CHAPTER8
THEBEGINNINGOFANEWCAREER。
BythetimethattheEasterholidayswereover，——holidayswhichhadbeenusedsoconvenientlyforthemakingofanewgovernment，——theworkofgettingateamtogetherhadbeenaccomplishedbytheunitedenergyofthetwodukesandotherfriends。Thefillingupofthegreatplaceshadbeenbynomeanssodifficultorsotedious，——norindeedthecauseofhalfsomanyheartburns，——asthecompletionofthelistofsubordinates。Noblesseoblige。TheSecretariesofState，andtheChancellors，andtheFirstLords，selectedfromthisortheotherpartyfeltthattheeyesofmankindwereuponthem，andthatitbehovedthemtoassumeavirtueiftheyhaditnot。Theywerehabituallyindifferenttoself-exaltation，andallowedthemselvestobethrustintothisorthatunfittingrole，professingthattheQueen’sGovernmentandthegoodofthecountryweretheironlyconsiderations。LordThriftmadewayforSirOrlandoDroughtattheAdmiralty，becauseitwasfeltonallsidesthatSirOrlandocouldnotjointhenewcompositepartywithoutahighplace。AndthesamegracewasshowninregardtoLordDrummond，whoremainedattheColonies，keepingtheofficetowhichhehadlatelybeentransferredunderMrDaubney。AndSirGregoryGrogramsaidnotaword，whateverhemayhavethought，whenhewastoldthatMrDaubney’sLordChancellor，LordRamsden，wastokeeptheseals。
SirGregorydid，nodoubt，thinkverymuchaboutit，forlegalofficeshaveasignificationdifferingmuchfromthatwhichattachesitselftoplacessimplypolitical。ALordChancellorbecomesapeer，andongoingoutofofficeenjoysalargepension。Whenthewoolsackhasbeenreachedtherecomesanendofdoubt，andabeginningofease。SirGregorywasnotayoungman，andthiswasaterribleblow。Butheboreitmanfully，sayingnotawordwhentheDukespoketohim。buthebecameconvincedfromthatmomentthatnomoreinefficientlawyereversatupontheEnglishbench，oramorepresumptuouspoliticianintheBritishParliament，thanLordRamsden。
Therealstruggle，however，layintheappropriatedistributionoftheRattlers，theRobys，theFitzgibbons，andtheMacphersonsamongthesubordinateofficesofState。MrMacphersonandMrRoby，withahostofotherswhohadbelongedtoMrDaubney，wereprepared，astheydeclaredfromthefirst，tolendtheirassistancetotheDuke。TheyhadconsultedMrDaubneyonthesubject，andMrDaubneytoldthemthattheirdutylayinthatdirection。Atthefirstblushofthematterthearrangementtooktheformofagracioustenderfromthemselvestoastatesmancalledupontoactinverydifficultcircumstances，——andtheywerethankedaccordinglybytheDuke，withsomethingofrealcordialgratitude。Butwhentheactualadjustmentofthingswasinhand，theDuke，havingbutlittlepowerofassumingasoftcountenanceandusingsoftwordswhilehisheartwasbitter，feltonmorethanoneoccasioninclinedtowithdrawhisthanks。Hewasastoundednotsomuchbythepretensionsasbytheunblushingassertionofthesepretensionsinreferencetoplaceswhichhehadbeeninnocentenoughtothinkwerealwaysbestowedatanyratewithoutdirectapplication。HehadmeasuredhimselfrightlywhenhetoldtheolderDukeinoneofthoseanxiousconversationswhichhadbeenheldbeforetheattemptwasmade，thatlongashehadbeeninofficehimselfhedidnotknowwhatwasthewayofbestowingoffice。’Twogentlemenhavebeenherethismorning，’
hesaidonedaytotheDukeofStBungay，’oneontheheelsoftheother，eachassuringmenotonlythatthewholestabilityoftheenterprisedependsonmygivingacertainofficetohim，——
butactuallytellingmetomyfacethatIhadpromisedittohim！’Theoldstatesmanlaughed。’Tobetoldwithinthesamehalf-hourbytwomenthatIhadmadepromisestoeachoftheminconsistentwitheachother。’
’Whowerethetwomen？’
’MrRattlerandMrRoby。’
’Iamassuredthattheyareinseparablesincetheworkhasbegun。
Theyalwayshadaleaningtoeachother，andnowIheartheypasstheirtimebetweenthestepsoftheCarltonandReformClubs。’
’ButwhatamItodo？OnemustbePatronageSecretary，nodoubt。’
’They’rebothgoodmenintheirway，youknow。’
’Butwhydotheycometomewiththeirmouthsopen，likedogscravingabone？Itusednottobeso。Ofcoursemenwerealwaysanxiousforofficeastheyarenow。’
’Well。yes。We’veheardofthatbeforeto-day，Ithink。’
’ButIdon’tthinkanymaneverventuredtoaskMrMildmay。’
’Timehasdonemuchforhiminconsolidatinghisauthority，andperhapsthepresentworldislessreticentinitseagernessthanitwasinhisyoungerdays。Idoubt，however，whetheritismoredishonest，andwhetherstruggleswerenotmadequiteasdisgracefultothestrugglersasanythingthatisdonenow。Youcan’talterthemen，andyoumustusethem。’TheyoungerDukesatdownandsighedoverthedegeneratepatriotismoftheage。
ButatlasteventheRattlersandRobyswerefixed，ifnotsatisfied，andacompletelistoftheministryappearedinallthenewspapers。Thoughthethinghadbeenlonga-doing，stillithadcomesuddenly，——sothatthefirstpropositiontoformacoalitionministry，thenewspapershadhardlyknownwhethertoassistortoopposethescheme。Therewasnodoubt，inthemindsofalltheseeditorsandcontributors，theteachingofatraditionthatcoalitionsofthiskindhavebeengenerallyfeeble，sometimesdisastrous，andonoccasions，evendisgraceful。
Whenaman，perhapsthroughalongpoliticallife，hasboundhimselftoacertaincodeofopinions，howcanhechangethatcodeatamoment？Andwhenatthesamemoment，togetherwiththechange，hesecurespower，patronage，andpay，howshallthepublicvoiceabsolvehim？Butthenagain，men，whohavebytheworkoftheirlivesgrownintoacertainpositioninthecountry，andhaveunconsciouslybutnotthereforelessactuallymadethemselvesindispensableeithertothissideofpolitics，ortothat，cannotfreethemselvesaltogetherfromtheresponsibilityofmanagingthemwhenaperiodcomessuchasthatnowreached。
Thisalsothenewspapersperceived，andhaving，sincethecommencementofthesessionbeenveryloudinexposingthedisgracefulcollapseofgovernmentaffairs，couldhardlyrefusetheirsupporttoanyattemptatafeasiblearrangement。WhenitwasfirstknownthattheDukeofOmniumhadconsentedtomaketheattempt，theyhadbothononesideandtheotherbeenloudinhispraise，goingsofarastosaythathewastheonlymaninEnglandwhocoulddothework。ItwasprobablythisencouragementwhichhadenabledthenewPremiertogoonwithanundertakingwhichwaspersonallydistastefultohim，andforwhichfromdaytodayhebelievedhimselftobelessandlessfit。Butwhenthenewspaperstoldhimthathewastheonlymanfortheoccasion，howcouldhebejustifiedincreditinghimselfinpreferencetothem？
TheworkinParliamentbeganunderthenewauspiceswithgreattranquillity。Thattherewouldsooncomecausesofhotblood，——
theEnglishChurch，thecountysuffrage，theincometax，andfurthereducationquestions，——allmenknewwhoknewanything。
Butforthemoment，forthemonthseven，perhapsforthesession，therewastobepeace，withfulllatitudefortheperformanceofroutineduties。Therewassotosaynoopposition，andatfirstitseemedthatonespecialbenchintheHouseofCommonswouldremainunoccupied。Butafteradayortwo，——ononewhichMrDaubneyhadbeenseensittingjustbelowthegangway，——thatgentlemanreturnedtotheplaceusuallyheldbythePrimeMinister’srival，sayingwithasmilethatitmightbefortheconvenienceoftheHousethattheseatshouldbeutilized。MrGresham，atthistime，hadwithdeclaredpurpose，askedandobtainedtheSpeaker’sleaveofabsence，andwasabroad。WhoshouldleadtheHouse？Thathadbeenagreatquestion，causedbythefactthatthePrimeMinisterwasintheHouseofLords——andwhatofficeshouldtheleaderhold？MrMonkhadconsentedtotaketheExchequer，buttherighttositoppositetotheTreasureBoxandtoconsiderhimselfforthetimetheprincipalspiritinthatchamberwasatlastassignedtoSirOrlandoDrought。’Itwillneverdo，’saidMrRattlertoMrRoby。’Idon’tmeantosayanythingagainstDrought，whohadalwaysbeenaveryusefulmantoyourparty——buthelackssomethingoftheposition。’
’Thefactis，’saidRoby，’thatwe’vetrustedtotwomensolongthatwedon’tknowhowtosupposeanyoneelsebigenoughtofilltheirplaces。Monkwouldn’thavedone。TheHousedoesn’tcareaboutMonk。’
’IalwaysthoughtitshouldhavebeenWilson，andsoItoldtheDuke。Hehadanideathatitshouldbeoneofyourmen。’
’Ithinkhe’srightthere，’saidRoby。’Thereoughttobesomethinglikeafairdivision。Individualsmightbecontent，butthepartywouldbedissatisfied。Formyself，I’dhavesoonerstayedoutasanindependentmember，butDaubneysaidthathethoughtIwasboundtomakemyselfuseful。’
’ItoldtheDukefromthebeginning，’saidRattler，’thatI
didn’tthinkthatIcouldbeofanyservicetohim。Ofcourse，I
wouldsupporthim，butIhadbeentoothoroughlyapartymanforanewmovementofthiskind。Buthesaidjustthesame？——thatheconsideredIwasboundtojoinhim。IaskedGresham，andwhenGreshamsaidsotoo，ofcourseIhadnohelpforit。’
Neitheroftheseexcellentpublicservantshadtoldalieinthis。Somesuchconversationsasthosereportedhadpassed——
butamandoesn’tliewhenheexaggeratesanemphasis，orevenwhenhegivesbyatoneameaningtoaman’swordsexactlyoppositetothatwhichanothertonewouldconvey。Or，ifhedoeslieindoingso，hedoesnotknowthathelies。MrRattlerhadgonebacktohisoldofficeattheTreasuryandMrRobyhadbeenforcedtocontenthimselfwiththeSecretaryshipattheAdmiralty。But，astheoldDukehadsaid，theywereclosefriends，andpreparedtofighttogetheranybattlewhichmightkeeptheminthepresentposition。
ManyofthecaresofofficethePrimeMinisterdidsucceedinshufflingoffaltogetherontotheshouldersofhiselderfriend。
Hewouldnotconcernhimselfwiththeappointmentofladies，aboutwhomhesaidheknewnothing，andastowhosefitnessandclaimsheprofessedhimselftobeasignorantastheofficemessenger。Theofferswereofcoursemadeintheusualform，asthoughcomingdirectfromtheQueen，throughthePrimeMinister——
buttheselectionswereintrutheffectedbytheoldDukeincouncilwith——anillustriouspersonage。ThematteraffectedourDuke，——onlyinsofarashecouldgetoutofhismindthatstrangeapplicationfromhisownwife。’Thatsheshouldhaveevendreamedofit！’hewouldsaytohimself，notyethavingacquiredsufficientexperienceofhisfellowcreaturestobeawarehowwonderfullytemptationswillaffecteventhosewhoappeartobeleastsubjecttothem。Thetownhorse，usedtogaudytrappings，nodoubtdespisestheworkofhiscountrybrother。butyet，nowandagain，therecomesuponhimasuddendesiretoplough。ThedesireforploughinghadcomeupontheDuchess，buttheDukecouldnotunderstandit。
Heperceived，however，inspiteofthemultiplicityofhisofficialwork，thathisrefusalsatheavilyonhiswife’sbreast，andthat，thoughshespokenofurtherword，shebroodedoverherinjury。Andhisheartwassadwithinhimwhenhethoughthehadvexedher，——lovingherashedidwithallhisheart，butwithaheartthatwasneverdemonstrative。Whenshewasunhappyhewasmiserable，thoughhewouldhardlyknowthecauseofhismisery。
Herridiculeandrailleryhecouldbear，thoughtheystunghim。
buthersorrow，ifeversheweresorrowful，orhersullenness，ifeversheweresullen，upsethimaltogether。Hewasintruthsosoftofheartthathecouldnotbearthediscomfortoftheonepersonintheworldwhoseemedtohimtobeneartohim。Hehadexpresslyaskedherforhersympathyforthebusinesshehadonhand，——therebygoingmuchbeyondhisusualcoldnessofmanner。
She，withaneagernesswhichmighthavebeenexpectedfromher，hadpromisedthatshewouldslaveforhim，ifslaverywerenecessary。Thenshehadmadeherrequest，hadbeenrefused，andwasnowmoody。’TheDuchessof——istobeMistressofTheRobes，’hesaidtoheroneday。Hehadgonetoher，uptoherownroom，beforehedressedfordinner，havingdevotedmuchmoretimethatasPrimeMinisterheoughttohavedonetoaresolutionthathewouldmakethingsstraightwithher，andtothebestwayofdoingit。
’SoIamtold。Sheoughttoknowherawayabouttheplace，asI
remembershewasatthesameworkwhenIwasagirlofeleven。’
’That’snotsoverylongago，Cora。’
’SilverbridgeisoldernowthanIwasthen，andIthinkthatmakesitaverylongtimeago。’LordSilverbridgewastheDuke’seldestson。
’Butwhatdoesitmatter？IfshebeganhercareeratthetimeofGeorgetheFourth，whatisittoyou？’
’Nothingonearth，——onlythatshedidintruthbeginhercareerinthetimeofGeorgetheThird。I’msureshe’snearersixtythanfifty。’
’I’mgladtoseeyourememberyourdatessowell。’
’It’sapitysheshouldnotrememberhersinthewaysshedresses，’saidtheDuchess。
Thiswasmarvelloustohim，——thathiswife，whoasLadyGlencoraPalliserhadbeensoconspicuousforawilddisregardofsocialrulesastobelookeduponbymanyasanenemyofherownclass，shouldbesodepressedbynotbeingallowedtobetheQueen’sheadservantastodescendtopersonalinvective！’I’mafraid，’
saidhe，attemptingtosmile，’thatitwon’tcomewithinthecompassofmyofficetoeffectoreventoproposeanyradicalchangeinherGrace’sapparel。Butdon’tyouthinkthatyouandIcanaffordtoignoreallthat？’
’Icancertainly。ShemaybeanantiquatedEveforme。’
’Ihope，Cora，youarenotstilldisappointedbecauseIdidnotagreewithyouwhenyouspokeabouttheplaceforyourself。’
’Notbecauseyoudidnotagreewithme，——butbecauseyoudidnotthinkmefittobetrustedwithanyjudgementofmyown。Idon’tknowwhyI’malwaystobelookeduponasdifferentfromotherwomen，——asthoughIwerehalfasavage。’
’Youarewhatyoumadeyourself，andIhavealwaysrejoicedthatyouareasyouare，fresh，untrammelled，withoutmanyprejudiceswhichafflictotherladies，andfreefrombondsbywhichtheyarecrampedandconfined。Ofcoursesuchaturnofcharacterissubjecttocertaindangersofitsown。’
’Thereisnodoubtaboutthedangers。ThechancesarethatwhenIseeherGrace，IshalltellherwhatIthinkabouther。’
’YouwillIamsuresaynothingunkindtoaladywhoissupposedtobeintheplaceshenowfillsbymyauthority。Butdonotletusquarrelaboutanoldwoman。’
’Iwon’tquarrelwithyouevenaboutayoungone。’
’IcannotbeateasewithinmyselfwhileIthinkyouareresentingmyrefusal。YoudonotknowhowconstantlyIcarryyouaboutwithme。’
’Youcarryaveryunnecessaryburdenthen，’shesaid。Buthecouldtellatoncefromthealteredtoneofvoice，andfromthelightofhereyeasheglancedintoherface，thatherangerabout’TheRobes’wasappeased。
’Ihavedoneasyouhaveaskedaboutafriendofyours，’hesaid。
Thisoccurredjustbeforethefinalandperfectedlistofthenewmenhadappearedinallthenewspapers。
’Whatfriend？’
’MrFinnistogotoIreland。’
’GotoIreland！——Howdoyoumean？’
’Itislookeduponasbeingaverygreatpromotion。Indeed，Iamtoldthatheisconsideredtobetheluckiestmaninallthescramble。’
’Youdon’tmeanasChiefSecretary？’
’Yes，Ido。Hecertainlycouldn’tgoasLordLieutenant。’
’ButtheysaidthatBarringtonErlewasgoingtoIreland。’
’Well。yes。Idon’tknowthatyou’dbeinterestedbyalltheinsandoutsofit。ButMrErledeclined。ItseemsthatMrErleisafteralltheonemaninParliamentmodestenoughnottoconsiderhimselftobefitforanyplacethatcanbeofferedtohim。’
’PoorBarrington！HedoesnotliketheideaofcrossingtheChannelsooften。Iquitesympathizewithhim。AndsoPhineasistobeSecretaryforIreland！NotintheCabinet？’
’No——notintheCabinet。Itisnotbyanymeansusualthatheshouldbe。’
’Thatispromotion，andI’mglad！PoorPhineas！Ihopetheywon’tmurderhim，oranythingofthatkind。Theydomurderpeople，youknow，sometimes。’
’He’sanIrishmanhimself。’
’Thatjustthereasonwhytheyshould。Hemustpassupwiththatofcourse。Iwonderwhethershe’lllikegoing。They’llbeabletospendmoney，whichtheyalwayslike，overthere。Hecomesbackwardsandforwardseveryweek，——doesn’the？’
’Notquitethat，Ibelieve。’
’Ishallmissher，ifshehastostayawaysolong。Iknowyoudon’tlikeher。’
’Idolikeher。Shehasalwaysbehavedwell，bothtomeandtomyuncle。’
’Shewasanangeltohim，——andtoyoutoo，ifyouonlyknewit。
Idaresayyou’resendinghimtoIrelandsoastogetherawayfromme。’Thisshesaidwithasmile，asthoughnotmeaningitaltogether，butyethalfmeaningit。
’Ihaveaskedhimtoundertaketheoffice，’saidtheDukesolemnly，’becauseIamtoldheisfitforit。ButIdidhavesomepleasureinproposingittohimbecauseIthoughtitwouldpleaseyou。’
’Itdoespleaseme，andIwon’tbecrossanymore，andtheDuchessof——maywearherclothesjustasshepleases，orgowithoutthem。AndasforMrsFinn，Idon’tseewhysheshouldbewithhimalwayswhenhegoes。Youcanquiteunderstandhownecessarysheistome。ButsheisintruththeonlywomaninLondontowhomIcansaywhatIthink。Anditisacomfort，youknow，tohavesomeone。’
InthiswaythedomesticpeaceofthePrimeMinisterwasreadjusted，andthatsympathyandco-operationforwhichhehadfirstaskedwasaccordedtohim。ItmaybeaquestionwhetheronthewholetheDuchessdidnotworkharderthanhedid。Shedidnotatfirstdaretoexpoundtohimthosegrandideaswhichshehadconceivedinregardtomagnificenceandhospitality。Shesaidnothingofanyextraordinaryexpenditureofmoney。Butshesetherselftoworkafterherownfashion，makingtohimsuggestionsastodinnersandeveningreceptions，towhichheobjectedonlyonthescoreoftime。’Youmusteatyourdinnersomewhere，’shesaid，’andyouneedonlycomeinjustbeforewesitdown，andgointoyourroomifyoupleasewithoutcomingupstairsatall。Icanatanyratedothatpartofitforyou。’
AndshediddothatpartofitwithmarvellousenergyallthroughthemonthofMay，——sothatbytheendofthemonth，withinsixweeksofthetimeatwhichshefirstheardoftheCoalitionMinistry，alltheworldhadbeguntotalkofthePrimeMinister’sdinners，andofthereceptionsgivenbythePrimeMinister’swife。
CHAPTER9
MRSDICK’SDINNERPARTY——NO1。
OurreadersmustnotforgetthetroublesofpoorEmilyWhartonamidstthegorgeousfestivitiesofthenewPrimeMinister。
ThroughoutAprilandMayshedidnotonceseeFerdinandLopez。
Itmayberememberedthatonthenightwhenthematterwasdiscussedbetweenherandherfather，shepromisedhimthatshewouldnotdosowithouthispermission，——saying，however，atthesametimeveryopenlythatherhappinessdependedonsuchpermissionbeinggiventoher。Fortwoorthreeweeksnotawordfurtherwassaidbetweenherandherfatheronthesubject，andhehadendeavouredtobanishthesubjectfromhismind，——feelingnodoubtthatifnothingfurtherwereeversaiditwouldbesomuchthebetter。Butthenhisdaughterreferredtothematter，veryplainly，withasimplequestion，andwithoutdisguiseofherownfeeling，butstillinamannerwhichhecouldnotbringhimselftorebuke。’AuntHarriethasaskedmeonceortwicetogothereofanevening，whenyouhavebeenout。IhavedeclinedbecauseIthoughtMrLopezwouldbethere。MustItellherthatIamnottomeetMrLopez，papa？’
’Ifshehasaskedhimthereonpurposetothrowhiminyourway，Ishallthinkverybadlyofher。’
’Buthehasbeeninthehabitofbeingthere，papa。Ofcourseifyouaredecidedaboutthis，itisbetterthatIshouldnotseehim。’
’DidInottellyouthatIwasdecided？’
’Yousaidyouwouldmakesomefurtherinquiry，andspeaktomeagain。’NowMrWhartonhadmadeinquiry，buthadlearnednothingtoreassurehimself——neitherhadbeenabletolearnanyfact，puttinghisfingeronwhichhecouldpointouttohisdaughterclearlythatthemarriagewouldbeunsuitableforher。Oftheman’sabilityandposition，ascertainlyalsoofhismanners，theworldatlargeseemedtospeakwell。Hehadbeenblack-balledattwoclubs，butapparentlywithoutdefinedreason。Helivedasthoughhepossessedahandsomeincome，andyetwasinnodegreefastorflashy。HewassupposedtobeanintimatefriendofMrMillsHapperton，oneofthepartnersintheworld-famouscommercialhouseofHunkyandSons，whichdealtinmillions。
IndeedtherehadbeenatoncetimearumourthathewasgoingtobetakenintothehouseofHunkyandSonsasajuniorpartner。
Itwasevidentthatmanypeoplehadbeenfavourablyimpressedbyhisoutwarddemeanour，byhismodeoftalk，andbyhiswayofliving。Butnooneknewanythingabouthim。Withregardtohismaterialposition，MrWhartoncouldofcourseaskdirectquestionsifhepleased，andrequireevidenceastohisallegedproperty。ButhefeltthatbydoingsohewouldabandonhisrighttoobjecttothemanasbeingaPortuguesestranger，andhedidnotwishtohaveFerdinandLopezasson-in-law，eventhoughheshouldbeapartnerinHunkyandSons，andabletomaintainagorgeouspalaceatSouthKensington。
’Ihavemadeinquiry。’
’Well，papa。’
’Idon’tknowanythingabouthim。Nobodyknowsanythingabouthim。’
’Couldyounotaskhimyourselfanythingyouwanttoknow？IfI
mightseehimIwouldaskhim。’
’Thatwouldnotdoatall。’
’Itcomestothis，papa，thatIamtosevermyselffromamantowhomIamattached，andwhoyoumustadmitthatIhavebeenallowedtomeetfromdaytodaywithnocautionthathisintimacywasunpleasanttoyou，becauseheiscalled，——Lopez。’
’Itisn’tthatatall。ThereareEnglishpeopleofthatname，butheisn’tanEnglishman。’
’Ofcourse，ifyousayso，papa，itmustbeso。IhavetoldAuntHarrietthatIconsidermyselfprohibitedfrommeetingMrLopezbywhatyouhavesaid。butIthink，papa，youarealittlecrueltome。’
’Crueltoyou！’saidMrWharton，almostburstingintotears。
’Iamreadytoobeyasachild——but，notbeingachild，IthinkIoughttohaveareason。’TothisMrWhartonmadenofurtherimmediateanswer，butpulledhishair，andshuffledhisfeetabout，andthenescapedoutoftheroom。
Afewdaysafterwardshissister-in-lawattachedhim。’Arewetounderstand，MrWharton，thatEmilyisnottomeetMrLopezagain？
Itmakesitveryunpleasant，becausehehasbeenanintimateatourhouse。’
’Ineversaidwordabouthernotmeetinghim。OfcourseIdonotwishthatanymeetingshouldbecontrivedbetweenthem。’
’Asitstandsnowitisprejudicialtoher。Ofcourseitcannotbutbeobserved，anditsooddthatayoungladyshouldbeforbiddentomeetacertainman。Itlookssounpleasantforher，——asthoughshehadmisbehavedherself。’
’Ihaveneverthoughtsoforamoment。’
’Ofcourseyouhavenot。Howcouldyouhavethoughtso，MrWharton？’
’IsaythatIneverdid。’
’Whatmusthethinkwhenheknows，——asofcoursehedoesknow，——
thatshehasbeenforbiddentomeethim？Itmustmakehimfancythatheisverymuchmadeof。Allthatissoverybadforagirl！Indeeditis，MrWharton。’OfcoursetherewasabsolutedishonestyinallthisonthepartofMrsRoby。ShewastrueenoughtoEmily’slover，——tootruetohim。butshewasfalsetoEmily’sfather。IfEmilywouldhaveyieldedtohershewouldhavearrangedmeetingsatherownhousebetweentheloversaltogetherinoppositiontothefather。Nevertheless，therewasashowofreasonaboutwhatshesaidwhichMrWhartonwasunabletoovercome。Andatthesametimetherewasarealityaboutthegirl’ssorrowwhichovercamehim。Hehadneverhithertoconsultedanyoneaboutanythinginhisfamily，havingalwaysfoundhisowninformationandintellectsufficientforhisownaffairs。Butnowhefeltgrievouslyinwantofsomepillar，——
somefemalepillar，——onwhichhecouldlean。HedidnotknowallMrsRoby’siniquities。butstillhefeltthatshewasnotthepillarofwhichhewasinneed。Therewasnosuchpillarforhisuse，andhewasdriventoacknowledgetohimselfthatinthisdistressingpositionhemustbeguidedbyhisownstrength，andhisownlights。Hethoughtitalloutaswellashecouldinhisownchamber，allowinghisbookorbrieftolieidlebesidehimformanyahalf-hour。Buthewasmuchpuzzledbothastotheextentofhisownauthorityandthemannerinwhichitshouldbeused。Hecertainlyhadnotdesiredhisdaughternottomeettheman。Hecouldunderstandthatunlesssomeaffronthadbeenofferedsuchanedictenforcedastotheconductofayoungladywouldinduceallheracquaintancetosupposethatshewaseitherverymuchinloveorelseshewasverypronetomisbehaveherself。Hefeared，indeed，thatshewasverymuchinlove，butitwouldnotbeprudenttotellhersecrettoalltheworld。
Perhapsitwouldbebetterthatsheshouldmeethim，alwayswiththeunderstandingthatshewasnottoacceptfromhimanypeculiarattention。Ifshewouldbeobedientinoneparticular，shewouldprobablybesointheother，and，indeed，hedidnotatalldoubtherobedience。Shewouldobey，butwouldtakecaretoshowhimthatshewasmademiserablebyobeying。Hebegantoforeseethathehadabadtimebeforehim。
Andthenashestillsatidle，thinkingofitall，hismindwanderedofftoanotherviewofthesubject。Couldhebehappy，orevencomfortable，ifshewereunhappy？Ofcourseheendeavouredtoconvincehimselfthatifhewerebold，determinedanddictatorialwithher，itwouldonlybeinorderthatherfuturehappinessmightbesecured。Aparentisoftenboundtodisregardtheimmediatecomfortofachild。Butthenwashesurethathewasright？Heofcoursehadhisownwayoflookingatlife，butwasitreasonablethatheshouldforcehisgirltolookatthingswithhiseyes？ThemanwasdistastefultohimasbeingunlikehisideaofanEnglishgentleman，andasbeingwithoutthosefar-reachingfibresandrootsbywhichhethoughtthatthesolidityandstabilityofahumantreeshouldbeassured。Buttheworldwaschangingaroundhimeveryday。Royaltywasmarryingoutofitsdegree。Peers’sonswerelookingonlyformoney。And，morethanthat，peers’daughterswerebestowingthemselvesonJewsandshopkeepers。Hadhenotbettermaketheusualinquiryabouttheman’smeans，and，ifsatisfiedonthathead，letthegirldoasshewould？Addedtoallthis，therewasgrowingonhimafeelingthatultimatelyyouthwouldasusualtriumphoverage，andthathewouldbebeaten。Ifthatwereso，whyworryhimself，orwhyworryher？
OnthedayafterMrsRoby’sattackuponhimheagainsawthatlady，havingonthisoccasionsentroundtoaskhertocometohim。’IwantyoutounderstandthatIputnoembargoonEmilyastomeetingMrLopez。Icantrustherfully。Idonotwishhertoencouragehisattentions，butIbynomeanswishhertoavoidhim。’
’AmItotellEmilywhatyousay？’
’Iwilltellhermyself。Ithinkitbettertosayasmuchtoyou，asyouseemedtobeembarrassedbythefearthattheymighthappentoseeeachotherinyourdrawing-room。’
’Itwasratherawkward，wasn’tit？’
’Ihavespokentoyounowbecauseyouseemedtothinkso。’Hismannertoherwasnotverypleasant，butMrsRobyhadknownhimformanyyears，anddidnotcareverymuchforhismanner。Shehadanobjecttogain，andcouldputupwithagooddealforthesakeofherobject。
’Verywell。ThenIshallknowhowtoact。But，MrWharton，I
mustsaythis，youknowEmilyhasawillofherown，andyoumustnotholdmeresponsibleforanythingthatmayoccur。’Assoonasheheardthishealmostresolvedtowithdrawtheconcessionhehadmade，——buthedidnotdoso。
VerysoonafterthistherecameaspecialinvitationfromMrandMrsRoby，askingtheWhartons，fatheranddaughter，todinewiththemroundthecorner。Itwasquiteaspecialinvitation，becauseitcameintheformofacard，——whichwasunusualbetweenthetwofamilies。Butthedinnerwastoo，insomedegree，aspecialdinner，——asEmilywasenabledtoexplaintoherfather，thewholespecialityhavingbeenfullydetailedtoherselfbyheraunt。MrRoby，whosebelongingswerenotgenerallyaristocratic，hadonegreatconnectionwithwhom，aftermanyyearsofquarrelling，hehadlatelycomeintoamity。Thiswashishalf-brother，considerablyolderthanhimself，andwasnootherthanthatMrRobywhowasnowSecretarytotheAdmiralty，andwhointhelastConservativeGovernmenthadbeenoneoftheSecretariesoftheTreasury。TheoldestMrRobyofall，nowlongsincegatheredtohisfathers，hadhadtwowivesandtwosons。
Theeldersonhadnotbeenleftaswelloffasfriends，orperhapsashehimself，couldhavewished。Buthehadrisenintheworldbyhiswits，hadmadehiswayintoParliament，andhadbecome，asallreadersofthesechroniclesknow，astaffofgreatstrengthtohisparty。Buthehadalwaysbeenapoorman。HisperiodsofofficehadbeenmuchshorterthanthoseofhisfriendRattler，andhisothersourcesofincomehadnotbeencertain。
Hisyoungerhalf-brother，who，asfarasthegreatworldwasconcerned，hadnoneofhiselderbrother’sadvantages，hadbeenendowedwithsomefortunefromhismother，and，——inanevilhourforbothofthem，——hadlentthepoliticianmoney。Asoneconsequenceofthistransaction，theyhadnotspokentoeachotherforyears。Onthisquarrel，MrsRobywasalwaysharpingwithherownhusband，——nottakinghispart。HerRoby，herDick，hdindeedthemeansofsupportingherwithfaircomfort，buthad，ofhisown，nopowerofintroducinghertothatsortofsocietyforwhichhersoulcraved。ButMrThomasRobywasagreatman——
thoughunfortunatelypoor，——andmovedinhighcircles。Becausetheyhadlenttheirmoney，——whichwasnodoubtlostforever，——
whyshouldtheyalsolosetheadvantagesofsuchaconnection？
Woulditnotbewiserrathertotakethedebtasabasiswhereontofoundaclaimforspecialfraternalobservationandkindredintercourse？Dick，whowasfondofhismoney，wouldnotforalongtimelookatthematterinthislight，butharassedhisbrotherfromtimetotimebyapplicationswhichwerequiteuseless，andwhichbytheacerbityoftheirlanguagealtogethershutMrsRobyfromthegoodthingswhichmighthaveaccruedtoherfromsodistinguishedabrother-in-law。ButwhenitcametopassthatThomasRobywasconfirmedinofficebythecoalitionwhichhasbeenmentioned，MrsDickbecameveryenergetic。Shewentherselftotheofficialhero，andtoldhimhowdesirousshewasofpeace。Nothingmoreshouldbesaidaboutthemoney，——atanyrateforthepresent。Letbrothersbebrothers。AndsoitcametopassthattheSecretarytotheAdmiralty，withhiswife，weretodineatBerkeleyStreet，andthatMrWhartonwasaskedtomeetthem。
’Idon’tparticularlywanttomeetMrThomasRoby，’theoldbarristersaid。
’Theywantyoutocome，’saidEmily，’becausetherehasbeensomefamilyreconciliation。Youusuallydogoonceortwiceayear。’
’Isupposeitmayaswellbedone，’saidMrWharton。
’Ithink，papa，thattheymeantoaskMrLopez，’saidEmilydemurely。
’ItoldyoubeforethatIdon’twanttohaveyoubanishedfromyouraunt’shomebyanyman，’saidthefather。Sothematterwassettled，andtheinvitationwasaccepted。ThiswasjustattheendofMay，atwhichtimepeoplewerebeginningtosaythatthecoalitionwasasuccess，andsomewisementopredictthatatleastfortuitousparliamentaryatomshadsocometogetherbyaccidentalconnection，thataministryhadbeenformedwhichmightendureforadozenyears。Indeedtherewasnoreasonwhythereshouldbeanyendtoaministrybuiltonsuchafoundation。
OfcoursethiswasverycomfortabletosuchmenasMrRoby，sothattheAdmiraltySecretarywhenheenteredhissister-in-law’sdrawing-roomwassuffusedwiththatrosyhueofhumanblisswhichafeelingoftriumphbestows。’Yes，’saidhe，inanswertosomewould-befacetiousremarkfromhisbrother，’Ithinkwehaveweatheredthatstormprettywell。Itdoesseemratherodd，mysittingcheekbyjowlwithMrMonkandgentlemenofthatkidney。
buttheydon’tbite。I’vegotoneofourownsetattheheadofourownoffice，andheleadstheHouse。Ithinkuponthewholewe’vegotalittlethebestofit。’ThiswaslistenedtobyMrWhartonwithgreatdisgust，——forMrWhartonwasaToryoftheoldschool，whohatedcompromises，andabhorredinhishearttheclashofpoliticianstowhompoliticswereaprofessionratherthanacreed。
MrRoby，senior，havingescapedfromtheHouse，wasofcoursethelast，andhadindeedkeptalltheotherguestswaitinghalf-an-
hour，——asbecomesaparliamentarymagnateintheheatofthesession。MrWharton，whohadbeenearly，sawalltheotherguestsarrive，amongthemMrFerdinandLopez。TherewasalsoMrMillsHapperton，——partnerinHunkyandSons，——withhiswife，respectingwhomMrWhartonatonceconcludedthathewasthereasbeingthefriendofFerdinandLopez。Ifso，howmuchinfluencemustFerdinandLopezhaveinthathouse！Nevertheless，MrMillsHappertonwasinhiswayagreatman，andacredittoMrsRoby。
AndtherewasSirDamaskandLadyMonogram，whowerepeoplemovinginquitethefirstcircles。SirDamaskshotpigeons，andsodidalsoDickRoby，——whencehadperhapsarisenanintimacy。
ButLadyMonogramwasnotatallthepersontodinewithMrsDickRobywithoutothercausethanthis。Butagreatofficialamongone’sacquaintancecandosomuchforone！ItwasprobablethatLadyMonogram’spresencewasamongthefirstfruitsofthehappyfamilyreconciliationthathadtakenplace。ThentherewasMrsLeslie，aprettywidow，ratherpoor，whowasgladtoreceivecivilitiesfromMrsRoby，andwasEmilyWharton’spetaversion。
MrsLesliehadsaidimpertinentthingstoheraboutFerdinandLopez，andshehadsnubbedMrsLeslie。ButMrsLesliewasserviceabletoMrsRoby，andhadnowbeenaskedtohergreatdinnerparty。
Butthetwomostillustriousguestshavenotyetbeenmentioned。
MrsRobyhadsecuredalord，——anabsolutepeerofParliament。
ThiswasnolessthanLordMongrober，whosefatherhadbeenagreatjudgeintheearlypartofthecentury，andhadbeenmadeapeer。TheMongroberestateswerenotsupposedtobelarge，norwastheMongroberinfluenceatthistimeextensive。Butthisnoblemanwasseenaboutagooddealinsocietywhenthedinnersgivenweresupposedtobewortheating。Hewasafat，silent，red-faced，elderlygentleman，whosaidverylittle，andwhowhenhedidspeakseemedalwaystobeinanill-humour。Hewouldnowandthenmakeill-naturedremarksabouthisfriends’wines，assuggesting’68whenamanwouldboastofhis’48claret。andwhencostlydaintiesweresuppliedforhisuse，wouldremarkthatsuchandsuchadishwasverywellatsomeothertimeoftheyear。SothatladiesattentivetotheirtablesandhostsproudoftheircellarswouldalmostshakeintheirshoesbeforeLordMongrober。
AnditmayalsobesaidthatLordMongrobernevergaveanychanceofretaliationbyreturndinners。TherelivednotthemanorwomanwhohaddinedwithLordMongrober。ButyettheRobysofLondonweregladtoentertainhim。andtheMrsRobys，whenhewascoming，wouldurgetheircookstosuperhumanenergiesbythementionofhisname。
AndtherewasLadyEustace！OfLadyEustaceitwasimpossibletosaywhetherherbeauty，herwit，herwealth，ortheremarkablehistoryofherpastlife，mostrecommendedhertosuchhostsandhostessesasMrandMrsRoby。Asherhistorymayalreadybeknowntosome，nodetailsofitshallberepeatedhere。Atthismomentshewasfreefromallmaritalpersecution，andwasverymuchrunafterbyacertainsetinsociety。Therewereothersagainwhodeclaredthatnodecentmanorwomanoughttomeether。
Onthescoreofloverstherewasreallylittleornothingtobesaidagainsther。butshehadimplicatedherselfinanunfortunatesecondmarriage，andthentherewastheoldstoryaboutthejewels！Buttherewasnodoubtabouthermoneyandhergoodlooks，andsomeconsideredhertobeclever。ThesecompletedthelistofMrsRoby’sgreatdinnerparty。
MrWharton，whohadarrivedearly，couldnotbuttakenoticethatLopez，whosoonfollowedhimintotheroom，hadatoncefallenintoconversationwithEmily，asthoughtherehadneverbeenanydifficultyinthematter。Thefather，standingontherugandpretendingtoanswertheremarksmadetohimbyDickRoby，couldseethatEmilysaidbutlittle。Theman，however，wassomuchathiseasethattherewasnonecessityforhertoexertherself。
MrWhartonhatedhimforbeingathisease。Hadheappearedtohavebeenrebuffedbythecircumstancesofhispositiontheprejudicesoftheoldmanwouldhavebeenlessened。Bydegreestheguestscame。LordMongroberstoodalsoontherugdumb，withalookofintenseimpatienceforhisfood，hardlyevercondescendingtoanswerthelittleattemptsatconversationmadebyMrsDick。LadyEustacegushedintotheroom，kissingMrsDickandafterwardskissinghergreatfriendofthemoment，MrsLeslie，whofollowed。ShethenlookedasthoughshemeanttokissLordMongrober，whomsheplayfullyandalmostfamiliarlyaddressed。ButLordMongroberonlygrunted。ThencameSirDamaskandLadyMonogram，andDickatoncebeganabouthispigeons。SirDamask，whowasthemostgood-naturedmanintheworld，interestedhimselfatonceandbecameenergetic。butLadyMonogramlookedaroundtheroomcarefully，andseeingLadyEustaceturneduphernose，nordidshecaremuchformeetingLordMongrober。IfshehadbeentakeninastotheAdmiraltyRobys，thenwouldsheletthejuniorRobysknowwhatshethoughtaboutit。MillsHapperton，withhiswife，causedthefrownonLadyMonogram’sbrowtoloosenitselfalittle，for，sogreatwasthewealthandpowerofthehouseofHunkyandSons，thatMrMillsHappertonwasnodoubtafeatureatanydinnerparty。ThencametheAdmiraltySecretarywithhiswife，andtheorderfordinnerwasgiven。
CHAPTER10
MRSDICK’SDINNERPARTY——NO2。
DickwalkeddownstairswithLadyMonogram。TherehadbeensomedoubtwhetherofrightheshouldnothavetakenLadyEustace，butitwasheldbyMrsDickthatherladyshiphadsomewhatimpairedherrightsbytheeccentricitiesofhercareer，andalsothatshewouldamiablypardonanylittlewrongdoingagainstherofthatkind，——whereasLadyMonogramwasapersonmuchtobeconsidered。
ThenfollowedSirDamaskwithLadyEustace。Theyseemedtobepairedsowelltogetherthattherecouldbenodoubtaboutthem。
TheministerialRoby，whowasreallytheheroofthenight，tookMrsHapperton，andourfriendMrWhartontooktheSecretary’swife。Allthathadbeeneasy，——soeasythatfatehadgoodnaturedlyarrangedthingswhicharesometimesdifficultofmanagement。Butthentherecameanembarrassment。OfcourseitwouldinausualwayberightthatamarriedmanaswasMrHappertonshouldbeassignedtothewidowMrsLeslie，andthattheonlytwo’young’people，——intheusualsenseoftheword，——
shouldgodowntodinnertogether。ButMrsRobywasatfirstafraidofMrWharton，andplanneditotherwise。When，however，thelastmomentcameshepluckedupcourage，gaveMrsLeslietothegreatcommercialman，andwithabravesmileaskedMrLopeztogivehisarmtotheladyheloved。Itissometimessohardtomanagethese’littlethings’，saidshetoLordMongroberassheputherhanduponhisarm。Hislordshiphadbeenkeptstandinginthatodiousdrawing-roomformorethanhalf-an-hourwaitingforamanwhomheregardedasapoorTreasuryhack，andwasbynomeansinagoodhumour。DickRoby’swinewasnodoubtgood，buthewasnotpreparedtopurchaseitatsuchapriceasthis。
’Thingsalwaysgetconfusedwhenyouhavewaitedanhourforanyone，’hesaid。
’Whatcanyoudo，youknow，whentheHouseissitting？’saidtheladyapologetically。’Ofcourseyoulordscangetaway，butthenyouhavenothingtodo。’
LordMongrobergrunted，meaningtoimplybyhisgruntthatanyonewouldbeverymuchmistakenwhosupposedthathehadanyworktodobecausehewasapeerofParliament。
LopezandEmilywereseatednexttoeachother，andimmediatelyoppositetothemwasMrWharton。Certainlynothingfraudulenthadbeenintendedonthisoccasion，——oritwouldhavebeenarrangedthatthefathershouldsitonthesamesideofthetablewiththelover，sothatheshouldseenothingofwhatwasgoingon。ButitseemedtoMrWhartonasthoughhehadbeenpositivelyswindledbyhissister-in-law。Theretheysatoppositetohim，talkingtoeachotherapparentlywiththoroughlymutualconfidence，theverytwopersonswhomhemostespeciallydesiredtokeepapart。Hehadnotawordtosaytoeitheroftheladiesnearhim。Heendeavouredtokeephiseyesawayfromhisdaughterasmuchaspossible，andtodiverthisearsfromtheirconversation——buthecouldnotbutlookandhecouldnotbutlisten。Notthathereallyheardasentence。Emily’svoicehardlyreachedhim，andLopezunderstoodthegamehewasplayingmuchtoowelltoallowhisvoicetotravel。Andhelookedasthoughhispositionwerethemostcommonplaceintheworld，andasthoughhehadnothingofmorethanordinaryinteresttosaytohisneighbour。MrWharton，ashesatthere，almostmadeuphismindthathewouldleavehispractice，giveuphischambers，abandonevenhisclub，andtakehisdaughteratonceto，——to，——
itdidnotmatterwhere，sothattheplaceshouldbeverydistantfromManchesterSquare。Therecouldbenootherremedyforthisevil。
Lopez，thoughhetalkedthroughoutthewholeofdinner，——turningsometimesindeedtoMrsLesliewhosatathislefthand，——saidverylittlethatalltheworldmightnothaveheard。Buthedidsayonesuchword。’Ithasbeendrearytome，thelastmonth！’
Emilyofcoursehadnoanswertomaketothis。Shecouldnottellhimthatherdesolationhadbeeninfinitelyworsethanhis，andthatshesometimesfeltasthoughherveryheartwouldbreak。
’Iwonderwhetheritmustalwaysbelikethiswithme，’hesaid，——andthenhewentbacktothetheatresandotherordinaryconversation。
’Isupposeyou’vegottothebottomofthatchampagneyouusedtohave，’saidLordMongroberroaringacrossthetabletohishost，holdinghisglassinhishandandwithstrongmarksofdisapprobationonhisface。
’Theverysamewineasweweredrinkingwhenyourlordshiplastdidmethehonourofdininghere，’saidDick。LordMongroberraisedhiseyebrows，shookhisheadandputdowntheglass。
’Shallwetryanotherbottle？’askedMrsDickwithsolicitude。
’Oh，no——it’dbeallthesame，Iknow。I’lljusttakealittledrysherryifyouhaveit。’Themancamewiththedecanter。
’No，drysherry——drysherry，’saidhislordship。Themanwasconfounded，MrsDickwasatherwits’ends，andeverythingwasinconfusion。LordMongroberwasnotthemantobekeptwaitingbyagovernmentsubordinatewithoutexactingsomepenaltyforsuchill-treatment。
’Hislordshipisalittleoutofsorts，’whisperedDicktoLadyMonogram。
’Verymuchoutofsorts，itseems。’
’Andtheworstofitis，thereisn’tabetterglassofwineinLondon，andhislordshipknowsit。’
’Isupposethat’swhathecomesfor，’saidLadyMonogram，beingquiteasuncivilinherwayasthenobleman。
’He’slikeagoodmanyothers。Heknowswherehecangetagooddinner。Afterall，there’snoattractionlikethat。Ofcourse，ahansomewomanwon’tadmitthat，LadyMonogram。’
’Iwillnotadmitit，atanyrate，MrRoby。’
’ButIdon’tdoubtMonogramisascarefulasanyoneelsetogetthebestcookhecan，andtakesagooddealoftroubleabouthiswinetoo。Mongroberisveryunfairaboutthatchampagne。ItcameoutofMadameCliquot’scellarsbeforethewar，andIgaveSprottandBurlinghammer100sforit。’
’Indeed！’
’Idon’tthinkthereareadozenmeninLondoncangiveyousuchaglassofwineasthat。Whatdoyousayaboutthechampagne，Monogram？’
’Verytidywine，’saidSirDamask。
’Ishouldthinkitis。Igave100sforitbeforethewar。Hislordship’sgotafitofthegoutcoming，Isuppose。’
ButSirDamaskwasengagedwithhisneighbourLadyEustace。’OfallthingsIshouldsoliketoseeapigeonmatch，’saidLadyEustace。’Ihaveheardaboutthemallmylife。OnlyIsupposeitisn’tquiteproperforalady。’
’Oh，dear，yes。’
’Thedarlinglittlepigeons！Theydosometimesescape，don’tthey？Ihopetheyescapesometimes。I’llgoanydayyou’llmakeupaparty，——ifLadyMonogramwilljoinus。’SirDamasksaidthathewouldarrangeit，makinguphismind，however，atthesametime，thatthislaststipulation，ifinsistedon，wouldmakethethingimpracticable。
Robytheministerialist，sittingattheendofthetablebetweenhissister-in-lawandMrsHapperton，wasveryconfidentialrespectingtheGovernmentandparliamentaryaffairsingeneral。
’Yes，indeed——ofcourseit’sacoalition，butIdon’tseewhyweshouldn’tgoonverywell。AstotheDuke，I’vealwayshadthegreatestpossiblerespectforhim。Thetruthis，there’snothingspecialtobedoneatthepresentmoment，andthere’snoreasonwhyweshouldn’tagreeanddividethegoodthingsbetweenus。TheDukehasgotsomecrazeofhisownaboutdecimalcoinage。He’llamusehimselfwiththat。butitwon’tcometoanything，anditwon’thurtus。’
’Isn’ttheDuchessgivingagreatmanyparties？’askedMrsHapperton。
’Well——yes。ThatkindofthingusedtobedoneinoldLadyBrock’stime，andtheDuchessisrepeatingit。There’snoendtotheirmoney，youknow。Butit’sratheraboreforthepersonswhohavetogo。’TheministerialRobyknewwellhowhewouldmakehissister-in-law’smouthwaterbysuchanallusion，asthistothegreatprivilegeofenteringthePrimeMinister’smansioninCarltonTerrace。
’IsupposeyouintheGovernmentarealwaysasked。’
’Weareexpectedtogotoo，andarewatchedprettyclose。LadyGlen，asweusedtocallher，hastheeyesofArgus。Andofcoursewewhousedtobeontheothersideareespeciallyboundtopayherobservance。’
’Don’tyouliketheDuchess？’askedMrsHapperton。
’Ohyes——Ilikeherverywell。She’smad，youknow，——madasahatter——andnoonecaneverguesswhatfreakmaycomenext。
Onealwaysfeelsthatshe’lldosomethingsoonerorlaterthatwillstartlealltheworld。’
’Therewasaqueerstoryonce，——wasn’tthere？’askedMrsDick。
’Ineverquitebelievedthat，’saidRoby。’Itwassomethingaboutsomelovershehadbeforeshewasmarried。ShewentofftoSwitzerland。ButtheDuke，——hewasMrPalliserthen，——followedherverysoonanditallcameright。’
’Whenladiesaregoingtobeduchesses，thingsdocomeright，don’tthey？’saidMrsHapperton。
OntheothersideofMrsHappertonwasMrWharton，quiteunabletotalktohisright-handneighbour，theSecretary’swife。TheelderMrsRobyhadnot，indeed，muchtosayforherself，andheduringthewholedinnerwasinmisery。HehadresolvedthatthereshouldbenointimacyofanykindbetweenhisdaughterandFerdinandLopez，——nothingmorethanthemerestacquaintance，andtheretheywere，talkingtogetherbeforehisveryeyes，withmoreevidentsignsofunderstandingeachotherthanwereexhibitedbyanyothertwopersonsatthetable。Andyethehadnojustgroundofcomplaintagainsteitherofthem。Ifpeopledinetogetheratthesamehouse，itmayofcoursehappenthattheyshallsitnexttoeachother。Andifpeoplesitnexttoeachotheratdinner，itisexpectedthattheyshalltalk。NobodycouldaccuseEmilyofflirting。butthenshewasagirlwhoundernocircumstanceswouldcondescendtoflirt。Butshehaddeclaredboldlytoherfatherthatshelovedthisman，andthereshewasincloseconversationwithhim！Woulditnotbebetterforhimtogiveupanyfurthertrouble，andlethermarrytheman？Shewouldcertainlydososoonerorlater。
Whentheladieswentupstairsthatmiserywasoverforatime，butMrWhartonwasstillnothappy。Dickcameroundandtookhiswife’schairsothathesatbetweenthelordandhisbrother。
LopezandHappertonfellintoCityconversation，andSirDamasktriedtoamusehimselfwithMrWharton。Butthetaskwashopeless，——asitalwaysiswhentheelementsofthepartyhavebeenill-mixed。MrWhartonhadnotevenheardoftheAldershotcoachwhichSirDamaskhadjuststartedwithColonelBuskinandSirAlfonsoBlackbird。AndwhenSirDamaskdeclaredthathedrovethecoachupanddowntwiceaweekhimself，MrWhartonatanyrateaffectedtobelievethatsuchathingwasimpossible。
ThenwhenSirDamaskgavehimtheopinionastothecauseofthefailureofacertainhorseatNorthampton，MrWhartongavehimnoencouragementwhatever。’Ineverwasatarace-courseinmylife，’saidthebarrister。AfterthatSirDamaskdrankhiswineinsilence。
’Yourememberthatclaret，mylord？’saidDick，thinkingthatsomelittlecompensationwasduetohimforwhathadbeensaidaboutthechampagne。
ButLordMongrober’sdinnerhadnotyethadtheeffectofmollifyingthemansufficientlyforDick’spurposes。’Oh，yes。
Irememberthewine。Youcallit’57，don’tyou？’
’Anditis’57——’57，Leoville。’
’Verylikely，——verylikely。Ifithadn’tbeenheatedbeforethefire——’
’Ithasn’tbeennearthefire，’saidDick。
’Orputintoadecanter——’
’Nothingofthekind。’
’Ortreatedaftersomeotherdamnablefashion，itwouldbeverygoodwine，Idaresay。’
’Youarehardtoplease，mylord，to-day，’saidDick，whowasputbeyondhisbearing。
’Whatisamantosay？Ifyouwilltalkaboutyourwine，IcanonlytellyouwhatIthink。Anymanmaygetgoodwine，——thatisifhecanaffordtopaytheprice，——butoneisn’toutoftenwhoknowshowtoputitonthetable。’Dickfeltthistobeveryhard。Whenamanpays100sadozenforhischampagne，andthengivesittoguestslikeLordMongrober，whoarenotevenexpectedtoreturnthefavour，thenthatmanoughttobeallowedtotalkabouthiswinewithoutfearofrebuke。Onedoesn’thaveanagreementtothateffectwrittendowninparchmentandsealed。
butitisaswellunderstoodandoughttobeasfaithfullykeptasanylegalcontract。Dick，whocouldonoccasionsbeawakenedtoatouchofmanliness，gavethebottleashoveandthrewhimselfbackinhischair。’Ifyouaskme，Icanonlytellyou，’
repeatedLordMongrober。
’Idon’tbelieveyoueverhadabottleofwineputbeforeyouinbetterorderinallyourlife，’saidDick。Hislordship’sfacebecameverysquareandveryredashelookedroundathishost。
’Andasfortalkingaboutmywine，ofcourseItalktoamanaboutwhatheunderstands。ItalktoMonogramaboutpigeons，toTomthereaboutpolitics，to’AppertonandLopezaboutthepriceofconsols，andtoyouaboutwine。IfIaskedyouwhatyouthoughtofthelastnewbook，yourlordshipwouldbealittlesurprised。’LordMongrobergruntedandlookedredderandsquarerthatever。buthemadenoattemptatreply，andthevictorywasevidentlyleftwithDick，——verymuchthegeneralexaltationofhischaracter。Andhewasproudofhimself。’Wehadalittletiff，meandMongrober，’hesaidtohiswifethatnight。’He’saverygoodfellow，andofcoursehe’salordandallthat。Buthehastobeputdownoccasionally，andbyGeorge，Ididittonight。
YouaskLopez。’
Thereweretwodrawing-roomsupstairsopeningintoeachother，butstilldistinct。Emilyhadescapedintothebackroom，avoidingthegushingsentimentsandequivocalmoralsofLadyEustaceandMrsLeslie，——andhereshewasfollowedbyFerdinandLopez。MrWhartonwasinthefrontroom，andthoughonenteringithedidlookfurtivelyforhisdaughter，hewasashamedtowanderaboutinorderthathemightwatchher。Andtherewereothersinthebackroom，——DickandMonogramstandingontherug，andtheelderMrsRobyseatedinacorner，——sothattherewasnothingpeculiarinthepositionofthetwolovers。
’MustIunderstand，’saidhe，’thatIambanishedfromManchesterSquare？’
’Haspapabanishedyou？’
’That’swhatIwantyoutotellme。’
’Iknowyouhadaninterviewwithhim，MrLopez。’
’Yes，Ihad。’
’Andyoumustknowbestwhathetoldyou。’
’Hewouldexplainhimselfbettertoyouthanhedidtome。’
’Idoubtthatverymuch。Papa，whenhehasanythingtosaygenerallysaysitplainly。However，Idothinkthathedidintendtobanishyou。IdonotknowwhyIshouldnottellyouthetruth。’
’Idonotknoweither。’
’Ithinkhedid——intendtobanishyou。’
’Andyou？’
’Ishallbeguidedbyhiminallthings，——asfarasIcan。’
’ThenIambanishedbyyoualso？’
’Ididnotsayso。Butifpapasaysthatyouarenottocomethere，ofcourseIcannotaskyoutodoso。’
’ButImayseeyouhere？’
’MrLopez，Iwillnotbeaskedsomequestions。Iwillnotindeed。’
’YouknowwhyIaskthem。Youknowthattomeyouaremorethanalltheworld。’Shestoodstillforamomentafterhearingthis，andthenwithoutanyreplywalkedawayintotheotherroom。Shefelthalfashamedofherselfinthatshehadnotrebukedhimforspeakingtoherinthatfashionafterhisinterviewwithherfather，andyethiswordshadfilledherheartwithdelight。Hehadneverbeforeplainlydeclaredhislovetoher，——thoughshehadbeendrivenbyherfather’squestionstodeclareherownlovetoherself。Shewasquitesureofherself，——thatthemanwasandwouldalwaysbetohertheonebeingwhomshewouldprefertoallothers。Herfatewasinherfather’shands。Ifhechosetomakeherwretchedhemustdoso。Butononepointshehadquitemadeuphermind。Shewouldmakenoconcealment。Totheworldatlargeshehadnothingtosayonthematter。Butwithherfatherthereshouldbenoattemptonherparttokeepbackthetruth。Werehetoquestionheronthesubjectshewouldtellhim，asfarashermemorywouldserveher，theverywordswhichLopezhadspokentoherthisevening。Shewouldasknothingfromhim。Hehadalreadytoldherthatthemanwastoberejected，andhadrefusedtogiveanyotherreasonthanhisdisliketotheabsenceofanyEnglishconnection。Shewouldnotagainaskevenforareason。Butshewouldmakeherfatherunderstandthatthoughsheobeyedhimsheregardedtheexerciseofhisauthorityastyrannicalandirrational。
TheyleftthehousebeforeanyoftheotherguestsandwalkedroundthecornertogetherintotheSquare。’Whataveryvulgarsetofpeople！’saidMrWhartonassoonastheyweredownthesteps。
’Someofthemwere，’saidEmily，makingamentalreservationofherown。
’UponmywordIdon’tknowwheretomaketheexception。WhyonearthanyoneshouldwanttoknowsuchapersonasLordMongroberIcan’tunderstand。Whatdoeshebringintosociety？’
’Atitle。’
’Butwhatdoesthatdoofitself？Heisaninsolent，bloatedbrute。’
’Papa，youareusingstronglanguageto-night。’
’AndthatLadyEustace！Heavenandearth！AmItobetoldthatthatcreatureisalady？’
Theyhadcometotheirowndoor，andwhilethatwasbeingopened，andastheywentupintotheirowndrawing-room，nothingwassaid，butthenEmilybeganagain。’IwonderwhyyougotoAuntHarriet’satall。Youdon’tlikethepeople？’
’Ididn’tlikeanyofthemtoday。’
’Whydoyougothere？Youdon’tlikeAuntHarrietherself。Youdon’tlikeUncleDick。Youdon’tlikeMrLopez。’
’CertainlyIdonot。’
’Idon’tknowwhoitisyoudolike。’
’IlikeMrFletcher。’
’It’snousesayingthattome，papa。’
’Youaskmeaquestion，andIchoosetoanswerit。IlikeArthurFletcher，becauseheisagentleman，——becauseheisagentlemanoftheclasstowhichIbelongmyself。becauseheworks，becauseIknowallabouthim，sothatIcanbesureofhim，beingquitesurethathewillsaytomeneitherawkwardthingsnorimpertinentthings。Hewillnottalktomeaboutdrivingamailcoachlikethatfoolishbaronet，nortellmethepriceofallthewineslikeyouruncle。’NorwouldFerdinandLopezdoso，thoughtEmilytoherself。’Butinallsuchmatters，mydear，thegreatthingisliketolike。Ihavespokenofayoungperson，merelybecauseIwishyoutounderstandthatIcansympathizewithothersbesidesthoseofmyownage。Butto-nighttherewasnoonethereatalllikemyself，——or，asIhope，likeyou。ThatmanRobyisachatteringass。HowsuchamancanbeusefultoanygovernmentIcan’tconceive。Happertonwasthebest，butwhathadhetosayforhimself？I’vealwaysthoughtthattherewasverylittlewitwantedtomakeafortuneintheCity。’Inthisframeofmind，MrWhartonwentofftobed，butnotawordmorewasspokenaboutFerdinandLopez。
CHAPTER11
CARLTONTERRACE。
CertainlythethingwasdoneverywellbyLadyGlen，——asmanyinthepoliticalworldpersistedincallinghereveninthesedays。
Shehadnotasyetquitecarriedoutherplan，——thedoingofwhichwouldhaverequiredhertoreconcileherhusbandtosomeexcessiveabnormalexpenditure，andtohaveobtainedfromhimadeliberatesanctionforappropriationandprobablysaleofproperty。Shenevercouldfindthepropermomentfordoingthis，havingwithallhercourage，——lowdowninsomecornerofherheart，——awholesomefearofacertainquietpowerwhichherhusbandpossessed。Shecouldnotbringherselftomakeherproposition——butshealmostactedasthoughithadbeenmadeandapproved。Herhousewasalwaysgorgeouswithflowers。Ofcoursetherewouldbethebill——andhe，whenhesawtheexotics，andthewholeplaceturnedintoabowerofeveryfreshbloomingfloralglories，mustknowthattherewouldbethebill。
Andwhenhefoundthattherewasanarchducaldinner-partyeveryweekandanalmostimperialreceptiontwiceaweek。thatatthesereceptionsabanquetwasalwaysprovided。whenhewasaskedtowhethershemightbuyamagnificentpairofbaycarriage-horses，astowhichsheassuredhimthatnothingsolovelyhadeverasyetbeenseensteppinginthestreetsofLondon，——ofcoursehemustknowthatthebillwouldcome。Itwasbetter，perhaps，todoitinthisway，thantomakeanydirectproposition。Andthen，earlyinJune，shespoketohimasthegueststobeinvitedtoGatherumCastleinAugust。’DoyouwanttogotoGatheruminAugust？’heaskedinsurprise。Forshehatedtheplace，andhadhardlybeencontenttospendtendaysthereeveryyearatChristmas。
’Ithinkitshouldbedone，’shesaidsolemnly。’Onecannotquiteconsiderjustnowwhatonelikesoneself。’
’Whynot？’
’YouwouldhardlygotoasmallplacelikeMatchinginyourpresentposition。Therearesomanypeoplewhomyoushouldentertain！Youwouldprobablyhavetwoorthreeoftheforeignministersdownforatime。’
’WealwaysusedtofindplentyofroomatMatching。’
’ButyoudidnotalwaysusetobePrimeMinister。ItisonlyforsuchatimeasthisthatsuchahouseasGatherumisserviceable。’
Hewassilentforamoment，thinkingaboutit，andthengavewaywithoutanotherword。Shewasprobablyright。Therewasthehugepileofmagnificentbuildings。andsomebody，atanyrate，hadthoughtthatitbehovedaDukeofOmniumtoliveinsuchapalace。Itoughttobedoneatanytime，itoughttobedonenow。Inthathiswifehadbeenright。’Verywell。Letusgothere。’
’I’llmanageitall，’saidtheDuchess，’IandLocock。’Locockwasthehouse-steward。
’Irememberonce，’saidtheDuke，andhesmiledashespokewithapeculiarlysweetexpression，whichwouldattimescomeacrosshisgenerallyinexpressiveface，——’IrememberoncethatsomeFirstMinisteroftheCrowngaveevidenceastheamountofhissalary，sayingthathisplaceentaileduponhimexpenseshigherthanhisstipendwoulddefray。Ibegintothinkthatmyexperiencewillbethesame。’
’Doesthatfretyou？’
’No，Cora——itcertainlydoesnotfretme，orIshouldnotallowit。ButIthinkthereshouldbealimit。Nomaniseverrichenoughtosquander。’
Thoughtheyweretosquanderherfortune，——themoneywhichshehadbrought，——forthenexttenyearsatamuchgreaterratethanshecontemplated，theymightdosowithouttouchingthePalliserproperty。Ofthatshewasquitesure。Andthesquanderingwastobeallforhisglory，——sothathemightretainhispositionasapopularPrimeMinister。Foraninstantitoccurredtoherthatshewouldtellhimallthis。Butshecheckedherself，andtheideaofwhatshehadbeenabouttosaybroughtthebloodintoherface。Neveryethadsheintalkingtohimalludedtoherownwealth。
’Ofcoursewearespendingmoney，’shesaid。’Ifyougivemeahinttoholdmyhand，Iwillholdit。’
Hehadlookedather。andreaditallinherface。’Godknows，’
hesaid，’you’vearighttodoitifitpleasesyou。’
’Foryoursake！’Thenhestoopeddownandkissedhertwice，andlefthertoarrangeherpartiesasshepleased。Afterthatshecongratulatedherselfthatshehadnotmadethedirectproposition，knowingthatshemightnowdoprettymuchasshepleased。