Shehadbroughtallthismiseryonherselfandonherfatherbecauseshehadbeenobstinateinthinkingshecouldwithcertaintyreadalover’scharacter。Asforlove，——thatofcoursehaddiedawayinherheart，——imperceptibly，though，alas，soquickly！Itwasimpossiblethatshecouldcontinuetoloveamanwhofromdaytodaywasteachinghermeanlessons，andwhowaseverdoingmeanthings，themeannessofwhichwassolittleapparenttohimselfthathedidnotscrupletodivulgethemtoher。Howcouldsheloveamanwhowouldmakenosacrificeeithertohercomfortorherpride，orherconscience？Butstillshemightobeyhim，——ifshecouldfeelsurethatobediencetohimwasaduty。Coulditbeadutytosinagainstherfather’swishes，andtoassistinprofaninghishouseandabusinghishospitalityafterthisfashion？ThenhermindagainwentbacktothetroublesofMrsParker，andherabsoluteinefficiencyinthatmatter。Itseemedtoherthatshehadgivenherselfoverbodyandsoulandmindtosomeevilgenius，andthattherewasnoescape。
’Ofcoursewe’llcome，’saidMrsRobyhadsaidtoherwhenshewentroundthecornerintoBerkeleyStreetearlyintheday。
’Lopezspoketomeaboutitbefore。’
’Whatwillpapasayaboutit，AuntHarriet？’
’IsupposeheandLopezunderstandeachother。’
’Idonotthinkpapawillunderstandthis。’
’IamsureMrWhartonwouldnotlendhishousetohisson-in-lawandthenobjecttothemanhehadlentittoaskingafriendtodinewithhim。AndIamsurethatMrLopezwouldnotconsenttooccupyahouseonthoseterms。Ifyoudon’tlikeit，ofcoursewewon’tcome。’
’Praydonotsaythat。Astheseotherwomenaretocome，praydonotdesertme。ButIcannotsayIthinkitisright。’MrsDick，however，onlylaughedatherscruples。
InthecourseoftheeveningEmilygotlettersaddressedtoherself，fromLadyEustaceandMrsLeslie，informingherthattheywouldhaveverymuchpleasureindiningwithheronthedaynamed。AndLadyEustacewentontosay，withmuchpleasantry，thatshealwaysregardedlittleparties，gotupwithoutanyceremony，asbeingthepleasantest，andthatsheshouldcomeonthisoccasionwithoutanyceremonialobservance。ThenEmilywasawarethatherhusbandhadnotonlywrittenthenotesinhername，buthadputintohermouthsomestudiedapologyastotheshortnessoftheinvitation。Well！Shewastheman’swife，andshesupposedthathewasentitledtoputanywordsthathepleaseintohermouth。
CHAPTER48
’HASHEILL-TREATEDYOU？’
Lopezrelievedhiswifefromallcareastoprovisionforhisguests。’I’vebeentoashopinWigmoreStreet，’hesaid，’andeverythingwillbedone。They’llsendinacooktomakethethingshot，andyourfatherwon’thavetopayevenforacrustofbread。’
’Papadoesn’tmindpayingforanything，’shesaidinherindignation。
’Itisallveryprettyforyoutosayso，butmyexperienceofhimgoesjusttheotherway。Atanyratetherewillbenothingtobepaidfor。StewamandSugarscrapswillsendineverything，ifyou’llonlytelltheoldfogiesdownstairsnottointerfere。’
Thenshemadealittlerequest。MightsheaskEverettwhowasnowintown？’I’vealreadygotMajorPountneyandCaptainGunner，’hesaid。Shepleadedthatonemorewouldmakenodifference。’Butthat’sjustwhatonemorealwaysdoes。Itdestroyseverything，andturnsaprettylittledinnerintoanawkwardfeed。Wewon’thavehimthistime。Pountney’lltakeyou，andI’lltakeherladyship。DickwilltakeMrsLeslie，andGunnerwillhaveAuntHarriet。Dickwillsitoppositetome，andthefourladieswillsitatthefourcorners。Weshallbeverypleasant，butonemorewouldspoilus。’
Shedidspeaktothe’oldfogies’downstairs，——thehousekeeper，whohadlivedwithherfathersinceshewasachild，andthebutler，whohadbeentherestilllonger，andthecook，who，havingbeeninherplaceonlythreeyears，resignedimpetuouslywithinhalfanhouraftertheadventofMrSugarscaps’headman。
The’fogies’wereindignant。Thebutlerexpressedhisintentionoflockinghimselfupinhisownpeculiarpantry，andthehousekeepertookituponherselftotellheryoungmistressthat’Masterwouldn’tlikeit’。SinceshehadknownMrWhartonsuchathingascookedfoodbeingsentintothehousefromashophadneverbeensomuchasheardof。Emily，whohadhithertobeenregardedinthehouseasaratherstrong-mindedyoungwoman，couldonlybreakdownandweep。Why，ohwhy，hadsheconsentedtobringherselfandhermiseryintoherfather’shouse？Shecouldatanyratehavepreventedthatbyexplainingtoherfathertheunfitnessofsuchanarrangement。
The’party’came。TherewasMajorPountney，veryfine，ratherloud，veryintimatewiththehost，whomononeoccasionhadcalled’Ferdy，myboy’，andveryfullofabuseoftheDukeandDuchessofOmnium。’AndyetshewasagoodcreaturewhenIknewher’，saidLadyEustace。PountneysuggestedthattheDuchesshadnotthentakenuppolitics。’I’vegotoutofherway，’saidLadyEustace，’sinceshedidthat。’AndtherewasCaptainGunner，whodefendedtheDuchess，butwhoacknowledgedthattheDukewasthe’mostconsumedlystuckupcoxcomb’thenexisting。’Andthemostdishonest’，saidLopez，whohadtoldhisnewfriendsnothingabouttherepaymentoftheelectionexpenses。AndDickwasthere。Helikedtheselittleparties，inwhichagooddealofwinecouldbedrunk，andatwhichladieswerenotsupposedtobeverystiff。TheMajorandtheCaptain，andMrsLeslieandLadyEustace，weresuchpeopleasheliked，——allwithinthepale，buthavingapiquantrelishoffastnessandimpropriety。Dickwaswonttodeclarethathehatedtheworldinbuckram。AuntHarrietwastriumphantinamannerwhichdisgustedEmily，andwhichshethoughttobemostdisrespectfultoherfather——butintruthAuntHarriettdidnotnowcareverymuchforMrWharton，preferringthefriendshipofMrWharton’sson-in-law。MrsLesliecameingorgeousclothes，which，asshewasknowntobeverypoor，andtohaveattachedherselflatelywithalmostmorethanfeminineaffectiontoLadyEustace，wereatanyrateopentosuspiciouscavil。InformerdaysMrsLesliehadtakenuponherselftosaybitterthingsaboutMrLopez，whichEmilycouldnowhaverepeated，tothatlady’sdiscomfiture，hadsuchamodeofrevengesuitedherdisposition。WithMrsLeslietherewasLadyEustace，prettyasever，andsharpandwitty，withtheoldpassionforsomeexcitement，theoldpronenesstopretendtotrusteverybody，andtheoldcapacityfortrustingnobody。
FerdinandLopezhadlatelybeenatherfeet，andhadfiredherimaginationwithstoriesofthegrandthingstobedoneintrade。
Ladiesdoit？Yes。whynotwomenaswellasmen？Anyonemightdoitwhohadmoneyinhispocketandexperiencetotellhimortotellher，whattobuyandwhattosell。Andtheexperience，luckily，mightbevicarious。AtthepresentmomenthalfthejewelsworninLondonwere，——ifFerdinandLopezknewanythingaboutit，——boughtfromtheproceedsofsuchcommerce。Ofcoursethereweremisfortunes。ButthesecamefromawantofthatexperiencewhichFerdinandLopezpossessed，andwhichhewasquitewillingtoplaceattheserviceofonewhomheadmiredsothoroughlyashedidLadyEustace。LadyEustacehadbeencharmed，hadseenherwayintoanewandmostdelightfullife，——
buthadnotyetputanyofhermoneyintothehandsofFerdinandLopez。
Icannotsaythatthedinnerwasgood。ItmaybeadoubtwhethersuchtradesmenasMessrsStewamandSugarscrapsdoeverproducegoodfood——orwhether，withallthewillintheworldtodoso，sucharesultiswithintheirpower。Itiscertain，Ithink，thatthehumblestmuttonchopisbettereatingthanany’Supremeofchickenaftermartialmanner’，——asIhaveseenthedishnamedinaFrenchbilloffare，translatedbyaFrenchpastrycookforthebenefitofhisEnglishcustomers，——whensentinfromMessrsStewamandSugarscrapsevenwiththeirbestexertions。Norcanitbesaidthatthewinewasgood，thoughMrSugarscraps，whenhecontractedforthewholeentertainment，waseagerinhisassurancethatheprocuredtheverybestthatLondoncouldproduce。Buttheoutsidelookofthethingswashandsome，andthereweremanydishes，andenoughservantstohandthem，andthewines，ifnotgood，werevarious。ProbablyPountneyandGunnerdidnotknowgoodwines。Robydid，butwascontentedonthisoccasiontodrinkthembad。Andeverythingwentpleasantly，withperhapsalittletoomuchnoise——everythingexceptthehostess，whowasallowedbygeneralconsenttobesadandsilent，——tilltherecamealouddouble-rapatthedoor。
’There’spapa，’saidEmily，jumpingupfromherseat。
MrsDicklookedatLopez，andsawataglanceforamomenthiscouragehadfailedhim。Butherecoveredhimselfquickly。
’Hadn’tyoubetterkeepyourseat，mydear？’hesaidtohiswife。
’TheservantswillattendtoMrWharton，andIwillgotohimpresently。’
’Oh，no，’saidEmily，whobythistimewasalmostatthedoor。
’Youdidn’texpecthim，——didyou？’askedDickRoby。
’Nobodyknewwhenhewascoming。IthinkhetoldEmilythathemightbehereanyday。’
’He’sthemostuncertainmanalive，’saidMrsDick，whowasagooddealscaredbythearrival，thoughdeterminedtoholdupherheadandexhibitnofear。
’Isupposetheoldgentlemanwillcomeandhavesomedinner，’
whisperedCaptainGunnertohisneighbourMrsLeslie。
’NotifheknowsI’mhere，’repliedMrsLeslie，tittering。’HethinksthatIam，——oh，somethingagreatdealworsethanIcantellyou。’
’Ishegiventobecross？’askedLadyEustace，alsoaffectingtowhisper。
’Neversawhiminmylife，’answeredthemajor，’butIshouldn’twonderifhewas。Oldgentlemengenerallyarecross。Gout，andthatkindofthing，youknow。’
Foraminuteortwotheservantsstoppedintheirministrations，andthingswereveryuncomfortable。butLopez，assoonashehadrecoveredhimself，directedMrSugarscraps’mentoproceedwiththebanquet。’Wecaneatourdinner，Isuppose，thoughmyfather-in-lawhascomeback，’hesaid。’Iwishmywifewasnotsofussy，thoughthatisthekindofthing，LadyEustace，thatonemustexpectfromyoungwives。’Thebanquetdidgoon，butthefeelingwasgeneralthatamisfortunehadcomeuponthem，andthatsomethingdreadfulmightpossiblyhappen。
Emily，whensherushedout，metherfatherinthehall，andranintohisarms。’Oh，papa！’sheexclaimed。
’What’sallthisabout？’heasked，andashespokehepassedonthroughthehalltohisownroomatthebackofthehouse。Therewereofcoursemanyevidencesonallsidesoftheparty，——thestrangeservants，thedishesgoinginandout，theclatterofglasses，andthesmellofviands。’You’vegotadinnerparty，’
hesaid。’Hadyounotbettergobacktoyourfriends？’
’No，papa。’
’Whatisthematter，Emily？Youareunhappy。’
’Oh，sounhappy？’
’Whatisitallabout？Whoarethey？Whosedoingisit，——yoursorhis？Whatmakesyouunhappy？’
Hewasnowseatedinhisarm-chair，andshethrewherselfonherkneesathisfeet。’Hewouldhavethem。Youmustn’tbeangrywithme。Youwon’tbeangrywithme——willyou？’
Heputhishanduponherhead，andstrokedherhair。’WhyshouldIbeangrywithyoubecauseyourhusbandhasaskedfriendstodinner？’Shewassounlikeherusualselfthatheknewnotwhattomakeofit。Ithadnotbeenhernaturetokneelandaskforpardon，ortobetimidandsubmissive。’Whatisit，Emily，thatmakesyoulikethis？’
’Heshouldn’thavehadthepeople。’
’Well——granted。Butitdoesnotsignifymuch。IsyourAuntHarriethere？’
’Yes。’
’Itcan’tbeverybad，then。’
’MrsLeslieishere，andLadyEustace，——andtwomenIdon’tlike。’
’IsEveretthere？’
’No——hewouldn’thaveEverett。’
’Oughtn’tyougotothem？’
’Don’tmakemego。Ishouldonlycry。Ihavebeencryingallday，andthewholeofyesterday。’Thensheburiedherfaceuponhisknees，andsobbedasthoughshewouldbreakherheart。
Hecouldn’tatallunderstandit。Thoughhedistrustedhisson-
in-law，andcertainlydidnotlovehim，hehadnotasyetlearnedtoholdhiminaversion。Whentheconnectionwasoncemadehehaddeterminedtomakethebestofit，andhaddeclaredtohimselfthatasfarasmannerswentthemanwaswellenough。Hehadnotasyetseentheinsideoftheman，asithadbeenthesadfateofthepoorwifetoseehim。Ithadneveroccurredtohimthathisdaughter’slovehadfailedher，orthatshecouldalreadyberepentingwhatshehaddone。Andnow，whenshewasweepingathisfeetanddeploringthesinofthedinnerparty，——
which，afterall，wasatriflingsin，——hecouldnotcomprehendthefeelingswhichwereactuatingher。’IsupposeyourAuntHarrietmadeuptheparty，’hesaid。
’Hedidit。’
’Yourhusband？’
’Yes——hedidit。HewrotetothewomeninmynamewhenI
refused。’ThenMrWhartonbegantoperceivethattherehadbeenaquarrel。’ItoldhimMrsLeslieoughtn’ttocomehere。’
’Idon’tloveMrsLeslie，——nor，forthematterofthat，——LadyEustace。Buttheywon’thurtthehouse，mydear。’
’Andhehashadthedinnersentinfromashop。’
’Whycouldn’theletMrsWilliamsdoit？’Ashesaidthis，thetoneofhisvoiceforthefirsttimebecameangry。
’Cookhasgoneaway。Shewouldn’tstandit。AndMrsWilliamsisveryangry。AndBarkerwouldn’twaitattable。’
’What’sthemeaningofitall？’
’Hewouldhaveitso。Oh，papa，youdon’tknowwhatI’veundergone。Iwish，——Iwishwehadnotcomehere。Itwouldhavebeenbetteranywhereelse。’
’Whatwouldhavebeenbetter，dear？’
’Everything。Whetherwelivedordied，itwouldhavebeenbetter。WhyshouldIbringmymiserytoyou？Oh，papa，youdonotknow，——youcanneverknow。’
’ButImustknow。Istheremorethanthisdinnertodisturbyou？’
Oh，yes——morethanthat。OnlyIcouldn’tbearthatitshouldbedoneinyourhouse。’
’Hashe——ill-treatedyou？’
Thenshegotup，andstoodbeforehim。’Idonotmeantocomplain。Ishouldhavesaidnothingonlythatyouhavefoundusinthisway。FormyselfIwillbearitall，whateveritmaybe。
But，papa，Iwantyoutotellhimthatwemustleavethishouse。’
’Hehasgotnootherhomeforyou。’
’Hemustfindone。Iwillgoanywhere。Idon’tcarewhereitis。ButIwon’tstayhere。Ihavedoneitmyself，butIwon’tbringituponyou。IcouldbearitallifIthoughtthatyouwouldneverseemeagain。’
’Emily！’
’Yes——ifyouwouldneverseemeagain。Iknowitall，andthatwouldbebest。’Shewasnowwalkingabouttheroom。’Whyshouldyouseeitall？’
’Seewhat，mylove？’
’Seehisruin，andmyunhappiness，andmybaby。Oh——oh——oh！’
’Ithinksoverydifferently，Emily，thatundernocircumstanceswillIhaveyoutakentoanotherhome。Icannotunderstandmuchofallthisasyet，butIsupposethatIshallcometoseeit。
IfLopezbe，asyousay，ruined，itiswellthatIhavestillenoughforustoliveon。Thisisabadtimejustnowtotalkaboutyourhusband’saffairs。’
’Ididnotmeantotalkaboutthem，papa。’
’Whatwouldyoulikebesttodonow，——nowatonce。Canyougodownagaintoyourhusband’sfriends？’
’No——no——no。’
’Asforthedinner，nevermindaboutthat。Ican’tblamehimformakinguseofmyhouseinmyabsence，asfarasthatgoes，——
thoughIwishhecouldhavecontentedhimselfwithsuchadinnerasmyservantscouldhavepreparedforhim。Iwillhavesometeahere。’
’Letmestaywithyou，papa，andmakeitforyou。’
’Verywell，dear。Idonotmeantobeashamedtoentermyowndining-room。Ishall，therefore，goinandmakeyourapologies。’
ThereuponMrWhartonwalkedslowlyforth，andmarchedintothedining-room。
’Oh，MrWharton，’saidMrsDick，’wedidn’texpectyou。’
’Haveyoudinedyet，sir？’askedLopez。
’Ihavedinedearly，’saidMrWharton。’Ishouldnotnowhavecomeintodisturbyou，butthatIhavefoundMrsLopezunwell，andshehasbeggedmetoaskyoutoexcuseher。’
’Iwillgotoher，’saidLopez，rising。
’Itisnotnecessary，’saidWharton。’Sheisnotill，buthardlyabletotakeherplaceattable。’ThenMrsDickproposedtogotoherdearniece，butMrWhartonwouldnotallowit，andlefttheroom，havingsucceededinpersuadingthemtogoonwiththeirdinner。Lopezcertainlywasnothappyduringtheevening，buthewasstrongenoughtohidehismisgivings，andtodohisdutyashostwithseemingcheerfulness。
CHAPTER49
WHEREISGUATEMALA？
Thoughhisdaughter’swordstohimhadbeenverywildtheydidalmostmoretoconvinceMrWhartonthatheshouldnotgivehismoneytohisson-in-lawthaneventheletterswhichhadpassedbetweenthem。ToEmilyherselfhespokeverylittleastowhathadoccurredthatevening。’Papa，’shesaid，’donotaskmeanythingmoreaboutit。Iwasverymiserable，——becauseofthedinner。’Nordidheatthattimeaskheranyquestions，contentinghimselfwithassuringherthat，atanyrateatpresent，andtillafterherbabyshouldhavebeenborn，shemustremainatManchesterSquare。’Hewon’thurtme，’saidMrWharton，andthanaddedwithasmile，’Hewon’twanttohaveanymoredinnerpartieswhileIamhere。’
NordidhemakeanycomplainttoLopezastowhathadbeendone，orevenalludetothedinner。Butwhenhehadbeenbackaboutaweekheannouncedtohisson-in-lawhisfinaldeterminationastomoney。’Ihadbettertellyou，Lopez，whatImeantodo，sothatyoumaynotbeleftindoubt。IshallnotentrustanyfurthersumofmoneyintoyourhandsonbehalfofEmily。’
’Youcandoasyouplease，sir，——ofcourse。’
’Justso。Youhavehadwhattomeisaveryconsiderablesum，——
thoughIfearthatitdidnotgoformuchinyourlargeconcern。’
’Itwasnotverymuch，MrWharton。’
’Idaresaynot。Opinionsonsuchamatterdiffer，youknow。Atanyratetherewillbenomore。AtpresentIwishEmilytoliveher，andyou，ofcourse，arewelcomeherealso。Ifthingsarenotgoingwellwithyou，thiswill，atanyrate，relieveyoufromimmediateexpense。
’Minearemoreminute。Thenecessitiesofmylifehavecausedmetothinkoftheselittlethings。WhenIamdeadtherewillbeprovisionforEmilymadebymywill——theincomegoingtotrusteesforherbenefit，andthecapitaltoherchildrenafterherdeath。Ithoughtitonlyfairtoyouthatthisshouldbeexplained。’
’Andyouwilldonothingforme？’
’Nothing——ifthatisnothing。Ishouldhavethoughtthatyourpresentmaintenanceandthefuturesupportofyourwifeandchildrenwouldhavebeenregardedassomething。’
’Itisnothing——nothing！’
’Thenletitbenothing。Goodmorning。’
TwodaysafterthatLopezrecurredtothesubject。’Youwereveryexplicitwithmetheotherday，sir。’
’Imeanttobeso。’
’AndIwillbeequallysotoyounow。BothIandyourdaughterareabsolutelyruinedunlessyoureconsideryourpurpose。’
’Ifyoumeanmoneybyreconsideration——presentmoneytobegiventoyou，——Icertainlyshallnotreconsiderit。YoumaytakemysolemnassurancethatIwillgiveyounothingthatcanbeofanyservicetoyouintrade。’
Then，sir，——Imusttellyoumypurpose，andgiveyoumyassurance，whichisequallysolemn。UnderthosecircumstancesI
mustleaveEngland，andtrymyfortuneinCentralAmerica。ThereisanopeningformeatGuatemala，thoughnotaveryhopefulone。’
’Guatemala！’
’Yes——friendsofminehaveaconnectionthere。IhavenotbrokenittoEmilyyet，butunderthesecircumstancesshewillhavetogo。’
’YouwillnottakehertoGuatemala！’
’Nottakemywife，sir？IndeedIshall。DoyousupposethatI
wouldgoawayandleavemywifeapensioneronyourbounty？Doyouthinkthatshewouldwishtodesertherhusband？Idon’tthinkyouknowyourdaughter。’
’Iwishyouhadneverknownher。’
’Thatisneitherherenotthere，sir。IfIcannotsucceedinthiscountryImustgoelsewhere。AsIhavetoldyoubefore20，000poundsatthepresentmomentwouldenablemetosurmountallmydifficulties，andmakemeaverywealthyman。ButunlessIcancommandsomesuchsumbyChristmaseverythingheremustbesacrificed。’
’NeverinmylifedidIhearsobaseaproposition，’saidMrWharton。
’Whyisitbase？Icanonlytellyouthetruth。’
’Sobeit。YouwillfindthatIhavemeanwhatIsaid。’
’SodoI，MrWharton。’
’Astomydaughter，shemust，ofcourse，doasshethinksfit。’
’ShemustdoasIthinkfit，MrWharton。’
’Iwillnotarguewithyou。Alas，alas，poorgirl。’
’Poorgirlindeed！Sheislikelytobeapoorgirlifsheistreatedinthiswaybyherfather。AsIunderstandthatyouintendtouse，ortotrytouse，authorityoverher，Ishalltakestepsforremovingheratoncefromyourhouse。’Andsotheinterviewwasended。
Lopezhadthoughtthematterover，andhaddeterminedto’brazenitout’，ashehimselfcalledit。Nothingfurtherwas，hethought，tobegotbycivilityandobedience。Nowhemustusehispower。HisideaofgoingtoGuatemalawasnotaninventionofthemoment，norwasitdevoidofacertainbasisoftruth。
SuchasuggestionhadbeenmadetohimsometimesincebyMrMillsHapperton。TherewereminesinGuatemalawhichwanted，oratsomefuturedate，mightwant，aresidentdirector。ThepropositionhadbeenmadetoLopezbeforehismarriage，andMrHappertonprobablyhadnowforgottenallaboutit——butthethingwasofservicenow。Hebrokethematterverysuddenlytohiswife。’Hasyourfatherbeenspeakingtoyouofmyplans？’
’Notlately——notthatIremember。’
’Hecouldnotspeakofthemwithoutyourremembering，Ishouldthink。HashetoldyouthatIamgoingtoGuatemala？’
’Guatemala！WhereisGuatemala，Ferdinand？’
’Youcananswermyquestionthoughyourgeographyisdeficient。’
’Hehassaidnothingaboutyourgoinganywhere。’
’Youwillhavetogo，——assoonafterChristmasasyoumaybefit。’
’ButwhereisGuatemala——andforhowlong，Ferdinand？’
’GuatemalaisinCentralAmerica，andweshallprobablysettletherefortherestofourlives。Ihavegotnothingtoliveonhere。’
DuringthenexttwomonthsthisplanofseekingadistanthomeandastrangecountrywasconstantlyspokenofinManchesterSquare，anddidreceivecorroborationfromMrHappertonhimself。
Lopezrenewedhisapplicationandreceivedalettersayingthatthethingmightprobablybearrangedifhewereinearnest。’I
amquiteearnest，’LopezsaidasheshowedthelettertoMrWharton。’IsupposeEmilywillbeabletostarttwomonthsafterherconfinement。Theytellmebabiesdoverywellatsea。’
Duringthistime，inspiteofhisthreat，hecontinuedtolivewithMrWhartoninManchesterSquare，andwenteverydayintothecity，——whethertomakearrangementsandreceiveinstructionsastoGuatemala，ortocarryonhisoldbusiness，neitherEmilynorherfatherknew。Heneveratthistimespokeabouthisaffairstoeitherofthem，butdailyreferredtoherfutureexpatriationasathingthatwascertain。Atlasttherecameuptheactualquestion，——whethersheweretogoornot。Herfathertoldherthatthoughshewasdoubtlessboundbylawtoobeyherhusband，insuchamatterasthisshemightdefythelaw。’Idonotthinkthathecanactuallyforceyouonboardtheship，’herfathersaid。
’ButifhetellsmeImustgo？’
’Staywithme，’saidthefather。’Stayherewithyourbaby。
I’llfightitoutforyou。I’llsomanagethatyoushallhavealltheworldonyourside。’
Emilyatthemomentcametonodecision，butonthefollowingdayshediscussedthematterwithLopezhimself。’Ofcourseyouwillgowithme，’hesaid，whensheaskedthequestion。
’YoumeanthatImust，whetherIwishtogoornot。’
’Certainlyyoumust。GoodG-！Whereisawife’splace？AmItogowithoutmychild，andwithoutyou，whileyouareenjoyingallthecomfortsofyourfather’swealthathome？Thatisnotmyideaoflife。’
’Ferdinand，Ihavebeenthinkingaboutitverymuch。Imustbegyoutoallowmetoremain。IaskitofyouasifIwereaskingmylife。’
’Yourfatherhasputyouuptothis。’
’No——nottothis。’
’Towhatthen。’
’MyfatherthinksIshouldrefusetogo。’
’Hedoes，doeshe？’
’ButIshallnotrefuse。Ishallgoifyouinsistuponit。
Thereshallbenocontestbetweenusaboutthat。’
’Well，Ishouldhopenot。’
’ButIdoimploreyoutospareme。’
’Thatisveryselfish，Emily。’
’Yes，’——shesaid，’yes，Icannotcontradictthat。Butsoisthemanselfishwhopraysthejudgetosparehislife。’
’Butyoudonotthinkofme。Imustgo。’
’Ishallnotmakeyouhappier，Ferdinand。’
’Doyouthinkthatitisafinethingforamantoliveinsuchacountryasthatallalone？’
’Ithinkitwouldbebettersothanwithawifehedoesnot——
love。’
’WhosaysIdonotloveyou？’
’Orwithonewhodoes——not——lovehim。’Thisshesaidveryslowly，verysoftly，butlookingupintohiseyesasshesaidit。
’Doyoutellmethattomyface？’
’Yes——whatgoodcanIdonowbylying？YouhavenotbeentomeasIthoughtyouwouldbe。’
’And，becauseyouhavebuiltsomecastleintheairthathasfallentopieces，youtellyourhusbandtohisfacethatyoudonotlovehim，andthatyouprefernottolivewithhim。Isthatyourideaofduty？’
’Whyhaveyoubeensocruel？’
’Cruel！WhathaveIdone？Tellmewhatcruelty。HaveIbeatyou？Haveyoubeenstarved？HaveInotaskedandimploredyourassistance，——onlytoberefused？ThefactisthatyourfatherandyouhavefoundoutthatIamnotarichman，andyouwanttoberidofme。Isthattrueorfalse？’
’ItisnottruethatIwanttoberidofyoubecauseyouarepoor。’
’Idonotmeantoberidofyou。Youwillhavetosettledownanddoyourworkasmywifeinwhateverplaceitmaysuitmetolive。Yourfatherisarichman，butyoushallnothavetheadvantageofhiswealthunlessitcomestoyou，asitoughttocome，throughmyhands。Ifyourfatherwouldgivemethefortunewhichoughttobeyoursthereneedbenogoingabroad。Hecannotbeartopartwithhismoney，andthereforewemustgo。Nowyouknowallaboutit。’Shewasthenturningtoleavehim，whenheaskedheradirectquestion。’AmItounderstandthatyouintendtoresistmyrighttotakeyouwithme？’
’Ifyoubidmego，——Ishallgo。’
’Itwillbebetter，asyouwillsavebothtroubleandexpense。’
Ofcourseshetoldherfatherwhathadtakenplace。buthecouldonlyshakehishead，andgroaningoverhismiseryinhischambers。Hehadexplainedtoherwhathewaswillingtodoonherbehalf，butshedeclinedhisaid。Hecouldnottellherthatshewaswrong。Shewastheman’swife，andoutofthatterribledestinyshecouldnotnowescape。Theonlyquestionwithhimwaswhetheritwouldnotbebesttobuytheman，——givehimasomeofmoneytogo，andtogoalone。Couldhehavebeenquitofthemanevenfor20，000pounds，hewouldwillinglyhavepaidthemoney。
Butthemanwouldeithernotgo，orwouldcomebackassoonashegotthemoney。Hisownlife，ashepasseditnow，withthismaninthehousewithhim，washorribletohim。ForLopez，thoughhehadmorethanoncethreatenedthathewouldcarryhiswifetoanotherhome，hadtakennostepstowardsgettingthatotherhousereadyforher。
DuringallthistimeMrWhartonhadnotseenhisson。EveretthadgoneabroadjustashisfatherreturnedtoLondonfromBrighton，andwasstillonthecontinent。Hereceivedhisallowancepunctually，andthatwastheonlyintercoursewhichtookplacebetweenthem。ButEmilyhadwrittentohim，nottellinghimmuchofhertroubles，——onlysayingthatshebelievedherhusbandwouldtakehertoCentralAmericaearlyinthespring，andbegginghimtocomehomebeforeshewent。
JustbeforeChristmasherbabywasborn，butthepoorchilddidnotliveacoupleofdays。Sheherselfatthetimewassowornwithcare，sothinandwanandwretched，thatlookingintheglassshehardlyknewherownface。’Ferdinand，’shesaidtohim，’Iknowhewillnotlive。TheDoctorsaysso。’
’NotingthrivesthatIhavetodowith，’heansweredgloomily。
’Willyounotlookathim？’
’Well。yes。Ihavelookedathim，haveInot？IwishtoGodthatwhereheisgoingIcouldgowithhim。’
’IwishIwas——IwishIwasgoing，’saidthepoormother。Thenthefatherwentout，andbeforehehadreturnedtothehousethechildwasdead。’Oh，Ferdinand，speakonekindwordtomenow，’
shesaid。
’WhatkindwordcanIspeakwhenyouhavetoldmethatyoudonotloveme。DoyouthinkthatIcanforgetthatbecause，becausehehasgone？’
’Awoman’slovemayalwaysbewonbackbykindness。’
’Psha！HowamItokissandmakeprettyspeecheswithmymindharassedasitisnow？’Buthedidtouchherbrowwithhislipsbeforehewentaway。
Theinfantwasburied，andthentherewasnotmuchshowofmourninginthehouse。Thepoormotherwouldsitgloomilyalonedayafterday，tellingherselfthatitwasperhapsbetterthatsheshouldhavebeenrobbedofhertreasurethanhavegoneforthwithhimintothewide，unknown，harshworldwithsuchafatherasshehadgivenhim。Thenshewouldlookatallthepreparationsshehadmade，——thehappyworkofherfingerswhenherthoughtsoftheirfutureusewerehersweetestconsolation，——
andweeptillshewouldherselffeelthattherenevercouldbeanendtohertears。
ThesecondweekinJanuaryhadcomeandyetnothingfurtherhadbeensettledastotheGuatemalaproject。Lopeztalkedaboutitasthoughitwascertain，andeventoldhiswifeastheywouldmovesosoonitwouldnotbenowworthwhileforhimtotakeotherlodgingsforher。Butwhensheaskedastoherownpreparations，——thewardrobenecessaryforthelongvoyageandhergeneraloutfit，——hetoldherthatthreeweeksorafortnightwouldbeenoughforall，andthathewouldgivehersufficientnotice。’Uponmywordheisverykindtohonourmypoorhouseashedoes，’saidMrWharton。
’Papa，wewillgoatonceifyouwishit，’saidhisdaughter。
’Nay，Emily。donotturnuponme。Icannotbutbesensibletotheinsultofhisdailypresence，buteventhatisbetterthanlosingyou。’
Thenthereoccurredaludicrousincident，——orthecombinationofincidents，——which，inspiteoftheirabsurdity，droveMrWhartonalmostfrantic。FirsttherecametohimthebillfromMessrsStewamandSugarscrapsforthedinner。Atthistimehekeptnothingbackfromhisdaughter。’Lookatthat！’hesaid。Thebillwasabsolutelymadeoutinhisname。
’Itisamistake，papa。’
’Notatall。Thedinnerwasgiveninmyhouse，andImustpayforit。Iwouldsoonerdosothanheshouldpayit，——evenifhehadthemeans。’SohepaidMessrsStewamandSugarscraps25
pounds9s6d。，beggingthemashedidsonevertosendanotherdinnerintohishouse，andobservingthathewasinthehabitofentertaininghisfriendsatlessthanthreeguineasahead。’ButChateauYquemandCoted’Or！’saidMrSugarscraps。’Chateaufiddlesticks！’saidMrWharton，walkingoutofthehousewithhisreceipt。
Thencamethebillforthebrougham，——forthebroughamfromtheverydayoftheirreturntotownaftertheirweddingtrip。ThisheshowedtoLopez。IndeedthebillhadbeenmadeouttoLopezandsenttoMrWhartonwithanapologeticnote。’Ididn’ttellhimtosendit，’saidLopez。
’Butwillyoupayit？’
’Icertainlyshallnotaskyoutopayit。’ButMrWhartonatlastdidpayit，andhealsopaidtherentoftheroomsintheBelgraveMansions，andbetween30poundsand40poundsfordresseswhichEmilyhadgotatLewesandAllenby’sunderherhusband’sordersinthefirstdaysoftheirmarriedlifeinLondon。
’Oh，papa，IwishIhadnotgonethere，’shesaid。
’Mydear，anythingthatyoumayhavehadIdonotgrudgeintheleast。Andevenforhim，ifhewouldletyouremainhere，I
wouldpaywillingly。Iwouldsupplyallhewantsifhewouldonly——goaway。’
CHAPTER50
MRSLIDE’SREVENGE。
’Doyoumeantosay，mylady，thattheDukepaidhiselectioneeringbilldownatSilverbridge？’
’Idomeantosayso，MrSlide，’LadyEustacenoddedherhead，andMrQuintusSlideopenedhismouth。
’Goodnessgracious！’saidMrsLeslie，whowassittingwiththem。
TheywereinLadyEustace’sdrawing-room，andthepatrioticeditorofthePeople’sBannerwasobtainingfromanewallyinformationwhichmightbeusefultothecountry。
’But’owdoyouknow，LadyEustace？You’llpardonthepersistencyofmyinquiries，butwhenyoucometopublicinformationaccuracyiseverything。Inevertrustmyselftomerereport，Ialwaystraveluptotheveryfountain’eadoftruth。’
’Iknowit，’saidLizzyEustaceoracularly。
’Um——m！TheEditorasheejaculatedthesoundlookedatherladyshipwithadmiringeyes，——witheyesthatwereintendedtoflatter。ButLizziehadbeenlookedatsoofteninsomanyways，andwassowellaccustomedtoadmiration，thatthishadnoeffectonheratall。’Hedidn’ttellyouhimself，did’enow？’
’Canyoutellmethetruthastotrustinghimwithmymoney？’
’Yes，Ican。’
’ShallIbesafeifItakethepaperswhichhecallsbillsofsale？’
’Onegoodturndeservesanother，mylady。’
’Idon’twanttomakeasecretofit，MrSlide。Pountneyfounditout。YouknowtheMajor？’
’Yes，IknowMajorPountney。HewasatGatherum’imself，andgotalittlebitofacoldshoulder，——didn’the？’
’Idaresayhedid。Whathasthattodowithit？YoumaybesurethatLopezappliedtotheDukeforhisexpensesatSilverbridge，andthattheDukesenthimthemoney。’
’There’snodoubtaboutit，MrSlide，’saidMrsLeslie。’WegotitallfromMajorPountney。TherewassomebetbetweenhimandPountney，andhehadtoshowPountneythecheque。’
’Pountneysawthemoney，’saidLadyEustace。
MrSlidestrokedhishadoverhismouthandchinashesatthinkingofthetremendousnationalimportanceofthiscommunication。ThemanwhohadpaidthemoneywasthePrimeMinisterofEngland，——andwas，moreover，MrSlide’senemy！
’Whentheright’andoffellowshiphadbeenrejected，Ineverforgive！’MrSlidehasbeenheardtosay。EvenLadyEustace，whowasnotparticularastotheappearanceofpeople，remarkedafterwardstoherfriendthatMrSlidelookedlikethedevilashewasstrokinghisface。’It’sveryremarkable，’saidMrSlide。
’veryremarkable。’
’Youwon’ttelltheMajorthatwetoldyou，’saidherLadyship。
’Ohdearnot。Ionlywantedto’earhowitwas。Andastoembarkingyourmoney，mylady，withFerdinandLopez，——Iwouldn’tdoit。’
’NotifIgetthebillsofsale？It’sforrum，andtheysayrumwillgouptoanyprice。’
’Don’tLadyEustace。Ican’tsayanymore，——butdon’t。Inevermentionnames。Butdon’t。’
ThenMrSlidewentoutinsearchofMajorPountney，andhavingfoundthemajorathisclubextractedfromhimallthatheknewabouttheSilverbridgepayment。PountneyhadreallyseentheDuke’schequefor500pounds。’Therewassomebet，——eh，Major？’
askedMrSlide。
’No，therewasn’t。Iknowwhohadbeentellingyou。That’sLizzieEustace，andjustlikehermischief。Theywayofitwasthis，——Lopez，whowasveryangry，hadboastedthathewouldbringtheDukedownonhismarrow-bones。Iwaslaughingathimaswesatatdinnerondayafterwards，andhetookoutthechequeandshoweditme。TherewastheDuke’sownsignaturefor500
pounds，——Omnium，asplainasletterscouldmakeit。’Armedwiththisfullinformation，MrSlidefeltthathehaddoneallthatthepunctiliousdevotiontoaccuracycoulddemandofhim，andimmediatelyshuthimselfupinhiscageatthePeople’sBannerofficeandwenttowork。
ThisoccurredaboutthefirstweekofJanuary。TheDukewasthenatMatchingwithhiswifeandaverysmallparty。ThesingulararrangementwhichhadbeeneffectedbytheDuchessintheearlyautumnhadpassedoffwithoutanywonderfuleffects。Ithadbeendonebyherinpique，andtheresulthadbeenapparentlysoabsurdthatithadatfirstfrightenedher。Butintheenditansweredverywell。TheDuketookgreatpleasureinLadyRosina’scompany，andenjoyedtheapparentsolitudewhichenabledhimtoworkalldaywithoutinterruption。Hiswifeprotestedthatitwasjustwhatsheliked，thoughitmustbefearedthatshesoonbecamewearyofit。ToLadyRosinaitwasofcourseParadiseonearth。InSeptember，PhineasFinnandhiswifecametothem，andinOctobertherewereotherrelaxationsandotherbusiness。ThePrimeMinisterandhiswifevisitedtheirSovereign，andhemadesomeveryusefulspeechesthroughthecountryonhisoldfavouritesubjectofdecimalcoinage。AtChristmas，forafortnight，theywenttoGatherumCastleandentertainedtheneighbourhood，——thenobilityandsquirearchydiningthereononeday，andthetenantsandotherfarmersonanother。Allthiswentverysmoothly，andtheDukedidnotbecomeoutrageouslyunhappybecausethePeople’sBannermadesundrysevereremarksontheabsenceofCabinetCouncilsthroughtheautumn。
AfterChristmastheyreturnedtoMatching，andhadsomeoftheiroldfriendswiththem。TherewastheDukeofStBungayandtheDuchess，andPhineasFinnandhiswife，andLordandLadyCantrip，BarringtonErle，andoneortwoothers。Butatthisperiodtherecameagreattrouble。OnemorningastheDukesatinhisownroomafterbreakfasthereadanarticleinthePeople’sBanner，ofwhichthefollowingsentencesareapart。
WewishtoknowbywhomwerepaidtheexpensesincurredbyMrFerdinandLopezduringthelatecontestatSilverbridge。Itmaybethattheywerepaidbythatgentlemanhimself，——inwhichcaseweshallhavenothingfurthertosay，notcaringatthepresentmomenttoinquirewhetherthoseexpenseswereorwerenotexcessive。Itmaybethattheywerepaidbysubscriptionamonghispoliticalfriends，——andifso，againweshallbesatisfied。
Oritispossiblethatfundsweresuppliedbyanewpoliticalclubofwhichwehavelatelyheardmuch，andwiththeactionofsuchbodyweofcoursehavenothingtodo。IfanassurancecanbegiventousbyMrLopezorhisfriendsthatsuchwasthecaseweshallbesatisfied。
Butareporthasreachedus，andwemaysaymorethanareport，whichmakesitourdutytoaskthisquestion。WerethoseexpensespaidoutoftheprivatepocketofthepresentPrimeMinister？Ifso，wemaintainthatwehavediscoveredablotinthatnobleman’scharacterwhichitisourdutytothepublictoexpose。Wewillgofartherandsaythatifitbeso，——iftheseexpenseswerepaidoutoftheprivatepocketoftheDukeofOmnium，itisnotfitthatthatnoblemanshouldanylongerholdthehighofficewhichhenowfills。
WeknowthatapeershouldnotinterfereinelectionsfortheHouseofCommons。WecertainlyknowthataMinisteroftheCrownshouldnotattempttopurchaseparliamentarysupport。Wehappentoknowalsothealmostmorethanpublicmanner，——arewenotjustifiedinsayingtheostentation？——withwhichatthelastelectiontheDukerepudiatedallthatinfluencewiththeboroughwhichhispredecessors，andwebelievehehimself，hadsolongexercised。Hecameforwardtellingusthathe，atleast，meanttohavecleanhands，——thathewouldnotdoashisforefathershaddone，——thathewouldnotevendoashehimselfhaddoneinformeryears。WhatarewetothinkoftheDukeofOmniumasaMinisterofthiscountry，if，aftersuchassurances，hehasoutofisownpocketpaidtheelectioneeringexpensesofacandidateatSilverbridge？Therewasmuchmoreinthearticle，butthepassagesquotedwillsufficetogivethereaderasufficientideaoftheaccusationmade，andwhichtheDukereadintheretirementofhisownchamber。
Hereadittwicebeforeheallowedhimselftothinkofthematter。Thestatementmadewasatanyratetruetotheletter。
Hehadpaidtheman’selectioneeringexpenses。Thathehaddonesofromthepurestmotivesheknewandthereaderknows，——buthecouldevenexplainthosemotiveswithoutexposinghiswife。
Sincethechequewassenthehadneverspokenoftheoccurrencetoanyhumanbeing，——buthehadthoughtofitveryoften。AtthetimehisprivateSecretary，withmuchhesitation，almostwithtrepidation，hadcounselledhimnottosendthemoney。TheDukewasamanwithwhomitwasveryeasytowork，whosecourtesytoalldependentonhimwasalmostexaggerated，whoneverfoundfault，andwasanxiousasfaraspossibletodoeverythingforhimself。Thecomfortofthosearoundhimwasalwaysamatterofinteresttohim。Everythingheheld，heheldasitwereintrustfortheenjoymentofothers。Buthewasamanwhomitwasdifficulttoadvise。Hedidnotlikeadvice。Hewassothin-
skinnedthatanycounselofferedhimtooktheformofcriticism。
Whencautionedwhatshoesheshouldwear，——ashadbeendonebyLadyRosina，orwhatwineorwhathorsesheshouldbuy，aswasdonebyhisbutlerandcoachman，hewasthankful，takingnopridetohimselfforknowledgeastoshoes，wine，orhorses。Butastohisownconduct，privateorpublic，astoanyquestionofpolitics，astohisopinionsandresolutions，hewasjealousofinterference。MrWarburtonthereforehadalmosttrembledwhenaskingtheDukewhetherhewasquitesureaboutsendingthemoneytoLopez。’Quitesure，’theDukehadanswered，havingatthattimemadeuphismind。MrWarburtonhadnotdaredtoexpressafurtherdoubt，andthemoneyhadbeensent。ButfromthemomentofsendingitdoubtshadrepeatedthemselvesinthePrimeMinister’smind。
Nowhesatwiththenewspaperinhishandthinkingofit。Ofcourseitwasopentohimtotakenonoticeofthematter，——togoonasthoughhehadneverseenthearticle，andtoletthethingdieifitwoulddie。ButheknewMrQuintusSlideandhispaperwellenoughtobesurethatitwouldnotdie。ThechargewouldberepeatedinthePeople’sBannertillitwascopiedintootherpapers，andthenthefurtherquestionwouldbeasked，——whyhadthePrimeMinisterallowedsuchanaccusationtoremainunanswered？Butifhedidnoticeit，whatnoticeshouldhetakeofit？Itwastrue。Andsurelyhedisobeyednolaw。Hehadbribednoone。Hehadspenthismoneywithnocorruptpurpose。
Hissenseofhonourhadtaughthimtothinkthemanhadreceivedinjurythroughhiswife’simprudence，andthathethereforewasresponsibleasfarasthepecuniarylosswasconcerned。Hewasnotashamedthatitshouldbediscussedinpublic。
Whyhadheallowedhimselftobeputintoapositioninwhichhewassubjecttosuchgrievousannoyance？Sincehehadheldhisofficehehadnothadahappyday，nor，——orsohetoldhimself，——
hadhereceivedfromitanyslightestgratification，norcouldhebuoyhimselfupwiththeideathathewasdoinggoodserviceforhiscountry。AfterawhilehewalkedintothenextroomandshowedthepapertoMrWarburton。’Perhapsyouwereright，’hesaid，’whenyoutoldmenottosendthemoney。’
’Itwillmatternothing，’saidtheprivateSecretarywhenhehadreadit，——thinking，however，thatitmightmattermuch，butwishingtosparetheDuke。
’IwasobligedtorepaythemanastheDuchesshad，——hadencouragedhim。TheDuchesshadnotquite，——quiteunderstoodmywishes。’MrWarburtonknewthewholehistory，havingdiscusseditallwiththeDuchessmorethanonce。
’IthinkyourGraceshouldtakenonoticeofthearticle。’
Nonoticewastakenofit，butthreedaysafterwardsthereappearedashortparagraphinlargetype，——beginningwithaquestion。DoestheDukeofOmniumintendtoanswerthequestionaskedbyuslastFriday？IsittruethatpaidtheexpensesofMrLopezwhenthatgentlemanstoodforSilverbridge？TheDukemaybeassuredthatthequestionwillberepeatedtillitisanswered。ThistheDukealsosawandtooktohisprivateSecretary。
’Iwoulddonothingatanyratetillitbenoticedinsomeotherpaper，’saidtheprivateSecretary。’ThePeople’sBannerisknowntobescandalous。’
’Ofcourse，itisscandalous。And，moreover，Iknowthemotivesandthemaliceofthewretchedmanwhoistheeditor。Butthepaperisread，andthefoulchargeifrepeatedwillbecomeknown，andtheallegationmadeistrue。Ididpaytheman’selectionexpenses，——andmoreovertotellthetruthopenlyasIdonotscrupletodotoyou，IamnotpreparedtostatepubliclythereasonwhyIdidso。Andnothingbutthatreasoncouldjustifyme。’
’ThenIthinkyourGraceshouldstateit。’
’Icannotdoso。’
’TheDukeofStBungayishere。Woulditnotbewelltotellthewholeaffairtohim？’
’Iwillthinkofit。IdonotknowwhyIshouldhavetroubledyou。’
’Oh，mylord！’
’Exceptthatthereisalwayssomecomfortinspeakingevenofone’strouble。Iwillthinkaboutit。Inthemeantimeyouneedperhapsnotmentionitagain。’
’Who？I？Oh，certainlynot。’
’Ididnotmeantoothers，——buttomyself。IwillturnitinmymindandspeakofitwhenIhavedecidedanything。’Andhedidthinkaboutit，thinkingofitsomuchthathecouldhardlygetthematteroutofminddayornight。Tohiswifehedidnotalludetoitatall。Whytroubleherwithit？Shehadcausedtheevil，andhehadcautionedherastothefuture。Shecouldnothelphimoutofthedifficultyshehadcreated。Hecontinuedtoturnthematteroverinhisthoughtstillhesomagnifiedit，andbuiltitupintosuchproportions，thatheagainbegantothinkthathemustresign。Itwas，hethought，truethatamanshouldnotremaininofficeasPrimeMinisterwhoinsuchamattercouldnotclearhisownconduct。
ThentherewasathirdattackinthePeople’sBanner，andafterthatthematterwasnoticedintheEveningPulpit。ThisnoticetheDukeofStBungaysawandmentionedittoMrWarburton。’HastheDukespokentoyouofsomeallegationsmadeinthepressastotheexpensesofthelateelectionatSilverbridge？’TheoldDukewasatthistime，andhadbeenforsomemonths，inastateofnervousanxietyabouthisfriend。HehadalmostadmittedtohimselfthathehadbeenwronginrecommendingapoliticiansoweaklyorganizedtotaketheofficeofPrimeMinister。Hehadexpectedthemantobemoremanly，——hadperhapsexpectedhimtobelessconscientiouslyscrupulous。Butnow，asthethinghadbeendone，itmustbemaintained。Whoelsewastheretotaketheoffice？MrGreshamwouldnot。TokeepMrDaubneyoutwastheveryessenceoftheDukeofStBungay’slife，——theturning-pointofhispoliticalcreed，theonegranddutytheideaofwhichwasalwayspresenttohim。Andhehad，moreover，amosttrueandaffectionateregardforthemanwhomhenowsupported，appreciatingthesweetnessofhischaracter，——believingstillintheMinister’spatriotism，intelligence，devotion，andhonesty。
thoughhewasforcedtoowntohimselfthatthestrengthofaman’sheartwaswanting。
’Yes，’saidWarburton，’hedidmentionit。’
’Doesittroublehim？’
’Perhapsyouhadbetterspeaktohimaboutit。’BoththeoldDukeandtheprivateSecretarywereasfearfulandnervousaboutthePrimeMinisterasamotherisforaweaklychild。Theycouldhardlytelltheiropinionstoeachother，buttheyunderstoodoneanother，andbetweenthemtheycoddledthePrimeMinister。TheywerespeciallynervousastowhatmightbedonebythePrimeMinister’swife，nervousastowhatwasdonebyeveryonewhocameincontactwithhim。IthadbeenoncesuggestedbytheprivateSecretarythatLadyRosinashouldbesentfor，asshehadasoothingeffectuponthePrimeMinister’sspirit。
’Hasitirritatedhim？’askedtheDuke。
’Well——yes，ithas，——alittle，youknow。IthinkyourGracehadbetterspeaktohim——andnotperhapsmentionmyname。’TheDukeofStBungaynoddedhishead，andsaidhewouldspeaktothegreatmanandwouldnotmentionanyone’sname。
Andhedidspeak。’Hasanyonesaidanythingtoyouaboutit？’
askedthePrimeMinister。
’IsawitintheEveningPulpitmyself。Ihavenothearditmentionedanywhere。’
’Ididpaytheman’sexpenses。’
’Youdid！’
’Yes，——whentheelectionwasover，and，asfarasIcanremember，sometimeafteritwasover。Hewrotetomesayingthathehadincurredsuchandsuchexpenses，andaskingmetorepayhim。Isenthimachequefortheamount。
’Butwhy？’
’Iwasboundinhonourtodoit。’
’Butwhy？’
Therewasashortpausebeforethissecondquestionwasanswered。
’Themanhadbeeninducedtostandbyrepresentationsmadetohimfrommyhouse。Hehadbeen，Ifear，promisedcertainsupportwhichcertainlywasnotgivenhimwhenthetimecame。’
’Youhadnotpromisedit？’
’No——notI。’
’WasittheDuchess？’
’Uponthewhole，myfriend，IthinkIwouldrathernotdiscussitfurther，evenwithyou。ItisrightthatyoushouldknowthatI
didpaythemoney，——andalsowhyIpaidit。Itmayalsobenecessarythatweshouldconsiderwhethertheremaybeanyfurtherprobableresultfrommydoingso。Butthemoneyhasbeenpaid，bymemyself，——andwaspaidforthereasonIhavestated。’
’AquestionmightbeaskedintheHouse。’
’Ifso，itmustbeansweredasIhaveansweredyou。Icertainlyshallnotshirkanyresponsibilitythatmaybeattachedtome。’
’YouwouldnotlikeWarburtontowritealinetothenewspaper？’
’What——tothePeople’sBanner！’
’Itbeganthere，didit？No，nottothePeople’sBanner，buttotheEveningPulpit。Hecouldsay，youknow，thatthemoneywaspaidbyyou，andthepaymenthadbeenmadebecauseyouragentshadmisapprehendedyourinstructions。’
’Itwouldnotbetrue，’saidthePrimeMinister，slowly。
’AsfarasIcanunderstandthatwaswhatoccurred，’saidtheotherDuke。
’Myinstructionswerenotmisapprehended。Theyweredisobeyed。
Ithinkthatperhapswehadbettersaynomoreaboutit。’
’DonotthinkIwishtopressyou，’saidtheoldmantenderly，’butIfearthatsomethingoughttobedone——Imeanforyourowncomfort。’
’Mycomfort！’saidthePrimeMinister。’Thathasvanishedlongago——andmypeaceofmind，andmyhappiness。’
’Therehasbeennothingdonewhichcannotbeexplainedwithperfecttruth。Therehasbeennoimpropriety。’
’Idonotknow。’
’Themoneywaspaidsimplyfromanover-nicesenseofhonour。’
’Itcannotbeexplained。Icannotexplainiteventoyou。andhowthencanIdoittoallthegapingfoolsofthecountrywhoarereadytotrampleuponamansimplybecauseheissomewayconspicuousamongthem？’
AfterthattheoldDukeagainspoketoMrWarburton，butMrWarburtonwasveryloyaltohischief。’CouldonedoanythingbyspeakingtotheDuchess？’saidtheoldDuke。
’Ithinknot。’
’IsupposeitwasherGracewhodiditall？’
’Icannotsay。MyownimpressionisthathehadbetterwaittilltheHousesmeet，andthen，ifanyquestionisasked，letitbeanswered。HehimselfwoulddoitintheHouseofLords，orMrFinnorBarringtonErle，inourHouse。ItwouldbesurelyenoughtoexplainthathisGracehadbeenmadetobelievethatthemanhadreceivedencouragementatSilverbridgefromhisownagents，whichhehimselfhadnotintendedshouldbegiven，andthatthereforehehadthoughtitrighttopaythemoney。Aftersuchanexplanationwhatmorecouldanyonesay？’
’Youmightdoityourself。’
’Ineverspeak。’
’Butinsuchacaseasthatyoumightdoso。andthentherewouldbenonecessityforhimtotalktoanotherpersononthematter。’
Sotheaffairwasleftforthepresent，thoughtheallusionstoitinthePeople’sBannerwerestillcontinued。NordidanyotherofthePrimeMinister’scolleaguesdaretospeaktohimonthesubject。BarringtonErleandPhineasFinntalkedofitamongthemselves，buttheydidnotmentioniteventotheDuchess。Shewouldhavegonetoherhusbandatonce，andtheyweretoocarefulofhimtorisksuchaproceeding。ItcertainlywasthecasethatamongthemtheycoddledthePrimeMinister。
CHAPTER51
CODDLINGTHEPRIMEMINISTER。
Parliamentwastomeetonthe12thofFebruary，anditwasofcoursenecessarythatthereshouldbeaCabinetCouncilbeforethattime。ThePrimeMinister，abouttheendofthethirdweekinJanuary，waspreparedtonameadayforthis，anddidso，mostunwillingly。Buthewasthenill，andtalkedbothtohisfriendtheoldDuke，andhisprivateSecretaryofhavingthemeetingheldwithouthim。’Impossible，’saidtheoldDuke。
’IfIcouldnotgoitwouldhavetobepossible。’
’Wecouldallcomehereifitwerenecessary。’
’BringfourteenorfifteenministersouttotownbecauseapoorcreaturesuchasIamisill！’ButintruththeDukeofStBungayhardlybelievedinthisillness。ThePrimeMinisterwasunhappyratherthanill。
BythistimeeveryoneintheHouse，——andalmosteverybodyinthecountrywhoreadthenewspapers，——hadheardofMrLopezandhiselectionexpenses，——excepttheDuchess。Noonehadyetdaredtotellher。Shesawthenewspapersdaily，butprobablydidnotreadthemveryattentively。Neverthelesssheknewthatsomethingwaswrong。MrWarburtonhoveredaboutthePrimeMinistermoretenderlythanusual。theDukeofStBungaywasmoreconcerned。
theworldaroundherwasmoremysterious，andherhusbandmorewretched。’Whatisitthat’sgoingon？’shesaidonedaytoPhineasFinn。
’Everything，——inthesamedullwayasusual。’
’Ifyoudon’ttellme，I’llneverspeaktoyouagain。Iknowthereissomethingwrong。’
’TheDuke，I’mafraid，isnotquitewell。’
’Whatmakeshimill？Iknowwellwhenhe’sill，andwhenhe’swell。He’stroubledbysomething。’
’Ithinkheis，Duchess。ButashehasnotspokentomeIamloathtomakeguesses。IftherebeanythingIcanonlyguessatit。’
ThenshequestionedMrsFinn，andgotananswer，which，ifnotsatisfactory，wasatanyrateexplanatory。’IthinkheisuneasyaboutthatSilverbridgeaffair。’
’WhatSilverbridgeaffair？’
’YouknowthathepaidtheexpenseswhichthatmanLopezsaysthatheincurred。’
’Yes——Iknowthat。’
’AndyouknowthatthatothermanSlidehasfounditout，andpublisheditallinthePeople’sBanner。’
’No！’
’Yes，indeed。Andawholearmyofaccusationshasbeenbroughtagainsthim。Ihaveneverlikedtotellyou，andyetIdonotthinkthatyoushouldbeleftinthedark。’
’Everybodydeceivesme，’saidtheDuchessangrily。
’Nay——therehasbeennodeceit。’
’Everybodykeepsthingsfromme。Ithinkyouwillkillmeamongyou。Itwasmydoing。Whydotheyattackhim？Iwillwritetothepapers。IencouragedthemanafterPlantagenethaddeterminedthatheshouldnotbeassisted，——and，becauseIhaddoneso，hepaidthemanhisbeggarlymoney。Whatistheretohurthiminthat？Letmebearit。Mybackisbroadenough。’
’TheDukeisverysensitive。’
’Ihatepeopletobesensitive。Itmakesthemcowards。Amanwhenheisafraidofbeingblamed，daresnotatlastevenshowhimself，andhastobewrappedinlamb’swool。’
’Ofcoursemenaredifferentlyorganized。’
’Yes——buttheworstofitis，thatwhentheysufferfromthisweakness，whichyoucallsensitiveness，theythinkthattheyaremadeoffinermaterialthanotherpeople。Menshouldn’tbemadeofSevreschina，butofgoodstoneearthenware。However，Idon’twanttoabusehim，poorfellow。’
’Idon’tthinkyouought。’
’Iknowwhatthatmeans。Youdonotwanttoabuseme。Sothey’vebeenbullyinghimaboutthemoneyhepaidtothatmanLopez。Howdidanybodyknowanythingaboutit？’
’Lopezmusthavetoldofit，’saidMrsFinn。
’Theworst，mydear，oftryingtoknowagreatmanypeopleis，thatyouaresuretogetholdofsomethatareverybad。Nowthatmanisverybad。Yettheysayhehasmarriedanicewife。’