Formyownpart，IfindthatthoughSmithbeaverygoodMinister，thebestperhapstobehadatthetime，whenhebreaksdownJonesdoesnearlyaswell。’
’TherewillbeaJones，then，ifyourSmithdoesbreakdown？’
’NodoubtEnglandwouldn’tcometoanendbecausetheDukeofOmniumshuthimselfupatMatching。ButIlovetheman，and，withsomefewexceptions，amcontentedwiththeparty。Wecan’tdobetter，anditcutsmetotheheartwhenIseehimsuffering，knowinghowmuchIdidmyselftomakehimundertakethework。’
’IshegoingtoGatherumCastle？’
’No——toMatching。Thereissomediscomfortaboutthat。’
’Isuppose，’saidLordCantrip，——speakingalmostinawhisper，althoughtheywereclosetedtogether，——’IsupposetheDuchessisalittletroublesome。’
’She’sthedearestwomanintheworld，’saidtheDukeofStBungay。’IloveheralmostasIdomyowndaughter。Andsheismostzealoustoservehim。’
’Ifancysheoverdoesit。’
’Nodoubt。’
’Andthathesuffersfromperceivingit，’saidLordCantrip。
’Butamanhasn’tarighttosupposethatheshallhavenoannoyances。Thebesthorseintheworldhassomefaults。Hepulls，orheshies，orisslowathisfences，ordoesn’tlikeheavyground。Hehasnotrighttoexpectthathiswifeshallknoweverythinganddoeverythingwithoutamistake。Andthenhehassuchfaultsofhisown！Hisskinissothin。DoyourememberdearoldBrock？Byheavens，——therewasacovering，ahideimpervioustofireorsteel！Hewouldn’thavegoneintotantrumsbecausehiswifeaskedtoomaypeopletothehouse。
Nevertheless，Iwon’tgiveupallhope。’
’Aman’sskinmaybethickened，Isuppose。’
’Nodoubt——asablacksmith’sarm。’
ButtheDukeofStBungay，thoughhedeclaredthathewouldn’tgiveuphope，wasveryuneasyonthematter。’Whydon’tyouletmego？’theotherDukehadsaidtohim。
’What——becausesuchamanasSirOrlandoDroughtthrowsuphisoffice？’
ButintruththeDukeofOmniumhadnotbeeninstigatedtoaskthequestionbytheresignationofSirOrlando。AtthatverymomentthePeople’sBannerhadbeenputoutofsightatthebottomofaheapofothernewspapersbehindthePrimeMinister’schair，andhispresentmiseryhadbeenproducedbyMrQuintusSlide。Tohaveafesteringwoundandtobeabletoshowthewoundtonosurgeon，iswretchednessindeed！’It’snotSirOrlando，butasenseofgeneralfailure，’saidthePrimeMinister。Thenhisoldfriendhadmadeuseofthatargumentoftheever-
recurringmajoritiestoprovethattherehadbeennofailure。
’Thereseemstohavecomealethargyuponthecountry，’saidthepoorvictim。ThentheDukeofStBungayknewthathisfriendhadreadthatperniciousarticleinthePeople’sBanner，fortheDukehadalsoreaditandrememberedthatphraseofa’lethargyonthecountry’，andunderstoodatoncehowthepoisonhadrankled。
ItwasaweekbeforehewouldconsenttoaskanymantofillthevacancymadebySirOrlando。Hewouldnotallowsuggestionstobemadetohimandyetwouldnamenoonehimself。TheoldDuke，indeed，didmakeasuggestion，andanythingcomingfromhimwasofcoursebornewithpatience。BarringtonErle，hethought，woulddofortheAdmiralty。ButthePrimeMinistershookhishead。’Inthefirstplacehewouldrefuse，andthatwouldbeagreatblowtome。’
’Icouldsoundhim，’saidtheoldDuke。ButthePrimeMinisteragainshookhisheadandturnedthesubject。Withallhistimidityhewasbecomingautocraticandpeevishlyimperious。
ThenhewenttoLordCantrip，andwhenLordCantrip，withallthekindnesswhichhecouldthrowintohiswords，statedthereasonswhichinducedhimatpresenttodeclineoffice，hewasagainindespair。AtlastheaskedPhineasFinntomovetotheAdmiralty，and，whenouroldfriendsomewhatreluctantlyobeyed，ofcoursehehadthesamedifficultyinfillingtheofficeFinnhadheld。
Otherchangesandothercomplicationsbecamenecessary，andMrQuintusSlide，whohatedPhineasFinnevenworsethanthepoorDuke，foundamplescopeforhispatrioticindignation。
ThisalltookplaceintheclosingweekoftheSession，fillingourpoorPrimeMinisterwithtroubleanddismay，justwhenotherpeoplewerecomplainingthattherewasnothingtothinkofandnothingtodo。MendonotreallylikeleavingLondonbeforethegrousecallsthem，——thegrouseorratherthefashionofthegrouse。Andsomeladieswereveryangryatbeingseparatedsosoonfromtheirswainsinthecity。Thetradesmentooweredispleased，——sothattherewerevoicestore-echotheabuseofthePeople’sBanner。TheDuchesshaddoneherbesttoprolongtheSessionbyanotherweek，tellingherhusbandoftheevilconsequencesabovesuggested，buthehadthrownwidehisarmsandaskedherwithaffecteddismaywhetherhewastokeepParliamentsittinginorderthatmoreribbonsmightbesold！’Thereisnothingtobedone，’saidtheDukealmostangrily。
’Thenyoushouldmakesomethingtobedone，’saidtheDuchess，mimickinghim。
CHAPTER42
RETRIBUTION。
TheDuchesshadbeenatworkwithherhusbandforthelasttwomonthsinthehopeofrenewingherautumnalfestivities，buthadbeenlamentablyunsuccessful。TheDukehaddeclaredthatthereshouldbenomoreruralcrowds，norepetitionofwhathecalledLondonturnedlooseonhisowngrounds。HecouldnotforgetthenecessitywhichhadbeenimposeduponhimofturningMajorPountneyoutofhishouse，orthechangethathadbeenmadeinhisgardens，orhiswife’sattempttoconquerhimatSilverbridge。’Doyoumean，’shesaid，’thatwearetohavenobody？’HerepliedthathethoughtitwouldbebesttogotoMatching。’AndliveaDarbyandJoanlife？’saidtheDuchess。
’IsaidnothingofDarbyandJoan。WhatevermaybemyfeelingsI
hardlythinkthatyouarefittedforthatkindofthing。
MatchingisnotsobigasGatherum，butitisnotacottage。Ofcourseyoucanaskyourownfriends。’
’Idon’tknowwhatyoumeanbymyownfriends。Iendeavouralwaystoaskyours。’
’Idon’tknowthatMajorPountney，andCaptainGunner，andMrLopezwereeveramongthenumberofmyfriends。’
’IsupposeyoumeanLadyRosina？’saidtheDuchess。’IshallbehappytohaveheratMatching，ifyouwishit。’
’IshouldliketoseeLadyRosinaDeCourcyatMatchingverymuch。’
’Andistheretobenobodyelse？I’mafraidIshouldfinditratherdullwhileyoutwowereopeningyourheartstoeachother。’Herehelookedatherangrily。’CanyouthinkofanybodybesidesLadyRosina？’
’IsupposeyouwillwishtohaveMrsFinn。’
’Whatanarrangement！LadyRosinaforyoutoflirtwith，andMrsFinnformetogrumbleto。’
’Thatisanodiousword，’saidthePrimeMinister。
’What——flirting？Idon’tseeanythingbadabouttheword。Thethingisdangerous。Butyouarequiteatlibertyifyoudon’tgobeyondLadyRosina。Ishouldliketoknowwhetheryouwouldwishanybodyelsetocome？’Ofcoursehemadenobecominganswertothisquestion，andofcoursenobecominganswerwasexpected。Heknewthatshewastryingtoprovokehimbecausehewouldnotletherdothisyearasshehaddonelast。Thehouse，hehadnodoubt，wouldbefulltooverflowingwhenhegotthere。Hecouldnothelpthat。ButascomparedwithGatherumCastlethehouseatMatchingwassmall，andhisdomesticauthoritysufficedatanyrateforshuttingupGatherumforthetime。
Idonotknowwhetherattimeshersufferingswerenotasacuteashisown。He，atanyrate，wasPrimeMinister，anditseemedtoherthatshewastobereducedtonothing。Atthebeginningofitallhehad，withunwontedtendernessaskedherforhersympathyinhisundertaking，and，accordingtoherpower，shehadgivenittohimwithherwholeheart。Shehadthoughtthatshehadseenawaybywhichshemightassisthiminhisgreatemployment，andshehadworkedatitlikeaslave。Everydayshetoldherselfthatshedidnot，herself，lovetheCaptainGunnersandMajorPountneys，northeSirOrlandos，nor，indeedtheLadyRosinas。Shehadnotfollowedthebentofherowninclinationwhenshehaddescendedtosheetsandtowels，andbusiedherselftoestablishanarchery-ground。Shehadnotshotanarrowduringthewholeseason，norhadshecaredwhohadwonandwhohadlost。
Ithadnotbeenforherownpersonaldelightthatshehadkeptopenhouseforfortypersonsthroughoutfourmonthsoftheyear，indoingwhichhehadnevertakenanounceoflabouroffhershouldersbyanysinglewordordeed！Ithadallbeendoneforhissake，——thathisreignmightbelongandtriumphant，thattheworldmightsaythathishospitalitywasnobleandfull，thathisnamemightbeinmen’smouths，andthathemightprosperasaBritishMinister。Such，atleast，weretheassertionswhichshemadetoherself，whenshethoughtofherowngrievancesandherowntroubles。Andhowshewasangrywithherhusband。Itwasverywellforhimtoaskforhersympathy，buthehadnonetogiveherinreturn！Hecouldnotpityherfailures，——eventhoughhehadhimselfcausedthem！Ifhehadagrainofintelligenceabouthimhemust，shethought，understandwellenoughhowsoreitmustbeforhertodescendfromherprincelyentertainmentstosolitudeatMatching，andthustoownbeforealltheworldthatshewasbeaten。Thenwhensheaskedhimforadvice，whenshewasreallyanxioustoknowhowfarshemightgoinfillingherhousewithoutoffendinghim，hetoldhertoaskLadyRosinaDeCourcy！Ifhechosetoberidiculoushemight。
ShewouldaskLadyRosinaDeCourcy。InheractiveangershedidwritetoLadyRosinaDeCourcyaformalletter，inwhichshesaidthattheDukehopedtohavethepleasureofherladyship’scompanyatMatchingParkonthe1stAugust。Itwasanabsurdletter，somewhatlong，writtenverymuchintheDuke’sname，withoverwhelmingexpressionsofaffection，instigatedinthewriter’smindpartlybythefunofsuppositionthatsuchamanasherhusbandshouldflirtwithsuchawomanasLadyRosina。Therewassomethingtooofangerinwhatshewrote，sometouchofrevenge。
Shesentoffthisinvitation，andshesentnoother。LadyRosinatookitallingoodpart，andrepliedsayingthatsheshouldhavethegreatestpleasureingoingtoMatching！Shehaddeclaredtoherselfthatshewouldasknonebutthosehehadnamed，andinaccordancewithherresolutionshesentoutnootherwritteninvitation。
HehadalsotoldhertoaskMrsFinn。Nowthishadbecomealmostamatterofcourse。Therehadgrownupfromaccidentalcircumstancessostrongabondbetweenthesetwowomen，thatitwastakenforgrantedbyboththeirhusbandsthattheyshouldbenearlyalwayswithinreachofoneanother。Andthetwohusbandswerealsoonkindly，ifnotaffectionate，termswitheachother。
ThenatureoftheDuke’scharacterwassuchthat，withamostlovingheart，hewashardlycapableofthatopeningoutofhimselftoanotherwhichisnecessaryforpositivefriendship。
Therewasastiffreserveabouthim，ofwhichhewashimselfonlytooconscious，whichalmostprohibitedfriendship。ButhelikedMrFinnbothasamanandamemberofhisparty，andwasalwayssatisfiedtohavehimasaguest。TheDuchess，therefore，hadtakenitforgrantedthatMrsFinnwouldcometoher，——andthatMrFinnwouldcomealsoanytimethathemightbeabletoescapefromIreland。But，whentheinvitationwasverballyconveyed，MrFinnhadgonetotheAdmiralty，andhadalreadymadearrangementsforgoingtosea，asagallantsailorshould。’WearegoingawayintheBlackWatchforacoupleofmonths，’saidMrsFinn。NowtheBlackWatchwasanAdmiraltyyacht。
’Heavensandearth！’ejaculatedtheDuchess。
’Itisalwaysdone。TheFirstLordwouldhavehisepauletsstrippedifhedidn’tgotoseainAugust。’
’Andmustyougowithhim？’
’Ihavepromised。’
’Ithinkitveryunkind，——veryharduponme。OfcourseyouknowthatIshouldwantyou。’
’Butifmyhusbandwantsmetoo？’
’Botheryourhusband！IwishwithallmyheartIhadneverhelpedmakeupthematch。’
’Itwouldhavebeenmadeupallthesame，LadyGlen。’
’YouknowthatIcannotgetonwithoutyou。Andheoughttoknowittoo。Thereisn’tanotherpersonintheworldthatIcanreallysayathingto。’
’Whydon’tyouhaveMrsGrey？’
’She’sgoingtoPersiawithherhusband。Andthensheisnotwickedenough。Shealwayslecturedme，andshedoesitstill。
Whatdoyouthinkisgoingtohappen？’
’Nothingterrible，Ihope，’saidMrsFinn，mindfulofherhusband’snewhonoursattheAdmiralty，andhopingthattheDukemightnothaverepeatedhisthreatofresigning。
’WearegoingtoMatching。’
’SoIsupposed。’
’Andwhomdoyouthinkwearegoingtohave？’
’NotMajorPountney？’
’No——notatmyasking。’
’NotMrLopez？’
’NoryetMrLopez。Guessagain。’
’Isupposetherewillbeadozentoguess。’
’No，’shriekedtheDuchess。’Therewillonlybeone。Ihaveaskedone，——athisspecialdesire，——andasyouwon’tcomeI
shallasknobodyelse。WhenIpressedhimtonameasecondhenamedyou。I’llobeyhimtotheletter。Now，mydear，whodoyouthinkisthechosenone，——theonepersonwhoistosolacetheperturbedspiritofthePrimeMinisterforthethreemonthsoftheautumn。’
’MrWarburton，Ishouldsay。’
’Oh，MrWarburton！NodoubtMrWarburtonwillcomeaspartofhisluggageandpossiblyhalf-a-dozenTreasuryclerks。Hedeclares，however，thatthereisnothingtodo，andthereforeMrWarburton’sstrengthalonemaysufficetohelphimtodoit。
Thereistobeoneunnecessaryguest，——unnecessary，thatis，forofficialpurpose，though，——oh，——somuchneededforhissocialhappiness。Guessonemore。’
’Knowingthespiritofmischiefthatisinyou，——perhapsitisLadyRosina。’
’OfcourseitisLadyRosina，’saidtheDuchess，clappingherhandstogether。’AndIshouldliketoknowwhatyoumeanbyspiritofmischief！Iaskedhim，andhehimselfsaidthatheparticularlywishedtohaveLadyRosinaatMatching。Now，I’mnotajealouswoman，——amI？’
’NotofLadyRosina。’
’Idon’tthinkthey’lldoanyharmtogether，butitisparticular，youknow。However，sheistocome。Andnobodyelseistocome。Ididcountuponyou。’ThenMrsFinncounselledherveryseriouslyastothetasteofsuchajoke，explainingtoherthattheDukehadcertainlynotintendedthatinvitationsshouldbeconfinedtoLadyRosina。ButitwasnotalljokewiththeDuchess。Shehadbeendrivenalmosttodespair，andwasveryangrywithherhusband。Hehadbroughtthethinguponhimself，andmustnowmakethebestofit。Shewouldasknobodyelse。
Shedeclaredthattherewasnobodywhomshecouldaskwithpropriety。Shewastiredofasking。Letheraskwhomshewould，hewasdissatisfied。TheonlytwopeoplehecaredtoseewereLadyRosinaandtheoldDuke。ShehadaskedLadyRosinaforhissake。Lethimaskhisoldfriendhimselfifhepleased。
TheDukeandDuchesswithallthefamilywentdowntogether，andMrWarburtonwentwiththem。TheDuchesshadsaidnotawordmoretoherhusbandabouthisguests，norhadhealludedtothesubject。Buteachwaslabouringunderaconvictionthattheotherwasmisbehaving，andwiththatfeelingitwasimpossiblethatthereshouldbeconfidencebetweenthem。Hebusiedhimselfwithbooksandpapers，——alwaysturningoverthosepilesofnewspaperstoseewhatevilwassaidofhimself，——andspeakingonlynowandagaintohisprivatesecretary。Sheengagedherselfwiththechildrenorpretendedtoreadanovel。Herheartwassorewithinher。Shehadwishedtopunishhim，butintruthshewaspunishingherself。
Onthedayoftheirarrival，thefatherandmother，withLordSilverbridge，theeldestson，whowasfromEton，andtheprivateSecretarydinedtogether。AstheDukesatattable，hebegantothinkhowlongitwassincesuchastateofthingshadhappenedbefore，andhisheartsoftenedtowardsher。Insteadofbeingmadeangrybythestrangenessoftheproceeding，hetookdelightinit，andinthecourseoftheeveningspokeawordtosignifyhissatisfaction。’I’mafraiditwon’tlastlong，’shesaid，’forLadyRosinacomestomorrow。’
’Oh，indeed。’
’Youbidmetoaskheryourself。’
Thenheperceiveditall——howshehadtakenadvantageofhisformeranswertoherandhadacteduponitinaspiritofcontradictorypetulance。Butheresolvedthathewouldforgiveitandendeavourtobringherbacktohim。’Ithoughtwewerebothjoking，’hesaidgood-humouredly。
’Ohno！Ineversuspectedyouofajoke。Atanyratesheiscoming。’
’Shewilldoneitherofusanyharm。AndMrsFinn？’
’Youhavesenthertosea。’
’Shemaybeatsea，——andhetoo。butitiswithoutmysending。
TheFirstLord，Ibelieve，usuallydoesgoacruise。Istherenobodyelse？’
’Nobodyelse，——unlessyouhaveaskedanyone。’
’Notacreature。Well——somuchthebetter。IdaresayLadyRosinawillgetonverywell。’
’Youwillhavetotalktoher，’saidtheDuchess。
’Iwilldomybest。’
LadyRosinacameandnodoubtdidthinkitodd。Butshedidnotsayso，anditreallydidseemtotheDuchessasthoughallhervengeancehadbeenblownawaybythewinds。Andshetoolaughedatthematter，——toherselfandbegantofeellesscrossandlessperverse。TheworlddidnotcometoanendbecausesheandherhusbandwithLadyRosinaandherboyandtheprivateSecretarysatdowntodinnereverydaytogether。Theparishclergymanwiththeneighbouringsquireandhiswifeanddaughterdidcomeoneday，——tothereliefofM。Millepois，whohadbeguntofeelthattheworldhadcollapsed。AndeverydayatacertainhourtheDukeandLadyRosinawalkedtogetherforanhourandahalfinthePark。TheDuchesswouldhaveenjoyedit，insteadofsuffering，couldsheonlyhavehadherfriend，MrsFinn，tohearherjokes。’Now，Plantagenet，’shesaid，’dotellmeonething。
Whatdoesshetalkabout？’
’Thetroublesofherfamilygenerally，Ithink。’
’Thatcan’tlastforever。’
’Shewearscorksolestoherbootsandshethinksagooddealaboutthem。’
’Andyoulistentoher？’
’Whynot？Icantalkaboutcorksolesaswellasanythingelse。
Anythingthatmaydomaterialgoodtotheworldatlarge，oreventoyourselfprivately，isafitsubjectforconversationtorationalpeople。’
’IsupposeIneverwasoneofthem。’
’ButIcantalkuponanything，’continuedtheDuke，’aslongasthetalkertalksingoodfaithanddoesnotsaythingsthatshouldnotbesaid，ordealwithmattersthatareoffensive。I
couldtalkforanhouraboutbankers’accounts，butIshouldnotexpectastrangertoaskmethestateofmyown。ShealmostpersuadedmetosendtoMrSproutofSilverbridgeandgetsomecorksolesofmyown。’
’Don’tdoanythingofthekind，’saidtheDuchesswithanimation——
asthoughshehadsecretknowledgethatcorksoleswerespeciallyfataltothefamilyofthePallisers。
’Whynot，mydear？’
’Hewasamanwhoespecially，aboveallothers，threwmeoveratSilverbridge。’ThenagaintherecameuponhisbrowthatangryfrownwhichduringthelastfewdayshadbeendissipatedbytheinnocenceofLadyRosina’sconversation。’OfcourseIdon’tmeantoaskyoutotakeanyinterestintheboroughagain。Youhavesaidthatyouwouldn’t，andyouarealwaysasgoodasyourword。’
’Ihopeso。’
’ButIcertainlywouldnotemployatradesmanjustatyourelbowwhohasdirectlyopposedwhatwasgenerallyunderstoodinthetowntobeyourinterests。’
’WhatdidMrSproutdo？ThisisthefirstIhaveheardofit。’
’HegotMrDuBoungtostandagainstMrLopez。’
’IamverygladforthesakeoftheboroughthatMrLopezdidnotgetin。’
’SoamI。Butthathasnothingtodowithit。MrSproutknewatanyratewhatmywisheswere，andwentdirectlyagainstthem。’
’Youwerenotentitledtohavewishesinthematter，Glencora。’
’That’sallverywell——butIhad，andheknewit。Asforthefuture，ofcoursethethingisover。Butyouhavedoneeverythingfortheborough。’
’Youmeantheboroughhasdonemuchforme。’
’IknowwhatImeanverywell——andIshalltakeitveryillifashillingoutoftheCastleevergoesintoMrSprout’spocketagain。’
Itisneedlesstotroublethereaderatlengthwiththesermonwhichhepreachedherontheoccasion，——showingtheuttercorruptionwhichmustcomefromthemixingupofpoliticswithtrade，orwiththescornwhichshethrewintothefewwordswithwhichsheinterruptedhimfromtimetotime。’Whetheramanmakesgoodshoes，atareasonableprice，andchargesforthemhonestly，——thatiswhatyouhavetoconsider，’saidtheDukeimpressively。
’I’dratherpaydoubleforbadshoestoamanwhodidnotthwartme。’
’Youshouldnotcondescendtobethwartedinsuchamatter。Youloweryourselfbyadmittingsuchafeeling。’AndyethewrithedhimselfunderthelashesofMrSlide！
’IknowanenemywhenIseehim，’saidtheDuchess，’andaslongasIliveI’lltreatanenemyasanenemy。’
Therewaseversomuchofit，inthecourseofwhichtheDukedeclaredhispurposeofsendingatoncetoMrSproutforeversomanycorksoles，andtheDuchess，——mostimprudently，——declaredherpurposeofruiningMrSprout。TherewassomethinginthisthreatwhichgratedterriblyagainsttheDuke’ssenseofhonour——
thathiswifeshouldthreatentoruinapoortradesman，thatsheshoulddosoinreferencetothepoliticalaffairsoftheboroughwhichheallbutowned，thatsheshoulddosoindeclaredoppositiontohim！Ofcourseheoughttohaveknownthathersinconsistedsimplyinherdeterminationtovexhimatthemoment。
Amoregood-naturedwomandidnotlive——oronelesspronetoruinanyone。ButanyreferencetotheSilverbridgeelectionbroughtbackuponhimtheremembranceofthecruelattackswhichhadbeenmadeuponhim，andrenderedhimforthetimemoody，morose，andwretched。Sotheyagainpartedillfriends，andhardlyspokewhentheymetatdinner。
ThenextmorningtherereachedMatchingaletterwhichgreatlyaddedtohisbitternessofspiritagainsttheworldingeneralandagainstherinparticular。Theletter，thoughmarked’private’，hadbeenopened，aswereallletters，byMrWarburton，buttheprivateSecretarythoughtitnecessarytoshowthelettertothePrimeMinister。He，whenhehadreadit，toldWarburtonthatitdidnotsignify，andmaintainedforhalfanhouranattitudeofquiescence。Thenhewalkedforth，havingtheletterhiddeninhishand，andfindinghiswifealone，gaveithertoread。’Seewhatyouhavebroughtuponme，’hesaid，’byyourinterferenceanddisobedience。’Theletterwasasfollows：
ManchesterSquare，August3，187-
MYLORDDUKE，IconsidermyselfentitledtocomplaintoyourGraceoftheconductwithwhichIamtreatedatthelastelectionatSilverbridge，wherebyIwasledintoveryheavyexpenditurewithouttheleastchanceofbeingreturnedfortheborough。IamawarethatIhadnodirectconversationwithyourGraceonthesubject，andthatyourGracecanpleadthat，asbetweenmanandman，IhadnoauthorityfromyourselfforsupposingthatIshouldreceiveyourGrace’ssupport。ButIwasdistinctlyaskedbytheDuchesstostand，andwasassuredbyherthatifI
didsoIshouldhavealltheassistancethatyourGrace’sinfluencecouldprocureforme——anditwasalsoexplainedtomethatyourGrace’sofficialpositionmadeitinexpedientthatyourGraceonthisspecialoccasionshouldhaveanypersonalconferencewithyourowncandidate。UnderthesecircumstancesIsubmittoyourGracethatIamentitledtocomplainofthehardshipI
havesuffered。
IhadnotbeenlongintheboroughbeforeIfoundthatmypositionwashopeless。InfluentialmeninthetownwhohadbeenrepresentedtomeasbeingaltogetherdevotedtoyourGrace’sinterestsstartedathirdcandidate，——aLiberalasmyself，——andthenaturalconsequencewasthatneitherofussucceeded，thoughmyreturnasyourGrace’scandidatewouldhavebeencertainhadnotthisbeendone。
Thatallthiswaspreconcertedtherecanbenodoubt，but，beforetheminewassprungonme，——immediately，indeed，onmyarrival，ifIrememberrightly，——anapplicationwasmadetomefor500pounds，sothatthemoneymightbeexactedbeforethetruthwasknowntome。
OfcourseIshouldnothavepaidthe500poundshadI
knownthatyourGrace’susualagentsinthetown，——ImaynameMrSproutespecially，——werepreparedtoactagainstme。ButIdidpaythemoney，andIthinkyourGracewillagreewithmethataveryopprobrioustermmightbeappliedwithoutinjusticetothetransaction。
MyLordDuke，Iamapoorman，——ambitiousIwillown，whetherthatbeasinoravirtue，——andwilling，perhapstoincurexpenditurewhichcanhardlybejustifiedinpursuitofcertainpublicobjects。ButIdonotfeelinclinedtositdowntamelyundersuchalossasthis。I
shouldnothavedreamedofinterferingintheelectionatSilverbridgehadnottheDuchessexhortedmetodoso。I
wouldnotevenruntheriskofadoubtfulcontest。ButI
cameforwardatthesuggestionoftheDuchess，backedbythepersonalassurancethattheseatwascertainasbeinginyourGrace’shands。ItwasnodoubtunderstoodthatyourGracewouldnotyourselfinterfere，butitwasequallywellunderstoodthatyourGrace’sinfluencewasforthetimedeputedtotheDuchess。TheDuchessherselfwill，Iamsure，confirmmystatementthatIhadherdistinctauthorityforregardingmyselfasyourGrace’scandidate。
IcanofcoursebringanactionagainstMrWise，thegentlemantowhomIpaidthemoney，butIfeelthatasagentlemanIshouldnotdosowithoutreferencetoyourGrace，ascircumstancesmightpossiblybebroughtoutinevidence，——IwillnotsayprejudicialtoyourGrace，-
butwhichwouldbeunbecoming。Icannot，however，thinkthatyourGracewillbewillingthatapoormanlikemyself，insearchforanentranceintopubliclife，shouldbemulctedtosoheavyanextentinconsequenceofanerroronthepartoftheDuchess。ShouldyourGracebeabletoassistmeinmyviewofgettingintoParliamentforanyotherseatIshallbewillingtoabidebythelossIhaveincurred。Ihardly，however，daretohopeforsuchassistance。InthiscaseIthinkyourgraceoughttoseethatIamreimbursed。
Ihavethehonourtobe，MyLordDuke，YourGrace’sfaithfulServantFERDINANDLOPEZ
TheDukestoodoverherinherownroomupstairs，withhisbacktothefireplaceandhiseyesfixeduponherwhileshewasreadingthisletter。Hegaveherampletime，andshedidnotreaditveryquickly。Muchofitindeedsheperusedtwice，turningveryredinthefaceasshedidso。Shewasthusstudiouspartlybecausetheletterastoundedevenher，andpartlybecauseshewantedtimetoconsiderhowshewouldmeethiswrath。
’Well，’saidhe，’whatdoyousaytothat？’
’Themanisablackguard，——ofcourse。’
’Heisso——thoughIdonotknowthatIwishtohearhimcalledsuchanamebyyourlips。Lethimbewhathemayhewasyourfriend。’
’Hewasmyacquaintance。’
’Hewasthemanwhomyouselectedtobeyourcandidatefortheboroughinoppositiontomywishes，andwhomyoucontinuedtosupportindirectdisobediencetomyorders。’
’Surely，Plantagenet，wehadallthataboutdisobedienceoutbefore。’
’Youcannothavesuchthingsout，——asyoucallit。Evil-doingwillnotburyitselfoutofthewayandbedonewith。Doyoufeelnoshameathavingyournamementionedascoreoftimeswithreprobationasthatmanmentionsit，——atbeingwrittenaboutbysuchamanasthat？’
’DoyouwantmetorollinthegutterbecauseImistookhimforagentleman？’
’Thatwasnotall，——norhalf。Inyoureagernesstoservesuchamiserablecreatureasthisyourforgotmeentreaties，mycommands，myposition！Iexplainedtoyouwhy，I，ofalmen，andyou，ofallwomen，aspartofme，shouldnotdothisthing，andyetyoudidit，mistakingsuchacurforaman！WhatamItodo？
HowamItofreemyselffromtheimpedimentswhichyoumakeforme？MyenemiesIcanovercome，——butIcannotescapethepitfallswhicharemadeformebymyownwife。Icanonlyretireintoprivatelifeandhopetoconsolemyselfwithmychildrenandmybooks。’
Therewasarealityoftragedyabouthimwhichforthemomentovercameher。Shehadnojokeready，nosarcasm，nofemininecounter-grumble。Littleassheagreedwithhimwhenhespokeofthenecessityofretiringintoprivatelifebecauseamanhadwrittentohimsuchaletterasthis，incapableasshewasofunderstandingfullythenatureoftheirritationwhichtormentedhim，stillsheknewthathewassuffering，andacknowledgedtoherselfthatshehadbeenthecauseoftheagony。’Iamsorry，’
sheejaculatedatlast。’WhatmorecanIsay？’
’WhatamItodo？Whatcanbesaidtotheman？Warburtonreadtheletter，andgaveitmeinsilence。Hecouldseetheterribledifficulty。’
’Tearitinpieces，andthenlettherebeanendofit。’
’Idonotfeelsurebutthathehasrightonhisside。Heis，asyousay，certainlyablackguard，orhewouldnotmakesuchaclaim。Heistakingadvantageofthemistakemadebyagood-
naturedwomanthroughherfollyandhervanity。’——ashesaidthistheDuchessgaveanabsurdlittlepout，butluckilyhedidnotseeit，——’andheknowsverywellthatheisdoingso。Butstillhehasashowofjusticeonhisside。Therewas，I
suppose，nochanceforhimatSilverbridgeafterIhadmademyselffullyunderstood。Themoneywasabsolutelywasted。Itwasyourpersuasionandyourcontinuedencouragementthatledhimtospendthemoney。’
’Payitthen。Thelosswillnothurtyou。’
’Ah——ifwecouldbutgetoutofourdifficultybypaying！
SupposethatIdopayit。IbegintothinkthatImustpayit，——
thatafterallIcannotallowsuchapleatoremainunanswered。
Butwhenitispaid——whatthen？DoyouthinksuchapaymentmadebytheQueen’sMinisterwillnotbeknowntoallthenewspapers，andthatIshallescapethechargeofhavingbribedthemantoholdhistongue？’
’Itwillbenobribeifyoupayhimbecauseyouthinkyouought。’
’ButhowshallIexcuseit？Therearethingsdonewhichareholyastheheavens，——whichareclearbeforeGodasthelightofthesun，whichleavenostainontheconscience，andwhichyetthemalignityofmancaninvestwiththeveryblackestofhell！I
shallknowwhyIpaythis500pounds。Becauseshewhoofalltheworldisthenearestanddearesttome，’——shelookedupintohisfacewithamazement，ashestoodstretchinghisarmsoutinenergy，——’hasinherimpetuousfollycommittedagrievousblunder，fromwhichshewouldnotallowherhusbandtosaveher，thissummustbepaidtothewretchedcraven。ButIcannottelltheworldthat。Icannotsayabroadthatthissmallsacrificeofmoneywasthejustestmeansofretrievingtheinjurywhichyouhavedone。’
’Sayitabroad。Sayiteverywhere。’
’No，Glencora。’
’DoyouthinkIwouldhaveyousparemeifitwasmyfault？Andhowwouldithurtme？WillitbenewtoanyonethatIhavedoneafoolishthing？Willthenewspapersdisturbmypeace？I
sometimesthink，Plantagenet，thatIshouldhavebeentheman，myskinissothick。andthatyoushouldhavebeenthewoman，yourissotender。’
’Butitisnotso。’
’Taketheadvantage，nevertheless，ofmytoughness。Sendhimthe500poundswithoutaword，——ormakeWarburtondoso，orMrMoreton。Makenosecretofit。Thenifthepaperstalkaboutit-’
’AquestionmightbeaskedaboutitintheHouse。’
’Orifquestionedinanyway，——saywhatIdid。Telltheexacttruth。Youarealwayssayingthatnothingbuttrutheverserves。
Letthetruthservenow。Ishallnotblench。YoursayingitallintheHouseofLordswon’twoundmehalfsomuchasyourlookingatmeasyoudidnow。’
’DidIwoundyou？GodknowsIwouldnothurtyouwillingly。’
’Nevermind。Goon。IknowyouthinkIhavebroughtitallonmyselfbymyownwickedness。Paythismanthemoney，andthenifanythingissaidaboutit，explainthatitwasmyfault，andsaythatyoupaidthemoneybecauseIhaddonewrong。’
Whenhecameinshehadbeenseatedonasofa，whichsheconstantlyusedherself，andhehadstoodoverher，masterful，imperious，andalmosttyrannical。Shehadfeltthistyranny，buthadresenteditlessthanusual，——orratherhadbeenlessdeterminedinholdingherownagainsthimandassertingherselfashisequal，——becausesheconfessedtoherselfthatshehadinjuredhim。Shehad，shethought，donebutlittle，butthatwhichshehaddonehadproducedthisinjury。Soshehadsatandenduredtheoppressionofhisstandingposture。Butnowhesatdownbyher，veryclosetoher，andputhishanduponhershoulder，——almostroundherwaist。
’Cora，’hesaid，’youdonotquiteunderstandit。’
’Ineverunderstandanything，Ithink，’sheanswered。
’Notinthiscase，——perhapsnever，——whatitisthatahusbandfeelsabouthiswife。DoyouthinkthatIcouldsayawordagainstyou，eventoafriend？’
’Whynot？’
’Ineverdid。Inevercould。IfmyangerwereatthehottestI
wouldnotconfesstoahumanbeingthatyouwerenotperfect，——
excepttoyourself。’
’Oh，thankyou！IfyouweretoscoldmevicariouslyIshouldfeelitless。’
’Donotjokewithmenow，forIamsomuchinearnest。AndifI
couldnotconsentthatyourconductshouldbecalledinquestionevenbyafriend，doyousupposeitpossiblethatIcouldcontriveanescapefromapubliccensurebylayingtheblamepubliclyonyou？’
’Sticktothetruth——that’swhatyoualwayssay。’
’Icertainlyshallsticktothetruth。Amanandhiswifeareone。Forwhatshedoesheisresponsible。’
’Theycouldn’thangyou，youknow，becauseIcommittedamurder。’
’Ishouldbewillingthattheyshoulddoso。No——ifIpaythismoneyIshalltaketheconsequences。Ishallnotdoitinanywayundertherose。ButIwishyouwouldremember——’
’Rememberwhat？IknowIshallneverforgetallthistroubleaboutthatdirtylittletown，whichIneverwillenteragainaslongasIlive。’
’Iwishyouwouldthinkthatinallthatyoudoyouaredealingwithmyfeelings，withmyheartstrings，withmyreputation。Youcannotdivideyourselffromme。nor，forthevalueofitall，wouldIwishthatsuchadivisionwerepossible。YousaythatI
amthin-skinned。’
’Certainlyyouare。Whatpeoplecalladelicateorganization，——
whereasIamroughandthickandmonstrouslycommonplace。’
’Thenshouldyoutoobethin-skinnedformysake。’
’IwishIcouldmakeyouthick-skinnedforyourown。It’stheonlywaytobedecentlycomfortableinsuchacoarse，rough-and-
tumbleworldasthisis。’
’Letusbothdoourbest，’hesaid，nowputtinghisarmroundherandkissingher。’IthinkIshallsendthemanhismoneyatonce。Itisthebestoftwoevils。Andnowletthereneverbeawordmoreaboutitbetweenus。’
Thenheleftherandwentback，——nottothestudyinwhichhewaswont，whenatMatching，toworkwithhisprivatesecretary，——
buttoasmallinnerclosetofhisown，inwhichmanyabittermomentwasspentwhilehethoughtoverthatabortivesystemofdecimalcoinagebywhichhehadoncehopedtomakehimselfoneofthegreatbenefactorsofhisnation，revolvinginhismindthetroubleswhichhiswifebroughtuponhim，andregrettingthegoldeninanityofthecoronetwhichintheveryprimeoflifehadexpelledhimfromtheHouseofCommons。Hereheseatedhimself，andforanhourneitherstirredfromhisseat，nortouchedapen，noropenedabook。HewastryingtocalculateinhismindwhatmightbetheconsequencesofpayingthemoneytoMrLopez。Butwhenthecalculationslippedfromhim，——asitdid，——thenhedemandedofhimselfwhetherstricthigh-mindedjusticedidnotcalluponhimtopaythemoneylettheconsequencesbewhattheymight。Andherehismindwastruertohim，andhewasabletofixhimselftoapurpose，——thoughtheresolutiontowhichhecamewasnot，perhaps，wise。
Whenthehourwasoverhewenttohisdesk，drewachequefor500
poundsinfavourofFerdinandLopez，andthencausedhisSecretarytosenditinthefollowingnote：
Matching，August4，187-
SIR，TheDukeofOmniumhasreadtheletteryouhaveaddressedtohim，datedthe3rdinstant。TheDukeofOmnium，feelingthatyoumayhavebeeninducedtoundertakethelatecontestatSilverbridgebymisrepresentationsmadetoyouatGatherumCastle，directsmetoencloseachequefor500pounds，thatbeingthesumstatedbyyoutohavebeenexpendedincarryingonthecontestatSilverbridge。
Iam，sir，Yourobedientservant，ARTHURWARBURTON
FerdinandLopez，Esq。
CHAPTER43
KAURIGUM。
ThereaderwillnodoubtthinkthatFerdinandLopezmusthavebeenveryhardlydrivenindeedbycircumstancesbeforehewouldhavemadesuchanappealtotheDukeasgiveninthelastchapter。Butitwasnotthewantofmoneyonlythathadbroughtitabout。Itmayberememberedthatthe500poundshadalreadybeenoncerepaidhimbyhisfather-in-law，——thatspecialsumhavingbeengiventohimforthatspecialpurpose。AndLopez，whenhewrotetotheDuke，assuredhimselfthatif，byanymiracle，hislettershouldproducepecuniaryresultsintheshapeofapaymentfromtheDuke，hewouldrefundthemoneysoobtainedtoMrWharton。Butwhenhewrotetheletterhedidnotexpecttogetthemoney，——nor，indeed，didheexpectthataidtowardsanotherseat，towhichhealludedatthecloseoftheletter。HeexpectedprobablynothingbuttovextheDuke，andtodrivetheDukeintocorrespondencewithhim。
ThoughthismanhadlivednearlyallhislifeinEngland，hehadnotquiteacquiredthatknowledgeofthewayinwhichthingsaredonewhichisgeneralamongmenofacertainclass，andsorareamongthosebeneaththem。HehadnotunderstoodthattheDuchess’spromiseofherassistanceatSilverbridgemightbetakenbyhimforwhatitwasworth，andthatheraidmightbeusedasfarasitwent，——but，thatintheeventofitsfailinghim，hewasboundinhonourtotaketheresultwithoutcomplaining，whateverthatresultmightbe。Hefeltthatagrievousinjury，——eventhoughitwereagainstawoman。HejustknewthathecouldnotverywellwritetotheDuchessherself，——
thoughtherewassometimespresenttohismindaplanforattackingherinpublic，andtellingherwhatevilshehaddonehim。HehadhalfresolvedthathewoulddosoinherowngardenatTheHorns——butonthatoccasiontheapparitionofArthurFletcherhaddisturbedhim，andhehadventedhisangerinanotherdirection。ButstillhiswrathagainsttheDukeandDuchessremained，andhewaswonttoindulgeitwithveryviolentlanguageashesatupononeofthechairsinSextyParker’soffice，talkingsomewhatloudlyofhisownposition，ofthethingsthathewoulddo，andoftheinjurydonehim。SextyParkersympathizedwithhimtothefull，——especiallyasthatfirst500pounds，whichhehadreceivedfromMrWharton，hadgoneintoSexty’scoffers。AtthattimeLopezandSextyweretogethercommittedtolargespeculationsintheguanotrade，andSexty’smindwasbynomeanseasyintheearlyperiodsoftheday。Ashewentintotownbyhistrainhewouldthinkofhiswifeandfamilyandoftheterriblethingsthatmighthappentothem。Butyet，uptothisperiod，moneyhadalwaysbeenforthcomingfromLopezwhenabsolutelywanted，andSextywasquitealivetothefactthathewaslivingwithafreedomofexpenditureinhisownhouseholdthathehadneverknownbefore，andthatwithoutapparentdamage。Whenever，therefore，atsomecriticalmoment，amuch-neededsumofmoneywasproducedSextywouldbecomelight-
hearted，triumphant，andverysympathetic。’Well——Ineverheardsuchastory，’hehadsaidwhenLopezwasinsistingonhiswrongs。’That’swhattheDukesandDuchessescallhonouramongthieves！Well，Ferdy，myboy，ifyoustandthatyou’llstandanything。’IntheselatterdaysSextyhadbecomeveryintimatewithhispartner。
’Idon’tmeantostandit，’Lopezhadreplied，andthenonthespothadwrittentheletterwhichhehaddatedfromManchesterSquare。Hehadcertainlycontrivedtomakethatletterasoppressiveaspossible。HehadbeencleverenoughtoputintoitwordswhichweresuretowoundthepoorDukeandtoconfoundtheDuchess。Andhavingwrittenithewasverycarefultokeepthefirstdraft，sothatifoccasioncamehemightuseitagainandpushforvengeancefarther。Buthecertainlyhadnotexpectedsucharesultasitproduced。
WhenhereceivedtheprivateSecretary’sletterwiththemoneyhewassittingoppositehisfather-in-lawatbreakfast，whilehiswifewasmakingthetea。NotmanyofhisletterscametoManchesterSquare。SextyParker’sofficeorhisclubweremoreconvenientaddresses，butinthiscasehehadthoughtthatManchesterSquarewouldhaveabettersoundandappearance。WhenheopenedtheletterthechequeofcourseappearedbearingtheDuke’sownsignature。Hehadseenthatandtheamountbeforehehadreadtheletter，andashesawithiseyetravelledquicklyacrossthetabletohisfather-in-law’sface。MrWhartonmightcertainlyhaveseenthechequeandeventheamount，probablyalsothesignature，withouttheslightestsuspicionastothenatureofthepaymentmade。Asitwas，hewaseatinghistoast，andhadthoughtnothingabouttheletter。Lopez，havingconcealedthecheque，readthefewwordswhichtheprivateSecretaryhadwritten，andthenputthedocumentwithitscontentsintohispocket。’Soyouthink，sir，ofgoingdowntoHertfordshireonthe15th，’hesaidinaverycheeryvoice。Thecheeryvoicewasstillpleasanttotheoldman，buttheyoungwifehadalreadycometodistrustit。Shehadlearned，thoughshewashardlyconscioushowthelessonhadcometoher，thatacertaintoneofcheerinessindicated，ifnotdeceit，atanyrateconcealmentofsomething。Itgratedagainstherspirit，andwhenthistonereachedherearsafrownorlookofsorrowwouldcomecrossherbrow。Andherhusbandalsohadperceivedthatitwasso，andknewatsuchtimesthathewasrebuked。Hewashardlyawarewhatdoings，andespeciallywhatfeelings，wereimputedtohimasfaults，——notunderstandingthelineswhichseparaterightfromwrong，butheknewthathewasoftencondemnedbyhiswife，andhelivedinfearthatheshouldalsobecondemnedbyhiswife’sfather。Haditbeenhiswifeonlyhethoughtthathecouldsoonhavequenchedhercondemnation。Hewouldsoonhavemadehertiredofshowingherdisapproval。Buthehadputhimselfintotheoldman’shouse，wheretheoldmancouldseenotonlyhimbuthistreatmentofhiswife，andtheoldman’sgood-willandgoodopinionwereessentialtohim。Yethecouldnotrestrainoneglanceofangeratherwhenshesawthatlookuponherface。
’IsupposeIshall，’saidthebarrister，’Imustgosomewhere。
Mygoingneednotdisturbyou。’
’Ithinkwehavemadeupourmind，’saidLopez，’totakeacottageatDovercourt。Itisnotaverylivelyplace，noryetfashionable。Butitisveryhealthy，andIcanrunuptotowneasily。Unfortunatelymybusinesswon’tletmebealtogetherawaythisautumn。’
’Iwishmybusinesswouldkeepme，’saidthebarrister。
’IdidnotunderstandthatyouhadmadeupyourmindtogotoDovercourt，’saidEmily。HehadspokentoMrWhartonoftheirjointactioninthematter，andastheplacehadonlyoncebeennamedbyhimtoher，sheresentedwhatseemedtobeafalsehood。
Sheknewthatshewastobetakenorleftasitsuitedhim。Ifhehadsaidboldly，——’We’llgotoDovercourt。That’swhatI’vesettledon。That’swhatwillsuitme，’shewouldhavebeencontented。Shequiteunderstoodthathemeanttohavehisownwayinsuchthings。Butitseemedtoherthathewantedtobeatyrantwithouthavingthecouragefortyranny。
’Ithoughtyouseemedtolikeit，’hesaid。
’Idon’tdislikeitatall。’
’Then，asitsuitsmybusiness，wemightaswellconsideritsettled。’Sosaying，helefttheroomandwentofftothecity。
Theoldmanwasstillsippinghisteaandlingeringoverhisbreakfastinawaythatwasnotusualwithhim。HewasgenerallyanxioustogetawaytoLincoln’sInn，andonmostmorningshadleftthehousebeforehisson-in-law。Emilyofcourseremainedwithhim，sittingsilentinherplaceoppositetotheteapot，meditatingperhapsonherprospectsofhappinessatDovercourt，-
aplaceofwhichshehadneverheardeventhenametwodaysago，andinwhichitwashardlypossiblethatsheshouldfindevenanacquaintance。Informeryearstheseautumnmonths，passedinHertfordshire，hadbeenthedelightofherlife。
MrWhartonalsohadseenthecloudonhisdaughter’sface，andhadunderstoodthenatureofthelittledialogueaboutDovercourt。Andhewasaware，——thattheyoungwife’smannerandtonetoherhusbandwasnotthatofperfectconjugalsympathy。
Hehadalreadysaidtohimselfmorethanoncethatshehadmadeherbedforherself，andmustlieuponit。Shewastheman’swife，andmusttakeherhusbandashewas。Ifshesufferedunderthisman’smodeandmanneroflife，he，asherfather，couldnotassisther，——coulddonothingforher，unlessthemanshouldbecomeabsolutelycruel。Hehadsettledthatwithinhisownmindalready——butyethisheartyearnedtowardsher，andwhenhethoughtthatshewasunhappy，helongedtocomfortherandtellherthatshestillhadafather。Butthetimehadnotcomeasyetinwhichhecouldcomfortherbysympathizingwithheragainstherhusband。Therehadneverfallenfromherlipsasyllableofcomplaint。Whenshehadspokentohimachancewordrespectingherhusband，ithadalwayscarriedwithitsometoneofaffection。Butstillhelongedtosaytohersomethingwhichmighttellherthathisheartwassofttowardsher。’Doyouliketheideaofgoingtothisplace？’hesaid。
’Idon’tatallknowwhatitwillbelike。Ferdinandsaysitwillbecheap。’
’Isthatofsuchavitalconsequence？’
’Ah——yes，Ifearit。’
Thiswasverysadtohim。Lopezhadalreadyhadfromhimaconsiderablesumofmoney，havingnotyetbeenmarriedtwelvemonths，andwasnowlivinginLondonalmostfreeofexpense。
Beforehismarriagehehadalwaysspokenofhimself，andhadcontrivedtobespokenof，asawealthyman，andnowhewasobligedtochoosesomesmallEnglishseasideplacetowhichtoretreat，becausethushemighthavealowrate！Hadtheybeenmarriedaspoorpeopletherewouldhavebeennothingtoregretinthis——therewouldbenothingthatmightbedonewithentiresatisfaction。But，asitwas，ittoldabadtaleforthefuture！
’Doyouunderstandhismoneymatters，Emily？’
’Notatall，papa。’
’Idonotintheleastmeantomakeinquiry。PerhapsIshouldhaveaskedbefore，——butifIdidmakeinquirynowitwouldbeofhim。ButIthinkawifeshouldknow。’
’Iknownothing。’
’Whatishisbusiness？’
’Ihavenoidea。IusedtothinkhewasconnectedwithMrMillsHappertonandwithMessrsHunkyandSons。’
’IshenotconnectedwithHunky’sbusiness？’
’Ithinknot。HehasapartnerofthenameofParker，whois，——
whoisnot，Ithink，quite——quiteagentleman。Ineversawhim。’
’WhatdoeshedowithMrParker？’
’Ibelievetheybuyguano。’
’Ah——that，Ifancy，wasonlyoneaffair。’
’I’mafraidhelostmoney，papa，bythatelectionatSilverbridge。’
’Ipaidthat，’saidMrWhartonsternly。Surelyhewouldhavetoldhiswifethathehadreceivedthatmoneyfromherfamily！
’Didyou？Thatwasverykind。Iamafraid，papa，weareagreatburdentoyou。’
’Ishouldnotmindit，mydear，iftherewereconfidenceandhappiness。Whatmatterwoulditbetomewhetheryouhadyourmoneynoworhereafter，sothatyoumighthaveitinthemannerthatwouldbemostbeneficialtoyou？Iwishhewouldbeopenwithme，andtellmeeverything。’
’ShallIlethimknowthatyousayso？’
Hethoughtforaminuteortwobeforeheansweredher。Perhapsthemanwouldbemoreimpressedifthemessagecametohimthroughhiswife。’Ifyouthinkthathewillnotbeannoyedwithyou，youmaydoso。’
’Idon’tknowwhyheshould，——butifitberight，thatmustbeborne。Iamnotafraidtosayanythingtohim。’
’Thentellhimso。Tellhimthatitwillbebetterthatheshouldletmeknowthewholeconditionofhisaffairs。Godblessyou，dear。’Thenhestoopedoverher，andkissedher，andwenthiswaytoStoneBuildings。
ItwasnotashesatatthebreakfasttablethatFerdinandLopezmadeuphismindtopockettheDuke’smoneyandtosaynothingaboutittoMrWharton。Hehadbeencarefultoconcealthecheque，buthehaddonesowiththefeelingthatthematterwasonetobeconsideredinhisownmindbeforetotookanystep。Asheleftthehouse，alreadyconsideringit，hewasinclinedtothinkthemoneymustbesurrendered。MrWhartonhadverygenerouslypaidhiselectioneeringexpenses，buthadnotdonesosimplywiththeviewofmakinghimapresentofmoney。HewishedtheDukehadtakenhimathisword。InhandingthischequeovertoMrWharton，hewouldbeforcedtotellthestoryofhislettertotheDuke，andwassurethatMrWhartonwouldnotapproveofhishavingwrittensuchaletter。Howcouldanyoneapproveofhishavingappliedforasumofmoneywhichhadalreadybeenpaidtohim？HowcouldsuchaoneasMrWharton，——anold-fashionedEnglishgentleman，——approveofsuchanapplicationbeingmadeunderanycircumstances？MrWhartonwouldveryprobablyinsistonhavingthechequesentbacktotheDuke，——whichwouldbeasorryendtothetriumphasatpresentachieved。AndthemorehethoughtofitthemorehesurehewasthatitwouldbeimprudenttomentiontoMrWhartonhisapplicationtotheDuke。Theoldmenofthepresentdaywere，hesaidtohimself，suchfoolsthattheyunderstoodnothing。Andthenthemoneywasveryconvenienttohim。HewasintentonobtainingSextyParker’sconsenttoalargespeculation，andknewthathecouldnotdosowithoutashowoffunds。Bythetime，therefore，thathehadreachedthecityhehadresolvedthatatanyrateforthepresenthewouldusethemoneyandsaynothingaboutittoMrWharton。Wasitnotspoilgotfromtheenemybyhisowncourageandcleverness？WhenhewaswritinghisacknowledgementforthemoneytoWarburtonhehadtaughthimselftolookuponthesumextractedfromtheDukeasamatterquitedistinctfromthepaymentmadetohimbyhisfather-in-law。
ItwasevidentonthatdaytoSextyParkerthathispartnerwasamanofgreatresources。Thoughthingssometimeslookedverybad，yetmoneyalways’turnedup’。Someoftheirbuyingsandsellingshadansweredprettywell。Somehadbeengreatfailures。Nogreatstrokehadbeenmadeasyet，butthenthegreatstrokewasalwaysbeingexpected。Sexty’sfearsweregreatlyexaggeratedbythefeelingthatthecoffeeandguanowerenotalwaysrealcoffeeandguano。Hispartner，indeed，wasoftheopinionthatinsuchatradeasthistheywerefollowingtherewasnoneedatallofrealcoffeeorrealguano，andexplainedhistheorywithconsiderableeloquence。’IfIbuyatonofcoffeeandkeepitsixweeks，whydoIbuyitandkeepit，andwhydoesthesellersellitinsteadofkeepingit？Thesellersellsitbecausehethinkshecandobestbypartingwithitnowatacertainprice。IbuyitbecauseIthinkIcanmakemoneybykeepingit。
Itisjustthesameasthoughwewerebacktoouropinions。Hebacksthefall。Ibacktherise。Youneedn’thavecoffeeandyouneedn’thaveguanotodothis。Indeedthepossessionofthecoffeeorguanoisonlyaveryclumsyadditiontothetroubleofyourprofession。Imakeitmystudytowatchthemarkets——butIneedn’tbuyeverythingIseeinordertomakemoneybymylabourandintelligence。’SextyParkerbeforehislunchalwaysthoughtthathispartnerwaswrong，butafterthatceremonyhealmostdailybecameaconverttothegreatdoctrine。CoffeeandguanostillhadtobeboughtbecausetheworldwasdullandwouldnotlearnthetricksoftradeastaughtbyFerdinandLopez，——
alsopossiblybecausesomebodymightwantsucharticles，——butourenterprisingherolookedforatimeinwhichnosuchdullburdenshouldbeimposedonhim。
Onthisday，whentheDuke’s500poundswasturnedintothebusiness，Sextyyieldedinalargematterwhichhispartnerhadbeenpressinguponhimforthelastweek。TheyboughtacargoofKaurigum，comingfromNewZealand。LopezhadreasonsforthinkingthatKaurigummusthaveagreatrise。Therewasanimmensedemandforamber，andKaurigummightbeusedasasubstitute，andinsixmonths’timewouldbedoubleitspresentvalue。Thisunfortunatelywasarealcargo。HecouldnotfindanindividualsoenterprisingastoventuretodealinacargoofKaurigumafterhisfashion。Butthenextbestthingwasdone。
Therealcargowasbought，andhisnameandSexty’snamewereonthebillsgivenforthegoods。Onthatdayhereturnedhomeinhighspiritsforhedidbelieveinhisownintelligenceandgoodfortune。
CHAPTER44
MRWHARTONTHINKSOFANEWWILL。
Onthatafternoon，immediatelyonthehusband’sreturntothehouse，hiswifespoketohimasherfatherhaddesired。OnthateveningMrWhartonwasdiningathisclub，andthereforetherewasthewholeeveningbeforethem。butthethingtobedonewasdisagreeable，andthereforeshediditatonce，——rushingintothematteralmostbeforehehadseatedhimselfinthearm-chairwhichhehadappropriatedtohisuseinthedrawing-room。’Papawastalkingaboutouraffairsafteryouleftthismorning，andhethinksthatitwouldbesomuchbetterifyouwouldtellhimaboutthem。’
’Whatmadehimtalkofthattoday？’hesaid，turningatheralmostangrilyandthinkingatonceoftheDuke’scheque。
’Isupposeitisnaturalthatheshouldbeanxiousaboutus，Ferdinand——andthemorenaturalashehasmoneytogiveifhechoosestogiveit。’
’Ihaveaskedhimfornothinglately——though，byGeorge，I
intendtoaskhimandthatveryroundly。Threethousandpoundsisn’tmuchofasumofmoneyforyourfathertohavegivenyou。’
’Andhepaidtheelectionbill——didn’the？’
’Hehasbeencomplainingofthatbehindmyback，——hashe？I
didn’taskhimforit，heofferedit。Iwasn’tsuchafoolastorefuse，butheneedn’tbringthatupasagrievancetoyou。’
’Itwasn’tbroughtupasagrievance。Iwassayingthatyourstandinghadbeenaheavyexpenditure——’
’Whydidyousayso？Whatmadeyoutalkaboutitatall？Whyshouldyoubediscussingmyaffairsbehindmyback？’
’Tomyownfather！AndthattoowhenyouaretellingmeeverydaythatIamtoinducehimtohelpyou。’
’NotbycomplainingthatIampoor。Buthowdiditallbegin？’
Shehadtothinkforamomentbeforeshecouldrecollecthowitdidbegin。’Therehasbeensomething，’hesaid，’whichyouareashamedtotellme。’
’ThereisnothingIamashamedtotellyou。Thereneverhasbeenandneverwillbeanything。’Andshestoodupasshespoke，withopeneyesandextendednostrils。’Whatevermaycome，howeverwretcheditmaybe，Ishallnotbeashamedofmyself。’
’Butofme！’
’Whydoyousayso？Whydoyoutrytomakeunhappinessbetweenus？’
’Youhavebeentalkingof——mypoverty。’
’MyfatheraskedwhyyoushouldgotoDovercourt，——andwhetheritwasbecauseitwouldsaveexpense。’
’Youwanttogosomewhere？’
’Notatall。IamcontentedtostayinLondon。ButIsaidthatI
thoughttheexpensehadagooddealtodowithit。Ofcourseithas。’
’Wheredoyouwanttobetaken？IsupposeDovercourtisnotfashionable。’
’Iwantnothing。’
’Ifyouarethinkingoftravellingabroad，Ican’tsparethetime。Itisn’tanaffairofmoney，andyouhadnobusinesstosayso。IthoughtoftheplacebecauseitisquietandbecauseI
cangetupanddowneasily。IamsorrythatIevercametoliveinthishouse。’
’Whydoyousaythat，Ferdinand？’
’Becauseyouandyourfathermakecabalsbehindmyback。IfthereisanythingIhateitisthatkindofthing。’
’Youareveryunjust，’shesaidtohimsobbing。’Ihavenevercaballed。Ihaveneverdoneanythingagainstyou。Ofcoursepapaoughttoknow。’
’Whyoughthetoknow？Whyisyourfathertohavetherightofinquiryintoallmyaffairs？’
’Becauseyouwanthisassistance。Itisonlynatural。Youalwaystellmetogethimtoassistyou。Hespoketomekindly，sayingthathewouldliketoknowhowthingsare。’
’Thenhewon’tknow。Asforwantinghisassistance，ofcourseI
wantthefortunewhichheoughttogivetoyou。HeisamanoftheworldenoughtoknowthatasIaminbusinesscapitalmustbeusefultome。Ishouldhavethoughtthatyouwouldunderstandasmuchasthatyourself。’
’Idounderstandit，Isuppose。’
’Thenwhydon’tyouactasmyfriendratherthanhis？Whydon’tyoutakemypart？Itseemstomethatyouaremuchmorehisdaughterthanmywife。’
’Thatismostunfair。’
’Ifyouhadanypluckyouwouldmakehimunderstandthatforyoursakeheoughttosaywhathemeanstodo，sothatImighthavetheadvantageofthefortunewhichIsupposehemeanstogiveyousomeday。Ifyouhadtheslightestanxietytohelpmeyoucouldinfluencehim。Insteadofthatyoutalktohimaboutmypoverty。
Idon’twanthimtothinkthatIamapauper。That’snotthewaytogetroundamanlikeyourfather，whoisrichhimselfandwhothinksitadisgraceinothermennottoberichtoo。’
’Ican’ttellhiminthesamebreaththatyouarerichandthatyouwantmoney。’
’Moneyisthemeansbywhichmenmakemoney。Ifhewasconfidentofmybusinesshe’dsellouthiscashquickenough！ItisbecausehehasbeentaughttothinkthatIaminasmallway。
He’llfindhismistakesomeday。’
’Youwon’tspeaktohimthen？’
’Idon’tsaythatatall。IfIfindthatitwillanswermyownpurposeIshallspeaktohim。ButitwouldbeverymucheasiertomeifIcouldgetyoutobecordialinhelpingme。’
Emilybythistimequiteknewwhatsuchcordialitymeant。Hehadbeensofreeinhiswordstoherthattherecouldbenomistake。
Hehadinstructedherto’getround’herfather。Andnowagainhespokeofherinfluenceoverherfather。Althoughherillusionswereallmeltingaway，——oh，soquicklyvanishing，——
stillsheknewthatitwasherdutytobetruetoherhusband，andtobehiswiferatherthanherfather’sdaughter。Butwhatcouldshesayonhisbehalf，knowingnothingofhisaffairs？Shehadnoideawhatwashisbusiness，whatwashisincome，whatamountofmoneysheoughttospendashiswife。Asfarasshecouldsee，——andhercommonsenseinseeingsuchthingswasgood，——hehadnoregularincome，andwasjustifiedinnoexpenditure。
Onherownaccountshewouldaskfornoinformation。Shewastooproudtorequestthatfromhimwhichshouldbegivenwithoutanyrequest。Butinherowndefenceshemusttellhimthatshecouldusenoinfluencewithherfatherassheknewnoneofthecircumstancesbywhichherfatherwouldbeguided。’Icannottellyouinthemanneryoumean，’shesaid，’becauseIknownothingmyself。’
’YouknowthatyoucantrustmetodothebestwithyourmoneyifIcouldgetholdofit，Isuppose？’Shecertainlydidnotknowthis，andheldhertongue。’Youcouldassurehimofthat？’
’Icouldonlytellhimtojudgeforhimself。’
’Whatyoumeanisthatyou’dseemed-dbeforeyouwouldopenyourmouthformetotheoldman！’
Hehadneverswornatherbefore，andnowsheburstoutintoafloodoftears。Itwastoheraterribleoutrage。Idonotknowthatawomanisverymuchtheworsebecauseherhusbandmayforgethimselfonanoccasionto’rapoutanoathather’，ashewouldcallitwhenmakingthebestofhisownsin。Suchanoffenceiscompatiblewithuniformkindnessandmostaffectionateconsideration。Ihaveknownladieswhowouldthinklittleornothingaboutit，——whowouldgonofartherthanthemildestprotest，——’Dorememberwhereyouare！’or’MydearJohn！’——ifnostrangerwerepresent。Butthenawifeshouldbeinitiatedintoitbydegreesandtherearedifferenttonesofbadlanguage，ofwhichbyfarthemostgeneralisthegood-humouredtone。Weallofusknowmenwhoneverdamntheirservantsorinferiors，orstrangers，orwomen，——whoinfactkeepitallfortheirbosomfriends，andifalittledoessometimesflowoverinthefreedomofdomesticlife，thewifeisapttorememberthatsheisthebosomerofherhusband’sfriends，andsotopardonthetransgression。Butherethewordhadbeenutteredwithallitsfoulestviolence，withvirulenceandvulgarity。Itseemedtothevictimtobethesignofaterriblecrisisinherearlymarriedlife，——asthoughthemanwhohadspokentohercouldneveragainloveher，neveragainbekindtoher，neveragainbesweetlygentleandlikealove。Andashespokeithelookedatherasthoughhewouldliketotearherlimbsasunder。Shewasfrightenedaswellashorrifiedandastounded。Shehadnotawordtosaytohim。Shedidnotknowinwhatlanguagetomakehercomplaintofsuchtreatment。Sheburstintotears，andthrowingherselfonthesofa，hidherfaceinherhands。’Youprovokemetobeviolent，’hesaid。Butstillshecouldnotspeaktohim。’Icomeawayfromthecity，tiredwithworkandtroubledwithathousandthings，andyouhavenothadakindwordtosaytome。’Thentherewasapause，duringwhichshestillsobbed。’Ifyourfatherhasanythingtosaytome，lethimsayit。Ishallnotrunaway。Butastogoingtohimofmyownaccordwithastoryaslongasmyarmaboutmyaffairs，Idon’tmeantodoit。’Thenhepausedamomentagain。’Come，oldgirl，cheerup！Don’tpretendtobebroken-heartedbecauseIusedahardword。Thereareworsethingsthanthattobeborneintheworld。’
’I——I——Iwassostartled，Ferdinand。’
’Amancan’talwaysrememberthatheisn’twithanotherman。
Don’tthinkanythingmoreaboutit，butdobearthisinmind，——
that，situatedasweare，yourinfluencewithyourfathermaybethemakingormarringofme。’Andsohelefttheroom。
Shehadsatforthenexttenminutesthinkingofitall。Thewordswhichhehadspokenweresohorriblethatshecouldnotgetthemoutofhermind，——couldnotbringherselftolookuponthemasatrifle。Thedarknessofhiscountenancestilldweltwithher，——andthatabsenceofalltenderness，thatcoarse，un-
maritalandyetmaritalroughness，whichshouldnotatanyratehavecometohimsosoon。Thewholemantoowassodifferentfromwhatshehadthoughthimtobe。Beforetheirmarriagenowordastomoneyhadeverreachedherearsfromhislips。Hehadtalkedtoherofbooks，——andespeciallyofpoetry。ShakespeareandMoliere，DanteandGoethe，hadbeenorhadseemedtobe，deartohim。Andhehadbeenfulloffineideasaboutwomen，andaboutmenintheirintercoursewithwomen。Forhissakeshehadseparatedherselffromallheroldfriends。Forhissakeshehadhurriedintoamarriagealtogetherdistastefultoherfather。
Forhissakeshehadclosedherheartagainsttheotherlover。
Trustingaltogetherinhimshehadventuredtothinkthatshehadknownwhatwasgoodforherbetterthanallthosewhohadbeenhercounsellors，andhadgivenherselftohimutterly。Nowshewasawake，herdreamwasover，andthenaturallanguageofthemanwasstillringinginherears。
Theymettogetheratdinnerandpassedtheeveningwithoutafurtherallusiontothescenewhichhadbeenacted。Hesatwithamagazineinhishand，everynowandthenmakingsomeremarkintendedtobepleasantbutwhichgratedonherearsasbeingfictitious。Shewouldanswerhim，——becauseitwasherdutytodoso，andbecauseshewouldnotcondescendtosulk。butshecouldnotbringherselfeventosaytoherselfthatallshouldbewithherasthoughthathorridwordhadnotbeenspoken。Shesatoverherworktillten，answeringhimwhenhespokeinavoicewhichwasalsofictitious，andthentookherselfofftoherbedthatshemightweepalone。Itwould，sheknew，belatebeforehewouldcometoher。