Sheltonswervedhislance，andoncemoresettleddowntocompletethepurchaseofhiswife。
\"Ican\'tconceivewhatyou\'re——insuchahurryfor；you\'renotgoingtobemarriedtilltheautumn，\"saidMr。Paramor，finishingatlast。
Replacingthebluepencilintherack，hetooktheredrosefromtheglass，andsniffedatit。\"WillyoucomewithmeasfarasPallMall？I\'mgoingtotakeanafternoonoff；toocoldforLord\'s，I
suppose？\"
TheywalkedintotheStrand。
\"HaveyouseenthisnewplayofBorogrove\'s？\"askedShelton，astheypassedthetheatretowhichhehadbeenwithHalidome。
\"Inevergotomodernplays，\"repliedMr。Paramor；\"tood——dgloomy。\"
Sheltonglancedathim；heworehishatratherfarbackonhishead，hiseyeshauntedthestreetinfront；hehadshoulderedhisumbrella。
\"Psychology\'snotinyourline，UncleTed？\"
\"Isthatwhattheycallputtingintowordsthingsthatcan\'tbeputinwords？\"
\"TheFrenchsucceedindoingit，\"repliedShelton，andtheRussians；
whyshouldn\'twe？\"
Mr。Paramorstoppedtolookinatafishmonger\'s。
\"What\'srightfortheFrenchandRussians，Dick，\"hesaid\"iswrongforus。Whenwebegintobereal，weonlyreallybegintobefalse。
Ishouldliketohavehadthecatchingofthatfellow；let\'ssendhimtoyourmother。\"Hewentinandboughtasalmon:
\"Now，mydear，\"hecontinued，astheywenton，\"doyoutellmethatit\'sdecentformenandwomenonthestagetowritheaboutlikeeels？
Isn\'tlifebadenoughalready？\"
ItsuddenlystruckSheltonthat，forallhissmile，hisuncle\'sfacehadalookofcrucifixion。Itwas，perhaps，onlythestrongersunlightintheopenspacesofTrafalgarSquare。
\"Idon\'tknow，\"hesaid；\"IthinkIpreferthetruth。\"
\"Badendingsandtherest，\"saidMr。Paramor，pausingunderoneofNelson\'slionsandtakingSheltonbyabutton。\"Truth\'stheverydevil!\"
Hestoodthere，verystraight，hiseyeshauntinghisnephew\'sface；
thereseemedtoSheltonatouchingmuddleinhisoptimism——amuddleoftendernessandofintolerance，oftruthandsecond-handedness。
Likethelionabovehim，heseemedtobedefyingLifetomakehimlookather。
\"No，mydear，\"hesaid，handingsixpencetoasweeper；\"feelingsaresnakes!onlyfittobekeptinbottleswithtightcorks。Youwon\'tcometomyclub？Well，good-bye，oldboy；mylovetoyourmotherwhenyouseeher\"；andturninguptheSquare，heleftSheltontogoontohisownclub，feelingthathehadparted，notfromhisuncle，butfromthenationofwhichtheywerebothmembersbybirthandbloodandeducation。
CHAPTERVII
THECLUB
Hewentintothelibraryofhisclub，andtookupBurke\'sPeerage。
Thewordshisunclehadsaidtohimonhearinghisengagementhadbeenthese:\"Dennant!ArethosetheHolmOaksDennants？ShewasaPenguin。\"
NoonewhoknewMr。Paramorconnectedhimwithsnobbery，buttherehadbeenan\"Ah!that\'sright；thisisduetous\"toneaboutthesaying。
SheltonhuntedforthenameofBaltimore:\"CharlesPenguin，fifthBaronBaltimore。Issue:Alice，b。184-，m。186-AlgernonDennant，Esq。，ofHolmOaks，CrossEaton，Oxfordshire。\"HeputdownthePeerageandtookupthe\'LandedGentry\':\"Dennant，AlgernonCuffe，eldestsonofthelateAlgernonCuffeDennant，Esq。，J。P。，andIrene，2nddaur。oftheHonble。PhilipandLadyLillianMarchMallow；
ed。EtonandCh。Ch。，Oxford，J。P。forOxfordshire。Residence，HolmOaks，\"etc。，etc。Droppingthe\'LandedGentry\'，hetookupavolumeofthe\'ArabianNights\'，whichsomememberhadleftreposingonthebook-restofhischair，butinsteadofreadinghekeptlookingroundtheroom。Inalmosteveryseat，readingorsnoozing，weregentlemenwho，intheirownestimation，mighthavemarriedPenguins。Forthefirsttimeitstruckhimwithwhatmajesticleisurelinesstheyturnedthepagesoftheirbooks，trifledwiththeirteacups，orlightlysnored。Yetnotwowerealike——atallman-withdarkmoustache，thickhair，andred，smoothcheeks；another，bald，withstoopingshoulders；
atremendousoldbuck，withagrey，pointedbeardandlargewhitewaistcoat；aclean-shavendappermanpastmiddleage，whosefacewaslikeabird\'s；along，sallow，misanthrope；andasanguinecreaturefastasleep。Asleeporawake，readingorsnoring，fatorthin，hairyorbald，theinsulationoftheirredorpalefaceswascomplete。
Theywereallthecreaturesofgoodform。StaringatthemorreadingtheArabianNightsSheltonspentthetimebeforedinner。Hehadnotbeenlongseatedinthedining-roomwhenadistantconnectionstrolledupandtookthenexttable。
\"Ah，Shelton!Back？Somebodytoldmeyouweregoin\'roundtheworld。\"Hescrutinisedthemenuthroughhiseyeglass。\"Clearsoup!……ReadJellaby\'sspeech？Amusingthewayhesquashesallthosefellows。BestmanintheHouse，hereallyis。\"
Sheltonpausedintheassimilationofasparagus；he，too，hadbeeninthehabitofadmiringJellaby，butnowhewonderedwhy。Theredandshavenfacebesidehimaboveabroad，pureshirt-frontwasswollenbygoodhumour；hissmall，veryusual，andhardeyeswerefixedintrospectivelyonthesuccessfulprocessofhiseating。
\"Success!\"thoughtShelton，suddenlyenlightened——\"successiswhatweadmireinJellaby。Weallwantsuccess……Yes，\"headmitted，\"asuccessfulbeast。\"
\"Oh!\"saidhisneighbour，\"Iforgot。You\'reintheothercamp？\"
\"Notparticularly。Wheredidyougetthatidea？\"
Hisneighbourlookedroundnegligently。
\"Oh，\"saidhe，\"Isomehowthoughtso\"；andSheltonalmostheardhimadding，\"There\'ssomethingnotquitesoundaboutyou。\"
\"WhydoyouadmireJellaby？\"heasked。
\"Knowshisownmind，\"repliedhisneighbour；\"it\'smorethantheothersdo……Thiswhitebaitisn\'tfitforcats!Cleverfellow，Jellaby!Nononsenseabouthim!Haveyoueverheardhimspeak？Awfulgoodsporttowatchhimsittin\'ontheOpposition。A
poorlottheyare!\"andhelaughed，eitherfromappreciationofJellabysittingonasmallminority，orfromappreciationofthechampagnebubblesinhisglass。
\"Minoritiesarealwaysdepressing，\"saidSheltondryly。
\"Eh？what？\"
\"Imean，\"saidShelton，\"it\'sirritatingtolookatpeoplewhohaven\'tachanceofsuccess——fellowswhomakeamessofthings，fanatics，andallthat。\"
Hisneighbourturnedhiseyesinquisitively。
\"Er——yes，quite，\"saidhe；\"don\'tyoutakemintsauce？It\'sthebestpartoflamb，Ialwaysthink。\"
Thegreatroomwithitscountlesslittletables，arrangedsothateverymanmighthavethesupportofthegoldwallstohisback，begantoregainitsinfluenceonShelton。Howmanytimeshadhenotsatthere，carefullynoddingtoacquaintances，happyifhegotthetablehewasusedto，apaperwiththelatestracing，andsomeonetogossipwithwhowasnotabounder；whilethesensationofhavingdrunkenoughstoleoverhim。Happy!Thatis，happyasahorseishappywhoneverleaveshisstall。
\"LookatpoorlittleBingpuffin\'about，\"saidhisneighbour，pointingtoaweazened，hunchywaiter。\"Hisasthma\'sawf\'lybad；youcanhearhimwheezin\'fromthestreet。\"
Heseemedamused。
\"There\'snosuchthingasmoralasthma，Isuppose？\"saidShelton。
Hisneighbourdroppedhiseyeglass。
\"Here，takethisaway；it\'soverdone；\"saidhe。\"Bringmesomelamb。\"
Sheltonpushedhistableback。
\"Good-night，\"hesaid；\"theStilton\'sexcellent!\"
Hisneighbourraisedhisbrows，anddroppedhiseyesagainuponhisplate。
InthehallSheltonwentfromforceofhabittotheweighing-scalesandtookhisweight。\"Elevenstone!\"hethought；\"goneup!\"and，clippingacigar，hesatdowninthesmoking-roomwithanovel。
Afterhalfanhourhedroppedthebook。Thereseemedsomethingratherfatuousaboutthisstory，forthoughithadathrillingplot，andwasfullofwell-connectedpeople，ithadapparentlybeencontrivedtothrownolightonanythingwhatever。Helookedattheauthor\'sname；everyonewashighlyrecommendingit。Hebeganthinking，andstaringatthefire……
Lookingup，hesawAntonia\'ssecondbrother，ayoungmanintheRifles，bendingoverhimwithsunnycheeksandlazysmile，clearlyjustalittledrunk。
\"Congratulateyou，oldchap!Isay，whatmadeyougrowthatb-b-eastlybeard？\"
Sheltongrinned。
\"PillbottleoftheDuchess!\"readyoungDennant，takingupthebook。
\"Youbeenreadingthat？Rippin\'，isn\'tit？\"
\"Oh，ripping!\"repliedShelton。
\"Rippin\'plot!Whenyougetholdofanovelyoudon\'twantanyrotabout——whatd\'youcallit？——psychology，youwanttobeamused。\"
\"Rather!\"murmuredShelton。
\"That\'sanawfullygoodbitwherethePresidentstealsherdiamondsThere\'soldBenjy!Hallo，Benjy!\"
\"Hallo，Bill，oldman!\"
ThisBenjywasayoung，clean-shavencreature，whosefaceandvoiceandmannerwereaperfectblendofsteelandgeniality。
Inadditiontothisyoungmanwhowassosmoothandhardandcheery，agrey，short-beardedgentleman，withmisanthropiceyes，calledStroud，cameup；togetherwithanothermanofShelton\'sage，withamoustacheandabaldpatchthesizeofacrown-piece，whomightbeseenintheclubanynightoftheyearwhentherewasnoracingoutofreachofLondon。
\"Youknow，\"beganyoungDennant，\"thatthisbounder\"——heslappedtheyoungmanBenjyontheknee——\"isgoingtobesplicedto-morrow。MissCasserol——youknowtheCasserols——MuncasterGate。\"
\"ByJove!\"saidShelton，delightedtobeabletosaysomethingtheywouldunderstand。
\"YoungChampion\'sthebestman，andI\'mthesecondbest。Itellyouwhat，oldchap，you\'dbettercomewithmeandgetyoureyein；youwon\'tgetsuchanotherchanceofpractice。Benjy\'llgiveyouacard。\"
\"Delighted!\"murmuredBenjy。
\"Whereisit？\"
\"St。Briabas；two-thirty。Comeandseehowtheydothetrick。I\'llcallforyouatone；we\'llhavesomelunchandgotogether\"；againhepattedBenjy\'sknee。
Sheltonnoddedhisassent；thepiquantcallousnessoftheaffairhadmadehimshiver，andfurtivelyheeyedthesteelyBenjy，whosesuavityhadneverwavered，andwhoappearedtotakeagreaterinterestinsomeapproachingracethaninhiscomingmarriage。ButSheltonknewfromhisownsensationsthatthiscouldnotreallybethecase；itwasmerelyaquestionof\"goodform，\"theconceitofasuperiorbreeding，thedutynottogiveoneselfaway。AndwheninturnhemarkedtheeyesofStroudfixedonBenjy，undershaggybrows，andthecuriousgreedyglancesoftheracingman，hefeltsomehowsorryforhim。
\"Who\'sthatfellowwiththegameleg——I\'malwaysseeinghimabout？\"
askedtheracingman。
AndSheltonsawasallowman，conspicuousforawantofpartinginhishairandacertainrestlessnessofattitude。
\"HisnameisBayes，\"saidStroud；\"spendshalfhistimeamongtheChinese——musthaveagrudgeagainstthem!Andnowhe\'sgothisleghecan\'tgothereanymore。\"
\"Chinese？Whatdoeshedotothem？\"
\"Biblesorguns。Don\'taskme!Anadventurer。\"
\"Looksabitofabounder，\"saidtheracingman。
SheltongazedatthetwitchingeyebrowsofoldStroud；hesawatoncehowitmustannoyamanwhohadabilletinthe\"WoodsandForests，\"
andplentyoftimefor\"bridge\"andgossipathisclub，toseethesepeoplewithuntidylives。Aminutelaterthemanwiththe\"gameleg\"
passedclosebehindhischair，andSheltonperceivedatoncehowintelligibletheresentmentofhisfellow-memberswas。Hehadeyeswhich，notuncommoninthiscountry，lookedlikefiresbehindsteelbars；heseemedtheverykindofmantodoallsortsofthingsthatwere\"badform，\"amanwhomightevengoasfaraschivalry。HelookedstraightatShelton，andhisuncompromisingglancegaveanimpressionoffierceloneliness；altogether，animproperpersontobelongtosuch。aclub。Sheltonrememberedthewordsofanoldfriendofhisfather\'s:\"Yes，Dick，allsortsoffellowsbelonghere，andtheycomehereforallsortso\'reasons，andalotofemcomebecausethey\'venowhereelsetogo，poorbeggars\"；and，glancingfromthemanwiththe\"gameleg\"toStroud，itoccurredtoSheltonthatevenhe，oldStroud，mightbeoneofthesepoorbeggars。Oneneverknew!AlookatBenjy，containedandcheery，restoredhim。Ah，theluckydevil!Hewouldnothavetocomehereanymore!andthethoughtofthelasteveninghehimselfwouldbespendingbeforelongfloodedhismindwithasweetnessthatwasalmostpain。
\"Benjy，I\'llplayyouahundredup!\"saidyoungBillDennant。
Stroudandtheracingmanwenttowatchthegame；Sheltonwasleftoncemoretoreverie。
\"Goodform!\"thoughthe；\"thatfellowmustbemadeofsteel。They\'llgoonsomewhere；stickabouthalfthenightplayingpoker，orsomesuchfoolery。\"
Hecrossedovertothewindow。Rainhadbeguntofall；thestreetslookedwildanddraughty。Thecabmenwereputtingontheircoats。
Twowomenscurriedby，huddledunderoneumbrella，andathin-
clothed，dogged-lookingscarecrowloungedpastwithasurly，desperatestep。Shelton，returningtohischair，threadedhiswayamongsthisfellow-members。Aprocessionofoldschoolandcollegefriendscameupbeforehiseyes。Afterall，whathadtherebeeninhisowneducation，ortheirs，togivethemanyotherstandardthanthis\"goodform\"？Whathadtherebeentoteachthemanythingoflife？Theirimbecilitywasincrediblewhenyoucametothinkofit。
Theyhadalltheairofknowingeverything，andreallytheyknewnothing——nothingofNature，Art，ortheEmotions；nothingofthebondsthatbindallmentogether。Why，evensuchwordswerenot\"goodform\"；nothingoutsidetheirlittlecirclewas\"goodform。\"
Theyhadafixedpointofviewoverlifebecausetheycameofcertainschools，andcolleges，andregiments!Andtheywerethoseinchargeofthestate，oflaws，andscience，ofthearmy，andreligion。Well，itwastheirsystem——thesystemnottostarttooyoung，toformhealthyfibre，andlettheafter-lifedevelopit!
\"Successful!\"hethought，nearlystumblingoverapairofpatent-
leatherbootsbelongingtoamoon-faced，genial-lookingmemberwithgoldnose-nippers；\"oh，it\'ssuccessful!\"
Somebodycameandpickedupfromthetabletheveryvolumewhichhadoriginallyinspiredthistrainofthought，andSheltoncouldseehissolemnpleasureasheread。Inthewhiteofhiseyetherewasatorpidandcomposedabstraction。Therewasnothinginthatbooktostartlehimormakehimthink。
Themoon-facedmemberwiththepatentbootscameupandbegantalkingofhisrecentvisittothesouthofFrance。Hehadascandalousanecdoteortwototell，andhisbroadfacebeamedbehindhisgoldnose-nippers；hewasalargemanwithsuchastoreofeasy，worldlyhumourthatitwasimpossiblenottoappreciatehisgossip，hegavesoperfectanimpressionofenjoyinglife，anddoinghimselfwell。
\"Well，good-night!\"hemurmured——\"Anengagement!\"——andthecertaintyheleftbehindthathisengagementmustbecharmingandillicitwaspleasanttothesoul。
And，slowlytakinguphisglass，Sheltondrank；thesenseofwell-
beingwasuponhim。Hissuperioritytothesehisfellow-memberssoothedhim。Hesawthroughalltheshamofthisclublife，themeannessofthisworshipofsuccess，theshamofkid-glovednovelists，\"goodform，\"andtheterrificdecencyofoureducation。
Itwassoothingthustoseethroughthings，soothingthustobesuperior；andfromthesoftrecessesofhischairhepuffedoutsmokeandstretchedhislimbstowardthefire；andthefireburnedbackathimwithadiscreetandvenerableglow。
CHAPTERVIII
THEWEDDING
Puncutaltohisword，BillDennantcalledforSheltonatoneo\'clock。
\"IbetoldBenjy\'sfeelingabitcheap，\"saidhe，astheygotoutoftheircabatthechurchdoorandpassedbetweenthecrowdedfilesofunelect，whoseeyes，socuriousandpitiful，devouredthemfromthepavement。
Theashenfaceofawoman，withababyinherarmsandtwomorebyherside，lookedaseagerasifshehadneverexperiencedthepangsofraggedmatrimony。Sheltonwentininexplicablyuneasy；thepriceofhistiewastheirboardandlodgingforaweek。Hefollowedhisfuturebrother-in-lawtoapewonthebridegroom\'sside，for，withintuitiveperceptionofthesexes\'endlesswarfare，eachoftheopposingpartiestothiscontracthaditsserriedbattalion，thearrowsofwhosesuspicionkeptglancingacrossandacrossthecentralaisle。
BillDennant\'seyesbegantotwinkle。
\"There\'soldBenjy!\"hewhispered；andSheltonlookedattheherooftheday。Asubduedpallorwastraceableundertheweathereduniformityofhisshavenface；butthewell-bred，artificialsmilehebentupontheguestshaditswontedsteelysuavity。Abouthisdressandhisneatfigurewasthatstudiedeasewhichliftsmenfromtheruckofcommonbridegrooms。Therewerenoholesinhisarmourthroughwhichtheimpertinentmightpry。
\"GoodoldBenjy!\"whisperedyoungDennant；\"Isay，theylookabitshortofclass，thoseCasserols。\"
Shelton，whowasacquaintedwiththisfamily，smiled。Thesensuoussanctityallroundhadbeguntoinfluencehim。Aperfumeofflowersanddressesfoughtwiththenaturalodourofthechurch；therustleofwhisperingsandskirtsstruckthroughthenativesilenceoftheaisles，andSheltonidlyfixedhiseyesonaladyinthepewinfront；withoutintheleastdesiringtomakeaspeculationofthissort，hewonderedwhetherherfacewasascharmingasthelinesofherbackintheirdelicate，skin-tightsettingofpearlgrey；hisglancewanderedtothechancelwithitsstacksofflowers，tothegrave，businessfacesofthepresidingpriests，tilltheorganbeganrollingouttheweddingmarch。
\"They\'reoff!\"whisperedyoungDermant。
SheltonwasconsciousofashiverrunningthroughtheaudiencewhichremindedhimofabullfighthehadseeninSpain。Thebridecameslowlyuptheaisle。\"Antoniawilllooklikethat，\"hethought，\"andthechurchwillbefilledwithpeoplelikethis……She\'llbeashowtothem!\"Thebridewasoppositehimnow，andbyaninstinctofcommonchivalryheturnedawayhiseyes；itseemedtohimashametolookatthatdowncastheadabovethesilvermysteryofherperfectraiment；themodestheadfull，doubtless，ofdevotionandpureyearnings；thestatelyheadwherenosuchthoughtas\"HowamI
looking，thisdayofalldays，beforeallLondon？\"hadeverentered；
theproudhead，whichnosuchfearas\"HowamIcarryingitoff？\"
couldsurelybebesmirching。
Hesawbelowthesurfaceofthisdramaplayedbeforehiseyes，andsethisface，asamanmightwhofoundhimselfassistingatasacrifice。Thewordsfell，unrelenting，onhisears:\"Forbetter，forworse，forricher，forpoorer；insicknessandinhealth——\"andopeningthePrayerBookhefoundtheMarriageService，whichhehadnotlookedatsincehewasaboy，andashereadhehadsomeverycurioussensations。
Allthiswouldsoonbehappeningtohimself!Hewentonreadinginakindofstupor，untilarousedbyhiscompanionwhispering，\"Noluck!\"
Allaroundthererosearustlingofskirts；hesawatallfiguremountthepulpitandstandmotionless。Massiveandhigh-featured，sunkenofeye，hetowered，insnowycambricandacrimsonstole，abovetheblacknessofhisrostrum；itseemedhehadbeenchosenforhisbeauty。Sheltonwasstillgazingatthestitchingofhisgloves，whenonceagaintheorganplayedtheWeddingMarch。Allweresmiling，andafewwereweeping，craningtheirheadstowardsthebride。\"Carnivalofsecond-handemotions!\"thoughtShelton；andhe，too，cranedhisheadandbrushedhishat。Then，smirkingathisfriends，hemadehiswaytowardsthedoor。
IntheCasserols\'househefoundhimselfatlastgoingroundthepresentswiththeeldestCasserolsurviving，atallgirlinpaleviolet，whohadbeenchiefbridesmaid。
\"Didn\'titgooffwell，Mr。Shelton？\"shewassaying\"Oh，awfully!\"
\"Ialwaysthinkit\'ssoawkwardforthemanwaitingupthereforthebridetocome。\"
\"Yes，\"murmuredShelton。
\"Don\'tyouthinkit\'ssmart，thebridesmaidshavingnohats？\"
Sheltonhadnotnoticedthisimprovement，butheagreed。
\"Thatwasmyidea；Ithinkit\'sverychic。They\'vehadfifteentea-sets-sodull，isn\'tit？\"
\"ByJove!\"Sheltonhastenedtoremark。
\"Oh，itsfearfullyusefultohavealotofthingsyoudon\'twant；ofcourse，youchangethemforthoseyoudo。\"
ThewholeofLondonseemedtohavedisgorgeditsshopsintothisroom；helookedatMissCasserol\'sface，andwasgreatlystruckbytheshrewdacquisitivenessofhersmalleyes。
\"Isthatyourfuturebrother-in-law？\"sheasked，pointingtoBillDennantwithalittlemovementofherchin；\"Ithinkhe\'ssuchabrightboy。Iwantyoubothtocometodinner，andhelptokeepthingsjolly。It\'ssodeadlyafterawedding。\"
AndSheltonsaidtheywould。
Theyadjournedtothehallnow，towaitforthebride\'sdeparture。
Herfaceasshecamedownthestairswasimpassive，gay，withafurtivetroubleintheeyes，andoncemoreSheltonhadtheoddsensationofhavingsinnedagainsthismanhood。Jammedclosetohimwasheroldnurse，whosepuffy，yellowfacewaspoutingwithemotion，whiletearsrolledfromhereyes。Shewastryingtosaysomething，butinthehubbubherfarewellwaslost。Therewasascampertothecarriage，aflurryofriceandflowers；theshoewasflungagainstthesharplydrawn-upwindow。ThenBenjy\'sshavenfacewasseenamoment，blandandsteely；thefootmanfoldedhisarms，andwithasolemncrunchthebroughamwheelsrolledaway。\"Howsplendidlyitwentoff!\"saidavoiceonShelton\'sright。\"Shelookedalittlepale，\"saidavoiceonShelton\'sleft。Heputhishanduptohisforehead；behindhimtheoldnursesniffed。
\"Dick，\"saidyoungDennantinhisear，\"thisisn\'tgoodenough；I
votewebolt。\"
Sheltonassenting，theywalkedtowardsthePark；norcouldhetellwhethertheslightnauseaheexperiencedwasduetoafternoonchampagneortotheceremonythathadgonesowell。
\"What\'supwithyou？\"askedDennant；\"youlookasglumasanym-monkey。\"
\"Nothing，\"saidShelton；\"Iwasonlythinkingwhathumbugsweallare!\"
BillDennantstoppedinthemiddleofthecrossing，andclappedhisfuturebrother-in-lawupontheshoulder。
\"Oh，\"saidhe，\"ifyou\'regoingtotalkshop，I\'moff。\"
CHAPTERIX
THEDINNER
ThedinnerattheCasserols\'wasgiventothoseofthebride\'sfriendswhohadbeenconspicuousintheday\'sfestivities。SheltonfoundhimselfbetweenMissCasserolandaladyundressedtomuchthesamedegree。Oppositesatamanwithasinglediamondstud，awhitewaistcoat，blackmoustache，andhawk-likeface。Thiswas，infact，oneofthoseinterestinghousesoccupiedbypeopleoftheuppermiddleclasswhohaveimbibedatasteforsmartsociety。Itsinhabitants，bynatureacquisitiveandcautious，economical，tenacious，hadlearnttoworshiptheword\"smart。\"Theresultwasakindofheavyfroth，anairofthoroughlydomesticvice。Inadditiontotheconventionallyfast，Sheltonhadmetthereoneortwoladies，who，havingbeendivorced，orhavingyettobe，stillmaintainedtheirpositionin\"society。\"Divorcedladieswhodidnotsomaintaintheirplacewerenevertobefound，fortheCasserolshadagreatrespectformarriage。HehadalsometthereAmericanladieswhowere\"tooamusing\"——never，ofcourse，Americanmen，Mesopotamiansofthefinancialortheracingtype，andseveralofthosegentlemenwhohadbeen，orwereabouttobe，engagedinatransactionwhichmightoragainmightnot，\"comeoff，\"andinconductofanorderwhichmight，oragainmightnotbespotted。Thelineheknew，wasalwaysdrawnatthoseinanycategorywhowereactuallyfoundout，forthevalueoftheseladiesandthesegentlemenwasnottheirclaimtopity——nothingsosentimental——buttheir\"smartness，\"clothes，jokes，racingtips，their\"bridgeparties，\"andtheirmotors。
Insum，thehousewasonewhosefundamentaldomesticityattractedandshelteredthosewhoweretoo\"smart\"tokeeptheirheadsforlongabovethewater。
Hishost，agrey，clean-shavencityman，withalongupperlip，wastryingtounderstandaladytheaudacityofwhosespeechcameringingdownthetable。Sheltonhimselfhadgivenuptheeffortwithhisneighbours，andmadelovetohisdinner，which，survivingtheincoherenceoftheatmosphere，emergedasaworkofart。ItwaswithsurprisethathefoundMissCasseroladdressinghim。
\"Ialwayssaythatthegreatthingistobejolly。Ifyoucan\'tfindanythingtomakeyoulaugh，pretendyoudo；it\'ssomuch\'smartertobeamusin\'。Nowdon\'tyouagree？\"
Thephilosophyseemedexcellent。