Thentherewasasendingofnotesbetweenthesick-roomandthesickman’ssister’sroom。EverettwroteandFerdinandwrote，andEmilywrote，——shortlineseachofthem，——afewwordsscrawled。
ThelastfromEmilywasasfollows：——’Lethimgointothedrawing-room。EW。’AndsoFerdinandwentdowntomeethislove，——toencounterherforthefirsttimeasherrecognizedfuturehusbandandengagedlover。Passionate，declared，andthoroughaswasherloveforthisman，thefamiliarintercoursebetweenthemhadhithertobeenverylimited。Therehadbeenlittle，——wemayperhapssaynone，——ofthatdalliancebetweenthemwhichissodelightfultothemanandsowondroustothegirltillcustomstaledtheedgeofit。Hehadneversatwithherarmaroundherwaist。Hehadrarelyheldevenherhandinhisforahappyrecognizedpauseofafewseconds。Hehadneverkissedevenherbrow。Andthereshewasnow，standingbeforehim，allhisown，absolutelygiventohim，withthefullestassuranceofloveonherpart，andwiththedeclaredconsentofherfather。Evenhehadbeenalittleconfusedasheopenedthedoor，——evenhe，ashepausedtocloseitbehindhim，hadtothinkhowhewouldaddressher，andperhapshadthoughtinvain。Buthehadnotamomentforanythoughtafterenteringtheroom。Whetheritwashisdoingorhershehardlyknew，butshewasinhisarms，andherlipswerepressedtohis，andhisarmswastightaroundherwaist，holdingherclosetohisbreast。Itseemedasthoughallthatwaswantinghadbeenunderstoodinamoment，andasthoughtheyhadlivedtogetherandlovedforthelasttwelvemonths，withthefullestmutualconfidence。Andshewasthefirsttospeak——
’Ferdinand，Iamsohappy！Areyouhappy？’
’Mylove，mydarling！’
’Youhaveneverdoubtedme，Iknow，——sinceyoufirstknewit。’
’Doubtedyou，mygirl！’
’ThatIwouldbefirm！Andnowpapahasbeengoodtome，andhowquicklyone’ssorrowisover。Iamyours，mylove，foreverandever。Youknewitbefore，butIliketotellyou。Iwillbetruetoyouineverything！Oh，mylove！’
Hehadbutlittletosaytoher，butweknowthatforloverslackingmatter，thecleanliestshiftistokiss。Insuchmomentssilencecharms，andalmostanywordsareunsuitableexceptthosesoft，bird-likemurmuringsoflovewhich，sweetastheyaretotheear，canhardlybesowrittenastobesweettothereader。
CHAPTER24
THEMARRIAGE。
TheengagementwasmadeinOctober，andthemarriagetookplaceinthelatterpartofNovember。WhenLopezpressedforanearlyday，——whichhedidverystrongly，——Emilyraisednodifficultiesinthewayofhiswishes。Thefather，foolishlyenough，wouldatfirsthavepostponedit，andmadehimselfsounpleasanttoLopezbyhismannerofdoingthis，thatthebridewasdriventotakeherlover’spart。Asthethingwastobedone，whatwastobegainedbythedelay？Itcouldnotbemadeajoytohim。nor，lookingatthematterashelookedatit，couldhemakeajoyevenofherpresenceduringthefewinterveningweeks。LopezproposedtotakehisbrideintoItalyforthewintermonths，andtostaythereatanyratethroughDecemberandJanuary，allegingthathemustbebackintownbythebeginningofFebruary——andthiswastakenasafairpleaforhasteningthemarriage。
Whenthematterwassettled，hewentbacktoGatherumCastle，ashehadarrangedtodowiththeDuchessandmanagedtointerestherGraceinallhisproceedings。Shepromisedthatshewouldcallonhisbrideintown，andevenwentsofarastosendheracostlyweddingpresent。’Youaresureshehasgotmoney？’saidtheDuchess。
’Iamnotsureofanything，’saidLopez，——’exceptthis，thatI
donotmeantoaskasinglequestionaboutit。Ifhesaysnothingtomeaboutmoney，Icertainlyshallsaynothingtohim。
Myfeelingisthis，Duchess，thatIamnotmarryingMissWhartonforhermoney。Themoney，iftherebeany，hashadnothingtodowithit。Butofcourseitwillbeapleasureaddedifitbethere。’TheDuchesscomplimentedhim，andtoldhimthatthiswasexactlyasitshouldbe。
ButtherewassomedelayastotheseatofSilverbridge。MrGrey’sdepartureforPersiahadbeenpostponed，——theDuchessthoughtonlyforamonthorsixweeks。TheDuke，however，wasoftheopinionthatMrGreyshouldnotvacatehisseattillthedayofhisgoingwasatanyratefixed。TheDuke，moreover，hadnotmadeanypromiseofsupportinghiswife’sfavourite。’Don’tsetyourheartuponittoomuch，MrLopez，’theDuchesshadsaid。
’butyoumaybesureIwillnotforgetyou。’Thenithadbeensettledbetweenthemthatthemarriageshouldnotbepostponed，orthepromisedtriptoItalyabandoned，becauseoftheprobablevacancyatSilverbridge。Shouldthevacancyoccurduringhisabsence，andshouldtheDukeconsent，hecouldreturnatonce。
Allthisoccurredinthelastweekortwobeforehismarriage。
TherewerevariouslittleincidentswhichdidnottendtomakethehappinessofEmilyWhartoncomplete。ShewrotetohercousinMaryWharton，andalsotoLadyWharton——andherfatherwrotetoSirAlured。butthefolkatWhartonHalldidnotgivetheiradherence。OldMrsFletcherwasstillthere，butJohnFletcherhadgonehometoLongbarns。TheobduracyoftheWhartonsmightprobablybeowingtothesetwoaccidents。MrsFletcherdeclaredaloud，assoonasthetidingsreachedher，thatsheneverwishedtoseeorhearanythingmoreofEmilyWharton。’Shemustbeagirl，’saidMrsFletcher，’ofaningrainedvulgartaste。’SirAlured，whoseletterfromMrWhartonhadbeenveryshort，repliedasshortlytohiscousin。’DearAbel，——WeallhopethatEmilywillbehappy，thoughofcourseweregretthemarriage。’Thefather，thoughhehadnothimselfwrittentriumphantly，orevenhopefully，——asfathersarewonttowritewhentheirdaughtersaregivenawayinmarriage，——waswoundedbythecurtnessandunkindnessofthebaronet’sreply，andatthemomentdeclaredtohimselfthathewouldnevergotoHertfordshireanymore。ButonthefollowingdaytherecameaworseblowthanSirAlured’ssingleline。Emily，notintheleastdoubtingbutthatherrequestwouldbereceivedwiththeusualreadyassent，hadaskedMaryWhartontobeoneofthebridesmaids。Itmustbesupposedthattheanswertothiswaswritten，ifnotunderthedictation，atanyrateundertheinspiration，ofMrsFletcher。Itwasasfollows：
DEAREMILY，Ofcourseweallwishyoutobeveryhappyinyourmarriage。butequallyofcoursewearealldisappointed。
Wehadtaughtourselvestothinkyouwouldhaveboundyourselfcloserwithusdownhere，insteadofseparatingyourselfentirelyfromus。
UnderallthecircumstancesmammathinksitwouldnotbewiseformetogouptoLondonasoneofyourbridesmaids。
YouraffectionatecousinMARYWHARTON
ThislettermadepoorEmilyveryangryforadayortwo。’Itisasunreasonableasitisill-natured，’shesaidtoherbrother。
’Whatelsecouldyouexpectfromastiff-necked，prejudicedsetofprovincialignoramuses？’
’WhatMarysaysisnottrue。ShedidnotthinkIwasgoingtobindmyselfcloserwiththem，asshecallsit。Ihavebeenquiteopenwithher，andhavealwaystoldherthatIcouldnotbeArthurFletcher’swife。’
’Whyonearthshouldyoumarrytopleasethem？’
’Becausetheydon’tknowFerdinandandaredeterminedtoinsulthim。Itisaninsultnevertomentionevenhisname。Andtorefusetocometomymarriage！Theworldiswideandthereisroomforusandthem。butitmakesmeunhappy，——veryunhappy，——
thatIshouldhavetobreakwiththem。’Andthentearscameintohereyes。Itwasintended，nodoubt，tobeacompletebreach，fornotasingleweddingpresentwassentfromWhartonHalltothebride。ButfromLongbarns，——fromJohnFletcherhimself，——
theredidcomeanelaboratecoffee-pot，which，inspiteofitsinutilityandugliness，wasveryvaluabletoEmily。
ButtherewasoneotherofheroldHertfordshirefriendswhoreceivedthetidingsofhermarriagewithoutquarrellingwithher。Sheherselfhadwrittentoheroldlover。
MYDEARARTHUR，TherehasbeensomuchtruefriendshipandaffectionbetweenusthatIdonotlikethatyoushouldhearfromanyonebymyselfthenewsthatIamtobemarriedtoMrLopez。Wearetobemarriedonthe28thNovember，——thisdaymonth。
Yoursaffectionately，EMILYWHARTON
Tothisshereceivedaveryshortreply。
DEAREMILY，IamasIalwayshavebeen。
Yours，A。F。
Hesenthernopresent，nordidhesayawordbeyondthis。butinherangeragainsttheHertfordshirepeoplesheneverincludedArthurFletcher。Sheporedoverthelittlenoteascoreoftimes，andweptoverit，andtreasureditupamonghermostinmosttreasures，andtoldherselfthatitwasathousandpities。
Shecouldtalk，anddidtalk，toFerdinandabouttheWhartons，andaboutoldMrsFletcher，anddescribedtohimthearroganceandthestiffnessandtheignoranceoftheHertfordshiresquirearchygenerally。butsheneverspoketohimofArthurFletcher，——exceptinthatonenarrativeofherpastlife，inwhich，girl-like，shetoldherloveroftheoneotherloverwhohadlovedher。
Butthesethingsofcoursegaveacertainmelancholytotheoccasionwhichperhapswasincreasedbytheseasonoftheyear，——
bytheNovemberfogs，andbytheemptinessandgeneralsadnessofthetown。AndaddedtothiswasthemelancholyofoldMrWhartonhimself。Afterhehadgivenhisconsenttothemarriageheadmittedacertainamountofintimacywithhisson-in-law，askinghimtodinner，anddiscussingwithhimmattersofgeneralinterest，——butnever，intruth，openinghishearttohim。
Indeed，howcananymanopenhishearttoonewhomhedislikes？
Atbesthecanonlypretendtoopenhisheart，andeventhisMrWhartonwouldnotdo。AndverysoonaftertheengagementLopezleftLondonandwenttotheDuke’splaceinthecountry。HisobjectsindoingthisandhisaspirationsinregardtoaseatinParliamentwereallmadeknowntohisfuturewife，——buthesaidnotawordonthesubjecttoherfather。andshe，actingunderhisinstructions，wasequallyreticent。’Hewillgettoknowmeintime，’hesaidtoher，’andhismannerwillbesoftenedtowardsme。Buttillthattimeshallcome，Icanhardlyexpecthimtotakearealinterestinmywelfare。’
WhenLopezleftLondonnotawordhadbeensaidbetweenhimandhisfather-in-lawastomoney。MrWhartonwascontentwithsuchsilence，notwishingtomakeanypromiseastoimmediateincomefromhimself，pretendingtolookatthematterasthoughheshouldsaythat，ashisdaughterhadmadeherselfherownbed，shemustlieonit，suchasitmightbe。AndthissilencecertainlysuitedFerdinandLopezatthetime。Totellthetruthofhim——thoughhewasnotabsolutelypenniless，hewasaltogetherpropertyless。Hehadbeenspeculatinginmoneywithoutcapital，andthoughhehadnowandagainbeensuccessful，hehadalsonowandagainfailed。Hehadcontrivedthathisnameshouldbementionedhereandtherewiththenamesofwell-knownwealthycommercialmen，andhadforthelasttwelvemonthsmadeupasomewhatintimatealliancewiththatverysoundcommercialmanMrMillsHapperton。ButhisdealingswithMrSextusParkerwereintruthmuchmoreconfidentialthanthosewithMrMillsHapperton，andatthepresentmomentpoorSextyParkerwasalternatelybetweentriumphanddespairasthingsthiswayorthat。
ItwasnotthereforesurprisingthatFerdinandLopezshouldvolunteernostatementstotheoldlawyeraboutmoney，andthatheshouldmakenoinquiries。HewasquiteconfidentthatMrWhartonhadthewealthwhichwassupposedtobelongtohim，andwaswillingtotrusthispowerofobtainingafairportionofitassoonasheshouldintruthbeMrWharton’sson-in-law。
Situatedashewas，ofcourse，hemustrunsomerisk。Andthen，too，hehadspokenofhimselfwithagrainoftruthwhenhehadtoldtheDuchessthathewasnotmarryingformoney。FerdinandLopezwasnotanhonestmanoragoodman。Hewasaself-
seeking，intriguingadventurer，whodidnotknowhonestyfromdishonestywhenhesawthemtogether。Buthehadatanyratethisgoodabouthim，thathedidlovethegirlwhomhewasabouttomarry。Hewaswillingtocheatalltheworld，——sothathemightsucceed，andmakeafortune，andbecomeabigandrichman。
buthedidnotwishtocheather。Itwashisambitiontocarryherupwithhim，andhethoughthowhemightbestteachhertoassisthimindoingso，——howhemightwinhertohelphiminhischeating，especiallyinregardtoherownfather。Fortohimself，tohisownthinking，thatwhichwecallcheatingwasnotdishonesty。Tothisthinkingtherewassomethingbold，grand，picturesque，andalmostbeautifulinthebattlewhichsuchaoneashimselfmustwagewiththeworldbeforehecouldmakehiswayupinit。Hewouldnotpickapocketorturnafalsecard，or，ashethought，forgeaname。Thatwhichhedid，anddesiredtodo，tookwiththenameofspeculation。WhenhepersuadedpoorSextyParkertohazardhisall，knowingwellthatheinducedtheunfortunatemantobelievewhatwasfalse，andtotrustwhatwasutterlyuntrustworthy，hedidnothimselfthinkthathewasgoingbeyondthelimitsoffairenterprise。Now，inhismarriage，hehadintruthjoinedhimselftorealwealth。Couldheonlycommandatoncethatwhichhethoughtoughttobehiswife’sshareofthelawyer’smoney，hedidnotdoubtbutthathecouldmakearapidfortune。Itwouldnotdoforhimtoseemtobedesirousofmoneyadaybeforethetime——but，whenthetimeshouldcome，wouldnothiswifehelphiminhisgreatcareer？
Butbeforeshecoulddososhemustbemadetounderstandsomethingofthenatureofhiscareer，andoftheneedofsuchaid。
Ofcoursetherearosethequestionwheretheyshouldlive。Buthewasreadywithanimmediateanswertothisquestion。Hehadbeentolookataflat，——asetofrooms，——intheBelgraveMansions，inPimlico，orBelgraviayououghtmoreprobablytocallit。Heproposedtotakethemfurnishedtilltheycouldlookaboutattheirleisureandgetahousethatshouldsuitthem。
Wouldshelikeaflat？Shewouldhavelikedacellarwithhim，andsoshetoldhim。Thentheywenttolookattheflat，andoldMrWhartoncondescendedtogowiththem。Thoughhisheartwasnotinthebusiness，stillhethoughthewasboundtolookafterhisdaughter’scomfort。’Theyareveryhandsomerooms，’saidMrWharton，lookingroundupontherathergorgeousfurniture。
’Oh，Ferdinand，aretheytoogrand？’
’Perhapstheyarealittlemorethanwequitewantjustatpresent，’hesaid。’ButI’lltellyousir，justhowithappened。
AmanIknowwantedtoletthemforoneyear，justastheyare，andofferedthemtomefor450pounds，——ifIcouldpaythemoneyinadvance，atthemoment。AndsoIpaidit。’
’Youhavetakenthemthen？’saidMrWharton。
’Isitallsettled？’saidEmily，almostwithdisappointment。
’Ihavepaidthemoney，andIhavesofartakenthem。Butitisbynomeanssettled。Youhaveonlytosayyoudon’tlikethem，andyoushallneverbeaskedtoputyourfootinthemagain。’
’ButIdolikethem，’shewhisperedtohim。
’Thetruthis，sir，thatthereisnoslightestdifficultyinpartingwiththem。SothatwhenthechancecameinmywayI
thoughtitbesttosecurethething。Ithadalltobedone，sotosay，inanhour。Myfriend，——asfarashewasafriend，forI
don’tknowmuchabouthim，——wantedthemoneyandwantedtobeoff。Soheretheyare，andEmilycandoasshelikes。’OfcoursetheroomswereregardedfromthatmomentasthehomeforthenexttwelvemonthsofMrandMrsFerdinandLopez。
Andthentheyweremarried。Themarriagewasbynomeansagayaffair，thechiefmanagementofitfallingintothehandsofMrsDickRoby。MrsDickindeedprovidednotonlythebreakfast，——orsawratherthatitwasprovidedfor，forofcourseMrWhartonpaidthebill，——butthefourbridesmaidsalso，andallthecompany。TheyweremarriedinthechurchinVereStreet，thenwentbacktothehouseinManchesterSquare，andwithinacoupleofhourswereontheirroadtoDover。Throughitallnotawordwassaidaboutmoney。Atthelastmoment，——whenhewasfreefromfearasanyquestionsabouthisownaffairs，——Lopezhadhopedthattheoldmanwouldsaysomething。’Youwillfindsomanythousandpoundsatyourbanker’s，’——or，’Youmaylooktomeforsomanyhundredsayear。’Buttherewasnotaword。Thegirlhadcometohimwithouttheassuranceofasingleshilling。
Inhisgreatendeavourtogetherhehadbeensuccessful。Ashethoughtofthisinthecarriage，hepressedhisarmcloseroundherwaist。Iftheworstweretocometotheworst，hewouldfighttheworldforher。Butifthisoldmanshouldbestubborn，close-fisted，andabsolutelyresolvedtobestowallhismoneyuponhissonbecauseofthemarriage，——ah！——howshouldhebeabletobearsuchawrongasthat？
Half-a-dozentimesduringthatjourneytoDover，heresolvedtothinknothingfurtheraboutit，atanyrateforafortnight。andyet，beforehereachedDover，hehadsaidawordtoher。’I
wonderwhatyourfathermeanstodoaboutmoney？Henevertoldyou？’
’Doesitmatter，dear？’
’Notintheleast。ButofcourseIhavetotalkabouteverythingtoyou——anditisodd。’
CHAPTER25
THEBEGINNINGOFTHEHONEYMOON。
Onthemorningofhismarriage，beforehewenttothealtar，Lopezmadeoneortworesolutionsastohisfutureconduct。Thefirstwasthathewouldgivehimselfafortnightfromhismarriagedayinwhichhewouldnoteventhinkofmoney。Hehadmadecertainarrangements，inthecourseofwhichhehadcausedSextusParkertostarewithsurpriseandtosweatwithdismay，butwhichneverthelessweresuccessfullyconcluded。BillsweredrawntorunovertoFebruary，andreadymoneytoamoderateextentwasforthcoming，andfiscaltranquillitywasinsuredforacertainshortperiod。TheconfidencewhichSextusParkerhadoncefeltinhisfriend’sownresourceswassomewhatonthedecline，buthestillbelievedinhisfriend’sskillandgenius，and，afterdueinquiry，hebelievedentirelyinhisfriend’sfather-in-law。SextusParkersillthoughtthatthingswouldcomeround。Ferdinand，——healwaysnowcalledhisfriendbyhisChristianname，——Ferdinandwasbeautifully，seraphicallyconfident。AndSexty，whohadbeeninamannermagnetizedbyFerdinand，wasconfidenttoo，——atcertainperiodsoftheday。
Hewasveryconfidentwhenhehadhadhistwoorthreeglassesofsherryatluncheon，andhewasoftendelightfullyconfidentwithhiscigarandbrandy-and-wateratnight。Buttherewereperiodsinthemorninginwhichhewouldshakewithfearandsweatwithdismay。
ButLopezhimself，havingwithhisfriend’sassistance，arrangedhisaffairscomfortablyforamonthortwo，had，asafirstresolution，promisedhimselfafortnight’sfreedomfromallcarkingcares。HissecondresolutionhadbeenthatattheendofthefortnighthewouldcommencehisoperationsonMrWharton。Uptothelastmomenthehadhoped，——hadalmostexpected，——thatasumofmoneywouldhavebeenpaidtohim。Evenacoupleofthousandpoundsforthetimewouldhavebeenofgreatusetohim——
butnotenderofanykindhadbeenmade。Notawordhadbeensaid。Thingscouldnotofcoursegooninthatway。Hewasnotgoingtoplaythecowardwithhisfather-in-law。Thenhebethoughthimselfhowhewouldactifhisfather-in-lawweresternlytorefusetodoanythingforhim，andheassuredhimselfthatinsuchcircumstanceshewouldmakehimselfverydisagreeabletohisfather-in-law。Andthenhisthirdresolutionhadreferencetohiswife。Shemustbeinstructedinhisways。
Shemustlearntolookattheworldinhiseyes。Shemustbetaughtthegreatimportanceofmoney，——notinagripping，hard-
fisted，prosaicspirit。butthatshemightparticipateinthatfeelingofhisownwhichhadinitsomuchthatwasgrand，somuchthatwasdelightful，somuchthatwaspicturesque。Hewouldneveraskhertobeparsimonious，——nevereventobeeconomical。
Hewouldtakeagloryinseeingherwelldressedandwellattended，withherowncarriage，andherownjewels。Butshemustlearnthattheenjoymentofthesethingsmustbebuiltuponaconvictionthatthemostimportantpursuitintheworldwastheacquiringofmoney。Andshemustbemadetounderstand，firstofall，thatshehadarighttoatanyrateahalfofherfather’sfortune。Hehadperceivedthatshehadmuchinfluencewithherfather，andshemustbetaughttousethisinfluenceunscrupulouslyonherhusband’sbehalf。
Wehavealreadyseenthatunderthepressureofhisthoughtshedidbreakhisresolutionwithinanhourortwoofhismarriage。
Itiseasyforamantosaythathewillbanishcare，sothathemayenjoytothefullthedelightsofthemoment。Butthisisapowerwhichnonebutasavagepossesses，——orperhapsanIrishman。Wehavelearnedthelessonfromthedivines，thephilosophers，andthepoets。Postequitemsedesatracura。ThuswasFerdinandLopezmountedhighonhishorse，——forhehadtriumphedgreatlyinhismarriage，andreallyfeltthattheworldcouldgivehimnodelightsogreatastohaveherbesidehim，andherashisown。Buttheinkydevilsatcloseuponhisshoulders。
WherewouldhebeattheendofthreemonthsifMrWhartonwoulddonothingforhim，——andifacertainventureinguano，towhichhehadtemptedSextyParker，shouldnotturnouttherightway？
HebelievedintheguanoandhebelievedinMrWharton，butitisaterriblethingtohaveone’swholepositionintheworldhanginguponeitheranunwillingfather-in-laworaprobableriseinthevalueofmanure。Andthenhowwouldhereconcilehimselftoherifbothfather-in-lawandguanoshouldgoagainsthim，andhowshouldheendurehermisery？
TheinkydevilhadforcedhimtoaskthequestionevenbeforetheyhadreachedDover。’Doesitmatter，’shehadasked。Thenforthetimehehadrepudiatedhissolicitude，andhaddeclaredthatnoquestionofmoneywasofmuchconsequencetohim，——
therebymakinghisfuturetaskwithhersomuchthemoredifficult。Afterthathesaidnothingtoheronthesubjectonthattheirweddingday，——buthecouldnotpreventhimselffromthinkingofit。Hadhegonetothedepthofruinwithoutawife，whatwouldithavemattered？Foryearspasthehadbeenatthesamekindofwork，——butwhilehewasunmarriedtherehadbeenacharmintheverydanger。Andasasinglemanhehadsucceeded，beingsometimesutterlyimpecunious，butstillwiththecapacityofliving。Nowhehadladenhimselfwithaburdenofwhichtheveryintensityofhisloveimmenselyincreasedtheweight。Asfornotthinkingofit，thatwasimpossible。Ofcourseshemusthelphim。Ofcourseshemustbetaughthowimperativeitwasthatsheshouldhelphimatonce。’Isthereanythingtroublesyou，’sheasked，asshesatleaningagainsthimaftertheirdinnerinthehotelatDover。
’Whatshouldtroublemeonsuchadayasthis？’
’Ifthereisanything，tellitme。Idonotmeantosaynow，atthismoment，——unlessyouwishit。Whatevermaybeyourtroubles，itshallbemypresenthappiness，asitismyfirstduty，tolessenthem，ifIcan。’
Thepromisewasverywell。Itallwentintherightdirection。
Itshowedhimthatshewasatanyratepreparedtotakeapartinthejointworkoftheirlife。But，nevertheless，sheshouldbesparedforthemoment。’Whenthereistrouble，youshallbetoldeverything，’hesaid，pressinghislipstoherbrow。’butthereisnothingthatneedtroubleyouyet。’Hesmiledashesaidthis，buttherewassomethinginthetoneofhisvoicewhichtoldherthattherewouldbetrouble。
WhenhewasinParishereceivedaletterfromParker，towhomhehadbeenobligedtoentrustarunningaddress，butfromwhomhehadenforcedapromisethatthereshouldbenoletter-writingunlessunderverypressingcircumstances。Thecircumstanceshadnotbeenpressing。Thelettercontainedonlyoneparagraphofanyimportance，andthatwasduetowhatLopeztriedtoregardasfidgetycowardiceonthepartofhisally。’PleasetobearinmindthatIcan’tandwon’tarrangeforthebillsfor1，500
poundsdueon3rdofFebruary。’Thatwastheparagraph。Whohadaskedhimtoarrangeforthesebills？AndyetLopezwaswellawarethatheintendedpoorSextyshould’arrange’forthemintheeventofhisfailuretomakearrangementswithMrWharton。
Atlasthewasquiteunabletoletthefortnightpassbywithoutbeginningthelessonswhichhiswifehadtolearn。Asforthefirstintentionastodrivinghiscaresoutofhisownmindforthattime，hehadlongsinceabandonedeventheattempt。Itwasnecessarytohimthatareasonablesumofmoneyshouldbeextractedfromthefather-in-law，atanyratebeforetheendofJanuary，andaweekorevenadaymightbeofimportance。TheyhadhurriedonsouthwardsfromParis，andbeforetheendofthefirstweekhadpassedovertheSimplon，andwereatapleasantinnontheshoresoftheComo。EverythingintheirtravelshadbeenasyetdelightfultoEmily。Thisman，ofwhomsheknewintruthsolittle，hadcertaingoodgifts，——giftsofintellect，giftsoftemper，giftsofvoiceandmannerandoutwardappearance，——whichhadhithertosatisfiedher。Ahusbandwhoisalsoaneagerlovermustbedelightfultoayoungbride。AndhithertonolovercouldhavebeenmoretenderthanLopez。Everywordandeveryact，everylookandeverytouch，hadbeenloving。
Hadsheknowntheworldbettershemighthavefelt，perhaps，thatsomethingwasexpectedwheresomuchwasgiven。Perhapsaroughermanner，withsomelittletouchofmaritalself-assertion，mightbeasafercommencementofmarriedlife，——safertothewifeascomingfromherhusband。ArthurFletcherbythistimewouldhaveaskedhertobringhimhisslippers，takinginfiniteprideinhavinghislittlebehestsobeyedbysosweetaservitor。
Thatalsowouldhavebeenpleasanttoherhadherheartinthefirstinstancefollowedhisimage。butnowalsotheidolatryofFerdinandLopezhadbeenverypleasant。
Butthemomentforthefirstlessonhadcome。’Yourfatherhasnotwrittentoyousinceyoustarted？’hesaid。
’Notaline。Hehasnotknownouraddress。Heisneververygoodatletter-writing。IdidwritetohimfromParis，andI
scribbledafewwordstoEverettyesterday。’
’Itisveryoddthatheshouldneverhavewrittentome。’
’Didyouexpecthimtowrite？’
’Totellyouthetruth，Iratherdid。NotthatIshouldhavedreamedofhiscorrespondingwithmehadhespokentomeonacertainsubject。Butas，onthatsubject，heneveropenedhismouthtome，Ialmostthoughthewouldwrite。’
’Doyoumeanaboutmoney？’sheaskedinaverylowvoice。
’Well——yes。Idomeanaboutmoney。Thingshithertohavegonesoverystrangelybetweenus。Sitdown，dear，tillwehavearealdomestictalk。’
’Tellmeeverything，’shesaidasshenestledherselfclosetohisside。
’Youknowhowitwasatfirstbetweenhimandme。Heobjectedtomeviolently，——Imeanopenly，tomyface。Buthebasedhisobjectionsolelyonmynationality，——nationalityandblood。Astomyconditionintheworld，fortune，orincome，heneveraskedaword。Thatwasstrange。’
’Isupposehethoughtheknew。’
’Hecouldnothavethoughtheknew，dearest。Butitwasnotformetoforcethesubjectuponhim。Youcanseethat。’
’Iamsurewhateveryoudidwasright，Ferdinand。’
’Heisindisputablyarichman，——onewhomightbesupposedtobeableandwillingtogiveanonlydaughteraconsiderablefortune。
NowIcertainlyhadneverthoughtofmarryingformoney。’Heresherubbedherfaceuponhisarm。’Ifeltthatitwasnotformetospeakofmoney。Ifhechosetobereticent，Icouldbesoequally。Hadheaskedme，IshouldhavetoldhimthatIhadnofortune，butwasmakingalargethoughprecariousincome。Itwouldthenbeforhimtodeclarewhatheintendedtodo。Thatwould，Ithink，havebeenpreferable。Asitisweareallindoubt。Inmypositionaknowledgeofwhatyourfatherintendstodowouldbemostvaluabletome。’
’Shouldyounotaskhim？’
’Ibelievetherehasalwaysbeenaperfectconfidencebetweenyouandhim？’
’Certainly，——astoallourwaysofliving。Butheneversaidawordtomeaboutmoneyinhislife。’
’Andyet，mydarling，moneyismostimportant。’
’Ofcourseitis。Iknowthat，Ferdinand。’
’Wouldyoumindasking？’Shedidnotanswerhimatonce，butsatthinking。Andhealsopausedbeforehewentonwithhislesson。
But，inorderthatthelessonshouldbeefficacious，itwouldbesowellthatheshouldtellherasmuchashecouldevenatthisfirstlecture。’Totellyouthetruth，thisisquiteessentialtomeatpresent，——verymuchmorethanIhadthoughtitwouldbewhenwefixedthedayforourmarriage。’Hermindwithinherrecoiledatthis，thoughshewasverycarefulthatheshouldnotfeelanysuchmotioninherbody。’Mybusinessisprecarious。’
’Whatisyourbusiness，Ferdinand？’Poorgirl！Thatsheshouldhavebeenallowedtomarryaman，andthanhavetoaskhimsuchaquestion！
’Itisgenerallycommercial。Ibuyandsellonspeculation。Theworld，whichisshyofnewwords，hasnotyetgivenitaname。I
amagooddealatpresentintheSouthAmericantrade。’Shelistened，butreceivednoglimmeringofanideafromhiswords。
’Whenwewereengagedeverythingwasasbrightasroseswithme。’
’Whydidyounottellmethisbefore，——sothatwemighthavebeenmoreprudent？’
’Suchprudencewouldhavebeenhorridtome。ButthefactisthatIshouldnotnowhavespokentoyouatall，butthatsinceweleftEnglandIhavehadlettersfromasortofpartnerofmine。Inourbusinessthingswillgoastraysometimes。ItwouldbeofgreatservicetomeifIcouldlearnwhatareyourfather’sintentions。’
’Youwanthimtogiveyousomemoneyatonce。’
’Itwouldnotbeunusual，dear，——whenthereismoneytobegiven。ButIwantyouspeciallytoaskhimwhathehimselfwouldproposetodo。HeknowsalreadythatIhavetakenahomeforyouandpaidforit，andheknows，——Butitdoesnotsignifygoingintothat。’
’Tellmeeverything。’
’Heisawarethattherearemanyexpenses。Ofcourseifhewereapoormantherewouldnotbeawordaboutit。Icanwithabsolutetruthdeclarethathadhebeenpenniless，itwouldhavemadenodifferencetomysuittoyou。Butitwouldpossiblyhavemadesomedifferenceastoourafterplans。Heisathoroughmanoftheworld，andhemustknowallthat。Iamsurehemustfeelthatsomethingisduetoyou，——andtomeasyourhusband。Butheisodd-tempered，and，asIhavenotspokentohim，hechoosestobesilenttome。Now，mydarling，youandIcannotaffordtowaitandseewhocanbesilentthelongest。’
’Whatdoyouwantmetodo？’
’Towritetohim。’
’Andaskhimformoney？’
’Notexactlyinthatway。Ithinkyoushouldsaythatweshouldbegladtoknowwhatheintendstodo，alsosayingthatacertainsumofmoneywouldatpresentbeofusetome。’
’Woulditnotbebetterfromyou？Ionlyask，Ferdinand。I
neverhaveevenspokentohimaboutmoney，andofcoursehewouldknowthatyouhavedictatedwhatIsaid。’
’Nodoubthewould。ItisnaturalthatIshoulddoso。IhopethetimemaycomewhenImaywritequitefreelytoyourfathermyself，buthithertohashardlybeencourteoustome。I
wouldratherthatyoushouldwrite，——ifyoudonotmindit。
Writeyourownletter，andshowitme。IfthereisanythingtoomuchoranythingtoolittleIwilltellyou。’
Andsothefirstlessonwastaught。Thepooryoungwifedidnotatalllikethelesson。Evenwithinherownbosomshefoundnofaultwithherhusband。Butshebegantounderstandthatthelifebeforeherwasnottobealifeofroses。Thefirstwordspokentoherinthetrain，beforeitreachedDover，hadexplainedsomethingofthistoher。Shehadfeltatoncethattherewouldbetroubleaboutmoney。Andnow，thoughshedidnotatallunderstandwhatmightbethenatureofthosetroubles，thoughshehadderivednoinformationwhateverfromherhusband’shintsabouttheSouthAmericantrade，thoughshewasignorantaseverofhisaffairs，yetshefeltthatthetroubleswouldcomesoon。Butneverforamomentdiditseemtoherthathehadbeenunjustinbringingherintotroubledwaters。Theyhadlovedeachother，andtherefore，whatevermightbethetroubles，itwasrightthattheyshouldmarryeachother。Therewasnotasparkofangeragainstherinherbosom——butshewasunhappy。
Hedemandedfromherthewritingoftheletteralmostimmediatelyaftertheconversationwhichhasbeengivenabove，andofcoursetheletterwaswritten，——writtenandrecopied，fortheparagraphaboutmoneywas，ofcourse，atlastofhiswording。Andshecouldnotmaketheremainderoftheletterpleasant。Thefeelingthatshewasmakingademandformoneyonherfatherranthroughitall。ButthereaderneedonlyseethepassageinwhichFerdinandLopezmadehisdemand，——throughherhand。
’Ferdinandhasbeenspeakingtomeaboutmyfortune。’Ithadgonemuchagainstthegrainwithhertowritethesewords，’myfortune’。’ButIhavenofortune，’shesaid。Heinsistedhowever，explainingtoherthatshewasentitledtousethesewordsbyherfather’sundoubtedwealth。Andso，withanachingheart，shewrotethem。’Ferdinandhasbeenspeakingtomeaboutmyfortune。Ofcourse，ItoldhimIknewnothing，andthatashehadneverspokentomeaboutmoneybeforeourmarriage，Ihadneveraskedaboutit。Hesaysthatitwouldbeofgreatservicetohimtoknowwhatareyourintentions，andalsothathehopesthatyoumayfinditconvenienttoallowhimtodrawuponyouforsomeportionofitatpresent。Hesaysthat3，000poundswouldbeofgreatusetohiminhisbusiness。’Thatwastheparagraph，andtheworkofwritingitwassodistastefultoherthatshecouldhardlybringherselftoformtheletters。Itseemedasthoughshewereseizingtheadvantageofthefirstmomentoffreedomtotakeaviolentlibertywithherfather。
’Itisaltogetherhisownfault，mypet，’hesaidtoher。’I
havethegreatestrespectintheworldforyourfather，buthehasallowedhimselftofallintothehabitofkeepingallhisaffairssecretfromhischildren。and，ofcourse，astheygointotheworld，thissecrecymustinsomedegreebeinvaded。ThereispreciselythesamegoingonbetweenhimandEverett。onlyEverettisagreatdealroughertohimthanyouarelikelytobe。HeneverwillletEverettknowwhetherheistoregardhimselfasarichmanorapoorman。’
’Hegiveshimanallowance。’
’Becausehecannothelphimself。Toyouhedoesnotdoevenasmuchasthat，becausehecanhelphimself。Ihavechosentoleaveittohimandhehasdonenothing。Butthisisnotquitefair，andhemustbetoldso。Idon’tthinkhecouldbetoldinmoredutifullanguage。’
Emilydidnotliketheideaoftellingherfatheranythingwhichhemightnotliketohear。butherhusband’sbehestsweretoherinthese，herearlymarried，days，quiteimperative。
CHAPTER26
THEENDOFTHEHONEYMOON。
MrsLopezhadbeggedherfathertoaddresshisreplytoheratFlorence，where，——assheexplainedtohim，——theyexpectedtofindthemselveswithinafortnightfromthedateofherwriting。
TheyhadreachedthelakeabouttheendofNovember，whentheweatherhadstillbeenfine，buttheyintendedtopassthewintermonthsofDecemberandJanuarywithinthewarmthofthecities。
Thatinterveningfortnightwastoheraperiodofpainfulanticipation。Shefearedtoseeherfather’shandwriting，feelingalmostsurethathewouldbebitterlyangrywithher。Duringthattimeherhusbandfrequentlyspoketoherabouttheletter，——
aboutherownletterandherfather’sreply。Itwasnecessarythatsheshouldlearnherlesson，andshecouldonlydosobyhavingthesubjectofmoneymadefamiliartoherears。Itwasnotpartofhisplantotellheranythingofthemeansbywhichhehopedtomakehimselfawealthyman。Thelesssheknewofthatthebetter。Butthefactthatherfatherabsolutelyowedtohimalargeamountofmoneyasherfortunecouldnotbemadetoocleartoher。Hewasverydesiroustodothisinsuchamannerasnottomakeherthinkhewasaccusingher，——orthathewouldaccuseherifthemoneywasnotforthcoming。Butshemustlearnthefact，andmustbeimbuedwiththeconvictionthatherhusbandwouldbethemostill-treatedofmenunlessthemoneywereforthcoming。’Iamalittlenervousaboutittoo，’saidhe，alludingtotheexpectedletter——’notsomuchastothemoneyitself，thoughthatisimportant。butastohisconduct。Ifhechoosessimplytoignoreusafterourmarriage，hewillbebehavingverybadly。’Shehadnoanswertomaketothis。Shecouldnotdefendherfather，becausebydoingsoshewouldoffendherhusband。Andyetherwholelife-longtrustinherfathercouldnotallowhertothinkitpossiblethatheshouldbehaveilltothem。
OntheirarrivalatFlorencehewentatoncetothepost-office，buttherewasatyetnoletter。Thefortnight，however，whichhadbeennamedhadonlyjustrunitselfout。Theywentfromdaytodayinspectingbuildings，lookingatpictures，makingforthemselvesatasteinmarbleandbronze，visitingthelovelyvillageswhichclusteronthehillsaroundthecity，——doingpreciselyinthisrespectasdoallyoungmarriedcoupleswhodevoteapartoftheirhoneymoontoFlorence——butinalltheirlittlejourneyingsandinalltheirworkofpleasuretheinkydevilsatnotonlybehindhimbutbehindheralso。Theheavycareoflifewasalreadybeginningtoworkfurrowsonherface。
Shewouldalreadysit，knittingherbrow，asshethoughtofcomingtroubles。Wouldnotherfathercertainlyrefuse？Andwouldnotherhusbandthenbegintobelesslovingandlessgracioustoherself？
Everydayforaweekhecalledatthepost-officewhenhewentoutwithher，andstilltheletterdidnotcome。’Itcanhardlybepossible，’hesaidatlasttoher，’thatheshoulddeclinetoanswerhisowndaughter’sletter。’
’Perhapsheisill，’shereplied。
’IftherewereanythingofthatkindEverettwouldtellus。’
’PerhapshehasgonebacktoHertfordshire？’
’Ofcoursehisletterwouldgoafterhim。Iownitisverysingulartomethatheshouldnotwrite。Itlooksasifheweredeterminedtocastyouofffromhimaltogetherbecauseyouhavemarriedagainsthiswishes。’
’Notthat，Ferdinand——donotsaythat！’
’Well，weshallsee。’
Andonthenextdaytheydidsee。Hewenttothepost-officebeforebreakfast，andonthisdayhereturnedwithaletterinhishand。Shewassittingwaitingforhimwithabookinherlap，andsawtheletteratonce。’Isitfrompapa？’shesaid。
Henoddedhisheadashehandedittoher。’Openitandreadit，Ferdinand。Ihavegottobesonervousaboutit，thatIcannotdoit。Itseemstobesoimportant。’
’Yes——itisimportant，’hesaidwithagrimsmile，andthenheopenedtheletter。Shewatchedhisfacecloselyashereadit，andatfirstshecouldtellnothingfromit。Then，inthatmoment，itfirstoccurredtoherthathehadawonderfulcommandofhisfeatures。Allthis，however，lastedbuthalfaminute。
Thenhechuckedtheletter，lightly，inamongthetea-cups，andcomingtohertookhercloselyinherarmsandalmosthurtherbytheviolenceofhisrepeatedkisses。
’Hashewrittenkindly？’shesaid，assoonasshecouldfindherbreathtospeak。
’ByGeorge，he’sabrickafterall。IownIdidnotthinkit。
Mydarling，howmuchIoweyouforallthetroublesIhavegivenyou。’
’OhFerdinand！Ifhehasbeengoodtoyou，Ishallbesohappy。’
’Hehasbeenawfullygood。Ha，ha，ha！’Andthenhebeganwalkingabouttheroomashelaughedinanunnaturalway。’Uponmyworditisapitywedidn’tsayfourthousand，orfive。Thinkofhistakingmejustatmyword。It’sagreatdealbetterthanIexpected。that’sallthatIcansay。Andatthepresentmomentitisofthemostimportancetome。’
Allthisdidnottakeaboveaminuteortwo，butduringthatminuteortwoshehadbeensobewilderedbyhismannerasalmosttofancythattheexpressionsofhisdelighthadbeenironical。
Hehadbeensounlikehimselfasshehadknownhimthatshealmostdoubtedtherealityofhisjoy。Butwhenshetooktheletterandreadit，shefoundthathisjoywastrueenough。Theletterwasveryshort，andwasasfollows：
MYDEAREMILY，Whatyouhavesaidunderyourhusband’sinstructionaboutmoney，Ifinduponconsiderationtobefairenough。I
thinkheshouldhavespokentomebeforehismarriage。
butthenagainperhapsIoughttohavespokentohim。Asitis，Iamwillingtogivehimthesumherequires，andIwillpay3，000poundstohisaccount，ifhewouldtellmewherehewouldrequiretohaveitlodged。ThenIshallthinkIhavedonemydutybyhim。WhatIshalldowiththeremainderofanymoneythatImayhave，Idonotthinkheisentitledtoask。
Everettiswellagain，andasidleasever。YourauntRobyismakingafoolofherselfatHarrowgate。IhaveheardnothingfromHertfordshire。Everythingisquietandlonelyhere。
YouraffectionatefatherA。WHARTON
AshehaddinedattheEldoneverydaysincehisdaughterhadlefthim，andhadplayedonanaverageadozenrubbersofwhistdaily，hewasnotjustifiedincomplainingthelonelinessofLondon。
TheletterseemedtoEmilyherselftobeverycold，andhadnotherhusbandrejoicedoveritsowarmlyshewouldhaveconsideredittobeunsatisfactory。Nodoubtthe3，000poundswouldbegiven。butthat，asfarasshecouldunderstandherfather’swords，wastobethewholeofherfortune。Shehadneverknownanythingofherfather’saffairsorhisintentions，butshehadcertainlysupposedthatherfortunewouldbeverymuchmorethanthis。ShehadlearnedinsomeindirectwaythatalargesumofmoneywouldhavegonewithherhandtoArthurFletcher，couldshehavebroughtherselftomarrythatsuitorfavouredbyherfamily。
Andnow，havinglearned，asshehadlearned，thatmoneywasofvitalimportancetoherhusband，shewasdismayedatwhatseemedtohertobeparentalparsimony。Buthewasoverjoyed，——somuchsothatforawhilehelostthatrestraintoverhimselfwhichwashabitualtohim。Heatehisbreakfastinastateofexultation，andtalked，——notalludingspeciallytothis3，000pounds，——asthoughhehadthecommandofalmostunlimitedmeans。Heorderedacarriageanddroveherout，andboughtpresentsforher，——
thingsastowhichtheyhadbothbeforedecidedthattheyshouldnotbeboughtbecauseoftheexpense。’Praydon’tspendyourmoneyforme，’shesaidtohim。’It’snicetohaveyougivingmethings，butitwouldbenicertomeeventhanthattothinkthatIcouldsaveyouexpense。’
Buthewasnotinamoodtobedenied。’Youdon’tunderstand，’
hesaid。’Idon’twanttobesavedfromlittleextravagancesofthissort。Owingtocircumstances，yourfather’smoneywasatthismomentofimportancetome，——buthehasansweredtothewhipandthemoneyisthere，andthetroubleisover。Wecanenjoyourselvesnow。Othertroubleswillspringup，nodoubt，beforelong。’
Shedidnotquitelikebeingtoldthatherfather’hadansweredtothewhip’，——butshewaswillingtobelievethatitwasaphrasecommonamongmentowhichitwouldbeprudishtomakeobjection。Therewas，also，somethinginherhusband’selationwhichwasdistastefultoher。Coulditbethatreversesoffortunewithreferencetomoderatesumsofmoney，suchasthiswhichwasnowcomingintohishands，wouldalwaysaffecthiminthesameway？Wasitnotalmostunmanly，oratanyratewasitnotundignified？Andyetshetriedtomakethebestofit，andlentherselftohisholidaymoodaswellasshewasable。’ShallIwriteandthankpapa？’shesaidthatevening。
’Ihavebeenthinkingofthat，’hesaid。’Youcanwriteifyoulike，andofcourseyouwill。ButIshallalsowrite，andhadbetterdosoapostortwobeforeyou。AshehascomeroundI
supposeIoughttoshowmyselfcivil。Whathesaysabouttherestofhismoneyisofcourseabsurd。Ishallaskhimnothingaboutit，butnodoubtafterabithewillmakepermanentarrangements。’Everythinginthebusinesswoundedhermoreorless。Shenowperceivedthatheregardedthis3，000poundsonlyasthefirstinstalmentofwhathemightget，andthathisjoywasduesimplytothistemporarysuccess。Andthenhecalledherfatherabsurdtoherface。Foramomentshethoughtthatshewoulddefendherfather。butshecouldnotasyetbringherselftoquestionherhusband’swordsevenonsuchasubjectasthat。
HedidwritetoMrWharton，butindoingsohealtogetherlaidasidethatflightymannerwhichforawhilehadannoyedher。Hethoroughlyunderstoodthatthewordingofthelettermightbeveryimportanttohim，andhetookmuchtroublewithit。Itmustbenowthegreatworkofhislifetoingratiatehimselfwiththisoldman，sothat，atanyrateattheoldman’sdeath，hemightpossessatleasthalfoftheoldman’smoney。Hemusttakecarethatthereshouldbenodivisionbetweenhiswifeandherfatherofsuchanatureastomakethefatherthinkthathissonoughttoenjoyanyspecialprivilegeofprimogenitureorofmaleinheritance。Andifitcouldbesomanagedthatthedaughtershouldbeforetheoldman’sdeath，becomehisfavouritechild，thatalsowouldbewell。Hewasthereforeverycarefulabouttheletter，whichwasasfollows：
MYDEARMRWHARTON
IcannotletyourlettertoEmilypasswithoutthankingyoumyselffortheveryliberalresponsemadebyyoutowhatwasofcoursearequestfrommyself。Letmeinthefirstplaceassureyouthathadyou，beforeourmarriage，madeanyinquiryaboutmymoneyaffairs，Iwouldhavetoldyoueverythingwithaccuracy。butasyoudidnotdosoIthoughtthatIshouldseemtointrudeuponyou，ifI
introducedthesubject。Itistoolongforaletter，butwheneveryoumayliketoalludetoit，youwillfindthatIwillbequiteopenwithyou。
Iamengagedinbusinesswhichoftenrequirestheuseofconsiderableamountofcapital。Ithassohappenedthateversinceweweremarriedtheimmediateuseofsumofmoneybecameessentialtometosavemefromsacrificingacargoofguano，whichwillbeofgreatlyincreasedvalueinthreemonths’time，butwhichotherwisemusthavegoneforwhatitwouldnowfetch。Yourkindnesswillseemethroughthatdifficulty。
Ofcoursethereissomethingprecariousinsuchabusinessasmine，——butIamendeavouringtomakeitlesssofromdaytoday，andhopeveryshortlytobringintothathumdrumgroovewhichbestbefitsamarriedman。
ShouldIaskfurtherassistancefromyouindoingthis，perhapsyouwillnotrefuseitifIcansucceedinmakingthemattercleartoyou。AsitisIthankyousincerelyforwhatyouhavedone。Iwillaskyoutopaythe3，000
poundsyouhavesokindlypromisedtomyaccountatMessrs。HunkyandSons，LombardStreet。Theyarenotregularbankers，butIhaveanaccountthere。
Wearewanderingaboutandenjoyingourselvesmightilyintheproperlyromanticmanner。Emilysometimesseemstothinkthatshewouldliketogiveupbusiness，andLondon，andallsubsidiarytroubles，inorderthatshemightsettleherselfforlifeunderanItaliansky。Buttheideadoesnotgenerallyremainwithherverylong。
AlreadysheisbeginningtoshowsymptomsofhomesicknessinregardtoManchesterSquare。
Yoursalwaysmostfaithfully，FERDINANDLOPEZ
TothisletterLopezreceivednoreply——nordidheexpectone。
BetweenEmilyandherfatherafewletterspassed，notverylong。
norasregardedthosefromMrWharton，weretheyveryinteresting。Innoneofthem，however，wasthereanymentionofmoney。ButearlyinJanuary，Lopezreceivedamorepressing，——
wemightalmostsayanagonisingletterfromhisfriendParker。
ThegistoftheletterwastomakeLopezunderstandthatParkermustatoncesellcertaininterestsinacomingcargoofguano，——
atwhateversacrifice，——unlesshecouldbecertifiedasthatmoneywhichmustbepaidinFebruary，andwhichhe，Parker，mustpay，shouldFerdinandLopezbeatthatmomentbeunabletomeethisbond。TheanswersenttoParkershallbegiventothereader。
MYDEAROLDAWFULLYSILLY，ANDABSURDLY，IMPATIENTFRIEND
Youarealwayslikeatoadunderaharrow，andthatwithouttheslightestcause。IhavemoneylyingatHunky’smorethandoubleenoughforthosebills。Whycan’tyoutrustaman？Ifyouwon’ttrustmeinsayingso，youcangotoMillsHappertonandaskhim。But，remember，Ishallbeverymuchannoyedifyoudoso，——
andthatsuchaninquirycannotbutbeinjurioustome。
If，however，youwon’tbelieveme，youcangoandask。Atanyrate，don’tmeddlewiththeguano。Weshouldloseover4，000poundseachofus，ifyouweretodoso。ByGeorge，amanshouldneithermarry，norleaveLondonforaday，ifhehastodowithafellowasnervousasyouare。AsitisIthinkIshallbebackinaweekortwobeforemytimeisproperlyup，lestyouandoneortwoothersshouldthinkthatIhavelevantedaltogether。
Ihavenohesitationinsayingthatmorefortunesarelostinbusinessbytremblingcowardicethanbyanyamountofimprudenceorextravagance。MyhairstandsonendwhenyoutalkofpartingwithguanoinDecemberbecausetherearebillswhichhavetobemetinFebruary。
Pluckupyourheart，man，andlookaround，andseewhatisdonebymenwithgoodcourage。
YoursalwaysFERDINANDLOPEZ
TheseweretheonlycommunicationsbetweenourmarriedcoupleandtheirfriendsathomewithwhichIneedtroublemyreaders。NorneedItellanyfurthertalesoftheirhoneymoon。IfthetimewasnotoneofcompleteandunalloyedjoytoEmily，——andwemustfearthatitwasnot，——itistoberememberedthatbutverylittlecompleteandunalloyedjoyisallowedtosojournersinthatvaleoftears，eventhoughtheyhavebeenbuttwomonthsmarried。InthefirstweekinFebruarytheyappearedintheBelgravemansion，andEmilyLopeztookpossessionofhernewhomewithaheartasfullofloveforherhusbandasithadbeenwhenshewalkedoutofthechurchinVereStreet，thoughitmaybethatsomeofhersweetestillusionshadalreadybeendispelled。
CHAPTER27
THEDUKE’SMISERY。
WemustgobackforawhiletoGatherumCastleandseetheguestswhomtheDuchesshadcollectedthereforherChristmasfestivities。ThehospitalityoftheDuke’shousehadbeenmaintainedalmostthroughouttheautumn。JustattheendofOctobertheywenttoMatching，forwhattheDuchesscalledaquietmonth——which，however，attheDuke’surgentrequest，becamesixweeks。Butevenherethehousewasfullallthetime，thoughfromdeficiencyofbedroomstheguestswereverymuchlessnumerous。ButatMatchingtheDuchesshadbeenuneasyandalmostcross。MrsFinnhadgonewithherhusbandtoIreland，andshehadtaughtherselftofancythatshecouldnotlivewithoutMrsFinn。Andherhusbandhadinsisteduponhavingroundhimpoliticiansofhisownsort，menwhoreallypreferredworktoarchery，oreventohunting，andwhodiscussedtheevilsofdirecttaxationabsolutelyinthedrawing-room。TheDuchesswasassuredthatthecountrycouldnotbegovernedbythesupportofsuchmenasthese，andwasverygladtogetbacktoGatherum，——
whitheralsocamePhineasFinnwithhiswife，andStBungaypeople，andBarringtonErle，andMrMonk，theChancelloroftheExchequer，withLordandLadyCantrip，andLordandLadyDrummond，——LordDrummondbeingtheonlyrepresentativeoftheotherorcoalescedparty。AndMajorPountneywasthere，havingbeenurgentwiththeDuchess，——andhavingfullyexplainedtohisfriendCaptainGunnerthathehadaccededtothewishesofhishostessonlyontheassuranceofherGracethatthehousewouldnotbeagaintroubledwiththepresenceofFerdinandLopez。Suchassuranceswerecommonbetweenthetwofriends，butwereinnocent，as，ofcourse，neitherbelievedtheother。AndLadyRosinawasaginthere，——withmanyothers。ThemelancholypovertyofLadyRosinahadcaptivatedtheDuke。’Sheshallcomeandlivehere，ifyoulike，’theDuchesshadsaidinanswertoarequestfromherhusbandonhisnewfriend’sbehalf，——’I’venodoubtshewillbewilling。’Theplacewasnotcrowdedasithadbeenbefore，butstillaboutthirtyguestssatdowntodinnerdaily，andLocock，Millepois，andMrsPritchardwereallkepthardatwork。NorwasourDuchessidle。Shewasalwaysmakinguptheparty，——meaningthecoalition，——doingsomethingtostrengthenthebuttresses，writingletterstolittlepeople，who，littleastheywere，mightbecomebigbyamalgamation。’Onealwayshastobebindingone’sfaggot，’shesaidtoMrsFinn，havingreadherAesop，notaltogetherinvain。’Whereshouldwehavebeenwithoutyou？’shehadwhisperedtoSirOrlandoDroughtwhenthatgentlemanwasleavingGatherumattheterminationofhissecondvisit。ShehadparticularlydislikedSirOrlando，andwasawarethatherhusbandhadbeenpeculiarlyshyofSirOrlandosincethedayonwhichtheyhadwalkedtogetherinthepark，——
andconsequently，theDuchesshadwhisperedtohim。’Don’tbindyourfaggottooconspicuously，’MrsFinnhadsaidtoher。ThentheDuchesshadfallentoaseatalmostexhaustedbylabour，mingledwithregrets，andbythedoubtswhichfromtimetotimepervadedevenheraudaciousspirit。’I’mnotagod，’shesaid，’oraPitt，oranItalianwithalongnamebeginningwithM。，thatIshouldbeabletodothesethingswithoutevermakingamistake。Andyettheymustbedone。Andasforhim，——hedoesnothelpmeintheleast。Hewandersaboutamongthecloudsofthemultiplicationtable，andthinksthatamajoritywilldropintohismouthbecausehedoesnotshutit。Canyoutiethefaggotanybetter？’’IthinkIwouldleaveituntied，’saidMrsFinn。’Youwouldnotdoanythingofthekind。You’dbejustasfussyasIam。’AndthusthegamewascarriedonatGatherumCastlefromweektoweek。
’Butyouwon’tleavehim？’ThiswassaidtoPhineasFinnbyhiswifeadayortwobeforeChristmas，andthequestionwasintroducedtoaskwhetherPhineasFinnthoughtofgivinguphisplace。
’NotifIcanhelpit。’
’Youlikethework。’
’Thathasbutlittletodowiththequestion，unfortunately。I
certainlylikehavingsomethingtodo。Ilikeearningmoney。’
’Idon’tknowwhyyoulikethatespecially，’saidthewifelaughing。
’Idoatanyrate，——and，inacertainsense，Ilikeauthority。
ButinservingwiththeDukeIfindalackofthatsympathywhichoneshouldhavewithone’schief。HewouldneversayawordtomeunlessIspoketohim。AndwhenIdospeak，thoughheisstudiouslycivil，——muchtoocourteous，——Iknowthatheisbored。Hehasnothingtosaytomeaboutthecountry。Whenhehasanythingtocommunicated，hepreferstowriteaminuteforWarburton，whothenwritestoMorton，——andsoitreachesme。’
’Doesn’titdoaswell？’
’Itmaydowithme。Therearereasonswhichbindmetohim，whichwillnotbindothermen。Mendon’ttalktomeaboutit，becausetheyknowIamboundtohimthroughyou。ButIamawareofthefeelingwhichexists。Youcan’tbereallyloyaltoakingifyouneverseehim，——ifhebealwayslockedupinsomealmostdivinerecess。’
’Akingmaymakehimselftoocommon，Phineas。’
’Nodoubt。Akinghastoknowwheretodrawtheline。ButtheDukedrawsnointentionallineatall。Heisnotbenaturegregariousorcommunicative，andisthereforehardlyfittedtobetheheadofaministry。’
’Itwillbreakherheartifanythinggoeswrong。’
’SheoughttorememberthatMinistriesseldomliveverylong，’
saidPhineas。’Butshe’llrecoverevenifshedoesbreakherheart。Sheistoofullofvitalitytobemuchrepressedbycalamity。HaveyouheardwhatistobedoneaboutSilverbridge？’
’TheDuchesswantstogetitforthisman，FerdinandLopez。’
’Butithasnotbeenpromisedyet。’
’Theseatisnotvacant，’saidMrsFinn，’andIdon’tknowwhenitwillbevacant。Ithinkthereisahitchaboutit，——andI
thinktheDuchessisgoingtobemadeveryangry。’
ThroughouttheautumntheDukehadbeenanunhappyman。WhiletheabsoluteworkoftheSessionhadlastedhehadfoundsomethingtoconsolehim。butnow，thoughhewassurroundedbyprivatesecretaries，andthoughdispatchboxeswentandcametwiceaday，thoughthereweredozensoflettersastowhichhehadtogivesomeinstruction，——yet，therewasintruthnothingforhimtodo。ItseemedtohimthatalltherealworkofGovernmenthadbeenfilchedfromhimbyhiscolleagues，andthathewasstuckupinpretendedauthority，——akindofwoodenPrimeMinister，fromwhomnorealministrationwasdemanded。Hisfirstrealfearhadbeenthathewashimselfunfit——butnowhewasuneasy，fearingthatothersthoughthimtobeunfit。TherewasMrMonkwithhisbudget，andLordDrummondwithhisthreeorfourdozenhalf-rebelliouscolonies，andSirOrlandoDroughtwiththeHousetoleadandashiptobuild，andPhineasFinnwithhisschemeofmunicipalHomeRuleforIreland，andLordRamsdenwithacodifiedStatuteBook，——allfullofwork，allwithsomethingspecialtobedone。Butforhim，——hehadtoarrangewhoshouldattendtheQueen，whatribbonsshouldbegivenaway，andwhatmiddle-agedyoungmanshouldmovetheaddress。Hesighedashethoughtofthosehappydaysinwhichheusedtofearthathismindandbodywouldbothgivewayunderthepressureofdecimalcoinage。
ButPhineasFinnhadreadtheDuke’scharacterrightinsayingthathewasneithergregariousnorcommunicative，andthereforebutlittlefittedtoruleEnglishmen。Hehadthoughtthatitwassohimself，andnowfromdaytodayhewasbecomingmoreassuredofhisowndeficiency。HecouldnotthrowhimselfintocordialrelationswiththeSirOrlandoDroughts，oreventheMrMonks。
But，thoughhehadneverwishedtobeputintohispresenthighoffice，nowthathewastherehedreadedthesenseoffailurewhichwouldfollowhisdescentfromit。Itisthisfeelingratherthangenuineambition，ratherthantheloveofpowerorpatronageorpay，whichinducesmentoclingtoplace。Theabsenceofrealwork，andthequantityofmockwork，bothalikemadethelifewearisometohim。buthecouldnotenduretheideathatitshouldbewritteninhistorythathehadallowedhimselftobemadeafaineantPrimeMinister，andthanhadfailedeveninthat。HistorywouldforgetwhathehaddoneasaworkingMinisterinrecordingthefeeblenessoftheMinistrywhichwouldbearhisname。
Theonemanwithwhomhecouldtalkfreely，andfromwhomhecouldtakeadvice，wasnowwithhim，hereathisCastle。HewasshyatfirstevenwiththeDukeofStBungay，butthatshynesshecouldgenerallyovercome，afterafewwords。Butthoughhewasalwayssureofhisoldfriend’ssympathyandofhisfriend’swisdom，yethedoubtedhisoldfriend’scapacitytounderstandhimself。TheyoungDukefelttheoldDuketobethicker-
skinnedthanhimselfandthereforeunabletoappreciatethethornswhichsosorelyworriedhisownflesh。’Theytalktomeaboutapolicy，’saidthehost。TheywereclosetedatthistimeinthePrimeMinister’sownsanctum，andthereyetremainedanhourbeforetheyneeddressfordinner。
’Whotalksaboutapolicy？’
’SirOrlandoDroughtespecially。’FortheDukeofOmniumhadneverforgottenthearroganceofthatadvicegiveninthepark。
’SirOrlandoisofcourseentitledtospeak，thoughIdonotknowthatheislikelytosayanythingverywellworthofhearing。
Whatishisspecialpolicy？’
’Ifhehadany，ofcourse，Iwouldhearhim。Itisnotthathewantsanyspecialthingtobedone，buthethinksthatIshouldgetupsomespecialthinginorderthatParliamentmaybesatisfied。’
’Ifyouwantedtocreateamajoritythatmightbetrue。Justlistentohimandhavedonewithit。’
’Icannotgooninthatway。Icannotsubmittowhatamountstocomplaintfromthegentlemenwhoareactingwithme。Norwouldtheysubmitlongtomysilence。IambeginningtofeelthatI
havebeenwrong。’
’Idon’tthinkyouhavebeenwrongatall。’
’Amaniswrongifheattemptstocarryaweighttoogreatforhisstrength。’
’Acertainnervoussensitiveness，fromwhichyoushouldfreeyourselfasfromadisease，isyouronlysourceofweakness。
Thinkaboutyourbusinessasashoemakerthinksofhis。Doyourbest，andthenletyourcustomersjudgeforthemselves。Caveatemptor。Amanshouldneverendeavourtopricehimself，butshouldacceptthepricewhichothersputonhim，——onlybeingcarefulthatheshouldlearnwhatthatpriceis。Yourpolicyshouldbetokeepyourgovernmenttogetherbyastrongmajority。
Afterall，themakingofnewlawsistoooftenbutanunfortunatenecessitylaidonusbytheimpatienceofthepeople。A
lengthenedperiodofquietandthereforegoodgovernmentwithaminimumofnewlawswouldbethegreatestbenefitthecountrycouldreceive。WhenIrecommendedyoutocomplywiththeQueen’sbehestIdidsobecauseIthoughtyoumightinauguratesuchaperiodmorecertainlythananyotheroneman。’ThisoldDukewasquitecontentwiththestateofthingssuchashedescribed。HehadbeenaCabinetMinisterformorethanhalfhislife。HelikedbeingaCabinetMinister。Hethoughtitwellforthecountrygenerallythathispartyshouldbeinpower，——andifnothispartyinitsentirety，thenasmuchofhispartyasmightbepossible。HedidnotexpecttobewrittenofasPittoraSomers，buthethoughtthatmemoirswouldspeakofhimasausefulnobleman，——andhewascontented。Hewasnotonlynotambitioushimself，buttheeffervescenceandgeneralturbulenceofambitioninothermenwasdistastefultohim，andthepowerofsubmittingtodefeatwithouteithershameorsorrowhadbecomeperfectwithhimbylongpractice。HewouldhavemadehisbrotherDukesuchashewashimself，——hadnothisbrotherDukebeensolamentablythin-skinned。
’IsupposewemusttryitforanotherSession？’saidtheDukeofOmniumwithalachrymosevoice。
’Ofcoursewemust，——andforothersafterthat，Ibothhopeandtrust，’saidtheDukeofStBungay，gettingup。’IfIdon’tgoupstairsIshallbelate，andthenherGracewilllookatmewithunforgivingeyes。’