Ifthereeverwasamanwithnostomachforthemarketitwasme。Butthensomeoneroaredout：
　　"'Atseven-eighths，sellRubberConsols！SellfivehundredRubberatseven-eighths！Sellfivehundredatthree-quarters！Atthree-quartersyouhave'em！
　　RubberConsols！Sellathou。atthree-quarters！'
　　"Thisthingwentintomybrainlikealivecoal。Istoppedandlookedupatthefellow——andbyGod，itwasoneofthemenI'vebeentalkingabout——oneofthoseKaffirscoundrels。
　　IwishIwasbetteratrememberingnames——butIknewhisface。
　　Thereweresomeoftheothersaroundhim，andtheylaughedatme，andhelaughedatme。Oh，theyhadaheapoffunoutofme——foraminuteortwo。Prettygoodfun，too！Iguessthey'llrememberitquiteawhile。"
　　"Goon！"Louisaadjuredhim。Theobviousproximityofthedramaticclimaxdrewherforwardinherchair，andbroughtaglowofexpectationtohereyes。
　　"Igotmyselfawayfromthatcrowdsomehow——lthinkI
　　wasafraidifIstayedI'dstrangletheonewhowasshoutingonthesteps——andIwenttowardmyoffice。
　　ButwhenIgottothedoor，Ididn'thavethecouragetogoin。I'dfurnisheditbetter，Isuppose，thananyotherofficeinAustinFriars，andIhadakindoffeelingthatthesightofthosecarpets，andoak-tablesanddesks，andbrass-railingsandsoonwouldmakemesick。
　　Iowedfor'emall，bearinmind——"
　　"But——Joel，"thesisterinterposed。"OnethingIdon'tunderstand。Howmanypeoplehadappliedforshares？Youhaven'tmentionedthat。"
　　Afleetingsmilelightedupthesaturninegloomofhispresentmood。"Itwashardlyworthmentioning，"
　　heanswered，withbittermirth。"Betweenfiveandsixthousandsharesweresubscribed，alltold。
　　Ithinkthewithdrawalsbytelegraphbroughtitdowntopracticallyfivethousand。Weofferedahundredthousand，youknow——Butletmegoonwithmystory。Istoodthere，infrontofourstreet-door，inakindoftrance。
　　ThewordsofthatJew——'SellRubberConsolsatthree-
　　quarters！'——buzzedinsidemyheadasiftheywouldburstitopen。Iturned——andIhappenedtoseemyBroker——theScotchman，Semple，youknow——comingalongtowardme。
　　Rightatthatminute，likeaflash，somethingdawnedonme。
　　Inlessthanasecond，Isawthewholedamnedrottenoutfitturnedupsidedown，withmeontop。Imadeajump，andrantomeetSemple。
　　"'Howmanysharesofourshaveyoubought？'Iaskedhim，withagriptightonhisarm。
　　"Thelittlechapwaslookingmightysick。Hefiguredupinhismind。'I'mafraidit'seightthousandfivehundred，alltold，'hesaid，inasortofPresbyterianwhimper。
　　"'Well——howwouldthesegentlemengoaboutittodelivertheirgoods——thatis，supposingwegotasettlement？'
　　"Iaskedhimthis，andkeptmyeyeonhisface。
　　Helookedpuzzledforaminute。Thenheputouthislip。
　　Thenheshotmeaglanceassharpasarazor，andwelookedintooneanother'seyes。
　　"'Theywereshoutingthemouttomeatthree-quarters，aminuteago，'Itoldhim。
　　"Hewasontothegamelikelightning。'Waitformeintheoffice，'hewhispered。'We'llgonaponthis！'
　　"Withthathewasofflikeastreak。Hestoppedrunningjustbeforehegottothecorner，though，andbeganwalkingslowly，saunteringalong，youknow，asifhismindwasonnothingbutsecond-handbooks。
　　Iwatchedhimoutofsight——andthenIwentback，anduptotheoffices。Thefurnituredidn'tscaremeabitthistime。Why，Istoppedandfeltofthebrass-railingjustoutsidetheBoardRoom，andIsaidtomyself——'Pshaw！
　　Wecouldhaveyouofsolidgold，ifwewantedto。'"
　　Hepausedhere，andregardedhissisterwithwhatshefeltwasintendedtobeasignificantlook。SheshrankfromtheconfessionthatitsmeaningwasGreektoher。
　　"Well——andwhatnext？"sheasked，guardedly。
　　"Semplecamebackintwentyminutesorso——andthenextmorninghewasatitagain——andwhatwithhimandhisjobber，byGeorge，onthequiet，theypickedupnearlyeighteenthousandofourshares。Sometheypaidfifteenshillingsfor，sometheygotattwelve-and-sixandeventen。Thatdoesn'tmatter；it'sofnomoreimportancethanthecoppersyougivetocrossing-sweepers。
　　Thethingwastogettheshares——andbyGodwe'vegotthem！Twenty-sixthousandtwohundredshares，that'swhatwe'vegot。Now，doyouseewhatthatmeans？"
　　"Whyyes，"sheanswered，withafaint-heartedassumptionofconfidence。"Ofcourse，youknowthepropertyissogoodthatyou'llmakeaprofitonthesharesyou'veboughtfarbelowtheirvalue。ButIdon'tthinkIquitesee——"
　　Heinterruptedherwithanoutburstofloudlaughter。
　　"Don'tthinkyouquitesee？"hegurgledather，withtearsofpleasureinhiseye。"Why，youdummy，youhaven'tgotthefaintestglimmerofanotionofwhatit'sallabout。
　　Thevalueoftheproperty'sgotnothingintheworldtodowithit。That'sneitherherenorthere。Iftherewasn'tanysuchpropertyinexistence，itwouldbejustthesame。"
　　Hehadcompassionuponherblankcountenance，atthis，andexplainedmoregently："Why，don'tyousee，Lou，it'sthisway。Thisiswhathashappened。We'vegotwhat'scalledacorneronthebears。They'recaughtshort，andwecansqueezethemtoourhearts'content。
　　What——youdon'tunderstandnow？Why，seehere！Thesefellowswho'vesoldtwenty-sixthousandofourshares——
　　theyhaven'tgotthemtosell，andtheycan'tgetthem。
　　Thatisthepoint——theycan'tgetthemforlovenormoney——theymustpaymemyownpriceforthem，orberuinedmen。Themomenttheyrealizethesituation，theywillbeginofferingapremiumforRubberConsols。
　　Thepriceofaone-poundsharewillbetwopounds，thenfour——six——ten——twenty——thirty——whateverIwanttodriveitto。"
　　Louisastaredupathimwithwideopeneyes。Itseemedtoherthatsheunderstoodnow。Itwasveryexciting。
　　"Yousee，"hewenton，takingapprovingnoteofthenewlightofcomprehensioninherglance，"wedidsomethingthatTuesdayafternoonbesidebuyuptheseshares。
　　Semplerushedofftohisoffice，andheandhisclerksgotupalotofdummyapplicationsforshares，madeoutinallthedifferentnamestheycouldbesafeinusing，andtheyputtheseintothebankwiththeapplicationmoney——Semplefoundthat——andnextdayhewentandsawtheadvertisingagentandthesolicitorandtheauditors——andgotthemtopoolthesharesthatI'vepromisedtogivethem。Apool？Thatmeanstheyagreetotransfertheirsharestomeastrustee，andletmedealwiththemasIlike——ofcoursetotheiradvantage。
　　Inanycase，theirsharesarevendor'sshares，andcouldn'tbedealtwithinthistransaction。Soyouseethethingishermeticallysealed。Nobodycangetashareexceptfromme，andatmyprice。Butthesefellowsthathavesoldthem——they'vegottohavethem，don'tyousee。
　　Theyhadtheirlittletemporaryjokewithmeonthestreetthatafternoon——andnowtheymustwalkuptothecaptain'sofficeandsettle。They'vegottopaymeatleasthalfamillionpoundsforthatfewminutes'funoftheirs。
　　Imaymakeitagooddealmore；Idon'tknowyet。"
　　"Oh，Joel！"shegroanedathim，inawedstupefaction。
　　Hisratherlanguidindecisionastowhetherhalfamillionwasgoingtobeenough，impressedhermorepowerfullythanhadanydetailofhisnarrative。
　　Inafewcomprehensivesentenceshefinishedupforherwhattherewastotell。"ThisafternoonmyBoardmettoallottheshares。Theysawtheapplications，amountinginalltooverninetythousandshares。
　　Ittooktheirbreathaway——theyhadheardthatthingsweregoingquitetheotherwaywithus。TheyweresotickledthattheyaskednoquestionsTheallotmentwentthroughlikeagreasedpig。About5，000shareswenttothosewhohadactuallyappliedforthem，and88，000weresolemnlygiventothedummyapplicants。
　　Ofcourse，therewasn'tawhisperaboutthesedummies。
　　Nobodywinkedsomuchasaneyelash。ButI'vefoundsincethatoneofthedirectors——thatLordPlowdenI
　　toldyouabout——wasontothethingallthewhile。
　　Buthe'sallright。Everybody'sallright。Ofcoursethedummies'sharesstillstandintheirnames——onpaper——
　　butinrealityI'vegotthemallinmysafe——inmypocketyoumightsay。Theyarereallymine，youunderstand。
　　Sonowthere'snothingforustodobuttoapplytotheStockExchangeforaspecialsettlementdate，andmeanwhileliequietandwatchtheJewsstewintheirownjuice。
　　Orfryintheirownfat，eh？That'sbetter。"
　　"But，"shecommentedslowly，"yousaytherearenosharestobebought——andyetasIunderstandit，therearethosefivethousandthatweresentouttothepeoplewhoreallyapplied。"
　　"Bravo，Lou！"heansweredherjovially。"Youactuallydounderstandthething。You'veputyourfingerstraightonthepoint。Itistruethatthosesharesareoutagainstus——ormightbeturnedagainstusiftheycouldbeboughtup。Butinreality，theydon'tcountatall。
　　Inthefirstplace，yousee，they'rescatteredaboutamongsmallholders，countryclergymenandoldmaidsonanannuityandsoon——alloverthecountry。Evenifthesepeoplewerealltraced，andhuntedup，supposeitwasworththetroubleandexpense，theywouldn'tsell。
　　Thebiggerthepricetheywereoffered，themoremulishtheywouldbeaboutholding。That'salwaysthewaywiththem。Buteveniftheydidallsell，theirfivethousandwouldbeameredropinthebucket。Therewouldbeovertwentythousandotherstobeaccountedfor。
　　Thatwouldbequiteenoughformypurposes。Oh，Ifiguredallthatoutverycarefully。Myownfirstnotionwastohavethedummiesapplyforthewholehundredthousand，andevenalittleover。Then，yousee，wemighthaveallottedeverythingtothedummies，andsentbackthemoneyandapplicationsofthegenuineones。ButthatwouldhavebeenratherhardtomanagewiththeBoard。
　　TheMarkisswouldhavesaidthatthereturnsoughttobemadeprorata——thatis，givingeverybodyapartofwhattheyappliedfor——andthatwouldhavemixedeverythingup。
　　Andthen，too，ifanybodysuspectedanything，whytheStockExchangeCommitteewouldrefuseusaspecialsettlement——and，ofcourse，withoutthatthewholetransactionismoonshine。
　　Itwasfartoorisky，andwedidn'tsendbackapenny。"
　　"It'sallprettyrisky，Ishouldthink，"shedeclaredassherose。"Ishouldthinkyou'dlieawakemorethanevernow——nowthatyou'vebuiltyourhopessohighandit'dbesoawfultohavethemcometonothing。"
　　Hesmilinglyshookhishead。"No，itcannomorefailthanthatgascanfailtoburnwhenyouputalighttoit。
　　It'sallabsolute。Myhalf-millionisasrightasifitwerelyingtomycreditintheBankofEngland。
　　Oh，thatremindsme，"hewentoninaslightlyalteredtone——"it'sdamnedcomical，butI'vegottoaskyouforalittlemoney。I'veonlygotaboutsevenpoundsatmybank，andjustattheminuteitwouldgivemeawayfearfullytoletSempleknowIwashardup。
　　Ofcoursehe'dletmehaveanythingIwanted——but，youcansee——Idon'tliketoaskhimjustatthemoment。"
　　Shehesitatedvisibly，andscannedhisfacewithawistfulgaze。"You'requitesure，Joel？"——shebegan——
　　"andyouhaven'ttoldme——howlongwillitbebeforeyoucomeintosomeofthismoney？"
　　"Well，"——heinturnpausedoverhiswords——"well，IsupposethatbynextweekthingswillbeinsuchshapethatmybankwillseeI'mgoodforanoverdraft。Ohheavens，yes！there'llbeahundredwaysoftouchingsomeready。
　　Butifyou'vegottwentyorthirtypoundshandyjustnow——I
　　tellyouwhatI'lldo，Lou。I'llgiveyouathreemonthsbill，payingonehundredpoundsforeverysovereignyouletmehavenow。Come，oldlady：youdon'tgetsuchinteresteveryday，I'llbet。"
　　"Idon'twantanyinterestfromyou，Joel，"
　　shereplied，simply。"Ifyou'resureIcanhaveitbackbeforeChristmas，IthinkIcanmanagethirtypounds。
　　Itwilldointhemorning，Isuppose？"
　　Henoddedanamusedaffirmative。"Why——youdon'timagine，doyou，"hesaid，"thatallthisgoldistoraindown，andnoneofithityou？Interest？Whyofcourseyou'llgetinterest——andcapitalthrownin。Whatdidyousuppose？"
　　"Idon'taskanythingformyself，"shemadeanswer，withanoteofresolutioninhervoice。"Ofcourseifyouliketodothingsforthechildren，itwon'tbemewho'llstandintheirlight。They'vebeenspoiledformykindoflifeasitis。"
　　"I'lldothingsforeverybody，"heaffirmedroundly。
　　"Let'ssee——howoldisAlfred？"
　　"He'llbetwentyinMay——andJuliaisfourteenmonthsolderthanheis。"
　　"Gad！"wasThorpe'smeditativecomment。"Howtheyshootup！WhyIwasthinkingshewasalittlegirl。""Sheneverwillbetall，I'mafraid，"saidtheliteralmother。
　　"Shefavoursherfather'sfamily。ButAlfredismoreofaThorpe。I'msorryyoumissedseeingthemlastsummer——butofcoursetheydidn'tstoplongwithme。
　　Thiswasnoplaceforthem——andtheyhadagoodmanyinvitationstovisitschoolfellowsandfriendsinthecountry。
　　Alfredremindsmeverymuchofwhatyouwereathisage：
　　he'sgotthesamegoodopinionofhimself，too——andhe'snotabitfonderofhardwork。"
　　"There'sonemightybigdifferencebetweenus，though，"
　　remarkedThorpe。"Hewon'tstartwithhisnosehelddowntothegrindstonebyanoldfatherhardasnails。
　　He'llstartlikeagentleman——thenephewofarichman。"
　　"I'malmostafraidtohavesuchnotionsputinhishead，"
　　shereplied，withvisibleapprehension。"Youmustn'tencouragehimtobuildtoohighhopes，Joel。It'sspeculation，youknow——andanythingmighthappentoyou。Andthen——youmaymarry，andhavesonsofyourown。"
　　Heliftedhisbrowsswiftly——asifthethoughtwerenewtohismind。Aslowsmilestoleintothelittlewrinklesabouthiseyes。Heopenedhislipsasiftospeak，andthenclosedthemagain。
　　"Well，"hesaidatlast，abruptlystraighteninghimself，andcastinganeyeaboutforhiscoatandhat。
　　"I'llberoundinthemorning——onmywaytotheCity。
　　Good-byetillthen。"
　　CHAPTERIV
　　INCharingCrossstation，thenextafternoon，Mr。Thorpediscoveredbythebigclockoverheadthathehadarrivedfullytenminutestoosoon。Thisdeviationfromhisdeeply-rootedhabitofcatchingtrainsatthelastpossiblemomentdidnottakehimbysurprise。
　　Hesmileddryly，audnoddedtotheilluminateddial，asiftheysharedthesecretofsomequaintnovelty。
　　Thisgettingtothestationaheadoftimewasofapiecewithwhathadbeenhappeningallday——merelyonemoretokenofthegeneralupheavalintheroutineofhislife。
　　Fromearlymorninghehadbeenacutelyconsciousofthefeelingthathisoldmannersandusagesandmethodsofthought——thethousandfamiliarthingsthatmadeuptheThorpehehadbeen——werebecomingstrangetohim。
　　Theyfittedhimnolonger；theybegantofallawayfromhim。Now，ashestoodhereonthebustlingplatform，itwasasiftheyhadalldisappeared——beenleftsomewherebehindhimoutsidethestation。Withthetwolargebagswhichtheporterwaslookingafter——bothofaquitedisconcertingfreshnessofaspect——andthenewovercoatandshininghat，heseemedtohimselfanewkindofbeing，embarkeduponavoyageofdiscoveryintheunknown。
　　Evenhisfacewasnew。Asuddenandirresistibleimpulsehadledhimtothebarber-shopinhishotelattheoutset；hecouldnotwaittillafterbreakfasttohavehisbeardremoved。Theresult，whenhebehelditinthemirror，hadnotbeenaltogetherreassuring。
　　Theover-long，thin，tawnymoustaschewhichsurvivedtherazorassumedanundueprominence；thejawandchin，revealednowforthefirsttimeinperhapsadozenyears，seemedofasicklycolour，and，insomeinexplicableway，misshapen。Manytimesduringtheday，athisoffice，attherestaurantwherehelunched，atvariousoutfitters'
　　shopswhichhehadvisited，hehadpursuedthetaskofgettingreconciledtothisnovelvisageinthelooking-glass。
　　Thelittlemirrorsinthehansomcabshadhelpedhimmostinthisendeavour。Eachreturnedtohimanimagesodifferentfromalltheothers——somecadaverous，somebloated，buteachwithaspontaneousdistortionofitsown——thatithadbecomepossibleforhimtostrikeanaveragetolerabletohimself，andtobelieveinit。
　　Hissisterhadrecognizedhimupontheinstant，whenheenteredtheoldbook-shoptogetthemoneypromisedovernight，butintheCityhisownclerkshadnotknownhimatfirst。
　　Therewasinthisaninspiringimplicationthathehadnotsomuchchangedhisappearanceasrevivedhisyouth。
　　Theconsciousnessthathewasinrealitystillayoungmanspreadoverhismindafresh，andthistimehefeltthatitwaseffacingallearlierimpressions。Why，whenhethoughtofit，thedelighthehadhadduringthedayinbuyingnewshirtsandhandkerchiefsandembroideredbraces，inlookingoverthevariousstocksofrazors，toiletarticles，studsandsleeve-links，andthelike，andtellingthegratifiedtradesmentogivehimthebestofeverything——thisdelighthadbeendistinctivelyboyish。
　　Hedoubted，indeed，ifanymereyouthcouldhaverisentotheheightsoftendersatisfactionfromwhichhereflecteduponthecontentsofhisportmanteaus。
　　Toapprehendtheirfullvalueonemusthavebeenwithoutthemforsuchawearytime！Hehadthiswonderfuladvantage——thathesupplementedthefresh-heartedjoyoftheyouthinnicethings，withtheadultman'sknowledgeofhowbaldexistencecouldbewithoutthem。Itwasworthhavinglivedallthosefortyobscureandmostlyunpleasantyears，forthisoneprivilegenowofbeingabletoappreciatetotheuttermostthetouchofdouble-silkunderwear。
　　Itwasanundoubtedpitythattherehadnotbeentimetogotoagoodtailor。Thesuithehadonwasrightenoughforordinarypurposes，andhisevening-clotheswereasgoodasnew，butthethoughtofacostumeforshootingharassedhismind。
　　Hehadbroughtalongwithhim，forthiseventfulvisit，anoldMexicanoutfitofyellowish-greyclothandleather，muchtheworseforroughwear，butsavedfromthedisreputablebyitssuggestionofpicturesqueexperiencesinastrangeandromanticcountry。Atleastithadseemedtohim，inthemorning，whenhehadpackedit，tobesecureinthissalvation。Uneasydoubtsonthesubjecthadsoonrisen，however，andtheyhadincreasedinvolumeandpoignancyashisconceptionsofawardrobeexpandedinthecourseoftheday'sinvestigationsandpurchases。
　　Hehadreachedthepointnowofhopingthatitwouldrainbitterlyonthemorrow。
　　Itwasdoublyimportanttokeepacloselook-outforLordPlowden，sincehedidnotknowthenameofthestationtheyweretobookfor，andtimewasgettingshort。Hedweltwithsomeannoyanceuponhisoversightinthismatter，ashiswatchfulglancerangedfromoneentrancetoanother。
　　Hewouldhavelikedtobuytheticketshimself，andhaveeverythinginreadinessonthearrivalofhishost。
　　Asitwas，hecouldnoteventelltheporterhowhisluggagewastobelabelled，andtherewasnowlessthantwominutes！Hemovedforwardbriskly，withthethoughtofinterceptinghisfriendatthefrontofthestation；
　　thenhalted，andwentback，upontherecollectionthatwhilehewasgoingoutoneway，Plowdenmightcomeinbytheother。Theseconds，astheypassednow，becameseverallypainfultohisnerves。Theringingofabellsomewherebeyondthebarrierprovokedwithinhimanimpulsetotearfulprofanity。
　　Thensuddenlyeverythingwasallright。Asmooth-faced，civilly-spokenyoungmancameup，touchedhishat，andasked：
　　"Willyoukindlyshowmewhichisyourluggage，sir？"
　　Thorpe，evenwhilewonderingwhatbusinessofhisitwas，indicatedtheglaringlynewbags——andthenonlyhalfrepressedacryofpleasureatdiscoveringthatLordPlowdenstoodbesidehim。
　　"It'sallright；mymanwilllookoutforyourthings，"
　　saidthelatter，astheyshookhands。"Wewillgoandgetourplaces。"
　　Thefatpolicemanatthegatetouchedhishelmet。
　　Alean，elderlymaninasortofguard'suniformhobbledobsequiouslybeforethemdowntheplatform，openedtothemafirst-classcompartmentwithalowbowandadeprecatorywaveofthehand，andthenimpressivelylockedthedooruponthem。"Theenginewillbetheotherway，myLord，afteryouleaveCannonStreet，"heremarkedthroughtheopenwindow，withearnestdeference。"Arethereanyofyourbagsthatyouwantinthecompartmentwithyou？"
　　Plowdenhadnoddedtothefirstremark。Heshookhisheadatthesecond。Theelderlymanatthis，withstillanotherbow，flappedoutagreenflagwhichhehadbeenholdingfurledbehindhisback，andextendeditatarm'slength。Thetrainbeganslowlytomove。
　　Mr。Thorpereflectedtohimselfthatthepeeragewasbynomeanssoplayed-outaninstitutionassomepeopleimagined。
　　"Ho-ho！"theyoungermansighedayawn，ashetossedhishatintotherackabovehishead。"Weshallbothbethebetterforsomepureair。Londonquitedoesmeup。
　　Andyou——you'vebeenstickingatitmonthsonend，haven'tyou？Youlookratherfagged——oratalleventsyoudidyesterday。You'vesmartenedyourselfso——withoutyourbeard——thatIcan'tsayI'dnoticeitto-day。
　　ButItakeiteverysensiblepersonisgladtogetawayfromLondon。"
　　"ExceptforanoddSunday，nowandthen，Ihaven'tputmynoseoutsideLondonsinceIlandedhere。"Thorperoseashespoke，todeposithishatalsointherack。
　　Henotedwithakindofchagrinthathiscompanion'swasanordinarylowblackbowler。"Icantellyou，ISHALL
　　begladofthechange。Iwouldhaveboughtthetickets，"
　　hewenton，givingwordsatrandomtothethoughtwhichhefoundfixedonthesurfaceofhismind，"ifI'donlyknownwhatourstationwas。"
　　Plowdenwavedhishand，andthegestureseemedtodismissthesubject。Hetookacigarcasefromhispocket，andofferedittoThorpe。
　　"Itwaslucky，mynotmissingthetrainaltogether，"
　　hesaid，astheylightedtheircigars。"Iwasuplatelastnight——turnedoutlatethismorning，beenlateallday，somehow——couldn'tcatchupwiththeclockforthelifeofme。
　　Yourstatementtomelastnight——youknowitratherupsetme。"
　　Theothersmiled。"Well，IguessIknowsomethingaboutthatfeelingmyself。Why，I'vebeenbuzzingabouttodaylikeahenwithherheadcutoff。Butit'sfun，though，aintit，eh？Justtohappentoremembereveryonceinawhile，youknow，thatit'salltrue！Butofcourseitmeansathousandtimesmoretomethanitdoestoyou。"
　　Thetrainhadcometoastopinsidethegloomy，domedcavernofCannonStreet。Manymeninsilkhatscrowdedtoandfroontheplatform，andanumberofthemshookthehandleofthelockeddoor。Therewasaneffectofcursesinthesoundoftheirremarkswhichcamethroughtheclosedwindow。
　　Mr。Thorpecouldnotquiterestraintheimpulsetogrinatthem。
　　"Ah，that'swhereyoumistake，"saidPlowden，contemplatingthemouthfulofsmokeheslowlyblewforth。
　　"Mydearman，youcan'timagineanybodytowhomitwouldmeanmorethanitdoestome——Ihopenoneofthosefellowshaveakey。They'reanawfulboreonthistrain。
　　Ialmostnevergobyit，forthatreason。Ah，thankGodwe'reoff！——ButasIwassaying，thisthingmakesagreaterdifferencetomethanyoucanthinkof。Icouldn'tsleeplastnight——Igiveyoumyword——thethingupsetmeso。
　　Itakeityou——youhaveneverhadmuchmoneybefore；
　　thatis，youknowfromexperiencewhatpovertyis？"
　　Thorpenoddedwitheloquentgravity。
　　"Well——butyou"——theotherbegan，andthenpaused。
　　"WhatImeanis，"heresumed，"youwerenever，atanyrate，responsibletoanybodybutyourself。Ifyouhadonlyasovereignaday，orasovereignaweek，forthatmatter，youcouldaccommodateyourselftotherequirementsofthesituation。Idon'tmeanthatyouwouldenjoyitanymorethanIshould——butatleastitwasopentoyoutodoit，withoutattractingmuchattention。
　　Butwithmeplacedinmyridiculousposition——povertyhasbeenthemostunbearabletortureonecanimagine。
　　Yousee，thereisnowayinwhichIcanearnapenny。
　　IhadtoleavetheArmywhenIwastwenty-three——theotherfellowsallhadplentyofmoneytospend，anditwasimpossibleformetodragalongwithatitleandanemptypocket。IdaresaythatIoughttohavestucktoit，becauseitisn'tnearlysobadnow，buttwelveyearsagoitwastoocruelforanyyoungsterwhohadanyprideabouthim——and，ofcourse，myfatherhavingmaderatheranameintheArmy，thatmadeitsomuchharderforme。
　　Andafterthat，whatwasthere？Ofcourse，thebarandmedicineandengineeringandthosethingswereoutofthequestion，inthosedaysatleast。TheChurch？——thatwasmoresostill。
　　Ihadatryatpolitics——butyouneedmoneythereasmuchasanywhereelse——moneyorbigfamilyconnections。
　　Ivotedinpracticallyeverydivisionforfouryears，andImadetherottenestspeechesyoueverheardofatPrimroseLeaguemeetingsinsmallplaces，andafterallthatthebestthingthewhipscouldoffermewasabilletinIndiaatfourhundredayear，andeventhatyoutookindepreciatedrupees。WhenItriedtotalkaboutsomethingathome，theypracticallylaughedinmyface。
　　Ihadnoleverageuponthemwhatever。Theydidn'tcareintheleastwhetherIcameupandvotedorstoppedathome。
　　Theirmajoritywastentoonejustthesame——yes，twentytoone。Sothatdoorwasshutinmyface。I'veneverbeeninsidetheHousesince——exceptoncetoshowittoanAmericanladylastsummer——butwhenIdogoagainIratherfancy"——hestoppedforaninstant，andnoddedhishandsomeheadsignificantly——"IratherfancyIshallturnupontheotherside。"
　　"I'maLiberalmyself，inEnglishpolitics，"interposedThorpe。
　　Plowdenseemednottoperceivetheconnection。TheyhadleftLondonBridgebehind，andheputhisfeetuponthecushions，andleantbackcomfortably。"OfcoursetherewastheCity，"
　　hewenton，speakingdiagonallyacrosstohiscompanion，betweenleisurelyintervalsofabsorptioninhiscigar。
　　"Therehavebeensomedirectors'fees，nodoubt，andonceortwiceI'vecomeveryneartowhatpromisedtobeabigthing——butIneverquitepulleditoff。
　　Really，withoutcapitalwhatcanonedo？——I'mcurioustoknow——didyoubringmuchreadymoneywithyoutoEngland？"
　　"Betweensixandseventhousandpounds。"
　　"Andifit'safairquestion——howmuchofithaveyougotleft？"
　　Thorpehadsomemomentarydoubtsastowhetherthiswasafairquestion，buthesmotheredthemunderthesmilewithwhichhefeltimpelledtoanswerthetwinkleinPlowden'seyes。"Oh，lessthanahundred，"hesaid，andlaughedaloud。
　　Plowdenalsolaughed。"ByGeorge，that'sfine！"
　　hecried。"It'ssplendid。There'sdramainit。
　　Ifeltitwaslikethat，youknow。Somethingtoldmeitwasyourlastcartridgethatrangthebell。ItwasthatthatmademecometoyouasIdid——andtellyouthatyouwereagreatman，andthatIwantedtoenlistunderyou。
　　Ah，thatkindofcourageissorare！Whenamanhasit，hecanstandtheworldonitshead。""ButIwasplumbscared，allthewhile，myself，"Thorpeprotested，genially。
　　"Courage？Icouldfeelitrunningoutofmyboots。"
　　"Ah，yes，butthat'sthegreatthing，"insistedtheother。
　　"Youdidn'tlookasifyouwerefrightened。Fromallonecouldsee，yournervewassublime。Andnothingelsematters——itwassublime。"
　　"Curious——thatthinghappenedtomeoncebefore，"
　　commentedThorpe，withruminatingslowness。"Itwasoutontheplains，yearsago，andIwasinprettyhardluck，andwasmakingmywayalonefromTucsonnorth，andsomecowboysheldmeup，andweregoingtomakekindlingwoodofme，theybeingundertheimpressionthatIwasahorse-thieftheywerelookingafter。
　　Therewasfiveorsixminutestherewhenmylifewasn'tworthalastyear'sbird's-nest——andItellyou，sir，Iwasthescaredestmanthateverdrewthebreathoflife。
　　Andthensomethinghappenedtobesaidthatputthematterright——theysawIwasthewrongman——andthen——whythentheycouldn'tbepoliteenoughtome。
　　Theyhalfemptiedtheirflasksdownmythroat，andtheyrodewithmeallthewaytothenexttown，andtheretheywantedtobuyeverythingliquidintheplaceforme。
　　ButwhatIwasspeakingof——doyouknow，thosefellowsgotatremendousnotionofmynerve。Itwasn'tsomuchthattheytoldmeso，buttheytoldothersaboutit。
　　TheyreallythoughtIwasgametothecore——wheninreality，asItellyou，Iwasinthedeadliestfunkyoueverheardof"
　　"That'sjustit，"saidPlowden，"thepartofyouwhichwasengagedinmakingmentalnotesoftheoccasionthoughtyouwerefrightened；wewillsaythatitwasitselffrightened。
　　Buttheotherpartofyou，thepartthatwastransactingbusiness，sotospeak——thatwasn'tintheleastalarmed。
　　Ifancyallborncommandersarebuiltlikethat。
　　DidyoueverseeGeneralGrant？"
　　Thorpeshookhishead。
　　"Whatremindedmeofhim——thereisanaccountinhisMemoirsofhowhefeltwhenhefirstwasgivenacommand，atthebeginningoftheCivilWar。Hewaslookingaboutfortheenemy，whowasknowntobeinthevicinity，andthenearerhegottowherethisenemyprobablywas，themorehegottimidandunnerved，hesays，untilitseemedasifcowardiceweregettingcompletemasteryofhim。
　　Andthensuddenlyitoccurredtohimthatverylikelytheenemywasjustasafraidofhimashewasoftheenemy，andthatmomenthisbraveryallreturnedtohim。
　　Hewentinandgavetheothermanaterriblethrashing。
　　Itdoesn'tapplytoyourcase，particularly——butIfancythatallreallybravemenhavethoseinnerconvictionsofweakness，evenwhiletheyarebehavinglikelions。
　　Thosemusthavebeenextraordinarilyinterestingexperiencesofyours——ontheplains。IwishIcouldhaveseensomethingofthatpartofAmericawhenI
　　wastherelastyear。Unfortunately，itdidn'tcomemyway。"
　　"IthoughtIrememberedyoursayingyou'dbeenWest。"
　　Plowdensmiled。"I'mafraidIdidthinkitwasWestatthetime。ButsincemyreturnI'vebeenwarnedthatImustn'tcallChicagoWest。ThatwasasfarasIwent。Ihadsomebusinessthere，orthoughtIhad。
　　Whenmyfatherdied，thatwasin1884，wefoundamonghispapersalotofbondsofsomecorporationpurportingtobecharteredbytheStateofIllinois。
　　Oursolicitorswroteseveralletters，buttheycouldfindoutnothingaboutthem，andtherethematterrested。
　　Finally，lastyear，whenIdecidedtomakethetrip，Irecollectedtheseoldbonds，andtookthemwithme。
　　Ithoughttheymightatleastpaymyexpenses。Butitwasn'ttheleastgood。Nobodyknewanythingaboutthem。
　　ItseemstheyrelatedtosomethingthatwasburnedupintheGreatFire——eitherthat，orhaddisappearedbeforethattime。
　　ThatfireseemstohaveoperatedliketheDeluge——itcancelledeverythingthathadhappenedpreviously。
　　Myunhappyfatherhadageniusforthatkindofinvestment。
　　Ishallhavegreatpleasureinshowingyoutomorrow，averypicturesqueandcomprehensivecollectionofConfederateBonds。Theirfacevalueis，asIrememberit，eightythousanddollars——thatis，sixteenthousandpounds。
　　Iwouldentertainwithjoyanofferofsixteenshillingsforthelot。Mydearfatherboughtthem——Ishouldnotbesurprisedtolearnthatheboughtthematapremium。
　　Iftheyevertouchedapremiumforaday，thatiscertainlythedaythathewouldhavehitupontobuy。
　　Oh，itwastoorare！Tooinspired！Heleftnearlyahundredthousandpounds'worthofpaper——thatis，onitsface——uponwhichthesolicitorsrealized，Ithinkitwasthirteenhundredpounds。It'shardtoimaginehowhegotthem——buttherewereactuallybondsamongthemissuedbyKossuth'sHungarianRepublicin1848。
　　Well——nowyoucanseethekindofinheritanceIcameinto，andIhaveabrotherandsistermoreorlesstolookafter，too。"
　　Thorpehadbeenlisteningtothesedetailswithanalmostexaggeratedexpressionofsympathyuponhisface。
　　Thevoiceinwhichhespokenowbetrayed，however，acertainnoteofincredulity。
　　"Yes，Iseethatwellenough，"heremarked。"ButwhatI
　　don'tperhapsquiteunderstand——well，thisisit。
　　Youhavethisplaceofyoursinthecountry，andpreservegameandsoon——butofcourseIseewhatyoumean。
　　It'swhatyou'vebeensaying。Whatanothermanwouldthinkacomfortableliving，ispovertytoamaninyourposition。"
　　"Oh，theplace，"saidPlowden。"Itisn'tmineatall。
　　Icouldneverhavekeptitup。Itbelongstomymother。
　　Itwasherfather'splace；ithasbeenintheirfamilyforhundredsofyears。Herfather，Idaresayyouknow，wasthelastEarlofHever。Thetitlediedwithhim。
　　Heleftthreedaughters，whoinheritedhisestates，andmymother，beingtheeldest，gottheKentishproperties。
　　OfcourseHadlowHousewillcometomeeventually，butitishersduringherlifetime。Imayspeakofitasmyplace，butthatismerelyafacondeparler；itisn'tnecessarytoexplaintoeverybodythatit'smymother's。
　　It'smyhome，andthat'senough。It'sadearoldplace。
　　Ican'ttellyouhowgladIamthatyou'regoingtoseeit。"
　　"I'mveryglad，too，"saidtheother，withunaffectedsincerity。
　　"AlltheambitionsIhaveintheworld，"thenoblemanwenton，sittinguprightnow，andspeakingwithaconfidentialseriousness，"centreroundHadlow。
　　ThatisthepartofmethatI'mkeenabout。ThePlowdensarethingsofyesterday。Mygrandfather，theChancellor，beganinaverysmallway，andwasneveranythingmorethanacleverlawyer，withaloudvoiceandahardheart，andatalentformoney-makingandpolitics。Hegotapeerageandheleftafortune。Myfather，forallhewasasoldier，hadamildvoiceandasoftheart。
　　Hegaveacertainmilitarydistinctiontothepeerage，butheplayedhell-and-tommywiththefortune。AndthenIcome：Ican'tbeeitheraChancellororaGeneral，andIhaven'tapennytoblessmyselfwith。Youcan'tthinkofamoreidioticboxforamantobein。Butnow——thankstoyou——therecomesthisprospectofanimmensechange。
　　IfIhavemoneyatmyback——atonceeverythingisdifferentwithme。PeoplewillrememberthenpromptlyenoughthatI
　　amaHadlow，aswellasaPlowden。Iwillmakethepartywhipsrememberit，too。Itwon'tbeaSecretary'sbilletinIndiaatfourhundredayearthatthey'llofferme，butaGovernorshipatsixthousand——thatis，ifIwishtoleaveEnglandatall。Andwe'llseewhichsetofwhipsaretohavethehonourofofferingmeanything。
　　Butallthatisintheair。It'senough，forthemoment，torealizethatthingshavereallycomemyway。Andaboutthat——aboutthesuccessoftheaffair——Isupposetherecanbenoquestionwhatever？"
　　"Nottheslightest，"Thorpeassuredhim。"RubberConsolscangouptoanyfigurewechoosetoname。"
　　LordPlowdenprofferedthecigarcaseagain，andoncemorehelpedhimselfafterhehadgivenhiscompanionalight。
　　Thenhethrewhimselfbackagainstthecushions，withalongsighofcontent。"I'mnotgoingtosayanotherwordaboutmyself，"heannounced，pleasantly。
　　"I'vehadmorethanmylegitimateinnings。Youmustn'tthinkthatIforgetforamomentthereverseofthemedal。
　　You'redoingwonderfulthingsforme。IonlywishitwereclearertomewhatthewonderfulthingsarethatI
　　candoforyou。"
　　"Oh，that'llbeallright，"saidtheother，rathervaguely。
　　"Perhapsit'salittleearlyforyoutohavemappedoutinyourmindjustwhatyouwanttodo，"Plowdenreflectedaloud。
　　"Ofcourseithascomesuddenlyuponyou——justasithasuponme。Therearethingsinplentythatwe'vedreamedofdoing，whilethepowertodothemwasalongwayoff。
　　Itdoesn'tatallfollowthatthesearethethingsweshallproceedtodo，whenthepowerisactuallyinourhands。
　　Buthaveyouanyplansatall？DoyoufancygoingintoParliament，forexample？"
　　"Yes，"answeredThorpe，meditatively。"IthinkIshouldliketogointoParliament。Butthatwouldbesomewayahead。IguessI'vegotmyplansworkedoutatriflemorethanyouthink。Theymaynotbeverydefinite，asregardsdetails，buttheirmaindirectionIknowwellenough。I'mgoingtobeanEnglishcountrygentleman。"
　　LordPlowdenvisiblywincedalittleatthisannouncement。
　　Heseemedannoyedattheconsciousnessthathehaddoneso，turningabruptlyfirsttostareoutofthewindow，thenshiftinghispositionontheseat，andatlaststealinganuneasyglancetowardhiscompanion。Apparentlyhistonguewasatalossforanappropriatecomment。
　　Thorpehadlostnoneoftheseunwillingtokensofembarrassment。
　　Plowdensawthatatonce，butitrelievedevenmorethanitsurprisedhimtoseealsothatThorpeappearednottomind。Theolderman，indeed，smiledingood-naturedifsomewhatironicalcomprehensionofthedumb-show。
　　"Oh，that'llbeallright，too，"hesaid，withtheevidentintentionofreassurance。"Icandoitrightenough，sofarasthebigthingsareconcerned。It'llbeinthelittlethingsthatI'llwantsomesteering。"
　　"I'vealreadytoldyou——youmaycommandmetotheutmostofmypower，"theotherdeclared。Uponreflection，hewasdisposedtobeashamedofhimself。Hisnervesandfacialmuscleshadbeenguiltyofanunpardonablelapseintosnobbishness——andtowardaman，too，whohadbeencapableofbehaviourmoredistinguishedinitscourtesyandgenerositythananyhehadencounteredinallthe"uppercircles"puttogether。Herecalledallatonce，moreover，thatThorpe's"h's"wereperfect——aud，forsomeoccultreason，thiscompletedhisconfusion。
　　"Mydearfellow"——hebeganagain，confrontingwithverbalawkwardnesstheother'squizzicalsmile——"don'tthinkI
　　doubtanythingaboutyou。Iknowwellenoughthatyoucandoanything——beanything——youlike。"
　　Thorpelaughedsoftly。
　　"Idon'tthinkyouknow，though，thatI'mapublic-
　　schoolman，"hesaid。
　　Plowdenliftedhisbrowsinunfeignedsurprise。
　　"No——Ididn'tknowthat，"headmitted，frankly。
　　"Yes，I'maPaul'sPigeon，"Thorpewenton，"astheycalledtheminmyday。That'sgoneoutnow，I'mtold，sincethey'vemovedtothebigbuildingsinHammersmith。
　　Ididverywellatschool，too；cameoutinthefirstfourteen。
　　Butmyfatherwouldn'tcarrythethinganyfurther。
　　HeinsistedonmygoingintotheshopwhenIleftSt。Paul'sandlearningthebook-business。Hehadpreciselythesamekindofdynasticidea，youknow，thatyoufellowshave。
　　Hisfatherandhisgrand-fatherhadbeenbooksellers，andhewasgoingtohandonthetraditiontome，andmysonafterme。Thatwashisidea。AndhethoughtthatPaul'swouldhelpthis——butthatOxfordwouldkillit。
　　"Ofcourse，hewasrightthere——buthewaswronginsupposingtherewasabooksellerinme。Ilikedthebookswellenough，mindyou——butdamnthepeoplethatcametobuythem，Icouldn'tstandit。Youstoodtwohourswatchingtoseethatmendidn'tputvolumesintheirpockets，andattheendofthattimeyou'dmadeaprofitofninepence。
　　Whileyouweredoinguptheparcel，somefellowwalkedoffwithabookwortheighteen-pence。Itwastooslowforme。
　　Ididn'thititoffwiththeoldman，either。Wedidn'tpreciselyquarrel，butIwentoffonmyownhook。
　　IhungaboutLondonforsomeyears，tryingthisthingandthat。OnceIstartedabook-shopofmyown——butI
　　didnogoodhere。FinallyIturneditupaltogether，andwenttoAustralia。Thatwasin1882。I'vebeeninalmosteveryquarteroftheglobesince；I'veknownwhatitwastobeshipwreckedinamonsoon，andI'velaindowninadesertnotexpectingtogetupagain，withmybelttightenedtoitslastholeforhunger——butIcan'trememberthatIeverwishedmyselfbackinmyfather'sbook-shop。"
　　Plowden'sfineeyessparkledhisappreciationoftheother'smood。Hewassilentforamoment，thenliftedhisheadasifsomethinghadoccurredtohim。
　　"Youwerespeakingoftheplanthatyoushouldsucceedtoyourfather'sbusiness——andyoursonafteryou——you'renotmarried，areyou？"
　　Thorpeslowlyshookhishead。
　　"Ourstationisthenext，"saidtheyoungerman。
　　"It'sadriveofsomethingundertwomiles。You'dbetterlightanothercigar。"Headded，asifuponacasualafterthought："Wecanbothofusthinkofmarryingnow。"
　　CHAPTERV
　　FORthenexttwohours，Thorpe'sthoughtswerealmostwhollyoccupiedwithvariousphasesofthelargesubjectofdomesticservice。Heseemedsuddenlytohavebeentransportedtosomeregionpopulatedexclusivelybyclean-shavenmeninbrownlivery。Oneofthesewasholdingaspiritedhorseoutsidethestation，andwhenLordPlowdenhadtakenthereins，andThorpehadgatheredtherugsabouthiskneesandfeet，thismenialsilentlyassociatedhimselfwiththeyoungmanwhohadaccompaniedthemfromtown，onthebackseatofthetrap。Withthesepeoplesoclosebehindhim，Thorpefeltthatanyintimateconversationwasoutofthequestion。Indeed，talkofanysortwasnotinvited；thebighorseburstforthwithhigh，sprawlingstridesuponacareerthroughthetwilight，oncethemainroadwasreached，whichittaxedallPlowden'senergiestoregulate。Hekeptupacontinualmurmuringmonologuetotheanimal——"So——so——quiet，mypet，——so——
　　so——easy，mybeauty——so——so"——andhiswristsandglovedhandswerevisiblyunderatremendoustensionofstrain，astheyheldtheirownagainsttherigidarchedneckandmouthofsteel。Thorpekeptagriponthesideofthetrap，andhadonlyamodifiedpleasureinthedrive。
　　Theroadalongwhichtheyspedseemed，inthegatheringdusk，uncomfortablynarrow，andhespeculatedagooddealastohowfrightenedthetwomutesbehindhimmustbe。
　　Butsilencewassuchalawoftheirlifethat，thoughhestrainedhisears，hecouldnotsomuchashearthemsighorgasp。
　　Itseemedbutaveryfewminutesbeforetheyturnedoff，withbutthemostfleetingdiminutionofpace，uponaprivateroad，whichspeedilydevelopedintoanavenueoftrees，quitedarkandapparentlynarrowerthanever。
　　Downthistheyracedprecipitately，andthen，comingoutallatonceuponanopenspace，swungsmartlyroundthecrescentofagravelroad，andhaltedbeforewhatseemedtobethedoorofagreenhouse。Thorpe，ashestoodupinthetrap，gotanuncertain，generalideaofalow，pale-colouredmansioninthebackground，withlightsshowingbehindcurtainsinseveralwidelyseparatedwindows；
　　whathehadtakentobeaconservatoryrevealeditselfnowtobeaglassgallery，builtalongthefrontofthecentralportionofthishouse。
　　Aprofusionofhospitablelights——tallwax-candlesinbracketsamongthevinesagainstthetrellisedwall——
　　gavetothisoutlyingentrancewhatthestrangerfelttobeadelightfuleffect。Itssmoothtiledfloor，comfortablybestrewnwithrugs，wasonalevelwiththepathoutside。Therewereloweasy-chairshere，andalittlewickertablebearingbooksandalady'swork-basket。
　　Furtheron，giantchrysanthemumbloomsweremassedbeneaththeclustersofpaleplumbago-flowersonthetrellis。
　　Directlyinfront，acrossthedozenfeetofthisglazedvestibule，thebroaddoorwayofthehouseproperstoodopen——withwarmlightsglowingrichlyupondarkwoodsintheluxuriousobscuritywithin。
　　WhatThorpenotedmostofall，however，wastheservantswhoseemedtoswarmeverywhere。Thetwowhohadalightedfromthetraphadcontrivedsomehowmysteriouslytomultiplythemselvesinthedarkness。Allatoncetherewereanumberofyoungmen——atthehorse'shead，atthebackandsidesofthetrap，atthefirstdoorway，andthesecond，andbeyond——eachpresentingsuchasmooth-faced，pallid，brown-cladreplicaofalltheothersthatThorpeknewheshouldneverbeabletotellthemapart。
　　LordPlowdenpausedforamomentunderthecandle-lighttolookathiswatch。"Wediditinabitovereightminutes，"
　　heremarked，withobvioussatisfaction。"Withfourpeopleandheavyroadsthat'snotsobad——notsobad。
　　Butcomeinside。"
　　TheymovedforwardthroughthewidedoorwayintoanapartmentthelikeofwhichThorpehadnotseenbefore。
　　Itwasalarge，squareroom，withabigstaircaseattheend，whichseparatedandwentofftorightandleft，half-wayupitsvisiblecourse。Itsfloorwasofinlaidwoods，oldandunevenfromlonguse，andcarpetedhereandtherebytheskinsoftigersandleopards。
　　Thereweremanyothersuggestionsofthechaseabouttheroom：ridingboots，whips，spurs，andsomestandsofarchaicweaponscaughttheeyeatvariouspoints；
　　theheadsoffoxesanddeerpeepedoutontheblackenedpanelsofthewalls，fromamongclustersofhookscrowdedwithcoats，hats，andmackintoshes。Attheright，whereafireglowedandblazedunderahugeopenchimney-place，therewerelowchairsanddivansdrawnuptomarkoffaspacefororderlydomesticoccupation。
　　Theirregularityofeverythingoutside——thegreattableinthecentreofthehallstrewnwithanincongruouslitterofcaps，books，flasks，newspapers，gloves，tobacco-pouches；
　　theshoes，slippers，andleggingsscatteredunderthebenchesatthesides——allthisself-renewingdisorderofacarelesshouseholdstruckThorpewithaprofoundsurprise。
　　ItwaslikenothingsomuchasaMexicanranch——andtofinditintheancestralhomeofanEnglishnobleman，filledtooverflowingwithservants，amazedhim。
　　Theglancesthathecastabouthim，however，wereimpassiveenough。Hismindwaschargedwiththeceaselessresponsibilityofbeingastonishedatnothing。
　　Amantookhishat，andhelpedhimoffwithhiscoat。
　　Anothermovedtowardthestaircasewithhistwobags。
　　"IfyouwillfollowPangbourn，"saidhishost，indicatingthisseconddomestic，"hewilllookafteryou。
　　Youwouldliketogoupandchangenow，wouldn'tyou？
　　There'safireinyourroom。"
　　Thusdismissed，hewentupthestairsinthewakeofhisportmanteaus，takingtheturningtotheleft，andthenproceedingbyalong，lowpassage，roundmorethanonecorner，towhatheconceivedtobeawingofthehouse。
　　Theservantusheredhimintoaroom——and，indespiteofhimself，hesighedwithpleasureatthesightofit。
　　Theprettiestandmostcharmingofroomsitseemedtohimtobe——spaciousandquaintlyramblinginshape，withadelicately-figuredchintzrepeatingthedaintyeffectsofthewallsuponthecurtainsandcarpetandbed-hangingsandchair-covers，andwithabrightfireinthegratethrowingitswarm，cozyglowovereverything。
　　Helookedatthepicturesonthewalls，atthephotographsandlittleornamentsonthewritingdesk，andthehighpostsandsilkencoverletofthebigbed，and，secureintheavertedfaceoftheservant，smiledrichlytohimself。
　　Thisservant，kneeling，hadunstrappedandopenedthenewbags。Thorpelookedtoseehimquittheroom，thistaskaccomplished，andwasconsciousofsomethinglikedismayatthediscoverythatheintendedtounpackthemaswell。Pangbournbegangravelytounwraponepaperparcelafteranotherandtoassorttheircontentsinlittleheapsonthesofabesidehim。Hediditdeftly，imperturbably，asifallthegentlemenhehadeverseencarriedtheirbelongingsinpackagesdoneupbytradesmen。
　　Thorpe'simpulsetobidhimdesistframeditselfinwordsonthetipofhistongue——buthedidnotutterthesewords。
　　Aftercirclingidly，handsinpockets，aboutthemanandthebagsforalittletime，heinventedsomethingwhichitseemedbetterforhimtosay。
　　"Idon'tknowwhatyou'llbeabletomakeofthosethings，"
　　heremarked，casually。"Mymanhasbeenbuyingthemtoday——andIdon'tknowwhathemayn'thaveforgotten。
　　Mywholeoutfitofthatsortofthingwentastrayorwasstolenatsomestationorother——thefirstpartoftheweek——IthinkitmusthavebeenLeeds。"
　　"Yes，sir，"saidPangbourn，withoutemotion。
　　"They'reverycareless，sir。"
　　Hewentonimpassively，shakingouttheblackgarmentsandspreadingthemonthebed，layingoutashirtandtiebesidethem，andarrangingtherazors，strop，andbrushesonthedressing-table。Heseemedtoforeseeeverything——fortherewasnotaninstant'shesitationintheclock-likeassiduityofhismovements，ashebestowedhandkerchiefs，inonedrawer，socksinanother，hungpyjamasbeforethefire，andsetthepatent-leatherpumpsagainstthefender。
　　EventheoldMexicanshooting-suitseemedinnowaytodisconcerthim。Hedrewforthitsconstituentelementsaswithapractisedhand；whenhehadhungthemup，sombreroandall，inthewardrobeagainstthewall，theyhadthetrickofmakingthatvenerableoakenreceptaclelookasifithadbeenfashionedexpresslyforthem。
　　Thorpe'searlieruneasinessquitelostitselfinhisadmirationforPangbourn'sresourcefuldexterity。
　　Thedelightedthoughtthatnowhewouldbeneedingamanlikethisforhimselfcrossedhismind。ConceivablyhemightevengetthisidenticalPangbourn——treasurethoughhewere。
　　Moneycouldcommandeverythingonthisbroadglobe——andwhynotPangbourn？Hetentativelyfeltofthecoinsinhispocket，asitbecameapparentthattheman'staskwasnearingcompletion——andthenfrownedathimselfforforgettingthatthesethingswerealwaysreservedfortheendofavisit。
　　"Willyoudressnow，sir？"askedPangbourn。Hissoft，distinctenunciationconveyedthesuggestionofcenturiesoftraining。
　　"Eh？"saidThorpe，findinghimselfforthemomentbehindtheother'sthought。
　　"Shallyourequiremeanyfurther，sir？"themanreframedthequestion，deferentially。
　　"Oh！Oh——no，"repliedThorpe。"No——I'llgetalongallright。"
　　Lefttohimself，hebeganhurriedlythetaskofshavinganddressing。Thecandlesoneithersideofthethick，bevelledswingingmirrorpresentedasomewhatembarrassingcontrasttotheelectriclighthewasusedto——butuponsecondthoughthepreferredthisrestrainedaristocraticglimmer。
　　Hehadcompletedhistoilet，andwasstandingatthebay-window，withhisshoulderholdingbacktheedgeofthecurtain，lookingoutuponthedarkenedlawnandwonderingwhetherheoughttogodownstairsorwaitforsomeonetosummonhim，whenheheardaknockathisdoor。
　　Beforehecouldanswer，thedooropened，andhemadeoutinthecandle-andfirelightthatitwasLordPlowdenwhohadcomein。Hesteppedforwardtomeethishostwho，cladnowinevening-clothes，wassmokingacigarette。
　　"Havetheylookedafteryouallright？"saidPlowden，nonchalantly。"Haveacigarettebeforewegodown？Lightitbythecandle。Theyneverwillkeepmatchesinabedroom。"
　　Heseatedhimselfinaneasy-chairbeforethefire，ashespoke，andstretchedouthisshiningslipperstowardthegrate。"IthoughtI'dtellyoubeforewewentdown"——hewenton，asThorpe，withanelbowonthemantel，lookeddownathishandsomehead——"mysisterhasacoupleofladiesvisitingher。OneofthemIthinkyouknow。
　　DoyourememberonshipboardaMissMadden——anAmerican，youknow——verytallandfine，withbrightredhair——ratherremarkablehairitwas？"
　　"Irememberthelady，"saidThorpe，uponreflection，"butwedidn'tmeet。"Hecouldnotwhollydivesthistoneofthehintthatinthosedaysitbynomeansfollowedthatbecausehesawladiesitwasopentohimtoknowthem。
　　LordPlowdensmiledalittle。"Oh，you'lllikeher。
　　She'sgreatfun——ifshe'sinthemood。Mymotherandsister——I
　　hadthemcallonherinLondonlastspring——andtheytookagreatfancytoher。She'sgotnoendofmoney，youknow——atleastamillionandahalf——dollars，unfortunately。
　　HerparentswereIrish——herfathermadehispileinthewaggonbusiness，Ibelieve——butshe'sasAmericanasifthey'dcrossedoverin——whatwasit，the'Sunflower'？——no，the'Mayflower。'Marvelouscountryforassimilation，thatAmericais！YourememberwhatItoldyou——it'sputsuchamarkonyouthatIshouldneverhavedreamtyouwereEnglish。"
　　Thorpeobservedhiscompanion，throughabluehazeofsmoke，insilence。Thisinsistenceupontheun-Englishnatureoftheeffectheproducedwasnotaltogethergratefultohisears。
　　"Theotherone，"continuedPlowden，"isLadyCressage。
　　You'llbeinterestedinher——becauseafewyearsagoshewassupposedtobethemostbeautifulwomaninLondon。
　　Shemarriedashockingbounder——hewouldhavebeenDukeofGlastonbury，though，ifhehadlived——buthewasdrowned，andshewasleftpoorasachurchmouse。
　　Oh！bytheway！"hestartedup，withagleamofarousedinterestonhisface——"itdidn'tintheleastoccurtome。Why，she'sadaughterofourGeneralKervick。
　　HowdidhegetontheBoard，bytheway？Wheredidyoupickhimup？"
　　Thorpebenthisbrowsinpuzzledlines。"Why，youintroducedmetohimyourself，didn'tyou？"heasked，slowly。
　　Plowdenseemedunaffectedlysurprisedatthesuggestion，asheturneditoverinhismind。"ByGeorge！Ithinkyou'reright，"hesaid。"I'dquiteforgottenit。
　　OfcourseIdid。Letmesee——ohyes，Ireconstructitreadilyenoughnow。Pooroldchappie——heneedsallhecanget。Hewasbotheringheraboutmoney——thatwasit，Iremembernow——butwhatanidiotIwastoforgetit。
　　ButwhatIwassaying——there'snooneelsebutmymotherandsister，andmybrotherBalder。He'sayoungster——twentyorthereabouts——andhepurportstobereadingforhisexamsfortheArmy。Iftheyopenedhishead，though，Idoubtifthey'dfindanythingbutcricketandfootball，unlessitmightbeabitofgolf。Well——that'stheparty。
　　Ithoughtyoumightliketohaveanotionoftheminadvance。
　　Ifyou'vefinishedyourcigarette"——hethrewhisownintothegrate，androseashespoke——"wemayaswellbemovingalong。Bytheway，"heconcluded，astheywalkedtowardthedoor，"I'veanideathatwewon'tsayanything，justatthemoment，aboutourgreatcoup。Ishouldliketokeepitasalittlesurprise——formymotherandsister，youknow。"
　　Sometwohourslater，Thorpefoundtheleisureandtherestoredequanimityneedfulforadispassionatesurveyofhissurroundings。Hehadbecometemporarilydetachedfromthegroupoverbythefireplaceinthebigdrawing-roomandwasforthefirsttimethateveningverymuchathisease。Itwasallmuchsimpler，uponexperiment，thanhehadfeared。Hestoodnowinacorneroftheornateapartment，whitherhehadwanderedinexaminingthepicturesonthewalls，andcontemplatedwithserenitythefivepeoplewhomhehadleftbehindhim。Hewasconsciousoftheconvictionthatwhenherejoinedthem，itwouldbeonanewfootingofassuredequality。
　　Heknewnowtheexactmeasureofeverything。
　　TheHon。BalderPlowden——atall，heavily-builtyouth，withenormousshouldersandthick，hardhands，andpalestraw-colouredhairandbrowsandeyelashes——hadamiablysaunteredbesidehim，andwaselucidatingforhisbenefitnow，inslow，haltingundertones，someunfathomablemysteryconnectedwiththevaryingattitudeoftwodistinctbreedsofterrierstowardrats。Acrosstheroom，justwithinreachoftheflickeringruddyfirelightfromthehearth，theAmericanguest，MissMadden，wasseatedatthepiano，playingsomelowandratherdolefulmusic。Thorpebenthishead，andassumedanairofattention，butintruthhelistenedtoneithertheHonourableBaldernorthepiano。
　　Histhoughtswereconcentratedjealouslyuponhisownpositioninthisnovelsetting。Hesaidtohimselfthatitwasallright。OldLadyPlowdenhadseemedtolikehimfromthestart。Thegenial，ifsomewhatabstracted，motherlinessofherwelcomehadbeen，indeed，hissheetanchorthroughouttheevening。Shehadnotoncefailedtonodherheadandsmileandtwinkleherlittlekindeyesthroughtheirspectaclesathim，wheneverbywordorlookhehadaddressedher。Nordidhisoriginalhalf-suspicion，thatthiswashermannertopeopleingeneral，justifyitselfuponobservation。Shewascivil，evenexcessivelycivil，totheothertwoguests，buttheseladiesdidnotgetthesameeagerandintentsmilethathecouldcommand。
　　HereasoneditoutthatPlowdenmusthavesaidsomethingpleasanttohismotherabouthim——perhapseventothepointofexplainingthathewastobethearchitectoftheirfortunes——buthedidnotliketoascribeallherhospitablewarmthtothat。Itwasdeartohimtobelievethatshelikedhimonhisownmerits——andhedidbelieveit，ashissoftenedglanceresteduponherwhereshesatalmostfacinghiminherpadded，wickerchair——small，white-haired，rosy-cheeked，herintelligentfaceradiatingakindofalertplaciditywhichsomehowmadehimfeelathome。
　　Hehadnotbeenasmuchathomewiththeothers。
　　TheHonourableBalder，ofcourse，didn'tcount；nobodypaidattentiontohim，andleastofallabusyRubberKing。
　　HegavenotmuchmoreheedtotheAmerican——thetallyoungwomanwiththeredhairandthemillionandahalfofdollars。Shewasplainlyavisitorlikehimself，notatallidentifiedwiththeinnerlifeofthehousehold。
　　Hefancied，moreover，thatsheinnowaydesiredtobethusidentified。Sheseemedtocarryherselfwithadeliberatealoofnessunderlyinghersurfaceamiability。
　　Thenhehadspokenhisfewwordswithher，onceortwice，hehadgotthiseffectofstonyreserveclosebeneathhersmileandsmoothwords。True，thismightmeanonlythatshefeltherselfoutofherelement，justashedid——buttohim，reallyitdidnotmatterwhatshefelt。
　　Ayearago——why，yes，evenafortnightago——thegoldenrumourofmillionswouldhaveshoneroundherauburnhairinhiseyeslikeahalo。Butallthatwaschanged。
　　Calculatedinasolidifiedcurrency，herreportedfortuneshranktoamerethreehundredthousandpounds。Itwasarespectablesumforawomantohave，nodoubt，butitdidnothingtoquickenthecoolindifferencewithwhichheconsideredher。
　　Thetwootheryoungwomenweredifferent。Theywereseatedtogetheronasofa，soplacedasregardedhispointofview，thathesawonlyinparttheshadowedprofilesofthefacestheyturnedtowardthepiano。Althoughitwasnotvisibletohim，thepostureoftheirshoulderstoldhimthattheywerelisteningtothemusiceachholdingtheother'shand。
　　Thistacitembracewastypicalinhismindofthewaytheyhungtogether，thesetwoyoungwomen。Ithadbeenforceduponhisperceptionsalltheevening，thatthisfair-haired，beautiful，ratherstatelyLadyCressage，andthesmall，swarthy，round-shouldereddaughterofthehouse，peeringthroughherpince-nezfromunderundulythickblackbrows，formedapartyoftheirown。
　　Theirpolitenesstowardhimhadbeenasidenticalinallitslittleshadesofdistanceandreservationasiftheyhadbeengovernedfromasinglebrain-centre。Itwouldbeunfairtothemtoassumefromtheirmannerthattheydislikedhim，orwereevenunfavourablyimpressedbyhim。
　　Thefinesseofthatmannerwasfartoodelicateathingtocallintousesuchroughcharacterizations。Itwasrathertheiractionasaunitwhichpiquedhisinterest。
　　HethoughthecouldseethattheyuniteduponacommondemeanourtowardtheAmericangirl，althoughofcoursetheyknewhermuchbetterthantheyknewhim。ItwasnotevencleartohimthattherewerenottracesofthiscombinationintheirtonetowardPlowdenandtheHonourableBalder。
　　Thebondbetweenthemhadtwistedinitstrandsofsocialexclusiveness，andstrandsofsexsympathy。
　　Hedidnotanalyzeallthiswithmuchclosenessinhisthoughts，buttheimpressionsofitweredistinctenoughtohim。
　　Heratherenjoyedtheseimpressionsthanotherwise。
　　Womenhadnotofteninterestedhimconsecutivelytoanylargedegree，eitherindetailorasawhole。
　　Hehadformulated，amongotherloosegeneralnotionsofthem，however，theideathattheirfailuretostandbyoneanotherwasoneoftheirgravestweaknesses。
　　Thispropositionrosesuddenlynowinhismind，andclaimedhisattention。Itbecameapparenttohim，allatonce，thathisopinionsaboutwomenwouldbehenceforthinvestedwithanewimportance。Hehadscarcelybeforeinhislifeworneveningdressinadomesticcirclewhichincludedladies——certainlyneverinthepresenceofsuchcertificatedandhall-markedladiesasthese。
　　Hisfuture，however，wastobefilledwithexperiencesofthisnature。Already，afterthisbriefestofventuresintothenewlife，hefoundfreshconceptionsofthegreatsubjectspringingupinhisthoughts。Inthismatterofwomenstickingtogether，forexample——herebeforehiseyeswasoneoftheprettiestinstancesofitimaginable。
　　Ashelookedagainatthetwofiguresonthesofa，somarkedlyunlikeinoutwardaspect，yetknittoeachotherinsuchasisterlybond，hefoundthespectaclereallytouching。
　　LadyCressagehadinclinedherclassicprofileevenmoretowardthepiano。Thorpewasnotstirredatallbythemusic，butthespiritofitasitwasreflecteduponthisbeautifulfacialoutline——sensitive，high-spirited，somewhatsadwithal——appealedtosomethinginhim。
　　Hemovedforwardcautiously，noiselessly，adozenrestrictedpaces，andhaltedagainatthecornerofatable。
　　ItwasareliefthattheHonourableBalder，thoughhefollowedalong，respectednowhisobviouswishforsilence。
　　ButneitherBaldernoranyoneelsecouldguessthatthemusicsaidlessthannothingtohisears——thatitwasthefacethathadbeckonedhimtoadvance。
　　Covertly，withmomentaryassurancesthatnooneobservedhim，hestudiedthisfaceandmuseduponit。Thewhitecandle-lightontheshiningwallbeyondthreweverythingintoasoft，uniformshadow，thissideofthethreadofdarktracerywhichoutlinedforeheadandnoseandlipsandchin。
　　Itseemedtohimthattheeyeswereclosed，asinreverie；
　　hecouldnotbesure。
　　SoshewouldhavebeenaDuchessifherhusbandhadlived！Hesaidtohimselfthathehadneverseenbefore，orimagined，afacewhichbelongedsoindubitablybeneathatiaraofstrawberryleavesindiamonds。
　　Theprideandgraceandcomposure，yes，andmelancholy，ofthegreatlady——theywereallthereintheirsupremeexpression。Andyet——why，shewasnogreatladyatall。
　　ShewasthedaughterofhisoldGeneralKervick——thenecessitousandhaughtily-humbleoldmilitarygentleman，withthegreymoustacheandtheprematurefurcoat，whodidwhathewastoldontheBoardwithoutaquestion，forapitifulthreehundredayear。Yes——shewashisdaughter，andshealsowaspoor。Plowdenhadsaidso。
　　WhyhadPlowden，bytheway，beensokeenaboutrelievingherfromherfather'simportunities？Hemusthavehaditverymuchatheart，tohaveinventedtheroundaboutplanofgettingtheoldgentlemanadirectorship。
　　Butno——therewasnothinginthat。Why，PlowdenhadevenforgottenthatitwashewhosuggestedKervick'sname。
　　Itwouldhavebeenhissister，ofcourse，whowasevidentlysuchchumswithLadyCressage，whogavehimthehinttohelptheGeneraltosomethingifhecould。
　　Andwhenyoucametothinkofit，thesearistocratsandmilitarymenandsoon，hadnoothernotionofmakingmoneysavebydirectorships。Clearly，thatwasthewayofit。
　　PlowdenhadrememberedKervick'sname，whenthechancearosetogivetheoldboyalegup，andthenhadcleanforgottenthecircumstance。TheepisoderatherincreasedhislikingforPlowden。
　　Heglancedbriefly，undertheimpulseofhisthought，towherethepeersat，orrathersprawled，inabiglowchairbeforethefire。Hewassonearlyrecumbentinit，indeed，thattherewasnothingtobeseenofhimbutanelbow，andtwoverytrimlegsextendedtothebrassfender。
　　Thorpe'sgazerevertedautomaticallytothefaceofGeneralKervick'sdaughter。HewonderedifsheknewabouttheCompany，andabouthim，andabouthisabilitytosolidifytoanyextentherfather'sfinancialposition。
　　Evenmore，uponreflection，hewonderedwhethershewasveryfondofherfather；wouldshebeextremelygratefultoonewhoshouldrenderhimsecurelycomfortableforlife？MissMaddenrosefromthepianobeforeThorpenotedthatthemusichadceased。Therecamefromtheothersasoftbutferventchorusofexclamations，thesincerityandenthusiasmofwhichmadehimalittleashamed。
　　Hehadevidentlybeendeaftosomethingthatdeeplymovedtherest。EvenBaldermaderemarkswhichseemedtoberegardedasapposite。
　　"WhatISit？"askedLadyCressage，withobviousfeeling。
　　"Idon'tknowwhenanythinghastouchedmesomuch。"
　　"OldDanishsongsthatIpickeduponthequaiinParisforafrancortwo，"repliedMissMadden。
　　"Iarrangedandharmonizedthem——and，oddlyenough，theresultisratherKeltic，don'tyouthink？"
　　"WeareallofusKeltsinourwelcometomusic——andmusicians——likethis，"affirmedLordPlowden，whohadscrambledtohisfeet。
　　Withsuddenresolution，Thorpemovedforwardandjoinedtheconversation。