’Youmusttellme，Emily，thatyouwillneverspeaktohimagain。’
Shewassilent，lookingupintohisface，notwithtremulouseyes，butwithinfinitewoewritteninthem，hadhebeenabletoreadthewriting。Sheknewthathewasdisgracinghimself，andyethewasthemanwhomsheloved！’Ifyoubidmenottospeaktohim，Iwillnot，——buthemustknowthereasonwhy。’
’Heshallknownothingfromyou。Youdonotmeantosaythatyouwouldwritetohim。’
’Papamusttellhim。’
’Iwillnothaveitso。Inthismatter，Emily，Iwillbethemaster，——asitisfitthatIshouldbe。IwillnothaveyoutalktoyourfatheraboutMrFletcher。’
’Whynot，Ferdinand？’
’BecauseIhavesodecided。Heisanoldfamilyfriend。Icanunderstandthat，anddonotthereforewishtointerferebetweenhimandyourfather。Buthehastakenuponhimselftowriteaninsolentlettertoyouasmywife，andtointerfereinmyaffairs。Astowhatshouldbedonebetweenyouandhim，Imustbethejudgeandnotyourfather。’
’AndImustnotspeaktopapaaboutit？’
’No！’
’Ferdinand，youmaketoolittle，Ithink，oftheassociationsandaffectionsofawholelife。’
’Iwillhearnothingaboutaffection，’hesaidangrily。
’Youcannotmeanthat，——that——youdoubtme？’
’Certainlynot。Ithinktoomuchofmyselfandtoolittleofhim。’Itdidnotoccurtohimtotellherthathethoughttoowellofherforthat。’Butthemanwhohasoffendedmemustbeheldtohaveoffendedyoualso。’
’Youmightsaythesameifitweremyfather。’
Hepausedatthis，butonlyforamoment。’CertainlyImight。
Itisnotprobable，butnodoubtImightdoso。Ifyourfatherweretoquarrelwithme，youwouldnot，Isuppose，hesitatebetweenus？’
’Nothingonearthcoulddividemefromyou。’
’Normefromyou。InthisverymatterIamonlytakingyourpart，ifyoudidbutknowit。’Theyhadnowpassedon，andhadmetotherpersons，havingmadetheirwaythroughalittleshrubberyontoafurtherlawn。andshehadhoped，astheyweresurroundedbypeople，thathewouldallowthemattertodrop。
Shehadbeenunableasyettomakeuphermindastowhatsheshouldsayifhepressedherhard。But，ifitcouldbepassedby，——ifnothingmoreweredemandedfromher，——shewouldendeavourtoforgetitall，sayingtoherselfthatithadcomefromsuddenpassion。Buthewastooresoluteforsuchaterminationasthat，andtookeenlyalivetotheexpediencyofmakingherthoroughlysubjecttohim。Soheturnedherroundandtookherbackthroughtheshrubbery，andinthemiddleofitstoppedheragainandrenewedhisdemand。
’PromisemethatyouwillnotspeakagaintoMrFletcher。’
’ThenImusttellpapa。’
’No——youshalltellhimnothing。’
’Ferdinand，ifyouexactapromisefrommethatIwillnotspeaktoMrFletcher，orbowtohimshouldcircumstancesbringustogetherastheydidjustnow，ImustexplaintomyfatherwhyI
havedoneso。’
’Youwillwilfullydisobeyme？’
’InthatImust。’Heglaredather，almostasthoughheweregoingtostrikeher，butsheborehislookwithoutflinching。’I
haveleftallmyoldfriends，Ferdinand，andhavegivenmyheartandsoultoyou。Nowomandidsowithatruerloveormoredevotedintentionofdoingherdutytoherhusband。Youraffairsshallbemyaffairs。’
’Well。yes。rather。’
Shewasendeavouringtoassurehimofhertruth，butcouldunderstandthesneerwhichwasconveyedinhisacknowledgment。
’Butyoucannot，norcanIforyoursake，abolishthethingswhichhavebeen。’
’Iwishyoutoabolishnothingthathasbeen。Ispeakofthefuture。’
’BetweenourfamilyandthatofMrFletchertherehasbeenoldfriendshipwhichisstillverydeartomyfather，——thememoryofwhichisstillverydeartome。AtyourrequestIamwillingtoputallthatasidefromme。ThereisnoreasonwhyIshouldeverseeanyoftheFletchersagain。Ourliveswillbeapart。Shouldwemeetourgreetingwouldbeveryslight。Theseparationcanbeeffectedwithoutwords。Butifyoudemandanabsolutepromise，——
Imusttellmyfather。’
’Wewillgohomeatonce，’hesaidinstantly，andaloud。Andhometheywent，backtoLondon，withoutexchangingawordonthejourney。Hewasabsolutelyblackwithrage，andshewascontenttoremainsilent。Thepromisewasnotgiven，norindeed，wasitexactedundertheconditionswhichthewifehadimposeduponit。
Hewasmostdesiroustomakehersubjecttohiswillinallthings，andquitepreparedtoexercisetyrannyoverhertoanyextent，——sothatherfathershouldknownothingofit。HecouldnotaffordtoquarrelwithMrWharton。’Youhadbettergotobed，’hesaid，whenhegotherbacktotown——andshewent，ifnottobed，atanyrateintoherownroom。
CHAPTER38
SIRORLANDORETIRES。
’Heisahorridman。Hecamehereandquarrelledwiththeothermaninmyhouse，orratherdownatRichmond，andmadeafoolofhimself，andthenquarrelledwithhiswifeandtookheraway。
Whatfools，whatasses，whathorrorsmenare！Howimpossibleitistobecivilandgraciouswithoutgettingintoamess。IamtemptedtosaythatIwillneverknowanybodyanymore。’SuchwasthecomplaintmadebytheDuchesstoMrsFinnafewdaysaftertheRichmondparty，andfromthisitwasevidentthatthelatteraffairhadnotpassedwithoutnotice。
’Didhemakeanoiseaboutit？’askedMrsFinn。
’Therewasnotarow，buttherewasenoughofaquarreltobevisibleandaudible。Hewalkedaboutandtalkedloudtothepoorwoman。Ofcourseitwasmyownfault。ButthemanwascleverandIlikedhim，andpeopletoldmethathewasoftherightsort。’
’TheDukeheardofit？’
’No——andIhopehewon’t。Itwouldbesuchatriumphforhim，afterallthefussatSilverbridge。Butheneverheardofanything。Iftwomenfoughtaduelinhisowndining-roomhewouldbethelastmaninLondontoknowaboutit。’
’Thensaynothingaboutit，anddon’taskthemenanymore。’
’YoumaybesureIwon’taskthemanwiththewifeanymore。TheothermanisinParliamentandcan’tbethrownoversoeasily——
anditwasn’thisfault。ButI’mgettingsosickofitall！I’mtoldthatSirOrlandohascomplainedtoPlantagenetthatheisn’taskedtothedinners。’
’Impossible！’
’Don’tyoumentionit，buthehas。Warburtonhastoldmeso。’
WarburtonwasoneoftheDuke’sprivatesecretaries。
’WhatdidtheDukesay？’
’Idon’t’quiteknow。Warburtonisoneofmyfamiliars，butI
didn’tliketoaskhimformorethanhechosetotellme。
WarburtonsuggestedthatIshouldinviteSirOrlandoatonce。butthereIwasobdurate。Ofcourse，ifPlantagenettellsmeI’llaskthemantocomeeverydayoftheweek——butitisoneofthosethingsthatIshallneedtobetolddirectly。Myideais，youknow，thattheyhadbettergetridofSirOrlando，——andthatifSirOrlandochoosestokickoverthetraces，hemaybeturnedloosewithoutanydanger。Onehaslittlebirdsthatgiveoneallmannerofinformation，andonelittlebirdhastoldmethatSirOrlandoandMrRobydon’tspeak。MrRobyisnotverymuchhimself，butheisagoodstrawtoshowwhichwaythewindblows。
PlantagenetcertainlysentnomessageaboutSirOrlando，andI’mafraidthegentlemanmustlookforhisdinnerselsewhere。’
TheDukehadintruthexpressedhimselfveryplainlytoMrWarburton。butwithsomuchindiscreetfretfulnessthatthediscreetprivatesecretaryhadnottolditeventotheDuchess。
’Thiskindofthingarguesawantofcordialitythatmaybefataltous，’SirOrlandohadsaidsomewhatgrandiloquentlytotheDuke，andtheDukehadmade——almostnoreply。’IsupposeImayaskmyownguestsintomyownhouse，’hehadsaidafterwardstoMrWarburton，’thoughinpubliclifeIameverybody’sslave。MrWarburton，anxiousofcoursetomaintaintheunityoftheparty，hadtoldtheDuchesssomuchaswould，hethought，inducehertogiveway，buthehadnotrepeatedtheDuke’sownobservations，whichwere，MrWarburtonthought，hostiletotheinterestsoftheparty。TheDuchessonlysmiledandmadealittlegrimace，withwhichtheprivatesecretarywasalreadywellacquainted。AndSirOrlandoreceivednoinvitation。
InthosedaysSirOrlandowasunhappyandirritable，doubtfuloffurthersuccessasregardedtheCoalition，butquiteresolvedtoputthehousedownabouttheearsoftheinhabitantsratherthantoleaveitwithgentleresignation。TohimitseemedtobeimpossiblethattheCoalitionshouldexistwithouthim。Hetoohadmomentsofhigh-vaultingambition，inwhichhehadalmostfelthimselftobethegreatmanrequiredbythecountry，theonerulerwhocouldgathertogetherinhisgraspthereinsofgovernmentanddrivetheStatecoachsingle-handedsafethroughitsdifficultiesforthenexthalf-dozenyears。Therearemenwhocannotconceiveofthemselvesthatanythingshouldbedifficultforthem，andagainotherswhocannotbringthemselvessototrustthemselvesastothinkthattheycaneverachieveanythinggreat。Samplesofeachsortfromtimetotimerisehighinpoliticallife，carriedthitherapparentlybyEpicureanconcourseofatoms。anditoftenhappensthatthemoreconfidentsamplesarebynomeansthemostcapable。TheconcourseofatomshadcarriedSirOrlandosohighthathecouldnotbutthinkhimselfintendedforsomethinghigher。ButtheDuke，whohadreallybeenwaftedtotheverytop，hadalwaysdoubtedhimself，believinghimselfcapableofdoingsomeonethingbydintofindustry，butwithnofurtherconfidenceinhisownpowers。SirOrlandohadperceivedsomethingofhisleader’sweakness，andhadthoughtthathemightprofitbyit。HewasnotonlyadistinguishedmemberoftheCabinet，buteventherecognisedLeaderoftheHouseofCommons。Helookedoutthefactsandfoundthatforfive-and-twentyyearsoutofthelastthirtytheLeaderoftheHouseofCommonshadbeentheHeadofGovernment。
Hefeltthathewouldbemeannottostretchouthishandandtaketheprizedestinedforhim。TheDukewasapoortimidmanwhohadverylittletosayforhimself。Thencamethelittleepisodeaboutthedinners。IthadbecomeveryevidenttotheworldthattheDuchessofOmniumhadcutSirOrlandoDrought，——
thatthePrimeMinister’swife，whowasgreatinhospitality，wouldnotadmittheFirstLordoftheAdmiraltyintoherhouse。
ThedoingsofGatherumCastle，andinCarltonTerrace，andatTheHornswerewatchedmuchtoocloselybytheworldatlargetoallowsuchomissionstobeotherwisethanconspicuous。SincethecommencementofthesessiontherehadbeenaseriesofarticlesinthePeople’sBannerviolentlyabusiveofthePrimeMinister，andinoneortwoofthesetheindecencyoftheseexclusionshadbeenexposedwithgreatstrengthoflanguage。AndtheEditorofthePeople’sBannerhaddiscoveredthatSirOrlandoDroughtwastheonemaninParliamentfittorulethenation。TillParliamentshoulddiscoverthisfact，oratleastacknowledgeit，——thediscoveryhavingbeenhappilymadebythePeople’sBanner，——theEditorofthePeople’sBannerthoughttherecouldbenohopeforthecountry。SirOrlandoofcoursesawallthesearticles，andhisveryheartbelievedthatamanatlengthsprungupamongthemfittoconductanewspaper。TheDukealsounfortunatelysawthePeople’sBanner。Inhisoldhappydaystwopapersaday，oneinthemorningandtheotherbeforedinner，sufficedtotellhimallthathewantedtoknow。Nowhefeltitnecessarytoseealmosteveryragthatwaspublished。Andhewouldskimthroughthemalltillhefoundlinesinwhichhehimselfwasmaligned，andthen，withsoreheartandirritatednerves，wouldpauseovereverycontumeliousword。Hewouldhavebittenhistongueoutratherthathavespokenofthetorturesheendured，buthewastorturedanddidendure。Heknewthecauseofthebitterpersonalattacksuponhim，——oftheabusewithwhichhewasloaded，andoftheridicule，infinitelymorepainfultohim，withwhichhiswife’ssocialsplendourwasbespattered。
HerememberedwelltheattemptwithwhichMrQuintusSlidehadmadetoobtainanentranceintohishouse，andhisownscornfulrejectionofthatgentleman’sovertures。Heknew，——nomanknewbetter，——therealvalueofthatableEditor’sopinion。Andyeteverywordofitwasgallandwormwoodtohim。Ineveryparagraphtherewasascourgewhichhithimontherawandopenedthewoundswhichhecouldshowtonokindsurgeon，forwhichhecouldfindsolaceinnofriendlytreatment。NoteventohiswifecouldhecondescendtosaythatMrQuintusSlidehadhurthim。
ThenSirOrlandohadcomehimself。SirOrlandoexplainedhimselfgracefully。Heofcoursecouldunderstandthatnogentlemanhadarighttocomplainbecausehewasnotaskedtoanothergentleman’shouse。Buttheaffairsofthecountrywereaboveprivateconsiderations。andhe，actuatedbypublicfeelings，wouldcondescendtodothatwhichunderothercircumstanceswouldbeimpossible。Thepublicpress，whichwaseveryvigilant，hadsuggestedthattherewassomeofficialestrangement，becauseSirOrlandohadnotbeenincludedinthelistofguestsinvitedbyHisGrace。DidnothisGracethinkthattheremightbeseedsof，——hewouldnotquitesaydecayfortheCoalition，insuchastateofthings？TheDukepausedforamoment，andthensaidthathethoughttherewerenosuchseeds。SirOrlandobowedhaughtilyandwithdrew，——swearingatthatmomentthattheCoalitionshouldbemadetofallintoathousandshivers。ThishadalltakenplaceafortnightbeforethepartyatTheHornsformwhichpoorMrsLopezhadbeenwithdrawnsohastily。
ButSirOrlando，whenhecommencedtheproceedingconsequentonthisresolution，didnotfindallthatsupportwhichhehadexpected。UnfortunatelytherehadbeenanuncomfortablewordortwobetweenhimandMrRoby，thepoliticalSecretaryattheAdmiralty。MrRobyhadneverquitesecondedSirOrlando’sardourinthematterofthefourships，andSirOrlandoinhisprideofplacehadventuredtosnubMrRoby。NowMrRobycouldperhapsbearasnubbingperhapsaswellasanyotherofficialsubordinate，——buthewasonewhowouldstudythequestionandassurehimselfthatitwas，orthatitwasnot，worthhiswhiletobearit。He，too，haddiscussedwithhisfriendstheconditionoftheCoalition，andhadcometosomeconclusionsratheradversetoSirOrlandothanotherwise。When，therefore，theFirstSecretarysoundedhimastotheexpediencyofsomestepinthedirectionofafirmerpoliticalcombinationthanatpresentexisting，——bywhichofcoursewasmeantthedethronementofthepresentPrimeMinister，——MrRobyhadsnubbedhim！Thentherehadbeenslightofficialcriminationsandrecriminations，tillastateofthingshadcometopasswhichalmostjustifiedthestatementbytheDuchesstoMrsFinn。
TheCoalitionhadmanycomponentparts，somecoalescingwithoutdifficulty，butwithnospecialcordiality。SuchwastheconditionofthingsbetweentheveryconservativeLordLieutenantofIrelandandhissomewhatradicalChiefSecretary，MrFinn，——
betweenprobablythelargernumberofthosewhowerecontentedwiththedutiesoftheirownofficesandthepleasuresandprofitsarisingtherefrom。Somebythistimehardlycoalescedatall，aswasthecasewithSirGregoryGrogramandSirTimothyBeeswax，theAttorney-GeneralandSolicitor-General——andwasespeciallythecasewiththePrimeMinisterandSirOrlandoDrought。ButinoneortwohappycasestheCoalitionwassincereandloyal，——andinnocasewasthismoresothanwithregardtoMrRattlerandMrRoby。MrRattlerandMrRobyhadthroughouttheirlongparliamentarylivesbelongedtooppositeparties，andhadbeenaccustomedtoregardeachotherwithmutualjealousyandalmostwithmutualhatred。Butnowtheyhadcometoseehowequal，howalike，andhowsympatheticweretheirtastes，andhowwelleachmighthelptheother。AslongasMrRattlercouldkeephisplaceattheTreasury，——andhisambitionneverstirredhimtoaughthigher，——hewasquitecontentedthathisoldrivalshouldbehappyattheAdmiralty。Andthatoldrival，whenhelookedabouthimandfelthispresentcomfort，whenherememberedhowshort-livedhadbeenthegoodthingswhichhadhithertocomeinhisway，andhowlittleprobableitwasthatlong-livedgoodthingsshouldbehiswhentheCoalitionwasbrokenup，manfullydeterminedthatloyaltytothepresentHeadofGovernmentwashisduty。HehadsatfortoomanyyearsonthesamebenchwithSirOrlandotobelievemuchinhispowerofgoverningthecountry。
Therefore，whenSirOrlandodroppedhishintMrRobydidnottakeit。
’Iwonderwhetherit’struethatSirOrlandocomplainedtotheDukethathewasnotaskedtodinner？’saidMrRobytoMrRattler。
’Ishouldhardlythinkso。Ican’tfancythathewouldhavethepluck，’saidMrRattler。’TheDukeisn’ttheeasiestmanintheworldtospeakaboutsuchathingasthat。’
’Itwouldbeamonstrousthingforamantodo！ButDrought’sheadisquiteturned。Youcanseethat。’
’Weneverthoughtmuchabouthim，youknow，onourside。’
’Itwaswhatyoursidethoughtabouthim，’rejoinedRoby，’thatputhimwhereheisnow。’
’Itwasthefateofaccidents，Roby，whichputsmanyofusinourplaces，andarrangesourworkforus，andmakesuslittlemenorbigmen。ThereareothermenbesidesDroughtwhohavebeentossedupinablankettilltheydon’tknowwhethertheirheadsortheirheelsarehighest。’
’IquitebelievetheDuke，’saidMrRoby，almostalarmedbythesuggestionwhichhisnewfriendhadseemedtomake。
’SodoI，Roby。HehasnottheobduracyofLordBrock，northeineffablemannerofMrMildmay，northebrilliantintellectofMrGresham。’
’NorthepicturesqueimaginationofMrDaubney，’saidMrRoby，feelinghimselfboundtosupportthecharacterofhislatechief。
’Northeaudacity，’saidMrRattler。’Buthehasthepeculiargiftofhisown，andgiftsfittedforthepeculiarcombinationofcircumstances，ifhewillonlybecontenttousethem。Heisajust，unambitious，intelligentman，inwhomafterawhilethecountrywouldcometohaveimplicitconfidence。Butheisthin-
skinnedandungenial。’
’Ihavegotintohisboat，’saidRoby，enthusiastically，’andhewillfindthatIshallbetruetohim。’
’Thereisnotbetterboattobeinatpresent，’saidtheslightlysarcasticRattler。’AstotheDroughtpinnace，itwillbemoredifficulttogetitafloatthanthefourshipsthemselves。Totellthetruthhonestly，Roby，wehavetoridourselvesofSirOrlando。Ihaveagreatregardfortheman。’
’Ican’tsayIeverlikedhim。’
’Idon’ttalkaboutliking，——buthehasachievedsuccess，andistoberegarded。Nowhehaslosthishead，andheisboundtogetafall。Thequestionis，——whoshallfallwithhim？’
’Idonotfeelmyselfatallboundtosacrificemyself。’
’Idon’tknowwhodoes。SirTimothyBeeswax，Isuppose，willresenttheinjurydonehim。ButIcanhardlythinkthatastronggovernmentcanbeformedbySirOrlandoDroughtandSirTimothyBeeswax。Anysecessionisaweakness，——ofcourse。butIthinkwemaysurviveit。’AndsoMrRattlerandMrRobymadeuptheirmindsthatthefirstLordoftheAdmiraltymightbethrownoverboardwithoutmuchdangertotheQueen’sship。
SirOrlando，however，wasquiteinearnest。Themanhadspiritenoughtofeelthatnoalternativewaslefttohimafterhehadcondescendedtosuggestthatheshouldbeaskedtodinnerandhadbeenrefused。HetriedMrRoby，andfoundthatMrRobywasameanfellow，wedded，ashetoldhimself，tohissalary。ThenhesoundedLordDrummond，urgingvariousreasons。Thecountrywasnotsafewithoutmoreships。MrMonkwasaltogetherwrongaboutrevenue。MrFinn’sideasaboutIrelandwererevolutionary。ButLordDrummondthoughtthat，uponthewhole，thepresentMinistryservedthecountrywell，andconsideredhimselfboundtoadheretoit。’Hecannotbeattheideaofbeingoutofpower，’saidSirOrlandotohimself。HenextsaidawordtoSirTimothy。butSirTimothywasnotthemantobeledbythenosebySirOrlando。
SirTimothyhadhisgrievanceandmeanttohavehisrevenge，butheknewhowtochoosehisowntime。’TheDuke’snotabadfellow，’saidSirTimothy，——’perhapsalittleweak，butwell-
meaning。Ithinkweoughttostandbyhimalittlelonger。AsforFinn’sIrishbill，Ihaven’ttroubledmyselfaboutit。’ThenSirOrlandodeclaredhimselfthatSirTimothywasacoward，andresolvedthathewouldactalone。
AboutthemiddleofJulyhewenttotheDukeattheTreasury，wasclosetedwithhim，andinaverylongnarrationofhisowndifferences，difficulties，opinions，andgrievances，explainedtotheDukethathisconsciencecalleduponhimtoresign。TheDukelistenedandbowedhishead，andwithoneortwoverygently-
utteredwordexpressedhisregret。ThenSirOrlando，inanotherlongspeech，laidbarehisbosomtotheChiefwhomhewasleaving，declaringtheinexpressiblesorrowwithwhichhehadfoundhimselfcalledupontotakeastepwhichhefearedmightbeprejudicialtothepoliticalstatusofamanwhomhehonouredsomuchashedidtheDukeofOmnium。ThentheDukebowedagain，butsaidnothing。ThemanhadbeenguiltyoftheimproprietyofquestioningthewayinwhichtheDuke’sprivatehospitalitywasexercised，andtheDukecouldnotbringhimselftobegeniallyciviltosuchanoffender。SirOrlandowentontosaythathewouldofcourseexplainhisviewsintheCabinet，butthathehadthoughtitrighttomakethemknowntotheDukeassoonastheywereformed。’Thebestfriendsmustpart，Duke，’hesaidashetookhisleave。’Ihopenot，SirOrlando。Ihopenot，’saidtheDuke。ButSirOrlandohadbeentoofullofhimselfandofthewordshehadtospeak，andofthethinghewasabouttodo，tounderstandeithertheDuke’swordsorhissilence。
AndsoSirOrlandoresigned，andthussuppliedtheonlymorselofpoliticalinterestwhichtheSessionproduced。’Takenomorenoticeofhimthanifyourfootmanwasgoing，’hadbeentheadviceoftheoldDuke。OfcoursetherewasaCabinetmeetingontheoccasion，buteventherethecommotionwasveryslight，aseverymemberknewbeforeenteringtheroomwhatitwasthatSirOrlandointendedtodo。LordDrummondsaidthatthestepwasonetobemuchlamented。’Verymuchindeed，’saidtheDukeofStBungay。Hiswordthemselveswerefalseandhypocritical，butthetoneofhisvoicetookawayallthedeceit。’Iamafraid，’saidthePrimeMinister，’fromwhatSirOrlandohassaidtomeprivately，thatwecannothopethathewillchangehismind。’
’ThatIcertainlycannotdo，’saidSirOrlando，withallthedignifiedcourageofamodernmartyr。
Onthenextmorningthepaperswerefullofthepoliticalfact，andwereblessedwithasubjectonwhichtheycouldexercisetheirpropheticalsagacity。TheremarksmadeweregenerallyfavourabletotheGovernment。ThreeorfourofthemorningpaperswereofopinionthatthoughSirOrlandohadbeenastrongman，andagoodpublicservant，theMinistrymightexistwithouthim。ButthePeople’sBannerwasabletoexpoundtothepeopleatlarge，thattheonlygrainofsaltbywhichtheMinistryhadbeenkeptfromputrefactionhadbeencastout，andthatmortification，deathandcorruption，mustensue。ItwasoneofMrQuintusSlide’sgreatestefforts。
CHAPTER39
’GETROUNDHIM。’
FerdinandLopezmaintainedhisangeragainsthiswifeformorethanaweek，afterthesceneatRichmond，feedingitwithreflectionsonwhathecalledherdisobedience。Norwasitamake-believeanger。Shehaddeclaredherintentiontoactinoppositiontohisexpressedorders。Hefeltthathispresentconditionwasprejudicialtohisinterests，andthathemusttakehiswifebackintofavour，inorderthehemightmakeprogresswithherfather，butcouldhardlybringhimselftoswallowhiswrath。Hethoughtitwasherdutytoobeyhimineverything，——
andthatdisobedienceonamattertouchingheroldloverwasanabominableoffence，tobevisitedwithseverestmaritaldispleasure，andwithasuccessionofscowlsthatshouldmakehermiserableforamonthatleast。Noronherbehalfwouldhehavehesitated，thoughthemiserymighthavecontinuedthreemonths。
Butthentheoldmanwasthemainhopeinhislife，andmustbemadeitsmainstay。Brilliantprospectswerebeforehim。HeusedtothinkthatMrWhartonwasahaleman，withsometerriblyvexatioustermofhislifebeforehim。Butnow，nowthathewasseenmoreclosely，heappearedtobeveryold。Hewouldsithalfbentinthearm-chairinStoneBuildings，andlookasthoughhewerenearahundred。Andfromdaytodayheseemedtoleanmoreuponhisson-in-law，whosevisitstohimwerecontinued，andalwayswelltaken。TheconstantsubjectofdiscoursebetweenthemwasEverettWharton，whohadnotyetseenhisfathersincethemisfortuneoftheirquarrel。EveretthaddeclaredtoLopezadozentimesthathewouldgotohisfatherifhisfatherwishedit，andLopezasoftenreportedthefatherthatEverettwouldnotgotohimunlessheexpressedsuchawish。Andsotheyhadbeenkeptapart。Lopezdidnotsupposethattheoldmanwoulddisinherithissonaltogether，——didnot，perhaps，wishit。Buthethoughtthattheconditionoftheoldman’smindwouldaffectthepartitionofhisproperty，andthattheoldmanwouldsurelymakesomenewwillinthepresentstateofhisaffairs。Theoldmanalwaysaskedafterhisdaughter，beggingthatshewouldcometoseehim，andatlastitwasnecessarythataneveningshouldbefixed。’Weshallbedelightedtocometo-dayorto-morrow，’
Lopezsaid。
’Wehadbettersayto-morrow。Therewouldbenothingtoeatto-
day。Thehouseisn’tnowwhatitusedtobe。’ItwasthereforeexpedientthatLopezshoulddrophisangerwhenhegothome，andpreparehiswifetodineinManchesterSquareinaproperframeofmind。
Hermiseryhadbeenextreme——verymuchmorebitterthanhehadimagined。Itwasnotonlythathisdispleasuremadeherlifeforthetimewearisome，androbbedtheonlysocietyshehadofallitscharms。Itwasnotonlythatherheartwaswoundedbyhisanger。Thoseevilsmighthavebeenshort-lived。Butshehadseen，——shecouldnotfailtosee，——thathisconductwasunworthyofherandofherdeeplove。Thoughshestruggledhardagainstthefeeling，shecouldnotbutdespisethemeannessofhisjealousy。SheknewthoroughlywellthattherehadbeennograinofoffenceinthatletterfromArthurFletcher，——andsheknewthatnoman，totrueman，wouldhavetakenoffenceatit。
Shetriedtoquenchherjudgement，andtosilencetheverdictwhichherintellectgaveagainsthim，butherintellectwastoostrongevenforherheart。Shewasbeginningtolearnthatthegodofidolatrywasbutalittlehumancreature，andthatsheshouldnothaveworshippedatsopoorashrine。Butneverthelesstheloveshouldbecontinued，and，ifpossible，theworship，thoughtheidolhadbeenalreadyfoundtohavefeetofclay。Hewasherhusband，andshewouldbetruetohim。Asmorningaftermorningheleftherstillwiththatharsh，unmanlyfrownuponhisface，shewouldlookupathimwithentreatingeyes，andwhenhereturnedwouldreceivehimwithherfondestsmile。Atlengthhe，too，smiled。HecametoafterthatinterviewwithMrWhartonandtoldher，speakingwiththesoftyetincisivevoicewhichsheusedtolovesowell，thattheyweretodineintheSquareonthefollowingday。’Lettherebeanendofallofthis，’hesaid，takingherinhisarmsandkissingher。Ofcourseshedidnottellhimthat’allthis’hadsprungfromhisill-humourandnotfromhers。’IownIhavebeenangry，’hecontinued。’Iwillsaynothingmoreaboutitnow。butthatmandidvexme。’
’Ihavebeensosorrythatyoushouldhavebeenvexed。’
’Well——letitpassaway。Idon’tthinkyourfatherislookingverywell。’
’Heisnotill？’
’Ohno。Hefeelsthelossofyoursociety。Heissomuchalone。
Youmustbemorewithhim。’
’HashenotseenEverettyet？’
’No。Everettisnotbehavingaltogetherwell。’Emilywasmadeunhappybythis，andshowedit。’Heisthebestfellowintheworld。ImaysafelysaythereisnoothermanwhomIregardsowarmlyasIdoyourbrother。Buthetakeswrongideasintohishead，andnothingwillknockthemout。Iwonderwhatyourfatherhasdoneabouthiswill。’
’Ihavenotanidea。NothingyoumaybesurewillmakehimunjusttoEverett。’
’Ah！——Youdon’thappentoknowwhetherheevermadeawill？’
’Notatall。Hewouldbesuretosaynothingtomeaboutit，——
ortoanybody。’
’ThatisthekindofsecrecywhichIthinkiswrong。Itleadstosomuchuncertainty。Youwouldn’tliketoaskhim？’
’No——certainly。’
’Itisastonishingtomehowafraidyouareofyourfather。Hehasn’tanyland，hashe？’
’Land！’
’Realestate。YouknowwhatImean。Hecouldn’twellhavelandedpropertywithoutyourknowingit。’Sheshookherhead。
’Itmightmakeanimmensedifferencetous，youknow。’
’Whyso？’
’Ifheweretodiewithoutawill，anyland，——housesandthatkindofproperty，——wouldgotoEverett。Ineverknewamanwhotoldhischildrensolittle。Iwantyoutounderstandthesethings。YouandIwillbebadlyoffifhedoesn’tdosomethingforus。’
’Youdon’tthinkheisreallyill？’
’No——notill。Menaboveseventyareapttodie，youknow。’
’Oh，Ferdinand，——whatawaytotalkofit！’
’Well，mylove，thethingissoseriouslymatter-of-fact，thatitisbettertolookatitinamatter-of-factway。Idon’twantyourfathertodie。’
’Ihopenot。Ihopenot。’
’ButIshouldbeverygladtolearnwhathemeanstodowhilehelives。Iwanttogetyouintosympathywithmeonthismatter——
butitissodifficult。’
’IndeedIsympathisewithyou。’
’ThetruthisthathehastakenanaversiontoEverett。’
’Godforbid！’
’IamdoingallIcantopreventit。ButifhedoesthrowEverettoverweoughttohaveadvantageofit。Thereisnoharminsayingasmuchasthat。Thinkwhatitshouldbeifheshouldtakeitintohisheadtoleavehismoneytohospitals。MyG。
fancywhatmyconditionwouldbeifIweretohearofsuchawillasthat！Ifhedestroyedtheoldwill。Partlybecausehedidn’tlikeourmarriage，andpartlyinangeragainstEverett，andthendiewithoutmakinganother，thepropertywouldbedivided，——
unlessheboughtland。Youseehowmanydangersthereare。Ohdear！Icanlookforwardandseemyselfmad，——orelsemyselfsoproudlytriumphant！’Allthishorrifiedher，buthedidnotseeherhorror。Heknewthatshedislikedit，butthoughtthatdislikedthetrouble，andthatshedreadedherfather。’NowIdothinkthatyoucouldhelpmealittle，’hecontinued。
’WhatcanIdo？’
’Getroundhimwhenhe’salittledowninthemouth。Thatisthewayinwhicholdmenareconquered。’Howutterlyignoranthewasoftheverynatureofhermindanddisposition！Tobetoldbyherhusbandthatshewasto’getround’herfather！’Youshouldseehimeveryday。Hewouldbedelightedifyouwouldgotohimathischambers。OryoucouldtakecaretobeintheSquarewhenhecomeshome。Idon’tknowwhetherwehadnotbetterleavethisandgoanlivenearhim。Wouldyoumindthat？’
’Iwoulddoanythingyousuggestastolivinganywhere。’
’Butyouwon’tdoanythingIsuggestastoyourfather。’
’Astomybeingwithhim，ifIthoughthewishedit，——thoughI
hadtowalkmyfeetoff，Iwouldgotohim。’
’There’snoneedofhurtingyourfeet。There’sthebrougham。’
’Idosowish，Ferdinand，youwoulddiscontinuethebrougham。I
don’tatallwantit。Idon’tatalldislikecabs。AndIwasonlyjokingaboutwalking。Iwalkverywell。’
’Certainlynot。Youfailaltogethertounderstandmyideasaboutthings。Ifthingsweregoingbadwithus，Iwouldinfinitelyprefergettingapairofhorsesforyoutoputtingdowntheoneyouhave。’Shecertainlydidnotunderstandhisideas。
’Whateverwedowemustholdourheadsup。Ithinkheiscomingroundtocottontome。Heisveryclose，butIcanseethathelikesmygoingtohim。Ofcourse，ashegetsolderfromdaytoday，he’llconstantlywantsomeonetoleanonmorethanheretofore。’
’Iwouldgoandstaywithhimifhewantedme。’
’Ihavethoughtofthattoo。Nowthatwouldbeasaving，——
withoutanyfall。Andifwewereboththerewecouldhardlyfailtoknowwhathewasdoing。Youcouldofferthat，couldn’tyou？
Youcouldsayasmuchasthat？’
’Icouldaskhimifhewishedit。’
’Justso。Saythatitoccurstoyouthatheislonelybyhimself，andthatwewillbothgototheSquareatamoment’snoticeifhethinksitwillmakehimcomfortable。Ifeelsurethatthatwillbethebeststeptotake。Ihavealreadyhadanofferfortheserooms，andcouldgetridofthethingswehaveboughttoadvantage。’
This，too，wasterribletoher，andatthesametimealtogetherunintelligible。Shehadbeeninvitedtobuylittletreasurestomaketheirhomemorecomfortable，andhadalreadylearnedtotakethatdelightinherbelongingswhichisoneofthegreatestpleasuresofayoungmarriedwoman’slife。Agirlinheroldhome，beforesheisgivenuptoahusband，hasmanysourcesofinterest，andprobablyfromdaytodayseesmanypeople。Andthemanjustmarriedgoestohiswork，andoccupieshistime，andhashisthickly-peopledworldaroundhim。Butthebride，whenthebridalhonoursofthehoneymoonareover，whenthesweetcareofthefirstcradlehasnotyetcometoher，isapttobelonelyandtobedriventothecontemplationoftheprettythingswithwhichherhusbandandherfriendshavesurroundedher。Ithadcertainlybeensowiththisyoungbride，whosehusbandleftherinthemorningandonlyreturnedfortheirlatedinner。Andnowshewastoldthatherhouseholdgodshadhadapriceputonthem，andthattheyweretobesold。Shehadintendedtosuggestthatshewouldpayherfatheravisit，andherhusbandimmediatelyproposedthattheyshouldquarterthemselvespermanentlyontheoldman！Shewasreadytogiveupherbrougham，thoughshelikedthecomfortofitwellenough，buttothathewouldnotconsentbecausethepossessionofitgavehimanairofwealth。butwithoutamoment’shesitationhecouldcatchuptheideaofthrowinguponherfathertheburdenofmaintainingbothherandhimself！Sheunderstoodthemeaningofthis。Shecouldreadhismindsofar。Sheendeavourednottoreadthebooktooclosely，——
butthereitwas，openedtoherwiderdaybyday，andsheknewthatthelessonswhichittaughtwerevulgaranddamnable。
Andyetshehadtohidefromhimherownperceptionofhimself！
Shehadtosympathisewithhisdesiresandyetabstainfromdoingthatwhichhisdesiresdemandedfromher。Alas，poorgirl！Shesoonknewthatthemarriagehadbeenamistake。Therewasprobablynoonemomentinwhichshemadetheconfessiontoherself。Buttheconvictionwasthere，inhermind，asthoughtheconfessionhadbeenmade。Thentherewouldcomeuponherunbidden，unwelcomereminiscencesofArthurFletcher，——thoughtsthatshewouldstruggletobanish，accusingherselfofsomeheinouscrimebecausethethoughtswouldcomebacktoher。Sherememberedhislightwavyhair，whichshehadlovedasonewholovesthebeautyofadog，whichhadseemedtoheryoungimagination，toherintheignoranceofherearlyyearstolacksomethingofadreamed-ofmanliness。Sherememberedhiseager，boyish，honestentreatiestoherself，whichtoherhadbeenwithoutthatdignityofasuperiorbeingwhichahusbandshouldpossess。Shebecameawarethatshehadthoughtthelessofhimbecausehehadthoughtmoreofher。Shehadworshippedthisothermanbecausehehadassumedsuperiorityandhadtoldherthathewasbigenoughtobehermaster。Butnow，——nowthatitwasalltoolate，——theveilhadfallenfromhereyes。Shecouldnotseethedifferencebetweenmanlinessand’deportment’。Ah，——
thatsheshouldeverhavebeensoblind，shewhohadgivenherselfcreditforseeingsomuchclearerthantheywhoweretheirelders！Andnow，thoughatlastshedidseeclearly，shecouldnothavetheconsolationoftellinganyonewhatshehadseen。Shemustbearitallinsilence，andlivewithit，andstilllovethisgodofclaythatshehadchosen。And，aboveall，shemustneverallowherselfeventothinkofthatothermanwiththewavylighthair，——thatmanwhowasrisingintheworld，ofwhomallpeoplesaidgoodthings，andwhowasshowinghimselftobeamanbytheworkhedid，andwhosetruetendernessshecouldneverdoubt。
Herfatherwaslefttoher。Shecouldstillloveherfather。Itmightbethatitwouldbebestforhimthatsheshouldgobacktoheroldhome，andtakecareofhisoldage。Ifheshouldwishit，shewouldmakenodifficultyinpartingwiththethingsaroundher。Ofwhatconcernweretheprettinessesoflifetoonewhoseinnersoulwashamperedwithsuchugliness！ItmightbebetterthattheyshouldliveinManchesterSquare，——ifherfatherwishedit。Itwascleartohernowthatherhusbandwasinurgentneedofmoney，thoughofhisaffairs，evenofhiswayofmakingmoney，sheknewnothing。Asthatwasthecase，ofcourseshewouldconsenttoanypracticableretrenchmentwhichhewouldpropose。Andthenshethoughtofothercomingjoysandcomingtroubles，——ofhowinfutureyearsshemighthavetoteachagirlfalselytobelievethatherfatherwasagoodman，andtotrainaboytohonestpurposeswhateverparentallessonsmightcomefromtheotherside。
Butthemistakeshehadmadewasacknowledged。Themanwhocouldenjoinherto’getround’herfathercouldneverhavebeenworthyoftheloveshehadgivenhim。
CHAPTER40
’COMEANDTRYIT。’
Thehusbandwasalmostjovialwhenhecamehomejustintimetotakehisyoungwifetodinewiththeirfather。’I’vehadsuchadayinthecity，’hesaid，laughing。’IwishIcouldintroduceyoutomyfriend，MrSextusParker。’
’Cannotyoudoso？’
’Well，no。notexactly。Ofcourseyou’dlikehim，becauseheissuchawonderfulcharacter，buthe’dhardlydoforyourdrawing-
room。He’sthevulgarestlittlecreatureyoueverputyoureyeson。andyetinacertainwayheismypartner。’
’ThenIsupposeyoutrusthim？’
’IndeedIdon’t——butImakehimuseful。PoorlittleSexty！I
dotrusthimtoadegree，becausehebelievesinmeandthinkshecandobestbystickingtome。Theoldsayingofhonouramongthievesisn’twithoutadashoftruthinit。Whentwomenareinaboattogether，theymustbetruetoeachother，elseneitherwillgettotheshore。’
’Youdon’tattributehighmotivestoyourfriend。’
’I’mafraidtherearenotverymanyhighmotivesintheworld，mygirl，especiallyinthecity——noryetatWestminster。Itcanhardlybefromhighmotiveswhenalotofmen，thinkingdifferentlyoneverypossiblesubject，cometogetherforthesakeofpayandpower。Idon’tknowwhether，afterall，SextusParkermayn’thaveashighmotivesastheDukeofOmnium。Idon’tsupposeanyoneeverhadlowermotivesthantheDuchesswhenshechiselledmeaboutSilverbridge。Nevermind，——it’llallbeoneahundredyearshence。Getready，forIwantyoutobewithyourfatheralittlebeforedinner。’
Then，whentheywereinthebroughamtogether，hebeganacourseofveryplaininstructions。’Lookhere，dear，youhadbettergethimtotalktoyoubeforedinner。IdaresayMrsRobywillbethere，andIwillgetherononeside。Atanyrateyoucanmanageit，becauseweshallbeearly，andI’lltakeupabookwhileyouaretalkingtohim。’
’Whatdoyouwishmetosaytohim，Ferdinand？’
’Ihavebeenthinkingofyourownproposal，andIamquitesurethatwehadbetterjoinhimintheSquare。Thethingis，Iaminalittlemessabouttherooms，andcan’tstayonwithoutpayingverydearlyforthem。’
’Ithoughtyouhadpaidforthem。’
’Well——yes。inonesenseIhad，butyoudon’tunderstandaboutbusiness。Youhadbetternotinterruptmenow，asIhavegotagooddealtosaybeforewegettotheSquare。Itwillsuitmetogiveuptherooms。Idon’tlikethem，andtheyareverydear。
Asyouyourselfsaid，itwillbeacapitalthingforustogoandlivewithyourfather。’
’Imeantonlyforavisit。’
’Itwillbeforavisit——andwe’llmakeitalongvisit。’Itwasoddthatthemanshouldhavebeensodevoidofrightfeelinghimselfasnottohaveknownthattheideaswhichheexpressedwererevolting！’Youcansoundhim。Beginbysayingthatyouareafraidheisdesolate。Hetoldmehimselfthathewasdesolate，andyoucanrefertothat。Thentellhimthatwearebothofuspreparedtodoanythingthatwecantorelievehim。
Putyourarmoverhim，andkisshim，andallthatsortofthing。’
Sheshrunkfromhimintothecornerofthebrougham，andyethedidnotperceiveit。’Thensaythatyouthinkhewouldbehappierifweweretojoinhimhereforatime。Youcanmakehimunderstandthattherewouldbenodifficultyabouttheapartments。Butdon’tsayitallinasetspeech，asthoughitwereprepared，——thoughofcourseyoucanlethimknowthatyouhavesuggestedittome，andthatIamwilling。Besuretolethimunderstandthattheideabeganwithyou。’
’Butitdidnot。’
’Youproposedtogoandstaywithhim。Tellhimjustthat。Andyoushouldexplaintohimthathecandineattheclubjustasmuchashelikes。Whenyouwerealonewithhimhere，ofcourse，hehadtocomehome，butheneedn’tdothatnowunlesshechooses。Ofcoursethebroughamwouldbemyaffair。Andifheshouldsayanythingaboutsharingthehouseexpenses，youcantellhimthatIwoulddoanythinghemightpropose。’Herfathertosharethehouseholdexpensesinhisownhouse，andwithhisownchildren！’Yousayasmuchasyoucanofallthisbeforedinner，sothatwhenwearesittingbelowhemaysuggestitifhepleases。Itwouldsuitmetogetintherenextweekifpossible。’
Andsoonelessonhadbeengiven。Shehadsaidlittleornothinginreply，andhehadonlyfinishedastheyenteredtheSquare。
Shehadhardlyaminuteallowedhertothinkhowfarshemightfollow，andinwhatshemustignore，herhusband’sinstructions。
Ifshemightuseherownjudgement，shewouldtellherfatheratoncethataresidenceforatimebeneathhisroofwouldbeofservicetothempecuniarily。Butthisshemightnotdo。Sheunderstoodthatherdutytoherhusbanddidforbidhertoproclaimhispovertyinoppositiontohiswishes。Shewouldtellnothingthathedidnotwishhertotell，——butmakethesuggestionabouttheirchangeofresidence，andwouldmakeitwithproperaffection——butasregardedthemselvesshewouldsimplysaythatitwouldsuittheirviewstogiveuptheirroomsifitsuitedthem。
MrWhartonwasallalonewhentheyenteredthedrawing-room，——
butasMrLopezhadsurmised，hadaskedhissister-in-lawroundthecornertocometodinner。’Robyalwayslikesanexcusetogettohisclub，’saidtheoldman，’andHarrietlikesanexcusetogoanywhere。’ItwasnotlongbeforeLopezbegantoplayhispartbyseatinghimselfclosetotheopenwindowandlookingoutintotheSquare。andEmilywhenshefoundherselfclosetoherfather，withherhandinhis，couldhardlydivestherselfofafeelingthatshealsowasplayingherpart。’Iseesoverylittleofyou，’saidtheoldmanplaintively。
’I’dcomeoftenerifIthoughtyou’dlikeit。’
’Itisn’tliking，mydear。Ofcourseyouhavetolivewithyourhusband。Isn’titsadaboutEverett？’
’Verysad。ButEveretthasn’tlivedhereforeversolong。’
’Idon’tknowwhyheshouldn’t。Hewasafooltogoawaywhenhedid。Doeshegotoyou？’
’Yes——sometimes。’
’Andwhatdoeshesay？’
’I’msurehewouldbewithyouatonceifyouwouldaskhim。’
’Ihaveaskedhim。I’vesentwordbyLopezoverandoveragain。
IfhemeansthatIamtowritetohimandsaythatI’msorryforoffendinghim，Iwon’t。Don’ttalkofhimanymore。ItmakesmesoangrythatIsometimesfeelinclinedtodothingswhichIknowIshouldrepentwhendying。’
’NotanythingtoinjureEverett，papa？’
’IwonderwhetherheeverthinksthatIamanoldmanandallalone，andthathisbrother-in-lawisdailywithme。Buthe’safool，andthinksofnothing。Iknowitisverysadbeingherenightafternightbymyself。’MrWhartonforgot，nodoubt，atthemoment，thathepassedthemajorityofhiseveningsattheEldon，——thoughhadhebeenremindedofit，hemighthavedeclaredwithperfecttruththatthedelightsofhisclubwerenotsatisfactory。
’Papa，’saidEmily，’wouldyoulikeustocomeandlivehere？’
’What，——youandLopez——hereintheSquare？’
’Yes，——foratime。HeisthinkingofgivinguptheplaceinBelgraveMansions。’
’Ithoughthehadthemfor，——foreversomanymonths。’
’Hedoesnotlikethem，andtheyareexpensive，andhecangivethemup。Ifyouwouldwishit，wewouldcomehere，——foratime。’
Heturnedroundandlookedatheralmostsuspiciously。andshe，——
sheblushedassherememberedhowaccuratelyshewasobeyingherhusband’sorders。’Itwouldbesuchajoytometobenearyouagain。’
Therewassomethinginhervoicewhichinstantlyreassuredhim。
’Well。’hesaid，’comeandtryitifitwillsuithim。Thehouseisbigenough。Itwilleasehispocketandbeacomforttome。Comeandtryit。’
Itastonishedherthatthethingshouldbedonesoeasily。Herewasallthatherhusbandhadproposedtoarrangebydeepdiplomacysettledinthreewords。Andyetshefeltashamedofherself，——asthoughshehadtakenherfatherin。Thatterriblebehestto’getroundhim’stillgratedonherears。Hadshegotroundhim？Hadshecheatedhimintothis？
’Papa，’shesaid，’donotdothisunlessyoufeelsurethatyouwilllikeit。’
’Howisanybodytofeelsureofanything，mydear？’
’Butifyoudoubt，donotdoit。’
’Ifeelsureofonething，thatisthatitwillbeagreatsavingtoyourhusband，andIamnearlysurethatoughtnottobeamatterofindifferencetohim。Thereisplentyofroomhere，anditwillatanyratebeacomforttometoseeyousometimes。’
JustatthismomentMrsRobycamein，andtheoldmanbegantotellhisnewsaloud。’Emilyhasnotgoneawayforlong。She’scomingbacklikeabadshilling。’
’NottoliveintheSquare？’saidMrsRoby，lookingroundatLopez。
’Whynot？There’sroomhereforthem，anditwillbejustaswelltosaveexpense。Whenwillyoucome，mydear？’
’Wheneverthehousemaybeready，papa。’
’It’sreadynow。YououghttoknowthatIamnotgoingtorefurnishtheroomsforyou，oranythingofthatkind。Lopezcancomeinanhanguphishatwheneveritpleaseshim。’
DuringthistimeLopezhadhardlyknownhowtospeakorwhattosay。Hehadbeenveryanxiousthathiswifeshouldpavethewayashewouldhavecalledit。Hehadbeenurgentwithhertobreaktheicetoherfather。Butithadnotoccurredtohimthatthematterwouldbesettledwithoutanyreferencetohimself。Ofcoursehehadheardeverywordthathadbeenspoken，andwasawarethathisownpovertyhadbeensuggestedasthecauseforsuchaproceeding。Itwasagreatthingforhimineveryway。
Hewouldlivefornothing，andwouldalsohavealmostunlimitedpowerofbeingwithMrWhartonasoldagegrewonhim。Thisreadycompliancewithhiswisheswasabenefitfartooprecioustobelost。Butyethefeltthathisowndignityrequiredsomereferencetohimself。Itwasdistastefultohimthathisfather-
in-lawshouldregardhim，——or，atanyrate，thatheshouldspeakofhim，——asapauper，unabletoprovideahomeforhisownwife。
’Emily’snotioninsuggestingit，sir，’hesaid，’hasbeenhercareforhercomfort。’Thebarristerturnedroundandlookedathim，andLopezdidnotquitelikethelook。’Itwasshethoughtofitfirst，andshecertainlyhadnootherideathanthat。Whenshementionedittome，Iwasdelightedtoagree。’
Emilyhearditallandblushed。Itwasnotabsolutelyuntrueinwords，——thisassertionofherhusband’s，——butaltogetherfalseinspirit。Andyetshecouldnotcontradicthim。’Idon’tseewhyitshouldnotdoverywellindeed，’saidMrsRoby。
’Ihopeitmay，’saidthebarrister。’Come，Emily，Imusttakeyoudowntodinnerto-day。Youarenotathomeyet，youknow。
Asyouaretocome，thesoonerthebetter。’
Duringdinnernotawordwassaidonthesubject。Lopezexertedhimselftobepleasant，andtoldallthathehadheardastothedifficultiesoftheCabinet。SirOrlandohadresigned，andthegeneralopinionwasthattheCoalitionwasgoingtopieces。HadMrWhartonseenthelastarticleinthePeople’sBannerabouttheDuke？LopezwasstronglyoftheopinionthatMrWhartonoughttoseethatarticle。’IneverhadthePeople’sBannerwithinmyfingersinmylife，’saidthebarristerangrily，’andI
certainlyneverwill。’
’Ah，sir。thisisanexception。Youshallseethis。WhenSlidereallymeanstocutafellowup，hecandoit。There’snoonelikehim。AndtheDukehasdeservedit。He’sapoor，vacillatingcreature，ledbytheDuchess。andshe，——accordingtoallthatonehears，——sheisn’tmuchbetterthansheshouldbe。’
’IthoughttheDuchesswasagreatfriendofyours。’
’Idon’tcaremuchforsuchfriendship。Shethrewmeovermostshamefully。’
’Andthereforeyouarejustifiedintakingawayhercharacter。I
neversawtheDuchessofOmniuminmylife，andshouldprobablybeveryuncomfortableifIfoundmyselfinhersociety。butI
believehertobeagoodwomaninherway。’Emilysatperfectlysilent，knowingthatherhusbandhadbeenrebuked，butfeelingthathehaddeservedit。He，however，wasnotabashed。butchangedtheconversation，dashingintocityrumours，andlegalreforms。Theoldmanfromtimetotimesaidsharplittlethings，showingthathisintellectwasnotsenile，allofwhichhisson-
in-lawboreimperturbably。Itwasnotthathelikedit，orwasindifferent，butthatheknewhecouldnotgetthegoodthingswhichMrWhartoncoulddoforhimwithoutmakingsomekindofpayment。Hemusttakethesharpwordsoftheoldman，——andtakeallthathecouldgetbesides。
Whenthetwomenwerealonetogetherafterdinner，MrWhartonusedadifferenttone。’Ifyouaretocome，’hesaid，’youmightaswelldoitassoonaspossible。’
’Adayortwowillbeenoughforus。’
’Thereareoneortwothingsyoushouldunderstand。Ishallbeveryhappytoseeyourfriendsatanytime，butIshallliketoknowwhentheyarecomingbeforetheycome。’
’Ofcourse，sir。’
’Idineoutagooddeal。’
’Attheclub，’suggestedLopez。
’Well——atthecluborelsewhere。Itdoesn’tmatter。TherewillalwaysbedinnerforyouandEmily，justasthoughIwereathome。Isaythis，sothatthereneedbenoquestioning’sordoubtsaboutithereafter。Anddon’tletthereeverbeanyquestionofmoneybetweenus。’
’Certainlynot。’
’Everetthasanallowance，andthiswillbetantamounttoanallowancetoEmily。Youhavealsohad3，500pounds。Ihopeithasbeenwellexpended——exceptthe500poundsatthatelection，whichhas，ofcourse，beenthrownaway。’
’Theotherwasbroughtintothebusiness。’
’Idon’tknowwhatthebusinessis。ButyouandEmilymustunderstandthatthemoneyhasbeengivenasherfortune。’
’Oh，quiteso——partofit，youmean。’
’ImeanjustwhatIsay。’
’Icallitpartofit，because，asyouobservedjustnow，ourlivingherewillbethesameasthoughmadeEmilyanallowance。’
’Ah——well。youcanlookatitinthatlight，ifyouplease。
Johnhasthekeytothecellar。He’samanIcantrust。AsaruleIhaveporthadsherryattableeveryday。Ifyoulikeclaret，IwillgetsomealittlecheaperthanwhatIusewhenfriendsarehere。’
’WhatwineIhaveisindifferenttome。’
’Ilikeitgood，andIhaveitgood。Ialwaysbreakfastat9。30。
Youcanhaveyoursearlierifyouplease。Idon’tknowthatthere’sanythingelsetobesaid。Ihopeweshallgetintothewayofunderstandingeachother，andbeingmutuallycomfortable。
ShallwegoupstairstoEmilyandMrsRoby？’AndsoitwasdeterminedthatEmilywastocomebacktoheroldhouseabouteightmonthsafterhermarriage。
MrWhartonhimselfsatlateintothenightallalone，thinkingaboutit。Whathadhedone，hehaddoneinamoroseway，andhewasawarethatitwasso。Hehadnotbeamedwithsmiles，andopenedhisarmslovingly，and，biddingGodblesshisdearestchildren，toldthemthatiftheywouldonlycomeandsitroundhishearthheshouldbethehappiestoldmaninLondon。Hehadsaidlittleornothingofhisownaffectionevenforhisdaughter，buthadspokenofthematterasonewhichthepecuniaryaspectalonewasimportant。HehadfoundoutthatthesavingsoeffectedwouldbematerialtoLopez，andhadresolvedthatthereshouldbenoshirkingofthetruthinwhathewaspreparedtodo。
Hehadbeenalmostaskedtotaketheyoungmarriedcouplein，andfeedthem，——sothattheymightlivefreeofexpense。Hewaswillingtodoit，——butwasnotwillingthatthereshouldbeanysoft-worded，high-tonedfalsepretension。HealmostreadLopeztothebottom，——not，howevergivingthemancreditfordishonestysodeeporclevernesssogreatashepossessed。ButasregardedEmily，hewassoactuatedbyapersonaldesiretohaveherbackagainasanelementofhappinesstohimself。Hehadpinedforhersincehehadbeenleftalone，hardlyknowingwhatitwasthathehadwanted。Andhowashethoughtofitall，hewasangrywithhimselfthathehadnotbeenmorelovingandsofterinhismannertoher。Sheatanyratewashonest。Nodoubtofthatcrossedhismind。Andnowhehadbeenbittertoher，——bitterinhismanner，——simplybecausehehadnotwishedtoappeartohavebeentakeninbyherhusband。Thinkingofallthis，hegotup，andwenttohisdesk，andwroteheranote，whichshewouldreceiveonthefollowingmorningafterherhusbandhadlefther。Itwasveryshort。
DEARESTE。
Iamsooverjoyedthatyouarecomingbacktome。
A。W。
Hehadjudgedherquiterightly。Themannerinwhichthethinghadbeenarrangedhadmadeherverywretched。Therehadbeennoloveinit——nothingapparentlybutassertionsontheonesidethatmuchwasbeinggiven，andontheotheracknowledgmentsthatmuchwastobereceived。Shewasawarethatinthisherfatherhadcondemnedherhusband。Shealsohadcondemnedhim——andfelt，alas，thatshealsohadbeencondemned。Butthislittlelettertookawaythatsting。Shecouldreadintoherfather’snotealltheactionofhismind。Hehadknownthathewasboundtoacquither，andhehaddonesowithoneoftheoldlong-valuedexpressionsofhislove。
VOLUMEIII
CHAPTER41
THEVALUEOFATHICKSKIN。
SirOrlandoDroughtmusthavefeltbitterlythequiescencewithwhichhesankintoobscurityonthesecondbenchontheoppositesideoftheHouse。Onegreatoccasionhehadonwhichitwashisprivilegetoexplaintofourorfivehundredgentlementheinsuperablereasonswhichcausedhimtobreakawayfromthoserighthonourablefriendstoactwithwhomhadbeenhiscomfortandhisduty，hisgreatjoyandhisunalloyedsatisfaction。Thenheoccupiedthebestpartofanhourinabusingthosefriendsandalltheirmeasures。Thisnodoubthadbeenapleasure，aspracticehadmadethemanipulationofwordseasytohim，——andhewasabletorevealinthatabsenceofresponsibilitywhichmustbeasafreshperfumedbathtoaministerjustfreedfromthetrammelsofoffice。ButthepleasurewassurelyfollowedbymuchsufferingwhenMrMonk，——MrMonkwastoassumehisplaceasLeaderoftheHouse，——onlytookfiveminutestoanswerhim，sayingthatheandhiscolleaguesregrettedmuchthelossoftheRightHonourableBaronet’sservices，butthatitwouldhardlybenecessaryforhimtodefendtheMinistryonallthosepointsonwhichithadbeenattacked，as，werehetodoso，hewouldhavetorepeattheargumentsbywhicheverymeasurebroughtforwardbythepresentMinistryhadbeensupported。ThenMrMonksatdown，andthebusinessoftheHousewentonjustasifSirOrlandohadnotmovedhisseatatall。
’Whatmakeseverybodyandeverythingsodead？’saidSirOrlandotohisoldfriendMrBoffinastheywalkedhometogetherfromtheHousethatnight。Theyhadinformerdaysbeenstaunchfriends，sittingnightafternightclosetogether，unitedinopposition，andsometimesafewhalcyonmonthsinthehappierbondsofoffice。ButwhenSirOrlandohadjoinedtheCoalition，andwhenthesternerspiritofMrBoffinhadpreferredprinciplestoplace，——tousethelanguageinwhichhewaswonttospeaktohimselfandtohiswifeandfamilyofhisownabnegation，——therehadcomeacoolnessbetweenthem。MrBoffin，whowasnotarichman，norbyanymeansindifferenttothecomfortsofoffice，hadfeltkeenlytheinjurydonetohimwhenhewaslefthopelesslyinthecoldbythedesertionofhisoldfriends。Ithadcometopassthattherehadbeennosaltleftintheopposition。MrBoffininallhisparliamentaryexperiencehadknownnothinglikeit。MrBoffinhadbeensurethatBritishhonourwasgoingtothedogsandthatBritishgreatnesswasatanend。ButthesecessionofSirOrlandogavealittlefilliptohislife。Atanyratehecouldwalkhomewithhisoldfriendandtalkofthehorrorsofthepresentday。
’Well，Drought，ifyouaskme，youknow，IcanonlyspeakasI
feel。Everythingmustbedeadwhenmenholdingdifferentopinionsoneverysubjectunderthesuncometogetherinorderthattheymaycarryonagovernmentastheywouldatradebusiness。Theworkmaybedone，butitmustbedonewithoutspirit。’
’Butitmaybeallimportantthattheworkshouldbedone，’saidtheBaronet，apologizingforhispastmisconduct。
’Nodoubt，——andIamveryfarfromjudgingthosewhomaketheattempt。Ithasbeenmademorethanoncebefore，andhas，I
think，alwaysfailed。Idon’tbelieveinitmyself，andIthinkthatthedeath-liketorporofwhichyouspeakisoneofitsworstconsequences。’AfterthatMrBoffinadmittedSirOrlandobackintohisheartofhearts。
ThentheendoftheSessioncame，veryquietlyandveryearly。
BytheendofJulytherewasnothinglefttobedone，andtheworldofLondonwasallowedtogodownintothecountryalmostafortnightbeforeitsusualtime。
Withmanymen，bothinandoutofParliament，itbecameaquestionwhetherallthiswasforgoodorevil。TheBoffiniteshadofcoursemuchtosayforthemselves。Everythingwastorpid。
Therewasnointerestinthenewspapers，——exceptwhenMrSlidetookthetomahawkintohishands。AmemberofParliamentthisSessionhadnotbeenbyhalfsomuchbiggerthananothermanasintimesofhotpoliticalwarfare。Oneofthemostmovingsourcesofournationalexcitementseemedtohavevanishedfromlife。Weallknowwhathappenstostagnantwaters。SosaidtheBoffinites，andsoalsonowsaidSirOrlando。ButtheGovernmentwascarriedonandthecountrywasprosperous。Afewusefulmeasureshadbeenpassedbyunambitiousmen，andtheDukeofStBungaydeclaredthathehadneverknownaSessionofParliamentmorethoroughlysatisfactorytotheministers。
ButtheoldDukeinsosayinghadspokenasitwerehispublicopinion，——giving，trulyenough，toafewofhiscolleagues，suchasLordDrummond，SirGregoryGrogramandothers，theresultsofhisgeneralexperience，butinhisownbosomandwithaprivatefriendhewascompelledtoconfessthattherewasacloudintheheavens。ThePrimeMinisterhadbecomesomoody，soirritable，andsounhappy，thattheoldDukewasforcedtodoubtwhetherthingscouldgoonmuchlongerastheywere。HewaswonttotalkofthesethingstohisfriendLordCantrip，whowasnotamemberoftheGovernment，butwhohadbeenacolleagueofboththeDukes，andwhomtheoldDukeregardedwithpeculiarconfidence。
’Icannotexplainittoyou，’hesaidtoLordCantrip。’Thereisnothingthatoughttogivehimamoment’suneasiness。Sincehetookofficetherehasn’toncebeenamajorityagainsthimineitherHouseonanyquestionthattheGovernmenthasmadeonitsown。Idon’tremembersuchastateofthings，——soeasyforthePrimeMinister，——sincethedaysofLordLiverpool。Hehadonethorninhisside，ourfriendwhowasattheAdmiralty，andthatthornlikeotherthornshasworkeditselfout。YetatthismomentitisimpossibletogethimtoconsenttothenominationofasuccessortoSirOrlando。’ThiswassaidaweekbeforetheSessionhadclosed。
’Isupposeitishishealth，’saidLordCantrip。
’He’swellenoughasfarasIcansee——thoughhewillbeillunlesshecanrelievehimselffromthestrainofhisnerves。’
’Doyoumeanbyresigning？’
’Notnecessarily。Thefaultisthathetakesthingstooseriously。Ifhecouldbegottobelievethathemighteat，andsleep，andgotobed，andamusehimselflikeothermen，hemightbeaverygoodPrimeMinister。Heisovertroubledbyhisconscience。IhaveseenagoodmanyPrimeMinisters，Cantrip，andI’vetaughtmyselftothinkthattheyarenotverydifferentfromothermen。OnewantsinaPrimeMinisteragoodmanythings，butnotverygreatthings。Heshouldbecleverbutneednotbeagenius。heshouldbeconscientiousbutbynomeansstrait-laced。heshouldbecautiousbutnevertimid，boldbutneverventuresome。heshouldhaveagooddigestion，genialmanners，and，aboveall，athickskin。Thesearethegiftswewant，butwecan’talwaysgetthem，andhavetodowithoutthem。