Onthenextmorningtherecameamessagetohimashewasdressing。MrWhartonwishedtospeaktohim。Wouldhecomedownbeforebreakfast，orwouldhecallonMrWhartoninStoneBuildings？Hesentdownwordthathewoulddothelatteratanhourtobefixed，andthendidnotshowhimselfinthebreakfast-
roomtillMrWhartonwasgone。’I’vegottogotoyourfatherto-day，’hesaidtohiswife，’andIthoughtitbestnottobegintillwecometotheregularbusiness。Ihopehedoesnotmeantobeunreasonable。’Tothisshemadenoanswer。’Ofcourseyouthinkthewantofreasonwillbeallonmyside。’
’Idon’tknowwhyyoushouldsayso。’
’BecauseIcanreadyourmind。Youdothinkso。You’vebeeninthesameboatwithyourfatherallyourlife，andyoucan’tgetoutofthatboatandgetintomine。Iwaswrongtocomeandlivehere。Ofcourseitwasnotthewaytowithdrawyoufromhisinfluence。’Shehadnothingtosaythatwouldnotangerhim，andwasthereforesilent。’Well。ImustdothebestIcanbymyself，Isuppose。Good-bye，’andsohewasoff。
’Iwanttoknow，’saidMrWharton，onwhomwasthrownbypremeditationonthepartofLopezthetaskofbeginningtheconversation，——’Iwanttoknowwhatisthenatureofyouroperation。Ihaveneverbeenquiteabletounderstandit。’
’IdonotknowthatIquiteunderstanditmyself，’saidLopezlaughing。
’Nomanalive，’continuedtheoldbarristeralmostsolemnly，’hasagreaterobjectiontothrusthimselfintoanotherman’saffairsthanIhave。AndIdidn’taskthequestionbeforeyourmarriage，——asperhapsIoughttohavedone，——Ishouldnotdosonow，wereitnotthatthedispositionofsomepartofmyearningsofmylifemustdependontheconditionofyouraffairs。’Lopezimmediatelyperceivedthatitbehovedhimtobeverymuchonthealert。Itmightbethatifheshowedhimselftobeverypoor，hisfather-in-lawwouldseethenecessityofassistinghimatonce，oritmightbe，thatunlesshecouldshowhimselftobeinprosperouscircumstances，hisfather-in-lawwouldnotassisthimatall。’Totellyoutheplaintruth，Iammindedtomakeanewwill。IhadofcoursemadearrangementsastomypropertybeforeEmily’smarriage。ThosearrangementsIthinkIshallnowalter。
IamgreatlydistressedwithEverett，andfromwhatIseeandfromafewwordsthathavedroppedfromEmily，Iamnot，totellyouthetruth，quitehappyastoyourposition。IfIunderstandrightlyyouareageneralmerchant，buyingandsellinggoodsinthemarket？’
’That’saboutit，sir。’
’Whatcapitalhaveyouinthebusiness？’
’Whatcapital？’
’Yes——howmuchdidyouputintoitatstarting？’
Lopezpausedamoment。Hehadgothiswife。Themarriagecouldnotbeundone。MrWhartonhadmoneyenoughforthemall，andwouldnotcertainlywouldnotdiscardhisdaughter。MrWhartoncouldplacehimonareallyequalfooting，andmightnotimprobablydosoifhecouldbemadetofeelsomeconfidenceinhisson-in-law。Atthismomenttherewasmuchdoubtwiththeson-in-lawwhetherhehadbetternottellthesimpletruth。’Ithasgoneinbydegrees，’hesaid。’AltogetherIhaveabout8，000
poundsinit。’Intruthhehadneverbeenpossessedofashilling。
’Doesthatincludethe3，000poundsyouhadfromme？’
’Yes。itdoes。’
’Thenyouhavemarriedmygirlandstartedintotheworldwithabusinessbasedon5，000pounds，andwhichhadsofarmiscarriedthatwithinamonthoftwoafteryourmarriageyouweredriventoapplytomeforfunds！’
’Iwantedmoneyforacertainpurpose。’
’Haveyouanypartner，MrLopez？’Thisaddresswasfelttobeveryominous。
’Yes。Ihaveapartnerwhoispossessedofcapital。HisnameisParker。’
’Thenhiscapitalisyourcapital。’
’Well——Ican’texplainit，butitisnotso。’
’Whatisthenameofyourfirm？’
’Wehaven’taregisteredname。’
’Haveyouaplaceofbusiness？’
’ParkerhasaplaceofbusinessinLittleTankardYard。’
MrWhartonturnedtoadirectoryandfoundoutParker’sname。
’MrParkerisastockbroker。Areyoualsoastockbroker？’
’No，——Iamnot。’
’Then，sir，itseemstomethatyouareacommercialadventurer。’
’Iamnotatallashamedofthename，MrWharton。AccordingtoyourmannerofreckoninghalfthebusinessoftheCityofLondonisdonebycommercialadventurers。Iwatchthemarketsandbuygoods，——andsellthemataprofit。MrParkerisamoneyedman，whohappensalsotobeastockbroker。Wecanveryeasilycallourselvesmerchants，andputupthenamesofLopezandParkeroverthedoor。’
’Doyousignbillstogether？’
’Yes。’
’AsLopezandParker？’
’No。Isignthemandhesignsthem。Itradealsobymyself，andso，Ibelieve，doeshe。’
’Oneotherquestion，MrLopez。Onwhatincomehaveyoupaidincome-taxforthelastthreeyears？’
’On2，000poundsayear，’saidLopez。Thiswasadirectlie。
’Canyoumakeoutanyscheduleshowingyourexactassetsandliabilitiesatthepresenttime？’
’CertainlyIcan。’
’Thendoso，andsendittomebeforeIgointoHertfordshire。
Mywillasitstandsatpresentwouldnotbetoyouradvantage。
ButIcannotchangeittillIknowmoreofyourcircumstancesthanIdonow。’Andsotheinterviewwasover。
CHAPTER45
MRSSEXTYPARKER。
ThoughMrWhartonandLopezmeteverydayforthenextweek，nothingmorewassaidabouttheschedule。Theoldmanwasthinkingaboutiteveryday，andsowasLopez。ButMrWhartonhadmadehisdemand，and，ashethought，nothingmorewastobesaidonthesubject。Hecouldnotcontinuethesubjectashewouldhavedonewithhisson。Butasdayafterdaypassedbyhebecamemoreandmoreconvincedthathisson-in-law’saffairswerenotinastatewhichcouldbeartoseethelight。Hehaddeclaredhispurposeofalteringhiswillintheman’sfavour，ifthemanwouldsatisfyhim。Andyetnothingwasdoneandnothingwassaid。
Lopezhadcomeamongthemandrobbedhimofhisdaughter。Sincethemanhadbecomeintimateinhishousehehadnotknownanhour’shappiness。Themanhaddestroyedalltheplansofhislife，brokenthroughhiscastle，andviolatedhisveryhearth。
Nodoubthehimselfhadvacillated。Hewasawareofthat。Nopresentmoodwassevereenoughinjudginghimself。Inhisdesolationhehadtriedtotakethemantohisheart，——hadbeenkindtohim，andhadevenopenedhishousetohim。Hehadtoldhimselfthatasthemanwasthehusbandofhisdaughterhehadbettermakethebestofit。Hehadendeavouredtomakethebestofit，butbetweenhimandthemanthereweresuchdifferencesthattheywerepolesasunder。Andnowitbecamecleartohimthatthemanwas，ashehaddeclaredtotheman’sface，nobetterthananadventurer！
Byhiswillasitatpresentstoodhehadlefttwo-thirdsofhispropertytoEverett，andone-thirdtohisdaughter，witharrangementsforsettlinghershareonherchildren，shouldshebemarriedandhavechildrenatthetimeofhisdeath。Thiswillhadbeenmademanyyearsago，andhehadlongsincedeterminedtoalterit，inorderthathemightdividehispropertyequallybetweenhischildren——buthehadpostponedthematter，intendingtogivealargeportionofEmily’ssharetoherdirectlyonhermarriagewithArthurFletcher。ShehadnotmarriedArthurFletcher——butitwasstillnecessarythatanewwillshouldbemade。
WhenhelefttownforHertfordshirehehadnotyetmadeuphismindhowthisshouldbedone。HehadatonetimethoughtthathewouldgivesomeconsiderablesumtoLopezatonce，knowingthattoamaninbusinesssuchassistancewouldbeuseful。Andhehadnotaltogetherabandonedthatidea，evenwhenhehadaskedfortheschedule。Hedidnotrelishthethoughtofgivinghishard-
earnedmoneytoLopez，butstilltheman’swifewashisdaughter，andhemustdothebestthathecouldforher。Hertasteinmarryingthemanwasinexplicabletohim。Butthatwasdone——
andnowhowmighthebestarrangehisaffairssoastoserveherinterests？
AboutthemiddleofAugusthewenttoHertfordshireandshetotheseasideinEssex，——tothelittleplacewhichLopezhadselected。Beforetheendofthemonththefather-in-lawwrotealinetohisson-in-law。
DEARLOPEZ，notwithoutpremeditationhadhedepartedfromthesternnessofthat’MrLopez’，whichinhisangerhehadusedatthechambers。
WhenwewerediscussingyouraffairsIaskedyouforascheduleofyourassetsandliabilities。IcanmakenonewarrangementofmypropertyuntilIreceivethis。
ShouldIdieleavingmypresentwillastheinstrumentunderwhichmypropertywouldbeconveyedtomyheirs，Emily’ssharewouldgointothehandsoftrusteesfortheuseofherselfandherpossiblechildren。Itellyouthisthatyoumayunderstandthatitisforyourowninteresttocomplywithmyrequisition。
Yours，A。WHARTON
Ofcoursequestionswereaskedhimastohowthenewlymarriedcoupleweregettingon。AtWhartonthesequestionsweremildandeasilyputoff。SirAluredwascontentedwithaslightshakeofhishead，andLadyWhartononlyremarkedforthefifthorsixthtimethatit’wasapity’。ButwhentheyallwenttoLongbarns，thedifficultybecamegreater。Arthurwasnotthere，andoldMrsFletcherwasinfullstrength。’SotheLopezeshavecometolivewithyouinManchesterSquare？’MrWhartonacknowledgedthatitwassowithanaffirmativegrunt。’Ihopehe’sapleasantinmate。’Therewasascornintheoldwoman’svoiceasshesaidthis，whichoughttohaveprovokedanyman。
’Moresothanmostmenwouldbe，’saidMrWharton。
’Oh，indeed！’
’Heiscourteousandforbearing，anddoesnotthinkthateverythingaroundhimshouldbesuitedtohisownpeculiarfancies。’
’Iamgladyouarecontentedwiththemarriage，MrWharton。’
’WhosaidthatIamcontentedwithit？Nooneoughttounderstandortosharemydiscontentsocordiallyasyourself，MrsFletcher——andnooneoughttobemorecharyofspeakingofit。YouandIhopedforotherthings，andoldpeopledonotliketobedisappointed。ButIneedn’tpaintthedevilblackerthanheis。’
’I’mafraidthat，asusual，heisratherblack。’
’Mother，’saidJohnFletcher，’thethinghasbeendoneandyoumightaswellletitbe。WeareallsorrythatEmilyhasnotcomenearertous，butshehasarighttochooseforherself，andIforonewish，——asdoesmybrotheralso，——thatshemaybehappyinthelotshehaschosen。’
’HisconducttoArthuratSilverbridgewassonice！，’saidthepertinaciousoldwoman。
’Nevermindhisconduct，mother。Whatisittous？’
’That’sallverywell，John，butaccordingtothatnobodyistotalkaboutanybody。’
’Iwouldmuchprefer，atanyrate，’saidMrWharton，’thatyouwouldnottalkaboutMrLopezinmyhearing。’
’Idon’tlikeLopez，youknow，’MrWhartonsaidtoJohnFletcherafterwards。’HowshoulditbepossiblethatIshouldlikesuchaman？Buttherecanbenogoodgotbycomplaints。Itisnotwhatyourmothersuffers，orwhatevilIcansuffer，——or，worseagain，whatArthurmaysuffer，thatmakesthesadnessofallthis。Whatwillbeherlife？Thatisthequestion。Anditistoonearme，tooimportanttome，fortheenduranceeitherofscornorpity。Iwasgladyouaskedyourmothertobesilent。’
’Icanunderstandit，’saidJohn。’Idonotthinkthatshewilltroubleyouagain。’
InthemeantimeLopezreceivedMrWharton’sletteratDovercourt，andhadtoconsiderwhatanswerheshouldgivetoit。Noanswercouldbesatisfactory，——unlesshecouldimposeafalseansweronhisfather-in-lawsoastomakeitcredible。Themorehethoughtofit，themorehebelievedthiswouldbeimpossible。Thecautiousoldlawyerwouldnotacceptunverifiedstatements。A
certainsumofmoney，——bynomeansilliberalatpresent，——hehadalreadyextractedfromtheoldman。Whathewantedwasafurtherandmuchlargergrant。ThoughMrWhartonwasoldhedidnotwanttohavetowaitforthedeathevenofanoldman。Thenexttwoorthreeyears，——probablytheverynextyear，——mightbetheturning-pointofhislife。Hehadmarriedthegirl，andoughttohavethegirl’sfortune，——downonthenail！Ashethoughtofthishecursedhisillluck。Thehusbandsofothergirlshadtheirfortunesconveyedtothemimmediatelyontheirmarriage。Whatwouldnot20，000poundsdoforhim，ifhecouldgetitintohishand？Andsohetaughthimselftoregardtheoldmanasarobberandhimselfasavictim。Whoamongusistherewhodoesnotteachhimselfthesamelesson？Andthentoohowcruelly，howdamnablyhehadbeenusedbytheDuchessofOmnium！
AndhowSextyParker，whosefortunehewasmakingforhim，whosefortuneheatanyrateintendedtomake，wastroublinghiminvariousways。’We’reinaboattogether，’Sextyhadsaid。
’You’vehadtheuseofmymoney，andbyheavensyouhaveitstill。Idon’tseewhyyoushouldbesostiff。DoyoubringyourmissustoDovercourt，andI’lltakemine，andlet’emknoweachother。’Therewasalittleargumentonthesubject，butSextyParkerhadthebestofit，andinthiswaythetriptoDovercourtwasarranged。
Lopezwasinaverygoodhumourwhenhetookhiswifedown，andhewalkedherroundtheterracesandesplanadesofthatnotsufficientlywell-knownmarineparadise，nowbiddingheradmiretheseaandnowlaughingatthefineryofthepeople，tillshebecamegraduallyfilledwiththeideathathewasmakinghimselfpleasant，shealsooughttodothesame。Ofcourseshewasnothappy。Thegildinghadsocompletelyandsorapidlybeenwashedoffheridolthatshecouldnotbeveryhappy。Butshealsocouldbegood-humoured。’Andnow，’saidhe，smiling，’Ihavegotsomethingforyoutodoforme，——somethingthatyouwillfindverydisagreeable。’
’Whatisit？Itwon’tbeverybad，I’msure。’
’Itwillbeverybad，I’mafraid。Myexcellentbuthorriblyvulgarpartner，SextyParker，whenhefoundthatIwascominghere，insistedonbringinghiswifeandchildrenalso。Iwantyoutoknowthem。’
’Isthatall？ShemustbeverybadindeedifIcan’tputupwiththat。’
’Inonesensesheisn’tbadatall。Ibelievehertobeanexcellentwoman，intentonspoilingherchildrenandgivingherhusbandagooddinnereveryday。ButIthinkyouwillfindthatsheis，——well，——notquitewhatyouwouldcallalady。’
’Ishan’tmindthatintheleast。I’llhelpherspoilthechildren。’
’Youcangetalessonthere，youknow，’hesaid，lookingintoherface。Thelittlejokewasonewhichayoungwifemighttakewithpleasurefromherhusband，butherlifehadalreadybeentoomuchembitteredforanysuchdelight。Yes。thetimewascomingwhenthattroublealsowouldbeaddedtoher。Shedreadedsheknewnotwhat，andhadoftentoldherselfthatitwouldbebetterthatsheshouldbechildless。
’Doyoulikehim？’shesaid。
’Likehim。No——Ican’tsayIlikehim。Heisuseful，andinonesensehonest。’
’Ishenothonestinallsenses？’
’That’salargeorder。Totellyouthetruth，Idon’tknowanymanwhois。’
’Everettishonest。’
’Helosesmoneyatplaywhichhecan’tpaywithoutassistancefromhisfather。Ifhisfatherhadrefused，wherewouldthenhavebeenhishonesty？Sextyisashonestasothers，Idaresay，butIshouldn’tliketotrusthimmuchfartherthanIcouldseehim。Ishan’tgouptotownto-morrow，andwe’llbothlookinonthemafterluncheon。’
Intheafternoonthecallwasmade。TheParkers，havingchildren，haddinedearly，andhewassittingoutonalittleporchsmokinghispipe，drinkingwhiskyandwater，andlookingatthesea。Hiseldestgirlwasstandingbetweenhislegs，andhiswife，withtheotherthreechildrenroundher，wassittingonthedoor-step。’I’vebroughtmywifetoseeyou，’saidLopez，holdinghishandtoMrsParker，assherosefromtheground。
’Itoldherthatyou’dbecoming，’saidSexty，’andshewantedmetoputoffmypipeandlittledropofdrink。butIsaidthatifMrsLopezwastheladyItookhertobeshewouldn’tbegrudgeahard-workingfellowhispipeandglassonaholiday。’
TherewasasoundnessofsenseinthiswhichmollifiedanyfeelingofdisgustwhichEmilymighthavefeltattheman’svulgarity。’Ithinkyouarequiteright，MrParker。Ishouldbeverysorryif，——if——’
’IfIwastoputmypipeout。Well，Iwon’t。You’lltakeaglassofsherry，Lopez？ThoughI’mdrinkingspiritsmyself。I
broughtdownahamperofsherrywine。Oh，nonsense——youmusttakesomething。That’sright，Jane。Letushavethestuffandtheglasses，andthentheycandoastheylike。’Lopezlitacigar，andallowedhishosttopouroutforhimaglassof’sherrywine’，whileMrsLopezwentintothehousewithMrsParkerandthechildren。
MrsParkeropenedherselfouttohernewfriendimmediately。Shehopedthattheytwomightsee’adealofeachother，——thatis，ifyoudon’tthinkit’stoopushing’。Sextus，shesaid，wassomuchaway，comingdowntoDovercourtonlyeveryotherday！Andthen，withinthehalfhourwhichwasconsumedbyLopezwithhiscigar，thepoorwomangotuponthegeneraltroublesofherlife。
DidMrsLopezthinkthat’allthisspeckelationwasjusttherightthing？’
’Idon’tthinkIknowanythingaboutit，MrsParker。’
’Butyouought——oughtn’tyou，now？Don’tyouthinkthatawifeoughttoknowwhatitisthatherhusbandisafter——speciallyifthere’schildren？Agoodbitofmoneywasmine，MrsLopez，andthoughIdon’tbegrudgeit，notonebit，ifanygoodistocomeoutofittohimorthem，awomandoesn’tlikewhatherfatherhasgivenhershouldbemadeducksanddrakesof。’
’Butaretheymakingducksanddrakes？’
’Whenhedon’ttellmeI’malwaysafeard。AndI’lltellyouwhatIknowjustaswellastwoandtwo。Whenhecomeshomealittleflustered，andthentakesmorethanhisregularallowance，he’sbeenatsomethingasdon’tquitesatisfyhim。He’sneverthatwaywhenhe’sdoneagoodday’sworkathisregularbusiness。Hetakestothechildrenthen，andhasoneglassafterhisdinner，andtellsmeallaboutit，——downtotheshillingsandpence。
Butit’sveryseldomhe’sthatwaynow。’
’Youmaythinkitveryodd，MrsParker，butIdon’tintheleastknowwhatmyhusbandis——inbusiness。’
’Andyouneverask？’
’Ihaven’tbeenverylongmarried，youknow，——onlyabouttwomonths。’
’I’dhadmyfustbythattime。’
’Onlyninemonths，Ithink，indeed。’
’Well。Iwasn’tverylongafterthat。ButItookcaretoknowwhatitwashewasa-doingofinthecitylongbeforethattime。
AndIdidusetoknoweverything，till——’Shewasgoingtosay，tillLopezhadcomeuponthescene。Butshedidnotwish，atanyrateasyet，tobeharshtohernewfriend。
’Ihopeitisallright，’saidEmily。
’Sometimeshe’sasthoughtheBankofEnglandwasallhisown。
Andthere’sbeenmoremoneycomeintothehouse——thatImustsay。Andthereisn’tanopen-handederonethanSextyanywhere。
He’dliketoseemeinasilkgowneverydayofmylife——andasforthechildren，there’snothingsmartenoughforthem。OnlyI’dsoonerhavealittleandsafe，thananythingeversofine，andneverbesurewhetheritwasn’tgoingtocometoanend。’
’ThereIagreewithyou，quite。’
’Idon’tsupposemenfeelsitaswedo。but，oh，MrsLopez，givemealittlesafe，sothatImayknowthatIshan’tseemychildrenwant。WhenIthinkswhatitwouldbetohavethemdarlings’littlebelliesempty，andnothinginthecupboard，I
getthatlowthatI’mnighfitforBedlam。’
Inthemeantimethetwomenoutsidetheporchwerediscussingtheiraffairsinsomewhatthesamespirit。AtlastLopezshowedthefriendWharton’sletter，andtoldhimoftheexpectedschedule。’Schedulebed-d，youknow，’saidLopez。’HowamItoputdownariseof12s。6datononKauriguminaschedule？Butwhenyoucometo2，000tonsit’s1，250pounds。’
’He’sveryold，isn’the？’
’Butasstrongasahorse。’
’He’sgotthemoney？’
’Yes——hehasgotitsafeenough。There’snodoubtaboutthemoney。’
’Whathetalksaboutisonlyawill。Nowyouwantthemoneyatonce。’
’OfcourseIdo——andhetalkstomeasifIweresomeoldfogywithanestateofmyown。Imustconcoctaletterandexplainmyviews。andthemoreIcanmakehimunderstandhowthingsreallyarethebetter。Idon’tsupposehewantstoseehisdaughtercometogrief。’
’Thenthesooneryouwriteitthebetter，’saidMrParker。
CHAPTER46
’HEWANTSTOGETRICHTOOQUICK。’
AstheystrolledhomeLopeztoldhiswifethathehadacceptedaninvitationtodinethenextdayattheParker’scottage。Indoingthishismannerwasnotquitesogentleaswhenhehadaskedhertocallonthem。Hehadbeenalittleruffledbywhathadbeensaid，andnowexhibitedhistemper。’Idon’tsupposeitwillbeverynice，’hesaid，’butwemayhavetoputupwithworsethingsthanthat。’
’Ihavemadenoobjection。’
’Butyoudon’tseemtotakeitverycordially。’
’IhadthoughtIhadgotonverywellwithMrsParker。Ifyoucaneatyourdinnerwiththem，I’msureIcan。Youdonotseemtolikehimaltogether，andIwishyouhadgotapartnermoretoyourtaste。’
’Tasteindeed！Whenyoucometothiskindofthingitisn’tamatteroftaste。Thefactis，thatIaminthefellow’shandstoanextentIdon’tliketothinkof，anddon’tseemywayoutofitunlessyourfatherwilldoasheoughttodo。Youaltogetherrefusetohelpmewithyourfather，andyoumust，therefore，putupwithSextyParkerandhiswife。ItisquiteonthecardsthatworsethingsmaycomeeventhanSextyParker。’Tothisshemadenoimmediateanswer，butwalkedon，increasingherpace，notonlyunhappy，butalsoveryangry。Itwasbecomingamatterofdoubttoherwhethershecouldcontinuetobeartherepeatedattacksaboutherfather’smoney。’Icanseehowitis，’hecontinued。
’Youthinkthatahusbandshouldbearallthetroublesoflife，andthatawifeshouldneverbemadetohearofthem。’
’Ferdinand，’shesaid，’IdeclareIdidnotthinkthatanymancouldbesounfairtoawomanasyouaretome。’
’Ofcourse！BecauseIhaven’tgotthousandsayeartospendonyouIamunfair。’
’Iamcontenttoliveinanywaythatyoumaydirect。Ifyouarepoor，Iamsatisfiedtobepoor。Ifyouareevenruined，Iamcontenttoberuined。’
’Whoistalkingaboutruin？’
’Ifyouareinwantofeverything，Ialsowillbeinwantandwillnevercomplain。WhateverourjointlotmaybringtousI
willendureandendeavourtoendurewithcheerfulness。ButI
willnotaskmyfatherformoney，eitherforyouorformyself。
Heknowswhatheoughttodo。Itrusthimimplicitly。’
’Andmenotatall。’
’Heis，Iknow，incommunicationwithyouaboutwhatshouldbedone。Icanonlysay，——tellhimeverything。’
’Mydear，thatisamatterinwhichitmaybepossiblethatI
understandmyowninterestbest。’
’Verylikely。Icertainlyunderstandnothing，forIdonotevenknowthenatureofyourbusiness。HowcanItellhimthatheoughttogiveyoumoney？’
’Youmighthaveaskedhimforyourown。’
’Ihavegotnothing。DidIevertellyouthatIhad？’
’Yououghttohaveknown。’
’DoyoumeanthatwhenyouaskedmetomarryyouIshouldhaverefusedyoubecauseIdidnotknowwhatmoneymypapawouldgiveme？Whydidyounotaskpapa？’
’HadIknownhimthenaswellasIdonowyoumaybequitesurethatIshouldhavedoneso。’
’Ferdinand，itwillbebetterthatweshouldnotspeakaboutmyfather。Iwillinallthingsstrivetodoasyouwouldhaveme，butIcannothearhimabused。Ifyouhaveanythingtosay，gotoEverett。’
’Yes——whenheissuchagamblerthatyourfatherwon’tevenspeaktohim。Yourfatherwillbefounddeadinbedsomeday，andallhismoneywillhavebeenlefttosomecursedhospital。’
Theywereattheirowndoorwhenthiswassaid，andshe，withoutfurtheranswer，wentuptoherbedroom。
Allthesebitterthingshadbeensaid，notbecauseLopezhadthoughtthathecouldfurtherhisownviewsbysayingthem——heknewindeedthathewasinjuringhimselfbyeverydisplayofill-
temper——butshewasinhispower，andSextyParkerwasrebelling。Hethoughtagooddealthatdayonthedelighthewouldhavein’kickingthatill-conditionedcur’，ifonlyhecouldaffordtokickhim。Butiswifewashisown，andshemustbetaughttoendurehiswill，andmustbemadetoknowthatthoughshewasnottobekicked，yetshewastobetormentedandill-used。Anditmightbepossiblethatheshouldcowherspiritsastobringhertoactassheshoulddirect。Still，ashewalkedalonealongthesea-shore，heknewthatitwouldbebetterforhimtocontrolhistemper。
OnthateveninghedidwritetoMrWharton，——asfollows，——andhedatedtheletterfromLittleTankardYard，sothatMrWhartonmightsupposethatthatwashisownplaceofbusiness，andthathewasthere，athiswork：
MYDEARSIR，Youhaveaskedforascheduleofmyaffairs，andIhavefounditquiteimpossibletogiveit。AsitwaswiththemerchantswhomShakespeareandtheotherdramatistsdescribed，——soitiswithme。Mycaravelsareoutatsea，andwillnotalwayscomehomeintime。Mypropertyatthismomentconsistsofcertainsharesofcargoesofjute，Kaurigum，guano，andsulphur，worthaltogetheratthepresentmomentsomethingover26，000pounds，ofwhichMrParkerpossessesahalf——butthenofthispropertyonlyaportionispaidfor，——perhapssomethingmorethanahalf。Fortheotherhalfourbillsareinthemarket。
ButinFebruarynextthesearticleswillprobablybesoldforconsiderablymorethan30，000pounds。IfIhad5，000
poundsplacedtomycreditnow，Ishouldbeworthabout15，000poundsbytheendofnextFebruary。Iamengagedinsundryothersmallerventures，allreturningprofits——
butinsuchaconditionofthingsitisimpossiblethatIshouldmakeaschedule。
Iamundoubtedlyintheconditionofamantradingbeyondhiscapital。Ihavebeentemptedbyfairoffers，andwhatIthinkImaycallsomethingbeyondanaverageunderstandingofsuchmatters，togointoventuresbeyondmymeans。Ihavestretchedmyarmouttoofar。InsuchapositionitisnotperhapsunnaturalthatIshouldaskawealthyfather-in-lawtoassistme。ItiscertainlynotunnaturalthatIshouldwishhimtodoso。
IdonotthinkIamamercenaryman。WhenImarriedyourdaughterIraisednoquestionofherfortune。BeingembarkedintradeInodoubtthoughtthathermeans，——
whatevertheymightbe，——wouldbejoinedwithmyown。I
knowthatasumof20，000pounds，withmyexpeditioususeofthemoney，wouldgiveusanobleincome。ButIwouldnotcondescendtoaskaquestionwhichmightleadtoasuppositionthatIwasmarryingherforhermoneyandnotbecauseIlovedher。
Younowknow，Ithink，allthatIcantellyou。IftherebeanyotherquestionsIwouldwillinglyanswerthem。ItiscertainlythecasethatEmily’sfortune，whateveryoumaychoosetogiveher，wouldbeofinfinitelygreaterusetomenow，——andconsequentlytoher，——thanatafuturedatewhichIsincerelypraymaybeverylongdeferred。
Believemetobe，youraffectionateson-in-lawFERDINANDLOPEZ
A。Wharton，Esq。
Thisletterhehimselftookuptotownonthefollowingday，andthereposted，addressingittoWhartonHall。Hedidnotexpectverygreatresultsfromit。Ashereaditover，hewaspainfullyawarethatallthistrashaboutcaravelsandcargoesofsulphurwouldnotgoveryfarwithMrWharton。Butitmightgofartherthannothing。HewasboundnottoneglectMrWharton’slettertohim。Whenamanisindifficultyaboutmoney，evenalie，——evenaliethatissuretobefoundouttobealie，——willservehisimmediateturnbetterthansilence。Thereisnothingthatthecourtshatesomuchascontempt——notevenperjury。AndLopezfeltthatMrWhartonwasthejudgebeforewhomhewasboundtoplead。
HereturnedtoDovercourtonthatday，andheandhiswifedinedwiththeParkers。NowomanofheragehadknownbetterwhatwerethemannersofladiesandgentlementhanEmilyWharton。ShehadthoroughlyunderstoodthatwheninHertfordshireshewassurroundedbypeopleofthatclass，andthatwhenshewaswithheraunt，MrsRoby，shewasnotquitesohappilyplaced。Nodoubtshehadbeenterriblydeceivedbyherhusband，——butthedeceithadcomefromthefactthathismannersgavenoindicationofhischaracter。WhenshefoundherselfinMrsParker’slittlesitting-room，withMrParkermakingfloridspeechestoher，sheknewthatshehadfallenamongpeopleforwhosesocietyshehadnotbeenintended。Butthiswasapart，andonlyaverytriflingpart，ofthepunishmentwhichshefeltthatshedeserved。Ifthat，andthingslikethat，wereall，shewouldbearthemwithoutamurmur。
’NowIcallDovercourtadoocednicelittleplace，’saidMrsParker，ashehelpedhertothe’bitfish’，whichhetoldherhehadbroughtdownwithhimfromLondon。
’Itisveryhealthy，Ishouldthink。
’Justthethingforthechildren，ma’am。You’venoneofyourown，MrsLopez，butthere’sagoodtimecoming。Youwereupto-
day，weren’tyou，Lopez。Anynews？’
’Thingsseemedtobeveryquietinthecity。’
’Tooquiet，I’mafraid。Ihatehaving’emquiet。YoumustcomeandseemeinLittleTankardYardsomeofthesedays，MrsLopez。
Wecangiveyouaglassofchampagneandthewingofachicken——
can’twe，Lopez？’
’Idon’tknow。It’smorethanyouevergaveme，’saidLopez，tryingtolookgood-humoured。
’Butyouain’talady。’
’Orme，’saidMrsParker。
’You’reonlyawife。IfMrsLopezwillmakeadayofitwe’lltreatherwellinthecity——won’twe，Ferdinand？’Ablackcloudcomeacross’Ferdinand’s’face，buthesaidnothing。Emilyofasuddendrewherselfupunconsciously，——andthenatoncerelaxedherfeaturesandsmiled。Ifherhusbandchosethatitshouldbeso，shewouldmakenoobjection。
’Uponmyhonour，Sexty，youareveryfamiliar，’saidMrsParker。
’It’sawaywehaveinthecity，’saidSexty。Sextyknewwhathewasabout。HispartnercalledhimSexty，andwhyshouldn’thecallhispartnerFerdinand？
’He’llcallyouEmilybeforelong，’saidLopez。
’WhenyoucallmywifeJane，Ishall，——andI’venoobjectioninlife。Idon’tseewhypeopleain’ttocalleachotherbytheirChristiannames。Takeaglassofchampagne，MrsLopez。I
broughtdownhalf-a-dozento-daysothatwemightbejolly。Carekilledacat。Whateverwecalleachother，I’mverygladtoseeyouhere，MrsLopez，andIhopeit’sthefirstofagreatmany。
Here’stoyourhealth。’
Itwasallhisordering，andifhebadeherdinewithacrossing-
sweepershewoulddoit。Butshecouldnotbutrememberthatnotlongsincehehadtoldherthathispartnerwasnotapersonwithwhomshecouldfitlyassociated。andshedidnotfailtoperceivethathemustbegoingdownintheworldtoadmitsuchassociationsforherafterhehadsospoken。AndasshesippedthemixturewhichSextycalledchampagne，shethoughtofHertfordshireandthebanksoftheWye，and——alas，alas，——shethoughtofArthurFletcher。Nevertheless，comewhatmight，shewoulddoherduty，eventhoughitmightcalluponhertositatdinnerwithMrParkerthreedaysintheweek。Lopezwasherhusband，andwouldbethefatherofherchild，andshewouldmakeherselfonewithhim。Itmatterednotwhatpeoplemightcallhim，——orevenher。Shehadactedonherownjudgementinmarryinghim，andhadbeenafool。andnowshewouldbearthepunishmentwithoutcomplaint。
WhendinnerwasoverMrsParkerhelpedtheservanttoremovethedinnerthingsfromthesinglesitting-room，andthetwomenwentouttosmoketheircigarsinthecoveredporch。MrsParkerherselftookoutthewhiskyandhotwater，andsugarandlemons，andthenreturnedtohavealittlematronlydiscoursewithherguest。’DoesMrLopezevertakeadroptoomuch？’
’Never，’saidMrsLopez。
’Perhapsitdon’taffecthimasitdoSexty。Heain’tadrinker——
certainlynot。Andhe’sonethatworkshardeverydayofhislife。Buthe’sgettingfondofittheselasttwelvemonths，andthoughhedon’ttakeverymuchithurrieshimandflurrieshim。
IfIspeaksatnighthegetscross——andinthemorningwhenhegetsup，whichhealwaysdoregular，thoughit’seversobadwithhim，thenIhaven’tthehearttoscoldhim。It’sveryhardsometimesforawifetoknowwhattodo，MrsLopez。’
’Yes，indeed。’Emilycouldnotbutthinkhowsoonsheherselfhadlearnedthatlesson。
’OfcourseI’danythingforSexty，——thefatherofmybairns，andhasalwaysbeenagoodhusbandtome。Youdon’tknowhim，ofcourse，butIdo。Arightgoodmanatbottom。butsoweak！’
’Ifhe，——ifhe，——injureshishealth，shouldn’tyoutalktohimaboutit？’
’Itisn’tthedrinkasistheevil，MrsLopez，butthatwhichmakeshimdrink。He’snotoneasgoesamuckermerelyforthepleasure。Whenthingsaregoingrighthe’llsitoutinourarbourathome，andsmokepipeafterpipe，playingwiththechildren，andoneglassofginandwaterwillseehimtobed。Tobacco，dry，doagreewithhim，Ithink。Butwhenhecomestothreeorfourgoesofhottoddy，Iknowit’snotasitshouldbe。’
’Youshouldrestrainhim，MrsParker。’
’OfcourseIshould——buthow？AmItowalkoffwiththebottleanddisgracehimbeforetheservantgirl？OramItoletthechildrenknowastheirfathertakestoomuch？IfIwasasmuchastomakeonefightofit，it’dbealloverPonder’sEndthathe’sadrunkard——whichheain’t。Restrainhim——ohyes！IfI
couldrestrainthatgamblinginsteadofregularbusiness。That’swhatIwouldliketorestrain。’
’Doeshegamble？’
’WhatisitbutgamblingthatheandMrLopezisa-doingtogether？Orcourse，ma’am，Idon’tknowyou，andyouaredifferentfromme。Iain’tfoolishenoughnottoknowallthat。
MyfatherstoodinSmithfieldandsoldhay，andyourfatherisagentlemanashasbeenhighupintheCourtsallhislife。Butit’syourhusbandisa-doingthis。’
’Oh，MrsParker！’
’Heisthen。Idon’tknowaboutcommerce，MrsLopez，becauseI’monlyawoman。butitcan’tbefair。Theygoesandbuysthingsthattheyhaven’tgotthemoneytopayfor，andthenwaitstoseeifthey’llturnuptrumps。Isn’tthatgambling？’
’Icannotsay。Idonotknow。’Shefeltnowthatherhusbandhadbeenaccused，andthatpartofthataccusationhadbeenlevelledatherself。Therewassomethinginhermannerofsayingthesefewwordswhichthepoorcomplainingwomanperceived，feelingimmediatelythatshehadbeeninhospitableandperhapsunjust。Sheputoutherhandsoftly，touchingtheotherwoman’sarm，andlookingupintoherguest’sface。’Ifthisisso，it’sterrible，’saidEmily。
’PerhapsIshouldn’tspeaksofree。’
’Oh，yes——foryourchildren，andyourself，andyourhusband。’
’It’sthem，——andhim。Ofcourseit’snotyourdoing，andMrLopez，I’msure，isaveryfinegentleman。Andifhegetswrongoneway，he’llgethimselfrightinanother。’UponhearingthisEmilyshookherhead。’Yourpapaisarichman，andwon’tseeyouandyourscometowant。There’snothingmoretocometomeorSextyletitbeeverso。’
’Whydoeshedoit？’
’Whydoeswhodoit？’
’Yourhusband。Whydon’tyouspeaktohimasyoudotome，andtellhimtomindonlyhisproperbusiness？’
’Nowyouareangrywithme。’
’Angry！No——indeedIamnotangry。Everywordthatyousayisgoodandtrue，andjustwhatyououghttosay。Iamnotangry。
butIamterrified。Iknownothingofmyhusband’sbusiness。I
cannottellyouthatyoushouldtrusttoit。Heisveryclever，but-’
’Butwhat，ma’am？’
’PerhapsIshouldsaythatheisambitious。’
’Youmeanhewantstogetrichtooquick，ma’am。’
’I’mafraidso。’
’Thenit’sjustthesamewithSexty。He’sambitioustoo。Butwhat’sthegoodofbeingambitious，MrsLopez，ifyouneverknowwhetheryou’reonyourheadoryourheels？Andwhat’sthegoodofbeingambitiousifyou’retogetintotheworkhouse？Iknowwhatthatmeans。There’soneortwoofthemsortofmengetsintoParliament，andhashousesasbigastheQueen’spalace，whilehundredsofthemhastheirwivesandchildreninthegutter。Whoeverhearsofthem？Nobody。Itdon’tbecomeanymantobeambitiouswhohasgotawifeandfamily。Ifhe’sabachelor，who，ofcourse，hecangototheColonies。There’sMaryJaneandthetwolittleonesrightdownonthesea，withtheirfeetinthewater。Sheweputonourhats，MrsLopez，andgoandlookafterthem？’TothispropositionEmilyassented，andthetwoladieswentoutafterthechildren。
’Mixyourselfanotherglass，’saidSextytohispartner。
’I’drathernot。Don’taskmeagain。YouknowIneverdrink，andIdon’tlikebeingpressed。’
’ByGeorge，——you’reparticular。’
’What’stheuseofteasingafellowtodoathinghedoesn’tlike？’
’Youwon’tmindmehavinganother？’
’Fiftyifyouplease，sothatI’mnotforcedtojoinyou。’
’Forced！It’sliberty’allhere，andyoucandoasyouplease。
Onlywhenafellowwilltakeadropwithme，he’sbettercompany。’
’ThenI’md-dbadcompany，andyou’dbettergetsomebodyelsetobejollywith。Totellyouthetruth，Sexty，Isuityoubetteratbusinessthanatthissortofthing。I’mlikeShylock，youknow。’
’Idon’tknowaboutShylock，butI’mblessedifIthinkyousuitmeverywellatanything。I’mputtingupwithadealofill-
usage，andwhenItrytobehappywithyou，youwon’tdrink，andyoutellmeaboutShylock。HewasaJew，wasn’the？’
’Thatisthegeneralidea。’
’Thenyouain’tmuchverylikehim，forthey’rethesortofpeoplethatalwayshasmoneyaboutthem。’
’Howdoyousupposehemadehismoneytobeginwith？Whatanassyouare！’
’That’strue，Iam。EversinceIbeganputtingmynameonthesamebitofpaperwithyours，I’vebeenanass。’
’You’llhavetobeoneabitlongeryet——unlessyoumeantothrowupeverything。Atthispresentmomentyouaresixorseventhousandpoundsricherthanyouwerebeforeyoufirstmetme。’
’IwishIcouldseethemoney。’
’That’slikeyou。What’stheuseofmoneyyoucansee？Howareyoutomakemoneyoutofmoneybylookingatit？Iliketoknowthatmymoneyisfructifying。’
’Iliketoknowthatit’sallthere，——andIdidknowitbeforeI
eversawyou。I’mblessedifIknowitnow。Godownandjointheladies，willyou？Youain’tmuchofacompanionuphere。’
ShortlyafterthatLopeztoldMrsParkerthathehadalreadybadeadieutoherhusband，andthenhetookhiswifetotheirownlodgings。
CHAPTER47
ASFORLOVE！
ThetimespentbyMrsLopezatDovercourtwasbynomeansoneofcompletehappiness。Herhusbanddidnotcomedownveryfrequently，allegingthathisbusinesskepthimintown，andthatthejourneywastoolong。Whenhedidcomeheannoyedhereitherbymorosenessortyranny，orbyanaffectationoflovinggood-
humour，whichwasthemoredisagreeablealternativeofthetwo。
Sheknewthathehadnotrighttobegood-humoured，andshewasquiteabletoappreciatethedifferencebetweenfictitiousloveandlovethatwasreal。HedidnotwhileshewasatDovercourtspeaktoheragaindirectlyaboutherfather’smoney，——buthegavehertounderstandthatherequiredfromherverycloseeconomy。ThenagainshereferredtothebroughamwhichsheknewwastobeinreadinessonherreturntoLondon，buthetoldherthathewasthebestjudgeofthat。Theeconomywhichhedemandedwasthatcomfortlessheartrendingeconomywhichnipsthepractiserateveryturn，butdoesnotbetrayitselftotheworldatlarge。Hewouldhavehersaveoutofherwasherwomanandlinendraper，andyethaveasmartgownandgoinabrougham。Hebegrudgedherpostagestamps，andstoppedthesubscriptionatMudie’s，thoughheinsistedonafrontseatintheDovercourtchurch，payinghalfaguineamoreforitthanhewouldforaplaceattheside。Andthenbeforetheirsojournattheplacehadcometoanendheleftherforawhileabsolutelypenniless，sothatwhenthebutcherandbakercalledfortheirmoneyshecouldnotpaythem。Thatwasadreadfulcalamitytoher，andofwhichshewashardlyabletomeasuretherealworth。Ithadneverhappenedtoherbeforetohavetorefuseanapplicationformoneythatwasdue。Inherfather’shousesuchathing，asfarassheknew，hadneverhappened。ShehadsometimesheardthatEverettwasimpecunious，butthathadsimplyindicatedanadditionalcalluponherfather。Whenthebutchercamethesecondtimeshewrotetoherhusbandinanagony。Shouldshewritetoherfatherforasupply？Shewassurethatherfatherwouldnotleavetheminactualwant。Thenhesentheracheque，enclosedinanangryletter。Applytoherfather！Hadshenotlearntasyetthatshewastoleanuponherfatheranylonger，butsimplyonhim？Andwasshesuchafoolastosupposethatatradesmancouldnotwaitamonthforhismoney？
Duringallthistimeshehadnofriend，——nopersontowhomshecouldspeak，——exceptMrsParker。MrsParkerwasveryopenandveryconfidentialaboutthebusiness，reallyknowingverymuchmoreaboutitthandidMrsLopez。Therewassomesympathyandconfidencebetweenherandherhusband，thoughtheyhadlatterlybeenmuchlessenedbySexty’sconduct。MrsParkertalkeddailyaboutthebusinessnowthathermouthhadbeenopened，andwasveryclearlyoftheopinionthatitwasnotagoodbusiness。
’Sextydon’tthinkitgoodhimself，’shesaid。
’Thenwhydoeshegoonwithit？’
’Businessisathing，MrsLopez，aspeoplecan’tdropoutofjustatamoment。Amangetshimselfentangled，andmustfreehimselfasbesthecan。Iknowhe’sterriblyafeard——andsometimeshedoessaysuchthingsofyourhusband！’Emilyshrunkalmostintoherselfassheheardthis。’Youmustn’tbeangry，forindeedit’sbetteryoushouldknowall。’
’I’mnotangry。onlyveryunhappy。Surely，MrParkercouldseparatehimselffromMrLopezifhepleased？’
’That’swhatIsaytohim。Giveitup，thoughitbeeversomuchasyou’vegottolosebyhim。Giveitup，andbeginagain。
You’vealwaysgotyourexperience，andifit’sonlyacrustyoucanearn，that’ssureandsafe。Butthenhedeclaresthathemeanstopullthrough，MrsLopez。Thereshouldn’tbenoneedofpullingthrough。Itshouldallcomejustofitsownaccord，——
littleandlittle，butsafe。’Then，whenthedaysoftheirmarineholidaywerecomingtoanend，——inthefirstweekinOctober，——thedaybeforethereturnoftheParkerstoPonder’sEnd，shemadeastrongappealtohernewfriend。’Youain’tafraidofhim，areyou？’
’Ofmyhusband？’saidMrsLopez。’Ihopenot。Whyshouldyouask？’
’Believeme，awomanshouldneverbeafraidof’em。IneverwouldgiveintobebulliedandmadelittleofbySexty。I’ddoa’mostanythingtomakehimcomfortable。I’msoft-hearted。Andwhynot，whenhe’sthefatherofmychildren？ButI’mnotgoingnottosayathingifIthinkitright，becauseI’mafeard。’
’IthinkIcouldsayanythingifIthoughtitright。’
’Thentellhimofmeandmybabes，——ashowIcanneverhaveaquietnightwhilethisisgoingon。Itisn’tthattheytwomenarefondofoneanother。Nothingofthesort。Nowyou——I’vegottobedownrightfondofyou，though，ofcourse，youthinkmecommon。’MrsLopezwouldnotcontradictherbutstoopedforwardandkissedhercheek。’I’mdownrightfondofyou，Iam，’
continuedMrsParker，snufflingandsobbing，’buttheytwomenareonlytogetherbecauseMrLopezwantstogamble，andParkerhasgotalittlemoneytogamblewith。’ThisaspectofthethingwassoterribletoMrsLopezthatshecouldonlyweepandhidherface。’Now，ifyouwouldtellhimthetruth！TellhimwhatI
say，andthatI’vebeena-sayingit！Tellhimit’sformychildrenI’ma-speaking，whowon’thavebreadintheirverymouthsiftheirfather’ssqueezeddrylikeasponge！Sure，ifyou’dtellhimthis，hewouldn’tgoon！’Thenshepausedamoment，lookingupintotheotherwoman’sface。’He’dhavesomebowelsofcompassion——wouldn’thenow？’
’I’lltry，’saidMrsLopez。
’Iknowyou’regoodandkind-hearted，mydear。Isawitinyoureyesfromtheveryfirst。Butthenmen，whentheygetonatmoney-making，——ormoney-losing，whichmakes’emworse，——areliketigersclawingoneanother。Theydon’tcarehowmanytheykills，sothattheyhasatleastbitforthemselves。Thereain’tnofearofGodinit，noryetnomercy，norereamorselofheart。
Itain’twhatIcallmanly，——notthatlongingafterotherfolk’smoney。Whenit’scomebyhardwork，asItellSexty，——bytheverysweatofhisbrow，——oh，——it’ssweetassweet。Whenhe’dtellmethathe’dmadehisthreepound，orhisfivepound，or，perhaps，histeninaday，and’dcalculateitup，howmuchit’dcometoifhedidthateveryday，andwherewecouldgoto，andwhatwecoulddoforthechildren，Ilovedtohearhimtalkaboutmoney。Butnow——！why，it’salteredthelooksofthemanaltogether。It’sjustasthoughhewasa-thirstingforblood。’
Thirstingforblood！Yes，indeed。ItwastheveryideathathadoccurredtoMrsLopezherselfwhenherhusbandbadeherto’getroundherfather’。No——itcertainlywasnotmanly。TherecertainlywasneitherthefearofGodinit，normercy。Yes——
shewouldtry。ButasforbowelsofcompassioninFerdinandLopez。she，theyoungwife，hadalreadyseenenoughofherhusbandtothinkthathewasnottobemovedbyanyprayersonthatside。Thenthetwowomenbadeeachotherfarewell。’ParkerhasbeentalkingofmygoingtoManchesterSquare，’saidMrsParker，’butIshan’t。What’dIbeinManchesterSquare？And，besides，there’dbetterbeanendofit。MrLopez’dturnSextyandmeoutofthehouseatamoment’snoticeifitwasn’tforthemoney。’
’It’spapa’shouse，’saidMrsLopez，not，however，meaningtomakeanattackuponherhusband。
’Isupposeso，butIshan’tcometotroublenoone，andweliveeversofaraway，atPonder’sEnd，——outoryourlinealtogether，MrsLopez。ButI’vetakentoyouandwillneverthinkillofyouinanyway——anddoasyousaidyouwould。’
’Iwilltry，’saidMrsLopez。
InthemeantimeLopezreceivedfromMrWhartonananswertohisletteraboutthemissingcaravels，whichdidnotpleasehim。
Hereistheletter：
MYDEARLOPEZ，Icannotsaythatyourstatementissatisfactory，norcanIreconcileittoyourassurancetomethatyouhavemadeatradeincomeforsomeyearspastof2，000poundsayear。Idonotknowmuchofbusiness，butIcannotimaginesucharesultfromsuchaconditionofthingsasyoudescribe。Haveyouanybooks。andifso，willyouallowthemtobeinspectedbyanyaccountantthatImayname？
Yousaythatasumof20，000poundswouldsuityourbusinessbetternowthanwhenIamdead。Verylikely。
Butwithsuchanaccountofthebusinessasthatyouhavegivenme，IdonotknowthatIfeeldisposedtoconfidemysavingsofmylifetoassistsoverydoubtfulanenterprise。OfcoursewhateverImaydotoyouradvantagewillbedoneforthesakeofEmilyandherchildren，shouldshehaveany。AsfarIcanseeatpresent，Ishallbestdomydutytoher，byleavingwhatImayhavetoleavetoher，totrustees，forherbenefitandthatofherchildren。
Yourstruly，A。WHARTON
This，ofcourse，didnottendtomollifythespiritofthemantowhomitwaswritten，ortomakehimgracioustowardshiswife。
HereceivedtheletterthreeweeksbeforethelodgingsatDovercourtweregivenup，——butduringthesethreeweekshewasverylittleattheplace，andwhentheredidnotmentiontheletter。Ontheseoccasionshesaidnothingaboutbusiness，butsatisfiedhimselfwithgivingstrictinjunctionsastoeconomy。
ThenhetookherbacktotownonthedayafterherpromisetoMrsParkerthatshewould’try’。MrsParkerhadtoldherthatnowomanoughttobeafraidtospeaktoherhusband，and，ifnecessary，tospeakroundlyonsuchsubjects。MrsParkerwascertainlynotahighlyeducatedlady，butshehadimpressedEmilywithanadmirationforherpracticalgoodsenseandproperfeeling。Theladywhowasaladyhadbeguntofeelthatinthetroublesofherlifeshemightfineamuchlesssatisfactorycompanionthantheladywhowasnotalady。ShewoulddoasMrsParkerhadtoldher。Shewouldnotbeafraid。Ofcourseitwasrightthatsheshouldspeakonsuchamatter。Sheknewherselftobeanobedientwife。Shehadborneallherunexpectedsorrowswithoutacomplaint，witharesolvethatshewouldbearallforhissake，——notbecauseshelovedhim，butbecauseshehadmadeherselfhiswife。Intowhatevercalamitieshemightfall，shewouldsharethem。Thoughheshouldbringherutterlyintothedirt，shewouldremaininthatdirtwithhim。Itseemedprobabletoherthatitmightbeso——thattheymighthavetogointothedirt——andifitwereso，shewouldstillbetruetohim。Shehadchosentomarryhim，andshewouldbeatruewife。But，assuch，shewouldnotbeafraidofhim。MrsParkerhadtoldherthat’awomanshouldneverbeafraidof’em’，andshebelievedinMrsParker。Inthiscase，too，itwasclearlyherdutytospeak，——fortheinjurybeingdonewasterrible，andmighttooprobablybecometragical。Howcouldsheenduretothinkofthatwomanandherchildren，shouldshecometoknowthatthehusbandofthewomanandthefatherofthechildrenhadbeenruinedbyherhusband？
Yes——shewouldspeaktohim。Butshedidfear。Itisallverywellforawomantotellherselfthatshewillencountersomeanticipateddifficultywithoutfear，——orforamaneither。Thefearcannotbeovercomebywill。Thething，however，maybedone，whetheritbeleadingaforlornhope，orspeakingtoanangryhusband，——inspiteoffear。Shewoulddoit。butwhenthemomentfordoingitcame，herveryhearttrembledwithinher。Hehadbeensomasterfulwithher，sopersistentinrepudiatingherinterference，soexactinginhisdemandsforobedience，socapableofmakinghermiserablebyhismorosenesswhenshefailedtocomplywithhiswishes，thatshecouldnotgotohertaskwithoutfear。Butshedidfeelthatsheoughtnottobeafraid，orthatherfears，atanyrate，shouldnotbeallowedtorestrainher。Awife，sheknew，shouldbepreparedtoyield，butyetwasentitledtobeherhusband’scounsellor。Anditwasnowthecasethatinthismattershewasconversantwithcircumstanceswhichwereunknowntoherhusband。ItwastoherthatMrsParker’sappealhadbeenmade，andwithadirectrequestfromthepoorwomanthatitshouldberepeatedtoherhusband’spartner。
ShefoundthatshecouldnotdoitonthejourneyhomefromDovercourt，noryetonthatevening。MrsDickRoby，whohadcomebackfromsojournatBoulogne，waswiththemintheSquare，andbroughtherdearfriendMrsLesliewithher，andalsoLadyEustace。ThereadermayrememberthatMrWhartonhadmettheseladiesatMrsDick’shousesomemonthsbeforehisdaughter’smarriage，buthecertainlyhadneveraskedthemintohisown。OnthisoccasionEmilyhadgiventhemnoinvitation，buthadbeentoldbyherhusbandthatherauntwouldprobablybringthemwithher。’MrsLeslieandLadyEustace！’sheexclaimedwithalittleshudder。’Isupposeyourauntmaybringacoupleoffriendswithhertoseeyou，thoughitisyourfather’shouse？’hehadreplied。Shehadsaidnomore，notdaringtohaveafightonthatsubjectatpresent，whiletheothermatterwaspressingonhermind。Theeveningpassedawaypleasantlyenough，shethought，toallexceptherself。MrsLeslieandLadyEustacehadtalkedagreatdeal，andherhusbandhadbornehimselfquiteasthoughhehadbeenawealthymanandtheownerofthehouseinManchesterSquare。InthecourseoftheeveningDickRobycameinandMajorPountney，whosincethelateaffairsatSilverbridgehadbecomeintimatewithLopez。Sothattherewasquiteaparty。
andEmilywasastonishedtohearherhusbanddeclarethathewasonlywatchingtheopportunityofanothervacancyinorderthathemightgetintotheHouse，andexposethemiserableduplicityoftheDukeofOmnium。Andyetthisman，withinthelastmonth，hadtakenawayhersubscriptionatMudie’s，andtoldherthatsheshouldn’twearthingsthatwantedwashing！ButhewasabletosaysoevermanyprettylittlethingstoLadyEustace，andhadgivenanewfantoMrsDick，andtalkedoftakingaboxforMrsLeslieatTheGaiety。
Butonthenextmorningbeforebreakfastshebegan。’Ferdinand，’
shesaid，’whileIwasatDovercourtIsawagooddealofMrsParker。’
’Icouldnothelpthat。Orratheryoumighthavehelpeditifyoupleased。Itwasnecessarythatyoushouldmeet，butIdidn’ttellyouthatyouweretoseeagreatdealofher。’
’Ilikedherverymuch。’
’ThenImustsayyou’vegotaveryoddtaste。Didyoulikehim？’
’No。Ididnotseeverymuchofhim，andIthinkthatthemannersofwomenarelessobjectionablethanthoseofmen。ButI
wanttotellyouwhatpassedbetweenherandme。’
’Ifitisaboutherhusband’sbusinesssheoughttohaveheldhertongue，andyouhadbetterholdyoursnow。’
Thiswasnotahappybeginning，butstillshewasdeterminedtogoon。’ItwasIthinkmoreaboutyourbusinessthanhis。’
’Thenitwasinfernalimpudenceonherpart，andyoushouldnothavelistenedtoherforamoment。’
’Youdonotwanttoruinherandherchildren？’
’WhathaveItodowithherandherchildren？Ididnotmarryher，andIamnottheirfather。Hehasgottolooktothat。’
’Shethinksyouareenticinghimintoriskswhichhecannotafford。’
’AmIdoinganythingforhimthatIain’tdoingformyself！Ifthereismoneymade，willnotheshareit？Ifmoneyhastobelost，ofcoursehemustdothesame。’Lopezstatinghiscaseomittedtosaythatwhatevercapitalwasnowbeingusedbelongedtohispartner。’Butwomenwhentheygettogethertalkallmannerofnonsense。IsitlikelythatIshallaltermycourseofactionbecauseyoutellmethatshetellsyouthathetellsherthatheislosingmoney？Heisahalf-heartedfellowwhoquailsateveryturnagainsthim。AndwhenheiscryingdrunkIdaresayhemakesapoormouthtoher。’
’Ithink，Ferdinand，itismorethanthat。Shesaysthat——’
’Totellthetruth，Emily，Idon’tgivead——whatshesays。Nowgivemesometea。’
Theroughnessofthisabsolutelyquelledher。Itwasnotnowthatshewasafraidofhim，butthatshewasknockeddownasthoughbyablow。Shehadbeenaltogethersounusedtosuchlanguagethatshecouldnotgetonwithhermatterinhand，lettingthebadwordpassbyherasanunmeaningexpletive。Shewearilypouredoutthecupofteaandsatherselfdownsilent。
Themanwastoostrongforher，andwouldbesoalways。Shetoldherselfatthismomentthatlanguagesuchasthatmustalwaysabsolutelysilenceher。Then，withinafewminutes，hedesiredher，quitecheerfully，toaskheruncleandaunttodinnerthedaybutonefollowing，andalsotoaskLadyEustaceandMrsLeslie。’Iwillpickupacoupleofmenwhichwillmakeusallright，’hesaid。
Thiswasineverywayhorribletoher。Herfatherhadbeenbackintown，hadnotbeenverywell，andhadbeenrecommendedtoreturntothecountry。Hehadconsequentlyremovedhimself，——
nottoHertfordshire，——buttoBrighton，andwasnowlivingatanhotel，almostwithinanhourofLondon。HadhebeenathomehecertainlywouldnothaveinvitedMrsLeslieandLadyEustacetohishouse。Hehadoftenexpressedafeelingofdisliketotheformerladyinthehearingofhisson-in-law，andhadridiculedhissister-in-lawforallowingherselftobeacquaintedwithLadyEustace，whosenamehadatonetimebeenverycommoninthemouthsofpeople。Emilyalsofeltthatshewashardlyentitledtogiveadinnerpartyinhishouseinhisabsence。And，afterallthatshehadlatelyheardaboutherhusband’spoverty，shecouldnotunderstandhowheshouldwishtoincurtheexpense。
’YouwouldnotaskMrsLesliehere！’shesaid。
’WhyshouldwenotaskMrsLeslie？’
’Papadislikesher。’
’Butpapa，asyoucallhim，isn’tgoingtomeether。’
’Hehassaidthathedoesn’tknowwhatdayhemaybehome。Andhedoesmorethandislikeher。Hedisapprovesofher。’
’Nonsense！Sheisyouraunt’sfriend。Becauseyourfatheronceheardsomecock-and-bullstoryabouther，andbecausehehasalwaystakenituponhimselftocriticizeyouraunt’sfriends，I
amnottobeciviltoapersonIlike。’
’But，Ferdinand，Idonotlikehermyself。Sheneverwasinthishousetillthatothernight。’
’Lookhere，mydear。LadyEustacecanbeusefultome，andI
cannotaskLadyEustacewithoutaskingherfriend。YoudoasI
bidyou，——orelseIshalldoitmyself。’
Shepausedforamoment，andthenshepositivelyrefused。’I
cannotbringmyselftoaskMrsLeslietodineinthishouse。Ifshecomestodinewithyou，ofcourseIshallsitatthetable，butshewillbesuretoseethatsheisnotwelcome。’
’ItseemstomethatyouaredeterminedtogoagainstmeineverythingIpropose。’
’Idon’tthinkyouwouldsaythatifyouknewhowmiserableyomademe。’
’Itellyouthatthatotherwomancanbeveryusefultome。’
’Inwhatwayuseful？’
’Areyoujealous，mydear？’
’CertainlynotofLadyEustace，——norofanywoman。Butitseemssooddthatsuchaperson’sservicesshouldberequired。’
’WillyoudoasItellyou，andaskthem？Youcangoroundandtellyourauntaboutit。SheknowsthatImeantoaskthem。
LadyEustaceisaveryrichwoman，andisdisposedtodoalittleincommerce。Nowdoyouunderstand？’
’Notintheleast，’saidEmily。
’Whyshouldn’tawomanwhohasmoneybuycoffeeaswellasbuyshares？’
’Doesshebuyshares？’
’ByGeorge，Emily，Ithinkyouareafool。’
’IdaresayIam，Ferdinand。Idonotintheleastknowwhatitallmeans。ButIdoknowthis，thatyououghtnot，inpapa’sabsence，toaskpeopletodineherewhomheparticularlydislikes，andwhomhewouldnotwishtohaveinthehouse。’
’YouthinkIamtobegovernedbyyouinsuchamatterasthat？’
’Idon’twanttogovernyou。’
’Youthinkthatawifeshoulddictatetoahusbandastothewayinwhichheistodohiswork，andthepartnershemaybeallowedtohaveinhisbusiness，andthepersonswhomhemayasktodinner！Becauseyouhavebeendictatingtomeonallthesematters。Now，lookhere，mydear。Astomybusiness，youhadbetterneverspeaktomeaboutitanymore。Ihaveendeavouredtotakeyouintomyconfidenceandtogetyoutoactwithme，butyouhavedeclinedthat，andhavepreferredtosticktoyourfather。Astomypartners，whetherImaychoosetohaveSextyParkerorLadyEustace，Iamabetterjudgethanyou。AndastoaskingMrsLeslieandLadyEustaceoranyotherpersonstodinner，asIamobligedtomakeeventherecreationoflifesubservienttowork，Imustclaimpermissiontohavemyownway。’
Shehadlistened，butwhenhepausedshemadenoreply。’DoyoumeantodoasIbidandasktheseladies？’
’Icannotdothat。Iknowthatitoughtnottobedone。Thisispapa’shouse，andwearelivinghereashisguests。’
’D——yourpapa！’hesaidasheburstoutoftheroom。Afteraquarterofanhourheputhisheadintotheroomandsawhersitting，likeastatue，exactlywherehehadlefther。’IhavewrittenthenotestoLadyEustaceandtoMrsLeslie，’hesaid。
’Youcan’tthinkitanysinatanyratetoaskyouraunt。’
’Iwillseemyaunt，’shesaid。
’AndrememberIamnotgoingtobeyourfather’sguestasyoucallit。Imeantopayforthedinnermyself，andtosendinmyownwines。Yourfathershallhavenothingtocomplainofonthathead。’
’CouldyounotaskthemtoRichmond，ortosomehotel？’shesaid。
’What，inOctober！IfyouthinkIamgoingtoliveinahouseinwhichIcan’tinviteafriendtodinner，youaremistaken。’Andwiththathetookhisdeparture。
Thewholethinghadnowbecomesohorribletoherthatshefeltunableanylongertoholdupherhead。Itseemedtohertobesacrilegethatthesewomenshouldcomeandsitinherfather’sroom，butwhenshespokeofherfatherherhusbandhadcursedhimwithscorn！Lopezwasgoingtosendfoodandwineintothehouse，whichwouldbegallandwormwoodtoherfather。Atonetimeshethoughtshewouldatoncewritetoherfatherandtellhimofitall，——orperhapstelegraphtohim。butshecouldnotdosowithoutlettingherhusbandknowwhatshehaddone，andthenhewouldhavejusticeonhissideincallingherdisobedient。Wereshetodothat，thenitwouldindeedbenecessarythatsheshouldtakepartagainstherhusband。