They，fortheirpart，coldlyabstainedfromexhibitingasignoffeelingabouthim，good，bad，orindifferent。
　　Itwasthemanwiththefairhairandlittlecurlyflaxenbeardwhospoke："Howdoyoudo！IunderstandthatwecanbuyeightthousandfivehundredRubberConsolsfromyouat'twenty-three。'"
　　"No——twenty-five，"repliedThorpe。
　　Thedarkmanspoke："Thejobbers'priceistwenty-three。"
　　"Tocarryover——yes，"Thorpeanswered。"Buttobuyitistwenty-five。"
　　Thetwosonsoftheracewhichinventedmentalarithmeticexchangedanalertglance，andlookedatthefloorforanengrossedinstant。
　　"Idon'tmindtellingyou，"Thorpeinterposedupontheirsilence，"IputonthatextratwopoundsbecauseyougotupthatstoryaboutapplyingtotheStockExchangeCommitteeonachargeoffraud。"
　　"Wedidn'tgetupanystory，"saidRostocker，curtly。
　　"Youtriedtoplantitonus，"Aronsondeclared。
　　"OneofyourownDirectorsputitabout。Ithoughtitwasafakeatthetime。"
　　ThisviewoftheepisodetookThorpebysurprise。
　　Asitseemed，inpassing，toinvolveacomplimenttohisownstrategicpowers，heaccepteditwithoutcomment。
　　"Well——itistwenty-five，anyway，"hetoldthem，withfirmness。
　　"Twenty-four，"suggestedAronson，afteranothermomentarypause。
　　"Notashillinglessthantwenty-five，"Thorpeinsisted，withquietdoggedness。
　　"Wecanalwayspayourcreditorsandletyouwhistle，"
　　Rostockerremindedhim，laconically。
　　"Youcandoanythingyoulike，"wasthereply，"exceptbuyRubberConsolsundertwenty-five。Itdoesn'tmatterafigtomewhetheryougobankruptornot。Itwouldsuitmeaswelltohaveyoutwo'hammered'astotakeyourmoney。"
　　Uponthespurofasuddenthoughthedrewouthiswatch。
　　"Injusttwominutes'timetoatick，thepricewillbethirty。"
　　"Let'sbe'hammered'then！"saidAronsontohiscompanion，withsimulatedimpulsiveness。
　　Rostockerwastheolderandstrongerman，andwhenatlasthespokeitwaswiththedecisionofoneinauthority。
　　"Itisyourgame，"hesaid，withgraveimperturbability。
　　"Eightthousandfivehundredattwenty-five。WillyoudeliverattheCreditLyonnaisinhalfanhour？"
　　Thorpenodded，impassively。Thenarovingideaofgenialimpertinencebroughtagleamtohiseye。"IfyoushouldhappentowantmoreRubberConsolsatanytime，"hesaid，withatentativechuckle，"Icouldprobablyletyouhavethematareducedprice。"
　　Thetworeceivedthepleasantrywithoutasmile，buttoThorpe'sastonishmentoneofthemseemedtodiscernsomethinginitbesidebanter。ItwasRostockerwhosaid：
　　"Perhapswemaymakeadealwithyou，"andapparentlymeantit。
　　Theywentoutatthis，ignoringceremonyupontheirexitasstolidlyastheyhaddoneupontheirentrance，andamomentlaterThorpecalledintheSecretary，anddespatchedamessengertobringSemplefromCapelCourt。
　　Theformalitiesofthisfinaltransferofshareshadbeendictatedtotheformer，andhehadgoneoffonthebusiness，beforetheBrokerarrived。
　　Thorpestoodwaitingnearthedoor，andheldouthishandwithadramaticallysignificantgesturewhenthelittleScotchmanentered。"Putherthere！"heexclaimedheartily，withanexuberantreversiontotheslangofremotetransatlanticbonhomie。
　　"Yeh'vedoneit，then！"saidSemple，hissharpfacesofteningwithpleasureatthenews。"Yeh'vepulleditoffattwenty-three！"
　　Theother'sbigcountenanceyieldeditselftoaboyishgrin。
　　"Twenty-FIVE！"hesaid，andlaughedaloud。"Afteryouleftthismorning，itkindo'occurredtomethatI'draiseitacoupleofpounds。IfoundIwasmadderaboutthosepiecesinthenewspapersthanIthoughtIwas，andsoItookanextraseventeenthousandpoundsonthataccount。"
　　"Godabove！"Sempleejaculated，withasatisfactionthroughwhichsignsofanearlierfrightwerevisible。
　　"Itwastouch-and-goifyoudidn'tloseitallbydoingthat！Youriskedeverything，man！"
　　Thorpeponderouslyshruggedhisshoulders。
　　"Well——Ididit，anyhow，anditcameoff，"washiscomment。
　　Then，straighteninghimself，hedrewalong，longbreath，andbeameddownatthelittleman。"Thinkofit！God！It'sactuallyallover！AndNOWperhapswewon'thaveadrink！
　　Hell！Let'ssendoutforsomechampagne！"Hisfingerwashoveringoverthebell，whentheBroker'sdissuadingvoicearrestedit。"No，no！"Sempleurged。"Iwouldn'ttouchit。
　　It'snofitdrinkforthedaytime——andit'sascandalinanoffice。Yourclerkswillayeblabitabouthitherandyon，andnothingharmsaman'sreputationmoreintheCity。"
　　"Oh，tohellwiththeCity！"criedThorpe，joyously。
　　"I'mnevergoingtosetfootinitagain。Thinkofthat！
　　Imeanit！"
　　Nonetheless，heabandonedtheideaofsendingoutforwine，andcontentedhimselfwiththeresourcesofthecabinetinstead。
　　Aftersomefriendlypressure，Sempleconsentedtojoinhiminabrandy-and-soda，thoughhecontinuedtoprotestbetweensipsthatatsuchanhouritwasanindecentpractice。
　　"It'stheruinofmanyastrongman，"hemoralized，lookingratherpointedlyatThorpeoverhisglass。"It'stheprincipaldangerthatbesetstheverrasuccessfulman。
　　He'stoobusilyoccupiedtotakeexercise，andhe'stooanxiousandworriedtogethispropersleep——buthecanalwaysdrink！Inonesense，I'mnotsorrytothinkthatyou'releavingtheCity。"
　　"Oh，itneverhurtsme，"Thorpesaid，indifferentlyacceptingthedirectionofthehomily。"I'masstrongasanox。
　　Butallthesame，Ishallbebetterineverywayforgettingoutofthishole。ThankGod，IcangetofftoScotlandtomorrow。ButIsay，Semple，what'sthematterwithyourvisitingmeatmyplacethere？I'llgiveyouthegreatestshootingandfishingyoueverheardof。"
　　TheBrokerwasthinkingofsomethingelse。"WhatistobetheprecisepositionoftheCompany，intheimmediatefuture？"
　　heasked。
　　"Company？WhatCompany？"
　　Semplesmiledgrimly。"Haveyoualreadyforgottenthatthereissuchathing？"hequeried，withirony。
　　"Why，man，thisCompanythatpaidforthisverrafineBoard-table，"heexplained，withhisknucklesonitsredbaizecentre。
　　Thorpelaughedamusedly。"Ipaidforthatoutofmyownpocket，"hesaid。"ForthatmattereverythingabouttheCompanyhascomeoutofmypocket——"
　　"Orgoneintoit，"suggestedtheother，andtheychuckledtogether。
　　"Butno——you'reright，"Thorpedeclared。"SomethingoughttobesettledabouttheCompany，Isuppose。
　　OfcourseIwashmyhandsofit——butwouldanybodyelsewanttogoonwithit？Youseeitsannualworkingexpenses，merelyfortheofficeandtheBoard，footupnearly3，000pounds。I'vepaidtheseforthisyear，butnaturallyIwon'tdoitagain。Andwoulditbeworthanybodyelse'swhiletodoit？Yours，forexample？"
　　"HaveyouhadanyexplanationswiththeotherDirectors？"
　　theBrokerasked，thoughtfully。
　　"Explanations——no，"Thorpetoldhim。"Butthat'sallright。
　　TheMarquishasbeentakencareof，andsohasPlowden。
　　They'regametoagreetoanything。Andlet'ssee——Kervickisentirelymyman。ThatleavesWatkinandDavidson——andtheydon'tmatter。They'remereguinea-pigs。Afewhundredsapiecewouldshutthemup，ifyouthoughtitwasworthwhiletogivethemanythingatall。"
　　"Andabouttheproperty，——therubberplantation，——thattheCompanywasformedtoacquireanddevelop。Isupposetherereallyissuchaplantation？"
　　"Oh，yes，it'sallthererightenough，"Thorpesaid，briefly。
　　"It'snogood，though，isit？"theBrokerasked，withaffabledirectness。
　　"Betweenourselves，itisn'tworthadamn，"theotherblithelyassuredhim。
　　TheScotchmanmusedwithbentbrows。"Thereoughtstilltobemoneyinit，"hesaid，withanairofconviction。
　　"Bytheway，"itoccurredtoThorpetomention，"here'ssomethingIdidn'tunderstand。ItoldRostockerhere，justasacheekykindofjoke，thatafterheandAronsonhadgottheireightthousandfivehundred，iftheythoughtthey'dlikestillmoreshares，I'dlet'emhave'ematabargain——andheseemedtotakeitseriously。
　　Hedidforafact。Saidperhapshecouldmakeadealwithme。"
　　"Hm-m！"saidSemple，reflectively。"I'llseeifhesaysanythingtome。Verylikelyhe'sspottedsomewayoftakingthethingover，andreorganizingit，andgivingitanotherrunoverthecourse。I'llthinkitout。
　　AndnowImustbeoff。Aren'tyoulunching？"
　　"No——I'llhavetheboybringinsomesandwiches，"
　　Thorpedecided。"IwantmynextmealwestofTempleBarwhenIgetroundtoit。I'vesouredontheCityforkeeps。"
　　"Iwouldn'tsaythatithadbeensobadtoyou，either，"
　　Semplesmilinglysuggested，asheturnedtothedoor。
　　Thorpegrinnedinsatisfiedcomment。"Hurrybackassoonasyou'vefinallysettledwithRostockerandtheotherfellow，"
　　hecalledafterhim，andbeganpacingtheflooragain。
　　Itwasnearlyfouro'clockwhenthesetwomen，againtogetherintheBoardRoom，andhavingfinishedtheinspectionofsomepapersonthedesk，satuprightandlookedateachotherintacitrecognitionthatfinalwordsweretobespoken。
　　"Well，Semple，"Thorpebegan，afterthatsignificantlittlepause，"IwanttosaythatI'mdamnedgladyou'vedonesowellforyourselfinthisaffair。
　　You'vebeenasstraightasadietome，——IoweitasmuchtoyouasIdotomyself，——andifyoudon'tthinkyou'vegotenoughevennow，Iwantyoutosayso。"
　　Hehadspokenintonesofsincereliking，andtheotheransweredhiminkind。"IhavemorethanIeverdreamedofmakinginalifetimewhenIcametoLondon，"
　　hedeclared。"Ifmyfatherwerealive，andheardmetellhimthatinoneyear，outofasingletransaction，Ihadclearedoversixty-fivethousandpounds，he'dbefittodoubttheexistenceofaSupremeBeing。
　　I'mobligedtoyouforyourgoodwords，Thorpe。It'snotonlybeenprofitabletoworkwithyou，butithasbeenagreateducationandagreatpleasureaswell。"
　　Thorpenoddedhisappreciation。"I'mgoingtoaskafavourofyou，"hesaid。"Iwanttoleavethegeneralrunofmyinvestmentsandinterestshereinyourhands，tokeeptrackofIdon'twanttospeculateatall，intheordinarymeaningoftheword。EvenafterIburyapotofmoneyinnon-productiverealestate，Ishallhaveanincomeof50，000poundsattheveryleast，andperhapstwiceasmuch。There'snofuningamblingwhenyou'vegotsuchabankasthatbehindyou。Butiftherearegood，wisechangestobemadeininvestments，orifthingsturnupinthewayofchancesthatIoughttoknowabout，Iwanttofeelthatyou'reonthespotwatchingthingsanddoingthingsinmyinterest。
　　Andasitwon'tberegularbroker'swork，Ishallwanttopayyouastatedsum——whateveryouthinkisright。"
　　"Thatwillarrangeitselfeasilyenough，"saidSemple。
　　"Ishallhavethegreatestpleasureincaringforwhateveryouputinmyhands。AndIthinkIcanpromisethatitwillbenonetheworseforthekeeping。"
　　"Idon'tneedanyassuranceonthatscore，"
　　Thorpedeclared，cordially。"You'retheonesterling，honestmanI'veknownintheCity。"
　　ItwastheBroker'sturntomakealittleacknowledgingbow。
　　Hiseyesgleamedfranksatisfactionatbeingsowellunderstood。
　　"IthinkIseethewaythatmoremoneycanbemadeoutoftheCompany，"hesaid，abruptlychangingthesubject。
　　"I'vehadbutafewwordswithRostockeraboutit——butit'scleartomethathehasaplan。Hewillbecomingtoyouwithaproposition。"
　　"Well，hewon'tfindme，then，"interposedThorpe，withacomfortablesmile。"Ileaveallthattoyou。"
　　"Isuspectthathisplan，"continuedSemple，"istomakeasub-rosaofferofafewshillingsforthemajorityoftheshares，andreconstitutetheBoard，andthenformanotherCompanytobuythepropertyandgood-willoftheoldoneatahandsomeprice。Nowifthatwouldbeagoodthingforhimtodo，itwouldbeagoodthingformetodo。
　　Ishallgooveritallcarefully，indetail，thisevening。
　　AndIsuppose，ifIseemywayclearbeforeme，thanI
　　mayrelyuponyourgoodfeelinginthematter。Iwoulddoalltheworkandassumealltherisk，and，letussay，divideanyprofitsequally——youinturngivingmeafreehandwithallyourshares，andyourinfluencewiththeDirectors。"
　　"I'lldobetterstill，"Thorpetoldhim，uponbriefreflection。
　　"ReconstitutetheBoardandmakeLordPlowdenChairman，——I
　　don'timaginetheMarquiswouldhavethenervetogoonwithit，——andI'llmakeafreegiftofmysharestoyoutwo——halfandhalf。You'llfindhimallrighttoworkwith，——ifyoucanonlygethimupinthemorning，——andI'vekindo'promisedhimsomethingofthesort。
　　Doesthatsuityou？"Semple'scountenancewasthoughtfulratherthanenthusiastic。"I'mmoreskepticalaboutLordsthanyouare，"heobserved，"butifhe'samenable，andunderstandsthathispartistodowhatItellhimtodo，I'venodoubtweshallhititofftogether。"
　　"Oh，absolutely！"saidThorpe，withconfidence。
　　"I'llseetoitthathebehaveslikealamb。You'retohaveanabsolutelyfreehand。You'retodowhatyoulike，——
　　windtheCompanyup，orsellitout，orrigitupunderanewnameandcatchanewsetofgudgeonswithit，——
　　whateveryoudamnedplease。WhenItrustaman，Itrusthim。"
　　Thetwofriends，theirfacesbrightenedandtheirvoicesmellowedbythissereneconsciousnessoftheirmutualtrustineachother'sloyaltyandintegrity，dweltnofurtheruponthesehalcyonbeginningsofafreshplanforplunderingthepublic。Theyspokeinsteadonpersonaltopics——ofthepossibilityofSemple'scomingtoScotlandduringtheautumn，andofthechanceofThorpe'swinteringabroad。
　　AllatonceThorpefoundhimselfdisclosingthefactofhisforthcomingmarriage，thoughhedidnotmentionthenameofthelady'sfather，andunderthegraciousstressofthisannouncementtheydrankagain，andclinkedglassesfervently。WhenSempleatlasttookhisleave，theyshookhandswiththedeep-eyedearnestnessofcomradeswhohavebeenthroughbattleandfaceddeathtogether。
　　ItwasnotuntilThorpestoodalonethatthefullrealizingsenseofwhatthedaymeantseemedtocometohim。
　　Fruitionwasfinallycomplete：thelastwinnowingofthegreatharvesthadbeenaddedtothepile。
　　Positivelynothingremainedforhimbuttoenterandenjoy！
　　Hefounditcuriouslydifficulttograspthethoughtinitsentirety。Hestoodthemasterofunlimitedleisurefortherestofhislife，andofpowertoenrichthatlifewitheverythingthatmoneycouldbuy，——buttherewasanoddinabilitytofeelaboutitasheknewheoughttofeel。
　　Somehow，forsomeunaccountablereason，anabsurddepressionhoveredaboutoverhismind，darkeningitwithformlessshadows。Itwasasifheweresorrythattheworkwasallfinished——thattherewasnothingmoreforhimtodo。Butthatwastoofoolish，andhetriedtothrustitfromhim。Hesaidwithangrydecisiontohimselfthathehadneverlikedthework；
　　thatithadallbeenunpleasantandgrindingdrudgery，tolerableonlyasameanstoanend；thatnowthisendhadbeenreached，hewantednevertolayeyesontheCityagain。
　　Lethimdwellinsteaduponthethingshedidwanttolayeyesupon。Sometravelnodoubthewouldlike，butnottoomuch；certainlynomorethanhiswifewouldcheerfullyacceptasaminimum。Hedesiredrathertorestamonghisownpossessions。TobelordofthemanoratPellesleyCourt，withhisownretinueofservantsanddependentsandtenants，hisownthousandsofrichacres，hisownsplendidoldtimber，hisownfatstockandfleethorsesandabundantcoversandprizekennels——THATwaswhatmosttrulyappealedtohim。Itwasnotatallcertainthathewouldhunt；
　　break-neckadventureinthesaddlescarcelyattractedhim。
　　Buttherewasnoreasonintheworldwhyheshouldnotbreedracinghorses，andcreateforhimselfadistinguishedandevenloftypositionontheTurf。Hehadnevercaredmuchaboutracesorracingfolkhimself，butwhenthePrinceandLordRoseberyandpeoplelikethatwentinforwinningtheDerby，thereclearlymustbesomethingfascinatinginit。
　　ThenParliament，ofcourse；hedidnotwaveratallfromhisoldifvagueconceptionofaseatinParliamentasanaturalpartoftheoutfitofapowerfulcountrymagnate。
　　Andinahundredotherwaysmenshouldthinkofhimaspowerful，andlookuptohim。HewouldgotochurcheverySunday，andsitinthebigSquire'spew。
　　Hewouldbeamagistrateasamatterofcourse，andhewouldmakehimselffeltontheCountyCouncil。
　　Hewouldastonishthecountybyhischarities，andinbadyearsbythemunificenceofhisreductionsinrents。
　　Perhapsiftherewereaparticularlybadharvest，hewoulddeclinealloverhisestatetoexactanyrentwhatever。
　　Fancywhatanoblesensationthatwouldmake！ADukecoulddonomore。
　　Itwasverycleartohimnowthathedesiredtohavechildrenofhisown，——saytwoatleast，asonandadaughter，orperhapsasonandtwodaughters：twolittlegirlswouldbecompanyforeachother。Asheprefiguredthesenewbeings，thesonwastoexistchieflyforpurposesofdistinctionandthedignityofheirship，andthepaternalrelationswithhimwouldbealwayssomewhatformal，and，thoughaffectionate，unexpansive。
　　Butthelittlegirls——theywouldputtheirarmsroundtheirfather'sneck，andwalkoutwithhimtoseethepigsandthedogs，andbethedarlingsofhisheart。
　　Hewouldbeanoldmanbythetimetheygrewup。
　　Abeatificvisionofhimselftookforminhismind——ofhimselfgrowinggreyandpleasurablytired，surroundedbyopulenceandthedemonstrativerespectofeverybody，smilingwithvirtuouscontentashestrolledalongbetweenhistwodaughters，miraclesofbeautyandtenderness，holdingeachbyahand。
　　Theentranceofaclerkbrokeabruptlyuponthisdaydream。
　　Hehadatelegraminhishand，andThorpe，rousinghimselfwithaneffort，tooktheliver-colouredenvelope，andlookedblanklyatit。Someweirdapprehensionseizeduponhim，asifhebelongedtothepeasantclasswhichinstinctivelyyokestelegramsandcalamitiestogether。Hedeferredtothisfeelingenoughtonoddismissaltotheclerk，andthen，whenhewasagainalone，slowlyopenedthemessage，andreadit：
　　"Newcastle-on-Tyne，September12。OurfrienddiedatEdinborothismorning。Seeyouathotelthisevening——Kervick。"
　　WhatThorpefeltatfirstwasthathistwodaughtershadshrunkfromhimwithswift，terribleaversion：
　　theyvanished，alongwitheveryphaseofthebrightvision，underapallofunearthlyblackness。Hestoodinthecentreofachillsolitude，staringstupidlyatthecoarse，softpaper。
　　Thepremonition，then，hadjustifieditself！Somethinghadtoldhimthatthetelegramwasanevilthing。
　　AvaguelysuperstitiousconsciousnessofbeinginthepresenceofFatelaidholduponhim。Hisgreatdayoftriumphhaditsblood-stain。Avictimhadbeenneedful——andtothatendpoorsimple，sillyoldTavenderwasadeadman。
　　Thorpecouldseehim，——anembarrassingcadavereyedbystrangerswhodidnotknowwhattodowithit，——fatuousevenindeath。
　　AsuddenrageatKervickflamedup。Heclearlyhadplayedthefool——clumsilyover-plyingthesimpletonwithdrinktillhehadkilledhim。Theshadowofmurderindubitablyhungoverthething。Andthen——thecrasswitlessnessoftelegraphing！Already，doubtless，thepoliceofEdinboroughweretalkingoverthewireswithScotlandYard。
　　AreferencetoadeathinEdinborough，inatelegramfromNewcastle——itwasincrediblethatthisshouldescapetheeyeoftheauthorities。Anyminutemightbringadetectivethroughthatdoorthere——followingintotheBoardRoomwithhisimplacablescenttheclueofblood。
　　Thorpe'sfancypicturedthisdetectiveasamomentarilyactualpresence——tall，lean，cold-eyed，mysteriouslycalmandfatallywise，theomniscientterrorofthemagazineshort-stories。
　　Heturnedfaintandsickunderaspasmoffright。
　　Themenaceofenquirybecamesomethingmorethanathreat：
　　hefeltit，likethegripofaconstableuponhisarm。
　　Everythingwouldbemercilesslyunravelled。ThetelegramoftheidiotKervickwouldbringthepolicedownuponhimlikeapackofbeagles。ThebeliefsandsurmisesoftheidiotGaffersonwouldfurnishthemwiththekeytoeverything。HewouldhavehisletterfromTavendertoshowtothedetectives——andtheGovernment'ssmartlawyerswouldferretouttherest。ThedeathofTavender——theycouldhardlymakehimresponsibleforthat；
　　butitwasthedramaticfeatureofthisdeathwhichwouldinspirethemalltodigupeverythingaboutthefraud。
　　Itwasthissamesensationaladdedelementofthedeath，too，whichwouldcountwithajury。Theywerealwaysgross，sentimentalfools，thesejuries。TheywouldmixupthedeathandthedealinRubberConsols，andintheirfat-headedconfusionwouldsay"PenalServitude——fourteenyears。"
　　Orno，itwastheJudgewhofixedthat。ButtheJudgeswerefools，too；theyweretooconceited，toopuffedupwithvanity，totakethetroubletounderstand。
　　Hegroanedaloudinanightmareofhelplessness。
　　Thesoundofhisownvoice，moaninginhisears，hadamagicaleffectuponhim。Heliftedhishead，gazedabouthim，andthenflusheddeeply。Hisnervelesscowardicehadallatoncebecomeunbelievabletohimself。
　　Withashamedfrownhestraightenedhimself，andstoodthusforalongminute，engrossedinthedefinitetaskofchasingthesephantomsfromhismind。
　　Onceamanlyfrontwasdisplayedtothem，theyslunkawaywithmiraculousfacility。Hepouredoutsomebrandy，andsippeditneat，andlaughedscornfully，defiantly，aloud。
　　Hehadoverhalfamillion——withpowerandforceandcourageenoughtodowithitwhatheliked。Hehadfoughtluckundauntedly，unwearyingly，duringallthoseyearswhenhishandswereempty。Washetotrembleandturntailnow，whenhishandswerefull，whenhewasarmouredandweaponedateverypoint？Hewasamazedandhurt，andstillmoreenraged，atthatfitofgirlishweaknesswhichhadpossessedhim。
　　Hecouldhavebeatenhimselfwithstripesforit。
　　Butitcouldneverhappenagain——never，never！
　　Hetoldhimselfthatwithproud，resolutereiteration，ashegothishatandstick，andputinhispocketsoneortwopapersfromthedesk，andthenglancedabouttheBoardRoomforwhatwas，mostlikely，thelasttime。
　　HerehehadwonhisgreatvictoryoverFate，herehehadputhisenemiesunderhisfeet，andifinnocentsimpletonshadwanderedintothecompanyofthesefoes，itmatterednotawhittohimthattheyalsohadbeencrushed。
　　Figuratively，heturnedhisbackuponthemnow；heleftthem，slainandtrampled，intheBoardRoombehindhim。
　　Theynolongerconcernedhim。
　　Figuratively，too，ashewalkedwithfirmnesstothedoor，hesteppedoverthebodyofoldTavender，uponthethreshold，andbestoweduponitadownwardmentalglance，andpassedon。
　　Bythetimehereachedthestreet，thememoryofTavenderhadbecomethemerestshredofamyth。Ashestrodeon，itseemedtohimthathisdaughterscameagain，andtookhishands，andmovedlovinglybesidehim——lovinglyandstillmoreadmiringlythanbefore。
　　CHAPTERXXII
　　BYtheautumnofthefollowingyear，acertainsmallproportionofthepeopleinhabitingthedistrictinHertfordshirewhichsetitsclocksbythedialoverthestable-towerofPellesleyCourthadaccustomedthemselvestogivetheplaceitsnewnameofHighThorpe。
　　Thesewereforthemostpartthefolkofpeculiarlyfacilewitsandreadypowersofadaptation，likepushingsmalltradesmen，andtheupperservantsincountyhouses。
　　AnindolentandhazycompromiseuponPellesleyThorpehaddriftedintousebyperhapsalargernumber。
　　Tothepuzzledconservatismoftheabidinghugemajoritynearesttothesoil——theround-backed，lumpishmenwhotiestringsroundtheircorduroysundertheknee，andthestrong，cow-facedwomenwholookatpassers-byontheroadfromthedoorsofdarklittlecottages，overradiantpatchesofblossominggarden——itseemedsafesttodropfamilynamesaltogether，andcallitmerelytheCourt。
　　Itstoodproudlyuponwhatwasratheranotableelevationforthoseflatparts——amassivemansionofsimpleform，builtofagreystonewhichseemedatadistancealmostwhiteagainstthedeepbackgroundofyewsandItalianpinesbehindit。Formanymilesseawardthispalefrontwasalandmark。Fromtheterrace-walkatitsbase，onebeheldagreatexpanseofsoftgreencountry，slopinggentlyawayforalongdistance，thenstretchingoutuponalevelwhichonmistydayswasinterminable。
　　Inbrightweather，theremote，low-lyinghorizonhadadefininglineofbrownish-blue——andthisstoodforwhatwasleftofaprimitiveforest，containingtreesmucholderthantheNormannameitbore。Itwasaforestwhichatsometime，nodoubt，hadextendedwithoutabreaktillitmergedintothatofEpping——leaguesawaytothesouth。
　　Themodernclearanceandtillage，however，whichseparateditnowfromEppinghadservedasacuriouslyeffectivebarrier——morebafflingthantheRomansandAnglesintheirturnhadfoundtheoriginalwildwood。
　　Nostrangerseemedevertofindhiswayintothatbroad，minutely-cultivatedfertileplainwhichHighThorpelookeddownupon。Norailwayhadpusheditscheapeningcourseacrossit。Silent，emboweredoldcountryroadsandlanesnetteditsexpansewithhedgerows；redpointsoftiledroofs，distinguishablehereandthereinclustersamongthedarkergreensoforchards，identifiedthescatteredhamlets——allnamedinDomesdayBook，allseeminglyunchangedsince。
　　Agreysquarechurch-toweremergingfromtherooks'
　　nests；anorderedmassoffoliageshelteringthedistantgablesandchimneysofsomeisolatedhouse；thedimperceptiononoccasionthatarusticwaggonwasinmotiononsomehighway，crawlingpatientlylikeaninsect——ofthisplacid，inductivenaturewerealltheaddedproofsofhumanoccupationthatthelandscapeoffered。
　　Mr。StormontThorpe，onanafternoonofearlyOctober，yawnedinthefaceofthislandscape——andthenidlywonderedalittleatthemoodwhichhadimpelledhimtodoso。
　　Attheoutsetofhisproprietorshiphehadboundhimself，asbyapointofhonour，toregardthisasthefinestviewfromanygentleman'shouseinEngland。Duringthefirstfewmonthshisfidelityhadbeentaxedagooddeal，butthesetemptationsandstruggleslaynowallhappilybehindhim。Hehadsatisfactorilyassimilatedthespiritofthevista，andblendeditwithhisown。Itsinertia，whenonecametocomprehendit，wasundeniablymagnificent，andlongagohehadperceivedwithinhimselfthegrowthofanansweringrepose，aresponsivelethargy，whichinitsfulldevelopmentwasalsogoingtobeveryfine。
　　Practicallyallthelandthissideoftheimpalpablelinewheretreesandhousesbegantofadeintothebackgroundbelongedtohim；therewerewholevillagesnestlinghalf-concealedunderitsshrubberieswhichwerehisproperty。Asaninvestment，thesepossessionswereextremelyunremunerative。Indeed，ifoneaddedthecostoftheimprovementswhichoughttobemade，totheexpenditurealreadylaidoutinrenovations，itwasquestionableifforthenexttwentyyearstheywouldnotrepresentadeficitontheincome-sheet。But，nowthathehadlaidholdofthelocalcharacter，itpleasedhimthatitshouldbeso。Hewouldnotfortheworldhavehisgentle，woolly-minded，unprofitablecottagerstransformedinto"hustlers"；itwouldwoundhiseyetoseethesmokeofanycommercialchimney，thesmudgeofanydividend-payingfactory，stainingthepuretintsofthesylvanlandscape。Hehadtrulylearnedtoloveit。
　　Yetnow，ashestrolledontheterracewithhisfirstafter-luncheoncigar，heunaccountablyyawnedatthethingheloved。Uponreflection，hehadgonetobedratherearlierthepreviouseveningthanusual。Hehadnotbeendrinkingoutoftheordinary；hisliverseemedrightenough。
　　Hewasnotconsciousofbeingeithertiredordrowsy。
　　Helookedagainattheviewwithsomefixity，andsaidtohimselfconvincinglythatnothingelseinEnglandcouldcomparewithit。Itwasthefinestthingtherewasanywhere。Thenhesurprisedhimselfinthemiddleofanotheryawn——andhaltedabruptly。Itoccurredtohimthathewantedtotravel。
　　Sincehishome-comingtothissplendidnewhomeinthepreviousJanuary，attheconclusionofahoneymoonspentinAlgiersandEgypt，hehadnotbeenoutofEngland。
　　TherehadbeenaconsiderablesojourninLondon，itistrue，atwhatwasdescribedtohimastheheightoftheSeason，butlookingbackuponit，hecouldnotthinkofitasadiversion。Ithadbeenarestless，over-worked，mystifyingexperience，fullofdinnerstopeoplewhomhehadneverseenbefore，andlaboriousencounterswithotherpeoplewhomhedidnotparticularlywanttoseeagain。
　　Therehadbeennophysicalcomfortinitforhim，andlittlemorementalsatisfaction，forLondoners，orratherpeopleinLondon，seemedalltobemakinganinvidiousdistinctionintheirmindsbetweenhimandhiswife。ThefactthatshecontinuedtobecalledLadyCressagewasnotofitselfimportanttohim。
　　ButintheincessantgoingaboutinLondon，theirnameswerecalledouttogethersooftenthathiseargrewsensitiveandsoretothetouchofthefootmen'sreverberations。
　　Themeaningdifferentiationwhichthevoicesoftheservantsinsistedupon，seemedinevitablyreflectedintheglanceandmanneroftheirmistresses。Morethananythingelse，thatmadehimhateLondon，andbarredthedoorsofhismindtoallthoughtsofbuyingatown-house。
　　Hisnewly-madewife，itistrue，hadnotcaredmuchforLondon，either，andhadagreedtohisdecisionagainstatown-housealmostwithanimation。Theoccasionoftheirreturnfromthehotbustleofthemetropolistothesecoolhomeshades——inparticulartheminuteinwhich，atabendinthewindingcarriage-waydownbelow，theyhadsilentlyregardedtogetherthespectacleupliftedbeforethem，withthebig，welcominghouse，andtheservantsontheterrace——hadaplaceofitsowninhismemory。
　　Edithhadpressedhisarm，astheysatsidebysideinthelandau，ontheinstantcompulsionofafeelingtheyhadincommon。Hehadnever，beforeorsince，hadquitethesameassurancethatshesharedanemotionwithhim。
　　Hewasveryfar，however，fromfindingfaultwithhiswife。
　　Itwasinthenatureofthelifehechosetoleadthatheshouldseeagreatdealofher，andthinkagreatdealabouther，andsheborebothtestsadmirably。
　　Iftherewasafaulttobefound，itwaswithhimselfforhisinabilitytoaltogetherunderstandher。Sheplayedthepartshehadundertakentoplaywithabundantskillanddiscretionandgrace，andevenwithanairofnicegood-fellowshipwhichhadsomeoftheaspectsofaffection。
　　Hewasvaguelyannoyedwithhimselfforhavinginsightenoughtoperceivethatitwasapartshewasplaying，andyetlackingtheaddedshrewdnesstodivinewhatherownpersonalattitudetoherrolewaslike。
　　Hehadnoticedsometimesthewaygoodwomenlookedattheirhusbandswhenthelatterweretalkingovertheirheads——withtheeager，intent，non-comprehendingadmirationofanaffectionatedog。Thiswasalookwhichhecouldnotimaginehimselfdiscoveringinhiswife'seves。
　　Itwasnotconceivabletohimthatheshouldtalkoverherhead。Herglancenotonlyrevealedanampleunderstandingofallhesaid，butsuggestedunusedreservesofcomprehensionwhichhemightnotfathom。Itwasasif，intellectuallynolessthansocially，shepossessedatitleandheremainedanundistinguishedplebeian。
　　Hemadenogrievance，however，eveninhisownthoughts，ofeitherinequality。Shehadbeencharminglyfrankandfairaboutthequestionofthenames，whenitfirstarose。
　　Theusagehadlatterlycometobe，sheexplained，forawidowbearingevenacourtesytitlederivedfromherlatehusband，toretainitonmarryingagain。
　　Itwasalwaystheeasiestcoursetofallinwithusage，butifhehadanyfeelingsonthesubject，andpreferredtohaveherinsistonbeingcalledMrs。Thorpe，shewouldmeethiswisheswithentirewillingness。
　　Ithadseemedtohim，astoher，thatitwaswisesttoallowusagetosettlethematter。SomemonthsaftertheirmarriagethereappearedinthepaperswhatpurportedtobeanauthoritativeannouncementthattheQueenobjectedtothepracticeamongladieswhomarriedasecondtime，ofretainingtitlesacquiredbytheearliermarriages，andthatthelistsofprecedencyatBuckinghamPalacewouldhenceforthtakethisintoaccount。LadyCressageshowedthistoherhusband，andtalkedagainwithcandouronthesubject。
　　Shesaidshehadalwaysratherregrettedthedecisiontheyoriginallycameto，andevennowcouldwishthatitmightbealtered，butthattoeffectachangeinthefaceofthisnewspaperparagraphwouldseemservile——andinthisasinmostotherthingsheagreedwithher。Asshesaid，theywantednothingofBuckinghamPalace。
　　Shewantedequallylittle，itseemed，ofthesocietywhichtheneighbouringdistrictmightafford。Therewasameagreroutineofformalcallskeptinlanguidoperation，Thorpeknew，butitwassomuchinthebackgroundthathenevercameincontactwithit。HisownnotionsofthepartheoughttotakeinCountyaffairshadundergoneasilentandunnoted，yetalmostsweeping，change。Whatlittlehesawofthegentryandstronglocalmenwithwhomhewouldhavetowork，quietlyunderminedanddismantledallhisambitionsinthatdirection。Theywerenothissort；
　　theirstandardsforthemeasurementofthingswereunintelligibletohim。Hedidnotdoubtthat，ifhesethimselfaboutit，hecouldimposehisdominionuponthem，anymorethanhedoubtedthat，ifhemasteredtheChineselanguage，hecouldlifthimselftobeaMandarin，buttheonewouldbeasunnaturalandunattractiveanenterpriseastheother。Hecametobeuponnoddingtermswithmostofthe"carriage-people"roundabout；
　　somefewheexchangedmeaninglesswordswithuponoccasion，andunderstoodthathiswifealsotalkedwith，whenitwasunavoidable，buttherehisrelationshiptotheCountyended，andhewaswellpleasedthatitshouldbeso。Itgavehimadeepsatisfactiontoseethathiswifeseemedalsowellpleased。
　　Heusedtheword"seemed"inhisinmostmusings，foritwasneverquitecertainwhatreallydidpleaseanddispleaseher。
　　Itwasalwayspuzzlingtohimtoreconcileherundoubtedintellectualactivitywiththepracticalemptinessoftheexistencesheprofessedtoenjoy。Inonedirection，shehadindeedagenuineoutletforherenergies，whichhecouldunderstandherregardinginthelightofanoccupation。Shewascrazieraboutflowersandplantsthananybodyhehadeverheardof，andithaddelightedhimtomakeovertoher，labelledjocoselyasthebouquet-fund，asumofmoneywhich，itseemedtohim，mighthavepaidforthehanging-gardensofBabylon。
　　Ityieldedintime——emergingslowlybutsteadilyfromaprodigiouslitterofcementandbricksandmortarandputty，underthehandsofinnumerablemasons，carpenters，glaziers，plumbers，andnondescriptsubordinates，allofwhomtalkedunwearyinglyaboutnothingatall，andsufferednomantoperformanypartofhisallottedtaskwithoutsuspendingtheirownlabourstowatchhim——animposinglonglineofnewgreenhouses，morethantwentyinnumber。Themail-bagwasfilledmeanwhilewithnurserymen'scatalogues，andthecartmadeincessantjourneystoandfromPunseystation，bringingbackvaststraw-enwrappedbasketsandbundlesandboxesbeyondcounting，thearrivalandunpackingofwhichwaswithEdiththeeventoftheday。Abouttherealityofherengrossedinterestinallthestagesofprogressbywhichthesegreenhousesbecamecrowdedmuseumsoftheunusualandabnormalinplant-life，itwasimpossibletohaveanysuspicion。
　　Andevenaftertheywerefilledtooverflowing，Thorpenotedwithjoythatthisinterestseemedinnowisetoflag。
　　Shespenthourseverydayundertheglass，exchangingcommentsandtheorieswithhergardeners，andevenpullingthingsaboutwithherownhands，andotherhoursshedevotedalmostasregularlytosupervisingthewholesalealterationsthathadbeenbeguninthegardensoutside。Thereweretobenewpaths，newwallswithasouthernexposure，newpottingsheds，newforcingpits，neweverything——andintheeveningssheoftenworkedlateoverthemapsandplansshedrewforallthis。Thorpe'smindfounditdifficulttograsptheideathataladyofsuchnotablequalitiescouldbeentirelysatisfiedbyacareeramongseedsandbulbsandcomposts，butatleasttimebroughtnoevidencesofadeclineinherhorticulturalzeal。
　　Whoknew？Perhapsitmightgoonindefinitely。
　　Asforhimself，hehadgotonverywellwithoutanyspecialinclinationorhobby。Hehadnotdoneanyofthegreatthingsthatayearagoithadseemedtohimhewouldforthwithdo——buthismindwasserenelyundisturbedbyregrets。Hedidnotevenrememberwithanydistinctnesswhatthesethingswerethathehadbeengoingtodo。
　　Theroutineoflife——asarrangedandbornealongbythewiseandtactfulexpertswhoworetheliveryofHighThorpe——wasabundantlysufficientinitself。Hesleptwellnowinthemorninghours，andthoughheremainedstill，bycomparison，anearlyriser，thebathandtheshavingandslowdressingunderthehandsofavaletconsumedcomfortablyagooddealoftime。Throughoutthedayhewasunderthealmostconstantobservationofpeoplewhowerecallinghim"master"intheirminds，andwatchingtoseehow，inthesmallestdetailsofdeportment，a"master"carriedhimself，andtheconsciousnessofthisaloneamountedtoakindofvocation。Thehouseitselfmadedemandsuponhimnearlyasdefiniteasthoseoftheservants。Itwasahouseofhugerooms，highceilings，andgrandiosefireplacesandstairways，whichhadseemedtohimlikearoyalpalacewhenhefirstbeheldit，andstillproduceduponhimaneffectofundigestiblelargenessandstrangeness。Itwasasawholenotsooldastheagentshadrepresentedit，bysomecenturies，butitadapteditselfaslittletohispreconceivednotionsofdomesticityasifithadbeenbuiltbyDruids。Thetaskofseemingtobeathomeinithadasmanysidestoitastherewereminutesintheday——andoddlyenough，Thorpefoundintheirstudyandobservanceacongenialoccupation。
　　Whetherhewasreadinginthelibrary——wheretherewasanadmirablecollectionofbooksofworth——orwalkingoverthehome-farms，ordrivinginhissmartstanhopewiththecoachmanbehind，orsittinginformalcostumeanddignityoppositehisbeautifulwifeatthedinner-table，thesenseofwhatwasexpectedofhimwasthere，steadyingandrestraining，likeanatmosphericpressure。
　　Thusfartheyhadhadfewvisitors，andhadacceptednoinvitationstojoinhouse-partieselsewhere。
　　Theyagreedwithoutspeakingaboutitthatitwasmoretheirformtoentertainthantobeentertained，andcertainpeoplewerecomingtothemlaterinthemonth。
　　ThesewerequitewhollyofEdith'ssetandselection，forThorpehadnofriendsoracquaintancesoutsidehercircleforwhosepresencehehadanydesire——andamongtheseprospectiveguestswereaDukeandaDuchess。
　　Once，suchafactwouldhaveexcitedThorpe'simagination。
　　Heregardeditnowassomethingappropriateunderthecircumstances，andgaveitlittlefurtherthought。
　　Hisplacid，satisfiedlifewasnotdependentuponthestirofguestscomingandgoing，eventhoughtheywerethegreatoftheearth。Hewalkedonhisspaciousterraceafterluncheon——atall，portly，well-groomedfigureofaman，ofrelaxed，easyaspect，withhisbigcigar，andhispanamahat，andhislooseclothesofchoicefabricsandexquisitetailoring——andsaidtohimselfthatitwasthefinestviewinEngland——andthen，tohisownsurprise，caughthimselfintheactofyawning。
　　Fromunderthesilkcurtainsandawningofawindow-doorwayattheendoftheterrace，hiswifeissuedandcametowardhim。
　　Herheadwasbare，andshehadthegraceandfreshbeautyofayounggirlinhersimplelightgownofsomesummeryfiguredstuff。
　　"Whatdoyousaytogoingoffsomewhere——tomorrowifyoulike——travellingabroad？"hecalledout，assheapproachedhim。Theidea，onlyamomentoldinhismind，hadgrowntogreatproportions。"Howcanwe？"sheasked，uponthebriefestthought。"THEYarecomingattheendoftheweek。ThisisMonday，andtheyarriveonthe12th——that'sthisSaturday。"
　　"Sosoonasthat！"heexclaimed。"Ithoughtitwaslater。
　　H-m！Idon'tknow——IthinkperhapsI'llgouptoLondonthisevening。I'mbywayoffeelingrestlessallatonce。
　　Willyoucomeupwithme？"
　　Sheshookherhead。"Ican'tthinkofanythinginLondonthatwouldbetolerable。"
　　Hegaveavaguelittlelaugh。"IshallprobablyhateitmyselfwhenIgetthere，"hespeculated。"Thereisn'tanybodyIwanttosee——thereisn'tanythingIwanttodo。
　　Idon'tknow——perhapsitmightlivenmeup。"
　　Herfacetookonalookofenquiringgravity。"Areyougettingtiredofit，then？"Sheputthequestiongently，almostcautiously。
　　Hereflectedalittle。"Why——no，"heanswered，asifreasoningtohimself。"OfcourseI'mnot。
　　ThisiswhatI'vealwayswanted。It'smyideaoflifetoa't。'Only——Isupposeeverythingneedsabreakinitnowandthen——ifonlyforthecomfortofgettingbackintotheoldrutagain。"
　　"Therut——yes，"shecommented，musingly。"Apparentlythere'salwaysarut。"
　　Thorpegaveherthemystifiedyetuncomplainingglancesheknewsowellinhiseyes。Foronce，theimpulsetothrowhiddenthingsupintohisrangeofviewprevailedwithher。
　　"Doyouknow，"shesaid，withaconfusedhalf-smileatthenoveltyofhermoodforelucidation，"Ifanciedarutwastheonethingtherecouldbenoquestionaboutwithyou。
　　Ihadthenotionthatyouwereincapableofruts——andconventionalgrooves。Ithoughtyou——asCarlyleputsit——I
　　thoughtyouwereamanwhohadswallowedalltheformulas。"
　　Thorpelookeddownathisstomachdoubtfully。"Iseewhatyoumean，"hesaidatlast，butinatonewithoutanynoteofconviction。
　　"Idoubtit，"shetoldhim，withlightreadiness——"forI
　　don'tseemyselfwhatImean。IforgetindeedwhatitwasIsaid。Andsoyouthinkyou'llgouptotowntonight？"
　　Asuddencomprehensionofwhatwasslippingawayfromhisgrasparousedhim。"No——no，"heurgedher，"don'tforgetwhatitwasyousaid！Iwishyou'dtalkmorewithmeaboutthat。ItwaswhatIwantedtohear。
　　Younevertellmewhatyou'rereallythinkingabout。"
　　Shereceivedthereproachwithamildlyincreduloussmileinhereyes。"Yes——Iknow——whowasitusedtoscoldmeaboutthat？Oh"——sheseemedsuddenlyremindedofsomething——"Iwasforgettingtomentionit。IhavealetterfromCeliaMadden。SheisbackinEngland；
　　sheiscomingtousSaturday，too。"
　　Heputouthislipsatrifle。"That'sallright，"
　　heobjected，"butwhathasitgottodowithwhatweweretalkingabout？"
　　"Talkingabout？"shequeried，withamomentarilyblankcountenance。"Oh，sheusedtobullymeaboutmydeceit，andtreachery，andsimilarcrimes。ButIshallbeimmenselygladtoseeher。Ialwaysfightwithher，butIthinkIlikeherbetterthananyotherwomanalive。"
　　"Ilikehertoo，"Thorpewasimpelledtosay，withakindofsolemnity。"Sheremindsmeofsomeofthehappiesthoursinmylife。"
　　Hiswife，afterabriefglanceintohisface，laughedpleasantly，ifwithatraceofflippancy。"Yousaynicethings，"
　　sheobserved，slightlyincliningherhead。"ButnowthatCeliaiscoming，itwouldbeaswelltohaveanotherman。
　　It'ssuchdreadfullyshortnotice，though。"
　　"Idaresayyourfathercouldcome，allright，"
　　Thorpesuggested。"I'dratherhavehimthanalmostanyoneelse。Wouldyoumindaskinghim——orshallI？"
　　Anabruptsilencemarkedthisintroductionofasubjectuponwhichthecouplehaddifferedopenly。Thorpe，throughprocessesunaccountabletohimself，hadpassedfromavividdislikeofGeneralKervicktoahabitofmindinwhichhethoroughlyenjoyedhavinghimabout。
　　TheGeneralhadbeentwicetoHighThorpe，andoneachoccasionhadsoprolongedhisstaythat，inretrospect，theperiodofhisabsenceseemedinconsiderable。
　　Themasternow，thinkinguponitinthisminuteofsilence，wasconsciousofhavingmissedhimgreatly。HewouldnothavebeenboredtotheextremityofthreateningtogotoLondon，ifKervickhadbeenhere。TheGeneralwasagentleman，andyethadtheflexibleadaptabilityofaretainer；hehadbeentrainedindiscipline，andhenceknewhowtodeferwithoutbecomingfulsomeorfamiliar；
　　hewasamanoftheworldandknewanunlimitednumberofracystories，andevenifherepeatedsomeofthemunduly，theywerebetterthannostoriesatall。Andthen，therewashismatchless，unfailingpatienceinplayingchessorbackgammonordraughtsorbezique，whateverheperceivedthatthemasterdesired。
　　"Ifyoureallywishit，"Edithsaidatlast，coldly。
　　"Butthat'swhatIdon'tunderstand，"Thorpeurgeduponherwithsomevigour。"IfIlikehim，Idon'tseewhyhisowndaughter——"
　　"Oh，needwediscussit？"shebrokein，impatiently。
　　"IfI'manunnaturalchild，whythenIamone，andmayitnotbeallowedtopassatthat？"Astormykindofsmileplayeduponherbeautifully-cutlipsassheadded：
　　"Surelyone'sfilialemotionsarethingstobetakenforgranted——relievedfromthenecessityofexplanation。"
　　Thorpegrinnedfaintlyatthehintofpleasantry，buthedidnotrelinquishhispoint。"Well——unlessyoureallyvetothething——IthinkI'dliketotellhimtocome，"
　　hesaid，withcomposedobstinacy。Uponanafterthoughtheadded："There'snoreasonwhyheshouldn'tmeettheDuke，isthere？"
　　"Nospecificreason，"shereturned，withcalmcoolnessoftoneandmanner。"AndcertainlyIdonotseemyselfinthepartofMadameVeto。"
　　"Allrightthen——I'llsendhimawire，"saidThorpe。
　　Hisvictorymadehimuneasy，yethesawnowayofabandoningitwithdecorum。
　　Asthetwo，standinginasilencefulloftacitconstraint，lookedaimlesslyawayfromtheterrace，theysawatthesameinstantavehiclewithasinglehorsecomingratherbrisklyupthedriveway，somehundredsofyardsbelow。
　　ItwasrecognizableatonceasthelocaltrapfromPunseystation，andasusualitwasdrivenbyaboyfromthevillage。Seatedbesidethisladwasaburly，red-beardedmaninrespectableclothes，who，tojudgefromthetin-boxandtravelling-bagsfastenedonbehind，seemedcomingtoHighThorpetostay。
　　"Whoonearthisthat？"askedThorpe，wonderingly。
　　Themanwasobviouslyofthelowerclass，yetthereseemedsomethingabouthimwhichinvitedrecognition。
　　"Presumablyit'sthenewhead-gardener，"sherepliedwithbrevity。
　　HeraccentrecalledtoThorpethefactthattherehadbeensomethingdisagreeableintheirconversation，andthethoughtofitwasunpleasanttohim。
　　"Why，Ididn'tknowyouhadanewmancoming，"hesaid，turningtoherwithanovertureofsmilinginterest。
　　"Yes，"sheanswered，andthen，asifweighingtheprofferedpropitiationandrejectingit，turnedslowlyandwentintothehouse。
　　Thetrapapparentlyendeditscourseatsomebackentrance：hedidnotseeitagain。Hestrolledindoors，afteralittle，andtoldhismantopackabagforLondon，andorderthestanhopetotakehimtothetrain。
　　CHAPTERXXIII
　　INtheearlymorning，longbeforeanyofthehotelpeoplehadmadethemselvesheardmovingabout，Thorpegotup。
　　Itwasalongtimesincehehadlikedhimselfandhissurroundingssolittle。Thebedseemedallrighttotheeye，andeventothetouch，buthehadsleptverybadlyinit，nonetheless。Theroomwasluxuriouslyfurnished，aswastheentiresuite，butitwasallstrangeanduncomfortabletohissenses。Theoperationofshavinganddressinginsolitudeproducedanoppressionofloneliness。
　　Heregrettednothavingbroughthismanwithhimforthisreason，andthen，uponmeditation，forotherreasons。
　　Apersonofhispositionoughtalwaystohaveaservantwithhim。Thehotelpeoplemusthavebeensurprisedathistravellingunattended——andthepeopleatHighThorpemustalsohavethoughtitstrange。Itflashedacrosshismindthatnodoubthiswifehadmostofallthoughtitstrange。Howwouldsheexplaintoherselfhissudden，precipitatejourneytoLondonalone？Mightshenotquitenaturallyputanunpleasantconstructionuponit？Itwasbadenoughtohavetorememberthattheyhadpartedinsomethinglikeatiff；hefounditmuchworsetobefancyingthesuspicionswithwhichshewouldbeturningoverhismysteriousabsenceinhermind。
　　Hewentdownstairsasspeedilyaspossibleand，discoveringnoovertsignsofbreakfastinthevicinityoftherestaurant，passedoutandmadehiswaytotheEmbankment。
　　Thishadbeenafavouritewalkofhisintheolddays——butheconsidereditnowwithanunsympatheticeye。
　　Itseemedadryandhaggardanddesolate-lookingplacebycomparisonwithhisformerimpressionsofit。
　　Themorningwasgrey-skied，butfullofahardqualityoflight，whichbroughtouttotheuncompromisinguttermostthedilapidatedsqualoroftheSurreyside。
　　Thewaterwaslow，andfromthemudandoozeoftheuglyoppositeshore，orperhapsfromthediscolouredstreamitself，thereproceededasmellwhichoffendedhisunaccustomednostril。Afitful，gustywindwasblowingfromtheeast，andeverandagainitgathereddustineddyingswoopsfromtheroadway，andflungitinhisface。
　　HewalkedontowardtheCity，withoutanyconsciouspurpose，andwithnoverydefinitereflections。ItoccurredtohimthatifhiswifedidimputetohimsomeunworthymotiveinstealingofftoLondon，andmadeherselfunhappyindoingso——thatwouldatleastprovidethecompensationofshowingthatshecared。Thethought，however，uponexamination，containedverymeagreelementsofsolace。Hecouldnotintheleastbesureaboutanyoftheworkingsofhermind。
　　Theremightbemoreorlessannoyancemixedupthismorningwiththesecretthoughtsshehadconcerninghim——orshemightnotbebotheringherheadabouthimatall。
　　Thislattercontingencyhadneverpresenteditselfsofranklytohimbefore。Helookedhardatit，andsawmoresemblancesofprobabilityaboutitthanheliked。
　　Itmightverywellbethatshewasnotthinkingabouthimonewayortheother。
　　Adepressingconsciousnessthatpracticallynobodyneedthinkabouthimpervadedhissoul。Whocaredwhathesaidordidorfelt？TheCityhadforgottenhisveryexistence。
　　IntheWestEnd，onlyhereandtheresomepersonmightchancetorememberhisnameasthatofsomerichbounderwhohadmarriedLadyCressage。NowhereelseinEngland，saveonedullstripofagriculturalblanknessinabackwardhomecounty，wasthereahumanbeingwhoknewanythingwhateverabouthim。Andthiswashiscareer！Itwasforthisthathehadplannedthatmemorablecampaign，andwagedthatamazingseriesoffortnightlybattles，nevermissingvictory，neverfailingatanypointofthecomplicatedstrategy，andcrowningitallwithaculminatingtriumphwhichhadbeenthewonderandadmirationofthewholefinancialworld！Afewscoreofmenialsorinterestedinferiorsbowedtohim；hedrovesomegoodhorses，andwasattentivelywaitedupon，andhadanever-failingabundanceofgoodthingstoeatanddrinkaudsmoke。
　　Hardlyanythingmorethanthat，whenyoucametothinkofit——andthepassingusufructofallthesethingscouldbeenjoyedbyanyfoolwhohadaten-poundnoteinhispocket！
　　Whatgrosstrickhadthefatesplayedonhim？Hehadachievedpower——andwherewasthatpower？Whathadhedonewithit？WhatCOULDhedowithit？Hehadanexcessofwealth，itwastrue，butinwhatwaycoulditcommandanexcessofenjoyment？Theveryphrasewasaparadox，ashedimlyperceived。Thereexistedonlyanarrowmarginofadvantageinfavouroftherichman。Hecouldeatanddrinkalittlemoreandalittlebetterthanthepoorman；
　　hecouldhavebetterclothes，andlieabedlaterinthemorning，andtakelifeeasierallround——butonlywithinhardandfastbounds。Therewasanascertainedlimitbeyondwhichthemillionairecouldnomorestuffhimselfwithfoodandwinethancouldthebeggar。Itmightbepleasanttotakeanaddedhourortwoinbedinthemorning，buttolieinbedalldaywouldbeaninfliction。
　　Soitranindefinitely——thisthinselvedgeofadvantagewhichmoneycouldbuy——withdeprivationontheoneside，andsurfeitontheother。Candidly，wasitnottruethatmorehappinesslayinwinningthewayoutofdeprivation，thanininventingsafeguardsagainstsatiety？Thepoormansucceedinginmakinghimselfrich——atnumerousstagesoftheoperationtheremightbemadeamoralsnap-shotofthetrulyhappyman。Butnotafterhehadreachedthetop。Thendisintegrationbeganatonce。Thecontrastbetweenwhathesupposedhecoulddo，andwhathefindsitpossibletodo，istoovasttobeacceptedwithequanimity。
　　Itmustbesaidthatafterbreakfast——amealwhichhefoundinanItalianrestaurantofnogreatcleanlinessoropulenceofpretension，andatewithanalmostnovelrelish——Thorpetooksomewhatlessgloomyviewsofhisposition。Hestillwalkedeastward，wanderingintowarehouseandshippingquartersskirtingtheriver，hithertoquiteunknowntohim，andpursuinginanidle，inconsequentfashionhismeditations。Heestablishedinhismindthepropositionthatsinceanexcessofenjoymentwasimpossible——sinceonecouldnotderiveagreatblockofhappinessfromthesatisfactionoftheordinaryappetites，butatthemostcouldonlygatheralittlefromeach——thedesirablethingwastomultiplyasmuchasmightbethosetastesandwhimsandfancieswhichpassedforappetites，andthusexpandtheareaofpossiblegratification。
　　Thisseemedverylogicalindeed，butitdidnotapplyitselftohisindividualneedswithmuchfacility。
　　Whatdidhewanttodothathehadnotdone？Itwasdifficultforhimtosay。Perhapsitwaschandlers'
　　signsandwindowsabouthim，andtheindefinableseafaringpreoccupationsuggestedbythehigh-walled，narrowstreets，whichraisedthequestionofayachtinhismind。
　　Didhewantayacht？Hecouldrecallhavingoncedweltwithgreatfondnessuponsuchaproject：doubtlessitwouldstillbefullofattractionsforhim。Helikedthewater，andthewaterlikedhim——andhewasbetterablenowthanformerlytounderstandhowluxuriousexistencecanbemadeinmodernprivateships。Hedecidedthathewouldhaveayacht——andthenperceivedthatthedecisionbroughtnoexhilaration。Hewasnohappierthanbefore。
　　Hecoulddecidethathewouldhaveanythinghechosetoname——anditwouldinnowhitlightenhismood。
　　TheyachtmightbeasgrandasHighThorpe，andrelativelyasspaciousandwellordered，butwouldhenotgrowastiredoftheoneashehadoftheother？
　　Hestoppedshortatthisbluntself-expressionofsomethinghehadneveradmittedtohimself。WasheindeedtiredofHighThorpe？Hehadassuredhiswifetothecontraryyesterday。Hereiteratedtheassurancetohisownmindnow。Itwasinsteadthathewastiredofhimself。
　　Hecarriedawearinessaboutwithhim，whichlookedateverythingwithapatheticeyes，andcaredfornothing。
　　Somenamelessparalysishadsettleduponhiscapacityforamusementandenjoyment，andatrophiedit。
　　Hehadhadthepowertoexpandhislifetothefarthestboundariesofrichexperienceandsensation，andhehaddeliberatelyshrunkintoasortofherbaceousnonentity，whomnobodykneworcaredabout。HemighthavehadLondonathisbeckandcall，andyetofallthatthemetropolismightmeantoamillionaire，hehadbeenabletothinkofnothingbetterthanthatitshouldsendoldKervicktohim，tohelpbeguilehisboredomwithdominoesandmess-roomstories！Pah！Hewasdisgustedwithhimself。
　　Strikingoutanewcourse，withtheMonumentashisguide，hepresentlycameintoapartoftheCitywhichhadacertainfamiliarityforhim。HewalkedupSt。Swithin'sLane，lookingatthestrangeformsofforeignfruitexposedattheshop-doors，andfindinginthemsomefleetingrecurrenceofthehintthattravelwaswhatheneeded。
　　Thenhestopped，tolookthroughtherailingsandopengatewayatanenclosureontheleft，andthesubstantial，heavily-respectablegroupofearlyVictorianbuildingsbeyond。
　　Somewell-dressedmenwerestandingtalkinginoneoftheporches。Thestiffyellowish-stuccopilastersofthisentrance，andthetalluniformedfigureoftheporterintheshadow，cameintothepictureasheobservedit；
　　theygaveforthasuggestionofsatisfiedsmugness——oforderlybutaltogetherunilluminedroutine。Nothingcouldbemorecommonplacetotheeye。
　　Yettohisimagination，eighteenmonthsbefore，whatmysteriousmarvelsofpowerhadlurkedhiddenbehindthoseconventionalportals！Withinthosedoors，insomeinnerchamber，satmenwhosetaskitwastodirectthemovementsofthegreatestforcetheworldhadeverknown。TheyandtheircousinsinParisandFrankfort，orwherevertheylived，betweenthemwieldedavasterauthoritythanalltheParliamentsoftheearth。
　　Theycouldchangeagovernment，orcrushtheaspirationsofawholepeople，ordecideaquestionofpeaceorwar，bythesilentdictumoftheirlittlefamilycouncil。
　　Herememberednowhowhehadstoodonthissamespot，andstaredwithfascinatedgazeatthisquadrangleofdullhouses，andpondereduponwhatitmustfeelliketobeaRothschild——andthatwasonlyalittleoverayearago！
　　Therewasnosenseoffascinationwhateverinhispresentgaze。Hefoundhimselfregardinginstead，withakindofdetachedcuriosity，thelittleknotofmeninfrock-coatsandsilk-hatswhostoodtalkinginthedoorway。
　　Itwasbarelyteno'clock，yetclearlybusinesswasproceedingwithin。OneofthesepersonswhomhebeheldmightbeaRothschild，foraughtheknew；atanyrate，itwaspresumablethatsomeofthemwereonthepremises。
　　Hehadhearditsaidthattheveryheadofthehouselistenedtoquotationsfromthetapewhileheatehisluncheon，andinterruptedhisconversationswiththemostimportantofnon-commercialcallers，tomakeorrefusebargainsinsharesofferedbybrokerswhocamein。Whatimpulselaybehindthisextraordinarydevotiontolabour？Towardwhatconceivablegoalcoulditbestriving？
　　Toworkhardandriskgreatthingsforthepossessionofafortune，inordertoenjoyitafterward——hecouldunderstandhowthatattractedmen。Buttopossessalreadythebiggestofhumanfortunes，andstillwork——
　　thatbaffledhim。Hewishedheknewsomeofthosemeninthere，especiallyiftheybelongedtotheplace。
　　ItwouldbewonderfullyinterestingtogetattheinnerpointofviewofNewCourt。
　　Alittlelater，inColinSemple'soffice，hesatdowntoawaitthecomingofthatgentleman。"Thenhedoesn'tgetheresoearlynowadays？"hesuggestedtothehead-clerkwho，withinstantrecognitionandexaggerateddeference，hadusheredhimintothisfurthermostprivateroom。
　　ItpleasedhimtoassumethatprosperityhadrelaxedtheScotchman'svigilance。
　　"Ohyes，sir，"theclerkreplied。"Abitearlierifanything，asarule。ButIthinkheisstoppingathissolicitorsonhiswaytotheCity。Ihopeyouareverywell，sir。"
　　"Yes——I'mveryfit——thanks，"Thorpesaid，listlessly，andtheotherlefthim。
　　Mr。Semple，whenatlasthearrived，bustledintotheroomwithunaffectedgratificationatthenewshehadheardwithout。"Well，well，Thorpeman！"
　　hecried，andshookhandscordially。"Thisisfine！
　　IfI'donlyknownyouwereintown！Whywouldn'tyouhavetoldmeyouwerecoming？I'dneverhavekeptyouwaiting。"
　　Thorpelaughedwearily。"IhardlyknewIwasintownmyself。
　　Ionlyranuplastnight。Ithoughtitwouldamusemetohavealookround——butthingsseemasdullasditchwater。"
　　"Ohno，"saidSemple，"theautumnisopeningverrawellindeed。Therearemorenewcompanies，andabetterpublicsubscriptionallround，thanforanyfirstweekofOctoberIremember。Westraliansappearbadonthefaceofthings，it'strue——butdon'tbelieveallyouhearofthem。There'smorethanthesuspicionofa'rig'there。Besides，youhaven'tapennyinthem。"
　　"Iwasn'tthinkingofthat，"Thorpetoldhim，withcomprehensivevagueness。"Well，Isupposeyou'restillcoiningmoney，"heobserved，afterapause。
　　"Keepingalong——keepingalong，"thebrokerreplied，cheerfully。"Icannacomplain。"Thorpelookedathimwithameditativefrown。"Well，whatareyougoingtodowithit，afteryou'vegotit？"hedemanded，almostwithsharpness。
　　TheScotchman，afterasurprisedinstant，smiled。"Oh，I'lljustkeepmyhandsonit，"heassuredhim，lightly。
　　"Thatisn'twhatImean，"Thorpesaid，gropingafterwhathedidmean，withsullentenacity，amonghisthoughts。
　　Hislarge，heavyfaceexhibitedadepressedgravitywhichattractedtheother'sattention。
　　"What'sthematter？"Sempleaskedquickly。"Hasanythinggonewrongwithyou？"
　　Thorpeslowlyshookhishead。"Whatbetteroffdoyouthinkyou'llbewithsixfiguresthanyouarewithfive？"
　　hepursued，withdogmaticinsistence。
　　Sempleshruggedhisshoulders。Heseemedtohavegrownmuchbrighterandgayerofmoodinthispasttwelvemonth。
　　Apparentlyhewassomewhatstouter，andcertainlytherewasamellowedsofteningofhissharpglanceandshrewdsmile。
　　Itwasevidentthathisfriend'smoodsomewhatnonplussedhim，buthisgood-humourwasunflagging。