Hereandthereandaroundthereiseverawildernessofwaggons，someloaded，someempty，somesmokingwithclose-packedoxen，andothersfurlongsinlengthblackwithcoals，whichlookasthoughtheyhadbeenstrandedtherebychance，andwereneverdestinedtogetagainintotherightpathoftraffic。Notaminutepasseswithoutatraingoinghereorthere，somerushingbywithoutnoticingTenwayintheleast，crashingthroughlikeflashesofsubstantiallightning，andothersstopping，disgorgingandtakinguppassengersbythehundreds。Menandwomen，——especiallythemen，forthewomenknowingtheirignorancearegenerallywillingtotrusttothepunditsoftheplace，——lookdoubtful，uneasy，andbewildered。Buttheyalldogetproperlyplacedandunplaced，sothatthespectatoratlastacknowledgesthatoverallthisapparentchaosthereispresidingagreatgeniusoforder。Fromduskymorntodarknight，andindeedalmostthroughoutthenight，theairisloadedwithasuccessionofshrieks。Thetheorygoesthateachseparateshriek，——iftherecanbeanyseparationwherethesoundissonearlycontinuous，——
isaseparatenoticetoseparateearsofthecomingorgoingofaseparatetrain。Thestranger，ashespeculatesonthesepandemoniacnoises，isabletorealizetheideathatweretheydiscontinuedtheexcitementnecessaryforthemindsofthepunditsmightbelowered，andthatactivitymightbelessened，andevilresultsmightfollow。Buthecannotbringhimselftocreditthattheoryofindividualnotices。
AtTenwayJunctionthereareahalf-a-dozenlongplatforms，onwhichmenandwomenandluggagearecrowded。OnoneoftheseforawhileFerdinandLopezwalkedbackwardsandforwardsasthoughwaitingforthecomingofsomeespecialtrain。Thecrowdiseversogreatthatamanmightbesupposedtowalktherefrommorningtonighwithoutexcitingspecialnotice。Butthepunditsareveryclever，andhavemuchexperienceinmenandwomen。Awell-
taughtpundit，whohasexercisedauthorityforayearortwoatsuchastationasthatofTenway，willknowwithinaminuteoftheappearanceofeachstrangerwhatishispurposethere，——
whetherhebegoingorhasjustcome，whetherheishimselfonthewayorwaitingforothers，whetherheshouldbetreatedwithcivilityorwithsomecurtcommand，——sothatifhispurportbehonestallnecessaryassistancemayberenderedhim。AsLopezwaswalkingupanddown，withasmilingfaceandleisurelypace，nowreadinganadvertisementandnowwatchingthecontortionsofsomeamazedpassenger，acertainpunditaskedhimhisbusiness。
Hewaswaiting，hesaid，foratrainfromLiverpool，intending，whenhisfriendarrived，togowithhimtoDulwichbyatrainwhichwentroundthewestofLondon。Itwasallfeasible，andthepundittoldhimthatthestoppingtrainfromLiverpoolwasduethereinsixminutes，butthattheexpressfromthenorthwouldpassfirst。Lopezthankedthepunditandgavehimsixpence，——whichmadethepunditsuspicious。Apundithopestobepaidwhenhehandlesluggage，buthasnosuchexpectationwhenhemerelygivesinformation。
Thepunditstillhadhiseyeonourfriendwhentheshriekandthewhirroftheexpressfromthenorthwasheard。Lopezwalkedquicklyuptowardstheedgeoftheplatform，whenthepunditfollowedhim，tellinghimthatthiswasnothistrain。Lopezthenranafewyardsalongtheplatform，notnoticingtheman，reachingaspotthatwasunoccupied：——andtherehestoodfixed。
Andashestoodtheexpressflashedby。’Iamfondofseeingthempasslikethat，’saidLopeztothemanwhohadfollowedhim。
’Butyoushouldn’tdoit，sir，’saidthesuspiciouspundit。’Nooneisn’tallowedtostandnearlikethat。Theveryhairofitmighttakeyouoffyourlegswhenyou’renotusedtoit。’
’Allright，oldfellow，’saidLopezretreating。ThenexttrainwastheLiverpooltrain。anditseemedthatourfriend’sfriendhadnotcome，forwhentheLiverpoolpassengershadclearedthemselvesoff，hewasstillwalkingupanddowntheplatform。
’He’llcomebythenext，’saidLopeztothepundit，whonowfollowedhimaboutandkeptaneyeonhim。
’Thereain’tanotherfromLiverpoolstoppingheretillthe2。20，’
saidthepundit。’Youhadbettercomeagainifyoumeantomeethimbythat。’
’Hehascomepartoftheway，andwillreachthisbysomeothertrain，’saidLopez。
’Thereain’tnothinghecancomeby，’saidthepundit。
’Gentlemencan’twaithereallday，sir。Thehordersisagainstwaitingontheplatform。’
’Allright，’saidLopez，movingawayasthoughtomakeexitthroughthestation。
Now，TenwayJunctionissobigaplace，andsoscattered，thatitisimpossiblethatallthepunditsshouldbyanycombinedactivitymaintaintothelettertheorderofwhichourspecialpundithadspoken。Lopez，departingfromtheplatformwhichhehadhithertooccupied，wassoontobeseenonanother，walkingupanddown，andagainwaiting。Buttheoldpundithadhiseyeonhim，andhadfollowedhimround。Atthatmomenttherecameashrieklouderthanalltheothershrieks，andthemorningexpressdownfromEustontoInvernesswasseencomingroundthecurveatathousandmilesanhour。Lopezturnedroundandlookedatit，andagainwalkedtowardstheedgeoftheplatformbutnowitwasnotexactlytheedgethatheneared，butadescenttoapathway，——aninclinedplaneleadingdowntotheleveloftherails，andmadethereforcertainpurposesoftraffic。Ashedidsothepunditcalledtohim，andthenmadearushathim，——forourfriend’sbackwasturnedtothecomingtrain。ButLopezheedednotthecall，andtherushwastoolate。Withquick，butstillwithgentleandapparentlyunhurriedsteps，hewalkeddownbeforetheflyingengine——andinamomenthadbeenknockedintobloodyatoms。
VOLUMEIII
CHAPTER61
THEWIDOWANDHERFRIENDS。
ThecatastrophedescribedinthelastchapterhadtakenplaceduringthefirstweekinMarch。BytheendofthatmontholdMrWhartonhadprobablyreconciledhimselftothetragedy，althoughinfactithadaffectedhimverydeeply。Inthefirstdaysafterthenewshadreachedhimheseemedtobebowedtotheground。
StoneBuildingswereneglected，andtheEldonsawnothingofhim。
Indeed，hebarelyleftthehousefromwhichhehadbeensolongbanishedbythepresenceofhisson-in-law。ItseemedtoEverett，whonowcametolivewithhimandhissister，asthoughhisfatherwasovercomebythehorroroftheaffair。Butafterawhileherecoveredhimself，andappearedonemorningincourtwithhiswigandgown，andarguedacase，——whichwasnowunusualwithhim，——asthoughtoshowtheworldthatadreadfulepisodeinhislifewaspassed，andshouldbethoughtofnomore。Atthisperiod，threeorfourweeksaftertheoccurrence，——herarelyspoketohisdaughteraboutLopez。buttoEveretttheman’snamewouldoftenbeonhistongue。’Idonotknowthattherecouldhavebeenanyotherdeliverance，’hesaidtohissononeday。’IthoughtitwouldhavekilledmewhenIfirstheardit，anditnearlykilledher。But，atanyrate，nowthereispeace。’
Butthewidowseemedtofeelitmoreastimewenton。Atfirstshewasstunned，andforawhileabsolutelysenseless。Itwasnottilltwodaysaftertheoccurrencethatthefactbecameknowntoher，——notknownasacertaintytoherfatherandbrother。Itseemedasthoughthemanhadbeencarefultocarrywithhimnorecordofidentity，thenatureofwhichwouldpermitittooutlivethecrushofthetrain。Nocardwasfound，noscrapofpaperwithhisname。anditwasdiscoveredatlastthatwhenheleftthehouseonthefatalmorninghehadbeencarefultodresshimselfinshirtandsocks，withhandkerchiefandcollarthathadbeennewlypurchasedforhisproposedjourneyandwhichborenomark。Thefragmentsofhisbodysetidentityatdefiance，andevenhiswatchhadbeencrumpledintoashes。Ofcoursethefactbecamecertainwithnogreatdelay。Themanhimselfwasmissing，andwasaccuratelydescribedbothbytheyoungladyfromtherefreshmentroom，andbythesuspiciouspunditwhohadactuallyseenthethingdone。Therewasfirstbeliefthatitwasso，whichwasnotcommunicatedtoEmily，——andthencertainty。
Therewasaninquestheldofcourse，——well，wewillsayonthebody，——and，singularlyenough，greatdifferenceofopinionastothemanner，thoughofcoursenoneastotheimmediatecauseofthedeath。Haditbeenaccidental，orpremeditated？Thepundit，whointheperformanceofhisdutiesontheTenwayplatformwassoefficientandvaluable，gavehalf-a-dozenopinionsinhalf-a-
dozenminuteswhensubjectedtothequestionsoftheCoroner。Inhisownmindhehadnottheleastdoubtintheworldastowhathadhappened。Buthewasmadetobelievethathewasnottospeakhisownmind。Thegentleman，hesaid，certainlymighthavewalkeddownbyaccident。Thegentleman’sbackwasturned，anditwaspossiblethatthegentlemandidnothearthetrain。Hewasquitecertainthatthegentlemanknewofthetrain。butyethecouldnotsay。Thegentlemanwalkeddownbeforethetraino’purpose。butperhapshedidn’tmeantodohimselfaninjury。
Therewasadealofthis，tilltheCoroner，puttingallhiswrathintohisbrow，toldthemanthathewasadisgracetotheservice，andexpressedahopethattheCompanywouldnolongeremployamansoevidentlyunfitforhisposition。Butthemanwasintruthaconscientiousandusefulpundit，withalargefamily，andevidentcapabilitiesforhisbusiness。Atlastaverdictwasgiven，——thattheman’snamewasFerdinandLopez，thathehadbeencrushedbyanexpresstrainontheLondonandNorthWesternLine，andthattherewasnoevidencetoshowhowhispresenceonthelinehadbeenoccasioned。Ofcourse，MrWhartonhademployedcounsel，andofcoursethecounsel’sobjecthadbeentoavoidaverdictoffelodese。AppendedtotheverdictwasarecommendationfromthejurythattheRailwayCompanyshouldbeadvisedtosignalizetheirexpresstrainsattheTenwayJunctionStation。
Whenthesetidingsweretoldtothewidowshehadalreadygivenwaytomanyfears。Lopezhadgone，purporting，ashesaid，——tobebacktodinner。Hehadnotcomethen，noronthefollowingmorning，norhadhewritten。Thensherememberedallthathehaddoneandsaid——howhehadkissedher，andleftapartingmaledictionforherfather。Shedidnotatfirstimaginethathehaddestroyedhimself，butthathehadgoneaway，intendingtovanishasothermenbeforenowhadvanished。Asshethoughtofthissomethingalmostlikelovecamebackuponherheart。Ofcoursehewasbad。Eveninhersorrow，evenwhenalarmedastohisfate，shecouldnotdenythat。Butheroathtohimhadnotbeentolovehimonlywhilehewasgood。Shehadmadeherselfapartofhim，andwasshenotboundtobetruetohim，whethergoodorbad？Sheimploredherfatherandsheimploredherbrothertobeceaselessintheirendeavourstotracehim，——
sometimesseemingalmosttofearthatinthisrespectshecouldnotfullytrustthem。Thenshediscernedfromtheirmanneradoubtastoherhusband’sfate。’Oh，papa，ifyouthinkanything，tellmewhatyouthink，’shesaidlateontheeveningofthesecondday。HewasthennearlysurethatthemanwhohadbeenkilledatTenwaywasFerdinandLopez——buthewasnotquitesure，andhewouldnottellher。Butonthefollowingmorning，somewhatbeforenoon，havinghimselfgoneoutearlytoEustonSquare，hecamebacktohisownhouse，——andthenhetoldherall。Forthefirsthourshedidnotshedatearorloseherconsciousnessofthehorrorofthething——butsatstillandsilent，gazingatnothing，castingbackhermindoverthehistoryofherlife，andthemiserywhichshehadbroughttoallwhobelongedtoher。Thenatlastshegaveway，fellintotears，hystericsobbings，convulsionssoviolentasforatimetotaketheappearanceofepilepticfits，andwasatlastexhaustedand，happilyforherself，unconscious。
Afterthatshewasillformanyweeks，——soillthatattimesbothherfatherandherbrotherthoughtthatshewoulddie。Whenthefirstmonthorsixweekshadpassedbyshewouldoftenspeakofherhusband，especiallytoherfather，andalwaysspeakingofhimasthoughshehadbroughthimtohisuntimelyfate。Norcouldsheendureatthistimethatherfathershouldsayawordagainsthim，evenwhensheobligedtheoldmantospeakofonewhoseconducthadbeensoinfamous。Ithadallbeenherdoing！
Hadshenotmarriedhimtherewouldhavebeennomisfortune！Shedidnotsaythathehadbeennoble，true，orhonest，——butsheassertedthatalltheevilswhichhadcomeuponhimhadbeenproducedbyherself。’Mydear，’herfathersaidtoheroneevening，’itisamatterwhichwecannotforget，butonwhichitiswellthatweshouldbesilent。’
’Ishallalwaysknowwhatthatsilencemeans，’shereplied。
’Itwillnevermeancondemnationofyoubyme，’saidhe。
’ButIhavedestroyedyourlife，——andhis，Iknow。Ioughtnottohavemarriedhim，becauseyoubademenot。AndIknowthatI
shouldhavebeengentlerwithhim，andmoreobedientwhenIwashiswife。IsometimeswishthatIwereaCatholic，andthatI
couldgointoaconvent，andburyitallamidstsackclothsandashes。’
’Thatwouldnotburyit，’saidherfather。
’ButIshouldatleastbeburied。IfIwereoutofsight，youmightforgetitall。’
SheoncestirredEverettuptospeakmoreplainlythanherfathereverdaredtodo，andthenalsosheherselfusedlanguagethatwasveryplain。’Mydarling，’saidherbrotheronce，whenshehadbeentryingtomakeoutthatherhusbandhadbeenmoresinnedagainstthansinning，——’hewasabadman。Itisbetterthatthetruthshouldbesaid。’
’Andwhoisagoodman？’shesaid，raisingherselfinherbedandlookingathimfullinthefacewithherdeep-sunkeneyes。’Iftherebeanytruthinourreligion，arewenotallbad？Whoistotelltheshadesofdifferenceofbadness？Hewasnotadrunkard，oragambler。Throughitallhewastruetohiswife。’
She，poorcreature，wasignorantofthelittlesceneinthelittlestreetnearMayfair，inwhichLopezhadofferedtocarryLizzieEustaceawaywithhimtoGuatemala。’Hewasindustrious。
Hisideasaboutmoneywerenotthesameasyoursorpapa’s。Howwasheworsethanothers？Ithappenedthathisfaultsweredistastefultoyou——andso，perhaps，hisvirtues。’
’Hisfaults，suchastheywere，broughtallthesemiseries。’
’Hewouldhavebeensuccessfulnowifhehadneverseenme。Butwhyshouldwetalkofit？Weshallneveragree。Andyou，Everett，canneverunderstandallthathaspassedthroughmymindduringthelasttwoyears。’
Thereweretwoorthreepersonswhoattemptedtoseeheratthisperiod，butsheavoidedthemall。FirstcameMrsRoby，whoashernearestneighbour，asheraunt，andasanauntwhohadbeensonearlyalliedtoher，hadalmostarighttodemandadmittance。
ButshewouldnotseeMrsRoby。Shesentdownwordtosaythatshewastooill。AndwhenMrsRobywrotetoher，shegotherfathertoanswerthenote。’Youhadbetterletitdrop，’theoldmansaidatlasttohissister-in-law。’Ofcoursesheremembersthatitwasyouwhobroughtthemtogether。’
’ButIdidn’tbringthemtogether，MrWharton。HowoftenamItotellyouso？ItwasEverettbroughtMrLopezhere。’
’Themarriagewasmadeupinyourhouse，andithasdestroyedmeandmychild。Iwillnotquarrelwithmywife’ssisterifIcanhelpit，butatpresentyouhadbetterkeepapart。’Thenhehadleftherabruptly，andMrsRobyhadnotdaredeithertowriteorcallagain。
AtthistimeArthurFletchersawbothEverettandMrWhartonfrequently，buthedidnotgototheSquare，contentinghimselfwithaskingwhetherhemightbeallowedtodoso。’Notyet，Arthur，’saidtheoldman。’Iamsureshethinksyouoneofherbestfriends，butshecouldnotseeyouyet。’
’Shewouldhavenothingtofear，’saidArthur。’Wekneweachotherwhenwewerechildren，andIshouldbenowonlyasIwasthen。’
’Notyet，Arthur，notyet，’saidthebarrister。
Thentherecamealetter，orrathertwolettersfromMaryWharton——onetoMrWhartonandtheothertoEmily。Totellthetruthastotheseletters，theycontainedthecombinedwisdomandtendernessofWhartonHallandLongbarns。AssoonasthefateofLopezhadbeenascertainedandthoroughlydiscussedinHertfordshire，therewentforthanedictthatEmilyhadsufferedpunishmentsufficientandwastobeforgiven。OldMrsFletcherdidnotcometothisatonce，——havingsomedeep-seatedfeelingwhichshedidnotdaretoexpresseventoherson，thoughshemutteredittoherdaughter-in-law，thatArthurwouldbedisgracedforeverifheweretomarrythewidowofsuchamanasFerdinandLopez。ButwhenthisquestionofreceivingEmilybackintofamilyfavourwasmootedintheLongbarnsParliamentnoonealludedtothepossibilityofsuchamarriage。Therewasthefactthatshewhomtheyallhadlovedhadbeenfreedbyagreattragedyfromthehusbandwhomtheyallhadcondemned，——andalsotheknowledgethatthepoorvictimhadsufferedgreatlyduringtheperiodofhermarriedlife。MrsFletcherhadfrowned，andshakenherhead，andmadealittlespeechaboutthedutiesofwomen，andthenecessarilyfatalconsequenceswhenthosedutiesareneglected。Therewerepresentthere，withtheoldlady，JohnFletcherandhiswife，SirAluredandLadyWharton，andMaryWharton。Arthurwasnotinthecounty，norcouldthediscussionhavebeenheldinhispresence。’Icanonlysay，’saidJohn，gettingupandlookingawayfromhismother，’thatsheshallalwaysfindahomeatLongbarnswhenshechoosestocomehere，andIhopeSirAluredwillsaythesameastoWhartonHall。’
Afterall，JohnFletcherwaskingintheseparts，andMrsFletcher，withmanynoddingsandsomesobbing，hadtogivewaytoKingJohn。TheendofallthiswasthatMaryWhartonwroteherletters。InthattoMrWhartonsheaskedwhetheritwouldnotbebetterthathercousinshouldchangethesceneandcomeatonceintothecountry。LethercomeandstayamonthatWharton，thengoontoLongbarns。Shemightbesurethattherewouldbenocompanyateitherhouse。InJunetheFletcherswouldgototownforaweek，andthenEmilymightreturntoWhartonHall。Itwasalongletter，andMarygavemanyreasonswhythepoorsuffererwouldbebetterinthecountrythanintown。ThelettertoEmilyherselfwasshorter，butfullofaffection。’Do，dodocome。
Youknowhowweallloveyou。Letitbeasitusedtobe。Youalwayslikedthecountry。Iwilldevotemyselftotryandcomfortyou。’ButEmilycouldnotasyetsubmittoreceivedevotionevenfromhercousinMary。Throughitall，andunderitall，——thoughshewouldeverdefendherhusbandbecausehewasdead，——sheknewthatshehaddisgracedtheWhartonsandbroughtaloadofsorrowupontheFletchers，andshewastooproudtobeforgivensoquickly。
Thenshereceivedanothertenderofaffectionfromaquarterwhenceshecertainlydidnotexpectit。TheDuchessofOmniumwrotetoher。TheDuchess，thoughshehadlatelybeenconsiderablyrestrainedbytheconditionoftheDuke’smind，andbytheeffectsofherownpoliticalandsocialmistakes，stillfromtimetotimemaderenewedeffortstokeeptogethertheCoalitionbygivingdinners，balls，andgardenparties，andbybindingtoherselfthegratitudeandworshipofyoungparliamentaryaspirants。Incarryingoutherplans，shehadlatelyshoweredhercourtesiesuponArthurFletcher，whohadbeenmadewelcomeevenbytheDukeasthesittingmemberforSilverbridge。WithArthurshehadofcoursediscussedtheconductofLopezastotheelectionbills，andhadbeenveryloudincondemninghim。AndfromArthuralsoshehadheardsomethingofthesorrowsofEmilyLopez。ArthurhadbeenverydesirousthattheDuchess，whohadreceivedthembothatherhouse，shoulddistinguishbetweenthehusbandandthewife。Thenhadcomethetragedy，towhichthenotorietyoftheman’sconductofcoursegaveadditionalinterest。ItwasbelievedthatLopezhaddestroyedhimselfbecauseofthedisgracewhichhadfallenuponhimfromtheSilverbridgeaffair。AndformuchofthatSilverbridgeaffairtheDuchessherselfwasresponsible。Shewaitedtillacoupleofmonthshadgoneby，andthen，inthebeginningofMay，senttothewidowwhatwasintendedtobe，andindeedwas，averykindnote。TheDuchesshadheardthesadstorywiththegreatestgrief。ShehopedthatMrsLopezwouldpermithertoavailherselfofashortacquaintancetoexpresshersinceresympathy。Shewouldnotventuretocallasyet，buthopedthatbeforelongshemightbeallowedtocometoManchesterSquare。
Thisnotetouchedthepoorwomantowhomitwaswritten，notbecausesheherselfwassolicitoustobeacquaintedwiththeDuchessofOmnium，butbecausetheapplicationseemedtohertocontainsomethinglikeanacquittal，oratanyrateapardon，ofherhusband。HissininthatmeasureoftheSilverbridgeelection，——asinwhichherfatherhadbeenloudindenouncingbeforethewretchhaddestroyedhimself，——hadbeenspeciallyagainsttheDukeofOmnium。AndnowtheDuchesscameforwardtosaythatitshouldbeforgivenandforgotten。Whensheshowedthelettertoherfather，andaskedhimwhatsheshouldsayinanswertoit，heonlyshookhishead。’Itismeantforkindness，papa。’
’Yes——Ithinkitis。Therearepeoplewhohavenorighttobekindtome。Ifamanstoppedmeinthestreetandofferedmeahalf-a-crownitmightbekindness，——butIdon’twanttheman’shalf——crown。’
’Idon’tthinkitisthesame，papa。Thereisareasonhere。’
’Perhapsso，mydear，butIdonotseethereason。’
Shebecameveryred，buteventohimshewouldnotexplainherideas。’IthinkIshallanswerit。’
’Certainlyanswerit。YourcomplimentstotheDuchessandthankherforherkindinquiries。’
’Butshesaysshewillcomehere。’
’Ishouldnotnoticethat。’
’Verywell，papa。Ifyouthinkso，ofcourseIwillnot。
Perhapsitwouldbeaninconvenience，ifshewerereallytocome。’Onthenextdayshedidwriteanote，notquitesocoldasthatwhichherfatherproposed，butstillsayingnothingastotheofferedvisit。Shefelt，shesaid，verygratefulfortheDuchess’skindremembranceofher。TheDuchesswouldperhapsunderstandthatatpresenthersorrowoverwhelmedher。
AndtherewasoneothertenderofkindnesswhichwasmoresurprisingthaneventhatfromtheDuchess。ThereadermayperhapsrememberthatFerdinandLopezandLadyEustacehadnotpartedwhentheylastsaweachotheronthepleasantestterms。
Hehadbeenveryaffectionate。butwhenhehadproposedtodevotehiswholelifetoherandtocarryherofftoGuatemalashehadsimplytoldhimthathewas——afool。ThenhehadescapedfromherhouseandhadneveragainseenLizzieEustace。Shehadnotthoughtverymuchaboutit。Hadhereturnedtoherthenextdaywithsomemoretemptingpropositionformakingmoneyshewouldhavelistenedtohim，——andhadhebeggedherpardonforwhathadtakenplaceontheformerdayshewouldhavemerelylaughed。Shewasnotmoreoffendedthanshewouldhavebeenhadheaskedherforhalfherfortuneinsteadofherpersonandherhonour。But，asitwas，hehadescapedandhadneveragainshownhimselfinthelittlestreetnearMayFair。Thenshehadthetidingsofhisdeath，firstseeingtheaccountinaverysensationalarticlefromthepenofMrQuintusSlidehimself。Shewasimmediatelyfilledwithanintenseinterestwhichwasinfinitelyincreasedbythefactthatthemanhadbutafewdaysbeforedeclaredhimselftobeherlover。Itwasbringingheralmostasneartheeventasthoughshehadseenit！Shewas，perhaps，entitledtothinkthatshehadcausedit！Nay——inonesenseshehadcausedit，forhecertainlywouldnothavedestroyedhimselfhadsheconsentedtogowithhimtoGuatemalaorelsewhere。Andsheknewhiswife。
Anuninteresting，dowdycreatureshehadcalledher。But，nevertheless，theyhadbeenincompanytogethermorethanonce。
Soshepresentedhercompliments，andexpressedhersorrow，andhopedthatshemightbeallowedtocall。TherehadbeennooneforwhomshehadfeltmoresincererespectandesteemthanforherlatefriendMrFerdinandLopez。TothisnotetherewasananswerwrittenbyMrWhartonhimself。
MADAM，Mydaughteristooilltoseeevenherownfriends。
Iam，Madam，YourobedientservantABELWHARTON
Afterthis，lifewentoninaveryquietwayatManchesterSquareformanyweeks。GraduallyMrsLopezrecoveredhercapabilityofattendingtothedutiesoflife。Graduallyshebecameagainabletointerestherselfinherbrother’spursuitsandinherfather’scomforts，andthehousereturnedtoitsoldformasithadbeenbeforetheseterribletwoyears，inwhichthehappinessoftheWhartonandFletcherfamilieshadbeenmarred，andscotched，andalmostdestroyedforeverbytheinterferenceofFerdinandLopez。
ButMrsLopezneverforamomentforgotthatshehaddonethemischief，——andthattheblackenduringcloudhadbeencreatedsolelybyherownperversityandself-will。Thoughshewouldstilldefendherlatehusbandifanyattackweremadeuponhismemory，notthelessdidshefeelthathershadbeenthefault，thoughthepunishmenthadcomeuponthemall。
CHAPTER62
PHINEASFINNHASABOOKTOREAD。
Thesensationcreatedbytheman’sdeathwasbynomeansconfinedtoManchesterSquare，butwasverygeneralinthemetropolis，and，indeed，throughoutthecountry。Asthecatastrophebecamethesubjectofgeneralconversation，maypeoplelearnedthattheSilverbridgeaffairhadnot，intruth，hadmuchtodowithit。
Themanhadkilledhimself，asmanyothermenhavedonebeforehim，becausehehadrunthroughhismoneyandhadnochanceleftofredeeminghimself。Buttotheworldatlarge，thedisgracebroughtuponhimbytheexplanationgiveninParliamentwastheapparentcauseofhisself-immolation，andtherewerenotwantingthosewhofeltandexpressedasympathyforamanwhocouldfeelsoacutelytheaffectofhisownwrong-doing。NodoubthehaddonewronginaskingtheDukeforthemoney。Buttherequest，thoughwrong，mightalmostbejustified。Therecouldbenodoubt，theseapologistssaid，thathehadbeenill-treatedbetweentheDukeandDuchess。NodoubtPhineasFinn，whowasnowdescribedbysomeopponentsastheDuke’screature，hadbeenabletomakeoutastoryintheDuke’sfavour。Butalltheworldknewwhatwastheworthandwhatwasthetruthofministerialexplanations！TheCoalitionwasverystrong。andeventhequestionintheHouse，whichshouldhavebeenhostile，hadbeenaskedinafriendlyspirit。InthiswaytherecametobeapartywhospokeandwroteofFerdinandLopezasthoughhehadbeenamartyr。
OfcourseMrQuintusSlidewasinthefrontrankoftheseaccusers。HemaybesaidtohaveledthearmywhichmadethismatterapretextforaspecialattackontheMinistry。MrSlidewasespeciallyhostiletothePrimeMinister，buthewasnotlesshotlytheenemyofPhineasFinn。AgainstPhineasFinnhehadoldgrudges，which，however，agehadnevercooled。Hecould，therefore，writewithamostpowerfulpenwhendiscussingthedeathoftheunfortunateman，thelatecandidateforSilverbridge，crushinghistwofoesinthesinglegraspofhisjournalisticfist。PhineashadcertainlysaidsomehardthingsagainstLopez，thoughhehadnotmentionedtheman’sname。HehadcongratulatedtheHousethatithadnotbeencontaminatedbythepresenceofsobaseacreature，andhehadsaidthathewouldnotpausetostigmatizethemeannessoftheapplicationformoneywhichLopezhadmade。HadLopezcontinuedtoliveandtoendurethe’slingsandarrowsofoutrageousfortune’，noonewouldhaveventuredtosaythatthesewordswouldhaveinflictedtoosevereapunishment。Butdeathwipesoutmanyfaults，andaself-
inflicteddeathcausedbyremorse，will，inthemindsofmany，washablackamooralmostwhite。ThusitcametopassthatsomeheavyweaponswerehurledatPhineasFinn，butnonesoheavyasthosehurledbyQuintusSlide。ShouldnotthisIrishknight，whowassoreadywithhislanceinthedefenceofthePrimeMinister，askedMrSlide，haverememberedpasteventsofhisownratherpeculiarlife？Hadnothe，too，beenpoor，anddriveninhispovertytoratherquestionablestraits？Hadhenotbeenabjectinhispetitionforoffice，——andinwhatdegreeweresuchpetitionslessdisgracefulthanarequestformoneywhichhadbeenhopelesslyexpendedonanimpossibleobject，attemptedattheinstanceofthegreatCroesuswho，whenaskedtopayit，hadatonceacknowledgedthenecessityofdoingso？CouldnotMrFinnrememberthathehimselfhadstoodindangerofhislifebeforeaBritishjury，andthat，thoughhehadbeen，nodoubtproperly，acquittedofthecrimeimputedtohim，circumstanceshadcomeoutagainsthimduringthetrialwhich，ifnotascriminal，wereatanyratealmostasdisgraceful？Couldhenothavehadsomemercyonabrokenpoliticaladventurerwho，inhisaspirationsforpubliclife，hadshownnoneofthatgreedbywhichMrPhineasFinnhadbeencharacterizedinalltherelationsoflife。AsforthePrimeMinister，’We，’asMrQuintusSlidealwaysdescribedhimself，——’WedonotwishtoaddtotheagonywhichthefateofMrLopezmusthavebroughtuponhim。Hehashoundedthatpoormantohisdeathinrevengeforthetriflingsumofmoneywhichhewascalledupontopayforhim。ItmaybethatthefirstblamelaynotwiththePrimeMinisterhimself，butwiththePrimeMinister’swife。Withthatwehavenothingtodo。
Thewholethingliesinanutshell。ThebarementionofthenameofherGracetheDuchessinParliamentwouldhavesavedtheDuke，atanyrateaseffectuallyashehadbeensavedbyhisman-of-
all-work，PhineasFinn，andwouldhavesavedhimwithoutdrivingpoorFerdinandLopeztoinsanity。Butratherthandothisheallowedhisservanttomakestatementsaboutmysteriousagents，whichwearejustifiedinstigmatizingasuntrue，andtothrowthewholeblamewherebuttheleastoftheblamewasdue。Weallknowtheresult。ItwasfoundinthosegoryshredsandtattersofapoorhumanbeingwithwhichtheTenwayRailwayStationwasbespattered。’
Ofcoursesuchanarticlehadconsiderableeffect。ItwasapparentatoncethattherewasampleroomforanactionoflibelagainstthenewspaperonthepartofPhineasFinnifnotonthatoftheDuke。ButitwasequallyapparentthatMrQuintusSlidemusthavebeenverywellawareofthiswhenhewrotethearticle。
Suchanaction，evenifsuccessful，maybringwithittothemanpunishedmoreofgoodthanevil。Anypecuniarypenaltymightbemorethanrecoupedbythelargenessofadvertisementwhichsuchanactionwouldproduce。MrSlidenodoubtcalculatedthathewouldcarrywithhimagreatbodyofpublicfeelingbythemerefactthathehadattackedaPrimeMinisterandaDuke。IfhecouldonlygetallthepublicansinLondontotakehispaperbecauseofhispatrioticandboldconduct，thefortuneofthepaperwouldbemade。Thereisnobettertradethanthatofmartyrdom，ifthewould-bemartyrknowshowfarhemayjudiciouslygo，andinwhatdirection。AllthisMrQuintusSlidewassupposedtohaveconsideredverywell。
AndMrPhineasFinnknewthathisenemyhadalsoconsideredthenatureofthematterswhichhewouldhavebeenabletodragintocourtifthereshouldbeatrial。Allusions，verystrongallusions，hadbeenmadetoformerperiodsofMrFinn’slife。
Andthoughtherewasbutlittle，ifanything，inthepastcircumstancesofwhichhewasashamed，——butlittle，ifanything，whichhethoughtwouldsubjecthimpersonallytotheodiumofgoodmen，couldtheybemadeaccuratelyknowninalltheirdetails，——itwould，hewaswellaware，beimpossiblethatsuchaccuracyshouldbeachieved。Andthestoryiftoldinaccuratelywouldnotsuithim。Andthen，therewasareasonagainstanypublicproceedingmuchstrongereventhanthis。Whetherthetellingofthestorywouldorwouldnotsuithim，itcertainlywouldnotsuitothers。Ashasbeenbeforeremarked，thereareformerchroniclesrespectingPhineasFinn，andinthemmaybefoundadequatecauseforthisconvictiononhispart。TonooutsiderwasthishistoryknownbetterthantoMrQuintusSlide，andthereforeMrQuintusSlidecoulddarealmosttodefythelaw。
ButnotthelessonthisaccountweretheremanywhotoldPhineasthatheoughttobringtheaction。AmongthesenoneweremoreeagerthanhisoldfriendLordChiltern，theMasteroftheBrakehounds，amanwhoreallylovedPhineas，whoalsolovedtheabstractideaofjustice，andwhocouldnotendurethethoughtthatamiscreantshouldgounpunished。HuntingwasoverfortheseasonintheBrakecountry，andLordChilternrusheduptoLondon，havingthisobjectamongothersofaverypressingnatureonhismind。Hissaddlerhadtobeseen，——andthreatened，——onacertainmattertouchingthehorses’backs。AdraughtofhoundswerebeingsentdowntoafriendinScotland。AndtherewasaCommitteeofMasterstositonthemootquestionconcerninganeutralcovertintheXXXcountry，ofwhichCommittedhewasone。
ButthedesiretopunishSlidewasalmostasstronginhisindignantmindasthoseothermattersreferringmoreespeciallytotheprofessionofhislife。’Phineas，’hesaid，’youareboundtodoit。Ifyouwillallowafellowlikethattosaysuchthingsofyou，byheaven，anymanmaysayanythingofanybody。’
NowPhineascouldhardlyexplaintoLordChilternhisobjectiontotheproposedaction。Aladywascloselyconcerned，andthatladywasLordChiltern’ssister。’Icertainlyshallnot，’saidPhineas。
’Andwhy？’
’Justbecausehewishesmetodoit。Ishouldbefallingintothelittlepithehasdugforme。’
’Hecouldn’thurtyou。Whathaveyoutobeafraidof？Ruatcoelum。’
’Therearecertainangels，Chiltern，livingupinthatheavenwhichyouwishmetopullaboutourears，astowhom，ifalltheirheartandalltheirwishesandalltheirdoingscouldbeknown，nothingbutpraisecouldbespoken。butwhowouldstillbedraggedwithsoiledwingsthroughthedirtifthismanwereempoweredtobringwitnessafterwitnessintocourt。Mywifewouldbenamed。ForaughtIknowyourwife。’
’ByG-，he’dfindhimselfwrongthere。’
’Leaveachimney-sweepalonewhenyouseehim，Chiltern。Shouldherunagainstyou，thenrememberthatitisoneofthenecessarypenaltiesofcleanlinenthatitisapttobesoiled。’
’I’md-difI’dlethimoff。’
’Yesyouwould，oldfellow。Whenyoucometoseeclearlywhatyouwouldgainandwhatyouwouldlose，youwouldnotmeddlewithhim。’
Hiswifewasatfirstinclinedtothinkanactionshouldbetaken，butshewasmoreeasilyconvincedthanLordChiltern。’I
hadnotthought，’shesaid，’ofpoorLadyLaura。Butisitnothorriblethatamanshouldbeabletogoonlikethat，andthatthereshouldbenopunishment？’inanswertothisheonlyshruggedhisshoulders。
Butthegreatestpressurecameuponhimfromanothersource。HedidnotintruthsuffermuchhimselffromwhatwassaidinthePeople’sBanner。HehadbecomeusedtothePeople’sBanner，andhadfoundoutthatinnorelationoflifewashelesspleasantlysituatedbecauseofthemaledictionsheapeduponhiminthecolumnsofthatnewspaper。Hispositioninpubliclifedidnotseemtobeweakenedbythem。Hispersonalfriendsdidnotfalloffbecauseofthem。Thosewholovedhimdidnotlovehimless。Ithadnotbeensowithhimalways，butnow，atlast，hewashardenedagainstMrQuintusSlide。ButthepoorDukewasbynomeansequallystrong。Thisattackuponhim，thisdenunciationofhiscruelty，thisassurancethathehadcausedthedeathofFerdinandLopez，wasverygrievoustohim。Itwasnotthathereallyfelthimselftobeguiltyoftheman’sblood，butthatanyoneshouldsayhewasguilty。Itwasofnousetopointouttohimthatothernewspapershadsufficientlyvindicatedhisconductinthatrespect，thatitwasalreadypubliclyknownthatLopezhadreceivedpaymentforthoseelectionexpensesfromMrWhartonbeforetheapplicationhadbeenmadetohim，andthatthereforetheman’sdishonestywaspatenttoalltheworld。Itwasequallyfutiletoexplaintohimthattheman’slastacthadbeeninnodegreecausedbywhathadbeensaidinParliament，buthadbeentheresultofcontinuedfailuresinlifeandthefinalabsoluteruin。Hefrettedandfumedandwasverywretched，——andatlastexpressedhisopinionthatlegalstepsshouldbetakentopunishthePeople’sBanner。Nowithadalreadybeenacknowledged，onthedictumofnolessamanthanSirGregoryGrogram，theAttorney-General，thattheactionforlibel，iftakenatall，mustbetaken，notonthepartofthePrimeMinister，butonthatofPhineasFinn。SirTimothyBeeswaxhadindeeddoubted，butithadcometobeunderstoodbyallthemembersoftheCoalitionthatSirTimothyBeeswaxalwaysdiddoubtwhateverwassaidbySirGregoryGrogram。’TheDukethinksthatsomethingshouldbedone，’saidMrWarburton，theDuke’sprivateSecretary，toPhineasFinn。
’Notbyme，Ihope，’saidPhineasFinn。
’Nobodyelsecandoit。Thatistosayitmustbedoneinyourname。OfcourseitwouldbeaGovernmentmatter，asfarastheexpensegoes，andallthat。’
’IamsorrytheDukeshouldthinkso。’
’Idon’tseethatitcouldhurtyou。’
’IamsorrytheDukeshouldthinkso，’repeatedPhineas，——
’becausenothingcanbedoneinmyname。Ihavemadeupmymindaboutit。IthinktheDukeiswronginwishingit，andIbelievethatwereanyactiontaken，weshouldonlybeplayingintothehandsofthatwretchedfellow，QuintusSlide。IhavelongbeenconversantwithMrQuintusSlide，andhavequitemadeupmymindthatIwillneverplayuponhispipe。AndyoumaytelltheDukethatthereareotherreasons。Themanreferredtomypastlife，andinseekingtojustifythoseremarkshewouldbeenabledtodragbeforethepubliccircumstancesandstories，andperhapspersons，inamannerthatIpersonallyshoulddisregard，butwhich，forthesakeofothers，Iamboundtopreventit。YouwillexplainallthistotheDuke？’
’IamafraidyouwillfindtheDukeveryurgent。’
’ImustexpressmygreatsorrowthatIcannotobligetheDuke。I
trustIneedhardlysaythattheDukehasnocolleaguemoredevotedtohisinterestthanIam。Werehetowishmetochangemyoffice，ortoabandonit，ortoundertakeanypoliticaldutywithinthecompassofmysmallpowers，hewouldfindmereadytoobeyhisbehest。Butinthismatterothersareconcerned，andI
cannotmakemyjudgementsubordinatetohis。’TheprivateSecretarylookedveryserious，andsimplysaidthathewoulddohisbesttoexplaintheseobjectionstohisGrace。
ThattheDukewouldtakehisrefusalinbadpartPhineasfeltnearlycertain。HehadbeenalittlesurprisedatthecoldnessoftheMinister’smannertohimafterthestatementhehadmadeintheHouse，andhadmentionedthemattertohiswife。’Youhardlyknowhim，’shehadsaid，’aswellasIdo。’
’Certainlynot。Yououghttoknowhimveryintimately，andI
havehadbutlittlepersonalfriendshipwithhim。Butitwasamomentinwhichthemanmight，forthemoment，beencordial。’
’Itwasnotamomentforhiscordiality。TheDuchesssaysthatifyouwanttogetareallygenialsmilefromhimyoumusttalktohimaboutcorksoles。Iknowexactlywhatshemeans。Helovestobesimple，buthedoesnotknowhowtoshowpeoplethathelikesit。LadyRosinafoundhimoutbyaccident。’
’Don’tsupposethatIamintheleastaggrieved，’hehadsaid。
Andnowhespokeagaintohiswifeinthesamespirit。
’Warburtonclearlythinkshewillbeoffended，andWarburton，I
suppose，knowshismind。’
’Idon’tseewhyheshould。Ihavebeenreadingitlonger，andI
stillfinditverydifficult。LadyGlenhasbeenatworkforthelastfifteenyears，andsometimesownsthattherearepassagesshehasnotmasteredyet。IfancyMrWarburtonisafraidofhim，andisalittlegiventofancythateverybodyshouldbowdowntohim。NowifthereisanythingcertainabouttheDukeitisthis，——thathedoesn’twantanyonetobowdowntohim。Hehatesallbowingdown。
’Idon’tthinkhelovesthosewhoopposehim。’
’Itisnottheoppositionhehates，butthecauseintheman’smindwhichmayproduceit。WhenSirOrlandoopposedhim，andhethoughtthatSirOrlando’soppositionwasfoundedonjealousy，thenhedespisedSirOrlando。ButhadhebelievedinSirOrlando’sbeliefinthenewships，hewouldhavebeencapableofpressingSirOrlandotohisbosom，althoughhemighthavebeenforcedtoopposeSirOrlando’sshipsintheCabinet。’
’HeisaSirBayardtoyou，’saidPhineas，laughing。
’RatheraDonQuixote，whomItaketohavebeenthebettermanofthetwo。I’lltellyouwhatheis，Phineas，andhowheisbetterthanalltherealknightsofwhomIhavereadinstory。Heisamanaltogetherwithoutguile，andentirelydevotedtohiscountry。Donotquarrelwithhim，ifyoucanhelpit。’
Phineashadnottheslightestdesiretoquarrelwithhischief，buthedidthinkittobenotimprobablethathischiefwouldquarrelwithhim。ItwasnotorioustohimasamemberoftheCabinet，——asacolleaguelivingwithothercolleaguesbywhomthePrimeMinisterwascoddled，andespeciallyasthehusbandofhiswife，wholivedalmostcontinuallywiththePrimeMinister’swife，——thattheDukewascuttothequickbytheaccusationthathehadhoundedFerdinandLopeztohisdeath。ThePrimeMinisterhaddefendedhimselfintheHouseagainstthefirstchangebymeansofPhineasFinn，andnowrequiredPhineastodefendhimfromthesecondchargeinanotherway。Thishewasobligedtorefusetodo。AndthentheMinister’sprivateSecretarylookedverygrave，andlefthimwiththeimpressionthattheDukewouldbemuchannoyed，ifnotoffended。AndalreadytherehadgrownupanideathattheDukewouldhaveonthelistofhiscolleaguesnonewhowerepersonallydisagreeabletohimself。ThoughhewasbynomeansastrongMinisterinregardtopoliticalmeasures，ortheproperdominionofhisparty，stillmenwereafraidofhim。
Itwasnotthathewouldcalluponthemtoresign，butthat，ifaggrieved，hewouldresignhimself。SirOrlandoDroughthadrebelledandhadtriedafallwiththePrimeMinister，——andhadgreatlyfailed。Phineasdeterminedthatiffrowneduponhewouldresign，butthathecertainlywouldbringnoactionforlibelagainstthePeople’sBanner。
AweekpassedafterhehadseenWarburtonbeforehebychancefoundhimselfalonewiththePrimeMinister。ThisoccurredatthehouseinCarltonGardens，atwhichhewasafrequentvisitor，——andcouldhardlyhaveceasedtobesowithoutbeingnoticed，ashiswifespenthalfhertimethere。ItwasevidenttohimthenthattheoccasionwassoughtforbytheDuke。’MrFinn，’saidtheDuke，’Iwantedtohaveawordwithyou。’
’Certainly，’saidPhineas，arrestinghissteps。
’Warburtonspoketoyouaboutthat——thatnewspaper。’
’Yes，Duke。Heseemedtothinkthatthereshouldbeanactionforlibel。’
’Ithoughtsotoo。Itwasverybad，youknow。’
’Yes——itwasbad。IhaveknownthePeople’sBannerforsometime，anditisalwaysbad。’
’Nodoubt——nodoubt。Itisbad，verybad。Isitnotsadthatthereshouldbesuchdishonesty，andthatnothingcanbedonetostopit？Warburtonsaysthatyouwon’thearofanactioninyourname？’
’Therearereasons，Duke。’
’Nodoubt——nodoubt。Well——there’sanendofit。IownI
thinkthemanshouldbepunished。Iamnotoftenvindictive，butIthinkthatheshouldbepunished。However，Isupposeitcannotbe。’
’Idon’tseetheway。’
’Sobeit。Sobeit。Itmustbeentirelyforyoutojudge。Areyounotlongingtogetintothecountry，MrFinn？’
’Hardlyyet，’saidPhineas，surprised。’It’sonlyJune，andwehavetwomonthsmoreofit。Whatistheuseoflongingyet？’
’Twomonthsmore！’saidtheDuke。’Twomonthscertainly。Buteventwomonthswillcometoanend。WegodowntoMatchingquietly，——veryquietly，——whenthetimedoescome。Youmustpromisemethatyou’llcomewithus。Eh？ImakeapointofitMrFinn。’
Phineasdidpromise，andthoughtthathehadsucceededinmasteringoneofthedifficultpassagesinthatbook。
CHAPTER63
THEDUCHESSANDHERFRIEND。
ButtheDuke，thoughhewasbyfartoomagnanimoustobeangrywithPhineasFinnbecausePhineaswouldnotfallintohisviewsrespectingtheproposedaction，wasnotthelesstormentedandgoadedbywhatthenewspapersaid。TheassertionthathehadhoundedFerdinandLopeztodeath，thatbyhisdefenceofhimselfhehadbroughttheman’sbloodonhishead，wasmadeandrepeatedtillthoseroundhimdidnotdaretomentionthenameofLopezinhishearing。Evenhiswifewasrestrainedandbecamefearful，andinherheartofheartsbeganalmosttowishforthatretirementtowhichheoccasionallyalludedasadistantElysiumwhichheshouldneverbeallowedtoreach。Hewasbeginningtohavethewornlookofanoldman。Hisscantyhairwasturninggrey，andhislongthincheekslongerandthinner。Ofwhathedidwhensittingaloneinhischamber，eitherathomeorattheTreasuryChamber，sheknewlessandlessfromdaytoday，andshebegantothinkthatmuchofthesorrowarosefromthefactthatamongthemtheywouldallowhimtodonothing。Therewasnospecialsubjectnowwhichstirredhimtoeagernessandbroughtuponherselfexplanationswhichweretediousandunintelligibletoher，butevidentlydelightfultohim。Therewerenoquintsorsemi-tenthsnow，noaspirationsfordecimalperfection，nodelightfullyfatiguinghoursspentinthemanipulationofthemultiplicationtable。AndshecouldnotbutobservethattheoldDukenowspoketohermuchlessfrequentlyofherhusband’spoliticalpositionthanhadbeenhishabit。Hestillcamefrequentlytothehouse，butdidnotoftenseeher。AndwhenhedidseeherheseemedtoavoidallallusioneithertothepoliticalsuccessesorthepoliticalreversesoftheCoalition。
Andevenherotherspecialalliesseemedtolabourunderunusualrestraintwithher。BarringtonErleseldomtoldheranynews。
MrRattlerneverhadawordforher。Warburton，whohadeverbeendiscreet，becamealmostpetrifiedbydiscretion。AndevenPhineasFinnhadgrowntobesolemn，silentanduncommunicative。
’HaveyouheardwhoisthenewPrimeMinister？’shesaidtoMrsFinnoneday。
’Hastherebeenachange？’
’Isupposeso。EverythinghasbecomesoquietthatIcannotimaginethatPlantagenetisstillinoffice。Doyouknowwhatanybodyisdoing？’
’Theworldisgoingonverysmoothly，Itakeit。’
’Ihatesmoothness。Italwaysmeanstreacheryanddanger。I
feelsurethattherewillbeagreatblowupbeforelong。I
smellitintheair。Don’tyoutrembleforyourhusband？’
’WhyshouldI？Helikesbeinginofficebecauseitgiveshimsomethingtodo。buthewouldneverbeanidleman。AslongashehasaseatinParliament，Ishallbecontented。’
’TohavebeenPrimeMinisterissomethingafterall，andtheycan’trobhimofthat，’saidtheDuchessrecurringagaintoherownhusband。’Ihalffancysometimesthatthecharmofthethingisgrowinguponhim。’
’UpontheDuke？’
’Yes。Heisalwaystalkingofthedelighthewillhaveingivingitup。HeisalwaysCincinnatus，goingbacktohispeachesandhisploughs。ButIfearheisbeginningtofeelthatthesaltwouldbegoneoutofhislifeifheceasedtobethefirstmaninthekingdom。Hehasneversaidso，butthereisanervousnessabouthimwhenIsuggesttohimthenameofthisorthatmanashissuccessorwhichalarmsme。AndIthinkheisbecomingatyrantwithhisownmen。HespoketheotherdayofLordDrummondalmostasthoughhemeanttohavehimwhipped。Itisn’twhatoneexpectedfromhim，——isit？’
’Theweightoftheloadonhismindmakeshimirritable。’
’Eitherthat，orhavingnoload。Ifhehadreallymuchtodohewouldn’tsurelyhavetimetothinksomuchofthatpoorwretchwhodestroyedhimself。Suchsensitivenessissimplyadisease。
Onecanneverpunishanyfaultintheworldifthesinnercanrevengehimselfuponusbyrushingintoeternity。SometimesI
seehimshiverandshudder，andthenIknowheisthinkingofLopez。’
’Icanunderstandallthat，LadyGlen。’
’Itisn’tasitshouldbe，thoughyoucanunderstandit。I’llbetyouaguineathatSirTimothyBeeswaxhastogooutbeforethebeginningofthenextSession。’
’I’venoobjection。ButwhySirTimothy？’
’HementionedLopez’snametheotherdaybeforePlantagenet。I
heardhim。Plantagenetpulledthatlongfaceofhis，lookingasthoughhemeanttoimposesilenceonthewholeworldforthenextsixweeks。ButSirTimothyisbrassitself，asoundingcymbalofbrassthatnothingcansilence。HewentontodeclarewiththatloudvoiceofhisthatthedeathofLopezwasagoodriddancetobadrubbish。Plantagenetturnedawayandlefttheroomandshuthimselfup。Hedidn’tdeclaretohimselfthathewoulddismissSirTimothy，becausethat’snotthewayofhismind。Butyou’llseethatSirTimothywillhavetogo。’
’That，atanyrate，willbeagoodriddanceofbadrubbish’saidMrsFinn，whodidnotloveSirTimothyBeeswax。
SoonafterthattheDuchessmadeuphermindthatshewouldinterrogatetheDukeofStBungayastothepresentstateofaffairs。ItwasthentheendofJune，andnearlyoneofthoselongandtediousmonthshadgonebyofwhichtheDukespokesofeelinglywhenheaskedPhineasFinntocomedowntoMatching。
HopehadbeenexpressedinmorethanonequarterthatthiswouldbeashortSession。SuchhopesaremorecommoninJunethaninJuly，and，thoughrarelyverified，servetokeepupthedroopingspiritsoflanguidsenators。’Isupposeweshallbeearlyoutoftown，Duke，’shesaidoneday。
’Ithinkso。Idon’tseewhatthereistokeepus。ItoftenhappensthatministersareagreatdealbetterinthecountrythaninLondon，andIfancyitwillbesothisyear。’
’Youneverthinkofthepoorgirlswhohaven’tgottheirhusbandsyet。’
’Theyshouldmakebetteruseoftheirtime。Besides，theycangettheirhusbandsinthecountry。’
’It’squitetruethattheynevergettotheendoftheirlabours。
TheyarenotlikeyoumembersofParliamentwhocanshutupyourportfoliosandgoandshootgrouse。Theyhavetokeepattheirworkspringandsummer，autumnandwinter，——yearafteryear！
Howtheymusthatethementheypersecute！’
’Idon’tthinkwecanputoffgoingfortheirsake。’
’Menarealwaysselfish，Iknow。WhatdoyouthinkofPlantagenetlately？’Thequestionwasputveryabruptly，withoutamoment’snotice，andtherewasnoavoidingit。
’Thinkofhim！’
’Yes——whatdoyouthinkofhiscondition——ofhishappiness，hishealth，hiscapacityofendurance？Willhebeabletogoonmuchlonger？Now，mydearDuke，don’tstareatmelikethat。
Youknow，andIknow，thatyouhaven’tspokenawordtomeforthelasttwomonths。Andyouknow，Iknow，howmanythingsthereareofwhichweareboththinkingincommon。Youhaven’tquarrelledwithPlantagenet？’
’Quarrelledwithhim！Goodheavensno。’
’OfcourseIknowyoustillcallhimyournoblecolleague，andyournoblefriend，andmakeoneofthesameteamwithhimandallthat。Butitusedtobesomuchmorethanthat。’
’Itisstillmuchmorethanthat——muchmore。’
’ItwasyouwhomadehimPrimeMinister。’
’No，no，no——andagainno。HemadehimselfPrimeMinisterbyobtainingtheconfidenceoftheHouseofCommons。ThereisnootherpossiblewayinwhichamancanbecomePrimeMinisterinthiscountry。’
’IfIwerenotveryseriousatthismoment，Duke，Ishouldmakeanallusiontothe——Marines。’NootherhumanbeingcouldhavesaidthistotheDukeofStBungay，excepttheyoungwomanwhomhehadpettedallhislifeasLadyGlencora。’ButIamveryserious，’shecontinued，’andImaysayIamnotveryhappy。Ofcoursethebigwigsofapartyhavetosettleamongthemselveswhoshallbetheirleader，andwhenthispartywasformedtheysettled，atyouradvice，thatPlantagenetshouldbetheman。’
’MydearLadyGlencora，Icannotallowthattopasswithoutcontradiction。’
’DonotsupposethatIamfindingfault，oreverthatIamungrateful。NoonerejoicedasIrejoiced。NoonestillfeelssomuchprideinitasIfeel。Iwouldhavegiventenyearsofmylifetokeephimso。Itislikeitwastobeking，whenmenstruggledamongthemselveswhoshouldbeking。Whateverhemaybe，Iamambitious。Ilovetothinkthatothermenshouldlookathimasbeingabovethem，andthatsomethingofthisshouldcomedownuponmeashiswife。IdonotknowwhetheritwasnotthehappiestmomentofmylifewhenhetoldmethattheQueenhadsentforhim。’
’Itwasnotsowithhim。’
’No，Duke，——no！HeandIareverydifferent。Heonlywantstobeuseful。Atanyrate，thatwasallhedidwant。’
’Heisstillthesame。’
’Amancannotalwaysbecarryingahugeloadupahillwithouthavinghisbackbent。’
’Idon’tknowthattheloadneedbesoheavy，Duchess。’
’Ah，butwhatistheload？ItisnotgoingtotheTreasuryChambersatelevenortwelveinthemorningandsittingfourorfivetimesaweekintheHouseofLordstillsevenoreighto’clock。HewasneverillwhenhewouldremainintheHouseofCommonstilltwointhemorning，andnothaveadecentdinnerabovetwiceintheweek。TheloadIspeakofisn’twork。’
’Whatisitthen？’saidtheDuke，whointruthunderstooditallnearlyaswellastheDuchessherself。
’Itishardtoexplain，butitisveryheavy。’
’Responsibility，mydear，willalwaysbeveryheavy。’
’Butitishardlythat——certainlynotthatalone。Itisthefeelingthatsomanypeopleblamehimforsomanythings，andthedoubtinhisownmindwhetherhemaynotdeserveit。Andthenhebecomesfretful，andconsciousthatsuchfretfulnessisbeneathhim，andinjurioustohishonour。Hecondemnsmeninhismind，andcondemnshimselfforcondescendingtocondemnthem。HespendsonequarterofanhourthinkingthatasheisPrimeMinisterhewillbePrimeMinisterdowntohisfingers’ends，andthenextinresolvingthatheneveroughttohavebeenPrimeMinisteratall。’Heresomethinglikeafrownpassedacrosstheoldman’sbrow，whichwas，however，noindicationofanger。
’DearDuke，’shesaid，’youmustnotbeangrywithme。WhoistheretowhomIcanspeakbutyou？’
’Angry，mydear！No，indeed！’
’Becauseyoulookedasthoughyouwouldscoldme。’Atthishesmiled。’Andofcourseallthistellsuponhishealth。’
’Doyouthinkheisill？’
’Heneversaysso。Thereisnospecialillness。Butheisthinandwanandcareworn。Hedoesnoteatandhedoesnotsleep。OfcourseIwatchhim。’
’Doeshisdoctorseehim？’
’Never。WhenIaskedhimoncetosayawordtoSirJamesThorax，——forhewasgettinghoarse，youknow，——heonlyshookhisheadandturnedonhisheels。WhenhewasintheotherHouse，andspeakingeverynight，hewouldseeThoraxconstantly，anddojustwhathewastold。HeusedtolikeopeninghismouthandhavingSirJameslookdownit。Butnowhewon’tletanyonetouchhim。’
’Whatwouldyouhavemedo，LadyGlen？’
’Idon’tknow。’
’Doyouthinkthatheissofaroutofhishealththatheoughttogiveitup？’
’Idon’tsaythat。Idon’tdaresaythat。Idon’tdaretorecommendanything。Noconsiderationofhealthwouldtellwithhimatall。Ifheweretodieto-morrowasthepenaltyofdoingsomethingusefulto-night，hewouldn’tthinktwiceaboutit。Ifyouwantedtomakehimstaywhereheis，thewaytodoittotellhimthathishealthwasfailinghim。Idon’tknowthathedoeswanttogiveitupnow。’
’Theautumnmonthswilldoeverythingforhim——onlylethimbequiet。’
’YouarecomingtoMatching，Duke？’
’Isupposeso——ifyouaskme，——foraweekortwo。’
’Youmustcome。Iamquitenervousifyoudesertus。Ithinkhebecomesestrangedeverydayfromalltheothers。Iknowyouwon’tdoamischiefbyrepeatingwhatIsay。’
’Ihopenot。’
’Heseemstometoturnhisnoseupateverybody。HeusedtolikeMrMonk。butheenviesMrMonk，becauseMrMonkisChancelloroftheExchequer。Iaskedhimwhetherweshouldn’thaveLordDrummondatMatchingandhetoldmeangrilythatI
mightaskthewholeGovernmentifIliked。’
’Drummondcontradictedhimtheotherday。’
’Iknewtherewassomething。Hehasgottobelikeabearwithasorehead，Duke。Youshouldhaveseenhisfacetheotherday，whenMrRattlermadesomesuggestiontohimabouttheproperwayofdividingfarms。’
’Idon’tthinkheeverlikedRattler。’
’Whatofthat？Don’tIhavetosmileuponmenwhomIhatelikepoison——andwomentoo，whichisworse？DoyouthinkthatI
loveoldLadyRamsden，orMrsMacPherson？HeusedtobesofondofLordCantrip。’
’IthinkhelikesLordCantrip，’saidtheDuke。
’HeaskedhislordshiptodosomethingandLordCantripdeclined。’
’Iknowallaboutthat，’saidtheDuke。
’AndnowhelooksgloomyatLordCantrip。Hisfriendswon’tstandthatkindofthing，youknow，forever。’
’HeisalwayscourteoustoFinn，’saidtheDuke。
’Yes——justhowheisongoodtermswithMrFinn。HewouldneverbeharshtoMrFinn，becauseheknowsthatMrsFinnistheonereallyintimatefemalefriendwhomIhaveintheworld。Afterall，Duke，besidesPlantagenetandthechildren，thereareonlytwopersonsintheworldwhomIreallylove。Thereareonlyyouandshe。Shewillneverdesertme，——andyoumustnotdesertmeeither。’Thenheputhishandbehindherwaist，andstoopedoverandkissedherbrow，andsworetoherthathewouldneverdeserther。
Butwhatwashetodo？Heknew，withoutbeingtoldbytheDuchess，thathiscolleagueandchiefwasbecoming，fromdaytoday，moredifficulttomanage。HehadbeenrightenoughinlayingitdownasageneralrulethatPrimeMinistersareselectedforthatpositionbythegeneralconfidenceoftheHouseofCommons——buthewasawareatthesametimethatithadhardlybeensointhepresentinstance。Therehadcometobeadeadlockinaffairs，duringwhichneitherofthetwooldandrecognisedleadersofpartiescouldcommandasufficientfollowingforthecarryingonofagovernment。WithunusualpatiencethesetwogentlemenhadnowforthegreaterpartofthreeSessionssatby，offeringbutlittleoppositiontotheCoalition，butofcoursebidingtheirtime。They，too，calledthemselves，——perhapsthoughtthemselves，——Cincinnatuses。Buttheirploughsandpeachesdidnotsufficetothem，andtheylongedagaintobeineverymouth，andtohave，iftotheirdeeds，theneventheiromissionsblazonedineveryparagraph。
ThepalateaccustomedtoCayennepeppercanhardlybegratifiedbysimplesalt。Whenthatdeadlockhadcome，politicianswhowerereallyanxiousforthecountryhadbeenforcedtolookaboutforaPremier，——andinthesearchtheoldDukehadbeentheforemost。TheDuchesshadhardlysaidmorethanthetruthwhenshedeclaredthatherhusband’spromotionhadbeeneffectedbytheiroldfriend。Butitissometimeseasiertomakethanunmake。Perhapsthetimehadnowintruthcome，inwhichitwouldbebetterforthecountrythattheusualstateofthingsshouldagainexist。Perhaps，——nay，theDukenowthoughtthathesawthatitwasso，——MrGreshammightagainhaveaLiberalmajorityathisbackiftheDukeofOmniumcouldfindsomegracefulmodeofretiring。ButwhowastotellallthistotheDukeofOmnium？TherewasonlyonemaninallEnglandtowhomsuchataskwaspossible，andthatwastheoldDukehimself，——
whoduringthelasttwoyearshadbeenconstantlywithhisfriendnottoretire！HowoftensincehehadtakenofficehadtheconscientiousandtimidMinisterbeggedofhisfriendpermissiontoabandonhishighoffice！Butthatpermissionhadalwaysbeenrefused，andnow，forthelastthreemonths，therequesthadnotbeenrepeated。TheDuchesswasprobablyrightinsayingthatherhusband’didn’twanttogiveitupnow。’
Buthe，theDukeofStBungay，hadbroughthisfriendintothetrouble，anditwascertainlyhisdutytoextricatehimfromit。
TheadmonitionmightcomeintherudeshapeofrepeatedminoritiesintheHouseofCommons。HithertothenumberofvotesatthecommandoftheMinistryhadnotbeenverymuchimpaired。
Afewalwaysfelloffastimegoeson。Aristidesbecomestoojust，andthemindofmanisgreedyofnovelty。SirOrlandoalso，hadtakenwithhimafew，anditmaybethattwoorthreehadtoldthemselvesthattherecouldtobeallthatsmokeraisedbythePeople’sBanner，withoutsomefirebelowit。Buttherewasagoodworkingmajority，——verymuchatMrMonk’scommand，——
andMrMonkwasmovedbynoneofthatfeelingofrebellionwhichhadurgedSirOrlandoontohisdestruction。Itwasdifficulttofindacauseforresignation。AndyettheDukeofStBungay，whohadwatchedtheHouseofCommonscloselyfornearlyhalfacentury，wasawarethattheCoalitionwhichhehadcreatedhaddoneitswork，andwasalmostconvincedthatitwouldnotbepermittedtoremainverymuchlongerinpower。HehadseensomesymptomsofimpatienceinMrDaubney，andMrGreshamhadsnortedonceandtwice，asthougheagerforbattle。
CHAPTER64
THENEWK。G。
EarlyinJunehaddiedtheMarquessofMountFidgett。InallEnglandtherewasnoolderfamilythanthatoftheFichyFidgetts，whosebaronialcastleofFichyFellowsisstillkeptup，thegloryofarchaeologistsandthecharmoftourists。Somepeopledeclareittobethemostperfectcastleresidenceinthecountry。ItisadmittedtohavebeencompletedinthetimeofEdwardVI，andisthoughttohavecommencedinthedaysofEdwardI。IthasalwaysbelongedtotheFichyFidgettfamily，whowithapersistencethatisbecomingrarereveryday，hasclungtoeveryacrethatiteverowned，andhasaddedacretoacreineveryage。
TheconsequencehasbeenthattheexistingMarquisofMountFidgetthasalwaysbeenpossessedofgreatterritorialinfluence，andhasbeenflattered，cajoled，andreveredbyonePrimeMinisterafteranother。NowthelateMarquishadbeen，aswasthecustomwiththeFichyFidgetts，amanofpleasure。Ifthetruthbespokenopenly，itshouldbeadmittedthathehadbeenamanofsin。Thedutyofkeepingtogetherthefamilypropertyhehadperformedwithaperfectzeal。IthadalwaysbeenacknowledgedonbehalfoftheexistingMarquis，thatinwhatevermannerhemightspendhismoney，howeverbasemightbethegulliesintowhichhiswealthdescended，heneverspentmorethathehadtospend。Perhapstherewasbutlittlepraiseinthis，ashecouldhardlyhavegotbeyondhisenormousincomeunlesshehadthrownitawayonrace-coursesandroulettetables。ButithadlongbeenremarkedoftheMountFidgettmarquisesthattheyweretoowisetogamble。Thefamilyhadnotbeenanhonourtothecountry，buthadneverthelessbeenhonouredbythecountry。Themanwhohadjustdiedhadperhapsbeenasselfishandsensualabruteashadeverdisgracedhumanity——butneverthelesshehadbeenaKnightoftheGarter。Hehadbeenpossessedofconsiderableparliamentaryinterest，andthePrimeMinisterofthedayhadnotdarednottomakehimaKnightoftheGarter。
AlltheMarquisesofMountFidgetthadformanyyearspastbeenKnightsoftheGarter。Onthelastoccasionagooddealhadbeensaidaboutit。AfeelinghadeventhenbeguntoprevailthatthehighestpersonalofferinthegiftoftheCrownshouldnotbebestoweduponamanwhosewholelifewasadisgrace，andwhodidindeedseemtodeserveeverypunishmentwhichahumanordivinewrathcouldinflict。Hehadalargefamily，buttheywereillegitimate。Wivesgenerallyheliked，butofhisownwifeheverysoonbroketheheart。Ofallthecompanieswithwhichheconsortedhewastheadmittedking，buthissubjectscoulddonomananyhonour。TheCastleofFichyFellowswasvisitedbytheworldatlarge，butnomanorwomanwithacharactertolosewentintoanyhousereallyinhabitedbytheMarquis。AndyethehadbecomeaKnightoftheGarter，andwastherefore，presumably，oneofthosenobleEnglishmentowhomthemajestyofthedaywaswillingtoconfidethehonour，andglory，andsafetyoftheCrown。Thereweremanywhodislikedthis。ThatabasereprobateshouldbecomeaMarquisandapeerofParliamentwasinaccordancewiththeconstitutionofthecountry。Marquisesandpeersarenotasarulereprobates，andthemisfortunewasonewhichcouldnotbeavoided。Hemighthaveill-usedhisownwifeandotherwives’husbandswithoutspecialremarkhadhenotbeenmadeaKnightoftheGarter。TheMinisteroftheday，however，hadknownthevalueoftheman’ssupport，andbeingthick-
skinned，hadlivedthroughthereproachesutteredwithoutmuchdamagetohimself。NowthewickedMarquiswasdead，anditwastheprivilegeandthedutyoftheDukeofOmniumtoselectanotherknight。