Willyouhaveaglassofsherry？——no。ThenshallwejoinLadyHonoria？”
　　Thisspeechquitecrushedthevulgarbutnotill-meaningSaint，andGeoffreywassorryforitamomentafterhehadmadeit。Buthewaswearyandoutoftemper。Whydidhiswifebringsuchpeopletothehouse？Veryshortlyafterwardstheirguesttookhisleave，reflectingthatBinghamwasaconceitedass，andaltogethertoomuchforhim。
　　“AndIdon’tbelievethathehasgotathousandayear。”hereflectedtohimself，“andthetitleishiswife’s。Isupposethatiswhathemarriedherfor。She’samuchbettersortthanheis，anyway，thoughIdon’tquitemakeherouteither——onecan’tgoveryfarwithher。Butsheisthedaughterofapeerandworthcultivating，butnotwhenBinghamisathome——notifIknowit。”
　　“WhathaveyousaidtoMr。Dunstantomakehimgoawaysosoon，Geoffrey？”askedhiswife。
　　“Saidtohim？oh，Idon’tknow。Heofferedtogivemeapairofguns，andItoldhimthatIdidnotacceptpresentsfrommyacquaintances。
　　Really，Honoria，Idon’twanttointerferewithyourwayoflife，butIdonotunderstandhowyoucanassociatewithsuchpeopleasthisMr。
　　Dunstan。”
　　“Associatewithhim！“answeredLadyHonoria。“DoyousupposeIwanttoassociatewithhim？DoyousupposethatIdon’tknowwhatthemanis？
　　Butbeggarscannotbechoosers;hemaybeacad，buthehasthirtythousandayear，andwesimplycannotaffordtothrowawayanacquaintancewiththirtythousandayear。Itistoobadofyou，Geoffrey。”shewentonwithrisingtemper，“whenyouknowallthatI
　　mustputupwithinourmiserablepoverty-strickenlife，totakeeveryopportunityofmakingyourselfdisagreeabletothepeopleIthinkitwisetoasktocomeandseeus。HereIreturnfromcomforttothiswretchedplace，andthefirstthingthatyoudoismakeafuss。Mr。
　　Dunstanhasgotboxesatseveralofthebesttheaters，andheofferedtoletmehaveonewheneverIliked——andnowofcoursethereisanendofit。Itistoobad，Isay！“
　　“Itisreallycurious，Honoria。”saidherhusband，“toseewhatobligationsyouarereadytoputyourselfunderinsearchofpleasure。
　　Itisnotdignifiedofyoutoacceptboxesattheatresfromthisgentleman。”
　　“Nonsense。Thereisnoobligationaboutit。Ifhegaveusabox，ofcoursehewouldmakeapointoflookinginduringtheevening，andthentellinghisfriendsthatitwasLadyHonoriaBinghamhewasspeakingto——thatistheexchange。Iwanttogotothetheatre;hewantstogetintogoodsociety——thereyouhavethethinginanutshell。Itisdoneeveryday。Thefactofthematteris，Geoffrey。”
　　shewenton，lookingverymuchasthoughshewereabouttoburstintoafloodofangrytears，“asIsaidjustnow，beggarscannotbechoosers——Icannotlivelikethewifeofabanker’sclerk。Imusthave/some/amusement，and/some/comfort，beforeIbecomeanoldwoman。Ifyoudon’tlikeit，whydidyouentrapmeintothiswretchedmarriage，beforeIwasoldenoughtoknowbetter，orwhydoyounotmakeenoughmoneytokeepmeinawaysuitabletomyposition？”
　　“Wehavearguedthatquestionbefore，Honoria。”saidGeoffrey，keepinghistemperwithdifficulty，“andnowthereisanotherthingIwishtosaytoyou。DoyouknowthatdetestablewomanAnnestoppedformorethanhalfanhouratPaddingtonStationthisevening，flirtingwithaticketcollector，insteadofbringingEffiehomeatonce，asItoldhertodo。Iamveryangryaboutit。Sheisnottobereliedon;weshallhavesomeaccidentwiththechildbeforewehavedone。Cannotyoudischargeherandgetanothernurse？”
　　“No，Icannot。SheistheonecomfortIhave。WhereamIgoingtofindanotherwomanwhocanmakedresseslikeAnne——shesavesmeahundredayear——Idon’tcareifsheflirtedwithfiftyticketcollectors。I
　　supposeyougotthisstoryfromEffie;thechildoughttobewhippedfortale-bearing，andIdaresaythatitisnottrue。”
　　“Effiewillcertainlynotbewhipped。”answeredGeoffreysternly。“I
　　warnyouthatitwillgoverybadlywithanybodywholaysafingeronher。”
　　“Oh，verywell，ruinthechild。Goyourownway，Geoffrey！AtanyrateIamnotgoingtostopheretolistentoanymoreabuse。Good-night。”
　　andshewent。
　　Geoffreysatdown，andlitacigarette。“Apleasanthome-coming。”hethoughttohimself。“Honoriashallhavemoneyasmuchasshecanspend——ifIkillmyselftogetit，sheshallhaveit。Whatalife，whatalife！IwonderifBeatricewouldtreatherhusbandlikethis——ifshehadone。”
　　Helaughedaloudattheabsurdityoftheidea，andthenwithagestureofimpatiencethrewhiscigaretteintothefireandwenttohisroomtotryandgetsomesleep，forhewasthoroughlywearied。
　　CHAPTERXVII
　　GEOFFREYWINSHISCASE
　　Beforeteno’clockonthefollowingmorning，havingalreadyspenttwohoursoverhisbrief，thathehadnowthoroughlymastered，Geoffreywasathischambers，whichhehadsomedifficultyinreachingowingtothethickfogthatstillhungoverLondon，andindeedallEngland。
　　TohissurprisenothinghadbeenheardeitheroftheAttorney-GeneralorofMr。Candleton。Thesolicitorswereindespair;butheconsoledthembysayingthatoneortheotherwassuretoturnupintime，andthatafewwordswouldsufficetoexplaintheadditionallightwhichhadbeenthrownonthecase。Heoccupiedhishalfhour，however，inmakingafewroughnotestoguidehiminthealtogetherimprobableeventofhisbeingcalledontoopen，andthenwentintocourt。Thecasewasfirstonthelist，andtherewereagoodmanycounselengagedontheotherside。Justasthejudgetookhisseat，thesolicitor，withanexpressionofdismay，handedGeoffreyatelegramwhichhadthatmomentarrivedfromMr。Candleton。ItwasdatedfromCalaisonthepreviousnight，andran，“Amunabletocrossonaccountofthickfog。YouhadbettergetsomebodyelseinParsonsandDouse。”
　　“Andwehaven’tgotanotherbriefprepared。”saidtheagonisedsolicitor。““Whatismore，IcanhearnothingoftheAttorney-General，andhisclerkdoesnotseemtoknowwhereheis。Youmustaskforanadjournment，Mr。Bingham;youcan’tmanagethecasealone。”
　　“Verywell。”saidGeoffrey，andonthecasebeingcalledheroseandstatedthecircumstancestothecourt。ButtheCourtwascrusty。Ithadgotthefogdownitsthroat，andaltogetherItdidn’tseemtoseeit。Moreovertheotherside，markingitsadvantage，objectedstrongly。
　　Thewitnesses，broughtatgreatexpense，werethere;hisLordshipwasthere，thejurywasthere;ifthiscasewasnottakentherewasnootherwithwhichtheycouldgoon，&c。，&c。
　　Thecourttookthesameview，andlecturedGeoffreyseverely。Everycounselinacase，theCourtremembered，whenItwasattheBar，usedtobeabletoopenthatcaseatamoment’snotice，andthoughthingshad，Itimplied，nodoubtdeterioratedtoaconsiderableextentsincethosepalmydays，everycounseloughtstilltobepreparedtodosoonemergency。
　　Ofcourse，however，ifhe，Geoffrey，toldthecourtthathewasabsolutelyunpreparedtogoonwiththecase，Itwouldhavenooptionbuttograntanadjournment。
　　“Iamperfectlypreparedtogoonwithit，mylord。”Geoffreyinterposedcalmly。
　　“Verywell。”saidtheCourtinamollifiedtone，“thengoon！IhavenodoubtthatthelearnedAttorney-Generalwillarrivepresently。”
　　Then，asisnotunusualinaprobatesuit，followedanargumentastowhoshouldopenit，theplaintifforthedefendant。Geoffreyclaimedthatthisrightclearlylaywithhim，andtheopposingcounselraisednogreatobjection，thinkingthattheywoulddowelltoleavetheopeninginthehandsofaratherinexperiencedman，whowouldverylikelyworkhissidemoreharmthangood。So，somewhattothehorrorofthesolicitors，whothoughtwithlongingoftheeloquenceoftheAttorney-General，andtheunrivalledexperienceandfinesseofMr。
　　Candleton，Geoffreywascalledupontoopenthecaseforthedefendants，propoundingthefirstwill。
　　Herosewithoutfearorhesitation，andwithbutoneprayerinhisheart，thatnountimelyAttorney-Generalwouldputinanappearance。
　　Hehadgothischance，thechanceforwhichmanyablemenhavetowaitlongyears，andheknewit，andmeanttomakethemostofit。
　　Naturallyabrilliantspeaker，Geoffreywasnot，assomanygoodspeakersare，subjecttofitsofnervousness，andhewas，moreover，thoroughlymasterofhiscase。Infiveminutesjudge，juryandcounselwerealllisteningtohimwithattention;intentheywereabsorbedinthelucidandsuccinctstatementofthefactswhichhewasunfoldingtothem。Hisghosttheorywasatfirstreceivedwithasmile，butpresentlycounselontheothersideceasedtosmile，andbegantolookuneasy。Ifhecouldprovewhathesaid，therewasanendoftheircase。Whenhehadbeenspeakingforaboutfortyminutesoneoftheopposingcounselinterruptedhimwithsomeremark，andatthatmomenthenoticedthattheAttorney-General’sclerkwastalkingtothesolicitorbeneathhim。
　　“Botherit，heiscoming。”thoughtGeoffrey。
　　Butno，thesolicitorbendingforwardinformedhimthattheAttorney-
　　GeneralhadbeenunavoidablydetainedbysomeimportantGovernmentmatter，andhadreturnedhisbrief。
　　“Well，wemustgetonaswecan。”Geoffreysaid。
　　“Ifyoucontinuelikethatweshallgetonverywell。”whisperedthesolicitors，andthenGeoffreyknewthathewasdoingwell。
　　“Yes，Mr。Bingham！“saidhisLordship。
　　ThenGeoffreywentonwithhisstatement。
　　Atlunchtimeitwasaquestionwhetheranotherleadershouldbebriefed。Geoffreysaidthatsofarashewasconcernedhecouldgetonalone。Hekneweverypointofthecase，andhehadgotafriendto“takeanote“forhimwhilehewasspeaking。
　　Aftersomehesitationthesolicitorsdecidednottobrieffreshcounselatthisstageofthecase，buttoleaveitentirelyinhishands。
　　Itwouldbeuselesstofollowthedetailsofthisremarkablewillsuit，whichlastedtwodays，andattractedmuchattention。Geoffreywonitandwonittriumphantly。Hisaddresstothejuryonthewholecasewaslongrememberedinthecourts，risingasitdidtoaveryhighlevelofforensiceloquence。Fewwhosawiteverforgotthesightofhishandsomefaceandcommandingpresenceashecrushedthecaseofhisopponentslikeaneggshell，andthenwithcalmandoverwhelmingforcedenouncedthewomanwhowithherloverhadconcoctedthecruelplotthatrobbedheruncleoflifeandhercousinsoftheirproperty，tillatthelast，pointingtowardsherwithoutstretchedhand，hebrandedhertothejuryasamurderess。
　　Fewinthatcrowdedcourthaveforgottenthetragicscenethatfollowed，whenthetremblingwoman，wornoutbythelonganxietyofthetrial，andutterlyunnervedbyheraccuser’sbrilliantinvective，rosefromherseatandcried:
　　“Wedidit——itistruethatwedidittogetthemoney，butwedidnotmeantofrightenhimtodeath。”andthenfellfaintingtotheground——
　　orGeoffreyBingham’squietwordsashesatdown:
　　“Mylordandgentlemenofthejury，Idonotthinkitnecessarytocarrymycaseanyfurther。”
　　Therewasnoapplause，theoccasionwastoodramaticallysolemn，buttheimpressionmadebothuponthecourtandtheoutsidepublic，towhomsuchasceneispeculiarlyfittedtoappeal，wasdeepandlasting。
　　Geoffreyhimselfwasunderlittledelusionaboutthematter。Hehadnoconceitinhiscomposition，butneitherhadheanyfalsemodesty。Hemerelyacceptedthesituationasreallypowerfulmendoacceptsuchevents——withthankfulness，butwithoutsurprise。Hehadgothischanceatlast，andlikeanyotherableman，whateverhiswalkoflife，hehadrisentoit。Thatwasall。Mostmengetsuchchancesinsomeshapeorform，andareunabletoavailthemselvesofthem。Geoffreywasoneoftheexceptions;asBeatricehadsaid，hewasborntosucceed。Ashesatdown，heknewthathewasamademan。
　　Andyetwhilehewalkedhomethatnight，hisearsstillfullofthecongratulationswhichhadrainedinonhimfromeveryquarter，hewasconsciousofacertainpride。HewillhavefeltasGeoffreyfeltthatnight，whoselotithasbeentofightlongandstrenuouslyagainstcircumstancessoadverseastobealmostoverwhelming，knowinginhisheartthathewasborntoleadandnottofollow;andwhoatlast，byonementaleffort，withnofriendlyhandtohelp，andnofriendlyvoicetoguide，hassucceededinburstingaroadthroughthedifficultieswhichhemmedhimin，andhassuddenlyfoundhimself，notabovecompetitionindeed，butstillabletomeetit。Hewillnothavebeentooproudofthatendeavour;itwillhaveseemedbutalittlethingtohim——athingfulloffaultsandimperfections，andfallingfarshortofhisideal。Hewillnotevenhaveattachedagreatimportancetohissuccess，because，ifheisapersonofthiscalibre，hemustrememberhowsmallitis，whenallissaidanddone;thateveninhisdaytherearethosewhocanbeathimonhisownground;andalsothatallworldlysuccess，likethemostperfectflower，yetbearsinittheelementsofdecay。Buthewillhavereflectedwithhumblesatisfactiononthoselongyearsofpatientstrivingwhichhaveatlengthliftedhimtoaneminencewhencehecanclimbonandon，scarcelyencumberedbythejostlingcrowd;tillatlength，wornout，thetimecomesforhimtofall。
　　SoGeoffreythoughtandfelt。Thethingwastobedone，andhehaddoneit。Honoriashouldhavemoneynow;sheshouldnolongerbeabletotwithimwiththeirpoverty。Yes，andabetterthoughtstill，Beatricewouldbegladtohearofhislittletriumph。
　　Hereachedhomeratherlate。Honoriawasgoingouttodinnerwithadistinguishedcousin，andwasalreadydressing。Geoffreyhaddeclinedtheinvitation，whichwasashortone，becausehehadnotexpectedtobebackfromchambers。Inthisenthusiasm，however，hewenttohiswife’sroomtotellheroftheevent。
　　“Well。”shesaid，“whathaveyoubeendoing？Ithinkthatyoumighthavearrangedtocomeoutwithme。Mygoingoutsomuchbymyselfdoesnotlookwell。Oh，Iforgot;ofcourseyouareinthatcase。”
　　“Yes——thatis，Iwas。Ihavewonthecase。Hereisaveryfairreportofitinthe/St。James’sGazette/ifyoucaretoreadit。”
　　“Goodheavens，Geoffrey！HowcanyouexpectmetoreadallthatstuffwhenIamdressing？”
　　“Idon’texpectyouto，Honoria;only，asIsay，Ihavewonthecase，andIshallgetplentyofworknow。”
　　“Willyou？Iamgladtohearit;perhapsweshallbeabletoescapefromthishorridflatifyoudo。There，Anne！Jevousl’aitoujoursdit，cetterobenemevapasbien。”
　　“Mais，milady，larobevaparfaitement——“
　　“Thatisyouropinion。”grumbledLadyHonoria。“Well，itisn’tmine。
　　Butitwillhavetodo。Good-night，Geoffrey;IdaresaythatyouwillhavegonetobedwhenIgetback。”andshewasgone。
　　Geoffreypickeduphis/St。James’sGazette/withasigh。Hefelthurt，andknewthathewasafoolforhispains。LadyHonoriawasnotasympatheticperson;itwasnotfairtoexpectitfromher。Stillhefelthurt。HewentupstairsandheardEffieherprayers。
　　“Wherehasyoubeed，daddy？——totheSmokyTown？”TheTemplewaseuphemisticallyknowntoEffieastheSmokyTown。
　　“Yes，dear。”
　　“YougototheSmokyTowntomakebreadandbutter，don’tyou，daddy？”
　　“Yes，dear，tomakebreadandbutter。”
　　“Anddidyoumakeany，daddy？”
　　“Yes，Effie，agooddealto-day。”
　　“Thenwhereisit？Inyourpocket？”
　　“No，love，notexactly。Iwonabiglawsuitto-day，andIshallgetagreatmanypenniesforit。”
　　“Oh。”answeredEffiemeditatively，“Iamgladthatyoudidwin。Youdoliketowin，doesn’tyou，daddy，dear。”
　　“Yes，love。”
　　“ThenIwillgiveyouakiss，daddy，becauseyoudidwin。”andshesuitedtheactiontotheword。
　　Geoffreywentfromthelittleroomwithasoftenedheart。Hedressedandatesomedinner。
　　ThenhesatdownandwrotealonglettertoBeatrice，tellingherallaboutthetrial，andnotsparingherhisreasonsforadoptingeachparticulartacticandlineofargumentwhichconducedtothegreatresult。
　　Andthoughhisletterwasfoursheetsinlength，heknewthatBeatricewouldnotbeboredathavingtoreadit。
　　CHAPTERXVIII
　　THERISINGSTAR
　　Asmightbeexpected，thememorablecaseofParsonsandDouseprovedtobetheturningpointinGeoffrey’scareer，whichwasthenceforwardoneofbrilliantandstartlingsuccess。Ontheverynextmorningwhenhereachedhischambersitwastofindthreeheavybriefsawaitinghim，andtheyprovedtobebuttheheraldsofanuninterruptedflowoflucrativebusiness。Ofcourse，hewasnotaQueen’sCounsel，butnowthathisgreatnaturalpowersofadvocacyhadbecomegenerallyknown，solicitorsfrequentlyemployedhimalone，orgavehimanotherjunior，sothathemightbringthosepowerstobearuponjuries。Nowitwas，too，thatGeoffreyreapedthefruitsofthearduouslegalstudieswhichhehadfollowedwithoutcessationfromthetimewhenhefoundhimselfthrownuponhisownresources，andwhichhadmadeasoundlawyerofhimaswellasabrilliantandeffectiveadvocate。Soon，evenwithhisgreatcapacityforwork，hehadasmuchbusinessashecouldattendto。Whenfortunegivesgoodgifts，shegenerallydoessowithalavishhand。
　　Thusitcametopassthat，aboutthreeweeksafterthetrialofParsonsandDouse，Geoffrey’sunclethesolicitordied，andtohissurpriselefthimtwentythousandpounds，“believing。”hesaidinhiswill，whichwasdatedthreedaysbeforethetestator’sdeath，“thatthissumwillassisthimtorisetotheheadofhisprofession。”
　　Nowthatithaddawneduponherthatherhusbandreallywasasuccess，Honoria’smannertowardshimmodifiedveryconsiderably。Sheevenbecameamiable，andonceortwicealmostaffectionate。WhenGeoffreytoldherofthetwentythousandpoundsshewasradiant。
　　“Why，weshallbeabletogobacktoBoltonStreetnow。”shesaid，“andasluckwillhaveit，ouroldhouseistolet。Isawabillinthewindowyesterday。”
　　“Yes。”hesaid，“youcangobackassoonasyoulike。”
　　“Andcanwekeepacarriage？”
　　“No，notyet;Iamdoingwell，butnotwellenoughforthat。Nextyear，ifIlive，youwillbeabletohaveacarriage。Don’tbegintogrumble，Honoria。Ihavegot￡150tospare，andifyoucaretocomeroundtoajeweller’syoucanspenditonwhatyoulike。”
　　“Oh，youdelightfulperson！“saidhiswife。
　　Sotheywenttothejeweller’s，andLadyHonoriaboughtornamentstothevalueof￡150，andcarriedthemhomeandhungoverthem，asanotherclassofwomanmighthangoverherfirst-bornchild，admiringthemwithatenderecstasy。Wheneverhehadasumofmoneythathecouldaffordtopartwith，Geoffreywouldtakeherthustoajeweller’soradressmaker’s，andstandbycoldlywhilesheboughtthingstoitsvalue。LadyHonoriawasdelighted。Itneverenteredintohermindthatinasensehewastakingarevengeuponher，andthateveryfreshexhibitionofherrejoicingsoverthegoodthingsthusprovidedaddedtohiscontemptforher。
　　ThosewerehappydaysforLadyHonoria！Sherejoicedinthisreturnofwealthlikeaschool-boyatthecomingoftheholidays，orahalf-
　　frozenwandererattherisingofthesun。Shehadbeenmiserableduringallthisnightofpoverty，asmiserableashernatureadmittedof，nowshewashappyagain，assheunderstoodhappiness。Forbred，educated，civilized——whatyouwill——outofthemorehumanpassions，LadyHonoriahadreplacedthembythisidol-worshipofwealth，orratherofwhatwealthbrings。Itgaveherapositivephysicalsatisfaction;herbeauty，whichhadbeguntofade，camebacktoher;
　　shelookedfiveyearsyounger。AndallthewhileGeoffreywatchedherwithanever-growingscorn。
　　Onceitbrokeout。TheBoltonStreethousehadbeenfurnished;hegaveherfifteenhundredpoundstodoit，andwithwhatthingstheyownedshemanagedverywellonthat。Theymovedintoit，andHonoriahadsetherselfupwithasufficientsupplyofgranddressesandjewellery，suitabletoherrecoveredposition。Onedayhowever，itoccurredtoherthatEffiewasachildofremarkablebeauty，who，ifproperlydressed，wouldlookveryniceinthedrawing-roomattea-time。Sosheorderedalovelycostumeforher——thisdeponentisnotabletodescribeit，butitconsistedlargelyofvelvetandlace。Geoffreyheardnothingofthisdress，butcominghomeratherearlyoneafternoon——itwasonaSaturday，hefoundthechildbeingshownofftoaroomfullofvisitors，anddressedinastrangeandwonderfulattirewithwhich，notunnaturally，shewasvastlypleased。Hesaidnothingatthetime，butwhenatlengththedroppingfireofcallershadceased，heaskedwhoputEffieintothatdress。
　　“Idid。”saidLadyHonoria，“andaprettypennyithascost，Icantellyou。ButIcan’thavethechildcomedownsopoorlyclothed，itdoesnotlookwell。”
　　“Thenshecanstayupstairs。”saidGeoffreyfrowning。
　　“Whatdoyoumean？”askedhiswife。
　　“ImeanthatIwillnothaveherdeckedoutinthosefineclothes。
　　Theyarequiteunsuitabletoherage。Thereisplentyoftimeforhertotaketovanity。”
　　“Ireallydon’tunderstandyou，Geoffrey。Whyshouldnotthechildbehandsomelydressed？”
　　“Whynot！Greatheaven，Honoria，doyousupposethatIwanttoseeEffiegrowuplikeyou，toleadalifeofemptypleasure-seekingidleness，andmakeagodofluxury。Ihadratherseeher“——hewasgoingtoadd，“deadfirst。”butcheckedhimselfandsaid——“havetoworkforherliving。Dressyourselfupasmuchasyoulike，butleavethechildalone。”
　　LadyHonoriawasfurious，butshewasalsoalittlefrightened。Shehadneverheardherhusbandspeakquitelikethisbefore，andtherewassomethingunderneathhiswordsthatshedidnotquiteunderstand。
　　StilllessdidsheunderstandwhenontheMondayGeoffreysuddenlytoldherthathehadfiftypoundsforhertospendassheliked;thenaccompaniedhertoamantleshop，andstoodpatientlyby，smilingcoldlywhilesheinvesteditinlaceandembroideries。Honoriathoughtthathewasmakingreparationforhissharpwords，andsohewas，buttohimself，andinanothersense。Everytimehegavehermoneyinthisfashion，Geoffreyfeltlikeamanwhohaspaidoffadebtofhonour。
　　Shehadtauntedhimagainandagainwithherpoverty——thepovertyshesaidthathehadbroughther;foreverytaunthewouldheapuponherallthosethingsinwhichhersouldelighted。Hewouldglutherwithwealthas，inherhourofvictory，QueenTomyrisglutteddeadCyruswiththebloodofmen。
　　Itwasanoddwayoftakingarevenge，andonethatsuitedLadyHonoriaadmirably;butthoughitsvictimfeltnosting，itgaveGeoffreymuchsecretrelief。Alsohewascurious;hewishedtoseeiftherewasanybottomtosuchawoman’sdesireforluxury，ifitwouldnotbringsatietywithit。ButLadyHonoriawasaverybadsubjectforsuchanexperiment。Shenevershowedtheleastsignofbeingsatiated，eitherwithfinethings，withpleasures，orwithsocialdelights。Theywerehernaturalelement，andhemightassoonhaveexpectedafishtowearyofthewater，oraneagleoftherushingair。
　　Thewinterworeawayandthespringcame。Oneday，itwasinApril，Geoffrey，whowasamoderateLiberalbypersuasion，casuallyannouncedatdinnerthathewasgoingtostandforParliamentintheUnionistinterest。TherepresentationofoneofthefewMetropolitandivisionswhichhadthenreturnedaHomeRulerhadfallenvacant。AsitchancedheknewtheheadUnionistwhipverywell。Theyhadbeenfriendssincetheywereladsatschooltogether，andthisgentleman，havingheardGeoffreymakeabrilliantspeechincourt，wassuddenlystruckwiththeideathathewastheverymantoleadaforlornhope。
　　TheupshotofitwasthatGeoffreywasaskedifhewouldstand，andrepliedthathemusthavetwodaystothinkitover。WhathereallywantedthetwodaysforwastoenablehimtowritetoBeatriceandreceiveananswerfromher。Hehadanalmostsuperstitiousfaithinherjudgment，anddidnotliketoactwithoutit。Aftercarefullyweighingtheprosandcons，hisownviewwasthatheshoulddowelltostand。Probablyhewouldbedefeated，anditmightcosthimfivehundredpounds。Ontheotherhanditwouldcertainlymakehisnameknownasapolitician，andhewasnowinafairwaytoearnsolargeanincomethathecouldwellaffordtoriskthemoney。Theonlygreatobjectionwhichhesaw，wasthatifhehappenedtogetin，itmustmeanthathewouldhavetoworkalldayandallnighttoo。Well，hewasstrongandthemoreworkhedidthebetter——itkepthimfromthinking。
　　InduecourseBeatrice’sanswercame。Herviewcoincidedwithhisown;
　　sherecommendedhimtotaketheopportunity，andpointedoutthatwithhisgrowinglegalreputationtherewasnoofficeintheStatetowhichhemightnotaspire，whenhehadonceprovedhimselfacapablememberofParliament。Geoffreyreadtheletterthrough;thenimmediatelysatdownandwrotetohisfriendthewhip，acceptingthesuggestionoftheGovernment。
　　Thenextfortnightwasahardoneforhim，butGeoffreywasasgoodamanontheplatformasincourt，andhehad，moreover，theveryvaluableknackofsuitinghimselftohisaudience。Ashiscanvasswentonitwasgenerallyrecognisedthattheseatwhichhadbeenconsideredhopelesswasnowdoubtful。Agreatamountofpublicinterestwasconcentratedontheelection，bothupontheUnionistandtheSeparatistside，eachclaimingthattheresultofthepollwouldshowtotheiradvantage。TheHomeRulepartystrainedeverynerveagainsthim，beingmostanxioustoshowthatthefreeandindependentelectorsofthissingledivision，andthereforeofthecountryatlarge，heldtheGovernmentpolicyinparticularhorror。Letterswereobtainedfromgreatauthoritiesandfreelyprinted。Irishmembers，freshfromgaol，werebroughtdowntodetailtheirgrievances。Itwasevensuggestedthatoneofthemshouldappearontheplatforminprisongarb——inshort，everyelectioneeringengineknowntopoliticalsciencewasbroughttobeartoforwardthefortunesofeitherside。
　　AstimewentonLadyHonoria，whohadbeensomewhatindifferentatfirst，grewquiteexcitedabouttheresult。Foronethingshefoundthatthecontestattachedanimportancetoherselfintheeyesofthetrulygreat，whichwasnotwithoutitscharm。Onthedayofthepollshedroveaboutalldayinanopencarriageunderabrightblueparasol，havingEffiewhohadbecomeveryboredbyherside，andtwonoblelordsonthefrontseat。Asaconsequencetheresultwasuniversallydeclaredbyacertainsectionofthepresstobeentirelyduetotheeffortsofanunprincipledbuttitledandlovelywoman。Itwasevensaidthat，likeanotherladyofrankinapastgeneration，shekissedabutcherinordertowinhisvote。ButthosewhomadetheremarkdidnotknowLadyHonoria;shewasincapableofkissingabutcher，orindeedanybodyelse。Herinclinationsdidnotlieinthatdirection。
　　IntheendGeoffreywasreturnedbyamagnificentmajorityoftenvotes，reducedonascrutinytoseven。HetookhisseatintheHouseonthefollowingnightamidstloudUnionistcheering。Inthecourseoftheevening’sdebateaprominentmemberoftheGovernmentmadeallusiontohisreturnasaproofofthetriumphofUnionistprinciples。ThereonaveryleadingmemberoftheSeparatistoppositionretortedthatitwasnothingofthesort，“thatitwasamatterofcommonnotorietythatthehonourablemember’sreturnwasowingtotheunusualandmostuncommonabilitydisplayedbyhiminthecourseofhiscanvass，aidedasitwas，byartfullyappliedandaristocraticfeminineinfluence。”ThiswasadelicateallusiontoHonoriaandherblueparasol。
　　AsGeoffreyandhiswifeweredrivingbacktoBoltonStreet，afterthedeclarationofthepoll，alittleincidentoccurred。Geoffreytoldthecoachmantostopatthefirsttelegraphofficeand，gettingoutofthecarriage，wiredtoBeatrice，“Inbytenvotes。”
　　“Whohaveyoubeentelegraphingto，Geoffrey？”askedLadyHonoria。
　　“ItelegraphedtoMissGranger。”heanswered。
　　“Ah！Soyoustillkeepupacorrespondencewiththatpupilteachergirl。”
　　“Yes，Ido。IwishthatIhadafewmoresuchcorrespondents。”
　　“Indeed。Youareeasytoplease。IthoughtheroneofthemostdisagreeableyoungwomenwhomIevermet。”
　　“Thenitdoesnotsaymuchforyourtaste，Honoria。”
　　Hiswifemadenofurtherremark，butshehadherthoughts。Honoriapossessedgoodpoints:amongothersshewasnotajealousperson;shewastoocoldandtooindifferenttobejealous。Butshedidnotliketheideaofanotherwomanobtaininganinfluenceoverherhusband，who，asshenowbegantorecognise，wasoneofthemostbrilliantmenofhisday，andwhomightwellbecomeoneofthemostwealthyandpowerful。Clearlyheexistedfor/her/benefit，notforthatofanyotherwoman。Shewasnofool，andshesawthataconsiderableintimacymustexistbetweenthetwo。OtherwiseGeoffreywouldnothavethoughtoftelegraphingtoBeatriceatsuchamoment。
　　WithinaweekofhiselectionGeoffreymadeaspeech。Itwasnotalongspeech，norwasituponanyveryimportantissue;butitwasexceedinglygoodofitskind，goodenoughtobereportedverbatimindeed，andthoselisteningtoitrecognisedthattheyhadtodealwithanewmanwhowouldonedaybeaverybigman。ThereisnoplacewhereanablepersonfindshislevelquickerthanintheHouseofCommons，composedasitisforthemostpart，ofmoreorlesswealthyorfranticmediocrities。ButGeoffreywasnotamediocrity，hewasanexceedinglyableandpowerfulman，andthisfacttheHousequicklyrecognised。
　　ForthenextfewmonthsGeoffreyworkedasmenrarelywork。Alldayhewasathischambersorincourt，andatnighthesatintheHouse，gettinguphisbriefswhenhecould。Buthealwaysdidgetthemup;nosolicitorshadtocomplainthattheinterestsoftheirclientwereneglectedbyhim;alsohestillfoundtimetowritetoBeatrice。Fortheresthewentoutbutlittle，andexceptinthewayofbusinessassociatedwithveryfew。Indeedhegrewmoreandmoresilentandreserved，tillatlasthewonthereputationofbeingcoldandhard。
　　Notthathewasreallyso。Hethrewhimselfheadandsoulintohisworkwithafixeddeterminationtoreachthetopofthetree。Heknewthatheshouldnotcareverymuchaboutitwhenhegotthere，butheenjoyedthestruggle。
　　Geoffreywasnotatrulyambitiousman;hewasnomereself-seeker。Heknewthefollyofambitiontoowell，anditsendwasalwaysclearlybeforehiseyes。Heoftenthoughttohimselfthatifhecouldhavechosenhislot，hewouldhaveaskedforacottagewithagoodgarden，fivehundredayear，andsomebodytocarefor。Butperhapshewouldsoonhaveweariedofhiscottage。Heworkedtostiflethought，andtosomeextenthesucceeded。Buthewasatbottomanaffectionate-naturedman，andhecouldnotstiflethelongingforsympathywhichwashissecretweakness，thoughhispridewouldneverallowhimtoshowit。
　　Whatdidhecareforhistriumphswhenhehadnobodywithwhomtosharethem？Allhecouldshareweretheirfruits，andthesehegaveawayfreelyenough。ItwasbutlittlethatGeoffreyspentuponhisowngratification。Acertainshareofhisgainsheputby，therestwentinexpenses。ThehouseinBoltonStreetwasaverygayplaceinthosedays，butitsmastertookbutlittlepartinitsgaieties。
　　Andwhatwasthefact？ThelongerheremainedseparatedfromBeatricethemoreintenselydidhelongforhersociety。Itwasofnouse;tryashewould，hecouldnotputthatsweetfacefromhismind;itdrewhimasamagnetdrawsaneedle。Successdidnotbringhimhappiness，exceptinthesensethatitrelievedhimfrommoneycares。
　　Peopleofcoarsetemperamentonlycanfindrealsatisfactioninworldlytriumphs，andeat，drink，andbemerry，forto-morrowtheydie！MenlikeGeoffreysoonlearnthatthisalsoisvanity。Onthecontrary，ashismindgrewmoreandmoreweariedwiththestrainofwork，melancholytookaneverstrongerholdofit。Hadhegonetoadoctor，hemighthavebeentoldthathisliverwasoutoforder，whichwasverylikelytrue。Butthiswouldnotmendmatters。“Whataworld。”
　　hemighthavecried，“whataworldtoliveinwhenalltheman’shappinessdependsuponhisliver！“Hecontractedanaccursedhabitoflookingontheblacksideofthings;troublealwayscaughthiseye。
　　Itwasnowonderfulcase。Menoflargemindareveryrarelyhappymen。
　　Itisyourlittleanimal-mindedindividualwhocanbehappy。Thuswomen，whoreflectless，areasaclassmuchhappierandmorecontentedthanmen。Butthelarge-mindedmanseestoofar，andguessestoomuchofwhathecannotsee。Helooksforward，andnotesthedustyendofhislaboriousdays;helooksaroundandshuddersattheunceasingmiseryofacoarsestrugglingworld;thesightofthepitifulbeggarbabecravingbreadontotteringfeet，pierceshisheart。Hecannotconsolehimselfwithareflectionthatthechildhadnobusinesstobeborn，orthatifhedenudedhimselfofhislastpoundhewouldnotmateriallyhelptheclasswhichbredit。
　　Andabovethegarishlightsofearthlyjoysandthedimreekofearthlywretchedness，heseesthesolemnfirmamentthatveilshisrace’sdestiny。Forsuchaman，insuchamood，evenreligionhasterrorsaswellashopes，andwhilethegloomgathersabouthismindthesearewithhimmoreandmore。Whatliesbeyondthatarchingmysterytowhosehorizonhedailydrawsmoreclose——whosedoorsmayevennowbeopeningforhim？Ahundredhandspointoutahundredroadstoknowledge——theyarelosthalfway。Onlythecoldspiritualfirmament，unlitbyanyguidingstars，unbrightenedbythefloodofhumanday，andunshadowedbytheveilsofhumannight，stillbendsabovehisheadinawfulchangelessness，andstillhiswearyfeetdrawclosertotheportalsoftheWest。
　　Itisverysadandwrong，butitisnotaltogetherhisfault;itisratherafaultoftheage，ofover-education，ofover-strivingtobewise。Cultivatethesearchingspiritanditwillgrowandrendyou。
　　Thespiritwouldsoar，itwouldsee，butthefleshweighsitdown，andinallfleshthereislittlelight。Yet，attimes，broodingonsomeunnaturalheightofThought，itseyesseemtobeopened，anditcatchesgleamsofterrifyingdaystocome，orperchance，discernsthehopelessgatesofanimmeasurablenight。
　　Oh，forthatsimplerfaithwhicheverrecedesfartherfromthekenofthecultivated，questioningmind！Therealonecanpeacebefound，andforthefoolishwhodiscardit，settingupman’swisdomatasign，soonthehumanlotwillbeonelongfear。Grownscientificandwearywiththeweightofknowledge，theywillrejecttheirancientGods，andnosmug-facedPositivismwillbringthemconsolation。Science，hereandthereilluminingthegloomofdestinywithitspoorelectriclights，criesoutthattheyareguidingstars。Buttheyarenostars，andtheywillflareaway。Letusprayfordarkness，moredarkness，lest，toourbewilderedsight，theydobutservetoshowthatwhichshallmurderHope。
　　SothinkGeoffreyandhiskin，andintheirunexpresseddismay，turn，seekingrefugefromtheirphysicalandspiritualloneliness，butforthemostpartfindingnone。Nature，stillstronginthem，pointstothedearfellowshipofwoman，andtheymaketheventuretofindamate，notacompanion。ButasitchancedinGeoffrey’scasehedidfindsuchacompanioninBeatrice，afterhehad，bymarriage，builtupanimpassablewallbetweenthem。
　　Andyethelongedforhersocietywithanintensitythatalarmedhim。
　　Hehadherlettersindeed，butwhatareletters！Onetouchofabelovedhandisworthathousandletters。InthemidstofhisgreatsuccessGeoffreywaswretchedatheart，yetitseemedtohimthatifheoncemorecouldhaveBeatriceathisside，thoughonlyasafriend，hewouldfindrestandhappiness。
　　Whenaman’sheartisthussetuponanobject，hisreasonissoonconvincedofitsinnocence，evenofitsdesirability，andakindlyfatewillgenerallycontrivetogivehimtheopportunityofruinwhichhesoardentlydesires。
　　CHAPTERXIX
　　GEOFFREYHASAVISITOR
　　AndBeatrice——hadshefaredbetterduringtheselongmonths？Alas，notatall。ShehadgoneawayfromtheBryngellyStationonthatautumnmorningoffarewellsickatheart，andsickatheartshehadremained。
　　Throughallthelongwintermonthssorrowandbitternesshadbeenherportion，andnowinthehappinessofspring，sorrowandbitternesswerewithherstill。Shelovedhim，shelongedforhispresence，anditwasdeniedtoher。Shecouldnotconsoleherselfascansomewomen，nordidherdeeppassionwearaway;onthecontrary，itseemedtogrowandgatherwitheverypassingweek。Neitherdidshewishtoloseit，shelovedtoowellforthat。Itwasbettertobethustormentedbyconscienceandbyhopelessnessthantolosehercauseofpain。
　　OneconsolationBeatricehadandoneonly:sheknewthatGeoffreydidnotforgether。Hisletterstoldherthis。Theselettersindeedwereeverythingtoher——awomancangetsomuchmorecomfortoutofaletterthanaman。Nexttoreceivingthemshelovedtoanswerthem。
　　Shewasagoodandevenabrilliantletterwriter，butoftenandoftenshewouldtearupwhatshehadwrittenandbeginagain。TherewasnotmuchnewsinBryngelly;itwasdifficulttomakeherlettersamusing。
　　Alsothefarcicalnatureofthewholeproceedingseemedtoparalyseher。Itwasridiculous，havingsomuchtosay，tobeabletosaynothing。NotthatBeatricewishedtoinditelove-letters——suchanideahadnevercrossedhermind，butrathertowriteastheyhadtalked。
　　Yetwhenshetriedtodosotheresultswerenotsatisfactorytoher，thewordslookedstrangeonpaper——shecouldnotsendthem。
　　InGeoffrey’smeteor-likeadvancetofameandfortuneshetookthekeenestjoyandinterest，farmorethanhedidindeed。Though，likethatofmostotherintelligentcreatures，hersoulturnedwithloathingfromthedrearyfustianofpolitics，shewouldreligiouslysearchtheparliamentarycolumnfrombeginningtoendonthechanceoffindinghisnameorthenoticeofaspeechbyhim。Thelawreportsalsofurnishedherwithahappyhunting-groundinwhichsheoftenfoundhergame。
　　Buttheyweremiserablemonths。Toriseinthemorning，togothroughtheroundofdailyduty——thinkingofGeoffrey;tocomehomewearied，andfinallytoseekrefugeinsleepanddreamsofhim——thiswasthesumofthem。Thentherewereothertroubles。Tobeginwith，thingshadgonefrombadtoworseattheVicarage。Thetithesscarcelycameinatall，andeverydaytheirpovertypinchedthemcloser。HaditnotbeenforBeatrice’ssalaryitwasdifficulttoseehowthefamilycouldhavecontinuedtoexist。Shegaveitalmostalltoherfathernow，onlykeepingbackaverysmallsumforhernecessaryclothingandsuchsundriesasstampsandwritingpaper。Eventhen，Elizabethgrumbledbitterlyatherextravaganceincontinuingtobuyadailypaper，askingwhatbusinessshehadtospendsixpenceaweekonsuchaneedlessluxury。ButBeatricewouldnotmakeuphermindtodockthepaperwithitsoccasionalmentionofGeoffrey。
　　Again，OwenDavieswasaperpetualanxietytoher。Hisinfatuationforherselfwasbecomingnotorious;everybodysawitexceptherfather。
　　Mr。Granger’smindwassooccupiedwithquestionsconnectedwithtithethatfortunatelyforBeatricelittleelsecouldfindanentry。Owendoggedherabout;hewouldwaitwholehoursoutsidetheschoolorbytheVicaragegatemerelytospeakafewwordstoher。Sometimeswhenatlengthsheappearedheseemedtobestruckdumb，hecouldsaynothing，butwouldgazeatherwithhisdulleyesinafashionthatfilledherwithvaguealarm。Heneverventuredtospeaktoherofhisloveindeed，buthelookedit，whichwasalmostasbad。Anotherthingwasthathehadgrownjealous。TheseedwhichElizabethhadplantedinhismindhadbroughtforthabundantly，thoughofcourseBeatricedidnotknowthatthiswashersister’sdoing。
　　OntheverymorningthatGeoffreywentawayMr。DavieshadmetherasshewaswalkingbackfromthestationandaskedherifMr。Binghamhadgone。Whensherepliedthatthiswasso，shehaddistinctlyheardhimmurmur，“ThankGod！thankGod！“SubsequentlyshediscoveredalsothathebribedtheoldpostmantokeepcountoftheletterswhichshesentandreceivedfromGeoffrey。
　　ThesethingsfilledBeatricewithalarm，buttherewasworsebehind。
　　Mr。Daviesbegantosendherpresents，firstsuchthingsasprizepigeonsandfowls，thenjewellery。Thepigeonsandfowlsshecouldnotwellreturnwithoutexcitingremark，butthejewelleryshesentbackbyoneoftheschoolchildren。Firstcameabracelet，thenalocketwithhisphotographinside，andlastly，acasethat，whensheopenedit，whichhercuriosityledhertodo，nearlyblindedherwithlight。
　　Itwasadiamondnecklace，andshehadneverseensuchdiamondsbefore，butfromtheirsizeandlustresheknewthateachstonemustbeworthhundredsofpounds。Beatriceputitinherpocketandcarriedituntilshemethim，whichshedidinthecourseofthatafternoon。
　　“Mr。Davies。”shesaidbeforehecouldspeak，andhandinghimthepackage，“thishasbeensenttomebymistake。Willyoukindlytakeitback？”
　　Hetookit，abashed。
　　“Mr。Davies。”shewenton，lookinghimfullintheeyes，“Ihopethattherewillbenomoresuchmistakes。PleaseunderstandthatIcannotacceptpresentsfromyou。”
　　“IfMr。Binghamhadsentit，youwouldhaveacceptedit。”hemutteredsulkily。
　　Beatriceturnedandflashedsuchalookonhimthathefellbackandlefther。Butitwastrue，andsheknewthatitwastrue。IfGeoffreyhadgivenherasixpencewithaholeinit，shewouldhavevalueditmorethanallthediamondsonearth。Oh！whatapositionwashers。Anditwaswrong，too。Shehadnorighttolovethehusbandofanotherwoman。Butrightorwrongthefactremained:shedidlovehim。
　　Andtheworstofitwasthat，asshewellknew，soonerorlaterallthisaboutMr。Daviesmustcometotheearsofherfather，andthenwhatwouldhappen？Onethingwascertain。Inhispresentpoverty-
　　strickenconditionhewouldmoveheavenandearthtobringabouthermarriagetothisrichman。Herfatherneverhadbeenveryscrupulouswheremoneywasconcerned，andthepinchofwantwasnotlikelytomakehimmoreso。
　　Nor，wemaybesure，didallthisescapethejealouseyeofElizabeth。
　　Thingslookedblackforher，butshedidnotintendtothrowupthecardsonthataccount。Onlyitwastimetoleadtrumps。Inotherwords，BeatricemustbefatallycompromisedintheeyesofOwenDavies，ifbyanymeansthiscouldbebroughtabout。Sofarthingshadgonewellforherschemes。BeatriceandGeoffreylovedeachother，ofthatElizabethwascertain。Buttheexistenceofthissecret，underhandaffectionwouldavailhernaughtunlessitcouldberipenedintoacts。Everybodyisfreetoindulgeinsecretpredilections，butifoncetheyaregivenwayto，ifonceawoman’scharacteriscompromised，thentheworldavailsitselfofitsopportunitiesanddestroysher。Whatman，thoughtElizabeth，wouldmarryacompromisedwoman？IfBeatricecouldbecompromised，OwenDavieswouldnottakehertowife——thereforethismustbebroughtabout。
　　Itsoundswickedandunnatural。“Impossiblethatsistershouldsotreatsister。”thereaderofthishistorymaysay，thinkingofherown，andofheraffectionateandrespectablesurroundings。Butitisnotimpossible。Ifyou，whodoubt，willstudythelawreports，andnoworseoccupationcanbewishedtoyou，youwillfindthatsuchthingsarepossible。Humannaturecanrisetostrangeheights，anditcanalsofalltodepthsbeyondyourfathoming。Becauseathingiswithoutparallelinyourownsmallexperienceitinnowayfollowsthatitcannotbe。
　　Elizabethwasaveryremorselessperson;shewasmore——shewasawomanactuatedbypassionandbygreed:thetwostrongestmotivesknowntothehumanheart。Butwithherrecklessnesssheunitedaconsiderabledegreeofintelligence，orratherofintellect。Hadshebeenasavageshemighthaveremovedhersisterfromherpathbyamoreexpeditiousway;beingwhatshewas，shemerelystrovetoeffectthesameendbyamethodnotpunishablebylaw，inshort，bymurderingherreputation。
　　Wouldsheberesponsibleifhersisterwentwrong，andwasthusutterlydiscreditedintheeyesofthismanwhowishedtomarryher，andwhomElizabethwishedtomarry？Ofcoursenot;thatwasBeatrice’saffair。Butshecouldgivehereverychanceoffallingintotemptation，andthisitwasherfixeddesigntodo。
　　Circumstancessoongaveheranopportunity。TheneedofmoneybecameverypressingattheVicarage。Theyhadliterallynolongerthewherewithaltolive。Thetithepayersabsolutelyrefusedtofulfiltheirobligations。Asithappened，Jones，themanwhohadmurderedtheauctioneer，wasneverbroughttotrial。Hediedshortlyafterhisarrestinafitof/deliriumtremens/andnervousprostrationbroughtonbythesuddencessationofasupplyofstimulants，andanexamplewaslost，that，hadhebeendulyhanged，mighthavebeenmadeoftheresultsofdefyingthelaw。Mr。Grangerwasnowtoopoortoinstituteanyfurtherproceedings，which，inthestateofpublicfeelinginWales，mightormightnotsucceed;hecouldonlysubmit，andsubmissionmeantbeggary。Indeedhewasalreadyabeggar。InthisstateofaffairshetookcounselwithElizabeth，pointingoutthattheymusteithergetmoneyorstarve。Nowtheonlypossiblewaytogetmoneywasbyborrowingit，andMr。Granger’ssuggestionwasthatheshouldapplytoOwenDavies，whohadplenty。Indeedhewouldhavedonesolongago，butthatthesquirehadthereputationofbeinganexceedinglyclose-fistedman。
　　ButthispropositiondidnotatallsuitElizabeth’sbook。HergreatobjecthadbeentoconcealMr。Davies’sdesiresasregardsBeatricefromherfather，andherdailydreadwasthathemightbecomeacquaintedwiththemfromsomeoutsidesource。SheknewverywellthatifherfatherwentuptotheCastletoborrowmoneyitwouldbelent，orrathergiven，freelyenough;butshealsoknewthatthelenderwouldalmostcertainlytaketheopportunity，theveryfavourableopportunity，tounfoldhiswishesasregardstheborrower’sdaughter。
　　Theonethingwouldnaturallyleadtotheother——thepromiseofherfather’ssupportofOwen’ssuitwouldbetheconsiderationforthemoneyreceived。Howgladlythatsupportwouldbegivenwasalsoobvioustoher，andwithherfatherpushingBeatriceontheonesideandOwenDaviespushingherontheother，howcouldElizabethbesurethatshewouldnotyield？Beatricewouldbetheverypersontobecarriedawaybyanideaofduty。Theirfatherwouldtellherthathehadgotthemoneyonthisundertaking，anditwasquitepossiblethatherpridemightbringhertofulfilabondthusgiven，howeverdistastefulthedeedmightbetoherpersonally。No，herfathermustatallhazardsbepreventedfromseekingassistancefromOwenDavies。
　　Andyetthemoneymustbehadfromsomewhere，ortheywouldberuined。
　　Ah，shehadit——GeoffreyBinghamshouldlendthemoney！Hecouldwellafforditnow，andsheshrewdlyguessedthathewouldnotgrudgethecoatoffhisbackifhethoughtthatbygivingithemightdirectlyorindirectlyhelpBeatrice。Herfathermustgouptotowntoseehim，shewouldhavenoletter-writing;oneneverknowshowalettermayberead。HemustseeMr。Bingham，andifpossiblebringhimdowntoBryngelly。InamomenteverydetailoftheplotbecamecleartoElizabeth’smind，andthenshespoke。
　　“YoumustnotgotoMr。Davies，father。”shesaid;“heisahardman，andwouldonlyrefuseandputyouinafalseposition;youmustgotoMr。Bingham。Listen:heisrichnow，andheisveryfondofyouandofBeatrice。Hewilllendyouahundredpoundsatonce。YoumustgotoLondonbytheearlytrainto-morrow，anddrivestraighttohischambersandseehim。Itwillcosttwopoundstogetthereandback，butthatcannotbehelped;itissaferthanwriting，andIamsurethatyouwillnotgofornothing。Andseehere，father，bringMr。
　　Binghambackwithyouforafewdaysifyoucan。Itwillbealittlereturnforhiskindness，andIknowthatheisnotwell。Beatricehadaletterfromhiminwhichhesaidthathewassooverworkedthathethoughthemusttakealittlerestsoon。BringhimbackforWhit-
　　Sunday。”
　　Mr。Grangerhesitated，demurred，andfinallyyielded。Theweak，querulousoldfarmerclergyman，wornoutwithmanydailycaresandquiteunsupportedbymentalresources，wasbutatoolinElizabeth’sablehands。Hedidnotindeedfeelanyhumiliationattheideaoftryingtoborrowthecash，forhisnaturewasnotfinelystrung，andmoneytroubleshadmadehimcalloustothevergeofunscrupulousness;
　　buthedidnotliketheideaofajourneytoLondon，wherehehadnotbeenformorethantwentyyears，andtheexpenditurethatitentailed。
　　StillheactedasElizabethbadehim，eventokeepingtheexpeditionsecretfromBeatrice。Beatrice，ashersisterexplainedtohim，wasproudasLucifer，andmightraiseobjectionsifsheknewthathewasgoingtoLondontoborrowmoneyofMr。Bingham。Thisindeedshewouldcertainlyhavedone。
　　Onthefollowingafternoon——itwastheFridaybeforeWhit-Sunday，andthelastdayoftheEastersittings——Geoffreysatinhischambers，intheworstpossiblespirits，thoroughlystaleandwornoutwithwork。
　　Therewasaconsultationgoingon，andhisclient，apig-headedNorfolkfarmer，whowasbentuponproceedingtotrialwithsomeextraordinaryactionfortrespassagainsthisownlandlord，waspresentwithhissolicitor。Geoffreyinafewshort，clearwordshadexplainedtheabsurdityofthewholething，andstronglyadvisedhimtosettle，fortheclienthadinsistedonseeinghim，refusingtobeputoffwithawrittenopinion。Butthefarmerwasnotsatisfied，andthesolicitorwasnowendeavouringtoletthepurelightoflawintothedarknessofhisinjuredsoul。
　　Geoffreythrewhimselfbackinhischair，pushedthedarkhairfromhisbrow，andpretendedtolisten。Butinaminutehismindwasfaraway。Heavens，howtiredhewas！Well，therewouldberestforafewdays——tillTuesday，whenhehadamatterthatmustbeattendedto——theHousehadrisenandsohadthecourts。Whatshouldhedowithhimself？
　　Honoriawishedtogoandstaywithherbrother，LordGarsington，and，forawonder，totakeEffiewithher。Hedidnotlikeit，buthesupposedthatheshouldhavetoconsent。Onethingwas，/he/wouldnotgo。HecouldnotendureGarsington，Dunstan，andalltheirset。ShouldherundowntoBryngelly？Thetemptationwasverygreat;thatwouldbehappinessindeed，buthiscommonsenseprevailedagainstit。No，itwasbetterthatheshouldnotgothere。HewouldleaveBryngellyalone。IfBeatricewishedhimtocomeshewouldhavesaidso，andshehadneverevenhintedatsuchathing，andifshehadhedidnotthinkthathewouldhavegone。Buthelackedthehearttogoanywhereelse。
　　Hewouldstopintown，rest，andreadanovel，forGeoffrey，whenhefoundtime，wasnotabovethisfrivolousoccupation。Possibly，undercertaincircumstances，hemightevenhavebeencapableofwritingone。
　　Atthatmomenthisclerkentered，andhandedhimaslipofpaperwithsomethingwrittenonit。Heopeneditidlyandread:
　　“Revd。Mr。Grangertoseeyou。Toldhimyouwereengaged，buthesaidhewouldwait。”
　　Geoffreystartedviolently，soviolentlythatboththesolicitorandtheobstinatefarmerlookedup。
　　“TellthegentlemanthatIwillseehiminaminute。”hesaidtotheretreatingclerk，andthen，addressingthefarmer，“Well，sir，IhavesaidallthatIhavetosay。Icannotadviseyoutocontinuethisaction。Indeed，ifyouwishtodoso，youmustreallydirectyoursolicitortoretainsomeothercounsel，asIwillnotbeapartytowhatcanonlymeanawasteofmoney。Goodafternoon。”andherose。
　　Thefarmerwasconvoyedoutgrumbling。InanothermomentMr。Grangerentered，dressedinasomewhatthreadbaresuitofblack，andhisthinwhitehairhanging，asusual，overhiseyes。Geoffreyglancedathimwithapprehension，andashedidsonoticedthathehadagedgreatlyduringthelastsevenmonths。HadhecometotellhimsomeillnewsofBeatrice——thatshewasill，ordead，orgoingtobemarried？
　　“Howdoyoudo，Mr。Granger？”hesaid，ashestretchedouthishand，andcontrollinghisvoiceaswellashecould。“Howareyou？Thisisamostunexpectedpleasure。”
　　“Howdoyoudo，Mr。Bingham？”answeredtheoldman，whileheseatedhimselfnervouslyinachair，placinghishatwithatremblinghanduponthefloorbesidehim。“Yes，thankyou，Iamprettywell，notverygrand——wornoutwithtroubleasthesparksflyupwards。”headded，withavagueautomaticrecollectionofthescripturalquotation。
　　“IhopethatMissElizabethandBe——thatyourdaughtersarewellalso。”saidGeoffrey，unabletorestrainhisanxiety。
　　“Yes，yes，thankyou，Mr。Bingham。Elizabethisn’tverygrandeither，complainsofapaininherchest，alittlebiliousperhaps——shealwaysisbiliousinthespring。”
　　“AndMissBeatrice？”
　　“Oh，Ithinkshe’swell——veryquiet，youknow，andalittlepale，perhaps;butsheisalwaysquiet——astrangewomanBeatrice，Mr。
　　Bingham，averystrangewoman，quitebeyondme！Idonotunderstandher，anddon’ttryto。Notlikeotherwomenatall，takesnopleasureinthingsseemingly;curious，withhergoodlooks——verycurious。ButnobodyunderstandsBeatrice。”
　　Geoffreybreathedasighofrelief。“Andhowaretithesbeingpaid，Mr。Granger？notverygrandly，Ifear。IsawthatscoundrelJonesdiedinprison。”
　　Mr。Grangerwokeupatonce。Beforehehadbeentalkingalmostatrandom;thesubjectofhisdaughtersdidnotgreatlyinteresthim。
　　Whatdidinteresthimwasthismoneyquestion。Norwasitverywonderful;thepoornarrow-mindedoldmanhadthoughtaboutmoneytillhecouldscarcelyfindroomforanythingelse，indeednothingelsereallytouchedhimclosely。Hebrokeintoalongstoryofhiswrongs，and，drawingapaperfromhisbreastpocket，withshakingfingerpointedouttoGeoffreyhowthathisclericalincomeforthelastsixmonthshadbeenattherateofonlyfortypoundsayear，uponwhichsumevenaWelshclergymancouldnotconsiderhimselfpassingrich。
　　Geoffreylistenedandsympathised;thencameapause。
　　“That’showwe’vebeengettingonatBryngelly，Mr。Bingham。”Mr。
　　Grangersaidpresently，“starving，prettywellstarving。It’sonlyyouwhohavebeenmakingmoney;we’vebeensittingonthesamedock-leafwhileyouhavebecomeagreatman。IfithadnotbeenforBeatrice’ssalary——she’sbehavedverywellaboutthesalary，hasBeatrice——IamsureIdon’tunderstandhowthepoorgirlclothesherselfonwhatshekeeps;Iknowthatshehadtogowithoutawarmcloakthiswinter，becauseshegotacoughfromit——weshouldhavebeenintheworkhouse，andthat’swhereweshallbeyet。”andherubbedthebackofhiswitheredhandacrosshiseyes。
　　Geoffreygasped。Beatricewithscarcelyenoughmeanstoclotheherself——Beatriceshiveringandbecomingillfromthewantofacloakwhile/he/livedinluxury！Itmadehimsicktothinkofit。Foramomenthecouldsaynothing。
　　“Ihavecomehere——I’vecome。”wentontheoldmaninabrokenvoice，brokennotsomuchbyshameathavingtomaketherequestasfromfearlestitshouldberefused，“toaskyouifyoucouldlendmealittlemoney。Idon’tknowwheretoturn，Idon’tindeed，orIwouldnotdoit，Mr。Bingham。Ihavespentmylastpoundtogethere。IfyoucouldlendmeahundredpoundsI’dgiveyounoteofhandforitandtrytopayitbacklittlebylittle;wemighttaketwentypoundsayearfromBeatrice’ssalary——“
　　“Don’t，please——donottalkofsuchathing！“ejaculatedthehorrifiedGeoffrey。“Wherethedevilismycheque-book？Oh，Iknow，IleftitinBoltonStreet。Here，thiswilldoaswell。”andhetookupadraftnotemadeouttohisorder，and，rapidlysigninghisnameonthebackofit，handedittoMr。Granger。ItwasinpaymentofthefeesinthegreatcaseofParsonsandDouseandsomeothermatters。Mr。Grangertookthedraft，and，holdingitclosetohiseyes，glancedattheamount;itwas￡200。
　　“ButthisisdoublewhatIaskedfor。”hesaiddoubtfully。“AmItoreturnyou￡100？”
　　“No，no。”answeredGeoffrey，“Idaresaythatyouhavesomedebtstopay。ThankHeaven，IcangetonverywellandearnmoremoneythanI
　　want。Notenoughclothing——itisshockingtothinkof！“headded，moretohimselfthantohislistener。
　　Theoldmanrose，hiseyesfulloftears。“Godblessyou。”hesaid，“Godblessyou。Idonotknowhowtothankyou——Idon’tindeed。”andhecaughtGeoffrey’shandbetweenhistremblingpalmsandpressedit。
　　“Pleasedonotsayanymore，Mr。Granger;itreallyisonlyamatterofmutualobligation。No，no，Idon’twantanynoteofhand。IfIweretodieitmightbeusedagainstyou。Youcanpaymewheneveritisconvenient。”
　　“Youaretoogood，Mr。Bingham。”saidtheoldclergyman。“Wherecouldanothermanbefoundwhowouldlendme￡200withoutsecurity？”whereindeed！“Bytheway。”headded，“Iforgot;mymindisinsuchawhirl。WillyoucomebackwithmeforafewdaystoBryngelly？Weshallallbesopleasedifyoucan。Docome，Mr。Bingham;youlookasthoughyouwantachange，youdoindeed。”
　　Geoffreydroppedhishandheavilyonthedesk。ButhalfanhourbeforehehadmadeuphismindnottogotoBryngelly。Andnow——
　　ThevisionofBeatricerosebeforehiseyes。Beatricewhohadgonecoldallwinterandnevertoldhimonewordoftheirbitingpoverty——
　　thelongingforthesightofBeatricecameintohisheart，andlikeahurricanesweptthedefencesofhisreasontothelevelground。
　　Temptationoverwhelmedhim;henolongerstruggledagainstit。Hemustseeher，ifitwasonlytosaygood-bye。
　　“Thankyou。”hesaidquietly，liftinghisbowedhead。“Yes，Ihavenothingparticulartodoforthenextdayortwo。IthinkthatIwillcome。Whendoyougoback？”
　　“Well，Ithoughtoftakingthenightmail，butIfeelsotired。I
　　reallydon’tknow。IthinkIshallgobythenineo’clocktrainto-morrow。”
　　“Thatwillsuitmeverywell。”saidGeoffrey;“andnowwhatareyougoingtodoto-night？Youhadbettercomeanddineandsleepatmyhouse。Nodressclothes？Oh，nevermind;therearesomepeoplecomingbuttheywon’tcare;aclergymanisalwaysdressed。ComealongandI
　　willgetthatdraftcashed。Thebankisshut，butIcanmanageit。”
　　CHAPTERXX
　　BACKATBRYNGELLY
　　GeoffreyandMr。GrangerreachedBoltonStreetaboutsixo’clock。Thedrawing-roomwasstillfullofcallers。LadyHonoria’syoungmenmusteredingreatforceinthosedays。TheywereveryinoffensiveyoungmenandGeoffreyhadnoparticularobjectiontothem。Onlyhefounditdifficulttorememberalltheirnames。WhenGeoffreyenteredthedrawing-roomtherewerenofewerthanfiveofthem，tosaynothingoftwostrayladies，allsuperblydressedandsittingmetaphoricallyatHonoria’sveryprettyfeet。Otherwisetheircontributionstothegeneralstoreofamusementdidnotamounttomuch，forherladyshipdidmostofthetalking。
　　GeoffreyintroducedMr。Granger，whomHonoriacouldnotatfirstremember。Nordidshereceivetheannouncementthathewasgoingtodineandstaythenightwithanyparticularenthusiasm。TheyoungmenmeltedawayatGeoffrey’sadventlikemistsbeforearisingsun。Hegreetedthemcivillyenough，butwithhimtheyhadnothingincommon。
　　Totellthetruththeywerealittleafraidofhim。Thismanwithhisdarkhandsomefacesealedwiththestampofintellect，hispowerful-
　　lookingformilldressed，accordingtotheirstandardandhisgreatandgrowingreputation，wasapersonwithwhomtheyhadnosympathy，andwho，theyfelt，hadnosympathywiththem。Wetalkasthoughthereisoneheavenandonehellforallofus，butheremustbesomemistake。Animpassablegulfyawnsbetweenthedifferentclassesofmankind。WhathassuchamanasGeoffreytodowiththefeeblemaleandfemalebutterfliesofaLondondrawing-room？Thereisonlyonelinkbetweenthem:theyliveonthesameplanet。
　　Whenthefineyoungmenandthetwostrayladieshadmeltedaway，GeoffreytookMr。Grangeruptohisroom。ComingdownstairsagainhefoundLadyHonoriawaitingforhiminthestudy。
　　“Isthatindividualreallygoingtodineandsleephere？”sheasked。
　　“Certainly，Honoria，andhehasbroughtnodressclothes。”heanswered。
　　“Really，Geoffrey，itistoobadofyou。”saidtheladywithsomepardonableirritation。“Whydoyoubringpeopletodinnerinthispromiscuousway？Itwillquiteupsetthetable。JustfancyaskinganoldWelshclergymantodine，whohasnottheslightestpretensionstobeingagentleman，whenonehasthePrimeMinisterandaBishopcoming——andaclergymanwithoutdressclothestoo。Whathashecomefor？”
　　“Hecametoseemeonbusiness，andastothepeoplecomingtodinner，iftheydon’tlikeittheycangrumblewhentheygohome。Bytheway，Honoria，IamgoingdowntoWalesforadayortwoto-morrow。Iwantachange。”
　　“Indeed！GoingtoseethelovelyBeatrice，Isuppose。Youhadbetterbecareful，Geoffrey。Thatgirlwillgetyouintoamess，andifshedoesthereareplentyofpeoplewhoarereadytomakeanexampleofyou。Youhaveenemiesenough，Icantellyou。Iamnotjealous，itisnotinmyline，butyouaretoointimatewiththatgirl，andyouwillbesorryforitoneday。”