FERDINANDLOPEZ。
Itisacertaintyofservicetoamantoknowwhowerehisgrandfathersandwhowerehisgrandmothersifheentertainanambitiontomoveintheuppercirclesofsociety，andalsoofservicetobeabletospeakofthemasofpersonswhowerethemselvessomebodiesintheirtime。Nodoubtweallentertaingreatrespectforthosewhobytheirownenergieshaveraisedthemselvesintheworld。andwhenwehearthatthesonofawasherwomanhasbecomeLordChancellororArchbishopofCanterburywedo，theoreticallyandabstractedly，feelahigherreverenceforsuchself-mademagnatethanforonewhohasbeenasitwerebornintoforensicorecclesiasticalpurple。Butnotthelessmusttheoffspringofthewasherwomanhavehadverymuchtroubleonthesubjectofhisbirth，unlesshehasbeen，whenyoungaswellaswhenold，averygreatmanindeed。Afterthegoalhasbeenabsolutelyreached，andthehonourandthetitlesandthewealthactuallywon，amanmaytalkwithsomehumour，evenwithsomeaffection，ofthematernaltub——butwhilethestruggleisgoingon，withtheconvictionstronguponthestrugglerthathecannotbealtogethersuccessfulunlesshebeesteemedagentleman，nottobeashamed，nottoconcealtheoldfamilycircumstances，notatanyratetobesilent，isdifficult。
Andthedifficultyiscertainlynotlessiffortunatecircumstancesratherthanhardworkandintrinsicmerithaveraisedabovehisnaturalplaceanaspiranttohighsocialposition。Canitbeexpectedthatsuchaonewhendiningwithaduchessshallspeakofhisfather’ssmallshop，orbringintothelightofdayhisgrandfather’scobbler’sawl？Andyetitissodifficulttobealtogethersilent！Itmaynotbenecessaryforanyofustobealwaystalkingofourownparentage。Wemaybegenerallyreticentastoourunclesandaunts，andmaydropevenourbrothersandsistersinourordinaryconversation。Butifamannevermentionshisbelongingsamongthosewithwhomhelives，hebecomesmysterious，andalmostopentosuspicion。Itbeginstobeknownthatnobodyknowsanythingofsuchaman，andevenfriendsbecomeafraid。Itiscertainlyconvenienttobeabletoallude，ifitbebutonceinayear，tosomebloodrelation。
FerdinandLopez，whoinotherrespectshadmuchinhiscircumstancesonwhichtocongratulatehimself，sufferedtroubleinhismindrespectinghisancestorssuchasIhaveendeavouredtodescribe。Hedidnotknowverymuchhimself，butwhatlittlehedidknowhekeptaltogethertohimself。Hehadnofatherormother，nouncle，aunt，brotherorsister，nocousinevenwhomhecouldmentioninacursorywaytohisdearestfriend。Hesufferednodoubt——butwithSpartanconsistencyhesohidhistroublefromtheworldthatnooneknewthathesuffered。Thosewithwhomhelived，andwhospeculatedoftenandwonderedmuchastowhohewasneverdreamedthatthesilentman’sreticencewasaburdentohimself。Atnospecialconjunctureofhislife，atnoperiodwhichcouldbemarkedwiththefingeroftheobserver，didheglaringlyabstainfromanystatementwhichatthemomentmightbenatural。Heneverhesitated，blushed，orpalpablylabouredatconcealment。butthefactremainedthatthoughagreatmanymenandnotafewwomenknewFerdinandLopezverywell，noneofthemknewwhencehehadcome，orwhatwashisfamily。
Hewasaman，however，naturallyreticent，whoneveralludedtohisownaffairsunlessinpursuitofsomeobjectthewaytowhichwasclearbeforehiseyes。Silencethereforeonamatterwhichiscommoninthemouthsofmostmenwaslessdifficulttohimthantoanother，andtheresultlessembarrassing。DearoldJones，whotellshisfriendsattheclubofeverypoundthathelosesorwinsattheraces，whoboastsofMary’sfavoursandmournsoverLucy’scoldnessalmostinpublic，whoissuesbulletinsonthestateofhispurse，hisstomach，hisstable，andhisdebts，couldnotwithanyamountofcarekeepfromusthefactthathisfatherwasanattorney’sclerk，andmadehisfirstmoneybydiscountingsmallbills。Everybodyknowsit，andJones，wholikepopularity，grievesattheunfortunatepublicity。ButJonesisrelievedfromaburdenwhichwouldhavebrokenhispoorshoulders，andwhichevenFerdinandLopez，whoisastrongman，oftenfindsithardtobearwithoutwincing。
ItwasadmittedonallsidesthatFerdinandLopezwasa’gentleman’。Johnsonsaysthatanyotherderivationofthisdifficultwordthanthatwhichcausesittosignify’amanofancestry’iswhimsical。Therearemanywho，indefiningthetermfortheirownuse，stilladheretoJohnson’sdictum——buttheyadheretoitwithcertainunexpressedallowancesforpossibleexceptions。Thechancesareverymuchinfavourofthewell-bornman，butexceptionsmayexist。ItwasnotgenerallybelievedthatFerdinandLopezwaswellborn——buthewasagentleman。
Andthismostpreciousrankwasaccededtohimalthoughhewasemployed，——oratleasthadbeenemployed，——onbusinesswhichdoesnotofitselfgivesuchawarrantofpositionasissupposedtobeaffordedbythebarandthechurch，bythemilitaryservicesandbyphysic。HehadbeenontheStockExchange，andstillinsomemanner，notclearlyunderstoodbyhisfriends，didbusinessintheCity。
AtthetimewithwhichwearenowconcernedFerdinandLopezwasthirty-threeyearsold，andashehadbegunlifeearlyhehadbeenlongbeforetheworld。ItwasknownofhimthathehadbeenatagoodEnglishprivateschool，anditwasreported，onthesolitaryevidenceofoneofwhohadbeenthereashisschoolfellow，thatarumourwascurrentintheschoolthathisschoolbillswerepaidbyanoldgentlemanwhowasnotrelatedtohim。Thence，attheageofseventeen，hehadbeensenttoaGermanuniversity，andattheageoftwenty-onehadappearedinLondon，inastockbroker’soffice，wherehewassoonknownasanaccomplishedlinguist，andasaverycleverfellow，——precocious，notgiventomanypleasures，aptforwork，butconsideredhardlytrustworthybyemployers，notasbeingdishonest，butashavingatasteforbeingamasterratherthanaservant。Indeedhisperiodofservitudewasveryshort。Itwasnotinhisnaturetobeactiveonbehalfofothers。Hewassoonactiveforhimself，andatonetimeitwassupposedthathewasmakingafortune。
Thenitwasknownthathehadlefthisregularbusiness，anditwassupposedthathehadlostallthathehadevermadeorhadeverpossessed。Butnobody，notevenhisownbankers，orhisownlawyer，——noteventheoldwomanwholookedafterhislinen，——
everreallyknewthestateofhisaffairs。
Hewascertainlyahandsomeman，——hisbeautybeingofasortwhichmenareapttodenyandwomentoadmitlavishly。Hewasnearlysixfeettall，verydarkandverythin，withregularwell-
cutfeatures，indicatinglittletothephysiognomistunlessitbethegreatgiftofself-possession。Hishairwascutshort，andheworenobeardbeyondanabsolutelyblackmoustache。Histeethwereperfect，informandinwhiteness，——acharacteristicwhichthoughitmaybeavaluediteminageneralcatalogueofpersonalattraction，doesnotgenerallyrecommendamantotheunconsciousjudgmentofhisacquaintance。Butaboutthemouthandchinofthismantherewasasomethingofasoftness，perhapsintheplayofhislips，perhapsinthedimple，whichinsomedegreelessenedthefeelingofhardnesswhichwasproducedbythesquarebrowandbold，unflinching，combativeeyes。Theywhoknewhimandlikehimwerereconciledbythelowerface。Thegreaternumberwhoknewhimanddidnotlikehim，feltandresented，——eventhoughinninecasesoutoftentheymight，expressnoresentmenteventothemselves，——thepugnacityofhissteadyglance。
Forhewasessentiallyoneofthosemenwhoarealways，intheinnerworkingsoftheirminds，defendingthemselvesandattackingothers。Hecouldnotgiveapennytoawomanatacrossingwithoutalookwhicharguedatfulllengthherinjusticeinmakingherdemand，andhisfreedomfromallliabilitylethimwalkthecrossingasoftenashemight。Hecouldnotseathimselfinarailwaycarriagewithoutalessontohisoppositeneighbourthatinallthemutualaffairsoftravelling，arrangementoffeet，dispositionofbags，andopeningofwindows，itwouldbethatneighbour’sdutytosubmitandhistoexact。Itwas，however，forthespiritratherthanforthethingitselfthathecombatted。Thewomanwiththebroomgotherpenny。Theoppositegentlemanwhenoncebyaglancehehadexpressedsubmissionwasallowedhisownwaywiththelegsandwiththewindow。IwouldnotsaythatFerdinandLopezwaspronetodoill-naturedthings。buthewasimperious，andhehadlearnedtocarryhisempireinhiseye。
Thereadermustsubmittobetoldoneortwofurtherandstillsmallerdetailsrespectingtheman，andthenthemanshallbeallowedtomakehisownway。Nooneofthosearoundhimknewhowmuchcarehetooktodresshimselfwell，orhowcarefulhewasthatnooneshouldknowit。Hisverytailorregardedhimasbeingsimplyextravagantinthenumberofhiscoatsandtrousers，andhisfriendslookeduponhimasoneofthosefortunatebeingstowhosenaturebelongsafacilityofbeingwelldressed，oralmostanimpossibilityofbeingilldressed。Weallknowtheman，——alittlemangenerally，whomovesseldomandsoftly，——wholooksalwaysasthoughhehadjustbeensenthomeinabandbox。
FerdinandLopezwasnotalittleman，andmovedfreelyenough。
butnever，atanymoment，——goingintothecityorcomingoutofit，onhorsebackoronfoot，athomeoverhisbookorafterthemazesofthedance，——washedressedotherwisethanwithperfectcare。Moneyandtimedidit，butfolkthoughtthatitgrewwithhim，asdidhishairandhisnails。Andhealwaysrodeahorsewhichcharmedgoodjudgesofwhataparknagshouldbe——notaprancing，restless，giggling，sideway-going，uselessgarran，butananimalwellmade，wellbitted，withperfectpaces，onwhomariderifitpleasedhimcouldbeasquietasastatueinamonument。ItoftendidpleaseFerdinandLopeztobequietonhorseback。andyethedidnotlooklikeastatue，foritwasacknowledgedthroughallLondonthathewasagoodhorseman。Helivedluxuriouslytoo，——thoughwhetherathiseaseornotnobodyknew，——forhekeptabroughamofhisown，andduringthehuntingseason，hehadtwohorsesdownatLeighton。Therehadoncebeenabeliefabroadthathewasruined，buttheywhointerestthemselvesinsuchmattershadfoundout，——oratanyratebelievedthattheyhadfoundout，——thathepaidhistailorregularly：andnowthereprevailedanopinionthatFerdinandLopezwasamoniedman。
ItwasknowntosomefewthatheoccupiedroomsinaflatatWestminster，——buttoveryfewexactlywheretheroomsweresituate。Amongallhisfriendsnoonewasknowntohaveenteredthem。Inamoderatewayhewasgiventohospitality，——thatistoinfrequentbutwhentheoccasioncame，togracefulhospitality。Someclub，however，ortavernperhaps，inthesummer，someriverbankwouldbechosenasthesceneofthesefestivities。Toafew，——if，assuggested，amidstsummerflowersonthewater’sedgetomenandwomenmixed，——hewouldbeacourtlyandefficienthost。forhehadtheraregiftofdoingsuchthingswell。
Huntingwasover，andtheeastwindwasstillblowing，andagreatportionoftheLondonworldwasoutoftowntakingitsEasterholiday，whenonanunpleasantmorning，FerdinandLopeztravelledintothecitybytheMetropolitanrailwayfromWestminsterBridge。Itwashiscustomtogothitherwhenhedidgo，——notdailylikeamanofbusiness，butaschancemightrequire，likeacapitalistoramanofpleasure，——inhisownbrougham。Butonthisoccasionhewalkeddowntheriverside，andthenwalkedfromtheMansionHouseintoadingylittlecourtcalledLittleTankardYard，neartheBankofEngland，andgoingthroughanarrowdarklongpassagegotintoalittleofficeatthebackofabuilding，inwhichtheresatatadeskagreasygentlemanwithanewhatononesideofhishead，whomightperhapsbeaboutfortyyearsold。Theplacewasverydark，andthemanwasturningovertheleavesofaledger。Astrangertocitywaysmightprobablyhavesaidthathewasidle，buthewasnodoubtfillinghismindwiththateruditionwhichwouldenablehimtoearnhisbread。Ontheothersideofthedesktherewasalittleboycopyingletters。ThesewereMrSextusParker，——
commonlycalledSextyParker，——hisclerk。MrParkerwasagentlemanverywellknownandatthepresentmomentfavourablyesteemedontheStockExchange。’What，Lopez！’saidhe。
’Uncommongladtoseeyou。WhatcanIdoforyou？’
’Justcomeinside，——willyou？’saidLopez。NowwithinMrParker’sverysmallofficetherewasasmalleroffice，inwhichtherewereasafe，asmallricketyPembroketable，twochairs，andanoldwashing-standwithatumbledtowel。Lopezledthewayintothissanctumasthoughheknewtheplacewell，andSextyParkerfollowedhim。
’Beastlyday，isn’tit？’saidSexty。
’Yes，——anastyeastwind。’
’Cuttingoneintwo，withahotsunatthesametime。Oneoughttohybernateatthistimeoftheyear。’
’Thenwhydon’tyouhybernate？’saidLopez。
’Businessistoogood。That’saboutit。Amanhastosticktoitwhenitdoescome。Everybodycan’tdolikeyou——giveupregularwork，andmakeabetterthingofanhournowandanhourthen，justasitpleasesyou。Ishouldn’tdaregoinforthatkindofthing。
’Idon’tsupposeyouoranyoneelseknowwhatIgoinfor，’saidLopez，withalookthatindicatedoffence。
’Nordon’tcare，’saidSexty——’onlyhopeit’ssomethinggood，foryoursake。’SextyParkerhadknownMrLopezwell，nowforsomeyears，andbeinganoverbearingmanhimself，——somewhatevenofabullyifthetruthbespoken，——andbynomeansapttogivewayunlesshardpressed，hadoftentriedhis’hand’onhisfriend，ashehimselfwouldhavesaid。ButIdoubtwhetherhecouldrememberanyinstanceinwhichhecouldcongratulatehimselfonsuccess。Hewastryinghishandagainnow，butdiditwithafalteringvoice，havingcaughtaglanceofhisfriend’seye。
’Idaresaynot，’saidLopez。Thenhecontinuedwithoutchanginghisvoiceorthenatureofhiseye。’I’lltellyouwhatIwantyoutodonow。Iwantyournametothisbillforthreemonths。’
SextyParkeropenedhismouthandhiseyes，andtookthebitofpaperthatwastenderedtohim。Itwasapromissorynotefor750
pounds，which，ifsignedbyhim，wouldattheendofthespecifiedperiodmakehimliableforthatsumwereitnototherwisepaid。HisfriendMrLopezwasindeedapplyingtohimfortheassistanceofhisnameinraisingaloantotheamountofthesumnamed。Thiswasakindoffavourwhichamanshouldaskalmostonhisknees，——andwhich，ifsoasked，MrSextusParkerwouldcertainlyrefuse。AndherewasFerdinandLopezaskingit，who，SextusParkerhadlatterlyregardedasanopulentman，——andaskingitnotatallonhisknees，but，asonemightsay，atthemuzzleofapistol。’Accommodationbill！’saidSexty。’Why，youain’thardup，areyou？’
’I’mnotgoingjustatpresenttotellyoumuchaboutmyaffairs，andyetIexpectyoutodowhatIaskyou。Idon’tsupposeyoudoubtmyabilitytoraise750pounds。’
’Oh，dear，no，’saidSexty，whohadbeenlookedatandwhohadnotbornetheinspectionwell。
’AndIdon’tsupposeyouwouldrefusemeevenifIwerehardup，asyoucallit。’TherehadbeenaffairsbeforebetweenthetwomeninwhichLopezhadprobablybeenthestronger，andthememoryofthem，addedtotheinspectionwhichwasstillgoingon，washeavyuponpoorSexty。
’Oh，dear，no——Iwasn’tthinkingofrefusing，Isupposeafellowmaybealittlesurprisedatsuchathing。’
’Idon’tknowwhyyoushouldbesurprised，assuchthingsareverycommon。Ihappentohavetakenashareinaloanalittlebeyondmyimmediatemeans，andthereforewantafewhundreds。
ThereisnooneIcanaskwithabettergracethanyou。Ifyouain’t——afraidaboutit，justsignit。’
’Oh，Iain’tafraid，’saidSexty，takinghispenandwritinghisnameacrossthebill。Butevenbeforethesignaturewasfinished，whenhiseyewastakenawayfromthefaceofhiscompanionandfixeduponthedisagreeablepieceofpaperbeneathhishand，herepentedofwhathewasdoing。Healmostarrestedhissignaturehalf-way。Hedidhesitate，buthadnotpluckenoughtostophishand。’Itdoesseemtobeanoddtransactionallthesame，’hesaidasheleanedbackinhischair。
’It’sthecommonestthingintheworld，’saidLopezpickingupthebillinaleisurelyway，foldingitandputtingitintohispocket-book。’Haveournamesneverbeentogetheronabitofpaperbefore？’
’Whenwebothhadsomethingtomakebyit。’
’You’venothingtomakeandnothingtolosebythis。Gooddayandmanythanks，——thoughIdon’tthinksomuchoftheaffairasyouseemtodo。’ThenFerdinandLopeztookhisdeparture，andSextyParkerwasleftaloneinbewilderment。
’ByGeorge，——that’squeer，’hesaidtohimself。’Who’dhavethoughtofLopezbeinghardupforafewhundredpounds？Butitmustbeallright。Hewouldn’thavecomeinthatfashion，ifithadn’tbeenallright。Ioughtn’ttohavedoneitthough！Amanoughtnevertodothatkindofthing，——never，——never！’AndMrSextusParkerwasmuchdiscontentedwithhimself，sothatwhenhegothomethateveningtothewifeofhisbosomandhislittlefamilyatPondersEnd，hebynomeansmadehimselfagreeabletothem。Forthatsumof750poundssatuponhisbosomasheatehissupper，andlayuponhischestasheslept，——likeanightmare。
CHAPTER2
EVERETTWHARTON。
OnthatsamedayLopezdinedwithhisfriendEverettWhartonatanewclub，calledtheProgress，ofwhichtheywerebothmembers。
TheProgresswascertainlyanewclub，havingasyetbeenopenhardlymorethanthreeyears。butstillitwasoldenoughtohaveseenmanyofthehopesofitsearlyyouthbecomedimwithageandinaction。FortheProgresshadintendedtodogreatthingsfortheLiberalParty，——orratherforpoliticalliberalityingeneral，——andhadintruthdonelittleornothing。Ithadbeengotupwithconsiderableenthusiasm，andforawhilecertainfierypoliticianshadbelievedthatthroughtheinstrumentalityofthisinstitutionmenofgeniusandspirit，andnaturalpower，butwithoutwealth，——meaningalwaysthemselves，——wouldbesuppliedwithsureseatsinParliamentandaprobablyshareintheGovernment。Butnosuchresultshadbeenachieved。Therehadbeenawantofsomething，——somedeficiencyfeltbutnotyetdefined，——whichhadhithertobeenfatal。Theyoungmensaiditwasbecausenooldstagerwhoknewthewayofpullingthewireswouldcomeforwardandputtheclubinthepropergroove。Theoldmensaiditwasbecausetheyoungmenwerepretentiouspuppies。Itwas，however，nottobedoubtedthatthepartyofProgresshadbecomeslack，andthattheLiberalpoliticiansofthecountry，althoughaspecialnewclubhadbeenopenedforthefurtheranceoftheirviews，werenotatpresentmakingmuchway。
’Whatwewantisorganization，’saidoneoftheleadingyoungmen。Buttheorganizationwasnotasyetforthcoming。
Theclub，nevertheless，wentonitsway，likeotherclubs，andmendinedandsmokedandplayedbilliardsandpretendedtoread。
Somefewenergeticmembersstillhopedthatagooddaywouldcomeinwhichtheirgrandideasmightberealized，——butasregardedthemembersgenerally，theywerecontenttoeatanddrinkandplaybilliards。Itwasafairlygoodclub，——withasprinklingofLiberallordlings，acoupleofdozenofmembersofParliamentwhohadbeenmadetobelievethattheywouldneglecttheirpartydutiesunlesstheypaidtheirmoney，andtheusualassortmentofbarristers，attorneys，citymerchants，andidlemen。Itwasgoodenough，atanyrate，forFerdinandLopez，whowasparticularabouthisdinner，andhadanopinionofhisownaboutwines。Hehadbeenheardtoassertthat，forrealquietcomfort，therewasnotaclubinLondonequaltoit，buthishearerswerenotawarethatinthepastdayshehadbeenblack-balledattheTandtheG。ThesewereaccidentswhichLopezhadagiftofkeepinginthebackground。Hispresentcompanion，EverettWharton，had，aswellhimself，beenanoriginalmember——andWhartonhadbeenoneofthosewhohadhopedtofindintheclubastepping-stonetohighpoliticallife，andwhonowtalkedoftenwithidleenergyoftheneedfororganization。
’Formyself，’saidLopez，’IcanconceivenovainerobjectofambitionthanaseatintheBritishParliament。Whatdoesanymangainbyit？Thefewaresuccessfulworkveryhardforlittlepayandnothanks，——ornearlyequallyhardfornopayandaslittlethanks。Themanywhofailsitidlyforhours，undergoingthewearytaskoflisteningtoplatitudes，andenjoyinreturnthenowabsolutelyvaluelessprivilegeofhavingMPwrittenontheirletters。’
’Somebodymustmakethelawsforthecountry。’
’Idon’tseethenecessity。Ithinkthecountrywoulddouncommonlywellifitweretoknowthatnooldlawwouldbealteredornewlawmadeforthenexttwentyyears。’
’Youwouldn’thaverepealedthecornlaws？’
’Therearenocornlawstorepealnow。’
’Normodifytheincometax？’
’Iwouldmodifynothing。Butatanyrate，whetherlawsaretobealteredortobeleft，itisacomforttomethatIneednotputmyfingerintothatpie。ThereisonebenefitindeedinbeingintheHouse。’
’Youcan’tbearrested。’
’Well——that，asfarasitgoes，andoneother。Itassistsamaningettingaseatasthedirectorofcertaincompanies。
PeoplearestillsuchassesthattheytrustaBoardofDirectorsmadeupofmembersofParliament，andthereforeofcoursemembersaremadewelcome。ButifyouwanttogetintotheHouse，whydon’tyouarrangeitwithyourfather，insteadofwaitingforwhattheclubmaydoforyou？’
’Myfatherwouldn’tpayashillingforsuchapurpose。HewasneverintheHousehimself。’
’Andthereforedespisesit。’
’Alittleofthat，perhaps。Nomaneverworkedharderthanhedid，or，inhisway，moresuccessfully。andhavingseenoneafteranotherofhisjuniorsbecomemembersofParliament，whilehestucktotheattorneys，thereisperhapsalittlejealousyaboutit。’
’FromwhatIseeofthewayyouliveathome，Ishouldthinkyourfatherwoulddoanythingforyou，——withpropermanagement。
Thereisnodoubt，Isuppose，thathecouldaffordit？’
’Myfatherneverinhislifesaidanythingtomeabouthisownmoneyaffairsthoughhesaysagreatdealaboutmine。Nomaneverwascloserthanmyfather。ButIbelievehecouldaffordalmostanything。’
’IwishIhadsuchafather，’saidFerdinandLopez。’IthinkthatIshouldsucceedinascertainingtheextentofhiscapabilities，andinmakingsomeuseofthemtoo。’
Whartonnearlyaskedhisfriend，——almostsummonedcouragetoaskhim，——whetherhisfatherhaddonemuchforhim。Theywereveryintimate。andononesubject，inwhichLopezwasmuchinterested，theirconfidencehadbeenveryclose。Buttheyoungerandweakermanofthetwocouldnotquitebringhimselftothepointofmakinganinquirywhichhethoughtwouldbedisagreeable。Lopezhadneverbefore，inalltheirintercourse，hintedatthepossibilityofhishavingorhavinghadfilialaspirations。Hehadbeenasthoughhehadbeencreatedself-sufficient，independentofmother’smilkorfather’smoney。Nowthequestionmighthavebeenaskedalmostnaturally。Butitwasnotasked。
EverettWhartonwasatroubletohisfather，——butnotanagonizingtrouble，asaresomesons。Hisfaultswerenotofanaturetorobhisfather’scupofallitssweetnessandtobringgreyhairswithsorrowtothegrave。OldWhartonhadneverhadtoaskhimselfwhetherheshouldnow，atlength，lethissonfallintothelowestabysses，orwhetherheshouldyetagainstruggletoputhimonhislegs，againforgivehim，againpayhisdebts，againendeavourtoforgetdishonour，andplaceitalltothescoreofthoughtlessyouth。Haditbeenso，Ithinkthat，ifnotonthefirstorsecondfall，certainlyonthethird，theyoungmanwouldhavegoneintotheabyss，forMrWhartonwasasternman，andcapableofcomingtoaclearconclusiononthingsthatwerenearestandevendearesttohimself。ButEverettWhartonhadsimplyshownhimselftobeinefficienttoearnhisownbread。
Hehadneverdeclinedeventodothis，——buthadsimplybeeninefficient。Hehadnotdeclared，eitherbywordsorbyactions，thatashisfatherwasarichman，andashewasanonlyson，hewouldthereforedonothing。Buthehadtriedhishandthrice，andineachcase，afterbutshorttrial，hadassuredhimfatherandhisfriendsthatthethinghadnotsuitedhim。LeavingOxfordwithoutadegree，——forreadingoftheschoolsdidnotsuithim，——hehadgoneintoabanking-house，bynomeansasamereclerk，butwithanexpressedpropositionfromhisfather，backedbytheassentofapartner，thatheshouldworkhiswayuptowealthandagreatcommercialposition。Butsixmonthstaughthimthatbankingwasan’abomination’，andheatoncewentintoacourseofreadingwithabarrister。Heremainedatthistillhewascalled，——foramanmaybecalledwithverylittlecontinuouswork。Butafterhewascalledthesolitudeofhischamberswastoomuchforhim，andattwenty-fivehefoundthattheStockExchangewasthemartintheworldforsuchtalentsandenergiesashepossessed。Whatwasthenatureofhisfailureduringtheyearthathewentintothecity，wasknowonlytohimselfandhisfather，——unlessFerdinandLopezknewsomethingofitalso。Butatsix-and-twentytheStockExchangewasalsoabandoned。andnow，ateight-and-twenty，EverettWhartonhaddiscoveredthataparliamentarycareerwasthatforwhichnatureandhisspecialgeniushadintendedhim。Hehadprobablysuggestedthistohisfather，andhadmetwithsomecoldrebuff。
EverettWhartonwasagood-looking，manlyfellow，sixfeethigh，withbroadshoulderswithlighthair，wearingalargesilkybushybeard，whichmadehimlookolderthanhisyears，whoneitherbyhisspeechnorbyhisappearancewouldeverbetakenforafool，butwhoshowedbytheveryactionsofhisbodyaswellasbytheplayofhisface，thathelackedfirmnessofpurpose。Hecertainlywasnofool。Hehadreadmuch，andthoughhegenerallyforgotwhatheread，therewereleftwithhimfromhisreadingscertainnebulouslights，begottenbyothermen’sthinking，whichenabledhimtotalkonmostsubjects。Itcannotbesaidofhimthathedidmuchthinkingforhimself——buthethoughtwhathethought。Hebelievedofhimselfthathehadgoneratherdeepintopolitics，andthathewasentitledtocallmanystatesmenassesbecausetheydidnotseethethingswhichhesaw。Hehadthegreatquestionoflabour，andallthatreferstounions，strikes，andlock-outs，quiteathisfingers’ends。HeknewhowtheChurchofEnglandshouldbedisestablishedandrecomposed。
Hewasquiteclearonquestionsoffinance，andsawtoa’t’howprogressshouldbemadetowardscommunism，sothatnoviolenceshoulddisturbthatprogress，andthatinduecourseofcenturiesalldesireforpersonalpropertyshouldbeconqueredandannihilatedbyaphilanthropysogeneralashardlybeaccountedavirtue。Inthemeantimehecouldnevercontrivetopayhistailor’sbillregularlyoutoftheallowanceof400poundsayearwhichhisfathermadehim，andwasalwaysdreamingofthecomfortsofahandsomeincome。
Hewasapopularmancertainly，——verypopularwithwomen，towhomhewasalwayscourteous，andgenerallylikedbymen，towhomhewasgenialandgood-natured。Thoughhewasnothimselfawareofthefact，hewasverydeartohisfather，whoinhisownsilentwayalmostadmiredandcertainlylikedtheopennessandguilelessfreedomofacharacterwhichwasveryoppositetohisown。Thefather，thoughhehadneversaidawordtoflattertheson，didintruthgivehisoffspringcreditforgreatertalentthanhepossessed，and，evenwhenappearingtoscornthem，wouldlistentotheyoungman’sdiatribesalmostwithsatisfaction。
AndEverettwasverydearalsotoasister，whowastheonlyotherlivingmemberofthisbranchoftheWhartonfamily。Muchwillbesaidofherinthesepages，anditishopedthatthereadermaytakeaninterestinherfate。Buthere，inspeakingofthebrother，itmaysufficetosay，thatthesister，whowasendowedwithinfinitelyfinergiftsthanhis，didgivecredittothesomewhatpretentiousclaimsofherlessnoblebrother。
IndeedithadbeenperhapsamisfortunewithEverettWhartonthatsomepeoplehadbelievedinhim，——andafurthermisfortunethatsomeothershadthoughtitworththeirwhiletopretendtobelieveinhim。AmongthelattermightprobablybereckonedthefriendwithwhomhewasnowdiningattheProgress。Amanmayflatteranother，asLopezoccasionallydidflatterWharton，withoutpreconcertedfalsehood。Itsuitsonemantobewellwithanother，andtheonelearnsgraduallyandperhapsunconsciouslythewaytotakeadvantageofthefoiblesoftheother。NowitwasmostmaterialtoLopezthatheshouldstandwellwithallthemembersoftheWhartonfamily，asheaspiredtothehandofthedaughterofthehouse。Ofherregardhealreadythoughthimselfnearlysure。Ofthefather’ssanctiontosuchamarriagehehadreasontobealmostmorethandoubtful。Butthebrotherwashisfriend，——andinsuchcircumstancesamanisalmostjustifiedinflatteringabrother。
’I’lltellyouwhatitis，Lopez，’saidWharton，astheystrolledoutoftheclubtogether，alittleafterteno’clock，’themenofthepresentdaywon’tgivethemselvesthetroubletooccupytheirmindswithmatterswhichhave，orshouldhave，realinterest。
PopeknewallaboutwhenhesaidthatTheproperstudyofmankindisman。Butpeopledon’treadPopenow，oriftheydotheydon’ttakethetroubletounderstandhim。’
’Menaretoobusymakingmoney，mydearfellow。’
’That’sjustit。Money’saverynicething。’
’Verynice，’saidLopez。
’Butthesearchafteritisdebasing。Ifamancouldmakemoneyforfour，orsix，oreveneighthoursaday，andthenwashhismindofthepursuit，asaclerkinanofficewashesthecopiesandledgersoutofhismind，then——’
’Hewouldnevermakemoneyinthatway——andkeepit。’
’Andthereforethewholethingisdebasing。Amanceasestocareforthegreatinterestsoftheworld，oreventobeawareoftheirexistence，whenhiswholesoulisinSpanishbonds。Theywantedtomakeabankerofme，butIfoundthatitwouldkillme。’
’Itwouldkillme，IthinkifIhadtoconfinemyselftoSpanishbonds。’
’YouknowwhatImean。Youatanyrateunderstandme，thoughI
fearyouaretoofargonetoabandontheideaofmakingafortune。’
’Iwouldabandonitto-morrowifIcouldcomeintoafortunereadymade。Amanmustatanyrateeat。’
’Yes，——hemusteat。ButIamnotquitesure，’saidWhartonthoughtfully，’thatheneedthinkaboutwhatheeats。’
’Unlessthebeefissentupwithouthorseradish！’Ithadhappenedthatwhenthetwomensatdowntotheirdinnertheinsufficientquantityofthatvegetablesuppliedbythestewardoftheclubhadbeenallconsumed，andWhartonhadcomplainedofthegrievance。
’Amanhasarighttothatforwhichhehaspaid，’saidWharton，withmocksolemnity，’andifhepassesoverlachesofthatnaturewithoutobservation，hedoesaninjurytohumanityatlarge。I’mnotgoingtobecaughtinatrap，youknow，becauseIlikehorseradishwithmybeef。Well，Ican’tgofartheroutofmyway，asIhaveadealofreadingtodobeforeIcourtmyMorpheus。Ifyou’lltakemyadvice，you’llgostraighttothegovernor。
WhateverEmilymayfeel，Idon’tthinkshe’llsaymuchtoencourageyouunlessyougoaboutitafterthatfashion。Shehasprimnotionsofherown，whichperhapsarenotafterallsomuchamisswhenamanwantstomarryagirl。’
’GodforbidthatIshouldthinkthatanythingaboutyoursisterwasamiss！’
’Idon’tthinkthereismuchmyself。Womenaregenerallysuperficial，——butsomearehonestlysuperficialandsomedishonestly。Emilyatanyrateishonest。’
’Stophalfamoment。’ThentheysaunteredarminarmdownthebroadpavementleadingfromPallMalltotheDukeofYork’scolumn。’IwishIcouldmakeoutyourfathermoreclearly。Heisalwaysciviltome，buthehasacoldwayoflookingatmewhichmakesmethinkIamnotinhisgoodbooks。’
’Heislikethattoeverybody。’
’Ineverseemtogetbeyondtheskinwithhim。Youmusthaveheardhimspeakofmeinmyabsence。’
’Heneversaysverymuchaboutanybody。’
’Butawordwouldletmeknowhowthelandlies。YouknowmewellenoughtobeawarethatIamthelastmantobecuriousastowhatothersthinkofme。IndeedIdonotcareaboutitasmuchasamanshoulddo。Iamutterlyindifferenttotheopinionoftheworldatlarge，andwouldneverobjecttothecompanyofapleasantpersonbecausethepleasantpersonabusedmebehindmyback。WhatIvalueisthepleasantnessoftheman，andnotthelikingordislikingformyself。Butherethedearestaimofmylifeisconcerned，andImightbeguidedeitherthiswayorthat，ortomygreatadvantage，byknowingwhetherIstandwellorillwithhim。’
’YouhavedinedthreetimeswithinthelastthreemonthsinManchesterSquare，andIdon’tknowanyotherman，——certainlynootheryoungman，——whohashadsuchstrongproofofintimacyfrommyfather。’
’Yes，andIknowmyadvantages。ButIhavebeenthereasyourfriend，nothis。’
’Hedoesn’tcaretwopenceaboutmyfriends。IwantedtogiveCharlieSkateadinner，butmyfatherwouldn’thavehimatanyprice。’
’CharlieSkateisoutatelbows，andbetsatbilliards。Iamrespectable，——oratanyrateyourfatherthinksso。Yourfatherismoreanxiousaboutyouthanyouareawareof，andwishestomakehishousepleasanttoyouaslongashecandosotoyouradvantage。Asfarasyouareconcernedheratherapprovesofme，fancyingthatmyturnformakingmoneyisstrongerthanmyturnforspendingit。Nevertheless，helooksuponmeasafriendofyoursratherthanhisown。Thoughhehasgivenmethreedinnersinthreemonths，——andIownthegreatnessofhishospitality，——
Idon’tsupposeheeversaidawordinmyfavour。IwishIknewwhathedoessay。’
’Hesaysheknowsnothingaboutyou。’
’Oh——that’sit，isit？Thenhecanknownoharm。Whennexthesayssoaskhimhowmanyofthemenwhodineathishousehecansayasmuch。Goodnight——Iwon’tkeepyouanylonger。ButI
cantellyouthis——ifbetweenuswecanmanagetohandlehimrightly，youmaygetyourseatinParliamentandImaygetmywife——thatis，ofcourse，ifshewillhaveme。’
Thentheyparted，butLopezremainedinthepathway，walkingupanddownbythesideoftheoldmilitaryclub，thinkingofthings。Hecertainlyknewhisfriend，theyoungerWhartonintimately，appreciatingtheman’sgoodqualities，andbeingfullyawareoftheman’sweakness。ByhisquestionshehadextractedquiteenoughtoassurehimselfthatEmily’sfatherwouldbeadversetohisproposition。Hehadnotfeltmuchdoubtbefore，butnowhewascertain。’Hedoesn’tknowmuchaboutme，’
hesaid，musingtohimself。’Well，no。hedoesn’t——andthereisn’tverymuchthatIcantellhim。Ofcoursehe’swise，——aswisdomgoes。Butthen，wisemendodofoolishthingsatintervals。Thediscreetestofcitybankersaretalkedoutoftheirmoney。themostscrupulousofmatronsaretalkedoutoftheirvirtue。themostexperiencedofstatesmenaretalkedoutoftheirprinciples。Andwhocanreallycalculatechances？Menwholeadforlornhopesgenerallypushthroughwithoutbeingwounded——
andthefifthorsixthheircomestoatitle。’Somuchhesaid，palpably，thoughtohimselfwithhisinnervoice。Then——
impalpably，withnoeveninnervoice，——heaskedhimselfwhatchancehemighthaveofprevailingwiththegirlherself。andhealmostventuredtotellhimselfthatinthatdirection，heneednotdespair。
Inverytruthhelovedthegirlandreverencedher，believinghertobebetterandhigherandnoblerthanotherhumanbeings，——asamandoeswhenheisinlove。andsobelieving，hehadthosedoubtsastohisownsuccesswhichsuchreverenceproduces。
CHAPTER3
MRABELWHARTONQ。C。
Lopezwasnotamantoletgrassgrowunderhisfeetwhenhehadanythingtodo。Whenhewastiredofwalkingbackwardsandforwardsoverthesamebitofpavement，subjectallthewhiletoacoldeastwind，hewenthomeandthoughtofthesamematterwhilehelayinbed。Evenwerehetogetthegirl’sassurancesoflove，withoutherfather’sconsenthemightfindhimselffartherfromhisobjectthanever。MrWhartonwasamanofoldfashions，whowouldthinkhimselfill-usedandhisdaughterill-
used，andwhowouldthinkalsothatageneraloffencewouldhavebeencommittedagainstgoodsocialmanners，ifhisdaughterweretobeaskedforherhandwithouthispreviousconsent。Shouldheabsolutelyrefuse，——whythenthebattle，thoughitwouldbeadesperatebattle，mightperhapsbefoughtwithotherstrategy。
but，givingtothematterhisbestconsideration，Lopezthoughtitexpedienttogoatoncetothefather。Indoingthishewouldhavenosillytremors。Whateverhemightfeelinspeakingtothegirl，hehadsufficientself-confidencetobeabletoaskthefather，ifnotwithassurance，atanyratewithouttrepidation。
Itwas，hethought，probablethatthefather，atthefirstattack，wouldneitheraltogetheraccede，oraltogetherrefuse。
Thedispositionofthemanwasaversetotheprobabilityofanabsolutereplyatthefirstmoment。Theloverimaginedthatitmightbepossibleforhimtotakeadvantageoftheperiodofdoubtwhichwouldbecreated。
MrWhartonwasandhadforagreatmanyyearsbeenabarristerpractisingintheEquityCourts，——orratherinoneEquityCourt，forthroughoutalife’swork，nowextendingtonearlyfiftyyears，hehadhardlyevergoneoutofthesingleVice-
Chancellor’sCourtwhichwasmuchbetterknownbyMrWharton’snamethanbythatofthelesseminentjudgewhonowsatthere。
Hishadbeenaverypeculiar，averytoilsome，butyetprobablyaverysatisfactorylife。Hehadbegunhispracticeearly，andhadworkedinastuffgowntillhewasnearlysixty。Atthattime，hehadamassedalargefortune，mainlyfromhisprofession，butpartlyalsobythecarefuluseofhisownsmallpatrimonyandbyhiswife’smoney。Menknewthathewasrich，butnooneknewtheextentofhiswealth。Whenhesubmittedtotakeasilkgown，hedeclaredamonghisfriendsthathedidsoasasteppreparatorytohisretirement。Thealteredmethodofworkwouldnotsuithimathisage，nor，——ashesaid，——woulditbeprofitable。Hewouldtakehissilk，asahonourforhisdecliningyears，sothathemightbecomeabencherathisInn。Buthehadnowbeenworkingforthelasttwelveorfourteenyearswithhissilkgown，——almostashardasinyoungerdays，andwithpecuniaryresultsalmostasserviceable。andthoughfrommonthtomonthhedeclaredhisintentionoftakingnofreshbriefs，andthoughhedidnowoccasionallyrefusework，stillhewastherewithhismindasclearasever，andwithhisbodyapparentlyaslittleaffectedbyfatigue。
MrWhartonhadnotmarriedtillhewasforty，andhiswifehadnowbeentwoyearsdead。Hehadhadsixchildren，——ofwhombuttwowerenowlefttomakeahouseholdforhisoldage。Hehadbeennearlyfiftyyearswhenhisyoungestdaughterwasborn，andwasthereforenowanoldfatherofayoungchild。Buthewasoneofthosemenwho，asinyouththeyareneververyyoung，soinagearetheyneververyold。Hecouldstillridehiscobintheparkjauntily。anddidsocarefullyeverymorninginhislife，afteranearlycupofteaandbeforehisbreakfast。Andhecouldwalkhomefromhischamberseveryday，andonSundayscouldtotheroundoftheparksonfoot。Twiceaweek，onWednesdaysandSaturdays，hedinedatthatoldlawclub，theEldon，andplayedwhistafterdinnertilltwelveo’clock。Thiswasthegreatdissipationand，Ithink，thechiefcharmofhislife。InthemiddleofAugustheandhisdaughterusuallywentforamonthtoWhartonHallinHertfordshire，theseatofhiscousinSirAluredWharton——andthiswastheonedutyofhislifewhichwasaburdentohim。Buthehadbeenmadetobelievethatitwasessentialtohishealth，andtohiswife’s，andthentohisgirl’s，health，thatheshouldeverysummerleavetownforatime，——andwhereelsewastheretogo？SirAluredwasarelationandagentleman。EmilylikedWhartonHall。Itwastheproperthing。HehatedWhartonHall，butthenhedidnotknowanyplaceoutofLondonthathewouldnothateworse。HehadoncebeeninducedtogouptheRhine。buthadneverrepeatedtheexperimentofforeigntravel。EmilysometimeswentabroadwithhercousinsduringwhichperiodsitwassupposedthattheoldlawyerspentagooddealofhistimeattheEldon。Hewasaspare，thin，stronglymademan，withsparelightbrownhair，hardlyyetgrizzled，withsmallgreywhiskers，cleareyes，bushyeyebrows，withalonguglynose，onwhichyoungbarristershadbeenheardtodeclarethatyoumighthangasmallkettle，andwithconsiderablevehemenceoftalkwhenhewasopposedinargument。For，withallhiswell-knowncoolnessoftemper，MrWhartoncouldbecomeveryhotinanargument，whenthenatureofthecaseinhandrequiredheat。Ononesubjectallwhoknewhimwereagreed。Hewasathoroughlawyer。Manydoubtedhiseloquence，andsomedeclaredthathehadknownwelltheextentofhisownpowersinabstainingfromseekingthehigherhonoursofhisprofession。butnoonedoubtedhislaw。Hehadoncewrittenabook，——onthemortgageofstocksintrade。butthathadbeeninearlylife，andhehadneversincedabbledinliterature。
Hewascertainlyamanofwhommenweregenerallyafraid。Atthewhist-tablenoonewouldventuretoscoldhim。Inthecourtnooneevercontradictedhim。Inhisownhouse，thoughhewasveryquiet，theservantsdreadedtooffendhim，andwereattentivetohisslightestbehests。Whenhecondescendedtoridewithanyacquaintanceinthepark，itwasalwaysacknowledgedthatoldWhartonwastoregulatethepace。HisnamewasAbel，andallhislifehehadbeenknownasableAbe，——asilent，far-seeing，close-fisted，justoldman，who，wasnot，however，byanymeansdeficientinsympathyeitherwiththesufferingsorwiththejoysofhumanity。
ItwasEastertime，andthecourtswerenotsitting，butMrWhartonwasinhischamberasamatterofcourseatteno’clock。
Heknewnorealhomelycomfortselsewhere，——unlessatthewhist-
tableattheEldon。HeateanddrankandsleptinhisownhouseinManchesterSquare，buthecouldhardlybesaidtolivethere。
Itwasnottherethathismindwasawake，andthepowersofthemanwereexercised。Whenhecameupfromthedining-roomtojoinhisdaughterafterdinner，hewouldgethertosinghimasong，andwouldthenseathimselfwithabook。Butheneverreadinhisownhouse，invariablyfallingintoasweetandplacidslumber，fromwhichhewasneverdisturbedtillhisdaughterkissedhimasshewenttobed。Thenhewouldwalkabouttheroomandlookathiswatch，andshuffleuneasilythroughhalfanhour，tillhisconscienceallowedhimtotakehimselftohischamber。
Hewasamanofnopursuitsinhisownhouse。Butfromteninthemorningtilfive，oroftensix，intheevening，hismindwasactiveinsomework。Itwasnotnowalllaw，asitusedtobe。
Inthedraweroftheoldpieceoffurniturewhichstoodjustattherighthandofhisownarm-chairtherewerevariousbookshiddenaway，whichhewassometimesashamedtohaveseenbyhisclients，——poetryandnovels，andevenfairytales。FortherewasnothingMrWhartoncouldnotreadinhischambers，thoughtherewasnothingthathecouldreadinhisownhouse。Hehadalargepleasantroominwhichtosit，lookingoutfromthegroundfloorofStoneBuildingsontothegardensbelongingtotheInn，——andher，inthecentreofthemetropolis，butinperfectquietasfarastheoutsideworldwasconcerned，hehadlivedandstilllivedhislife。
AtaboutnoononthedayfollowingthatonwhichLopezhadmadehissuddenswooponMrParkerandhadthendinedwithEverettWharton，hecalledatStoneBuildings，andwasshownintothelawyer’sroom。HisquickeyeatoncediscoveredthebookwhichMrWhartonhalfhidaway，andsawuponitMrMudie’ssuspiciousticket。BarristerscertainlynevergettheirlawbooksfromMudie，andLopezatonceknewthathishoped-forfather-in-lawhadbeenreadinganovel。Hehadnotsuspectedsuchweakness，butarguedwellfromitforthebusinesshehadinhand。Theremustbeasoftspottobefoundabouttheheartofanoldlawyerwhospenthismorningsinsuchoccupation。’Howdoyoudo，sir？’
saidMrWhartonrisingfromhisseat。’Ihopeyouarewell，sir。’Thoughhehadbeenreadinganovelhistoneandmannerwereverycold。LopezhadneverbeeninStoneBuildingsbefore，andwasnotquitesurethathemightnothavecommittedsomeoffenceincomingthere。’Takeaseat，MrLopez。IsthereanythingIcandoforyouinmyway？’
Therewasagreatdealthatcouldbedone’inhisway’asfather，——buthowwasittobeintroducedandthecasemadeclear？Lopezdidnotknowwhethertheoldmanhadasyeteversuspectedsuchafeelingasthatwhichhenowintendedtodeclare。HehadbeenintimateatthehouseatManchesterSquare，andhadcertainlyingratiatedhimselfverycloselywithacertainMrsRoby，whohadbeenMrWharton’ssisterandconstantcompanion，wholivedinBerkeleyStreet，closeroundthecornerfromManchesterSquare，andspentverymuchofhertimewithEmilyWharton。Theyweretogetherdaily，asthoughMrsRobyhadassumedthepartofasecondmother，andLopezwaswellawarethatMrsRobyknewofhislove。IftherewasarealconfidencebetweenMrsRobyandtheoldman，theoldlawyerknewaboutitalso——butastothatLopezfeltthathewasinthedark。
Thetaskofspeakingtoanoldfatherisnotunpleasantwhentheloverknowsthathehasbeensmiledupon，and，infact，approvedforthelastsixmonths。Heisgoingtobepattedontheback，andmademuchof，andreceivedinthefamily。HeistobetoldthathisMaryorhisAugustahasbeenthebestdaughterintheworld，andwillthereforecertainlybethebestwife，andhehimselfwillprobablyonthatspecialoccasionbespokenofwithunqualifiedpraise，——andallwillbepleasant。Butthesubjectisoneverydifficulttobroachwhennopreviouslighthasbeenthrownonit。FerdinandLopez，however，wasnotthemantostandshiveringonthebrinkwhenaplungewasnecessary，——andthereforehemadehisplunge。’MrWharton，Ihavetakenthelibertytocalluponyou，becauseIwanttospeaktoyouaboutyourdaughter。’
’Aboutmydaughter！’Theoldman’ssurprisewasquitegenuine。
Ofcoursewhenhehadgivenhimselfamomenttothink，heknewwhatmustbethenatureofhisvisitor’scommunication。ButuptothatmomenthehadnevermixedhisdaughterandFerdinandLopezinhisthoughtstogether。Andnow，theideahavingcomeuponhim，helookedattheaspirantwithsevereandunpleasanteyes。Itwasmanifesttotheaspirantthatthefirstflashofthethingwaspainfultothefather。
’Yes，sir。Iknowhowgreatismypresumption。But，yethavingventured，Iwillhardlysaytoentertainanyhope，buttohavecometosuchastatethatIcanonlybyhappybyhoping，Ihavethoughtitbesttocometoyouatonce。’
’Doessheknowanythingofthis？’
’Ofmyvisittoyou？Nothing。’
’Ofyourintentions——ofyoursuitgenerally？AmItounderstandthatthishasanysanctionfromher？’
’Noneatall。’
’Haveyoutoldheranythingofit？’
’Notaword。Icometoaskyouforyourpermissiontoaddressher。’
’Youmeanthatshehasnoknowledgewhateverofyour，yourpreferenceforher。’
’Icannotsaythat。ItishardlypossiblethatIshouldhavelearnedtoloveherasIdowithoutsomeconsciousnessonherpartthatitisso。’
’WhatImeanis，withoutanybeatingaboutthebush，——haveyoubeenmakinglovetoher？’
’Whoistosaywhatmakingloveconsists，MrWharton？’
’Dit，sir，agentlemanknows。Agentlemanknowswhetherhehasbeenplayingonagirl’sfeelings，andagentleman，whenheisaskedasIhaveaskedyou，willatanyratetellthetruth。I
don’twantanydefinitions。Haveyoubeenmakinglovetoher？’
’Ithink，MrWharton，thatIhavebehavedlikeagentleman。andthatyouwillacknowledgeatleastsomuchwhenyoucometoknowexactlywhatIhavedoneandwhatIhavenotdone。Ihaveendeavouredtocommendmyselftoyourdaughter，butIhaveneverspokenawordoflovetoher。’
’DoesEverettknowofallthis？’
’Yes。’
’Andhasheencouragedit？’
’Heknowsofitbecauseheismyintimatefriend。Whoevertheladymighthavebeen，Ishouldhavetoldhim。Heisattachedtome，andwouldnotIthink，onhisownaccount，objecttocallmehisbrother。Ispoketohimyesterdayonthematterveryplainly，andhetoldmethatIoughtcertainlytoseeyoufirst。
Iquiteagreedwithhim，andthereforeIamhere。Therehascertainlybeennothinginhisconducttomakeyouangry，andIdonotthinkthattherehasbeenanythinginmine。’
Therewasadignityofdemeanourandaquietassuredcouragewhichhaditseffectupontheoldlawyer。Hefeltthathecouldnotstormandtalkinambiguouslanguageofwhata’gentleman’
wouldorwouldnotdo。Hemightdisapproveofthismanaltogetherasason-in-law，——andatthepresentmomenthethoughthedid，——butstillthemanwasentitledtoacivilanswer。Howwereloverstoapproachtheladiesoftheirloveinanymannermorerespectfulthanthis？’MrLopez，’hesaid，’youmustforgivemeifIsaythatyouarecomparativelyastrangertous。’
’Thatisanaccidentwhichwouldeasilybecuredifyourwillinthatdirectionwereasgoodasmine。’
’But，perhaps，itisn’t。Onehastobeexplicitinthesematters。Adaughter’shappinessisaveryseriousconsideration——
andsomepeople，amongwhomIconfessthatIamone，considerthatlikepeopleshouldmarrylike。Ishouldwishtoseemydaughtermarry，——notonlyinmyownsphere，neitherhighernorlower，——butwithsomeoneofmyownclass。’
’Ihardlyknow，MrWharton，whetherthatisintendedtoexcludeme。’
’Well，——totellyouthetruthIknownothingaboutyou。Idon’tknowwhoyourfatherwas，——whetherhewasanEnglishman，whetherhewasaChristian，whetherhewasaProtestant，——notevenwhetherhewasagentleman。ThesearequestionswhichIshouldnotdreamofaskingunderanyothercircumstances——wouldbematterswithwhichIshouldhavenopossibleconcern，ifyouweresimplyanacquaintance。Butwhenyoutalktoamanabouthisdaughter——？’
’Iacknowledgefreelyyourrightofinquiry。’
’AndIknownothingofyourmeans——nothingwhatever。I
understandthatyouliveasamanoffortune，butIpresumethatyouearnyourbread。Iknownothingofthewayinwhichyouearnit，nothingofthecertaintyoramountofyourmeans。’
’Thosethingsareofcoursemattersforinquiry。butmayI
presumethatyouhavenoobjectionwhichsatisfactoryanswerstosuchquestionsmaynotremove？’
’IshallneverwillinglygivemydaughtertoanyonewhoisnotthesonofanEnglishgentleman。Itmaybeaprejudice，butthatismyfeeling。’
’MyfatherwascertainlynotanEnglishgentleman。HewasaPortuguese。’Inadmittingthis，andsubjectinghimselfatoncetooneclearly-statedgroundofobjection，——theobjectionbeingonewhich，thoughadmitted，carriedwithitneitherfaultnordisgrace，——Lopezfeltthathehadgotacertainadvantage。HecouldnotgetoverthefactthathewasthesonofaPortugueseparent，butbyadmittingthatopenlyhethoughthemightavoidpresentdiscussiononmatterswhichmight，perhaps，bemoredisagreeable，buttowhichheneednotalludeiftheaccidentofbirthweretobetakenbythefatherassettlingthequestion。
’MymotherwasanEnglishlady，’headded，’butmyfathercertainlywasnotanEnglishman。Ineverhadthecommonhappinessofknowingeitherofthem。IwasanorphanbeforeI
understoodwhatitwastohaveaparent。’
Thiswassaidwithapathos，whichforthemomentstoppedtheexpressionofanyfurtherharshcriticismfromthelawyer。MrWhartoncouldnotinstantlyrepeathisobjectiontoaparentagewhichwasmatterforsuchmelancholyreflections。buthefeltatthesametimethatashehadluckilylandedhimselfonapositiveandundeniablegroundofobjectiontoamatchwhichwasdistastefultohim，itwouldbeunwiseforhimtogotoothermattersinwhichhemightbelesssuccessful。Bydoingso，hewouldseemtoabandonthegroundwhichhehadalreadymadegood。
Hethoughtitprobablethatthemanmighthaveanadequateincome，andyethedidnotwishtowelcomehimasason-in-law。
HethoughtitpossiblethatthePortuguesefathermightbeaPortuguesenobleman，andthereforeonewhomhemightbedriventoadmittohavebeensomesortofgentleman——butyetthismanwhowasnowinhispresenceandwhomhecontinuedtoscanwiththeclosestobservation，wasnotwhathecalledagentleman。Theforeignbloodwasproved，andthatwouldsuffice。AshelookedatLopez，hethoughtthathedetectedJewishsigns，buthewasafraidtomakeanyallusionstoreligion，lestLopezshoulddeclarehisancestorshadbeennotedasChristianssinceStJamesfirstpreachedinthePeninsula。
’IwaseducatedaltogetherinEngland，’continuedLopez，’tillI
wassenttoaGermanuniversityintheideathatthelanguagesoftheContinentarenotgenerallywelllearnedinthiscountry——I
canneverbesufficientlythankfultomyguardianfordoingso。’
’Idaresay——Idaresay。FrenchandGermanareveryuseful。I
haveaprejudiceofmyowninfavourofGreekandLatin。’
’ButIratherfancyIpickedupmoreGreekandLatinatBonnthanIshouldhavegothere，hadIstucktonothingelse。’
’Idaresay——Idaresay。YoumaybeanAdmirableCrichtonforwhatIknow。’
’Ihavenotintendedtomakeanyboast，sir，butsimplytovindicatedthosewhohadthecareofmyeducation。Ifyouhavenoobjectionexceptthatfoundedonmybirth，whichisanaccident——’
’Whenonemanisapeerandanotheraploughman，thatisanaccident。Onedoesn’tfindfaultwiththeploughman，butonedoesn’taskhimtodinner。’
’Butmyaccident，’saidLopezsmiling，’isonewhichyouwouldhardlydiscoverunlessyouweretold。HadIcalledmyselfTalbotyouwouldnotknowbutthatIwasasgoodanEnglishmanasyourself。’
’Amanofcoursemaybetakeninbyfalsehoods，’saidthelawyer。
’Ifyourhavenootherobjectionthanthatraised，IhopeyouwillallowmetovisitinManchesterSquare。’
’Theremaybetenthousandotherobjections，MrLopez，butI
reallythinkthattheoneisenough。OfcourseIknownothingofmydaughter’sfeelings。Ishouldimaginethatthematterisasstrangetoherasitistome。ButIcannotgiveyouanythinglikeencouragement。IfIamevertohaveason-in-law，IshouldwishtohaveanEnglishson-in-law。Idonotevenknowwhatyourprofessionis。’
’Iamengagedinforeignloans。’
’VeryprecariousIshouldthink。Asortofgambling，isn’tit？’
’Itisthebusinessbywhichmanyofthegreatestmercantilehousesinthecityhavebeenmade。’
’Idaresay——Idaresay——andbywhichtheycometoruin。I
havethegreatestrespectintheworldformercantileenterprise，andIhavehadasmuchtodoasmostmenwithmercantilequestions。ButIain’tsurethatIwishtomarrymydaughterintheCity。Ofcourseit’sallprejudice。Iwon’tdenythatongeneralsubjectsIcangiveasmuchlatitudeasanyman。butwhenone’sownheartisattacked——’
’Surelysuchapositionasmine，MrWharton，isnoattack！’
’Inmysenseitis。Whenamanproposestoassaultandinvadetheverykernelofanotherman’sheart，tosharewithhim，andindeedtotakefromhim，theverydearestofhispossessions，tobecomepartandparcelwithhimeitherforinfinitegoodorinfiniteevil，thenamanhasarighttoguardevenhisprejudicesaspreciousbulwarks。’MrWhartonashesaidthiswaswalkingabouttheroomwithhishandsinhistrouserpockets。’I
havealwaysbeenforabsolutetolerationinmattersofreligion，——havealwaysadvocatedtheadmissionofRomanCatholicsandJewsintoParliament，andeventotheBench。InordinarylifeIneverquestionaman’sreligion。ItisnothingtodowithmewhetherhebelievesinMahomet，orhasnobeliefatall。Butwhenamancomestoaskformydaughter——’
’IhavealwaysbelongedtotheChurchofEngland，’saidFerdinandLopez。
’LopezisatanyrateabadnametogotoaProtestantchurchwith，andIdon’twantmydaughtertobearitifIamveryfrankwithyou，asinsuchamattermenoughttounderstandeachother。
PersonallyIhavelikedyouwellenough，andhavebeengladtoseeyouatmyhouse。Everettandyouhaveseemedtobefriends，andIhavehadnoobjectiontomake。Butmarryingintoafamilyisaveryseriousthingindeed。’
’NomanfeelsthatmorestronglythanIdo，MrWharton。’
’Therehadbetterbeanendofit。’
’EventhoughIshouldbehappyenoughtoobtainherfavour？’
’Ican’tthinkthatshecaresaboutyou。Idon’tthinkitforamoment。Yousaythatyouhaven’tspokentoher，andIamsureshe’snotagirltothrowherselfataman’shead。Idon’tapproveit，andithadbetterfalltotheground。Itmustfalltotheground。’
’Iwishyouwouldgivemeareason。’
’BecauseyouarenotEnglish。’
’ButIamEnglish。Myfatherwasaforeigner。’
’Itdoesn’tsuitmyideas。IsupposeImayhavemyownideasaboutmyownfamily，MrLopez？Ifeelperfectlycertainthatmychildwilldonothingtodispleaseme，andthiswoulddispleaseme。Ifweweretotalkforanhour，Icouldsaynothingfurther。’
’IhopethatImaybeabletopresentthingstoyouinanaspectsoaltered，’saidLopezashepreparedtotakehisleave，’astomakeyouchangeyourmind。’
’Possibly——possibly，’saidWharton。’butIdonotthinkitispossible。Goodmorningtoyou，sir。IfIhavesaidanythingthathasseemedtobeunkind，putitdowntomyanxietyasafatherandtonottomyconductasaman。’Thenthedoorwasclosedbehindhisvisitor，andMrWhartonwasleftwalkingupanddownhisroomalone。Hewasbynomeanssatisfiedwithhimself。
Hefeltthathehadbeenrudeandatthesametimenotdecisive。
Hehadnotexplainedtothemanashewouldwishtohavedone，thatitwasmonstrousandoutofthequestionthatadaughteroftheWhartons，oneoftheoldestfamiliesinEngland，shouldbegiventoafriendlessPortuguese，aprobableJew，——aboutwhomnobodyknewnothing。Thenherememberedthatsoonerorlaterhisgirlwouldhaveatleast60，000pounds，afactofwhichnohumanbeingbuthimselfwasaware。Woulditnotbewellthatsomebodyshouldbemadeawareofit，sothathisgirlmighthavethechanceofsuitorspreferabletotheswarthysonofJudah？Hebegantobeafraid，ashethoughtofit，thathewasnotmanaginghismatterswell。HowwoulditbewithhimifheshouldfindthatthegirlwasreallyinlovewiththisswarthysonofJudah？
Hehadneverinquiredabouthisgirl’sheart，thoughtherewasonetowhomhehopedthathisgirl’sheartmightsomedaybegiven。Healmostmadeuphismindtogohomeatonce，soanxiouswashe。ButtheprospectofhavingtospendanentireafternooninManchesterSquarewastomuchforhim，asheremainedinhischambertilltheusualhour。
Lopez，ashereturnedfromLincoln’sInn，westwardtohisclub，was，onthewhole，contentedwiththeinterview。Hehadexpectedopposition。Hehadnotthoughtthecherrywouldfalleasilyintohismouth。Buttheconversationgenerallyhadnottakenthoseturnswhichhethoughtwouldbemostdetrimentaltohim。
CHAPTER4
MRSROBY。
MrWharton，ashewalkedhome，rememberedthatMrsRobywastodineathishousethatevening。Duringtheremainderoftheday，afterthedepartureofLopez，hehadbeenunabletotakehismindfromtheconsiderationofthepropositionmadetohim。Hehadtriedthenovel，andhehadtriedHugginsv。theTrusteesoftheCharityofStAmbox，acaseofundeniableimportanceinwhichhewasengagedonthepartofHuggins，butneitherwassufficientlypowerfultodiverthisthoughts。ThroughoutthemorninghewasimaginingwhathewouldsaytoEmilyaboutthisloverofhers，——
inwhatwayhewouldcommencetheconversation，andhowhewouldexpresshisownopinionshouldhefindthatshewasinanydegreefavourabletotheman。Shouldshealtogetherignoretheman’spretensions，therewouldbenodifficulty。Butifshehesitated，——if，aswascertainlypossible，sheshouldshowanypartialityfortheman，thentherewouldbeaknotwhichwouldrequireduntying。Hithertotheintercoursebetweenthefatheranddaughterhadbeensimpleandpleasant。Hehadgivenhereverythingshehadaskedfor，andshehadobeyedhiminalltheveryfewmattersastowhichhehaddemandedobedience。
Questionsofdiscipline，asfarastherehadbeenanydiscipline，hadgenerallybeenlefttoMrsRoby。MrsRobywastodineatManchesterSquareto-day，andperhapsitwouldbewellthatheshouldhaveafewwordswithMrsRobybeforehespoketohisdaughter。
MrsRobyhadahusband，butMrRobyhadnotbeenaskedtodineintheSquareonthisoccasion。MrsRobydinedintheSquareveryoften，butMrRobyveryseldom，——notprobablyaboveonceayear，onsomespecialoccasion。HeandMrWhartonhadmarriedsisters，buttheywerequiteunlikeincharacter，andhadneverbecomefriends。MrsWhartonhadbeennearlytwentyyearsyoungerthanhersister。andMrRobyayearortwoyoungerthanhiswife。Thetwomenthereforebelongedtodifferentperiodsoflife，MrRobyatthepresenttimebeingafloridyouthofforty。Hehadamoderatefortune，inheritedfromhismother，ofwhichhewassufficientlycareful。buthelovedraces，andreadsportingpapers。hewasaddictedtohuntingandbilliards。heshotpigeons，——and，soMrWhartonhaddeclaredcalumniouslymorethanoncetoanintimatefriend，——hadnotanHinhisvocabulary。
Thepoormandiddropanaspiratenowandagain。butheknewhisdefectandstrovehard，andwithfairaveragesuccess，toovercomeit。ButMrWhartondidnotlovehim，andtheywerenotfriends。PerhapsneitherdidMrsRobylovehimveryardently。
ShewasatanyratealmostalwayswillingtoleaveherownhousetocometotheSquare，andonsuchoccasionsMrRobywasalwayswillingtodineattheNimrod，theclubwhichitdelightedhimtofrequent。
MrWhartononenteringhisownhouse，methissononthestaircase。’Doyoudineathometo-day，Everett？’
’Well，sir，no，sir。Idon’tthinkIdo。IthinkIhalfpromisedtodinewithafellowattheclub。’
’Don’tyouthinkyou’dmakethingsmeetmoreeasilyabouttheendoftheyearifyoudinedoftenerhere，whereyouhavenothingtopay，andlessfrequentlyattheclub，whereyoupayforeverything？’
’ButwhatshouldIsaveyouwouldlose，sir。That’sthewayI
lookatit。’
’ThenIadviseyoutolookatittheotherway，andleavemetotakecareofmyself。Comeinhere，Iwanttospeaktoyou。’
Everettfollowedhisfatherintoadingybackparlour，whichwasfittedupwithbookshelvesandwasgenerallycalledthestudy，butwhichwasgloomyandcomfortlessbecauseitwasseldomused。
’IhavehadyourfriendLopezwithmeatmychambersto-day。I
don’tlikeyourfriendLopez。’
’Iamsorryforthat，sir。’
’HeisamantowhomIshouldwishtohaveagooddealofevidencebeforeIwouldtrusthimtobewhatheseemstobe。I
daresayhe’sclever。’