’Itisimpossible！，saidtheyoungerpolitician，foldinghishandstogetherandthrowinghimselfbackinthechair。
’Listentomebeforeyouanswermewithsuchcertainty。Therearethreeorfourgentlemenwho，aftertheworkofthelastthreeyears，bearinginmindthemannerinwhichourdefeathasjustbeenaccomplished，feelthemselvesdisinclinedtojoinMrGreshamunlessyouwilldosoalso。ImayspeciallynameMrMonkandMrFinn。Imightperhapsaddmyself，wereitnotthatIhadhopedthatinanyeventImightatlengthregardmyselfasexemptfromfurtherservice。Theoldhorseshouldbelefttograzeouthislastdays，nepeccetadextremumridendus。Butyoucan’tconsideryourselfabsolvedonthatscore。’
’Thereareotherreasons。’
’ButtheQueen’sserviceshouldcountbeforeeverything。GreshamandCantripwiththeirownfriendscanhardlymakeaMinistryasthingsarenowunlessMrMonkwilljointhem。IdonotthinkthatanyotherChancelloroftheExchequerisatpresentpossible。’
’IwillbeseechMrMonknottoletanyfeelingastomestandinhisway。Whyshouldit？’
’Itisnotonlywhatyoumaythinkandhemaythink，——butwhatotherswillthinkandsay。TheCoalitionwillhavedoneallthatoughttohavebeenexpectedfromitifourpartyinitcannowjoinMrGresham。’
’Byallmeans。ButIcouldgivethemnostrength。TheymaybesureatanyrateofwhatlittleIcandoforthemoutofoffice。’
’MrGreshammadehisacceptanceofoffice，——well，Iwillnotsaystrictlyconditionalonyourjoininghim。Thatwouldhardlybecorrect。Buthehasexpressedhimselfquitewillingtomaketheattemptwithyouraid，anddoubtfulwhetherhecansucceedwithoutit。HesuggeststhatyoushouldjoinhimasPresidentoftheCouncil。’
’Andyou？’
’IfIwerewantedatallIshouldtakePrivySeal。’
’Certainlynot，myfriend。Iftherewereanyquestionofmyreturnwecouldreversetheoffices。ButIthinkImaysaythatmymindfixed。IfyouwishitIwillseeMrMonkanddoallthatIcantogethimtogowithyou。But，formyself，——Ifeelthatitwouldbeuseless。’
Atlast，attheDuke’spressingrequest，heagreedtotaketwenty-fourhoursbeforehegavehisfinalanswertotheproposition。
CHAPTER77
THEDUCHESSINMANCHESTERSQUARE。
TheDukesaidnotawordtohiswifeastothisnewproposition，andwhensheaskedhimwhattidingstheiroldfriendhadbroughtastothestateofaffairs，healmosttoldafibinhisanxietytoescapefromherpersecution。’Heisinsomedoubtwhathemeanstodohimself，’saidtheDuke。TheDuchessaskedmanyquestions，butgotnosatisfactoryreplytoanyofthem。NordidMrsFinnlearnanythingfromherhusband，whom，however，shedidnotinterrogateveryclosely。Shewouldbecontentedtoknowwhenthepropertimemightcomeforladiestobeinformed。TheDuke，however，wasdeterminedtotakehistwenty-fourhoursallalone，——oratanyratenottobedriventohisdecisionbyfeminineinterference。
InthemeantimetheDuchesswenttoManchesterSquareintentonperformingcertaingoodofficesonbehalfofthepoorwidow。Itmaybedoubtedwhethershehadclearlymadeuphermindwhatitwasthatshecoulddo，thoughshewasclearthatsomedebtwasduebyhertoMrsLopez。Andsheknewtooinwhatdirectionassistancemightbeserviceable，ifonlyinthiscaseitcouldbegiven。ShehadheardthatthepresentmemberforSilverbridgehadbeenthelady’sloverbeforeMrLopezhadcomeuponthescene，andwiththosefemininewilesofwhichshewasaperfectmistressshehadextractedfromhimaconfessionthathismindwasunaltered。ShelikedArthurFletcher，——asindeedshehadforatimelikedFerdinandLopez，——andfeltthatherconsciencewouldbeeasierifshecouldassistinthisgoodwork。ShebuiltcastlesintheairastothepresenceofthebrideandbridegroomatMatching，thinkinghowshemightthusrepairtheevilshehaddone。Butherheartmisgaveheralittleasshedrewneartothehouse，andrememberedhowveryslightwasheracquaintanceandhowextremelydelicatethemissiononwhichshehadcome。Butshewasnotthewomantoturnbackwhenshehadonceputherfoottoanywork。andshewasdrivenuptothedoorinManchesterSquarewithoutanyexpressedhesitationonherownpart。’Yes——
hismistresswasathome，’saidthebutler，stillshrinkingatthesoundofthenamewhichheheard。TheDuchesswasthenshownupstairs，andwasleftaloneforsomeminutesinthedrawing-
room。Itwasalargehandsomeapartmenthungroundwithvaluablepictures，andhavingsignsofconsiderablewealth。SinceshehadfirstinvitedLopeztostandforSilverbridgeshehadheardmuchabouthim，andhadwonderedhowhehadgainedpossessionofsuchagirlasEmilyWharton。Andnow，asshelookedabouther，herwonderwasincreased。SheknewenoughofsuchpeopleastheWhartonsandtheFletcherstobeawarethatasaclasstheyaremoreimpregnable，morecloselyguardedbytheirfeelingsandprejudicesagainststrangersthananyother。Nonekeeptheirdaughterstothemselveswithgreatercare，orarelesswillingtoseetheirrulesoflifechangedorabolished。Andyetthisman，halfforeigner，halfJew，——andasitnowappeared，wholepauper，hadsteppedinandcarriedoffaprizeofwhichsuchaoneasArthurFletcherwascontending！TheDuchesshadneverseenEmilybutonce，——soastoobserveherwell，——andhadthenthoughthertobeaveryhandsomewoman。IthadbeenatthegardenpartyatRichmond，andLopezhadtheninsistedthathiswifeshouldbewelldressed。ItwouldperhapshavebeenimpossibleinthewholeofthatassemblytofindamorebeautifulwomanthanMrsLopezthenwas，——oronewhocarriedherselfwithafinerair。Nowwhensheenteredtheroominherdeepmourningitwouldhavebeendifficulttorecognizeher。Herfacewasmuchthinner，hereyesapparentlylarger，andhercolourfaded。Andtherehadcomeasettledseriousnessonherfacewhichseemedtorobherofheryouth。ArthurFletcherhaddeclaredthatashesawhernowshewasmorebeautifulthanever。ButArthurFletcher，inlookingather，sawmorethenhermerefeatures。Tohiseyestherewasatendernessaddedbyhersorrowwhichhaditsownattractionforhim。Andhewassowellversedineverylineofhercountenance，thathecouldseetheretheoldlovelinessbehindthesorrow。thelovelinesswhichwouldcomeforthagain，asbrightasever，ifthesorrowcouldberemoved。ButtheDuchess，thoughsherememberedthewoman’sbeautyasshemightthatofanyotherlady，nowsawnothingbutathingofwoewrappedincustomarywidow’sweeds。’Ihope，’shesaid，’Iamnotintrudingincomingtoyou。butIhavebeenanxioustorenewouracquaintanceforreasonswhichIamsureyouwillunderstand。’
Emilyatthemomenthardlyknewhowtoaddressheraugustvisitor。Thoughherfatherhadlivedallhislifeinwhatiscalledgoodsociety，hehadnotconsortedmuchwithdukesandduchesses。Sheherselfhadindeedononeoccasionbeenforanhourortwotheguestofthisgrandlady，butonthatoccasionshehadhardlybeencalledupontotalktoher。NowshedoubtedhowtonametheDuchess，andwithsomeshowofhesitationdecidedatlastuponnotnamingheratall。’Itisverygoodofyoutocome，’shesaidinafalteringvoice。
’ItoldyouthatIwouldwhenIwrote，youknow。Thatismanymonthsago，butIhavenotforgottenit。Youhavebeeninthecountrysincethat，Ithink？’
’Yes。InHertfordshire。Hertfordshireisourcounty。’
’Iknowallaboutit，’saidtheDuchess，smiling。Shegenerallydidcontrivetolearn’allabout’peoplewhomshechosetotakebythehand。’WehaveaHertfordshiregentlemansittingfor，——I
mustnotsayourboroughofSilverbridge。’ShewasanxioustomakesomeallusiontoArthurFletcher，butitwasdifficulttotravelonthatSilverbridgeground，asLopezhadbeenherchosencandidatewhenshestillwishedtoclaimtheboroughasanappanageofthePalliserfamily。Emily，however，kepthercountenanceanddidnotshowbyanysignthatherthoughtswererunninginthatdirection。’Andthoughwedon’tpresumetoregardMrFletcher，’continuedtheDuchess，’asinanywayconnectedwithourlocalinterests，hehasalwayssupportedtheDuke，andIhopehasbecomeafriendofours。Ithinkheisaneighbourofyoursinthatcounty。’
’Ohyes。Mycousinismarriedtohisbrother。’
’Iknewtherewassomethingofthatkind。Hetoldmethattherewassomeclosealliance。’TheDuchessasshelookedatthewomantowhomshewantedtobekinddidnotasyetdaretoexpressawishthattheremightbeatsomenoverydistanttimeacloseralliance。Shehadcomethereintendingtodoso。andhadstillsomehopethatshemightdoitbeforetheinterviewwasover。
Butatanyrateshewouldnotdoityet。’HaveInotheard，’shesaid，’somethingofanothermarriage？’
’Mybrotherisgoingtomarryhiscousin，SirAluredWharton’sdaughter。’
’Ah——IthoughithadbeenoneoftheFletchers。Itwasourmemberwhotoldme，andspokeasiftheywereallhisverydearfriends。’
’Theyareourverydearfriends，——very。’PoorEmilystilldidn’tknowwhethertocallherDuchess，myLady，orGrace，——andyetshefelttheneedofcallingherbysomespecialname。
’Exactly。Isupposeditwasso。TheytellmeMrFletcherwillbecomequiteafavouriteoftheHouse。Atthispresentmomentnobodyknowsonwhichsideanybodyisgoingtositto-morrow。ItmaybethatMrFletcherwillbecomethedireenemyofalltheDuke’sfriends。’
’Ihopenot。’
’OfcourseI’mspeakingofpoliticalenemies。Politicalenemiesareoftenthebestfriendsintheworld。andIcanassureyoufrommyownexperiencethatpoliticalfriendsareoftenthebitterestenemies。Ineverhatedanypeoplesomuchassomeofoursupporters。’TheDuchessmadeagrimace，andEmilycouldnotrefrainfromsmiling。’Yes，indeed。There’sanoldsayingthatmisfortunemakesstrangebedfellows，butpoliticalfriendshipmakesstrangeralliancesthanmisfortune。PerhapsyouhaveneverheardofSirTimothyBeeswax。’
’Never。’
’Well——don’t。But，asIwassaying，thereisnoknowingwhomaysupportwhomnow。IfIwereaskedwhowouldbePrimeMinisterto-morrow，Ishouldtakehalf-dozennamesandshaketheminabag。’
’Isitnotsettledthen？’
’Settled！No，indeed。Nothingissettled。’Atthatmomentindeedeverythingwassettled，thoughtheDuchessdidnotknowit。’AndsowenoneofuscantellhowMrFletchermaystandwithuswhenthingsarearranged。IsupposehecallshimselfaConservative？’
’Oh，yes！’
’AlltheWhartonsare，Isuppose，Conservatives，——andalltheFletchers。’
’Verynearly。PapacallshimselfaTory。’
’Averymuchbetternametomythinking。WeareallWhigs，ofcourse。APalliserwhoisnotaWhigwouldbeheldtohavedisgracedhimselfforever。Arenotpoliticsodd？AfewyearsagoIonlybarelyknewwhatthewordmeant，andthatnotcorrectly。Ihavebeensoeageraboutit，thattherehardlyseemstobeanythingelseworthlivingfor。Isupposeit’swrong，butastateofpugnacityseemstomethegreatestblisswhichwecanreachhereonearth。’
’Ishouldn’tliketobealwaysfighting。’
’That’sbecauseyouhaven’tknownSirTimothyBeeswaxandtwoorthreeothergentlemenwhomIcouldname。Thedaywillcome，I
daresay，whenyouwillcareforpolitics。’
Emilywasabouttoanswer，hardlyknowingwhattosay，whenthedoorwasopenedandMrsRobycameintotheroom。TheladywasnotannouncedandEmilyhadheardnoknockatthedoor。Shewasforcedtogothroughsomeceremonyofintroduction。’Thisismyaunt，MrsRoby，’shesaid，’AuntHarriet，theDuchessofOmnium。’
MrsRobywasbesideherself，——notallwithjoy。Thatfeelingwouldcomeafterwardswhenshewouldboasttoherfriendsofhernewacquaintance。Atpresenttherewastheembarrassmentofnotquiteknowinghowtobehaveherself。TheDuchessbowedfromherseat，andsmiledsweetly，——asshehadlearnedtosmilesinceherhusbandhadbecomePrimeMinister。MrsRobycurtsied，andthenrememberedthatinthesedaysonlyhousemaidsoughttocurtsey。
’AnythingtoourMrRoby？’saidtheDuchess，continuinghersmile，——’oursaswastillyesterdayatleast。’Thisshesaidinanabsurdwailofmocksorrow。
’Mybrother-in-law，yourGrace，’saidMrsRobydelighted。
’Ohindeed。AndwhatdoesMrRobythinkaboutit，Iwonder？ButIdaresayyouhavefound，MrsRoby，thatwhenacrisiscomes，——
arealcrisis，——theladiesaretoldnothing。Ihave。’
’Idon’tthink，yourGrace，thatMrRobyeverdivulgespoliticalsecrets。’
’Doesn’theindeed！Whatadullmanyourbrother-in-lawmustbetolivewith，——thatisaspolitician！Good-bye，MrsLopez。Youmustcomeandseemeandletmecometoyouagain。Ihope，youknow，——Ihopethetimemaycomewhenthingsmayoncemorebebrightwithyou。’Theselastwordsshemurmuredalmostinawhisper，assheheldthehandofthewomanshewishedtobefriend。ThenshebowedtoMrsRoby，andlefttheroom。
’Whatwasitshesaidtoyou？’askedMrsRoby。
’Nothinginparticular，AuntHarriet。’
’Sheseemstobeveryfriendly。Whatmadehercome？’
’Shewrotetomesometimeagotosayshewouldcall。’
’Butwhy？’
’Icannottellyou。Idon’tknow。Don’taskmeaunt，aboutthingsthatarepassed。Youcannotdoitwithoutwoundingme。’
’Idon’twanttowoundyou，Emily，butIreallythinkitisnonsense。Sheisaverynicewoman——thoughtIdon’tthinksheoughttohavesaidthatMrRobyisdull。DidMrWhartonknowthatshewascoming？’
’Heknewthatshesaidshewouldcome，’repliedEmilyverysternly，sothatMrsRobyfoundherselfcompelledtopassontosomeothersubject。MrsRobyhadheardthewishexpressedthatsomething’oncemoremightbebright’，andwhenshegothometoldherhusbandthatshewassurethatEmilyLopezwasgoingtomarryArthurFletcher。’Andwhythed——shouldn’tshe？’saidDick。’Andthatpoormandestroyinghimselfnotmorethantwelvemonthsago！
Icouldn’tdoit，’saidMrsRoby。’Idon’tmeantogiveyouthechance，’saidDick。
TheDuchesswhenshewentawaysufferedunderasenseoffailure。
Shehadintendedtobringaboutsomesortofcrisisoffemaletendernessinwhichshemighthaverushedintofuturehopesandjoyousanticipations，andwiththefreedomwhichwillcomefromebullitionsoffeeling，havetoldthewidowthatthepeculiarcircumstancesofherpositionwouldnotonlyjustifyherinmarryingthisothermanbutabsolutelycalleduponhertodoit。
Unfortunatelyshehadfailedinherattempttobringtheinterviewtoaconditioninwhichthiswouldhavebeenpossible，andwhileshewasstillmakingtheattemptthatodiousaunthadcomein。’Ihavebeenonmymission，’shesaidtoMrsFinnafterwards。
’Haveyoudoneanygood？’
’Idon’tthinkI’vedoneanyharm。Women，youknow，aresoverydifferent。TherearesomewhowoulddelighttohaveanopportunityofopeningtheirheartstoaDuchess，andwhomightalmostbetalkedintoanythinginanecstasy。’
’Hardlywomenofthebestsort，LadyGlen。’
’Notofthebestsort。Butthenonedoesn’tcomeacrosstheverybest，veryoften。Butthatkindofthingdoeshaveaneffect，andasIonlywantedtodogood，Iwishshehadbeenoneofthesortfortheoccasion。’
’Wasshe——offended？’
’Ohdear，no。Youdon’tsupposeIattackedherwithahusbandatthefirst。Indeed，Ididn’tattackheratall。Shedidn’tgivemeanopportunity。SuchaNiobeyouneversaw。’
’Wassheweeping？’
’Notactualtears，buthergown，andhercap，andherstringswereweeping。Hervoicewept，andherhair，andhernose，andhermouth。Don’tyouknowthatlookofsubduedmourning？Andyettheysaythatthatmanisdyingforlove。Howbeautifulitistoseethatthereissuchathingasconstancyleftintheworld。’
WhenshegothomeshefoundthatherhusbandhadjustreturnedfromtheoldDuke’shouse，wherehehadmetMrMonk，MrGresham，andLordCantrip。’It’sallsettledatlast，’hesaidcheerfully。
CHAPTER78
THENEWMINISTRY。
Whentheex-PrimeMinisterwasleftbyhimselfafterthedepartureofhisoldfriendhisfirstfeelinghadbeenoneofregretthathehadbeenweakenoughtodoubtatall。Hehadlongsincemadeuphismindthatafterallthathadpassedhecouldnotreturntoofficeasasubordinate。ThatfeelingastotheimproprietyofCaesardescendingtoserveunderotherswhichhehadbeenfoolishenoughtoexpress，hadbeenstrongwithhimfromtheverycommencementofhisMinistry。Whenfirstaskedtotaketheplacewhichhehadfilledthereasonstrongagainstithadbeentheconvictionthatitwouldprobablyexcludehimfrompoliticalworkduringthelatterhalfofhislife。ThemanwhohaswrittenQ。C。
afterhisname，mustabandonhispracticebehindthebar。Ashethenwas，althoughhehadalreadydrivenbytheunhappycircumstanceofhispeeragefromtheHouseofCommonswhichhelovedsowell，therewasstillopentohimmanyfieldsofpoliticalwork。Butifheshouldonceconsenttostandonthetoprungoftheladder，hecouldnot，hethought，takealowerplacewithoutdegradation。Tillheshouldhavebeenplacedquiteatthetopnoshiftinghisplacefromthishighertothatlowerofficewouldinjurehiminhisownestimation。Theexigenciesoftheserviceandnotdefeatwouldproducesuchchangesasthat。
ButhecouldnotgodownfrombeingPrimeMinisterandserveundersomeotherchiefwithoutacknowledginghimselftohavebeenunfitfortheplacehehadfilled。Ofallthathehadquiteassuredhimself。AndyetheallowedtheoldDuketotalkhimintoadoubt！
Ashesatconsideringthequestionheacknowledgedthattheremighthavebeenroomfordoubt，thoughinthepresentemergencytherecertainlywasnone。Hecouldimaginecircumstancesinwhichtheexperienceofanindividualinsomespecialbranchofhiscountry’sservicemightbeofparamountimportancetothecountryastomakeitincumbentonamantosacrificeallpersonalfeeling。Butitwasnotsowithhim。Therewasnothingnowwhichhecoulddo，whichanothermightnotdoaswell。ThatblessedtaskofintroducingdecimalsintoallcommercialrelationsofBritishlife，whichhadoncekepthimaloftintheair，floatingasuponeagle’swings，hadbeendeniedhim。IfeverdoneitmustbedonefromtheHouseofCommons，andthepeopleofthecountryhadbecomedeaftothecharmsofthegreatreform。Othello’soccupationwas，intruth，altogethergone，andtherewasnoreasonbywhichhecouldjustifytohimselfthestepdownintheworldwhichtheoldDukehadproposedtohim。
EarlyonthefollowingmorningheleftCarltonTerraceonfootandwalkedtoMrMonk’shouse，whichwasclosetoStJames’sStreet。Hereateleveno’clockhefoundhislateChancelloroftheExchequerinthatstateoftediousagitationinwhichamaniskeptwhodoesnotyetknowwhetherheisorisnottobeoneoftheactorsintheplayjustabouttobeperformed。TheDukehadneverbeforebeeninMrMonk’sveryhumbleabode，andnowcausedsomesurprise。MrMonkknewthathemightprobablybesentfor，buthadnotexpectedanyoftheex-PrimeMinistersofthedaywouldcometohim。Peoplehadsaidthatnotimprobablyhehimselfmightbetheman，——buthehimselfhadindulgedinnosuchdream。Officehadhadnogreatcharmsforhim——andiftherewasonemanofthelateGovernmentwhocouldlayitdownwithoutpersonalregret，itwasMrMonk。’IwishyoutocomewithmetotheDuke’shouseinStJames’sSquare，’saidthelatePrimeMinister。’Ithinkweshallfindhimathome。’
’CertainlyIwillcomeatthismoment。’Therewasnotawordspokentillthetwomenwereinthestreettogether。’OfcourseIamalittleanxious，’saidMrMonk。’Haveyouanythingtotellmebeforewegetthere？’
’Youofcoursemustreturntooffice，MrMonk。’
’WithyourGrace——Icertainlywilldoso。’
’Andwithout，iftherebetheneed。Theywhoarewantedshouldbeforthcoming。ButperhapsyouwillletmepostponewhatIhavetosaytillweseetheDuke。Whatacharmingmorning——isitnot？Howsweetitwouldbedowninthecountry。’Marchhadgoneoutlikealamb，andeveninLondonintheearlyAprildaysweresweet——tobefollowed，nodoubt，bytheusualnippinginclemencyofMay。’Inevercangetoverthefeeling，’saidtheDuke，’thatParliamentshouldsitforthewintermonths，insteadofinsummer。IfwemetonthefirstofOctober，howgloriousitwouldbetogetawayfortheearlyspring！’
’NothinglessstrongthangrousecouldbreakupParliament，’saidMrMonk。’andthenwhatwouldthepheasantsandfoxessay？’
’Itisgivingalmosttoomuchforouramusements。IusedtothinkthatIshouldliketomoveforareturntothenumberofhuntingandshootinggentlemeninbothHouses。Ibelieveitwouldbeasmallminority。’
’Buttheirsonsshoot，andtheirdaughtershunt，andalltheirhangers-onwouldbeagainstit。’
’Customisagainstus，MrMonk。thatisit。Hereweare。Ihopemyfriendwillnotbeout，lookingupyoungLordsoftheTreasury。’TheDukeofStBungaywasnotinsearchofcadetsfortheGovernment，buthewasatthisverymomentclosetedwithMrGresham，andMrGresham’sespecialfriendLordCantrip。Hehadbeenatthisworksolongandsoconstantlythathisveryservantshadtheirministerial-crisismannersandfeltandenjoyedtheimportanceoftheoccasion。Thetwonewcomersweresoonallowedtoentertheaugustconclave，andthefivegreatsenatorsgreetedeachothercordially。’Ihopewehavenotcomeinopportunely，’saidtheDukeofOmnium。MrGreshamassuredhimalmostwithhilaritythatnothingcouldbelessinopportune——
andthentheDukewassurethatMrGreshamwastobethenewPrimeMinister，whoevermightjoinhimorwhoevermightrefusetodoso。’Itoldmyfriendhere，’continuedourDuke，layinghishandupontheoldman’sarm，’thatIwouldgivehimhisanswertoapropositionhemadewithmewithintwenty-fourhours。ButI
findthatIcandosowithoutthatdelay。’
’ItrustyourGrace’sanswermaybefavourabletous，’saidMrGresham，——whoindeeddidnotdoubtmuchthatitwouldbeso，seeingthatMrMonkhadaccompaniedhim。
’Idonotthinkitwouldbeunfavourable，thoughIcannotdoasmyfriendhasproposed。’
’Anypracticablearrangement——’beganMrGresham，withafrown，however，onhisbrow。
’Themostpracticablearrangement，Iamsure，willbeforyoutoformyourGovernment，withouthamperingyourselfwithabeatenpredecessor。’
’Notbeaten，’saidLordCantrip。
’Certainlynot，’saidtheotherDuke。
’ItisbecauseofyoursuccessthatIaskyourservices，’saidMrGresham。
’Ihavenonetogive，——nonethatIcannotbetterbestowoutofofficethanin。Imustaskyou，gentlemen，tobelievethatIamquitefixed。ComingherewithmyfriendMrMonk，Ididnotstatemypurposetohim。butIbeggedhimtoaccompanyme，fearinglestinmyabsenceheshouldfeelitincumbentonhimselftosailinthesameboatashislatecolleague。’
’Ishouldprefertodoso，’saidMrMonk。
’OfcourseitisnotformetosaywhatmaybeMrGresham’sideas，butasmyfriendheresuggestedtomethat，wereItoreturntooffice，MrMonkwoulddosoalso，Icannotbewronginsurmisingthathisservicesaredesired。’MrGreshambowedassent。’IshallthereforetakethelibertyoftellingMrMonkthatIthinkheisboundtogivehisaidinthepresentemergency。WereIashappilyplacedasheisinbeingthepossessorofaseatintheHouseofCommons，ItooshouldhopethatImightdosomething。’
Thefourgentlemen，witheagerpressure，beggedtheDuketoreconsiderhisdecision。Hecouldtakethisofficeanddonothinginit，——therebeing，asweknow，officestheholdersarenotcalleduponforwork，——orhecouldtakethatplacewhichrequiredhimtolabourlikeagalleyslave。WouldhebePrivySeal？WouldheundertaketheIndiaBoard？ButtheDukeofOmniumwasatlastresolute。Ofthisadministrationhewouldnotatanyratebeamember。WhetherCaesarmightormightnotatsomefuturetimecondescendtocommandalegionhecouldnotdosowhenthepurplehadbeenbutthatmomentstrippedfromhisshoulders。HesoonafterwardsleftthehousewitharepeatedrequesttoMrMonkthatheshouldnotfollowhislatechief’sexample。
’Iregretitgreatly，’saidMrGreshamwhenhewasgone。
’Thereisnoman，’saidLordCantrip，’whomallwhoknowhimmorethoroughlyrespect。’
’Hehasbeenworried，’saidtheoldDuke，’andmusttaketimetorecoverhimself。Hehasbutonefault，——heisalittletooconscientious，alittletooscrupulous。’MrMonk，ofcourse，didjointhem，makingoneortwostipulationsashedidso。HerequiredthathisfriendPhineasFinnshouldbeincludedintheGovernment。MrGreshamyielded，thoughpoorPhineaswasnotamongthemostfavouredfriendsofthatstatesman。AndsotheGovernmentwasformed，andthecrisiswasagainover，andthelistswhichthenewspapershadbeenpublishingforthelastthreedayswererepublishedinanamendedandnearlycorrectcondition。
ThetriumphofthePeople’sBanner，astotheomissionoftheDuke，wasofcoursecomplete。Theeditorhadnohesitationindeclaringthathe，byhisownsagacityandpersistency，hadmadecertaintheexclusionofthatveryunfitandverypressingcandidateforoffice。
Thelistwasfilledupaftertheusualfashion。Forawhilethedilettantipoliticiansoftheclubs，andthestrong-mindedwomenwhotakeaninterestinsuchthings，andthewritersinnewspapers，hadalmostdoubtedwhetherintheemergencywhichhadbeensupposedtobesopeculiar，anyGovernmentcouldbeformed。
Therehadbeen，——sotheyhadsaid，——peculiaritiessopeculiarthatitmightbethatthemuch-dreadeddeadlockhadcomeatlast。
ACoalitionhadbeenpossible，and，thoughantagonistictoBritishfeelingsgenerally，hadcarriedontheGovernment。ButwhatmightsucceedtheCoalition，nobodyhadknown。TheRadicalsandLiberalstogetherwouldbetoostrongforMrDaubneyandSirOrlando。MrGreshamhadnolongerapartyofhisownathisback，andasecondCoalitionwouldbegenerallyspurned。Inthiswaytherehadbeenmuchpoliticalexcitement，andafairamountofconsequentenjoyment。Butafterafewdaystheoldmenhadrattledintotheiroldplaces，——or，generally，oldmenintonewplaces。AnditwasunderstoodthatMrGreshamwouldagainbesupportedbyamajority。
AswegrowolditisamatterofinteresttowatchhowthenaturalgapsarefilledinthetworanksofparliamentaryworkmenbywhomtheGovernmentiscarriedon，eitherintheoneinterestortheother。Ofcoursetheremustbegaps。Somemenbecometooold，——thoughthatisrarelythecase。APeelmayperish，orevenaPalmerstonmustdie。Somemen，though，longsupportedbyinterest，familyconnection，ortheloyaltyofcolleagues，areweigheddownatlastbytheirownincapacityandsinkintopeerages。Nowandagainamancannotbearthebondageofoffice，andfliesintorebellionandindependencewhichwouldhavebeenmorerespectablehaditnotbeentheresultofdiscontent。Thenthegapsmustbefilled。Whetheronthissideoronthat，thecandidatesarefirstlookedforamongthesonsofEarlsandDukes，——andnotunnaturally，asthesonsofEarlsandDukesmaybeeducatedforsuchworkalmostfromtheirinfancy。Afewrisebytheslowprocessofacknowledgedfitness，——menwhoprobablyatfirsthavenotthoughtofoffices，butarechosenbecausetheyarewanted，andthosewhosecareersaregrudgedthem，notbytheiropponentsorrivals，butbytheBrownsandJonesesoftheworldwhocannotbeartoseeaSmithoraWalkerbecomesomethingsodifferenttothemselves。Thesemenhaveagreatweighttocarry，andcannotalwaysshakeofftheburdenoftheiroriginandliveamongbegottenstatesmanasthoughtheytoohadbeenborntothemanner。Butperhapsthemostwonderfulministerialphenomenon，——thoughnowalmosttoocommontobecalledaphenomenon，——ishewhoriseshighinpowerandplacebyhavingmadehimselfthoroughlydetestedandalso——alasforparliamentarycowardice！——thoroughlyfeared。Givensufficientaudacity，athickskin，andpowertobearforafewyearstheevillooksandcoldshouldersofhiscomrades，andthatisthemanmostsuretomakehiswaytosomehighseat。Buttheskinmustbethickerthanthatofanyanimalknown，andtheaudacitymustbecomplete。Tothemanwhowillonceshrinkattheideaofbeinglookedataskancefortreachery，orhatedforhisillcondition，thecareerisimpossible。Butlethimbeobdurate，andthebidwillcome。’NotbecauseIwanthim，doIaskforhim，’sayssomegroaningchiefofparty，——tohimself，andalsosufficientlyaloudforothers’ears，——’butbecausehestingsmeandgoadsme，andwilldrivemetomadnessasafoe。’Thenthepachydermousoneentersintotheother’sheaven，probablywiththeresolutionalreadyformedofoustingthatunhappyangel。Andsoitwasinthepresentinstance。WhenMrGresham’scompletedlistwaspublishedtotheworld，theworldwasastonishedtofindthatSirTimothyBeeswaxwastobeMrGresham’sAttorney-General。
SirGregoryGrogrambecameLordChancellor，andtheLiberalchiefwascontenttoborrowhisseniorlawadviserfromtheConservativesideofthelateCoalition。ItcouldnotbethatMrGreshamwasveryfondofSirTimothy——butSirTimothyinthelatedebateshadshownhimselftobeamanofwhomaministermightwellbeafraid。
ImmediatelyonleavingtheoldDuke’shouse，thelatePremierwenthometohiswife，andfindingthatshewasout，waitedforherreturn。Nowthathehadputhisowndecisionbeyondhispowerhewasanxioustoletherknowhowitwastobewiththem。
’Ithinkitissettledatlast，’hesaid。
’Areyoucomingback？’
’Certainlynotthat。IbelieveImaysaythatMrGreshamisPrimeMinister。’
’Thenheoughtn’ttobe，’saidtheDuchesscrossly。
’IamsorrythatImustdifferfromyou，mydear，becauseIthinkheisthefittestmaninEnglandfortheplace。’
’Andyou？’
’Iamaprivategentlemanwhowillnowbeabletodevotemoreofhistimetohiswifeandchildrenthanhashithertobeenpossiblewithhim。’
’Howverynice！Doyoumeantosaythatyoulikeit？’
’IamsurethatIoughttolikeit。AtthepresentmomentIamthinkingmoreofwhatyouwouldlike。’
’Ifyouaskme，Plantagenet，youknowIshalltellthetruth。’
’Thentellthetruth。’
’AfterdrinkingbrandysolongIhardlythinkthat12sclaretwillagreewithmystomach。Youaskforthetruth，andthereitis，——veryplainly。’
’Plainenough！’
’Youasked，youknow。’
’AndIamgladtohavebeentold，eventhoughthatwhichyoutellmeisnotpleasanthearing。Whenamanhasbeendrinkingtoomuchbrandy，itmaybewellthatheshouldbeputonacourseof12sclaret。’
’Hewon’tlikeit。andthen，——it’skillorcure。’
’Idon’tthinkyou’vegonesofar，Cora，thatweneedfearthattheremedywillbefatal。’
’Iamthinkingofyouratherthanmyself。Icanmakemyselfgenerallydisagreeable，andgetexcitementinthatway。Butwhatwillyoudo？It’sallverywelltotalkofmeandthechildren，butyoucan’tbringinabillforreformingus。Youcan’tmakeusgobydecimals。Youcan’tincreaseourconsumptionbyloweringourtaxation。IwishyouhadgonebacktosomeBoard。’
Thisshesaidlookingupintohisfacewithananxietywhichwashalfrealandhalfburlesque。
’IhadmadeupmymindtogobackontonoBoard，——forthepresent。IwasthinkingthatwecouldspendsomemonthsinItaly，Cora。’
’What。forthesummer，——soastobeinRomeinJuly！AfterthatwecouldutilizewinterbyvisitingNorway。’
’WemighttakeNorwayfirst。’
’Andbeeatenupbymosquitoes！I’vegottobetoooldtoliketravelling。’
’Whatdoyoulike，dear？’
’Nothing——exceptbeingthePrimeMinister’swife。anduponmywordthereweretimeswhenIdidn’tlikethatverymuch。Idon’tknowanythingthatIamfitfor。IwonderwhetherMrGreshamwouldhavemeasahousekeeper？OnlyweshouldhavetolendhimGatherum，ortherewouldbenoroomforthedisplayofmyabilities。IsMrMonkin？’
’Hekeepshisoffice。’
’AndMrFinn？’
’Ibelieveso。butinwhatplaceIdon’tknow。’
’Andwhoelse？’
’OuroldfriendtheDukeandLordCantrip，andMrWilson，——andSirGregorywillbeLordChancellor。’
’JusttheoldstupidLiberalteam。Puttheirnamesinabagandshakethem，andyoucanalwaysgetaministry。Well，Plantagenet——
I’llgoanywhereyouliketotakeme。I’llhavesomethingforthemalariaatRome，andsomethingforthemosquitoesinNorway，andwillmakethebestofit。ButIdon’tseewhyyoushouldrunawayinthemiddleoftheSession。Iwouldstayandpitchintothem，allround，likeatrueex-ministerandindependentmemberofParliament。’Thenashewasleavinghershefiredalastshot。’IhopeyoumadeSirOrlandoandSirTimothypeersbeforeyougaveup。’
ItwasnotuntiltwodaysafterthisthatshereadinoneofthedailypapersthatSirTimothyBeeswaxwastobeAttorney-General，andthenherpatiencealmostdesertedher。Totellthetruth，herhusbandhadnotdaredtomentiontheappointmentwhenhefirstsawherafterhearingit。HerexplosionfellontheheadofPhineasFinn，whomshefoundathomewithhiswife，deploringthenecessitywhichhadfallenuponhimoffillingthefaineantofficeofChancelloroftheDuchyofLancaster。’MrFinn，’shesaid，’Icongratulateyouonyourcolleagues。’
’YourGraceisverygood。IwasatanyrateintroducedtomanyofthemundertheDuke’sauspices。’
’Andought，Ithink，tohaveseenenoughofthemtobeashamedofthem。SucharegimenttomarchthroughCoventrywith！’
’Idonotdoubtthatweshallbegoodenoughmenforanyenemieswemaymeet。’
’ItcannotbethatyoushouldconqueralltheworldwithsuchaheroamongyouasSirTimothyBeeswax。TheideaofSirTimothycomingbackagain！Whatdoyoufeelaboutit？’
’Veryindifferent，Duchess。Hewon’tinterferemuchwithme，asIhaveanAttorney-Generalofmyown。YouseeI’mespeciallysafe。’
’Idobelievemenwoulddoanything，’saidtheDuchess，turningtoMrsFinn。’OfcourseImeaninthewayofpolitics！ButI
didnotthinkitpossiblethattheDukeofStBungayshouldagainbeinthesameGovernmentwithSirTimothyBeeswax。’
CHAPTER79
THEWHARTONWEDDING。
ItwasatlastsettledthattheWhartonmarriageshouldtakeplaceduringthesecondweekinJune。Therewerevariousreasonsforthepostponement。InthefirstplaceMaryWharton，afterafewpreliminaryinquiries，foundherselfforcedtodeclarethatMessrsMuddocksandCramblecouldnotsendherforthequippedassheoughttobeequippedforsuchahusbandinsoshortatime。
’PerhapstheydoitquickerinLondon，’shesaidtoEverettwithasoftregret，rememberingthemetropolitangloriesofhersister’swedding。AndthenArthurFletchercouldbepresentduringtheWhitsuntideholidays，andthepresenceofArthurFletcherwasessential。Anditwasnotonlyhispresenceatthealtarthatwasneeded——Parliamentwasnotsoexactingbutthathemighthavegiventhat——butitwasconsideredbytheunitedfamiliestobehighlydesirablethatheshouldonthisoccasionremainsomedaysinthecountry。Emilyhadpromisedtoattendthewedding，andwouldofcoursebeatWhartonforatleastaweek。AssoonasEveretthadsucceededinwrestingapromisefromhissister，thetidingswereconveyedtotheFletchers。
Itwasagreatstepgained。WheninLondonshewasherownmistress。butsurroundedasshewouldbedowninHertfordshirebyFletchersandWhartons，shemustbestubbornindeedifsheshouldstillrefusetobetakenbackintotheflock，andbemadeoncemorehappybymarryingthemanwhomsheconfessedthatshelovedwithherwholeheart。ThelettertoArthurFletchercontainingthenewswasfromhisbrotherJohn，andwaswritteninaverybusinesslikefashion。’WehaveputoffMary’smarriageforafewdays，sothatyouandsheshouldbedownheretogether。Ifyoumeantogoonwithit，nowisyourtime。’Arthur，inanswertothis，merelysaidhewouldspendtheWhitsuntideholidaysatLongbarns。
ItisprobablethatEmilyherselfhadsomeideainherownmindofwhatwasbeingdonetoentrapher。Herbrother’swordstoherhadbeensostrong，andtheoccasionofthemarriagewasitselfsosacredtoher，thatshehadnotbeenabletorefusehisrequest。Butfromthemomentthatshehadmadethepromise，shefeltthatshehadgreatlyaddedtoherowndifficulties。ThatshecouldyieldtoArthurneveroccurredtoher。Shewascertainofherownpersistency。Whatevermightbethewishesofothers，thefitnessofthingsrequiredthatArthurFletcher’swifeshouldnothavebeenthewidowofFerdinandLopez，——andrequiredalsothatthewomanwhohadmarriedFerdinandLopezshouldbeartheresultsofherownfolly。Thoughsincehisdeathshehadneverspokenasyllableagainsthim，——ifthosepassionatewordsbeexceptedwhichArthurhimselfhaddrawnfromher，——stillshehadnotrefrainedfromacknowledgingthetruthtoherself。Hehadbeenamandisgraced，——andsheashiswife，havingbecomehiswifeinoppositiontothewishesofallherfriends，wasdisgracedalso。
Letthemdowhattheywillwithher，shewouldnotsoilArthurFletcher’snamewithhisinfamy。Suchwasstillhersteadfastresolution。butsheknewthatitwouldbe，notendangered，butincreasedindifficultybythisvisittoHertfordshire。
Andtherewereothertroubles。’Papa，’shesaid，’ImustgetadressforEverett’smarriage。’
’Whynot？’
’Ican’tbear，afterallthatIhavecostyou，puttingyoutosuchuselessexpense。’
’Itisnotuseless，andsuchexpensesasthatIcansurelyaffordwithoutgroaning。Doithandsomelyandyouwillpleasemebest。’
Thenshewentforthandchoseherdress，——agreysilk，lightenoughnottothrowquiteagloomonthebrightnessoftheday，andyetdarkenoughtodeclarethatshewasnotasotherwomenare。Theveryactofpurchasingthis，almostblushingatherownrequestasshesatatthecounterinherwidow’sweeds，wasapaintoher。Butshehadnoonewhomshecouldemploy。OnsuchanoccasionshecouldnotaskherauntHarriettoactforher，asherauntwasdistrustedanddisliked。Andthentherewasthefittingonofthedress，——verygrievoustoher，asitwasthefirsttimesincetheheavyblackmourningcamehomethatshehadclothedherselfinothergarments。
ThedaybeforethatfixedforthemarriagesheandherfatherwentdowntoHertfordshiretogether，theconversationonthewaybeingallinrespecttoEverett。Wherewashetolive？Whatwashetodo？Whatincomewouldherequiretillheshouldinheritthegoodthingswhichdestinyhadinstoreforhim？TheoldmanseemedtofeelthatProvidence，havingbeensoverygoodtohissoninkillingthatotherheir，hadputratheraheavyburdenonhimself。’He’llwantahouseofhisown，ofcourse，’hesaid，inasomewhatlachrymosetone。
’Isupposehe’llspendagooddealofhistimeatWharton。’
’Hewon’tbecontenttoliveinanotherman’shousealtogether，mydear，andSirAluredcanallowhimnothing。Itmeans，ofcourse，thatImustgivehimathousandayear。Itseemsverynaturaltohim，Idaresay，buthemighthaveaskedthequestionbeforehetookawifetohimself。’
’Youwon’tbeangrywithhim，papa！’
’It’snogoodbeingangry。No——I’mnotangry。Onlyitseemsthateverybodyisuncommonlywellpleasedwithoutthinkingwhohastopayforthepiper。’
Onthatevening，atWharton，Emilystillworehermourningdress。
Noone，indeed，daredtospeaktoheronthesubject，andMarywasevenafraidlestshemightappearinblackonthefollowingday。Weallknowinwhatconditionisahouseontheeveofamarriage，——howthebridefeelsthatalltheworldisgoingtobechanged，andthatthereforeeverythingisforthemomentdisjointed。andhowtherestofthehousehold，includingtheservants，areledtosharethefeeling。Everettwasofcourseaway。HewasoveratLongbarnswiththeFletchers，andwastobebroughttoWhartonChurchonthefollowingmorning。OldMrsFletcherwasatWhartonHall，——andthebishop，whoseserviceshadbeenhappilysecured。HewasformallyintroducedtoMrsLopez，theuseofthenamefortheoccasionbeingabsolutelynecessary，andwithallthesmilingurbanity，whichasabishophewasboundtopossess，hewashardlyablenottobefunerealashelookedatherandrememberedherstory。BeforetheeveningwasoverMrsFletcherdidventuretogiveahint。’Wearesogladyouhavecome，mydear。’
’IcouldnotstayawaywhenEverettsaidhewishedit。’
’Itwouldhavebeenverywrong。yes，mydear，——wrong。Itisyourduty，andthedutyofusall，tosubordinateourfeelingstothoseofothers。Evensorrowmaybeselfish。’PoorEmilylistened，butcouldmakenoreply。’Itissometimesharderforustobemindfulofothersinourgriefthaninourjoy。Youshouldremember，dear，thattherearesomewhowillneverbelight-heartedtilltheyseeyousmile。’
’Donotsaythat，MrsFletcher。’
’Itisquitetrue——andrightthatyoushouldthinkofit。Itwillbeparticularlynecessarythatyoushouldthinkofitto-
morrow。Youwillhavetowearalightdress，and——’
’Ihavecomeprovided，’saidthewidow。
’Trythentomakeyouheartaslightasyourfrock。YouwillbedoingitforEverett’ssake，andforyourfather’s，andforMary’ssake——andArthur’s。Youwillbedoingitforthesakeofallofusonadaythatshouldbejoyous。’Shecouldnotmakeanypromiseinreplytothishomily，butinherheartofheartssheacknowledgedthatitwastrue，anddeclaredtoherselfthatshewouldmaketheeffortrequiredofher。
Onthefollowingmorningthehousewasofcourseinconfusion。
Therewastobeabreakfastaftertheservice，andafterthebreakfastthebridewastobetakenawayinacarriageandfourasfarasHerefordonherroutetoParis——butbeforethegreatbreakfasttherewasofcourseasubsidiarybreakfast，——orhowcouldabishop，bride，orbridesmaidshavesustainedtheceremony？AtthismealEmilydidnotappear，havingbeggedforacupofteainherownroom。Thecarriagestotakethepartytothechurch，whichwasbuttheothersideofthepark，wereorderedateleven，andataquarterbeforeelevensheappearedforthefirsttimeinhergreysilkdress，andwithoutawidow’scap。Everythingwasveryplain，butthealterationwassogreatthatitwasimpossiblenottolookather。Evenherfatherhadnotseenthechangebefore。Notawordwassaid，thougholdMrsFletcher’sthankswereimpliedbythegraciousnessofhersmile。
Astherewerefourbridesmaidsandfourotherladiesbesidesthebrideherself，inafewminutesshebecameobscuredbythebrightnessoftheothers，——andthentheywereallpackedintheircarriagesandtakentothechurch。Theeyeswhichshemostdreadeddidnotmeetherstilltheywereallstandingroundthealtar。ItwasonlythenthatshesawArthurFletcher，whowasthereasherbrother’sbestman，anditwasthenthathetookherhandandhelditforhalfaminuteasthoughhenevermeanttopartwithit，hiddenbehindthewidespreadgloriesofthebridesmaids’finery。
Themarriagewassweetandsolemnasakind-heartedbishopcouldmakeit，andalltheladieslookedparticularlywell。TheveilfromLondon——withtheorangewreath，alsometropolitan——wasperfect，andasforthedress，Idoubtwhetheranywomanwouldhaveitknownittobeprovincial。Everettlookedtherisingbaronet，everyinchofhim，andtheoldbarristersmiledandseemed，atleast，tobewellpleased。Thencamethebreakfast，andthespeech-making，inwhichArthurFletchershonetriumphantly。Itwasaverynicewedding，andMaryWharton——asshethenandstillwas——feltherselfforamomenttobeaheroine。But，throughitall，therewaspresenttotheheartsofmostofthemafeelingthatmuchmorewastobeeffected，ifpossible，thanthissimpleandcosymarriage，andthatthefateofMaryWhartonwashardlysoimportanttothemasthatofEmilyLopez。
Whenthecarriageandfourwasgonetherecameuponthehouseholdthedifficultyusualonsuchoccasionsofgettingthroughtherestoftheday。Thebridesmaidsretiredandrepackedtheirsplendourssothattheymightcomeoutfreshforothersecond-
rateneeds，andwiththebridesmaidswentthewidow。ArthurFletcherremainedatWhartonwithalltheotherFletchersforthenight，andwaspreparedtorenewhissuitonthatveryday，ifanopportunityweregivenhim，butEmilydidnotagainshowherselftillafewminutesbeforedinner，andthenshecamedownwithalltheappurtenancesofmourningwhichsheusuallywore。Thegreysilkhadbeenputonforthemarriageceremony，andforthatonly。’Youshouldhavekeptyourdressatanyratefortheday，’
saidMrsFletcher。SherepliedthatshehadchangeditforEverett，andthatasEverettwasgonetherewasnofurtherneedfortowearclothesunfittedforherposition。Arthurwouldhavecaredverylittlefortheclothescouldhehavehadhiswaywiththewomanwhoworethem——couldhehavehadhiswayevensofarastohavefoundhimselfalonewithherforhalf-an-hour。Butnosuchchancewashis。Sheretreatedfromthepartyearly，anddidnotshowherselfonthefollowingmorningtillafterhehadstartedforLongbarns。
AlltheFletcherswentback，——not，however，withanyintentiononthepartofArthurtoabandonhisimmediateattempt。Thedistancebetweenthehouseswasnotsogreatbutthathecoulddrivehimselfoveratanytime。’Ishallgonow，’hesaidtoMrWharton，’becauseIhavepromisedJohntofishwithhimto-
morrow，butIshallcomeoveronMondayorTuesday，andstaytillIgobacktotown。Ihopeshewillatanyrateletmespeaktoher。’Thefathersaidhewoulddohisbest，butthatthatobstinateresumptionofherweedsonherbrother’sveryweddingdayhadnearlybrokenhisheart。
WhentheFletcherswerebackatLongbarns，thetwoladieswereverysevereonher。’Itwasdownrightobstinacy，’saidthesquire’swife，’anditalmostmakesmethinkthatitwouldserveherrighttoleaveherassheis。’
’It’spride，’saidtheoldlady。’Shewon’tgiveway。Isaideversomuchtoher，butit’snouse。Ifeelitthemorebecausewehavegonesomuchoutofthewaytobegoodtoheraftershemadesuchafoolofherself。Ifitgoesonmuchlonger，Ishallneverforgiveheragain。’
’You’llhavetoforgiveher，mother，’saidhereldestson，’lethersinsbewhattheymay，——orelseyouwillhavetoquarrelwithArthur。’
’Idothinkit’sveryhard，’saidtheoldlady，takingherselfoutoftheroom。Anditwashard。Theoffenceinthefirstinstancehadbeenverygreatandtheforgivenessverydifficult。
ButMrsFletcherhadlivedlongenoughtoknowthatwhensonsarethoroughlyrespectableawidowedmotherhastodotheirbidding。
Emily，throughthewholeweddingday，andthenextday，anddayafterday，rememberedMrsFletcher’swords。’Therearesomewhowillneverbelight-heartedagaintilltheyseeyousmile。’Andtheoldwomanhadnamedherdearestfriends，andhadendedbynamingArthurFletcher。Shehadthenacknowledgedtoherselfthatitwasherdutytosmileinorderthatothersmightsmilealso。Buthowisonetosmilewithaheavyheart？Shouldonesmileandlie？Andhowlongandtowhatgoodpurposecansuchforcedcontentmentlast？Shehadmarredherwholelife。Informerdaysshehadbeenproudofallhervirginglories，——proudofherintellect，proudofherbeauty，proudofthatobeisancewhichbeauty，birth，andintellectcombined，exactfromallcomers。Shehadbeenambitiousastoherfuturelife——hadintendedtobecarefulnottosurrenderherselftosomeemptyfool——hadthoughtherselfwellqualifiedtopickherownsteps。
Andthishadcomeofit！Theytoldherthatshemightstillmakeeverythingright，annulthepastandbegintheworldagainasfreshasever——ifshewouldonlysmileandstudytoforget！Doitforthesakeofothers，theysaid，andthenitwillbedoneforyourselfalso。Butshecouldnotconquerthepast。Thefireandwaterofrepentance，adequateastheymaybeforeternity，cannotburnoutorwashawaytheremorseofthislife。Theyscorchandchoke，——andunlessitbesothereisnorepentance。
Soshetoldherself，——andyetitwasherdutytobelight-
heartedthatothersaroundhermightnotbemademiserablebyhersorrow！Ifshecouldintruthbelight-hearted，thenwouldsheknowherselftobeunfeelingandworthless。
OnthethirddayafterthemarriageArthurFletchercamebacktoWhartonwiththedeclaredintentionofremainingtheretilltheendoftheholiday。Shecouldmakenoobjectiontosuchanarrangement，norcouldshehastenherownreturntoLondon。Thathadbeenfixedbeforeherdeparture，andwastomadetogetherwithherfather。Shefeltthatshewasbeingattackedwithunfairweapons，andthatundueadvantagewastakenofthesacrificewhichshehadmadeforherbrother’ssake。Andyet，——
yethowgoodtohertheyallwere！Howwonderfulitwasthatafterthethingshehaddone，afterthedisgraceshehadbroughtonherselfandthem，afterthedestructionofallthatpridewhichhadoncebeenhers，theyshouldstillwishtohaveheramongthem！Asforhim，——ofwhomshewasalwaysthinking，——ofwhatnaturemustbehislove，whenhewaswillingtotaketohimselfashiswifesuchathingasshehadmadeofherself！
But，thinkingofthis，shewouldonlytellherselfthat，ashewouldnotprotecthimself，shewasboundtobehisprotector。
Yes——shewouldprotecthim，thoughshecoulddreamofaworldofjoythatmightbehersifshecoulddoashewouldaskher。
Hecaughtheratlast，andforcedhertocomeoutwithhimintothegrounds。Hecouldtellhistalebetterashewalkedbyhersidethansittingrestlesslyonachairandmovingawkwardlyabouttheroom，asonsuchanoccasionhewouldbesuretodo。
Withinfourwallsshewouldhavesomeadvantageoverhim。Shecouldsitstillandbedignifiedinherstillness。Butintheopenair，whentheywouldbothbeontheirlegs，shemightnotbesopowerfulwithhim，andheperhapsmightbestrongerwithher。
Shecouldnotrefusehimwhenheaskedhertowalkwithhim。Andwhyshouldsherefusehim？Ofcoursehemustbeallowedtoutterhisprayer，——andthenshemustbeallowedtomakeheranswer。
’Ithinkthemarriagewentoffverywell，’hesaid。
’Verywell。Everettoughttobeahappyman。’
’Nodoubthewillbe，——whenhesettlesdowntosomething。
Everythingwillcomerightforhim。Withsomepeoplethingsseemtogosmooth，don’tthey？Theyhavenothithertogonesmoothlywithyouandme，Emily。’
’Youareprosperous。Youhaveeverythingbeforeyouthatamancanwish，ifonlyyouwillallowyourselftothinkso。Yourprofessionissuccessful，andyouareinParliament，andeveryonelikesyou。’
’Itisallnothing。’
’Thatisthegeneraldiscontentoftheworld。’
’Itisallnothing——unlessIhaveyoutoo。RememberthatIhadsaidsolongbeforeIwassuccessful，whenIdidnotdreamofParliament。beforewehadheardthenameofthemanwhocamebetweenusandmyhappiness。IthinkIamentitledtobebelievedwhenIsayso。IthinkIknowmyownmind。Therearemanymenwhowouldhavebeenchangedbytheepisodeofsuchamarriage。’
’Yououghttobechangedbyit，——andbyitsresult。’
’Ithadnosucheffect。HereIam，afteritall，tellingyouasIusedtotellyoubefore。Ihavetolooktoyouformyhappiness。’
’Youshouldbeashamedtoconfessit，Arthur。’
’Never——nottoyou，nortoalltheworld。Iknowwhatithasbeen。Iknowyouarenotnowasyouwerethen。Youhavebeenhiswife，andarenowhiswidow。’
’Thatshouldbeenough。’
’But，suchasyouare，myhappinessisinyourhands。Ifitwerenotso，doyouthinkthatallmyfamilyaswellasyourswouldjoininwishingthatyoumaybecomemywife？Thereisnothingtoconceal。Whenyoumarriedthisman，youknowwhatmymotherthoughtofit，andwhatJohnthoughtofit，andhiswife。Theyhadwantedyoutobemywife。andtheywantitnow——becausetheyareanxiousformyhappiness。Andyourfatherwishesit，andyourbrotherwishesit，——becausetheytrustme，andIthinkthatIshouldbeagoodhusbandtoyou。’
’Good！’sheexclaimed，hardlyknowingwhatshemeantbyrepeatingtheword。
’Afterthatyouhavenorighttosetyourselftojudgewhatmaybebestformyhappiness。Theywhoknowhowtojudgeareallunited。Whateveryoumayhavebeen，theybelievethatitwillbegoodformethatyoushouldnowbemywife。Afterthatyoumusttalkaboutmenolonger，unlessyouwilltalkofmywishes。’
’DoyouthinkthatIamnotanxiousforyourhappiness？’
’Idonotknow——butIshallfindoutintime。ThatiswhatI
havetosayaboutmyself。Andastoyou，isitnotmuchthesame？Iknowyouloveme。Whateverthefeelingwasthatovercameyouastothatotherman，——ithasgone。Icannotnowstoptobetenderandsoftinmywords。Thethingtobesaidistooserioustome。Andeveryfriendyouhavewantsyoutomarrythemanyoulove，andtoputanendtothedesolationwhichyouhavebroughtonyourself。Thereisnotoneamongus，FletchersandWhartons，whosecomfortdoesnotmoreorlessdependonyoursacrificingtheluxuryofyourownwoe。’
’Luxury！’
’Yes。luxury。Nomaneverhadarighttosaymorepositivelytoawomanthatitisherdutytomarryhim，thanIhavetoyou。
AndIdosayit。Isayitonbehalfofallofus，thatitisyourduty。Iwon’ttalkofmyownlovenow，becauseyouknowit。
ButIsaythatitisyourdutytogiveupdrowningusallintears，buryingusindesolation。Youareoneofus，andshoulddoasallofuswishyou。If，indeed，youcouldnotlovemeitwouldbedifferent。There！IhavesaidwhatIhavegottosay。
Youarecrying，andIwillnottakeyouranswernow。Iwillcomeagainto-morrow，andthenyoushallanswerme。But，rememberwhenyoudosothatthehappinessofmanypeopledependsonwhatyousay。’Thenheleftherverysuddenlyandhurriedbacktothehousebyhimself。
Hehadbeenveryroughwithher，——butnotonceattemptedtotouchherhandorevenherarm，hadspokennosoftwordtoher，speakingofhisownloveasathingtoocertaintoneedfurtherwords。andhehaddeclaredhimselftobesoassuredofherlovethattherewasnofavourforhimnowtoask，nothingforwhichhewasboundtoprayasalover。Allthatwaspast。Hehadsimplydeclaredittobeherdutytomarryhim，andhehadtoldhersowithmuchsternness。Hehadwalkedfast，compellinghertoaccompanyhim，hadfrownedather，andhadmorethanoncestampedhisfootupontheground。Duringthewholeinterviewshehadbeensoneartoweepingthatshecouldhardlyspeak。Onceortwiceshehadalmostthoughthimtobecruel——buthehadforcedhertoacknowledgetoherselfthatallthathehadsaidwastrueandunanswerable。Hadhepressedherforanansweratthatmomentshewouldhaveknowninwhatwordstocoucharefusal。
Andyetasshemadeherwayalonebacktothehousesheassuredherselfthatshewouldhaverefused。
Hehadgivenherfour-and-twentyhours，andattheendofthattimeshewouldbeboundtogivehimananswer，——andanswerwhichmustthenbefinal。Andasshesaidthistoherselfshefoundthatshewasadmittingadoubt。Shehardlyknewhownottodoubt，knowingasshedid，thatallwhomshelovedwereononeside，whileontheotherwasnothingbutthestubbornnessofherownconvictions。Butstilltheconvictionwaslefttoher。Overandoveragainshedeclaredtoherselfthatitwasnotfit，meaningtherebytoassureherselfthatahigherdutyeventhanthatwhichsheowedtoherfriends，demandedfromherthatsheshouldbetruetoherconvictions。Shemethimthatdayatdinner，buthehardlyspoketoher。Theysattogetherinthesameroomduringtheevening，butshehardlyonceheardhisvoice。Itseemedtoherthatheavoidedevenlookingather。
Whentheyseparatedforthenight，hepartedfromheralmostasthoughtheyhadbeenstrangers。Surelyhewasangrywithherbecauseshewasstubborn，——thoughtevilofherbecauseshewouldnotdoasotherswishedher！Shelayawakeduringthelongnightthinkingofitall。Ifitmightbeso！Oh——ifitmightbeso！
Ifitmightbedonewithoututterruintoherownself-respectasawoman！
Inthemorningshewasdownearly，——nothavinganythingtosay，withnoclearpurposeasyetbeforeher——butstillwithafeelingthatperhapsthatmorningmightalterallthingsforher。
Hewasthelatestoftheparty，notcominginforprayersashedidalltheothers，buttakinghisseatwhentheothershadhalffinishedtheirbreakfast。Ashesatdownhegaveageneralhalf-
utteredgreetingtothemall，butspokenospecialwordtoanyofthem。Itchancedthathisseatwasnexttohers，buttoherhedidnotaddresshimselfatall。Thenthemealwasover，andthechairswerewithdrawn，andthepartygroupeditselfaboutwithvague，uncertainmovements，asmenandwomendobeforetheyleavethebreakfasttablefortheworkoftheday。Shemeditatedherescape，butfeltthatshecouldnotleavetheroombeforeLadyWhartonorMrsFletcher——whohadremainedatWhartontokeephermothercompanyforawhile。Atlasttheywent——butthen，justasshewasescaping，heputhishanduponherandremindedherofherappointment。’Ishallbeinthehallinaquarterofanhour，’hesaid。’Willyoumeetmethere？’Thenshebowedherheadtohimandpassedon。
Shewasthereatthetimenamed，andfoundhimstandingbythehalldoor，waitingforher。Hishatwasalreadyonhisheadandhisbackwasalmostturnedtoher。Heopenedthedoor，and，allowinghertopassoutfirst，ledthewaytotheshrubbery。Hedidnotspeaktohertillhehadclosedbehindherthelittleirongatewhichseparatedthewalkfromthegarden，andthenheturneduponherwithoneword。’Well？’hesaid。Shewassilentforamoment，andthenherepeatedhiseagerquestion：’Well——
well？’
’Ishoulddisgraceyou，’shesaid，notfirmly，asbefore，butwhisperingthewords。
Hewaitedfornootherassent。Theformofthewordstoldhimthathehadwontheday。Inamomenthisarmswereroundher，andherveilwasoff，andhislipswerepressedtohers——andwhenshecouldseehiscountenancethewholeformofhisfacewasalteredtoher。Itwasbrightasitusedtobebrightintheolddays，andhewassmilingonherasheusedtosmile。’Myown，’
hesaid——’mywife——myown！’Andshehadnolongerthepowertodenyhim。’Notyet，Arthur。notyet，’wasallthatshecouldsay。
CHAPTER80
THELASTMEETINGATMATCHING。
Theex-PrimeMinisterdidnotcarryouthispurposeofleavingLondoninthemiddleoftheseasonandtravellingeithertoItalyorNorway。HewasawayfromLondonatWhitsuntidelongerperhapsthanhemighthavebeenifstillinoffice，andduringthisperiodregardedhimselfasamanfromwhosehandsallworkhadbeentaken——asonewhohadbeenfoundunfittocarryanylongeraburdenserviceably。butbeforeJunewasoverheandtheDuchesswerebackinLondon，andgraduallyheallowedhimselftoopenhismouthonthisorthatsubjectintheHouseofLords，——notpitchingintoeverybodyallround，ashiswifehadrecommended，——
butexpressinganopinionnowandagain，generallyinsupportofhisfriends，withthedignitywhichshouldbelongtoaretiredPrimeMinister。TheDuchesstoorecoveredmuchofhergoodtemper，——asfaratleastastheoutwardshowwent。Oneortwowhoknewher，especiallyMrsFinn，wereawarethatherhatredandherideasofrevengewerenotlaidaside。butshewentonfromdaytodayanathematizingherspecialenemies，andabstainedfromreproachingherhusbandforhispusillanimity。Thencamethequestionastotheautumn。’Let’shaveeverybodydownatGatherum，justaswehadbefore，’saidtheDuchess。
ThepropositionalmosttookawaytheDuke’sbreath。’Whydoyouwantacrowd，likethat？’
’Justtoshowthemthatwearenotbeatenbecauseweareturnedout。’
’Butinasmuchaswewereturnedout，wewerebeaten。Andwhathasagatheringofpeopleatmyhousetodowithapoliticalmanoeuvre？DoyouespeciallywanttogotoGatherum？’
’Ihatetheplace。YouknowIdo。’
’Thenwhyshouldyouproposetogothere？’Hehardlyyetknewhiswifewellenoughtounderstandthatthesuggestionhadbeenajoke。’Ifyoudon’twishtogoabroad——’
’Ihategoingabroad。’
’Thenwe’llremainatMatching。Youdon’thateMatching。’
’Ahdear！Therearememoriestheretoo。Butyoulikeit。’
’Mybooksarethere。’
’Blue-books，’saidtheDuchess。
’Andthereisplentyofroomifyouwishtohavefriends。’
’Isupposewemusthavesomebody。Youcan’tlivewithoutyourmentor。’
’Youcanaskwhomyouplease，’hesaidalmostfretfully。
’LadyRosina，ofcourse，’suggestedtheDuchess。Thenheturnedtothepapersbeforehim，andwouldn’tsayanotherword。ThematterendedinapartymuchasusualbeingcollectedatMatchingaboutthemiddleofOctober，——TelemachushavingspenttheearlypartoftheautumnwithMentoratLongRoyston。TheremightperhapsbeadozenguestsinthehouseandamongthemwerePhineasFinnandhiswife。AndMrGreywasthere，havingcomebackfromhiseasternmission，——whoseunfortunateabandonmentofhisseatatSilverbridgehadcausesomanytroubles，——andMrsGrey，whoindaysnowlongpassedhadbeenalmostasnecessarytoLadyGlencora，aswasnowherlaterfriendMrsFinn，——andtheCantrips，andforashorttimetheStBungays。ButLadyRosinaDeCourcyonthisoccasionwasnotpresent。TherewerefewtherewhommypatientreadershavenotseenatMatchingbefore。butamongthosefewwasArthurFletcher。
’Soitistobe，’saidtheDuchesstothememberforSilverbridgeonemorning。Shehadbythistimebecomeintimatewith’hermember’，asshewouldsometimescallhiminajoke，andhadconcernedherselfmuchastohismatrimonialprospects。
’Yes，Duchess，itistobe，——unlesssomeunforeseencircumstanceshouldarise。’
’Whatcircumstance？’
’Ladiesandgentlemendosometimeschangetheirminds——butinthiscaseIdonotthinkitlikely。’
’Andwhyain’tyoubeingmarriednow，MrFletcher？’
’Wehaveagreedtopostponeittillnextyear——sothatwemaybequitesureofourownminds。’
’Iknowyouarelaughingatme。butneverthelessIamverygladthatitissettled。PraytellherfrommethatIshallagaincallsoonaseversheisMrsFletcher，thoughIdon’tthinksherepaideitherofthelasttwovisitsImadeher。’
’Youmustmakeexcusesforher，Duchess。’
’Ofcourse。Iknow。Afterallsheisamostfortunatewoman。
Andasforyou，——Iregardyouasaheroamonglovers。’
’I’mgettingusedtoit，’shesaidonedaytoMrsFinn。
’Ofcourseyou’llgetusedtoit。Wegetusedtoanythingthatchancesendsusinamarvellouslyshorttime。’
’WhatImeanisthatIcangotobedandsleep，andgetupandeatmymealswithoutmissingthesoundoftrumpetssomuchasI
didatfirst。Irememberhearingofpeoplewholivedinamill，andcouldn’tsleepwhenthemillstopped。Itwaslikethatwithmewhenourmillstoppedatfirst。Ihadgotmyselfsousedtotheexcitementofit，thatIcouldhardlylivewithoutit。’
’Youmighthavealltheexcitementstill，ifyoupleased。YouneednotbedeadtopoliticsbecauseyourhusbandisnotPrimeMinister。’
’No。neveragain，——unlessheshouldcomeback。IfanyonehadtoldmetenyearsagothatIshouldhavetakenaninterestinthisorthatmanbeinginGovernment，Ishouldhavelaughedhimtoscorn。ItdidnotseempossibletomethenthatIshouldcarewhatbecameofmenlikeSirTimothyBeeswaxandMrRoby。ButI
didgettobeanxiousaboutitwhenPlantagenetwasshiftedfromoneofficetoanother。’
’Ofcourseyoudid。DoyouthinkIamnotanxiousaboutPhineas？’
’ButwhenhebecamePrimeMinister，Igavemyselfuptoitaltogether。IshallneverforgetwhatIfeltwhenhecametomeandtoldmethatperhapsitmightbeso——buttoldmealsothathewouldescapefromitifitwerepossible。IwastheLadyMacbethoftheoccasionallover——whereashewassoscrupulous，soburdenedwithconscience！Asforme，Iwouldhavetakenitbyanymeans。ThenitwastheoldDukeplayedthepartofthethreewitchestoanicety。Well，therehasn’tbeenanyabsolutemurder，andIhaven’tquitegonemad。’
’NorneedyoubeafraidthoughallthewoodsofGatherumshouldcometoMatching。’
’Godforbid！IwillneverseeanythingofGatherumagain。Whatannoysmemostis，andalwayswas，thathewouldn’tunderstandwhatIfeltaboutit——howproudIwasthatheshouldbePrimeMinister，howanxiousthatheshouldbegreatandnobleinhisoffice——howIworkedforhim，andnotatallforanypleasureofmyown。’
’Ithinkhedidfeelit。’
’No——notasIdid。Atlasthelikedthepower，——orratherfearedthedisgraceoflosingit。Buthehadnoideaofthepersonalgrandeuroftheplace。HeneverunderstoodthattobePrimeMinisterinEnglandisasmuchastobeanEmperorinFrance，andmuchmorethanbeingPresidentofAmerica。Oh，howI
didlabourforhim，——andhowdidhescoldmeforitinthosequietlittlestingingwordsofhis！Iwasvulgar！’
’Isthataquietword？’
’Yes——asheusedit——andindiscreet，andignorant，andstupid。Iboreitall，thoughsometimesIwasdyingwithvexation。Nowit’sallover，andhereweareashumdrumasanyoneelse。AndtheBeeswaxes，andtheRobys，andtheDroughts，andthePountneys，andtheLopezes，haveallpassedoverthescene。DoyourememberthatPountneyaffair，andhowheturnedthepoormanoutofthehouse？’
’Itservedhimright。’
’Itwouldhaveservedthemallrighttobeturnedout——onlytheywerethereforapurpose。Ididlikeitinaway，anditmakesmesadtothinkthatthefeelingcannevercomebackagain。
Eveniftheyshouldhavehimbackagain，itwouldbeaverylameaffairtomethen。IcanneveragainrousemyselftotheeffortofpreparingfoodandlodgingforhalftheParliamentandtheirwives。IshallneveragainthinkthatIcanhelptoruleEnglandbycoaxingunpleasantmen。Itisdoneandgone，andcannevercomebackagain。’
NotlongafterthistheDuketookMrMonk，whohadcomedowntoMatchingforafewdays，outtotheveryspotonwhichhehadsatwhenheindulgedhimselfinlecturingPhineasFinnonConservatismandLiberalismgenerally，andthenaskedtheChancelloroftheExchequerwhathethoughtofthepresentstateofpublicaffairs。HehimselfhadsupportedMrGresham’sgovernment，anddidnotbelongtoitbecausehecouldnotatpresentreconcilehimselftofillinganyoffice。MrMonkdidnotscrupletosaythatinhisopinionthepresentlegitimatedivisionofpartieswaspreferabletotheCoalitionwhichhadexistedforthreeyears。’Insuchanarrangement，’saidMrMonk，’theremustalwaysbeacertainamountofdistrust，andsuchafeelingisfataltoanygreatwork。’
’IthinkIdistrustednoonetillseparationcame，——andwhenitdidcomeitwasnotcausedbyme。’
’Iamnotblaminganyonenow，’saidtheother。’butmenwhohavebeenbroughtupwithopinionsaltogetherdifferent，evenwithdifferentinstinctsastopolitics，whofromtheirmother’smilkhavebeennourishedoncodesofthoughtaltogetheropposedtoeachother，cannotworktogetherwithconfidenceeventhoughtheymaydesirethesamething。Theveryideaswhicharesweetashoneytotheonearebitterasgalltotheother。’
’Youthink，then，thatwemadeagreatmistake？’
’Iwillnotsaythat，’saidMrMonk。’Therewasadifficultyatthetime，andthatdifficultywasovercome。TheGovernmentwascarriedon，andwasonthewholerespected。Historywillgiveyoucreditforpatriotism，patience，andcourage。Nomancouldhavedoneitbetterthanyoudid——probablynoothermanofthedaysowell。’
’Butitwasnotagreatparttoplay？’TheDukeinhisnervousness，ashesaidthis，couldnotavoidtheuseofthatquestioningtonewhichrequiresananswer。
’Greatenoughtosatisfytheheartofamanwhohasfortifiedhimselfagainsttheevilofambition。Afterall，whatisitthatthePrimeMinisterofsuchacountryasthisshouldchieflyregard？Isitnottheprosperityofthecountry？Isitnotoftenthatwewantgreatmeasures，ornewarrangementsthatshallbevitaltothecountry。Politiciansnowlookforgrievances，notbecausegrievancesareheavy，buttrustingthatthehonourofabolishingthemmaybegreat。Itistheoldstoryoftheneedyknife-grinderwho，iflefttohimself，wouldhavenogrievanceofwhichtocomplain。’
’Buttherearegrievances，’saidtheDuke。’Lookatmonetarydenominations。Lookatourweightsandmeasures。’
’Well。yes。Iwillnotsaythateverythinghasasyetbeenreducedtodivineorder。Butwhenwetookofficethreeyearsagowecertainlydidnotintendtosettlethosedifficulties。’
’No，indeed，’saidtheDuke，sadly。
’Butwediddoallthatweweremeanttodo。Formyownpart，thereisonlyonethingthatIregret，andoneonlywhichyoushouldregretalsotillyouhaveresolvedtoremedyit。’
’Whatthingisthat？’
’Yourretirementfromofficiallife。IfthecountryistoloseyourservicesforthelongcourseofyearsduringwhichyouwillprobablysitinParliament，thenIshallthinkthatthecountryhaslostmorethanitgainedbytheCoalition。’
TheDukesatforawhilesilent，lookingattheview，and，beforeansweringMrMonk，——whilearranginghisanswer，——onceortwiceinahalf-absentway，calledhiscompanion’sattentiontothescenebeforehim。Butduringthistimehewasgoingthroughanactofpainfulrepentance。Hewascondemninghimselfforawordortwothathadbeenill-spokenbyhimself，andwhich，sincethemomentofitsutterance，hehadneverceasedtorememberwithshame。
Hetoldhimselfnow，afterhisownsecretfashion，thathemustdopenanceforthesewordsbythehumiliationofadirectcontradictionofthem。HemustdeclarethatCaesarwouldatsomefuturetimebepreparedtoserveunderPompey。Thenhemadehisanswer。’MrMonk，’hesaid，’IshouldbefalseifIweretodenythatitpleasesmetohearyousayso。Ihavethoughtmuchofallthatforthelasttwoorthreemonths。YoumayprobablyhaveseenthatIamnotamanendowedwiththatfortitudewhichenablesmanytobearvexationswithaneasyspirit。Iamgiventofretting，andIaminclinedtothinkthatapopularministerinafreecountryshouldbesoconstitutedastobefreefromthatinfirmity。IshallcertainlyneverdesiretobeattheheadofGovernmentagain。ForafewyearsIwouldprefertoremainoutofoffice。ButIwillendeavourtolookforwardtoatimewhenImayagainperhapsbeofsomehumbleuse。’
End