’TheDukeofStBungaythinksthatsomethingshouldbesaid。’
’Icouldnot，myselfconsenteventoappeartodesireinformationonamattersoentirelypersonaltoyourself。’TheDukebowed，andsmiledwithacold，glittering，uncomfortablesmilewhichwouldsometimescrosshisfacewhenhewasnotpleased，andnomorewasthensaidonthesubject。
AttemptsweremadetohavethequestionaskedinafardifferentspiritbysomehostilememberoftheHouseofCommons。SirOrlandoDroughtwassounded，andheforawhiledidgiveeartothesuggestion。But，ashecametohavethematterfullbeforehim，hecouldnotdoit。TheDukehadspurnedhisadviceasaminister，andhadrefusedtosanctionameasurewhichhe，astheheadofabranchoftheGovernment，hadproposed。TheDukehadsooffendedhimthatheconceivedhimselfboundtoregardtheDukeashisenemy。Butheknew，——andhecouldnotescapefromtheknowledge，——thatEnglanddidnotcontainamorehonourablemanthantheDuke。HewasdelightedthattheDukeshouldbevexedandthwarted，andcalledillnamesinthematter。Tobegratifiedatthisdiscomfitureofhisenemywasinthenatureofparliamentaryopposition。Anyblowthatmightweakenhisopponentwasablowinhisfavour。Buthiswasablowwhichhecouldnotstrikewithhisownhands。TherewerethingsinparliamentarytacticswhichevenSirOrlandocouldnotdo。
ArthurFletcherwasalsoaskedtoundertakethetask。Hewasthesuccessfulcandidate，themanwhoopposedLopez，andwhowasdeclaredbythePeople’sBannertohaveemancipatedthatboroughbyhisnobleconductfromthetyrannyoftheHouseofPalliser。AnditwasthoughtthathemightlikeanopportunityofmakinghimselfknownintheHouse。Buthewassimplyindignantwhenthesuggestionwasmadetohim。’Whatisittome，’hesaid，’whopaidtheblackguard’sexpenses？’
ThiswentonforsomeweeksafterParliamenthadmet，andforsomedaysevenafterthearticleinwhichdirectallusionwasmadetotheDuchess。ThePrimeMinistercouldnotbegottoconsentthatnonoticeshouldbetakenofthematter，letthepapersorthepublicsaywhattheywould，norcouldhebeinducedtoletthematterbehandledinamannerproposedbytheelderDuke。Andduringthistimehewasinsuchafeverthatthoseabouthimfeltthatsomethingmustbedone。MrMonksuggestedthatifeverybodyheldhistongue，——meaningalltheDuke’sfriends，——thethingwouldwearitselfout。Butitwasapparenttothosewhowerenearesttotheminister，toMrWarburton，forinstance，andtheDukeofStBungay，thatthemanhimselfwouldbewornoutfirst。Thehappyprofessorofathickskincanhardlyunderstandhowonenotsoblessedmaybehurtbythethongofalittlewhip！Atlastthematterwasarranged。AttheinstigationofMrMonk，SirJamesDeering，whowasreallythefatheroftheHouse，anindependentmember，butonewhogenerallyvotedwiththeCoalition，consentedtoaskthequestionintheHouseofCommons。AndPhineasFinnwasinstructedbytheDukeastotheanswerthatwastobegiven。TheDukeofOmniumingivingtheseinstructionsmadeamysteryofthematterwhichhebynomeanshimselfintended。Buthewassosorethathecouldnotbesimpleinwhathesaid。’MrFinn，’hesaid，’youmustpromisemethis——thatthenameoftheDuchessshallnotbementioned。’
’Certainlynotbyme，ifyouwilltellmethatIamnottomentionit。’
’Nooneelsecandoso。Thematterwilltaketheformofasimplequestion，andthoughtheconductoftheministermaynodoubtbemadethesubjectofdebate，——anditisnotimprobablethatanyconductmaydosointhisinstance，——itis，Ithink，impossiblethatanymembershouldmakeanallusiontomywife。
TheprivilegeorpowerofreturningamemberfortheboroughhasundoubtedlybeenexercisedbyourfamilysinceaswellasprevioustoboththeReformBills。AtthelastelectionI
thoughtitrighttoabandonthatprivilege，andnotifiedtothoseaboutmyintention。Butthatwhichamanhasthepowerofdoinghecannotalwaysdowithoutinterferenceofthosearoundhim。
Therewasamisconception，andamongmy，——myadherents，——thereweresomewhoinjudiciouslyadvisedMrLopeztostandonmyinterest。Buthedidnotgetmyinterest，andwasbeaten——andthereforewhenheaskedmeforthemoneywhichhehadspent，I
paidittohim。Thatisall。IthinktheHousecanhardlyavoidtoseethatmyeffortwasmadetodiscontinueanunconstitutionalproceeding。’
SirJamesDeeringaskedthequestion。’Hetrusted，’hesaid，’thattheHousewouldnotthinkthatthequestionofwhichhehadgivennoticeandwhichhewasabouttoaskwasinstigatedbyanypersonaldesireonhisparttoinquireintotheconductofthePrimeMinister。HewasonewhobelievedthattheDukeofOmniumwasaslittlelikelyasanymaninEnglandtooffendbyunconstitutionalpracticeonhisownpart。ButagreatdealhadbeentalkedandwrittenlatelyaboutthelateelectionatSilverbridge，andtherewerethosewhothought，——andhewasoneofthem，——thatsomethingshouldbesaidtostopthemouthsofcavillers。WiththisobjecthewouldasktheRightHonourableGentlemanwholedtheHouse，andwhowasperhapsfirstinstandingamongtheDuke’scolleaguesinthatHouse，whetherthenobleDukewaspreparedtohaveanystatementonthesubjectmade。’
Thehousewasfulltotheverycornersofthegalleries。Ofcourseitwasknowntoeverybodythatthequestionwastobeaskedandtobeanswered。ThereweresomewhothoughtthematterwassoseriousthatthePrimeMinistercouldnotgetoverit。
OthershadheardthedetailsintheclubsthatLadyGlen，astheDuchesswasstillcalled，wastobemadethescapegoat。Menofallclasseswereopen-mouthedinthedenunciationandmeannessofLopez——thoughnoonebutMrWhartonknewhalfhisvillainy，ashealoneknewthattheexpenseshadbeenpaidtwiceover。Inonecornerofthereporter’sgallerysatMrSlide，pencilinhand，preparedtoreverttohisoldworkonsomomentousanoccasion。
Itwasagreatdayforhim。HebyhisownunassistedenergyhadbroughtthePrimeMinistertobook，andhadcreatedallthisturmoil。ItmightbehishappylottobethemeansofturningthePrimeMinisteroutofoffice。Itwashewhohadwatchedoverthenation！TheDuchesshadbeenmostanxioustobepresent，——
buthadnotventuredtocomewithoutaskingherhusband’sleave，whichhehadmostperemptorilyrefusedtogive。’Icannotunderstand，Glencora，howyoucansuggestsuchathing，’hehadsaid。
’Youmakesomuchofeverything，’shehadrepliedpetulantly。butshehadremainedathome。Theladies’gallerywas，however，quitefull。MrsFinnwasthere，ofcourse，anxiousnotonlyforherfriend，buteagertohearhowherhusbandwouldacquithimselfinhistask。Thewivesanddaughtersofalltheministerswerethere，——exceptingthewifeofthePrimeMinister。
Thereneverhadbeen，inthememoryofthemall，amatterthatwassointerestingtothemforitwastheonlymatterthyrememberedinwhichawoman’sconductmightprobablybecalledintoquestionintheHouseofCommons。Andtheseatsappropriatedtopeersweresocrammedthataboveadozengrey-
headedoldlordswerestandinginthepassagewhichdividesthemfromthecommonstrangers。Afterallitwasnot，intruth，muchofanaffair。AverylittlemanindeedhadcalumniatedtheconductofaministeroftheCrown，tillithadbeenthoughtwellthattheministershoulddefendhimself。NoonereallybelievedthattheDukehadcommittedanygreatoffence。Attheworstitwasnomorethanindiscretion，whichwasnoticeableonlybecauseaPrimeMinistershouldneverbeindiscreet。Hadthetaxationofthewholecountryforthenextyearbeenindisputetherewouldhavebeennosuchinterestfelt。HadthewelfareoftheIndianEmpireoccupiedtheHouse，theHousewouldhavebeenempty。Butthehopethatacertainwoman’snamewouldhavetobementioned，crammeditfromfloortoceiling。
Thereaderneednotbetoldthatthenamewasnotmentioned。OuroldfriendPhineas，onrisingtohislegs，firstapologizedfordoingsoinplaceoftheChancelloroftheExchequer。ButperhapstheHousewouldacceptastatementfromhim，asthenobleDukeattheheadoftheGovernmenthadaskedhimtomakeit。Thenhemadehisstatement。’Perhaps，’hesaid，’nofalseraccusationthanthishadeverbeenbroughtforwardagainstaMinisteroftheCrown，foritspeciallychargedhisnoblefriendwithresortingtotheemploymentofunconstitutionalpracticestobolsteruphisparliamentarysupport，whereasitwasknownbyeverybodythattherewouldhavebeennomatterforaccusationatallhadnottheDukeofhisownmotionabandonedarecognizedprivilege，because，inhisopinion，theexerciseofthatprivilegewasopposedtothespiritoftheConstitution。
HadthenobleDukesimplynominatedacandidate，ascandidatehadbeennominatedatSilverbridgeforcenturiespast，thatcandidatewouldhavebeenreturnedwithabsolutecertainty，andtherewouldhavebeennowordspokenonthesubject。Itwasnot，perhaps，forhim，whohadthehonourofservingunderhisGrace，andwho，asbeingpartofhisGrace’sGovernment，wasforthetimeonewithhisGrace，toexpiateatlengthonthenobilityofthesacrificeheremade。ButtheyallknewthereatwhatratewasvaluedaseatinthatHouse。ThankGodthatprivilegewhichhisnoblefriendhadsomagnanimouslyresignedfrompurelypatrioticmotives，was，hebelieved，stillinexistence，andhewouldaskthosefewwhowerestillinthehappy，orperhaps，hehadbettersayintheenviedpositionofbeingabletosendtheirfriendstothatHouse，whatwastheirestimationoftheconductoftheDukeinthismatter？Itmightbethattherewereoneortwosuchpresent，andwhonowheardhim，——orperhaps，oneortwowhoowedtheirseatstotheexerciseofsuchaprivilege。Theymightmarvelatthemagnitudeofthesurrender。Theymightevenquestionthesagacityofthemanwhocouldabandonsomuchwithoutaprice。Buthehardlythoughtthateventheywouldregarditasunconstitutional。
’ThiswaswhatthePrimeMinisterhaddone，——actingnotasPrimeMinister，butasanEnglishgentleman，inthemanagementofhisownpropertyandprivileges。Andnowhewouldcometothegistoftheaccusationmade。inmakingwhich，thethingwhichtheDukehadreallydonehadbeenaltogetherignored。WhenthevacancyhadbeendeclaredbytheacceptanceoftheChilternHundredsbyagentlemanwhoseabsencefromtheHousetheyallregretted，theDukehadsignifiedtohisagentshisintentionofretiringaltogetherfromtheexerciseofanyprivilegeorpowerinthematter。ButtheDukewasthen，ashewasalsonow，andwould，itwastobehoped，longcontinuetobePrimeMinisterofEngland。
HeneedhardlyremindgentlemeninthatHousethatthePrimeMinisterwasnotinapositiontodevotehisundividedtimetothemanagementofhisownproperty，oreventotheinterestsoftheBoroughofSilverbridge。ThathisGracehadbeenearnestinhisinstructionstohisagents，thesequelfullyproved。butthatearnestnesshisagentshadmisinterpreted。’
ThentherewasavoiceheardintheHouse，’Whatagents？’andfromanothervoice，’Namethem。’FortherewerepresentsomewhothoughtittobeshamefulthattheexcitementoftheoccasionshouldbeloweredbykeepingbacktheallusiontotheDuchess。
’Ihavenotdistinguished，’saidPhineas，assuminganindignanttone，’thehonourablegentlemenfromwhomthosequestionshavecome，andthereforeIhavethelesscompunctionintellingthemthatitisnotpartofmydutyonthisoccasiontogratifyamorbidandanindecentcuriosity。’Thentherewasacryof’Order’，andanappealtotheSpeaker。Certaingentlemenwishedtoknowwhetherindecentwasparliamentary。TheSpeaker，withsomehesitation，expressedhisopinionthattheword，asthenused，wasnotopentoobjectionfromhim。Hethoughtthatitwaswithinthescopeofamember’srightstochargeanothermemberwithindecentcuriosity。’If，’saidPhineas，risingagaintohislegs，forhehadsatdownforamoment，’thegentlemanwhocalledforanamewillriseinhisplaceandrepeatthedemand，Iwillrecallthewordindecentandsubstituteanother，——orothers。I
willtellhimthatheisonewho，regardlessoftherealconductofthePrimeMinister，eitherasamanorasaservantoftheCrown，isonlyanxioustoinflictunmanlywoundinorderthathemaybegratifiedbyseeingthepainheinflicts。’Thenhepaused，butasnofurtherquestionwasasked，hecontinuedhisstatement。’Acandidatehadbeenbroughtforward，’hesaid，’bythoseinterestedintheDuke’saffairs。Amanwhomhewouldnotname，butwho，hetrusted，wouldneversucceedinhisambitiontooccupyaseatinthatHouse，hadbeenbroughtforward，andcertaintradesmeninSilverbridgehadbeenaskedtosupporthimastheDuke’snominee。Therewasnodoubtaboutit。TheHouseperhapscouldunderstandthatthelocaladherentsandneighboursofamansohighinrankandwealthastheDukeofOmniumwouldnotgladlyseetheprivilegesoftheirlorddiminished。Perhaps，too，itoccurredtothemthataPrimeMinistercouldnothavehiseyeeverywhere。Therewouldalwaysbeworthymeninboroughswholikedtoexercisesomesecond-handauthority。Atanyrateitwasthecasethatthiscandidatewasencouraged。ThentheDukehadheardit，andhadputhisfootuponthelittlemutiny，andhadstampeditoutatonce。Hemightperhapshere，’hesaid，’congratulatetheHouseontheacquisitionithadreceived，bythefailureofthatcandidate。Sofar，atanyrate，’hethought，’itmustbeadmittedthattheDukehadbeenfreefromblame——
butnowhecametothegravamenofthecharge。ThegravamenofthechargeissowellknowntothereaderthatthesimpleaccountofitbyPhineasgaveofitneednotberepeated。TheDukehadpaidthemoney，whenaskedforit，becausehefeltthatthemanhadbeeninjuredbyincorrectmisrepresentationsmadetohim。’I
needhardlypausetostigmatizethemeannessofthatapplication，’saidPhineas，’butImayperhapsconcludebysayingthatwhetherthelastactdonebytheDukeinthismatterwasorwasnotindiscreet，IshallprobablyhavetheHousewithmewhenIsaythatitsavoursmuchmorestronglyofnobilitythanindiscretion。’
WhenPhineasFinnsatdownnoonearosetosayanotherwordonthesubject。ItwasafterwardsfeltthatitcouldonlyhavebeengracefulhadSirOrlandorisenandexpressedhisopinionthattheHousehadheardthestatementjustmadewithperfectsatisfaction。Buthedidnotdoso，andafterashortpausetheordinarybusinessofthedaywasrecommenced。Thentherewasaspeedydescentfromthegalleries，andtheladiestroopedoutoftheircage，andthegrey-headedoldpeerswentbacktotheirownchamber，andthemembersthemselvesquicklyjostledoutthroughthedoors，andMrMonkwaslefttoexplainhisproposedalterationinthedogtaxtoathinHouseofseventyoreightymembers。
Thethingwasthenover，andpeoplewereastonishedthatsogreatathingshouldbeoverwithsolittlefuss。ItreallyseemedthatafterPhineasFinn’sspeechtherewasnothingmoretobesaidonthematter。EverybodyofcourseknewthattheDuchesshadbeenthechiefoftheagentstowhomhehadalluded，buttheyhadknownasmuchasthatbefore。Itwas，however，feltbyeverybodythatthematterhadbeenbroughttoanend。Thegame，suchasitwas，hadbeenplayedout。PerhapstheonlypersonwhoheardMrFinn’sspeechthroughout，andstillhopedthatthesparkcouldbeagainfannedintoaflame，wasQuintusSlide。HewentoutandwroteanotherarticleabouttheDuchess。Ifamanwassounabletorulehisaffairsathome，hewascertainlyunfittobePrimeMinister。ButevenQuintusSlide，ashewrotehisarticle，feltthathewashopingagainsthope。Thechargemightbereferredtohereafterasonethathadneverbeensatisfactorilyclearedup。Thegameisalwaysopentotheopponentsofaminister。Afterthelapseofafewmonthsanoldaccusationcanbeserviceablyused，whetheratthetimeitwasprovedordisproved。MrSlidepublishedhisarticle。buthefeltthatforthepresenttheSilverbridgeelectionpapershadbetterbeputbyamongthepropertiesofthePeople’sBannerandbroughtout，ifnecessary，forfurtheruseatsomefuturetime。
’MrFinn，’saidtheDuke，’Ifeelindebtedtoyouforthetroubleyouhavetaken。’
’Itwasonlyapleasantduty。’
’Iamgratefultoyouforthemannerinwhichitwasperformed。’
ThiswasalltheDukesaid，andPhineasfeltittobecold。TheDuke，intruth，wasgrateful，butgratitudewithhimalwaysfailedtoexhibititselfreadily。FromtheworldatlargePhineasFinnreceivedgreatpraiseforthemannerinwhichhehadperformedhistask。
CHAPTER58
’QUITESETTLED。’
TheabusewhichwasnowpubliclyheapedonthenameofFerdinandLopezhitthemanveryhard。butnotsohardperhapsashisrejectionbyLadyEustace。Thatwasanepisodeinhislifeofwhichevenhefeltashamed，andofwhichhewasunabletoshakethedisgracefromhismemory。Hehadnoinnerappreciationwhatsoeverofwhatwasreallygoodorwaswhatreallybadinaman’sconduct。HedidnotknowthathehaddoneevilinapplyingtotheDukeformoney。HehadonlymeanttoattacktheDuke。andwhenthemoneyhadcomeithadbeenregardedasjustifiableprey。
AndwhenafterreceivingtheDuke’smoney，hehadkeptalsoMrWharton’smoney，hehadjustifiedhimselfagainbyremindinghimselfthatMrWhartoncertainlyowedhimmuchmorethanthat。
Inasensehewaswhatiscalledagentleman。Heknewhowtospeak，andhowtolook，howtouseaknifeandfork，howtodresshimself，andhowtowalk。Buthehadnotthefaintestnotionofthefeelingsofagentleman。Hehad，however，averykeenconceptionoftheevilofbeinggenerallyillspokenof。Evennow，thoughhewasmakinghisminduptoleaveEnglandforalongtermofyears，heunderstoodthedisadvantageofleavingitundersoheavyacloud——andheunderstoodalsothatthecloudmightpossiblyimpedehisgoingaltogether。EveninColemanStreettheywerelookingblackuponhim，andMrHartlepodwentsofarastosaytoLopezhimself，that，’byJove，hehadputhisfootinit。’Hehadendeavouredtobecourageousunderhisburden，andeverydaywalkedintotheofficesoftheMiningCompany，endeavouringtolookasthoughhehadcommittednofaultofwhichhehadtobeashamed。ButaftertheseconddayhefoundthatnothingwassaidtohimoftheaffairsoftheCompany，andonthefourthdayMrHartlepodinformedhimthatthetimeallowedforpayinguphisshareshadpassedby，andthatanotherlocalmanagerwouldbeappointed。’Thetimeisnotovertillto-
morrow，’saidLopezangrily。’ItellyouwhatIamtoldtotellyou，’saidMrHartlepod。’Youwillonlywasteyourtimebycominghereanymore。’
HehadnotonceseenMrWhartonsincethestatementmadeintheParliament，althoughhehadlivedinthesamehousewithhim。
EverettWhartonhadcomehome，andtheytwohadmet——butthemeetinghadbeenstormy。’Itseemstome，Lopez，thatyouareascoundrel，’Everettsaidtohimonday，afterhavingheardthewholestory，——orrathermanystories，——fromhisfather。ThistookplacenotinManchesterSquare，butattheclub，whereEveretthadendeavouredtocuthisbrother-in-law。ItneedhardlybesaidthatatthistimeLopezwasnotpopularathisclub。Onthenextdayameetingofthewholeclubwastobeheldthattheproprietyofexpellinghimmightbediscussed。Buthehadresolvedthathewouldnotbecowed，thathewouldstillshowhimself，andstilldefendhisconduct。Hedidnotknow，however，thatEverettWhartonhadalreadymadeknowntotheCommitteeofthecluballthefactsofthedoublepayment。
HehadaddressedEverettinthatsolicitudetowhichamanshouldneverbereducedofseekingtoberecognizedbyatanyrateoneacquaintance，——andnowhisbrother-in-lawhadcalledhimascoundrelinthepresenceofothermen。Heraisedhisarmasthoughtousethecaneinhishand，buthewascowedbythefeelingthatalltherewerehisadversaries。’Howdareyouusethatlanguagetome！’hesaidveryweakly。
’ItisthelanguageImustuseifyouspeaktome。’
’Iamyourbrother-in-law，andthatrestrainsme。’
’Unfortunatelyyouare。’
’Andamlivinginyourfather’shouse。’
’That，again，isamisfortunewhichitappearsdifficulttoremedy。Youhavebeentoldtogo，andyouwon’tgo。’
’Youringratitude，sir，ismarvellous！Whosavedyourlifewhenyouwereattackedinthepark，andweretoodrunktotakecareofyourself？Whohasstoodyourfriendwithyourclose-fistedoldfatherwhenyouhavelostmoneyatplaythatyoucouldnotpay？
Butyouareoneofthosewhowouldturnawayfromanybenefactorinhismisfortune。’
’Imustcertainlyturnawayfromamanwhohasdisgracedhimselfasyouhavedone，’saidEverett，leavingtheroom。Lopezthrewhimselfintoaneasy-chair，andrangthebellloudlyforacupofcoffee，andlitacigar。Hehadnotbeenturnedoutoftheclubasyet，andtheservantatanyratewasboundtoattendtohim。
Thatnighthewaitedupforhisfather-in-lawinManchesterSquare。HewouldcertainlygotoGuatemalanow，——ifitwerenottoolate。Hewouldgothoughhewereforcedtoleavehiswifebehindhim，andthussurrenderanyfurtherhopeformoneyfromMrWhartonbeyondthesumwhichhewouldreceiveasthepriceofhisbanishment。ItwastruethatthefortnightallowedtohimbytheCompanywasonlyatanendthatday，andthat，therefore，thefollowingmorningmightbetakenasthelastdaynamedforthepaymentofthemoney。Nodoubt，also，MrWharton’sbillatafewdays’datewouldbeacceptedifthatgentlemancouldnotatthemomentgiveachequeforsolargeasumaswasrequired。Andtheappointmenthadbeendistinctlypromisedtohimwithnootherstipulationthanthatthemoneyrequiredforthesharesshouldbepaid。HedidnotbelieveinMrHartlepod’sthreat。Itwasimpossible，hethought，thatheshouldbetreatedinsoinfamousamannermerelybecausehehadhadhiselectionexpensesrepaidhimbytheDukeofOmnium！Hewould，therefore，askforthemoney，and——renouncethesocietyofhiswife。
Ashemadethisresolve，somethinglikereallovereturnedtohisheart，andhebecameforawhilesickwithregret。Heassuredhimselfthathehadlovedher，andthathecouldloveherstill——
butwhyhadshenotbeentruetohim？Whyhadsheclungtoherfatherinsteadofclingingtoherhusband？Whyhadshenotlearnthisways，——asawifeisboundtolearnthewaysofthemanshemarries？Whyhadshenothelpedhiminhisdevices，fallenintohisplans，beenregardfulofhisfortunes，andmadeherselfonewithhim？Therehadbeenpresenttohimattimesanideathatifhecouldtakeherawaywithhimtothatdistantcountrytowhichhethoughttogo，andthusremoveherfromtheupasinfluenceofherfather’sroof-tree，shewouldthenfallintohisviewsandbecomehiswifeindeed。Thenhewouldagainbetendertoher，againloveher，againendeavourtomaketheworldsofttoher。Butitwastoolatenowforthat。HehadfailedineverythingasfarasEnglandwasconcerned，anditwaschieflybyherfaultthathehadfailed。Hewouldconsenttoleaveher——but，ashethoughtofitinsolitude，hiseyesbecamemoistwithregret。
InthesedaysMrWhartonnevercamehometillaboutmidnight，andthenpassedrapidlythroughthehalltohisownroom，——andinthemorninghadhisbreakfastbroughttohiminthesameroom，sothathemightnotevenseehisson-in-law。Hisdaughterwouldgotohimwhenatbreakfast，andthere，togetherforsomehalf-hour，theywouldendeavourtolookforwardtotheirfuturefate。Buthithertotheyhadneverbeenabletolookforwardinaccord，asshestillpersistedindeclaringthatifherhusbandbadehertogowithhim，——shewouldgo。OnthisnightLopezsatupinthedining-room，andassoonasheheardMrWharton’skeyinthedoor，heplacedhimselfinthehall。’Iwishtospeaktoyouto-
night，sir，’hesaid。’Wouldyouobjecttocomeinforafewmoments？’ThenMrWhartonfollowedhimintotheroom。’Aswelivenow，’continuedLopez，’Ihavenothadmuchopportunityofspeakingtoyou，evenonbusiness。’
’Well，sir。youcanspeaknow，——ifyouhaveanythingtosay。’
’The5，000poundsyoupromisedmemustbepaidto-morrow。Itisthelastday。’
’Ipromiseditonlyoncertainconditions。Hadyoucompliedwiththemthemoneywouldhavebeenpaidbefore。’
’Justso。Theconditionswereveryhard，MrWharton。Itsurprisesmethatsuchaoneasyoushouldthinkitrighttoseparateahusbandfromhiswife。’
’Ithinkitright，sir，toseparatemydaughterfromsuchaoneasyouare。Ithoughtsobefore，butIthinksodoublynow。IfIcansecureyourabsenceinGuatemalabythepaymentofthismoney，andifyouwillgivemeadocumentthatshallbepreparedbyMrWalkerandsignedbyyourself，assuringyourwifethatyouwillnothereaftercalluponhertolivewithyou，themoneyshallbepaid。’
’Allthatwilltaketime，MrWharton。’
’Iwillnotpayapennywithoutit。IcanmeetyouattheofficeinColemanStreetto-morrow，anddoubtlesstheywillacceptmywrittenassurancetopaythemoneyassoonasthosestipulationsshallbecompliedwith。’
’Thatwoulddisgracemeintheoffice，MrWharton。’
’Andareyounotdisgracedtherealready？CanyoutellmethattheyhavenotheardofyourconductinColemanStreet，orthathearingittheydisregardit？’Hisson-in-lawstoodfrowningathim，butdidnotatthemomentsayaword。’Nevertheless，Iwillmeetyouthereifyouplease，atanytimethatyoumayname，andiftheydonotobjecttoemploysuchamanastheirmanager，I
shallnotobjectontheirbehalf。’
’Tothelastyouarehardandcrueltome，’saidLopez——’butI
willmeetyouatColemanStreetatelevento-morrow。’ThenMrWhartonlefttheroom，andLopezwastherealoneamidstthegloomoftheheavycurtainsandthedarkpaper。ALondondining-roomatnightisalwaysdark，cavernous，andunlovely。Theverypicturesonthewallslackedbrightness，andthefurnitureisblackandheavy。Thisroomwaslarge，butold-fashionedandverydark。HereLopezwalkedupanddownafterMrWhartonhadlefthim，tryingtothinkhowfarFateandhowfarhehimselfwereresponsibleforhispresentmisfortunes。Nodoubthehadbeguntheworldwell。Hisfatherhadbeenlittlebetterthanatravellingpedlar，buthadmadesomemoneybysellingjewellery，andhadeducatedhisson。Lopezcouldonnoscoreimputeblametohisfatherforwhathadhappenedtohim。And，whenhethoughtofthemeansathisdisposalinhisearlyyouth，hefeltthathehadarighttoboastofsomesuccess。Hehadworkedhard，andhadwonhiswayupwards，andhadalmostlodgedhimselfsecurelyamongthosepeoplewithwhomithadbeenhisambitiontolive。
Earlyinlifehehadfoundhimselfamongthosewhowerecalledgentlemenandladies。Hehadbeenabletoassumetheirmanners，andhadlivedwiththemonequalterms。WhenthinkingofhispastlifeheneverforgottoremindhimselfthathehadbeenaguestatthehouseoftheDukeofOmnium！Andyethowfarwasitwithhimnow？Hewaspenniless。Hewasrejectedbyhisfather-
in-law。Hewasfeared，and，ashethought，detested，byhiswife。Hewasexpelledfromhisclub。Hewascutbyhisoldfriends。AndhehadbeentoldveryplainlybytheSecretaryinColemanStreetthathispresencetherewasnolongerdesired。
WhatshouldhedowithhimselfifMrWharton’smoneywerenowrefused，andiftheappointmentinGuatemalaweredeniedtohim？
AndthenhethoughtofSextyParkerandhisfamily。Hewasnotnaturallyanill-naturedman。ThoughhecouldupbraidhiswifeforalludingtoMrsParker’smisery，declaringthatMrsParkermusttaketherubsoftheworldjustasotherstookthem，stillthemisfortuneswhichhehadbroughtonherandonherchildrendidaddsomethingtotheweightofhisownmisfortunes。IfhecouldnotgotoGuatemala，whatshouldhedowithhimself——
whereshouldhego？Thushewalkedupanddowntheroomforanhour。Wouldnotapistolorarazorgivehimthebestsolutionforallhisdifficulties？
OnthefollowingmorninghekepthisappointmentattheofficeinColemanStreet，asdidMrWhartonalso。Thelatterwastherefirstbysomeminutes，andexplainedtoMrHartlepodthathehadcometheretomeethisson-in-law。MrHartlepodwascivil，butverycold。MrWhartonsawatthefirstglancethattheservicesofFerdinandLopezwerenolongerinrequestbytheSanJuanMiningCompany。buthesatdownandwaited。Nowthathewasthere，howeverpainfultheinterviewwouldbe，hewouldgothroughit。Attenminutespastelevenmemadeuphismindthathewouldwaituntilthehalfhour，——andthengo，withthefixedresolutionthathewouldneverwillinglyspendanothershillingonbehalfofthatwretchedman。Butataquarterpasteleventhewretchedmancame，——swaggeringintotheoffice，thoughithadnot，hitherto，beenhiscustomtoswagger。Butmisfortunemastersallbutthegreatmen，andupsetsherbest-learnedlessonofevenalonglife。’IhopeIhavenotkeptyouwaiting，MrWharton。Well，Hartlepod，howareyouto-day？Sothislittleaffairisgoingtobesettledatlast，andnowthesesharesshallbeboughtandpaidfor。’MrWhartondidnotsayaword，notevenrisingfromhischair，orgreetinghisson-in-lawbyaword。’I
daresayMrWhartonhasalreadyexplainedhimself，’saidLopez。
’Idon’tknowthatthereisanynecessity，’saidMrHartlepod。
’Well，——Isupposeit’ssimpleenough，’continuedLopez。’MrWharton，IbelieveIamrightinsayingthatyouarereadytopaythemoneyatonce。’
’Yes——IamreadytopaythemoneyassoonasIamassuredthatyouareonyourroutetoGuatemala。IwillnotpayapennytillIknowthatasafact。’
TheMrHartlepodrosefromhisseatandspoke。’Gentlemen，’hesaid，’thematterwithinthelastfewdayshasassumedadifferentcomplexion。’
’Ashow？’exclaimedLopez。
’TheDirectorshavechangedtheirmindastosendingoutMrLopezastheirlocalmanager。TheDirectorsintendtoappointanothergentleman。IhadalreadyacquaintedMrLopezwiththeDirectors’
intention。’
’Thenthematterissettled？’saidMrWharton。
’Quitesettled，’saidMrHartlepod。
AsamatterofcourseLopezbegantofumeandtobefurious。
What！——afterallthathadbeendone，andtheDirectorsmeantogobackfromtheirword？Afterhehadbeeninducedtoabandonhisbusinessinhisowncountry，washetobethrownoverinthatway？IftheCompanyintendedtotreathimlikethat，theCompanywouldverysoonhearfromhim。ThankGodtherewerelawsintheland。’Yesterdaywasthelastdayfixedforthepaymentofthemoney，’saidMrHartlepod。
’ItisatanyratecertainthatMrLopezisnottogotoGuatemala？’askedMrWharton。
’Quitecertain，’saidMrHartlepod。ThenMrWhartonrosefromhischairandquittedtheroom。
’ByG-，youhaveruinedmeamongyou，’saidLopez——’ruinedmeinthemostshamefulmanner。Thereisnomercy，nofriendship，nokindness，noforbearanceanywhere！WhyamItobetreatedinthismanner？’
’Ifyouhaveanycomplainttomake，’saidMrHartlepod，’youhadbetterwritetotheDirectors。Ihavenothingtodobutmyduty。’
’Byheavens，theDirectorsshallhearofit！’saidLopezashelefttheoffice。
MrWhartonwenttohischambersandendeavouredtomakeuphismindwhatstephemustnowtakeinreferencetothisdreadfulincubus。Ofcoursehecouldturnthemanoutofhishouse，butinsodoingitmightwellbethathewouldalsoturnouthisowndaughter。HebelievedLopeztobeutterlywithoutmeans，andamansodestitutewouldgenerallybegladtoberelievedfromtheburdenofhiswife’ssupport。Butthismanwouldcarenothingforhiswife’scomfort。nothingeven，asMrWhartonbelieved，forhiswife’slife。Hewouldsimplyusehiswifeasbesthemightasameansforobtainingmoney。Therewasnothingtobedonebuttobuyhimoff，bysomuchmoneydownandbysomuchatstatedintervalsaslongasheshouldkeepaway。MrWalkermustmanageit，butitwasquitecleartoMrWhartonthattheGuatemalaschemewasaltogetheratanend。Inthemeantimeacertainsummustbeofferedtothemanatonce，onconditionthathewouldleavethehouseanddosowithouttakinghiswifewithhim。
SofarMrWhartonhadaplan，andaplanthatwasatleastfeasible。Wretchedashewas，miserable，ashethoughtthefatewhichhadbefallenhisdaughter，——therewasstillaprospectofsomerelief。ButLopezashewalkedoutoftheofficehadnothingtowhichhecouldlookforcomfort。HeslowlymadehiswaytoLittleTankardYardandtherehefoundSextyParkerbalancinghimselfonthebacklegsofhischair，withasmalldecanterofpublic-housesherrybeforehim。’What。youhere？’hesaid。
’Yes——Ihavecometosaygood-bye。’
’Whereareyougoingthen？Youshan’tstarttoGuatemalaifI
knowit。’
’That’sallover，myboy，’saidLopez，smiling。
’Whatisityoumean？’saidSexty，sittingsquareonhischairandlookingveryserious。
’IamnotgoingtoGuatemalaoranywhereelse。IthoughI’djustlookintotellyouthatI’mdonefor，——thatIhaven’tahopeofashillingnoworhereafter。YoutoldmetheotherdaythatI
wasafraidtocomehere。Youseethatassoonasanythingisfixed，Icomeandtellyoueverythingatonce。’
’Whatisfixed？’
’ThatIamruined。Thatthereisn’tapennytocomefromanysource。’
’Whartonhasgotmoney，’saidSexty。
’AndthereismoneyintheBankofEngland，——butIcannotgetatit。’
’Whatareyougoingtodo，Lopez？’
’Ah。that’sthequestion。WhatamIgoingtodo？Icansaynothingaboutthat，butIcansay，Sexty，thatouraffairsareatanend。I’mverysorryforit，oldboy。Weoughttohavemadefortunes，butwedidn’t。Asfarastheworkwent，Ididmybest。
Good-bye，oldfellow。You’lldowellsomeofthesedaysyet，I
don’tdoubt。Don’tteachthebairnstocurseme。AsforMrsP。
Ihavenothopethere，Iknow。’Thenhewent，leavingSextyParkerquiteaghast。
CHAPTER59
THEFIRSTANDTHELAST。
WhenMrWhartonwasinColemanStreet，havinghisfinalinterviewwithMrHartlepod，therecameavisitortoMrsLopezinManchesterSquare。UptothisdatetherehadbeengreatdoubtwithMrWhartonwhetheratlastthebanishmenttoGuatemalawouldbecomeafact。Fromdaytodayhismindhadchanged。IthadbeenaninfinitebenefitthatLopezshouldgo，ifhecouldbegottogoalone，butasgreatanevilifatlastheshouldtakehiswifewithhim。Butthefatherhadneverdaredtoexpressthesedoubtstoher，andshehadtaughtherselftothinkthatabsolutebanishmentwithamanwhomshecertainlynolongerloved，wasthepunishmentshehadtopayfortheevilshehaddone。ItwasnowMarch，andthesecondorthirdofAprilhadbeenfixedforherdeparture。Ofcourse，shehadendeavouredfromtimetotimetolearnallthatwastobelearnedfromherhusband。Sometimeshewouldbealmostcommunicativetoher。atothertimesshecouldhardlygetawordfromhim。But，throughitall，hegavehertobelievethatshewouldhavetogo。Nordidherfathermakeanygreatefforttoturnhismindtheotherway。Ifitmustbeso，ofwhatusewouldbesuchfalsekindnessonhispart？Shehadthereforegonetoworktomakeherpurchases，studyingthateconomywhichmusthenceforthbethegreatdutyofherlife，andremindingherselfastoeverythingsheboughtthatitwouldhavetobewornwithtearsandusedinsorrow。
AndthenshesentamessagetoArthurFletcher。ItsohappenedthatSirAluredWhartonwasupinLondonatthistimewithhisdaughterMary。SirAlureddidnotcometoManchesterSquare。
Therewasnothingtheoldbaronetcouldsayinthemidstofallthismisery，——nocomfortthathecouldgive。ItwaswellknownnowtoalltheWhartonsandtheFletchersthatthisLopez，whohadmarriedherwhowastohavebeenthepearlofthetwofamilies，hadprovedhimselftobeascoundrel。ThetwooldWhartonsmetnodoubtatsomeclub，orperhapstheStoneBuildings，andspokesomefewbitterwordstoeachother。butSirAlureddidnotseetheunfortunateyoungwomanwhohaddisgracedherselfbysowretchedamarriage。ButMarycame，andbyheramessagewassenttoArthurFletcher。’TellhimthatIamgoing，’
saidEmily。’Tellhimnottocome，butgivehimmylove。Hewasalwaysoneofmykindestfriends。’
’Why——why——whydidyounottakehim？’saidMary，movedbytheexcitementofthemomenttosuggestionswhichwerequiteatvariancewiththefixedproprietyofhergeneralidea。
’Whyshouldyouspeakofthat？’saidtheother。’Ineverspeakofhim，——neverthinkofhim。But，ifyouseehim，tellhimwhatIsay。’ArthurFletcherwasofcourseintheSquareonthefollowingday，——onthatverydayonwhichMrWhartonlearnedthat，whatevermightbehisdaughter’sfate，shewouldnot，atanyrate，betakentoGuatemala。TheytwohadnevermetsincethedayonwhichtheyhadbeenbroughttogetherforamomentattheDuchess’spartyatRichmond。Ithadofcoursebeenunderstoodbybothofthemthattheywerenottobeallowedtoseeeachother。Herhusbandhadmadeapretextofanactoffriendshiponhisparttoestablishaquarrel，andbothofthemhadbeenboundbythatquarrel。Whenahusbanddeclaresthathiswifeshallnotknowaman，thatedictmustbeobeyed，——or，ifdisobeyed，mustbesubvertedbyintrigue。Inthiscasetherehadbeennoinclinationtointrigueoneitherside。Theorderhadbeenobeyed，andasfarasthewifewasconcerned，hadbeenonlyasmallpartoftheterriblepunishmentwhichhadcomeuponherasaresultofhermarriage。But，now，whenArthurFletcherhadsentuphisname，shedidnothesitateastoseeinghim。Nodoubtshehadthoughtitprobablethatshemightseehimwhenshegavehermessagetohercousin。
’Icouldnotletyougowithoutcomingtoyou，’hesaid。
’Itisverygoodofyou。Yes——Isupposewearegoing。
Guatemalasoundsalongwayoff，Arthur，doesitnot？Buttheytellmeitisabeautifulcountry。’Shespokewithacheerfulvoice，almostasthoughshelikedtheideaofherjourney。buthelookedatherwithbeseeching，anxious，sorrow-ladeneyes。
’Afterall，whatisajourneyofafewweeks？WhyshouldInotbeashappyinGuatemalaasinLondon？Astofriends，Idonotknowthatitwillmakemuchdifference，——exceptpapa。’
’Itseemstometomakeadifference，’saidhe。
’Ineverseeanybodynow，——neitheryourpeople，northeWhartonWhartons。Indeed，Iseenobody。IfitwerenotforpapaI
shouldbegladtogo。Iamtoldthatitisacharmingcountry。
IhavenotfoundManchesterSquareverycharming。Iaminclinedtothinkthatalltheworldisverymuchalike，andthatitdoesnotmatterverymuchwhereonelives，——or，perhaps，whatonedoes。ButatanyrateIamgoing，andIamverygladtobeabletosaygood-byetoyoubeforeIstart。’Allthisshesaidrapidly，inamannerunlikeherself。Shewasforcingherselftospeaksothatshemightsaveherself，ifpossible，frombreakingdowninhispresence。
’OfcourseIcamewhenMarytoldme。’
’Yes——shewashere。SirAlureddidnotcome。Idon’twonderatthat，however。Andyourmotherintownsometimeago，——butI
didn’texpecthertocome。Whyshouldtheycome？Idon’tknowwhetheryoumightnothavebetterstayedaway。OfcourseIamaPariahnow。butPariahasIam，IshallbeasgoodasanyoneelseinGuatemala。YouhaveseenEverettsincehehasbeenintown，perhaps？’
Yes——Ihaveseenhim。’
’Ihopetheywon’tquarrelwithEverettbecauseofwhatIhavedone。Ihavefeltthatmorethanall——thatbothpapaandhehavesufferedbecauseofit。Doyouknow，Ithinkpeoplearehard。Theymighthavethrownmeoffwithoutbeingunkindtothem。Itisthatthathaskilledme，Arthur——thattheyshouldhavesuffered。’Hesatlookingather，notknowinghowtointerrupther，orwhattosay。Therewasmuchthathemeanttosay，buthedidnotknowhowtobeginit，orhowtoframehiswords。’WhenIamgone，perhapsitwillbeallright，’shecontinued。’WhenhetoldmethatIwastogo，thatwasmycomfort。IthinkIhavetaughtmyselftothinknothingofmyself，tobearitallasanecessity，toputupwithit，whateveritmaybe，asmenbearthethirstinthedesert。ThankGod，Arthur，Ihavenobabytosufferwithme。Here，——here，itisstillverybad。WhenIthinkofpapacreepinginandoutofhishouse，IsometimesfeelthatImustkillmyself。Butourgoingwillputanendtoallthat。Itismuchbetterthatweshouldgo。Iwishwemightstartto-morrow。’Thenshelookedupathim，andsawthattearswererunningdownhisface，andasshelookedsheheardhissobs。’Whyshouldyoucry，Arthur？Henevercries，——nordoI。WhenbabydiedIcried，——butverylittle。Tearsarevain，foolishthings。Ithastobeborne，andthereisanendofit。Whenonemakesupone’smindtothat，onedoesnotcry。Therewasapoorwomanhertheotherdaywhosehusbandhehadruined。SheweptandbewailedherselftillI
pitiedheralmostmorethanmyself——butthenshehadchildren。’
’Oh，Emily！’
’Youmustn’tcallmebymyname，becausehewouldbeangry。I
havetodo，youknow，ashetellsme。AndIdosostrivetodoit！ThroughitallIhaveanideathatifIdomydutyitwillbebetterforme。Therearethings，youknow，whichahusbandmaytellyoutodo，butyoucannotdo。Ifhetellsmetorob，I
amnottorob——amI？AndnowIthinkofit，yououghtnottobehere。Hewouldbeveryangry，muchdispleased。Butithasbeensopleasantoncemoretoseeandoldfriend。’
’Icarenothingforhisanger，’saidArthurmoodily。
’Ah，butIdo。Ihavetocareforit。’
’Leavehim！Whydon’tyouleavehim？’
’What！’
’Youcannotdeceiveme。Youdonottrytodeceiveme。Youknowthatheisaltogetherunworthyofyou。’
’Iwillhearnothingofthekind，sir。’
’HowcanIspeakotherwisewhenyouyourselftellmeofyourownmisery？IsitpossiblethatIshouldnotknowwhatheis？Wouldyouhavemepretendtothinkwellofhim？’
’Youcanholdyourtongue，Arthur。’
’No——Icannotholdmytongue。HaveInotheldmytongueeversinceyoumarried？AndifIamtospeakatall，mustInotspeaknow？’
’Thereisnothingtobesaidthatcanserveusatall。’
’Thenitshallbesaidwithoutserving。WhenIbidyouleavehim，itisnotthatyoumaycometome。ThoughIloveyoubetterthanalltheworldputtogether，Idonotmeanthatatall。’
’Oh，Arthur！Arthur！’
’Butletyourfathersaveyou。Onlytellhimthatyouwillstaywithhim，andhewilldoit。ThoughIshouldneverseeyouagain，Icouldhelpprotectyou。Ofcourse，Iknow，——andyouknow。Heis——ascoundrel！’
’Iwillnothearit，’saidsherisingfromherseatonthesofawithherhandsuptoherforehead，butstillcomingnearertohimasshemoved。
’Doesnotyourfathersaythesamething？Iwilladvisenothingthathedoesnotadvise。Iwouldnotsayawordtoyouthathemightnothear。Idoloveyou，Ihavealwayslovedyou。ButdoyouthinkthatIwouldhurtyouwithmylove？’
’No——no——no！’
’No，indeed——butIwouldhaveyoufeelthatthosewholovedyouofoldarestillanxiousforyourwelfare。Yousaidjustnowthatyouhadbeenneglected。’
’IspokeofpapaandEverett。Formyself，——ofcourse，Ihaveseparatedmyselffromeverybody。’
’Neverfromme。Youmaybetentimeshiswife，butyoucannotseparateyourselffromme。GettingupinthemorningandgoingtobedatnightIstilltellmyselfthatyouaretheonewomanthatIlove。Staywithus，andyoushallbehonoured，——asthatman’swifeofcourse，butstillasthedearestfriendwehave。’
’Icannotstay，’shesaid。’HehastoldmethatIamtogo，andIaminhishands。Whenyouhaveawife，Arthur，youwillwishhertodoyourbidding。Ihopeshewillforyoursake，withoutthatpainIhaveindoingit。Good-bye，dearfriend。’
Sheputherhandoutandhegraspedit，andstoodforamomentlookingather。Thenheseizedherinhisarmsandkissedherbrowandherlips。’Oh，Emily，whywereyounotmywife？Mydarling，mydarling！’
Shehadhardlyextricatedherselfwhenthedooropened，andLopezstoodintheroom。’MrFletcher，’hesaid，verycalmly，’whatisthemeaningofthis？’
’Hehascometobidmefarewell，’saidEmily。’Whengoingonsolongajourneyonelikestoseeone’soldfriends，——perhapsforthelasttime。’Therewassomethingofindifferencetohisangerinhertone，andsomethingalsoofscorn。
Lopezlookedfromonetotheother，affectinganairofgreatdispleasure。’Youknow，sir，’hesaid，’thatyoucannotbewelcomehere。’
’Buthehasbeenwelcome，’saidhiswife。
’AndIlookuponyourcomingasabaseact。Youareherewiththeintentionofcreatingdiscordbetweenmeandmywife。’
’Iamheretotellherthatshehasafriendtotrustto，ifsheeverwantsafriend，’saidFletcher。
’Andyouthinkthatsuchtrustasthatwouldbesaferthantrustinherhusband？Icannotturnyououtofthishouse，sir，becauseitdoesnotbelongtome，butIdesireyoutoleaveatoncetheroomwhichisoccupiedbymywife。’Fletcherpausedamomenttosaygood-byetothepoorwoman，whileLopezcontinuedwithincreasedindignation。’Ifyoudonotgoatonceyouwillforcemetodesirehertoretire。Sheshallnotremaininthesameroomwithyou。’
’Good-bye，MrFletcher，’shesaid，againputtingoutherhand。
ButLopezstruckitup，notviolently，soastohurther，butstillwitheagerroughness。’Notinmypresence，’hesaid。’Go，sire，whenIdesireyou。’
’Godblessyou，myfriend，’saidArthurFletcher。’IpraythatI
mightlivetoseeyoubackintheoldcountry。’
’Hewas——kissingyou，’saidLopez，assoonasthedoorwasshut。
’Hewas，’saidEmily。
’Andyoutellmesotomyface，withsuchanairasthat！’
’WhatamItotellyouwhenyouaskme？Ididnotbidhimkissme。’
’Butafterwardsyoutookhispartashisfriend。’
’Whynot？IshouldlietoyouifIpretendedthatIwasangrywithhimforwhathedid。’
’Perhapsyouwilltellmethatyoulovehim。’
’OfcourseIlovehim。Therearedifferentkindsoflove，Ferdinand。Thereisthatwhichawomangivestoamanwhenshewouldfainmatewithhim。Itisthesweetestloveofall，ifitwouldonlylast。Andthereisanotherlove，——whichisnotgiven，butwhichiswon，perhapsthroughlongyears，byoldfriends。IhavenoneolderthanArthurFletcher，andnonewhoaredearertome。’
’Andyouthinkitrightthatheshouldtakeyouinhisarmsandkissyou？’
’Onsuchanoccasion，Icouldnotblamehim。’
’Youwerereadyenoughtoreceiveit，perhaps。’
’Well，Iwas。Hehaslovedmewell，andIshallneverseehimagain。Heisverydeartome，andIwaspartingfromhimforever。Itwasthefirstandthelast，andIdidnotgrudgeittohim。Youmustremember，Ferdinand，thatyouaretakingmeacrosstheworldfromallmyfriends。’
’Psha，’hesaid，’thatisallover。YouarenotgoinganywherethatIknowof，——unlessitbeoutontothestreetswhenyourfathershutshisdooronyou。’Andsosayinghelefttheroomwithoutanotherword。
CHAPTER60
THETENWAYJUNCTION。
AndthustheknowledgewasconveyedtoMrsLopezthatherfateinlifewasnottocarryhertoGuatemala。AttheverymomentinwhichshehadbeensummonedtomeetArthurFletchershehadbeenbusywithherneedlepreparingthatalmostendlesscollectionofgarmentsnecessaryforajourneyofmanydaysatsea。Andnowshewasinformed，byachanceexpression，byawordaside，asitwere，thatthejourneywasnottobemade。’Thatisallover，’
hehadsaid，——andthenhadlefther，tellinghernothingfurther。Ofcourseshestayedherneedle。Whetherthelastwordhadbeentrueorfalse，shecouldnotworkagain，atanyratetillithadbeencontradicted。Ifitwereso，whatwastobeherfate？Onethingwascertaintoher，——thatshecouldnotremainunderherfather’sroof。Itwasimpossiblethatanarrangementsoutterlydistastefulasthepresentone，bothontoherfatherandtoherself，shouldbecontinued。Butwherethenshouldtheylive，——andofwhatnaturewouldherlifebeshouldshebeseparatedfromherfather？
Thateveningshesawherfather，andhecorroboratedherhusband’sstatement。’Itisallovernow，’hesaid，——’thatschemeofhisofgoingtosuperintendthemines。Theminesdon’twanthim，andwon’thavehim。Ican’tsayIwonderatit。’
’Whatarewetodo，papa？’
’Ah——thatIcannotsay。Isupposehewillcondescendstilltohonourmewithhiscompany。IdonotknowwhyheshouldwishtogotoGuatemalaorelsewhere。Hehaseverythingherethathecanwant。’
’Youknow，papa，thatthatisimpossible。’
’Icannotsaywhatwithhimispossibleorimpossible。Heisboundbynoneoftheordinaryrulesofmankind。’
ThateveningLopezreturnedtohisdinneratManchesterSquare，whichwasstillregularlyservedforhimandhiswife，thoughtheservantswhoattendeduponhimdidsoundersilentandoft-
repeatedprotest。HesaidnotawordmoreastoArthurFletcher，nordidherseekanygroundofquarrelwithhiswife。Butthathecontinuedmelancholyanddejectionmadeanythinglikegood-
humourimpossible，evenonhispart，hewouldhavebeengood-
humoured。Whentheywerealone，sheaskedhimastotheirfuturedestiny。’Papatellsmeyouarenotgoing，’shebegansaying。
’DidInottellyousothismorning？’
’Yes。yousaidso。ButIdidnotknowyouwereinearnest。Isitallover？’
’Allover——Isuppose。’
’Ishouldhavethoughtthatyouwouldhavetoldmewithmore，——
moreseriousness。’
’Idon’tknowwhatyouwouldhave。Iwasseriousenough。Thefactis，thatyourfatherhasdelayedsolongthepaymentofthepromisedmoneythatthethinghasfallenthroughofnecessity。I
donotknowthatIcanblametheCompany。’
Thentherewasapause。’Andnow，’shesaid，’whatdoyoumeantodo？’
’UponmywordIcannotsay。Iamquiteasmuchinthedarkasyoucanbe。’
’Thatisnonsense，Ferdinand。’
’Thankyou！Letitbenonsenseifyouwill。Itseemstomethatthereisagreatdealofnonsensegoingonintheworld。butverylittleofitastrueaswhatIsaynow。’
’Butitisyourdutytoknow。Ofcourseyoucannotstayhere。’
’Noryou，Isuppose，——withoutme。’
’Iamnotspeakingofmyself。Ifyouchoose，Icanremainhere。’
’And——justthrowmeoverboardaltogether。’
’Ifyouprovideanotherhomeforme，Iwillgotoit。HoweverpooritmaybeIwillgotoit，ifyoubidme。Butforyou，——ofcourseyoucannotstayhere。’
’Hasyourfathertoldyoutosaysotome？’
’No——butIcansaysowithouthistellingme。Youarebanishinghimfromhisownhouse。Hehasputupwithitwhilehethoughtthatyouweregoingtothisforeigncountry。buttheremustbeanendofthatnow。Youmusthavesomeschemeoflife。’
’UponmysoulIhavenone。’
’Youmusthavesomeintentionsforthefuture。’
’Noneintheleast。Ihavehadintentions，andtheyhavefailed——
fromwantofthatsupportwhichIhadarighttoexpect。I
havestruggledandIhavefailed，andnowIhavegotnointention。Whatareyours？’
’Itisnotmydutytohaveanypurpose，aswhatIdomustdependonyourcommands。’Thenagaintherewasasilence，duringwhichhelitacigar，althoughhewassittinginthedrawing-room。
Thiswasaprofanationoftheroomonwhichhehadneverventuredbefore，butatthepresentmomentshewasunabletonoticeitbyanywords。’Imusttellpapa，’shesaidafterawhile，’whatourplansare。’
’Youcantellhimwhatyouplease。Ihaveliterallynothingtosaytohim。Ifhewillsettleanadequateincomeonus，payableofcoursetome，Iwillgoandliveelsewhere。Ifheturnsmeoutinthestreetwithoutprovision，hemustturnyououttoo。
ThatisallIhavegottosay。Itwillcomebetterfromyouthanfromme。Iamsorry，ofcourse，thatthingshavegonewrongwithme。WhenIfoundmyselftheson-in-lawofaveryrichmanI
thoughtthatImightspreadmywingsabit。Butmyrichfather-
in-lawthrewmeover，andnowIamhelpless。Youarenotverycheerful，andIthinkI’llgodowntotheclub。’
HewentoutofthehouseanddidgodowntotheProgress。Thecommitteewhichwastobeheldwiththeviewofjudgingwhetherhewasorwasnotaproperpersontoremainamemberofthatassemblagehadnotyetbeenheld，andtherewasnothingtoimpedehisentrancetotheclub，ortheexecutionofthecommandwhichhegaveforteaandbutteredtoast。Butnoonespoketohim。
nor，thoughheaffectedalookofcomfort，didhefindhimselfmuchathisease。Amongthemembersoftheclubtherewasamuchdividedopinionwhetherheshouldbeexpelledornot。Therewasastrongpartywhodeclaredthathisconductsocially，morally，andpolitically，hadbeensobadthatnothingshortofexpulsionwouldmeetthecase。Buttherewereotherswhosaidthatnoacthadbeenprovedagainsthimwhichthecluboughttonotice。Hehad，nodoubt，shownhimselftobeablackguard，amanwithoutasparkofhonourorhonesty。Butthen，——astheysaidwhothoughthispositionintheclubtobeunassailable，——whathadtheclubtodowiththat？’Ifyouturnoutalltheblackguardsandallthedishonourablemen，wherewilltheclubbe？’wasaquestionaskedwithagreatdealofvigourbyonemiddle-agedgentlemanwhowassupposedtoknowtheclub-worldverythoroughly。Hehadcommittednooffencewhichthelawcouldrecognizeandpunish，norhadhesinnedagainsttheclubrules。’HeisnotrequiredtobeamanofhonourbyanyregulationofwhichIamaware，’saidthemiddle-agedgentleman。Thegeneralopinionseemedtobethatheshouldbeaskedtogo，andthat，ifhedeclined，nooneshouldspeaktohim。Thispenaltywasalreadyinflictedonhim，forontheeveninginquestionnoonedidspeaktohim。
Hedrankhisteaandatehistoastandreadamagazine，strivingtolookascomfortableandasmuchathiseaseasmenattheirclubsgenerallyare。Hewasnotabadactor，andthosewhosawhimandmadereportsastohisconductonthefollowingdaydeclaredthathehadapparentlybeenquiteindifferenttothedisagreeableincidentofhisposition。Buthisindifferencehadbeenmereacting。Hiscarelessmannerwithhiswifehadbeenallassumed。Selfishashewas，voidashewasofallprinciple，utterlyunmanlyandevenunconsciousoftheworthofmanliness，stillhewasalivetotheopinionsofothers。Hethoughtthattheworlddidnotunderstandthefactsofhiscase，andthattheworldgenerallywouldhavedoneashehaddoneinsimilarcircumstances。Hedidnotknowthattherewassuchaqualityashonesty，nordidheunderstandwhatthewordmeant。Buthedidknowthatsomemen，anunfortunateclass，becamesubjecttoevilreportfromotherswhoweremoresuccessful，andhewasawarethathehadbecomeoneofthoseunfortunates。Norcouldheseeanyremedyforhisposition。Itwasallblankandblackbeforehim。Itmaybedoubtedwhetherhegotmuchinstructionoramusementfromthepagesofthemagazinewhichheturned。
Atabouttwelveo’clockhelefttheclubandtookhiswayhomewards。Buthedidnotgostraighthome。ItwasanastycoldMarchnight，withacatchingwind，andoccasionalshortshowersofsomethingbetweensnowandrain，——asdisagreeableanightforagentlemantowalkinasonecouldwellconceive。ButhewentroundbyTrafalgarSquare，andalongtheStrand，andupsomedirtystreetsbythesmalltheatres，andsoontoHolbornandbyBloomsburySquareuptoTottenhamCourtRoad，andthenthroughsomeunusedstreetintoPortlandPlace，alongtheMaryleboneRoad，andbacktoManchesterSquarebyBakerStreet。Hehadmorethandoubledthedistance，——apparentlywithoutanyobject。Hehadbeenspokentofrequentlybyunfortunatesofbothsexes，buthadansweredawordtonoone。Hehadtrudgedonandonwithhisumbrellaoverhishead，butalmostunconsciousofthecoldandwet。Andyethewasamansedulouslyattentivetohisownpersonalcomfortandhealth，whohadatanyrateshownthisvirtueinhismodeofliving，thathehadneversubjectedhimselftodangerbyimprudence。Butnowtheworkingofhismindkepthimwarm，and，ifnotdry，atleastindifferenttothedamp。Hehadthrownasidewithaffectednonchalancethosequestionswhichhiswifehadaskedhim，butstillitwasnecessarythatheshouldanswerthem。HedidnotsupposethathecouldcontinuetoliveinManchesterSquareinhispresentcondition。Nor，ifitwasnecessarythatheshouldwanderforthintotheworld，couldheforcehiswifetowanderwithhim。Ifhewouldconsenttoleaveher，hisfather-in-lawwouldprobablygivehimsomething，——someallowanceonwhichhemightexist。Butthenofwhatsortwouldbehislife？
Hedidnotfailtoremindhimselfoverandoveragainthathehadnearlysucceeded。HehadbeentheguestofthePrimeMinister，andhadbeenthenomineechosenbyaDuchesstorepresentherhusband’sboroughinParliament。HehadbeenintimatewithMillsHappertonwhowasfastbecomingamillionaire。Hehadmarriedmuchabovehimselfineveryway。Hehadachievedacertainpopularityandwasconsciousofintellect。Butatthepresentmomenttwoorthreesovereignsinhispocketweretheextentofhisworldlywealthandhischaracterwasutterlyruined。Heregardedhisfateasdoesacard-playerwhodayafterdayholdssixesandsevenswhenothermenhaveacesandkings。Fatewasagainsthim。Hesawnoreasonwhyheshouldnothavehadheacesandkingscontinually，especiallyasfatehadgivenhimperhapsmorethanhisshareofthematfirst。Hehad，however，lostrubberafterrubber，——notpayinghisstakesforsomeofthelastrubberslost，——tilltheplayerswouldplaywithhimnolonger。
Themisfortunemighthavehappenedtoanyman——butithadhappenedtohim。Therewasnobeginningagain。Apossiblesmallallowanceandsomeveryretiredandsolitarylife，inwhichtherewouldbenoshowofhonour，noflatterycomingtohim，wasallthatwaslefttohim。
Helethimselfinatthehouse，andfoundhiswifestillawake。
’Iamwettotheskin，’hesaid，’Imadeupmymindtowalk，andIwoulddoit——butIamafoolformypains。’Shemadehimsomefeebleanswer，affectingtobehalfasleep，andmerelyturnedinherbed。’Imustbeoutearlyinthemorning。Mindyoumadethemdrymythings。Theyneverdoanythingformytelling。’
’Youdon’twantthemdriedto-night？’
’Notto-night，ofcourse——butafterIamgoneto-morrow。
They’llleavethemtherewithoutputtingahandtothem，ifyoudon’tspeak。Imustbeoffbeforebreakfastto-morrow。’
’Whereareyougoing？Doyouwantanythingpacked？’
’No。nothing。Ishallbebackfordinner。ButImustgodowntoBirmingham，toseeafriendofHapperton’sonbusiness。Iwillbreakfastatthestation。Asyousaidto-day，somethingmustbedone。Ifit’snecessarytosweepacrossing，Imustsweepit。’
Asshelayawakewhileheslept，shethoughtthatthoselastwordswerethebestshehadheardfromhimsincetheyweremarried。Thereseemedtobesomeindicationofpurposeinthem。
Ifhewouldonlysweepacrossingasamanshouldsweepit，shewouldstandbyhim，andatanyratedoherdutytohim，inspiteofallthathadhappened。Alas！shewasnotoldenoughtohavelearnedthatadishonestmancannotbegineventosweepacrossinghonestlytillhehaveinverytruthrepentedofhisformerdishonesty。Thelazymanmaybecomelazynolonger，buttheremusthavebeenfirstaprocessthroughhismindwherebyhislazinesshasbecomeodioustohim。Andthatprocesscanhardlybetheimmediateresultofmisfortunearisingfrommisconduct。
HadLopezfoundhiscrossingatBirminghamhewouldhardlyhavesweptitwell。
Earlyonthefollowingmorninghewasup，andbeforehelefthisroomhekissedhiswife。’Good-bye，oldgirl，’hesaid，’don’tbedown-hearted。’
’Ifyouhaveanythingbeforeyoutodo，Iwillnotbedown-
hearted，’shesaid。
’Ishallhavesomethingtodobeforenight，Ithink。Tellyourfather，whenyouseehim，thatIshallnottroublehimheremuchlonger。Buttellhimalso，thatIhavenothankstogivehimforhishospitality。’
’Iwillnottellhimthat，Ferdinand。’
’Heshallknowitthough。ButIdonotmeantobecrosstoyou。
Good-bye，love。’Thenhestoopedoverandkissedheragain——
andsohetookhisleaveofher。
Itwasraininghard，andwhenhegotintothestreethelookedaboutforacab，buttherewasnonetobefound。InBakerStreethegotanomnibuswhichtookhimdowntotheundergroundrailway，andbythathewenttoGowerStreet。ThroughtherainhewalkeduptotheEustonStation，andthereheorderedbreakfast。Couldhehaveamuttonchopandsometea？Andhewasveryparticularthatthemuttonchopshouldbewellcooked。Hewasagood-
lookingman，offashionableappearance，andtheyoungladywhoattendedhimnoticedhimandwascourteoustohim。Hecondescendedeventohavealittlelightconversationwithher，and，onthewhole，heseemedtoenjoyhisbreakfast。’Uponmyword。Ishouldliketobreakfasthereeverysayofmylife，’hesaid。Theyoungladyassuredhimthat，asfarasshecouldsee，therewasnoobjectiontosuchanarrangement。’Onlyit’sabore，youknow，comingoutintherainwhentherearenocabs，’
hesaid。Thentherewerevariouslittlejokesbetweenthem，tilltheyoungladywasquiteimpressedwiththegentleman’spleasantaffability。
Afterawhilehewentbackintothehallandtookafirst-classreturnticketnotforBirmingham，butfortheTenwayJunction，aseverybodyknowsit。Fromthisspot，somesixorsevenmilesdistantfromLondon，linesdivergeeast，west，andnorth，north-
east，andnorth-west，roundthemetropolisineverydirection，andwithdirectcommunicationwitheveryotherlineinandoutofLondon。Itismarvellousplace，quiteunintelligibletotheuninitiated，andyetdailyusedbythousandswhoonlyknowthatwhentheygetthere，theyaretodowhatsomeonetellsthem。Thespaceoccupiedbytheconvergentrailsseemstobesufficientforalargefarm。Andtheserailsalwaysrunintooneanotherwithslopingpoints，andcrosspassages，andmysteriousmeanderingsidings，tillitseemstothethoughtfulstrangertobeimpossiblethatthebest-trainedengineshouldknowitsownline。