Thishesaidwithsomuchangerthathefrightenedher。’Itisnotmyfault，’shesaid。
’No。itisnotyourfault。Butyoushouldregarditasagreatfaultcommittedbyhim。’
’WhatamItodo？’
’Givemetheletter。You，ofcourse，candonothing。’
’Youwillnotquarrelwithhim？’
’CertainlyIwill。Ihavequarrelledwithhimalready。DoyouthinkIwillallowanymantoinsultmywifewithoutquarrellingwithhim？WhatIshalldoIcannotasyetsay，andwhateverI
maydo，youhadbetternotknow。IneverthoughtmuchoftheseHertfordshireswellswhobelievethemselvestobetheverycreamoftheearth，andnowIthinklessofthemthanever。’
Hewasthensilent，andslowlyshetookherselfoutoftheroom，andwentawaytodress。Allthiswasveryterrible。Hehadneverbeenroughtoherbefore，andshecouldnotatallunderstandwhyhehadbeensoroughtohernow。Surelyitwasimpossiblethatheshouldbejealousbecauseheroldloverhadwrittentohersuchaletterasthatwhichshehadshownhim！
AndthenshewasalmoststunnedbytheopinionshehadexpressedaboutFletcher，opinionswhichsheknew，——wassurethatsheknew，——tobeabsolutelyerroneous。Aliar！Oh，heavens！Andthentheletteritselfwassoingenuousandsohonest！Anxiousasshewastodoallthatherhusbandbadeher，shecouldnotbeguidedbyhiminthismatter。Andthensherememberedhiswords：
’Youmustallowmetodictatetoyouwhatyououghttothink。’
Coulditbethatmarriagemeantasmuchasthat，——thatahusbandwastoclaimtodictatetohiswifewhatopinionsshewastoformaboutthisandthatperson，——aboutapersonshehadknownsowell，whomhehadneverknown？Surelyshecouldonlythinkinaccordancewithherownexperienceandherownintelligence！ShewascertainthatArthurFletcherwasnoliar。Notevenherownhusbandcouldmakeherthinkthat。
CHAPTER31
’YES——WITHAHORSEWHIPINMYHAND。’
EmilyLopez，whenshecreptoutofherownroomandjoinedherhusbandjustbeforedinner，washardlyabletospeaktohimsothoroughlywasshedismayed，andtroubled，andhorrified，bythemannerinwhichhehadtakenArthurFletcher’sletter。Whileshehadbeenaloneshehadthoughtitallover，anxiousifpossibletobringherselfintosympathywithherhusband。butthemoreshethoughtofitthemoreevidentdiditbecometoherthathewasaltogetherwrong。Hewassowrongthatitseemedtoherthatshewouldbeahypocriteifshepretendedtoagreewithhim。Therewerehalf-a-dozenaccusationsconveyedagainstMrFletcherbyherhusband’sviewofthematter。Hewasaliar，givingafalseaccountofhiscandidature——andhewasacoward。andanenemytoher，whohadlaidaplotbywhichhehadhopedtomakeheractfraudulentlytowardsherownhusband，whohadendeavouredtocreepintoacorrespondencewithher，andsotocompromiseher！
Allthis，whichherhusband’smindsoeasilyconceived，wasnotonlyimpossibletoher，butsohorriblethatshecouldnotrefrainfromdisgustatherhusband’sconception。Theletterhadbeenleftwithhim，butsherememberedeverywordofit。Shewassurethatitwasanhonestletter，meaningnomorethanhadbeensaid，——simplyintendingtoexplaintoherthathewouldnotwillinglyhavestoodinthewayofafriendwhomhehadloved，byinterferingwithherhusband’sprospects。Andyetshewastoldthatshewastothinkasherhusbandbadeherthink！Shecouldnotthinkso。Shecouldnotsaythatshethoughtso。Ifherhusbandwouldnotcreditherjudgement，letthematterbereferredtoherfather。Ferdinandwouldatanyrateacknowledgethatherfathercouldunderstandsuchamatterevenifshecouldnot。
Duringdinnerhesaidnothingonthesubject，nordidshe。Theywereattendedbyapageinbuttonswhomhehadhiredtowaituponher，andthemealpassedoffalmostinsilence。Shelookedupathimfrequentlyandsawthathisbrowwasstillblack。Assoonastheywerealoneshespoketohim，havingstudiedduringdinnerwhatwordsshewouldfirstsay：’Areyougoingdowntotheclubtonight！’HehadtoldherthatthematterofthiselectionhadbeentakenupattheProgress，andthatpossiblyhemighthavetomeettwoorthreepersonsthereonthisevening。Therehadbeenapropositionthattheclubshouldbearapartoftheexpenditure，andhewasverysolicitousthatsuchanarrangementshouldbemade。
’No，’saidhe，’Ishallnotgooutto-night。Iamnotsufficientlylight-hearted。’
’Whatmakesyouheavy-hearted，Ferdinand？’
’Ishouldhavethoughtyouwouldhaveknown。’
’IsupposeIdoknow，——butIdon’tknowwhyitshould。Idon’tknowwhyyoushouldbedispleased。Atanyrate，Ihavedonenothingwrong。’
’No——notastotheletter。Butitastonishesmethatyoushouldbeso——soboundtothismanthat-’
’Boundtohim，Ferdinand！’
’No——youareboundtome。Butthatyouhavesomuchregardforhimasnottoseethathehasgrosslyinsultedyou。’
’Ihavearegardforhim。’
’Andyoudaretotellmeso？’
’Dare！WhatshouldIbeifIhadanyfeelingwhichIdidnotdaretotellyou？ThereisnoharminregardingamanwithfriendlyfeelingswhomIhaveknownsinceIwasachild，andwhomallmyfamilyhaveloved。’
’Yourfamilywantedyoutomarryhim！’
’Theydid。ButIhavemarriedyou，becauseIlovedyou。ButI
neednotthinkbadlyofanoldfriend，becauseIdidnotlovehim。Whyshouldyoubeangrywithhim？Whatcanyouhavetobeafraidof？’Thenshecameandsatonhiskneeandcaressedhim。
’Itishethatshallbeafraidofme，’saidLopez。’Lethimgivetheboroughupifhemeanswhathesays。’
’Whocouldaskhimtodothat？’
’Notyou，——certainly。’
’Oh，no。’
’Icanaskhim。’
’Couldyou，Ferdinand？’
’Yes——withahorsewhipinmyhand。’
’Indeed，indeedyoudonotknowhim。Willyoudothis——willyoutellmyfathereverything，andleaveittohimtosaywhetherMrFletcherhasbehavedbadlytoyou？’
’Certainlynot。Iwillnothaveanyinterferencefromyourfatherbetweenyouandme。IfIhadlistenedtoyourfather，youwouldnothavebeenherenow。Yourfatherisnotasyetafriendofmine。WhenhecomestoknowwhatIcandoformyself，andthatIcanrisehigherthantheseHertfordshirepeople，thenperhapshemaybecomemyfriend。ButIwillconsulthiminnothingsopeculiartomyselfasmyownwife。Andyoumustunderstandthatincomingtomeallobligationfromyoutohimbecomeextinct。Ofcourseheisyourfather。butinsuchamatterasthishehasnomoresaytoyouthananystranger。’
Afterthathehardlyspoketoher。butsatforanhourwithabookinhishand，andthenroseandsaidthathewouldgodowntotheclub。’Thereissomuchvillainyabout，’hesaid，’thatamanifhemeanstodoanythingmustkeephimselfonthewatch。’
Whenshewasalonesheatonceburstintotears。butshesoondriedhereyes，andputtingdownherwork，settledherselftothinkofitall。Whatdiditmean？Whywashethuschangedtoher？CoulditbethathewasthesameFerdinandtowhomshehadgivenherself，withoutadoubtastohispersonalmerit？EverywordthathehadspokensinceshehadshownhimtheletterfromArthurFletcherhadbeeninjurioustoher，andoffensive。Italmostseemedasthoughhehaddeterminedtoshowhimselftobeatyranttoher，andhadonlyputoffplayingtheparttillthefirstconvenientopportunityaftertheirhoneymoon。Butthroughallthis，herideaswereloyaltohim。Shewouldobeyhiminallthingswhereobediencewaspossible，andwouldlovehimbetterthanalltheworld。Ohyes——forwashenotherhusband？Werehetoprovehimselftheworstofmenshewouldstilllovehim。
Ithadbeenforbetterorforworse。andasshehadrepeatedthewordstoherself，shehadswornthatiftheworstshouldcome，shewouldstillbetrue。
ButshecouldnotbringherselftosaythatArthurFletcherhadbehavedbadly。Shecouldnot。Sheknewwellthathisconducthadbeennobleandgenerous。Thenunconsciouslyandinvoluntarily，——orratherinoppositiontoherownwillandinwardefforts，——hermindwoulddrawcomparisonsbetweenherhusbandandArthurFletcher。Therewassomepeculiargift，orgrace，oracquirementbelongingwithoutdisputetotheone，whichtheotherlacked。Whatwasit？Shehadheardherfathersaywhentalkingofgentlemen，——ofthatraceofgentlemenwithwhomithadbeenhislottolive，——thatyoucouldnotmakeasilkpurseoutofasow’sear。Theuseoftheproverbhadoffendedhermuch，forshehadknownwellwhomhehadthenregardedasasilkpurseandwhomasow’sear。Butnowsheperceivedthattherehadbeentruthinallthis，thoughshewasasanxiousasevertothinkwellofherhusband，andtoendowhimwithallpossiblevirtues。Shehadonceventuredtoformadoctrineforherself，topreachtoherselfasermonofherown，andtotellherselfthatthisgiftofgentlebloodandofgentlenurture，ofwhichherfatherthoughtsomuch，andtowhichsomethingofdivinitywasattributeddowninHertfordshire，wasafterallbutaweak，spiritlessquality。Itcouldexistwithoutintellect，withoutheart，andwithverymoderateculture。Itwascompatiblewithmanylittlenessesandwithmanyvices。Asforthatloveofhonest，courageoustruthwhichherfatherwaswonttoattributetoit，sheregardedhistheoryasbasedonlegends，asinearlieryearswasthetheoryofthecourage，andconstancy，andloyalty，oftheknightsofthosedays。Thebeauidealofamanwhichshethenpicturedtoherselfwasgraced，firstwithintelligence，thenwithaffection，andlastlywithambition。Sheknewnoreasonwhysuchaheroasherfancycreatedshouldbebornoflordsandladiesratherthanofworkingmechanics，shouldbeEnglishratherthanSpanishorFrench。Themancouldnotbeherherowithouteducation，withoutattributestobeattainednodoubtmoreeasilybytherichthanthepoor。but，withthatgranted，withthoseattained，shedidnotseewhyshe，orwhytheworld，shouldgobeyondtheman’sownself。Suchhadbeenhertheoriesastomenandtheirattributes，andactingonthat，shehadgivenherselfandallherhappinessintothekeepingofFerdinandLopez。Now，therewasgraduallycominguponherachangeinherconvictions，——achangethatwasmostunwelcome，thatshestrovetoreject，——onewhichshewouldnotacknowledgethatshehadadoptedevenwhileadoptingit。Butnow，——ay，fromtheveryhourofhermarriage，——shehadcommencedtolearnwhatitwasthatherfatherhadmeantwhenhespokeofthepleasureoflivingwithgentlemen。ArthurFletchercertainlywasagentleman。Hewouldnothaveentertainedthesuspicionwhichherhusbandhadexpressed。Hecouldnothavefailedtobelievesuchassertionsashadbeenmade。Hecouldneverhavesuggestedtohisownwifethatanothermanhadendeavouredtoentrapherintoasecretcorrespondence。SheseemedtohearthetonesofArthurFletcher’svoice，asthoseofherhusbandstillranginherearwhenhebadeherrememberthatshewasnowremovedfromherfather’scontrol。Everynowandthenthetearswouldcometohereyes，andshewouldsitpondering，listless，lowinheart。Thenshewouldsuddenlyrouseherselfwithashake，andtakeupherbookwitharesolvethatshewouldreadsteadily，wouldassureherselfasshedidsothatherhusbandshouldstillbeherhero。
Theintelligenceatanyratewasthere，and，inspiteofhisroughness，theaffectionwhichshecraved。Andtheambition，too，wasthere。But，alas，alas！whyshouldsuchvilesuspicionshavefouledhismind？
Hewaslatethatnight，butwhenhecamehekissedherbrowasshelayinbed，andsheknewthathistemperwasagainsmooth。
Shefeignedtobesleepy，thoughnotasleep，asshejustputherhanduptohischeek。Shedidnotwishtospeaktohimagainthatnight，butshewasgladtoknowthatinthemorninghewouldsmileonher。’Beearlyatbreakfast，’hesaidtoherashelefthernextmorning，’forI’mgoingdowntoSilverbridgetoday。’
Thenshestartedup。’To-day！’
’Yes，——bythe11。20。Thereisplentyoftime，onlydon’tbeunusuallylate。’
Ofcourseshewassomethingmorethanusuallyearly，andwhenshecameoutshefoundhimreadinghispaper。’It’sallsettlednow，’hesaid。’GreyhasappliedfortheHundreds，andMrRattleristomoveforthenewwritto-morrow。Ithascomerathersuddenatlast，asthesethingsalwaysdoafterlongdelays。Buttheysaythesuddennessisratherinmyfavour。’
’Whenwilltheelectiontakeplace？’
’Isupposeinaboutafortnight——perhapsalittlelonger。’
’AndmustyoubeatSilverbridgeallthattime？’
’Ohdearno。Ishallstaythereto-night，andperhapsto-morrownight。OfcourseIshalltelegraphyoudirectlyIfindhowitistobe。Ishallseetheprincipalinhabitants，andprobablymakeaspeechortwo。’
’IdowishIcouldhearyou。’
’You’dfinditawfullydullwork，mygirl。AndIshallfinditawfullydulltoo。IdonotimaginethatMrSprugeonandMrSproutwillbepleasantcompanions。Well。IshallstaythereadayortwoandsettlewhenIamtogodownfortheabsolutecanvass。Ishallhavetogowithmyhatinmyhandtoeveryblessedinhabitantinthatdirtylittletown，andaskthemalltobekindenoughtodropinapaperforthemosthumbleoftheirservants，FerdinandLopez。’
’Isupposeallcandidateshavetodothesame。’
’Ohyes——yourfriend，MasterFletcher，willhavetodoit。’Shewincedatthis。ArthurFletcherwasherfriend，butatthepresentmomentheoughtnotsotohavespokenofhim。’AndfromallIhear，heisjustthesortoffellowthatwilllikethedoingofit。ItisodioustometoaskafellowthatIdespiseforanything。’
’Whyshouldyoudespisethem？’
’Low，ignorant，greasycads，whohavenoideaoftherealmeaningofpoliticalprivileges——menwhowouldallselltheirvotesforthirtyshillingseach，ifthatgamehadnotbeenmadealittletoohot！’
’IftheyarelikethatIwouldnotrepresentthem。’
’Ohyes，youwould——whenyoucametounderstandtheworld。
It’safinethingtobeinParliament，andthatisthewaytogetin。However，onthisvisitIshallonlyseethegreatmenofthetown，——theSproutsandSprugeons。’
’ShallyougotoGatherumCastle？’
’Oh，heavensno！Imaygoanywherenowratherthanthere。TheDukeissupposedtobeinabsoluteignoranceoftheverynamesofthecandidates，orwhethertherearecandidates。Idon’tsupposethatthewordSilverbridgewillbeevenwhisperedinhiseartillthethingisover。’
’Butyouaretogetinbyhisfriendship。’
’Orbyhers——atleastIhopeso。IhavenodoubtthattheSproutsandtheSprugeonshavebeengiventounderstandbytheLococksandthePritchardswhataretheDuchess’swishes，andthatithasalsobeenintimatedinsomesubtlewaythattheDukeiswillingtoobligetheDuchess。Thereareeversomanyways，youknow，ofkillingacat。’
’Andtheexpense？’suggestedEmily。
’Oh，——ah。theexpense。Whenyoucometotalkoftheexpensethingsarenotsopleasant。Ineversawsuchasetofmeaninglessassesinmylifeasthosemenattheclub。Theytalkandtalk，butthereisnotoneofthemwhoknowshowtodoanything。Nowattheclubovertheway，theydoarrangematters。
It’sacommoncause，andIdon’tseewhatrighttheyhavetoexpectthatonemanshouldbearalltheexpense。I’veadeucedgoodmindtoleavetheminthelurch。’
’Don’tdoit，Ferdinand，ifyoucan’taffordit。’
’Ishallgowithitnow。Ican’thelpfeelingthatI’vebeenalittleletinamongthem。WhentheDuchessfirstpromisedmeitwastobeasimplewalkover。Nowthatthey’vegottheircandidate，theygobackfromthatandopenthethingtoanycomer。Ican’ttellyouwhatIthinkofFletcherfortakingadvantageofsuchachance。Andthenthepoliticalcommitteeoftheclubcoollysaythatthey’vegotnomoney。Itisn’thonest，youknow。’
’Idon’tunderstandallthat，’saidEmilysadly。EverywordthathesaidaboutFletchercuthertotheheart——notbecauseitgrievedherthatFletchershouldbeabused，butthatherhusbandshouldcondescendtoabusehim。Sheescapedfromfurtherconflictatthemomentbyproclaimingherignoranceofthewholematter。butsheknewenoughofittobewellawarethatArthurFletcherhadasgoodarighttostandasherhusband，andthatherhusbandloweredhimselfbypersonalanimositytotheman。
ThenLopeztookhisdeparture。’Oh，Ferdinand，’shesaid，’Idosohopeyoumaybesuccessful。’
’Idon’tthinkhecanhaveachance。Fromwhatpeoplesay，hemustbeafooltotry。Thatis，theCastleistruetome。I
shallknowmoreaboutitwhenIcomeback。’
Thatafternoonshedinedwithherfather，andtheremetMrsRoby。
ItwasofcourseknownthatLopezhadgonedowntoSilverbridge，andEmilylearnedinManchesterSquarethatEveretthadgonewithhim。’FromallIhear，they’retwofoolsfortheirpains，’saidthelawyer。
’Why，papa？’
’TheDukehasgiventhethingup。’
’Butstillhisinterestremains。’
’Nosuchthing！IfthereisanhonestmaninEnglanditistheDukeofOmnium，andwhenhesaysathinghemeansit。LefttothemselvesthepeopleofalittletownlikeSilverbridgearesuretoreturnaConservative。Theyarehalfofthemsmallfarmers，andofcoursewillgothatwayifnotmadetogototheother。
Iftheclubmeantopaythecost——’
’Theclubwillpaynothing，papa。’
’ThenIcanonlyhopethatLopezisdoingwellinhisbusiness！’
Afterthatnothingfurtherwassaidabouttheelection，butsheperceivedthatherfatherwasaltogetheropposedtotheideaofherhusbandbeinginParliament，andthathissympathiesandevenhiswisheswereontheotherside。WhenMrsRobysuggestedthatitwouldbeaverynicethingforthemalltohaveFerdinandinParliament，——shealwayscalledhimFerdinandnow，——MrWhartonrailedather。’Whyshoulditbeanicething？Iwonderwhetheryouhaveanyideaofameaninginyourheadwhenyousaythat。
Doyousupposethatamangets1000poundsayearbygoingintoParliament？’
’Laws，MrWharton。howuncivilyouare！OfcourseIknowthatmembersofParliamentaren’tpaid。’
’Where’sthenicenessthen？Ifamanhashistimeathiscommandandhasstudiedtheartoflegislationitbenice，becausehewillbedoinghisduty——orifhewantstogetintothegovernmentrucklikeyourbrother-in-law，itmaybenice——orifhebeanidlemanwithalargefortuneitmaybenicetohavesomeplacetogo。ButwhyshoulditbeniceforFerdinandLopez。
Icannotunderstand。EveretthassomeideainhisheadwhenhetalksaboutParliament，——thoughIcannotsaythatIagreewithhim。’ItmayeasilybeunderstoodthatafterthisEmilywouldsaynothingfurtherinManchesterSquareastoherhusband’sprospectsatSilverbridge。
LopezwasatSilverbridgeforacoupleofdays，andthenreturned，ashiswifethought，bynomeansconfidentofsuccess。
Heremainedintownnearlyaweek，andduringthattimehemanagedtoseetheDuchess。Hehadwrittentohersayingthathewoulddohimselfthehonourofcallingonher，andwhenhecamewasadmitted。Buttheaccounthegavetohiswifeofthevisitdidnotexpressmuchsatisfaction。Itwasquitelateintheeveningbeforehetoldherwhitherhehadbeen。Hehadintendedtokeepthemattertohimself，andatlastspokeofit，——guidedbythefeelingwhichinducesallmentotelltheirsecretstotheirwives，——becauseitwasacomforttohimtotalktosomeonewhowouldnotopenlycontradicthim。’She’saslycreatureafterall，’hesaid。
’Ihadalwaysthoughtthatshewastooopenratherthansly，’
saidhiswife。
’Peoplealwaystrytogetacharacterjustoppositetowhattheydeserve。WhenIhearthatamanisalwaystobebelieved，Iknowthatheisthemostdangerousliargoing。Shehummedandhawedandwouldnotsayawordabouttheborough。ShewentsofarastotellmethatIwasn’ttosayawordaboutittoher。’
’Wasn’tthatbestifherhusbandwishedhernottotalkofit？’
’Itisallhumbugandfalsehoodtotheverybottom。SheknowsthatIamspendingmoneyaboutit，andsheoughttobeonthesquarewithme。Sheoughttotellmewhatshecandoandwhatshecan’t。WhenIaskedherwhetherSprugeonmightbetrusted，shesaidthatshereallywishedIwouldn’tsayanythingmoretoheraboutit。Icallthatdishonestandsly。Ishouldn’tatallwonderbutthatFletcherhasbeenwiththeDuke。IfIfindthatout，won’tIexposethemboth！’
CHAPTER32
’WHATBUSINESSISITOFYOURS？’
ThingshadnotgonealtogethersmoothlywiththeDuchessherselfsincethebreakingupofthepartyatGatherumCastle，——norperhapsquitesmoothlywiththeDuke。ItwasnowMarch。TheHousewasagainsitting，andtheywerebothinLondon，——buttilltheycametotowntheyhadremainedattheCastle，andthathugemansionhadnotbeenfoundtobemorecomfortablebyeitherofthemasitbecameempty。ForatimetheDuchesshadbeencowedbyherhusband’ssterndecision。butasheagainbecamegentletoher，——almostseemingbyhismannertoapologizeforhisunwontedroughness，——shepluckedupherspiritanddeclaredherselfthatshewouldnotgiveupthebattle。Allthatshedid，——wasitnotforhissake？Andwhyshouldshenothaveherambitioninlifeaswellashehavehis？Andhadshenotsucceededinallthatshehaddone？Coulditberightthatsheshouldbeaskedtoabandoneverything，toownherselftohavebeendefeated，tobeshowntohavefailedbeforealltheworld，becausesuchaoneasMajorPountneyhadmadeafoolofhimself？SheattributeditalltoMajorPountney——verywrongly。Whenaman’smindisveeringtowardssomedecision，someconclusionwhichhehasbeenperhapsslowinreaching，itisprobablyalittlethingwhichatlastfixeshismindandclencheshisthoughts。TheDukehadbeengraduallyteachinghimselftohatethecrowdaroundhimandtoreprobatehiswife’sstrategy，beforehehadknownthattherewasaMajorPountneyunderhisroof。Othershadoffendedhim，andfirstandforemostamongthemhisowncolleague，SirOrlando。
TheDuchesshardlyreadhischaracteraright，andcertainlydidnotunderstandhispresentmotives，whenshethoughtthatallmightbeforgottenassoonasthedisagreeablesavouroftheMajorshouldhavepassedaway。
Butinnothing，asshethought，hadherhusbandbeensosillyasinhisabandonmentofSilverbridge。Whensheheardthatthedaywasfixedfordeclaringthevacancy，sheventuredtoaskhimaquestion。Hismannertoherlatelyhadbeenmorethanurbane，morethanaffectionate，——ithadalmostbeenthatofalover。Hehadpettedherandcaressedherwhentheymet，andonceevensaidthatnothingshouldreallytroublehimaslongashehadherwithhim。Suchaspeechasthatneverinhislifehadhemadebeforetoher！Soshepluckeduphercourageandaskedherquestion，——
notexactlyonthatoccasion，butsoonafterwards。’MayInotsayawordtoSprugeonabouttheelection？’
’Notaword！’AndhelookedatherashehadlookedonthatdaywhenhehadtoldheroftheMajor’ssins。Shetossedherheadandpoutedherlipsandwalkedonwithoutspeaking。Ifitwastobeso，thenindeedwouldshehavefailed。And，therefore，thoughinhisgeneralmannerhewaslovingtoher，thingswerenotgoingsmoothwithher。
AndthingswerenotgoingsmoothwithhimbecausetherehadreachedhimamosttroublousdispatchfromSirOrlandoDroughtonlytwodaysbeforetheCabinetmeetingatwhichthepointstobemadeintheQueen’sspeechweretobedecided。IthadbeenalreadyagreedthatapropositionshouldbemadetoParliamentbytheGovernment，foranextensionofthecountrysuffrage，withsomeslightredistributionofseats。Thetownswithlessthan20，000inhabitantsweretotakeinsomeincreasedportionofthecountryparishesaround。ButtherewasnotenoughofapolicyinthistosatisfySirOrlando，norwastheconductofthebillthroughtheHousetobeplacedinhishands。ThatwastobeentrustedtoMrMonk，andMrMonkwouldbe，ifnotnominallytheleader，yetthechiefmanoftheGovernmentoftheHouseofCommons。ThiswasdispleasingtoSirOrlando，andhehad，therefore，demandedfromthePrimeMinistermoreofa’policy’。
SirOrlando’spresentideaofapolicywasthebuildingoffourbiggershipsofwarthanhadeverbeenbuiltbefore，——withlargerguns，andmoremen，andthickerironplates，and，aboveall，withagreaterexpenditureofmoney。Hehadevengonesofarastosay，thoughnotinhissemi-officiallettertothePrimeMinister，thathethoughtthat’TheSalvationoftheEmpire’shouldbethecryoftheCoalitionparty。’Afterall，’
hesaid，’whatthepeoplecareaboutistheSalvationoftheEmpire！’SirOrlandowasattheheadoftheAdmiralty。andifglorywastobeachievedbythefourships，itwouldrestfirstontheheadofSirOrlando。
NowtheDukethoughtthattheEmpirewassafe，andhadbeenthroughouthispoliticallifeaversetoincreasingthearmyandthenavyestimates。Heregardedthefourshipsasaltogetherunnecessary，——andwhenremindedthathemightinthiswayconsolidatetheCoalition，saidthathewouldratherdowithouttheCoalitionandthefourshipsthanhavetodowithbothofthemtogether，——anopinionwhichwasthoughtbysometobealmosttraitoroustothepartyasnoworganized。ThesecretsofCabinetsarenottobedisclosedlightly，butitcametobeunderstood，——aswhatisdoneatCabinetmeetingsgenerallydoescometobeunderstood，——thattherewassomethinglikedisagreement。ThePrimeMinister，theDukeofStBungay，andMrMonkwerealtogetheragainstthefourships。SirOrlando，whowassupportedbyLordDrummondandanotherofhisoldfriends。
AttheadviceoftheelderDuke，aparagraphwashatched，inwhichitwasdeclaredthatherMajesty，’havingregardtothesafetyofthenationandthepossible，thoughhappilynotprobable，chancesofwar，thoughtthatthepresentstrengthofthenavyshouldbeconsidered’。’Itwillgivehimscopeforanewgun-boatonanalteredprinciple，’saidtheDukeofStBungay。ButthePrimeMinister，couldhehavehisownway，wouldhavegivenSirOrlandonoscopewhatever。HewouldhavelettheCoalitionhavegonetothedogsandhavefallenhimselfintoinfinitepoliticalruin，butthathedidnotdarethatmenshouldthereaftersayofhimthatthisattemptatgovernmenthadfailedbecausehewasstubborn，imperious，andself-confident。Hehadknownwhenhetookhispresentplacehemustyieldtoothers。buthehadnotknownhowterribleitwouldbetohavetoyieldwhenaprincipleisinquestion，——howgreatwasthesufferingwhenamanfindshimselfcompelledtodothatwhichhethinksshouldnotbedone！Therefore，thoughhehadbeenstrangelylovingtohiswife，thetimehadnotgonesmoothlywithhim。
IndirectdisobediencetoherhusbandtheDuchessdidspeakawordtoMrSprugeon。WhenattheCastleshewasfrequentlydriventhroughSilverbridge，andononeoccasionhadhercarriagestoppedattheironmonger’sdoor。OutcameMrSprugeon，andtherewereatfirsthalf-a-dozenstandingbywhocouldhearwhatshesaid。Millepoisthecookwantedtohavesomenewkindofironplateerectedinthekitchen。Ofcourseshehadprovidedherselfbeforehandwithherexcuse。Asarule，whenthecookwantedanythingdone，hedidnotsendwordtothetradesmanbytheDuchess。ButonthisoccasiontheDuchesswaspersonallymostanxious。Shewantedtoseehowtheironplatewouldwork。
Itwastobeaparticularkindofironplate。Then，havingwatchedheropportunity，shesaidherword，’IsupposeweshallbesafewithMrLopez？’WhenMrSprugeonwasabouttoreply，sheshookherheadandwentonabouttheironplate。ThiswouldbequiteenoughtoletMrSprugeonunderstandthatshewasstillanxiousabouttheborough。MrSprugeonwasanintelligentman，andpossessedofdiscretiontoacertainextent。Assoonashesawthelittlefrownandshakeofthehead，heunderstooditall。
HeandtheDuchesshadasecrettogether。WouldnoteverythingabouttheCastleinwhichamorselofironwasemployedwantrenewing？AndwouldnottheDuchesstakecarethatitshouldallberenewedbySprugeon？Butthenhemustbeactive，andhisactivitywouldbeofnoavailunlessothershelpedhim。SohewhisperedawordtoSprout，anditsoonbecameknownthattheCastleinterestwasallalive。
ButunfortunatelytheDukewasalsoonthealert。TheDukehadbeenverymuchinearnestwhenhemadeuphismindthattheoldcustomshouldbeabandonedatSilverbridgeandhadendeavouredtoimpressthatdeterminationofhisuponhiswife。TheDukeknewmoreabouthispropertyandwasbetteracquaintedwithitsdetailsthanhiswifeorothersbelieved。HeheardthatinspiteofallhisorderstheCastleinterestwasbeingmaintained，andawordwassaidtohimwhichseemedtoimplythatthiswashiswife’sdoings。ItwasthenaboutthemiddleofFebruary，andarrangementswereinprocessfortheremovalofthefamilytoLondon。TheDukehadalreadybeenuptoLondonforthemeetingofParliament，andhadnowcomebacktoGatherum，purportingtoreturntoLondonwithhiswife。ThenitwasthatitwashintedtohimthatherGracewasstillanxiousastotheelection，——andhadmanifestedheranxiety。Therumourhurthim，thoughhedidnotintheleastbelieveit。Itshowedtohim，ashethought，notthathiswifehadbeenfalsetohim，——asintruthshehadbeen，——butthatevenhernamecouldnotbekeptfreefromslander。Andwhenhespoketoheronthesubject，hedidsoratherwiththeviewofprovingtoherhownecessaryitwasthatsheshouldkeepherselfaltogetheralooffromsuchmatters，thanwithanywishtomakefurtherinquiry。Butheelicitedthewholetruth。’Itissohardtokillanold-establishedevil，’hesaid。
’Whatevilhaveyoufailedtokillnow？’
’ThosepeopleatSilverbridgestillsayIwanttoreturnamemberforthem。’
’Oh。that’stheevil！YouknowIthinkinsteadofkillinganevil，youhavemurderedanexcellentinstitution。’ThisatanyratewasveryimprudentonthepartoftheDuchess。AfterthatdisobedientwordspokentoMrSprugeon，sheshouldhavebeenmoreonherguard。
’Astothat，Glencora，Imustjudgeformyself。’
’Ohyes，——youhavebeenjury，andjudge，andexecutioner。’
’IhavedoneasIthoughtrighttodo。IamsorrythatIshouldfailtocarryyouwithmeinsuchamatter，butevenfailinginthatImustdomyduty。YouwillatanyrateagreewithmethatwhenIsaythethingshouldbedone，itshouldbedone。’
’Ifyouwantedtodestroythehouse，andcutdownallthetrees，andturntheplaceintoawilderness，Isupposeyouwouldonlyhavetospeak。OfcourseIknowitwouldbewrongthatIshouldhaveanopinion。Asmanyouareofcoursetohaveyourownway。’Shewasinoneofhermostaggravatingmoods。Thoughhemightcompelhertoobey，hecouldnotcompelhertoholdhertongue。
’Glencora，Idon’tthinkyouknowhowmuchyouaddtomytroubles，oryouwouldnotspeaktomelikethat。’
’WhatamItosay？Itseemstomethatanymoresuicidalthingthanthrowingawaytheboroughneverwasdone。Whowillthankyou？Whatadditionalsupportwillyouget？Howwillitincreaseyourpower？It’slikeKingLearthrowingoffhisclothesinthestormbecausehisdaughtersturnedhimout。Andyoudidn’tdoitbecauseyouthoughtitright。’
’Yes，Idid，’hesaid，scowling。
’YoudiditbecauseMajorPountneydisgustedyou。Youkickedhimout。Whywouldn’tthatsatisfywithoutsacrificingtheborough？
Itisn’twhatIthinkorsayaboutit，butthateverybodyisthinkingandsayingthesamething。’
’Ichoosethatitwillbeso。’
’Verywell。’
’AndIdon’tchooseyournameshallbemixedupinit。TheysayatSilverbridgethatyouarecanvassingforMrLopez。’
’Whosaysso？’
’Ipresumeit’snottrue。’
’Whosaysso，Plantagenet？’
’Itmattersnotwhohassaidso。Ifitbeuntrue，Ipresumeittobefalse。’
’Ofcourseitisfalse。’ThentheDuchessrememberedherwordtoMrSprugeon，andthecowardiceoftheliewasheavyonher。I
doubtwhethershewouldhavebeensoshockedbytheideaoffalsehoodastohavebeenkeptbackfromithadshebeforeresolvedthatitwouldsaveher。butshewasnotinherpracticeafalsewoman，hercouragebeingtoohighforfalsehood。Itnowseemedtoherthatbythislieshewasowningherselftobequelledandbroughtintoabsolutesubjectionbyherhusband。Sosheburstforththetruth。’NowIthinkofit，IdidsayawordtoMrSprugeon。Itoldhimthat，thatIhopedMrLopezwouldbereturned。Idon’tknowwhetheryoucallthatcanvassing。’
’IdesiredyounottospeaktoMrSprugeon。’
’That’sallverywell，Plantagenet，butifyoudesiremetoholdmytonguealtogether，whatamItodo？’
’Whatbusinessisthisofyours？’
’IsupposeImayhavemypoliticalsympathiesaswellasanother。
ReallyyouarebecomingsoautocraticthatIshallhavetogoinforwomen’srights。’
’Youmeanmetounderstandthenthatyouintendtoputyourselfinoppositiontome。’
’Whatafussyoumakeaboutitall！’shesaid。’Nothingthatonecandoisright！YoumakemewishthatIwasamilkmaidorafarmer’swife。’Sosayingshebouncedoutoftheroom，leavingtheDukesickatheart，lowinspirit，anddoubtfulwhetherhewererightorwronginhisattemptstomanagehiswife。Surelyhemustberightinfeelingthatinhishighofficeaclearerconductandcleanerwayofwalkingwasexpectedfromhimthanfromothermen！Noblesseoblige！TohisuncletheprivilegeofreturningamembertoParliamenthadbeenathingofcourse。andwhentheradicalnewspapersofthedayabusedhisuncle，hisuncletookthatabuseasathingofcourse。TheoldDukeactedafterhiskind，anddidnotcarewhatotherssaidofhim。Andhehimself，whenhefirstcametohisdukedom，wasnotashewasnow。Duties，thoughtheywereheavyenough，werelighterthen。
Seriousmatterswerelessserious。Therewasthisandthatmatterofpublicpolicyonwhichhewasintent，but，thinkinghumblyofhimself，hehadnotyetlearnedtoconceivethathemustfithispublicconductinallthingstoastraightruleofpatrioticjustice。Nowitwasdifferentwithhim，andthoughthechangewaspainful，hefeltittobeimperative。Hewouldfainhavebeenasothermen，buthecouldnot。Butinthischangeitwassoneedfultohimthatshouldcarrywithhimthefullsympathiesofoneperson——thatshewhowasnearesttohimofallshouldactwithhim！Andnowshehadnotonlydisobeyedhim，buthadtoldhim，assomegrocer’swifemighttellherhusband，thathewas’makingafussofitall’！
Andthen，ashethoughtofthescenewhichhasbeendescribed，hecouldnotquiteapproveofhimself。Heknewthathewastooself-conscious，——thathewasthinkingtoomuchabouthisownconductandtheconductofotherstohim。Thephrasehadbeenodioustohim，butstillhecouldnotacquithimselfof’makingafuss’。Ofonethingonlywashesure，——thatagrievouscalamityhadbefallenhimwhencircumstancescompelledhimtobecometheQueen’sPrimeMinister。
HesaidnothingfurthertohiswifetilltheywereinLondontogether，andthenhewastemptedtocaressheragain，tobelovingtoher，andtoshowherthathehadforgivenher。Butshewasbrusquetohim，asthoughshedidnotwishtobeforgiven。’Cora，’hesaid，’donotseparateyourselffromme。’
’Separatemyself！Whatonearthdoyoumean？Ihavenotdreamedofsuchathing。’TheDuchessansweredhimasthoughhehadalludedtosomeactualseparation。
’Idonotmeanthat。Godforbidthatamisfortunesuchasthatshouldeverhappen！Donotdisjoinyourselffrommeinallthesetroubles。’
’WhatamItodowhenyouscoldme？YoumustknowprettywellbythistimethatIdon’tlikebeingscolded。IdesiredyounottospeaktoMrSprugeon！’Assherepeatedhiswordssheimitatedhismannerandvoiceclosely。’Ishouldn’tdreamofaddressingthechildrenwithsuchmagnificenceofanger。Whatbusinessisitofyours！Nowomanlikesthatsortofthing，andI’mnotsurethatIamacquaintedwithanywomanwholikesitmuchlessthan——Glencora，DuchessofOmnium。’Asshesaidtheselastwordsinalowwhisper，shecurtsieddowntotheground。
’YouknowhowanxiousIam，’hebegan，’thatyoushouldshareeverythingwithme，——eveninpolitics。Butinallthingstheremustatlastbeonevoicethatshallbetherulingvoice。’
’Andthatistobeyours，——ofcourse。’
’Insuchamatteritmustbe。’
’And，therefore，Iliketodoalittlebusinessofmyownbehindyourback。It’shumannature，andyou’vegottoputupwithit。
Iwishyouhadabetterwife。Idaresaytherearemanywhowouldbebetter。ThereistheDuchessofStBungaywhonevertroublesherhusbandaboutpolitics，butonlyscoldshimbecausethewindblowsfromtheeast。Itisjustpossiblethattheremightbeworse。’
’Oh，Glencora！’
’Youhadbettermakethebestyoucanofyourbargainandnotexpecttoomuchfromher。Anddon’trideoverherwithaveryhighhorse。Andletherhaveherownwayalittleifyoureallybelievethatshehasyourinterestatheart。’
Afterthishewasquiteawarethatshehadgotthebetterofhimaltogether。Onthatoccasionhesmiledandkissedher，andwenthisway。Buthewasbynomeanssatisfied。Thatheshouldbethwartedbyher，ateintohisveryheart，——anditwasawretchedthingtohimthathecouldnotmakeherunderstandhisfeelinginthatrespect。Ifitweretogoonhemustthrowupeverything。
Ruatcoelumfiat——propersubordinationfromhiswifeinregardtopublicmatters！Nowifehadafullerallowanceofprivilege，ormorecompletepowerinherhands，astothingsfitforawoman’smanagement。Butitwasintolerabletohimthatsheshouldseektointerferewithhiminmattersofapublicnature。
Andshewasconstantlydoingso。Shehadalwaysthisorthataspirantforofficeonhand，——thisorthatjobtobecarried，thoughthejobswerenotperhapsmuchinthemselves——thisorthataffairtobemanagedbyherownpoliticalallies，suchasBarringtonErleandPhineasFinn。AndinhishearthesuspectedherofadesignofmanagingtheGovernmentinherownway，withherownparticularfriend，MrsFinn，forherPrimeMinister。Ifhecouldinnootherwayputanendtosuchevilsasthese，hemustputanendtohisownpoliticallife。Ruatcoelumfiatjustitia。Now’justitia’tohimwasnotcompatiblewithfeminineinterferenceinhisownspecialwork。
ItmaythereforebeunderstoodthatthingswerenotgoingverysmoothlywiththeDukeandDuchess。anditmayalsobeunderstoodwhytheDuchesshadverylittletosaytoMrLopezabouttheelection。ShewasawarethatsheowedsomethingtoMrLopez，whomshehadcertainlyencouragedtostandfortheborough，andshehadthereforesenthercardtohiswifeandwaspreparedtoinvitethembothtoherparties——butjustatpresentshewasalittletiredofFerdinandLopez，andperhapsunjustlydisposedtocouplehimwiththeunfortunatewretch，MajorPountney。
CHAPTER33
SHOWINGTHATAMANSHOULDNOTHOWL。
ArthurFletcher，inhislettertoMrsLopez，hadtoldherthatwhenhefoundoutwhowastobehisantagonistatSilverbridge，itwastoolateforhimtogiveupthecontest。Hewas，hesaid，boundinfaithtocontinueitbywhathadpassedbetweenhimselfandothers。Butintruthhehadnotreachedthisconclusionwithoutsomepersuasionfromothers。HehadbeenatLongbarnswithhisbrotherwhenhefirstheardthatLopezintendedtostand，andheatoncesignifiedhisdesiretogiveway。TheinformationreachedhimfromMrFrankGresham，ofGreshambury，agentlemanconnectedwiththeDeCourcyswhowasnowsupposedtorepresenttheDeCourcyinterestinthecounty，andwhohadfirstsuggestedtoArthurthatheshouldcomeforward。ItwasheldatLongbarnsthatArthurwasboundinhonourtoMrGreshamandtoMrGresham’sfriends，andtothisopinionhehadyielded。
SinceEmilyWharton’smarriagehernamehadneverbeenmentionedatLongbarnsinArthur’spresence。Whenhewasaway，——andofcoursehislifewaschieflypassedinLondon，——oldMrsFletcherwasfreeenoughinherabuseofthesillycreaturewhohadallowedherselftobetakenoutofherownrankbyaPortugueseJew。Butshehadbeenmadetounderstandbyherelderson，thelordofLongbarns，thatnotawordwastobesaidwhenArthurwasthere。’Ithinkheoughttobetaughttoforgether。’MrsFletcherhadsaid。ButJohninhisownquietbutimperiousway，haddeclaredthatthereweresomementowhomsuchlessonscouldnotbetaught，andthatArthurwasoneofthem。’Ishenevertogetawife，then？’MrsFletcherhadasked。Johnwouldn’tpretendtoanswerthequestion，butwasquitesurethathisbrotherwouldnotbetemptedintoothermatrimonialarrangementsbyanythingthatcouldbesaidagainstEmilyLopez。WhenMrsFletcherdeclaredherextremeangerthatArthurwasafoolforhistrouble，Johndidnotcontradicther，butdeclaredthatthefollywasofanaturetorequiretendertreatment。
MatterswereinthisconditionatLongbarnswhenArthurcommunicatedtohisbrotherthecontentsofMrGresham’sletter，andexpressedhisownpurposeofgivingupSilverbridge。’I
don’tquiteseethat，’saidJohn。
’No——anditisimpossiblethatyoushouldbeexpectedtoseeit。Idon’tquiteknowhowtotalkaboutiteventoyou，thoughIthinkyouareaboutthesoftest-heartedfellowout。’
’Idon’tacknowledgethesoftheart，——butgoon。’
’Idon’twanttointerferewiththatman。Ihaveasortoffeelingthatashehasgotherhemightaswellhavetheseattoo。’
’Theseat，asyoucallit，isnotthereforhisgratificationorforyours。TheseatisthereinorderthatthepeopleofSilverbridgemayberepresentedinParliament。’
’Letthemgetsomebodyelse。Idon’twanttoputmyselfinoppositiontohim，andIcertainlydonotwanttoopposeher。’
’Theycan’tchangetheircandidateinthatwayataday’snotice。
YouwouldbethrowingGreshamover，and，ifyouaskme，Ithinkthatisathingyouhavenorighttodo。Thisobjectionofyoursissentimental，andthereisnothingofwhichamanshouldbesomuchindreadissentimentalism。ItisnotyourfaultthatyouopposeMrLopez。Youwereinthefieldfirst，andyoumustgoonwithit。’JohnFletcher，whenhespokeinthisway，was，atLongbarns，alwayssupposedtoberight。andonthepresentoccasionhe，asusual，prevailed。ThenArthurFletcherwrotehislettertothelady。Hewouldnothavelikedtohavehaditknownthatthecompositionandcopyingofthatlittlenotehadcosthimanhour。Hehadwishedthatsheshouldunderstandhisfeelings，andyetitwasnecessarythatheshouldaddressherinwordsthatshouldbeperfectlyfreefromaffectionoremotion。Hemustletherknowthat，thoughhewrotetoher，theletterwasforherhusbandaswellasforherself，andhemustdothisinamannerwhichwouldnotimplyanyfearthathiswritingtoherwouldbetakenamiss。Theletterwhencompletedwasatanyratesimpleandtrue。andyet，asweknow，itwastakenverymuchamiss。
ArthurFletcherhadbynomeansrecoveredfromtheblowhehadreceivedthatdaywhenEmilyhadtoldhimeverythingdownbytheriverside。butthen，itmustbesaidofhim，thathehadnointentionofrecovery。Hewasasamanwho，havingtakenaburdenonhisback，declarestohimselfthathewill，forcertainreasons，carryitthroughouthislife。Themanknowsthatwiththeburdenhecannotwalkasmenwalkwhoareunencumbered，butforthosereasonsofhishehaschosentoladehimself，andhavingdonesoheabandonsregretandsubmitstohiscircumstances。Sohaditbeenwithhim。Hewouldmakenoattemptstothrowofftheload。Itwasnowfarbackinhislife，asmuchatleastasthreeyears，sinceheatfirstassuredhimselfofhisdesiretomakeEmilyWhartonthecompanionofhislife。Fromthatdayshehadbeenthepivotonwhichhiswholeexistencehadmoved。Shehadrefusedhisoffersmorethanonce，buthaddonesowithsomuchtenderkindness，that，thoughhehadfoundhimselftobewoundedandbruised，hehadneverabandonedhisobject。Herfatherandallhisownfriendsencouragedhim。
Hewascontinuallytoldthathercoldnesswasduetothesimplefactthatshehadnotyetlearnedtogiveherheartaway。Andsohehadpersevered，beingeverthoroughlyintentonhispurpose，tillhewastoldbyherselfthatherlovewasgiventothisotherman。
Thenheknewthatitbehovedhimtosetsomealteredcourseoflifebeforehim。Hecouldnotshoothisrivalorknockhimoverthehead，norcouldhecarryoffhisgirl，asusedtobedoneinroughertimes。Therewasnothingnowforamaninsuchacatastropheasthisbutsubmission。Buthemightsubmitandshakeoffhisburden，orsubmitandcarryithopelessly。Hetoldhimselfthathewoulddothelatter。Shehadbeenhisgoddess，andhewouldnotnowworshipatanothershrine。Andthenideascameintohishead，——hothopes，orpurposes，orabeliefeveninanypossibility，——butvagueideas，merecastlesintheair，thatatimemightcomeinwhichitmightbeinhispowertoserveher，andtoprovetoherbeyonddoubtingwhathadbeenthenatureofhislove。Likeothersofhisfamily，hethoughtillofLopez，believingthemantobeanadventurer，onewhowouldtooprobablyfallintomisfortune，howeverhighhemightnowseemtoholdhishead。Hewascertainlyamannotstandingonthesolidbasisofland，oroftheThreePerCents，——thosesoliditiestowhichsuchastheWhartonsandtheFletchersarewonttotrust。Nodoubt，shouldtherebesuchfall，theman’swifewouldhaveotherhelpthanthatofherrejectedlover。Shehadafather，brother，andcousins，whowouldalsobetheretoaidher。Theideawas，therefore，butacastleintheair。Andyetitwasdeartohim。
Atanyrateheresolvedthathewouldliveforit，andthatthewomanshouldstillbehisgoddess，thoughshewasthewifeofanotherman，andmightnowperhapsneverevenbeseenbyhim。
Thencameuponhim，immediatelyalmostaftertheirmarriage，thenecessityofwritingtoher。Thetaskwasonewhich，ofcourse，hedidnotperformlightly。
Heneversaidawordofthistoanybodyelse——buthisbrotherunderstooditall，andinasomewhatsilentfashionfullysympathizedwithhim。Johncouldnottalktohimaboutlove，ormarkpassagesofpoetryforhimtoread，ordealwithhimatallromantically。buthecouldtakecarethathisbrotherhadthebesthorsestoride，andthewarmestcorneroutshooting，andthateverythinginthehousecouldbedoneforhisbrother’scomfort。AsthesquirelookedandspokeatLongbarns，otherslookedandspoke，——sothateverybodyknewthanMrArthurwastobecontradictedinnothing。Hadhe，justatthisperiod，orderedatreeintheparkcutdown，itwould，Ithink，havebeencutdown，withoutreferencetothemaster！But，perhaps，John’spowerwasmostfeltinthewayinwhichherepressedtheexpressionsofhismother’shighindignation。’Meanslut！，’sheoncesaid，speakingofEmilyinherelderson’shearing。Forthegirl，toherthinking，hadbeenmeanandhadbeenaslut。Shehadnotknown，——soMrsFletcherthought，——whatbirthandbloodrequiredofher。
’Mother，’JohnFletcherhadsaid，’youwouldbreakArthur’sheartifheheardyouspeakofherinthatway，andIamsureyouwoulddrivehimfromLongbarns。Keepittoyourself。’Theoldwomanhadshakenherheadangrily，butshehadendeavouredtodoasshehadbeenbid。
’Isn’tyourbrotherridingthathorsealittlerashly？’ReginaldCosgravesaidtoJohnFletcherinthehuntingfieldoneday。
’Ididn’tobserve，’saidJohn。’butwhateverhorsehe’sonhealwaysridesrashly。’Arthurwasmountedonalong，rakingthorough-bredblackanimal，whichhehadboughthimselfaboutamonthago，andwhich，havingbeenrunatsteeplechase，rushedateveryfenceasthoughhewasgoingtoswallowit。Hisbrotherhadbeggedhimtoputsomerough-rideruptillthehorsecouldbegottogoquietly，butArthurhadpersevered。Andduringthewholeofthisdaythesquirehadbeeninatremor，lestthereshouldbesomeaccident。
’Heusedtohavealittlemorejudgement，Ithink，’saidCosgrave。’Hewentatthatdoublejustnowashardasthebrutecouldtear。Ifthehorsehadn’tdoneitall，wherewouldhehavebeen？’
’Inthefurtherditch，Isuppose。Butyouseethehorsediditall。’
ThiswasallverywellasananswertoReginaldCosgrave，——towhomitwasnotnecessarythatFletchershouldexplainthecircumstances。ButthesquirehadknownaswellasCosgravethathisbrotherhadbeenridingrashly，andhehadunderstoodthereasonwhy。’Idon’tthinkamanoughttobreakhisneck，’hesaid，’becausehecan’tgeteverythingthathewishes。’Thetwobrotherswerestandingthentogetherbeforethefireinthesquire’sownroom，havingjustcomeinfromhunting。
’Whoisgoingtobreakhisneck？’
’Theytellmeyoutriedto-day。’
’BecauseIwasridingapullinghorse。I’llbackhimtobethebiggestleaperandthequickesthorseinHertfordshire。’
’Idaresay，——thoughforthematterofthatthechancesareverymuchagainstit。Butamanshouldn’tridesoastohavethosethingssaidofhim。’
’Whatisafellowtodoifhecan’trideahorse？’
’Getoffhim。’
’That’snonsense，John。’
’No，it’snot。YouknowwhatImeanverywell。IfIweretolosehalfmypropertytomorrow，don’tyouthinkitwouldcutmeupagooddeal？’
’Itwouldme，Iknow。’
’ButwhatwouldyouthinkofmeifIhowledaboutit？’
’DoIhowl？’askedArthurangrily。
’Everymanhowlswhoisdrivenoutofisordinarycoursebyanytrouble。Amanhowlsifhegoesaboutfrowningalways。’
’DoIfrown？’
’Orlaughing。’
’DoIlaugh？’
’Orgallopingoverthecountrylikeamaddevilwhowantstogetridofhisdebtsbybreakinghisneck。Aeqammememto——Yourememberallthat，don’tyou？’
’Irememberit，butitisn’tsoeasytodo，isit？’
’Try。Thereareotherthingstobedoneinlifeexceptgettingmarried。YouaregoingintoParliament。’
’Idon’tknowthat。’
’Greshamtellsmethereisn’tadoubtaboutit。Thinkofthat。
Fixyourminduponit。Don’ttakeitonlyasanaccident，butasthethingyou’retolivefor。Ifyou’lldothat，——ifyou’llmanagethatthereshallbesomethingtobedoneinParliamentwhichonlyyoucando，youwon’tridearunawayhorseasyoudidthatbruteto-day。’Arthurlookedupintohisbrother’sfacealmostweeping。’Weexpectmuchofyou，youknow。I’mnotamantodoanythingexceptbeagoodstewardforthefamilyproperty，andkeeptheoldhousefromfallingdown。You’reacleverfellow，——sothatbetweenus，ifwebothdoourduty，theFletchersmaystillthriveintheland。Myhouseshallbeyourhouse，andmywifeyourwife，andmychildrenyourchildren。Andthenthehonouryouwinshallbemyhonour。Holdupyourhead，——
andsellthebeast。’ArthurFletchersqueezedhisbrother’shandandwentawaytodress。
CHAPTER34
THESILVERBRIDGEELECTION。
AboutamonthafterthisaffairwiththerunawayhorseArthurFletcherwenttoGreshambury，preparatorytohisfinalsojournatSilverbridgefortheweekprevioustotheelection。Greshambury，theseatofFrancisGresham，Esq。，whowasagreatmanintheseparts，wasabouttwentymilesfromSilverbridge，andthetediousworkofcanvassingtheelectorscouldnotthereforebedonefromthence——buthespentacoupleofpleasantdayswithhisoldfriend，andlearnedwhatwasbeingsaidandwhatwasbeingdoneinandabouttheborough。MrGreshamwasaman，notasyetquitefortyyearsofage，verypopular，withalargefamily，ofgreatwealth，andmasterofthecountyhounds。Hisfatherhadbeenanembarrassedman，withalargeestate，butthisGreshamhadmarriedaladywithimmensewealth，andhadprosperedintheworld。Hewasnotanactivepolitician。HedidnothimselfcareforParliament，orforthegoodthingswhichpoliticalpowercangive，andwasonthisaccountaversetotheCoalition。HethoughtthatSirOrlandoDroughtandtheothersweretouchingpitchandhaddefiledthemselves。Buthewasconsciousthatinsothinkinghewasoneofbutasmallminority。And，badastheworldaroundhimcertainlywas，terribleashadbeenthefallofthegloryofoldEngland，hewasneverthelesscontenttolivewithoutloudgrumblingaslongasthefarmerspaidhimtheirwages，andthelandwhensoldwouldfetchthirtyyears’purchase。
HehadnotthereforebeencarefultoascertainthatArthurFletcherwouldpledgehimselftoopposetheCoalitionbeforeheprofferedhisassistanceinthismatteroftheborough。Itwouldnotbeeasytofindsuchacandidate，orperhapspossibletobringhiminwhenfound。TheFletchershadalwaysbeengoodConservatives，andwereproperpeopletobeinParliament。A
ConservativeinParliamentis，ofcourse，obligedtopromoteagreatmanythingswhichhedoesnotreallyapprove。MrGreshamquiteunderstoodthat。Youcan’thavetestsandqualifications，rottenboroughsandthedivinerightofkings，backagain。Butasthegloriousinstitutionsofthecountryaremadetoperish，oneaftertheother，itisbetterthattheyshouldreceivethecoupdegracetenderlyfromlovinghandsthanberoughlythrottledbytheRadicals。MrGreshamwouldthankhisstarsthathecouldstillpreservefoxesdowninhisowncountry，insteadofdoinganyofthisdirtywork，——forletthebestbemadeofsuchwork，stillitwasdirty，——andwaswilling，nowasalways，togivehisassistance，andifnecessarytospendalittlemoney，toputaFletcherintoParliamentandtokeepaLopezout。
Therewastobeathirdcandidate。ThatwasthefirstnewsthatFletcherheard。’Itwilldousallthegoodintheworld，’saidMrGresham。’TheradsintheborougharenotsatisfiedwithMrLopez。Theysaytheydon’tknowhim。AslongasacertainsetcouldmakeitbebelievedthathewastheDuke’snomineetheywerecontenttoaccepthim——eventhoughhewasnotproposeddirectlybytheDuke’speopleintheusualway。ButtheDukehasmadehimselfunderstoodatlast。YouhaveseentheDuke’sletter？’ArthurhadnotseentheDuke’sletter，whichhadonlybeenpublishedintheSilverbridgeGazetteofthatweek，andhereadit，sittinginMrGresham’smagistrate’s-room，asacertainchamberinthehousehadbeencalledsincethedaysofthepresentsquire’sgreat-grandfather。
TheDuke’sletterwasaddressedtohisrecognizedmanofbusinessinthoseparts，andwasasfollows：
CarltonTerrace，——March，187-
MYDEARMRMORETON
MrMoretonwasthesuccessorofoneMrFothergill，whohadreignedsupremeinthosepartsundertheoldDuke。}
IamafraidthatmywisheswithregardtotheboroughandtheforthcomingelectionthereofamemberofParliamentarenotyetclearlyunderstood，althoughIendeavouredtodeclarethemwhenIwasatGatherumCastle。Itrustthatnoelectorwillvoteforthisorthatgentlemanwithanideathatthereturnofanyspecialcandidatewillpleaseme。Theballotwillofcoursepreventmeoranyothermanfromknowinghowanelectormayvote——butIbegtoassuretheelectorsgenerallythatshouldtheythinkfittoreturnamemberpledgedtoopposetheGovernmentofwhichIformpart，itwouldnotinanywaychangemycordialfeelingstowardsthetown。Imayperhapsbeallowedtoaddthat，inmyopinion，noelectorcandohisdutyexceptbyvotingforthecandidatewhomhethinksbestqualifiedtoservethecountry。Inregardtothegentlemenwhoarenowbeforetheconstituency，Ihavenofeelingforoneratherthanfortheother。andhadIanysuchfeelingIshouldnotwishittoactuatethevoteofasingleelector。Ishouldbegladifthislettercouldbepublishedsoastobebroughtundertheeyesoftheelectorsgenerally。
Yoursfaithfully，OMNIUM
WhentheDukesaidthathefearedthathiswisheswerenotunderstood，andspokeoftheinefficacyofhisformerdeclaration，hewasalludingofcoursetotheDuchessandtoMrSprugeon。MrSprugeonguessedthatitmightbeso，and，stillwishingtohavetheDuchessforhisgoodfriend，wasatonceassiduousinexplainingtohisfriendsintheboroughthateventhisletterdidnotmeananything。APrimeMinisterwasboundtosaythatkindofthing！Buttheborough，ifitwishedtopleasetheDuke，mustreturnLopezinspiteoftheDuke’sletter。SuchwasMrSprugeon’sdoctrine。ButhedidnotcarryMrSproutwithhim。MrSproutatoncesawhisopportunity，andsuggestedtoMrDuBoung，thelocalbrewer，thatheshouldcomeforward。DuBoungwasamanrapidlygrowingintoprovincialeminence，andjumpedattheoffer。Consequentlytherewerethreecandidates。
DuBoungcameforwardasaConservativepreparedtogiveacautious，butverycautious，supporttotheCoalition。MrDuBounginhisprintedaddresssaidverysweetthingsoftheDukegenerally。TheboroughwasblessedbythevicinityoftheDuke。
But，lookingatthepresentperhapsunprecedentedcrisisinaffairs，MrDuBoungwaspreparedtogivenomorethanaverycautioussupporttotheDuke’sGovernment。ArthurFletcherreadMrDuBoung’saddressimmediatelyaftertheDuke’sletter。
’Themorethemerrier，’saidArthur。
’Justso。DuBoungwillnotrobyouofavote，buthewillcutthegroundaltogetherfromundertheotherman’sfeet。Youseethatasfarastheactualpoliticalprogrammegoesthereisn’tmuchtochoosebetweenanyofyou。YouareallGovernmentmen。’
’Withadifference。’
’Onemaninthesedaysissolikeanother，’continuedGreshamsarcastically，’thatitrequireseyestomeettheshadesofthecolours。’
’ThenyouhadbettersupportDuBoung，’saidArthur。
’Ithinkyou’vejustaturninyourfavour。BesidesIcouldn’treallycarryavotemyself。AsforDuBoung，I’dsoonerhavehimthanaforeigncadlikeLopez。’ThenArthurfrownedandMrGreshambecameconfused，rememberingthecatastropheabouttheyoungladywhosestoryhehadheard。’DuBoungusedtobeplainEnglishasBungbeforehegotrichandmadehisnamebeautiful，’
continuedGresham，’butIsupposeMrLopezdoescomeofforeignextraction。’
’Idon’tknowwhathecomesfrom，’saidArthurmoodily。’Theytellmehe’sagentleman。However，aswearetohaveacontest，Ihopehemayn’twin。’
’Ofcourseyoudo。Andheshan’twin。NorshallthegreatDuBoung。Youshallwin，andbecomePrimeMinister，andmakemeapeer。WouldyoulikepapatobeLordGreshambury？’hesaidtoalittlegirl，whothenrushedintotheroom。
’No，Iwouldn’t。I’dlikemypapatogivemetheponywhichthemanwantstoselloutintheyard。’
’She’squiteright，Fletcher，’saidthesquire，’I’mmuchmorelikelytobeabletobuythemponiesassimpleFrankGreshamthanIshouldbeifIhadalord’scoronettopayfor。’
ThiswasonaSaturday，andonthefollowingMondayMrGreshamdrovethecandidateovertoSilverbridgeandstartedhimonhisworkofcanvassing。MrDuBounghadbeenbusyeversinceMrSprout’sbrilliantsuggestionhadbeenmade，andLopezhadbeeninthefieldevenbeforehim。Eachoneofthecandidatescalledatthehouseofeveryelectorintheborough，——andeverymanintheboroughwasanelector。Whentheyhadbeenatworkforfourorfivedayseachcandidateassuredtheboroughthathehadalreadyreceivedpromisesofvotessufficienttoinsurehissuccess，andeachcandidatewasasanxiousasever，——naywasmorerabidlyanxiousthanever，——tosecurethepromiseofasinglevote。Hintsweremadebyhonestcitizensofthepleasuretheywouldhaveinsupportingthisorthatgentleman，——forthehonestcitizensassuredonegentlemanaftertheotherofthesatisfactiontheyhadinseeingsoall-sufficientacandidateintheborough，——ifthesmallestpecuniaryhelpweregiventhem，evenaday’spay，sothattheirpoorchildrenmightnotbeinjuredbytheirgoingtothepoll。Butthecandidatesandtheiragentsweresternintheirrepliestosuchtemptations。’That’sadodgeoftherascalSprout，’saidSprugeontoMrLopez。
’That’soneofSprout’smen。Ifhecouldgethalf-a-crownfromyouitwouldbeallupwithus。’ButtoughSprugeoncalledSproutarascal，helaiditinthesamebaitbothforDuBoungandforFletcher——butlaiditinvain。Everybodysaidthatitwasaverycleanelection。’Abrewerstanding，andthedevilaglassofbeer！’saidoneoldelectorwhohadrememberedbetterthingswhentheboroughneverheardofacontest。
OnthethirddayofhiscanvassArthurFletcherwithhisgangofagentsandfollowersbehindhimmetLopezwithhisganginthestreet。Itwasprobablethattheywouldsomeet，andFletcherhadresolvedwhathewoulddowhensuchameetingtookplace。HewalkeduptoLopez，andwithakindlysmileofferedhishand。
Thetwomen，thoughtheyhadneverbeenintimate，hadknowneachother，andFletcherwasdeterminedtoshowthathewouldnotquarrelwithamanbecausethatmanhadbeenhisfavouredrival。
Incomparisonwiththatothermatterthisaffairofthecandidaturewasofcoursetrivial。ButLopezwhohad，asthereadermayremember，madesomethreataboutahorsewhip，hadcometoaresolutionofaverydifferentnature。Heputhisarmsakimbo，restinghishandsonhiships，andaltogetherdeclinedtoprofferedcivility。’Youhadbetterwalkon，’hesaid，andthenstood，scowling，onthespottilltheothershouldpassby。
Fletcherlookedathimforamoment，thenbowedandpassedon。
Atleastadozenmensawwhathadtakenplace，andwereawarethatMrLopezhadexpressedhisdeterminationtoquarrelpersonallywithMrFletcher，inoppositiontoMrFletcher’sexpressedwishforamity。Andbeforetheyhadgonetobedthatnightallthedozenknewthereasonwhy。OfcoursetherewassomeoneatSilverbridgecleverenoughtofindoutthatArthurFletcherhadbeeninlovewithMissWharton，butthatMissWhartonhadlatelybeenmarriedtoMrLopez。NodoubttheincidentaddedapleasurableemotiontotheexcitementcausedbytheelectionatSilverbridgegenerally。Apersonalquarrelisattractiveeverywhere。TheexpectationofsuchanoccurrencewillbringtogetherthewholeHouseofCommons。AndofcoursethisquarrelwasveryattractiveatSilverbridge。ThereweresomeFletcheritesandLopezitesinthequarrel。astherewereableDuBoungites，whomaintainedthatwhengentlemencouldnotcanvasswithoutquarrellinginthestreetstheyweremanifestlyunfittorepresentsuchaboroughasSilverbridgeinParliament——
andthatthereforeMrDuBoungshouldbereturned。
MrGreshamwasinthetownthatday，thoughnottillaftertheoccurrence，andFletchercouldnotavoidspeakingofit。’Themanmustbeacur，’saidGresham。
’Itwouldmakenodifferenceintheworldtome，’saidArthur，strugglinghardtopreventsignsofemotionfromshowingthemselvesinhisface，’wereitnotthathehasmarriedaladywhomIhavelongknownandwhomIgreatlyesteem。’Hefeltthathecouldhardlyavoidallmentionofthemarriage，andyethewasdeterminedthathewouldsaynowordthathisbrotherwouldcall’howling’。
’Therehasbeennopreviousquarrel，oroffence？’askedGresham。
’Noneintheleast。’WhenArthursospokeheforgotaltogethertheletterhehadwritten。nor，hadhethenrememberedit，wouldhehavethoughtitpossiblethatthatlettershouldhavegivenoffence。Hehadbeenthesufferer，notLopez。Thismanhadrobbedhimofhishappiness。and，thoughitwouldhavebeenfoolishinhimtomakeaquarrelforagrievancesuchasthat，theremighthavebeensomeexcusehadhedoneso。Ithadtakenhimsometimetoperceivethatgreatlyasthismanhadinjuredhim，therehadbeennoinjusticedonetohim，andthatthereforethereshouldbenocomplaintmadebyhim。Butthatthisothermanshouldcomplainwastohimunintelligible。
’Heisnotworthyournotice，’saidMrGresham。’Heissimplynotagentleman，anddoesnotknowhowtobehavehimself。Iamverysorryfortheyounglady——that’sall。’AtthisallusiontoEmilyArthurfelthisfacebecomeredwithrisingblood。andhefeltalsothathisfriendshouldnothavespokenthusopenly，——thisirreverently，——onsosacredasubject。Butatthemomenthesaidnothingfurther。Asfarashiscanvasswasconcernedithadbeensuccessful，andhewasbeginningtofeelsurethathewouldbethenewmember。Heendeavouredthereforetodrownhissorrowinthiscomingtriumph。
ButLopezhadbeenbynomeansgratifiedwithhiscanvassorwiththeconductoftheboroughgenerally。HehadalreadybeguntofeelthattheDuchessandMrSprugeonandtheboroughhadthrownhimovershamefully。ImmediatelyonhisarrivalinSilverbridgealocalattorneyhadwiththeblandestpossiblesmileaskedhimforachequefor500pounds。Ofcoursetheremustbemoneyspentatonce，andofcoursethemoneymustcomeoutofthecandidate’spocket。Hehadknownallthisbeforehand，andyetthedemandforthemoneyhadcomeuponhimasaninjury。Hegavethecheque，butshowedclearlybyhismannerthatheresentedtheapplication。Thisdidnottendtobindhimmorecloselytotheservicesofthosewhowerepresentwhenthedemandwasmade。Andthen，ashebeganhiscanvass，hefoundthathecouldnotconjureatallwiththenameoftheDuke，orevenwiththatoftheDuchess。andwastoldontheseconddaybyMrSprugeonhimselfthathehadbetterfightthebattle’onhisownhook’。NowhisownhookinSilverbridgewascertainlynotastronghook。MrSprugeonwasstilloftheopinionthatagooddealmightbedonebyjudiciousmanipulation，andwentsofarastosuggestthatanotherchequefor500poundsinthehandsofMrWise，thelawyer，wouldbeeffective。ButLopezdidnotgivetheothercheque，andSprugeonwhisperedtohimthattheDukehadbeentoomanyfortheDuchess。Stillhehadpersevered，andasetofunderstrappersaroundhim，whowouldmakenothingoutoftheelectionwithouthiscandidature，assuredhimfromtimetotimethathewouldevenasyetcomeoutallrightattheballot。
But，onthemorningofthedayonwhichhemetFletcherinthestreet，MrDuBounghadcalleduponhimaccompaniedbytwooftheDuBoungagentsandbyMrSprugeonhimself，——andhadsuggestedthathe，Lopez，shouldwithdrawfromthecontest，sothatDuBoungmightbereturned，andthatthe’liberalinterests’oftheboroughmightnotbesacrificed。
Thiswasaheavyblow，andonewhichFerdinandLopezwasnotthemantobearwithequanimity。FromthemomentinwhichtheDuchesshadmentionedtheboroughtohim，hehadregardedthethingascertain。Afterawhilehehadunderstoodthathisreturnmustbeaccompaniedbymoretroubleandgreaterexpensethanhehadatfirstanticipated——butstillhehadthoughtthatitwasallbutsure。HehadaltogethermisunderstoodthenatureoftheinfluenceexercisedbytheDuchess，andthenaturealsooftheDuke’sresolution。MrSprugeonhadofcoursewishedtohaveacandidate，andhadalluredhim。Perhapshehadinsomedegreebeenill-treatedbytheborough。Buthewasaman，whomthefeelingofinjusticetohimselfwoulddrivehimalmosttofrenzy，thoughhenevermeasuredtheamountofhisowninjusticetoothers。Whenthepropositionwasmadetohim，hescowledatthemall，anddeclaredthathewouldfighttheboroughtothelast。
’Thenyou’llletMrFletcherintoacertainty。’saidMrSprout。
Nowtherewasanideaintheboroughthat，althoughallthecandidateswerereadytosupporttheDuke’sgovernment，MrDuBoungandMrLopezwerethetwoLiberals。MrDuBoungwassittingintheroomwhentheappealwasmade，anddeclaredthathefearedthatsuchwouldbetheresult。’I’lltellyouwhatI’lldo，’saidLopez。’I’lltossupwhichofusretires。’MrSprout，onbehalfofMrDuBoung，protestedagainstthatproposition。MrDuBoung，whowasagentlemanofgreatlocalinfluence，wasinpossessionoffour-fifthsoftheliberalinterestsintheborough。Evenwerehetoretire，MrLopezcouldnotgetin。MrSproutdeclaredthatthiswasknowntoalltheboroughatlarge。He，Sprout，wassorrythatagentlemanlikeMrLopezshouldhavebeenbroughtdownthereunderfalseideas。HehadallthroughtoldMrSprugeonthattheDukehadbeeninearnest，butMrSprugeonhadnotcomprehendedtheposition。Ithadbeenapity。ButanybodywhounderstoodtheboroughcouldseewithoneeyethatMrLopezhadnotachance。IfMrLopezwouldretireMrDuBoungwouldnodoubtbereturned。IfMrLopezwenttothepoll，MrFletcherwouldprobablybethenewmember。