’Ah。yes，——Imeanttohavetoldyou。Ididn’twantthemoney，asitturnedout，formuchaboveafortnight，andastherewasnouseinlettingthebillrunout，Isettledit。’Sosayinghetookoutapocket-book，extractedthebill，andshowedittoSexty。Sexty’sheartflutteredinhisbosom。Therewashisnamestillonthebitofpaper，anditmightstillbeused。Havingitshownhimafterthisfashioninitsmidcareer，ofcoursehehadstronggroundforhope。Buthecouldnotbringhimselftoputouthishandforit。’Astowhatyousayaboutsteadybusiness，ofcoursethat’sverywell，’saidLopez。’Itdependsonwhetheramanwantstomakeasmallincomeoralargefortune。’Hestillheldthebillasthoughheweregoingtofolditupagain，andtheimportanceofitwassopresenttoSexty’smindthathecouldhardlydigesttheargumentaboutthesteadybusiness。’IownthatIannotsatisfiedwiththeformer，’continuedLopez，’andthatIgoinforthefortune。’Ashespokehetorethebillintothreeorfourbits，apparentlywithoutthinkingofit，andletthefragmentsfalluponthefloor。ItwasasthoughamountainhadbeentakenoffSexty’sbosom。Hefeltalmostinclinedtosendoutforabottleofchampagneonthemoment，andtheargumentsofhisfriendranginhisearswithquiteadifferentsound。Theallurementsofasteadyincomepaledbeforehiseyes，andhetoobegantotellhimselfashehadoftentoldhimselfbefore，thatifhewouldonlykeephiseyesopenandhishearthigh，therewasnoreasonwhyhetooshouldnotbecomeacitymillionaire。ButonthatoccasionLopezlefthimsoon，withoutsayingverymuchabouthisfavouritespeculation。Inafewdays，however，thesamematterwasbroughtbeforeSexty’seyesfromanotherdirection。HelearnedfromasidewindthatthehouseofHunkyandSonswasconcernedlargelyinthisbusiness，——oratanyratehethoughtthathehadsolearned。TheeasewithwhichLopezhaddestroyedthatbillsixweeksbeforeitwasduehadhadgreateffectuponhim。Thoseargumentsaboutalargefortuneorasmallincomestillclungtohim。Lopezhadcometohimaboutthebusinessinthefirstinstance，butitwasnownecessarythatheshouldgotoLopez。Hewas，however，verycautious。HemanagedtohappentomeetLopezinthestreet，andintroducedthesubjectinhisownslap-dash，aerymanner，——theresultofwhichwas，thathehadgoneratherdeepintotwoorthreeAmericanminesbeforetheendofJuly。Buthehadalreadymadesomemoneyoutofthem，and，thoughhewouldfindhimselfsometimestremblingbeforehehadtakenhisdailyallowanceofportwineandbrandyandwater，stillhewasbuoyant，andhopefuloflivinginapark，withapalaceattheWestEnd，andaseatinParliament。Knowingalsoashedid，thathisfriendLopezwasintimatewiththeDuchessofOmnium，hehadmuchimmediatesatisfactionintheintimacywhichtheserelationscreated。Hewasgettinginthethinedgeofthewedge，andwouldcalculateashewenthometoPonder’sEndhowlongitmustbebeforehecouldaskhisfriendtoproposehimatsomeWestEndclub。OnonehalcyonsummereveningLopezhaddinedwithhimatPonder’sEnd，hadsmiledonMrsParkerandplayedwiththehopefullittleParkers。OnthatoccasionSextyhadassuredhiswifethatheregardedhisfriendshipwithFerdinandLopezasthemostfortunatecircumstanceofhislife。’Dobecareful，Sexty，’thepoorwomanhadsaid。ButParkerhadsimplytoldherthatsheunderstoodnothingaboutbusiness。OnthateveningLopezhadthoroughlyimbuedhimwiththeconvictionthatifyouwillonlysetyourmindthatway，itisquiteaseasytoamassalargefortuneastoearnasmallincome。
AboutaweekbeforethedepartureoftheWhartonstoHertfordshire，LopezincompliancewithMrsRoby’scounsels，calledatthechambersinStoneBuildings。Itisdifficulttosaythatyouwillnotseeaman，whenthemanisstandingjustontheothersideofanopendoor，——nor，inthiscase，wasMrWhartonquiteclearthathehadbetterdeclinetoseetheman。
Butwhilehewasdoubting，——atanyratebeforehehadresolvedupondenyinghispresence，——themanwasthere，insidehisroom。
MrWhartongotupfromhischair，hesitatedamoment，andthengavehishandtotheintruderinthathalf-unwilling，unsatisfactorymannerwhichmostofushaveexperiencedwhenshakinghandswithsomecold-blooded，ungenialacquaintance。
’Well，MrLopez，——whatcanIdoforyou？’hesaid，ashere-
seatedhimself。Helookedasthoughhewereathiseaseandmasterofthesituation。Hehadcontroloverhimselfsufficientforassumingsuchamanner。Buthisheartwasnothighwithinhisbosom。Themorehelookedatthemanthelesshelikedhim。
’Thereisonething，andonethingonly，youcandoforme，’saidLopez。Hisvoicewaspeculiarlysweet，andwhenhespokehiswordsseemedtomeanmorethanwhentheycamefromothermouths。
ButMrWhartondidnotlikesweetvoicesandmellow，softwords，——atleastnotfrommen’smouths。
’IdonotthinkIcandoanythingforyou，MrLopez，’hesaid。
Therewasslightpause，duringwhichthevisitorputdownhishatandseemedtohesitate。’Ithinkyourcomingherecanbeofnoavail。DidInotexplainmyselfwhenIsawyoubefore？’
’But，Ifear，Ididnotexplainmyself。Ihardlytoldmystory。’
’Youcantellit，ofcourse，——ifyouthinkthetellingwilldoyouanygood。’
’Iwasnotabletosaythan，asIcansaynow，thatyourdaughterhadacceptedmylove。’
’Yououghtnottohavespokentomydaughteronthesubjectafterwhatpassedbetweenus。Itoldyoumymindfrankly。’
’Ah，MrWharton，howwasobedienceinsuchamatterpossible？
Whatwouldyouyourselfthinkofamanwhoinsuchapositionwouldbeobedient？Ididnotseekhersecretly。Ididnothingunderhand。BeforeIhadoncedirectlyaskedherforherlove，I
cametoyou。’
’What’stheuseofthat，ifyougotoherimmediatelyafterwardsinmanifestoppositiontomywishes？Youfoundyourselfbound，aswouldanygentleman，toaskafather’sleave，andwhenitwasrefused，youwentonjustthoughithadbeengranted！Don’tyoucallthatamockery？’
’Icansaynow，sir，whatIcouldnotsaythen。Weloveeachother。AndIamsureofherasIamofmyselfwhenIassertthatweshallbetruetoeachother。Youmustknowherwellenoughtobesureofthatalso。’
’Iamsureofnothingbutofthis——thatIwillnotgivehermyconsenttobecomeyourwife。’
’Whatisyourobjection，MrWharton？’
’IexplaineditbeforeasfarasIfoundmyselfcalledupontoexplainit。’
’Arewebothtobesacrificedforsomereasonthatweneitherofusunderstand？’
’Howdareyoutakeuponyourselftosaythatshedoesn’tunderstand！BecauseIrefusetobemoreexplicittoyouastranger，doyousupposethatIamequallysilenttomyownchild？’
’Inregardtomoneyandsocialrank，IamabletoplaceyourdaughterasmywifeinapositionasgoodasshenowholdsasMissWharton。’
’Icarenothingaboutmoney。MrLopez，andourideasofsocialrankareperhapsdifferent。Ihavenothingfurthertosaytoyou，andIdonotthinkthatyoucanhaveanythingfurthertosaytomethatcanbeofanyavail。’Then，havingfinishedhisspeech，hegotupfromhischairandstoodupright，therebydemandingofhisvisitorthatheshoulddepart。
’Ithinkitnomorethanhonest，MrWharton，todeclarethisonething。Iregardmyselfasirrevocablyengagedtoyourdaughter，andshe，althoughshehasrefusedtobindherselftomebythatspecialword，is，Iamcertain，asfirmlyfixedinherchoiceasIaminmine。Myhappiness，asamatterofcourse，canbenothingtoyou。’
’Notmuch，’saidthelawyer，withangryimpatience。
Lopezsmiled，butheputdownthewordinhismemoryanddeterminedhewouldtreasureitthere。’Notmuch，atanyrateasyet，’hesaid。’Butherhappinessmustbemuchtoyou。’
’Itiseverything。ButinthinkingofherhappinessImustlookbeyondwhatmightbethesatisfactionofthepresentday。Youmustexcuseme，MrLopez，ifIsaythatIwouldrathernotdiscussthematterwithyouanyfurther。’Thenherangthebellandpassedquicklyintoaninnerroom。WhentheclerkcameLopezofcoursemarchedoutofthechamberandwenthisway。
MrWhartonhadbeenveryfirm，andyethewasshaken。Itwasbydegreesbecomingafixedideainhismindthattheman’smaterialprosperitywasassured。Hewasafraideventoalludetothatsubjectwhentalkingtothemanhimself，lestheshouldbeoverwhelmedbyevidenceonthatsubject。Thentheman’smanner，thoughitwasdistastefultoWhartonhimself，would，hewellknew，recommendhimtoothers。Hewasgood-looking，helivedwithpeoplewhowerehighlyregarded，hecouldspeakupforhimself，andhewasafavouredguestatCarltonHouseTerrace。
SogreathadbeenthefameoftheDuchessandherhospitalityduringthelasttwomonths，thatthefactoftheman’ssuccessinthisrespecthadcomehomeeventoMrWharton。Hefearedthattheworldwouldbeagainsthim，andhealreadybegantodreadthejointoppositionoftheworldandhisownchild。Theworldofthisdaydidnot，hethought，carewhetheritsdaughter’shusbandshadorhadnotanyfathersormothers。Theworldasitwasnowdidn’tcarewhetheritssons-in-lawwereChristianorJewish——whethertheyhadthefairskinandboldeyesanduncertainwordsofanEnglishgentleman，ortheswarthycolourandfalsegrimaceandglibtongueofsomeinferiorLatinrace。
Buthecaredforthosethings——anditwasdreadfultohimtothinkthathisdaughtershouldnotcareforthem。’IsupposeI
hadbetterdieandleavethemtolookafterthemselves，’hesaid，ashereturnedtohisarm-chair。
Lopezhimselfwasnotaltogetherill-satisfiedwiththeinterview，nothavingexpectedthatMrWhartonwouldhavegivenwayatonceandbestoweduponhimthenandtherethekindfather-
in-law’sblessyou，——blessyou！。Somethinghadyettobedonebeforetheblessingwouldcome，orthegirl，——orthemoney。Hehadto-dayassertedhisownmaterialsuccess，speakingofhimselfasofamoneyedman，——andhisstatementhadbeenreceivedwithnocontradiction，——evenwithoutthesuggestionofadoubt。Hedidnotthereforesupposethatthedifficultywasover。buthewascleverenoughtoperceivethattheaversiontohimonanotherscoremighthelptotidehimoverthatdifficulty。Andifoncehecouldcallthegirlhiswife，hedidnotdoubtbutthathecouldbuildhimselfupwiththebarrister’smoney。AfterleavingLincoln’sInnhewentatoncetoBerkeleyStreet，andwassoonclosetedwithMrsRoby。’Youcangetherherebeforeyougo？’hesaid。
’Shewouldn’tcome——andifwearrangeditwithoutlettingherknowthatyouweretobehere，shewouldtellherfather。Shehasn’taparticleoffemaleintrigueinher。’
’Somuchthebetter，’saidthelover。
’That’sallverywellforyoutosay，butwhenamanmakessuchatyrantofhimselfasMrWhartonisdoing，agirlisboundtolookafterherself。IfitwasmeI’dgooffwithmyyoungmanbeforeI’dstandsuchtreatment。’
’Youcouldgiveheraletter。’
’She’donlyshowittoherfather。SheissoperversethatI
sometimesfeelinclinedtosaythatI’llhavenothingfurthertodowithher。’
’You’llgiveheramessageatanyrate？’
’Yes，——Icandothat——becauseIcandoitinawaythatwon’tseemtomakeitimportant。’
’ButIwantmymessagetobeveryimportant。TellherthatI’veseenherfather，andhaveofferedtoexplainallmyaffairstohim，——sothathemayknowthatthereisnothingtofearonherbehalf。’
’Itisn’tanythoughtofmoneythatistroublinghim。’
’ButtellherwhatIsay。He，however，wouldlistentonothing。
ThenIassuredhimthatnoconsiderationonearthwouldinducemetosurrenderher，andIwassureofherasIamofmyself。Tellherthat——andtellherthatIthinksheowestometosayonewordtomebeforeshegoesintothecountry。’
CHAPTER15
ARTHURFLETCHER。
Itmay，Ithink，beaquestionwhetherthetwooldmenactedwiselyinhavingArthurFletcheratWhartonHallwhenEmilyarrivedthere。ThestoryofhisloveforMissWharton，asfarasithadyetgone，mustshortlybetold。Hehadbeenthesecondson，ashewasnowthesecondbrother，ofaHertfordshiresquireendowedwithmuchlargerpropertythanthatbelongingtoSirAlured。JohnFletcher，Esq。，ofLongbarns，sometwelvemilesfromWharton，wasaconsiderablemaninHertfordshire。ThispresentsquirehadmarriedSirAlured’seldestdaughter，andtheyoungerbrotherhad，almostsincetheywerechildrentogether，beenknowntobeinlovewithEmilyWharton。AlltheFletchersandeverythingbelongingtothemwerealmostworshippedatWhartonHall。TherehadbeenmarriagesbetweenthetwofamiliescertainlyasfarbackasthetimeofHenryVII，andtheywereaccustomedtospeak，ifnotofalliances，atanyrateoffriendships，muchanteriortothat。Asregardsfamily，therefore，thepretensionsofaFletcherwouldalwaysbeheldtobegoodbyaWharton。ButthisFletcherwastheverypearloftheFletchertribe。Thoughayoungerbrother，hehadaverypleasantlittlefortuneofhisown。Thoughborntocomfortablecircumstances，hehadworkedsohardinhisyoungerdaysastohavealreadymadeforhimselfanameatthebar。Hewasafair-
haired，handsomefellow，withsharp，eagereyes，withanaquilinenoseandjustthatshapeofmouthandchinwhichsuchmenasAbelWhartonregardedascharacteristicofgoodblood。Hewasratherthin，aboutfivefeetteninheight，andhadthecharacterofbeingoneofthebesthorsemeninthecounty。HewasoneofthemostpopularmeninHertfordshire，andatLongbarnswasalmostasmuchthoughtofasthesquirehimself。Hecertainlywasnotthemantobetaken，fromhisappearance，foraforlornlover。Helookedlikeoneofthosehappysonsofthegodswhoareborntosuccess。Noyoungmanofhisagewasmorecourtedbothbymenandwomen。TherewasnoonewhoinhisyouthhadsufferedfewertroublesfromthosecausesoftroublewhichvisitEnglishyoungmen，——occasionalimpecuniosity，sternnessofparents，nativeshyness，fearofridicule，inabilityofspeech，andageneralpervadingsenseofinferioritycombinedwithanardentdesiretorisetoafeelingofconscioussuperiority。Somuchhadbeendoneforhimbynaturethathewasnevercalledupontopretendtoanything。Throughoutthecountythoseweretheluckymen——
andthosetoowerethehappygirls，——whowereallowedtocallhimArthur。AndyetthisparagonwasvainlyinlovewithEmilyWharton，who，inthewayoflove，wouldhavenothingtosaytohim，preferring，——asherfatheroncesaidinextremewrath，——agreasyJewadventureroutofthegutter！
AndnowithadbeenthoughtexpedienttohavehimdowntoWharton，althoughthelawyer’sregularsummervacationhadnotyetcommenced。Buttherewassomeexcusemadeforthis，overandabovetheemergencyofhisownlove，inthefactthathisbrotherJohn，withMrsFletcher，wasalsotobeattheHall，——sothattherewasgatheredthereagreatfamilypartyoftheWhartonsandFletchers。fortherewaspresenttherealsooldMrsFletcher，amagnificentlyaristocraticandhigh-mindedoldlady，withsnow-
whitehair，andlaceworthfiftyguineasayard，whowasasanxiousaseverybodyelsethatheryoungersonshouldmarryEmilyWharton。SomethingofthetruthastoEmilyWharton’s60，000
poundswas，ofcourse，knowntotheLongbarnspeople。NotthatI
wouldhaveitinferredthattheywantedtheirdarlingtosellhimselfformoney。TheFletchersweregreatpeople，withgreatspirits，toogoodineverywayforsuchbaseness。Butwhenlove，oldfriendship，goodbirth，togetherwitheveryotherproprietyastoage，manners，andconduct，canbejoinedinmoney，suchacombinationwillalwaysbethoughtpleasant。
WhenArthurreachedtheHallitwasfelttobenecessarythatawordshouldbesaidtohimastothatwretchedinterloper，FerdinandLopez。ArthurhadnotoflatebeenofteninManchesterSquare。ThoughalwaysmostcordiallywelcomedbyoldWharton，andtreatedwithkindnessbyEmilyWhartonshortofthatlovewhichhedesired，hehadduringthelastthreeorfourmonthsabstainedfromfrequentingthehouse。Duringthepastwinter，andearlyinthespring，hehadpressedhissuit——buthadbeenrejected，withwarmestassurancesofallfriendshipshortoflove。IthadthenbeenarrangedbetweenhimandtheelderWhartonsthattheyshouldallmeetdownintheHall，andtherehadbeensympatheticexpressionsofhopethatallmightyetbewell。ButatthattimelittleornothinghadbeenknownofFerdinandLopez。
Butnowtheoldbaronetspoketohim，thefatherhavingdeputedtheloathsometasktohisfriend，——beingunwillinghimselfeventohintathisdaughter’sdisgrace。’Oh，yes，I’veheardofhim，’saidArthurFletcher。’ImethimwithEverettandIdon’tthinkIevertookastrongerdisliketoaman。Everettseemsveryfondofhim。’Thebaronetmournfullyshookhishead。ItwassadtofindthatWhartonscouldgosofarastray。’HegoestoCarltonTerrace，——totheDuchess’s，’continuedtheyoungman。
’Idon’tthinkthatisverymuchinhisfavour，’saidthebaronet。
’Idon’tknowthatitis，sir，——onlytheytrytocatchallfishinthatnetthatareofanyuse。’
’Doyougothere，Arthur？’
’IshouldifIwereasked，Isuppose。Idon’tknowwhowouldn’t。
Youseeit’saCoalitionaffair，sothateverybodyisabletofeelthatheissupportinghispartybygoingtotheDuchess’s。’
’IhateCoalitions，’saidthebaronet。’Ithinktheyaredisgraceful。’
’Well——yes。Idon’tknow。Thecoachhastobedrivensomehow。
Youmustn’tstickinthemud，youknow。Andafterall，sir，theDukeofOmniumisarespectableman，thoughheisaLiberal。A
DukeofOmniumcan’twanttosendthecountrytothedogs。’Theoldmanshookhishead。Hedidnotunderstandmuchaboutit，buthefeltconvincedthattheDukeandhiscolleaguesweresendingthecountrytothedogs，whatevermightbetheirwishes。’I
shan’tthinkofpoliticsforthenexttenyears，andsoIdon’ttroublemyselfabouttheDuchess’sparties，butIsupposeI
shouldgoifIwereasked。’
SirAluredfeltthathehadnotasyetbeguneventoapproachthedifficultsubject。’I’mgladyoudon’tlikethatman，’hesaid。
’Idon’tlikehimatall。Tellme，SirAlured——whyishealwaysgoingtoManchesterSquare？’
’Ah——thatisit。’
’Hehasbeenthereconstantly——hashenot？’
’No——noIdon’tthinkthat。MrWhartondoesn’tlovehimabitbetterthanyoudo。Mycousinthinkshimamostobjectionableyoungman。’
’ButEmily？’
’Ah——That’swhereitis。’
’Youdon’tmeantosayshe——caresaboutthatman！’
’Hehasbeenencouragedbythatauntofhers，who，asfarasI
canmakeout，isaveryunfitsortofpersontobemuchwithsuchagirlasourdearEmily。Ineversawherbutonce，andthenI
didn’tlikeheratall。’
’Avulgar，good-naturedwoman。Butwhatcanshehavedone？Shecan’thavetwistedEmilyroundherfinger。’
’Idon’tsupposethereisverymuchinit，butIthoughtitbettertotellyou。Girlstakefanciesintotheirheads，——justforatime。’
’He’sahandsomefellow，too，’saidArthurFletcher，musinginhissorrow。
’Mycousinsayshe’sanastyJew-lookingman。’
’He’snotthat，SirAlured。He’sahandsomemanwithafinevoice——dark，andnotjustlikeanEnglishman。butstillIcanfancy——That’sbadnewsforme，SirAlured。’
’Ithinkshe’llforgethimdownhere。’
’Sheneverforgetsanything。Ishallaskher，straightaway。
Sheknowsmyfeelingabouther，andIhaven’tadoubtthatshe’lltellme。She’stoohonesttobeabletolie。Hashegotanymoney？’
’Mycousinseemstothinkhe’srich。’
’Isupposeheis。Oh，Lord！That’sablow。IwishIcouldhavethepleasureofshootinghimasamanmightafewyearsago。Butwhatwouldbethegood？Thegirlwouldonlyhatemethemoreafterit。Thebestthingtodowouldbetoshootmyself。’
’Don’ttalklikethat，Arthur。’
’Ishan’tthrowupthespongeaslongasthere’sachanceleft，SirAlured。ButitwillgobadlywithmeifI’mbeatatlast。I
shouldn’thavethoughtitpossiblethatIshouldhavefeltanythingsomuch。’Thenhepulledhishair，andthrusthishandintohiswaistcoat。andturnedaway，sothathisoldfriendmightnotseethetearinhiseye。
Hisoldfriendalsowasmuchmoved。ItwasdreadfultohimthatthehappinessofaFletcher，andthecomfortoftheWhartonsgenerally，shouldbemarredbyamanwithsuchanameasFerdinandLopez。’She’llnevermarryhimwithoutherfather’sconsent，’saidSirAlured。
’Ifshemeansit，ofcoursehe’llconsent。’
’ThatI’msurehewon’t。Hedoesn’tlikethemanabitbetterthanyoudo。’Fletchershookhishead。’Andhe’sasfondofyouasthoughyouwerealreadyhisson。’
’Whatdoesitmatter？Ifagirlsetsherheartonmarryingaman，ofcourse，shewillmarryhim。Ifhehadnomoneyitmightbedifferent。Butifhe’swelloff，ofcoursehe’llsucceed。Well。Isupposeothermenhavebornethesamesortofthingbeforeandithasn’tkilledthem。’
’Letushope，myboy。Ithinkofherquiteasmuchasofyou。’
’Yes，——wecanhope。Ishan’tgiveitup。Asforher，Idaresaysheknowswhatwillsuitherbest。I’venothingtosayagainsttheman，——exceptingthatIshouldliketocuthimintofourquarters。’
’Butaforeigner！’
’Girlsdon’tthinkaboutthat，——notasyoudoandMrWharton。
AndIthinkthylikedark，greasymenwithslipperyvoices，whoareuptododgesandfullofsecrets。Well，sir，Ishallgotoheratonceandhaveitout。’
’You’llspeaktomycousin？’
’CertainlyIwill。HehasalwaysbeenoneofthebestfriendsI
everhadinmylife。Iknowithasn’tbeenhisfault。Butwhatcanamando？Girlswon’tmarrythisorthatbecausetheyaretold。’
FletcherdidspeaktoEmily’sfather，andlearnedmorefromhimthanhadbeentoldhimbySirAlured。Indeedhelearnedthewholetruth。Lopezhadbeentwicewiththefatherpressinghissuitandhadbeentwicerepulsed，withasabsolutedenialaswordscouldconvey。Emily，however，haddeclaredherownfeelingopenly，expressingherwishtomarrytheodiousman，promisingnottodosowithoutherfather’sconsent，butevidentlyfeelingthatthatconsentoughtnottobewithheldfromher。AllthisMrWhartontoldveryplainly，walkingwithArthuralittlebeforedinneralongashaded，lonelypath，whichforhalfamileranalongtheverymargeoftheWyeatthebottomofthepark。Andthenhewentontospeakotherwordswhichseemedtorobhisyoungfriendofallhope。Theoldmanwaswalkingslowly，withhishandsclaspedbehindhisbackandwithhiseyesfixedonthepathashewent——andhespokeslowly，evidentlyweighinghiswordsasheutteredthem，bringinghometohisheareraconvictionthatthematterdiscussedwasoneofsupremeimportancetothespeaker，——astowhichhehadthoughtmuch，soastobeabletoexpresshissettledresolutions。’I’vetoldyouallnow，Arthur，——onlythis。IdonotknowhowlongImaybeabletoresistthisman’sclaimifitbebackedbyEmily’sentreaties。Iamthinkingverymuchaboutit。IdonotknowthatIhavereallybeenabletothinkofanythingelseforthelasttwomonths。Itisalltheworldtome，——whatsheandEverettdowiththemselves，andwhatshemaydointhismatterofmarriageisofinfinitelygreaterimportancethancanbefallhim。
Ifhemakesamistake，itmaybeputright。Butwithawoman’smarrying——，vestigianullaretrorsum。Shehasputoffallheroldbondsandtakennewones，whichmustbeherbondsforlife。
Feelingthisverystrongly，anddislikingthismangreatly，——
dislikinghim，thatistosay，intheviewofthiscloserelation，——Ihavefeltmyselftobejustifiedinsofaropposingmychildbytheuseofahighhand。Ihaverefusedmysanctiontothemarriagebothtohimandtoher，——thoughintruthIhavebeenhardsettofindanyadequatereasonfordoingso。Ihavenorighttofashionmygirl’slifebymyprejudices。Mylifehasbeenlived。Hersistocome。InthismatterIshouldbecruelandunnaturalwereItoallowmyselftobegovernedbyanyselfishinclination。ThoughIweretoknowthatshewouldbelosttomeforever，Imustgiveway，——ifoncebroughttoaconvictionthatbynotgivingwayIshouldsacrificeheryounghappiness。Inthismatter，Arthur，Imustnoteventhinkofyou，thoughIloveyouwell。Imustconsideronlymychild’swelfare。
andindoingsoImusttrytosiftmyownfeelingsandmyownjudgement，andascertain，ifitbepossible，whetheranydistancetothemanisreasonableorirrational——whetherIshouldserveherorsacrificeherbyobstinacyofrefusal。Icanspeaktoyoumoreplainlythantoher。IndeedIhavelaidbaretoyoumywholeheartandmywholemind。Youhaveallmywishes，butyouwillunderstandthatIdonotpromiseyoumycontinuedassistance。’
Whenhehadsospokenheputouthishandandpressedhiscompanion’sarm。Thenheturnedslowlyintoalittleby-pathwhichledacrosstheparkuptothehouse，andleftArthurFletcherstandingalonebytheriver’sbank。
Andsobydegreestheblowhadcomefullhometohim。Hehadbeentwicerefused。Thenrumourshadreachedhim，——notatfirstthathehadarival，butthattherewasamanwhomightpossiblybecomeso。Andnowthisrivalry，anditssuccess，weredeclaredtohimplainly。Hetoldhimselffromthismomentthathehadnotachance。Lookingforwardhecouldseeit。Heunderstoodthegirl’scharactersufficientlytobesurethatshewouldnotbewaftedabout，fromonelovertoanother，bychangeofscene。
TakinghertoDresden，——ortoNewZealand，wouldonlyconfirminherpassionsuchagirlasEmilyWharton。Nothingwouldshakeherbuttheascertainedunworthinessoftheman，——andnotthatunlessitwereascertainedbeneathherowneyes。Andthenyearsmustpassbybeforeshewouldyieldtoanotherlover。Therewasafurtherquestion，too，whichhedidnotfailtoaskhimself。
WasthemannecessarilyunworthybecausehisnamewasLopez，andbecausehehadnotcomeofEnglishblood？
Ashestrovetothinkofthis，ifnotcoollyyetrationally，hesathimselfdownamongtherocks，amongwhichatthatspotthewatermadeitswayrapidly。Therehadbeenmomentsinwhichhehadbeenalmostashamedofhislove，——andnowhedidnotknowwhethertobemostashamedormostproudofit。Butherecognizedthefactthatitwascrucifyinghim，andthatitwouldcontinuetocrucifyhim。HeknewhimselfinLondontobeapopularman，——oneofthoseforwhom，accordingtogeneralopinion，girlsshouldsigh，ratherthanonewhowouldbreakhisheartsighingforagirl。Hehadoftentoldhimselfthatitwasbeneathhismanlinesstobedespondent。thatheshouldletsuchatroublerunfromhimlikewaterfromaduck’sback，consolinghimselfwiththereflectionthatifthegirlhadsuchbadtasteshecouldhardlybeworthyofhim。Hehadalmosttriedtobelongtothatschoolwhichthrowstheheartawayandrulesbytheheadalone。Heknewthatothers，——perhapsnotthosewhoknewhimbest，butwhoneverthelesswerethecompanionsofmayofhishours，——gavehimcreditforsuchpower。Whyshouldamanafflicthimselfbytheinwardburdenofanunsatisfiedcraving，andallowhishearttosinkintohisveryfeetbecauseagirlwouldnotsmilewhenhewooedher？’Ifshebenotfairforme，whatcareIhowfairshebe！’Hehadrepeatedthelinestohimselfascoreoftimes，andhadbeenashamedofhimselfbecausehecouldnotmakethemcometruetohimself。
Theyhadnotcometrueintheleast。Therehewas，ArthurFletcher，whomalltheworldcourted，withhisheartinhisveryboots！Therewasamiserableloadwithinhim，absolutelypalpabletohisoutwardfeeling，——averyphysicalpain，——whichhecouldnotshakeoff。Ashethrewthestonesintothewaterhetoldhimselfthatitmustbesowithhimalways。Thoughtheworlddidpethim，thoughhewaslikedathisclub，andcourtedinthehunting-field，andlovedatballsandarcherymeetings，andreputedbyoldmentobearisingstar，hetoldhimselfthathewassomaimedandmutilatedastobeonlyhalfaman。Hecouldnotreasonaboutit。Naturehadafflictedhimwithacertainweakness。Onemanhadahump——anothercanhardlyseeoutofhisimperfecteyes，——athirdcanbarelyutterafewdisjointedwords。Itwashisfatetobeconstructedwithsomeweakarrangementofthebloodvesselswhichlefthiminthisplight。’Thewholedamnedthingisnothingtome，’hesaidburstingintoabsolutetears，aftervainlytryingtoreassurehimselfbyarecollectionofthegoodthingswhichtheworldstillhadinstoreforhim。
Thenhestrovetoconsolehimselfbythinkingthathemighttakeaprideinhislove，eventhoughitweresointolerableaburdentohim。Wasitnotsomethingtobeabletoloveasheloved？
Wasitnotsomethingatanyratethatshetowhomhehadcondescendedtostoopwasworthyofalllove？Butevenherehecouldgetnocomfort，——beingintruthunabletoseeverycloselyintotheconditionofthething。Itwasadisgracetohim，——tohimwithinhisownbosom，——thatsheshouldhavepreferredtohimsuchaoneasFerdinandLopez，andthisdisgraceheexaggerated，ignoringthefactthatthegirlherselfmightbedeficientinjudgement，orledawayintoherlovebyfalsehoodandcounterfeitattractions。Tohimshewassuchagoddessthatshemustberight——andthereforehisowninferioritytosuchaoneasFerdinandLopezwasproved。Hecouldtakenoprideinhisrejectedlove。Hewouldridhimselfofitatamoment’snoticeifheknewtheway。Hewouldthrowhimselfatthefeetofsomesecond-rate，tawdry，well-born，well-knownbeautyoftheday，——
onlythattherewasnotnowlefttohimstrengthtopretendthefeelingthatwouldbenecessary。Thenheheardsteps，andjumpingupfromhisseat，stoodjustinthewayofEmilyWhartonandhercousinMary。’Ain’tyougoingtodressfordinner，youngman？’saidthelatter。
’Ishallhavetimeifyouhave，anyway，’saidArthur，endeavouringtopluckuphisspirits。
’That’sniceofhim——isn’tit？’saidMary。’Why，wearedressed。Whatmoredoyouwant？Wecameouttolookforyou，thoughwedidn’tmeantocomeasfarasthis。It’spastsevennow，andwearesupposedtodineataquarterpast。’
’Fiveminuteswilldoforme。’
’Butyou’vegottogettothehouse。Youneedn’tbeinatremendoushurry，becausepapahasonlyjustcomeinfromhaymaking。They’vegotupthelastload，andtherehasbeentheusualceremony。EmilyandIhavebeenlookingatthem。’
’IwishI’dbeenthereallthetime，’saidEmily。’IdosohateLondoninJuly。’
’SodoI，’saidArthur，——’inJulyandallothertimes。’
’YouhateLondon？’saidMary。
’Yes，——andHertfordshire，——andotherplacesgenerally。IfI’vegottodressI’dbettergoacrosstheparkasquickasIcango，’
andsoheleftthem。Maryturnedaroundandlookedathercousin，butatthemomentsaidnothing。Arthur’spassionwaswellknowntoMaryWharton，butMaryhadasyetheardnothingofFerdinandLopez。
CHAPTER16
NEVERRUNAWAY！
DuringthewholeofthateveningtherewasaforcedattemptonthepartofallthepartyatWhartonHalltobemerry，——which，however，asisthecasewheneversuchattemptsareforced，wasafailure。Therehadbeenahaymakingharvest-homewhichwassupposedtogivespecialoccasionformirth，asSirAluredfarmedthelandaroundtheparkhimself，andwasgreatinhay。’Idon’tthinkitpaysverywell，’hesaidwithagentlesmile，’butI
liketoemploysomeofthepeoplemyself。Ithinktheoldpeoplefinditeasierwithmethanwiththetenants。’
’Ishouldn’twonder，’saidhiscousin——’butthat’scharity。notemployment。’
’No，no，’exclaimedthebaronet。’Theyworkfortheirwagesanddotheirbest。Powellseestothat。’Powellwasthebailiff，whoknewthelengthofhismaster’sfoottoaquarterofaninch，andwasquiteawarethattheWhartonhaymakerswerenottobeovertasked。’Powelldoesn’tkeepanycatsabouttheplace，butwhatcatchmice。ButIamnotquitesurethathaymakingdoespay。’
’Howdothetenantsmanage？’
’Ofcoursetheylooktothingscloser。Youwouldn’twishmetoletthelanduptothehousenextdoor。’
’Ithink，’saidoldMrsFletcher，’thatalandlordshouldconsenttolosealittlebyhisownfarming。Itdoesgoodinthelongrun。’BothMrWhartonandSirAluredfeltthatthismightbeverywellatLongbarns，thoughitcouldhardlybeaffordedatWharton。
’Idon’tthinkIlosemuchbymyfarming，’saidthesquireofLongbarns。’Ihavefourhundredacresonhand，andIkeepmyaccountsprettyregularly。’
’Johnsonisaverygoodman，Idaresay，’saidthebaronet。
’Likemostoftheothers，’continuedthesquire，’he’sverywellaslongashe’slookedafter。IthinkIknowasmuchaboutitasJohnson。Ofcourse，Idon’texpectafarmer’sprofit。butIdoexpectmyrent，andIgetit。’
’Idon’tthinkImanageitinquitethatway，’saidthebaronetinamelancholytone。
’I’mafraidnot，’saidthebarrister。
’Johnisasharduponthemenasanyoneofthetenants，’saidJohn’swife，MrsFletcherofLongbarns。
’I’mnothardatall，’saidJohn，’andyouunderstandnothingaboutit。I’mpayingthreeshillingsaweekmoretoeveryman，andeighteenpenceaweekmoretoeverywoman，thanIdidthreeyearsago。’
’That’sbecauseoftheUnions，’saidthebarrister。
’Idon’tcareastrawfortheUnions。IftheUnionsinterferedwithmycomfort，I’dletthelandandleavetheplace。’
’Oh，John！’ejaculatedJohn’smother。
’Iwouldnotconsenttobemadeaslaveevenforthesakeofthecountry。Butthewageshadtoberaised，——havingraisedthemI
expecttogetpropervalueformymoney。Ifanythinghastobegivenaway，letitbegivenaway，——sothatthepeopleshouldknowwhatitisthattheyreceive。’
’That’sjustwhatwedon’twanttodohere，’saidLadyWharton，whodidnotoftenjoininanyofthesearguments。
’You’rewrong，mylady，’saidherstepson。’You’reonlybreedingidlenesswhenyouteachpeopletothinkthattheyareearningwageswithoutworkingfortheirmoney。Whateveryoudowiththem，letthemknowandfeelthetruth。It’llbethebestinthelongrun。’
’I’msometimeshappywhenIthinkthatIshan’tlivetoseethelongrun，’saidthebaronet。ThiswasthemannerinwhichtheytriedtobemerrythateveningafterdinneratWhartonHall。Thetwogirlssatlisteningtotheirseniorsincontentedsilence，——
listeningorperhapsthinkingoftheirownpeculiartroubles，whileArthurFletcherheldsomebookinhishandwhichhestrovetoreadwithallhismight。
TherewasnotonethereintheroomwhodidnotknowthatitwasthewishoftheunitedfamiliesthatArthurFletchershouldmarryEmilyWharton，andalsothatEmilyhadrefusedhim。ToArthurofcoursethefeelingthatitwassocouldnotbutbeanadditionalvexation。buttheknowledgehadgrownupandhadbecomecommoninthetwofamilieswithoutanypoweronhisparttopreventsodisagreeableaconditionofaffairs。Therewasnotoneinthatroom，unlessitwasMaryWharton，whowasnotmoreorlessangrywithEmily，thinkinghertobeperverseandunreasonable。EventoMaryhercousin’sstrangeobstinacywasamatterofsurpriseandsorrow，——fortoherArthurFletcherwasoneofthosedemigods，whoshouldneverberefused，whoarenotexpectedtodomorethanexpressawishandbeaccepted。Herownhearthadnotstrayedthatwaybecauseshethoughtbutlittleofherself，knowingherselftobeportionless，andbelievingfromlongthoughtonthesubjectthatitwasnotherdestinytothewifeofanyman。SheregardedArthurFletcherasbeingofallmenthemostlovable，——
though，knowingherowncondition，shedidnotdreamoflovinghim。Itdidnotbecomehertobeangrywithanothergirlonsuchacause——butshewasamazedthatArthurFletchershouldsighinvain。
Thegirl’sfollyandperversenessonthisheadwereknowntothemall，——butasyethergreaterfollyandworseperverseness，hervitiatedtasteanddreadfulpartialityforthePortugueseadventurer，wereknownbuttothetwooldmenandtopoorArthurhimself。WhenthatsternlymagnificentoldladyMrsFletcher，——
whoseancestorshadbeenWelshkingsinthetimeoftheRomans，——
whensheshouldhearthisstory，theroofoftheoldhallwouldhardlybeabletoholdherwrathandherdismay！Theoldkingshaddiedaway，buttheFletchersandtheVaughans，——ofwhomshehadbeenone，——andtheWhartonsremained，apeculiarpeopleinanagethatwasthensurrenderingitselftoquickperdition，andwithpeculiarduties。Amongtheseduties，thechiefestofthemincumbentonfemaleswasthatofsorestrainingtheiraffectionsthattheyshouldneverdamagethegoodcausebyleavingit。Theymightmarrywithinthepale，——orremainsingle，asmightbetheirlot。ShewouldnottakeuponherselftosaythatEmilyWhartonwasboundtoacceptArthurFletcher，merelybecausesuchamarriagewasfitting，——althoughshedidthinkthattherewasmuchperversenessinthegirl，whomighthavetaughtherself，hadshenotbeensostubborn，tocomplywiththewishesofthefamilies。Buttoloveonesobelowherself，amanwithoutafather，aforeigner，ablackPortugueseJew，merelybecausehehadabrighteye，andahooknose，andaglibtongue，——thatagirlfromtheWhartonsshoulddothis，——！ItwassounnaturaltoMrsFletcherthatitwouldbehardlypossibletohertobeciviltothegirlaftershehadheardthathermindandtasteweresoastray。AllthisSirAluredknewandthebarristerknewit，——
andtheyfearedherindignationthemorebecausetheysympathizedwiththeoldlady’sfeelings。
’EmilyWhartondoesn’tseemtometobeabitmoregraciousthansheusedtobe，’MrsFletchersaidtoLadyWhartonthatnight。
Thetwooldladiesweresittingtogetherupstairs，andMrsJohnFletcherwaswiththem。InsuchconferencesMrsFletcheralwaysdomineered，——toperfectcontentmentofoldLadyWharton，butnotequallysotothatofherdaughter-in-law。
’I’mafraidshe’snotveryhappy，’saidLadyWharton。
’Shehaseverythingthatoughttomakeagirlhappy，andIdon’tknowwhatitisshewants。Itmakesmequiteangrytoseehersodiscontented。Shedoesn’tsayaword，butsitsthereasglumasdeath。IfIwereArthurIwouldleaveherforsixmonths，andneverspeaktoherduringthattime。’
’Isuppose，mother，’saidtheyoungerMrsFletcher，——whocalledherhusband’smother，mother，andherownmother，mamma，——’agirlneedn’tmarryamanunlessshelikeshim。’
’Butsheshouldtrytolikehimifit’ssuitableinotherrespects。Idon’tmeantotakeanytroubleaboutit。Arthurneedn’tbegforanyfavour。OnlyIwouldn’thavecomehereifI
hadthoughtthatshehadintendedtositsilentlikethatalways。’
’Itmakesherunhappy，Isuppose，’saidLadyWharton，’becauseshecan’tdowhatweallwant。’
’Fall，lall！She’dhavewanteditherselfifnobodyelsehadwishedit。I’msurprisedthatArthurshouldbesomuchtakenwithher。’
’You’dbettersaynothingmoreaboutit，mother。’
’Idon’tmeantosayanythingmoreaboutit。It’snothingtome。
ArthurcandoverywellintheworldwithoutEmilyWharton。Onlyagirllikethatwillsometimesmakeadisgracefulmatch。andweshouldallfeelthat。’
’Idon’tthinkEmilywilldoanythingdisgraceful，’saidLadyWharton。Andsotheyparted。
Inthemeantimethetwobrothersweresmokingtheirpipesinthehousekeeper’sroom，which，atWharton，whentheFletchersorEverettwerethere，wasfreelyusedforthatpurpose。
’Isn’titratherquaintofyou，’saidtheelderbrother，’comingdownhereinthemiddleoftermtime？’
’Itdoesn’tmattermuch。’
’Ishouldhavethoughtitwouldmatter——thatis，ifyoumeantogoonwithit。’
’I’mnotgoingtomakeaslaveofmyselfaboutit，ifyoumeanthat。Idon’tsupposeIshallevermarry，——andforrisingtobeaswellintheprofession，Idon’tcareaboutit。’
’Youusedtocareaboutit，——verymuch。Youusedtosaythatifyoudidn’tgettothetopitshouldn’tbeyourownfault。’
’AndIhaveworked——andIdowork。Butthingsgetchangedsomehow。I’vehalfamindtogiveitallup，——toraisealotofmoney，andtostartoffwitharesolutiontoseeeverycorneroftheworld。Isupposeamancoulddoitinaboutthirtyyearsifhelivedsolong。It’sthekindofthingthatwouldsuitme。’
’Exactly。Idon’tknowofanyfellowwhohasbeenmoreintosociety，andthereforeyouareexactlythemantolivealonefortherestofyourlife。You’vealwaysworkedhard，Iwillsaythatforyou——andthereforeyou’rejustthemantobecontentedwithidleness。You’vealwaysbeenambitiousandself-confident，andthereforeitwillsuityoutoaT，tobenobody，andtodonothing。’Arthursatsilent，smokinghispipewithallhismight，andhisbrothercontinued，——’Besides，——youreadsometimes，Ifancy。’
’Ishouldreadallthemore。’
’Verylikely。Butwhatyouhaveread，intheoldplays，forinstance，musthavetaughtyouthatwhenamaniscutaboutawoman，——whichIsupposeisyourcasejustatpresent，——heneverdoesgetoverit。Henevergetsallrightafteratime，——doeshe？Suchaonehadbettergoandturnmonkatonce，astheworldisoverforhimaltogether——isn’tit？Mendon’trecoverafteramonthortwo，andgoonjustthesame。You’veneverseenthatkindofthingyourself？’
’I’mnotgoingtocutmythroatorturnmonkeither。’
’No。Therearesomanysteamboatsandrailwaysnowthattravellingseemseasier。SupposeyougoasfarasStPetersburg，andseeifthatdoesyouanygood。Ifitdon’t，youneedn’tgoon，becauseitwillbehopeless。Ifitdoes，——why，youcancomeback，becausethesecondjourneywilldotherest。’
’Thereneverwasanything，John，thatwasn’tamatterforchaffwithyou。’
’AndIhopethereneverwillbe。Peopleunderstanditwhenlogicwouldbethrownaway。Isupposethetruthisthegirlcaresforsomebodyelse。’Arthurnoddedhishead。’Whoisit？AnyoneI
know？’
’Ithinknot。’
’Anyoneyouknow？’
’Ihavemettheman。’
’Decent？’
’Disgustinglyindecent，Ishouldsay。’Johnlookedveryblack，forevenwithhimthefeelingabouttheWhartonsandtheVaughansandtheFletcherswasverystrong。’He’samanIshouldsayyouwouldn’tletintoLongbarns。’
’Theremightbevariousreasonsforthat。Itmightbethatyouwouldn’tcaretomeethim。’
’Well——no，——Idon’tsupposeIshould。Butwithoutthatyouwouldn’tlikehim。Idon’tthinkhe’sanEnglishman。’
’Aforeigner！’
’Hehasgotaforeignname。’
’AnItaliannobleman？’
’Idon’tthinkhe’snobleinanycountry。’
’Whothed-dishe？’
’Hisnameis——Lopez。’
’Everett’sfriend？’
’Yes，——Everett’sfriend。Iain’tverymuchobligedtoMasterEverettforwhathehasdone。’
’I’veseentheman。IndeedImaysayIknowhim，——forIdinedwithhimatManchesterSquare。OldWhartonhimselfmusthaveaskedhimthere。’
’HewasthereasEverett’sfriend。Ionlyheardallthisto-day，youknow，——thoughIhadheardaboutitbefore。’
’Andthereforeyouwantmetosetoutyourtravels。AsfarasI
sawIshouldsayhewasacleverfellow。’
’Idon’tdoubtthat。’
’Andagentleman。’
’Idon’tknowthatheisnot，’saidArthur。’I’venorighttosaywordagainsthim。FromwhatWhartonsaysIsupposehe’srich。’
’He’sgood-lookingtoo——atleasthe’sthesortofmanthatwomenliketolookat。’
’Justso。I’venocausetoquarrelwithhim，——norwithher。
But——’
’Yes，myfriend。Iseeitall，’saidtheelderbrother。’I
thinkIknowallaboutit。Butrunningawayisnotthething。
Onemaybeprettynearlysurethatoneisrightwhenonesaysthatamanshouldn’trunawayfromanything。’
’Thethingistobehappyifyoucan，’saidArthur。
’No——that’snotthething。I’mnotmuchofaphilosopher，butasfarasIcanseetherearetwophilosophiesintheworld。Theoneistomakeone’sselfhappy，andtheotheristomakeotherpeoplehappy。Thelatteranswersthebest。’
’Ican’taddtoherhappinessbyhangingaboutLondon。’
’That’saquibble。Itisn’therhappinesswearetalkingabout，——noryetyourhangingaboutLondon。Girdyourselfupandgoonwithwhatyou’vegottodo。Putyourworkbeforeyourfeelings。
Whatdoesapoormando，whogoesouthedgingandditchingwithadeadchildlyinginhishouse？Ifyougetablowintheface，returnitifitoughttobereturned，butnevercomplainofthepain。Ifyoumusthaveyourvitalseateninto，——havethemeatenintolikeaman。Butmindyou，——theseain’tyourvitals。’
’Itgoesprettynear。’
’Theseain’tyourvitals。Amangetscuredofit，——almostalways。Ibelievealways。thoughsomemengethitsohardtheycanneverbringthemselvestotryitagain。Buttellmethis。
HasoldWhartongivenhisconsent？’
’No。Hehasrefused，’saidArthurwithstrongemphasis。
’Howistobe，then？’
’Hehasdealtveryfairlybyme。Hehasdoneallhecouldtogetridoftheman，——bothwithhimandwithher。HehastoldEmilythathewillhavenothingtodowiththeman。Andshewilldonothingwithouthissanction。’
’Thenitwillremainasitis。’
’No，John。itwillnot。Hehasgoneontosaythatthoughhehasrefused，——andhasrefusedroughlyenough，——hemustgivewayifheseesthatshehasreallysetherheartuponhim。Andshehas。’
’Hasshetoldyouso？’
’No——buthehastoldme。Ishallhaveitoutwithherto-
morrow，ifIcan。AndthenIshallbeoff。’
’You’llbeherefortheshootingonthe1st？’
’No。Idaresayyou’rerightinwhatyousayaboutstickingtomywork。Itdoesseemunmanlytorunawaybecauseofagirl。’
’Becauseofanything！Stopandfaceit，whateveritis。’
’Justso——butIcan’tstopandfaceher。Itwoulddonogood。
ForalloursakesIshouldbebetteraway。IcangetshootingwithMusgraveandCarnegieinPerthshire。IdaresayIshallgothere，andtakeasharewiththem。’
’That’sbetterthangoingintoallquartersoftheglobe。’
’Ididn’tmeanthatIwastosurrenderandstartatonce。Youtakeafellowupsoshort。Ishalldoverywell，I’venodoubt，andshallbehuntinghereasjollyaseveratChristmas。Butafellowmustsayitalltosomebody。’Theelderbrotherputhishandoutandlaiditaffectionatelyupontheyoungerone’sarm。
’I’mnotgoingtowhimperabouttheworldlikeawhippeddog。
Theworstofitissomanypeoplehaveknownofthis。’
’Youmeandownhere。’
’Oh——everywhere。Ihavenevertoldthem。Ithasbeenakindoffamilyaffairandthoughttobefitforgeneraldiscussions。’
’That’llwearaway。’
’Inthemeantime，it’sabore。Butthatshallbetheendofit。
Don’tyousayanotherwordtomeaboutit，andIwon’ttoyou。
Andtellmothernotto，orSarah。’SarahwasJohnFletcher’swife。’Ithasgottobedropped，andletusdropitasquicklyaswecan。Ifshedoesmarrythisman，Idon’tsupposeshe’llbemuchatLongbarnsorWharton。’
’NotatLongbarnscertainly，Ishouldsay，’repliedJohn。’FancymotherhavingtocurtseytoherasMrsLopez！AndIdoubtwhetherSirAluredwouldlikehim。Heisn’tofoursort。He’stooclever，toocosmopolitan，——asortofmanwhitewashedofallprejudices，whowouldn’tmindwhetherheatehorsefleshorbeefifhorsefleshwereasgoodasbeef，andneverhadonanyoccasioninhislife。I’mnotsurethathe’snotonthesafestside。
Good-night，oldfellow。Pluckup，andsendusplentyofgrouseifyoudogotoScotland。’
JohnFletcher，asIhopemayhavebeenalreadyseen，wasbynomeansaweakmanoranindifferentbrother。Hewaswarm-hearted，sharp-witted，andthoughperhapsalittleself-opinionated，consideredthroughoutthecountytobeoneofthemostprudentinit。Indeednooneeverventuredtodoubthiswisdomonallpracticalmatters，——savehismother，whoseeinghimalmosteveryday，hadastrongerbiastowardsheryoungerson。’Arthurhasbeenhithardaboutthatgirl，’hesaidtohiswifethatnight。
’EmilyWharton？’
’Yes——yourcousinEmily。Don’tsayanythingtohim，butbeasgoodtohimasyouknowhow。’
’GoodtoArthur！AmInotalwaysgoodtohim？’
’Bealittlemorethanusuallytenderwithhim。Itmakesonealmostcrytoseesuchafellowhurtlikethat。Icanunderstandit，thoughIneverhadanythingofitmyself。’
’Youneverhad，John，’saidthewifeleaningcloseuponthehusband’sbreastasshespoke。’Itallcameveryeasilytoyou——
tooeasilyperhaps。’
’Ifanygirlhadrefusedme，Ishouldhavetakenheratherword。
Icantellyou。Therewouldhavebeennosecondhoptothatball。’
’ThenIsupposeIwasrighttocatchitthefirsttime？’
’Idon’tsayhowthatmaybe。’
’Iwasright。Oh，dearme！——SupposeIhaddoubted，justforonce，andyouhadgoneoff。Youshouldhavetriedoncemore，——
wouldn’tyou？’
’You’dhavegoneaboutitlikeabroken-wingedoldhen，andhavesoftenedmeinthatway。’
’AndnowArthurhashadhiswingbroken。’
’Youmustn’tletontoknowit’sbroken，andthewingwillbehealedinduetime。Butwhatfoolsgirlsare！’
’Indeedtheyare，John，——particularlyme。’
’FancyagirllikeEmilyWharton，’saidhe，notcondescendingtonoticeherlittlejoke，’throwingherselfoverafellowlikeArthurforagreasy，blackforeigner。’
’Aforeigner！’
’Yes，——amannamedLopez。Don’tsayanythingaboutitatpresent。Won’tshelivetofindoutthedifference，andtoknowwhatshehasdone！Icantellherofonewhowon’tpityher。’
CHAPTER17
GOOD-BYE。
ArthurFletcherreceivedhisbrother’steachingastrue，andtookhisbrother’sadviceingoodpart，——sothat，beforethemorningfollowing，hehadresolvedthathoweverthedeepthewoundmightbe，hewouldsolivebeforetheworld，thattheworldshouldnotseehiswound。Whatpeoplealreadyknewtheymustknow，——buttheyshouldlearnnothingfurthereitherbywordsorbysignsfromhim。Hewould，ashehadsaidtohisbrother，’haveitoutwithEmily’。andthen，ifshetoldhimplainlythatshelovedtheman，hewouldbidheradieu，simplyexpressingregretthattheircourseforlifeshouldbedivided。Hewasconfidentthatshewouldtellhimtheentiretruth。Shewouldberestrainedneitherbyfalsemodesty，norbyanyassumedunwillingnesstodiscussherownaffairswithafriendsotruetoherashehadbeen。Heknewherwellenoughtobesurethatsherecognizedthevalueofhislovethoughshecouldnotbringherselftoacceptit。Therearerejectedloverswho，merelybecausetheyarelovers，becomesubjecttothescornandeventhedisgustofthegirlstheylove。
Butagaintherearemenwho，evenwhentheyarerejected，arealmostloved，whoareconsideredtobeworthyofthereverence，almostofworship——andyettheworshipperswillnotlovethem。
Notanalysingallthis，butsomewhatconsciousofthelightinwhichthisgirlregardedhim，heknewthatwhathemightsaywouldbetreatedwithdeference。Astoshakingher，——astotalkingheroutofonepurposeandintoanother，——thattohimdidnotforamomentseemtobepracticable。Therewasnohopeofthat。HehardlyknewwhyheshouldendeavourtosayawordtoherbeforeheleftWharton。Andyethefeltthatitmustbesaid。Werehetoallowhertobemarriedtothisman，withoutanyfurtherpreviouswordbetweenthem，itwouldappearthathehadresolvedtoquarrelwithherforever。Butnow，atthisverymomentoftime，ashelayinhisbed，ashedressedhimselfinthemorning，ashesaunteredaboutamongthenewhay-stackswithhispipeinhismouthafterbreakfast，hecametosomeconclusioninhismindverymuchaversetosuchquarrelling。
Hehadlovedherwithallhisheart。Ithadnotbeenmeredrawing-roomlovebegottenbetweenacoupleofwaltzes，andfosteredbyfiveminutesinacrush。Heknewhimselftobeamanoftheworld，andhedidnotwishtobeotherthanhewas。Hecouldtalkamongmenasmentalked，andactasmenacted——andhecoulddothesamewithwomen。Buttherewasonepersonwhohadbeentohimaboveall，androundeverything，andundereverything。Therehadbeenaprivatenookwithinhimintowhichtherehadbeennoentrancebutforoneimage。Therehadbeenaholyofholies，whichhehadguardedwithinhimself，keepingitfreefromalloutercontaminationforhisownuse。Hehadcherishedtheideaofaclearfountainofever-runningwaterwhichwouldatlastbehis，alwaysreadyforthecomfortofhisownlips。Nowallhishopewasshattered，histrustwasgone，andhislongingdisappointed。Butthepersonwasthesameperson，thoughshecouldnotbehis。Thenookwasthere，thoughshewouldnotfillit。Theholyofholieswasnotlessholy，thoughhehimselfmightnotdaretoliftthecurtain。Thefountainwouldstillrun，——stilltheclearestfountainofall，——
thoughhemightnotputhislipstoit。Hewouldneverallowhimselftothinkofitwithlessenedreverence，orwithchangedideasastohernature。
Andthen，ashestoodleaningagainstaladderwhichstillkeptitsplaceagainstoneofthehay-stacks，andfilledhissecondpipeunconsciously，hehadtorealizetohimselftheprobableconditionofhisfuturelife。Ofcourseshewouldmarrythismanwithverylittlefurtherdelay。Herfatherhadalreadydeclaredhimselftobetooweaktointerferemuchlongerwithherwishes。
OfcourseMrWhartonwouldgiveway。Andthen，——whatsortoflifewouldbeherlife？Nooneknewanythingabouttheman。
Therewasanideathathewasrich，——butwealthsuchashis，wealththatissubjecttospeculation，willflyawayatamoment’snotice。Hemightbecruel，amereadventurer，orathoroughruffianforallthatwasknownofhim。Thereshould，thoughtArthurFletchertohimself，bemorestabilityinthegivingandtakingofwivesthancouldbereckoneduponhere。Hebecameoldinthathalf-hour，takinghometohimselfandappreciatingmanysawsofwisdomandfinger-directionexperiencewhichhithertohadbeentohimmattersalmostofridicule。Buthecouldonlycometothisconclusion，——thatasshewasstilltobetohimhisholyofholiesthoughhemightnotlayhishanduponthealtar，hisfountainthoughhemightnotdrinkofit，theoneimagewhichalonecouldhavefilledthatnook，hewouldnotceasetoregardherhappinesswhensheshouldhavebecomethewifeofthisstranger。Withthestrangerhimselfhenevercouldbeonfriendlyterms——butforthestranger’swifethereshouldalwaysbeafriend，ifthefriendwereneeded。
AboutanhourbeforelunchJohnFletcher，whohadbeenhangingaboutthehouseallthemorninginamannerveryunusualtohim，caughtEmilyWhartonasshewaspassingthroughthehall，andtoldherthatArthurFletcherwasinacertainpartofthegroundsandwishedtospeaktoher。’Alone？’sheasked。’Yes，certainlyalone。’’OughtItogotohim，John？’sheaskedagain。
’CertainlyIthinkyouought。’Thenhehaddonehiscommissionandwasabletoapplyhimselftowhateverbusinesshehadinhand。
Emilyatonceputonherhat，tookherparasol，andleftthehouse。Therewassomethingdistastefultoherintheideaofthisgoingoutatlover’sbidding，tomeethim。butlikeallWhartonsandallFletchers，shetrustedJohnFletcher。Andthenshewasawarethattherewerecircumstanceswhichmightmakeameetingsuchasthisserviceable。Sheknewnothingofwhathadtakenplaceduringthelastfour-and-twentyhours。Shehadnoideathatinconsequenceofwordsspokentohimbyherfatherandhisbrother，ArthurFletcherwasabouttoabandonhissuit。
Therewouldhavebeennodoubtabouthergoingtomeethimhadshethoughtofit。Shesupposedthatshewouldhavetohearagaintheoldstory。Ifso，shewouldhearit，andwouldthenhaveanopportunityoftellinghimthatherhearthadbeengivenentirelytoanother。Sheknewallthatsheowedtohim。Afterafashionshedidlovehim。Hewasentitledtothekindestconsiderationfromherhands。Butheshouldbetoldthetruth。
Assheenteredtheshrubberyhecameouttomeether，givingherhishandwithafrank，easyairandpleasantsmile。Hissmilewasasbrightastherippleofthesea，andhiseyewouldthengleam，andtheslightestsparkleofwhiteteethwouldbeseenbetweenhislips，andthedimpleofhischinwouldshowitselfdeeperthanatothertimes。’Itisverygoodofyou。Ithoughtyou’dcome。Johnaskedyou，Isuppose。’
’Yes——hetoldmeyouwerehere，andhesaidIoughttocome。’
’Idon’tknowaboutought，butIthinkitbetter。Willyoumindwalkingon，asI’vesomethingthatIwanttosay？’Thenheturnedandsheturnedwithhimintothelittlewood。’I’mnotgoingtobotheryouanymoremydarling，’hesaid。’Youarestillmydarling，thoughIwillnotcallyousoafterthis。’Herheartsankalmostinherbosomassheheardthis，——thoughitwasexactlywhatshewouldhavewishedtohear。Butnowtheremustbesomecloseunderstandingbetweenthemandsometenderness。
Sheknewhowmuchshehadowedhim，howgoodhehadbeentoher，howtruehadbeenhislove。andshefeltthatwordswouldfailhertosaythatwhichoughttobesaid。’Soyouhavegivenyourselfto——oneFerdinandLopez！’
’Yes，’shesaid，inahard，dryvoice。’Yes，Ihave。Idonotknowwhotoldyou。butIhave。’
’Yourfathertoldme。Itwasbetter，——wasitnot？——thatI
shouldknow。YouarenotsorrythatIshouldknow？’
’Itisbetter。’
’Iamnotgoingtosayawordagainsthim。’
’No——donotdothat。’
’Noragainstyou。Iamsimplyherenowtoletyouknowthat——I
retire。’
’Youwillnotquarrelwithme，Arthur？’
’Quarrelwithyou！Icouldnotquarrelwithyou，ifIwould。
No——thereshallbenoquarrel。ButIdonotsupposeweshallseeeachotherveryoften。’
’Ihopewemay。’
’Sometimes，perhaps。Amanshouldnot，Ithink，affecttobefriendswithasuccessfulrival。Idaresayheisanexcellentfellow。buthowisitpossiblethatheandIshouldgetontogether？Butyouwillalwayshaveone，——onebesidehim，——whowillloveyoubestinthisworld。’
’No——no——no。’
’Itmustbeso。Therewillbenothingwronginthat。Everyonehassomedearestfriend，andyouwillalwaysbemine。Ifanythingofevilshouldeverhappentoyou，——whichofcoursetherewon’t，——therewouldalwaysbesomeonewhowould。ButI
don’twanttotalkbuncombe。Ionlywantyoutobelieveme。
Good-bye，andGodblessyou。’Thenheputouthisrighthand，holdinghishatunderhisleftarm。
’Youarenotgoingaway？’
’To-morrowperhaps。ButIwillsaymyrealgood-byetoyouhere，nowto-day。Ihopeyoumaybehappy。Ihopewithallmyheart。
Good-bye。Godblessyou！’
’Oh，Arthur！’Thensheputherhandinhis。
’Oh，Ihavelovedyousodearly。Ithasbeenwithmywholeheart。Youhaveneverquiteunderstoodme，butithasbeenastrueasheaven。IhavethoughtsometimesthathadIbeenalittlelessearnestaboutit，Ishouldhavebeenalittlelessstupid。Amanshouldn’tletitgetthebetterofhim，asIhavedone。Saygood-byetome，Emily。’
’Good-bye，’shesaid，stillleavingherhandinhis。