CHAPTER74
’IAMDISGRACEDANDSHAMED。’
SoonafterthecommencementoftheSessionArthurFletcherbecameaconstantvisitorinManchesterSquare，diningwiththeoldbarristeralmostconstantlyonSundays，andnotunfrequentlyonotherdayswhentheHouseandhisgeneralengagementswouldpermitit。BetweenhimandEmily’sfathertherewasnosecretandnomisunderstanding。MrWhartonquiteunderstoodthattheyoungmemberofParliamentwasearnestlypurposedtomarryhisdaughter，andFletcherwassureofalltheassistanceandsupportwhichMrWhartoncouldgivehim。ThenameofLopezwasveryrarelyusedbetweenthem。Ithadbeentacitlyagreedthattherewasnoneedthatitshouldbementioned。Themanhadcomelikeadestroyingangelbetweenthemandtheirfondesthopes。Neithercouldeverbewhathewouldhavebeenhadthemanneverappearedtodestroytheirhappiness。Butthemanhadgoneaway，notwithoutatragedythatwasappalling——andeachthoughtthat，asregardedhim，heandthepersoninwhomtheywereinterestedcouldbetaughttoseemtoforgethim。’Itisnotlove，’saidthefather，’butafeelingofshame。’ArthurFletchershookhishead，notquiteagreeingwiththis。Itwasnotthathefearedthatshelovedthememoryofherlatehusband。Suchlovewas，hethought，impossible。Buttherewas，hebelieved，somethingmorethanthefeelingwhichherfatherdescribedasshame。Therewaspridealso——adeterminationinherownbosomnottoconfessthefaultshehadmadeingivingherselftohimwhomshemustnowthinktohavebeensomuchtheleastworthyofhertwosuitors。
’HerfortunewillnotbewhatIoncepromisedyou，’saidtheoldmanplaintively。
’IdonotrememberthatIeveraskedyouastoherfortune，’
Arthurreplied。
’Certainlynot。IfyouhadIwouldnothavetoldyou。ButasI
namedasum，itisrightthatIshouldexplaintoyouthatthatmansucceededinlesseningitbysixorseventhousandpounds。’
’Ifthatwereall！’
’AndIhavepromisedSirAluredthatEverett，ashisheir，shouldhavetheuseofaconsiderableportionofhissharewithoutwaitingformydeath。ItisoddthattheoneofmychildrenfromwhomIcertainlyexpectedthegreatertroubleshouldhavefallensoentirelyonhisfeet。andthattheother。well，letushopeforthebest。EverettseemstohavetakenupwithWhartonasthoughitbelongedtohimalready。AndEmily——！Well，mydearboy，letushopethatitmaycomerightyet。Youarenotdrinkingyourwine。Yes，——passthebottle。I’llhaveanotherbeforeIgoupstairs。’
InthiswaythetimewentbytillEmilyreturnedtotown。TheMinistryhadjustthenresigned，butIthinkthat’thisgreatreactionarysuccess，’asitwascalledbythewriterinthePeople’sBanner，affectedonememberoftheLowerHousemuchlessthanthereturntoLondonofMrsLopez。ArthurFletcherhaddeterminedthathewouldrenewhissuitassoonasayearshouldhaveexpiredsincethetragedywhichhadmadehisloveawidow——
andthatyearhadnowpassedaway。Hehadknownthedaywell，——
ashadshe，whenshepassedthemorningweepinginherownroomatWharton。Nowhequestionedhimselfwhetherayearwouldsuffice，——whetherbothinmercytoherandwithaviewofrealizinghisownhopesheshouldgivehersomelongertimeforrecovery。Buthehadtoldhimselfthatitshouldbedoneattheendofayear，andashehadallowednoonetotalkhimoutofhisword，soneithercouldhebeuntruetoithimself。Butitbecametohimadeepmatterofbusiness，aquestionofgreatdifficulty，howheshouldarrangethenecessaryinterview，——
whetherheshouldpleadhiscasewithherattheirfirstmeeting，orwhetherhehadbetterallowhertobecomeaccustomedtohispresenceinthehouse。Hismotherhadattemptedtoridiculehim，becausehewas，asshesaid，afraidofawoman。HewellrememberedthathehadneverbeenafraidofEmilyWhartonwhentheyhadbeenquiteyoung，——littlemorethanaboyandgirltogether。Thenhehadtoldherofhisloveoverandoveragain，andhadfoundalmostacomfortableluxuryinurginghertosayaword，whichshehadneverindeedsaid，butwhichprobablyinthosedayshestillhopedshewouldsay。Andoccasionallyhehadfeignedtobeangrywithher，andhadtemptedherontolittlequarrelswithaboyishideathataquickreconciliationwouldperhapsthrowherintohisarms。Butnowitseemedtohimthatanagehadpassedsincethosedays。Hislovehadcertainlynotfaded。Therehadneverbeenamomentwhenthathadbeenonthewing。Butnowtheazureplumageofhislovehadbecomegreyasthewingsofadove，andthegorgeousnessofhisdreamshadsoberedintohopesandfearswhichwereaconstantburdentohisheart。Therewastimeenough，stilltimeenoughforhappinessifshewouldyield——andtimeenoughforthedullpressureofunsatisfiedaspirationsshouldshepersistinherrefusal。
Atlasthesawher，almostbyaccident，andthatmeetingcertainlywasnotfitforthepurposeofhissuit。HecalledatStoneBuildingsthedayafterherarrival，andfoundheratherfather’schambers。Shehadcometherekeepingsomeappointmentwithhim，andcertainlyhadnotexpectedtomeetherlover。Hewasconfusedandhardlyabletosayawordtoaccountforhispresence，butshegreetedhimwithalmostsisterlyaffection，sayingsomewordofLongbarnsandhisfamily，tellinghimhowEverett，toAlured’sgreatdelight，hadbeensworninasamagistratefortheCounty，andhowatthelasthuntmeetingJohnFletcherhadbeenaskedtotaketheCountyhoundsbecauseLordWeoblyatseventy-fivehaddeclaredhimselftobeunableanylongertorideasamasterofhoundsoughttoride。AllthesethingsArthurhadofcourseheard，suchnewsbeingtooimportanttobekeptlongfromhim。butonnoneofthesesubjectshadhemuchtosay。Hestutteredandstammered，andquicklywentaway——
not，however，beforehehadpromisedtocometodineasusualonthenextSunday，andnotwithoutobservingthattheanniversaryofthatfataldayofreleasehaddonesomethingtolightenthesombreloadofmourningwhichthewidowhadhithertoworn。
Yes——hewoulddinethereontheSunday，buthowwoulditbewithhimthen？MrWhartonneverwentoutofthehouseonaSundayevening，andcouldhardlybeexpectedtoleavehisowndrawing-roomforthesakeofgivingaloveranopportunity。No——
hemustwaittillthateveningshouldhavepassed，andthenmaketheoccasionforhimselfasbesthemight。TheSundaycameandthedinnerwaseaten，andafterdinnertherewasasinglebottleofportandthesinglebottleofclaret。’Howdoyouthinksheislooking？’askedthefather。’Shewasaspaleasdeathbeforewegotherdownintothecountry。’
’Uponmyword，sir，’saidhe，’I’vehardlylookedather。Itisnotamatteroflooksnow，asitusedtobe。Ithasgotbeyondthat。ItisnotthatIamindifferenttoseeingaprettyface，orthatIhavenolongeranopinionofmyownaboutawoman’sfigure。Buttheregrowsup，Ithink，alongingwhichalmostkillsthatconsideration。’
’Tomesheisasbeautifulasever，’saidthefatherproudly。
Fletcherdidmanage，wheninthedrawing-roomtotalkforawhileaboutJohnandthehounds，andthenwentaway，havingresolvedthathewouldcomeagainontheverynextday。Surelyshewouldnotgiveanorderthatheshouldbedeniedadmittance。Shehadbeentoocalm，tooeven，toconfidentofherselfforthat。Yes——
hewouldcomeandtellherplainlywhathehadtosay。Hewouldtellitwithallthesolemnityofwhichhewascapable，withafewwords，andthosethestrongestofwhichhecoulduse。
Shouldsherefusehim——ashealmostknewthatshewouldatfirst，——thenhewouldtellherofherfatherandofthewishesofalltheirjointfriends。’Nothing，’hewouldsaytoher，’nothingbutpersonaldislikecanjustifyyouinrefusingtohealmanywounds。’Ashefixedonthesewordshefailedtorememberhowlittleprobableitisthatalovershouldeverbeabletousethephraseswhichhearranges。
OntheMondayhecame，andaskedforMrsLopez，slurringoverthewordasbesthecould。Thebutlersaidhismistresswasathome。
Sincethedeathofthemanhehadsothoroughlydespised，theoldservanthadnevercalledherMrsLopez。Arthurwasshownupstairs，andfoundtheladyhesought，——buthefoundMrsRobyalso。ItmayberememberedthatMrsRoby，afterthetragedy，hadbeenrefusedadmittanceintoMrWharton’shouse。Sincethattherehadbeensomecorrespondence，andafeelinghadprevailedthatthewomanwasnottobequarrelledwithforever。’Ididnotdoit，papa，becauseofher，’Emilysaidwithsomescorn，andthatscornhadprocuredMrsRoby’spardon。Shewasnowmakingamorningcall，andsuitingherconversationtotheblackdressofherniece。Arthurwashorrifiedatseeingher。MrsRobyhadalwaysbeentohimodious，notonlyasapersonalenemybutasavulgarwoman。He，atanyrate，attributedonheragreatpartoftheevilthathadbeendone，feelingsurethathadtherebeennohouseroundthecorner，EmilyWhartonwouldneverhavebecomeMrsLopez。Asitwashewasforcedtoshakehandswithher，andforcedtolistentothefunerealtoneinwhichMrsRobyaskedhimifhedidnotthinkthatMrsLopezlookedmuchimprovedsincehersojourninHertfordshire。Heshrankatthesound，andthen，inorderthatitmightnotberepeated，tookoccasiontoshowthathewasallowedtocallhisearlyplaymatebyherChristianname。
MrsRoby，thinkingthatsheoughttocheckhim，remarkedthatMrsLopez’sreturnwasagreatthingforMrWharton。ThereuponArthurFletcherseizedhishatofftheground，wishedthembothgood-bye，andhurriedoutoftheroom。’WhataveryoddmannerhehastakenupsincehebecameaMemberofParliament，’saidMrsRoby。
Emilywassilentforamoment，andthenwithaneffort，——withintensepain，——shesaidawordortwowhichshethoughthadbetterbeatoncespoken。’Hewentbecausehedoesnotliketohearthatname。’
’Goodgracious！’
’Andpapadoesnotlikeit。Don’tsayawordaboutit，aunt。
praydon’t，——butcallmeEmily。’
’Areyougoingtobeashamedofyourname？’
’Nevermind，aunt。Ifyouthinkitwrong，youmuststayaway——
butIwillnothavepapawounded。’
’Oh——ifMrWhartonwishesit——ofcourse。’ThateveningMrsRobytoldDickRoby，herhusband，whatanoldfoolMrWhartonwas。
Thenextdayquiteearly，Fletcherwasagainatthehouseandwasagainadmittedupstairs。Thebutler，nodoubt，knewwellenoughwhyhecame，andalsoknewthatthepurportofhiscominghadatanyratethesanctionofMrWharton。Theroomwasemptywhenhewasshownintoit，butshecametohimverysoon。’Iwentawayyesterdayratherabruptly，’hesaid。’Ihopeyoudidnotthinkmerude。’
’Ohno。’
’Yourauntwashere，andIhadsomethingIwishedtosaybutcouldnotsayitverywellbeforeher。’
’Iknewthatshehaddrivenyouaway。YouandAuntHarrietwerenevergreatfriends。’
’Never——butIwillforgivehereverything。IwillforgivealltheinjuriesthathavebeendonemeifyouwillnowdoasIaskyou。’
Ofcoursesheknewwhatitwashewasabouttoask。WhenhehadleftheratLongbarnswithoutsayingawordofhislove，withoutgivingherahintwherebyshemightallowherselftothinkthatheintendedtorenewhissuit，thenshehadweptbecauseitwasso。Thoughherresolutionhadbeenquitefirmastothedutywhichwasincumbentonherofremaininginherdesolateconditionofalmostnamelesswidowhood，yetshehadbeenunabletorefrainfrombittertearsbecausehealsohadseemedtoseethatsuchwasherduty。Butnowagain，knowingthattherequestwascoming，feelingoncemoreconfidentoftheconstancyofhislove，shewasurgentwithherselfastothatheavyduty。Shewouldbewomanly，deadtoallshame，almostinhuman，wereshetoallowherselfagaintoindulgeinloveafterallthehavocshehadmade。Shehadbeenlittlemorethanabridewhenthathusband，forwhomshehadoftenbeenforcedtoblush，hadbeendrivenbytheweightofhismisfortunesanddisgracestodestroyhimself！Bythemarriageshehadmadeshehadoverwhelmedherwholefamilywithdishonour。Shehaddoneitwithapersistencyofperverseself-
willwhichsheherselfcouldnotnowlookbackonwithoutwonderandhorror。She，too，shouldhavediedaswellashe——onlythatdeathhadnotbenwithinthecompassofherpowersasofhis。Howthecouldsheforgetitall，andwipeitawayfromhermind，asshewouldfiguresfromaslatewithawettowel？Howcoulditbefitthatsheshouldagainbeabridewithsuchaspectreofahusbandhauntinghermemory？Shehadknownthattherequestwastobemadewhenhetookhissuddendeparture。Shehadknownitwell，whenjustnowtheservanttoldherthatMrFletcherwasinthedrawing-roombelow。Butshewasquitecertainoftheanswershemustmake。’IshouldbesorryyoushouldaskmeanythingIcannotdo，’shesaidinaverylowvoice。
’IwillaskyounothingforwhichIhavenotyourfather’ssanction。’
’Thetimehasgoneby，Arthur，inwhichImightwellhavebeenguidedbymyfather。Therecomesatimewhenpersonalfeelingsmustbestrongerthanafather’sauthority。Papacannotseemewithmyowneyes，hecannotunderstandwhatIfeel。Itissimplythis，——thathewouldhavemetobeotherthanIam。ButIamwhatIhavemademyself。’
’Youhavenotheardmeasyet。Youwillhearme？’
’Oh，yes。’
’IhavelovedyoueversinceIwasaboy。’Hepausedasthoughheexpectedthatshewouldmakesomeanswertothis。butofcoursetherewasnothingshecouldsay。’Ihavebeentruetoyousinceweweretogetheralmostaschildren。’
’Itisyournaturetobetrue。’
’Inthismatter，atanyrate。Ishallneverchange。Ineverforamomenthadadoubtaboutmylove。ThereneverhasbeenanyoneelsewhomIhaveventuredtocomparewithyou。Thencamethatgreattrouble。Emily，youmustletmespeakfreelythisonce，assomuch，tomeatleast，dependsonit。’
’Saywhatyouwill，Arthur。Donotwoundmemorethanyoucanhelp。’
’GodknowshowwillinglyIwouldhealeverywoundwithoutawordifitcouldbedone。Idon’tknowwhetheryoueverthoughtwhatIsufferedwhenhecameamongusandrobbedme，——well，Iwillnotsayrobbedmeofyourlove，becauseitwasnotmine——buttookawaywithhimthatwhichIhadbeentryingtowin。’
’Ididnotthinkamanwouldfeellikethat。’
’Whyshouldn’tamanfeelaswellasawoman？Ihadsetmyheartonhavingyouformywife。Cananydesirebenearertoamanthanthat？Thenhecame。Well，dearest，surelyImaysaythathewasnotworthyofyou。’
’Wewereneitherofusworthy，’shesaid。
’Ineednottellyouthatweallgrieved。ItseemedtousdowninHertfordshireasthoughablackcloudhadcomeuponus。Wecouldnotspeakofyou，noryetcouldwebealtogethersilent。’
’Ofcourseyoucondemnedme，——asanoutcast。’
’DidIwritetoyouasthoughyouwereanoutcast？DidItreatyouwhenIsawyouasanoutcast？WhenIcometoyouto-day，isthatproofthatIthinkyoutobeanoutcast？Ihaveneverdeceivedyou，Emily。’
’Never。’
’ThenyouwillbelievemewhenIsaythatthroughitallnotonewordofreproachorcontumelyhaseverpassedmylipsinregardtoyou。ThatyoushouldhavegivenyourselftoonewhomIcouldthinkworthyofyou，was，ofcourse，agreatsorrow。Hadhebeenaprinceofmenitwouldhaveofcoursebeenasorrowtome。HowitwentwithyouduringyourmarriedlifeIwillnotask。’
’Iwasunhappy。IwouldtellyoueverythingifIcould。Iwasveryunhappy。’
’Thencame——theend。’Shewasnowweepingwithherfaceburiedinherhandkerchief。’IwouldspareyouifIknewhow，buttherearesomethingswhichmustbesaid。’
’No——no。Iwillbearitall——fromyou。’
’Well！Hissuccesshadnotlessenedmylove。ThoughthenI
couldhavenohope，——thoughyouwereutterlyremovedfromme，——
allthatcouldnotchangeme。Thereitwas，——asthoughmyarmormyleghadbeentakenfromme。Itwasbadtolivewithoutanarmoraleg，buttherewasnohelp。Iwentonwithmylifeandtriednottolooklikeawhippedcur——thoughJohnfromtimetotimewouldtellmethatIfailed。Butnow——nowthatisagainallchanged，——whatwouldyouhavemedonow？Itmaybethatafterallmylimbmayberestoredtome，thatImaybeagainasothermenare，whole，andsound，andhappy——sohappy！WhenitmaypossiblybewithinmyreachamInottolookformyhappiness？’Hepaused，butsheweptonwithoutspeakingaword。
’TherearethosewhowillsaythatIshouldwaittillallthesesignsofwoehavebeenlaidaside。ButwhyshouldIwait？Therehascomeagreatblotonyourlife，andisitnotwellthatitshouldbecoveredasquicklyaspossible？’
’Itcanneverbecovered。’
’Youmeanthatitcanneverbeforgotten。Nodoubttherearepassagesinourlifewhichwecannotforget，thoughweburytheminthedeepestsilence。Allthiscanneverbedrivenoutofyourmemory，——norfrommine。Butitneednotthereforeblackenourlives。Insuchaconditionweshouldnotberuledbywhattheworldthinks。’
’Notatall。Icarenothingforwhattheworldthinks。Iambelowallthat。ItiswhatIthinkofmyself，——ofmyself。’
’Willyouthinkofnooneelse？Areanyofyourthoughtsforme，——orforyourfather？’
’Ohyes——formyfather。’
’Ineedhardlytellyouwhathewishes。Youmustknowhowyoucanbestgivehimbackthecomforthehaslost。’
’But，Arthur，evenforhimIcannotdoeverything。’
’Thereisonequestiontobeasked，’hesaid，risingfromherfeetandstandingbeforeher——’butone。andwhatyoudoshoulddependentirelyontheanswerwhichyoumaybeabletrulymaketothat。’
Thishesaidsosolemnlythathestartledher。
’Whatquestion，Arthur？’
’Doyouloveme？’Tothisquestionatthemomentshecouldmakenoreply。’OfcourseIknowthatyoudidnotlovemewhenyoumarriedhim。’
’Loveisnotallofonekind。’
’YouknowwhatloveImean。Youdidnotlovemethen。Youcouldnothavelovedme，——though，perhaps，IthoughtIhaddeservedyourlove。Butlovewillchangeandmemorywillsometimesbringbackoldfancieswhentheworldhasbeensternandhard。WhenwewereveryyoungIthinkyoulovedme。DoyouremembersevenyearsagoatLongbarns，whentheypartedusandsentmeaway，because，——
becauseweweresoyoung？Theydidnottellusthen，butIthinkyouknew。IknowthatIknew，andwentnightoswearthatI
woulddrownmyself。Youlovedmethen，Emily。’
’Iwasachildthen。’
’Nowyouarenotachild。Doyoulovemenow，——to-day？Ifso，givemeyourhand，andthepastbeburiedinsilence。Allthishascomeandgone，andhasnearlymadeusold。Butthereislifebeforeusyet，andifyouaretomeasIamtoyouitisbetterthatourlivesshouldbelivedtogether。’Thenhestoodbeforeherwithhishandstretchedout。
’Icannotdoit，’shesaid。
’Andwhy？’
’IcannotbeotherthanthewretchedthingIhavemademyself。’
’Butdoyouloveme？’
’Icannotanalysemyheart。Loveyou——yes！Ihavealwayslovedyou。Everythingaboutyouisdeartome。Icantriumphinyourtriumphs，rejoiceatyourjoy，weepatyoursorrows，beeveranxiousthatallgoodthingsmaycometoyou——but，Arthur，I
cannotbeyourwife。’
’Notthoughitwouldmakeusallhappy，——FletchersandWhartonsallalike？’
’DoyouthinkIhavenotthoughtitover？DoyouthinkthatI
haveforgottenyourfirstletter？Knowingyourheart，asIdoknowit，doyouimaginethatIhavespentaday，anhour，formonthspast，withoutaskingmyselfwhatanswerIshouldmaketoyouifthesweetconstancyofyournatureshouldbringyouagaintome？IhavetrembledwhenIhaveheardyourvoice。Myhearthasbeatatthesoundofyourfootstepsasthoughitwouldburst！
DoyouthinkIhavenevertoldmyselfwhatIhadthrownaway。
Butitisgone，anditisnotnowwithinmyreach。’
’Itis，itis，’hesaid，throwinghimselfonhisknees，andtwininghisarmsaroundher。’
’No——no——no——never。Iamdisgracedandshamed。IhavelainamongthepotstillIamfoulandblackened。Takeyourarmsaway。Theyshallnotbedefiled，’shesaidasshesprangtoherfeet。’Youshallnothavethethingthathehasleft。’
’Emily——itistheonlythinginalltheworldthatIcrave。’
’Beamanandconqueryourlove，——asIwill。Getitunderyourfeetandpressittodeath。Tellyourselfthatitisshamefulandmustbeabandoned。Thatyou，ArthurFletcher，shouldmarrythewidowofthatman，——thewomanthathehadthrustsofarintothemirethatshecanneveragainbeclean——you，thechosenone，thebrightstaramongusall——you，whosewifeshouldbethefairest，thepurest，thetenderestofusall，aflowerthathasyetbeenhardlybreathedon。WhileI——Arthur，’shesaid，’I
knowmydutybetterthanthat。Iwillnotseekanescapefrommypunishmentinthatway，——norwillIallowyoutodestroyyourself。Youhavemywordasawomanthatitshallnotbeso。
NowIdonotmindyourknowingwhetherIloveyouorno。’Hestoodsilentbeforeher，notableforthemomenttogoonwithhisprayer。’Andnow，’shesaid，’Godblessyou，andgiveyousomefairandhappywife。And，Arthur，donotcomeagaintome。
Ifyouwillletitbeso，Ishallhavedelightinseeingyou——
butnotifyoucomeasyouhavecomenow。And，Arthur，sparemewithpapa。DonotlethimthinkthatitisallmyfaultthatI
cannotdothethingthathewishes。’Thenshelefttheroombeforehecouldsayanotherwordtoher。
Butitwasallherfault。No——inthatdirectionhecouldnotspareher。Itmustbetoldtoherfather，thoughhedoubtedhisownpowerofdescribingallthathadbeensaid。’Donotcomeagaintome，’shehadsaid。Atthemomenthehadbeenleftspeechless。butiftherewasonethingfixedinhismind，itwasthedeterminationtocomeagain。Hewassurenow，notonlyoflovethatmighthavesufficed，——butofhot，passionatelove。
Shehadtoldhimthatherhearthadbeatathisfootsteps，andthatshehadtrembledasshelistenedtohisvoice，——andyetshehadexpectedthathewouldnotcomeagain！Buttherewasaviolenceofdecisionaboutthewomanwhichmadehimdreadthathemightstillcomeinvain。Shewassowarpedfromherselfbytheconvictionofhergreatmistake，sopronetotakeshametoherselfforherownerror，sokeenlyalivetothedegradationtowhichshehadbeensubmitted，thatitmightyetbeimpossibletoteachherthat，thoughherhusbandhadbeenvileandshemistaken，yetshehadnotbeensoiledbyhisbaseness。
Hewentatoncetotheoldbarrister’schambersandtoldhimtheresultofthemeeting。’Sheisstillafool，’saidthefather，notunderstandingatsecond-handthedepthsofhisdaughter’sfeeling。
’No，sir，——notthat。Shefeltherselfdegradedbyhisdegradation。Ifitbepossiblewemustsaveherfromthat。’
’Shediddegradeherself。’
’Notasshemeansit。Sheisnotdegradedinmyeyes。’
’Whyshouldshenottaketheonlymeansinherpowerofrescuingherselfandrescuingusallfromtheevilthatshedid？Sheowesityou，me，andtoherbrother。’
’Iwouldhardlywishhertocometomeinpaymentofsuchadebt。’
’Thereisnoroomleft，’saidMrWhartonangrily，’forsoftsentimentality。Well——shemusttakeherbedasshemakesit。
Itisveryhardonme，Iknow。Consideringwhatsheusedtobe，itismarvelloustomethatsheshouldhavesolittleidealeftofdoingherdutytoothers。’
ArthurFletcherfoundthatthebarristerwasatthemomenttooangrytohearreason，ortobemadetounderstandanythingofthefeelingsofmixedloveandadmirationwithwhichhewasanimatedatthemoment。Hewasobligedthereforetocontenthimselfwithassuringthefatherthathedidnotintendtogiveupthepursuitofhisdaughter。
CHAPTER75
THEGREATWHARTONALLIANCE。
WhenMrWhartongothomeonthatdayhesaidnotawordtoEmilyastoArthurFletcher。Hehadresolvedtotakevariouscourses——
firsttotellherroundlythatshewasneglectingherdutytoherselfandtoherfamily，andthathewouldnolongertakeherpartandbehergoodfriendunlessshewouldconsenttomarrythemanwhomshehadconfessedthatsheloved。Butashethoughtofthishebecameaware，——firstthathecouldnotcarryoutsuchathreat，andthenthathewouldlackeventhefirmnesstomakeit。
Therewassomethinginherface，somethingeveninherdress，somethinginherwholemannertohimself，whichsoftenedhimandreducedhimtovassalagedirectlyhesawher。Thenhedeterminedtothrowhimselfonhercompassionandtoimplorehertoputanendtoallthismiserybymakingherselfhappy。Butashedrewnearhomehefoundhimselfunabletodoeventhis。Howisafathertobeseechhiswidoweddaughtertogiveherselfawayinasecondmarriage？Andthereforewhenheenteredthehouseandfoundherwaitingforhimhesaidnothing。Atfirstshelookedathimwistfully，——anxioustolearnbyhisfacewhetherherloverhadbeenwithhim。Butwhenhespokenotaword，simplykissingherinhisusualquietway，shebecamecheerfulinamannerandcommunicative。’Papa，’shesaid，’IhavehadaletterfromMary。’
’Well，mydear。’
’Justanicechattyletter，——fullofEverett，ofcourse。’
’Everettisagreatmannow。’
’Iamsurethatyouareverygladthatheiswhatheis。WillyouseeMary’sletter？’MrWhartonwasnotspeciallygiventoreadingyoungladies’correspondence，anddidnotknowwhythisparticularlettershouldbeofferedtohim。’Youdon’tsuspectanythingatWharton，doyou？’sheasked。
’Suspectanything！No。Idon’tsuspectanything。’Butnow，havinghadhiscuriosityaroused，hetooktheletterwhichwasofferedtohimandreadit。Theletterwasasfollows：
Wharton，Thursday。
DEARESTEMILY，WeallhopethatyouhadapleasantjourneyuptoLondon，andthatMrWhartonisquitewell。YourbrotherEverettcameovertoLongbarnsthedayafteryoustartedanddrovemebacktoWhartoninthedog-cart。Itwassuchapleasantjourney，though，nowIremember，itrainedalltheway。ButEveretthasalwayssomuchtosaythatI
didn’tmindtherain。IthinkitwillendinJohntakingthehounds。Hesayshewon’tbecausehedoesnotwishtobetheslaveofthewholecounty——buthesaysitinthatsortofwaythatweallthinkhemeanstodoit。
Everetttellshimthatheought，becauseheistheonlyhuntingmanonthissideofthecountywhocanaffordtodowithoutfeelingitmuch。andofcoursewhatEverettsayswillgoalongwaywithhim。Sarah，——SarahwasJohnFletcher’swife，——isratheragainstit。Butifhemakesuphismindshe’llbesuretoturnround。Ofcourseitmakesusallveryanxiousatpresenttoknowhowitistoend，fortheMasteroftheHoundsalwaysistheleadingmaninourpartoftheworld。PapawenttothebenchatRossyesterdayandtookEverettwithhim。
ItwasthefirsttimethatEveretthadsatthere。HesaysIamtotellhisfatherhehasnothunganybodyasyet。
Theyhavealreadybeguntocutdown，orwhattheycallstubbup，BarntonSpinnies。Everettsaidthatitisnogoodkeepingitasawood，andpapaagreed。Soitistogointothehomefarm，andGriffithsistopayrentforit。Idon’tlikehavingitcutdown，astheboysalwaysusedtogetnutsthere，butEverettsaysitwon’tdotokeepwoodsforlittleboystogetnuts。
MaryStockinghasbeenveryillsinceyouwent，andI’mafraidshewon’tlastlong。WhentheygettobesoverybadwithrheumatismIalmostthinkit’swrongtoprayforthem，becausetheyareinsomuchpain。Wethoughtatonetimethemamma’sointmenthaddonehergood，butwhenwecametoinquirewefoundthatshehadswallowedit。
Wasn’titdreadful？Butitdidn’tseemtodoheranyharm。Everettsaysthatitwouldn’tmakeanydifferencewhichshedid。
PapaisbeginningtobeafraidthatEverettisaRadical。
ButI’msurehe’snot。HesaysheisasgoodaConservativeasthereisinallHertfordshire，onlythathelikestoknowwhatistobeconserved。PapasaidafterdinneryesterdaythateverythingEnglishshouldbemaintained。EverettsaidthataccordingtothatweshouldhavekepttheStarChamber。’OfcourseIwould，’
saidpapa。Thentheywentatithammerandtongs。
Everetthadthebestofit。Atanyratehetalkedthelongest。ButIdohopeheisnotaRadical。NocountrygentlemanoughttobeaRadical。Oughthe，dear？
MrsFletchersaysyouaretogetthelozengesatSquire’sinOxfordStreet，andbesuretoaskfortheVademecumlozenges。Sheisallinaflutteraboutthosehounds。
ShesaysshehopesJohnwilldonothingofthekindbecauseoftheexpense。butweallknowthatshewouldlikehimtohavethem。Thesubscriptionisnotverygood，only1，500pounds，anditwouldcosthimeversomuchayear。Buteverybodysaysheisveryrichandthatheoughttodoit。IfyouseeArthurgivehimourlove。
OfcourseamemberofParliamentistoobusytowriteletters。ButIdon’tthinkArthurwasevergoodatwriting。Everettsaysthatmenneveroughttowriteletters。GivemylovetoMrWharton。
Iam，dearestEmily，YourmostaffectionateCousin，MARYWHARTON
’Everettisafool，’saidMrWhartonassoonashehadreadtheletter。
’Whyisheafool，papa？’
’BecausehewillquarrelwithSirAluredaboutpoliticsbeforeheknowswhereheis。Whatbusinesshasayoungfellowlikethattohaveanopinioneitheronesideortheother，beforehisbetters？’
’ButEverettalwayshasstrongopinions。’
’Itdidn’tmatteraslongasheonlytalkednonsenseataclubinLondon，buthowhe’llbreakthatoldman’sheart。’
’But，papa，don’tyouseeanythingelse？’
’IseethatJohnFletcherisgoingtomakeanassofhimselfandspendathousandayearinkeepingapackofhoundsforotherpeopletorideafter。’
’IthinkIseesomethingelsebesidesthat。’
’Whatdoyousee？’
’WoulditannoyyouifEverettwastobecomeengagedtoMary？’
ThenMrWhartonwhistled。’Tobesurehedoesputhisnameintoeverylineoftheletter。No。itwouldn’tannoyme。Idon’tseewhyheshouldn’tmarryhissecondcousinifhelikes。Onlyifheisengagedtoher，Ithinkitoddthatheshouldn’twriteandtellus。’
’I’msuresheisnotengagedtohimasyet。Shewouldn’twriteallinthatwayifshewereengaged。Everybodywouldbetoldatonce，andSirAluredwouldneverbeabletokeepitasecret。
Whyshouldtherebeasecret？ButI’msurethatsheisveryfondofhim。Marywouldneverwriteaboutanymaninthatwayunlessshewerebeginningtobeattachedtohim。
AbouttendaysafterthistherecametwolettersfromWhartonHalltoManchesterSquare，theshortestofwhichshallbegivenfirst。Itranasfollows：
MYDEARFATHER，IhaveproposedtomycousinMary，andshehasacceptedme。Everybodyhereseemstoliketheidea。Ihopeitwillnotdispleaseyou。OfcourseyouandEmilywillcomedown。Iwilltellyouwhenthedayisfixed。
YouraffectionateSon，EVERETTWHARTON
Thistheoldmanreadashesatatbreakfastwithhisdaughteroppositetohim，whileEmilywasreadingaverymuchlongerletterfromthesamehouse。’Soit’sgoingtobejustasyouguessed，’hesaid。
’Iwasquitesureofit，papa。IsthatfromEverett？Isheveryhappy？’
’Uponmyword，Ican’tsaywhetherhe’shappyornot。Ifhehadgotanewhorsehewouldhavewrittenatmuchgreaterlengthaboutit。Itseems，however，tobequitefixed。’
’Ohyes。ThisisfromMary。Sheishappyatanyrate。I
supposemenneversaysomuchaboutthesethingsaswomen。’
’MayIseeMary’sletter？’
’Idon’tthinkitwouldbequitefair，papa。It’sonlyagirl’srhapsodyaboutthemansheloves，——veryniceandwomanly，butnotintendedforanyonebutme。Itdoesnotseemthattheymeantowaitverylong。’
’Whyshouldtheywait？Isanydayfixed？’
’MarysaysthatEveretttalksaboutthemiddleofMay。Ofcourseyouwillgodown。’
’Wemustbothgo。’
’Youwillatanyrate。Don’tpromiseformejustatpresent。ItmustmakeSirAluredveryhappy。Itisalmostthesameasfindinghimselfatlastwithasonofhisown。IsupposetheywillliveatWhartonaltogethernow，——unlessEverettgetsintoParliament。’
Butthereadermayseetheyounglady’sletter，thoughherfuturefather-in-lawwasnotpermittedtodoso，andwillperceivethattherewasaparagraphatthecloseofitwhichperhapswasmoreconducivetoEmily’ssecrecythanherfeelingsastothesacredobligationsoffemalecorrespondence。
Monday，Wharton。
DEARESTEMILY，IwonderwhetheryouwillbemuchsurprisedatthenewsI
havetotellyou。YoucannotbemoresothatIamathavingtowriteit。IthasallbeensoverysuddenthatIalmostfeelashamedofmyself。Everetthasproposedtome，andIhaveacceptedhim。There——nowyouknowitall。ThoughyounevercanknowhowverydearlyIlovehimandhowthoroughlyIadmirehim，Idothinkthatheiseverythingthatamanoughttobe，andthatIamthemostfortunateyoungwomanintheworld。Onlyisn’titoddthatIshouldalwayshavetolivemylifeinthesamehouse，andneverchangemyname，——justlikeaman，oranoldmaid？ButIdon’tmindthatbecauseIdolovehimsodearlyandbecauseheissogood。HehaswrittentoMrWharton。Iknow。Iwassittingbyhimandhisletterdidn’ttakehimaminute。Buthesaysthatlonglettersaboutsuchthingsonlygivetrouble。Ihopeyouwon’tthinkmylettertroublesome。Heisnotsittingbymenow，buthasgoneovertoLongbarnstohelpsettleaboutthehounds。Johnisgoingtohavethemafterall。I
wishithadn’thappenedjustatthistimebecauseallthegentlemendothinksomuchaboutit。OfcourseEverettisoneofthecommittee。
Papaandmammaarebothvery，verygladofit。Ofcourseitisniceforthem，asitwillkeepEverettandmehere。
IfIhadmarriedanybodyelse，——thoughIamsureInevershould，——shewouldhavebeenverylonely。AndofcoursepapalikestothinkthatEverettisalreadyoneofus。I
hopetheywillneverquarrelaboutpolitics，butasEverettsays，theworlddoeschangeasitgoeson，andyoungmenandoldmenneverwillthinkquitethesameaboutthings。EveretttoldpapatheotherdaythatifhecouldbeputbackacenturyhewouldbeaRadical。Thentherewereeversomanywords。ButEverettalwayslaughs，andatlastpapacomesround。
Ican’ttellyou，mydear，whatafussweareinalreadyaboutitall。EverettwantsourmarriageearlyinMay，sothatwemayhavetwomonthsinSwitzerlandbeforeLondoniswhathecallsturnedloose。Andpapasaysthatthereisnouseindelaying，becausehegetsoldereveryday。Ofcoursethatistrueofeverybody。Sothatweareallinflutteraboutgettingthings。Mammadidtalkofgoinguptotown，butIbelievetheyhavethingsquiteasgoodatHereford。Sarah，whenshewasmarried，hadallherthingsfromLondon，buttheysaythattherehasbeenagreatchangesincethat。IamsureIthinkthatyoumaygetanythingyouwantatMuddocksandCramble’s。
ButmammasaysIamtohavemyveilfromHowellandJames’s。
OfcourseyouandMrWhartonwillcome。Ishan’tthinkitanymarriagewithout。Papaandmamatalkofitasquiteofcourse。Youknowhowfondpapaisofthebishop。Ithinkhewillmarryus。IownIshouldliketobemarriedbyabishop。Itwouldmakeitsosweetandsosolemn。MrHiggenbottomcouldofcourseassist——butheissuchanoddoldman，withhissnuffandhisspectaclesalwaystumblingoff，thatIshouldn’tliketohavenooneelse。IhaveoftenthoughtthatifitwereonlyformarryingpeopleweoughttohaveanicerrectoratWharton。
Almostallthetenantshavebeentowishmejoy。TheyareveryfondofEverettalready，andnowtheyfeelthattherewillneverbeanyverygreatchange。Idothinkitistheverybestthingthatcouldbedone，evenifitwerenotthatIamsothoroughlyinlovewithhim。I
didn’tthinkIshouldeverbeabletoownthatIwasinlovewithaman。butnowIfeelquiteproudofit。I
don’tmindtellingyoubecauseheisyourbrother，andI
thinkthatyouwillbegladofit。
Hetalksveryoftenaboutyou。Ofcourseyouknowwhatitisthatweallwish。IloveArthurFletcheralmostasmuchasifheweremybrother。Heismysister’sbrother-in-law，andifhecouldbecomemyhusband’sbrother-in-lawtoo，Ishouldbesohappy。Ofcourseweallknowthathewishesit。Writeimmediatelytowishmejoy。PerhapsyoucouldgotoHowellandJames’sabouttheveil。AndpromisetocometousinMay。Sarahsaystheveilshouldcostaboutthirtypounds。
Dearest，dearestEmily，Ishallsoonbeyourmostaffectionatesister，MARYWHARTON
Emily’sanswerwasfullofwarm，affectionatecongratulations。
ShehadmuchtosayinfavourofEverett。ShepromisedtouseallherlittleskillatHowellandJames’s。Sheexpressedahopethattheoverturestobemadeinregardtothebishopmightbesuccessful。AndshemadekindremarksevenastoMuddocksandCrumble。ButshewouldnotpromisethatsheherselfwouldbeatWhartononthehappyday。’DearMary，’shesaid，’rememberwhatIhavesuffered，andthatIcannotbequiteasotherpeopleare。
Icouldnotstandatyourmarriageinblackclothes，——norshouldIhavethecourageevenifhadthewilltodressmyselfinothers。’NoneoftheWhartonshadcometoherwedding。Therewasnofeelingofangernowleftastothat。Shewasquiteawarethattheyhaddonerighttostayaway。ButtheveryfactthatithadbeenrightthattheyshouldstayawaywouldmakeitwrongthatthewidowofFerdinandLopezshouldnowassistatthemarriageofoneWhartontoanother。Thiswasallthatamarriageoughttobe，whereasthathadbeen——allthatamarriageoughtnottobe。InanswertotheparagraphaboutArthurFletcherEmilyLopezhadnotawordtosay。
Soonafterthis，earlyinApril，Everettcameuptotown。ThoughhisbridemightbecontenttogetherbridalclothesinHereford，nonebutaLondontailorcoulddecoratehimproperlyforsuchanoccasion。DuringtheselastweeksArthurFletcherhadnotbeenseenatManchesterSquare。norhadhisnamebeenmentionedtherebyMrWharton。OfanythingthatmayhavepassedbetweenthemEmilywasaltogetherignorant。Sheobserved，orthoughtthatsheobserved，thatherfatherwasmoresilentwithher，——perhapslesstenderthanhehadbeensincethedayonwhichherhusbandhadperished。Hismanneroflifewasthesame。Healmostalwaysdinedathomeinorderthatshemightnotbealone，andmadenocomplaintastoherconduct。Butshecouldseethathewasunhappy，andsheknewthecauseofhisgrief。’Ithink，papa，’
shesaidoneday，’thatitwouldbebetterthatIshouldgoaway。’ThiswasonthedaybeforeEverett’sarrival，——ofwhich，however，hehadgivennonotice。
’Goaway！Wherewouldyougoto？’
’Itdoesnotmatter。Idonotmakeyouhappy。’
’Whatdoyoumean？WhosaysthatIamnothappy？Whydoyoutalklikethat？’
’Donotbeangrywithme。Nobodysaysso。Icanseeitwellenough。Iknowhowgoodyouaretome，butIammakingyourlifewretched。Iamawetblankettoyou，andyetIcannothelpmyself。IfIcouldgosomewhere，whereIcouldbeofuse。’
’Idon’tknowwhatyoumean。Thisisyourproperhome。’
’No——itisnotmyhome。Ioughttohaveforfeitedit。IoughttogowhereIcouldworkandbeofsomeuseintheworld。’
’Youmightuseitifyouchose，mydear。Yourpropercareerisbeforeyouifyouwouldcondescendtoacceptit。Itisnotformetopersuadeyou，butIcanseeandfeelthetruth。Tillyoucanbringyourselftodothat，yourdayswillbeblighted，——andsowillmine。Youhavemadeonegreatmistakeinlife。Stopamoment。Idonotspeakoften，butIwishtolistentomenow。
Suchmistakesdogenerallyproducemiseryandruininallwhoareconcerned。Withyouitchancesthatitmaybeotherwise。Youcanputyourfootaginuponthefirmgroundandrecovereverything。Ofcoursetheremustbeastruggle。Onepersonhastostrugglewithcircumstances，anotherwithhisfoes，andathirdwithhisownfeelings。Icanunderstandthatthereshouldbeastrugglewithyou。butitoughttobemade。Yououghttobebraveenoughandstrongenoughtoconqueryourregrets，andtobeginagain。Innootherwaycanyoudoanythingformeorforyourself。Totalkofgoingawayischildishnonsense。Whitherwouldyougo？Ishallnoturgeyouanymore，butIwouldnothaveyoutalktomeinthatway。’Thenhegotupandlefttheroomandthehouseandwentdowntohisclub，——inorderthatshemightthinkofwhathehadsaidinsolitude。
Andshedidthinkofit——butstillcontinuallywithanassurancetoherselfthatherfatherdidnotunderstandherfeelings。Thecareerofwhichhespokewasnodoubtopentoher，butshecouldnotregarditasthatwhichitwasproperthatsheshouldfulfil，ashedid。Whenshetoldherloverthatshehadlainamongthepotstillshewasblackanddefiled，sheexpressedinthestrongestlanguagethatwhichwasherrealconviction。Hedidnotthinkhertohavebeendefiled，——oratanyratethoughtthatshemightagainbearthewingsofadove。butshefeltit，andthereforeknewherselftobeunfit。Thenextmorning，whenhecameintotheparlourwhereshewasalreadysitting，shelookedupathimalmostreproachfully。Didhethinkthatawomanwasapieceoffurniturewhichyoucouldmend，andre-varnish，andfitoutwithnewornaments，andthensendoutforuse，second-handindeed，butforallpurposesgoodasnew？
Then，whileshewasinthisframeofmind，Everettcameinuponherunawares，andwithhisalmostboisteroushappinesssucceededforawhileinchangingthecurrentofherthoughts。Hewasofcoursenowuppermostinhisownthoughts。Thelastfewmonthshadmadesomuchofhimthathemightbeexcusedforbeingunabletosinkhimselfinthepresenceofothers。Hewastheheirtothebaronetcy，——andtothedoublefortunesofthetwooldmen。
Andhewasgoingtobemarriedinamanneraseveryonetoldhimtoincreasethegloryandstabilityofthefamily。’It’sallnonsenseaboutyournotcomingdown，’hesaid。Shesmiledandshookherhead。’Icanonlytellyouthatitwillgivethegreatestoffencetoeveryone。IfyouknewhowmuchtheytalkaboutyoudownthereIdon’tthinkyouwouldliketohurtthem。’
’OfcourseIwouldnotliketohurtthem。’
’Andconsideringthatyouhavenootherbrother——’
’Oh，Everett！’
’Ithinkmoreaboutit，perhaps，thanyoudo。Ithinkyouoweitmetocomedown。Youwillneverprobablyhaveanotherchanceofbeingpresentatyourbrother’smarriage。’Thishesaidinatonethatwasalmostlachrymose。
’Awedding，Everett，shouldbemerry。’
’Idon’tknowaboutthat。Itisaveryserioussortofthing，tomywayofthinking。WhenMarygotyourletteritnearlybrokeherheart。IthinkIhavearighttoexpectit，andifyoudon’tcomeIshallfeelmyselfinjured。Idon’tseewhatistheuseofhavingafamilyifthemembersofitdonotsticktogether。WhatwouldyouthinkifIweretodesertyou？’
’Desertyou，Everett！’
Well，yes——itissomethingofthekind。Ihavemademyrequest，andyoucancomplywithitornotasyouplease。’
’Iwillgo，’shesaidveryslowly。Thenshelefthimandwenttoherownroomtothinkinwhatdescriptionofgarmentsshecouldappearataweddingwiththeleastviolencetotheconditionofherlife。
’Ihavegothertosayshe’llcome，’hesaidtohisfatherthatevening。’Ifyouleavehertome，I’llbringherround。’
Soonafterthat，——withinadayortwo，——therecameoutaparagraphinoneofthefashionablenewspapersoftheday，sayingthatanalliancehadbeenarrangedbetweentheheirtotheWhartontitleandpropertyandthedaughterofthepresentbaronet。Ithinkthatthishadprobablyoriginatedintheclubgossip。ItrustitdidnotspringdirectlyfromtheactivityorambitionofEveretthimself。
CHAPTER76
WHOWILLITBE？
ForthefirstdayortwoaftertheresignationoftheMinistrytheDuchessappearedtotakenofurthernoticeofthematter。Anungratefulworldhadrepudiatedherhusband，andhehadfoolishlyassistedandgivenwaytotherepudiation。Allhergrandaspirationswereatanend。Allhertriumphswereover。Andworsethanthat，therewaspresenttoheraconvictionthatshehadneverreallytriumphed。Thereneverhadcomethehappymomentinwhichshehadfeltherselftobedominantoverotherwomen。Shehadtoiled，struggled，shehadbattledandoccasionallysubmitted。andyettherewaspresenttoherafeelingthatshehadstoodhigherinpublicestimationasLadyGlencoraPalliser，——whosepositionhadbeenallherownandhadnotdependedonherhusband，——thannowshehaddoneastheDuchessofOmnium，andwifeofthePrimeMinisterofEngland。
Shehadmeanttobesomething，sheknewnotwhat，greaterthanhadbeenthewivesofotherPrimeMinistersandotherDukes，andnowshefeltthatinherfailureshehadbeenalmostridiculous。
Andthefailure，shethought，hadbeenhis，——orhers，——ratherthanthatofcircumstances。Ifhehadbeenlessscrupulousandmorepersistentitmighthavebeendifferent，——ofifshehadbeenmorediscreet。Sometimesshefelthewownfailingsoviolentlyastoacquithimalmostentirely。Atothertimesshewasalmostbesideherselfwithangerbecauseallherlossesseemedtohavearisenfromwantofstubbornnessonhispart。
Whenhehadtoldherthatheandhisfollowershaddeterminedtoresignbecausetheyhadbeatentheirfoesbyonlyamajorityofnine，shetookitintoherheadthathewasinfault。Whyshouldhegowhilehissupportersweremorenumerousthanhisopponents？
Itwasuselesstobidhimthinkitoveragain。Thoughshewasfarfromunderstandingallthecircumstancesofthegame，shedidknowthathecouldnotremainafterhavingarrangedwithhiscolleaguesthathewouldgo。Soshebecamecrossandsullen，andwhilehewasgoingtoWindsorandbackandsettinghishouseinorder，andpreparingthewayforhissuccessor，——whoeverthatsuccessormightbe，——shewasmoodyandsilent，dreamingoversomeimpossibleconditionofthingsinaccordancewithwhichhemighthaveremainedPrimeMinister——almostforever。
OntheSundayafterthefataldivision，——thedivisionwhichtheDuchesswouldnotallowtohavebeenfatal，——shecameacrosshimsomewhereinthehouse。Shehadhardlyspokentohimsincehehadcomeintoherroomthatnightandtoldherthatallwasover。
Shehadsaidthatshewasunwellandhadkeptoutofsight，andhehadbeenhereandthere，betweenWindsorandtheTreasuryChambers，andhadbeengladtoescapefromherill-humour。ButshecouldnotendureanylongertheannoyanceofhavingtogetallhernewsfromMrsFinn，——secondhand，orthirdhand，andnowfoundherselfdriventocapitulate。’Well，’shesaid，’howisitallgoingtobe？Isupposeyoudonotknoworyouwouldhavetoldme？’
’Thereisverylittletotell。’
’MrMonkistobePrimeMinister？’sheasked。
’Ididnotsayso。Butitisnotimpossible。’
’HastheQueensentforhim？’
’Notasyet。HerMajestyhasseenbothMrGreshamandMrDaubneyaswellasmyself。ItdoesnotseemaveryeasythingtomakeaMinistryatpresent。’
’Whyshouldnotyougoback？’
’Idonotthinkthatisonthecards。’
’Whynot？Eversomanymenhavedoneit，aftergoingout，——andwhynotyou？IrememberMrMildmaydoingittwice。Itisalwaysthething，whenthemanwhohasbeensentformakesamessofit，fortheoldministertohaveanotherchance。’
’Butwhatiftheoldministerwillnottakethechance？’
’Thenitistheoldminister’sfault。Whyshouldn’tyoutakethechanceaswellasanother？Itisn’tmanydaysagosinceyouwerequiteanxioustoremainin。Ithoughtyouweregoingtobreakyourheartbecausepeopleeventalkedofyourgoing。’
’Iwasgoingtobreakmyheart，asyoucallit，’hesaid，smiling，’notbecausepeopletalkedofmyceasingtobeminister，butbecausethefeelingoftheHouseofCommonsjustifiedpeopleinsosaying。Ihopeyouseethedifference。’
’No，Idon’t。Andthereisnodifference。Thepeoplewearetalkingaboutarethemembers，——andtheyhavesupportedyou。
Youcouldgoonifyouchose。I’msureMrMonkwouldn’tleaveyou。’
’ItisjustwhatMrMonkwoulddo，andoughttodo。NooneislesslikelythanMrMonktobehavebadlyinsuchanemergency。
ThemoreIseeofMrMonk，thehigherIthinkofhim。’
’Hehashisowngametoplayaswellasothers。’
’Ithinkhehasnogametoplaybutthatofhiscountry。Itisnouseourdiscussingit，Cora。’
’OfcourseIunderstandnothing，becauseI’mawoman。’
’Youunderstandagreatdeal，——butnotquiteall。Youmayatanyrateunderstandthis，——thatourtroublesareatanend。YouweresayingtheotherdaythatthelaboursofbeingaPrimeMinister’swifehadbeenalmosttoomanyforyou。’
’Ineversaidso。Aslongasyoudidn’tgivewaynolabourwastoomuchforme。Iwouldhavedoneanything，——slavedmorningandnight，——sothatwemighthavesucceeded。Ihatebeingbeat。
I’dsoonerbecuttopieces。’
’There’snohelpforitnow，Cora。TheLordMayor，youknow，isonlyLordMayorforoneyear，andmustthengobacktoprivatelife。’
’ButmenhavebeenPrimeMinistersfortenyearsatatime。Ifyouhavemadeupyourmind，Isupposewemayaswellgiveup。I
shallthinkityourownfault。’Hestillsmiled。’Ishall，’shesaid。
’Oh，Cora！’
’IcanonlyspeakasIfeel。’
’Idon’tthinkyouwouldspeakasyoudoifyouknewhowmuchyourwordshurtme。InsuchamatterasthisIshouldnotbejustifiedinallowingyouropinionstohaveweightwithme。Butyoursympathywouldbesomuchtome！’
’WhenIthoughtIwasmakingyouill，Iwishedyoumightbespared。’
’Myillnesswouldbenothing，butmyhonouriseverything。I，too，havesomethingtobearaswellasyou，andifyoucannotapproveofwhatIdo，atanyratebesilent。’
’Yes——Icanbesilent。’Thenheslowlylefther。Ashewentshewasalmosttemptedtoyield，andtothrowherselfintohisarms，andtopromisethatshewouldbesofttohim，andtosaythatshewassurethatallthathedidwasforthebest。Butshecouldnotbringherselfasyettobegood-humoured。Ifhehadonlybeenalittlestronger，alittlethicker-skinned，madeofclayalittlecoarser，alittleotherthanhewas，itmighthavebeensodifferent！
EarlyonthatSundayafternoonshehadherselfdriventoMrsFinn’shouseinParkLane，insteadofwaitingforherfriend。
Latterlyshehadbutseldomdonethis，findingthatherpresenceathomewasmuchwanted。Shehadbeenfilledwith，perhaps，foolishideasofthenecessityofdoingsomething，——ofaddingsomethingtothestrengthofherhusband’sposition，——andhadcertainlybeendiligentinherwork。Butnowshemightrunaboutlikeanyotherwoman。’Thisisanhonour，Duchess，’saidMrsFinn。
’Don’tbesarcastic，Marie。Wehavenothingfurthertodowiththebestowalofhonours。Whydidn’themakeeverybodyapeerorabaronetwhilehewasaboutit？LordFinn！Idon’tseewhyheshouldn’thavebeenLordFinn。I’msurehedeserveditforthewayinwhichheattackedSirTimothyBeeswax。’
’Idon’tthinkhe’dlikeit。’
’Theyallsayso，butIsupposetheydolikeit，ortheywouldn’tmakeit。AndI’dhavemadeLocockaknight——SirJamesLocock。
He’shavemadeamoreknightlyknightthatSirTimothy。Whenamanhaspowerheoughttouseit。Itmakespeoplerespecthim。
MrDaubneymadeaduke，andpeoplethinkmoreofthatthananythinghedid。IsMrFinngoingtojointhenewMinistry？’
’Ifyoucantellme，Duchess，whoistobethenextminister，I
cangiveaguess。’
’MrMonk。’
’Thenhecertainlywill。’
’OrMrDaubney。’
’Thenhecertainlywon’t。’
’OrMrGresham。’
’ThatIcouldnotanswer。’
’OrtheDukeofOmnium。’
’ThatwoulddependonhisGrace。IftheDukecameback，MrFinn’sserviceswouldbeathisdisposal，whetherinoroutofoffice。’
’Veryprettilysaid，mydear。IneverlookroundthisroomwithoutthinkingofthefirsttimeIcamehere。Doyouremember，whenIfoundtheoldmansittingthere？’TheoldmanalludedtowasthelateDuke。
’Iamnotlikelytoforgetit，Duchess。’
’HowIhatedyouwhenIsawyou！WhatafrightIthoughtyouwere！Ipicturedyoutomyselfasasortofogre，willingtoeatupeverybodyforthegratificationofyourownvanity。’
’Iwasveryvain，buttherewasalittlepridewithit。’
’AndnowithascometopassthatIcan’tverywelllivewithoutyou。Howhedidloveyou！’
’HisGracewasverygoodtome。’
’Itwouldhavedonenogreatharm，afterall，ifhehadmadeyouDuchessofOmnium。’
’Verygreatharmtome，LadyGlen。AsitisIgotafriendthatIlovedearly，andahusbandthatIlovedearlytoo。IntheothercaseIshouldhavemadeneither。PerhapsImaysaythat，inthatothercasemylifewouldnothavebeenbrightenedbytheaffectionofthepresentDuchess。’
’Onecan’ttellhowitwouldhavegone，butIwellrememberthestateIwasinthen。’ThedooropenedandPhineasFinnenteredtheroom。’What，MrFinn，areyouathome？Ithoughteverybodywascrowdingdownattheclubs，toknowwhoistobewhat。Wearesettled。Wearequiet。Wehavenothingtodotodisturbourselves。Butyououghttobeinalltheflutterofrenewedexpectation。’
’Iamwaitingmydestinyincalmseclusion。IhopetheDukeiswell？’
’Aswellascanbeexpected。Hedoesn’twalkabouthisroomwithaponiardinhishand，——readyforhimselforSirOrlando。norishesittingcrownedlikeBacchus，drinkingthehealthofthenewMinistrywithLordDrummondandSirTimothy。Heisprobablysippingacupofcoffeeoverablue-bookindignifiedretirement。
Youshouldgoandseehim。’
’Ishouldbeunwillingtotroublehimwhenheissomuchoccupied。’
’Thatisjustwhathasdonehimalltheharmintheworld。
Everybodypresumesthathehassomuchtothinkofthatnobodygoesnearhim。Thenheislefttoboodyovereverythingbyhimselftillhebecomesasortofpoliticalhermit，orministerialLama，whomhumaneyesarenottolookupon。Itdoesn’tmatternow。doesit？’Visitoraftervisitorcamein，andtheDuchesschattedtothemall，leavingtheimpressiononeverybodythatheardherthatsheatleastwasnotsorrytoberelievedfromthetroublesattendingherhusband’slateposition。
Shesatthereoveranhour，andasshewastakingherleave，shehadafewwordstowhispertoMrsFinn。’Whenthisisallover，’
shesaid。’ImeantocallonthatMrsLopez。’
’Ithoughtyoudidgothere。’
’Thatwassoonafterthepoormanhadkilledhimself，——whenshewasgoingaway。OfcourseIonlyleftacard。ButIshallseehernowifIcan。Wewanttogetheroutofhermelancholyifpossible。Ihaveasortoffeeling，youknow，thatamonguswemadethetrainrunoverhim。’
’Idon’tthinkthat。’
’HegotsohorriblyabusedforwhathedidatSilverbridge。andI
reallydon’tseewhyhewasn’ttohavehismoney。ItwasIthatmadehimspendit。’
’Hewas，Ifancy，athoroughlybadman。’
’Butawifedoesn’talwayswanttobemadeawidowevenifherhusbandbebad。IthinkIowehersomething，andIwouldpaymydebtifIknewhow。Ishallgoandseeher，andifshewillmarrythisothermanwe’lltakeherbythehand。Good-bye，dear。
You’dbettercometomeearlyto-morrow，asIsupposeweshallknowsomethingbyeleveno’clock。’
InthecourseofthateveningtheDukeofStBungaycametoCarltonTerrace，andwasclosetedforsometimewiththelatePrimeMinister。Hehadbeenengagedduringthatandthelasttwopreviousdaysinlendinghisaidtovariouspoliticalmanoeuvresandministerialattempts，fromwhichourDukehadkepthimselfaltogetheraloof。HedidnotgotoWindsor，butaseachsuccessivecompetitorjourneyedthitherandreturned，someonesentfortheoldDukeorwenttoseekhiscouncil。HewastheNestoroftheoccasion，andstroveheartilytocomposeallquarrels，andsotoarrangemattersthatawholesome，moderatelyLiberalMinistrymightbeagaininstalledforthegoodofthecountryandthecomfortofalltrueWhigs。Insuchmomentshealmostascendedtothegrandheightsofpatriotism，beingalwaysindifferentastohimself。Nowhecametohislatechiefwithanewproject。MrGreshamwouldattempttoformaMinistryiftheDukeofOmniumwouldjoinhim。