Sheltonwalkedhome，lettingthespringwindintohim。ItwasSaturday，andhepassedmanysilentcouples。Ineverylittlepatchofshadowhecouldseetwoformsstandingorsittingclosetogether，andintheirpresenceWordstheImpostorsseemedtoholdtheirtongues。Thewindrustledthebuds；thestars，onemomentbrightasdiamonds，vanishedthenext。Inthelowerstreetsalargepartoftheworldwasundertheinfluenceofdrink，butbythisSheltonwasfarfrombeingtroubled。ItseemedbetterthanDrama，thandressing-
　　baggedmen，unruffledwomen，andpaddedpointsofview，betterthantheimmaculatesolidityofhisfriend'spossessions。
　　"So，"hereflected，"it'srightforeveryreason，social，religious，andconvenient，toinflictone'ssocietywhereit'snotdesired。
　　Thereareobviouslyadvantagesaboutthemarriedstate；charmingtofeelrespectablewhileyou'reactinginawaythatinanyotherwalkoflifewouldbringonyoucontempt。IfoldHalidomeshowedthathewastiredofme，andIcontinuedtovisithim，he'dthinkmeabitofacad；butifhiswifeweretotellhimshecouldn'tstandhim，he'dstillconsiderhimselfaperfectgentlemanifhepersistedingivinghertheburdenofhissociety；andhehasthecheektobringreligionintoit——areligionthatsays，'Dountoothers!'"
　　ButinthishewasunjusttoHalidome，forgettinghowimpossibleitwasforhimtobelievethatawomancouldnotstandhim。Hereachedhisrooms，and，themorefreelytoenjoytheclearlamplight，thesoft，gustybreeze，andwaningturmoilofthestreets，waitedamomentbeforeentering。
　　"Iwonder，"thoughthe，"ifIshallturnoutacadwhenImarry，likethatchapintheplay。It'snatural。Weallwantourmoney'sworth，ourpoundof-flesh!Pityweusesuchfinewords——'Society，Religion，Morality。'Humbug!"
　　Hewentin，and，throwinghiswindowopen，remainedtherealongtime，hisfigureoutlinedagainstthelightedroomforthebenefitofthedarksquarebelow，hishandsinhispockets，hisheaddown，areflectivefrownabouthiseyes。Ahalf-intoxicatedoldruffian，apoliceman，andamaninastrawhathadstoppedbelow，andwereholdingapalaver。
　　"Yus，"theoldruffiansaid，"I'maracketyoldblank；butwhatIsayis，ifwewusallalike，thiswouldn'tbeaworld!"
　　Theywenttheirway，andbeforethelistener'seyesthereroseAntonia'sface，withitsunruffledbrow；Halidome's，allhealthanddignity；theforeheadofthegoggle-eyedman，withitslineofhairpartedinthecentre，andbrushedacross。Alightseemedtoilluminetheplaneoftheirexistence，astheelectriclampwiththegreenshadehadilluminedthepagesoftheMatthewArnold；serenebeforeShelton'svisionlaythatElysium，untouchedbypassionorextremesofanykind，autocratic；complacent，possessive，andwell-keptasanyMidlandlandscape。Healthy，wealthy，wise!Noroombutforperfection，self-preservation，thesurvivalofthefittest!"Thepartofthegoodcitizen，"hethought:"no，ifwewereallalike，thiswouldn'tbeaworld!"
　　CHAPTERVI
　　MARRIAGESETTLEMENT
　　MydearRichard"wroteShelton'sunclethenextday，"Ishallbegladtoseeyouatthreeo'clockto-morrowafternoonuponthequestionofyourmarriagesettlement……"AtthathouraccordinglySheltonmadehiswaytoLincoln'sInnFields，whereinfatblacklettersthenames"ParamorandHerringCommissionersforOaths"
　　werewrittenonthewallofastoneentrance。Heascendedthesolidstepswithnervousness，andbyasmallred-hairedboywasintroducedtoabackroomonthefirstfloor。Here，seatedatatableintheverycentre，asifhetherebybettercontrolledhisuniverse，apug-
　　featuredgentleman，withoutabeard，waswriting。Hepaused。
　　"Ow，Mr。Richard!"hesaid；"gladtoseeyou，sir。Takeachair。
　　Yourunclewillbedisengagedin'arfaminute"；andinthetoneofhisallusiontohisemployerwasthesatiricalapprovalthatcomeswithlongandfaithfulservice。"Hewilldoeverythinghimself，"hewenton，screwinguphissly，greenish，honesteyes，"andhe'snotayoungman。"
　　Sheltonneversawhisuncle'sclerkwithoutmarvellingattheprosperitydeepeninguponhisface。Inplaceofthelookofharassmentwhichonmostfacesbeginstogrowaftertheageoffifty，hisoldfriend'scountenance，asthoughinsympathywiththenation，hadexpanded——alittlegreasily，alittlegenially，alittlecoarsely——everytimehemetit。Acontemptuoustoleranceforpeoplewhowerenotgettingonwasspreadingbeneathitssurface；itlefteachtimeadeeperfeelingthatitsownercouldneverbeinthewrong。
　　"Ihopeyou'rewell，sir，"heresumed:"mostimportantforyoutohaveyourhealthnowyou'regoing-to"——and，feelingforthedelicatewaytoputit，heinvoluntarilywinked——"tobecomeafamilyman。Wesawitinthepaper。Mywifesaidtometheothermorningatbreakfast:'Bob，here'saMr。RichardParamorSheltongoin'tobemarried。IsthatanyrelativeofyourMr。Shelton？''Mydear，'I
　　saidtoher，'it'stheveryman!'"
　　ItdisquietedSheltontoperceivethathisoldfrienddidnotpassthewholeofhislifeatthattablewritinginthecentreoftheroom，butthatsomewherevistasoflittlegreyhousesrosebeforehiseyesheactuallylivedanotherlifewheresomeonecalledhim"Bob。"Bob!Andthis，too，wasarevelation。Bob!Why，ofcourse，itwastheonlynameforhim!Abellrang。
　　"That'syouruncle"；andagaintheheadclerk'svoicesoundedironical。"Good-bye，sir。"
　　Heseemedtoclipoffintercourseasoneclipsoffelectriclight。
　　Sheltonlefthimwriting，andprecededthered-hairedboytoanenormousroominthefrontwherehisunclewaited。
　　EdmundParamorwasamedium-sizedanduprightmanofseventy，whosebrownfacewasperfectlyclean-shaven。Hisgrey，silkyhairwasbrushedinacock'scombfromhisfineforehead，baldontheleftside。Hestoodbeforethehearthfacingtheroom，andhisfigurehadthespringyabruptnessofmenwhocannotfatten。Therewasacertainyouthfulness，too，inhiseyes，yettheyhadalookasthoughhehadbeenthroughfire；andhismouthcurledatthecornersinsurprisingsmiles。Theroomwasliketheman——morallylarge，voidofred-tapeandalmostvoidoffurniture；notinboxeswererangedagainstthewalls，nopaperslitteredupthetable；asinglebookcasecontainedacompleteeditionofthelawreports，andrestingontheLawDirectorywasasingleredroseinaglassofwater。Itlookedtheroomofonewithasobermagnanimity，whowenttotheheartofthings，despisedhaggling，andbeforewhosesmilesthemoreimmediatekindsofhumbugfaded。
　　"Well，Dick，"saidhe，"how'syourmother？"
　　Sheltonrepliedthathismotherwasallright。
　　"TellherthatI'mgoingtosellherEasternsafterall，andputintothisBrassthing。Youcansayit'ssafe，fromme。"
　　Sheltonmadeaface。
　　"Mother，"saidhe，"alwaysbelievesthingsaresafe。"
　　Hisunclelookedthroughhimwithhiskeen，half-sufferingglance，andupwentthecornersofhismouth。
　　"She'ssplendid，"hesaid。
　　"Yes，"saidShelton，"splendid。"
　　Thetransaction，however，didnotinteresthim；hisuncle'sjudgmentinsuchmattershadabreezysoundnesshewouldneverdreamofquestioning。
　　"Well，aboutyoursettlement"；and，touchingabellthreetimes，Mr。
　　Paramorwalkedupanddowntheroom。"BringmethedraftofMr。
　　Richard'smarriagesettlement。"
　　Thestalwartcommissionairereappearingwithadocument——"Nowthen，Dick，"saidMr。Paramor。"She'snotbringinganythingintosettlement，Iunderstand；how'sthat？"
　　"Ididn'twantit，"repliedShelton，unaccountablyashamed。
　　Mr。Paramor'slipsquivered；hedrewthedraftcloser，tookupabluepencil，and，squeezingShelton'sarm，begantoread。Thelatter，followinghisuncle'srapidexpositionoftheclauses，wasrelievedwhenhepausedsuddenly。
　　"Ifyoudieandshemarriesagain，"saidMr。Paramor，"sheforfeitsherlifeinterest——see？"
　　"Oh!"saidShelton；"waitaminute，UncleTed。"
　　Mr。Paramorwaited，bitinghispencil；asmileflickeredonhismouth，andwasdecorouslysubdued。ItwasShelton'sturntowalkabout。
　　"Ifshemarriesagain，"herepeatedtohimself。
　　Mr。Paramorwasakeenfisherman；hewatchedhisnephewashemighthavewatchedafishhehadjustlanded。
　　"It'sveryusual，"heremarked。
　　Sheltontookanotherturn。
　　"Sheforfeits，"thoughthe；"exactly。"
　　Whenhewasdead，hewouldhavenootherwayofseeingthatshecontinuedtobelongtohim。Exactly!
　　Mr。Paramor'shauntingeyeswerefastenedonhisnephew'sface。
　　"Well，mydear，"theyseemedtosay，"what'sthematter？"
　　Exactly!Whyshouldshehavehismoneyifshemarriedagain？Shewouldforfeitit。Therewascomfortinthethought。Sheltoncamebackandcarefullyrereadtheclause，toputthethingonapurelybusinessbasis，anddisguisetherealsignificanceofwhatwaspassinginhismind。
　　"IfIdieandshemarriesagain，"herepeatedaloud，"sheforfeits。"
　　Whatwiserprovisionforamanpassionatelyinlovecouldpossiblyhavebeendevised？Hisuncle'seyetravelledbeyondhim，humanelyturningfromthelastdespairingwrigglesofhisfish。
　　"Idon'twanttotieher，"saidSheltonsuddenly。
　　ThecornersofMr。Paramour'smouthflewup。
　　"Youwanttheforfeitureout？"heasked。
　　ThebloodrushedintoShelton'sface；hefelthehadbeendetectedinapieceofsentiment。
　　"Ye-es，"hestammered。
　　"Sure？"
　　"Quite!"Theanswerwasalittlesulky。
　　Heruncle'spencildescendedontheclause，andheresumedthereadingofthedraft，butSheltoncouldnotfollowit；hewastoomuchoccupiedinconsideringexactlywhyMr。Paramorhadbeenamused，andtodothishewasobligedtokeephiseyesuponhim。Thosefeatures，justpleasantlyrugged；thespringypoiseofthefigure；
　　thehairneitherstraightnorcurly，neithershortnorlong；thehauntinglookofhiseyesandthehumorouslookofhismouth；hisclothesneithershabbynordandified；hisserviceable，finehands；
　　aboveall，theequabilityofthehoveringbluepencil，conveyedtheimpressionofaperfectbalancebetweenheartandhead，sensibilityandreason，theoryanditsopposite。
　　"'Duringcoverture，'"quotedMr。Paramor，pausingagain，"youunderstand，ofcourse，ifyoudon'tgeton，andseparate，shegoesontaking？"
　　Iftheydidn'tgeton!Sheltonsmiled。Mr。Paramordidnotsmile，andagainSheltonhadthesenseofhavingknockedupagainstsomethingpoisedbutfirm。Heremarkedirritably:
　　"Ifwe'renotlivingtogether，allthemorereasonforherhavingit。"
　　Thistimehisunclesmiled。ItwasdifficultforSheltontofeelangryatthatironicmerriment，withitssuddenending；itwastooimpersonaltoirritate:itwastooconcernedwithhumannature。
　　"If——hum——itcametotheotherthing，"saidMr。Paramor，"thesettlement'satanendasfarasshe'sconcerned。We'reboundtolookateverycase，youknow，oldboy。"
　　ThememoryoftheplayandhisconversationwithHalidomewasstillstronginShelton。Hewasnotoneofthosewhocouldnotfacethenotionoftransferredaffections——atasafedistance。
　　"Allright，UncleTed，"saidhe。Foronemadmomenthewasattackedbythedesireto"throwin"thecaseofdivorce。Woulditnotbecommonchivalrytomakeherindependent，abletochangeheraffectionsifshewished，unhamperedbymonetarytroubles？Youonlyneededtotakeoutthewords"duringcoverture。"
　　Almostanxiouslyhelookedintohisuncle'sface。Therewasnomeannessthere，butneitherwasthereencouragementinthatcomprehensivebrowwithitswidesweepofhair。"Quixotism，"itseemedtosay，"hasmerits，but——"Theroom，too，withitswidehorizonandtallwindows，lookingasifitdealthabituallyincommon-sense，discouragedhim。Innumerablemenofbreedingandthesoundestprinciplesmusthaveboughttheirwivesinhere。Itwasperfumedwiththeatmosphereofwisdomandlaw-calf。ThearomaofPrecedentwasstrong；Sheltonswervedhislance，andoncemoresettleddowntocompletethepurchaseofhiswife。
　　"Ican'tconceivewhatyou're——insuchahurryfor；you'renotgoingtobemarriedtilltheautumn，"saidMr。Paramor，finishingatlast。
　　Replacingthebluepencilintherack，hetooktheredrosefromtheglass，andsniffedatit。"WillyoucomewithmeasfarasPallMall？I'mgoingtotakeanafternoonoff；toocoldforLord's，I
　　suppose？"
　　TheywalkedintotheStrand。
　　"HaveyouseenthisnewplayofBorogrove's？"askedShelton，astheypassedthetheatretowhichhehadbeenwithHalidome。
　　"Inevergotomodernplays，"repliedMr。Paramor；"tood——dgloomy。"
　　Sheltonglancedathim；heworehishatratherfarbackonhishead，hiseyeshauntedthestreetinfront；hehadshoulderedhisumbrella。
　　"Psychology'snotinyourline，UncleTed？"
　　"Isthatwhattheycallputtingintowordsthingsthatcan'tbeputinwords？"
　　"TheFrenchsucceedindoingit，"repliedShelton，andtheRussians；
　　whyshouldn'twe？"
　　Mr。Paramorstoppedtolookinatafishmonger's。
　　"What'srightfortheFrenchandRussians，Dick，"hesaid"iswrongforus。Whenwebegintobereal，weonlyreallybegintobefalse。
　　Ishouldliketohavehadthecatchingofthatfellow；let'ssendhimtoyourmother。"Hewentinandboughtasalmon:
　　"Now，mydear，"hecontinued，astheywenton，"doyoutellmethatit'sdecentformenandwomenonthestagetowritheaboutlikeeels？
　　Isn'tlifebadenoughalready？"
　　ItsuddenlystruckSheltonthat，forallhissmile，hisuncle'sfacehadalookofcrucifixion。Itwas，perhaps，onlythestrongersunlightintheopenspacesofTrafalgarSquare。
　　"Idon'tknow，"hesaid；"IthinkIpreferthetruth。"
　　"Badendingsandtherest，"saidMr。Paramor，pausingunderoneofNelson'slionsandtakingSheltonbyabutton。"Truth'stheverydevil!"
　　Hestoodthere，verystraight，hiseyeshauntinghisnephew'sface；
　　thereseemedtoSheltonatouchingmuddleinhisoptimism——amuddleoftendernessandofintolerance，oftruthandsecond-handedness。
　　Likethelionabovehim，heseemedtobedefyingLifetomakehimlookather。
　　"No，mydear，"hesaid，handingsixpencetoasweeper；"feelingsaresnakes!onlyfittobekeptinbottleswithtightcorks。Youwon'tcometomyclub？Well，good-bye，oldboy；mylovetoyourmotherwhenyouseeher"；andturninguptheSquare，heleftSheltontogoontohisownclub，feelingthathehadparted，notfromhisuncle，butfromthenationofwhichtheywerebothmembersbybirthandbloodandeducation。
　　CHAPTERVII
　　THECLUB
　　Hewentintothelibraryofhisclub，andtookupBurke'sPeerage。
　　Thewordshisunclehadsaidtohimonhearinghisengagementhadbeenthese:"Dennant!ArethosetheHolmOaksDennants？ShewasaPenguin。"
　　NoonewhoknewMr。Paramorconnectedhimwithsnobbery，buttherehadbeenan"Ah!that'sright；thisisduetous"toneaboutthesaying。
　　SheltonhuntedforthenameofBaltimore:"CharlesPenguin，fifthBaronBaltimore。Issue:Alice，b。184-，m。186-AlgernonDennant，Esq。，ofHolmOaks，CrossEaton，Oxfordshire。"HeputdownthePeerageandtookupthe'LandedGentry':"Dennant，AlgernonCuffe，eldestsonofthelateAlgernonCuffeDennant，Esq。，J。P。，andIrene，2nddaur。oftheHonble。PhilipandLadyLillianMarchMallow；
　　ed。EtonandCh。Ch。，Oxford，J。P。forOxfordshire。Residence，HolmOaks，"etc。，etc。Droppingthe'LandedGentry'，hetookupavolumeofthe'ArabianNights'，whichsomememberhadleftreposingonthebook-restofhischair，butinsteadofreadinghekeptlookingroundtheroom。Inalmosteveryseat，readingorsnoozing，weregentlemenwho，intheirownestimation，mighthavemarriedPenguins。Forthefirsttimeitstruckhimwithwhatmajesticleisurelinesstheyturnedthepagesoftheirbooks，trifledwiththeirteacups，orlightlysnored。Yetnotwowerealike——atallman-withdarkmoustache，thickhair，andred，smoothcheeks；another，bald，withstoopingshoulders；
　　atremendousoldbuck，withagrey，pointedbeardandlargewhitewaistcoat；aclean-shavendappermanpastmiddleage，whosefacewaslikeabird's；along，sallow，misanthrope；andasanguinecreaturefastasleep。Asleeporawake，readingorsnoring，fatorthin，hairyorbald，theinsulationoftheirredorpalefaceswascomplete。
　　Theywereallthecreaturesofgoodform。StaringatthemorreadingtheArabianNightsSheltonspentthetimebeforedinner。Hehadnotbeenlongseatedinthedining-roomwhenadistantconnectionstrolledupandtookthenexttable。
　　"Ah，Shelton!Back？Somebodytoldmeyouweregoin'roundtheworld。"Hescrutinisedthemenuthroughhiseyeglass。"Clearsoup!……ReadJellaby'sspeech？Amusingthewayhesquashesallthosefellows。BestmanintheHouse，hereallyis。"
　　Sheltonpausedintheassimilationofasparagus；he，too，hadbeeninthehabitofadmiringJellaby，butnowhewonderedwhy。Theredandshavenfacebesidehimaboveabroad，pureshirt-frontwasswollenbygoodhumour；hissmall，veryusual，andhardeyeswerefixedintrospectivelyonthesuccessfulprocessofhiseating。
　　"Success!"thoughtShelton，suddenlyenlightened——"successiswhatweadmireinJellaby。Weallwantsuccess……Yes，"headmitted，"asuccessfulbeast。"
　　"Oh!"saidhisneighbour，"Iforgot。You'reintheothercamp？"
　　"Notparticularly。Wheredidyougetthatidea？"
　　Hisneighbourlookedroundnegligently。
　　"Oh，"saidhe，"Isomehowthoughtso"；andSheltonalmostheardhimadding，"There'ssomethingnotquitesoundaboutyou。"
　　"WhydoyouadmireJellaby？"heasked。
　　"Knowshisownmind，"repliedhisneighbour；"it'smorethantheothersdo……Thiswhitebaitisn'tfitforcats!Cleverfellow，Jellaby!Nononsenseabouthim!Haveyoueverheardhimspeak？Awfulgoodsporttowatchhimsittin'ontheOpposition。A
　　poorlottheyare!"andhelaughed，eitherfromappreciationofJellabysittingonasmallminority，orfromappreciationofthechampagnebubblesinhisglass。
　　"Minoritiesarealwaysdepressing，"saidSheltondryly。
　　"Eh？what？"
　　"Imean，"saidShelton，"it'sirritatingtolookatpeoplewhohaven'tachanceofsuccess——fellowswhomakeamessofthings，fanatics，andallthat。"
　　Hisneighbourturnedhiseyesinquisitively。
　　"Er——yes，quite，"saidhe；"don'tyoutakemintsauce？It'sthebestpartoflamb，Ialwaysthink。"
　　Thegreatroomwithitscountlesslittletables，arrangedsothateverymanmighthavethesupportofthegoldwallstohisback，begantoregainitsinfluenceonShelton。Howmanytimeshadhenotsatthere，carefullynoddingtoacquaintances，happyifhegotthetablehewasusedto，apaperwiththelatestracing，andsomeonetogossipwithwhowasnotabounder；whilethesensationofhavingdrunkenoughstoleoverhim。Happy!Thatis，happyasahorseishappywhoneverleaveshisstall。
　　"LookatpoorlittleBingpuffin'about，"saidhisneighbour，pointingtoaweazened，hunchywaiter。"Hisasthma'sawf'lybad；youcanhearhimwheezin'fromthestreet。"
　　Heseemedamused。
　　"There'snosuchthingasmoralasthma，Isuppose？"saidShelton。
　　Hisneighbourdroppedhiseyeglass。
　　"Here，takethisaway；it'soverdone；"saidhe。"Bringmesomelamb。"
　　Sheltonpushedhistableback。
　　"Good-night，"hesaid；"theStilton'sexcellent!"
　　Hisneighbourraisedhisbrows，anddroppedhiseyesagainuponhisplate。
　　InthehallSheltonwentfromforceofhabittotheweighing-scalesandtookhisweight。"Elevenstone!"hethought；"goneup!"and，clippingacigar，hesatdowninthesmoking-roomwithanovel。
　　Afterhalfanhourhedroppedthebook。Thereseemedsomethingratherfatuousaboutthisstory，forthoughithadathrillingplot，andwasfullofwell-connectedpeople，ithadapparentlybeencontrivedtothrownolightonanythingwhatever。Helookedattheauthor'sname；everyonewashighlyrecommendingit。Hebeganthinking，andstaringatthefire……
　　Lookingup，hesawAntonia'ssecondbrother，ayoungmanintheRifles，bendingoverhimwithsunnycheeksandlazysmile，clearlyjustalittledrunk。
　　"Congratulateyou，oldchap!Isay，whatmadeyougrowthatb-b-eastlybeard？"
　　Sheltongrinned。
　　"PillbottleoftheDuchess!"readyoungDennant，takingupthebook。
　　"Youbeenreadingthat？Rippin'，isn'tit？"
　　"Oh，ripping!"repliedShelton。
　　"Rippin'plot!Whenyougetholdofanovelyoudon'twantanyrotabout——whatd'youcallit？——psychology，youwanttobeamused。"
　　"Rather!"murmuredShelton。
　　"That'sanawfullygoodbitwherethePresidentstealsherdiamondsThere'soldBenjy!Hallo，Benjy!"
　　"Hallo，Bill，oldman!"
　　ThisBenjywasayoung，clean-shavencreature，whosefaceandvoiceandmannerwereaperfectblendofsteelandgeniality。
　　Inadditiontothisyoungmanwhowassosmoothandhardandcheery，agrey，short-beardedgentleman，withmisanthropiceyes，calledStroud，cameup；togetherwithanothermanofShelton'sage，withamoustacheandabaldpatchthesizeofacrown-piece，whomightbeseenintheclubanynightoftheyearwhentherewasnoracingoutofreachofLondon。
　　"Youknow，"beganyoungDennant，"thatthisbounder"——heslappedtheyoungmanBenjyontheknee——"isgoingtobesplicedto-morrow。MissCasserol——youknowtheCasserols——MuncasterGate。"
　　"ByJove!"saidShelton，delightedtobeabletosaysomethingtheywouldunderstand。
　　"YoungChampion'sthebestman，andI'mthesecondbest。Itellyouwhat，oldchap，you'dbettercomewithmeandgetyoureyein；youwon'tgetsuchanotherchanceofpractice。Benjy'llgiveyouacard。"
　　"Delighted!"murmuredBenjy。
　　"Whereisit？"
　　"St。Briabas；two-thirty。Comeandseehowtheydothetrick。I'llcallforyouatone；we'llhavesomelunchandgotogether"；againhepattedBenjy'sknee。
　　Sheltonnoddedhisassent；thepiquantcallousnessoftheaffairhadmadehimshiver，andfurtivelyheeyedthesteelyBenjy，whosesuavityhadneverwavered，andwhoappearedtotakeagreaterinterestinsomeapproachingracethaninhiscomingmarriage。ButSheltonknewfromhisownsensationsthatthiscouldnotreallybethecase；itwasmerelyaquestionof"goodform，"theconceitofasuperiorbreeding，thedutynottogiveoneselfaway。AndwheninturnhemarkedtheeyesofStroudfixedonBenjy，undershaggybrows，andthecuriousgreedyglancesoftheracingman，hefeltsomehowsorryforhim。
　　"Who'sthatfellowwiththegameleg——I'malwaysseeinghimabout？"
　　askedtheracingman。
　　AndSheltonsawasallowman，conspicuousforawantofpartinginhishairandacertainrestlessnessofattitude。
　　"HisnameisBayes，"saidStroud；"spendshalfhistimeamongtheChinese——musthaveagrudgeagainstthem!Andnowhe'sgothisleghecan'tgothereanymore。"
　　"Chinese？Whatdoeshedotothem？"
　　"Biblesorguns。Don'taskme!Anadventurer。"
　　"Looksabitofabounder，"saidtheracingman。
　　SheltongazedatthetwitchingeyebrowsofoldStroud；hesawatoncehowitmustannoyamanwhohadabilletinthe"WoodsandForests，"
　　andplentyoftimefor"bridge"andgossipathisclub，toseethesepeoplewithuntidylives。Aminutelaterthemanwiththe"gameleg"
　　passedclosebehindhischair，andSheltonperceivedatoncehowintelligibletheresentmentofhisfellow-memberswas。Hehadeyeswhich，notuncommoninthiscountry，lookedlikefiresbehindsteelbars；heseemedtheverykindofmantodoallsortsofthingsthatwere"badform，"amanwhomightevengoasfaraschivalry。HelookedstraightatShelton，andhisuncompromisingglancegaveanimpressionoffierceloneliness；altogether，animproperpersontobelongtosuch。aclub。Sheltonrememberedthewordsofanoldfriendofhisfather's:"Yes，Dick，allsortsoffellowsbelonghere，andtheycomehereforallsortso'reasons，andalotofemcomebecausethey'venowhereelsetogo，poorbeggars"；and，glancingfromthemanwiththe"gameleg"toStroud，itoccurredtoSheltonthatevenhe，oldStroud，mightbeoneofthesepoorbeggars。Oneneverknew!AlookatBenjy，containedandcheery，restoredhim。Ah，theluckydevil!Hewouldnothavetocomehereanymore!andthethoughtofthelasteveninghehimselfwouldbespendingbeforelongfloodedhismindwithasweetnessthatwasalmostpain。
　　"Benjy，I'llplayyouahundredup!"saidyoungBillDennant。
　　Stroudandtheracingmanwenttowatchthegame；Sheltonwasleftoncemoretoreverie。
　　"Goodform!"thoughthe；"thatfellowmustbemadeofsteel。They'llgoonsomewhere；stickabouthalfthenightplayingpoker，orsomesuchfoolery。"
　　Hecrossedovertothewindow。Rainhadbeguntofall；thestreetslookedwildanddraughty。Thecabmenwereputtingontheircoats。
　　Twowomenscurriedby，huddledunderoneumbrella，andathin-
　　clothed，dogged-lookingscarecrowloungedpastwithasurly，desperatestep。Shelton，returningtohischair，threadedhiswayamongsthisfellow-members。Aprocessionofoldschoolandcollegefriendscameupbeforehiseyes。Afterall，whathadtherebeeninhisowneducation，ortheirs，togivethemanyotherstandardthanthis"goodform"？Whathadtherebeentoteachthemanythingoflife？Theirimbecilitywasincrediblewhenyoucametothinkofit。
　　Theyhadalltheairofknowingeverything，andreallytheyknewnothing——nothingofNature，Art，ortheEmotions；nothingofthebondsthatbindallmentogether。Why，evensuchwordswerenot"goodform"；nothingoutsidetheirlittlecirclewas"goodform。"
　　Theyhadafixedpointofviewoverlifebecausetheycameofcertainschools，andcolleges，andregiments!Andtheywerethoseinchargeofthestate，oflaws，andscience，ofthearmy，andreligion。Well，itwastheirsystem——thesystemnottostarttooyoung，toformhealthyfibre，andlettheafter-lifedevelopit!
　　"Successful!"hethought，nearlystumblingoverapairofpatent-
　　leatherbootsbelongingtoamoon-faced，genial-lookingmemberwithgoldnose-nippers；"oh，it'ssuccessful!"
　　Somebodycameandpickedupfromthetabletheveryvolumewhichhadoriginallyinspiredthistrainofthought，andSheltoncouldseehissolemnpleasureasheread。Inthewhiteofhiseyetherewasatorpidandcomposedabstraction。Therewasnothinginthatbooktostartlehimormakehimthink。
　　Themoon-facedmemberwiththepatentbootscameupandbegantalkingofhisrecentvisittothesouthofFrance。Hehadascandalousanecdoteortwototell，andhisbroadfacebeamedbehindhisgoldnose-nippers；hewasalargemanwithsuchastoreofeasy，worldlyhumourthatitwasimpossiblenottoappreciatehisgossip，hegavesoperfectanimpressionofenjoyinglife，anddoinghimselfwell。
　　"Well，good-night!"hemurmured——"Anengagement!"——andthecertaintyheleftbehindthathisengagementmustbecharmingandillicitwaspleasanttothesoul。
　　And，slowlytakinguphisglass，Sheltondrank；thesenseofwell-
　　beingwasuponhim。Hissuperioritytothesehisfellow-memberssoothedhim。Hesawthroughalltheshamofthisclublife，themeannessofthisworshipofsuccess，theshamofkid-glovednovelists，"goodform，"andtheterrificdecencyofoureducation。
　　Itwassoothingthustoseethroughthings，soothingthustobesuperior；andfromthesoftrecessesofhischairhepuffedoutsmokeandstretchedhislimbstowardthefire；andthefireburnedbackathimwithadiscreetandvenerableglow。
　　CHAPTERVIII
　　THEWEDDING
　　Puncutaltohisword，BillDennantcalledforSheltonatoneo'clock。
　　"IbetoldBenjy'sfeelingabitcheap，"saidhe，astheygotoutoftheircabatthechurchdoorandpassedbetweenthecrowdedfilesofunelect，whoseeyes，socuriousandpitiful，devouredthemfromthepavement。
　　Theashenfaceofawoman，withababyinherarmsandtwomorebyherside，lookedaseagerasifshehadneverexperiencedthepangsofraggedmatrimony。Sheltonwentininexplicablyuneasy；thepriceofhistiewastheirboardandlodgingforaweek。Hefollowedhisfuturebrother-in-lawtoapewonthebridegroom'sside，for，withintuitiveperceptionofthesexes'endlesswarfare，eachoftheopposingpartiestothiscontracthaditsserriedbattalion，thearrowsofwhosesuspicionkeptglancingacrossandacrossthecentralaisle。
　　BillDennant'seyesbegantotwinkle。
　　"There'soldBenjy!"hewhispered；andSheltonlookedattheherooftheday。Asubduedpallorwastraceableundertheweathereduniformityofhisshavenface；butthewell-bred，artificialsmilehebentupontheguestshaditswontedsteelysuavity。Abouthisdressandhisneatfigurewasthatstudiedeasewhichliftsmenfromtheruckofcommonbridegrooms。Therewerenoholesinhisarmourthroughwhichtheimpertinentmightpry。
　　"GoodoldBenjy!"whisperedyoungDennant；"Isay，theylookabitshortofclass，thoseCasserols。"
　　Shelton，whowasacquaintedwiththisfamily，smiled。Thesensuoussanctityallroundhadbeguntoinfluencehim。Aperfumeofflowersanddressesfoughtwiththenaturalodourofthechurch；therustleofwhisperingsandskirtsstruckthroughthenativesilenceoftheaisles，andSheltonidlyfixedhiseyesonaladyinthepewinfront；withoutintheleastdesiringtomakeaspeculationofthissort，hewonderedwhetherherfacewasascharmingasthelinesofherbackintheirdelicate，skin-tightsettingofpearlgrey；hisglancewanderedtothechancelwithitsstacksofflowers，tothegrave，businessfacesofthepresidingpriests，tilltheorganbeganrollingouttheweddingmarch。
　　"They'reoff!"whisperedyoungDermant。
　　SheltonwasconsciousofashiverrunningthroughtheaudiencewhichremindedhimofabullfighthehadseeninSpain。Thebridecameslowlyuptheaisle。"Antoniawilllooklikethat，"hethought，"andthechurchwillbefilledwithpeoplelikethis……She'llbeashowtothem!"Thebridewasoppositehimnow，andbyaninstinctofcommonchivalryheturnedawayhiseyes；itseemedtohimashametolookatthatdowncastheadabovethesilvermysteryofherperfectraiment；themodestheadfull，doubtless，ofdevotionandpureyearnings；thestatelyheadwherenosuchthoughtas"HowamI
　　looking，thisdayofalldays，beforeallLondon？"hadeverentered；
　　theproudhead，whichnosuchfearas"HowamIcarryingitoff？"
　　couldsurelybebesmirching。
　　Hesawbelowthesurfaceofthisdramaplayedbeforehiseyes，andsethisface，asamanmightwhofoundhimselfassistingatasacrifice。Thewordsfell，unrelenting，onhisears:"Forbetter，forworse，forricher，forpoorer；insicknessandinhealth——"andopeningthePrayerBookhefoundtheMarriageService，whichhehadnotlookedatsincehewasaboy，andashereadhehadsomeverycurioussensations。
　　Allthiswouldsoonbehappeningtohimself!Hewentonreadinginakindofstupor，untilarousedbyhiscompanionwhispering，"Noluck!"
　　Allaroundthererosearustlingofskirts；hesawatallfiguremountthepulpitandstandmotionless。Massiveandhigh-featured，sunkenofeye，hetowered，insnowycambricandacrimsonstole，abovetheblacknessofhisrostrum；itseemedhehadbeenchosenforhisbeauty。Sheltonwasstillgazingatthestitchingofhisgloves，whenonceagaintheorganplayedtheWeddingMarch。Allweresmiling，andafewwereweeping，craningtheirheadstowardsthebride。"Carnivalofsecond-handemotions!"thoughtShelton；andhe，too，cranedhisheadandbrushedhishat。Then，smirkingathisfriends，hemadehiswaytowardsthedoor。
　　IntheCasserols'househefoundhimselfatlastgoingroundthepresentswiththeeldestCasserolsurviving，atallgirlinpaleviolet，whohadbeenchiefbridesmaid。
　　"Didn'titgooffwell，Mr。Shelton？"shewassaying"Oh，awfully!"
　　"Ialwaysthinkit'ssoawkwardforthemanwaitingupthereforthebridetocome。"
　　"Yes，"murmuredShelton。
　　"Don'tyouthinkit'ssmart，thebridesmaidshavingnohats？"
　　Sheltonhadnotnoticedthisimprovement，butheagreed。
　　"Thatwasmyidea；Ithinkit'sverychic。They'vehadfifteentea-sets-sodull，isn'tit？"
　　"ByJove!"Sheltonhastenedtoremark。
　　"Oh，itsfearfullyusefultohavealotofthingsyoudon'twant；ofcourse，youchangethemforthoseyoudo。"
　　ThewholeofLondonseemedtohavedisgorgeditsshopsintothisroom；helookedatMissCasserol'sface，andwasgreatlystruckbytheshrewdacquisitivenessofhersmalleyes。
　　"Isthatyourfuturebrother-in-law？"sheasked，pointingtoBillDennantwithalittlemovementofherchin；"Ithinkhe'ssuchabrightboy。Iwantyoubothtocometodinner，andhelptokeepthingsjolly。It'ssodeadlyafterawedding。"
　　AndSheltonsaidtheywould。
　　Theyadjournedtothehallnow，towaitforthebride'sdeparture。
　　Herfaceasshecamedownthestairswasimpassive，gay，withafurtivetroubleintheeyes，andoncemoreSheltonhadtheoddsensationofhavingsinnedagainsthismanhood。Jammedclosetohimwasheroldnurse，whosepuffy，yellowfacewaspoutingwithemotion，whiletearsrolledfromhereyes。Shewastryingtosaysomething，butinthehubbubherfarewellwaslost。Therewasascampertothecarriage，aflurryofriceandflowers；theshoewasflungagainstthesharplydrawn-upwindow。ThenBenjy'sshavenfacewasseenamoment，blandandsteely；thefootmanfoldedhisarms，andwithasolemncrunchthebroughamwheelsrolledaway。"Howsplendidlyitwentoff!"saidavoiceonShelton'sright。"Shelookedalittlepale，"saidavoiceonShelton'sleft。Heputhishanduptohisforehead；behindhimtheoldnursesniffed。
　　"Dick，"saidyoungDennantinhisear，"thisisn'tgoodenough；I
　　votewebolt。"
　　Sheltonassenting，theywalkedtowardsthePark；norcouldhetellwhethertheslightnauseaheexperiencedwasduetoafternoonchampagneortotheceremonythathadgonesowell。
　　"What'supwithyou？"askedDennant；"youlookasglumasanym-monkey。"
　　"Nothing，"saidShelton；"Iwasonlythinkingwhathumbugsweallare!"
　　BillDennantstoppedinthemiddleofthecrossing，andclappedhisfuturebrother-in-lawupontheshoulder。
　　"Oh，"saidhe，"ifyou'regoingtotalkshop，I'moff。"
　　CHAPTERIX
　　THEDINNER
　　ThedinnerattheCasserols'wasgiventothoseofthebride'sfriendswhohadbeenconspicuousintheday'sfestivities。SheltonfoundhimselfbetweenMissCasserolandaladyundressedtomuchthesamedegree。Oppositesatamanwithasinglediamondstud，awhitewaistcoat，blackmoustache，andhawk-likeface。Thiswas，infact，oneofthoseinterestinghousesoccupiedbypeopleoftheuppermiddleclasswhohaveimbibedatasteforsmartsociety。Itsinhabitants，bynatureacquisitiveandcautious，economical，tenacious，hadlearnttoworshiptheword"smart。"Theresultwasakindofheavyfroth，anairofthoroughlydomesticvice。Inadditiontotheconventionallyfast，Sheltonhadmetthereoneortwoladies，who，havingbeendivorced，orhavingyettobe，stillmaintainedtheirpositionin"society。"Divorcedladieswhodidnotsomaintaintheirplacewerenevertobefound，fortheCasserolshadagreatrespectformarriage。HehadalsometthereAmericanladieswhowere"tooamusing"——never，ofcourse，Americanmen，Mesopotamiansofthefinancialortheracingtype，andseveralofthosegentlemenwhohadbeen，orwereabouttobe，engagedinatransactionwhichmightoragainmightnot，"comeoff，"andinconductofanorderwhichmight，oragainmightnotbespotted。Thelineheknew，wasalwaysdrawnatthoseinanycategorywhowereactuallyfoundout，forthevalueoftheseladiesandthesegentlemenwasnottheirclaimtopity——nothingsosentimental——buttheir"smartness，"clothes，jokes，racingtips，their"bridgeparties，"andtheirmotors。
　　Insum，thehousewasonewhosefundamentaldomesticityattractedandshelteredthosewhoweretoo"smart"tokeeptheirheadsforlongabovethewater。
　　Hishost，agrey，clean-shavencityman，withalongupperlip，wastryingtounderstandaladytheaudacityofwhosespeechcameringingdownthetable。Sheltonhimselfhadgivenuptheeffortwithhisneighbours，andmadelovetohisdinner，which，survivingtheincoherenceoftheatmosphere，emergedasaworkofart。ItwaswithsurprisethathefoundMissCasseroladdressinghim。
　　"Ialwayssaythatthegreatthingistobejolly。Ifyoucan'tfindanythingtomakeyoulaugh，pretendyoudo；it'ssomuch'smartertobeamusin'。Nowdon'tyouagree？"
　　Thephilosophyseemedexcellent。