Andtheneverythinghadgonebadlywithhimsincehismarriage。
Hewasapt，whenthinkingoverhisaffairs，toattributeallthistothefearsandhesitationandparsimonyofSextyParker。NoneofhislateventureswithSextyParkerhadbeensuccessful。AndnowSextywasinabadcondition，veryviolent，drinkinghard，declaringhimselftobearuinedman，andswearingthatifthisandthatwerenotdonehewouldhavebitterrevenge。Sextystillbelievedinthewealthofhispartner’sfather-in-law，andstillhadsomehopeofsalvationfromthatsource。Lopezwoulddeclaretohim，anduptothisverytimeperseveredinprotesting，thatsalvationwouldbefoundinBios。IfSextywouldonlyrisktwoorthreethousandpoundsmoreuponBios，——orhiscredittothatamountfailingtheimmediatemoney，——thingsmightstillberight。’Biosbed-d，’saidSexty，utteringastringofheavyimprecations。Onthatmorning，hehadbeentrustingtonativeproduceratherthantothenewAfricanspirit。Butnow，astheGuatemalaschemereallytookformandloomedonLopez’seyesightasathingthatmightbereal，heendeavouredtokeepoutofSexty’sway。Butinvain，SextytoohadheardofGuatemala，andinhismiseryhuntedLopezaboutthecity。’ByG-，Ibelieveyou’reafraidtocometoLittleTankardYard，’hesaidonday，havingcaughthisvictimundertheequestrianstatueinfrontoftheExchange。
’WhatisthegoodofmycomingwhenyouwilldonothingwhenIamthere？’
’I’lltellwhatitis，Lopez，——you’renotgoingoutofthecountryaboutthisminingbusiness，ifIknowit。’
’WhosaidIwas？’
’I’llputaspokeinyourwheelthere，myman。I’llgiveawrittenaccountofthedealingsbetweenustotheDirectors。ByG-，theyshallknowtheirman。’
’You’reanass，Sexty，andalwayswere。Lookhere。IfIcancarryonasthoughIweregoingtothisplace，Icandraw5，000
poundsfromoldWharton。Hehasalreadyofferedit。HehastreatedmewithastinginessthatIneverknewequalled。HadhedonewhatIhadarighttoexpect，youandIwouldhavebeenrichmennow。ButatlastIhavegotaholduponhimto5，000pounds。
AsyouandIstand，prettynearlythewholeofthatwillgotoyou。Butdon’tyouspoilitallbymakinganassofyourself。’
Sexty，whowasthreepartsdrunk，lookedupintohisfaceforafewseconds，andthenmadehisreply。’I’md-difIbelieveawordofit。’UponthatLopezaffectedtolaugh，andthenmadehisescape。
Allthis，asIhavesaid，didnottendtomakehislifehappy。
Thoughhehadimpudenceenough，andcallousnessofconscienceenoughtogethisbillspaidbyMrWhartonasoftenashecould，hewasnotquiteeasyinhismindwhilehewasdoingso。Hisambitionhadneverbeenhigh，butithadsoaredhigherthanthat。
Hehadhadgreathopes。Hehadlivedwithsomehighpeople。Hehaddinedwithlordsandladies。HehadbeentheguestofaDuchess。Hehadmarriedthedaughterofagentleman。HehadnearlybeenamemberofParliament。Hestillbelongedtowhatheconsideredtobeafirst-rateclub。FromagreataltitudehelookeddownuponSextyParkerandmenofSexty’sclass，becauseofhissocialsuccesses，andbecauseheknewhowtotalkandtolooklikeagentleman。Itwasunpleasanttohim，therefore，tobedriventothelifehewasnowliving。AndtheideaofgoingtoGuatemalaandburyinghimselfinamineinCentralAmericawasnottohimahappyidea。Inspiteofallthathehaddonehehadstillsomehopethathemightavoidthebanishment。HehadspokenthetruthtoSextyParkerinsayingthatheintendedtogetthe5，000poundsfromMrWhartonwithoutthatterriblepersonalsacrifice，thoughhehadhardlyspokenthetruthwhenheassuredhisfriendthatthegreaterportionofthatmoneywouldgotohim。Thereweremanyschemesfluctuatingthroughhisbrain，andallaccompaniedbymanydoubts。IfhecouldgetMrWharton’smoneybygivinguphiswife，shouldheconsenttogiveherup？Ineithercaseshouldhestayorshouldhego？ShouldherunonefurthergreatchancewithBios，——andifso，bywhoseassistance？Andifheshouldatleastdecidethathewoulddosobytheaidofacertainfriendthatwasyetlefttohim，shouldhethrowhimselfatthatfriend’sfeet，thefriendbeingalady，andproposetodeserthiswifeandbegintheworldagainwithher？Fortheladyinquestionwasaladyinpossession，ashebelieved，ofverylargemeans。Orshouldhecuthisthroatandhavedonewithallhistroubles，acknowledgingtohimselfthathiscareerhadbeenafailure，andthat，therefore，itmightbebroughtwithadvantagetoanend？’Afterall，’saidhetohimself，’thatmaybethebestwayofwindingupabankruptconcern。’
OuroldfriendLadyEustace，inthesedays，livedinaverysmallhouseinaverysmallstreetborderinguponMayfair。butthestreet，thoughverysmall，andhavingdisagreeablerelationswithamews，stillhadanairoffashionaboutit。Andwithherlivedthewidow，MrsLeslie，whohadintroducedMrsDickRoby，andthroughMrsRoby，toFerdinandLopez。LadyEustacewasintheenjoymentofahandsomeincome，asIhopethatsomeofmyreadersmayremember，——andthisincome，duringthelastyearortwo，shehadlearnedtofoster，ifnotwithmuchdiscretion，atanyratewithgreatzeal。Duringhershortlifeshehadhadmanyaspirations。Love，poetry，sport，religion，fashion，Bohemianismhadallbeentried。butineachcrisistherehadbeenacertaincareforwealthwhichhadsavedherfromthefollyofsquanderingwhatshehadwonbyherearlyenergiesinthepursuitofherthenprevailingpassion。Shehadgivenhermoneytonolover，hadnotlostitonrace-courses，orinbuildingchurches，——norevenhadshemateriallydamagedherresourcesbyservantsandequipages。
Atthepresenttimeshewasstillyoung，andstillpretty，——
thoughherhairandcomplexiontookrathermoretimethaninthedayswhenshewonSirFlorianEustace。Shestilllikedalover，——orperhapstwo，——thoughshehadthoroughlyconvincedherselfthatalovermaybeboughttoodear。Shecouldstillrideahorse，thoughhuntingregularlywastooexpensiveforher。Shecouldtalkofreligionifshecouldfindherselfclosetoawell-
got-upclergyman，——beingquiteindifferentastothedenominationofthereligion。Butperhapsawilddashforatimeintofastvulgaritywaswhatinherheartofheartsshelikedbest，——onlythatitwassodifficulttoenjoythepleasureswithoutriskoflosingeverything。Andthen，togetherwiththesepassions，andperhapsabovethemall，therehadlatelysprungupintheheartofLadyEustaceadesiretomultiplyhermeansbysuccessfulspeculation。ThiswasthefriendwithwhomFerdinandLopezhadlatelybecomeintimate，andbywhoseaidhehopedtoextricatehimselffromsomeofhisdifficulties。
PoorashewashehadcontrivedtobribeMrsLesliebyhandsomepresentsoutofBondStreet——for，ashestilllivedinManchesterSquare，andwastheundoubtedson-in-lawofMrWharton，hiscreditwasnotaltogethergone。Inthegivingofthesegiftsnopurportwas，ofcourse，named，butMrsLesliewasprobablyawarethathergoodwordwithherfriendwasexpected。
’IonlyknowwhatIusedtohearfromMrsRoby，’MrsLesliehadsaidtoherfriend。’HewasmixedupwithHunky’speople，whorollinmoney。OldWhartonwouldn’thavegivenhimhisdaughterifhehadnotbeendoingwell。’
’It’sveryhardtobesure，’saidLizzieEustace。
’Helookslikeamanwho’dknowhowtofeatherhisownnest，’
saidMrsLeslie。’Don’tyouthinkhe’sveryhandsome？’
’Idon’tknowthathe’slikelytodothebetterforthat。’
’Well。no。buttherearemenofwhomyouaresure，whenyoulookatthem，thatthey’llbesuccessful。Idon’tsupposehewasanythingtobeginwith，butseewhereheisnow！’
’Ibelieveyouareinlovewithhim，mydear，’saidLizzieEustace。
’Notexactly。Idon’tknowthathehasgivenmeanyprovocation。
ButIdon’tseewhyawomanshouldn’tbeinlovewithhimifshelikes。Heisdealnicerthanthosefair-headedmenwhohaven’tgotawordtosaytoyou，andyetlookasthoughyououghttojumpdowntheirmouths：——likethatfellowyouweretryingtotalktolastnight，——thatMrFletcher。Hecouldjustjerkoutthreewordsatatime，andyethewasproudasLucifer。Ilikeamanwhoifhelikesmeisneitherashamednorafraidtosayso。’
’There’saromancethere，youknow。MrFletcherwasinlovewithEmilyWharton，andshethrewhimoverforFerdinandLopez。Theysayhehasnotheldhisheadupsince。’
’Shewasquiteright，’saidMrsLeslie。’Butsheisoneofthosestiff-neckedcreatureswhoaresetupwithpridethoughtheyhavenothingtobeproudof。Isupposeshehadalotofmoney。Lopezwouldneverhavetakenherwithout。’
When，therefore，Lopezcalledonedayatthelittlehouseinthelittlestreethewasnotanunwelcomevisitor。MrsLesliewasinthedrawing-room，butsoonleftitafterhisarrival。Hehadoflatebeenoftenthere，andwhenheatonceintroducedthesubjectonwhichhewashimselfintentitwasnotunexpected。’Seventhousandfivehundredpounds！’saidLizzie，afterlisteningtothepropositionwhichhehadcometomake。’Thatisaverylargesumofmoney！’
’Yes——it’salargesumofmoney。It’salargeaffair。I’minittorathermorethanthat，Ibelieve。’
’Howareyougoingtogetpeopletodrinkit？’sheaskedafterapause。
’Bytellingthemthattheyoughttodrinkit。Advertiseit。Ithasbecomeacertaintynowthatifyouwillonlyadvertisesufficientlyyoumaymakeafortunebysellinganything。Onlytheinterestonthemoneyexpendedincreasesinsolargearatioinaccordancewiththemagnitudeoftheoperation！Ifyouspendafewhundredsinadvertisingyouthrowthemaway。Ahundredthousandpoundswelllaidoutmakesacertaintyofanything。’
’WhatamItogettoshowformymoney——Imeanimmediately，youknow？’
’RegisteredsharesintheCompany。’
’TheBiosCompany？’
’No——wedidproposetocallourselvesParkerandCo。，limited。
Ithinkweshallchangethename。Theywillprobablyusemyname。LopezandCo。，limited。’
’Butit’sallforBios？’
’Ohyes——allforBios。’
’Andit’stocomefromCentralAfrica？’
’ItwillberectifiedinLondon，youknow。SomeEnglishspiritwillperhapsbemixed。ButImustnottellyouthesecretsofthetradetillyoujoinus。ThatBiosisdistilledfromthebarkoftheDuffer-treeisacertainty。’
’Haveyoudrankany？’
’I’vetastedit。’
’Isitnice？’
’Verynice——rathersweet，youknow，andwillbethebetterformixing。’
’Gin？’suggestedherladyship。
’Perhapsso，——orwhisky。IthinkImaysaythatyoucan’tdoverymuchbetterwithyourmoney。YouknowIwouldnotsaythistoyouwereitnottrue。InsuchamatterItreatyouasif，——
asifyouweremysister。’
’Iknowhowgoodyouare，——butseventhousandfivehundred！I
couldn’traisesomuchasthatjustatpresent。’
’Therearetobesixshares，’saidLopez，’making45，000poundscapital。Wouldyouconsenttotakeasharejointlywithme？
Thatwouldbethreethousandsevenhundredandfifty。’
’Butyouhaveasharealready，’saidLizziesuspiciously。
’IshouldthendividethatwithMrParker。Weintendtoregisteratanyrateasmanyasninepartners。Wouldyouobjecttoholditwithme？’Lopez，asheaskedthisquestion，lookedatherasthoughhewereofferingherhalfhisheart。
’No，’saidLizzieslowly，’Idon’tsupposeIshouldobjecttothat。’
’IshouldbedoublyeagerabouttheaffairifIwereinpartnershipwithyou。’
’It’ssuchaventure。’
’Nothingventurenothinghave。’
’ButI’vegotsomethingasitis，MrLopez，andIdon’twanttoloseitall。’
’There’snochanceofthatifyoujoinus。’
’YouthinkBiosissosure？’
’Quitesafe，’saidLopez。
’Youmustgivemealittlemoretimetothinkaboutit，’saidLadyEustaceatlast，pantingwithanxiety，strugglingwithherself，anxiousfortheexcitementwhichwouldcometoherfromdealinginBios，butstillfearingtoriskthemoney。
ThishadtakenplaceimmediatelyafterMrWharton’sofferofthe5，000poundsinmakingwhichhehadstipulatedthatEmilyshouldbeleftathome。Thenafewdayswentby，andLopezwaspressedforhismoney，attheofficeoftheSanJuanmine。Didheordidhenotmeantotakeuptheminingsharesallottedtohim？Ifhedidmeantodoso，hemustdoitatonce。Hesworebyallhisgodsthatofcoursehemeanttotakethemup。HadnotMrWhartonhimselfbeenattheoffice，sayingthatheintendedtopayforthem？Wasnotthatasufficientguarantee？TheyknewwellenoughthatMrWhartonwasamantowhomtheraisingof5，000
poundscouldbeamatterofnodifficulty。Buttheydidnotknow，nevercouldknow，howimpossibleitwastogetanythingdonebyMrWharton。ButMrWhartonhadpromisedtopayfortheshares，andwhenmoneywasconcernedhiswordwouldsurelysuffice。MrHartlepod，backedbytwooftheDirectors，saidifthethingwastogoonatall，themoneymustreallybepaidatonce。Buttheconferencewasendedbyallowingthenewlocalmanageranotherfortnightinwhichtocompletethearrangement。
Lopezallowedfourdaystopassby，duringeachofwhichhewasclosetedforatimewithLadyEustace，andthenmadeanattempttogetatMrWhartonthroughhiswife。’Yourfatherhassaidthathewillpaythemoneyforme，’saidLopez。
’Ifhehassaidithecertainlywilldoit。’
’Buthehaspromiseditontheconditionthatyoushouldremainathome。Doyouwishtodesertyourhusband？’Tothisshemadenoimmediateanswer。’Areyoualreadyanxioustoberidofme？’
’Ishouldprefertoremainathome，’shesaidinaverylowvoice。
’Thenyoudowishtodesertyourhusband？’
’Whatistheuseofallthis，Ferdinand？Youdonotloveme。
YoudidnotmarrymebecauseIlovedyou。’
’ByheavenIdid——forthatandthatonly。’
’Andhowhaveyoutreatedme？’
’WhathaveIdonetoyou？’
’ButIdonotmeantomakeaccusations，Ferdinand。Ishouldonlyaddtoourmiseriesbythat。Weshouldbehappierapart。’
’NotI。Noristhatmyideaofmarriage。Tellyourfatherthatyouwishtogowithme，andthenhewillletushavethemoney。’
’Iwilltellhimnolie，Ferdinand。Ifyoubidmego，Iwillgo。
WhereyoufindahomeImustfindonetooifitbeyourpleasuretotakeme。ButIwillnotaskmyfathertogiveyoumoneybecauseitismypleasuretogo。WereItosaysohewouldnotbelieveme。’
’Itisyouwhohavetoldhimtogiveitmeonlyontheconditionofyourstaying。’
’Ihavetoldhimnothing。HeknowsthatIdonotwishtogo。Hecannotbutknowthat。ButheknowsthatImeantogoifyourequireit。’
’Andyouwilldonothingforme？’
’Nothing——inregardtomyfather。’Heraisedhisfistwiththethoughtofstrikingher，andshesawthemotion。Buthisarmfellagaintohisside。Hehadnotquitecometothatyet。
’SurelyyouwillhavethecharitytotellmewhetherIamtogo，ifitbefixed，’shesaid。
’HaveInottoldyoutwentytimes？’
’Thenitisfixed。’
Yes——itisfixed。Yourfatherwilltellyouaboutyourthings。
Hehaspromisedsomebeggarlysum，——aboutasmuchasatallow-
chandlerwouldgivehisdaughter。’
’Whateverhedoesformewillbesufficientforme。Iamnotafraidofmyfather，Ferdinand。’
’YoushallbeafraidofmebeforeIhavedonewithyou，’saidhe，leavingtheroom。
Thenashesatathisclub，diningtherealone，therecameacrosshismindwhattheworldwouldbeliketohimifhecouldleavehiswifeathomeandtakeLizzieEustacewithhimtoGuatemala。
Guatemalawasverydistant，anditwouldmatterlittletherewhetherthewomanhebroughtwithhimwashiswifeorno。Itwasclearenoughtohimthathiswifedesirednomoreofhiscompany。
Whatweretheconventionsoftheworldtohim？Thisotherwomanhadmoneyatherowncommand。Hecouldnotmakeithisownbecausehecouldnotmarryher，buthefanciedthatitmightbepossibletobringhersofarunderhiscontrolastomakethemoneyalmostasgoodashisown。MrWharton’smoneywasveryhardtoreach，andwouldbeashardtoreach，——perhapsharder，——
whenMrWhartonwasdead，asnow，duringhislife。Hehadsaidagooddealtotheladysincetheinterviewofwhichareporthasbeengiven。ShehaddeclaredherselftobeafraidofBios。ShedidnotintheleastdoubtthatgreatthingsmightbeultimatelydonewithBios，butshedidnotquiteseethewaywithhersmallcapital，——thushumblydidshespeakofherwealth，——tobeoneofthosewhoshouldtaketheinitiativeinthematter。Biosevidentlyrequiredagreatdealofadvertisement，andLizzieEustacehadashort-sightedobjectiontoexpendwhatmoneyshehadsavedonthehoardingsofLondon。ThenheopenedtoherthegloriesofGuatemala，notcontentinghimselfwithdescribingthecertaintyoftwentypercent，butenlargingontheluxurioushappinessoflifeinacountrysogolden，sogreen，sogorgeous，andsogrand。IthadbeentheveryappleoftheeyeoftheoldSpaniards。InGuatemala，hesaid，CortezandPizzarohadmetandembraced。TheymighthavedonesoforanythingasfarasLizzieEustaceknewtothecontrary。Andhereourherotookadvantageofhisname。DonDiegodiLopezhadbeenthefirsttoraisethebanneroffreedominGuatemalawhenthekingsofSpainbecametyrantstotheirAmericansubjects。Allisfairinloveandwar，andLizzieamidstthehardbusinessofherlifestilllovedadashofromance。Yet，hewasabouttochangethesceneandtryhisfortuneinthatgolden，green，andgorgeouscountry。’Youwilltakeyourwifeofcourse，’LadyEustacehadsaid。ThenLopezhadsmiled，andshrugginghisshouldershadlefttheroom。
Itwascertainlythefactthatshecouldnoteathim。OthermenbeforeLopezhavehadtopickupwhatcouragetheycouldintheirattacksuponwomenbyrememberingthatfact。Shehadflirtedwithhiminaverypleasantway，mixingupherprettinessandherpercentagesinamannerthatwaspeculiartoherself。Hedidnotknowher，andheknewthathedidnotknowher——butstilltherewasthechance。Shehadthrownhiswifemorethanonceinhisface，afterthefashionwomendowhentheyarewooedbymarriedmensincethedaysofCleopatradownwards。Buthehadtakenthatsimplyasencouragement。Hehadalreadyletherknowthathiswifewasavixenwhotroubledhislife。Lizziehadgivenhimhersympathy，andhadalmostgivenhimatear。’ButIamnotamantobebroken-heartedbecauseIhavemadeamistake，’saidLopez。
’Marriagevowsareverywell，buttheyshallneverbindmetomisery。’’Marriagevowsarenotverywell。Theymaybeveryill，’Lizziehadreplied，rememberingcertainpassagesinherownlife。
Therewasnodoubtabouthermoney，andcertainlyshecouldnoteathim。ThefortnightallowedhimbytheSanJuanCompanyhadnearlygonebywhenhecalledatthelittlehouseinthelittlestreet，resolvedtopushhisfortuneinthatdirectionwithoutfearandwithouthesitation。MrsLeslieagaintookherdeparture，leavingthemtogether，andLizzieallowedherfriendtogo，althoughthelastwordsthatLopezhadspokenhadbeen，ashethought，afairpreludetothewordsheintendedtospeakto-
day。’Andwhatdoyouthinkofit？’hesaid，takingbothherhandsinhis。
’Thinkofwhat？’
’OfourSpanishventure。’
’HaveyougivenupBios，myfriend？’
’No。certainlynot，’saidLopez，seatinghimselfbesideher。’I
havenottakentheotherhalfshare，butIhavekeptmyoldventureinthescheme。IbelieveinBios，youknow。’
’Ah——itisnicetobelieve。’
’ButIbelievemorefirmlyinthecountrytowhichIamgoing。’
’Youaregoingthen？’
’Yes。myfriend——Iamgoing。Theallurementsaretoostrongtoberesisted。Thinkofthatclimateandofthis。’HeprobablyhadnotheardofthemosquitoesofCentralAmericawhenhesospoke。’Rememberthatanincomethatgivesyoucomfortherewillthereproduceeveryluxurywhichwealthcanpurchase。Itistobeakingthere，ortobebutverycommonamongcommonershere。’
’AndyetEnglandisadearoldcountry。’
’Haveyoufounditso？Thinkofthewrongswhichyouhaveendured——oftheinjuriesyouhavesuffered。’
’Yesindeed。’ForLizzieEustacehadgonethroughharddaysinhertime。
’Icertainlywillflyfromsuchacountrytothosegoldenshoresonwhichmanmaybefreeandunshackled。’
’Andyourwife？’
’Oh，Lizzie！’ItwasthefirsttimehehadcalledherLizzie，andshewasapparentlyneithershockednorabashed。Perhapshethoughttoomuchofthis，notknowinghowmanymenhadcalledherLizzieinhertime。’Donotyouatleastunderstandthatamanorawomanmayundergoatie，andyetbejustifiedindisregardingitaltogether？’
’Ohyes——iftherehasbeenbigamy，ordivorce，oranythingofthatkind。’NowLizziehadconvictedhersecondhusbandofbigamy，andhadfreedherselfafterthatfashion。
’Toh——withtheirprurientlaws，’saidLopez，risingsuddenlyfromhischair。’IwillneitherappealtothemnorwillIobeythem。AndIexpectfromyouaslittlesubservienceasImyselfampreparedtopay。LizzyEustace，willyougowithmetothatlandofthesun，Wheretherageofthevulture，theloveoftheturtleNowmeltintosorrow，nowmaddentocrime？
Willyoudaretoescapewithmefromthecoldconventionalities，fromthemiserablethraldomofthiscountryboundinswaddlingcloths？LizzieEustace，ifyouwillsaytheword，Iwilltakeyoutothatlandofglorioushappiness。’
ButLizzieEustacehad4，000poundsayearandabalanceatherbanker’s。’MrLopez，’shesaid。
’Whatanswerhaveyoutomakeme？’
’MrLopez，Ithinkyoumustbeafool。’
Hedidatlastsucceedingettinghimselfintothestreet，andatanyrateshehadnoteatenhim。
CHAPTER55
MRSPARKER’SSORROWS。
TheendofFebruaryhadcome，andasfarasMrsLopezknewshewastostartforGuatemalainamonth’stime。Andyettherewassomuchindecisioninherhusband’smanner，andapparentlysolittledonebyhiminregardtopersonalpreparation，thatshecouldhardlybringherselftofeelcertainthatshewouldhavetomakethejourney。Fromdaytodayherfatherwouldaskherwhethershehadmadeherintendedpurchases，andshewouldtellhimthatshehadstillpostponedthework。Thenhewouldsaynomore，forhehimselfwashesitating，doubtfulwhathewoulddo，andstillthinkingthatwhenatlastthetimeshouldcome，hewouldbuyhisdaughter’sreleaseatanypricethatmightbedemanded。HehadseenLopezmorethanonce，andhadalsoseenMrHartlepod。MrHartlepodhadsimplytoldhimthathewouldbeveryhappytoregisterthesharesonbehalfofLopezassoonasthemoneywaspaid。Lopezhadbeenalmostinsolentinhisbearing。’DidMrWhartonthink，’heasked，’thathewasgoingtosellhiswifefor5，000pounds？’’Ithinkyouwillhavetoraiseyouroffer，’MrWalkerhadsaidtoMrWharton。Thatwasallverywell。MrWhartonwaswillingenoughtoraisetheoffer。HewouldhavedoubledtheoffercouldhetherebyhavesecuredtheannihilationofLopez。’Iwillraiseitifhewillgowithouthiswife，andgiveherawrittenassurancethathewouldnevertroubleheragain。’ButthearrangementwasonewhichMrWalkerfounditverydifficulttocarryout。SothingswentontilltheendofFebruaryhadcome。
AndduringallthistimeLopezwasstillaresidentinMrWharton’shouse。’Papa，’shesaidtohimoneday，’thisisthecruellestthingofall。Whydon’tyoutellhimhemustgo？’
’Becausehewouldtakeyouwithhim。’
’Itwouldbebetterso。Icouldcomeandseeyou。’
’Ididtellhimtogo——inmypassion。Irepentedofitinstantly，becauseIshouldhavelostyou。Butwhatdidmytellingmattertohim？Hewasveryindignant，andyetheisstillhere。’
’Youtoldhimtogo？’
’Yes——butIamgladthathedidnotobeyme。Theremustbeanendofitsoon，Isuppose。’
’Idonotknow，papa。’
’Doyouthinkhewillnotgo？’
’IfeelthatIknownothing，papa。Youmustnotlethimstayalways，youknow。’
’Andwhatwillbecomeofyouwhenhegoes？’
’Imustgowithhim。Whyshouldyoubesacrificedalso？Iwilltellhimthathemustleavethehouse。Iamnotafraidofhim，papa。’
’Notyet，mydear——notyet。Wewillsee。’
AtthistimeLopezdeclaredhispurposeonedayofdiningattheProgress，andMrWhartontookadvantageoftheoccasiontoremainathomewithhisdaughter。Everettwasnowexpected，andtherewasaprobabilitythathemightcomeonthisevening。MrWhartonthereforereturnedfromhischambersearly。butwhenhereachedthehousehewastoldthattherewasawomaninthedining-roomwithMrsLopez。Theservantdidnotknowwhatwoman。ShehadaskedtoseeMrsLopez，andMrsLopezhadgonedowntoher。
Thewomaninthedining-roomwasMrsParker。Shehadcalledatthehouseabouthalf-pastfive，andEmilyhadatoncecomedownwhensummonedbytidingsthataladywantedtoseeher。
Servantshaveawayofannouncingawomanalady，whichclearlyexpressestheirownopinionthatthepersoninquestionwasnotalady。Soithadbeenonthepresentoccasion，butMrsLopezhadatoncegonetohervisitor。’Oh，MrsParker，Iamsogladtoseeyou。Ihopeyouarewell。’
’Indeedthen，MrsLopez，Iamveryfarfromwell。Nopoorwoman，whoisthemotheroffivechildren，waseverfartherfrombeingwellthanIam。’
’Isanythingwrong？’
’Wrong，ma’am。Everythingiswrong。WhenisMrLopezgoingtopaymyhusbandallthemoneyhehastookfromhim？’
’Hashetakenmoney？’
’Taken！hehastakeneverything。Hehasshornmyhusbandasbareasaboard。We’reruined，MrsLopez，andit’syourhusbandhasdoneit。WhenwewereatDovercourt，Itoldyouhowitwasgoingtobe。Hisbusinesshaslefthim，andnowthereisnothing。Whatarewetodo？’Thewomanwasseatedonachair，leaningforwardwithhertwohandsonherknees。Thedaywaswet，thestreetswerehalfmudandhalfsnow，andthepoorwoman，whohadmadeherwaythroughtheslush，wassoiledandwet。’I
looktoyoutotellmewhatmeandmychildrenistodo。He’syourhusband，MrsLopez。’
’Yes，MrsParker，heismyhusband。’
’Whycouldn’theletSextyalone？Whyshouldthelikeofhimbetakingthebreadoutofmychildren’smouths？Whathadweeverdonetohim？You’rerich。’
’IndeedIamnot，MrsParker。’
’Yes，youare。You’relivinghereinagrandhouse，andyourfather’smadeofmoney。You’llknownothingofwant，lettheworstcometotheworst。Whatarewetodo，MrsLopez？I’mthewifeofthatpoorcreature，andyou’rethewifeofthemanthathasruinedhim。Whatarewetodo，MrsLopez？’
’Idonotunderstandmyhusband’sbusiness，MrsParker。’
’You’reonewithhim，ain’tyou？Ifanybodyhasevercometomeandsaidmyhusbandhadrobbedhim，I’dneverhavestoppedtillI
knewthetruthofit。IfanywomanhadeversaidtomethatParkerhadtakenthebreadoutofherchildren’smouths，doyouthinkthatI’dsitasyouaresitting？ItellthatLopezhasrobbedus，——hasrobbedus，andtakeneverything。’
’WhatcanIsay，MrsParker——whatcanIdo？’
’Whereishe？’
’Heisnothere。Heisdiningathisclub。’
’Whereisthat？Iwillgothereandshamehimbeforethemall。
Don’tyoufeelnoshame？Becauseyou’vegotthingscomfortablehere，Isupposeit’sallnothingtoyou。Youdon’tcare，thoughmychildrenwerestarvinginthegutter，——astheywilldo。’
’Ifyouknewme，MrsParker，youwouldn’tspeaktomelikethat。’
’Knowyou！OfcourseIknowyou。You’realady，andyourfather’sarichman，andyourhusbandthinksnoendofhimself。
Andwe’repoorpeople，soitdon’tmatterwhetherwe’rerobbedandruinedornot。That’saboutit。’
’IfIhadanything，I’dgiveyouallthatIhad。’
’Andhe’stakentodrinkingthathardthathe’sneverrightlysoberfrommorningtonight。’Asshetoldthisstoryofherhusband’sdisgrace，thepoorwomanburstintotears。’Who’stotrusthimwithbusinessnow？He’sthatbroken-heartedthathedon’tknowwhichwaytoturn，——onlytothebottle。AndLopezhasdoneitall，——doneitall！Ihaven’tgotafather，ma’am，whohasgotahouseoverhisheadformeandmybabies。Onlythinkifyouwasturnedoutintothestreetwithyourbaby，asI
amliketobe。’
’Ihavenobaby，’saidthewretchedwomanthroughhertearsandsobs。
’Haven’tyou，MrsLopez？Ohdear！’exclaimedthesoft-heartedwoman，reducedatoncetopity。’Howwasitthen？’
’Hedied，MrsParker，——justafewdaysafterhewasborn。’
’Didhenow？Well，well。Weallhaveourtroubles，Isuppose。’
’Ihavemine，Iknow，’saidEmily，’andvery，veryheavytheyare。IcannottellyouwhatIhavehadtosuffer。’
’Isn’thegoodtoyou？’
’Icannottalkaboutit，MrsParker。Whatyoutellmeaboutyourselfhasaddedgreatlytomysorrows。Myhusbandistalkingofgoingaway——toliveoutofEngland。’
’Yes，ataplacetheycall，——Iforgotwhattheycallit，butI
heardit。’
’Guatemala，——inAmerica。’
’Iknow。Sextytoldme。Hehasnobusinesstogoanywhere，whileheowesSextysuchalotofmoney。Hehastakeneverything，andnowheisgoingtoKattymaly！’AtthismomentMrWhartonknockedatthedoorandenteredtheroom。AshedidsoMrsParkergotupandcurtsied。
’Thisismyfather，MrsParker，’saidEmily。’Papa，thisisMrsParker。SheisthewifeofMrParker，whoisFerdinand’spartner。Shehascomeherewithbadnews。’
’Verybadnews，indeed，sir，’saidMrsParker，curtseyingagain。
MrWhartonfrowned，notasbeingangrywiththewoman，butfeelingthatsomefurtherhorrorwastobetoldhimofhisson-
in-law。’Ican’thelpcoming，sir，’continuedMrsParker。
’WhereamItogoifIdon’tcome？MrLopez，sir，hasruinedusrootandbranch，——rootandbranch。’
’Thatatanyrateisnotmyfault，’saidMrWharton，’Butsheishiswife，sir。WhereamItogoifnottowherehelives？AmItoputupwitheverythinggone，andmypoorhusbandintherightwaytogotoBedlam，andnottosayawordaboutittothegrandrelationsofhimwhodiditall？’
’Heisabadman，’saidMrWharton。’Icannotmakehimotherwise。’
’Willhedonothingforus？’
’IwilltellyouallIknowabouthim。’ThenMrWhartondidtellherallthatheknew，astotheappointmentatGuatemalaandtheamountofsalarywhichwastobeattachedtoit。’Whetherhewilldoanythingforyou，Icannotsay——Ishouldthinknot，unlesshebeforced。IshouldadviseyoutogototheofficesoftheCompanyinColemanStreetandtrytomakesometermsthere。
ButIfear，——Ifearthatitwillallbeuseless。’
’Thenwemaystarve。’
’Itisnotherfault，’saidMrWharton，pointingtohisdaughter。
’Shehashadnohandinit。Sheknowslessofitthanyoudo。’
’Itismyfault，’saidEmily，burstingoutinself-reproach，——
’myfaultthatImarriedhim。’
’WhethermarriedorsinglehewouldhavepreyeduponMrParkertothesameextent。’
’Likeenough，’saidthepoorwife。’He’dpreyuponanybodyashecouldgetholdof。Andso，MrWharton，youthinkthatyoucandonothingforme。’
’IfyourwantbeimmediateIcanrelieveit，’saidthebarrister。
MrsParkerdidnotliketheideaofacceptingdirectcharity，but，nevertheless，ongoingawaydidtakethefivesovereignswhichMrWhartonofferedtoher。
Aftersuchaninterviewasthattheeveningbetweenthefatherandthedaughterwasnotveryhappy。Shewaseatenupbyremorse。Graduallyshehadlearnedhowfrightfulwasthethingshehaddoneingivingherselftoamanofwhomshehadknownnothing。Anditwasnotonlythatshehaddegradedherselfbylovingsuchaman，butthatshehadbeenpersistentinclingingtohimthoughherfatherandallhisfriendshadtoldherofthedangerwhichshewasrunning。Andnowitseemedthatshehaddestroyedherfatheraswellasherself！Allthatshecoulddowastobepersistentinherprayerthathewouldlethergo。’I
havedoneit，’shesaidthatnight，’andIcouldbearitbetter，ifyouwouldletmebearitalone。’Butheonlykissedher，andsobbedoverher，andheldherclosetohisheartwithhisclingingarms，——inamannerinwhichhehadneverheldherintheiroldhappydays。
HetookhimselftohisownroomsbeforeLopezreturned，butsheofcoursehadtobearherhusband’spresence。Asshehaddeclaredtoherfathermorethanonce，shewasnotafraidofhim。
Eventhoughheshouldstrikeher，——thoughheshouldkillher，——
shewouldnotbeafraidofhim。Hehadalreadydoneworsetoherthananythingthatcouldfollow。’MrsParkerhasbeenhereto-
day，’shesaidtohimthatnight。
’AndwhatdidMrsParkerhavetosay？’
’Thatyouruinedherhusband。’
’Exactly。Whenamanspeculatesanddoesn’twinofcoursehethrowstheblameonsomeoneelse。Andwhenheistoomuchofacurtocomehimself，hesendshiswife。’
’Shesaysyouowehimmoney。’
’Whatbusinesshaveyoutolistentowhatshesays？Ifshecomesagain，donotseeher。Doyouunderstandme？’
’Yes，Iunderstand。Shesawpapaalso。Ifyouowehimmoney，shoulditnotbepaid？’
’Mydearestlove，everybodywhoowesanythingtoanybodyshouldalwayspayit。Thatissoself-evidentthatonewouldalmostsupposethatitmightbeunderstoodwithoutbeingenunciated。
Butthevirtueofpayingdebtsisincompatiblewithanabsenceofmoney。Now，ifyouplease，wewillnotsayanythingmoreaboutMrsParker。Sheisnotatanyrateafitcompanionforyou。’
’Itwasyouwhointroducedher。’
’Holdyourtongueabouther，——andletthatbeanendofit。I
littleknewwhataworldoftormentIwaspreparingformyselfwhenIallowedyoutocomeandliveinyourfather’shouse。’
CHAPTER56
WHATTHEDUCHESSTHOUGHTOFHERHUSBAND。
WhenthesessionbeganitwasunderstoodinthepoliticalworldthataverystrongoppositionwastobeorganizedagainsttheGovernmentundertheguidanceofSirOrlandoDrought，andthatthegreatsintobeimputedtotheCabinetwasanutterindifferencetothesafetyandhonourofGreatBritain，asmanifestedbytheirneglectofthenavy。AlltheworldknewthatSirOrlandohaddesertedtheCoalitionbecausehewasnotallowedtobuildnewships，andofcourseSirOrlandowouldmakethemostofhisgrievance。WithhimwasjoinedMrBoffin，thepatrioticConservativewhohadneverlistenedtothevoiceoftheseducer，andthestaunchremainderoftheToryparty。AndwiththemthemoreviolentoftheRadicalswerepreparedtoact，notdesirous，indeed，thatnewshipsshouldbebuilt，orthataConservativeGovernmentshouldbeestablished，——or，indeed，thatanythingshouldbedone，——butanimatedbyintensedisgustthatsomildapoliticianastheDukeofOmniumshouldbePrimeMinister。Thefightbeganatonce，SirOrlandoobjectingviolentlytocertainpassagesintheQueen’sSpeech。Itwasallverywelltosaythatthecountrywasatpresentatpeacewithalltheworld。buthowwaspeacetobemaintainedwithoutafleet？ThenSirOrlandopaidagreatmanycomplimentstotheDuke，andendedhisspeechbydeclaringhimtobethemostabsolutelyfaineantministerthathaddisgracedthecountrysincetheDukeofNewcastle。MrMonkdefendedtheCoalition，andassuredtheHousethatthenavywasnotonlythemostpowerfulnavyexisting，butthatitwasthemostpowerfulthateverhadexistedinthepossessionofthisoranyothercountry，andwasprobablyinabsoluteefficiencysuperiortothecombinednaviesofalltheworld。TheHousewasnotshockedbystatementsabsolutelyatvariancewitheachother，comingfromtwogentlemenwhohadlatelybeenmembersofthesameGovernment，andwhomustbesupposedtoknowwhattheyaretalkingabout，butseemedtothinkthatuponthewholeSirOrlandohaddonehisduty。Forthoughtherewascompleteconfidenceinthenavyasanavy，andthoughaverysmallminoritywouldhavevotedforanyconsiderablyincreasedexpense，stillitwaswellthatthereshouldbeanopposition。Andhowcantherebeanoppositionwithoutasubjectforgrumbling，——
somematteronwhichaministercanbeattacked？NoonereallythoughtthatthePrussiansandFrenchcombinedwouldinvadeourshoresanddevastateourfields，andplunderLondon，andcarryourdaughtersawayintocaptivity。Thestateofthefundsshowedveryplainlythattherewasnosuchfear。Butagoodcrywasaverygoodthing，——anditisalwayswelltorubuptheofficialsoftheAdmiraltybyalittlewholesomeabuse。SirOrlandowasthoughttohavedonehisbusinesswell。Ofcoursehedidnotriskadivisionupontheaddress。Hadhedonesohewouldhavebeen’nowhere’。But，asitwas，hewasproudofhisachievement。
Theministersgenerallywouldhavebeenindifferenttotheveryhardwordsthatweresaidofthem，knowingwhattheywereworth，andfeelingawarethataministrywhichhadeverythingtooeasywasverysoreonthesubject。TheoldDuke’sworkatthistimeconsistedalmostalltogetherinnursingtheyoungerDuke。ItdidsometimesoccurtohiselderGracethatitmightbewelltolethisbrotherretire，andthataPrimeMinister，malgrelui，couldnotbeasuccessfulPrimeMinister，orausefulone。ButiftheDukeofOmniumwenttheCoalitionmustgotoo，andtheCoalitionhadbeentheoffspringoftheoldstatesman。ThecountrywasthrivingundertheCoalition，andtherewasnorealreasonwhyitshouldnotlastforthenexttenyears。Hecontinued，therefore，hissystemofcoddling，andwasreadyatanymoment，orateverymoment，topour，ifnotcomfort，atanyrateconsolationintotheearsofhisunhappyfriend。Inthepresentemergency，itwasthefalsehoodandgeneralbasenessofSirOrlandowhichnearlybroketheheartofthePrimeMinister。
’Howisonetolive，’hesaid，’ifonehastodowithmenofthatkind？’
’Butyouhaven’ttodowithhimanylonger，’saidtheDukeofStBungay。
’WhenIseeamanwhoissupposedtohaveearnedthenameofstatesman，andbeenhighinthecouncilsofhissovereign，inducedbypersonaljealousytodoasheisdoing，itmakesmefeelthatanhonestmanshouldnotplacehimselfwherehemayhavetodealwithsuchpersons。’
’Accordingtothatthehonestmenaretodeserttheircountryinorderthatthedishonestmenmayhaveeverythingtheirownway。’
OurDukecouldnotanswerthis，andthereforeforthemomentheyielded。Buthewasunhappy，saturnine，andgenerallysilentexceptwhenclosetedwithhisancientmentor。Andheknewthathewassaturnineandsilent，andthatitbehovedhimasaleaderofmentobegenialandcommunicative，——listeningtocounselevenifhedidnotfollowit，andatanyrateappearingtohaveconfidenceinhiscolleagues。
DuringthistimeMrSlidewasnotinactive，andinhisheartofheartsthePrimeMinisterwasmoreafraidofMrSlide’sattacksthanofthosemadeuponhimbySirOrlandoDrought。NowthatParliamentwassitting，andthemindsofmenwerestirredtopoliticalfeelingbytherenewedenergyoftheHouse，agreatdealwasbeingsaidinmanyquartersabouttheSilverbridgeelection。Thepapershadtakenthematterupgenerally，someaccusingthePrimeMinisterandsomedefending。Butthedefencewasalmostasunpalatabletohimastheaccusation。ItwasadmittedonallsidesthattheDuke，bothasapeerandasaPrimeMinister，shouldhaveabstainedfromanyinterferencewhateverintheelection。Anditwasalsoadmittedonallsidesthathehadnotsoabstained——iftherewasanytruthatallintheallegationthathehadpaidthemoneyforMrLopez。ButitwaspleadedonhisbehalfthattheDukeofOmniumhadalwaysinterferedinSilverbridge，andthatnoReformBillhadeverhadanyeffectinreducingtheirinfluenceinthatborough。FrequentallusionwasmadetothecautiousDod，who，yearafteryear，hadreportedthattheDukeofOmniumexercisedconsiderableinfluenceintheborough。AndthenthefriendlynewspaperswentontoexplainthattheDukehadinthisinstancestayedhishand，andthatthemoney，ifpaidatall，hadbeenpaidbecausethecandidatewhowastohavebeenhisnomineehadbeenthrownover，whentheDukeatthelastmomentmadeuphismindthathewouldabandontheprivilegewhichhadhithertobeenalwaysexercisedbytheheadofhisfamily，andwhichhadbeenexercisedmorethanonceortwiceinhisownfavour。ButMrSlide，dayafterday，repeatedhisquestion，’WewanttoknowwhetherthePrimeMinisterdidordidnotpaytheelectionexpensesofMrLopezatthelastSilverbridgeelection。andifso，whyhepaidthem。Weshallcontinuetoaskthisquestiontillithasbeenanswered，andwhenaskingitweagainsaythattheactualcorrespondenceonthesubjectbetweentheDukeandMrLopezisinourhands。’Andthen，afterawhile，allusionsweremadetotheDuchess，——forMrSlidehadlearnedallthefactsofthecasefromLopezhimself。
WhenMrSlidefoundhowharditwas’todrawhisbadger’，asheexpressedhimselfconcerninghisownoperations，heatlastopenlyalludedtotheDuchess，runningtheriskofanypunishmentthatmightfalluponhimbyactionforlibelorbyseverereprehensionfromhiscolleaguesofthePress。’Wehaveasyet，’
hesaid，’receivednoanswerstothequestionswhichwehavefeltourselvescalledupontoaskinreferencetotheconductofthePrimeMinisterattheSilverbridgeelection。Weareoftheopinionthatallinterferencebypeerswiththeconstituenciesofthecountryshouldbeputdownbythestronghandofthelawasthoroughlyandunmercifullyasweareputtingdownordinarybribery。ButwhentheoffendingpeerisalsothePrimeMinisterofthisgreatcountry，itbecomesdoublythedutyofthosewhowatchoverthepublicsafety，’——MrSlidealwaysspeaksofhimselfaswatchingoverthepublicsafety，——’toanimadvertuponhiscrimetillithasbeenassoiled，oratanyraterepented。
Fromwhatwenowhearwehavereasontobelievethatthecrimeisacknowledged。HadthepaymentonbehalfofMrLopeznotbeenmade，——asitcertainlywasmade，orthelettersinourhandwouldbeimpudentforgeries，——thechargewouldlongsincehavebeendenied。Silenceinsuchamatteramountstoaconfession。
ButweunderstandthattheDukeintendstoescapeunderthepleathathehasasecondself，powerfulasheistoexercisethebanefulinfluencewhichhisterritorialwealthunfortunatelygiveshim，butfortheactionsofwhichsecondselfhe，asaPeerofParliamentandasPrimeMinister，isnotresponsible。InotherwordsweareinformedthattheprivilegebelongingtothePalliserfamilyatSilverbridgewasexercised，notbytheDukehimself，butbytheDuchess——andthattheDukepaidthemoneywhenhefoundoutthattheDuchesshadpromisedmorethanshecouldperform。WeshouldhardlyhavethoughtthatevenamansonotoriouslyweakastheDukeofOmniumwouldhaveendeavouredtorideouttheresponsibilitybythrowingtheblameuponhiswife。
buthewillcertainlyfindthattheattempt，ifmade，willfail。’
’AgainsttheDuchessherselfwewishtosaynotaword。Sheisknownasexercisingawideifnotdiscriminatehospitality。Webelievehertobeakind-hearted，bustling，ambitiouslady，towhomanylittlefaultsmaybeeasilyforgivenonaccountofhergood-natureandgenerosity。ButwecannotacceptherindiscretionasanexcuseforamostunconstitutionalactperformedbythePrimeMinisterofthiscountry。’
LatterlytheDuchesshadtakenherowncopyofthePeople’sBanner。Sinceshehadfoundthosearoundherwereendeavouringtokeepfromherwhatwasbeingsaidofherhusbandinregardtotheborough，shehadbeendeterminedtoseeitall。Shethereforereadthearticlefromwhichtwoorthreeparagraphshavejustbeengiven，——andhavingreaditshehandedittoherfriendMrsFinn。’Iwonderthatyoutroubleyourselfwithsuchtrash，’herfriendsaidtoher。
’Thatisallverywell，mydear，foryou，butwepoorwretcheswhoaretheslavesofthepeoplehavetoregardwhatissaidofusinthePeople’sBanner。
’Itwouldbemuchbetterforyoutoneglectit。’
’Justasauthorsaretoldnottoreadthecriticisms——butI
neverwouldbelieveanyauthorwhotoldmethathedidn’treadwhatwassaidabouthim。IwonderwhenthemanfoundoutthatI
wasgood-natured。Hewouldn’tfindmegood-naturedifIcouldgetholdofhim。’
’Youarenotgoingtoallowittotormentyou？’
’Formyownsake，notamoment。IfancythatifImightbepermittedtohavemyownway，Icouldanswerhimveryeasily。
Indeedwiththesedregsofthenewspapers，thesegutter-
slanderers，ifonewouldbeopenandsayallthetruthaloudwhatwouldonehavetofear？Afterall，whatisitthatIdid？I
disobeyedmyhusbandbecauseIthoughtthathewastooscrupulous。Letmesayasmuch，outloudtothepublic，——sayingalsothatIamsorryforit，asIam，——andwhowouldbeagainstme？Whowouldhaveawordtosayafterthat？IshouldbethemostpopularwomaninEnglandforamonth，——and，asregardsPlantagenet，MrSlideandhisarticleswouldallsinkintosilence。Buteventhoughheweretocontinuethisfromdaytodayforatwelvemonthitwouldnothurtme，——butthenIknowhowitscorcheshim。Thismentionofmynamewillmakeitmoreintolerabletohimthanever。Idoubtthatyouknowhimevenyet。’
’IthoughtthatIdid。’
’Thoughinmannerheisasdryasastick，thoughallhispursuitsareoppositetotheveryideaofromance，thoughhepasseshisdaysandnightsthinkinghowhemaytakeahalfpennyinthepoundoffthetaxesofthepeoplewithoutrobbingtherevenue，thereisadashofchivalryabouthimworthyoftheoldpoets。Tohimawoman，particularlyhisownwoman，isathingsofineandsopreciousthatthewindsofheavenshouldhardlybeallowedtoblowuponher。Hecannotbeartothinkthatpeopleshouldeventalkofhiswife。Andyet，heavenknows，poorfellow，Ihavegivenpeopleoccasionenoughtotalkofme。Andhehasamuchhigherchivalrythanthatoftheoldpoets。They，ortheirheroes，watchedtheirwomenbecausetheydidnotwanttohavetroubleaboutthem，——shutthemupincastles，kepttheminignorance，andheldthemasfarastheycouldoutofharm’sway。’
’Ihardlythinktheysucceeded，’saidMrsFinn。
’Butinpureselfishnesstheytriedalltheycould。Butheistooproudtowatch。IfyouandIwerehatchingtreasonagainsthiminthedark，andchancebroughthimthere，hewouldstophisearswithhisfingers。Heisalltrust，evenwhenheknowsthatheisbeingdeceived。Heishonourcompletefromheadtofoot。
Ah，itwasbeforeyouknewmewhenItriedhimthehardest。I
nevercouldquitetellyouthestory，andIwon’ttryitnow。buthebehavedlikeagod。IcouldnevertellhimwhatIfelt，——butIfeltit。’
’Yououghttolovehim。’
’Ido——butwhat’stheuseofit？Heisagod，butIamnotagoddess——andthen，thoughheisagod，heisadry，silent，uncongenialanduncomfortablegod。Itwouldhavesuitedmemuchbettertohavemarriedasinner。ButthenthesinnerthatI
wouldhavemarriedwassoirredeemableascapegrace。’
’Idonotbelieveinawomanmarryingabadmaninthehopeofmakinghimgood。’
’Especiallynotwhenthewomanisnaturallyinclinedtoevilherself。Itwillhalfkillhimwhenhereadsallthisaboutme。
Hehasreaditalready，andithasalreadyhalfkilledhim。FormyselfIdonotminditintheleast，butforhissakeIminditmuch。Itwillrobhimofhisonlypossibleanswertotheaccusation。Theverythingwhichthiswretchinthenewspapersayshewillsay，andthathewillbedisgracedbysayingit，istheverythingthatheoughttosay。Andtherewouldbenodisgraceinit，——beyondwhatImightwellbearformylittlefault，andwhichIcouldbearsoeasily。’
’Shallyouspeaktohimaboutit？’
’No。Idarenot。Inthismatterithasgonebeyondspeaking。I
supposehedoestalkitoverwiththeoldDuke。buthewillsaynothingtomeaboutit，——unlessheweretotellmethathehadresigned，andthatweweretostartoffandliveatMatchingforthenexttenyears。IwassoproudwhentheymadehimPrimeMinister，butIthinkthatIambeginningtoregretitnow。’
Thentherewasapause，andtheDuchesswenton，withhernewspapers。butshesoonresumedherdiscourse。Herheartwasfull，andoutofafullheartthemouthspeaks。’TheyshouldhavemademePrimeMinister，andhavelethimbeChancelloroftheExchequer。IbegintoseethewaysofGovernmentnow。I
couldhavedoneallthedirtywork。Icouldhavegivenawaygartersandribbons，andmademybargainswhilegivingthem。I
couldselectsleek，easybishopswhowouldn’tbetroublesome。I
couldgivepensionsorwithholdthem，andmakethestupidmenintopeers。Icouldhavethebignoblemenatmyfeet，prayingtobeLieutenantsofCounties。Icoulddoleoutsecretaryshipsandlordships，andneveraonewithoutgettingsomethinginreturn。
IcouldbrazenoutajobandletthePeople’sBannerandtheSlidesmaketheirworstofit。AndIthinkIcouldmakemyselfpopularwithmyparty，anddothehigh-flowingpatriotictalkforthebenefitoftheProvinces。Amanataregularofficehastowork。That’swhatPlantagenetisfitfor。Hewantsalwaystobedoingsomethingthatshallbereallyuseful，andamanhastotoilatthatandreallytoknowthings。ButaPrimeMinistershouldnevergobeyondgeneralitiesaboutcommerce，agriculture，peace，andgeneralphilanthropy。Ofcourseheshouldhavethegiftofthegab，andthatPlantagenethasn’tgot。Heneverwantstosayanythingunlesshehasgotsomethingtosay。IcoulddoaMansionHousedinnertoamarvel！’
’Idon’tdoubtthatyoucouldspeakatalltimes，LadyGlen。’
’Oh，IdosowishthatIhadtheopportunity，’saidtheDuchess。
OfcoursetheDukehadreadthearticleintheprivacyofhisownroom，andofcoursethearticlehadnearlymaddenedhimwithangerandgrief。AstheDuchesshadsaid，thearticlehadtakenfromhimtheverygroundonwhichhisfriendshadtoldhimthathecouldstand。Hehadneverconsented，andneverwouldconsent，tolaytheblamepubliclyonhiswife。buthehadbeguntothinkthathemusttakenoticeofthechargemadeagainsthim，anddeputesomeonetoexplainforhimintheHouseofCommonsthattheinjuryhadbeendoneatSilverbridgebytheindiscretionofanagentwhohadnotfulfilledhisemployer’sintentions，andthattheDukehadthoughtitrightafterwardspaythemoneyinconsequenceoftheindiscretion。Hehadnotagreedtothis，buthadbroughthimselftothinkthathemustagreetoit。Butnow，ofcourse，thequestionswouldfollow：——Whowastheindiscreetagent？WastheDuchessthepersonforwhoseindiscretionshehadhadtopay500poundstoMrLopez？AndinthismatterdidhenotfindhimselfinaccordevenwithMrSlide？’WeshouldhardlyhavethoughtthatevenamansonotoriouslyweakastheDukeofOmniumwouldhaveendeavouredtorideoutoftheresponsibilitybythrowingtheblameonhiswife。’Hereadandrereadthosewordstillheknewthembyheart。ForafewmomentsitseemedtohimtobeanevilintheConstitutionthatthePrimeMinistershouldnothavethepowerofinstantlycrucifyingsofoulaslanderer——andyetitwastheverytruthofthewordsthatcrushedhim。Hewasweak，——hetoldhimself，——notoriouslyweak，itmustbe，anditwouldbemostmeaninhimtorideoutofresponsibilitybythrowingtheblameuponhiswife。Butwhatelsewashetodo？Thereseemedtohimtobebutonecourse，——
togetupintheHouseofLordsanddeclaredthathepaidthemoneybecausehethoughtitrighttodounderthecircumstanceswhichhecouldnotexplain，andtodeclarethatitwasnothisintentiontosayanotherwordonthesubject，ortohaveanotherwordsaidonhisbehalf。
TherewasaCabinetCouncilheldthatday，butnooneventuredtospeaktothePrimeMinisterastotheaccusation。Thoughheconsideredhimselftobeweak，hiscolleagueswereallmoreorlessafraidofhim。Therewasacertainsilentdignityaboutthemanwhichsavedhimfromtheevils，asitalsodebarredhimfromtheadvantages，offamiliarity。HehadspokenonthesubjecttoMrMonkandtoPhineasFinn，and，asthereaderknows，veryoftentohisoldmentor。HehadalsomentionedittohisfriendLordCantrip，whowasnotintheCabinet。ComingawayfromtheCabinethetookMrMonk’sarm，andledhimawaytohisownroomintheTreasuryChambers。’HaveyouhappenedtoseeanarticleinthePeople’sBannerthismorning？’heasked。
’IneverseethePeople’sBanner，’saidMrMonk。
’Thereitis——justlookatthat。’WhereuponMrMonkreadthearticle。’YouunderstandwhatpeoplecallconstitutionalpracticeaswellasanyoneIknow。AsItoldyoubefore，Ididpaythatman’sexpenses。DidIdoanythingunconstitutional？’
’Thatwoulddepend，Duke，onthecircumstances。Ifyouweretobackamanupbyyourwealthinanexpensivecontest，Ithinkitwouldbeunconstitutional。Ifyousetyourselftoworkinthatway，，andcarednotwhatyouspent，youmightmateriallyinfluencetheelections，andbuyparliamentarysupportforyourself。’
’Butinthiscasethepaymentwasmadeafterthemanhadfailed，andcertainlyhadnotbeenpromisedeitherbymeorbyanyoneonmybehalf。’
’Ithinkitwasunfortunate，’saidMrMonk。
’Certainly。certainly。butIamnotaskingastothat，’saidtheDukeimpatiently。’Themanhadbeeninjuredbyindiscreetpersonsactingonmybehalfandinoppositiontomywishes。’HesaidnotawordabouttheDuchess。butMrMonknodoubtknewthatherGracehadbeenatanyrateoneoftheindiscreetpersons。
’Heappliedtomeforthemoney，allegingthathehadbeeninjuredbymyagents。Thatbeingso，——presumingthatmystorybecorrect，——didIactunconstitutionally？’
’Ithinknot，’saidMrMonk，’andIthinkthatthecircumstances，whenexplained，willbearyouharmless。’
’Thankyou。thankyou。Ididnotwanttotroubleyouaboutthatjustatpresent。’
CHAPTER57
THEEXPLANATION。
MrMonkhadbeenaltogetherunabletodeciphertheDuke’spurposeinthequestionhehadasked。AboutanhourafterwardstheywalkeddowntotheHousestogether。MrMonkhavingbeenkeptathisoffice。’IhopeIwasn’talittleshortwithyoujustnow，’
saidtheDuke。
’Ididnotfinditout，’saidMrMonk，smiling。
’Youreadwhatwasinthepapers，andyoumayimaginethatitisofanaturetoirritateaman。Iknewthatnoonecouldanswermyquestionsocorrectlyasyou，andthereforeIwasratheralittleeagertokeepdirectlytothequestion。ItoccurredtomeafterwardsthatIhadbeen——perhapsuncourteous。’
’Notatall，Duke。’
’IfIwas，yourgoodnesswillexcuseanirritatedman。IfaquestionwereaskedaboutitintheHouseofCommonswhowouldbethebestmantoanswerit？Wouldyoudoit？’
MrMonkconsideredawhile。’Ithink，’hesaid，’thatMrFinnwoulddoitwithbettergrace。OfcourseIwilldoitifyouwishit。Buthehastactinsuchmatters，anditisknownthathiswifeismuchregardedbyherGrace。’
’IwillnothavetheDuchess’snamementioned，’saidtheDuke，turningshortuponhiscompanion。
’Ididnotalludetothat，butIthoughtthattheintimacywhichexistedmightmakeitpleasanttoyoutoemployMrFinnastheexponentofyourwishes。’
’IhavethegreatestconfidenceinMrFinn，certainly，andamonmostfriendlypersonaltermswithhim。Itshallbeso，ifI
decideonansweringanyquestionsinyourHouseonamattersopurelypersonaltomyself。’
’Iwouldsuggestthatyoushouldhavethequestionaskedinafriendlyway。Getsomeindependentmember，suchasMrBeverleyorSirJamesDeering，toaskit。Thematterwouldthenbebroughtforwardinnocarpingspirit，andyouwouldbeenabled，throughMrFinn，tosetthematteratrest。YouhaveprobablyspokentotheDukeaboutit。’
’Ihavementionedittohim。’
’Isnotthatwhatwouldrecommend？’
TheoldDukehadrecommendedthattheentiretruthshouldbetold，andthattheDuchess’soperationsshouldbemadepublic。
HerewasourpoorPrimeMinister’sgreatdifficulty。HeandhisMentorwereatvariance。HisMentorwasadvisingthattherealnakedtruthshouldbetold，whereasTelemachuswasintentonkeepingthenameoftheactualculpritinthebackground。’I
willthinkitallover，’saidthePrimeMinisterasthetwopartedcompanyatPalaceYard。
ThateveninghespoketoLordCantriponthesubject。Thoughthematterwasodioustohim，hecouldnotkeephismindfromitforamoment。HadLordCantripseenthearticleinthePeople’sBanner？LordCantrip，likeMrMonk，declaredthatthepaperinquestiondidnotconstitutepartofhisusualmorning’srecreation。’Iwon’taskyoutoreadit，’saidtheDuke——’butitcontainsaverybitterattackuponme，——thebitterestthathasyetbeenmade。IsupposeIoughttonoticethematter？’
’IfIwereyou，’saidtheLordCantrip，’IshouldputmyselfintothehandsoftheDukeofStBungay，anddoexactlywhatheadvises。ThereisnomaninEnglandknowssowellashedoeswhatshouldbedoneinsuchacaseasthis。’ThePrimeMinisterfrownedandsaidnothing。’MydearDuke，’continuedLordCantrip，’Icangiveyounootheradvice。WhoistherethathasyourpersonalinterestandyourhonouratheartsoentirelyashisGrace——andwhatmancanbeamoresagaciousormoreexperiencedadviser？’
’IwasthinkingthatyoumightaskaquestionaboutitinourHouse。’
’I？’
’Youwoulddoitformeinthemannerthat——thatwouldbefreefromalloffence。’
’IfIdiditall，Ishouldcertainlystrivetodothat。Butithasneveroccurredtomethatyouwouldmakesuchasuggestion。
Wouldyougivemeafewminutestothinkaboutit？’’Icouldn’tdoit，’LordCantripsaidafterwards。’Bytakingsuchastep，evenatyourrequest，IshouldcertainlyexpressanopinionthatthematterwasonewhichParliamentwasentitledtoexpectthatyoushouldmakeanexplanation。ButmyownopinionisthatParliamenthasnobusinesstomeddleinthematter。Idonotthinkthateveryactionofaminister’slifeshouldbemadematterofinquirybecauseanewspapermaychoosetomakeallusiontoit。Atanyrate，ifanywordissaidaboutit，itshould，I
think，besaidintheotherhouse。’