CHAPTERXV
　　We'vegotaspareroomhere，haven'twe？"Thorpeaskedhisniece，whenshecameouttogreethiminthehalloftheirnewhomeinOvingtonSquare。Hespokewithpalpableeagernessbeforeevenunbuttoninghisdampgreat-coat，orputtingoffhishat。"Imeanit'sallinworkingorderreadyforuse？"
　　"Whyyes，uncle，"Juliaanswered，afteramoment'sthought。
　　"Issomeonecoming？"
　　"Ithinkso，"hereplied，withagruntofrelief。
　　Heseemedincreasinglypleasedwiththeprojecthehadinmind，asshehelpedhimoffwithhisthings。
　　Thesmilehegaveher，whensheplayfullytookhisarmtoleadhimintotheadjoininglibrary，wasclearlybutapartofthesatisfiedgrinwithwhichhewasconsideringsomedevelopmentinhisownaffairs。
　　Hegotintohisslippersandintotheeasy-chairbeforethebrightfireandlitacigarwithacontentedair。
　　"Well，mylittlegirl？"hesaid，withgenialinconsequence，andsmiledagainather，whereshestoodbesidethemantel。
　　"Itwillbesuchalarktoplaythehostesstoastranger！"
　　sheexclaimed。"Whenishecoming？——Isupposeitisa'he，'"sheadded，lessbuoyantly。
　　"Oh——thatfellow，"Thorpesaid，asifhehadbeenthinkingofsomethingelse。"Well——Ican'ttelljustwhenhewillturnup。Ionlylearnedhewasintown——orinEngland——acoupleofhoursago。Ihaven'tseenhimyetatall。
　　Idroveroundtohislodgings，neartheBritishMuseum，buthewasn'tthere。Heonlycomestheretosleep，buttheytoldmeheturnedinearly——bynineo'clockorso。
　　ThenIwentroundtoahotelandwroteanoteforhim，andtookitbacktohislodgings，andleftitforhim。
　　Itoldhimtopackuphisthingsassoonashegotit，anddrivehere，andmakethishishome——forthetimebeingatleast。"
　　"Thenit'ssomeoldfriendofyours？"saidthegirl。
　　"IknowIshalllikehim。"
　　Thorpelaughedsomewhatuneasily。"Well——yes——he'sakindofafriendofmine，"hesaid，withanoteofhesitationinhisvoice。"Idon'tknow，though，thatyou'llthinkmuchofhim。Heaintwhatyou'dcallaladies'man。"
　　Helaughedagainatsomethoughtthewordsconjuredup。
　　"He'sacurious，simpleoldparty，who'djustlikeacomfortablecornersomewherebyhimself，andwouldn'texpecttobetalkedtoorentertainedatall。Ifhedoescome，he'llkeeptohimselfprettywell。Hewouldn'tbeanycompanyforyou。Imean，——foryouorAlfredeither。
　　Ithinkhe'saCanadianorWestIndian，——Britishsubject，atallevents，——buthe'slivedallhislifeintheWest，andhewouldn'tknowwhattodoinadrawing-room，orthatsortofthing。You'dbetterjustnotpayanyattentiontohim。Passthetimeofday，ofcourse，butthat'sall。"
　　Julia'salert，small-featuredfaceexpressedsomevaguedisappointmentatwhatsheheard，butherwordswerecheerfulenough。"Ohofcourse——whateverhelikesbest，"
　　shesaid。"IwilltellPottertomakeeverythingready。
　　Isupposethere'snochanceofhisbeinghereintimefordinner？"
　　Thorpeshookhishead，andthenliftedhisbrowsoversomenewperplexity。"Iguesshe'dwanttoeathismealsout，anyway，"hesaid，aftersomethought。
　　"Idon'tseemtoremembermuchabouthiminthatrespect——
　　ofcourse，everythingwassodifferentincampoutinMexico——butIdaresayhewouldn'tbemuchofanornamentatthetable。However，that'llbeallright。He'saseasytomanageasarabbit。IfItoldhimtoeatontheroof，he'ddoitwithoutamurmur。Youseeit'sthisway，Julia：he'sascientificman——akindofgeologist，andminingexpertandrubberexpert——andchemicalexpertandallsortofthings。Isupposehemusthavegonethroughcollege——verylikelyhe'llturnouttohavebettermannersthanIwasgivinghimcreditfor。
　　I'veonlyseenhimintherough，sotospeak。Weweren'tatallintimatethen，——butwehaddealingstogether，andtherearecertainimportantreasonswhyIshouldkeepcloseintouchwithhimwhilehe'shereinLondon。
　　ButI'lltryanddothatwithoutlettingyoubebothered。"
　　"Whatanidea！"criedJulia。"Asifthatwasn'twhatwehadthehousefor——toseethepeopleyouwanttosee。"
　　Herunclesmiledratherruefully，andlookedinaratherdubiouswayathiscigar。"Betweenyouandmeandthelamp-post，Jule，"hesaid，withaslow，whimsicaldrawl，"thereisn'tafellowintheworldthatIwantedtoseelessthanIdidhim。Butsincehe'shere——why，we'vegottomakethebestofit。"
　　Afterdinner，Thorpesufferedtheyoungsterstogouptothedrawing-roominthetacitunderstandingthatheshouldprobablynotseethemagainthatnight。
　　Hebetookhimselfthenoncemoretothelibrary，asitwascalled——thelittle，cozy，dark-panelledroomoffthehall，wheretheownerofthehousehadlefttwolockedbookcases，andwhereThorpehimselfhadinstalledawriting-deskandadiminutivesafeforhispapers。Thechiefpurposeofthesmallapartment，however，wasindicatedbythetwobig，round，low-seatedeasy-chairsbeforethehearth，andbythecigarboxesandspirit-standandtumblersvisiblebehindtheglassofthecabinetagainstthewall。
　　Thorpehimselfcalledtheroomhis"snuggery，"andspentmanyhoursthereinslipperedcomfort，smokingandgazingcontentedlyintothefire。SometimesJuliareadtohim，ashesatthusathisease，butthenhealmostinvariablywenttosleep。
　　Now，whenhehadpouredoutsomewhiskeyandwaterandlitacigar，theloungingchairssomehowdidnotattracthim。
　　Hemovedaboutaimlesslyinthecircumscribedspace，hishandsinhispockets，hisburlyshouldersrounded，hisfacedulledandheavyaswithadepressionofdoubt。
　　Thesoundofthepianoupstairscameintermittentlytohisears。Oftenheascendedtothedrawing-roomtohearJuliaplay——andmoreoftenstill，withallthedoorsopen，heenjoyedthemellowedmurmurofhermusichereathiseaseinthebigchair。Buttonighthehadnojoyinthenoise。
　　morethanonce，asheslouchedrestlesslyroundtheroom，thenotionofaskinghertostopsuggesteditself，butheforboretoputitintoaction。Oncehebusiedhimselfforatimeinkneelingbeforehissafe，andscrutinizingindetailthepapersinoneofthebundlesitcontained。
　　Atlast——itwasafterteno'clock，andthemusicabovehadceased——thewelcomesoundsofcab-wheelswithout，andthenofthedoor-bell，cametodispelhisfidgetingsuspense。
　　Ontheinstanthestraightenedhimself，andhisfacerearrangeditsexpression。Hefasteneduponthedooroftheroomthecontrolled，calmglanceofonewhoiseasilyconfidentaboutwhatistohappen。
　　"Quaker-looking"wasnotaninaptphraseforthepersonwhomthemaidusheredintotheroomthroughthisdoor。
　　Hewasasmall，thin，elderlyman，bowedoffigureandshufflingingait。Hiscoatandlarge，low-crownedhat，thoughwornalmosttoshabbiness，conveyedanindefinablesenseofsometheologicalstandard，orpretencetosuchastandard。
　　Hismeagreface，too，withitsinfinityofanxiousyetmeaninglesslines，anditsdimspectacledeyes，soplainlyovertaxedbytheefforttodiscernanythingclearly，mighthavebelongedtoanyoldvillagepriestgrownchildishandblear-eyedinthesolitudeofstupidbooks。
　　Eventheblotchesoftell-talecolouronhislongnosewerenotaltogetherunclericalintheirsuggestion。
　　Apooroldmanheseemed，ashestoodblinkingintheelectriclightofthestrange，warmapartment——ahelpless，wornoldcreature，inuredthroughlongyearstobleakadversewinds，hopingnowfornothingbetterinthisworldthanpresentshelter。
　　"Howdoyoudo，Mr。Thorpe，"hesaid，afteramoment，withnervousformality。"Thisisunexpectedlykindofyou，sir。"
　　"Why——notatall！"saidThorpe，shakinghimcordiallybythehand。"Whathavewegothousesfor，buttoputupouroldfriends？Andhowareyou，anyway？You'vebroughtyourbelongings，haveyou？That'sright！"Heglancedintothehall，tomakesurethattheywerebeingtakenupstairs，andthenclosedthedoor。"Isupposeyou'vedined。
　　Takeoffyourhatandcoat！Makeyourselfathome。
　　That'sit——takethebigchair，there——so！Andnowlet'shavealookatyou。Well，Tavender，myman，youhaven'tgrownanyyounger。ButIsupposenoneofusdo。
　　Andwhat'llyouhavetodrink？Itakeplainwaterinmine，butthere'ssodaifyoupreferit。Andwhichshallitbe——IrishorScotch？"
　　Mr。Tavender'scountenancerevealedtheextremityofhissurpriseandconfusionatthewarmthofthiswelcome。
　　Itapparentlyawedhimaswell，forthoughheshrankintoacornerofthehugechair，hepainstakinglyabstainedfromrestinghisheadagainstitsback。Uncovered，thisheadgainedacertaindignityofeffectfromthefashioninwhichthethin，iron-greyhair，partedinthemiddle，fellawayfromthefull，intellectualtemples，andcurledinmeeklocksuponhiscollar。AvagueresemblancetothetypeofWesley——orwasitFroebel？——mighthavehinteditselftotheobserver'smind。
　　Thorpe'sthoughts，however，werenotupontypes。
　　"Well"——hesaid，fromtheoppositechair，inhisroundest，heartiestvoice，whentheotherhadwithdiffidencesufferedhimselftobeserved，andhaddeferentiallylightedononesidethebigcigarpresseduponhim——"Well——andhow'stheworldbeenusingyou？"
　　"Notveryhandsomely，Mr。Thorpe，"theotherresponded，inahushed，constrainedtone。
　　"Oh，chucktheMisters！"Thorpebadehim。"Aren'tweoldpals，man？You'replainTavender，andI'mplainThorpe。"
　　"You'reverykind，"murmuredTavender，stillabashed。
　　Forsomeminuteshecontinuedtoreplydolefully，andwithakindofshamefacedreluctance，tothequestionspileduponhim。Hewasinevilluck：nothinghadgonewellwithhim；ithadbeenwiththegreatestdifficultythathehadscrapedtogetherenoughtogetbacktoLondononthechanceofobtainingsomeexpertcommission；
　　practicallyhepossessednothingintheworldbeyondtheclothesonhisback，andthecontentsoftwooldcarpet-bags——theseadmissions，bydegrees，werewormedfromhim。
　　"Buthaveyoupartedwiththeconcession，then，thatyouboughtfromme？"Thorpesuddenlyaskedhim。"Helpyourselftosomemorewhiskey！"
　　Tavendersighedashetippedthedecanter。"Itisn'tanygood，"heanswered，sadly。"TheGovernmentrepudiatesit——thatis，theCentralGovernmentatMexico。Ofcourse，Ineverblamedyou。Iboughtitwithmyeyesopen，andyousolditinperfectgoodfaith。Ineverdoubtedthatatall。Butit'snotworththepaperit'swrittenon——that'scertain。It'sthatthatbustedme——that，andsomeotherthings。"
　　"Well——well！"saidThorpe，blankly。Hisastonishmentwasobviouslygenuine，andforalittleitkepthimsilent，whileheponderedthenovelaspectsofthesituationthusdisclosed。Thenhiseyesbrightened，asanewpathoutlineditself。
　　"Isupposeyou'vegotthepapers？——theconcessionandmytransfertoyouandallthat？"heasked，casually。
　　"Oh，yes，"repliedTavender。Headded，withagleamofreturningself-command——"That'sallIhavegot。"
　　"Let'ssee——whatwasityoupaidme？——Threethousandeighthundredpounds，wasn'tit？"
　　Tavendermadeacalculationinmentalarithmetic。
　　"Yes，somethinglikethat。Justundernineteenthousanddollars，"hesaid。
　　"Well，"remarkedThorpe，withslowemphasis，"Iwon'tallowyoutosufferthatwaybyme。I'llbuyitbackfromyouatthesamepriceyoupaidforit。"
　　Tavender，beginningtotremble，jerkedhimselfuprightinhischair，andstaredthroughhisspectaclesathisastoundinghost。"Yousay"——hegasped——"yousayyou'llbuyitback！"
　　"Certainly，"saidThorpe。"That'swhatIsaid。"
　　"I——Ineverheardofsuchathing！"theotherfalteredwithincreasingagitation。"No——youcan'tmeanit。
　　Itisn'tcommonsense！"
　　"It'scommondecency，"repliedthebigman，inhismostcommandingmanner。"It'slifeanddeathtoyou——anditdoesn'tmatteraflea-bitetome。So，sinceyoucametogriefthroughme，whyshouldn'tIdothefairthing，andputyoubackonyourlegsagain？"
　　Tavender，staringnowatthoseshrunkenlegsofhis，breathedheavily。Thethingoverwhelmedhim。
　　Onceortwiceheliftedhisheadandessayedtospeak，butnospeechcametohisthinlips。Hemoistenedthemeventuallywithalongdeliberatepullathisglass。
　　"Thismuchoughttobeunderstood，however，"Thorperesumed，reflectinguponhiswordsashewentalong。"IfI'mtobuybackadeadhorse，likethat，it'sonlyreasonablethatthereshouldbeconditions。Isupposeyou'veseenbythistimethatevenifthisconcessionofourswasrecognizedbytheGovernmenttherewouldn'tbeanymoneyinittospeakof。Ididn'trealizethattwoyearsago，anymorethanyoudid，butit'splainenoughnow。
　　Thetradehasprovedit。Apropertyofrubbertreeshasnorealvalue——solongasthere'sawildernessofrubbertreesallroundthat'severybody'sproperty。
　　Howcanamanpayeventheinterestonhispurchasemoney，supposinghe'sboughtarubberplantation，whenhehastocompetewithpeoplewho'vepaidnopurchasemoneyatall，butjustgetoutasmuchastheylikefromthefreeforest？
　　Youmustknowthatthatisso。"
　　Tavendernoddedeloquently。"Ohyes，Iknowthatisso。
　　Youcanproveitbyme。"
　　Thorpegrinnedalittle。"Asithappens，thataintwhatI
　　needtohaveyouprove，"hesaid，dryly。"NowWEknowthatarubberpropertyisnogood——butLondondoesn'tknowit。
　　Everybodyherethinksthatit'sagreatbusinesstoownrubbertrees。Why，manalive，doyouknow"——theaudacityoftheexampleithadoccurredtohimtocitebroughtagratifiedtwinkletohiseyesashewenton——"doyouknowthatamanherelastyearactuallysoldarubberplantationforfourhundredthousandpounds——twomillionsofdollars！
　　Notincash，ofcourse，butinsharesthathecoulddosomethingwith——andbeforehe'sdonewithit，I'mtold，he'sgoingtomaketwicethatamountofmoneyoutofit。
　　That'llshowyouwhatLondonislike。"
　　"Yes——Isupposetheydothosethings，"remarkedTavender，vaguely。
　　"Well——mypointisthatperhapsIcandosomethingorotherwiththisconcessionofyourshere。Imayevenbeabletogetmymoneybackonit。AtanyrateI'lltakemychancesonit——sothatatleastyoushan'tloseanythingbyit。Ofcourse，ifyou'drathertryandputitonthemarketyourself，whygoahead！"TherewasawistfulpathosinthewayTavendershookhishead。
　　"Bigmoneydoesn'tmeananythingtomeanymore，"
　　hesaid，wearily。"I'mtoooldandI'mtootired。
　　Why——four——five——yes，halfadozentimesI'vehadenoughmoneytolastmecomfortablyallmylife——andeverytimeI'veuseditasbaittocatchbiggermoneywith，andlostitall。
　　Idon'tdothatanymore！I'vegotsomethingthematterwithmeinternallythattakesthenervealloutofme。
　　Thedoctorsdon'tagreeaboutit，butwhateveritsnameisI'vegotitforkeeps。ProbablyIshan'tliveverylong"——Thorperecalledthattheoldmanhadalwaystakenagloomyviewofhishealthafterthethirdglass——"andifyouwanttopaymethenineteenthousanddollars，orwhateveritis，whyIshallsay'Godblessyou，'
　　andbemorethancontented。"
　　"Oh，there'ssomethingmoretoitthanthat，"observedThorpe，withanaddedelementofbusiness-likebrisknessinhistone。
　　"IfIletyououtinthisway——something，ofcourse，youcouldneverhavedreamedwouldhappen——youmustdosomethingsforme。Ishouldwantyou，forexample，togobacktoMexicoatonce。Ofcourse，I'dpayyourexpensesout。Orsay，I'dgiveyouaroundfourthousandpoundstocoverthatandsomeotherthingstoo。
　　Youwouldn'tobjecttothat，wouldyou？"
　　Themanwho，twohoursbefore，hadconfrontedexistencewiththechangeofhislastfive-poundnoteinhispocket，didnothesitatenow。"Ohno，thatwouldbeallright，"
　　withrevivinganimation，hedeclared。Hehelpedhimselfagainfromthecut-glassdecanter。"Whatwouldyouwantmetodothere？"
　　"Oh，areportontheconcessionforastarter，"Thorpeanswered，withcarefulindifference。"Isupposetheystillknowyournameasanauthority。Icouldmakethatallrightanyway。
　　ButonethingIoughttospeakof——itmightberatherimportant——Iwouldn'tliketohaveyoumentiontoanybodythattheconcessionhasatanytimebeenyours。
　　Thatmighttendtoweakenthevalueofyourreport，don'tyousee？Letitbesupposedthattheconcessionhasbeenmypropertyfromthestart。Youcatchmypoint，don'tyou？Thereneverwasanysuchthingasatransferofittoyou。It'salwaysbeenmine！"
　　Tavendergavehisbenefactorapurblindsortofwink。
　　"Alwaysbelongedtoyou？Whyofcourseitdid，"
　　hesaidcheerfully。
　　Theotherbreathedacautiousprolongedsighofrelief"You'dbetterlightafreshone，hadn'tyou？"heasked，observingwithakindofcontemptuoustolerancetheoldman'seffortstoigniteacigarwhichhadmorethanonceunrolledlikeacarpenter'sshavinginhisunaccustomedfingers，andwasnowshapelesslydefiantofbothdraughtandsuction。
　　Tavenderlaughedtohimselfsilentlyashetookanewcigar，andpuffedatthematchheldbyhiscompanion。Theairofinnocenceandlong-sufferingmeeknesswasfallingrapidlyawayfromhim。Heputhisshabbybootsoutconfidentlytothefenderandmadegestureswithhisglassashetalked。
　　"Mymistake，"hedeclared，ininsistenttones，"wasinnotturningdownsciencethirtyyearsagoandgoinginbodilyforbusiness。ThenIshouldhavemademypileasyouseemtohavedone。ButItriedtodosomethingofboth。
　　HalftheyearIwasassayingcrushings，orrunningalevel，oranalyzingsugars，forasalary，andtheotherhalfI
　　wastryingtodoagamblewiththatsalaryonthestrengthofwhatI'dlearned。Youcan'tringthebellthatway。
　　You'vegottobeeitherapigorapup。Youcan'tdoboth。
　　Now，forinstance，ifI'dcometoLondonwhenyoudid，andbroughtmymoneywithmeinsteadofbuyingyourconcessionwithit——"
　　"Why，whatgooddoyousupposeyouwouldhavedone？"
　　Thorpeinterruptedhimwithgood-naturedbrusqueness。
　　"You'dhavehadittakenfromyouinafortnight！Why，man，doyouknowwhatLondonis？You'dhavehadnomorechanceherethananakedniggerinaswamp-fullofalligators。"
　　"Youseemtohavehititoff，"theotherobjected。
　　"ThisisasfineahouseasIwaseverin。"
　　"Withmeit'sdifferent，"Thorpereplied，carelessly。
　　"Ihavethetalentformoney-making。I'mamaninarmour。
　　The'gatorscan'tbiteme，noryettherattle-snakes。"
　　"Yes——menaremadeupdifferently，"Tavenderassented，withphilosophicalgravity。Thenhelurchedgentlyintheover-largechair，andfixedanintentgazeuponhishost。
　　"Whatdidyoumakeyourmoneyin？"hedemanded，notwithentiredistinctnessofenunciation。"Itwasn'trubber，wasit？"
　　Thorpeshookhishead。"There'snomoneyinrubber。
　　I'mentirelyinfinance——ontheStockExchange——dealingindifferences，"hereplied，withaseriousface。
　　TheexplanationseemedwhollyacceptabletoTavender。
　　Hemuseduponitplacidlyforatime，withhisreverendheadpillowedaskewagainstthecornerofthechair。
　　Thenhelethiscigardrop，andclosedhiseyes。
　　Themasterofthehousebentforward，andnoiselesslyhelpedhimselftoanotherglassofwhiskeyandwater。
　　Then，sinkingbackagain，heeyedhisoddguestmeditativelyashesippedthedrink。Hesaidtohimselfthatinallthemiraculousrunofluckwhichtheyearhadbroughthim，thiswasthemostextraordinarymanifestationofthelot。
　　Ithadbeensoeasytoignoretheexistenceofthistiresomeandfatuousoldman，solongashewasinremoteMexico，thathehadpracticallyforgottenhim。ButheshouldnotsoonforgetthefrightenedshockwithwhichhehadlearnedofhispresenceinLondon，thatafternoon。
　　Foraminuteortwo，thereinhissister'sbook-shop，ithadseemedasifhewerefallingthroughtheair——asifthesubstantialearthhadcrumbledawayfromunderhim。
　　Butthenhisnervehadreturnedtohim，hisresourcefulbrainhadreasserteditself。Withreadyshrewdnesshehadgoneout，andmettheemergency，andmadeittheservantofhisownpurposes。
　　Hecouldbegladnow，unreservedlyglad，thatTavenderhadcometoLondon，thatthingshadturnedoutastheyhad。
　　Intruth，hestoodnowforthefirsttimeonsolidground。
　　Whenhethoughtofit，now，theriskhehadbeenrunningallthesemonthsgavehimalittlesinkingoftheheart。
　　Uponreflection，theperformanceofhavingsoldthesamepropertyfirsttoTavenderinMexicoandthentotheRubberConsolsCompanyinLondonmightbesubjecttoinjuriouscomment，orworse。Thefactthatitwasnotarealpropertytobeginwithhadnoplaceinhisthoughts。
　　Itwasaconcession——andconcessionswereimmemoriallyworthwhattheywouldfetch。Buttheotherthingmighthavebeensoawkward——andnowitwasallright！
　　Foranhourandmore，tillthefireburntitselfoutandtheguest'ssnoringbecametooactiveanuisance，Thorpesatlostinthiscongratulatoryreverie。
　　Thenherose，andsharplyshakingTavenderintoasemblanceofconsciousness，ledhimupstairsandputhimtobed。
　　ThreedayslaterhepersonallysawTavenderoffatWaterloostationbythesteamer-train，enrouteforSouthamptonandNewYork。Theoldmanwasinchildlikegoodspirits，lookingmoreecclesiasticalthaneverinthenewclotheshehadbeenenabledtobuy。Hevisiblypurredwithcontentwheneverhisdimeyescaughtsightofthenewvaliseandsteamertrunk，whichbelongedtohim，onthebusyplatform。
　　"You'vebeenverykindtome，Thorpe，"hesaidmorethanonce，astheystoodtogetherbesidetheopendoorofthecompartment。"Iwasneversohospitablytreatedbeforeinmylife。Yourattentiontomehasbeenwonderful。
　　Icallyouatruefriend。"
　　"Oh，that'sallright！Gladtodoit，"repliedtheother，lightly。IntruthhehadnotletTavenderstrayonceoutofhissightduringthosethreedays。
　　HehaddraggedhimtirelesslyaboutLondon，showinghimthesightsfromSouthKensingtonMuseumtotheTower，shoppingwithhim，restinginoldtavernswithhim，breakfasting，lunching，auddiningwithhim——intheindefatigableresolutionthatheshouldstrikeupnodangerousgossipingacquaintancewithstrangers。
　　Thetaskhadbeentiresomeintheextreme——
　　butithadbeenverywellworthwhile。
　　"OnethingI'mrathersorryabout，"Tavenderremarked，inapologeticparenthesis——"Ioughttohavegonedownandseenthatbrother-in-lawofmineinKent。He'sbeenverygoodtome，andI'mnottreatinghimverywell。
　　IwrotetotellhimIwascoming——butsincethenIhaven'thadaminutetomyself。However，Icanwritetohimandexplainhowithappened。AndprobablyI'llbeoveragainsometime。"
　　"Why，ofcourse，"saidThorpe，absently。Theallusiontothebrother-in-lawinKenthadescapedhisnotice，sointentwasheuponanewcongeriesofprojectstakingvagueshapeinhismind。
　　"Thinkofyourselfasmymanoutthere，"hesaidnow，slowly，followingtheclueofhisthoughts。"Theremaybebigthingstodo。Writetomeasoftenasyoucan。
　　Tellmeeverythingthat'sgoingon。Moneywillbenoobjecttome——youcanhaveasmuchasyoulike——ifthingsturnupouttherethatareworthtakingup。Butmindyousaynothingaboutme——oranyconnectionyou'veeverhadwithme。
　　You'llgetaletterfromtheSecretaryofaCompanyandtheChairmanaskingforareportonacertainproperty，andnamingafee。Yousimplymakeagoodreport——onitsmerits。Yousaynothingaboutanythingelse——aboutme，orthehistoryoftheconcession，oritsvalidity，oranything。Imustn'tbealludedtoinanyway。
　　Youquiteunderstandthat？"
　　"Trustme！"saidtheoldman，andwrunghisbenefactor'shand。
　　ItwasindeedwithatrustfuleyethatThorpewatchedthetraindrawoutofthestation。
　　CHAPTERXVI
　　THEweekfollowingtheAugustBankHolidayisveryrarelyindeedabusyoranxioustimeintheCity。Intheordinarycourseofthings，itservesastheeasy-goingprelude——withbutcasualandinattentivevisitseastward，andwithonlythemostcarelessglancesthroughthefinancialpapers——tothehalcyonperiodoftherealvacation。
　　MencometotheCityduringthisweek，itistrue，buttheirthoughtsareelsewhere——onthemoors，onthebluesea，ontheglacierorthefiord，orthepleasantGermanpineforests。
　　TothegreatmassofCitypeople；thisAugustinquestionbeganinanormalenoughfashion。Toonelittlegroupofoperators，however，andtothewideningcircleofbrokers，bankers，andothermenofaffairswhoseinterestsweremoreorlessinvolvedwiththoseofthisgroup，itwasaseasonofkeenperturbation。
　　Acombatofanextraordinarycharacterwasgoingon——acombatwhichthreatenedtodevelopintoamassacre。
　　Eventotheoperatorswho，unhappilyforthemselves，wereprincipalsinthisfight，itwasastruggleinthedark。
　　Theyknewlittleaboutit，beyondthegrimly-patentfactthattheywerebattlingfortheirverylives。Theouterringoftheirfriendsandsupportersanddependentsknewstillless，thoughtheirrageandfearswereperhapsgreater。
　　The"press"seemedtoknownothingatall。ThisunnaturalsilenceoftheCity'smouthpieces，usuallysoresoundinglyclamorousupontheonesideandtheotherwhenaduelisinprogress，gaveasinisteraspecttothething。
　　Thepapershadbeengaggedandblindfoldedfortheoccasion。
　　Thisinitselfwasofbalefulsignificance。Itwasnotaduelwhichtheyhadbeenbribedtoignore。
　　Itwasanassassination。
　　Outwardlytherewasnothingtosee，savetheunofficial，baldstatementthatonAugust1st，thelatestoftwelvefortnightlysettlementsinthisstock，RubberConsolshadbeenbidfor，andcarriedover，at15poundsforone-poundshares。
　　Theinformationconcernedthepublicatlargenotatall。
　　Nobodyknewofanyfriendorneighbourwhowasfortunateenoughtopossesssomeoftheseshares。Readershereandthere，notingthefigures，musthavesaidtothemselvesthatcertainluckypeoplewerecoiningmoney，butverylittlehappenedtobeprintedastotheidentityofthesepeople。
　　Straynoteswerebeginningtoappearinthepersonalcolumnsoftheafternoonpapersabouta"RubberKing"
　　ofthenameofThorpe，butthemodernexploitationoftheworld'sfourcornersmakessomany"kings"thatthenamehadnot，asyet，familiarizeditselftothepopulareye。
　　Citymen，whohearmorethantheyread，knewinageneralwayaboutthis"RubberKing。"Hewasanoutsiderwhohadcomein，andwasobviouslyfillinghispockets；butitwasacomfortingrulethatoutsiderswhodidthisalwaysgottheirpocketsemptiedforthemagaininthelongrun。
　　ThereseemednothingaboutThorpetosuggestthathewouldproveanexceptiontotherule。Hewasinvestinghiswinningswithgreatfreedom，sotheCityunderstood，andhisofficewasbesiegeddailybypromotersandtouts。
　　Theycouldcleanouthisstrong-boxfasterthantheprofitsofhisRubbercornercouldfillit。
　　Toknowsuchaman，however，couldnotbutbeuseful，andtheymadefurtivenotesofhisnumberinAustinFriarsontheircuffs，afterconversationhaddriftedfromhimtoothertopics。
　　AstotheRubbercorneritself，theStockExchangeasawholewasapathetic。Whensomeofthesufferersventuredcautioushintsaboutthepossibilityofofficialinterventionontheirbehalf，theywerelaughedatbythosewhodidnotturnawayincoldsilence。
　　OfthefourteenmenwhohadoriginallybeencaughtinthenetdrawntightbyThorpeandSemple，alltheconspicuousonesbelongedtotheclassof"wreckers，"
　　aclasswhichdoesnotendearitselftoCapelCourt。
　　BothRostockerandAronson，who，itwassaid，wereworsthit，weremenofgreatwealth，buttheyhadsystematicallyamassedthesefortunesbystranglingintheircradlesweakenterprises，andbyunderminingandtopplingoverotherenterpriseswhichwouldnothavebeenweakiftheyhadbeengivenalegitimatechancetolive。
　　Theirsystemwaslegalenough，intheeyesalikeofthelawandoftheStockExchangerules。Theyhadanundoubtedrighttomarkouttheirpreyandpursueit，andbringitdown，andfeedtotheboneuponit。Buttheexerciseofthisrightdidnotmakethembelovedbythebegettersandsponsorsoftheirvictims。Whenwordfirstwentround，onthelastdayofFebruary，thatalambhadunexpectedlyturneduponthesetwopractisedandconfidentwolves，andhadtornanearfromeachofthem，anddriventhempell-mellintoa"corner，"itwasreceivedonallsideswithagratifiedsmile。
　　Later，byfortnightlystages，thestorygrewatoncemoretragicandmoresatisfactory。NotonlyRostockerandAronson，butadozenotherswereintheculdesacguardedbythissurprisingandbloody-mindedlamb。
　　Mostofthenameswerewell-knownasthoseof"wreckers。"
　　InthiscategorybelongedBlaustein，Ganz，Rothfoere，Lewis，Ascher，andMendel，andifHarding，Carpenter，andVeseycouldnotbesoconfidentlyclassified，atleasttheirmisfortuneexcitednoparticularsympathy。
　　Twoothernamesmentioned，thoseofNorfellandPinney，werepracticallyunknown。
　　Therewassomesurprise，however，atthestatementthattheoldandrespectedandextremelyconservativefirmofFromentinBros。wasentangledinthething。Egyptianbonds，minorLevantineloans，discountsintheArabianandPersiantrades——thesehadbeenspecialtiesoftheFromentinsformanyyears。Whocouldhaveexpectedtofindthemcaughtamongthe"shorts"inMexicanrubber？ItwasMexico，wasn'tit，thattheseRubberConsolspurportedtobeconnectedwith？
　　Thorpe'sCompany，uponitscommercialmerits，hadnotbeenconsideredatallbythegentlemenoftheStockExchange，atthetimeofitsflotation。Menvaguelyandwithdifficultyrecalledthefactofitsprospectus，whenthe"corner"initsshareswasfirsttalkedabout。
　　Theylookeditupintheirlistsandfiles，lateron，butitstermssaidnothingtothem。NobodydiscussedthevalueoftheassetsownedbythisCompany，ortheprobabilityofitspayingadividend——evenwhenthepricebidforitsshareswasmakingthemostsensationalupwardleaps。HowThorpestoodwithhisshareholders，orwhetherhehadanygenuineshareholdersbehindhimatall，wasseenbythekeeneyesofCapelCourttobebesidethequestion。Verylikelyitwasaqueeraffair，ifthetruthwereknown——butatleastithadsubstanceenoughinittobegivingthe"wreckers"alivelytime。
　　BytheendofJulyitwasunderstoodthatthefightwasbetterworthwatchingthananythingthathadbeenseeninalongtime。Theonlytroublewasthattherewassolittletosee。Thepaperssaidnothing。
　　Thesuffererswerethereverseofgarrulous。ThelittleredScotchman，Semple，whowasthevisibleavengingswordofthe"corner，"wasmoreimperturbablysilentthananybodyelse。Hisfellow-membersinthe"House"watchedhimnow，however，withanewrespect。Theydiscoveredunsuspectedelementsofpowerinhisthin，tightmouth，inthedirect，coldglancesofhisbrown-greyeyes，intheverywayhecarriedhisheadandworehishat。
　　Hecametobepointedout，andnoddedaboutbehindhisback，morethananyoneelseinthe"House，"andimportantmensoughthisacquaintance，withanawkwardshowofcivility，whowerenotoriousfortheirrudeexclusiveness。
　　Itmightbe，ofcourse，thathis"corner"wouldbreakunderhimatanyfortnightlysettlement，butalreadyhehadcarrieditmuchfurtherthansuchthingsoftenwent，andtheplanningofthecouphadbeenbeyonddoubtNapoleonic。
　　HadthissmallsandyScotplannedit，orwashemerelytheweaponinThorpe'shand？BothviewshadtheirsupportersontheExchange，butafterthewrenchofAugust1st，whenwithanabrupteighty-shillingrisethepriceofRubberConsolsstoodat15pounds，anditwastobecomputedthatSemplehadreceivedonthatsingledaynearly75，000poundsindifferencesand"backwardation，"astorywassetafloatwhichgaveThorpetheundividedcreditoftheinvention。
　　ItwasrelatedascomingfromhisownlipsthathehadschemeditallouttoberevengeduponagroupofJewishoperators，againstwhomhehadagrievance。
　　Inconfirmationofthistale，itwaspointedoutthat，ofthesevenmenstillheldpinnedinthefatal"corner，"sixwereJews——andthisdid，uponfirstglance，looksignificant。
　　Butthenitwasobjected，uponreflection，thatBlausteinandAscherhadbothbeenpermittedtomaketheirescape，andthishardlyjustifiedthetheoryofanimplacableanti-Semiticvendetta。Theobjectionseemedreasonable，butitwasmetinturnbythepointthatBlausteinandAscherhadbeenbledwhite，asBismarck'sphrasewent，beforetheywerereleased，whereasthefiveChristianshadbeenliberatedwithrelativelymoderatefines。
　　Uponthewhole，acertainodouroftheJudenhetzeclungthereafteraboutthe"corner"inRubberConsols。
　　Onanafternoonofthefollowingweek，Mr。StormontThorpewasaloneintheBoardRoomoftheofficesinAustinFriars。
　　Hehadrisenfromthegreatroller-toppeddeskoverbetweenthewindows，andwalkednowwithalethargic，tiredsteptoandfrobeforetheemptyfireplace，yawningmorethanonce，andstretchingouthisarmsinthesupremegestureoffatigue。Afteradozenlistlessrounds，somethingoccurredtohim。Hemovedwithacertaindirectnessofpurposetothecabinetinthecorner，unlockedit，andpouredoutforhimselfatumblerofbrandyandsoda。
　　Hedrankitwithoutapause，thenturnedagain，andbeganpacingupanddownasbefore，hishandsclaspedbehindhim，hisheadbentinthought。
　　Theinterveningsixmonthshadeffectedvisiblechangesintheouterman。Onenotedmostreadilythatthefacehadgrownfullerinitslowerparts，andwasfarlessbrownedthanformerly。Thelarge，heavycountenance，withitssquarejawsmaskednowunderincreasedflesh，itsbeginningsofadouble-chin，anditsslightlyflabbyeffectofpallor，wasnolongerlackinginindividualdistinction。
　　Itwaspalpablythevisageofadictator。Themoustachehadbeencutdowntomilitarybrevity，andthelineofmouthbelowitwaseloquentofroughpower。Thesteadygreyeyes，seeminglysmalleryetmoreconspicuousthanbefore，revealedintheirglancenewelementsofsecretiveness，ofstrategysupportedbyabundantandconfidentpersonalforce。
　　Themanhimselfseemedscarcelytohavegrownstouter。
　　Heheldhimselfmorecompactly，asitwere；seemedmorethemasterofallhisphysicalexpressions。Hewasdressedlikeamagnatewhowasalsoapersonoftaste。
　　Therewasaflowerinthelapelofhiswell-shapedfrock-coat，andtherustleofhisstarchedandspotlesswhitewaistcoatmurmuredpleasantlyofrefinedtoilets。
　　"TheMarquisofChaldon——andagentleman，withhim。"
　　Theannouncement，fromaclerkwhohadnoiselesslyopenedthedoor，imposeditselfwithdecorumuponThorpe'sreverie。
　　"Whoisthegentlemanwithhim？"Thorpebeganausterelytoask，afteraninstant'shesitation。Butthisbriefestofdelayshadbroughtthecallersintoplainviewbehindtheclerk，andwithaslightgesturethemasterassentedtotheirentrance。
　　ThislargeapartmentwasnolongercalledtheBoardRoombyanybody。Bytacitprocesses，ithadbecomeMr。Thorpe'sroom。NoteventhetitularChairmanoftheCompany，therenownedandeminentLordChaldon，ex-Ambassadorandex-Viceroy，enteredthischambernowwithanyassumptionofproprietorshipinit。
　　NohintofarecollectionthatthereweresuchthingsastheCompanyandtheBoard，orthathewasnominallytheheadofboth，expresseditselfinhisLordship'sdemeanourasheadvanced，hishandalittleextended。
　　ThenobleChairmanwaswhiteofbeardandhair，andextremelycourteousofmanner——asmall，carefully-clad，graciousoldgentleman，whosemildpinkcountenancehad，withyearsofanxietyaboutwaysandmeans，disposeditselfinlineswhichproducedachronicexpressionofsolicitude。
　　Anervousaffectionoftheeyelidslenttothislook，atintervals，abeseechingqualitywhichembarrassedthebeholder。Allmenhadlikedhim，andspokenwellofhimthroughouthislongandhard-workedcareer。
　　Thorpewasveryfondofhimindeed，andputarespectfulcordialityintohisgraspoftheprofferedhand。
　　Thenhelooked，withacertainthinly-veiledbluntnessofenquiry，pasttheMarquistohiscompanion。
　　"Youwereverykindtogivemetheappointment，"
　　saidLordChaldon，withalittlepurringglossofaffabilityupontheearnestnessofhistone。"Iwishverymuchtointroducetoyoumyfriend，myoldfriendImaysay，MonsieurAlexandreFromentin。Weslepttogetherunderthesametent，inthePersiancountrybeyondBagdad——oh，itmusthavebeenquitefortyyearsago。Wewereyoungsterslookingtowinourfirstspursthen——Iinmyline，heinhis。
　　Andoftensincewehaverenewedthatoldfriendship——atmanydifferentplaces——India，andConstantinople，andEgypt。
　　Iwishheartilytocommendhimtoyour——yourkindness。"
　　Thorpehadperfunctorilyshakenhandswiththestranger——atall，slender，sharp-faced，clean-shaven，narrow-shoulderedman，whobytheseaccountsofhisyearsoughtnottohavesuchexcessivelyblackhair。Hebowedinaforeignfashion，andutteredsomewordswhichThorpe，thoughherecognizedthemasEnglishinintent，failedtofollow。Thevoicewasthatofanelderlyman，andatasecondglancetherewereplentyofproofsthathemighthavebeenolderthantheMarquis，outthereinPersia，fortyyearsago。
　　ButThorpedidnotlikeoldmenwhodyedtheirhair，andheofferedhisvisitorschairs，drawnupfromthetabletowardhisdesk，withacertainreserveofmanner。
　　Seatinghimselfintherevolvingchairatthedeskitself，heputthetipsofhisfingerstogether，andlookedthisgentlemanwiththeContinentalnameandexperienceintheface。
　　"Istheresomethingyouwishmetodo？"heasked，passivelyfacilitatingtheopeningofconversation。
　　"Ah，myGod！'Something'！"——repeatedtheother，withaflutteringgestureofhishandsoverhisthin，pointedknees——"everything，Mr。Thorpe！"
　　"That'satolerablylargeorder，isn'tit？"
　　Thorpeasked，calmly，movingaslow，inscrutableglancefromonetotheotherofhiscallers。
　　"Icouldaskfornothingthatwouldbeagreaterpersonalfavour——andkindness"——LordChaldoninterposed。
　　Histoneborethestressofsincerity。
　　"Thatmeansagreatdealtome，asyouknow，myLord，"
　　repliedThorpe，"butIdon'tintheleastunderstand——
　　whatisitthatyourfriendwants？"
　　"OnlythatIshallnotbeburiedinabankrupt'sgrave，"
　　thesuppliantanswered，withakindofembitteredeagernessofutterance。"ThatIshallnotseedisgracedthehonourednamethatmyfatherandhisfatherbequeathedtomycare！"
　　Thorpe'slarge，composedcountenancebetrayedacertainperplexity。"Theremustbeamistake，"
　　heobserved。"Idon'tevenknowthisnameofyours。
　　Ineverhearditbefore。"
　　Theother'smobilefacetwisteditselfinagrimaceofincredulity。Hehadaconspicuouslywidemouth，anditstrickofsidelongextensionatthismomentwasveryunpleasant。"Ah，HerrJe！Heneverheardit，"
　　heejaculated，turningnervouslytotheMarquis。
　　"WouldtothegoodGodyouneverhad！"hetoldThorpe，withsuppressedexcitement。
　　LordChaldon，hisownvoiceshakenalittle，interposedwithanexplanation。"Myfriendisthehead——therespectedhead——ofthefirmofFromentinBrothers。
　　Ithinkyouhave——havedealingswiththem。"
　　Thorpe，afterafurtiveinstantofbewilderment，openedhismouth。"Oh！Isee，"hesaid。"Iknowwhatyoumeannow。WiththeFrenchpronunciation，Ididn'trecognizethename。I'vealwayshearditcalled'Fromen'-tin'
　　hereinLondon。Oh，yes，ofcourse——Fromen'tinBrothers。"
　　Hislipsshuttightagainatthis。Thelistenershadcaughtnohelpfulcluefromthetoneofhiswords。
　　Theyexchangedaglance，andthenM。Fromentinspoke。
　　"Mr。Thorpe，"hebegan，slowly，withanobviouseffortatself-repression。"Itisaverysimplestory。Ourhouseisanoldone。Myfather'sgrandfatherorganizedthefinanceofthecommissariatofGeneralBonaparteinEgypt。
　　HecreatedthesmallbeginningsofthecarpetandrugimportationfromAsiaMinor。Hisson，andinturnhisson，followedhim。Theybecamebankersaswellasimporters。
　　TheyhelpedverygreatlytodevelopthetradeoftheLevant。Theywerenotavariciousmen，orusurers。
　　Itisnotinourblood。YourChairman，LordChaldon，whohonoursmesohighlybycallingmehisfriend——hewillassureyouthatwehaveagoodnameintheEast。
　　Ourbankshavebefriendedthepeople，andneveroppressedorinjuredthem。Forthatreason——Iwillsayperhapsforthatreason——wehaveneverbecomeaveryrichhouse。
　　ItispossibletonamebankerswhohavemadelargefortunesoutofEgypt。Itwasdifferentwithus。LordChaldonwilltellyouthatofourownfreewill——mytwobrothersandI——ofourownchoiceweconsentedtoloseafifthofallourpossessions，ratherthancoinintogoldbyforcethetearsandbloodofthewretchedfellaheen。"
　　"Yes——Ihaveneverknownamorehonourableorhumaneaction，"
　　putintheMarquis，fervently。
　　"Andthenmybrothersdie——Polydor，wholivedmostlyatSmyrna，andwhoseestatewaswithdrawnfromthebusinessbyhiswidow，andAugustin，wholivedhereinLondonafter1870，anddied——itisnowsixyearsago。
　　Heleftason，Robert，whoismynephew，andmypartner。
　　Heisnowofanage——perhapsthirtyyears。HewasasmallchildwhenhecametoLondon——hehasbecomemoreEnglishthantheEnglishthemselves。Hisactivityandindustryareverygreat；heformsplansofsuchmagnitudeandnumbersthattheywouldcompelhisgrandfathertoturninhiscoffin。Iaminindifferenthealth。
　　IlivemuchatHomburgandMarienbadandatCairo。
　　Practicallyspeaking，Ihaveretiredfrombusiness。
　　Thereremainbranchesofourhouse——inseveralplaces——buttheLondonhousehasbecomethecentreofallthings——andRoberthasbecometheLondonhouse。ThisImakeplaintoyourmind，doI，Mr。Thorpe？"
　　Theother，withhischinsunkwithinthecollarofhiswhitewaistcoat，andscrutinizingthenarratorwithasteadfastthoughimpassiveglance，madethefaintestpossiblenodofassent。
　　"IhadgreatconfidenceinRobert，"theoldmanwenton。
　　Hiseyesweredimmingwithtears，andhisvoicequavereduncertainly。"Hisplansseemedwise，eveniftheyriskedmorethanformerly。Theconditionsofbusinessarewhollyalteredsincemyyouth——anditwasbest，Ithought，tomakeRobertfreetoactundertheseconditions，whichheunderstoodmuchbetterthanIcouldpretendtodo。ThusitwasthatwhenhesaiditwasnecessaryforFromentinBrotherstobelongtotheStockExchange，Ididnotobject。Hewasactiveandboldandclever，andhewasinthethickofthefight。Thereforeheshouldbethejudgeinallthings。Andthatisourruin。
　　InthetimeoftheSouthAfricanexcitement，hewonagreatdealofmoney。Thenhelostitallandmore。
　　Thengamblingbegan，andhisfortuneswentnowup，nowdown，butalways，ashisbooksshowtomenow——sinkingalittleontheaverage。Hegrewmoreadventurous——morecareless。
　　Heputmanysmallcountersupondifferentnumbersonthetable。YouknowwhatImean？Andinanaccursedmoment，becauseothergamblersweredoingthesame，hesoldtwothousandofyourshares，withouthavingtheminhishands。
　　Voila！Hewishesnowtoputabulletthroughhisbrain。
　　HeproposesthatasthefittingendofFromentinFreres。"
　　Thorpe，hischinonhisbreast，continuedtoregardthemelancholyfigureoppositewithamoodyeye。Itseemedalongminutebeforehebrokethetensesilencebyasighofdiscomfort。"Idonotdiscussthesethingswithanybody，"
　　hesaidthen，coldly。"IfIhadknownwhoyouwere，Idon'tthinkyou'dhavegotin。"
　　TheMarquisofChaldonintuitivelystraightenedhimselfinhischair，andturnedtowardthespeakeraglanceofdistressedsurprise。
　　"Orno——Ibegyourpardon，"Thorpehastenedtoadd，upontheinstanthintofthislook——"thatdoesn'tconveymymeaning。Ofcourse，ourChairmanbringswhomhepleases。
　　Hisfriends——asamatterofcourse——areourfriends。
　　WhatIshouldhavesaidwasthatifthishadbeenmentionedbeforehandtome，Ishouldhaveexplainedthatitwasn'tpossibletodiscussthatparticularbusiness。"
　　"But——pardonme"——saidLordChaldon，inaquiet，verygentle，yetinsistentvoice，whichseemednowtorecalltoitslistenersthefactthatsovereignsandchancellorshadintheirdayhadattentiveearsforitstones——"pardonme，butwhyshoulditnotbepossible？"
　　Thorpefrowneddoubtfully，andshiftedhispositioninhischair。"WhatcouldIsay，ifitwerediscussed？"
　　hemadevagueretort。"I'mmerelyoneoftheDirectors。
　　YouareourChairman，butyouseehehasn'tfounditofanyusetodiscussitwithyou。Therearehardandfastrulesaboutthesethings。Theyruntheirnaturalcourse。
　　Youarenotabusinessman，myLord——"
　　"Oh，IthinkImaybecalleda'businessman，'"
　　interposedthenobleman，suavely。"TheywouldtellyousoinCalcutta，Ithink，andinCairotoo。
　　Whenoneconsidersit，Ihavetransactedagreatdealofbusiness——onthebehalfofotherpeople。
　　Andifyouwillpermitme——Idonotimputeindirection，ofcourse——butyourremarkseemstorequireafootnote。
　　ItistruethatIamChairmanoftheBoardonwhichyouareaDirector——butitisnotquitethewholetruth。
　　IasChairmanknowabsolutelynothingaboutthismatter。
　　AsIunderstandthesituation，itisnotinyourcapacityasaDirectorthatyouknowanythingaboutiteither。
　　Yet——"
　　Hepaused，asifsuddenlyconsciousofsomeimproprietyinthisdomesticfranknessbeforeathirdparty，andThorpepouncedthroughhiswell-manneredhesitationwiththeswiftnessofabirdofprey。
　　"Letmesuggest，"hesaidroundly，liftinghisheadandpoisingahandtoholdattention，whilehethoughtuponwhatitwasheshouldsuggest——"thisiswhatIwouldsay。
　　Itseemsratherirregular，doesn'tit？todebatethematterinthepresenceofanoutsider。Youseeityourself。
　　ThatispartlywhatImeant。NowIhavemetMr。Fromentin，"
　　hegavethenameitsEnglishvowelswithanobstinateemphasis，"andIhaveheardhisstatement。Youhaveheardittoo。
　　Ifhewishestolaymorefactsbeforeus，why，wellandgood。
　　ButthenIwouldsuggestthatheleavethematterinourhands，todiscussandlookintobetweenourselves。
　　Thatseemstoyouthepropercourse，doesn'tit，LordChaldon？"
　　TheFrenchbankerhadbeenstudyingwithstrainedacutenessthebiglymphaticmaskoftheDirector，withsundrysharpglancesasideattheChairman。
　　Thenervouschangesonhisalert，meagreoldfaceshowedhowintentlyhefollowedeveryphaseoftheirtalk。
　　AcertainsardonicperceptionofevilintheaircurledonhislipwhenhesawtheMarquisaccedewithabowandwaveofthehandtoThorpe'sproposition。Thenhemadehisbowinturn，andputthebestfacepossibleuponthematter。
　　"NaturallyIconsultyourconvenience——andtheproprieties，"hesaid，withaneffectofproudhumility。"Therearebutafewotherfactstosubmit。Mynephewhasalreadypaid，indifferencesuponthoseaccursedtwothousandshares，asumofnearly30，000pounds。Ihavethefiguresinmypocket——buttheyarefixedinmyheadaswell。
　　Twenty-eightthousandfivehundred，thosedifferencesalreadyamountto，nottospeakofinterest。
　　Atthelastsettlement，August1st，thepricepersharewas15pounds。Thatwouldmake30，000poundsmore，ifweboughtnow——oratotalofpractically60，000pounds。
　　Ehbien！Ibegfortheprivilegeofbeingallowedtobuythesesharesnow。Itisanunpleasantconfessiontomake，butthefirmofFromentinFrereswillbemadeverypoorbythislossof60，000pounds。Itwasnotalwaysso，butitissonow。MynephewRoberthasbroughtitintothatcondition。Youseemyshameatthisadmission。
　　Withallmyownmeans，andwithhissister'smarriageportion，wecanmakeupthissumof30，000pounds，andstillenablethefirmtoremaininexistence。Ihavegoneoverthebooksverypainstakingly，sinceIarrivedinLondon。
　　Itcanbekeptafloat，anditcanbebroughtbacktosafeandmoderatelyprofitablecourses——ifnothingworsehappens。Withanothersixweekslikethelast，thiswillnotbeatallpossible。Weshallhavethecupofdishonourthrustbetweenourteeth。Thatwillbetheendofeverything。"
　　M。Fromentinfinishedintremulous，gravetones。
　　AfterlookingwithblurredeyesforamomentintoThorpe'sface，hebowedhishead，andsoftlyswayedthekneesuponwhichhisthin，darkhandsmaintainedtheirclutch。
　　Noteventherevelationofhairquitewhiteattheroots，undulywideningthetrackofpartingonthetopofhisdyedhead，couldrobthismovementofitsmournfuldignity。
　　Thorpe，afteramoment'spause，tookapencilandpaperfromthedesk，andmadeacalculation。Hebithislipsandfrownedatthesightofthesefigures，andsetdownsomeothers，whichseemedtopleasehimnomore。
　　Then，withasuddengestureasofimpatience，herosetohisfeet。
　　"Howmuchisthatsister'smarriageportionyouspokeof？"
　　heasked，ratherbrusquely。
　　TheFrenchgentlemanhadalsorisen。Helookedwithanairofastonishmentathisquestioner，andthenhardenedhisface。
　　"Iapologizeformentioningit，"hesaid，withbrevity。
　　"Onedoesnotspeakoffamilyaffairs。"
　　"Iaskedyouhowmuchitwas，"pursuedThorpe，inamasterfultone。
　　"Amandoesn'twanttorobagirlofhermarriageportion。"
　　"IthinkImustnotansweryou，"theotherreplied，hesitatingly。"Itwasthefaultofmyemotiontointroducethesubject。Prayleavetheyoungladyoutofaccount。"
　　"ThenI'venothingmoretosay，"Thorpedeclared，andseatedhimselfagainwithsuperfluousenergy。
　　Hescowledforalittleatthedisorderofhisdesk，andthenflungforthanangryexplanation。"Ifyouevadefairquestionslikethat，howcanyouexpectthatIwillgooutofmywaytohelpyou？"
　　"Oh，permitme，Mr。Thorpe"——theMarquisintervenedsoothingly——"Ithinkyoumisapprehend。Myfriend，Iamsure，wishedtoevadenothing。Hehadtheideathathewasatfaultin——inalludingtoapurelydomesticmatteras——asa——whatshallIsay？——asapleaforyourconsideration。"Heturnedtotheoldbanker。
　　"Youwillnotrefusetomentionthesumtome，willyou，myfriend？"
　　M。Fromentinshruggedhisshoulders。"Itistenthousandpounds，"hereplied，almostcurtly。
　　Thorpewasseeminglymollified。"Verywell，then，"hesaid。
　　"Iwillsellyou2，000sharesattenpounds。"
　　Theothersexchangedawonderinglook。
　　"Monsieur，"thebankerstammered——"Iseeyourmeaning。
　　Youwillforgiveme——itisverywellmeantindeedbyyou——butitwasnotmyproposition。Themarket-priceisfifteenpounds——andwewerepreparedtopayit。"
　　Thorpelaughedinaperemptory，gustyway。"Butyoucan'tpaymorethanIask！"hetoldhim，withroughgeniality。
　　"Come，ifIletyouandyournephewinoutofthecold，whatkindofmen-folkwouldyoubetoinsistthatyournieceshouldbeleftoutside？AsIsaid，Idon'twanthermoney。
　　Idon'twantanywoman'smoney。IfI'mgoingtobenicetotherestofthefamily，what'stheobjectiontomybeingnicetoher？"
　　"Monsieur，"saidtheFrenchman，afteraninstant'sreflection，"Ioffernone。Ididnotatthemomentperceivethespiritofyourwords，butIrecognizenowthatitwasdelicacyitself。
　　Itenderyouthemostprofoundthanks——forALLthefamily。"
　　AftersomefurtherconversationtheelderFromentintookhisdeparture。LordChaldonapparentlyproposedtoaccompanyhim，butThorpebeggedhimtoremain，andheputasidehishatoncemoreandresumedhisseat。
　　Thorpewalkedaboutalittle，withhishandsinhispockets，inarestlessway。"Ifitisn'tunpleasanttoyou，IthinkI'lllightacigar，"hesaidsuddenly，andmovedovertothecabinet。Hepouredoutadrinkofneatbrandy，aswell，andfurtivelyswallowedit。Thenhecameback，precededbyacloudofsmoke。
　　"Itwentterriblyagainstthegrain，"hesaid，witharuefullaugh。"I'dsworntoletnoJewoffwithaninchofhideleftonhim——andherethreeofthemhavebeenwheedledoutofmygripalready。"
　　"Jews？"exclaimedtheMarquis，muchpuzzled。
　　"Didyou——didyouthinkFromentinwasaJew？Godblessme！he'snomoreonethanIam！Why，notevensomuch，forthereISaHerschellinmypedigree。Why，dearman，theywereCrusaders！"
　　Thorpesmiledsomewhatsheepishly。"Inevernoticedmuch，"
　　hesaid。"Itwasaforeign-lookingname。Itookitforgranted。"
　　LordChaldonbenthisbrowsalittle。"Yes-s"——hemurmured，meditatively。"I'vehearditmentionedthatyourenterprisewassuspectedofananti-Semitictwist。
　　Doyoumindmytalkingalittlewithyouaboutthat？"
　　"Oh，notatall，"theotheransweredwithlanguidacquiescence，asheseatedhimself。
　　CHAPTERXVII
　　LORDCHALDON'SinstructivelittlemonologueonthesubjectoftheHebrewinfinanceaffordedThorpeacertainpleasure，whichwasinitscharacter，perhaps，moresocialthanintellectual。
　　Itwasbothaflatteringandstrikingexperiencetohavesoeminentamanatthesideofone'sdesk，revealingforone'sguidancethesecretsofsovereignsandcabinets。
　　Greatnameswerementionedinthecourseofthisdissertation——mentionedwiththeauthoritativeeaseofonewhodinedwithprincesandprimeministers——andThorpefeltthathesharedinthedistinctionofthisfamiliaritywiththeaugust。Hewasinthepositionofpayingasalarytothiscourtlyoldnoblemanandstatesman，whocouldtellhimofhisownintimateknowledgehowEmperorsconversedwithoneanother；howthePopefidgetedinhisornate-carvedchairwhenthevisitortalkedonunwelcometopics；
　　howaQueenandanopera-bouffedancerwagedanobscureandenvenomedbattleforthepossessionofacounting-housestrongbox，andintheoutcomeanationwasarmedwithinferioroldmusketsinsteadofmodernweapons，andthegirlgotthedifferenceexpressedinblackpearls。
　　Thesereminiscencesseemedtoaltertheatmosphere，andeventheappearance，oftheBoardRoom。Itwasalmostasiftheapartmentitselfwasbecominghistoric，likethosechamberstheypointedouttothetouristwhereincrownedheadshadslept。ThemanneroftheMarquislentitselfcharminglytothisillusion。Hespokeinafacile，mellifluousvoice，andasfluentlyasifhehadbeenatworkforalongtimepreparingadissertationonthissubject，insteadoftakingitupnowbychance。
　　Inhistone，inhisgestures，inthesustainedfriendlinessofhisfacialexpressions，therewasapalpabledesiretopleasehisauditor——andThorpegavemoreheedtothisthantothethreadofthediscourse。ThefactsthatheheardnowabouttheJewishmastersofinternationalfinanceweredoubtlesssurprisingandsuggestivetoadegree，butsomehowtheyfailedtostimulatehisimagination。
　　LordChaldon'sstatesmanlikediscussionoftheusestowhichtheyputthisvastpoweroftheirs；hisconvictionthatonthewholetheywerebeneficent；hisdreadoftheconsequencesofanyorganizedattempttotakethispowerawayfromthem，andputitintootherandlesscapablehands——nodoubtitwasallverycleverandwise，butThorpedidnotcareforit。
　　Attheendhenodded，and，withalumberingmovement，alteredhispositioninhischair。ThefixedideaofdespoilingRostocker，Aronson，Ganz，Rothfoere，Lewis，andMendeloftheirlastsixpencehadbeeninnowiseaffectedbythisentertaininghomily。
　　Thereappearedtobenoneedofpretendingthatithadbeen。Ifheknewanythingofmenandtheirmanners，histitledfriendwouldnotobjecttoachangeoftopic。
　　"LordChaldon，"hesaidabruptly，"we'vetalkedenoughaboutgeneralmatters。Whileyou'rehere，wemightaswellgointothesubjectoftheCompany。
　　Ourannualmeetingisprettynearlydue——butIthinkitwouldbebettertohaveitpostponed。Yousee，thisextraordinarydevelopmentofdealinginoursharesontheStockExchangehasoccupiedmyentireattention。
　　TherehasbeennotimeforarrangingthemachineryofoperationsonourpropertyinMexico。It'sstillthere；
　　it'sallright。Butforthetimebeing，theoperationsinLondonaresomuchmoreimportant。Weshouldhavenothingtotellourshareholders，ifwebroughtthemtogether，exceptthattheirone-poundsharesareworthfifteenpounds，andtheyknowthatalready。"
　　TheMarquishadlistenedwithashrewdlyattentiveeyeuponthespeaker'sface。Thenervousaffectionofhiseyelidsgavehimnowaminuteofblinkingleisureinwhichtoframehiscomment。"Ihavenotheardthatmysharesareworthfifteenpounds，"hesaidthen，withadirect，meaninglittlesmile。
　　"No，"Thorpelaughed，leaningcomfortablybackinhischair。
　　"That'swhatIwanttotalktoyouabout。Yousee，whentheCompanywasstarted，itwasimpossibletoforeseethatthisdealinginourordinaryshareswouldswampeverythingelse。Ifthingshadtakentheirusualcourse，andwehadpaidourattentiontoMexicoinsteadoftotheLondonStockExchange，mydeferredvendor'sshares，twothousandofwhichyouhold，wouldbythistimebeworthagoodbit。Asitis，unfortunately，theyareoutsideofthedeal。Theyhavenothingtodowiththemovementoftheordinaryshares。Butofcourseyouunderstandallthat。"
　　LordChaldonassentedbyaneloquentnod，atonceresignedandhopeful。
　　"Well——thatiscontrarytoallmyexpectations——andintentions，"