’Astothecountysuffrage——’
’Iwillthinkitover，’saidtheDuke。’Youseetheoak。ThatisthelargesttreewehavehereatGatherum。andIdoubtwhethertherebealargeroneinthispartofEngland。’TheDuke’svoiceandwordswerenotuncourteous，buttherewassomethinginthemwhichhinderedSirOrlandofromreferringagainonthatoccasiontocountysuffragesorincreasedarmaments。
VOLUMEII
CHAPTER21
THEDUCHESS’SNEWSWAN。
WhenthepartyhadbeenaboutaweekcollectedatGatherumCastle，FerdinandLopezhadmanifestlybecomethefavouriteoftheDuchessforthetime，andhad，atherinstance，promisedtoremainthereforsomefurtherdays。HehadhardlyspokentotheDukesincehehadbeeninthehouse，——butthenbutfewofthatmotleyassemblydidtalkmuchwiththeDuke。GunnerandPountneyhadgoneaway，——theCaptainhavingdeclaredhisdislikeoftheupstartPortuguesetobesostrongthathecouldnotstayinthesamehousewithhimanylonger，andtheMajor，whowasofastrongermind，havingresolvedthathewouldputtheintruderdown。’Itishorribletothinkwhatpowermoneyhasinthesedays，’saidtheCaptain。TheCaptainhadshakenthedustofGatherumaltogetherfromhisfeet，buttheMajorhadsoarrangedthatabedwastobefoundforhiminOctober，——foranotherhappyweek。buthewasnottoreturntillbiddenbytheDuchess。
’Youwon’tforget——nowwillyou，Duchess？’hesaid，imploringhertorememberhimashetookhisleave。’Ididtakeadealoftroubleaboutthecode——didn’tI？’’Theydon’tseemtometocareforthecode，’saidtheDuchess，’but，nevertheless，’I’llremember。’
’Who，inthenameofallthat’swonderful，wasthatIsawyouwithinthegarden？’theDuchesssaidtoherhusbandoneafternoon。
’ItwasLadyRosinaDeCourcy，Isuppose！’
’Heavenandearth！——whatacompanionforyoutochoose。’
’Whynot？——whyshouldn’tItalktoLadyRosinaDeCourcy？’
’I’mnotjealousabit，ifyoumeanthatIdon’tthinkLadyRosinawillstealyourheartfromme。Butwhyyoushouldpickheroutofallthepeoplehere，whentherearesomanywouldthinktheirfortunesmadeifyouwouldonlytakeaturnwiththem，I
cannotimagine。’
’ButIdon’twanttomakeanyone’sfortune，’saidtheDuke：’andcertainlynotinthatway。’
’Whatcouldyoubesayingtoher？’
’Shewastalkingaboutherfamily。IratherlikeLadyRosina。
Sheislivingallalone，itseemsandalmostinpoverty。Perhapsthereisnothingsosadintheworldasthefemalescionsofanoblebutimpoverishedstock。’
’Nothingsodull，certainly。’
’Peoplearenotdulltome，iftheyarereal。Ipitythatpoorlady。Sheisproudofherbloodandyetnotashamedofherpoverty。’
’Whatevermightcomeofherbloodshehasbeenallherlifewillingenoughtogetridofherpoverty。Itisn’tabovethreeyearssinceshewastryingherbesttomarrythatbreweratSilverbridge。Iwishyoucouldgiveyourtimealittletosomeoftheotherpeople。’
’Togoandshootarrows？’
’No——Idon’twantyoutoshootarrows。Youmightactthepartofhostwithoutshooting。Can’tyouwalkaboutwithanybodyexceptLadyRosinaDeCourcy？’
’IwaswalkingaboutwithSirOrlandoDroughtlastSunday，andI
verymuchpreferLadyRosina。’
’Therehasbeennoquarrel？’askedtheDuchesssharply。
’Ohdearno。’
’Ofcoursehe’sanempty-headedidiot。Everybodyhasalwaysknownthat。Andhe’sputabovehisplaceintheHouse。Butitwouldn’tdotoquarrelwithhimnow。’
’Idon’tthinkIamaquarrelsomeman，Cora。Idon’trememberatthismomentthatIhaveeverquarrelledwithanybodytoyourknowledge。ButImayperhapsbepermittedto——’
’Snubaman，youmean。WellIwouldn’teversnubSirOrlandoverymuch，ifIwereyou。thoughIcanunderstandthatitmightbebothpleasantandeasy。’
’Iwishyouwouldn’tputslangphrasesintomymouth，Cora。IfI
thinkthatamanintrudesuponme，Iamofcourseboundtoletknowmyopinion。’
’SirOrlandohas——intruded！’
’Bynomeans。Heisinapositionwhichjustifieshissayingmanythingstomewhichanothermightnotsay。Butthen，again，heisamanwhoseopiniondoesnotgofarwithme，andIhavenottheknackofseemingtoagreewithamanwhileIlethiswordspassidlybyme。’
’Thatisquitetrue，Plantagenet。’
’And，therefore，IwasuncomfortablewithSirOrlando，whileI
wasabletosympathizewithLadyRosina。’
’WhatdoyouthinkofFerdinandLopez？’askedtheDuchess，withstudiedabruptness。
’ThinkofMrLopez！Ihaven’tthoughyofhimatall。WhyshouldIthinkofhim？’
’Iwantyoutothinkofhim。Ithinkhe’saverypleasantfellow，andI’msurehe’sarisingman。’
’Youmightthinkthelatter，andperhapsfeelsureoftheformer。’
’Verywell。Then，toobligeyou，I’llthinkthelatterandfeelsureoftheformer。Isupposeit’struethatMrGreyisgoingonthismissiontoPersia？’MrGreywastheDuke’sintimatefriend，andwasatthistimememberfortheneighbouringboroughofSilverbridge。
’Ithinkhewillgo。I’venodoubtaboutit。HeistogoafterChristmas。’
’Andwillgiveuphisseat？’
TheDukedidnotanswerherimmediately。Ithadonlyjustbeendecided，——decidedbyhisfriendandhimself，——thattheseatshouldbegivenupwhenthejourneytoPersiawasundertaken。MrGrey，somewhatinoppositiontotheDuke’sadvice，hadresolvedthathecouldnotbeinPersiaanddohisdutyintheHouseofCommonsatthesametime。ButthisresolutionhadonlynowbeenmadeknowntotheDuke，andhewasratherpuzzledtothinkhowtheDuchesshadbeenabletobesoquickuponhim。Hehad，indeed，keptthematterbackfromtheDuchess，feelingthatshewouldhavesomethingtosayaboutit，whichmightpossiblybeunpleasant，assoonasthetidingsshouldreachher。’Yes，’hesaid，’Ithinkhewillgiveuphisseat。Thatishispurpose，thoughIthinkitisunnecessary。’
’LetMrLopezhaveit。’
’MrLopez！’
’Yes，——heisacleverman，arisingman，amanwhoissuretodowell，andwhowillbeofusetoyou。Justtakethetroubletotalktohim。Itisassistanceofthatkindthatyouwant。YouMinistersgoonshufflingtheoldcardstilltheyaresowornoutanddirtythatonecanhardlytellthepipsonthem。’
’Iamoneofthedirtyoldcardsmyself，’saidtheDuke。
’That’snonsense，youknow。Amanwhoisattheheadofaffairsasyouarecan’tbeincludedamongthepackIamspeakingof。
Whatyouwantisnewblood，ornewwood，ornewmetal，orwhateveryoumaychoosetocallit。Takemyadviceandtrythisman。Heisn’tapauper。Itisn’tmoneythathewants。’
’Cora，yourgeeseareallswans。’
’That’snotfair。Ihaveneverbroughttoyouagooseyet。Myswanshavebeenswans。Whowasitbroughtyouandyourpetswanofall，MrGrey，together？Iwon’tnameanynames，butitisyourswanshavebeengeese。’
’ItisnotformetoreturnamemberforSilverbridge。’Whenhesaidthis，shegavehimalookwhichalmostupsetevenhisgravity，alookwhichwasalmostthesameasaskinghimwhetherhewouldnot——tellittothemarines。’Youdon’tquiteunderstandthesethings，Cora，’hecontinued。’Theinfluencewhichownersofpropertymayhaveinboroughsisdecreasingeveryday，andtherearisesthequestionwhetheraconscientiousmanwillanylongerusesuchinfluence。’
’Idon’tthinkyou’dliketoseeamanfromSilverbridgeopposingyouintheHouse。’
’Imayhavetobearworseeventhanthat。’
’Well——thereitis。Themanishereandyouhavetheopportunityofknowinghim。OfcourseIhavenothintedatthemattertohim。IftherewereanyPalliserwantedtheboroughI
wouldn’tsayaword。Whatmorepatrioticthingcanapatrondowithhisboroughthantoselectamanwhoisunknowntohim，notrelatedtohim，aperfectstranger，merelyforhisworth？’
’ButIdonotknowwhatmaybetheworthofMrLopez。’
’Iwillguaranteethat，’saidtheDuchess。WhereupontheDukelaughed，andthenlefther。
TheDuchesshadspokenwithabsolutetruthwhenshetoldherhusbandthatshehadnotsaidawordtoMrLopezaboutSilverbridge，butitwasnotlongbeforeshedidsayaword。Onthatsamedayshefoundherselfalonewithhiminthegarden，——
orsomuchaloneastobeabletospeakwithhimprivately。HehadcertainlymadethebestuseofhistimesincehehadbeenattheCastle，havingsecuredthegood-willofmanyoftheladies，andthedispleasureofmostofthemen。’YouhaveneverbeeninParliament，Ithink，’saidtheDuchess。
’Ihavenevereventriedtogetthere。’
’Perhapsyoudisliketheideaofthatkindoflife。’
’No，indeed，’hesaid。’Sofarfromit，thatIregarditasthehighestkindoflifethereisinEngland。AseatinParliamentgivesamanastatusinthiscountrywhichithasneverdoneelsewhere。’
’Thenwhydon’tyoutryit？’
’BecauseI’vegotintoanothergroove。I’vebecomeessentiallyaCityman，——oneofthosemenwhotakeupthetradeofmakingmoneygenerally。’
’Anddoesthatcontentyou？’
’No，Duchess——certainlynot。Insteadofcontentingme，itdisgustsme。NotbutthatIlikethemoney，——onlyitissoinsufficientauseofone’slife。IsupposeIshalltrytogetintoParliamentsomeday。SeatsinParliamentdon’tgrowlikeblackberriesonbushes。’
’Prettynearly，’saidtheDuchess。
’Notinmypartofthecountry。Thesegoodthingsseemtobeappointedtofallinthewayofsomemen，andnotofothers。Iftherewereageneralelectiongoingonto-morrow，Ishouldnotknowhowtolookforaseat。’
’Theyaretobefoundsometimesevenwithoutageneralelection。’
’Areyoualludingtoanythingnow？’
’Well——yes，Iam。ButI’mverydiscreet，anddonotliketodomorethanallude。IfancythatMrGrey，thememberforSilverbridge，isgoingtoPersia。MrGreyisaMemberofParliament。MembersofParliamentoughttobeinLondonandnotinPersia。ItisgenerallysupposedthatnomaninEnglandismorepronetodowhatheoughttodothanMrGrey。Therefore，MrGreywillceasetobeMemberforSilverbridge。That’slogic，isn’tit？’
’HasyourGraceanylogicequallystrongtoprovethatIcanfollowhimintheborough？’
’No——orifIhave，thelogicthatIshoulduseinthatmattermustforthepresentbekepttomyself。’ShecertainlyhadalittlesyllogisminherheadastotheDukerulingtheborough，theDuke’swiferulingtheDuke，andthereforetheDuke’swiferulingtheborough。butshedidnotthinkitprudenttoutterthisonthepresentoccasion。’IthinkitmuchbetterthatmeninParliamentshouldbeunmarried，’saidtheDuchess。
’ButIamgoingtobemarried，’saidhe。
’Goingtobemarried，areyou？’
’Ihavenorighttosayso，becausethelady’sfatherhasrejectedme。’Thenhetoldherthewholestory，andsotolditastosecureherentiresympathy。Intellingitheneversaidthathewasarichman，heneverboastedthatthatsearchafterwealthofwhichhehadspoken，hadbeensuccessful。buthegavehertounderstandthattherewasnoobjectiontohimatallonthescoreofmoney。’Youmayhaveheardofthefamily，’hesaid。
’IhaveheardoftheWhartonsofcourse，andknowthatthereisabaronet，——butIknownothingmoreofthem。Heisnotamanoflargeproperty，Ithink。’
’MyMissWharton，theoneIwouldfaincallmine，——isthedaughterofaLondonbarrister。He，Ibelieve，isrich。’
’Thenshewillbeanheiress。’
’Isupposeso——butthatconsiderationhashadnoweightwithme。Ihavealwaysregardedmyselfasthearchitectofmyownfortune，andhavenowishtoowemymaterialcomforttoawife。’
’Sheerlove！’suggestedtheDuchess。
’Yes，Ithinkso。It’sveryridiculous，isitnot？’
’Andwhydoestherichbarristerobject？’
’Therichbarrister，Duchess，isanoutandoutoldTory，whothinksthathisdaughteroughttomarrynoonebutanEnglishTory。Iamnotexactlythat。’
’Amandoesnothamperhisdaughterinthesedaysbypolitics，whensheisfallinginlove。’
’Thereareothercognatereasons。Hedoesnotlikeaforeigner。
NowIamanEnglishman，butIhaveaforeignname。HedoesnotthinkanamesograndlySaxonasWhartonshouldbechangedtoonesomeanlyLatinasLopez。’
’TheladydoesnotobjecttotheLatinity？’
’Ifancynot。’
’Ortothebearerofit。’
’Ah——thereImustnotboast。Butinsimpletruththereisonlythefather’sill-willbetweenus。’
’Withplentyofmoneyonbothsides？’askedtheDuchess。Lopezshruggedhisshoulders。Ashrugatsuchatimemaymeananything，buttheDuchesstookthisshrugassignifyingthatthatquestionwassosurelysettledastoadmitofnodifficulty。
’Then，’saidtheDuchess，’theoldgentlemanmayaswellgivewayatonce。Ofcoursehisdaughterwillbetoomanyforhim。’InthiswaytheDuchessofOmniumbecamethebestfriendofFerdinandLopez。
CHAPTER22
STJAMES’SPARK。
TowardstheendofSeptemberEverettWhartonandFerdinandLopezwereintowntogether，andasnooneelsewasintown，——soatleasttheyprofessedtosay，——theysawagooddealofeachother。Lopez，asweknow，hadspentaportionoftheprecedingmonthatGatherumCastle，andhadmadegooduseofhistime，butEverettWhartonhadbeenlessfortunate。Hehadbeenalittlecrosswithhisfather，andperhapsalittlecrosswithalltheWhartonsgenerally，whodidnot，hethought，makequiteenoughofhim。Intheeventof’anythinghappening’tothatne’er-do-wellnephew，hehimselfwouldbetheheir。andhereflectednounfrequentlythatsomethingveryprobablymighthappentothenephew。Hedidnotoftenseethisparticularcousin，buthealwaysheardofhimasbeingdrunk，overwhelmedwithdebtanddifficulty，andaltogetherinthatpositioninlifeinwhichitisprobablethatsomethingwill’happen’。Therewasalwaysofcoursethedangerthattheyoungmanmightmarryandhaveachild——butinthemeantimesurelyhe，EverettWharton，shouldhavebeenasmuchthoughtofonthebanksoftheWyeasArthurFletcher。HehadbeenaskeddowntoWhartonHall，——buthehadbeenaskedinawaywhichhehadnothoughttobeflatteringanddeclinedtogo。ThentherehadbeenaplanforjoiningArthurFletcherinacertainshooting，butthathadfailedinconsequenceofafewwordsbetweenhimselfandArthurrespectingLopez。ArthurhadwantedhimtosaythatLopezwasanunpardonableintruder，——buthehadtakenthepartofLopez，andtherefore，whenthetimecameround，hehadnothingtodowiththeshooting。HehadstayedintowntillthemiddleofAugust，andhadthenstartedbyhimselfacrossthecontinentwithsomekeenintentionofstudyingGermanpolitics。buthehadfoundperhapsthatGermanpoliticsdonotmanifestthemselvesintheautumn，orthataforeigncountrycannotbewellstudiedinsolitude，——andhehadreturned。
Lateinthesummer，justbeforehisfatherandsisterhadlefttown，hehadhadsomewordswiththeoldbarrister。Therehadbeenafewbillstobepaid，andEverett’sallowancehadbeeninsufficient。Itoftenwasinsufficient，andthenreadymoneyforhisGermantourwasabsolutelynecessary。MrWhartonmightprobablyhavesaidlessaboutthemoneyhadnothissonaccompaniedhispetitionbyafurtherallusiontoParliament。
’TherearesomefellowsatlastreallygettingthemselvestogetherattheProgress，andofcourseitwillbenecessarytoknowwhowillbereadytocomeforwardatthenextgeneralelection。’
’IthinkIknowonewhowon’t，’saidthefather，’judgingfromthemannerinwhichheseemsatpresenttomanagehisownmoneyaffairs。’Therewasmoreseverityinthisthantheoldmanhadintended，forhehadoftenthoughtwithinhisownbosomwhetheritwouldnotbewellthatheshouldencouragehissontostandforsomeseat。Andthemoneythathehadnowbeenaskedtoadvancehadnotbeenverymuch，——notmore，intruth，thanheexpectedtobecalledupontopayinadditiontothemodestsumwhichheprofessedtoallowhisson。Hewasarichman，whowasnotintruthmadeunhappybypartingwithhismoney。Buttherehadbeen，hethought，animpudenceintheconjointattackwhichitwashisdutytopunish。Thereforehehadgivenhissonverylittleencouragement。
’Ofcourse，sir，ifyoutellmethatyouarenotinclinedtopayanythingbeyondtheallowanceyoumakeme，thereisanendofit。’
’Iratherthinkthatyoujustaskedmetopayaconsiderablesumbeyondyourallowance，andthatIhaveconsented。’Everettarguedthematternofurther，buthepermittedhismindtoentertainanideathathewasill-usedbyhisfather。Thetimewouldcomewhenhewouldprobablybeheirnotonlytohisfather’smoney，butalsototheWhartontitleandtheWhartonproperty，——whenhispositioninthecountrywouldreallybe，ashefrequentlytoldhimself，quiteconsiderable。Wasitpossiblethatheshouldrefrainfromblaminghisfatherfornotallowinghimtoobtain，earlyinlife，thatparliamentaryeducationwhichwouldfithimtobeanornamenttotheHouseofCommons，andasafeguardtohiscountryinfutureyears？
NowheandLopezwereattheProgresstogether，andtheywerealmosttheonlymenintheclub。LopezwasquitecontentedwithhisownpresentsojourninLondon，hehadnotonlybeenatGatherumCastlebuthewasgoingthereagain。Andthenhehadbrillianthopesbeforehim，——sobrilliantthattheybegan，hethought，toassumetheshapeofcertainties。HehadcorrespondedwiththeDuchess，andhehadgatheredfromhersomewhatdubiouswordsthattheDukewouldprobablyaccedetoherwishesinthematterofSilverbridge。Thevacancyhadnotyetbeendeclared。
MrGreywasdeterred，nodoubtbycertainhighStatepurposes，fromapplyingforthestewardshipoftheChilternHundreds，andtherebyreleasinghimselffromhisseatinParliament，andenablinghimselftoperform，withaclearconscience，dutiesinadistantpartoftheworldwhichhedidnotfeeltobecompatiblewiththatseat。Theseekersafterseatswere，nodoubt，alreadyonthetrack。buttheDuchesshadthoughtthatasfarastheDuke’sgoodwordwent，itmightpossiblybegiveninfavourofMrLopez。Thehappyaspiranthadtakenthistobealmostasgoodasapromise。Therewerealsocertainpecuniaryspeculationsonfoot，whichcouldnotbekeptquieteveninSeptember，astowhichhedidnotliketotrustentirelytotheunaidedenergyofMrSextusParker，ortotheboastedallianceofMrMillsHapperton。SextusParker’swholeheartandsoulwerenowinthematter，butMrMillsHapperton，anundoubtedpartnerinHuskyandSons，hadblownalittlecoldlyontheaffair。ButinspiteofthisFerdinandLopezwashappy。WasitprobablethatMrWhartonshouldcontinuehisoppositiontoamarriagewhichwouldmakehisdaughterthewifeofamemberofParliamentandofaspecialfriendoftheDuchessofOmnium？
Hehadsaidawordabouthisownprospectinreferencetothemarriage，butEveretthadbeenatfirstfartoofullofhisownaffairstoattendmuchtoamatterwhichwascomparativelysotrifling。
’Uponmyword，’hesaid，’Iambeginningtofeelangrywiththegovernor，whichisakindofthingIdon’tlikeatall。’
’Icanunderstandthatwhenhe’sangrywithyou，youshouldn’tlikeit。’
’Idon’tmindthathalfsomuch。He’llcomeround。Howeverunjusthemaybenow，atthemoment，he’sthelastmanintheworldtodoaninjusticeinhiswill。Ihavethoroughconfidenceinhim。ButIfindmyselfdrivenintohostilitytohimbyaconvictionthathewon’tletmetakeanyrealstepinlife，tillmylifehasbeenhalffritteredaway。’
’You’rethinkingofParliament。’
’OfcourseIam。Idon’tsaytoyouain’tanEnglishman，butyouarenotquiteenoughofanEnglishmantounderstandwhatParliamentistous。’
’Ihopetobe——someofthesedays，’saidLopez。
’Perhapsyoumay。Iwon’tsaybutwhatyoumaygetyourselfeducatedtoitwhenyou’vebeenmarriedadozenyearstoanEnglishwife，andhavehalf-a-dozenEnglishchildrenofyourown。
But，inthemeantime，lookatmyposition。Iamtwenty-eightyearsold。’
’Iamfouryearsyoursenior。’
’Itdoesnotmatterastrawtoyou，’continuedEverett。’Butafewyearsareeverythingwithme。IhavearighttosupposethatImaybeabletorepresentthecounty，——sayintwentyyears。I
shallprobablythenbetheheadofthefamilyandarichman。
Considerwhataparliamentaryeducationwouldbetome！AndthenitisjustthelifeforwhichIhavelaidmyselfout，andinwhichIcouldmakemyselfuseful。Youdon’tsympathizewithme，butyoumightunderstandme。’
’Idoboth。IthinkofgoingintotheHousemyself。’
’You！’
’Yes，Ido。’
’Youmusthavechangedyourideasverymuchthenwithinthelastmonthortwo。’
’Ihavechangedmyideas。Myonechiefobjectinlifeis，asyouknow，tomarryyoursister。andifIwereaMemberofParliamentIthinkthatsomedifficultieswouldbeclearedaway。’
’Buttherewon’tbeanelectionforthenextthreeyearsatmyrate，’saidEverettWharton，staringathisfriend。’Youdon’tmeantokeepEmilywaitingforadissolution？’
’Thereareoccasionalvacancies，’saidLopez。
’Isthereachanceofanythingofthatkindfallinginyourway？’
’Ithinkthereis。Ican’tquitetellyoualltheparticularsbecauseotherpeopleareconcerned，butIdon’tthinkitimprobablethatImaybeintheHousebefore。well，sayinthreemonths’time。’
’Inthreemonths’time！’exclaimedEverett，whosemouthwaswateringattheprospectsofafriend。’ThatiswhatcomesfromgoingtostaywithaPrimeMinister，Isuppose，’Lopezshruggedhisshoulders。’UponmywordIcan’tunderstandyou，’continuedtheother。’Itwasonlytheotherdayyouwerearguinginthisveryroomastotheabsurdityofaparliamentarycareer，——
pitchingintome，byGeorge，liketheverymischief，becauseI
hadsaidsomethinginitsfavour，——andnowyouaregoinginforityourselfinsomesortofmysteriouswaythatafellowcan’tunderstand。’ItwasquiteclearthatEverettWhartonthoughthimselfill-usedbyhisfriend’ssuccess。
’Thereisnomystery——onlyIcan’ttellpeople’snames。’
’Whatistheborough？’
’Icannottellyouthatatpresent。’
’Areyousuretherewillbeavacancy？’
’IthinkIamsure，’
’Andthatyouwillbeinvitedtostand？’
’Iamnotsureofthat。’
’Ofcourseanybodycanstandwhetherinvitedornot。’
’IfIcomeforwardforthisplaceIshalldosoontheverybestinterest。Don’tmentionit。ItellyoubecauseIalreadyregardmyconnectionwithyouasbeingsocloseastocalluponmetotellyouanythingofthatkind。’
’Andyetyoudonottellmethedetails。’
’ItellyouallthatIcaninhonourtell。’
EverettWhartoncertainlyfeltaggrievedbyhisfriend’snews，andplainlyshowedthathedidso。ItwassohardthatifastrayseatinParliamentweregoinga-begging，itshouldbethrowninthewayofthismanwhodidn’tcareforit，andcouldn’tuseittoanygoodpurpose。Insteadofinhisownway！
WhyshouldanyonewantFerdinandLopeztobeinParliament？
FerdinandLopezhadpaidnoattentiontothegreatpoliticalquestionsoftheCommonwealth。HeknewnothingofLabourandCapital，ofUnions，Strikes，andLockouts。Butbecausehewasrich，and，bybeingrich，hadmadehiswayamonggreatpeople，hewastohaveaseatinParliament！Asforthewealth，itmightbeathisowncommandalso，——ifonlyhisfathercouldbegottoseethematterinaproperlight。Andasforthefriendshipofgreatpeople，——PrimeMinisters，Duchesses，andsuchlike，——EverettWhartonwasquiteconfidentthathewasatanyrateaswellqualifiedtoshineamongthemasFerdinandLopez。Hewasoftoogoodanaturetobestirredtoinjusticeagainsthisfriendbythesorenessofthisfeeling。Hedidnotwishtorobhisfriendofhiswealth，ofhisDuchesses，orofhisembryoseatinParliament。ButforthemomenttherecameuponhimadoubtwhetherFerdinandwassoveryclever，orsopeculiarlygentlemanlikeorinanywayveryremarkable，andalmostaconvictionthathewasveryfarfrombeinggood-looking。
Theydinedtogether，andquitelateintheeveningtheystrolledoutintoStJames’sPark。TherewasnobodyinLondon，andtherewasnothingforeitherofthemtodo，andthereforetheyagreedtowalkroundthepark，darkandgloomyastheyknewtheparkwouldbe。LopezhadseenandhadquiteunderstoodthebitternessofspiritbywhichEveretthadbeenoppressed，andwiththatpeculiarlyimperturbablegoodhumourwhichmadepartofhischaracterboreitall，evenwithtenderness。Hewasaman，asaremanyofhisrace，whocouldbearcontradictions，unjustsuspicions，andsocialill-treatmentwithoutashadowofresentment，butwho，ifhehadapurpose，couldcarryitwithoutashadowofascruple。EverettWhartonhadonthisoccasionmadehimselfveryunpleasant，andLopezhadbornewithhimasanangelwouldhardlyhavedone。butshouldWhartoneverstandinhisfriend’sway，hisfriendwouldsacrificehimwithoutcompunction。
AsitwasLopezborewithhim，simplynotinginhisownmindthatEverettWhartonwasagreaterassthanhehadtakenhimtobe。
ItwasWharton’sideathattheyshouldwalkaroundthepark，andLopezforatimehaddiscouragedthesuggestion。’Itisawretchedlydarkplaceatnight，andyoudon’tknowwhomyoumaymeetthere。’
’Youdon’tmeantosaythatyouareafraidtowalkroundStJames’sParkwithmebecauseit’sdark！’saidWharton。
’Icertainlyshouldbeafraidbymyself，butIdon’tknowthatI
amafraidwithyou。Butwhat’sthegood？’
’It’sbetterthansittingheredoingnothing，withoutasoultospeakto。I’vealreadysmokedhalf-a-dozencigars，tillI’msomuddledIdon’t’knowwhatI’mabout。It’ssohotonecan’twalkintheday，andthisisjustthetimefortheexercise。’Lopezyielded，beingwillingtoyieldinalmostanythingatpresenttothebrotherofEmilyWharton。andthoughthethingseemedtohimtobeveryfoolish，theyenteredtheparkbyStJames’sPalace，andstartedtowalkroundit，turningtotherightandgoinginfrontofBuckinghamPalace。AstheywentonWhartonstillcontinuedhisaccusationagainsthisfather，andsaidalsosomesharpthingsagainstLopezhimself，tillhiscompanionbegantothinkthatthewinehehaddrunkhadbeenasbadasthecigars。
’Ican’tunderstandyourwantingtogointoParliament，’hesaid。
’Whatdoyouknowaboutit？’
’IfIgetthere，Icanlearnlikeanybodyelse，Isuppose。’
’Halfofthosewhogotheredon’tlearn。Theyare，asitwere，borntoit，andtheydoverywelltosupportthispartyorthat。’
’Andwhyshouldn’tIsupportthisparty，——orthat？’
’Idon’tsupposeyouknowwhichpartyyouwouldsupport，——exceptthatyou’dvotefortheDuke，if，asIsuppose，youaretogetinundertheDuke’sinfluence。IfIwentintotheHouseIshouldgowithafixedandsettledpurposeofmyown。’
’I’mnotthereyet，’saidLopez，willingtodropthesubject。
’Itwillbeagreatexpensetoyou，andwillstandaltogetherinthewayofyourprofession。AsfarasEmilyisconcerned，I
shouldthinkmyfatherwouldbedeadagainstit。’
’Thenhewouldbeunreasonable。’
’Notatall，ifhethoughtyouwouldinjureyourprofessionalprospects。Itisad-dpieceoffolly。that’sthelongandtheshortofit。
Thiscertainlywasveryuncivil，anditalmostmadeLopezangry。
Buthehadmadeuphismindthathisfriendwasalittletheworseforthewinehehaddrunk，andthereforehedidnotresenteventhis。’NevermindpoliticsandParliamentnow，’hesaid，’butletusgethome。Iambeginningtobesickofthis。It’ssoawfullydark，andwheneverIdohearastep，Ithinksomebodyiscomingtorobus。Letusgetonabit。’
’Whatthedeuceareyouafraidof？’saidEverett。TheyhadthencomeupthegreaterpartofthelengthoftheBirdcageWalk，andthelightsonStorey’sGatewerejustvisible，buttheroadonwhichtheywerethenwalkingwasverydark。Thetreeswereblackovertheirheads，andnotastepwasheardnearthem。Atthistimeitwasjustmidnight。Now，certainly，amongthefaultswhichmightbejustlyattributedtoLopez，personalcowardicecouldnotbereckoned。Onthiseveninghehadtwicespokenofbeingafraid，butthefearhadsimplybeenthatwhichordinarycautionindicates。andhisobjecthadbeenthatofhinderingWhartoninthefirstplacefromcomingintothepark，andthenofgettinghimoutofitasquicklyaspossible。
’Comealong，’saidLopez。
’ByGeorge，youareinabluefunk，’saidtheother。’Icanhearyourteethchattering。’Lopez，whowasbeginningtobeangry，walkedonandsaidnothing。Itwastooabsurd，hethought，forrealanger，buthekeptalittleinfrontofWharton，intendingtoshowthathewasdispleased。’Youhadbetterrunawayatonce，’saidWharton。
’Uponmyword。Ishallbegintothinkyou’retipsy，’saidLopez。
’Tipsy！’saidtheother。’Howdareyousaysuchathingtome？
YouneverinyourlifesaymeintheleastalteredbyanythingI
haddrunk。’
Lopezknewthatatanyratethiswasuntrue。’I’veseenyouasdrunkasCloebeforenow，’saidhe。
’That’salie，’saidWharton。
’Come，Wharton，’saidtheother，’donotdisgraceyourselfbyconductsuchasthat。Somethinghasputyouout，andyoudonotknowwhatyouaresaying。Icanhardlyimaginethatyoushouldwishtoinsultme。’
’Itwasyouinsultedme。YousaidIwasdrunk。Whenyousaidityouknewitwasuntrue。’
Lopezwalkedonalittlewayinsilence，thinkingoverthismostabsurdquarrel。Thenheturnedroundandspoke。’ThisisallthegreatestnonsenseIhaveeverheardintheworld。I’llgoonandgotobed，andto-morrowmorningyou’llthinkbetterofit。
Butprayrememberthatundernocircumstancesshouldyoucallamanaliar，unlessoncoolconsiderationyouaredeterminedtoquarrelwithhimforlying，anddeterminedalsotoseethequarrelout。’
’Iamquitereadytoseethisquarrelout。’
’Goodnight，’saidLopez，startingoffataquickpace。Theywerethenclosetotheturninthepark，andLopezwentontillhehadnearlyreachedtheparkfrontofthenewoffices。Ashehadwalkedhehadlistenedtothefootfallofhisfriend，andafterawhilehadperceived，orhadthoughtthatheperceivedthatthesoundwasdiscontinued。ItseemedtohimthatWhartonhadaltogetherlosthissenses——theinsulttohimselfhadbeensodeterminedandsoabsolutelygroundless！Hehadstrivenhisbesttoconquertheman’sill-humourbygood-naturedforbearance，andhadonlysuggestedthatWhartonwasperhapstipsyinordertogivehimsomeexcuse。Butifhiscompanionwerereallydrunk，ashenowbegantothink，coulditberighttoleavehimunprotectedinthepark？Theman’smannerhadbeenstrangethewholeevening，buttherehadbeennosignoftheeffectofwinetillaftertheyhadlefttheclub。ButLopezhadheardofmenwhohadbeenapparentlysober，becomingdrunkassoonasthegotintotheair。Itmighthavebeensointhiscase，thoughWharton’svoiceandgaithadnotbeenthoseofadrunkenman。Atanyrate，hewouldturnbackandlookafterhim，andashedidturnback，heresolvedthatwhateverWhartonmightsaytohimonthisnighthewouldnotnotice。HewastoowisetoraiseafurtherimpedimenttohismarriagebyquarrellingwithEmily’sbrother。
AssoonashepausedhewassurethatheheardfootstepsbehindhimwhichwerenotthoseofEverettWharton。Indeed，hewassurethatheheardthefootstepsofmorethanoneperson。Hestoodstillforamomenttolisten，andthenhedistinctlyheardarushandascuffle。Heranbacktothespotatwhichhehadlefthisfriend，andatfirstthoughtthatheperceivedamobofpeopleinthedusk。Butashegotnearer，hesawthattherewereamanandtwowomen。Whartonwasonthegroundonhisback，andthemanwasapparentlykneelingonhisneckandheadwhilethewomenwereriflinghispockets。Lopez，hardlyknowinghowhewasacting，wasupontheminamoment，flyinginthefirstplaceattheman，whohadjumpeduptomeethimashecame。Hereceivedatonceaheavyblowonhisheadfromsomeweapon，which，however，hishatsofarstoppedastosavehimfrombeingfelledorstunned，andthenhefeltanotherblowfrombehindontheear，whichheafterwardsconceivedtohavebeengivenhimbyoneofthewomen。
Butbeforehecouldwelllookabouthim，orwellknowhowthewholethinghadhappened，themanandthetwowomenhadtakentotheirlegs，andWhartonwasstandingonhisfeetleaningagainsttheironrailings。
Thewholethinghadoccupiedaveryshortspaceoftime，andyettheeffectswereverygrave。AtthefirstmomentLopezlookedroundandendeavouredtolisten，hopingthatsomeassistancemightbenear，——somepoliceman，or，ifnotthat，somewandererbynightwhomightbehonestenoughtohelphim。Buthecouldnearorseenoone。Inthisconditionofthingsitwasnotpossibleforhimtopursuetheruffians，ashecouldnotleavehisfriendleaningagainsttheparkrails。ItwasatoncemanifesttohimthatWhartonhadbeenmuchhurt，oratanyrateincapacitatedforimmediateexertion，bytheblowshehadreceived——andasheputhishanduptohisownhead，fromwhichinthescufflehishathadfallen，hewasnotcertainthathewasnotseverelyhurthimself。LopezcouldseethatWhartonwasverypale，thathiscravathadbeenalmostwrenchedfromhisneckbypressure，thathiswaistcoatwastornopenandthefrontofhisshirtsoiled，——andhecouldseealsothatafragmentofthewatch-chainwashangingloose，showingthatthewatchhadgone。
’Areyouhurtmuch？’hesaid，comingcloseupandtakingatenderholdofhisfriend’sarm。Whartonsmiledandshookhishead，butspokenotaword。Hewasintruthmoreshaken，stunned，andbewilderedthanactuallyinjured。Theruffian’sfisthadbeenathisthroat，twistinghiscravat，andforhalfaminutehehadfeltthathewaschoked。Ashehadstruggledwhileonewomanpulledathiswatchandtheothersearchedforhispurse，——
strugglingalasunsuccessfully，——themanhadendeavouredtoquiethimbykneelingonhischest，stranglinghimwithhisownnecktie，andpressinghardonhisgullet。Itisatreatmentwhich，afterafewsecondsofvigorouspractice，isapttoleavethepatientforawhiledisconcertedandunwillingtospeak。
’Sayawordifyoucan，’whisperedLopez，lookingintotheotherman’sfacewithanxiouseyes。
AtthemomenttherecameacrossWharton’smindaremembrancethathehadbehavedverybadlytoisfriend，andsomesortofvaguemistydoubtwhetherallthisevilhadnotbefallenbecauseofhismisconduct。ButheknewatthesametimetheLopezwasnotresponsiblefortheevil，anddismayedashehadbeen，stillherecalledenoughofthenatureofthestruggleinwhichhehadbeenengaged，tobeawarethatLopezhadbefriendedhimgallantly。Hecouldnotevenyetspeak。buthesawthebloodtricklingdownhisfriend’stempleandforehead，andliftinguphishand，touchedthespotwithhisfingers。Lopezalsoputhishadup，anddrewitawaycoveredwithblood。’Oh，’saidhe，’thatdoesnotsignifyintheleast。Igotaknock，Iknow，andIamafraidIhavelostmyhat，butI’mnothurt。’
’Oh，dear！’Thewordwasutteredwithalowsigh。Thentherewasapause，duringwhichLopezsupportedthesufferer。’I
thoughtthatitwasalloverwithmeatonemoment。’
’Youwillbebetternow。’
’Oh，yes。Mywatchisgone！’
’Ifearitis，’saidLopez。
’Andmypurse，’saidWharton，collectinghisstrengthtogethersufficientlytosearchforhistreasures。’Ihadeight5-poundnotesinit。’
’Nevermindyourmoneyoryourwatchifyourbonesarenotbroken。’
’It’saboreallthesametoloseeveryshillingthatonehas。’
ThentheywalkedveryslowlyawaytowardsthestepsattheDukeofYork’scolumn。Whartonregaininghisstrengthashewent，butstillabletoprogressbyleisurely。Lopezhadnotfoundhishat，and，beingcoveredwithblood，was，asfarasappearanceswent，inaworseplightthantheother。Atthefootofthestepstheymetapoliceman，towhomtheytoldtheirstory，andwho，asamatterofcourse，wasfilledwithanimmediatedesiretoarrestthemboth。Tothepoliceman’sminditwasmostdistressingthatabloodyfacedmanwithoutahat，withacompanionalmosttooweaktowalk，shouldnotbeconveyedtoapolice-station。Butaftertenminutes’parley，duringwhichWhartonsatonthebottomstepandLopezexplainedallthecircumstances，heconsentedtogetthemacabtotaketheiraddress，andthentogoalonetothestationandmakehisreport。Thatthethieveshadgotoffwiththeirplunderwasonlytoomanifest。LopeztooktheinjuredmanhometothehouseinManchesterSquare，andthenreturnedinthesamecab，hatless，tohisownlodgings。
Ashereturnedheappliedhismindtothinkhowhecouldturntheeventsoftheeveningtohisownuse。HedidnotbelievethatEverettWhartonwasseverelyhurt。Indeedtheremightbeaquestionwhetherinthemorninghisowninjurywouldnotbethemostsevere。ButtheimmediateeffectontheflusteredanddespoiledunfortunateonehadbeengreatenoughtojustifyLopezintakingstrongstepsifstrongstepscouldinanywaybenefithimself。Woulditbebesttopublishthisaffaironthehouse-
tops，ortoburyitintheshade，asnearlyasitmightbeburied？Hehaddeterminedinhisownmindthathisfriendhadbeentipsy。Innootherwaycouldhisconductbeunderstood。
Andarowwithatipsymanatmidnightintheparkisnot，atfirstsight，creditable。Butitcouldbemadetohaveabetterappearanceiftoldbyhimself，thanifpublishedfromotherquarters。TheoldhousekeeperatManchesterSquaremustknowsomethingaboutit，andwould，ofcourse，tellwhatsheknew，andthelossofmoneyandthewatchmustinallprobabilitybemadeknown。Beforehehadreachedhisowndoorhadhadquitemadeuphismindthathehimselfwouldtellthestoryafterhisownfashion。
Andhetoldit，beforehewenttobedthatnight。Hewashedthebloodfromhisfaceandhead，andcutawayapartoftheclottedhair，andthenwrotealettertooldMrWhartonatWhartonHall。
Andbetweenthreeandfouro’clockinthemorninghewentoutandpostedhisletterinthenearestpillar，sothatitmightgodownbythedaymailandcertainlyprecededbyotherwrittendoings。
Theletterwhichhesentwasasfollows：
DEARMRWHARTON
IregrettohavetosendtoyouanaccountofaratherseriousaccidentwhichhashappenedtoEverett。Iamnowwritingat3am，havingjusttakenhimhome，anditoccurredaboutmidnight。Youmaybequitesurethatthereisnodanger，orIshouldhaveadvertisedyoubytelegram。
Thereisnothingdoingintown，andtherefore，asthenightwasfine，we，veryfoolishly，agreedtowalkroundStJames’sParklateafterdinner。Itisakindofthingthatnobodydoes——butwedidit。WhenwehadnearlygotroundIwasinahurry，whereasEverettwasforstrollingslowly，andsoIwentbeforehim。ButIwashardlytwohundredyardsinfrontofhimbeforehewasattackedbythreepersons，amanandtwowomen。ThemanIpresumecameuponhimfrombehind，buthehasnotsufficientlycollectedhisthoughtstorememberexactlywhatoccurred。Iheardthescuffle，andofcourseturnedback，——andwasluckilyintimetogetupbeforehewasseriouslyhurt。Ithinkthemanwouldotherwisehavestrangledhim。Iamsorrytosayhelostbothhiswatchandhispurse。
Heundoubtedlybeenverymuchshaken，andaltogether’knockedoutoftime，’aspeoplesay。Excusethephrase，becauseIthinkitwillbestexplainwhatIwantyoutounderstand。Theman’shandathisthroatmusthavestoppedhisbreathingforsomeseconds。Hecertainlyhasreceivednopermanentinjury，butIshouldnotwonderifheshouldbeunwellforsomedays。Itellyouallexactlyasitoccurred，asitstrikesmethatyoumayliketorunuptotownforadayjusttolookathim。Butyouneednotdosoonthescoreofanydanger。Ofcoursehewillseeadoctorto-morrow。Theredidnotseemtobeanynecessityforcallinguponeto-night。Wedidgivenoticetothepoliceaswewerecominghome，butIfeartheruffianshadampletimeforanescape。HewastooweakandIwastoofullyemployedwithhim，tothinkofpursuingthematthetime。
OfcourseheisatManchesterSquareMostfaithfullyyoursFERDINANDLOPEZ
HedidnotsayawordaboutEmily，butheknewthatEmilywouldseetheletterandwouldperceivethathehadbeenthemeansofpreservingherbrother。and，inregardtotheoldbarristerhimself。Lopezthoughtthattheoldmancouldnotbutfeelgratefulforhisconduct。HehadintruthbehavedverywelltoEverett。HehadreceivedaheavyblowontheheadinyoungWharton’sdefence，——ofwhichhewasdeterminedtomakegooduse，thoughhehadthoughtitexpedienttosaynothingabouttheblowintheletter。Surelyitwasallhelp。Surelythepaternalmindwouldbesoftenedtowardshimwhenthefathershouldbemadetounderstandhowgreathadbeentheservicetotheson。ThatEverettwouldmakelittleofwhathadbeendoneforhimdedidnotintheleastfear。EverettWhartonwassometimessillybutwasneverungenerous。
Inspiteofhisnight’sworkLopezwasinManchesterSquarebeforeninethefollowingmorning，andonthesideofhisbrowheboreagreatpatchofblackplaster。’Myheadisverythick，’hesaidlaughing，whenEverettaskedafterhiswound。’Butitwouldhavegonebadlywithmeiftheruffianhadstruckaninchlower。
Isupposemyhatsavedme，thoughIrememberverylittle。Yes，oldfellow，Ihavewrittentoyourfather，andIthinkhewillcomeup。Itwasbetterthatitshouldbeso。’
’Thereisnothingthematterwithme，’saidEverett。
’Onedidn’tquiteknowlastnightwhethertherewasorno。Atanyratehiscomingwon’thurtyou。It’salwayswelltohaveyourbankernearyou，whenyourfundsarelow。’
ThenafterapauseEverettmadehisapology，——’IknowImadeagreatassofmyselflastnight。’
’Don’tthinkaboutit。’
’IusedawordIshouldn’thaveused，andIbegyourpardon。’
’Notanotherword，Everett。Betweenyouandmethingscan’tgowrong。Weloveeachothertoowell。’
CHAPTER23
SURRENDER。
ThelettergiveninthepreviouschapterwasreceivedatWhartonHalllateintheeveningofthedayonwhichitwaswritten，andwasdiscussedamongalltheWhartonsthatnight。Ofcoursetherewasnodoubtastothefather’sgoinguptotownonthemorrow。
Theletterwasjustsuchaletteraswouldsurelymakeamanruntohisson’sbedside。Hadthesonwrittenhimselfitwouldhavebeendifferent。butthefactthattheletterhadcomefromanothermanseemedtobeevidencethatthepoorsufferercouldnotwrite。PerhapstheurgencywithwhichLopezhadsentoffhisdispatch，gettinghisaccountofthefrayreadyfortheveryearlydaymail，thoughthefrayhadnottakenplacetillmidnight，didnotimpressthemsufficientlywhentheyacceptedthisasevidenceofEverett’sdangerouscondition。AtthisconferenceatWhartonverylittlewassaidaboutLopez，buttherewasageneralfeelingthathehadbehavedwell。’Itwasveryoddthattheyshouldhavepartedinthepark，’saidSirAlured。’Butveryluckythattheyshouldnothavepartedsooner，’saidJohnFletcher。IfagrainofsuspicionagainstLopezmighthavebeensetafloatintheirmindsbySirAlured’ssuggestion，itwasaltogetherdissipatedbyJohnFletcher’sreply——foreverybodythereknewthatJohnFletchercarriedcommonsenseforthetwofamilies。OfcoursetheyallhatedFerdinandLopez，butnothingcouldbeextractedfromtheincident，asfarasitsdetailswereyetknowntothem，whichcouldbeturnedtohisinjury。
Whiletheysattogetherdiscussingthematterinthedrawing-roomEmilyWhartonhardlysaidaword。Sheutteredalittleshriekwhentheaccountoftheaffairwasfirstreadtoher，andthenlistenedwithsilentattentiontowhatwassaidaroundher。Whentherehadseemedforamomenttobeadoubt，——orratheraquestion，fortherehadbeennodoubt，——whetherherfathershouldgoatoncetoLondon，shehadspokenjustaword。’Ofcourseyouwillgo，papa。’Afterthatshesaidnothingtillshecametohiminhisownroom。’OfcourseIwillgowithyoutomorrow，papa。’
’Idon’tthinkthatwillbenecessary。’
’Oh，yes。ThinkhowwretchedIshouldbe。’
’Iwouldtelegraphtoyouimmediately。’
’AndIshouldn’tbelievethetelegraph。Don’tyouknowhowitalwaysis？Besideswehavebeenmorethantheusualtime。Weweretogototownintendays，andyouwouldnotthinkofreturningtofetchme。OfcourseIwillgowithyou。Ihavealreadybeguntopackmythings，andJaneisnowatit。’Herfather，notknowinghowtoopposeher，yielded，andEmilybeforeshewenttobedhadmadetheladiesofthehouseawarethatshealsointendedtostartthenextmorningateighto’clock。
DuringthefirstpartofthejourneyverylittlewassaidbetweenMrWhartonandEmily。Therewereotherpersonsinthecarriage，andshe，thoughshehaddeterminedinsomevaguewaythatshewouldspeaksomewordstoherfatherbeforeshereachedtheirownhouse，hadstillwantedtimetoresolvewhatthosewordsshouldbe。ButbeforeshehadreachedGloucestershehadmadeuphermind，andgoingonfromGloucestershefoundherselfforatimealonewithherfather。Shewassittingoppositetohim，andafterconversingforawhileshetouchedhiskneewithherhand。
’Papa，’shesaid，’IsupposeImustnowhavetomeetMrLopezinManchesterSquare？’
’WhyshouldyouhavetomeetMrLopez？’
’OfcoursehewillcometheretoseeEverett。Afterwhathasoccurredyoucanhardlyforbidhimthehouse。HehassavedEverett’slife。’
’Idon’tknowthathehasdoneanythingofthekind，’saidMrWharton，whowasvacillatingbetweendifferentopinions。HedidinhisheartbelievethatthePortuguesewhomhesohatedhadsavedhissonfromthethieves，andhealsohadalmostcometotheconvictionthathemustgivehisdaughtertotheman，——butatthesametimehecouldnotasyetbringhimselftoabandonhisoppositiontothemarriage。
’Perhapsyouthinkthestoryisnottrue。’
’Idon’tdoubtthestoryintheleast。Ofcourseonemanstickstoanotherinsuchanaffair，andIhavenodoubtthatMrLopezbehavedasanyEnglishgentlemanwould。’
’AnyEnglishgentleman，papa，wouldhavetocomeafterwardsandseethefriendhehadsaved。Don’tyouthinkso？’
’Ohyes，——hemightcall。’
’AndMrLopezwillhaveanadditionalreasonforcalling，——andI
knowhewillcome。Don’tyouthinkhewillcome？’
’Idon’twanttothinkanythingaboutit，’saidthefather。
’ButIwantyoutothinkaboutit，papa。Papa，Iknowyouarenotindifferenttomyhappiness。’
’Ihopeyouknowit。’
’Idoknowit。Iamquitesureofit。AndthereforeIdon’tthinkyououghttobeafraidtotalktomeaboutwhatmustconcernmyhappinesssogreatly。AsfarasmyownselfandmyownwillareconcernedIconsidermyselfasgivenawaytoMrLopezalready。Nothingbuthismarryingsomeotherwoman，——orhisdeath，——wouldmakemethinkofmyselfasotherwisethanasbelongingtohim。Iamnotabitashamedofowningmylove——toyouortohim，iftheopportunitywereallowedme。Idon’tthinkthereshouldbeconcealmentaboutanythingsoimportantbetweenpeoplewhoaresodeartoeachother。IhavetoldyouthatI
willdowhateveryoubidmeabouthim。IfyousaythatIshallnotspeaktohimorseehimIwillnotspeaktohimorseehim——
willingly。YoucertainlyneednotbeafraidthatIshouldmarrywithoutyourleave。’
’Iamnotintheleastafraidofit。’
’ButIthinkyoushouldthinkoverwhatyouaredoing。AndIamquitesureofthis，——thatyoumusttellmewhatIamtodoinregardtoreceivingMrLopezinManchesterSquare。’MrWhartonlistenedattentivelytowhathisdaughtersaidtohim，shakinghisheadfromtimetotimeasthoughalmostequallydistractedbyherpassiveobedienceandbyherpassionateprotestationsoflove。buthesaidnothing。WhenshehadcompletedhersupplicationhethrewhimselfbackinHisseatandafterawhiletookhisbook。Itmaybedoubtedwhetherhereadmuch，forthequestionastohisgirl’shappinesswasquiteasnearhisheartasshecouldwishittobe。
ItwaslateintheafternoonbeforetheyreachedManchesterSquare，andtheywerebothhappytofindthattheywerenottroubledbyMrLopezatthefirstmoment。Everettwasathomeandinbed，andhadnotindeedasyetrecoveredtheeffectoftheman’sknucklesathiswindpipe。buthewaswellenoughtoassurehisfatherandsisterthattheyneednothavedisturbedthemselvesorhurriedtheirreturnfromHertfordshireonhisaccount。’Totellthetruth，’saidhe，’FerdinandLopezwasmorehurtthanIwas。’
’Hesaidnothingofbeinghurthimself，’saidMrWharton。
’Howwashehurt？’askedEmilyinthequietest，stillestvoice。
’Thefactis，’saidEverett，beginningtotellthewholestoryafterhisownfashion，’ifhehadn’tbeenathandthen，therewouldhavebeenanendofme。Wehadseparated，youknow——’
’WhatcouldmaketwomenseparatefromeachotherinthedarknessofStJames’sPark？’
’Well，——totellyouthetruth，wehadquarrelled。Ihadmadeanassofmyself。Youneednotgointothatanyfurther，exceptthatyoushouldknowthatitwasallmyfault。Ofcourseitwasn’tarealquarrel，’——whenhesaidthisEmily，whowassittingclosetohisbed-head，pressedhisarmundertheclotheswithherhand，——’butIhadsaidsomethingrough，andhehadgoneonjusttoputanendtoit。’
’Itwasuncommonlyfoolish，’saidtheoldWharton。’Itwasveryfoolishgoingroundtheparkatthattimeofnight。’
’Nodoubt，sir，——butitwasmydoing。Andifhehadnotgonewithme，Ishouldhavegonealone。’Heretherewasanotherpressure。’Iwasalittlelowinspirits，andwantedthewalk。’
’Buthowishehurt？’askedthefather。
’ThemanwhowaskneelingonmeandsqueezingthelifeoutofmejumpedupwhenheheardLopezcoming，andstruckhimovertheheadwithabludgeon。Iheardtheblow，thoughIwasprettywelldoneforatthetimemyself。Idon’tthinktheyhitme，buttheygotsomethingroundmyneck，andIwashalfstrangledbeforeI
knewwhattheyweredoing。PoorLopezbledhorribly，buthesaysheisnonetheworseforit。’Heretherewasanotherlittlepressureunderthebed-clothes。forEmilyfeltthatherbrotherwaspleadingforherineverywordthathesaid。
AbouttenonthefollowingmorningLopezcameandaskedforMrWharton。Hewasshownintothestudy，wherehefoundtheoldman，andatoncebegantogivehisaccountofthewholeconcerninaneasy，unconcernedmanner。Hehadthelargeblackpatchonthesideofthehead，whichhadbeensoputonasalmosttobecomehim。ButitwassoconspicuousastoforceaquestionconcerningitfromMrWharton。’Iamafraidyougotratherasharpknockyourself，MrLopez？’
’Ididgetaknock，certainly——buttheoddpartofitisthatI
knewnothingaboutittillIfoundthebloodinmyeyesaftertheyhaddecamped。ButIlostmyhat，andthereisaratherlongcutjustabovethetemple。Ithasn’tdonemetheslightestharm。
TheworstofitwasthatthegotoffwithEverett’swatchandmoney。’
’Hadhemuchmoney？’
’Fortypounds！’AndLopezshookhishead，therebysignifyingthatfortypoundsatthepresentmomentwasmorethanEverettWhartoncouldaffordtolose。Uponthewholehecarriedhimselfverywell，ingratiatinghimselfwiththefather，raisingnoquestionaboutthedaughter，andsayingaslittleaspossibleabouthimself。Heaskedwhetherhecouldgoupandseehisfriend，andorcoursewasallowedtodoso。AminutebeforeheenteredtheroomEmilyleftit。Theydidnotseeeachother。Atanyratehedidnotseeher。Buttherewasafeelingwithbothofthemthattheotherwasclose，——andtherewassomethingpresenttothem，almostamountingtoconviction，thattheaccidentoftheparkrobberywouldbegoodforthem。
’HecertainlydidsaveEverett’slife，’Emilysaidtoherfatherthenextday。
’Whetherhedidornot，hedidhisbest，’saidMrWharton。
’Whenone’sdearestrelationisconcerned，’saidEmily，’andwhenhislifehasbeensaved，onefeelsthatonehastobegratefulevenifithasbeenanaccident。Ihopeheknows，atanyrate，thatIamgrateful。’
TheoldmanhadnotbeenaweekinLondonbeforeheknewthathehadabsolutelylostthegame。MrsRobycamebacktoherhouseroundthecorner，ostensiblywiththeobjectofassistingherrelativesinmindingEverett，——apurposeforwhichshecertainlywasnotneeded，but，asthematterprogressed，MrWhartonwasnotwithoutsuspicionthatherreturnhadbeenarrangedbyFerdinandLopez。Shetookuponherself，atanyrate，tobeloudinthepraiseofthemanwhohadsavedthelifeofher’darlingnephew’，——andtoseethatothersalsoshouldbeloudinhispraise。InalittletimeallLondonhadheardoftheaffair，andithadbeendiscussedoutofLondon。DownatGatherumCastlethematterhadbeenknown，——butthetellingofithadalwaysbeentothegreathonourandgloryofthehero。MajorPountneyhadalmostbrokenhisheartoverit，andCaptainGunner，writingtohisfriendfromtheCurragh，hadassertedhisknowledgethatitwasalla’got-
up’thingbetweenthetwomen。TheBreakfastTableandtheEveningPulpithadbeenloudinpraiseofLopez，butthePeople’sBanner，underthemanagementofMrQuintusSlide，hadnaturallythrowndownmuchsuspicionontheincidentwhenitbecameknowntotheEditorthatFerdinandLopezhadbeenentertainedbytheDukeandDuchessofOmnium。’Wehavealwaysfeltsomeslightdoubtsastothedetailsoftheaffairsaidtohavehappenedaboutafortnightago，justatmidnight，inStJames’sPark。Weshouldbegladtoknowwhetherthepolicemenhavesucceededintracinganyofthestolenproperty，orwhetheranyrealattempttotraceithasbeenmade。’Thiswasoneoftheparagraphs，anditwashintedstillmoreplainlyafterwardsthatEverettWharton，beingshortofmoney，hadarrangedtheplanwiththevieworopeninghisfather’spurse。ButthegeneraleffectwascertainlyserviceabletoLopez。EmilyWhartondidbelievehimtobeahero。Everettwasbeyondmeasuregratefultohim，——
notonlyforhavingsavedhimfromthethieves，butalsoforhavingtoldnothingofhispreviousfolly。MrsRobyalwaysalludedtothematterasif，forallcomingages，everyWhartonoughttoacknowledgethatgratitudetoaLopezwastheveryfirstdutyoflife。Theoldmanfelttheabsurdityofmuchofthis，butstillitoffendedhim。WhenLopezcamehecouldnotberoughtothemanwhohaddoneaservicetohisson。Andthenhefoundhimselfcompelledtodosomething。Hemusteithertakehisdaughteraway，orhemustyield。Buthispoweroftakinghisdaughterawayseemedtobelessthanithadbeen。Therewasanairofquiet，unmeritedsufferingabouther，whichquelledhim。
Andsoheyielded。
Itwasafterthisfashion。Whetheraffectedbytheviolenceoftheattackmadeuponhim，orfromothercause，Everetthadbeenunwellaftertheaffair，andhadkepthisroomforafortnight。
DuringthistimeLopezcametoseehimdaily，anddailyEmilyWhartonhadtotakeherselfoutoftheman’sway，andhideherselffromtheman’ssight。Thisshedidwithmuchtact，andwithlady-likequietness，butnotwithoutanairofmartyrdom，whichcutherfathertothequick。’Mydear，’hesaidtoheroneevening，asshewaspreparingtoleavethedrawing-roomonhearinghisknock，’stopandseehimifyoulikeit。’
’Papa！’
’Idon’twanttomakeyouwretched。IfIcouldhavediedfirst，andgotoutoftheway，perhapsitwouldhavebeenbetter。’
’Papa，youwillkillmeifyouspeakinthatway！Ifthereisanythingtosaytohim，doyousayit。’Andthensheescaped。
Well！Itwasanaddedbitterness，butnodoubtitwashisduty。
Ifhedidintendtoconsenttothemarriage，itwascertainlyforhimtosignifythatconsenttotheman。Itwouldnotbesufficientthatheshouldgetoutofthewayandleavehisgirltoactforherselfasthoughshehadnofriendintheworld。Thesurrenderwhichhehadmadetohisdaughterhadcomefromasuddenimpulseatthemoment，butitcouldnotnowbewithdrawn。
Sohestoodoutonthestaircase，andwhenLopezcameuponhiswaytoEverett’sbedroom，hetookhimbythearmandledhimintothedrawing-room。’MrLopez，’hesaid，’youknowthatIhavenotbeenwillingtowelcomeyouintomyhouseasason-in-law。Therearereasonsonmymind，——perhapsprejudices，——whicharestrongagainstit。Theyareasstrongnowasever。Butshewishesit，andIhavetheutmostrelianceonherconstancy。’
’SohaveI，’saidLopez。
’Stopamoment，ifyouplease，sir。Insuchapositionafather’sthoughtisonlytohisdaughter’shappinessandprosperity。Itisnothisownthatheshouldconsider。Ihearyouwellspokenofintheouterworld，andIdonotknowthatI
havearighttodemandofmydaughterthatsheshouldtearyoufromheraffections，because——becauseyouarenotjustsuchasI
wouldhaveherhusbandtobe。Youhavemypermissiontoseeher。’ThenbeforeLopezcouldsayaword，helefttheroom，andtookhishatandhurriedawaytohisclub。
Ashewenthewasawarethathehadmadenotermsatall——butthenhewasinclinedtothinkthatnotermscouldbemade。ThereseemedtobeageneralunderstandingthatLopezwasdoingwellintheworld，——inaprofessionoftheworkingofwhichMrWhartonhimselfknewabsolutelynothing。Hehadalargefortuneathisownbestowal，——intendedforhisdaughter，——whichwouldhavebeenforthcomingatthemomentandpaiddownonthenail，hadshemarriedArthurFletcher。TheverywayinwhichthemoneyshouldbeinvestedandtiedupandmadetobesafeandcomfortabletotheFletcher-cum-Whartoninterestsgenerally，hadbeenfullysettledamongthem。Butnowthisotherman，thisstranger，thisPortuguesehadenteredupontheinheritance。Butthestranger，thePortuguese，mustwait。MrWhartonknewhimselftobeanoldman。Shewashischild，andhewouldnotwrongher。Butsheshouldhavehermoneycloselysettleduponherselfonhisdeath，——andonherchildren，shouldshethenhaveany。Itshouldbedonebyhiswill。HewouldsaynothingaboutmoneytoLopez，andifLopezshould，aswasprobable，askafterhisdaughter’sfortune，hewouldanswertothiseffect。Thushealmostresolvedthathewouldgivehisdaughtertothemanwithoutanyinquiryastotheman’smeans。Thethinghadtobedone，andhewouldtakenofurthertroubleaboutit。Thecomfortofhislifewasgone。
Hishomewouldnolongerbeahometohim。Hisdaughtercouldnotnowbehiscompanion。Thesoonerthatdeathcametohimthebetter，buttilldeathshouldcomehemustconsolehimselfaswellashecouldbyplayingwhistattheEldon。ItwasafterthisfashionthatMrWhartonthoughtofthecomingmarriagebetweenhisdaughterandherlover。
’Ihaveyourfather’sconsenttomarryyoursister，’saidFerdinandimmediatelyonenteringEverett’sroom。
’Iknewitmustcomesoon，’saidtheinvalid。
’Icannotsaythatithasbeengiveninthemostgraciousmanner，——butithasbeengivenveryclearly。Ihavehisexpresspermissiontoseeher。Thosewerehislastwords。’