THEbattlewasover，andthevictorremainedonthefield——sittingalonewiththehurly-burlyofhisthoughts。
　　Histriumphwassosweepingandcomprehensiveastobesomewhatshapelesstotheview。Hehadasenseoffascinatedpainwhenhetriedtodefinetohimselfwhatitslimitswouldprobablybe。Vistasofunchecked，expandingconqueststretchedawayineverydirection。
　　Heheldathismercyeverythingwithinsight。Indeed，itrestedentirelywithhimtosaywhetherthereshouldbeanysuchthingasmercyatall——anduntilhechosetouttertherestrainingwordtheroutofthevanquishedwouldgoonwithmultiplyingterrorsandruin。Hecouldcrushandtortureanddespoilhisenemiesuntilhewastired。
　　Theresponsibilityofhavingtodecidewhenhewouldstopgrindingtheirfacesmightcometoweighuponhimlateron，buthewouldnotgiveitroominhismindto-night。
　　Apictureofthesefacesofhisvictimsshapeditselfoutoftheflamesinthegrate。Theyweremouldedinafamilylikeness，thesephantomvisages：theywereallJewish，allmalignant，alldistortedwithfright。
　　Theyimploredhimwitheyesinwhichpanicasserteditselfaboverageandcunning。Onlyhereandtheredidherecallanamewithwhichtolabeloneofthesecountenances；
　　veryfewofthemraisedamemoryofindividualrancour。
　　Thefaceswerethoseofmenhehadseen，nodoubt，buttheirpersecutionofhimhadbeenimpersonal；
　　hisgreatrevengewasequallyso。Ashelooked，intruth，therewasonlyoneface——acompositemaskofwhathehaddonebattlewith，andoverthrown，andwouldtrampleimplacablyunderfoot。Hestaredwithaconqueror'scoldfrownatit，andgaveanabruptlaughwhichstartedharshechoesinthestillnessoftheBoardRoom。Thenheshookoffthereverie，andgottohisfeet。Heshiveredalittleatthesuddentouchofachill。
　　Abottleofbrandy，surroundedbyglasses，stoodonthetablewherethetwoleast-consideredofhislieutenants，thedummyDirectors，hadleftit。Hepouredasmallquantityandsippedit。Duringthewholeeventfuldayithadnotoccurredtohimbeforetodrink；thetasteoftheneatliquorseemedontheinstanttocalmandrefreshhisbrain。
　　Withmoredeliberation，hetookacigarfromthebroad，floridly-decoratedopenboxbesidethebottle，litit，andblewalongdraughtofsmokethoughtfullythroughhisnostrils。Thenheputhishandsinhispockets，lookedagainintothefire，andsighedawonderingsmile。
　　Godinheaven！itwasactuallytrue！
　　Thismanoffortyfoundhimselfflutteringwithanovelexhilaration，whichyetwasnotnovel。Uponreflection，heperceivedthathefeltasifhewereaboyagain——aboyexcitedbypleasure。Itsurprisedasmuchasitdelightedhimtoexperiencethisfrankanddirectjoyofachild。Hecaughttheinklingofanideathatperhapshisyearswereanillusion。Hehadlatterlybeenthinkingofhimselfasmiddle-aged；thegreyhairsthickeningathistempleshadvaguelydepressedhim。
　　Nowallatoncehesawthathewasnotoldatall。
　　Thebuoyancyofveritableyouthbubbledinhisveins。
　　Hebeganwalkingupanddowntheroom，regardingnewhalcyonvisionswithasparklingeye。Hewasnolongerconsciousofthehatedfoebeneathhisfeet；theytrodinsteadelasticupontheclouds。
　　Thesoundofsomeonemovingaboutinthehallwayoutside，andoftryingadoornearby，suddenlycaughthisattention。
　　Hestoodstillandlistenedwithalertnessforasurprisedinstant，thenshruggedhisshouldersandbeganmovingagain。
　　Itmustbenearlyseveno'clock；althoughtheallotmentworkhadkepttheclerkslaterthanusualthatday，everybodyconnectedwiththeofficeshadcertainlygonehome。
　　Herealizedthathisnerveshadplayedhimatrickingivingthatalarmedmomentarystart——andsmiledalmosttenderlyasherememberedhownotableandevengloriousawarrantthosenerveshadfortheirunsettledstate。
　　Theywouldbeallrightafteranight'srealrest。
　　HewouldknowhowtosleepNOW，thankGod！
　　Butyes——therewassomebodyoutside——andthistimeknockingwithassuranceattherightdoor，theentrancetotheouteroffice。Afterasecond'sconsideration，hewentintothisunlightedouteroffice，andcalledoutthroughtheopaqueglassanenquiry。Thesoundofhisvoice，asitanalyzeditselfinhisownears，seemedundulyperemptory。Theanswerwhichcamebackbroughtaflashofwondermenttohiseyes。Hehurriedlyunlockedandopenedthedoor。
　　"IsawthelightsinwhatImadeouttobetheBoardRoom，"
　　saidthenewcomer，asheentered。"Iassumeditmustbeyou。
　　HopeIdon'tinterruptanything。"
　　"Nothingcouldhavegivenmegreaterpleasure，LordPlowden，"
　　repliedtheother，leadingthewaybacktotheinnerapartment。
　　"Infact，Icouldn'thaveaskedanythingbetter。"
　　Thetoneofhisvoicehadacertainanxiousnoteinitnotquiteinharmonywiththisdeclaration。Heturned，underthedrop-lightoverhangingtheBoard-table，andshookhandswithhisguest，asiftoatoneforthisdoubtfulaccent。
　　"Ishakehandswithyouagain，"hesaid，speakingrapidly，"becausethisafternoonitwaswhatyoumaycallformal；
　　itdidn'tcount。And——myGod！——you'rethemanIoweitallto。"
　　"Oh，youmustn'tgoasfarasthat——evenintheabsenceofwitnesses，"repliedLordPlowden，lightly。"I'lltakeoffmycoatforafewminutes，"hewenton，verymuchathisease。"It'shotinhere。It'sbythemerestchanceIhappenedtobedetainedintheCity——andIsawyourlights，andthisafternoonwehadnoopportunitywhateverforaquiettalk。No——Iwon'tdrinkanythingbeforedinner，butI'lllightacigar。Iwanttosaytoyou，Thorpe，"heconcluded，asheseatedhimself"thatIthinkwhatyou'vedoneisverywonderful。
　　TheMarquisthinkssotoo——butIshouldn'tliketoswearthatheunderstandsmuchaboutit。"
　　Theimplicationthatthespeakerdidunderstandremainedintheairlikeatangibleobject。Thorpetookachair，andthetwomenexchangedasilent，intentlook。
　　Theirfaces，duskyredonthesideoftheglowfromthefire，pallidwheretheelectriclightfellslantwiseuponthemfromabove，hadforamomentamysterioussomethingincommon。Thenthetensionoftheglancewasrelaxed——andontheinstantnotwomeninLondonlookedlessalike。
　　LordPlowdenwasfamiliarlyspokenofasahandsomeman。
　　ThorpehadevenheardhimcalledthehandsomestmaninEngland——thoughthisseemedinalllikelihoodanexaggeration。
　　Buthandsomeheundoubtedlywas——tallwithoutsuggestingthethoughtofheighttotheobserver，erectyetgraceful，powerfullybuilt，whilepreservingtheeffectofslenderness。
　　Hisfaceinreposehadtheoutlineofthemoreyouthfulguardsman-type——regular，finely-cut，impassivetohardness。
　　Whenhetalked，orfollowedwithinterestthetalkofothers，itrevealedalmostanexcessofanimation。
　　Thenonenotedtheflashingsubtletyofhisglance，theswiftfacilityofhissmileandcomprehendingbrows，andsawthatitwasnottheguardsmanfaceatall。
　　Hisskinwasfresh-hued，andtherewasashadeofwarmbrowninhissmall，well-orderedmoustasche，buthishair，wavyandwornlongerthanthefashion，seemedblack。
　　Therewereperceptibleveinsofgreyinit，thoughhehadonlyenteredhisthirty-fifthyear。Hewasdressedhabituallywiththeutmostpossiblecare。
　　Thecontrastbetweenthispersonageandtheoldermanconfrontinghimwasabrupt。Thorpewasalsotall，butofaburlyandslouchingfigure。Hisface，shroudedinahigh-growing，dust-colouredbeard，invitednoattention。Oneseemedalwaystohaveknownthisface——thick-featured，immobile，undistinguished。
　　Itsaccessoriesforthetimebeingwereevenmorethanordinarilyunimpressive。Bothhairandbeardwereraggedwithneglect。Hiscommonplace，darkclotheslookedasifhehadsleptinthem。Thehandsrestingonhisbigkneeswerecoarseinshape，androughened，andill-kept。
　　"Icouldn'thaveaskedanythingbetterthanyourdroppingin，"herepeatednow，speakingwithadrag，asofcaution，onhiswords。"Witnessesornowitnesses，I'manxioustohaveyouunderstandthatIrealizewhatIowetoyou。"
　　"Ionlywishitwereagreatdealmorethanitis，"
　　repliedtheother，withafranksmile。
　　"Oh，it'llmountuptoconsiderable，asitstands，"
　　saidThorpe。
　　Hecouldhearthattherewasakindofreservationinhisvoice；thesuspicionthathiscompaniondetecteditembarrassedhim。Hefoundhimselfinthepositionoffencingwithamantowhomallhisfeelingsimpelledhimtobeperfectlyopen。Hepaused，andwasawkwardlyconsciousofconstraintinthesilencewhichensued。
　　"Youareverykindtoputitinthatway，"saidLordPlowden，atlast。Heseemedalsotobefindingwordsforhisthoughtswithacertaindifficulty。Heturnedhiscigarroundinhiswhitefingersmeditatively。"Igatherthatyoursuccesshasbeencomplete——ascompleteasyouyourselfcouldhavedesired。Icongratulateyouwithallmyheart。"
　　"No——don'tsaymysuccess——sayoursuccess，"putinThorpe。
　　"But，mydearman，"theothercorrectedhim，"myinterest，comparedwithyours，ishardlymorethannominal。
　　I'maDirector，ofcourse，andI'mnotdispleasedthatmyfewsharesshouldbeworthsomethinginsteadofnothing，but——"
　　Thorpeliftedoneofhisheavyhands。"Thatisn'tmyviewofthethingatall。Tobefrank，Iwasturningoverinmymind，justawhileago，beforeyoucamein，somewayofarrangingallthatonadifferentfooting。
　　Ifyou'lltrustittome，Ithinkyou'llfindit'sallright。"
　　SomethingintheformofthisremarkseemedtorestoretoLordPlowdenhisaccustomedfluencyofspeech。
　　"Icameheretosaypreciselythatthing，"hebegan——"thatIdotrustittoyou。Wehaveneverhadanyverydefinitetalkonthesubject——andpraydon'tthinkthatIwanttogointodetailsnow。I'dmuchrathernot，infact。
　　ButwhatIdowanttosaytoyouisthis：Ibelieveinyou。Ifeelsurethatyouaregoingtogofar，asthesayingis。Well，Iwanttotiemyselftoyourstar。
　　DoyouseewhatImean？Youaregoingtobeapowerinfinance。Youaregoingtobeabletomakeandunmakemenasyouchoose。Ishouldbeverymuchobligedindeedifyouwouldmakeme。"
　　Thorperegardedthehandsomeandtitledmanoffashionwithwhatseemedtotheotheralethargicgaze。Intruth，hismindwastoilingwithstrenuousactivitytomaster，inallitsbearings，thesignificanceofwhathadbeensaid。
　　Thishabitoftheabstractedandlack-lustreeye，thewhilehewashardatworkthinking，wasafortuitousassetwhichhehadneveruptothattimelearnedthathepossessed。Unconsciously，hedampenedthespiritsofhiscompanion。
　　"Don'timagineI'mtryingtoforcemyselfuponyou，"
　　LordPlowdensaid，growingcoolinthefaceofthisslowstare。
　　"I'maskingnothingatall。Ihadtheimpulsetocomeandsaytoyouthatyouareagreatman，andthatyou'vedoneagreatthing——anddoneit，moreover，inaverygreatway。"
　　"Youknowhowitwasdone！"ThewonderingexclamationforceditselffromThorpe'sunreadylips。Hebentforwardalittle，andtookanewvisualhold，asitwere，ofhiscompanion'scountenance。
　　LordPlowdensmiled。"DidyouthinkIwassuchahopelessduffer，then？"herejoined。
　　Foranswer，Thorpeleantbackinhischair，crossedhislegs，andpattedhiskneecontentedly。Allatoncehisfacehadlightened；agenialspeculationreturnedtohisgreyeyes。
　　"Well，Iwasinacuriouspositionaboutyou，yousee，"
　　hebegantoexplain。Thereliefwithwhichhespokewaspalpable。"Icouldnotforthelifeofmemakeupmymindwhethertotellyouaboutitornot。Let'ssee——thisisThursday；didIseeyouTuesday？Atanyrate，theschemedidn'tdawnonmemyselfuntiltowardeveningTuesday。
　　Butyesterday，ofcourse，Icouldhavetoldyou——andagainthisafternoon——but，asIsay，Icouldn'tmakeupmymind。
　　OnceIhaditonthetipofmytongue——butsomehowIdidn't。
　　Andyou——younevergavemeahintthatyousawwhatwasgoingon。"
　　AgainLordPlowdensmiled。"Ivotedwithyou，"heputinsoftly。
　　Thorpelaughed，andrelithiscigar。"Well，Icouldn'thaveaskedanythingbetterthanthis，"hedeclaredonceagain。
　　"Itbeatsalltherestputtogether，tomymind。"
　　"PerhapsIdon'tquitefollowyourmeaning，"commentedtheothertentatively。
　　"Whyman，"Thorpeexplained，hesitatingalittleinhischoiceofwords，butspeakingwithevidentfervour；
　　"Iwasmoreanxiousaboutyou——andthewayyou'dtakeit——
　　thanaboutanythingelse。IgiveyoumywordIwas。
　　Icouldn'ttellatallhowyou'dfeelaboutthething。
　　Youmightthinkthatitwasallright，andthenagainyoumightroundonme——orno，Idon'tmeanquitethat——
　　butyoumightsayitwasn'tgoodenoughforyou，andwashyourhandsofthewholeaffair。AndIcan'ttellyouwhatareliefitistofindthatyou——thatyou'resatisfied。
　　NowIcangoahead。"
　　"Ah，yes——ahead，"saidtheyoungerman，thoughtfully。
　　"Doyoumindtellingme——youseeI'mquiteinthedarkastodetails——howmuchfurtheraheadwearelikelytogo？Icomprehendthegeneralnatureofouradvance——
　　buthowfaroffisthegoalyouhaveinsight？"
　　"Godknows！"answeredThorpe，witharisingthrillofexcitementinhisvoice。"Idon'tgiveitanylimit。
　　Idon'tseewhyweshouldstopatall。We'vegottheminsuchapositionthat——why，goodheavens！wecansqueezethemtodeath，crushthemlikequartz。"
　　Hechuckledgrimlyatthesuggestionofhissimile。
　　"We'llgetmoreouncestothetonoutofourcrushingsthantheyeverheardofontheRand，too。"
　　"MightIask，"interposedtheother，"whomay'they'be？"
　　Thorpehesitated，andknittedhisbrowsintheefforttoremembernames。"Oh，therearealotofthem，"
　　hesaid，vaguely。"IthinkItoldyouofthewaythatKaffircrowdpretendedtothinkwellofme，andletmebelievetheyweregoingtotakemeup，andthen，becauseIwouldn'tgivethemeverything——theveryshirtoffmyback——turnedandputtheirknifeintome。
　　Idon'tknowthemapart，hardly——they'veallgotnameslikeRhinewines——butIknowthegangasawhole，andifI
　　don'tlifttheroofcleanofftheirparticularsynagogue，thenmynameismud。"
　　LordPlowdensmiled。"I'vealwaysthegreatestdifficultytorememberthatyouareanEnglishman——aLondonerborn，"
　　hedeclaredpleasantly。"Youdon'ttalkintheleastlikeone。OnshipboardImadesureyouwereanAmerican——averycharacteristicone，Ithought——ofsomecuriousWesternvariety，youknow。Ineverwasmoresurprisedinmylifethanwhenyoutoldme，theotherday，thatyouonlyleftEnglandafewyearsago。"
　　"Oh，hardlya'fewyears'；morelikefifteen，"Thorpecorrectedhim。Hestudiedhiscompanion'sfacewithslowdeliberation。
　　"I'mgoingtosaysomethingthatyoumustn'ttakeamiss，"
　　heremarked，afteralittlepause。"Ifyou'dknownthatI
　　wasanEnglishman，whenwefirstmet，thereonthesteamer，Ikindo'suspectthatyouandI'dneverhavegotmuchbeyondanoddingacquaintance——andeventhatmostlyonmyside。
　　Idon'tmeanthatIintendedtoconcealanything——thatis，notspecially——butI'veoftenthoughtsincethatitwasamightygoodthingIdid。Nowisn'tthattrue——thatifyouhadtakenmeforoneofyourowncountrymenyou'dhavegivenmethecoldshoulder？"
　　"Idaresaythere'sagooddealinwhatyousay，"
　　theotheradmitted，gentlyenough，butwithoutcontrition。
　　"Thingsnaturallyshapethemselvesthatway，rather，youknow。Iftheydidn't，whythenthewholepositionwouldbecomedifficult。ButyouareanAmerican，toallintentsandpurposes。"
　　"Oh，no——Inevertookanysteptowardsgettingnaturalized，"
　　Thorpeprotested。"Ialwaysintendedtocomebackhere。
　　Orno，Iwon'tsaythat——becausemostofthetimeI
　　wasdog-poor——andthisisn'ttheplaceforapoorman。
　　ButIalwayssaidtomyselfthatifeverIpulleditoff——ifIeverfoundmyselfarichman——THENI'dcomepikingacrosstheAtlanticasfastastriple-expansionengineswouldcarryme。"
　　Theyoungmansmiledagain，withawhimsicalgleaminhiseye。"AndyouAREarichman，now，"heobserved，afteramomentarypause。
　　"Wearebothrichmen，"repliedThorpe，gravely。
　　Heheldupadissuadinghand，astheotherwouldhavespoken。
　　"Thisishowitseemstomethethingfiguresitselfout：
　　Itcan'tbesaidthatyournameontheBoard，ortheMarquis'seither，wasofmuchusesofarasthepublicwereconcerned。Totellthetruth，Isawsometimeagothattheywouldn'tbe。TitlesonprospectusesareplayedoutinLondon。I'veratheranotion，indeed，thatthey'reapttodomoreharmthangood——justatpresent，atleast。
　　Butallthataside——youarethemanwhowasciviltomeatthestart，whenyouknewnothingwhateveraboutmyscheme，andyouarethemanwhowasgoodtomelateron，whenIdidn'tknowwheretoturnforafriendlyword。
　　Verywell；hereIam！I'vemademycoup！AndI'dbeasweep，wouldn'tI？toforgetto-daywhatIwassogladtorememberaweekago。Butyousee，Idon'tforget！ThecapitaloftheCompanyis500，000pounds，allinpoundshares。
　　Weofferedthepubliconlyafifthofthem。Theotherfourhundredthousandsharesaremineasvendor——andI
　　haveear-markedinmymindonehundredthousandofthemtobeyours。"
　　LordPlowden'sfacepaledatthesignificanceofthesewords。
　　"Itistoomuch——youdon'treflectwhatitisyouaresaying，"hemurmuredconfusedly。"Notabitofit，"
　　theotherreassuredhim。"EverythingthatI'vesaidgoes。"
　　Thepeer，tremblingalittle，rosetohisfeet。"Itisapreposterouslybigrewardforthemerestactofcourtesy，"
　　heinsisted。"Ofcourseittakesmybreathawayforjoy——andyetIfeelIoughtn'ttobeconsentingtoitatall。
　　Andithasitsunpleasantside——itburiesmeunderamountainofobligation。Idon'tknowwhattodoorwhattosay。"
　　"Well，leavethesayinganddoingtome，then，"repliedThorpe，withagesturebeforewhichtheotherresumedhisseat。
　　"Justawordmore——andthenIsupposewe'dbetterbegoing。
　　Lookatitinthisway。YourgrandfatherwasLordChancellorofEngland，andyourfatherwasaGeneralintheCrimea。Mygrandfatherkeptasmallsecond-handbook-shop，andmyfatherfollowedhiminthebusiness。
　　Inonesense，thatputsustenthousandmilesapart。
　　Butinanothersense，we'llsaythatwelikeeachother，andthattherearewaysinwhichwecanbeofimmenseusetoeachother，andthatbringsusclosetogether。
　　Youneedmoney——andhereitisforyou。Ineed——whatshallIsay？——akindoffriendlyleadinthematterofestablishingmyselfontherightfooting，amongtherightpeople——andthat'swhatyoucandoforme。
　　Mind——I'dprefertoputitallinquiteanotherway；
　　I'dliketosayitwasallnicenessonyourpart，allgratitudeonmine。Butifyouwanttoconsideritonabusinessbasis——whythereyouhaveitalso——perfectlyplainandclear。"
　　Hegotupashefinished，andLordPlowdenroseaswell。
　　Thetwomenshookhandsinsilence。
　　Whenthelatterspoke，itwastosay："Doyouknowhowtoopenoneofthosesoda-waterbottles？I'vetried，butIcannevergetthetrick。IthinkIshouldliketohaveadrink——afterthis。"
　　Whentheyhadputdowntheirglasses，andtheyoungermanwasgettingintohisgreat-coat，Thorpebestowedthebrandyandcigarswithinacabinetatthecorneroftheroom，andcarefullyturnedakeyuponthem。
　　"Ifyou'regoingWest，letmegiveyoualift，"
　　saidLordPlowden，hatinhand。"Icansetyoudownwhereveryoulike。UnfortunatelyI'vetogoouttodinner，andImustrace，asitis，togetdressed。"
　　Thorpeshookhishead。"No，goalong，"hebadehim。
　　"I'vesomeoddsandendsofthingstodoontheway。"
　　"ThenwhenshallIseeyou？"——begantheother，andhaltedsuddenlywithanewthoughtinhisglance。"ButwhatareyoudoingSaturday？"heasked，inabriskertone。
　　"It'sadiesnonhere。Comedownwithmeto-morrowevening，tomyplaceinKent。WewillshootonSaturday，anddriveaboutonSunday，ifyoulike——andtherewecantalkatourleisure。Yes，thatiswhatyoumustdo。
　　Ihaveagunforyou。Shallwesay，then——CharingCrossat9：55？Orbetterstill，say5：15，andwewilldineathome。"
　　Theeldermanponderedhisanswer——frowningattheproblembeforehimwithvisibleanxiety。"I'mafraidI'dbetternotcome——it'sverygoodofyouallthesame。"
　　"Nonsense，"retortedtheother。"Mymotherwillbeverygladindeedtoseeyou。Thereisnooneelsethere——unless，perhaps，mysisterhassomefrienddown。
　　Weshallmakeapurelyfamilyparty。"
　　Thorpehesitatedforonlyafurthersecond。"Allright。
　　CharingCross，5：15，"hesaidthen，withthegravebrevityofonewhoannouncesamomentousdecision。
　　Hestoodstill，lookingintothefire，forafewmomentsafterhiscompanionhadgone。Then，goingtoaclosetattheendoftheroom，hebroughtforthhiscoatandhat；
　　somethingpromptedhimtoholdthemup，andscrutinizethemunderthebrightlightoftheelectricglobe。Heputthemon，then，withasmile，half-scornful，half-amused，playinginhisbeard。
　　ThetouchofabuttonprecipitateddarknessupontheBoardRoom。
　　Hemadehiswayout，anddownstairstothestreet。
　　Itwasarainy，windyOctobernight，sloppyunderfoot，drippingoverhead。Atthecornerbeforehim，acabman，motionlessunderhisunshapelycoveredhatandglisteningrubbercape，satperchedaloftonhisseat，apparentlyasleep。
　　Thorpehailedhim，withaperemptorytone，andgavethebrusqueorder，"Strand！"asheclamberedintothehansom。
　　CHAPTERII
　　"LOUISA，thelongandshortofitisthis，"saidThorpe，halfanhourlater："youneverdidbelieveinme，asasistershoulddo。"
　　Hewasseatedalonewiththissister，inasmall，low，ratherdismally-appointedroom，half-heartedlylightedbytwoflickeringgasjets。Theysatsomewhatapart，confrontingafireplace，whereonlythelaidmaterialsforafiredisclosedthemselvesinthecoldgrate。Abovethemantelhunganenlargedphotographofascowlingoldman。
　　Thorpe'sgazerecurredautomaticallyatbriefintervalstothisportrait——whichsomehowproducedtheeffectuponhimofresponsibilityforthecheerlessnessoftheroom。
　　Therewereotherpicturesonthewallsofwhichhewasdimlyconscious——small，faded，oldprintsaboutDidoandAEneasandAgamemnon，whichseemedtobecomingbacktohimoutofthemistsofhischildhood。
　　Vagrantimpressionsandassociationsofthischildhoodstrayedwithquaintinconsequenceacrossthefieldofhispreoccupiedmind。Thepeculiarodouroftheancientbook-shoponthefloorbelowremainedlikesnuffinhisnostrils。
　　Somewhereunderneath，orinthewainscotingattheside，hecouldheartheassiduousgnawingofarat。Wasitthesamerat，hewonderedwithamentalgrin，thatusedtokeephimawakenights，inoneoftheroomsnexttothis，withthatsamefoolishnoise，whenhewasaboy？
　　"Iknowyoualwayssaythat，"repliedLouisa，impassively。
　　Shewasyearsolderthanherbrother，but，withoutatraceofartificeorintention，contrivedtolooktheyoungerofthetwo。Herthickhair，drawnsimplyfromhertemplesintoaknotbehind，wasofthatpalestbrownwhichassimilatesgrey。Herface，long，plain，masculineincontourandspirit，conveyednomessageastoyears。
　　Longandspareoffigure，shesatuprightinherstraight-backedchair，withherlarge，capablehandsonherknees。
　　"Ibelievedinyouasmuchasyou'dletme，"shewenton，indifferently，almostwearily。"ButIdon'tseethatitmatteredtoyouwhetherIdidordidn't。Youwentyourownway：youdidwhatyouwantedtodo。WhathadItodowithit？Idon'tsupposeIevenknewwhatpartoftheworldyouwereinmorethanonceintwoorthreeyears。
　　HowshouldIknowwhetheryouweregoingtosucceed，whenIdidn'tevenknowwhatitwasyouwereat？Certainlyyouhadn'tsucceededhereinLondon——butelsewhereyoumightoryoumightnot——howcouldItell？Andmoreover，Idon'tfeelthatIknowyouverywell；you'vegrownintosomethingverydifferentfromtheboyJoelthatlefttheshop——itmustbetwentyyearsago。Icanonlyknowaboutyouandyouraffairswhatyoutellme。"
　　"Butmypointis，"pursuedThorpe，watchingherfacewithacuriouslyintentglance，"youneversaidtoyourself：
　　'IKNOWhe'sgoingtosucceed。IKNOWhe'llbearichmanbeforehedies。'"
　　Sheshookherheaddispassionately。Hermannerexpressedfatiguedfailuretocomprehendwhyhewasmakingsomuchofthispurposelesspoint。
　　"No——Idon'tremembereverhavingsaidthattomyself，"
　　sheadmitted，listlessly。Thenacommentuponhiswordsoccurredtoher，andshespokewithmoreanimation：
　　"Youdon'tseemtounderstand，Joel，thatwhatwasveryimportanttoyou，didn'toccupymeatall。Youwerealwaystalkingaboutgettingrich；youkepttheideabeforeyouofsometime，atastroke，findingyourselfamillionaire。That'sbeentheideaofyourlife。
　　ButwhatdoIknowaboutallthat？Myworkhasbeentokeeparoofovermyhead——tokeepthelittlebusinessfromdisappearingaltogether。It'sbeenhardenough，Icantellyou，theselastfewyears，withthebigjobberscuttingtheheartsoutofthesmalltraders。
　　Ihadtheinvalidhusbandtosupportforbetweenthreeandfouryears——adeadweightonmeeveryweek——andthenthechildrentolookafter，toclotheandeducate。"
　　Atthelastwordshehesitatedsuddenly，andlookedathim。"Don'tthinkI'mungrateful"——shewenton，withatroubledeffortatasmile——"butIalmostwishyou'dneversentmethatfourhundredpoundsatall。
　　Whatitmeansisthatthey'vehadtwoyearsatschoolswherenowIshan'tbeabletokeepthemanylonger。
　　They'llbespoiledformykindoflife——andtheywon'thaveafairchanceforanyother。Idon'tknowwhatwillbecomeofthem。"
　　Theprofoundapprehensioninthemother'svoicedidnotdullthegleaminThorpe'seyes。Heevenbeganasmileintheshadowsofhisunkemptmoustache。
　　"ButwhenIsentthatmoney，forexample，twoyearsago，andover，"hepersisted，doggedly——"andItoldyouthere'dbemorewherethatcamefrom，andthatIstoodtopulloffthegreatevent——eventhen，now，youdidn'tbelieveinyourinnermostheartthatIknewwhatIwastalkingabout，didyou？"
　　Shefrownedwithimpatienceassheturnedtowardhim。
　　"Forheaven'ssake，Joel，"shesaid，sharply——"youbecomeaborewiththatstupidnonsense。Iwanttobepatientwithyou——Idoindeedsympathizewithyouinyourmisfortunes——youknowthatwellenough——butyou'reverytiresomewiththateternalharpingonwhatIbelievedandwhatIdidn'tbelieve。Now，areyougoingtostoptosupperornot？——becauseifyouareImustsendthemaidout。
　　Andthere'sanotherthing——woulditbeofanyhelptoyoutobringyourthingsherefromthehotel？YoucanhaveAlfred'sroomaswellasnot——tillChristmas，atleast。"
　　"SupposingIcouldn'tgetmyluggageoutofthehoteltillI'dsettledmybill，"suggestedThorpetentatively，inamuffledvoice。
　　Thepracticalwomanreflectedforaninstant。
　　"Iwasthinking，"sheconfessedthen，"thatitmightbecheapertoleaveyourthingsthere，andbuywhatlittleyouwant——Idon'timagine，fromwhatI'veseen，thatyourwardrobeissoveryvaluable——butno，Isupposethebilloughttobepaid。Perhapsitcanbemanaged；
　　howmuchwillitbe？"
　　Thorpemusinglyrosetohisfeet，andstrolledovertoherchair。Withhisthickhandsonhissister'sshouldershestoopedandkissedherontheforehead。
　　"Youbelieveinmenow，anyway，eh，Lou？"hesaid，ashestraightenedhimselfbehindher。
　　Theunaccustomedcaress——sodifferentincharacterfromtheperfunctorysalutewithwhichhehadgreetedheronhisarrivalfromforeignparts，sixmonthsbefore——
　　broughtaflushofpleasedsurprisetoherplainface。
　　Thenakindofbewildermentcreptintotheabstractedgazeshewasbendinguponthefirelessgrate。
　　Somethingextraordinary，unaccountable，wasinthemannerofherbrother。Sherecalledthat，intruth，hewasmorethanhalfastrangertoher。Howcouldshetellwhatwild，uncannysecondnaturehadnotgrownupinhimunderthoseoutlandishtropicalskies？Hehadjusttoldherthathisruinwasabsolute——overwhelming——yettherehadbeenacovertsmileintherecessesofhisglance。
　　Evennow，shehalffelt，halfheard，achucklefromhim，thereashestoodbehindher！
　　Theswiftthoughtthatdisasterhadshakenhisbrainloomedupandpossessedher。Sheflungherselfoutofthechair，and，wheeling，seizeditsbackanddrewitbetweenthemasshefacedhim。Itwaswithastareoffrankdismaythatshebeheldhimgrinningather。
　　"What"——shebegan，stammering——"Whatisthematter，Joel？"
　　Hepermittedhimselftheluxuryofsmilingblanklyatherforafurthermoment。Thenhetossedhishead，andlaughedabruptly。
　　"Sitdown，oldgirl，"headjuredher。"Tryandholdyourselftogether，now——tohearsomedifferentkindofnews。
　　I'vebeenplayingitratherlowdownonyou，forafact。
　　Insteadofmybeingsmashed，it'stheotherwayabout。"
　　Shecontinuedtoconfronthim，withanervousclaspuponthechair-back。Herbreathingtroubledherassheregardedhim，andtriedtotakeinthemeaningofhiswords。
　　"Doyoumean——you'vebeenlyingtomeabout——aboutyourCompany？"sheasked，confusedly。
　　"No——no——notatall，"hereplied，nowallgenialheartiness。
　　"No——whatItoldyouwasgospeltruth——butIwastakingariseoutofyouallthesame。"Heseemedsounaffectedlypleasedbyhisachievementinkindlyduplicitythatsheforcedanawkwardsmiletoherlips。
　　"Idon'tunderstandintheleast，"shesaid，strivingtorememberwhathehadtoldher。"Whatyousaidwasthatthepublichadentirelyfailedtocomein——thatthereweren'tenoughapplicationsforsharestopayflotationexpenses——thosewereyourownwords。Ofcourse，Idon'tpretendtounderstandtheseCitymatters——butitISthecase，isn'tit，thatifpeopledon'tsubscribeforthesharesofanewcompany，thenthecompanyisafailure？"
　　"Yes，thatmaybesaidtobethecase——asageneralrule，"
　　henoddedather，stillbeaming。
　　"Well，then——ofcourse——Idon'tunderstand，"sheowned。
　　"Idon'tknowasyou'llunderstanditmuchmorewhenI'veexplainedittoyou，"hesaid，seatinghimself，andmotioninghertotheotherchair。"Butyes，ofcourseyouwill。
　　You'reabusinesswoman。Youknowwhatfiguresmean。
　　AndreallythewholethingisassimpleasABC。YourememberthatItoldyou——"
　　"Butareyougoingtostoptosupper？ImustsendAnnieoutbeforetheshopsclose。"
　　"Supper？No——Icouldn'teatanything。I'mtooworkedupforthat。I'llgetsomethingatthehotelbeforeI
　　gotobed，ifIfeellikeit。Butsay！"——thethoughtsuddenlystruckhim——"ifyouwanttocomeoutwithme，I'llblowyouofftotheswaggerestdinnerinLondon。
　　Whatd'yesay？"
　　Sheshookherhead。"Ishallhavesomebreadandcheeseandbeeratnine。That'smyrule，youknow。Idon'tliketobreakit。I'malwaysqueernextdayifIdo。
　　Butnowmakehasteandtellme——you'rereallynotbrokenthen？Youhavereallycomeoutwell？"
　　Foranswerherose，anddrewhimselftohisfullheight，andspreadhisbulkyshouldersbackward。Hisgrey-blueeyeslookeddownuponherwithatriumphantglow。
　　"Broken？"heechoedherword，withemphasis。
　　"MydearLouisa，I'mnotthesortthatgetsbroken。
　　Ibreakotherpeople。Oh，God，howIshallbreakthem！"
　　Hebeganpacingupanddownonthenarrowrugbeforethefender，excitedlytellinghisstorytoher。
　　Sometimeshethrewthewordsoverhisshoulder；
　　againheheldherabsorbedgazewithhis。Hetookhishandsoftenfromhispockets，toillustrateorenforcebygesturesthemeaningofhisspeech——andthenshefounditpeculiarlydifficulttorealizethathewasherbrother。
　　Muchofthenarrative，ramblinganddisconnected，withwhichheprefacedthisstoryoftheday，wasvaguelyfamiliartoher。Hesketchednowforherinsummary，andwiththesonorousvoiceofonedeeplyimpressedwiththedramaticvaluesofhisdeclamation，thechronicleofhiswanderingsinstrangelands——andthesehehadfrequentlytoldheraboutbefore。Soonsheperceived，however，thathewasstringingthemtogetheronanewthread。
　　Oneafteranother，theseexperiencesofhis，asherelatedthem，turnedupontheobstaclesandfatalpitfallswhichtreacheryandmalicehadputinhispath。Heseemed，byhisaccount，tohavebeenahundredtimesalmostwithintouchofthegoal。InChina，intheDutchIndies，inthoseremoterpartsofAustraliawhichwereawaterlesswastewhenheknewthemandmighthaveownedthem，andnowwereyieldingfabulousmillionstofellowswhohadtrickedandswindledhim——everywherehehadmissedbyjustahair'sbreadththegoldenconsummation。
　　IntheWesternhemispherethetalerepeateditself。
　　TherehadbeentimesintheArgentine，inBraziljustbeforetheEmpirefell，inColoradowhentheSilverboomwason，inBritishColumbiawhenthefirstrumoursofrichorewerewhisperedabout——manytimeswhenfortuneseemedveritablywithinhisgrasp。Butsomeonehadalwaysplayedhimfalse。Therewasneverafriendshipforhimwhichcouldwithstandthetemptationofprofitabletreason。
　　Buthehadhungdauntlesslyon。Hehadseenoneconcessionslippingthroughhisfingers，onlytostrainandtightenthemforaclutchatanother。Itdidnotsurprisehishearer——norindeeddiditparticularlyattractherattention——thattherewasnowhereinthisrapidandcomprehensivenarrativeanyallusiontoindustryofthewage-earningsort。Apparently，hehaddonenoworkatall，inthebread-winner'ssenseoftheword。ThiswassolikeJoelthatitwastakenforgrantedinhissister'smind。
　　Allhisvoyagesandadventuresandpainfulenterpriseshadbeeninformedbythedesireofthebuccaneer——thepassiontoreapwhereothershadsown，or，attheworst，togetsomethingfornothing。
　　ThediscursivestorybegantonarrowandconcentrateitselfwhenatlastitreachedMexico。Thesisterchangedherpositioninherchair，andcrossedherkneeswhenTehuantepecwasmentioned。ItwasfromthatplacethatJoelhadsenthertheamazingremittanceovertwoyearsago。
　　Curiouslyenough，though，itwasatthispointinhisnarrativethathenowbecamevagueastodetails。
　　Therewereconcessionsofrubberforestsmentioned，andthebarteroftheseforotherconcessionswithmoneytoboot，andvaryingphasesofachronictroubleaboutwherethetrueboundaryofGuatemalaran——butshefailedclearlytounderstandmuchaboutitall。Hisotherschemesandmishapsshehadfollowedreadilyenough。
　　SomehowwhentheycametoMexico，however，shesaweverythingjumbledanddistorted，asthroughahaze。
　　Onceortwicesheinterruptedhimtoaskquestions，butheseemedtoattachsuchslightimportancetohercomprehendingthesedetailsthatsheforbore。OnlyonefactwasitnecessarytograspabouttheMexicanepisode，apparently。WhenhequittedTehuantepec，tomakehiswaystraighttoLondon，atthebeginningoftheyear，heleftbehindhimarubberplantationwhichhedesiredtosell，andbroughtwithhimbetweensixandseventhousandpounds，withwhichtopaytheexpensesofsellingit。
　　Howhehadobtainedeithertheplantationorthemoneydidnotseemtohavemadeitselfunderstood。Nodoubt，ashismannerindicatedwhensheventuredherenquiries，itwasquiteirrelevanttothenarrative。
　　InMexico，hisexperiencehadbeenunique，apparently，inthatnovillainhadappearedonthescenetofrustratehisplans。
　　Heatleastmentionednoonewhohadwrongedhimthere。
　　WhenhecametoLondon，however，therewerevillainsandtospare。Hemovedtothemantel，whenhearrivedatthisstageofthestory，andmadeclearaspaceforhiselbowtorestamongthelittletrinketsandphotographswithwhichitwasburdened。Hestoodstillthereafter，lookingdownather；hisvoicetookonaharshernote。
　　Muchofthisstory，also，sheknewbyheart。Thisstrange，bearded，greyish-hairedbrotherofhershadcomeveryoftenduringthepasthalf-yeartothelittlebook-shop，andthewidow'shomeaboveit，hismisshapenhandbagfullofpapers，hisheartfullofrage，hope，grief，ambition，disgust，confidence——everythingbutdespair。Itwastrue，ithadneverbeenquiterealtoher。Hewasrightinhissuggestionthatshehadneverwhollybelievedinhim。
　　Shehadnotbeenabletotakealtogetherseriouslythisclumsy，careworn，shabbily-dressedmanwhotalkedaboutmillions。Itwastruethathehadsentherfourhundredpoundsfortheeducationofhersonanddaughter；
　　itwasequallytruethathehadbroughtwithhimtoLondonasumwhichanyofhisancestors，sofarassheknewaboutthem，wouldhavedeemedafortune，andwhichhetreatedasmerelysomuchoil，withwhichtolubricatethemachineryofhisgreatenterprise。Shehadheard，atvarioustimes，theembittereddetailsofthedisappearanceofthismoney，littlebylittle。Nearlyaquarterofit，alltold，hadbeenappropriatedbyasleekoldbraggartofacompany-promoter，whohadcozenedJoelintothebeliefthatLondoncouldbebestapproachedthroughhim。
　　Whenatlastthiswretchwaskickeddownstairs，theeffecthadbeenonlytomakeroomforafreshlotofbloodsuckers。
　　Therewereso-calledadvertisingagents，so-calledjournalists，so-called"menofinfluenceintheCity，"——aswarmofrelentlessandvoraciousharpies，whodraggedfromhiminblackmailnearlythehalfofwhathehadleft，beforehesummonedthecourageanddecisiontoshutthemout。
　　Worsestill，insomeways，werethemenintowhosehandshestumblednext——agroupofCitymenconcernedintheSouthAfricanmarket，whoimpressedhimveryfavourablyattheoutset。Hegottoknowthembyaccident，andatthetimewhenhebegantocomprehendthenecessityofsecuringinfluentialsupportforhisscheme。EverythingthatheheardandcouldlearnaboutthemtestifiedtothestrengthoftheirpositionintheCity。Becausetheydisplayedacertainamiabilityofmannertowardhimandhisproject，heallowedhimselftomakesureoftheirsupport。
　　Itgrewtobeacertaintyinhismindthattheywouldseehimthrough。Hespentagooddealofmoneyindinnersandsuppersintheirhonour，aftertheyhadlethimunderstandthatthisformofpropitiationwasnotunpleasanttothem。
　　Theychaffedhimaboutsomenewspaperparagraphs，inwhichhewasdescribedasthe"RubberKing，"withanaffableassumptionofamusement，underwhichhebelievedthathedetectedagenuinerespectforhisabilities。
　　Finally，whenhehaddancedattendanceuponthemforthebetterpartoftwomonths，helaidbeforethem，atthecoffee-and-cigarsstageofadinnerinaprivateroomoftheSavoy，thedetailsofhisproposition。
　　TheyweretoformaSyndicatetotakeoverhisproperty，andplaceituponthemarket；inconsiderationoftheirfindingthereadymoneyforthisexploitation，theyweretohaveforthemselvestwo-fifthsofthesharesintheCompanyultimatelytobefloated。Theylistenedtothesedetails，andtohisenthusiasticremarksabouttheprojectitself，withratherperfunctorypatience，butcommittedthemselvesthateveningtonothingdefinite。Ittookhimnearlyaweekthereaftertogetananswerfromanyofthem。
　　Thenhelearnedthat，iftheytookthematterupatall，itwouldbeuponthebasisoftheSyndicatereceivingnine-tenthsoftheshares。
　　Heconceivedtheidea，afterhehadmasteredhisoriginalamazement，thattheynamedthesepreposteroustermsmerelybecausetheyexpectedtobebeatendown，andhesummonedallhisgoodnatureandtactforthetaskofhagglingwiththem。Hemisunderstoodtheirfirstshowofimpatienceatthis，andperseveredinthefaceoftheirtacitrebuffs。Then，oneday，acoupleofthemtreatedhimwithovertrudeness，andhe，astonishedoutofhiscaution，repliedtotheminkind。Suddenly，hecouldhardlytellwhyorhow，theywereallenemiesofhis。
　　Theyclosedtheirofficedoorstohim；eventheirclerkstreatedhimwithcontemptuousincivility。
　　Thisblowtohisprideenragedandhumiliatedhim，curiouslyenough，asnoothermisadventureofhislifehaddone。
　　Louisarememberedvividlythedescriptionhehadgiventoher，atthetime，ofthisaffair。Shehadhardlyunderstoodwhyitshoulddisturbhimsoprofoundly：tohermind，thesemenhaddonenothingsomonstrousafterall。Buttohim，theiroffenseswallowedupalltheotherindignitiessufferedduringtheyearsofhisIshmaelitishwanderings。
　　Asombrelustforvengeanceuponthemtookrootinhisverysoul。Hehatednobodyelseashehatedthem。
　　Howoftenshehadheardhimswear，insolemnvibratingtones，thattothedayofhisdeathhismostsacredambitionshouldbetheirpunishment，theirabasementinthedustandmire！
　　Andnow，allatonce，asshelookedupathim，whereheleantagainstthemantel，thesevagabondmemoriesofherstookpointandshape。Itwasabouttheseverymenthathewastalking。
　　"Andthinkofit！"hewassaying，impressively。"It'smagnificentenoughformetomakethisgreathit——butIdon'tcountitasanythingatallbycomparisonwiththefactthatImakeitattheirexpense。YourememberthefellowsItoldyouabout？"
　　heaskedabruptly，deferringtotheconfusedlookonherface。
　　"Yes——youmakeitoutofthem，"sherepeated，inanuncertainvoice。Itoccurredtoherthatshemusthavebeenalmostasleep。"ButdidImissanything？
　　Haveyoubeentellingwhatitisthatyouhavemade？"
　　"No——thatyoushallhaveingoodtime。Youdon'tseemtorealizeit，Louisa。Icanhardlyrealizeitmyself。
　　Iamactuallyaveryrichman。Ican'ttellhowmuchI'vegot——infact，itcanbealmostasmuchasIlike——
　　halfamillionpounds，Isuppose，atthestart，ifIwanttomakeitthatmuch。Yes——ittakesthebreathaway，doesn'tit？Butbestofall——athousandtimesbestofall——practicallyeverydollarofitcomesoutofthoseKaffirswine——theverymenthattriedtorobme，andthathavebeentryingtoruinmeeversince。ItellyouwhatIwish，Louise——IwishtoGodtherecouldonlybetimeenough，andI'dtakeitallinhalf-sovereigns——twomillionsofthem，orthreemillions——andjustuntwisteverycoin，onebyone，outfromamongtheirheart-strings。Oh——butit'llbeallrightasitis。It'senoughtomakeamanfeelreligious——tothinkhowthosethievesaregoingtosuffer。"
　　"Well"shesaid，slowlyafterreflection，"itallratherfrightensme。"
　　Asifthechillintheairofthecheerlessroomhadsuddenlyaccentuateditself，shearose，tookamatch-
　　boxfromthemantel，and，stooping，litthefire。
　　Helookeddownatthetall，black-cladfigure，bentinstiffawkwardnessoverthesmokinggrate，andhiseyessoftened。
　　Thenhetookfreshnoteoftheroom——thefaded，threadbarecarpet，thesparseoldfurniturethathadseemeduglytoevenhisuninformedboyishtaste，thedingywallsandbegrimedlowceiling——allpatheticsymbolsofthebleaklifetowhichshehadbeencondemned。
　　"Frightensyou？"hequeried，withakindofjovialtenderness，asshegottoherfeet；"frightensyou，eh？Why，withinamonth'stime，oldlady，you'llberidingintheParkinyourowncarriage，withniggersfoldingtheirarmsupbehind，andyou'llbetakingitallaseasyandasnaturalasifyou'dbeenborninabarouche。"
　　Headded，inresponsetotheenquiryofherliftedbrows：
　　"Barouche？That'swhatwe'dcallinEnglandalandau。"
　　Shestoodwithafootuponthefender，hertired，passivefaceinclinedmeditatively，herrustyoldblackgowndrawnbackbyonehandfromthesnappingsparks。
　　"No，"shesaid，slowly，joylessresignationminglingwithprideinhervoice。"Iwasbornhereovertheshop。"
　　"Well，goodGod！sowasI，"hecommented，lustily。
　　"Butthat'snoreasonwhyIshouldn'twindupinParkLane——oryoueither。"
　　Shehadnothingtosaytothis，apparently。Afteralittle，sheseatedherselfagain，drawingherchairclosertothehearth。"It'syearssinceI'velitthisfirebeforethefirstofNovember，"sheremarked，withtheairofdefendingtheactiontoherself。
　　"Oh，we'recelebrating，"hesaid，rubbinghishandsoverthereluctantblaze。"Everythinggoes，tonight！"
　　Herface，asshelookedupathim，betrayedthebewildermentofhermind。"Yousetouttotellmewhatitwasallabout，"
　　sheremindedhim。"YouseeI'mcompletelyinthedark。
　　Ionlyhearyousaythatyou'vemadeagreatfortune。
　　That'sallIknow。Orperhapsyou'vetoldmeasmuchasyoucareto。"
　　"Why，notatall，"hereassuredher，pullinghisownchairtowardhimwithhisfoot，andsprawlingintoitwithagruntofrelief。"Ifyou'lldrawmeaglassofthatbeerofyours，I'lltellyouallaboutit。
　　It'snotathingforeverybodytoknow，nottobebreathedtoahumanbeing，forthatmatter——butyou'llenjoyit，andit'llbesafeenoughwithyou。"
　　Assherose，andmovedtowardadoor，hecalledmerrilyafterher："Nomorebeerwhenthatkegrunsdry，youknow。
　　Nothingbutchampagne！"
　　CHAPTERIII
　　THORPEtookalong，thoughtfulpullatthebeerhissisterbroughthim。
　　"Ah，Ididn'tknowIwassothirsty，"hesaid，whenheputtheglassdown。"Truthis——I'velosttrackofmyselfaltogethersince——sincethebigthinghappened。
　　Iseemtobesomebodyelse——acomparativestranger，sotospeak。I'vegottogetacquaintedwithmyself，alloveragain。Youcan'timaginewhatanextraordinaryfeelingitis——thisbeinghiteveryfewminuteswiththerecollectionthatyou'reworthhalfamillion。
　　It'slikebeingstruckoverthehead。Itknocksyoudown。
　　Therearesuchthousandsofthingstodo——youdanceabout，allofaflutter。Youdon'tknowwheretobegin。"
　　"Beginwhereyouleftoff，"suggestedLouisa。"Youweregoingtotellmehow——how'thebigthing'happened。
　　You'realwayscomingtoit——andnevergettinganyfurther。"
　　Noddingcomprehensionoftherebuke'sjustification，heplungedforthwithintothetale。
　　"YouremembermytellingyouatthetimehowIgotmyBoardtogether。I'mspeakingnowofthepresentCompany——afterI'ddecidedtobemyownpromoter，andhaveatleastsomekindof'alook-in'formymoney。Therewasn'tmuchmoneyleft，bytheway；itwasconsiderablyunderthreethousand。
　　ButIcometothatlater。FirsttherewastheBoard。
　　HerewaswherethatLordPlowdenthatItoldyouabout——themanthatcameoverontheshipwithme——camein。
　　Iwenttohim。I——God！Iwasdesperate——butIhadn'tmuchofanideahe'dconsent。Buthedid！Helistenedtome，andItoldhimhowI'dbeenrobbed，andhowtheSyndicatewouldhavecutmythroatifIhadn'tpulledaway，——andhesaid，'Why，yes，I'llgoonyourBoard。'
　　ThenItoldhimmoreaboutit，andpresentlyhesaidhe'dgetmeanothermanoftitle——asky-scraperofatitletoo——tobemyChairman。That'stheMarquisofChaldon，atremendousdiplomaticswell，youknow，AmbassadoratViennainhistime，andLordLieutenantandallsortsofthings，butwillingtogatherinhisfivehundredayear，allthesame。"
　　"DoyoumeanthatYOUpayHIMfivehundredpoundsayear？"
　　askedthesister。
　　"Yes，I'vegotaliveMarkisswhoworksformeattenquidaweek，andafewextras。TheotherDirectorsgetthreehundred。ThisLordPlowdenisoneofthem——butI'lltellyoumoreabouthimlateron。Thenthere'sWatkin，he'sasmallaccountantFinsburyway；andDavidson，he'sawine-merchantwhousedtobelongtoabigfirminDundee，butgetsalongthebestwayhecanonaverydickybusinesshereinLondon，now。Andthenthere'sGeneralKervick，awfullywell-connectedoldchap，theysay，butIguessheneedsallhecanget。He'sstartedwearinghisfur-coatalready。Well，that'smyBoard。Icouldn'tjoinit，ofcourse，tillafterallotment——that'sbecauseI'mthevendor，astheycallit——butthathasn'tinterferedatallwithmyrunningthewholeshow。TheBoarddoesn'treallycount，youknow。ItonlydoeswhatIwantittodo。
　　It'sjustaformthatcostsmeseventeenhundredayear，that'sall。"
　　"Seventeenhundredayear，"sherepeated，mechanically。
　　"Well，thenwegotouttheprospectus，d'yesee。
　　Orfirst，therewereotherthingstobedone。Isawthatagoodbroker'snamecountedforalotonaprospectus。
　　IpickedoutonethatI'dheardwasreasonable——it'dbeenasplendidnameifIcouldhavegotit——buthecalmlysaidhispricewastwothousandpounds，allcashdown——andI
　　cameaway。FinallyIgotafellowwhohadn'tdonemuchofanythingyet，andsowasn'tsostiffabouthisfigure。
　　Heagreedtotake500poundscash，and2，000inshares。
　　ItwasGod'sluckthatIhitonhim，forheturnedout，atthepinch，tobetheonemaninamillionforme。
　　ButI'lltellyouabouthimlater。He'stheBroker，mind；
　　youmustn'tforgethim。Well，then，heandIgotaSolicitor——hetook200poundscash，buthehadtohave2，000
　　shares——andthefirmofAuditors——theywere100poundscashand1，000shares。Everycompanyhastohavethesepeoplepastedontoit，bylaw。Ohyes，andthenyoumusthaveyourBankers。Youdon'tpaythemanything，though，thankGod！Well，then，therewasthemachinerycomplete，allreadytostart。Itookahandsomesetofoffices，andfurnishedthemuptothenines——butthatIwasabletodoprettywelloncredit。Yousee，readymoneywasgettingshort。
　　"Andnowcamethebiggestpullofall。Therewasthepresstobeworked。"
　　HespokeasiftherewerenootherpapersinLondonbutthefinancialjournals。
　　"Ididn'tsleepmuchwhilethatwasbeingfixedup。You'vegotnomoreideaofwhatthepressmeans，Louisa，thanyouhaveof——ofacoilofsnakesthawingouthungryinthespring。
　　Why，ifoneblackmailercametome，Iswearahundreddid。
　　Theyscaredthelifeoutofme，thefirstmonthorso。
　　Andthenthere'saswarmofadvertisingagents，whosaytheycankeeptheseblackmailersoff，ifyou'llmakeitworththeirwhile。Buttheyallwantedtoomuchmoneyforme——andforawhileIwasatmywits'ends。AtlastIgotafellow——he'snotbehavedsobadly，allthingsconsidered——whohadsomesportingbloodinhisveins，andhewaswillingtodothewholethingfor5，000pounds，ifIcouldpay1，500poundsdown，andtherestinshares。
　　ButthatwasjustwhatIcouldn'tdo，yousee，sofinallyhetook1，000poundsdownand5，000inshares——andasI
　　sayhe'sdoneittolerablywell。TherewasoneeditorthatIhadtosquarepersonally——thatistosay，100poundscash——ithadtobeinsovereigns，fornotescouldbetraced——andacallof2，000sharesatpar，——he'sthebosspiratethateverybodyhastosquare——andofcoursetherewereoddten-poundnoteshereandthere，butasaruleI
　　justopenedthedoorandfiredtheblack-mailersout。
　　Themomentafellowcamein，andhandedmehiscard，andsaidhehadproofsoftwokindsofarticlesinhispocket，onepraisingme，onedamningme，Itoldhimtogoandseemyadvertisingagent，andifhewouldn'tdothat，thentogotohell。That'sthewayyou'vegottotalkintheCity，"
　　headded，asifinapologeticexplanation。
　　Louisalookedimpassivelyatherbrother。"Oh，I'veheardtheexpressionasfarwestastheStrand，"sheremarked。
　　"Well，thencametheissue。ThatwaslastSaturday。
　　YousawtheprospectusinSaturdaymorning'spapers，andintheweeklies。Thelistwastobekeptopen，itsaid，tillWednesdaymorning——thatwasyesterday。
　　Thatistosay，duringallthattime，peoplecouldapplyforshares。"
　　"Whichtheydidn'tdo——accordingtoyouraccount，"
　　thesistersuggested，dryly。
　　Thorpepassedhisfingersthroughhisroughenedhair，andeyedherwithamomentaryquizzicalgleaminhiseye。
　　Thenhebecameseriousagain。Therecollectionofwhathewasnowtonarratebroughtafrowntohisbrows。
　　"OnTuesdayafternoon，"hebegan，withportentousdeliberation——"Orno，firstImustexplainsomething。
　　Yousee，inbringingoutacompany，youcan'tputuptoostoutabluff。Imean，you'vegottobehaveasifyouwererollinginwealth——asifeverythingwascomingyourway，andfortunesweretobemadebyfasteningtoyou。
　　Idon'tknowthatitoftenfoolsanybodyverymuch，butit'spartofthegame，andyoumustplayit。
　　Well，accordingly，myBrokergoeson'changeSaturdaymorning，andhashisjobbershoutoutthathe'llbuy'RubberConsols'——that'swhatoursharesarecalledonthestreet——ataneighthpremium；thatistosay，heofferedtobuyfortwenty-two-and-sixwhatwewereofferingtothepublicfortwentyshillings。Ofcourse，yousee，theobjectofthatwastocreatetheimpressionthattherewasaregularGod-almightyrushforourshares。
　　AsIsay，Idon'tknowwhetherthateverfooledanybody——butatleasttherewasthechancethatitmightstartupsomedealingintheshares——andallthosethingshelp。
　　Besides，yougotthesalesnoticedinthepapers，andthatmightstartupapplicationsfromthepublic。
　　Well，theBrokerbought1，000sharesthiswayonSaturday。
　　OnMonday，whenitmightstillbepossibletochangetheluck，hebought3，500more，stillatthatpremiumofaneighth。HeboughtsomeTuesdaymorningtoo——say4，000。Well，now，keepthosefiguresinyourhead，andkeepaneyeontheBroker。He'sworthwatching——asyou'llsee。"
　　"What'shisname？"askedthesister，withanaccessionofalertnessinherface。"Youcallhim'Broker'——andthatdoesn'tmeananythingtome。They'reallbrokers，aren'tthey？"
　　"Semple——ColinSemple，that'shisname。He'sayoungScotchman——father'saPresbyterianminister。He'salittle，insignificantruntofachaptolookat——butIlearnedalongtimeagonottojudgeasingedcatbyhislooks。
　　However——wherewasI？"
　　"YouweregoingtotellaboutTuesdayafternoon，weren'tyou？"
　　Henoddedgravely，andstraightenedhimself，drawingalongbreathinpreparationforthedramaticrecitalbeforehim。
　　"OnTuesdayafternoon，"hebeganagain，withimpressiveslowness，"IwaswalkingonThrogmortonStreet，aboutfouro'clock。Itwasrainingalittle——ithadbeenrainingonandoffallday——amiserable，rottensortofaday，withgreasymudeverywhere，andeverybodypokingumbrellasintoyou。IwasoutwalkingbecauseI'd'a'
　　cutmythroatifI'dtriedtostayintheofficeanothertenminutes。AllthatdayIhadn'teatenanything。
　　Ihadn'tsleptworthspeakingofforthreenights。
　　Thewholegamewasupforme。Iwasworsethanruined。
　　Ihadhalfacrowninmypocket。Ihadtenortwelvepoundsinthebank——andtheywouldn'tletmeoverdrawafarthing。
　　Itellyou，Iwasjustplumbbusted。
　　"Therecamealonginthegutterasandwich-man。I'dseenthecussbeforeduringtheday，walkingupanddownnearmyoffices。Itooknoticeofhim，becausehewastheraggedest，dirtiest，mostforlorn-lookingcrippleyoueversawinyourlife。NowIreadwhatwasonhisboards。
　　ItwasthebillofapaperthatIhadrefusedtobebledby，andthereitwasinbigletters：'TheRubberBubbleBurst！'
　　'Thorpe'sAudacityPunished！'Thosewerethewords。
　　Icanseethemwithmyeyesshut。Istoodthere，lookingatthefellow，andIsupposetherewassomethinginthewayIlooked，forhestoppedtoo。
　　Ofcourse，hedidn'tknowmefromAdam，butallthesame，I'mdamnedifhedidn'twinkhiseyeatme——asifwetwohadajokebetweenus。AndatthatIburstoutlaughing——I
　　simplyroaredwithlaughter，likeaboyatapantomime——andItookthatlasthalf-crownoutofmypocket，andIgaveittothesandwich-man。God！youshouldhaveseenhisface。"
　　"Idon'tparticularlymind，Joel，"saidhissister，"butIneverheardyouswearsomuchbefore。"
　　"Oh，whatthe——whatthedeuce！"heprotested，impatiently。
　　"Don'tinterruptmenow！Well，Iwentondownthestreet。
　　ThemembersoftheStockExchangewerecomingoutof'thehouse，'andmakinguplittlegroupsonthepavement。
　　Theydobusinessinside，youknow，untilclosingtime——thisdayithappenedtobefouro'clock——andthentheycomeoutanddealinthestreetwithoneanother，withthekerb-stonemob，whoarenotallowedinside，standingroundtowatchthething。Icamealongintothethickofthesefellows；theywereyellingoutallsortsofthings——'EastRands，''Oroyas，''LakeViewCentrals，'
　　andwhatnot，butthesewentinoneearandouttheother。