’That’softenthecase，Duchess。’
’Andthecontrary——isn’tit，mydear？ButIshallhaveitoutwithPlantagenet。Ihavetowriteletterstoallthenewspapersmyself，I’llputitright。’Shecertainlycoddledherhusbandlessthantheothers，and，indeedinherheartsofheartsdisapprovedaltogetherofthecoddlingsystem。Butshewaswontatthisparticulartimetobesomewhattendertohimbecauseshewasawarethatsheherselfhadbeenimprudent。SincehehaddiscoveredherinterferenceatSilverbridge，andhadmadeherunderstanditsperniciousresults，shehadbeen，——not，perhaps，shamefaced，forthatworddescribesaconditiontowhichhardlyanyseriesofmisfortunescouldhavereducedtheDuchessofOmnium，——butinclinedtoquiescencebyfeelingsofpenitence。
Shewaslessdisposedthanheretoforetoattackhimwithwhattheworldofyesterdaycalls’chaff’，orwithwhattheworldofto-
daycalls’cheek’。Shewouldnotadmittoherselfthatshewascowed——butthegreatnessofthegameandthehighinterestattachedtoherhusband’spositiondidinsomedegreedismayher。
Neverthelesssheexecutedherpurposeof’havingitoutwithPlantagenet，’’Ihavejustheard，’shesaid，havingknockedatthedoorofhisownroom，andhavingfoundhimalone，——’Ihavejusthear，forthefirsttime，thatthereisarowaboutthemoneyyoupaidtoMrLopez。’
’Whotoldyou？’
’Nobodytoldme，——intheusualsenseoftheword。Ipresumedthatsomethingwasthematter，andthenIgotitfromMarie。Whyhadyounottoldme？’
’WhyshouldItellyou？’
’Butwhynot？Ifanythingtroubledme，Ishouldtellyou。Thatis，ifittroubledmemuch。’
’Youtakeitforgrantedthatthisdoestroublememuch。’Hewassmilingashesaidthis，butthesmilepassedveryquicklyfromhisface。’Iwillnot，however，deceiveyou。Itdoestroubleme。’
’Iknewverywellthatsomethingwaswrong。’
’Ihavenotcomplained。’
’Onecanseeasmuchasthatwithoutwords。Whatisitthatyoufear？Whatcanthemandotoyou？Whatmatterisittoyouifsuchaoneasthatpoursouthismaliceonyou？Letitrunoffliketherainfromthehousetops。Youaretoobigeventobestungbysuchareptileasthat。’Helookedintoherface，admiringtheenergywithwhichshespoketohim。’Asforansweringhim，’shecontinuedtosay，’thatmayormaynotbeproper。Ifitshouldbedone，therearepeopletodoit。ButI
amspeakingofyourowninnerself。Youhaveashieldagainstyourequals，andaswordtoattackthemwithifnecessary。Haveyounoarmourofproofagainstsuchacreatureasthat？Haveyounothinginsideyoutomakeyoufeelthatheistoocontemptibletoberegarded？’
’Nothing。’
’Oh，Plantagenet！’
’Cora，thereadifferentnatureswhichhaveeachtheirownexcellencies，andtheirowndefects。IwillnotadmitthatIamacoward，believingasIdothatIcoulddaretofacenecessarydanger。ButIcannotenduretohavemycharacterimpugned，——
evenbyMrLopez。’
’Whatmatter，——ifyouareintheright？Whyblenchifyourconscienceaccusesyouofnofault？Iwouldnotblenchifitdid。What，——isamantobeputinthefrontofeverything，andthentobejudgedasthoughhecouldgiveallhistimetothepickingofhissteps？’
’Justso！Andhemustpickthemmorewarilythananother。’
’Idonotbelieveit。Youseeallthiswithjaundicedeyes。I
readsomewheretheotherdaythatthegreatshipshavealwayslittlewormsattachedtothem，butthatthegreatshipsswimonandknownothingoftheworms。’
’Thewormsconqueratlast。’
’Theyshouldn’tconquerme！Afterall，whatisitthattheysayaboutthemoney？Thatyououghtnottohavehadit？’
’IbegintothinkIwaswrongtopayit。’
’Youcertainlywerenotwrong。Ihadledthemanon。Ihadbeenmistaken。Ihadthoughthewasagentleman。Havingledhimonatfirst，beforeyouhadspokentome，Ididnotliketogobackfrommyword。IdidgotothemanatSilverbridgewhosellsthepots，andnodoubttheman，whenthusencouraged，tolditalltoLopez。WhenLopezwenttothetownhedidsupposethathewouldhavewhatthepeoplecalltheCastleinterest。’
’AndIhaddonesomuchtopreventit。’
’What’stheuseofgoingbackonthatnow，unlessyouwantmetoputmyneckdowntobetroddenon？IamconfessingmyownsinsasfastasIcan。’
’GodknowsIwouldnothavetroddenonyou。’
’Iamwilling，——ifitbenecessary。Thencamethequestion——
asIhaddonethisevil，howwasittoberectified？Anymanwithaparticleofspiritwouldhavetakenhisrubsandsaidnothingaboutit。Butasthismanaskedforthemoney，itwasrightthatheshouldhaveit。Ifitisallmadepublichewon’tgetverywelloutofit。’
’Whatdoesthatmattertome？’
’NorshallI——onlyluckilyIdonotmindit。’
’ButIminditforyou。’
’Youmustthrowmetothewhale。LetsomebodysayinsomanywordsthattheDuchessdidsoandso。Itwasverywickednodoubt。buttheycan’tkillme，——noryetdismissme。AndIwon’tresign。InpointoffactIshan’tbeapennytheworseforit。’
’ButIshouldresign。’
’IfalltheMinistersofEnglandweretogiveupassoonastheirwivesdofoolishthings，thatquestionaboutQueen’sGovernmentwouldbecomeverydifficult。’
’Theymaydofoolishthings，dear。andyet——’
’Andyetwhat？’
’Andyetnotinterfereinpolitics。’
’That’sallyouknowaboutit，Plantagenet。Doesn’teverybodyknowthatMrsDaubneygotDrMacFuzlemmadeabishop，andthatMrsGreshamgotherhusbandtomakethathazyspeechaboutwomen’srights，sothatnobodyshouldknowwhichwayhemeanttogo？Thereareothersjustasbadasme，onlyIdon’tthinktheygotblownupsomuch。YoudonowasIaskyou。’
’Icouldn’tdoit，Cora。Thoughthestainwerebutalittlespot，andthethingtobeavoidedpoliticaldestruction，Icouldnotrideoutofthepunishmentbyfixingthatstainuponmywife。
Iwillnothaveyournamementioned。Aman’swifeshouldbetalkedaboutbynoone。’
’That’shighfaluting，Plantagenet。’
’Glencora，inthesemattersyoumustallowmetojudgeformyself，andIwilljudge。IwillneversaythatIdidn’tdoit——
butthatitwasmywifewhodid。’
’Adamsaidso，——becausehechosetotellthetruth。’
’AndAdamhasbeendespisedeversince，——notbecauseheatetheapple，butbecauseheimputedtheeatingofittoawoman。I
willnotdoit。Wehavehadenoughofthisnow。’Thensheturnedtogoaway——buthecalledherback。’Kissme，dear，’hesaid。Thenshestoopedoverhimandkissedhim。’DonotthinkI
amangrywithyoubecausethethingvexesme。Iamdreamingalwaysofsomedaywhenwemaygoawaytogetherwiththechildren，andrestinsomeprettyspot，andliveasotherpeoplelive。’
’Itwouldbeverystupid，’shemutteredtoherselfasshelefttheroom。
HedidtouptotownfortheCabinetmeeting。Whatevermayhavebeendoneatthataugustassemblytherewascertainlynoresignation，ortheworldwouldhaveheardit。Itisprobable，too，thatnothingwassaidaboutthesenewspaperarticles。
Thingsiflefttothemselveswillgenerallydieatlast。TheoldDukeandPhineasFinnandBarringtonErlewerealloftheopinionthatthebestplanforthepresentwastodonothing。’Hasanythingbeensettled？’TheDuchessaskedPhineaswhenhecameback。
’Ohyes——theQueen’sSpeech。Butthereisn’tverymuchinit。’
’Butaboutthepaymentofthismoney？’
’Ihaven’theardawordaboutit，’saidPhineas。
’You’rejustasbadasalltherest，MrFinn，withyourpretendedsecrecy。Agirlwithhersweetheartisn’thalfsofussyasayoungCabinetMinister。’
’TheCabinetMinistersgetusedtoitsooner，Ithink，’saidPhineasFinn。
ParliamenthadalreadymetbeforeMrSlidehadquitedeterminedinwhatwayhewouldcarryonthewar。HecouldindeedgoonwritingperniciousarticlesaboutthePrimeMinisteradinfinitum，——fromyear’sendtoyear’send。Itwasanoccupationinwhichhetookdelight，andforwhichheimaginedhimselftobepeculiarlywellsuited。Butreaderswillbecometiredevenofabuseifitbenotvaried。Andtheverycontinuanceofsuchattackswouldseemtoimplythattheywerenotmuchheeded。
Otherpapershadindeedtakenthematterup，——buttheyhadtakenituponlytodropit。Thesubjecthadnotbeentheirown。Thelittlediscoveryhadbeenduenottotheiracumen，anddidnotthereforebearwiththemthehighestinterest。Ithadalmostseemedasthoughnothingwouldcomeofit，——forMrSlideinhiswildestambitioncouldhavehardlyimaginedthevexationandhesitation，thenervousnessandseriousdiscussionwhichhiswordshadoccasionedamongthegreatpeopleatMatching。Butcertainlythethingmustnotbeallowedtopassawayasamatterofnomoment。MrSlidehadalmostworkedhisminduptorealhorrorashethoughtofit。What！Aprimeminister，apeer，agreatduke，——putamanforwardasacandidateforaborough，and，whenthemanwasbeaten，payhisexpenses！Wasthistobedone，——tobedone，andfoundoutandnothingcomeofitinthesedaysofpurity，whenaprivatememberofParliament，somemerenobodyloseshisseatbecausehehasgivenawayafewbushelsofcoalsorascoreortwoofrabbits！MrSlide’senergeticloveofpublicvirtuewasscandalizedashethoughtoftheprobabilityofsuchacatastrophe。Tohisthinkingpublicvirtueconsistedincarpingatmenhighplaced，inabusingministersandjudgesandbishops，——andespeciallyinfindingoutsomethingforwhichtheymightbeabused。Hisownpublicvirtuewasinthismatterverygreat，foritwashewhohadferretedoutthesecret。Forhisintelligenceandenergyinthatmatterthecountryowedhimmuch。
Butthecountrywouldpayhimnothing，wouldgivehimnoneofthecredithedesired，wouldrobhimofthisspecialopportunityofdeclaringadozentimesthatthePeople’sBannerwasthesurestguardianofthepeople’sliberty，——unlesshecouldsucceedinforcingthematterfurtherintopublicnotice。’Howterribleistheapathyofthepeopleatlarge，’saidMrSlidetohimself，’whentheycannotbeawakenedbysucharevelationasthis！’
MrSlideknewverywellwhatoughttobethenextstep。PropernoticeshouldbegivenandaquestionshouldbeaskedinParliament。Somegentlemanshoulddeclarethathehadnoticedsuchandsuchstatementsinthepublicpress，andthathethoughtitrighttoaskwhethersuchandsuchpaymentshadbeenmadebythePrimeMinister。InhismeditationsMrSlidewenttosofarastoarrangetheverywordswhichtheindignantgentlemanshouldutter，amongwhichwordswasagracefulallusiontoacertainpublic-spiritednewspaper。Hedidevengosofarastoarrangeacomplimenttotheeditor，——butindoingsoheknewthathewasthinkingonlyofthatwhichoughttobe，andnotofthatwhichwouldbe。Thetimehadnotcomeasyetinwhichtheeditorofanewspaperinthiscountryreceivedatitheofthehonourduetohim。Butthequestioninanyform，withorwithoutacomplimenttothePeople’sBanner，wouldbethethingthatwasnowdesirable。
Whowastoaskthequestion？Ifpublicspiritwerereallystronginthecountrytherewouldbenotdifficultyonthatpoint。Thecrimecommittedhadbeensohorriblethatallthegreatpoliticiansofthecountryoughttocompeteforthehonourofaskingit。Whatgreaterservicecanbetrustedtothehandsofagreatmanthanthatofexposingthesinsoftherulersofthenation？SothoughtMrSlide。Butheknewthathewasinadvanceofthepeople，andthatthematterwouldnotbeseenintheproperlightbythosewhooughttoseeit。TheremightbeadifficultyingettinganypeertoaskthequestionontheHouseinwhichthePrimeMinisterhimselfsat，andevenintheotherHousetherewasnowbutlittleofthatacrid，indignantoppositionuponwhich，inMrSlide’sopinion，thesafetyofthenationaltogetherdepends。
WhenthestatementwasfirstmadeinthePeople’sBanner，LopezhadcometoMrSlideatonceandhaddemandedhisauthorityformakingit。Lopezhadfoundthestatementtobemostinjurioustohimself。Hehadbeenpaidhiselectionexpensestwiceover，makingaclearprofitof500poundsbythetransaction，and，thoughtthematterhadatoncetimetroubledhisconscience，hehadalreadytaughthimselftoregarditasoneofthosebygonestowhichawisemanseldomrefers。ButnowMrWhartonwouldknowthathehadbeencheated，shouldthestatementreachhim。’Whogaveyouauthoritytopublishallthis？’askedLopez，whoatthistimehadbecomeintimatewithMrSlide。
’Isittrue，Lopez？’askedtheeditor。
’Whateverwasdonewasdoneinprivate，——betweenmeandtheDuke。’
’Dukes，mydearfellow，can’tbeprivate，andcertainlynotwhentheyarePrimeMinisters。’
’Butyou’venorighttopublishthesethingsaboutme。’
’Isittrue？Ifit’strue，Ihavegoteveryrighttopublishit。
Ifit’snottrue，I’vegottherighttoaskthequestion。Ifyouwill’avetodowithPrimeMinistersyoucan’t’ideyourselfunderabushel。Tellmethis——isittrue？Youmightaswellgo’andin’andwithmeinthematter。Youcan’thurtyourself。
Andifyouopposeme，——whyIshallopposeyou。’
’Youcan’tsayanythingofme。’
’Well——Idon’tknowaboutthat。Icangenerally’itpretty’ardifIfeelinclined。ButIdon’twantto’ityou。AsregardsyouIcantellthestoryoneway，——ortheother，justasyouplease。’Lopez，seeingitinamannernotinimicaltohimself。ThepresentprojectofhislifewastoleavehistroublesinEngland，——SextyParkerbeingtheworstofthem，——
andgetawaytoGuatemala。InarrangingthisthegoodwordofMrSlidemightnotbenefithim，buthisillwordmightinjurehim。
Andthenlethimdowhathewould，themattermustbemadepublic。ShouldMrWhartonhearofit，——asofcoursehewould，——
itmustbebrazenedout。HecouldnotkeepitfromMrWharton’searsbyquarrellingwithQuintusSlide。
’Itwastrue，’saidLopez。
’IknewitbeforejustaswellasthoughIhadseenit。Iain’toftenverywronginthesethings。Youaskedhimforthemoney，——
andthreatenedhim。’
’Idon’tknowaboutthreateninghim。’
’’Ewouldn’thavesentitelse。’
’ItoldhimthatIhadbeendeceivedbyhispeopleintheborough，andthatIhadbeenputtoexpensethroughthemisrepresentationsoftheDuchess。Idon’tthinkIdidaskforthemoney。Buthesentacheque，andofcourseItookit。’
Ofcourse——ofcourse。Youcouldn’tgivemeacopyoftheletter？’
’Neverkeptacopy。’Hehadacopyinhisbreastcoat-pocketatthatmomentandSlidedidnotforamomentbelievethestatementmade。Butinsuchdiscussionsonemanhardlyexpectstruthfromanother。MrSlidecertainlyneverexpectedtruthfromanyman。
’Hesentthechequealmostwithoutaword，’saidLopez。
’Hedidwriteanote，Isuppose？’
’Justafewwords。’
’Couldyouletme’avethatnote？’
’Idestroyeditatonce。’Thisalsowasinhisbreastpocketatthetime。
’Did’ewriteit’imself？’
’IthinkitwashisprivateSecretary，MrWarburton。’
’Youmustbesure，youknow。Whichwasit？’
’ItwasMrWarburton。’
’Wasitcivil？’
’Yes，itwas。IfithadbeenuncivilIshouldhavesentitback。
I’mnotthemantotakeimpudenceevenfromaduke。’
’Ifyou’llgivemethosetwoletters，Lopez，I’llsticktoyouthroughthickandthin。ByheavensIwill！ThinkwhatthePeople’sBanneris。Youmaycometowantthatkindofthingsomeofthesedays。’Lopezremainedsilent，lookingintotheotherman’seagerface。’Ishouldn’tpublishthem，youknow。butitwouldbesomuchtometohavetheevidenceinmyhands。Youmightdoworse，youknow，thanmakeafriendofme。’
’Youwon’tpublishthem？’
’Certainlynot。Ishallonlyrefertothem。’
ThenLopezpulledabundleofpapersoutofhispocket。’Theretheyare，’hesaid。
’Well，’saidSlide，whenhehadreadthem，’itisoneoftherummiesttransactionsIever’eardof。Whydid’esendthemoney？That’swhatIwanttoknow。Asfarastheclaimgoes，you’adn’talegtostandon。’
’Notlegally。’
’You’adn’talegtostandonanyway。Butthatdoesn’tmuchmatter。Hesentthemoney，andthesendingofthemoneywascorrupt。WhoshallIgettoaskthequestion。IsupposeyoungArthurFletcherwouldn’tdoit。’
’They’rebirdsofafeather，’saidLopez。
’Birdsofafeatherdofalloutsometimes。OrSirOrlandoDrought？IwonderwhetherSirOrlandoDroughtwoulddoit。Ifanyman’atedanother，SirOrlandoDroughtmust’atetheDukeofOmnium。’
’Idon’tthinkhewouldlethimselfdowntothatkindofthing。’
’Let’imselfdown！Idon’tseeanylettingdowninit。Butthosemenwhohavebeenincabinetsdosticktooneanotherevenwhentheyareenemies。Theythinkthemselvessomightythattheyoughtn’ttobe’andledlikeothermen。ButI’llletthemknowthatI’ll’andlethem。ACabinetMinisteroracowboyisthesametoQuintusSlidewhenhehasgothispenin’ishand。’
OnthenextmorningtherecameoutanotherarticleinthePeople’sBanner，inwhichthewriterdeclaredthathehadinhisownpossessionthedamnatorycorrespondencebetweenthePrimeMinisterandthelatecandidateatSilverbridge。’ThePrimeMinistermaydenythefact，’saidthearticle。’Wedonotthinkitprobable，butitispossible。Wewishtobefairandaboveboardineverything。AndthereforeweatonceinformthenobleDukethattheentirecorrespondenceisinourhands。’InsayingthisMrQuintusSlidethoughtthathehadquitekeptthepromisewhichhemadewhensaidthathewouldonlyrefertotheletters。
CHAPTER52
’ICANSLEEPHERETO-NIGHT，ISUPPOSE？’
ThatschemeofgoingtoGuatemalahadbeeninthefirstinstancepropoundedbyLopezwiththeobjectoffrighteningMrWhartonintoterms。Therehad，indeed，beensomepreviousthoughtsonthesubject，——someplanprojectedbeforehismarriage，butithadbeenresuscitatedmainlyinthehopethatitmightbeefficacioustoextractmoney。Whenbydegreestheson-in-lawbegantofeelthateventhiswouldnotbeoperativeonhisfather-in-law’spurse，——whenunderthisthreatneitherWhartonnorEmilygaveway，——andwhen，withtheviewofstrengtheninghisthreat，herenewedhisinquiresastoGuatemalaandfoundthattheremightstillanopeningforhiminthatdirection，——
thethreattooktheshapeofatruepurpose，andhebegantothinkthathewouldinrealearnesttryhisfortunesinanewworld。Fromdaytodaythingsdidnotgowellwithhim，andfromdaytodaySextyParkerbecamemoreunendurable。Itwasimpossibleforhimtokeepfromhispartnerthisplanofemigration，——butheendeavouredtomakeParkerbelievethatthething，ifdoneatall，wasnottobedonetillallhisaffairsweresettled，——orinotherwordsallhisembarrassmentsclearedbydownrightmoneypayments，andthatMrWhartonwastomakethesepaymentsontheconditionthathethusexpatriatedhimself。
ButMrWhartonhadmadenosuchpromise。Thoughthethreateneddaycamenearerandnearerhecouldnotbringhimselftopurchaseashortrespiteforhisdaughterbypayingmoneytoascoundrel，——whichpaymenthefeltsurewouldbeofnopermanentservice。
DuringallthistimeMrWhartonwasverywretched。Ifhecouldhavefreedhisdaughterfromhermarriagebyhalfhisfortunehewouldhavedoneitwithoutasecondthought。Ifhecouldhaveassuredlypurchasedthepermanentabsenceofherhusband，hewouldhavedoneitatalargeprice。Butlethimpaywhathewould，hecouldseehiswaytonosecurity。Fromdaytodayhebecamemorestronglyconvincedoftherascalityofthismanwhowashisson-in-law，andwhowasstillaninmateinhisownhouse。
Ofcoursehehadaccusationsenoughtomakewithinhisownbreastagainsthisdaughter，who，whenthechoicewasopentoher，wouldnottakethealtogetherfittinghusbandprovidedforher，buthaddeclaredherselftobebroken-heartedforeversinceshewereallowedtothrowherselfawayuponthiswretchedcreature。Butheblamedhimselfasmuchashedidher。Whyhadheallowedhimselftobesoenervatedbyherprayersatlastastosurrendereverything，——ashehaddone？Howcouldhepresumetothinkthatheshouldbeallowedtoescape，whenhehaddonesolittletopreventthemisery？
HespoketoEmilyaboutit，——notoften，indeed，butwithgreatearnestness。’Ihavedoneitmyself，’shesaid，’andIwillbearit。’
’Tellhimyoucannotgotillyouknowtowhathomeyouaregoing。’
’Thatisforhimtoconsider。Ihavebeggedhimtoletmeremain，andIcansaynomore。Ifhechoosestotakeme，Ishallgo。’
Thenhespoketoheraboutmoney。’OfcourseIhavemoney，’hesaid。’OfcourseIhaveenoughbothforyouandEverett。IfI
coulddoanygoodbygivingittohim，heshouldhaveit。’
’Papa，’sheanswered，’Iwillneveragainaskyoutogivehimasinglepenny。Thatmustbealtogetherbetweenyouandhim。Heiswhattheycallaspeculator。Moneyisnotsafewithhim。’
’Ishallhavetosendittoyouwhenyouareinwant。’
’WhenIam——deadtherewillbenomoretobesent。Donotlooklikethat，papa。IknowwhatIhavedone，andImustbearit。I
havethrownawaymylife，itisjustthat。Ifbabyhadliveditwouldhavebeendifferent。’ThiswasabouttheendofJanuary，andthenMrWhartonheardofthegreatattackmadebyMrQuintusSlideagainstthePrimeMinister，andheard，ofcourse，ofthepaymentallegedtohavebeenmadetoFerdinandLopezbytheDukeonthescoreoftheelectionatSilverbridge。Somepersonsspoketohimonthesubject。Oneortwofriendsattheclubaskedhimwhathesupposedtobethetruthinthematter，andMrsRobyinquiredofhimonthesubject。’IhaveaskedLopez，’shesaid，’andIamsurefromhismannerthathedidgetthemoney。’
’Idon’tknowanythingaboutit，’saidMrWharton。
’IfhedidgetitIthinkhewasveryclever。’ItwaswellknownatthistimetoMrsRobythattheLopezmarriagehadbeenafailure，thatLopezwasnotarichman，andthatEmily，aswellasherfather，wasdiscontentedandunhappy。ShehadlatterlyheardoftheGuatemalascheme，andhadofcourseexpressedherhorror。ButshesympathizedwithLopezratherthanwithhiswife，thinkingthatifMrWhartonwouldonlyopenhispocketswideenoughthingsmightstillberight。’ItwasalltheDuchess’sfault，youknow，’shesaidtotheoldman。
’Iknownothingaboutit，andwhenIwanttoknowIcertainlyshallnotcometoyou。ThemiserythathehasbroughtuponmeissogreatthatitmakesmewishIhadneverseenanyonewhoknewhim。’
’ItwasEverettwhointroducedhimtoyourhouse。’
ItwasyouwhointroducedhimtoEverett。’
’Thereyouarewrong，——asyouoftenare，MrWharton。Everettmethimfirstattheclub。’
’What’stheuseofarguingaboutit？ItwasatyourhousethatEmilymethim。Itwasyouthatdidit。Iwonderyoucanhavethefacetomentionhisnametome。’
’Andthemanlivingallthetimeinyourhouse！’
UptothistimeMrWhartonhadnotmentionedtoasinglepersonthefactthathehadpaidhisson-in-law’selectionexpensesatSilverbridge。Hehadgivenhimthechequewithoutmuchconsideration，withthefeelingthatbydoingsohewouldinsomedegreebenefithisdaughter，andhadsinceregrettedtheact，findingthatnosuchpaymentfromhimcouldbeofanyservicetoEmily。Butthethinghadbeendone，——andtherehadbeen，sofar，anendofit。InnosubsequentdiscussionwouldMrWhartonhavealludedtoit，hadnotcircumstancesnowasitweredrivenitbackuponhismind。Andsincethedayonwhichhehadpaidthemoneyhehadbeen，ashedeclaredtohimself，swindledoverandoveragainbyhisson-in-law。TherewasthedinneratManchesterSquare，andafterthatthebrougham，andtherent，andascoreofbills，someofwhichhehadpaidandsomedeclinedtopay！Andyethehadsaidbutlittletothemanhimselfofalltheseinjuries。Ofwhatusewasittosayanything？Lopezwouldsimplyreplythathehadaskedhimtopaynothing。’Whatisitall，’Lopezhadoncesaid，’tothefortuneIhadarighttoexpectwithyourdaughter？’’Youhadnorighttoexpectashilling，’Whartonhadsaid。ThenLopezhadshruggedhisshoulders，andtherehadbeenanendofit。
Butnow，ifthisrumourweretrue，therehadbeenapositivedishonesty。Fromwhicheversourcethemanmighthavegotthemoneyfirst，ifthemoneyhadbeentwicegot，thesecondpaymenthadbeenfraudulentlyobtained。SurelyiftheaccusationhadbeenuntrueLopezwouldhavecometohimanddeclaredittobefalse，knowingwhatmustotherwisebehisthoughts。Lately，inthedailyworryofhislife，hehadavoidedallconversationwiththeman。Hewouldnotallowhismindtocontemplateclearlywhatwascoming。Heentertainedsomeirrational，undefinedhopethatsomethingwouldatlastsavehisdaughterfromthethreatenedbanishment。Itmightbe，ifheheldhisownhandtightenough，thattherewouldnotbemoneyenougheventopayforherpassageout。Asforheroutfit，LopezwouldofcourseorderwhathewantedandhavethebillssenttoManchesterSquare。WhetherornotthiswasbeingdoneneitherhenorEmilyknew。Andthusmatterswentonwithoutmuchspeechbetweenthetwomen。Butnowtheoldbarristerthoughtthathewasboundtospeak。HethereforewaitedonacertainmorningtillLopezhadcomedown，havingpreviouslydesiredhisdaughtertoleavetheroom。
’Lopez，’heasked，’whatisthisthatthenewspapersaresayingaboutyourexpensesatSilverbridge？’
Lopezhadexpectedtheattackandhadendeavouredtopreparehimselfforit。’Ishouldhavethought，sir，thatyouwouldnothavepaidmuchattentiontosuchstatementsinanewspaper。’
’Whentheyconcernmyself，Ido。Ipaidyourelectioneeringexpenses。
’Youcertainlysubscribed500poundstowardsthem，MrWharton。’
’Isubscribednothing，sir。Therewasnoquestionofasubscription，——bywhichyouintendtoimplycontributionfromothersources。Youtoldmethatthecontestcostyou500poundsandthatsumIhandedtoyou，withthefullunderstandingonyourpart，aswellasonmine，thatIwaspayingforthewhole。Wasthatso？’
’Haveityourownway，sir。’
’Ifyouarenotmoreprecise，Ishallthinkthatyouhavedefraudedme。’
’Defraudedyou？’
’Yes，sir——defraudedmetotheDukeofOmnium。Themoneyisgone，anditmatterslittlewhich。ButifthatbesoIshallknowthateitherfromhimorfrommeyouhaveraisedmoneyunderfalsepretences。’
’Ofcourse，MrWharton，fromyouImustbearwhateveryoumaychoosetosay。’
’IsittruethatyouhaveappliedtotheDukeofOmniumformoneyonaccountofyourexpensesatSilverbridge，andisittruethathehaspaidyouonthatscore？’
’MrWharton，asIhavesaidjustnow，Iamboundtohearandtobearfromanythingyoumaychoosetosay。Yourconnectionwithmywifeandyouragealikerestrainmyresentment。ButIamnotboundtoansweryourquestionswhentheyareaccompaniedbysuchlanguageasyouhavechosentouse，andIrefusetoanswerfurtherquestionsonthissubject。’
’OfcourseIknowthatyouhavetakenthemoneyfromtheDuke。’
’Thenwhydoyouaskme？’
’AndofcourseIknowyouarewellawareasIamofthenatureofthetransaction。Thatyoucanbrazenitoutwithoutablushonlyprovestomethatyouhavegotbeyondthereachofshame。’
’Verywell，sir。’
’Andyouhavenofurtherexplanationtomake？’
’Whatdoyouexpectmetosay？Withoutknowinganyofthefactsofthecase，——excepttheone，thatyoucontributed500poundstomyelectionexpenses，youtakeuponyourselftotellmethatIamashameless，fraudulentswindler。Andthenyouaskforafurtherexplanation！InsuchapositionisitlikelythatIshallexplainanything——thatIcanbeinahumourtobeexplanatory？
Justturnitalloverinyourownmind，andaskyourselfthequestion。’
’Ihaveturneditoverinmymind，andIhaveaskedmyselfthequestion，andIdonotthinkitprobablethatyoushouldwishtoexplainanything。IshalltakestepstolettheDukeknowthatI
asyourfather-in-lawhadpaidthefullsumwhichyouhadstatedthatyouhadspentatSilverbridge。’
’MuchtheDukewillcareaboutthat。’
’AndafterwhathaspassedIamobligedtosaythatthesooneryouleavethishousethebetterIshallbepleased。’
’Verywell，sir。OfcourseIshalltakemywifewithme。’
’Thatmustbeasshepleases。’
’No，MrWharton。ThatmustbeasIplease。Shebelongstome，——
nottoyouortoherself。Underyourinfluenceshehasforgottenmuchofwhatbelongstothedutyofawife，butIdonotthinkthatshewillsofarhaveforgottenherselfastogivememoretroublethantobidhercomewithmewhenIdesireit。’
’Letthatbeasitmay。Imustrequestthatyou，sir，willabsentyourself。Iwillnotentertainasmyguestamanwhohasactedasyouhavedoneinthismatter，——eventhoughhebemyson-in-law。’
’Icansleepheretonight，Isuppose？’
’Orto-morrowifitsuitsyou。AsforEmily，shecanremainhere，ifyouwillallowhertodoso。’
’Thatwillnotsuitme，’saidLopez。
’Inthatcase，asfarasIamconcerned，Ishalldowhatevershemayaskmetodo。Goodmorning。’
MrWhartonlefttheroom，butdidnotleavethehouse。Beforehedidsohewouldseehisdaughter，and，thinkingitprobablethatLopezwouldalsochoosetoseehiswife，hepreparedtowaitinhisownroom。But，inabouttenminutes，Lopezstartedfromthehalldoorinacab，anddidsowithoutgoingupstairs。MrWhartonhadreasontobelievethathisson-in-lawwasalmostdestituteofmoneyforimmediatepurposes。Whateverhemighthavewouldatanyratebeserviceableforhimbeforehestarted。
AnyhomeforEmilymustbeexpensive。andnohomeintheirpresentcircumstancescouldbesoreputableforherasoneunderherfather’sroof。Hethereforealmosthopedthatshemightstillbeleftwithhimtillthathorriddayshouldcome，——ifiteverdidcome，——inwhichshewouldbetakenawayfromhimforever。’Ofcourse，papa，Ishallgoifhebidsme，’shesaid，whenhetoldherallthathethoughtitrighttotellherofthatmorning’sinterview。
’Ihardlyknowhowtoadviseyou，’saidthefather，meaningintruthtobringhimselfroundtothegivingofsomeadviceadversetoherhusband’swill。
’Iwantnoadvice，papa。’
’Wantnoadvice！Ineverknewawomanwhowanteditmore。’
’No，papa。Iamboundtodoashetellsme。IknowwhatIhavedone。Whensomepoorwretchhasgothimselfintoperpetualprisonbyhismisdeeds，noadvicecanservehim。Soitiswithme。’
’Youcanatanyrateescapefromyourprison。’
’No——no。IhaveafeelingofpridewhichtellsmethatasI
chosetobecomethewifeofmyhusband，——soIinsistedonitinoppositiontoallmyfriends，——asIwouldjudgeformyself，——I
amboundtoputupwithmychoice。Ifthishadcomeuponmethroughtheauthorityofothers，ifIhadbeenconstrainedtomarryhim，IthinkIcouldhavereconciledmyselftodesertinghim。ButIdiditmyself，andIwillabidebyit。Whenhebidsmetogo，Ishallgo。’PoorMrWhartonwenttohischambers，andsattherethewholedaywithouttakingabookorapaperintohishands。Couldtherebenorescue，noprotection，norelief？Heturnedoverinhisheadvariousplans，butinavagueanduselessmanner。WhatiftheDukeweretoprosecuteLopezforthefraud！
WhatifhecouldimploreLopeztoabandonhiswife，——pledginghimselfbysomedeednottoreturntoher，——for，say，twentyoreventhirtythousandpounds！Whatifhehimselfwerecarryhisdaughterawaytothecontinent，halfforcingandhalfpersuadinghertomakethejourney！Surelytheremightbesomemeansfoundbywhichthemanmightbefrightenedintocompliance。Buttherehesat，——anddidnothing。AndintheeveningheateasolitarymuttonchopatTheJollyBlackbird，becausehecouldnotbeartofaceevenhisclub，andthenreturnedtohischambers，——tothegreatdisgustoftheoldwomanwhohadtheminchargeatnights。
Andataboutmidnighthecreptawaytohisownhouse，awretchedoldman。
LopezwhenheleftManchesterSquarehedidnotgoinsearchofanewhomeforhimselfandhiswife，norduringthewholeofthedaydidhetroublehimselfonthatsubject。HespentmostofthedayattheroomsinColemanStreetoftheSanJuanMiningAssociation，ofwhichMrMillsHappertonhadoncebeenChairman。
TherewasnowanotherChairmanandotherDirectors。butMrMillsHapperton’sinfluencehadsofarremainedwiththeCompanyastoenableLopeztobecomewell-knownintheCompany’soffices，andacknowledgedasaclaimantfortheofficeofresidentManageratSanJuaninGuatemala。Nowthepresentprojectwasthis，——thatLopezwastostartonbehalfoftheCompanyearlyinMay，thattheCompanywastopayhisownpersonalexpensesouttoGuatemala，andthattheyshouldallowhimwhilethereasalaryof1，000poundsayearformanagingtheaffairsofthemine。Asfarasthisofferwent，thethingwastrueenough。ItwastruethatLopezhadabsolutelysecuredtheplace。Buthedonesosubjecttotheburdenofoneveryseriousstipulation。Hewastobecometheproprietoroffiftysharesinthemine，andtopayup100
poundseachonthoseshares。Itwasconsideredthatthemanwhowastoget1，000poundsayearinGuatemalaformanagingtheaffair，shouldatanyrateassisttheaffair，andshowhisconfidenceintheaffair，toanextentasgreatasthat。Ofcoursetheholderofthesefiftyshareswouldbefullyentitledasanyothershareholdertothattwentypercentwhichthoseshareswhopromotedtheminepromisedastheimmediateresultofthespeculation。
AtfirstLopezhadhopedthathemightbeenabledtodefertheactualpaymentofthe5，000poundstillafterhehadsailed。
WhenonceoutinGuatemalaasmanager，asmanagerhewoulddoubtlessremain。Butbydegreeshefoundthatthepaymentmustactuallybemadeinadvance。NowtherewasnobodytowhomhecouldapplybutMrWharton。Hewas，indeed，forcedtodeclareattheofficethatthemoneywastocomefromMrWharton，andhadgivensomeexcellentbutfictitiousreasonwhyMrWhartoncouldnotpaythemoneytillFebruary。
AndinspiteofallthathadcomeandgonehestilldidhopethatiftheneedtogowereactuallytherehemightevengetthemoneyfromMrWharton。SurelyMrWhartonwouldsoonerpaysuchasumthanbetroubledathomewithsuchason-in-law。Shouldtheworstcometotheworst，ofcoursehecouldraisethemoneybyconsentingtoleavehiswifeathome。Butthiswasnotpartofhisplan，ifhecouldavoidit。5，000poundswouldbeaverylowpriceatwhichtosellhiswife，andallthathemightgetfromhisconnectionwithher。AslongashekeptherwithhimhewasinpossessionatanyrateofallthatMrWhartonwoulddoforher。Hehadnotthereforeasyetmadeuphisfinalapplicationtohisfather-in-lawforthemoney，havingfounditpossibletopostponetheypaymenttillthemiddleofFebruary。HisquarrelwithMrWhartonthismorningheregardedashavinglittleornoeffectuponhiscircumstances。MrWhartonwouldnotgivehimthemoneybecausehelovedhim，noryetfrompersonalrespect，norfromanysenseofdutyastowhathemightoweason-in-law。Itwouldsimplybegivenasthepricebywhichhisabsencemightbepurchased，andhisabsencewouldnotbethelessdesirablebecauseofthismorning’squarrel。
But，evenyet，hewasnotquiteresolvedastogoingtoGuatemala。SextyParkerhadbeensuckednearlydry，andwasintruthatthismomentsoviolentwithindignationandfearandremorsethatLopezdidnotdaretoshowhimselfinLittleTankardYard。butstilltherewere，evenyet，certainhopesinthatdirectionfromwhichgreaterresultsmightcome。IfacertainnewspiritwhichhadjustbeenconcoctedfromthebarkoftreesinCentralAfrica，andwhichwascalledBios，couldonlybemadetogoupinthemarket，everythingmightbesatisfactorilyarranged。ThehoardingsofLondonwerealreadytellingthepublicifitwishedtogetdrunkwithoutanyoftheusualtroublesofintoxicationitmustdrinkBios。Thepublicnodoubtdoesreadtheliteratureofthehoardings，butthenitreadssoslowly！ThisBioshadhardlybeentwelvemonthsontheboardsasyet！Buttheywerenowincreasingthesizeofthelettersintheadvertisementsandthejocundityofthepictures，——andthethingmightbedone。Therewas，too，anotherhope，——
anotherhopeofinstantmoneysbywhichGuatemalamightbestavedoff，astowhichfurtherexplanationshallbegiveninafurtherchapter。
’IsupposeIshallfindDixonadecentsortoffellow？’saidLopeztotheSecretaryoftheAssociationinColemanStreet。
’Rough，youknow，’
’Buthonest？’
’Ohyes，——he’sallthat。’
’Ifhe’shonest，andwhatIcallloyal，Idon’tcareastrawforanythingelse。Onedoesn’texpectWest-endmannersinGuatemala。
ButIshallhaveadealtodowithhim，——andIhateafellowthatyoucan’tdependon。’
’MrHappertonusedtothinkagreatdealofDixon。’
’That’sallright，’saidLopez。MrDixonwastheundergroundmanageroutattheSanJuanmine，andwasperhapsasanxiousforaloyalandhonestcolleagueaswasMrLopez。Ifso，MrDixonwasverymuchinthewaytobedisappointed。
LopezstayedattheofficeallthedaystudyingtheaffairsoftheSanJuanmine，andthenwenttotheProgressfordinner。
Hithertohehadtakennostepswhateverastogettinglodgingsforhimselforhiswife。
CHAPTER53
MRHARTLEPOD。
WhenthetimecameatwhichLopezshouldhaveleftManchesterSquarehewasstillthere。MrWharton，indiscussingthematterwithhisdaughter，——whenwishingtopersuadeherthatshemightremaininhishouseeveninoppositiontoherhusband，——hadnottoldherthathehadactuallydesiredLopeztoleaveit。Hehadthenfeltsurethatthemanwouldgoandtakehiswifewithhim，buthedidnotevenyetknowtheobduracyandclevernessandtheimpregnabilityofhisson-in-law。Whenthetimecame，whenhesawhisdaughterinthemorningafterthenoticehadbeengiven，hecouldnotbringhimselfeventhentosaytoherthathehadissuedanorderforhisbanishment。DayswentbyandLopezwasstillthere，andtheoldbarristerhadnofurtherwordonthesubject。Thetwomennevermet——ormetsimplyinthehallorpassages。Whartonhimselfstudiouslyavoidedsuchmeetings，thusdenyinghimselfthecommonestusesofhisownhouse。AtlastEmilytoldhimthatherhusbandhadfixedthedayforherdeparture。ThenextIndianmail-packetbywhichtheywouldleaveEnglandwouldstartfromSouthamptononthe2ndofApril，andshewastobereadytogoonthatday。’Howisittobetillthen？’
thefatheraskedinalow，uncertainvoice。
’IsupposeImayremainwithyou。’
’Andyourhusband？’
’Hewillbehere，too，——Isuppose。’
’Suchamisery，——suchadestructionofeverythingnomaneverheardofbefore！’saidMrWharton。Tothishemadenoreply，butcontinuedworkingatsomenecessarypreparationforherfinaldeparture。’Emily，’hesaid。’Iwillmakeanysacrificetopreventit。Whatcanbedone？ShortofinjuringEverett’sinterests，Iwilldoanything。’
’Idonotknow，’shesaid。
’Youmustunderstandsomethingofhisaffairs。’
’Nothingwhatever。Hehastoldmenothingofthem。Inearlierdays，——soonafterourmarriage，——hebademegetmoneyfromyou。’
’WhenyouwrotetomeformoneyfromItaly？’
’Andafterthat。Ihaverefusedtodoanything，——tosayaword。
Itoldhimthatitmustbebetweenyouandhim。WhatelsecouldIsay？Andnowhetellsmenothing。’
’Icannotthinkthathewantsyoutogowithhim。’Thentherewasagainapause。’Isitbecausehelovesyou？’
’Notthat，papa。’
’Whythenshouldheburdenhimselfwithacompanion？Hismoney，whateverhehas，wouldgofurtherwithoutsuchimpediment。’
’Perhapshethinks，papa，thatwhileIamwithhimhehasaholduponyou。’
’Heshallhaveastrongerholdbyleavingyou。Whatishetogain？IfIcouldonlyknowhisprice。’
’Askhim，papa。’
’IdonotknowhowIamtospeaktohimagain。’
Thenagaintherewasapause。’Papa，’shesaidafterawhile，’I
havedoneitmyself。Letmego。YouwillstillhaveEverett。
AnditmaybethatafteratimeIshallcomebacktoyou。Hewillnotkillme，anditmaybethatIshallnotdie。’
’ByGod！’saidMrWharton，risingfromhischairsuddenly，’iftherewasmoneytobemadebyit，Ibelievehewouldmurderyouwithoutascruple。’Thusitwasthatwithineighteenmonthsofhermarriagethefatherspoketohisdaughterofherhusband。
’WhatamItotakewithme？’shesaidtoherhusbandafewdayslater。
’Youhadbetteraskyourfather。’
’WhyshouldIaskhim，Ferdinand？Howshouldheknow？’
’AndhowshouldI？’
’Ishouldhavethoughtyouwouldinterestyourselfaboutit。’
’UponmywordIhaveenoughtointerestmejustatpresent，withoutthinkingofyourfinery。Isupposeyoumeanwhatclothesyoushouldhave？’
’Iwasnotthinkingofmyselfonly。’
’Youneedthinkofnothingelse。Askhimwhathepleasestoallowyoutospend，andthenIwilltellyouwhattoget。’
’Iwillneveraskhimforanything，Ferdinand。’
’Thenyoumaygowithoutanything。Youmightaswelldoitatonce，foryouwillhavetodoitsoonerorlater。Or，ifyouplease，gotohistradesmenandsaynothingtohimaboutit。
Theywillgiveyoucredit。Youseehowitis，mydear。Hehascheatedmeinamostrascallymanner。Hehasallowedmetomarryhisdaughter，andbecauseIdidnotmakeabargainwithhimasanothermanwouldhavedone，hedeniesmethefortuneIhadarighttoexpectwithyou。YouknowthattheIsraelitesdespoiledtheEgyptians，anditwastakenasmeritontheirpart。YourfatherisaEgyptiantome，andIwilldespoilhim。YoucantellhimthatIsaysoifyouplease。’
AndsothedayswentontillthefirstweekofFebruaryhadpassed，andParliamenthadmet。BothLopezandhiswifewerestilllivinginManchesterSquare。Notanotherwordhadbeensaidastothatnoticetoquit，noranallusionmadetoit。ItwassupposedtobeasettledthingthatLopezwastostartwithhiswifeforGuatemalainthefirstweekofApril。MrWhartonhadhimselffeltthatdifficultyastohisdaughter’soutfit，andhadtoldherthatshemightgetwhateveritpleasedheronhiscredit。’Foryourself，mydear。’
’Papa，Iwillgetnothingtillhebidsme。’
’Butyoucan’tgoacrosstheworldwithoutanything。Whatareyoutodoinsuchaplaceasthatunlessyouhavethethingsyouwant？’
’Whatdopoorpeopledowhohavetogo？WhatshouldIdoifyouhadcastmeoffbecauseofmydisobedience？’
’ButIhavenotcastyouoff。’
’Tellhimthatyouwillgivehimsomuch，andthen，ifhebidsme，Iwillspendit。’
’Letitbeso。Iwilltellhim。’
UponthatMrWhartondidspeaktohisson-in-law——cominguponhimsuddenlyonemorninginthedining-room。’Emilywillwantanoutfitifsheistogotothisplace。’
’Likeotherpeopleshewantsmanythingsthatshecannotget。’
’Iwilltellmytradesmentofurnishherwithwhatshewants，upto，——well，——supposeIsay200pounds。Ihavespokentoherandshewantsyoursanction。’
’Mysanctionforspendingmoney？Shecanhavethatveryquickly。’
’Youcantellherso——orIwilldoso。’
UponthatMrWhartonwasgoing，butLopezstoppedhim。ItwasnowessentialthatthemoneyforthesharesintheSanJuanmineshouldbepaidup，andhisfather-in-law’spocketwasstillthesourcefromwhichtheenterprisingson-in-lawhadhopedtoprocureit。Lopezhadfullymadeuphismindtodemandit，andthoughtthatthetimehadnowcome。Andhewasresolvedthathewouldnotaskitasafavouronbendedknee。Hewasbeginningtofeelhisownpower，andtrustedthathemightprevailbyothermeansthanbegging。’MrWharton，’hesaid，’youandIhavenotbeenverygoodfriendslately。’
’No，indeed。’
’Therewasatime，——averyshorttime，——duringwhichIthoughtthatwemighthititofftogether，andIdidmybest。Youdonot，Ifancy，likemenofmyclass。’
’Well——well！Youhadbettergooniftherebeanythingtosay。’
’Ihavemuchtosay，andIwillgoon。Youarearichman，andI
amyourson-in-law。’MrWhartonputhislefthanduptohisforehead，brushingthefewhairsbackfromhishead，buthesaidnothing。’HadIreceivedfromyouduringthelastmostvitalyearthatassistancewhichIthinkIhadarighttoexpect，I
alsomighthavebeenarichmannow。Itisnogoodgoingbacktothat。’Thenhepaused，butstillMrWhartonsaidnothing。’Nowyouknowwhathascometomeandtoyourdaughter。Wearetobeexpatriated。’
’Isthatmyfault？’
’Ithinkitis，butImeantosaynothingfurtherofthat。ThisCompanywhichissendingmeout，andwhichprobablywillbethemostthrivingthingofthekindwhichhascomeupwithinthesetwentyyears，istopaymeasalaryof1，000poundsayearasresidentmanagerofSanJuan。’
’SoIunderstand。’
’Thesalaryalonewouldbeabeggarlything。Guatemala，Itakeit，isnotthecheapestcountryintheworldinwhichamancanlive。ButIamtogooutthereastheowneroffiftysharesonwhich100poundseachmustbepaidup，andIamentitledtodrawanother1，000poundsayearasdividendontheprofitofthoseshares。’
’Thatwillbetwentypercent。’
’Exactly。’
’Andwilldoubleyousalary。’
’Justso。ButthereisonelittleceremonytobeperfectedbeforeIcanbeallowedtoenteruponsohalcyonastateofexistence。The100poundsasharemustbepaidup。’MrWhartonsimplystaredathim。’Imusthavethe5，000poundstoinvestintheundertakingbeforeIcanstart。’
’Well！’
’NowIhavenotgot5，000poundsmyself，noranypartofit。Youdonotwish，Isuppose，toseeeithermeoryourdaughterstarve。
Andasforme，IhardlyflattermyselfwhenIsaythatyouareveryanxioustoberidofme，5，000poundsisnotverymuchformetoaskofyou，asIregardit。’
’SuchconsummateimpudenceInevermetinmylifebefore！’
’Norperhapssomuchunprevaricatingdownrighttruth。Atanyratesuchistheconditionofmyaffairs。IfIamtogothemoneymustbepaidthisweek。Ihave，perhapsfoolishly，putoffmentioningthemattertillIwassurethatIcouldnotraisethesumelsewhere。ThoughIfeelmyclaimonyoutobegood，MrWharton，itisnotpleasanttometomakeit。’
’Youareaskingmefor5，000poundsdown！’
’CertainlyIam。’
’WhatsecurityamItohave？’
’Security？’
’Yes——thatifIpayitIshallnotbetroubledagainbythemeanestscoundrelthatithaseverbeenmymisfortunetomeet。
HowamItoknowthatyouwillnotcomebackto-morrow？HowamI
toknowthatyouwillgoatall？DoyouthinkitwillbeprobablethatIwillgiveyou5，000poundsonyourownsimpleword？’
’ThenthescoundrelwillstayinEngland，——andwillgenerallyfinditconvenienttoliveinManchesterSquare。’
’I’llbed-difhedoes。Lookhere，sire。Betweenyouandmetherecanbeabargain，andnothingbutabargain。Iwillpaythe5，000pounds，——oncertainconditions。’
’Ididn’tdoubtatallthatyouwouldpayit。’
’IwillgowithyoutotheofficeofthisCompany，andwillpayforthesharesifIcanreceiveassurancetherethatthematterisasyousay，andthattheshareswillnotbeplacedinyourpowerbeforeyouhavereachedGuatemala。’
’Youcancometo-day，sire，andreceiveallthatassurance。’
’AndImusthaveawrittenundertakingfromyou，——adocumentwhichmydaughtercanshowifitbenecessary，——thatyouwillneverclaimhersocietyagainortroubleherwithanyapplication。’
’Youmistakeme，MrWharton。MywifegoeswithmetoGuatemala。’
’ThenIwillnotpayonepenny。WhyshouldI？Whatisyourpresenceorabsencetomeexceptasitconcernsher？DoyouthinkthatIcareforyourthreatsofremaininghere。Thepolicewillsetthatright。’
’WhereverIgo，mywifegoes。’
’We’llseetothattoo。Ifyouwantthemoney，youmustleaveher。Goodmorning。’
MrWhartonashewenttohischambersthoughtthematterover。
Hewascertainlywillingtoriskthe5，000poundsdemandedifhecouldridhimselfandhisdaughterofthisterribleincubus，evenifitwereonlyforatime。IfLopezwouldbutoncegotoGuatemala，leavinghiswifebehindhim，itwouldbecomparativelyeasytokeepthemapartshouldheeverreturn。Thedifficultynowwasnotinhim，butinher。Theman’sconducthadbeensooutrageous，sobarefaced，socruel，thatthelawyerdidnotdoubtbutthathecouldturnherhusbandoutofhishouse，andkeepthewife，evennow，wereitnotthatshewasdeterminedtoobeythemanwhomshe，inoppositiontoallherfriends，hadtakenashermaster。’Ihavedoneitmyself，andIwillbearit，’wasalltheanswershewouldmakewhenherfatherstrovetopersuadehertoseparateherselffromherhusband。’YouhavegotEverett，’shewouldsay。’Whenagirlismarriedsheisdividedfromherfamily——andIamdivided。’ButshewouldwillinglystayifLopezwouldbidherstay。Itnowseemedthathecouldnotgowithoutthe5，000pounds。and，whenthepressurecameuponhim，surelyhewouldgoandleavehiswife。
InthecourseofthatdayMrWhartonwenttotheofficesoftheSanJuanmineandaskedtoseetheDirector。Hewasshownupintoahalf-furnishedroom，twostoreyshigh，inColemanStreet，wherehefoundtwoclerkssittinguponstools——andwhenheaskedfortheDirectorwasshownintothebackroominwhichsattheSecretary。TheSecretarywasadark，plumplittlemanwithagreasyface，whohadthegiftofassuminganairofgreatimportanceashetwistedhischairroundtofacevisitorswhocametoinquireabouttheSanJuanMiningCompany。HisnameasHartlepod。andiftheSanJuanmine’turnedouttrumps’，asheintendedthatitshould，MrHartlepodmeanttobeagreatmaninthecity。ToMrHartlepodMrWhartonwithconsiderableembarrassment，explainedasmuchofthejointhistoryofhimselfandLopezashefoundtobeabsolutelynecessary。’Hehasonlylefttheofficeabouthalfanhour，’saidMrHartlepod。
’Ofcourseyouunderstandheismyson-in-law。’
’Hehasmentionedyournametous，MrWharton，beforenow。’
’AndheisgoingtoGuatemala？’
’Ohyes——he’sgoingout。Hashenottoldyouasmuchhimself？’
’Certainly，sir。AndhehastoldmethatheisdesirousofbuyingcertainsharesintheCompanybeforehestarts。’
’Probably，MrWharton。’
’Indeed，Ibelievehecannotgounlesshebuysthem。’
’Thatmaybeso，MrWharton。Nodoubthehastoldyouallthathimself。’
’Thefactis，MrHartlepod，Iamwilling，undercertainstipulations，toadvancehimthemoney。’MrHartlepodbowed。’I
neednottroubleyouwithmyprivateaffairsbetweenmyselfandmyson-in-law。’AgaintheSecretarybowed。’Butitseemstobeforhisinterestthatheshouldgo。’
’Averygreatopeningindeed，MrWharton。Idon’tseehowamanistohaveabetteropening。Afinesalary！Hisexpensesarepaid！Oneoftheverybestthingsthathascomeupformanyyears！Andasforthecapitalheistoembarkintheaffair，heisassafetogettwentypercentinit，——assafe，——assafeastheBankofEngland。’
’He’llhavetheshares？’
’Ohyes——thescripwillbehandedtohimatonce。’
’And，——and——’
’Ifyoumeanaboutthemine，MrWharton，youmaytakemywordthatit’sallreal。It’snotoneofthoseshamthingsthatmeltawaylikesnowandleavetheshareholdersnowhere。There’stheprospectus，MrWharton。Perhapsyouhavenotseenthatbefore。
Takeitawayandcastyoureyesoveritatyourleisure。’MrWhartonputthesomewhatlengthypamphletintohispocket。’LookatthelistofDirectors。We’vethreemembersofParliament，abaronet，andoneortwoCitynamesthatareasgood，——asgoodastheBankofEngland。Ifthatprospectuswon’tmakeamanconfidentIdon’tknowwhatwill。Why，MrWharton，youdon’tthinkthatyourson-in-lawwouldgetthosefiftysharesatparunlesshewasgoingoutasourgeneralmanager。You’llseeifyoulook。Aboutaquarterofamillionpaidup。Butit’sallinaboxasonemaysay。It’samongourselves。Thesharesain’tinthemarket。Ofcourseit’snotformetosaywhatshouldbedonebetweenyouandyourson-in-law。Lopezisafriendofmine，andamanIesteem，andallthat。NeverthelessIshouldn’tthinkofadvisingyoutodothisorthat，——ornottodoit。Butwhenyoutalkofsafety，MrWharton，——why，MrWharton，Idon’tscrupletotellyouasamanwhoknowswhatthesethingsare，thatthisisanopportunitythatdoesn’tcomeaman’swayperhapstwiceinhislife。’
MrWhartonfoundhehadnothingmoretosay，andwentbacktoLincoln’sInn。HeknewverywellthatMrHartlepod’sassuranceswerenotworthmuch。MrHartlepodhimselfandhisbelongings，theclerksinhisoffice，thelookoftherooms，andtheverynatureofthepraiseswhichhehadsung，alltheminspiredanythingbutconfidence。MrWhartonwasamanoftheworld。and，thoughheknewnothingofCityways，wasquiteawarethatnomaninhissenseswouldlayout5，000poundsonthemerewordofMrHartlepod。Butstillhewasinclinedtomakethepayment。IfonlyhecouldsecuretheabsenceofLopez，——andifcouldbesurethatLopezwouldintruthgotoGuatemala，andalsoifhecouldinducethemantogowithouthiswife，hewouldriskthemoney。
Themoneywould，ofcourse，bethrownaway，——buthewouldthrowitaway。Lopeznodoubtdeclaredthathewouldnotgowithouthiswife，eventhoughthemoneywerepaidforhim。Butthemoneywasanalluringsum！Asthepressureuponthemanbecamegreater，MrWhartonthoughthewouldprobablyconsenttoleavehiswifebehindhim。
Inhisemergencythebarristerwenttohisattorneyandtoldhimeverything。Thetwolawyerswereclosetedtogetherforanhour，andMrWharton’slastwordstohisoldfriendwereasfollows：——
’Iwillriskthemoney，Walker，orratherIwillconsentabsolutelytothrowitaway，——asitwillbethrownaway，——ifitcanbemanagedthatheshallintruthgotothisplacewithouthiswife。’
CHAPTER54
LIZZIE。
ItcannotbesupposedthatFerdinandLopezatthistimewasaveryhappyman。Hehad，atanyrate，oncelovedhiswife，andwouldhavelovedherstillcouldhehavetrainedhertothinkashethought，tosharehiswishes，and’toputherselfintothesameboatwithhim’，——ashewaswonttodescribetheunisonandsympathywhichherequiredfromher。Togivehimhisdue，hedidnotknowthathewasavillain。Whenhewasexhortingherto’getroundherfather’hewasnotawarethathewasgivingherlessonswhichmustshockawell-conditionedgirl。Hedidnotunderstandthateverythingthatshehaddiscoveredofhismoraldispositionsincehermarriagewasofanaturetodisgusther。
And，notunderstandingallthis，heconceivedthathewasgrievouslywrongedbyher，inthatsheadheredtoherfatherratherthantohim。Thismadehimunhappy，anddoublydisappointedhim。Hehadneithergotthewifethathehadexpectednorthefortune。Buthestillthoughtthatthefortunemaycomeifhewouldonlyholdontothewifewhichhehadgot。