OnthefollowingdayafterlunchthePrimeMinistertookawalkwithLadyRosinaDeCourcy。HehadfallenintoahabitofwalkingwithLadyRosinaalmosteverydayofhislife，tillthepeopleintheCastlebegantobelievethatLadyRosinawasthemistressofsomedeeppolicyofherown。Forthereweremanytherewhodidintruththinkthatstatecraftcouldneverbeabsentfromaminister’smind，dayornight。ButintruthLadyRosinachieflymadeherselfagreeabletothePrimeMinisterbynevermakingthemostdistantallusiontopublicaffairs。ItmightbedoubtedwhethersheevenknewthatthemanwhopaidhersomuchhonourwastheHeadoftheBritishGovernmentaswellastheDukeofOmnium。Shewasatall，thin，shrivelled-upoldwoman，——notveryold，fiftyperhaps，butlookingatleasttenyearsmore，——verymelancholy，andsometimesverycross。Shehadbeennotablyreligious，butthatwasgraduallywearingoffassheadvancedinyears。TherigidstrictnessofSabbatarianpracticerequiresthefullenergyofmiddlelife。Shehadbeenleftentirelyaloneintheworld，withaverysmallincome，andnotmanyfriendswhowereinanywayinterestedinherexistence。
ButsheknewherselftobeLadyRosinaDeCourcy，andfeltthatthepossessionofthatnameoughttobemoretoherthanmoneyorfriends，oreventhanbrothersandsisters。’Theweatherisnotfrighteningyou，’saidtheDuke。Snowhadfallen，andthepaths，evenwheretheyhadbeenswept，werewetandsloppy。
’Weatherneverfrightensme，yourGrace。Ialwayshavethickboots，——Iamveryparticularaboutthat——andcorksoles。’
’Corksolesareadmirable。’
’IthinkIowemylifetocorksoles，’saidLadyRosinaenthusiastically。’ThereisamannamedSproutinSilverbridgewhomakesthem。DidyouGraceevertryhimforboots？’
’Idon’tthinkIeverdid，’saidthePrimeMinister。
’Thenyouhadbetter。He’sverygoodandverycheaptoo。ThoseLondontradesmenneverthinktheycanchargeyouenough。IfindIcanwearSprout’sbootsthewholewinterthroughandthenhavethemresoled。Idon’tsupposeyoueverthinkofsuchthings？’
’Iliketokeepmyfeetdry。’
’Ihavegottocalculatewhattheycost。’TheythenpassedMajorPountney，whowascomingandgoingbetweenthestablesandthehouse，andwhotookoffhishatandwhosalutedthehostandhiscompanionwithperhapsmoreflowingcourtesythanwasnecessary。
’Ineverfoundoutwhatthatgentleman’snameisyet，’saidLadyRosina。
’Pountney。Ithink，IbelievetheycallhimMajorPountney。’
’Oh，Pountney！TherearePountneysinLeicestershire。Perhapsheisoneofthem。’
’Idon’tknowwherehecomesfrom，’saidtheDuke，——’nor，totellthetruthwherehegoesto。’LadyRosinalookedupathimwithaninterestedair。’Heseemstobeoneofthoseidlemenwhogetintopeople’shousesheavenknowswhy，andneverdoanything。’
’Isupposeyouaskedhim？’saidLadyRosina。
’TheDuchessdid，Idaresay。’
’Howodditmustbeifsheweretosupposethatyouhadaskedhim。’
’TheDuchess，nodoubt，knowsallaboutit。’Thentherewasalittlepause。’Sheisobligedtohaveallsortsofpeople，’saidtheDukeapologetically。
’Isupposeso——whenyouhavesomanycomingandgoing。Iamsorrytosaythatmytimeisupto-morrow，sothatIshallmakewayforsomebodyelse。’
’Ihopeyouwon’tthinkofgoing，LadyRosina，——unlessyouareengagedelsewhere。Wearedelightedtohaveyou。’
’TheDuchesshasbeenverykind，but——’
’TheDuchess，Ifear，isalmosttomuchengagedtoseeasmuchofherguestsindividuallyassheoughttodo。Tomeyourbeinghereisagreatpleasure。’
’Youaretoogoodtome，——muchtoogood。ButIshallhavestayedoutmytime，andIthink，Duke，Iwillgoto-morrow。Iamverymethodical，youknow，andalwaysactbyrule。Ihavewalkedmytwomilesnow，andIwillgoin。IfyoudowantbootswithcorksolesmindyougotoSprout’s。Dearme，thereisthatMajorPountneyagain。Thatisfourtimeshehasbeenupanddownthatpathsincewehavebeenwalkinghere。’
LadyRosinawentin，andtheDuketurnedback，thinkingofhisfriendandperhapsthinkingofthecorksolesofwhichshehadtobesocarefulandwhichwassoimportanttohercomfort。ItcouldnotbethathefanciedLadyRosinatobeclever，norcanweimaginethatherconversationsatisfiedanyofthosewantstowhichheandallofusaresubject。ButneverthelesshelikedLadyRosina，andwasneverboredbyher。Shewasnatural，andshewantednothingfromhim。Whenshetalkedaboutcorksolesshemeantcorksoles。Andthenshedidnottreadonanyofhisnumerouscorns。AshewalkedonhedeterminedthathewouldinducehiswifetopersuadeLadyRosinatostayalittlelongerattheCastle。Inmeditatinguponthishemadeanotherturninthegrounds，andagaincameuponMajorPountneyasthatgentlemanwasreturningfromthestables。’Averycoldafternoon，’hesaid，feelingittobeungracioustopassoneofhisownguestsinhisowngroundswithoutawordofsalutation。
’Verycoldindeed，yourGrace，——verycold。’TheDukehadintendedtopasson，buttheMajormanagedtostophimbystandinginthepathway。TheMajordidnotintheleastknowhisman。HehadheardtheDukewasshy，andthereforethoughtthathewastimid。HehadnothithertobeenspokentobytheDuke，——
aconditionofthingswhichheattributedtotheDuke’sshynessandtimidity。But，withmuchthoughtonthesubject，hehadresolvedthathewouldhaveafewwordswithhishost，andhadthereforepassedbackwardsandforwardsbetweenthehouseandthestablesratherfrequently。’Verycoldindeed，butyetwe’vehadbeautifulweather。Idon’tknowwhenIhaveenjoyedmyselfsomuchaltogetherasIhaveatGatherumCastle。’TheDukebowed，andmadealittlebutavainefforttogeton。’Asplendidpile！’saidtheMajor，stretchinghishandgracefullytowardsthebuilding。
’It’sabighouse，’saidtheDuke。
’Anoblemansion——perhapsthenoblestmansioninthethreekingdoms，’saidMajorPountney。’IhaveseenagreatmanyofthebestcountryresidencesinEngland，butnothingthatatallequalsGatherum。’ThentheDukemadealittleeffortatprogression，butwasstillstoppedbythedaringMajor。’By-the-
by，yourGrace，ifyourGracehasafewminutestospare，——justahalfaminute，——Iwishyouwouldallowmetosaysomething。’
TheDukeassumedalookofdisturbance，buthebowedandwalkedon，allowingtheMajortowalkbyhisside。’Ihavethegreatestpossibledesire，myLordDuke，toenterpubliclife。’
’Ithoughtyouwerealreadyinthearmy，’saidtheDuke。
’SoIam，——wasonSirBartholomewBone’sstaffinCanadafortwoyears，andhaveseenasmuchofwhatIcallhomeserviceasanymangoing。Oneofmychiefobjectsistotakeupthearmy。’
’Iseemsthatyouhavetakenitup。’
’ImeaninParliament，yourGrace。Iamveryfairlyoffasregardsprivatemeans，andwouldstandalltheracketoftheexpenseofacontestmyself，——iftherewereone。Butthedifficultyistogetaseat，and，ofcourse，ifitcanbeprivatelymanaged，itisverycomfortable。’TheDukelookedathimagain，——thistimewithoutbowing。ButtheMajor，whowasnotobservant，rushedontohisdestruction。’WeallknowthatSilverbridgewillsoonbevacant。LetmeassureyourGracethatifitmightbeconsistentwithyourGrace’splansinotherrespectstoturnyourkindcountenancetowardsme，youwouldfindthatyouhaveasupporterthanwhomnonewouldbemorestaunch，andperhapsImaysayonewhointheHousewouldnotbetheleastuseful！’ThatportionoftheMajor’sspeechwhichreferredtotheDuke’skindcountenancehadbeenlearnedbyheart，andwasthrowntrippinglyoffthetonguewithakindoftwang。TheMajorperceivedthathehadnotbeenatonceinterruptedwhenhebegantoopenthebudgetofpoliticalaspirations，andhadallowedhimselftoindulgeinpleasingauguries。’Nothingaskandnothinghave，’hadbeenadoptedasthemottoofhislife，andmorethanoncehehadexpressedtoCaptainGunnerhisconvictionthat，——’ByGeorge，ifyou’veonlycheekenough，thereisnothingyoucannotget。’OnthisemergencytheMajorcertainlywasnotdeficientincheek。’IfImightbeallowedtoconsidermyselfasyourGrace’scandidate，Ishouldindeedbeahappyman，’saidtheMajor。
’Ithink，sir，’saidtheDuke，’thatyourpropositionisthemostunbecomingandthemostimpertinentthateverwasaddressedtome。’TheMajor’smouthfell，andhestaredwithallhiseyesashelookedupintotheDuke’sface。’Goodafternoon，’saidtheDuke，turningquicklyroundandwalkingaway。TheMajorstoodforwhiletransfixedtotheplace，andcoldaswastheweather，wasbathedinperspiration。Akeensenseofhaving’puthisfootinit’almostcrushedhimforatime。Thenheassuredhimselfthat，afterall，theDuke’couldnoteathim’，andwiththatconsolatoryreflectionhecreptbacktothehouseanduptohisroom。
ToputthemandownhadofcoursebeenaneasytasktotheDuke，buthewasnotsatisfiedwiththat。TotheMajoritseemedthattheDukehadpassedonwitheasyindifference，——but，intruth，hewasveryfarfrombeingeasy。Theman’sinsolentrequesthadwoundedhimatmanypoints。Itwasgrievoustohimthatheshouldhaveasaguestinhisownhouseamanwhomhehadbeenforcedtoinsult。Itwasgrievoustohimthathehimselfshouldnothavebeenheldinpersonalrespecthighenoughtoprotecthimfromsuchaninsult。Itwasgrievoustohimthatheshouldbeopenlyaddressed，——addressedbyanabsolutestranger，——asaboroughmongeringlord，whowouldnotscrupletogiveawayaseatinParliamentasseatsweregivenawayinformerdays。Anditwasspeciallygrievoustohimthatallthesemisfortunesshouldhavecomeuponhimaspartoftheresultsofhiswife’smannerofexercisinghishospitality。IfthiswastobethePrimeMinisterhecertainlywouldnotbePrimeMinistermuchlonger！HadanyaspiranttopoliticallifedaredsotoaddressLordBrock，orLorddeTerrier，orMrMildmay，theoldPremierswhomheremembered？Hethoughtnot。Theyhadmanageddifferently。Theyhadbeenabletodefendthemselvesfromsuchattacksbypersonaldignity。Andwouldithavebeenpossiblethatanymanshouldhavedaredsotospeaktohisuncle，thelateDuke？Hethoughtnot。Asheshuthimselfupinhisownroomhegrievedinwardlywithadeepgrief。Afterawhilehewalkedofftohiswife’sroom，stillperturbedinspirit。Theperturbationhadindeedincreasedfromminutetominute。HewouldrathergiveuppoliticsaltogetherandshuthimselfupinabsoluteseclusionthanfindhimselfsubjecttotheinsolenceofanyPountneythatmightaddresshim。WithhiswifehefoundMrsFinn。Nowforthisladypersonallyheentertainedwhatforhimwasawarmregard。Invariousmattersofmuchimportanceheandshehadbeenbroughttogether，andshehad，tohisthinking，invariablybehavedwell。Andanintimacyhadbeenestablishedwhichhadenabledhimtobeateasewithher，——sothatherpresencewasoftenacomforttohim。Butatthepresentmomenthehadnotwishedtofindanyonewithhiswife，andfeltthatshewasinhisway。’PerhapsIamdisturbingyou，’hesaidinatoneofvoicethatwassolemnandalmostfunereal。
’Notatall，’saidtheDuchess，whowasinhighspirits。’IwanttogetyourpromiseaboutSilverbridge。Don’tmindher。Ofcoursesheknowseverything。’Tobetoldthatanybodykneweverythingwasanothershocktohim。’IhavejustgotaletterfromMrLopez。’CoulditberightthathiswifeshouldbecorrespondingonsuchasubjectwithapersonsolittleknownasthisMrLopez？’MayItellhimthatheshallhaveyourinterestwhentheseatisvacant？’
’Certainlynot，’saidtheDuke，withascowlthatwasterribleeventohiswife。’Iwishtospeaktoyou，butIwishtospeaktoyoualone。’
’Ibegathousandpardons，’saidMrsFinn，preparingtogo。
’Don’tstir，Marie，’saidtheDuchess，’heisgoingtobecross。’
’IfMrsFinnwillallowme，witheveryfeelingofthemostperfectrespectandsincerestregard，toaskhertoleavemewithyouforafewminutes，Ishallbeobliged。Andif，withherusualheartykindness，shewillpardonmyabruptness——’Thenhecouldnotgoon，hisemotionsbeingtoogreat。butheputouthishand，andtakinghersraisedittohislipsandkissedit。Themomenthadbecometoosolemnforanyfurtherhesitationastothelady’sgoing。TheDuchessforamomentwasstruckdumb，andMrsFinn，ofcourse，lefttheroom。
’WhoisMajorPountney？’
’WhoisMajorPountney！HowonearthshouldIknow？Heis——
MajorPountney。Heisabouteverywhere。’
’Donotlethimbeaskedintoanyhouseofmineagain。Butthatisatrifle。’
’AnythingaboutMajorPountneymust，Ishouldthink，beatrifle。
Havetidingscomethattheheavensaregoingtofall？Nothingshortofthatcouldmakeyousosolemn。’
’Inthefirstplace，Glencora，letmeaskyounottospeaktomeagainabouttheseatforSilverbridge。Iamnotatpresentpreparedtoarguethematterwithyou，butIhaveresolvedthat，Iwillknownothingabouttheelection。Assoonastheseatisvacant，ifitshouldbevacated，IshalltakecarethatmydeterminationbeknowninSilverbridge。’
’Whyshouldyouabandonyourprivilegesinthatway？Itissheerweakness。’
’Theinterferenceofanypeerisunconstitutional。’
’ThereisBraxon，’saidtheDuchessenergetically，’wheretheMarquisofCrumberreturnsthememberregularly，inspirtofalltheirReformbills，andBamfordandCobblesborough——andlookatLordLumleywithawholecountyinhispocket，nottospeakoftwoboroughs！Whatnonsense，Plantagenet！Anythingisconstitutional，oranythingisunconstitutional，justasyouchoosetolookatit。’ItwasclearthattheDuchesshadreallystudiedthesubjectcarefully。
’Verywell，mydear，letitbenonsense。Ionlybegtoassureyouthatitismyintention，andIrequestyoutoactaccordingly。AndthereisanotherthingIhavetosaytoyou。I
shallbesorrytointerfereinanywaywiththepleasurewhichyoumayderivefromsociety，butaslongasIamburdenedwiththeofficewhichhasbeenimposeduponme，Iwillnotagainentertainanyguestsinmyownhouse。’
’Plantagenet！’
’Youcannotturnthepeopleoutwhoareherenow。butIbegthattheymaybeallowedtogowhenthetimecomes，andthattheirplacemaynotbefilledbyfurtherinvitations。’
’Butfurtherinvitationshavegoneouteversolongago，andhavebeenaccepted。Youmustbeill，dear。’
’Illatease，——yes。Atanyrateletnoneothersbesentout。
Thenherememberedakindlypurpose，whichhehadformedearlyintheday，andfellbackonthat。’Ishould，however，begladifyouwouldaskLadyRosinaDeCourcytoremainhere。’TheDuchessstaredathim，reallythinkingnowthatsomethingwasamisswithhim。’ThewholethingisafailureandIwillhavenomoreofit。Itisdegradingme。’Thenwithoutallowingheramomentinwhichtoanswerhim，hemarchedbacktohisownroom。
Butevenherehisspiritwasnotasyetatrest。ThatMajormustnotgounpunished。Thoughhehatedallfussandnoisehemustdosomething。SohewroteasfollowstotheMajor：
TheDukeofOmniumtruststhatMajorPountneywillnotfinditinconvenienttoleaveGatherumCastleshortly。
ShouldMajorPountneywishtoremainattheCastleoverthenight，theDukeofOmniumhopesthathewillnotobjecttobeservedwithhisdinnerandwithhisbreakfastinhisownroom。AcarriagewithhorseswillbereadyforMajorPountney’suse，totakehimtoSilverbridge，assoonasMajorPountneymayexpresstotheservantshiswishtothateffect。
GatherumCastle，——December，18——
ThisnotetheDukesentbythehandsofhisownservant，havingsaidenoughtothemanastothecarriageandthepossibledinnerintheMajor’sbedroom，tomakethemanunderstandalmostexactlywhathadoccurred。AnotefromtheMajorwasbroughttotheDukewhilehewasdressing。TheDukehavingglancedatthenotethrewitintothefire。andtheMajorthateveningatehisdinneratthePalliser’sArmsInnatSilverbridge。
CHAPTER28
THEDUCHESS’SMINDISTROUBLED。
Itishardlypossiblethatonemanshouldturnanotheroutofhishousewithoutanypeopleknowingit，andwhentheonepersonisaPrimeMinisterandtheothersuchasMajorPountney，theaffairislikelytobetalkedaboutverywidely。TheDukeofcourseneveropenedhismouthonthesubject，exceptinanswertoquestionsfromtheDuchess。butalltheservantsknewit。
’Pritchardtellsmeyouhavesentthatwretchedmanoutofthehousewithafleainhisear，’saidtheDuchess。
’Isenthimoutofthehouse，certainly。’
’Hewashardlyworthyouranger。’
’Heisnotatallworthmyanger——butIcouldnotsitdowntodinnerwithamanwhoinsultedme。’
’Whatdidhesay，Plantagenet？IknowitwassomethingaboutSilverbridge。’TothisquestiontheDukegavenoanswer，butinrespecttoSilverbridgehewassternasadamant。TwodaysafterthedepartureoftheMajoritwasknowninSilverbridgegenerallythatintheeventoftherebeinganelectiontheDuke’sagentwouldnotasusualsuggestanominee。TherewasaparagraphonthesubjectintheCountypaper，andanotherintheLondonEveningPulpit。TheDukeofOmnium，——thathemightshowhisrespecttothelaw，notonlyastotheletterofthelaw，butastothespiritalso，——hadmadeitknowntohistenantryinandroundSilverbridgegenerallythathewouldinnowayinfluencetheirchoiceofcandidateintheeventofanelection。ButthesenewspapersdidnotsayawordaboutMajorPountney。
Theclubsofcourseknewallaboutit，andnomanatanyclubeverknewmorethanCaptainGunner。SoonafterChristmashemethisfriendtheMajoronthestepsofthenewmilitaryclub，TheActiveService，whichwasdeclaredbymanymeninthearmytohaveleftalltheothermilitaryclubs’absolutelynowhere’。
’Halloa，Punt！’hesaid，’youseemtohavemadeamessofitatlastdownattheDuchess’s。’
’Iwonderwhatyouknowaboutit。’
’Youhadtocomeawayprettyquick，Itakeit。’
’OfcourseIcameawayprettyquick。’SomuchasthattheMajorwasawaremustbeknown。Thereweredetailswhichhecoulddenysafely，asitwouldbeimpossiblethattheyshouldbesupportedbyevidence，buttherewerematterswhichmustbeadmitted。
’I’llbetafiverthatbeyondthatyouknownothingaboutit。’
’TheDukeorderedyouoff，Itakeit。’
’Afterafashionhedid。Therearecircumstancesinwhichamancannothelphimself。’ThiswasdiplomaticalbecauseitlefttheCaptaintosupposethattheDukewasthemanwhocouldnothelphimself。
’OfcourseIwasnotthere，’saidGunner，’andIcan’tabsolutelyknow，butIsupposeyouhadbeeninterferingwiththeDuchessaboutSilverbridge。Glencorawillbearagreatdeal，——butsinceshehastakenuppolitics，byGeorge，youhadbetternottouchherthere。’AtlastitcametobebelievedthattheMajorhadbeenturnedoutbytheorderoftheDuchessbecausehehadventuredtoputhimselfforwardasanopponenttoFerdinandLopez，andtheMajorfelthimselfreallygratefultohisfriendtheCaptainforthisarrangementofthestory。Andtherecameatlasttobemixedupwiththestorysomehalf-understoodinnuendothattheMajor’sjealousyagainstLopezhadbeenofadoublenature，——inreferencebothtotheDuchessandtheborough，——sothatheescapedfrommuchofthatdisgracewhichnaturallyattractsitselftoamanwhohasbeenkickedoutofanotherman’shouse。Therewasamystery——andwhenthereisamysteryamanshouldneverbecondemned。Wherethereisawomaninthecaseamancannotbeexpectedtotellthetruth。AsforcallingoutorinanypunishingthePrimeMinister，thatofcoursewasoutofthequestion。AndsoitwentontillatlasttheMajorwasalmostproudofwhathehaddone，andtalkedaboutitwillinglywithmysterioushints，inwhichpracticemadehimperfect。
ButwiththeDuchesstheaffairwasveryserious，somuchsothatshewasdriventocallinforadvice，——notonlyfromherconstantfriend，MrsFinn，butafterwardsfromBarringtonErle，fromPhineasFinn，andlastlyevenfromtheDukeofStBungay，towhomshewashardlywillingtosubjectherself，theDukebeingthespecialfriendofherhusband。Butthematterbecamesoimportanttoherthatshewasunabletotriflewithit。AtGatherumtheexpulsionofMajorPountneysoonbecameaforgottenaffair。WhentheDuchesslearnedthetruthshequiteapprovedoftheexpulsion，onlyhintingtoBarringtonErlethattheactofkickingoutshouldhavebeenmoreabsolutelypractical。AndthelossofSilverbridge，thoughithurthersorely，couldbeendured。ShemustwritetoherfriendFerdinandLopez，whenthetimeshouldcome，excusingherselfasbestshemight，andmustlosetheexquisitedelightofmakingaMemberofParliamentoutofherownhand。Thenewspapers，however，hadtakenthatmatterupintheproperspirit，andpoliticalcapitalmighttosomeextentbemadeofit。ThelossofSilverbridge，thoughitbruised，brokenobones。ButtheDukeagainexpressedhimselfwithunusualsternnessrespectingherducalhospitalities，andhadreiteratedthedeclarationofhisintentiontoliveouttheremainderofhisperiodofofficeinrepublicansimplicity。’Wehavetrieditandithasfailed，andlettherebeanendofit，’
hesaidtoher。Simpleanddirectdisobediencetosuchanorderwasaslittleinherwayassimpleordirectobedience。Sheknewherhusbandwell，andknewhowhecouldbemanagedandhowhecouldnotbemanaged。Whenhedeclaredthatthereshouldbe’anendofit’，——meaninganendoftheverysystembywhichshehopedtoperpetuatehispower，——shedidnotdarearguewithhim。
Andyethewassowrong！Thetrialhadbeennofailure。Thethinghadbeendoneandwelldone，andhadsucceeded。Wasfailuretobepresumedbecauseoneimpertinentpuppyhadfoundhiswayintothehouse？Andthentoabandonthesystematonce，whetherithadfailedorwhetherithadsucceeded，wouldbetocalltheattentionofalltheworldtoanacknowledgedfailure，——
toafailuresodisreputablethatitsacknowledgementmustleadtothelossofeverything！Itwasknownnow，——soarguedtheDuchesstoherself，——thatshehaddevotedherselftotheworkofcementingandconsolidatingtheCoalitionbythegracefulhospitalitywhichthewealthofherselfandherhusbandenabledhertodispense。ShehadmadeherselfaPrimeMinistressbythemannerinwhichsheopenedhersaloons，herbanquetinghalls，andhergardens。Ithadneverbeendonebefore，andnowithadbeenwelldone。Therehadbeennofailure。Andyeteverythingwastobebrokendownbecausehisnerveshadreceivedashock！
’Letitdieout，’MrsFinnhadsaid。’Thepeoplewillcomehereandwillgoaway，andthen，whenyouareupinLondon，youwillsoonfallintoyouroldways。’ButthisdidnotsuitthenewambitionoftheDuchess。Shehadsofedhermindwithdaringhopesthatshecouldnotbearthatit’shoulddieout’。ShehadarrangedacourseofthingsinherownmindbywhichsheshouldcometobeknownasthegreatPrimeMinister’swife，andshehad，perhapsunconsciously，appliedtheepithetmoretoherselfthantoherhusband。She，too，wishedtobewrittenofinmemoirs，andtomakeanicheforherselfinhistory。Andnowshewastoldthatshewastoletit’dieout’。
’Isupposeheisalittlebilious，’BarringtonErlehadsaid。
’Don’tyouthinkhe’llforgetaboutitwhenhegetsuptoLondon？’TheDuchesswassurethatherhusbandwouldnotforgetanything。Heneverdidforgetanything。’Iwanthimtobetold，’saidtheDuchess，’thateverybodythinksheisdoingverywell。Idon’tmeanaboutpoliticsexactly，butastokeepingthepartytogether。Don’tyouthinkthatwehavesucceeded？’
BarringtonErlethoughtuponthewholetheyhadsucceeded。butsuggestedatthesametimethattherewereseedsofweakness。
’SirOrlandoandSirTimothyBeeswaxarenotsound，youknow，’
saidBarringtonErle。’Hecan’tmakethemsounderbyshuttinghimselfuplikeahermit，’saidtheDuchess。BarringtonErle，whohadpeculiarprivilegesofhisown，promisedthatifhecouldbyanymeansmakeanoccasion，hewouldlettheDukeknowthattheirsideoftheCoalitionwasmorethancontentedwiththewayinwhichhedidhiswork。
’Youdon’tthinkwe’vemadeamessofit？’saidtheDuchesstoPhineas，askinghimaquestion。’Idon’tthinkthattheDukehasmadeamessofit，——oryou，’saidPhineas，whohadcometolovetheDuchessbecausehiswifelovedher。’Butitwon’tgoonforever，Duchess。’’YouknowwhatIhavedone，’saidtheDuchess，whotookitforgrantedthatMrFinnknewallthathiswifeknew。
’Hasitanswered？’Phineaswassilentforamoment。’Ofcourseyouwilltellmethetruth。Youwon’tbesobadastoflattermenowthatIammuchinearnest。’’Ialmostthink，’saidPhineas，’thatthetimehasgonebyforwhatonemaycalldrawing-roominfluences。Theyusedtobeverygreat。OldLordBrockusedthemextensively，thoughbynomeansasyourGracehasdone。Butthespiritoftheworldhaschangedsincethen。’’Thespiritoftheworldneverchanges，’saidtheDuchessinhersoreness。
ButherstrongestdependencewasontheoldDuke。ThepartyoftheCastlewasalmostbrokenupwhensheconsultedhim。Shehadbeensofartruetoherhusbandasnottoaskanotherguesttothehousesincehiscommand——buttheywhohadbeenaskedbeforecameandwentashadbeenarranged。Then，whentheplacewasnearlyempty，andwhenLocockandMillepoisandPritchardwerewonderingamongthemselvesatthisgeneralcollapse，sheaskedherhusband’sleavetoinvitetheiroldfriendagainforadayortwo。’Idosowanttoseehim，andIthinkhe’llcome，’saidtheDuchess。TheDukegavehispermissionwithareadysmile，——notbecausetheproposedvisitorwashisownconfidentialfriend，butbecauseitsuitedhisspirittograntsucharequestastoanyoneaftertheorderthathehadgiven。HadshenamedMajorPountney，Ithinkhewouldhavesmiledandacceded。
TheDukecame，andtohimshepouredoutherwholesoul。’IthasbeenforhimandforhishonourthatIhavedoneit——thatmenandwomenmightknowhowreallygraciousheis，andhowgood。Ofcourse，therehasbeenmoneyspent，buthecanafforditwithouthurtingthechildren。IthasbeensonecessarythatwithaCoalitionpeopleshouldknoweachother！Therewassomeabsurdlittlerowhere。Amanwhowasamerenobody，oneofthetravellingbutterflymenthatfillupspacesandtalktogirls，gotholdofhimandwasimpertinent。Heissothin-skinnedthathecouldnotshakethecreatureintothedustasyouwouldhavedone。Itannoyedhim，——that，andIthink，seeingsomanystrangefaces，——sothathecametomeanddeclaredthataslongasheremainedinofficehewouldnothaveanotherpersoninthehouse，eitherhereorinLondon。Hemeantitliterally，andhemeantmetounderstanditliterally。IhadtogetspecialleavebeforeIcouldasksodearanoldfriendasyourGrace。’
’Idon’tthinkhewouldobjecttome，’saidtheDuke，laughing。
’Ofcoursenot。Hewasonlytoogladtothinkyouwouldcome。
Buthetooktherequestasbeingquitetheproperthing。Itwillkillmeifthisistobecarriedout。AfterallthatIhavedone，Icouldshowmyselfnowhere。Anditwillbesoinjurioustohim！Couldyounottellhim，Duke？Nooneelseintheworldcantellhimbutyou。Nothingunfairhasbeenattempted。Nojobhasbeendone。Ihaveendeavouredtomakehishousepleasanttopeople，inorderthattheymightlookuponhimwithgraceandfavour。Isthatwrong？Isthatunbecominginawife？’
TheoldDukepattedherontheheadasthoughshewerealittlegirl，andwasmorecomfortingtoherthanherothercounsellors。
Hewouldsaynothingtoherhusbandnow——buttheymustbothbeupinLondonatthemeetingofParliament，andthenhewouldtellhisfriendthat，inhisopinion，nosuddenchangeshouldbemade。
’Thishusbandofyoursisaverypeculiarman，’hesaidsmiling。
’Hishonestyisnotlikethehonestyofothermen。Itismoredownright——moreabsolutelyhonest。lesscapableofbearingeventheshadowwhichthestainfromanother’sdishonestymightthrowuponit。Givehimcreditforallthat，andrememberthatyoucannotfindeverythingcombinedinthesameperson。Heisverypracticalinsomethings，butthequestioniswhetherheisnottooscrupuloustobepracticalinallthings。’AtthecloseoftheinterviewtheDuchesskissedhimandpromisedtobeguidedbyhim。TheoccurrencesofthelastfewweekshadsoftenedtheDuchessmuch。
CHAPTER29
THETWOCANDIDATESFORSILVERBRIDGE。
OnhisarrivalinLondonFerdinandLopezfoundaletterwaitingforhimfromtheDuchess。ThiscameintohishandimmediatelyonhisreachingtheroomsatBelgraveMansionsandwasofcoursethefirstobjectofhiscare。’Thatcontainsmyfate，’hesaidtohiswife，puttinghishanddownupontheletter。Hehadtalkedtohermuchofthechancethathadcomeinhisway，andhadshownhimselftobeveryambitiousofthehonourofferedtohim。Sheofcoursehadsympathizedwithhim，andwaswillingtothinkallgoodthingsbothoftheDuchessandtheDuke，iftheywouldbetweenthemputherhusbandintoParliament。Hepausedamomentstillholdingtheletterunderhishand。’YouwouldhardlythinkthatIshouldbesuchacowardthatIdon’tliketoopenit，’hesaid。
’You’vegottodoit。’
’UnlessImakeyoudoitforme，’hesaid，holdingoutthelettertoher。’YouwillhavetolearnhowweakIam。WhenIamreallyanxiousIbecomelikeachild。’
’Idonotthinkyouareeverweak，’shesaid，caressinghim。’Iftherewereathingtobedoneyouwoulddoitatonce。ButI’llopenitifyoulike。’Thenhetoreofftheenvelopewithanairofcomicimportance，andstoodforafewminuteswhilehereadit。
’WhatIfirstperceiveisthattherehasbeenarowaboutit，’hesaid。
’Arowaboutit！Whatsortofrow？’
’MydearfriendtheDuchesshasnotquitehititoffwithmylessdearfriendtheDuke。’
’Shedoesnotsayso？’
Ohdearno！MyfriendtheDuchessismuchtoodiscreetforthat——
butIcanseethatithasbeenso。’
’Areyoutobethenewmember？IfthatisarrangedIdon’tcareabitabouttheDukeandDuchess。’
’Thesethingsdonotsettlethemselvesquitesoeasilyasthat。
Iamnottohavetheseatatanyratewithoutfightingforit。
There’stheletter。’
TheDuchess’slettertohernewadherentshallbegiven，butitmustfirstbeunderstoodthatmanydifferentideashadpassedthroughthewriter’smindbetweenthewritingoftheletterandtheordergivenbythePrimeMinistertohiswifeconcerningtheborough。SheofcoursebecameawareatoncethatMrLopezmustbeinformedthatshecouldnotdoforhimwhatshehadsuggestedthatshewoulddo。Buttherewasnonecessityofwritingattheinstant。MrGreyhadnotyetvacatedtheseat，andMrLopezwasawayonhistravels。ThemonthofJanuarywaspassedincomparativequietattheCastle，andduringthattimeitbecameknownatSilverbridgethattheelectionwouldbeopen。TheDukewouldnotevenmakeasuggestion，andwouldneitherexpress，norfeel，resentmentshouldamemberbereturnedaltogetherhostiletohisMinistry。BydegreestheDuchessaccustomedherselftothisconditionofaffairs，andastheconsternationcausedbyherhusband’sveryimperiousconductworeoff，shebegantoaskherselfwhetherevenyetsheneednotquitegiveupthegame。
ShecouldnotmakeaMemberofParliamentaltogetheroutofherownhand，asshehadoncefondlyhopedshemightdo。butstillshemightdosomething。Shewouldinnothingdisobeyherhusband，butifMrLopezweretostandforSilverbridge，itcouldnotbutbeknownintheboroughthatMrLopezwasherfriend。
Thereforeshewrotethefollowingletter：
Gatherum，——January，18——
MYDEARMRLOPEZ，Irememberthatyousaidthatyouwouldbeathomeatthistime，andthereforeIwritetoyouabouttheborough。Thingsarechangedsinceyouwentaway，andI
fear，notchangedforyouradvantage。
WeunderstandthatMrGreywillapplyfortheChilternHundredsattheendofMarch，andthattheelectionwilltakeplaceinApril。Nocandidateswillappearasfavouredfromhence。Weneedtorunafavourite，andourfavouritewouldsometimeswin，——wouldsometimesevenhaveawalkover，butgoodtimesaregone。Allthegoodtimesaregoing，Ithink。ThereisnoreasonthatIknowwhyyoushouldnotstandaswellasanyoneelse。Youcanbeearlyinthefield——becauseitisonlynowknownthattherewillbenoGatheruminterest。AndIfancyithasalreadyleakedoutthatyouwouldhavebeenthefavouritehadtherebeenafavourite——whichmightbebeneficial。
IneedhardlysaythatIdonotwishmynametobementionedinthematter。
Sincerelyyours，GLENCORAOMNIUM
Sprugeon，theironmonger，wouldIdonotdoubt，beproudtonominateyou。
’Idon’tunderstandmuchaboutit，’saidEmily。
’Idaresaynot。Itisnotmeantthatanynoviceshouldunderstandmuchaboutit。OfcourseyouwillnotmentionherGrace’sletter。’
’Certainlynot。’
’Sheintendstodotheverybestshecanforme。IhavenodoubtthatsomeunderstrapperfromtheCastlehashadsomecommunicationwithMrSprugeon。ThefactisthattheDukewon’tbeseeninit，butthattheDuchessdoesnotmeanthattheboroughshallquiteslipthroughtheirfingers。’
’Shallyoutryit？’
’IfIdoImustsendanagentdowntoseeMrSprugeononthesly，andthesoonerIdothebetter。Iwonderwhatyourfatherwillsayaboutit。’
’HeisanoldConservative。’
’Butwouldhenotlikehisson-in-lawtobeinParliament？’
’Idon’tknowthathewouldcareaboutitverymuch。HeseemsalwaystolaughatpeoplewhowanttogetintoParliament。Butifyouhavesetyourheartuponit，Ferdinand——’
’Ihavenotsetmyheartonspendingagreatdealofmoney。WhenIfirstthoughtofSilverbridgetheexpensewouldhavebeenalmostnothing。Itwouldhavebeenawalkover，astheDuchesscallsit。Butnowtherewillcertainlybeacontest。’
’Giveitupifyoucannotaffordit。’
’Nothingventurenothinghave。Youdon’tthinkyourfatherwouldhelpmedoingit？Itwouldaddalmostasmuchtoyourpositionastomine。’Emilyshookherhead。Shehadalwaysheardherfatherridiculethefollyofmenwhospentmorethantheycouldaffordinthevanityofwritingtwolettersaftertheirname，andshenowexplainedthatithadalwaysbeensowithhim。’Youwouldnotmindaskinghim，’hesaid。
’Iwillaskhimifyouwishit，certainly。’Eversincetheirmarriagehehadbeenteachingher，——intentionallyteachingher，——thatitwouldbethedutyofbothofthemtogetalltheycouldfromherfather。Shehadlearnedthelesson，butithadbeenverydistastefultoher。Ithadnotinducedhertothinkillofherhusband。Shewastoomuchengrossedwithhim，toomuchinlovewithhimforthat。Butshewasbeginningtofeelthattheworldingeneralwashardandgreedyanduncomfortable。Ifitwasproperthatafathershouldgivehisdaughtermoneywhenshewasmarried，whydidnotherfatherdosowithoutbeingasked？
Andyet，ifhewereunwillingtodoso，woulditnotbebettertoleavehimtohispleasureinthematter？Butnowshebegantoperceivethatherfatherwastoberegardedasamilchcow，andthatshewastobethedairy-maid。Herhusbandattimeswouldbecometerriblyanxiousonthesubject。Onreceivingthepromiseof3，000poundshehadbeenelated，butsincethathehadcontinuallytalkedofwhatmoreherfatheroughttodoforthem。
’PerhapsIhadbettertakethebullbythehorns，’hesaid，’anddoitmyself。ThenIshallfindoutwhetherhereallyhasourinterestatheart，orwhetherhelooksonyouasastrangerbecauseyou’vegoneawayfromhim。’
’Idon’tthinkhewilllookuponmeasastranger。’
’We’llsee，’saidLopez。
Itwasnotlongbeforehemadetheexperiment。HehadcalledhimselfacowardastotheopeningoftheDuchess’sletter，buthehadintruthalwayscourageforperilsofthisnature。OnthedayoftheirarrivaltheydinedwithMrWhartoninManchesterSquare，andcertainlytheoldmanhadreceivedhisdaughterwithgreatdelight。HehadbeencourteoustoLopez，andEmily，amidstthepleasureofhiswelcome，hadforgottensomeofhertroubles。
Thethreewerealonetogether，andwhenEmilyhadaskedafterherbrother，MrWhartonhadlaughedandsaidthatEverettwasanass。
’Youhavequarrelledwithhim？’shesaid。Heridiculedtheideaofanyquarrel，butagainsaidEverettwasanass。
AfterdinnerMrWhartonandLopezwerelefttogether，astheoldman，whetheraloneorincompany，alwayssatforhalfanhoursippingportwineafterthemannerofhisforefathers。Lopezhadalreadydeterminedthathewouldnotlettheopportunityescapehim，andbeganhisattackatonce。’Ihavebeeninvited，sir，’
hesaidwithhissweetestsmile，’tostandforSilverbridge。’
’Youtoo？’saidMrWharton。Butthoughtherewasacertainamountofsatireintheexclamation，ithadbeengood-humouredsatire。
’Yessir。Weallgetbitsoonerorlater，Isuppose。’
’Ineverwasbit。’
’Yoursagacityandphilosophyhavebeenthewonderoftheworld，sir。TherecanbenodoubtthatinmyprofessionaseatintheHousewouldbeofthegreatestpossibleadvantagetome。Itenablesamantodoagreatmanythingswhichhecouldnottouchwithoutit。’
’Itmaybeso。Idon’tknowanythingaboutit。’
’Andthenitisagreathonour。’
’Thatdependsonhowyougetit，andhowyouuseit，——verymuchalsoonwhetheryouarefitforit。’
’IshallgetithonestlyifIdogetit。IhopeImayuseitwell。Andasformyfitness，ImustleavethattobeascertainedwhenIamthere。Iamsorrytosaytherewillprobablybeacontest。’
’Isupposeso。AseatinParliamentwithoutacontestdoesnotdropintoeveryyoungman’smouth。’
’Itverynearlydroppedintomine。’Thenhetoldhisfather-in-
lawalmostalltheparticularsoftheofferwhichhadbeenmadetohim，andofthemannerinwhichtheseatwasnowsuggestedtohim。HesomewhathesitatedintheuseofthenameoftheDuchess，leavinganimpressiononMrWhartonthattheofferhadintruthcomefromtheDuke。’Shouldtherebeacontest，wouldyouhelpme？’
’Inwhatway？IcouldnotcanvassatSilverbridge，ifyoumeanthat。’
’Iwasnotthinkingofgivingyoupersonaltrouble。’
’Idon’tknowasoulintheplace。Ishouldn’tknowthattherewassuchaplaceexceptthatitreturnsmembersofParliament。’
’Imeantwithmoney，sir。’
’Topaytheelectionbills！No，certainlynot。WhyshouldI？’
’ForEmily’ssake。’
’Idon’tthinkitwoulddoEmilyanygood，oryoueither。Itwouldcertainlydomenone。Itisakindofluxurythatamanshouldnotattemptunlesshecanafforditeasily。’
’Aluxury！’
’Yes，aluxury。justasmuchasafour-in-handcoach，orayacht。
MengointoParliamentbecauseitgivesthemfashion，position，andpower。’
’Ishouldgotoservemycountry。’
’SuccessinyourprofessionIthoughtyousaidwasyourobject。
Ofcourseyoumustgoasyouplease。Ifyouaskmemyadvice，I
adviseyounottotryit。ButcertainlyIwillnothelpyouwithmoney。ThatassEverettisquarrellingwithmeatthismomentbecauseIwon’tgivehimmoneytogoandstandsomewhere。’
’NotatSilverbridge？’
’I’msureIcan’tsay。Butdon’tletmedohimaninjury。Togivehimhisdue，heismorereasonablethanyou，，andonlywantsapromisefrommethatIwillpayhiselectioneeringbillsforhimatthenextgeneralelection。Ihaverefusedhim，——thoughforreasonswhichIneednotmentionIthinkhimbetterfittedforParliamentthanyou。Imustcertainlyalsorefuseyou。I
cannotimagineanycircumstanceswhichwouldinducemetopayashillingtowardsgettingyouintoParliament。Ifyouwon’tdrinkanymorewine，we’lljoinEmilyupstairs。’
Thishadbeenveryplainspeaking，andbynomeanscomfortabletoLopez。Whatofpersonaldiscourtesytherehadbeeninthelawyer’swords，——andtheyhadcertainlynotbeenflattering，——
hecouldthrowofffromhimasmeaningnothing。Ashecouldnotaffordtoquarrelwithhisfather-in-law，hethoughtitprobablethathemighthavetobearagooddealofincivilityfromtheoldman。Hewasquitepreparedtobearitaslongashecouldseeachanceofareward——though，shouldtherebenosuchchance，hewouldbereadytoavengeit。Buttherehadbeenadecisioninthepresentrefusalwhichmadehimquitesurethatitwouldbevaintorepeathisrequest。’Ishallfindout，sir，’hesaid，’whetheritmayprobablybeacostlyaffair，andifsoIshallgiveup。Youareratherharduponmeastomymotives。’
’Ionlyrepeatedwhatyoutoldmeyourself。’
’Iamquitesureofmyownintentions，andknowthatIneednotbeashamedofthem。’
’Notifyouhaveplentyofmoney。Italldependsonthat。Ifyouhaveplentyofmoney，andyourfancygoesthatway，itisallverywell。Come，we’llgoupstairs。’
ThenextdayhesawEverettWharton，whowelcomedhimbackwithwarmaffection。’He’lldonothingforme——nothingatall。I
amalmostbeginningtodoubtwhetherhe’lleverspeaktomeagain。’
’Nonsense。’
’Itellyoueverything，youknow，’saidEverett。’InJanuaryI
lostalittlemoneyatwhist。Theygotplungingattheclub，andIwasinit。Ihadtotellhim，ofcourse。HekeepsmesoshortthatIcan’tstandanyblowwithoutgoingtohimlikeaschool-
boy。’
’Wasitmuch？’
’No——tohimnomorethanhalf-a-crowntoyou。Ihadtoaskhimforahundredandfifty。’
’Herefusedit！’
’No——hedidn’tdothat。Haditbeententimesasmuch，ifI
owedthemoney，hewouldpayit。Butheblewmeup，andtalkedaboutgambling，——and——and——’
’Ishouldhavetakenthatasamatterofcourse。’
’ButI’mnotagambler。Amannowandthenmayfallintoathingofthatkind，andifhe’sdecentlywelloffanddon’tdoitoften，hecanbearit。’
’IthoughtyourquarrelhadbeenaltogetheraboutParliament。’
’Ohno！Hehasbeenalwaysthesameaboutthat。HetoldmethatIwasgoingheadforemosttothedogs，andIcouldn’tstandthat。
Ishouldn’tbesurprisedifhehasn’tlostmoreatcardsthanI
haveduringthelasttwoyears。’Lopezmadeanoffertoactasgo-between，toeffectareconciliation。butEverettdeclinedtheoffer。’Itwouldbemakingtoomuchofanabsurdity，’hesaid。
’Whenhewantstoseeme，Isupposehe’llsendforme。’
LopezdiddispatchanagentdowntoMrSprugeonatSilverbridge，andtheagentfoundthatMrSprugeonwasaverydiscreetman。MrSprugeonatfirstknewlittleornothing，——seemedhardlytobeawarethattherewasamemberofParliamentforSilverbridge，anddeclaredhimselftobeindifferentastotheparliamentarycharacteroftheborough。Butatlasthemeltedalittle，andbydegrees，overaglassofhotbrandy-and-waterwiththeagentatthePalliserArms，confessedtoashadeofopinionthatthereturnofMrLopezfortheboroughwouldnotbedisagreeabletosomepersonorpersonswhodidnotlivequiteahundredmilesaway。TheinstructionsgivenbyLopeztohisagentwereofthemostcautiouskind。Theagentwasmerelytofeeltheground，makeafewinquiries，anddonothing。Hisclientdidnotintendtostandunlesshecouldseethewaytoalmostcertainsuccesswithverylittleoutlay。Buttheagent，perhapslikinghisjob，didalittleoutstephisemployer’sorders。MrSprugeon，whenthefrostofhisfirstmodestyhadbeenthawed，introducedtheagenttoMrSprout，themakerofcorksoles，andMrSprugeonandMrSproutbetweenthemhadsoondecidedthatMrFerdinandLopezshouldberunfortheboroughasthe’Castle’candidate。’TheDukewon’tinterfere，’saidSprugeon。’and，ofcourse，theDuke’smanofbusinesscan’tdoanythingopenly——buttheDuke’speoplewillknow。’ThenMrSprouttoldtheagentthattherewasalreadyanothercandidateinthefield，andinawhispercommunicatedthegentleman’sname。WhentheagentgotbacktoLondon，hegaveLopeztounderstandthathemustcertainlyputhimselfforward。
Theboroughexpectedhim。SprugeonandSproutconsideredthemselvespledgedtobringhimforwardandsupporthim，——onbehalfoftheCastle。SprugeonwasquitesurethattheCastleinfluencewaspredominant。TheDuke’snamehadneverbeenmentionedatSilverbridge，——hardlyeventhatoftheDuchess。
SincetheDuke’sdeclaration’TheCastle’hadtakenthepartwhichtheoldDukeusedtoplay。TheagentwasquitesurethatnoonewouldgetinforSilverbridgewithouthavingtheCastleonHisside。NodoubttheDuke’sdeclarationhadtheilleffectofbringinginacompetitor，andthusofcausingexpense。Thatcouldnotbehelped。TheagentwasoftheopinionthattheDukehadnoalternative。Theagenthintedthattimeswerechanging，andthatthoughdukeswerestilldukes，andcouldstillexerciseducalinfluences，theyweredrivenbythesechangestoactinanalteredform。TheproclamationhadbeenespeciallynecessarybecausetheDukewasPrimeMinister。TheagentdidnotthinkthatMrLopezshouldbeintheleastangrywiththeDuke。
EverythingwouldbedonethattheCastlecoulddo，andLopezwouldbenodoubtreturned，——though，unfortunately，notwithoutsomeexpense。Howwoulditcost？Anyaccurateanswertosuchaquestionwouldbeimpossible，butprobablyabout600pounds。Itmightbe800pounds——couldnotpossiblybeabove1，000pounds。
Lopezwincedasheheardthesesumsnamed，buthedidnotdeclinethecontest。
ThenthenameoftheoppositioncandidatewaswhisperedtoLopez。
ItwasArthurFletcher！Lopezstarted，andaskedsomequestionastoMrFletcher’sinterestintheneighbourhood。TheFletcherswereconnectedwiththeDeCourcys，andassoonasthedeclarationoftheDukehadbeenmadeknown，theDeCourcyinteresthadarouseditself，andhadinvitedthatrisingyoungbarrister，ArthurFletcher，tostandfortheboroughonstrictlyconservativeviews。ArthurFletcherhadacceded，andaprinteddeclarationofhispurposeandpoliticalprincipleshadbeenjustpublished。’Ihavebeatenhimonce，’saidLopeztohimself，’andIthinkIcanbeathimagain。’
CHAPTER30
’YES：——ALIE！’
’SoyouwenttoHappertonafterall，’saidLopeztohisally，MrSextusParker。’Youcouldn’tbelievemewhenItoldyouthemoneywasallright！Whatacuryouare！’
’That’sright——abuseme。’
’Well，itwashorrid。Didn’tItellyouthatitmustnecessarilyinjuremewiththehouse？Howaretwofellowstogetontogetherunlesstheycanputsometrustineachother？EvenifIdidrunyouintoadifficulty，doyoureallythinkI’mruffianenoughtotellyouthatthemoneywasthereifitwasuntrue？’
Sextylookedlikeacurandfeltlikeacur，ashewasbeingthusabused。Hewasnotangrywithhisfriendforcallinghimbadnames，butonlyanxioustoexcusehimself。’Iwasoutofsorts，’
hesaid，’andsod-dhippish。Ididn’tknowwhatIwasabout。’
’Brandy-and-soda，’suggestedLopez。
’Perhapsalittleofthat——though，byJove，itisn’toftenIdothatkindofthing。Idon’tknowafellowwhoworksharderforhiswifeandchildrenthanIdo。Butwhenoneseessuchthingsallroundone，——afellowutterlysmashedherewhohadastringofhuntersyesterday，andanotherfellowbuyingahouseinPiccadillyandpullingitdownbecauseitisn’tbigenough，whowascontentedwithalittleboxinHornseylastsummer，onedoesn’tquiteknowhowtokeepone’slegs。’
’Ifyouwanttolearnalessonlookatthetwomen，andseewherethedifferencelies。Heonehashadsomeheartabouthim，andtheotherhasbeenacoward。’
Parkerscratchedhishead，balancedhimselfonthehindlegsofhisstool，andtacitlyacknowledgedthetruthofallthathisenterprisingfriendhadsaidtohim。’HasoldWhartoncomedownwell？’atlastheasked。
’IhaveneversaidawordtooldWhartonaboutmoney，’Lopezreplied，——’exceptasthecostofthiselectionIwastellingyouof。’
’Andhewouldn’tdoanythinginthat？’
’Hedoesn’tapproveofthethingitself。Idon’tdoubtbutthattheoldgentlemanandIshallunderstandeachotherbeforelong。’
’You’vegotthelengthofhisfoot。’
’ButIdon’tmeantodrivehim。Icangetalongwithoutthat。
He’sanoldman，andhecan’ttakehismoneyalongwithhimwhenhegoesthegreatjourney。’
’There’sabrother，Lopez，——isn’tthere？’
’Yes，——there’sabrother。butWhartonhasenoughfortwo，andifheweretoputeitheroutofhiswillitwouldn’tbemywife。
Oldmendon’tlikepartingwiththeirmoney，andhe’slikeotheroldmen。IfitwerenotsoIshouldn’tbothermyselfcomingintothecityatall。’
’Hasheenoughforthat，Lopez？’
’Isupposehe’sworthaquarterofamillion。’
’ByJove！Andwheredidhegetit？’
’Perseverance，sir。Putbyashillingaday，andletithaveitsnaturalincrease，andseewhatitwillcometoattheendoffiftyyears。IsupposeoldWhartonhasbeenputtingtwoorthreethousandoutofhisprofessionalincome，atanyrateforthelastthirtyyears，andneverforamomentforgettingitsnaturalincrease。That’sonewaytomakeafortune。’
’Itain’trapidenoughforyouandme，Lopez。’
’No。Thatistheold-fashionedway，andthemostsure。But，asyousay，itisnotrapidenough。anditrobsamanofthepowerofenjoyinghismoneywhenhehasmadeit。Butit’saverygoodthingtobecloselyconnectedwithamanwhohasalreadydonethatkindofthing。There’snotdoubtaboutthemoneywhenitisthere。Itdoesnottaketoitselfwingsandflyaway。’
’Butthemanwhohasitstickstoituncommonhard。’
’Ofcoursehedoes——buthecan’ttakeitawaywithhim。’
’Hecanleaveittohospitals，Lopez。That’sthedevil。’
’Sexty，myboy，Iseeyouhavetakenanoutlookintohumanlifewhichdoesyoucredit。Yes，hecanleaveittohospitals。Butwhydoesheleaveittohospitals？’
’Somethingofbeingafraidabouthissoul，Isuppose。’
’No。Idon’tbelieveinthat。Suchamanasthis，whohasbeenhard-fistedallhislife，andwhohashadhiseyesthoroughlyopen，whohasmadehisownmoneyinthesharpintercourseofmantoman，andwhokeepsittothelastgasp，——hedoesn’tbelievethathe’lldohissoulanygoodbygivingittohospitalswhenhecan’tkeepithimselfanylonger。Hismindhasfreeditselffromthosecobwebslongsince。Hegiveshismoneytohospitalsbecausethelastpleasureofwhichheiscapableisthatofspittinghisrelations。Anditisagreatpleasuretoanoldman，whenhisrelationshavebeendisgustedwithhimforbeingoldandlovinghismoney。IratherthinkIshoulddoitmyself。’
’I’dgivemyselfachanceofgoingtoheaven，Ithink，’saidParker。
’Don’tyouknowthatmenwillrobandcheatontheirdeath-beds，andsaytheirprayersallthetime？OldWhartonwon’tleavehismoneytohospitalsifhe’swellhandledbythoseabouthim。’
’Andyou’llhandlehimwell——eh，Lopez？’
’Iwon’tquarrelwithhim，ortellhimthathe’sacurmudgeonbecausehedoesn’tdoallthatIwanthim。He’soverseventy，andhecan’tcarryhismoneywithhim。’
AllthisleftsovividanimpressionofthewisdomofhisfriendonthemindofSextusParker，thatinspiteoftheharrowingfearsbywhichhehadbeentormentedonmorethanoneoccasionalready，heallowedhimselftobepersuadedintocertainfiscalarrangements，bywhichLopezwouldfindhimselfputateasewithreferencetomoneyatanyrateforthenextfourmonths。Hehadatoncetoldhimselfthatthiselectionwouldcosthim1，000
pounds。Whenvarioussumswerementionedinreferencetosuchanaffair，safetyalonecouldbefoundintakingtheoutsidesum——
perhapsmightgenerallybemoresecurelyfoundbyaddingfiftypercenttothat。Heknewthathewaswrongabouttheelection，butheassuredhimselfthathehadhadnoalternative。ThemisfortunehadbeenthattheDukeshouldhavemadehisproclamationabouttheboroughimmediatelyaftertheoffermadebytheDuchess。Hehadbeenalmostforcedtosendtheagentdowntoinquire——andtheagent，whenmakinghisinquiries，hadcompromisedhim。Hemustgoonwithitnow。PerhapssomeideaofthepleasantnessofincreasedintimacywiththeDuchessofOmniumencouragedhiminhiswayofthinking。TheDuchesswasupintowninFebruary，andLopezleftacardinCarltonTerrace。
OntheverynextdaythecardoftheDuchesswasleftforMrsLopezattheBelgraveMansions。
Lopezwentintothecityeveryday，leavinghomeatabouteleveno’clock，andnotreturningmuchbeforedinner。Theyoungwifeatfirstfoundthatshehardlyknewwhattodowithhertime。Heraunt，MrsRoby，wasdistastefultoher。ShehadalreadylearnedfromherhusbandthathehadbutlittlerespectforMrsRoby。
’Yourememberthesapphirebrooch，’hesaidonce。’ThatwaspartofthepriceIhadtopayforbeingallowedtoapproachyou。’Hewassittingatthetimewithhishandroundherwaist，lookingoutonthebeautifulsceneryandtalkingofhisolddifficulties。
Shecouldnotfinditinherhearttobeangrywithhim，buttheideabroughttohermindwasdisagreeabletoher。AndshewasthoroughlyangrywithMrsRoby。OfcourseinthesedaysMrsRoby。
cametoseeher，andofcoursewhenshewasupinManchesterSquare，shewenttothehouseroundthecorner，——buttherewasnocloseintimacybetweentheauntandtheniece。Andmanyofherfather’sfriends，——whomsheregardedastheHertfordshireset，——wereverycoldtoher。ShehadnotmadeherselfaglorytoHertfordshire，and，——asallthesepeoplesaid，——hadbrokentheheartofthebestHertfordshireyoungmanoftheday。Thismadeagreatfalling-offinheracquaintance，whichwasthemorefeltasshehadneverbeen，asagirl，devotedtoalargecircleofdearestfemalefriends。ShewhomshehadlovedbesthadbeenMaryWharton，andMaryWhartonhadrefusedtobeherbridesmaidalmostwithoutanexpressionofregret。Shesawherfatheroccasionally。Oncehecameanddinedwiththemattheirrooms，onwhichoccasionLopezstruggledhardtomakeupawell-soundingparty。TherewereRobyfromtheAdmiralty，andtheHappertons，andSirTimothyBeeswax，withwhomLopezhadbecomeacquaintedatGatherum，andoldLordMongrober。Butthebarrister，whohaddinedoutagooddealinhistime，perceivedtheeffort。Who，thateverwithdifficultyscrapedhisdinnergueststogether，wasableafterwardstoobliteratethesignsofthestruggle？Itwas，however，afirstattempt，andLopez，whosecouragewasgood，thoughtthathemightdobetterbeforelong。IfhecouldgetintotheHouseandmakehismarktherepeoplethenwoulddinewithhimfastenough。ButwhilethatwasgoingonEmily’slifewasratherdull。Hehadprovidedherwithabrougham，andeverythingaroundherwasevenluxurious，buttherecameuponhergraduallyafeelingthatbyhermarriageshehaddividedherselffromherownpeople。Shedidnotforamomentallowthisfeelingtointerferewithherloyaltytohim。Hadshenotknownthatthisdivisionwouldsurelytakeplace？Hadshenotmarriedhimbecauseshelovedhimbetterthanherownpeople？SoshesatherselfdowntoreadDante，——fortheyhadstudiedItaliantogetherduringtheirhoneymoon，andshefoundthatheknewthelanguagewell。Andshewasbusywithherneedle。Andshealreadybegantoanticipatethehappinesswhichwouldcometoherwhenachildofhisshouldbelyinginherarms。
Shewasofcoursemuchinterestedabouttheelection。Nothingcouldasyetbedone，becauseasyettherewasnovacancy。butstillthesubjectwasdiscusseddailybetweenthem。’Whodoyouthinkisgoingtostandagainstme？’hesaidonedaywithasmile。’Averyoldfriendofyours。’Sheknewatoncewhothemanwasandthebloodcametoherface。’Ithinkhemightaswellhaveleftitalone，youknow，’hesaid。
’Didheknow？’sheaskedinawhisper。
’Know——ofcourseheknew。Heisdoingitonpurpose。ButI
beathimonce，oldgirl，didn’tI？AndI’llbeathimagain。’
Shelikedhimtocallheroldgirl。Shelovedtheperfectintimacywithwhichhetreatedher。Buttherewassomethingwhichgratedagainstherfeelingsintheallusionbyhimtotheothermanwhohadlovedher。Ofcourseshehadtoldhimthewholestory。Shehadconceivedittobeherdutytodoso。Butthenthethingshouldhavebeenover。Itwasnecessary，perhaps，thatheshouldtellherwhowashisopponent。Itwasimpossiblethatsheshouldnotknowwhenthefightcame。ButshedidnotliketohearthathehadbeatenArthurFletcheronce，andthathewouldbeathimagain。Bydoingsohelikenedthesweetfragranceofherlovetothedirtyturmoilofanelectioneeringcontest。
Hedidnotunderstand——howcouldhe？——thatthoughshehadneverlovedArthurFletcher，hadneverbeenabletobringherselftolovehimwhenallherfriendshadwishedit，herfeelingstohimwereneverthelessthoseofaffectionatefriendship——thatsheregardedhimasbeingperfectinhisway，athoroughgentleman，amanwhowouldnotforworldstellalie，asmostgenerousamongthegenerous，mostnobleamongthenoble。WhentheotherWhartonshadthrownheroff，hehadnotbeencoldtoher。Thatveryday，assoonasherhusbandhadlefther，shelookedagainatthatlittlenote。’IamasIalwayshavebeen！’AndsherememberedthatfarewelldownbythebanksoftheWye。’Youwillalwayshaveone，——onebesideshim，——whowillloveyoubestintheworld。’Theyweredangerouswordsforhertoremember。butinrecallingthemtohermemoryshehadoftenassuredherselfthattheyshouldnotbedangeroustoher。Shehadlovedtheonemanandhadnotlovedtheother——butyet，nowwhenherhusbandtalkedofbeatinghimagain，shecouldnotbutrememberhiswords。
Shedidnotthink，——orratherhadnotthought，——thatArthurFletcherwouldwillinglystandagainstherhusband。Ithadoccurredtoheratoncethathemustfirsthavebecomeacandidatewithoutknowingwhowouldbehisopponent。ButFerdinandhadassuredherasamatteroffactthatFletcherhadknownallaboutit。’Isupposeinpoliticsmenaredifferent，’
shesaidtoherself。HerhusbandhadevidentlysupposedthatArthurFletcherhadproposedhimselfasacandidateforSilverbridge，withtheexpressobjectofdoinganinjurytothemanwhohadcarriedoffhislove。Andsherepeatedtoherselfherhusband’swords，’He’sdoingitonpurpose。’Shedidnotliketodifferfromherhusband，butshecouldhardlybringherselftobelievethatrevengeofthiskindshouldhaverecommendeditselftoArthurFletcher。
Somelittletimeafterthis，whenshehadsettledinLondon，aboveamonth，aletterwasbroughttoher，andsheatoncerecognizedArthurFletcher’swriting。Shewasaloneatthetime，anditoccurredtoheratfirstthatperhapssheoughtnottoopenanycommunicationfromhimwithoutshowingittoherhusband。Butthenitseemedthatsuchahesitationwouldimplyadoubtoftheman，andalmostadoubtofherself。Whyshouldshefearwhatanymanmightwritetoher？Sosheopenedtheletter，andreadit，——withinfinitepleasure。Itwasasfollows：
DEARMrsLOPEZ，Ithinkitbesttomakeanexplanationtoyouastoacertaincoincidencewhichmightpossiblybemisunderstoodunlessexplained。IfindthatyourhusbandandIareopponentsatSilverbridge。IwishtosaythatIhadpledgedmyselftotheboroughbeforeIhadheardhisnameasconnectedwithit。Ihaveveryoldassociationswiththeneighbourhood，andwasinvitedtostandbyfriendswhohadknownmeallmylifeassoonasitwasunderstoodthattherewouldbeanopencontest。Icannotretirenowwithoutbreakingfaithwithmyparty，nordoIknowthatthereisareasonwhyIshoulddoso。Ishouldnot，however，havecomeforwardhadIknownthatMrLopezwastostand。Ithinkyouhadbettertellhimso，andtellhimalso，withmycompliments，thatIhopewemayfightourpoliticalbattlewithmutualgood-fellowshipandgoodfeeling。
Yoursverysincerely，ARTHURFLETCHER
Emilywasverymuchpleasedbythisletter，andyetsheweptoverit。Shefeltthatsheunderstoodaccuratelyallthemotivesthatwereatworkwithintheman’sbreastwhenhewaswritingit。Astoitstruth，——ofcoursetheletterwasgospeltoher。Oh，——ifthemancouldbecomeherhusband’sfriendhowsweetitwouldbe！
Ofcourseshewished，thoroughlywished，thatherhusbandshouldsucceedatSilverbridge。Butshecouldunderstandthatsuchacontestasthismightbecarriedoutwithoutpersonalanimosity。
TheletterwassolikeArthurFletcher，——sogood，sonoble，sogenerous，sotrue！Themomentherhusbandcameinsheshowedittohimwithdelight。’Iwassure，’shesaidashewasreadingtheletter，’thathehadnotknownyouweretostand。’
’HeknewitaswellasIdid，’hereplied，andashespoketherecameadarkscowlacrosshisbrow。’Hiswritingtoyouisapieceofinfernalimpudence。’
’Oh，Ferdinand！’
’Youdon’tunderstand，butIdo。Hedeservestobehorsewhippedfordaringtowritetoyou，andifIcomeacrosshimheshallhaveit。’
’Oh——forheaven’ssake。’
’Amanwhowasyourrejectedlover，——whohasbeentryingtomarryyouforthelasttwoyears，presumingtocommenceacorrespondencewithyouwithoutyourhusband’ssanction！’
’Hemeantyoutoseeit。HesaysI’mtotellyou。’
’Psha！Thatissimplecowardice。Hemeantyounottotellme。
andthenwhenyouansweredhimwithouttellingme，hewouldhavehadthewhip-handofyou。’
’Oh，Ferdinand，whatevilthoughtsyouhave！’
’Youareachild，mydear，andmustallowmetodictatetoyouwhatyououghttothinkinsuchamatterasthis。Itellyouheknewallaboutmycandidature，andthatwhathehassaidheretothecontraryisamerelie，——yes，alie。’Herepeatedthewordbecausehesawthatsheshrankathearingit。buthedidnotunderstandwhysheshrank，——thattheideaofsuchanaccusationagainstArthurFletcherwasintolerabletoher。’Ihaveneverheardofsuchathing，’hecontinued。’Doyousupposeitiscommonformenwhohavebeenthrownovertowritetotheladieswhohaverejectedthemimmediatelyaftertheirmarriage？’
’Donotthecircumstancesjustifyit？’
’No——theymakeitinfinitelyworse。Heshouldhavefelthimselftobedebarredfromwritingtoyou，bothasbeingmywifeandasbeingthewifeofthemanwhomheintendstoopposeatSilverbridge。’