’Isupposethat’saboutall。Don’tletthemquarrelwithyouhereifyoucanhelpit。OfcourseatLongbarnstheywon’tlikeitforatime。Oh，——ifitcouldhavebeendifferent！’Thenhedroppedherhand，andturninghisbackquicklyuponher，wentawayalongthepath。
Shehadexpectedandhadalmostwishedthatheshouldkissher。
Agirl’scheekisneversoholytoherselfasitistoherlover，——ifhedoloveher。Therewouldhavebeensomethingofreconciliation，somethingofapromiseoffuturekindnessinakiss，whichevenFerdinandwouldnothavegrudged。Itwould，forher，haverobbedthepartingofthatbitternessofpainwhichhiswordshadgiventoit。Astoallthathehadmadenocalculation。butthebitternesswasthereforhim，andhecouldhavedonenothingthatwouldhaveexpelledit。
Sheweptbitterlyasshereturnedtothehouse。Theremighthavebeencauseforjoy。Itwasclearenoughthatherfather，thoughhehadshownnosignofyielding，wasneverthelesspreparedtoyield。ItwasherfatherwhohadcausedArthurFletchertotakehimselfoff，asaloverreallydismissed。But，atthismoment，shecouldnotbringherselftolookatthataspectoftheaffair。
HermindwouldreverttoallthosechoicestmomentsinherearlyyearsinwhichshehadbeenhappywithArthurFletcher，inwhichshehadfirstlearnedtolovehim，andhadthentaughtherselftounderstandbysomeconfusedandperplexedlessonthatshedidnotlovehimasmenandwomenlove。Butwhyshouldshenotsohavelovedhim？Wouldshenothavedonesocouldshethenhaveunderstoodhowtrueandfirmhewas？Andthen，independentlyofherself，throwingherselfasideforthetimeasshewasboundtodowhenthinkingofonesogoodtoherasArthurFletcher，shefoundthatnopersonaljoycoulddrownthegriefwhichshesharedwithhim。Foramomenttheideaofacomparisonbetweenthemenforceditselfuponher，——butshedroveitfromherasshehurriedbackintothehouse。
CHAPTER18
THEDUKEOFOMNIUMTHINKSOFHIMSELF。
TheblazemadebytheDuchessofOmniumduringthethreemonthsoftheseasonupinLondonhadbeenverygreat，butitwaslittleincomparisonwiththesocialincursionexpectedtobeachievedatGatherumCastle，——littleatleastasfaraspublicreportwent，andthegeneralopinionoftheday。NodoubtthehouseinCarltonGardenshadbeenthrownopenasthehouseofnoPrimeMinister，perhapsofnoduke，hadbeenopenedbeforeinthiscountry。butithadbeendonebydegrees，andhadnotbeenaccomplishedbysuchablowingoftrumpetsaswassoundedwithreferencetotheentertainmentsatGatherum。IwouldnothaveitsupposedthatthetrumpetswereblownbythedirectorderoftheDuchess。Thetrumpetswereblownbythecustomarytrumpetersasitbecameknownthatgreatthingsweretobedone，——allnewspapersandverymanytongueslendingtheirassistance，tillthesoundsoftheinstrumentsalmostfrightenedtheDuchessherself。’Isn’titodd，’shesaidtoherfriendMrsFinn，’thatonecan’thaveafewfriendsdowninthecountrywithoutsuchafussabutitasthepeoplearemaking？’MrsFinndidnotthinkitwasodd，andsoshesaid。Thousandsofpoundswerebeingspentinaveryconspicuousway。Invitationstotheplaceevenforacoupleofdays，——fortwenty-fourhours，——hadbeenbeggedforabjectly。ItwasunderstoodeverywherethatthePrimeMinisterwasbiddingforgreatnessandpopularity。Ofcoursethetrumpetswereblownveryloudly。’Ifpeopledon’ttakecare，’
saidtheDuchess，’I’llputeverybodyoffandhavethewholeplaceshutup。I’ddoitforsixpencenow。’
Perhapsofallthepersons，muchorlittleconcerned，theonewhoheardtheleastofthetrumpets，——orratherwhowasthelasttohearthem，——wastheDukehimself。Hecouldnotfailtoseesomethinginthenewspapers，butwhathedidseedidnotattracthimsofrequentlyorsostronglyasdidtheothers。Itwasapity，hethought，thataman’ssocialandprivatelifeshouldbesubjecttosomanyremarks，butthismisfortunewasoneofthosetowhichwealthandrankareliable。Hehadlongrecognizedthatfact，andforatimeendeavouredtobelievethathisintendedsojournatGatherumCastlewasnotmorepublicthanaretheautumndoingsofotherdukesandotherprimeministers。Butgraduallythetrumpetsdidreachevenhisears。Blindashewastomanythingshimself，healwayshadneartohimthatotherdukewhowasneverblindtoanything。’YouaregoingtodogreatthingsatGatherumthisyear，’saidtheDuke。
’Nothingparticular，Ihope，’saidthePrimeMinister，withaninwardtrepidation，——forgraduallytherehadcreptuponhimafearthathiswifewasmakingamistake。
’Ithoughtitwasgoingtobeveryparticular。’
’It’sGlencora’sdoing。’
’Idon’tdoubtbutthatherGraceisright。Don’tsupposethatI
amcriticizingyourhospitality。WearetobeatGatherumourselvesabouttheendofthemonth。ItwillbethefirsttimeIshallhaveseentheplacesinceyouruncle’stime。’
ThePrimeMinisteratthismomentwassittinginhisownparticularroomattheTreasuryChambers，andbeforetheentranceofhisfriendhadbeenconscientiouslyendeavouringtodefineforhimselfnotafuturepolicy，butthepastpolicyofthelastmonthortwo。Ithadnotbeenforhimaveryhappyoccupation。
HehadbecometheHeadofGovernment，——andhadnotfailed，fortherehewas，stilltheHeadofGovernment，withamajorityathisback，andthesixmonths’vacationbeforehim。Theywhowereentitledtospeaktohimconfidentiallyastohisposition，werealmostvehementindeclaringhissuccess。MrRattler，aboutaweekago，hadnotseenanyreasonwhytheMinistryshouldnotendureatleastforthenextfouryears。MrRoby，fromtheotherside，wasequallyconfident。But，onlookingbackatwhathehaddone，andindeedonlookingforwardintohisfutureintentions，hecouldnotseewhyhe，ofallmen，shouldbePrimeMinister。
HehadoncebeenChancelloroftheExchequer，fillingthatofficethroughtwohalcyonsessions，andhehadknownthereasonwhyhehadheldit。Hehadventuredtoassurehimselfatthetimethathewasthebestmanwhomhispartycouldthenhavefoundforthatoffice，andhehadbeensatisfied。Buthehadnoneofthatsatisfactionnow。Thereweremenunderhimwhowerereallyatwork。TheLordChancellorhadlegalreformsonfoot。MrMonkwasbusy，heartandsoul，inregardtoincometaxesandbrewers’
licences，——makingourpoorPrimeMinister’smouthwater。LordDrummondwasactiveamongthecolonies。PhineasFinnhadatanyratehisideasaboutIreland。ButwiththePrimeMinister，——soatleasttheDuketoldhimself，——itwasallablank。ThepolicyconfidedtohimandexpectedathishandswasthatofkeepingtogetheraCoalitionMinistry。Thatwasataskthatdidnotsatisfyhim。Andnow，gradually，——veryslowlyindeedatfirst，butstillwithasurestep，——therewascreepinguponhimtheideathatthispowerofcohesionwassoughtfor，andperhapsfoundnotinhispoliticalcapacity，butinhisrankandwealth。
Itmightinfact，bethecasethatitwashiswifetheDuchess——
thatLadyGlencoraofwhosewildimpulsesandgeneralimpracticabilityhehadalwaysbeenindread，——thatshewithherdinnerpartiesandreceptions，withhercrowdedsaloons，hermusic，herpicnics，andsocialtemptations，wasPrimeMinisterratherthanhehimself。Itmightbethatthishadbeenunderstoodbythecoalescedparties，——byeverybody，infact，excepthimself。Ithad，perhaps，beenfoundthatinthestateofthingsthenexisting，aministrycouldbekepttogether，notbyparliamentarycapacity，butbysocialarrangements，suchashisDuchess，andhisDuchessalone，couldcarryout。Sheandsheonlywouldhavethespiritandthemoneyandthesortofclevernessrequired。Insuchastateofthingsheofcourse，asherhusband，mustbethenominalPrimeMinister。
Therewasnoangerinhisbosomashethoughtofthis。Itwouldbehardlyjusttosaythattherewasjealousy。Hisnaturewasessentiallyfreefromjealousy。Buttherewasshame，——andself-
accusationathavingacceptedsogreatanofficewithsolittlefixedpurposeastogreatwork。Itmightbehisdutytosubordinateevenhispridetotheserviceofhiscountry，andtoconsenttobeafaineantminister，agildedTreasurelog，becausebyremaininginthatpositionhewouldenabletheGovernmenttobecarriedon。Buthowbasetheposition，howmean，howrepugnanttothatgrandideaofpublicworkwhichhadhithertobeenthemotivepowerofallhislife！Howwouldhecontinuetoliveifthisthingweretogoonfromyeartoyear，——hepretendingtogovernwhileothersgoverned，——takingthehighestplaceatalltables，receivingmockreverence，andknowntoallmenasfaineantFirstLordoftheTreasury？Now，ashehadbeenthinkingofallthis，themosttrustedofhisfriendshadcometohim，andhadatoncealludedtotheverycircumstanceswhichhadbeenpressingsoheavilyonhismind。’Iwasdelighted，’
continuedtheelderDuke，’whenIheardthatyouhaddeterminedtogotoGatherumthisyear。’
’IfamanhasabighouseIsupposeheoughttoliveinit，sometimes。’
’Certainly。Itwasforsuchpurposesasthisnowintendedthatyourunclebuiltit。Heneverbecameapublicman，andtherefore，thoughhewentthere，everyyearIbelieve，heneverreallyusedit。’
’Hehatedit，——inhisheart。AndsodoI。AndsodoesGlencora。Idon’tseewhyanymanshouldhavehisprivatelifeinterruptedbybeingmadetokeepahugecaravansaryopenforpersonshedoesn’tcareastrawabout。’
’Youwouldnotliketolivealone。’
’Alone，——withmywifeandchildren，——Iwouldcertainly，duringaportionoftheyearatleast。’
’Idoubtwhethersuchalife，evenforamonth，evenforaweek，iscompatiblewithyourduties。Youwouldhardlyfinditpossible。Couldyoudowithoutyourprivatesecretaries？Wouldyouknowenoughofwhatisgoingon，ifyoudidnotdiscussmatterswithothers？Amancannotbebothprivateandpublicatthesametime。’
’Andthereforeonehastobechoppedup，likeareedoutoftheriver，asthepoetsaid，andyetnotgivesweetmusicafterwards。’TheDukeofStBungaysaidnothinginanswertothis，ashedidnotunderstandthechoppingofthereed。’I’mafraidI’vebeenwrongaboutthiscollectionofpeopledownatGatherum，’continuedtheyoungerDuke。’Glencoraisimpulsive，andhasoverdonethething。Justlookatthat。’Andhehandedalettertohisfriend。TheoldDukeputonhisspectaclesandreadtheletterthrough，——whichranasfollows。
PrivateMYLORDDUKE，IdonotdoubtbutthatyourGraceisawareofmypositioninregardtothepublicpressofthecountry，andIbegtoassureyourGracethatmypresentpropositionismade，notonaccountofthegreathonourandpleasurewhichwouldbeconferreduponmyselfshouldyourGraceaccedetoit，butbecauseIfeelassuredthatImightsobebestenabledtodischargeanimportantdutyforthebenefitofthepublicgenerally。
YourGraceisabouttoreceivethewholefashionableworldofEnglandandmanydistinguishedforeignambassadorsatyourancestralhalls，notsolelyforsocialdelight，——foramaninyourGrace’shighpositionisnotabletothinkonlyofapleasantlife，——inorderthattheprestigeofyourcombinedMinistrymaybesobestmaintained。ThatyourGraceistherebydoingadutytoyourcountrynomanwhounderstandsthecountrycandoubt。Butitmustbethecasethatthecountryatlargeshouldinterestitselfinyourfestivities，andshoulddemandtohaveaccountsofthegaladoingsofyourducalpalace。YourGracewillprobablyagreewithmethattheserecordscouldbebettergivenbyoneempoweredbyyourselftogivethem，byonewhohadlesspresent，andwhowouldwriteinyourGrace’sinterest，thanbysomeinterloperwhowouldreceivehistaleonlyatsecondhand。
ItismypurportnowtoinformyourGracethatshouldI
behonouredbyaninvitationtoyourGrace’spartyatGatherum，Ishouldobeysuchacallwiththegreatestalacrity，andwoulddevotemypenandthepublicorganwhichisatmydisposaltoyourGrace’sservicewiththereadiestgood-will。
Ihavethehonourtobe，MyLordDuke，YourGrace’sobedientandveryhumbleservantQUINTUSSLIDE
TheoldDuke，whenhehadreadtheletter，laughedheartily。
’Isn’tthataterriblybadsignofthetimes？’saidtheyounger。
’Well——hardlythat，Ithink。Themanisbothafoolandablackguard。butIdon’tthinkwearethereforetosupposethattherearemanyfoolsandblackguardslikehim。Iwonderwhathereallyhaswanted。’
’HehaswantedmetoaskhimtoGatherum。’
’Hecanhardlyhaveexpectedthat。Idon’tthinkhecanhavebeensuchafool。Hemayhavethoughtthattherewasapossibleoffchance，andthathewouldnotloseeventhatforwantofasking。Ofcourseyouwon’thavenoticedit。’
’IhaveaskedWarburtontowritetohim，sayingthathecannotbereceivedatmyhouse。Ihavealllettersansweredunlesstheyseemtohavecomefrominsanepersons。Woulditnotshockyouifyourprivatearrangementswereinvadedinthatway？’
’Hecan’tinvadeyou。’
’Yeshecan。Hedoes。Thatisaninvasion。Andwhetherheisthereornot，hecanandwillwriteaboutmyhouse。Andthoughnooneelsewillmakehimselfsuchafoolashehasdonebythisletter，neverthelesseventhatisasignofwhatothersaredoing。Youyourselfweresayingjustnowthatweweregoingtodosomething，——somethingparticular，yousaid。’
’Itwasyourword，andIechoedit。Isupposeyouaregoingtohaveagreatmanypeople？’
’IamafraidGlencorahasoverdoneit。Idon’tknowwhyIshouldtroubleyoubysayingso，butitmakesmeuneasy。’
’Ican’tseewhy。’
’Ifearshehasgotsomeideaintoherheadofastoundingtheworldbydisplay。’
’Ithinkshehasgotanideaofconqueringtheworldbygraciousnessandhospitality。’
’Itisasbad。Itis，indeed，thesamething。Whyshouldshewanttoconquerwhatwecalltheworld？Sheoughttowanttoentertainmyfriends，becausetheyaremyfriends。andiffrommypublicpositionIhavemoreso-calledfriendsthanwouldtroublemeinahappierconditionofprivatelife，why，then，shemustentertainmorepeople，asyoucallit，byfeedingthem，istomeabominable。Ifitgoesonitwilldrivememad。Ishallhavetogiveupeverything，becauseIcannotbeartheburden。’
Thishesaidwithmoreexcitement，withstrongerpassion，thanhisfriendhadeverseeninhimbefore。somuchsothattheoldDukewasfrightened。’IoughtnevertohavebeenwhereIam，’
saidthePrimeMinister，gettingupfromhischairandwalkingabouttheroom。
’Allowmetoassureyouthatinthatyouaredecidedlymistaken，’
saidhisGraceofStBungay。
’Icannotmakeevenyouseetheinsideofmyheartinsuchamatterasthis，’saidhisGraceofOmnium。
’IthinkIdo。ItmaybethatinsayingsoIclaimformyselfgreaterpowerthanIpossess，butIthinkIdo。Butletyourheartsaywhatitmayonthesubject。Iamsureofthis，——thatwhentheSovereign，bytheadviceoftwooutgoingMinisters，andwiththeunequivocallyexpressedassentoftheHouseofCommons，callsonamantoserveherandthecountry，thatmancannotbejustifiedinrefusing，merelybydoubtsabouthisownfitness。
Ifyourhealthisfailingyou，youmayknowit，andsayso。Oritmaybethatyourhonour，——yourfaithinothers，——shouldforbidyoutoaccepttheposition。Butofyourowngeneralfitnessyoumusttaketheverdictgivenbysuchgeneralconsent。
Theyhaveseenclearerthanyouhavedonewhatisrequired，andknowbetterthanyoucanknowthatwhichiswantedistobesecured。’
’IfIamtobehereanddonothing，amItoremain？’
’AmancannotkeeptogethertheGovernmentofacountryanddonothing。DonottroubleyourselfaboutthiscrowdatGatherum。
TheDuchess，easily，almostwithoutexertion，willdothatwhichtoyou，ortomeeither，wouldbeimpossible。Letherhaveherway，andtakenonoticeoftheQuintusSlides。’ThePrimeMinistersmiled，asthoughthisrepeatedallusiontoMrSlide’sletterhadbroughtbackhisgoodhumour，andsaidnothingfurtherthenastohisdifficulties。TherewereafewwordstobespokenastosomefutureCabinetmeeting，somethingperhapstobesettledastosomeman’sworkorposition，ahinttobegiven，andalessontobelearned，——foroftheseinnerCabinetCouncilsbetweenthesetwostatesmentherewasfrequentuse。andthentheDukeofStBungaytookhisleave。
OurDuke，assoonashisfriendhadlefthim，rangforhisprivatesecretary，andwenttoworkdiligently，asthoughnothinghaddisturbedhim。Idonotknowthathislaboursonthatoccasionwereofaveryhighorder。Unlesstherebesomespecialeffortoflaw-makingbeforethecountry，somereformbilltobepassed，someattemptateducationtobemade，somefetterstobeforgedortoberelaxed，aPrimeMinisterisnotdrivenhardbytheworkofhisportfolio，——asarehiscolleagues。Butmanymenwereinwantofmanythings，andcontrivedbymanymeanstomaketheirwantsknowntothePrimeMinister。Adeanwouldfaintobeabishop，orajudgeachiefjustice，oracommissionerachairman，orasecretaryacommissioner。Knightswouldfainbebaronets，baronetsbarons，andbaronsearls。Inoneguiseoranotherthewantsofgentlemenweremadeknown，andtherewasworktobedone。Aribboncannotbegivenawaywithoutbreakingtheheartsof，perhaps，threegentlemenandoftheirwivesanddaughters。AndthenhewentdowntotheHouseofLords，——forthelasttimethisSessionasfarasworkwasconcerned。Onthemorrowlegislativeworkwouldbeover，andthegentlemenofParliamentwouldbesenttotheircountryhouses，andtotheirpleasantcountryjoys。
IthadbeenarrangedthatonthedayaftertheprorogationofParliamenttheDuchessofOmniumshouldgodowntoGatherumtoprepareforthecomingofthepeople，whichwastocommenceaboutthreedayslater，takingherministers，MrsFinnandLocock，withher，andthatherhusbandwithhisprivatesecretariesanddispatchboxeswastogoforthosethreedaystoMatching，asmallerplacethanGatherum，butonetowhichtheyweremuchbetteraccustomed。If，astheDuchessthoughttobenotunlikely，theDukeshouldprolonghisstayforafewdaysatMatching，shefeltconfidentthatshewouldbeabletobeartheburdenoftheCastleonherownshoulders。ShehadthoughtittobeveryprobablethathewouldprolonghisstayatMatching，andiftheabsencewerenottoolong，thismightbewellexplainedtotheassembledcompany。IntheDuchess’sestimationaPrimeMinisterwouldlosenothingbypleadingthenatureofhisbusinessasanexcuseforsuchabsence，——orbyhavingsuchapleamadeforhim。Ofcoursehemustappearatlast。Butastothatshehadnofear。Histimidity，andhisconsciencealso，wouldbothbetoopotenttoallowhimtoshirkthenuisanceofGatherumaltogether。Hewouldcome，shewassure。butshedidnotmuchcarehowlonghedeferredhiscoming。Shewas，therefore，notalittlesurprisedwhenheannouncedtoheranalterationinhisplans。ThishedidnotmanyhoursaftertheDukeofStBungayhadlefthimattheTreasuryChambers。’I
thinkIshallgodownwithyouatoncetoGatherum，’hesaid。
’Whatisthemeaningofthat？’TheDuchesswasnotskilledinhidingherfeelings，atanyratefromhim，anddeclaredtohimatoncebyhervoiceandeyethattheproposedchangewasnotgratifyingtoher。
’Itwillbebetter。IhadthoughtthatIwouldgetaquietdayortwoatMatching。Butasthethinghastobedone，itmayaswellbedoneatfirst。Amanoughttoreceivehisownguests。I
can’tsaythatIlookforwardtoanygreatpleasureindoingsoonthisoccasion——butIshalldoit。’Itwasveryeasytounderstandalsothetoneofhisvoice。Therewasinitsomethingofoffendeddignity，somethingoffuturemaritaltensions，——
somethingalsooftheweaknessofdistress。
ShedidnotwanthimtocomeatoncetoGatherum。Agreatdealofmoneywasbeingspent，andtheabsolutespendingwasnotyetquiteperfected。Theremightstillbepossibilityofinterference。Thetentswerenotallpitched。Thelampswerenotasyetallhungintheconservatories。Waggonswouldstillbecominginandworkmenstillbegoingout。Hewouldthinklessofwhathadbeendoneifhecouldbekeptfromseeingitwhileitwasbeingdone。Andthegreatercrowdwhichwouldbegatheredtherebytheendofthefirstweekwouldcarryoffthevastnessofthepreparations。Astomoney，hehadgivenheralmostcarteblanche，havingatonevacillatoryperiodofhisPrimeMinistershipbeentalkedbyherintosomeagreementwithherownplans。Andinregardtomoneyhewouldsaytohimselfthatheoughtnottointerferewithanywhimofhersonthatscore，unlesshethoughtitrighttocrushthewhimonsomeotherscore。
Halfwhathepossessedhadbeenhers，andevenifduringthisyearheweretospendmorethanhisincome，——ifheweretodoubleoreventrebletheexpenditureofpastyears，——hecouldnotconsumetheadditionstohiswealthwhichhadaccruedandheapedthemselvessincehismarriage。Hehadthereforewrittenalinetohisbanker，andalinetohislawyer，andhehadhimselfseenLocock，andhiswife’shandshadbeenloosened。’Ididn’tthink，yourGrace，’saidLocock，’thathisGracewouldbesovery，——very，——very——’’Verywhat，Locock？’’Soveryfree，yourGrace。’TheDuchess，ashethoughtofit，declaredtoherselfthatherhusbandwasthetruestnoblemaninallEngland。Sherevered，admired，andalmostlovedhim。Sheknewhimtobeinfinitelybetterthanherself。Butshecouldhardlysympathizewithhim，andwasquitesurethathedidnotsympathizewithher。
Hewassogoodaboutthemoney！Butyetitwasnecessarythatheshouldbekeptinthedarkasthespendingofagooddealofit。
NowhewasgoingtoupsetaportionofherplansbycomingtoGatherumbeforehewaswanted。Sheknewhimtobeobstinate。butitmightbepossibletoturnhimbacktohisoldpurposebyclevermanipulation。
’Ofcourseitwouldbemuchnicerforme，’shesaid。
’Thatalonewouldbesufficient。’
’Thanks，dear。ButwehadarrangedforpeopletocomeatfirstwhomIthoughtyouwouldnotspeciallycaretomeet。SirOrlandoandMrRattlerwillbetherewiththeirwives。’
’IhavebecomequiteusedtoSirOrlandoandMrRattler。’
’Nodoubt，andthereforeIwantedtospareyousomethingoftheircompany。TheDuke，whomyoureallydolike，isn’tcomingyet。I
thought，too，youwouldhaveyourworktofinishoff。’
’Ifearitisofakindthatwon’tbearfinishingoff。However，Ihavemadeupmymind，andhavealreadytoldLococktosendwordtothepeopleatMatchingtosayIshallnotbethereyet。HowlongwillallthislastatGatherum？’
’Whocansay？’
’Ishouldhavethoughtyoucould。Peoplearenotcoming，I
suppose，foranindefinitetime。’
’Asonesetleaves，oneasksothers。’
’Haven’tyouaskedenoughasyet？Ishouldliketoknowwhenwemayexpecttogetawayfromtheplace。’
’Youneedn’tstaytotheend，youknow。’
’Butyoumust。’
’Certainly。’
’AndIshouldwishyoutogowithmewhenwedogotoMatching。’
’Oh，Plantagenet，’saidthewife，’whataDarbyandJoankindofthingyouliketohaveit！’
’YesIdo。TheDarbyandJoankindofthingiswhatIlike。’
’OnlyDarbyistobeinanofficeallday，andinParliamentallnight，——andJoanistostayathome。’
’Wouldyouwishmenottobeinanoffice，andnottobeinParliament？Butdon’tletusmisunderstandeachother。Youaredoingthebestyoucantofurtherwhatyouthinkaremyinterests。’
’Iam，’saidtheDuchess。
’Iloveyouthebetterforit，daybyday。’Thissosurprisedherthat，asshetookhimbythearm，hereyeswerefilledwithtears。’IknowthatyouareworkingformequiteashardasI
workmyself，andthatyouaredoingsowiththepureambitionofseeingyourhusbandagreatman。’
’Andmyselfasagreatman’swife。’
’Itisthesamething。ButIwouldnothaveyouoverdoyourwork。Iwouldnothaveyoumakeyourselfconspicuousbyanythinglikedisplay。Thereareill-naturedpeoplewhowillsaythingsthatyoudonotexpect，andtowhichIshouldbemoresensitivethanIoughttobe。Sparemesuchpainasthisifyoucan。’Hestillheldherhandashespoke，andsheansweredhimonlybynoddingherhead。’IwillgodownwithyoutoGatherumonFriday。’Thenhelefther。
CHAPTER19
VULGARITY。
TheDukeandDuchesswiththeirchildrenandpersonalservantsreachedGatherumCastlethedaybeforethefirstcrowdofvisitorswasexpected。Itwasonalovelyautumnafternoon，andtheDuke，whohadendeavouredtomakehimselfpleasantduringthejourney，hadsuggestedthatassoonastheheatwouldallowthemtheywouldsaunteraroundthegroundsandseewhatwasbeingdone。Theycoulddinelate，athalf-pasteightornine，sothattheymightbewalkingfromseventoeight。ButtheDuchesswhenshereachedtheCastledeclinedtofallinwiththisarrangement。
Thejourneyhadbeenhotanddusty，andshewasalittlecross。
Theyreachedtheplaceaboutfive，andthenshedeclaredthatshewouldhaveacupofteaandliedown。shewastootiredtowalk。
andthesun，shesaid，wasstillscorchinglyhot。Hethenaskedthatthechildrenmightgowithhim，butthetwolittlegirlswereverywearyandtravel-worn，andthetwoboys，theelderofwhomwashomefromEtonandtheyoungerfromsomeminorEton，werealreadyabouttheplaceaftertheirownpleasures。SotheDukestartedforhiswalkalone。
TheDuchesscertainlydidnotwishtohavetoinspecttheworksinconjunctionwithherhusband。Sheknewhowmuchtherewasthatsheoughtstilltodoherself，howmanythingsthatsheherselfoughttosee。Butshecouldneitherdoanythingnorseeanythingtoanypurposeunderhiswing。Astolyingdown，thatsheknewtobequiteoutofthequestion。Shehadalreadyfoundoutthatthelifewhichshehadadoptedwasoneofincessantwork。Butshewasneitherweaknoridle。Shewasquitepreparedtowork，——ifonlyshemightworkafterherownfashionandwithcompanionschosenbyherself。Hadnotherhusbandbeensoperverse，shewouldhavetravelleddownwithMrsFinn，whosecomingwasnowpostponedfortwodays，andLocockwouldhavebeenwithher。TheDukehadgivendirections，whichmadeitnecessarythatLocock’scomingshouldbepostponedforaday，andthiswasanothergrievance。Shewasputoutagooddeal，andbegantospeculatewhetherherhusbandwasdoingthisonpurposetotormenther。Nevertheless，assoonassheknewthathewasoutoftheway，shewenttoherwork。Shecouldnotgooutamongthetentsandlawnsandconservatories，asshewouldprobablymeethim。Butshegaveordersastobedchambers，sawtotheadornmentsofthereception-rooms，hadaneyetothebannersandmartialtrophiessuspendedinthevasthall，andthebustsandstatueswhichadornedthecorners，lookedinontheplatewhichwasbeingpreparedforthegreatdining-room，andsuperintendedthemovingaboutofchairs，sofas，andtablesgenerally。’Youmaytakeitascertain，MrsPritchard，’shesaidtothehousekeeper，’thattheirwillneverbelessthanfortyforthenexttwomonths。’
’Fortytosleep，mylady？’ToPritchardtheDuchesshadformanyyearsbeenLadyGlencora，andsheperhapsunderstoodthathermistresslikedtheoldappellation。
’Yes，fortytosleep，andfortytoeat，andfortytodrink。Butthat’snothing。Fortytopushthroughtwenty-fourhourseveryday！Doyouthinkyou’vegoteverythingyouwant？’
’Itdepends，mylady，howlongeachof’emstays。’
’Onenight！No——saytwonightsonanaverage。’
’Thatmakesshiftingthebedsveryoften。doesn’tit，mylady？’
’SendupPuddick’sforsheetstomorrow。Whywasn’tthatthoughtofbefore？’
’Itwas，mylady，——andIthinkweshalldo。We’vegotthesteam-washeryputup。’
’Towels！’suggestedtheDuchess。
’Oh，yes，mylady。Puddick’sdidsendagreatmanythings——awholewaggonloadtherewascomefromthestation。Butthetableclothsain’tnoneof’emlongenoughforthebigtable。’
TheDuchess’sfacefell。’Ofcoursetheremustbetwo。Onthemverylongtables，mylady，therealwaysistwo。’
’Whydidn’tyoutellme，sothatIcouldhavehadthemmade？
It’simpossible，——impossiblethatonebrainshouldthinkofitall。Areyousureyou’veenoughhandsinthekitchen？’
’Well，mylady——wecouldn’tdowithmore。andtheyain’tanatomofuse，——onlyjustintheway，——ifyoudon’tknowsomethingabout’em。IsupposeMrMillepoiswillbedownsoon。’
Thisname，whichMrsPritchardcalledMilleypoise，indicatedaFrenchcookwhowasatyetunknownattheCastle。
’He’llbeheretonight。’
’Iwishhecouldhavebeenhereadayortwosooner，mylady，soasjusttoseeabouthim。’
’Andhowshouldwehavegotourdinnerintown？Hewon’tmakeanydifficulties。Theconfectionerdidcome？’
’Yes，mylady。andtotellthetruthoutatonce，hewasthatdrunklastnightthat。oh，dear，wedidn’tknowwhattodowithhim。’
’Idon’tmindthatbeforetheaffairbegins。Idon’tsupposehe’llgettipsywhilehehastoworkforallthesepeople。
You’veplentyofeggs？’
ThesequestionswentonsorapidlythatinadditiontotheaskingofthemtheDuchesswasabletogothroughalltheroomsbeforeshedressedfordinner，andineveryroomshesawsomethingtospeakof，notingeitherperfectionorimperfection。InthemeantimetheDukehadgoneoutalone。Itwasstillhot，buthehadmadeuphismindthathewouldenjoyhisfirstholidayoutoftownbywalkingabouthisowngrounds，andhewouldnotallowtheheattointerrupthim。Hewentoutthroughthevasthall，andthehugefrontdoor，whichwassohugeandsograndthatitwasveryseldomused。Butitwasnowopenbychance，owingtosomeincidentofthisfestivaltime，andhepassedthroughitandstooduponthegrandterrace，withthewell-knownandmuch-laudedporticooverhead。Uptotheterrace，thoughitwasveryhigh，thereranaroad，constructeduponarches，sograndthatguestscoulddrivealmostuptothehouse。TheDuke，whowasnevergrandhimself，ashestoodtherelookingatthefar-stretchingviewbeforehim，couldnotrememberthathehadeverbutoncebeforeplacedhimselfonthatspot。Ofwhatusehadbeentheportico，themarbles，andthehugepileofstone，——ofwhatusetheenormoushalljustbehindhim，cuttingthehouseintwo，declaringaloudbyitsownaspectandtheproportionsthatithadbeenbuiltaltogetherforshowandinnodegreeforuseorcomfort？Andnowashestoodtherehecouldalreadyseethatmenwereatworkabouttheplace，thatgroundhadbeenmovedhere，andgrasslaiddownthere，andanewgravelroadconstructedinanotherplace。Wasitnotpossiblethathisfriendsshouldbeentertainedwithoutallthesechangestothegardens？Thenheperceivedthetents，anddescendingfromtheterraceandturninglefttowardstheendofthehousehecameuponanewconservatory。Theexoticswithwhichitwastobefilledwereatthismomentbeingbroughtinongreatbarrows。Hestoodforamomentandlooked，butsaidnotawordtothemen。Theygazedathimbutevidentlydidnotknowhim。Howshouldtheyknowhim，——
him，whowasseldomthere，andwhowhentherenevershowedhimselfabouttheplace？Thenhewentfartherafieldfromthehouseandcameacrossmoreandmoremen。Agreatha-hafencehadbeenmade，enclosingonthreesidesandopenatoneendtothegardens，containing，ashethought，aboutanacre。’Whatareyoudoingthisfor？’hesaidtooneofthelabourers。Themanstaredathim，andatfirstseemedhardlyinclinedtomakehimananswer。’Itbeforthequalitytoshoottheirbowsandharrows，’
hesaidatlast，ashecontinuedtheeasytaskofpattingwithhisspadethecompletedwork。Heevidentlyregardedthisstrangerasanintruderwhowasnotentitledtoaskquestions，evenifhewaspermittedtowanderaboutthegrounds。
Fromoneplacehewentontoanother，andfoundchanges，andnewerections，andsomedeviceforthrowingawaymoneyeverywhere。
Itangeredhimtothinkthattherewassolittleofsimplicityleftintheworldthatamancouldnotentertainhisfriendswithoutsuchafussasthis。Hismindapplieditselffrequentlytotheconsiderationofthemoney，notthathegrudgedthelossofit，butthespendingofitinsuchacause。Andthenperhapsthereoccurredtohimanideathatallthisshouldnothavebeendonewithoutawordofconsentfromhimself。Hadshecometohimwithsomeschemeforchangingeverythingabouttheplace，makinghimthinkthatthealterationswereamatteroftasteorofmerepersonalpleasure，hewouldprobablygivenhisconsentatonce，thinkingnothingofthemoney。Butallthiswasutterdisplay。
ThenhewalkedupandsawtheflagwavingovertheCastle，indicatingthathe，theLordLieutenantoftheCounty，waspresentthereonhisownsoil。Thatwasright。Thatwasasitshouldbe，becausetheflagwaswavingincompliancewithanacknowledgedordinance。Ofallthatproperlybelongedtohisrankandstationhecouldbeveryproud，andwouldallownodiminutionofthatoutwardrespecttowhichtheywereentitled。
Weretheytobetrenchedonbyhisfaultinhisperson，therightsofotherstotheirenjoymentwouldbeendangered，andthebenefitsaccruingtohiscountryfromestablishedmarksofreverencewouldbeimperilled。Butherewasanassumedandpreposterousgrandeurthatwasasmuchwithinthereachofsomerichswindlerorsomeprosperoushaberdasherasofhimself，——
having，too，alookofrawnewnessaboutitwhichwasverydistastefultohim。Andthen，too，heknewthatnothingofthiswouldhavebeendoneunlesshehadbecomePrimeMinister。Why，onearth，shouldaman’sgroundsbeknockedaboutbecausehebecomesPrimeMinister？Hewalkedonarguingthiswithinhisownbosom，tillhehadworkedhimselfalmostuptoanger。Itwasclearthathemusthenceforthtakethingsmoreintohisownhands，orwouldbemadetobeabsurdbeforetheworld。
Indifferenceheknewhecouldbear。Harshcriticismhethoughthecouldendure。Buttoridiculehewasawarethathewaspervious。SupposethepapersweretosayofhimthathebuiltanewconservatoryandmadeanarcherygroundforthesakeofmaintainingtheCoalition！
Whenhegotbacktothehousehefoundhiswifealoneinthesmallroominwhichtheyintendedtodine。Afterallherlaboursshewasnowrecliningforthefewminutesherhusband’sabsencemightallowher，knowingthatafterdinnertherewereascoreoflettersforhertowrite。’Idon’tthink，’saidshe，’Iwaseversotiredinmylife。’
’Itisn’tsuchaverylongjourneyafterall。’
’Butit’saverybighouse，andI’vebeen，Ithink，intoeveryroomsinceIhavebeenhere，andI’vemovedmostofthefurnitureinthedrawing-roomswithmyownhand，andI’vecountedthepoundsofbutter，andinspectedthesheetsandthetablecloths。’
’Wasitnecessary，Glencora？’
’IfIhadgonetobedinstead，theworld，Isuppose，wouldhavegoneon，andSirOrlandoDroughtwouldstillhaveledtheHouseofCommons——butthingsshouldbelookedafter，Isuppose。’
’Therearemanypeopletodoit。YouarelikeMartha，troublingyourselfwithmanythings。’
’IalwaysfeltthatMarthawasveryill-used。IftherewerenoMarthatherewouldneverbeanythingfittoeat。Butit’soddhowsureawifeistobescolded。IfIdidnothingatall，thatwouldn’tpleaseabusy，hard-workingmanlikeyou。’
’Idon’tknowthatIhavescolded，——notasyet。’
’Areyougoingtobegin？’
’Nottoscold，mydear。Lookingback，canyourememberthatI
everscoldedyou？’
’Icanrememberagreatmanytimeswhenyouought。’
’Buttotellyouthetruth，Idon’tlikeallthatyouhavedonehere。Icannotseethatitwasnecessary。’
’Peoplemakechangesintheirgardenswithoutnecessitysometimes。’
’Butthesechangesaremadebecauseofyourguests。Hadtheybeenmadetogratifyyourowntaste，Iwouldhavesaidnothing，——
althougheveninthatcaseIthinkyoumighthavetoldmewhatyouproposedtodo。’
’What——whenyouaresoburdenedwithworkthatyoudonotknowhowtoturn？’
’IamneversoburdenedthatIcannotturntoyou。But，asyouknow，thatisnotwhatIcomplainof。Ifitweredoneforyourself，thoughitwerethewildestvagary，Iwouldlearntolikeit，butitdistressesmetothinkwhatmighthavebeengoodenoughforourfriendsbeforeshouldbethoughtinsufficientbecauseoftheofficeIhold。Thereisa——a——a——Iwasalmostgoingtosayvulgarityaboutitwhichdistressesme。’
’Vulgarity！’sheexclaimed，jumpingupfromthesofa。
’Iretracttheword。Iwouldnotfortheworldsayanythingthatshouldannoyyou——butpray，praydonotgoonwithit。’Thenagainhelefther。
Vulgarity！Therewasnootherwordinthelanguagesohardtobearasthat。Hehad，indeed，beencarefultosaythathedidnotaccuseherofvulgarity——butneverthelesstheaccusationhadbeenmade。Couldyoucallyourfriendaliarmoreplainlythanbysayingtohimthatyouwouldnotsaythathelied？Theydinedtogether，thetwoboys，also，diningwiththem，butverylittlewassaidatdinner。Thehorridwordwasclingingtothelady’sears，andtheremembranceofhavingutteredthewordwasheavyontheman’sconscience。Hehadtoldhimselfveryplainlythatthethingwasvulgar，buthehadnotmeanttousetheword。
Butithadbeenuttered。and，letwhatapologytheremaybemade，awordutteredcannotberetracted。Ashelookedacrossthetableathiswife，hesawthatthewordhadbeentakenindeepdudgeon。
Sheescaped，tothewritingofherlettersshesaid，almostbeforethemealwasdone。’Vulgarity！’Sheutteredthewordaloudtoherselfasshesatherselfdowninthelittleroomupstairswhichshehadassignedtoherselfforherownuse。Butthoughshewasveryangrywithhim，shedidnot，eveninherownmind，contradicthim。Perhapsitwasvulgar。Butwhyshouldn’tshebevulgar，ifshecouldmostsurelygetwhatshewantedbyvulgarity？Ofcourseshewaspreparedtodothings，——wasdailydoingthings，——whichwouldhavebeenodioustoherhadnotherhusbandbeenapublicman。Shesubmitted，withoutunwillingness，toconstantcontactwithdisagreeablepeople。Shelavishedhersmiles，——soshenowsaidtoherself，——onbutchersandtinkers。
Whatshesaid，whatsheread，whatshewrote，whatshedid，whithershewent，towhomshewaskindandtowhomunkind，——wasitnotallsaidanddoneandarrangedwithreferencetohisandherownpopularity？WhenamanwantstobePrimeMinisterhehastosubmittovulgarity，andmustgiveuphisambitionifthetaskbetoodisagreeabletohim。TheDuchessthoughtthatthathadbeenunderstood，atanyrateeversincethedaysofCoriolanus。
’TheoldDukekeptoutofit，’shesaidtoherself，’andchosetoliveintheotherway。Hehadhischoice。Hewantsittobedone。AndwhenIdoitforhimbecausehecan’tdoitforhimself，hecallsitbyanuglyname！’Thenitoccurredtoherthattheworldtellslieseveryday，——tellingonthewholemuchmoreliesthantruth，——butthattheworldhaswiselyagreedthattheworldshallnotbeaccusedoflying。Onedoesn’tventuretoexpressopendisbeliefevenofone’swife。andwiththeworldatlargeawordspoken，whetherlieornot，ispresumedtobetrue，ofcourse，——becausespoken。Joneshassaidit，andthereforeSmith，——whohasknownthelietobealie，——hasassertedhisassuredbelief，lyingagain。Butinthiswaytheworldisabletolivepleasantly。Howwasshetolivepleasantlyifherhusbandaccusedherofvulgarity？Ofcourseitwasallvulgar，butwhyshouldhetellherso？Shedidnotdoitfromanypleasurethatshegotfromit。
Thelettersremainedlongunwritten，andthentherecameamomentinwhichsheresolvedthattheyshouldnotbewritten。Theworkwasveryhard，andwhatgoodwouldcomeofit？Whyshouldshemakeherhandsdirty，sothatevenherhusbandaccusedherofvulgarity？Woulditnotbebettertogiveitallup，andbeagreatwoman，unegrandedame，ofanotherkind，——difficultofaccess，sparingofherfavour，aristocratictotheback-bone，——averyDuchessofduchesses。Therolewouldbeoneveryeasytoplay。Itrequiredrank，money，andalittlemanner，——andtheseshepossessed。TheoldDukehaddoneitwithease，withouttheslightesttroubletohimself，andhadbeentreatedalmostlikeagodbecausehehadsecludedhimself。Shecouldmakethechangeevenyet，——andasherhusbandtoldherthatshewasvulgar，shethoughtshewouldmakeit。
Butatlast，beforeshehadabandonedherdeskandpaper，therehadcomeanotherthought。Nothingtoherwassodistastefulasfailure。Shehadknownthattherewouldbedifficulties，andhadassuredherselfthatshewouldbefirmandbraveinovercomingthem。Wasnotthisaccusationofvulgaritysimplyoneofthedifficultieswhichshehadtoovercome？Washercouragealreadygonefromher？Wasshesoweakthatasinglewordshouldknockherover，——andawordevidentlyrepentedofassoonasitwasuttered？Vulgar！Well，——letherbevulgaraslongasshegainedherobject。Therehadbeennopenaltyofeverlastingpunishmentagainstvulgarity。Andthenahigherideatouchedher，notwithouteffect，——anideawhichshecouldnotanalyse，butwhichwashardlyonthataccountthelesseffective。Shedidbelievethoroughlyinherhusband，totheextentofthinkinghimthefittestmaninallthecountrytobeitsPrimeMinister。Hisfamewasdeartoher。Hernaturewasloyal。andthoughshemightperhaps，inheryoungerdayshavebeenabletoleanuponhimwithamorelovinghearthadhebeenotherthanhewas，brighter，moregay，giventopleasures，andfondoftrifles，still，shecouldrecognizemeritswithwhichhersympathywasimperfect。ItwasgoodthatheshouldbeEngland’sPrimeMinister，andthereforeshewoulddoallshecouldtokeephiminthatplace。Thevulgaritywasanecessityessential。Hemightnotacknowledgethis，——mighteven，ifthechoicewerelefttohim，refusetobePrimeMinisteronsuchterms。Butsheneednot，therefore，giveway。Havinginthiswaythoughtitallout，shetookupherpenandcompletedthebatchoflettersbeforesheallowedherselftogotobed。
CHAPTER20
SIRORLANDO’SPOLICY。
WhentheguestsbegantoarriveourfriendtheDuchesshadapparentlygotthroughherlittledifficulties，forshereceivedthemwiththatopen，genialhospitalitywhichissodelightfulascomingevidentlyfromtheheart。Therehadnotbeenanotherwordbetweenherandherhusbandastothemannerinwhichthethingwastobedone，andshehaddeterminedthattheoffensivewordshouldpassaltogetheroutofhermemory。ThefirstcomerwasMrsFinn，——whocameindeedratherasanassistanthostessthanasamereguest，andtohertheDuchessutteredafewplayfulhintsastohertroubles。’Consideringthetime，haven’twedonemarvels？Becauseitdoeslooknice，——doesn’tit？’Therearenodirtheapsabout，andit’sallasgreenasthoughithadbeentheresincetheconquest。Hedoesn’tlikeitbecauseitlooksnew。Andwe’vegotforty-fivebedroomsmadeup。Theservantsareallturnedoutoverthestablessomewhere，——quitecomfortable，Iassureyou。Indeedtheylikeit。Andbyknockingdowntheendsoftwopassageswe’vebroughteverythingtogether。
Andtheroomsareallnumbered，justlikeaninn。Itwastheonlyway。AndIkeeponebookmyself，andLocockhasanother。I
haveeverybody’sroom，andwhereitis，andhowlongthetenantistobeallowedtooccupyit。Andhere’sthewayeverybodyistotakeeverybodydowntodinnerforthenextfortnight。Ofcoursethatmustbealtered，butitiseasierwhenwehaveasortofsettledbasis。AndIhavesomeprivatenotesastowhoshouldflirtwithwhom。’
’You’dbetternotletthatlieabout。’
’Nobodycouldunderstandawordofitiftheyhadit。A。B。
alwaysmeansX。Y。Z。AndthisisthecodeoftheGatherumArcheryGround。Ineverdrewabowinmylife，——notarealbowintheflesh，thatis，mydear，——andyetI’vemade’emallout，andhadthemprinted。Thewaytomakeathinggodownistogiveitsomespecialimportance。AndI’vegonethroughthebilloffareforthefirstweekwithMillepois，whoisaperfectgentleman，——
perfect。’Thenshegavealittlesighassherememberedthatwordfromherhusband，whichhadwoundedher。’IusedtothinkthatPlantagenetworkedhardwhenhewasdoinghisdecimalcoinage。butIdon’tthinkheeverstucktoitasIhavedone。’
’WhatdoestheDukesaytoitall？’
’Ah。well，uponthewholehebehaveslikeanangel。HebehavessowellthathalfmytimeIthinkI’llshutitallupandhavedonewithit，——forhissake。Andthen，theotherhalf，I’mdeterminedtogoonwithit，——againforhissake。’
’Hehasnotbeendispleased？’
’Asknoquestions，mydear，andyou’llhearnostories。Youhaven’tbeenmarriedtwicewithoutknowingthatwomencan’thaveeverythingsmooth。Heonlysaidoneword。Itwasratherhardtobear，butithaspassedaway。’
Thatafternoontherewasquiteacrowd。AmongthefirstcomerswereMrandMrsRoby，andMrandMrsRattler。AndtherewereSirOrlandoandLadyDrought，LordRamsdenandSirTimothyBeeswax。
Thesegentlemenwiththeirwivesrepresented，forthetime，theministryofwhichtheDukewasthehead，andhadbeenaskedinorderthattheirfealtyandsubmissionmightbethusrivetted。
TherewerealsothereMrandMrsBoffin，withLordThriftandhisdaughterAngelica，whohadbelongedtoformerministries，——oneontheLiberalandoneontheConservativeside，——andwhowerenowamongtheDuke’sguests，inorderthattheyandothersmightseehowwidetheDukewishedtoopenhishands。AndtherewasourfriendFerdinandLopez，whohadcertainlymadethebestuseofhisopportunitiesinsecuringforhimselfsogreatasocialadvantageasaninvitationtoGatherumCastle。Howcouldanyfather，whowassimplyabarrister，refusetoreceiveashisson-
in-lawamanwhohadbeenaguestoftheDukeofOmnium’scountryhouse？Andthentherewerecertainpeoplefromtheneighbourhood——FrankGreshamofGreshambury，withhiswifeanddaughter，themasterofthehoundsinthoseparts，arichsquireofoldblood，andheadofthefamilytowhichoneoftheaspirantPrimeMinistersofthedaybelonged。AndLordChiltern，anothermasteroffoxhounds，twocountiesoff——andalsoanoldfriendofours，——hadbeenaskedtomeethim，andhadbroughthiswife。
AndthereLadyRosinadeCourcy，anoldmaid，thesisterofthepresentEarldeCourcy，wholivednotfaroff，andhadbeenaccustomedtocometoGatherumCastleonstateoccasionsforthelastthirtyyears，——theonlyrelicinthosepartsofafamilywhichhadlivedthereformanyyearsingreatprideofplace，fortheelderbrother，theEarl，wasaruinedman，andheryoungerbrotherswerelivingwiththeirwivesabroad，andhersistershadmarried，ratherlowlyintheworld，andhermothernowwasdead，andLadyRosinalivedaloneinalittlecottageoutsidetheoldparkpalings，andstillheldfastwithinherbosomalltheoldprideoftheDeCourcys。AndthentherewereCaptainGunnerandMajorPountney，twomiddle-agedyoungmen，presumablybelongingtothearmy，whomtheDuchesshadlatelyenlistedamongherfollowersasbeingusefulintheirway。Theycouldeattheirdinnerswithoutbeingshy，danceonoccasions，thoughveryunwillingly，talkalittle，andrunonmessages——andtheyknewthepeeragebyheart，andcouldtellthedetailsofeveryunfortunatemarriageforthelasttwentyyears。Eachthoughthimself，especiallysincethislastpromotion，tobeindispensablynecessarytotheformationofLondonsociety，andwascomfortableinaconvictionthathehadthoroughlysucceededinlifebyacquiringtheprivilegeofsittingdowntodinnerthreetimesaweekwithpeersandpeeresses。
Thelistofguestshasbynomeansbeenmadeascompletehereasitwastobefoundinthecountynewspapers，andintheMorningPostofthetime，butenoughofnameshasbeengiventoshowofwhatnaturewastheparty。’TheDuchesshasgotratheraroughlottobeginwith，’saidtheMajortotheCaptain。
’Oh，yes。Iknewthat。Shewantedmetobeuseful，soofcourseIcame。Ishallstayherethisweek，andthenbebackinSeptember。’UptothatmomentCaptainGunnerhadnotreceivedanyinvitationforSeptember，butthentherewasnoreasonwhyheshouldnotdoso。
’I’vebeengettingupthearcherycodewithher，’saidPountney，’andIwaspledgedtocomedownandsetitgoing。ThatlittleGreshamgirlisn’tabad-lookingthing。’
’Ratherflabby，’saidCaptainGunner。
’Verynicecolour。She’llhavealotofmoney，youknow。’
’There’sabrother，’saidtheCaptain。
’Oh，yes。there’sabrother，whowillhavetheGreshamburyproperty，butshe’stohavehermother’smoney。There’saveryoddstoryaboutallthat，youknow。’ThentheMajortoldthestory，andtoldeveryparticularofitwrongly。’Amanmightdoworsethanlookthere，’saidtheMajor。Amanmighthavedoneworse，becauseMissGreshamwasaverynicegirl。butofcoursetheMajorwasallwrongaboutthemoney。
’Well——nowyou’vetriedit，whatdoyouthinkaboutit？’ThisquestionwasputbySirTimothytoSirOrlandoastheysatinacornerofthearcheryground，undertheshelterofatentlookingonwhileMajorPountneytaughtMrsBoffinhowtofixanarrowontoherbowstring。ItwasquiteunderstoodthatSirTimothywasinimicaltotheCoalitionthoughhestillbelongedtoit，andthathewouldassistinbreakingitupifonlytherewasafairchanceofhisbelongingtothepartywhichwouldremaininpower。
SirTimothyhadbeenbadlytreated，anddidnotforgetit。NowSirOrlandohadalsooflateshownsomesymptomsofadisturbedambition。HewastheLeaderoftheHouseofCommons，andithadbecomeanalmostrecognizedlawoftheConstitutionthattheleaderoftheHouseofCommonsshouldbetheFirstMinisterofCrown。ItwasatleastunderstoodbymanythatsuchwasSirOrlando’sreadingofthelawsoftheConstitution。
’We’vegotalong，youknow，’saidSirOrlando。
’Yes——yes。We’vegotalong。Canyouimagineanypossibleconcatenationofcircumstancesinwhichweshouldnotgetalong？
There’salwaystoomuchgoodsenseintheHouseforanabsolutecollapse。Butareyoucontented？’
’Iwon’tsayI’mnot，’saidthecautiousbaronet。’Ididn’tlookforverygreatthingsfromaCoalition，andIdidn’tlookforverygreatthingsfromtheDuke。’
’Itseemstomethattheoneachievementtowhichwe’vealllookedhasbeenthereachingtheendoftheSessionsinsafety。
We’vedonethatcertainly。’
’Itisagreatthingtodo，SirTimothy。OfcoursethemainworkofParliamentistoraisesupplies，——and，whenthathasbeendonewithease，whenallthemoneywantedhasbeenvotedwithoutabreak-down，ofcourseMinistersareverygladtogetridoftheParliament。ItisasmuchamatterofcoursethataMinistershoulddislikeParliamentnowasthataStuartKingshouldhavedonesotwohundredandfiftyyearsago。TogetaSessionoveranddonewithisanachievementandadelight。’
’Noministrycangoonlongonthatfarnienteprinciple，andnoMinisterwhoaccedestoitwillremainlonginanyministry。’
SirTimothyinsayingthismightbealludingtotheDuke，orthereferencemightbetoSirOrlandohimself。’Ofcourse，I’mnotintheCabinet，andamnotentitledtosayaword。butIthinkthatifIwereintheCabinet，andIwereanxious，——whichI
confessI’mnot，——foracontinuationofthepresentstateofthings，IshouldendeavourtoobtainfromtheDukesomeideaofhispolicyforthenextSession。’SirOrlandowasamanofcertainparts。Hecouldspeakvolubly，——andyetslowly，——sothatreportersandotherscouldhearhim。Hewaspatient，bothintheHouseandinhisoffice，andhadthegreatgiftofdoingwhathewastoldbymenwhounderstoodthingsbetterthanhedidhimself。Heneverwentveryfarastrayinhisofficialbusiness，becausehealwaysobeyedtheclerksandfollowedprecedents。Hehadbeenausefulman，——andwouldstillhaveremainedsohadhenotbeenliftedalittletoohigh。HadhebeenonlyoneintheruckontheTreasuryBenchhewouldhavebeenusefultotheend。
butspecialhonourandspecialplacehadbeenassignedtohim，andthereforehedesiredstillbiggerthings。TheDuke’smediocrityoftalentandofenergyandofgeneralgoverningpowerhadbeensooftenmentionedoflateinSirOrlando’shearing，thatSirOrlandohadgraduallycometothinkthathewastheDuke’sequalintheCabinet，andperhapsitbehovedhimtoleadtheDuke。AtthecommencementoftheirjointoperationshehadheldtheDukeinsomeawe，andperhapssomethingofthatfeelinginreferencetotheDukepersonallystillrestrainedhim。TheDukeofOmniumhadalwaysbeenbigpeople。ButstillitmightbehisdutytosayawordtotheDuke。SirOrlandoassuredhimselfthatifeverconvincedoftheproprietyofdoingso，hecouldsayawordeventotheDukeofOmnium。’Iamconfidentthatweshouldnotgoonquiteasweareatpresent，’saidSirTimothyasheclosedtheconversation。
’Wheredidtheypickhimup？’saidtheMajortotheCaptain，pointingwithhisheadtoFerdinandLopez，whowasshootingwithAngelicaThriftandMrBoffinandoneoftheDuke’sprivatesecretaries。
’TheDuchessfoundhimsomewhere。He’soneofthosefabulouslyrichfellowsoutoftheCitywhomakeahundredthousandpoundsatablow。TheysayhispeopleweregrandeesofSpain。’
’Doesanybodyknowhim？’askedtheMajor。
’Everybodywillsoonknowhim，’answeredtheCaptain。’IthinkI
heardthathe’sgoingtostandforsomeplaceintheDuke’sinterest。Hedon’tlooklikethesortoffellowIlike。buthe’sgotmoneyandhecomes，andhe’sgood-looking，——andthereforehe’llbeasuccess。’InanswertothistheMajoronlygrunted。
TheMajorwasayearortwoolderthantheCaptain，andthereforelesswillingeventhanhisfriendtoadmittheclaimsofnewcomerstothesocialhonours。
JustatthismomenttheDuchesswalkedacrossthegrounduptotheshooters，accompaniedbyMrsFinnandLadyChiltern。Shehadnotbeenseeninthegardensbeforethatday，andofcoursealittleconcoursewasmadearoundher。TheMajorandtheCaptain，whohadbeendrivenawaybythesuccessofFerdinandLopez，returnedwiththeirsweetestsmiles。MrBoffinputdownhistreatiseonthenatureofFranchises，whichhewasstudyinginorderthathemightleadanoppositionagainsttheMinistrynextSession，andevenSirTimothyBeeswax，whohaddonehisworkwithSirOrlando，joinedthethrong。
’NowIdohope，’saidtheDuchess，’thatyouareallshootingbythenewcode。Thatis，andistobe，theGatherumArcheryCode，andIshallbreakmyheartifanybodyrebels。’
’Thereareonlytwomen，’saidMajorPountneyverygravely，’whowon’ttakethetroubletounderstandit。’
’MrLopez，’saidtheDuchess，pointingherfingeratourfriend，’areyouthatrebel？’
’IfearIdidsuggest——’beganMrLopez。
’Iwillhavenosuggestions，——nothingbutobedience。HereareSirTimothyBeeswaxandMrBoffin，andSirOrlandoDroughtisnotfaroff。andhereisMrRattler，thanwhomnoauthorityonsuchasubjectcanbebetter。Askthemwhetherinothermatterssuggestionsarewanted。’
’Ofcoursenot，’saidMajorPountney。
’Now，MrLopez，willyouorwillyounotbeguidedbyastrictandcloseinterpretationoftheGatherumCode。Because，ifnot，I’mafraidweshallfeelconstrainedtoacceptyourresignation。’
’Iwon’tresignandIwillobey，’saidLopez。
’Agoodministerialreply，’saidtheDuchess。
’Idon’tdoubtbutthatintimeyou’llascendtohighofficeandbecomeapillaroftheGatherumconstitution。Howdoesheshoot，MissThrift？’
’Hewillshootverywellindeed，Duchess，ifhegoesonandpractises，’saidAngelica，whoselifeforthepastsevenyearshadbeendevotedtoarchery。MajorPountneyretiredfarawayintothepark，afullquarterofamileoff，andsmokedacigarunderatree。Wasitforthathehadabsolutelygivenupamonthtodrawingoutthiscodeofrules，goingbackwardsandforwards，twoorthreetimestotheprintersinhisdesiretocarryouttheDuchess’swishes？’Womenaresod-dungrateful！’ThisfellowLopez，hadabsolutelybeenallowedtomakeagoodscoreoffhisownintractabledisobedience。
TheDuchess’slittlejokeaboutMinistersgenerally，andtheadvantagesofsubmissionontheirparttotheirchief，wasthoughtbysomewhohearditnottohavebeenmadeingoodtaste。
ThejokewasjustajokeastheDuchesswouldbesuretomake，——
meaningverylittle，butstillnotaltogetherpointless。Itwaslevelledratheratherhusbandthanatherhusband’scolleagueswhowerepresent，andwassounderstoodbythosewhoreallyknewher，——asdidMrsFinnandMrWarburton，theprivatesecretary。
ButSirOrlandoandSirTimothyandMrRattler，whowereallwithinhearing，thoughtthattheDuchesshadintendedtoalludetotheservilenatureoftheirposition。andMrBoffin，whohearit，rejoicedwithinhimself，comfortinghimselfwiththereflectionthathiswitherswereunwrung，andthinkingwithwhatpleasurehemightcarrytheanecdoteintothefarthestcornersoftheclubs。PoorDuchess！ItispitifultothinkthataftersuchHerculeanlabourssheshouldinjurethecausebyoneslightunconsideredword，more，perhaps，thanshehadadvancedinallherenergy。
DuringthistimetheDukewasattheCastle。butheshowedhimselfseldomtohisguests，——soacting，asthereaderwillI
hopeunderstand，fromnosenseofimportanceofhisownpersonalpresence，butinfluencedbyaconvictionthatapublicmanshouldnotwastehistime。Hebreakfastedinhisownroom，becausehecouldthuseathisbreakfastintenminutes。Hereadallthepapersinsolitude，becausehewasthusenabledtogivehismindtotheircontents。Lifehadalwaysbeentooserioustohimtobewasted。Everyafternoonhewalkedforthesakeofexercise，andwouldhaveacceptedanycompanionifanycompanionhadespeciallyofferedhimself。Buthewentoffbysomeside-door，findingtheside-doortobeconvenient，andthereforewhenseenbyotherswassupposedtodesiretoremainunseen。’IhadnoideatherewassomuchprideabouttheDuke，’MrBoffinsaidtohisoldcolleague，SirOrlando。’Isitpride？’askedSirOrlando。’Itmaybeshyness，’saidthewiseBoffin。’Thetwothingsaresoalikeyoucannevertellthedifference。ButthemanwhoiscursedbyeithershouldhardlybeaPrimeMinister。’
Itwasonthedayafterthis，thatSirOrlandothoughtthatthemomenthadcomeinwhichitwashisdutytosaythatsalutarywordtotheDuke，whichitwasclearlynecessarythatsomecolleagueshouldsay，andwhichnocolleaguecouldhavesogoodarighttosayashewaswhowasLeaderoftheHouseofCommons。
HeunderstoodclearlythatthoughtheyweregatheredtogetherthenatGatherumCastleforfestivepurposes，yetthatnotimewasunfitforthediscussionofStatematters。DoesnotalltheworldknowthatwheninautumntheBismarcksoftheworld，ortheywhoarebiggerthanBismarcks，meetatthisorthatdelicioushauntofsalubrity，theaffairsoftheworldarethensettledinlittleconclaves，withgreaterease，rapidity，andcertaintythaninlargeparliamentsorthedullchambersofpublicoffices？EmperormeetsEmperor，andKingmeetsKing，andastheywanderamongruralgladesinfraternalintimacy，warsarearranged，andswellingterritoriesareenjoyedinanticipation。
SirOrlandohithertohadknownallthis，buthardlyasyetenjoyedit。Hehadbeenlonginoffice，butthesesweetconfidencescanoftheirverynaturebelongonlytoaveryfew。
Butnowthetimehadmanifestlycome。
ItwasSundayafternoon，andSirOrlandocaughttheDukeintheveryactofleavingthehouseforhiswalk。Therewasnoarchery，andmanyoftheinmatesoftheCastlewereasleep。
TherehadbeenaquestionastotheproprietyofSabbatharchery，indiscussingwhichreferencehadbeenmadetoLaud’sbookofsports，andthegrowingideathattheNationalGalleryshouldbeopenedontheLord’s-day。ButtheDuchesswouldnothavethearchery。’Wearejustthepeoplewhoshouldn’tprejudgethequestion，’saidtheDuchess。TheDuchesswithvariousladies，withthePountneysandGunners，andotherobedientmalefollowers，hadbeentochurch。NoneoftheMinistershadofcoursebeenabletoleavetheswollenpoucheswhicharealwayssentoutfromLondononSaturdaynight，——probably，wecannotbutthink，——asarrangedexcusesforsuchdefalcation，andhadpassedtheirmorningscomfortablydozingovernewnovels。TheDuke，alwaysrightinhispurposebutgenerallywronginhispractice，hadstayedathomeworkingallthemorning，therebyscandalizingthestrict，andhadgonetochurchintheafternoon，therebyoffendingthesocial。Thechurchwasclosetothehouse，andhehadgonebacktochangehiscoatandhat，andtogethisstick。
Butashewasstealingourofthelittleside-gate，SirOrlandowasdownuponhim。’IfyourGraceisgoingforawalk，andwilladmitofcompany，Ishallbedelightedtoattendyou，’saidSirOrlando。TheDukeprofessedhimselftobewell-pleased。Hewouldbegladtoincreasehispersonalintimacywithhiscolleagueifitmightbedonepleasantly。
Theyhadgonenearlyamileacrossthepark，watchingthestatelymovementsoftheherdsofdeer，andtalkingofthisandthattrifle，beforeSirOrlandocouldbringaboutanopportunityforutteringhisword。Atlast，hediditsomewhatabruptly。’I
thinkuponthewholewedidprettywellthisSession，’hesaid，standingstillunderanoldoak-tree。
’Prettywell，’re-echoedtheDuke。
’AndIsupposewehavenotmuchtoafraidofnextSession？’
’Iamafraidofnothing，’saidtheDuke。
’But。’thenSirOrlandohesitated。TheDuke，however，saidnotawordtohelphimon。SirOrlandothoughtthattheDukelookedmoreducalthanhehadeverseenhimlookbefore。SirOrlandorememberedtheoldDuke，andsuddenlyfoundthattheuncleandnephewwereverylikeeachother。ButitdoesnotbecometheleaderoftheHouseofCommonstobeafraidofanyone。’Don’tyouthink，’continuedSirOrlando，’weshouldtryandarrangeamongourselvessomethingofapolicy？Iamnotquitesurethataministrywithoutadistinctcourseofactionbeforeitcanlongenjoytheconfidenceofthecountry。Takethelasthalfcentury。
Therehavebeenvariouspolicies，commandingmoreorlessofgeneralassent。freetrade。’HereSirOrlandogaveakindlywaveofhishand，showingthatonbehalfofacompanionhewaswillingtoplaceattheheadofthelistapolicywhichhadnotalwayscommandedhisownassent——’continuedreforminParliament，towhichIhave，withmywholeheart，givenmypoorassistance。’TheDukerememberedhowthebathers’clotheswerestolen，andthatSirOrlandohadbeenoneofthemostnimble-
fingeredofthieves。’Nopopery，Irishgrievances，theballot，retrenchment，efficiencyofthepublicservice，allhavehadtheirtime。’
’Thingstobedoneofferthemselves，Isuppose，becausetheyareinthemselvesdesirable。notbecauseitisdesirabletohavesomethingtodo。’
’Justso——nodoubt。Butstill，ifyouwillthinkofit，noministrycanendurewithoutapolicy。DuringthelatterpartofthelastSession，itwasunderstoodthatwehadtogetourselvesinharnesstogether，andnothingmorewasexpectedfromus。butI
thinkweshouldbepreparedwithadistinctpolicyforthecomingyear。IfearthatnothingcanbedoneinIreland。’
’MrFinnhasideas——’
’Ah，yes，——well，yourGrace。MrFinnisaverycleveryoungmancertainly。butIdon’tthinkwecansupportourselvesbyhisplanofIrishreform。’SirOrlandohadbeenalittlecarriedawaybyhisowneloquenceandtheDuke’stameness，andhadinterruptedtheDuke。TheDukeagainlookedducal，butonthisoccasionSirOrlandodidnotobservehiscountenance。’Formyself，Ithink，I
aminfavourofincreasedarmaments。Ihavebeenapplyingmymindtothesubject，andIthinkIseethatthepeopleofthiscountrydonotobjecttoaslightlyrisingscaleofestimatesinthatdirection。Ofcoursethereisthecountysuffrage——’
’Iwillthinkofwhatyouhavebeensaying，’saidtheDuke。