ThiswasthepictureasitwaspaintedbyMrSprout，——whohad，eventhen，heardsomethingofthelovesofthetwocandidates，andwhohadthoughtthatLopezwouldbegladtoinjureArthurFletcher’schancesofsuccess。Sofarhewasnotwrong——butthesenseofinjurydonetohimselfoppressedLopezsomuchthathecouldnotguidehimselfbyreason。Theideaofretiringwasverypainfultohim，andhedidnotbelievethesemen。HethoughtittobequitepossiblethattheyweretheretofacilitatethereturnofArthurFletcher。HehadneverevenheardofDuBoungtillhehadcometoSilverbridgetwoorthreedaysago。HestillcouldnotbelievethatDuBoungwouldbereturned。Hethoughtoveritallforamoment，andthenhegavehisanswer。’I’vebeenbroughtdownheretofight，andI’llfightittothelast，’hesaid。’Thenyou’llhandovertheboroughtoMrFletcher，’saidSprout，gettingupandusheringMrDuBoungoutoftheroom。
　　Itwasafterthat，butonthesameday，thatLopezandFletchermeteachotherinthestreet。Theaffairdidnottakeaminute，andthentheyparted，eachonhisownway。InthecourseoftheeveningMrSprugeontoldhiscandidatethathe，Sprugeon，couldnotconcernhimselfanyfurtherinthatelection。Hewasverysorryforwhathadoccurred，——verysorryindeed。ItwasnodoubtapitythattheDukehadbeensofirm。’But，’——andMrSprugeonshruggedhisshouldersashespoke，——’whenanoblemanliketheDukechoosestohaveawayofhisown，hemusthaveit。’
　　MrSprugeonwentontodeclarethatanyfurthercandidaturewouldbeawasteofmoney，wasteoftime，andwasteofenergy，andthensignifiedhisintentionofretiring，asfarastheelectionwent，intoprivatelife。Whenasked，heacknowledgedthattheywhohadbeenactingwithhimhadcometothesameresolve。MrLopezhadinfactcomethereastheDuke’snominee，andastheDukehadnonominee，MrLopezwasinfact’nowhere’。
　　’Idon’t’supposethatanymanwaseversotreatedbefore，sincememberswerefirstreturnedtoParliament，’saidLopez。
　　’Well，sir——yes，sir。itisalittlehard。But，yousee，sir，herGracemeantthebest。HerGracedidmeanthebest，nodoubt。
　　Itmaybe，sir，therewasalittlemisunderstanding——alittlemisunderstandingattheCastle，sir。’ThenMrSprugeonretired，andLopezunderstoodthathewastoseenothingmoreoftheironmonger。
　　Ofcoursetherewasnothingforhimnowbuttoretire——toshakethedustoffhisfeetandgetoutofSilverbridgeasquicklyashecould。Buthisfriendshadalldesertedhimandhedidnotknowhowtoretire。Hehadpaid500pounds，andhehadastrongopinionthataportionatleastofthemoneyshouldbereturnedtohim。Hehadakeensenseofill-usage，andatthesametimeafeelingthatheoughtnottorunoutoftheboroughlikeawhiptdog，withoutshowinghisfacetoanyone。ButhisstrongestsuspicionatthismomentwasoneofhatredagainstArthurFletcher。HewassurethatArthurFletcherwouldbethenewmember。HedidnotputtheleasttrustinMrDuBoung。HehadtaughthimselfreallytothinkthatFletcherhadinsultedhimbywritingtohiswife，andthatafurtherinsulthadbeenofferedtohimatthatmeetinginthestreet。HehadtoldhiswifethathewouldaskFletchertogiveuptheborough，andthathewouldmaketherequestwithahorsewhipinhishand。Itwastoolatenowtosayanythingoftheborough，butitmightnotbetoolateforthehorsewhip。Hehadagreatdesiretomakegoodthatthreatasfarasthehorsewhipwasconcerned，——havinganideathathewouldthuslowerFletcherinhiswife’seyes。Itwasnotthathewasjealous，——notjealousintheordinarymeaningoftheword。Hiswife’slovetohimselfhadbeentoorecentlygivenandtoowarmlymaintainedforsuchafeelingasthat。Buttherewasarancoroushatredinhisheartagainsttheman，andaconvictionthathiswifeatanyrateesteemedamanwhomhehated。Andthenwouldhenotmakehisretreatfromtheboroughwithmorehonourifbeforehelefthecouldhorsewhiphissuccessfulantagonist？
　　We，whoknowthefeelingofEnglishmengenerallybetterthanMrLopezdid，wouldsay——certainlynot。WewouldthinkthatsuchanincidentwouldbynomeansredoundtothecreditofMrLopez。
　　Andhehimself，probably，atcoolermoments，wouldhaveseenthefollyofsuchanidea。Butangerabouttheboroughhaddrivenhimmad，andnowinhiswretchednessthesuggestionhadforhimacertaincharm。Themanhadoutragedallproprietybywritingtohiswife。Ofcoursehewouldbejustifiedinhorsewhippinghim。
　　Butthereweredifficulties。Amanisnothorsewhippedsimplybecauseyouwishtohorsewhiphim。
　　Intheevening，ashewassittingalone，hegotanotefromMrSprugeon。’MrSprugeon’scompliments。Doesn’tMrLopezthinkanaddresstotheelectorsshouldappearintomorrow’sGazette，——
　　veryshortandeasy——somethinglikethefollowing。’ThenMrSprugeonaddedavery’shortandeasyletter’totheelectorsoftheboroughofSilverbridge，inwhichMrLopezwassupposedtotellthemthatalthoughhiscanvasshadpromisedhimeverysuccess，hefeltthatheowedittotheboroughtoretire，lestheshouldinjuretheboroughbysplittingtheLiberalinterestwiththeirmuchrespectedfellow-townsman，MrDuBoung。Inthecourseoftheeveninghedidcopythatletter，andsentitouttothenewspaperoffice。Hemustretire，anditwasbetterforhimthatheshouldretireaftersomerecognizedfashion。Buthewroteanotherletteralso，andsentitovertotheoppositionhotel。Theotherletterwasasfollows：
　　SIR
　　Beforethiselectionbeganyouwereguiltyofgrossimpertinenceinwritingalettertomywife，——toherextremeannoyanceandtomymostjustifiableanger。Anygentlemanwouldthinkthatthetreatmentyouhadalreadyreceivedatherhandswouldhaveservedtosaveherfromsuchinsult，buttherearemenwhowillnevertakealessonwithoutabeating。Andnow，sinceyouhavebeenhere，youhavepresumedtooffertoshakehandswithmeinthestreet，thoughyououghttohaveknownthatI
　　shouldnotchoosetomeetyouonfriendlytermsafterwhathastakenplace。InowwritetotellyouthatI
　　shallcarryahorsewhipwhileIamhere，andthatifI
　　meetyouinthestreetsagainbeforeIleavethetownI
　　shalluseit。
　　FERDINANDLOPEZ
　　MrArthurFletcher。
　　Thisletterhesentatoncetohisenemy，andthensatlateintothenightthinkingofthethreatandthemannerinwhichhewouldfollowitup。IfhecouldonlygetonefairblowatFletcherhispurpose，hethought，wouldbeachieved。Inanymatterofhorsewhippingthetruthhardlyevergetsitselfcorrectlyknown。
　　Themanwhohasgiventhefirstblow，isgenerallysupposedtohavethrashedtheother。Whatmightfollow，thoughitmightbeinconvenient，mustbeborne。Themanhadinsultedhimbywritingtohiswife，andthesympathiesoftheworld，hethought，wouldbewithhim。Togivehimhisdue，itmustbeownedthathehadnopersonalfearastotheencounter。
　　ThatnightArthurFletcherhadgoneovertheGreshambury，andonthefollowingmorninghereturnedwithMrGresham。’Forheaven’ssake，lookatthat！’hesaid，handingthelettertohisfriend。
　　’Didyoueverwritetohiswife？’askedGresham，whenhereadit。
　　’Yes，——Idid。Allthisisdreadfultome：——dreadful。Well——
　　youknowhowitusedtobewithme。Ineednotgointoallthat，needI？’
　　’Don’tsayawordmorethanyouthinknecessary。’
　　’WhenyouaskedmetostandfortheplaceIhadnotheardthathethoughtofbeingacandidate。Iwroteandtoldherso，andtoldheralsothathadIknownitbeforeIwouldnothavecomehere。’
　　’Idon’tquiteseethat，’saidGresham。
　　’Perhapsnot——perhapsIwasafool。Butweneedn’tgointothat。Atanyratetherewasnoinsulttohim。Iwroteinthesimplestlanguage。’
　　’LookingatitallroundIthinkyouhadbetternothavewritten。’
　　’Youwouldn’tsaysoifyousawtheletter。I’msureyouwouldn’t。Ihadknownherallmylife。Mybrotherismarriedtohercousin。Ohheavens！wehadbeenallbutengaged。Iwouldhavedoneanythingforher。WasitnotnaturalthatIshouldtellher？AsfarasthelanguagewasconcernedtheletterwasonetobereadatCharingCross。’
　　’Hesaysthatshewasannoyedandinsulted。’
　　’Impossible！Itwasaletterthatanymanmighthavewrittentoanywoman。’
　　’Well——youhavegottotakecareofyourselfatanyrate。Whatwillyoudo？’
　　’WhatoughtItodo？’
　　’Gotothepolice。’MrGreshamhadhimselfonce，whenyoung，thrashedamanwhohadoffendedhim，andhadthenthoughthimselfmuchaggrievedbecausethepolicehadbeencalledin。Butthathadbeentwentyyearsago，andMrGresham’sopinionshadbeenmaturedand，perhaps，correctedbyage。’
　　’No。Iwon’tdothat，’saidArthurFletcher。
　　’That’swhatyououghttodo。’
　　’Icouldn’tdothat。’
　　’Thentakenonoticeoftheletter，andcarryafairlybigstick。
　　Itshouldbebigenoughtohurthimagooddeal，butnottodohimanyseriousdamage。’Atthatmomentanagentcameinwiththenewsoftheman’sretirementfromthecontest。’Hasheleftthetown？’askedGresham。No——hehadnotleftthetown，norhadhebeenseenbyanyonethatmorning。’Youhadbetterletmegooutandgetthestick，beforeyoushowyourself，’saidGresham。Andsothestickwasselected。
　　Asthetwowalkeddownthestreettogether，almostthefirstthingtheysawwasLopezstandingathishoteldoorwithacuttingwhipinhishand。Hewasatthatmomentquitealone，butontheoppositesideofthestreetwasapoliceman，——oneoftheboroughconstables，——veryslowlymakinghiswayalongthepavement。Hismovement，indeed，wassoslowthatanyonewatchinghimwouldhavecometotheconclusionthatthatparticularpartoftheHighStreethadsomeattractionforhimatthatspecialmoment。Alas，alas！Howagewillalterthespiritofaman！
　　TwentyyearssinceFrankGreshamwouldhavethoughtanyonetobeameanmiscreantwhowouldhaveinterposedapolicemanbetweenhimandhisfoe。Butitistobefearedthatwhileselectingthatstickhehadsaidawordwhichwascausingtheconstabletoloiteronthepavement！
　　’Doyouusuallywalkaroundattendedbyapoliceman？’saidLopez。
　　’Ididn’tknowthatthemanwashere，’saidFletcher。
　　’Youmaytellthattothemarines。Alltheboroughshallknowwhatacowardyouare。’Thenheturnedroundandaddressedthestreet，butstillundertheshadow，asitwere，ofthepoliceman’shelmet。’ThismanwhopresumestoofferhimselfasacandidatetorepresentSilverbridgeinParliamenthasinsultedmywife。Andnow，becausehefearsthatIshallhorsewhiphim，hegoesaboutthestreetunderthecareofapoliceman。’
　　’Thisisintolerable，’saidFletcher，turningtohisfriend。
　　’MrLopez，’saidGresham。’IamsorrytosaythatImustgiveyouincharge——unlessyouwillundertaketoleavethetownwithoutinterferingfurtherwithMrFletcher，eitherbywordordeed。’
　　’Iwillundertakenothing，’saidLopez。’Themanhasinsultedmywife，andisacoward。’
　　Abouttwoo’clockontheafternoonofthatdayMrLopezappearedbeforetheSilverbridgebenchofmagistrates，andwastheresworntokeepthepeacetoMrFletcherforthenextsixmonths。Afterthathewasallowedtoleavethetown，andwasbackinLondonwithhiswifeinBelgraveMansions，todinnerthatevening。
　　Onthedaybutoneafterthistheballotwastakenandateighto’clockontheeveningofthatdayArthurFletcherwasdeclaredtobedulyelected。ButMrDuBoungranhimveryhard。
　　Thenumberswere——
　　FLETCHER……315
　　DUBOUNG……308
　　MrDuBoung’sfriendsduringtheselasttwodayshadnothesitatedtomakewhatusetheycouldonbehalfoftheirowncandidateoftheLopezandFletcherquarrel。IfMrFletcherhadinsultedheotherman’swife，surelyhecouldnotbeapropermemberforSilverbridge。Andthentherowwasdeclaredtohavebeenaltogetherdiscreditable。Twostrangershadcomeintothispeacefultownandhadabsolutelyquarrelledwithsticksandwhipsinthestreet，callingeachotheropprobriousnames。Woulditnotbebetterthattheyshouldelecttheirownrespectabletownsman？Allthiswasnearlyeffective。But，inspiteofall，ArthurFletcherwasatlastreturned。
　　CHAPTER35
　　LOPEZBACKINLONDON。
　　Lopez，ashereturnedtotown，recoveredsomethingofhissenses，thoughhestillfanciedthatArthurFletcherhaddonehimapositiveinjurybywritingtohiswife。Butsomethingofthatmadnesslefthimwhichhadcomefromadeepsenseofinjury，bothastotheletterandastotheborough，andhebegantofeelthathehadbeenwrongaboutthehorsewhip。Hewasverylowinspiritsonthisreturnjourney。Themoneywhichhehadspenthadbeenmaterialtohim，andthelossofitforthemomentlefthimnearlybare。WhilehehadbeforehiseyesthehopeofbeingamemberofParliamenthehadbeenabletobuoyhimselfup。ThepositionitselfwouldhavegoneveryfarwithSextyParker，andwould，hethought，havehadsomeeffectevenwithhisfather-in-
　　law。Butnowhewasreturningabeatenman。Whoistherethathasnotfeltthatfallfromhighhopetoutterdespairwhichcomesfromsomesinglefailure？AshethoughtofthishewasconsciousthathisangerhadledhimintogreatimprudenceatSilverbridge。Hehadnotbeencircumspect，asitspeciallybehovedamantobesurroundedbysuchdifficultiesashis。Allhislifehehadbeenschoolinghistempersoastokeepitundercontrol，——sometimeswithgreatdifficulty，butalwayswithaconsciousnessthatinhislifeeverythingmightdependonit。Nowhehad，alas，allowedittogetthebetterofhim。Nodoubthehadbeeninsulted，——but，nevertheless，hehadbeenwrongtospeakofahorsewhip。
　　Hisonegreatobjectmustnowbetoconciliatehisfather-in-law，andhehadcertainlyincreasedhisdifficultyindoingthisbyhissquabbledownatSilverbridge。OfcoursethewholethingwouldbereportedintheLondonpapers，andofcoursethestorywouldbetoldagainsthim，astherespectabilitiesofthetownhadbeenopposedtohim。Butheknewhimselftobeclever，andhestillhopedthathemightovercomethesedifficulties。Thenitoccurredtohimthatindoingthishemusttakecaretohavehiswifeentirelyonhisside。Hedidnotdoubtherlove。hedidnotintheleastdoubtherrectitude——buttherewasthatlamentablefactthatshethoughtwellofArthurFletcher。Itmightbethathehadbeenalittletooimperiouswithhiswife。
　　Itsuitedhisdispositiontobeimperiouswithinhisownhousehold——tobeimperiousoutofit，ifthatwerepossible——
　　buthewasconsciousofhavinghadafallatSilverbridge，andhemustforawhiletakeinsomesail。
　　Hehadtelegraphedtoher，acquaintingherwithhisdefeat，andtellinghertoexpecthisreturn。’Oh，Ferdinand，’shesaid，’I
　　amsounhappyaboutthis。Ithasmademesowretched！’
　　’Betterlucknexttime，’hesaidwithhissweetestsmile。’Itisnotgoodgroaningoverspiltmilk。Theyhaven’ttreatedmereallywell，——havethey？’
　　’Isupposenot，——thoughIdonotquiteunderstanditall。’
　　HewasburningtoabuseArthurFletcher，butheabstained。Hewouldabstainatanyrateforthepresentmoment。’Dukesandduchessesarenodoubtverygrandpeople，’hesaid，’butitisapitytheyshouldnotknownowtobehavehonestly，astheyexpectotherstobehavetothem。TheDuchesshasthrownmeoverinthemostinfernalway。Ireallycan’tunderstandit。WhenIthinkofitIaminwonder。Thetruth，Isuppose，is，thattherehasbeensomequarrelbetweenhimandher。’
　　’Whowillgetin？’
　　’OhDuBoung，nodoubt。’Hedidnotthinkso，buthecouldnotbringhimselftodeclarethesuccessofhisenemytoher。’Thepeoplethereknowhim。YouroldfriendisasmuchastrangerthereasIam。By-the-way，heandIhadalittlerowintheplace。’
　　’Arow，Ferdinand？’
　　’Youneedn’tlooklikethat，mypet。Ihaven’tkilledhim。Buthecameuptospeaktomeinthestreet，andItoldhimwhatI
　　thoughtabouthiswritingtoyou。’OnhearingthisEmilylookedverywretched。’Icouldnotrestrainmyselffromdoingthat。
　　Come，——youmustadmitthatheshouldn’thavewritten。’
　　’Hemeantitinkindness。’
　　’Thenheshouldn’thavemeantit。Justthinkofit。SupposethatIhadmakinguptoanygirl，——whichby-the-wayIneverdidbuttooneinmylife，’——thenheputhisarmroundherwaistandkissedher，’andsheweretohavemarriedsomeoneelse。WhatwouldhavebeensaidofmeifIhadbeguntocorrespondwithherimmediately？Don’tsupposeIamblamingyou，dear。’
　　’CertainlyIdonotsupposethat，’saidEmily。
　　’Butyoumustadmitthatitwasratherstrong。’Hepaused，butshesaidnothing。’OnlyIsupposeyoucanbringyourselftoadmitnothingagainsthim。However，soitwas。Therewasarow，andapolicemancameup，andtheymademegiveapromisethatI
　　didn’tmeantoshoothimoranythingofthatkind。’Assheheardthissheturnedpale，butsaidnothing。’OfcourseIdidn’twanttoshoothim。IwishedhimtoknowwhatIthoughtaboutit，andItoldhim。Ihatetotroubleyouwithallthis，butIcouldn’tbearthatyoushouldn’tknowitall。’
　　’Itisverysad！’
　　’Sadenough！IhavehadplentytobearIcantellyou。
　　Everybodyseemedtoturnawayfrommethere。Everybodydesertedme。’AshesaidthishecouldperceivethathemustobtainhersympathybyrecountinghisownmiseriesandnotArthurFletcher’ssins。’Iwasallaloneandhardlyknewhowtoholdupmyheadagainstsomuchwretchedness。AndthenIfoundmyselfcalledupontopayanenormoussumformyexpenses。’
　　’Oh，Ferdinand！’
　　’Thinkoftheirdemanding500pounds！’
　　’Didyoupayit？’
　　’Yes，indeed。Ihadnoalternative。Ofcoursetheytookcaretocomeforthatbeforetheytalkedofmyresigning。Ibelieveitwasallplannedbeforehand。Thewholethingseemstometohavebeenaswindlefrombeginningtoend。Byheaven，I’malmostinclinedtothinkthattheDuchessknewallaboutitherself！’
　　’Aboutthe500pounds！’
　　’Perhapsnottheexactsum，butthewayinwhichthethingwastobedone。Inthesedaysonedoesn’tknowwhomtotrust。Men，andwomentoo，havebecomesodishonestthatnobodyissafeanywhere。
　　Ithasbeenawfullyharduponme，——awfullyhard。Idon’tsupposethattherewaseveramomentinmylifewhenthelossof500poundswouldhavebeensomuchtomeasitisnow。Thequestionis，whatwillyourfatherdoforus？’Emilycouldnotbutrememberherhusband’sintensedesiretoobtainmoneyfromherfathernotyetthreemonthssince，asthoughalltheworlddependedonhisgettingit，——andhissubsequentelationasthoughallhissorrowswereoverforever，becausethemoneyhadbeenpromised。Andnow，——almostimmediately，——hewasagaininthesameposition。Sheendeavouredtojudgehimkindly，butafeelingofinsecurityinreferencetohisaffairsstruckheratonceandmadeherheartcold。Everythinghadbeenachieved，then，byagiftof3，000pounds，——surelyasmallsumtoeffectsucharesultwithamanlivingasherhusbandlived。Andnowthewhole3，000poundswasgone——surelyalargesumtohavevanishedinsoshortatime！Somethingoftheuncertaintyofbusinessshecouldunderstand，butabusinessmustbeperilouslyuncertainifsubjecttosuchvicissitudesasthese！Butasideasofthisnaturecrowdedthemselvesintohermindshetoldherselfagainandagainthatshehadtakenhimforbetterandforworse。Iftheworsewerealreadycoming，shewouldstillbetruetoherpromise。’Youhadbettertellpapaeverything。’
　　’Haditnotbettercomefromyou？’
　　’No，Ferdinand。OfcourseIwilldoasyoubidme。IwilldoanythingthatIcando。Butyouhadbettertellhim。Hisnatureissuchthathewillrespectyoumoreifitcomefromyourself。
　　Andthenitissonecessarythatheshouldknowall——all。’Sheputwhateveremphasissheknewhowtouseuponthisword。
　　’Youcouldtellhim——all，aswellasI。’
　　’Youwouldnotbringyourselftotellittome，norcouldI
　　understandit。Hewillunderstandeverything，andifhethinksthatyouhavetoldhimeverything，hewillatanyraterespectyou。’
　　Hesatsilentforawhilemeditating，feelingalwaysmoreandmoreacutelythathehadbeenill-used，——neverthinkingforaninstantthathehadill-usedothers。’3，000pounds，youknow，wasnofortuneforyourfathertogiveyou！’Shehadnoanswertomake，butshegroanedinspiritassheheardtheaccusation。
　　’Don’tyoufeelthatyourself？’
　　’Iknownothingofmoney，Ferdinand。Ifyouhadtoldmetospeaktohimaboutitbeforeweweremarried，Iwouldhavedoneso。’
　　’Heoughttohavespokentome。Itismarvelloushowclose-
　　fistedanoldmancanbe。Hecan’ttakeitwithhim。’Thenhesatforhalfanhourinmoodysilence，duringwhichshewasbusywithherneedle。Afterthathejumpedup，withamanneraltogetheraltered，——gay，onlythattheattemptwastoovisibletodeceiveevenher，——andshookhimself，asthoughhewereriddinghimselfofhistrouble。’Youareright，oldgirl。Youarealwaysright，——almost。Iwillgotoyourfatherto-morrow，andtellhimeverything。Itisn’tsoverymuchthatIwanthimtodo。Thingswillallcomerightagain。I’mashamedthatyoushouldhaveseenmeinthisway，——butIhavebeendisappointedabouttheelection，andtroubledaboutthatMrFletcher。Youshallnotseemegivewayagainlikethis。Givemeakiss，oldgirl。’
　　Shekissedhim，butshecouldnotevenpretendtorecoverherselfashehaddone。’Hadwenotbettergiveupthebrougham？’
　　shesaid。
　　’Certainlynot。Forheaven’ssakedonotspeakinthatway！Youdonotunderstandthings。’
　　’No。certainlyIdonot。’
　　’Itisn’tthatIhaven’tthemeansofliving，butthatmybusinessmoneyissooftenrequiredforinstantuse。AndsituatedasIamatthepresentanadditiontomycapitalwouldenablemetodosomuch！’Shecertainlydidnotunderstandit，butshehadsufficientknowledgeoftheworldandsufficientcommonsensetobeawarethattheirpresentrateofexpenditureoughttobeamatterofimportancetoamanwhofeltthelossof500poundsashefeltthatlossatSilverbridge。
　　OnthenextmorningLopezwasatMrWharton’schambersearly，——
　　soearlythatthelawyerhadnotyetreachedthem。Hehadresolved，——notthathewouldtelleverything，forsuchmenneverevenintendtotelleverything，——butthathewouldtellagooddeal。
　　Hemust，ifpossible，affectthemindoftheoldmanintwoways。
　　Hemustingratiatehimself——andatthesametimemakeitunderstoodthatEmily’scomfortinlifewoulddependverymuchonherfather’sgenerosity。Thefirstmustbefirstaccomplished，ifpossible，——andthenthesecond，astowhichhecouldcertainlyproduceatanyratebelief。Hehadnotmarriedarichman’sdaughterwithoutanintentionofgettingtherichman’smoney！MrWhartonwouldunderstandthat。Iftheworstcametotheworst，MrWhartonmustofcoursemaintainhisdaughter，——andhisdaughter’shusband！Butthingshadnotcometotheworstasyet，andhedidnotintendonthepresentoccasiontopresentthatviewofhisaffairstohisfather-in-law。
　　MrWhartonwhenheenteredhischambersfoundLopezseatedthere。
　　Hewashimselfatthismomentveryunhappy。HehadrenewedhisquarrelwithEverett，——orEverettratherhadrenewedthequarrelwithhim。Therehadbeenwordsbetweenthemaboutmoneylostatcards。Hardwordshadbeenused，andEveretthadtoldhisfatherthatifeitherofthemwereagambleritwasnothe。MrWhartonhadresentedthisbitterlyandhaddrivenhissonfromhispresence，——andnowthequarrelwithhimhadmadehimverywretched。Hecertainlywassorrythathehadcalledhissonagambler，buthissonhadbeen，ashethought，inexcusableintheretortwhichhehadmade。Hewasamantowhomhisfriendsgavecreditformuchsternness——butstillhewasonewhocertainlyhadnohappinessintheworldindependentofhischildren。Hisdaughterhadlefthim，notashethoughtunderhappyauspices，——
　　andhewasnow，atthismoment，soft-heartedandtenderinhisregardsastoher。Whatwasthereintheworldforhimbuthischildren？Andnowhefelthimselftobealoneanddestitute。HewasalreadytiredofwhistattheEldon。Thatwhichwouldhavebeenadelighttohimonceortwiceaweek，becamealmostloathsomewhenitwasrenewedfromdaytoday——andnotthelesswhenhissontoldhimthathealsowasagambler。’SoyouhavecomebackfromSilverbridge？’hesaid。
　　’Yes，sir。Ihavecomebacknotexactlytriumphant。Amanshouldnotexpecttowinalways。’Lopezhadresolvedtopluckuphisspiritandcarryhimselflikeaman。
　　’Youseemtohavegotintosomescrapedownthere，besideslosingyourelection。’
　　’Oh。youhaveseenthatinthepapersalready。Ihavecometotellyouofit。AsEmilyisconcernedinityououghttoknow。’
　　’Emilyconcerned！Howissheconcerned？’
　　ThenLopeztoldthewholestory，——afterhisownfashion，andyetwithnopalpablelie。Fletcherhadwrittentoheraletterwhichhehadthoughttobeveryoffensive。Onhearingthis，MrWhartonlookedverygrave，andaskedfortheletter。Lopezsaidthathehaddestroyedit，notthinkingthatsuchadocumentshouldbepreserved。Thenhewentontoexplainthatithadhadreferencetotheelection，andthathehadthoughtittobehighlyimproperthatFletchershouldwritetohiswifeonthatoronanyothersubject。’Itdependsverymuchontheletter，’saidtheoldman。
　　’Butonanysubject，——afterwhathaspassed。’
　　’Theywereveryoldfriends。’
　　’OfcourseIwillnotagreewithyou，MrWharton。butIownthatitangeredme。Itangeredmeverymuch，——verymuchindeed。I
　　tookittobeaninsulttoher，andwhenheaccostedmeinthestreetdownatSilverbridgeItoldhimso。Imaynothavebeenverywise，butIdiditonherbehalf。Surelyyoucanunderstandthatsuchalettermightmakeamanangry。’
　　’Whatdidhesay？’
　　’Thathewoulddoanythingforhersake，——evenretirefromSilverbridgeifhisfriendswouldlethim。’MrWhartonscratchedhishead，andLopezsawthathewasperplexed。’Shouldhehaveofferedtodoanythingforhersake，afterwhathaspassed？’
　　’Iknowthemansowell，’saidMrWharton，’thatIcannotanddonotbelievehimtohaveharbouredanimproperthoughtinreferencetomychild。’
　　’Perhapsitwasanindiscretiononly。’
　　’Perhapsso。Icannotsay。Andthentheytookyoubeforethemagistrates？’
　　’Yes，——inmyangerIhadthreatenedhim。Thentherewasapolicemanandarow。AndIhadtoswearthatIwouldnothurthim。OfcourseIhadnowishtohurthim。’
　　’IsupposeitruinedyourchanceatSilverbridge？’
　　’Isupposeitdid。’Thiswasalie，asLopezhadretiredbeforetherowtookplace。’WhatIcareformostnowisthatyoushouldthinkIhavemisbehavedmyself。’
　　Thestoryhadbeentoldverywell，andMrWhartonwasalmostdisposedtosympathizewithhisson-in-law。ThatArthurFletcherhadmeantnothingthatcouldberegardedasoffensivetohisdaughterhewasquitesure——butitmightbethatinmakinganofferintendedtobegeneroushehadusedlanguagewhichtheconditionofthepersonsconcernedmadeindiscreet。’Isuppose，’
　　hesaid，’thatyouspentalotofmoneyatSilverbridge？’ThisgaveLopeztheopeninghewanted，andhedescribedthemannerinwhichthe500poundshadbeenextractedfromhim。’Youcan’tplaythatgamefornothing，’saidMrWharton。
　　’AndjustatpresentIcouldillaffordit。IshouldnothavedoneitifIhadnotfeltitapitytoneglectsuchachanceofrisingintheworld。Afterall，aseatintheBritishHouseofCommonsisanhonour。’
　　’Yes——yes——yes。’
　　’AndtheDuchess，whenshespoketomeaboutit，wassocertain。’
　　’Iwillpaythe500pounds，’saidMrWharton。
　　’Oh，sir，thatisgenerous！’Thenhegotupandtooktheoldman’shands。’Someday，whenyouareatliberty，Ihopethatyouwillallowmetoexplaintoyoutheexactstateofmyaffairs。
　　WhenIwrotetoyoufromComoItoldyouthatIwouldwishtodoso。Youdonotobject？’
　　’No，’saidthelawyer，——butwithinfinitehesitationinhisvoice。’No，Idon’tobject。ButIdonotknowhowIcouldservethem。Ishallbebusyjustnow，butIwillgiveyouthecheque。
　　AndifyouandEmilyhavenothingbettertodo，comeanddineto-
　　morrow。’Lopezwithrealtearsinhiseyestookthecheque，andpromisedtocomeonthemorrow。’AndinthemeantimeIwishyouwouldseeEverett。’OfcoursehepromisedthathewouldseeEverett。
　　Againhewasexalted，onthisoccasionnotsomuchbytheacquisitionofthemoneyasbythegrowingconvictionthathisfather-in-lawwasacowcapableofbeingmilked。AndthequarrelbetweenEverettandhisfathermightclearlybeusefultohim。
　　HemighteitherservetheoldmanbyreducingEveretttopropersubmission，orhemightmanagetocreepintotheemptyspacewhichhisson’sdefectionwouldmakeinthefather’sheartandthefather’slife。Hemightatanyratemakehimselfnecessarytotheoldman，andbecomesuchapartofthehouseholdinManchesterSquareastobeindispensable。Thentheoldmanwouldeverydaybecomeolderandmoreinwantofassistance。Hethoughtthathesawthewaytowormhimselfintoconfidence，and，soonintopossession。Theoldmanwasnotamanofironashehadfeared，butquitehuman，andifproperlymanaged，softandmalleable。
　　HesawSextyParkerinthecitythatday，andusedhischequefor500poundsinsometriumphantway，partlycajolingandpartlybullyinghispoorvictim。ToSextyalsohehadtotellhisownstoryabouttherowdownatSilverbridge。Hehadthreatenedtothrashthefellowinthestreet，andthefellowhadnotdaredtocomeoutofhishousewithoutapoliceman。Yes——hehadlosthiselection。TheswindlingofthosefellowsatSilverbridgehadbeentoomuchforhim。ButheflatteredhimselfthathehadgotthebetterofMasterFletcher。Thatwasthetoneinwhichhetoldthestorytohisfriendinthecity。
　　Then，beforedinner，hefoundEverettattheclub。EverettWhartonwastobefoundtherenowalmosteveryday。Hisexcusetohimselflayinthepoliticalcharacteroftheinstitution。
　　Theclubintendedtodogreatthings，——tofindLiberalcandidatesforalltheboroughsandcountiesinEnglandwhichhadnothithertobeenfurnished，andthentosupplythecandidateswithmoney。SuchwasthegreatpurposeoftheProgress。Ithadnotasyetsentoutmanycandidatesorcollectedmuchmoney。Andyetitwas，politically，almostquiescent。AndthereforeEverettWharton，whosesenseofdutytookhimthere，spenthisafternoonseitherinthewhist-roomoratthebilliard-table。
　　ThestoryofSilverbridgehadtobetoldyetagain，andwastoldnearlywiththesameincidentsashadbeennarratedtothefather。HecouldofcourseabuseArthurFletchermoreroundly，andbemoreconfidentintheassertionthatFletcherhadinsultedhiswife。Buthecameasquicklyashecouldtothetaskwhichhehadonhand。’What’sallthisbetweenyouandyourfather？’
　　’Simplythis。Isometimesplayagameofwhist，andthereforehecalledmeagambler。ThenIremindedhimthathealsosometimesplayedagameofwhist，andIaskedhimwhatdeductionwastobedrawn。’
　　’Heisawfullyangrywithyou。’
　　’OfcourseIwasafool。Myfatherhasthewhip-handofme，becausehehasmoneyandIhavenone，anditwassimplykickingagainsttheprickstospeakasIdid。Andthentoothereisn’tafellowinLondonhasahigherrespectforhisfatherthanIhave，notyetawarmeraffection。Butitishardtobedriveninthatway。Gamblerisanastyword。’
　　’Yes，itisverynasty。ButIsupposeamandoesgamblewhenhelosessomuchmoneythathehastoaskhisfathertopayitforhim。’
　　’Ifhedoessooften，hegambles。IneveraskedhimformoneytopaywhatIhadlostbeforeinmylife。’
　　’Iwonderyoutoldhim。’
　　’Ineverlietohim，andheoughttoknowthat。Butheisjustthemantobehardertohisownsonthantoanybodyelseintheworld。Whatdoeshewantmetodonow？’
　　’Idon’tknowthathewantsyoutodoanything，’saidLopez。
　　’Didhesendyoutome？’
　　’Well——no。Ican’tsaythathedid。ItoldhimthatIshouldseeyouasamatterofcourse，andhesaidsomethingrough，——
　　aboutyourbeinganass。’
　　’Idaresayhedid。’
　　’Butifyouaskme，’saidLopez，’Ithinkhewouldtakeitkindlyofyouifyouweretogoandseehim。Comeanddineto-day，justasifnothinghadhappened。’
　　’Icouldnotdothat，——unlessheaskedme。’
　　’Ican’tsaythatheaskedyou，Everett，Iwouldsayso，inspiteofitsbeingalie，ifIdidn’tfearthatyourfathermightsaysomethingunkind，sothattheliewouldbedetectedbybothofyou。’
　　’Andyetyouaskmetogoanddinethere！’
　　’Yes，Ido。It’sonlygoingawayifhedoescutuprough。Andifhetakesitwell，——whythen，——thewholethingisdone。’
　　’Ifhewantsme，hecanaskme。’
　　’Youtalkaboutit，myboy，justasifafatherwerethesameasanybodyelse。IfIhadafatherwithalotofmoney，byGeorgeheshouldknockmeaboutwithhisstickifheliked，andIwouldbejustthesamenextday。’
　　’UnfortunatelyIamofastiffernature，’saidEverett，takingsomepridetohimselfforhisstiffness，andbeingperhapsaslittle’stiff’asanyyoungmanofhisday。
　　ThateveningafterdinneratManchesterSquare，theconversationbetweenthefather-in-lawandtheson-in-lawturnedalmostexclusivelytothesonandbrother-in-law。Littleornothingwassaidabouttheelection，andthenameofArthurFletcherwasnotmentioned。Butoutofhisfullheartthefatherspoke。HewaswretchedaboutEverett。DidEverettmeantocuthim？
　　’Hewantsyoutowithdrawsomenameyoucalledhim，’saidLopez。
　　’Withdrawsomename，——ashemightasksomehot-headedfellowtodo，ifhisownage，likehimself，somefellowthathehadquarrelledwith！Doesheexpecthisfathertosendhimawrittenapology？Hehadbeengambling，andItoldhimthathewasagambler。Isthattoomuchforafathertosay？’Lopezshruggedhisshoulders，anddeclaredthatitwasapity。’Hewillbreakmyheartifhegoesonlikethis，’saidtheoldman。
　　’Iaskedhimtocomeanddineto-day，buthedidn’tseemtolikeit。’
　　’Likeit！No。Helikesnothingbutthatinfernalclub。’
　　WhentheeveningwasoverLopezfeltthathehaddoneagoodstrokeofwork。Hehadnotexactlymadeuphismindtokeepthefatherandsonapart。Thatwasnotapartofhisstrategy，——atanyrateasyet。Buthedidintendtomakehimselfnecessarytotheoldman，——tobecometheoldman’sson，andifpossiblethefavouriteson。Andnowhethoughtthathehadalreadydonemuchtowardstheachievementofhisobject。
　　CHAPTER36
　　THEJOLLYBLACKBIRD。
　　TherewasgreattriumphatLongbarnswhenthenewsofArthur’svictoryreachedtheplace——andwhenhearrivedtherehimselfwithhisfriendMrGresham，hewasreceivedasaconqueringhero。
　　Butofcoursethetidingsof’therow’hadgonebeforehim，anditwasnecessarythatbothheandMrGreshamshouldtellthestory——norcoulditbetoldprivately。SirAluredWhartonwasthere，andMrsFletcher。Theoldladyhadheardoftherow，andofcourserequiredtobetoldalltheparticulars。Thiswasnotpleasanttothehero，asintalkingofthemanitwasimpossibleforthemnottotalkoftheman’swife。’WhataterriblemisfortuneforpoorMrWharton，’saidtheoldlady，noddingherheadatSirAlured。SirAluredsighedandsaidnothing。
　　Certainlyaterriblemisfortune，andonewhichaffectedmoreorlessthewholefamilyofWhartons！
　　’DoyoumeantosaythathewasgoingtoattackArthurwithawhip？’askedJohnFletcher。
　　’Ionlyknowthathewasstandingtherewithawhipinhishand，’
　　saidMrGresham。’
　　’Ithinkhewouldhavehadtheworstofthat。’
　　’Youwouldhavelaughed，’saidArthur，’toseemewalkingmajesticallyalongtheHighStreetwithacudgelwhichGreshamhadjustboughtformeasbeingofthepropermediumsize。I
　　don’tdoubthemeanttohaveafight。Andthenyoushouldhaveseenthepolicemanslopingoverandputtinghimselfintheway。
　　Ineverquiteunderstoodwherethepolicemancamefrom。’
　　’TheyareverywelloffforpolicemeninSilverbridge，’saidGresham。’They’vealwaysgotthemgoingabout。’
　　’Hemustbemad，’saidJohn。
　　’Poorunfortunateyoungwoman！’saidMrsFletcher，holdingupbothherhands。’ImustsaythatIcannotbutblameMrWharton。
　　Ifhehadbeenfirm，itneverwouldhavecometothat。Iwonderwhetherheeverseeshim。’
　　’Ofcoursehedoes，’saidJohn。’Whyshouldn’theseehim？
　　You’dseehimifhe’dmarriedadaughterofyours。’
　　’Never！’exclaimedtheoldwoman。’IfIhadachildsolosttoallrespectasthat，IdonotsaythatIwouldnothaveseenher。
　　Humannaturemighthaveprevailed。ButIwouldneverwillinglyhaveputmyselfintocontactwithonewhohaddegradedmeandmine。’
　　’IshallbeveryanxioustoknowwhatMrWhartondoesabouthismoney，’saidJohn。
　　Arthurallowedhimselfbutacoupleofdaysamonghisfriends，andthenhurrieduptoLondontotakehisseat。Whentherehewasastonishedtofindhowmanyquestionswereaskedhimabout’therow’，andhowmuchwasknownaboutit，——andatthesametimehowlittlewasreallyknown。Everybodyhadheardthattherehadbeenarow，andeverybodyknewthattherehadbeenaladyinthecase。Butthereseemedtobeageneralideathattheladyhadbeeninsomewaymisused，andthatArthurFletcherhadcomeforwardslikeaPaladintoprotecther。Aletterhadbeenwritten，andthehusband，ogre-like，hadinterceptedtheletter。
　　Theladywasthemostunfortunateofhumanbeings，——orwouldhavebeenbutforthatconsolationwhichshemusthaveintheconstancyofheroldlover。Astoallthesemattersthestoriesvaried。buteverybodyagreedononepoint。AlltheworldknewthatArthurFletcherhadgonetoSilverbridge，hadstoodfortheborough，andtakentheseatawayfromhisrival，——becausethatrivalhadrobbedhimofhisbride。Howtherobberyhadbeeneffectedtheworldcouldnotquitesay。Theworldwasstilloftheopinionthattheladywasviolentlyattachedtothemanshehadnotmarried。ButCaptainGunnerexplaineditallclearlytoMajorPountneybyassertingthatthepoorgirlhadbeencoercedintothemarriagebyherfather。AndthusArthurFletcherfoundhimselfalmostasmuchaheroinLondonasatLongbarns。
　　Fletcherhadnotbeenaboveaweekintown，andhadbecomeheartilysickoftherumourswhichinvariousshapesmadetheirwayroundtohisownears，whenhereceivedaninvitationfromMrWhartontogoanddinewithhimatataverncalledtheJollyBlackbird。Theinvitationsurprisedhim，——thatheshouldbeaskedbysuchamantodineatsuchaplace，——butheaccepteditasamatterofcourse。HewasindeedmuchinterestedinabillforthedrainageofcommonlandswhichwastobediscussedintheHousethatnight，therewasagooddealofcommonlandroundSilverbridge，andhehadsomeideaofmakinghisfirstspeech，——
　　buthecalculatedthathemightgethisdinnerandyetbebackintimeforthedebate。SohewenttotheJollyBlackbird，——averyquaintold-fashionedlawdining-houseintheneighbourhoodofPortugalStreet，whichhadmanagednottogetitselfnotpulleddownadozenyearsagoonbehalfoftheLawCourtswhicharetoblesssomecominggeneration。Arthurhadneverbeentherebeforeandwassurprisedattheblackwainscotting，theblacktables，theold-fashionedgrate，thetwocandlesonthetable，andthesilentwaiter。
　　’IwantedtoseeyouArthur，’saidtheoldmanpressinghishandinamelancholyway，’butIcouldn’taskyoutoManchesterSquare。Theycomeinsometimesintheevening，anditmighthavebeenunpleasant。Atyouryoungmen’sclubstheyletstrangersdine。Wehaven’tanythingofthatkindattheEldon。You’llfindthey’llgiveyouaverygoodbitoffishhere，andafairishsteak。’Arthurdeclaredthathethoughtitacapitalplace，——
　　thebestfunintheworld。’Andthey’veaverygoodbottleofclaret——betterthanwegetattheEldon，Ithink。Idon’tknowthatIcansaymuchfortheirchampagne。We’lltryit。Youyoungfellowsalwayslikechampagne。’
　　’Ihardlyevertouchit，’saidArthur。’Sherryandclaretaremywines。’
　　’Verywell——verywell。Ididwanttoseeyou，myboy。Thingshaven’tturnedoutjustaswewanted——havethey？’
　　’Notexactly，sir。’
　　’Noindeed。Youknowtheoldsaying，Goddisposesall。Ihavetomakethebestofit，——andsonodoubthaveyou。’
　　’There’snodoubtaboutit，sir，’saidArthur，speakinginalowbutalmostangryvoice。Theywerenotinaroombythemselves，butinarecesswhichseparatedthemfromtheroom。’Idon’tknowthatIwanttotalkaboutit，buttomeitisoneofthosethingsforwhichthereisnoremedy。Whenamanloseshisleg，hehobbleson，andsometimeshasagoodtimeofitatlast——butthereheis，withoutaleg。’
　　’Itwasn’tmyfault，Arthur。’
　　’Therehasbeennofaultbutmyown。Iwentinfortherunning，andgotdistanced。That’ssimplyallaboutit，andthere’snomoretobesaid。’
　　’Youain’tsurprisedthatIshouldwishtoseeyou。’
　　’I’meversomuchobliged。Ithinkit’sverykindofyou。’
　　’Ican’tgoinforanewlifeasyoucan。Ican’ttakeuppoliticsandParliament。It’stoolateforme。’
　　’I’mgoingto。There’sabillcomingonthisverynightthatI’minterestedabout。Youmustn’tbeangryifIrushoffalittlebeforeten。Wearegoingtolendmoneytotheparishesonthesecurityoftheratesfordrainingbitsofcommonland。Thenweshallsellthelandandendowtheunions，soastolessenthepoorrates，andincreasethecerealproductsofthecountry。Wethinkwecanbring300，000acresundertheploughinthreeyears，whichnowproducealmostnothing，andinfiveyearswouldpayalltheexpenses。Puttingthevalueofthelandat25poundsanacre，whichislow，weshallhavecreatedpropertytothevalueofsevenmillionandahalf。That’ssomething，youknow。’
　　’Oh，yes，’saidMrWharton，whofelthimselfquiteunabletofollowwithanyinteresttheaspirationsoftheyounglegislator。
　　’Ofcourseit’scomplicated，’continuedArthur，’butwhenyoucometolookintoititcomesoutclearenough。Itisoneoftheinstancesoftheomnipotenceofcapital。Parliamentcandosuchathing，notbecauseithasanycreativepowerofitsown，butbecauseithasthecommandofunlimitedcapital。’MrWhartonlookedathim，sighinginwardlyashereflectedthatunrequitedloveshouldhavebroughtaclear-headedyoungbarristerintomistssothickandlabyrinthssomazyasthese。’Averygoodbeef-steakindeed，’saidArthur。’Idon’tknowwhenIateabetterone。Thankyou，no——I’llsticktotheclaret。’MrWhartonhadofferedhimMadeira。’Claretandbrownmeatalwaysgowelltogether。Pancake？Idon’tobjecttoapancake。A
　　pancake’saverygoodthing。Nowwouldyoubelieveit，sir。theycan’tmakeapancakeattheHouse。’
　　’Andyettheysometimesfallveryflattoo，’saidthelawyer，makingareallawyer’sjoke。
　　ButMrWhartonstillhadsomethingtosay，thoughhehardlyknewhowtosayit。’YoumustcomeandseeusattheSquareafterabit。’
　　’Oh——ofcourse。’
　　’Iwouldn’taskyoutodinehereto-day，becauseIthoughtweshouldbelessmelancholyhere——butyoumustn’tcutusaltogether。Youhaven’tseenEverettsinceyou’vebeenintown？’
　　’No，sir。Ibelievehelivesagooddeal，——agooddealwith——
　　MrLopez。TherewasalittlerowdownatSilverbridge。Ofcourseitwillwearoff，butjustatpresenthislinesandmylinesdon’tconverge。’
　　’I’mveryunhappyabouthim，Arthur。’
　　’There’snothingthematter？’
　　’Mygirlhasmarriedthatman。I’venothingtosayagainsthim——
　　butofcourseitwasn’ttomytaste，andIfeelitasaseparation。AndnowEveretthasquarrelledwithme。’
　　’Quarrelledwithyou！’
　　Thenthefathertoldthestoryaswellasheknewhow。Hissonhadlostsomemoney，andhehadcalledhimagambler，——andconsequentlyhissonwouldnotcomenearhim。’Itisbadtolosethemboth，Arthur。’
　　’ThatissounlikeEverett。’
　　’Itseemstomethateverybodyhaschanged，——exceptmyself。Whowouldhavedreamedthatshewouldhavemarriedthatman？NotthatIhaveanythingtosayagainsthimexceptthathewasnotofoursort。HehasbeenverygoodaboutEverett，andisverygoodabouthim。ButEverettwillnotcometomeunless——Iwithdrawtheword——saythatIwaswrongtocallhimagambler。Thatisapropositionnomanshouldmaketoafather。’
　　’ItisveryunlikeEverett，’repeatedtheother。’Hashewrittentoyoutothateffect？’
　　’Hehasnotwrittenaword。’
　　’Whydon’tyougotoseehimyourself，andhaveitoutwithhim？’
　　’AmItogotothatclubafterhim？’saidthefather。
　　’Writetohimandbidhimcometoyou。I’llgiveupmyseatifhedon’tcometoyou。Everettwasalwaysaquaintfellow，alittleidle，youknow，——mooningaboutafterideas——’
　　’He’snofool，youknow，’saidthefather。
　　’Notatall——onlyvague。Buthe’sthelastmanintheworldtohavenastyvulgarideasofhisownimportanceasdistinguishedfromyours。’
　　’Lopezsays——’
　　’Iwouldn’tquitetrustLopez。’
　　’Heisn’tabadfellowinhisway，Arthur。OfcourseheisnotwhatIwouldhavelikedforason-in-law。Ineedn’ttellyouthat。Butheiskindandgentle-mannered，andhasalwaysbeenattachedtoEverett。YouknowhesavedEverett’slifeattheriskofhisown。’Arthurcouldnotbutsmileasheperceivedhowtheoldmanwasbeingwonroundbytheson-in-law，whomhehadtreatedsoviolentlybeforethemanhadbecomehisson-in-law。
　　’By-the-way，whatwasallthataboutaletteryouwrotetohim？’
　　’Emily，——ImeanMrsLopez，——willtellyouifyouaskher。’
　　’Idon’twanttoaskher。Idon’twanttoappeartosetthewifeagainstthehusband。Iamsure，myboy，youwouldwritenothingthatcouldaffronther。’
　　’Ithinknot，MrWharton。IfIknowmyselfwellatall，ormyownnature，itisnotprobablethatIshouldaffrontyourdaughter。’
　　’No。no。no。Iknowthat，mydearboy。Iwasalwayssureofthat。Takesomemorewine。’
　　’Nomore，thankyou。ImustbeoffbecauseI’msoanxiousaboutthisbill。’
　　’Icouldn’taskEmilyaboutthisletter。NowthattheyaremarriedIhavetomakethebestofit，——forhersake。I
　　couldn’tbringmyselftosayanythingtoherwhichmightseemtoaccusehim。’
　　’Ithoughtitright，sir，toexplaintoherthatwereInotinthehandsofotherpeople，Iwouldnotdoanythingtointerferewithherhappinessbyopposingherhusband。Mylanguagewasmoreguarded。’
　　’Hedestroyedtheletter。’
　　’Ihaveacopyofitifitcomestothat，’saidArthur。
　　’Itwillbebest，perhapstosaynothingfurtheraboutit。Well——
　　goodnight，myboy，ifyoumustgo。’ThenFletcherwentofftotheHouse，wonderingashewentatthechangewhichhadapparentlycomeoverthecharacterofhisoldfriend。MrWhartonhadalwaysbeenastrongman，andnowheseemedasweakaswater。
　　AstoEverett，Fletcherwassurethattherewassomethingwrong，buthecouldnotseehiswaytointerferehimself。Forthepresenthewasdividedfromthefamily。Neverthelesshetoldhimselfagainandagainthatthedivisionshouldnotbepermanent。Ofalltheworldshemustalwaysbetohimthedearest。
　　CHAPTER37
　　THEHORNS。
　　Thefirstmonthsofthesessionwentonverymuchasthelastsessionhadgone。Theministrydidnothingbrilliant。Asfarastheouterworldcouldsee，theyseemedtobefirmenough。TherewasnoopposingpartyintheHousestrongenoughtogetavoteagainstthemonanysubject。Outsiders，whoonlystudiedpoliticsinthecolumnsoftheirnewspapers，imaginedtheCoalitiontobeverystrong。Buttheywhowereinside，membersthemselves，andtheclubquidnuncswhowerealwaysrubbingtheirshouldersagainstmembers，knewbetter。TheoppositiontotheCoalitionwaswithintheCoalitionitself。SirOrlandoDroughthadnotbeenallowedtobuildhisfourships，andwasconsequentlyeagerinhisfearsthatthecountrywouldbeinvadedbythecombinedforcesofGermanyandFrance，thatIndiawouldbesoldbythosepowerstoRussia，thatCanadawouldbeannexedtotheStates，thatagreatindependentRomanCatholichierarchywouldbeestablishedinIreland，andthatMaltaandGibraltarwouldbetakenawayfromus——allofwhichevilswouldbeavertedbythebuildingoffourbigships。AwetblanketofsoterribleasizewasinitselfpernicioustotheCabinet，andheartrendingtothepoorDuke。ButSirOrlandocoulddoworseeventhanthis。Ashewasnottobuildhisfourships，neithershouldMrMonkbeallowedtoreadjustthecountrysuffrage。WhentheskeletonofMrMonk’sschemewasdiscussedintheCabinet，SirOrlandowouldnotagreetoit。Thegentlemen，hesaid，whohadjoinedthepresentGovernmentwithhim，wouldneverconsenttoameasurewhichwouldbesoutterlydestructiveofthecounty’sinterest。IfMrMonkinsistedonhismeasureinitsproposedform，hemust，withverygreatregret，placehisresignationintheDuke’shands，andhebelievedthathisfriendswouldfindthemselvescompelledtofollowthesamecourse。ThenourDukeconsultedtheoldDuke。TheoldDuke’sadvicewasthesameasever。TheQueen’sGovernmentwasthemainobject。Thepresentministryenjoyedthesupportofthecountry，andheconsidereditthedutyoftheFirstLordoftheTreasurytoremainathispost。Thecountrywasinnohurry，andthequestionofsuffragesinthecountiesmightstillbedelayed。
　　Thenheaddedalittlecounselwhichmightbecalledquiteprivate，asitwascertainlyintendedfornootherearsthanthoseofhisyoungerfriend。’GiveSirOrlandoropeenoughandhe’llhanghimself。Hisownpartyarebecomingtiredofhim。Ifyouquarrelwithhimthissession，Drummond，andRamsden，andBeeswax，wouldgooutwithhim，andtheGovernmentwouldbebrokenup。butnextsessionyoumaygetridofhimsafely。’
　　’Iwishitwerebrokenup，’saidthePrimeMinister。
　　’YouhaveyourdutytodobythecountryandtheQueen，andyoumustn’tregardyourownwishes。Nextsession，letMonkbereadywithhisbillagain，——thesamemeasureexactly。LetSirOrlandoresignthenifhewill。ShouldhedosoIdoubtwhetheranyonewouldgowithhim。DrummonddoesnotlikehimmuchbetterthandoyouandIdo。’ThepoorPrimeMinisterwasforcedtoobey。
　　TheoldDukewashisonlytrustedcounsellor，andhefoundhimselfconstrainedbyhisconsciencetodoasthatcounsellorcounselledhim。When，however，SirOrlando，inhisplaceasLeaderoftheHouse，inanswertosomequestionfromahotanddisappointedRadical，averredthatthewholeofHerMajesty’sGovernmenthadbeenquiteinunisononthisquestionofthecountry’ssuffrage，hewashardlyabletorestrainhimself。’Iftherebeadifferenceofopiniontheymustbekeptinthebackground，’saidtheDukeofStBungay。’Nothingcanjustifyadirectfalsehood，’saidtheDukeofOmnium。ThusitcametopassthattheonlyrealmeasurewhichtheGovernmenthadinhandwasonebywhichPhineasFinnhopedsotoincreasethepowerofIrishmunicipalitiesastomaketheHomeRulersbelievethatacertainamountofHomeRulewasbeingconcededtothem。Itwasnotagreatmeasure，andpoorPhineasFinnhardlybelievedinit。AndthustheDuke’sministrycametobecalledtheFaineants。
　　ButtheDuchess，thoughshehadbeenmuchsnubbed，stillpersevered。Nowandagainshewoulddeclareherselftobebroken-
　　hearted，andwouldsaythatthingsmightgotheirownway，thatshewouldsendinherresignation，thatshewouldretireintoprivatelife，andmilkcows，thatshewouldshakehandswithnomoreparliamentarycadsandcadesses，——awordwhichherGracecondescendedtocoinforherownuse，thatshewouldspendthenextthreeyearsintravellingabouttheworld。andlastly，that，lettherecomewhateverofitwhatevermight，SirOrlandoDroughtshouldneveragainbeinvitedintoanyhouseofwhichshewasthemistress。Thislastthreat，whichwasperhapsthemostindiscreetofthemall，sheabsolutelymadegood——therebyaddingverygreatlytoherhusband’sdifficulties。
　　ButbythemiddleofJunethepartiesatthehouseinCarltonTerracewereasfrequentandaslargeasever。Indeeditwasallpartywithher。TheDuchesspossessedaprettylittlevilladownatRichmond，ontheriver，calledTheHorns，andgavepartiestherewhentherewerenoneinLondon。Shehadpicnics，andflowerparties，andteaparties，andafternoons，andevenings，onthelawn，——tillhalfLondonwasalwaysonitswaytoRichmondorbackagain。Howsheworked！Andyetfromdaytodayshesworethattheworldwasungrateful。Everybodywent。Shewassofarsuccessfulthatnobodythoughtofdespisingherparties。ItwasquitethethingtogototheDuchess’s，whetheratRichmondorinLondon。Butpeopleabusedherandlaughedather。Theysaidthatsheintriguedtogetpoliticalsupportforherhusband，——
　　andworsethanthat，theysaidthatshefailed。Shedidnotfailaltogether。Theworldwasnottakencaptiveasshehadintended。
　　YoungmembersofParliamentdidnotbecomehotlyenthusiasticinsupportofherandherhusbandasshehadhopedthattheywoulddo。Shehadnotbecomeaninstitutionofgranite，asherdreamshadfondlytoldhermightbepossible，——fortherehadbeenmomentsinwhichshehadalmostthoughtthatshecouldruleEnglandbygivingdinnerandsupperparties，byicesandchampagne。Butinadull，phlegmaticway，theywhoatetheicesanddrankthechampagneweretruetoher。Therewasafeelingabroadthat’Glencora’wasa’goodsortoffellow’andoughttobesupported。Andwhentheridiculebecametoostrong，ortheabusetoosharp，menwouldtakeupthecudgelsforher，andfightherbattles——alittletooopenly，perhaps，astheywoulddoitunderhereyes，andinherhearing，andwouldtellherwhattheyhaddone，mistakingonsuchoccasionshergoodhumourforsympathy。Therewasjustenoughsuccesstopreventthatabandonmentofherprojectwhichshesooftenthreatened，butnotenoughtomakehertriumphant。Shewastooclevernottoseethatshewasridiculed。SheknewthatmencalledherGlencoraamongthemselves。Shewasherselfquitealivetothefactthatsheherselfwaswantingindignity，andthatwithallthemeansatherdisposal，withallhercourageandallhertalents，shedidnotquiteplaythepartofthereallygreatlady。Butshedidnotfailtotellherselfthatlabourcontinuedwouldatlastbesuccessful，andshewasstrongtobearthebuffetsoftheill-
　　natured。Shedidnotthinkthatshebroughtfirst-classmaterialstoherwork，butshebelieved，——abeliefsoerroneousas，alas，itiscommon，——thatfirst-rateresultsmightbeachievedbysecond-ratemeans。
　　’WehadsuchabattleaboutyourGracelastnight，’CaptainGunnersaidtoher。
　　’Andwereyoumyknight？’
　　’IndeedIwas。Ineverheardsuchnonsense。’
　　’Whatweretheysaying？’
　　’Oh，theoldstory——thatyouwerelikeMartha，busyingyourselfaboutmanythings。’
　　’Whyshouldn’tIbusymyselfaboutmanythings？Itisapity，CaptainGunner，thatsomeofyoumenhavenotsomethingtobusyyourselvesabout。’Allthiswasunpleasant。ShecouldonsuchanoccasionmakeuphermindtodropanyCaptainGunnerwhohadventuredtotaketoomuchuponhimself：butshefeltthatintheeffortsshehadmadeafterpopularity，shehadsubmittedherselftounpleasantfamiliarities——andthoughpersistentinhercourse，shewasstillangryaboutherself。
　　WhenshehadbegunhercampaignasthePrimeMinister’swife，oneofherdifficultieshadbeenwithregardtomoney。Anabnormalexpenditurebecamenecessary，forwhichherhusband’sexpresssanctionmustbeobtained，andstepstakeninwhichhispersonalassistancewouldbenecessary——butthishadbeendone，andtherewasnownofurtherimpedimentinthatdirection。Itseemedtobeunderstoodthatshewastospendwhatmoneyshepleased。
　　Therehadbeenvariouscontestsbetweenthem，butineverycontestshehadgainedsomething。HehadbeenmajesticallyindignantwithherinreferencetothecandidatureatSilverbridge，——but，asisusualwithmanyofus，hadbeenunabletomaintainhisangerabouttwothingsatthesametime。Or，rather，inthemajestyofhisangeraboutherinterference，hehaddisdainedtodescendtothesmallerfaultsofherextravagance。Hehadseemedtoconcedeeverythingelsetoher，onconditionthatheshouldbeallowedtobeimperiousinreferencetotheborough。Inthatmattershehadgivenway，neverhavingopenedhermouthaboutitafterthatoneunfortunatewordtoMrSprugeon。But，havingdoneso，shewasentitledtosquanderherthousandswithoutremorse，——andshesquanderedthem。’Itisyourfive-and-twentythousandpounds，mydear，’sheoncesaidtoMrsFinn，whooftentookuponherselftoquestiontheprudenceofallthisexpenditure。ThisreferredtoacertainsumofmoneywhichhadbeenleftbytheoldDuketoMadameGoesler，asshewasthencalled，——alegacywhichthatladyhadrepudiated。Themoneyhad，intruth，beengivenawaytoarelationoftheDuke’sbythejointconsentoftheladyandtheDukehimself，buttheDuchesswaspleasedtorefertoitoccasionallyasastillexistingproperty。
　　’Myfive-and-twentythousandpounds，asyoucallit，wouldnotgoveryfar。’
　　’What’stheuseofmoneyifyoudon’tspendit？TheDukewouldgooncollectingitandbuyingmoreproperty，——whichalwaysmeansmoretrouble，——notbecauseheisavaricious，butbecauseforthetimethatcomeseasierthanspending。Supposinghehadmarriedawomanwithoutashilling，hewouldstillhavebeenarichman。Asitis，mypropertywasmoreeventhanhisown。Ifwecandoanygoodbyspendingthemoney，whyshouldn’titbespent？’
　　’Ifyoucandoanygood！’
　　’Itallcomesroundtothat。Itisn’tbecauseIlikealwaystoliveinawindmill！Ihavecometohateit。AtthismomentI
　　wouldgiveworldstobedownatMatchingwithnoonebutthechildren，andtogoaboutinastrawhatandmuslingown。IhaveafancythatIcouldsitunderatreeandreadasermon，andthinkitthesweetestrecreation。ButI’vemadetheattempttodoallthis，anditsomeantofail！’
　　’Butwhereistobetheendofit？’
　　’ThereshallbenoendaslongasheisPrimeMinister。HeisthefirstmaninEngland。SomepeoplewouldsaythefirstinEurope——orintheworld。APrinceshouldentertainlikeaPrince。’
　　’Heneednotbealwaysentertaining。’
　　’Hospitalityshouldrunfromamanwithhiswealth，andhisposition，likewaterfromafountain。Ashishandisknowntobefull，soitshouldbeknowntobeopen。Whenthedelightofhisfriendsisinquestion，heshouldknownothingofcost。Pearlsshoulddropfromhimasfromafairy。ButIdon’tthinkyouunderstandme。’
　　’NotwhenthepearlsaretobepickedupbyCaptainGunners，LadyGlen。’
　　’Ican’tmakethemenanybetter，——noryetthewomen。Theyarepoormeancreatures。Theworldismadeupofsuch。Idon’tknowthatCaptainGunnerisworsethanSirOrlandoDroughtorSirTimothyBeeswax。Peopleseenbythemindareexactlydifferenttothingsseenbytheeye。Theygrowsmallerandsmallerasyoucomenearerdowntothem，whereasthingsbecomebigger。I
　　rememberwhenIusedtothinkthatmembersoftheCabinetwerealmostgods，andnowtheyseemtobenobiggerthanshoe-blacks，-
　　onlylesspicturesque。Hetoldmetheotherdayofthetimewhenhegaveupgoingintopowerforthesakeoftakingmeabroad。
　　Ah！me。howmuchwashappeningthen，——andhowmuchhashappenedsincethat！Wedidn’tknowyouthen。’
　　’Hehasbeenagoodhusbandtoyou。’
　　’AndIhavebeenagoodwifetohim！Ihaveneverhadhimforanhouroutofmyheartsincethat，oreverforamomentforgottenhisinterest。Ican’tlivewithhimbecauseheshutshimselfupreadingblue-books，andisalwaysathisofficeorintheHouse——
　　butIwouldifIcould。AmInotdoingitallforhim？Youdon’tthinkthattheCaptainGunnnersareparticularlypleasanttome！Thinkofyourlifeandofmine。Youhavehadlovers。’
　　’Oneinmylife，——whenIwasentitledtohaveone。’
　　’Well。IamtheDuchessofOmnium，andIamthewifeofthePrimeMinister，andIhadalargerpropertyofmyownthananyotheryoungwomanthateverwasborn。andIammyselftoo，——GlencoraM’Cluskiethatwas，andI’vemadeformyselfacharacterthatI’mnotashamedof。ButI’dbethecurate’swifetomorrow，andmakepuddings，ifIcouldonlyhavemyownhusbandandmyownchildrenwithme。What’stheuseofitall？Ilikeyoubetterthananybodyelse，butyoudonothingbutscoldme。’Stillthepartieswenton，andtheDuchesslabouredhardamongherguests，andworeherjewels，andstoodonherfeetallthenight，nightafternight，beingciviltooneperson，brighttoasecond，confidentialtoathird，andsarcastictoanunfortunatefourth——
　　andinthemorningshewouldworkhardwithherlists，seeingwhohadcometoherandwhohadstayedaway，andarrangingwhoshouldbeaskedandwhoshouldbeomitted。
　　InthemeantimetheDukealtogetheravoidedthosethings。Atfirsthehadbeencontenttoshowhimself，andescapeassoonaspossible——butnowhewasneverseenatallinhisownhouse，exceptatcertainheavydinners。ToRichmondheneverwentatall，andinhisownhouseintownveryrarelyeverpassedthroughthedoorthatledintothereceptionrooms。Hehadnottimeforordinarysociety。SosaidtheDuchess。Andmany，perhapsthemajorityofthosewhofrequentedthehouse，reallybelievedthathisofficialdutiesweretoooneroustoleavehimtimeforconversation。Butintruththehourswereheavilywithhimashesataloneinhisstudy，sighingforsomesweetparliamentarytask，andregrettingthedaysinwhichhewasprivilegedtositintheHouseofCommonstilltwoo’clockinthemorning，inthehopethathemightgetaclauseortwopassedinhisbillfordecimalcoinage。
　　ItwasatTheHornsatanafternoonparty，giventhereinthegardensbytheDuchess，earlyinJuly，thatArthurFletcherfirstsawEmilyafterhermarriage，andLopezaftertheoccurrenceatSilverbridge。Asithappenedhecameoutuponthelawnafterthem，andfoundthemspeakingtotheDuchessastheypassedon。
　　ShehadputherselfoutofherwaytobeciviltoMrandMrsLopez，feelingthatshehadinsomedegreeinjuredhiminreferencetotheelection，andhadthereforeinvitedbothhimandhiswifeonmorethanoneoccasion。ArthurFletcherwasthereasayoungmanwellknownintheworldandasupporteroftheDuke’sgovernment。TheDuchesshadtakenupArthurFletcher，——asshewaswonttotakeupnewmen，andhadpersonallybecometiredofLopez。Ofcourseshehadheardoftheelection，andhadbeentoldthatLopezhadbehavedbadly。OfMrLopezshedidnotknowenoughtocareanything，onewayortheother——butshestillencouragedhimbecauseshehadcausedhimdisappointment。Shehadnowdetainedthemaminuteontheterracebeforethewindowswhileshesaidaword，andArthurFletcherbecameoneofthelittlepartybeforeheknewwhomhewasmeeting。’Iamdelighted，’shesaid，’thatyoutwoSilverbridgeheroesshouldmeettogetherhereasfriends。’Itwasalmostincumbentonhertosaysomething，thoughitwouldhavebeenbetterforhernottohavealludedtotheirheroism。MrsLopezputoutherhand，andArthurFletcherofcoursetookit。Thenthetwomenbowedslightlytoeachother，raisingtheirhats。Arthurpausedamomentwiththem，astheypassedonfromtheDuchess，thinkingthathewouldsaysomethinginafriendlytone。Buthewassilencedbythefrownonthehusband’sface，andwasalmostconstrainedtogoawaywithoutaword。Itwasverydifficultforhimeventobesilent，ashergreetinghadbeenkind。Butyetitwasimpossibleforhimtoignorethedispleasuredisplayedintheman’scountenance。Sohetouchedhishat，andaskinghertorememberhimaffectionatelytoherfather，turnedoffthepathandwentaway。
　　’Whydidyoushakehandswiththatman？’saidLopez。Itwasthefirsttimesincetheirmarriagethathisvoicehadbeenthatofanangrymanandanoffendedhusband。
　　’Whynot，Ferdinand？HeandIareveryoldfriends，andwehavenotquarrelled。’
　　’Youmusttakeupyourhusband’sfriendshipsandyourhusband’squarrels。DidInottellyouthathehadinsultedyou？’
　　’Heneverinsultedme。’
　　’Emily，youmustallowmetobethejudgeofthat。Heinsultedyou，andthenhebehavedlikeapoltroondownatSilverbridge，andIwillnothaveyouknowhimanymore。WhenIsaysoI
　　supposethatwillbeenough。’Hewaitedforareply，butshesaidnothing。’Iaskyoutotellmethatyouwillobeymeinthis。’
　　’Ofcoursehewillnotcometomyhouse，norshouldIthinkofgoingtohis，ifyoudisapproved。’
　　’Goingtohishouse！He’sunmarried。’
　　’Supposinghehadawife！Ferdinand，perhapsitwillbebetterthatyouandIshouldnottalkabouthim。’
　　’ByG-，’saidLopez，’thereshallbenosubjectonwhichIwillafraidtotalktomyownwife。Iinsistuponyourassuringmethatyouwillneverspeaktohimagain。’
　　Hehadtakenheralongoneoftheupperwalksbecauseitwasdesolate，andhecouldtherespeaktoher，ashethought，withoutbeingheard。Shehad，almostunconsciously，madeafaintattempttoleadhimdownthelawn，nodoubtfeelingaversetoprivateconversationsatthemoment。buthehadpersevered，andhadresentedthelittleeffort。Theideainhismindthatshewasunwillingtorenouncetheman，anxioustoescapehisorderforsuchrenunciation，addedfueltohisjealousy。Itwasnotenoughforhimthatshehadrejectedthismanandhadacceptedhim。Themanhadbeenherlover，andsheshouldbemadetodenouncetheman。ItmightbenecessaryforhimtocontrolhisfeelingsbeforeoldWharton——butheknewenoughofhiswifetobesurethatwouldnotspeakevilofhimorbetrayhimtoherfather。Herloyaltytohim，whichhecouldunderstandthoughnotappreciate，enabledhimtobeatyranttoher。Sonowherepeatedhisordertoher，pausinginthepath，withavoiceunintentionallyloud，andfrowningdownuponherashespoke。