ThesepreparationstoEmilyweresosadasalmosttobreakherheart。Shehadneverasyetpackedupherwidow’sweeds。Shehadneverasyetcontemplatedthenecessityofcomingdowntodinnerinthembeforeothereyesthanthoseofherfatherandbrother。Shehadasyetmadenoneofthosestruggleswithwhichwidowsseektolessenthedeformityoftheircostume。Itwasincumbentonhernowtogetaribbonortwolessghastlythanthoseweeperswhichhad，forthelastfivemonths，hungaboutherfaceandshoulders。Andthenhowwouldshelookifheweretobethere？ItwasnottobeexpectedthattheWhartonsshouldsecludethemselvesbecauseofhergrief。Thisverychangeinthecircumstancesofthepropertywouldbesure，ofitself，tobringtheFletcherstoWharton，——andthenhowshouldshelookathim，howanswerhim，ifhespoketohertenderly？Itisveryhardforawomantotellalietoamanwhensheloveshim。Shemayspeakthewords。Shemaybeabletoassurehimthatheisindifferenttoher。Butwhenawomanreallylovesaman，asshelovedthisman，thereisadesiretotouchhimwhichquiversatherfingers’
ends，alongingtolookathimwhichshecannotkeepoutofhereyes，aninclinationtobenearhimwhichaffectseverymotionofherbody。Shecannotrefrainherselffromexcessiveattentiontohiswords。Shehasagodtoworship，andshecannotcontrolheradmiration。OfallthisEmilyherselffeltmuch，——butfeltatthesametimethatshewouldneverpardonherselfifshebetrayedherlovebyagleamofhereye，bythetoneofaword，orthemovementofafinger。What，——shouldshebeknowntoloveagainaftersuchamistakeashers，aftersuchacatastrophe？
TheeveningbeforetheystartedwhoshouldbustleintothehousebutEveretthimself。Itwasaboutsixo’clock，andhewasgoingtoleaveLondonbythenightmail。Thatheshouldbealittlegiventobustleonsuchanoccasionmayperhapsbeforgivenhim。
HehadheardthenewsdownontheScotchcoast，andhadflownuptoLondon，telegraphingashedidsobackwardsandforwardstoWharton。Ofcoursehefeltthatthedestructionofhiscousinamongtheglaciers，——whetherbybrandyoricehedidnotmuchcare，——hadmadehimforthenonceoneoftheimportantpeopleoftheworld。Theyoungmanwhowouldnotsofeelmightbethebetterphilosopher，butonemightdoubtwhetherhewouldbethebetteryoungman。Hequiteagreedwithhisfatherthatitwashissister’sdutytogotoWharton，andhewasnowinapositiontospeakwithauthorityastothedutiesofthemembersofhisfamily。Hecouldnotwait，evenforonenight，inorderthathemighttravelwiththem。SirAluredwasimpatient。SirAluredwantedhiminHertfordshire。SirAluredhadsaidthatonsuchanoccasionhe，theheir，oughttobeonthepropertywiththeshortestpossibledelay。Hisfathersmiled——butwithanapprovingsmile。Everettthereforestartedbythenightmail，leavinghisfatherandsistertofollowhimonthemorrow。
CHAPTER68
THEPRIMEMINISTER’SPOLITICALCREED。
TheDuke，beforehewenttoMatching，twiceremindedPhineasFinnthathewasexpectedthereinadayortwo。’TheDuchesssaysthatyourwifeiscomingto-morrow，’saidtheDukeonthedayofhisdeparture。ButPhineascouldnotgothen。Hisservicestothecountrywererequiredamongthedockyardsandships，andhepostponedhisvisittilltheendofSeptember。ThenhestartedforMatching，havingthedoublepleasurebeforehimofmeetinghiswifeandhisnoblehostandhostess。Hefoundasmallpartythere，butnotsosmallastheDuchesshadoncesuggestedtohim。
’Yourwifewillbethere，ofcourse，MrFinn。Sheistoogoodtodesertmeinmytroubles。AndtherewillprobablybeLadyRosinaDeCourcy。LadyRosinaistotheDukewhatyourwifeistome。
Idon’tsupposetherewillbeanybodyelse，——except，perhapsMrWarburton！’ButLadyRosinawasnotthere。InplaceofLadyRosinathereweretheDukeandDuchessofStBungay，withtheirdaughters，twoorthreePalliseroffshoots，withtheirwives，andBarringtonErle。Therewere，too，theBishopofthediocesewithhiswife，threeorfourothers，comingandgoing，sothatthepartyneverseemedtobetoosmall。’WeaskedMrRattler，’saidtheDuchessinawhispertoPhineas，’buthedeclined，withastringoffloridcompliments。WhenMrRattlerwon’tcometothePrimeMinister’shouse，youmaydependthatsomethingisgoingtohappen。Itislikepigscarryingstrawsintheirmouths。MrRattlerismypig。’PhineasonlylaughedandsaidthathedidnotbelieveRattlertobeabetterpigthananybodyelse。
ItwassoonapparenttoPhineasthattheDuke’smannertohimwasentirelyaltered，somuchsothathewascompelledtoacknowledgetohimselfthathehadnothithertoreadtheDuke’scharacteraright。HithertohehadneverfoundtheDukepleasantinconversation。LookingbackhecouldhardlyrememberthathehadintrutheverconversedwiththeDuke。Themanhadseemedtoshuthimselfupassoonashehadutteredcertainwordswhichthecircumstancesofthemomenthaddemanded。WhetheritwasarroganceorshynessPhineashadnotknown。HiswifehadsaidthattheDukewasshy。Hadhebeenarroganttheeffectwouldhavebeenthesame。Hewasunbending，hard，andlucidonlywhenhespokeonsomedetailofbusiness，oronsomepointofpolicy。
Butnowhesmiled，and，thoughhesitatingalittleatfirst，verysoonfellintothewaysofapleasantcountryhost。’Youshoot，’
saidtheDuke。Phineasdidshoot，butcaredverylittleaboutit。’Butyouhunt。’Phineaswasveryfondofridingtohounds。
’Iambeginningtothink，’saidtheDuke，’thatIhavemadeamistakeinnotcaringforsuchthings。WhenIwasveryyoungI
gavethemup，becauseitappearedthatothermendevotedtoomuchtimetothem。Onemightaswellnoteatbecausemenaregluttons。’
’Onlythatyouwoulddieifyoudidnoteat。’
’Bread，Isuppose，wouldkeepmealive，butstilloneeatsmeatwithoutbeingaglutton。Iveryoftenregretthewantofamusements，andparticularlyofthosewhichwouldthrowmemoreamongmyfellow-creatures。Amanisalonewhenreading，alonewhenwriting，alonewhenthinking。EvensittinginParliamentheisverymuchalone，thoughtherebeacrowdaroundhim。Nowamancanhardlybethoroughlyusefulunlessheknowshisfellow-
men，andhowishetoknowthemifheshutshimselfup？IfIhadtobeginagainIthinkIwouldcultivatetheamusementsofthetime。’
NotlongafterthistheDukeaskedhimwhetherhewasgoingtojointheshootingmenonthatmorning。Phineasdeclaredthathishandsweretoofullofbusinessforanyamusementbeforelunch。
’Then，’saidtheDuke，’willyouwalkwithmethisafternoon？
ThereisnothingIreallylikesomuchasawalk。Therearesomeveryprettypointswheretheriverskirtsthepark。AndIwillshowyouthespotonwhichSirGuydePalliserperformedthefeatforwhichthekinggavehimthisproperty。Itwasagrandtimewhenamancouldgethalf-a-dozenparishesbecausehetickledtheking’sfancy。’
’Butsupposehedidn’ttickletheking’sfancy？’
’Ah，thenindeed，itmightgootherwisewithhim。ButIamgladtosaythatSirGuywasanaccomplishedcourtier。’
Thewalkwastaken，andtheprettybendsoftheriverwereseen。
buttheywerelookedatwithoutmuchearnestness，andSirGuy’sgreatdeedwasnotagainmentioned。Theconversationwentawaytoothermatters。OfcourseitwasnotlongbeforethePrimeMinisterwasdeepindiscussingtheprobabilitiesofthenextSession。ItwassoonapparenttoPhineasthattheDukewasnolongerdesirousofresigning，thoughhespokeveryfreelyoftheprobablenecessitytheremightbeforhimtodoso。Atthepresentmomenthewasinhisbesthumour。Hisfeetwereonhisownproperty。Hecouldseetheprosperityaroundhim。Thespotwastheonewhichhelovedthebestintheworld。Helikedhispresentcompanion，whowasonetowhomhewasentitledtospeakwithfreedom。Buttherewasstillpresenttohimthesenseofsomeinjuryfromwhichhecouldnotfreehimself。OfcoursehedidnotknowthathehadbeenhaughtytoSirOrlando，toSirTimothy，andothers。Buthedidknowthathehadintendedtobetrue，andhethoughtthattheyhadbeentreacherous。Twelvemonthsagotherehadbeenagoalbeforehimwhichhemightattain，awinning-postwhichwasstillwithinhisreach。Therewasinstoreforhimthetranquillityofretirementwhichhewouldenjoyassoonasasenseofdutywouldpermithimtoseizeit。Butnowtheprospectofthathappinesshadgraduallyvanishedfromhim。Thatretirementwasnolongerawinning-postforhim。Thepoisonofplaceandpoweranddignityhadgotintohisblood。Ashelookedforwardhefearedratherthansighedforretirement。’Youthinkitwillgoagainstus？’hesaid。
Phineasdidthinkso。Therewashardlyamanhighupinthepartywhodidnotthinkso。WhenonebranchoftheCoalitionhasgraduallydroppedoff，theotherbranchwillhardlyflourishlong。AndthenthetintsofapoliticalCoalitionaresoneutralandunalluringthatmenwillonlyendurethemwhentheyfeelthatnomorepronouncedcoloursarewithintheirreach。’Afterall，’
saidPhineas，’theinningshasnotbeenabadone。Ithasbeenofservicetothecountry，andhaslastedlongerthanmostexpected。’
’Ifithasbeenofservicetothecountry，thatiseverything。
Itshouldatleastbeeverything。Withthestatesmantowhomitisnoteverythingtheremustbesomethingwrong。’TheDuke，ashesaidthis，waspreachingtohimself。Hewastellinghimselfthat，thoughhesawthebetterway，hewasallowinghimselftowalkonthatwhichwasworse。ForitwasnotonlyPhineaswhowouldseethechange，——ortheoldDuke，ortheDuchess。Itwasapparenttothemanhimself，thoughhecouldnotpreventit。’I
sometimesthink，’hesaid，’thatwewhomchancehasledtobemeddlersinthegameofpoliticssometimesgiveourselveshardlytimeenoughtothinkwhatweareabout。’
’Amanmayhavetoworksohard，’saidPhineas，’thathehasnotimeforthinking。’
’Ormoreprobably，maybesoeagerinpartyconflictthathewillhardlykeephismindcoolenoughforthought。Itseemstomethatmanymen，——menwhomyouandIknow，——embracetheprofessionofpoliticsnotonlywithoutpoliticalconvictions，butwithoutseeingthatitisproperthattheyshouldentertainthem。Chancebringsayoungmanundertheguidanceofthisorthatelderman。HehascomeofaWhigfamily，aswasmycase，——
orfromsomeoldTorystock。andloyaltykeepshimtruetotheinterestswhichhavefirstpushedhimforwardintotheworld。
Thereisnoconvictionthere。’
’Convictionsgrow。’
’Yes——theconvictionthatitistheman’sdutytobeastaunchLiberal，butnotthereasonwhy。Oramanseeshisopeningonthissideoronthat，——asisthecasewiththelawyers。Orhehasabodyofmenathisbackreadytosupporthimonthissideorthat，asweseewithcommercialmen。Orperhapshehassomevagueideathataristocracyispleasant，andhebecomesaConservative，——orthatdemocracyisprospering，andhebecomesaLiberal。YouareaLiberal，MrFinn。’
’Certainly，Duke。’
’Why？’
’Well——afterwhatyouhavesaidIwillnotboastofmyself。
Experience，however，seemstoshowmethatLiberalismisdemandedbythecountry。’
’So，perhaps，atcertainepochs，maytheDevilandallhisworks。
butyouwillhardlysaythatyouwillcarrytheDevil’scolours，becausethecountrymayliketheDevil。Itisnotsufficient，I
think，tosaythatLiberalismisdemanded。YoushouldfirstknowwhatLiberalismmeans，andthenassureyourselfthatthethingitselfisgood。Idaresayyouhavedoneso，butIseesomewhonevermaketheinquiry。’
’Iwillnotclaimtobebetterthanmyneighbours，——Imeanmyrealneighbours。’
’Iunderstand。Iunderstand，’saidtheDukelaughing。’YouprefersomegoodSamaritanontheOppositionbenchestoSirTimothyandthePharisees。Itishardtocomewoundedoutofthefight，andthentoseehimwhowouldbeyourfriendnotonlywalkingbyontheotherside，butflingingastoneatyouashegoes。ButIdidnotmeanjustnowtoalludetothedetailsofrecentmisfortunes，thoughthereisnoonetowhomIcoulddosomoreopenlythantoyou。IwastryingyesterdaytoexplaintomyselfwhyIhave，allmylife，satonwhatiscalledtheLiberalsideoftheHousetowhichIhavebelonged。’
’Didyousucceed？’
’Ibeganlifewiththemisfortuneofaready-madepoliticalcreed。TherewasaseatintheHouseformewhenIwastwenty-
one。Nobodytookthetroubletoaskmemyopinions。ItwasamatterofcoursethatIshouldbeaLiberal。Myuncle，whomnothingcouldeverinducetoenterpoliticshimself，tookitforgrantedthatIshouldrunstraight，——ashewouldhavesaid。Itwasatraditionofthefamily，andwasainseparablefromitasanyofthetitleswhichhehadinherited。Thepropertymightbesoldorsquandered，——butthepoliticalcreedwasfixedasadamant。Idon’tknowthatIeverhadawishtorebel，butI
thinkthatItookitatfirstverymuchasamatterofcourse。’
’Amanseldominquiresverydeeplyattwenty-one。’
’Andifhedoesitistentoonebuthecomestoawrongconclusion。ButsincethenIhavesatisfiedmyselfthatchanceputmeintotherightcourse。Ithasbeen，Idaresay，thesamewithyouaswithme。Webothwentintoofficeearly，andtheanxietytodospecialdutieswellprobablydeterredusbothfromthinkingmuchofthegreatquestion。WhenamanhastobeonthealerttokeepIrelandquiet，ortopreventpeculationinthedockyards，ortoraisetherevenuewhilehelowersthetaxes，hefeelshimselftobesavedfromthenecessityofinvestigatingprinciples。InthiswayIsometimesthinkthatministers，ortheywhohavebeenministersandwhohavetowatchtheministersfromtheOppositionbenches，havelessopportunityofbecomingrealpoliticiansthanthenewmenwhositinParliamentwithemptyhandsandwithtimeattheirowndisposal。ButwhenamanhasbeenplacedbycircumstancesasIamnow，hedoesbegintothink。’
’Andyetyouhavenotemptyhands。’
’Theyarenotsofull，perhaps，asyouthink。AtanyrateI
cannotcontentmyselfwithasinglebranchofpublicserviceasI
usedtoinolddays。DonotsupposethatIclaimtohavemadeanygrandpoliticalinvention，butIthinkthatIhaveatleastlabelledmyownthoughts。Isupposewhatwealldesireistoimprovetheconditionofthepeoplebywhomweareemployed，andtoadvanceorcountry，oratanyratetosaveitfromregression。’
’Thatofcourse。’
’Somuchisofcourse。IgivecredittomyopponentsinParliamentforthatdesirequiteasreadilyasIdotomycolleaguesortomyself。Theideathatpoliticalvirtueisallononesideisbothmischievousandabsurd。Weallowourselvestotalkinthatwaybecauseindignation，scorn，andsometimes，I
fear，vituperation，arethefuelwithwhichthenecessaryheatofdebateismaintained。’
’Therearesomemenwhoareveryfondofpokingthefire，’saidPhineas。
’Well。Iwon’tnameanyoneatpresent，’saidtheDuke，’butI
haveseengentlemenofyourcountryveryhandywiththepokers。’
Phineaslaughed，knowingthathehadbeenconsideredbysometohavebeenalittleviolentwhendefendingtheDuke。’Butweputallthatasidewhenwereallythink，andcangivetheConservativecreditforpatriotismasreadilyastheLiberal。
TheConservativewhohashadanyideaofthemeaningofthenamewhichhecarries，wishes，Isuppose，tomaintainthedifferencesandthedistanceswhichseparatethehighlyplacedfromtheirlowerbrethren。HethinksthatGodhasdividedtheworldashefindsitdivided，andthathemaybestdohisdutybymakingtheinferiormanyhappyandcontentedinhisposition，teachinghimthattheplacewhichheholdsishisbyGod’sordinance。’
’Anditisso。’
’HardlyinthesensethatImean。ButthatisthegreatConservativelesson。Thatlessonseemstometobehardlycompatiblewithcontinualimprovementintheconditionofthelowerman。ButwiththeConservativeallsuchimprovementistobebasedontheideaofthemaintenanceofthosedistances。IasaDukeamtobekeptasfarapartfromthemanwhodrivesmyhorsesaswasmyancestorfromthemanwhodrovehis，orwhorodeafterhimtothewars，——andthatistogoonforever。Thereismuchtobesaidforsuchascheme。Letthelordsbe，allofthem，menwithlovinghearts，andclearintellect，andnobleinstincts，anditispossiblethattheyshouldusetheirpowerssobeneficentlyastospreadhappinessovertheearth。Itisoneofthemillenniumswhichthemindofmancanconceive，andseemstobethatwhichtheConservativeminddoesconceive。’
’Buttheothermenwhoarenotlordsdon’twantthatkindofhappiness。’
’Ifsuchhappinesswereattainableitmightwellbetoconstrainmentoacceptit。Butthelordsofthisworldarefalliblemen。
andthoughasunitstheyoughttobeandperhapsarebetterthanthoseotherswhohavefeweradvantages，theyaremuchmorelikelyasunitstogoastrayinopinionthanthebodiesofmenwhomtheywouldseektogovern。Weknowthatpowerdoescorrupt，andthatwecannottrustkingstohavelovinghearts，andclearintellects，andnobleinstincts。Menastheycometothinkaboutitandtolookforward，andtolookback，willnotbelieveinsuchamillenniumasthat。’
’Dotheybelieveinanymillennium？’
’Ithinktheydoafterafashion，andIthinkthatIdomyself。
ThatismyideaofConservatism。ThedoctrineofLiberalismis，ofcourse，thereverse。TheLiberal，ifhehaveanyfixedideaatall，must，Ithink，haveconceivedtheideaoflesseningdistances，——ofbringingthecoachmanandthedukenearertogether，——nearerandnearer，tillamillenniumshallbereachedby——’
’Byequality？’askedPhineas，eagerlyinterruptingthePrimeMinister，andshowinghisdissentbythetoneofhisvoice。
’Ididnotusetheword，whichisopentomanyobjections。Inthefirstplacethemillennium，whichIhaveperhapsrashlynamed，issodistantthatweneednoteventhinkofitaspossible。Men’sintellectsareatpresentsovariousthatwecannotevenrealizetheideaofequality，andhereinEnglandwehavebeentaughttohatethewordbytheevileffectsofthoseabsurdattemptswhichhavebeenmadeelsewheretoproclaimitasafactaccomplishedbythescratchofapenorthechiselofastone。Wehavebeeninjuredinthat，becauseagoodwordsignifyingagrandideahasbeendrivenoutofthevocabularyofgoodmen。Equalitywouldbeaheaven，ifwecouldattainit。
Howcanwetowhomsomuchhasbeengivendaretothinkotherwise？Howcanyoulookatthebowedbackandbentlegsandabjectfaceofthepoorploughman，whowinterandsummerhastodraghisrheumaticlimbstohiswork，whileyougoa-huntingorsitinprideofplaceamongtheforemostfewofthecountry，andsaythatitisallthatitoughttobe？YouareaLiberalbecauseyouknowthatitisallnotasitoughttobe，andbecauseyouwouldstillmarchontosomenearerapproachtoequality。thoughthethingitselfissogreat，soglorious，sogodlike，——nay，soabsolutelydivine，——thatyouhavebeendisgustedbytheverypromiseofit，becauseitsperfectionisunattainable。Menhaveassertedamockequalitytilltheveryideaofequalitystinksinmen’snostrils。’
TheDukeinhisenthusiasmhadthrownoffhishat，andwassittingonawoodenseatwhichtheyhadreached，lookingupamongtheclouds。Hislefthandwasclenched，andfromtimetotimewithhisrightherubbedthethinhairsonhisbrow。Hehadbeguninalowvoice，withasomewhatslipshodenunciationofhiswords，buthadgraduallybecomeclear，resonant，andeveneloquent。PhineasknewthattherewerestoriestoldofcertainburstsofwordswhichhadcomefromhiminformerdaysintheHouseofCommons。ThesehadoccasionallysurprisedmenandinducedthemtodeclarethatPlantyPall，——ashewasthenoftencalled，——wasadarkhorse。Buttheyhadbeenfewandfarbetween，andPhineashadneverheardthem。Nowhegazedathiscompanioninsilence，wonderingwhetherthespeakerwouldgoonwithhisspeech。Butthefacechangedonasudden，andtheDukewithanawkwardmotionsnatcheduphishat。’Ihopeyouain’tcold？’hesaid。
’Notatall，’saidPhineas。
’Icameherebecauseofthatbendoftheriver。Iamalwaysveryfondofthatbend。Wedon’tgoovertheriver。ThatisMrUpjohn’sproperty。’
’Thememberforthecounty？’
’Yes。andaverygoodmember，heis，thoughhedoesn’tsupportus——anold-schoolTory，butagreatfriendofmyuncle，who，afterall，hadagooddealofToryabouthim。Iwonderwhetherheisathome。ImustremindtheDuchesstoaskhimtodinner。
Youknowhim，ofcourse。’
’OnlybyseeinghimintheHouse。’
’You’dlikehimverymuch。Whenheisinthecountryhealwayswearskneebreechesandgaiters，whichIthinkisaverycomfortabledress。’
’Troublesome，Duke，isn’tit？’
’Inevertriedit，andIshouldn’tdarenow。Goodnessme，it’spastfiveo’clock，andwe’vegottwomilestogethome。I
haven’tlookedataletter，andWarburtonwillthinkthatI’vethrownmyselfintotheriverbecauseofSirTimothyBeeswax。’
Thentheystartedtogohomeatfastpace。
’Ishan’tforget，Duke，’saidPhineas，’yourdefinitionofConservativesandLiberals。’
’Idon’tthinkIventuredanydefinition——onlyafewlooseideaswhichhavebeentroublingmelately。Isay，Finn！’
’YourGrace？’
’Don’tyougoandtellRamsdenandDrummondthatI’vebeenpreachingequality，orweshallhaveaprettymess。Idon’tknowthatitwouldservemewithmydearfriend，theDuke。’
’Iwillbediscretionitself。’
’Equalityisadream。Butsometimesonelikestodream，——
especiallyasthereisnotdangerthatMatchingwillflyfrommeinadream。IdoubtwhetherIcouldbearthetestthathasbeenattemptedinothercountries。’
’Thatpoorploughmanwouldhardlygethisshare，Duke。’
’No——that’swhereitis。Wecanonlydoalittle，andalittletobringitnearertous——solittlethatitwon’ttouchMatchinginourday。Hereisherladyshipandtheponies。I
don’tthinkherladyshipwouldliketoloseherponiesbymydoctrine。’
Thetwowivesofthetwomenwereintheponycarriage，andthelittleLadyGlencora，theDuchess’seldestdaughter，wassittingbetweenthem。’MrWarburtonhassentthreemessagestodemandyourpresence，’saidtheDuchess，’andasIlivebybread，I
believethatyouandMrFinnhavebeenamusingyourselves！’
’Wehavebeentalkingpolitics，’saidtheDuke。
’Ofcourse。Whatotheramusementwaspossible？ButwhatbusinesshaveyoutoindulgeinidletalkwhenMrWarburtonwantsyouinthelibrary？Therehascomeabox，’shesaid，’bigenoughtocontaintheresignationsofallthetraitorsoftheparty。’
Thiswasstronglanguage，andtheDukefrowned——buttherewasnoonetheretohearitbutPhineasFinnandhiswife，andthey，atleast，weretrustworthy。TheDukesuggestedthathehadbettergetbacktothehouseassoonaspossible。Theremightbesomethingtobedonerequiringtimebeforedinner。MrWarburtonmight，atanyrate，wanttosmokeatranquilcigarafterhisday’swork。TheDuchessthereforeleftthecarriage，asdidMrsFinn，andtheDukeundertooktodrivethelittlegirlbacktothehouse。’He’llsurelygoagainstatree，’saidtheDuchess。But，——asafact，——theDukedidtakehimselfandthechildhomeinsafety。
’Andwhatdoyouthinkaboutit，MrFinn？’saidherGrace。’I
supposeyouandtheDukehavebeensettlingwhatistobedone？’
’Wehavecertainlysettlednothing。’
’Thenyoumusthavedisagreed。’
’Thatweascertainlyhavenotdone。Wehaveintruthnotoncebeenoutofcloud-land。’
’Ah——thenthereisnohope。Whenoncegrown-uppoliticiansgetintocloud-landitisbecausetherealitiesoftheworldhavenolongeranycharmforthem。’
ThebigboxdidnotcontaintheresignationsofanyoftheobjectionablemembersoftheCoalition。MinistersdonotoftenresigninSeptember，——norwoulditbeexpedientthattheyshoulddoso。LordDrummondandSirTimothyBeeswaxweresafe，atanyratetillnextFebruary，andmightlivewithoutanyshoweitherofobedienceormutiny。TheDukeremainedincomparativequietatMatching。Therewasnotverymuchtodo，excepttopreparetheworkofthenextSession。Thegreatworkofthecomingyearwastobetheassimilation，orsomethingveryneartoassimilation，ofthecountysuffrageswiththoseoftheboroughs。
Themeasurewasonewhichhadnowbeenpromisedbystatesmenforthelasttwoyears，——promisedatfirstwiththathalfpromisewhichwouldmeannothing，wereitnotthatsuchpromisesalwaysleadtomoredefinedassurances。TheDukeofStBungay，LordDrummond，andotherMinistershadwishedtostaveitoff。MrMonkwaseagerforitsadoption，andwasofcoursesupportedbyPhineasFinn。ThePrimeMinisterhadatfirstbeeninclinedtobeledbytheoldDuke。Therewasnodoubttohimbutthatthemeasurewasdesirableandwouldcome，buttheremightwellbeaquestionastothetimewhichitshouldbemadetocome。TheoldDukeknewthatthemeasurewouldcome，——butbelievingittobewhollyundesirable，thoughtthathewasdoinggoodworkinpostponingitfromyeartoyear。ButMrMonkhadbecomeurgent，andtheoldDukehadadmittedthenecessity。Theremustsurelyhavebeenashadeofmelancholyonthatoldman’smindas，yearafteryear，heassistedinpullingdowninstitutionswhichheintruthregardedassafeguardsofthenation，butwhichheknewthat，asaLiberal，hewasboundtoassistindestroying！Itmusthaveoccurredtohim，fromtimetotime，thatitwouldbewellforhimtodepartandbeatpeacebeforeeverythingwasgone。
WhenhewentfromMatchingMrMonktookhisplace，andPhineasFinn，whohadgoneuptoLondonforawhile，returned，andthenthethreebetweenthemwithassistancefromMrWarburtonandothers，workedouttheproposedschemeofthenewcountyfranchise，withthenewdivisionsandthenewconstituencies。
Butitcouldhardlyhavebeenheartywork，astheyallofthemfeltthatwhatevermightbetheirfirstpropositiontheywouldbebeatuponitinaHouseofCommonswhichthoughtthatthisAristideshadbeenlongenoughattheTreasury。
CHAPTER69
MRSPARKER’SFATE。
Lopezhadnowbeendeadmorethanfivemonths，andnotawordhadbeenheardbyhiswidowofMrsParkerandherchildren。Herownsorrowshadbeensogreatthatshehadhardlythoughtofthoseofthepoorwomanwhohadcometoherbutafewdaysbeforeherhusband’sdeath，tellingheroftheruincausedbyherhusband’streachery。ButlateontheeveningbeforeherdepartureforHertfordshire，——veryshortlyafterEverettleftthehouse，——
therewasaringatthedoor，andapoorly-cladfemaleaskedtoseeMrsLopez。Thepoorly-cladfemalewasSextyParker’swife。
Theservant，whodidnotrememberher，wouldnotleaveheraloneinthehall，havinganeyetothecoatsandumbrellas，butcalleduponeofthemaidstocarrythemessage。Thepoorwomanunderstoodtheinsultandresenteditinherheart。ButMrsLopezrecognizedthenameinamoment，andwentdowntoherintheparlour，leavingMrWhartonupstairs。MrsParker，smartingfromherpresentgrievance，hadbenthermindoncomplainingatonceofthetreatmentshehadreceivedfromtheservant，butthesightofthewidow’sweedsquelledher。Emilyhadneverbeenmuchgiventofineclothes，eitherasagirlorasamarriedwoman。butithadalwaysbeenherhusband’spleasurethatsheshouldbewelldressed，——thoughhehadnevercarriedhistroublesofarastopaythebills。andMrsParker’sremembranceofherfriendatDovercourthadbeenthatofafineladyinbrightapparel。Nowablackshade，——somethingalmostlikeadarkghost，——glidedintotheroomandMrsParkerforgotherrecentinjury。Emilycameforwardandofferedherhand，andwasthefirsttospeak。’Ihavehadagreatsorrowsincewemet，’shesaid。
’Yes，indeed，MrsLopez。Idon’tthinkthereisanythingleftintheworldnowexceptsorrow。’
’IhopeMrParkeriswell。Willyounotsitdown，MrsParker？’
’Thankyou，ma’am。Indeed，then，heisnotwellatall。Howshouldhebewell？Everything，——everythinghasbeentakenawayfromhim。’PoorEmilygroanedassheheardthis。’Iwouldn’tsayawordagainstthemasisgone，MrsLopez，ifIcouldhelpit。Iknowitisbadtobearwhenhimwhooncelovedyouisn’tnomore。Andperhapsitisalltheworsewhenthingsdidn’tgowellwithhim，anditwas，maybe，hisownfault。Iwouldn’tdoit，MrsLopez，ifIcouldhelpit。’
’Letmehearwhatyouhavetosay，’saidEmily，determinedtosuffereverythingpatiently。
’Well——itisjustthis。Hehasleftusthatbarethatthereisnothingleft。Andthat，theysay，isn’ttheworstofall，——
thoughwhatcanbeworsethandoingthat，howisawomantothink？Parkerwasthatsoft，andhehadthatwaywithhimoftalking，thathehastalkedmeandmineoutoftheverylinenonourbacks。’
’Whatdoyoumeanbysayingthatthatisnottheworst？’
’They’vecomeuponSextyforabillforfourthousandandfifty，——somethingtodowiththatstufftheycallBios，——andSextysaysitisn’thisnameatall。Buthe’sbeeninthatstatehedon’thardlyknowhowtosweartoanything。Buthe’ssurehedidn’tsignit。ThebillwasbroughttohimbyLopezandtherewaswordsbetweenthem，andhewouldn’thavenothingtodowithit。Howishetogotolaw？Anditdon’tmakemuchdifferenceneither，fortheycan’ttakemuchmorefromhimthantheyhavealreadytaken。’Emilyassheheardallthissatshivering，tryingtorepresshergroans。’Only，’continuedMrsParker，’theyhadn’tsoldthefurniture，andIwasthinkingtheymightletmestayinthehouse，andtrytodowithlettinglodgings，——
andnowthey’reseizingeverythingalongofthisbill。Sextyislikeamadman，swearingthisandswearingthat——butwhatcanhedo，MrsLopez？It’saslikehishandastwopeas。buthewascleverateverythingwas，——was——youknowwhoImean，ma’am。’
ThenEmilycoveredherfacewithherhandsandburstintoviolenttears。Shehadnotdeterminedwhethershedidordidnotbelievethislastaccusationmadeagainstherhusband。Shehadhadhardlytimetorealizethecriminalityoftheoffenceimputed。
Butshedidbelievethatthewomanbeforeherhadbeenruinedbyherhusband’sspeculations。’It’sverybad，ma’am。isn’tit？’
saidMrsParker，cryingforcompany。’It’sbadallround。Ifyouhadfivechildrenashadn’tbreadyou’dknowhowIfeel。
I’vegottogobackbythe10。15to-night，andwhenI’vepaidforathird-classticketIshan’thavebuttwopenceleftinthisworld。’
Thisutterdepthofimmediatepoverty，thiswantofbreadforthemorrowandthenextday，Emilycouldrelieveoutofherownpocket。And，thinkingofthisandrememberingthatherpursewasnotwithheratthemoment，shestartedupwiththeideaofgettingit。Butitoccurredtoherthatthatwouldnotsuffice。
thatherdutyrequiredmoreofherthanthat。Andyet，byherownpower，shecoulddonomore。Frommonthtomonth，almostfromweektoweek，sinceherhusband’sdeath，herfatherhadbeencalledupontosatisfyclaimsformoneywhichhewouldnotresist，lestbydoingsoheshouldaddtohermisery。Shehadfeltthatsheoughttobindherselftothestrictestpersonaleconomybecauseofthemiserablelossestowhichshehadsubjectedhimbyherill-starredmarriage。’Whatwouldyouwishmetodo？’shesaid，resumingherseat。
’Youarerich，’saidMrsParker。Emilyshookherhead。’Theysayyourpapaisrich。Ithoughtyouwouldnotliketoseemeinwantlikethis。’
’Indeed，indeed，itmakesmeveryunhappy。’
’Wouldn’tyourpapadosomething？Itwasn’tSexty’sfaultnighsomuchasitwashis。Iwouldn’tsayittoyouifitwasn’tforstarving。Iwouldn’tsayittoyouifitwasn’tforthechildren。I’dlieintheditchanddieifitwasonlyformyself，because，——becauseIknowwhatyourfeelingsis。Butwhatwouldn’tyoudo，andwhatwouldn’tyousay，ifyouhadfivechildrenathomeashadn’taloafofbreadamong’em？’HereuponEmilygotupandlefttheroom，biddinghervisitorwaitforafewminutes。Presentlytheoffensivebutlercamein，whohadwrongedMrsParkerbywatchinghismaster’scoats，andbroughtatraywithmeatandwine。MrWharton，saidthealteredman，hopedthatMrsParkerwouldtakealittlerefreshment，andhewouldbedownhimselfverysoon。MrsParker，knowingthatstrengthforherjourneyhomewouldbenecessarytoher，rememberingthatshewouldhavetowalkallthroughthecitytotheBishopgateStreetstation，didtakesomerefreshment，andpermittedherselftodrinktheglassofsherrythatherlateenemyhadbenignantlypouredoutforher。
EmilyhadbeenwithherfathernearlyhalfanhourbeforeMrWharton’sheavystepwashearduponthestairs。Andwhenhereachedthedining-roomdoorhepausedamomentbeforeheventuredtoturnthelock。HehadnottoldEmilywhathewoulddo，andhardlyasyetmadeuphisownmind。Aseveryfreshcallwasmadeuponhim，hishatredforthememoryofthemanwhohadsteppedinanddisturbedhiswholelife，andturnedallthemellowsatisfactionofhiseveningintostormandgloom，wasofcourseincreased。Thescoundrel’snamewassoodioustohimthathecouldhardlykeephimselffromshudderingvisiblybeforehisdaughterevenwhentheservantscalledherbyit。Butyethehaddeterminedthathewoulddevotehimselftosaveherfromfurthersuffering。Ithadbeenherfault，nodoubt。Butshewasexpiatingitinverysackclothandashes，andhewouldaddnothingtotheburdenonherback。Hewouldpay，andpay，andpay，merelyrememberingthatwhathepaidmustbedeductedfromhershareofhisproperty。HehadneverintendedtomakewhatiscalledaneldersonofEverett，andnowtherewaslessnecessitythaneverthatheshoulddoso，asEveretthadbecomeaneldersoninanotherdirection。Hecouldsatisfyalmostanydemandthatmightbemadewithoutmaterialinjurytohimself。Butthesedemands，oneafteranother，scaldedhimbytheirfrequency，andbythebasenessofthemanwhohadoccasionedthem。Hisdaughterhadnowrepeatedtohimwithsobbingsandwailingsthewholestoryasithadbeentoldtoherbythewomandownstairs。
’Papa，’shehadsaid，’Idon’tknowhowtotellyouorhownot。’
Thenhehadencouragedher，andhadlistenedwithoutsayingaword。Hehadendeavourednoteventoshrinkasthechargeofforgerywasrepeatedtohimbyhisownchild，——thewidowoftheguiltyman。Heendeavourednottorememberatthemomentthatshehadclaimedthiswretchasthechosenoneofhermaidenheart，inoppositiontoallhiswishes。Ithardlyoccurredtohimtodisbelievetheaccusation。Itwassoprobable！Whatwastheretohinderthemanfromforgery，ifhecouldonlymakeitbelievedthathisvictimhadsignedthebillwhenintoxicated？
Hehearditall——kissedhisdaughter，andthenwentdowntothedining-room。
MrsParker，whenshesawhim，gotup，andcurtsiedlow，andthensatdownagain。OldWhartonlookedatherfromunderhisbushyeyebrowsbeforehespoke，andthensatoppositeher。’Madam，’hesaid，’thisisaverysadstorythatIhaveheard。’MrsParkeragainrose，andagaincurtsied，andputherhandkerchieftoherface。’Itisofnousetalkinganymoreaboutithere。’
’No，sir，’saidMrsParker。
’Iandmydaughterleavetownearlyto-morrowmorning。’
’Indeed，sir。MrsLopezdidn’ttellme。’
’MyclerkwillbeinLondon，atNo。12，StoneBuildings，Lincoln’sInn，tillIcomeback。Doyouthinkyoucanfindtheplace？I
havewrittenitthere。’
’Yes，sir，Icanfindit，’saidMrsParker，justraisingherselffromherchairateverywordhespoke。
’Ihavewrittenhisname，yousee。MrCrumpy。’
’Yes，sir。’
’Ifyouwillpermitme，Iwillgiveyoutwosovereignsnow。’
’Thankyou，sir。’
’AndifyoucanmakeitconvenienttocallonMrCrumpyeveryThursdaymorningabouttwelve，hewillpayyoutwosovereignsaweektillIcomebacktotown。ThenIwillseeaboutit。’
’GodAlmightyblessyou，sir！’
’Andastothefurniture，Iwillwritetomyattorney，MrWalker。
Youneednottroubleyourselfbygoingtohim。’
’No，sir。’
’Ifnecessary，hewillsendtoyou，andhewillseewhatcanbedone。GoodnightMrsParker。’Thenhewalkedacrosstheroomwithtwosovereignswhichhedroppedintoherhand。MrsParker，withmanysobs，badehimfarewell，andMrWhartonstoodinthehallimmoveabletillthefrontdoorhadbeenclosedbehindher。
’Ihavesettledit，’hesaidtoEmily。’I’lltellyouto-morrow，orsomeday。Don’tworryyourselfnow，butgotobed。’Shelookedwistfully，——sosadly，upintohisface，andthendidashebadeher。
ButMrWhartoncouldnotgotobedwithoutfurthertrouble。ItwasincumbentonhimtowritefullparticularsthatverynightbothtoMrWalkerandtoMrCrumpy。Andtheodiouslettersinthewritingbecameverylong——odiousbecausehehadtoconfessinthemoverandoveragainthathisdaughter，theveryappleofhiseye，hadbeenthewifeofascoundrel。ToMrWalkerhehadtotellthewholestoryoftheallegedforgery，andindoingsocouldnotabstainfromtheuseofhardwords。’Idon’tsupposethatitcanbeproved，butthereiseveryreasontobelievethatit’strue。’Andagain——’Ibelievethemantohavebeenasvileascoundrelaseverwasmadebytheloveofmoney。’EventoMrCrumpyhecouldnotbereticent。’Sheisanobjectofpity，’hesaid。’HerhusbandwasruinedbytheinfamousspeculationsofMrLopez。’Thenhebetookhimselftobed。Oh，howhappywouldhebetopaythetwothousandweeklypounds，——eventoaddtothattheamountoftheforgedbill，ifbydoingsohemightbesavedfromeverhearingagainthenameofLopez。
Theamountofthebillwasultimatelylostbythebankerswhohadadvancedthemoneyonit。AsforMrsSextyParker，fromweektoweek，andfrommonthtomonth，andatlastfromyeartoyear，sheandherchildren，——andprobablyherhusbandalso，——weresupportedbytheweeklypensionoftwosovereignswhichshealwaysreceivedonThursdaymorningsformthehandsofMrCrumpyhimself。InalittletimetheoneexcitementofherlifewastheweeklyjourneytoMrCrumpy，whomshecametoregardasamanappointedbyProvidencetosupplyherwith40sonThursdaymorning。AstopoorSextyParker，——itistobefearedthatheneveragainbecameaprosperousman。
’Youwilltellmewhatyoudidforthatpoorwoman，papa，’saidEmily，leaningoverherfatherinthetrain。
’Ihavesettledit，mydear。’
’Yousaidyou’dtellme。’
’Crumpywillpayhertwopoundsaweektillweknowmoreaboutit。’Emilypressedherfather’shand，andthatwasanend。Nooneeverdidknowanymoreaboutit，andCrumpycontinuedtopaythemoney。
CHAPTER70
ATWHARTON。
WhenMrWhartonandhisdaughterreachedWhartonHalltherewereatanyratenoFletchersthereasyet。Emily，asshewasdrivenfromthestationtothehouse，hadnotdaredtoaskaquestionoreventopromptherfathertodoso。Hewouldprobablyhavetoldherthatonsuchanoccasiontherewasbutlittlechancethatshewouldfindanyvisitors，andnoneatallthatshewouldfindArthurFletcher。Butshewastooconfusedandtooillateasetothinkoftheprobabilities，andtothelastwasintrepidation，speciallylestsheshouldmeetherlover。Shefound，however，atWhartonHallnonebutWhartons，andshefoundalsotohergreatreliefthatthischangeintheheirrelievedherofmuchoftheattentionwhichmustotherwisehaveaddedtohertroubles。Atthefirstglanceherdressanddemeanourstruckthemsoforciblythattheycouldnotavoidshowingtheirfeeling。Ofcoursetheyhadexpectedtoseeherinblack，——hadexpectedtoseeherinwidow’sweeds。But，withher，herveryfaceandlimbshadsoadaptedthemselvestohercrape，thatshelookedlikeamonumentofbereavedwoe。LadyWhartontookthemournerupintoherownroom，andtheremadeheralittlespeech。’Wehaveallweptforyou，’shesaid，’andgrieveforyoustill。Butexcessivegriefiswicked，especiallyintheyoung。Wewilldoourbesttomakeyouhappy，andhopeweshallsucceed。AllthisaboutdearEverettoughttobeacomforttoyou。’Emilypromisedthatshewoulddoherbest，not，however，takingmuchimmediatecomfortfromtheprospectsofdearEverett。LadyWhartoncertainlyhadneverinherlifespokenofdearEverettwhilethewickedcousinwasalive。ThenMaryWhartonalsomadeherlittlespeech。’DearEmily，IwilldoallthatIcan。Praytrytobelieveme。’ButEverettwassomuchtheheroofthehour，thattherewasnotmuchroomforgeneralattentiontoanyoneelse。
TherewasverymuchroomfortriumphinregardtoEverett。IthadalreadybeenascertainedthattheWhartonwhowasnowdeadhadhadachild，——butthatthechildwasadaughter。Oh，——whatsalvationordestructiontheremaybetoanEnglishgentlemaninthesexofaninfant！Thispoorbabywasnowlittlebetterthanabeggarbrat，unlesstherelativeswhowereutterlydisregardfulofitsfate，shouldchoose，intheircharity，tomakesomesmallallowanceforitsmaintenance。HaditbychancebeenaboyEverettWhartonwouldhavebeennobody。andthechild，rescuedfromtheiniquitiesofhisparents，wouldhavebeennursedinthebestbedroomofWhartonHall，andcherishedwiththewarmestkisses，andwouldhavebeenthecentreofallthehopesoftheWhartons。ButtheWhartonlawyerbyuseofrecklesstelegramshadcertifiedhimselfthattheinfantwasagirl，andEverettwastheherooftheday。Hefoundhimselftobepossessedofathousandgraces，eveninhisfather’seyesight。Itseemedtobetakenasamarkofhisspecialgoodfortunethathehadnotclungtoanybusiness。Tohavebeenabankerimmersedinthemakingofmoney，orevenalawyerattachedtohiscircuitandhiscourt，wouldhavelessenedhisfitness，oratanyratehisreadiness，forthedutieswhichhewouldhavetoperform。Hewouldneverbeaveryrichman，buthewouldhavecommandofreadymoney，andofcoursehewouldgointoParliament。
Inhisnewpositionas，——notquiteheadofthefamily，butheadexpectant，——itseemedtohimtobehisdutytolecturehissister。Itmightbewellthatsomeoneshouldlectureherwithmoreseveritythanherfatherused。Undoubtedlyshewassuccumbingtothewretchednessofherpositioninamannerthatwasrepugnanttohumanitygenerally。Thereisnotpowersousefultoamanasthatcapacityofrecoveringhimselfafterafall，whichbelongsespeciallytothosewhopossessahealthymindinahealthybody。Itisnotraretoseeone，——generallyawoman，——whomsorrowgraduallykills。andtherearethoseamongus，whohardlyperhapsenvy，butcertainlyadmire，aspiritsodelicateastobesnuffedoutbyawoe。Butitistheweaknessoftheheartratherthanthestrengthofthefeelingwhichhasinsuchcasesmostoftenproducedthedestruction。Someenduranceoffibrehasbeenwanting，whichpowerofenduranceisanobleattribute。EverettWhartonsawsomethingofthis，andbeing，now，theheirapparentofthefamily，tookhissistertotask。
’Emily，’hesaid，’youmakeusallunhappywhenwelookatyou。’
’DoI？’shesaid。’Iamsorryforthat——butwhyshouldyoulookatme？’
’Becauseyouareoneofus。Ofcoursewecannotshakeyouoff。
Wewouldnotifwecould。Wehaveallbeenveryunhappybecause，——becauseofwhathashappened。Butdon’tyouthinkyououghttomakesomesacrificetous，——toourfather，Imean，andtoSirAluredandLadyWharton？Whenyougoonweeping，otherpeoplehavetoweeptoo。Ihaveanideathatpeopleoughttobehappyifitbeonlyforthesakeofneighbours。’
’WhatamItodo，Everett？’
’Talktopeoplealittle，andsmilesometimes。Moveaboutquicker。Don’tlookwhenyoucomeintoaroomasifyouwereconsecratingittotears。And，ifImayventuretosayso，dropsomethingoftheheavinessofthemourning。’
’DoyoumeanthatIamahypocrite？’
’No——Imeannothingofthekind。YouknowIdon’t。Butyoumayexertyourselfforthebenefitofotherswithoutbeinguntruetoyourownmemories。IamsureyouknowwhatImean。Makeastruggleandseeifyoucannotdosomething。’
Shedidmakeastruggle，andshediddosomething。Noone，notwellversedinthemysteriesoffemininedress，couldsayveryaccuratelywhatitwasthatshehaddone。buteveryonefeltthatsomethingoftheweightwasreduced。Atfirst，asherbrother’swordscameuponherear，andasshefelttheblowswhichtheyinflictedonher，sheaccusedhiminherheartofcruelty。Theywereveryhardtohear。Therewasamomentinwhichshewasalmosttemptedtoturnuponhimandtellhimthatheknewnothingofhersorrows。Butsherestrainedherself，andwhenshewasalonesheacknowledgedtoherselfthathehadspokenthetruth。
NoonehasarighttogoabouttheworldasNiobe，dampingalljoyswithselfishtears。Whatdidshenotowetoherfather，whohadwarnedhersooftenagainsttheevilshehadcontemplated，andhadthen，fromthefirstmomentafterthefaultwasdone，forgivenherthedoingofit？Shehadatanyratelearnedfromhermisfortunestheinfinitetendernessofhisheart，whichinthedaysoftheunalloyedprosperityhehadneverfeltthenecessityofexpressingtoher。Soshestruggledanddiddosomething。ShepressedLadyWharton’shand，andkissedhercousinMary，andthrowingherselfinherfather’sarmswhentheywerealone，whisperedtohimthatshewouldtry。’Whatyoutoldme，Everett，wasquiteright，’shesaidafterwardstoherbrother。
’Ididn’tmeantobesavage，’heansweredwithasmile。
’Itwasquiteright，andIhavethoughtofit，andIwilldomybest。IwillkeepittomyselfifIcan。Itisnotquite，perhaps，whatyouthinkitis，butIwillkeepittomyself。’
Shefanciedthattheydidnotunderstandher，andperhapsshewasright。Itwasnotonlythathehaddiedandleftherayoungwidow——noreventhathisendhadbeensoharshatragedyandsofouladisgrace！Itwasnotonlythatherlovehadbeenmisbestowed，——notonlythatshehadmadesogrievousanerrorintheonegreatactofherlifewhichshehadchosentoperformonherownjudgement。Perhapsthemostcrushingmemoryofallwasthatwhichtoldherthatshe，whohadthroughallheryouthbeenregardedasabrightstarinthefamily，hadbeentheonepersontobringreproachuponthenameofallthesepeoplewhoweresogoodtoher。Howshallapersonconsciousofdisgrace，withamindcapableoffeelingthecrushingweightofpersonaldisgrace，moveandlookandspeakasthoughthedisgracehadbeenwashedaway？Butshemadethestruggle，anddidnotaltogetherfail。
AsregardedSirAlured，inspiteofthepoorwidow’scrape，hewasveryhappyatthistime，andhisjoydidinsomedegreecommunicateitselftotheoldbarrister。Everettwastakenroundtoeverytenantandintroducedastheheir。MrWhartonhadalreadydeclaredhispurposeofabdicatinganypossiblepossessionoftheproperty。ShouldheoutliveSirAluredhemustbethebaronet。butwhenthatsadeventshouldtakeplace，whetherMrWhartonshouldthenbealiveorno，EverettshouldatoncebethepossessorofWhartonHall。SirAlured，underthesecircumstances，discussedhisowndeathwithextremesatisfaction，andinsistedonhavingitdiscussedbytheothers。Thatheshouldhavegoneandlefteverythingatthemercyofthespendthrifthadbeenterribletohisoldheart——butnow，themancomingtothepropertywouldhave60，000poundswithwhichtosupportandfosterWharton，withwhichtomend，asitwere，thecrevices，andstoptheholesoftheestate。HeseemedtobealmostimpatientforEverett’sownership，givingmanyhintsastowhatshouldbedonewhenhehimselfwasgone。HemustsurelyhavethoughtthathewouldreturntoWhartonaspirit，andtakeaghostlyshareintheprosperityofthefarm。’YouwillfindJohnGriffithaverygoodman，’saidthebaronet。JohnGriffithhadbeenatenantontheestateforthelasthalf-century，andwasanoldermanthanhislandlord。butthebaronetspokeofallthisasthoughhehimselfwereabouttoleaveWhartonforeverinthecourseofthenextweek。’JohnGriffithhasbeenagoodman，andifnotalwaysquitereadywithhisrent，hasneverbeenmuchbehind。Youwon’tbehardonJohnGriffith？’
’IhopeImayn’thavetheopportunity，sir。’
’Well——well——well。that’sasmaybe。ButIdon’tquiteknowwhattosayaboutyoungJohn。Thefarmhasgonefromfathertoson，andthere’sneverbeenanywordofalease。’
’Isthereanythingwrongabouttheyoungman？’
’He’salittlegiventopoaching。’
’Ohdear！’
’I’vealwaysgothimoffforhisfather’ssake。Theysayhe’sgoingtomarrySallyJones。Thatmaytakeitoutofhim。Idolikethefarmstogofromfathertoson，Everett。It’sthewaythateverythingshouldgo。Ofcoursethere’snoright。’
’Nothingofthatkind，Isuppose，’saidEverett，whowasinhiswayareformer，andhadradicalnotionswithwhichhewouldnotforworldshavedisturbedthebaronetatpresent。
’No——nothingofthatkind。GodinhismercyforbidthatalandlordinEnglandshouldeverberobbedafterthatfashion。’
SirAlured，whenhewasutteringthisprayer，wasthinkingofwhathehadheardofinanIrishlandbill，thedetailsofwhich，however，hadbeenaltogetherincomprehensibletohim。’ButI
haveafeelingaboutit，Everett。andIhopeyouwillshareit。
Itisgoodthatthingsshouldgofromfathertoson。Inevermakeapromise。butthetenantsknowwhatIthinkaboutit，andthenthefatherworksontheson。Whyshouldheworkforastranger？SallyJonesisaverygoodyoungwoman，andperhapsJohnwilldobetter。’Therewasnotfieldorfencethathedidnotshowtohisheir——hardlyatreewhichheleftwithoutaword。’Thatbitofwoodlandcominginthere，——theycallitBarntonSpinnies，——doesn’tbelongtotheestateatall。’
’Doesn’titreally？’
’AnditcomesrightinbetweenLane’sfarmandPaddock’s。
They’vealwaysletmehavetheshootingasacompliment。Notthatthere’sanythinginit。It’sonlysevenacres。ButIlikethecivility。’
’Whodoesitbelongto？’
’ItbelongstoBenet。’
’What：CorpusChristi？’
’Yes，yes——they’vechangedthename。ItusedtobeBenetinmydays。WalkerandtheCollegewouldcertainlysell，butyou’dhavetopayforthelandandthewoodseparately。Idon’tknowthatyou’dgetmuchoutofit。butit’sunsightly——onthesurveymap，Imean。’
’We’llbuyitbyallmeans，’saidEverett，whowasalreadyjinglinghis60，000poundsinhispocket。
’Ineverhadthemoney，butIthinkitshouldbebought。’AndSirAluredrejoicedintheideathatwhenhisghostshouldlookatthesurveymap，thathiatusofBarntonSpinnieswouldnottroublehisspectraleyes。
InthiswaymonthsranonatWharton。OurWhartonshadcomedowninthelatterhalfofAugust，andatthebeginningofSeptemberMrWhartonreturnedtoLondon。Everett，ofcourse，remained，ashewasstilllearningthelessonofwhichhewasintruthbecomingalittleweary。andatlastEmilyhadalsobeenpersuadedtostayinHertfordshire。Herfatherpromisedtoreturn，notmentioninganyprecisetime，butgivinghertounderstandthathewouldcomebeforethewinter。Hewent，andprobablyfoundthathistastefortheEldonandforwhisthadreturnedtohim。InthemiddleofNovemberoldMrsFletcherarrived。Emilywasnotawareofwhatwasbeingdone。but，intruth，theFletchersandWhartonscombinedwereconspiringwithaviewofbringingherbacktoherformerself。MrsFletcherhadnotyieldedwithoutsomedifficulty，——foritwasapartofthisconspiracythatArthurwastobeallowedtomarrythewidow。ButJohnhadprevailed。’He’lldoitanyway，mother，’hehadsaid，whetheryouandIlikeitornot。Andwhyonearthshouldn’thedoashepleases？’
’Thinkwhatthemanwas，John！’
’It’smoretothepurposetothinkwhatthewomanis。Arthurhasmadeuphismind，andifIknowhim，he’snotthemantobetalkedoutofit。’Andsotheoldwomanhadgivenin，andhadatlastconsentedtogoforwardastheadvancedguardofFletchers，andlaysiegetotheaffectionsofthewomanwhomshehadoncesothoroughlydiscardedfromherheart。
’Mydear，’shesaid，whentheyfirstmet，’iftherehasbeenanythingwrongbetweenyouandme，letitbeamongthethingsthatarepast。Youalwaysusedtokissme。Givemeakissnow。’
OfcourseEmilykissedher。andafterthatMrsFletcherpattedherandpettedher，andgaveherlozenges，whichshedeclaredinprivatetobe’thesovereignestthingonearth’fordebilitatednerves。AndthenitcameoutbydegreesthatJohnFletcherandhiswifeandallthelittleFletcherswerecomingtoWhartonfortheChristmasweeks。Everetthadgone，butwasalsotobebackforChristmas，andMrWharton’svisitwasalsopostponed。ItwasabsolutelynecessarythatEverettshouldbeatWhartonfortheChristmasfestivities，andexpedientthatEverett’sfathershouldbetheretoseethem。InthiswayEmilyhadnomeansofescape。
Herfatherwrotetellingherofhisplans，sayingthathewouldbringherbackafterChristmas。Everett’sheirshiphadmadetheseChristmasfestivities，——whichwere，however，tobeconfinedtothetwofamilies，——quiteanecessity。InallthisnotawordwassaidaboutArthur，nordidshedaretoaskwhetherhewasexpected。TheyoungerMrsFletcher，John’swife，openedherarmstothewidowinamannerthatalmostplainlysaidthatsheregardedEmilyasherfuturesister-in-law。JohnFletchertalkedtoheraboutLongbarns，andthechildren，——completeFletchertalk，——asthoughshewerealreadyoneofthem，never，however，mentioningArthur’sname。TheoldladygotdownafreshsupplyofthelozengesfromLondonbecausethoseshehadbyhermightperhapsbealittlestale。AndthentherewasanothersignwhichafterawhilebecameplaintoEmily。Nooneineitherfamilyevermentionedhername。ItwasnotsingularthatnoneofthemshouldcallherMrsLopez，asshewasEmilytoallofthem。Buttheyneversodescribedhereveninspeakingtotheservants。
Andtheservantsthemselves，asfaraspossible，avoidedthatodiousword。Thethingwastobeburied，ifnotintooblivion，yetinsomespeechlessgrave。Anditseemedthatherfatherwasjoinedinthisattempt。WhenwritingtoherheusuallymadesomeexcuseforwritingalsotoEverett，or，inEverett’sabsence，tothebaronet，——sothattheletterforhisdaughtermightbeenclosedandaddressedsimplyto’Emily’。
Sheunderstooditall，andthoughshewasmovedtocontinualsolitarytearsbythisineffabletenderness，yetsherebelledagainstthem。Theyshouldnevercheatherbackintohappinessbysuchwilesasthat！Itwasnotfitthatsheshouldyieldtothem。Asawomanutterlydisgraceditcouldnotbecomeheragaintolaughandbejoyful，togiveandtakelovingembraces，tositandsmile，perhapsahappymother，atanotherman’shearth。Fortheirloveshewasgrateful。Forhisloveshewasmorethangrateful。Howconstantmustbehisheart，howgrandhisnature，howmorethanmanlyhisstrengthofcharacter，whenhewasthustruetoherthroughalltheevilshehaddone！Lovehim！Yes——
shewouldprayforhim，worshiphim，filltheremainderofherdayswiththinkingofhim，hopingforhim，andmakinghisinterestsherown。Shouldheeverbemarried，——andshewouldpraythathemight，——hiswife，ifpossible，shouldbeherfriend，hischildrenshouldbeherdarlings，andheshouldalwaysbeherhero。Buttheyshouldnot，withalltheirschemes，cheatherintodisgracinghimbymarryinghim。
Atlastherfathercame，anditwashewhotoldherthatArthurwasexpectedonthedaybeforeChristmas。’Whydidyounottellmebefore，papa，sothatImighthaveaskedyoutotakemeaway？’
’BecauseIthought，mydear，thatitwasbetterthatyoushouldbeconstrainedtomeethim。YouwouldnotwishtoliveallyourlifeinterrorofseeingArthurFletcher？’
’Notallmylife。’
’Taketheplungeanditwillbeover。Theyhaveallbeenverygoodtoyou。’
’Toogood，papa。Ididn’twantit。’
’Theyareyouroldestfriends。Thereisn’tayoungmaninEnglandIthinksohighlyofasJohnFletcher。WhenIamgone，whereareyoutolookforfriends？’
’I’mnotungrateful，papa。’
’Youcan’tknowthemall，andyetkeepyourselfaltogetherseparatefromArthur。Thinkwhatitwouldbetomenevertobeabletoaskhimtothehouse。HeistheonlyoneofthefamilythatlivesinLondon，andnowitseemsthatEverettwillspendmostofhistimedownhere。Ofcourseitisbetterthatyoushouldmeethimandhavedonewithit。’Therewasnoanswertobemadetothis，butstillshewasfixedinherresolutionthatshewouldnevermeethimasherlover。
Thencamethemorningofthedayonwhichhewastoarrive，andhiscomingwasforthefirsttimespokenopenlyofatbreakfast。
’HowisArthurtobebroughtfromthestation，’askedoldMrsFletcher。
’I’mgoingtotakethedog-cart，’saidEverett。’Gileswillgofortheluggagewiththepony。Heisbringingdownalotofthings——anewsaddleandgunforme。’Ithadallbeenarrangedforher，thisquestionandanswer，andEmilyblushedasshefeltthatitwasso。
’WeshallbegladtoseeArthur，’saidyoungMrsFletchertoher。
’Ofcourseyouwill。’
’HehasnotbeendownheresincetheSessionwasover，andhehasgottobequiteaspeakingmannow。Idosohopehe’llbecomesomethingsomeday。’
’Iamsurehewill，’saidEmily。
’Notajudge，however。Ihatewigs。PerhapshemightbeLordChancellorintime。’MrsFletcherwasnotmoreignorantthansomeotherladiesinbeingunawareoftheLordChancellor’swigandexactposition。
Atlasthecame。The9amexpressforHereford，——express，atleast，forthefirsttwoorthreehoursoutofLondon，——broughtpassengersforWhartontotheneareststationat3pm，andthedistancewasnotabovefivemiles。Beforefouro’clockArthurwasstandingbeforethedrawing-roomfire，withacupofteainhishand，surroundedbyFletchersandWhartons，andbeingmademuchofastheyoungfamilymemberofParliament。ButEmilywasnotintheroom。ShehadstudiedherBradshaw，andlearnedthehoursofthetrains，andwasnowinherbedroom。Hehadlookedaroundthemomentheenteredtheroom，buthadnotdaredtoaskforhersuddenly。HehadsaidonewordabouthertoEverettinthecart，andthathadbeenall。Shewasinthehouse，andhemust，atanyrate，seeherbeforedinner。
Emily，inorderthatshemightnotseemtoescapeabruptly，hadretiredearlytohersolitude。Butshe，too，knewthatthemeetingcouldnotbelongpostponed。Shesatthinkingofitall，andatlastheardthewheelsofthevehiclebeforethedoor。Shepaused，listeningwithallherears，thatshemightrecognizehisvoice，orpossiblyhisfootstep。Shestoodnearthewindow，behindthecurtain，withherhandpressedtoherheart。SheheardEverett’svoiceplainlyashegavesomedirectionstothegroom，butfromArthursheheardnothing。Yetshewassurethathewascome。Theverymanneroftheapproachandherbrother’swordmadehercertainthattherehadbeennodisappointment。Shestoodthinkingforaquarterofanhour，makinguphermindhowbesttheymightmeet。Thensuddenly，withslowbutcertainstep，shewalkeddownintothedrawing-room。
Nooneexpectedherthen，orsomethingperhapsmighthavebeendonetoencouragehercoming。Ithadbeenthoughtthatshemustmeethimbeforedinner，andherabsencetillthenwastobeexcused。Butnowsheopenedthedoor，andwithmuchdignityofmienwalkedintothemiddleoftheroom。ArthuratthatmomentwasdiscussingtheDuke’schanceforthenextsession，andSirAluredwasaskingwithrapturewhethertheConservativepartywouldnotcomein。ArthurFletcherheardthestep，turnedround，andsawthewomanheloved。Hewentatoncetomeether，veryquickly，andputoutbothhishands。Shegavehimhers，ofcourse。Therewasnoexcuseforherrefusal。Hestoodforaninstantpressingthem，lookingeagerlyintohersadface，andthenhespoke。’Godblessyou，Emily！’hesaid。’Godblessyou！’Hehadthoughtofnowords，andatthemomentnothingelseoccurredtohimtobesaid。Thecolourhadcoveredallhisface，andhisheartbeatsostronglythathewashardlyhisownmaster。
Shelethimholdhertwohands，perhapsforaminute，andthen，burstingintotears，toreherselffromhim，and，hurryingoutoftheroom，madeherwayagainintoherownchamber。’Itwillbebetterso，’saidoldMrsFletcher。’Itwillbebetterso。Donotletanyonefollowher。’
OnthatdayJohnFletchertookherouttodinner，andArthurdidnotsitnearher。Intheeveninghecametoherasshewasworkingclosetohismother，andseatedhimselfonalowchairclosetoherknees。’Weareallgladtoseeyou。arewenot，mother？’
’Yes，indeed，’saidMrsFletcher。Then，afterawhile，theoldwomangotuptomakearubberatwhistwiththetwooldmenandherelderson，leavingArthursittingatthewidow’sknees。Shewouldwillinglyhaveescaped，butitwasimpossiblethatsheshouldmove。
’Youneednotbeafraidofme，’hesaid，notwhispering，butinavoicewhichnooneelsecouldhear。’Donotseemtoavoidme，andIwillsaynothingtotroubleyou。Ithinkthatyoumustwishthatweshouldbefriends。’
’Oh，yes。’
’Comeout，then，to-morrow，whenwearewalking。Inthatwayweshallgetusedtoeachother。Youaretroublednow，andIwillgo。’Thenhelefther，andshefeltherselftobeboundtohimbyinfinitegratitude。
Aweekwentonandshehadbecomeusedtohiscompany。Aweekpassedandhehadspokennowordtoherthatabrothermightnothavespoken。Theyhadwalkedtogetherwhennooneelsehadbeenwithinhearing，andyethehadsparedher。Shehadbeguntothinkthathewouldspareheraltogether，andshewascertainlygrateful。Mightitnotbethatshehadmisunderstoodhim，andhadmisunderstoodthemeaningofthemall？Mightitnotbethatshehadtroubledherselfwithfalseanticipations？Surelyitwasso。forhowcoulditbethatsuchamanshouldwishtomakesuchawomanhiswife？
’Well，Arthur？’saidhisbrothertohimoneday。
’Ihavenothingtosayaboutit，’saidArthur。
’Youhaven’tchangedyourmind？’
’Never！Uponmyword，tome，inthatdress，sheismorebeautifulthanever。’
’Iwishyouwouldmakehertakeitoff。’
’Idarenotaskheryet。’
’Youknowwhattheysayaboutwidowsgenerally。’
’Thatisallverywellwhenonetalksaboutwidowsingeneral。
Itiseasytochaffaboutwomenwhenonehasn’tgotanywomaninone’smind。Butasitisnow，havingherhere，lovingherasI
do，——byHeaven！Icannothurryher。Idon’tdareasktospeaktoherafterthatfashion。Ishalldoitintime，Isuppose——
butImustwaittillthetimecomes。’